CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Morgan and Brad left Luciano’s, where, to Brad’s amusement, she had her usual veal piccata, and they rode to his house.
The dogs greeted them. Morgan and Brad fed them, then unloaded the boxes of ornaments and placed them on a shelf, out of reach of the dogs.
“While you’re buying lights for the Christmas tree tomorrow, you might want to get lights for the bushes out front,” said Morgan, turning and facing him with a smile.
“Oka-a-ay,” said Brad, nodding thoughtfully.
“And a pretty wreath for the front door,” Morgan said quickly, bringing a grin to Brad’s face. “All right. Tell me what else I need.”
“Well, we could get something for the fireplace mantel and maybe a decoration for the kitchen bar.”
“I trust your taste. Why don’t you get those on your own while I handle the lights?” said Brad, looking around the living room. “You’re right. Let’s do this.”
Morgan walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m so excited to be able to celebrate Christmas with you.”
He lowered his lips to hers, and she let out a sigh of contentment, wondering how she could be this lucky to find this incredible man.
###
The next day, Morgan awoke to a cold, rainy, drizzly Sunday morning. She snuggled next to Brad and decided to wait to do her holiday shopping.
Brad stirred. “Sounds like a lazy day. What do you say?”
“I agree. We can do our errands during the week. I have some things to attend to at home, so I’ll leave here this afternoon.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to spend the week here?” he asked, circling his hands across her back.
“As silly as it may seem, I think it’s best to stay at my apartment during the work week. It seems more professional.”
“I get it,” said Brad. “How about I make my special French toast for breakfast? It looks like that kind of morning.”
“That would be lovely,” said Morgan. “I’m going to take a soak in the tub, and then I’ll be ready anytime you are.”
“Okay. First…”
She laughed as he tugged her closer.
###
Morgan had just unpacked her suitcase at home when her cell rang. Simon.
“Hello, Morgan. I have a favor to ask. Our plans have changed, and Austin and I are flying to Houston tomorrow. Would you do me the favor of stopping by so I can say goodbye to you?”
“Of course. Is everything all right?”
“Just business as usual. Nothing to worry about. It doesn’t give me much time to see you again,” Simon said.
“What time would you like me there?” Morgan asked.
“How about five o’clock, and you can share a glass of wine with Austin and me,” Simon responded.
“Okay, I’ll be there. Thank you.” Morgan ended the call, put on her coat, and hurried out of the house, hoping to make it to the bookstore before it closed.
When she arrived, James Devlin greeted her with a glance at the clock on the wall. “In a hurry, are you?”
“Yes. I need something special for Simon for Christmas. He’s going out of town, and today’s my last chance. He mentioned he’s becoming interested in mysteries, and I thought I’d buy him books by some new authors that I think he might like.”
“Cozy, police procedural, or straight mystery?” asked James.
“Let’s do one of each type, the first in a new series,” said Morgan. “Because I haven’t read many, I’ll leave it up to you to choose what you think Simon would enjoy.”
“Ah, it’s one of my pleasures to do this for readers. I have some perfect ones for him. Stay here, and I’ll be right back. It’s almost closing time.”
James returned with three books that looked interesting and said, “Let’s take just a minute and wrap these for him.”
“You’re an angel,” said Morgan, helping him to wrap them up.
As he ushered her out the door, he flipped the open sign to closed and turned off the lights.
“Thanks again,” said Morgan, grateful for his help.
James waved. “No problem. You and Simon have helped me a lot.”
Morgan hurried to her car and headed to Simon’s house with her gaily wrapped packages.
Austin greeted her at the door and ushered her inside. “Thanks for coming on such quick notice. I have to get back to Houston and thought it best if my grandfather flew with me.”
Simon stood up when she came into the living room. “I’m so glad you could come, my dear.”
“You know everyone from Thanksgiving dinner will miss having you be a part of Christmas here,” Morgan said. “We will make it up to you when you return. In the meantime, I have some things for you.”
Simon sat, and she placed the gifts in his lap.
Eyes twinkling, he lifted the top one and shook it. “They look like books and feel like books. Now, why would I think that?”
Morgan laughed. “James and I chose the gifts together. I hope you like them. I’m excited to see if you discover a whole new genre to enjoy.”
Simon ripped the paper off the first book, then the other two, with excitement. “These are just right. You knew I wanted to try a new genre. This will give me a taste of different kinds of mysteries. Thank you. You’re such a blessing to me. Look, Austin. It’s just what I wanted.”
