by LuAnn McLane
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?”
“Yes, I remember it.”
“Dad and I used to eat there. It was a hot spot, but I heard business has fallen off since Jessica left. Anyway, the food here is scrumptious.” She pointed over her shoulder. “Check out the desserts in the display case. I refuse to look at them.”
“Are you kidding?” Addison groaned. “I feel like I’ve eaten my way across America. I should probably go light.”
“Well, the soups and salads are great too. All made from scratch. Jessica’s chicken salad is wonderful … it’s the kind with grapes and walnuts.”
“Oh, my stomach is rumbling just thinking about it.” Addison opened the menu and chuckled. “Stone soup? Oh, and the fable behind it? How cute!” She closed her menu. “That’s it. I don’t have to look any further. I already know what I want.”
After Sunny delivered the drinks they both ordered stone soup and chicken salad sandwiches.
“So, catch me up on things,” Addison requested. “I think the last time I saw you was at your dad’s wedding a couple of years ago. How are Uncle Mitch and Nicolina doing? She was such a beautiful bride. And are you and her daughter, Bella, close? She seemed sweet but with a feisty side.”
“They’re doing wonderful except that Nicolina’s jewelry shop keeps her so busy that Dad has to sometimes kidnap his own wife.”
“A far cry from the work-driven Uncle Mitch that I remember.”
Mia smiled softly. “Yes, so true. Oh, and Bella is like a sister to me and she lives here now too. We’re like one big happy family. And now you’ve arrived! I have to say that life is good.”
“And how’s your hot baseball player doing?”
Mia twirled her straw in a sad circle. “Oh, I am so proud of his success in the minor leagues, but, like I mentioned, I miss him so much.” She brightened. “Hey, maybe we can hit the road in that sweet Mustang of yours and take in a few of his games?”
“I’d like that. I stayed a Cubs fan even after we moved to Los Angles. I love baseball.”
Mia arched one eyebrow. “I could introduce you to some really cute Cougar players.”
Addison shook her head. “I’m done with dudes for a while.”
“Did you just say dudes?”
Addison had to grin. Mia was already making her feel better. “California has left its mark in more ways than one. If I start saying hella you can smack me.”
“Well, before long you’ll be saying y’all and bless your heart.”
“I love a good Southern twang,” Addison said, but then shook her head. “But I have to admit that the mere fact that I’m here is still sort of surreal. A week ago I was planning my wedding … again.”
“Yeah, I got my invitation. Oh, Addison, I’m so sorry.” Mia’s smile faded and she shook her head. “You don’t have to, but do you want to tell me about the whole Garret Ruleman thing? I saw some stuff on TV but I know it’s not true. I won’t breathe a word.” She made a show of crossing her heart just like they had done when they were little. Before Uncle Mitch’s first marriage fell apart they used to see each other on a regular basis. And then everything had changed.
“I don’t mind talking about it.”
“It might help.”
Addison took a swallow of her cold tea and then began. “After Aiden cheated, I found myself mourning the loss of our friendship much more than the romantic side. I know now that something neither of us realized was missing. Something important called passion. But still, the whole thing tore me up and I fell into a blue funk.” Addison sighed. “When I met Garret he brought laughter back into my life. He had me trying new and crazy adventures like skydiving, swimming with dolphins … even silly stuff like karaoke.” Addison shrugged. “I simply adored being with him and assumed it was love. When he proposed it was a no-brainer, or so I thought.” Addison looked across the table at Mia. “So, how, tell me—how do you know when it’s the real deal?” Addison leaned forward with a hand to her chest. “Apparently I don’t have a clue.”
Mia frowned for a moment. “I don’t know if I can really explain it but I guess it’s the intensity of everything. Everything about being with Cam is just … more. I love him more, miss him more, and even get angrier than with anyone else I’ve ever known. I even get jealous from time to time, and
I’m not that kind of person except with him. It’s because I care about Cam more than I’ve ever felt about any other guy before.”
Addison nibbled on her lip, thinking.
Mia grinned. “But do you want the easy answer?”
Addison nodded hard. “Please.”
“The kiss.” Mia closed her eyes and sighed.
“The kiss?” Addison sat back in her seat in disbelief. “Like, being a good kisser is the key to happiness?”
