Mysterious Gift by Carlene Rae Dater

back over land. The flight attendants were rattling around in the galley, and delightful smell permeated the area.
    “Champagne?” The flight attendant, a slender brunette, stood in the aisle with an open bottle in her hand.
    “Not for me,” Brian told her.
    “No, thank you. I have to attend to my patient.” Robin would love to have a sip, but it wasn’t even eight o’clock in the morning, and on an empty stomach, it would be a disaster.
    The woman left a printed menu of their breakfast choices and went on. Robin noticed all the other first class passengers were drinking.
    They both decided on scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. When the attendant came to serve them, the plate slipped, and Brian automatically grabbed her wrist to steady her.
    He gasped and almost pushed the woman’s arm away.
    She looked a bit startled. “Sorry, sir. I’ll be right back with coffee.”
    Brian’s face was pale, and a line of sweat dotted his forehead.
    “What happened?” Robin whispered.
    “She’s pregnant and has an appointment for an abortion tomorrow in Boston. She doesn’t think her lover, a married pilot, will leave his wife to be with her.” He looked at her with such anguish in his eyes, her heart twisted in her chest. “She really wants this baby. How can I tell her she’s never going to get pregnant again? She cannot abort this child. She can’t.”
    Robin’s heart twisted with pain. She knew someday she’d like to be married and have children. It was far too soon to even think about settling down with Brian, though. She liked him, a lot, but still hardly knew the man. She decided she would enjoy the adventure wherever it took her, because once she was settled with kids, her adventurous days would be over. She couldn’t imagine not being able to have any children. She’d seen the anguish of couples who tried everything and still couldn’t conceive.
    “You have to tell her.”
    “I know. It’s just so awkward. What if she doesn’t believe me?” He shoved the eggs around his plate with his fork.
    “Eat something. It will make you feel better. Then take a pain pill and sleep. We have a long flight ahead of us, and I’m sure you’ll find a way to tell her before we arrive.” She reached out to feel his forehead but stopped. “Will it bother you if I touch you?”
    “No, just be quick. I’ll try to think of something other than you naked.” A wicked grin spread across his face.
    “Oh, you. You’re not sick at all.” Still, she placed her hand on his forehead. It was cool, normal. Quickly, she picked up his wrist and felt for his pulse. The steady thrum of his heart beat against her fingers. “I guess you’ll live.”
    He looked calmer. “I sure hope so. Hey, these eggs are pretty good.”
    She agreed. All of the food was delicious, and she wished now she’d ordered the eggs benedict.
    Once the breakfast dishes had been cleared, the cabin settled down. Brian took his pain pill and once he was asleep, she relaxed and gazed out the window. Silence filled the first class cabin except for the planes mighty engines droning on, moving them steadily eastward. Soon her eyelids grew heavy, and she fell asleep.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Twelve
     
    Brian’s full bladder awakened him. For a couple of seconds, he was disoriented and unsure of where he was. The last ten days had been so weird, it was no wonder. He glanced over and saw that Robin was fast asleep, her head resting against the window. She was snoring softly, and he made a mental note to tease her about it when she awoke. Right now, he had another urgent matter.
    When he got out of the bathroom, he saw the flight attendant sitting and reading a book.
    When she felt his eyes on her, she looked up, put her finger in the book to mark her place, and smiled. “Can I get you anything, Mr. Wakefield?”
    Brian glanced at the cabin. All the passengers were either napping, reading, or working on laptops.
    “May I have a word with