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“Yes, Rebecca and Rachel mentioned that in their letters.” He couldn’t help wondering about Carrie’s marital status. She was a beauty, with big blue eyes to go along with her golden hair, which she wore in a casual style that suited her soft features.
“Rebecca is expecting her second—a baby girl—any day now.”
Carrie’s statement broke into his thoughts. “I didn’t know that,” he said, forcing his attention back on what she was saying.
“Joey, her son, is five and adorable.”
“So he’ll have a sister like Vanessa.”
“Not exactly,” Carrie said.
“Not exactly? Either Rebecca’s husband is Joey’s father, as well, or he’s not.” Jim stared at her, waiting for a response.
“He is. But when she was pregnant with Joey, she and Jeff lost contact and Rebecca never looked for him. When they accidentally found each other, he was already engaged to another woman. But he found a way to marry Rebecca.”
“Good for him. But I think I’m going to need a chart to keep up with all of them.”
Carrie laughed. It was a beautiful sound, he realized instantly. “There’s only Rachel left. She’s married to J.D. He’s a rancher and he’s terrific. A great guy.”
“Are you attracted to him?” Jim asked, frowning. He didn’t want anyone giving his sisters problems. And he could see how any man might be interested in the blonde.
The young woman stared at him, her mouth open. The expression should have made her unattractive, but it didn’t. He guessed he had a weak spot for blue-eyed blondes.
“No! Absolutely not!”
“Then why did you say he was terrific?”
“Because he is. Especially the way he treats Rachel.”
“Okay,” Jim said slowly, watching her carefully. “Do they live in Dallas?”
“No, his ranch is in west Texas, five or six hours west of Dallas.”
“Have you been there?” That would tell him how involved she was with his sister’s husband.
“No,” she said, frowning.
Before she could say anything else, Will came out of his office, putting on his jacket as he walked.
“We’re going home, Carrie,” he said. “Betty’s putting on a big spread and she’s expecting you to be there.”
“I shouldn’t intrude, Will. It’s a night for family,” Carrie said.
“You’re family, honey, and don’t you forget it,” the man said as he stooped down to kiss her cheek. “Now, are you coming with us or do you have things you need to do? Dinner is at six.”
“I’d better finish up a few things, but I’ll be along for dinner.” Carrie turned her eyes on him. “And…welcome home, Jim.”
“Thank you.” He could hear the sincerity in her voice. Still, there was something disturbing about the young woman. Perhaps because he’d actually found himself responding to her…?
CARRIE FORCED HERSELF to wait another hour at the office before she put away her work and went to her car. By now, she figured, Vanessa had had a chance to meet her brother. Maybe even Rebecca had gotten there, too, though Rachel probably wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow.
She couldn’t imagine the joy the three sisters would feel upon seeing their long-lost brother. She could hardly believe she’d met Jim herself, though she’d certainly dreamed about their first encounter countless times.
In the past year she’d had a lot of fantasies about Jim, all of them with her as a costar. She’d even started having conversations with his picture in which she’d imagined his responses, his smiles…his touch. In her fantasies, that tight-jawed look in his face relaxed, revealing a wealth of emotions.
Had she been wrong? The real Jim seemed as stoic and unemotional as his photo. But maybe that was to be expected under the circumstances. Once he was in the circle of family, surely he’d emote. No one could hold back for long in the Greenfield house. She knew how loving they were. After all, over the past year and a half they’d become her family, too, especially since both her parents were now gone.
When she reached the Greenfield house in the Highland Park suburb of Dallas, she went to the front door, an unusual occurrence. Since she and Vanessa had found each other again, she visited frequently, but usually through the back door.
When the door opened, Betty stared at her. “What are you doing ringing the doorbell, Carrie? Get yourself in here.”
Carrie kissed the housekeeper’s cheek. “I didn’t want to intrude. Has everyone gathered to meet Jim?”
“No. We can’t find Vanessa or Rebecca. We called the law office and her husband’s gone, too.”
“Maybe the girls went shopping for the baby. Did you try their cell phones?”
“No answer.”
“Oh, my. Is the captain still here?”
“A’course. Will had to practically tackle him to keep him from leaving. Miz Vivian hasn’t woken up, either. She’s sleeping a long time.”
“I’m up, Betty,” called Vivian as she reached the first floor.
“Miz Vivian, guess who’s here?”
“I can see. Hi, Carrie. How are you?”
“Vivian, I’m not who Betty means. Jim is here.”
“Jim? Here? Where is he?”
Carrie looked at Betty even as she took Vivian’s arm. She could feel the excitement running through Vivian.
“In the library,” Betty said and preceded them down the hall and opened the door.
Carrie followed Vivian in, eager to see her reaction to Jim.
The man immediately stood, and Vivian didn’t hesitate. She did what Carrie had wanted to do. She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him.
Will chuckled. “Jim, this exuberant woman is my wife and Vanessa’s mother.”
Carrie could see the awkwardness Jim was experiencing. He hadn’t expected a woman he’d never met to embrace him and press her head against his chest.
Finally, Vivian took a step back and smiled up at him as she cupped his cheek with one hand. “Oh, I’m so excited. We didn’t think you’d be here for a few more months. This is so wonderful! Did Vanessa cry? She does that when things get too emotional.”
Will responded to his wife’s question. “Honey, we haven’t been able to find Vanessa or Rebecca.”
“Can’t find them? That’s ridiculous, Will! You’re a private eye.”
“I’ve called everyone I can think of. Jeff’s office doesn’t know where he is, either.”
“Where’s Joey? He should be getting out of kindergarten now. What if—”
“We sent Peter over to their house to wait for him to come home,” Will assured her, mentioning Betty’s husband, who also worked for them.
