Free On the Way to a Wedding by Suzanne Stengl Page B

dog.”
    Wonderful . Jimmy was making conversation. She added a second creamer.
    “Yes, I am. I mean, we are.” She stirred her coffee. “She’s the most adorable little poodle. But I need Ryder to come to the breeders with me. He needs to meet her before we bring her home. Make sure they’re compatible.” Still stirring. “Though I doubt he’ll be home much anyway, so it probably doesn’t matter.”
    “What doesn’t matter?”
    “If he meets our poodle before I buy her.”
    The brass bells rattled again and Ryder walked in. So much for taking a day off. Somehow, she wasn’t surprised. “You can’t stay away from a job site, can you, sweetie?”
    “I’m not at a job site. I’m here to see you.”
    He might say he was here to see her , but he was looking at Jimmy. The man would want a complete report of what he’d missed today.
    “Aren’t you—I thought Ryan was craning.”
    “I know. I’m on my way,” Jimmy said, as he headed toward the door.
    “How’s that lot in Royal Oak? Get flooded?”
    “Yeah, it’s a mess.” Jimmy had his hand on the door knob but he turned to face Ryder. “The weeping tile in the footing is keeping up but we’ve got the usual problems with the ground faults.”
    “Other than that, we’re on time?”
    How did Jimmy put up with this? “For heaven’s sake, Ryder. You were just there yesterday.”
    “Right,” Ryder said, looking at Jimmy. “And I’m taking today off. Did Pro tell you?”
    “No,” Jimmy answered. “I guess he thought you’d tell me.”
    “It was a last minute decision.”
    “Pro’s cabin?”
    “Yeah.” And then, like he was finally paying attention to her , he said, “Have you two met?”
    “This morning, at Tim Hortons. I asked Jimmy to bring over our carpet samples.”
    “Lots of rain out there? In the Kananaskis?” Jimmy asked.
    “Yeah. Lots.”
    “You could have stayed longer.” Jimmy pulled the door open, keeping his hand on the edge of it. “It’s drying up now, and everything’s under control here.”
    “I know,” Ryder said. “I know you can handle it, Jim. I’m just not―”
    “I know,” Jimmy said, on his way outside. “Catch you later.”
    “I’ll be back tomorrow morning. At seven.”
    And if she knew Ryder, he’d be there at six. The man had a problem letting go. She’d have to teach him about delegation.
    He turned back to her and then noticed the pile of sample books on the counter. “Carpet samples?”
    “Yes,” she said, from the other side of the counter.
    He approached from his side. “I thought we picked those out.”
    “Your colors are too light. The designer wants something more . . .”
    “More what?”
    “Fashionable.”
    “Fashions go in and out of style.” Ryder drummed his fingers on the counter.
    Of course, Ryder knew nothing about fashion. He needed to take her advice for those kinds of decisions. And speaking of advice―
    “Pro brought over his prenup.”
    “Oh,” Ryder said. He put his hands on the edge of the counter, pushing himself up. “That.”
    Yes, that. But at least he looked contrite. “You really think we need a prenup?” She smiled, making it extra sweet.
    “I never thought about it,” he said, watching her eyes. “It’s Pro, being a lawyer.”
    Damn that man. “I think we know what we’re doing. We don’t need him interfering with the wedding, too.”
    Ryder raised one eyebrow. “Too?”
    “The partnership agreement with Jimmy. You were ready to sign it.”
    Ryder’s mouth opened, and closed. A quick breath, and then, “Don’t worry about my partnership agreement. You worry about getting this wedding organized, all right?”
    “I am.” She pulled out her folder for the wedding. “We need to get you fitted.”
    He stood back. “I forgot about that. I’ll take time from the site. Tomorrow.”
    “That will work.” She reached for her list. “I’ll put you down for ten?”
    He hesitated a second. “Ten. I’ll be there.”
    “Jimmy really