Page 75 of The Rented Bride

“I’m sorry I had to leave.”

“You’ll be home soon.”

“Yes. On Saturday. I have a huge event that was my baby from the start and, well, you know how hard it is to turn a party over to someone else at the last minute. But my schedule is clear after this weekend. I just wish the timing was different. I want to be there with you. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t you apologize,” he said. “You have better things to do than entertain an old man. I’ll let you go.”

Anxiety twisted through her at the way he said ‘I’ll let you go.’ Almost as if…

“Never say that,” she said. “You can call me anytime, night or day.”

James laughed and Cassie’s heart tugged harder. Regardless of her mixed emotions over Trent, she’d fallen in love with his grandfather. Would he be all right until she got back?

“I wish I could meet your family,” he said, and she caught the wistful note in his voice. He would never meet them, and knew it.

“I would love that, too. They’re loud, opinionated, and would love you just as much as I do.” What the hell was she saying?

“You’re a good lass. Don’t work too hard, Cassie. Too much work and not enough time for what counts will catch up with you.”

She was fast coming to the same conclusion. She hadn’t given any consideration to starting a family of her own. After she bought into the business, she’d thrown herself into work with a bigger vengeance than usual.

She thought of her nieces and nephews. When would she have time to start a family? She was twenty-seven. How many years would she have to work before she could breathe? This deal with Trent had the potential to put her years ahead of schedule. But once she paid off her student loan and the money she owed Maryanne, she’d be a business owner. An event planner was at her client’s beck and call. She glanced at the house. With her work and building her business, even if she wanted, she didn’t have time to be a mother. A tremor rippled through her stomach and her chest tightened.

“You’re right,” she said, and forced herself to say no more.

Maybe one day she’d have children. She had no doubt that Trent would. Once their arrangement ended, he’d fall in love, marry for real, have children and live happily ever after. God, what if he hired her to plan his wedding? Remembering the photographs at Brettonwood, she could imagine Trent with a little boy of his own. His son would grow up with his dark hair, broad shoulders and determination. A girl—Cassie shook off the thought. This was ridiculous.

“Well, I’ll let you get back to your family.”

If she were anywhere but her mother’s house, Cassie would talk longer. He simply missed his family, and she was part of that family now.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” she asked. “Annie is with you, isn’t she?”

“You can rest assured Nurse Ratchet is always too close.”

Cassie laughed. “Complain all you want, but Trent and I feel a lot better knowing she’s there with you.”.

“I know, lass. I’ll see you when you return home.”

Guilt surfaced. Family should be with him, not a hired nurse. Damn, when had she decided she was family? “Blood pudding, right?” Just saying the words made her a little queasy. “One day I’ll make you my mama’s marinara and meatballs.”

“I’d love that.”

Cassie heard the pleasure in his voice and relaxed a little. “If you need anything, anything at all, you call me. Okay?”

“What could I possibly need? I have everything here at my fingertips.”

Except your family, Cassie thought.

“Good night, Grandfather.”

“Good night, Cassie.”

The line went silent. Cassie lowered the phone onto her lap and continued to swing. When they booked the Bello wedding event last year, she and Maryanne had been thrilled about the money they would make, not to mention the potential for expanding their client base. A-listers and the super wealthy. Who would’ve thought then that she’d be in this predicament? She had a responsibility to her business, but her heart wanted to return to Colorado.

James’s greatest wish was to have family around him. He isn’t alone, she reminded herself. He has Annie, Doris and the rest of the staff. They love him, too.

At least now she knew Trent wasn’t having issues with her absence. He was busy doing whatever it was he did during the day. So whatever or whoever he was busy with….