Page 43 of Meet Me on Lilac Lane

Cody shot Mia a look he hoped conveyed apology as he allowed himself to be led away by the kids. He gave Elise a quick smile as they passed in the short hallway. Mia’s mom was wiping her hands on a dish towel. The house smelled like fresh baked banana bread.

Cody and the kids went through to the dining room where Finn had a racetrack set up around the legs of the table. He sat on the floor next to the track while Finn pulled out a box of assorted cars and trucks. Finn chattered on about the makes and models of the small cars, but Cody found it hard to concentrate on him.

“So, that was Matt.” Elise must not know how much voices carried from the front door. “I wondered if I would get to meet him.”

“Mom.” Mia was softer, but he could still hear her. He tried to tune into the kids but darn it if his ears didn’t betray him by straining even harder to listen to the women’s conversation. “Don’t start. Okay? I knew Matt a whole lifetime ago.”

“Sure. Things are different now. But maybe that’s not a bad thing. You’re more available,” Elise said. “He’s definitely got it all in the looks department.”

“Mom!”

“I just mean, it’s been a long time since Troy died. You deserve to have some fun. Flirt, even.”

A choking noise sounded from the hallway. Cody recognized that as Mia’s disbelieving sputter. He’d heard it often enough when he and Troy got her riled up about something.

“I’m just saying have fun, without making everything so serious.”

Cody didn’t hear Mia’s response because Maggie chose that moment to sit down in his lap. She placed a slightly damp blue Mustang into his hand. All mystery about how the car became wet was solved when she raised a red fire truck to her mouth and started chewing it. He pulled her chubby hand down.

“That’s not a toy for your mouth, Mags,” he said. She tipped her head back and smiled up at him before running the fire truck along the wood floor.

“Mom, I have kids. I can’t have fun. Especially if it doesn’t work out. I don’t want to be stuck on this island with an ex-boyfriend. And the kids would be so confused.” Mia’s voice echoed down the hall.

Now it was Elise’s turn to be muffled.

Enough of this. Cody picked Maggie up off his lap and set her on her bottom on the floor. He stood to his feet. But before he could interrupt the women and, hopefully, stop this interminable conversation, Mia’s voice echoed again.

“He was super sweet with the kids. And, I can’t believe how much his talent has grown in the past few years. He showed me a bunch of his paintings on his phone.”

Cody stifled the growl that threatened from deep inside. He strode toward the front door, but a small hand in his stopped him in his tracks.

“Can we play Candyland?” Finn’s puppy dog look almost convinced him to say yes, but…

“Sorry, bud. I’m going to help your mother get supper ready. Want to help too?”

The two of them reached the front door as Elise walked out.

“See you later, Mrs. Jonathon,” Cody said.

“Bye, Grandma.” Finn grabbed her around her knees. Elise leaned down and gave him a swift kiss on the top of his head.

“I’ll see you guys later.”

Cody turned to Mia. “How can I help with supper?”

A few minutes later they were all in the kitchen, the kids setting the table, and Mia manning the pasta on the stove. Cody got some milk out of the fridge and then corralled Maggie when she tried to reach for the pan of hot garlic bread.

“Let’s go wash up. C’mon, Finn, you too.” Cody took the kids into the bathroom and helped them wash their hands.

Soon they were all sitting at the table saying grace. The kids’ chatter faded into the background as he stared at Mia. She brushed a hair back behind her ear, and he imagined the silky feel of it between his fingers.

She looked up and caught his eye. A slow smile crossed her face. “What?” she said.

He dropped his gaze. “Nothing. You just look so natural here. Mom to two great kids. Doing a great job working for Dani. I’m proud of you.”

She ducked her head. “Thanks.”

“So,” he said. “That was Matt.”

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