Read Weekend Wife Online

Authors: Carolyn Zane

Tags: #Romance

Weekend Wife (10 page)

BOOK: Weekend Wife
2.58Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

This was ridiculous, she chided herself, and, tossing her damp towel over the shower door with her swimsuit, strode purposefully back to her room. She was acting like some kind of lovesick teenager. This nonsense had to stop now. She was here to do her thesis research, damn it, and that’s what she intended to do. Tyler most certainly wasn’t wasting any time sitting around thinking about the kiss he’d shared with the homeless woman, she was sure. He had bigger fish to fry. Well, by golly, so did she. Tomorrow she would prove to him that she could be as coolly serious about their bargain as he was.

Flopping across her bed, she grabbed her journal and flipped the pages to the day’s entry. As she stared at the blank page, visions of Ty’s handsome face danced across its surface, making it impossible for her to concentrate.

Finally, after much fruitless pondering, she scrawled one furious word and, slamming the book shut, pulled her pillow over her head.

Sunday, July 24.

Dear Diary:

Men!

Chapter Six

“P
lay ball!”

The umpire’s command reverberated throughout Dodger Stadium as Tyler led his “family” to Connstarr’s special box seats. Thankfully, Roxanne, Uncle Denny and the potential client had yet to arrive. It would give him a chance to issue some last-minute instructions, Ty thought, herding the small group and their piles of peanuts, hot dogs and soft drinks to their seats.

The giant electronic scoreboard flashed the words Go Dodgers! as the organist whipped the crowd into a pregame frenzy. Helga, already caught up in the spirit of America’s most beloved sport, dangerously swung her mustard-soaked hot dog and hollered, “Damn! How I love ya, Dodger Blue!”

Ty patted his jacket pocket to make sure he’d remembered his king-size bottle of antacids, and shot Emily a pointed look.

“Can’t you do something to keep her under control?” he groaned under his breath as he guided her into the seat next to him.

“I left her muzzle at home,” she flung back, pulling Carmen across her knees and settling her in her lap. “What do you want me to do?” Her tone was filled with exasperation. “Slip a Mickey Finn into her hot dog?”

“I don’t care,” Ty snapped. “Just try to keep her to a dull roar, okay?”

She’d been cool and aloof all day long, and Tyler was beginning to add her attitude to his long list of nightmares about this evening. She was no doubt huffy with him over that damn kiss they’d shared in the pool late last night. Okay. So it had been a stupid move on his part, but for now, anyway, they had to put it behind them and get on with the proceedings at hand. He didn’t have time to baby-sit her emotions all evening long.

“What’s with you, anyway?” he asked, irritated with her long-suffering expression. Maybe he should try to discuss and solve her problem before the other half of their party arrived.

“Nothing,” she answered snippily as she fished a hot dog out of the small cardboard box and busied herself unwrapping it for Carmen.

Ty wanted to wring her delicate little neck. “Nothing?” he snorted, and, at Helga’s insistent nudging, reached into Emily’s carton and tossed the older woman another hot dog.

“Well,” Emily said in a huffy whisper, “I don’t know why
I
should have to be the one to keep her under control. After all, she is
your
mother.” She turned and stared out at the playing field, unseeing.

“Oh, for crimeny sakes...” Ty exhaled noisily at the ceiling before turning sharply to face her. “Listen up,” he commanded under his breath. “They will be here any second, and there are a few things I want to get straight with you right now.”

Still gazing stubbornly out at the field, the muscles in Emily’s throat worked as she tried to swallow past the nervous lump lodged there.

Firmly grasping her arm to gain her full attention, Ty continued. “First of all, if you will recall, it was
your
idea to invite the old battle-ax to join us tonight. And second, this could be one of the most important business meetings of my entire career.” He pounded the armrest between their seats for emphasis, and Emily jumped. Her large brown eyes found and locked with his, and she sat, almost mesmerized as he continued.

“And, according to Roxanne, this client is a real family man, and the fact that I’m married to a loving woman could have a huge impact on the outcome of this deal.” He tightened his grip convulsively on her arm. “I’m living up to my end of the bargain.” Mentally he crossed his fingers behind his back. That kiss he’d given her last night wasn’t exactly part of the deal, but he hoped she’d forget about that.

At the sound of Roxanne’s shrill laughter echoing down the corridor into their box seats, Tyler stiffened. Taking a deep breath, he lowered his voice even further.

“And I expect you to live up to yours. So,
sweetheart,
start acting like a newlywed, because they’re here.” Gripping Emily firmly by the hand, he tried to control the flames that licked and danced in his belly. He stood and helped her with Carmen and the containers of food, so that she could rise to her feet while he made introductions.

On a cloud of heavy, cloying, and most likely very expensive perfume, Roxanne sashayed into the room. Uncle Denny’s voice floated toward them from somewhere down the hallway as he led their guest to the box seats.

