Luann McLane - Moonlight Kiss

Weak from laughter and excitement Addison remained glued to his back for a long moment.

Reid looked over his shoulder. “You can let go now,” he said with a chuckle.

Addison peeled herself off of him and scooted back but Reid had to assist her in removing the helmet since her fingers only managed to fumble with the straps.

“Too much for you, City Girl?”

Addison shook her hair free. “I think you just wanted me to have to cling to you, country boy.”

“Guilty,” he admitted, and Addison thought he was going to lean in and kiss her. But a woman shouted, stopping him.

“Reid William Greenfield! Just what in the world do you think you’re doing, driving like a madman?”

Addison looked when a tiny woman stomped over and fisted her hands on her slim hips. She wore a blue baseball cap with a blond ponytail stuck out the back.

“Have you taken leave of your senses?” the woman demanded, and then looked at Sara, who also glared at Reid.

“Sorry, Mom, but Addison said that she wanted me to go as fast as I could.”

“I don’t believe you for one minute,” she said, and then extended her hand to Addison. “I’m Susan Greenfield and I apologize for my son.”

Addison grasped her small hand with its surprisingly strong grip. “No need. He was trying to scare me but I foiled his evil plan. I actually enjoyed it, much to his sorrow.”

Susan sighed and put a hand to her chest. “Thank goodness, or he’d be in a heap of trouble.”

“Yeah, epic fail, even though he tried his best,” Addison added, not letting Reid off the hook with his mother. She leaned close to Reid and whispered, “Touché.”

Addison hurried forward with Sara while Reid got a dressing-down from his feisty little mother.

“Well played,” Sara said and gave Addison a high five.

REID SHOVED HIS HANDS IN HIS POCKETS, PRETENDING indifference while he followed the chattering women around the barn. In reality he listened intently, taking mental notes. As promised, he’d take a step back, but Reid wouldn’t be able or willing to watch his sister take a financial hit without speaking up. Part of the problem stemmed from his lack of knowledge about weddings in general. He’d attended his share of friends’ and family’s nuptials but never paid much attention to the details.

One thing that did floor Reid was the money spent on one single day. Apparently couples spent twenty, thirty . . . fifty grand or more for a wedding nowadays. Reid shook his head. With a higher than fifty percent divorce rate, spending that kind of cash wasn’t worth the risk. Right?

Reid listened to the dreamy tone of Sara’s voice when she chatted with Addison about colors, dresses, cakes, and music. He just didn’t get it. And when he calculated what he could do with investing that kind of cash, he shook his head.

Reid also acknowledged that while his parents’ marriage seemed as solid as a rock, weathering everything from raising four headstrong children to financial difficulty, Reid had witnessed a couple of nasty divorces involving his friends. He quickly made the decision that he would have to be absolutely sure before even coming close to tying the knot.

But when Reid’s gaze fell upon Addison the sudden thought that she’d make a beautiful bride landed in his brain with a solid thud. He envisioned Addison walking down the aisle while he waited . . . and then mentally shook himself. What in the world had suddenly come over him? Weddings were a waste of money. Marriage was a high risk. And children? He’d never even given being a father much more than a passing thought.

Just then, his mother tipped her head to the side and laughed at something Addison said. His mother turned, caught Reid’s eye, and gave him . . . the look. Reid was about ready to roll his eyes at his matchmaking mother when she raised her wrist and looked at her watch.

“Oh dear. I have to get going and get that apple pie in the oven.”

“Apple pie tonight?” Reid asked hopefully. Sundays usually meant pot roast or fried chicken and some sort of heavenly dessert.

Susan gave him an apologetic look. “Oh, Reid. Sorry, but your dad and I are going over to the Whimsy’s for horseshoes and dinner after he gets back from the baseball game. And Braden has a date with Ronnie, the cute little redhead who works at Ava Whimsy’s toy store on Main Street. I know my apple pie is your favorite. I’ll save you a piece if there’s any left over.”

“Not likely,” Reid said glumly. “What about you, Sara?”

“Oh, I’ve got to meet Cody for dinner at his mom’s soon,” Sara announced. “But, Addison, you’re welcome to stay and take more notes. I’ll scan these and send them to you and we can get together some evening when you get the chance. I’ll also meet with Jason this week and get more numbers to you.”

“Sounds good,” Addison said. “I might walk around a little bit longer. I have to admit that as much as I’m looking forward to the grand opening of From This Moment, I’m enjoying a breather.”

