The Soldier's Baby Surprise (For the Baby's Sake, Book 1)

The Soldier’s Baby Surprise

Stephanie Morris

The Soldier’s Baby Surprise

For the Baby’s Sake Series

Copyright © 2015 by Stephanie Morris

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

ISBN-13:978-1502526915 

ISBN-10: 1502526913 

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To Jennifer.

This one is for you and your hubby. Witnessing your sacrifice first hand inspired me to write this series. Thank you for the insight that you provided for the stories. More importantly thank you for being you. There aren’t enough words to tell you how much I appreciate your support and friendship. True friend like you are hard to find and I value your more and more every day.

Chapter One

             
Willow Barton jumped as her best friend let out an excited yell. She shook her head. “And you had the audacity to ask why I didn’t want to come out with you tonight.
This
is why.”

              Geneva laughed. “Oh come on! You need to live a little! All you do is work, go home, then get up and do it all over again.”

              “What can I say? I love my job.”

              “To the point of insanity, that’s why I dragged you out tonight. Now, let’s go inside and have some fun.”

              Willow stifled a sigh. “Okay, but as long as you promise we won’t need bail money by the end of the night.”

              Geneva laughed and stepped inside of the bar. Willow bowed her head and said a prayer for serenity once she realized her friend hadn’t promised to stay out of trouble. Then she took a deep breath and stepped inside.

              The blast of loud music nearly ruptured her eardrums and she fought back the urge to cough as the thick layer of cigarette smoke assailed her. As she handed the bouncer her ID, she did her best to smile instead of grimacing.

              He handed the card back to her. “Have a good time.”

              Willow walked over to where Geneva stood. “Come on, let’s get this over with.”

              Her friend shook her head. “Really, Willow? You do realize we’re here to have fun, right?”

              “Then we should be back at my place watching a movie and enjoying a large pizza with the works.”

              “Something is really wrong with you.”

              Willow laughed. “I know. But remember, the first step is to admit you have a problem.”

              “Please don’t make me regret dragging you out tonight.”

              “If have to suffer, so do you,” Willow responded.

              “Come on crazy woman. Let’s get a drink. Perhaps that will help you loosen up a little.”

              She followed her best friend over to the bar. The guy behind the bar was cute but he’d clearly chosen a T-shirt that was one size too small. But considering the number of women surrounding the bar with neon signs of interest in their eyes, it was working. A few minutes later he acknowledged them.

              “What can I get you ladies?”

              “Let me have a Sexy Devil,” Geneva stated.

              “I’ll take a coke,” Willow replied.

              “With what?” The bartender asked.

              “Just a coke,” she retorted.

              “Are you the designated driver?”

              “No. We took a cab,” she stated

              The look of shock that appeared on his face was amusing.

              “She’s kidding. Make it two Sexy Devil’s please.”

              The bartender walked away before Willow could refute the request. She turned to look at Geneva.

              “A drink called Sexy Devil? Seriously? That sounds like it will make you do things that’ll land you in jail with no bail.”

              “Exactly,” Geneva retorted. “That’s the entire point. Now, all I’m asking is that you have one drink and I won’t bother you for the rest of the night.”

              Willow stifled a sigh. While she loved her best friend to pieces, it was moments like this when she wanted to strangle her. Then again, if it hadn’t been for Geneva, she wouldn’t have experienced half of the most interesting and death defying things in her life.

              But at age thirty-two her perspective on life was changing. She was financially stable and had a good job she truly enjoyed doing. Now she was open to the next phase. While she hadn’t been on a date in a while she was open to the possibility as long it was with the right guy.

              She did a casual perusal of the bar. There were a few cute guys there, but none that piqued her interest. She was okay with that because she didn’t expected to find the guy she wanted to pursue a serious relationship with in a place like this.

              A few moments later their drinks were placed on the bar. Geneva handed the bartender enough money to pay for the drinks and leave a decent tip.

              “Thanks,” Geneva called out over the music, before handing the drinks to Willow. “Here you go. Now, let’s find a place to sit.”

              Willow followed her friend over to a somewhat secluded booth. Once she was settled, she took a tentative sip. It burned, and while she managed to hold back a gasp, her eyes began to water.

              “Oh my God, Geneva! What’s in this?”

