Page 16 of Meet Me on Lilac Lane

“But what I could use help with is advertising the opportunity. As well as making listings for each of the houses and business spaces available.” She dropped Mia’s arm and pulled a step away, her eyes hooded. “I keep thinking I can do that, but helping Liam with the Grand Hotel repairs and renovations and planning how to keep the tourists here once we get them to come back…it’s a lot suddenly dropped on my plate.”

“Maybe I could help with that.” The words hung between them for a minute.

“I’d appreciate that, really I would.” Dani twisted the cup in her hands. “And honestly, I was thinking the same thing. With your realtor skills…But here’s the thing. I can’t pay you. I know you need a job, but I can’t ask you to work for free. Thanks for the thought though.”

Her heart sank faster than an anchor. “I understand. I’m disappointed, but I understand.” Now what was she going to do?

Across the bay, Mia could see the Grand Hotel. For the past two weeks, workers had been chipping away at the burnt portions of the once great hotel. The renovation work had begun in earnest. Hopefully, Mia would still be on the island to see the finished product.

“I just really need…” She sucked in breath. “I’m going to lose the house, Dani. I’ve got a month to get my late payments made on my mortgage or…”

“Oh, Mia. I didn’t know.” Dani reached a hand to her shoulder.

“I didn’t want you to know. I’m so embarrassed.” She dropped her gaze to the ground.

“You don’t have to be embarrassed. You’ve gone through so much. More than any twenty-four-year-old should have to. Wait. What if…” Dani stopped, seeming to collect her thoughts. “We really don’t have the money to pay you a salary, but what if I could convince the board to include your house in the deal they’re making to the others? Maybe in exchange for helping us out full-time, you could pay off your mortgage for a dollar.”

“You could do that? That would be amazing!” If she didn’t have a mortgage, she wouldn’t need as much to make ends meet. Her eyes welled up at the thought.

“I can’t make any promises, but I can certainly try. I don’t know why they would do it for the new people but not for someone who has proven she wants to live on the island.” Dani gave her shoulder a squeeze before dropping her hand. “I can’t tell you how much it would help me out to pass some of this to you.”

“Now is the time my mom would say ‘this is a God thing.’” And maybe Mom was onto something. This moment had a definite miracle feel to it.

Dani looked at her, concern written in her eyes. “But I have to ask. Will this be too much for you? Two little kids, no money coming in, and a job that doesn’t pay?”

“I still have Troy’s social security checks. I think I could make it all work if I didn’t have a mortgage to worry about.” Could she do it? A fifty-pound bag of bricks lifted off her shoulders at the thought of not having a mortgage. “It’ll be tricky with the kids, especially with Constance tied up with Grandma Harmon. But maybe Mom can help out, and Evie sometimes too.” Not to mention, this kind of work could be done after the kids were in bed at night. She squared her shoulders. “I’m sure it won’t be a problem.”

“Okay. I’ll make some calls.” Dani smiled at her, excitement shining in her eyes. “I really think this plan could work.” She checked her phone. “I should get back to work. I’ll give you a call later.”

Mia gave her cousin a hug and waved goodbye.

“Come on, Finn. Maggie, you too. Time to head home.”

Home. And now she might never have to leave.

If only he could clear away his thoughts as easily as this tree. Cody wiped a line of sweat from his hairline before reaching down to grab another section of the paper birch lying in his parents’ backyard. After he and his dad had cleaned up those branches a few days ago, they’d had another storm, snapping this birch in half. The tree had narrowly missed taking out the rickety swings Cody and his sister, Lily, played on as kids.

“Your dad could use your help,” his mom said on the phone that morning.

“I don’t think Dad wants my help, Mom.” Last week his dad had said a total of six words to him during their cleanup efforts.I’ve got it from here, Cody.No “thank you,” no “good to see you, son”. Not that Cody needed the thanks, but this cold shoulder rubbed vinegar right into his stinging wounds.

“Nonsense. He’s just going through some stuff right now.” Mom plowed right over his concern. “This will give you two a chance to talk about the business.”

“Mom.” His mom knew how much Cody wanted to take over the business his dad had quit after the accident. “He doesn’t want my help, and he definitely doesn’t want to talk about the business. I know he blames me for the accident.”

“Pssh. He doesn’t blame you. There was a sudden storm. You’re both just being stubborn. I’m tired of my two favorite guys not speaking to each other.” He heard some pans clanking together on his mom’s side of the phone. “Come over and we can have supper together after.”

So, here he was. Schlepping this tree from point A to point B, Dad silent beside him.

He glanced at his dad. When had he gotten so much older? At 61, he’d spent more than forty years working on the water. His face, leathery and tanned, bore more gray in his stubbled beard, the thinning hair on top of his head also more gray than the full dark it used to be. His dad wore his usual uniform of khaki work pants and a black T-shirt.

His mind drifted to an image from earlier in the day. The one near the entry of Sampson’s when he and Mia discovered they were locked in. Mia’s laugh washed over his memory.

“Look out!” Dad’s shout interrupted his thoughts.

A log landed on Cody’s foot. The pain hit a moment later, even though the steel-toed boot kept the log from breaking something. He grimaced.

“You’ve got your head in the clouds today.”

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