The Army Doctor's Baby (Romance Novella) by Helen Scott Taylor Page A

marrying someone. If it's me, then you're far more likely to see George regularly."
    Cameron blew out a breath and uncovered his face. "I kinda thought Olivia would be too busy to have a boyfriend. I guess that was stupid."
    And selfish, Radley thought. But he kept that to himself. No point in stirring things up. His gaze moved to the wall, knowing that on the other side was the room where Olivia and George slept, the room where he so badly wanted to be right now. "I already love that little boy as if he were my own," he said softly. "I will love them both and look after them."
    Cameron's eyes watered and Radley felt bad. Perhaps he should have taken this more slowly or approached it differently. He rested a hand on his brother's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Cam. But you've got to think of what's best for Olivia as well."
    "Yeah, I know." He rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands. "I just wanted to be George's dad."
    "You can see him every time you have leave, if that's what you want."
    Cameron leaned back against the headboard and fiddled with his phone. "Have you asked her yet if she'll marry you?"
    "No."
    "You sure she'll say yes?"
    Radley shrugged, not wanting to delve into his own fears and insecurities.
    "You better go and ask her." Cameron punched him on the arm halfheartedly. "Good luck."
    "Yeah, thanks."
    Radley's heart thumped as he left his room and knocked softly on the one next door. When Olivia answered, he slipped inside.
    She had obviously just changed George's diaper and placed him on the bed so she could put on her nightdress and feed him. A tentative smile lit her face at the sight of Radley.
    "I'm sorry, Liv, I wanted to greet you properly, but it was awkward downstairs. I've missed you so much." He went to her and she stepped into his arms. For a few moments he simply held her, his cheek against her hair, reveling in the feel of her slender body in his arms. Then he dipped his head. She met his lips in a welcoming kiss that seared away his fear that she might not care for him as he hoped.
    After long moments, they broke apart when George whimpered as if demanding his turn to say hello.
    Radley picked up the little boy and held him close, pressing his lips to the soft, dark hair. "You are growing into such a big boy. Mummy must be looking after you well." Radley rocked him to and fro, a stupid grin on his face.
    Olivia leaned in and rested her head on his shoulder. He shifted George into one arm so he could wrap his other around her.
    "He's able to hold his head up quite well now," she said. "It won't be long before he can sit up. I can't wait for him to be able to sit in a high chair at the table."
    "Then he'll be crawling and walking." Radley's thoughts rolled on through the months, imagining the three of them together as George grew into a little boy. Radley would teach him to ride a bike and kick a ball. And he'd make sure to include Cameron as well so he didn't miss anything.
    George nuzzled the front of Radley's shirt and Olivia giggled.
    "You're not going to get any grub from me, you little scamp. You need Mummy for that."
    Radley handed the baby back to Olivia, impressed by how much heavier he had grown in the last month. She laid George on her bed and picked up her nightie. "I was just going to change." Her cheeks flushed.
    "I need to put on my pajamas and brush my teeth," Radley said, realizing she wanted a few minutes of privacy. "Can I come back?"
    Radley had made the mistake of distancing himself from Olivia over the last few days before he'd left for Wales. He'd wasted precious nights when he could have been with her. He'd told himself he was doing the right thing, giving her space to decide how she felt about Cameron ahead of his visit. What he'd really done was allow his horrible experience with his ex-wife to influence his actions.
    That was in the past and had no bearing on this situation. He didn't want to be alone any more. He wanted to spend every moment he could with Olivia and