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  That did nothing to alleviate his confusion. “I’m afraid you’ve lost me, Case,” he said and saw her stiffen, Everyone used that nickname, but when he called her that, it had always made her melt.

  “Didn’t William call you?”

  “No.”

  “How about Mac?”

  Ryder shook his head.

  “What are you doing here, Ryder?” Wariness laced her voice.

  “I’m on sabbatical…”

  Casey shook her head. “No, what are you doing here?”

  Ryder took a deep breath and then just shook his head again. “I don’t know. I came out to do my usual morning run and this is where I ended up.”

  She looked at him with disbelief. “So this is all just a weird coincidence?”

  “I don’t know,” he admitted honestly, and before he knew what he was doing, Ryder found himself walking up the stairs toward her. When finally they were face-to-face, Ryder knew he was in deep trouble. The years simply faded away; Casey was just as beautiful as he remembered. Maybe even more so. Her big blue eyes stared up at him. “Hey,” he said softly, his own dark gaze captivating hers.

  * * *

  She was in trouble. Deep, deep trouble. One look at the man that Ryder had become and Casey was almost ready to melt into a puddle at his feet. He was taller than she remembered and much more muscular. Standing before her in a pair of black athletic shorts and a gray T-shirt, she knew without a doubt that he was in prime physical shape. But once her gaze settled on his face? His whiskey-colored eyes, his disheveled sandy brown hair…and that dimple barely making an appearance in his right cheek made one thing abundantly clear.

  Her perfectly organized world was about to be turned upside down.

  Chapter 2

  There were a million things Ryder wanted to say, but no matter how right they sounded in his head, he knew that he had his work cut out for him where Casey was concerned. Now wasn’t the time to start talking about the past or if she was interested in them getting reacquainted. He knew it was best to stick to safer subjects—no matter how much it killed him.

  “So what’s this about Mac and Gina’s wedding?” he finally asked.

  Casey sagged with relief. With Ryder so up close and personal, it was hard for her to remember why she didn’t want to be, well, up close and personal with him. “They’ve had some unexpected emergencies and are going to be away for a while.”

  Ryder nodded. “And this has to do with me…how?”

  “Well, we need to finalize a bunch of their wedding details, and with neither of them accessible to make decisions, they asked your uncle to step in.” When Ryder still looked at her with confusion, she explained, “His schedule is pretty full, and he mentioned that you were here for the summer and might be able to help out when he was unavailable.”

  His eyes went wide. “Me? What do I know about wedding planning? And what does this have to do with you?”

  She chuckled. “It’s what I do for a living, Ryder. I’m a wedding planner.”

  It was all starting to come together now and Ryder nodded. “And the wedding is here on Wrightsville?”

  “No, it’s actually in Wilmington, but either way, it’s a lot of driving back and forth for your uncle—or anyone in Charlotte for that matter—and I guess they were all just looking for the best options.”

  “When did all this get decided?”

  “Just yesterday.” Casey explained the situations that Mac and Gina were suddenly faced with, relieved that Ryder was taking it all so well. “I can text and email and call to my heart’s content, but there are things that I will need someone to physically be there for.” When Ryder continued to stare at her, she quickly added, “It probably won’t be more than a couple of times, so it won’t be too big of an issue. I told William that I would work around his schedule.”

  Ryder considered her words and came up with his own conclusion—Casey didn’t want to work with him. If he had to read her nervous chatter, he’d say that she would go out of her way to work around his uncle’s busy schedule just so Ryder wasn’t involved. It was all the opening he needed to get himself reacquainted with her. Ryder Montgomery never walked away from a challenge. And Casey had clearly just presented him with one.

  * * *

  “You can count on me, Mac,” Ryder said an hour later as he lounged on a chaise on his back deck overlooking the ocean. “Fax me everything I’ll need, and I’ll get with Casey and take care of it.”

  “Are you sure? Dad said he’d be willing to help. I know that you were looking forward to this downtime. I hate infringing on that.”

  “Nonsense, what is family for?”

  Mac laughed. “I don’t think you realize what you’re getting yourself into. Hell, most of the time I find myself zoning out. There’s only so much I can take of flower arrangements and place cards and linens. It’s a damn nightmare.”

  “Well, just as long as you trust me to make the right decisions,” Ryder said lightly, thinking that this day was starting out perfectly.

  “There won’t be any that you’ll have to make single-handedly. Well, with the exception of the venue. You might end up being the tiebreaker on that one. Gina and I just couldn’t choose. They’re both great and I’m sure that Casey can arrange for you to take the grand tour of each one.”

  “I’ll be sure to call her today and set that up.” Ryder wasn’t about to mention to his cousin that he had already searched out the beautiful wedding planner, or that he was thinking of more than wedding plans where she was concerned. “Don’t worry, Mac. If I have any questions or concerns, I’ll reach out to Gina first, then you, and then your father.”

  Mac sighed with relief. “I don’t know how I can ever repay you, Ry. Everything hit the fan at once, and Gina was torn as to what she was supposed to do. I know she’ll be able to go and take care of her mother and relax knowing that we have someone right there overseeing things. Thank you.”

