Acquiring Trouble

computer while you w ere here with all of us as witnesses. Yet, you went back time after time and wi th no regard for your safety to get enough evidence to lock David Washington and his goons up for the rest of their lives. When looking at all this, it’s clear you never participated in anything illegal, so why did you do it? Why did you get all this evidence and risk your life to expose these people?” Cole looked at her with astonishment and Morgan knew the ordeal was finally over. She didn’t have to pretend anymore.
    “It was actually quite simple. It was the right thing to do. I never liked causing trouble. I only did it when I was younger to get my father’s attention. When I saw what David was doing —t he pain he was inflicting on others, I just couldn’t stand it. I thought it was my duty to help those people.”
    “That’s very noble of you, Morgan . ” Marcy patted her on her shoulder and then looked at the large group. “Why don’t we all go down to the c afé and have breakfast together ?   We can start talking about ou r future together instead of focusing on the past. Besides, I need to speak with Daisy Mae about something. ”
    Morgan’s stomach rumbled in response and Miles lifted an eyebrow at her. “I think that settles that question. Breakfast first then we’ll tackle correcting the past misconception s and moving forward.” Morgan’s stomach flipped for a whole other reason when Miles squeezed her thigh in support.
     
    Morgan and the group entered th e c afé and found Miss Lily standing in the middle of the room with her broom tilted threateningly at John Wolfe’s portly stature. In fact, the patrons were so engrossed in the scene that they didn’t even notice that the i nfamous Morgan Hamilton had entered .
    “What’s going on?” Morgan whispered to Miles.
    “I don’t know. But it seems riveting. I can’t look away… is she going to hit him or not? Is he going to hit her with his belly and send her flying across the room?”
    Morgan agreed. She couldn’t stop watching as the broom got closer and closer to John’s face.
    “I’m telling you I’m the first one who said we needed to admit we made a mistake about Morgan. That she wasn’t the same pierced and dyed delinquent that she was in high school. And, I’m the one who said maybe she wasn’t as bad in high school as we made her out to be.” Miss Lily leaned threatening closer to John’s red face.
    “If you ain’t lying you ain’t breathin ’! I was the first one to tell them that. It was me who got the scoop on you! I knew the second the mercenaries drove into town. How do you think Dinky and Noodle got there so fast? You beat that , woman!” John leaned down and brought his face near Miss Lily’s.
    “I know she’s working with the FBI and has been this whole time in order to right the wrongs of her company. That she’s riskin ’ her life for justice. Now beat that you old billy goat!” Miss Lily smirked as she poked John in the chest. Her perfectly coiffed hair had fallen slightly on her run from her house to the c afé to spread the gossip she’d had just learned about Morgan.
    Morgan couldn’t take her eyes away the scene. The broom was so close and John and Miss Lily were toe-to- toe. John leaned forward and placed his lips on Miss Lily’s. The patrons gave a collective gasp. Morga n felt her eyes go wide and her chin nearly hit the floor along with everyone else’s.
    “That’ll shut you up , ” John murmured into the shocked silence.
    THWAK! Miss Lily’s broom came down hard over John’s head. Pieces of straw went flying and there was now a big crack along the broom’s handle. Miss Lily spun on one heel, put her nose up in the air , and sauntered out of the café as John smiled after her.
    “Well. Morgan, I do believe you’re no longer a novelty after that display. So, how about breakfast? I do love the steak and eggs , ” Marcy said as she took a s eat at one of the round tables.
    Morgan looked around and almost laughed at what she saw. No one was bothering her. They were all gossiping about John finally making a move on Miss Lily.
    “After all, his wife had died almost ten years ago…”
    “Miss Lily should finally get over that boy.”
    “They bonded over gossip.”
    “Maybe she’ ll finally learn how he finds things out before anyone else. I still think it’s aliens.”
    It was a wonderful feeling to sit down without the whole restaurant looking at her and knowing