Nancy’s Reviews > Created In Fire > Status Update

Carrie looked at Michael. He cared for her—maybe even loved her as genuinely as he said. But her heart wasn’t her own to give to him, or to anyone. She was one big mass of bad memories and angry woman. The last few weeks with Michael were the best and happiest time of her life.

“This is what I’m really like. I try so hard not to be snarky with people, but it just happens when I—when I—damn, I guess when I panic or feel pressured. Oh shit, I am like Michael. This is what he does. He panics and then goes for the emotional jugular.” Dr. Whitmore laughed. “Well, that breakthrough happened quickly. You probably shaved five years off your treatment program.

“Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen,” Brooke acknowledged, fully smiling. “Yep. They are quite the pair. On behalf of my father and myself, I thank you for chastising my hotheaded, passionate brother for his bad behavior. Consider yourself officially welcomed to the family, Brooke,” Shane said, laughing.

“In case you haven’t noticed, Michael and Carrie have a stormy relationship,” Shane said. “As in thunder and lightning?” Brooke asked with a grin. “Yes, and very, very frightening,” Shane sang, laughing back and hooking an arm around her shoulders.

"Did you have to publicly embarrass Carrie, you big idiot?” Shane chastised. “She started the fight,” Michael said, having trouble believing Shane thought he’d crossed a line. Shane didn’t even recognize lines. “Doubtful,” Shane replied.

Shane and Brooke both stepped up and put hands on their hips. “What?” Michael asked, unable to hide his amusement at their equally exasperated expressions. They were really a lot alike, he thought. “Did you have to publicly

I am tired of Carrie's waffling here!

never be able to be a genuine wife to him. At some point, she would want to run, and her therapy had confirmed it. She could tell the need was coming. Her therapist had suggested she stall the wedding,

Shane nodded. “They both have the same fixed idea in their head about how their relationship is and isn’t working out. Yet we’ve all watched them fall more in love in the last few weeks. You should have seen them when she first came. She was sleeping in the master bedroom alone and Michael was being eerily calm.” Brooke laughed. “I could tell Michael was totally in love yesterday when I met him.