with spring flowers and yellow ducks, jutted out from a post and cheerfully flapped back and forth. Booker, the old hound who wasn’t supposed to be a house dog but always managed to sneak inside, lazily lounged next to the front steps, watching for a barn cat so he could bark at it or, if he got up enough gumption, a squirrel to chase. Little John, their big but gentle giant of a dog, tried to get Booker riled up when he wasn’t chasing chickens or running through the woods.
A tall sturdy oak tree gracefully stood to the left of the house, still sporting a tree house and a tire swing where Reid used to push baby brother Braden so high that he would laugh with delight and then plead for more as soon as Reid would stop. Reid grinned. Now that Sara was getting married, maybe his mom would finally get the grandchild she’d been wanting for the past few years. Maybe then she would stop telling Reid that he needed a girl in his life.
Reid scrubbed a hand down his face and felt a tug of emotion at the memories. There was no doubt that despite the hard work and sacrifice, farming was a good way of life. But those days were over. And while the Old MacDonald grade school program had merit, Reid just couldn’t see the whole barn-wedding thing taking flight. He would just have to find a way to put an end to that nonsense before Sara sank her retirement into a pie-in-the-sky scheme.
4
More
ADDISON SMILED AS SHE DROVE DOWN MAIN STREET IN Cricket Creek, Kentucky. With antiques shops, a local bakery, and several cute boutiques, the quaint river town looked more colorful and vibrant than she had imagined. The six-day cross-country trip had been fun in a low-key, relaxing way. Other than Mia, her parents were the only people she had spoken with, usually at the end of the day when she’d reached her destination. She’d avoided calls and text messages from acquaintances, knowing they were more interested in the broken- engagement scoop than in showing real concern. She’d begun to realize that other than her parents, she didn’t really have much keeping her in LA.
Addison had enjoyed stops at a few national treasures, but she was becoming road weary and was anxious to get out of her convertible and visit with Mia and Uncle Mitch. She had tried to avoid looking at tabloids or pop news shows, but did catch the tail end of an interview with Garret, where he’d hinted that there was some juicy reason for their breakup. But, of course, unlike with Aiden’s cheating, there really wasn’t. Since Addison wasn’t exactly big news, she hoped that her broken engagement would blow over soon, especially with her remaining out of town and out of sight.
“Destination is on the right. You have arrived!” announced her GPS.
“Thank goodness!” She spotted Wine and Diner, the lovely-looking restaurant where she was supposed to meet Mia for a late lunch. After parking her car Addison pulled her cell phone out of her purse and called her cousin. “I’m here!” Addison laughed when Mia squealed with delight and then told her she was in a booth near the front window. “I’ll be right in.”
“Addison!” Mia slid from the bench seat and didn’t even give Addison a chance to get all the way over to her table. Mia hugged her hard. “Oh, my gosh, it is so good to see you!”
Addison laughed and hugged her cousin back. “Yes, it’s been way too long!” She stepped back. “Is Uncle Mitch here?”
Mia pulled a face and tugged Addison toward the table. “No, he actually had a meeting to attend, but he’s looking forward to seeing you. Hopefully Uncle Paul and Aunt Mel will come for a visit while you’re here. I’ve missed you guys.”
After sliding into the booth Addison nodded. “Me too. I just hope my dad can drag Mom away from her work.” She smiled at her cousin. “You look great, by the way,” Addison said, and meant it. Mia was as perky and cute as ever.
“Thanks! Except for missing Cam I’ve never been happier.”
“Well, it shows.”
“And you’re gorgeous as ever. You’re looking more like your gorgeous mom every time I see you. I get such a kick out of watching her show. She sure doesn’t pull any punches.”
“Yeah, I might look like Mom, but I’ve got the laid-back temperament of my dad. I need to toughen up, but I just don’t know how.” Addison shrugged.
“Does your dad still have the ponytail?”
“He does.” Addison grinned. “He has the whole Beau Bridges thing going on.”
“I always thought Uncle Paul was supercool.”
“He and Mom are so different—that’s for sure—but I guess the whole opposites-attract thing works for them.”
A moment later a waitress approached them. Addison thought her pink retro fifties outfit was fun.
“Hi there, Mia. It’s nice to see your pretty face.”
“Hi, Sunny. I’d like you to meet my cousin Addison Monroe.”
“Nice to meet you, Addison.” She handed them each a menu. “Can I get y’all somethin’ to drink?”
“I’ll have raspberry tea,” Mia replied.
“Sounds refreshing. I’ll have the same,” Addison requested with a smile.
“Comin’ right up, girls. I’ll give you a few minutes to look over the menu. Chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans is the blue plate special, and French onion is the soup of the day. I’ll bring your drinks in a jiffy.”
“So, what’s good here?” Addison glanced down at the menu.
“Unfortunately, everything. Just ask my expanding butt,” Mia replied with a roll of her eyes. “This used to be an old-fashioned diner but Jessica Robinson—well, she’s now Jessica McKenna, married to one of my bosses—took the restaurant over from her aunt a few years ago. Jessica took traditional diner fare and gave it an upscale twist. Oh, she was once a chef at Chicago Blue. You’ve eaten there, right?”
“Yes, I remember it.”
“Dad and I used to eat there. It was a hot spot, but I heard business has fallen off since Jessica left. Anyway, the food here is scrumptious.” She pointed over her shoulder. “Check out the desserts in the display case. I refuse to look at them.”
“Are you kidding?” Addison groaned. “I feel like I’ve eaten my way across America. I should probably go light.”
“Well, the soups and salads are great too. All made from scratch. Jessica’s chicken salad is wonderful . . . it’s the kind with grapes and walnuts.”
“Oh, my stomach is rumbling just thinking about it.” Addison opened the menu and chuckled. “Stone soup? Oh, and the fable behind it? How cute!” She closed her menu. “That’s it. I don’t have to look any further. I already know what I want.”
After Sunny delivered the drinks they both ordered stone soup and chicken salad sandwiches.
“So, catch me up on things,” Addison requested. “I think the last time I saw you was at your dad’s wedding a couple of years ago. How are Uncle Mitch and Nicolina doing? She was such a beautiful bride. And are you and her daughter, Bella, close? She seemed sweet but with a feisty side.”
“They’re doing wonderful except that Nicolina’s jewelry shop keeps her so busy that Dad has to sometimes kidnap his own wife.”
“A far cry from the work-driven Uncle Mitch that I remember.”
Mia smiled softly. “Yes, so true. Oh, and Bella is like a sister to me and she lives here now too. We’re like one big happy family. And now you’ve arrived! I have to say that life is good.”
“And how’s your hot baseball player doing?”
Mia twirled her straw in a sad circle. “Oh, I am so proud of his success in the minor leagues, but, like I mentioned, I miss him so much.” She brightened. “Hey, maybe we can hit the road in that sweet Mustang of yours and take in a few of his games?”
“I’d like that. I stayed a Cubs fan even after we moved to Los Angles. I love baseball.”
