“No, you won’t. We’ll need the hotel room tomorrow when we get back to Seattle in case my meetings run longer than expected and you want a place to chill.”
“Graham, you’re doing too much. Let me pay for some—”
He kissed her again, slowly and sweetly and so lovingly, she didn’t even notice when the train began rolling down the tracks.
THE TRAIN RIDE was just as romantic and fun as Graham had hoped it would be. The scenery wasn’t anything special compared to the places he’d seen and he wanted to show Morgyn, but that didn’t matter. Being together made the run-down houses, power lines, and trees feel special. They took dozens of pictures and texted them to their families with captions like Our first adventure! and Guess who found a train! which started a flurry of texts from each of their siblings. Morgyn confiscated his phone to return Jillian’s texts, and by the time they arrived at the lodge, the two of them were texting like they’d been friends forever. Nick sent a selfie of him and one of his horses with the caption Looks fun, but I’ll stick with my girl. Jax said he won the bet despite Jillian cheating, and then he messaged You know who to see for the wedding dress. Graham didn’t reply, though he did reply to Beau’s text, which said, What’s that look I see in your eyes? He kept his response Probably the same look you had after meeting Char on the downlow, sending it after Morgyn returned his phone. But it was Pepper’s text that had them both in hysterics. I knew you two were meant for each other when I heard you met at the festival. You’re the poster couple for osmology, the science of smell research. After two sweaty, dirty days of festival life, you’re a testament to pheromones at their best!
He’d never forget their first train ride together, and he hoped Morgyn wouldn’t, either.
The lodge had met his every request, providing a tent on the grounds overlooking the falls, complete with a two-person sleeping bag, their suitcases, and a grill, which they used to cook dinner before they returned it to the lodge so they wouldn’t have to worry about four-legged creatures snooping around their campsite. He sat beside Morgyn on a blanket listening to the sounds of the falls and trying not to think about Sunday, when they’d go their separate ways.
Moonlight reflected in her eyes. She wore his sweatshirt over her dress and tucked her bare feet beside her. She looked happy and more at ease than she’d been all day, and he found himself daydreaming again about what it would be like to be together in everything they did. She turned, catching him watching her, and leaned closer for a kiss. He loved that about her, too, the way she never tried to hide her emotions.
“You have opened my world so much in such a short period of time. I can’t stop thinking about my business. If selling on consignment works, it might be a great option, but I’m still on the fence about not having my own space.”
“What if you could have your favorite caboose?”
She looked at him like he was crazy. “That’s a wild idea, but I haven’t even had time to think about how to go about it.”
“We can do it, Morgyn. The call I got earlier today when you were with John was from the guy who handles the trains. They’re willing to sell, and it would only cost eighty-five hundred to buy it.”
“Are you kidding?” Her eyes bloomed wide. “They’d sell the red caboose? How did you get the right guy? I couldn’t even imagine where to start looking!” Excitement crackled in the air around her.
“I’m good at research, sunshine. Think about it. You’d have it forever. You could pass your memories down to your kids with something substantial that was part of your relationship with your grandfather. We’d have to fix it up, but…”
She bit her lower lip, hope brimming in her eyes. “You said we.”
“Because we are going to stay together. We might have to be apart sometimes, when I travel for work and you’re busy with your business, but we’re a we, and I don’t see that changing.” He took her hand and said, “I used to wonder if I’d ever find a woman who enjoyed the simple things in life as much as I do. I have no idea what I’ve done to deserve you, but whatever it was, I’d do it all over again a trillion times if it keeps you by my side.”
“You flashed your dimples, you weren’t pretentious or fake, and you were kind and funny, and just cocky enough, if you know what I mean.” She giggled and leaned in to him as she said, “But just so we’re clear, mountain climbing and white-water rafting are hardly simple. I want to stay together and to learn to do everything you love, but I might suck at them.”
“You won’t, but if you don’t enjoy them we’ll do other things.”
“I’d never want to take you away from what you enjoy. I know we’re getting way ahead of ourselves, but if we stay together, I’d be happy meeting you at the bottom of the mountain to celebrate your trip. You can send me pictures on the way up, and I can give you motivation to make it to the top and come back down.”
“Morgyn,” he whispered. “I adore you.”
“Even though I have no idea what I want to do with my business? You’re so sure of every move you make. The caboose sounds amazing, but I’d have to figure things out, like how to buy it, where to put it…”
“There’s no even though. I like that you entertain different options and that you’re thinking them through and making strides toward figuring out what will make you happiest. I’m not trying to push you toward making any decisions.”
“I know you aren’t, but my time is running out. I’ll see if the items sold through consignment, and now that I know the caboose is an option, I’ll put some thought into that, too. But you’ve spent time in my world, and I feel like I need to know more about yours. You and Knox seem like a great team, and based on the texts you showed me, you obviously love your family, but what’s it like to spend a month in Graham Braden’s world?”
