The Best Things in Life

by Kate Sweeney

Cara looked at her then. She searched Morgan’s face and sighed.

  Morgan gave her hand a reassuring tug. “You’ll finish that sentence someday.”

  “I’m sorry I can’t say it now.”

  “Don’t you start apologizing.” Morgan placed a light kiss on the back of her hand, then let it go. “Time to put the steaks on. C’mon. It’s getting downright cold.”

  *******

  “You certainly know how to grill a steak,” Cara said. “And these potatoes are delicious. So is the garlic bread.”

  “Thanks. In the summer, I barely use the stove. I’m always grilling something. I’ll even be out there when the snow flies. But not for long.”

  Cara laughed. “My brother, before he moved to San Diego, would be out there in February in a foot of snow.”

  “I can understand that. I hate to admit when I can’t use the grill.” Morgan pushed her empty plate away. “I’m stuffed.”

  “So am I.” Cara held up her hand. “And I will do the dishes. No arguing.”

  “I wasn’t going to. Well, I’d better go pack.”

  Cara cleared the dishes. “I’m already packed. Don’t forget it’s going to be cold.”

  Morgan let out a snort. “Please, you don’t know cold until you’re here in January. Which I hope someday you might be.” She didn’t wait for a response.

  Morgan packed quickly; she didn’t have much. She was looking forward to seeing Chicago and tried to concentrate on that and not Cara. It was hard, though. She constantly thought of her. She took her leather jacket and placed it on her luggage, fighting the urge to kick it across the room.

  The rest of the night was quiet. Cara lay on the couch, reading by the fireplace; Morgan kept the fire blazing. In the back of her mind, she hoped for an early overnight winter snowstorm that canceled all the flights. But what good would that do? Just postpone the inevitable.

  She looked over at Cara, who had fallen asleep with the book lying across her chest. Morgan watched her chest rise and fall with the cadence of her breaths. Her glasses still perched on her nose. She fought the urge to crawl under the blanket that covered her. How creepy would that be, to have Cara wake up with Morgan crawling all over her?

  She stifled a laugh at the mental picture. It was getting late, nearly eleven, and she didn’t want Cara spending the night on a lumpy old couch. She quietly walked up to her; bending down, she took the book off her chest.

  “Cara,” she whispered.

  Cara moaned slightly. Morgan really fought the urge to kiss her.

  “Cara,” she tried again. “C’mon. You need to go to bed.”

  Cara sighed again, her eyes fluttering open. She grinned when she saw Morgan.

  “Hello,” she said in a husky voice that went right to Morgan’s hoo-ha.

  “Hi. It’s time to go to bed. It’s late.”

  “What time is it?” Cara stretched.

  “Eleven.”

  “Oh. I was dreaming.”

  Morgan sat on the edge of the couch; Cara moved to give her room.

  “What about?”

  “I can’t remember. I was running, though, and there was a field of yellow flowers, like daffodils or dandelions.”

  “Were you running from something or to something?”

  Cara thought about it. “I’m not sure. That’s a good question.”

  Morgan reached down, gently moving a wayward strand of hair off her forehead. “Well, I won’t lie. I hope you’re running toward something or someone. And I hope it’s me.”

  She couldn’t help it, she bent down, lightly placing a kiss against her lips, and pulled back quickly.

  “C’mon, sleepyhead. Get into bed. I know my parents will be here wanting breakfast.”

  Morgan helped Cara disentangle herself from the blanket. She offered her hand to Cara. When they stood close to each other, Morgan quickly stepped back.

  “I’m sorry. I’m not this strong, and I admit it.”

  Cara followed her down the hall.

  “Good night,” Morgan said.

  “Good night, Morgan.” Cara walked into her room and smiled at Morgan as she closed the door.

  Morgan stood there for a moment looking at the door, hoping it would open but knowing it would not.

  “Shit,” she mumbled and headed to her room.

  Chapter 16

  Morgan put the coffee on the stove. Her mother had called; she was bringing over something for breakfast. As if on cue, she walked in the back door.

  “Good morning,” Betty said.

  “Hi, Mom. Where’s Pop?”

