Rival Hearts by Susan Crawford

Author:Susan Crawford [Crawford, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Susan Crawford

7

Saturday morning, Morgan woke to a delicious scent drifting through the farmhouse. Even though the bed was soft and cozy, sleep had eluded her for most of the night. She’d tossed and turned, thoughts of Slater thrashing about in her head. Last evening, she’d seen a whole other side of him. A side she actually…admired? Could he really be so different than she’d always thought?

She rolled out of bed and moved to the window, hoping like crazy the storm had cleared so she could go home. When she pulled the curtain back, the grass and trees were coated with ice, and the sky was still murky, but the rain and sleet had stopped. Thank the good Lord.

Morgan went into the adjoining bathroom to get dressed, but when she reached for her clothes, they were gone. She’d hung them on the wall hook near the tub, she was certain.

She searched the bathroom and then the bedroom, even though she knew she hadn't left them there. She felt half crazy for a moment. She knew where she’d left them, and they’d disappeared. It was as though she was the target of someone’s joke.

But not just any someone. Slater. Of course he couldn't pass up an opportunity like having her captive in his house. Actually, on second thought, swiping her clothes was probably just the precursor. He’d have something much grander and more embarrassing in the works. He'd been buttering her up and trying to win her trust for these past few weeks just so he could pull something horrible.

Morgan stalked out of the guest room and to the kitchen, ready to give Slater what for.

When she got to the kitchen doorway, it was clear that someone had embarked on a massive baking spree. Mixing bowls, packages of flour and sugar, and all manner of other ingredients littered the counter. Two racks of cookies cooled atop the counter on the other side of the sink. Slater was nowhere in sight, but Bonnie sat at the table with her back to Morgan. Was she sniffling?

Morgan padded in and saw that Bonnie held a photograph of herself and her late husband. She startled when Morgan pulled out the chair beside her. She quickly laid the picture down, swiping a finger beneath one eye and then the other. “Well aren’t you just quiet as a church mouse. Did you sleep well?” Her voice was overly cheery.

Morgan nodded, not sure what else to say.

“Now quit lookin’ at me like I’m fragile.” Bonnie gave a dismissive wave and a grin, and then picked the photo back up and held it toward Morgan. Love and loss mingled in her eyes as she kept her gaze fixed on the man in the picture. “This day is always hard for me. We spent thirty-two Valentine’s Days together, and he always went out of his way to make it special. I just miss him extra hard on February fourteenth.”

Valentine’s Day. Morgan had completely forgotten. “After thirty-two years, I can only imagine.” She glanced at the mayhem on the counters and attempted to lighten the mood.

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