From Nanny To Wife (15 page)

Chapter 1
6

It was a quarter after five on a Friday evening, one week later. Ryan was sitting at his desk thinking about stopping for the day. It had been a long week and he was more than ready for the weekend. He turned toward the computer to shut it off and spotted Pam standing in the doorway. Ryan groaned inwardly. Ever since she learned that, he and Hope were engaged to be married, she treated him coldly. He remained polite despite his growing irritation.

"Yes, Pam?"

"I'd like to go home now," she said coolly. "My life doesn't revolve around this business."

Ryan gripped the pen in his hand and took a deep breath. "You may go."

"Do you want me to come in tomorrow?" Pam asked.

"No," Ryan told her. "I'm not working."

"Surprising," Pam said cynically. She pivoted on her heels and started to leave the room.

"I think we need to talk," Ryan said to her retreating figure. "Please, come in and sit down."

Pam crossed the office and sat down in front of the desk. "I have nothing to say to you."

"No?" Ryan arched a brow. "It seems you've been saying a lot to me lately under your breath. Out with it, Pam."

Pam glared at him. "If I said what I wanted to you, I wouldn't have a job anymore."

Ryan smirked. "That bad is it? I give you my word I won't fire you. Say what's on your mind."

"When it comes to relationships you're a selfish bastard," Pam said harshly. "You only think of yourself. Do you know how many women have called here in the past two years crying because you broke their heart?"

"Three," Ryan said. "I've been with three women since the divorce."

"You used them and then dumped them," Pam said.

"They knew what they were in for when they got involved with me," Ryan growled. "I told them there would be no future with me. I can't help it if they wanted more than I was willing to give."

"What about Hope?" Pam asked. "Are you going to use her too? Are you going to throw her away when you get bored with her?"

"I will never grow bored with Hope," Ryan stated. "I know you're concerned about her, but-"

"You better believe I am." Pam stood and began pacing behind her chair. "Did Hope tell you about her ex husband?"

"She did," Ryan said.

"Then you know how he treated her," Pam muttered. "He tore her down until she felt worthless."

Ryan watched her walk back and forth. "I would never do that to her," he said softly. "I'm not Luke. Don't hold what he did to Hope against me."

Pam stopped pacing and looked down at Ryan. "I know you're not Luke." She sighed heavily. "You're a wonderful father and great boss, Mr. Kendall. I won't deny that."

"Thank you," Ryan said quietly. "Listen, Pam. I promise I will take care of Hope. I know what my shortcomings are and I'm going to work on them for her."

"I have just one question," Pam said. "Do you love her?"

Ryan sat back in his chair and gazed at the desktop as he contemplated the question. Did he love Hope? Were the feelings he had for her love? He knew when she was near he felt things he never felt before.
I don't know, Pam,
he thought.
I wish I could tell you that, but Hope's relationship and mine has to appear real. You can never know the reason we're getting married is for Zoe's sake.
"Of course, I love her," he said, telling her what she wanted to hear. He pushed back his chair, got to his feet, and reached for the suit coat he had placed on the back of the chair. "Are we all right now? Or do I need to watch my back?"

Pam turned around and headed for the door. "I'll let you know on Monday. Have a nice weekend, Mr. Kendall."

"Zoe Marie Kendall," Hope said, trying to sound stern. "Don't you dare throw that carrot on the floor."

Giggling, Zoe dropped the vegetable onto the floor.

"What am I going to do with you, little one?" Hope bent down and picked up the carrot. "If you're not throwing carrots you're throwing peas." She tossed the piece of food in the sink. "Are you done eating?"

"Yeah," Zoe said.

"Then let's go take a bath." Hope lifted Zoe out of her booster seat and set her on her feet. She took the child's hand and they left the kitchen.

"Bob take bath," Zoe said as they made their way up the stairs.

"I gave Bob his bath yesterday," Hope told her. "He's clean. Now it's your turn."

