Corpsman and the Nerd

by Grady, D. R.

  “Yeah, I know. It’s just strange to see him go all gooey.”

  “Um, may I remind you, Dr. Morrison, how crazy you are about your son?”

  “I am not.”

  “You cried when the papers came through making Ryan officially yours.”

  “Ryan Morrison sounds good.” He didn’t even challenge that statement. He had teared up a bit when Ryan officially became his son. The same as he had done when KC happily became his wife. She had shed some tears too. Both times. Happy, joyous tears from both of them.

  “And you’re going to be just as bad when the baby comes.”

  “What?” Max spun to stare at KC. His eyes wide. “What baby?”

  “We’re...um...pregnant.” She grinned, her face a little pink and really happy. His heart contracted.

  “A baby...” he repeated, and he grabbed her, swinging her around and around. Gently, already taking her condition into consideration. KC melted into him, so happy to be in his arms. Grateful for this shared time together. She had waited a long time for this man.

  “Happy?” she asked, needing to know as he set her back on her feet. She did know, but this was a big step for them. They started back up their driveway to the house, hand in hand.

  “Oh, yeah. When did it happen?” He still looked flabbergasted. But also excited.

  “In Will’s closet.” KC sent him a knowing look as they walked, their entwined hands swinging.

  “Oh.” He blinked a few times.

  “This leaves Ben as the last Morrison man to not make a baby in Will’s closet. Since you forgot protection when we tried the place out the last time,” KC stated.

  “Maybe I forgot, maybe I didn’t.”

  She turned to stare open mouthed at him and stopped in the middle of their driveway. “What?”

  “I don’t know for certain. I’m still trying to figure out whether that was an accidental-on-purpose mistake.” He nudged her to encourage her to start walking again.

  “Are you kidding?” She narrowed her eyes.

  He wasn’t fooled and sent her a smug male smile. “No.”

  “Max Morrison!” KC started.

  “KC Morrison!” He obviously liked the sound of her new name, since he used it often. She rather liked it herself.

  KC stared at this man who made her so happy she could burst from the joy. He gently scooped her into his arms when they arrived at their front door. “Let’s take this discussion inside.”

  Her eyes laughed up at him. “Have I told you I love you yet today?”

  “No, I don’t think you have. I love you too.”

  “So, show me.”

  Later that morning KC yawned and rolled over. Right into a hard, warm, masculine body. Her husband and the father of her children. Smiling, she cuddled closer and remembered her wish of more than a year ago. She longed to spend her cold, lonely nights in the arms of a man who would heat things up for her.

  She had to go to Kuwait and back, but someone who worked for fate had heard her. And granted her wish. Max certainly heated up her nights. Actually, since becoming pregnant, KC couldn’t remember being cool.

  But she didn’t mind fate’s trickster moves this time. Because she had been given exactly what she wished for, plus. Now every one of her nights was spent cuddling with the man she loved. Someone must be looking out for her.

  Be careful what you wish for, because you might just get it. Oh how true. Thank goodness.

  Smiling, KC woke Max up for some serious cuddling, and maybe more. His husbandly duties were to heat up her cold, not-at-all-lonely nights, but perhaps he could do something about this sunny, gorgeous September morning too.

  About the Author

  D.R. Grady lives with her husband near Hershey, PA. She loves gadgets, books, plants, shoes and writing stories that resonate with others. You can generally find her in her “office”, a chair in the living room, hopefully writing, but sometimes playing Angry Birds or reading.

  Visit her website for more information.

  http://www.drgradybooks.com

  Save Me

  By D.R. Grady

  Prologue

  Directly after a court hearing

  Kingdom of Sandovia

  “Daddy, why did t’at man go to pwison?”

  Hugo Saltaire gazed down at the little boy bouncing along beside him and couldn’t believe how blessed he was. Somehow, fate had decreed that he not only wed a beautiful, loving wife, but with her he’d been granted this wonderful, amazing son and an incredible infant daughter.

  He realized that with the privileges granted him, so came responsibility. One day his new son would grow to be a man. By the time that happened, Hugo was determined he would have given his heir an unshakable foundation. Mallen would also know the security of love and acceptance - just as Hugo’s father had given him.

