“I wasn’t talking about Courtney either. I was talking about that elf.”
“It’s complicated.”
“Love is never complicated when you think with your heart instead of your head.” John Jacob winked at him.
Their meals arrived and the topic of conversation switched to the family. Bo was right. There was plenty going on around the ranch in preparation for Christmas. John Jacob was excited about spending this special time with his twelve grandchildren. When they’d finished their meals and headed for the parking lot, the Blake patriarch extended an invitation to spend the holidays with them.
“We would be delighted if you joined us. They’ll be plenty of food and fun.”
“Thank you. But I think I’d be better off on my own. Maybe I can sort through some of this stuff swimming around in my head.” He ran a hand through his hair. “But thanks for the talk. I appreciate you taking the time.”
“I was telling Teri the other day that you and I don’t spend enough time together. Maybe we can remedy that for the New Year. I could always use a new golfing buddy.”
“That would be great. I must warn you my game has improved tremendously. I’ve been playing with Bo and Jared.”
“We’ll see about that.” John Jacob smiled. “Before you head home, the Blake Foundation is having a food drive tomorrow. We’re trying to get meals to as many families as possible before Christmas Eve. Think you could give us a few hours of your time?”
He should have been getting on the road. But how could he refuse John Jacob again? He’d already said no to the big Blake family holiday party. “Sure. I’d be happy to help. I can put off going home another day.”
“Good. They’re starting bright and early at six in the morning. I’ll let Morgan know to expect you.”
“Tell her I’m at her disposal.” He smiled.
“Much obliged.” John Jacob touched the brim of his hat. “The holidays are a wonderful time of year. It helps put into focus what’s most important to us. Don’t be afraid to chase after happiness. If Anna Beth is really that important to you, then you know what to do.”
Corbett watched as John Jacob stepped into the blue Lincoln Black Label Continental Thoroughbred Teri-Lyn had gotten him as an early Christmas present. It couldn’t hurt to spend one more day to help out with the food drive. It was too much to hope that Anna Beth would be there tomorrow. What was he saying? He should march over to her apartment and pound on the door. But he remembered what Cassidy said the night of the Blake Enterprises party. He should know his intentions before he went. Courtney wasn’t the issue. The biggest deterrent in all this was him. He was in love with Anna Beth and that scared him. The prospect of meeting her family on Thanksgiving frightened him. The fact that he’d contemplated getting her an engagement ring after dating her a short while was bonkers. But she’d smiled at him one morning while they were having breakfast, and he knew he wanted to see that smile every day for the rest of his life.
CHAPTER FIVE
Anna Beth couldn’t believe that after the day she’d had at the stadium she’d be foolish enough to volunteer again. Despite her dramatic exit, she couldn’t get Corbett out of her mind for the rest of the day. So she went home and had a nice, long, hot soak in the tub and put on her favorite pajamas. She tried to decorate the tree again but had only gotten as far as putting one bulb on the poor thing. Remnants of her time with Corbett were still scattered about. There were some things she just couldn’t part with like the painting above her bed. She drank a bottle of wine and lunged at it with a steak knife, but something wouldn’t let her ruin something so nice. She liked cowboy art, and it was expensive. So she clumsily stood on her bed and re-hung it.
She woke up early the next morning. Today the foundation would be distributing food boxes that had all the ingredients for a holiday dinner. She would be paired with a driver and they would deliver the boxes to the community outreach centers like the Main Street Clinic who would allocate them to people in need living in the surroundings areas. She was relieved to see she wouldn’t be wearing a costume.
She found Morgan in the conference room talking to someone. The guy had his back to her so she couldn’t get a good look at his face. He had strong shoulders and muscular arms like Corbett and filled out a pair of jeans just like him too. As he did a half turn, she cringed. She knew that strong jawline. She’d kissed it enough. He was really committing to the five o’clock shadow look. She laughed to herself. That clean-cut accountant she’d met so long ago was a distant memory. All the same, she didn’t want to see him today. There was still time to ease out of there without being—
“Anna Beth,” Morgan called out and waved her over. “You’re just in time.”
