A Soldier's Return Read Free

for them.
    “We need to call the hospitals. Something may have gone wrong with Rebecca!”
    Before they could call, the telephone rang. Will answered, then listened. “Okay, thanks, Bill. We’ll be there in a few minutes.”
    He hung up the phone. “You were right. That was Bill, Jeff’s partner. Rebecca went into labor while she and Vanessa were shopping. She’s at Presbyterian.”
    “Good heavens!” Vivian exclaimed. “Everything’s happening at once. I’ll get my purse. Carrie, can you call Rachel?”
    Carrie nodded, but she couldn’t take her eyes off Jim. He looked like an inmate waiting for the right moment to break out.
    Sure enough he said, “I’ll check in with you tomorrow, Will,” and edged toward the door.
    Vivian ordered, “Stop!”
    Jim came to an abrupt halt. “Yes, ma’am?”
    “Do you have a fear of hospitals?” Vivian asked gently.
    Carrie almost laughed aloud at Jim’s confused expression. “No, ma’am.”
    “Then come with us. Rebecca will be thrilled that you’ve arrived in time for the birth of her second child.” She tucked her hand into Jim’s arm and dragged him out of the library.
    Will grinned at Carrie and offered his arm. “I’m afraid you’re stuck with me, Carrie, since Vivian captured the captain. Shall we go?”
    “Yes, but we’d better tell Betty about Rebecca and to put dinner on hold.”
    “Good thinking. It may be a long night.”
     
    V IVIAN HAD INSISTED they all ride in the same car. On the way, Carrie had called Rachel, but Rebecca had already called her. Rachel and her husband were flying in.
    Vivian hadn’t stopped talking since she met the captain. “What a wonderful surprise to find you here, Jim. The girls will be so happy!”
    Jim was sitting in the back seat beside Carrie. She had yet to see him relax, or to see him smile. She wanted him to be happy to be with his family again, but she wasn’t sure what his response was yet. They were fairly overwhelming. Maybe it was too much to expect him to show his emotion so soon.
    When they reached the hospital, Jim tried to hang back, but Vivian insisted he escort her. “The second floor is for maternity,” she announced as they enteredthe elevator. “I know because our baby was born here five months ago. J.D. proposed to Rachel in the waiting room that night, too.”
    Carrie caught Jim’s glance at her, as if he was acknowledging what she’d earlier told him. Either that or asking her to rescue him, she thought with a grin.
    When they reached the waiting room, there was no one there. Vivian hurried up to the nurse’s desk. The nurse told her what room Rebecca was in.
    “But she already has two people in there. You should wait until one of them comes out.”
    Vivian turned to her family. “I’ll go get them. It won’t take but a minute. Wait right here, Jim.”
    Jim backed away as soon as Vivian disappeared. “I’m not sure I’ll be welcome tonight. Perhaps I should go to the hotel and—”
    “You seem uncommonly fond of your hotel room,” Will teased.
    Jim shrugged his shoulders. “Compared to my normal accommodations, it’s pretty special.”
    Carrie felt she had to speak. “Jim—I mean Captain Barlow,” she hurriedly said when he raised his eyebrow, “Vivian would be terribly hurt if you left. And Vanessa would cry. Please stay.”
    His deep brown eyes looked into hers, as if questioning her honesty. Finally he gave her a nod. “I’ll wait.”
    He was a man of few words, Carrie decided, but she nodded in return, adding a smile. At least he’d agreed to stay.
    Will guided him toward some of the seats. “You must get tired of standing at attention so much,” he said.
    “Not really,” Jim said stiffly, still standing.
    Carrie desperately wanted to know more about this man. Though it was none of her business, she asked, “What made you leave the marines now?”
    She thought he was going to dive for a foxhole to avoid answering her question. But she kept her gaze focused on