With This Cake: A Meet Me At The Altar Novel

by Samantha Chase

  “Yes, that’s me! Hi! I have a cupcake delivery for K.C. Is that you?”

  “I wish!” She stepped around the counter and motioned for Leanna to follow her. “I’m Deborah, by the way, and I’ve heard fantastic things about your cupcakes. I may have to order some for myself!”

  “You can call the offices any time. I think I have a card in my purse. Once I put these down…” They were walking down a long hallway and then Deborah opened the door to the outside.

  And the tarmac.

  “Um…”

  “K.C. requested that you bring them up onto the plane. The flight attendant up there will assist you. Her name is Robyn.”

  “Oh. Um…Okay. Thanks!” She stepped outside and it seemed exceptionally weird to be walking across the tarmac. There were several planes nearby and off in the distance, she saw one taking off. “You’d think the flight attendant could have just met me in the office,” she murmured as she approached the plane. The stairs were down and she took a steadying breath as she slowly made her way up.

  “Hi! You must be Leanna! I’m Robyn. It’s so nice to meet you!” The woman who greeted her was definitely older than Leanna–maybe in her forties–and seemed genuinely pleased to meet her.

  “Hi, Robyn! I’ve got cupcakes!” She was smiling even as she tried to look into the plane.

  “Here, let me take them from you. Do they need to be refrigerated?”

  “It depends on when you’re serving them. They’re fine as they are right now, but you might want to keep them in a cooler place if they’re going to be sitting out for a while.” She turned to look into the plane and gasped at how gorgeous and luxurious it was.

  “Would you like a tour?”

  “Oh, I shouldn’t. I can’t even believe I’m standing in one of these.” A nervous laugh was out before she knew it.

  “Well believe it,” a deep voice said from behind her.

  “Brody!” she gasped. “What are you doing here?”

  “Hey, Robyn,” he said as he stepped onto the plane and handed his satchel to her. “You can tell the captain we’re here and ready when he is. Thanks.”

  “Absolutely, Mr. King. Welcome aboard.”

  “Wait…what is happening right now?” Lea asked, completely confused.

  Leaning in, he kissed her. “What’s happening is we’re not going to the coast for the week. We’ll have to do that another time.”

  “Oh. So…where are we going? I don’t have anything here with me, Brody! It’s all back at the house!”

  He led her over to the door and she watched as her bags were being unloaded from his car. “The fact that you are very efficient and already packed helped out a lot.”

  “But…I thought we were going to the beach. Will what I have packed even work for where we’re going?” She paused. “And that is…?”

  Instead of answering, he led her farther back into the plane and motioned to one of the many large leather seats. “It’s a surprise.”

  “Brody…” she whined. “This isn’t funny! I’m not good with surprises. I had our whole beach week planned out! All my outfits…shoes…what if what I packed doesn’t work for where we’re going?”

  “Then I’ll have to take you shopping and get you whatever you want because I was the jerk who tried to surprise you,” he said blandly, but she saw a hint of a smile.

  “You’re not a jerk…”

  “Thanks.”

  “So where are we going?”

  With a dramatic sigh, he reached into his pocket and handed her…her passport. “Right now, we’re flying to New York where we’ll spend the night. Then tomorrow, we head to Paris for a week.”

  “Paris!” she cried. “Are you kidding me? Really?”

  He nodded but never got to say anything else because she flung herself into his lap and kissed him. “I wanted it to be a surprise but I never realized how much you disliked that sort of thing.”

  “Yeah, I really do. I’m too curious for my own good,” she said, hugging him tight. “Paris! Oh my goodness! I’m totally not prepared for this and we’re definitely going to have to shop.” She gasped. “The girls! I’ll need to tell the girls what’s going on! If they need me, they won’t realize the time difference and…”

  He silenced her with a kiss and once she settled, he lifted his head. “The girls are one hundred percent in on this. There’s an extra suitcase packed for you with all new stuff. Josie did the shopping but Skylar said to tell you that she approved of everything and not to be scared.”

  “Oh, okay. Whew!”

  “I went to them last month with this idea and they made sure your schedule was clear and that all your clients were going to be well taken care of. But once we’re in the air, you can totally call them.”

  “Wow! You really thought of everything!”

  “I tried. It wasn’t easy making sure both of our schedules were cleared.”

  “I’m sure it wasn’t.”

  “However…I did find out something very interesting this week that…well…took me by surprise.”

  Frowning, she climbed off his lap and sat back in her seat. “That sounds serious. Is everything okay?”

  Nodding, he explained, “Dad’s back at work full-time and we were going over some contracts when he asked about this trip.”

  “O-kay…”

  “Then he let it slip that he had a conversation with you the day he came home from the hospital.”

  “Oh, he…uh…he mentioned that, huh?”

  The look of amusement on his face was adorable. “He did. Then he told me how you put him in his place while telling him how amazing I am.”

  “Well…you are amazing.”

  “Then he finished up by telling me that I better not let you get away because you’re the best woman in the world for me.” He chuckled. “Actually, he said you were too good for me and I shouldn’t screw this up, so…”

  “So…?”

