Page 20 of Easton Island: A Wedding to Remember

“I’m teasing.” Elizabeth cast her a sly side glance. “Call it intuition, but I believe he’s getting close to popping the question.”

Uncomfortable at the direction the conversation was taking, Morgan changed the subject. “I have black tea or green tea. Which would you prefer?”

“Green tea, if it isn’t too much trouble.” Elizabeth followed Morgan down the hall and into the kitchen. “What do you think about Quinn’s cozy cottage?”

“It suits her. Not too big. Not too small. She has a flair for decorating.” Morgan told her grandmother about the sleepover / housewarming party planned for Saturday night. “She invited Grace and Ariel Vanmeter too.”

“I’m sure you miss having her here.”

“It’s been a little lonely. Thankfully, I have Chester to keep me company.” Morgan finished fixing the tea and placed the cups on the table. “Speaking of Quinn, how’s it going since she came back?”

“She picked up right where she left off and is doing an excellent job. I have no qualms about her running the gallery in my absence.”

“She confided she has some regrets about missing out on the other job, but no regrets about coming back to Easton Island to live.”

“It’s in seasons of adversity we grasp what’s most important in life, what really matters.”

Morgan thought about her grandmother’s comment. “I agree. Even though at the time you’re going through the trials and tribulations, you’re so focused on the crisis, you don’t realize inner strength comes from difficult situations.”

“Precisely.” Elizabeth daintily stirred her tea and took a sip. “I’ve made a concerted effort to mind my own business and not ask how she and Brett are doing. I know they’re together often when he’s in town, but he doesn’t talk much about it.”

“I think both are trying to figure it out, taking it slow to see how it goes.” Morgan told her grandmother what Quinn had said, admitting she was falling too hard and too fast for Brett. “I think it made or makes her nervous and she’s being more cautious.”

“Maybe it makes him nervous, too.”

Morgan pressed her fingertips together. “I know you would never butt in and try to sway Brett’s decisions about his personal life.”

“Other than telling him what I thought about Jenna.”

“She was bad news. We all knew it. Thank God she’s gone.”

“Absolutely,” Elizabeth said. “You’re wondering what I think about the possibility of their relationship becoming much more serious.”

“You’ve made vague comments but never come right out and said one way or the other.”

Elizabeth hesitated. “There is a specific reason I stopped by.”

“Involving Brett?”

“He has a past that’s been kept under wraps. An incident which occurred several years ago. It will eventually surface if he and Quinn continue on their current path.”

“An incident?” Morgan echoed.

“If I tell you what it was, you must never mention it to anyone. This is a strictly confidential conversation.”

Their eyes met.

“I understand and won’t say a word.” Morgan made a zipping motion across her mouth. “My lips are sealed.”

Chapter 9

“Brett has never specifically asked me not to tell you. To be honest, you would eventually find out about his secret.” Elizabeth removed a photo from her purse and slid it across the table. “This.”

Morgan’s eyes grew round as saucers. “Is a wedding photo.”

“Of Brett and Addison Blakely.”

“Brett is married?” Morgan’s mind whirled.

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