Chapter 3
“Bad news?” Morgan echoed.
Wyatt cleared his throat. “Remember when I mentioned how Dad was dealing with complications from his knee surgery?”
“And he was having trouble getting around. Yes.”
“They’ve decided not to make the trip to Easton Island for Christmas and have asked me and my siblings if we could celebrate the holidays on the mainland, at their place.”
“I see.” Her heart plummeted. Not having Wyatt around would be a major bummer, but family was more important. “I understand. Your parents are getting older. You want to spend as much time with them as you can making memories.”
“And getting all three of us kids together is nearly impossible. I don’t know how many more Christmases we’ll have, so I told them I would.” Wyatt reached for her hand. “You could always go with me,” he said hopefully.
“I’m in the same boat with Grandmother. Last Christmas was my first one with her, and it wasn’t great because I was still mourning. I was hoping for a happier celebration this year.”
“And I don’t blame you. On the bright side, I’ll be back Christmas night. We can celebrate then.”
“We will,” Morgan assured him. “We have years ahead of us to make holiday memories.”
“Thanks for understanding.” Wyatt placed a light kiss on her forehead. “Have I ever told you that you’re the best girlfriend a guy could ask for?”
“Maybe a time or two,” she laughed. “Make it your best Christmas ever with your folks and siblings and tell them I’m sorry I couldn’t make it.”
“Will do.” Wyatt polished off the rest of his sandwich. “Have you been following the weather?”
“Every day. By all accounts, it looks like we’ll have a white Christmas.”
“More than a white Christmas…it’s looking like a snowstorm is heading our way.”
Her eyes grew round as saucers. “Seriously?”
“I heard about it at the station. The forecasters are monitoring it now as it starts ramping up.”
“Great,” Morgan groaned. “When?”
“Not until after your party.” Wyatt’s radio blared. “I gotta get going. Do you need help with the open house?”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m all set.” Morgan walked him to the door. “Don’t forget to dig out your fancy duds.”
“Rustic holiday…jeans and a sweater,” he teased.
“Not even close.” She wagged her finger at him. “Christmas past. More along the lines of a days-gone-by holiday theme but dressy.”
“Aye-aye.” He gave her a mock salute and then kissed her again. “I’ll be there with bells on.”
After Wyatt left, Morgan tracked down her favorite weather app. It took a few minutes to locate the updated forecast he’d mentioned. Sure enough, a storm was barreling across America’s heartland. If it kept the current path, it would hit the Great Lakes Region right before Christmas.
Pushing the potential weather woes and Wyatt’s disappointing news aside, she finished straightening the kitchen and called her pup.
The show must go on, or in this case, the open house she’d committed to. Despite the curveballs being thrown her way, Morgan was determined to throw the party of the year, right up there with Elizabeth Easton’s recent wedding celebration, if she had anything to say about it.
*****
Morgan rubbed her palms together, warming her hands in front of the fire. “I was thinking about sending a photo of Locke Pointe all decked out to Michigan’s Stately Estates magazine for next year’s holiday edition.”
“It would be a slam dunk,” Quinn said. “If I ever stepped back in time for a Christmas memory from when we were kids, this is exactly what I envision. The stockings hanging by the fire with care, the twinkling star on top of the tree, decorations around every corner and in every room.”
Not only had Morgan emptied all the boxes she found, but she’d even added some of her own personal pieces from growing up, although only a couple. The rest were on display at her private residence, Looking Glass Cottage. “I finished Grace’s Christmas present.”
“You did?” Her bestie clapped her hands. “I can’t wait to see how it turned out.”
“I’m getting ready to wrap it.”
“I’m surprised you can even see straight after working on all those teeny-tiny details.”
“It was a labor of love. To be honest, it turned out better than I thought it would.” Morgan nudged the wicker basket of blankets closer to the hearth. “It’s back here.”
Passing through the living room, they made the short trek down the hall to the office Morgan and Ronni shared.
“It’s on the desk.”
