Worth Fighting For (Hope Harbor Book 4) Page 7

  He shook his head. “No, but maybe you should. You have a good reputation to back you up. Could make you some good money if done right.”

  Mia sat up straight, the idea taking root in her tired brain. “I’m always looking for good paintings and prints to put in the shops for customers to purchase. If you’re open to the idea, we can talk about it another day.”

  Gigi put a handful of cutlery on the table. “Let me think about it.”

  Had she gone too far? Mia hadn’t meant to let business slip into what promised to be a casual meal with new friends, but she couldn’t help it. She saw the glances pass between Atticus and Matt and kicked herself. She needed to learn to separate private life and work—something she hadn’t even considered before coming to Hope Island.

  * * *

  The following day, they started work early. It was mid-afternoon when Matt hammered the final nail into the timber and stood back to look at the shiplap he’d fitted in place. Mia was right. It turned the tired old attic to a whole new space. “That looks amazing, even if I say so myself.”

  “I knew it would. I’ll paint it if you like.” Mia grinned.

  With an offer like that, he’d be silly to turn it down. Besides, he liked working with Mia. “Sure, but how about this for an idea. Let’s go down to the harbor for an ice cream break this afternoon, and we’ll get an early start tomorrow with the painting. You do the cutting in and I’ll roll the ceilings. Then, if you feel like it, you can grab the other roller and help with the walls. It’d be good to get it done in one day if we can. Then the following day we can decorate the space, if you’re up to it.” It was good of her to help him. In the last week, she’d warmed to him; she’d relaxed and become a different person. It was amazing what a break from normal life could do. She had a glow to her now, and he was thrilled he had a part in that.

  “Are you kidding? With an offer like that, how can a girl resist?”

  She was easy to be around and the more time they spent together, the more he found out who the real Mia was—the funny girl, the warm, willing helper, and the dedicated team player. He liked what he saw. When she went back to Seattle, he was going to miss her.

  “Great. Let’s clean up and head to town.” Matt followed her out the door and headed to his own room to get out of his work clothes and shower. He hurried to get ready, excited to take Mia on a ‘date.’ By the time he was running a comb through his hair, he heard her footsteps on the stairs.

  “Wow, you look amazing.” She wore white cut-off jeans and a flowing lemon yellow shirt with puffy sleeves. Her hair hung loose around her shoulders.

  Was that a lick of pink flushing her cheeks? Nice to see that he had some effect on her.

  “Thanks. You’re looking pretty good yourself.”

  He held out his hand and together they walked down the hill to the harbor. “We have the best ice cream shop here. My only gripe is that it closes down for a few months in winter. Not many people want to make the effort to eat cones when the snow is thick on the ground so that’s when the owners take a holiday off the island.”

  “That makes sense to me.”

  As they walked into the shop, a couple of children ran out with cones in their hands. Matt put a hand on her back. “What flavor would you like?”

  Mia pressed her nose against cabinet despite the cold glass and read each flavor. “It’s so hard to choose.”

  The shop assistant laughed. “You can have a double scoop if you like.”

  “Sounds amazing, but there’s three I can’t decide between.” She looked at Matt and shrugged. “What are you having?

  “Tell me what you want and we can get a takeaway tub for supper if you like. I always have chocolate—can’t beat it.”

  “Awesome. That was one of my choices. How cool is that?” She laughed before choosing the other two. “I’ll have macadamia and peach please.”

  “And I’ll have chocolate with a tub to take home please, Maria. I’ll grab the tub when we head back up the hill if that’s okay?”

  “You got it, Matt.”

  With cones in their hands, they wandered out to the wharf and found a bench to sit on facing the ocean. “This is the life,” Matt said, watching a seagull dip and dive as it hunted for its food.

  Mia licked her ice cream, catching the small drip that had fallen on her hand. “You know, I might have to agree with you. I’m actually enjoying myself now. Never thought I would, but the last few days have been amazing.”

  “Glad to hear it. Maybe you just needed to destress before you could see the beauty around you.”

