As they undressed Isabelle couldn’t help staring at Morgan’s belly. It was early days for a baby bump, but she couldn’t resist putting her hand on her stomach. “Motherhood looks good on you.”
“Thank you, Izzy. I guess I totally went rogue and abandoned our plan for spinsterhood.” Morgan giggled.
“How many kids do you plan on having?”
“Seth and I have different numbers, but we’re negotiating. I can’t wait until you have babies. You’d make a great mom. You make a mean peanut butter and jelly.” Morgan laughed.
“If only it were that simple.” Isabelle blew one of her curls away from her eyes and slumped into the chair.
“The perfect person is out there for you, I know it.” Morgan stroked her chin.
After a few more hours of shopping, Isabelle and Morgan decided to grab a bite to eat at a nearby restaurant. Morgan filled her in on the great strides she was making with her nonprofit organization, Reading Builds Bridges, and her new position as Director of Volunteer Affairs at the library.
“That’s great. I am so proud of you.” Isabelle beamed.
“Wouldn’t it be nice if we could do some sort of joint venture?”
Isabelle’s eyes lit up. “That would be great. When the divorce proceedings started, all of my other efforts kind of fell to the wayside.”
“Why don’t we sit down after the wedding and brainstorm and see what two Reed brains can come up with? Do you think you could stay in town a bit longer?”
She didn’t want to tell Morgan that her stay would only be extended if Tate were leaving first. He looked as if he was ready to go, so it probably wouldn’t be an issue.
“I’d like that.” She smiled.
Isabelle took another bite of her lasagna when Morgan’s phone rang.
Morgan glanced at the screen. “It’s Seth. How much you want to bet he’s calling to say Jake has signed on with the Titans too?”
Isabelle snorted into her food. “I wouldn’t put it past him.”
Morgan answered the phone with a smirk. “Hey, babe, what’s up?”
Isabelle took a sip of iced tea and stabbed at a piece of her lasagna with her fork. She froze when Morgan’s eyes grew wide and she placed her hand over her mouth.
“Oh my gosh. Is Tate all right?” Morgan whispered.
Tate? What happened to Tate? Isabelle’s stomach churned as she waited for details from Morgan. She dropped her fork—the flip in her gut too much for her to have eaten anymore anyway—and ran to the bathroom, her fingers ahead of her brain and already dialing Tate’s number before she could even catch her breath.
He answered on the first ring. Isabelle started rambling as soon as she heard his voice. “Tate? I couldn’t wait for Morgan to finish with Seth. What happened?”
“Lila passed away.”
“Who’s Lila?”
“She’s my…she was my biological mother. She died in a car accident this morning. Some of the folks at the hospital knew her so they contacted Teri-Lyn.” He sighed.
She put a hand to her heart. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
“Thanks, Izzy.”
“So, what are your plans?”
“Seth and I are going to hop on his plane and head to Texas. Teri-Lyn and John Jacob have started the funeral arrangements. I just need to go down there and settle some things.”
She was about to hang up but then said, “Tate?”
“Yes, darlin?”
“When was the last time you saw her?”
“It’s been about ten years.”
“Oh.” She stopped. There were so many questions she wanted to ask, but now was not the time.
Tate cleared his throat. “Listen, I thought we’d have a chance to talk today.”
Isabelle closed her eyes and tightened her grip on her cell phone. She was a big girl. She’d rehearsed this moment in her mind several times while shopping with Morgan. She knew getting involved with him would lead nowhere. Why should it? Freshly divorced, she wasn’t looking for more than what he’d given, a passionate evening that exceeded every wild fantasy she ever had about him.
“It’s not necessary. We’re both adults. You don’t have to give me the ‘let’s be friends’ speech.”
The silence was deafening. Finally Tate said, “Yeah, good…”
“Have a safe flight home,” Isabelle squeaked out before she disconnected the call.
* * *
Tate appreciated Seth letting him ride in silence, so he took the time to catch up on some work during the plane ride. He felt terrible for taking him away from Jake when they’d just returned from their vacation. Seth’s eyes had lit up when he’d walked through the door and seen his son. Tate pulled out his notebook. Isabelle’s abrupt ending of their phone call had been on his mind from the time he started packing.
He had to get a move on that new album. He glanced at what he’d written the past few days. Surprisingly, notes from Isabelle were scattered throughout the notebook. He turned the page to song lyrics he’d begun to write and noticed she’d added a few words that suited the line better with the comment, “Flows better. Your fingers will thank me later when strumming your guitar.” He smiled. He looked up to see Seth looking at him. They would be having another conversation about Isabelle soon.
As soon as the plane touched down, Tate froze at the top of steps, not fully knowing why he didn’t want to get off, but Seth’s comforting hand on his shoulder gave him the courage to keep moving. Teri-Lyn and John Jacob were waiting for him with open arms.
They went back to the ranch and discussed the funeral arrangements. Tate was fine with everything that Teri-Lyn and John Jacob had done. Teri-Lyn asked if he wanted to go to the hospital to see Lila, but he refused nicely. The funeral was the day after tomorrow at the church the Blakes attended, and the repast would be at the ranch. Teri-Lyn said she would take care of picking out the clothes and making sure Lila looked good. John Jacob said that Lila’s apartment was being packed up and the contents would be delivered to the ranch. Teri-Lyn offered to help him go through her possessions when they arrived.