She did a slow stroll over there. “Morgan. Nice to see you.”
“Hi, Anna,” Corbett said.
“That’s Anna Beth to you.” She rolled her eyes.
“Corbett you’re going to drive truck number seven and your delivery partner is going to be Anna Beth.” Morgan squinted at the paper. “That’s funny. I thought you were going to do the sorting.”
“It must be a mistake.” Anna Beth looked at the clipboard. She could see that someone had crossed out driver seven’s name and penciled in Corbett.
Corbett shrugged. “I don’t mind driving the truck. I worked for a parcel delivery company one summer when I was in college.”
“Is that why you’re so good at carrying Courtney around?” Anna Beth mumbled.
“Excuse me?” Corbett asked.
“Nothing.” She turned to Morgan. “Is there any way I can get another job to do?”
“I thought you hated switching jobs. You like the one you have just fine and want to stay there forever.”
“Why you—”
“Tis the season to be jolly, people,” Morgan interrupted. “If you two can’t work together I can make the change, but we’re in a bit of a time crunch. I’m sure you two are way too rational and mature to make me stop and switch things around. People in need are counting on us, after all.”
“You’re right Morgan. I am too mature for this conversation.” Anna Beth stuck her tongue out at him.
“I’m more mature than you are,” he fired back.
“Awesome. I feel like I’m at home with the kids.” Morgan handed Anna Beth a box of treats. “Don’t forget to give out the candy canes and the Blake Foundation participation package. Now I’m off to make some phone calls before I leave. You two have fun.”
Anna Beth grabbed her hand before she darted off. “Morgan. Can I talk to you for a moment?”
“Sure.”
She turned to Corbett. “I’ll meet you outside.”
“It’s rude to talk about people when they’re not around.” Corbett smiled and walked away.
When he was out of sight, she gave Morgan a dirty look. “Did you and Isabelle conspire to put us in a truck together?”
“Why would I intentionally put you and Corbett together? It’s not like you were secretly dating for months and didn’t tell anyone,” Morgan replied.
Anna Beth folded her arms across her chest. “I didn’t want things to get complicated.”
“And here we are. You two sniping at each other when you should be somewhere enjoying your time together.”
“Keeping it discreet helped me dodge a heap of embarrassment when our relationship imploded. Or so I thought. I think everyone knows.”
“Please. No one can keep a secret in this family,” Morgan said. “There’s nothing embarrassing about being happy. It was about time for you.”
“Why, because that meant I was finally over my crush on J.J.?” She bit her lip.
“No.” Morgan waved a hand at her. “Everyone’s had a crush on J.J. Me, Michelle, and Isabelle. You are not alone on that island.”
“Really?”
“Please, Michelle, Avery, and Isabelle had a crush on Seth. My cousins are in love with Tate. My grandma has this weird thing for John Jacob. It’s all innocent admiration,
nothing more. It’s a byproduct of being involved with a man in this family.” Morgan glanced at her watch. “I do have to make those calls, then jet to the ranch and pick up Mackenzie and the cupcakes and take them to the boys’ school for their holiday celebration.”
“That’s so sweet. Is she the helper?”
“Yes.” Morgan smiled. “But I must admit I have covert intentions. She’ll be starting school soon. I’ve been taking her with me so she’ll get used to seeing it and won’t want to bolt when we enroll her.”
“She’ll be fine. She’s really outgoing and thinks for herself.”
“You can say it. I can take it. She’s bossy.”
“No. She knows her own mind.” Anna Beth giggled. “I heard J.J. talking about the party at the school last week. I thought Seth was supposed to go?”
“He was, but we juggle our schedules when we have to.” Morgan looked around and came closer. “Between us, there was an incident with a player on the team that turned into an arrest. Seth and Logan are somewhere trying to do damage control.”
