Under a Georgia Moon: Georgia Moon Romance Book 1

by Cindy Roland Anderson

  The only impression he had was to talk with Addie. He grabbed his phone, and sent her a quick text, telling her he missed her, and asked if it was okay if he came by right now. While he waited for her answer, he exited his office and strode purposefully to Shanna’s desk.

  “What’s up?” she asked.

  He wished he could share the exciting news about the interview with her, but decided it would be better to wait until he and Addie talked.

  “I’ve had some things come up that need my attention so I’m taking the rest of the day off.”

  She lifted a brow. “Anything I can help with?”

  “No, but thank you for asking.” He started to walk away, but paused. “If anyone calls and needs to speak to me, just text me and I’ll take care of it.”

  She opened her mouth, then closed it, simply nodding her head. Chase waved and hurried out to his truck.

  Addie replied just as he started the engine.

  Sure it’s okay. Just looking through my picture files for the contest. I’ve narrowed it down to three photos. Maybe you can help me decide?

  I’ll do my best. Be there in a few.

  Chase shifted the truck into gear and started for the Caldwell’s house. How ironic that he needed Addie’s help making a decision that affected his career, and she wanted the same thing from him.

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Aunt Janie hadn’t left Addie’s side all morning long. Still in shock about what happened the night before, she hovered around Addie like one of Chase’s groupies.

  “Chase is coming over,” Addie said, unable to hide her delight. “You should go meet your quilting ladies for lunch. I’ll be fine.”

  “What if he can’t stay very long? I don’t want you here by yourself.”

  “He’s going to help me decide which picture to send in to the contest. After, we’ll warm up some of your Brunswick stew you pulled out of the freezer this morning.” Addie grinned mischievously. “He said his boss is still out of town, so I’m sure I can persuade him to skip the rest of the day.”

  Aunt Janie smiled, but the worry remained in her eyes. “You two seem to be getting along quite well. Have you talked about anything serious yet?”

  Addie’s stomach tightened. Her sister had asked her the same thing this morning when she told her all about her close encounter with Ernie. Chellie recounted the past week, and Addie realized she and Chase had spent almost every day together since he’d picked her up.

  “No, we haven’t. We’ve only known each other eleven days.”

  “But you’ve been with each other ten out of those eleven days, and that’s only because Chase had to go out of town.”

  True.

  “We’re taking things one day at a time. Besides, long-distance relationships are a lot easier these days with all the technology.”

  While her aunt considered this, Addie stood up and gave her a hug. “Don’t worry about it, okay?”

  “Okay, sugar.” Aunt Janie squeezed her hard before releasing her and standing up. “I promise not to be so nosey.”

  Addie laughed. Her aunt would always be nosey. “Now go have fun with your friends, and I’m going to run upstairs and change into something cute.”

  “It’s too bad that pink tee is ruined by grass stains. It hugged your figure perfectly.”

  Another laugh bubbled out of Addie. “You and Daddy couldn’t be more opposite. He liked my shirts to do anything but hug my figure.”

  “That’s because he’s your father. You don’t have any clothing that’s indecent, and I wouldn’t let you out of the house if I thought you looked like a loose woman.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

  Grabbing her purse, her aunt waved goodbye. “If Chase can’t stay, just text me and I’ll come home directly.”

  “Okay.” Addie had no intention of ruining her aunt’s luncheon. “Have fun.”

  As she climbed the stairs to her room, Addie thought about how loved she felt by her aunt. Because of that love, Addie realized that if she ended up living in Georgia it wouldn’t be completely horrible. She’d have Aunt Janie.

  Of course she still worried about her dad.

  Chellie assured her everything was fine, and that he’d come out to her house a few times. He rarely left home, unless Addie drove him somewhere, so she’d been surprised by that news. More than once, Chellie told Addie to stop coddling their dad. Maybe she was right.

  After changing into a pair of denim capris and a teal colored tee, she brushed her teeth. Chase pulled in just as she peeked out the window.

