“True,” Reid said, and realized that he hadn’t given his sister the acknowledgment that she deserved. He thought about the ivory-tower comment she made and wondered if he had grown out of touch with his family. But it was his job to help people invest and manage their money. How could he turn that off, especially when it came to his very own family?
“Anything else I can get you today?” Mabel asked.
“Oh, I can’t resist your butter cookies. I’ll take a dozen, and throw in a cheese Danish for the ride back home.”
Mable reached for a white paper bag. “Coming right up.” After he paid his bill, she said, “Don’t be a stranger.”
“I won’t,” Reid promised. After he walked back outside he looked down Main Street, noticing the improvements and new shops. Sara had been right. Cricket Creek had weathered some tough economic times, but beginning with Noah Falcon’s return home to build the baseball stadium, the little town had refused to throw in the towel. But saving the family farm wasn’t the same thing, and Reid was well aware that Sara was as stubborn as the day was long. Hopefully, Addison Monroe would take him up on his offer and talk some sense into his well-meaning sister.
With his hands full, Reid crossed the street at the light, nodding to greetings, waves, and honking horns from people he hadn’t seen in a while. Although he enjoyed living in Lexington, he had to admit that seeing old friends and eating at his favorite spots felt pretty damned good.
As Reid drove home he thought he might head over to Sully’s later on, drink a few beers, and maybe play some pool. He wouldn’t have to twist Braden’s arm too hard to talk his little brother into going with him. When he passed what he assumed was Wedding Row he slowed down and his thoughts turned back to Addison Monroe, wondering again why she seemed so familiar, and then it suddenly dawned on him. Addison Monroe must be the daughter of finance guru Melinda Monroe.
Reid smacked the steering wheel. “Wow . . .” he murmured, and shook his head in a bit of wonder. Reid had read all of Melinda’s bestselling books and watched her show on a regular basis. Addison came off as much more mild mannered but was the spitting image of her famous mother. His smile widened and he wondered why he hadn’t put two and two together sooner. Melinda Monroe wasn’t a fan of spending money foolishly and would never suggest using retirement money for anything other than what it was intended for. Hopefully, that same way of thinking was drummed into Addison’s head and would ultimately help convince Sara to drop the barn-renovation idea and find another way to generate extra income for the family farm.
Reid swerved slightly when he spotted Addison’s red Mustang pulling into the parking lot in front of Wedding Row. It had been a while since he’d had such a strong pull of attraction to a woman, and damned if he didn’t kind of like it. With the stress of being a financial adviser during tough economic times Reid had pulled back from much of a social life, including dating. He glanced in his rearview mirror and caught another glimpse of the flashy red convertible and grinned. For the first time in a long while he felt an urge to get back in the game. And he knew just where he was going to test the waters.
Reid didn’t know how long he planned on staying in Cricket Creek, but he knew one thing for sure. In spite of the financial struggle at the farm, coming home for a spell was just what he needed. He turned on the radio and then suddenly remembered the cheese Danish, and the delicious treat called his name. “Oh yeah . . .” Reid said, and reached over for the bag. He sank his teeth into the sweet gooey goodness and moaned with appreciation as he chewed.
When Trace Adkins started singing “Ladies Love Country Boys,” Reid chuckled. He wasn’t sure if Addison Monroe would yell “Turn it up” if he started blaring Hank Jr., but he had to wonder if she could possibly fall for his Southern-boy drawl. She might be way up there out of his league, but, hey, it was worth a shot. Hopefully, after touring the property she would decide to open the bridal boutique and give him the chance to find out.
6
Say Yes to the Dress!
“HELLO, MIA!” MAGGIE SAID, AND STOOD UP FROM BEHIND her desk. Smiling, she walked toward the entrance. “And you must be Addison,” Maggie added, extending her hand to the pretty young woman with amazing hair and expressive eyes. “I’m Maggie McMillan. I hear that you’re interested in looking at the building intended for the bridal boutique.”
“It’s a spontaneous decision, but yes,” Addison said with a fond glance at Mia.
“Take it from me: Those can be the best kind of decisions,” Mia said with a smile at her cousin. When Addison raised her eyebrows, Mia added, “I’ll explain over martinis at Sully’s later tonight.”
“I agree that you need to go with your gut,” Maggie said. “Not long ago I told my son, Tristan, that life doesn’t always have to make perfect sense. And it’s true. I’d love to show the store to you!” Maggie picked up the key. “Do you ladies need a water or soda to take along?” After both gave a negative shake of their heads, Maggie nodded and gestured toward the door. “Then let’s go have a look.”
As Maggie led the way she smiled at the easy chatter between the cousins. When she had been their age, her life had been far different and she had had to put her own dreams on hold. Not that she regretted putting her son first, but now that Tristan was a successful, happy young man with a lovely fiancée, it was high time that she moved forward with her own aspirations. Her recent move from Cincinnati to Cricket Creek to help Tristan expand Whisper’s Edge was just what she needed to jump-start the rest of her life.
“Wedding Row was such a wonderful concept, Mia,” Maggie commented. “Your father and Nicolina did a fantastic job of blending the buildings into the surroundings.” She waved her arm in an arc. “You would have thought this had been here for many years instead of being a new construction. From the gas streetlights to the cobblestone paving, these shops have the quaint feel of Cricket Creek.”
“It’s just lovely,” Addison agreed as they rounded the corner to where the bridal shop was located. “Oh, Designs by Diamante! We’ll have to stop in and see Nicolina soon,” Addison said to Mia. “The necklace you sent me for Christmas was gorgeous. No wonder Uncle Mitch has to kidnap her from her work.”
“Nicolina does lots of bridal jewelry,” Mia said. “You could even put some of her pieces in your store.”
“Excellent idea,” Addison agreed.
Maggie hid her smile. Mia was doing much of the selling for her. “Addison, just so you know, there are plans to start a second phase called Riverside Row that will include a deli, an upscale pub, and several other restaurants. We also have interest from a high-end salon and day spa. Soon shopping on Wedding Row will be an all-day event and not just for brides.”
“Oh, that would be wonderful,” Mia said to Addison. “The only thing we’re lacking is additional places to hold receptions. The convention center and hotel will solve that issue, but that’s pretty far down the road. Dad has pulled way back from the full-throttle mode he used to be in all the time. But we can work on that later.”
“Oh!” Addison said as they stood outside the bridal boutique. “The display window already has a gown in it!”
“I did that last week,” Maggie said. “Pretty, isn’t it?”
“Oh yes. Especially the lighting. I’m enchanted. Let’s go inside!”
Mia gave her a nod. “Nice touch, Maggie.”
“Well, I also have a bit of my own agenda at stake other than just securing the lease. I thought if we got a bridal boutique here in Cricket Creek it would speed up Tristan and Savannah getting married. They bought a beautiful farmhouse overlooking the river but have yet to set a wedding date. Tristan has just been so busy with the expansion of Whisper’s Edge. But if I get Savannah in a dress we might just get the ball rolling.”