Table of Contents
Look for these titles from Rhonda Laurel
Copyright Warning
DEDICATION
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
~ About the Author ~
~ Also by Rhonda Laurel ~
More Romance from Etopia Press
Look for these titles from Rhonda Laurel
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The Blake Boys Series
For the Love of the Game (Book One)
MVP (Book Two)
The Blake Legacy (Book Three)
Texas Heat (Book Four)
Love Notes and Football (Book Five)
The Perfect Storm (Book Six)
Slow Burn (Book Seven)
Cowboy’s Heart (Book Eight)
Tempting Fate (Book Nine)
Executive Desires (Book Ten)
Meet the Blakes (Book Eleven)
The Final Play (Book Twelve)
Stranded in Paradise (Book Thirteen)
Slap Shot (Book Fourteen)
Off Season (Book Fifteen)
The Hollywood Heat Series
Star Crossed (Book One)
Hollywood Rush (Book Two)
Ebb Tide
Shutter
“Masquerade” Halloween Heat IV
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“Masquerade” Halloween Heat MF
The Blake Boys Collection
The Blake Boys Collection II
The Blake Boys Collection III
Off Season
The Blake Boys Book Fifteen
Rhonda Laurel
Copyright Warning
EBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared, or given away. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is a crime punishable by law. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded to or downloaded from file sharing sites, or distributed in any other way via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000 (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/).
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are fictitious or have been used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real in any way. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Published By
Etopia Press
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Warwick, RI 02889
http://www.etopiapress.com
Off Season
Copyright © 2016 by Rhonda Laurel
ISBN: 978-1-944138-45-5
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
First Etopia Press electronic publication: May 2016
DEDICATION
To Seth and Morgan, thanks for being the quarterback and the girl next door.
CHAPTER ONE
Seth Blake didn’t have to open his eyes to know what was going on in his bedroom. The sound of animated laughter coupled with the smell of waffles and syrup was a Saturday morning ritual in his house. This morning it sounded like the resourceful Blake brood had managed to get their breakfast essentials to their parents’ bedroom without spills, then hunkered down on the floor at the foot of the bed and watched their favorite cartoons. It was a rite of passage for the boys to attempt to make their weekend breakfast. Big brother J.J. had been about Jake’s age when he’d started supervising the cooking for his siblings on the weekends.
He kept his eyes closed and pretended to sleep, ignoring the tempting aroma of tasty food. Life had been pretty good since his retirement from football and their move to Texas. The decision to spend time with his family before pursuing a new career resulted in blissful days of leisurely living. He couldn’t help spoiling his baby daughter Mackenzie either. The tiniest member of the family had taken over the house, much to her mother’s chagrin. Mackenzie was everywhere, exploring the world around her and trying her best to keep up with her rambunctious brothers. Speaking of his daughter, he reached over when tiny hands tugged on his arm and helped her and the teddy bear she toted everywhere onto the bed. She immediately nestled between her parents.
“Daddy,” Mackenzie said as she tried to open Seth’s eyelids. When that didn’t work, she planted a kiss on his cheek and pinched his nose.
“Good morning, Sweet Pea.” Seth tickled her.
Having one parent awake wasn’t enough so Mackenzie turned to her mother and touched her cheek. “Bat time.”
Morgan groaned but kept her eyes closed. “I think its Daddy’s turn to give you a bath today. Not Mommy’s.”
“I have to get all the camping gear out of the garage for the sleepover tonight,” he said.
Giving his daughter a bath before he started his chores wasn’t a big deal, but he wanted Morgan and Mackenzie to spend more time together. Morgan wouldn’t admit it, but he got the feeling she was a little disappointed that Mackenzie hadn’t said “mom” yet. She’d mimic every word under the sun, but it seemed like their daughter was purposely holding out on that particular word.
“Excuses, excuses.” Morgan sat up and took a sip of the glass of orange juice Jake had placed on the bedside table for her. “Did you get anything to eat, little girl?”
“Yes, she had one of those Lil Bites Breakfast meals,” Jake yelled from the foot of the bed. “I think it had apple and pears in it. And some apple juice.”
“Thanks, Jake,” Morgan replied, then looked at Seth. “One of these days I’m going to get up before them and see how they pull all of this together and leave my kitchen spotless.”
“It’s good old-fashioned teamwork. It’s in the Blake genetic code.” Seth traded the orange juice in her hand for a piece of chocolate chip muffin.
“Keep up that sentiment. We have our work cut out for us today.”
“We’re going to have fun today. We always do.” Seth leaned over and kissed her on the lips.
“Let’s see if you have that attitude by the end of the day. I predict that you will have to carry me to bed tonight.” She yawned.
Seth took a good look at her. They’d had a good night’s sleep, but she still looked tired. She’d been feeling rundown since she’d gotten sick with the flu last month. “Are you OK?”
