“I think I know what’s going on here and I feel like it’s partly my fault. I called you out on not being here for the family, thinking all the while that you were living a cushy life when you were struggling to save your clients from financial ruin. You’ve had the weight of the world on your shoulders way too long. Just live your life, Reid. Addison wouldn’t have invited you if she didn’t want you there.” She patted his leg. “I might be a teeny bit prejudiced but I think Addison is one lucky girl to have you in her life.”

He shrugged and took another swig of tea. “I’m being an idiot, aren’t I?”

“Funny how you can read my mind. I guess it’s part of being a twin,” Sara said with a small smile. “Now go take a shower. You’re a little gamey.”

Reid got up but then gave the swing a shove, making it swing wildly back and forth.

“Hey, I almost spilled my tea!” Sara shouted, just when Braden walked out the door.

Braden looked in their direction and shook his head. “You two will never change.”

“Where are you going, smelling all good and with gel in your hair?” Sara asked.

“I don’t have gel in my hair.”

Sara rolled her eyes. “You’re going to be spittin’ some game at the ladies. Oh wait. Are you seeing Ronnie?”

“Not tonight. I’m just up to Sully’s to shoot some pool,” Braden replied. “Wanna come, Reid?”

“Thanks, but I’m heading over to Addison’s,” Reid replied, giving Sara a silent don’t-say-anymore look.

“Don’t forget, you’re playing Farmer Braden tomorrow. Dad has a doctor’s appointment. So don’t be out too late.”

Braden shook his head. “You’re not my mom.”

“Thank God,” she muttered, as she walked down the steps. “Hey, did you just flip me off?”

“I merely waved good-bye,” Braden called back to her.

Reid had to laugh. He’d missed the banter between his siblings.

“Don’t encourage him,” Sara grumbled, but she had a smile on her face. “Why do I love you guys so much?” She stood up and gave Reid a hug. “We need to get Jeff home sometime soon.”

“I think Braden said Jeff might have a gig at Sully’s coming up. That would be cool for us all to be together.”

Reid nodded. “Yeah, it would.”

Sara watched Braden drive off in a cloud of dust. She shook her head. “I wish he’d settle down a little. Find a girlfriend.”

“I asked and Braden told me he dates, even though he said it’s called hanging out or talking. Who knew that dating was an old-school term?”

“Well, I wish he’d hang out with something other than eye candy and find someone with substance.”

“I’m sure he will. Well, I’m going to head on over and shower.”

“Let me know how it goes. Just have fun, okay?”

Reid nodded. “I’ve been trying to take that leap of faith you keep talking about. It’s not easy.”

“We’re all a work in progress, Reid. But I know one thing: It sure is good to see you smile again.”

“Feels good too.” He gave Sara a quick hug and then headed over to his truck.

Later while Reid showered, he thought about how he’d been living his life over the past few years. Looking back, the collapse of the economy had been boldly written on the wall. Melinda Monroe had tried to forewarn the public but in the midst of a boom no one wanted to believe a naysayer. During the worst of the recession Reid had lain awake at night, wondering how to salvage the savings of those who had entrusted him with their hard-earned money. Anxiety became his constant companion, sucking the life right out of him. “That and your stubborn pride,” Reid grumbled at his reflection as he shaved his chin.

But Sara was right. Coming home had pumped joy back into his life, making him realize that his family should have been his lifeline all along. He would never make that mistake again. At this point he couldn’t imagine moving away again but he couldn’t just help Braden out on the farm forever. He would have to find a way to make money. While Reid wiped off the traces of shaving cream with a warm washcloth, he thought about all of the time he wasted being lonely and miserable. “No more wasting time.” Blinking at his reflection, Reid held on to the edge of the sink and decided that he needed to tell Addison about his growing feelings for her. Surely she knew from his actions but he suddenly felt the need to tell her. They’d never had a conversation about their future, but it was time.

After putting on his best pair of khaki pants and a dark blue oxford shirt, Reid realized he was early and decided to stop at Flower Power and pick up a bouquet of flowers. He whistled all the way to his truck, feeling lighthearted and happy. He had just pulled into the parking lot of Wedding Row when his cell phone rang. After pulling it out of his pocket he smiled. “Hi, Addison. What’s up?”