“Yeah … for real … it’s how you know.” Mia gave her a dreamy smile. “The kiss, especially the very first one, just blows you away. You can’t stop thinking about it, reliving it over and over. At the risk of sounding corny, you just sort of … melt.”
Addison looked at her while trying to recall if she ever felt like she was melting. Nope. But really, come on …
“Don’t roll your eyes at me.”
“I didn’t!” Addison laughed, while Sunny refilled their tea and put down a basket of crackers.
“Internally, you did. But anyway, finish your Garret story. What really ended the engagement?”
By the time Addison finished telling Mia about the reality-show idea, Mia was shaking her head. “Yeah, two broken engagements in less than five years is too many,” Addison lamented. After Sunny delivered the soup and sandwiches, Addison said, “I have enough wedding stuff to open my own store.” Addison took a sip of her soup and pointed to the bowl with her spoon. “Oh, this is so good.”
“Wow …” Mia raised her eyebrows. “Wow …” she repeated, and then smiled slowly. “You should totally do it.”
“Do what?” Addison asked absently as she scooped up another bite of the savory broth.
“You should open up a bridal shop.”
“I was kidding.”
“I’m not,” Mia said as she opened a pack of crackers. “No, seriously. Dad put in this gorgeous strip of shops down by the river called Wedding Row. The buildings are new but look like an extension of Main Street in Cricket Creek. Nicolina’s jewelry shop is next door, along with a bakery specializing in wedding cakes. There are a tuxedo shop and florist and soon there will be a photographer, but Dad has been searching for someone to open a bridal boutique, without any luck.” She lifted her palms toward Addison. “Voilà!”
“Mia …” Addison warned in a low tone, but there was no stopping her bubbly cousin.
“The shop is ready to go. I mean shelving, lighting, and everything. All it needs is inventory and someone to open it up.”
“Mia, I’m only here for a visit.”
“Yeah, so was I.” Mia raised her hands skyward. “So was my father, and look how that turned out.”
“But my family lives in LA,” Addison protested, but a tiny bit of excitement blossomed in her stomach.
“They would visit. It would force your mom to take some time off.” Mia took a drink of her tea and then tilted her head. “There aren’t paparazzi here in Cricket Creek.”
Addison took a bite of her sandwich and chewed slowly as she actually started to consider this crazy suggestion. “I do have a degree in business, but what do I know about running a bridal boutique?”
“Don’t you help your father run his art gallery?”
“Yes.”
“There you go. Same concept. Just different inventory.”
“But would there really be that much demand for wedding dresses in a small town? I wouldn’t know where to begin.”
“I’ll be your first customer. Cam has been bugging me to set a date. Well, okay, next September after baseball season is over. I want to get married here at Wine and Diner, I think. There’s a beautiful courtyard and gazebo. Cam and I met here, so it would be perfect. Granted, Cricket Creek is small, but we’re within a few hours of Nashville, Tennessee; Lexington, Kentucky; and Cincinnati, Ohio. And those are just a few of the urban areas close enough to drive from. Weddings are big business these days. That’s why Dad and Nicolina thought of Wedding Row. But you can think small and then grow. Hey, I rhymed.”
Addison chuckled. “You are very persuasive. You know that? I bet you’re good at your job.”
“Well, I used to plan lots of charity balls back in Chicago. I had more skills than I gave myself credit for… . Wait… .” Mia paused and then gasped. “You could plan weddings too!”
“Well, I do have experience in planning a wedding,” Addison said with dark humor. “Make that plural.” She held up two fingers.
“I could help in the baseball off-season. Actually, with Cam gone so much I could find time to help you even now. We could have the boutique stocked and ready to open inside a month, maybe sooner. Dad wants to add a hotel and convention center down by the stadium, so that could eventually bring in out-of-town guests. The marina is going to expand too. This little town is continuing to grow by leaps and bounds. I even heard that they are expanding Whisper’s Edge, the retirement community down by the riverfront. The owner, Tristan McMillan, teamed up with his mother, who just moved here and opened up a real estate office on the corner of Wedding Row, and it’s doing well. As a matter of fact, Maggie McMillan is in charge of leasing the remaining space left in Wedding Row, so we’ll get the key from her later. See? No one wants to leave Cricket Creek once they come here,” Mia said before happily sliding a spoonful of soup into her mouth.
