Page 75 of The Christmas Catch
Did Ali sound peeved?
“Plus, I saw them put my luggage tag on mine.”
“I know.” Morgan’s gaze dropped to Ali’s lips, and she forced herself to focus. “I have a theory about how it happened, but you’re busy.”
Ali gave her an embattled smile. “Do you want to wait at the end of the bar and I’ll try to be done as soon as I can?”
“Sure.”
Her gaze lingered on Morgan a few seconds more than necessary. Then Ali blinked and served the next customer.
Morgan edged out of the crowd that was still three-deep and walked around to the end of the bar. She sat on a spare bar stool and took in The Rising Sun, still packed despite the absence of Tony Bradford. Morgan wasn’t surprised. The pub had always been a pillar of the community, because Ali’s family made it so. As Ali’s mum always said, you walk in a stranger, you leave a friend. Morgan had walked in a few times and left with a variety of friends. She’d even picked up a woman in here six Christmases ago when she was on the rebound and took her home to have sex, before sneaking her out before her mum realised what had happened. Those were different times.
“Hey, stranger.”
Morgan looked up to find Nicole beside her, resplendent in pink like a stick of Blackpool rock. Morgan grinned, got off her stool, and gave her friend a hug.
“How long’s it been? Three years? I thought you were avoiding me until you kidnapped my sister.”
What had Ali told her? Morgan laughed all the same.
“Your sister was willingly kidnapped. You need to tell her not to talk to strangers in airports. You never know what can happen.”
Nicole’s smile was still the same one that had lit up Morgan’s whole life. She’d always been a bundle of positivity, and Morgan was pleased to see nothing had dimmed her wattage. Not even the death of her dad.
“I’m not going to ask you what happened, but my sister has been acting strange since she got back. Like she’s hiding something. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
Don’t give anything away.
“Don’t you always think that about your little sister?” She placed a hand on her friend’s arm. “I’m sorry I haven’t seen you in so long. The last couple of years I’ve only done a flying visit, but I should have stayed long enough to pop in and have a drink with you.”
“Damn right you should have. Good job I’m the forgiving sort.”
“Also, I wanted to say I was so sorry to hear about your dad. He was a great man.”
“Thank you. And yes, he was.” Nicole’s eyes glistened as she spoke.
“But it looks like the place is doing as well as ever.”
Her friend nodded. “It is. We’re lucky. We have a very loyal customer base.”
Morgan squeezed Nicole’s forearm again. “Luck’s got nothing to do with it.”
Ali walked up behind her sister, her face pensive. “Whatever she’s saying, don’t believe it. That’s a blanket rule.”
Morgan’s heart swelled in Ali’s presence.
“Nicole was just accusing me of kidnapping you, and it’s a fair cop.” Morgan snagged Ali’s alluring gaze. “I also kidnapped her suitcase. Which is why I’m here. I wanted to check you had mine, too. Have you opened it yet?”
Ali shook her head. “I got back and was put to work behind the bar before I could blink.” She stood back. “You want to come through and I’ll check?”
Morgan nodded, then followed Ali through the small plating-up area—with the gingerbread pub sat on the side—and into the family hallway.
“I haven’t been in here in years.” Not since she was in her mid-20s, if Morgan had to guess. “Nicole and I spent many nights in our late teens sneaking drinks from the bar. I’ve no idea if your parents ever knew.”
“I suspect they did. They weren’t stupid.” Ali nodded towards the stairs. “You want to come up?”
Twenty-four hours ago, that line would have signified something completely different. Now, she ignored the heightened anticipation on her skin as she followed Ali up the stairs. She bit down her smile that Ali still jingled.
