Page 24 of One-of-a-Kind Bride

Cassie nodded. “I get to if I get good grades and do all my homework.”

“That seems fair.”

“I’m saving up for a new baseball mitt. Daddy’s going to pay for half and I’ll pay for half. I should have enough by next week.”

“Well, that’s coming up pretty soon. I bet you’re excited.”

Cassie lowered her voice. “I am, but I’d work for Daddy even if he didn’t pay me. It’s fun.”

“Okay, I won’t tell.”

Cassie grinned and Taylor saw so much of Coop in his daughter—the mischievous glow in her eyes and her rock-solid determination. “Thanks.”

“Okay, here we go.” Taylor lifted the hard hat off her head and set it on the sofa. She sat on her knees to get to Cassie’s level, raised Cassie’s arm, and used her battered but trusty measuring tape. “Let’s see this great throwing arm I’m hearing so much about.”

“I’m a leftie,” Cassie said.

“Is that so?” Taylor jotted down the length and then measured her other arm.

“It’s a good thing. Coach says lefties have an advantage if they pitch. It sorta messes up the batters. Everything is backward. And Coach says he’ll teach me how when I’m older.”

“I wouldn’t have guessed that about lefties. I don’t know a lot about baseball.” She measured her shoulder width.

“You don’t?”

Taylor shook her head. “Back home, in the city, I never had the time to learn. Would you believe I’ve never been to a baseball game?”

“Never?” Cassie’s eyes opened wide, as if that was inconceivable.

“I’m afraid so.” Taylor took measurements around her waist and then from her waist to her knees.

She was just about finished when Coop walked into the room. As Taylor looked up, their eyes met. A bunch of silly little nerves stole into her stomach sparking havoc. It happened to her every time he entered a room. Old habits died hard. Maybe that was it. Maybe she was just remembering the boy he’d been. The one she’d loved. Yet, he was different than the Coop she’d known and it had been years. So why was she noticing his tall broad frame, his muscular forearms and the sky blue of his eyes? Why was she glancing at his mouth and remembering the lush full kisses they’d once shared?

“Hey, Cass. I hope you’re cooperating with Taylor.”

“She is,” Taylor said, rolling up her tape measure. “She did great. I think I have all I need. Cassie, I’m going to match the color of your dress to the other two bridesmaids, but it will be a little bit different in style. Would you like that?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess so.”

Taylor put her hand on Cassie’s shoulder. “You’ll do great and I might have to call you back for a fitting once or twice. That wouldn’t be a problem, would it?”

“No.” Cassie put her head down, deep in thought.

“And if you don’t like something, you can tell me. Deal?”

Cassie nodded. “Deal.”

“Okay, well, I’ll let you two get on with your plans for today. Thank you, Cassie. I’ll see you soon.” She began gathering up her things, ready to head upstairs to start on the dress.

“Daddy, Taylor’s never been to a baseball game,” Cassie announced.

“Is that so, Cass?”

“It is,” she said, shaking her head. “Never.”

Coop raised his brows and gave her the same look Cassie had, as if she’d grown two heads or something. “Really?”

Taylor met his gaze. “Really.”

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