  “Like I said, what’s family for?”

  * * *

  “So he’s going to do it?” Gina asked when Mac hung up the phone.

  He nodded. “He’s not doing anything but being a beach bum for the next three months, so I think this will be a good project for him—work, but not too much. I can’t imagine Ryder being able to sit and do nothing for three whole months. He’s a Montgomery—we go crazy if we don’t have something to do.”

  Walking over to where Mac stood, Gina got on tip-toes and wrapped her arms around his neck. After all this time, it still amazed her that Mac was hers and that she could touch him and kiss him whenever she wanted. She took advantage of that and gave him a kiss that told him exactly how pleased she was with the situation. “What am I going to do without you for two whole weeks?”

  Mac’s mouth was already working its way down the slender column of her neck. “I could cancel my trip,” he said between kisses. “Just go to San Francisco with you.”

  Gina’s head fell back as she purred. “That would be selfish of me.” She didn’t sound the least bit sorry for it as she moved her body even closer to his.

  Tearing his mouth from her sweet-smelling skin, Mac swung Gina up into his arms and strode toward their bedroom. “That’s okay,” he said with a low growl. “Because I’m about to be a little selfish myself.” Kicking the bedroom door closed behind him, Mac lowered his fiancée to the bed and followed her down. “And I’m not sorry about it either.”

  * * *

  Casey arrived at her office at ten and looked at her calendar while she waited for her computer to boot up. She had planned on taking her usual morning walk on the beach to get her head clear and ready for the day, but seeing Ryder and talking to him had made clear thinking impossible. If anything, her head was crowded with memories of their past and thoughts of having to work with him now.

  And why couldn’t he have gotten fat or lost all of hi
s hair? Why did he have to be even more devastatingly handsome than he had been all those years ago? Casey knew without a doubt that if Ryder showed even the slightest interest in her again, she’d quickly lose the battle to stay detached.

  And then she’d be brokenhearted when he left again.

  Dammit.

  She looked up at a knock on her door and smiled as her partner, Julie, walked in carrying her baby daughter. “Knock, knock,” Julie said, dropping a diaper bag and purse on the nearest surface. “Sorry to intrude, but I have a huge favor to ask.”

  “Sure. What’s up?”

  Julie sat down opposite Casey and used her best pleading expression. “My sitter is down with the flu and Thomas has meetings all day, and I’m scheduled to go and do a walk-through and a cake tasting with the Millses. I hate to ask because I’m sure you’re busy, but…could you watch Savannah for me for a couple of hours?”

  Casey never turned down an opportunity to babysit for Julie’s daughter; she was precious and it gave Casey her baby fix. Lately her own biological clock was ticking louder and louder, and just a couple of hours alone with Savannah seemed to keep her in check. “No problem. I don’t actually have anything on my calendar today other than drawing up some contracts, but Erica can help with that.”

  “You are a lifesaver,” Julie said as she sagged in her seat. “She’s had her breakfast and I just changed her, and she’ll probably go down for a nap soon. I can bring in all of her paraphernalia so that your work won’t be disturbed too much.”

  “That would be great,” Casey said with a smile. She knew that things could change in an instant with a baby, but having all of the things that Savannah was familiar with here in her office would make things a little bit easier should the baby get distressed over anything.

  Julie handed her daughter over and quickly turned to start moving things into Casey’s office. “Loving you!” she called over her shoulder.

  Looking down at the baby in her arms, Casey said, “We’re going to have fun today…yes we are!” Savannah smiled and cooed at her, and Casey’s heart simply melted. She held the little girl close and breathed in the scent of baby shampoo and talcum powder. There was no sweeter smell than a baby.

  “You look good with her, Case,” Julie said as she set up the portable crib in the corner of Casey’s office. “You are going to be a fabulous mother one day.”

  “Any idea when that will be?” Casey said wryly.

  “Don’t rush it,” Julie said with a chuckle. “They are sweet to hold and snuggle with, but they come with a ton of responsibility—and equipment.” Looking around the office, she motioned to the crib, stroller, toys, diaper bag, and car seat. “She practically needs her own wing in the house.”

  “I think we need all of this stuff more than she does. Something that makes noise and is colorful to look at, and a pair of arms to cuddle her with, and she’s happy as a clam.”

  Julie snorted with laughter and then covered her mouth. “You keep telling yourself that. And while you’re riding your magical unicorn home, let me know how it goes when those arms that are busy cuddling need to actually answer the phone or cook dinner or get dressed or—”

  “Okay, okay, I get it. Sheesh! Don’t worry about us. Go and get your bride and groom set with their food and venue; Savannah and I will be fine.” She looked down and felt her heart skip a beat as Savannah smiled so sweetly at her. “Just remember to keep your phone on,” she added for good measure.

  “Uh-huh.” Coming around the desk, Julie kissed her baby girl on the head and promised Casey she’d get back as soon as possible. Once the door was closed behind her, Savannah’s lip began to quiver.

  “Oh no, sweetheart,” Casey said softly. “It’s okay. We’re going to have fun together. I promise.” She wasn’t sure if the baby actually understood her—or believed her—but she was thankful that the lip quiver didn’t turn into a full cry.

