Gigi smiled at her, the older woman’s serene calm just what Mia needed at this stage of the journey. It was no wonder Ryan had fallen for her. “You’ll love living on the island. Such a relaxed way of life. I can’t believe how well Ryan has adjusted to it. Busy businessman turns into island local before you can blink an eye. It’s lovely to see.”
If Gigi was here for her approval, Mia was keen to give it. Anything to make Ryan happy after what he’d done for her. “You have a lot to do with that. I haven’t seen him this chilled out in ages.”
The older woman blushed.
“While you’re here, Gigi, I wonder, can we talk business? I was going to approach you anyway but time has gotten away from me. I wondered if you’d be interested in displaying any of your paintings in the shop? I’d like to sell them and use them in my renovations too, of course. You don’t have to say yes. I know you have an agent in New York who sells your work so please don’t feel pressured to deal with me if you don’t want to.”
Gigi held a hand to her throat. “Well, that’s very kind of you. Are you sure you want to display them? They’re not exactly cheap and that’s one reason I didn’t say yes when you first mentioned it. I’d hate to put that pressure on you.”
Mia put down her mug and perched on a stool. “I actually had a thought about that too. Remember how I asked you if you’d ever thought of putting any of your work to print? I’d like to discuss that now if you don’t mind. Limited edition, of course. They’d sell much easier because of the price point but still, I have customers who’d be more than willing to spend big money to own one of your originals.”
Gigi accepted the cup Mia held out. “Thank you. I hadn’t thought of that until you mentioned it over dinner that night. It’s certainly worth thinking about. Perhaps I should chat more to Atticus and Ryan about it. Possibly run it past my agent too. See what the best way to go about it would be.” She sipped her coffee. “I like talking to you, Mia. You have some wonderful ideas.”
That was praise she was willing to take. Especially from such a well-known artist. “Thanks. Come downstairs and have a look at some of my favorite pieces. Bring your coffee. I was just unpacking when you arrived.”
Together they headed back down to the store and Mia pulled out some of the one off designs she’d purchased from an Italian glass blower. She held up a hanging piece and took it into the light near the window to show it off at its best. The colors floated over the wall as it moved in the sunlight.
“What do you think?”
Gigi stepped closer. “That is superb. I love it.”
Mia smiled. It’d been a big risk spending so much money on these designs but she thought they’d still sell regardless of price to the right person. “Thanks. I’m trying to get a good mix of styles and prices to suit everyone’s budget. Not always an easy thing to do, but I’m sure it’ll work out.”
“I’m sure it will. Things have a way of doing that. And often for the better too.”
“You think so? I was quite shocked when Ryan said he was quitting and moving here, but I didn’t blame him in the least. More than anything, I think I was more concerned that he would miss the city.”
“But he doesn’t.”
“No. It would seem that he’s found his feet, and I’m glad.”
Gigi held her coffee and wandered around the room. “It can be a shock after living in a city, but once you find your groove, Hope Island a wonderful place to be. Just like when I came to the island—I’m sure you know the story. When his wife passed, poor Atticus was left with four toddlers and newborn twins, so I rushed over here to help him raise the children. What a time that was. So much grief, so much pain to deal with, and little children who had no idea what was going on. But we all worked it out.”
“You seem to be very settled here. You don’t miss living in New York at all?” Mia put down the glass piece on her recycled table that she’d earmarked for the shop register.
“Not in the slightest. We have the children and I wouldn’t change that for the world.”
“You don’t regret not having your own family? Getting married?”
“No, I don’t. As far as I’m concerned, they’re all my children too. I may not’ve given birth to them, but that makes no difference. I held them when they cried, patched them up when they skinned their knees, and corrected them when they misbehaved. I still do, as much as they might not like it. I did everything their mother would’ve done except carry and give birth to them.” She smiled. “No, I’ve never regretted a thing.”
* * *
Matt was busy doing his accounts when he heard a knock on the back door.
“Matt, are you in here?” Mia’s voice drifted up the stairs to the attic.
“Up here.” He pushed away his books and made his way downstairs. “Everything okay?”
She peered up at him as he came down toward her. “Maybe. Yes. No. I don’t know.”
His heart pounded. “What’s wrong?” He reached for her as soon as he was close. “Tell me.”
“I’m an idiot.”
He grinned and shook his head. “I need more than that to go on. Why, what’ve you done?” He put his arm around her and walked her into the kitchen. “Sit down and tell me.”
She moved in his arms. “No. I need to say this and get it off my chest.” Mia paused, took a breath and started. “I had a visit from your aunt today. She made me see how silly I’ve
