Under a Georgia Moon: Georgia Moon Romance Book 1 (7 page)

Really?
“Really?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He winked and got out, walking around to the passenger side. He opened her door and gave her a lazy grin. “Besides,” he said, holding out his hand, “if my mama found out about my lapse in manners, she would tan my hide.”

“Oh,” Addie said with a smile. “Well, I don’t want that to happen.” She took his offered hand and was proud of herself for not being too effected. “Thank you. I’ll be sure and tell your mother she raised a very nice, well-mannered son.”

He held onto her hand for a second longer before releasing it. “I’d appreciate it. I think just the other night she accused me of being completely uncultured.”

“Why? What’d you do?”

“I started to eat before everyone had been served.”

Seriously
?
Note to self: Do not have dinner at the Nichols’s house.

“Ooh! You’re here,” a familiar voice squealed. Addie turned to find Aunt Janie closing in. “Oh my gracious, Addison Mae. You come over here and give your aunt some sugar.”

Ah, sugar
…now she knew why she loved it so much. Her aunt was perfectly plump and being wrapped in her soft embrace felt like a warm bath on a winter day. Addie inhaled the scent of vanilla and cinnamon that clung to her aunt’s clothing and hair.

“Aunt Janie, I love you.” It felt so good to be here. So normal.

“I love you too.” Aunt Janie pulled away and started for the house. “Y’all come on in. I have fresh cinnamon buns I just pulled out of the oven.”

Addie and Chase exchanged a conspiratorial grin. Then he leaned in close and whispered in her ear, “So, Addison Mae, sugar is an essential thing in the South,
hmm
?”

She laughed and started for the house. Chase walked close beside her, making her acutely aware of him. Yeah, she was aware of him, but that was completely different than being attracted.

She cast a furtive glance his way. Okay, maybe she was a little attracted to him. Still, even if she was, she was not about to get involved with another guy, especially with someone who looked like Chase Nichols. Good-looking men tended to attract women whether they were engaged or not, and she did not need another man breaking her heart.

She sneaked another peek at him. Oh boy, he really was cute. And a natural at flirting. That combination was a big red flag to keep him at a distance.

Addie slowed her pace as she climbed the porch steps. Chase paused in front of her, holding the screen door open. She avoided looking at him when she passed through the door, but couldn’t ignore the faint masculine scent of his cologne.

 “Come on back here, baby,” Aunt Janie called from the kitchen.

Thankfully, the heavenly aroma of baking bread dominated the air as she entered the house. Addie slipped her shoes off and then followed the tantalizing smell into the cozy kitchen. Although the home had been remodeled several years ago with granite countertops and top of line appliances, Aunt Janie had maintained the authenticity of the nineteenth-century home, complete with pine cabinets and antique furniture from the era.

On the countertop sat a plate of glazed cinnamon buns. “Addie, honey, you and Chase come on over here and sit down,” her aunt said, picking up the platter. “I just finished icing these.”

Addie drew in a deep breath and grinned. “I’ve dreamed about this moment ever since I booked my flight.”

Chase’s lips twitched, his eyes filled with amusement as he pulled out a chair for her and motioned with his hand for her to take a seat. He lightly touched her back as he helped her scoot close to the table.

Addie could only count a few times when a car door had been opened for her—they had all been prom dates. Nobody had ever pulled her chair out for her. Well, not unless she counted the time when a boy who liked her in junior high had pulled the chair out from under her, making her fall very unladylike to the ground.

“Thank you.” She felt slightly self-conscious as Chase took a seat across from her. Suddenly the setting seemed a little too intimate. She prayed Aunt Janie wouldn’t bring up the real reason she was here. To heal from a broken heart and get out of the funk she was in.

Addie relaxed when her aunt asked questions about her dad and Chellie’s family. She ate two cinnamon rolls while giving details about her nephews and niece and all their shenanigans. To her relief, nothing was ever said about Brandon and his recent wedding.

With her stomach full, she was ready to ask Chase a few questions about himself. Before she got the chance, Chase pushed back from the table and stood up. “Well, ladies, please excuse me. I need to make a showing at the office before headin’ home.”

He’s leaving?

He met Addie’s gaze and flashed her a grin. “I enjoyed meeting you. I hope to see you again.”

