Marriage of Convenience (The Raven Brothers 1)

“I’m sure it’s nothing Chase. I always feel better once I’m … done.”

I ignored her as I looked through my contact list for someone who’d be able to let me know who I could call and get to the island.

The memory from a few years ago when my mother started getting tired and feeling ill flickered in the back of my mind. Less than a year from when that started, my mother was gone. I’d be damned if I’d let that happen to Sara.

What a cruel twist of fate it would be if when I finally understood love, the object of that love would be taken from me.

26

Sara

I was loving life on the island. I wished we could stay there forever, but as much as Chase seemed to enjoy it too, I knew deep down he was a man who enjoyed the wheeling and dealing of business. His life revolved around Raven Industries. In many ways, it was too bad his father wasn’t able to reward Chase for the hard work and sacrifices he’d made by letting him take over the company when he retired.

The only downer on this trip was that I felt so tired all the time. In trying to keep up with Chase and all the wonderful activities, I was often exhausted to the point that sometimes I felt sick. Or maybe it was all the new foods that had me feeling nauseous in the mornings. Once I emptied my stomach, I was fine. I figured I could wait until we went home to go to a doctor if it continued. I didn’t want to ruin our trip. Chase looked so relaxed, and I didn’t want to take that from him.

But he was looking agitated now and so I knew it was better to let him do what he thought best. I dressed in a loose summer dress and walked out onto the veranda where fresh fruit and toast had been set out. I had some toast and sat in the lounge chair to admire the view until the doctor arrived.

“It will be a couple of hours. How do you feel?” Chase asked as he joined me.

“Good now.” I thought about asking for a boat ride, but when we went yesterday, I felt sea sick.

He sat sideways on the chaise chair next to me and took my hand. “Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t well?”

“I am well. It’s just so much excitement.”

He kissed my hand. “You need to tell me about these things.”

I flinched, feeling controlled. “I’m fine.”

He got that look on his face that told me he didn’t buy what I was saying. “I’m not saying you have to tell me because I’m being bossy. I’m saying I need to know because I want to take care of you.”

“I don’t need—”

He interrupted me. “I’m not saying that you can’t take care of yourself. I’m saying I care about you. I don’t like seeing you feeling unwell.”

I went a little mushy inside and felt bad for thinking he was trying to boss me around. “I’m sorry. I’m fine, Chase. Really.”

We took a short walk along the beach, then sat by the pool until the doctor arrived.

“Is there a place where I can examine her in private?” The doctor asked. Apparently he had been there before and he seemed comfortable around a powerful rich man like Chase. Perhaps he was one of those on-call doctors for the rich and famous.

“You can use the master bedroom,” Chase said.

“I’d like to see her alone first,” the doctor said when Chase tried to linger.

He nodded and left me with the doctor.

He had me sit on the edge of the bed as he pulled up a chair from a desk. “You said you’re feeling tired and nauseous?” he asked.

“Tired a lot. Nauseous just in the morning, or in the water. I’m not used to all this sun and the different types of food.”

He nodded, making me think my theory was a viable one. He held my wrist and took my pulse. “What birth control do you use?”

My brows shot up. “Ah, none.” God, could I be pregnant? Of course I could. Why hadn’t I thought of that sooner?

“Well, then. Let’s start with a pregnancy test, shall we?” He pulled out a box from his bag, opening it and taking out a stick. “This is the quick one. If needed I can get some urine and blood, but this easier and faster. Just put it under your urine stream.”

I took the stick and went into the bathroom. A few minutes later I exited, with the stick wrapped in toilet paper.

The doctor took it and set it on the box. “While we wait, let me get some vitals and your medical history.” He took my temperature and blood pressure, both of which he said were normal. He asked about ailments in my and my family’s history. As far as I knew there wasn’t anything significant.