Chapter 21
Mrs. Arnsby bustled across the room and met Morgan and Tristan at the door. “How did it go?”
“I might have a new friend.” Tristan dropped his backpack on the barstool, his attention laser-focused on the fresh-from-the-oven batch of chocolate chip cookies sitting on top of the stove. “Cookies?”
“Your favorite.” The cook removed a glass of cold milk from the fridge and set it on the counter. “I thought you might like to celebrate your first day.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Arnsby.” He hugged her tightly, knocking her off balance in his enthusiasm.
“You’re welcome.” She hugged him back. “The house was way too quiet without you.”
“I’m home now.”
The women exchanged a look over the boy’s head. Home. It wasn’t a “slip of the lip.” Tristan had called Easton Estate home.
“Why don’t you and Chester take these out to the sun porch? Great-grandmother Elizabeth is on her way downstairs and needs to have a word with Morgan.”
Tristan shoved the rest of the cookie into his mouth, eyeing Morgan curiously. “Are you in trouble?”
“I hope not,” she laughed.
Elizabeth appeared. “I thought I heard Tristan’s voice. You survived your first day of school. How did it go?”
“Good. I’m going to sign up for the archery club. Morgan said it was okay.”
The senior Easton caught Morgan’s eye and winked. “She’s the boss.”
“She promised someone would give me a ride if I joined.”
“We most certainly will,” his great-grandmother replied. “I’m pleased to hear you’re interested in extracurricular activities.”
“What’s an extracrickular?”
“It’s a fancy word for after-school activities,” she explained.
“Let’s grab a few more cookies.” The cook led Tristan out of the room after promising she would have tea service delivered to the library shortly.
Elizabeth motioned to Morgan. “Jax and Wyatt have some good news, or at least better than we’d expected.”
“I could use some good news.”
“The private investigator tracked Jason to Tampa. As of this morning, he’s still there.”
Morgan clapped her hands. “Woo-hoo. Let’s keep our fingers crossed he stays in Florida.”
“Fingers, toes, elbows, and eyes.” Elizabeth led Morgan down the hall to the cozy sitting area in front of the library’s fireplace. “I hope you’re not in a rush and can stay and chat.”
“I’m not.” Morgan gave her grandmother a warm hug. “I’m glad you and Gerard are enjoying your time in the city, but I’ll be the first to admit I miss you.”
“And I miss you. What I don’t miss are the dreary winter days being cooped up in this house.”
The sound of the tea cart rattling grew louder. A kitchen worker appeared and placed the cart off to the side. “Can I bring you anything else?”
“No. This is perfect.” After she left, Elizabeth poured tea and handed her granddaughter a cup. “Brett mentioned taking the snowmobiles out. It was Tristan’s first time riding.”
“I’m thrilled to report he’s had a lot of fun firsts—ice fishing, snowmobiling, flying the fancy drone you bought him for Christmas.”
“He sounded positive about his first day of school.”
“All things considered, I think it went pretty well.” Morgan told her how the teacher had paired him with another student to show him around. “He wanted to know why people don’t like the Eastons.”
“Already? That didn’t take long. Unfortunately, he’ll understand soon enough.” Elizabeth sipped her tea, contemplating Morgan over the rim of her cup. “Tristan mentioned Quinn to me earlier.”
“How he thinks she doesn’t like him?”
“Correct. He’s picking up her negative vibes.”
“He’s pretty perceptive.” Morgan told her that she was still on the fence about broaching the subject. “My main issue is I don’t want to interfere in Brett and Quinn’s relationship.”
“You think perhaps he should be the one to address the subject?”
“Maybe.” Morgan reminded her how Quinn had made a point of stressing she was staying out of the “family’s” business. “I’m thinking I should do the same and not stick my nose in where it doesn’t belong.”
“I understand your position. However, this involves Tristan, which is your…our concern,” her grandmother pointed out. “Brett’s plane touched down a short time ago. He should be here any minute. I suggest we hold a brief family meeting.”
