Chase secured the phone on the gel dash pad where he could view the screen. His agent was supposed to get back with him today about whether or not the talent scout had showed up for last night’s performance. So far he hadn’t heard anything which meant the rep probably hadn’t come. Chase could only hope the talent scout would show up at their gig next weekend.
Breaking into the country music scene wasn’t coming easy. It had been hard enough getting someone reputable to represent Chase, but it was proving to be even more difficult to get someone to listen to him.
If he lived in Nashville, he could hit all the open mic clubs and possibly get noticed that way. Even then, he knew the chance of getting a recording contract was pretty low. Still, as slim as the odds were, he couldn’t give up.
But in order to move to Tennessee, he had to get a job, and it couldn’t be as a waiter, which was typical for most musicians. Although he lived at home, he paid his parents rent, helped with utilities, and still had another three years before his student loans were paid off. It was a good thing Chase loved his chosen vocation as a graphic artist. He just hated the company he worked for.
He’d interned at Barclay Industries while he and Hayden were dating. After he graduated, Barclay offered him a fulltime position. Since Hayden’s daddy, Whit Barclay, owned the company, Chase thought it was a brilliant move. By the time he knew differently it was too late to leave without detrimental repercussions to his career. Even leaving now was risky, but it was a risk he was willing to take.
After spending time researching businesses in Nashville, Chase settled on one corporation he wanted to work for. Nashborough Marketing represented the majority of the top companies involved in the music industry, including the record label Chase wanted to get a recording contract with most: TJ Music. Tate Jepson, the owner of TJ Music, had a reputation for being fair yet aggressive. Chase figured if he landed a job with Nashborough as a graphic artist, it would bring him that much closer to getting a foot in the door with TJ Music.
It all seemed like the perfect solution, except for one major complication. Nashborough and Barclay were rivals, often competing for the same accounts.
They had a history of bad blood that started when Barclay Industries had been headquartered in South Carolina. There had been some scandal of corporate espionage involving Barclay employees, but Nashborough could never prove their claim and Whit Barclay and his company had been cleared of any wrongdoing.
It would be very tricky getting an interview with Nashborough without letting his current employer know about it. Getting a good letter of recommendation would be even tougher, but Shanna, his secretary for the past two years, promised to help him any way she could.
So far, she was the only one who knew about his job search. It had only been fair to confide in her since she’d told him many times he was the only reason she hadn’t quit her job, and if he ever left Barclay she would too.
Glancing over his shoulder, Chase switched lanes as he approached the Mitchel Creek exit. He wondered if he should wake Addie or just let her sleep. Taking a quick look at her, he grinned and decided to wait. She was really out, not even bothering to brush away a few strands of her silky, auburn hair that fell across her eyes. He was tempted to do it for her.
Gripping the steering wheel tight, he kept his hands to himself and sang along with the song currently playing. The lyrics were about holding on to the memories of all the firsts of falling in love and finally having your last first kiss.
Chase had never really thought about it that way, but it was true. Someday he would kiss a girl and know it was his last first kiss.
Chapter Four
Somewhere in the back of Addie’s mind she knew she was asleep and needed to wake up. She heard the soft echo of someone singing. It sounded nice, especially in the floaty haze of her dreams. Sighing, she snuggled down into her bed. A loud thumping noise jarred her from her sleep. Then someone started shaking her bed. “Hey, stop it,” she mumbled, struggling to open her heavy eyes.
Someone chuckled, but didn’t stop vibrating her bed. “Sorry. Construction zone.”
“Huh?” she said and forced her eyelids open. Where was she? She straightened up and looked around, trying to get her bearings. She was in a truck. The man driving the truck was grinning at her and it all came back in a rush. Chase Nichols.
“I should’ve taken another route,” he said. “I forgot they were tearing this road up.”
Wiping her hair out of her face, she glanced out the window and immediately recognized the area. She hadn’t meant to sleep so long. “We’re here already?”
Chase laughed. “Goes by fast when you’re sleepin’, doesn’t it?”
“Sorry.” She’d only intended to close her eyes for just a minute. Raising her hand to her face, she surreptitiously felt for any drool.
“Don’t be sorry.” He turned at the next left, the road smoothing out. “I’m glad you were able to sleep. Living with your aunt will require a lot of energy. That woman puts most everyone I know to shame. She’s up at the crack of dawn and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a scowl on her face.”
It was true. Aunt Janie was the happiest and most energetic woman she’d ever known. It would feel good to be with her again. But the crack of dawn?
“I am so not a morning person,” Addie said. “But I guess I’ll have fresh cinnamon buns to lure my buns out of bed.”
Chase laughed. “I guess you will.”
He made another turn, bringing them onto Main Street and the heart of the business section of the historic town. Addie had forgotten how magical and quaint Mitchel Creek was with its brick sidewalks and aged storefronts that seemed to transport you back in time.
“This is so incredible.” Like a true southern town, most of the shops sold either antiques or food.
“Yeah, it is,” Chase said as he came to a stop at the only traffic light. “Growin’ up, I always wanted my parents to move back to Atlanta because it seemed so old fashioned here. But now I love it.”
“So this is where you want to settle down?”
