Around the World in 80 Men Boxed Set 31-35 (53 page)

“
Who
are you happy for?” Morgan opened the door to find Markus
leaning against the door frame. Her hand went to her chest as she
tried to calm her heart.

“
Are
you trying to kill me? Don't do that!” He dodged her smack, and
both of them managed to bring a large smile to the owner's face.

“
Morgan,
this is my grandfather. Farfar, this is Morgan.” Markus
explained that his name was, Ivan, but she could also call him
grandpa.

Ivan's
face was kind, and his white hair was worn long and touched the top
of the shoulders to his suit. It was styled straight back, and she
instantly tried to imagine him as he must have looked years ago. Long
black hair, moving in the wind as he stood on a pier. She smiled,
thinking of Markus, and loved how very much the two men looked alike.

“
Oh!
That's Norwegian for grandpa! It's very nice to meet you.”
Morgan shook the old man's hand, and immediately loved his genuine
smile.
It's been awhile since I've watched blue eyes dance.
She
smiled and had to pull away from the happy shine that twinkled with
every slight move of his gaze. He was tall and thin like Markus, but
the perfectly tailored black suit that he wore gave him a smart look
of someone much larger.

“
I'll
see you at home, lovely Morgan.” She smiled and waved as they
left his store.

“
I
think I'm in love.” Markus shook his head and laughed at the
ability of his grandfather to capture one's heart.

“
Yeah,
he has a way about him.” He understood completely. His
grandfather was the kindest soul he knew, just as his father had
been, and anyone who carried kindness in their own heart could see
it. “Okay, just another thirty minutes and we'll be at the
house.” Morgan settled back in her seat, and prepared her
camera for another few dozen pictures along the way.

The
drive went by quickly, and was spent with Markus explaining more
about his family. His father had died five years prior, and had
worked in the oil industry in the States. He had a business partner,
also his best friend, who started a venture together in Texas to
drill for oil. It was a small operation, and quite a long shot, but
they actually found oil two years later. Unfortunately, his best
friend passed away not weeks before actually striking black gold, and
the dream was only realized by his dad. In typical fashion of the
man, he still gave half of the money to the family of his dead
partner, and set his own family up with a wonderful life.

“
So,
we owe everything we have to my dad.” He stopped the truck and
his hands spanned as much as they could within the confines of the
vehicle. Morgan looked out and realized that he'd stopped at the gate
of a massive property.

“
All
of this? It's... yours?” As far as the eye could see, beyond
the four homes that dotted the first rolling hill in front, was the
most exquisite lake front land that she'd ever seen.

“
Yes,
over a thousand acres. I'll be happy to take you out and show you.”
Morgan nodded as he typed the code into the security box, and watched
the gate slide open. She couldn't wait to see the wildlife that most
likely called his home their own, and the private beach that she
could spend hours upon hours exploring.

“
Looks
like the oil business pays pretty well.” Morgan's laugh filled
the small space between them as he leaned over and gave her a slight
nudge. The truth was, as he explained, the money was only meant to
give the family a fresh start.

“
We
no longer have the business. The well is dry, as my father assumed it
would become. But we're blessed to have enough to live well and
decide what we want out of life.”

“
That's
one hell of a fresh start.” Markus nodded, as he knew how
blessed they had all been. “So,” Morgan's body swayed as
they pulled along the circular driveway, “what would you like
to do with your life?” His grin spread across his face and his
eyes shined with humor just as his grandfather's had.

“
Fish
food.” He looked at Morgan's confusion, and finally parked the
truck. “There are fish hatcheries all across Norway. I'd like
to supply a quality all natural food for them.” Morgan nodded
slowly.

“
Fish
food. That's a great plan, Markus.” She meant her words, and he
actually appeared relieved to hear them. His eyes were so bright that
Morgan had trouble looking into them, yet found that she had just as
much trouble looking away.

“
Dreaming
again, young man? You'll not waste your time on something so
ridiculous! Now get inside and let's get your friend situated.”
The woman had crept to the side of the truck without notice, and
Morgan instantly thought of the old woman as being a ninja who had to
be watched at all times.

“
Of
course, grandmother.” His tone instantly changed, and he
stepped out of the truck and met her on the other side. “We'll
be in shortly. She's staying with me, so there's nothing to bring
inside.” The grandmother wasn't happy, as she'd obviously
anticipated having Morgan in her home. It was, by far, the largest
house on the property. Morgan was uncomfortable, and wished that she
and Markus would just go to his house instead.

“
If
you want your house guest in a shack all week, be my guest. But we'll
at least feed her a proper meal first.” Markus looked to the
ground, then reached for Morgan's hand. Morgan, however, didn't
accept. What she wanted was to go to his home, and stay far away from
the old woman.

“
I'd
prefer to put my things away first, Markus.” There was no way
that Morgan was going to do what the old woman told her to, and that
was Morgan's first mistake.

Chapter
Thirteen

“
Why
are you laughing?” Markus didn't hide his amusement as they
drove to the smallest home behind the rest. It, also, was the only
one made of wood as opposed to the red brick of the other three.

“
Ah,
you're a brave soul, Morgan. We've all learned to just give her what
she wants. It's easier that way.” Morgan understood that the
bitter old woman most likely made their lives miserable when they
defied her. “Don't worry, I'll protect you.” Morgan
giggled loudly at the thought of being protected from his
grandmother, and even managed a smile at the thought of all that
she'd survived through already in her life.

