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

Cluny can go to the nursery and see Declan.” He tipped her over the bed so she could kiss Marla goodnight.
    Marla brushed a hand over Amber’s cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow, sweetie. I can’t keep my eyes open a minute longer.”
    “Goodnight, Mom. I’m so glad Daddy married you.” Dwayne set her on her feet and she took Cluny’s hand. “Let’s go see the baby.” She shook a schoolteacher-ish finger. “And I don’t want you teaching him any bad words.”
    Cluny winked at Dwayne and Marla. “I won’t, on my honor as a Marine. Although that’s where I perfected most of them. What say you stay over at my house tonight and we’ll take Queen to the beach tomorrow? I’ll bring you home in time for supper.”
    “We’re going to the beach? Can I, Mom? Dad?”
    Dwayne said, “You notice who she asked first? Go and have a good time, squirt. Mom and I will be all rested up when you get home.”
    Amber cocked her head at Dwayne. “Why do you have to rest? She did all the work.”
    “Good question. Try and answer that one, Gunny.”
    Dwayne laughed. “We’ll see you at suppertime tomorrow.”
    “Don’t cook. I’ll grab Chinese on the way to your place.” He pointed at his pal. “I know you need your rest.” Chuckling, he took Amber’s hand and left the room. “Let’s take a look at this amazing new Dempsey. Nursery’s that way.”
     
     
     
    Amber stared in the nursery window. “Did I look all red and rill mashed up like that when I was borned?” She wrinkled her nose.
    Cluny ruffled her hair. “Yes you did, but take my word for it, by tomorrow he’ll look like an ad for baby food. All he needs is a chance to get used to this world. It’s a big change from where he’s been for the last several months.”
    “He looks too big to fit in Marla.”
    “He is, and that’s why he’s here now.”
    “Why do all the babies have hats on? It looks like his blanket is too tight.”
    Cluny stopped a nurse passing by. “Ma’am? This young lady is asking me questions I’m not qualified to answer. Could you help me out?”
    The attractive young nurse smiled. “Sure.” She glanced at his left hand. A reaction he often got from women. “Your daughter?”
    Amber piped up, “He’s my uncle. He’s never been married and he’s pretty dumb about babies. Not my dad though. He raised me all by himself since I was that big.” She pointed to Declan. “Why do all the babies have hats? And why are their blankets wrapped up so tight?”
    The nurse and Amber moved closer to the window. “Hats keep them calm and help them sleep. They aren’t used to air yet. Until they’re born, they live in warm water, so air takes some getting used to. They feel safe and cozy in a tight blanket, like someone is holding them.”
    Amber frowned and glanced at Cluny. “Maybe you’d sleep better if you wore a hat, Uncle Cluny. Have you ever tried that?”
    Taken off guard by this kid who had a habit of throwing curve balls, Cluny shuffled his feet when the pretty nurse gave him a questioning look. “Maybe I’ll try it.”
    “You can’t sleep?” the young woman asked.
    “A little insomnia, that’s all.” He took Amber’s hand. “We’d better get going. Queen’s been waiting in the car long enough.” He nodded at the nurse. “Thanks.”
    “Sir?” The nurse hailed him, took a business card from her pocket and scribbled something on the back then brought it to him.
    He read the card, saw that she’d written her phone number on it, and grinned. “Thanks.”
    A few steps down the hallway, Amber whispered, “You should go back and ask her for a date. She’s pretty. She likes you.”
    “Are you sure you’re only eight?” He shook his head. “I’m not in the market right now, OK?” Finding women was a problem he’d never had. His pal Dwayne teasingly compared him to a busy honeybee, bent on pollinating every flower in the garden. Keeping a woman? That was another story.
    He’d curbed his social life