by Sabrina York
Gently shoving his hands under Mia’s arms, he lifted her up from where she was standing and rested her a couple feet away from him.
Mia blinked, and then looked at Noah with a grin.
He was feeling a little disoriented when he smiled. “This is going to be a lot harder than I thought.”
Mia was shivering when Noah laid an arm over her shoulders.
“Yes,” she answered softly as she clung to him.
They looked upward at the stars for a few minutes more, before finally making their way along the path and across the beach toward Noah’s truck.
When Noah took her home, he kissed her one more time after walking her to the door.
“Goodnight, Mia,” Noah said softly. “I had a great time.”
“So did I, Noah,” she answered, and giving him a brilliant smile, she unlocked the door.
When Noah brushed her lips with his one final time, she had a dreamy look on her face when she slipped inside the house.
15
Mia managed to see Noah for a few minutes every day during the following week, even though he was busy working at the café and practicing in the evenings for Blue Moon’s holiday weekend performances. There were a lot of reservations at the inn for Memorial weekend, so it was beginning to get busier. But Mia would be going to Noah’s graduation on Friday night.
Dad would probably be coming home for Memorial weekend, and Mia was planning on having Noah over for a cookout Monday afternoon before the band’s performance at the Dragonfly Pointe Inn. Noah had been thrilled when their band had been asked to perform, because theirs would be the first concert of the season.
In their rush to get ready, they’d been asking Mia for a lot of advice, and she was surprised to realize how good she was at giving it. Mia taught them all some simple dance moves to use when performing as well as assisting each with their individual makeovers. Plus, she really enjoyed it.
The week sped by quickly and soon it was Friday night. Dad had given in and was finally allowing her to drive the car. Mia had a feeling he’d bought the Volkswagen Beretta for her use anyway but was waiting until she was actually ready to drive it. Now that she wasn’t hanging out as much with Bree, she wasn’t quite as nervous about driving on her own. If she would have continued living in Chicago, who knows if she would have ever learned how.
When Mia walked into the school gym, where the graduation ceremony was being held, she heard someone call her name.
Noah’s grandmother.
Grinning, she walked over to where Noah’s grandparents had held a seat for her.
“Hi, Mia,” Noah’s grandfather said, standing up so Mia could squeeze into the seat beside Noah’s grandmother.
“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Erikson. How is everything going?”
“Great,” Noah’s grandmother answered, grinning. “You don’t have to tell us how you’re doing. Noah talks about you all the time.”
“Shh,” Mr. Erikson said with his index finger held to his lips. “You’re not supposed to say stuff like that to a boy’s girl, Barb. You’re really getting to be a smart aleck, just like Noah said.”
Mrs. Erikson elbowed her husband, and Mia giggled.
Only a few minutes later, the ceremony began.
The principal of the school said a few words, and then he announced the two valedictorians of the senior class. “Sarah Kimball is our first speaker for the night.”
Mia wasn’t surprised. She knew Sarah fairly well, and supposedly she would be going to college at Wisconsin, after being awarded a scholarship, even though she’d had offers from several other schools.
After Sarah finished speaking, the principal walked up to the microphone. “Our other valedictorian might come as a surprise to some of you. He’s worked as a tutor, not just in music but in math. He’s always played it fairly low key, but there’s not a nicer, more helpful student than Noah Erikson, and I certainly hope the Air Force appreciates him. He’s planning on continuing his education there and possibly going into engineering.
Mia’s jaw had dropped, hearing Noah’s name, and glancing at his grandparents, they were nearly as amazed as she was.
Mia asked in a whisper, “He didn’t tell you?”
Noah’s grandmother had tears in her eyes, and his grandfather didn’t appear to be far from tears himself.
“Not a word,” Mrs. Erikson muttered.
Reaching out, Mia squeezed her hand.
Noah stood up and began to speak. It’s funny how Mia hadn’t looked at him as closely as she was looking at him now. Noah was a born leader. Listening to his speech, she discovered just how informed he was about current events, and his beliefs shined through.
Mia had a feeling deep inside—he was going to do something extraordinary someday. She just knew it.
He was surrounded by a crowd of kids, some who appeared to be in a state of semi-shock after the ceremony, and some who were genuinely pleased to see the recognition he was receiving.
Grinning, the school principal came over and shook Noah’s hand again, while Noah stood there looking bemused.
Mr. Adler said, “I told you we shouldn’t have kept it a secret. I swear, some of the parents looked like they were ready to faint.”
Noah grinned. “It’s gotta be the Harley. It fools them every time.”
Mr. Adler barked out a laugh, and Noah still heard him chuckling when he walked toward Noah’s grandparents to have a word with them.
But the only person Noah saw was Mia as he watched her approach, looking puzzled, wearing a smile on her face. And geez, she looked hot, wearing a dark blue dress and heels.
“Congratulations,” Mia said, reaching for his hand.
“I thought about telling you, but I was trying to keep it low key for Sarah’s sake. And stuff like this doesn’t matter in the scheme of things, since my career path has already been chosen.”
