Page 82 of Shelter for Morgan

“Miss Rafferty.”

She knew she’d made a mistake the instant that she spoke. She hadn’t meant to say it at all. She definitely hadn’t meant to cut him off, but there was something so familiar about the way he said her name.

“Oh… Okay. Miss Rafferty.” The officer stepped back from the coffee pot until his badge was glinting in the light. “Just remember that we have rules around here. Rules to keep you safe.”

He left moments later, seemingly taking all of the air with him.

Joan shook her head. “What was that all about, Morgan? He’s not someone you piss off.”

“Why?” Morgan knew better than to ask that question. “Why would that piss him off. He’s not my friend. We work at the same school, but I don’t call him by his first name.”

Morgan could see by her friend’s expression that she understood, but she didn’t think it went over well.

Morgan felt the same way but it was too late to fix it.

She had to move forward.

She filled her cup with coffee and went back to the table to put the cover on the travel mug. “I’m going to head to my classroom and get an early start.”

Joan gave her a smile as she walked past. “Okay. Let me know if you need anything.”

Morgan turned around and gave her friend a big hug that surprised both of them. “Thanks, Joan. It’s good to have you as a friend.”

Joan pulled her back in for a hug and whispered into her ear. “You keep your head down, you hear? You make this place almost bearable with people like Munder around. I want to keep you here forever.”

Morgan felt tears gather on her lashes and as she pulled back she tried to blink them away.

She knew it wouldn’t be a good thing to walk out of the lounge looking like she was about to cry.

She didn’t want others to see it, but she definitely didn’t want it getting back to Officer Munder. He might think he was the reason and she had a feeling that he’d like that a little too much.

RHETT

Rhett’s cell phone rang a few times in the afternoon, but he wasn’t able to get to the calls or messages after they’d returned to the station. His phone had been trapped in his pants pocket under his turnout gear and that’s where it had stayed through the car fire and then a call to a cafe where their brand new curtains had been a little too close to the ancient waffle maker and went up in flames.

As soon as he shrugged off his gear and headed to the showers, Rhett rescued his phone and stopped in the hallway when he saw who’d called him.

“Jacob?”

“Hey, man. How are things going?”

Rhett waved at Abe as he walked by into the shower room. “Okay. We’re busy today on shift. You?”

“Taking a break to eat something before I go and interview a witness. I wanted to call and see how you think Morgan is doing.”

Just the mention of her name had Rhett smiling. “She’s amazing, man.”

He heard Jacob groaning softly.

“Please don’t tell me that you’re talking about what you guys do in private.”

“No. Wouldn’t tell you anything about that, Jacob. I’m not a guy that kisses-”

“See? I don’t want to know that you’re doing even that. I’m talking about her job. Is she fitting in? Friends?”

Rhett smiled at his friend’s gruff comments. “I mostly know what she tells me but I got to see her with some of her students in a class. She’s a great teacher.”

“Yeah?”

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