Page 22 of Meet Me on Lilac Lane

“Yeah. But sometimes it just gets to me, you know?”

“Trust me. I know about guilt.” His chest tightened, and he drew in a long breath to loosen it. Then he tossed her a grin. “You know what’s a good cure for guilt?” She shook her head. He nodded his once. “Picnics.”

A laugh bubbled out of her. “Fine. You win. We’ll go on the muddiest picnic known to man.”

“What, you don’t think they have picnics in pigpens?”

She just rolled her eyes at him. “Kids! Get your rubber boots on and your jackets. We’re going on an adventure. I’ll grab some juice boxes and chips.”

A few minutes later, after wrestling Maggie into her jacket while Mia helped Finn step into his tall rubber boots, they set off down the street. Cody reached for the insulated bag Mia carried full of juice and chips.

Martha’s on Main stood just across the street from the shop where his mom used to make fudge. His heart pinched as they passed the empty storefront and walked over the cobblestone street. Just imagine how great it would be when someone made it into a thriving shop again.

In front of Martha’s, he handed Mia the insulated bag. “I’ll run in and see if they’ll make up some sandwiches to go.”

At his knee, Maggie tipped her face up to him. “Me go too.” He lifted her up into his arms.

“Sounds good to me.” In the street, Finn was banging his stick against the cobblestones and counting. Cody met Mia’s eye.

“Go ahead,” she said. “I don’t think we need to bring Sir Count and his stick into the restaurant. I’ll wait out here. Besides, I want to take a few photos of downtown for the new Jonathon Island social media pages.”

Inside, the high-backed booths were empty. Must have gotten here before the lunch rush. The smell of something peppery filled the air. Vera Graves, the gray-and-dark-haired waitress, stood behind the counter.

“Hey there, Vera.” He set Maggie on one of the stools lining the counter. “Can we get some sandwiches to go?”

“Sure, sugar.” Vera flipped open an order sheet. “What can I get for you?”

He put in the order then played Pat-A-Cake with Maggie until Vera brought him a paper sack bulging with food. “Thanks, Vera.”

Soon, he and Maggie stepped back into the sunlight. Mia stood a few steps away, watching Finn. Sunlight glinted off her soft curls. The look of pride on her face turned his heart over.Don’t worry, Troy, I’ll take care of them for you.

“I’ve got sustenance.” He held the paper bag aloft. Mia turned to him, her smile making his heart flop like a fish out of water.

They made their way through town to a small strip of land near the water, situated next to the ferry landing. While not really a park, the area had a picnic table used sometimes by people in the nearby businesses for lunch breaks. The sun glinted off the choppy waves, sending sparkles through the air. A light, fishy scent permeated the air, crisp in the spring afternoon. They claimed the picnic table and laid out their sandwiches.

“You were right,” Mia said around a bite of her sandwich. “This was a good idea. I needed a break from the computer screen.”

“I’m sorry, did you say I was right?” Cody opened his eyes wide, feigning shock.

“I’ll freely admit when you have a good idea, Codes.” Mia waved off his words with a flip of her hand, her mouth turned up in a half smile. She finished her sandwich, and they cleaned up the remains of the lunch. “I’m gonna snap a few more photos.” She pulled out her phone before spinning in a slow circle.

Cody took a minute to look around. What would make a good photo? The harbor lay to the left and the town to the right. With the muddy ground, their picnic space wasn’t too pretty, but there were some views of the town where each unique building held its own charm.

Jack came trotting past, disappearing between two buildings.

“Drat. He was too fast,” Mia said. “Jack would make a cute feature. I’ll have to keep an eye out for him.” She studied her phone for a minute, swiping at the screen. “Hey. I just had an idea. I’m gonna shoot a quick video for my first post.”

“Great idea.” Cody cleared up the paper wrappings from their sandwiches. “What do you want me to do?”

“Nothing. Just be natural. And maybe make sure Maggie doesn’t wander off?” She dropped a quick kiss on the heads of her kids. “Mommy is going to make a movie. Everybody look cute.”

Maggie immediately began heading for the water. Suppressing an amused eyeroll, Cody swooped her up onto his shoulders.

A few paces away, Mia began filming and narrating.

“It’s a beautiful late spring day here on Jonathon Island. A place where you can find your dreams coming true.” She turned the camera and panned across the Marina. “As you can see, there are many things to attract you to our little island. Boating, fishing, a charming downtown without traffic congestion.”

Maggie held tight to Cody’s forehead as he bent down and picked up Finn. Turning the boy over, he held him by his ankles. The kids giggled. Mia began turning toward them. “Make a funny face,” he whispered as she fully faced them, narrating the whole time.

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