CHAPTER ONE
Morgan Riley organized her weekends carefully.
After working for four years at a boring job in a law office during the week, each moment she spent over the weekends was precious to her.
She promised herself she could make it through this lonely time in her life if she could balance it out with her Saturday afternoons at Pages, the local bookstore in Ellenton, New York.
She headed downtown on that September day. Besides reading at the store, it was a quiet time to do a lot of thinking about the future. Up to this point, she felt as if she’d merely survived.
Her marriage had failed, for a time, she had no home, and she had been raised by cold, indifferent parents. They probably should never have had her, their only child, thirty-two years ago.
Now was the time to live a better life.
She arrived at the attractive storefront whose picture windows displayed several books. Noting the new arrivals, she couldn’t wait to open their pages. She entered the store with eagerness.
Not too many people knew about the nook in the southwest corner of the bookstore.
Hidden behind shelves of books were two comfortable chairs, a standing lamp, and a small table.
It was a refuge for her, a place where she could imagine a different life between the pages of whatever book she’d chosen to read that day.
Not all of the books were romances, but every one of them had satisfying endings.
The bookstore owner, James Devlin, was, of course, aware of her private visits. He even encouraged them so she could give him her reviews of the books she read. It gave her time there purpose.
On this particular Saturday, Morgan carried a book and a container of coffee purchased at the bookstore café into the corner, where she stopped so suddenly that she almost dropped her drink.
A friendly face surrounded by white hair that flopped against the man’s broad forehead looked up in surprise. “Oh, hello. Am I in your chair?”
Morgan hid her disappointment. “That’s all right. I’ll sit in the other one. I’m startled to find you here, that’s all. My name is Morgan. Morgan Riley. I spend most Saturday afternoons here, hidden away reading.”
The man bobbed his head in acknowledgment. His startling blue eyes focused on her. “A kindred soul, I see. I’m Simon Weaver, and I’m new to town. I’ve always loved being surrounded by books, which is why this store was one of the first places I visited here.”
“Welcome to Ellenton. What brings you to town?” she asked as she settled in the remaining overstuffed chair.
“My wife died two years ago. I thought I could manage on my own in our house in Connecticut, but I found it was too much. My grandson talked me into moving into an assisted living facility. I think I’m going to like some aspects of it. Others, not so much.”
“Are you talking about the new Signature Senior Living Complex?” asked Morgan. “If so, everyone in town was happy to see how beautiful it turned out to be.”
“Yes, that’s it. I have a small house on the property, small enough that I couldn’t bring all my books with me.” He looked around. “But I, too, am going to enjoy this quiet spot as often as I can.” He studied her. “I hope my presence won’t disturb you.”
Morgan took a moment. “It’ll be pleasant to share this space with someone as long as you’re serious about reading while you’re here.”
Simon chuckled. “Thanks for your honesty. You’ll see that I won’t be a busy talker, though I might fall asleep from time to time. But my wife told me I wasn’t a snorer, so there’s no reason for me to start now.”
“I can tell you loved her very much,” said Morgan. “That’s so touching.”
“Yes,” said Simon, and went back to reading his book.
Morgan took a sip of her decaf mocha latte and opened her book. Soon, she found herself in another world, connected to a woman in a different time, one who’d served as a nurse in World War II.
Morgan wasn’t sure how much time had passed when Simon cleared his throat, attracting her attention.
“I’m going to go now,” he said. “Will I see you here next Saturday afternoon?”
She smiled at him and nodded. “I’ll be here for sure. It was pleasant having another reader close by. I hope it was for you, too.”
“Indeed,” he said, slowly getting to his feet. “I hope we can become friends. Having a private house at Signature Senior Living, I sometimes feel isolated, even though I’m able to share meals with others, if I choose.”
She took a moment to study him, admiring his openness and the way he cared for himself. “I understand. I, too, find myself alone a lot. ”
“Next time, we can find out a little more about each other,” said Simon, bobbing his head at her before turning and walking away.
Morgan stared after him. Their meeting was unexpected, yet she sensed a rightness to it that pleased her. It was a lot like how she happened to be in Ellenton—through an unexpected phone call four years ago from her best friend, Ashley Biddle, her college roommate at FSU.
Happily married to Mark Biddle, a physician in town, Ashley now had two children, ten-year-old Ben and seven-year-old Lizzy.
They’d bought a large Victorian home in the area and decided to fix it up and rent out an apartment above their oversized, unattached garage.
Just as it was about to be completed, Ashley called her to say the rental was the ideal solution to Morgan’s problems. Not only would it give Morgan a place to live and a sense of family that she didn’t have with her own parents, but it would help her restart her life following her husband Dale’s death.
