Cara O'Shea's Return Read Online Free

nothing to do with temperature and everything to do with the layer of ice forming around her battered dignity. No stranger to taunting insults from the boys at school, she steeled her heart against the humiliating remarks buzzing around her like angry bees. Chin held high, she refused to let any of them, including Finn, see her cringe with embarrassment.
    Instead, she let her eyes go frigid, and welcomed the death of each and every one of those butterflies she’d carried within her for years. Dragging her gaze from Finn’s, she swept the rest of the crowd with a disdainful glance, before turning and walking away. She’d left town two days later, and with the exception of the occasional, quick, turnaround visit, she hadn’t looked back.
    The events of that day destroyed her childhood self. She’d done her best to put the memories behind her, but she couldn’t ever forget, neither her father’s betrayal, nor her humiliation beside that pool. And from the shadows in Finn’s eyes in Maive’s parlor, he hadn’t forgotten either.
    Not that it mattered. Some good came of the events of that long ago day and night. She emerged from the experience with a new to-hell-with-them-all attitude and while she occasionally mourned the trusting girl she left behind, she no longer tolerated anyone’s crap.
    In the past eight years, she’d faced down bigger obstacles than Finn the Fine, and triumphed. No longer a shy seventeen-year-old in a transparent dress, she would survive sharing rubber chicken and toasts with the town stud, even if it killed her.

Chapter Four
    “There’ll be swimming after the rehearsal. Don’t forget your suit.” Erin’s voice carried up the stairwell to Cara’s childhood bedroom in her mother’s house.
    In a singsong voice, Cara called back. “I don’t think so.”
    “But everyone will be swimming. You have to bring your suit.”
    She leaned close to the mirror to attach a dangling earring, mumbling, “Not in this lifetime.” Makeup applied lightly, she wore her dark auburn hair down. It fell in riotous curls down her back. The long, floral, sheath dress was one of her favorites. She loved the dark green color, and the way the loose material muted the impact of her curves.
    Grabbing her purse, she hurried downstairs.
    Frustrated, yet gorgeous, Erin paced the hallway with her hands on her hips, her petite frame displayed to perfection in white linen drawstring pants and a fuchsia tank. A large tote hung from one shoulder. Her strawberry blonde hair was slicked back in a sophisticated knot, and her lips were pulled tight in a mulish frown.
    “Don’t start.” Cara brushed by her.
    Erin followed her outside, the heels of her sandals clicking on the walkway. “You always say that.”
    “And you never listen. We’ll take my new car.” Cara stopped beside the dark Jeep Cherokee she’d purchased immediately upon landing back in Boston. She grinned across the hood and opened the door. “In case I need to escape.”
    Erin slipped into the passenger seat with a huff. “I want you to have a good time tonight, Cara.”
    With Daddy and Michael Finnegan in attendance? Fat chance! But she wasn’t about to ruin her sister’s night, so she tried to reassure her.
    “I will. I promise. I just don’t have any interest in frolicking around in a pool with a bunch of strangers.”
    “They’re not strangers.” Erin turned in her seat, her eyes pleading. “The town’s not that big. You’ll know most of them.”
    “ You’ll know most of them. I know many of the people in town by sight, not because we were friendly. I spent the majority of my childhood buried in the art department or with my nose in a book. Besides, I’ve been gone a long time.”
    “Exactly,” Erin persisted. “But you’re back now and I want you to be happy so you’ll stay. You could make a few new friends tonight, if you let yourself.”
    Cara laughed at Erin’s earnest expression. Her outgoing sister barreled through life,