Chapter 18
Morgan finished dusting Chester off before checking the porch for her deliveries. There, sitting next to the door was a big brown box. “It’s here. Quinn’s other housewarming gift made it in time.”
Chester circled the box, impatiently waiting for her to open it. “You’re going to be sorely disappointed,” she warned him. “It’s not from your favorite toy and treat store.”
Her pup placed his front paws on the edge and peered inside.
“See? I told you, this one isn’t for you.” Morgan carefully unwrapped the custom cutting board. “It’s beautiful.” She turned it around so Chester could admire the design.
Half of it was a patterned olive wood, while the other half resembled Lake Huron’s shoreline, a gorgeous shade of shimmering sapphire. Etched in gold lettering was Quinn’s Kitchen .
She ran a light hand over the top. “It’s even prettier than it looked in the picture.” Tracking down a gift bag, tissue paper and bows, within minutes Quinn’s gift was ready to go.
Morgan finished putting the wrapping supplies away and glimpsed a vehicle pulling in. She ran out, thinking the mailman was returning with Wyatt’s delivery, only to discover it was his Jeep. “Where’s your work uniform? Did something happen?”
“I took a half day off.” Wyatt handed her a bouquet of flowers. “These are for you.”
“They’re beautiful. The surprise you asked me to hang around for…”
“Is me.” He leaned in for a kiss. “I’m your surprise.”
“More like shock.” Morgan admired the flowers. “I can’t remember the last time you were off on a Friday night.”
“Neither can I, which is why I’m here.” Wyatt clapped his hands. “Let’s get the flowers in water and head out.”
“Head out where?”
He playfully pressed his finger to her lips. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
Morgan hurried to the kitchen, filled an empty vase with water, and placed the flowers inside. She made a few minor adjustments and stood back to admire her handiwork, which is where Wyatt found her. “I don’t know how you always manage to pick out the prettiest flowers.”
“I’m glad you like them.” He grabbed her jacket from the hook and helped her put it on. “Before you get too excited about our date night, it’s nothing fancy.”
“It doesn’t matter, as long as I’m with you.”
After taking Chester out for a bathroom break, the couple hopped into his Jeep for the quick trip to the harbor. Thinking Wyatt would stop somewhere in town, she was surprised when he turned into the harbor’s parking lot. “We’re going to the mainland?”
“Not quite.” Wyatt reached for the door handle. Morgan reached for hers and he stopped her. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
She watched him jog to Captain Davey’s office. He disappeared inside. Exiting moments later, Wyatt strolled over to the passenger side. “We’re all set.”
Instead of making their way toward the ferry, Wyatt veered off along one of the smaller side docks. He stopped in front of a catamaran anchored a few feet away.
A couple in their forties, if Morgan had to guess, greeted them and invited them to board.
Clearly, Wyatt knew the couple, calling them by name and introducing them to her.
“You remember the tips I gave you earlier,” the man said.
“Every one of them.” Wyatt tapped the side of his forehead. “We’ll be back in a couple of hours.”
“No rush. Take your time.” Working together, the couple untied the boat from the docking posts and gave the vessel a firm nudge out into the open water.
Morgan waited until they were on their way. “Our date night is a boat ride?”
“Not just any boat ride, but a dinner cruise. Aiden owed me a favor. I figured a romantic dinner on the water would be the perfect way to spend our evening.”
Morgan quietly stood by his side as he tested out the controls. The evening sun was setting, casting Easton Harbor in a soft glow. She could feel the tension leave her body, sucking in a deep breath as they put distance between them and the island.
The boat skimmed along the shoreline, and she knew exactly where they were headed. “You’re taking me past Easton Estate.”
“And a few other places that may look familiar,” he teased. Keeping one hand on the wheel, he pulled her closer. “I hope you’re not disappointed.”
“Disappointed?” She arched her eyebrow. “I love it. It’s been so long since I’ve seen the shoreline at night.”
Wyatt consulted the gauges. “According to the GPS, we’re parallel to Easton Estate. Look up toward the bluff.”
Morgan craned her neck, scouring the cliff for a glimpse of the family home. Finally, she spotted it—or, more accurately, a clear outline. It sat on top of the hill, ablaze in all its glory. “It looks so…”
“Majestic?” Wyatt prompted.
“Majestic and almost castle-like.”
“It’s an impressive place,” he said. “The estate’s beach is impressive as well.”
“Up next is Looking Glass Cottage.” Morgan eased onto the padded bench seat, her eyes glued to the shoreline, eager to see her beloved home.
Wyatt turned the wheel, bringing them closer.
“I see our beach.” Morgan pointed excitedly at her Adirondack chairs facing the water. She spotted the firepit where she and her friends had gathered only days earlier for an evening bonfire.
Sudden tears burned the back of Morgan’s eyes. She could still make out Easton Estate and see Looking Glass Cottage at the same time. “Everything I love,” she whispered.
She promptly removed her cell phone from her jacket pocket. Clicking on the camera app, Morgan zoomed in and snapped a photo of Easton Estate first and then one of Looking Glass Cottage. “It’s still a little small and far away.”
Wyatt steered the boat toward the shoreline. “This is about as close as I can get without running aground.”
