to Lexington.
The thought of returning to the city, however, held little appeal. He knew that he wouldn’t be able to stay with the desk job forever, but for now he didn’t know what else to do. Being home reminded him of Addison, but it was where he wanted to live. Reid knew one thing: He couldn’t bear to lay eyes on Addison. He saw her in his dreams every night but seeing her in person . . . in a wedding gown? No, thank you.
She must be well on her way to planning the franchise, and even though it hurt to lose her he couldn’t stand having her give up such an amazing opportunity. It didn’t matter that he knew she loved him. Making her businesses take off would take one hundred percent of her dedication. Taking a dream away from somebody was a recipe for disaster in a marriage—or a family—and he wasn’t about to do that to her. She spoke of how hard her mother’s career had been on her father so she already knew the hardships of separation. He loved her way too much to put her through that, even though it was killing him.
Feeling pretty damned gloomy, he tilted the bottle up to his lips and took a long pull. After the drive the cold beer tasted good, even though it did little to improve his mood. He found the Cincinnati Reds playing Pittsburgh on television and rounded up another beer. “Damn, I’ve got to call Sara,” he said with a wince. She was going to be pissed.
Taking a deep breath, he picked up his cell phone and called her.
“Hey!” Sara said, but instead of being on the phone she came walking through the door.
“Hey, yourself.” Reid stood up and gave her a hug.
Sara licked her lips in that way that said she was about to ask him a favor. “Um, I have a tiny favor to ask.”
“Sara, your favors are never tiny.”
“Okay, I have a big favor to ask of you.”
“Shoot.”
“Well, you know this mock wedding?”
“About that—”
“The mock groom is . . . um, unable to come, so I thought maybe you could fill in.”
“No way. No possible way.”
“Please? It would mean a lot to me.” She paused and said, “And it would mean a lot to Addison. We’ve been planning this beautiful wedding for the past month and we don’t have a groom.”
“Absolutely not.”
Sara sighed and then said slowly. “We don’t want to leave Addison standing at the altar all alone,
Reid set his beer bottle down. There was something in Sara’s tone, something in her eyes that had his heart skipping a beat. No way . . . “Sara . . .” he said softly. “Are you kidding me?”
She shook her head slowly back and forth. “Do you love her?”
“Yes, you know I do,” he answered gruffly. He closed his eyes and swallowed. “She consumes my thoughts. But—”
“She’s not doing the franchise. She never even considered it. Addison loves it here in Cricket Creek. She loves
He froze. Well, then, why had he spent the last month being miserable? “But surely she’s pissed at me for leaving.”
“She figured out why and loves you even more for it. Reid, you gave Addison a choice instead of an ultimatum and she chose you. So, what are you waiting for?”
Reid shoved his fingers through his hair while his thoughts scattered everywhere. “But other than doing the books and helping out on the farm, I don’t have a job.”
Sara shook her head. “Well, baby brother, while you’ve been missing in action a lot more has gone on than just planning your wedding. The barn-wedding receptions have taken off like wildfire, and Dad is filling in dates with pig roasts for family reunions. Addison’s shop is out of space for inventory so she’s leasing the smaller space next door for handmade wedding gifts, including quilts made by Mom’s quilting bee.”
Reid tilted his head. “Wow. But what would I do?”
“Crunch your doggone numbers. Run the business side of things so we creative types can do our thing. And I’m sure your soon-to-be mother-in-law will have some ideas too.”
Reid nodded slowly. Everything was falling into place. And the most important part was Addison. “You’ve got it all figured out.”
“Well, somebody had to. Come on, Reid. You’ve got a wedding to go to.”
His eyes widened. “But what about the ring?”
Sara reached in her purse and pulled out a box. “Handcrafted by Nicolina with Addison’s personality in mind. It’s gorgeous.”
Reid opened the box and smiled. “It’s the ring I had picked out.”
“I know,” Sara said gruffly, but then gave him a shove. “Before you got all stupid and left.” She grinned. “You do, however, have to pay for it.”
“But . . . the preacher? The paperwork?”
“Taken care of. Jeff and his band are playing at the reception. Wine and Diner is catering the food. Grammar’s did the cake. The flowers, the tux are all furnished. Addison’s dad is taking pictures. All we need is the groom.”
“But they all think it’s a mock wedding?”
“Until you get down on one knee and propose.”
“This is nuts.”
“Not really. Cody would have been thrilled if all he had to do was show up. Reid, simply ask yourself whether you love Addison and want to spend the rest of your life with her.”
“Are you kidding me? This past month has been a nightmare. I miss Addison more than I thought was humanly possible.”
“Then get your ass over to the barn.” She looked at her watch. “I have to go get into my bridesmaid dress.”
“You’re in the wedding?”
Sara fisted her hands on her hips. “Of course! I’ve got your tux in my truck. I’ll go get it.”
After Sara hurried out the door Reid stood there in the middle of the cabin, in shock. But then a grin spread across his face from ear to ear. He was getting married to Addison Monroe. Today.
Joy filled his heart. He couldn’t be happier.
Addison arrived at the beautiful barn wearing the simple but elegant dress of her dreams. Her bouquet of wildflowers shook slightly because she was so nervous. After all, a bride didn’t ever arrive for her wedding wondering if there was going to be a groom. To her surprise, when she stood at the entrance to the barn, her father showed up.
“Dad, I thought you were taking pictures?”
“Your mother will be taking the shots of you coming down the aisle with me. Sara asked me to walk you down the aisle. Addison, tell me: Am I crazy or is this actually the real deal?”
“If Reid shows up.”
“He did.”
Addison put trembling fingers to her lips. “How did you know?”
“I got a sneaking suspicion when Sara asked me to walk you down the aisle. There were tears in her eyes and I pretty much had it figured out. So, you love him?”
“With all my heart.” She smiled through happy tears.
“I am so happy for you, Addie,” he said gruffly. He kissed her on the cheek and then offered his arm. “Well, then, let’s do this.” He opened the door to the beautiful barn. A narrow aisle was flanked by neat rows of white chairs. In front of them was a raised altar decorated with satin ribbons. Thousands of lights wrapped around the wooden beams twinkled overhead, and colorful Chinese lanterns of pink and white hung suspended from the ceiling. After the nuptials the chairs would go back around the white linen-covered tables for dinner and the reception to follow. Rustic met elegant, but Addison had eyes only for the man standing at the altar, smiling at her as if he were the happiest man alive.
