“I love you, Momma,” Tate said as another breeze blew by, hoping it would carry his message up to her in heaven.
* * *
Isabelle went into labor one night at Teri-Lyn’s kitchen table after her third helping of ribs. Tate remained perfectly calm, even though he was freaking out on the inside and drove her to the hospital with the family in tow.
Matthew Jacob McGill, or Curly as the family nicknamed him, was born in the wee hours of the morning after a long, tiring night they thought would never end. It was only when Tate sang him one of the lullabies he’d written that the boy was finally coaxed from his mom’s belly.
Tate was so overjoyed when he held his son for the first time and looked into his beautiful blue eyes that he cried right along with Isabelle.
“Matthew Jacob, you are going to have such a good life on the ranch with your momma and me. And there’s a whole slew of crazy relatives in the waiting room who can’t wait to welcome you into the family.”
“I like that name, Matthew Jacob. It has a strong, yet gentle, ring to it.” Isabelle smiled.
* * *
Their whole world had changed in the month since Matt was born. Isabelle’s parents visited often, giving the colonel and Tate a chance to start over. They always came armed with presents to add to the baby gifts already piled up on the dining room table that had yet to be opened. It was a work in progress, but Isabelle’s parents loved her enough to give the relationship a chance.
Jake and the boys wanted to know when cousin Matt would be able to play with them. It touched her heart that they were already protective of him, including him in their fun.
Isabelle finally got that call from the Dallas symphony, and after much consideration, she passed on the position. She did, however, take a job with a smaller symphony in another city that was closer to the ranch and had a less aggressive schedule. Tate was seated in the front row of every performance, cheering her on. She took Kate up on her offer and was slated to release her own classical CD in six months.
“I can’t believe he’s growing already.” Isabelle smiled as their son tried to focus his beautiful blue eyes upon waking from his nap. She could tell the subtle differences in him from day to day. And she knew that look. He was ready to eat. “And he has his daddy’s appetite.”
“He’ll be eating barbecue and doing ranch work in no time.” Tate picked up their son from his crib and held him for a while.
“How about we let a tooth or two come in before you go lighting up the grill?” She shook her head.
“I’ll give him six months, and he’ll be walking, talking, and playing the guitar.”
“And singing at the Bright Star?”
“You know it.” Tate kissed her.
Her cell phone pinged; it was an update from Sam. “I was right. Sam ate too much spicy food last night. She is not in labor.”
“J.J. probably needs a stiff drink right about now.” Tate laughed.
“Sam isn’t going to give birth before her due date. I told you that was a sucker’s bet. But if she’s right on time, I win the ranch pool.” She touched her son’s cheek. “Matt, I’m going to feed you and change your clothes because Grandma and Grandpa are coming over for a visit.”
Teri-Lyn and John Jacob were coming to dinner tonight, so Isabelle wanted to make sure Matt was ready for some spoiling from his grandparents. They’d volunteered to babysit every day since Matt came home from the hospital. She picked up a few odds and ends around the nursery. There were so many toys and clothes and gifts around the house that sometimes it was hard to find the baby in the middle of it all. Tate had even gotten their son a guitar that looked like Loulabelle.
“Babe, can you get the blue-striped Onesie that your momma bought to match Matt’s eyes? I think she’d like to see him in that.” Isabelle smiled as Tate handed over their son so she could breastfeed him.
“Need anything before I start dinner?” He kissed her and the baby.
“No, we’ll be down as soon as he’s done.” She smiled.
Tate took one last look at his family before heading downstairs to the kitchen. He never thought it was possible to be so happy. The painful past melted away, and as it dissolved he’d found Lila again. After reading the correspondence between her and Teri-Lyn, a place in his heart opened up after being angry so long. Fate had sent him to the Blakes, just like fate had sent Isabelle to him. He looked forward to a wonderful life filled with love and kids, and with the only woman who heard the music in his heart.
