Page 37 of One Kind Goal

“Hey, hands off!” Claire shifted away from Brooke only to have Morgan swipe some of her blue cotton candy. “Mom! They keep stealing mine.”

“Girls, don’t fight,” Mom said.

“Yeah,” Austin said. “It’s bad enough I’m trapped on a vacation with you children. I don’t want to hear your whining too.”

“That sounds like whining,” Morgan pointed out, making Summer giggle beside her.

“All of you eat your own cotton candy and let’s head for the carousel,” Dad said. “Then we can cross Ride Historic Carousel off our travel list.”

Morgan rolled her eyes. Only her dad would have such a list on vacation, but that was what he did for every family trip. On the one hand, it was good because they’d gotten to see many things he’d put on that list. On the other, it was one more example of how Type A Stephen P. Rayhill was.

Even on vacation.

They finished their sweet treat then all seven of them boarded the carousel. Mom and Dad took the bench seat, snuggling together as they often did, never hiding their affection for each other. Austin grudgingly mounted a dragon, making several comments at how lame carousels were. Morgan caught him, however, running his fingers over the incredibly detailed scales that had been carved into the dragon. Summer climbed onto a butterfly, its bright colors complementing the yellow sundress she wore. Brooke and Claire hopped onto a pair of pure white doves. Ahead of them was a cute boy on a black panther who kept sneaking peeks back at them.

Morgan circled the carousel, checking out all the creatures and having a challenging time deciding which to ride. Yeah, it was just a silly carousel ride with her family, but carousels were a little magical. Riding fantasy creatures round and round as music tinkled from its hub seemed like something out of another realm to Morgan.

She passed several mounts and then, in a pool of sunlight, a glorious Pegasus gleamed. It was painted solid white, its wings upright and its head tilted at a dignified angle. As Morgan slowly approached the Pegasus, she discovered silvery sparkles flecked the paint, giving the whole creature an otherworldly flair. It was both life-like and dream-like at the same time.

Morgan climbed onto the Pegasus, the seat area perfectly molded to her bottom to hold her. She ran her fingers over the glittery mane, somehow carved to appear to be in motion. The carousel started and soon Morgan’s hair flew back from her face as each revolution was completed. She traveled up and down, wishing so badly that the Pegasus would break free from the pole attaching it to the carousel. She wanted it to beat its wings and take her on an adventure.

Closing her eyes, Morgan imagined soaring through the skies on this magnificent beast, everything small and insignificant below them. She felt free, freer than she’d ever felt. Up and down, spiraling, chasing clouds, aiming for starlight, forgetting who and what she was.

Too soon, the carousel’s spinning wound down. Her Pegasus slowed his mighty, flying gallop. Morgan leaned forward and hugged the creature around the neck.

“Thank you,” she whispered. The ride had brought her pure joy and she tucked that feeling away for when she might need it.

She joined her family, taking her father’s hand when he reached out to her.

“You looked like a princess riding that Pegasus.”

He called her Pegasus Princess for the rest of the trip.

Morgan blinked her current surroundings into focus. The Pegasus before her now in Trixie’s Attic looked exactly like the one she’d ridden, except it wasn’t painted yet. She reached out her hand and ran it along the smooth, natural wood, feeling as if she were touching a . . . a memory.

Her parents had died a few months after that family trip and Morgan’s world—and that of her siblings—had been turned upside down. Fortunately, Austin had gotten noticed by a Hollywood agent and he’d been able to turn acting into a lucrative career that allowed him to take care of everyone. Those first few months, however, had been rough, and Morgan had thought about being Pegasus Princess many times. About flying off on that winged, white horse to a dimension where her parents were still alive and her father had another travel list ready to go.

“Ah, I see you’ve found Raphael.”

Morgan flinched at the sound of Trixie’s voice. “Raphael?”

Trixie flicked her hand toward the Pegasus. “That’s what I’ve named him. Isn’t he divine?”

“Extremely.” Morgan turned to face Trixie. “Is he for sale?”

“Of course.” Trixie stretched out her arms. “Everything in here is looking for a proper home. Do you want him?”

“I—”

“Look at the pretty pony, Daddy!” Nia’s voice was loud in the shop.

Morgan glanced over her shoulder to see Nia racing toward her. Sawyer strode along behind his daughter, looking mouthwatering as always. Even the baseball hat looked hot on him.

“Slow down, Nia. You’re going to knock something over in here,” Sawyer said.

“Sorry, Daddy.” Nia stopped running. She calmly approached Morgan then stood beside her. “Hi, Morgan.” She beamed a full smile and Morgan couldn’t resist giving the kid a little hug when she leaned into Morgan’s leg.

“Hi, Nia.”