              “Alcohol. Lots of it.”

              Willow shook her head and set the drink down. Based on how strong the drink was, all she would need was one. Otherwise she might not be able to see straight, let alone walk. 

              She sat and tried to relax as the alcohol burned its way through her system. Glancing around the bar, she took in the people before her. The women seemed to outnumber the men two-to-one, but it was still early.

              “Now aren’t you glad I made you come out tonight?”

              “The jury is still out on that, Geneva. If we manage to make it through the night without getting hit on by a drunk or a fight breaking out, then I’ll consider this a successful girls night out.”

              Geneva took a sip of her drink. “Slippery Slope isn’t that kind of place.”

              “With a name like that, I’m sure you’ll forgive my skepticism.”

              Geneva shook her head, then began to move to the beat of a popular dance song playing over the sound system Willow continued her scrutiny of the bar. She had to admit that most of the patrons looked innocent enough. Perhaps they could make it out tonight unscathed.

              She’d just reached for her drink when a loud cheer went up across the bar. Glancing over, she saw a tall, muscular guy heading toward a group of men that occupied a few tables near the edge of the dance floor. Their haircuts and demeanor all screamed military. Which didn’t surprise her. Hopkinsville, Kentucky was only a thirty-minute drive from Army base Fort Campbell, which made it an ideal military town.

              Not wanting to appear nosey, she returned her attention to her drink and focused on attempting to finish it. One thing was certain; this would be the only alcoholic beverage she had. Otherwise she wouldn’t be able to walk out on her own.

* * * *

              Chase Ackers spotted some of the men from his company as soon as he entered the Slippery Slope. Going out to have a drink hadn’t been at the top of his “to-do” list of how he wanted to spend his last night stateside. However, he knew a few members of his company had made plans to meet up and have a few drinks before they shipped out in the morning.

              While he wasn’t much of a party guy, the least he could do was show up and stay for a little while. It would be the last time they could relax and have a good time without being on high alert around the clock. This would be their third tour to Afghanistan, and unfortunately, they knew what to expect.

              He smiled as a cheer went up when they spotted him. “Either you all are drunk or I need to get out more often.”

              “Probably a little of both, Sir.”

              He chuckled as he took an empty chair. A few moments later a waitress came up to the table and he ordered a beer. Once it was in his hand, he took a sip, settled in and began to half listen to the conversation most of the group was currently involved in.

              He took another swig of his beer, only to stop as his gaze landed on a woman across the room. A grimace was on her face as a result from a sip of the drink she’d just taken. The woman across the table from her grinned at her friend’s reaction. Both women were beautiful. Yet the first one he’d spotted had his attention.

              He studied her for a few moments. While the lighting wasn’t the best, he could tell she was very nice looking. The booth hid her body, but that wouldn’t be a problem for long.

              His strong reaction to the woman halfway across the room shocked him a little. As a career military man, he’d intentionally avoided any entanglements that would lead to marriage or children. Years in the Army had allowed him to witness just how hard it was to keep a family together.

              As one of the leaders of a Special Forces team, the skill sets that he and his men had were a hot commodity. While news reports showed that the war in Afghanistan was over, it was really just beginning. No, the long gray bearded guy was no longer alive, but there were many under his regime that were still willing to push forward with his cause. Something new was always coming over the wire and he was a part of a group that was responsible for uncovering the facts from propaganda.

              His job was dangerous. They’d been fortunate only to lose a handful of soldiers, but even the few were too many for him. He’d seen the looks of sorrow and despair on the faces of loved ones of the fallen. Having his mom constantly worry about him was enough, especially since he was an only child. To put that sort of strain on someone else was unacceptable. So he’d vowed to avoid attachments. It was something he’d proven to be good at. 

              The longer he stared at the woman across the room, the more red flags began to go up in his head. Something about her screamed stay away. Yet, something on a more primitive level said he should go over, introduce himself, and see what happened.

              He tensed as another guy walked up to the table to speak with the ladies. Both women smiled and were friendly, but it soon became apparent to the guy that they weren’t interested. When he moved on, Chase relaxed again. The instant a second guy approached the table; Chase knew what he had to do. While he could only offer the woman who’d captured his attention one night before he shipped out for six months, he’d make sure it’d be a night neither of them forgot.