If I Didn't Know Better (The Callaways #9)(30)

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Wednesday morning, Mia took her coffee out to the patio table and sat down, enjoying the beautiful vista. The morning sun bounced off the waves of the ocean beyond, and the horizon opened up her mind, making her feel like she was starting over, finding a new path. She had no idea where the path would lead, but she was eager to find out, and she was determined not to force herself to follow any signs or map things out too closely. She'd done that her entire life, trying to stay in control of every little thing and make every decision count for something big.

From today on, she was going to try to relax and not hold on so tight to what she thought was right or wrong. No more seeing life in such a black-or-white way. It was time to let the colors in.

She'd stayed up late the night before cleaning out the guest room and going through the kitchen cupboards to get rid of any trash. She felt a little better now that her personal space was more organized. She might have felt a special connection to her aunt, but she did not share Carly's love of clutter.

Her cell phone buzzed on the table, and she smiled at the text from her sister Kate.

Kate had attached a photo she'd taken from a plane, the skyline of Tokyo in the distance. The caption read, "First assignment. Can you believe it?"

She couldn't believe it. "What are you doing in Japan?" she texted back.

"Waiting to get off the plane. We landed 10 minutes ago! So annoying."

"What's the assignment?"

"Can't say, but I feel like my life is just beginning."

She could hear her sister's excitement. Kate had always wanted adventure and now she had it. "Be safe."

"How's Angel's Bay? Met any angels yet?"

"No, but there is a really sexy man living next door."

"What??? Is he single?"

"Yes, but he has a kid and a lot of baggage."

"You love baggage," Kate wrote back, knowing her all too well. "And cleaning things up."

"Not men. Too complicated."

"Life is complicated. Remember what Aunt Carly used to say."

"What?"

"The right man will make you question your sanity."

"Should we really be taking advice from our spinster aunt?"

"She had love. She just didn't get married."

"Maybe." She wondered if she'd find evidence of that love when she started going through her aunt's things. "I'm not looking for love, maybe just some great art. Crazy feeling that Aunt Carly's art studio is going to help me re-launch my career."

"Hope so. Go for it. The Callaway twins cannot be stopped!"

Her sister Kate was usually the one who couldn’t be stopped.

"Gotta go. Finally opened the doors."

She sent back a smiley face and set down her phone. Even though she and Kate were very different, there was a bond between them that would never be broken.

Her phone buzzed again, this time with an incoming call from an Angel's Bay area code.

"Hello?"

"Hi Mia, it's Kara."

"How are you, Kara?"

"Good. I've called a bunch of people, and we're all set to do the coloring book party tonight at the quilt shop."

"Really? I can't believe you pulled that together so fast."

"It wasn't that difficult. I know it's short notice, but tonight worked the best. Otherwise, it would have to wait a week or two."

"Tonight is fine. My schedule is not booked."

"Wonderful. Everyone is excited to meet you. Will you have time to copy the patterns for the party?"

"Definitely. How many should I make?"

"I'm expecting around twenty people. We have plenty of markers and colored pencils, so don't worry about that. And we'll have food and plenty of wine as well. It's going to be fun."

"You're very nice to do this."

"Oh, please, I'm doing this for myself, too. It will be fun to have a night out. Come around seven."

"See you then." She got to her feet. Time to get started on the day.





Eight

Jeremy found his daughter staring out the window of her bedroom at Mia's backyard. Ashlyn clutched the doll Mia had given her to her chest, and there was a yearning look in her eyes that sent a wave of pain through his soul. He didn't know if it was Mia that Ashlyn really wanted, or if it was her mother, and Mia just reminded her of her mom. But there was definitely something about their neighbor that had captured Ashlyn's interest.

He silently admitted it wasn't only his daughter who was interested in Mia; he found her quite fascinating himself.

He'd thought about her last night and had fought the urge to call her or go over there, knowing he needed to put some space between them. They'd shared a lot for two people who had only met a few days earlier.

He hadn't let a woman into his life in such a big way—ever. He'd told her things about his father, his mother, his past that he hadn't shared with anyone but his longtime friends. Somehow, with Mia, he'd found himself wanting to spill his guts.

He'd liked hearing about her life, too. She'd told her story with some ashamed regret and he'd found her openness incredibly appealing. It was nice to be with someone who was willing to admit mistakes. She was still figuring things out, but she was on the right track.