Page 58 of Shelter for Morgan

By the time Morgan came home after school, Rhett had a night in planned so that she could relax.

He heard the distant ding of the elevator and made his way to the doorway, holding his hand behind his back.

The key in the lock made him smile.

Okay. Half a smile.

But the instant he saw the surprise on her face as she walked through the doorway, he really smiled.

She was gorgeous.

And she looked happy to see him.

"Palmer! Were you going out?"

He stood there stunned for a moment before he remembered how he'd planned to greet her.

He brought his hand around to his front and her smile beamed back at him. "For you."

"Oh my god! Are those-"

"Bluebells. I figured I could give you a proper Texas welcome."

Instead of reaching for the flowers, Morgan dropped her bags in the entry way and wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight hug. "Thank you!"

He wrapped his arms around her and stepped in so that they were pressed against each other from their knees up.

She had such an amazing figure; he couldn't help holding her close. She felt amazing in his embrace.

"Mmm," she sighed and then drew slightly back, glancing a kiss across his cheek before she touched a kiss to his lips. "'You're amazing. What's the occasion?"

"You're home." He slowly lowered his hand from her back and moved to close the door. "I know you had a tough morning."

"You did too," she used her feet to move her bags out of the way and kicked off her shoes.

"But handling things like that is my job. You're a teacher. And I have to say I was impressed."

"Impressed by my students? They're awesome."

"Your students. Your class." He handed her the flowers and she leaned in to smell them.

She paused on her way to the table where he'd left a vase filled with water. She looked at him with a softer smile.

“You thought of everything.”

He hoped so. He just wanted to do things right.

“I wanted you to know that I thought you were incredible today. You were right there helping me with Benji. I’m pretty sure you didn't have any medical training.”

She shook her head.

“No training beyond Girl Scouts, but I have gone through CPR training, so if you need mouth to mouth, I’m your girl.”

Her mouth rounded into a surprised ‘o’ and she closed her eyes.

“That came out all wrong.”

Rhett shrugged, “I’m good with that.”

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