His Weekend Wife (The KNIGHT Brothers Book 2)

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  His eyes widened. “Wonderful. Such an altruistic career, but I could see the gentleness in your eyes immediately. You have a tender kindness about you.”

  “That’s very nice of you, but I must say, it’s the amazing surroundings that attribute to my aura.”

  “Then you need to live along the water, my dear.”

  “I could never—” She stopped herself. Affording such a luxurious place wouldn’t be a problem being Mrs. Declan Knight. “Get Declan out of the city.”

  “He may change his mind. I once lived in the city myself and never thought I could leave.”

  “Did your wife convince you?” she chuckled.

  “No, no, I’ve never married.” A sadness covered his dark eyes.

  “I’m sorry.” She clasped her hands in her lap.

  He lifted a shoulder and let it drop. “I was in love once. I was a young boy in Italy. I took a job at her father’s vineyard. I saw her in the distance, her beautiful long ebony hair blowing in the breeze. She caught me staring and she smiled. I was caught off guard so much that I fell off the ladder where I’d been plucking grapes.”

  “Were you okay?”

  He laughed. “Once she came to my side I was perfect. I would have fallen off that ladder a hundred more times to have her by my side.” His smile faded. “Unfortunately, time wasn’t on our side.”

  Ash’s heart grew heavy. “What happened?”

  “Her father disapproved.” He looked out into the distance as if he could look directly into the past. “I was a young, poor lad and she was a beautiful woman from a well to do family. I had nothing to offer. Two years after she came to my rescue from that ladder, she married a man who gave her the beautiful things she deserved.”

  “I’m sorry, Roe. Your heart must have broken.”

  “For two wonderful, heartfelt years I was granted heaven here on Earth, and once she married, I knew I’d never love another with such great force again. I came to America and swore I’d never look back. Yet, I don’t need to when my sweet darling Eliza still lives in my every waking hour.”

  Ash blinked back the mist in her eyes. “Do you know what she’s doing today? Maybe there’s a possibility?”

  “I have often thought I’d retire and visit home, but it’s been so long, nearly forty years. What would I say to her?”

  “Taking a risk doesn’t mean we won’t be hurt, but not taking a risk assures us that we will always live in curiosity of what could have been.”

  He smiled. “How about you, my dear. You speak of such risk. Have you taken such a risk? With Mr. Knight perhaps?”

  She swallowed. “I’m afraid I’m not quite the risk taker I once was.”

  “Can an old man give you some wise advice?” he asked. She nodded. “Don’t live with regret as I have. If I had my days to live over again, I would have whisked Eliza away and showed her how special she was to me every day of our lives.”

  “Your life’s not over, Roe. There’s always a chance at new beginnings.”

  “Thank you, my dear.” He stood, gaining his balance on weakened legs. “I’ve enjoyed our talk.”

  “I have too.”

  “You stay for a bit more. See what the silence offers you.” He winked.

  Long after Roe had disappeared back up the worn pathway, Ash still sat by the water. And, amazingly so, the silence did offer her a lot. It told the story of her heart…

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  “You look amazing,” Declan forced the words from his weak tongue. She was wearing a simple, yet form fitting pale blue dress that made his misbehaving mind come up with all the different ways he could remove the material from her luscious body.

  She smiled and her face flushed. He found it intriguing that she still blushed after everything they’d shared—everything they’d done together. He liked that about her. No. Loved that about her.

  “I’m glad you like it.” She did a flirtatious twirl that sent the hem of the dress swirling around her thighs—a part of her that he wanted to sink his fingers in and spread them wide.

  He pulled her against his tense, needy body. “Enough that I want to forget dinner and slowly remove it from your body with my teeth.”

  “Wow, my knees went weak. But isn’t this dinner important?”

  He nodded and blew out a long breath. “Yes, unfortunately. Another hoop I need to jump through.”

  “Is Mr. Hannigan a nice man?”

  “He seems fair and reasonable.” He pulled back slightly. “I’m glad you’re here with me.” He tilted her chin to bring her face upward and he kissed the corner of her mouth, then firmly on the lips.

