Unplanned, page 2
Chapter Two
Dana reached for her bag as it came around the carousel, then lugged it off and moved toward the terminal’s exit doors. Suddenly she wished she hadn’t packed so much.
She stopped and glanced around. Her flight had landed early so she was sure Mattie hadn’t arrived yet. Toward the front of the airport she spied a small food court. She’d take a seat near the entrance and wait for Mattie to show up.
At a table, Dana dropped her bag on the floor and plopped into a seat. She ordered a cup of tea and some toast while she waited. Her stomach could hardly handle anything more than that. Her nerves had made it impossible to eat on the flight from St. Louis. Even now she couldn’t think past the next minute. She wasn’t sure she was ready for the huge responsibility of having a child. However, the alternatives weren’t an option.
Her hand shook as she lifted the herbal tea to her lips and took a sip, watching a crowd of people as they passed by her table. From all the bright smiles, they were obviously happy, had their lives on track. She wished she could say the same.
She placed the cup down and bit into the dry toast. The bland taste and texture immediately banished her appetite. Nothing new. Nothing tasted right anymore and her sense of smell had been heightened tenfold, confirmed by the gentleman sitting next to her on the plane wearing way too much cologne. The memory of the overpowering scent had her swallowing acid working its way up her throat.
“Dana!” She looked up to find Mattie and Travis walking toward her.
Dana abandoned the unappetizing fare and rose to greet them.
Mattie wrapped her into her arms, then pulled back. “Are you ready to go?”
Dana nodded. She was exhausted and couldn’t wait to crawl into a warm, snuggly bed, another thing that had changed since she’d been pregnant. Before, nothing wore her out. Now, the slightest excursion depleted her energy.
She reached for her bag but Travis grabbed hold of the handle and took it from her. She couldn’t say she was disappointed since the thing felt as if lead encased the bottom.
Dana followed her friends out of the terminal doors to their car.
On the way to the estate, Mattie asked question after question about the new plant species they had found two months earlier in the Amazon. The find was still being examined by a team of botanists. Dana sagged against the seat, fighting sleep.
“I think she’s exhausted, Mattie.” Dana heard Travis say, allowing the motion of the car to lull her into a dream state.
“We’re here,” Mattie said, making Dana jerk awake, her heart slamming like a car’s pistons.
She blinked and looked out the window. The house she saw made her jaw drop. “I hadn’t expected…”
Mattie smiled at Travis, then glanced over the seat toward Dana. “None of us did. This was Travis’s great-grandfather’s home. He never knew him and his grandfather hadn’t told him he was wealthy.”
As Dana climbed out of the car, she got a better look at the picturesque estate. “Oh my God. The house is amazing.” It looked like an old English Tudor down to the lush, green ivy growing up the side of the massive stone structure.
“Yes it is.” Travis grabbed her bag from the trunk. “Wait until you see the inside.”
Mattie tucked her arm in Dana’s and they climbed the stone steps to the entrance.
Dana couldn’t believe how oblivious Mattie seemed to the splendor. “Are you two planning on living here?”
They stopped outside the double doors with its ornate wrought-iron hardware. “Yes. It’s the perfect place to start a family,” Mattie said, smiling.
Heat raced across Dana’s cheeks. She hoped her friend didn’t notice because she wasn’t ready to tell her she’d already started one of her own.
For the second time since she woke that morning, she cursed Galen Hall. He did this to her—him and his overabundant sperm count. He should have to pay with something just as awful—like castration. Harsh, true, but she wasn’t feeling overly forgiving at the moment.
Inside the house, Dana got caught up in the ambience in the large foyer. She marveled at the wonderful paintings adorning the walls. Dana knew artwork, and these were magnificent works of art.
“Everything’s exquisite, Travis.” Dana moved closer to a particular painting she found intriguing, squinting to get a better look at the name at the bottom.
She had to be reading it wrong. It couldn’t be a DaVinci. She’d never seen this work in his portfolio.
“It’s real,” Mattie said next to her.
Dana glanced sideways at her friend. “But … how?”
“Leonardo DaVinci had works that some have never seen. Supposedly they were done for friends.”
“Are you saying that ancestors of Travis knew the man?”
“We don’t have proof of that, but the painting is authentic.”
“You do realize it’s priceless. You could get millions for this work alone.”
“Believe me, Dana, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The house is filled with priceless heirlooms. Come on. I’ll show you to your room. I think you’ll like it. It’s done in rich, dark hardwoods and silk brocades. It has its own bathroom as well.”
Having her own facilities was just what Dana needed since she would have morning sickness and she’d be in there as soon as the sun came up. She didn’t want Travis or Mattie to hear her throwing up.
Dana followed them to the second floor, then down a long, paneled hall to the end. Inside the bedroom, Travis placed the suitcase down on a room-sized Oriental rug situated directly under an antique four-poster bed. “I’ll let you two get reacquainted. I’m going to talk with Cook—find out when we’ll have dinner.”
As soon as Travis was gone, Dana faced her friend. “You two must be very happy.”
Mattie’s face lit up. “We are.” She patted the mattress. “Sit down and tell me how you’ve been since we parted ways in Manu.”
