Page 62 of Meet Me on Lilac Lane

She found herself walking next to an older, bald man dressed in jeans, cowboy boots, and a leather jacket. “Too bad we have to walk,” he said. “My Harley would love to eat up this road.”

“Mr. Somerton, right?” He nodded and she shook his hand. “Nice to meet you. You have a motorcycle?”

“Yes, ma’am. She’s my baby. I had her custom made then picked her up in Milwaukee myself.” He pulled out his phone. Was he seriously going to show her photos of his motorcycle? Yep. That’s exactly what he was doing. His lock screen was a picture of him astride a very large machine—Mia had no idea what to call the behemoth. Then he swiped open his photo app, and for the next four hundred and thirty-seven seconds, he showed her approximately four hundred and thirty-six pictures of a red, white, and blue Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Mia mmm’d and ahh’d through the lot. Hopefully, Mr. Somerton didn’t notice she was less than enthusiastic about them by the second hundred.

“You do remember the rule about motor vehicles, right?” She finally broke in.

He waved a hand as though swatting a gnat. “Merely a formality.”

“It’s not—” But he didn’t let her finish as he turned away to show Ms. DeVoe his photos.

“Isn’t she a beaut?” Mia heard him ask before they were lost in the group.

Finally, they reached the building housing Dani’s office, the Tourism Bureau, and a small museum highlighting local history. Mia led them into the museum, the biggest space in the building.

“Everyone, please help yourself to the snacks and drinks. We’ll start with the question and answer time in just a few minutes.” The room filled with noisy chatter as Mia pulled Dani toward the front of the room. “Everything going okay on your end?”

“I’m nervous, is that weird?” Dani clutched her hands together.

“Not weird at all.” Mia put her arm around Dani. “This whole thing was your idea. Of course you want it to succeed. Don’t worry, you’ll do great, cuz.” She squeezed Dani’s shoulder and gave her a smile. After a beat, Dani smiled back.

“Okay. We got this,” Dani said. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

Once again, Mia clapped her hands, calling for attention. “Huddle up, everyone. Feel free to bring your drinks and snacks to the chairs.”

The Jonathon Island Welcoming Committee moved behind a small podium amidst the general squeaking of chair legs against the tile floor as the group got situated.

Her dad stepped to the mic mounted on the podium. Despite their differences, Mia couldn’t help being impressed with the way her father commanded the room. “It has been a privilege to welcome each of you to our island. Thank you for taking the time to apply for our newly-minted program and for your interest in becoming year-round citizens. I know each of you will love living here as much as I do. I’ve loved raising a family here.” He cut his eyes to Mia, an unreadable expression in his gaze. “And I’m loving watching my grandkids grow up here too.” He moved back as Dani stepped to the mic.

“We’ve been in touch with each of you and answered many questions, but I’m sure there are many more out there. Especially now that you’ve gotten a chance to get a taste of the town. All of us are available to answer, so fire away.”

Mr. Somerton lumbered to his feet. “Is it true that I can’t bring my Harley to the island?”

“Yes, that’s true.” Dani gripped the sides of the podium, her knuckles whitening.

“What am I supposed to do with her, then?”

“Most people rent a space on the mainland for any vehicles they own. Except boats, of course.”

“Is there some sort of appeal process?”

“No. This has been a law for a hundred years.” Dani bit off her words like she was snipping a piece of string.

“I didn’t buy a fancy machine just to be separated from her for most of the year.” Mr. Somerton crossed his beefy arms. “The town council will be hearing from me. I bet I can sweet-talk them into letting me bring my girl.”

Her dad stepped back to the mic. “Mr. Somerton, I’m the mayor here. I can tell you right now that there will be no exception made for your Harley-Davidson. I’m sorry.”

“I mentioned it in all that paperwork. That gal there,” he nodded toward Mia, “she knew I had a Harley.”

A pain stabbed Mia’s gut. Had she told Mr. Somerton he could bring his motorcycle? She thought fast about their conversation. Nothing sprang to mind.

Her dad gave her a side-long look, and she returned it with a wide-eyed shake of her head. She hadn’t made any promises.

Besides, there had been other members of the council there. They would all have remembered something like that.

Her dad leaned an arm on the podium. “I don’t know what you think you were promised, Mr. Somerton, and I’m sorry you were under the wrong impression, but we won’t be able to make any exceptions.”

Mr. Somerton’s chair clanked in protest as he dropped back into it. “I’m out.” His voice rang clear over the gathering.

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