More of Me

By Samantha Chase

When Ryder Montgomery shows up on her doorstep ten years after breaking her heart, Casey can't decide which burns hotter - her desire to be with him or the pain he left her with...

Montgomery Brothers Series:
Wait for Me (Book 1)
Trust in Me (Book 2)
Stay with Me (Book 3)
More of Me (Book 4)
Return to You (Book 5)
Meant for You (Book 6)
I'll Be There (Book 7)

What readers are saying:
"The Montgomery Brothers are perfect romance! Love it, love it, love it!"
"Wow! Samantha Chase, thank you for yet another stellar Montgomery Brothers story."
"Perfectly executed, great characters, tasteful passionate scenes...a great series"
"Truly a beautiful, heartfelt story."
"Refreshing... Samantha Chase really knows how to tell a story."
"Sweet, sassy and sexy."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sourcebooks
• Release date: Oct 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781492622420

Samantha Chase

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan's Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40's to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well. When she's not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.

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Copyright © 2013, 2015 by Samantha Chase

Cover and internal design © 2015 by Sourcebooks, Inc.

Cover design by Dawn Adams/Sourcebooks, Inc.

Cover image © BDLM/cultura/Corbis, Digital Vision/Getty Images

Sourcebooks and the colophon are registered trademarks of Sourcebooks, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in writing from its publisher, Sourcebooks, Inc.

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc.

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Contents

Front Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

A Sneak Peek at Return to You

Prologue

About the Author

Prologue

We need your help.

Looking up from the report he was reading, William Montgomery could not conceal his surprise. His ever-independent son Mackenzie was actually admitting he needed his help? Quickly masking his glee, William simply said, Anything.

Mac shifted uncomfortably. Here’s the thing, he began and then growled slightly. Gina got a call from her mother this morning. Apparently she fell and broke her hip. She’s going to need surgery and someone to take care of her, so as soon as we can arrange it, Gina’s heading to San Francisco to spend a couple of weeks there.

William shrugged and smiled. Okay. I don’t see what that has to do with me, but…okay.

Mac shot his father a look of annoyance. I have a trip scheduled that will have me in London for at least a week.

Again, William simply shrugged and nodded. I’m aware.

The wedding is only three months away, Dad. A lot needs to be done. We had scheduled a meeting with the wedding planner to go over venues and whatever else it is that you’re supposed to do with wedding planners. William was unsure exactly why Mac was involved at all. From what he had heard, Gina knew exactly what she wanted, and Mac would do anything to make her happy.

So you need me to meet with the planner and help while you’re gone? Is that it? Mac nodded. Consider it done. When do you need me to do that?

Now.

Now? Mac nodded grimly, and William straightened in his seat and did a quick mental checklist of what he had planned for the afternoon. It’s a little short notice, Mac, he admitted. I’ll get Rose to cancel my afternoon appointments, and we’ll make this happen. Will you have time to sit with us for at least a little while?

Absolutely. As a matter of fact, Casey is here now, with Gina in my office. We can call them in here or go down the hall…

William stood. We’ll go to them. William stopped to let his assistant know what was going on; then he and his son walked together down the wide hallway. At the door to Mac’s office, the sound of female laughter greeted them.

Ladies, Mac said as he crossed the room to kiss Gina on the cheek. My father has graciously agreed to help us out during our absence. Casey Peterson, may I introduce my father, William Montgomery?

It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir, she said with a smile and a twinkle in her blue eyes, standing to shake his hand. I hear that you had a hand in getting Mac and Gina together.

William gestured for her to sit back down and took his own seat. While I’d like to take the credit for it, they were meant to be together. He smiled at the couple who were sitting close together on the sofa before turning his attention back to Casey. So, what can I do to help?

Well, Casey began, looking for confirmation from Gina, one of the first things we had planned for next week was to make a final decision on the venue. Mac and Gina have it narrowed down to two places, and it’s probably a good thing that you can offer a third opinion, because they are having a tough time. She smiled at them both before continuing. Once that’s settled, we will be making final decisions on menus, flowers, programs—she rifled through her folder to make sure she covered everything—and of course the invitation will go to the printer immediately after all locations and times are confirmed. The sooner we get the information to the printer, the sooner we get our proofs back and can get them out in the mail. She looked up at the three of them. How does that sound so far?

