Chapter 12
“Based on the mood I’m in, I’m tempted to take one of everything.” Morgan perused the decadent display of sweet treats.
Along with Elin’s signature aebleskivers, were chocolate eclairs, pumpkin spice donuts, glazed donuts, her favorite raspberry twists covered in a crunchy layer of frosting along with at least half a dozen muffins—blueberry, chocolate chip, banana and for those a little more health-conscious, bran.
“Do you mean mood in a good way or a bad way?” Ariel Vanmeter, the owner of Bean Brewing, plucked a chocolate-covered donut from the tray.
“Judging by how there isn’t much real estate left on Morgan’s plate, I would say bad,” Quinn joked.
“Are you having trouble securing the title of Awesome Aunt Morgan?” Grace Coates, her neighbor and owner of the Lilac Inn, teased.
“Not at all. Tristan is so sweet.”
“He and Brett stopped by.” Elin, the bakery owner, refilled the empty spots. “He told me all about going ice fishing and his big plans to learn to drive a snowmobile.”
“Tristan is a bundle of energy.” Morgan confided that he’d mentioned being nervous about starting school.
“The tween years can be rough,” Ariel said. “Throw in the fact that most of the kids have grown up together on the island and I don’t blame him.”
“I think I’m almost as nervous as he is. At this rate, I’ll be more of a basket case on the first day of school than he will.” Morgan stepped over to the beverage station, filled a ceramic mug with hot water, and grabbed a green tea bag.
Grace, Ariel and Quinn finished picking out their goodies and caught up with her at the table.
“Don’t worry. Tristan will do fine,” Grace said. “His new family has his back, and that’s what’s most important.”
“I’m nervous for Tristan, but the real reason for my sky-high stress level is because of Jason, my ex.”
Ariel broke off a piece of her blueberry muffin and popped it into her mouth. “He’s in prison, right?”
“Was.”
Quinn blinked rapidly. “What do you mean was?”
“According to Jax and Wyatt, who have been keeping tabs on Jason’s incarceration, found out he hired a new lawyer to review his case. The lawyer requested access to the evidence and discovered it’s missing.”
“Missing?” Grace asked.
“How does evidence go missing?” Ariel wondered.
“The court and records department moved to a new building. Jason’s file was lost during the move,” Morgan said. “Because there wasn’t any evidence, he filed a motion to have his charges reversed or some such nonsense. To be honest, I don’t understand all the legal mumbo jumbo.”
“If they find it—the evidence—he’ll have to go back to prison?”
“Who knows?” Morgan picked at her raspberry twist.
“Hopefully, he’s not on his way here,” Quinn said.
“Chester and I packed up and are staying with Wyatt.”
“I could think of worse things than having to move in with my boyfriend, but…bummer.” Ariel whistled loudly. “Didn’t he try kidnapping you?”
“Tried and succeeded. If Wyatt hadn’t come looking for me, I’m almost positive I would be six feet under.”
The friends grew quiet, digesting the bombshell news about Jason’s release.
“I don’t understand how something like this could happen,” Grace finally said.
“Neither do I, but it did. I’ll be looking over my shoulder every minute of the day. I’m hiring a private investigator to track Jason down and keep tabs on him.”
Ariel patted her friend’s hand, her eyes clouded with concern. “I’m sorry you have to go through this again with him.”
“This is a sobering reminder to choose your partner wisely,” Grace said. “You think you know someone until you don’t.”
“Exactly.” Morgan pointedly changed the subject, talking about a few minor projects she had planned for Locke Pointe.
As soon as she finished her goodies, she began assembling the materials to work on her creative piece, grateful for a distraction from her current situation. The unthinkable had happened, and Morgan’s worst nightmare had come true. Now, she would have to deal with it.
The good news was that at least Wyatt would be with her at night. In the daytime, others would be around. Granted, she wouldn’t have someone with her 24/7, but enough so Morgan would feel semi-safe.
