From Roses To Thorns - Sequel To "From Nanny To Wife" Read Online Free Page B

children were the first to show up, twenty minutes later, Harvey and Pam. While the children played on the swings and the slide, the men gathered around the grill with a beer, and the women sat at one of the tables talking.
    "How's married life?" Jenny asked Pam. "Mom told me you got married a couple weeks ago."
    Pam smiled. "It's wonderful being married."
    "The feeling will pass," Jenny said wryly. "Give it a few years."
    Hope turned her head and glanced at Ryan. He was busy flipping the hamburgers and hot dogs. "Don't listen to her, Pam. Married life is wonderful."
    "You both are newlyweds," Jenny said. "When you've been married for ten years get back to me."
    "Bob and I were married for forty-two years before he passed," Maggie said. "Our marriage wasn't perfect, but we were in love."
    "Men like Dad are hard to find, Mom," Jenny said sadly. "Some times I wish Chris were more like him." She jerked her head in the direction of the men. "What do you think they are talking about?"
    Pam smirked. "Sports more than likely."
    "Ryan doesn't watch many sports," Hope explained. "He's too busy for that."
    "Who wants to find out what they're yapping about?" Jenny said.
    Hope rose from her chair. "I'll do it. Wish me luck, ladies."
    "Good luck," Jenny, Maggie and Pam told her.
    "Thanks. " Hope crossed the patio. As she drew near, she listened to their conversation.
    "Pam's been nagging me to have children," Harvey said. "We've only been married for two weeks and all ready she wants kids. When I asked her what the rush was she told me her biological clock is ticking."
    "I'm shocked you don't have a dozen kids by now," Ryan said.
    Harvey chuckled. "I might be a lot of things, Kendall, but stupid is not one of them."
    Hope took a deep breath and made her presence known. "Hello, gentlemen."
    "Ah, if it isn't the beautiful Hope." Harvey leaned in and gave her a peck on the cheek. "You get prettier every time I see you."
    Hope stared at Harvey. "You're full of shit, Finch."
    Ryan grinned. "That's my girl."
    Hope winked at him. "So, gentlemen, what were you talking about before I showed up?"
    "Children," Gordon answered.
    "I see," Hope mumbled.
    "What were you ladies talking about?" Harvey inquired.
    "Marriage," Hope informed him. "We were comparing husbands."
    Harvey arched a brow. "Who won?"
    "Maggie's husband."
    Harvey downed the rest of his beer and crushed the can. "Bob's dead. He doesn't count."
    Hope slipped an arm around Ryan's waist. "Are you afraid you lost, Harvey?"
    "Of course not," Harvey murmured, averting his eyes, "but for the sake of the argument, how did I do?"
    Her eyes shining with laughter Hope said, "I'm going to let you suffer a little. Well, gentlemen, it's been nice talking to you. Let us know when it's time to eat."
    Ryan kissed her on the lips. "I'll do that."
    "You're a cold woman, Hope Kendall," Harvey said to Hope's retreating figure.
    Shaking with laughter, Hope joined the women. "They were talking about children."
    "Children?" Jenny said surprised. "I would've guessed sports or sex, but not kids."
    Hope shrugged. "What can I say? With men you just never know."
    Lunch was served shortly after one. Gordon had made potato salad and baked beans to go with the hamburgers and hot dogs. Kenny, who had behaved since arriving, was scolded by his mother for feeding the dog a hot dog under the table. Hope looked at Zoe and saw she was eating her hot dog. Satisfied that she was behaving, Hope went back to eating her hamburger.
    Once lunch had ended Hope and Gordon excused themselves and went inside to get the cake and ice cream. While Gordon pulled the ice cream out of the freezer Hope put a candle in the shape of a number four on the Beauty and the Beast cake she had ordered from the bakery. She lit the candle and followed Gordon out to the patio. Once everybody had sung happy birthday to Zoe, she blew out the candle and the cake was cut. Plates were filled with slices of cake, scoops of ice cream, and passed around the