Softly at Sunrise by Maya Banks Read Free Book Online

you,” Rachel murmured, echoing Ethan’s words.
The doctor disappeared, leaving the two alone in the exam room. As Rachel rose from the chair, the nurse bustled in with an appointment card and a prescription for prenatal vitamins.
“We’ll want to redo labs when you come in next month just to make sure your HCG levels are where they should be. Nothing to worry about. Just routine stuff.”
“Thank you,” Rachel said.
The nurse smiled and backed from the room then gestured for Ethan and Rachel to go ahead of her.
Rachel walked through the waiting room, numb, somewhere between shock and utter elation. She still couldn’t take it all in.
“Are you going to be okay to drive?” Ethan asked, a frown covering his face.
She blinked, remembering that they’d taken separate vehicles to the clinic. She shook off some of the fog surrounding her and then nodded.
“I’ll be fine. I’ll follow you. No sense leaving my car here.”
He pulled her into his arms and gave her a long, sweet kiss.
“Twins. I still can’t believe it.”
She shook her head ruefully. “Neither can I. Oh my God. You realize I’ll start showing soon. Like any time. I can’t believe I’m already twelve weeks. With two in there, I’ll pop out like a beach ball.”
“You’ll be the most adorable, gorgeous pregnant woman ever,” Ethan said, a warm glint to his eyes.
“Oh, Ethan. I can’t even take it all in. I feel like someone’s going to pinch me any minute and I’ll wake up and this will all have been a dream. This has been the most wonderful week. We moved into our new home. I started back teaching. And now we’re having two babies instead of one.”
His expression became totally serious. He reached up to touch her face, stroking down the curve of her cheekbone with a whisper-soft caress.
“Every single day with you is a dream I always fear I’ll awaken from. You’re a gift, Rachel. You and the babies are the most treasured gift I’ve ever been given. I don’t deserve it, but by God I’m going to cherish it for the rest of my life.”
     

Chapter 7

Rachel stood outside her old house, keys in hand, staring at the place she’d called home for her entire married life to Ethan.
The realtor had just left, and a brand new “for sale” sign was now mounted in her front yard.
She examined her feelings for some sign of regret. Sadness. Nostalgia even. But the only thing she could put her finger on was…relief.
Now that she was pregnant, her relief was compounded by the fact that she wouldn’t bring her babies home to a place that still held so much darkness for Rachel.
She took a deep breath and made the effort to let go. Of the past. The memories. The hurt. And the sadness. There was so much joy to replace the sorrows of yesterday. A new house. Precious babies nestled in her womb. A husband and a family who loved her dearly.
She closed her eyes and let the crispness of the fall winds blow over her face. The scratch of leaves on the concrete walkway and the faint smell of smoke in the distance brought home the changing season.
Change was in the air.
Changing seasons. Changing lives. All for the better.
The sound of a car crunching over the gravel drive diverted her from her reverie and turned her around, her brows drawn together as she looked to see who was approaching.
It was her sister-in-law Sophie’s SUV, but when it stopped, Sarah and Shea hopped out as Sophie got from behind the wheel.
“What are you guys doing here?” Rachel asked in bewilderment.
“We’re kidnapping you for dinner,” Shea said smugly.
Sarah smiled and nodded. “Yep. That’s exactly what we’re doing. Thought we’d go over to Big Sandy and eat at the Feed and Grain Mill.”
“Oh yum. You guys totally know my weakness.”
“Thought you could use some girl time about now,” Sophie said in a gentle voice. “A lot has been going on with you lately.”
“That sounds absolutely perfect,” Rachel said, warmed by the friendship in each of their eyes.
She