Читать книгу: «Forget Me Not»

PROLOGUE

“DELIVERY FOR ASHLEY RYAN.”

Ashley glanced over her shoulder and did a double take. A man was standing in the doorway of StayNTouch, her social media network firm, carrying the largest arrangements of flowers she’d ever seen. There had to be at least five dozen red roses in that vase. And sitting pretty in the middle of the roses was a single sunflower.

She shook her head. “He wouldn’t.”

Her business partner and best friend since college, Emmie Givens, chuckled. “He would. It’s your fifth wedding anniversary and you know as well as I do that your husband likes doing everything in a big way, so don’t act surprised.”

Emmie was right—she shouldn’t be surprised, although she hadn’t expected anything so outlandishly extravagant. She would be the first to admit the first two years had been challenging, and all because of a pact they’d made on their wedding night.

While in their hotel room in Jamaica, naked in bed and a little tipsy on wine, love and sex, they’d made goals for their marriage. Goals they intended to achieve by their fifth wedding anniversary. They pledged to be successful in their chosen occupations and finances, which would require hard work, dedication and sacrifices. For her, the biggest sacrifice had been agreeing not to start a family until after the fifth year. But Devon had promised that when they reached the five-year mark and had accomplished all their goals, they would return to Jamaica to not only celebrate fulfilling all their accomplishments but to make their baby.

Those first two years would not have put such a strain on their marriage if she and Devon hadn’t been two success-driven individuals. But they had been, and for a time, instead of competing against outside forces, they started opposing each other. That was when things seemed to start falling apart in their marriage.

There was never any doubt in her mind, even through all their difficult times, that Devon loved her. Just like he’d known she loved him. When they saw their marriage headed for serious trouble, they had sought marriage counseling. Doing so had helped and for the past three years they’d worked hard to put their marriage first and their ambitions second. In the end, what had saved their marriage was their love and commitment to each other.

“Where do you want these, lady?” the deliveryman asked.

“In my office. Please follow me.”

Moments later, alone in her office, Ashley sat behind the desk and stared at the huge floral arrangement. She’d counted and just as she’d thought there were sixty roses. A dozen for every year of their lives together. One rose for every month. And the single sunflower had a special meaning all its own.

The night they’d met on a blind date at Harvard, he’d given her a single sunflower. She’d been working on her MBA, and Devon had been working through dual graduate degrees in computer technology and finance. He was four years older and for her it had been love at first sight. Devon always said it had been likewise for him. He’d graduated two years before she had and landed a job with a technology firm in New York. They’d gotten married a year after she’d graduated from college.

Devon had grown up in Hardeeville, South Carolina, located less than an hour’s drive from the shores of Hilton Head. More than anything, he loved being out on the ocean. One of their first indulgences had been to buy a boat. Well, it had been his and she’d given in to his expensive whim. However, she would admit she’d enjoyed their weekends spent out on the water. She’d discovered those were their most relaxing times, when they could put the outside world on hold and connect with each other.

She reached for the card that accompanied the flowers and read it.

Ashley, you are the love of my life and on our fifth anniversary I cherish you. You are my sunflower and marrying you has been my greatest accomplishment. Happy fifth anniversary, baby.

Love always,

Devon

She placed the card next to her heart, feeling the love. He had left three days ago on a business trip and she always missed him like crazy when he was away. Their anniversary wasn’t until tomorrow but this sort of thing was just like Devon. He was always surprising her. She wondered what he had in store for their anniversary, and couldn’t help remembering the promise they’d made to each other on their wedding night. She’d patiently waited for a baby. This was their year to start a family.

He knew how hard it was for her whenever her married girlfriends became mothers. And her parents were anxious to be grandparents and hadn’t made things any easier either. She dealt with the pressure by telling herself that her time was coming. What they hadn’t counted on was Devon starting his own technology company a year and a half ago; a company he’d been putting a lot of time into. A company he was convinced would make them millions—they could retire as early as their forties and wouldn’t have to work again. They could spend every free moment out on the ocean. And children were a big part of that equation. But still, a part of her wanted to believe he hadn’t forgotten.

* * *

“YOU, DEVON RYAN, are a tough negotiator.”

