She felt so good…

Jim could barely believe he was holding Carrie in his arms. She was the softest thing he’d touched in years. Her lips were warm and she tasted of chocolate. Why had it taken him so long to kiss her, when he’d been aching to do just that since he’d first walked into her office?

Just then Carrie wrenched her mouth from his and tore herself away. Not even looking at him, she stammered, “I—I have to go.” Then she ran across the patio toward the house.

Jim stood there dazed and suddenly bereft by the loss of the woman in his arms. For years he’d told himself he needed no one, but right now he realized how much he needed—how much he wanted—Carrie. And that could mean only one thing. Trouble.

Dear Reader,

I don’t know about you, but as a little girl I fantasized about having an older brother. One who was bigger, older and wiser than me. In the CHILDREN OF TEXAS series, after writing about the three girls in the Barlow family, I’m finally writing about their big brother, James (Jim) Barlow. It’s rather odd when your big brother is thirty-one when you first meet him, but the three girls have an immediate response to Jim, and he to them.

Maybe I write strong men who love their families because of my dad. He was strong, brave and a family man. He was even a hero, because he was a fireman. He spent his free time doing things with the four of us, even though only one of us was a boy, my younger brother. But Daddy taught us all to shoot a gun, catch fish and hike in the woods. Some might consider these “man” things, but Daddy didn’t distinguish between us.

I hope you enjoy Jim’s trials and tribulations and the family love that he finds. As they always say, you never can have too much family. Especially when you’ve been alone for a long time.

Happy reading!

A Soldier’s Return
Judy Christenberry

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Judy Christenberry has been writing romances for over fifteen years because she loves happy endings as much as her readers do. A former French teacher, Judy now devotes herself to writing full-time. She hopes readers have as much fun with her stories as she does. She spends her spare time reading, watching her favorite sports teams and keeping track of her two daughters. Judy lives in Texas.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Prologue

Carrie Abrams was working on her computer when she heard the door of the detective agency open.

She turned her body to greet the entrant, but her eyes were still focused on completing the task on her computer screen. She clicked Save and reluctantly brought her eyes to the person standing by the door. Spit-shined shoes, crisp khaki pants, belted jacket…

As her gaze rose up the tall, straight-postured man before her, she saw he was a military man. A well-built military man. She looked at his face—and gasped.

“Jim!”

At the odd look on the man’s face, she retracted the surprised greeting. “I—I mean— Sorry, I mistook you for someone I, um—” She was stammering like a blubbering fool, but she couldn’t help it. That was a common result when one met one’s fantasy-come-to-life. Grabbing hold of herself, she cleared her throat and said in her best professional voice, “May I help you?”

“I need to speak with Will Greenfield.”

“And your name?” She almost held her breath.

“Captain James Barlow.”

She knew it! She’d recognize that face anywhere. After all, she’d been staring at his picture for over a year. But the man was even better looking in person.

On rather unsteady feet she got up from her desk, suddenly wishing she’d worn something other than a pair of jeans and a bulky sweater. You’re being silly, she told herself. Jim Barlow wouldn’t care what she was wearing. He didn’t even know her.

She rapped on Will’s door and opened it at his say-so, then stepped inside, closed the door and leaned against it.

“He’s here!” She whispered so the man in the outer office wouldn’t hear her.

“Who—” Will started to ask, but Carrie didn’t wait.

“Jim! He’s here. And he wants to see you.”

Will’s face broke into a smile. “Well, show him in!”

More than anything Carrie wanted to stay in Will’s office, to be part of the discussion with the captain, but she knew she couldn’t ask. It wouldn’t be professional.

And it was Will’s case, after all, not to mention part of his extended family.

Instead, she opened the door. “Captain Barlow, please come in.” She leaned against the door, reluctant to break contact with the men. Then her gaze was caught by the warning glint of the silver frame on her desk. Right near where the man was standing.

“Oh, no!” She rushed forward. Jim’s picture was on her desk. Had he seen it? She hoped not. How could she explain her fascination with Vanessa’s oldest brother?

The explanation was simple really. In her work as a private investigator for Greenfield and Associates, she found it easier to understand the person she was looking for if she had a photo of him or her. In this case, though, the picture hadn’t prepared her for the fact that Jim Barlow was an absolute hunk. He was taller than she realized, with thick muscles that in person couldn’t be hidden by his uniform. His dark hair didn’t surprise her, since his three sisters had the same brown color, but his chocolate eyes glinted with golden highlights in the overhead light. Yes, he was a definite hunk!

They’d found Jim early on in their investigation, so that excuse for his picture didn’t really work. It was just that. An excuse. The truth was she’d been fascinated by his square-jawed image ever since she’d first seen the standard-issue marine photograph. Vanessa had been, too. He was the picture of protective, strong…safe. The big brother every little girl dreamed of. The man every woman dreamed of.

Her best friend, Vanessa Shaw, had probably dreamed those dreams as she was raised as an only child. Then, after her father’s death, her mother had told her that she was adopted and that she had five siblings. That revelation had set in motion a chain of events that had brought tremendous changes in their lives.

Carrie drew a deep breath. It was so tempting to call Vanessa and break the news. But she couldn’t do that. That was Will’s privilege.

All she could do was sit here and pretend indifference that Jim Barlow had returned to the bosom of his family after twenty-three years.

Chapter One

“Mr. Greenfield,” Jim said crisply in greeting as the tall, middle-aged man came around his desk.

“Captain Barlow, welcome. May I call you Jim?”

Jim nodded. If he was right, Greenfield wasn’t the only one who thought of him as Jim. The receptionist had said she’d mistaken him for someone else, but if that was true, it was quite a coincidence.

“Sit down, Jim. We didn’t expect you for several more months.”

“Yes, I made a decision to get out of the marines. I thought I’d come meet my sisters, unless this is an inconvenient time.”

“Lord have mercy, you walk out of here without seeing them and my wife would divorce me, and those three young ladies would never speak to me again!”

“Your wife would divorce you?” Jim asked, a little surprised by Greenfield’s response.

“Vanessa didn’t tell you I married her mother?”

“No. In fact, she hasn’t told me much of anything. Her letters have been filled with questions about me.”

“Well, then, there’s a lot we have to talk about.” He reached for the phone. “But first I’ll call the house and let them know you’re here. Our housekeeper will want to make a welcome-home dinner. Then we can go over there, or I can answer any questions you have first.”

