“You look like you’re having an inner struggle, Matt.” Ryan walked into the kitchen and put his empty glass on the kitchen counter. “Anything I can help you with?”
“Dad was just here. Said he’s showing Mia some properties.”
“Yes, that’s right. She didn’t argue at all with our ideas for the company, which blew me away. I thought we’d have a battle on our hands getting her to step away from the business. But it turned out to be her choice. I have to say I’m thrilled to bits about how it all came together. It’s about time she slowed down.” Ryan slid onto what was fast becoming his stool. “Gives you kids a bit more of a chance with her here on the island.”
“Yes, I guess it does.” Matt breathed. “Better get something nice planned for dinner then. Might be a celebration if all goes well.”
“I’m hoping so. I think the freedom to take on other projects will give her a whole new outlook on life. Maybe she’ll learn to live a little instead of working herself to death.”
“I’m impressed. I’m glad she’s being smart about this.”
“Me too. But at the end of the day, she’s nothing if not sensible. She’ll do what’s right for everyone involved. Mia’s always been like that even if she panics initially about how it will all come together.”
Matt hoped that she decided a relationship between the two of them was a sensible thing to do.
Chapter 18
“Mia.” Matt hurried outside when her car pulled into its usual spot outside the kitchen.
Mia smiled, got out, and he held her in his arms. “Hey. How’s everything?”
“Better now that you’re back. Tell me all about what’s happening. I can’t wait to hear what you have planned.” He grabbed her overnight bag from the trunk and took her arm up as they walked up the path to the kitchen door.
“Sorry I didn’t let you know I was coming. I wanted it to be a surprise, but your father said he mentioned it to you.”
“He did but that’s okay. You’re here now and that’s all that matters.”
“I’m leaving the company, Matt.”
“I figured as much. Maybe later, you and I can go for a walk and talk it all over. What do you say?”
Mia squeezed his hand and that went a long way toward making Matt feel better about not being told of her arrival.
“Of course. I can’t wait to tell you everything.”
“And I can’t wait to hear it. Go and say hello to Ryan while I put this in your room. I think he’s fussing with the flower bed out front. I’ll bring coffee out to the front porch if you like, and you can tell both of us together.”
“You’re a gem. Thanks.” She walked through the house and Matt ran up the stairs with her bag, dropping it inside her bedroom door.
By the time he got everything organized and carried the tray out to the porch, Mia and her uncle were coming up the path. She smiled. “I could really use a cup of your coffee. I’m parched and desperate for a caffeine hit.”
“Did you settle on a building though? That’s what I want to know.” Ryan waited until she was seated and then took his own.
“I think so. I need to go over the finer details with Atticus but I really liked the three empty shops on the back street he showed me. I discovered them when I was walking the first week I was here and they stuck in my head. They could easily be turned into one big shop if Atticus doesn’t mind. I don’t need to be down at the wharf where tourists can see me. Not for what I have planned.” She took the cup Matt offered and sat back.
Matt pulled up a chair of his own. “Tell us. I’m excited about you coming to Hope Island.”
She smiled at him and Matt melted. “It was Ryan’s idea. But once the board had agreed to sell, I made inquiries. There’s a couple of networks that are interested in me doing a show. It’d keep me busy for a few months of the year and that would give me time to have a shop as well. Maybe employ a local to work with me because there’d be times I wouldn’t be on the island. When we’re shooting, for example.” She sipped the coffee and sighed. “That’s so good.”
Matt held out the plate of raspberry friands he’d made earlier. She gave him a look of pain and he laughed. “You know you want to. Go on, they’re not bad for you; I promise.”
“Matt’s been making me heart healthy meals. Even healthy sweet treats.” Ryan patted his belly. “Gotta watch my figure now.”
“If you insist. Is there anything you can’t do, Matt?”
“Can we talk about that later? I don’t want to change the subject when we are talking about you. So, a show?”
“Yes. It makes sense, really. Home renovation shows are money-makers at the moment, and with the name I already have, the networks are sure it’d be a success.”
“I have no doubt about it either. That’s why I suggested it when we discussed your future.” Ryan took a bite of his friand and chewed. “Matt, you should have your own show too. These are amazing.”
“Thanks but I’ll leave the celebrity stuff to our girl here.”
* * *
She had to tell him before he assumed they would be a couple. She liked Matt—a lot—but the two of them together wasn’t a possibility. Not with her condition. Not with the risk to any children they might have and she knew he wanted babies.
She’d lost her parents to ill health and it’d done serious mental harm to her. She wouldn’t put any child
