The Best Things in Life

by Kate Sweeney

  “Thanks,” Morgan said. “My entire wardrobe is in that bag.”

  Debbie laughed. “Really?” She looked down. “In that?”

  “Well, maybe I’m exaggerating,” Morgan said. “Just a little.”

  “Oh, that’s all right,” Debbie said, gazing at her.

  Cara looked from one to the other. “Let Linda know we’re here, Debbie.”

  Debbie nodded and picked up the phone. Cara rolled her eyes and led Morgan down the hall.

  “Seems like a nice girl,” Morgan said.

  “Debbie is very nice.” She knocked at the door, then opened it.

  Linda sprang up and walked around her desk. “You made it!”

  Cara laughed. “Yep. Morgan Gavin, this is Linda Adams, the editor of the paper.”

  Linda’s jaw dropped as she took Morgan’s hand. She then chuckled. “Well, you certainly are not a man.”

  “I think Morgan has heard that enough,” Cara said.

  All three women laughed. Linda offered Morgan a chair.

  “So, Mis…”

  “Morgan, please.”

  As Morgan sat in the chair by the desk, Cara noticed her wince slightly.

  “Can I get you anything?”

  “Oh, no, thanks. I’m fine,” Morgan said, waving her off.

  “So, how was the flight?” Linda asked; she took her seat.

  “It was fine, thanks. I didn’t realize how big Chicago was.”

  “You’ve never been to Chicago?”

  “No. I’ve been to Moose Jaw many times.”

  “Moose Jaw?” Linda asked.

  “It’s in Canada. They have a huge moose at the tourist office.” Morgan laughed, seemingly not caring who else did. “Mac the Moose.”

  Cara sat next to Morgan. “Mac?”

  “Yep. I have no idea why. For the tourists, I imagine.”

  “Well, I wanted first to say thank you, Morgan. You came to the rescue of our employee and probably saved her life.”

  Morgan looked uncomfortable for a moment. “It happens more than you think, especially when you get off the path. I’m glad no one was hurt.”

  Cara and Linda listened as Morgan retold the story of the rescue.

  “That’s amazing.” Linda put on her glasses; she then picked up a few papers. “Well, I’m very grateful, and the city of Chicago would like to show its thanks, as well. We’ve got you booked at the Drake Hotel.” She smiled eagerly and looked up.

  Morgan seemed unaffected. “Cara mentioned something about it. Thanks.”

  “The Drake,” Linda repeated, glancing at Cara, who rolled her eyes.

  “O-okay. Thank you,” Morgan repeated. She looked at Cara and chuckled. “Oh, right. Is it that fancy?”

  Cara reached over and touched her forearm. “Yes, it’s that fancy.” For a moment, she ran her fingers along the smooth leather of Morgan’s jacket. “What is this?”

  Morgan looked down at her arm. “Moose hide. And no, I did not tan the hide myself.”

  “We just had a discussion about co-existing, and you kill a moose for its hide?” Cara asked. Upon hearing Linda cough, she knew she had created a faux pas.

  Morgan offered an indulgent, if not dismissive, smile. “No, Cara. The Cree tribe in Kabetogama hunt for life, not for sport. They use every part of the animal, including the hide. When the weather drops, well, off the charts, it provides unbelievable warmth. This was a gift, but they do sell the coats.” She held up her arm. “And several other items. The money goes to their local school. And the meat from one moose…Well, you’ve seen the size of a moose.” She cocked her head. “You do know what a moose looks like, don’t you?”

  Cara ignored the snorting laugh from Linda. “Yes, I do know what a moose looks like. Why didn’t you tell me this before? For the article?”

  “It never came up. And the article was wonderful. You had plenty.”

  “I’ve seen a moose up close,” Linda offered.

  Morgan nodded and leaned into her. “But do you know the difference from an elk and a caribou?”

  When Cara didn’t answer right away, Morgan continued, “The main difference? Santa Claus uses the caribou.”

  Linda laughed. Cara smiled grudgingly. “Thank you. I had no idea.”

  “Not a problem. You can tell that at one of your cocktail parties with my compliments.”

