Page 16 of Easton Island: Old-Fashioned Christmas
Chapter 7
Morgan ran a light hand along the neckline of her vintage red tuxedo gown. A wisp of her sandy brown hair had come loose from her updo. She tucked it behind the gold and silver leaf pearl comb she’d found in her grandmother’s jewelry box.
She gazed in the mirror. Her mother’s hazel eyes stared back at her.
Beautiful,Laura’s soft voice whispered in Morgan’s ear. All afternoon she’d felt her mother’s presence so close she could almost reach out and touch her. With every last party preparation…placing the Bohemia crystal hand-cut glasses, the Reed & Barton sterling silver flatware, and Spode Christmas tree place settings on the sideboard table, she felt her mother by her side.
Every detail had been carefully executed, including selecting the serving dishes, an homage to both the Locke and Easton sides of the family, which was no small feat. Her Locke side being American Michiganders while the Easton side was Canadian.
Which meant dinner was an eclectic mix of both, but she was thrilled with the results and couldn’t wait for her special guests to arrive.
Quinn glided into the office, her sequined forest green velvet dress, off the shoulder and with a deep scoop in the back, glimmering under the recessed lights. “What do you think?”
Morgan let out a flirty whistle. “Ooh la la. Wait until Brett sees you.”
“I wasn’t sure about the color, but now that I have it on, I’m in love.” Quinn twirled in a slow circle. “I feel like a princess.”
“You look like one,” Morgan said. “We both do.”
“Ronni is going to have Jax drooling over her gown.”
“I’m dying to see it.”
“It’s stunning. Those are the only words I can use to describe it.”
Ronni swept into the room. “I thought I would find you two in here.”
“Wow.” Morgan’s eyes flitted from the top of Ronni’s head to the tips of her satin high heels. “Your dress is gorgeous.”
“You don’t think it’s too…snug.” Ronni absentmindedly tugged on the sleeve. Also, a shade of red, but a more vivid version than Morgan’s, it fit her like a glove. “I feel like I’m interviewing for a brothel position.”
Quinn burst out laughing. “Not even close. It’s sexy yet not over the top.”
“Are you sure?”
Morgan gave her a double thumbs up. “The gown was made for you.”
“Thanks.” Ronni tapped the top of her diamond bracelet watch. “The guests should start arriving at any moment.”
“Let’s do this.” Morgan, with shoulders back and head held high, waltzed down the long hall and to the entrance. From the doorway, she could see a steady stream of headlights driving past and turning into Locke Pointe’s parking lot.
Elizabeth, with Gerard by her side, was the first to arrive. The Easton family matriarch was dressed to the nines, from the top of her gem-encrusted sparkling tiara to the tips of herLa Canadienne leather pumps. Regal and poised, she kissed Morgan’s cheek. “You look stunning,” she whispered in her ear.
“I was thinking the same thing about you.” Morgan’s eyes filled with love. Not only was this night about being a part of the Locke Village community, but it was a nod to her grandmother—and brother—the two people who had been by her side through some very tough times.
Wyatt arrived moments later, looking dapper in his suit and tie. Brett was right behind him, appearing equally dashing and wearing a tie that matched Quinn’s forest green dress. “You two are color-coordinated,” Morgan teased.
“We tried.” Her brother placed a light kiss on her cheek before taking Quinn’s arm. “And you look like you stepped out of a Vogue fashion magazine. All of you.”
“Thank you,” Ronni primly replied. “It was fun getting dressed up.”
“You’re looking hot yourself,” Quinn flirted, batting her eyes at her beau.
“We Eastons clean up pretty good,” Brett joked.
“It’s our excellent genes.” Morgan added another comment, directed at her brother.
He stared at her, a blank expression on his face. “Huh?”