He gazed out at the falls, watching the trees across the way blowing in the breeze and listening to the constant rush and hum of the water, thinking about how to answer her question. “That’s a pretty big question.”
“What I feel for you is pretty big. I want to know.”
Her sweet voice brought his eyes back to hers, and he said, “What I feel is huge, too, sunshine. My life changes from week to week. I don’t have a set schedule. I go where my work takes me, and when I’m not doing that, I’m traveling with family or friends for fun. I could hear about an opportunity tomorrow that could take me across the country or overseas, or I could decide to go cross-country skiing with a group of friends and be gone for weeks.”
“I hope I didn’t derail your plans with Knox today. I just got excited.”
“You didn’t derail us. You gave us something to think about. You opened a door, and we’ll check out the data to see if it’s worth walking through.”
“Good. Can you tell me more about your business? You said you only invest in environmentally friendly companies and endeavors, but as an investor, do you own a piece of the companies? Do you buy properties and then build on them? Do you buy and then flip raw land? Or do you keep it all?”
“It depends on the investment. We own, operate, and finance income-producing real estate of all different types. Sometimes we own a piece of the businesses we invest in, providing a constant income stream, and other times we purchase businesses and then sell them off in pieces. With a project such as the land you saw today, it’ll depend on what we end up doing with the property and where the profit lies.”
“So, you buy companies and sell them in pieces, like you would sell a used car for parts?”
He chuckled. “Something like that, yes.”
“And you can do that without an office?”
“We have offices in Maryland and New York, with a small staff in each, but we don’t need to spend the majority of our time there.”
“I’ll never understand the mechanics of your business, but I find it interesting.”
“I’ll never understand how you can see things and turn them into beautiful pieces of art and clothing, but I appreciate that you can.”
“That’s the second time you’ve implied that you’re not smart enough, and that’s such crap. We’re both smart in different ways, and you proved it today when you came up with an idea that Knox and I hadn’t even thought about. It pisses me off to think you don’t see your own brilliance.”
“I grew up with siblings who aced every test. I was never like that.”
“Who gives a fuck? I grew up with a father who could run numbers in his sleep and brothers who have all made their way to success in ways I never could. Pepper might be science smart and Sable can rebuild engines, but could either of them look at a dress and see a pair of flare pants? Could they make a toy train into a necklace?”
“Sable could, if I told her how to make it pretty.”
“Oh, baby, don’t you see how boring the world would be if we were all the same? Don’t ever worry that because our minds work differently, we’ll go off in two different directions. Do you think I worry that because I’m not as creative as you are you’ll get bored with me? Hell no. What we have goes so far beyond books or boots it’s crazy. We complement each other in the best ways. Don’t you see that?”
“Yes, and I feel it almost every moment we’re together. But when we were with Knox I got the feeling you didn’t want to get caught up in explanations and I felt bad.”
“That’s a reflection on me, sunshine, not you.” Guilt sliced through him for cutting off that conversation and making her feel that way. “We were talking about Sage and what he’s doing in Belize. I didn’t want to get into a big discussion about that with Knox. It had nothing to do with you understanding what we were talking about.” And everything to do with how long I’d have to be away from you if we move forward with the opportunity.
She exhaled, and her smile reached all the way up to her eyes. “Thank goodness. I never want to be someone you can’t talk to.”
“You never will be. Now, do you have more business-related questions? Because we have tonight and tomorrow night together before we’re apart for several days, and I’d really like to just hang with my girl and talk about silly shit, figure out what’s written in the stars, or make out like horny teenagers.”
“Door number three, please…”
Chapter Fifteen
GRAHAM AND MORGYN watched the most incredible sunrise Saturday morning, and then they headed back to Seattle. The contrast between the serenity of the falls and the congestion of the city gave Morgyn even more appreciation for the trouble Graham had gone to setting up their special night.
“I know you’re road-trip girl and don’t need me to take you around town, but I’ll have my phone on in case you need anything.” Graham kissed her softly and said, “I’m so glad you’re here with me, and I can’t wait to see you later.”
“Good luck negotiating. I’ll throw all sorts of good energy out into the universe for you.”
After he left to meet Knox, Morgyn headed straight for the café they’d visited yesterday. She bought breakfast for two and went in search of John. She found him in the same place as yesterday and assumed it was where he spent most of his time. She sat with him as they ate and got to know each other better. John asked her dozens of questions about her family and the work she did. He explained that he had no family left, and he said he’d been devastated when he’d finally accepted that he had to give up his apartment. Morgyn’s heart hurt for her new friend.
After they finished eating, as Morgyn gathered the trash, John touched her hand and said, “My Sylvie would have liked you. She always wanted a daughter, but we were never blessed with children. She used to volunteer for the youth programs at the YMCA to get her fill of little ones. Being in this position is embarrassing, and it’s tested my faith in many ways. I almost lost hope, Morgyn, but you gave it back to me. I was praying I’d see you today. I think Sylvie sent you to me as a reminder not to give up.” He pushed to his feet and said, “I’m going to the shelter to shave and wash up, and then I’m going to use some of that money you and Graham gave me to get a haircut and buy clothes. Then I’m going to hit the streets again and apply for every job I can find. Thank you for caring enough to talk with me. You’ve made me feel less invisible and a little more human.”
