Hidden Gifts (A Castle Mountain Lodge Romance) by Elena Aitken Read Free Book Online Page A

time in as many days, Morgan had to remind herself that she wasn’t looking for a relationship, particularly with a man like Bo.
    Morgan took a deep breath and opened the door. Carmen was waiting for her and just like she’d promised, only one little girl sat on the colorful carpet. The same beautiful, blond girl she’d seen at the campfire the night before.  
    As soon as she saw her, Carmen headed straight for Morgan. “Oh, thank goodness,” Carmen said. “I was afraid you’d decided not to come at all.”
    “I’m sorry I’m late,” Morgan said.  
    “Oh, it’s fine. I knew you wouldn’t do that to me. You’re not the type,” Carmen said. “You know you can always change your mind about the job.”  
    Morgan held up her hand before Carmen got the wrong idea. “I’ll tell you what,” she said. “I’m here now. Let’s just leave it at that.”
    Carmen smiled apologetically. “You don’t have to give me an answer right now.”  
    Morgan was pretty sure that her answer wasn’t going to be any different by the end of the day, but she didn’t bother pressing the issue. Instead, she listened while Carmen gave her a brief run-down of the room and the amenities. Morgan had to admit, it was a pretty impressive child-care room and if she were still interested in a career in child development, she’d be jumping at the chance to work in such a space. But she wasn’t. Not anymore. So instead of letting her mind run free with ideas and activities that she could conduct in such a place, she put a lid on them and instead focused on what Carmen was saying.  
    It didn’t take long to get the complete tour and then it was time for Morgan to meet the little girl, who until that point had been drawing quietly in the center of the room.  
    “Normally, there would be a lot more children here,” Carmen said. “And of course, a lot more staff. We like to keep a five to one ratio with the kids because that way we can really get to know them and have a lot more fun with them.”
    “Of course,” Morgan said.
    “Let me introduce you to Ella,” Carmen said as she walked to the carpet. “She’s the daughter of one of the outdoor recreation guys. Normally we don’t have children of the staff in Cub’s Club, but this is a special situation.”  
    Morgan nodded and offered a small smile.  
    Together they walked to the table, but Ella didn’t look up. “She’s very quiet,” Carmen said. “As far as I know, she’s only spoken a few words to her dad, even. Her mother just died and—“
    “I’ll take it from here,” Morgan cut her off abruptly and shot the other woman a look that she hope conveyed how utterly inappropriate it was to talk about a child as if she wasn’t sitting right in front of you. She waited for Carmen to excuse herself from the room before crouching down at the table next to Ella.  
    “Hi there,” she said and when Ella didn’t even look up she added, “Looks like you’re working on a really pretty drawing. Is it a horse?”  
    Ella tipped her head up and peered at Morgan through long blond lashes. Her dark eyes were wide, but still she didn’t speak.  
    “I love horses,” Morgan said gently. She reached for a piece of paper of her own and took a crayon from the bowl. Without saying anything, she slowly started sketching out the rough outline of a horse on her own paper. “Have you ever been on a horse, Ella?”  
    The little girl shook her head slowly.  
    “I have,” Morgan admitted. “But not for a very long time.” She turned her attention to her own drawing and after a moment, Ella returned to her project as well.  
    They sketched in silence for a few minutes before Morgan tried again. She reached out and pointed to the clay deer that sat on the table by the crayons. “Is this your deer?”  
    Ella’s head popped up and she grabbed the deer, clutching it close to her chest. “Horse.” Her voice was tiny and thin. Morgan tried to hide her excitement at hearing