Page 36 of Easton Island: Old-Fashioned Christmas
December 24th, Christmas Eve. It would be the most interesting Christmas Morgan had ever spent—hunkering down at Easton Estate and riding out the storm. She drifted from room to room, thinking about how many storms Locke Pointe had weathered. Probably more than she could ever imagine.
Morgan found herself standing in front of her mother’s Locke Pointe painting. Her presence had lingered long after the open house ended.
Tink.Morgan jumped at the sound of her cell phone. It was Elizabeth.Where are you?
Morgan:Locking up Locke Pointe.
Elizabeth:Conditions are deteriorating quickly. You should think about heading over soon.
Morgan:I need to stop by Looking Glass Cottage and grab Chester and my bags. Leaving in a few.
Elizabeth:Prissy is here. She said half of Easton Harbor is out of power.
At that precise moment, the lights flickered and then went out.
She texted back, telling her grandmother she’d also lost power.I’ll be there within the hour.
Elizabeth:The sooner the better. The airport has become a shelter for those who can make it…if they can get there.
Morgan’s heart skipped a beat. Easton Island Airport was located close to the center of town, down winding roads which were easily accessible for the most part, but during a storm? It would be next to impossible.
Hopefully, the islanders, a hearty bunch, heeded the advisories and had a backup plan in place.
Morgan:How are Brett and his guests?
Elizabeth:It’s been interesting, I’ll give you that. Hurry home.
She signed off, half-hoping the power would come back on, but the house remained quiet and dark, except for the occasional whistling wind.
By the time Morgan put her boots, coat, hat and gloves on, the path Greg had shoveled was already filling in.
Tromping through the snow, she reached her SUV, now covered in a thick layer of the fluffy white stuff. First things first, she started the engine to warm the interior.
Morgan grabbed the scraper and brush and cleared her windshield. Hopping inside, she revved up the engine and backed out.
The road had become little more than a two-lane track. Gripping the steering wheel tightly, Morgan crept to the end of the street and checked for traffic. There was not a car in sight.
Praying she would make it without sliding into the ditch, she drove as fast as she dared. Reaching Looking Glass Cottage, Morgan pulled into her driveway and shifted into park. Not planning to stay long, she left her SUV idling.
Bracing against the cold wintry mix of snow and wind, Morgan hopped out and ran to the door. Chester stood waiting for her, an anxious look on his furry little face. “We’re going over to Grandmother’s.” She ran to her room and grabbed her overnight bag, already packed and sitting on the floor.
It wasn’t until she was near the door that she realized her power was also out. Out and still only early afternoon. Morgan began to feel lightheaded. She and Chester needed to get a move on.
She was halfway across the room when she noticed a car had pulled off to the side of her driveway and parked next to her.
Morgan scooped her pup up, peering through the window, watching as the driver emerged and began wading through the deep snow. “Is that who I think it is?”
She ran to the front door and flung it open.
“Hello, Morgan. I’m hoping you can help me.”
Chapter 16
Naomi Renaud, Grandmother Elizabeth’s archenemy, who was no friend of Morgan’s either, took a tentative step toward her. “My home is without power.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“I was…wondering, do you have a room at your bed-and-breakfast? I need a place to stay.”
