The Blindsided Groom (Last Play Masquerade Romances Book 4)

by Heather Horrocks

  “Even after your fantastic therapy.”

  “Even after, doubting Thomas.” She sighed again and slipped her hands under her legs, staring at the lake. “He wouldn’t believe me now, anyway. He wants to be playing football so much he won’t even hear anyone else saying differently.”

  “So let life tell him, huh?”

  “Yup.”

  “Huh.” After a pause, he asked, “How long does it take for life to speak up?”

  She shrugged. “Should be pretty quick with something this big that he wants to do. I’d say within a month after he finishes the therapy, but that’s just a wild guess.”

  Daniel punched the medicine ball, sending it flying across the workout room. With a scowl, he said, “I want to go back home.”

  “With Jessie?” Knox asked.

  “You saw her. She left again. I want to go back to Mom and Dad’s home. I want to go back to the clinic so I can get the full benefit of the program. I want to get back on the field so Jessie will come back.”

  Knox exchanged a glance with Amy. She shook her head minutely, as if reminding him: Don’t say anything—Let life do the talking.

  This was really tough. He was used to taking action.

  Amy said, “That would be a good idea.”

  Knox’s phone rang. It was his father. “Yeah, Dad?”

  “Is Jessie still up there?”

  That verified who’d told Jessie where Daniel was—and that there was another woman up here—a woman who his father had also probably invited.

  “What are you up to, Dad?”

  “I don’t know what you mean, son.”

  “Jessie left.”

  “With Daniel?” His father sounded hopeful, and Knox realized the old man wasn’t as aloof as he let on most of the time.

  “By herself.”

  His father swore, something he rarely did. “The best laid plans.”

  “Stop planning. And what happened to letting them figure things out on their own?”

  “They weren’t moving fast enough.”

  Knox barked out a laugh and agreed with his father. “No, they weren’t.”

  Knox was caught between Amy’s let life do the talking philosophy and his father’s interference. Knox liked being in control—but he was nowhere near in control on this one.

  He supposed Amy’s approach was the best one, since he couldn’t control his older brother even if he wanted to.

  But backing off was one of the hardest things he'd ever done. He couldn’t use his football skills for this one. He couldn’t slam into it, tackle it, or blitz through it.

  This time, the quarterback was on his own. As Knox studied his brother, a wave of compassion flowed through him. His brother had lost everything—and he was clinging to Amy’s promise of help.

  Knox needed to cling to her hope as well, because he didn’t have much of his own.

  “Well?” Daniel said, struggling to stand. “Let’s go. Amy, will you stay at my parents’ home and give me extra therapy in the evenings?”

  Knox saw the war on her face. Finally, she said, “Yes.”

  “Oh,” Amy said. “Your parents have a swing here, too.”

  Knox’s chuckle sent a shiver of joy through her.

  “Cold?” Knox asked, misinterpreting.

  She wrapped her jacket more closely about her. “I’m fine.”

  How had she managed to get Knox as a tour guide of the Reid home, anyway? Oh, yeah, probably because Jessie had told them that she and Knox were dating. His mother seemed delighted, his father had greeted her warmly. They’d both congratulated her on how much better Daniel was doing.

  And then Knox had insisted on taking her for a tour of the house and grounds.

  His mother had looked at her strangely, like she wanted to hug her but didn't quite dare.

  Knox led her through the large home, similar to the cabin, and then opened the doors leading from the large family room outside.

  A huge swing stood there. She planned on avoiding that swing at all costs. She no longer trusted herself around the handsome Knox Reid. He seemed to be able to push all of her buttons—including the attraction button. She was not going to kiss him again. She still couldn’t believe she’d done it to begin with.

  As the rumble of his chuckle faded, she stepped past the swing. He followed. “They have a pool house here where guests can change into swimsuits and shower.” He pointed to a smaller building near the pool. “The roof covers half the pool because my sister is a redhead and burns like crazy. If she’s in the sun for fifteen minutes, she starts imitating a lobster.”

  The family obviously had money, but money couldn't fix everything. It couldn't put Humpty Dumpty back together again, no matter how much Daniel wanted it to.

  “It’s lovely,” she said, truthfully. She looked up at him and teased, “How can you live so far away from all of this?”

  He caught her with his gaze. “I had to leave in order to get out from under the Texas records of my father.”

  “He went to prison?” She put her hands to her mouth as if shocked.

  He scowled, and she laughed. He went on. “Hall of Fame. He broke five records, two of which still stand. Everyone knows who Ace Reid is—-and I wanted to be introduced as Knox Reid, not Ace Reid’s son.”

  “That’s interesting. You have your father still, but don’t want to live in the same town with him. I don’t have my father anymore, but I still live in the home where he and my mother raised me.”

  Knox’s expression shifted to one of concern. “Your father died?”

  “Both he and my mother. I’m on my own.”

  “You’ve done well for yourself. Your parents must be proud.”

  “I won’t know that for a while.”

  “I’m sure they look down and they’re pleased with how you help people.”

  She held onto her coat edge. “Aha, so you admit that I do actually help people?”

  “Yes. Even I can see Daniel is walking better and talking without as much slurring.”

  “And, since I took you up on your agreement and pretended to be dating you, you will help me get Daniel back into the clinic on Monday morning?”

  “Yes. He may not get back on the football field, but I want him to live more like his normal self.”

  “Thank you,” she said, and blinked back an unexpected tear. It meant more than she’d thought to have Knox’s support.

