CHAPTER FIVE
On Saturday, Morgan awoke with the happy thought that she’d be spending time with Simon. It might be fun for them to read the same book and discuss it occasionally.
She got up, got ready for the day, and prepared to go to Ashley’s house to share some girls’ time over a cup of coffee. With Mark doing morning hospital rounds, Ashley often invited Morgan to join her on Saturday mornings.
Today, Morgan left early to jog downtown to a favorite bakery to pick up some of Ashley’s favorite blueberry scones.
It felt nice to be outside on this fall day. The crispness in the air reminded her that winter would be here before she knew it. That thought sent a shudder through her. Winters could seem never-ending in this part of the country.
Heated from her run, Morgan showed up at Ashley’s house and, after greeting the kids, who were watching television, she went into the kitchen where Ashley had brewed fresh coffee.
“For you,” Morgan said, handing her the box of scones. “It’s such a beautiful day, I ran to get them.”
Ashley accepted the treats with a smile. “I should be the one running. You’re in such great shape.”
“You’re fine,” Morgan said. Ashley was a very attractive woman whose husband adored her. If Morgan didn’t love her, she might be jealous of her best friend.
“Let’s sit by the window,” said Ashley, handing Morgan a cup of coffee. “I want to hear about your boss and your new job. Everyone in town is talking about the handsome, new, available lawyer.”
“I don’t know about the available part, but he is handsome and very, very nice,” said Morgan, sitting in the window seat beside Ashley. The morning sun shone on them, making the cozy spot even nicer.
“How’s it going? Do you find the work more to your liking?” asked Ashley.
“Yes,” said Morgan. “It’s much more interesting. I’m starting to realize how I can make a real difference for Brad. Though he’s organized, he has an awful lot on his agenda.”
“I know you went to see his house. I heard that Isabel is going to work on it. She loves it. She even told me that you helped with a couple of the ideas.”
“I did,” said Morgan with a sense of satisfaction. “The house is lovely, unusual. Like yours, it has been renovated and retains that kind of character. The setting is so peaceful that I almost took a nap on his back deck with one of his dogs, a Dachshund, in my lap.”
“Wow! That does sound inviting,” said Ashley. “Mark and I have been talking about getting a dog now that Ben and Lizzy are old enough to take care of one.”
“I must admit, the thought has crossed my mind,” said Morgan. “Maybe after I get a place of my own.”
“I hate to think of you moving out of the apartment,” said Ashley, squeezing her hand. “It’s so comforting to know you’re just a few steps away.”
“I enjoy that too, but I want a house. I’m saving as much money as I can,” Morgan said, “because I want to stay in this area. I’m thankful that you encouraged me to come to Ellenton. It’s been a blessing.”
“For me, too,” said Ashley, lifting her mug and clicking it against Morgan’s.
They grinned at one another.
Ashley cleared her throat. “I know how you feel about people having their privacy, but I did some online research about Brad’s wife and her murder. I read that a disgruntled father, denied visitation rights, went after Brad, blaming him for the court order.”
“Oh, no,” said Morgan. “How awful.”
“I know,” said Ashley. “Apparently, he rammed Brad’s sports car with his truck, causing it to leave the highway and roll over, killing his wife.
At the time, everyone associated with the case was outraged.
It was a clear case of aggression and intent to murder.
The man is doing time in prison, but it’s not a consolation to anyone. ”
Morgan clapped a hand to her cheek and gazed at Ashley with horror.
“What a terrible, terrible thing. I didn’t want to ask him about it, and I felt that it would be an invasion of his privacy to look up information about the incident.
Now, I’m glad I didn’t do any research on my own.
What an awful thing to live with. No wonder Brad prefers to live alone with his dogs. ”
“That kind of retribution does no one any good, resolves nothing. What a crushing blow to Brad.” Ashley sighed. “I’m sorry to bring such unhappiness into the day. Let’s talk about something less distressing. What have you got planned for the rest of the day besides the bookstore?”
“I have a date,” said Morgan. “Last week, Simon invited me to his house for a light supper, and I accepted. I hope to talk to him as a friend so he’s aware that I didn’t know his background and have no interest in his money.”
“As I said before, don’t worry about it. I’m sure he’s happy to have made a new friend.”
