CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Sunday morning, Morgan awoke and stretched. She’d dreamed of Brad. A tender dream of loving him. Not like the nightmares she’d survived when Dale died and left her with debts.
Remembering how Brad had made every part of her come alive, she wished she’d said yes to his invitation to stay over. But, like it or not, she was going to be sensible and give the relationship time to grow into something she hoped would be lasting.
She got up and dressed to take Blue for a walk. When Morgan tried to get him out of bed, the dog made it clear he wasn’t that excited about it. But when she put on his harness and attached his leash, he all but leaped into her arms to go outside.
The air was nippy, and Morgan was reminded again that Thanksgiving would soon be approaching. She saw activity in Ashley’s house and walked to the back door.
Ashley answered her knock. “Good morning. Come inside, it’s cold out there. The dog is welcome, too.”
“Thanks,” said Morgan. “I want to talk to you about Thanksgiving. Even though we prepare the meal together, you’re the one who hosts the dinner. This year, I’d like to invite both Simon Weaver and Brad Hamlin.”
“Oh?” said Ashley. “We’d better talk. You’ve got a lot to tell me, girl.”
Grinning, Morgan followed Ashley to the kitchen table and took a seat. She was more than willing to share her news with her best friend.
“First, I’ll get us some coffee and something to eat,” Ashley said. “I have a feeling this is going to take a while. Mark and the kids went out for breakfast, so we have all the time in the world.”
Morgan began with her visit to Simon and the situation there. “For a while, I wondered if Constance was setting Simon up for a fall by buying him those shoes. Brad told me not to go there, but to keep an eye on things.”
“That’s sensible. You don’t want to get too entangled in his family,” Ashley said. “Besides, I’m sure he’s seen a lot worse behavior than that.”
“Yes, for sure,” admitted Morgan. “He invited me to bring Blue to his house to play with the dogs and to have dinner together. You can imagine my relief at being able to relax after that tense afternoon with Simon.”
“How was ‘dinner’?” Ashley asked, giving her a sly look.
Morgan laughed. “Very special. Oh, Ashley, I’m falling in love.
He told me he is, too. We’ve been fighting it, thinking it wasn’t appropriate, but as Brad said, to heck with the rules.
He doesn’t care what people think, and neither do I.
Our feelings are genuine, and I trust him.
He wanted me to spend the night, but he understood my feelings about wanting to take things slowly. ”
“He has a solid reputation in town as a very decent man,” said Ashley. “And I hear his house is stunning.”
“Yes, it is. Painters have to finish some interior walls, but it’s a beautiful home. Brad asked them to stop working while I was staying there.”
Ashley reached across the table and gave her hand a squeeze. “I’m happy for you, Morgan. You deserve to have a good man in your life.”
“He’s very kind, but he’s still wrestling with guilt over his wife’s death. I don’t see how it’s his fault that an angry man crashed into them because of a custody suit. Think of all the judges fearing for their lives.”
“It’s terrible,” Ashley said. “But it’s important that he’s being open with you about his feelings. That can be difficult for some men to do.”
“I broke down and told him everything about my childhood and my marriage to Dale. Once I got started, I couldn’t stop. I was embarrassed when I realized what I’d done, spilling my guts like that. But Brad was very kind about it. I’ve never felt so safe with a man.”
“And I’ve never heard you talk about someone in such glowing terms,” said Ashley. “It’s all happening fast, but the way you look when you talk about him says a lot about the depth of your feelings.”
“I never felt this way with Dale, and then what warm feelings I had for him were erased by his behavior,” admitted Morgan. “I told Brad I needed to trust him, and I do.”
Ashley studied her. “That’s important. I’m really happy for you, hon. I look forward to having him and Simon join our group for Thanksgiving dinner. My mother-in-law will appreciate having someone close to her own age in the group. And Mark will be delighted to have Brad and Simon join us.”