Nothing compared to the feeling his words gave her. After an emotional goodbye, Morgyn made her way toward the street market. Something inside her had changed. She was more aware of the homeless people, the sad and stressed expressions of the people hurrying along on the sidewalks, and the way the air seemed heavier here than in Oak Falls, weighed down with big-city problems. Struck by the number of homeless people holding cardboard signs or sitting in front of cans hoping for money, she wanted to help them all. But it wasn’t like she could set up a training center that could lead to jobs. Even if she wanted to, she wouldn’t know the first thing about it. But maybe she could do something…She bought breakfast for two more homeless people and then she bought a box of protein bars and handed them out to other people in need on her way to the market. It wasn’t a solution, but it sure felt good to help.
Colorful flags and banners announced the bustling market, which was lined with white tents. She was so drawn in by the energy of the crowds, it would be easy to push the uncomfortable thoughts about people in need away. She wondered if there were homeless shelters near Oak Falls, and she felt a little guilty for not being aware enough to know the answer. She vowed to stop living in her safe little bubble and to seek out opportunities to help others.
She meandered through the vendor tents, checking out crafts, homemade foods, clothing, and just about everything else under the sun. Her phone vibrated with a text from Brindle. She opened it and found her smoky-eyed sister’s smiling face squished between two handsome men. No surprise there. Brindle was a hot-guy magnet. A second later, her phone rang with a call from said hot-guy magnet.
“Hey, Brin. Looks like you’re having fun,” Morgyn said as she headed for a jewelry vendor. “You’ve been there for a day and you’ve already met hot guys?”
“That’s Andre and Mathieu. We’re on a boat cruising the Seine. I just met them, but they’re great. They said you should come to Paris! I told them they’d need a crowbar to pry you away from Graham.”
“You can say that again. Please tell me you’re being careful.”
“I am! You know I can take care of myself. This place is insanely pretty, and there’s not a cowboy in sight. It’s perfect.”
“You love cowboys,” Morgyn said, moving with the crowd to the next booth.
“Yeah,” Brindle said with a sigh. “I do. They’re strong and sexy and never afraid of anything.” She was quiet for a second, and then she said, “But they’re also bullheaded and annoying as hell. This is a good change. I’m glad I came. This is the perfect distraction.”
“What do you need a distraction from? You said you were going because you wanted to see the world.”
“I do!” Brindle said too strongly. “A distraction from work and home and everything. How’s Graham?”
“He’s amazing. We’re in Seattle.”
“I almost forgot! You got on a plane! How was it? Did you freak out?”
“No. It was fun.” She was tempted to tell Brindle about their sexcapade in the airplane bathroom, but Brindle wasn’t the greatest secret keeper, so she said, “I can’t wait to do it again.”
“That’s great. You’re so lucky to have found someone who’s as crazy about you as you are about him.”
“So you don’t think I’m nuts for coming with him this weekend?”
“Hey, you’re talking to the queen of nuttiness. I’m in Paris. You’re not even on the loony spectrum. You’re totally grounded, Morg.”
“Grounded? You guys are always teasing me about how often I pick up and leave for a day trip. When we were at the festival you said I cared more about the energy flow of the tent than the functionality of it.”
“So? You did. All that means is that you see things differently and you like to go on adventures. But you’ve got a business, a house that you built and paid off. You’ve got a greenhouse, for heaven’s sake. You grow things and bring life into this world. You knew what you wanted to do years ago.”
“So did you,” Morgyn reminded her.
“I knew that I wanted to teach, but that’s all I know.”
A hint of sadness in Brindle’s voice caught Morgyn’s attention. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Me? Yes. I’m beyond okay. Tell me about Seattle.”
Morgyn wasn’t completely buying her sister’s exuberance, but she knew Brindle wouldn’t talk about anything serious until she was good and ready. She told her about meeting John and Knox, her idea for the tiny house community, and how Graham and Knox were thinking about it. She went on to describe their romantic train excursion and overnight adventure, and then she told her about their morning.
“Guess what else.” She was too excited to wait for Brindle to guess. “He found out that I can buy a caboose from the old train graveyard and fix it up to use as a shop.”
“Wow. That would be so cool. Can you afford it?”
“I have some money saved. I think I could pay for it, but I’d have to beg Sable to help me fix it up.”
“She’ll do it in a heartbeat. Are you going for it?”
Morgyn walked into another craft booth and said, “I don’t know. I put some of my stuff on consignment with Jeb at his furniture shop and with a few other shops in Oak Falls and the surrounding areas.” Jeb Jericho owned the Barn, where he sold the custom furniture he made. “And Graham and I took some stuff to the thrift shop in Romance I told you about. I’m hoping some of it sells, but it’s nerve-racking.”
Trails of Love Page 19