11. Cassie
11
Cassie
He’s brought me breakfast and coffee, bought my lightbulb, and now he’s fixing my car. Who is this man? I’m starting to think I’ve made him up because I haven’t found one flaw about him. Okay, besides the black coffee, but it’s minor so I’ll let it slide. Other than that, he’s like a cinnamon roll. He’s sweet with a crunchy crust and gooey middle. He’s so kind, patient, and generous yet tough with his job.
“Can you hand me that screwdriver?”
“This one?” I hold up a wrench.
“That’s a wrench.”
“How about this one?” I ask, holding up pliers.
He raises his eyebrow. “Haven’t worked with tools much, huh?”
I chuckle and grab two screwdrivers from his toolbox. “Flathead or Phillips?” I hold them out to him.
He pauses and squints at me. “You’re a feisty one today. And after everything I’ve done for you.” He shakes his head with a smirk as he takes the Phillips screwdriver from me.
“Stick around, Hayes, and there’s a lot more where that came from.” I chuckle.
“You seemed so nice when we first met. Maybe Max and I were wrong.”
“Hey!” I punch his arm, which probably hurt me more than it did him. “I am nice. There’s just a little sass in here too.”
He laughs. It’s deep and resonates within me. “Good thing I can handle it. Guess I can thank Sadie for that.”
“It’s what younger sisters are for.” I shrug. “So, how did you become so skilled with cars?”
“It’s all thanks to my dad. He would let me help work on our car since I was a kid. Oil changes, brakes, you name it.”
“That’s incredible. I would’ve just taken it to the mechanic. What does he do?”
“Same as me.”
“A family of law enforcement. Is that something you always wanted?”
“Pretty much. Seeing my dad protect and serve our community was inspiring. I wanted to follow in his footsteps.”
“I bet he’s proud of you,” I say softly.
He pauses working for a moment then continues, “What inspired you to become an event planner?”
“I’ve always had a knack for it, and I had a great mentor who helped me.”
“That’s awesome. And you like running?”
“Yes, I do. I’m training for the Turkey Trot right now.”
“Woah, that’s impressive. Do you participate every year?”
“This is my first, actually. I didn’t start running until this last year.”
“What made you start?”
“Well, last year my dad retired, and my parents decided to travel full time. Around the same time, my event planning business started to take off, and while I love what I do, it can be stressful at times. So I turned to running.”
Ryan nods. “I understand that.”
“Compared to what you do, my job is a walk in the park. You’re a true hero, Ryan. Every day you put yourself in dangerous situations to protect complete strangers. I just make things look pretty.”
He starts to interrupt me, but I hold up my hand. “I’m just saying, your responsibilities far surpass mine. It takes a special kind of person to do what you do. My brother is in the military; I’ve seen the sacrifice it takes—the missed holidays, the physical and emotional toll.”
“Ahh, that explains the hat. I thought you just had something for men in uniform.” He winks at me.
“Very funny.” I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ears.
He looks up at me now with his piercing green eyes. “I have to say, I’ve never met anyone like you, Thompson.”
“Is that supposed to be a compliment or payback for my insult earlier?”
He stands, wiping his hands on a rag. He now towers over me. “I’d never insult you.” He smirks then whispers, “It’s the quiet ones you have to watch out for.”
I roll my eyes at him.
He continues, “You really are something else, Cassie. I knew you were different from the moment I met you. Which leads me to my next question.” He pauses but doesn’t break eye contact with me. “Cassie Thompson, will you go out with me?”
I freeze. My heart is pounding hard in my chest and a lump has formed in my throat. Did he just ask me out? I had to have heard him wrong. It must have been in my head. I’m dreaming up the perfect man and the perfect scenario.
“Um…what did you say?”
“Would you do me the honor of going out with me?” he says again.
Yep, I heard him right. It wasn’t my imagination. Summon confidence and coolness, Cass.
“Yes.” That’s all I manage to get out, but it was cool, calm, collected. Internally, on the other hand, I’m screaming like a teenage girl being asked to the prom by the football star that she’s had a crush on since elementary school.
“Yes?” he asks with his brows raised.
“I’d love to, Ryan Hayes.”
A smile widens across his face. “Does tomorrow night work for you?”
“Sounds perfect.” I try not to let out a squeal.
“Cool. Your light is all fixed, and I look forward to tomorrow.” He picks up his toolbox.
“Me too.” I smile and wave as he walks out of my garage.
I silently begin to celebrate by dancing. Ryan Hayes asked me out! Me! And I said yes. Ashey will be so proud of me. I twirl around when I bump into something hard. I slowly turn around to see Ryan with his lips pressed together.
“I, uh, forgot to give you your driver’s license.” He holds it out to me, a knowing grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.
