Cameron caught her up and came into the room. "You were anxious to get back here."
"I'm always anxious to see this little guy." Alice stroked Sami's cheek. He waved his arms and kicked his legs.
"He recognizes you," Cameron said.
Sami turned his head in Cameron's direction and made his cute huffing sound.
"He recognizes you as well, or at least your voice."
Cameron pressed his lips together thoughtfully and stepped up beside the bassinet. He stared down at Sami then touched his fingertips to the baby's cheek, a smile pulling at his lips. Sami's little legs kicked like crazy. "I think you're right," Cameron said. "He does know me."
He ran his fingers over the baby's chest and arms. "You're growing so fast, you funny little guy." His gaze lingered on the baby for a few moments longer then he turned his attention to Alice. "Are you going to feed him now?"
At her nod, he lifted the baby out of his bassinet and cradled him in an arm. "Let's go and prepare your bottle then, bud."
Alice headed for the small kitchen where the bottle warmer and formula were kept, Cameron and Sami at her side. Her heart raced every time she glanced at the baby, so tiny in Cameron's tanned, muscular arms. He'd picked up the baby before, but always as a doctor to examine him. This time was different. Was Cameron growing attached to Sami?
Alice quickly mixed up the bottle and they went back to the room. She sat on the bed and took Sami from Cameron then put the nipple in the hungry baby's mouth. Cameron crossed his arms and observed, an amused smile on his lips, as Sami sucked down his milk.
"Well, I can't stand here watching him all day. I'm going to join a patrol and return to the government offices with this." He patted the pocket where he had stowed the marriage certificate. "Wish me luck with the Child Protective Services people."
"Of course." She would do more than wish him luck. She would be praying for success the whole time he was away.
Cameron flicked up his eyebrows and grinned. "See you later." He turned and strode out the door.
After Cameron left, it took a good few minutes for Alice's heart rate to return to normal. When Sami was burped, she laid him on the bed and stretched out at his side, kissing his sweet little face. "I'm going to be your mummy soon," she whispered. Then with a furtive glance at the door to make sure nobody was listening, she continued. "And Cameron is going to be your daddy."
***
Cameron strode along the walkway down the center of the RAF C-17 Aeromed aircraft that he, Alice, Sami, and a group of soldiers heading home for rest and relaxation had boarded to head back to the UK.
The plane had brought in supplies and then been adapted to carry out wounded. This time there were only four casualties to take home, all men Cameron had worked on in the field hospital.
This was an RAF operation, with a full staff of doctors and medical technicians manning the plane. Cameron was officially off duty, but he couldn't twiddle his thumbs for over five hours when he might be of help.
"Captain Fellows, can I assist?" Cameron addressed the nearest doctor, then put his hands on his hips and scanned the area where the patients were, two of them on life support machines.
"Thanks for the offer, but I think we're on top of things." The young captain nodded past Cameron towards the seats occupied by the other passengers. "Perhaps you should get back to your bride."
Cameron had hoped to keep the wedding quiet but the news had spread around the base like wildfire. His commanding officer had appeared to be at a loss for words, which suited Cameron fine. He glanced over his shoulder to where Alice had her attention firmly fixed on Sami in his traveling crib on the ground in front of her. Her braided hair hung forward, gleaming in the lights like gold.
"If I were you, I'd have other things on my mind besides work," the young captain said.
That was the problem. Cameron did have other things on his mind. Inappropriate things considering the marriage was in name only. Ever since the wedding ceremony two days ago, he'd started to notice Alice in a way he hadn't before. Maybe he had a mental block that labeled female patients as off limits, and that had been lifted. He gave the man a weak smile. "Okay. Well, you know where I am if you need me."
He turned and wandered to a storage unit and grabbed an armful of ration packs. The last thing he felt like was food, but it might distract him. "Anyone for some lunch?"
Most of the soldiers answered in the affirmative and he tossed the ration packs to them, before grabbing a couple for Alice and himself.