Roxanne’s eyes, like two, beady, black, heat-seeking missiles, searched out and landed on Emily. Rudely raking her up and down, Ty could imagine her mentally calculating the cost of Emily’s clothing, the stylist of her hair, the brands of her cosmetics, the depth and scope of her relationship with Tyler.

Tyler felt Emily straighten under Roxanne’s merciless scrutiny and move imperceptibly closer to him. This was it. The moment they had worked toward all weekend long. The spotlight had kicked on and it was time for Emily to solo.

“Roxanne.” Ty’s carefully modulated voice belied none of the volcanic activity churning in his gut. “I’d like you to meet my wife, Emily Newroth. Emily, this is my boss, Roxanne Delmonico.”

Leaning across Tyler, Emily extended a cordial hand. “Roxanne. At last we meet. I’ve heard so many...things about you.”

Roxanne lifted a cool eyebrow as she limply took the proffered hand. “All marvelous, of course?”

“Of course.”

Smiling blithely, Ty released his grip on Emily’s arm with a reassuring squeeze. He hoped she would be all right alone with Roxanne for a moment, and with a quick wink, headed to the door to find Uncle Denny and the potential client.

Roxanne reluctantly tore her eyes from her perusal of what she considered to be her arch rival, and examined the small child peeking out at her from behind Emily’s skirt.

“Well, now, who have we here?” she asked in her husky voice, her bright red lips stretching insincerely upward to reveal her expensive dental work.

Something about the way Roxanne’s eyes narrowed at Carmen reminded Emily of the way that wicked witch in
The Wizard of Oz
eyeballed Toto.

Instinctively she wrapped her arms around the small child’s shoulders and pulled her around front to stand tightly against her body.

“This is our daughter, Carmen. Say hello, sweetheart.” Emily nudged Carmen.

“¡Hola!”
Carmen grinned disarmingly up at the stunned Roxanne.

Tenting her fingers at her chin, Roxanne cocked her head quizzically as she studied the young girl. “Ah... From a previous marriage, I assume?”

“No,” Emily automatically answered, going with the story she and Tyler had concocted. “I, uh, spent some time in Mexico...after high school,” she said, “and became friends with Carmen’s family. When they were tragically killed, I agreed to take Carmen in. And Tyler has been so sweet about the whole thing, agreeing to adopt her and all.”

Roxanne gave her a glazed look and it was suddenly crystal clear to Emily why Ty was in such a jam with this woman. There was definitely something wrong with her. Something elemental missing in her personality. Emily couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but her instincts warned her to beware.

“Isn’t that sweet?” Roxanne gushed. “And how fortunate that we will be spending the next week in Mexico. Why, you—” she eyed Emily triumphantly “—can translate for us!” she cried, looking down her nose at Tyler’s little family, clearly pitying the poor fool.

“Translate?” Emily licked her dry lips. She’d only had two years of high school Spanish. At best, she could compliment someone on a beautiful taco. How the heck was she supposed to learn Spanish before next Monday? For this kind of work, Tyler had better start making plans to build a college trust fund for Carmen, she fumed.

“Yes. You know,” Roxanne purred, training her hawklike gaze back on Emily, “show us how to barter with the locals, tell us where the nightlife is hot.”

Emily knew of some caves in Mexico that would be perfect. Roxanne could hang upside down and enjoy the nightlife to her puny little heart’s content. Her condescending attitude was rapidly getting on Emily’s nerves.

“Ah, sí, no problema,”
she responded, racking her limited vocabulary for the proper words.

Thankfully, Tyler, followed by Uncle Denny and their guest, entered the seating area, saving Emily from any further bilingual tongue twisting. As her husband strode into the room, leading the owner of the company and his guest, Emily was suddenly aware of the raw power Ty exuded. His confident charisma was an exciting thing to watch, and she could tell by the way the two men at his side regarded him that he inspired their complete and total trust.

She glanced over at Roxanne, who was staring hungrily at him. No wonder she had such a fixation on Ty. It was perfectly understandable, she mused as her eyes wandered back to the magnetic man leaning casually in the doorway, laughing easily and making small talk with the potential client.

“Ste-eerike the bum out!” Helga roared, leaping up in her seat and sending her tub of popcorn flying. “What the hell are you lookin’ at, Ump?”

Heartburn flaming, Ty ignored his mother and, catching Emily’s eye, motioned her over to his side. Kissing her lightly on her cheek, he said, “Sweetheart, you already know Uncle Denny.”

Uncle Denny, the soul of gentility, kissed the hand she extended. “Always a pleasure to see you, dear. And I’m so delighted that you could bring your mother, Tyler.” He looked fondly over at Helga, who hung out the window to better threaten the umpire.

Wincing at the string of expletives coming from his fanatical parent, Ty valiantly carried on with the introductions. “And this is his guest—and longtime family friend—Mr. Brubaker, from Texas. Mr. Brubaker owns controlling interest in several very large companies that are looking to expand their software capabilities.”