Morgan knew that she wouldn’t feel comfortable until she spoke to Simon about it.
###
Morgan spent the rest of the morning doing household chores until it was time to get ready for the library. She dressed carefully for the dinner that would follow. Nothing too fancy, but a little dressier than blue jeans.
Morgan put on brown slacks and a soft, green sweater, then studied herself in the mirror.
Of average height, she had a healthy body, classic features, auburn hair, and light-brown eyes that people often commented on.
She automatically brushed a lock of shoulder-length hair away from her face, glanced at her outfit, and turned away. This was the best she could do.
She’d promised to pick up Simon to go to the bookstore, and she didn’t want to be late. Grabbing her purse, phone, and car keys, she headed out the door.
As she climbed into her car, she noticed Ashley’s husband, Mark, playing ball with Ben in the backyard, and waved. She still hadn’t given up on the idea of having children of her own, but she’d yet to meet the man who might give them to her.
It took only a few minutes to reach the gate of the Signature Senior Living complex. She drove past the main building to Simon’s house and parked the car so she could get out to help him.
When she rang the doorbell, Simon answered promptly.
His eyes twinkled. “Hello. I’m glad to see you. I’ve already ordered our coffee over the phone, so we should be able to pick it up when we walk inside. And I’m delighted to tell you that Mr. Devlin, the owner, has also agreed for me to do some reviews for him.”
“Fabulous,” said Morgan. “It’s a real service to his store. Can I carry anything for you?”
“No thanks. I’m all set. I’ve signed out and am ready to go.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize you had to sign in and out,” said Morgan. “But it makes sense. They have to be able to keep track of all their occupants.”
“Yes. I can come and go as I wish, but I’m required to notify them. It seems fair,” Simon said.
They got into Morgan’s car and headed downtown.
As usual, it was crowded on a Saturday afternoon.
“I’ll drop you off in front of the store and park the car,” said Morgan. “You can save the reading space for us.”
Morgan waited until Simon walked inside the store before taking off to get a parking space a little farther away.
When she returned to the store and went to their reading area, she was touched to see Simon sitting in one of the chairs and two coffee cups on the table.
“This is such a treat,” she said, smiling at him and sitting down. “I assume you told Mr. Devlin we were here.”
“Oh, yes. When I called to order the coffee, I requested that the space be reserved for us.”
“Nice. I’ll be able to give him my latest review of a book he asked me to read,” said Morgan.
She took a sip of her coffee and faced him.
“Simon, I need to be honest with you. I had no idea who you were or what your background was until a friend mentioned it to me. I know you have a problem with your daughter-in-law, and I don’t want her or you to get the wrong idea about my being your friend. ”
“Oh, I know that,” said Simon, waving away her distress. “You’ve been honest with me from the day we met, when you let me know very politely that, yes, I was sitting in your chair.”
“Oh, no! Was I that awful?” Morgan said.
Simon chuckled. “Like I said, you were polite about it, and I’m very happy in this chair. And remember, you even bought me coffee.”
“I would hate for our friendship to cause any trouble. The truth is, I’ve never had a healthy relationship with my parents, and it’s nice to be able to do things with you.”
“For me, too,” said Simon. “I hope to introduce you to my oldest grandson, whose mother my son was dating in college, way before he met Constance. Though they never married, they shared a son whom they both loved, as I did. His name is Austin, which is my middle name. He’s working at the family oil business.
He is a fine young man and someone I deeply respect.
A hard worker who isn’t the least bit selfish. ”
“What about Austin’s mother?” Morgan asked.
“She works for the family business in Texas. After she had the baby, all Merilee wanted was a job. I happily gave it to her. That girl is sharp as a tack. She eventually married one of the other execs at the company, which allowed me not to worry about the business. It’s a well-oiled machine with those two in charge. ”
“Merilee sounds delightful,” Morgan gushed, privately deciding to look her up online.
Simon sighed. “My son, William, was a disappointment to his mother and me, but he did the right thing with Merilee and Austin and has provided well for Constance and his second son, Jake. The difference is that Constance is very selfish and considers herself part of high society, which I’ve always found disturbing.
” He drew in a breath and let it out with another sigh.
“William was not alone in the car when it crashed.”