“I don’t like this house,” Chris said, twenty minutes later after the woman had been talking nonstop about all the important features.
“We’ve got to pick a place. I’m not spending my first Christmas in your bachelor pad of love.”
They’d been looking for the last three days. Chris was working out his notice at the hospital and had already signed a contract at the hospital across the city. They had marked, on a map, the area where they were looking for places. Rachel was starting to hate not having a budget on what they were looking for. Chris never batted an eyelid at the cost of the houses while she tried to figure out the cost of rent and how much she’d have for groceries and other bills.
“I’ve got one more house to show you from my list,” Samantha said.
Chris got the directions, and Rachel walked back to the car. She climbed inside, hoping Chris would hurry up and get there so he could put the heater on. When he left the house they’d just looked at, she knew something had happened. The scowl on his face looked threatening, and Samantha didn’t even look in their direction.
“Okay, what the hell happened? You were laughing and smiling when I left you,” she said, rubbing her hands together.
“She tried to fucking kiss me. I can’t believe some women. I’m with you, and yet they think they stand a chance.” He shook his head.
“Did she get to kiss you?” Rachel asked.
“No, thank God. I would hate to think where those lips have been before me.”
Rachel giggled. He’d been open and honest about the women in his life. She didn’t even get jealous when he mentioned the women at work. He kept them all at arms’ length. She knew he had a hard time dealing with her working in the bar. David was a wonderful boss. She enjoyed working, serving drinks, and chatting with the customers. It was one of the few jobs she actually enjoyed doing.
“Why are you laughing?”
“I trust you. It’s nice for you to see what I’ve had to deal with for a long time now. It’s not fun being all sexy, is it?” she asked, resting her head against the back of her seat.
Recently she found herself feeling sick more. This morning when she’d woken up alone, she’d been so overcome by sickness that she’d spent thirty minutes in the bathroom.
“Well, we’re going to have to tell everyone that knows us I’m taken. We’re a family, Rachel. Don’t leave me alone with that woman again.”
She laughed and stared out of the window. They were a family together.
Samantha was already opening the door to the final house. The front garden looked to be in need of some tender loving care. Rachel climbed out of the car slowly, taking a look around at the garden. Before her eyes, she saw herself weeding and planting. Frowning, in her mind she saw herself pregnant with a swollen stomach and a child dancing around her feet.
Cutting the thoughts and the images off, she followed Chris inside the house. The space was breathtaking. The rooms had high ceilings and windows. The moment she stepped inside, she felt at home as if she was supposed to be there. Not once in the places they’d visited did she feel at home. Samantha started talking, explaining the features. Rachel ignored her, looking around for herself.
She took a good look around each room. Chris didn’t leave her side, holding her hand. The kitchen was a decent size, and Rachel knew it was the place for her. Once she saw the rooms upstairs, along with the bathroom and the back yard, she was so happy.
“What do you think?” Chris asked. Rachel pulled him to one side.
“Don’t you feel at home here?” She couldn’t stop the smile on her lips.
“It needs some work.”
“I love it here. The yards can wait until spring and summer. This is the house for us, Chris, trust me.”
He kept his gaze on her. His hands wrapped around her back. They stood in the center of the room, staring at each other. She kept her hands on his face, feeling the pulse of arousal coursing through her.
“Is this what you want?” he asked.
She nodded, feeling a little disappointed that he didn’t feel the connection like she did.
Chris turned to Samantha. “We’ll take it. How soon until we move in?” he asked.
“You can move in this afternoon. You’ll need to come back and sign some paperwork.” Samantha went on and on.
Ignoring her, Rachel pulled out of his hold and moved toward the kitchen. She touched a hand to her stomach and felt at ease. Then as her thoughts started to make sense, she panicked. The sickness wasn’t down to fast moving or the flu. She was pregnant.
How stupid could she get not to even think of the two together?