Free Valentine Babies (Holiday Babies Series) by Mona Risk Page B

smoothed and Roxanne handed her the phone.
“Hello Greg, any friend of Roxanne is a friend of mine.” She smiled and nodded
at something Greg said. “Absolutely... I’ll make sure she’s careful... Yes,
I’ll remember the number... Oh yes, I’ll let you know. Bye Greg, nice talking
to you.”
    She turned to Roxanne with a satisfied smirk. “He made me
promise to keep an eye on you.”
    “No kidding. Greg is always too worried.”
    “You are lucky to have such a nice man caring about you. I
wish I could find one.” The corners of her mouth fell. “I was engaged once. He
was wonderful.” Tears shone in her eyes. “He’s gone like so many and we are
left with sadness around us.”
    “Oh Leila.” Roxanne hugged her friend.
    “But who knows? God has his way,” Leila added with typically
local resignation, although a hopeful gleam brightened her eyes and a hint of a
smile hovered on her lips.
    “I have to go now. I’ll be back in a few days, after I
finish my work.” Roxanne pulled her phone and called Steve.
    With a determined stance, Leila walked her to the door. “I
will go downstairs with you to wait for your friends.”
    “Sure.” Roxanne didn’t add that Steve would probably be
delighted to see Leila again.
    ****
    Four days later, Roxanne wrapped up a final report on her
laptop and called Greg from her hotel room.
    His cheerful voice greeted her. “Hi, how are you doing,
sweetheart?”
    “Great. I’m done with work. I’m done with my mission. Couldn’t
be better. The interviews are finished. I even managed to get permission from
two colonels to question soldiers from various factions. Wait till you see my
report,” she added with satisfaction.
    “Wow, you sound so pleased with the results. Congratulations.
We’ll watch your interviews together when they air.”
    “I’d love that.”
    Roxanne closed her eyes, picturing herself in the Florida
condo living room. Snuggled in Greg’s arms, she’d explain the behind-the-scene
details and he’d congratulate her with a scorching kiss. Her pulse accelerated.
She clutched her phone and forced herself to breathe slowly.
    “What’s going on with your friends?”
    “Leila talked to her parents about the baby. She said her
mother couldn’t stop crying from joy and blessing God. Uncle Elias is getting
better after four days on his medicines. He received a medical visa for France
as a patient in need of urgent care and his wife is going with him as a
traveling companion. His local doctor came to check his heart and is pleased
with the improvement. They should leave today or tomorrow. Unfortunately, the
French embassy refused to give Leila and her nephew a companionship visa. We
have to find a different solution for them.”
    “Can they come to the States as tourists?”
    “Probably. I’ll ask one of the high-ranking colonels if he
can drop a good word to expedite their visas for the U.S.”
    At the other end of the line, Greg huffed. “Another headache
for you. But I hope you’ll be leaving in a couple of days as planned.”
    “I hope so too. My ticket is for the twelfth. Don’t worry
we’ll celebrate Valentine’s Day together.” She crossed her fingers, hoping that
things went smoothly for the senior Diabs and for Leila and the little boy.
    “Roxanne, you’ve been running around too much. Don’t exhaust
yourself, please. And stop worrying about others. You have a long trip ahead of
you.” His concern enveloped her with warmth.
    “I’m done with work, Greg. I will take it easy until I leave
and...Aw...” Her hand flew to her stomach and she froze.
    “What? What’s going on? Roxanne? Darling, talk to me.”
    “I think I felt the baby move. A light flutter. And a second
one.”
    “You’re three months along. Starting the fourth. Too early
yet. You shouldn’t... Lie down for a moment. Go ahead and put a flat hand on
the place where you’re feeling the spasm.”
    “Okay, I’m on my bed.”
    “Do you feel anything?”
    “No,