Ranger's Baby Surprise (Special Forces Elite 2)

“Jules,” he said with a heavy sigh.

“No,” I said putting my hand up to interrupt him. “I don’t want to hear it. Just check over Emma and leave.”

I stepped aside and finally gave him access to Emma praying with all my heart he didn’t connect the dots in the few seconds he was about to interact with her.

3

My heart hit the ground at Julie's harsh words. I didn’t blame her though. I did deserve it. I had just up and left without so much as a goodbye. What she didn’t know is that it was the only way I could have left her. There was no way I was going to be able to face her and still leave.

I had to go. I had to make something of myself. More than anything, I had to get out of this little town that knew everything about everyone. I wanted to see the world and experience life before I was chained down.

I was sorry she was a casualty of that dream. Honestly, once I had left and really got to experience life I never planned on coming back. Even now coming back I had never dreamed in a million years that Julie Jones would still be here.

I steeled my guilt on the fact that at least she had found happiness for herself. The little girl on the papered table was proof of that.

I couldn’t help but get a quick glance at her left hand. No ring. That didn’t mean anything though. Most people didn’t get married these days. She caught my glimpse and moved her hand out of view.

I made my way over to Emma and began the examination all the while acutely aware of Julie's closeness to me.

“Alright Miss Emma, I’m going to use this little arm ban to take your blood pressure. It's going to squeeze like a big bear hug.”

“Okay,” the little girl said putting out her arm.

She didn’t seem that shy and timid to me.

“You want to tell me where you hurt?”

“I told you,” Julie said a little irritated, “she has a sore throat cough and a fever.”

“I'm just going to listen to your heart and your lungs now,” I said putting in my stethoscope.

I had to admit I hated this part of exams the most. The plugging of my ears usually just make the constant ringing that much louder, but I ignored it as I worked.

“You have beautiful eyes just like your Mama,” I said as I shined the light into each one of her honey brown eyes.

The little girl blushed. I couldn’t help but look over the rest of her and sense a familiarity. She had lush black hair that still had a bit of a baby curl to it. I assumed she got that from her father since Julie's hair was a vibrant red auburn color. Other than her hair, however, she had the generic look of a cherubic five-year-old.

“You started school yet?” I asked as I felt her tonsils.

I could tell they were swollen and her throat did look a bit inflamed.

“Yes,” she said. “I’m in Mrs. Gardner's class.”

“Mrs. Gardner, you say. She was my kindergarten teacher too,” I replied. “Does she still twitch her nose and sniff all the time?”

“Yes,” Emma said with a giggle. “Sometimes we call her Mrs. Bunny,” she added in a whisper.

“That’s very clever,” I encouraged with a smile.

“Can you just tell us whats wrong?” Julie said impatiently. “I need to get her home.”

I looked back up at her. I expected to see her irritated with me, even extremely anger. She wasn’t either. All my SEAL training kicked in as I looked her over. Her body movements and posture spoke of nervousness and fear. Why was she so afraid to have me look over Emma?

The only possible answer I could find was that she didn’t trust me. Maybe she feared me not doing a good enough job. I didn’t blame her for not trusting me, but I was a little hurt that she didn’t believe in my abilities.

“I think its just a bad cold,” I said to ease her worry. “I am going to do a strep swab and flu swab just to be on the safe side, but there really isn’t anything to worry about.”

“Swab?” Emma asked inquisitively.