END
~ About the Author ~
Rhonda Laurel is a contemporary interracial/multicultural romance writer whose two great loves are writing and landscape photography. She uses both as a vehicle to convey the complexity of the human spirit and the beauty of the world around her. Ebb Tide, For the Love of the Game and Masquerade were released in 2012. Shutter, Memories of You, Star Crossed, MVP, California Bored and Tourism and The Blake Legacy in 2013. The print anthology, The Rhonda Laurel Collection, featuring Ebb Tide, For the Love of the Game and Shutter released June 2013. Texas Heat, Love Notes & Football and The Perfect Storm, books 4, 5 and 6 in The Blake Boys Series released in 2014.
The author is happily building her backlist.
Discover more about Rhonda Laurel here
http://www.rhondalaurel.com
http://www.facebook.com/authorrhondalaurel
http://www.twitter.com/rhondalaurel
http://pinterest.com/rhondalaurel/
Also by Rhonda Laurel
The Blake Boys Series
For the Love of the Game
The Blake Boys Book One
Rhonda Laurel
This quarterback is making the greatest play of his life…
Quiet bookstore owner Morgan Reed can’t wait to lie on the beach on her much-needed tropical vacation, but getting tackled by a tall, green-eyed stranger playing touch football isn’t exactly what she had in mind. Neither is falling for said stranger, or going along with the eccentric islander who sends them off with a mock wedding. But all’s fair when it comes to vacation romance, and Morgan has plenty of time to get back to reality when she gets home.
When he slams into the beautiful Morgan on the beach and sends her to the infirmary, superstar quarterback Seth Blake insists on helping her recover—if she agrees to share his bungalow with him. Seth is nothing less than smitten, and the best part is that the beauty has no idea who he is.
But when he finds out that their little “wedding” was the real thing, Seth finds himself in a sticky situation. Especially when Morgan finds out the man she fell for isn’t at all who he made himself out to be…
MVP
The Blake Boys Book Two
Rhonda Laurel
The game has just begun…
Morgan Reed-Blake discovers that being the wife of MVP quarterback Seth Blake has its perks…and its challenges. Thrust into Seth’s high-profile world, she must wade through the celebrity, status, and the ghosts of girlfriends past. So when Seth takes Morgan home to his ranch in Texas and introduces her to his family and friends, she’s not surprised when his high school sweetheart comes to call. Morgan suspects she wants to rekindle the flame, and how can she blame her? Distraught over the changes their relationship has caused for Seth, Morgan wonders if maybe he’s better off without her.
Pro quarterback Seth Blake is elated that his wife Morgan is giving their “fake” marriage a real chance. But he doesn’t anticipate running into the woman who broke his heart years ago. He hasn’t told Morgan about the complicated relationship with his ex, but as he guides Morgan through the maze of his celebrity lifestyle, can he convince her the past is in the past? The MVP does not accept defeat, and he’s determined not to lose. But winning Morgan might be the most difficult game of his life…
The Blake Legacy
The Blake Boys Book Three
Rhonda Laurel
Two lovers. Two dreams. One hell of a hard decision…
NFL quarterback Seth Blake
is having an unbelievable hot streak—he’s won his third Super Bowl title the same day his wife Morgan gave birth to their son. Life couldn’t be better for the new father and MVP. His contract with the Philadelphia Titans expires in a year, giving him a chance to make a professional dream come true: to play in his home state for the Texas Wildcats and return to his much-missed Twelve Horseshoes Ranch—this time, for good.
