Page 57 of Easton Island: Old-Fashioned Christmas
“Aunt Morgan?” Jeff teased.
“I told Tristan he could call me aunt,” Morgan said. “I hope it’s all right.”
He cleared his throat. “I suppose. I mean…”
Morgan understood Jeff’s hesitancy. Tristan becoming attached to the family and potentially having the rug ripped outfrom under him. Tristan was having a ball…snowmobiling with Jax, ice fishing with Brett, hanging out with Morgan. And now there was no doubt shewashis aunt.
“Mrs. Arnsby baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies if you would like to sample them.”
“Cookies?” Tristan slid out of his chair. “Chocolate chips are my favorite.”
“I’ll take you there and be right back.” Elizabeth gave Brett a pointed stare. “Can you hold off?”
“We’ll wait for you,” he promised.
“Thank you.” Elizabeth and Tristan left. When she returned, she was alone. “Tristan is happily gobbling up fresh-from-the-oven cookies.”
“You’re spoiling him rotten,” Jeff said. “But in a good way. Did the results come back?”
“They did. Tristan is my son.”
Jeff briefly closed his eyes. “I figured as much. Addison had no reason to lie.”
“I’m looking forward to getting to know him.”
“We’ve talked about it, and he’s ready to hear what the answer is.”
“I’ll go get him.” Morgan hurried off to the kitchen, returning with Tristan and a plate full of cookies. “These are the best cookies I’ve ever had.”
“Mrs. Arnsby is the best cookie baker on the planet,” Morgan said.
“Do you want a cookie, Uncle Jeff?”
“Thank you.” Jeff took a cookie from the plate. “Brett got the results back.”
Tristan stared at his uncle. “What did they say?”
Brett crossed the room and stood in front of the boy. “You’re a great kid, Tristan, the kind of kid any mom or dad would be proud of. Your mom was right. You are my son.”
Tristan set the cookies on the card table. “I am?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
Tristan’s eyes immediately went to his uncle. “Are you going to leave me here?”
Morgan clenched her jaw, choking back tears.
“No, Tristan. I won’t leave you here, and I’m sure Brett won’t force you to stay against your will. You’re free to come back to Nevada. Although perhaps you’ll want to get to know the Eastons. They seem like a nice bunch of people.”
“We’re not too bad if I say so myself,” Morgan said.
“Would you like to spend time here?” his uncle asked. “To go back with me but maybe plan some trips to get to know your dad, grandmother and Aunt Morgan?”
“Yeah. Brett is going to take me fishing again and do other cool stuff.”
Elizabeth cleared her throat. “We may have come up with an unconventional solution.”
Jeff shot her a questioning look.
