A Soldier's Return. Judy Christenberry

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      “Joey, her son, is five and adorable.”

      “So he’ll have a sister like Vanessa.”

      “Not exactly,” Carrie said.

      “Not exactly? Either Rebecca’s husband is Joey’s father, as well, or he’s not.” Jim stared at her, waiting for a response.

      “He is. But when she was pregnant with Joey, she and Jeff lost contact and Rebecca never looked for him. When they accidentally found each other, he was already engaged to another woman. But he found a way to marry Rebecca.”

      “Good for him. But I think I’m going to need a chart to keep up with all of them.”

      Carrie laughed. It was a beautiful sound, he realized instantly. “There’s only Rachel left. She’s married to J.D. He’s a rancher and he’s terrific. A great guy.”

      “Are you attracted to him?” Jim asked, frowning. He didn’t want anyone giving his sisters problems. And he could see how any man might be interested in the blonde.

      The young woman stared at him, her mouth open. The expression should have made her unattractive, but it didn’t. He guessed he had a weak spot for blue-eyed blondes.

      “No! Absolutely not!”

      “Then why did you say he was terrific?”

      “Because he is. Especially the way he treats Rachel.”

      “Okay,” Jim said slowly, watching her carefully. “Do they live in Dallas?”

      “No, his ranch is in west Texas, five or six hours west of Dallas.”

      “Have you been there?” That would tell him how involved she was with his sister’s husband.

      “No,” she said, frowning.

      Before she could say anything else, Will came out of his office, putting on his jacket as he walked.

      “We’re going home, Carrie,” he said. “Betty’s putting on a big spread and she’s expecting you to be there.”

      “I shouldn’t intrude, Will. It’s a night for family,” Carrie said.

      “You’re family, honey, and don’t you forget it,” the man said as he stooped down to kiss her cheek. “Now, are you coming with us or do you have things you need to do? Dinner is at six.”

      “I’d better finish up a few things, but I’ll be along for dinner.” Carrie turned her eyes on him. “And…welcome home, Jim.”

      “Thank you.” He could hear the sincerity in her voice. Still, there was something disturbing about the young woman. Perhaps because he’d actually found himself responding to her…?

      CARRIE FORCED HERSELF to wait another hour at the office before she put away her work and went to her car. By now, she figured, Vanessa had had a chance to meet her brother. Maybe even Rebecca had gotten there, too, though Rachel probably wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow.

      She couldn’t imagine the joy the three sisters would feel upon seeing their long-lost brother. She could hardly believe she’d met Jim herself, though she’d certainly dreamed about their first encounter countless times.

      In the past year she’d had a lot of fantasies about Jim, all of them with her as a costar. She’d even started having conversations with his picture in which she’d imagined his responses, his smiles…his touch. In her fantasies, that tight-jawed look in his face relaxed, revealing a wealth of emotions.

      Had she been wrong? The real Jim seemed as stoic and unemotional as his photo. But maybe that was to be expected under the circumstances. Once he was in the circle of family, surely he’d emote. No one could hold back for long in the Greenfield house. She knew how loving they were. After all, over the past year and a half they’d become her family, too, especially since both her parents were now gone.

      When she reached the Greenfield house in the Highland Park suburb of Dallas, she went to the front door, an unusual occurrence. Since she and Vanessa had found each other again, she visited frequently, but usually through the back door.

      When the door opened, Betty stared at her. “What are you doing ringing the doorbell, Carrie? Get yourself in here.”

      Carrie kissed the housekeeper’s cheek. “I didn’t want to intrude. Has everyone gathered to meet Jim?”

      “No. We can’t find Vanessa or Rebecca. We called the law office and her husband’s gone, too.”

      “Maybe the girls went shopping for the baby. Did you try their cell phones?”

      “No answer.”

      “Oh, my. Is the captain still here?”

      “A’course. Will had to practically tackle him to keep him from leaving. Miz Vivian hasn’t woken up, either. She’s sleeping a long time.”

      “I’m up, Betty,” called Vivian as she reached the first floor.

      “Miz Vivian, guess who’s here?”

      “I can see. Hi, Carrie. How are you?”

      “Vivian, I’m not who Betty means. Jim is here.”

      “Jim? Here? Where is he?”

      Carrie looked at Betty even as she took Vivian’s arm. She could feel the excitement running through Vivian.

      “In the library,” Betty said and preceded them down the hall and opened the door.

      Carrie followed Vivian in, eager to see her reaction to Jim.

      The man immediately stood, and Vivian didn’t hesitate. She did what Carrie had wanted to do. She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him.

      Will chuckled. “Jim, this exuberant woman is my wife and Vanessa’s mother.”

      Carrie could see the awkwardness Jim was experiencing. He hadn’t expected a woman he’d never met to embrace him and press her head against his chest.

      Finally, Vivian took a step back and smiled up at him as she cupped his cheek with one hand. “Oh, I’m so excited. We didn’t think you’d be here for a few more months. This is so wonderful! Did Vanessa cry? She does that when things get too emotional.”

      Will responded to his wife’s question. “Honey, we haven’t been able to find Vanessa or Rebecca.”

      “Can’t find them? That’s ridiculous, Will! You’re a private eye.”

      “I’ve called everyone I can think of. Jeff’s office doesn’t know where he is, either.”

      “Where’s Joey? He should be getting out of kindergarten now. What if—”

      “We sent Peter over to their house to wait for him to come home,” Will assured her, mentioning Betty’s husband, who also worked for them.

      “We СКАЧАТЬ