As she quickly made her way across the massive lobby of the Emerald Grove Resort, she prayed no one would stop her. This was her first chance to head up a planning meeting and it would not be cool to be late.
Eight fifty-nine.
Quickly turning a corner, she sprinted down the hall and stopped at the door to the offices. Taking a deep breath, she ran a hand over her hair–which was thankfully pulled back in a sleek ponytail–and opened the door.
“Good morning,” she said and cursed how breathless she was.
The receptionist, Anna May Massey, looked up from the front desk and smiled. “Good morning!” Then she studied Cammie for a moment. “You okay?”
What was the point in lying? “I was running a little late and pretty much sprinted here from my car.”
Standing, Anna May laughed. “Well, take a minute to catch your breath, and then we’re meeting in Dixie’s office at nine-fifteen.”
Cammie watched as Anna May walked away and almost sagged with relief. She wasn’t late–not really–and she had a few minutes to pull herself together. Working at the resort was a bit of a dream come true. Not only because of the timing, but because she had lived not far from it since her sophomore year of high school–and before moving to Raleigh several years ago–and Emerald Grove was a place that always called to her. And now, here she was!
Grabbing a bottle of water, she quickly took several sips and began to cool down. The opportunity with Dixie Cruz couldn’t have come along at a better time. And after a rough patch in her life that she’d love to forget, it seemed like things were finally going her way.
At nine-thirteen, she took her seat in Dixie’s office. Anna May was already in there, and after saying hello to Dixie, she swiped her tablet screen to pull up the agenda.
“Okay, let’s start by looking at our upcoming calendar. We’ve got six events in the next two weeks,” Dixie began.
“Six?” Cammie asked. “But...how…?”
“You’ll get used to the pace,” Anna May said with a smile. “Although I’m sure it’s only going to get busier now that the resort is done being under construction. I know a lot of people are just dying to come in and look at it all and see for themselves! I’ll bet…”
“Anna May,” Dixie interrupted with a bit of a snap. “May I continue?”
Cammie had to hide a smile. In the last month she had learned that Dixie was extremely task-oriented while Anna May tended to constantly run off on a tangent.
It made for some interesting conversations.
“And you don’t worry, Cammie,” Dixie added. “We’re not just going to throw you to the wolves.”
“Thank God,” she sighed and then relaxed.
“Except for the expo,” Anna May chimed in. “I know we haven’t talked a lot about it yet, but it already sounds a bit overwhelming! I’m sure you could teach us a thing or two where that event is concerned!”
Dixie let out a loud sigh and then went on. “First up is our Friday night wedding - second time around for both, only two attendants and two dozen guests for dinner. We could almost do that one with our eyes closed.”
“Agreed,” Anna May said.
“We’ll follow that up Saturday afternoon with the Malcolm-Charles wedding. More traditional - four attendants, fifty guests for lunch. No weird requests, so I think we’re good there too.”
Everyone nodded and checked off their lists.
“Saturday night is the Briggs-Davies event,” Dixie continued. “High-maintenance bride, uninterested groom, bitchy mother of the bride.”
Cammie looked up and saw she was the only one who seemed dismayed. As if sensing her apprehension, Anna May reached over and patted her hand. “You’ll get used to it. We have to be brutally honest with one another on these things. And we keep that brutal honesty here behind closed doors. It makes it all run smoother.”
“Are... are all the events filled with…”
“Drama?” Anna May finished for her. “Yes. It goes with the territory. Some events…”
“Like the Malcolm one…” Dixie supplied.
“Are a breeze. Then you get the Briggs group in here and you have to wonder why they’re even getting married when divorce is so clearly in their future.”
Cammie found the whole thing a little disenchanting. Weddings were supposed to be a beautiful event - a happy event - and yet the business end of it was totally…not.
Anna May patted her hand again and smiled. “You’ll get used to it. Trust me. We don’t take these things lightly, but after a while, you begin to see the signs and…”
“It’s hard to keep your observations to yourself,” Dixie said with a sympathetic smile.
Rather than respond, Cammie just nodded. “Got it.”
They went down the list of the Sunday events before letting Cammie take the floor to discuss the expo's plans. It felt a little strange to be the one taking the lead on this, but she’d done so many of them with Hailey and the girls at Enchanted over the last two years that it was like second nature.
Once she was done, they went over the two small events scheduled for next weekend–an engagement party and an anniversary one. Neither seemed overly complicated.
Next on the agenda were the appointments with prospective couples wanting to book a destination wedding with them. Cammie followed along as Dixie read off the list, and then she gasped and choked on her own saliva.
“Oh my God, Cammie! Are you all right?” Anna May cried as she jumped up.
Both women surrounded her, patting her on the back, pouring her a glass of water as she tried to catch her breath. It took a few minutes, but when she was finally able to breathe again, she looked at Dixie in dismay. “I’m sorry, did you say Van Wilkinson-Cameron wedding?”
They nodded. “Do you know them?”
“You could say that,” she murmured and quickly drank a little more water.
