“Seth, thanks for coming on such short notice.” Jimmy stood and shook his hand. “Can you believe Jocelyn has me doing this? She says it staves off nervous energy.”
Seth smiled. “Morgan has me updating my trading card collection, so I can pass it on to the boys.”
“Can I fix you a drink?” Jimmy walked over to the bar.
“I’ll have a club soda,” Seth replied. He glanced around the room. There was new artwork on the walls. “Is that a Van Gogh?”
“Good eye. Jocelyn has been in heaven since I got it for her.”
“My sister-in-law Cassidy is an art enthusiast. My brother bought her a Monet as a wedding present.”
“That’s what I like about you, Seth. You come from a wealthy, refined family. The Blakes aren’t obnoxious about what they have and they still work hard despite being well off.”
He grinned. “My daddy always says any passionate undertaking requires hard work and sweat.”
“I wanted to meet with you here out of the prying eyes of my executive staff. It’s been a media shit storm this week, and I thought we could do without coverage of you going into my office like you were facing a beheading.”
“I appreciate that.”
“So what happened?”
“Lamont showed up to my party drunk with his girlfriend Charisma, who is my wife Morgan’s cousin. He got physical with her. Morgan saw it and reacted, tried to pull them apart, and in the process Lamont knocked her down. He didn’t intentionally set out to hit her, but the protective husband and father in me came out and the next thing I know Lamont and I are throwing punches.”
“Good to know. I saw the pictures of his face. I thought he was moonlighting as a MMA fighter.” Jimmy chuckled.
“It was never my intent to embarrass the team. Lamont and I have had a contentious relationship for a long time.”
“I never want to advocate any of my players fighting with each other, but it sounds like you defended your wife. I wouldn’t expect anything less from you. I would have done the same thing if someone had pushed by wife and endangered our unborn child. Brayer has been a pain in the ass since I signed him, but he gets results on the field. Still, this is a PR nightmare. In addition to hurting your wife, he put his hands on his girlfriend, who happens to be related to you too. The league has had too many domestic assault issues with players lately, and now we’ve joined the ranks.”
“I’ll take whatever public punishment you have to give me.”
Jimmy gave him an odd look. “You didn’t fight at practice and weren’t on stadium property.”
“I know, but to chastise Lamont and not me would get tongues wagging.”
“They day I let anyone other than Jocelyn Fontane tell me what to do is the day I need to give up owning a team. Don’t worry about it. I won’t throw you under the bus. Brayer on the other hand, made his bed and now has to lie in it. I can’t stop the number the court of public opinion is doing on him. He brought that on himself, and the league has him in their sights. I’ve already gotten the head’s up. But what I would like to do is assure everyone that this matter is nipped in the bud.” He sipped his drink.
“Consider it put to bed. I told the team we need to get past this if we’re going to win another championship.”
“Good. How’s Morgan holding up?”
Seth ran a hand over his face. “She’s handling all of this better than me.”
“She’s a tough cookie. I liked the quip she gave the news reporter that ambushed her outside the bookstore today.”
Seth laughed. “I haven’t seen the segment.”
“I’m concerned about the team. Hell, the league for that matter.” Jimmy poured himself another brandy.
“How so?”
“When you leave, which I still go on record for being against, you’re taking the style and class that used to embody the sport. Now all these boys want to do is fight and outshine each other’s endorsement contracts. I remember when it used to be about the game.”
“Me too, Jimmy.”
He sighed, then shook his head and tried on a smile. “Have any thoughts on what’s next in your future?”
“Not really.”
“There’s always room for you in the Titans organization. I’m sure we can find something for you to do in the front office.” Jimmy grinned.
“Thanks, Jimmy.”
