The Pilot's Promise

by Pam Mantovani

  “Later,” she agreed.

  When she woke, Hailey wasn’t surprised to discover it was mid-morning. It did surprise her a little that she was alone. Which gave her time to think.

  What was the biggest surprise was the realization that she’d only been in Barefoot Bay a short time. So much had changed. And so much remained the same.

  While she might not have approved of Andrew dragging her to a doctor, the confirmation that she and the baby were healthy gave her a great deal of relief. With a smile, she stretched, her arms above her head, her toes pointed. She certainly felt healthy this morning.

  Still, last night's intimacy with Andrew changed nothing. She'd have their child, she would be the primary caregiver. Somehow, they'd find a way to balance deployments, holidays, vacations.

  “I’ll do my best,” she promised in a whisper as she covered her stomach with the flat of her right palm.

  And that meant feeding this life growing inside of her. Rather than scoot down the hall to the bedroom she’d used, she reached for Andrew’s T-shirt she spotted on a nearby chair. A quick stop in the bathroom enabled her to splash some water on her face and comb her damp fingers through her hair.

  As she approached the kitchen, voices reached her.

  “You don’t understand what’s going on.”

  “There’s an understatement.”

  “Mom.”

  “Andrew,” Lillian replied, her voice heavy with the same exasperation as her son’s. “You tell me how I’m supposed to feel when I have friends here in Barefoot Bay congratulating me on my son’s engagement, an engagement that same son hasn’t bothered to tell me anything about?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “No, it’s really simple. Either you are or you are not engaged. To Hailey I assume.”

  Hailey winced. Sucking in a deep breath, she stepped into the kitchen. Mother and son seemed at a bit of an impasse as Andrew leaned back against the island counter, his arms crossed over his broad chest. Lillian stood, hands on hips, waiting for him to speak.

  It was obvious to Hailey that Andrew was trying to protect her. As he’d so often done during the course of their friendship. As he believed he hadn’t done for a girl in high school. Perversely, Hailey didn’t want to be the means by which to ease his conscience.

  Which meant she had a choice. She could back away and allow him to handle the situation. Or she could step forward and assume her share of the responsibility.

  “Mrs. Reynolds.”

  Andrew and his mother turned to her, with him straightening and lowering his arms to his sides. When she saw the older woman’s gaze take in the fact that she wore her son’s shirt, the only shame Hailey felt was the knowledge that she’d been less than honest with this woman.

  “Good morning, Hailey,” Lillian said. “I’m sorry if we woke you.” Her gaze tracked to Hailey’s bare ring finger. “But I heard some news that I needed to discuss with Andrew.”

  He stepped forward, stopping when Hailey’s gaze clashed with his. “Mrs. Reynolds,” she began again. “Please don’t be upset with Andrew.”

  “I’m not upset.” She relaxed enough to smile a little. “Not much. What I am, is confused.”

  “Mom, I told you.”

  “That’s just it, Andrew, you’ve told me nothing.” She bounced a look between her son and Hailey, who felt the warmth of a faint blush bloom on her cheeks. “Look, I understand the two of you are more than friends. Anyone who sees the two of you together can see that. I also understand it’s none of my business, and I’m trying to respect your privacy. Only, I live here now, and when the people of Barefoot Bay that I know and care about ask me about wedding plans.” She lifted her hands in a helpless gesture. “I don’t know what to say.”

  Hailey’s plans for a few days of mindless sex vanished. What she was considering wouldn’t solve everything. It would probably complicate matters even more than they already were. Only, she knew too well how it felt to be on the receiving end of speculation and conjecture. For that very reason it was wrong to mislead this woman, but Hailey couldn’t allow Lillian Reynolds to stand before her, confused and hurt by her son’s silence. Somehow she’d find a way to fix the situation after she’d managed to create some distance. People broke engagements all the time.

  Hailey drew in a breath. “Just tell everyone we haven’t set a date yet.”

  Chapter 6

  With this unexpected declaration, no dishes dropped onto the tile floor. However, the same stunned silence followed her confession. The nerves she’d experienced while waiting for Andrew’s reaction to the news of her pregnancy reappeared.

  Which meant she wasn’t prepared for Lillian Reynolds to hurry across the room and take Hailey into her embrace.

  “Oh, my dear,” Lillian said, her voice thick with tears. “This is such wonderful news. Welcome to the family.” With a quick squeeze for Hailey, she turned and rushed back across the room to wrap her arms around Andrew’s waist.

  “I’m glad you’re pleased,” he said, his gaze questioning Hailey as he patted his mother’s back. She tried not to be disappointed by his comment, or by the missing enthusiasm in his voice. No wonder given that she’d been the one to insist they would be compounding their problem by getting married. Of course, engagements didn’t always end in marriage.

  “Of course I’m pleased,” Lillian said. “Both of my children have found the love of their life.” She released Andrew and began rummaging through her purse. “I have to take a picture to show Anna.” She looked at her son. “Have you told your sister?”

  “No.”

  “Well, make sure you call her before I get there. No way can I hold this news inside.” She drew out her phone. “C’mon, now, you two lovebirds, stand there together.” She looked up, a slight frown and a little caution in her voice. “And the ring. I know Anna will want to see the ring.”