  “Well, now that we’re all up to grade on moose and caribou, why don’t you take Morgan to the Drake and get her settled in? Tomorrow we can talk about the rest of the week.”

  “That sounds fine. Thank you.” Morgan stood and offered her hand.

  Linda turned to Cara. “How about dinner?”

  Cara avoided Morgan’s curious look. “I’d love to, but…” She looked at Morgan. “I have to call Kim and—”

  “I called Kim earlier and explained. She said she already spoke with you.”

  “Yes, I haven’t called her yet today.”

  Linda waved her off. “She said to call her, but she understood.”

  “Look, I don’t want anyone to change their plans. I’m sure this hotel has a restaurant,” Morgan said.

  “One of the best in Chicago,” Linda said. “But—”

  Morgan held up her hand. “No, no. I’ll be fine. I’ll have dinner and check out the sights.”

  “Morgan, you’ve never been to Chicago,” Cara said.

  Morgan reached into her pocket. She pulled out a small black object and opened it. “Got a compass. You can never get lost if you have a compass. So, you just get me to the hotel. I don’t need a babysitter. And you go see your girlfriend. I’m sure you want to see her.”

  Cara’s jaw dropped. “You don’t want to have dinner with me?”

  “Cara, I’m sure Kim wants to see you. I’ll just be in the way.”

  Linda opened her mouth to argue but stopped when someone knocked at the door. Cara was stunned to see Kim.

  “Kim!” Cara said, glancing at Morgan.

  Morgan grinned slightly and cocked her head.

  Kim walked into the office, right up to Cara. “You’re back.” She pulled Cara into a hug, ignoring everyone else in the room.

  Cara pulled back, stepping away from Kim. “What are you doing here?”

  “I talked to Linda, she said you’d be here. I just wanted to let you know we’re going to Orchestra Hall tonight. I have a review to do. And in case I didn’t see you until later, I made our reservations for Cabo. We leave tomorrow at noon.”

  “Oh, fine.” Cara avoided Morgan completely.

  “Linda, hello,” Kim said to her.

  “Hi, Kim,” Linda said dryly.

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Cara said. “This, this is Morgan Gavin.”

  Kim continued to smile, offering her hand. “How do you do?”

  “I do just fine, thanks. It’s nice to meet you. Sorry for any inconvenience. It’s completely my fault.”

  “No damage done.” Kim let go of her hand.

  “Good, we were just talking about you.”

  Kim looked at Cara. “You were?”

  “Yes. I was just telling Cara she didn’t have to change her plans tonight. I’ll be just fine.”

  “Well, that’s nice of you. Do you know your way around Chicago? Where are you staying?”

  “They got me at…” Morgan stopped and looked at Linda.

  “The Drake,” Linda said.

  “The Drake? The Chicago Sentinel has that kind of money?” Kim said to Linda.

  Linda smiled thinly. “We had to sell off a few employees.”

  Morgan laughed then. “Well, now I feel bad.”

  “It’s okay.” Linda laughed, as well. “They were close to retirement.”

  Both continued the playful banter. Cara watched Kim, who watched Morgan.

  “Well, if someone would just point me in the right direction…” Morgan held up the compass, laughing along with Linda.

  Kim let out a laugh. “What is that?”

  “It’s a compass,” Cara said to her. />
  “What for?” Kim asked, still laughing.

  Morgan regarded Kim. “For finding one’s direction. On land, not life.”

  Kim’s right eye twitched. “A philosopher.”

  “I’ll take you to the hotel,” Cara said quickly. She turned to Kim. “I guess I’ll see you around seven.”

  “All right,” Kim said. “It was nice to meet you, Miss Garrett.”

  “Gavin,” Cara corrected her.

  “Oh, sorry.”

  “No problem,” Morgan said affably.

  Kim turned to Cara. She leaned in and kissed her lightly on the lips. “See you at seven.”

  Then she was gone.

  Morgan glanced at Cara, then shook Linda’s hand. “I’ll see you in the morning?”

  “Why don’t I meet you in the hotel restaurant for breakfast, say nine?”

  “Sure. Thanks again,” Morgan said.

  Cara followed her out of Linda’s office; they stopped when Morgan retrieved her bag.