“That’s decided, then. I’ll call Simon and invite him today. I’ve already mentioned it to Brad, and he’s accepted the invitation.”
“It’ll be fun. I’m excited to have the chance to spend some time with them,” said Ashley. She looked up as Mark and the kids entered the room. “Hi. Did you have a nice breakfast?”
“It was great,” said Ben. “I had five pancakes.”
“I had French toast,” Lizzy said. “Just one piece. Daddy had eggs, like always.”
Ashley chuckled. “It sounds like everyone had a good time. Thanks for the break. Morgan and I are planning Thanksgiving. We’re adding two new people to the group. Simon Weaver and Brad Hamlin.”
“Sounds like a plan,” said Mark. “It will give some balance to hosting my mother and her sister.”
“It was nice to see you, Mark. Thanks, Ashley. I’d better go.” Morgan stood and waited while Blue got a few more pats on the head from the kids, then headed for the door. She could hardly wait to call Simon to invite him to join them.
On her walk, Morgan decided to ask Simon if she could stop by. She wanted to ask him in person to join them for Thanksgiving and take a moment to make sure he was all right. She was still worried about his shoes, and if he allowed her, she’d check his other shoes as well.
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That afternoon, Simon was delighted to have her stop by. He even asked her to bring Blue.
Morgan headed out. She hoped Simon would be as excited about the invitation as she was to offer it.
At his house, she parked the car, walked up to the front door, and rang the bell, listening carefully to see how well Simon responded. She heard footsteps and relaxed.
Simon opened the door. “It’s so nice to see you!”
She smiled and led Blue inside.
Simon bent down to give the dog a pat on the head. “Good boy.” He straightened. “I’ve got coffee ready, if you’re interested. Or bottled water, if you prefer.”
“I’d love a bottle of water,” Morgan said.
She helped retrieve the water and carried his cup of coffee into the living room.
“Have a seat,” said Simon, settling in a reclining chair that he obviously had chosen as his favorite spot.
“I’m here to ask you to join me and my friends for Thanksgiving. I’m sure this facility will have a lovely dinner here for the residents, but I hope you’ll consider joining my friends and me. Would that be a problem for Constance?”
Simon waved a hand in dismissal. “Constance usually joins friends in Palm Beach for Thanksgiving. She invites me, knowing I won’t come because I don’t care about being with them. But I’d love to have Thanksgiving with you. That’ll make it really special. Can Jake join us? I’d like to ask him.”
“Of course, the more, the merrier. Ashley and I prepare the meal together, but it’s hosted at Ashley’s house because she has the space. Her family, Mark’s mother, his aunt, Brad, and I will make up the group for you to join. Jake, too, if you can get him to come.”
“Sounds like an easy group,” said Simon.
“I’m sure you’ll like everyone. The two older women will be especially delighted to have you there.”
Simon chuckled. “No matchmaking for me.”
“No, of course not. But I think you’ll enjoy meeting them. They’re very interesting,” Morgan said. “They do a lot of traveling together.”
“That sounds delightful,” said Simon. “Thank you, my dear, for thinking of me.”
“Of course. I also wanted to make sure that you don’t have any other shoes that might be slippery for walking.”
Simon grinned. “I already had someone here check for that. But thanks.”
“It’s a thought that’s been bothering me,” Morgan admitted.
“I may be old, but I’m not going to be foolish about things like slippery shoes. I’m embarrassed I didn’t check them before putting them on,” Simon said.
Morgan got to her feet. “I have to get back to my Sunday chores, but I couldn’t wait to ask you for Thanksgiving. I’ll see you on Saturday, but feel free to call me if you need anything before then.”
Simon followed her and Blue to the door. “Thanks for stopping by. I’m very excited about the invitation. I’ll extend the invitation to Jake, though he probably won’t come, aware I won’t be alone.”
“No problem,” said Morgan. “The holiday should be fun for everyone.”
She left him, feeling pleased with herself. Two of her favorite people would be joining them for the holiday.