Jim watched the man talk with someone named Betty.

“Yes, I’ll tell her. I’m sure she’ll accept. Tell Viv when she wakes up. And call Vanessa and Rebecca.”

After he hung up the phone, the man looked at Jim. “My wife is still napping. Our son still gets us up several times a night.”

Jim didn’t want to ask any awkward questions, but he thought Greenfield was a bit old to have a baby son.

Will sighed. “I should’ve guessed they didn’t tell you about our baby, either.” He sat back in his chair and nodded at the photo on his desk. An attractive blonde held a blue-blanketed newborn.

“Vivian adopted Vanessa during her first marriage. She was married at eighteen. She’s just turned forty-four.” He shrugged a shoulder and grinned. “We didn’t plan on another family, but we’re thrilled about our son. He’s five months old.”

“Congratulations,” Jim said, relieved to have things clarified.

“Do you have other questions before we go to the house?”

Jim drew a deep breath. He had so many questions, it’d take a lifetime to ask them. But before he could ask any, the phone rang again.

“Excuse me,” Will said. After a minute, he covered the phone receiver and explained to Jim, “I’m sorry, but I’ve got to take this call.” He raised his voice and called out, “Carrie?”

The young woman appeared at the door. “Yes, Will?”

“Could you answer any questions Jim might have while I finish this call?”

“Of course. Come with me, Jim—I mean Captain Barlow.”

“‘Jim’ will be fine,” he said, rising and moving into the outer office again. “There’s no need to entertain me. I’ll go back to my hotel and call Will tomorrow.”

“No!” she replied, grabbing his arm. “You can’t leave!” Carrie felt his muscles tense under her hold, and she looked at him, noting an accompanying hardening of his features.

“Unless I’m under house arrest, I don’t see any reason why I can’t…Carrie, is it?”

She withdrew her hand from his arm. “I—I didn’t mean I could stop you, Jim. I meant it would be a disappointment to your family if you left today without seeing any of them.”

“I doubt that, Carrie. They haven’t seen me since the twins were two. And Vanessa was three months old when she was adopted. She definitely doesn’t remember me.”

The only sibling he’d had contact with was Wally because they’d both gone in the foster-care system. Wally had followed him into the marines—and had been killed at twenty-eight.

He’d told his sisters, and Will, about his brother’s death. He hadn’t forgiven himself for Wally’s end. After all, Wally had joined the marines only because Jim had.

He cleared his throat. “I’m sure waiting until tomorrow won’t make any difference.”

“Jim, I’m a friend of Vanessa’s. I know how much she’s been longing to see you. Please, just wait a few minutes. I’m sure Will won’t be long.”

With a sigh, Jim sat down in one of the chairs in front of her desk. “Will said he married Vanessa’s mother.”

“Yes, last spring, and they have a son, Danny.”

“So the baby is Vanessa’s brother?”

“Technically he’s her half brother.” She smiled. “It’s quite a story, you know. Last year Vanessa only had her adoptive mother, Vivian. Now she has a stepfather, two sisters, a half brother and you, her real brother.”

“Sounds like she’s got more family than she needs.”

Carrie looked him straight in the eye, her expression serious. “I don’t think one ever has enough family.” Then she lowered her head and began reading a piece of paper she’d snatched from the printer.

There was something in her face, some tone in her voice that made him think she might not have family, that she might be all alone. Like he’d been for so long. “Do you have family?” he asked.

Her head snapped up but she didn’t look at him. “That doesn’t matter.” Then switching gears, she asked, “Did Vanessa tell you that your other sisters are married?”

“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.”

JIM HOPED Vanessa stopped crying. If she didn’t, he might end up crying, too, and that would be embarrassing.

Jeff looked at Jim out of the corner of his eye. “Rebecca is a little emotional right now, so don’t be surprised if she cries, too. All three girls have been anxious for you to come home.”

“Why?” Jim blurted his innermost thoughts. “They don’t know anything about me. I failed them. The only sibling I managed to keep in touch with was Wally, and I got him killed.”

“Man, they idolize you and are so happy you’ve come. They don’t expect you to jump through hoops or be a superhero. They just want their brother.”

Jim drew a deep breath. Then he muttered, “Thanks.” He wasn’t sure if he believed the man, but he gave Jim a little more courage to face Rebecca.

Jeff opened the door. “Here he is, honey.”

Rebecca, a dark beauty like Vanessa, sat up in bed and extended her arms, too. Jim wasn’t a slow learner, so he hugged her in return. Nor was he surprised when tears ran down her cheeks. Her reaction was brought to an abrupt halt by a labor pain. Jeff hurried to the other side of the bed and took her hand, telling her to take short breaths.

Once it had passed, Jim leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Concentrate on your baby right now. I’ll be around when you’ve delivered.”

“Okay, but promise you won’t disappear,” Rebecca barely managed to get out before another contraction hit.

Jeff looked at Jim. “Would you ask the nurse to step in here?” he asked calmly.

Jim, however, could see the panic in his eyes, so he hurried out and found the nurse. Then he returned to the waiting room.

Chapter Two

“You didn’t stay long,” Vivian said, back in the waiting room.

“I think her pains have increased.”

Vivian’s attention transferred from him to Rebecca’s situation. She hurried back to Jeff and Rebecca.

Jim frowned. “She’s not Rebecca’s mother, too, is she?”

Vanessa shook her head. “No, but she felt like she should’ve been. She wanted to adopt all of us, but her late husband wouldn’t let her. So when we find any of you, she kind of adopts them with her heart. Besides, Becca doesn’t have a mother around.”

“Did her adoptive mother die?”

“No,” Vanessa said, her lips pressed together.

Jim didn’t ask any other questions. It was obviously not a happy situation. And he appreciated the support Vivian was giving his sister.

“How long will she be in labor?” he asked.

Will shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not sure, but Vivian said it’s supposed to be shorter with your second child.”

“Oh, I’d forgotten Rebecca had another child. Joey, right?”

“That’s right. And you wouldn’t have forgotten him if you’d met him. He’s adorable,” Vanessa said.

“Carrie mentioned him earlier.” He looked at Carrie, nodding in gratitude. Their earlier conversation had helped him deal with the family. It helped to know someone who wasn’t family, too. After all, he’d gone from having no family to having more than he could comprehend. Carrie seemed to understand how overwhelming it could be. He could look at her and center himself. He’d never felt that before with anyone.

