aroma of brewed coffee and freshly baked goodies.
“Well, if it isn’t Reid Greenfield,” said Mabel Grammar, owner of the bakery. “I declare, I do think you’re even better-lookin’ than the last time I saw you. We sure grown ’em good here in Cricket Creek,” she boasted. “Back home for good, I hope.” She leaned over the counter and held her arms out. “Now get over here and give me some sugar.”
“And you’re lookin’ mighty fine yourself.” Reid walked over to the enticing display of Danish and cookies.
“You talkin’ about me or the cookies? Although I do have some pretty nice buns,” she added with a deep chuckle.
“Both.” After giving Mabel a hug he asked, “What’s your secret—Botox? Come on, Mabel, fess up.”
“Ha! It’s easy: just eat more doughnuts.” She stuck a pose and fluttered her eyelashes. “Keeps the wrinkles in my round face filled in and my bum as big and round as Kim Kardashian’s.”
Reid laughed. Cricket Creek might have gone through some changes in recent years but some things stayed the same. “Well, it looks good on you,” he said, wishing it was as easy to flirt with Addison as it was with Mabel. “I’m here to pick up two dozen cupcakes for Sara.”
“Got them right here,” Mable said, and pulled a box from a shelf. “Decorated with farm animals and vegetables, just like Sara ordered. I’ve heard nothing but good things about the Old MacDonald program. Good for Sara for teaching kids about farming. They need to know that not everything is computer generated or made in a factory.”
“True,” Reid said, and realized that he hadn’t given his sister the acknowledgment that she deserved. He thought about the ivory-tower comment she made and wondered if he had grown out of touch with his family. But it was his job to help people invest and manage their money. How could he turn that off, especially when it came to his very own family?
“Anything else I can get you today?” Mabel asked.
“Oh, I can’t resist your butter cookies. I’ll take a dozen, and throw in a cheese Danish for the ride back home.”
Mable reached for a white paper bag. “Coming right up.” After he paid his bill, she said, “Don’t be a stranger.”
“I won’t,” Reid promised. After he walked back outside he looked down Main Street, noticing the improvements and new shops. Sara had been right. Cricket Creek had weathered some tough economic times, but beginning with Noah Falcon’s return home to build the baseball stadium, the little town had refused to throw in the towel. But saving the family farm wasn’t the same thing, and Reid was well aware that Sara was as stubborn as the day was long. Hopefully, Addison Monroe would take him up on his offer and talk some sense into his well-meaning sister.
With his hands full, Reid crossed the street at the light, nodding to greetings, waves, and honking horns from people he hadn’t seen in a while. Although he enjoyed living in Lexington, he had to admit that seeing old friends and eating at his favorite spots felt pretty damned good.
As Reid drove home he thought he might head over to Sully’s later on, drink a few beers, and maybe play some pool. He wouldn’t have to twist Braden’s arm too hard to talk his little brother into going with him. When he passed what he assumed was Wedding Row he slowed down and his thoughts turned back to Addison Monroe, wondering again why she seemed so familiar, and then it suddenly dawned on him. Addison Monroe must be the daughter of finance guru Melinda Monroe.
Reid smacked the steering wheel. “Wow . . .” he murmured, and shook his head in a bit of wonder. Reid had read all of Melinda’s bestselling books and watched her show on a regular basis. Addison came off as much more mild mannered but was the spitting image of her famous mother. His smile widened and he wondered why he hadn’t put two and two together sooner. Melinda Monroe wasn’t a fan of spending money
“Well, if it isn’t Reid Greenfield,” said Mabel Grammar, owner of the bakery. “I declare, I do think you’re even better-lookin’ than the last time I saw you. We sure grown ’em good here in Cricket Creek,” she boasted. “Back home for good, I hope.” She leaned over the counter and held her arms out. “Now get over here and give me some sugar.”
“And you’re lookin’ mighty fine yourself.” Reid walked over to the enticing display of Danish and cookies.
“You talkin’ about me or the cookies? Although I do have some pretty nice buns,” she added with a deep chuckle.
“Both.” After giving Mabel a hug he asked, “What’s your secret—Botox? Come on, Mabel, fess up.”
“Ha! It’s easy: just eat more doughnuts.” She stuck a pose and fluttered her eyelashes. “Keeps the wrinkles in my round face filled in and my bum as big and round as Kim Kardashian’s.”
Reid laughed. Cricket Creek might have gone through some changes in recent years but some things stayed the same. “Well, it looks good on you,” he said, wishing it was as easy to flirt with Addison as it was with Mabel. “I’m here to pick up two dozen cupcakes for Sara.”
“Got them right here,” Mable said, and pulled a box from a shelf. “Decorated with farm animals and vegetables, just like Sara ordered. I’ve heard nothing but good things about the Old MacDonald program. Good for Sara for teaching kids about farming. They need to know that not everything is computer generated or made in a factory.”
“True,” Reid said, and realized that he hadn’t given his sister the acknowledgment that she deserved. He thought about the ivory-tower comment she made and wondered if he had grown out of touch with his family. But it was his job to help people invest and manage their money. How could he turn that off, especially when it came to his very own family?
“Anything else I can get you today?” Mabel asked.
“Oh, I can’t resist your butter cookies. I’ll take a dozen, and throw in a cheese Danish for the ride back home.”
Mable reached for a white paper bag. “Coming right up.” After he paid his bill, she said, “Don’t be a stranger.”
“I won’t,” Reid promised. After he walked back outside he looked down Main Street, noticing the improvements and new shops. Sara had been right. Cricket Creek had weathered some tough economic times, but beginning with Noah Falcon’s return home to build the baseball stadium, the little town had refused to throw in the towel. But saving the family farm wasn’t the same thing, and Reid was well aware that Sara was as stubborn as the day was long. Hopefully, Addison Monroe would take him up on his offer and talk some sense into his well-meaning sister.
With his hands full, Reid crossed the street at the light, nodding to greetings, waves, and honking horns from people he hadn’t seen in a while. Although he enjoyed living in Lexington, he had to admit that seeing old friends and eating at his favorite spots felt pretty damned good.
As Reid drove home he thought he might head over to Sully’s later on, drink a few beers, and maybe play some pool. He wouldn’t have to twist Braden’s arm too hard to talk his little brother into going with him. When he passed what he assumed was Wedding Row he slowed down and his thoughts turned back to Addison Monroe, wondering again why she seemed so familiar, and then it suddenly dawned on him. Addison Monroe must be the daughter of finance guru Melinda Monroe.
Reid smacked the steering wheel. “Wow . . .” he murmured, and shook his head in a bit of wonder. Reid had read all of Melinda’s bestselling books and watched her show on a regular basis. Addison came off as much more mild mannered but was the spitting image of her famous mother. His smile widened and he wondered why he hadn’t put two and two together sooner. Melinda Monroe wasn’t a fan of spending money
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