  She paused, her face going through a mix of emotions before turning to stare into his eyes. Her mouth opened and her eyes dropped to his lips before she caught herself. She looked away, concentrated on her ice cream again. “Maybe you’re right.”

  They spent another hour wandering the wharf before heading back to the house for a quiet dinner and an early night.

  The following morning they grabbed their respective tools and got to work, only breaking for a quick lunch on the front porch. Matt had soft jazz music from his cell phone playing by the door and the windows were open to let in the breeze. They worked together until they finished the job. When they put down their brushes, Mia leaned into Matt like an old friend.

  I can’t believe this is happening. She’s so different from when she arrived. Wonder what she’d say if I kissed her or is it too soon? I want to find out but don’t want to scare her away.

  Mia smiled as she looked around at what they’d done. “That looks terrific. I’m so happy with how it turned out.”

  He casually slung his arm over her shoulder as if it was the most natural thing in the world to do and waited for her to react. “I’m more than happy. I’m blown away. You do good work, Mia. It’s no wonder you’re so successful.” He held his breath but she didn’t shy away from him. It gave Matt a boost to his confidence.

  “Why, thank you, kind sir.” She turned to face him. “But we both had a hand in this. I think we should clean up and celebrate. What do you say?”

  Matt wiped at a spot of paint on her cheek and she held her breath. “What do you suggest?”

  She thought for a moment. “You know what I haven’t had for ages and I only just thought of today?”

  “Tell me.”

  “Fish and chips. Real old fashioned fish and chips. You know, like wrapped in paper sitting on the wharf like we did yesterday with the ice-creams. What do you say? Is there a shop on the island like that? If so, it’s my treat.”

  “It just so happens the boat club do a pretty good fish mean but they serve it in a takeout box, not paper. If you can handle that, you’ve got a deal. But I’m buying dessert.” He lifted her chin and dropped a kiss on her forehead before he could give it much thought. Thank goodness she didn’t seem to mind, which gave him buckets of hope for the future.

  “Now, go and hit the shower and dress warm. It’s going to be a bit chilly by the look of those clouds, but it’ll be worth it when you taste the food. Nothing like the wind off the water whipping around your ears to give you an appetite either. It’s invigorating to say the least, but the walk there and back will help with that.”

  Mia laughed and then squealed as she walked out the door and downstairs to her room. When Matt heard her door slam, he made his way downstairs to his own room. She hadn’t protested about the kiss! Admittedly it wasn’t on the lips, but as a testing-out-how-she’d-react kiss, he felt it was well received. Matt wanted to do a hip wiggle but restrained himself to a cheesy grin instead.

  Matt showered and dressed in casual jeans and a sweater, and grabbed a beanie as Mia came down the stairs. She’d wound a bright red scarf around her neck as she walked into the kitchen.

  “Ready?” He put his cell in his back pocket, made sure he had his wallet and opened the back door for her.

  “Sure am. I’ve worked up an appetite today, which is really unlike me.” She followed him out the door and around the back of the house. “
Not used to so much exercise and fresh air.”

  Matt took her hand as they crossed over and walked down the path to the wharf. “That’s the thing about living over here. The sea air makes you want to get out and do things. I think I’d be stifled in the city, always having to battle the traffic and fight for car space. Over here you don’t have the smog or the congestion. Such an easier way of life.”

  Mia swung their hands but didn’t pull away from him. “It is. I’m actually liking it more and more. I didn’t realize how stressed out I was. Silly really, because I wasn’t living a good life.” She took a deep breath and laughed. “Out here I can actually feel the energy in the breeze instead of exhaust fumes.”

  “You should think about spending more time on the island then. Nobody said you have to go back to the kind of work schedule you left behind, you know.”

  She paused and stared at him, her eyes lighting up. “Are you saying I should spend more time with you, Matt?”

  He slipped his arm around her back and pulled her close. “If that’s what you want, then yes, I am.”

  Her eyes widened and her lips parted as a soft ‘oh’ escaped her mouth. A glimmer of hope rose in his chest. Should he risk a full-on kiss this soon? Was she ready to take things to the next level?