“Come sit down, Jim,” Will suggested again. “We may have a long wait.”

“So everyone’s staying until the baby is born?” Jim asked, a little surprise in his voice.

“We wouldn’t miss it for anything,” Will assured him and patted the chair next to him.

As soon as Jim sat down, Vanessa grabbed the chair on the other side of him.

“When did you arrive?” Vanessa asked.

“Around three, I think.” He looked at Carrie for confirmation. “I arrived earlier at the airport, but I rented a car and found a hotel room.”

“A hotel room? You’re staying with us, aren’t you?” Vanessa demanded.

“I don’t want to be a problem,” Jim said.

Will just shook his head. “I knew she’d react that way.”

“Look, I just wanted to see you, Vanessa. You and Rebecca and Rachel. I don’t intend to impose on you.” He hadn’t really made plans for his future, but he had a fat savings account and time to look around for what he wanted to do.

“Will, make him stay!” Vanessa exclaimed.

“Honey, I can’t do that if he doesn’t want to. Maybe your mother can talk him into it.”

Jim didn’t have anything to say about that, but Vanessa did. She blew out a sigh of relief. “Of course. Mom will take care of it.”

It was Will’s turn to ask him a question. “What do you plan to do now that you’re out of the marines?” he asked.

Carrie took a seat and held her breath, waiting for the information she’d wanted to hear. Like his sisters, she didn’t want to lose touch with Jim, even though she didn’t have that right. But he’d been in her mind, in her dreams and fantasies, for so long. How could she let go of him now?

“I don’t know. I’ll have to get out the want ads and see if there’s anything I can do.”

“You handy with a gun?”

Jim frowned. He didn’t know exactly how to answer that. “I’m a fair shot. I’m no gunslinger, though.”

“Good. How are your computer skills?”

“Good. I majored in computer science.”

Will’s eyebrows shot up. “Excellent! I suppose you can handle yourself in a fight?”

“Just what do you have in mind, Will?”

“Have you thought about working as a private investigator?”

“You mean, like you?” Jim asked, surprised.

“Yeah, like Carrie and me.”

Jim looked at the young woman. So she wasn’t a receptionist, as he’d first thought. But she didn’t appear particularly muscular. In fact, she looked quite feminine…and pretty, not that that mattered in her line of work.

He responded to Will, “No, I haven’t.”

“Well, I need another man in the firm. I don’t like to travel out of town with Vivian and the baby at home, and I’m not comfortable sending Carrie every time. I could offer you a job, see if you like the work.”

“You don’t have to find me a job, Will. I’ll find something. I figured security work.”

“I can’t see you as a security guard at a mall or a bank. Think about it. We’ll talk again in a couple of days.”

There were more rapid footfalls, only from a different direction. Then a young woman dashed into the room, followed by a cowboy. Jim didn’t need anyone to tell him Rachel had arrived. He shot to his feet.

Rachel threw on the brakes and stared at him. Then she looked at Vanessa. “Is that Jim?”

“Yes, it is. He arrived today.”

This time Jim was prepared. He opened his arms as Rachel flew into them. He was beginning to think he was getting quite good at welcoming his sisters. Too bad he didn’t have any more of them.

He looked at Carrie out of the corner of his eye, over Rachel’s dark head. She was the only woman he’d met since his arrival who hadn’t hugged him. That was too bad.

“We thought it would be months yet!” Rachel exclaimed as she took a step back, tears streaming down her face. She whirled around to a brown-haired man who came in behind her. “J.D., it’s my brother, Jim.”

“I figured,” the young man drawled as he stuck out a hand to shake Jim’s. “J.D. Stanley.”

“This is my husband, J.D. We just flew in from west Texas. I was going to drive in tomorrow, but J.D. insisted we fly. I’m so excited you’re here!”

Then she must have remembered why she’d come and she asked, “Have you heard anything about Rebecca?”

“Mom just went back,” Vanessa replied. “Her pains started coming faster.”

Just then, Vivian came running back in. “Rebecca and Jeff just went into the delivery room. I’d better call Betty after all. Looks like we’ll be home for dinner. And Joey will want to know what’s happening.”

“You didn’t say hello to Rachel and J.D.,” Will said, taking his wife by surprise.

“I can’t believe you arrived so quickly.” She hugged both of them. “We’ll need to tell Betty to add two more for dinner.”

Will looked at his watch. “Better tell her around seven for dinner. I wouldn’t count my chickens before they’re hatched,” he said with a chuckle. “And ask how Danny’s doing,” he added. Then he looked at Jim. “That’s our son.”

Jim nodded. He hadn’t forgotten. He sent a grateful look toward Carrie. According to her earlier explanations, he figured, he’d now met all the family.

When Vivian finished her phone conversation, she turned back to her husband. “Danny’s fine. And Joey’s so excited, he couldn’t talk long. Betty was taking cookies out of the oven.”

J.D. laughed. “That boy’s got his priorities right.”

Rachel slapped his arm. “Shame on you.”

“Don’t worry, honey,” J.D. said, giving her a brief kiss. “I’d choose you over cookies anytime.”

Vanessa looked at Jim with a grin. “They’re newlyweds. Just ignore them.”

“Rebecca’s labor seems to be so fast this time. The doctor said that was normal for a second baby.” Vivian looked at her husband, and apparently Will seemed to know what she was thinking at once.

“Don’t even think about it, Viv. We were lucky the first time. I don’t intend to push our luck.” He kissed her and Jim could see the concern in his eyes.

“They’re kinda newlyweds, too,” Vanessa told Jim with a sigh.

“You feel a little left out?” he asked her quietly.

“Yeah. But I have a good friend in Carrie. We met our freshman year at SMU.”

Carrie smiled at Vanessa, nodding. It seemed a little strange to Jim that Carrie, who appeared to work for a living, was friends with a young lady who apparently had her way paid for her. But that was none of his business.

Of course, they were both beauties. They had that in common.

Vivian jumped up from her seat to pace the room. “I’ll be so glad when the baby’s here. What did they decide to name her?”

Vanessa shrugged her shoulders. “They have several names picked out, but I don’t think they wanted to make a final decision until they met her.”