"They don't need you then?" she asked as he sat at her side. The bruising around her eyes had finally faded. Her blue eyes looked bigger and her previously swollen nose was now small and very cute.
To make matters worse, he had realized there was no way he could simply file for an annulment of the marriage on the grounds of non-consummation. He was the one who'd signed the adoption papers. If they dissolved the marriage, it would mess up any likelihood that the British courts would ratify the existing adoption. Alice would then have to start again from scratch.
Until the adoption was finalized in the UK, the marriage must appear to be real. He had no idea how she would feel about that. They needed to talk the issue over soon.
"Are you sure you're happy to come to my brother's?" In this situation, it seemed sensible that he and Alice should stay together with Sami. His relatives would be only too happy to meet Alice and the baby. They might not be quite so overjoyed when they discovered the circumstances of the marriage.
"That would be great, if they don't mind."
"Did you want to go and see your parents over the weekend?"
Alice ducked her head and sorted through her ration pack.
"Is there a problem, Alice?" He'd noticed she avoided talking about her parents.
She flashed him an oblique look that he couldn't decipher. "Dad's busy. I don't want to trouble him. I'll call my mum sometime."
Alice had been out of the country in a war zone for months, yet she thought her father wouldn't have time for her?
Normally he wouldn't pry into someone's personal life, but this was different. Alice was his wife. "You don't get along with your father?"
She shrank down in her seat and hugged her ration pack. "I don't want him to know about Sami."
"Okay." Warning bells sounded in Cameron's head. Her expression closed off at the mention of her father. He wanted to know why. It occurred to him that he had no idea what sort of a background Alice came from. He knew nothing about her except her nationality and that she hailed from the London area like him.
"I'll need to notify Social Services about Sami when we arrive back," she said, obviously aiming to deflect any further questions about her father.
"My sister-in-law is a lawyer. She specializes in family law. I expect she can help us."
Cameron had a nasty suspicion the Social Services people weren't going to like the fact they had brought a foreign orphan into the country without being vetted as adoptive parents first. He hoped it didn't count against them too much.
It was a good thing he had a close, well-connected family. Cameron was no social worker, but he guessed Social Services were a lot more likely to let Alice keep the baby if she stayed in a supportive family environment.
Alice leaned down and rested her hand on Sami's chest as if drawing strength from her connection with the boy. "Are you sure your family won't mind putting me and Sami up?"
Cameron wanted to keep them with him, and it wasn't just because of the adoption. He wanted to make sure Sami was all right, and monitor Alice's arm. That's what he told himself, anyway.
"Heck, no." Cameron laughed. "My mother will be over the moon to meet him. You should have seen her with her first grandchild. She wouldn't put George down."
"Is George your brother's son?"
"Yes." Cameron clamped his lips together. Why had he mentioned George? He didn't want to discuss him. He'd only end up revealing how he'd given up his own son to his brother. He didn't need to
be a mind reader to know Alice wouldn't approve.
Chapter Six
With nothing but the clothes on her back and her passport, Alice felt almost naked in the arrivals hall at Brize Norton military airport. At the field hospital, it hadn't mattered that she had nothing. Everything was so primitive there. Back here in England, in the heart of civilization, everything was different.
She brushed at the dust on her clothes, self-conscious when she noticed the women in colorful summer dresses there to welcome home their husbands.
"Everyone else has a bag. I feel weird with nothing."
"Don't worry," Cameron said. "We'll make sure you have everything you need when we get to my brother's place."
She hadn't taken much with her to Africa. Her important belongings like her bank cards were stashed at the women's refuge in London where she had volunteered while she was at college. As soon as she could, she planned to visit her old friend Maeve who ran the refuge, collect her stuff, and introduce Cameron, if he were interested in coming.
More of her things remained in her old bedroom at her parents' house, but she had no intention of going there, even though she would like her mother to see Sami. It wasn't worth the risk. Her mother could never keep a secret from her father. If he found out Alice was trying to adopt a baby, he would interfere.