  “I promised myself I’d wait until we were standing in front of the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame or while walking along the Seine, but…” He took one of her hands in his. “Leanna Baker, a few months ago I told you I wanted a life with you and how you are my home. But the thing is…there’s still something missing.”

  She felt herself starting to shake and tears stung her eyes and she wanted to wipe them away but that meant breaking the moment.

  “I want more than what we have right now. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized I might have to do some of my best negotiating to make that happen.”

  “Oh, really?”

  He nodded. “I want you to be my wife,” he said softly. “I want a life where we’re married and have kids and a dog. A life where we travel together. As a family.” Pausing, he caressed her hand. “But more than anything, I want you to make me the happiest man in the world. Will you marry me and create that life with me?”

  She hated how she was openly bawling as she said yes. Brody sealed the deal with a kiss.

  When she lifted her head moments later and smiled at him, she told him, “I really like the way you negotiate, Brody King. And I can’t wait to spend my life with you.”

  “Excuse me, Mr. King? Ms. Baker? We’re preparing for takeoff,” Robyn told them before walking away.

  So they buckled their seatbelts and held hands as the plane lifted off the ground. Leanna was excited because it was the perfect proposal and they were heading off to her dream vacation as a newly-engaged couple, but…

  No ring.

  She glanced over at Brody and then at her hand and wondered how to broach the subject. Unfortunately, her good manners kept her from saying anything all throughout their flight.

  And their stay in New York.

  And the flight the next day to Paris.

  Honestly, she had no idea how much longer she could go without at least mentioning a ring, but luckily, Brody put her out of her misery. They were finishing breakfast in the hotel garden–which was really an oasis of flowers lined by plush drawing ro
oms and a colonnade adorned by blossoming orange trees–when Brody smiled up at her.

  “How do you like Paris so far?”

  “Right now? It’s one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. This garden is amazing. I’m not sure anything could top this.”

  And that’s when he got down on one knee and presented a magnificent antique princess cut ring to her. “I told you I knew I should have waited, but watching you staring at your hand for the last two days had been a bit of fun.” He winked. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it until my dying breath, I love you.” Sliding the ring onto her finger, Leanna could only look down in awe.

  “I would have been fine without one,” she murmured. “You know, if you would have just told me…”

  “Got it. No more surprises.” He rose and kissed her soundly. “Now let’s get going. I’ve made arrangements for you to work with some of the hotel’s pastry chefs this afternoon and I know there’s a lot that you want to see so…”

  “Pastry chefs? Really?” she asked excitedly. “But…how?”

  He kissed her again. “I made a few inquiries because I wanted to surprise you.”

  “You just said…” she teased but immediately laughed. “Thank you.”

  “You are very welcome.” He held out his arm to her. “Now let’s get started. If we’re going to eat our way around Paris, we’re going to have to do a lot of walking to work some of it off.”

  “Hmm…I hadn’t thought of that. I might have to…hit the gym with you.”

  His eyes lit up. “Yes! Finally! Now I finally feel like we’re in sync. You got me to eat cake and I’m getting you to the gym! What could be better than this?”

  “Eating some French pastries in bed and then working off those calories while naked?”

  Brody swung her up in his arms and strode back into the hotel. “I love the way you think!”

  Don’t miss the rest of the Meet me at the altar series!!

  The Engagement Embargo

  With this Cake

  You May Kiss the Groomsman

  * * *

  https://www.chasing-romance.com/meet-me-at-the-altar-series

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  Prologue

  “Good morning and thank you for calling Enchanted Bridal! This is Hailey, how may I help you?”

  Cammie Parker smiled at the sound of her former boss’s voice. “Hey, Hailey, it’s Cammie! How are you?”

  “Oh, my goodness! This is a pleasant surprise! I’m doing well, how about you?”

  It was funny how much she needed to hear a familiar voice right now. “Things are going well,” she said. “I’m calling because I have a favor-slash-opportunity to talk to you about.”

  “I’m intrigued,” Hailey said in that serene way she had.

  “You know when I left Enchanted, I wasn’t sure where I was going to land, right?”

  “Well, I knew you were moving back to the mountains to be closer to your family, after…um…”

  “Yes,” Cammie said, quickly cutting her off. “And I did, and I recently started working at a local resort here in Emerald Grove.”

  “That’s wonderful! Is it a rustic kind of lodge?”

  Cammie couldn’t help but laugh softly. “When I was growing up, it was a lot more rustic than it is now. It recently went through a fantastic renovation and they are rebranding and looking for ways to draw some attention to themselves.”

  “O-kay…”

  “Anyway, I got a job working with their events coordinator and I pitched an idea that she loved, but…it mostly hinges on you and the outcome of this conversation.”

  “Now I’m really intrigued.”

  Doing her best to not sound nervous, Cammie let out a long breath and silently prayed that Hailey and the girls at Enchanted Bridal would be open to what she was about to propose.