Rachel was smiling. “Rebecca sent me a picture of the sonogram.”

Will grinned. “Yeah. She showed it to all of us, including Joey. He wasn’t impressed!”

“He said she didn’t look like Danny,” Vivian said with a smile.

“Maybe she’ll look like her mama did when she was a baby,” Jim said softly, struck by how strong and vivid the memory was. In his mind’s eye he could see Rebecca as a baby, her full head of dark hair, her pink face scrunched up as she cried. He could never tell her apart from her twin, Rachel. But his parents could.

“Yes, she and Rachel were pretty babies, just like Vanessa,” Vivian said. She put a gentle hand on Jim’s forearm. “We have a picture of all of you just before the accident.”

Jim frowned. The accident that took their parents and shattered their happy home. How many times had he thought about that day? How many times had he thought of what it’d be like now if his parents were still alive, or if he’d managed to keep all the kids together?

“I’d love to see the picture,” he told Vivian.

Rachel spoke up. “You don’t have a picture of all of us?”

“No. They only packed a few of our clothes.” Jim paused and looked down at his clenched hands. He’d never forget that day the social services worker came and took them from the house. He’d tried so hard to be brave, but the tears had fallen freely when he’d left the house that last time.

“I remember David had a teddy bear that he slept with all the time. They left it behind. I heard he cried a lot….” He couldn’t prevent the pang of guilt that jabbed him at the memory. “Then I didn’t hear anything else about him after that. Finally my foster mother told me someone had adopted him.”

Vivian reached out to cover his clenched hands and gave him a sympathetic smile when he looked at her.

Will sat up. “Did she give you any details? Whether it was a local adoption…”

He shook his head. “She said to stop worrying about David, that a lady had come to get him and she and her husband adopted him. That’s all.”

“Sounds like it might have been local,” Will said slowly.

“Or it could’ve been a lie just to stop me from bugging her about him,” Jim said quietly, his jaw tight. That would have been like his foster mother.

Vivian stared at him. “But, Jim, you were only nine. Of course you couldn’t do anything.”

Jim shot her a sharp look and couldn’t keep the anger from his voice. Anger at himself. “I was the oldest. I was supposed to take care of my brothers and sisters.”

“I’m sure you were a big comfort to Wally,” Rachel said softly.

Jim shrugged. “Yeah, right. I didn’t get to see him but once a month. Then when I got older, we talked on the phone every once in a while.” His expression darkened with the memory. “Then he followed me into the marines…and died. Some comfort.”

“But that wasn’t your fault,” Vanessa cried.

He turned to look at his youngest sister. “He joined so we could be together. It was my fault. We—”

Jim’s explanation was interrupted by Jeff Jacobs. He ran into the waiting room, dressed in scrubs with tiny footprints on them.

“She’s here!” he announced. “She’s perfect and Becca is, too. They’re moving them to our room now, and you can all come see our baby.”

Everyone stood and followed Jeff out the door.

“We don’t have anything to give them,” Rachel exclaimed. “Honey, could you run down and buy some flowers from the gift shop?”

J.D. agreed to go purchase flowers.

“I’d better go with you,” Jim said. “I don’t have anything for them, either.”

Before anyone could protest, Jim and J.D. hurried away.

Carrie was about to back off when she saw Vivian clutch her husband’s hand. “I thought I was going to burst into tears when he talked about protecting his little brothers. He was only nine!”

“I know, dear.” Will gave her a hug. “We’ll give him more family than he ever dreamed of.”

“If that’s what he wants,” Carrie said with a frown. She had sensed discomfort in Jim, as if she’d known instinctively that he wouldn’t want anyone’s sympathy. She hoped those feelings would go away, but she wasn’t sure. After all, he’d been alone for a long time now.

Vanessa asked, “What do you mean, Carrie?”

“I think he may be a little overwhelmed with so much going on.” She thought he was more than overwhelmed. He’d wanted to meet his sisters—three people—and now here he is in the midst of a big family.

“We’ll work it out, Carrie,” Will assured her. “But you’re right. It is different for him.”

“But he’s happy about finding us, isn’t he?” Vanessa asked.

“Yes, dear, he is,” Vivian hurriedly reassured her. Then she muttered to her husband, “And if he isn’t, he will be soon!”

Will chuckled under his breath and urged them all into Rebecca’s room. There, Rebecca and her baby were the center of attention.

“Oh, she’s beautiful!” Vanessa exclaimed.

“Of course she is,” Vivian said. “With Jeff and Rebecca as parents, she didn’t have a choice.” Vivian stretched out her arms. “May I hold her?”

Rebecca immediately agreed and passed the tightly wrapped bundle to Vivian. Vanessa and Rachel huddled around her, waiting for their turns.

Will shook Jeff’s hand. “You made it through okay?”

“It was touch and go there in the delivery room, but the payoff was great. Isn’t it a miracle?”

Will chuckled again. “You know it was for me. I never expected to have children. But then I never expected to love someone like Vivian, either. That was the first miracle.”

Jeff nodded. “I know. I thought I’d lost Rebecca for good. Then one day I walked into my office and there she was. Then I found out about Joey. And now we have the new baby. Life just keeps getting better.”

J.D. and Jim stepped into the small room, each handing the new mom a vase of flowers.

“Oh, how nice!” Rebecca exclaimed. “Jim,” she prompted, “did you see the baby?”

“No, I haven’t—” Jim stopped as Vivian handed him the infant. “No, I can’t— I don’t know how to take care of a baby.”

“You don’t have to do anything today. Just hold her,” Vivian insisted.

Jim stood there, staring at the baby in his arms as she stretched and yawned. “She’s…beautiful.”

“Yes, she is,” Rebecca agreed with satisfaction. “And do you want to know her name?”

Everyone drew closer, as if they thought Rebecca was going to whisper.

“We decided to name her after Jim,” Rebecca said with a brilliant smile.

“You named her Jim?” Jim asked in astounded tones.

“No, silly. We named her Jamie. Jamie Ann Jacobs. What do you think?”

Everyone gave their approval except for Jim. He stared down at the tiny human in his arms, apparently unable to speak.

Carrie watched him hold the baby, his gaze fastened on the newborn’s every feature. Suddenly, as if he felt her gaze, he looked at her.

“Did you get to hold her?” he asked softly.

“I didn’t want to push,” Carrie replied with a grin. “I’ll see her later.”

