I pulled back the blanket in invitation. “Any chance of you joining me back in bed for a bit first?”
He pretended to look shocked, laying his hand over his chest. “Mrs. VanRyan—are you trying to seduce me?”
“Is it working?”
He cupped his growing erection and grinned. “Yes.”
“Then come join me.”
He paused. “I still get pancakes, right?”
I laughed. “With extra syrup.”
He pounced, pulling the blankets around us and sliding his hands along my torso. “Seduce away, my wife. I’m all yours.”
It was a busy day once Richard departed for his meeting in Toronto. Jenna had arranged for it to be at two o’clock so he would be gone for the afternoon. By the time I arrived at the Hub, the place was already set up for the party that would happen that night.
Emmy, Bentley’s wife, greeted me with a hug. “Does he suspect?”
“Not at all. He was busy thinking about the meeting, the golf day tomorrow, and the wedding. I don’t think it’s crossed his mind there’d be a party for his retirement.”
She chuckled. “He should know us better.”
“After all this time, you would think so. But he is male, so that observant gene…” I trailed off with a grin.
She linked her arm with mine. “The guys are going to set up the barbecues. Van already has a huge roast on the spit, and Aiden and Maddox have ribs and chickens in the smoker.”
“He’ll love it. What can I do?”
“We’re making salads in the kitchen. Beth is doing the cakes for dessert, so we have to go and pick them up. Otherwise, we just need to finish setting up.”
“Great. Let’s do this.”
A few hours later, everything was done. We had signs and balloons. Tables groaning with food. All of Richard’s favorites. Ronan’s wife, Beth, had baked several cakes, all of them set out, looking incredible and tempting. The Hub was full of family milling around, drinking, eating munchies, waiting for Richard. Our son Gavin had flown in early to surprise him. Penny was going to stay up late and Zoom with us to say hello to her dad. Matthew was going to do the same later in the evening from BC. He planned to go to Graham and Laura’s and make the call from there so they could join in. They were disappointed not to be coming to the party or the wedding, but Laura had just had hip surgery and was unable to travel, so this was the next best thing.
I had run home and changed, slipping into a new dress. I knew Richard would like it. The midnight-blue color was pretty, and the scooped neckline suited me. It had a jagged hemline that showed off my legs, and I wore strappy sandals, which added to the look. I kept my hair down but clipped it back from my face. I wore my new watch and other pieces of jewelry he had given me over the years.
I was excited for this next phase in our life. Traveling together. Being able to spend more time with the girls here and our granddaughter. To be able to travel and see our other children whenever we wanted. And to have Richard around more. We still loved to spend time together exploring and discovering new things. Even after all these years, finding out new details about each other. Richard was endlessly fascinating to me—his thoughts and feelings, his hopes and dreams, simply the way he saw the world around him.
Our marriage, which had happened for all the wrong reasons, changed and became the most important thing in our lives. We had fallen in love, raised our children, discovered new friends, and forged a wealth of relationships here in Ontario with a group of people who became our family. And through it all was love. Our love—the strong bond that kept us moving forward. Our life together had its ups and downs, our own struggles, but together, we made it through. I still loved Richard deeply, and he felt the same for me. The passion we had discovered together had never faded. I still desired him, and his passion for me was something he never hid, much to the chagrin of our children.
I finished fastening my earrings and smoothed my hair back, then hurried back to the Hub. Richard should be arriving soon, and then we would celebrate this new phase in our life with our found family, our children, and our friends.
He was going to love it.
5
RICHARD
I pulled up in front of the Hub and shut off the engine. I ran a hand through my hair with a sigh. It had been a productive meeting and the outcome successful for The Gavin Group. I had spoken to Jenna during the seemingly never-ending drive back to Port Albany, and she was pleased.
I was relieved to get out of the car. How people did that commute daily, I had no idea. I had called Katy to tell her traffic was awful, and she said she was heading to the Hub for drinks and to join her when I arrived.
I needed a scotch about now. I hoped someone had ordered pizza or something. I was starving.
I was so preoccupied with my thoughts, I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary until I was about halfway across the expansive area of the main floor. Suddenly, it hit me the room was full, and I stopped as everyone threw up their arms, yelling “Surprise!” at me.
I gazed around in shock, taking in the Happy Retirement sign, the smiling faces, and my wife approaching me, her eyes dancing in delight.
“We’ve been waiting,” she informed me, pressing a kiss to my mouth.
“Holy shit, you got me again.” Years before, she’d surprised me with a party, and I never caught on. Now, she’d done it once more.
She looked pleased with herself, tugging on my hand. “Your family wanted to help you celebrate.”
I yanked her back to my side, wrapping my arm around her and kissing her in front of everyone, not caring about the catcalls and whistles. “I love you, my Katy.”
She winked. “Love you right back.”
I released her. “Now let’s party.”
We made the rounds, and I was hugged and kissed by everyone who was there. I was shocked when Gavin stepped out of the kitchen, and I hugged my son tight, thrilled he had arrived early to celebrate with us.
“Good to see you, my boy,” I said, shaking his shoulders.
He grinned, looking far too much like I did at his age. “Dad, I haven’t been a boy for a long time,” he teased. “I’m old enough to have kids of my own.”
“You’ll always be my boy.” I hugged him again. “Where is Amanda?”
“She’ll be here for the wedding. I came a little early.”
“Any chance Matthew made it?”
He shook his head. “Too busy being a doctor, Dad. You know the drill. He’ll call later.”
I chuckled. “More like avoiding the crowd here.”
“That too.”
I walked the room, stopping and talking to everyone. Someone had poured me a scotch that I sipped, and I could smell something incredible coming from the kitchen and my mouth watered, anxious to eat. Katy handed me a plate of munchies that I consumed quickly.
“Didn’t you eat lunch?” she asked.
I shook my head. “Traffic was lousy heading in as well, and by the time I got there, all I could grab was a donut. The pancakes and bacon were hours and hours ago.”
“Poor baby.” She patted my cheek. “You’re wasting away.” Then she chuckled. “I’ll get you some more munchies. Dinner is soon, though.”