Chapter 42

Sunshine And Showers

"Good evening, Mrs. Wilson," Regina said. "I'm so glad you came tonight."

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world," Mrs. Wilson replied. "Your new home is so beautiful, and it's finished in time for the wedding."

"Come on inside. I want you to meet everybody," Regina said as she led her to the lavish receiving room in her new mansion. "Everybody, this is Momma. I'll let you all introduce yourselves while I get Momma a glass of wine."

When Regina returned to the room, all the ladies were laughing. "What's so funny?" she asked.

"Mrs. Wilson was just telling us about Danny when he was a baby," Cindy said. "He must have been a real handful for his mother."

"Honey," Mrs. Wilson continued, "it was all his mother and I both could do to keep up with that boy. I never thought he'd live long enough to start school, he kept getting in so much trouble."

"Regina honey," Cindy said, "why don't you come on in here, and start opening your presents?"

"Yes," Sally said. "We're all dying to see what everyone got you."

*****

"How was your bridal shower?" Danny asked as he unbuttoned his shirt.

"It was fun," Regina replied as she got into bed.

"Good, I'm glad you had a good time today. I've got some good news for a change."

"You do. What is it?" Regina asked.

"Mr. Sutter called today."

"Did you get your divorce?"

"It's all taken care of. I signed everything in Atlanta over to Connie, and she went for it. Mr. Sutter said Connie stood before the judge and said our marriage was over."

"Danny."

"Yes, Regina."

"There's something I need to tell you. I hope you're going to be okay with it."

"What is it?" Danny asked. "Are we still going to get married next week?"

"I hope so."

"What do you mean, you hope so? What is it you need to tell me?"

"I went to the doctor yesterday."

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Depends on how you look at it."

"Regina, what are you talking about?"

"Danny, I'm pregnant."

"You mean with a baby?"

"I hope it's a baby," Regina laughed. "Could I be pregnant with anything else?"

"How far along are you?"

"The doctor said maybe a month."

"Are you okay?" Danny asked.

"That depends."

"On what?"

"On whether or not you're going to be okay with being a daddy?" Regina asked.

Danny took Regina in his arms, and kissed her saying, "Regina, I love you, and I think having a baby is great."

"Really, honest?" Regina asked.

"Really, honest," Danny answered.

"Oh Danny, you really are my hero."

*****

"Good morning, Sheriff," Agent King said as he walked into the Sheriff's office.

"Good morning, Agent King. How's our investigation going?"

"Well Sheriff, we've managed to use credit card receipts, air line reservations, and rental car records to tie the late Mr. Smith to eighteen of the twenty cases we're investigating involving the Knight brothers. Of course that's all circumstantial evidence."

"Pretty strong for circumstantial evidence," the sheriff said. "Is anyone talking yet?"

"No, but we're still hoping to pick up some more suspects and see if we can't scare them into talking."

"You mean if Junior, or the Knight brothers haven't already had them all killed."

"That's right," Agent King said. "Speaking of Junior Ripley, have your people found any clues as to where he might be hiding out?"

"No," Sheriff Pendergrass replied. "He's either laying real low, or he's running really fast because we haven't seen neither hide nor hair of him."

Comments

[Vickie]

I'm so glad you're not a traditional guy. I like the idea that she's pregnant. Of course, the wedding is only a week away.

Don't keep me waiting too long for this, okay?