  Warmth spread through her entire body just watching Chase approach the door. At some point they needed to talk about their relationship, but right now she just wanted to kiss him.

  She opened the door before he could knock, and threw herself into his arms. He smelled so good. He tasted good too.

  “Did I do anything special to deserve such an incredible hello?” he asked when their lips finally parted.

  “I’m just happy to see you.” She tugged on his hand and led him toward the kitchen. “I thought I’d have to wait until this evening.”

  “Where’s your aunt? From what you said a couple of hours ago I didn’t think she’d let you out of her sight.”

  “She wouldn’t have if you hadn’t come over.” Addie directed him onto one of the bar stools. “Are you hungry? I’ve got Brunswick stew we can warm up.”

  Chase didn’t answer right away. In fact, he kind of looked a little pale. “I’m not that hungry right now.”

  Addie expected him to be playful and maybe try kissing her again. She hoped he wasn’t getting sick. “Are you okay?”

  Again, he waited a few seconds before answering. “Yeah, but I have to talk to you about something.”

  A cold feeling of dread snaked through her. Brandon had said those exact words to her when he broke off their engagement. “Okay.” She slid onto the bar stool next to him. “I’m listening.”

  He drew in a small breath. “I have a job interview tomorrow.”

  She smiled in relief. “That’s awesome. Now you won’t have to work for Hayden’s father anymore.”

  “The interview is in Nashville.”

  Confused, she sought clarification. “Is this for your music?”

  “In a roundabout way.” He swallowed hard, making his Adam’s apple bob. “I’d be doing the same thing I do at Barclay, only the clientele at Nashborough are mainly those in the music industry.

  It sounded like the perfect set up, except for one problem. That cold feeling enclosed around her as she drew the fateful conclusion.

  “You’d move to Nashville if you got the job, right?”

  He nodded. “Yes.”

  Addie might be able to reconcile living in Georgia, but Tennessee? Assuming the two of them did end up together, that is.

  “Wow.” She licked her lips, unable to say anything else at the moment.

  Her brain whirled with the information. Naturally, she figured if he got picked up by a record label there was a good chance he’d spend a lot of time in Nashville. She just didn’t think he’d have to live there.

  Had that been wishful thinking? Of course it had. Somewhere in her subconscious it allowed her to justify falling in love with him.

  “Well, congratulations.” Her voice wobbled, and she popped out of her seat before she did something stupid like start crying.

  “Addie, I’m sorry.” She heard him scoot the barstool away and walk toward her.

  She blinked rapidly, and kept her back to him. Do not cry. Do not cry. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. This is a fantastic opportunity for you.”

  Ha! She’d gotten out an entire sentence without losing it. She moved to the fridge to get the stew out.

  Then he touched her. Stupid chemistry. One touch and she was ready to follow him anywhere, including Tennessee.

  “Addie.” He gently turned her around to face him. “I’m not sure what I’m gonna do. I never planned on falling in love with
you.”

  Those words nearly stopped her heart. He was in love with her. She pressed her back up against the refrigerator, grateful to have something to keep her upright.

  “You love me?”

  “Yeah, does that scare you?”

  Not as much as it should.

  “A little.” She managed to give him a tremulous smile. “But I think I love you too.”

  He grinned. “You only think?” He placed both his hands against the fridge, trapping her in place.

  “Um…”

  She couldn’t utter anything else as Chase took his time lowering his head until their mouths touched. The kiss was achingly slow and tender, making it feel as if the floor disappeared from beneath her, and she floated on air.

  Too soon, he pulled away and gazed into her eyes with a passion that appeared to be able to start a fire. “Change your mind?”

  If she said no, would he kiss her like that again?

  “Okay, I know I love you too.”

  Miracle of miracles he kissed her again.

  She slid her arms around him, pressing her palms into his muscled back. Chase cradled her face in his hands and deepened the kiss. She lost track of time. When both of them knew it was time to stop while they still could, they mutually drew apart. Their rapid breaths mingled, and she had to force herself not to instigate another lengthy kiss.