“We don’t want to do that.” Morgan was able to make out the front of the cottage, almost crystal-clear. It reminded her of one of her mother’s paintings. She grew quiet, taking it all in. The cottage she loved. The beach she and Chester walked almost every day. Easton Estate, home to Elizabeth, a woman she loved as much as she had her mother.
“The island is magical,” she breathed. “Even though I’ve seen it before, the change in seasons makes it look different…new.”
“It has a way of drawing you in,” Wyatt said. “So I did okay?”
“More than okay.” Morgan bounced on the tips of her toes and kissed his cheek. “You hit it out of the ballpark.”
“We’ll take a spin by Locke Pointe and the Lilac Inn whenever you’re ready.”
“Ready.” Morgan eased onto the seat again, soaking it all in, mesmerized by the twinkling lights dancing off the water. High above on the bluffs, the towering trees stood majestically against the setting sun.
Home. Laura’s voice echoed softly. Morgan could feel her mother’s presence so close, she could almost reach out and touch her.
“Mom is here,” she shivered. “I haven’t felt her presence in a while.”
“Where it’s quiet and you’re able to escape the noise, to connect with what’s important and what matters most.” Wyatt slowed again, navigating around the bend of the island and the rocky jetty jutting out into the water.
Locke Pointe, similar to Easton Estate, sat perched atop a cliff, a magnificent, elegant, and regal property. Because of its position, Morgan could clearly make out minor details.
They coasted along, continuing around the bend for a side view. “Locke Pointe is postcard pretty.”
“It’s an impressive place,” Wyatt said. “Your grandparents picked a prime piece of island real estate to build their home.”
Morgan snapped several photos, visualizing every square inch of what was behind the walls. So many memories. So much history…and a promising future. “This puts it all into perspective, how much real estate the Lockes and Eastons own along the island’s shoreline.”
“Some of which now belongs to you. If not for your family, on both sides, Easton Island wouldn’t be what it is today.”
Continuing on, they reached Lilac Inn, the Coates’ property. Morgan snapped another photo and texted a copy to Grace.
She promptly replied. Where are you?
“Date night with Wyatt, on a boat cruising along the shoreline.”
“Beautiful!” Grace sent a meme of a smiling dot with hearts for eyes.
“There’s not much beyond Grace’s place other than trees and wilderness.” Wyatt swung the boat around, speeding back toward Locke Pointe.
He slowed again when Morgan’s cottage and Easton Estate appeared. “This looks like the ideal spot.”
“For what?”
“Smooching.” Wyatt made googly eyes.
Morgan giggled. “You want to make out here?”
“Sure. I mean, it doesn’t get much more romantic than this.”
“True.” She flung her arms around him. Pulling him toward her, she kissed his lips. The kiss deepened and Morgan abandoned herself to the moment. She wasn’t sure how long it lasted until finally…reluctantly pulling away.
“I’ll take thank-yous like this all day long.” Wyatt offered her his slow, sexy smile, the one that made her heart pitter patter. He ran a light hand across her cheek. “I’m glad you’re having a good time. Now.” He playfully tugged on his jacket. “Before we get too carried away, it’s time to eat. We don’t want our food getting cold.”
“Food?” Morgan blinked rapidly. “I thought you were joking.”
“No way. You’re getting the Friday night special. Aiden and his wife left our dinner at the warming station.” He grasped Morgan’s hand and escorted her down the narrow steps.
At first glance, the catamaran seemed compact, but on closer inspection, Morgan realized it was actually quite spacious, sporting a lounge area, a bedroom and even a bathroom.
A second set of steps led to the fully equipped galley. Sitting in the warming stations were plates filled with filet mignon, smashed potatoes, grilled corn on the cob, crusty rolls and even peach cobbler.
He finished pouring two glasses of sparkling water and they carried their food to the outdoor table, covered by a striped awning to protect them from the elements. While they ate, they made a game out of guessing what was on shore.
When the subject of Mr. Ryze came up, Morgan felt a niggling of concern over what the man’s next move might be. Despite her anxiety over the situation, Wyatt quickly distracted her.
The meal ended, and Morgan insisted on clearing the table while Wyatt navigated them past the harbor. He kept going until they reached Sunset Beach.
Lowering the anchor, he grabbed a blanket from the bin and invited her onto the bench seat. The couple snuggled, talking in quiet voices, soaking in the view and admiring the special island they called home.
All too soon, it was time to head back to the harbor. Aiden and his wife stood waiting for them and made quick work of securing the vessel.
“Well?” Aiden asked. “How was it?”
“Magical,” Morgan sighed. “Thank you for letting Wyatt borrow your catamaran. We had the best time.”
“Whenever you’re ready to go again, let us know,” his wife said. “Although we’ll be putting her up for the winter, so you might have to wait until spring.”
“I’m glad we went while we still had a chance.” Wyatt thanked them again. He grasped Morgan’s hand as they made their way to the parking lot. “This had to be one of the best date nights ever.”
“If not the best.” Morgan squeezed his arm. “You sure know how to spoil a girl.”
“That’s the plan, for the rest of your life, if you’ll let me.”