Page 17 of Easton Island: Old-Fashioned Christmas
“You missed my joke.” Morgan had noticed her brother seeming distracted, almost to the point where she wondered if he was okay.
Quinn shot her a puzzled look. It appeared she had noticed as well.
Morgan stopped short of asking him if he was feeling all right, thinking she should wait until they were alone to question him.
Ben Baker and Greg appeared, followed by Mrs. Arnsby, all dolled up in her holiday finest.
Chester, who had been patiently standing in the corner, bounded over. His antlers bounced off Morgan’s leg and slid forward. He shot her an annoyed look.
“I’m starting to think that a bowtie would have been a better choice.” Morgan promptly removed the pesky antlers, and her pup licked her hand to show his appreciation.
Guest after guest arrived, including her friend, Elin Jensen, the owner of Danish Delight Bakery, Ariel Vanmeter, who owned Bean Brewing, Locke Village’s coffee shop. Denver Coates, who managed Easton Island airport, the mayor, the township treasurer, almost every business owner from the village and even a few from Easton Harbor greeted their hostess, thanking her for inviting them.
Jax, the last to arrive, hurried to Morgan’s side.
“I was beginning to think you weren’t going to make it.”
“The parking lot is full. It took me a while to find a spot.” His eyes scanned the room, and she knew the exact second Jax spotted Ronni…when his jaw dropped.
Morgan tucked her arms behind her back, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “Ronni looks gorgeous, doesn’t she?” she said in a low voice.
“I-I’ve never seen her dressed so…” Jax stammered.
“Hot?” she teased.
He tugged at his tie. “She’ll turn every head in here.”
“Easily, which is why you should get over there and protect her from potential admirers.”
“Yes.” Jax turned to go and abruptly stopped. “I’m sorry, Morgan. You are as pretty as your mom. You look so much like her.”
“I was doing some last-minute primping in the mirror, and it was almost as if Mom was staring back at me.” Morgan rubbed the sides of her arms. “Thank you for the compliment.”
He gave her a peck on the cheek. “She would be very proud of you.”
Morgan blinked back the sudden tears. “I hope so. Now, go grab your gal before some other smooth talker does.”
“You betcha.”
She gently nudged him, watching as Jax strode across the room. Ronni’s eyes followed him, a small smile playing on her lips. He said something, and she leaned in, laughing at whatever it was.
“Thank you for inviting me.”
Morgan spun around and found Priscilla Finkpin, her grandmother’s former nemesis and sister-in-law, standing behind her.
“You’re welcome. You are a part of the business community, seeing how you’re the managing editor of the Easton Harbor Beacon.”
“It’s a who’s who of Easton Island.” She gave Morgan the once over. “I’m sure you’ve heard this a dozen times already, but if I didn’t know better, I would think Laura Locke Easton was standing in front of me. You’re the mirror image of your mother.”
“Thank you. I…miss her.” It seemed like such an inadequate statement, the depth of Morgan’s loss washing over her. She looked away, struggling to maintain her composure.
Priscilla touched her arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you sad.”
“It’s okay. I’ve felt her presence all day…only a breath away.”
Elizabeth appeared. “What’s with the glum face? Is Prissy making you sad?”
“Oh, stop.” Priscilla rolled her eyes. “I told her she looked like Laura.”
