Hidden in a Whisper by Tracie Peterson

I’ve never heard you refer to any man, save my Jeffery, by his first name.”
    Rachel bit at her lower lip. She had hoped for a quiet moment to share her heart in regards to Braeden. “Well, Reginald insisted, and I didn’t see any harm in it. I mean, you remember how I felt about maintaining a closeness among staff members when we were back in Topeka.”
    â€œOf course I do,” Simone replied, watching Rachel very carefully, “but you seem awfully preoccupied, and Jeffery told me there was a man here at the hotel who was upsetting you. Someone from your past.”
    Rachel nodded. “Come sit with me and I’ll explain.” She moved away from the bed to her sitting area and offered Simone one of the two high-backed, thickly cushioned chairs. Once they were seated, she continued. “Jeffery was right about there being a man from my past here at the hotel. But it isn’t Reginald. The man is Braeden Parker. He’s the manager for the hotel.”
    â€œI see,” Simone replied with a grin. “And is he the reason you suddenly seem so nervous and pale?”
    Rachel laughed, but not with her usual enthusiasm. “No, that’s caused from trying to straighten out my girls and make certain they work in perfect order.”
    Simone smiled. “I should be here with you.”
    â€œYes, you should. How dare you go and get pregnant on your wedding night?” Rachel teased. “Have you seen the doctor yet?”
    â€œI have. He says that I am the picture of health. Of course, he hasn’t seen me in the morning with my head bent over the washbasin.”
    â€œHave you been terribly sick?”
    â€œNo, not really,” Simone replied. “I’m fine so long as no one mentions food before eleven-thirty. Poor Jeffery. He’s had to start taking his morning meal down at the cafeor up here. I can’t even stand the smell of food cooking. But after the morning passes, I feel much better.” “I suppose that’s why they call it morning sickness,” Rachel commented. “I think it’s pretty normal,” Simone answered, “but one of my neighbors informed me that she was never sick in the mornings but suffered terribly at night. So apparently there’s nothing routine or regulated about having a baby.”
    Rachel nodded. “I would imagine each case is pretty much unique—like the babies involved.” She reached out and took hold of Simone’s hand. “I’m so very happy for you, Simone—and for Jeffery too. I know you’ll be a wonderful mother.” She felt the words stick in her throat as tears filled her eyes. She dropped Simone’s hand and looked away.
    â€œWhat is it, Rachel?” It was now Simone’s turn to voice concern. She reached for Rachel’s hand and squeezed it gently. “Please tell me. Jeffery said you are hardly yourself, and I can see that now for myself.”
    Rachel forced her emotions under control. “It all has to do with Braeden Parker.” She looked up at Simone and tried to smile. “We … that is to say, I … oh, I don’t know what to say.” Rachel shook her head in exasperation. Simone was her dearest friend, and if she should be able to speak to anyone about this mess, it should be her.
    â€œYou two were once very close?” Simone questioned.
    Rachel nodded.
    â€œYou loved him?”
    Again Rachel nodded, fighting back tears.
    â€œYou’re still in love with him?”
    Simone’s words hit Rachel like a slap in the face. Rachel had argued over and over with herself about her feelings. She knew she would never love anyone save Braeden, but she had tried desperately to convince herself that she was no longer “in love” with him.
    She looked up and met Simone’s compassionate expression. That was her undoing. With a sob, Rachel answered, “Yes.”
    â€œIs he married?” Simone questioned