CHAPTER SIX
“Come in and sit down,” Simon told Jake. “We’ve already eaten our meal, but I believe we have some dessert left.”
“I don’t want to interrupt your date,” said Jake, glancing from Simon to Morgan.
Morgan gasped. “Oh, no, this isn’t a date. We’re two friends enjoying dinner after an afternoon at the bookstore.”
“Please don’t mention this to your mother,” said Simon. “You know how she can misconstrue things.”
“Okay,” said Jake.
Morgan stood. “Are you hungry? I’ll serve you some apple pie and ice cream.”
“I ate on the road, but pie and ice cream sound delicious,” said Jake. “I planned on staying overnight here. Is that okay, Grandpa?”
“Absolutely,” said Simon.
“I can’t stay here very long,” said Morgan. She went to the kitchen to prepare Jake’s dessert.
She couldn’t help overhearing Jake’s whispers.
“Has this so-called friendship been going on for any length of time?” he asked Simon.
“Just a couple of weeks. We met at the bookstore. She and I read books for the owner of the store and give him our reviews. It’s been a great opportunity for me to get out and meet people in town. I have Morgan to thank for that.”
“You know Mom will go crazy when she hears about it. I’m supposed to ask you for more money,” said Jake. “But all my fall expenses have already been paid.”
“Your mother thinks she’s owed funds when, truthfully, she’s already been given what was left to her. The fact that she hasn’t used them wisely is something I can’t undo for her.”
“I know she’s not good with money,” said Jake. “And I don’t expect you to pay for anything beyond my schooling, which you’ve told me for years you would do. I’m a teacher’s assistant, which gives me some spending dollars, so I’m okay.”
“Oh? Good for you.” Simon gazed at Morgan as she brought Jake’s dessert to him.
“I’m glad Morgan and I were too full of dinner to eat more than a sample of dessert.”
Jake grinned at the plate of pie and ice cream placed in front of him. “Me, too.”
Morgan remained standing. “I’m going to head home. I realize how special it is for the two of you to be together. Simon, I’ll see you next Saturday to take you to the bookstore. And please remember to call me for a ride whenever you need one. Have a great week.”
Simon got to his feet. “I’ll walk you out.”
At the front door, he stopped and patted her arm. “Thank you for another wonderful day. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure Jake understands about our friendship, so Constance doesn’t bother us.”
“Okay,” Morgan said, but she knew the issue wouldn’t be easily resolved. Constance was no ordinary person.
###
After spending the rest of the weekend concerned about the woman who was making Simon’s life miserable, Morgan was glad to go into the office.
She’d already seen enough cases to know that families were open to all kinds of issues.
Most of the work Brad did was with families who didn’t have much money.
But that didn’t mean that wealthier people had no problems. In Simon’s case, Constance would, she guessed, continue to be a problem, which was a shame.
Simon was at a time in his life when he shouldn’t have to deal with someone more concerned about his money than his well-being.
When she entered the office, Rosalie waved her over. “I understand you’re seeing an older man. How’s that going?”
Taken aback, Morgan stared wide-eyed at her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not ‘seeing’ any older man. I do have a friend who does book reviews with me for James Devlin at Pages.”
“Oh, but…” Rosalie began.
Morgan held up her hand to stop her. “I don’t know where you’re getting your information, but it’s wrong. All wrong.” Too angry to stay and talk to Rosalie, Morgan walked away from her.
When she got to her desk, she was surprised to see Brad already in his office.
“Hi,” she called to him, and sat at her desk to look over the schedule for the day. There were already notes from him on her desk to be typed up.
Brad stepped out of his office. “I’ll be in court today. We have a new case involving foster parents. Otherwise, I need you to review my calendar and let me know when I might be available to meet with Isabel. Go ahead and set something up with her.”
“Will do,” she said. “Late afternoon seems like the best time.”
“Yes, and if you want to join me, that would be very helpful,” he said, surprising her. “You don’t mind, do you? I want a second opinion.”
“I’m happy to help. I can’t wait to see what ideas Isabel has come up with,” Morgan said.
“I know you’ll be honest with me. That’s important,” Brad said, smiling as he waved goodbye.
Morgan thought about what he’d said and let out a sigh of satisfaction.
Simon had also mentioned her honesty. In the past, her honesty with her husband had sometimes caused problems. And dealing with parents who refused to talk openly about anything outside their rigid rules had been a painful experience.
###
Richard Sinclair, her old boss, came to see her. “How is it going with Brad?”
“Fine. I think we have created a compatible routine,” she answered.
“Fine, because he and I have discussed this, and he thinks there’s room in your schedule to do a little work for me. Would you be willing to step in and help the other assistants from time to time?”
“Sure,” Morgan said. “I like to keep busy.” So far, she hadn’t been too involved with Brad’s work.
“I have some case information I’d like you to organize as you’ve done for me in the past.”
Morgan followed him to his office, where he handed her several files.
“Thanks,” he said. “As always, I appreciate your support. As you can see, I haven’t hired anyone to fill your spot. Perhaps I won’t need to.”