  Mallen would someday want a wife and children of his own. When this happened Hugo needed him to choose wisely.

  With a deep breath, he answered Mallen’s question. “That man hurt his wife.”

  “Why did he do t’at?”

  “Because he forgot women are gifts from God and are to be treated as such.”

  “So he went to pwison because he hurt his wife?”

  “That’s right, son. We deal harshly with men who hurt women.”

  “Why?”

  Hugo hunkered down to Mallen’s eye level so the little guy would understand the importance of his question, and the subsequent answer. “Because as men we are bigger and stronger than women and children. Therefore we cherish and love them, we do not hit, push, or in any other way hurt them. Women and children are precious. We protect them, we do not abuse them.”

  “So that man is in jail because he didn’t chewish or wuv his wife?”

  Hugo had to smile at the little fellow’s pronunciation, but he was pleased Mallen understood the concept. “That’s right.”

  “Daddy?”

  “Yes, Mallen?”

  “What’s chewish mean?”

  Chapter 1

  Julia McNeal stepped away from the mirror. She liked how the little black dress covered everything, but still made her feel sexy. The garment boasted long poet sleeves and skimmed lovingly over her curves. The hem stopped at her ankles and split at the back to her knees, revealing her calves, but not much more. She paired the dress with strappy black high heels. With a few twists she upswept her curly dark hair into a sophisticated updo, allowing a few tendrils of hair to escape. Julia sighed and with the last flick of the brush, left the room.

  When the knock came, she wondered why she hesitated to open the door. There was nothing wrong, but familiar tremors of unease sliced up her spine. Julia shook the feeling off before answering the summons. She unlocked each deadbolt, and swung the chain free.

  George A. Chalmers III stood impatiently on the other side. In his hand he clutched a beautiful bouquet of expensive orchids. Perhaps he forgot the exotic blooms always made her sneeze. The last time she mentioned this he claimed the orchid’s beauty matched hers so she should have them.

  Julia accepted the flowers from the tall, studious looking man, aware of his understated handsomeness. He wore success like other men wore sport coats. His golden eyeglasses flashed merrily in the subdued light from the one lamp she had turned on. George got irritated with her when all the lights blazed. Even though she paid her own expenses, he didn’t like seeing her waste her hard earned money on electricity. His black eyes were concealed behind the lenses, but Julia thought she detected disdain before he stepped out of the pool of light.

  “Julia, what are you wearing?” he demanded in an exasperated tone as she entered the kitchen to set the flowers in the sink. Mrs. Halbert across the hall loved orchids and they didn’t make her sneeze.

  “What do you mean what am I wearing?” She cocked an eyebrow at him when she reentered the living room.

  George used a hand to encompass her body and said, “Your dress has nice material, but the way it ...clings.”

>   “I like this dress.” Uncertainty now replaced her earlier pleasure with the garment.

  “It clings in all the wrong places. Go change, love,” George encouraged with a charming smile. “You know I only tell you these things because I love you.”

  “I don’t have another gown.” Julia’s insides deflated. This one was comfortable and the material wouldn’t wrinkle.

  “Next time take my mother with you when you go shopping. She has exquisite taste.”

  “Of course.” Julia had never had difficulty finding suitable clothes before. She wondered what had changed. Something obviously had, because George didn’t think her taste was very good if she had to take his mother. Mrs. Chalmers did have refined tastes, but her clothing always seemed a bit dated.

  “This dress will have to do for tonight, even though I’d like to see your shoulders. Not your best asset, but they’re nice enough to get by.” George pattered on while Julia fought to squelch her reaction.

  The last dress she bought had shown her shoulders, but George nearly had an apoplexy when he saw her because of her bare shoulders. The dress hadn’t shown any cleavage, but George had still been upset.

  Julia sighed. She’d been looking forward to this evening but now she wanted to throw on a pair of fleece pants and a sweatshirt and eat a pint of chocolate ice cream.

  “Of course,” Julia responded, her shoulders, not her best feature, curled into themselves. George was older and very sophisticated. That a man like him would be interested in her was amazing. He possessed superior tastes and came from a well-respected and established family. Julia didn’t have much experience dating, so that she had caught his attention was a definite coup.

  “I’m sure you’ve done your best. At least you managed to do something with your hair. It’s not as unruly tonight.”

