She’d reached the peak of her career and even if she knew she could keep up the pace, she was happy exactly where she was. She had enough going on with her own aspects of the business to keep her occupied without taking on Ryan’s as well.
But something didn’t feel right. Was it the look on Matt’s face this morning when she told him she didn’t have time to get serious or was it something else?
Footsteps sounded on the front porch and a woman’s voice floated into the house moments before the front door screen slammed. Matt walked into the kitchen laden with shopping bags. “Hey. You okay?”
She put on a happy face. “Sure am. You don’t have to worry about me so much, Matt. I’m fine.”
“It’s my job to worry about people. It’s what I do.” He put the bags on the counter. “Ryan is going to be fine. Stop stressing over him and enjoy your weekend off.” He pulled out a tray of seedlings and walked out to the vegetable garden with them. Seconds later he was back. “Tell me what’s really worrying you.”
She chewed on her lip before answering. “I think he’s going to retire. He’s hinting at some big changes.” She found it hard to keep the worry from her voice. It wasn’t that her uncle wanted to walk away from the business, not entirely. She knew it would be hard to replace him and she wanted what was best for him after his near death experience. What worried Mia was what to do now. She felt like she was at a crossroads with no idea which way to go.
“I can understand that. If it was me, I’d feel the same way. The doctor did warn you that’s what he should do. You shouldn’t really be surprised about it.” He put a bag of apples on the counter. “If I recall correctly, you agreed with the doctor so I don’t get why you’re fighting it now.”
She nodded, licked her lips, and continued. “I know and I shouldn’t be. It makes me look pathetic and nasty. He deserves a break. He’s worked so hard since my folks died, not only helping to keep me grounded but backing my dream with the business. When things got really hectic, he even gave up his job at the bank to take over management and helped me take the company public.”
Matt turned to her. “So why are you so scared to let him go then?”
“I don’t know. Maybe that’s it. I just don’t know what’s going to happen with him not there. I hate that.”
He stepped over and put a hand on her shoulder. “You know, Mia, you can’t control everything. Sometimes you just need to let go and let things fall into place.” He smiled and tipped his head to the front porch. “Gigi is out there with him and it looks as though they’re hitting it off just fine. Maybe it’s time he got a chance to live his own life, make new friends, see new places away from the stress of it all. He’s going to be okay no matter what he does, so don’t worry.”
But would she be okay?
Chapter 16
“Keep in touch, please?”
Mia held the door of her car open. “Sure. You look after Ryan for me. Don’t let him do too much.”
Matt grinned. “You know I won’t. Will you be back next weekend?”
Doubt flickered through her eyes. “Not sure. We’ll see how the week goes.” Mia got into the car and pulled her door shut. When she started the engine, she hit the window button. “I’ll let you know, Matt.”
“Good. I have a full house for the next few days but I’ll pencil in a room for you anyway.”
Matt stood and watched as she drove away. He waited for her to slip her hand out the window and wave but she didn’t. The more relaxed Mia he’d grown accustomed to was now gone. Back in her place was the overworked, singularly focused, and utterly different Mia. Matt sighed and headed back indoors.
He was cleaning the breakfast dishes and planning lunch when Ryan wandered into the kitchen. “Hey.”
Matt grinned. He’d come to really like this man. Besides being calm and kind, Ryan told him stories about his father he’d never heard before. He seemed to have made an impression on Gigi too. “Hey yourself. Coffee?”
Ryan nodded and perched himself on a stool at the island. “Sure. So long as I’m not interrupting anything.”
“Are you kidding? It’s good to have someone to talk to. That’s the reason I opened this business.”
“And because you’re good with people.” Ryan accepted the coffee. “Thanks.”
“Some, yes. It doesn’t seem as though I can make much of an impression on Mia now that she’s back in charge of the company.” He placed his hands on his hips. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be talking to you like this. I had great hopes for the two of us when she first came over. Now, she’s like a different person and I don’t know how to deal with that.”
“My fault for disrupting your plans. But don’t lose hope.” Ryan sipped.
“Perhaps once things settle down, Mia will rethink us.” At least, that was what Matt hoped.
“Listen, between you and me. Your aunt Gigi is a lovely woman.” Ryan cleared his throat. “Is she seeing anyone?”
Matt’s lips twitched. “Not that I know of. There was someone but that seems to have run its course.”
“Good. That’s good, then.” He tapped his fingers on the wooden surface and then gave Matt a wistful grin. “I’m thinking of announcing my retirement. Not sure if anyone’s said anything to you yet. Mia skipped over that and doesn’t want to talk about it yet. I think it’s all a bit of a shock to her.”
“Just seeing you in hospital when you had your heart attack was a shock. I think she’ll get used
