Luann McLane - Moonlight Kiss

Reid glanced at Addison, who was watching with avid interest. A few people who obviously knew about the rumors looked her way, and he drew her close, putting a protective arm around her in spite of the bit of discomfort he felt at seeing the famous father of her ex-fiancé standing up onstage. And apparently going into business with Reid’s brother, not to mention bringing Garret into the fold.

“You might wonder how I ended up in Cricket Creek,” Rick continued. “Well, I actually came here to apologize to Addison Monroe, my son, Garret’s, ex-fiancée. There were some untrue and ugly rumors that I broke up my son’s engagement by having an affair with Addison. The rumor was started by my publicist to create some publicity. I fired him. But when I saw Addison’s lovely shop and knew she was flying under the paparazzi radar I decided to do her a favor and keep my distance. But now I want to give a public apology to Addison Monroe for being pulled into the ugliness of something she had no part of and didn’t deserve to be drawn into. Addison and Garret parted friends, and I’m so very pleased that she’s doing well in this amazing town of yours!”

Reid tightened his grip on Addison, letting his fingers caress her arm supportively. She had a faint smile on her face but appeared slightly stunned. He could tell that she didn’t like the attention, but she nodded and raised one hand in recognition of the apology.

Rick paused for the applause and then said, “And there is one more person that I need to apologize to. Maggie McMillan.” He looked in the direction where Maggie stood with Tristan and Savannah. “Maggie, I’m so sorry that I didn’t tell you my true identity . . . but, in reality, since I’ve been living here in Cricket Creek, I’ve stopped pretending to be someone else and I feel like I’ve come home.” Rick looked at Jeff, who nodded to the band. “Since you won’t listen to me, I’m going to cover a song by one of my favorite artists, the late, great Jim Croce.” Rick then started singing “I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song.”

When they got to the last stanza Rick said, “Come on, Cricket Creek. Lend your voices and sing along. I need all the help I can get . . .” he said, and smiled down at Maggie, who was clinging to her son’s arm while wiping tears with her other hand. When the song ended she blew him a kiss and the audience applauded wildly. “And now I’m going to give the stage back to Jeff Greenfield. There’s a woman I need to hug.”

AFTER THE CONCERT ADDISON AND REID WERE INVITED to the private celebration being held in Sully’s Tavern. While they waited for the party to begin, at Addison’s request they sat in Reid’s truck so that they could talk. Addison could feel Reid’s apprehension and she couldn’t really blame him. Rick Ruleman’s sudden and altered appearance, along with his plans to build a recording studio, was quite a shocker. But before they could even get to the subject Addison’s cell phone rang. “Oh, it’s my mother.” She looked at Reid.

“You should take it, Addison.”

“Hey, Mom, what’s up?” Addison answered, and was prepared to tell her mother she would call back later, but her mother’s voice sounded even more excited than the conversation they’d had earlier when her mother said she’d wanted Addison to come out and be a guest on her show promoting small business.

“I have some more exciting news, sweetie. You know those pictures your father took of your shop?”

“Yes.”

“Well, we were out eating lunch with the Grangers earlier today and Julia is interested in opening another From This Moment here in LA and perhaps one in her hometown in Houston, Texas. She simply adored the layout and the mix of old and new.”

“You mean like a franchise?” Addison asked.

“Yes! You could oversee the stores. Wouldn’t that be fun?”

Addison frowned. “But I just opened the shop here in Cricket Creek. We don’t even know if it will be successful. Maybe this is premature,” she protested with a glance at Reid.

“Normally I would agree with you, Addison. But with the low interest rates and lots of strip malls begging for business this is the opportune time to go full speed ahead. And with the backing of the Grangers, well, you can’t go wrong. Why don’t you fly out here next weekend and chat with Julia about the prospect?”

“I . . . um, I don’t know. This is so fast and sudden.”

“That’s how opportunities like these often happen. And they can be gone just as fast. Listen, I’m not trying to push, but you needed to know right away so you could think about it. You need to strike while the iron is hot, though. Call me later and we’ll talk, okay?”

