Chapter 2

Morgan watched as Amber Marais, her boyfriend’s childhood sweetheart, the woman he admitted to once being in love with, stood on the sidewalk talking to none other than Naomi Renaud, her grandmother’s nemesis. “She’s back.”

Not long ago, Amber had checked into Locke Pointe for a weekend stay. Demanding from day one, Morgan eventually discovered the woman and Wyatt had been a couple — high school sweethearts. After graduation, Amber didn’t stick around and had left the island to attend the prestigious Brown University.

Fast forward…the drop-dead gorgeous woman had recently returned, seeking Wyatt out. Not only seeking him out, but also buying him flowers.

Taking her grandmother’s advice, Morgan had stepped back and let Wyatt handle it. He’d assured her Amber was his past, and she was his future. Agreeing to meet his ex at the harbor, Wyatt later filled Morgan in on the conversation. How he’d flat out told the woman to leave him alone, and he wanted nothing to do with her.

Their meeting took place only days before Morgan packed up for her whirlwind trip around Ontario to check on the properties Easton Holdings Company owned and leased out.

“H-how long has she been in town?” Morgan stammered.

“I’m not sure.” Elizabeth told her Amber had shown up at the art gallery out of the blue several days ago. “At first, I had no idea who she was until she started asking about you. I eventually put two and two together. When I pinned her down, she admitted who she was.”

“I wonder if Wyatt knows she’s here.” Through the window, she watched as Amber and Naomi huddled close together. They whispered something and started to laugh. “What a coincidence. Each of our nemeses laughing like old friends right outside the art gallery.”

“By design, I’m sure,” Elizabeth sighed.

Morgan could feel the tips of her ears burn. Something told her Amber knew she was back in town and wanted to make her presence known. “Wyatt and I are meeting for breakfast in the morning. I’ll ask him about it then.”

“In a composed and civilized manner,” her grandmother reminded her.

“Of course. It will give me time to calm down.”

Finally, the women walked away, both going in the same direction.

“I should head over to Locke Pointe.” Morgan called Chester, who was sunning himself near the window.

“Don’t think for a moment the little scene that just played out was by chance.”

“Knowing what I know about them, I agree. As you said, I’m sure it was by design.”

“Something tells me Amber is just as devious as Naomi.” Elizabeth followed them to the door. “You mustn’t let her get under your skin.”

“I won’t. At least, I’ll try not to.” Morgan trudged out of the gallery, casting a wary glance in the direction Naomi and Amber had taken. Thankfully, they were nowhere in sight.

Despite Locke Pointe being located on the other side of the island, it was only a matter of minutes before Morgan and Chester reached the bed-and-breakfast. Her heart plummeted when she noticed the parking lot was nearly empty.

Chester bounded out of the vehicle and took off at a dead run. Even though Morgan lost sight of him, she knew exactly where he was headed.

Trailing behind, she caught up with him near the fence. Her pup’s button nose was pressed against the Plexiglas cutouts she’d installed at “Chester level” so he could survey the lot next door. A lot belonging to none other than Naomi Renaud.

Confirming the troublesome woman hadn’t installed another new structure designed to aggravate Morgan, she circled back around to the front of the house.

Waiting for Chester to catch up, she climbed the porch steps and greeted “Sammy the Scarecrow,” who stood cheerfully welcoming guests and visitors. A wooden wagon, overflowing with an array of fall flowers, sat next to a rocking chair.

It wouldn’t be long before the festive decorations would be boxed up and stored until next year in anticipation of the winter months and piles of snow only weeks away.

Chester scrambled up the steps, and Morgan followed him into the main foyer. She stood in the doorway and closed her eyes, sensing her mother’s presence. Although it happened almost every time she walked through the front door, today it was even more noticeable.

Morgan could hear the clatter of pots and pans along with the tinkle of laughter. Veering in the opposite direction, she meandered into the spacious yet cozy living room.

Each throw blanket, each pillow, each wall hanging had been purposefully and lovingly placed. Morgan had worked hard to create a retreat where guests felt pampered yet at home, as if visiting with close friends. Based on the feedback and follow-up surveys, she’d accomplished her goal.

Chester nudged her leg.

“I know. I know. You want to see Tina to get a treat.” Morgan backtracked to the foyer and cut through the formal dining room before finally reaching the kitchen.

Tina stood at the counter peeling apples. “Morgan. You’re back. Ronni said you would be home today.”

“Home and happy to be here,” she quipped. “I heard bookings are slowing down.”

“More like dropping like a lead balloon,” Tina said. “Although I think Ronni has a clever trick up her sleeve to turn things around. She just went back into the office.”