“
I
think I'll be alright.” With that, the two climbed from the
truck and headed to his small lake front home. “This is nice!”
Morgan looked at the wrap around white porch that hugged the light
blue home in a loving embrace. She thought of the trip to North
Carolina when she was a child, and the small homes that dotted the
landscape close to shore. They were considered cottages, and would be
rented by tourists by the week. She and her grandmother couldn't
afford the cost of such a luxury, but they did get to drive through
the small coastal towns and take photos of the beauty they'd found.
Five hundred dollars a week was like a million. I wish I could
have given you the life that you deserved, Gran.

“
What
were you thinking about?” Markus put Morgan's bags down and
opened the front door. She had simply walked beside him and stared
out to the water behind his home. The look on her face showed that
she had mentally been somewhere else.

“
Oh..,”
she smiled and joined him quickly, “I was thinking about a
place and time that was... beautiful.” She instantly recanted
her wish, as she knew that her life with Gran had been perfect, just
the way it was. “Thank you.” She spoke with a quick nod
in his direction, then entered the house.

It
was, she assumed, exactly as she'd pictured the homes in North
Carolina. One main room, a small kitchen in the back, a bathroom, and
two small bedrooms. Yes, she smiled, it was meant to be a beach
cottage, and it was lovely.

“
I
know, it isn't much. Maybe I should take you to the main house
and...,”

“
Don't
you dare! This is wonderful!” Morgan ran to the back of the
house, to the kitchen, and stopped at the large bay window that
consumed most of the wall facing the water. “Oh my gosh....
it's amazing.” The view was the same as the photo posted on his
profile, and Morgan's heart nearly burst with love for nature's raw
beauty. “Is that the dock you were on?” She pointed to
the small pier directly behind his home and Markus nodded. He was
clearly embarrassed, but Morgan didn't notice.

“
If
you look over here,” Markus directed her to the left side of
the kitchen and pointed out to the large two story home in the
distance. “That's where I grew up. It's been renovated, and a
few rooms were added, but it's..”

“
Home.”
Morgan smiled as she finished his sentence, and he did as well.

“
Yes,
home. It was supposed to go to me, but....,”

“
Let
me guess, the grandmother changed everything?” Markus nodded
slowly. “So, if she didn't want you to have the family home,
who lives there?” Markus explained that his mother currently
lived in the house. “My dad wanted my mom to have the big
house, the one that my grandparents currently live in. This cottage,”
he looked around, spanning his hands through the small space, “was
built specifically for my grandparents. Farfar actually helped build
it, it was his dream retirement home. It was, sadly, not enough for
my grandmother.” Everything was beginning to make sense, and
Morgan hated that the family had to live the way one woman dictated
in order to maintain peace.

“
So,
the big house was for your mom. This cottage was for your
grandparents, the family home was to be yours, and that,” she
pointed to the smaller two story beyond the family home, “is
where your sister lives?” Markus nodded, and said that his
younger sister was the only one who ended up where she should have.

“
She
feels guilty for it, but she shouldn't. Then again, she's the only
one that stands up to grandmother.” Morgan smiled and instantly
liked the sister.

Through
her conversation with Markus, and reading things not spoken, Morgan
was fairly convinced that showing respect for one's elders was still
a very important standard in Norway.
Even if they're dead wrong.

“
Well,
my mother has been with grandmother all day, attempting to
prepare....,”

“
Shit!
We forgot the potatoes!” Morgan covered her mouth, and tried
again, “I mean...,”

“
Yeah..
shit.” He took her hand, and laughed as they both tried to come
up with a good excuse for forgetting their task. “Let's go.”
Morgan smiled and followed Markus out of the cottage, but wasn't
looking forward to meeting his mother on a negative note. “It's
alright, she'll understand.” Morgan shook her head and laughed,
because one thing was known amongst all children; never, ever forget
to stop at the store for your mother.

They
walked across the yard to the main house, and Morgan finally had to
ask the burning question. “So.. why is your hair so dark now?
Which color is actually yours?” She giggled as she watched his
face darken a few shades. He laughed as well, and admitted his
secret.

“
My
sister. She wants to be a hair stylist someday.. and I'm her guinea
pig. My hair is this color,” he pointed to his head, “but
that could change any day now.” Morgan giggled, and was happy
to finally know that he was a natural brunette.

“
I
take it that's your sister?” Morgan nodded towards a beautiful
blonde girl, about twenty years old, who just so happened to be
carrying a small bag of red potatoes. Her long thick curls bounced
with every step, and Morgan's heart warmed at how close they
obviously were.

“
Candace!
You saved us!” Markus and Morgan met up with her as they all
began to climb the stairs to the front porch.

“
Here,
it's our secret.” She shoved the bag into his hand and ran up
the stairs. Turning briefly before opening the door, “Morgan,
it's so nice to meet you.” Morgan bowed her head slightly and
smiled at the energy the girl seemed to have.

“
And
it's nice to meet you, Candace.” Morgan took a deep breath and
climbed the rest of the stairs, then straightened her jacket before
entering. The home, as she had already assumed, was absolutely
beautiful.