Devon leaned back in his chair. This meeting with Robert Banner was going just as he’d hoped. For the past two days he and Banner had been hashing out the terms of an agreement, and Devon was certain he’d finally made the man an offer he couldn’t refuse. There was no way Banner would let him walk out that door and run the risk of him making the same offer to someone else. Namely, Banner’s competitor.

“It’s not that I’m a tough negotiator, Mr. Banner. It’s just that I know the value of what I’m offering. In one year, I was able to build this company from the ground up. Now I need you to take it to the next level. And as long as I get to retain a sufficient number of shares in the company, I’ll be satisfied.”

The older man raised a brow. “And then you’ll do what? You’re only thirty-two. Way too young to retire.”

Devon chuckled. “And I don’t plan to. But I want to do something that doesn’t require all my time and energy.” No need to tell the man there were promises he’d made to his wife that he intended to keep.

“If I agree with your terms, it will make you a very wealthy man, Ryan. Both now and later.”

Devon chuckled. “No, it would make me and my wife a very wealthy couple. She’s my partner in all things.”

Banner nodded. “That’s another thing I like about you.”

“That’s the way it should be.” There was no need to tell the man it had been a lesson he’d learned by almost losing Ashley. That had been his wake-up call.

Banner glanced at the woman sitting beside him. Candace Jenkins was Banner’s personal attorney. Devon also had a feeling she was a lot more than that. “So, as my attorney, what do you think, Candace? Should we take the deal he’s offering?”

“You would be a fool not to, Robert. He’s asking for a considerable number of shares on top of what you’ll be giving him up front upon signing, but on that he’s not budging and the two of you have been at it for two days,” the woman was saying, as if Devon wasn’t in the room. “However, in the end, I believe his company will make you millions.”

“It will become my company,” Banner reminded her. “He’ll just retain a number of hefty shares. Way too many to suit me.”

It was obvious the man still found that a sore spot. “But you realize the investment.” Devon didn’t present it as a question.

Banner smiled. “Yes, I realize the investment.” And then without saying another word, the man signed the documents.

* * *

DEVON ENTERED HIS hotel room with a very happy grin on his face. He’d done it. He had secured his and Ashley’s future for life. His wife knew this deal was important, but not the true magnitude of it. He hadn’t wanted her to worry over what might happen if he failed. But when he left for Chicago three days ago he’d felt confident he could pull things off, and he had. He couldn’t wait to surprise Ashley with the news.

Tomorrow was their wedding anniversary and this business deal was just one of many surprises he had for her. She should have gotten the flowers by now, which was probably the reason she’d called. Twice. He hated that he’d missed her calls but at the time he’d been in the middle of contract negotiations and had had Banner just where he’d wanted him.

But he would remedy that now, he thought, pulling his phone out the pocket of his jacket and dialing Ashley’s number. She should be home from work now and, probably like him, was about to strip for a shower. Damn, he wished he could be there with her.

“Devon?”

Why after all these years did her saying his name still turn him on? “Yes, Sunflower, it’s me,” he said, putting her on speaker before placing the phone aside to start undressing.

“Now, why would you call me that when I’m not there to do anything about it?”

He smiled. Normally, he would call her by the pet name he’d given her during their most intimate moments. “We can always have phone sex.”

“Won’t do any good, Devon. I’m too hot. When are you coming home? And please tell me you will be here tomorrow.”

“I intend to,” he said, stripping down to his last piece of clothing. “I’m about to take a shower. And speaking of being hot, if you were here I’d cool you off.”

“I wanted to come with you and you wouldn’t let me,” she said with a pout in her voice.

“Too close to our anniversary. I have other plans for you.”

“Do tell. And the flowers were beautiful, by the way. So many of them.”

“Not enough for you. And I got good news.”

“You made the deal with Robert Banner?”

“Yes.” He grinned, knowing that she had no idea just how good a deal he’d made. “I’ll tell you about it when I get home. It will be just another reason to celebrate.”

“And when will you be home?”

“By tomorrow, like I promised. I fly out in the morning and I should be home by three.”

“And I will be here waiting on you since I’m taking the day off.”