“Which player?”
“He plays tight end. His name is Maurice, but the media calls him the Big MG.”
“I know him. He’s the flashy one who’s trying to start his own clothing line.”
“That’s the idiot. He had the nerve to ask Seth to be the face of his haute couture label. In the middle of his meeting with Seth, Logan, and T.K. no less. Can you believe that?”
“I know Seth had a few words for him.”
“Yeah. He said he made T.K. blush by the time he finished ripping Maurice a new one.”
“Wow. I won’t say a word.” She did a zipper motion across her lips.
“I know you won’t. You’re family.”
“Thanks.”
“I do have to get going. Thanks for giving us your time, and try to have fun. It wouldn’t be very festive if you strangled Corbett on a food drive run.”
“I make no promises.”
Morgan hugged her. “Wear your hat and pass out those candy canes. I hope you can make it to the ranch for Christmas.”
She didn’t have time to answer before Morgan dashed off. She could do this. She could spend a few hours with him and not have it mean anything. Still, she couldn’t help but feel the universe was being super cruel to her.
“You ready to rock?” Corbett asked when she met up with him again.
“I guess so.”
“Don’t forget your hat.” He came over and gently placed a Santa hat on her head. “There.”
The woodsy yet slightly floral smell of cologne wafted up her nose. Making it impossible to break away from him. One of her decorative pillows still had his scent on it, and she hadn’t bothered to wash it.
“Let’s get this over with.” She stormed off in the direction of the vans.
Corbett tried to make small talk when they got on the road, but she refused to engage him. So he turned on the radio and of course, every other station was playing a bubbly holiday tune. He’d settled on the station that was playing “All I Want for Christmas.” He glanced over as if to see her reaction. She rolled her eyes and shifted toward the window. Apparently he wanted a punch in the nose. Since that didn’t garner a response, he turned to another channel that was playing “Blue Christmas.”
She reached for the knob to change the station.
“What’s wrong with ‘Blue Christmas’?”
“We can’t pull up to a community center to drop off food with theme music like that. Let’s get something upbeat and snappy.”
“You’re right.” He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel.
She continued scanning until she found “Jingle Bell Rock.” “There. Happy and snappy.”
He laughed, but his smiled faded when her cell phone pinged.
It was her brother Kyle. He’d finally returned her call.
“I have to take this.”
“J.J.?” The GPS instructed him they were getting close to their first stop so he put on his signal and got in the right lane.
“No.”
He scowled at her. Could he be jealous? she wondered and hit the green button.
“Hey, Kyle. I’m volunteering at a food drive right now, so I can only talk for a few minutes. How are things in Kentucky? Glad to hear it. No worries about me, I’ll be fine. No, I won’t be spending the holidays with that idiot that stood me up on Thanksgiving. Yes, I’ll tell him you’re going to kick his ass. I’ll call you later. Love you.” She disconnected the call and turned to Corbett. “Kyle says hi.”
“I think he said more than that.” He pulled up to their first stop, a crisis center, and parked.
“Yeah.” She grinned. “If you ever run into him, I’d cross the street if I were you.”
“I see he’s stubborn, just like his sister.”
“Maybe. At least he gets paid for rescuing damsels in distress. You do it for free.”
At the crisis center, it took fifteen minutes to chat with the staff and put the boxes in their reception area. Everyone was in a good mood, and the director invited them to their holiday party, which was in progress in the conference room.
The next few stops were fairly simple. She’d go introduce herself while Corbett unloaded the truck. They’d double-check the manifest to make sure they didn’t forget anything, and she’d hand out the candy canes.
She noticed he wasn’t trying to get her to talk anymore. But strangely enough, the silence between them started to weigh on her. Now it was her turn to break the ice. She reached into the lunch bag and retrieved a bottle of water and offered it to him.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“Thanks.”
She twisted off the cap and handed it to him. “Want to hear some juicy gossip?”