  “I wish you could have taken a walk with me today. The estate is absolutely amazing. The vibrancy. The smells and sounds. And my conversation with a sweet man.”

  He lifted a brow. “A sweet man?”

  “He must be the gardener. Maybe you’ll get to meet him before we leave.”

  “Did you catch this man’s name?”

  “Roe.”

  “Just Roe?”

  She shrugged. “I didn’t ask his last name.”

  He kissed the tip of her nose. “Maybe tomorrow we can take a walk together. Tonight, we socialize. Shall we go, my darling?” He held out his arm and she tucked her hand around his elbow.

  “Lead the way, Mr. Knight.”

  “Certainly. The sooner we get this over with the quicker I can get you back here and rid you of that dress.” He wagged his brows.

  “I must admit. I’ve been looking forward to your touch.”

  And he kept her words in his mind as they walked to the main house and were greeted by the stern looking butler who showed them into a great room and through a set of massive wooden doors.

  “Mr. Hannigan asked that I show you out to the patio. He’ll be with you shortly. Can I get either of you a drink while you’re waiting?”

  “I’ll take a scotch. And you, sweetheart?” Declan asked.

  “I’ll take a water with lemon, please.”

  “I’ll bring it right away.”

  “Wow, this place is huge. Even bigger than the Knight mansion,” Ash whispered once the butler was gone.

  He laughed. “Have you dreamed of a place like this?”

  “Of course not. I’ve always hoped for a two-story white house along the water’s edge. Something quaint, simple, because after all, I’m a simple woman.”

  “I’ll remember your wishes, love.” He lowered his head, whispering next to her ear, “I also remember how you used to talk about filling a house with children.”

  She looked up at him, reaching into him with her invisible hold and grasping his heart. “That hasn’t changed. Unfortunately, the circumstances did. You wanted children too.”

  He nodded. “None of my hopes and dreams have changed.”

  “There you two are.” The cheerful voice broke through their private discussion.

  Declan brought his gaze to Hannigan who swept through the door. “Mr. Hannigan, thank you for having us for dinner.”

  “Roe?” Ash sputtered.

  “Roe? This is Mr. Hannigan, not the gardener.” Declan corrected her.

  “Gardener? I’m sorry, my dear, for misleading you. My friends call me Roe. Mick is my business name.” He lifted her hand and kissed the backs of her knuckles. “Did you tell your husband that you graced a silly old man with your presence today?”

  “I wasn’t graced by a silly man of no sort. Possibly I was the silly one considering I had no clue this estate is yours.”

  “Ahh, I believe that was a failure on my part. You were very kind to allow an old man to vent about a lost love. Oh, here’s Henry with your drinks now.” The butler handed them each their drinks and left hastily. “Do either of you mind if we dine out here, overlooking the view?”

  “You certainly won’t get any complaints from me,” Ash said.

  “If my wife is happy, I’m happy.” Declan loved seeing the new vivacity about his wife. Her eyes were twinkling. Her cheeks aglow. He
r smile competed with the amazing sunset.

  “So, then let’s have a seat. The cook has prepared us a wonderful meal.”

  *****

  After eating a delicious meal of lobster tail topped with crab dressing, Ash sat back, watching the changes in the color of the sky as the sun had already set. She sipped her red wine, made by a local vineyard, as Roe had informed her. “It’s delicious. The food too.”

  “Very seldom do I get to entertain such wonderful guests here,” Roe said.

  “I want to thank you again for inviting Ash and I to your home. It’s lovely, but we should discuss where we go here with the merger—”

  Roe waved a hand. “Nonsense. Such a beautiful evening doesn’t deserve shop talk. I suggest instead that you two lovebirds take a walk, enjoy this gorgeous night. There’s plenty of light from the lanterns.”

  Ash could see Declan’s brows slightly scrunch. She understood that he never liked to leave any stone unturned or business unfinished. Yet, a man like Mick ‘Roe’ Hannigan, who’d lived a longer life realized that time spins by in a flash. When Declan started to open his mouth, Ash laid her hand on his arm. “I’d really like to walk. Can we?”