CHAPTER SIX
Morgan puttered around the kitchen table, making sure the boys ate their breakfast. It felt so good to be back in Texas although it made no sense to come down for a couple of days when they were scheduled to visit in a few weeks anyway. She blamed every erratic move she made on the baby who, for some reason, had prompted her to visit the ranch early and had thrown off their carefully laid plans. Seth didn’t complain, even though it meant some fancy maneuvering to travel to Texas. He was coming to the ranch for a day before heading back to Philadelphia to practice for the next game.
When Operation Love Birds—the grand scheme to bring Morgan’s brother Jared and Autumn, the twin sister of Bo’s girlfriend Summer, together—didn’t take off the way the ladies expected during the wedding celebration, they decided to give it another try. Jared had been spending a lot of time in Texas working on Blake Enterprise projects but alas, he and Autumn kept narrowly missing each other. They both had busy careers, and it was proving taxing to get them together under seemingly innocent circumstances. Morgan knew her brainy brother was aware of their plans to set him up and that he wasn’t happy about it. Sure he was content with being divorced, but she didn’t want him to retreat into work and forget about having a social life and finding someone special to share his success.
Today she’d find out if they finally made any progress. Jared had dinner last night with Bo and Summer, and Autumn was sure to be there. Now it was ten-thirty the next morning, and her brother still hadn’t come into the house. The downside to the new guesthouse she and Seth had added was that she couldn’t harass her family at will.
“Boys, go get your Uncle Jared.” Morgan opened the patio door for them and watched as they scurried across the grass. A few minutes later the boys brought their sleep-deprived Uncle Jared into the kitchen then marched back out into the backyard.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.” Morgan laughed. She handed him a plate with bacon and waffles on it. She went to the fridge and got out the fresh strawberries and whipped cream. “I know you like your breakfast extremely sweet and gross, but you add the fruit so people will think you’re health-conscious. Did you have fun at Bo’s last night?”
“Yeah, we had a great time. We had dinner and discussed some modifications to the plans for his house. He wants add an observatory. Bo is very meticulous. If he stops adding things he could be close to breaking ground soon.” He jabbed at the waffles with a fork.
“Good. I’m sure it’s going to be some technological spectacle with two super nerds living there.” Bo was calling the women in the family asking questions about engagement rings. Cassidy and Isabelle had taken him ring shopping last week.
“He and Summer are so cute together it’s sickening.”
She shook her head. “Sorry you have to lose another bachelor buddy.”
“Nah, I’m happy for him. Bo never really was a player. He needed to settle down quick before he got in over his head.”
Morgan tapped her fingers on the table. She was sure Jared was holding out about Autumn. He should have been gushing that he’d fallen in love at first sight by now.
“Is there a problem?” He eyed her suspiciously.
“So, what did you think? I told you she was beautiful, funny, and sassy.”
Jared raised an eyebrow. “Who are you talking about?”
“Autumn.” Morgan gave him an expectant look.
“What about her?”
“So help me, I’m going to throw a pot at your head. Did you enjoy Autumn’s company?”
“Oh.” He let out an exaggerated sigh. “Summer and Autumn had an unexpected business me
eting out of town. Bo and I had dinner alone.”
“Oh.” She pouted.
Jared shook his head and took another bite of his food. “All that time spent plotting and it yielded no results. What a shame.”
Her cell phone rang. Morgan looked at the display. “Hi, Sydney.”
Morgan answered and put it on speakerphone. “You’re on speaker. Jared’s with me.”
“How are my babies doing?”
“We’re fine. We were just talking about how mule-headed he is,” Morgan mused.
Sydney continued. “Jared, I dropped by your loft and watered your plants and had some time to kill so I washed a load of laundry too.”
“Thank you. You’re the best.” He beamed.
“What a baby.” Morgan rolled her eyes.
“Says the woman who’s trying to get our parents to move to Texas to be closer to her.” He huffed.
Sydney laughed. “Jared’s a bachelor. He needs someone to look after him.”
“He has a maid service.”
“True, but the maid service doesn’t leave homemade chicken pot pie in the freezer.” He gave Morgan a cheesy grin. “You did make me some, right?”