Dana sat on the brocade bedcover and smiled at Mattie. “There’s not much to tell.” Okay, it was a lie, but her friend didn’t need to know that.
“Have you gotten over Galen yet?”
Dana had expected the question, but answering it was still hard. “A long time ago.”
Mattie stared intently at her.
Dana glanced around the room, avoiding eye contact with her. “Okay, maybe not completely. I’m trying hard, though.” It would be a lot easier if I wasn’t carrying his child.
“Travis and I have talked a lot about Galen. We both agree that you’re much better off without him. He’s just not the type to do well in a relationship.”
Sure, she was better off, but what about the baby growing inside her?
“You’re right. I know he wasn’t in love with me. I’m sure he hasn’t given our brief interlude a second thought.”
Mattie rubbed Dana’s shoulder. “It’s his loss.”
Dana knew she was right, yet it still didn’t make his desertion any easier.
“Do you need help unpacking?” Mattie rose to toss her bag atop the bed.
“I can get it.”
“Okay then. I’ll leave you to do that. I’ll knock when dinner’s ready.”
“All right.” Dana gave her a warm hug.
When Mattie left the room, Dana stared at her suitcase. She should unpack, but all she could think to do was lie down. A little sleep before going to dinner seemed to make more sense. She prayed her stomach wouldn’t choose her first night with Mattie and Travis to rebel. So far it had just hit in the morning. But with her nerves in a jumble and trying to keep her pregnancy a secret, things might change.
* * * *
Galen sneered at the slop on his plate. He hadn’t had a decent meal since he’d been incarcerated five days ago.
He placed the tray on the floor and paced the room. He had to find a way out, a way to get ahold of Travis, or he was going to be served up on the gallows before anyone knew he was in trouble.
Ten times he’d asked to make a phone call. Ten times he’d been told no. He had to think of something, and fast.
A boy’s laughter from outside the cell’s window had Galen rushing to the bars. He pulled himself up and looked out.
“Hey, kid,” he whispered, not wanting to draw the attention of the officers in the other room.
The youth didn’t hear him.
“Boy.”
The child turned and looked around, then glanced up at the window. His dark eyes widened.
“Don’t be afraid. I need your help.”
The boy shook his head.
“I’ll pay you.”
The kid took a few steps back.
Galen was losing him. He couldn’t let that happen. Another week in this dump and he’d starve to death. “I just need you to make a call.”
“I cannot.”
“Sure you can. I’ll give you the number and all you have to do is tell the guy who answers where I am and that I need him to come right away.”
The boy shook his head again.
How was he going to talk him into this? It was his last chance. Travis needed to know Galen was in trouble and that he had to come to Guishil—to find the real killer of Fernando Rodriguez.
“If you do this for me, I’ll give you anything you want, kid. Anything at all.”
The child seemed to consider his offer.
“I think about it. I come back later.”
This was all Galen could hope for. “Okay, kid.”
The boy turned and shot off toward the end of the alley.
Galen dropped to the floor and rubbed his sore arm. He was damned lucky he hadn’t gotten gangrene, given the way they took care of him. He reeked of sweat and he’d give about anything for a shower—or even the ability to wash in a basin.
The door down the hall rattled.
Galen prayed they hadn’t heard him talking with the boy. All he needed was for them to take away any chance he had to save his hide.
The officer shuffled down the hall and looked at the tray on the floor. He scowled at Galen. “I see again you have found our food not to your liking.” He unlocked the metal door and stooped down to grasp the tray. “Your choice, chico.” The guard relocked the door and turned to leave.
Galen move to the bars and shook them. “I want to take a shower.”
The man turned and looked him up and down, then leered. “You are a pretty gringo.”
Galen backed away from the bars and swallowed the lump forming in his throat. He’d rather stink than shower with that man around. Every day seemed to bring another worry for him. Now he’d have to watch his back end.
The officer cackled, then disappeared behind the door.
Rare emotion tightened Galen’s chest, his past trying to resurface again.
He tamped it down.
He might as well hang. Being jailed in this country was worse than death as far as he was concerned. His only hope was the boy would come back to get Travis’s number. At least then his friend would know he was in deep shit and would come help him.
“Psssttt, Mister,” a small voice from outside said.
Galen’s heart leaped. He pulled himself up to the window and peered out.
The boy stood outside, shifting from one sandaled foot to the other. “I will help. Who is this man you wish me to call?”
His spirits soared. “His name is Travis Kane. Tell him it’s Galen calling.” He quickly gave the child Travis’s number then shooed him away, afraid one of the guards might walk by and notice him. Who knew what they’d do to either of them if they did?
With his mood lighter than it had been in days, Galen lay back on the lumpy bed pillow and whistled a tune. If the boy could get ahold of Travis, he knew his friend would come to his rescue and be able to get to the bottom of this murder and prove his innocence.
* * * *
Dana forced herself to eat the creamy chicken and rice dish. She needed to keep up her strength because come morning, she wouldn’t be able to keep anything down.
As she took another bite of the tender bird, a cell chirped. She glanced from Mattie to Travis.