  “I suggested that we hold a bridal expo here at the resort,” she stated, and before Hailey could comment, she went on. “The plan is to have it be similar to the ones you would host–both at the new facility and the ones you participated in all over North Carolina and the surrounding areas. Our event space isn’t nearly as large as some of the ones you’re used to, but I thought it could still work. Apparently weddings are something we’re seriously targeting here at Emerald Grove and I figured if I could get you and maybe the girls from Meet Me at the Altar to come too, then I can reach out to local vendors for the rest.”

  And with another long breath, she waited for Hailey’s response.

  And waited.

  And waited.

  “Um…Hailey…?”

  “Sorry, I was just thinking it all through in my head a bit. When are you planning on this?”

  “I know it might be a little short notice, but…eight weeks,” she said hesitantly.

  “Hmm…not impossible,” Hailey replied thoughtfully. “And considering you’re talking a scaled-down version of what we normally do, I don’t foresee any problems.”

  “Plus, it’s really just the fashion show! I’m going to handle everything else. I swear!”

  “Cammie, it’s okay. Really. I don’t think we’ll have an issue. If anything…”

  “Since I was so familiar with the fashion show schedule after working with you for so long, I knew there wouldn’t be any conflict. But if it’s too short of notice, I can work with that. Nothing is finalized yet.”

  “I need you to do me a favor first,” Hailey said solemnly.

  “Anything.”

  “Breathe. I can hear it in your voice that you’re nervous.”

  “Maybe a little…”

  “Second, is there anything else you would like help with? I know you worked a lot of the shows with us, but you weren’t involved with a lot of the planning because we had it all down to a science.”

  While that was true, Cammie had watched everything that had gone on around her and paid attention to every detail. On top of that, she had done a lot of research on her own before pitching the idea of the expo to her new boss.

  “I appreciate the offer, Hailey, but I think I’ve got almost everything worked out.” Then she let out a small laugh. “But you should probably expect a couple of calls from me between now and then.”

  “Anything you need, I’m here to help.”

  “Thank you,” she said as relief washed over her. “So far I’ve only pitched the idea. Once I have more of the details finalized, I’m going to present it again and then hit the ground running.”

  “I’m sure your boss will love it. Email me the details and what you’d like from us, and I’ve got the date on my calendar. You said eight weeks so that would be…the weekend of the seventeenth, right?”

  “Exactly. It will be an all-day event, so you’ll definitely want to come in the day before. I’ll set up a block of rooms for you and the models and get that information over to you too.”

  “Perfect.” She paused. “And you’re also reaching out to the girls at Meet Me at the Altar?”

  “Definitely. I know I don’t know the girls there personally, but I know their reputation. Plus, I remember you praising them.”

  “Oh, they’re wonderful! I only wish we had met them before they set up their offices. I would have loved to have them here with us.”

  “You have so many amazing businesses in the complex with you already,” Cammie said with a smile. “And who knows? Maybe somewhere down the line, you’ll join forces and have some sort of mega complex!”

  Hailey groaned. “I don’t know if I could stand any more construction!”

  They both laughed before Cammie spoke again. “I know you’re all several hours from here, but I felt like you’re both the absolute best at what you do and I can personally–or somewhat personally–vouch for you. The last thing I want is to bring in vendors who don’t know what they’re doing. Maybe next year I’ll have more time to interview and research, but as long as you don’t mind the drive…”

  “We’re used to it
. And if Josie, Skye, and Leanna aren’t convinced it’s worth the travel, I’ll give them a call. You know how persuasive I can be.”

  That made her laugh because there was no one more persuasive than Hailey James-Pierce.

  Well, except maybe her mother.

  Judith James was the woman who started Enchanted Bridal so many years ago, but it was Hailey and her three business partners who turned it into the premiere bridal business in the southeast.

  “I know you can, and if I need you to call them, I’ll let you know.”

  “Okay, now that we have business out of the way, how are you doing? How is it to be living back in the mountains?”

  “I’m enjoying it more than I thought. Things have been so hectic–I had to find a job and a place to live…”

  “I thought you were staying with your parents?”

  “Um…yeah. That didn’t last. But I did find a great little house to rent, so everything’s good now.” She glanced at the clock and realized it was getting late and she still had another dozen or so calls to make.

  “Say no more,” Hailey said with amusement. “I love my parents, but I don’t think I could ever live with them again.”

  “Exactly.” She paused. “Listen, Hailey, I am so excited to be working with you again, but I really need to go. Tons of calls to make and I’m sure you’re busy, too. I promise we’ll catch up when you’re here.”

  “Sounds good, Cammie. And thanks for thinking of us!”

  “Well, you are the best of the best! And thanks again. I can’t wait to get things started!”

  After saying goodbye, she hung up and let out a happy little sigh. This was going to be good for her. The opportunity to head up such a big event and have it run smoothly would ensure that her boss would be impressed with her.

  “Nothing can stop me now!”

  Little did she know those would be her famous last words…

  Chapter 1

  Eight fifty-seven in the morning and Cammie Parker was already running late.