Chapter 18
Mia woke just as the sun began cresting the skyline. She threw off her covers and went to the window. Outside, the sun’s rays held the Midas touch. Her fingers itched to paint the way the sun streamed through the barren branches of the oak on the side of the yard, casting each twig in gold. She grabbed her cell phone and snapped a few photos. The phone’s camera didn’t do the vibrant colors justice, but it would remind her when she set up her easel later.
Her easel. Huh. Funny how that thought had slipped into her mind.
Now that she didn’t have to worry about where she and the kids were going to be living, her creative thoughts knocked on the door of her brain and demanded entry. Yeah, moving back in with her parents felt a bit like taking a step backward, but it was worth it just to have the thousand-pound elephant off her shoulders.
Today, she would paint again. A pulse of gratitude flooded her. Cody had reawakened her desire to paint with his romantic date.
She couldn’t stop grinning as she pulled on an old pair of pants and a grubby T-shirt. She’d called Cody a few times to tell him she wanted to meet up so she could tell him she was ready for a relationship, but it went to voicemail. Something this big shouldn’t be said in a message. She would go over there later to talk it over with him.
Knowing that she would be creating again made her feel more like herself than she’d felt in a very long time.
So. Painting. But first, pancakes.
Finn and Maggie came out to the kitchen while she mixed up a batch of blueberry pancakes. She dragged a chair to the countertop so Maggie could help drop the batter onto the electric griddle, then she hoisted Finn into her arms so he could flip them.
A dozen imperfect pancakes later, they sat down to eat. “Finn, can you say a prayer for us?” Beside her, Maggie scrunched her eyes closed and knit her hands together under her chin.
Finn sat up straighter in his chair and began. “For this food that breaks our fast, for this morning come at last, for this love that we share, thank you God for all Your care.”
“Thank you, Finn,” Mia said. “After we eat, do you guys want to do something fun? I want to show you how I used to use paints.”
Both kids finished their pancakes in record time.
She buttoned Maggie and Finn each into one of Troy’s old shirts and rolled up the sleeves before donning one herself. She decided to set up in the kitchen. The light was good in there, and the sink was handy for cleanups. She covered the table with a few plastic garbage bags.
The kids trailed behind her as she moved around the house taking out her supplies from the places she’d stashed them. She made them stay down in the hall, though, as she went up into the attic crawl space for a large canvas she’d put up there.
Mia’s hands shook as she uncovered the supplies. Was she really going to do this?
She took a deep breath. Yes. This was the right choice.
Back in the kitchen again, she showed them how to squirt a little paint onto their paper plate pallet and mix the colors.
“It’s fun to see what kinds of contrasts you can make,” she said. Finn splatted blobs all over his canvas while Maggie, tongue between her teeth, made long streaks across hers from edge to edge. Mia pulled up her sunrise photo on her phone. She mixed a few colors together, trying to get the golden shade of the morning. Take it slow. It’d been a long time.
Today’s painting wasn’t about getting it right or being perfect. It was about having fun with her kids and letting her hair down.
Cody had been right. She should share this part of herself with her children. And she shouldn’t deny that she needed to create. Cody had also showed her how to be more relaxed with the kids. That they could have fun together sometimes.
The doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it!” The mainland probably heard Finn’s jubilant shout, but Mia let it go this time. She felt a little like shouting herself.
She heard the door open and then footsteps back to them in the kitchen. She looked up.
Cody.
He leaned in the kitchen doorway, one arm propped on the jamb. He wore dark pants and a fitted blazer instead of his usual jeans and flannel jacket. His hair was tamed, and she caught a whiff of his styling product, something spicy and heady. A smile ghosted his lips and her breath caught.
How could she ever have thought she could go on without him?
“I hope you don’t mind me barging in,” Cody said. “Finn said you’re painting?” A note of surprise crept into his voice and lit his eyes.
“You were right. I need to do this once in a while.” She motioned to the canvas in front of her, its streaks of gold already taking the shape of an oak.
“I need to talk to you.”
“I’m glad you’re here.” Mia and Cody spoke together.
“Sorry, you go first,” Cody said.
Mia shot him a weak smile. “We should probably clean this up first. I don’t want the kids getting paint on your nice clothes.”
“I don’t mind a little paint.”
“All the same…”
Mia showed the kids how to rinse out their paintbrushes, and Cody capped the paints and stacked the supplies into their boxes. She left the canvases on the table to dry. She patted the one she’d been working on, the lines still fresh in her mind. I’ll be back for you.
A few minutes later, the kids were in the backyard playing on the ancient swing set Troy had dragged home one day shortly after Finn was born. Mia tugged two plastic chairs together, and she and Cody sat and watched the kids.
“Dani told me you’re moving home.” Cody leaned back in his chair, the plastic squeaking in the chilly air.
“Yep. After all our hard work, I didn’t meet my quota for the mortgage.” Mia hugged her arms to herself.
“How do you feel about that?”