Travis reached down and unclipped his phone and flipped it open. “Kane. Collect from who?” Travis frowned, then shook his head at Mattie. “Galen?”
Dana’s stomach turned over at the mere mention of his name.
“Yes, I’ll accept charges.” Travis rose and moved toward the window. He obviously didn’t want Dana to hear what he and his friend discussed. “Whoa! Slow down. He’s what? In jail. Where? Did you say Guishil? Why didn’t he call himself? Hello … hello—” Travis snapped the cell shut and rubbed his chin with the top of the phone.
Mattie jumped up from the table and started toward him. “What’s going on, Travis?”
“It was some kid from Guishil. He said Galen promised to pay him money if he’d call me. He’s in jail and needs my help.”
Dana’s stomach rebelled further. Galen was in prison, not off screwing some other woman.
Mattie glanced at her then returned her focus to Travis. “Why’s he in jail?”
“The boy didn’t say. I know we’re getting married in a few days, but I need to go, Mattie. Galen has always been there for me. I have to help him.”
Mattie nodded. “Of course. I’m going with you.”
Before Travis could protest, Dana joined in. “I’m going too.”
Travis shook his head. “This is no place for women. You two are better off here.”
“We might be better off, but we’re still going.” Mattie smiled reassuringly at Dana.
“Sweetheart, I just think—”
Mattie covered his lips with hers. When she pulled away, he sighed. “All right, but you two will listen to me when we arrive. You’ll stay by my side unless we’re in the hotel. Do we have a deal?”
“Yes, dear.” Mattie smiled again.
Travis looked at Dana for her reassurance.
“Of course.”
“All right then. Let me call the airline and see when the earliest flight to the area is. I have a feeling Galen needs us immediately.”
Dana stared down at her plate and fought a sob that was working its way up her throat. What if they got to him too late? Her child would be fatherless before it was even born. She had to hope Ecuadorian authorities weren’t as bad as people made them out to be, that they’d treat Galen well enough until they were able to get there and guarantee better treatment for him.
Mattie placed her hand on Dana’s shoulder. “Let’s run up and pack. Knowing Travis, he’ll have us flying out in an hour.”
Dana nodded and followed her friend upstairs.
She couldn’t believe that in less than twenty-four hours she’d be face-to-face with Galen Hall again. That she’d be able to look him in the eye and see if there was anything between them.
Though what if he wasn’t happy to see her? What if he’d rather rot in prison than face having a child with her? What would she do then?
Chapter Three
Dana grabbed for her leather bag, only to have Travis take it away.
“I’ll carry it, Dana. I can tell you aren’t feeling well.”
Could everyone see what he did, or was he the type who was more observant than most? The gesture touched her since he seemed genuinely concerned about her well-being. Tears clouded her eyes. From the moment she had met Travis, she’d recognized his kindness. Mattie was very lucky to have him.
Dana smiled. “I’m okay. Just tired.”
“As you should be. Once we get to the hotel in Guishil, I’ll let you and Mattie rest while I find out where Galen is being held.”
“But we want to come along,” Mattie said, wrapping her arm around his in a possessive manner. “You might need us.”
Travis blew out a breath. “I want to see what they’re holding him on first.”
He was clearly concerned. He probably wanted to make sure Galen was still alive before allowing them inside the police station.
Dana placed a hand on Mattie’s shoulder. “Let’s stay in the hotel. I think that’d be best.”
Mattie glanced at her, then back at Travis. “All right. But the moment you learn anything, you have to come tell us.”
“I will. I promise.” He crossed a finger over his chest.
In the hot, overcrowded bus on the hour-long ride from Cuenca to Guishil, Dana envisioned Galen beaten beyond recognition and lying near death in some dirty jail cell. The thought made her stomach rebel.
By the time they had checked into their rooms in the town’s only hotel, Dana rubbed at her tired eyes. She dragged herself into the shower and turned on the spray, jumping when the water first spat, then shot full force at her. She hoped after she’d washed she would feel up to getting something into her stomach. Her energy was waning and she needed to recharge.
Ten minutes later she stepped out of the stall and dried off with a not-so-soft hotel towel. She wrapped it around her chest and secured it at the side. Then she padded to her suitcase on the bed and unzipped the top, rifling around for something suitable to wear. Soon she’d be seeing Galen and she wanted to look her best, though why she cared was beyond her. The man didn’t deserve her worry or her heart. Not after he’d run off like he had—without so much as a “Good-bye, have a nice life.”
So why was she here? Did she even know?
Dana focused on her task, slipping into a pair of khaki capris and a white cotton top. As she slid into a pair of sneakers, a knock sounded at the door.
Could it be Travis? Was he here to take her to see Galen?
She raced to open the door, her heart rate picking up in anticipation.
Mattie rushed inside, looking refreshed. “I thought we’d go down to the restaurant below and get a bite to eat. Are you up for that?”
“Sure.” Dana hoped that once food was in her stomach it would stay there.
After reaching for her purse, she followed Mattie down the stairs to the ground floor. The smell coming from the dining area neither upset her stomach or made her hungry. She wasn’t sure if that was good or bad.
The two were led to a table where they sat across from each other.
