The SEAL's Second Chance Baby Read Online Free Page B

want to fight my way back from the dark.
    A crying whimper came from somewhere near the window.
    His angel headed that way to pluck an infant from a carrier. With a cherub-cheeked mini version of herself, only with curls, settled on her hip, Effie returned. “This is Cassidy. She gets cranky when she’s left out of the action.”
    â€œDon’t blame her.” Marsh tried reaching for the nearest of the infant’s bare feet, but even that small effort seemed too great. The sensation of not being in control of his body was not only unfamiliar, but intolerable.
    He needed out of this bed now .
    â€œYou probably shouldn’t try to do too much at once.”
    â€œLifting my arm is hardly too much.”
    â€œI’ll be damned...” His grandfather took off his cowboy hat while entering the cramped room. “You lived.”
    â€œDon’t have to sound so excited about it.”
    His granddad chuckled. “Believe you me, I am. If something happened to you while you were out here, your mama would have my hide.”
    â€œTrue.” For as long as Marsh could remember, Wallace had been part of his life. He called every Sunday morning and sent him cash-filled cards for holidays with extra on his birthdays. When Marsh’s perfect family had officially gone to hell, and his CO told him to get his head on straight and not even think about coming back until he’d made peace with his son’s passing and his wife leaving, the only place that made sense for him to go was to the ranch where he’d spent every childhood and teen summer. His maternal grandmother’s Thoroughbred farm where he’d grown up was home, but about as regimented as his Navy schedule. What he needed was plenty of time and wide-open spaces to make sense out of the mess that had become of his life. “Have you talked to Mom? Told her I’ll be all right?”
    Wallace nodded. “She wanted to fly out, but I told her you didn’t need a woman interfering in your business.”
    â€œSounds like something you’d say.” Mabel crossed her arms, and a slash replaced her pretty smile.
    â€œThank you for proving my point,” his grandfather snapped before slapping his hat back on his head.
    Never had Marsh wished more for the strength to form a simple time-out T with his hands. After the two septuagenarians bickered for another five minutes, he glanced toward Effie and caught her gaze.
    She smiled.
    His chest tightened when they shared a moment of mutual frustration with their elders.
    â€œGramma?” One of the boys had left his coloring book to cock his head and stare up at her. “How come you tell me and Colt not to fight, but you and Mr. Wallace fight, too?”
    Marsh didn’t even try hiding a smile.
    Effie squeezed her son’s shoulder, steering him toward the door. “Colt, would you please pack up your coloring books and crayons, then grab Cassidy’s carrier. We should probably go.”
    â€œAgreed.” Mabel glared toward Marsh’s grandfather. “I need out of here before this darn fool goes and tells me again that I’m shakin’ like a wet dog.”
    â€œYou’re still holding a grudge about that?” Wallace asked.
    Effie winced. “Remington, please help your brother put those crayons back in the box.”
    â€œWoman...” Wallace made the mistake of pointing his finger in Mabel’s face. She looked angry enough that Marsh wouldn’t have put it past her to break his grandpa’s finger clear off. “What in the world are you talking about?”
    â€œOh—now, you’re going to fake amnesia? My poor Dwayne had barely been in his grave a year, and I was finally able to get back to square dancing. You blustered into the regular Saturday night party and sauntered up to me without even taking off your hat. Then you said those horrible words, and Wallace Stokes, I’ve hated you ever