Luann McLane - Moonlight Kiss

Reid jammed his thumb over his shoulder. “You want to grab a cold beer? I think you could use one. I know I’m dusty, but I can fit in at Sully’s.”

“Are you serious? You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“No, I’m serious.” He gave her a slight shrug. “But you’d have to wear shoes.”

She looked down at her feet and then back up at him. She took a couple of steps closer and then tilted her head up.

Reid held his breath.

“I wouldn’t drink a beer with you if you were the last man on earth.”

He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Okay, I guess I deserve that.”

“You think?”

Reid nodded slowly. “Yeah.”

“Well, and I hate to tell you, but I’ll be a frequent visitor on your farm. Renovations to the barn will begin soon, and I’m going to be consulting with Sara whether you like it or not. I would appreciate if you’d stay out of my way.”

“I will.”

“Good.”

“But, Addison?”

She arched an eyebrow.

“I’m sorry. I was way out of line. And I’m really impressed with the shop.”

She remained still and silent, unrelenting, and yet there was a vulnerable set to her mouth that hit Reid in the gut. He knew he’d been dead-ass wrong, and he’d screwed up his chance with a beautiful, funny, smart woman. The urge to pull her into his arms and hug her tightly was so damned strong but he was pretty sure he’d get a knee where he didn’t want it, and so he nodded once more and turned around and walked out of the store.

ADDISON IGNORED THE THUMPING OF HER HEART AS SHE pulled her Mustang into the front driveway of the Greenfield farmhouse. If she ran into Reid she’d smile politely and give him the cold shoulder. Of course, seeing him actually made her body warm instead of cold but she’d never let him know it. She supposed, however, that Reid had gotten the message after her tirade last night. Afterward she’d felt a little bit embarrassed, especially when she realized much later while lying in bed that he must have seen her dancing and singing along with CeeLo Green. Why did it have to be that song? She gripped the steering wheel and shook her head. “Because that’s the way my life goes, apparently.”

At least the Sunday afternoon sunshine felt good on her cheeks. Although the upcoming grand opening of From This Moment sent a nervous flutter through her stomach, getting away for a while and taking in the country scenery felt amazingly freeing. She reminded herself that beautiful inventory filled every nook and cranny of the shop and that for all intents and purposes she was ready to open. She’d hired a local seamstress, and for now she’d concentrate on the paperwork and wedding planning. If the consulting end of the business accelerated, she’d hire an assistant to help her out. Mia promised to do what she could, but her job at the baseball stadium picked up with the beginning of the season, and coupled with watching Cam play baseball, she wouldn’t be around much.

Stepping out of the car, Addison smiled at the picture-perfect farmhouse appearing before her, serene and welcoming. Abundant flowers provided a burst of color against the white background. Wicker furniture and fat baskets of ferns on the front porch called for lazy afternoons of sipping on sweet tea. A big oak tree graced the front lawn, reaching up to the sky with open arms. A tire swing hung from a thick branch, making Addison imagine laughing children—but definitely not an adorable young Reid—being pushed high in the air. The top of a tall silo peeked over the house, as if watching over it. Addison’s smile deepened. This was a slice of Americana, a postcard into the past, and she admired Sara for doing all she could to preserve her family farm.

Addison inhaled the country air, fragrant with cut grass, sweet flowers, freshly turned earth, and a hint of hay. The late-spring day felt almost hot, but thankfully lacked the steamy summer humidity hovering right around the corner. Still, Addison was glad she’d worn cool white shorts and a short-sleeve light blue blouse. A thin gold belt and plaid Sperry Top-Siders gave the casual attire a touch of class with a businesslike edge.

Smile still in place, she started toward the sidewalk leading to the front steps. But out of the corner of her eye she spotted something big and furry galloping in her direction. At first Addison thought it was a fat little pony. No . . . Oh God, it . . . Is it a wolf? She stood, rooted to the spot as the animal raced across the yard and straight for her. Would it attack? Bite? She took a shaky step backward, wondering whether to bolt for the front steps or dive into her car. Before she could decide, the big ball of brown fur ran around her in a circle as if closing in for the kill. His deep bark struck terror in her heart. A scream bubbled up in Addison’s throat but fear squeezed her vocal cords. Mind racing, adrenaline pumping, she wondered if there was anything in her purse that the dog would like to eat, like maybe a T-bone steak, so she could run like hell. But she could only think of chewing gum and didn’t suppose that would do the trick unless the dog wanted minty-fresh breath.

