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

coming?"
    "Next weekend."
    "At least you'll have finished your exams."
    "I guess. But the thought of his visit will occupy my mind."
    "Yeah. Mine too."
    She stopped beside him. They both stared at the ducks for a while. The chilly November wind cut through Radley's sweater. He'd wrapped a blanket around George, but he cuddled the little boy closer and put his other arm around Olivia's shoulders to keep her warm. "We should go in. You and George will get cold."
    He took her hand, and they wandered back along the gravel path between flower borders, now bare after the summer flowers had been pulled up.
    "Look, I've been thinking," Radley started. "Perhaps it's best if I go away for a couple of days while Cam's here. Give the two of you some space."
    Olivia's startled gaze jumped to his face. She halted. "You're going to run out at the first obstacle."
    "No." Was that what he was doing? "No," he said with more certainty. He didn't want to be here to see her with Cameron, but it was more than that. "It's only fair I give you two some time alone. If I'm here, it'll muddy the waters."
    "Fair for who?"
    Mainly Cameron, he realized. His little brother. Radley had hijacked his brother's girlfriend and baby. That had not been an issue all the while Cameron stayed away, but if he wanted to be a father to George and maybe even rekindle his relationship with Olivia, Radley had to step back and give him a chance. He wouldn't do to Cameron what had been done to him.
    "All of you," he said. "What if when Cam comes back you realize you still love him? You must have had strong feelings for him once."
    "I never loved him like I love you."
    A flash of relief mingled with guilt had Radley pulling Olivia into his arms. "I love you, sweetheart, I love you so much. I want to be with you and George more than anything else in the world."
    And if he were really honest with himself, that was the main reason he had to go away this weekend. He couldn't bear to be here if Olivia did decide she still had feelings for Cameron.
    ***
    "Please don't go." Olivia watched Radley folding ropes and checking clips and other bits and pieces of his climbing gear.
    "I'll only be gone for a couple of days. I'll be home on Monday. Then we can discuss how you feel after Cam's visit."
    "I know how I feel. I've told you. I love you. Cameron coming back is not going to change that."
    Radley stuffed his climbing gear in a sports bag and carried it out the front door. Olivia followed him. "I need you here, Radley." She knew he thought he was doing the right thing by giving her and Cameron space, but she couldn't help feeling he was deserting her just when she needed him most.
    Since Cameron's phone call, Radley had pulled back from her. He hadn't spent the night with her this week, claiming she needed to sleep well because of her exams. She didn't buy that excuse.
    "You don't need me to lift George anymore," Radley said as if purposely misunderstanding her.
    He went to the massive black motorcycle parked on the gravel drive. She didn't know he owned a motorcycle until he brought the thing around to the front door fifteen minutes ago. She'd spent so much time with him over the last six weeks that she felt like she knew him inside out, but she obviously didn't. The realization unnerved her. Was he not the man she'd thought him to be?
    He'd been on leave staying in his parents' home—a false, protected environment. When people were on vacation they didn't always act in character. Had she fallen in love with a man who didn't really exist? On more than one occasion she'd thought he was too good to be true.
    Sandra came outside with George in her arms. "I can't understand why you have to go away this weekend, just when Cameron's coming home. He's bound to want to see you."
    Radley zipped up his leather jacket and went to his mother. He kissed her cheek, then cupped George's head in his hand and pressed his lips to the baby's temple. "I need to get out in the fresh air and get some