Chapter 7
Chester scooted across Morgan’s lap, eagerly peering out the window as they pulled into Locke Pointe. His attention was laser-focused on the tree separating her parking area from the Lilac Inn’s parking lot. It was the favorite hangout of a squirrel who took great pleasure in taunting her pup whenever he visited.
“Leave the squirrel alone.” Morgan issued a stern warning and shut her SUV off.
Chester’s ears flattened. He shot her an annoyed side glance, a look she knew meant as soon as she opened the car door, he was outta there.
“I don’t know why I bother. I might as well save my breath.”
As predicted, the warning went in one ear and out the other. Her pup promptly leapt to the ground and took off at a dead run.
The squirrel in question, nicknamed Rocket by Morgan and Grace because of the speed at which he took off whenever the pup came within twenty feet of him, dropped the acorn he was chomping on and bolted up the side of the tree.
He perched on a lower limb, squawking loudly at Chester, who stood below him, barking his head off.
Morgan marched across the parking lot. “Rocket is way too fast for your short, little legs,” she lectured. “On the plus side, at least you’re getting some exercise. C’mon. Let’s go.”
Chester backed up, casting one final warning glance at his “taunter” before reluctantly following Morgan across the yard.
Clearing the towering row of hedges, she noticed Easton Estate’s truck parked alongside the porch. Morgan glimpsed Jax loading the chairs she’d borrowed for the previous night’s festivities into the bed of the truck and picked up the pace. “I didn’t know you were coming here to pick up the chairs.”
“I was in the neighborhood and figured I would swing by on my way home.” Jax stacked a folding chair on top of the growing pile.
“Let me help.” She ran inside and grabbed two more chairs, one for each arm, and carried them out, neatly placing them on top of the others. “Thanks for all of your help.”
“No problem. It was a great party. Elizabeth and Gerard were still talking about it this morning.”
Ronni appeared in the doorway. “I thought I heard someone banging around out here.”
“Figured I might as well pick up the chairs and get them out of your way,” Jax grunted.
“While you’re here, maybe you can help. Greg can’t seem to figure out why these front porch lights are flickering. It’s driving me nuts.” Ronni reached inside and flipped the light switch.
The porch lights—one on each side of the door—began flickering.
Morgan chuckled. “It’s like strobe lights.”
“And driving me batty,” Ronni sighed. “I hope it’s not some sort of short.”
Jax hopped off the tailgate and climbed the steps. He reached past Ronni, turned the lights off, and then back on. The flickering resumed. “It’s the bulbs.”
Ronni appeared skeptical. “Those bulbs are brand new.”
“Was it flickering before you changed them?”
“No.”
“I stand by my assessment. Change out the bulbs.”
Ronni placed her hand on her hip. “I bought a box of these because they were on sale. I didn’t know there was such a thing as a bad brand of bulbs.”
“It happens. Now you know why they were on sale. Being cheap doesn’t always pay.”
Ronni frowned. “Thank you for your expert opinion, although I doubt it’s the bulbs.”
Jax shrugged. “Suit yourself. When you get tired of the disco lighting, try swapping them out.”
“I will.” Ronni mumbled something unintelligible under her breath and Morgan quickly looked away to hide her smile.
Jax and Ronni were like oil and water. The two butted heads at the drop of a hat. Morgan could count on one hand the number of times they’d been in the same room and not argued.
According to what she’d been told, their animosity toward one another began decades ago. Ronni was Morgan’s mother, Laura’s best friend, while Jax was Rhett, Morgan’s father’s closest ally.
During and even after her parent’s split, the battle lines were drawn. Both had taken sides. Even after Laura fled the island, followed years later by Rhett’s death, the animosity continued. At least that was the official version.
Morgan suspected the feud may have started with them each choosing sides, but had evolved into something else. Ronni and Jax were attracted to each other, a feeling both vehemently denied.
The trio finished loading the chairs. Jax shut the tailgate and shaded his eyes. “You did something different to your hair.”
Ronni absentmindedly tugged on a wayward curl.
