Chapter 17

Elizabeth steered Burnie, her burnt orange 1985 Ford LTD Crown Victoria, into the empty parking spot next to Quinn's car and climbed out.

Grabbing her purse, she moved at a brisk clip toward the art gallery's front entrance. Elizabeth stepped inside and found Quinn standing behind the counter, her attention focused on the computer screen in front of her.

Quinn's head shot up. She offered a tentative smile and waited for her boss to make her way to the back. "Good morning."

"Good morning. Actually, I believe it's noon now." Elizabeth set her purse in the drawer behind the counter and hung her jacket on the hook. "Have you had many customers?"

Quinn tipped her hand back and forth. "It was a little slow this morning."

"I'm sure it will pick up this weekend," Elizabeth predicted. "Fall is right around the corner. We'll have a new batch of tourists arriving for the changing of the leaves."

"I hope so. The busier, the better."

"I'll be happy to take over if you want to grab a bite to eat."

"I had a late breakfast, but thanks for the offer," Quinn said.

Elizabeth glanced around. "How is the new trainee, Sarah, doing?"

"Great. I think she's ready to cover shifts by herself."

Anticipating business picking up at the gallery, Elizabeth had started putting out feelers, looking to hire another full-time person, in addition to the part-time person who filled in when Elizabeth and Quinn needed time off.

A friend of a friend whose daughter was looking for a full-time job on the island, had suggested Sarah. Elizabeth promptly interviewed the woman and was impressed by what she found. Within minutes of chatting, she was confident Sarah would be a perfect fit.

Young and full of enthusiasm, she also had an eye for art. Along with a bachelor's degree.

Elizabeth had hired her that very same day. As suspected, she caught on quickly and had seamlessly filled an empty spot in the gallery's small team. "Wonderful. I'm happy to hear it."

"Before I head out, I would like to go over some special orders we got in." Quinn filled Elizabeth in on several mainland orders, from nearby galleries who requested the pieces on consignment. In other words, they ordered the artwork to be displayed in their galleries with the goal of selling as many of the pieces as possible.

To Elizabeth, it was a win-win. Easton Harbor Art Gallery could ship out various works of art, making room for new ones while gaining exposure from art afficionados who had never stepped foot on Easton Island.

The women finished reviewing the orders and worked together to get the selected pieces ready for shipping.

"I can't believe we've already packaged our last piece." Quinn added the last box to the pile.

"We're old pros." Elizabeth winked. "If we ever close the gallery, we could become professional packagers."

"No kidding." Quinn dusted her hands. "Before I forget, thank you for letting me stay at Easton Estate."

"You're welcome. You mentioned earlier you wanted to chat."

"About Morgan. I don't mean to drag you in the middle, but thought I should give you my side of what happened. I'm sure she's already told you hers."

"She has. Morgan said she sent you an email apologizing."

"She did," Quinn said. "She really hurt my feelings."

"She knows she upset you. Although I believe you may have reciprocated the sentiment," Elizabeth pointedly replied.

"I don't remember exactly what was said," Quinn said. "Something along the lines of her being selfish. Brett needs help."

"Brett is an adult. He can convey his needs without dragging you into it."

Quinn's eyes grew round as saucers. "You're taking Morgan's side?"

"I'm not taking either of their sides," Elizabeth said. "I love them both equally. This argument is between them."

"Surely you can see Morgan has benefitted from Easton Holdings without pulling her weight."

"Morgan more than stepped up to the plate while Brett was convalescing. If I recall correctly, she offered to keep some of the responsibilities after he recovered. Brett told her no."

"Because he thought he could handle it," Quinn said. "I know from watching him he's been struggling. He might not come out and say it, but if you ask me, it's time for him to lighten his workload."

"I don't disagree."

"Morgan should've seen this. She's been too wrapped up in the Wynn Harbor Inn project. Which, by the way, as we all know, was Brett's deal."

"It was. Easton Holdings isn't pursuing it. Mr. Wynn reached out to Morgan. He approached her about partnering. She feels differently about it than I do and has decided to work with him."

"And you're okay with it?"

Elizabeth shrugged. "It isn't my decision to make. It's not Easton Holdings' money either."

"But this was Brett's deal," Quinn insisted. "Morgan swooped in and snatched it up."

"With Brett's blessing."

"He changed his mind."

"And Morgan reached out to him before signing on the dotted line. Unfortunately, wires got crossed. She never got his message until after the agreement was sent." Elizabeth pointed out it could easily be fixed.

"It's the thought. I never dreamed Morgan would act this way." Quinn blew air through thinned lips.

Elizabeth cleared her throat. "How is she acting?"

"Like she doesn't care about her brother."

"I wholeheartedly disagree. She cares deeply. In fact, I believe they may have already worked things out."

Quinn fiddled with the pen in her hand, intentionally avoiding Elizabeth's gaze, a sure sign there was something else bothering the woman.

"What is it you're most upset about? My grandson doing more than you think is his fair share, or Morgan taking on a project Brett feels belongs to him?"

"Neither. I mean, I'm glad they're working things out."

"So, the issue now is about you, " Elizabeth said.

"Morgan said she was the one who brought me here."

"Which she did."

"She said I wasn't a part of the family," Quinn whispered.

Elizabeth studied Quinn, who was now near tears. "What this all boils down to is Morgan made you feel like an outsider."

She nodded. "I guess…I thought."

"You are like family." Elizabeth touched her arm. "I love you, Quinn. I love you for being Morgan's staunchest supporter. For convincing her to come to Easton Island for the reading of her mother's will. If not for you badgering her, she might not be here."

"I guess she's forgotten how she got here in the first place," Quinn said.

"She was upset. Angry words spoken out of hurt. Like you did when you told her she was selfish."

"I accept her apology and plan to apologize as well. Having said that, maybe it's time for me to take a break."

"Take a break?" Elizabeth asked.

"From the family drama—from Brett and Morgan, to figure out if me moving here was a mistake," Quinn said.

"You don't have to leave. You're more than welcome to stay at Easton Estate while you iron things out."

"I've already made my decision." Quinn told her she'd booked a flight back to Florida, departing early that evening.

"I see. Sarah can cover your shifts. When are you coming back?"

"I…I'm not sure. I need to swing by the cottage to grab a few things."

"You're free to leave, if you feel it's what you need to do," Elizabeth said. "It goes without saying we'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too." Quinn swiped at her eyes and grabbed her purse. "Thank you for understanding."

Elizabeth sighed heavily, watching as Quinn hurried out of the gallery. "That certainly didn't go as I had hoped," she sighed.