Page 37 of Valentines In The Presidential Suite

Inside once more, she checked to make sure everything was set for the dog. She and Brad had discussed the easiest way to block him in the kitchen, leaving Blue with plenty to keep him comfortable during the day.

“Okay. I’ll be back,” she told the dog. “You guard the house, and I’ll bring home a ramp for you to climb into bed with me, you little bed hog.”

Blue wagged his tail and then howled when he realized she was leaving.

She ignored his yips of indignation, got into her car, and headed to work, wondering if there would be any awkwardness between her and Brad after spending so much time together.

###

Inside the office, Rosalie greeted her pleasantly. “Have a nice weekend, Morgan?”

“Yes, thanks. I got a dog. A little Dachshund named Blue.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful,” said Rosalie. “They make such good watchdogs. My cousin had a Dachshund named Dynamo when she was growing up.”

“I’ll show you pictures another time. I’m a little late for work.”

“All the partners are in a meeting, so you won’t be noticed,” said Rosalie as Morgan hurried away.

At her desk, checking the calendar, she realized Thanksgiving was just a few weeks away. She wondered if she and Ashley would share the meal’s preparation as they usually did before eating dinner at Ashley’s house. Though they each did their share of the cooking, the meal was usually held at Ashley’s house, where they had more room. This year, she hoped to include Simon, if he didn’t have any place to go, and Brad. Thinking of them brought a smile to her face. Her little family was growing.

Brad approached her desk and uttered a brisk, “Morning. I’m on my way to a meeting in the city. I’ll check in with you later.”

He went into his office and came back out, holding a briefcase. “I’ll send you a text with a list of things I need you to do for me. Okay?”

“Sure,” she said. “I have plenty to take care of, but send me what you need.”

He gave her a brief smile. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

He left, and Morgan sat back in her desk chair, unsure how she felt about the exchange. He’d acted as if they barely knew one another. Wasn’t that what they both wanted?

###

Morgan made a trip to the pet store, then hurried home to check on Blue. When she opened the door to her apartment, she couldn’t help laughing at the way Blue wiggled and turned in circles with excitement. It made her feel so special.

She put a leash on him, picked him up, and carried him down the stairs and over to a side lawn by the garage. She didn’t want him to get used to going to the bathroom in the kids’ play yard. Then, because most of her earlier pictures of Blue had Brad in them, she took a moment to take some new photos of Blue that she could show around the office.

###

On Saturday morning, she was looking forward to the day when she got a call from Simon.

“Hi, Morgan. I hate to disturb you so early, but I wanted you to know that I fell this week, and I’m wondering if you’d be interested in doing our reading together at my house.”

Morgan filled with alarm. “You fell? Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. I tripped over my own damn feet hurrying to the dining hall,” said Simon. “I’m furious with myself for being so careless. No broken bones, but I’d feel better staying in.”

“Okay, no problem,” she said. “We’ll read at your house. But I have a favor to ask. May I bring my new dog, Blue, to show you? He’s well-trained and friendly. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”

“That would be fine,” Simon said. “I’m fond of dogs, and I know how excited you were to get him.”

“Thanks,” said Morgan. “I look forward to seeing you.” She hung up the phone, relieved that nothing serious had happened to Simon. He was beginning to show his age.

She got dressed for a walk. Morgan was eager to see how Blue handled it if they went any distance. His short legs were a challenge.

She found Blue still snuggling under his blanket on top of her bed. “Hey, lazybones. Time to get up and go outside.”

His tail thumped on the bed, and then his face emerged.