By early evening every Blake was back on the ranch to support Tate. Having everyone home showing their love and support reminded him of how lucky he felt to be part of the family. They all ate dinner together at Teri-Lyn and John Jacob’s and formulated a plan for the next few days. He retired early to his cabin, bringing Rowdy with him to spend the night. Tate looked at his phone and thought about Isabelle. He wanted to hear her voice, but after their conversation earlier, he didn’t know if it was a good idea. Clearly she wasn’t interested in anything other than the passionate night they’d spent together. But still he longed to talk to her. Tate found Isabelle’s number in his phone. He had nothing else to lose.
“Hello?”
“Izzy, did I wake you?” Tate sighed. Her voice sounded like sunshine over the phone.
“No. How are you?”
“I’m fine. Can you talk?”
She hesitated. “Of course. How are you feeling?”
“I’m still working all that out.”
“Well, the shock of the accident hasn’t worn off. Did you eat anything?”
“Yes, Momma fed us all tonight. Would you believe everyone came home?” He looked in his cupboard for a doggie treat for Rowdy, trying to keep busy and not say what he really wanted to say.
“That’s what family does in a time of crisis. Mine is just like that.”
“I know. I’ve met most of your family. They are a crazy, close-knit bunch of people.” He laughed.
“We’re loud and crazy but essentially harmless.”
Tate laughed again. It felt good to laugh. “You come from good stock, Isabelle Reed.”
“So do you.”
“Well…” Tate couldn’t finish what he was going to say.
“So do you,” Isabelle repeated.
Tate wondered if his father was going to make an appearance, assuming he was still alive. Tate had gritted his teeth every ti
me Lila had become nostalgic over his abusive, alcoholic asshole of a father. He and Lila had agreed that talking about Joe McGill was not a good thing. She’d long forgiven him, even though he left her two years after they moved away. It seemed Tate was the strongest link they had to one another. He hadn’t seen that man since the day he’d showed up drunk to that football game and humiliated him. John Jacob never talked about what had happened that night he went to the McGill house. He just knew the next day he was free of his abusive father for good.
“Tate?”
“Yes?” He threw a treat, and Rowdy caught it.
“Even if you feel it, you’re not alone. Remember that when you feel like crawling inside yourself.” Isabelle sniffed.
“I’ll try.” He smiled.
“You’ve had a long day. Why don’t you get some sleep?”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to talk a while longer.” Tate cleared his throat.
“We can talk as long as you want, cowboy.”
Chapter Eight
Tate sat on his deck watching the sun come up. He hadn’t slept all night but strangely felt invigorated. He attributed that to Isabelle, who’d talked to him until the wee hours in the morning. He enjoyed hearing her voice, listening to her stories about her childhood with Morgan in Philadelphia. They were two peas in a pod and were indeed more like sisters than cousins.
One of the ranch hands dropped off some boxes of Lila’s things. He contemplated sifting through the contents but was afraid of what he might find. He wanted to tell John Jacob to have someone donate everything to charity or junk it, but he was also curious about what Lila had been doing with her life since they’d been apart. Maybe the boxes held clues.
He’d sent her his CDs and money, but if it was more than five hundred dollars she sent it back. Lila would say she only needed enough for rent, which pissed him off because he’d offered to buy her a house and she refused. Now she was dead, hit by a drunk driver on her way home from her waitressing job.
Tate grabbed his hat and decided to head to the stables. Maybe a ride to the south side of the ranch would clear his head. He opened his front door and found J.J. and Seth standing there.
“Hey.” Seth nodded.
“Feel like some company?” J.J. pointed to the case of beer at his feet.
“Come on in.”
By the afternoon Tate, J.J., Seth, Tyler, and Channing were all perched on the porch, drinking beers and reminiscing. Tate was even willing to postpone his evil payback plan for Tyler’s and Channing’s blackmail earlier until Channing started in on him.
“Seth, did Tate tell you he has a thing for Morgan’s cousin Isabelle?” Channing smirked.
Seth pushed back his Stetson. “He didn’t have to. I caught them smooching when I came home.”
Tyler pulled up Isabelle’s profile on the Madison Symphony Orchestra website on his cell phone and passed it around. “I can see why he didn’t want us near the penthouse the past two weeks.”
“She’s beautiful,” J.J. murmured.
They all looked at him.
“I’m married, not dead, you idiots.” J.J. took a swig of his beer.
“Tyler, how did you find this out?” Tate glared at him.
“Michelle. When I assured her I wasn’t asking for myself, she gave me the lowdown.” Tyler flashed him a cheesy grin.
“And what does Michelle get for supplying you with all this information?” Seth chuckled.
Tyler hunched his shoulders. “The next time I’m in town I’m taking her to dinner.”
“Will Morgan be chaperoning?” Channing laughed.
“Probably. I want to thank you, Tate, for taking the heat off me. Maybe Michelle and I can spend some time together.” Tyler saluted him.