“Always.” He smiled.
She got a bottle for herself and took a sip first. “Apparently Maurice Gardner, a tight end on the Tomcats, got into some legal trouble yesterday, and Seth and Logan are running around doing damage control.”
“I know him. He’s one of Seth’s problem children. I attended the party Seth hosted for his players. Maurice asked Morgan for a Ziploc bag so he could take some shrimp cocktail home.” He laughed.
“Well, that’s an awful way for Seth and Logan to spend the holidays. I wonder what he did.”
“Maurice likes the clubs, but he loves getting stinking drunk even more. My money’s on a drunken disorderly. I heard that idiot took a swipe at a cop during a traffic stop a few years ago. This is his second strike with the team.”
“Seth is serious about his no-tolerance policy for drugs and bad behavior off field. It’s going to get chilly at the Tomcats Stadium.”
“So you’re worried about how Logan spends his holiday?” He locked eyes with her.
“I hardly know him.”
“You were flirting like you two were old friends at the stadium.”
“He’s a friendly guy.”
“You didn’t exactly pull away when I was pretending to be Santa and you thought I was Logan.”
“Don’t forget I tried to crack your skull with a fake candy cane,” she shot back, scowling.
Her cell phone rang, distracting her. It was J.J. She reluctantly hit the ignore button and put it on the dash. As much as she hated not answering his call, she really wanted to see where Corbett was going with this conversation. She turned to see Corbett glancing between the road and her phone display. He must have tuned out the GPS voice commands, because he’d just passed the street he was supposed to turn down that would lead them to the Main Street Clinic.
“I remember a time when you would put your phone on vibrate if we were together,” he grumbled. “Wait. Wasn’t that J.J.?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but yes it was.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you send his call to voice mail.”
“So?”
“I don’t know. It’s like learning the Easter Bunny isn’t real. I think m
agic just died somewhere.”
“You think you know me so well, but you don’t,” she squeaked out. “You missed your turn.”
“Just because we’re not together anymore doesn’t mean I don’t want to see you happy. I think you work too hard.”
“No.” She rolled her eyes and pointed as the GPS announced it was recalibrating the destination route. “You missed the turn for the Main Street Clinic.”
“Oh.”
He quickly remedied it by making an illegal U-turn. When they finally arrived, Anna Beth hopped out of the truck before they could talk about her dedication to her job again. She got it. He thought she worked too hard and that she was too attached to J.J. She powered up the loading bay and rang the doorbell. A pretty brunette opened the door.
“Hi, I’m Anna Beth. We’re here from the Blake Foundation. We have boxes of food to deliver.”
“I’m Charmaine, the office manager. Dr. Penny said you’d be dropping some things off.” She looked past Anna Beth at Corbett, who’d stopped unloading the boxes to adjust his Santa hat. “Well, hello there, handsome. Who’s that?”
“Corbett.”
“How do you manage to concentrate on deliveries sitting next to Sexy St. Nick?”
“I do my best.” She rolled her eyes. “Where do you want the boxes?”
“Oh.” Charmaine giggled. “We made some space in the conference room.”
“OK. We’ll be inside in a few minutes.” She walked back down the ramp to help him. The faster they were out of here the better. Charmaine was peering through the glass window at Corbett like he was a balsamic-glazed pork chop. “Need any help?”
“No. I’ve got this.” He stacked another box onto the hand truck.
Once inside, Charmaine didn’t waste any time chatting up Corbett. What should have a fifteen-minute drop-off had turned into a half hour flirt-a-thon. Corbett seemed to be enjoying the attention. Well, too bad. They had more deliveries to make and a conversation to finish.
“I hate to break up the party, but we have more stops.” She folded her arms over her chest.
“Sorry about that.” Charmaine giggled. “I can go on when I’m in the right company. My mama says I talk more than a criminal confessing to a crime.”
Begin Again (The Blake Boys Book 18) Page 7