“Which is probably not a bad idea. I’ll send him a text.” Morgan plucked her phone from her bag and sent a message to her brother, letting him know she had the first day school report and she and Elizabeth were at Easton Estate having tea and wanted to chat.
He replied, telling her he was almost there.
“He’s almost home,” Morgan said. “Before I forget, have you heard from Prissy?”
“We’ve scheduled an appointment with the specialist I suggested. Her most pressing concern is losing her independence. The important thing is for her to take it one day at a time. None of us knows what the future holds. Perhaps it’s only a minor health blip and medication can help. I hope so.”
“Me too.”
Elizabeth tapped her arm. “Now that Wyatt is temporarily on the day shift, what are your plans for dinner?”
“Nothing.”
“Why don’t you invite him to come here?”
Morgan promptly texted Wyatt, extending the invitation. “He’s at work. It might take a little while to get an answer.”
The women chatted about the new year, and Elizabeth and Gerard’s busy social life in Toronto.
Fast footsteps echoed in the hallway. Brett appeared.
Elizabeth started to stand.
“Don’t get up. I’ll grab a seat.” He placed his briefcase by the door, slid a wingback chair closer and eased onto the cushion. “Before I forget, thank you, Morgan, for taking Tristan to school and picking him up. Maybe when he feels more comfortable, he’ll want to ride the bus.”
“You’re welcome. I don’t mind giving him a ride.”
“Ben is always available to take him as well,” Elizabeth reminded them.
“He was a little nervous when I dropped him off but seemed much more relaxed on the way home.” Morgan mentioned that his teacher had implemented the buddy system, which seemed to help. “He even ate lunch with some of his classmates.”
“And he’s thinking about signing up for an archery class,” Brett said. “I talked to him a few minutes ago. He seems excited about it.”
“The more involved, the better,” Elizabeth said. “He mentioned missing his Uncle Jeff.”
“Not for long. I spoke to Jeff on the phone before I left the office. He’s en route and should be here in a few hours.” Brett held a finger to his lips. “We want it to be a surprise, so if you see Tristan before Jeff gets here, please don’t mention it.”
“My lips are zipped,” Morgan said. “Whatever we can do to make his transition easier, I’m on board.”
“Ditto.” Elizabeth cleared her throat. “The reason we asked you to chat with us is Morgan and I have a concern.”
“About Tristan?”
His sister nodded. “He’s very perceptive and has noticed something or, in this case, someone you might want to be aware of.”
“Quinn,” Brett said. “I hate to say it, but she’s giving Tristan the cold shoulder, and he’s picking up on it.”
“I’ve known Quinn for a long time, decades. She tends to be cautious and guarded, especially when she’s unsure of a situation. To be blunt, she’s struggling to find her footing and figuring out where she fits in.”
“I love Quinn. I want her to be happy, to feel loved. Admittedly, Tristan’s arrival was a huge curveball for everyone. I’m hoping things will smooth out and she’ll realize I have room in my life for both of them.”
“At the risk of not minding my own business, may I suggest a date night for the two of you?”
“The sooner the better,” Morgan added.
“Tristan…”
“Will be fine. As you already said, Jeff will be here a little later. The timing will work out perfectly. Grandmother invited Wyatt and me to dinner. We’ll keep Tristan occupied.”
Brett glanced at his watch. “Quinn is working at the art gallery until five.”
“Which gives you time to freshen up and swing by the flower shop to buy her a bouquet of flowers before whisking her away for a romantic dinner,” Morgan pointed out.
“I like your plan. Yes, I think surprising her with dinner is a great idea. I’ll track Tristan down, freshen up and head out.” He excused himself and hurried out of the room.
Elizabeth hesitated, a hint of concern flitting across her face. “He has his hands full.”
“Yes, he does,” Morgan agreed. “Despite Quinn understanding Brett is in a tough spot and is only trying to do the right thing, she needs to feel like he hasn’t forgotten about her.”
“Some time alone should help smooth things over.”
“Parenting can be tricky, but I believe if Brett puts in the effort, their relationship will be back on solid footing soon.”