After another deep bark the huge dog skidded to a stop and then pounced. The big paws came up on her shoulders, making Addison stagger backward and wonder if she should fight or play dead. The big furry head leaned in . . .

And licked her.

He happily lapped one cheek and then the other. Letting out her held breath, Addison giggled first from repressed hysteria and then from absolute relief that the big animal was actually a gentle giant.

“Little John, down!”

Little John paused in his licking but his paws remained. He looked at Addison as if asking permission for one last lick. He took her giggle as a yes.

“I said down!” Another command came from across the yard.

Addison looked over Little John’s massive shoulder and spotted Reid standing next to the metal barn across from the house. He had a tool of some kind in his hand and he was holy cow . . . shirtless. His jeans had a rip across each knee and a hole in one thigh, but it was his chest that captured her undivided attention.

Little John gave Addison’s chin a sly, quick lick before pushing away from her shoulders. Although the threat of being eaten alive no longer applied, when she brushed a lock of hair from her face she wasn’t surprised to notice a tremble in her fingers. She was used to dogs, but little yappy things, not big brutes . . . even though Little John turned out to be a lovable brute.

Reid quickly closed the distance from across the yard and gave Little John a shake of his head. “You know better.” When he shook his finger at Little John, the big dog hung his head. “I’m sorry. He’s harmless, but I hope he didn’t scare you.”

“No,” Addison scoffed. “I didn’t see my life flash before my eyes or anything else like that.”

Reid chuckled and seemed to relax a little bit. When he reached up and shoved damp hair off his forehead the movement caused a delicious ripple of muscle. A slight sheen of sweat made his tanned skin glisten. Just the right amount of tawny chest hair narrowed into an enticing line that disappeared beneath his jeans. With no belt, the worn denim hung low on his waist, and in spite of how irritated Addison felt toward him she couldn’t help but notice how sexy he looked without a shirt.

“Sorry. I’m a dirty mess.” He tilted his head toward the barn. “I was fixing the quad.”

“The quad?”

“Four-wheeler. I was told to take you out to the old barn but it wouldn’t start.”

“Wait. . . . What? You? Where’s Sara?”

“With Mom. They went out to the barn after church to start taking notes. I had orders to take you to them when you arrived.”

“Oh . . . uh . . . thanks, but I’ll walk.”

“It’s two miles.”

“I’ll drive.”

“You’d have to go through the narrow path in the woods. It’s not drivable in a car.”

“How did Sara get there?”

“On a quad with my mother.”

Addison’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“And Mom was driving. We’re outdoorsy people, in case you didn’t notice.”

Oh, she noticed everything about him.

“Look, I tried to tell them that you wouldn’t want to ride with me but they weren’t having it.”

“Isn’t there someone else?”

Reid shrugged, causing his pecs to do a delicious little dance. “Dad and Braden just left for a Cougars game. Sorry about your luck, but I’m all you’ve got.”

“Why would Sara not wait for me?”

Reid took a step closer, crowding her space, making her want to touch him. No! She would not touch him.

“You really want to know?”

“Yes.”

He hesitated. “Matchmaking.”

“What?” Addison said so loud that Little John gave her a curious look. “Like, between me and you?” She pointed to herself and then to Reid, just to make sure she heard him right.

“Sara was singing your praises at breakfast, and my mother kept giving me the look.”

“The look?”

“The I-want-grandchildren look.”

Addison fisted her hands on her hips. “Did you let your mother know that I . . . um . . . ?” How could she put it delicately?

“Despise me? Yes.”

“And?”

When Reid took another step closer it was all Addison could do not to put distance between them, but she didn’t want him to know the effect he was having on her, standing there all tanned skin and honed muscles, and so she stood her ground. “She said that your anger was a shield of armor to guard you against getting hurt again. She said that deep down you want to kiss me.”