  “So what does this mean for us?” she whispered, her breath still erratic.

  “I don’t know.” He took her hand and led her to the dining table. He sat down on one of the chairs and pulled her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her. “I don’t even know if I should go to the interview.”

  Addie melted into his embrace, wishing she had an easy answer for him. “If you go to the interview, it doesn’t mean you have to take the job, right?”

  “Right.”

  She pulled back so she could look at him. “I think you should go. We’ve got time to figure things out.”

  His green eyes immediately filled with gratitude. “All right. The company is flying me out in one of their corporate planes in the morning, and I’ll be home in the evening.”

  “Sounds fancy.”

  He smiled. “They’re an incredible company. Whit Barclay hates them, if that’s any indication of how successful they are.”

  “You better not let him find out then.”

  His eyebrows knitted together. “It wouldn’t be good, that’s for sure.” He kissed her lightly and then helped her stand up, following right behind her. “Let’s warm up that stew and take a look at your pictures. I think you have a shot at winning that contest.”

  Addie pushed away the negative thoughts creeping into her happy mind. She would worry about whether or not starting a studio in Georgia or Tennessee was feasible when the time came.

  * * *

  The next day Addie sat on her bed and glanced at the clock. Chase’s interview should be getting under way any moment now. It would be the perfect time to make a call to her dad. She hadn’t called Chellie yet, mainly because she didn’t want to hear her glee over being right about Addie falling in love with Chase.

  Denying her feelings adamantly the past few days would only make her confession harder. But she couldn’t deny how she felt any longer, especially after what happened the other night with Ernie Claxton. Life was short and you never knew how much time you had left on this earth.

  Her fingers shook as she slid her finger across the screen and touched the phone icon. In Idaho it was a little after eight in the morning. Her dad should be up and dressed by now and was most likely eating his hot cereal in front of the television, watching the news.

  She pushed the speed dial for home. Her stomach threatened to throw up her breakfast as she waited for her dad to answer. She shouldn’t be so nervous. Her dad would support her in whatever she decided.

  Playing with the edge of the quilt, she listened as the phone rolled over to voicemail. Dad had a phone right next to his easy chair. He should’ve answered it. She tried calling a few more times without much success. Although worried, she figured he might have had one of his sleepless nights and was catching a nap. He often didn’t hear the phone ring when he was so tired.

  She stood up and paced around the room, debating about calling Chellie. Her sister might know where their father was, and then Addie could tell her all about her love life. That should be a fun conversation. Chellie would gloat, then she’d switch into mother mode and want to know answers she and Chase didn’t have.

  Walking to the window, she frowned. If it weren’t raining outside, she’d go out into the garden to make the calls. Since Aunt Janie and Hazel were in the kitchen having a bake-off, or so it seemed the way they argued who did what better, Addie had retreated to her room soon after breakfast. She and Chase texted back and forth until he arrived at Nashborough headquarters for the interviews. Apparently, he’d be interviewed by several different managers, including the CEO.

  Returning to the bed, she sank down on the yellow comforter and tried calling home again. A tiny spark of fear worked its way inside her chest when it rolled over to voicemail again.

  After trying one last time, she made the decision to call her sister. Chellie picked up on the second ring.

  “Good morning,” she answered cheerfully.

  Addie relaxed. If anything had happened to Dad, her sister wouldn’t be so perky. “You’re such a morning person.”

  “It’s called exercise, sister. You should try it some time.”

  “Ha ha.”

  “You’re date must have been good last night if you’re calling me this early in the morning.”

  “That’s not really the reason I’m calling, but, yeah, it was pretty memorable.”

  “Oooh,” Chellie teased. “This sounds good. Don’t leave anything out, especially the kisses.”

  “How did you know there was more than one?”

  She laughed. “I didn’t, but now I do.”

