‘I can queue with everyone else,’ she said quietly in case it got someone’s back up that she was showing any kind of favouritism for a friend.
‘In all my excitement, I almost forgot,’ Belle gushed. Over at the counter at the front of the shop, she took out a copy of the book. ‘This is already paid for; Ronan called ahead.’
‘He did? I mean I told him I was coming, told him who the author was, but I didn’t expect…’
‘He wanted to make sure you definitely got the book.’
Morgan opened it up to find a personal dedication:
For Morgan, best wishes for a smooth relocation from the Cotswolds to Edinburgh, Ian F.
The author had obviously been briefed that she planned to move over there but rather than linger and talk to the author and ask him questions, she felt the breath inside of her struggle to get out and she let Belle serve someone else and stepped aside. Maybe the questions she needed answering weren’t exactly the sort this author could answer for her.
‘Dad bought a copy too,’ a voice came from behind her.
‘Nate.’ When she turned, she had the copy clutched against her chest. ‘Nice to see you again.’
‘Likewise.’
And because she was flustered, she asked what he thought of the talk and let him speak to get her out of the spotlight, or at least what felt like it.
‘Dad told me I have to get to the Isle of Skye some day.’ Nate pushed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. He looked good in a navy top with a few buttons down the front. He was tall enough that Morgan wasn’t looking right into his eyes unless she made the effort to look up. ‘You been there?’
‘To Skye?’ She met his gaze at long last.
‘Scotland.’
‘A few times. Edinburgh, mainly.’
‘Edinburgh, eh. Never been.’ His words hinted he’d like to hear more about it, no matter how much the author had already shared. He wanted to know what Morgan thought.
‘You should go,’ she said when his eyes dipped to the diamond on her ring finger and then back up again. ‘Definitely.’
‘Maybe I will.’ When Belle passed by with a tray of drinks, mostly red wine and white wine, both of them turned down the offer at the same time.
‘There are soft drinks; Sebastian will be over next,’ Belle assured them.
‘Early start in the morning,’ said Morgan for want of anything better to say. They’d been so at ease with each other on the bridge that night but now weirdly they were anything but. It was like this was the first time they’d met.
‘Me too,’ said Nate. ‘Excuse me, I just want to make sure Dad is all right.’ Heads above most people in here, he didn’t seem to be able to see Trevor.
‘I’m sure he’s fine.’
Nate didn’t look convinced but then his shoulders dropped as if he had his answer. ‘He just emerged from the bathroom at the back.’
‘You can let him out of your sight, you know.’ But it was touching to see how much he worried.
‘I know. Ridiculous, isn’t it? When I was a boy, it would’ve been him tracking me to make sure I didn’t wander off.’
‘It’s good that you care.’ She was close enough that she could see the hint of regrowth on his jaw that wouldn’t take long to become more. ‘How’s Branston?’
‘He’s good, thank you. Happy to be back. I think he likes all the fuss.’
‘You could’ve brought him along tonight.’
But he shook his head. ‘I exhausted him with walks today; he’s probably glad we’ve left him in peace.’
When Morgan’s phone pinged with a message, she looked at the display. ‘I’d better get going. It was nice to see you again.’ Ronan was messaging to see whether she’d got her surprise.