Morgan Reed-Blake has never been happier. She’s got the best husband, the cutest baby, and she’s successfully juggling career and family. Her bookstore is expanding, her charitable organization is growing, and she’s been offered her dream job on the literacy council. Everything in her Philadelphia world is coming up roses. Until Seth’s contract with the Titans expires, and his dream of returning home comes close enough to touch…and the powers that be in Texas start romancing Seth in earnest. Morgan and Seth both have dreams. But a choice has to be made…
Texas Heat
The Blake Boys Book Four
Rhonda Laurel
Isabelle Reed is having a bad year. The classical violinist is struggling with a divorce, and a broken arm has left her unable to play. So when she receives a wedding invitation from her cousin Morgan, her heart just isn’t in it. Going to the wedding will mean seeing everyone from back home, and seeing everyone back home will mean facing the music about her divorce. Unable to miss her cousin’s wedding, she bites the bullet and takes off—and lands right in the arms of Morgan’s brother-in-law, country western music star Tate McGill. She’d heard about the singer and his bad-boy reputation, but there’s something about those storm-filled eyes that made her yearn to look deeper. Even though she should know better than to risk being the subject of a song on his next album.
Country western singer Tate McGill is living the good life. He’s surrounded by beautiful women, hit music, and a great family. But he gets more than he bargained for when he agrees to babysit his nephew Jake for his brother Seth Blake, and finds a beautiful woman in his way. Isabelle Reed is talented and strong-willed, and she’s a natural with little Jake. But she’s keeping a secret from Tate, and he’s determined to find out what it is...
Love Notes and Football
The Blake Boys Book Five
Rhonda Laurel
New baby. New adventures. Love deluxe.
Philadelphia Titans quarterback Seth Blake couldn’t be happier. Toddler Jake is growing like a weed, and Seth’s wife Morgan is expecting another baby. He’s just signed a new contract to play football for five more years and has a plan for retirement. Things couldn’t be better...until an unexpected family crisis turns the world upside down for them all.
Morgan Blake is ecstatic to become a mom again. The bookstore owner is happily balancing work life, homelife, and love life while preparing for their new arrival. But the family is keeping a secret from her. And the secret will threaten the very happiness she’s worked so hard to find.
The Perfect Storm
The Blake Boys Book Six
Rhonda Laurel
Sometimes you have to tear everything down and start over…
Private security specialist Samantha Jane Carson gets the surprise of her life when she arrives at Blake Enterprises for the annual security audit. Instead of her usual contact, she’s greeted by the company president himself, the sexy and elusive J.J. Blake. It’s her job to know everything about the Blake family, and J.J.’s recent divorce is the talk of the town. Women are lined up to become the next Mrs. Blake, and who wouldn’t want to be? J.J.’s gorgeous, rich, and has stormy green eyes that hold women captive.
J.J. Blake is making some major changes in his life. Freshly divorced from ex-wife Eden, he’s building a new house, coming to terms with the injury that ended his NFL career, and is ready to start fresh—without romance complicating things. His friends and family encourage him to get back into the dating pool, but he’d rather not be sucked into those rough waters again. Work is the obvious diversion, and he opts to handle the security audit himself for some good old-fashioned guy/tech work. But when Sam Carson walks into his office, J.J.’s brought up short. The “Sam” he was expecting turns out to be Samantha—beautiful, smart, and a tough-as-nails ex-cop in a polished, professional package. And she’s just the kind of woman who could drag him under…
Slow Burn
The Blake Boys Book Seven
Rhonda Laurel
Tyler Blake is making quite a name for himself in the racing circuit and has everything he’s ever wanted—fame, the support of his family, and hot women clamoring for his attention. But he can’t get a certain bookseller out of his head. The passionate night he spent with Michelle Bradley on the eve of his brother’s wedding still haunts him. He’s too busy living the dream to want commitment, but when he hears Michelle is seeing someone, it bothers him more than he’s willing to admit.