Quinn followed her friend across the room to the homemade, handmade gift Morgan had been working on for months. A custom-order gift she’d been laboring over in her free time. “The photos you took of Lilac Inn helped immensely. I don’t think Grace has a clue what I’ve been up to.”
“This is the most detailed miniature I’ve ever seen, although to be honest, it’s also the first one I’ve ever seen.” Quinn squinted her eyes, leaning in for a closer look. “No wonder the kit included a magnifying glass and tweezers.”
“Both of which came in handy. Do you think she’ll like it?”
“She’ll love it. You should order another kit for Locke Pointe.”
“And Looking Glass Cottage. On the downside it will take me years to finish them.”
“You’re so thoughtful, Morgan.”
“I wanted to give Grace something special, a way to thank her for all she’s done for me.” Morgan retraced her steps, leading her friend out of the office. “What are you up to the rest of today?”
“Brett’s in Toronto, which means I’m free as a bird tonight.”
“I’m on a roll with the decorating. Do you need help with your place?”
“I appreciate the offer, but after Esther chewed a branch off a tree in the backyard last week, I don’t dare bring one inside the house.”
Morgan giggled, envisioning Chester’s sibling, an almost mirror image of her pup, chewing on a branch and dragging pieces all over the house. “She’s such a stinker.”
“But as adorable as all get out.” Quinn tapped the side of her chin. “I have her party outfit all picked out. What is Chester dressing as again?”
“A reindeer.” Morgan called her pup, who had taken Esther on a tour, more than likely directly to the kitchen to beg for treats from Tina. “There you are.”
The pup obediently trotted over, stopping in his tracks when he saw her holding the antlers. He began backing away. “Chester Charleston Easton, get back here.”
Her pup reluctantly tromped over, an annoyed look on his face as Morgan wiggled the antlers in place. They made a jingling sound—not loud or annoying but more of a soft melodic tinkle.
The pup let out a heavy sigh, giving her the stink eye.
Quinn chuckled. “He doesn’t like them.”
“Nope. I might have to take the ‘jingler’ out.” Morgan popped them off and patted his head. “He’s been a good sport about leaving them on.”
The front door flew open. A red-cheeked Greg, sporting a dusting of fresh snow, appeared. “Hey, Quinn.”
“Hey, Greg.” Quinn gave him the once-over. “You look like Frosty the Snowman.”
“I finished shoveling the walkway and ran home to grab some stuff from the shed. While I was there, I found something fun.”
Morgan perked up. “Fun?”
“It’s in the back of the van.”
“I’m always looking for new activities for our guests.”
“This one will knock it out of the park.”
“Bring it inside.”
“It’s an outdoor activity.” Greg reached for the doorknob. “You want to check it out?”
“Sure.” Morgan stepped into the hall.
“Hold up.” He stopped her. “You’ll need snow pants, winter boots, your jacket, a hat and gloves.”
“Count me out of the fun,” Quinn grimaced. “I don’t have any winter weather gear with me.”
“I have extra.” Morgan ran to the closet and began rummaging around. She grabbed a handful of clothes and dropped them in the middle of the foyer floor. “What about your winter gear?”
“All I need are my snow pants. They’re hanging on the hook by my front door. I’ll be right back.” Greg ran out, returning less than a minute later with snow pants in hand. He finished suiting up, beating Morgan and Quinn, who were struggling with the bulky clothing.
“Should we bring our phones?”
“It would be safer if you left them here.”
The friends exchanged a quick glance. “Is this activity dangerous?”
He thought about it for a minute. “It could be. It depends on your skill level.”
“Our skill level would be negative one. In case you forgot, Quinn and I are Floridians through and through,” Morgan joked.
“But you have good eye coordination and balance. You’ll be fine.”
Morgan pulled the knit cap over her ears and waddled after Greg, following him to the door. “I hope I don’t live to regret this.”
Quinn zipped her jacket, hurrying to keep up. “Live being the keyword.”
“Seriously, it’s a blast. I promise.” Greg chuckled. “If not, it will be a one and done.”
Morgan whispered a small prayer under her breath. She was up for trying out new winter activities, but something told her whatever Greg had up his sleeve might sorely test her skill level.