Love of a Marine (The Wounded Warriors Series Book 2) Read Online Free

stride. If he stopped, she stopped and stared at him until he decided what to do next. Walk, run, sit—she followed his lead, never distracted by wildlife or a car. Cluny was her only purpose in life. “You’re my best girl, Queenie.” He bent and thumped her powerful chest then jogged down the next street.
    At five-thirty, he dumped kibble in Queen’s bowl and replenished her water. Digging through the refrigerator searching for something to eat, he tipped up the orange juice carton and drank half of it. He flexed his neck and shoulders, took the waxed carton of egg whites, prepared an omelet drenched with salsa, and sat at the table to eat.
    “Shall we go to the beach, girl?” If Graciella and Santos were there, he’d take another look at the boy’s photo of Marvin, then tell them the story.
    Queen grinned and her tail dusted the floor.
     
     
     
    They didn’t show. He sat on the sand by the Point Dume rocks until noon, then gave up and headed home. He’d probably never see them again. Never see the boy who looked so much like his father and the breathtaking woman, his mother.
    His cell sounded off. “Yo, Gunny. What’s up?”
    “Marla decided to have our boy today. Could you come over and sit with Amber while I’m gone? Brad and Silvia are here, but they’d like to be at the hospital with their daughter.”
    “Tell them I’m an hour away. I’ll take over as soon as I get there.”
    “OK, will do.” Dwayne hung up, and Cluny raced to his car.
    So, today was the day Declan Danaher Dempsey would make his appearance. Dwayne, you lucky SOB. Having a foot blown off in Iraq hadn’t kept him from going after the life he wanted. At least Gunny’s wound was obvious. No explanation required.
     
     
     
    McDonald’s restaurant, Simi Valley
     
     
    Cluny and his goddaughter were about to finish dinner at McDonald’s when his phone buzzed. “Yo.”
    “You can bring Amber to the hospital now to meet her brother and visit Marla. She’s worn out but wants to see her before she goes to sleep. Tell her the kid looks like she did, except he has my blue eyes and red hair like his mom.” Relief and jubilation in his old buddy’s voice poured through the phone. “Here’s a picture of him.”
    “You’re a lucky bastard, Gunny.”
    Amber scowled at his use of profanity.
    He reached across the table and pinched her nose. “Want to wash my mouth out with soap?”
    She nodded. “Yes, but I’ll do it later. Let’s go see Mom.”
    “We’re on our way, pal.” He held the phone for his eight—going-on-eighteen—year-old goddaughter to see her baby brother. He grinned and winked. “Let’s go meet your brother.”
     
     
     
    Simi Valley Hospital
     
     
    Marla looked as if she’d slogged through a long mission behind enemy lines, but her face glowed with contentment. She opened her arms as Amber walked with tentative steps to her bedside.
    “Give me a hug before I conk out. Did you see Declan?” She patted the bed next to her. “Come up here.”
    Amber boosted onto the bed and draped herself across Marla. “Not yet. I wanted to see you first, Mom. Are you tired? Did it hurt?”
    Cluny and Dwayne watched from the foot of the bed. The huge grin on Dwayne’s face matched his own.
    Marla rubbed Amber’s back. “I’m exhausted but so happy. Did Daddy tell you Declan looks like you did the day you were born?”
    “I saw his picture, but I have brown hair and light brown eyes.” She sat up and asked, “When can you come home?”
    “In the morning. We’ll all be home tomorrow.”
    Dwayne leaned close to Cluny’s ear and rested a hand on his shoulder. “I’d like Marla and me to have a few hours at home alone tomorrow. Do you mind picking Amber up in the morning?”
    “Not at all. I’ll take her to the beach for the day.” He’d look for Santos and Graciella again.
    “Thanks, bud.” He rounded the end of the bed and lifted Amber into his arms. “What say we give Mom a rest? You and Uncle