William’s head was spinning a little. So far? How much more is there?

Casey went through the file again. A lot of this can be done via email and over the phone with Gina, but I know she is going to be busy with her mother. We’re making arrangements for her gown to be sent to a bridal shop in San Francisco, so she can get started on her fittings, and her bridal party will be taken care of here in Charlotte. From what I understand, Maggie Montgomery will be overseeing that, correct?

Gina nodded. She’s Jason’s wife and the epitome of organization.

Maybe Maggie would be a better fit for this, William interrupted. Or maybe your mother? he suggested to Mac.

The couple both shook their heads. Mom is taking care of coordinating all of the travel arrangements for family and friends, as well as all the pre-wedding activities that she wants to host. We don’t want to add another thing to her plate, Dad, Mac said. Besides, with all the hard work you put into getting us together, we thought you’d enjoy being involved with the wedding.

William gave a knowing smile. You make it sound like it’s a good thing, but I think you’re trying to get some sort of revenge on me. This is not my thing, he said apologetically. Not that I can’t do it…It’s just that I don’t know if I can give it all of the attention it deserves.

If I can just interrupt for a second, Casey said, leaning forward and placing a hand on William’s arm. There may be times that you’re needed out in Wilmington, but I will be sure that it works for your schedule before I make any appointments. I promise to keep any disruptions to a minimum.

Wilmington? William said, turning toward Mac and Gina with a bit of surprise. When did the two of you decide to have the wedding in Wilmington?

Mac and Gina looked at one another and smiled. We always knew we wanted the wedding to be on the coast, so we spent a week scouting locations. We spent a weekend in Wilmington, Gina said, and we knew that was the place. We had a great time there, she added with a blush.

William grinned from ear to ear. He knew that Mac and Gina were perfect for one another, and watching the two of them together gave him endless pleasure. He only wished Gina’s father had lived to see this day. Okay, Wilmington it is! Just as he was about to address Casey about getting things scheduled, William had a brilliant idea. You know, he began, your uncle Robert has a couple of houses at Wrightsville Beach and he mentioned to me that Ryder was spending the summer there. Maybe he can help with some of this whenever I’m not available.

Dad, that’s a lot to ask of a cousin. I mean, we’ve always been close, but from what I understood from the last time he and I talked, Ryder was on sabbatical because he’s exhausted. I can’t ask him to give up his much-needed vacation time to help plan our wedding.

Ryder Montgomery is your cousin? Casey asked in a weak voice.

William’s head snapped around. You know Ryder?

With a slight blush, Casey nodded. We…um…his family rented a home on the beach some years ago just down the road from mine. We dated…briefly…when he was there. It was a long time ago. I thought he lived in California now?

He does, William said, suddenly pleased with the direction of the conversation. He moved there right after graduation. He turned and smiled at Mac and Gina. Isn’t this a small world? With Casey and Ryder knowing one another, it will make their working together that much easier! I’m sure Ryder won’t mind helping out when he knows that it’s Casey he’ll be working with.

Dad— Mac began as a warning.

Nonsense, William cut him off. It’s great how things work out sometimes. Don’t get me wrong, he said, addressing Casey again. I’m still here to help where you need me, but my nephew will be able to take care of things that require immediate attention. Clapping his hands together, he stood. I love when a plan comes together. Now if you’ll all excuse me, I’m going to call my brother and then get Ryder on the phone. It was a pleasure to meet you, Casey, and I’m looking forward to working with you. He kissed Gina good-bye and hugged Mac on his way out the door.

For a long moment, no one said a word. Finally Casey broke the silence. Wow, he certainly is a force of nature isn’t he?

Both Mac and Gina nodded. You have no idea.

Chapter 1

What have I gotten myself into? Casey mumbled to herself later that day as she climbed into her car. She had been thrilled at the opportunity to coordinate this wedding; Mac and Gina had been dream clients. They were well organized and had a clear vision of what they wanted their wedding to be, and Casey had seen nothing but blue skies ahead.

Until now.

While she knew it wasn’t fair to blame anyone—especially not Gina’s mother for falling