“I’m sensing a story…” Anna May said quietly, retaking her seat.
She nodded. “Six months ago, I was supposed to be the next Mrs. Cameron.”
“You were going to be Cammie Cameron?” Dixie asked. “I think you dodged a bullet.”
“Oh, believe me, the name wasn’t the only thing I dodged.” Cammie hated even thinking about what a mistake she almost made, but with all eyes on her, she knew she couldn’t avoid telling the story. “I dated Preston for two years…”
“Preston?” Dixie said with a laugh, but quickly cleared her throat and her expression went neutral. “Sorry. Go on.”
“He was so traditional. Very respectable and polite. The perfect gentleman.”
“Boring,” someone murmured.
“That too. But at the time, I was able to look beyond it because he was studying to pass the bar exam and I thought once he was settled in at a law firm, he’d relax a bit.”
“Um, sweetie? Lawyers don’t normally relax,” Dixie commented, sitting back down behind her desk.
“Learned that one, too,” Cammie said, sighing. “Anyway, we got engaged after a year together and we were planning our wedding. Everything was set - the church, my dress, the catering hall…”
“So, what happened?” Anna May asked.
“So cliché,” she murmured, ducking her head, the embarrassment still fresh. “He was working late on a case and I stopped by to see him at the office. And as you can guess…”
“You were the one surprised,” they said in unison.
“Bingo. She was the boss’s daughter - the Van Wilkinson in the Van Wilkinson-Cameron wedding.” Sighing, Cammie said, “It was so weird because…he texted me earlier in the day asking me to come by the office and bring him his phone charger. At the time, I thought it was odd because he always kept a spare but…”
“Damn. I’m so sorry. That just...it sucks,” Dixie said sympathetically.
“Nicely said,” Anna May murmured.
“It was like he wanted to get caught,” Cammie commented, more to herself than to anyone else. “So...the thought of working
on their wedding…”
She thought for sure they’d back her up and tell her she could have that day off.
But they didn’t.
“Cammie, we hired you because we’re trying to expand the events here at the resort. You won’t have to deal with them directly. We’ll make sure of it. However…there’s a chance you will have to handle some things at their event. I’m sorry.” Dixie’s voice was firm, even though her expression was compassionate.
“I... I understand.” But she didn’t. Right now, she just wanted to scream and stamp her foot and have a pity party for herself. Why was life so damn unfair? Why did Preston get to go on and have a dream wedding at the one place she had already deemed was her perfect place to get married? Why did he get to experience it–the cheating bastard–while she was stuck working at it?
“We haven’t booked them yet,” Dixie commented. “For all we know, the date they want can already be taken.”
No one commented on that point, and Cammie didn’t take it as a good sign.
“Why don’t we take a break and meet up again after lunch?” Dixie said softly. “Take a little time to sort of let all of this sink in.”
“Thanks,” Cammie said quietly. “I appreciate it.”
“We’ll meet back here at one-thirty if that works for everyone.”
They were all in agreement, and Cammie said a quick goodbye as she walked out the door. She looked around–trying to find a quiet corner where she could either have a crying jag or a screaming fit. Unfortunately, she didn’t want to be in earshot of her boss and co-worker when it happened. And that meant her office was also out of the question because they’d still hear her.
The Emerald Grove Resort was massive, and, no doubt, if she put some effort in, she’d find a spot. Cammie walked with purpose out the door and onto the path that led to the maintenance and storage area. If she could just hold on for a few more minutes, she’d be able to let all of her rage and frustration out without witnesses.
She spotted the landscaping shed. It was amazing she even remembered that’s what it was–her tour of the resort had been over two weeks ago and it was a whirlwind. Funny how some things just stuck–like the landscaping shed–and yet she still couldn’t find the closet where they stored all of their linen samples for potential clients to look at.
Quickening her pace, she took a look around and realized she was alone. Relieved, she pulled the big wooden door open, stepped inside without really seeing anything, and just as quickly shut it before letting out a stream of curses guaranteed to make a sailor blush.
“I can’t imagine what I or these tools did to piss you off, but I give you props for such a colorful vocabulary,” a deep voice said from behind her right before she screamed.
Cade Taylor did his best to avoid drama and loved how his job managing Emerald Grove's grounds allowed him time to be by himself. It was peaceful–almost therapeutic–and everything he wanted in a job.
In his five years of working at the resort, this was the first time a guest had come screaming into his tool shed.
Well…not screaming. Not exactly. But she was certainly fired up over something.
He put the metal file down that he was using to sharpen the blade on one of his shears and studied the woman. Her eyes were wide as she looked at him, but he wasn’t sure if it was because she was shocked to see him or just…crazy.
“Um…Miss?” he prompted.
Her hand reached over her heart as if willing it to slow down. No doubt he’d scared her–if her scream was anything to go by. She wore a light blue sundress that hit right above her knees, and her long blonde hair was pulled back away from a spectacular face. And even though she was a little breathless, he could see she was also a little irritated with his presence.
