Chapter 22
Early the next morning, Morgan peeked through the lace curtain and found her neighbor and friend Grace Coates, the owner of Lilac Inn, standing on her front porch.
She flung the door open. “Good morning, Grace. C’mon in.”
“Hey, Morgan. Merry belated Christmas.” Grace slid her boots and jacket off and followed her into the study where Tina had set up a tea cart with beverages and tasty treats.
“I’m sorry we haven’t had a chance to get together sooner, but it got crazy.”
“The snowstorm, packing guests up and sending them away before we were snowed in.” Grace set the gift bag she was holding on the floor next to her. “I have to say it was one of the most action-packed Christmases we’ve had in a long time.”
“You’re telling me. Grandmother had a full house over at Easton Estate.”
“I ran into Elizabeth’s friend Mary at the store this morning. She told me Naomi and Prissy spent the night.”
Morgan told her how Naomi had shown up at Looking Glass Cottage. “The roads to the airport had already drifted shut and she had nowhere to go.”
“I guess she and your grandmother have finally made amends.”
Morgan grimaced.
“They didn’t?”
“Things were going okay right up until Naomi was getting ready to leave. She made a few snide comments. Grandmother put her in her place. Let’s just say it didn’t end well.”
“She’s a trip.” Grace rolled her eyes. “What about Prissy?”
“She’s turned over a new leaf and seems very appreciative.” Morgan took a seat alongside her friend. “I haven’t talked to your dad. How was it hunkering down at the airport?”
“We were packed in like sardines. We sang Christmas songs, drank hot chocolate, and ate pre-packaged deli sandwiches.”
“At least everyone was safe and warm.” Morgan poured the piping hot tea and handed Grace a cup. “Despite the storm, Locke Pointe is booked solid into the new year.”
“Ditto for Lilac Inn. Are you and your guests still planning on coming to my place for the New Year’s Eve ball drop?”
“We wouldn’t miss it. Thanks for inviting us. Even Jax and Ronni plan to be there.”
“Speaking of Jax and Ronni, I noticed them cozying up at the open house. Talk about making amends.”
“Jax called Ronni not long after Grandmother’s wedding.
They’re officially dating. He’s been bringing her flowers, stopping by Locke Pointe unannounced with coffee and donuts.
” At first, Ronni pretended it was no big deal, but as the weeks went by, Morgan could see Jax was serious about pursuing a relationship.
Both Morgan and Elizabeth secretly agreed they wouldn’t be surprised if Jax popped the question and proposed.
“Things are heating up,” Morgan joked. “They’re so cute together. After all these years, Jax and Ronni are finally a couple. Mom would be tickled pink.”
“I heard your grandmother hosted other guests at Easton Estate.” Grace daintily sipped her tea.
“Other guests?”
“A man and his nephew.”
Morgan’s scalp tingled. “What exactly have you heard?”
Grace’s face turned bright red. “I-I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.”
“If people are talking, I want to know.”
“I heard the boy is Brett’s son,” Grace blurted out.
The secret slipping out was inevitable. Nearly everyone on the island knew the Easton family. Because of the tight-knit community, locals would wonder who the newcomers were—and start talking.
Throw in the fact that there were several other guests and staff on hand meant keeping Jeff’s and Tristan’s identities a secret would be nearly impossible.
“It could be true.”
Grace’s hand flew to her mouth. “Seriously?”
“We’ll find out today. The DNA test results will be back sometime this afternoon.”
“What does Elizabeth say about it?”
Morgan shrugged. “On the one hand, she’s excited. On the other hand, if Tristan is my nephew, it adds a whole new layer of family dynamics.”
“No kidding.” Grace studied her friend’s face. “What do you think? I mean, is Tristan a brat who might cause trouble down the road?”
“No, he’s a good kid who has gone through some tough times.” Morgan told her about how his uncle traveled frequently. His mother had died, and he was being shuffled around. “Grandmother is convinced he’s Brett’s son, and after seeing a picture of my brother at Tristan’s age, I have to agree.”
“How did…I mean, I know it’s none of my business, but how did Brett meet Tristan’s mother?”
“She lived in Las Vegas. He met her during a college trip with friends, married her and brought her back to Easton Island.”
Grace made a choking sound. “Was Rhett still alive?”
