Identity

“I haven’t heard anything for a couple of days. The last I did, they found the car he stole when he dumped the first one at the airport in Omaha. He ditched that—he’d switched the plates—at a truck stop in South Dakota. They think he might’ve gotten a ride from there, heading west, as they had a possible sighting in Wyoming they were going to follow up on.”

“So he’s still running, and in the opposite direction from here. That’s a good thing.”

“I’m trying to think of it that way.”

“I’d try that, too. I don’t know if I’d succeed.” Switching to twelve pounders, Nell started triceps extensions. “How’s the new security system working out?”

“The ladies love it. Go figure.” As she stretched her own triceps, Morgan had to admit—as usual—the burn had turned to warmth, and her fatigue to smugness. “They baked Miles a damn cherry pie.”

“I love cherry pie. He did not share. It was intrusive of him, Morgan. Miles doesn’t intrude unless his feelings outweigh his pretty rigid sense of stay-out-of-it.”

“I get that. And along that line, how are you doing with your triangle?”

“I have a triangle?”

“You, Jake, Miles.”

With a laugh, Nell set down the lighter weights. “I’m doing my best to enjoy one, ignore the other. And along that line, why don’t we all go out to dinner, make it a foursome? Maybe next Sunday night when you’re off.”

“Oh.” After rolling her shoulders, Morgan lowered into a runner’s stretch. When Nell picked up the heavier weight again for another set of shoulder presses, Morgan wondered how Nell could lift steady without breaking a sweat. “Wouldn’t that be a little awkward?”

“I don’t think so. I think it would be good for Miles to see me and Jake as a couple.”

“Are you?”

“I think we’re cautiously approaching that destination. I can set it up, keep it casual.”

“Have Miles grill,” Morgan suggested. “He likes to, and it’s not only casual, it fits the dynamics. Friends and family.”

“That’s brilliant. I should’ve thought of it.”

“Maybe ask Liam to join with a date. That turns the triangle into a hexagon. I think.”

“Really brilliant. I’ll set it up.”

“Let me know. Now I’m done with this hellhole for another day. Listen, when you have time, drop by Après. I have a couple of candidates for the fall specials to run by you.”

“I’ll do that. Keep the ideas coming, Morgan.”

“I’ve got an endless supply.”

She headed out, deeply considered the elevator rather than the steps. And weighing guilt against convenience, turned toward the steps.

Miles came down them.

“Is Nell in the fitness center?”

“Showing off with her fifteen-pound weights.”

“Good. I need to go over something with her, and she’d have blown me off if I texted while she’s lifting.” He angled his head, studied her with those amber eyes. “You look good.”

“Are you serious?”

“Almost always. You’re kind of rosy and dewy.”

“It’s called sweat.”

“It looks good on you.”

To her complete surprise, he moved in, cupped her chin, and kissed her. A long and serious kiss.

“Really good. I need to catch Nell.”

He strode off, leaving her standing at the base of the stairs, holding her gym bag. And within the eyeline of the spa check-in staff, who pretended not to notice.



* * *



Morgan spent most of Friday afternoon working in the garden with her ladies. A brief storm the night before had the weeds pulling up like butter—and reminded her how the blasts of thunder had waked her in Miles’s bed.

And how the two of them had rolled together like that thunder even after the storm passed. She glanced over, watching her mother deadhead roses. How she hummed to herself as she worked, how content she seemed.

As if those years of uprooting, moving, searching had all come together here. This time, this place.

Swiping sweat from her forehead, Morgan sat back on her heels. “How does it feel to be Audrey Nash again?”

“Just right. I guess Albright never really fit me—or I didn’t fit Albright. Who knew it could be so easy to take back what was mine all along?”

Now she glanced over. “You did. How does it feel to be Morgan Nash?”

“Like I’ve closed an old door and opened a new one. I didn’t expect that, not really. Like I didn’t expect to be happy here.”

“Oh, Morgan.”

“I came because I had to, and that first night, Mom, everything in me felt so dark and hopeless, sort of frozen in place, just like the winter. Now, moving toward the end of summer, it’s the opposite. I’m heading toward thirty and living in my grandmother’s house, but I feel light and hope and movement. These past months have shown me who you are, who Gram is, and who I am. I like who we are, we Nash women.”

“So do I.”

“Time for a break,” Olivia called out as she carried a pitcher of sun tea to the patio table. “That sun’s fierce, and no complaints, because winter’s long and cold. But it’s fierce. Time for a break.”

“I hear that.”

Morgan started over while Olivia set her hands on her hips. “I don’t think this yard has ever looked better. The things you added, Morgan, brighten up the bright. I’m going to take time to sit and enjoy it while it lasts.”

Audrey sat, pulled off her hat, and fanned herself with it. “No complaints, but whew! We’re due for another storm tonight, and this one might cool things off a bit.”

Morgan thought of storms, and Miles, and smiled as she poured tea.

“I like a good storm. I wouldn’t mind it cooling off a little. Miles said to bring my hiking boots tonight.”

“You haven’t really taken the time to hike. You always liked going with Pa.” Audrey took the glass of tea, rubbed its cold surface over her cheek before drinking. “I’m glad you’re doing something fun, something that isn’t work—even gardening’s work.”

“I have a suspicion Morgan and Miles find something to do that’s not work. And,” Olivia added, “I bet it’s not a frisky game of gin rummy.”

“Besides that,” Audrey said with a laugh. “It’s important to have shared interests when you’re with someone. Besides that,” she said again before Olivia could speak.

“I made a mistake there. You and Dad didn’t. You shared so many things. The Colonel and I, well, we just didn’t. Morgan and Miles share interests. Gardening, the resort, they both like dogs, and now hiking. And you’re having your first dinner party as a couple on Sunday.”

“I don’t know if I’d call it a dinner party.”

“It’s dinner, and you’ll have fun.”

“I feel like I’m deserting both of you, spending so much of my weekends over at his house.”

“Don’t be silly.” Olivia waved that away. “Your mother and I like knowing you’re with a good man. And you need to spend time with people your own age. Make friends. Friends are part of the roots, too, baby, and keep what grows happy and healthy.”

“Mom and I have our monthly book club, yoga classes, the shop, now the café. It’s fun to grab lunch with a girlfriend. We both make time for that.”

“And tomorrow afternoon we’re heading over to Tom and Ida’s potluck cookout. Where we’ll eat too much and gossip the day away.” Olivia sighed with pleasure. “We’re not old fogies yet who need looking after.”

“And we have the magic doorbell. I love that thing.”