He lifted her off her feet and spun her around. “I can’t believe you’rehere.”
“What’s going on out here?” Mom called as she entered the yard from the shop. He carried Maia over to his mom, walking backward so he didn’t give away the surprise, and set her downgently.
“Look who came to help.” He beamed as he stepped aside to reveal Maia. He couldn’t help but smile with all his soul. Maia was here. She’d come—forhim.
Mom yelped and threw her arms around Maia. “My darling girl! What are you doing here? Let me look at you.” She released Maia from the rocking hug and cupped her face in her hands. “I can’t believe you’re here. Look, London,Maia!”
London chuckled. “I know.” He’d forgotten how much his mom loved Maia all those years ago. They’d soaked each other in like long-lost besties. Mom had had to be careful with her affection in front of Dad, but she didn’t hold back when she had the chance. And Maia never held back. She was brave with her love, no matter who was watching. He’d admired that abouther.
“What are you doing here?” Mom clutched both of Maia’s hands with herown.
Maia laughed away the happy tears gathering on her lower lashes. “Well—”
“Do not cry and ruin all my hard work,” threatened the new girl. She and April were picking up the broken path pieces the driver set aside and dumping them in the rubber trash can. He, having removed what needed to go, was busy pouring sand into the holes and leveling it off. London wasimpressed.
“That’s Kristi, my stylist.” Maia indicated the spunky one in gloves with a tip of herhead.
London furrowed his brow as he looked at the small crew Maia hauled around with her. A personal assistant, a stylist, and a driver who apparently was a stonemason in a past life. They chatted together, happily working on making The Flower Pot a better place. They were exactly the type of people Maia would attract. Light attracts light. And they filled this place with their glow, banishing the darkness Dad had left in his destructivewake.
“Anyway, I was doing a segment withWaking Up with Dallasand someone mentioned London going to the premiere with me, which brought up London playing for the Titans, which brought up the story they’d done on your store.” She paused to catch her breath. “I’m so sorry, Karen. You don’t deserve this kind of random violence. I hope they catch whoever did it and throw the bookshelf atthem.”
“I think you mean throw the book at them,” Londoncorrected.
“No, I think a whole bookshelf would be better.” Maia smirked and brushed her palms together. “So, where should we start?” She looked around, seeing her little group of followers diligently putting the place back together. “Oh, they’ve started without me.” She frowned at herentourage.
Karen kissed her on both cheeks. “You’ve already been a huge help, just showing up and making us all smile again—you’re a special kind ofsunshine.”
“I’ve missed you.” Maia hugged her fiercely. “I want to hear everything you’ve done over the last tenyears.”
To her credit, Mom’s smile didn’t falter. How she managed to keep the abuse, the police reports, the court dates, and general misery behind that smile was beyond him. “That’s going to have to wait until we have time for some herbal tea and girltalk.”
“It’s a date.” Maianodded.
London took Maia’s hand and tugged her toward where he was rebuilding or fixing the tables. “You can help me withconstruction.”
Karen made her way over to the man on the floor. “Can I get you all something todrink?”
Their answers were drowned out by the air compressor as it kicked on. Maia covered her ears and yelled, “What are weconstructing?”
He flipped off the compressor and his ears rang. “Several of the tables were destroyed or broken. I’m putting them backtogether.”
“We’reputting them back together.” Maiagrinned.
“You’re in adress.”
“Pft. Didn’t you seeJurassic World? Women can save the world in heels anddresses.”
He rolled his eyes, feeling playful. “Name one other woman who can do battle in adress.”
“WonderWoman.”
He lifted one eyebrow in challenge. “You call that adress?”
She giggled, and his heart about jumped out of his chest in an effort to be closer to her. “Fine, miniskirt. But itcounts.”
Basking in her happiness was like walking onto the perfect day at the beach—warm, clean, inviting, and filled with the promise of fun. He pulled her to his chest and hugged her again. “You’re stillstubborn.”
“And you’re still buff.” Her hands flattened against hischest.