“You scared me,” she said finally.
“I got that,” he confirmed. “Are you all right?”
She just stared at him for a moment. “Seriously?”
“Okay, stupid question,” he said with a chuckle. “Still, can I…can I get you something? Are you lost? Is there someone I can call for you?”
With a sigh, her arms dropped to her sides. “Sorry. I just needed a moment alone. And…well…I didn’t realize anyone was in here. Again…sorry. I’ll just be on my way.”
She turned to leave, but oddly enough, Cade wasn’t quite ready to see her go. “So…do you often break into tool sheds to yell at inanimate objects?” He was going for light and teasing and was relieved when she smiled at him.
Then she laughed.
And it was rich and throaty and…wow. How was it possible for a laugh to be sexy?
“This was my first time,” she said, ducking her head.
“Well, if you ever need to do it again, just let me know. Normally the doors are locked, but we have several other storage area options for you to choose from here at the resort.”
She laughed softly and met his gaze. Her eyes were the color of dark chocolate, and even though she was smiling, he saw a hint of sadness there. “I appreciate the offer. I may take you up on it.”
“How long are you staying at the resort?”
She looked at him oddly and then said, “I’m not a guest. I work here.”
That was a surprise. Although the resort's size made it difficult to know everyone, Cade was confident he would have remembered seeing her before. “Oh. I didn’t…I guess I never…” Then he cleared his throat and wondered when the hell the last time was that he’d gotten so tongue-tied. “I’m Cade Taylor, by the way. I manage the grounds here.”
Her eyes went wide for a moment before her expression went neutral. “Hi, Cade,” she said softly. “I’m Cammie Parker. I’m working with Dixie Cruz in the events department.”
“Ah…the drill sergeant.”
“The drill sergeant?” she repeated.
Cade chuckled and raked a hand through his hair. “Um…yeah. It’s sort of how most of us refer to her. It doesn’t matter how chaotic things get, she manages to walk around looking as cool as can be, and then barks out orders and everyone falls in line. It’s very impressive.”
“Oh…um…okay.” Cammie was still studying him as if she were trying to figure out if she knew him. Actually, he was beginning to think the same thing about her.
“So if you’re working with the events here, I’m guessing you live local. Are you a native of the area?”
“Not a native, but I’ve lived here on and off since 2004. My family moved here when I was a sophomore in high school.”
“Ah…so you’re a Grove County graduate,” he said, pleased. “Why haven’t I seen you at any of the reunions?”
“Like I said, I’ve lived here on and off. After high school, I moved to Raleigh to go to college and stayed there until recently.”
“So what brought you back to Emerald Grove?” Cade saw her hesitate and figured it was a personal question. “Sorry, it’s really none of my business,” he said quickly. Sliding his hands into his pockets, he took a step back and figured he really should get back to work. “Anyway, like I said, if you need a place to let off some steam, there are plenty of options.”
She seemed to relax a bit at his change of subject.
“Thanks, Cade,” she said, smiling again.
“No problem.” He walked over and opened the doors and squinted at the bright sunlight. The weather was perfect today; there was a light breeze, the temperatures were mild, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
Perfect.
He held the door open for her and watched as she walked out and seemed to look around to get her bearings. “If you follow this path to the end and turn left, it will take you around the business offices of the resort. There’s a glass door that should take you right to the events offices.”
“Thanks. The property is a bit massive and I’m still finding my way around. It was sort of dumb luck that I even found my way here.”
That wasn’t what he’d call it, but he wasn’t about to argue with her. “Welcome to the Em
erald Grove Resort, Cammie. I hope I’ll see you around again.”
“Thanks again, Cade,” she smiled as she turned and walked away.
And Cade was more than happy to admire the soft sway of her hips as she did.
* * *
Get your copy now!!
https://www.chasing-romance.com/bride-seek
Also by Samantha Chase
The Magnolia Sound Series
Sunkissed Days
Remind Me
A Girl Like You
In Case You Didn’t Know
All the Befores
And Then One Day
Can’t Help Falling in Love
Last Beautiful Girl
The Way the Story Goes
* * *
Meet Me at the Altar
The Engagement Embargo
With this Cake
You May Kiss the Groomsman
* * *
The Enchanted Bridal Series:
The Wedding Season
Friday Night Brides
The Bridal Squad
Glam Squad & Groomsmen
Bride & Seek
* * *
The RoadTripping Series:
Drive Me Crazy
Wrong Turn
Test Drive
Head Over Wheels
* * *
The Montgomery Brothers Series:
Wait for Me
Trust in Me
Stay with Me
More of Me
Return to You
Meant for You
I’ll Be There
Until There Was Us
Suddenly Mine
A Dash of Christmas
* * *
The Shaughnessy Brothers Series:
Made for Us
Love Walks In
Always My Girl
This is Our Song
Sky Full of Stars
Holiday Spice
Tangled Up in You
* * *
Band on the Run Series:
With This Cake: A Meet Me At The Altar Novel Page 24