“The dreaded numbers?” Reid continued to work but glanced her way.
“Please?”
“I’ll look over whatever you have to give to me,” he offered, feeling a flash of guilt when she gave him a bright smile. Reid wasn’t likely to warm up to the idea. Barns and weddings and Cricket Creek just didn’t come together in his brain.
“Thanks, Reid! Dad will be over with the tractor in a little while. We have a group of first-graders due here in about an hour. You’re welcome to tag along and see how the program works.” She grinned. “Just remember that you’ll be addressed as Farmer Reid.”
“Maybe tomorrow. I promised Braden I’d help him out in the cornfields, and then I still have some unpacking to do over at the cabin.”
Sara nodded. “Okay, well, I have to get going.” She stepped closer and gave Reid a hug. “I’m glad you’re here. I’ve missed you, baby brother.”
Reid hugged her back and felt a tug of emotion. “I’ve missed you too.” He watched her walk away and then paused to gather his thoughts. You’d never know by looking around that the farm was in financial trouble. The grounds appeared fresh and vibrant. The neatly trimmed green grass of the front lawn was in gorgeous contrast to the three-story, classic white farmhouse. Bright, colorful flowers surrounded the base of the wraparound porch where Reid had spent many a long summer evening, playing board games with his siblings and then later cuddling with a girl on the porch swing or drinking some beer with friends. Jeff would often bring out his guitar and jam until his parents begged them to call it a night. Sunday evenings were often family gatherings after a huge chicken dinner. He thought of his mom’s apple pie and homemade ice cream and sighed.
Reid gazed over at the house, shook his head, and smiled fondly at the memories. Oversized baskets of ferns hung from the ceiling and spun in the gentle morning breeze. One of his mother’s seasonal flags, this one 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?”