Chapter 15
Ding. The Easton Island Art Gallery’s overhead bell chimed, announcing Morgan and Brett’s arrival.
Quinn stood at the counter, cozily chatting with an attractive thirty-something guy, tall and with dark wavy hair. He casually turned, and Morgan noticed his “GQ-ish” five o’clock shadow—the popular shaven / unshaven look.
“Brett, Morgan.” A look of confusion flitted across Quinn’s face. “What are you doing here?”
“We thought we would bring you lunch, seeing how you had to work.” Brett set the food on the desk and kissed Quinn’s cheek. “I’m sorry you couldn’t make it.”
“H-how did Tristan’s science fair go?” she stammered. “I bet he won.”
“He had some stiff competition but walked away with a ribbon for honorable mention.” Morgan crossed the room and extended her hand. “Hello. I’m Morgan.”
“Where are my manners? Morgan Easton, this is Travis Mason. He recently moved to Easton Harbor from San Diego.”
Morgan found his grip to be warm, firm, and confident. “My pleasure.”
Brett extended his hand. “Brett Easton.”
“Quinn talks about you often. You’re a lucky guy to have such a kind girlfriend, and knowledgeable about art to boot,” Travis said.
“She’s the best.”
Morgan could tell by the way her brother shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels he was sizing the guy up, trying to figure out his angle and gauge how well acquainted he and Quinn were. “So…you’re new to Easton Island. What brought you all the way here from San Diego?”
“I’m originally from the Midwest. Lansing, Michigan, to be exact.
I work remotely and happened to see an ad for a condo unit for rent in Easton Harbor.
The prices of real estate, not to mention everything else, are sky-high in California.
It’s a lot more affordable to live here, so I decided to move.
Me being single with nothing to tie me down meant it was a no-brainer. ”
“Travis dabbles in ceramic art,” Quinn explained. “He’s looking for a local supplier. I’ve been helping him connect with others in the industry.”
“You’re renting a condo?” Brett asked.
“For now, with the option to purchase it. I figured it would be a good way to explore the island and decide if this is where I want to permanently land.”
“Always a wise decision,” Morgan said. “Quinn and I are Floridians and moved to Easton Island a few years ago.”
“I heard.” Travis shifted his attention to Morgan. “You’re the Shifting Sands Medallion finder, the infamous Morgan Easton.”
“In the flesh,” she joked.
“I’ve read your story. Quinn has also been filling me in on some of the details. I find it fascinating.”
“Fascinating as a hobby or a profession?” Brett probed.
“A little of both. I worked as a teacher before I became involved in more diverse business ventures.”
Morgan perked up. “You’re speaking our language. What sort of business ventures?”
“It hasn’t gotten off the ground yet, so I would rather not say. I’ll get out of your hair.” Travis picked up the bag that was sitting on the counter. “See you later.”
“Sure thing, Travis. Have a nice day.” Quinn waited for him to leave and close the door behind him. “You embarrassed me.”
“Embarrassed you how?” Brett asked.
“You two were giving him the third degree.”
Morgan frowned. “We were making conversation. It’s not every day someone moves from San Diego to Easton Island.”
“Well, to me it sure seemed like you were interrogating Travis.”
“You looked cozy when we came in. How well do you know this guy?” Brett asked.
Quinn’s eyes narrowed. “What exactly are you implying?”
“You tell me.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. He’s a nice guy and has bought a few things from the gallery. Travis is new in town. He doesn’t know anyone, and I was just being friendly.”
“Look.” Brett’s voice grew calm, even, in control. “I’m sorry. Morgan and I didn’t mean to sound like we were interrogating him.”
“Brett is right. We asked a few questions. He was interested in the medallion. We started talking about history,” Morgan said. “If anyone is getting defensive, it’s you.”
Quinn held up her hands. “Can we drop this?”
“Absolutely,” Brett said. “You don’t have to eat the food. We just thought you might be hungry.”
“I ate breakfast, but it was only a quick bite.” Quinn peeked inside the bag. “BLT on rye and chicken noodle soup. Two of my favorites.” She bounced on the tips of her toes and kissed her boyfriend’s cheek. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
The trio made small talk while Quinn ate, filling her in about the science fair and how Elizabeth had figured out the identity of the two children who were picking on Tristan.
“Naomi’s mini minions are running around terrorizing the Eastons,” Quinn said.
“It would appear so.” Morgan’s cell phone chimed. It was a message from Tina, asking when she was heading to Locke Pointe.
“Crud. I need to get going.”
Brett kissed his girlfriend goodbye. “Are you stopping by the house later?”
“I am. I close at six and will come right from here.” Quinn walked them to the door. “I’m sorry about earlier.”
“Me too.”
“Ditto,” Morgan said. “If anyone should know what it feels like to be an outsider, it’s us.”
“Right?”
Exiting the gallery, Morgan climbed behind the wheel while Brett took the passenger seat.
Through the front picture window, she watched Quinn return to the counter and place her leftovers in the bag. “What do you think of Travis Mason?”
“He’s giving off a weird vibe. How about you?”
“Same. He seemed friendly enough, yet evasive at the same time.”
“How do you go from being a teacher in San Diego to moving to a tiny island in Michigan?”
“He did say he was originally from Lansing,” Morgan pointed out.
“True.” Brett grew quiet, staring out the window. “There’s something about him I can’t quite put my finger on.”
“It wouldn’t hurt to run a background check on the dude. He seems to know a lot about Easton Island and about me.”
“By design?” Brett asked. “You never know with people. There are some real nutjobs out there.”
“Like my ex, Jason.”
“Speaking of Jason, any word on his whereabouts and what he’s doing now that he’s a free man?”
Morgan told her brother about finding out he’d enrolled in flight training.
Brett blew air through thinned lips. “Wow. Why?”
“Good question. I wish I had the answer. Being an Easton has its drawbacks,” Morgan said.
“Unfortunately, my son is finding this out at a young age.”
“The good news is that Tristan has friends.”
“Yep. Back to Quinn. Do you think she didn’t want to go to lunch with us because she thought Travis might stop by?”
Morgan contemplated the question. Quinn wasn’t one to bounce from man to man, flirting or doing anything that would raise an eyebrow. She loved Brett and often commented on how they were soulmates.
On the flip side, she and Brett were going through a period of adjustment. Tristan was still settling in. Her brother spent a great deal of time with his son, making sure he felt comfortable, loved and cared for.
Quinn had confided that she felt like a third wheel and didn’t know where she fit in. But recently Brett had made a concerted effort to spend more time with her and planned special dates.
Perhaps she still felt neglected. Travis Mason arrived, showing her attention she felt she wasn’t getting from Brett.
“I hope not. I’m not sure I trust the guy.” Reaching Easton Estate, Morgan swung around in the circular driveway and helped him unload the volcano and supplies. “Do I think there’s anything funny going on between them? My answer is absolutely not.”
“Thanks for the ride.” Brett steered the cart onto the sidewalk. “They seemed comfortable with each other. I will be keeping an eye on him; you can count on it.”