Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 748

Kathleen's smile turned a bit strained. "Is that so? My brother-in-law is really a stand-up guy for the Gibson family..."

Just as everyone was enjoying their meal, the doorbell rang.

Corley put down his fork and knife. "I'll get it," he said, heading to the front door.

A few seconds later, they heard his voice, tinged with surprise-

"Dad, what are you doing here?!"

Madge's hand, poised to grab another piece of roast beef, paused mid-air.

Norris looked a bit bewildered as he tried to piece together the family connections: Corley's dad meant Kathleen's husband, which made him Madge's brother-in-law. Neely and Geneva exchanged glances, both seeing the worry and confusion mirrored in each other's eyes.

Why had Teague shown up so suddenly?

They hadn't told him that Madge had been found...

Could Corley have let it slip?

That was certainly possible.

Kathleen, however, upon hearing Teague's voice, froze for a moment before a sardonic smile tugged at her lips.

quicker than she

the dining room. The man wore a sharp suit with a light gray overcoat

had begun to pour outside, and in his hurry, part of his shoulder was

It was as if the rest of

he'd thought about for decades, the one

to loop her arm through his. "You got here faster than I thought. Look who it

he did gently pull his arm free from

brighter, though it felt brittle, like

were little, you used to follow him everywhere, calling him brother. Besides our parents,

was Kathleen who had called

was to show

was a hint of some hidden resentment, or maybe

just

him to see how life had turned the once-vibrant Madge into an everyday

as she heard the news, Kathleen informed

wanted to come, too, and couldn't wait to

all, here was the woman who had occupied his thoughts for

way back

managed to get

right away that he had

he that eager