Moonlight Kiss

course, when she closed her eyes all she could see was Reid’s face. Pissed, she punched the pillow, tossed and turned for a while before groaning. Sleep wasn’t going to happen. She leaned over and reached for the remote, wondering if her life could possibly get any crazier. With a sigh, she turned on the television, hoping to find a boring movie that would lull her to sleep.

When the screen came to life Addison gasped. There she was, embracing Rick Ruleman. She turned up the volume and listened with growing horror while some “reporter” speculated whether the rumor was true that Addison Monroe, daughter of finance guru Melinda Monroe, was having an affair with her ex-fiance’s father, Rick Ruleman, promptly ending her engagement. Garret, who said he was headlining a new reality show about his life called House Rules, declined comment while being hounded with questions by paparazzi but pulled a sad face that hinted that the rumor was true. Rick Ruleman was unavailable for comment, as was his publicist, who was rumored to have been fired. Addison Monroe was also missing in action, leading to further speculation that she and Rick were hiding out together.

What?

Addison shook her head and sighed, wondering how Garret could be such a selfish ass. She also wondered if he had started the rumor, but, then again, she wouldn’t put is past Rick Ruleman’s camp to start something that would perpetuate the aging rock star’s bad-boy image. What better than an affair with his son’s fiancee? After all, Addison had never seen Rick without a blond bombshell on his arm, most of them young enough to be his daughter. “Disgusting,” she grumbled through gritted teeth.

Since it was still early enough in LA for her to call, Addison muted the TV, reached for her phone, and called her mother.

“Oh, honey,” her mother answered, letting Addison know that her parents had already heard the rumors. “I’m so sorry.”

Addison leaned back against the propped up pillows. “Mom, what should I do? Some sort of damage control?”

“Your father and I talked about this. We think it’s best that you keep quiet and let the rumors die down.”

Addison clutched the phone tighter. “Not likely with Garret’s stupid show. I’m sure he wants to bump up the ratings and this is the perfect vehicle.”

“Admittedly, it will take a while. Are you going to call him and tell him to back the hell off? I mean, Garret knows this isn’t true.”

“My guess is that both father and son are using this for their own purposes and I don’t think I’ll get help from either camp. And, Mom, I hope this doesn’t adversely affect your ratings. I’m so sorry about all of this,” she said, and felt tears coming on.

Her mother sighed. “Listen. The only fault you shoulder in this is being too trusting. We’ve talked to Mitch about the wedding boutique and I happen to agree that it’s a great idea. Go full steam ahead and I’ll work out the financial details.”

“Mom, I want to do this on my own, with my own money.”

She chuckled. “That’s my girl. Luckily, you’ve invested well. You’ll have to liquidate some stock and pay taxes on that as income.”

“Yes, but most likely I’ll show a loss for the first year in business and offset some of that income.”

“True, and your uncle Mitch offered the first three months lease-free.”

“No . . . no favors.”

“It’s not a favor but an incentive he would have offered to anybody. He was getting desperate to open the bridal boutique, which was supposed to be the flagship of Wedding Row. In fact, he and Nicolina were getting ready to reluctantly open it on their own and find someone to manage it if they didn’t lease it out soon. Seems like you arrived at just the right time. So, see, life has a way of working out.”

Addison managed a smile. “I just take a few crazy twists and turns along the way.”

“Keeps you on your toes,” she joked. “Listen, sweetie, you should pretty much fly under the radar there in Cricket Creek. This thing with Garret will die down. Sometimes denial after something like this only convinces some people of your guilt.”

“Wow, this sucks. I’d like to punch both of them.”

“Well, look at the bright side. You aren’t engaged to Garret any longer. Throw yourself into this boutique, Addison. As much as your father and I will miss you, maybe getting you away from this kind of thing is for the best. Who knows who you might meet in that cute little town? Someone with substance.”

“I’m off the market, Mom.”

“Like I said, throw yourself into this boutique and have fun with Mia. I love you, sweetie. This other nonsense will die down before you know it. I promise.”

Addison pressed her lips together and after clearing her throat said, “I’ll take your advice. I love you too. Give Dad a hug for me.”

“We’ll come for a visit as soon as I can get away.”

After Addison hung up the phone she sat there for a few minutes. Her mood became a strange mixture of emotions, and she put her face in her hands when she recalled grabbing Reid by his shirt. But oddly enough, Addison acknowledged that her spontaneous kiss was a step in the right direction. She was finally taking her life by the horns, doing what she wanted, moving forward, and pursuing a dream of her own.

And she wasn’t about to look back.

11 Lean on Me

AT THE SOUND OF THE BELL DINGING MAGGIE LOOKED UP from the stack of paperwork piled high on her desk. She thought perhaps it might be Addison, but a tall dark-haired man entered the office instead. Aviator sunglasses shaded his eyes and he walked with a kind of feline grace that made her sit up and take notice. He wore khaki pants and a deep green oxford shirt—nothing out of the ordinary—but he wore it well. “May I help you?”

“Maggie McMillan?” His deep, slightly raspy voice was damned sexy, and when he removed his sunglasses his light blue eyes had her forgetting to answer. She nodded absently. Wait. What did he ask? “I’m here to pick up the keys to the cabin down by the river.”

“Oh . . .” Maggie stood up and stuck out her hand. “Yes. Richard Rule?”

He grasped her hand and shook it firmly. “Nice to meet you, Maggie.”

Maggie smiled, trying to ignore the little tingle resulting from the handshake. “I have the keys here somewhere. The pictures I sent don’t even begin to do the cabin justice.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing it.”

Wow, he had a nice smile. “Um, as I mentioned, it’s very nicely appointed, with a big deck overlooking the river. There’s a hot tub and a gas grill.”

“Perfect.”

For a moment those eyes held her captive. For another moment she pictured him lounging in the hot tub.

“Good . . . um . . .” Flustered, Maggie looked down and found her notes. “Oh, you’ve rented it for two weeks with the option for longer?” She glanced back up at him. “Sorry for being so scatterbrained. I’m a bit swamped.”

“I’m actually here two days early, so don’t feel so unprepared. I hope I can go ahead and get settled, but if not I can stay somewhere else for a couple of days.”

Maggie nodded. “The cabin is empty so I don’t see why you can’t get in today. You can follow me out to the property, since it’s off the beaten path. I’d like to make sure everything is in order, since you’re here early.”

“I’d appreciate that. Are you free now, or should I come back later?”

“Oh no. Now is fine. I’ll just grab my car keys and you can follow me.”

“Good deal.” For some reason his smile sent another flutter through her usually steady pulse. Maggie rarely