His grin widened. “In that case, I want you naked in bed when I get there. We can start the celebrating a little early.” Which suited Devon just fine as there was so, so much they had to celebrate.

* * *

“WHAT DID YOU SAY?” Devon asked, staring at the woman, certain he’d heard her wrong. She stared back at him with an annoyed look on her face at having to repeat herself.

“I said that due to the snowstorm headed our way, all flights out of both O’Hare and Midway have been canceled.”

“What snowstorm?”

The woman looked at him as if he was crazy. “Surely you’ve heard about the massive storm in Minnesota.”

“What does that have to do with my flight that’s going south to South Carolina?”

“A lot, sir. When one flight is delayed all flights get delayed, regardless of their destinations. In the next couple of hours there’s expected to be at least twelve feet of snow here in some areas. Once that happens this airport will close and it will be another day before it reopens.”

That was not what he wanted to hear. “Look, I have to leave for Hilton Head today. It’s important that I get home today.” He refused not to be with Ashley today, of all days. “It’s my fifth wedding anniversary,” he said, with all the disappointment he felt. “I made special plans for my wife.” He glanced at his watch.

“Oh, that’s so nice.”

He glanced back at the woman. The look of annoyance in the woman’s eyes had been replaced with a romantic look. “I’d hate for you to miss your wedding anniversary. Some men wouldn’t care if they made it back home or not. Let me see what I can do. I can’t get you a flight out of here, but I might be able to suggest something that could get you home.”

He didn’t say anything as she clicked several keys into her computer with an intense look on her face. Moments later she smiled. “Okay, this might work. Cincinnati is approximately a five-hour drive from here. There’s a straight flight leaving Cincinnati to Hilton Head at three. That will give you time to get there with two hours to spare. You’ll land in Hilton Head around six thirty.”

He nodded enthusiastically. “That will work.”

“Good. Now, if you hold on a minute, I’ll book that flight out of Cincinnati for you.”

“Thanks.”

A short while later Devon was walking quickly to the car rentals area.

* * *

ASHLEY RAISED A concerned brow as Devon spoke on the other end of the line. “Devon, are you sure you want to make the five-hour drive to Cincinnati? You hate driving long distances.”

“Right now I’m frustrated more than anything. I had to wait a half hour for this rental. I’m not the only one trying to beat the storm out of here. This is the last place where I want to be stranded.”

Chicago was the last place where she would want him stranded, too, but his safety came first. She, of all people, knew her husband hated long-distance driving. Five hours wasn’t bad, but for Devon, it might as well be ten. “I don’t know, Devon. I don’t feel good about you being on the road for five hours.”

“Sweetheart, I’ll be fine. I will drink as much coffee as I need to. Besides, it’s daytime and not night. I’ll be okay. Will it make you feel better if I call you when I’m at the halfway point?”

She smiled. “Yes, then I could sing to you.”

He chuckled. “On second thought, maybe I won’t call you. Your talents are not with your voice.”

“Thanks a lot.”

“Just keeping it honest, Mrs. Ryan. God, I can’t wait until I’m home.”

“And I can’t wait for you to get here. I can’t believe it’s number five for us. When you look back over the years, what means the most to you?”

“Hmm, that’s easy. Although there were lots of things, I believe my most cherished moment was our wedding day.”

She recalled that day vividly. It had been an outdoor wedding at her parents’ home and everything had cooperated, especially the weather, to make it a perfect day. “What do you remember the most?”

“The moment you walked down the aisle on your father’s arm to me. Looking into your face, seeing you smile, your happiness in getting married to me... That moment touched me deeply, profoundly. My mind blotted out everything and everyone and just focused on you. Only you were the center of my attention. My universe. You still are.”

“You’re mine, too.” Devon’s words touched her deeply. She needed to get off the phone before she got all emotional on him. “Drive carefully, and whenever you do make a stop, call me. Or else I’ll worry.”

“And the last thing I want you to do is worry. My plane from Cincinnati lands a little after six, so I should be home around seven. I still want you in bed when I get there. Now, that’s where your true talent lies.”

Ashley threw her head back and laughed. “Horny man.”