The tiny little flutter in her belly was a reminder to keep herself immune to Chase’s southern charm. Friends. They were just friends. Besides, he probably said that to all the girls.

“Me too. Thanks for the ride.”

“You’re welcome.” Chase’s eyes regarded her warmly before he turned and walked out the door.

Chapter Five

The
next morning, sunlight filtered through the curtains, brightening Aunt Janie’s already cheerful yellow room. Addie smiled, snuggling down into the cocoon of blankets and the soft pillow-top mattress.

This room was her favorite and probably hadn’t changed very much in the past hundred years. The intricate hardwood floor had been beautifully restored. The crown molding, painted a glossy white, accented the soft yellow walls. Most of the antique furniture in the house had belonged to the Caldwell family for generations.

Addie sat up and stretched and pushed back the yellow and cornflower blue quilt her aunt had stitched by hand. Climbing out of bed, she shivered when her bare feet hit the cold wood floor. Pulling them back up, Addie felt around in the bed until she found her soft fleecy socks.

What a relief to be able to wake up without any responsibilities looming over her. Even better was the fact she wouldn’t have to go to work or answer questions about how she was handling Brandon’s recent marriage.

Addie took a quick shower and then dressed in a pair of comfortably worn jeans and a fitted yellow cotton tee before going downstairs. Aunt Janie had told her to sleep in as long as she liked and had promised to save a couple of cinnamon rolls for her. Glancing at the clock, Addie bit her lip. It was already noon. But then she remembered the two hour time difference and felt better. Technically—if she went by Idaho time zone—it was only ten o’clock.

The lingering scent of baking bread made her stomach rumble as she descended the stairs. She rounded the corner and entered the kitchen. Warmth and security filled her when she saw Aunt Janie sitting at the table, her head bent down as she read a magazine. Her aunt’s trendy short hairstyle, tinted a few shades darker than her natural color, made her appear much younger than her seventy plus years.

She glanced up and grinned. “Good mornin’, sugar. Did you sleep okay?”

Addie laughed. “Don’t you mean good afternoon?” She slid into a seat next to her aunt. “I’m sorry I slept in so late.”

Janie’s warm hand covered her own. “Baby girl, you needed the sleep.” She stood up and moved to the kitchen counter. “I saved you a couple of cinnamon rolls. Do you want hot chocolate or milk to go with them?”

“Cold milk sounds wonderful. Thank you.”

While her aunt poured the milk, Addie bit into the bun. The warm icing dripped down her fingers. “Mmm. This is so good.”

Her aunt chuckled and placed the glass of milk on the table. “I’m glad you like them.” Aunt Janie sat back down. “Now, let me tell you about my plans today.”

“Okay.” Addie licked the icing from her fingers. “But remember I don’t want you worrying about me. Honestly, if I get to sleep in, eat cinnamon buns and go exploring today, I will be a happy camper.”

A smile lit up Janie’s face. “Well, sugar, I think that sounds like the perfect vacation. I’ll make sure you get fresh cinnamon buns every day.”

Addie took a small bite. “Yes, but by the time I leave I’ll have to pay the airline for my extra weight.”
And start an exercise program
, she thought cynically.

Her aunt eyed her critically. “You could use some extra weight. You’re too skinny as it is.”

Addie smiled, but didn’t take it too seriously. According to her aunt, anyone without a double chin was too skinny. “So, what are your plans for the day?” Addie asked as she reached for the glass of milk.

“The church my friend Hazel attends is in need of a new sound system. I volunteered to help make pies today. They’re being auctioned off, along with other baked goods for a fundraiser later on this evening.” Janie glanced at her watch. “And I’m late. I don’t expect I’ll be home until around seven. You can come with me if you want, or you can just hang around here for the day.”

Addie was anxious to explore her aunt’s yard. The gorgeous landscape would be fun to photograph, and hopefully there would be a shot good enough for the contest. “I think I’ll stick around and play with my camera. Your yard looks so incredible.”

“Thank you.” Janie studied her for a few seconds. “I feel badly about leaving you all alone. Why don’t you let me call Chase to come over and visit with you.”

“No way.” Addie shook her finger at her aunt. “In all the excitement of arriving last night, I didn’t get a chance to scold you for being so sneaky. Your car was not giving you trouble. Chase told me you’d asked him to pick me up a couple days earlier.”

