Page 24 of Valentines In The Presidential Suite

“Don’t worry about it. We’ll get things sorted out as soon as we can,” said Brad. “I’ve got some fresh coffee made. Get settled and enjoy a cup before we have to leave for the office.”

As a thought occurred to her, Morgan’s stomach curled. “We can’t appear to come into the office together. Rosalie would have that news all over town.”

“Gotcha,” said Brad. “No worries. I’ll head in now so you can take your time here.”

Morgan accepted a house key from him and followed him inside.

Brad put her suitcase in one of the upstairs guest rooms and left.

Standing inside the guest room, Morgan looked through the colored-glass window and could discern the shape of his car as he drove away.

She hung up the few things she’d brought with her and put her toiletries and bathroom items away in the guest bathroom. The painters had, thankfully, completed painting the upstairs rooms, and though the furnishings were sparse, it was enough for her to be comfortable.

Downstairs in the kitchen, she found the coffee pot and poured herself a cup. Though it was a chilly morning, she went onto the back deck and took a seat in one of the chairs. She needed a moment to think.

Why was she being followed? Had she taken care of all the details in Florida? When she got to her office, she’d check to see if she could find anything online related to Starshine Pool Services, the pool maintenance company Dale had owned in Florida. She’d sold the business to help pay off debts. Toward the end of his life, her husband had been dealing with unsavory characters, which was one reason she couldn’t wait to leave Florida.

She helped Caesar off her lap, rubbed Sid’s ears, and headed into the kitchen. Time to go into the office.

###

Rosalie lit up when Morgan walked in. “How was your weekend?”

“Short,” said Morgan, playing along with her. No way would she ever let Rosalie know she was staying at Brad’s house. That would be a disaster. Though she enjoyed Brad’s company and was grateful for his help, he’d never indicated any real interest in her. And now, with her worries about her safety, the last thing she was thinking of was a relationship with a man.

“Mondays are always hard,” Rosalie commiserated with her. “Did you go to any other restaurants in town?”

“No,” said Morgan. “I’m a stay-at-home kind of woman.” She waved. “See you later. I’d better get to my duties.”

Brad was on the phone when she arrived at her desk. Before anything could interrupt her, she turned on her computer and looked up Starshine Pool Services in Florida.

The company was nowhere to be found.

She checked pool service companies outside Orlando, where they’d lived, and again found nothing. In the time she’d sold the company and left, what had happened to it? She’d once suspected one of his workers was selling drugs. But Dale had assured her that if it were true, which he doubted, he’d fire the kid.

As far as she could tell, there would be no reason to think anyone following her had anything to do with her life in Florida. It just didn’t make sense.

Brad stuck his head out of the office. “Get settled?”

“Yes, thank you,” she answered, keeping her tone businesslike. “What do you have for me to do today?”

“I want you to start some online research for me,” he replied. “I’ve drawn up a list of things that might be helpful. I’ll email them to you.”

“Okay,” she said, glad she’d be helping with a case. This is the type of work she’d hoped for when she’d come to work at the firm.

###

That evening before leaving for home, Morgan checked in with Brad. “I’m leaving, and I thought if it’s okay with you, I can cook dinner as payment for your kindness.”

He grinned. “Really? That would be nice. I need to make one more phone call, then I’ll come along when I can.”

As Morgan left the office, she was delighted to see that Rosalie had already gone.

She got into her car and drove to her favorite market to get fresh ingredients for dinner. She’d peeked into the refrigerator at Brad’s house and knew he didn’t have much to eat.

With satisfaction, Morgan carried several bags of groceries to her car. Fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and sugar snap peas, chicken, steak, hamburger meat, and an assortment of fruit filled the bags, along with bakery items. She’d even bought treats for the dogs.

She had no idea how long she’d be staying with him, but wanted to make sure it wouldn’t cost him anything to have her there.