A tearful woman ran forward and hugged a soldier they had traveled with. He picked up his little girl and swung her around, making her giggle. What must it be like to have a real marriage with a man who loved you and his children? Alice couldn't even imagine.
"I'll call my brother and see where he is." Cameron had his bag in one hand and Sami's carrier in the other. He put them down on the floor next to a seat so Alice could sit beside Sami. Then he pressed his mobile phone to his ear, wandering back and forth, absently rubbing his chin.
"Rad, we've landed," he said.
A long sigh of relief whispered between Alice's lips. She gently rubbed her sleeping baby, who was oblivious to the fact he was now on British soil. She had been so fearful for Sami's safety. If the authorities in his homeland had taken him from her, he likely wouldn't have survived.
"My brother will be here in five. He's just entered the gates." Cameron sat beside her and leaned over to peer at Sami. "Is the little guy okay?"
"Still asleep." She held aside the edge of the bag to give Cameron a view of Sami.
"How about you?" Cameron raised a hand and stroked some loose strands of hair back from her face.
Her pulse leaped. Every time he touched her she couldn't think straight. A strange woolly sensation filled her head, and she went all tingly. Part of her longed for his touch, yet another part of her wished he would keep his distance and stop confusing her. This wasn't real. Their supposed relationship was all pretense. Yet she had difficulty remembering that when he appeared to be so caring.
"Ah, there's Radley." Cameron jumped up and strode towards a man in army uniform. They embraced, both laughing and thumping each other on the back.
"Glad to see you home in one piece," Radley said, throwing an arm around Cameron's shoulders. The likeness between the two men was amazing. Radley was an inch or two taller than Cameron, with the same dark hair, brown eyes, and easy smile.
Alice rose as they approached, a tentative smile on her lips.
"You must be Alice." Radley extended a hand and shook hers firmly. "Nice to meet you." His gaze flicked to her arm before returning to her face. "I gather you had a close shave with the rebel forces. I bet you're pleased to be home."
Alice nodded. "Thank you for picking us up."
"No problem." Radley smacked the back of Cameron's head playfully. "Had to pick up the little brother anyway."
Sami chose that moment to wake and let out a thin wail of hunger. Radley bent over the bag, his expression softening. "This must be the baby you want Fabian to see." He moved the cover away from Sami's mouth so he could see his lip. "Any fissure in the soft palate?"
"No, just the lip," Cameron answered.
"In that case, Fabian should be able to operate immediately. Probably the sooner the better."
Alice's heart skipped a beat. She gripped Sami's tiny hand, relief mingled with nerves that her baby was to have an operation.
Radley must have noticed her expression because he smiled reassuringly. "Nothing to worry about. Lieutenant Colonel Fabian is one of the best plastic surgeons in the world."
Cameron moved to her side, put an arm around her, and angled his head close. "It's a routine procedure. All Sami will have is a tiny scar."
Alice leaned the side of her head on his shoulder, instinctively accepting the comfort he offered. She might have only known him for a few weeks, but it seemed like longer. Being thrown together in such extreme circumstances had brought them close.
He had been wonderful, supportive, and helpful. It would be great to stay with him, to have someone on her side, someone who would put himself out to help her.
Radley's amused chuckle drew her gaze. "Olivia was fretting over the sleeping arrangements, worrying if we had enough bedrooms what with Mum and Dad coming for the weekend as well. Looks like you two will be happy to share a room."
Alice tensed, heat streaking through her body and bursting in her cheeks. Cameron would have to tell his brother that they weren't really a couple, yet she had been enjoying the pretense.
Cameron's arm tightened around her shoulders. "That's fine," he said. "Of course we'll share. I guess you'll find out soon enough, so I might as well tell you now—Alice is my wife."
***
Alice sat in the back of Radley's large black 4x4 beside Sami, who was strapped in a luxury baby seat that belonged to Radley's baby daughter.
