The yard was plenty big enough for kids to run around, although being on a busy road wasn’t ideal for small children.

Morgan turned the vacuum off and heard a rustling, followed by a dullthud.She tracked down her pup, who was digging around in a back corner.

As she drew closer, she noticed a small section of the flooring was missing, exposing the joists.

“What are you doing, buddy?”

Pretending not to hear, Chester doubled down on his efforts, burying his head even deeper into the opening. His tail shot straight up in the air, a sure sign he was onto something.

“Suit yourself. Don’t get a sliver in your nose.” Morgan placed her hands on her hips, slowly circling the room. There wasn’t much use for it, other than storage, because of the lack of headroom. At best, it would make a great children’s playroom.

With a quick check on Chester, who still had his head buried in the corner, Morgan carried the cleaning supplies downstairs and put them away.

She returned to the attic and found her pup sitting near the top step, his furry face covered in a layer of dust, giving him an “old man” beard and eyebrows.

“I should nickname you the dust buster.” Morgan swiped at the dust. “Let’s go get you cleaned up.”

Chapter 18

Morgan finished dusting Chester off before checking the porch for her deliveries. There, sitting next to the door was a big brown box. “It’s here. Quinn’s other housewarming gift made it in time.”

Chester circled the box, impatiently waiting for her to open it. “You’re going to be sorely disappointed,” she warned him. “It’s not from your favorite toy and treat store.”

Her pup placed his front paws on the edge and peered inside.

“See? I told you, this one isn’t for you.” Morgan carefully unwrapped the custom cutting board. “It’s beautiful.” She turned it around so Chester could admire the design.

Half of it was a patterned olive wood, while the other half resembled Lake Huron’s shoreline, a gorgeous shade of shimmering sapphire. Etched in gold lettering wasQuinn’s Kitchen.

She ran a light hand over the top. “It’s even prettier than it looked in the picture.” Tracking down a gift bag, tissue paper and bows, within minutes Quinn’s gift was ready to go.

Morgan finished putting the wrapping supplies away and glimpsed a vehicle pulling in. She ran out, thinking the mailman was returning with Wyatt’s delivery, only to discover it was his Jeep. “Where’s your work uniform? Did something happen?”

“I took a half day off.” Wyatt handed her a bouquet of flowers. “These are for you.”

“They’re beautiful. The surprise you asked me to hang around for…”

“Is me.” He leaned in for a kiss. “I’m your surprise.”

“More like shock.” Morgan admired the flowers. “I can’t remember the last time you were off on a Friday night.”

“Neither can I, which is why I’m here.” Wyatt clapped his hands. “Let’s get the flowers in water and head out.”

“Head out where?”

He playfully pressed his finger to her lips. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Morgan hurried to the kitchen, filled an empty vase with water, and placed the flowers inside. She made a few minor adjustments and stood back to admire her handiwork, which is where Wyatt found her. “I don’t know how you always manage to pick out the prettiest flowers.”

“I’m glad you like them.” He grabbed her jacket from the hook and helped her put it on. “Before you get too excited about our date night, it’s nothing fancy.”

“It doesn’t matter, as long as I’m with you.”

After taking Chester out for a bathroom break, the couple hopped into his Jeep for the quick trip to the harbor. Thinking Wyatt would stop somewhere in town, she was surprised when he turned into the harbor’s parking lot. “We’re going to the mainland?”

“Not quite.” Wyatt reached for the door handle. Morgan reached for hers and he stopped her. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

She watched him jog to Captain Davey’s office. He disappeared inside. Exiting moments later, Wyatt strolled over to the passenger side. “We’re all set.”