Operation Family Read Online Free PDF

got to Virginia after midnight and the chaplain was waiting with the news, so I caught the first flight here.” He slumped down onto the chair beside her. “I caught a bit of sleep on the plane…but suddenly I have a feeling you’re using this as a diversion. I don’t think it worries you that I’m tired.”
    “Diversion, why?” She put the basket on the coffee table and moved to the edge of the sofa.
    “I wanted to speak with you about the girls and coming to an arrangement. When I mentioned it, you informed me that you intend to seek custody.”
    “I do.” She pushed off the sofa and grabbed the basket. “I don’t believe there’s anything for us to discuss.”
    “Well, I do, so sit down and we can deal with it before the girls wake up.”
    “I’m not one of your men you can just order around,” she snapped, tossing the basket down with such force a couple of the garments on top bounced, unfolding them slightly. Work with him or you’ll never see the girls again. “I’m sorry for being such a bitch. It’s been a whirlwind few days…”
    “Ma’am I realize you’re under a great amount of stress. From what Mr. Batty told me you’ve been the girls’ nanny since Shawn brought them home from the hospital.”
    “Stop with this ma’am crap, you make me feel old with it. The name’s Nicole, and I’ve been more than a nanny to Gabriella and Sophia. They are like my own children.” Her throat grew tight and tears threatened to fall.
    The anger burning within her just wanted an outlet. Mac was a victim to circumstances, just as she was. Maybe he didn’t want the children after all and he had come to Texas to give up his rights. Maybe there was no need for a court battle.
    Cries from the baby monitor stopped her from screaming at him for coming to take her little ones away. “I’ve got to take care of the girls.” She pivoted on her heels and headed toward their room before he could reply. The perfect break from the madness that had become her life.

    Nicole paced the nursery with a fussy Gabriella in her arms, while Mac held Sophia in the rocker. For the first time since he arrived, she was thankful for his help. Having two sick babies at the same time alone was almost more than anyone could handle. The mixture of the wails from both of the twins only served to make her nervous. Nothing they tried eased the girls’ discomfort, and Doctor Holt wasn’t answering his phone, not even his cell. She left messages everywhere she could think of, asking him to call her, but he was probably traveling to or from the hospital, in an area that had almost no cell coverage. She looked at the clock for the hundredth time.
    Doctor Holt, I need you.
    The girlswouldn’t eat or sleep and nothing seemed to ease their cries. Her nerves were frazzled. The worst part of motherhood was when a child was hurting and there was nothing that could be done to ease the pain.
    “Oh, darling, if I knew what would make you feel better, I’d do it.” She rubbed small circles up and down her back.
    “Isn’t there something we should be doing?” Mac nearly hollered at her over the cries. “Take them to the doctor, hospital, or something?”
    “Doctor Holt is the only doctor in Pinehill and he isn’t answering his cell phone.”
    Mac stood, lifting Sophia higher up his chest, until her head rested against his shoulder. She looked so small in his arms.
    Mmm, those arms. Even in the midst of the twins’ cries, her body reacted to the man standing before her. Something about him with Sophia in his arms made him that much more attractive. Settle down, girl, he’s out of your league.
    “Where the fuck is Rebel when I need him?”
    “Rebel?” She focused on that so she’d ignore his language. She understood he was in the military, and foul language was often part of the territory, but she didn’t want it around the girls. She didn’t want their first words to be a curse word.
    “Luke Rodríguez, everyone calls him Rebel,