Page 2 of Romancing Rayne

On a deep exhale, I turned to fully face him.

“Most of all, thank you for giving me this.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the pregnancy test, showing him the results.

“Are you . . .? Are we . . .?” he stuttered. “You’re having my baby, Rayne?”

I nodded, too overcome with emotion to verbally answer.

* * *

Ghost

I tried to keep my hand steady as I stared at the word PREGNANT displayed in the digital window. It was amazing how a simple piece of plastic could forever change your life. I thought my life had been complete a few minutes ago when Rayne became my wife. I’d never been more wrong. This baby only added to my already full heart.

Placing the proof I was going to be a father in the pocket of my suit jacket, I reached for the phone connected directly to the chauffeur.

“Drive around and don’t stop until I tell you.”

“Ghost! We can’t be late. Everyone’s waiting for us.”

“Princess, they’ve been waiting years for you to make an honest man out of me. Another hour won’t kill them.”

“An hour?”

“Oh, yeah. We have a lot to celebrate, and when I’m done with you, there’ll be no doubt just how thankful I am.”

Her protest died when I covered her perfect lips with mine.

I, indeed, spent the next hour making sure my wife knew she was more than worth the wait.

Wife.

2

Ghost

Rayne’s discomfort was palpable. It had started this morning when we woke up and continued all the way to the airport. Now that we’d boarded the aircraft, she was practically vibrating with anxiety.

“Rayne? Rayne Jackson, is that you?” the flight attendant said from beside me.

Rayne’s face lit up, and she stood.

“Lou Anne. Oh my God. It’s been forever.” After some careful maneuvering Rayne was in the aisle, pulling the older woman in for a hug. “I can’t believe you’re still on the international run.”

“You know me. I love the adventure.”

While her smile remained, the light had dimmed in Rayne’s eyes. There was a time when my wife had been adventurous, too. The first day I met her she’d told me about her exploits, dinner at the Eiffel Tower, gondola rides in Italy, she’d even smoked a joint in Amsterdam. But that was before Egypt. Before she’d been caught in the middle of a plot to overthrow the government. Before I’d found her shackled to a bed. No. I couldn’t go there. This trip was supposed to be about making new memories, not dwelling on the past.

Lou Anne must have noticed the change in Rayne and changed topics.

“So, London? First stop or will you be staying?”

“Staying. It’s our honeymoon.” Rayne lifted her left hand and showed off her ring. “Rayne Bryson—as of yesterday.”

My heart swelled hearing Rayne say her new name.

Lou Anne looked down at me and smiled. “Girllll . . .” She drew out the L and Rayne laughed.