Moonlight Kiss

success and this is no exception.”

“You were just looking out for Sara.”

“My heart has always been in the right place. But listen, Jeff. I’m sorry I didn’t encourage you to pursue your singing career years ago. I regret that I took Mom and Dad’s side and became part of Team Guilt that tried to keep you here on the farm. You’re super-talented. I hope I didn’t hold you back.”

Jeff shrugged. “It means a lot to me to hear you say that but, in truth, you know how hardheaded I am. The more you preached against it the more I wanted to prove you and everybody else wrong.”

Reid nodded but he knew his brother was being generous. “Ahhh, so then you owe your success to me?” He jabbed his thumb at his chest. “Do I get a cut?”

Jeff gave him a shove. “Yeah right. But seriously, make sure you’re all at Sully’s tonight.” Although Jeff sounded causal there was a nervous energy about him that told Reid that whatever was going down was going to be something big.

“Damn, you have me curious. The whole doggone town is buzzing with excitement, no matter where you go. Can you give me a little hint?” He looked at Jeff expectantly. “You know I could probably wrestle it out of you.”

“Not anymore, big bro. I work out. And I think I’m taller.”

“Well, then, I guess I’ll just have to wait. Everybody else is in the house getting ready. There’s leftover meatloaf and mashed potatoes in there.”

Jeff started hauling some of his stuff out of his truck. “Awesome. I could use some of Mom’s cooking.”

“I’ve got to go and shower up before I pick up Addison. I’ll see you there. Oh and, Jeff?”

“Yeah?”

“I’ve still got you by a good inch.”

“In your dreams! And I bet I can beat you and Braden arm wrestling.”

“You’re on!” Reid laughed. It would be good to have all of his siblings together. It sure had been a while.

After a quick shower Reid tugged on some cargo shorts and a blue golf shirt. Since the tail end of spring had started yielding some summerlike weather he dug out his flip-flops, glad to be out of his boots. After tossing a blanket and some lawn chairs in the bed of his truck he headed over to pick up his girl.

“Hey, baby. Aren’t you ready?” Reid asked when Addison answered the door in her bathrobe. “Jeff told me it’s going to be packed so we’d better get a move on.” He leaned in and kissed her.

“Your brother is in town?”

Reid nodded. “Yeah, and he knows what this whole mysterious thing is all about. He wouldn’t tell but said that the family should be there. It’s definitely more than just a concert. I have a feeling there’s going to be some sort of announcement.”

“Wow, okay. I’ll hurry. I was talking on the phone with my mom and the time got away from me.”

“Everything okay?” Reid asked, since Addison seemed a little bit distracted, but she gave him a bright smile.

“Yes, we’ll talk about it after the concert,” she said. “I’ll be ready in just a few minutes. It’s still hot out, right?” she called over her shoulder.

“Yeah, perfect night for an outdoor concert.”

True to her word Addison emerged from her bedroom less than fifteen minutes later. She wore a deep yellow sundress dotted with white butterflies and carried a white sweater. “I didn’t have time to curl my hair.”

“Are you kidding? I love it like that.” Reid reached over and tucked a silky lock behind her ear. “You look amazing, Addison.” He leaned down and kissed her bare shoulder. “Mmmm and you smell so good. I wanna gobble you up,” he added with a playful nip. He spanned his hands around her waist and pulled her against his body. “God, I want to kiss you, but if I do I won’t be able to stop.”

She giggled and then reached up and rubbed her hand against his cheek. “Oh . . . sexy stubble.”

“You said you liked it even though my mom will give me crap for not shaving.”

“Mmmm, yeah, I like it when you rub—”

“Stop.” He put a fingertip to her lips and groaned. “Don’t say it. You’ve already got me half aroused.”

“Only half?” She reached over and checked.

Reid laughed and then grabbed her hand. He loved that she had become open and playful with him. Being with her was coming naturally, easily, and he loved it.

He loved her.

And tonight he was finally going to tell her.

“You’re right. The weather has been calling me outside,” Addison commented as they headed for his truck. “I’ve been looking forward to the concert all day long, and after you told me what Jeff said I’m over-the-top excited.”

“You’ve got me super-excited too.” He shot her a wicked grin.

“Oh stop,” she said, but the pretty pink color in her cheeks spoke otherwise.

Reid reached over and took her hand and brought it to his lips. After so many years of worry it felt so good to feel happy and as close to carefree as his personality would allow. So much of his mood had to do with the pretty woman sitting in the passenger’s seat. “Wow,” Reid said when they pulled into the parking lot of Sully’s Tavern. “It’s already getting packed.” The main lot was nearly full but Pete had set up a grass field with additional parking.

Addison looked at him with raised eyebrows. “Seems like this is going to be quite the event.”

“Let’s hurry so we can get a spot near the stage,” he said, and came over to open Addison’s door. He handed the blanket to Addison and picked up the chairs. “Pete sure did do this up right,” Reid commented. The field that butted up against the parking lot sat on a ridge overlooking the river. Chairs were to the side and colorful blankets were spread across the grass, giving the appearance of a giant patchwork quilt. Children ran around, laughing and chasing one another, while adults stood in groups, chatting and drinking longneck beers. The aroma of barbecue wafted through the air, making Reid’s stomach rumble.

“Wow, look at that.” Reid pointed to a stage that had been erected at the far end of the field. “I could see it from the road but up close it’s even more impressive.” Huge speakers flanked each side, telling Reid that this really was going to be something else. Beneath the conversation and laughter was a buzz of anticipation. “This is probably the biggest event in Cricket Creek since the opening day of the stadium.”

“Sure looks that way,” Addison agreed. “Oh hey, there’s your family.” She waved to Sara, who spotted them at the same time.

“Follow me,” Reid urged, and weaved his way through the crowd, heading for a spot near the stage. They waved to several people, including Maggie, who sat with Tristan and Savannah. Noah Falcon sat with the Cougars baseball team, who were signing autographs for eager children. Mia Monroe tossed T-shirts and baseball caps to the crowd. It seemed to Reid that most of Cricket Creek really was in attendance. He placed the chairs in the row that his mother had saved for them and grinned. “This is something, isn’t it?” They were greeted with hugs.

“I got y’all some food,” Sara said, and handed them two plates with foil-wrapped sandwiches and bags of potato chips.

“The roast pig is amazing,” Braden told them. “I’ll go get you guys a couple of beers.” He shook off Reid’s offer of money. “This one’s on me.”

“I guess no one got Jeff to tell what in the world is going on?” Reid asked.

“I did my best,” his mother admitted. “I even tried to bribe him with his favorite red velvet cake but it was a no-go.”

“I told y’all just to be patient,” Reid’s father said. “We’ll know soon enough.”

“Not soon enough for Sara,” Cody said with a laugh. “Poor little thing had been practically jumping up and down with excitement all day long.”

“Can you blame me?” Sara slipped her arm around Cody’s waist and looked up at him.

“I sure can’t,” Addison said as she accepted the ice-cold beer from Braden. “Thanks.”

Reid tapped his bottle to hers. “To a memorable night.”

A few minutes later a hush fell over the crowd when Pete Sully sauntered onto the stage and grabbed the microphone. “Welcome, everybody, and thanks so much for coming!” He had to put his hands up, waiting for the applause and whistles to die down. “Save your applause, ’cuz you’re gonna need it. First, I need to give a huge thanks to Jason Craig and his crew for getting the stage built on such short notice. They worked their tails off. And