  He dipped his head and gently took her lips with his. Mia’s eyes fluttered closed.

  Matt allowed himself one sweep of his tongue over her lips before he pulled back. “But only if that’s what you want.”

  “I’ll be sure to give it some thought.” Color flushed her cheeks. “Now how about dinner? I’m starving.” She pulled his hand and they started walking again.

  Some thought? What the heck did that mean? But didn’t she just give him the impression she was into him? Mixed signals confused the crap out of him. How was he supposed to take that comment?

  Chapter 9

  On Saturday afternoon, a heavily pregnant woman welcomed Mia and Matt into the house. “Welcome. You must be the decorating whiz named Mia I’ve heard so much about.’

  Mia winced. This family was keen to discuss her but she didn’t really mind. They were all so nice. “Not sure if that’s a good thing or not, but yes, that would be me.” She handed over the baby gift she’d made and stood back next to Matt, worried about how her offering would be received. She’d found some old toys in the boxes in the garage and asked Matt if she could use the antique teething ring, an old china and silver rattle, and a tin spinning top with dents that showed how well loved it once was. She’d put them in a cane basket she’d whitewashed and added some bright orange bunting to hang around the room. In between the toys, Mia had placed a couple of white washcloths, a bath towel, and a bottle of organic baby wash she’d found in the gift shop.

  “Oh, you shouldn’t have.” April’s face lit up as she took the basket and carried it inside. Matt and Mia followed and the three were greeted by Gigi and Atticus. “Look what Mia made for me.”

  Atticus glanced at the basket and came over for a closer look. “Hang on, I recognize some of those items. Isn’t that the teething ring that used to belong to Drew?”

  Gigi had come to stand beside him. “That’s the rattle I sent for Aggie when she was born.” She smiled wistfully. “Where did you find them, Mia?”

  Mia was having second thoughts about using them now and second guessing her instinct. What if everyone was annoyed that she’d helped herself to family heirlooms? Would they think she was overstepping the boundaries? “They were in the attic when Matt and I cleaned it out. He said it would be okay if I cleaned them up and used them in a gift basket for April’s baby.”

  April wrapped her arms around Mia and held her tight. She sniffed and gave Mia an extra little squeeze before letting her go. “That is so sweet of you. You’re so clever to think of using something that belonged to the family. I’ll treasure them; I promise.” Gigi handed April a tissue and she dabbed her eyes and laughed. “Don’t mind me. I’m an emotional wreck right now. I can’t wait for this baby to make its appearance. Things might get back to normal.”

  Drew snorted his disbelief. “I highly doubt that, my dear wife. Matt.” He came over and slapped his brother on the shoulder and looked at Mia. “So this is the woman you’ve been hiding out with?”

  Matt frowned and gave his brother a fake punch to the arm. “Idiot. We’ve been working, if you must know. Mia, this is Drew, the oldest brother and biggest pain-in-the-butt. Drew, Mia.”

  Just working? Interesting turn of phrase. Maybe that was the best way to keep things because she wasn’t here for the long haul.

  Drew shook her hand. “What’s this I heard about you using my baby rattle?”

  Mia stood taller. “It was one of the items in the attic that seemed to be gathering dust. When Matt and I cleaned out the space, he didn’t know what to do with it, and since I wanted something unique for the baby shower gift, I went hunting and came up with these items. I hope you don’t mind?”

  Drew glanced at them and smiled. “Mind? Why the heck would I mind? I’d forgotten about it completely.” He picked up the rattle and shook it, a wistful smile touching his lips. “Sounds kind of familiar but I doubt I would’ve remembered it was mine without you telling me.”

  April patted him on the arm. “Poor Drew is suffering baby brain of late.”

  Atticus grinned and winked at Mia. “I would’ve thought that was purely a female complaint myself. Don’t ever recall going through it when your mom was pregnant.”

  “He’s special, Atticus. Not your average guy.” April pulled other items from the basket and came across an antique-looking picture frame. “You know what he’s like.”

  Mia held her hands in front of her, crossing her fingers that April would like it. “I left that empty for baby’s first photo. But it’s up to you to do whatever you like with it of course. I don’t mind so long as you like it.”