  Chapter 17

  Thankfully for Cara, the short cab ride to the Drake gave them little time for conversation.

  Morgan exited the cab and looked up. “Wow. This is amazing! This looks expensive.”

  Cara paid the cabbie. “It is. I’ve never been in this hotel, and I’ve lived here all my life.”

  Morgan seemed stunned. “I don’t need something like this.”

  “Don’t worry. The city is paying for it.”

  “Which means the people are paying for it,” Morgan said.

  Cara cocked her head. “A political statement? Normally, I’d agree with you completely. But you’ve done something good for its citizens, so they’d like to show their appreciation.” She was surprised to see the blush invade Morgan’s face. In a moment, she realized she was staring. “Uh, okay. Let’s get you checked in.”

  They walked through the revolving door with Cara in the lead. When she stopped by the reservation desk, she felt Morgan bump into her.

  “Oh, sorry.” Morgan let out a self-deprecating laugh. “I wasn’t looking.”

  Cara laughed. “That’s okay, I understand. Very swanky.” She looked around, as well.

  When Cara checked Morgan in, the young woman smiled and nodded. “We’ve been expecting you,” she said to Morgan. The surprised look on her face was unmistakable.

  Morgan seemed very uncomfortable and completely out of place. Again, Cara caught herself staring. This was not the confident pilot she had seen in the past ten days.

  “We thought…” She laughed quietly while tapping on the computer keyboard.

  “I know. You thought I was a man,” Morgan said to her.

  The woman laughed. “Yes. When they told us what you did and frankly your name.” She slipped the keycard into the envelope. “That’s what you get for assuming. We’re very happy to have you stay at the Drake, Miss Gavin. If you need anything at all, you just ask for me. Cindy Nelson.” She looked at Cara. “Whatever Miss Gavin purchases in the hotel will be billed to the city, is that correct?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  “There’s nothing I would buy—”

  Cindy smiled. “You have to eat. If you decided to dine here at the hotel and if you’d like to visit the gift shop, you’re more than welcome.”

  “Thanks,” Morgan said, scratching the back of her neck.

  Cindy handed Morgan the keycard envelope. “We gave you the Lake View Room and a special rate. I took the liberty of making sure there was a bathrobe for you to keep. Compliments of the hotel. I hope you enjoy your stay at the Drake.”

  “I don’t know how I wouldn’t,” Morgan said.

  Cindy beckoned one of the bellmen. He hurried over and picked up Morgan’s bag.

  “I got it,” Morgan said quickly, reaching for the bag.

  Cara stopped her. “He’ll take it up to your room.”

  “There’s no need for that,” Morgan said. “I think I can manage it.”

  “Let him do his job,” Cara whispered.

  “Oh.” Morgan laughed. “Sorry, pal.”

  The bellman laughed and led the way to the elevator.

  “I feel stupid, him carrying my bag,” Morgan said quietly.

  Cara raised an eyebrow. “He won’t need a cart, that’s for sure.”

  Morgan stepped into the elevator, still looking slightly stunned. Cara found it endearing; she glanced at Morgan, who looked around the elevator. This was a different person than the one in Kabetogama, Minnesota.

  “Please tell me you’ve been in an elevator before,” Cara said, watching her.

  Morgan hid her grin. “Oh, sure. I told you I was in Minneapolis. When we got bored, we went on elevator rides.”

  Cara heard the bellman snort his laughter. Cara chuckled, as well.

  “Okay, I deserved that one.” She felt her heart skip when a wide grin spread across Morgan’s face. She looked away, concentrating on the floor numbers rising.

  Gratefully, the elevator doors opened. They followed the bellman to the room. Morgan tentatively walked in. Cara smiled at the perpetual stunned look. Though, she had to admit, the room was huge; it took her by surprise, as well. The spectacular view of Lake Michigan gave the room an almost tropical feel to it.

  “Are you sure this isn’t too much?” Morgan said to her. “I mean—”

  Cara put her hand on Morgan’s shoulder, quelling the urge to run her hand up and down the smooth leather. “Don’t worry,” she said, taking her hand away.

  “If you’d like…?” The bellman showed them the small refrigerator and mini-bar. Cara noticed while he was explaining, Morgan had walked over to the window; she smiled while gazing out at the lake.

