by Grey, Shanon
“That cat has no sense of romance.” Dorian swung his legs over the side of the bed.
“Don’t say that. She behaved all night. It could have been very different.” Morgan slipped on her robe and tied the sash as she opened the door. Mrs. T looked up at her, crooked her tail and marched down the hallway toward the kitchen.
“I see,” he mused.
Dorian entered the living room, dressed, to find Morgan on the phone, laughing. “Yes, Mom, a late lunch sounds wonderful. I love you, too. We’ll be there about two. Oh, thank you for the basket.”
He lifted a brow.
“Don’t expect a sandwich. Mom’s idea of a late lunch is actually an early dinner.”
****
As the Briscoes gathered in the living room of their home, Dorian found he was actually nervous. He wanted them to like him and to believe that he would make a good husband for Morgan. His palms dampened. He sat on the sofa next to Morgan. Her mother and father sat on the loveseat across from them. He wasn’t sure he was going to have a voice when he needed one.
Morgan slipped her hand into his and smiled at him. Her green eyes sparkled and a slight tingle ran up his arm. The surprise showed in his eyes. It had generated from her. She grinned and squeezed his hand.
Dorian cleared his throat. “I know we haven’t known each other for very long, but Morgan and I have found what we want for the rest of our lives. I would like, very much, to have your blessing in taking Morgan as my wife.”
Becky sniffled. Tears welled in her eyes. She looked at her husband. Talbot put his arm around his wife. “After all you’ve been through. Your willingness to face an unknown future together demonstrates your commitment. You have our blessing and our love.” He stood, extended his hand. “Welcome to the family.”
Dorian was surprised to feel moisture in his eyes as he took the man’s hand. Then Becky bounded around the coffee table to hug, first Morgan, then Dorian, then Morgan again. “This calls for a celebration,” Becky announced. “I guess it’s a good thing we’re having red snapper for lunch. It goes well with champagne. And I guess that cake I made won’t go to waste.”
Dorian leaned toward Morgan, “Are you sure she doesn’t have Georgia ancestry?”
Morgan merely shrugged and followed her chattering mother into the kitchen. From the looks of the buffet her mother had set up, Dorian was convinced she knew his intentions before he did. Lunch was sumptuous and joyful. They toasted with champagne and feasted on coconut almond cake. Dorian promised himself to get the recipe for Teresa, who, he realized would never forgive them if they didn’t call her next. Bill answered the phone, telling Dorian that Teresa was in Virginia with Jasmine. He looked at Morgan and her family and thanked him. He knew the next place they would visit might not be as joyful.
Morgan couldn’t remember when she’d seen her mother so excited. Of course, most mothers’ dream about their daughter’s wedding. She was already asking when, where, and how big in a steady stream of exuberant questions. Morgan looked at Dorian, who only shrugged, giving her no help. They promised to make some decisions before they left to go back to Ruthorford. When her mom began quizzing them about that, they both burst into laughter. Morgan took her mother in her arms and held her tight.
“I love you, Mom.”
Becky hugged her back, finally calming down. “I love you, too, Pumpkin. Just be happy.”
“I am. I promise.”
****
Morgan and Dorian spent the trip to Safe Harbor’s main house discussing her parents’ enthusiasm over the upcoming nuptials. They knew that, no matter where they chose to be married, someone would feel slighted. Morgan understood that people who stayed in Ruthorford generally married in Ruthorford, so Ruthorford could be in attendance. The bed and breakfast could accommodate quite a few people and, if Morgan could keep her mother in line and limit the guest list, it would be easy to fit everyone there. With Morgan’s inheritance, she could easily afford to help people who wanted to come, make the trip.
Morgan’s family consisted of Becky and Talbot. Becky’s family was long gone and Talbot’s father was in a home with Alzheimer’s, no longer cognizant of anything but the most distant memories. Morgan hadn’t visited her grandfather in almost six months. He no longer knew who she was and found her eyes disturbing. With what Morgan had learned about the Gulatega, she had had momentary hopes that maybe, just maybe, her grandfather was affected by the creatures. She knew better. She would have sensed it. She was sure of that. But, just to be certain, she might drag Dorian by the nursing home on the way home. Home. She had just referred to Ruthorford as home. She looked at Dorian and smiled.