“Reid, I did put a pot roast on low in the oven over at your cabin before Sara and I came over here,” his mother added innocently. “There’s plenty if Addison wants to join you.” Her little shrug didn’t fool Reid. His mom and Sara had planned this way in advance. “Well, I must be off. It was so lovely to finally meet you, Addison. I can’t wait to see your shop. I hear it’s just beautiful. Just what Cricket Creek needed for our brides-to-be, and I still need a mother of the bride dress. All I’ve seen are those fussy beaded things that would weigh me down.”

Addison smiled. “I hear you on that! I’ll have a nice selection in the store in time for the grand opening.”

“You ready, Mom?” Sara asked. Yep, his sister had joined the matchmaking ranks of Cricket Creek. Why was he always being double-teamed?

“Yes, let’s get a move on.” Sara nodded and hurried over to the four-wheeler, waving cheerfully. A setup. Reid was sure he was right. Not that he really minded spending the rest of the day with Addison, but he turned to her with feigned chagrin. “See what I mean?”

“Matchmaking? You really think so?”

“Trust me, it runs rampant in Cricket Creek. So beware.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I might soon be planning weddings but not my own. Nope, done with that.” She made a show of dusting her hands. “And by the tone of your voice a wedding won’t be in your future anytime soon. Should we high-five on that one?”

“Sure.”

When Addison held up her hand Reid smacked it. But she couldn’t quite hide the edge of sadness that crept into her voice even though she smiled. “Look. I know you have your reservations about this venture but this is a lovely setting for weddings, especially with the river in the background. We’ll transform this barn into something elegant but rustic—chandeliers and champagne, but with weathered wood. You know?”

Reid didn’t know but nodded.

“We’ll have those fields of wildflowers in the spring. Wildflowers are my favorite. No one plants them; they just come to life. Won’t they make for some romantic pictures? And amazing fall color with the surrounding woods. We need a gazebo for the vows and a back deck overlooking the water. Poured concrete for the floor or hardwood?” She didn’t seem to be actually consulting him. “It will take some work but this old barn has good bones.” She turned to face Reid. “You might consider hosting family reunions as well. Pig roasts, things like that. This really is a wonderful piece of land, Reid.”

“I can’t argue with that part.” It was difficult not to enjoy her enthusiasm.

“Would you mind opening up the barn? I’d like to see the inside.”

“It will be dusty with cobwebs and God knows what else, city girl.”

“I’ll be just fine, country boy.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Reid walked over, unlatched the rusty hinge, and tugged the door open. Dust motes danced in the sudden sunshine slicing through the shaded interior. “You sure you want to venture inside?”

“Of course.” Addison walked inside and immediately sneezed.

“You want to go farther?”

“Hey, I’ve breathed the LA smog for years. A little dust is nothing.”

“Good point.” He followed her inside and watched her as she walked around, looking at everything with a sense of awe.

“The layout is perfect with the high, beamed ceilings. Oh, Reid, it’s beautiful in here.”

“This old barn?”

She nodded. “I’ve always loved old buildings, antiques. There’s just so much history. My father would be snapping pictures like crazy.”

“He’s a photographer?”

“Oh yeah, especially nature and rustic pieces of history like this barn. If walls could talk . . .”

“Well, it would be mostly mooing and neighing, I’d say. Maybe an occasional squawk.”

Addison laughed. “Yeah, but weren’t there barn dances and things like that? Bluegrass music? Stolen kisses in the hayloft?” She fell quiet and turned away.

The word kiss coming out of her mouth was all it took for Reid to close the gap between them. “Hey . . .” He put gentle hands on her shoulders and eased her around to face him. Her appreciation of the beauty of the land, the wildflowers, and the old barn seemed to go way beyond making money. He was seeing Addison in a different light and was drawn to her more than just physically. When she tilted her head Reid realized he’d forgotten to complete his sentence. “Let’s give those walls something to talk about,” he said before pulling her into his arms. Her eyes widened but she didn’t protest. Reid only meant to give her a playful kiss, but as soon as his lips met hers he pulled her closer, kissed her deeper. She’d looked so prim and preppy in her pleated shorts and boat shoes, but those tanned legs and full breasts reminded him of her sensual side—the part he saw when she’d kissed him at the condo. And oh, how he longed to have those legs wrapped around his waist. He wanted that sexy, throaty voice calling out his name while he made sweet love to her all afternoon long.