A spark of mischief lit Janie’s eyes. “I wasn’t being sneaky, just clever.”

“Ha! All your cleverness was for nothing. I told Chase I’m not into dating right now and we both agreed to be friends.”

“Maybe he’s just not your type. There are plenty of nice young men I could introduce you to.”

“Not interested.”

“Addison, stop being so difficult. Our new youth pastor is a very eligible bachelor and I’ve been telling him all about you.”

Addie started to laugh. “If you knew my history with eligible clergy you wouldn’t be so eager to introduce me.”

“What happened?”

“I’m not telling you, but if you try to set me up with him I’ll have to confess how I single handedly trashed a spiritual retreat by making one simple mistake.”

Aunt Janie narrowed her eyes. “I see you’re just as stubborn as you used to be.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“Well, sugar, that is just fine by me.” She stood up and kissed Addie on the head. “I’ll just call Chase and let him know he can stop by as a friend.”

“Aunt Janie!” Addie sat up straight. “Don’t you dare call him.”

Her aunt slung her purse over her shoulder. “Oh, all right. I won’t call him.”

“Promise?”

“Cross my heart,” Janie said, making an X with her finger over her chest. “You have fun and call me if you need anything. I’ll have my cell phone tucked in my apron.” She turned to leave but looked back over her shoulder. “By the way, the pulled pork from last night is in the fridge. I made fresh rolls this morning so you can make yourself a sandwich whenever you’re hungry.”

“Mmm. I can’t wait.”

Janie grinned. “I’ll see you later.”

Addie waved good-bye and enjoyed every single bite of her early lunch. The sugar rushed through her blood stream, energizing her to get moving and outdoors. One glance out the window told her it was a beautiful day.

Before she went outside, she quickly jogged up the stairs to fix her hair. Since she had already slept away the morning, Addie didn’t want to take the time to straighten her hair. She parted her hair in half and made two thick braids. To avoid looking like she was twelve, she quickly put on a little makeup.

With one last look in the mirror, Addie grabbed her camera case and headed downstairs. The screen door on the back porch creaked as Addie pushed it open and stepped outside. A warm breeze slid over her skin, the fragrant scent of the flower blossoms tickled her nose. The big yard stretched out before her, encompassing nearly two acres. It was incredibly beautiful and she wasn’t sure where to start.

She followed a narrow brick pathway that wound through the yard and spied part of the white gazebo in the corner of the yard. As a child, she had dreamed about having her wedding reception in this very gazebo. The weeping willow trees, silhouetted in the background, created a perfect romantic setting. Roses and azaleas surrounded the structure, their vibrant blossoms contrasting against the white paint.

When she saw the purple wisteria cascading from the lattice, she stumbled to a stop. All at once the familiar pang of sadness assaulted her and she felt her eyes burn with emotion.
No!
She was not going to think about Brandon. Not today. There was no way she would wallow in her self-pity any longer. Besides, why ruin perfectly good make-up over her idiotic ex-fiancé?

Addie’s gaze returned to the gazebo and, despite her best efforts, she conjured up a vision of herself wearing a white wedding dress, holding a bouquet of flowers picked from her aunt’s gardens. Getting married and having children had always been one of her dreams. But in order to have children, she needed to have a husband. And in order to find a husband, she needed to date. Men. But who?

The image of Chase Nichols and his beautiful green eyes flashed in her mind, bringing a smile to her lips. Just the thought of him caused warmth to spread through her as if the sun had just broken through the clouds.

Yeah, he was cute, but riding home with a guy from the airport did not constitute as dating. Plus, there was the whole he-lives-in-Georgia-and-I-live-in-Idaho obstacle. All this deliberation about dating was giving her a headache. So, in true Scarlet O’Hara fashion, she decided not to think about it right now.

Determined to enjoy her day, she continued forward, past blossoming sweet alyssum, brilliantly colored tulips and purple and yellow pansies that grew in the many flowerbeds placed strategically around the yard.

The gazebo came into full view and Addie stopped, raising the camera to her eye. Branches from one of the weeping willow trees brushed against the white gabled roof of the structure. It was easy to visualize what it would have looked like in another era.