Free A Soldier's Return by Judy Christenberry

before Lani was killed.”
    “Then that definitely wasn’t your fault. And Wally was killed in a war. The miracle is that you came through it without a scratch.”
    “Not exactly without a scratch,” Jim said, frowning. He still believed he had a bad effect on people he was close to, but maybe he was wrong. It just seemed that all the people he’d loved had died. That was why he was hesitant to become fond of his sisters.
    “That’s right. You said you were wounded,” Will said.
    “A couple of times,” Jim muttered.
    “Where were you wounded?” Will asked, letting his gaze rove over him.
    “I got some shrapnel in my leg and I had a crash landing that broke my arm.”
    “We’re glad you made it through,” Will said. “But seriously, Jim, I think you need to apply some logic. You think you cause bad luck, but you don’t think it was luck that you came through okay?”
    “I know how to take care of myself, Will.”
    “So now that you’re an adult, take care of those you love. That solves your problem. Right?”
    “Maybe.” Jim shrugged his shoulders. He wasn’t going to argue with Will.
    The waiter brought their orders, which, much to Jim’s relief, ended that conversation.
    As they ate, he mentioned the appointment he had later with the apartment manager where Carrie lived. “I thought I’d look at it before I said anything to Carrie.”
    “Good idea,” Will said through a mouthful of BLT.
    Yeah, Jim said to himself. Will thought it was a good idea…but would Carrie?

Chapter Six
    “Say hello to your new neighbor!”
    Carrie looked up from her desk at Will’s cheerful greeting. She’d been so wrapped up in her work that she’d hardly noticed a couple of hours had passed since she’d returned from lunch with Vanessa. She gave Will a confused look. “What are you talking about?”
    “Vanessa told us about the empty apartment in your building, and Jim rented it today.” He clapped a rather sheepish-looking Jim on the back.
    Carrie didn’t move for several seconds, trying to withstand the sinking feeling deep inside her. How was she going to avoid Jim when he lived right across the hall? Still, she remembered her manners and her professionalism. “That—that’s nice, Jim. When are you moving in?”
    “Today,” he said, staring at her.
    “But it doesn’t come furnished,” she exclaimed, frowning.
    “I can camp out until I get some furniture. It will save me a lot of money.”
    “I told him he should take the rest of the day off to shop, but he said he doesn’t know where to go. I’m no good at that kind of stuff, Carrie. Can you show him where to find things?”
    “Wouldn’t Vanessa be better at that?”
    “Jim will be shopping on a budget. Besides, Vanessa’s never bought furniture,” Will pointed out.
    If she refused, Will would want to know what was wrong. She hadn’t been able to explain it to Vanessa. With Will it would be even worse. “Yes, of course. I can make a list of good places for you to go to.”
    “Will said I could have the rest of the day off and he’ll wait for the desk. Is that okay?”
    “Of course. It will only take a few minutes to make the list.” She picked up a pen and got out a clean sheet of paper.
    “You know where I can go?”
    “Yes, I know several places. There are some consignment shops in the area. Secondhand furniture is a lot cheaper than brand-new. Is that all right?”
    “Probably, if it looks nice.”
    She nodded and started writing.
    Will interrupted her. “Carrie, I think it would be better if you went with Jim. After all, he doesn’t know the area like you do.”
    “I’m sure he’ll be fine. Right, Jim?” After all, he didn’t appear to want her help.
    Unconvinced, Will replied, “I’d feel better about everything if you’d go with Jim, help him get set up. Is that okay with you, Jim?”
    Carrie felt a sense of doom. Even Jim wouldn’t deny what Will wanted.
    “Sure…if you think you can spare her.”
    “Of course I