  “I like this dress. It’s perfect for this evening. And my hair is curly, not unruly.”

  “We have to go. Otherwise we’ll be late.” George grabbed her arm and yanked her toward the door. Julia winced. Another reason she’d chosen this dress was because the sleeves were long. Her limbs were covered in bruises roughly the shape and size of George’s fingers. She knew he didn’t realize he was being rough. He always brushed off her protests as her being overly sensitive.

  Julia gritted her teeth and allowed him to escort her to his aging Mercedes. Her stomach churned in queasy unsettledness. She put the nausea down to performance jitters. They were attending a dinner party at the home of one of George’s colleagues; a couple Julia had known most of her life. She smiled. Both her brothers and their wives would be there. Her parents wouldn’t attend because they were in Australia.

  George ignored her the entire trip, which he always did whenever he had something to think over. As soon as they arrived George headed to the bar, without asking what she wanted. Julia sighed and then decided to mingle.

  She would have come alone if George hadn’t told her to be ready on time. She located their host and headed toward him. He was about her father’s age and had bounced her on his knee, watched her graduate from high school and college and still took an interest in her now.

  “Julia, my girl,” he greeted as he took her hands and looked her over. “As elegant and put together as usual.” He shook his head. “You’re every bit as beautiful as your mother.”

  “Thank you, James. You’re looking handsome, yourself. Where’s Nancy?” She made a quick sweep for his wife.

  “She went to locate some aspirin for me.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Just a headache.”

  “Julia, sweetheart, how are you?” Julia turned to see Nancy, James’ wife, glide forward with her arms open. Julia hugged her with gusto. Nancy was slender with beautiful silver hair, and an elegance Julia envied.

  “Nancy, you’re as lovely and graceful as ever.”

  Their hostess laughed as she handed her husband pills. Julia lifted a glass of iced tea off a passing tray and handed the tumbler to James.

  “Thank you, my dear.”

  They were separated soon after, and Julia continued to mingle. She eventually bumped into her brother, Jonathan, and he hugged her.

  “Hello, brat.” His greeting brought his wife, Tanya, out of the crowd.

  “Hello.” Tanya also enfolded Julia in a tight hug.

  “How are you?”

  “Fine. Beautiful dress.” Tanya sounded sincere as she surveyed the lines of Julia’s attire.

  “Thank you. George thinks it clings in all the wrong places.”

  Jonathan choked on the swallow he’d just taken and Tanya’s visage darkened. They were saved from comment by the arrival of her other brother, Jared and his wife, Annie. More hugs and greetings before Tanya steered the conversation back to George’s comments.

  “Now, about you looking fat, Julia, it isn’t true.” A hand closed around her arm and Julia winced as she recognized George’s grip.

  “They’re seating people for supper.” He barely acknowledged her family. Julia’s stomach churned.

  As he led her away, they could hear him say, “I saw you flirting with Kyle Landis. I don’t want you speaking to him. The same goes for Vanessa Peterson. You know they’re not socially acceptable.”

  Annie’s eyes narrowed.

  Jonathan, Tanya, and Jared all stared at their departing backs in astonishment.

  “How dare he?” Tanya hissed.

  “What a pig.” Annie contemplated flattening the fathead on the spot.

  Jared and Jonathan both wore frowns and anger-darkened eyes. Their eyes met across their wives heads. “I believe our interference has become necessary in Julia’s love life.”

  “Absolutely.” Annie recognized the hunter in Jared’s eyes. George A. Chalmers III was in for a surprise.

  *****

  Julia sighed in relief as she finally closed the door on George. She had to be at the lab early the next morning and was quite in need of sleep. He protested, but she had closed and locked the door on him with a firm hand. It caused him to call her a few names and pound the door once, but Julia was too tired to care. Undressing on her way, she trailed into the bathroom and started the shower. She stepped under the pulsating spray and collapsed against the shower stall for a few moments. Then she set out to vigorously shampoo her hair and scrub her body. Again.

  Why she felt so ... unclean remained a mystery. The bruises on her arms glowed with evil disdain, and Julia turned away from them. She couldn’t face them right now.

  For more information on this book and others by D.R. Grady please visit:

  http://www.drgradybooks.com