Page 24 of Her Secret Wish

Rachel agreed. But she still bought the clothes, for herself as much as for him.

After hitting several other stores and taking the bags to the car, they stopped for dinner at a popular eatery known for their ribs.

“I think I can eat an entire pig,” Shannon sighed. “I can’t believe how hungry I’ve been the past few weeks. The nausea is finally easing up. Anything is better than that.”

Rachel wished she could compare stories with Shannon about babies and pregnancies, but it wasn’t actually anything she’d ever considered part of her future. Not until Dean.

“Is Palmer happy?”

They were interrupted by the waiter just then, of course. They gave their order and Rachel sipped at her Diet-Coke as Shannon thought about the question. “I think overall he’s happy, but he’s worried, too. I mean, handling a baby isn’t easy even when you have legs, so he’s really going to have to adapt. We’re going to have to develop ways for him to take part in the baby’s life.” She sighed, sipping her water. “I wouldn’t change John for anything but there are times I wish there were easier ways for him to do things.”

Rachel nodded, totally understanding. Every one of the men she worked with were amazing in spite of the fact that they couldn’t live the way they used to. They all had a different reality. “I think he’ll rock being a dad just like he does everything else.”

Shannon nodded, a contented smile on her face. “He will and our kids will be amazing.” She leaned forward, propping her elbows on the table. “Have you ever thought about having kids?”

Tit for tat. Rachel supposed she needed to be as honest and open as Shannon and answer. “Yes, a little, but there was never anyone to have them with. Dean is the first guy to enter my life who I would even consider having children with…like ever.”

And though she hadn’t thought about it so specifically like that, she realized her words were true. Dean was a great guy. He would be a fabulous husband and a terrific father.

After dinner the women hiked back to the car and Shannon drove them back to the office, where they’d left Rachel’s bike. Shannon was anxious to get back to Palmer and looking worn out, to boot. Rachel leaned forward and gave the woman a tight hug. “Thank you so much for taking me out today and spending my money.”

Shannon laughed. “Anytime, hon!”

With a little wave Rachel exited the car and walked to the motorcycle, bags in hand. It was a challenge stowing the bags, but she managed.

When she arrived home she realized how tired she was, too. Who knew shopping was this exhausting? Dropping the bags to the floor she moved into her bedroom, shucking clothes as she went. The hot water of the shower washed away some of her tiredness and relaxed the muscles in her neck. As she dried off, she wondered what Dean was doing just then. She hadn’t heard from him all day.

The green light on her cell-phone blinked, indicating she had a message. As she swiped the screen she grinned. Speak of the devil.

Hey, beautiful. Wondering if you had time for a call? Just got off shift.

Rather than typing out a message she dialed his number. Dean answered on the first ring.

“I didn’t wake you, did I?”

“No,” she said, settling to the mattress. “I just got home, actually. Shannon and I went shopping.”

“Shannon?”

“Oh, she’s the Office Manager for LNF and the fiancé of one of the partners. Nice lady.”

“Ah, okay. I’m glad you had fun.”

Rachel reached a corner of her towel up to squeeze the end of her dripping hair. “I did. And I didn’t expect to. I guess I didn’t expect to get along with her so well but she surprised me with how cool she was.”

“Well,” he said slowly, “that’s good, right?”

“Oh, yes, of course. I don’t have a lot of girlfriends here so it was nice.”

“What spurred the outing?”

Rachel hesitated, unwilling to tell him she’d gone shopping for dates with him. “Well, actually, we went shopping for clothes.”

The silence stretched on his end. “Did you get anything nice?”

Rachel grinned at the interest she heard in his voice, and she thought of the pink and black striped lingerie bag in the hallway. “Well, maybe…”

“You tease,” he whispered.

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