Morgan said nothing. She was okay with extra work, but she’d let him know if it got to be too much.
###
Morgan followed Brad to his home, where they were about to meet with Isabel.
They planned to arrive ahead of time so Brad could have the dogs settled before Isabel arrived.
Morgan waited until Brad unlocked the front door.
As he opened it, the two dogs jumped up at Brad, happy to see him. Sid, the golden Lab, nudged Brad’s arm for attention while little Caesar leaped at Brad’s knees. Laughing, Brad picked up Caesar and ruffled Sid’s ears.
When he turned to her, she loved seeing a boyish smile on his face as he set Caesar down.
The dogs noticed her and raced to her side. Morgan patted both of them, and then they all went inside.
“I see the ‘boys’ like you,” said Brad, giving her a look of approval. “That says a lot. Sorry, they get overexcited and jump on you. I’m trying to train them not to do it, but I admit I’m not very consistent.”
“They don’t bother me at all,” said Morgan, picking up Caesar, whining for attention. She laughed when Caesar licked her cheeks.
Brad watched her and then turned away. “It’s nice outside. We can wait for Isabel here.”
“It’s gorgeous,” said Morgan, walking onto the ground-level deck and sitting in one of the comfortable chairs with Caesar. “The other day, I heard the sounds of the brook. It’s not far from here, right?”
Brad held out his hand. “Let me show you.”
She put Caesar down, took his hand, and got to her feet, ignoring the sensations of Brad’s touch.
They crossed the plush lawn and went into a row of trees at the back.
Passing by several hardwood trees, they came to a gentle slope that formed the bank of a small brook.
“This leads into a larger stream downhill at the next farm,” said Brad. “It can sometimes dry up in the summer, but I love the soothing sound of the water when it’s flowing.”
“Me, too,” Morgan said. “You’ve found a very special place. I’m happy for you.”
At the sound of a car entering the property, Brad said, “Let’s see what Isabel has dreamed up.”
They walked to where she was standing in the driveway.
“Hi, Brad,” she said, shaking hands with him before facing Morgan. “I’m so glad you’re here. I took a lot of your suggestions to heart and hope you both will be happy with what I’ve done.”
Morgan and Brad helped carry sample books into the house and to the kitchen.
Isabel spread the books on the kitchen bar. “First of all, considering your budget, the most important changes will be painting the walls of the house. The wooden trim is in excellent condition, which gives us a little more money to play with in other ways.”
She laid out paint samples for them to look at, then placed a printed floor plan of the house beside them.
“Morgan suggested that I stick to warmer colors,” said Isabel, “so I’ve suggested this cream color for the walls of the open areas downstairs, so it ties the rooms together and gives an open feeling to the space.”
Brad looked at Morgan, then turned to Isabel. “I like that idea.”
“For the master suite, I’ve suggested a warm, light gray for the walls. A good neutral color that isn’t too cold. That paint can also be used in the den, and even the laundry room.”
“Unless you want a sunny yellow for the laundry room for something different,” said Morgan, and then clamped a hand to her mouth. “Sorry.”
“No, no,” said Isabel. “That would make the room cheerier.”
Brad nodded but said nothing.
“Upstairs, the guest rooms can have a little more color compatible with the stained-glass windows,” said Isabel.
“I’ve suggested a Purple Basil and Quietude for the two guest rooms. The Purple Basil is a dusty violet with mauve undertones.
The Quietude is a gray-green that’s suitable for the house. ”
“What do you think?” Brad asked Morgan.
“I love them both,” she said.
“Next, I suggest the Jack-and-Jill bathroom be a dark gray that will work with both of the bedrooms,” said Isabel.
“I’m happy with everything so far. How about the furnishings downstairs?” asked Brad. “I think the den is fine the way it is, but the living room needs help, along with the rest of the main floor downstairs.”
“And the master suite,” Isabel suggested. “Those are the spaces you’ll be using most of the time.”
Brad quietly agreed.
Isabel began by showing them carpet choices for the master suite and den. “You have gorgeous rugs for the living room and dining areas, so we don’t need to be concerned with those floor spaces.”
In a short amount of time, Brad chose the carpeting.
“And now to the furniture for the living room,” said Isabel.
Here, too, Isabel showed them attractive options that complemented the house’s style.
Morgan remained quiet unless Brad asked her opinion, but she silently agreed on most selections.
“How long is it going to take to get the furniture?” asked Brad.
Isabel smiled at him. “I have a few contacts at stores in the area. All of the furniture, except the coffee table, is available now. The coffee table is worth waiting for, in my opinion. With its distinctive handmade tile top surface, it suits the rest of the furniture and could be considered a work of art.”
Brad turned to Morgan.
“I agree,” she said, gazing at the photo Isobel showed them.
“Okay, thank you, Isabel and Morgan. How about a glass of wine to celebrate?” Brad asked.
“That sounds like the way to sign the contract,” said Isabel, and they all laughed. Isabel was a clever businesswoman.