“It’s funny, I thought I’d be more upset, but I’m learning to trust God. I’m very sad to be leaving this house, but I’m proud of the work I did trying to keep it. The island will have some great new businesses.”
“You did a really good job. It’s not worth much, but I’m proud of you.”
“That means a lot, thank you.” Mia’s heart warmed at his words. Being admired by Cody was amazing. “Was this what you came over here to talk about?”
“No, actually.” Cody leaned forward and put his arms on his knees. His eyes grew intense. “I’ve done a lot of thinking the past few days. I even went over to my dad’s and hashed things out with him.”
“Code, that’s great.”
“Yeah, story for another time.” Cody waved it off. “Mia, I gave up too easily the other night when you said we couldn’t be together. It’s been a pattern of mine throughout my life, a pattern I’d like to change. Starting today. I’m learning that God wants good things for me, and I shouldn’t be afraid to follow my dreams, even fight for them when necessary. So, here I am, fighting for the dream of being with you.”
Mia stared at him. This determination was a good look for Cody. Her mind scrambled to find a reply. You are my dream too…I’ll fight with you…But she must have been silent a beat too long because Cody stood.
“I understand. I can even understand your fears. I’m reopening my dad’s business, and I know what that might mean for us. But I couldn’t let you go without telling you everything and making sure you knew that I love you. And that I will wait for you as long as you need.” He took a step away. “You’re not alone, Mia. You can depend on other people, on me.”
“I love you.” The words burst from her in a rush. Cody’s gaze flew to hers. She stood and moved across the space between them. “You were right the other night. I do love you, Cody. I think my heart knew it all along, just took my mind a little time to catch up. I’ve realized something the past few days. I tried to call you to tell you this morning, but you didn’t answer.” She reached out and touched his forearm. It warmed under her caress. His eyes searched her face. “My life is better with you in it. You were right that we can’t protect ourselves from every pain or fear. I want to fight for us with you and walk through these things together. I’ve realized that raising my kids, and doing my job, and anything really, I can’t do it alone. And more importantly, I don’t have to.”
Cody put his hand over hers on his arm. “Go back to what you said before.”
“I don’t have to do it alone?”
“No, the other thing.” His eyes crinkled at the corners.
Her lips turned up in response. “You were right?”
“No, the other other thing.”
A zing zipped along her spine. “I love you?”
“That’s the one.” His smile bloomed.
She put her hand on top of his. A hand sandwich. “I do love you. I love your spontaneity. I love your gentle spirit. I love your love of doorknobs.” She gave him a wink. “And it doesn’t hurt that you’re also very cute.”
“I was going for debonair.” He gestured at the clothes.
“That too.” She leaned toward him. “Cody?”
“Hmm?”
“You can kiss me now.”
He pulled his hands free and cupped them around her face. Slowly, he rubbed his thumbs over her cheekbones, sending a delicious shiver through her. He leaned toward her and met her lips. She saw his eyes crinkle in a smile for a second, but then hers slid closed. She pressed closer to him, and he moved his arms around to her back. He tightened his grip before moving one hand to cup the back of her head.
Cody’s embrace was like being wrapped in her favorite blanket, safe in her own living room, but it was also like lighting a thousand fireworks. Surely the people in Port Joseph could see the sparks all the way across Lake Huron.
“Mommy, are you kissing Cody?” Finn’s voice of absolute disgust broke the spell around them.
Mia kept her arms around Cody but pulled back to speak to Finn. “Yes. I am. Is that okay?”
“I guess.” He wrinkled his nose. “Can I have a hot chocolate?”
Cody released her. A terrible loss. “I actually wondered if you guys would like to take a walk with me,” he said. “I have something I want to show you.”
Finn stared at him out of the corner of his eye. “Can we take the wagon?”
“Sure, bud. Maybe we can get hot chocolate after.” He held a hand out to Mia. “How about it? Want to take a walk with me?”
Looking into his eyes, she knew that she would go anywhere as long as they were together.
* * *
Life didn’t get much better than this.
Once again, Cody and Mia and Mia’s kids walked the familiar path into town. This time though, Cody couldn’t stop grinning.
“What are you so happy about?” Mia bumped him with her shoulder. He looked down at her. Pale yellow sweater, slim jeans, a matching yellow bandanna in her hair, she was sunshine embodied. Behind them, in the wagon, Maggie’s purple bobble hat bounced to the rhythm of their steps. Finn pretended to be driving a race car, or maybe it was a boat with the growling and splashing noises he made.
“Can’t I just be happy to be walking with a beautiful woman and two great kids?” He tucked her hand into his.
“I suppose.” Her smile dimmed.
“I know that look. What’s up?”
“It’s just that I’m a little sad to be leaving this neighborhood.” She waved her arm in an “all this” gesture. “Don’t get me wrong, it was wonderful of my parents to allow me to move there, but their house is a little isolated up there on the northern tip of the island…and Lilac Lane feels more like home, you know?”
He nodded. With all the time he’d spent there the past few weeks, it had come to feel like home for him too.