  “He forgot to tell you, Barry called. He’s waiting on a delivery. So, your father is going to take Andy and Paul to show them.”

  “Oh, okay.”

  “Where’s Cara?”

  “She’s in the shower.”

  “How are you this morning? Good, you preheated the oven.” Betty placed the dish in the oven. “Frittata for breakfast. Ah, there she is. Good morning.”

  “Good morning.” Cara walked into the open arms.

  “You two all set?”

  “Yep.” Cara took a deep breath. “We need to get to the airport by eleven. Where’s Chuck?”

  Betty explained. “So, we have plenty of time.” Betty retrieved the coffee cups from the cabinet.

  Morgan poured the coffee, glancing at her mother, who smiled sweetly—too sweetly.

  “So, are you all packed?” Betty asked.

  “All packed. Evidently, there’s a cold snap in Chicago.”

  “Snow?”

  “Oh, no, just cold,” Cara said, stirring her coffee.

  “Well, at least you’re going on vacation. Someplace warm?” Betty asked.

  “Yes, Cabo.”

  “Mexico? That sounds heavenly.”

  “Mom, how long for that thing in the oven?”

  “Five more minutes, it just needs warming up.”

  Five minutes seemed like a lifetime to Morgan. They all sat in awkward silence. Finally, Morgan jumped up at the five-minute mark.

  Now everyone ate in silence. Morgan could tell this was killing her mother. But whenever she opened her mouth, Morgan glared.

  “That frittata was delicious, Betty.”

  “Is that what it’s called?” Morgan asked.

  “I just told you that,” Betty said. “You never listen to me.”

  “You’re right, but it is good.”

  “Sal gave me the recipe. It is yummy. One gets tired of bacon and eggs all the time.”

  Morgan looked at her, then burst into laughter. “Mom, you have a wonderful sense of humor.”

  “Your arteries could use a break, Morgan.”

  “Well, it’s time we head out.” Morgan looked at her watch.

  “I’m not going with you,” Betty said. “I’ll stay here and clean up and make sure the house is all locked up. You can leave the car at the airport, Chuck and Andy will pick it up later.”

  Betty hugged them both at the front door. “Now you behave yourself, Morgan, and do whatever Cara tells you.”

  “Yes, Mother.”

  “And, Cara, take care of this idiot.”

  “I will. To say it’s been nice is an understatement.”

  Betty pulled her into another hug. “I know. I’m so glad I met you. I hope someday you’ll come back for a long visit. Please take care of Morgan.”

  Cara sniffed and nodded. She pulled back, wiping her cheeks.

  “I’ll call you from the hotel. I love you.” Morgan gently pulled her mother away.

  “I love you too. Both of you. Have a safe flight.”

  Morgan kissed her one more time, then they walked out the door.

  As they pulled away, Betty waved. So did Morgan and Cara.

  “Can you imagine if I were going away for a week?” Morgan continued to wave as she drove out of sight.

  “Who are you kidding? You miss her already.”

  Morgan laughed. “I do.”

  “I do too.”

  The drive
was quiet for a few minutes. Cara stole a side glance every now and then as Morgan concentrated on the road.

  “I really like your parents,” Cara said, breaking the ice. “I’m going to miss them.”

  Morgan smiled. “They like you too. I’m sure my mother will be calling you from time to time. I don’t think she’ll let what happened with your father happen with you.”

  “Would you call me?”

  “Yes, I would. I might even come to visit.”

  “I would love to see your folks again.”

  “Just my folks?”

  “No, not just your parents.” Cara wanted to reach over and have some contact with Morgan, but she did not.

  She sounded thoughtful but with a quiet dismissive tone, as if she didn’t want to bother Cara with the details. Suddenly, Morgan seemed distant.

  Cara couldn’t stand the silence any longer. “Did you really learn how to fly when you were fourteen?”

  Morgan chuckled. “Nice topic change. Yes, I did. Actually, it was my uncle who first let me take the controls. Pop was steaming mad, but when he saw how much I loved it, he calmed down. I went up with them as often as I could after that. My father taught me how to fly after that. Then, as you know, I took over the business.”

