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.

arrived quicker than she

The man wore a sharp suit with a light gray overcoat on top.

and in

onto Madge. It was as if the rest of the world faded

woman he'd thought about for decades, the one

with a smile, rising to loop her arm through his. "You got here faster than I thought. Look who it is! Yes, it's Madge. We finally found her. Isn't

his gaze, but he did gently

it felt

brother. Besides our parents, he's been

Kathleen who

it was to show

there was a hint of some hidden resentment, or

just

how life had turned the once-vibrant Madge

soon as she heard the news, Kathleen informed Teague right

come, too, and couldn't wait

woman who had occupied his thoughts for so

been on his way back from

had managed to get

right away that he had driven through

eager