Michelle Bradley is making some major changes in her life. Fed up with months of pursuing the elusive Tyler Blake, she’s ready to throw in the towel. The night she spent with Tyler might as well never have happened, because he doesn’t seem to know she’s alive. But when a cooking class inspires Michelle to funnel her passion into the fine art of cuisine, she finds a new outlet: writing a food blog. Until a glimpse of Tyler on television kissing a woman after a big win sends her into a tizzy. With the help of the Blake women, Michelle kidnaps Tyler and takes him to a secluded cabin so they can have it out once and for all. She hopes the fabulous meal she’s prepared will entice him to stay, at least long enough for dessert…
The Hollywood Heat Series
Star Crossed
Hollywood Heat Book One
Rhonda Laurel
When Hollywood’s sexiest secret explodes, stars are born.
Music mogul Kate Garrison’s husband is a leading Hollywood director. He also happens to be a cheat. When he’s caught having an affair with an actress, Kate becomes the talk of the town—and not in a good way. So when she stumbles into Hollywood’s new golden boy, Chris Cavanaugh—in the men’s room, of all places—the gossip mill starts working overtime. Especially since Chris is starring in her husband’s next film.
Chris Cavanaugh couldn’t imagine a woman would have such an effect on his life. But amid the gossip and Hollywood politics, his only option is to ride out the media storm and play house. He never expects to actually fall for her, but when illusion begins to look more and more like reality, Chris has his hands full keeping his career intact and his eye on the target of making the Hollywood A-list. So why does spending time with Kate suddenly seem more important?
Hollywood Rush
Hollywood Heat Book Two
Rhonda Laurel
High stakes. High Passion. Winner takes all.
Atlantis Records mogul Kate Garrison is elated to have married her soul mate, actor Chris Cavanaugh, a crazy counterpart to her uptight nature. After a scandalous meeting that set the paparazzi on fire, and a whirlwind courtship and wedding, she and Chris return to their Hollywood life of movie sets and power struggles. She’s busy with the new business ventures she inherited, which include another record label and part ownership of Pinnacle Studios. As she struggles to adjust to her new elite position in Hollywood, not everyone is happy with her new-found power. And in Hollywood, power is something everyone wants a piece of.
Chris Cavanaugh’s luck keeps getting better and better. He married the woman of his dreams and his talent is finally getting recognized. The movie roles and award nominations are pouring in. Now if he could only convince himself that he deserves all the attention. But rumor has it that Kate’s pulling strings behind the scenes to launch her husband to stardom, now that she owns a majority stake in the movie studio. And rumors like that could threaten everything they have...
Ebb Tide
Rhonda Laurel
Simmering passion at play.
Natalie Griffin is an attorney who is practical, smart and good at her job. Legalese is the least of her worries, for much of her time is spent keeping her employer, playboy extrao
rdinaire Evan Darchon, out of trouble. Natalie has managed organize everything for him--his company, his home, and his women--but if she could teach him to control some of his wilder impulses, her job would be a heck of a lot easier.
But what about her impulses? Her cool, controlled demeanor is the perfect complement to Evan’s wild side, but she craves the carefree way he makes her feel. His attraction is obvious, but can either of them afford to rock the boat of their professional relationship?
Shutter
Rhonda Laurel
Photographer Antonio De Soto’s life is out of focus. Everyone in his family thinks it’s time for him to settle down. He doesn’t want to be strong-armed into domesticity, even if he does feel the bachelor lifestyle is starting to wear thin. So when his friend invites him to do a pictorial on the community theater, Antonio’s prepared to do his thing and follow his normal womanizing M. O. Instead, he finds himself sparring with the resident artist, Lucy Marceloni. Lucy’s dime-store analysis of his love life—and him—leaves him angry and shaken, but it’s too close to the truth to dismiss. The quirky artist is not his type, but their passionate fights generate a deeper heat between them he can’t ignore…
Lucy wants a man who’s sensitive and intellectual, the exact opposite of Antonio De Soto. The moment she meets the handsome photographer she pegs him as arrogant and self-centered, but that doesn’t protect her from the sizzling chemistry between the two of them. Being drawn to the rogue’s charm and subtle seduction tactics is the last thing she wants. Working with him on the community theater fairytale production could prove to be more than she can handle...
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