“Come look,” he invited as Rebecca apologized for leaving Carrie out.

Carrie moved to his side. He looked even more handsome at that moment—a large, powerful man holding a tiny baby. “She’s so small,” she whispered.

Jim nodded. “Yeah, but she’s got a lot of potential.”

“And a lot of family,” Carrie added with a smile.

After the baby was returned to her mother, Vivian told them it was time they went home and gave Jeff time with Rebecca before he followed them. “After all, he needs to see Joey tonight.”

Jeff sat down on the bed and put his arm around his wife. “That’s right. Tell him I’ll be there after Rebecca goes to sleep. And I’ll bring him in the morning to see his baby sister.”

With calls of goodbye, the others left the room. Rachel asked if someone could give her and J.D. a ride because they didn’t have a car. Vanessa volunteered at once.

“We’ll see you at the house,” Vivian said.

Carrie noticed that Jim seemed to hang back on the short walk to the car. She kept looking over her shoulder to be sure he was following.

They got in the car and started the drive back to the house. Vivian sighed. “My, it’s always a relief when a baby arrives healthy.”

Jim remained silent in his side of the backseat.

“Are you two hungry?” Vivian asked, looking back.

Jim nodded. After a minute he said, “Yes, I am. I missed lunch.”

Vivian gasped. “Why didn’t you say something?”

“There wasn’t time. Besides, I’ve gone without meals before. It’s no big deal.”

“We’ll have dinner as soon as we get home,” Vivian assured him. Then she took out her cell phone and dialed the housekeeper. After giving rapid-fire instructions, she clicked off the call and smiled over her shoulder at Jim. “Betty was appalled. She doesn’t like for anyone to miss a meal. She’ll probably meet you at the door with hors d’oeuvres.”

“I don’t want to be any trouble,” Jim replied.

Carrie thought if he moved any closer to the car door, he’d open it and escape. He looked so uncomfortable.

To make him feel better, she said, “It’s true. Betty lives to feed a hungry man. If Will hadn’t married Vivian, she would’ve started carrying food to his apartment.”

Jim’s laugh was strained.

“She’s right, Jim,” Will said. “And nothing pleases Betty more than compliments. That’s a good thing to remember.” As he finished speaking, he slowed down to pull into the driveway of their home.

Vivian took Jim’s arm again and led the way into the house. Betty met them, telling Jim she had hors d’oeuvres ready in the morning room. “You come right in, you poor man.”

“Thank you, Betty,” Jim said.

“They should be right behind us, Betty,” Will told her.

“No matter. This man needs nourishment at once.”

Jim selected a sausage roll off the plate Betty offered. He took a bite and said, “These are great, Betty.”

He was a quick learner, Carrie chuckled to herself as she saw Betty beam at his compliment.

When the rest of the family arrived, the housekeeper herded them all into the dining room. Carrie was seated next to Jim, who was barraged by questions from his curious sisters and Vivian. Even though Carrie had only met the man hours ago, she seemed to be able to read his mind. Surrounded by so much family, he was overwhelmed, even downright scared. She sympathized with Jim, though there was little she could do.

After the meal, when everyone returned to the morning room for coffee, Jim remained standing by the doorway. She knew what he was up to.

As if on cue, he said, “I really enjoyed meeting all of you. Be sure and thank Rebecca for me. I hope to see you again sometime, after I’ve gotten settled in.” And with that, he turned on his polished heel and left.

As everyone sat there, stunned, Carrie looked at Will, who nodded his head. At his unspoken direction, she knew what she had to do.

JIM CLOSED his hotel room door soundly and leaned against it. He let out the breath he’d been holding since he walked into Will Greenfield’s office earlier that day.

He was exhausted. He’d had long days and nights of combat that hadn’t left him this tired. Then again, the enemy didn’t frighten him the way his newfound family had, he thought wryly.

He was glad he’d found his sisters. They were everything he’d imagined them to be all this time. Beautiful, kind, generous. Exactly the way his parents would’ve wanted them to grow up.

But he was just as glad that he’d been able to leave them in Highland Park and return, alone, to his hotel. He was so different from them. He couldn’t live the lifestyle they lived. He couldn’t open himself up the way they had with each other. It was better for him to put some distance between himself and them right away.

As if that was settled, he moved away from the door and went into the bathroom to get ready for bed. A knock on the door interrupted his progress. Innately cautious, he peered through the peephole.

He couldn’t believe his eyes.

Throwing the door open, he demanded, “What are you doing here?”

Chapter Three

Carrie mustered her courage and looked him straight in the eye. The whole way over here she spent convincing herself she was doing the right thing by getting involved in Captain James Barlow’s life. Their client had hired Greenfield and Associates—thus, her—to find him, so after all, he was her business. And that was the only reason she found herself at Jim’s hotel room door. Business.

It had nothing whatsoever to do with how her heart sped up upon seeing him for the first time without his dress uniform jacket.

She cleared her throat and replied to his question. “I’m following orders.”

“Whose orders?” Jim snapped.

“Will didn’t want you to disappear. Your sisters have been waiting a long time for their big brother to come home.” She made no move to enter his hotel room, but also made it clear she wasn’t going away until she had her say.

“I said I’d see them after I’ve settled in. I need to find a job and a place to live.”

“Will and Vivian would be glad to have you stay there with them. They have plenty of room,” Carrie said, but she already knew the answer.

“I won’t sponge off my sister’s family. You don’t live with them, do you?”

“No, of course not.”

“Then you understand,” he said, staring at her.

“Are you going to talk to Will about working with us?”

Jim sighed and stared down at her. “I don’t know.”

“He was serious when he said we needed help. We’ve got contracts with three different insurance companies and the cases are piling up.”

“I need some time to adjust. And I’m used to making my own way.” His voice was almost a growl.

“So did Rachel and Rebecca, but they became part of the family. And they all want you to do the same.”

She watched his face, seeing various emotions in his eyes. Most of all, she wanted to hug him and reassure him. He didn’t seem to grasp how much his family wanted to love him.

But she couldn’t tell him. After all, she wasn’t family. Nor could she hug him like his sisters had done. All she could do was try to maintain some contact with him. “Is it all right if Will calls you in the morning?”

“I guess so, but he doesn’t need to give me a job.”

“We need help, Jim. Truly,” she said earnestly.