“Can’t help it, baby. Love you. Bye.”

“Love you back. Bye.”

Ashley clicked off the phone and smiled. Devon had yet to tell her of his plans for their fifth anniversary—she knew he was planning something. Emmie was right when she said Devon liked doing things in a big way. He also liked surprising her. She had no problem with it because she always liked his surprises.

She was about to go into the kitchen to pour another cup of coffee when her doorbell sounded. Ashley quickly moved toward the door and glanced out the peephole to see a woman standing there with a huge beautifully wrapped gift box.

“May I help you?” she asked, before opening the door.

“Yes, I have a delivery for Ashley Ryan.”

Smiling, Ashley opened the door. After she signed the log, the woman handed her a gift-wrapped box. Moments later Ashley was quickly tearing off the bow to see what was inside. There was an envelope and inside were plane tickets to Jamaica, with the flight leaving in two days. Joy swept through her, although two days barely gave her much time to pack, but she would manage.

Also inside was a smaller wrapped box. She tore off the tissue paper and her breath caught when she saw a pair of yellow baby booties with a matching bib. Tears came to her eyes when she read the card.

I’m ready to start making babies in Jamaica. There’s not another woman I’d want as the mother of my sons and daughters.

Love,

Devon

* * *

DEVON PULLED INTO a roadside stop. He hadn’t eaten breakfast and wanted something else in his stomach other than coffee. He was making good time and so far wasn’t feeling tired. Luckily, he was keeping his mind revved up by thinking of all the plans he had for Ashley when he got home.

He grabbed a bagel and coffee and was back on the interstate. A half hour later he was thanking God for GPS when he had to take a detour due to heavy rain in the area that had left several streets flooded. Eventually he made it back onto the interstate.

It stopped raining and he was glad. He slowed down for the slippery roads and couldn’t believe how fast semis were flying by regardless of the wet conditions as they headed back toward the interstate.

Devon adjusted the volume on the radio when he saw the hitchhiker standing ahead with a backpack. It looked as if there would be another downpour any minute and he hated the thought that the man would get caught out in it. Typically, he never picked up strangers, but considering his good luck of yesterday, he was still in a great mood. He’d never had to hitchhike and figured everybody had a story. He tried not to be judgmental and the guy seemed harmless.

Before he could talk himself out of doing so, Devon pulled to the shoulder of the road, rolled the window down and asked, “Where are you headed?”

The stranger smiled as he leaned in the window. “To Cincinnati, but I’m grateful to go as far as you can take me.”

Devon smiled back. “You’re in luck. I’m headed to Cincinnati as well. I’ll give you a lift.” Devon figured at least he’d have company the last leg of the drive.

A broad grin covered the man’s face. “Hey, thanks.”

* * *

“I’M DEVON, by the way,” he said to the man, who refused to look at him. Instead he preferred looking straight ahead. When the man didn’t say anything, didn’t even nod, Devon asked, “And you are?”

It was then that the man glanced over at him. “Tom.”

Devon nodded. “So, Tom, where are you from?”

The man was staring out the windshield again. “Nowhere in particular.”

Devon nodded again. “You have family in Cincinnati?”

The man glanced over at him again. “No. You?”

“No. I’m just trying to get to the airport. To catch a plane home.”

The man nodded. “And where is home for you?”

“South Carolina.”

The man stared out the window again and Devon decided to keep his eyes on the road and conversation at a minimum. So much for thinking he’d picked up a passenger who would be company for him. This man only talked when spoken to and then you had to almost pull the words out of him.

He drove for another fifteen to twenty miles when suddenly the man said, “Take the next exit.”

Devon lifted a brow. Why would the man want him to get off the interstate? And then the obvious quickly came to mind. He needed a bathroom break. “There’s nothing at the next exit if you need a bathroom break. I’ll probably need to drive till the next one.”

“No. You need to get off that exit now,” the man said with an edge to his voice.

Devon didn’t appreciate the man’s tone of voice. Who the hell did he think he was talking to? If Devon got off at the next exit, it would be to tell the ingrate to get the hell out of the car and find another way to Cincinnati.

He looked at the man to tell him just that and froze when he saw the gun pointed at him.