Austin patted him on the back. “There will be plenty of time for you to enjoy them. I know how much you love to read.”
Simon looked up at Austin. “Would you please bring my present for Morgan to me?”
Austin left the room, returned with a rectangular package, and handed it to Simon.
Sitting beside her on the couch, Simon handed the package to Morgan. “Happy Holidays!”
Morgan studied the package, trying to figure out what it might be. “Is it a picture?”
“Open it and see,” said Simon.
She tore the paper off the gift and stared at a framed photo of a giraffe. “Oh, how nice! You remembered I like giraffes. Thank you so much.” She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
“That’s not all. Open the envelope,” said Simon, beaming at her.
She saw that an envelope had fallen in her lap when she’d lifted the framed picture.
“Go ahead,” urged Simon.
She opened the envelope, retrieved a sheet of paper, and stared at the words written there.
“This certificate is for an African safari for two, including airfare, and stays at exclusive hotels at the time the owner chooses.”
Morgan clapped a hand to her heart. “For me? Oh, it’s way, way too much.” With her free hand, she swiped at the tears that escaped her eyes. “No one has ever given me such a thoughtful gift.”
Pleased, Simon said, “I noticed how your gaze kept returning to my safari photographs whenever we sat here. You mentioned you liked giraffes but had never seen one. That’s when I knew what to do.”
“It’s a wonderful present, but it’s too generous,” said Morgan, hugging the photograph to her chest. “That you cared enough to remember what I said is a gift in itself.”
“Morgan, I’m happy to do this for you. Austin has agreed to handle all the details for me whenever you decide to make the trip.”
Austin grinned. “I’m happy to be part of this. Any time you’re ready, I’ll make all the arrangements for you.”
Morgan drew a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’m overwhelmed. Thank you so much.”
“You’ve made my Christmas special. Thank you,” said Simon. “I love my books and the thought that you and James put into them. Now, let’s have that glass of wine I told you about.”
Austin left the room and returned with a tray with three wine glasses, a bottle of pink, bubbly wine, and a plate full of cheese and crackers.
“Do you have special plans in Houston?” Morgan asked Austin.
“The family celebrates Christmas breakfast together, then we usually open gifts and lounge for the rest of the day. But after Christmas, we sometimes like to ski in Idaho or go to the Caribbean for the New Year celebration. This year, we’re staying home for the holiday.
My wife is pregnant with our first child, due around the first of the new year. ”
“Congratulations,” said Morgan. “Such a special time.”
“Yes,” Austin said. “We’re all very excited about it.”
Simon grinned at Austin. “The first of the third generation.”
“My mother is ecstatic,” Austin said, exchanging glances with Simon.
“I remember when Ellie and I were awaiting your birth. A very happy occasion, indeed,” said Simon.
They chatted for a while longer, and then Morgan stood. “I must get back to Blue. I left him in a hurry, and he hasn’t been fed.”
“I understand,” said Austin, looking amused. “Our two Dachshunds have us on a strict schedule.”
Morgan hugged Simon. “Safe trip. I’ll see you in a few weeks. Enjoy the books. And, for so many reasons, thank you for the most spectacular gift I’ve ever received.”
“It’s my pleasure,” said Simon. “I’ll let you know about the books. I assume James wants a review.”
Morgan chuckled. “I’m sure he does. He counts on us.”
“Well, then, I’ll get right to it,” said Simon.
“I’ll show you out,” said Austin.
They walked together to Morgan’s car.
“I didn’t expect anything like this gift,” Morgan said to him.
“Of course not. I saw your expression. As I said, when the time comes, please let me know when you would like to take the trip, and I’ll make all the arrangements for you. You’ve made my grandfather’s Christmas special, just as he said. I hope the rest of the holidays are as pleasant for you.”
“Thank you. Happy holidays to you and your family. And I wish you the best with the arrival of your baby. It’s such an exciting time.”
Morgan put the picture in the car and slid behind the wheel, still unable to believe all she’d been given.
Austin raised a hand in farewell.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
That evening, Morgan had just finished feeding Blue when a knock sounded on her door. She checked to see who it was.
Ashley was standing there with a plate of cookies.
“Hi, come on in,” said Morgan. “I was just about to sit down with a glass of wine before heating up dinner. I’d love to share some with you.”
“Thanks. I could use a break. Here are Christmas cookies for you. Lizzy insisted we make some. You know how she loves to help in the kitchen.” Ashley rolled her eyes. “I wasn’t ready to start the project, but I couldn’t resist having that time with her.”
“They look yummy,” Morgan said. “Thank you.”