Page 32 of Meet Me at the Grand

“Well, Mom told me, and Dad told her.” Once inside the humble kitchen, Mia pulled a stack of paper plates from her cupboard. “But would you be surprised if the whole islanddidknow about it by now?”

“Not really. Martha can’t exactly keep her mouth shut.”

“Understatement of the century.” Opening the box, Mia slid out a chocolate Long John and split it in half. She divided them between two small plates. “You have a minute to stay and talk?”

“Yes, please. I need the distraction anyway. You got coffee? I would have brought some but didn’t know if you’d already had a cup.”

Mia chuckled and pointed at the microwave. “My mug has been in there about three times already this morning. I keep reheating it thinking I’m going to have a chance to drink it hot. I have been sorely mistaken.”

Her cousin laughed, but being a single mom couldn’t be easy. Thanks to Troy’s life insurance, she only had to work part time at Martha’s, but still. Finn and Maggie were so young, and still needy. “I need to babysit again soon. Give you a break from all the busyness.”

“You’re sweet, but I’m fine. Constance and Mom help out when I’m working. Besides, you’re the busy one. I’ve hardly seen you since Mr. Handsome came to town.” She waggled her eyebrows at Dani.

“I don’t know to whom you are referring.” Dani made her way to Mia’s Keurig. She flipped it on to warm the water and opened her drawer to peruse the selection of K-cups.

“Mmm hmm.” Mia grabbed the plates and headed for the living room, tossing a “we’re gonna talk about this when I get back” over her shoulder.

When the Keurig was ready, Dani inserted her chosen K-cup, placed a pink ceramic mug under the spout, and pressed down on the closing handle. The machine whirred, lulling her into a moment’s peace as the delectable brew began to fill her cup.

“Smiling just at the thought of Mr. Stone, are we?”

Dani sighed. So much for peace. “At the thought of coffee and nothing more, I assure you.”

Folding her arms over her chest, Mia leaned against the counter beside Dani. “Oh, come on, Dani. He’s gorgeous, and the two of you have been working so closely together. What’s he like?”

“Liam’s nice enough. Charming, even.” The coffee trickled to a stop, and Dani removed her mug, moving to the fridge to fish out a container of heavy cream. “And is he cute? Yeah, sure, but he’s a big-city guy at heart. And even if he wasn’t, he doesn’t understand what it’s like to live in a small town, to be part of a community like this. And we all know I belong here. This is my home.”

“Methinks the lady doth protest too much,” Mia said in a singsong tone.

“Whatever. Besides all of that—which are all valid points, thank you very much—he’s leaving after we get the council’s approval.”

“Doesn’t mean you can’t have a bit of fun tonight before he leaves.”

When Dani turned wide eyes on her, Mia laughed. “Notthatkind of fun. But it’s okay to go on a date now and again and enjoy yourself.”

“What’s the point if I know it can’t go anywhere?”

“You’re such an old lady. Come on! I’ve only really seen you interact from afar, but there seemed to be a vibe between the two of you. Am I right?”

“It’s not like I’d know it if there was. You know I’m horrible at dating.”

“Correction. You don’t even try at dating.”

“I try. Sometimes.”

“Mom!” Finn rushed into the kitchen, chocolate smeared on his cheeks. “Maggie bit me!” He pointed to his hand, where there was a glob of slobbery chocolate.

“Ugh.” Mia snatched up a rag and wiped off Finn’s cheeks and hand like it was an Olympic sport and she was the reigning champion. “Hang on, Dani. Mags!”

Mia and Finn rushed out.

While they were gone, Dani poured cream into her coffee and stuck the lid back on, shoving it back into the recesses of Mia’s fridge. Then she reached for the sugar.

“Okay,” Mia said as she slid back into the kitchen, “one blind date with some guy in Port Joseph two years ago does not count as dating. Especially when you bailed after like ten minutes.”

“How do you do that?”

“Do what?”

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