Page 65 of The Christmas Catch
Ali couldn’t help but beam again. She had presents for everyone who was important in her life. Mum, Nicole, Stuart, Morgan. Morgan had made the headline list. She wasn’t going to dwell on what that might mean.
“Are you buying the entire shop?” Helen’s face appeared by her shoulder.
“Looks like it,” Ali replied. “Just in case our luggage doesn’t show up. I can’t turn up empty-handed, can I? Luckily, Mum already bought my gift for Harrison. Not sure he’d be impressed with a candle and a tea towel of the Lakes.”
“I doubt he would.” Helen stilled. “Any of those for Morgan?”
Heat rushed to Ali’s cheeks. “Just one. I had to buy her something after what she just bought, didn’t I?”
Helen gave her a knowing smile. “I’m not sure why you’re trying to deny there’s something between you. Did something happen before? Like, in the past?”
Ali shook her head. “No. But maybe it could.” Damn it, she was terrible at keeping secrets. “She’s Nicole’s friend, so it’s tangled.” Even more so after last night, but Helen didn’t need to know that.
“Sometimes things get tangled for a reason. Maybe tangled is good. It means she knows what she’s getting into, and vice versa. One thing I know from spending time with you both? The feelings are mutual. I could light a match with the chemistry between you.”
Ali chewed on that for a second. Had they really been that obvious even before anything happened? What was it Morgan had said in the car? That she wanted to meet someone who she already knew. That she didn’t want to meet someone on a dating site, she wanted to do it the old-fashioned way. Ali wasn’t sure a disastrous Christmas trip home counted as old-fashioned, but the two of them did. They’d known each other forever, but never actually stopped and considered what had always been there.
Now, maybe they should?
Ali might, if it wasn’t for New York.
“Any of that for me?” Morgan’s voice startled both Helen and Ali.
Ali clutched her hand to her chest and shielded the basket. “No, but it would probably be better if you didn’t see. Just in case you tell my mum I’ve bought her a chrome rabbit and spoil the surprise.” Ali nodded at Helen. “Why don’t you put that bottle on the counter and I’ll pay for it as a thank you for everything.”
Helen shook her head.
Ali held up a palm. “I don’t want any arguments. How about you take Morgan across the road while I pay? See you in the boutique?”
Helen nodded. “If you’re sure.” Then she put an arm around Morgan and steered her out of the shop.
CHAPTER22
Morgan gave Helen and Jamie an enormous hug.
“You’ve no idea what your hospitality meant after the 48 hours we had before. I feel like whatever happens on this leg of the journey, we can deal with it now. Particularly since the Nurofen Plus have finally kicked my hangover and I’m ready to roll.”
That got a laugh from everyone.
Ali followed it up with a bear hug for her cousin and Jamie, glancing over Helen’s shoulder at the impressive Christmas Court. Behind the stone castle was the Ferris wheel where her and Morgan’s story had begun, less than 24 hours earlier. Of course, the full story started way before that. You could call them a slow burn. She still couldn’t quite believe they’d only kissed for the first time yesterday. Now, they were back in the car park with their new grey Ford Focus—a carbon copy of the old one, albeit with a working engine.
“I echo everything that Morgan said,” Ali told her cousin. “Staying with you has been a real bright spot on our ill-fated journey.”
“You’re welcome anytime. Both of you.” Helen sent a pointed stare in Ali’s direction. “We’re not that far if your transport works.”
They waved until their hosts were out of sight, then got into their new hire car. This afternoon, the sky was overcast, with the sun breaking through intermittently. It was a vast improvement on the last few days. Critically, there was no snow forecast.
“They have to be one of the most welcoming couples I’ve ever met. If I could meet a partner like Jamie, but female, that would be perfect. Someone who’s funny, charming and cooks like a dream.” Morgan glanced Ali’s way. “What are you like in the kitchen?”
Ali wanted to melt into her seat.
“I make a mean tortilla.” Her stomach lurched. The words ‘New York’ flashed in her mind.
“Tortilla is a good start.”
Ali’s phone buzzed in its holder before Morgan could say anymore. She’d never been more relieved.
She leaned in, pressed a few buttons, then clenched her fist in triumph. “Our luggage is due to land at Exeter airport this afternoon and will be ready to pick up between 4-7pm.”
