Page 6 of Easton Island: A Wedding to Remember

Morgan wasn’t sure how her grandmother would react to a surprise party. Hopefully, she would embrace it with the spirit in which it was intended…with love.

Hurrying back inside, she, along with Ronni, Quinn and Tina, Locke Pointe’s cook, added the finishing touches to the decorations, and not a moment too soon.

Friends and family streamed in. Morgan stood by the front door, greeting each of them and ushering them into the living room.

Her brother, Brett, Mary, Elizabeth’s best friend, Elin, who owned Locke Village’s downtown bakery, Ariel, proprietor of the local coffee shop. Grace Coates and her father, Denver, who managed Easton Island’s airport. Jax, Mrs. Arnsby, Grady MacDonald and his parents. One after another after another.

Tink.Morgan’s cell phone chimed. It was Ben, the estate’s chauffeur, giving her a heads-up he and the couple were pulling out of Easton Estate.

“Hey, everyone!” Morgan clapped her hands. “Grandmother and Gerard are on their way.”

She dimmed the lights. The whispers faded, and it grew quiet…

Keeping watch from the front door, Morgan spotted Ben first, leading the couple along the sidewalk.

She slipped out of the house and met them halfway. “You’re right on time.”

“The parking lot is jam-packed,” Gerard joked. “Locke Pointe and Lilac Inn must both have a full house tonight.”

“I’m not sure about Grace’s place, but Locke Pointe definitely has a full house.” Morgan accompanied the trio inside, stopping in the foyer to hang their jackets on the hooks by the door. “I hope you’re hungry.”

“Famished. I ate a very light lunch.” Elizabeth was the first to notice something was afoot. “The dining room table is filled with platters of food.”

Morgan ignored the comment, quickly steering them toward the living room. “I thought we would have a pre-dinner bite to eat.”

“It’s dark in here. Perhaps you should turn the lights on,” her grandmother suggested.

“You’re right. That’s an excellent idea.” Morgan caught Quinn’s eye, who was standing nearby, and winked. “Go ahead and hit the lights.”

Quinn flipped the switch.

“Surprise!”

Elizabeth’s eyes grew round as saucers. For once, the stoic senior Easton was speechless.

Gerard recovered first. “For heaven’s sake, what in the world is this?”

“It’s a surprise party,” Morgan beamed. “I invited fifty of your closest friends and family.”

Mary emerged from the crowd, a mischievous grin on her face. “Your expression is priceless.”

Elizabeth pivoted, pinning her granddaughter with a pointed stare and playfully shaking her finger at her. “You did this?”

“Guilty as charged.” Morgan grinned. “Without a doubt, the wedding will be a wedding to remember and more than likely a little chaotic, which got me to thinking a smaller scale gathering would be fun.”

Quinn picked up. “When Morgan said she wanted to throw a surprise pre-wedding party, we were all in.”

“Including Tina, Ronni, and Elin, who whipped up some fabulous dishes and baked goods, along with Ariel, who insisted on bringing the beverages.”

“Thank you for putting this together.”

“You’re welcome.” Quinn nudged Brett, who was standing next to her. “Even Brett contributed.”

“I blew up the balloons,” he joked.

“You did not.” Morgan playfully punched him in the arm.

“Okay, but I did bring them here.”

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