Grace interrupted her musings. “You should let Dad know. He can have his security guys keep an eye out for incoming passengers if Jason flies in.”
“Captain Davey could monitor passengers arriving via the ferry,” Ariel added.
“Unfortunately, Jason found his own ride to the island last time,” Quinn reminded them.
“He won’t do it this time of the year,” Ariel said. “Not without risking his life. He’ll either have to come over on the ferry or fly in, weather permitting, or by snowmobile.”
“Captain Davey helped before. I’m sure he will again.” Tracking down some old photos of Jason, Morgan found a clear headshot. She copied the photo and tapped out a quick text to the men, briefly explaining the situation, about her ex being released and her fear he might come after her.
Captain Davey replied first: Elizabeth has already called. My employees have been informed. If Jason arrives by ferry, we will let you know.
Morgan promptly thanked him. Seconds later, another text popped up, this one from Denver, promising he would meet with his airport security staff team and let her know if they spotted Jason.
Elin, who had been making her rounds, stopped by the table to inspect their artwork. “How’s it going, ladies?”
Quinn held up her sea turtle, its curved shell formed from pieces of turquoise glass, while his paddle-like flippers and head were made from bits of a deep royal blue glass. “What do you think?”
“The vibrant colors are striking,” she said. “What about yours, Morgan?”
Morgan held up her stingray, made from similar materials but with shades of amber, contrasting his fire engine red tail.
“I didn’t know stingrays had red tails.”
“Mine does. Let’s see yours.”
Grace shifted so that the others could admire her seahorse.
“I chose the seahorse too.” Ariel compared hers to Grace’s, both creatively designed but with their own touches of artistic flair. “What a great idea to have a broken glass class.”
Morgan gazed around the room. “It appears you have a hit on your hands.”
Sure enough, the bakery was filled, mostly with women, while there were a few mothers seated alongside teenagers.
“Not only does this boost business, but it’s nice not to be cooped up at home,” Elin said. “I have another class scheduled for next month.”
“Will it be sea creatures again?” Morgan asked.
“Nope. The next class is tropical island themed…palm trees and tiki huts.”
Quinn rubbed her palms together. “Tropical is right up my alley.”
“Count us in,” Morgan said. “This is a great way to spend a snowy day, or in this case, evening.”
All too soon the event ended. The friends cleaned up, placing their works of art in the recyclable paper bags Elin passed out.
Lagging behind the other attendees, the group was the last to leave, thanking Elin again for hosting the shattered glass class. Out on the sidewalk, Morgan and Quinn parted ways with Grace and Ariel.
Quinn slipped her bag across her shoulder and fell into step. “Elizabeth and I have talked about offering a painting class at the art gallery. Based on how popular Elin’s event was, it’s worth a shot.”
“Let me know when and I’ll sign up. I bet Ariel and Grace would sign up too.” Morgan crossed the street and unlocked the driver’s side door. The hair on her neck prickled, and she got the distinct feeling she was being watched. “It’s back.”
“What’s back?”
“The feeling I get when I’m being watched. Do you see anyone?”
Quinn’s eyes darted back and forth. The sun had long since set. The only lights were streetlights and the bakery’s interior lights, directly across from where Morgan’s SUV was parked. “No. I don’t see anyone.”
“Maybe I’m paranoid, thinking Jason is lurking in every dark corner, ready to attack me.
” Morgan carefully placed her bag on the back seat and hopped behind the wheel.
“I found a few private investigators with great reviews who look promising. I’m going to call Jax first thing tomorrow morning to get his thoughts. ”
“The sooner, the better. Jax might even have someone in mind.”
“True. He has plenty of connections. I need someone with experience. This could be a matter of life or death…namely mine.”
“It’s scary to think Jason is somewhere out there planning to do who knows what.”
“Absolutely.” Morgan fired up her vehicle, and after a quick check for traffic, she pulled onto the street. “Something tells me I need to keep constant tabs on his location because if I don’t.”
Quinn finished her sentence. “He could show up on your doorstep when you least expect it.”