Redemption by La Kuehlke Page A

Bryan.”
    “Carrie, planned what ?” Nick asked, feeling nervous.
    “A dinner cruise. You know, on one of those Spirit boats. It’s all booked and paid for. You, Cassidy, Derek, Miranda, me, and now Bryan.” She grinned, obviously very pleased with herself. “We’re going this Saturday night, so get some nice suits, boys.”
    “It’s January and freezing,” Nick stated, not bothering to hide his lack of enthusiasm.
    “They cruise year-round, even for New Year’s. Besides, we can be inside. It’ll be pretty, and Cassidy loves New York,” she paused and narrowed her eyes. “We’re doing this.”
    Carrie was not normally callous and oblivious to the pain of those she cared about, so Bryan was wondering why she thought he would, for any reason whatsoever, agree to this ridiculous cruise.
    “I’m not really interested,” he said.
    “Interested or not, Bryan, you obviously need to get out. Look at yourself. And Cassidy needs a date. You’re familiar to her. You can’t leave her alone on her birthday . C’mon please?” Carrie folded her hands. “It’ll be fun.”
    Bryan didn’t even bother to hide how he felt. “I don’t get you. You know I don’t want to see Miranda.” Just saying her name out loud caused a fresh tear in his heart.
    “Yeah, well, it’s gonna happen. I know I’m being harsh with you, Bry, but someone has to be.” Carrie dug in. There was no way he was skipping this. She knew what she was doing.
    He muttered a few curses under his breath, closed his eyes, clenched his jaw, breathed in sharply. A war of common sense and self-preservation was being waged inside him. The stone had grown hot, almost burning his flesh. He should refuse. He should tell Carrie where she could stick her idea. He should tell her how much of a heartless witch she was being, get up, and leave.
    “Fine,” he said. “I’ll go. Just don’t expect me to enjoy it.”
    Carrie kissed his cheek. “You’ll see. It really will be fun. Hang with Cass.”
    Bryan glowered at her.
    “Okay, on to the next item on our agenda. Wedding photo-
graphy.”
    Nick and Bryan looked at each other, speechless.
    Carrie was clearly up to something. Maybe she thought forcing Bryan to be in the same place as Miranda would help him, like tearing off a bandage. Maybe she was trying to jolt him into showing even one, little emotion. Maybe she was just used to getting her way.
    About an hour and a half later, Bryan stood, stretched, and grabbed the list from the table. “I think I’ll head back to the hotel now.” So much for sustained interaction with people. He was worn out. “Nick, on the way, think you could take me to get a rental before the place closes?”
    “Sure.”
    “I’m, uh, just going to say goodbye to Cass first,” Bryan said, clearing his throat. “Would be rude not to.”
    Carrie smiled, a gleam in her eye. “Upstairs and to the left.”
    As soon as he was out of earshot, Nick leaned over and pinned Carrie with his glare. “You’re not doing what I think you’re doing.”
    “I have no idea what you mean,” she said, sighing. “If he wants to say goodbye, where’s the harm in that?”
    “No matchmaking. Not for him. Not with her,” Nick said firmly. “He’s not ready, and she’ll get hurt.”
    “Pshaw. They’ll be fine. Can’t you just trust me?” she wound her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.
     
    Bryan leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms. She’d fallen asleep. Carrie mentioned that she drove from Vermont, so he could understand why she was so tired. He was tired, too. Just a different kind of tired.
    He sighed as he quietly walked into the room and stood watching her. Cassidy’s chest rose and fell with each breath. She looked so peaceful. His sleep was always fitful, images he tried to avoid during the day finding their way into his unconscious mind. He envied her for that. Little Cassidy Baker. He smiled faintly.
    A stray hair had fallen across her face,