She paid off Dale’s business debts by selling her house, leaving her with very little money.
Hearing about this opportunity, Morgan jumped at the chance.
Moving to Ellenton was a blessing from the beginning. She had a good-paying job, a few close girlfriends, and little desire to make any significant changes. She’d gone on a few dates, but when any man got serious, she tended to back away.
She hadn’t told anyone, but she and Dale had endured an up-and-down marriage that was controlled, in large part, by his drinking.
There’d been times she was ready to pack her bags and leave him.
When the automobile accident occurred, the situation was handled without her having to admit the truth to anyone.
Heaven knew that she’d never want it to get back to her parents.
They’d refused to accept her marriage to someone like Dale Riley, who was considered below their social status.
She’d never told them she was pregnant. That’s why she and Dale had eloped.
A useless exercise of defiance in the end.
She’d miscarried the baby in her third month.
Morgan focused once again on her book. She read a little more, then finally decided to leave her sanctuary for the reality of babysitting Ashley’s children. She loved them both. And she always made sure to plan some fun with them. This evening, they were going bowling.
Before leaving the store, she spoke with the owner about book recommendations and ended up buying two paperbacks that could easily fit into her oversized purse. Just having them with her gave her a sense of comfort.
###
Late afternoon, when Morgan arrived at Ashley’s house, the children were all ready for her, coats on, and smiles on their faces.
“Thanks so much,” Ashley said to her, giving her a warm hug. “Mark and I need some time to ourselves. He’s been on call all week, and I’ve been subbing at Ben’s school.”
“You know I’m happy to do this for you,” said Morgan. “Enjoy your overnight stay upstate at the inn in the Catskills. It’s a nice time of year to settle down in a cozy cabin in the mountains.”
Ashley’s face lit up. “And the food is supposed to be delicious.”
She turned as Mark approached them. “Thanks, Morgan. We really appreciate this.” He shot Ashley a sexy look that sent a flush of pink to her cheeks.
Morgan sighed inwardly. That’s the kind of relationship she wanted. Would she ever find the right man?
“Come on, Auntie M,” said Lizzy, tugging on Morgan’s hand, pulling her out of her thoughts.
“I’m ready. Let’s go!” Morgan said. She and the children waved goodbye and headed out to Morgan’s SUV.
###
They were having fun at the bowling alley when another family arrived. Ben waved to his friend and turned to Morgan. “Can we ask them to bowl with us?”
“Sure,” said Morgan. She knew the family and went over to Rachel Higgins, the mother of the three children. “Hi, Rachel. Would you and the children like to join us at our table?”
Rachel grinned. “Hi, Morgan. That would be fun. The kids all get along well, and that will give me a chance to catch up with you.”
Morgan led Rachel to the table they were using, and then she gathered the children together. “How about this for a line-up?” She alternated a spot for a Higgins child with a Biddle child. The kids all agreed, and Ben’s friend Rob led off.
“Where’s Ed?” Morgan asked Rachel.
“He’s down in Florida on the fishing trip I gave him for Christmas,” said Rachel. “In return, he gave me a spa weekend in Arizona. It’s something we do for one another each year. It works out well.”
“Nice. I like the idea that you each have free time of your own,” said Morgan.
“That’s the only way it works,” said Rachel, chuckling.
Morgan realized that, as much as they’d enjoyed being together, Dale had never wanted her to do something without him. Boy! She had a lot to learn.
She looked up at the end of one alley and saw all ten pins flying as Ben shouted, “Did you see that, Auntie M?”
Laughing, she said, “Yes! A strike! That was a good one!”
“Those kids sure love you,” commented Rachel. “Ashley’s lucky to have you for a friend.”
“I’m lucky, too,” said Morgan. “They’re like my family.”
###
On Monday, Morgan awoke with little enthusiasm for going into the law office.
It wasn’t that she didn’t like the people there.
It was a congenial group. But the work for one of the partners was boring.
He dealt with business contracts and other projects that were unexciting to her.
She hoped an opportunity to work for one of the other lawyers would open up someday.
Morgan knew she could find a job outside the law firm, but her salary was excellent, and she was saving for a house of her own. That was important to her after selling the place in Florida. Besides, she knew she was valued at the office, and that meant a lot to her.
Still, she craved creativity. That’s why she’d signed up for an online writing class.
Reading so many books, she wondered if she could write one.
But the thought of publishing one, thereby exposing herself to public scrutiny, was terrifying, which is why she had quit.
But it inspired her to read books differently, with an eye to format and plot, which was helpful when reviewing books for Jim at Pages.
Trying new things, meeting new people, and doing something different were all part of her plan for the future.