around on that big green tractor.” She took a step back and reached for the knot on her robe. With a slow smile, Addison parted the terry cloth, giving him an eyeful.
Reid groaned. “You’re not making this any easier, you know.”
“Just get your chores done and get your cute butt back here.” She handed him the coffee.
“So, you think my butt is cute?” Reid turned around and pointed to it.
“Your butt is awesome, just like the rest of you,” Addison assured him, and then gave him a quick, light kiss. “Call me when you take a break.”
“I will,” Reid promised, and then headed out the back door. Addison watched him walk to his truck, thinking he looked so sexy in his Wranglers and boots. He looked up and waved just before he opened his door. Addison raised her hand and smiled. Right timing or not, she was falling in love with Reid and she was powerless to stop her feelings from growing. It was hard for Addison to believe that just a couple of months ago her life had been pulled apart at the seams, but day by day, stitch by stitch, everything was coming together. Happiness surrounded her like a warm blanket and she hugged it close to her heart.
After pouring a cup of coffee she sat down at the breakfast bar and looked over some notes. Since the open house a few of weeks ago, business had been brisk, leaving her little time to head out to the Greenfield farm, but Sara kept her informed on the progress of the barn renovations. So far they were on schedule, with Sara having an autumn wedding. Mia and Cam had decided to get married at Wine and Diner but were going to wait until the barn was ready and baseball season over to have their reception there as well. Later that week Addison had a meeting with Tristan and Savannah, who were thinking about having a winter wedding with a holiday theme. Addison smiled at her notes by Savannah’s wedding. Three of her bridesmaids were residents of Whisper’s Edge, the retirement community where Savannah served as the social director, and Addison thought it was just the sweetest thing.
While Addison acknowledged that she dearly missed her parents, life in Cricket Creek was so much more to her liking than living in LA. She enjoyed the slower pace in the tight-knit community and simply loved running her own shop. Ideas never stopped coming. She planned to add prom dresses next year. Reid’s mother ran a quilting bee and they were working hard to make wedding quilts for her to sell. Her only challenge was running out of shelf space!
She inhaled a deep breath, crossing her fingers that her ended engagement with Garret was now old news and remained that way. Addison didn’t want anything to intrude on the peace she’d found in Cricket Creek. Apparently she was a small-town girl at heart but just never knew it. Thankfully, she hadn’t heard any more about Garret’s reality show, giving her hope that the idea never really got off the ground. Maybe Rick Ruleman had had the clout to squash the show, but, come to think of it, Addison hadn’t seen him in the pop news lately either. She’d never know which one of the Ruleman men had started the rumor of her having an affair with Rick, but since it had seemed to die down, Addison wasn’t about to stir that pot. She found it in really poor taste that neither of them had bothered to call her with an apology but, then again, she supposed she wasn’t surprised. It was sad, though, because Addison really did believe that Garret was a much better person than he allowed himself to be, and she hoped someday he figured that out.
Since she’d already shared a steamy shower with Reid, all Addison had to do was put on makeup and get dressed before heading down to the bridal shop. Because she still had more inventory to unpack, Addison opted for leggings and a loose-fitting floral blouse belted at the waist and comfortable ballet flats.
“Gotta love this commute,” she said as she bounded down the stairs. Her seamstress was on an as-needed basis and Cassie, the college student she’d hired as a sales clerk, worked limited hours. Most days it was still just her in the shop, but the press release she’d sent out had resulted in interviews for the local paper and in
After unlocking the front door Addison turned on some soft music and then starting arranging some lovely headpieces she’d received yesterday. Mia had informed her that Southern ladies loved bling and she should stock a full line of tiaras. Addison had to admit that they were pretty cool.
A few minutes later Gabby from Flower Power walked into the shop, carrying a vase packed full of wildflowers. “Hey there, Addison. I’ve got a little somethin’ for you,” she said in her cute Southern singsong voice.
“They’re lovely!” Addison said as she walked across the floor. “Oh, I just love the mason jar as the vase and the raffia bow! This would make a wonderful table arrangement for rustic barn weddings.”
Gabby nodded. “Funny, but this was all I had to use as a vase when I picked flowers as a kid. Now it’s super-popular.” She shrugged. “I guess I was just ahead of my time,” she added with a laugh.
Addison smiled when she silently read the note that said:
“There must be somethin’ special about you ladies here in Wedding Row. I just delivered flowers to Maggie, the real estate lady, the other day. What’s up with you girls, anyway? And would you please send some of it my way?”
Addison grinned. “Oh yeah. I saw Maggie walking past my shop with some good-looking guy last week.”
“Yep, I’m guessing it was the same guy. Apparently he’s staying in a cabin down by the river.”
“Oh, okay.” There had been something oddly familiar about him that she couldn’t put her finger on. “Not local, then?”
“No, I think he’s from California. He had a secretary or someone call in the order for him.”
“Oh, hmmm . . . May I ask his name?”
“Richard is all I know. Seems like a real nice guy, though. He sure is sweet on Maggie,” Gabby replied.
“Good for her.”
“Well, I can see why. She’s one of those people who just lights up a room, you know?”
“Kinda like you, Gabby.”
“Oh, go on . . .”
“I’m serious. I’m surprised that some local boy hasn’t snatched you up.”
Gabby dropped her gaze for a minute and then shrugged “Maggie says that my prince will come someday. But, hey, I sure do love having my own shop. Speaking of, I’d better get on back. I’m lookin’ forward to doing weddings with you, Addison!”
“Me too, Gabby.” Addison walked her to the door and gave her a quick hug. She was such a sweet girl with a bubbly personality. Gabby was going to be fun to work with. The warm sunshine on Addison’s face prompted her to prop open the door and let in the fresh air. She waved to Nicolina, who was doing the same thing.
“Gorgeous day!” Nicolina called to her.
“Sure is!”
“Let’s get the girls together for lunch or maybe cocktails soon.”
“I’d like that,” Addison called back. She made a mental note to ask Gabby if she’d like to join them.
Addison went back inside to her task. A shipment of bridesmaid’s sample dresses was due in late that afternoon. Sometime during the week Mia and Savannah were both coming in to try on some wedding gowns. Humming along with the music, Addison bent over to get the last of the headpieces out of the box.
“Would you look at how beautiful this is!” said a female voice that sent excitement rushing through Addison.
“Did you have any doubt?” answered the unmistakable voice of her father.
“Mom? Dad?” Addison stood up so fast that her head hit the inside of the cardboard box and she fell backward, landing on her butt. The tiara that she was holding slid across the hardwood floor, stopping at her mother’s feet.
“Check this out.” With a laugh her father picked it up and placed it on her mother’s head. “Suits you, my beautiful Indian princess.”
She gave him a shove but looked into a nearby mirror. “Oh, I believe it does.”
Addison watched them for a moment. There was something different in the way they were acting toward each other.
Her mother held out her arms. “Are you going to come over here and give us a hug? We’ve missed our baby
