Page 5 of Easton Island: Old-Fashioned Christmas
“Aye-aye.” He gave her a mock salute and then kissed her again. “I’ll be there with bells on.”
After Wyatt left, Morgan tracked down her favorite weather app. It took a few minutes to locate the updated forecast he’d mentioned. Sure enough, a storm was barreling across America’s heartland. If it kept the current path, it would hit the Great Lakes Region right before Christmas.
Pushing the potential weather woes and Wyatt’s disappointing news aside, she finished straightening the kitchen and called her pup.
The show must go on, or in this case, the open house she’d committed to. Despite the curveballs being thrown her way, Morgan was determined to throw the party of the year, right up there with Elizabeth Easton’s recent wedding celebration, if she had anything to say about it.
*****
Morgan rubbed her palms together, warming her hands in front of the fire. “I was thinking about sending a photo of Locke Pointe all decked out to Michigan’s Stately Estates magazine for next year’s holiday edition.”
“It would be a slam dunk,” Quinn said. “If I ever stepped back in time for a Christmas memory from when we were kids, this is exactly what I envision. The stockings hanging by the fire with care, the twinkling star on top of the tree, decorations around every corner and in every room.”
Not only had Morgan emptied all the boxes she found, but she’d even added some of her own personal pieces from growing up, although only a couple. The rest were on display at her private residence, Looking Glass Cottage. “I finished Grace’s Christmas present.”
“You did?” Her bestie clapped her hands. “I can’t wait to see how it turned out.”
“I’m getting ready to wrap it.”
“I’m surprised you can even see straight after working on all those teeny-tiny details.”
“It was a labor of love. To be honest, it turned out better than I thought it would.” Morgan nudged the wicker basket of blankets closer to the hearth. “It’s back here.”
Passing through the living room, they made the short trek down the hall to the office Morgan and Ronni shared.
“It’s on the desk.”
Quinn followed her friend across the room to the homemade, handmade gift Morgan had been working on for months. A custom-order gift she’d been laboring over in her free time. “The photos you took of Lilac Inn helped immensely. I don’t think Grace has a clue what I’ve been up to.”
“This is the most detailed miniature I’ve ever seen, although to be honest, it’s also the first one I’ve ever seen.” Quinn squinted her eyes, leaning in for a closer look. “No wonder the kit included a magnifying glass and tweezers.”
“Both of which came in handy. Do you think she’ll like it?”
“She’ll love it. You should order another kit for Locke Pointe.”
“And Looking Glass Cottage. On the downside it will take me years to finish them.”
“You’re so thoughtful, Morgan.”
“I wanted to give Grace something special, a way to thank her for all she’s done for me.” Morgan retraced her steps, leading her friend out of the office. “What are you up to the rest of today?”
“Brett’s in Toronto, which means I’m free as a bird tonight.”
“I’m on a roll with the decorating. Do you need help with your place?”
“I appreciate the offer, but after Esther chewed a branch off a tree in the backyard last week, I don’t dare bring one inside the house.”
Morgan giggled, envisioning Chester’s sibling, an almost mirror image of her pup, chewing on a branch and dragging pieces all over the house. “She’s such a stinker.”
“But as adorable as all get out.” Quinn tapped the side of her chin. “I have her party outfit all picked out. What is Chester dressing as again?”
“A reindeer.” Morgan called her pup, who had taken Esther on a tour, more than likely directly to the kitchen to beg for treats from Tina. “There you are.”
The pup obediently trotted over, stopping in his tracks when he saw her holding the antlers. He began backing away. “Chester Charleston Easton, get back here.”
Her pup reluctantly tromped over, an annoyed look on his face as Morgan wiggled the antlers in place. They made a jingling sound—not loud or annoying but more of a soft melodic tinkle.
The pup let out a heavy sigh, giving her the stink eye.
