“Clam and corn chowder with bacon,” he announced.
“Mmm. It looks delicious,” Morgan raved as Andre placed the steaming bowl of chowder down in front of her, then did the same with Luke’s serving.
“I have a nice Pinot Gris for you to try.” Andre poured wine into each of their glasses. “Enjoy. I’ll be back in a moment with your entrees.”
Morgan and Luke didn’t waste any time getting started with the soup. Morgan wasn’t surprised at how delicious it tasted. All of the different flavors were melting on her tongue. Conversation flowed easily between herself and Luke as a server came and whisked their plates away and they waited for their entrée. Within minutes Andre returned with a dish that looked so delectable Morgan feared she might be drooling.
“Rosemary braised lamb shanks with garlic mashed potatoes and roasted spring vegetables.” After placing their dishes down, Andre crossed his hands in a prayer-like fashion. “I hope you enjoy what I’ve prepared for you.” He nodded, then quickly vanished, leaving them to enjoy his cuisine.
Morgan and Luke devoured their meal, only stopping to praise Chef Andre’s masterful culinary skills. Morgan could only hope that people felt this way about the food she prepared at Savannah House.
By the time dessert arrived—crème brulee—Morgan was in food overload. Chef Andre prepared food with such elegance and with a deft sensibility about pleasing the palate. After a few bites of the sweet treat, Morgan knew she’d had her full. Even though she’d brought some of her candy along with her in her purse, she couldn’t imagine indulging in it.
“I think we’d better make our way to the theater. The movie starts in a few minutes,” Luke said. Luke stood up and pulled out her chair for her. Andre came back out and they were able to thank him profusely for a stellar dinner. Once again Andre mentioned making a reservation at Savannah House, which both thrilled and frightened Morgan. She would have to make sure her dishes were out of this world if she was going to impress a legendary chef like Andre DeSoto.
Sensing her thoughts, Luke reached out and pulled her close to his side. “He’s going to love your cuisine. And he’ll adore Savannah House. It’s going to be a win-win.”
Luke’s affirmation meant the world to her. To be lifted up by him meant the world to her. He was showing her in every way what kind of partner—husband—he would be. And even though she knew they had a long way to go before they could even speak of such things, she nestled that knowledge deep in her soul. Luke Duvall was a keeper if ever there was one.
She reached out for Luke’s hand and they walked toward the theater hand in hand. This was the first time that Morgan had fully embraced being out with Luke as a couple. In the past she’d always felt a bit uncertain, and since they hadn’t broadcast their status as boyfriend and girlfriend, it had always felt as if they were not official. But tonight felt different. There was no question that they were a romantic item. The way Luke had planned this special evening for her spoke of his devotion and thoughtfulness. He’d said that he loved her—and his actions spoke of the truth in his words.
“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths.” It was Morgan’s favorite passage from Proverbs 3:5-6. Oftentimes she drew on it for strength.
She needed to trust. In the Lord. In Luke. And in herself. The past didn’t need to shape her future. She was worthy of love and a man who adored her. Just because her father had walked away from her mother—and from her—it didn’t mean that she would suffer the same fate with Luke.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of enjoyment. Watching the film in the beautifully restored theater was more enjoyable than Morgan could express with mere words. Experiencing it with Luke made it even more special. By the time Luke drove her home, Morgan was ready to call it a night. So much had transpired tonight. It had been a whirlwind with one surprise after the next.
Luke pressed his lips against hers in a sweet, romantic kiss that felt like a declaration. Morgan kissed him back with equal fervor, wishing this moment could last until the sun rose in the east. Being kissed by Luke made her feel more alive than she’d ever felt before. She was no longer standing in the shadows, afraid to take a chance at love. She was living in the moment and savoring each moment.
“Goodnight, Luke. Thank you for a beautiful evening. I don’t think anyone has made me feel so blessed and cared for in a very long time. Maybe not ever.” She reached up and pressed a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. A million times, thank you.”
