Page 72 of One Kind Goal

“And . . .” Morgan said, walking over to him, “no one else is in here so maybe we can lose this for a little while.” She tugged on the bill of his hat.

He took off the hat and tossed it on top of his coat.

Morgan let out a low hum as she cupped his cheeks. “I like seeing this face.” She dropped a kiss on his nose then grabbed Nia’s hand. “C’mon, fishy. Let’s get swimming.”

The two of them approached the pool stairs, dipping their toes in to start then wading in together. Watching Morgan pick up Nia and carry her farther into the pool, seeing the smiles on both of their faces, and knowing he’d be at a game with them both later today filled Sawyer with such contentment.

After wrapping his casted arm with layers of shrink wrap Charlie had given them, he let the delight take over and ran for the pool. Morgan and Nia let out twin shouts as his cannonball dive sent him plunging into the water. Sawyer had always thought he lived a pretty great life.

What he was living right now, however, exceeded his wildest expectations.

****

The more time Morgan spent with Sawyer and Nia, the more that slightly terrified feeling dissipated. Sure, she was falling hard and fast for them both, but it didn’t feel like something to be afraid of anymore. It felt like something to celebrate. In fact, there were several things to celebrate.

First, with this little trip, she and Sawyer had proven the attraction they’d experienced upon their first meeting wasn’t a one-time thing. The chemistry between them was real and solid and growing. She didn’t want to do anything if it didn’t involve him in some way. They’d spent these past few days together and no part of her was sick of him yet. Every moment they shared had built-in specialness whether it was doing something fun like ice skating or swimming or something boring like riding in the car or eating. Being with him made everything more enjoyable.

Secondly, the relationship she was building with Nia could not have been going more wonderfully. It would have been easy for Nia to have hated Morgan. She could have acted out, wanting all Sawyer’s attention for herself. Instead, the child had welcomed Morgan into her life, and in many respects, interacting with Nia deepened the bond Morgan had developed with Sawyer. Acting like a mother had never been something Morgan had dreamed of, but now that she’d played that role a little bit, she liked it.

Thirdly, Carina allowing Sawyer to take Nia on this trip, hang on to her for days, and take her to a hockey game—in another country no less—was a major win for Sawyer. And for Nia. Watching the two of them together made it clear they loved each other’s company. They wanted to be a family and were certainly doing it up right.

It made Morgan wish for her parents back. She’d often prayed for that in the years immediately following their passing. When it had finally sunk in they were gone forever, a piece of Morgan’s heart had crumbled. Nia and Sawyer, however, were in there now, patching things up. Quite possibly they were building a heart that was better, stronger, more capable of loving.

Loving. Morgan turned that idea over in her mind now as she drove to Trixie’s Attic. Was it possible she loved Sawyer and Nia? Austin and Charlie would probably tell her yes. They’d fallen for each other pretty quickly and everything had worked out well for her brother and his wife.

So why not me?

Morgan filed that topic away for now as she pulled into a parking spot in front of the antique shop. Her antique shop after she, Austin, and Trixie discussed the financial particulars. She was stopping in now for two reasons. One, she wanted to pick up something for Charlie. Yes, Sawyer was repaying her for the helicopter tour today with a hockey game, but Charlie had offered to fly them to the game so Morgan still felt in her debt. Two, she wanted to make sure if she stood in the shop again, the same desire to own it would course through her. She didn’t want to foolishly abandon her life in New York City on a crazy whim.

Plus, Morgan wanted to let Sawyer and Nia have a little time for the two of them. Sawyer had assured her, however, that she hadn’t been getting in the way of father-daughter time.

“Are you nuts?” His beautiful hazel eyes had widened. “Having you be a part of my reunion with Nia has made this entire thing way more amazing.” He’d taken her hands in his and tugged her closer. “I’m so happy to share this time with both of you.” The smile on his lips had been so genuine, so penetrating that Morgan felt his happiness in her own soul.

Still, she had insisted on slipping out for an hour or so before they got ready to go to the game. If not for him and Nia, at least for herself. She was about to make a bold move on pursuing her life purpose in both occupation and where to live. These were things that needed to be considered carefully with a clear head. Not one that was all wrapped up in a hot hockey player and his adorable daughter.

“Morgan!” Trixie greeted her with a huge hug as if they’d known each other for ages. “I can’t tell you how excited my son is to hear I’ve found someone to take over the shop. He’s stepping up his plans on adding an in-law apartment to his house for me.” She clasped her hands together, her face positively beaming. In the next second, however, her expression turned serious. “You’re not coming in to tell me you’ve changed your mind, are you?”

Morgan took a moment to scan the antique shop. All its baubles and wares still spoke to her. Ways to get some of her New York contacts involved flittered into her head. She knew many artists who might want to send her some unique pieces that would add some flair to what the shop already sold. Ideas for community events burst like fireworks in her brain.

“I haven’t changed my mind at all,” she finally said to a waiting Trixie. “In fact, I think I want the shop even more now that I’m standing here again.”

Trixie clapped and did a little dance that reminded Morgan of Nia’s silly steps when she was excited about something. “Splendid! The shop is going to be in wonderful hands.” Trixie stepped closer and took Morgan’s hands. She turned them so Morgan’s palms were up then bent over the right one. Tracing the longest crease, Trixie hummed. “In wonderful hands indeed.” She released Morgan and grapevined her way over to the front desk, making Morgan laugh.

“Maybe this place needs a disco ball hanging from the ceiling,” Morgan joked.

Trixie pointed up. “I used to have one right there. It was from the 1920s. They were called mirror balls before disco balls.”

“I did not know that.” Morgan wandered closer to the front desk.

“Oh, you’ll learn all sorts of fun historical facts working here with these treasures.” Trixie flicked a hand to the nearest display table. “You won’t be able to resist doing research on every piece you come across. Plus, it’s good for business if you can tell a story to go with what you’re selling. Customers love that.” She turned to face Morgan. “And don’t panic. I have notes on everything in here right now. My son set up a searchable database that’s easy to update when you sell or get new things.”

Morgan sifted out a breath. “Good. I got a brain cramp thinking I’d have to memorize historical facts about all this stuff.”

“You’d be surprised how much of it sticks.” Trixie tapped her temple. “You’ll be an expert on vintage pieces in no time.”

The two of them discussed a few business items then Morgan dug a little deeper into the shop’s inventory, typing notes into her phone as ideas came to her. She hadn’t been this fired up about something since . . . since . . .

Hell, I’ve never been this fired up.