Luann McLane - Moonlight Kiss

“I thought I was, but my cousin Mia wants me to open a bridal boutique and plan weddings. Oddly enough, I’m actually considering it.”

“Are you kidding me? You might be the answer to my prayers.”

“Oh . . .” Addison said, and another stab of disappointment came from out of nowhere. “So, you’re getting married?” Addison asked with false brightness as she dug inside her purse in search of her car keys. She suddenly wished Mia would hurry up, before she made a complete fool of herself. What in the world was she doing giving personal information to a stranger? What was up with getting flustered over a guy she didn’t even know—especially since she had sworn off guys, anyway?

And where in the world were her keys?

“UM . . .” REID BEGAN, BUT JUDGING BY THE SUDDEN frown on her pretty face he was quickly wearing out his welcome. Instead of introducing himself, Reid decided he should probably take a hike before she pulled mace out of the big purse she was frantically digging around in. Odd, but Reid usually avoided small talk and now he remembered why. After glancing back toward Wine and Diner, she stopped in back of a sweet red Mustang convertible with California plates. Taking in the details, he now noticed her designer bag and that she’d slipped a pair of Gucci sunglasses over her big brown eyes. And although she was casually dressed in jeans and a lightweight lavender sweater, her watch looked expensive and she wore a diamond tennis bracelet that glittered in the sunshine. Great . . . She probably really wasn’t interested in talking to a country boy like him, anyway. Feeling foolish followed by a little bit irritated, he took a step backward. “Um, I should get going. Good luck with, you know . . . everything.”

She glanced up and flipped her shiny black hair over her shoulder. She was really pretty, and Reid found himself wondering about her family heritage.

“So, when is the wedding?”

Wait . . . huh? “Wedding? What wedding?”

“Your wedding.” She pushed her sunglasses up higher on her nose and waited for his answer. “Isn’t that why I’m the answer to your prayers?” She tilted her head slightly and the breeze played with her hair, making it caress her face.

Reid looked at her while trying to form an answer, but all he could think about was that the answer to his prayers would be to reach over and brush the hair from her face . . . pull her into his arms and kiss her.

Kiss her? What in the hell was coming over him? Maybe he was spending too much time in the sun.

Luckily a honking horn startled him back into thinking somewhat straight, but he took another step backward so that she was out of reach, just to play it safe. “No, I’m not getting married.” Reid shook his head as if the very idea was ludicrous. “I value my independence way too much,” he added, but then realized he was once again giving her more information than she probably wanted to know. He cleared his throat and tried to sound businesslike. “No, my sister has this wild idea to turn one of our old barns into a reception hall and host weddings on our farm, beginning with her own.” Reid shoved his fingers through his hair and shook his head. “It would mean sinking a lot of her savings into the venture and I’m not sure it’s a sound idea. I’d be interested in hiring a consultant, hopefully to dissuade her from going through with it.” When she remained silent he stuck out his hand. “By the way, I’m Reid Greenfield.”

She took his hand and gave him a firm handshake. “Addison Monroe. It’s nice to meet you, Reid.”

Reid smiled, enjoying the feel of her small hand in his and hearing his name on her lips. There was something familiar about her, something that tugged at the back of his brain but he couldn’t put his finger on it. “So, am I going to be your first customer?”

“Well, we’re putting the cart before the horse. I’m heading over with Mia to look at the shop, but as much as I’m interested, I’m not one hundred percent sure that I’m actually going to do the venture without more thought and research. Although I do have to say that Mia is very persuasive.”

Reid dug his wallet out of his back pocket and fished out one of his business cards. He appreciated that Addison was taking the time to consider all aspects of a new business. Hopefully she’d be a good influence on his sister. “This has my e-mail and cell phone number on it. If you go through with the shop, I would appreciate if you’d at least give Sara real numbers as to what it would take to get involved in doing receptions and weddings. It’s not that I’m totally against the idea; I just don’t want to see her lose her hard-earned retirement. I’d be glad to show you the barn and surroundings and then get your opinion. But I want you to err on the side of caution.”

Addison took the card. “I’m hardly an expert.” She glanced at his business card. “And it appears that you have the credentials to advise your sister in business matters.”

“Are you kidding? She won’t listen to me—well, unless you count listening only to try to prove me wrong.” Reid gave her a half-lopsided grin. “Of course, that’s pretty hard to do.”

She tilted her head and chuckled. “I’ll keep you in mind. But like I said, I’m no expert. This whole thing came out of left field.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll do your homework. After all, it’s going to be your business. I just want you to play devil’s advocate so she goes into this with her eyes wide open. I don’t want the barn on our farm to become a money pit and eat up Sara’s retirement.”

“If I go through with this venture, I’ll consider your offer.”

“That’s all I can ask. At any rate, it was nice to meet you, Addison. I wish you the best of luck,” Reid added, and he was about to ask if she’d like to have dinner and talk it over but decided it might be too pushy. She had his card. If she was interested, she’d give him a call. So he turned and walked toward his pickup truck, oddly reluctant to leave her company. His hand was on the door handle when she called out to him.

“Reid?”

He turned around, finding her grinning over at him. “Yeah?” he asked, and couldn’t believe that his pulse kicked up a notch just from seeing her smile.

“Don’t forget the cupcakes!” Addison pointed to the Grammar’s Bakery across the street.

Reid put the heel of his hand to his forehead, and she laughed. “I was going to pull across the street in front of the bakery,” he said, but she only laughed harder.