“I’ll talk to him, but I’m promising nothing.”

“I’ll tell him.” She’d pushed him as far as she could, she thought. He’d given his word to at least speak to Will, and Carrie’s fantasy Jim would never break his word. So she said good-night and turned to walk away.

She could feel his eyes on her as she walked down the hall. Just before she entered the elevator, she looked back at him and gave him a warm smile.

His expression didn’t change.

AFTER SHE REACHED her apartment, she called Will. “He’s staying at the Holiday Inn in room #512. He agreed to speak with you in the morning, but he said you didn’t need to give him a job.”

“Thanks, Carrie. You did just what I wanted. I think it’s going to be a while before he feels comfortable with the family. But we don’t want to lose touch with him.”

“I agree.”

“Why don’t we both take him to breakfast in the morning? I think you can help talk him into trying out the job.”

“Me? I’ll be glad to go with you, but I doubt it matters to Jim what I think.”

“I’ll meet you at the office at eight-thirty. Then we’ll go pick up Jim.”

“Okay, see you then.”

Carrie hung up the phone and immediately moved to her closet to figure out what she was wearing tomorrow to impress Jim.

“You’re being ridiculous!” she exclaimed, but she didn’t stop until she found her favorite red suit and a new blouse she’d bought last week. She was glad that finally, in the last few months she had extra money to spend on her wardrobe.

It had taken her an extra couple of years to graduate college because she’d had to go part-time after her father’s sudden death. Then her mother had been sick, which had drained her of both time and money. But it had been worth it because she’d had time with her mother that she wouldn’t trade for any size bank account.

The luckiest thing that had ever happened to her had been to go to work for Will Greenfield.

Five years ago she’d come to work for him as a part-time receptionist, while she was in school. Then she began to handle some of the investigation work, the easier things that Will didn’t have time for. Over time, her involvement deepened until she was working full-time as a P.I.

Throughout it all, Will treated her as a member of his family—which at the time had only consisted of himself. Then he’d met Vivian, who happened to be the mother of her former best friend. Carrie had simply walked away from Vanessa, leaving her in the dark about the events that had changed her life so completely.

With her father’s death, her life had fallen apart like a house of cards. She no longer could afford tuition or new clothes or even the car her dad had bought her. She’d settled his bills by selling everything they had. Then she’d bought a cheap car and moved her and her mother into an apartment.

She still lived there.

But now she had her friendship with Vanessa back, and Will and Vivian in her life. And for the past year since she’d gotten involved in finding Vanessa’s siblings, she had Jim. The fantasy Jim anyway. From the moment she’d seen his picture, his face had spoken to her. She felt like she knew him—intimately.

She was definitely attracted to him.

But that was the fantasy Jim, she reminded herself. The fantasy Jim opened himself up to her, allowed her to love him. But the real Jim…? So far he remained the stoic soldier returning from war.

Carrie laid out her clothes for the morning and finally went to bed, in the arms of a strong-jawed fantasy man.

JIM AWOKE LATER than he’d expected. He attributed it to the airline travel yesterday, and meeting his family for the first time.

When he emerged from the shower, the phone in his room was ringing.

“Hello?” he answered.

“Jim, it’s Will Greenfield. Have you had breakfast yet?”

“No. I’m running late this morning.”

“How about you join Carrie and me downstairs in the coffee shop? I want to buy you breakfast.”

“You don’t have to,” he said.

“I know I don’t, but I want to discuss the job I mentioned yesterday. I figure breakfast is the least I owe you if you’ll listen to me.”

Jim realized this man was determined. Until he heard his pitch, Will wouldn’t leave him alone. He looked at his watch. “I’ll be down in ten minutes.”

“Fine. We’ll have coffee waiting for you,” Will promised.

It was the “we” that bothered Jim. He liked Will Greenfield. But Carrie… There was something there when he looked at her. Something that made him want to run in the other direction. He should run in the other direction he told himself. He didn’t want to hurt her. And that was all he’d bring Carrie. Or any woman.

He dressed in black slacks and a royal-blue dress shirt. After all, he was no longer a soldier. When he looked in the mirror, it was strange to see himself in anything but khaki-green. Hoping he hadn’t made a mistake in leaving the service, he picked up his billfold and his room key and headed for the coffee shop to face Will and Carrie.

When he entered the coffee shop, he looked around for Will Greenfield. But all he saw was Carrie Rand in a bright red suit, sitting in a booth. He frowned. He hadn’t planned on a breakfast alone with Carrie. The less time he spent with her the better everything would be.

He considered returning to his room, but he’d agreed to breakfast. Reluctantly he walked over to the booth.

Carrie glanced up and gasped. “Jim! You’re not wearing your uniform.”

“No. I’m a civilian now,” he said.

“But yesterday—” Carrie began.

“Was my last day in the military. I was traveling and it was easier to do so in uniform. Where’s Will?”

“Um, he had an emergency call he had to take. Please sit down, Jim. He should be back shortly.” Carrie signaled the waitress, who came to the table with a pot of coffee.

“Here’s a hungry man,” Carrie said with a smile. “Please pour him some coffee and maybe he’ll be ready to order in a minute.”

“I can order now, if you’re ready,” Jim said quietly.

“We’ve already ordered. I asked our waitress to hold our order until you got here. Will said for us to go ahead and not wait for him.”

“I’ll take two eggs over easy, bacon, wheat toast and a short stack of pancakes.”

“You certainly seem to know your mind, Jim. Will likes that.”

“It’s a habit the marines encourage,” Jim said with a nod.

“I bet you were a fast learner, too,” Carrie said, hoping to see Jim smile. She was sure a smile would increase his handsome quotient tremendously. Which was pretty incredible since she’d thought his stern appearance would be hard to beat.

Jim said, “Yeah.”

He took a sip of his coffee. Then he noticed Carrie was drinking some kind of cola. “You don’t drink coffee?” he asked.

“No. Diet Coke has caffeine, too. I drink it in the morning.”

“I can see that in the summer, but in winter? Don’t you want something hot?”

“If I feel cold, I drink hot tea,” Carrie admitted. “I’ve got all the stuff for hot tea at the office. Sometimes I drink it there.”

Jim looked at Carrie, puzzling over her relationship with Will. If Will hadn’t shown how much he loved his wife and son, Jim might’ve thought they were having an affair. But Will seemed to act like a father to Carrie.

