“I know. That’s why I came over here.” She clasped her hands together and grinned. “Oh, I almost forgot. Nancy Walker is the woman I wanted to tell you about. She just got engaged!”
“A friend of yours?”
Mia nodded. “She’s the secretary over at the city building. I met her when I bailed Cam out of jail.”
“That just sounds so wrong.”
“Yeah, quite a story to tell our grandchildren, right? ‘Grandpa and I met when he came to my rescue after tossing a Coke into a customer’s face. Oh yeah, and then I jumped on the asshat’s back and tried to pull his ears off. I bailed Grandpa out of jail, we got stuck in an elevator together, and the rest is history.’”
“Mia, you crack me up.” Addison laughed. “So, Nancy the secretary is getting married?”
“Oh yes . . . I got a bit off track. I do that a lot. Drives Cam crazy. Nancy has been in love with Tucker, the maintenance man at the city building, for, like, forever. Nancy gave Tucker such puppy-dog eyes when I was waiting for Cam. I told her that she should, you know, flirt a little. She said some nonsense about that ship having sailed ages ago but I saw them out together not long afterward. Isn’t that just the coolest thing? And now they’re getting married! Nancy and Tucker are tying the knot.” She raised her hands above her head. “I just love it. Anyway, Nancy proudly showed me her ring when I saw her at Wine and Diner, eating lunch the other day. I told her she’d better invite me! And then I gave her one of your cards.”
“So, do you think they’ll want something simple?”
“Oh no.” Mia waved a hand through the air. “Nancy said that Tucker wants her to have her dream wedding. When I told her about the barn renovation she thought that setting would be perfect. They both grew up in Cricket Creek so it should be a fairly large reception. They’re talking next spring.”
“Their story is so romantic! I’ll make a note of it and tell Sara. So, I guess I shouldn’t give up, then, huh?”
“Exactly.”
“Well, Reid is still skeptical, but at this rate and with some good publicity, I think that next spring we’ll be pretty much booked up.”
Mia nodded her agreement. “Dad is really trying hard to find a photographer. I wish Uncle Paul lived closer. Your dad does some wonderful work.”
“Maybe he knows someone. We should bring it up tonight.”
“Speaking of, I need to get back to the stadium or I’ll end up staying late, and I don’t want to miss a minute visiting tonight.”
Addison stood up. “I need to get back to work too.”
“Hey, Addie, I didn’t mean to get into your business. I just want to see you happy. Your deserve it.”
“No, I’m so glad you stopped in. I needed someone to talk to. I’m going to invite Reid. And you were right, you know.”
“About what?”
“It’s all about the kiss.”
Mia’s smile turned soft and dreamy. “Yeah, it sure is.”
24
Head over Heels
SARA SAT DOWN ON THE FRONT PORCH SWING NEXT TO Reid and handed him a glass of sweet tea. “Why are you staring at the cell phone like it’s a snake about to strike?”
“I just listened to a voice mail from Addison.” He looked up from the phone and took a swallow of the cold tea, letting it cool his parched throat. The weather had turned considerably hotter, leaning more toward summer than spring. “Damn, that’s good. Mom still makes the best tea, strong but not bitter and not too sweet. How does she do that?”
Sara gave him a deadpan look. “Forget about the tea. What did Addison say?”
Reid inhaled a deep breath and blew it out. “Her parents are in town for the night. She wants me to have appetizers at her place and then go out to dinner with them.”
Sara raised her arms in the air. “So?”
“What do you mean . . . so? Dinner with her parents? Oh, and Mitch Monroe, his wife, Nicolina, and Mia are going to be there.”
“Again . . . so? You’re not intimidated by them, are you?”
Reid gave her a scowl. “No, of course not. I mean, it did cross my mind that Addison would never be interested in a country boy like me, but I’ve gotten over that.”
“Good, because that’s nonsense. Not only that, but did you forget that you graduated from the University of Kentucky with honors?”
“I mean, I’d really like to meet Melinda Monroe, but . . .” He took another drink of his tea and sighed once more.
“But what?” Sara rocked the swing back and forth, waiting.
“Stop swinging.”
“It a swing, Reid. It’s what you’re supposed to do.”
“No, I’m serious. I don’t feel like swinging.”
Sara planted her feet on the ground, making the swing come to an abrupt halt. “You wouldn’t be so testy if you’d just stop fighting this tooth and nail.”
“I know.” Reid nodded. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m starting to have some hard-core feelings for her.
“You’re in love with her.”
Reid glanced at Sara. She knew him inside out so there wasn’t any reason to deny it. “Yeah, I am.”
“Let me guess: Meeting the parents puts a serious spin on your relationship with Addison and it scares the pants off of you.”
Reid looked at his tea, wishing it were something stronger. “I’m not scared, exactly. I’m worried.”
“About what?”
“Addison’s been through so much. I don’t want to cause her any more heartache. Maybe I need to slow this thing down.”
“I think I know what’s going on here and I feel like it’s partly my fault. I called you out on not being here for the family, thinking all the while that you were living a cushy life when you were struggling to save your clients from financial ruin. You’ve had the weight of the world on your shoulders way too long. Just live your life, Reid. Addison wouldn’t have invited you if she didn’t want you there.” She patted his leg. “I might be a teeny bit prejudiced but I think Addison is one lucky girl to have you in her life.”
He shrugged and took another swig of tea. “I’m being an idiot, aren’t I?”
“Funny how you can read my mind. I guess it’s part of being a twin,” Sara said with a small smile. “Now go take a shower. You’re a little gamey.”
Reid got up but then gave the swing a shove, making it swing wildly back and forth.
“Hey, I almost spilled my tea!” Sara shouted, just when Braden walked out the door.
Braden looked in their direction and shook his head. “You two will never change.”
“Where are you going, smelling all good and with gel in your hair?” Sara asked.
“I don’t have gel in my hair.”
Sara rolled her eyes. “You’re going to be spittin’ some game at the ladies. Oh wait. Are you seeing Ronnie?”
“Not tonight. I’m just up to Sully’s to shoot some pool,” Braden replied. “Wanna come, Reid?”
“Thanks, but I’m heading over to Addison’s,” Reid replied, giving Sara a silent
“Don’t forget, you’re playing Farmer Braden tomorrow. Dad has a doctor’s appointment. So don’t be out too late.”
Braden shook his head. “You’re not my mom.”
“Thank God,” she muttered, as she walked down the steps. “Hey, did you just flip me off?”
