“Hi,” Nolan said, offering his hand. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you both. Mia has told me so much about the two of you.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too,” Lila and Eve chorused.
“What are you taking photos of?” Lila asked, and Nolan eagerly showed her while Eve stepped closer to Mia.
“We came looking for you,” Eve said. “Because we’re thinking of going to the festive season fair in St. Augustine and wanted to know if you’d like to come with us.”
Nolan turned to them with an easy smile. “I’m actually going there later this morning to take pictures of it.” He glanced at Mia. “Would you like to join me?”
Mia’s expression shifted, torn between family and this new thing that had brought her back to life.
“Oh, Mom, I think you should go with Nolan,” Lila said before Mia could answer. “We can meet you there.” She grinned conspiratorially at Eve. “Why don’t you and Nolan meet us for lunch there at twelve? I’ll message you where we are.”
Mia looked hesitant. Eve felt her protective instincts flare; every part of her wanted to keep Mia close and safe.
But she’d also seen how happy Mia looked. The shadows in her eyes had lifted. In the ten minutes they’d been standing there, Mia hadn’t touched her pendant once.
“That sounds perfect,” Eve heard herself say.
Mia’s smile was radiant. “Okay. Twelve o’clock.”
“Wow, Mom,” Lila breathed as Nolan showed her a few pictures on a second, smaller camera. “These photos you took are really good.”
Mia lit up like a Christmas tree at her daughter’s compliment. “Thank you, sweetheart.” She glanced shyly at Nolan. “I couldn’t have done it, though, without Nolan’s direction.”
“Nah…” Nolan said, smiling warmly at Mia, and Eve suddenly felt like she was intruding on an intimate moment. “You have a good eye and are a natural at this.”
“Lila, we’d better get going,” Eve said, pulling Lila away.
She wasn’t sure about Nolan yet. He seemed nice. But what she was sure of was how happy Mia was. Something she hadn’t seen since long before the incident with the child, going back to when Mary had passed away. And that was worth stepping aside to let Mia navigate her own way. Although Eve was going to keep a watchful eye.
Eve and Lila left them there, walking back toward the Inn in companionable silence.
Eve’s phone rang as they drew up toward the inn.
William’s name lit up the screen.
“Hello, William,” Eve said, smiling as Lila’s face lit up, hearing who it was.
“Eve, good morning,” William’s warm voice came through. “I wanted to invite you, Mia, and Lila, for dinner tonight. Julie will be joining us as well.”
“Oh, how lovely,” Eve said, and then on impulse added, “Are we finally getting invited to your house so we can see where you live? We’ve heard so much about St. Augustine from you over the years.”
There was a pause. Brief, but noticeable.
“I’d love nothing more,” William said, his tone still warm, but something underneath it had shifted. “But I’m afraid the house is undergoing renovations at the moment, and it’s a terrible mess. Maybe the next time you come to Florida?”
“Sure,” Eve said, her sense telling her he was not being honest with them. “Where are we going then?”
“There’s a wonderful Italian place in town, Salvatore’s on St. George Street. Shall we say seven o’clock?” William rattled on jovially, but there was still a slight strain in his voice now. Maybe Eve was imagining it, but it had crept into his voice when she’d mention seeing his house.
“That sounds perfect,” Eve said, pushing down the odd feeling in her chest and the suspicion creeping up her spine. “We’ll see you then.”
“Wonderful. I’m looking forward to it,” William told her.
They said their goodbyes, and Eve slipped the phone back into her pocket.
“William invited us to dinner tonight,” she told Lila.
