Page 26 of Easton Island

“Hold on.” Wyatt made a timeout. “I missed a lot. I knew Prissy was having mental health issues, but I thought she was doing better. This is the first you’ve mentioned Nosy Nellies.”

Morgan summarized all that had happened, not even taking a breather until she finished with what she’d discovered about Austin and Tiff. “Ten bucks says they’re trying to sneak into the attic as we speak.”

“You padlocked the door.”

“And posted a restricted area sign. However, they haven’t grown their channel by throwing in the towel when they’re after valuable content.”

Wyatt started to get up. “Do you want me to knock on the door and demand they tell us what’s going on?”

“No, because I don’t have proof.” Morgan snapped her fingers. “Actually, there is a way to find out, outside.”

“You’re thinking what I’m thinking.” Wyatt jumped to his feet and gave her a hand up. “I’ll run to my truck and grab a flashlight.”

Chapter 11

Morgan tiptoed through the grass, following Wyatt along the side of Locke Pointe, to a row of trees separating the yard from the parking lot she shared with the Lilac Inn.

Reaching the tree line, they stood facing the side of the house, gazing up at the half-moon windows, the windows that had been instrumental in helping the couple figure out where the Shifting Sands Medallion was hidden.

“I don’t see any lights.”

Wyatt leaned against the old oak and pulled her into his arms. “I didn’t realize a stakeout could be so romantic.”

A shiver ran down Morgan’s spine as her boyfriend nuzzled her neck, his warm breath tickling her skin. “It isn’t supposed to be,” she laughed.

“Remember the time we camped out up there, waiting to see what would happen?”

“I’ll never forget it.” A small smile played across her lips at the memory. It had been exciting, scary, and romantic, all rolled into one. Looking back, she knew they were close to figuring it out.

The clues had all been there, clues her mother, Laura, and grandparents had left for her to find.

Morgan often wondered if they had ever worried the medallion would remain “lost” forever or if they knew she or someone in the family would put the pieces together and eventually find it.

Although she was shocked to discover she had family and that Easton Island even existed after her mother’s death, Morgan believed in her heart her mother knew her daughter would return to the island after her death to claim her heritage, forge her own destiny and start a new life in a place she deeply loved but no longer felt a part of.

It made Morgan sad to think of how her mother must have longed to return to Easton Island, to visit her parents’ and son’s graves. So many memories. So many loose threads Laura had left for her daughter to untangle.

I love you, Morgan. Laura’s soft voice whispered through the trees.

Wyatt, noticing she’d gone quiet, touched her cheek. “Are you okay?”

She nodded. “I was thinking about Mom and how much I miss her, wondering if there was any doubt in her mind the medallion would eventually be found.”

“You were definitely hot on the trail by the time I jumped in to help. I can’t imagine how hard it must’ve been for her not to want to come back here…to come home,” Wyatt said.

“There was so much bad blood. Still, Mom could have returned to Easton Island, even if it was only to say goodbye.”

“Because it was too painful,” he guessed. “The island took a lot from her.”

“Her son, her parents, her husband,” Morgan said. “Maybe in her mind, having me was all that mattered.”

“I never met her, but I know she would be proud of you…proud of what you’ve accomplished in a short amount of time.” Wyatt motioned to the house. “Look at Locke Pointe. You took the old girl, polished her up and brought her back to life.”

“I hope one day I’ll be able to pass all of this on to my own children.”

“But first, you need a husband.” Wyatt made googly eyes, attempting to lighten the mood. “I’m first in line to volunteer.”

“First and last.” Morgan wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his lips. “I’ve never made out beneath an old oak tree.”