Page 33 of Valentines In The Presidential Suite

Brad returned, carrying the wine bottle. “May I serve you more?”

Morgan lifted her glass so he could pour some wine into it. This was the time to relax before her life changed once again.

Before Morgan went to bed, she packed her clothes and items, leaving out what she’d need for the next day. Her stay at Brad’s house had allowed her to see what a normal home life could be. Simple and easy. No worries about what other people did or didn’t have, just working hard and hoping to make a difference.

She climbed under the covers and hugged her pillow, feeling as if it were Christmas Eve, though she already knew the one gift she wanted was waiting for her in the shape of a cute little dog named Blue.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Morgan was jarred awake by Caesar whining to get up in bed with her. She reached down and patted his head. “Not today, buddy. I have to get up.”

He moved aside so her feet could touch the floor, and then he leaped at her legs. Laughing, she reached down and picked him up before setting him aside to do her morning preparations for the day.

Downstairs, Brad said, “Coffee’s ready. The toast is almost done. I figured we could stop for a real breakfast along the way. I want to get an early start on the trip, so we have plenty of time to be back here at a decent hour.”

“Thanks. I totally agree,” she said, helping herself to a cup of coffee. “I can’t wait to see Blue. I hope he likes me. He has to choose to be with me as much as I need to choose to take him in.”

“No problem. He’s going to love you. Look at the devotion Caesar and Sid have to you.”

She rubbed Sid’s ears. “They’re the best.”

“Anytime you want to bring Blue here to play, all you have to do is ask. My dogs get along well with others, and I bet Caesar would like a friend his size.”

“That’s so thoughtful. I may take you up on your offer,” said Morgan. “You have the best place for them to play.”

“And if I need you to help with my dogs, may I ask you?” Brad asked. “Sid had a bad experience staying in a kennel, and I no longer will take either of them to one.”

“Sure. It would be my pleasure. I hadn’t really thought about that,” said Morgan.

They sipped coffee and nibbled on toast, and then they put the dogs outside before leaving them in the kitchen.

Both dogs howled as Morgan and Brad left the house.

Morgan put the dog’s travel bed in the backseat of the car and filled it with the stuffed toy Ashley’s children had given her, a harness, a soft blanket, and a couple of other toys.

“Do you think you have enough?” Brad teased.

Morgan laughed. “It’s like packing for a baby.”

Brad’s eyes met hers, sending a streak of unexpected heat through her. She couldn’t tear herself from his gaze as the thought of having a baby with him flitted through her mind, shaking her to the core. Where did that come from? she asked herself.

They both turned away, and then Brad cleared his throat. “Let’s go.”

His face was flushed as he helped Morgan inside the car and then climbed behind the wheel.

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Following an early lunch in lieu of a late breakfast, Brad pulled up to a small, white clapboard, Cape Cod house with a huge fenced front yard.

As they got out of the car, they could hear the excited barks of dogs from inside the house. A woman opened the front door, and eight Dachshunds came bounding into the front yard, barking and wagging their tails with excitement.

Morgan clasped her hands and studied them, wondering which one was Blue.

She gazed at the two dapple dogs in the group and caught the eye of one of them. As she reached out to touch him, all eight dogs ran to her for attention. Laughing, she pulled back.

The woman walked over to her. “Hi, I’m Mickie Hastings, the owner of the kennel.”

“And I’m Morgan Riley,” she said, “and this is Brad Hamlin.”