“I’m fine.” She shook her head as she suppressed another yawn.
“Do want to get some more shut-eye?”
“We both know that’s not going to happen.” She scrunched her nose at Mackenzie.
“Gabe and Owen are a breeze. They’ll be asleep before the fun starts.” The newest additions of the family were pretty easy to please. J.J. and Sam had welcomed a healthy baby boy, Gabriel Jacob, into the world three months ago. And not to be upstaged by his cousin, Tate and Isabelle’s son Owen Jacob had arrived a few days later. “I’ll get dressed and start hunting for the camping supplies.”
“I’ll get up too. If I can get this one to say ‘mommy,’ maybe I’ll give her a bath.” Morgan tickled her daughter. “Can you say ‘mommy’ yet?”
“Morgy!” Mackenzie replied.
“Oh no. You are not calling me by my first name. I’d rather you call me shark-head or bear-trap.”
“We’re still workin
g on it.” Seth bit back a smile and headed into the bathroom before he burst into laughter. He knew his daughter’s expressions well and that toothy two-tooth grin and sparkling green eyes meant she wouldn’t be saying mommy today. He propped Jake’s skateboard, no doubt part of the breakfast conveyor system, against the door so no one got hurt. He looked back and smiled at what he saw. Mackenzie had cuddled closer to Morgan while Morgan attempted to fix their daughter’s messy ponytails, and the boys were off in their own world watching the cartoon. Life was good.
Morgan might have intended on getting some more sleep this morning, but Mackenzie wasn’t having any of that. The little girl poked and prodded until she finally relented and agreed to get up. The kids were happy to get to a day to do whatever they wanted but little Miss liked structure. Which meant a bath, getting dressed, and chasing her brothers around the house.
“Let’s see if we can get those ponytails to stay in your head today, Red.” Morgan touched her daughter’s droopy tresses and kissed her on the nose. It looked like she’d be joining the family’s red-haired club with her Grandma Teri-Lyn and Uncle Channing.
The phone rang. Morgan picked it up off the nightstand and looked at the display. It was her friend Nina.
“Hi, Nina.”
Mackenzie took her cue and her teddy bear and ambled off the bed. She joined her brothers and inserted herself between Connor and Colby on the floor.
“Why are you still in bed?” Nina said.
“There’s no way you can know that.”
“I know that voice. It’s the leisurely sound of a woman who doesn’t have a care in the world. I miss that sound. Don’t tell me you’re wearing a negligee and a feather boa.”
“You sound sleep-deprived.” She laughed. “I wouldn’t say I don’t have a care. The kids are in that self-maintenance stage.”
“That’s right. You don’t have a newborn in your house and can do whatever you please. I’ve been up since dawn’s crack.”
Morgan giggled. “I remember those days. But Patton’s helping out, right?”
“Please, Patton can nap through a house demolition. I don’t remember him sleeping so soundly when Gabby was born.”
“Well, we both know Patton and Seth behave differently with their daughters.” Morgan pulled back the cover and reached for her robe. “If it’s any consolation to you, we’re babysitting Gabe and Owen tonight.”
“No. It’s not. Don’t get me wrong, I love my little blessing, but he keeps farmer’s hours.”
“He gets that from his Uncle Seth. How’s the family reunion going?”
“Like I feared, the business pitches and wacky ideas keep coming from the family. The homecoming is turning into a non-stop parade of people asking for money. Patton’s too kindhearted to say no, but I’m starting to get pissed.”
Morgan cringed. One of Nina’s reservations about returning home to Alabama was that the family would treat Patton like some sort of cash cow. Patton had made tons of money playing football and he’d invested his money wisely to ensure a comfortable future for his family. Nina worried that his generosity would lead to financial trouble.
“Are any of the ideas any good?”
“The latest one was for a slip and slide.”
“That’s not very original. It’s been done to death.” She went into the walk-in closet to look for something to wear.
“Oh. Sorry. Did I mention it’s a hotdog slip and slide? You grab a hotdog then jump on the slide. As you’re careening down the water-soaked plastic tubing on your back with your hotdog in your hand, a contraption squirts condiments at you.”
“That sounds like the brilliant mind of an enterprising child. I’d keep my eye on him for the future.”
“My cousin Rollo is thirty-seven.”
“Oh.” Morgan cracked up into the phone.
“Don’t get me started on his so called ‘inventions.’ The mobile juke joint. The beer cooler sweatpants. And the presentations are atrocious. The schematics for the machines look like something out of an old cartoon. The failed invention he’s most proud of is the wheelchair whose spokes double as a chicken rotisserie. It’s called Cluck on the Go. That’s patented by the way.”