  One corner of his mouth lifted. “Of course.” He pushed back his chair and stood, holding out his hand for her. “Shall we, darling?”

  Standing, she took his hand and together they stepped through the gate that led to a cobblestone path and into Roe’s prized garden. “It really is amazing here. Roe is also wonderful.”

  “I’m not certain I’m enthused with his casual sense of business.” Declan sighed.

  She touched his shoulder lightly. “I understand you came here to seal the deal with him, but it’s important to realize what he’s giving up. Walking away from his business, one that he’s grown into what it is today, can’t be something he wishes to rush along. Patience is important here.”

  Declan stopped and cupped her face. “You, my dear, are truly exceptional. You’re right. Sometimes I’m in such a hurry to jump into the next path that I miss the scenery. Tonight, I want to enjoy my wife.” He took her hand and entwined their fingers. “Now, let’s walk and make memories.”

  The next morning, still glowing from a nice long walk with Declan and a night of lovemaking, Ash was up early and they were again back at the main house, meeting Roe for breakfast. They were scheduled to leave in a few hours and she could feel the tension in Declan. Although he hadn’t spoken about his pressure, she realized as they sat down at the table, where Roe was already eating, that the time for business talk was now. Ash had asked Declan if he preferred she let him go alone, but he wanted her along.

  After a quick greeting, Roe slid a stack of legal-looking documents across the table. His total nature had turned around, assured and ready, just as quick to finish up business.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Declan glanced down at the papers that carried Hannigan’s signature at the bottom. “Would you like to have your attorney here before I sign?”

  Roe laughed. “What for? He’s already looked these over a dozen or more times. When I’ve made my mind up about something there’s no changing it. I know this merger is for the best.”

  Sliding the papers closer, Declan gave them a quick inspection. They were exactly as they’d agreed. “This is great, but what changed your mind?”

  Easing back into the chair, Roe removed his glasses and laid them aside. “I think it’s time I told you a story, my friend. There’s something you don’t know and I was sworn to secrecy.”

  Declan narrowed his gaze. “I’m not following.”

  “You will soon enough.” He laughed. “You see, I knew your sister, Angelina.” The creases around his eyes deepened. Declan swallowed hard. “Years ago I attended a charity that she was heading up. She talked me into writing a check—a rather large check.” He steepled his fingers.

  “She was good at doing that.” Declan still didn’t understand where this was heading.

  “Yes, she was. I so admired her infectious personality that I invited her here to the estate to visit.”

  “Were you and my sister…” Declan couldn’t seem to form the words.

  Roe’s eyes widened before he erupted into laugher. “Oh my, no. She was young enough to be my daughter and although she was quite beautiful, I was interested in her for her personality only. I’m sure the feeling was mutual. Your sister had quite the keen business sense, as I’m sure you already knew. Over dinner, I had vaguely mentioned my plans to retire eventually, only if I could find the right company to sell my business to. Oh, you should have seen her light up. Like a dazzling lighthouse.”

  Things were starting to come together for Declan. “Oh, so Angelina brought up the merging of Knight and Hannigan Sports?” He couldn’t understand why she didn’t mention this to Declan.

  “She did. In fact, we spoke several times on the idea, and she wanted to set you and I up for a meeting. Before that could occur, she became ill.” The expression lines deepened around his eyes. “And suddenly her time line grew very narrow in getting everything done. She said to me, “’My brothers have always hated when I meddled in their lives, so I’ve had to become very creative in my meddling ways.’” He sighed. “She even brought your aunt into the picture.”

  “Lucy?”

  He nodded. “I’ve been on several committees with Lucy.” He swiped his hand across his forehead. “She’s a tiger.”

  “Did she know about your prior discussions with Angelina?”

  “I’d informed her that Angelina and I had discussed how the merger might work to all of our advantage. She didn’t know all of the finer details though.”

  Declan dropped back into the chair, feeling the air spill out of his lungs. So, Lucy had made it seem as though this was all her creation? He would take care of her when he got back to Atlanta. He darted a glance at Ash who was sitting quietly, pensively. He turned back to Hannigan. “Let me get this straight. You didn’t care if I was married or not?”

