Page 67 of Thunder with a Chance of Lovestruck
He took it and raised a brow when he realized it was a card.
“Open it,” she said, refusing to make eye contact with him.
He tore open the envelope and withdrew the card. As he read the front, he tipped his head. “Hon, I think you made a mistake. This card says ‘Daddy’ on the front.”
Rachael gave him a hard look, wringing her hands more.
Drest looked from her to the card again. He opened it and saw what she’d written inside. His gaze snapped up. “You’re pregnant?”
“Yes,” she said softly, biting her lip, looking anxious.
He’d never dreamed he’d have a family of his own. Not with as long as he’d been alive and been single. He understood how babies were made and knew he’d taken no precautions to prevent one, yet he was having a hard time wrapping his mind around the news he was going to be a father.
Of course, he wanted a life and a family with Rachael, but now wasn’t the time for them to bring a baby into the mix. It could be another two years before the laws changed within the Nightshade Clan. If Rachael was expecting now, she’d have the baby well before the two-year mark. That would not only paint a target on her but the baby as well.
He wanted to be excited about the news and knew he should at least put on a good show to help set her mind at ease, but that wasn’t what happened. He just sat there, too stunned to say anything.
Rachel’s bottom lip trembled, and she nodded. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. When she stood, he did as well.
He reached for her only to have her turn and walk away from him. “Rachael?”
“I’m going to go lie down for an hour or so,” she said, her back to him. “I have a headache.”
Drest went to her and slid his arms around her waist.
She stiffened before attempting to pull away.
Things had been so good between them for months now. Nearly perfect. But he could sense her pulling away from him emotionally.
“Rachael, about the baby,” he said.
“I don’t want to discuss it with you right now,” she stated, her voice low. “I spent the day running scenarios through my head on how this might go. I was scared to be excited about it, because I think I knew deep down you wouldn’t be.”
“Hon, I want to be a father, I do,” he said. “I’m just worried about how this will play out. There is no way the Nightshade doesn’t find out about us now that there is a baby in the mix. It’s been bad enough that we’re sneaking around to live together. They’re going to notice if we’re seen around the city with a baby.”
She turned in his arms and put a hand to his cheek. “Then let me make it easy on you. I won’t push our luck by continuing to come here. In fact, to keep them from suspecting anything at all, I’ll move back to the manor and live there.”
He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “What?”
“Amice went to the doctor with me this morning. She offered to stay in the city to be here when you got home, in case I wanted support. We talked and it’s clear I won’t be able to keep my job at the paper. It’s better if I move back there. She can help me with the baby when it comes. I’ll try to find freelance work I can do from Tarrytown.”
“You’d do that?” asked Drest. “You’d just up and leave me to go back to the manor? A place you know Henry only lets me in the door of once a month because he’s required to?”
She drew her hand away from his face. “Yes. I’d do that.”
“You’re not even going to give me a little bit to process this all? To wrap my mind around the fact I’m going to be a father?” he asked.
“Oh don’t fool yourself, Drest,” she snapped. “You’ve already wrapped your mind around it. You like to talk about the bond we have and how we can sense emotions in each other. Guess what I sensed when you realized you were having a child.”
Flinching, Drest put his hands on her shoulders. “Honey, please. I’m sorry. I’m just worried about you and the baby. I want you safe. Both of you.”
“We’ll be safe at the manor,” she said, jutting out her chin.
He huffed. “I hardly think so. Henry can’t stand me. How do you think he’s going to react when he learns you’re my wife and that you’re pregnant with my child?”
“I’m not going to tell him,” she said boldly.
“Pretty sure he’ll notice sooner or later,” said Drest, his voice heated. “You’re going to start showing at some point, Rachael. How far along are you?”
