Page 49 of Chasing the Dream

Gabe shot her a grateful glance. “I’d like to go hiking too. What time are we leaving?”

“Eight o’clock. We can grab breakfast on the road,” Maria said, softening.

Once that was settled, they moved on to other topics. Brenda asked Morgan a lot of questions about what she’d been up to before coming there.

“I was unhappy in my job, and when Maria mentioned that Gabe needed help, I thought it sounded like the perfect solution. I got to escape the cold weather, and I get to spend time with all of you. It was a win-win!”

“You picked a good time to come. Arizona is beautiful in the spring,” Cal said.

Morgan nodded. “It’s going to be hard to go back home.”

Gabe shifted in his seat, and she glanced over at him. He eyed her intently, like he was trying to determine something, but she had no idea what it was.

“I say you should just move here,” Maria stated as she reached for another chocolate chip cookie. “You could probably keep working for Gabe until you find something else, and you could move in with me. Lord knows I have more space than I need.”

“Oh, no. I couldn’t do that to either of you. You’ve been generous enough already.”

Gabe was suspiciously quiet, and she wondered if he was angry at Maria for suggesting he let Morgan continue working for him. If she got a moment alone with him, she’d be sure to tell him that hadn’t been her idea. She had every intention of returning to Michigan at the end of three months.

They talked for a while longer until Cal stifled a yawn. “Sorry, but it’s past my bedtime.”

Brenda and Cal both stood. “We’re not as young as we used to be, but you kids feel free to stay up as late as you want.”

“We’re not kids anymore, Mom. I’m ready for bed too,” Gabe said. He stood up and stretched, his T-shirt riding up and baring a sliver of his trim midsection. Naturally, Morgan noticed, but she forced herself to look away.

“I put clean sheets on the beds and fresh towels in the bathroom,” Brenda said.

“Thanks, Mom,” Maria said.

After exchanging goodnights, Brenda and Cal went down the hall and into their first-floor master suite.

Morgan knew from staying there before that she, Maria, and Gabe would be sleeping in the two upstairs bedrooms, which shared a connecting bathroom. The last time she’d been there, she’d barely seen Gabe, but this time…

“You two can use the bathroom first,” he offered as they climbed the stairs.

“Thanks,” Morgan said.

“Meet you downstairs bright and early. And keep your door closed so we don’t have to hear you snoring and farting,” Maria said over her shoulder. She was laughing hard as she disappeared into the bedroom on the left.

Morgan paused in the hallway. “For the record, I never heard you snore or fart.”

“Good to know.”

“And earlier, when Maria mentioned the idea of me continuing to work for you…”

Gabe held up a hand. “Don’t worry about it. My sister would say anything to get you to stay.”

She nodded. “Well, see you in the morning, then.”

“Is it just me, or does being here make you feel like a kid again?”

“Sort of. Some things are the same, but some things…”

“Are very different.”

He gave her that intense stare again, and for a moment, she felt like the two of them were all alone.

“Ahem. Are you two done chatting? We need to get some sleep so we’ll be fresh for our hike tomorrow.” Maria had poked her head out the door and was eyeing them curiously.