Page 54 of Spindrift

Morgantried to stand as she had zero interest in hanging around for the rest of thisconversation, but Lillian shoved her back down. “Stay off the ankle.”

“Thencan we not talk about this?”

“Hell,if you’re not into her, I could be,” said Angie.

“She’snot your type.” Morgan couldn’t help bristling.

“Icould make an exception.”

“What’sgoing on with Lana, anyway? I thought you were done with her.”

“Iam.”

“Thenwhy was she over the other night?”

“BecauseI wanted to get laid on my birthday.” Angie folded herself into the corner ofthe couch. “Is there a problem with that?”

“She’snot good for you.”

Angie’shazel eyes were unreadable. “Also not your call.”

“Children,”Lillian said warningly.

“Ijust don’t get it. You’re kind, beautiful, funny, and smart. You deservesomeone who appreciates that, not someone who . . .” She gestured vaguely,unwilling to put into words what women like Lana did to Angie.

“Ifthat’s what I wanted, I’d date you, Donovan.” Angie stood abruptly, clutching aspitting James to her chest, and stalked out of the room.

Lilliansighed.

“What?Everyone gets a say in my private life, but I can’t say anything about hers?” saidMorgan.

“You’re. . .” Lillian paused. “You and Ange are different.”

“Lanais a dick.”

“Lanaisn’t the problem, Morgan.”

Lillian’squiet words deflated her anger. “I should go apologize.”

“Later.Stay off that foot. I’ll talk to her and make sure she’s okay.”

Okay,and not hurting herself.Morgan leaned her head against the back of the chair. Today had been anunmitigated disaster. First the cow, which should have been avoidable, thenEmilia, and now Angie. Tomorrow promised more trouble. One of the local ridingstables had purchased a new group of school horses, pending veterinaryexamination, which meant long hours on her feet on concrete. Then there wouldbe the inevitable emergency, followed by an appointment with a bad-tempered horsewith laminitis whose hoof never seemed to bother her enough to prevent a kick.Danielle needed to hire someone soon, even if it was just on a temporary basis.Maybe they could snag a new grad who hadn’t found work yet, not that sherelished that idea. What Morgan really needed was a day on the water, no pager,no cell phone—just her, her dog, and the ocean.

Angiecame back downstairs an ice pack change later.

“Ange,”Morgan said, sitting up. Angie’s large hazel eyes gave her a soulful look.“Come here.”

Angieapproached cautiously, reminding Morgan of a feral kitten. She patted the armrest,and Angie perched on the edge.

“I’msorry I snapped at you.”

“It’sokay. I’m sorry I pushed the Emilia thing.”

“Don’tworry about it. You doing okay?”

Angieslid into Morgan’s lap. The vulnerability in the gesture brought a lump toMorgan’s throat, and she wrapped her arms around her friend. Angie curled herhead under Morgan’s chin.

“No,”she said.

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