Page 63 of His Weekend Wife

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. Her 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.

---