Free McCade's Wish (The McCade Family Series Book 2) by Mara McBain

the imagination, no matter how much it covered. The petite brunette pulled a padded footstool over to perch near Nate’s head. Cole crouched next to her, as if warning Nate away. It didn’t work.
    “I think I’m in love,” Nate said softly.
    Adrienne laughed and stroked his cheek again, her hand coming to rest on his forehead to check for a fever. “I think you better ease up on the Irish coffee, handsome.”
    Trey snorted at the goofy grin on the boy’s face and shook his head. The glower Cole was giving the younger man warned this was going to get ugly if he didn’t step in. Tilting Gen back from his chest, he brushed strands of copper off her face and gave her a gentle kiss.
    “Since we’re all up, why don’t you ladies see what you can rustle up for breakfast? Cole and I can keep an eye on the dumbass.”
    Gen tilted her head, leaning her cheek into the palm of his hand and he found himself humbled by the pure love that shone from her face.
    “I’ll always come back to you,” he said, his voice sounding hoarse in the quiet. “You can’t get rid of me that easily, woman,” he added, trying to lighten the moment.
    Her face lit in a smile and she cupped his cheeks to give him a slow kiss. “Then I’m a lucky woman.”
    Trey grinned and lifted her to her feet. “I’m the lucky one, darlin’.”
    Adrienne stood and leaned over Cole’s shoulder, pressing her cheek to his. “Aren’t they adorable?” she whispered loudly.
    “Not as adorable as you,” Cole answered easily.
    Adrienne squeezed his shoulders and kissed his cheek with a laugh before straightening and following Gen to the kitchen.
    “She called me handsome,” Nate said with a goofy grin.
    “She also told you to back off on the sauce,” Cole said dryly.
    “Who is she?”
    “Genevieve’s friend from New York.”
    “She’s an angel.”
    Trey snorted and stood to pick up the bottle of whiskey. “No more of this for you.”
    Cole laughed and tugged the quilt higher around their shivering brother. “You’re lucky you almost froze to death. If you were healthy, I’d have to kick your ass for ogling my woman.”
    “Your woman? She stripped off my clothes and called me handsome.”
    “I saw her Nurse Nightingale routine. We were all worried about you. Don’t read too much into that.”
    “Does this mean you aren’t worried about me anymore?” Nate teased.
    “Keep flirting with my woman and I’ll throw you back out in the snow.”
    “What if she flirts with me?”
    “Don’t worry about her. You worry about me, little brother.”
    “You sound like Daddy and Trey,” Nate grumbled.
    “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
    “And on that comment I’m cutting you both off,” Trey said dryly.
     
    Walking through the foyer with a fresh cup of coffee, Cole was drawn to the window. He leaned against the jamb, staring out at the swirling wall of white. Standing on the porch searching the dark for any sign of his brothers had been agonizing. In those long minutes, he hadn’t needed Gen’s anger to make him regret his decision to return to the house. A grimace creased his face. Truth be told, he idolized Trey as much as Gen did. When his big brother had yelled that he had it, to go back to the house, Cole hadn’t even thought to question it. Trey was large and in charge. Everything about him inspired confidence he would get the job done. Cole sighed. Even so, he’d never been so happy to see anyone in his life as when Trey had stumbled up to the porch with Nate over his shoulder.
    Adrienne’s laughter cut through the air. Cole pulled his stare from the window and glanced into the living room. What could the runt be telling her that was so hilarious? With their heads pressed together, the quiet murmur of their voices wasn’t carrying. Pushing away from the jamb, he strolled back into the family room to glare pointedly at their little brother. It was one thing to have to be jealous of Trey saving the day, but there was no way Nate