  Hailey opened her mouth in protest, only to have Andrew cut her off. “I’ll get it.” He stared at her. “Remember you took it off yesterday when we went for a swim? You said you were afraid it might slip off. You must have forgotten to put it on this morning.”

  “Uhm, yes.” She sent Lillian a tentative smile. “I’m not used to wearing it yet I guess. To be honest, I’m still a little stunned by the way everything has happened.”

  “Be right back.” He started past her, stopped and kissed her lightly before disappearing down the hall.

  “I know we haven’t had much time together,” Lillian said, drawing Hailey’s attention away from Andrew’s retreating back. “And with both of you being in the service, time will always be precious. And, having so recently gone through planning a wedding with Anna, I know this is a special time for a mother and daughter. But, if there’s anything I can do to help with the wedding plans, all you have to do is ask.”

  “Mrs. Reynolds. Lillian,” she corrected, trying to keep the tears from spilling or coating her words. “The first thing you should know is my mother isn’t like you.” Lillian tilted her head. “She’s very involved with her career. It’s one reason why I was so determined not to fall for Andrew. We have so little in common. I didn’t have the kind of home life you gave your children. Growing up the way I did, I had to become independent. It’s not going to be easy for me to consider someone else.”

  Lillian crossed the room, and with a small smile, took Hailey’s hands in hers. “You’ll find your way. The way that works best for you and Andrew. There will be adjustments. No marriage exists without making allowances and learning new rhythms.” She squeezed Hailey’s hands. “Don’t waste this special time worrying about something that hasn’t happened yet.”

  “Right where you left it.” Andrew returned and something about the way he studied her left Hailey believing he’d heard part of her conversation with his mother. While he continued to hold her gaze, he reached for her hand. She felt the cool metal slid and encircle her finger. That’s when she recalled the small bag he’d had on the bench beside him yesterday wh
en she walked out of the boutique.

  He’d obviously purchased a ring yesterday. What did that mean? Had he planned to ask her in a traditional manner rather than as an off-hand suggestion in a public location?

  A part of her didn’t want to look down, didn’t want to see that symbol of commitment. Didn’t want to face the lie.

  Another part of her wanted to see what he’d chosen. Why he’d chosen it.

  That was the part of her that won.

  A diamond winked back at her, a stunning solitaire sitting in the center of a twisted band that held channels of smaller brilliance.

  He pressed his lips to her temple, as if making a romantic move. In actuality it enabled him to whisper, “I thought it was time we did something traditionally.”

  Her logical brain, usually so adept at formulating a practical, workable plan, became swamped by emotion. For a second, as she looked up at him, she believed they would find a way to make their relationship – a marriage - work. Despite their different backgrounds, and the complication of an unexpected pregnancy, they could make a life together. Then, the click of a cell phone camera had her blinking and reality settled back in place.

  It reminded her, painfully, of her mother unexpectedly home on leave and telling her, a six-year-old at the time, that she hadn’t had time to shop. Santa wasn’t real, and neither were his magical, hard-working elves, so the doll Hailey had asked for wouldn’t be under the tree the next morning.

  Unlike the disappointment of that morning, she now felt the wonder and magic of Andrew cupping her face in his hands and lowering his mouth to hers. He gave so much in a kiss. Certainly more than was wise when the man’s mother stood by, watching as they furthered the illusion of a real engagement.

  It took all of Hailey’s resolve to not whimper and cling to him. Or drag him to the floor.

  For a quicksilver instant, she feared it was her sniffing back tears when he drew away. Especially when he smiled indulgently at her.

  “Mom always cries when she’s happy.” With his arm around her waist, he shifted them. “Go ahead, take another picture.”

  They had to wait for Lillian to dry her tears before she took several of the couple and then of the ring. She hugged them both and then Andrew walked her out to her car so she could make it to the airport in time to catch her flight.

  Hailey stood in the center of the kitchen, staring down at the ring on her finger. Now that they didn’t have to put up appearances, she should probably take it off.

  “I went shopping while you were with the doctor.”

  For some odd reason she felt more exposed now than when she’d stood in front of his mother wearing his T-shirt, and little else. She couldn’t look at him, couldn’t think of a reply. Naturally, he solved the problem by coming close, using a finger to tip up her chin.

  “Why did you tell my mother we’re engaged?”

  “You’re the one who told the receptionist at the doctor that we were engaged.”

  “Yes, so she would get you in to see the doctor.” He lifted her chin a little higher, preventing her from ducking away from his penetrating gaze. “Why, Hailey?”

  “I realize it’s wrong to mislead your mother, and sister, and I’m sorry. Even as I knew it would only make everything worse, I couldn’t keep quiet.” She swatted away his hand and took a step in retreat. “Your mother was upset, hurt, because you weren’t talking to her. I couldn’t just stand by and let that happen. After I leave I’ll take full blame for our breakup. I’ll contact her and somehow find a way to explain that it just wasn’t going to work out between us.”

  “You’re so sure nothing will work between us.”

  “When are you going to understand that I don’t have the same kind of background as you?”