“I just wish I knew when the bank was going to repossess it. They haven’t given me an exact date, so it’s hard for me to plan. I don’t want to move Finn and Maggie out until the very last minute. Maybe that’s selfish of me.”
“I don’t know. It doesn’t sound selfish to me. You want the best for your kids. That’s admirable. And you’re probably the least selfish person I’ve ever met.”
The pensive look faded from her face and was replaced by a toothy smile. He gave her hand a squeeze. “Okay, that was a switch. Now what are you so happy about?”
“I was just remembering a few weeks ago when I was walking this route alone. My life has changed so much since then.”
“For the better I hope.” Cody waggled his eyebrows at her.
“Definitely for the better.” She looped her arm into his and smiled up at him. Behind them, the kids were singing a song about the wheels on a bus.
Yeah. His had changed for the better also. Now that the burden of guilt about Troy’s death had rolled off his back, he felt a hundred pounds lighter. Of course, the ability to move forward with his fishing business helped too. Add in the newfound footing he and Mia had found, well it was almost enough to make a grown man break out into song.
The only cloud on his horizon was the one that wondered if he’d overstepped with his surprise.
Guess they’d find out in a minute.
He pulled the wagon to a stop at the old Sampson gallery. The sun seemed prepared to help him out, perfectly lighting the scene. Even from outside the doors, he could see that the warm, yellow paint inside the gallery was making the interior glow. He unlocked the door and ushered them all in, leaving the wagon on the sidewalk.
“I still can’t believe how wonderful this place looks,” Mia said. The kids made a beeline for the hidden door.
“Don’t worry. I made sure the door won’t lock us in again. And I latched the hidden door open, so it won’t close on the kids.”
“Thanks.” Mia sighed and turned in a slow circle. “It’s too bad Matt doesn’t want this place. It would have been fun to have an art gallery in town again.”
“What is that?” She pointed at an item he’d covered with a light tarp.
He uncovered it with a flourish. “This is the first piece for the Mia Franklin Art Gallery. Or whatever you want to call your business.”
Her hand flew to cover her mouth and her eyes widened. “Where did you get that?”
On the wall, Cody had hung one of the paintings Mia had brought home from college. An oil painting depicting two people walking hand in hand in the rain under a bright red umbrella. “Your mom had it in storage. She said you told her to throw it away, but she knew you’d want it again someday. She also said she had a bunch more just waiting for you.”
“What do you mean ‘first piece’?” Mia had dropped her hand and walked closer to him.
“You are now standing in your very own art studio slash realtor business.” He opened his arms wide. “You can pick up the rest of your art and start selling it until you get some realty clients.”
A line grew between her eyebrows. “I’m confused. What are you talking about?”
“I sold Troy’s boat to Patrick Kelley. He wanted it for his daughter, Olive. Then I used a little of that money to put the down payment on this place. The rest can be used to supplement the rent and everything else for the next twelve months. That way you can focus on building a business and finding more time to paint. And another way to help pay the rent is to split it with another company.”
Her brow wrinkled. “Do you think we can find someone?”
“You’re looking at someone.” He thumbed his chest.
“What?”
“My dad agreed to sell me the fishing business and his license. I figure I’ll need somewhere to meet with clients once in a while and somewhere to do some bookkeeping and whatnot. I don’t want to live in my shed all the time, so why not split the rent? If you’ll have me, that is.”
“Cody, this is amazing.” She reached up and put her hand on his chest. He covered it with one of his own. “Of course I’d love to.”
He slipped an arm around her shoulder and drew her closer. “I have even better news. Dani and I convinced your dad to call an emergency meeting of the town council. They agreed that having three new businesses in town definitely qualified as meeting your quota. You will not have to move out of your house.”
Her mouth fell open, and he had to resist the urge to kiss it back into place. She clapped her hands and danced in place. “I can’t believe you did all of this for me. Especially since you didn’t know I’d changed my mind about you.”
“Did I overstep?”
“Maybe a little. But I love that you did. I needed the reminder that I need other people. You make me a better person, Code.” She reached up and pulled his head down for a kiss.
“Mom, come look!” Finn interrupted them before Cody totally lost his head and forgot that they were in a public place.
They walked to the back of the store. Finn pointed with both of his hands at the hidden door, now bolted open. He watched Mia as she took it all in. Inside the little room, he’d added a narrow bookshelf, a toy cupboard, two bean bag chairs, and some old Christmas lights from his mom.
Mia looked up at him, eyes wide.
He smiled down at her. “I figured the kids would be spending a lot of time here. They should have a space to call their own. I hope you like it.”
“Like it?” Mia threaded her fingers through his. “I love it. Looks like the kids do too.”
They stood hand in hand and watched as Finn and Maggie pulled books off the shelves and settled into a bean bag chair.
How had he ever thought God didn’t want good things for his life? God had proven Himself faithful over and over.
Cody glanced down at Mia, then over at the kids again.
Yep. He’d given Cody good things in abundance.
* * *