“Please stop.” She wiped the tears away. “Let’s talk about my godchildren. Sounds like Emerson is being a typical newborn with the early hours. Is Gabby adjusting well?”
“She’s OK. She has plenty of cousins to play with and she likes her new school.”
“Is she there? Let me talk to her.”
Nina handed the phone off to her daughter. “Hi, Aunt Morgan! Thank you for the care package.”
“Hi, Gabby! It was my pleasure. I just knew you’d like those lavender cowboy boots. Mom says you like school.”
“It’s OK. They put me in an advanced class, but the work isn’t any harder. I think they made a mistake. It’s boring in there.”
“I’m sure your mom and dad will find something else to stimulate your brain.” Gabby was sharp as a whip. There was talk about skipping her a grade. Nina and Patton were thinking it over. “Are you getting used to having a baby brother? Emerson will be depending on you to show him the ropes.”
“He’s no trouble. He poops a lot, but mom and dad change him pretty quick. Is Jake around?”
“He’s watching cartoons. Do you want to talk to him?”
“Sure.”
“Jake, Gabby wants to say hi.” Morgan smiled when Jake rolled his eyes and slowly got up from the floor. Jake thought he’d gotten a reprieve from Gabby’s attention when they’d moved to Alabama, but little did he know Gabby would launch a communications campaign to keep in touch with him. So he took it in stride since Seth had instilled in the boys the importance of being polite and respectful, even if they thought someone had the cooties.
“Hey Gabby, I’m watching TV. I’ll talk to you later.” He handed the phone back to his mother.
Nina was back on the line. “I think that’s the longest conversation they’ve ever had.”
“I think so too. You’re coming to Philadelphia for my grandma’s party, right?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I still don’t know what to get her. Did you get her a present yet?”
“I was thinking of a life-sized portrait of John Jacob, but I don’t think Teri-Lyn would be too thrilled about it.” Morgan laughed and took a seat on the bed, suddenly feeling winded.
“Does Grandma Reed have a new boyfriend? Michelle said there’s an older gentleman from the senior center that’s been dropping by the house?”
“Mr. Greene. He stopped by for cake and coffee and the whole family was in an uproar. And they’re blaming Charisma for it.”
“Why are they blaming her?”
“They say she’s encouraging Grandma to try new things and make new friends, like it’s a crime. We all know Grace Marie Reed doesn’t do anything she doesn’t want to do. Blaming Charisma for Grandma’s new attitude is ridiculous. My cousins are just jealous of how close she and Grandma have gotten.”
“Well that doesn’t seem fair to fault Charisma.”
“Please. Trina’s still mad at me because Isabelle got to Tate before she could.”
“So Grandma Reed’s getting more social?”
“Charisma living there has been a good thing for both of them.”
“I saw a nice jade elephant pendant at the jeweler the other day. I’ll get her that.”
“Ouch!”
Morgan turned in the direction of the ruckus and saw Mackenzie had started climbing on her brothers. Seth was still in the shower. It was time to save them. “I have to go. The child who refuses to call me mommy is using her brothers as a rock-climbing wall.”
“OK. We have a cousin’s birthday party to attend this afternoon. Oh joy.”
“Give Patton my love and Emerson a big kiss for me. See you in a month.”
“Can’t wait.” Morgan disconnected the call. “Boys, you have a half hour more TV time then you have to get ready for the rodeo with U
ncle Channing and Aunt Cassie.”
“Aww.”
“We don’t want you out-stinking the livestock.” She scooped up Mackenzie with all the energy she could muster. “And you get a bath and some fresh ponytails while we work on you saying mommy.”
“Morgy!” Mackenzie clapped.
“Funny, you don’t give your dad all these problems.” Morgan glared at her daughter and walked into the direction of Mackenzie’s bathroom.
* * *
Seth rearranged the living room furniture to ensure the huge camping tent would fit comfortably. He erected the tent fairly quickly and double-checked the poles to make sure it was secure. This time he’d make sure to use three ventilation windows to keep an eye on them without disturbing their fun or sleep. The last time Matt woke up at the sound of the zipper moving and wasn’t able to go back to sleep, so Seth put on a western and in no time he was out like a light. He hoped they’d all have a peaceful slumber tonight. As soon as the kiddies were tucked in, he planned on having some romantic fun with Morgan.
He’d laid out the sleeping bags, now all that was left to do was to get the food going. The kids had gone with Channing and Cassidy to the rodeo, and Morgan was out picking up a few things from the grocery store. Hot dogs, burgers, and chicken tenders were a favorite among the kids, but he was sure Morgan would try to sneak in a vegetable. Celery and carrots seemed to be the only things she could pass off on the kids without complaint. He glanced at the clock. Speaking of his wife, she should have been back from the supermarket by now.
Off Season (The Blake Boys Book 15) Page 1