“Oh, Mia, I don’t know. I mean, I don’t have a place to live… .”
“Well, there are a couple of choices. You could lease a condo high-rise where I live. Dad checked and there is one available. But there are really cool lofts above the shops in Wedding Row. Nicolina used to live above her jewelry shop before she and Dad built their own house. She still uses it as an office. Maggie McMillan lives above her real estate agency as well. The lofts have a big open floor plan and view of the river, hardwood flooring, exposed brick walls, and beamed ceilings. The appliances are stainless steel and the countertops are granite.”
“Your dad always did do things top-notch.”
“They’re pretty sweet.”
Addison thought of having her own place, her own business. No cameras following her around. “Mia, my head is spinning.”
“So you’re giving it some thought?”
“Yes,” Addison said and Mia’s face lit up. “I’ll take a look.”
“Shut the front door!”
Addison tossed her head back and laughed. “Of course, I’d like to see the loft too.”
“Yes!” Mia smacked her hands down on the table so hard that the ice jingled in the glasses. “This is awesome!”
“I know I’m just looking, but even so, I’ve never done something this spontaneous. I feel as if I’m jumping without a net. My heart is pounding so hard right now!”
“Doesn’t it feel great?” With another laugh Mia stood up and danced in a circle with her nose up in the air.
“What in the world are you doing?”
“The Snoopy happy dance! Come on, get up and do it with me!”
“Mia! We’re in public!” Addison reminded her cousin with a laugh.
“Oh, believe me, I’ve created much more commotion in this restaurant than a mere dance.”
Sunny came over to check on them. “Hey, I know the chicken salad is good, but dang, girl.”
“No, I just found out that my sweet cousin Addison is going to move here.”
“Potentially,” Addison reminded her.
“Oh, you will,” Mia said firmly.
Sunny sat the pitcher of tea down on the table. “Well, now, Mia. That does call for celebration,” Sunny said, and started doing the dance with Mia. Sunny added finger-poking moves toward the ceiling. “Join us, Addison!”
“You guys are seriously crazy.” Addison looked around, but no one seemed to act as if dancing in a diner was out of the ordinary. With a grin she slid from the booth and started doing the happy dance with them.
“What are y’all drinkin’?” asked an elderly woman a couple of booths over. “Sunny, I’ll have whatever they’re havin’.”
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“Just tea, Violet,” Mia answered with a laugh. “We’re just high on life.”
“You go, girl,” Violet answered, and raised her water glass.
Laughing, they sat down and Sunny refilled their glasses.
“That’s Violet, who owns Violet’s Vintage Clothing down the street,” Mia explained. “A totally sweet lady. I shop there all the time and she helps me run Heels for Meals, a charity we started for needy people in the area. Sunny, our waitress, helps out too, along with a few other ladies in town. I’ll have you on board too.”
“Wow,” Addison said, “it sure seems like you’re living a nice, fulfilling life here in Cricket Creek. I have to tell you I’m surprised that you and Uncle Mitch ended up in a small town in Kentucky. I remember being in awe of that huge house you used to live in.”
“I know.” Mia grinned. “Last week I never could have guessed that you’d be sitting across from me at Wine and Diner. Life is full of surprises, so get ready, girlfriend.” She did a little snap of her fingers and a head bop, making Addison laugh.
“Yeah, I guess Dad was right. I needed a change of atmosphere.”
Mia raised her glass. “Here’s to fresh starts.”
Addison touched her glass to Mia’s. “Well.” Addison grinned back at her cousin. “And there is one other perk of running a bridal boutique.”
“And what’s that?”
“I’ve sworn off men and marriage. Any guy coming into the shop will be someone’s fiancé.” She held up her left hand. “That should keep a ring off my finger.”
“Maybe in the shop.” Mia crumbled some crackers into her soup. “But I wouldn’t be so sure. There are a lot of cute guys here in Cricket Creek. Not only baseball players, and, oh, those country boys in their Wrangler jeans can be pretty darned sexy… .” She paused and raised her eyebrows.