“Low key is right,” she answered.
“It was kind of fun seeing the look on people’s faces,” he murmured, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, as a few other students approached.
He whispered in her ear. “Let me get out of this silly gown and get rid of this cap, and then maybe we can take my grandparents out for ice cream?”
“That sounds great. They were nearly as shocked as I was when the announcement was made,” Mia said.
Noah frowned. “I wanted to surprise them. Plus, I didn’t want to make a fuss.”
“I know why you were waiting to let them know,” she said softly.
Noah blinked, looking at her face, and then gave her a wry smile. “I try not to bring up money, but you’ve figured it out?”
She gazed into his eyes. “I have. They’re in a bind because of all your grandfather’s health issues?”
“Let’s just say I’ve decided that the best way I can help them out would be with a steady income,” Noah answered. “The money issues? It really doesn’t bother you, does it, Mia?”
“Not one bit,” she answered, firmly.
Noah smiled, brushing a kiss over her lips.
16
Dad came home the next day, looking somewhat relaxed, healthy and tan. Gazing between him and Amanda, she had a feeling that the situation between the two of them was tense.
Amanda made them lunch, and before he locked himself in the study, he wanted Mia to go with him for a walk.
They walked outside, heading across the road toward the bike trail which ran past the Dragonfly Pointe Inn and around the point.
After several minutes of silence, her dad said abruptly, “I hear you have a boyfriend?”
“Yes. His name’s Noah,” she answered, walking with her Dad along the trail.
Dad growled, “I hope it’s nothing serious?”
Mia gave him a side glance, evading the question. “He’s going into the Air Force at the end of the summer.”
“You’re too young to be committing yourself to one person,” he muttered.
Mia sighed heavily. She should have figured Dad would
have this reaction. He was obsessed with her future, more than she was herself, and she had a feeling he wasn’t going to like the fact that she wanted a career in music.
“Truthfully? How serious can it get with him leaving for boot camp at the end of the summer?”
He nodded approvingly. “When does your music camp begin?”
“At the end of the week,” she answered.
“I guess we can forego any vacations this summer, since you’ll be busy?”
Mia answered, “Yes. I’m really looking forward to camp.”
Mia breathed in a sigh of relief. She used to love vacations with Dad, but all he seemed to care about anymore was business. She thought about bringing up the subject of her career, but her dad didn’t seem to be in a very good mood right now, so she’d leave it alone.
Arriving just short of the Dragonfly Pointe Inn, they turned around and headed back home, remaining quiet for the rest of the walk. There was a lot of activity on the lake today, Mia thought, and even though the temperature was only in the low seventies, she saw a few water skiers racing through the choppy water.
Amanda seemed to have disappeared once they returned home. There was a note on the table saying she’d gone into town to do some shopping.
Dad locked himself in the study to work, while Mia danced and practiced her vocals along with the piano for the remainder of the afternoon. The rest of the time she just thought about Noah.
Mia had planned on taking Dad to the park where there was a Memorial Day weekend celebration taking place, along with a craft fair and petting zoo for kids. There would be live music all day, with Noah’s band playing this evening.
But of course Dad had made other plans, and Mia found herself having dinner alone with him at the Dragonfly Pointe Inn.
And Noah didn’t have a phone. He’d mentioned he’d had to choose between a computer and internet access or a phone, and the computer had won out—even though their internet access was awful, he’d mentioned he spent a lot of time at the local library. He did have a disposable phone, so his grandparents could call him in case of an emergency.
Dad asked abruptly, “What would you think about me getting married again?”
Mia’s jaw dropped.
Until finally, she spoke. “You mean with Amanda? I think that would be great.”
But looking at the obvious shock on her father’s face, she realized she had it all wrong. Of course that was why he’d been traveling so much—he was seeing another woman. It was probably why he and Amanda were barely speaking.
Wonderful.
He growled, “Whatever gave you that idea?”
“The way you two used to be together, when I was younger. We went so many places back then and had a lot of fun. I just always hoped…” Mia shook her head resignedly.
“In my position, I need someone who can help me manage my career,” he muttered.
Mia looked at him oddly. Isn’t that exactly what Amanda had been doing for him during the last fifteen years?
Dad added, “I’m bringing Monique here for a visit in a few weeks.”
Oh, boy. Mia could hardly wait.
After their conversation at the restaurant, Dad seemed a little more agreeable, so Mia talked him into dropping by the park for a while.
Although Dad wasn’t too enthused, he walked around with Mia, checking out the crafts.
When Mia heard the chords of a familiar song echo through the speakers, she looked toward the platform set up for the performers, and saw that Noah’s band, Blue Moon, was up next.
“That’s Noah’s band. I’m going to go watch for a while, if that’s alright?”
Her father grunted.
But when Mia turned toward the pavilion where her dad was staring, she saw Amanda sitting at a picnic bench, obviously out on a date with a man Mia had never met. It’s funny how Amanda hadn’t mentioned anything to Mia. But then again, she’d been a little more secretive lately.