I snatch my license from him, heat rising to my cheeks from embarrassment.
“You saw nothing.” I point at him.
He raises his hands in defense. “I saw nothing.”
I nod.
He lowers his hands and releases a laugh. “Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings,” he teases before turning away.
Did that really just happen? I guess there’s no hiding how excited I am about our date.
I go inside and get ready for my run. It’s later than usual, but I have to stay on track for my training for the Turkey Trot. I’ll get in a couple of miles at least.
It’s a perfect fall day today, and my run is invigorating. Or is that still the aftermath of my morning with Ryan? Either way, it’s a beautiful day.
I get back home from my run and get ready for the day. A few errands then I’m meeting Ryan for our last security meeting. We’re just a few days from the festival now. All security will be in attendance for this one. I thought the last meeting went fine, but Ryan requested one more before the event.
My first stop is the bookstore. I asked Mason to let me know when he got the latest release from Ivy Finch, my favorite cozy mystery author. I won’t have time to read it until after the festival, but at least I’ll have it.
I’m about to walk into the store when my phone rings in my pocket. It’s Mrs. Whittaker, my old mentor.
“Cassie, dear, I have news.”
“I’m all ears,” I say, preparing my emotions for whatever it might be.
“I just got off the phone with the Mercers. They want you to be their wedding planner!”
“ The Mercers?” I repeat.
“The benefits of making connections and knowing people, my dear,” she says matter-of-factly. “They want you to fly out as soon as possible. Can you leave the day after the festival?”
“Um, yes, I have a few days open.”
“Perfect. I’ll get everything over to you in a jiffy.”
This will be the wedding of the century. The Mercers are a small family from Indiana and are well-known for their connections through real estate. They aren’t the kind of rich to be front and center in the news, but I did hear that Caleb Mercer, the grandson, just proposed to a small-town baker. I’ve worked hard this last year, but I still can’t believe all the opportunities that are starting to come my way. I’ve planned all sorts of events, but none of my clients have had the kind of reputation the Mercer family has.
I immediately text Ashley and tell her the news. She replies that she’ll meet me here. In the meantime, I wander through the bookstore. The scent of books is intoxicating. As I wander through the cozy mystery section, my eye catches on a book with a German shepherd on the front. Out of curiosity, I pick up the book and read the blurb on the back. It’s about a detective and a mystery-solving canine set in a small town.
I laugh to myself at the irony. I tuck it under my arm, deciding to get it for Ryan. Just a small thank you to him for helping me with my car.
“Ah, this is a good series, Cassie. You’ll like it,” Mason says as he rings it up. “And I have the other one you requested too.”
“Great, thanks, Mason.”
The door chimes as Ashley bursts into the store. “The Mercer wedding?”
I glance around to see if anyone else heard her. “It’s not official, yet,” I say, hushed.
Ashley rolls her eyes. “You’re too modest, Cassie Thompson.”
“I fly out the day after the festival. Mrs. Whittaker already sent me my flight information.”
She grabs me by my shoulders, and she starts jumping up and down. The excitement builds in me, and I join her.
“‘I’m flying out!’ How official does that sound?”
“Look out, world, Cassie Mae is taking over!” Ashley shouts.
I laugh, feeling incredibly grateful for her support.
“Here are your books, Cassie.” Mason holds a bag out for me.
“Oh, Mason. I’m so sorry for the interruption.” I grab it from him. “Thank you.”
I loop my arm through Ashley’s and walk out of the bookstore.
“I have one more thing to share.” I look at Ashley, my heart pounding at the news.
Ashley stops and stares back at me waiting for me to say something.
I close my eyes. “Ryan asked me out…and I said yes.”
When I only hear leaves rustling along the ground, I open one eye. Ash’s eyes are wide, and her hands cover her gaping mouth. I wait for a squeal, but she’s silent. I’ve never seen her so quiet before. I’ve stunned her into silence.
“Ashley, are you okay?” I wave a hand in front of her face.
“You said yes?” she asks, surprised.
“Don’t be so dramatic! Yes, I said yes! I told you I would.”
“But, Cass, I didn’t think you actually would. I thought you’d talk yourself out of it…or run away again.”
I push her shoulder. “I only ran away once, okay? I told you I’d try to be open. And here I am.”
Ashley squeals. “Did you set a date?”
I nod. “Tomorrow night.”
“Want me to come over before?”
I grab her arm. “Would you? Please?”
“Absolutely, I will!” She wraps her arm around my shoulder. “I’m so proud of you, Cass.”
“Thanks, Ash. Coffee?”
“Do you need caffeine? You would think you’d be on an adrenaline high right now.”
“I can always use coffee.”