Chapter 8
EIGHT
Trying hard to cool my excitement at seeing my husband, I dash along the hallway and into the sitting room.
Jack is handing his briefcase to George and his face lights up at the sight of me.
Curled in one corner of the sofa, Ruby has kicked off her shoes and made herself at home.
She is a very friendly woman but I need some alone time with Jack.
As far as I’m concerned, we’re going to be on our honeymoon for a long time.
I go to him and immediately his arms come around me, engulfing me in his warm masculine scent.
I lift my lips to his and he kisses me passionately.
I’m breathless when he finally lifts his head.
His eyes fill with love as he meets my gaze. “I’ve missed you,” I say.
“Me too.” Jack rubs his nose on mine. “I’m also starving. Ruby has sent for coffee and sandwiches.” He stands back and loosens his tie.
I smile and turn to Ruby. “It’s been a very long day, I’m sure any shop talk can wait for the morning. I’d like some time alone with my husband—do you mind?”
“Of course she doesn’t mind.” Jack grins at me. “I’m all yours until Monday. I’ll take you to my club tomorrow for lunch. Ruby has made the reservations. I can’t wait to show you the Laura.”
Words freeze on my tongue. “The what?”
“His yacht.” Ruby pushes her feet into heels. “The vessel is named after his first wife.” She smiles at Jack. “Goodnight, Jack, Mrs. Hunter. Sleep well.”
“Night.” Jack examines my face. “What’s wrong?”
I’m shocked. “You kept the yacht after what happened to your wife?”
“She loved it.” Confusion crosses his handsome face. “She wouldn’t want me to sell it. I named it after her.”
I shake my head. “Jack, she fell from the boat and drowned. I’m sure at the time she didn’t like it at all.
” I watch his expression change from joy to remorse.
“Is that why the room upstairs hasn’t been touched and her portrait still hangs in the entrance hall?
All these years you did this to please a dead woman? ”
“At first maybe, but then as time went by, it was a memento of our time together. I’d go inside the dressing room and sniff her perfume.
I’d cry like a baby but it was like having her back for a few minutes.
” He shrugs and stares into my eyes. “We had three wonderful years and two beautiful children together. Part of me still loves her but then I met you. It was like the sun breaking through the clouds after a storm that lasted seven years.” He pulls me close and wraps his arms around me.
“You’re my soulmate and I love you more than life. ”
I lean into him. “I love you too.” I sigh, hesitant to broach the subject of Laura’s clothes and upset a perfect relationship.
Maybe if I take baby steps, I can ease her things from the house.
“When do you think you’d be ready to let go of Laura’s clothes?
Of course, we’ll keep her jewelry for the children and any personal items but Goodwill would make a fortune selling her clothes. I believe it’s the right thing to do.”
“Let me think on it for a time.” Jack can’t meet my eyes. “I’m not sure I can let them go to strangers.”
Dismayed, I slip my arms around his waist and look at him. “Then we’ll move them to another room. It’s such a waste having that beautiful room closed. It needs sunshine and fresh air.”
“It is a special place.” He points up to the ceiling. “It’s right above this one and we share the same view. Unfortunately, the second floor has small windows, which makes that room unique.”
Is he deliberately not answering my question?
This man has the art of the deal in business so he can manipulate people and likely uses his skill many times to get contracts but he’s never shown this hard side to me.
I decide to change course a little and see if I can make any headway.
“Do we really need to go to lunch at the yacht club tomorrow? I’d really like some time to get acquainted with the house.
There are a few changes I’d like to make.
Would you agree to me making it my own?”
“I’ve already renovated the kitchen.” He looks down at me.
“I guess that would be okay but use muted colors befitting the style of the house. I really dislike bold bright colors. Before you make any changes, run your ideas past Ruby. She knows about the renovation restrictions for heritage buildings.” He smiles at me.
“You’re like a breath of fresh air, Willow, but leave all your plans for weekdays.
I like to enjoy myself at the weekends. It’s perfect weather for sailing.
I’ll get Ruby to gather some of my friends and we’ll spend Sunday on the water. What do you say?”
I almost turn green at the prospect. I shake my head. “I’m sorry, Jack. I get seasick crossing a bridge over a river.” I try and read his masked expression. “This is the first time you’ve mentioned the yacht or I would have told you.”
“Okay, okay.” He pushes a hand through his hair. “My bad. I can go sailing alone, well, with some of the boys. We do take fishing trips.” He nods as if to himself and then looks back at me. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to show you around. Is there anything about the house you need to know?”
I swallow hard. “The staff figure the house is haunted. I find it hard to believe, in this day and age, that people still believe in ghosts.”
“Oh, well I do too.” Jack stares into space as if looking at something over my left shoulder.
“I never did until I saw one myself. I went to check on the kids, like I do every night to make sure they’re asleep, and I swear I saw Laura outside our bedroom door.
I dashed along the hallway, opened the door and searched inside.
Of course there wasn’t anyone there. Some of the staff have claimed to have seen her too.
” He shook his head. “It only happened the once for me and I figure it was her saying goodbye—or was it wishful thinking? I guess I’ll never know. ”
Goosebumps crawl up my arms as I remember the way the door moved and almost shut me inside the dressing room. Had I imagined it too, or was all this talk about ghosts some weird initiation prank to welcome me to Beauford Manor?