“So you like working for Will?”

“Yes, of course,” Carrie said at once.

The waitress delivered their breakfasts and silence reigned as they ate. Then, with a second cup of coffee in front of him, Jim looked at Carrie. “I’m still not sure if Will really has a job open or he’s simply doing what Vivian wants him to do.”

“Surely you don’t believe—”

“Why else would he offer a job to a stranger?” Jim challenged her.

“You’re not a stranger, Jim.” Carrie nodded as Jim’s gaze narrowed. “When Vivian first asked Will to find Vanessa’s siblings, he warned her that they might not be the kind of people she would want Vanessa to know.” She grinned. “Even he will admit he had low expectations of the rich. He figured Vivian thought Vanessa’s siblings would be wealthy, like her.”

“And they weren’t?”

“We found Rebecca first, in Arkansas. She was a single mother with no help from her adoptive parents. They wouldn’t even speak to her. She was providing for her son and continuing her college classes at night.”

“So he invited her to Texas for a visit?” Jim asked.

“Not on your life. He wouldn’t do that until he had figured out what was going on in her life. He went to Arkansas so he could interview her in person.”

“That sounds safe.”

“It was—until Vivian insisted on going with him. He told her she could go on the condition that she didn’t reveal her identity. He told Rebecca she was his assistant.”

“And she bought that?”

“She did until Vivian told her differently. Once Vivian met her, she insisted she come back to Dallas to meet her sister.” Carrie smiled. “You see, Vivian sees with her heart, not her head. She’s different from most rich people, and that’s how she raised Vanessa, too.”

“Is that when Will fell for her?” Jim asked, doubt in his voice.

“I don’t think it was that fast. Will had been married before to a lady who wanted money, however she could get it. She divorced Will to marry a man almost twenty years older than her because he was wealthy.”

“It makes it seem unlikely that he’d fall for Vivian, then.”

Carrie chuckled. “He was a goner when he saw Vivian’s generosity to Rebecca, offering her a home, helping her return to school full-time, becoming Joey’s grandma. That’s how she convinced Will without even trying. He realized she was different from the rich women he’d met in the past.” Carrie paused, then gauging Jim’s expression, said, “All of which is a long explanation so you’ll understand that we know a great deal about you.”

He looked confused. “I don’t see how Will’s love life explains why you already know a lot about me.”

“It explains how Will wouldn’t invite you to come meet your family unless he believed you wouldn’t disappoint Vivian and your sisters. We’ve talked to many of your superior officers. We know about your returning to college to get a degree and moving up in the officer ranks. We’ve talked to men who served under you.” Carrie stopped talking because of the frown on Jim’s face.

“And what did you find that made you think I’d be a good P.I.?” he demanded.

“You’re smart, decisive, caring, honest,” Carrie said. “You can handle yourself in a fight, you majored in computer science and you’re a good friend.”

“You already knew about my degree when Will asked about my computer skills?” Jim asked, one eyebrow raised.

Carrie had the grace to look a little embarrassed. “Yes. We weren’t sure how you’d feel about having been investigated.”

“I don’t like it one damn bit!”

Carrie kept her gaze fixed on her plate, pretending to ignore Jim’s glare.

“If someone you loved wanted to find a stranger, wouldn’t you investigate the person before you introduced them?” Carrie asked gently.

After a moment of silence, Jim said, “Yeah, I would. But that doesn’t mean I want to work as a P.I.”

“Never said it did,” Will agreed, suddenly appearing at the table. “But I hope Carrie explained everything to you. We need some help. If you don’t agree to work for me, I’ll have to find someone else.” Will sat at the table and waved for the waitress to bring his breakfast.

“Tell me about the work.”

Will began to tell him about cases they had pending, between bites, pointing out that most of their cases involved investigating people trying to trick the insurance companies. “Occasionally, we take cases that the police have given up on. Or cases like Vivian’s.”

“No divorce cases? No tailing cheating husbands?”

“I try to avoid them.”

Jim looked at Carrie. “What do you do?”

“The same work as Will.”

“You actually tail people?”

“Of course.”

“You carry a gun?”

“Yes.”

Jim raised his cup and took a long drink of coffee. Then he looked at Will. “How about a trial run? I’ll work for you for a week, no pay. If I like the work, we’ll talk.”

“That’s more than fair. Let’s shake on it,” Will said, extending his hand to Jim.

After shaking Will’s hand, Jim extended his hand to Carrie.

Reluctantly, slowly, she gave him her hand, hoping he wouldn’t realize she was shaking more than his hand. She had a thing about shaking hands. It told her a lot about a person. But she already knew about Jim. Shaking his hand only confirmed her attraction to him. To the real Jim.

“Well,” Will said, “shall we go to the office? If you can catch on to what we do on the computer, Carrie has some fieldwork to do. You can use her desk.”

Jim again looked at Carrie.

All she could manage was a nod agreeing with Will’s statement.

“Are you going to stay here for the week? That will be kind of expensive.” Will paused and then said, “Since you’re working for free, you could stay with us. We really do have plenty of room.”

“I don’t think—”

“Then I’ll have to pay you a salary for the first week.”

“No, I—”

“Vivian will ask. She’d be horrified at my taking advantage of you.”

“Fine. You can pay me minimum wage for the week. Until I catch on, that’s all I’ll be worth anyway.”

Will blinked several times. Then he said, “It’s a deal. But we’d still like to have you move in with us.”

“That’s very kind, but no thank you.”

Carrie smiled. Jim had just proven her right. She’d told Will this morning she didn’t think Jim would go along with his offer.

“So you’re going to stay here?” Will asked.

“I’m going to look for an apartment, but I’ll stay here until I find something.” Jim stood. “I need to go get my jacket. I’ll be right back.”

Once Jim had left the table, Carrie grinned at Will. “I won that bet,” she pointed out.

“Yeah, you did. I’d hoped I could persuade him.”

“I know, for Vivian. But they’ll get to see him often and he’ll get used to a big family after a while.”

“I guess it has been kind of sudden.” He stood. “We’d better head for the office.” He waved the waitress over for their bill.

“Can you show him what we need done on the computer?” Will asked as he paid.

“That shouldn’t be a problem. It’s not that difficult.”

“Then what will you do?”

“Fieldwork, like you said.”

