“I understand your position. However, this involves Tristan, which is your…our concern,” her grandmother pointed out. “Brett’s plane touched down a short time ago. He should be here any minute. I suggest we hold a brief family meeting.”
“Which is probably not a bad idea. I’ll send him a text.” Morgan plucked her phone from her bag and sent a message to her brother, letting him know she had the first day school report and she and Elizabeth were at Easton Estate having tea and wanted to chat.
He replied, telling her he was almost there.
“He’s almost home,” Morgan said. “Before I forget, have you heard from Prissy?”
“We’ve scheduled an appointment with the specialist I suggested. Her most pressing concern is losing her independence. The important thing is for her to take it one day at a time. None of us knows what the future holds. Perhaps it’s only a minor health blip and medication can help. I hope so.”
“Me too.”
Elizabeth tapped her arm. “Now that Wyatt is temporarily on the day shift, what are your plans for dinner?”
“Nothing.”
“Why don’t you invite him to come here?”
Morgan promptly texted Wyatt, extending the invitation. “He’s at work. It might take a little while to get an answer.”
The women chatted about the new year, and Elizabeth and Gerard’s busy social life in Toronto.
Fast footsteps echoed in the hallway. Brett appeared.
Elizabeth started to stand.
“Don’t get up. I’ll grab a seat.” He placed his briefcase by the door, slid a wingback chair closer and eased onto the cushion. “Before I forget, thank you, Morgan, for taking Tristan to school and picking him up. Maybe when he feels more comfortable, he’ll want to ride the bus.”
“You’re welcome. I don’t mind giving him a ride.”
“Ben is always available to take him as well,” Elizabeth reminded them.
“He was a little nervous when I dropped him off but seemed much more relaxed on the way home.” Morgan mentioned that his teacher had implemented the buddy system, which seemed to help. “He even ate lunch with some of his classmates.”
“And he’s thinking about signing up for an archery class,” Brett said. “I talked to him a few minutes ago. He seems excited about it.”
“The more involved, the better,” Elizabeth said. “He mentioned missing his Uncle Jeff.”
“Not for long. I spoke to Jeff on the phone before I left the office. He’s en route and should be here in a few hours.” Brett held a finger to his lips. “We want it to be a surprise, so if you see Tristan before Jeff gets here, please don’t mention it.”
“My lips are zipped,” Morgan said. “Whatever we can do to make his transition easier, I’m on board.”
“Ditto.” Elizabeth cleared her throat. “The reason we asked you to chat with us is Morgan and I have a concern.”
“About Tristan?”
His sister nodded. “He’s very perceptive and has noticed something or, in this case, someone you might want to be aware of.”
“Quinn,” Brett said. “I hate to say it, but she’s giving Tristan the cold shoulder, and he’s picking up on it.”
“I’ve known Quinn for a long time, decades. She tends to be cautious and guarded, especially when she’s unsure of a situation. To be blunt, she’s struggling to find her footing and figuring out where she fits in.”
“I love Quinn. I want her to be happy, to feel loved. Admittedly, Tristan’s arrival was a huge curveball for everyone. I’m hoping things will smooth out and she’ll realize I have room in my life for both of them.”
“At the risk of not minding my own business, may I suggest a date night for the two of you?”
“The sooner the better,” Morgan added.
“Tristan…”
