Page 6 of Easton Island

“Hello, Greg.” She tipped her head toward the yard. “The yard is looking good.”

“The spring rains helped. I’m finishing the cornhole board, which means I’m wrapping up the last of the projects.”

“Thank you.” Morgan leaned her hip against the doorframe and crossed her arms. “How is Hailey?”

“Okay.” He gave her a thumbs-up and smiled, but his smile seemed forced.

Their eyes met. Greg looked away.

Morgan stepped closer. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I mean. I dunno. She’s different now, ever since…” His voice trailed off.

“Ever since Grady questioned her a few months ago about the man’s death.”

Not long after Hailey and her Aunt Jennie had left for a last-minute trip to the mainland, Grady MacDonald, an Easton Harbor police officer, had shown up at Locke Pointe, looking for her and asking Greg questions.

Hailey, while working at a hotel in Port Huron, had found a man’s body in a guest room. According to what they’d been told, the man died of a drug overdose.

Grace Coates, the Lilac Inn’s owner and Hailey’s boss, had done some digging around and discovered her employee had an arrest record for drug trafficking.

Grace promptly pulled her aside and had a long talk with her. Hailey assured her boss she was clean and even offered to submit to random drug testing to keep her job.

After careful consideration, Grace had decided not to let Hailey go—with the stipulation that she agree to the random testing. The investigation into the hotel guest’s death had come to a standstill. As far as Morgan knew, there was no new evidence linking Hailey to the incident.

Her main concern was Greg. He’d fallen in love with the woman, staunchly defending her to anyone and everyone who even hinted she might be trouble.

She had practically begged Grady to tell her what was going on with the woman. The Easton Harbor officer confided that the case was on the back burner.

“It’s like Hailey doesn’t want to talk about what happened or anything else for that matter. I can’t even make conversation without her accusing me of interrogating her,” Greg said. “She thinks I’m trying to trick her into incriminating herself.”

“What you’re saying is Hailey is paranoid?”

He thought about it. “Yeah. It’s almost to the point where I don’t want to be around her.”

“I’m sorry to hear this. Better to find out now than down the road when things get serious.”

“I’m thinking about telling her I need some space,” he glumly replied.

Morgan crossed the room and put her hand on his shoulder. “You’re a good guy, Greg Baker. A great guy. The right woman is out there. You deserve the best. Don’t settle for less.”

He lifted his chin, a defeated look in his eyes. “I keep telling myself she’s not the only woman on the planet, but let’s be honest…how many single women are on Easton Island?”

“I think you would be surprised.”

“Let me rephrase my question…how many single women on Easton Island would be interested in me?”

She met his gaze. “Don’t sell yourself short,” she said softly. “I look at it this way. God allows things to happen in our lives that seem like we’re being punished when, in reality, He’s clearing the path for something better.”

Morgan paused to let what she had said sink in. “God might be clearing the way for the person you’re meant to be with…the perfect person who doesn’t have baggage, who is as sweet, thoughtful and caring as the man who is standing before me right now.”

“Do you think so?”

“I know so. One day, you and I are going to remember this conversation, and you know what?”

“What?”

“I can’t wait to tell you I told you so.”