The Army Doctor's Baby (Romance Novella) Read Online Free Page A

place, but that could wait. He had four weeks' leave after his tour of duty and eight weeks of regular leave that he hadn't taken, plenty of time to find somewhere.
    A noise sounded on the stairs. He glanced up from his position by the front door to see Olivia descending. He snatched a breath and blew it out. His gaze trailed up long, slender legs. She always wore sweatpants in the house, but today she had on a blue dress that hung to midthigh. Man, did it suit her. "You look nice."
    She stepped off the bottom step and approached, a tentative smile on her face. "It's the first time I've been out since your mum brought me and George home from the hospital. I know I'm only going back there for a checkup, but I thought I should make an effort."
    Her long dark hair glided around her shoulders as she moved. Her eyes looked bigger than usual, outlined with makeup, while her glossy pink lips were far too tempting.
    She must have noticed his appraisal. Her hand went to her mouth, and tiny lines appeared between her eyebrows. "I haven't overdone the makeup, have I? It's been such a long time since I wore any."
    "No, you look great. I'm just not used to seeing it on you, that's all."
    The tentative smile came back to her face. "That's okay, then." She turned her attention to her son. "Hi, sweetie. Are you being a good boy?"
    In answer, the little boy in Radley's arms farted loudly. Olivia burst out laughing and so did Radley. A moment later the baby noisily filled his diaper.
    "That sounded like a seven or eight on the Richter scale," Radley said. "I reckon that was his loudest poo yet."
    Olivia clutched her stomach. "Don't make me laugh. It hurts." When she had recovered, she wiped tears of laughter from her lashes. "Only a man would say something like that."
    "I aim to please." Radley grinned, happy to have amused her. She was far too serious most of the time. If she wasn't looking after George, she had her head buried in a law book or her college notes. He admired her determination to pass her exams, but she needed to give herself a break sometime.
    "Better out than in, I guess." Olivia turned back to the stairs. "If you carry him up, I'll change the dirty bottom."

Chapter Three
    When Olivia finally stepped out the front door, after she'd changed George's diaper and most of his clothes, a practical family SUV stood on the gravel. "I expected you to own something sporty."
    "I used to."
    Olivia waited for more explanation, but that was all Radley said.
    He opened the back door and settled George in the car seat, which was already fixed in place. He bent and fiddled with the straps. "How the heck does this thing fasten?"
    Olivia bit back her laugh. She didn't mention that it had taken her and Radley's mother a good ten minutes to figure out the fastenings when they first put George in the seat.
    She squeezed into the doorway beside Radley. He angled his body to give her room and she ended up with her shoulder against his chest. She blinked slowly, a little dazed by his spicy masculine fragrance. She loved being close to him. There was something about him that drew her like the proverbial moth to a flame. She enjoyed his touch when he took George from her arms and the times he'd put his arm around her waist or shoulders.
    "Are you going to strap him in, or do you plan to just stand here all day. Not that I'm complaining."
    "Sorry, I was thinking." Olivia's face heated. She bent her head over her son and snapped the plastic clips together.
    "Ah, I see. Easy when you know how."
    She stepped back. Radley's hand rested warm and firm on her back while he opened the front passenger door for her.
    George went to sleep once the car moved off, and they drove in silence for a few minutes. Olivia glanced at Radley's tight expression. She'd spent a lot of time with him this past week and he was generally chatty and friendly, very easy to get along with. This was the first time she'd seen him like this. She hoped he wasn't getting tired of having to