“You deserve it, Morgan. And there’s a whole lot more where that came from.” He grinned at her. “Just stick with me, kid. The world has a lot of wonderful things in store for us. This is just the beginning. You simply have to be open to it.”
Morgan shivered at the intensity radiating from Luke’s voice. He sounded so certain, so profound. It was an intoxicating feeling to know that good things were waiting around the corner for them. And Luke was telling her in a subtle way that she needed to be more open to all the possibilities this time. She needed to believe in them. In what they were building with one another.
I love this man. The words buzzed in her ears. As she stood at her front door, the idea of telling Luke how she felt seemed within reach. It was just one heartbeat away. All she had to do was open her mouth and say those three little words to him. I love you.
“Rest well, tonight,” Luke murmured as he backed away from her and turned toward his parked car.
“Goodnight,” she called out, filled with the knowledge that there were other words she hadn’t been able to utter, even though she longed to say them.
The moment had slipped away from her. As she watched Luke drive off into the night she reminded herself of her mother’s favorite saying. “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” Once again, she had chickened out and failed to say what was resting so heavily on her heart.
“I love you, Luke.” She said the words aloud as she watched his headlights disappear in the distance, wishing that she had summoned the courage to say those words to the man himself rather than to the night air. He still didn’t know the extent of her feelings. She still continued to struggle to make the declaration to Luke. And he deserved it. Above all else, he deserved to know that what he felt for her was mirrored in her own heart, her own feelings. Her very own soul.
Somehow she would find a way to say what she needed to say. She wasn’t going to allow herself to be swept under by the same old insecurities and issues. This was a whole new chapter in her life. She wasn’t about to repeat the mistakes of the past.
“We like to think that tomorrow is promised, but it’s not. Live each day like it’s your last. Don’t have regrets. Don’t leave anything unspoken.”
Pearl Lucas
Chapter Seven
The early morning sun slanted through the kitchen windows, providing a cheery glow to Morgan’s kitchen at Savannah House. She loved how the rays of the sun brightened up the room so beautifully. Morgan didn’t consider herself a morning person, although she’d long ago accepted the fact that chefs had to be early risers. After all, breakfast was the most important meal of the day.
“Tell us again about the theater marquee,” Charlotte pleaded. Charlotte, Hope and Olivia had planted themselves in the kitchen in order to grill her about her date night with Luke. Although she’d told them all the major details, her friends kept insisting on hearing her go over the details again and again.
Morgan groaned. She was in the midst of preparing a gigantic fruit bowl that would be placed on the buffet table in the dining room. She wiped her hands with a towel and placed the fruit bowl on the island in the middle of the room. “Again? I can’t believe you guys aren’t sick of hearing this over and over.”
“Because it’s all so terribly romantic,” Hope said in a dreamy voice. “It gives me hope that something special is waiting around the corner for me.”
“I’m sure it is,” Morgan said, giving Hope a quick hug. She turned back toward the platter of scones and muffins she’d baked early this morning. Her sous-chef Henry was at the stove, putting the finishing touches on pancakes and sausage. Morgan had been tip toeing around him all morning long. With his spiky brown hair and dark, over-sized glasses, he looked like an edgy college student rather than a culinary artist.
The sound of him slamming his spatula down on the stove rang out in the kitchen.
“What’s with him?” Olivia whispered. “He seems to be in a foul mood.”
“His girlfriend broke up with him,” Morgan explained in a low voice. “He was really in love with her. She said she didn’t see a future with him.”
“Maybe he should have told her that after she gave him food poisoning with those pork chops,” Charlotte teased.
Olivia and Hope laughed at Charlotte’s comment.
“Shh,” Morgan warned, darting a glance in Henry’s direction. He was in such a funk. It seemed that he was in his own little world at the moment. “If he hears you he might just lose it. He’s really on the edge and I need his help. He’s pretty invaluable.”
“I’m going to head back to the front desk,” Olivia said. “Fancy might need some help. We have a few guests checking out after breakfast and some more guests arriving this afternoon.”
