Chapter 23

“She’s here,” Morgan groaned. “What is this woman’s problem?”

“She’s obsessed with Wyatt or enjoys annoying you. It could be a little of both,” Quinn said.

“I’m going to handle this once and for all.” Sucking in a breath, Morgan made a beeline for the front door. She flung it open and stepped onto her porch.

Amber hesitated for a fraction of a second before making her way up the steps. “Hello, Morgan.”

“Hello, Amber.”

“I’m going to skip the pleasantries. I don’t appreciate you telling Glen and Kelly you didn’t want me visiting Wyatt in the hospital.”

“I didn’t tell them that. They made the decision on their own.”

“Did they?” Amber arched her eyebrow. “The Dawsons and I have always been close. There is no logical reason why they wouldn’t allow me to see him.”

“Maybe because he’s limited to very few visitors. You didn’t make the cut,” Morgan said.

“And you did. It figures.”

“Why wouldn’t I? Wyatt is my boyfriend. He would want me there.”

“Don’t be so sure.”

Morgan refused to take the bait. “Why are you on Easton Island?”

“I’m thinking about moving back and figured I would rent a place. Sort of a trial run.”

“Down the street from Wyatt’s house. How convenient,” Morgan said.

“I took what I could get.”

“And your vehicle? I’m sure you’ve noticed you have the same make, model and color of vehicle as I do.”

“It’s a coincidence.”

“Or maybe it’s intentional. You’re wasting your time chasing after Wyatt.”

“And you expect me to believe what you say?” The woman shifted her feet. “I will see him. He and I are meant to be together. Wyatt has always loved me.”

“Loved, not loves, being the key word. It’s over,” Morgan said bluntly.

“You have no idea what went on between us.”

“Nor do I care to. What I do know is you are a part of his past.”

Amber’s eyes narrowed into glittery slits. “You Eastons think you’re all high and mighty, and you rule Easton Island. I can tell you not everyone is a fan. In fact, if you left today and never came back, I can name a few islanders who would celebrate.”

Morgan laughed out loud. “Like Naomi Renaud? You two are a pair of bitter pills. Bitter over the fact you lost out. You’re nothing but sore losers.”

“And you’re nothing but an opportunist. You should’ve stayed in Florida.”

Morgan folded her arms. “But I’m not. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere. My family, including the Lockes, helped build Easton Island into what it is. It’s my history, my legacy and my future.”

Amber muttered something unintelligible under her breath.

“What did you say?”

“I said it would be a shame if this place or Locke Pointe burned down.”

Morgan stared at her in disbelief. “Are you threatening to set my properties on fire?”

“Don’t put words in my mouth. All I said was it would be a shame.”

“Leave and don’t ever come back.”

Amber wagged her finger in Morgan’s face. “You Eastons are nothing but bullies, throwing your name, money and weight around. It’s disgusting.”

“You. Are. Trespassing.” Morgan carefully enunciated each word. “I’ll give you to the count of ten to get off my property. If not, I’m calling 911.”

“You haven’t seen the last of me. Wyatt has no clue what you’re really like. Mark my words. Once he finds out, he’s going to dump you.”

“I’m dialing the police.” Morgan waved her cell phone in the air.

Amber called her a few choice names. She climbed into her SUV and slammed the door. Revving up the engine, she flew out of the driveway and sped off, her tires squealing.

Morgan pressed her hand to her forehead, feeling the start of a migraine.

Quinn eased the door open and touched her arm. “Are you okay?”

“Seriously, I’m beginning to think Amber is mentally unstable.”

“I would bet my life on it,” Quinn said. “She’s almost as unstable as Jason.”

“I must be a magnet for crazy people. What is it going to take to get her to back off and understand Wyatt doesn’t want her, that no matter what she does, he’s not interested?”

“My guess is the best we can hope for is she leaves Easton Island.”

“Fat chance. I think she’s in for the long haul.” Morgan thought about the surveillance footage of Amber trying to get into her house, and it sent a chill down her spine. Had the woman tried to break in, intending to set Looking Glass Cottage on fire? Or Locke Pointe, which, at any given time, could have twelve guests staying there? The thought terrified her.

“Not necessarily.” Quinn patted her pocket. “I recorded the entire conversation. Everything. How she said something about setting the place on fire.”

“I already showed Grady the surveillance footage of her trying to get in. I’ll call him to see if he has time to stop by.”

As luck would have it, Grady didn’t answer, so Morgan left a message asking him to call to discuss Amber or, better yet, stop by the cottage when he had time. He promptly texted back and told her he would be there shortly.

As promised, he arrived within minutes. “Any word on Wyatt?”

“He’s holding his own,” Morgan said.

“Which is the best we can expect at this stage.” Grady eyed Quinn. “How about you, Quinn? How long are you planning on hanging around?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Did you give any thought to what you want to do about Amber trespassing?” he asked.

“Actually, she left a few minutes ago. Quinn recorded our conversation. I think you should hear it.”

“Uh-oh. Now what has she done?”

“We’ll let her tell you.” Quinn tapped the screen and turned the volume up before handing her phone to Grady.

His expression grew grim when Amber got to the part about Looking Glass Cottage and Locke Pointe burning down. He finished listening and handed the phone back. “I don’t know the woman very well, but she sounds mentally unbalanced.”

“Exactly. I want to press charges or whatever I need to do to get her attention and make her realize she can’t intimidate me,” Morgan said.

“The best possible outcome would be for her to leave,” Grady said.

“Yep.”

He rubbed the stubble on his chin, thoughtfully eyeing Morgan. “I think I can make it happen.”

“Make what happen?”

“Convince Amber to leave Easton Island.” Grady told her he had a few calls to make. “Although this is technically a Locke Village, a Michigan concern, and I’m a police officer for the Canadian side, Easton Island takes part in reciprocity.”

“Wyatt has mentioned this before. You have shared jurisdiction,” Morgan said.

“Correct. So I can address the situation.” Grady patted her shoulder. “Rest assured, we’ll get this handled.”

“Thank you, Grady.”

He told her he would see what he could do and asked her to give him a little time before returning to his patrol car.

After he left, Quinn linked arms with Morgan. “You know what sounds good?”

“What?”

“A nice long walk.”

“You read my mind,” Morgan said. “Do you think Grady will be able to convince Amber to leave?”

“I don’t know what he has up his sleeve, but I hope so.”

“Me too. If not, we’re going to have to start sleeping with one eye open.”