It was time to bring up one other thing. “When we get to Safe Harbor, I want a few moments to talk with Jenn.”
“I understand. You want to tell her in person.” He was smiling at her.
That too. But, that would come after Jenn answered her questions. There was something she needed Jenn to explain to her. Not wanting to worry Dorian unnecessarily, Morgan took his hand and smiled. “I knew you’d understand.”
Jenn knew they were coming. You didn’t arrive at Safe Harbor unannounced. If you got past the layers of security to get to the front door, you could, at the very least, expect a firm tongue-lashing. At worst, you would be arrested and toted downtown to spend a few uncomfortable hours in the poky.
They turned into the gated drive. There was no call box. Safe Harbor had a functional gatehouse, staffed 24/7 by an armed guard. There were several surveillance devices scanning the entrance. If you weren’t on the list, you didn’t get in. The whole compound—and that’s what it was—had state of the art surveillance and security.
Dorian and Morgan each handed their driver’s licenses to the guard who shined a flashlight in their faces and studied them against the pictures on their identification. Handing back they ID’s, he pressed a code into the panel and the gate pulled aside. They followed the winding drive—done intentionally—around, up and over a raise and down into a valley, before they came upon the main house. As they approached, security lights flashed on. Morgan saw Jenn standing at the foot of the steps. Dorian pulled across and parked in a space directly across from the entrance.
Jenn was at Morgan’s door before the engine died. She pulled open the door and flung her arms around Morgan, almost throwing them both back into the car. Dorian just shook his head and headed up the steps where John was waiting. They stepped aside and spoke quietly while Jenn and Morgan squealed and hugged like pubescent teenagers. Jenn wiped the tears from her eyes and stepped away.
“I was so scared. I didn’t want to lose my best friend.”
“I was pretty scared myself.” Morgan looked over at the men and watched Dorian glance back at her. He purposefully led John inside giving her the privacy she had asked for.
Morgan turned serious. “Jenn, I have something I have to ask you.” She leaned back against the car, not moving forward to follow Jenn toward the building.
Jenn walked back to her. “What?”
“When we were driving to the cabin, I heard you call someone and tell them you had me. Who was it?”
Jenn looked confused. “What are you talking about?”
Morgan didn’t like the way this was going. She steeled herself. “You thought I was asleep. You pulled out your phone and called someone. If you value our friendship, you will tell me who you called.”
Jenn scratched her head. She honestly seemed confused and looked like she was trying to remember. Morgan watched her, her irritation rising. She didn’t want to think her friend could be influenced by someone like Rob or Ian. She found it almost impossible to believe, given her determination to protect endangered women and children.
Jenn dropped her hand as she became aware of the importance of Morgan’s question. “Morgan, I would never put you in danger. I couldn’t do anything so contemptible.” She walked around trying to remember. She pulled out her phone and tried to go back through her log. She searched and searched. Her eyes widened.
“It was Uncle Mike!” she yelped. “I remember now. He wanted me to get you away from all the brouhaha that was going on and I was so thrilled that I called him. I didn’t want to wake you so I assumed he would know what I meant.”
There were tears in Morgan’s eyes. She let the tears fall. It had been so hard to think Jenn wasn’t the friend she’d always accepted her to be. Jenn, in turn, started crying and put her arms around her friend.
Morgan hiccupped, “I am so glad. I couldn’t think of asking anyone else to be my maid of honor.”
“I know that,” Jenn cried, “Anytime one of us gets married—”
“How does December sound?” Morgan asked.
Jenn stepped back and wiped her eyes. “December?”
Morgan nodded.
“Oh my God!” Jenn screamed. “Dorian proposed! Oh my God!”
Dorian and John watched the women jumping up and down and Dorian turned to John. “I guess it’s okay to tell you Morgan and I are getting married.”
“You think?” John said stoically.
“What? No jumping and screaming?”
John smiled and held out his hand. “This will have to do.”
“You will be my best man, right?”