“Yeah.” He shrugged. “Unless the Lord has other ideas for me.”
Addie shouldn’t be surprised by his mention of his faith. Aunt Janie had emphasized Chase was a regular at church and sometimes participated in the worship music. Still, having a guy talk about God so openly was refreshing.
She wanted to ask him how he’d know what the Lord wanted him to do since she usually was so clueless, but decided she didn’t want to delve into such a serious conversation. She might have to admit she’d recently been dumped by her two-timing fiancé.
The light turned green and Addie looked at the stores to see if she could find the fudge shop her aunt had taken her to that year after her mother had died. “Aunt Janie used to take me to this great candy store that sold fudge. I just can’t remember what it’s called.”
Chase pointed out his window. “That would be A Little Sugar.”
Addie recognized the antiquated store front with large jars of colorful candy displayed in the window. “Now that place has very pleasant memories. Especially for a sugar-aholic like me.”
“We can stop if you need a fix.”
“Hmm. Tempting, but I better not. I’m trying to cut back.”
He glanced over at her. “Why?”
Because my stupid ex-fiancé left me for Flaxseed Girl. “I’ve been told I eat too much of it.”
“Well, shoot, here in the south sugar is practically part of the five food groups.”
“Sweet.” She grinned at him when he looked her way. “No pun intended.”
He laughed at her stupid joke. “I’m sure Miss Janie will keep you from goin’ through withdrawals. And you’re on vacation so you should be able to indulge.”
Okay, if he kept talking like this Addie might actually allow herself to really like him. “You’re right. Thank you.”
He looked at her sidelong and winked at her. “You’re welcome.”
Yeah, and if
he kept being so charming she might even do something crazy like ask him out.
They left Main Street and Chase turned onto a winding road that led to her aunt’s. Just on the outskirts of town, a large antebellum home came into view. “Wow, that house is so beautiful.”
Chase slowed down so she could get a good view of the plantation home with stately white pillars surrounding a porch that was bigger than Addie’s little house in Idaho. The home had four chimneys and too many windows to count.
“The Mitchel Mansion was once part of a huge plantation,” Chase said as they made a slow drive by. “When I was a kid, they used to give tours of the house, but when it changed hands a few years ago, the new owner’s limited public access to Christmas time only.”
“Oh, I bet it’s beautiful.” She craned her neck to get one last look at it. “Too bad I wasn’t into history twelve years ago. Aunt Janie always wanted to take me but I never wanted to go.”
“You could always come back for Christmas.”
Addie sat back and sighed. “I could never leave my dad, and he refuses to fly anywhere.”
“There are other houses nearby that you might be interested in seeing.” He cleared his throat. “I could—”
Addie’s phone cut Chase off mid-sentence. Not wanting to miss a call from her dad, she glanced down at the caller ID screen to see Aunt Janie’s name.
“Do you need to get that?” Chase asked.
“I don’t know. It’s Aunt Janie. I’m sure she’s dying to know how her little plan worked.”
Chase shot her a quick look. “Her plan?”
“Yes.” She silenced the phone without answering it. They would be to her aunt’s house in a few minutes so it wouldn’t hurt to have Aunt Janie sweat it out a little. “I’m sorry you got roped into her matchmaking scheme, but she’s convinced that you and I are supposed to hit it off and live happily ever after, even though I’ve told her over and over that I’m not interested in dating right now.”
He was quiet for a few seconds and Addie worried she might have offended him. “It’s not because of you. I mean you haven’t even called me Flame Brain once.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “Well, since you haven’t called me Frodo, maybe we can be friends?”
“Sure. I can handle being friends.” At least she thought she could. It might get a little tricky if her attraction toward him didn’t go away.
He pressed on the brakes and came to a rest at a stop sign. Then he turned toward her and held out his hand. “Friends?”
Addie licked her lips and nodded her head as she tentatively placed her palm against his. “Friends.” She hoped he didn’t notice the breathless tone of her voice due to the zingy heat coursing through her body.
Her phone chimed an incoming text and she quickly withdrew her hand to read the message. “I better put her out of her misery and tell her we’re almost there,” she said with a nervous laugh.
Chase made a right turn, and neither of them said anything for the next half a mile until they came to her aunt’s long driveway. So many emotions came flooding back as Addie caught sight of Aunt Janie’s house.
The Caldwell home looked as if she’d stepped back in time. Enclosed by enormous oak and magnolia trees, the historic Victorian home that was built before the Civil War took Addie’s breath away. A large sign hung across the wide wrap-around porch to welcome her. A few more balloons were tied to the front porch banisters. Aunt Janie was bouncing up and down, waving wildly at them.
“It looks like your aunt is excited to see you,” Chase said with a low chuckle as he rolled to a stop. “I think you better go give her a hug.”
Filled with love for her sweet aunt, Addie started to open the car door.
Chase stopped her. “Hey, what’re you doin’?”
She gave him a quizzical look. “I’m going to give her a hug.” Hadn’t he just suggested that?
He turned off the engine. “Well, you need to wait until I open the door for you.”
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 J
anie 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.
Under a Georgia Moon: Georgia Moon Romance Book 1 Page 5
