Page 62 of Valentines In The Presidential Suite

“Of course. Is everything all right?”

“Just business as usual. Nothing to worry about. It doesn’t give me much time to see you again,” Simon said.

“What time would you like me there?” Morgan asked.

“How about five o’clock, and you can share a glass of wine with Austin and me,” Simon responded.

“Okay, I’ll be there. Thank you.” Morgan ended the call, put on her coat, and hurried out of the house, hoping to make it to the bookstore before it closed.

When she arrived, James Devlin greeted her with a glance at the clock on the wall. “In a hurry, are you?”

“Yes. I need something special for Simon for Christmas. He’s going out of town, and today’s my last chance. He mentioned he’s becoming interested in mysteries, and I thought I’d buy him books by some new authors that I think he might like.”

“Cozy, police procedural, or straight mystery?” asked James.

“Let’s do one of each type, the first in a new series,” said Morgan. “Because I haven’t read many, I’ll leave it up to you to choose what you think Simon would enjoy.”

“Ah, it’s one of my pleasures to do this for readers. I have some perfect ones for him. Stay here, and I’ll be right back. It’s almost closing time.”

James returned with three books that looked interesting and said, “Let’s take just a minute and wrap these for him.”

“You’re an angel,” said Morgan, helping him to wrap them up.

As he ushered her out the door, he flipped the open sign to closed and turned off the lights.

“Thanks again,” said Morgan, grateful for his help.

James waved. “No problem. You and Simon have helped me a lot.”

Morgan hurried to her car and headed to Simon’s house with her gaily wrapped packages.

Austin greeted her at the door and ushered her inside. “Thanks for coming on such quick notice. I have to get back to Houston and thought it best if my grandfather flew with me.”

Simon stood up when she came into the living room. “I’m so glad you could come, my dear.”

“You know everyone from Thanksgiving dinner will miss having you be a part of Christmas here,” Morgan said. “We will make it up to you when you return. In the meantime, I have some things for you.”

Simon sat, and she placed the gifts in his lap.

Eyes twinkling, he lifted the top one and shook it. “They look like books and feel like books. Now, why would I think that?”

Morgan laughed. “James and I chose the gifts together. I hope you like them. I’m excited to see if you discover a whole new genre to enjoy.”

Simon ripped the paper off the first book, then the other two, with excitement. “These are just right. You knew I wanted to try a new genre. This will give me a taste of different kinds of mysteries. Thank you. You’re such a blessing to me. Look, Austin. It’s just what I wanted.”

Austin patted him on the back. “There will be plenty of time for you to enjoy them. I know how much you love to read.”

Simon looked up at Austin. “Would you please bring my present for Morgan to me?”

Austin left the room, returned with a rectangular package, and handed it to Simon.

Sitting beside her on the couch, Simon handed the package to Morgan. “Happy Holidays!”

Morgan studied the package, trying to figure out what it might be. “Is it a picture?”

“Open it and see,” said Simon.

She tore the paper off the gift and stared at a framed photo of a giraffe. “Oh, how nice! You remembered I like giraffes. Thank you so much.” She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.