“I doubt it,” the rest of them said in unison.
Tyler punched Seth in the arm. “You could put in a good word for me.”
“I would if I had one.” Seth raised an eyebrow.
“Tate just got felt up on national television by a sexy young pop star, and I’m the one to worry about?” Tyler yelled.
“Hey, that groping was against my consent.” Tate shook his head.
“He may have stayed away from that singer, but he still had an eventful night.” Seth smirked.
“Can any of you keep one damn secret?” Tate huffed.
“I didn’t tell anybody Channing went out with Emma Winterbourne last time he was home,” J.J. said.
Seth nearly choked on his beer. “Emma Winterbourne? Penny’s little sister?”
Channing picked imaginary lint off his jeans. “It was just one date. We all patched things up at the Bright Star, right? I had a little thing for her when we were in high school.”
“I think Channing is the winner today.” Tyler whistled.
“So are we cool with the Winterbournes or not?” Tate asked.
“Only if you can go back in time and unsleep with Caine’s wife, Chrissie,” J.J. said. “Let’s just call it a draw.”
“Girlfriend. She was his on-again, off-again girlfriend at the time,” Tate said.
“I don’t think he wanted you on his girlfriend.” Channing threw a bottle cap at Tate.
“Well, well. What’s going on here?” Their father, John Jacob, bounded up the stairs.
“Nothing,” they all said at once.
“That means you’re talking about women.” John Jacob took a seat in the chair Channing offered him.
Tyler got up and passed his dad a beer. “Daddy, Channing is dating a Winterbourne.”
Channing grimaced. “No, I’m not. It was one date to catch up.”
“Emma, right?” John Jacob said.
They all looked at him.
“I know everything.” John Jacob took a swig of his beer. “I hear Tate has a thing for Morgan’s cousin Isabelle. You love her or what?”
Tate put his hand over his eyes. “She’s beautiful. She has a smile like sunshine and the sweetest laugh that sounds like music to me.”
“No thanks to Seth, Momma wants all of us to settle down.” Tyler shivered.
“At least Seth is trying to give me grandkids,” John Jacob said. “Tate may actually have feelings for someone. When J.J. finds the right woman, he’ll have kids too.”
Everyone got quiet, afraid to look at J.J.
“I think we all know the sun is setting on me and Eden,” J.J. said.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Seth put a hand on his shoulder.
“And you.” John Jacob pointed at Channing. “If you’re going to date Emma Winterbourne, be upfront about it. Don’t go pulling no Romeo and Juliet crap.”
Tate smiled. John Jacob always told it like it was. They were all enjoying the moment when Bo arrived with Rowdy in tow.
“You sad sacks talking about women?” Bo let out a hearty laugh.
“How did you know?” Seth scratched his five o’clock shadow.
“You all have that dopey look on your faces. John Jacob, did you tell them about the gravy boat?”
John Jacob laughed. “No, I did not. They’re not ready for the gravy boat.”
Seth raised his hand. “Bo told me about the gravy boat.”
“That’s why you have Jake and one on the way.” Bo winked.
“No, Seth and Morgan just like to hump like rabbits.” Tyler nodded.
“I am not ashamed to say I enjoy making love to my wife.” Seth crossed his arms over his chest.
“And you two are going to singlehandedly repopulate the planet.” Channing waggled his eyebrows.
“So what the hell is the gravy boat used for?” Tyler said.
“Bo, I don’t think these young idiots are ready for the gravy boat. But Tate is having warm and cuddly feelings for Morgan’s cousin.” J.J. smirked.
Tate did his best not to blush.
“That’s right, Isabelle. And C.J. likes living dangerously, so he spends time with Emma Winterbourne when he’s home.”
“Can anybody in this family keep a secret?” Seth yel
led.
They all quieted as if they were pondering a question for the ages.
“Rowdy,” Tate finally said.
The border collie barked in agreement.
They all erupted in laughter.
* * *
Tate took a look at the black suit Teri-Lyn had picked out for him earlier. Tomorrow was the funeral, and he was no more prepared for it than when he’d first heard the news.
He moved Lila’s boxes from one side of the room to the other and accidentally tipped over one that hadn’t been sealed. Her Bible fell out. He remembered the Bible. He flipped through it and found prayer cards and a few notes she’d made next to some of the passages. Tucked in the center of the book was a picture of him and Lila. They were standing in the field behind the last house they’d lived in together. They were both smiling genuine smiles, not the fake one he would put on for people to mask the pain of what was going on in the house. He flipped the picture over and saw her handwriting: Tate Matthew, age ten.
Finally he had a happy memory of Lila. He took another sip of his beer and closed his eyes. For better or worse, he loved her and there was no chance of reuniting with her someday. Deep down in his heart, he’d always hoped they would.
Tate flung the beer bottle and it hit the wall. The doorbell rang.
He opened it, expecting a family member, but his jaw dropped when he saw Isabelle standing there. Behind her, sitting in a pickup, were Seth and Morgan.
“Hi.” She smiled.
“Izzy.” Tate ran a hand through his hair. “What are you doing here?”
Texas Heat Page 9