  “I hope Paul works out,” Cara said.

  “I’m sure he will. He’s really a good guy. I’m glad things are getting better between him and Pete. That kid will have enough problems in school.”

  “How are the teachers? Do you think they’ll be able to help him?”

  “I think so. Kabetogama is small, but the teachers are like teachers anywhere. They care about the kids. Pete might be above the other kids, but I think he’ll be fine.”

  “I hope so. To be that young and be so much more advanced might be hard.” Cara watched the scenery fly by. “You know, I just thought of something. I don’t think I ever thanked you for helping Marcie and her friend. They were lucky you came along.”

  “No need to thank me. They wandered off and didn’t know where they were going. The paths are clearly marked, but every now and then, you get an adventurous soul. It happens,” Morgan said logically. “So, they’re friends of yours.”

  Cara chuckled. “I know Marcie. She and I were…”

  “Ah, I see.”

  Cara looked at her. “What’s the smirk for? What do you see?”

  “I didn’t mean anything. You had a relationship with her?”

  “If you want to call it that. We dated for a while. She’s the rugged type, like you.”

  “Is that how you see me?” Morgan smiled and watched the road. “I suppose that’s right. And you’re not attracted to the rugged type?”

  “No, no. I…” Cara didn’t know how to get out of this one. “I guess I’m a city girl.”

  “And that’s where you’re comfortable?” Morgan asked quietly.

  “I-I think so. Yes, yes, it is.” One yes would have been fine.

  “Hmm.”

  “Stop grunting.”

  “Did I grunt? Sorry. Anyway, I’m glad I was there and could help.”

  “So, that was like the other day with those guests who got lost?” Cara was very grateful for the change of topic.

  “Exactly. Like I said, it happens. When you’re not used to the lake or the weather.”

  Cara watched Morgan as she drove. When she glanced at her, Cara did not look away; she kept watching her.

  “Do I have some frittata on my face?”

  Cara laughed then. “No. I was just thinking.”

  “About me?”

  “Yes, if you must know. About you.”

  Morgan grinned, watching the road. “If I were a teenager, I’d tell you to take a picture, it lasts longer. And if I wasn’t driving, I’d be staring at you. So, we’re even. And you’re not wearing your work clothes. Sorry we don’t have a dry cleaner in town.”

  “A dry cleaner? I didn’t even see a McDonald’s or a Starbucks.”

  “Are you a Starbucks snob? And do you dress comfortably in Chicago, or are you always in business attire?”

  “What kind of question is that? Of course I dress comfortably. Are you trying to piss me off?”

  Morgan laughed then. “No, I’m not very good at small talk.”

  Cara shot an angry look. Is she making fun of me? Cara suddenly noticed the lines of pain etched in her face.

  “Morgan, are you all right? I totally forgot about your ribs. I remember when I first got here, your mother said you were supposed to take it easy. In the past ten days, you really haven’t.”

  “I’m fine. And the doc gave me the release but just wanted me to stay one more day. I got restless, I suppose.”

  “And nobody tells you what do to?” Cara asked.

  “Only my mother.”

  Cara laughed then, and Morgan joined her.

  “She once threatened me with death when I tried to help a moose calf that was struggling. It was caught in wire some jackass threw on the shore. I didn’t listen to her and was nearly killed by its mother, who charged me just as I got the wire off the calf’s leg.”

  “I should have put that in the article. Are you kidding?”

  Morgan gave her a curious look. “Why would I kid about that? Of course, I’m serious. I didn’t listen and nearly paid for it. As it was, I nearly soiled myself.”

  Cara laughed at the mental picture.

  “You laugh, but have you ever seen a moose up close?”

  “Only Bullwinkle on Saturday morning cartoons. I give you credit for doing that. I’m not sure I’d have the guts.”

  “I don’t blame the mother, poor thing.”

  Cara shot an incredulous look at Morgan. “Poor thing? A moose almost kills you and you say poor thing?”

  Morgan blinked in confusion. “It’s their woods. They’ve been there longer than we have. It’s their home. If you were in someone’s bathroom, would you open up the medicine cabinet?”

