Free A Soldier's Return by Judy Christenberry Page B

their complaints, they seemed happier after marriage than they did before.”
    “And that fact didn’t tempt you to marry?”
    Jim stiffened in his chair. “No. No, that didn’t tempt me. A soldier’s life is hard on women.”
    “Unless she’s a soldier, too?”
    “Don’t try to accuse me of being sexist again, Carrie.” After a moment, he added, “I’ve worked with women soldiers in certain situations and they did a great job.”
    “Good. But I would think a marriage between two soldiers would double the problems in a marriage.”
    “Yeah.”
    They ate for several minutes without talking.
    Finally Jim said, “I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable today.”
    Carrie tensed. Then she drew a deep breath. “Don’t worry. Tomorrow you’ll have your own desk and your computer should be there soon after we open the office.”
    “Good. I’ll have to set up my desk, too.”
    “Yes, and then everything will go back to normal.”
    After studying her silently, he said, “What’s normal?”
    She shrugged her shoulders. “Everyone working. We haven’t gotten a lot done, what with your arrival and Jamie’s birth.”
    “Right. The faster I pick things up, the better off we’ll be. I think I can do a lot right away.”
    “And you’ll want to schedule a meeting with Mr. Michaels. He needs to be reassured.”
    “Have you worked with him before?”
    “Yes,” Carrie said, dropping her gaze to her plate. Why tell Jim that Mr. Michaels’s cases were the easy ones? They still needed to be done.
    “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
    He was too perceptive for his own good. “There’s a lot I’m not telling you, Jim. I can’t explain everything we’ve done for the past five years. Some things you’ll have to find out for yourself.”
    “Okay, I’m a believer of that philosophy. I think you learn more by doing than listening.”
    They finished their meal and returned to the car,where Jim asked for instructions to find the nearest Target. Carrie gave him the information and then sat back, allowing him to be in charge. It had been a long day and she was tired.
    It was a full two hours later when they finally returned to the apartments. Lugging packages, they walked up to the second floor, to the apartment opposite Carrie’s. Jim knocked on his door and Vanessa opened it.
    “Oh, Jim, the furniture is beautiful! You did a great job. And so fast!” Vanessa said, drawing her brother and Carrie into the apartment. “I arranged it, but you can change it however you want it.”
    Jim stood there surveying the furniture he’d bought. “It looks great the way it is. Good job, Vanessa,” he said, stooping to kiss her cheek. “Now, you and Carrie can start unpacking while I go bring up the rest of our purchases.”
    He disappeared before Carrie could object.
    “What all did you buy?” Vanessa asked, eagerly reaching for one of the sacks.
    “Everything he needs for an apartment. At least I hope so.” She opened a box of dishes, setting out a service for four in cobalt-blue.
    “I like that color,” Vanessa said as she opened the pots and pans.
    “So did Jim. Amazing you’d have the same taste, isn’t it?”
    “I guess so. But I can’t believe he managed to buy so much in such a short space of time. I know I couldn’t do that.”
    Carrie shrugged her shoulders. “Maybe you could if I was helping you—and you didn’t have a place until you did.”
    Vanessa looked at Carrie with a questioning look. “Are you okay?”
    Carrie gave her friend a hug. “Yes, I’m just tired.”
    “Sit down while I unpack. It’s like Christmas, isn’t it?” Vanessa enthused as she returned to the table where the bags had been dropped. Just then the door opened again and Jim returned with more boxes and packages.
    “This is it,” he announced, taking deep breaths. “Those stairs are going to keep me in shape.” After a quick glance at Carrie, he added, “Like your friend there.”
    Carrie ignored