“I might as well scoot too. I’ve got to plan something elaborate for the gardens. Something festive for December,” Hope said. “And I’ve got Ella here with me today. She’s sleeping upstairs at the moment, but I have my trusty monitor here in case she wakes up and cries out for me.” Hope patted the monitor strapped to her hip.
“Need some help?” Charlotte asked as Hope and Olivia left the kitchen.
“It would be great if you could help me bring out some of the dishes. That way Henry can keep making another batch of pancakes while we serve the guests.”
“Sure thing,” Charlotte said. As they began loading up trays and heading into the dining room, Morgan uttered a prayer of thanks for Charlotte’s help. She was still trying to find her groove with providing meals for both breakfast and lunch. Although she’d avoided any disasters up till this point, the pace was hectic. There really was no room for error. Breakfast started at 7:00 sharp and lasted until 9 a.m. For the entire breakfast service, Morgan was on the go, making sure everything was running smoothly and that all the needs of the guests were satisfied. Despite Henry’s current state of mind, he really was a wonderful ally in the kitchen.
Just before nine o’clock, the crowd in the dining room began to thin out, and Morgan thanked Charlotte for her help, setting her free so she could attend to other tasks related to the inn. With her arms full of platters, Morgan turned toward the doorway, stopping in her tracks as a familiar face drew her attention.
No! It couldn’t be! Not here at Savannah House. Preston Sykes. Her childhood nemesis. The relentless bully who had seemed to hate her with every fiber of his being. The boy who had caused her to fear going to school for so many years. The person who had tormented her every time they crossed paths.
A beautiful Asian woman with long dark hair walked beside him. The look etched on her face as she looked up at him was pure adulation. Morgan’s stomach twisted. Their eyes locked, and for a moment she thought Preston recognized her. His features hardened and he was no longer smiling. Bile rose up in her throat. Morgan turned toward the hallway, beating a fast path toward the kitchen. Once she had sequestered herself in the kitchen, Morgan began taking deep breaths.
He can’t hurt you anymore. She repeated the words over and over to herself.
“Are you okay?” Henry gazed at her with a worried expression etched on his face. “You look like how I feel. Like roadkill.”
“I-I’m fine, Henry. I just need to catch my breath and make a phone call.”
“Take your time. I’ll start putting the dishes in the dishwasher.”
Morgan scurried out the back door and into the fresh outdoors. She raised her face to the sky and let the sun rain down on her. She pulled her cellphone from her apron pocket and pressed contacts to bring up Luke’s number at Duvall Investments. She just needed to hear the sound of his voice to convince her that everything was going to be okay.
“Good morning, beautiful. How are you doing this fine morning?” Luke must have seen her cell number pop up on his caller identification.
“Not good.” She was out breath. “H-he’s here. At Savannah House,” Morgan hissed over the line.
“Who’s there? What’s going on?” Luke asked. His voice sounded as confused as she felt.
“Preston Sykes. My childhood nemesis. The one who tormented me through grade school,” she explained.
“You’ve got to be kidding me! I thought he moved away years ago.”
“Trust me. I wouldn’t kid about something like this.”
Luke let out a growl. “I’ll be right there to toss him out on his ear!”
“You can’t do that, no matter how much I might want you to.”
“You shouldn’t have to deal with that punk in your own place of business.”
“I don’t know if he recognized me or not. I think he’s here with his wife.”
Luke snorted. “Someone married that joker?”
Morgan felt a giggle building up inside her, but it never came out. Her nerves were too on edge to laugh about the situation. All these years later and the sight of Preston still managed to paralyze her. He was the bogey man lying in wait under her bed, the one who’d given her nightmares as a child.
She was different now though, she reminded herself. Stronger. Wiser. Older. She wasn’t alone. All five of her best friends would back her up in a heartbeat if she needed them to do so. And if worst came to worst, she would ask Luke to come down and toss him out of Savannah House on his ear. As a child she’d been at his mercy. Now, she had power. The power to stand up to him. The power to confront him. And most importantly, the power to erase him from her nightmares.
