Page 44 of Meet Me on Lilac Lane

She paused, fork halfway to her mouth. “That was Matt.”

He couldn’t quite figure out her tone. “He seems nice.”

“He’s very talented. I couldn’t believe some of the pictures he showed me of the paintings he sold.”

“Nice and talented, then.” He shoved a forkful of pasta into his mouth, the noodles almost choking him. “He was glad to see you.” He couldn’t quite get a read on how Mia felt about the guy. He didn’t dare ask straight up again.

“Honestly, he was a little overwhelming.” She shot a glance at the kids, but they were busy making piles of pasta and not paying attention. “I loved seeing him again, but…”

“But what?”Calm down, buddy. She might be choosing another man over you again. But she might also feel something for this guy.

“I don’t know. He felt out of place here. Or maybe I just felt out of place. I’m so different than I was when Matt knew me before.” Her attention shifted to Maggie and the parmesan cheese she’d spilled on her lap, and Cody sensed that was all the conversation they were going to have on the matter.

One thing was clear. Mia was going to find someone to move on with eventually. The thought clawed at his stomach.

He just wanted her to move on with him.

Chapter Eight

Last night had been weird. This morning in her front hall, Mia tried to think of a different word for it but kept circling back to weird.

Seeing Matt again after so many years, the obvious tension between him and Cody, then the abrupt way Cody left after supper. Not to mention the way Cody’s sweet words of support and friendship had wormed their way straight through her. They played through her mind long after she was in bed. He really believed what he was saying. About her. About her worth.

All very weird.

She shook off those thoughts too and focused on the task in front of her—tying Maggie’s shoes. They had one goal for this morning: spend some time with Constance and GG. She’d been so busy lately she’d been neglecting her mother-in-law. They couldn’t stay long though; this afternoon she needed to spend time developing descriptions of the houses that were available under the revitalization plan.

“Won’t GG Harmon love seeing these pigtails?” She tweaked one of Maggie’s curly whale spouts, both of which currently stuck straight up from her head. She finished tying the shoes and helped Maggie stand. “Finn! Are you ready to visit Grandma and GG?” Constance said that GG usually felt better in the mornings and invited them to stop by for a mid-morning coffee, promising apple cake.

Finn ran down the hall, one arm in his shirt, the other swinging behind him as he searched for the other armhole. Mia laughed and helped him pull it over his head.

“Let’s go!” They headed out into the sunshine. Mia tipped her face to the sun for a breath before Finn tugged at her hand. “All right, Finn. Lead on.”

A few minutes later, they stood in Constance’s warm kitchen. The late morning sun streamed through the picture window over the pale wood dining table. The scent of apples and cinnamon filled the air. At the table, GG Harmon sat, hunched and small, her white pixie cut hair framing her face, making her blue eye luminous.

“Hi, GG.” Mia pulled out a chair and sat next to her. She took GG’s hands in her own. Ice cold. “How are you feeling today?”

The tiny woman had gained a little weight in the time she’d been in Constance’s home. Her cheeks held more fullness, and she appeared healthier overall. “I’m having a good day today.”

Mia glanced up at Constance who stood behind her mother. “Long night,” Constance mouthed. Deep bags hung under her eyes, but the corners crinkled when she smiled.

Mia quirked a grin. “I hear apple cake is good medicine.” She stood and got Finn and Maggie situated at the table. Soon, their snack was punctuated with their happy chatter. When the cake had been reduced to crumbs, Constance helped GG to her room for a nap, and Mia let Finn and Maggie run to the toy box in Constance’s front room.

Constance came back into the kitchen and began clearing off the table.

“Let me help you with that.” Mia stood and started stacking the dirty plates. She carried them to the small counter and sink. “I’ll wash if you dry.”

“You met up with an old friend yesterday, right?” Constance wiped a plate before putting it in the cupboard.

“Yeah. Matt. It was good seeing him again. Weird, but good.” A tug in her belly as she remembered his piercing blue eyes. “He’s just as talented as always. He has a gallery in Grand Rapids, near our old college, but he’s looking for a new place.”

“That must have been difficult, seeing his success.”

Her eyes prickled and she blinked. “I gave up that life when I got pregnant with Finn. He is worth it.”

Constance touched her arm. “Loads of people have a creative job and families.”

“But most of those people have someone else to support them, and maybe I would have gone back to it if Troy hadn’t died. I never had a chance to find out.” Mia scrubbed at a sticky spot on the plate in her hands. The heat of the soapy water did little to warm her up. “No. I’m happy with my life. Or I will be once I secure the house for the kids. Once more people are on island, I’m sure I can get a steady job to provide for them. Maybe even go into the real estate business full-time.”Where did that thought come from?But it was a good idea. “If enough people start coming back to the island, we can jump-start the economy and convince more people to want to live here again.”

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