“I need your help.”

Reid sat up straighter at her urgent tone.

“Everything okay?”

“Well, I think I’ve bitten off more than I can chew. Oh no! Wait!”

Reid pressed the phone closer to his ear, trying to hear what was going on in the background. He heard some clattering noises, a clank, and a muffled curse. With his heart pounding Reid got out of the truck and decided to pass on the flowers. “Addison?” he shouted into the phone, but when he reached From This Moment, the doors were already locked. “Addison? Are you okay?” he asked when he heard another clatter. He jogged around to the back entrance to her apartment and took the stairs two at a time. Luckily, the door was unlocked. He swung it open and sprinted into the apartment. “Addison?” He spotted her in the kitchen.

“Yes. Oh sorry,” she said into the phone. “I had an emergency.”

Reid hurried over, startling her when she turned around and spotted him standing there. He had to grin. She had a streak of flour on her cheek and a dusting in her hair and her kitchen was a huge mess.

“Just when the cupcakes were done, the stew started boiling over. I was trying to get everything under control but then I tripped over the cord to the mixer and, well . . .” She raised her palms upward and shook her head. “I am one hot mess.”

Reid would have laughed but her bottom lip trembled. “Ah, baby. What can I do?”

She sniffed and leaned her head against his chest. “I hurried up and finished early in the shop and decided I’d surprise everyone with a home-cooked meal. I went to the grocery store and picked up the items I needed and I was so pumped, but I guess it has been a while since I’ve cooked for this many people.”

“How long is a while?”

“Well, like, in . . . never. I mean, you wouldn’t know it by the state of the kitchen but I’m a decent cook, but usually just for my parents and me. Stew seemed like an easy thing to do but then I got ambitious and decided to bake cupcakes for dessert. Chocolate cupcakes are my dad’s favorite. Then I thought I’d throw together some biscuits.” She angled her head over to the mixing bowl. “And I wanted icing . . . and suddenly I was in way over my head,” she said, drawing out the word head in a sorrowful tone.

“Oh, baby . . . don’t worry, I’ll help. Just tell me what needs to be done and I’m on it.” He tilted her chin up and gave her a tender kiss. “Let’s turn on some music, open a bottle of wine, and have some fun with this.”

She smiled. “You’re a lifesaver.”

Reid pushed a tear away with his thumb and then kissed her again. “You taste like chocolate.”

“I swiped some of the cake batter from the bowl,” she said in such a guilty tone that Reid couldn’t hold back his laughter.

“Do you have any idea how cute and lovable you are?”

Addison inhaled a deep breath. “Well, I have a confession to make.”

Reid kissed the tip of her floured nose. “What’s that?”

“I wanted to impress you with my mad skills.”

“Trust me, you already have.”

When she smiled, Reid almost told her that he loved her, but he held back.

“So, you’ll help?”

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you,” he admitted, coming as close to a profession of love as he dared.

“Where have you been all my life?” Her tone was teasing but there was something in her eyes that made Reid’s heart pound. She felt the same way! But then she quickly turned around, as if not wanting him to see the truth in her eyes. Reid understood. She was gun-shy. He needed to be patient.

“Waiting for you,” he answered in an equally light, teasing tone. When she turned back around and looked at him neither of them said another word, but love was hanging in the air between them. “Put me to work, Addison. With our big family, Mom puts us to work in the kitchen. I know my way around. Speaking of, your family knows I’ll be here, right?”

Addison nodded. “They know that you’re Sara’s brother and that we’ve been seeing each other.”

“Does that concern them?” He tried not to feel any anxiety about her response.

Addison put her palms on his chest. “My parents love me and want me to be happy. That’s all they care about. Just be yourself.”

“That’s all I know how to be,” Reid said. No matter what happened in his life he’d never go back to withdrawing into a shell, hiding out from life.

“Perfect.”

Less than an hour later the cupcakes were frosted, the stew simmered, and the biscuits were on the cookie sheet, ready to pop in the oven when the time arrived. “You need to let me clean up while you shower.”

Addison wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him. “There is nothing sexier than a man doing dishes.”

“I think you just talked me into doing the dishes every night,” he said. “Well played.”