  April gave her a misty-eyed smile. “I love it, Mia. Where on earth did you find it?”

  Matt put his arm around her shoulders as she accepted the praise from his family.

  “Actually, I made that myself. I like to tinker with wood too. I don’t do it nearly enough these days so I really enjoyed it.”

  Gigi gasped. “No way. Seriously, how did you do that?” She took the frame from April and turned it over in her hands. “You’re so clever, Mia. You must tell me how you got that lovely aged patina. It’s fabulous.”

  “It’d be my pleasure and it’s so easy.”

  * * *

  While the girls listened to Mia describe her process, Matt followed his father out to the front deck and breathed in the sea breeze.

  “Get you a beer, son?”

  “Please.”

  “How is the renovating going? Almost done?” He handed over a bottle to Matt from the cooler sitting in the shade.

  “Almost. We finished the painting yesterday. It looks amazing, Dad. Mia wants to put moldings around the windows to give them more character and definition so that’s going on tomorrow. Then we’re going to look at the decorating side of things. Not my forte but listening to her talk, it shouldn’t be that hard. She’s already thrown so many ideas at me, my head’s spinning.”

  “She seems to know what she’s doing.”

  “She does. Certainly has an eye for what goes with what.”

  His father gave a small chuckle. “I can imagine. That basket is perfect. Who would’ve thought of using your old toys to hand down to the next generation.”

  “You don’t mind do you, Dad?” There was every possibility that his father would react badly. Their childhood items would bring up memories of their mother, but he hadn’t seemed concerned when Matt had taken the boxes.

  “Not at all. You know I didn’t want them. That’s why you got everything when I cleaned up my place. I’m just glad you didn’t throw it all out.” He sipped his beer. “Listen, do you think Mia would be interested in opening a shop on the island?”

  Matt sucked in a breath. It was what he was thinkin
g but was too scared to suggest. “What makes you ask that? She has a huge company to run, Dad. I can’t see her settling for a gift shop here as much as the idea has merit as far as I’m concerned.” He looked back into the house to see if she could hear their conversation. She was busy talking to April and Gigi. As he watched, they gathered up the basket and walked up the stairs. April was probably going to show Mia the nursery, so Matt felt he could talk freely with his father.

  Atticus took it as a sign to speak his mind now the women had left the room. “I don’t want you to repeat this, but I was speaking to Ryan. The board members discussed the idea of selling off the shops after they were approached by someone interested in investing. Going with a franchise type of deal. Mia doesn’t know yet because it’s only just happened, and but a decision hasn’t been made. He’ll call her as he gets more details and get her opinion on it, since she started the company.” His dad stared him in the eye. “The board doesn’t want to lose Mia, but by the same token, they don’t want her to crash and burn either. If they were to sell out now, it’d sure take a load off of her shoulders.”

  It would probably break her heart too, from what he knew of her. Admittedly, Matt hadn’t known her long but it was long enough to know that her business was everything to her. “I don’t think she’d like that.” He sighed. “Why are you telling me, Dad?”

  “Probably because you’re my son. I value your opinion.”

  “I get that, but since Mia is here staying with me, I feel awkward. I’d rather you don’t say anything to me, to be honest. Especially if it might mean she loses her business.”

  His father shook his head. “You don’t understand. She no longer owns the business, Matt. At least not technically. She owns a large block of shares along with other investors, including me, but she no longer has control over it. She knew that when she opted to take the company public. To be totally frank, she’s more like a manager for the business now.” He took a sip of his beer. “We’re only thinking ahead at this stage. Nothing is stagnant in business—you know that. It could be a good deal. For a start, it would make each shop owner responsible for their own inventory instead of Mia doing it. They’d choose what they wanted to stock. She’d still be the head buyer and everything would go to a warehouse instead of direct to the individual stores, to hold the stock until it got ordered and shipped out. I like the idea, but I’m talking not just as a business-minded person, but also as a shareholder. Although I have to tell them what I think later this week once they get figures to me.”