“He’s right.” Morgan studied her shimmering highlights. “You highlighted your hair. It looks nice.”
“Thank you,” Ronni primly replied. “I got tired of looking at all of the gray.”
“I best get going.” Jax pulled his keys from his pocket.
Morgan couldn’t resist. “What do you think, Jax?”
“About what?”
“Ronni’s hair.”
“I-uh.” Jax cleared his throat, appearing extremely uncomfortable at being put on the spot. “It’s okay.”
“You don’t like it,” Ronni bluntly replied.
“I wouldn’t say I don’t like it. It’s…different.”
“Different in a good way or a bad way?”
He shrugged. “I dunno. I suppose it’s something to get used to.”
“I’ll be sure to stay away from you, so I don’t annoy you with my new look,” Ronni said sarcastically.
“It’s not like your hair is going to burn my retinas.” Jax meant it as a joke, to lighten the mood. Unfortunately, it backfired, at least as far as Ronni was concerned. “You don’t have to be a jerk about it.”
Jax frowned. “I’m being a jerk?”
Morgan, certain the conversation was heading south…and fast, quickly stepped in. She made a timeout with her hands. “I don’t think Jax was trying to insult you.”
“He could’ve fooled me.”
“I wasn’t. Like I said, it’s different, that’s all.”
“But not in a good way,” Ronni taunted.
“I can’t win.” Exasperated, Jax threw his hands in the air. “I give up.”
“Good. Next time, maybe you’ll think twice before sticking your foot in your mouth.”
Jax, unwilling to continue the verbal battle, turned to Morgan. “Please tell your manager if she wants to test out different bulbs without buying more, we have an ample supply at Easton Estate.”
“Will do.”
Ronni turned on her heel. With head held high, she marched back inside Locke Pointe.
Morgan accompanied Jax to the driver’s side. “Thanks again for all your help.” She shot a furtive glance over her shoulder, confirming the coast was clear. “I’m sorry you two got into it. I shouldn’t have asked for your opinion.”
“Don’t blame yourself. I should’ve kept my mouth shut.” He made a zipping motion across his lips. “You would think I would’ve learned by now to keep quiet, at least as far as Ronni is concerned. No matter what I say, it’s almost as if she’s itching to pick a fight.”
“Because she cares.” Morgan made googly eyes.
The tips of Jax’s ears turned bright red. “She’d care a lot more if I jumped off a cliff.”
Morgan wagged her finger at him. “Not a chance. One day, you two are going to settle your differences and realize there’s a lot more going on between you than you care to admit.”
“She’ll finally stop fussing and fighting with me when I’m six feet under.”
“I hope it’s sooner than that. Actually, I’m pretty sure it will be.” Her expression grew mischievous. “In fact, I’m so sure of it that I’m willing to make a wager with you.”
“A wager you’ll lose,” Jax warned.
“I’ll bet you and Ronni will be a couple before my first child is born.”
Jax’s jaw dropped. “Did that rascal Wyatt finally propose?”
“No. We’re both happy with things the way they are, which means there’s still plenty of time for you two to figure things out.”
Jax burst out laughing and started the truck. “I appreciate your optimism, Morgan, but you are so far off on this one. So, what are you willing to lose?”
She tapped her chin thoughtfully. “If I win, you let me host a celebratory party here at Locke Pointe.”
“And if I win and it doesn’t happen before you become a mother?” Jax asked.
“I’ll clean your workshop.”
“You have yourself a deal. Have you seen it lately? It’s a mess.”
Morgan shook his hand. “Nope, but knowing you, I doubt it’s as messy as you claim. Either way, time is on my side.”
“That it is.”
She watched him drive off. It seemed as if the bickering between the two had ramped up in recent months. Eventually, sometime down the road, their feelings for one another would come to a head. Hopefully, it would be the catalyst for Jax and Ronni to admit what everyone else had known all along.
The only downside Morgan envisioned was that whatever triggered the future event would set off an epic battle, and innocent bystanders in the line of fire had better be ready to run for cover.