So that was why he wasn’t as intent about giving Mia the third degree about Noah, she realized, glancing at his face. It was a great time to make an escape, so she did.
17
It was funny how Noah knew right away when Mia was there. It was like he sensed her presence whenever she was around.
As soon as he saw her in the audience, he grinned and winked.
And then he began singing Mia’s song. It was funny how easy it was for him to move into the audience, using the minimal moves she’d suggested. Sectioning the crowd, he focused his attention on one person in each quadrant, like Mia had suggested. That way, each woman seated in the audience might think she was the one he was singing to.
But of course, he only wanted to sing to Mia, so as he began singing the final verse of the song, he approached her, brushing his lips across hers when he was finished.
He wanted to do a hell of a lot more, but not when they were in public.
Noah didn’t have a clue whether her father had come along to the park, so he tried to make it brief. “They scheduled an extra concert at the beach tomorrow night,” he whispered. “We’re going to debut the new lights.”
“Oh, good. Dad’s probably ready to get out of here, so I might not see you afterwards.”
“That’s alright,” Noah answered. “I need a good night’s sleep anyway.”
Mia grinned. “Bye. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Alright.” Noah squeezed her hand and grinned before moving back toward the stage, where the band resumed their performance.
When Dad approached and stood beside her, he didn’t look pleased. “That’s Noah?”
“Yes,” Mia answered.
Dad growled, “I don’t like him putting you on public display.”
Mia blinked. “I’m not on public display. Most of the people around us live here in town, and everyone knows Noah, and me too now.”
Dad didn’t appear to be listening to the music. “His hair is kind of long. Aren’t those clothes he’s wearing kind of strange?”
Mia rolled her eyes. “He’s a performer Dad. I’m the one who gave them advice about what to wear. It’s only a cut off shirt with a silver beaded design. Most of the time he wears jeans and a t-shirt. Since he’ll have to get his hair cut for the Air Force, he’s going to leave it long for the summer, since their band has a lot of appearances scheduled.”
She was not going to tell her dad that Noah was going to be one of the instructors at music camp. Mia sighed. She’d known that Dad would be negative about her relationship with Noah, even though she’d been secretly hoping she was wrong.
In fact, it was strange to suddenly realize, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d done something Dad had approved of.
18
Mia was able to escape from the house the following evening and walk to the Dragonfly Pointe Inn to meet Noah.
Sitting together in a booth inside the Dragonfly Pointe Inn Café, Mia told Noah she wanted to go for a spin with him on his Harley.
Knowing that more than likely it had something to do with her dad being too judgmental, he heaved a sigh, looking at her intently. “What’s up?”
She pursed her lips. “It’s my dad. He always brings out my rebellious streak because he never has anything positive to say.”
Noah grimaced. “Alright. What did he say about me?”
She shrugged. “The usual—hair, clothes. Dad would say the same thing about any guy, unless he was the one who picked him out.”
This time Noah shrugged. “You told him I’d be gone at the end of summer?”
She frowned. “Yes.”
“So, let’s not let it bother us. It’s going to be hard enough going away without mixing your dad’s opinion into the picture. At this point, I’m not going to let what he says bother me.”
She smiled wryly. “Alright.”
He grinned. “Are you serious about the bike?”
Mia looked like she was pouting when she answered, “Yes.”
“I need to find you a helmet first. And
we won’t be going any long distances.”
She looked ready to be stubborn. “I want you to kiss me again.”
Noah blinked. He wanted to kiss her too, but the problem with that? He’d been thinking way too much about doing a hell of a lot more than that, and it would have been too big of a step for both of them to take. Even though she was nearly seventeen, he’d be going away, and the timing wasn’t right.
He said softly, “You know why I’m trying to be careful, Mia?”
“Yes,” she answered, looking determined. “But I don’t want to be careful.”
Noah laughed, and wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he pulled her closer. Digging his spoon into her ice cream, he shoved the spoon into her mouth.
“Hey,” she muttered and swallowed.
“It’s just that everyone in the café has been listening to this conversation, so I think it’d be better to drop the subject until we’re alone,” he said dryly.
Mia giggled.
The next day, Noah was anxious when he pulled his bike into the driveway of Mia’s house. Despite what he’d said to reassure Mia, he didn’t really like the idea of Mia’s dad being against their relationship. She was the best thing that had happened to him, and he was determined to keep in touch with her, even if he deployed overseas.
Looking around as he walked toward the house, he realized Phil and Bree were here too, so that would probably help ease the tension of meeting Mia’s father.
He’d hadn’t been far off base about the situation, Noah realized, walking around the house toward the screened in porch where he’d heard Mia’s voice.
The dark-haired man standing near the door with a sullen look on his face must have been Mia’s dad. Tall and fit, it was obvious he wasn’t comfortable wearing the casual clothes he had on. Mia had shown Noah pictures of her dad on the golf course. Derrick Michaels was the kind of man Noah was completely unfamiliar with, someone obsessed with wealth and social standing.