‘That’s really kind of them; thank them from me,’ said Morgan.
‘They’re wonderful and I wouldn’t have suggested it. Henry did.’
‘Then thank him as well.’
Tegan noticed the laptop lying idle on the sofa. ‘I’ve interrupted your work. I’m sorry; I should’ve asked when the best time was.’
‘No way, don’t apologise. I’ll take my sister visiting when she can; I know it’s not easy. And I’m ahead of the game as it is.’ And already she knew that her concentration today would be difficult to achieve with her head full of Nate.
‘You got plenty of work on?’
‘Enough. I’m writing this piece and then I’ve had an acceptance for a short story for a magazine. I’ve written it but it’s at first draft stage – needs a few more rounds before I’ll let anyone else take a look.’
‘You’re good at what you do. My sister, the writer.’
Morgan smiled. ‘Remember the job I was interviewing for in Edinburgh?’
‘The one you turned down because you came back here?’
‘I got in touch with the company, let them know I might still be interested in the position but in a different location.’
‘And…?’
‘And nothing. They didn’t reply.’ She shrugged. ‘But it was worth a try. They likely only wanted to fill a job in Edinburgh, but I thought I might as well ask. I was really looking forward to the security of a permanent position.’
‘Hang on a minute, back up a second…’ Tegan seemed to have caught up on what she was saying. ‘Why are you talking about offices other than in Scotland?’
She took a deep breath. And then over a second Eccles cake each and a mug of tea, she told her sister everything. She told her about the way she felt about the village, how she hadn’t realised how much she was becoming attached. She explained about Ronan, how he’d known something between them had changed. And then she told her about Nate, the man who’d come to the village and who she had feelings for.
‘Wait, not Nate Greene?’
‘Yes, why, do you remember him?’
‘Of course I do! “Sexy-as-hell” was what we used to call him. My friend Cindy had the hots for him big time. I think he said hello to her once in the village and she almost passed out.’
Her sister might be laughing but Morgan could almost believe it given the way he’d made her feel standing outside Snowdrop Cottage.
‘I had to end things with Ronan when I realised how I felt about Nate,’ said Morgan.
‘Of course.’ But Tegan spotted Morgan’s ring still on a very important finger. ‘You’re still wearing it.’
‘I don’t want to have to explain to anyone, not yet.’
‘Does he know? Nate, I mean? Does he know you’re no longer with Ronan?’
She shook her head. ‘You’re the only one I’ve told. I’m not ready. I don’t want to leap from one man to the next.’
A smile spread across her face. ‘I don’t know, he was pretty hot from what I remember. Leaping onto him might not be a bad thing.’
‘Tegan, behave yourself.’ And more seriously, she added, ‘He might not even feel that way. And he’s leaving the village. This is just a visit.’
‘Ah, don’t even give that much thought. Look at you, intent on leaving and now you want to stay.’ Tegan put a hand against her forehead. ‘This means you want to keep the cottage rather than sell it.’
‘Do you mind?’
‘Mind?’ She flung her arms around her sister. ‘I think it’s amazing. This cottage suits you as much as it suited Mum. Wait, was it my big sister talk the last time I was here that convinced you?’
Morgan shoved her sister on the arm. ‘Nice try, claiming it as your handiwork. But thanks for the advice. I did need to think about it; you were right.’ She looked around the room: the reminders of Elaina that were still there, memories of childhood, the promise of a future as she made it her home. ‘We’ll need to make it official, make sure it’s all fair between us.’
