“I’ve been thinking about Nana’s advice,” Maileah said instead. “I think she’s right. I’d feel better about becoming serious with Todd if I had my life together. I don’t want to need a man anymore. Financially or otherwise. You didn’t need Knox when you met him.”
Junie rocked a little in thought. “I understand what you mean. But now I can’t imagine my life without him. Knox is just what I needed, emotionally, that is.”
“That sounds serious.” Maileah bumped her shoulder. “Anything you want to tell me?”
“We haven’t made any definite major plans, but we make little everyday plans. I’m growing closer to Penny and his parents. We both want to be certain because of her. I couldn’t bear to break that little girl’s heart if Knox and I didn’t work out.”
It was Maileah’s turn to be concerned. “What do you think the chance of that is?”
“Very, very slim. But everything is good between us. It’s more than good; it’s truly wonderful. I love him, and I believe Mark would’ve liked him, too.” Lowering her eyes, Junie smiled.
Maileah took her hand and squeezed it. “I imagine it takes time to shift your feelings when you loved one man for so long.”
Her sister nodded, pressing her lips together to stem the tears that sprang to her eyes. “We’ve talked about that, and Knox understands. Slow is good; we both know we’ll get there. I want to spend my life with him. And I adore his family.”
She wiped Junie’s tears and smiled. “Mom has gotten pretty friendly with his folks.”
Her sister nodded, her eyes shimmering with love. “I want the same for you, Maileah. To be so sure of someone, to light up every time you see him. For your heart to ignite when he touches you. It’s the best feeling in the world—as if you have the most wonderful secret between you.”
“Even though everyone can see it plainly on your face,” Maileah added, grinning.
Still, she wanted that, too. In time, she imagined she could grow to feel that way about Todd.
Or it could be like an arranged marriage where they grew together and cared deeply for one another. Only in this case, she was the one doing the arranging. This approach was sensible, she told herself, feeling rather proud of her newfound maturity. She would channel her passion toward her business.
Just then, her phone buzzed, and she reached for it. “Hello?”
“Hi, it’s Babe. I’m sorry I got so busy. Are you still interested in my guest cottage?”
Hesitating, Maileah looked at Junie, who nodded. When Babe didn’t call her back, she’d started having second thoughts. Maybe it was her, or the cottage wasn’t all that Babe had described, but it wouldn’t hurt to look.
“Sure. When could I see it?”
“How about now?”
Maileah agreed, and Babe texted her the address. She hung up. “Want to look at a guest cottage with me? I’m not sure what kind of shape it’s in.”
“You go ahead,” Junie replied. “I’ll make dinner. How about a veggie pizza and salad?”
“No wonder Knox loves you.” Maileah bounced off the bed. “Tell you what, I’ll make the ice cream tonight. I watched how at the cooking class. All you do is mix the ingredients, pour them into the electric ice cream maker, and punch a button. Even I can do that.”
“That’s all I do.” Junie laughed. “Remember to take pictures. I want to see this place. I could help you fix it up.”
“I hope it’s not a moldy old cottage,” Maileah said. “Property can deteriorate near the ocean if not kept up.”
“You mean, like this one?” Junie stood. “This place is a perpetual work-in-progress.”
“But you love it, and now you have Knox to help. However, I don’t want to live with black mold or some other creepy stuff.”
She would have a quick look to cross it off her list.
Maileah drove slowlyalong Orange Blossom Way, which looked like many other streets on Crown Island, with its cottages splashed in vibrant rainbow shades. She searched for the address Babe had texted her.
With the top down on her old convertible, she inhaled the subtle scent of orange blossoms.
She squinted at sun-bleached numbers on a pink mailbox and pulled to the curb. This was close to Junie’s house and her grandmother’s on Beach View Lane. She’d ridden her bike past this street but had never ventured this far down it.
“Well, here goes nothing,” she said, swinging out of her car.
