From Nanny To Wife (21 page)

"My dear Bob used to take me to dinner and then dancing."

"Do you think Hope would like that?" Ryan asked.

"She would love it," Maggie said. "She will need a dress and shoes. It just so happens that I know her dress and shoe size."

Hope spent the day shopping, some thing she did not do very often. She figured since it was her birthday she would treat herself to something nice. Keeping in mind that she had to fit everything she bought into her suitcase, she did not buy anything heavy or large. As she roamed from one shop to the next she wondered what Ryan was doing. After spending nearly every waking minute with him for the past two days she felt strange not having him beside her. Did he miss her company as much as she missed his? She hoped so.

It was a quarter after four by the time Hope returned to her room. Tired she shut the blinds, slipped off her shoes, and lay down on the bed. She closed her eyes and sighed as she relaxed her body. She had just started to drift off to sleep when her cell phone began to ring. Groaning, she got up and stumbled across the room to her purse. Hope took out the phone and opened it.

"Hello?"

"Happy birthday," Pam said.

"Thank you," Hope muttered, heading back to bed.

"Did I catch you at a bad time?" Pam asked.

"I was lying down, but I can talk."

"Why are you lying down? Are you feeling all right?"

Hope rolled over onto her back and gazed up at the ceiling. "I'm a little tired, that's all. I spent the day shopping."

"What did Ryan get you for your birthday?" Pam wanted to know.

Hope hesitated. She couldn't tell Pam that Ryan did not know it was her birthday. It would make for an awkward conversation. "Nothing yet. I'm sure he has plans for later."

"I have someone on the other line," Pam announced. "I'll call you later."

Hope closed the phone and stuck it under her pillow. She curled up on her side and tried to go to sleep. Just then, there was a knock at the door. "Damn it," she swore. "Can't a person get some sleep in this place?" She hurried to the door and jerked it open. A man stood there holding several boxes.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Kendall," the man said. "Mr. Kendall asked me to give these to you." He held out the boxes.

"Thank you," Hope said. "Do you know what is inside?"

The man smiled. "No, ma'am. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to call the front desk. Have a pleasant evening."

"Thank you." Hope kicked the door shut and carried the boxes to the bed. She set them down and removed the lid from the top box. A square jeweler's case was inside. With hands that weren't quite steady, she lifted the lid. A gasp escaped her lips the minute she saw the ruby necklace and matching earrings. Gently setting them to the side, she opened the second box and discovered a pair of red high heels. It was then that she knew the last box would contain a dress. Lifting the lid, she found a note on top of the tissue paper. She snatched it up and read it.

I will pick you up at six-thirty.

Hope peeled back the paper and touched the red dress. "Oh, Ryan," she whispered with tears in her eyes. "How could anyone ever think that you're cold hearted?"

Ryan checked his watch and saw it was a few minutes before six-thirty. He straightened his bowtie in the mirror and then slipped his arms into the tuxedo jacket. Pocketing his phone, wallet and room key, he made his way to the door. Ryan switched off the light and locked the door
behind him. He strolled down the corridor and knocked on Hope's door. While he waited for her, he thought about the evening he had planned and hoped it would be a birthday to remember. The door opened. Ryan glanced up and his eyes grew wide.

Chapter 23

His heart pounding in his chest Ryan gazed at Hope. The dress he picked out and bought for her fit her as if it had been made with her in mind. It was sleeveless with a fitted bodice and a long flowing skirt. She wore her hair down and it fell in curls around her bare shoulders. Fighting the urge to bury his hands in the shiny mass, Ryan balled them into fists at his sides. He took a step closer and caught a whiff of her perfume.

"You look beautiful," he said huskily.

"And you're handsome," Hope muttered. "Ryan, the dress, shoes and jewelry are beautiful, but you didn't need to buy them for me."

"It's your birthday." Ryan took the shawl that had come with the dress from Hope and placed it around her shoulders. "I plan on spoiling you."

"You've given me so much all ready."

Ryan cupped Hope's elbows with his hands and looked into her eyes. "What I have given to you is nothing compared to what you have given to Zoe and me. Now I have made reservations for dinner. If we don't hurry, we are going to be late. The limo should be waiting."

"Limo?" Hope said.