“I’ve always been the best man,” John joked.
They turned and waited for the women to join them.
****
Jenn led them into a large conference room. Morgan had been to visit Jenn many times at this facility, which Jenn also called home, but she had never been into the administrative wing of the facility. They settled around a large table, Jenn taking the chair at the end. Jenn’s air of confidence and professionalism displaced the shrieking, jumping friend in the parking lot.
“First,” Jenn said and smiled. “I have an announcement to make.” Jenn opened a folder in front of her. “Safe Harbor has been the recipient of a sizeable endowment.”
Morgan could see the excitement in the way the corners of Jenn’s blue eyes crinkled. Her heart beat a little faster for her friend.
“With this money, we can provide secure facilities in this and several more states. And, apparently, it’s just the beginning.” She took a moment to breathe and lightly bit her lower lip. “The reason I am telling you this,” Jenn looked at Morgan and Dorian and let her eyes pass over John, briefly, “is that the endowment is from the Abbott House.”
Morgan listened to Jenn’s voice hitch. She watched her eyes glisten with tears. She reached out and covered Jenn’s hand, squeezing gently. Jenn looked at her. “I had no idea. I mean…you…” she stopped as tears fell. She took a tissue and dabbed at her eyes.
“Congratulations, Jenn,” Morgan said. “You deserve it. You probably know more about the Abbott House than I do at this point. I am so happy for you. I know how long you have worked and dreamed for this."
Jenn nodded, tears brimming. She sniffled and straightened. “Damn it. I knew I would do that. I told myself I wouldn’t, but damn—there I went.”
That was the friend Morgan knew. She grinned at her. Jenn grinned back and reached to gain control of her emotions once more.
“I did want to go over a few things before you go see Meadow. Bask called me. John has told Kayla and Meadow that Ian has gone back to Scotland. You went to visit him, when he called you for help. You couldn’t help him, so he’s returned to Scotland.”
Morgan looked at Dorian. He took her hand in his. Warmth spread through her, pushing back the weight of the sadness that threatened. She didn’t know how much Jenn knew. She looked at John, whose handsome stoicism wasn’t betraying anything. He gave her an almost imperceptible nod. She remained quiet. With the other hand, she reached into her pocket and touched the envelope that was for Meadow from her father. The sadness was almost more than she could bear. She squeezed Dorian’s hand.
“Shall we go see her highness?” Jenn stood. “She’s become quite popular here. There aren’t many children right now so she’s getting a ton of attention. A ton of spoiling, too, I might add.”
They followed Jenn out of the business wing and up the stairs. Off to the right was a large open area with couches, tables and chairs for games, and a huge flat-screen television on one wall. Morgan looked at Jenn.
“Yes, it’s new. I figured they deserved it.”
Meadow jumped up as soon as they entered the room. She’d been sitting at a table working on a large puzzle. She was wearing flannel pajamas with unicorns on them. All that remained of her bandage was a small gauze pad behind her ear.
“Uncle Dorian!” she squealed and launched herself at him. Morgan was amazed at the youthfulness of the just turned thirteen year old. “Aunt…Miss Morgan,” Meadow corrected and turned to her rather shyly.
“It will be Aunt soon, so I guess we ought to practice,” she hugged the young girl.
Another squeal. “Really? Can I be in the wedding?”
“Meadow,” Kayla admonished.
“Of course you can.”
Meadow grabbed Morgan’s hand and drew her over to the table. A picture of a castle, with unicorns in front of it, was slowly taking shape. Morgan reached in her pocket and drew out the envelope.
“Your father asked me to give this to you. He’s sorry he missed your birthday.”
She handed it to Meadow, who took it gingerly, like it was the most precious thing in the world. Meadow moved to the chair at the table and, after looking at her mother, tore open the envelope. She reached inside and pulled out a beautiful card and a small bundle, wrapped in lavender tissue paper and tied with delicate ribbon. For something so simple, it was very beautiful. Meadow read the card, tears gathering in her eyes, set it aside and slowly opened the bundle. As she unfolded the paper, a locket fell into her lap. She lifted it. On the front was an inlay of a white unicorn, rearing. The sparkle in its eye came from a dark lavender gem. It was encircled by a silver Celtic braid. She gently opened the locket. Inside, on one side, was a picture of Ian holding Meadow in his arm. On the other was tiny portrait of a gorgeous woman, sitting regally, yet with wild flowing hair. Hair the color of Morgan’s.