They stopped off in Zoe's room long enough to fetch a nightgown and then went across the hall to the bathroom. While Zoe removed her clothes, Hope ran the bath water.

"In you go, sweetheart."

Zoe stepped into the bathtub. "Toys."

Hope opened the cabinet under the sink and took out a small plastic container full of toys. She dumped them into the tub. "You can play for a little while."

Thirty minutes later, found Hope and Zoe in the bedroom. The little girl was standing in front of the bookcase looking at the storybooks, Hope was busy pulling back the bedcovers and fluffing up the pillows. They had just settled down to read
Peter Pan
when Ryan strolled into the room. Her heart skipping a beat at the sight of him Hope rose from the bed and held out the book to him.

"You didn't have to stop reading," Ryan said, taking the book.

"It's all right." Hope smiled at him. "This is your time with Zoe."

"Will you wait for me in my office?" Ryan asked. "There is something we need to discuss."

"Sure." Hope leaned down and pressed a kiss to Zoe's forehead. "Sweet dreams, little one. I love you."

"I love you," Zoe repeated.

Hope brushed past Ryan and moved across the room. Stepping into the hallway, she paused for a moment and listened to Ryan and Zoe.

"Hi, baby girl."

"Hi, Daddy."

"Were you a good girl for Hope?"

"No."

Hope heard Ryan chuckle and she smiled. Not wanting to eavesdrop on the rest of their conversation, she walked down the hallway and entered the office. Bob was curled up on the leather couch. "What are you doing in here? If Ryan catches you he'll throw you out." She plopped down beside him and scratched him behind the ear. "What do you think he wants to discuss? I'm thinking it has something to do with the upcoming marriage. I have a horrible feeling he's going to suggest we run off to Vegas and get married. I don't mind going to Las Vegas: what I mind is flying there. You're lucky you're a dog and you don't have to worry about things like flying. Oh, Bob, why did I have to fall in love with a man who owns a plane?"

"Sorry I took so long," Ryan said, coming into the room fifteen minutes later. "I had a difficult time getting Zoe to go to sleep. She wanted me to read her another story."

"No problem," Hope said. "Bob and I were just visiting."

"He shouldn't be in here," Ryan said, shooting the dog a filthy look.

"I've been keeping an eye on him," Hope said. "He's been a good boy."

Ryan joined Hope and the dog on the couch. "I asked Zoe if she was a good girl for you and she told me no. What has she done this time?"

Hope grinned. "She threw a carrot on the floor. I never told you this, but the first day I came here, we were having lunch and she threw a pea at me. Your daughter hates vegetables."

"I don't like them either." Ryan cleared his throat. "I wanted to discuss our upcoming marriage. We need to set a date for the wedding."

"You're the one with the busy schedule," Hope said. "You should check your calendar and then pick a date that's convenient for you."

"Thanksgiving is next week. Why don't we get married the day after?" Ryan raised his hand and pretended to study his nails. "I thought we might fly to Vegas. We don't have time to plan a wedding and get a marriage license."

"I told Bob you might suggest Vegas," Hope said.

Ryan glanced at Hope. "You were talking to the dog?"

Hope shrugged her shoulders. "He's a good listener. How long does it take to get to Vegas by plane?"

Ryan hesitated. "Five hours and thirty minutes."

Groaning, Hope closed her eyes. "Damn."

"I'm sorry," Ryan said. "I have no right to ask-"

"I'll do it for Zoe," Hope croaked.

"I know a doctor who owes me a favor," Ryan said. "I will ask him to write a prescription for a mild sedative. Do you have any drug allergies?"

"No," Hope said. "What if he refuses to write a prescription for you?"

"He won't," Ryan said confidently.

Hope gazed at him. "People have a hard time telling you no. I wonder why that is."

"It all comes back to money," Ryan said. "I have it and they want it."

"Money isn't everything," Hope said. "There are more important things in life."

"You're the first person to say that to me," Ryan said. He reached for her hand and squeezed it. "Thank you."

Hope lowered her head and looked at their intertwined hands. "You're welcome."