  The poor bellman stopped and looked from Morgan to Cara, who chuckled. “It’s okay. I got it. Thanks.”

  Once he walked out, Morgan turned back. “Oh, I didn’t give him a tip.”

  “It’s all right,” Cara said. “I think he’ll understand. Well…it looks like you’re all settled in.” She watched Morgan, who peeked into the bathroom.

  She followed, looking over her shoulder. Morgan shook her head. “That’s as big as my kitchen.”

  Cara laughed. “There’s enough room in that tub for two.”

  Morgan turned around and smiled. She said nothing, which unnerved Cara.

  “So, there’s your plush bathrobe. And well, I think you can navigate the bathroom.” She noticed a grimace of pain flash across Morgan’s face.

  “Are you sure you’re all right? I don’t want to sound like your mother.”

  Morgan smiled. “Please don’t bring my mom into this. I’m just tired.”

  “If something happens, you call the front desk, and don’t worry about the cost.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Again, Cara’s heart fluttered; she was sure she had arrhythmia. She glanced at her watch. “I should be going.”

  “Oh, right. Well, thanks for this.” Morgan swept her hand across the room. “It’s too much, but thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. I…”

  Morgan cocked her head, waiting for her to continue.

  “I should be going.”

  “You said that.”

  “Yes. Well…” Cara backed away. “I think you’ve got everything you need. If you need anything…”

  “I’ll call Cindy?” Morgan grinned slightly. “I wouldn’t want to bother you or Kim.”

  Cara narrowed her eyes. “Thank you.”

  “Will I see you tomorrow?”

  “I-I don’t know. I made a deal with Linda. This was my last assignment before vacation. So…”

  “Okay. I hate to say goodbye like this.” Morgan stepped closer. “I don’t want…” She stopped and chuckled. “You have things to do. I can’t tell you how much this means to me. You’ve put Lake Kabetogama on the map. So, if I don’t see you tomorrow, I understand.” She leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

  Cara closed her eyes and probably did the wrong thing. She turned her face and kissed Morgan squar
e on the lips.

  When Morgan wrapped her arms around her, Cara pulled back.

  “This—”

  “I know,” Morgan whispered. “You’d better go. I hope I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Cara nodded and backed away. “I’ll make sure I see you. Morgan, there’s so much…” She stopped and took a deep breath. “I’ll see you in the morning. Call me if you need anything. Or call Linda.”

  “Okay. Have a good night. Go home and pack.”

  It was the way Morgan looked at her that was unnerving. Cara suddenly felt claustrophobic. “What?”

  “I said have a good night and go home and pack. Where are you going again?”

  “Oh, um…Cabo. That’s—”

  “In Mexico.” Morgan continued to smile. “I was

  homeschooled, but I can read and everything.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Morgan held up her hand. “It’s okay. I’m just giving you a hard time. Trying to keep it light because I don’t want you to go. But you need to. Thanks for everything.” She held out her hand.

  Cara took the offering. “You’re welcome. I’m very glad you could come to Chicago. I hope you have a good time. This adventure really has changed my life, Morgan. I mean that.”

  Morgan gently held her hand. “I think you do mean that. Thank you,” she said quietly. “Have a nice vacation. After ten days up north, you deserve it.”

  Cara backed up, and as fate would have it, she bumped into the door. She opened the door. “Well, again. I hope you have a wonderful time here. Linda will see that you have everything you need. She’ll be with you while you’re here. And she’ll take you to the airport. Oh, she has your ticket.”

  “Okay,” Morgan said quietly.

  “Good. Then you’re all set. Have a great time. Please tell Betty I had a wonderful time.”

  “I will.”

  “Good night.”

  As she turned to go, Morgan gently held her hand. Cara’s heart skipped a beat or ten.

  “Just one more thing. I really enjoyed the past ten days with you and the time we had. You’re a good person, Cara. And it’s possible I’m never going to see you again after this.”

  Morgan pulled her into her arms so tight, Cara could barely breathe. After the scorching kiss, she couldn’t. Stunned for a moment, Cara leaned into Morgan, then just as quickly, she pulled away. Her legs felt like lead.