Chapter 22

Morgan adjusted the black and orange witch's hat perched atop Chester's head. "Well, what do you think?"

He pulled away and waddled toward the corner. With ears at half mast and tail lowered, the pup slumped on the floor. The puffy pumpkin suit she'd coaxed him into was still stiff, causing him to roll to the side.

"You don't like it, do you?"

His right brow lifted and then the left. He placed his chin on top of the plump pumpkin costume, right below where his head popped out and sighed, a signal of complete defeat.

"But you look utterly adorable." Morgan grabbed a bag of his favorite doggie treats. He scrambled to his feet as best as he could in the ridiculous getup and flung himself forward, latching onto the chunk of chicken right before he lost his balance and rolled again.

"I hate to admit it, but the pumpkin outfit might be too puffy." She unzipped the back and slid it off. Chester licked her hand in gratitude. "Tell you what, the outfit is history, but could you at least leave the witch's hat on?"

He gobbled up another treat, clearly thrilled to be moving freely again, which meant Morgan had a decent shot at getting him to keep the hat on.

She gathered up the pumpkin spice and cinnamon sugar donuts she'd picked up from Danish Delight Bakery, along with gallon jugs of apple cider, and placed them in her SUV's back bin for the quick trip to Locke Pointe.

They reached the B&B and found the front porch lights blazing brightly, welcoming guests and visitors. The soft glow from the early evening sky gave the pumpkins, scarecrow, and festive décor a fall feeling.

With Chester leading the way, they hurried toward the front porch. Morgan could hear excited, cheerful voices just inside.

For many years, the home had sat empty, forlorn, and all but abandoned before Morgan came along and breathed new life into it. Lingering near the front door, she felt the faint brush of her mother's presence for the first time in weeks enveloping her. Laura was only a whisper away.

"Locke Pointe is once again full of love, and life and laughter, Mom. This party is for you, for Grandmother and Grandfather," she whispered.

The scent of magnolias, her mother's favorite flower, wafted in the air. Laura Easton was only a breath away…so very close.

"I knew you would approve." Her presence faded, and Morgan eased the door open, ushering her pup into the house.

The decorations she'd carefully and lovingly arranged continued inside the grand foyer.

She took a quick peek into the living room where the guests had assembled. Out of the corner of her eye, Morgan glimpsed Tina bustling back and forth and hurried over. "Sorry if I'm late."

"You're right on time. The guests were looking forward to the party and started gathering early."

"I spoke to Grace. We figured we would give guests time to mix, mingle and munch over here, and then we'll start encouraging them to head next door." Morgan followed Tina into the kitchen and set the jugs of cider on the counter. "What can I do?"

"There's a leaf patterned platter over there on the counter for the donuts."

"Got it." Morgan lifted the box's lid and began arranging the donuts. "I sampled a pumpkin spice. It was delish."

"Elin is the best baker in the biz. Unfortunately, all I have to do is look at her donuts and I gain five pounds."

"You could stand to gain a few pounds," Morgan said. "Have you met any of our new arrivals?"

"I have. Several came down to sample the pumpkin spice coffee I put out."

"Cool. There is one…guest who appears to be a little pickier than the rest."

"Amber Marais. She's already stopped by the kitchen a few times, looking for specific items."

"Specific items?"

"Clotted cream. She wanted clotted cream for the pound cake I set out with the coffee." Tina rattled off a few more minor requests.

Morgan was beginning to wonder if the woman was merely an unhappy person in general. "Between you and me, she's a pain in the buttinski."

"Perhaps she'll come around."

"I'm not holding out hope." Morgan finished placing the donuts on the tray and began making her way out of the kitchen. "This is going to be a fun-filled evening, even if Amber Marais tries to rain on our parade."