Page 48 of Whispers at Seaside
“I’m not going out looking for those situations anymore because that void has been filled in a normal, natural way by being here for you and Hagen, and probably also by reconnecting with my family and being here for them.”
She squeezed his hand. “Good, because I don’t think we need saving either, but we love having you in our lives. Have you thought about tracking down Cindy to apologize and try to gain some closure?”
“I’ve thought about it many times, but it might do more harm than good for her, and she’s the one who’s important in that scenario. And, Mira, closure won’t change my behavior. This is who I am. I won’t turn my back on someone in need, but I promise you I will never do anything that puts you or Hagen in jeopardy. If this is a problem for you, then you have a decision to make, sunshine. Either you can deal with a guy like me, or you can’t. It’s best we figure that out sooner rather than later.”
The front door opened and Hagen ran through the house. “Mom!”
Matt and Mira rose and ascended the steps just as Hagen flew through the back door with a big smile and leaped into Mira’s waiting arms.
“We had the best time!” Hagen said as Mira kissed his cheek. Pushing from his mother’s arms, Hagen hugged Matt. “I showed them how to use the compass and led a hike through the woods! Are you staying for dinner? Uncle Drake and Uncle Rick taught me how to cook over a fire, and I want to cook for you and Mom.”
“That’s your mom’s decision, little man.” Matt looked at Mira.
Her eyes brimmed with unmistakable tenderness and passion. “My decision is”—she paused for a prolonged moment, and in the silence, in the love in her eyes and the warmth emanating from her, her answer to his earlier question became clear—“absolutely. Matt can stay as long as he’d like.”
Chapter Nineteen
FALLING BACK INTO mommy mode was easy, work mode, not so much. Thoughts of her love-filled weekend with Matt clouded Mira’s thoughts. When Matt showed up to take Hagen to camp Monday morning, the sparks she’d come to expect when they were together flew, but they were carried by much deeper emotions than just a few days earlier. They’d shared so much of themselves, the line between where her life ended and his began blurred, and she liked it. A lot.
Forcing herself to take advantage of the quiet time Matt afforded her by driving Hagen to camp, she set to work calling the companies she hoped to interest in the co-op. The first few calls garnered minor interest, but only after answering questions that made her feel like a felon or a scam artist—How did you get my name? What makes you think our business needs help?This was not being received as the promising endeavor she’d hoped it would.
As she gathered her things to leave for work, her phone rang, and Matt’s picture flashed on the screen. Just seeing his image made her pulse quicken.
“The eagle has landed,” Matt said in a mysterious voice.
Mira laughed. “Thank you so much. Was Hagen okay?”
“He was great. We had a blast. We talked about the raft we’re going to build, and if it’s okay with you, we thought we could start a week from Saturday. I figured it might take a few weeks to get your arms around the co-op stuff, and I didn’t want to put any pressure on you.”
Tumble, tumble, tumble.
She was tumbling head over heels for this incredibly caring man. “Sure. That’s perfect.”
“Great. I’ll let Pete and my dad know. Let’s make a day of it. Bring your suit, and you and Jenna can hang out on the beach while we do guy stuff.”
Guy stuff.Why did she love that so much?Because it’s his and Hagen’s thing.
“Sounds like a sly way for you to see me in my bathing suit again.”
“Sunshine, I’ll take all I can get of seeing you—clothed, naked, scantily clad.”
She felt herself blushing. “Mm. Sounds good to me.”
“I’d take this further, but I’m pulling up to Seaside, and I don’t need to be caught with tented pants.”
“No, we wouldn’t want that,” she said with a giggle as she carried her things out to the car.
“I almost forgot. Apparently there’s a field trip at Hagen’s camp Thursday.”
“Yeah, to the playhouse. I filled out all the forms. Do they need something else?”
“No, but Hagen asked if I would chaperone.”
As Mira started her car, she thought maybe she’d heard him wrong. “He askedyouto chaperone?”
“Yup. Is that okay?”
“Do youwantto chaperone?” Mira had chaperoned school trips so many times in the past, her nerves were on edge just thinking about watching over all those excited children.
