Page 1 of The Summer I Stayed (Midlife Meet Cute #5)

Maggie

“Mom, don’t you think it’s time?” my sweet daughter, Alison, asks.

The three of them are convincing me it’s time. Time to move on. Time to focus on my own needs. Time to rediscover the Maggie Alison Wilkes I was four years ago. Back when life was grand, happy, and full of love.

It’s not as though I’ve been merely existing since my dear husband, Steven, passed away.

I’ve been living, in my own way, dedicating myself to my kids, excelling as a super single mom.

I’ve supported my eldest through college and his pro golf dreams, chauffeured my youngest from one school activity to the next.

I’ve kept in touch with all our dearest friends, family, and community, maintaining those precious connections.

“Time for what, honey?” I respond, knowing very well what she’s going to say. The one thing I can’t bring myself to do since Steven’s passing.

“Time to party on!” Caroline exclaims, throwing her fist in the air.

Lila joins her in a playful shimmy, her laughter infectious. “Get your Maggie on.”

I chuckle and shake my head at their nonsense. Their boundless energy never fails to amuse me. They’ve been the life of the party ever since I met them in a Mommy and Me group when Matthew was a baby.

“You can’t avoid it forever. You and Dad loved Blue Alder Cove.”

I feel my heart clench at the mention of our lake house.

Its existence is a painful reminder of the future Steven and I had planned to share.

For a few summers, we stayed in the local inn until the last time we vacationed there, Steven surprised me with a lake house of our very own. One I’ve only seen in pictures.

“We know it’s hard,” Lila says gently. “But you can’t let grief hold you back forever. It’s time to find your joy again.”

“And who knows,” Caroline chimes in with a mischievous glint in her eyes, “maybe you’ll meet a hot firefighter or something.”

“Caroline!” I shout while Lila snorts.

“What? A girl can dream.” She shrugs, and I shake my head at her.

Alison places her hand gently on mine. “Blue Alder Cove is calling you.”

I exhale a heavy sigh. “Alison—”

“No, Mom, literally. They’re calling you.”

I glance down at my phone, which is buzzing insistently on the coffee table.

“One minute, ladies,” I say, attempting a calm facade.

I quickly hustle out of the living room, ensuring I’m out of their earshot. The walls seem to close in as I walk down the hallway to my bedroom.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Maggie, this is Gemma,” comes the familiar voice of our property manager. “I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news. There’s been a storm here, and your house has sustained some damage. I know you haven’t been here in quite some time, but you may want to make the trip sooner rather than later…”

She continues talking, but my heart is pounding so loudly it drowns out her voice. The world seems to fall away, leaving only silence.

“Thank you, Gemma. I’ll…figure it out,” I manage to reply, though my mind is still reeling. I hang up the phone, holding it against my chest. It’s been four years and I haven’t managed to visit yet. How can I face it now?

“Gemma?” Alison suddenly appears, peeking around the corner.

“First, you trick me into this intervention, and now, eavesdropping? You may be eighteen, but you still have another week under my roof, missy,” I say, feigning a stern tone as I glance at her.

Alison chuckles softly. “Mom, Matthew is off playing golf and I’m about to leave for my summer program—I just want to make sure you’re going to be okay.”

“Oh, honey,” I murmur, pulling her into a hug. “Of course, I’m going to be okay. That was Gemma, and there’s been some damage to the lake house. It’ll make you happy to know I’ll be going to Blue Alder Cove just like you suggested.”

“Really?” Her face lights up. “I think it’ll be good for you, Mom.”

I plaster on a smile. “Is that so?” I tease.

“Absolutely! You’ve been so preoccupied with taking care of me. You need some fresh lake air. Plus, you always loved that place!”

“And how do you know what I need, Miss College Bound?” I retort, playfully poking her side.

She shrugs, a shooting star smile upon her face. “I’m wise beyond my years,” she quips. “Matthew says it all the time.”

Matthew is winning golf tournaments as a new Summit Pro Golfer and Alison is off to an art haven in Savannah, leaving me behind to navigate through my feelings and the memories of our times together in Blue Alder Cove.

Though their eagerness for me to find myself again is sweet and heartwarming, it’s also daunting.

I squeeze her hand and smile in return, not quite sharing her enthusiasm. But this is her last week being home, and she just wants to know I’ll be alright.

“Come on, let’s go back to the firing squad,” I joke as I lead us back toward the living room.

As we turn the corner, squeals surprise us. Caroline and Lila stand there with bright, excited faces.

“Did we hear right? You’re leaving Charlotte and going to—” Caroline questions, her brown eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Yes, Caroline,” I interrupt, rolling my eyes. All of them are so nosy. “I’m going to Blue Alder Cove. You all win.”

They wrap their arms around me and squeeze. I’m like the filling of a friendship sandwich. I lean into their embrace as my heart soars at their kindness and unwavering support. I have amazing friends and children who believe in me even when I can’t.

“This is going to be such a great adventure for you, Mags.” Caroline grins from ear to ear.

I let out a soft chuckle, shaking off the tears threatening to escape my eyes. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Just a quick inspection to see what the damage is.”

“Nope, it’s more than that. You’re about to embark on your journey to rediscovery. Shine, girl!” Lila bounces on her toes and raises her hands.

Their enthusiasm is infectious, but I know it’s going to be hard.

The memories of Steven and me are etched into Blue Alder Cove: those long summer days we spent by the lake or when we’d wander around the Summer Festival, hand in hand, browsing through the stalls filled with handmade treasures.

Those were our days. Losing myself in the past is a risk I know I’ll have to face once I step foot in that town again.

The truth is, I’m terrified, but they don’t need to know that. Shaking off the melancholy thoughts, I manage an enthusiastic nod. “Okay, shine it is.”