CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The next morning, Morgan woke early and lay in bed next to Brad, studying the way his lashes curled against his cheek when he slept.
She reached to touch his whiskered face when his eyes flashed open. He saw her, and the corners of his eyes crinkled with a smile. “Morning.”
As he pulled her to him, Morgan’s heart picked up pace. Even now, she was ready for him, needed him.
Later, she realized she had no choice but to get out of bed and get ready to go to the office.
When Rosie had first asked her to join the group right after she joined the firm, she’d been glad to be included in what was an office tradition.
It consisted of a congenial committee of administrators who supported one another.
She knew how lucky she was to be accepted into their ranks when others had worked for years before being invited.
More excited now, Morgan took a shower and got ready. Then, she grabbed a cup of coffee and left.
###
When she entered the office at ten o’clock, Morgan heard laughter coming from the break room and joined the other women.
“Here,” said Rosie, handing her a paper cup filled with liquid. “We’re having a Bloody Mary before we start.”
“And there are lemon squares, if you want,” said another woman, passing a plate of freshly baked treats around.
“My husband pulled most of the decorations out of storage for us,” said Rosie.
“We’ll do our usual decorating with a few new things added.
As this is a conservative office, there will be no glittery ones.
We’ll stick to our more natural touches, such as pinecones, ribbons, and fresh plants.
The poinsettias will be delivered shortly, and the person decorating the front window will be here tomorrow to paint just a few snowflakes.
The partners want Hanukkah and Kwanzaa decorations displayed, as well.
So, it’s pretty much the same as every year. ”
“It does make the office festive,” said one of the women.
“I love this time of year,” said another. “And this is always a fun way to start.”
“Is anyone going away this holiday?” asked Rosie.
Others had no hesitation in giving dates they’d be out of the office.
Morgan remained quiet. She didn’t want anyone to know about her trip to Arizona. Though he’d invited her to go to his parents’ home for the entire week, she’d already told him that she was planning on being away for just three days.
###
When everything was displayed as tastefully as possible, and with Rosie’s approval, the group headed to Bamboo Garden for Chinese food.
Seated at the restaurant with the others, Morgan was amused that, like the rest, she had worn Christmas colors when they had, no doubt, all dressed in fall colors yesterday. Today, her green sweater went with the jade earrings she’d found in a thrift store in Florida.
They ordered dishes to share, and soon she was able to taste several of her favorite items: orange chicken, fried rice, Mapo Tofu, Chow Mein, and dumplings. She’d already warned Brad that she would eat lightly at dinner.
###
Before she returned to Brad’s house, Morgan checked her apartment.
She had a few Christmas items in her storage space, including a small, fake tree she’d used in the past. She’d get them out soon.
She wondered if Brad planned to decorate his house for the holidays. If so, she would offer to help him.
Morgan picked up a few more clothes, including the fleece winter robe she liked to wear on cool mornings, and headed back to his house. It was the first time in a long while that she was truly looking forward to the holidays.
At Brad’s house, she was enthusiastically greeted by the three dogs on the front lawn before Brad finally pushed them away and wrapped his arms around her. “How was your day? You were missed around here.” He lowered his lips to hers.
Morgan let out a happy sigh and responded with enthusiasm. This special feeling she experienced with Brad was what other people often talked about when describing being with the man of their dreams.
Brad pulled away and wrapped an arm around her waist. “C’mon inside. I’ve built a fire and am marinating chicken to grill for dinner,” said Brad, taking most of the packages from her.
“Lovely.” She picked up Blue, prancing at their feet, and carried him into the house.
The dogs headed outside, and Morgan got the last of her things hung in Brad’s bedroom.
Sitting with Brad on the couch in the den in front of the fire, Morgan sipped a smooth pinot noir.
“Are you going to decorate the house for the holidays?” she asked him. “If so, I’d be happy to help you.”
“I haven’t done so in years, but if you would like to decorate, we can at least get a tree,” he said. “I think I’m ready.”
Aware of the sadness that had flitted across his face, Morgan guessed that decorating was something his wife liked to do. “The choice is yours,” she said.
“Let’s do it. Let’s get a tree, and you can help me pick out ornaments for it.”
“This house is a lovely setting for a beautiful tree,” said Morgan. “Let me know when you’re ready, and we can plan a day of shopping.”
“Deal,” he said. “How about another glass of wine before I grill the chicken?”
“While you cook, I’ll make a salad.”
