“He used to be my bank manager. Guy knows his stuff and we hit it off early on. Advised me on investments and our friendship grew from there. Eventually he quit the bank to run Mia’s business when it all went crazy for her. He didn’t have to tell me to invest when the company went public three years ago. He’d already been telling me how wonderful it was. Made sense to put my money there. Turned out to be one of the best investments I made.”
“What’ll happen now? I mean, he shouldn’t go back to work, based on what the doctor says.”
His father cleared his throat. “It might be time for him to retire. His whole life has been about work ever since I’ve known him. It’s going to be hard on the company but I’ve been thinking about it. Maybe now the board will listen to the idea of selling the shops off, like a franchise deal. That way, all Mia would have to maintain is the stock buying as the face of the company and that’s only if she wanted to. Pretty sure they could manage without her now that the line is established. She wouldn’t have to work so hard herself if she decided to stay on the island and Ryan can retire either way. If the board doesn’t agree, they’ll have to find someone else to manage the company. I doubt she’ll let him go back to work after this.”
“You think the franchise idea will work?” If it would free up Mia and her uncle, it could only be a good thing.
“I do. I’ve seen it happen to other companies and with a good reputation similar to the one her company already has. I think it would be a great move.”
“Let’s see how it all goes tomorrow. Ryan seems to be holding his own at the moment, so fingers crossed the doctor will go ahead and put in his pacemaker. It’s going to be a slow recovery, though.”
“At least he has a fighting chance. Keep me informed, son. I want to know how he’s doing. And take care of that little lady. I’ve gotten to like her a lot.”
He wasn’t the only one. “Yeah. Me too, Dad. Me too.”
Matt hung up and tucked his arm around Mia as she slept. She mumbled and snuggled into his shoulder and they stayed wrapped up together until the doctor woke them the next morning.
“Your uncle is getting better, Mia. He had a good night. I’m taking him into surgery shortly. Did you want to go and say hello before they take him down?”
She gasped and pressed her hand to her mouth. “He’s going to be okay? Matt, did you hear that?”
“Yes! It’s fabulous news.” He pulled her close and rubbed her back.
The doctor interrupted them. “I’ll walk you down to see him if you like.”
“Come on, let’s go see him before they come for him.” Matt walked down the hallway to her uncle’s room and stood at the doorway while Mia sat beside the bed, clinging to her uncle’s hand.
She cried as she held his hand and told him off. Informed him he wasn’t going to leave her. She wasn’t about to let him off that easy. Matt listened with a smile on his face.
Mia looked up with tears in her eyes and beckoned Matt into the room. “Ryan, I’d like you to meet Matt. He owns the B&B you sent me to.”
Ryan gave him a weak smile. “Ah, Atticus’s son. Nice to meet you. Your father is a good man.” His voice was thready and his skin pale, but the monitor showed a strong heart rhythm.
Matt took his hand, gave it a shake. “We’ll be waiting to see you after surgery, Ryan. Don’t worry about a thing, okay? I’ll stay with Mia as long as she needs me.”
“Appreciate it. Thanks.” He closed his eyes just as the orderly came in to take him.
Matt breathed a sigh of relief and Mia clung to his arm as the orderly wheeled Ryan away. Everything was going to be alright. Maybe when her uncle recovered fully, Mia would give some thought to going back to the island. They still had so much to learn about each other. But this could also spell the end of that if she decided Ryan couldn’t continue with the company anymore. What if she wanted to stay and convince the board that she could manage without him?
Where did that leave her and Matt?
Chapter 12
Once Ryan was out of surgery and they’d had a chance to see him, Matt drove them to Mia’s apartment and carried their bags up in the elevator. “Are you sure about this, Mia? I can get a hotel or just go home.”
She held his hand. “Yes, I’m sure. You were there for me when I needed you, Matt, and I’m not letting you go home so tired you can hardly see straight. We both need some good sleep and my apartment has a spare room. We can talk more later, okay? I have lots to consider. So many things to think about and I wouldn’t mind having you for a sounding board, if that’s okay with you?”
“Sure.”
She led him into the apartment, showed him the guest room, and then poured them both a shot of whisky, taking their drinks out to the living room where the big windows gave an uninterrupted view of the city skyline. “A nightcap and then I’m sleeping. I don’t think I’ve ever been so tired in all my life.”
Matt took his glass and wandered over to the window to look out over Seattle. “It’s been a stressful day, that’s for sure. I’m so glad he’s going to recover. You will do what the doctor says and get checked, yes?”
She glanced away. “Of course.”
“I mean it, Mia. I researched the condition the doctor told us about