  “Well, before I give you any details, I want to know where Dad is. He’s not answering the phone.”

  “Hmm,” Chellie said. “I tried calling him last night and couldn’t get a hold of him, either. I wonder if he lost the handset.”

  Their dad always put the phone right back in the base. Plus there was one in his room and in the kitchen. Her fear mounted with each word. “Chellie, maybe you should go over to the house. What if something happened to him?”

  Chellie assured her everything was okay, but still agreed to drive over to check on him. Addie decided not to say anything about her feelings for Chase until she knew her dad was okay. “Call me as soon as you get there, okay?”

  “I will, but please don’t worry. I’m sure he’s fine.”

  Knowing it would take at least twenty minutes for Chellie to get to her dad’s house, Addie opened her laptop and brought up the picture she, Chase and Aunt Janie had picked. It was of Mr. Hanks sitting on the aged porch, playing his harmonica. Somehow she’d managed to capture a feeling of nostalgia, of simpler days gone by. The photograph was timeless and could have been taken in another era. She couldn’t wait to see it in print.

  Addie had sent her entry in late last night when she couldn’t sleep. Now she had to wait and see, just like everything else right now. Typically not a patient person, all this “wait and see” would test her stamina.

  Like right now. Chellie should already be at the house. Why hadn’t she called back?

  Minutes ticked by. Just as Addie was about to call her sister, Chellie called back with the news. All the blood rushed out of Addie’s head, making her dizzy.

  Her sister found Dad lying on the floor in his bedroom, unconscious and having difficulty breathing. Chellie had called the paramedics and she was following the ambulance to the hospital.

  Addie hung up and ran out of the bedroom, yelling for her aunt. She had to get home. As she raced down the stairs, she couldn’t help thinking if she’d been home, none of this would’ve ever happened.

  Somehow Addie h
eld it together long enough to pack while her aunt made flight arrangements for both of them, packed a bag for herself, and found someone to take them to the airport. Since Chase was gone, and Hazel didn’t drive distances, Aunt Janie called Mr. Burns for a ride.

  Although the arrangements had been made quickly, the ride to the airport seemed to take hours. Mr. Burns actually drove ten miles over the speed limit, but it wasn’t fast enough. Addie’s panic mounted with each second that ticked by. She prayed, asking—no begging—God to spare her father’s life.

  About fifteen minutes from the airport exit, Chase called. Addie was too sick to answer her phone, so Aunt Janie did it for her.

  “Chase, Addie’s father has had an accident and is in serious condition. We’re heading to the airport right now.”

  Just hearing the words again froze her breath. She could hear Chase talking, but not enough to pick out any words.

  “I know, honey,” Janie crooned, “but our plane leaves in an hour. We’re fixin’ to take the exit in a few minutes. We can’t wait.”

  A tear slipped down Addie’s cheek. She could imagine how helpless Chase felt right now. The way she felt was indescribable. What if she got home and it was too late? What if it was already too late, but Chellie hadn’t told her the truth since Addie would be on a plane and couldn’t do anything about it?

  Her stomach knotted with panic, and she sucked in quick breaths until Aunt Janie put a hand on her back. “Slow down your breathing, sugar. We can’t have you passing out or they won’t let you on the plane.”

  While Addie concentrated on taking slow, deep breaths, she listened to her aunt talk to Chase. “She’s okay, just very worried.”

  There was a lengthy pause and then Aunt Janie touched Addie on the back again. “Baby, do you think you can talk to Chase?”

  Addie shook her head vehemently, her respiratory rate increasing as rapidly as her heart rate. She couldn’t talk to Chase ever again. It would be too painful, and it would be better to end things now. She could never move away from her father, and Chase was well on his way to Nashville.

  He probably aced his interviews and would get the job. He’d move to Tennessee, start work at his new company and wow the crowds at the open mic clubs. Next, he’d get a music contract, and then he’d meet someone else, fall in love with them and forget Addie Heywood ever existed.