  He shrugged a beefy shoulder. “I do care, but not as you think. Again, Angelina was very creative in her meddling.” He rubbed his jaw.

  “Yes, she was, but can you expand?” Declan wasn’t sure whether he should be angry or entertained that his sister still managed to stir the pot from her grave.

  “Angelina wanted us back together,” Ash said in a shaky voice. “Isn’t that right, Roe? She pressured you into coming up with the last-minute desire to sell the company to someone more settled, married.”

  Hannigan smiled. “When Angelina asked, it was difficult to deny her. She loved both of you very much and knew you two belonged together. She saw no other way, especially when she realized she wouldn’t be here much longer. She was right. The love is obvious between you two. I assure you that I have no clue what tore you apart, but the love shouldn’t be denied.” He stood and wiped his hands down the legs of his slacks. “Now, I hate to be in a hurry, but I have a flight leaving soon for Italy.”

  “Italy? You’re going to find Eliza, aren’t you?” Ash asked.

  He nodded. “I feel all of this playing cupid has made me quite the romantic. I owe it to myself to find closure, or rekindled romance.” He wagged his thick brows.

  “That’s wonderful.” Ash jumped up and gave him a hug.

  “Ahh, what a wonderful couple you two are,” Hannigan said,

  Ash stepped back and the older man patted her shoulder, then turned to Declan. “Those papers only need your signature, my friend. My attorney will be arriving shortly to pick them up.” He winked.

  “Thank you, sir. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

  “I’m sure I won’t be.” He grabbed his jacket from the chair and pulled it on. “Oh, I’m glad I didn’t forget.” He reached into the pocket and took out a familiar envelope. He laid it on the table next to the papers. “Angelina asked me to give this letter to you once the deal was sealed. I’d say we’re close enough.”

  Once Hannigan was gone, Ash sat back down, her mouth
agape. “How did your sister manage this one?”

  Declan chuckled. “She has her ways.” He picked up the envelope and stared at his name written in Angelina’s neat penmanship.

  “Are you going to read it?” Ash asked.

  “I have a feeling that’s what she was hoping for.” He slid his finger under the sealed flap and tore it open. Taking out the sheet of paper, he pressed out the folds, feeling a tightening in his chest.

  “Shall I leave you alone?”

  He took Ash’s hand. “Please, stay. I’ll read it aloud. This does involve you also.”

  Nodding, she sunk back into her chair.

  “Dear Declan and Ash,

  I’m going to make this short and sweet because actions speak louder than words. I did this because you’re both too prideful and stubborn to realize what an amazing love you two had together. This will either end with you together again, or killing each other, but honestly, since I’m dead, I can’t do anything about it now. I have faith in you both. Let the past go and concentrate on the future. Laugh and love like there’s no tomorrow. And bring flowers to my grave on occasion. I love you.

  Declan, I knew it was you who popped the head off my Barbie when we were little. It took a while to forgive you, but because I didn’t have any dolls left to play with, I learned to ride a bike because of you. You also taught me how to hit a baseball. You were the best brother. Thank you for beating up Ronnie Jones after he told all his friends that he saw me naked. Thank you for the flowers you sent on my birthday every year. As we told each other as kids… “Chin up, negatives down”.

  Love you to the moon and back, Bro. Forever.

  Angelina.

  He folded the paper and placed it back into the envelope. Silence blanketed them like a cloud. For the first time since her death, he had to fight tears. Ash touched his cheek softly. He slid out of the chair and dropped to his knees, laying his head in her lap. He wrapped his arms tight around her waist, holding her close. Her fingers threaded into his hair and neither said a word. Neither needed to.

  *****

  Ash drained the pasta in the colander in the sink, then dumped the spaghetti back into the pot. She drizzled olive oil over the top and gave it a light toss with a fork. The sauce bubbled from another pan on the stove. She sampled it, smiling. She’d outdone herself. The peach pie was on its last few minutes in the oven. She hoped it would also be a hit. Roe had them delivered to her as a present from his trees.