CHAPTER TEN
On Saturday morning, Morgan awoke to rain.
She checked the weather station on her phone and was relieved to read the meteorologist’s posting that the rain should stop by noon.
Her mood brightened. It made such a difference to have sunshine in her life.
She checked the photograph of Blue, the dog that would soon be hers. He was a handsome Dachshund.
Although Morgan was excited to get the dog, she didn’t want to ask Brad to change his plans and travel to the kennel a day early. Besides, Simon was counting on her to pick him up and take him to the bookstore for an afternoon of reading together. She’d hate to disappoint him.
With her day planned, Morgan got out of bed and dressed. She needed to wash clothes for the following week, and she wanted to go to the pet store to gather the supplies the kennel owner had recommended.
When she went down to the kitchen, the aroma of coffee filled the air. She went over to the coffee maker and found a note from Brad.
“Make yourself at home. I’m off to the office to get some work done. See you in time for dinner. How about I take you out to dinner tonight? You deserve it after cooking for the last couple of nights.”
Smiling, Morgan texted him to say she’d be delighted to go out for dinner. She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat at the kitchen table, rubbing the ears of both dogs.
As she sipped her coffee and looked around, she realized how empty the house was with Brad gone.
It must have been tough for him to live alone after being happily married.
She realized he appreciated having her stay at the house.
And inviting her out for dinner was another way for him to fill his time.
Determined not to jeopardize her job, Morgan pushed away any ideas about what it would be like for her to become involved with him.
Still, she was glad he was helping her. Friends were important.
She put the dogs outside and headed to the pet store. Mickie Hastings, owner of Blue Belle Kennel, was very specific about what her dog would need, detailing choices and reasons for them.
At the store, she was able to find things on the list easily. The one flexible choice she’d been given was the color or design of the dog’s harness and collar. Morgan decided a bright blue for both would be fun and would indicate the sweet-faced dog was a male.
By the time she’d gathered all the items and paid for them, Morgan realized she was making a serious commitment to having the dog. She hoped the little guy would accept her. She was already thinking of him as hers.
On a whim, she decided to drive by Ashley’s house to see if the unknown driver of the dark gray car was around. She turned onto her street and stopped. The same dark gray car was parked on the street just past Ashley’s house.
Frustrated, Morgan started to turn around and then stopped. Damn! She couldn’t allow a stranger to upend her life like this.
She drove down the street, and just as she turned into the driveway, he took off. She stopped the car and got out, but it was too late; he was too far away to confront.
Morgan got back into her car and pulled it up to her parking spot in the garage. Then she began the task of unloading the car, keeping the collar, harness, leash, a blanket, and a toy to take with her to pick up the dog.
As she was climbing the stairs with her hands full of bags, she heard a voice calling to her.
“Hi, Auntie Morgan! You’re back!”
Smiling, she turned to seven-year-old Lizzy. “Just for a short time. But tomorrow I’ll return for good with a new dog.”
Lizzy clapped her hands. “I want a dog. Can I come over to see it?”
“Sure, anytime your mother says you can,” Morgan said.
Ashley headed their way.
“Let me get these things inside,” said Morgan. “Do you have time for tea?”
Ashley shook her head. “Not today. We’re off to Ben’s soccer game. I guess no problems with your lurker?”
“He was here, a little farther down the road, but I chased him off.”
Ashley shook her head. “We’ve got to get this settled. We’ll talk after you’ve moved back in.” She took hold of Lizzy’s hand, and they went to Ashley’s car parked in the garage.
Morgan managed to unlock her apartment door and slipped inside with her purchases. Now that she knew she’d be alone on the property, she couldn’t wait to leave her packages, pick up a few items, and head back to Brad’s house before leaving to pick up Simon for their bookstore afternoon.
###
As she pulled into Simon’s driveway, Morgan was confused to see a BMW already parked there.
She got out and headed to the front door, hoping everything was all right. She’d spoken to Simon yesterday to confirm today’s activities, and he was looking forward to seeing her.
She knocked on the door.
An attractive blonde, appearing to be in her late forties or early fifties, answered the door. She wore jewels in her ears, at her throat, and on her fingers.
Morgan realized who it was and fought to keep her composure. “Hello.”
“You must be Morgan Riley,” the woman said coolly, sweeping her glance from the top of Morgan’s head to the shoes she was wearing. Her lip curled.
“I’m here to pick up Simon,” Morgan said.
“I’m not sure he should leave. His allergies are kicking up,” said Simon’s daughter-in-law, standing resolutely in the doorway. She turned as Simon came up behind her.
“Hi, Morgan. I’m ready to go. I want to tell you about the book I’m about to finish.” Simon moved past Constance Weaver and walked onto the porch. “I assume Constance introduced herself to you.”
“No,” said Morgan. “But I guessed who she was.”
Simon took hold of Morgan’s elbow and turned to Constance. “I’ll be home late this afternoon. If you’re still around, I’ll order dinner for you.”
“Oh, I’ll be here all right. We have a lot to settle between us,” Constance said.