“Alive and furious. According to Grandmother, he paid her off and threw her out.” Morgan shared the rest of the story of what she knew.
“Wow.” Grace whistled loudly. “Talk about a soap opera.”
“Or family saga,” Morgan quipped. “An art the Eastons and Lockes seem to have a knack for.”
“I hope everything works out.”
“Please don’t tell anyone.”
Grace twisted an invisible key near her lips. “My lips are sealed.” She reached into the bag and removed a box wrapped in an old-fashioned Christmas scene. “Here’s your gift.”
“Thank you. The wrapping paper is beautiful and appropriate for the Christmas we just had.” Morgan carefully removed the gold foil ribbon. She lifted the lid and found it crammed full of packing paper. “It’s heavy.”
“Heavy-duty.”
Digging past the paper, Morgan glimpsed a vintage brass bell, the kind you could mount on the side of the house or a porch post. On the front was Locke Pointe Bed & Breakfast. Below the name was Est. 2025. “I love it. I’m going to have Greg hang this today.”
“I knew the minute I saw the bell it would be perfect for your front porch.”
“And every time I ring it, I’ll think of you.
” Morgan set the bell back inside the box.
“I hope you like my gift.” After refilling their teacups, she darted over to the tree to track down Grace’s gift.
She slid the wrapped box onto the coffee table, eagerly anticipating her friend’s reaction as she unwrapped the project Morgan had spent hours working on—a labor of love for a woman who didn’t have a mean bone in her body, who had been nothing but supportive and helped Morgan navigate the daunting world of entrepreneurship.
“Can you guess what it is?”
Grace ran a light hand over the top. “Not a clue. Can I pick it up?”
“Yes, but carefully.”
She lifted the box. “It’s not heavy, so it can’t be the Florida citrus soaps I adore and need to order more of.”
“It’s not for your bed or bath.”
“Is it food?”
Morgan shook her head.
“I give up.” Grace reached for the ribbon.
“Hang on.” Morgan grabbed the box cutter sitting on the table and handed it to her. “You’ll need this.”
“Thanks.”
She held her breath, watching as her friend sliced through the tape sealing the top of the box. She flipped the flaps, revealing a miniature shingled roof. “It’s a roof.”
“You’ll need to cut through the tape. We’ll tape it back up when you’re done.”
Following Morgan’s instructions, Grace expertly sliced through the tape and smoothed the sides of the box flat. “This is…”
“A replica of Lilac Inn,” Morgan finished her sentence. “I ordered the kit and put it together myself…piece by piece. I’ve been working on it for months.”
Grace dropped to her knees, examining every intricate detail of her beloved inn. “I’ve never seen anything like this in my life,” she whispered.
“Pretty cool, huh? I mounted it on a board and even added fake grass. I figured you could put it on a table near the door to show it off.”
She lowered her head and peered in the windows. “Even the pictures on the wall are replicas. Morgan Easton, this is the most perfect gift.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Morgan pressed her hand to her chest. “You’re a good friend, Grace. A great friend who has helped me in so many ways. I wanted to give you something extra special.”
“Made with your own two hands in your free time, of which you have about as much as I do.” Using the tip of her finger, Grace traced the Lilac Inn sign hanging from the porch. “I’ll treasure it forever.”
“Looking back, I should have bought you the display case to go with it.”
“Absolutely not. I’ll order one, and as soon as it comes in, this special gift is going right in the lobby for everyone to admire. How on earth did you find such a thing?”
“Online. The company is called Custom Creations. You submit photos of the house you want to replicate, including pictures of the inside. It takes a couple of months for them to ship it. Then the real work begins,” Morgan joked.
“I couldn’t love a gift more.” Grace hugged her tightly. “You’re the best, Morgan Easton.”
“And so are you, Grace Coates.”
Tink. Morgan’s cell phone chimed. She glanced at the screen. It was a text from Brett, letting her know the DNA results had arrived and the family was meeting in the library at half past to go over the findings.
“The DNA results came in. The family is meeting at Easton Estate.”
“I hope it goes smoothly.” Grace grabbed the tape gun. With Morgan’s help, they began taping the box back together to keep Lilac Inn protected. “These types of family issues can go one of two ways…smooth as butter.”
“Or completely sideways,” Morgan sighed. “Let’s hope it’s the former and not the latter.”