  An hour later, Savannah was down for a nap and Casey was going through her messages. There were several inquiries from potential clients, and once she had responded to them all, she began going through her roster of current clients and confirming what she needed to be doing for them.

  Mac and Gina’s wedding was at the top of her list, and not only because of her meeting with Ryder earlier. There was still so much to do, and it was going to be the first time that she was having to make all of the crucial decisions without the bride being right there beside her. Picking up her phone, she dialed William Montgomery’s work number and waited patiently while his assistant put him on the line.

  “Casey,” he said, and she heard the smile in his voice. “How are you today?”

  “Fine, thanks. I just wanted to see what your schedule was like for the end of the week. Would you be available to take the drive down and tour the two venues?”

  His silence seemed to drag on before he finally spoke. “Actually, I have a pretty full schedule this week. Can it wait until the middle of next week?”

  “Unfortunately, no. If we don’t reserve now, we risk losing one or both. I would hate for that to happen.”

  “I haven’t had the opportunity to speak to Ryder, but—”

  “How about I see what I can do? Maybe if I sweet-talk both of the managers, they’ll hold the date for me until you are able to come and see them for yourself?”

  “That won’t be necessary. I’m sure Ryder can do this one thing for me. After this, I promise to be more accessible. This all just came out of the blue, and so I wasn’t prepared for it. But now that I know that you’re going to need me to come down there, I’ll block off some days and we can go through everything. How does that sound?”

  She supposed that it could work. If it meant only having to work with Ryder one afternoon rather than multiple ones, Casey would be able to mentally prepare herself.

  Maybe.

  Hopefully.

  “Casey?”

  Oh, right. William was waiting for her response. “That should be fine. You can have him call my office, and we’ll set up an appointment. Tell him that it will be quick and painless.”

  “I’m glad we found a solution. I’m sure Ryder will be in touch,” he assured her and then promised to do the same the following week.

  When Casey hung up the phone, she noticed that Savannah was starting to stir and was surprised to see that it was lunchtime. Standing, she walked over to the portable crib and smiled down at the baby’s sleepy grin. “Well hey, sweet girl. Did you have a good nap?” She continued to chat and coo as she went about getting Savannah changed and situated so that they could see about lunch.

  “Who’s my sweet girl? Huh? You are; you’re my sweet girl.” Savannah kicked her tiny legs and flailed her arms about as she laughed at Casey’s silly tone.

  That’s how Ryder found them.

  * * *

  Casey had a baby? What the…?

  Ryder wasn’t sure why he was surprised or why he felt like he had been kicked in the chest. Twelve years was a long time, and Ryder was certain that Casey hadn’t been pining for him all that time. But still, the thought of Casey married and having babies with some random man and the reality of having to see it for himself were two completely different things. He kept telling himself that he didn’t want to know, that maybe ignorance was bliss, but the sight of Casey smiling down and cooing at her baby girl hurt more than anything Ryder had ever experienced.

  Forcing himself to put on his business face, he knocked on the office door. The startled look on Casey’s face clearly mirrored his own, but Ryder was sure that the shock of seeing him standing in her office was nothing compared to the shock of seeing her with a baby.

  We should have had babies. Casey should be here right now taking care of our baby.

  The voice in his head was so loud, so clear, that Ryder had to look around to make sure that there wasn’t someone else there actually speaking the words
out loud. Doing his best to shake himself out of his stupor, Ryder cleared his throat and stepped further into Casey’s office. “Sorry to interrupt,” he began uncomfortably. “I talked to Mac earlier and figured there was no time like the present to try and get the venue tours scheduled. I hope you don’t mind me showing up without an appointment.”

  Situating the baby more comfortably on her hip, Casey forced a smile. “No, no…this is fine. My schedule was pretty clear this morning. I was just about to get lunch for Savannah.”

  Nodding, Ryder forced his own smile. “If this is a bad time…”

  Casey stepped around the desk and motioned for Ryder to follow her. “I just have to heat up a bottle.” She led him down the hall to the small kitchenette. She chatted to the baby rather than Ryder until she had the bottle heated. “I spoke to your uncle earlier, and the soonest he could come out here is the middle of next week. I really wanted him to look at the venues, but at this late date, we risk losing them both if we don’t act now.”

  “Late date? The wedding is what? Three months out?”

  She laughed out loud and startled the baby in her arms. Doing her best to soothe Savannah, she got her settled before facing Ryder again. “Believe it or not, most places are booked sometimes two years in advance. Normally I don’t like to take on an event on such short notice, but your cousin and his fiancée were very persuasive.”

  Now it was Ryder’s turn to laugh. “That sounds like Mac.”

  They walked back to Casey’s office, and she sat behind her desk to finish feeding the baby, motioning for Ryder to take a seat. “Anyway, it’s not an ideal situation, but we lucked out and found not one but two venues that actually have the date they want available. But we have to act fast. I can get us in to look at them both this afternoon, I’m sure. I’ll just have to make a couple of calls.” That was when Julie’s earlier words about having her arms full came back to her. She looked up at Ryder and smiled sheepishly. “Or I will once she’s done with her bottle.”