Morgan jerked to a stop and whirled around to face her. “Oh, my word! It’s you! You’ve ordered someone to follow me, haven’t you?”
“What?” said Simon.
“Why would you make such an accusation?” asked Constance, obviously flustered.
“Constance?” Simon’s voice was low with anger.
“A man has been parked outside my house,” said Morgan. “I must say, he isn’t a very good spy. We easily spot him. Was it you, Constance?”
Constance’s jaw dropped, and then she snapped it shut. “I have an obligation to protect Simon. You never know who might be after his money.” She narrowed her eyes at Morgan. “Including you. You suddenly show up in his life? The idea of reading books together is laughable.”
Simon’s cheeks turned an unhealthy red. “I want you to leave right now.” He shook a finger at Constance.
“We’ll wait here until you get in your car and take off.
If necessary, I’ll call the police to remove you.
And if I ever hear of anyone tailing Morgan, I’ll have you put in jail for undue harassment. ”
Shock distorted Constance’s face. She rocked back on her heels and gave him a pleading look. “Simon, you know I have only your interests at heart.”
“I know where your interest lies, and it’s not with me, but with my money,” Simon said with a coldness that sent a shiver down Morgan’s back.
Simon turned to Morgan. “We’ll wait inside to make sure that Constance leaves.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. I’m going,” said Constance. She snatched the purse she’d placed on the hall table and all but pushed Morgan and Simon aside as she strode to her car, huffing angrily.
They waited until Constance drove off, and then Simon said, “Come inside for a minute. I need to make a call before we go.”
Morgan stood at the sliding door of the living room, staring at the landscaping at the back of the house, admiring the fall flowers, her thoughts whirling. The extent of Constance’s greed shook her. She hoped Simon wouldn’t suffer any harm because of it.
“Ready?” asked Simon. “I actually made two calls. One to the police and one to my lawyer. I don’t think you’ll have anything else to worry about after today. If the man who’s been watching you shows up tonight, it will be the last time.”
They went outside.
Morgan waited on the porch while he locked the front door, then they walked to her car and got in.
“I’m sorry about all this,” said Simon. “Constance’s behavior is shameful. But, like I said, I don’t think her so-called spy will bother you anymore.”
“I’m staying at Brad’s house for now, so it won’t matter. But I’ll be very happy to be in my own place. And, Simon, I’m getting a dog. A Dachshund who’ll be a watchdog for me. If he’s anything like Brad’s dog, Caesar, no one will reach the front door without him barking to warn me.”
“Ah, I’m a dog lover, but have reached the stage in my life where it doesn’t make sense for me to own one. Not that Signature Senior Living allows us to have one here.”
“Are you sure? I thought I saw someone outside walking a dog,” she said.
“A support dog, no doubt,” said Simon, gazing out the window.
###
Morgan dropped Simon off at the bookstore and parked the car farther down the street. When she got out of the car, she looked around but didn’t see any sign of the dark gray car that had made her life miserable. She was relieved that the man had nothing to do with her husband’s business in Florida.
James Devlin, the owner, waved at her when she came inside.
“Simon ordered coffee for you both. It’s waiting for you to pick up in the café.
” He smiled at her. “It’s really nice that you’ve been such a friend to him.
Moving to a new town and not knowing anyone can be difficult. Especially at his age.”
“It gives me more reason to spend Saturday afternoons here. We enjoy one another’s company.”
“And I enjoy receiving those reviews from you both,” said James. “Keep them coming.”
Morgan laughed. “We will.”
She went to the café, got Simon’s order, and carried their coffee cups to their private nook.
Simon looked at her and grinned. “Thanks. It saves me from getting up and going to the café.”
Morgan handed him a cup of coffee and settled in “her” chair. “Here’s to one less problem.”
Simon lifted his cup, but his expression was somber. “Constance should never have done that to you. It must have been frightening.”
“It was, even though her so-called spy was careless and seemed unprofessional. I don’t know where she found him.”
“Neither do I, but I’ll find out. Believe me, I’m not going to let this go. I’ll tell the people at Signature Senior Living that I need to be called first before they let her through the gate.”
“Do you think she’s that desperate for money?” asked Morgan.
“Constance is one of those people who will never have enough money. I was against my son marrying her and came to believe he’d grown unhappy with her.
He proved it when he was with another woman when he died.
But it’s too late to do anything about that.
In the future, I’ll be careful about sharing too much information with her. ”
Morgan swallowed hard and finally said what had been circling in her mind.
Facing Simon, she said, “You realize I have no interest in the money you have. I think of you as a friend, nothing more. I love that we can discuss books and help each other with reviews for James. But friendship is all I have in mind.”
“Oh, yes, my dear. I know that very well,” said Simon. “You’ve given me no reason to think otherwise.”
“That makes me feel better,” said Morgan, leaning back in her chair and letting out a breath of relief. “Now, tell me, how are you feeling about the book you’re reading? I’ve heard a lot of controversy about it.”
Soon, they were in a deep discussion about the pros and cons of the book.
But, as they got ready to leave the bookstore, Morgan couldn’t help feeling as if Simon’s troubles with Constance were far from over.