The women exchanged a look over the boy’s head.Home.It wasn’t a “slip of the lip.” Tristan had called Easton Estate home.
“Why don’t you and Chester take these out to the sun porch? Great-grandmother Elizabeth is on her way downstairs and needs to have a word with Morgan.”
Tristan shoved the rest of the cookie into his mouth, eyeing Morgan curiously. “Are you in trouble?”
“I hope not,” she laughed.
Elizabeth appeared. “I thought I heard Tristan’s voice. You survived your first day of school. How did it go?”
“Good. I’m going to sign up for the archery club. Morgan said it was okay.”
The senior Easton caught Morgan’s eye and winked. “She’s the boss.”
“She promised someone would give me a ride if I joined.”
“We most certainly will,” his great-grandmother replied. “I’m pleased to hear you’re interested in extracurricular activities.”
“What’s an extracrickular?”
“It’s a fancy word for after-school activities,” she explained.
“Let’s grab a few more cookies.” The cook led Tristan out of the room after promising she would have tea service delivered to the library shortly.
Elizabeth motioned to Morgan. “Jax and Wyatt have some good news, or at least better than we’d expected.”
“I could use some good news.”
“The private investigator tracked Jason to Tampa. As of this morning, he’s still there.”
Morgan clapped her hands. “Woo-hoo. Let’s keep our fingers crossed he stays in Florida.”
“Fingers, toes, elbows, and eyes.” Elizabeth led Morgan down the hall to the cozy sitting area in front of the library’s fireplace. “I hope you’re not in a rush and can stay and chat.”
“I’m not.” Morgan gave her grandmother a warm hug. “I’m glad you and Gerard are enjoying your time in the city, but I’ll be the first to admit I miss you.”
“And I miss you. What I don’t miss are the dreary winter days being cooped up in this house.”
The sound of the tea cart rattling grew louder. A kitchen worker appeared and placed the cart off to the side. “Can I bring you anything else?”
“No. This is perfect.” After she left, Elizabeth poured tea and handed her granddaughter a cup. “Brett mentioned taking the snowmobiles out. It was Tristan’s first time riding.”
“I’m thrilled to report he’s had a lot of fun firsts—ice fishing, snowmobiling, flying the fancy drone you bought him for Christmas.”
“He sounded positive about his first day of school.”
“All things considered, I think it went pretty well.” Morgan told her how the teacher had paired him with another student to show him around. “He wanted to know why people don’t like the Eastons.”
“Already? That didn’t take long. Unfortunately, he’ll understand soon enough.” Elizabeth sipped her tea, contemplating Morgan over the rim of her cup. “Tristan mentioned Quinn to me earlier.”
“How he thinks she doesn’t like him?”
“Correct. He’s picking up her negative vibes.”
“He’s pretty perceptive.” Morgan told her that she was still on the fence about broaching the subject. “My main issue is I don’t want to interfere in Brett and Quinn’s relationship.”
“You think perhaps he should be the one to address the subject?”
“Maybe.” Morgan reminded her how Quinn had made a point of stressing she was staying out of the “family’s” business. “I’m thinking I should do the same and not stick my nose in where it doesn’t belong.”