“We need to call the hospitals. Something may have gone wrong with Rebecca!”
Before they could call, the telephone rang. Will answered, then listened. “Okay, thanks, Bill. We’ll be there in a few minutes.”
He hung up the phone. “You were right. That was Bill, Jeff’s partner. Rebecca went into labor while she and Vanessa were shopping. She’s at Presbyterian.”
“Good heavens!” Vivian exclaimed. “Everything’s happening at once. I’ll get my purse. Carrie, can you call Rachel?”
Carrie nodded, but she couldn’t take her eyes off Jim. He looked like an inmate waiting for the right moment to break out.
Sure enough he said, “I’ll check in with you tomorrow, Will,” and edged toward the door.
Vivian ordered, “Stop!”
Jim came to an abrupt halt. “Yes, ma’am?”
“Do you have a fear of hospitals?” Vivian asked gently.
Carrie almost laughed aloud at Jim’s confused expression. “No, ma’am.”
“Then come with us. Rebecca will be thrilled that you’ve arrived in time for the birth of her second child.” She tucked her hand into Jim’s arm and dragged him out of the library.
Will grinned at Carrie and offered his arm. “I’m afraid you’re stuck with me, Carrie, since Vivian captured the captain. Shall we go?”
“Yes, but we’d better tell Betty about Rebecca and to put dinner on hold.”
“Good thinking. It may be a long night.”
VIVIAN HAD INSISTED they all ride in the same car. On the way, Carrie had called Rachel, but Rebecca had already called her. Rachel and her husband were flying in.
Vivian hadn’t stopped talking since she met the captain. “What a wonderful surprise to find you here, Jim. The girls will be so happy!”
Jim was sitting in the back seat beside Carrie. She had yet to see him relax, or to see him smile. She wanted him to be happy to be with his family again, but she wasn’t sure what his response was yet. They were fairly overwhelming. Maybe it was too much to expect him to show his emotion so soon.
When they reached the hospital, Jim tried to hang back, but Vivian insisted he escort her. “The second floor is for maternity,” she announced as they entered the elevator. “I know because our baby was born here five months ago. J.D. proposed to Rachel in the waiting room that night, too.”
Carrie caught Jim’s glance at her, as if he was acknowledging what she’d earlier told him. Either that or asking her to rescue him, she thought with a grin.
When they reached the waiting room, there was no one there. Vivian hurried up to the nurse’s desk. The nurse told her what room Rebecca was in.
“But she already has two people in there. You should wait until one of them comes out.”
Vivian turned to her family. “I’ll go get them. It won’t take but a minute. Wait right here, Jim.”
Jim backed away as soon as Vivian disappeared. “I’m not sure I’ll be welcome tonight. Perhaps I should go to the hotel and—”
“You seem uncommonly fond of your hotel room,” Will teased.
Jim shrugged his shoulders. “Compared to my normal accommodations, it’s pretty special.”
Carrie felt she had to speak. “Jim—I mean Captain Barlow,” she hurriedly said when he raised his eyebrow, “Vivian would be terribly hurt if you left. And Vanessa would cry. Please stay.”
His deep brown eyes looked into hers, as if questioning her honesty. Finally he gave her a nod. “I’ll wait.”
He was a man of few words, Carrie decided, but she nodded in return, adding a smile. At least he’d agreed to stay.
Will guided him toward some of the seats. “You must get tired of standing at attention so much,” he said.
“Not really,” Jim said stiffly, still standing.
Carrie desperately wanted to know more about this man. Though it was none of her business, she asked, “What made you leave the marines now?”
She thought he was going to dive for a foxhole to avoid answering her question. But she kept her gaze focused on him, hoping he would explain himself.
Finally he said in a low voice, “I’d been thinking about getting out for a while now. I was afraid I’d die before I saw my sisters again. I’d already been wounded twice. I figured the third time would kill me.”
A chill shot through Carrie. She’d often found herself worrying about Jim’s safety. She’d listened more closely to the news about the Iraq war, fearing that one day she’d hear that Jim had been killed. It seemed they’d shared the same thoughts.
Just as Jim started to sit down, they all heard rapid footsteps coming down the hall. Jim’s gaze fixed on the door where Vivian had disappeared.
Carrie was amazed. She thought she saw fear in his eyes. A man who had faced down the enemy, had been decorated with many medals, was frightened to face his baby sister?
Vanessa appeared in the doorway and came to an abrupt halt. She stared at Jim for a long minute. Then with a sob, she charged forward just as Vivian had done, her arms extended. Once again, Jim found himself holding a woman in his arms.
Jeff followed Vanessa, but he only extended one arm.
Awkwardly, Jim extracted his right hand from Vanessa’s embrace and shook Jeff’s hand.
“I’m Jeff Jacobs, Rebecca’s husband. I’m glad to meet you. And Rebecca is waiting for you to come in and visit with her, if you don’t mind.”
Vanessa didn’t turn loose of Jim, but she reared back so she could look up at him, tears streaming down her face. “Just promise you’ll come right back,” she said. “I wouldn’t let you go, but Becca is suffering.”
Jim stared at his sister and shook his head. “I didn’t expect— You’re beautiful, Vanessa. You were so little the last time I saw you.”
“Wait until you see Rebecca and Rachel together,” Vanessa bragged. “They’re the real beauties.”
Carrie protested. “You could be a triplet, Vanessa, and you know it.”
“You remind me of Mom,” Jim told his sister, awe in his voice.
Vanessa started blinking furiously to hold back more tears. She buried her face in his chest again, then she stepped back. “Go see Becca, and I’ll try to get myself under control before you come back.”
