CHAPTER ELEVEN
Morgan dropped Simon off at his house and drove to her apartment.
She wanted to get things ready for the dog.
She’d thought of spending the night there but decided to wait one more day.
Simon had said that after tonight, the man would be gone.
And if the spy was upset about getting caught, he might do something rash to her if she were around.
As she drove up the driveway, she noticed Ashley in the backyard and stopped the car so she could give her an update on the situation.
Ashley noticed her and walked over. “Hi! What’s up?”
“I know why someone has been watching me. It’s Simon Weaver’s daughter-in-law. She thinks I’m being kind to Simon because I’m after his money.”
“If she knew you, she’d understand that’s ridiculous. You’re the least greedy person I know,” said Ashley, shaking her head. “Do you have time for a cup of coffee?”
“Yes, but please come to my apartment. I have to get things ready for the dog I’m picking up tomorrow.”
“Will you be staying here tonight?” asked Ashley.
“No, because Simon indicated by tomorrow, the so-called spy will be off the case. Besides, it’s easier for me to be at Brad’s house since we’ll leave from there tomorrow morning to get the dog.”
“Go ahead and park your car. I’ll meet you at the apartment. I need to tell the kids and my mother-in-law where I’ll be,” said Ashley.
###
As Morgan unlocked the door to her apartment, she felt a sense of relief at having the mystery of the man in the dark gray car solved. Constance didn’t really have Simon’s welfare at heart, or else she’d be glad he found a new friend.
She gazed at all the equipment she’d bought for the dog and grinned. It was just like preparing for a baby. She hoped she hadn’t made a mistake. It was a big responsibility.
At a knock at the door, Morgan went to answer it.
Ashley held up a small bag with a ribbon attached. “Here’s something the kids and I picked out for your dog.”
Morgan opened the bag and pulled out a stuffed blue dinosaur. “Oh, how cute!” she said, holding it up.
“It’s blue because that’s the name of the dog,” said Ashley with a smile. “The salesperson said it was durable and might do for a Dachshund. Apparently, they like to shred their toys.”
Morgan hugged her. “I think he’ll love it. Thanks so much. Be sure to tell the kids how much I appreciate it.”
“I’m sure you’ll be able to tell them yourself as soon as you bring the dog home,” said Ashley. “They’re very excited about it.”
Morgan chuckled. “How soon until you get a dog?”
“Sooner than I thought,” said Ashley, grinning. “We’re discussing a variety of breeds.”
Morgan fixed cups of coffee for each of them and sat at the kitchen table opposite Ashley.
Ashley took a sip of coffee and then said, “Okay, spill. What happened with Simon’s daughter-in-law?”
Morgan told her the story of how Constance met her at the doorway and might not have even let her inside if Simon hadn’t come to the door. Then, she filled her in on everything that followed.
“Elder abuse is a real issue,” said Ashley. “It was smart of Simon to move to a place like Signature Senior Living, where he’ll receive excellent care as he ages.”
“Simon is a very savvy man. He told me that Constance thinks she’ll get a lot of money following his death, but that isn’t the case.
His grandson, Jake, is bound to receive something, but I believe most of his money will go to charities, which is always nice.
He knows I have no interest in any of it.
I had to make it clear after Constance made such a scene about having someone tail me. ”
“She sounds like an unstable person,” said Ashley.
“A spendthrift. Simon said she likes to be part of New York City society.” Morgan felt a tremor race across her shoulders.
Constance was such a cold, devious person that Morgan suspected she might have to protect Simon from any false accusations of mental incapacity that might be leveled at him in the future.
“No wonder your friendship is so important to Simon,” said Ashley, unaware of Morgan’s thoughts about him. “You can help protect him.”
Morgan agreed and changed the subject. “How are you? It feels like I’ve been away from home for weeks, not just days. I like knowing you’re close by.”
“Me, too,” said Ashley. “We’re all fine. How is it going with you and Brad?”
“Whoa!” said Morgan. “It’s not like Brad and I are together. He’s just being supportive, letting me stay with him while I need a safe place to be.”
