Part 12 (1/2)
”Just about.”
Morgana folded her hands on her belly. ”I take it you two know each other?”
”Sure we do. Boone and I met at a writers' conference. It has to be ten years ago, doesn't it? I haven't seen you since-” Since Alice's funeral, Nash remembered abruptly. And he remembered, too, the devastation, the despair and the disbelief in
Boone's eyes as he'd stood beside his wife's grave. ”How are you?”
”Okay.” Understanding, Boone smiled. ”We're okay.”
”Good.” Nash put a hand on Boone's shoulder and squeezed before he turned to Jessie. ”And you're Jessica.”
”Uh-huh.” She beamed up at him, always interested in meeting someone new. ”Who are you?”
”I'm Nash.” He crossed to her, crouched down. Except for the eyes, eyes that were all Boone, she was the image of Alice. Bright, pretty, pixielike. He offered her a formal handshake. ”It's nice to meet you.”
She giggled and shook his hand. ”Did you put the babies into Morgana?”
To his credit, he was speechless only for a moment. ”Guilty.” With a laugh, he picked her up. ”But I'm leaving it up to Ana to get them out.
So, what are the two of you doing in Monterey?”
”We live here now,” Jessie told him. ”Right next door to Ana's house.”
”No kidding?” Nash grinned over at Boone. ”When?”
”A little more than a week. I'd heard you'd moved here, and I figured I'd look you up once we got things together. I didn't realize you were married to my neighbor's cousin.”
”A small and fascinating world, isn't it?” Morgana commented. She tilted her head at Ana, well aware that her cousin hadn't said a word since they'd come into the room. ”Since no one's going to introduce me, I'm Morgana.”
”Sorry,” Nash said, jiggling Jessie on his hip. ”Sit down.”
”I'm perfectly-”
”Sit.” This from Ana as she pulled out a chair.
”Outnumbered.” Sighing, Morgana sat. ”Are you enjoying Monterey?”
”Very much,” Boone told her, and his gaze s.h.i.+fted to Ana. ”More than I antic.i.p.ated.”
”I always enjoy having more than I antic.i.p.ated.” With a light laugh, she patted her belly. ”We'll all have to get together very soon, so you can tell me things Nash doesn't want me to know.”
”I'd be glad to.”
”Babe, you know I'm an open book.” He kissed the top of
Morgana's head and winked at Ana. ”That the stuff Morgana's been waiting for?”
”Yes, all of it.” Anxious to keep her hands busy, Ana turned to the pile of boxes. ”I'll unpack it for you. Morgana, I want you to try out this new violet body lotion before you put it out, and I brought extra of the soapwort shampoo.”
”Good, I'm completely out.” She took the bottle of lotion from Ana and unstopped the bottle. ”Nice scent.” She dabbed a bit on the back of her hand and rubbed it in. ”Good texture.”
”Sweet violets, and the Irish moss Da sent me.” She glanced up from her unpacking. ”Nash, why don't you show Jessie and Boone the shop?”