  “I understand more than you think,” he said, snagging her hand in his. “And for now.” With a seductive smile, he began to walk backward, tightening his hands on hers, bringing her with him. “I see no reason why we shouldn’t enjoy the perks of being an engaged couple.”

  “I’m getting the feeling you mean something other than registering for china.” She skimmed her mouth over his jaw and down his throat, loving the way he softly moaned his approval.

  “I think we can come up with something else.” He pivoted, lowered her to the sofa, and pressed the full length of his body into hers. She felt every muscle she owned soften, welcome, accept.

  His hands were so gentle as they brushed up and down her. His lips were soft as they searched, and found, sensitive spots. As both hands and lips enticed and excited. Her mind clouded, filled, with him as it never had before. His lips nudged away the collar of his shirt, found skin. His tongue traced her collarbone, making her tremble.

  She’d thought there was nothing else he could give her, show her. How wrong she’d been.

  Her hips arched in demand, in a plea, but he continued this slow, torturous and erotic journey. He suckled her breasts through the material of the shirt, the barrier doing nothing to diminish her response. Heat enveloped her, as she strained for more of his mouth to encircle her. She flattened her hands on the small of his back, unable to find the strength to stroke him. Unable to turn him loose.

  His hands, on the other hand, continued their steady and thorough exploration and seduction. Finally, as her breath seared her lungs and throat, he cupped the center of her.

  Her heels dug into the sofa as she reared up and shattered. She felt suspended even as his body anchored her, as the ripples of release continued and continued and continued. She wanted to tell him no more, to protest that her body could take no more.

  She desperately wanted him to never stop.

  As if he’d read her mind, he urged her to another shattering peak.

  Finally, as her body and mind continued to vibrate with satisfaction, he removed clothes and tossed them aside. The friction of cloth against skin, of skin against skin, had her body drumming with renewed demand until, finally, he slipped inside of her.

  Now her arms and hands moved. They tightened around him, brought him impossibly closer, pressing him against the pounding beat of her heart. She wished she could offer him that heart, and the love that pulsed inside of it, but caution was too deeply ingrained to voice the words. Trust, other than the trust that they were exchanging with their bodies right now, came harder.

  So, as their bodies found a mutual release, she settled for that easier trust.

  And prayed her heart didn’t get broken along the way.

  Chapter 7

  She loved the way Andrew didn’t rush to separate their bodies. She enjoyed, in ways she could never find the words to explain, how he continued to hold her close. So they were still entangled when they heard the distant tone of a cell phone ringing.

  “That’s mine,” she said. She had every reason to believe she knew who was calling – and why.

  Her arms tightened, holding him close. She didn’t want the world to intrude right now. It was selfish, but right now she didn’t care. She wanted this small window of time for the two of them. Already they’d had to balance other people’s expectations and questions. There would be more yet to come, especially the confusion and hurt once they revealed the truth about their relationship. Was it really so wrong to want to keep themselves to themselves, without interference or the cloud of the future?

  “By the time I get up and make it to the bedroom, it'll have gone to voice mail,” she added.

  He lifted his head to look down at her. She nearly sighed. He hadn’t shaved this morning and his gaze still held that fuzzy look he always got when they made love.

  “So, you’re saying you shouldn’t bother.” His hips flexed a little, enough to have need sparking a new fire within her. “That you should stay here and listen to any message later.”

  Her hands moved to cup his face, to guide it down so she could press her lips to his. To trace his lips with the tip of her tongue. She lifted a brow, delighted when she felt him swell within her.

  “That’s
exactly what I’m saying.”

  He grinned. “Who am I to argue?”

  Later, they both drifted off for a short nap. When Hailey woke, the first thing she saw was her hand spread across his chest – and the sparkle of the diamond. By clenching her jaw she managed to swallow down a groan.

  She’d made a mess of everything.

  She had no business whatsoever deceiving Lillian Reynolds, or Andrew for that matter, that this engagement would eventually become a marriage. She knew better. She’d learned a long time ago that simply wanting something didn’t mean you’d find a way to have it.

  She’d already taken steps to infuse some stability into her life – and that of her child. All she had to do was slip away and find her phone, listen to the message to know where she went next. No matter what she heard, it changed nothing where Andrew, and his presence in her life, was concerned.

  She knew how to manage her life. She’d never had the luxury of depending on anyone but herself. She had to believe the choice she’d made would be best for her, Andrew, and their baby.

  She would never ask him to give up his military career and yet she knew, painfully, how it felt to have a parent come and go in your life. Granted, because of his father’s military career, he knew that as well. Only he’d had a stabilizing influence in his mother and sister. Maybe it was wrong to compare him, and their situation, to her parents and upbringing. But, as she’d told him time and time again, she had no reference for the kind of life he knew. Better to save them both from the pain of disappointment.

  “All of that thinking you’re doing woke me up,” he said.

  “All of that snoring you were doing is what woke me.”

  “I didn't hear a single snore, but since we're awake." He nuzzled his nose into her neck. Hailey decided it was a good thing she was lying down as she was pretty sure her legs wouldn't support her. "Whoa," he said rearing back to grin at her when her stomach growled. “I sure heard that.”