How to Switch a Groom

by Cami Checketts

  The breakfast with her parents this morning had gone well, for a few minutes. They’d both been thrilled about the offer to start her charity and work with Kamilla. Her mother only made one snippety comment about her not even asking them for funding, and her father had tried to act interested. They had all pretended they had a relationship until Cally made the mistake of saying she might not take the offer, that she really enjoyed her job in Ogden and might look for outside sources to fund her charity.

  Her mother had exploded that the only reason Cally would give up on her dreams and stay in this backwards valley was another one of those Jepson boys trying to control her and ruin her life. Cally clammed up and left shortly after. It wasn’t worth trying to explain to her mother that she’d loved Colt, but she loved Tate even more. She’d been away from this small valley and met a lot of different men. She knew Tate Jepson was the best man she’d ever been around. The fact that he’d loved her most of his life made her want to sigh, run find him, and throw herself in his arms.

  Now she sat in the small conference room, waiting for the opportunity of a lifetime, and certain she’d made the wrong move. If she flew home now and begged Tate to forgive her, would he? Had she hurt him too much by telling him she loved him then leaving just like she knew she would? Was she destined to love and leave the Jepson brothers? Tate was all she could think about, all she wanted. Yet here she sat chasing her dreams halfway across the country.

  The door opened and Cally stood, teetering on her heels. She clenched her hands together, put on her brightest smile, and forced thoughts of Tate from her mind. Today was about making a lot of people’s dreams come true. Her charity was bigger than two mere people. If she and Tate were meant to be, things would work out. Somehow. As she shook Kamilla’s small hand, she knew she was lying to herself. She and Tate wouldn’t work out unless she put him first.

  She couldn’t do that today.

  Tate reviewed the medical chart of Emmaline Jensen on his laptop just outside Exam Room 4. Emma Jensen. If the woman was here for bunions and not for more meddling, Tate was Santa Claus.

  Cally had flown to Chicago this morning, and he’d come to work. His new patient appointments were booked out months in advance unless it was an emergency, and somehow Emma Jensen had an appointment today. Fishy. He squared his shoulders and rapped on the door.

  “Come in,” she called.

  Tate swung the door open, a professional smile on his face. She was sitting in a chair in a business suit with a lilac purple skirt and matching high heels on her small feet. A big smile decorated her face.

  “Mrs. Jensen,” he greeted. “You’re having a problem with bunions?”

  “Dr. Jepson.” She laughed. “You and I both know I’m not here for bunions.”

  He arched an eyebrow and withheld a sigh. “Oh?” He closed the laptop and set it aside. Emma was just a kind, older lady who meant well, but at the moment he wanted to walk out of the exam room and tell his nurses to escort her out. “What can I do for you then?”

  “You can hop on my plane and head straight for Chicago. You don’t have time to stop at the jewelers for a diamond ring, but I think Cally will understand. You’ll get there soon enough.”

  Tate’s heart leapt, despite sternly reprimanding himself not to freak out at hearing Cally’s name and diamond ring in the same sentence. She’d been gone a matter of hours. He wasn’t going to go chasing after her like some sap, though every part of him wanted to. He needed to give her space and allow her to figure out what direction she wanted her life to go. Whether he was going to be part of that life still remained to be seen.

  “Don’t you just sit there staring at me like you’re going to say no. The plane is at the Ogden Airport, fueled up with my pilot ready for you. There’s a car waiting in Chicago to take you to the Four Seasons where Cally is staying tonight. I’ve also got dinner reservations in your name at The Signature Room, ninety-fifth floor of the John Hancock Building.” She pumped her eyebrows. “Think about it. The surprise. The romance. Cally all to yourself.”

  Tate had never been to Chicago. He’d hated the place because it stole Cally from him. He hated the very word “Chicago”. Yet he could easily picture surprising Cally, holding her close, and taking her to a romantic restaurant with a killer view. But what if the surprise wasn’t what she wanted? And her eyes filled with pity because he’d chased after her just like Colt had done? Another Jepson brother would bite the dust in Chicago begging Cally Young to love him.