A diminutive man in a giant, ten-gallon cowboy hat stepped forward and enthusiastically pumped Emily’s hand. “Wall, hello theah!” he bellowed, his eyes twinkling. “Nice to meetcha. And don’t be givin’ me any of that Mr. Brubaker crap, pardon my French.” He doffed his hat at Emily and squinted at Ty. “Call me Big Daddy, little gal. Everybody does.”

“Thank you, er, Big Daddy. I’ll do that.” Emily smiled down at the irresistible man, who stood no higher than her shoulder.

As Ty led her back to her seat, Big Daddy settled into the chair directly behind Emily and immediately struck up a conversation.

“So. I heah y’all are newlyweds! Congratulations! Boy howdy, theah’s nothin’ I like better than a weddin’.” Pounding Ty manfully on the back, he winked broadly at him and said, “Looks to me like you made out, Ty, old boy. She’s a beaut!”

Roxanne, seated next to Big Daddy and behind Ty, snorted in disgust.

“I’m a real family man, myself,” the tiny Texan thundered in an effort to be heard above the enthusiastic crowd. “That’s why I love doin’ business with Denny and his niece. Did I mention that I have nine kids?” he asked as he fished the biggest wad of pictures out of his pocket that Tyler had ever seen.

“Wow, honey. Imagine that.” Ty put a casual arm around Emily and squeezed. “Nine kids. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?”

Emily’s eyes nearly bugged out of her head. “For you, maybe.”

Disregarding her lack of enthusiasm, Ty laughed indulgently. “We want a big family ourselves,” he confided to his potential client. “Isn’t that right, hon?”

Another disbelieving snort came from Roxanne as she recrossed her legs, thumping Tyler roughly on the back of his head. “Sorry,” she murmured in her smoky, bedroom voice.

Unable to stop herself, Emily shot an annoyed look at her husband’s pushy boss. “Why, yes, darling, a big family,” she agreed, and as though suddenly remembering that this was only an act, smiled brightly over her shoulder at Big Daddy and Roxanne. “
Big
family. Carmen wants lots of brothers and sisters, don’t you, sweetheart?”

“Sí! Muy grande familia! Sí!”
She clapped excitedly.

Roxanne shook her head, rolled her heavily made-up eyes toward the ceiling, and sighed the sigh of a woman condemned to a boring ball game with a bunch of tiresome ninnies.

As Emily chatted with the effusive Big Daddy, Ty glanced over to make sure his mother hadn’t managed to get him fired yet. So far, so good, he mused, watching the usually mild-mannered Uncle Denny shout with glee at the umpire.

“Buddy, you’re so blind your glasses need glasses!” the red-faced Denny hollered.

Helga roared. Punching Denny in the arm, she crowed, “Good one, Denny, old boy!”

Ty reached into his pocket and pulled out his extra-large bottle of industrial-strength antacid tablets and, pouring himself a handful, proceeded to eat them like candy. Helga’s crude manners and boisterous behavior would certainly be the death of him. Never mind that Denny seemed somewhat amused by her antics. That would surely come to a grinding halt the moment she burst forth with a string of obscenities. Or perhaps she would pull the liner out of yonder garbage can and put on a fashion show that poor old Uncle Denny would never forget.

Popping another tablet into his mouth, Tyler decided to ignore the rowdy faction to his left and concentrate on wooing the client. After all, that’s what he was here for. Turning his back on his lunatic mother, he glanced over at Emily, who was discussing the importance of family with Big Daddy Brubaker.

Her smile was so warm and genuine as she nodded in agreement with something the small Texan was pontificating about. Ty couldn’t help but compare her graceful countenance with that of the brassy Roxanne. And seeing them in the same room together only drove the point further home.

She was doing a great job. Ty sat, momentarily lost in his ruminations. It was obvious that both Big Daddy and Uncle Denny thought she was wonderful, and even though Roxanne seemed skeptical, he was sure she could find no fault in his wife’s performance.

He was even beginning to believe their story himself. In fact, he thought, noticing the smooth curve of her cheek lift slightly as she smiled, she seemed so authentic she almost made up for Helga’s nutty behavior. An outburst from the old woman drew his eyes. Well, almost.

Emily was everything he could ever have asked for in a weekend wife. Hell, a forever wife even. Lovely. Gracious. Caring. His thoughts drifted to last night’s episode in the pool. Sexy. Passionate. Hot. Eyes glazing over—as he recalled the incredibly vivid vision of her in that teensy bandage she called a swimsuit—his head lolled back in his seat. Maybe she would be up for another swimming lesson tonight, he mused. Provided he was still alive after an evening with the cast of
Cuckoo’s Nest.

BOOK: Weekend Wife
2.58Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Other books

The Savages by Matt Whyman
Loose Diamonds by Amy Ephron
Temptation and Surrender by Stephanie Laurens
The Stanforth Secrets by Jo Beverley
The Ludwig Conspiracy by Oliver Potzsch