“Sure you were. Your secret is safe with me.”

“Thank you!” Reid shook his head as he headed across the street to the bakery. It really wasn’t like him to forget to run an errand, especially since he’d been reminded four—well, now, make it five times—but in his defense, Addison had been quite a distraction. He was still thinking over why he was so drawn to someone he had just met when he reached the entrance to the bakery. The bell tinkled over the door as he walked in. Ahhh, he took a deep whiff of the fragrant aroma of brewed coffee and freshly baked goodies.

“Well, if it isn’t Reid Greenfield,” said Mabel Grammar, owner of the bakery. “I declare, I do think you’re even better-lookin’ than the last time I saw you. We sure grown ’em good here in Cricket Creek,” she boasted. “Back home for good, I hope.” She leaned over the counter and held her arms out. “Now get over here and give me some sugar.”

“And you’re lookin’ mighty fine yourself.” Reid walked over to the enticing display of Danish and cookies.

“You talkin’ about me or the cookies? Although I do have some pretty nice buns,” she added with a deep chuckle.

“Both.” After giving Mabel a hug he asked, “What’s your secret—Botox? Come on, Mabel, fess up.”

“Ha! It’s easy: just eat more doughnuts.” She stuck a pose and fluttered her eyelashes. “Keeps the wrinkles in my round face filled in and my bum as big and round as Kim Kardashian’s.”

Reid laughed. Cricket Creek might have gone through some changes in recent years but some things stayed the same. “Well, it looks good on you,” he said, wishing it was as easy to flirt with Addison as it was with Mabel. “I’m here to pick up two dozen cupcakes for Sara.”

“Got them right here,” Mable said, and pulled a box from a shelf. “Decorated with farm animals and vegetables, just like Sara ordered. I’ve heard nothing but good things about the Old MacDonald program. Good for Sara for teaching kids about farming. They need to know that not everything is computer generated or made in a factory.”

“True,” Reid said, and realized that he hadn’t given his sister the acknowledgment that she deserved. He thought about the ivory-tower comment she made and wondered if he had grown out of touch with his family. But it was his job to help people invest and manage their money. How could he turn that off, especially when it came to his very own family?

“Anything else I can get you today?” Mabel asked.

“Oh, I can’t resist your butter cookies. I’ll take a dozen, and throw in a cheese Danish for the ride back home.”

Mable reached for a white paper bag. “Coming right up.” After he paid his bill, she said, “Don’t be a stranger.”

“I won’t,” Reid promised. After he walked back outside he looked down Main Street, noticing the improvements and new shops. Sara had been right. Cricket Creek had weathered some tough economic times, but beginning with Noah Falcon’s return home to build the baseball stadium, the little town had refused to throw in the towel. But saving the family farm wasn’t the same thing, and Reid was well aware that Sara was as stubborn as the day was long. Hopefully, Addison Monroe would take him up on his offer and talk some sense into his well-meaning sister.

With his hands full, Reid crossed the street at the light, nodding to greetings, waves, and honking horns from people he hadn’t seen in a while. Although he enjoyed living in Lexington, he had to admit that seeing old friends and eating at his favorite spots felt pretty damned good.

As Reid drove home he thought he might head over to Sully’s later on, drink a few beers, and maybe play some pool. He wouldn’t have to twist Braden’s arm too hard to talk his little brother into going with him. When he passed what he assumed was Wedding Row he slowed down and his thoughts turned back to Addison Monroe, wondering again why she seemed so familiar, and then it suddenly dawned on him. Addison Monroe must be the daughter of finance guru Melinda Monroe.

Reid smacked the steering wheel. “Wow . . .” he murmured, and shook his head in a bit of wonder. Reid had read all of Melinda’s bestselling books and watched her show on a regular basis. Addison came off as much more mild mannered but was the spitting image of her famous mother. His smile widened and he wondered why he hadn’t put two and two together sooner. Melinda Monroe wasn’t a fan of spending money foolishly and would never suggest using retirement money for anything other than what it was intended for. Hopefully, that same way of thinking was drummed into Addison’s head and would ultimately help convince Sara to drop the barn-renovation idea and find another way to generate extra income for the family farm.

Reid swerved slightly when he spotted Addison’s red Mustang pulling into the parking lot in front of Wedding Row. It had been a while since he’d had such a strong pull of attraction to a woman, and damned if he didn’t kind of like it. With the stress of being a financial adviser during tough economic times Reid had pulled back from much of a social life, including dating. He glanced in his rearview mirror and caught another glimpse of the flashy red convertible and grinned. For the first time in a long while he felt an urge to get back in the game. And he knew just where he was going to test the waters.

Reid didn’t know how long he planned on staying in Cricket Creek, but he knew one thing for sure. In spite of the financial struggle at the farm, coming home for a spell was just what he needed. He turned on the radio and then suddenly remembered the cheese Danish, and the delicious treat called his name. “Oh yeah . . .” Reid said, and reached over for the bag. He sank his teeth into the sweet gooey goodness and moaned with appreciation as he chewed.

When Trace Adkins started singing “Ladies Love Country Boys,” Reid chuckled. He wasn’t sure if Addison Monroe would yell “Turn it up” if he started blaring Hank Jr., but he had to wonder if she could possibly fall for his Southern-boy drawl. She might be way up there out of his league, but, hey, it was worth a shot. Hopefully, after touring the property she would decide to open the bridal boutique and give him the chance to find out.