  Nope. Not happening.

  “I’ve got a full day here at the office and surgeries tomorrow, but I really appreciate the offer.” This woman had been at the root of Cally loving and leaving him, so his voice was colder than it usually would be.

  “Oh, Tate.” She sighed heavily. “There are some things more important than work.”

  Keeping his face blank, he slowly opened the door for her to leave. “Maybe you could tell Cally that.”

  “You do it for me. I made some mistakes with this one, Tate, but you and Cally can make it right.” Her bright smile returned, and she pressed a note card into his hands. “All the information is on there. Don’t keep my girl waiting.” With that, she strode out of the office with the energy and poise of a thirty-year-old. Emma Jensen was an impressive lady, but Tate still wasn’t thrilled with her.

  He stared at the words on the note for a few seconds. All the information was there, but also a little heart that had the words imprinted inside, “Love conquers all.” He rolled his eyes, shoved the note into his pocket, and grabbed his laptop. He only debated for a few seconds, and then he went to his next appointment.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Cally was surprised when Kamilla’s husband Johnathon and their son, Nate, both strode in behind Kamilla. They shook hands, settled into chairs, and Johnathon wasted no time on small talk, “We love the idea of your charity, and it’s perfect timing for us as our company is ready for a large-scale donation. In fact, Nate’s already assigned one of our marketing people to start researching deserving families in need of a new home or a home makeover immediately.”

  Cally simply stared at the three expectant faces in the room, she was shocked, thrilled … and terrified. Here it was. The perfect partner for her charity and they were already getting started. Emma had been very specific that the offer was contingent upon Cally working for Titanium. Could she really do that? Give up on what she felt for Tate or beg him to have a long-distance relationship? She couldn’t ask him to leave his home, his family, or his well-established medical practice, but they had to work things out … somehow.

  She stared long enough that Johnathon gave her a questioning smile, “Is that all right?”

  “Of course,” Cally was able to rush out. “I’m thrilled.” It was perfect, but what about Tate?

  “Good.” Kamilla reached over and squeezed her hand. “Now about the offer, it’s the head designer position.”

  Cally’s eyes widened. Emma hadn’t told her that.

  “We didn’t feel right about an internal hire when our head designer announced her retirement. Our designers are all fabulous, quality individuals, but each lacked certain key characteristics we feel are important.”

  “How do you know I have those key characteristics?”

  “I’ve been researching you for a while, since we found out Chanel was retiring,” Nate spoke up, “speaking with employers, clients, builders, other designers. We were surprised when you left Chicago, but luckily, Mom’s friend Emma told us what you were up to.”

  “Is the charity contingent on me taking the job?” Cally burst out.

  All their eyebrows rose, and Kamilla nodded shortly then said with a slightly cooler voice, “We thought you’d be flattered by this job offer.”

  “I am.” Cally shook her head, miserable and hating herself. All those people she could’ve helped, so many dreams she was ruining by saying no, but she had no choice. She loved Tate too much. She had to prove to him that he came first. She’d k
eep fighting to start her charity, but she was going to do it by Tate’s side. If he’d forgive her. “I just can’t move to Chicago right now.”

  They all looked at her a bit oddly then Johnathon explained, “You can be based wherever you’d like, Cally. As our head designer, we’ll expect you to travel to job sites, but with our technology, most of your work overseeing projects can be done remotely from wherever you prefer to call home.”

  Joy exploded in her. Tate! She preferred to call Tate home. “Yes, then my answer is yes!” She jumped to her feet, rushed around the conference table, and hugged them each in turn.

  Tate, Tate, Tate, her heart seemed to sing.

