Chapter 25

Morgan watched Amber Marais park her bike near the carriage house and excused herself. She walked straight into the office and texted Wyatt, asking if he was around.

He promptly replied he was home and getting ready to start his shift.

If you have a minute, I would like to stop by.

Sure. I'm here.

Exiting the office, she walked out the front door, across the driveway, and climbed into her SUV. During the drive, all Morgan could think about was the big, beautiful bouquet of purple and lavender roses Wyatt had recently received from a "secret admirer."

It had to be Amber. The flowers in the basket were the exact same. Amber wasn't on Easton Island to reminisce or visit her family. She was there for Morgan's boyfriend.

Reaching Wyatt's place within a few short minutes, she hopped out of the driver's side and hurried up the steps.

He met her in the kitchen, shirtless and towel-drying his hair, fresh from the shower. "That was fast. Uh-oh." Wyatt's easygoing smile vanished when he noticed the look on Morgan's face. "What happened? Did Quinn tell you she's not coming back?"

"No. It's about Amber Marais."

"Amber?" Wyatt frowned. "What about Amber?"

"She's staying at Locke Pointe."

He made a choking sound. "You're kidding."

"Nope. She'll be here until Sunday."

"A few Marais still live on Easton Island. She could be here visiting family."

"I don't think so. She specifically asked me if I knew you," Morgan said. "Grace told me you were high school sweethearts. You were homecoming king. She was your queen. You were the football team's quarterback. Amber was the captain of the cheerleading squad. In other words, you were the golden couple."

"The key word is were. It was a long time ago. I haven't thought about Amber in years."

"You might not have thought about her, but rest assured, she's been thinking about you," Morgan said.

"How do you know?"

"Not twenty minutes ago, I watched her ride by Locke Pointe's kitchen window on a bicycle. She had a fresh bouquet of purple and lavender flowers in the front basket."

Wyatt briefly closed his eyes. "Like the flowers I received from a secret admirer a few weeks ago?"

"The same."

He let out a low whistle. "I had no idea."

"I'm almost certain she plans to track you down before she leaves."

"And as soon as she does, I'll nip whatever she has in mind in the bud." Wyatt reached for Morgan's hand. "You have nothing to worry about. Yes, I loved her, but I haven't given her a second thought in years. It's history, never to be repeated."

Morgan studied his face. "Are you sure?"

He met her gaze. His was firm, unwavering. "I love you more than I ever thought I could love another person, Morgan Easton. Amber is my past. You are my future. If or when she tracks me down, I will get the message across, loud and clear."

Wyatt's cell phone chimed. It was a reminder his shift was starting. "I need to hit the beat. I'll call you later."

He leaned in and kissed her lips. Soft and gentle at first and then demanding. The kiss deepened, and Morgan threw her arms around his neck. Wyatt loved her. Amber had her chance years ago.

Morgan trusted him to follow through on his promise. She had no reason to believe he wouldn't do exactly as he said.

She left first, thinking she would head home, and then changed her mind. She needed a sympathetic ear and sound advice.

She turned onto Dead Man's Drop and sped up the hill. Pulling into the driveway, Morgan parked out front and went straight upstairs to her grandmother's apartment.

*****

Elizabeth waited until Morgan finished her rant about Amber sneaking in and staying right under Locke Pointe's roof. All the while, the woman was making plans to reunite with her ex. "You need to remain calm. Let Wyatt handle it."

"She's after my boyfriend," Morgan fumed.

"I must admit if I was fifty years younger, I would definitely put him on my radar," Elizabeth joked. "He's an attractive man with all the attributes which make him the target of more than one woman's attention."

"But Amber is rich. She's beautiful. She's smart. He loved her. High school sweethearts reconnect every day, fall back in love and live happily ever after."

"You are all of those things," Elizabeth argued. "Wealthy, beautiful, intelligent and kind . I've met a few of the Marais. They are not a warm and fuzzy bunch. You said it yourself. He loved her, as in the past."

"What if she shows up on his doorstep? She lays on the charm and Wyatt realizes he's still in love with her?" Morgan sighed.

"Then they deserve each other. But he won't. Wyatt is no dummy. He has the best. Why settle for less—or go back to less?" Elizabeth asked. "You're not giving him enough credit."

"You think I should let it go and let him handle her?"

"One hundred thousand percent," Elizabeth said firmly. "Remember our last conversation when you asked for my opinion about partnering with David Wynn?"

"Yes."

"And what did I tell you?"

"To decide for myself."

"What else?"

"To take the road best traveled for me," Morgan said. "You think I should do the same in this situation?"

"Absolutely. The Road Best Traveled will always be the high road."

"You're right, Grandmother. This will all work out in the wash." Morgan gave her a gentle hug. "What would I do without you, giving me sound advice? I'm blessed to have you in my life. In fact, I thank God every day for bringing me to Easton Island."

Elizabeth smoothed a strand of Morgan's hair, gazing lovingly into her granddaughter's face. "My dear, I do too. I thank God every day for bringing you home."

The end.