“Sure, Mom. I love you. Give Dad a hug for me.”

“Love you too, Addison, and I miss you terribly. Bye, now.”

Addison ended the call and then turned to Reid. She explained briefly.

“Your mother’s right. The timing is perfect,” Reid said.

“Not for us, though, Reid. It would mean extensive travel. I’d have to spend most of my time getting the other locations up and running.”

He shrugged. “I know that. But this is a huge opportunity and your mother was also right in that these things only come around so often. If you miss out you might never get another chance. This could be huge for you, Addison.”

“But . . . but I’m in the middle of so much right here. I have weddings to plan . . .” Her throat constricted at the thought of leaving him when their relationship was going so well.

“Sara won’t have any classes at the farm during the summer break. I’m sure she could fill in at your shop while you’re away.”

“But she’s busy planning her wedding and overseeing the barn renovation.”

“The renovations are going smoothly. Believe me, Sara of all people knows how to juggle her time. She is an expert in multitasking.”

“But I would miss you too much,” Addison said softly, and gave him a trembling smile. She looked at him, thinking of how much time her mother and father lost over the years and it came close to ruining their marriage. She put her hand over his but he withdrew it, making her heart pound. Please don’t do this, she thought. Please care about me more than that.

“Addison, you should go to LA and listen to your mother. She knows her stuff. She won’t steer you wrong.”

“But what about . . . us?” Addison asked in a strained voice.

Reid shifted in the leather seat. He was silent for a long moment and then said, “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that.”

Addison felt her heart rate speed up. “And?” she asked when he hesitated. She had felt that he’d wanted to tell her that he loved her for a while now. “You can be honest with me, Reid. We’ve grown so close. Don’t hesitate to tell me how you feel,” she urged.

“I . . . I’m moving back to Lexington. My firm called and wanted a final answer about whether I’m returning.”

Addison swallowed hard and felt the impact of his words like a punch to her gut. “I thought you loved the farm.” I thought you loved me, she wanted to shout.

“I do, but I came back to help get things under control. They are and then some. I’m not needed any longer. I can return to my job, knowing things are fine here.”

“So, when were you going to tell me?” she asked in a shaky voice.

His gaze flicked away. “I was trying to find the right time, I guess.”

“And so you thought after this amazing night with your family would be the best time to break it to me?”

“Addison, I had no idea what was going on here tonight.”

She nodded, on the verge of tears. “Is this about Rick Ruleman being in town? I really didn’t know, Reid.”

“I believe you.”

“Then—”

“We should get inside.”

“Um, I’m not sure I want to go to the party. I have a lot to think about and I would really appreciate it if you would just take me home. Please tell Jeff congratulations for me, okay?” She forced a smile.

Reid nodded. “Sure. I understand.”

He drove her back in silence. Absorbed in her thoughts and aching sorrow, Addison didn’t speak a word. She hoped the entire way home that Reid would suddenly tell her how much he loved her and couldn’t bear it if she weren’t in his life. But he didn’t.

When he pulled up to her apartment he came around and opened her door. “You don’t have to walk me up. I know you want to get back to the celebration.”

Something flickered in his eyes and Addison held her breath. “You’re right.” He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek—the cheek!—and her heart shattered.

Once again she’d believed in and let a man into her life, only to have her heart trampled on.

Later, while she sat cross-legged on her bed, reliving the evening, Addison wondered if this really did have anything to do with Rick Ruleman or the announcement that Garret would be working with him. Did Reid think that she’d go running back into Garret’s arms? How could he think that?

Addison leaned back against the fluffy pillows and she suddenly had a moment of clarity. This apartment felt like home. She loved running From This Moment and wasn’t remotely interested in starting a franchise. She wanted her shop to be personal and one-of-a-kind, not duplicated all over the country. Whether she made piles of money or just enough to get by, she loved her life and she wasn’t going to make the mistake of doing something because she didn’t want to disappoint her mother, even when it wasn’t what she truly wanted. Those days were over. And if Reid cared so little about her that he could just walk away, then she’d overestimated how much he cared for her. How could she have gotten it so wrong yet again?