3
MORGAN
Morgan was on a break between clients when she heard the jingle of a text coming from her phone.
Dad:Foreman hired. We’re going to Lucky’s for dinner to celebrate. Meet there?
She expelled a breath before responding. This was not how she wanted to spend her evening, but as usual, she didn’t want to disappoint her dad. Reluctantly, she texted back.
Morgan:Sure. See you around 6.
A few minutes later, her cell chimed again. This time it was her bestie, Barbara Jeanne.
Barbara Jeanne:Hey! Want to meet up tonight?
Morgan:I’ll be at Lucky’s later.
Barbara Jeanne:Meet you there about 7?
Morgan:Perfect.
Now she was looking forward to the night ahead. She could have dinner with her dad and Angela, then catch up with her friend afterward over drinks. She could tell her best friend anything, and she needed to get her feelings about what she’d discovered in her father’s office off her chest.
At closing time, she clocked out, stored her smock and supplies, cleaned and disinfected her work area, then freshened up in the ladies’ room. She always kept some personal hair products and makeup at the salon, along with some extra shoes and clothes if she wanted to go out after work.
It was a short ten-minute drive to Lucky’s Irish Pub, and since the weather was still fairly warm prior to sunset, she put the windows down and sang to the radio as she drove. Lucky’s was the place to go if you wanted a change from the food at the diner or drinks without the “meet market” atmosphere and loud music of The Jailhouse, the town’s Elvis-themed nightclub and bar. And given the Irish pub theme, Lucky’s was a natural gathering place for the Sullivan family, whose Irish roots run deep.
Upon entering the pub, she spotted Sean and Angela in a nearby booth. Angela moved over to allow her to sit next to her.
“So how’d it go today, Dad?”
“Fine. Just fine. We got ourselves a foreman. Young guy who’s been workin’ at some ranches up north. And he already met Nolan earlier today at his garage so I think he’ll work out great. He’ll start on Monday, and he’s gonna be stayin’ in the cabin.”
She gave her dad a polite smile, not really interested in hearing about the foreman, but wanting to keep the conversation neutral while they had their dinner. Once Sean and Angela left, Morgan moved to a barstool to wait for Barbara Jeanne to arrive.
A few minutes later, her friend entered the bar area. It seemed as if all eyes turned toward Barbara Jeanne as she crossed the room. Morgan was used to her best friend’s personality sucking up all the energy in the room, although she didn’t consciously try to garner everyone’s attention. She wasn’t bothered by her friend’s charisma, as she was pretty secure in her own personality and looks. She gave all the credit to her father for raising her to be a responsible and confident young woman who could tackle anything she set her mind to. On the other hand, Barbara Jeanne, or Barbie to friends and family, had been heavily influenced by her socialite mother who’d always pushed her daughter into a lifestyle of beauty pageants and debutante balls. The two girls had been the best of friends since elementary school, and Morgan knew the real person behind the pageant persona. Barbara Jeanne had a heart of gold, but suffered from some insecurities.
The striking young woman joined her at the bar, giving her friend a hug before settling on the stool next to her.
“Hey, girl!”
“Hey! What’s going on?”
“I had dinner with Dad and Angela earlier. We were celebrating the hire of a foreman for the horse therapy ranch. But I’m glad to be hanging with you now. I feel like a third wheel with them sometimes.”
“I hear you. Everyone else I know has a significant other, it seems. I haven’t had a date in I don’t know how long! But that’s great news about the ranch. Uncle Sandy and Sally are so excited about the new charity. It’s all they talk about.” Barbara Jeanne’s cousin Sally had recently married Nolan, Angela’s father’s friend.
“Dad and Angela are excited too. And it’s gonna be great having more horses and people at the farm.”
Despite Morgan’s positive words about the ranch, the information her father had kept from her was still weighing heavily on her mind, and Barbara Jeanne knew her so well that she picked up on her inner turmoil.
“Hey. What’s goin’ on? What are you not telling me?”
Before she could respond to her friend, the bartender approached, interrupting their conversation for the moment. “Evenin’, ladies. Your usual?”
She pasted on a fake smile for the bartender. “You know us so well, Ben!”
“Two sweet teas with vodka comin’ up!”