  She’d been so happy she couldn’t stop grinning as she thanked them repeatedly and went through the motions of getting set up as an employee of Titanium Homes. This job was a dream, her charity was going to happen, and most importantly she was going to find Tate and beg him to forgive her and kiss him and love him. The only thing that wiped her smile away was realizing that in leaving this morning, she’d chosen her job over him. If Tate could forgive her lack of faith in them, she would spend her life making it up to him. She loved him so much.

  Cally finally exited the building where the meeting had been held and floated along Michigan Avenue, so excited and happy she couldn’t stop grinning. A few people gave her odd looks, but most ignored her. She stopped by a man with a sign asking for help, pulled out all of her cash, and placed it in his cup. He stared up at her in shock. “God bless,” he murmured.

  “He does,” she agreed. Smiling, she waved and hurried up the street. She made it back to her hotel room, saying hello and grinning like a newbie at anyone and everyone along her path. She quickly packed her bag. Home. She was going home to Tate. She needed to pinch herself as the past few hours felt like a dream.

  Striding from the hotel room, she waited for the elevator, tapping into her Delta app to see if there were any open flights to Utah that left soon. She could hardly stand the wait to get to Tate.

  The elevator dinged at level one. She dropped her phone into her purse; she could figure out the flights on her Uber ride to the airport. The door slid open, and she grasped her suitcase, rushing to get out, but there was a tall person standing right in her way.

  “Excuse me.” Cally moved to go around the man but stopped short. “Tate?”

  He stood just outside the elevator. The look in his eyes was determination and uncertainty at the same time. It was an odd mix, especially on someone as confident as Tate. He strode toward her, and she instinctively backed up until he had her cornered against the rear wall of the elevator. The door slid closed behind them as he stared down at her. He looked handsome and enticing. Was she dreaming? Tate had come to Chicago to find her?

  Tate reached over and pushed the button for the forty-sixth floor.

  “Tate,” she whispered, releasing her suitcase and staring up at him in awe. “You came.”

  Tate nodded. His eyes swept over her, and then he murmured, “I came for you, Cally.”

  Her heart leapt, and her body wasn’t far behind. Cally threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. “I love you,” she said too loudly, too fiercely, but Tate didn’t seem to mind.

  His eyes crinkled as he smiled at her then wrapped his arms around her hips and pulled her flush to him. “I love you, too.” Then he was kissing her.

  The elevator soared up, but nothing could match the soaring of her heart or the tingling of her lips. Tate deepened the kiss, pressing her back against the elevator wall. Cally kissed him just as passionately, certain nobody could be as deeply in love as they were.

  The door dinged open behind them, they must’ve arrived at floor forty-six. They both ignored the chime, trading kiss for kiss.

  A throat cleared and a woman giggled. Tate released Cally and smiled down at her. He took her hand in his and her suitcase with his other hand, nodding to the couple waiting to get on the elevator.

  “Excuse us,” he said.

  Cally put a hand to her lips, tingling all over. Tate walked out into the hotel hallway. There was a window overlooking the city. He tugged her that direction, released her suitcase, and asked, “Where were we?”

  Cally grinned. “You were kissing me like the sun wasn’t going to shine tomorrow.”

  Tate smiled and traced a hand down her jawline. “It might not if I can’t have you close.” She wanted him to kiss her again, but he said, “Cally, if you need to be here for work, we’ll figure it out. I can move my practice or one of us can commute, whatever it takes. I was stupid to let you leave last night, let you think I wouldn’t put you first. I’ll do anything. I just know I have to be with you.”

  Cally blinked quickly to hold back the tears. She framed his face with her hands. “Tate, thank you. I love you so much.” He opened his mouth, but she rushed on with, “When you saw me downstairs I was rushing to the airport, flying back to Utah to find you. I have to be with you too.”

  “Oh, Cally,” he moaned and kissed her, lifting her off her feet.

  Cally clung to him, and when the kiss ended, she explained further, “I was prepared to tell the owners of Titanium I couldn’t take the job, you’re more important to me than any opportunity.”

