Moonlight Kiss Read Free Page B

sometimes we forget the value of that. Ah, I guess I’ll always just be a hippie at heart . . . an old hippie,” he added with a grin. “But here I go rambling on when we need to be talking about you.”
    Addison groaned. “Oh, I have to call and cancel so many things . . . the reception hall, the caterer . . . flowers.” She smacked her hand to her forehead. “And that’s just the beginning.”
    “Give me a list and I’ll do it.”
    “Oh, Dad, no! This is my mess.” Addison had to clench her teeth in an effort not to cry. “I’ll clean it up.” She hated the look of pain on her father’s face and the concern she would cause her busy mother. Addison thought of Garret and the stark sorrow in his eyes. Should she try to patch things up?
    She sank her fingers into the leather sofa. Maybe she should just do the damned show!
    “No, I’m insisting.” Her dad looked at her for a moment and then, as if knowing where her thoughts were going, said, “And I want you to get out of town. Away from the paparazzi and away from Garret Ruleman.”
    “Out of town? But where would I go?”
    After frowning for a minute her father snapped his fingers. “You know what? I was just talking to your uncle Mitch this morning. I asked how he liked living in Cricket Creek, and he went on and on about how both he and your cousin Mia love it there. They need a Chicago fix once in a while, but he said he doesn’t regret the laid-back way of life there one bit.”
    Addison could see where this was going. “Dad . . .”
    “No. You should go there for an extended visit. You and Mia are close, and Mitch said that Mia’s fiancé is on the road a lot, playing baseball.”
    “Oh yeah. Isn’t he in the minor leagues?”
    “Yes, and Mia can’t go see him play too often because she’s the promotions manager for the local baseball team. I just bet sweet little Mia would welcome your company.”
    “Seriously, you think I should head to a small town in . . . where is it?”
    “Kentucky. Cricket Creek, Kentucky.”
    Addison leaned back against the leather. “Oh, I don’t know. Where would I stay? I wouldn’t want to impose on them.”
    “Mia lives in a condo overlooking the baseball complex and the Ohio River. I just bet there are some for short-term lease.”
    “And what will I do for money?” Addison tilted her head in question at her father. This was crazy . . . and yet it held a certain appeal.
    “The last time I looked you had two weeks’ paid vacation coming,” he said, and when Addison still hesitated, he continued. “Look, I’ll miss your pretty face and your mother will too, but getting away from LA just might be the ticket you need right now.”
    “I would probably fly under the radar there,” Addison admitted, warming up slightly to the suggestion.
    “And Uncle Mitch’s wife owns a jewelry store in a lovely little mall called Wedding Row—I think Mitch called it. Maybe she needs some help in the shop?”
    “I think I need to stay away from anything to do with weddings,” Addison answered flatly.
    “Hey, don’t let either of these guys make you jaded. The right man will come along. You wait and see.”
    “Well, I’m not holding my breath.” Addison rolled her eyes. “I’m taking a long break from men.”
    “So, are you going to do it?”
    Addison pressed her lips together, thought for a moment, and then nodded. “A change in atmosphere for a while would probably do me some good.” And, in truth, doing something on her own held a great deal of appeal as well. “But you have to promise me that you and Mom will come to visit if I stay longer than a couple of weeks.”
    “We wouldn’t last that long before missing you too much not to visit. And I’d love to see Mitch and Mia. According to him Cricket Creek is a small town but has a lot to offer in the way of theater and local cuisine. You know how Uncle Mitch is.”
    Addison grinned. “Yeah, you’re the hippie, and he’s the suit