Morgan lingered for a few more minutes before tracking Ronni down.

The office door was ajar. She gave it a light rap before sticking her head around the corner.

Ronni was almost hidden behind the desk by a tall stack of boxes. “I thought I heard your voice.” She sprang from her chair and met Morgan halfway across the room, enveloping her in a warm hug. “How was the flight?”

“Great. I’m glad to be home.”

“I bet.”

“What’s all this?” Morgan tapped the top of a box.

“Something I’m hoping will help jumpstart bookings.” Ronni returned to her chair.

“Is it getting worse?”

“Unfortunately, yes. It’s almost like Easton Island fell off the map. You would think we would get at least a few new reservations. I mean, not every Uncle Joe and Aunt Martha wants to host overnight guests for the upcoming holidays.”

“Let me see the numbers.”

Ronni reached for the laptop and hesitated. “Don’t freak out.”

“I’ll try not to,” Morgan promised. “In our defense, we have no history to see if this is normal or not.”

“True.” Ronni slid the laptop toward her.

She leaned in, studying the blank booking screen. “Yuck.” Morgan let out a low whistle.

“It’s not all gloom and doom. I’ve come up with a plan to host an open house. I invited a group of movers and shakers, people who can hopefully help us increase our visibility and boost our bookings.”

“Movers and shakers?”

Ronni ticked off the list. “Bloggers, YouTubers, travel agents, islanders who have influence.”

Morgan warmed to the idea. “You might be onto something. They can share it online. With enough exposure, it should help for the upcoming season.”

“Bingo. It’s a numbers game. The more visibility, the better the chance of getting a booking.” Ronni flipped the flaps on the top box and removed a fluffy red heart-shaped pillow. “This is central to the theme.”

“Branding the B&B as a romantic getaway,” Morgan guessed.

“Precisely. Think about it. Our suites are designed with couples in mind. Why not capitalize on it?”

Morgan eagerly eyed the box. “What else do you have?”

“I have to confess, once I got on a roll with the romance angle, I went a little overboard.” Ronni showed her more pillows, soft throws, candles, and essential oils.

“We need to do this soon.”

“Soon is this Sunday.” Ronni reached into the drawer, removed a single sheet of paper, and handed it to Morgan. “I’ve been working on this since you left.”

She held up the flyer, filled with chubby cherubs holding heart-shaped bows and shooting hot pink arrows into the bright blue sky. A bouquet of heart-shaped balloons was in the lower corner. There was something else.

Morgan squinted her eyes and burst out laughing. Chester, with a red rose clenched between his teeth, held a bouquet of balloons. “You added Chester.”

“Isn’t he adorable?” Ronni chuckled. “I couldn’t resist. He was such a good sport about posing for the photo shoot.”

Chester, hearing his name, trotted over. “We’re gonna make you famous, buddy.”

“He already is. This is the invitation I sent out.”

“You’re right. I was so distracted by Chester’s picture, I missed the details. Sunday at two o’clock.” Morgan set the flyer on the desk and rubbed her palms together. “What can I do to help?”

“Tina, Greg and I have it all under control. Although it would be best if you were here to help host.”

“Of course.” Morgan slowly stood. “Thank you so much for running this place while I was gone.”

“You’re welcome. Besides, it’s my job. A job I love.” Ronni followed suit. “Your mother would be so proud of you.”

“I hope so.” She hesitated. “You know what? I know she would. I can almost see her looking down on us from heaven.”

Her mother’s best friend offered her a sad smile. “I miss her every day.”

“I miss her too. I never realized until she was gone how full of life she was.”

“Laura lit up any room she walked into. She was a ray of sunshine…always.”

Morgan pressed her hand to her heart. “I like to believe a small piece of her lives on, in Looking Glass Cottage, in Locke Pointe, with us.”

“I couldn’t have said it any better.” Ronni gave her a gentle hug. “I always thought you were so much like your mother, but I’ve noticed a change over the past year.”

“I’ve changed?”

Ronni nodded. “Elizabeth.”

“I’m becoming more like Grandmother Elizabeth.”

“You’ve become the best of the two most important women in your life. Your mother’s gentle spirit, her inner strength and guiding light, if you will, mingled with Elizabeth’s strong-as-steel backbone.”

Morgan chuckled. “A tender-hearted spitfire.”

Ronni thought about it. “A tender-hearted spitfire sums you up perfectly. You’re becoming a force to be reckoned with.”

After Morgan left, she thought about what Ronni had said, how she was taking on some of her grandmother’s dominant characteristics. They were characteristics she might need sooner rather than later, especially if Amber Marais was here to stay.