“Baby, do you want me to come down there? I’ll get there as fast as I can.”
Her heart swelled at Luke’s thoughtful offer. Knowing that he wanted to support her in this moment felt incredible. But, although it would be comforting to have Luke at her side, it was important to handle this uncomfortable situation on her own.
“Thank you for having my back, Luke. A few years ago I would have run away from this situation. Truthfully, I would have hid out in the kitchen until he checked out of the inn. But that’s not about to happen. Not now. I’m facing this head-on. This is my resort! And I’m not shrinking away and hiding from anyone.”
“Way to go, Morgan. I’m cheering you on from my office at Duvall Investments. I can’t wait to hear how this plays out.”
“I’ll keep you posted. Thanks again,” she said, feeling certain after speaking with Luke that she now had the strength to deal with crossing paths with Preston.
Morgan didn’t even have to seek out Preston. About an hour later she was walking by the parlor when he came striding toward her. He darted a quick glance in her direction, then approached her with halting steps. He narrowed his gaze at her, as if he wasn’t quite certain of her identity.
After a few seconds, recognition flared in his eyes. “Morgan? Morgan Lucas? It’s you, isn’t it?”
With his jet black hair and piercing green eyes, Preston had turned into a very attractive man. But Morgan couldn’t help but shiver at the sight of him and the sound of his gravelly voice. Just one look at him sent her spiraling back to the past. He had been cruel and without a shred of mercy. And now, she couldn’t even force words out of her mouth. Why did the past manage to have such a hold on her? It felt as if she was being strangled.
Please, Lord. Give me strength. And courage.
She nodded, eyeing him warily. When they were kids she’d always felt he was Goliath and she was David, although she’d never managed to conquer him the way David had in her favorite Biblical story. But now as adults, they were equal
s. Fear was just a state of mind, something to vanquish.
His features tightened. “I guess you remember what a jerk I used to be.”
Anger exploded inside her. “A person doesn’t forget that type of bullying. You targeted me at a time in my life when I was really vulnerable. I couldn’t fight back. I didn’t even know how, or why you held such animosity toward me. You made me afraid. That’s a terrible thing, Preston.”
He shook his head. “You’re right. I was a shameless bully. And a bigot to boot. I said and did things to you that make me shudder with shame. I have no right to ask for your forgiveness, but I’ve come a long way since then. And those things I did…it’s not any justification, but I was taught those things.”
“You’re right. It justifies nothing!” she snapped. She wasn’t going to give Preston a pass. A person could be remorseful for their actions, but it didn’t null and void them. His actions had gravely wounded her.
They locked gazes. “I’d like to ask for your forgiveness, Morgan, but I truly understand if you can’t grant it.”
She let out a ragged sigh. All of these pent-up feelings toward him went back almost two decades. “Being sorry doesn’t erase my pain. As for forgiving you, I’ll have to pray on that. I don’t owe you forgiveness. If I do find a way to do so, it will be for myself, Preston, so I can put those awful memories to rest. I don’t like this feeling of being chained down by things that happened to me. It’s not who I am or who I want to be.”
He jerked his head up and down. “I understand,” he said. “I’m here with my wife, Amanda. We live in Charleston now. She booked this getaway for us. If you’d rather we leave, I’ll do so.” He shoved his pants in his pockets and looked down at the floorboards. “I haven’t told her about my past, but I plan to tell her everything tonight. She might not view me the same once she hears about it, but at least I’ll get it off my chest.”
“It’s not necessary to check out of Savannah House, Preston. You’re a guest and I’m one of the proprietors. Let’s both keep it professional.” She took a deep breath. “And if you decide to tell Amanda about who you used to be, please don’t do it on my account. It really doesn’t have anything to do with me.”
For Love Alone (Secrets of Savannah Book 4) Page 10
