Read Online Valentine Babies (Holiday Babies Series) by Mona Risk - Free Book Online Page A

was a different story that not too many men could stomach.
    She gently rubbed her belly. “Little one, I love you,” she
murmured. “Will Greg accept  you?” What about Nabil’s parents? How would
they react if they ever learn the truth?
    “Here is a menu.” The stewardess interrupted her musing.
“Can I get you a drink?”
    “Just a bottle of water.” Later she ordered the chicken
meal. She wasn’t particularly hungry but forced herself to eat a small portion.
Greg had recommended not skipping meals or snacks and she’d promised to obey
her doctor’s orders. He’d also given her a supply of Zofran for morning
sickness.
     After dinner, Roxanne raised the footrest and threw a
blanket over herself. Overhead lights automatically dimmed to allow passengers
to sleep.
    Tomorrow might be a difficult day after a long flight to
Dubai with a stopover of several hours and a connection to Baghdad. She’d
always been exhilarated by a challenging assignment. Not this time. She’d had
it with adventure and excitement. Weary and anxious, she wriggled to find a
comfortable position.
    Sleep eluded her. The present trip rattled her nerves and
the cool poise she’d enveloped herself with until now was slowly eroding. Was
it because of her condition and her instinctive fear for her baby, or because
she didn’t know what to expect from her visit to Baghdad?
    Peace or turmoil? Truth or lies? Hatred or love? The words swirled in her mind like a monotonous mantra until she drifted off.
    ****
    “Good to see you, Roxanne.” Steve Cooper, a photographer at
KNR, held her in a bear hug. “It’s been more than two months.”
    “Only two months since the last time we worked together.”
Such a short period of time, yet her life had changed so drastically with two
new comers monopolizing her thoughts—a baby not even born and a dashing doctor
she already missed so much. She tiptoed and planted a kiss on the blond giant’s
cheek. “How are things here, Steve?”
    “The usual. A quiet month, then a blast to remind us that
this is still a war zone. But don’t worry, I’ve arranged for you to have
transportation and an armed escort.” He turned his head and waved to two
uniformed hunks. “Meet your watchdogs. Brian Hughes and Joe Gilmore.”
    “Welcome to Baghdad, Ma’am,” the men chorused.
    “Nice meeting you, Brian, Joe. And please call me Roxanne.”
    “Let me help,” Joe took her carry-on and heavy handbag.
“We’ll drive you wherever you want to go.”
    “We’ll be at your disposal for the time you spend here,”
Brian added.
    “Thank you, guys. I have two suitcases.” They walked to the
baggage claim. Roxanne knew her way around the international airport. But she
winced at the sight of bearded men in long djellabahs ogling her. The harassing and groping
she’d experienced in a back street of Baghdad came back to haunt her. Nabil
wasn’t here to make her feel safe with a reassuring smile and a hand on his
gun. Her companions must have noticed the lurid stares cast in her direction.
    “Not safe to be so pretty, Roxy
girl,” Steve muttered between his teeth. “Especially when they don’t see many
foreign women around here.” His chin high, he stepped in front of her and
darted dark scowls around him. Brian and Joe sidled to her left and her right.
Protected by a human fortress of bulging muscles, s he couldn’t help
chuckle at the picture she made, framed by the three hunks.
    “Thank you, guys. I know they just stare and wouldn’t dare
approach me in the middle of the airport. Still, it’s good to have you.” At the
conveyer belt, she pointed to her two pieces of luggage and Brian lifted them
up as easily as if they were tiny evening purses. “I have to deliver medicines
to an Iraqi family. Could you drive me there?” She gave them the address. Her
bodyguards resumed their positions around her and marched to the door.
    “Wait for me,” Joe said. “I’ll get the car.”
    A moment later, Brian