“Hm-m-m,” Ashley said. “I ran into Rosalie Mancini at the grocery store, and she seems to think there’s something serious going on between the two of you.”
Morgan bit her lip and paused before speaking. “There’s no romance between Brad and me.” She hated conflict, but she was furious with Rosalie for spreading such news. She needed her job, and her old boss had made office dating a no-no in the firm.
“Well, I know a couple of women dying to date him,” said Ashley. “Maybe that will end Rosalie’s talk about the two of you.”
“If things were different, if we didn’t work in the same place, I’d like to get to know him better. He’s a super guy,” said Morgan.
“And easy on the eyes,” Ashley said. “I’ve got to get back to my mother-in-law and the kids. I promised we’d have a pizza dinner before she takes us to the early movies. Mark is out of town with a group of buddies on a fishing trip.”
“Well, have fun. I’m sure I’ll see you tomorrow evening when I return,” said Morgan. “Now, I’ll get things ready and then go to Brad’s.”
She walked Ashley to the door, then quickly arranged the dog bed in a corner of the kitchen, positioning the dog at the center of things.
Next, she placed the new toy and another in the dog’s bed.
She filled a bowl with water and put it down next to the end of the kitchen island.
In one of the cupboards, she found a spot for dog treats and other items he might need.
Morgan stood back and studied the room, delighted by how natural it looked set up for a dog.
Her cell phone rang. Brad.
“Hi, where are you? I’m just finishing up at the office and wondered if you wanted to meet me in town for a bite of dinner?” Brad asked.
Thinking of what Ashley had told her about Rosalie’s thoughts, Morgan said, “I know you wanted to take me out to dinner, but why don’t I fix us something at the house? It might be more relaxing that way.”
“That would be really nice,” said Brad. “I’m ready to unwind a bit. I’ll pick up a steak at the market, and you can do whatever you want to go with it.”
“I’ll fix a potato casserole and some broccoli,” said Morgan. “Does that sound okay?”
“Even better,” said Brad. “See you soon.”
###
Morgan decided to go to the store to pick up the ingredients for the casserole and to buy some fresh broccoli.
She was careful about what she spent on groceries, but this was an occasion that called for a trip to Markson’s Market, a special gourmet store she liked.
It cost more to shop there, but the produce, fish, and meat selections were excellent.
She was in the middle of the vegetable aisle at the store when she heard a familiar voice, two of them, actually.
“Why, hello, Brad,” said a silky smooth voice, which she recognized as belonging to Sylvie Curtis, a friend of Ashley’s. “You’re here at the market late on a Saturday afternoon. Picking up something for yourself?”
“Actually, I have plans,” said Brad smoothly.
“I hear you’re dating Morgan Riley. Is that true?”
“What? No, she just works for me,” said Brad. “I’m not dating anyone, and I have no desire to do so.”
“I was so sorry to learn about your wife,” said Sylvie. “It was some time ago, but one never forgets. You’ll find Ellenton a good place to be. See you again, hopefully.”
When the conversation ended, Morgan grabbed a couple of potatoes and hurried to the aisle containing the spices she wanted for the casserole.
She was walking toward the checkout lanes when Brad emerged from the back.
When he saw her, he grinned and waved. “I’ve got steak.”
She held up the basket in her hand. “I have what I need for the casserole.”
As Brad got in line behind her, Sylvie approached them. “So, you two are dining together?”
“I’m helping her get a dog like my Dachshund. We’re discussing the details. That’s all,” said Brad.
Morgan remained quiet as she quickly took care of her transaction and left. If Sylvie thought she and Brad were doing more than that, everyone in town would know about it.
###
At Brad’s house, Morgan greeted the dogs and then went to work making the casserole. The idea of having a dog in her own home was exciting. Its presence would certainly enliven her normal, boring routine.
The dogs announced Brad’s arrival home. She quickly finished putting together the ingredients and slid the casserole into the oven. As excited as she was for the dog, she was sadly aware that this evening at Brad’s house would be the last one.
