A pricking began behind her eyelids. Ava blinked away the sensation. “How far out of my price range are we talking?” She could maybe afford a bigger loan—if she lived on ramen and toast for the next year. Mia quoted a number that made her eyes water anew. “I’m sorry, was that in millions?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so.” Mia’s voice dipped. “Most of the affordable housing got snatched up in our dollar housing scheme last year. Now it’s mostly the larger homes left. And now that the island is becoming popular again, people are reluctant to sell. We could try to put in an offer on a house on Poppy, but you would be quite a bit below asking price.” A stream of giggles sounded on Mia’s end.
“Sounds like you better go.” Ava put her hand to her temple. The pressure did nothing to relieve the building pain.
“I really am sorry, Ava. I hope you land that house, but I promise to not stop trying to find something for you.”
“Mama, have snack?” A little voice echoed over the phone. Probably Maggie.
“Thank you.”
“I need to get these kids a snack and into their clothes before Cody comes to pick us up for the day.” Another rustle from the other end. “Just a minute, sweetie. Listen, Ava, I wanted to ask you if you wanted to come to my wedding.”
Uh. “I don’t know how long I’ll be in town.” Ava crossed one arm across her stomach and clutched at her elbow.
Mia laughed. “I think you will—it’s tomorrow night.”
“Tomorrow! On a Wednesday? I assumed it would be on the weekend. I know you said you wanted to keep busy, but shouldn’t you be, I don’t know, wrapping party favors or something?”
“It’s going to be pretty simple. It’s an outdoor wedding at Blueberry Hill Park followed by a picnic. Picnics are kind of our thing.” A bumping sound came from Mia’s end of the phone line followed by the distinctive noise of a cupboard being closed. “Here’s a cracker.” Muffled. “Sorry.” Mia’s voice came clear again. “Anyway, I don’t want you to feel awkward or anything, but I’d love for you to be there. I already consider you one of the locals. The weather should hold. Six o’clock.”
One of the locals? Overhead the sun came out from behind a cloud, painting everything golden. “How can I say no to a wedding and a picnic? See you there.”
“I hope so.” Mia’s voice became distant. “Finn—” The phone clicked off. Ava smiled and shook her head. Happy chaos.
The walk during the phone call had landed her at the junction of Main and Jonathon Boulevard. She turned up the street. From here it would only be a short walk up to Poppy Lane. Mia didn’t say which house was for sale, but surely itwould be obvious. It would be the one with a For Sale sign in the front yard. No harm in looking at it.
Her phone chimed with a text message.
Patrick
I have some time today. Patrick
Ava
Great. In one hour?
Patrick
See you then. I’ll make you a burger at the bar and grill.
Hopefully by then she would have worked off her breakfast sandwich. One thing seemed certain. She would never starve on this island.
She found Poppy Lane and walked past several houses until she spotted one with a For Sale sign.
In front of her was a small house, set back from the road. White siding gleamed, and lilac bushes full of light-purple flowers ran along the sides of the craftsman-style home. A huge metal pole shed loomed behind the house, casting a shadow over the lawn. The shed must be twice the size of the house itself. No wonder they had such a high asking price. Someone would basically be buying two homes. What would anyone keep in there? Certainly not classic cars, with the ban on motor vehicles. Ava shrugged and turned back toward town. Mia was right. She wasn’t interested in that property. At. All.
Her phone chimed again.
Emily
Fallen for any mysterious and handsome Michiganders?
She laughed. Emily was always trying to set her up with some guy or another.
Ava
No. Everyone here seems taken.
