Free The Orion Assignment by Austin S. Camacho Page B

like.”
    â€œEgg cream?” Morgan asked. “Like with seltzer and chocolate syrup like I used to get when I was a kid?”
    â€œThat’s New York,” Felicity said. “Here, it’s breakfast. Trust me, you’ll love it. Thanks, Uncle Sean.”
    â€œGlad to, girl, but how’ll you know when two miles go by out here. There’s not much for landmarks.”
    â€œMorgan will tell me. He’s as good with distances and directions as I am with time.”
    â€œYou do make a pair, don’t you?” Sean said, shaking his head. Felicity called another start and they took off at what Sean considered a sprint.

    â€œWhen it’s done right, like this, an egg cream is like angels on the tongue,” Felicity said. Egg creams, as Morgan learned, really involved eggs in Ireland. His plate was covered by thin potato cakes slit open and filled with creamy coddled eggs, and fried brown in butter. This was a tasty breakfast and, even better, the coffee was good and strong and the warm sticky buns were delicious.
    After eight or nine minutes of running, he and Felicity had showered and pulled on casual clothing. Now the three of them were sitting around the fireplace. To Morgan, it felt like being with family.
    â€œSo, do you have plans for the day?” Sean asked.
    â€œNot really,” Felicity said, shoveling her food with a passion Morgan was not accustomed to. “I would like to take some time after breakfast to go into detail about our approach to taking O’Ryan’s money. I don’t want you to have any unpleasant surprises, Uncle.”
    Morgan watched Sean’s face, waiting for him to ask what that meant, but a knock on the door drew everyone’s attention. Sean got up to open it but then stepped back, as if he was greeted by an unpleasant sight. In less than a second Morgan moved across the room to get a view of the door. He was taken aback and amused to find Max Grogan standing there, cap in hand, holding the reins to two fine horses.
    â€œWell, this is a bit of a surprise,” Sean said. “I don’t see your face hardly enough at mass, Max Grogan. Have you suddenly been taken with a midweek need for the holy spirit then?”
    â€œI know I’ve strayed, Father,” Max said, his head lowered. “I promise you I’ll be there this Sunday. This morning, however, I’ve come to call upon your niece, with your kind permission. I thought she might enjoy to take a morning ride with me.”
    â€œI’d love to take a morning ride, Maxie.” Felicity had appeared at the door, her face beaming. “Only, rightnow we’re having our breakfast and, well, I want to spend a little time with my Uncle Sean.” She waited just long enough to see his face fall before adding, “I’d sure be grateful if you’d stop back after lunch. Say…one o’clock?”
    The overgrown little boy’s face lit up and he mumbled “Sure and I’ll be glad to.” Looking flustered, he tried to back away but he became tangled in the horses’ reins. Felicity closed the door and bounced back to the living room.
    â€œI didn’t think he’d move so fast,” she told Morgan. “We’ll go over plans quickly, so I can get into town and back. I’ll need riding clothes and some skirts and dresses, the kind he’ll like.”
    Morgan kept his voice low. “I think you’d better say something to Father Sullivan. You know, to prepare him.”
    â€œYou know, I’m thinking we’re way too formal,” Sean said. “Son, you saved me life and the lives of all I hold dear. And I’ve seen enough to know you’re a decent man and you’re like a big brother to Felicity. Why don’t you call me Uncle Sean?”
    â€œSure,” Morgan said, smiling. “And thanks.”
    â€œNow, what is it I need preparing for?” Sean asked. He looked at Felicity who