He grinned at her. “You’re so easy to be with.”
They continued to sit together until their peaceful time was shattered by the ringing of Morgan’s cell. She checked her phone. Simon.
She picked up the call. “Hi, Simon. What’s up?”
“Hello, Morgan. I have a favor to ask. Instead of picking me up to go to the bookstore, could you come to my house tomorrow afternoon?”
“Is everything all right?”
“Yes, I want you to meet another member of my family. And please bring Blue.”
“Oka-a-ay! Anything else I should know about?”
“No,” said Simon. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the regular time. Thank you, Morgan.”
Simon ended the call, and Morgan gave Brad a puzzled look. “I’m not sure what is going on. Instead of picking up Simon for the bookstore, he wants me to go to his house and bring Blue.”
“It’s obvious he adores you,” said Brad. “And you’re very nice to him.”
“I’ve loved having him in my life,” Morgan said. “We liked one another from the start. I’ll go see Simon, and then maybe we can shop for ornaments.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Brad said. “I’m going to heat the grill.”
Before going into the kitchen, Morgan sat for a moment, reflecting on how easily she’d become friends with Simon, despite being from different generations and very different backgrounds. It was rare.
###
The next afternoon, Morgan put a harness on Blue and attached his matching leash. “You’re coming with me, and you must behave.”
He wagged his tail and followed her out the door.
The drive to Simon’s house seemed to take no time as Morgan fought an unexpected case of nerves. She wondered who Simon wanted her to meet. Would they be like Constance, wanting to check her out? She had no alarming past, except for some poor choices.
She pulled up to his house and noted an unfamiliar car in the driveway.
“Here we go,” Morgan said to Blue, getting him out of the car.
They walked up to the front door, and she knocked.
The door opened, and Morgan faced a younger version of Simon. He appeared to be a little older than Brad.
He gave her a wide smile. “Hello. You must be Morgan. And who is this?” he asked, bending over to pat Blue. He straightened. “I’m sorry. I should introduce myself. I’m Austin Weaver, Simon’s grandson.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Morgan said, watching as Simon came up behind Austin.
“Hi, Morgan. Please come in. I see all the introductions have been made. I asked you to bring Blue because Austin and his family have Dachshunds, and I’ve learned that their owners are very special and get along well.”
Austin chuckled. “You can tell a lot about people who own them. I was already impressed by all the kindness you’ve shown my grandfather.”
He held the door for her, and Morgan followed Simon inside.
“Have a seat,” said Austin. “I just made fresh coffee, and Simon ordered some cookies from the kitchen.”
“That sounds perfect on this blustery day,” said Morgan. “Simon and I always get coffee at the bookstore.”
“Yes, I’ve told Austin how we have become friends doing book reviews for the store’s owner,” said Simon.
She and Simon sat on the couch. Austin left them and then carried in cups of coffee and a plate of cookies, setting them on the coffee table. “Please help yourselves. I’ll be right back with my coffee. I’ve added a little cream and sugar to your coffees as Simon suggested.”
“What do you think about Austin?” Simon whispered.
“He’s so nice,” said Morgan, smiling when Simon agreed. “He’s the best.”
Austin returned to the living room, sat in an overstuffed chair, and held out his hand to Blue. The dog settled against the chair for the ear rubs Austin was giving him.
“You may be wondering why I asked you to come here,” Simon said to her.
“Austin had business in New York City yesterday and decided to stay over for a visit. In light of that, we’ve decided that I will fly to Houston with him next week for the Christmas holidays.
Houston, with Austin, his mother, and his family, is where I’m happiest. Considering all that Constance is trying to do to undermine my decisions, I know I’ll be most comfortable with them. ”
“We love having Grandpa with us,” said Austin. “Especially for the holidays.”
Alarm filled Morgan. “But you’ll come back here after the holidays, won’t you, Simon?”
“Oh yes. I have every intention of doing so,” he answered, smiling at her. “I want to thank you for inviting me to your Thanksgiving dinner. It was delicious, and I’m making a new friendship with Mark’s mother.”
“Oh, that makes me happy. Barbara is a lovely person,” said Morgan. “Okay, I’m glad to know this is just a temporary goodbye, and that you’ll return.” She turned to Austin. “Simon has been like the grandfather I never had. I can never thank him enough for the time he’s given me.”
“It’s the other way around,” said Simon. “Austin knows how lonely I was before I met you. “