  Cara thought for a moment and guiltily thought—yes.

  Morgan saw the look and laughed heartily. “You would, wouldn’t you?”

  “No, I would not!” Cara insisted, angry with herself more than Morgan, who continued to laugh, but she chose to stay angry with Morgan.

  “Oh, yes, you would, and you would deserve to have the entire shelf come crashing down on your head.” Morgan laughed and held her side.

  Cara seethed as she watched the road. “Make your point,” she said through clenched teeth.

  Morgan sobered and cleared her throat. “My point is that as humans, we respect another’s home and belongings, well, some of us. Why wouldn’t you give an animal the same respect? The wilderness is their home. Between Canada and the US, I think they’ve done enough to displace and literally murder enough wildlife and Native American nations to last a lifetime. We can co-exist. We don’t have to keep destroying,” she said in a tired voice and put her head back. “And being nosy.”

  “Good, we’re at the airport.”

  Morgan laughed and parked the car. As they walked to the terminal, Cara saw the pilot from the week before.

  Within a few minutes, they were aboard the jet and in the sky. Morgan seemed impressed.

  “I wonder if I could get this leather seat in my plane.”

  The flight seemed over before they even got comfortable. And the weather wasn’t as bad as Cara thought. When they landed at O’Hare, Morgan’s eyes widened.

  “This is huge.”

  “I know. So, stick close to me. I don’t want to lose you.”

  “You don’t?”

  “Morgan…” Cara stopped. “Just stay close.”

  She weaved in and out of the crowd of passengers. Morgan walked next to her, trying to keep up while holding her luggage.

  “I see why you have the rolly thing,” Morgan motioned to her luggage.

  “Yes. It’s better than lugging it around. Here we are.”

  They walked through the sliding doors. Cara hailed a cab, grabbed Morgan’s arm, and they were o
ff.

  “Wow,” Morgan said, gazing out the cab window.

  Cara concentrated on her phone. She didn’t need to look to know Morgan was amazed by the size of Chicago.

  “That’s a big lake. So this is Chicago, huh?” Morgan asked absently.

  “Yep. It’s beautiful. But I’m partial.” Cara thumbed through her text messages.

  “Big is a better word. So many buildings.” Morgan sat back. “Bigger than any place I’ve ever been, on land anyway. I’ll give ya that.”

  “Thanks,” Cara said dryly.

  Morgan looked at her and grinned. “You don’t have to get defensive. It’s just an opinion. Chicago is beautiful.”

  Cara leaned away and regarded her. “You certainly know how to irritate all the sudden.”

  Morgan raised an eyebrow. “I’m not trying to irritate. Don’t blame me because you’re worried about seeing your girlfriend.”

  “Don’t start.” Cara narrowed her eyes, watching her smiling face. “I am not worried.”

  “Okay. I’ll be sympathetic. I would be worried if I were you,” she said, hiding her grin.

  “Thank you.” Cara laughed and concentrated on her phone.

  “Good. You’re laughing. You have a nice laugh,” Morgan said, still watching her. “Do you laugh much in Chicago?”

  Cara abruptly stopped laughing. She glanced up to see the cabbie watching them in the rearview mirror. Gratefully, he pulled up in front of the Sentinel; the question went unanswered.

  Cara led the way through the glass doors. She held the door for Morgan, who looked up at the building. She grabbed her arm.

  “Amazing,” Morgan said, letting Cara pull her in.

  “Hi, Debbie,” Cara said to the receptionist.

  “Cara! Hi! We missed you.” Debbie watched Morgan; she looked confused.

  “This is Morgan Gavin,” Cara said.

  Debbie’s mouth dropped. “Really?” She looked from Morgan to Cara. “I—”

  “Thought I was a man.” Morgan shook her hand.

  Debbie laughed nervously. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Is Linda in?” Cara snapped her fingers at Debbie, who stared at Morgan.

  “What? Oh, yeah. She’s in her office waiting for you.”

  “Thanks.” Cara gave Debbie a stern look.

  “Can I leave my bag here?” Morgan asked Debbie.

  “What?” Debbie shook her head; her face turned bright crimson. “Oh, sure.”