“Nothing dangerous, right?”

Carrie shrugged her shoulders. “I have a couple of specific cases in mind.”

“Which ones?” Will asked.

“The Moore case…and maybe the Riley case.”

“No! I’ll do that one, Carrie. I told you that one is dangerous. That man is amoral. He won’t hesitate to kill anyone who’s trying to stop him from getting his money.”

“And that’s why I have to do it. He would suspect you, but he won’t suspect me.”

“No. I won’t allow you to go alone.”

“Trouble in paradise?” Jim asked, coming up alongside them.

“Carrie wants to do something dangerous, and I won’t let her,” Will said firmly.

“It’s obvious you just want to protect her,” Jim said, raising one eyebrow.

“I am. But she thinks she has to protect me.”

“Vivian made me promise,” Carrie said with a light chuckle that defused the situation.

“Uh, I’m ready to go,” Jim said, garnering Will’s attention.

“Fine. Do you want to turn in your rental car? We could follow you and pick you up.”

“No, thanks,” Jim said, “I’ll keep it until I buy a car.”

“I’m just trying to save you some money,” Will explained.

“I never said I was penniless,” Jim protested.

Carrie stepped closer to the two men. “I think Jim can handle his personal life. Shall we go to the office?”

“Yeah,” Will said. “Sorry, Jim. I’m used to— I try to take care of the family.”

“I appreciate that, Will, but I’m pretty independent.”

“Well, we’ll see you at the office. You can follow us if you want. Or better yet, Carrie can ride with you and show you how to find the office.”

“I managed to find it yesterday, Will,” Jim pointed out.

“Ride with him, Carrie,” Will said, and walked off.

Chapter Four

“I’m sorry,” Carrie said softly as they watched Will walk away.

“For what?”

“For Will forcing you to take me in your car. It was obvious you didn’t want to.”

Jim stared straight ahead, his jaw squared. “I never said that.”

Carrie shrugged her shoulders. “You said it, just not in words. I know enough about people to read their body language.”

“Is that so?”

He didn’t sound impressed with her claim.

“Yes, but I won’t bother to apologize again.”

They got in his car and drove in silence.

Finally Jim spoke. “So, you like working for Will?”

“I work with Will,” she said, leaving him in no doubt that she considered the partnership a reality.

“So you bought in?”

She stared at him. “Why did you ask that like you didn’t believe my buying in was a possibility?”

“I didn’t mean to. I asked that question because I was wondering how much money I’d need if I wanted to buy in, assuming the week goes well.”

“Oh.” Carrie turned to stare out the window.

“So you’re not going to tell me?”

“I’m a junior partner, not a full partner. You’d have to discuss that with Will.” She kept her face averted. She didn’t want him to see the hope in her eyes. It might scare him away.

“Okay. I’ll wait until the week is up before I talk to Will.”

“Yes. That’s a good idea.”

“Okay. Why did Will try to get me to move in with him and Vivian?”

“Because Vivian really does think all Vanessa’s siblings should have been part of their family. She wants the best for all of you.”

“I’m an adult, not an orphan,” Will protested. “That’s not necessary.”

Carrie shrugged again. “There’s a spirit in Vivian that draws you to her. And she never sees the flaws. She acts like a mother to everyone. I appreciate her even more now since my mother is gone. I don’t have any real family. But I have Will, Vivian and Vanessa and everyone that comes in contact with them.”

“I don’t need to be mothered,” Jim said tightly.

“Don’t hurt Vivian’s feelings. That’s the best advice I can give you.”

“I don’t look for ways to hurt people, Carrie. But I’m not used to being…involved in a family.”

“I think you’re not used to being loved,” she replied.

His jaw clenched again. “It doesn’t pay to love me! Ask Wally! Ask my parents! Ask my sisters! Ask Lani!”

“Who is Lani?” Carrie asked at once.

“Never mind.” He wheeled the car into a parking space beside the office building where Greenfield and Associates was located. He threw the gearshift into Park and stepped out of the car as soon as Will pulled up next to them.

Clearly Jim was through talking.

“IS THAT IT?” Jim asked, frowning as he looked over Carrie’s shoulder. After he’d met with Will, she’d taken a couple of hours to teach him how to use the computer to track down information.

“Yes,” she explained, “but we redo many of our cases to determine activity. For example, if a man with back injuries that require him to be in a wheelchair buys a boat, we might want to revisit the subject.”

“Are people that dumb?”

“They have to spend their ill-gotten gains somehow. And frequently, we’ll find they collected on other insurance policies earlier. Repeat criminals.”

“I gather they’re not happy to be discovered.”

“Right, but it’s not our job to try the case. Just to provide evidence.” She stood, forcing Jim to take a step back.

“This digital camera is as important a tool as the computer. We get photos that prove the subject isn’t injured, and we send them over the Internet to the insurance company.”

“All right. Now, how about I go with you this afternoon, to see how you operate?” Jim’s voice was casual, as was his stance. But his eyes gave him away.

“No, thank you,” Carrie said coolly. “I work best alone.”

Jim took a couple of steps back, then he called to Will. “Will? Carrie doesn’t want me to go with her. She thinks she’ll be better alone.”

Carrie knew what Will’s response would be. She gathered her courage to resist his preference.

Sure enough, Will came out of his office. “Carrie, I think it would be a good idea for Jim to go with you.”

“Especially since I’m checking up on Richard Riley?” Carrie said, staring at Will.

“Well, it wouldn’t hurt to have someone with you,” Will said reasonably.

“Will, if you don’t think I can do my job, I’ll have my resignation on your desk tomorrow.” She drew a deep breath. “After I check on Richard Riley today!”

She picked up her files and headed for the door.

“Wait!” Will called.

Carrie didn’t want to stop, But it was Will. “Yes?” she asked, turning around.

“Jim will promise to stay in the car. In fact, I insist he do so, since he’s not licensed to carry a gun yet.”

“You know we don’t use guns to do our job,” Carrie insisted.

“I know. But I like you to have one for emergencies.” Will cleared his throat. “Just take Jim with you. Explain your approach and show him the files. He can read them while you’re contacting our suspect. That’s all, Carrie. You don’t mind, do you?”

Carrie minded. Not because she thought Jim was going along to protect her. But because she wouldn’t be at her best with the big man beside her. She was too conscious of him, too interested in his response.

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