Page 45 of Meet Me on Lilac Lane

“Sounds lonely, only focusing on the town and your kids like that.” A cup went into the cupboard, nestled next to several others of various shapes and sizes.

“I don’t have the luxury to think about that. Plus, I have Evie and Dani, and Cody, of course.” She grimaced. “Sorry, I shouldn’t talk about him.”

Constance tightened her lips. “I’m not upset at Cody. Not specifically, anyway. It’s just that seeing him reminds me of everything I’ve lost.” She let out a long breath. “I have to ask God for peace every time I see him in town.”

“I get that.” Swishing the water, Mia found a coffee cup and rubbed at it with her washcloth.

“But I don’t begrudge him his happiness. He deserves that. He was always such a good friend to Troy. And to you too.” Constance picked up a dish and wiped it dry. “And even if the fact I have trouble greeting him seems like it, I know the accident was never his fault.”

“No, of course not.” She’d never blamed Cody either. How could she, when the fact that Troy had been on the boat that night was because of her? Something she’d never told a soul.

They worked a few minutes more.

“So, is Matt cute?” Constance kept her eyes on the plate she was wiping dry, but Mia caught a hint of a smile on her lips.

“Constance!”

“What? It’s a simple question.” Constance bumped her with her hip.

“Yeah, okay. I don’t know if he’s going to move here, but yes. He’s good looking. Always has been.” If a little enthusiastic—but it was nice to know a man was interested in her after everything she’d been through. She wrinkled her nose. “But I don’t know if he’s the right guy for me. He called Jonathon Island quaint.”

“It is quaint.” Constance laughed. “As for Matt, you won’t know unless you’re open to dating again. Are you?”

“Well…maybe. But sometimes it feels impossible to think about. Troy was…” Heat pricked the back of her eyes, and she scrubbed the plate in her hands extra hard.

“I know, hon. He was your match.” Constance’s voice softened, and Mia met her gaze. “But that doesn’t mean God doesn’t have someone else out there for you. A second chance. Moving forward is hard, but it’s good.”

“You haven’t moved forward.”

“It’s different. You have two kids who need a father figure. Troy’d want a good and honorable man to be there for you and Finn and Maggie. He loved you with every breath and would never be upset.” Constance paused. “But maybe you’re right. Maybe I should put myself back out there too. My own friends are hounding me to join an online dating site to meet men in Port Joseph…Maybe I should do it.”

Mia held back a laugh at picturing Constance on a dating app. But then she sobered. If Constance could find the courage to move forward at 63 years old, maybe she could too.

Just then her phone pinged with a text message. She rinsed off the plate in her hands and then checked her phone.

Matt

I’m headed off island on the next ferry. Can you meet me at the dock in a few minutes? Want to talk over schedule before I go.

Matt had written.

And end this conversation with her mother-in-law? Yes, please.

“Constance, can I leave Finn and Maggie here with you for a few minutes? I’ll put on a cartoon for them or something.” She held up the phone. “Matt needs to meet for a quick chat.”

Constance flapped her hands. “Go. They’ll be fine here.”

Mia hurried the few chilly blocks to the ferry port.

Matt stood on the dock. A ferry waited, but the area was quiet. In the harbor, a few other boats bobbed in the waves. A light breeze lifted the edge of Matt’s jacket. A smile crossed his face and lit up his eyes as Mia approached. He walked to her and grabbed her hand in both of his. His cologne filled the space between them. Something strong and spicy and probably expensive. Suddenly, Mia was very aware of the jeans and ratty T-shirt she’d pulled on today. Was the shirt even clean? She took a deep breath and reminded herself of what Cody had said.Just be yourself. Well, couldn’t get more herself right now than this half-put-together, possibly food-stained T-shirt and secondhand jeans.

“Thanks for meeting me. I was going to call, but I thought I would take the chance to see you instead.” His blue eyes searched hers.

“This worked great. I left the kids at my mother-in-law’s for a few minutes. It’s a beautiful morning for a walk.”

“I have a meeting on the mainland with some potential investors in a few hours, so I checked out of Island Inn. I’ll be back for the big meeting at the end of next week.”

“Okay.” Why did she rush down here for this? And why was he still holding her hand? She let go. “Anything else?”

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