Page 15 of Easton Island: A Wedding to Remember

“I would be lying if I said no. I mean, it was the opportunity of a lifetime.”

“I hope I didn’t influence your decision to come back here.”

“It was the exact opposite. Your encouragement was the reason I initially accepted the position.”

“But coming back to Easton Island to be with me while Wyatt was in the hospital changed your mind.”

“And because of Brett,” Quinn said. “As much as I thought I wanted the job, I’m discovering the Easton Harbor Art Gallery is where I’m meant to be.”

Morgan sipped her water, eyeing her friend over the rim of her glass. “Speaking of Brett. You mentioned the blanket he bought you and how he’s always checking in. How’s it going?”

“We’re taking it slow. He tells me about work, about things that are going on. I’m making a point not to…” Quinn’s voice trailed off.

“Get caught up in our family drama.”

“I learned my lesson. What happens in the Easton family doesn’t necessarily involve me.”

“Except when it involves the gallery,” Morgan pointed out.

“True. Speaking of which, I’m more than a little concerned about Mr. Ryze’s next move.”

An uneasiness settled over Morgan. Her grandmother was adamant about not letting Ryze intimidate her. The man was barking up the wrong tree if he thought he was going to take advantage of an Easton.

On the other hand, he may have been emboldened when the other gallery, reportedly a distinguished and reputable business, gave him what he wanted.

Something told her they would find out sooner, rather than later, how things would shake out.

Chapter 7

Chester scooted across Morgan’s lap, eagerly peering out the window as they pulled into Locke Pointe. His attention was laser-focused on the tree separating her parking area from the Lilac Inn’s parking lot. It was the favorite hangout of a squirrel who took great pleasure in taunting her pup whenever he visited.

“Leave the squirrel alone.” Morgan issued a stern warning and shut her SUV off.

Chester’s ears flattened. He shot her an annoyed side glance, a look she knew meant as soon as she opened the car door, he was outta there.

“I don’t know why I bother. I might as well save my breath.”

As predicted, the warning went in one ear and out the other. Her pup promptly leapt to the ground and took off at a dead run.

The squirrel in question, nicknamed Rocket by Morgan and Grace because of the speed at which he took off whenever the pup came within twenty feet of him, dropped the acorn he was chomping on and bolted up the side of the tree.

He perched on a lower limb, squawking loudly at Chester, who stood below him, barking his head off.

Morgan marched across the parking lot. “Rocket is way too fast for your short, little legs,” she lectured. “On the plus side, at least you’re getting some exercise. C’mon. Let’s go.”

Chester backed up, casting one final warning glance at his “taunter” before reluctantly following Morgan across the yard.

Clearing the towering row of hedges, she noticed Easton Estate’s truck parked alongside the porch. Morgan glimpsedJax loading the chairs she’d borrowed for the previous night’s festivities into the bed of the truck and picked up the pace. “I didn’t know you were coming here to pick up the chairs.”

“I was in the neighborhood and figured I would swing by on my way home.” Jax stacked a folding chair on top of the growing pile.

“Let me help.” She ran inside and grabbed two more chairs, one for each arm, and carried them out, neatly placing them on top of the others. “Thanks for all of your help.”

“No problem. It was a great party. Elizabeth and Gerard were still talking about it this morning.”

Ronni appeared in the doorway. “I thought I heard someone banging around out here.”

“Figured I might as well pick up the chairs and get them out of your way,” Jax grunted.

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