Page 21 of Reacher's Ride or Die

She came out of the bathroom, holding up the pregnancy test, and crying. He knew what she was going to say before she even said it. “I’m pregnant,” she whispered, handing Reacher the test as proof.

“Well, that explains the dizziness, and feeling sick to your stomach. I’m going to give you some fluids before I leave, just to make sure that you’re not dehydrated. Then, you two should be good to go. I have an IV and fluids in my truck. I’ll be right back,” Butcher said. Reacher wanted to tell him to take his time, but he also knew that they didn’t have much time before Ryder would want to get back down to Alabama. He had a wife and kids—God, kids. How was he going to be with his own kid? He wasn’t sure if he’d be a good father or not, but he hoped like hell that he’d get the chance to find out.

“Say something,” Brandi begged. She sat down next to him, and he pulled her into his body.

“I was just thinking that I hope that I get the chance to see if I’m a good father or not,” he said.

“Why wouldn’t you get the chance to find out if you’ll be a good dad, Reacher? And before you answer that question, I think that you are going to be a fantastic father,” Brandi insisted.

“Does that mean that you want to keep the baby?” he asked.

She nodded, her eyes watery from unshed tears. “Is that okay?” she asked.

“It’s more than okay, honey,” he assured. “But I do have another question.”

“What is it?” she asked.

“Do you think that I’ll make a good husband, too?” he asked.

“A good husband,” Brandi repeated.

“Yeah, I need to know how you feel about me being a good husband. I mean, you’ve already said that I’ll be a good father, so will I also make a good husband?”

“Are you asking me to marry you, Reacher?” she asked. Her voice sounded shaky, and he felt like an ass for putting her through more than she was ready for.

“I am, honey,” he admitted, “will you marry me?” Brandi nodded and crawled into his lap just as Butcher walked back into the small office.

“We’re getting married,” she practically shouted at him.

Butcher chuckled, “Well, you do work fast, Reacher, but I can’t blame you. I think Brandi is the perfect woman, and if he fucks things up, you just call me, and I’ll come on down to Huntsville and bring you home.”

“Shut the fuck up, man,” Reacher said.

“You know I’m just kidding,” Butcher said, “congratulations to both of you.” Brandi thanked him as he got to work putting her IV in her arm and giving her fluids. She looked so much better once she finished receiving the fluids.

“I feel better,” she admitted.

“You look better,” Reacher agreed.

“Again, gee, thanks,” she sassed.

“How about we get out of here?” Reacher asked.

“Yeah, I need to get back to the office,” Butcher joked. He gathered his stuff and headed out. Reacher thanked him more than a few times, and when he and Brandi joined the rest of the guys who were waiting in the bar, they all congratulated them.

“How the hell did you know that Brandi’s pregnant?” Reacher asked.

“Because Butcher has a big mouth,” Yonkers said, “and he told us that you’re getting hitched.”

“We are,” Brandi gushed.

Hurricane walked across the room and picked Brandi up in a big bear hug. “Put her down,” Reacher insisted. “She’s pregnant and just went through hell.”

“It’s okay, I like Hurricane’s hugs,” Brandi teased.

“Well, it’s good that we’re leaving tonight to go to Alabama so that you can forget all about Hurricane’s hugs,” Reacher said, making all the guys laugh.

“We better get going, guys,” Ryder said.

---