CHAPTER 28
TRACY
Tracy relaxed in the luxurious bed, onboard the luxurious private plane, owned by Storm Entertainment. Lying comfortably on her side with a protective hand over her barely-showing baby bump, she inhaled a deep breath. She was doing her best to suppress the anxiety building inside.
She and Francis were on their way to Baton Rouge. They were going to tell her parents about the baby. Since Tracy had never so much as mentioned Francis to her parents, she was sure that the news of her pregnancy wouldn’t be received well.
Although her parents, Henry and Gail Baker, lived as far as Louisiana, they had always managed to have one foot in Tracy’s life. Her dad was a judge in the Court of Appeals for the state of Louisiana, and her mom was the State Superintendent of Education. They were prominent and well-respected members of their community. Naturally, their expectations of Tracy were high, and she’d always done her best to live up to those expectations. Now she was en route to deliver news that would surely be a disappointment.
The creek of the cabin door opening diverted Tracy’s attention. She looked up to find Francis leaning against the doorframe. He was dressed casually in beige slacks and a short-sleeved, cream-colored, V-neck pullover that was just thin enough to display his sturdy, muscular torso. His thick dark hair was messy in a sexy way, as if he’d been running his fingers through it, and the sexy five o'clock shadow that covered his chiseled jaw gave a hint of danger.
Francis was devastatingly handsome, but he didn't behave like a man that was aware of his incredible looks. He just didn't have the arrogance of a man that could turn the head of every woman in the room.
“How are you feeling?” Francis asked from the doorway.
“I’m good.”
He entered the cabin and sat at the foot of the bed. He placed his hand on her stomach and rubbed gently. “Are you nervous to see your family?”
“Yeah, a little,” Tracy admitted, covering his hand with her own.
Francis smiled and leaned in to place a sweet kiss on her forehead. As usual, Tracy tingled inside. A simple touch from him was like tiny bolts of electricity shooting throughout her entire body.
“Don't worry, bella,” Francis reassured. “All will be well. I promise.”
“Okay,” Tracy responded with a smile.
Francis was right. She was an adult. What could her parents actually do to her?
“Cara, we will be landing soon. The pilot requests that we take our seats.”
Tracy sat up and slipped into her pumps. “I really think that we should make reservations at a hotel,” Tracy reiterated from the discussion they’d had earlier that day.
“No, bella. That not the Sicilian way.”
“My family and I…we’re not Sicilian,” Tracy pointed out.
“Si, I understand. But we will let your parents decide.”
Francis stood and walked toward the door. He looked back expectantly at Tracy. She shook her head and stood.
“Fine,” she relented as she followed him out of the cabin.
****
As Tracy sat in the exquisite dining room of her childhood home, all she could hear was the clink of silverware against china. From the moment Tracy and Francis arrived at her parents’ large plantation, the silence was deafening. Her parents were clearly not happy with her choice in Francis.
“So, where are you staying while you’re in town?” her mother asked, breaking the silence.
“Um…we haven't decided,” Tracy responded.
“Well, I suggest you stay here, Tracy,” her dad chimed. “And I suggest thathefinds a hotel.”
Tracy dropped her fork and rubbed her throbbing temple. She’d had a headache from the moment she introduced Francis to her parents. They had been less the hospitable. Francis placed his hand on her back, massaging her with his thumb.
“Signore Baker, I respect a man’s home. And if you require that I go to a hotel, I will. But Tracy and I stay together, always.”
“What are you doing with this white man!” her dad blurted, jumping from his seat.
