The Happiest Day by Sandy Huth

questions?  The less you know, the better.”
    “Why did you keep
her away so long?  Did you even think about the additional damage to her
reputation?”
    “Frankly, I didn’t
give that a second thought.”  They heard footsteps and Peter tensed, anxious to
see that Rachel was alright.  When she entered the room, he was stunned by her
appearance.  Instead of looking sad and unwell, she was glowing.  She looked
serene and…content.
    She did, however,
draw back in surprise when she saw their guest.  “Peter!”
    “Rachel,” he said,
suddenly resentful that she looked so well after all the worrying he had done. 
“Welcome back.”
    “Thank you.  I’m
quite surprised to see you here.”
    In shock, he watched
Rachel walk straight to Norris, kiss him on the cheek, and turn so that he
could slip an arm around her waist.
    “What’s going on?”
he asked hoarsely.
    “Congratulate us,
son.  We were married in Boston three months ago and just before our return
trip from Europe, we discovered that we’re expecting.  You’re going to be an
uncle.”
    Rachel’s smile
trembled a bit but her voice was clear and steady.  “Are you happy for us,
Peter?”
    He felt as if he
had received a blow to the heart.  “You can’t be serious.”  His voice sounded
strange in his own ears.  “This can’t be real.”
    “It is,” Norris
assured him with a smile.  “We couldn’t be happier.”
    “Won’t you stay to
supper with us, Peter?”
    He wanted to say
no.  He wanted to turn and leave the house and never look back.  He had
questions, though, that hadn’t been answered and he didn’t intend to leave
until he was satisfied.  “Yes, I’ll stay.”
    He thought he
caught a flare of panic in her eyes but, if so, it quickly disappeared and she
smiled graciously.  “Wonderful.  I’ll go let Cook know that we have one more
for supper.”
    He was quiet
during the meal, listening to Norris’ tales of Europe and their exploits
abroad.  Rachel was quiet as well and Peter finally remarked, “You’re awfully
quiet, Rachel.  Do you have any stories to relate?”
    “I think Norris is
doing a fine job.  He’s a much better story teller than I am.”
    “How are you
feeling?  With the baby, I mean?”  He was still hoping that she would admit
that Norris had been joking; there was no marriage and no baby.
    “A little tired,
but otherwise fine.  We’re very excited.”
    He shook his head
as if in disbelief, staring at her with dark eyes.  She flushed, and then
paled.  She looked suddenly ill.
    Norris was
immediately solicitous.  “Darling, you look a little peaked.  Why don’t you go
lay down?  I’m sorry, I should have thought that the trip home would be
exhausting for you.”
    “Thank you,” she
said hoarsely.  “I’m sorry, Peter.  Sometimes it just hits me.  It was terribly
good to see you, though.”  The men stood as she did and she nodded her head
then left the room.
    He and Norris sat
down again and Peter stared at his plate.  “She really is expecting.”
    “Of course.  Did
you think I was lying?”
    “I hoped you were
lying,” he shot back.  “It wouldn’t be the first time, would it?”
    Norris sighed. 
“Peter, must you do this?  Now?  Everything is settled.  Rachel and I are
married, we’re starting a family.  No one can accuse us of living an amoral
life.”
    “This is
unbelievable,” Peter muttered.  “God damn it, I feel like I’m in a nightmare.”
    “Let’s retire to
the study,” Norris suggested.  “You look like you need a drink.”
    Peter followed
him, his head spinning.  Rachel really was married to Norris.
    They entered the
study and Norris poured him a drink.  They drank in silence, each lost in his
own thoughts.  Finally, Peter stated in a low voice, “Tell me what happened
that night, Norris.”
    “We already
answered that question that day in court.”
    “Norris, I demand
an answer!” Peter exploded.  “Did you kill my