Morgan, The Pixie and the Green Man is finally out! So how about a few pages to get you started?

Chapter 1

“As the sun was beginning to peak over the horizon, Morgan let herself in through the back door of the market. After the trouble with Ian, the shop owners had offered her a position that kept her safely inside. Walking alone still made her nervous, so she was grateful for the offer. Having stored her lunch and jacket in the back room, she checked her reflection in the mirror before beginning her work.

Her black hair was very fine and the least bit of breeze made her look like she’d been through a windstorm. The eyes looking back at her were blue-gray at the moment. Depending on her mood, they changed from a definite gray to bright blue. Before the market opened for the day, they had to ready the displays, dust the shelves, sweep the floor, and make sure the till was ready for business. Grabbing the broom from the closet, she set to work.

The market was owned by a husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Kennoway. In their late fifties, they were open and friendly to friends and customers alike.

“Good morning, Morgan,” she heard Mrs. Kennoway call as she came in through the back. “How is life treating you today?”

With her salt and pepper hair pulled back in a bun, the plump lady with laugh lines and brown eyes dumped all her bags on the table in back with a thump.

“Fine, ma’am,” Moran answered.

“That’s all right then. I worry about you sometimes.”

“I’ll be fine, Mrs. Kennoway. Really, I will.”

“I’m sure you will, but things have been awfully tough on you since you came here.”

“Yes, well, you have to take life as it comes. Don’t worry.”

Mr. Kennoway came in soon after and unlocked the front door, ready for business. He was a portly, jolly man, with gray hair, bright blue eyes, and an easy laugh.

Their daily customers were soon arriving to buy morning snacks, with mothers shopping for fruit and vegetables for dinner, and an odd assortment of other folks browsing for something different from their usual fare.

As it neared lunchtime, she took over the till while her boss went to have lunch with his wife. They were so cute, she thought, even after all the years they’d been together. What must it be like? She doubted she’d ever know.

“Excuse me, Miss,” she heard from a deep, resonant voice close to her.

She jumped, as her head whipped around to locate its owner.

“It’s Morgan, isn’t it?” the young man asked. Tall, with sandy brown hair, and twinkling green eyes, his smile was warm and inviting.

“Um, yes. Sorry. I was daydreaming. Can I help you?”

There was something familiar about him, but it took her a moment to figure it out. Back on that dreadful day when Ian had attacked her, the man standing before her had come to her rescue.

“You came to help me,” she stated flatly.

“Well, yes, but I don’t think we’ve ever been properly introduced. James Ferguson. My family owns the lumberyard.”

“I’m Morgan Delaney—but I guess you already know that.”

“Yeah. I’m taking a break from work and thought I’d grab something to snack on. What would you suggest?”

Morgan showed him the fresh golden fruits, which had recently come into season.

“I’ll take a couple of these,” he said with a smile.

Morgan quoted the price, accepted his payment, and put the fruit into a sack.

“Here you are. I had one yesterday. I know you’ll enjoy them.”

“Morgan, would you come have a cup of tea or something with me later? When do you take a break?” he asked.

“Oh, no. I’m sorry. I can’t today. I’ve got a few things to catch up on. But thank you.”

“Another day, perhaps,” he said. “Thanks for the suggestion,” he added, raising the sack in her direction.

Morgan was shaking as she slumped back onto the stool behind the counter. She wasn’t ready to go out with anyone yet, but why was she so very upset?

“Morgan? Is something wrong?” Mrs. Kennoway asked.

“No, I was talking with James Ferguson. He came in for some fruit. I think I need more sleep.”

“Did you have breakfast this morning?”

“Yes. Coffee, and toast with jam. It’s what I usually have.”

“It’s time you had some lunch, young lady. Take yourself into the back room and take your break.”

Morgan slowly ate the lunch she’d brought. It wasn’t much—she didn’t usually eat much—just an apple, some cheese, and some bread. After finishing her meal, she made a cup of tea before going back to work.

“You look a little better,” Mrs. Kennoway told her. “Did James say something to upset you? He’s usually such a polite boy.”

This “polite boy” had to be a little older than she was Morgan thought, and she was twenty-five.

“No, he was nice enough,” she answered, looking down at her hands on the counter.

“Well, then why won’t you look up and tell me about it?” the older woman asked.

Meeting her gaze, Morgan flushed. How could she tell this sweet lady that the idea of going anywhere with a guy scared her to death?

“He asked me out for lunch,” she said, embarrassed and exasperated all at once.

“And what did you say?”

“I told him I would be busy all afternoon.”

“You needn’t stay in here all day. A break for lunch might have done you some good.”

“I can’t. I just can’t,” said, nearly in tears.

“You poor girl. You’ll have to take the first step sometime. I know his father and mother. James is a good boy. He’d do you no harm.”

“I know. I’ll think about it, if he asks again.””

MORGAN–The Pixie and the Green Man

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