“Yes, and split pea soup.” Sydney laughed. “Morgan your brother works so hard expanding his architecture firm he barely has time to cook, and he says he doesn’t have any time to date.”
“Sure he does. He had a date with Bo last night.”
“I thought he had a double date—”
Morgan coughed and interrupted. “Summer and Autumn had to go out of town for a business meeting.”
“So the setup you ladies have been trying to put into motion since forever didn’t work out,” Jared cut in. “I love that you care, but maybe this wasn’t meant to be.”
“Nonsense. You and Autumn would make a nice couple.” Sydney said.
“He’s being difficult today.” Morgan rolled her eyes at her brother again. “Where’s dad?”
“He’s packing for our cruise.”
“It’s not for three weeks,” Jared replied.
“Morgan, do you know if Teri-Lyn is packing a swimsuit?”
“Yes, as a matter-of-fact she went out and bought one the other day.” The vacation with the grandparents had snowballed into a full-blown senior’s event. Bo Sr. and Bonnie were going as well as Isabelle’s parents.
“Good. I did too.” Sydney giggled.
“You’re going to have a great time. Teri-Lyn’s itinerary is jam-packed with activities, so you there will be non-stop action.”
“That’s what I like to hear. I wonder if I can get your father to enter a limbo competition?” Sydney said.
“Sure, if there’s a T-bone on the floor he can reach for,” Jared said.
“Then we would definitely win. I’ve cut his red meat intake so drastically, he says ‘porterhouse’ in his sleep.” Sydney laughed. “Well, my children, I have to finish packing. Kiss the boys and give my granddaughter a good tummy rub for me.”
“Will do.” Morgan ended the call. “Isn’t it nice that Sydney doesn’t have to drag dad kicking and screaming on vacations anymore?”
“Yes, it is. I’ve been telling him for years that he needs to slow down and enjoy life more.”
Morgan scowled at him. “You are such a hypocrite. Take your own advice. Bo gave you that Executive Desires vacation months ago.”
“What’s the rush? It doesn’t expire.” He shrugged.
“Wouldn’t you like to be on the beach with a tropical drink in your hand, watching the waves roll in?”
“In this dream scenario of yours, am I shirtless? Because I’ve been working out.” He grinned and flexed his bicep, then grew serious. “Dad put a lot of time into his life’s work. I’m just following his example. I’m just starting to find my groove, and my firm is booming with work. I have plenty of time for romance and vacations. So, as nice as the gesture is, I really don’t need to be set up with someone.”
“I totally respect that, but I don’t want you to miss out on love because you got burned by that ex-wife of yours.”
“Speaking of, I got a belated birthday card from Taylor the other day.”
“Really? What is she up to these days?” Morgan raised an eyebrow. Talk about a blast from the past. She didn’t think they still kept in touch. Dr. Taylor Hastings was a beautiful woman and a gifted neurosurgeon. When she and Jared got married, everyone thought they were the quintessential perfect couple. Then they’d separated for a while before they made the divorce official, so it wasn’t really a big surprise when he announced that they’d split for good. He kept it private, but she never really knew the reason they’d decided to throw the towel in. Taylor was very ambitious, and when a position opened up at a hospital in Illinois, she’d left.
“She’s Taylor.” He shrugged.
Perhaps that was reason for his hesitance to meet someone new. The ex-wife was lurking about. “She never liked me.”
“That’s not true.”
Morgan laughed. “Your nose is growing right before my very eyes.”
“She said you were bristly toward her.”
“The astute doctor was right. There was something about her. She wasn’t warm like Alicia.” Morgan nibbled on a piece of sliced pineapple. “Do you miss her?”
“Sometimes, but not enough to make drunken phone calls professing my love in the middle of the night. We parted ways for very good reasons.”
“She may have been a pretentious pill, but she made you happy. I miss seeing you that happy.”
