“Fish. Nearly always fish. Yours?”
“Cake. Can’t help myself.”
Mia chortled with laughter. “No wonder you’re such a great baker.”
He shrugged. “Fair call. Favorite time of year?”
“Autumn. I love the colors of the leaves when they turn.”
“Me too. Hope Island is magical just before the snow comes. I love it. I have the fire going and extra blankets out. When a hearty soup cooking on the stove fills the air with the scent of vegetables and spices, I’m in heaven.” Matt laughed and held a hand in front of Mia’s face as a large wave crashed against the lighthouse, covering them in salt spray.
Water trickled down her face but nothing could wash her smile away. The more he got to know her, the more he thought she was amazing.
After talking to Arlo, he had to wonder if her appeal was based on the fact that he already loved her blog and homewares or if it was due to something special about her. He was usually helpful but didn’t often take visitors for a drive around the island, and he’d never taken anyone to Arlo’s before. No wonder his brother was saying the things he was.
She turned toward him, her gaze focused on his lips. Something flickered in her eyes but it disappeared before he could react. “Well, that was certainly worth the drive and I thank you. Better not let that ice in the cooler melt or we won’t be having Arlo’s fish for dinner tonight.”
His hopes of having something with Mia were dashed as fast as they’d surfaced. If Arlo had seen something, it must be one-sided. Matt would have to watch himself if he didn’t want to end up with a broken heart.
Chapter 7
The wind had whipped up in the last couple of hours on their side of the island, and he had the candles ready in case they lost power. Matt sat back and stared at the flames in the living room fireplace. He sipped his whisky as his thoughts rumbling through his head.
“Matt. Hey, what’re you thinking about?”
He startled and looked across the room at Mia who sat in the matching wingback chair in front of the fire. With her hair hanging around her face after a shower to get rid of the sea spray, she looked very different from the stressed out executive who’d arrived only three days ago. The trip to the lighthouse had been worth it; she hadn’t stopped talking about what a good time she’d had.
“Sorry. Thinking about the attic. I was so sure what I wanted to do with it, and now I’m having second thoughts.” He hadn’t been, but he could hardly tell her he was thinking about them being together. That would be creepy after only just meeting.
Still, images of her by his side for longer than her mandatory break fluttered through his head. Thoughts of picnics on the beach, tramping through the walking trails up past the lighthouse, and shopping in the weekly markets rose unbidden. Even images of them sitting in front of the fire snuggling together instead of in opposite chairs as they were now tugged at his imagination.
She smiled. “Tell me what you had planned.”
He leaned forward, his hands on his knees. “I thought the space would be a good office-type room. If anyone wanted to get away from other guests and work, it’d be quiet. And I could use it to do my bookwork instead of sitting at the kitchen counter.”
“What makes you think it’s not a good idea now?”
He shrugged. “Not sure. Maybe it’s because there’s so much junk up there and I’m too lazy to move it so I’m having second thoughts. Or perhaps because my guests don’t really need to work when they come here. Take yourself for example.”
She gave a strangled laugh. “Hopefully there aren’t too many misguided fools like me around.”
Matt smiled. “You’re hardly a fool, Mia. I’d have said driven.”
“You’re very kind but I know what I am. After talking to Hilary today, I’ll freely admit it. My uncle was right. I’ve been neglecting myself and putting everything I had into the business.”
“Understandable. Do you think when you go back that you’ll change things?” Or maybe she doesn’t want to go back. But he couldn’t even consider those thoughts.
“Maybe. I don’t know what I’ll do. After what you said yesterday about thinking of new things, I’ve been doing exactly that. The business runs well now the way we’ve set it up, but being the face of the company and the main buyer, I don’t know how I’d step away from it even if I wanted to.”
Matt took another sip of his drink and contemplated his reply. “Concentrate on enjoying your break and see how you do after that. But I’m glad you got along with Hilary. She’s lovely and has managed to make it work living here.”
Mia put her glass down on the side table. “She’s done a great job. And she invited me to the family gathering on the weekend up at Drew’s place, is it? A baby-shower-slash-housewarming, she said.” Mia gave him a soft smile. “I don’t want to intrude, Matt. A baby shower seems such a personal thing, and they don’t even know me.”
“That’s not how our family works, believe me. You’ll be more than welcome and I’m sure if April—the mom-to-be—knew you were here, she’d insist on you being at the party.”
“Really?”
“Yep. Big brother Drew the doctor lives up around the bay in a stunning house with views to die for.” And the wife he’d wanted since he was a teenager. Now April was almost ready to give birth to their first baby together and Matt couldn’t wait to be an uncle.
“I’ll have to get a gift for her. What a shame I can’t go back to work beforehand. I have so many perfect baby pieces in stock.”
“Don’t fuss. April will be happy just to meet you. Gifts are optional.”
The look on her face was priceless. “Are you kidding? Every woman wants baby shower gifts.
