Chapter 10

As soon as Morgan pulled into the parking lot, Chester bolted. He took off at a dead run toward the property line separating Locke Pointe and the Lilac Inn, heading for a nearby tree, the home of a squirrel who had recently started taunting him.

“Chester!” She ran after him, stopping abruptly when the tinkle of a woman’s laughter caught her attention. Thinking it was Grace, Morgan picked up the pace.

Only steps away from the white picket fence stood her handyman Greg and a woman with sandy brown hair who appeared to be close to Morgan’s age.

He leaned in and said something that made the woman laugh again.

Morgan started to back away. “This is what Ben must have been talking about,” she whispered under her breath. It was too late. Greg noticed her and gave a friendly wave.

She made her way over. “Hello, Greg.”

“Hey, Morgan. You’re back. How was your trip?”

“A crazy, chaotic whirlwind. I’m glad to be home.”

“We missed you.”

“I missed you too. Ronni said you’ve done a great job of holding down the fort.”

“Yes, ma’am. Mostly handling some minor issues. A clogged drain in the Bluff Suite, door locks needing adjustments, stuff like that.”

“How is the apartment?”

“I love it. Every time I walk through the door, I can’t believe it’s mine.”

Morgan patted his shoulder. “I’m glad to hear you’re settling in.”

“It’s so peaceful here at night. I never realized how noisy the apartment in Easton Harbor was.”

Morgan cleared her throat, pointedly glancing at the woman, who stood quietly listening to their conversation.

“Oh. Yes. Where are my manners? Morgan Easton, this is Hailey Varnum. Hailey is Grace’s new employee.”

Hailey beamed, her smile lighting up her entire face. She held out a slender hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Easton.”

Morgan shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you too. Please, call me Morgan.”

“And you can call me Hailey. Ms. Coates…Grace hired me a couple weeks ago. I moved here from the mainland with my aunt.”

“I hope you enjoy living on Easton Island.”

“I love it, at least so far. Everyone is super friendly.” She smiled at Greg, a lopsided, slightly shy smile, and it was clear the woman was attracted to the Locke Pointe employee.

Morgan shot him a sly side glance. He had the same expression on his face. “Hailey lived in Port Huron and worked at a chain hotel.”

“It was an okay job, but it was hard to make friends.”

The trio chatted for a few more minutes until Hailey told them she needed to get back to work.

Morgan waited until she was out of earshot. “So…you like Hailey?”

Greg’s face turned red. “Is it that obvious?”

“To me — yes. To Hailey? Maybe. Maybe not. How did you meet?”

“I was trimming the bushes by the fence and noticed she was having trouble throwing a bag of trash in the dumpster, so I gave her a hand. We got to talking and discovered we have a lot in common.” Greg told Morgan he’d been keeping an eye out for her and tossing the trash whenever he noticed her.

“You’re the perfect gentlemen. Clearly, she’s impressed by your excellent manners,” Morgan said.

Greg thought about it. “Yeah. Maybe she likes well-mannered men.”

“If so, I would say she found the right one.” Morgan glanced over her shoulder. “Are you going to ask her out?”

“On a date?”

She nodded.

“Do you think I should? I mean, I’m not sure if I’m her type.”

Morgan could tell by his tone, her opinion mattered, and it touched her heart. “I do. She seems like a genuinely nice person with the most beautiful smile.”

“Her smile is pretty. It’s the first thing I noticed.” Greg started to say something and stopped.

“What is it?” Morgan prompted.

“Would it be okay if I invited her over to my place for dinner?”

“Of course. The apartment is yours. You can invite anyone over that you want to. Do I want you to throw wild parties? Of course not. Inviting family and friends over is not only okay, but encouraged.”

Greg laughed. “I’m not going to throw wild parties.”

“I know you won’t. You have my blessing.” Morgan turned to go. “Do you want suggestions on what to make for dinner?”

“Sure.” Greg eagerly nodded his head. “I’m open to any ideas…if I actually get up the nerve to ask her.”

“Pasta with shrimp would be easy.”

“I love pasta.”

“Or maybe throw pork chops on the grill, along with some vegetables, and serve baked potatoes.”

“I make a mean pork chop. Those are both good ideas. Maybe I’ll invite her over for dinner tomorrow night.”

Morgan wished him luck and made a move to head toward the house.

Greg stopped her. “I was wondering. Do you think she would like flowers?”

“Women love flowers.”

“I know roses are popular. We’ve only met by the dumpster a few times. Roses might send the wrong signal.”

“Maybe too soon in the relationship?” Clearly, Greg was thinking things through.

“Right.”

Morgan tapped her lower lip. “Pink carnations are not only pretty, but they won’t break the bank. You could pick up some of those along with yellow lilies or tulips.”

“Pink carnations. She likes pink.”

“Sounds like you have the perfect bouquet picked out.”

“Thanks, Morgan. You’re the best. I knew you would have great advice.” Greg impulsively hugged her.

“You’re welcome.” She hugged him back, thinking God worked in mysterious ways.

With a spring in his step, he strode off. Greg Baker, a man no one would hire, who lived in a tiny apartment with his mother had not only moved out and into a place of his own, found a job that he loved, but now…he might even have found a girlfriend.

Perhaps Locke Pointe was a romantic retreat. It was sure working wonders for Morgan’s handyman.