Acquiring Trouble

ppily by his side as man and dog made their way toward her.
    “How’d you boys do?” Morgan asked.
    “We aced it. Bill is now a registered therapy dog!” Miles beamed.
    “Oh!” Morgan clapped her hands together . “Congratulations!” She leaned forward and gave Miles a kiss before leaning down and scratching Bill behind the ears.
    “And,” Miles continued excitedly , “I saw Dr. Kelly in the hospital when we were doing the testing around medical equipment . H e asked if Bill and I would visit some of the wounded veterans that he treats for PTSD at the hospital next week.”
    Morgan smiled up at Miles and took his hand in hers. “That’s fantastic! I’m so proud of you for taking control of your PTSD. And I’m proud of Bill too. You two will help so many people. Now, let’s celebrate! It’s a good thing your mom foresaw you passing the tests . I heard she even made a special dinner just for Bill.”
    Morgan helped Bill into the ba ck seat of the car as she thought of Mrs. Davies. She and Paige had made a real effort to get to know her over the last couple of months and in return Morgan had begun to feel comfortable with the entire Davies family. She had also gotten to know her own family. Morgan and Pam were close again after all these years apart. She enjoyed hanging out with her brother-in-law and her rambunctious nephews. She loved standing on the sidelines cheering at their soccer matches with Pam while M iles and Jeffery laughed at them in the bleachers .
    “I have a better idea. We don’t need to be at my parents until six, which means we have time for a private celebration . ” Miles pulled her close and she had no doubt what he meant.
     
    *      *      *
     
    Miles watched Morgan as she shimmied her black skinny jeans over her delectable behi nd and slid both straps of her bra over her shoulders . Miles sighed. He hated it when she got dressed again , but there was something so satisfying in being able to see all her little rituals.
    “If you don’t mind, I’d like to take a detour on the way to my parents’ house,” Miles said casually as he slid his fee t into his black leather shoes.
    “Sure. Where are we going?” s he asked as she finished dressing.
    “I just need to check on something. It won’t take too long.”
    “Okay.” Morgan chose shoes from her side of the closest in his newly repaired house and put them on. “I’m ready to go.” She smiled and Miles felt his heart skip a beat. She was beautiful and she was his. He just hoped he didn’t screw it up now.
     
    Morgan rolled down her window and took a deep breath. The smell of fresh ly cut grass and blooming flowers drifted in. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of the breeze blowing her hair.
    S he couldn’t believe she’d been here for f our months already. A part of her felt that time had gone by so fast. The other part felt as if she had never left Keeneston all those years ago. Morgan had taken her term of unemployment well. She’d used the time to become reacquainted with the town and its people. She apologized to those she had hurt and had been fully welcomed back into the fold. Now she just had to tell those that had become so close what her plans were for the future , hoping they’d b e okay with it.
    Morgan opened her eyes as Miles slowed the car. She looked around and saw they were on a dirt road in th e middle of a field full of wildflowers .  There was a herd of cows in a nearby field that Bill barked at happily .
    “Oh, I know where we are. Isn’t this where the infamous water tower is?” Morgan turned in her seat and saw it out the back window.
    “Sure is . You don’t have a paint brush on you, do you?” Miles teased as he got out of the car and walked around to open hers.
    “No. I’ve learned my lesson. I’m walking the straight and narrow from now on!” Morgan giggled as Bill bounded around in the ankle - high grass and into a patch of wildflowers taller than him . “Now, why are we here ?”
    “I thought we could take a short walk before we enter the craziness of my mom’s house. Besides, when we get to M om’s I’ll have to leave you for my girl,” Miles laced his fingers through hers and brought them up to his lips for a kiss as his eye twinkled with mischief.
    Morgan laughed as she leaned against him. Little Sophie had Miles wrapped a round her chubby finger. They started off through the field keeping a wide berth around the notorious water tower that now read