“Hi,” said Brad, coming into the kitchen. “I made another stop to get a bottle of wine for dinner. Something special. I’m sure you’re anxious to be in your own place.”
“It’ll be enjoyable to celebrate our last evening together,” Morgan said. “I’ll miss the company, though. The dogs, especially. But I have you to thank for helping me find one of my own.”
Brad’s gaze rested on her. “I’m glad it’s worked out. It’s important to know that we can be real friends. It makes working together easy.”
“There are people in town thinking it’s more than that. I know my old boss is very against people in the office dating, so I want to be careful about not giving anyone the impression we are.”
“I understand, though I can’t believe Richard is so prickly about such a situation,” said Brad. “Why don’t you go ahead and get comfortable in the living room, and I’ll take care of opening the bottle of wine.”
Morgan sat on the couch facing the fire. She liked the coziness of this room and knew it would be a pleasant place to relax as the months grew colder.
As usual, Sid plopped down at her feet, and Caesar jumped up into her lap. She sighed with contentment, relieved that the issue of someone following her was being resolved. It had scared her more than she’d admitted.
Brad came into the room and handed her a glass of wine. “Here’s to another pleasant evening.”
“Thanks for being such a marvelous host,” said Morgan, raising her drink in a salute to him.
“My pleasure,” said Brad. “It’s great to know we can be compatible outside the office.”
“I’ve discovered who’s been following me and why,” said Morgan. “You won’t believe it.” As they sipped their wine, she told him about Constance hiring a man to spy on her.
“You’re right. It’s greedy on Constance’s part and mean of her to do that to you,” said Brad.
“Some people think a good life, a successful one, is about money. But that’s not it at all.
Being in an accident and seeing your life flash before your eyes makes you realize what is really important. It’s about how you live, not money.”
Morgan studied the sadness that washed across Brad’s face at the memory of the accident that took his wife’s life.
“My parents think being successful is measured in dollars. That’s just one of the reasons we don’t get along.
I’m an only child who’s always felt as if I didn’t really fit into their world.
They’d leave me at home while they traveled with friends.
My next-door neighbor was more of a mother to me than my own. ”
“That’s sad,” said Brad.
“I don’t wish my parents any unhappiness. They’re content with their lives. But I feel as if I have nothing in common with them. And when I married a man they didn’t approve of, they wrote me out of their lives.”
Brad clasped her hand. “I’m sorry. I guess I was one of the lucky kids with great parents. I still see them whenever I can.”
“Do you have any siblings?” Morgan asked.
“A brother and a sister,” he said.
“I didn’t mean to make my life sound so horrible,” she said. “My parents were not loving people, but they saw that I was cared for and educated until we finally went our own ways.”
“I get it,” said Brad. “Families are complicated. Dealing with family law has taught me a lot.”
Morgan rubbed Caesar’s ears. “I’m glad Richard allowed me to work for you. He knew I was getting pretty bored with corporate law.”
“Believe me, I’m happy about it. There are many details to be handled, and I need to be able to trust that they’re taken care of.” He stood. “I’m going to heat the grill. Want me to check on the casserole?”
“Would you?” said Morgan. Dale would never have made such an offer.
She realized she’d married him to prove to herself that she didn’t want to live the fancy but empty life of her parents.
What had started as an excellent relationship had soured quickly after he got involved with friends who wanted to make a quick buck.
And he got caught up in drinking and gambling.
It had brought everything crashing down around them.
Brad returned, carrying the wine bottle. “May I serve you more?”
Morgan lifted her glass so he could pour some wine into it. This was the time to relax before her life changed once again.
Before Morgan went to bed, she packed her clothes and items, leaving out what she’d need for the next day.
Her stay at Brad’s house had allowed her to see what a normal home life could be.
Simple and easy. No worries about what other people did or didn’t have, just working hard and hoping to make a difference.
She climbed under the covers and hugged her pillow, feeling as if it were Christmas Eve, though she already knew the one gift she wanted was waiting for her in the shape of a cute little dog named Blue.