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“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.”
