Chapter 9
Morgan’s first errand was swinging by the art gallery to check on her grandmother. Instead of finding Elizabeth, she found the new employee working.
“Your grandmother took this morning off,” Sarah said. “She called earlier saying something had come up and asked me to cover for her.”
“I hope everything is all right.” Morgan returned to her SUV and promptly dialed her grandmother’s cell phone number.
“Good morning, Morgan.”
“Hello, Grandmother. I stopped by the art gallery. Sarah said you asked her to cover your shift because something came up.”
“More like something has come in. Do you have an hour to spare?”
“For you, I have two.”
“Wonderful. Please come by. I need your honest opinion.”
Morgan promised she was on her way and took off, taking the back streets to Easton Estate.
Ben, who was crossing the driveway, saw her pull in and waited for her to park. “Good morning, Morgan.”
“Hey, Ben.”
“Jane said you and she had a wild ride last night with your grandmother.”
“Wild as in whiplash, nearly sideswiping a vehicle, tailgating and traveling at almost the speed of light,” Morgan joked.
“She has got it in her head that she needs to keep her independence. I try to tell her she’s putting me out of a job, but she doesn’t see it as such,” Ben said.
Morgan made a wide circular sweep with her hand. “Because of all of this. You’ll never be out of a job as long as Grandmother keeps a fleet of vehicles.”
“True.” Ben rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Have you seen Greg since you’ve been back?”
Greg Baker, Ben’s nephew, had recently moved into an apartment in the back of Locke Pointe’s carriage house. To describe him as being excited about having a bachelor pad, a place of his own, would be an understatement. For the first time in his adult life, he was no longer living with his mother in the small, cramped apartment above the art gallery.
Morgan was thrilled to have an employee on hand in case a guest needed something after hours. He could keep an eye on Locke Pointe while enjoying some much-needed space of his own. “Not yet.”
“Ah. So, you haven’t heard,” Ben said.
“He isn’t leaving me, is he?”
“Not a chance. You’ve got a handyman for life, at least as far as Greg is concerned. I don’t know if it’s news, but let’s say it’s an interesting development.”
“Now, you have me wondering. I guess this means I need to track him down.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I better head inside. Grandmother is waiting for me.” Morgan entered through the grand foyer. She climbed the center staircase to the second floor and noticed Brett’s office door was ajar. His car was still parked out front, which meant he hadn’t left for Toronto yet.
Thinking she would pop in if she had a chance after seeing her grandmother, she gave the apartment door a light rap.
Elizabeth appeared. Daisy, her rescue cat, sneaked past and began rubbing up against Morgan’s leg. She scooped her up. “Hello, Miss Daisy. You smell like tuna.”
“Daisy has decided tuna is her new favorite food.”
“Excellent choice.” Morgan snuggled the cat and followed Elizabeth into the apartment. “I had breakfast with Wyatt.”
“How did it go?”
She tipped her hand back and forth. “He doesn’t seem to think Amber intentionally moved in down the street to be close to him.”
Elizabeth arched a brow. “He can’t be serious.”
“He said something along the lines of island rentals are hard to come by and she probably took what she could get.”
“Baloney. It was a calculated move.”
“I feel the same way, but I didn’t want to argue about it. Wyatt claims he’s seen her in passing, but she hasn’t tried contacting him.” Morgan shifted her feet. “I told him we drove by last night and he asked me if I was stalking her.”
“He’s defending Amber?”
“It seemed like it to me. Maybe I was being defensive.” Morgan sighed. “I took your advice and am giving him the benefit of the doubt.”
“We were not stalking her. We were merely keeping tabs on a woman who has chased after your man.”
“Exactly. I guess maybe women view it differently than men. I didn’t mention the fact she was driving a vehicle that looks exactly like mine.”
“Because of the stalking remark,” Elizabeth said.
“Yep.” Morgan shrugged. “I’m trusting Wyatt, but maybe it should be trust plus verify.”
“You read my mind.” Her grandmother glanced at her watch. “Jane should be here any minute.”
Knock. Knock.
“There she is now.” Elizabeth hurried to the door and ushered the cook inside. “I have found myself in a conundrum.”
“Conundrum?” Morgan echoed.
“Have a seat in the sunroom. I’ll be with you both in a few minutes.”
Casting puzzled looks at each other, Morgan and Mrs. Arnsby stepped into the sunroom and settled in on the settee near the window.
