Until that morning when her life suddenly changed.
Ashley Raines held her while she cried. And then she did what any good Southern mama would do.
She went hard-core.
Morgan wasn’t able to wallow in her misery. Her mama had taken her immediately to the pediatric ward to engage with the children who were fighting their own battles. She became friends with Peter Ward, who had a 50 percent chance of living. She met Alice Monroe, who used to have pretty blond hair and a future in modeling. Her smile was bright and her eyes were fierce as she told Morgan she’d be getting a bone marrow transplant soon and she intended to go back to second grade. And Morgan learned something from those children that changed her path forever over those next few weeks as she dealt with her new life.
She learned she was a fighter. She learned she had a new life, but it was a good life. It held hope and love and endless possibilities, and Morgan decided she wouldn’t squander a second of it. When she caught sight of a mother cradling her child, her womb still wept. But she had carved out a career she adored and led a glittering, big life that kept her engaged and happy. A different path, yes. But her path.
Her throat tightened. The hysterectomy had done its job, and every test for the past ten years had come back clean. But her mama still worried that the ghost of their past would suddenly come surging in and wreak havoc.
“Yes, I checked in with the local doctor, and they sent her my charts. Everything’s good, Mama. Please don’t worry.”
“Of course I’ll worry—it’s my job. But I’ll change the subject because I know you’re capable of handling anything that comes your way. Let’s talk about something fun. Have you met any boys?”
The image of kissing Cal slammed into her mind. The firm texture of his lips. The delicious thrust of his tongue. The spicy, masculine flavor that heated her blood and made her knees weak. It was the most erotic kiss of her life, and she’d panicked because she hadn’t seen it coming. When he pulled away and looked at her in the moonlight, her instinct was to jump back in his arms, drag him to the ground, and engage in carnal, glorious, raw, dirty sex.
Instead, she’d talked about molding and pretended nothing had happened.
Her mama’s laugh tinkled through the speaker. “I do declare, you’re blushing, baby. Who is it? Is he cute?”
She sighed and surrendered. “Yes. He’s hot and grumpy and talented and a pain in the butt. But he’s also off-limits. He’s the builder, Mama.”
Ashley Raines winced. “Oh, my. That could get a bit sticky.”
“I know. We kissed, but it was a onetime thing. He’s probably forgotten about it already.”
Her mama snickered. “He didn’t forget. If you like him, maybe you can make it work.”
“No, I can’t risk the project for a weak moment of lust. He’s professional, so if he pushes, I’ll just let him know it’s better to avoid anything personal. I’ve seen firsthand what a mess combining work and pleasure can be. Explosions on job sites, delays, fights.” She shuddered at the thought of such messiness. “I need to keep things tight.”
“Pity. You could use a delicious affair.”
Morgan laughed. “You’re bad, Mama. Daddy would freak.”
“That’s why we don’t tell Daddy girl things. He still sees you in pink dresses with baby dolls in your hand.”
“I prefer pink hammers now.”
“That’s my girl. Now, I have to tell you before you find out from someone else. Elias Baker is back in town. He’s decided to settle in Charleston.”
Morgan waited for the ache of pain to hit, but there was only a mild poke. Good. She’d finally gotten over the jerk. Her ex-fiancé came from old money and had told her he was madly in love with her. When he found out she couldn’t carry his children, he told her it didn’t matter. She decided to believe him, but a few months before the wedding, he admitted that he couldn’t bear a future without his own children. The gossip had fueled the town for a long while, and Morgan once again struggled to find her way past the humiliation. “Married?” she clipped out.
“Yes.”
“Three point five children?”
“Three with another on the way.”
“Is his wife pretty?”
Her mama cocked her head and considered. “Five out of a ten. She’s an outsider and talks in a horrible accent. Already the Woman’s Design group decided she wouldn’t be a good fit with us. Plus, they bought the old Magnolia mansion, so you know their taste is excruciating.”
“Hmm, they’re wannabes.” The Magnolia mansion had been vacated by a popular reality-star couple who ended up in jail for tax evasion. Their taste ran the gamut of animal prints, Elvis trinkets, and lots of gold. Their home was famous in town for its history, bad taste, and central location. Morgan couldn’t imagine stuffy Elias living there, but maybe his wife had convinced him. Or maybe they’d renovate.
“Did he get fat?”
Her mama sighed. “No. But he’s almost bald.”
Their gazes met and they burst into laughter. “Good enough for me.”
“Just remember, baby, he was never good enough for you. Goodness gracious, he probably wouldn’t have wanted you to work! Can you imagine being stuck doing nothing but charity benefits and hosting dinners for his boring clients?”
“I love you, Mama.”
“Love you, too, baby. Get some sleep. Kiss more boys.”
She blew kisses to the screen and clicked off.