A little while later, Cassie was making her way towards her store, The Bell, Book & Candle. Sam had been called into the hospital for an emergency surgery. She had been hoping to spend the whole day with him but nothing could wipe the smile from her face. She felt like the cat that had got the cream. It really wasn't like her at all to be so forward but Sam had been happily surprised by her this morning, and last night come to think of it. Cassie had missed him so much whilst he was away and worried about him every second he was gone. When Sam got home last night she just needed to be with him. She hadn't planned on 'sleeping' with him but it had happened so naturally. She thought about how amazing his strong hands had felt caressing her body and how wonderful it had felt whe Sam made love to her. It had been so long since she had felt this way. As Cassie walked down Main Street, she continued to think about Sam completely wrapped up in her thought. She didn't realise someone was calling her name until they were right in front of her.

"Ryan!" Cassie almost shouted, obviously startled. "Hey Cassie, sorry I didn't mean to make you jump," Ryan said apologetically.

"It's fine, sorry I was daydreaming. I didn't realise you were back in town," she replied.

"I'm just here for a couple of days on business, then I've got to go back to Chicago. Hey, I was just heading to the Bistro for lunch, do you want to join me? " Cassie wasn't sure this was a good idea, Ryan always wanted more from her than she was willing to give. But she supposed she should tell him about her and Sam, she didn't want Ryan to hear it from someone else. Cassie loved living in Middleton but everyone knew everyone else's business. "Sure, lunch with an old friend would be nice," she smiled. Cassie was pretty sure she was Ryan wince when she said the word 'friend'.

Sitting in the Bistro with Ryan felt just like old times. "Hi Cassie, Hey Ryan how is Chicago?" Stephanie came to greet them. "Hi Steph, Chicago is good, work is going really well," Ryan replied. "The Bistro is looking fantastic, I hope the food is still as good as ever."

"You know it is" Stephanie beamed "What can I get you?"

"Ooh, have you got any of your famous chicken noodle soup?" Cassie asked.

"Yes I do" said Stephanie. Cassie

"That sounds good, I'll have the same," decided Ryan and with that Stephanie left to get their order. "So," Ryan asked, "How are things? How is Grace? "

"Grace is great, she's doing really well at school. She's graduating next year." Cassie placed her left hand flat on the table, Ryan glanced down then did a double take. "Are you..." He began, unable to finish. "Sam and I," she began but his face looked crestfallen. She began again "Sam and I are getting married in a few weeks." She felt terrible for Ryan but she had made it clear that she didn't have romantic feelings for him last time she saw him. In his defence she had said she wasn't ready to move on with anyone, yet a couple of months later her and Sam were together. Just then Stephanie arrived with their order, she had been eavesdropping whilst serving her other customers. She felt sorry for Ryan but Cassie and Sam were so good together. "Cassie, is Sam back from Columbia? I made some of those cookies he likes," Stephanie asked. "Yes, he got back late last night," Cassie couldn't help the big smile that spread across her face. "Uh-huh," Stephanie grinned, "I'll box some of those cookies up for you," She would need to get the details later. Cassie thanked her as she left.

"So, you guys are getting married. Congratulations," Ryan smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes, "That was quick."

"I know it must come as a shock but Sam and I are really happy together," Ryan put his hand on Cassie's. Cassie

"If you are happy then I'm happy for you."

"Thank you," said Cassie, not sure if Ryan really meant it but glad he had said it. They continued their lunch discussing their lives and Cassie filled Ryan in on what had been going on in Middleton. They didn't mention the engagement again. "I'm going to have to get going, I've got a meeting in 20 minutes," Ryan finally said. Cassie stood to give Ryan a hug, he held her a little longer than expected and have her a kiss on the cheek. Cassie stood back abruptly "Goodbye Ryan," she said as he walked off.

"Well that was awkward," Stephanie noticed as Cassie walked over to the bar. "Well, it was fine up until then. He took the engagement news better than I thought." Stephanie nodded remembering what she was going to ask Cassie about. "So... You seemed to have a goofy smile on your face when I asked if Sam was back. I take it you've seen him?" Seen him, yes she had seen 'all' of him when he got home, Cassie began to blush. At that moment Abigail walked in "Yes Cassie has most definitely seen Sam. She sneaked into the house this morning," she remarked with a huge grin on her face. Cassie felt her face go crimson "And I told Linda that I had seen Cassie and Sam go for a walk after she was wondering around Grey House calling for him to fix something this afternoon." Stephanie stared between the two women with her mouth open "So where were you?" she asked looking at Cassie. Cassie wished the ground would swallow her up, she didn't know where to look or what to say. "They were in his room!" Abigail squealed. "Sam is staying at Grey House whilst Linda is staying at his house."

"So, how was it" Abigail continued knowing full well how uncomfortable Cassie was with the conversation. "We are never talking about this again and don't you dare mention anything to anyone, but it was amazing and that's all I'm saying." With that Cassie paid for the cookies and headed to her store. Stephanie and Abigail couldn't stop giggling, "Did you see her face? I've never see her so embarrassed," Stephanie laughed.

In the corner, out of the way, Linda had been sat having a coffee and catching up on her emails. She had heard pretty much the whole conversation Cassie had had with that Ryan person. He was obviously in love with Cassie. She could see it in his puppy dog eyes and the way he had held onto her that bit too long. Linda had cheated on Sam with her Pilates instructor, Sam would be devastated if he thought Cassie was cheating on him too. Sam had a real thing about trust and once it was gone it was gone. Linda had just found a way to get her family back together.