Page 65 of His Weekend Wife

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.

She and Declan had been home a week since they’d left the Hannigan Estate. Understandably, he’d been working late hours taking care of the merger.

Declan had invited Roe to the office to be a part of the changes, but apparently things were working out grand for the man. He’d reunited with Eliza and they were enjoying exploring their memories in Italy.

Ash gave the sauce a stir and sighed. If only she knew her future with Declan.

She still wore the ring, and neither of them had mentioned where they would go from here. The month they’d agreed upon wasn’t over and she wondered if he was waiting until the end of the thirty days to grant her a divorce.

Truthfully, she no longer wanted to divorce him. Over the last few weeks she’d realized that she loved him, had never stopped. Angelina was right. Ash and Declan belonged together.

Her cell rang from the table and she hurried to answer it, hoping to hear Declan’s voice, but instead, it was Abby.

“Ash?”

Squeezing the phone tighter, she debated whether to hang up. She loved her sister dearly, but Ash had reached a point where she needed to let Abby figure things out for herself. In the end, she couldn’t walk away. “What’s wrong, Abby?”

“I-I’m in trouble.” Her voice shook and her sniffling vibrated the line.

Ash’s spine straightened. “What is it? Where are you?”

“Ash…he’s going to kill me. I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you.” Her voice cracked.

“Tell me where you are. I’ll call the police.”

“No!” Abby sobbed louder. “You can’t!”

“Okay then. I’ll come get you. Is he there?” Ash was already shutting off the stove and sliding into her flats. Her heart was beating fast and her palms sweaty.

“No—no. But he’s coming back. I’m at his place.”

“I’ll be there soon.” The line went dead. “Abby? Are you still there?” She looked down at the screen and the call was disconnected. “Shit!” Ash tossed her phone into her purse and rushed out of the door.

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