  Tate didn’t say anything, he simply kissed her and cradled her close. “But your charity. What did they say?” he finally asked.

  “My job offer is amazing,” she continued, “and they said they would partner with me on my charity, and I can work remotely from wherever I choose to call home.” She looked over his handsome face. His blue eyes lit with happiness. “I choose you. Wherever you are is my home, Tate. You’re all I’ll ever need.”

  “I’m so happy right now.” Tate grinned and blew out a breath. “To think I almost didn’t come. That crazy Emma Jensen was at my office this morning. She set up my flight here, a room for me at this hotel, and dinner at the John Hancock Building.”

  “She is an eccentric old lady, isn’t she? She got me the offer with Titanium, and then she pushes you to chase after me.” She shook her head. “Maybe she knew exactly what we both needed and what we’d do.”

  He shrugged. “Maybe, I knew I had to take the chance that you’d reject me. But I love you too much to give up on us, no matter what.”

  Cally clung to him. “I love you.”

  He kissed her then, and it was many minutes, many throat clearings and giggles until they pulled apart. Cally didn’t care about their audience. Tate was all that mattered to her, now and always.

  About the Author

  Cami is a part-time author, part-time exercise consultant, part-time housekeeper, full-time wife, and overtime mother of four adorable boys. Sleep and relaxation are fond memories. She’s never been happier.

  Sign up for Cami’s newsletter to receive a free ebook copy of The Resilient One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance and information about new releases, discounts, and promotions here.

  Keep reading for a brief excerpt of Colt and Brikelle’s story: How to Design Love.

  www.camichecketts.com

  cami@camichecketts.com

  How to Design Love

  “I want you to meet the cabinet and wood-working guru, Colt Jepson,” Joshua said to Brikelle.

  The nicely built guy turned around with a grin on his face. “Nice to …” His voice trailed off and his eyes widened. She gasped as she recognized him. “The dog-hater,” he whispered, as if in shock to come face to face with her again.

  “The guy who doesn’t control his dog,” she flung back, for lack of a better slam.

  Joshua’s eyes darted back and forth between them, and the other cabinet guys paused in their work. Sparks crackled in the air, but not in a good way. Colt’s blue eyes reflected confusion and hurt. “You want me to lock up my innocent dog because you hate animals? He didn’t even do anything to you.”

  “Nothing would make me happier than knowing that huge beast isn’t going to chase me, or any other innocent runner or biker, up the canyon.” Brikel
le took a step closer to him. That this Colt guy was so laid-back about his dog having chased and tormented her made her furious. He had no clue that it wasn’t hatred, it was sheer terror, but she refused to act intimidated around him. She knew his type—good-looking, tough construction guy who drove his big truck with his big dog hanging off of the tailgate. He imagined every woman would cower to his demands. She was going to show him she wasn’t some sissy he could push around. He reminded her of Bradley Cooper, one of the stars of the A-Team remake, with that handsome face, blue eyes, perfect amount of facial hair, and perpetual smirk, like he was patiently enduring her crazy diatribe. She’d wipe that smirk right off.

  He sort of shook his head, making her advance even more. She wanted to poke him or something and stop him from looking at her like she was the irrational one.

  “Ike is too gentle and old to hurt anybody,” he explained as if she was a small child. “My nieces and nephews chase him around and take turns riding on him.”

  She was close enough she could finally poke, but she took it to the next level and smacked him on the chest. “What? Who in their right mind would let a little child be around a violent creature like that?”

  Colt wrapped his hands around her arms and pulled her right up against his chest. It didn’t hurt, but it definitely wasn’t some romantic move. He was probably as ticked as she was, but instead of yelling like she was doing, he lowered his voice and said very slowly and softly, “You have no idea what you’re talking about. Please stop calling my innocent dog derogatory names and act like a professional.” His eyes flitted to Joshua for emphasis.