Her thoughts churned, her emotions swinging all over the place. Cameron had told his brother they were married, but he hadn't explained their temporary arrangement. Now Cameron's family would believe the marriage was the real thing.
Why had he lied? Did he worry his parents wouldn't accept her and Sami if they knew the truth? Was it possible he really had feelings for her?
No, that was just wishful thinking.
Alice rubbed her temples. Too many wild thoughts swirled in her head. She didn't know if she was pleased or upset. Now they would have to maintain the pretense in front of people who knew Cameron, and could tell when he lied. All she'd wanted was help to bring her baby boy here. Everything seemed to be getting out of hand.
Her eyelids fell and she yawned, suddenly overwhelmed with fatigue after the long day of traveling. In the front, Cameron and Radley discussed the progress of the conflict in Africa. The pleasant timbre of their deep masculine voices washed over her and she dozed.
"Nearly there," Cameron said after a while.
She opened her eyes to see him looking back at her between the seats. "You can have a nap when we get to Radley's, if you like. I'll look after Sami."
"I'll see how I feel." Alice smiled and Cameron reached back and squeezed her knee. He had helped her with Sami, but it was the first time he had offered to look after him. She was pleased but uncertain as well. They needed to discuss this fake marriage and lay the ground rules so she knew what to expect.
The car glided along a narrow country road with bushy hedges on either side and colorful wildflowers scattered among the green grass. Radley turned the car between two stone pillars and the tires crunched up a gravel drive between borders of shrubs and flowers before swinging around to park in front of a large country house.
"Home," Radley said, a smile in his voice. He jumped out and strode towards the front door. A tall, elegant woman with long dark hair stepped out carrying a baby girl. He enclosed them in his arms and kissed the woman and baby, then they exchanged a few words and both looked at the car.
Alice dropped her gaze, embarrassed to be caught watching them so closely. Radley seemed to be much like Cameron—a kind man, one who cared about his family.
The car door opened, and Cameron unclipped Sami from the baby seat and lifted him
out. Alice climbed out too and stretched as Cameron stopped beside her. "I expect you'd like to carry the little guy in." He passed the sleepy baby across, careful to make sure she had a secure hold on him with her good arm before letting go. "I'll get the bags."
Before he could move to the trunk, a little boy dashed out of the front door. "Uncle Cam, Uncle Cam."
Cameron whooped, picked up the child, and swung him around, a grin on his face. "How's my favorite boy?"
"All right. Have you brought me a present?"
"That's not very polite, George." Radley's wife frowned and strode over to them with an embarrassed shake of her head. "Presents tomorrow, young man." She leaned in and kissed Cameron's cheek while he hugged her son.
"Hi, Livi. This rascal keeping you on your toes?"
She rolled her eyes but it was plain she adored her little boy.
Cameron kissed the soft dark curls on top of the baby girl's hair and tweaked her pink hair clip. "How's my pretty little niece?"
"Emma's fine, aren't you, sweetie." Olivia hefted the girl higher to see Cameron, but she buried her face in her mother's neck. "Just a little shy, as you can see."
Cameron stepped over to Alice, George hanging on his hand. "Olivia, this is Alice, my wife."
Olivia's eyes opened like saucers, and she choked on her greeting. She pressed a hand over her mouth, her startled gaze fixed on Alice. "I had no idea you were married."
After a few awkward seconds she seemed to recover. A genuine smile of pleasure replaced the shock. She leaned in and kissed Alice's cheek. "Wow. It's lovely to meet the woman who has finally made Cameron commit. I didn't think it would ever happen."
Olivia beamed at her as though she had won the lottery. A flush swept over Alice. She hated deceiving Cameron's relatives.
Alice pushed aside her guilt and composed herself. "It's nice to meet you. Thank you for putting me up. I really appreciate it."
Tall and elegant in tailored cream pants and a floral blouse, her long hair thick and shiny, Olivia was slightly intimidating. She looked like a model. In comparison, Alice resembled something the cat had dragged in and left on the mat.
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