“Thank you for caring so much about me. When the time is right and my career is where I want it to be, I promise I will make time for love. But no more set ups.” He gave her an expectant look.
“I won’t try to fix you up again if you promise to take that vacation Bo gave you.”
“I’ll think about it.” He kissed her on the forehead.
Morgan watched as her brother began clearing the table. She worried about him, that’s why she tried so hard to show him he needed a social life. She wasn’t sure what would happen when he and Autumn finally met, but it was worth a shot to see if they were compatible. She’d ease up on the matchmaking, but he could at least take a vacation and clear his head.
* * *
Morgan glanced out the car window at the darkening sky that had begun blanketing the ranch as she drove to the store. She didn’t know why she had to have the rocky road ice cream from the gourmet ice cream parlor on such a stormy day. But then again, she’d been doing things all week that weren’t in character. In the months since the infamous party, she’d been trying to take it easy in anticipation for their impending arrival in Texas.
She’d been having some pain off and on all day, but it wasn’t the usual mind-numbing labor pains she’d had with Jake and the twins. When she made up her mind to go the ice cream parlor, the baby seemed satisfied with the decision and calmed down. She didn’t think anything else of it until a sharper pain zapped her as she waited in line, nibbling on a mint chocolate chip cone while waiting for the five half gallons she’d ordered to be packed.
The doggy finder app on her phone that kept tabs on Rowdy beeped again. This was the third time it had gone off, and she was getting nervous. Rowdy hadn’t been seen all afternoon, and the boys were getting worried too. He usually stayed close to their house when they were in town. The alert signaled that Rowdy was somewhere near the stables and hadn’t moved for at least forty-five minutes.
The stables were empty of staff today, since Teri-Lyn sent most of them home when she heard the dire weather forecast. The remaining workers on the ranch were staying in the cottages to keep an eye on things. John Jacob and Bo were off on a fishing trip, and the rest of the family were scattered about working. Even Regency was working with a skeleton crew. Teri-Lyn had all the kids at the house, and Seth was on his way from the private airport. Rowdy roamed around the entire ranch all the time and got stuck in interesting places. Last time his distress signal went off, he’d crawled un
der Tate’s porch to retrieve a piece of bacon Matt had let fall from his plate during breakfast.
Morgan thanked the cashier for the free cone and was on her way. The sundaes and movies should keep the boys’ mind off the stormy weather. She pulled out of the parking lot and headed back to the ranch. Her cell phone went off. She checked the caller ID and saw it was Teri-Lyn.
“Morgan, where are you?”
“I’ll be there in a few minutes. Rowdy’s distress alert went off, I’m going to the stables to get him.”
“Somebody else can get him. Get back to the house. It’s going to storm something fierce.”
“I’m already here. I’ll be quick. I promise.”
“OK. But you hurry up.”
Morgan clasped her coat together as a gust of wind blew against her and she waddled her way into the stables. She rubbed her belly to soothe the baby’s kicking, since she was apparently reacting to the bad weather. Morgan had been feeling a little off the last few days but chalked it up to the playoffs looming in the distance. Seth had been focused and wound tight and she wanted him to realize his last dream so badly. The fight had both him and Lamont out for two games, and like everyone thought, their absences hit the team hard. Bryce tried his best but just barely survived the beating he’d taken in the two games he started. Seth was so anxious to get back in the game she worried that he would ignore a full recovery to do damage control. Like it or not, he and Lamont were both instrumental to the team and it showed.
She searched around for Rowdy, who wasn’t near the stable offices. The horses were peeking out of their stalls, interested to see what she was up to. She gave Reed’s Fire a quick pat on the head and slipped him a carrot, hoping the other horses wouldn’t get mad. She turned the corner and went a ways down the next row of stalls when she heard the whimpering. The pooch’s head was stuck in between a loose board that had fallen.
“Rowdy.” Morgan bent down and lifted the board. “Are you OK?”
The Final Play Page 7