"That's right," Ryan said. "I told you, I plan on spoiling you."

Hope sighed. "Fine. I'll go along with it."

Ryan took Hope's arm and looped it through his. "I knew you would see it my way."

"I have a difficult time saying no to you," Hope said. "You can be persuasive when you want to be."

Ryan smirked. "I know."

The limo was waiting at the curb. When Ryan and Hope emerged from the hotel, the driver's side door opened and a chauffeur stepped out. He moved around the automobile and opened the back door.

"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Kendall," he said.

"Good evening," Ryan and Hope said as they got into the limo.

"It's been years since I've rode in one of these," Hope said, adjusting her skirt.

Ryan caught a glimpse of her bare leg and quickly looked away.
Don't think about her naked,
he told himself.
Think about something else. Think about Zoe.
An image of the little girl playing with the dog filled his head and he felt his heart slow down.

Twenty minutes later, the limo pulled up alongside a restaurant called Bridges and Ryan and Hope got out. Bridges was the kind of place with white tablecloths, fragrant flower centerpieces, and candles. The waiters wore black pants, white shirts and black vests. There was a pianist, a singer, and a large dance floor. When Ryan and Hope approached the hostess stand, the owner himself came out to greet them.

"Mr. Kendall," he said, shaking Ryan's hand. "It is a pleasure to see you again."

"Like wise," Ryan said. "Victor, I want you to meet my wife, Hope. Hope, this is Victor Bridges. He's owns the restaurant."

Hope held out her hand. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Bridges."

Victor took her hand and shook it gently. "Please, it's Victor." He winked at her. "All the beautiful ladies call me by my name."

Hope smiled. "Victor it is."

"Let me show you to your table." Victor grabbed the menus and led the way to a cozy table in a corner.

Ryan pulled out Hope's chair before taking his own.

Victor handed them a menu. "I will send a waiter with a bottle of our finest champagne and he will take your order. Enjoy your evening."

"Thanks, Victor," Ryan said.

"Thank you," Hope said. She opened her menu and scanned it. "How do you know Victor?"

"I lived in Vegas for a while," Ryan answered. "I came here quite a bit."

"Did you bring your dates here?" Hope asked.

Ryan glanced at her over the top of the menu. She looked stunning in the candle light. He cleared his throat. "No. I always came alone."

"Oh," Hope said.

"Does that make you feel better?" Ryan asked.

"It does," Hope said her eyes twinkling. "So, what do you recommend?"

"The salmon is delicious," Ryan said, "but then so is the filet mignon."

A waiter appeared with a bottle of champagne. He poured a small amount in Ryan's goblet. Ryan tasted it and nodded his approval. The waiter filled their goblets and left the champagne chilling in a bucket of ice on the table. After taking their order, he took the menus from them and then left their table.

Over dinner, Ryan and Hope discussed their plans for the following day.

"What time is our flight?" Hope asked, stabbing her salad with a fork.

"Eight o'clock," Ryan said. "We have to be at the airport at six. We should reach Newark around one-thirty."

Once they were done eating, Ryan stood and held out his hand. "May I have this dance, Mrs. Kendall?"

"You may, Mr. Kendall." Hope placed her hand in Ryan's and got to her feet. She followed him onto the dance floor where other couples were swaying to the music.

Ryan took Hope's hand in his and slipped an arm around her waist. He drew her close as the pianist began to play a new song.

"Tell me something," Hope said. "How did you know it was my birthday?"

"Maggie told me," Ryan said. He stuck his nose in her hair and inhaled the scent of her shampoo. "I felt bad that I didn't know."

"It's all right," Hope said. "I don't know yours."

"It's the twenty-fourth of August," Ryan informed her.

"I'll remember that," Hope said. She kissed Ryan's jaw. "I'll buy you a tux and take you to dinner."

"I have enough tuxes," Ryan said, "but I might take you up on the dinner."

Hope leaned back slightly and looked at Ryan. "How did you plan all this on such short notice?"

"I had Fred from the hotel help me."

"I see. How much did everything cost?"

Ryan smiled crookedly. "I will never tell."

Two hours later found them standing in the hallway outside Hope's room.

"Thank you for a wonderful birthday," she whispered.