Chapter 12

“It wasn’t me,” Morgan said. “A hundred bucks says Wyatt pulled Amber Marais over.”

Grace’s eyes grew round as saucers. “Amber is back?”

“Not only on Easton Island, but renting a cottage close to Wyatt’s house. She can walk there.”

Her friend’s jaw dropped. “You’re kidding.”

“I wish I was,” Morgan sighed. “What time did you say this happened?”

“About an hour ago. I was on my way back from the library.”

Morgan started to pace. Amber was every bit as devious and conniving as Naomi Renaud. Maybe even more conniving. She had found a way to get Wyatt’s undivided attention. “I wonder what she did. It’s possible he thought it was me when he pulled the SUV over, although he would probably recognize my tag.”

“I’m sorry, Morgan. I had no idea. Are you going to ask Wyatt about it?”

“Yes. Although the last conversation we had about Amber was a little…tense.”

“That lady is a trip,” Grace said. “What nerve to come back here, renting a place near Wyatt and driving a vehicle just like yours, unless she owned it beforehand.”

“It would be an incredible coincidence.”

“I agree. It seems very calculated, all of her actions. I know if it was me, I would nip this in the bud.”

“I’m tempted to show up on her doorstep and ask her what she thinks she’s doing. Unfortunately, something tells me she’s hoping I’ll confront her and probably has Wyatt’s number on speed dial so she can have me arrested.”

Grace shook her head. “Knowing what I know about Amber, I wouldn’t put anything past her. Easton Island’s pampered princess who isn’t accustomed to hearing the word ‘no’ has returned.”

“And set her sights on my boyfriend.” Morgan rubbed the back of her neck. “Wyatt already thinks I’m making a big deal about it.”

“Clearly, he doesn’t understand how manipulative women can be. Everything she’s doing is intentional,” Grace said.

“She sure figured out a way to get to Wyatt.” Morgan thanked her friend for the heads up and trudged back to Locke Pointe. Refusing to dwell on Amber or let the woman ruin her day, she threw herself into her work, sending out thank-you notes to recent guests, and offering a twenty percent discount for future stays.

She finished addressing the last note and wandered into the kitchen. Tina was putting the finishing touches on the snacks for the evening’s social hour. “What are we having for tonight’s social gathering?”

“I’m kicking my culinary skills up a notch,” Tina said. “I’ve made pear and brie puff pastries, roasted artichokes with creamy garlic dipping sauce, and tomato sandwiches with bacon mayonnaise.”

“They sound intriguing.” Morgan eyed the tasty treats.

“Would you like to try them?”

“Absolutely.”

Tina placed one of each on a plate and handed it to her.

“The puff pastry is almost too pretty to eat.” She nibbled the corner, savoring the flaky crust, sweet pear, and cream cheese. “This is yummy.”

“Thanks.” Tina beamed. “I’m having a hard time deciding which is my favorite. It’s a toss-up between the tomato sandwich and roasted artichokes.”

“Let’s see if the others can beat out the delicious pastry.” Morgan spooned creamy garlic sauce over the roasted artichoke and took a big bite. The flavor, the exact opposite of the sweet pear, made her tastebuds tingle. “Wow. The combination of flavors is perfect. This recipe is a keeper.”

“I agree. And now for the tomato sandwich.”

Morgan picked up the petite sandwich and bit into it, surprised by how the ripe red tomato didn’t overpower the bacon and mayonnaise. There was a hint of another flavor she wasn’t expecting. “This reminds me of a BLT, but with a little more zip.”

“More like zest,” Tina quipped. “Lemon zest, to be exact.”

Morgan polished off the rest of the sandwich. “Our guests are in for a real treat.”

“All four of them.”

“Hopefully tomorrow’s open house will drum up more business.” Morgan hung around for a few more minutes before tracking down Chester, who was sunning himself in front of the living room’s picture window. “Time to hit the road, toad.”

Back inside the SUV, Morgan mulled over how she was going to broach the subject of Wyatt pulling Amber over. Surely, he realized that his ex driving the same vehicle as his girlfriend was not a coincidence, but a strategic move.

The woman could have almost any man she wanted. Why Wyatt?

Morgan knew why. Because Wyatt was the complete package. She’d heard comments about how Easton Island’s single women had tried to catch his eye and failed.