Meadow looked at her mother. “It’s Daddy’s Nanna. And me and Daddy.” Tears brimmed and fell.
John stepped forward. “Here, princess, let me.” He took the delicate locket in his large hand and with easy movements, unlatched the chain and hung it around Meadow’s neck.
Meadow smiled up and him and reached for the locket, holding it in her small hand. “It’s so warm.” She smiled at her mother. “Daddy says it’s been in his family forever and it was time for me to have it.”
“Well, I think it’s time for this princess to say goodnight, go to bed, and dream of unicorns.”
Meadow turned to Morgan. “Thank you so much.” She hugged her, picked up the envelope and card, and hugged Dorian, John, and Jenn in turn. She started down the hall. She turned back, “it’s okay if you want to work on the puzzle.” She turned around and walked down the hall with her mother.
“Did you see the stone?” Morgan whispered to Dorian.
He nodded and changed the subject. “Do you think Jasmine is up to receiving visitors?” he asked Jenn.
“Have you ever known me not to be up to receiving visitors, you lunkhead?” Jasmine’s sexy voice trilled behind them.
Morgan spun around as Jasmine joined them. She walked straight into Dorian’s arms and hugged him tightly, reached up and kissed him on the cheek. She looked into his eyes for a moment before turning to Morgan.
“I hear congratulations are in order,” she walked over and put her arms around Morgan. It was not a cursory hug. She wrapped her arms about her and held her. Morgan slipped her arms around the other woman and hugged her back. A small burst of energy passed between them.
Jasmine stepped back, looked at Morgan with twinkling eyes. “Welcome to the family,” she said with warmth.
“Thank you, Jasmine. I mean that.” Morgan didn’t have a clue how Jasmine knew they were getting married.
Jasmine looked w
onderful. A small yellowing bruise on her cheek and a tiny purplish scar beside her lip were the only evidence of the brutal attack. That healing trait must have been passed on to her.
Morgan took her arm. “I am so sorry—”
“Don’t!” Jasmine said firmly. “I mean it. You had nothing to do with what happened. The fact that you knew him doesn’t put you at fault.” She led them over to the couches.
“I am getting some excellent counseling sessions, from a counselor here and from Dr. Yancy.”
Morgan looked at Jenn. Jenn smiled.
Jasmine went on. “There are things I need to understand about myself and what happened to me.” She looked at Morgan. “I was a bitch when I first met you. I was jealous.” When Morgan glanced at Dorian, Jasmine laughed. “Well, that too,” she shook her head, her spiky dark hair framing her beautiful face. “I was jealous of you,” she leaned forward. “I don’t have the…” she searched for the right word, “…traits that you have. My mother was like Melissa, my father like Thomas. I should have been like you. However, I’m not. I guess that jealousy has been in me for a long time.”
Morgan started to speak, “But—”
Jasmine interrupted her. “I’m not.” Her statement was final. Morgan wondered about the small transfer of energy she’d felt when they hugged. She kept quiet. For now.
“Are you planning to come home with us?” Dorian asked.
Jasmine looked at Jenn. “I’ve asked Jenn if I can stay here for a while. I’ve been impressed with what she’s doing here. I’d like to stay and learn more, if she’ll let me.”
“You know I’d love that. I can use all the help I can get.”
“What about your shop?”
“Bonnie has offered to run it for me for a while. Sales are up. I can’t argue with that.”
Before Morgan or Dorian could interject, she raised her hand. “Yes, I do know about the slight punk look that’s taking place.” She shrugged. “Maybe an infusion of younger blood is a good thing. Besides, I have Teresa and you guys to keep an eye out for me.”
“Speaking of which, where is she?”
“Oh, she had to head back. Bill managed to book a small convention of romance writers, and then decided he couldn’t handle it on his own.”