While they waited, Morgan filled the cook in on her conversation with Wyatt.
“I don’t think he understands women’s motives,” Jane finally said. “Amber is after him. I would bet money on it.”
“Me too. Until she makes a move, there’s not much I can do, other than come across as a jealous girlfriend.”
Elizabeth stepped into the doorway, a radiant smile on her face and wearing the most gorgeous wedding gown Morgan had ever laid eyes on. “Oh my gosh.”
“Well?” She spun in a slow circle. “What do you think of my wedding gown?”
“Gerard is a lucky man,” Mrs. Arnsby said. “The dress is stunning.”
“Absolutely,” Morgan agreed. “It fits you like a glove.”
She ran her hand down her hip. “Are you sure it isn’t a little too…snug?”
Morgan crossed the room for a closer inspection. A crisp ivory collar curved around Elizabeth’s neckline, swooping across her shoulders. Capped sleeves dipped down and crisscrossed over her chest.
Although not showing significant cleavage, it complimented Elizabeth’s slim, trim figure. Delicate layers, starting near her waist, cascaded in soft folds. The flared bottom accentuated her hourglass figure.
Jane let out a wolf whistle. “The dress was made for you.”
“It literally was. The designer has been here for several fittings.” Elizabeth tugged at a fold. “You don’t think it makes me look too young, do you?”
“Not at all. You look like a queen,” Morgan said. “In fact, I think you should spring for a tiara.”
“I already have one.”
“You have a tiara?” Morgan waved dismissively. “I should’ve known.”
“It’s in my bedroom safe.”
“Let’s see how it looks.” Mrs. Arnsby clapped her hands. “I think a tiara would be the perfect accessory.”
“Very well.” Elizabeth lifted the bottom of the dress and floated out of the room. She returned moments later wearing a sparkling tiara. In the center was a large sapphire with two smaller sapphires on each side, all surrounded by twinkling diamonds. “You don’t think it’s over the top?”
“It’s absolutely over the top and perfect for a stunning bride.” Morgan stepped closer. “Are those real?”
“All fifty-five pieces and twenty-one and a half carats, real.”
“The sapphires match your beautiful blue eyes,” Mrs. Arnsby said.
Elizabeth carefully slid it off and held it out. “Try it on.”
Morgan started to shake her head. “I can’t…”
“It will someday be yours. It’s already in my will.”
“I don’t even dare guess how much this cost.” Morgan carried the tiara to the hall mirror and slipped it on her head. She stood ramrod straight, turning from right to left. “I’ve never worn a tiara.”
“Perhaps we’ll start a tradition. I’ll wear it. When you marry, you can wear it and someday my great-granddaughter or granddaughters will wear it,” Elizabeth said. “ If I ever get great grands that is.”
“You will.” Morgan laughed. “But first, I need a husband.”
“I won’t be leaving this earth until both you and Brett are settled and have found your forever mates,” Elizabeth vowed.
“You might be with us for a few more decades.”
“We shall see about that.” Elizabeth spun around again. “So, the dress meets both of your approvals, or shall I go back to the drawing board?”
Morgan gave her a thumbs up. “More than meets my approval. This dress was made for you. Wait until Gerard sees it.”
“I’m with Morgan. The designer created a dress fit for a queen.”
Elizabeth left to change out of the gown, and Morgan and Mrs. Arnsby waited for her to return.
“Have you decided on a date? A winter wedding would be fun.”
“Fun, but also cold. The weather is iffy and storms are always brewing,” Elizabeth said.
“Then maybe spring or summer,” Jane suggested.
“Possibly. If we wed during the warmer months, I wouldn’t want it to be too hot.”
“Which means you don’t have a clue,” Morgan teased.
“Not yet. We’re still undecided.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out. If you don’t need me for any other opinions, I should head over to Locke Pointe.”
“Of course.” Elizabeth and Mrs. Arnsby followed her to the door. “Don’t worry about Wyatt. Amber will either eventually show her hand or give up and leave.”
“I hope so. If not, I have every intention of letting her know I’m onto her antics.”
During the drive to Locke Pointe, Morgan thought about her conversation with Wyatt. He had all but insisted she was making a big deal out of nothing. Mrs. Arnsby was right. He didn’t understand women’s motives, especially after Amber had clearly proved she’d been pursuing him.
It was only a matter of time before the woman made a move. Morgan was already preparing herself for the eventual confrontation. One thing was certain, Amber Marais would find out she was messing with the wrong person.