Amber had her chance. She chose to leave Easton Island and pursue a life somewhere else. It wasn’t fair for her to waltz back into the picture and expect Wyatt and her to pick up where they left off. But Morgan was well aware that life wasn’t always fair.

Determined to take her mind off the troubling development, she began rearranging her closet, placing her summer clothes in the back, and moving her warmer winter wear toward the front. She did the same with her shoes and boots.

Before she knew it, Thanksgiving and Christmas would be here. It would be another year without her mother, Laura, and it looked as if she would spend her holidays without Quinn.

She finished her task and returned to the kitchen where her cell phone sat charging. Morgan fiddled with the buttons. Part of her was tempted to text Wyatt, to ask him what was going on.

Instead, she dialed her bestie’s number.

A breathless Quinn picked up right away. “Hey, Morgan. I was getting ready to call you. We finally finished moving Mom and Dad.”

“Awesome. Tell them congratulations from me.”

“I will. How’s the weather?”

“Gloomy.”

“It’s beautiful down here. The sun is shining. The gulf breeze is blowing. I was thinking about heading to the beach.”

“I wish I was there. I could use a little sun and sand right about now.”

“Uh-oh. You sound down in the dumps. What’s going on?”

“Do you have a minute? Because it’s going to take a few.”

“Of course.”

“Amber Marais is living on Easton Island.”

Quinn made a choking sound. “What does Wyatt think?”

“Her actions are coincidental, and I’m making a big deal out of nothing. This woman is more conniving than Naomi Renaud.” Morgan poured out the whole story. The trip into town, discovering Amber lived only steps away from Wyatt, making a point to be seen with Naomi Renaud, and most recently, her being pulled over by Wyatt.

“He thinks it’s a coincidence she’s driving your exact same SUV?” Quinn asked incredulously.

“I haven’t even asked him about it yet.”

“Please tell me you’re not going to stand by and let her manipulate the situation.”

“Nope, but I am going to have to give it some thought,” Morgan said. “I was thinking I should keep quiet and see if he mentions it.”

“Good call. Pretend you don’t know and see what he has to say,” Quinn said.

“Anyhoo, I didn’t mean to ramble on about my troubles. Have you made a decision about the Galeria d’art job offer in Naples?”

“I was up half the night, going back and forth about what I should do.”

“It’s the chance of a lifetime. This position could open doors down the road. It’s your dream.” Even as Morgan encouraged her friend, her heart hurt. She would miss her dearly if she decided to stay in Florida.

“It is. Opportunities like this don’t normally fall into your lap, at least not my lap.” Quinn’s voice faded and then grew louder. “I’ve made a list of pros and cons.”

“Fire away.”

“On the plus side, I would be close to my parents. I’m familiar with the area, meaning it would be easy to acclimate.”

“True.”

“The weather. I mean, you and I both know you can’t beat it.”

“I have to confess, eighties and sunny sounds fabulous right now,” Morgan said.

“And then there’s the pay. Don’t get me wrong. Elizabeth pays me well, but it would be a huge jump in my salary, plus the benefits.”

“Not to mention advancing your career.” Morgan turned the volume up on her phone. “What are the minuses?”

“Missing you. Breaking up with Brett. Missing Elizabeth, Jax, Ben, Ronni, Grace, all of my friends, not to mention Chester.”

“We miss you too,” Morgan said. “What are the other minuses?”

“Easton Island feels like home. It’s weird. Fort Myers feels like home, but so does Easton Island. I’m torn.”

“You can always take the job and if it doesn’t work out, come back.”

“True. You would be okay with that?”

Morgan hesitated, carefully choosing her words, knowing her opinion carried a great deal of weight and might even help sway Quinn’s decision. “Absolutely. You could move back in a heartbeat. My door is always open to you, Quinn. I love you. I miss you, but most importantly, I want what’s best for you and for you to be happy.”

Quinn sucked in a ragged breath, and Morgan could tell there were tears in her eyes because she had those same tears. Her friend was at a crossroads, looking for advice.

Although it was killing Morgan to say it, she was letting her friend go, to live the life she deserved, to live her best life.

“I know you do. I appreciate every word you said, and I’ve made my decision.”