Read Online The Army Doctor's Wedding by Helen Scott Taylor - Free Book Online Page A

She glanced back with a conspiratorial
smile. "It's useful having a father-in-law who works for the MOD. He has
the ear of some very important people. All we need to do is get you an
appointment with an adoption agency so you and Cameron can be approved to
adopt. Until then, you should be able to foster Sami."
    Olivia made the adoption process
sound easy. Alice hoped it would be. If anyone tried to take Sami away from her
she wasn't sure what she'd do, but she wouldn't give her baby up.
    "Here you are." Olivia
pushed open a door on the landing and led the way into a large, airy bedroom
overlooking the back garden.
    Alice's gaze settled on the
king-size bed and she swallowed. She would share that with Cameron. A shivery
feeling swept through her and she turned away, trying to focus on anything
except the bed.
    A lacy bassinet rested on a stand
in the corner with a baby changing table underneath the window. This was a
dream come true.
    "This is lovely. Thank you
so much for everything. I don't have much for Sami, so the baby things are a
godsend." Alice laid Sami on the bed, her shoulder aching from all the
carrying.
    "Radley warned me you
wouldn't have much with you." Olivia pulled out some drawers on the
changing unit to reveal baby clothes. "These are newborn size so they
should fit him. Emma is nine months now. We grew out of them awhile ago, didn't
we, my big girl." She kissed her daughter's forehead, then turned and indicated
some women's clothes folded on the chair. "I hope these will tide you over
until you have a chance to pick up your own things."
    Tears pricked Alice's eyes.
Cameron's relatives were so kind. She didn't deserve it.
    ***
    Cameron passed the ball to George, taking care not to kick
too hard. His son ran after it and knocked it on to Radley. This was almost
like old times—he and Radley knocking a ball around together in the back
garden. Only time had marched on and things had changed so much he barely
remembered the carefree boy he had been back then.
    George tripped and was straight
back up, chasing after the ball, grass stains on his knees. He was such a
bright, brave little boy, a credit to Olivia and Radley. He might carry
Cameron's genes but Radley was George's father in every way that mattered.
    The familiar blend of guilt,
longing, and resentment stirred in his chest, but faded much faster than usual.
This visit he was simply pleased to see how happy his son was. Many times he
had wished he'd been a father to George, but that would have meant marrying
Olivia. She was a beautiful woman and a wonderful mother, but not right for
him.
    You would never catch Olivia
doing something daring like working with nomads in the desert as Alice had. Not
many young women would. He admired Alice's courage and willingness to take
risks to help others. He understood it.
    He passed the ball to George and
glanced up at the back of Radley's house, at the bedroom windows. Alice was up
there with Sami. His wife and adopted son . The thought sent a flash of
warmth and satisfaction through him. He had a chance to prove to his parents he
was not still the irresponsible, selfish son who shirked his responsibilities.
Alice and Sami needed him in a way he understood and could help with.
    "Hey, Rad. Think I should go
up and make sure Alice and Sami have everything they need."
    His brother kicked the ball
farther away and George dashed after it, his little legs pumping as if he were
in a race. Radley came closer. "Your news surprised me. It was a bit sudden
between you and Alice. You've only known each other a few weeks."
    "It only took you a few
weeks to fall in love with Olivia."
    Radley nodded thoughtfully.
"Point taken. But we didn't marry straight away."
    When Radley gave him an
is-there-something-you're-not-telling-me look, Cameron glanced down. His
brother had always been too perceptive.
    "You know how everything
seems different in a conflict zone, more urgent." He didn't want to tell
his brother he had only married Alice