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.”

Mia arched one eyebrow. “I could introduce you to some really cute Cougar players.”

Addison shook her head. “I’m done with dudes for a while.”

“Did you just say dudes?”

Addison had to grin. Mia was already making her feel better. “California has left its mark in more ways than one. If I start saying hella you can smack me.”

“Well, before long you’ll be saying y’all and bless your heart.”

“I love a good Southern twang,” Addison said, but then shook her head. “But I have to admit that the mere fact that I’m here is still sort of surreal. A week ago I was planning my wedding . . . again.”

“Yeah, I got my invitation. Oh, Addison, I’m so sorry.” Mia’s smile faded and she shook her head. “You don’t have to, but do you want to tell me about the whole Garret Ruleman thing? I saw some stuff on TV but I know it’s not true. I won’t breathe a word.” She made a show of crossing her heart just like they had done when they were little. Before Uncle Mitch’s first marriage fell apart they used to see each other on a regular basis. And then everything had changed.

“I don’t mind talking about it.”

“It might help.”

Addison took a swallow of her cold tea and then began. “After Aiden cheated, I found myself mourning the loss of our friendship much more than the romantic side. I know now that something neither of us realized was missing. Something important called passion. But still, the whole thing tore me up and I fell into a blue funk.” Addison sighed. “When I met Garret he brought laughter back into my life. He had me trying new and crazy adventures like skydiving, swimming with dolphins . . . even silly stuff like karaoke.” Addison shrugged. “I simply adored being with him and assumed it was love. When he proposed it was a no-brainer, or so I thought.” Addison looked across the table at Mia. “So, how, tell me—how do you know when it’s the real deal?” Addison leaned forward with a hand to her chest. “Apparently I don’t have a clue.”

Mia frowned for a moment. “I don’t know if I can really explain it but I guess it’s the intensity of everything. Everything about being with Cam is just . . . more. I love him more, miss him more, and even get angrier than with anyone else I’ve ever known. I even get jealous from time to time, and I’m not that kind of person except with him. It’s because I care about Cam more than I’ve ever felt about any other guy before.”

Addison nibbled on her lip, thinking.

Mia grinned. “But do you want the easy answer?”

Addison nodded hard. “Please.”

“The kiss.” Mia closed her eyes and sighed.

“The kiss?” Addison sat back in her seat in disbelief. “Like, being a good kisser is the key to happiness?”

“Yeah . . . for real . . . it’s how you know.” Mia gave her a dreamy smile. “The kiss, especially the very first one, just blows you away. You can’t stop thinking about it, reliving it over and over. At the risk of sounding corny, you just sort of . . . melt.”