From Nanny To Wife (13 page)

Chapter 1
4

"Good morning, Mr. Kendall," Pam said as Ryan stepped out of the elevator and into the reception area.

"Good morning," Ryan said.

"I put several messages on your desk," Pam informed him.

"Thank you. Will you please come into my office? There are some things I need you to do for me."

"Yes, sir." Pam stood and followed Ryan to his office. She took a seat in one of the chairs in front of his desk and waited for him to speak.

"Laura is no longer allowed in the building." Ryan set his briefcase on the desk, opened it, and took out a stack of files. "I want you to call security and tell them if they ever see her to notify the police and have her arrested."

"Yes, sir," Pam said.

Ryan unbuttoned his suit coat and took a seat behind the desk. "I need you to look up the number for Hawthorne Jewelers. After you do that check my calendar and let me know when I have some time free. One more thing. Do you know what Hope's favorite flower is?"

"Roses," Pam answered. "May I ask why you want to know?"

"I did something to Hope I'm not proud of," Ryan said softly, thinking back to the kiss in his office the night before. "She forgave me, but I still haven't forgiven myself."

"So you're hoping the flowers will atone for what you did," Pam said.

"Yes," Ryan said.

"Would you like me to call the flower shop and have someone deliver a dozen roses to Hope?" Pam asked.

"Please." Ryan stood and pulled his wallet out of his back pocket. He removed a credit card and held it out to Pam.

"What do you want the card to say?"

Ryan grabbed a pen, scrap of paper, and wrote a short message. Handing it to her, he said, "Thank you, Pam."

"You're welcome, sir." Pam left the office, closing the door behind her.

Ryan returned to his seat and reached for the receiver. He dialed Harvey's number and leaned back in his chair.

"Harvey Finch speaking."

"Do you have any news for me?"

"I'm meeting with Laura's attorney this afternoon," Harvey stated. "I'll let you know what he says. So, have you given any thought to marriage?"

"I have," Ryan told him.

"And?" Harvey said.

"And I'm looking at engagement rings today." Tucking the receiver between his ear and shoulder, Ryan glanced through the messages Pam left on his desk.

"Are you going to tell me who the future Mrs. Kendall is?"

"No." Ryan tossed the messages in the wastepaper basket. "If she says yes then I will tell you. Get back to work, Harvey and keep me informed." He dropped the receiver back in the cradle. His eyes fell on the picture of Zoe and he touched the glass. "I hope she says yes baby girl because Daddy can't live without you."

Five minutes later, Pam knocked on the door and then entered. "I have the number for Hawthorne Jewelers." She crossed the room and placed an open phone book in front of him. "You have some time free between ten-thirty and eleven-fifteen. I called the flower shop. I will go call security about Ms. Hilton."

"It's not Hilton anymore," Ryan said. "It's Andrews."

Pam frowned. "She remarried?"

"Last month," Ryan said. "Before you go, may I have my credit card back?"

"Oops." Pam slipped her hand into her pocket and brought out the small piece of plastic. She laid it on the desk. "I assure you I wasn't trying to steal it."

Ryan looked up at Pam. "I know that. You have been with me for five years. I trust you. If I didn't you wouldn't be here. You may go now. If I need anything I will let you know."

"Very well, sir."

Ryan picked up the phone once Pam left the office and punched in the number for Hawthorne Jewelers. He identified himself and asked to speak with the manager. He was put through without any hassle.

"Mr. Kendall," the manager said. "What can I do for you on this fine morning?"

"I need to buy an engagement ring, Sam."

"Excellent! Shall I send someone to your office with a selection of our finest rings? Or do you wish to pay us a visit?"

"I would appreciate it if you would send someone here," Ryan said. "Would ten-thirty be all right?"

"Ten-thirty is fine."

"Thank you, Sam."

"Anything for you, Mr. Kendall."

Hope was putting a puzzle together with Zoe when William walked into Zoe's bedroom with a vase full of red roses. "Beautiful flowers," she mumbled, glancing up.

"They are for you," William said, placing the vase on the dresser.

Hope got up from the floor and moved toward the dresser. "Who would send me flowers?"

"Read the card and find out," William suggested, smiling.

Careful not to prick her fingers on the thorns Hope removed the card and opened it. Her heart leapt into her throat as she realized the flowers were from Ryan. Closing her eyes, she leaned forward and sniffed a rosebud. "Thank you for bringing them to me, William."

"You are welcome," William said. "At the risk of sounding nosy, may I ask what the card says?"

