More of Me Read Online Free Page A

and we’ll set up an appointment. Tell him that it will be quick and painless.”
    â€œI’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.
    â€œWho’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.”
    â€œLate 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