The Marine's Baby. Deb Kastner

      “I’d be happy to care for Gracie on weekdays if you want to drop her by.”

      Nate smiled again, at once both a charming and disarming gesture. “I’ll do that.”

      No, no, no, no, no! the voice inside of her railed. Not now. Not this baby, who reminded her all too much of a similar tiny, smiling infant, one she would never forget.

      She had come to Morningway Lodge in part to escape from her memories, not indulge in them with someone else’s baby. And though she’d cared for several infants since taking the position here, none had affected her the way Gracie had from the first moment Jessica had seen her.

      Her own sweet baby, Elizabeth, had had big brown eyes and curly black hair, as well. Maybe that was it.

      DEB KASTNER

      lives and writes in colorful Colorado with the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains for inspiration. She loves writing for the Steeple Hill Love Inspired line, where she can write about her two favorite things—faith and love. Her characters range from upbeat and humorous to (her favorite) dark and broody heroes. Her plots fall anywhere in between, from a playful romp to the deeply emotional.

      Deb’s books have been twice nominated for the RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Book of the Year for Steeple Hill.

      Deb and her husband share their home with their two youngest daughters. Deb is thrilled about the newest member of the family—her first granddaughter, Isabella. What fun to be a granny!

      Deb loves to hear from her readers. You can contact her by e-mail at [email protected], or on her MySpace or Facebook pages.

      The Marine’s Baby

      Deb Kastner

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

      —Ephesians 2:8–9

      To Katie. You have the kindest heart ever, and I have so much to learn from you. I’m so proud of the young woman my “baby” girl has become.

       I love you more every day.

      Contents

      Chapter One

      Chapter Two

      Chapter Three

      Chapter Four

      Chapter Five

      Chapter Six

      Chapter Seven

      Chapter Eight

      Chapter Nine

      Chapter Ten

      Chapter Eleven

      Chapter Twelve

      Chapter Thirteen

      Chapter Fourteen

      Chapter Fifteen

      Chapter Sixteen

      Letter to Reader

      Questions for Discussion

      Chapter One

      The baby, sleeping soundly with her tiny thumb pressed in her mouth and her index finger crooked over her button nose, was cooperating beautifully.

      The car seat, not so much.

      Sergeant First Class Nathan Morningway scowled at the offensive piece of equipment and grunted as he tried the release lever again. At least he thought it was the release lever. The directions enclosed in the box had been less than helpful, and he’d chosen to wing it instead. He now wished he’d at least kept the useless instructions instead of wadding them up and tossing them in the nearest garbage can.

      How hard could this be?

      As a marine, he’d taken apart and reassembled countless firearms. He’d defused hundreds of bombs and improvised explosive devices over the years. And he couldn’t handle a simple baby seat?

      Nate tried the lever once more, and then decided it wasn’t worth the effort. He’d just have to figure out how to use the uncooperative piece of equipment after he’d spoken to his brother.

      Instead, he unhooked the straps, intending to take baby Gracie out of the car seat and carry her in his arms. The only problem was—and Nate hadn’t noticed this until he’d already unbuckled the harness— Gracie’s arm was wrapped like a noose around one of the straps, anchored by the thumb she was sucking.

      Oh, boy. He really hated to do this, but he didn’t see any other way around it. Holding his breath, he gently pulled on Gracie’s little fist. She made a small murmur of protest and sucked even harder.

      Nate tried again, more firmly this time. Gracie’s thumb left her mouth with a pop. The baby’s enormous brown eyes opened and blinked back at him. Her chin started quivering, her face scrunched up adorably and a moment later she was howling at the top of her lungs.

      Nate grimaced. He still couldn’t believe something that small could make so much noise. He’d never been around babies before in his entire life.

      And now…

      Now.

      His throat tightened and burned as he fought to suppress the memories. He had to concentrate on other issues right now, the most pressing of which was letting his brother, Vince, know he was back at the lodge. That was enough to worry about all by itself.

      “All right, little one,” Nate soothed, pulling the pink-clad infant awkwardly to his chest. “I’m here for you. Don’t cry, sweetheart.”

      Nate was surprised when the baby instantly calmed to his voice, curling into his chest and gurgling contentedly. He got a whiff of her soft downy hair and the unique smell of baby shampoo, and his heart flipped right over. Little Gracie had him wrapped around her tiny pinky finger, and there was no denying it.

      Gracie wasn’t just his responsibility—she was the love of his life. From the moment he’d signed the legal documents that made him not only her godfather, but her legal guardian, Nate had fallen hard for the little one hook, line and sinker.

      Too bad he didn’t know the first thing about raising an infant. That would be problematic, but Nate had more immediate concerns—showing up at Morningway Lodge unannounced. His parents’—his father’s—dream, and now his brother’s ministry, the lodge was an affordable retreat center for families of those recuperating from spinal injuries at the nearby Rocky Mountain Rehabilitation Hospital. The lodge was his family’s business, and Nate’s worst nightmare.

      Or rather, his brother Vince was Nate’s worst nightmare. He had been in the past, and in all probability, he would be again now.

      There was only one way to find out, and Nate had never been a procrastinator.

      Kissing his baby girl on her soft cheek, he tucked his palm beneath her head and marched up the stairs onto the pinewood porch of the main lodge. He inhaled deeply of the fragrant wood as he let himself in the front door and moved up to the courtesy desk. It was the scent of home and his childhood.

      It felt odd to be back home.

      Since no one was manning the desk, Nate shifted Gracie securely into one arm and rang for service. He waited a moment, and then, when no one appeared, he bounced his palm several times on the bell.

      “I’m sorry to keep you waiting.” A young woman whirled into the office behind the desk, brushing her shoulder-length wavy blond hair from her forehead with the tips of her fingers. “Oh, what a darling little baby girl!”

      When