Hope cleared her throat and read the card aloud. "'I hope these roses will ease the pain I have caused you. I truly am sorry.'" She didn't tell William that Ryan had sent them to her, nor did she explain the card to him. What happened would remain between her and Ryan.

"He cares for you," William declared.

Hope turned to face him. "Who cares for me?"

William smiled. "Mr. Kendall. He's lost his temper with us many times. He apologizes afterward, but he's never sent anyone flowers before."

Hope gaped. "How did you know he lost his temper with me? How did you know it was him who sent the flowers?"

William cocked his head to one side. "I asked the delivery man who sent them, and when Ryan Kendall loses his temper everyone hears it. If you will excuse me, I have a chess game to win." He pivoted on his heel and slipped quietly from the room.

Hope's gaze scanned the room and came to rest on the roses, William's words echoed through her head.
He cares for you.
She found herself hoping the butler was right.

It wasn't until after dinner that evening that Hope had the chance to thank Ryan for the roses. They had just put a sleepy Zoe to bed and moved into the hallway when she turned to him. She stood there for several seconds and gazed at him. His hair brushed the collar of his white shirt and she had to clasp her hands tightly behind her back to keep from running them through the thick shiny mass. Hope saw in the dim hallway the lines of fatigue at the corners of his eyes and wondered if he had as much trouble sleeping the night before as she had. Realizing she was gawking, she averted her eyes.

"You didn't have to send me flowers. I told you I forgive you, but thank you. They're beautiful."

"You're welcome," Ryan said.

Nervous Hope shifted from one foot to the other. "You said this morning you had something to ask me. I'm ready to hear the question."

"I don't think you are, but for Zoe I have to ask." Ryan cupped Hope's elbow in his hand and steered her in the direction of his office. "I promise there will be no throwing things or manhandling. I will be on my best behavior."

"You better be," Hope said. "If you're not I'll send you to your room. Did I say that out loud?"

Ryan smirked. "Yes."

"Sorry," Hope muttered.

"No problem." Ryan softly shut the door behind him and strolled over to his desk. He unplugged the phone. "I don't want any interruptions."

Hope tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "This is serious, isn't it?"

"As serious as it gets." Ryan joined her on the couch. "Do you remember when Laura wanted Zoe to be in her wedding and I told her no?"

"Yes," Hope said.

"Laura said something to me that day that stayed with me. She said she was going to bring me to my knees."

A feeling of dread came over Hope. "What has she done?"

"She's suing for full custody of Zoe."

"Oh God, no!" Hope cried softly. "No wonder you were so upset." She thought of the little girl sleeping down the hall and her heart ached. "We have to do something. We can't let Laura get her hands on Zoe."

Ryan rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "I couldn't sleep last night; I had so much on mind. I was thinking of what Harvey told me. He said I would have a better chance of keeping Zoe if I were to marry again. He was quick to point out that Laura is married and I'm not. Marla Stewart is the family court judge. She can't be bought, Hope. If she could I would give her everything I own for Zoe. She's all about family and a two parent home is better in her eyes than a single father who works long hours."

Hope rose from the couch and turned her back on Ryan. "You're going to ask me to marry you, aren't you?"

"Yes."

Hope wandered to the window and looked out onto the backyard. "After Luke and I divorced I swore I would never marry again, never put myself through all that pain and heartache, but if we don't do this you could lose Zoe. I can't bear the thought of that cold-hearted bitch raising that precious child. Zoe belongs here with you." She turned around and bumped into Ryan. His hands shot out and steadied her.

"I swore after Laura I would never marry again either." Ryan ran his hands up and down her arms. "I've thought long and hard about this, Hope. If there was some other way…I don't want to pressure you."

"You're not," Hope assured him.

"Asking this of you is selfish of me."

Hope shook her head. "You're not selfish. You're thinking of Zoe. A man who is willing to marry for his daughter's sake is not selfish." She took a deep breath. "I have questions."

"I will do my best to answer them." Ryan led her back to the couch and they sank down onto it.

"Our marriage-" Praying she wasn't blushing, Hope lowered her head. "Will it be in name only?"

"Do you want there to be more?" Ryan asked quietly.

"I-I don't k-know," Hope stuttered. "I am attracted to you."

"I'm attracted to you, too," Ryan said. "Why don't we take things one day at a time and see what happens? No pressure."

"Okay." Hope raised her head and looked at Ryan. "What do we tell everyone?"