Alice Hanley and Stella were just finishing the workout when Ben Morgan Senior drove in. He and a stranger, who looked vaguely familiar, hopped out of his Rover. They approached the group leaning on the fence. “Mornin’, men. How’s it goin’?”
“Great,” Tom replied, tipping his hat.
“I’d like you all to meet my baby brother, Richard. Visiting from back east for the wedding.”
They all came forward to shake hands. Like his older brother, Richard Morgan was tall and slender with salt and pepper hair, bushy eyebrows and a broad grin. His eyes were coal black, and they twinkled when he smiled, perhaps more mischievously than his brother’s.
Richard Morgan gazed around. “What a place these tycoons built, huh? And who’s this fine filly?” he asked as Alice and Stella approached.
“Stella. She’s one of our newest additions,” his brother said, as proud as a new father. “We have high hopes for her.”
“I can see why,” Richard said, eyes moving from rider to horse.
Ben chuckled. “Alice Hanley, my brother Richard.”
“Dick, please,” he said, moving to greet Alice. “Need a pair of hands?”
“Thanks, but I’m fine,” she said as she slid effortlessly to the ground. After handing Stella’s reins to Gus, she shook Richard’s hand, then excused herself.
As the men watched her departure, Tom said, “Don’t take offense. She’s great with the horses and an exceptional rider, just not very social.”
“Who cares if she’s a card-carrying hermit as long as she’s a winner?” Richard said, patting his brother’s back. “Now, let’s have that grand tour.”
As the older men departed, Gus turned to Tom. “That’s a surprise. Not that I know what’s what, but didn’t know Mr. Morgan had a brother.”
Tom shrugged. “According to Harley, they lost touch and have just reconnected.”
After they loaded the children back in the Cottage bus, Ruthie and Beth stood chatting with Lynn while the group waited for Rusty and Polly to take Bennie and Jasper to the bathroom. Leonora had met them and taken Charlotte and Lily back to the Big House for the day. “I think she wants to show them off to Uncle Dick,” Beth said.
Ruthie rolled her eyes. “Don’t know why. He doesn’t really seem like the kid type. He’ll probably scare Charlotte with those bushy eyebrows.”
“Ruthie!” her sister said, jabbing her. “Be nice. Besides, after eight of his own, I imagine he loves kids.”
“Is he visiting for the wedding?” Lynn asked.
Ruthie shrugged. “Apparently. None of us, except Beth and Ben, even remember him.”
“He’s lived overseas most of his life,” Beth said.
Another eye roll from the youngest Morgan sibling. “Not the past twenty years.”
“He’s a bit eccentric,” Beth said, smiling. “He’s brought two of our cousins with him, which is wonderful. You’ll meet ’em soon enough. You’re coming to Spark’s prewedding clambake, aren’t you?”
Lynn laughed. “Yes, but I still can’t believe it’s happening. Clambake out here?”
Beth smiled. “You know Spark. Loves any excuse for a party and always likes to top his last shindig. I believe our dad is egging him on and probably helping fund it since it’s out at the new farm.”
“Harley’s having fits,” Ruthie said, a mischievous gleam in her blue eyes. “Thinks the tent and all the commotion will unsettle the new horses. Oh boy, here come the monsters,” she added as Jasper and her nephew banged out the office door and chased each other to the bus. Rusty and Polly followed in their wake.
“Thanks again,” Lynn said to the sisters. “This was really fun.”
“Our pleasure,” Beth said.
“They can come every day as far as I’m concerned,” Ruthie said, reaching in to ruffle Dulcie’s hair. “We’ve got some champion strawberry pickers in this crew. Especially one young lady I know.” Dulcie rewarded her with a huge smile. “Now remember, guys and gals, we’ll have a monster game of tag out at the horse farm this Saturday, right?” A chorus of yeahs rang out.
Lynn chuckled. “It’s official. Spark’s clambake’ll be a blowout.”
“Where are they getting the clams?” Rusty asked as they drove down the hill to the Cottage.
“Kevin told me that everything is being shipped from Maine,” Polly said. “I think Mr. Morgan’s brother, Richard, has helped with this. Apparently, shipping seafood all over the world is one of his many businesses.”
“Never a dull moment around here,” Lynn said. “I, for one, can’t wait for a big bowl of steamers.”
“And lobsters,” Polly added.
“I’ve never had either,” Willow said.
“Well then, get ready for a treat!” Lynn said as she pulled the bus out onto the Cottage drive.