Page 3 of Easton Island: Old-Fashioned Christmas
Chester bounded across the front seat and leapt onto the sidewalk. Knowing exactly where they were going, the pup trotted ahead and stood waiting for her at the door. The overhead bell tinkled, announcing their arrival.
Elizabeth Easton-Ainsworth and Quinn Schultz, Morgan’s best friend who had recently been promoted to manager of the Easton Harbor Art Gallery, stood chatting near the back.
“Hello, dear.” Elizabeth crossed the gallery and gave her granddaughter a peck on the cheek. “Were your ears ringing? Quinn and I were just talking about you.”
“I stopped at the flower shop to pick up the open house arrangements and noticed your car was here, so I thought I would drop in.” Morgan tilted her head. “Speaking of flowers, the bouquet sitting on the counter is beautiful. Let me guess…they’re from Brett.”
For the past month, Morgan’s half-brother, who was dating her best friend, had been showering her with flowers, thoughtful gifts, and surprise date days. She was thrilled the couple seemed to have finally worked through their issues and the relationship appeared to be on steady ground. Not only steady but getting more serious by the day.
“Brett is courting Quinn in a most earnest manner,” Elizabeth teased. “I’ve never seen my grandson more smitten in his life.”
“He’s a keeper and spoils me rotten.” A small smile played across Quinn’s lips. “I figured I was on track to become an old spinster, never finding my soulmate.”
“Until fate stepped in,” Morgan said. “If someone had told me I would be living on Easton Island, running a bed-and-breakfast, divorced from Jason and had a brother, not to mention a grandmother, even a couple of years ago I would have laughed in their face.”
“Life has a way of twisting and turning,” Elizabeth said. “All for the better, I might add, at least for you two.”
“Speaking of Locke Pointe,” Quinn leaned her elbows on the counter. “I was going to swing by after work to see if you needed help.”
“Ronni, Greg, Tina and I have it all under control.” Morgan ticked off the items still left on her to-do list. “Brett sent a message. He’s still trying to get his hands on a copy of the Wynn Harbor Inn documentary.”
“And I’ll be hosting a watch party as soon as we have it,” Elizabeth promised.
“He mentioned they’ve already aired it a few times over on the West Coast,” Quinn said.
Elizabeth’s brows furrowed. “I thought we were allowed a special preview.”
“A special preview for our neck of the woods. Apparently it’s already premiered in certain areas.”
Morgan dusted her hands. “I’m not worried about it. The taping went smoothly. Brett and I tooted the Easton Holdings’ horn the best we could. Besides, most of the show is about Wynn Harbor Inn.”
“True.” Elizabeth changed the subject, reminding them she and Gerard planned to host Christmas Eve dinner at Easton Estate. “Don’t you dare try backing out this year.”
“Not a chance. I promise I’ll be there.” Morgan made an “x” across her chest. “Although I still miss my mom, I know she wouldn’t want me to be sad. Hosting the Locke Village business owners’ open house is a way to honor her memory as well as my grandparents’ memory. Your celebration is an Easton family tradition I wouldn’t miss for the world.”
A customer arrived, and Morgan excused herself. On her way back to Locke Pointe, she swung by her home to grab a bite to eat.
While she ate, Morgan pulled out her list and went over it line by line. The event was a big deal, at least to her. Althoughshe’d hosted other events at Locke Pointe, this would be her first attempt on a grand scale. Similar to what her grandparents had done, the business owners’ open house was an open invitation to all the islanders.
A flit of movement through the window facing the side driveway caught her eye.
Morgan slid off the barstool and hurried to the back where she found her boyfriend, Wyatt Dawson, climbing the porch steps. She flung the door open and ushered him inside. “I was just getting ready to text you.”
“Great minds think alike.” Wyatt sneaked in a kiss, stamping his snow-covered boots on the rug before stepping into her kitchen. “I drove by Locke Pointe and noticed your SUV wasn’t there, so I figured you were either home or running errands.”
“Errands and lunch.” Morgan held up her half-eaten sandwich. “Are you hungry?”
Chester trotted over to greet him.
“Hey, Chester.” Wyatt patted his head. “Starving. I planned to grab a sandwich at the grocery store deli.”
“Let me fix you something instead. It’ll only take a minute.” Morgan ran to the fridge and began setting sandwich fixings on the counter. “I hope a turkey on rye is okay.”
“It sounds great.”
“With cheese or without?”
“With cheese, please.” He washed his hands in the sink. “The least I can do is help.”