  “Will his condition improve, stay the same, or worsen after the therapy ends?”

  “We don’t know yet. Some people heal and stay at that level. Some don’t. All I can promise is that I’ll give him everything I’ve got to help him get as much better as he can. Some people improve more than others, but everyone who goes through this program improves dramatically.”

  “Thank you.” He took her hand. Instead of pulling away, she squeezed back, then slipped her fingers between his. “It’s what I do.”

  He chuckled. “I go onto football fields and protect my quarterback from taking the hits that might get him into your program.”

  “That’s good. I wish people weren’t getting injured, but that’s not going to stop any time soon.”

  He nodded. Keeping his fingers intertwined with hers, he wrapped his other arm around her shoulders. Looking down at her, he said, “Are you sure you wouldn’t like to sit in the swing?”

  “Pretty darn sure.” She glanced at the swing. “Your family is watching us right now, aren’t they?”

  He glanced toward the bank of windows and grinned. “That’s a big yes. And, since you did agree to pretend to be my girlfriend, I think we ought to give them a kiss.”

  Her heart began racing. “We ought to give them a kiss, huh?”

  “Maybe give each other a kiss as a gift to them.”

  “A gift?” She smiled and ran her fingers up the arm of his sweatshirt up to his shoulder.

  He looked surprised, but seemed to recover quickly.

  “For your family, then,” she said, and st
ood on her tiptoes.

  Knox’s heart raced as though he was in a big play on the field.

  She was going to kiss him again. He leaned down, she wrapped her arms around his neck, and he pressed his lips to hers.

  By the time the long, leisurely kiss ended, Knox stood, feeling as though he’d been tackled and had the wind knocked out of him.

  He’d started by claiming to want to keep her away from Daniel, but the truth hit him.

  Knox wanted Amy Kingsley for himself! For more than a season. For real.

  Chapter 7 ~ Maybe You’re Just with The Wrong Reid Brother

  Amy rolled over in bed, trying to get a few more minutes of sleep. She’d barely slept in the Reid’s guest room. This was so surreal. She had a home here in Waco—and yet here she was. She had a job that didn’t require her sleeping over—and yet here she was. She had patients to help—and yet here she was.

  She didn’t know where Knox’s room was, and she shouldn’t care, but she did.

  Why was she still here? She ought to go home today and then just help Daniel in the clinic on Monday. Her emotions were too messed up, too conflicted, too strong for her to deal with today. But she’d promised him.

  Turning over again, she sighed. It was nearly six, so she’d get ready for the day and start Daniel working out early. Try to avoid his handsome brother who made her feel so delicate and feminine, safe and at home in his arms. Though why that would be so she didn’t know. She didn’t feel that way around Daniel, who was just as big.

  Could it be that she was starting to fall for Knox? She barely knew him, but he was all she could think about.

  Her phone pinged and she picked it up. It was a text from her boss. Paul had texted, When will you be back in the office?

  Didn’t you see my text from last night? I’ll be there on Monday morning—with Daniel Reid.

  There was a lag time and then I missed it somehow. Good. I need you in the office. We need Daniel in the office.

  See you then.

  What are you doing this weekend?

  You won’t believe it.

  Try me.

  I’m sleeping over at Ace and Rebecca Reid’s home in Waco. There’s apparently going to be a family get-together today, and they insisted I stay. I’ll be working with Daniel this morning first. And then I’m considering going home.

  A few seconds after she hit send, her phone rang. “Hi, Paul.”

  “What on earth is going on over there?” He sounded suspicious.

  “Who knows?” Even though he couldn’t see her, she shrugged. “At least the Reid family seems to like me.”

  “That’s good. If you can pull this off, there’s a bonus in it for you. If you can’t, it’s going to set our business back. So if they want you to stay over, stay.”

  “Stay?” Her heart sank.

  “Stay.”

  “Yes, sir.” She sighed. “How’s my cat doing?”

  “Your cat is a brat.” He chuckled. “But she’s doing fine. My wife wants to adopt her.”

  After they ended their brief conversation, Amy stared at her phone as if she’d find answers there.

  She wanted to leave. Paul had ordered her to stay—if the family wanted her to.

  Maybe they were ready for her to leave.

  Knox peeked around the corner. He probably looked like an elephant trying to hide behind a skinny tree, but he wanted to check on Amy again.

  She was still having Daniel lift weights and do other muscle-building exercises.

  He slipped back out of sight.

  When he returned to the kitchen, his mother put her hands on her hips. “Your brother is not trying to steal your new girlfriend, son.”

  “I know.” He wasn’t really afraid that his new “girlfriend” was trying to steal his brother any longer. He’d witnessed nothing this week that would even hint in that direction. She’d been totally professional—at least with Daniel. She seemed to react to Knox just fine. Time for a change of subject. “What time is the rest of the family arriving?”

  “Sam said he couldn’t be here for supper. He has a date.”

  “Sam’s a quarterback. He likes playing the field.” He was probably on a date with a woman Zeke had found for him, the friend of whichever woman Zeke was dating.

  “Frank and Bobby will be here any time. And Katie’s bringing a friend. They’ll all be here in time to play some football before dinner.”

  “How is Daniel going to deal with this?”

  “Maybe he’ll do the sportscasting from the sidelines. Your young lady has him speaking much more clearly already.”

  Knox nodded. “I’ll admit I was skeptical at first.”

  “Really?” She smiled. “I hadn’t noticed.”

  She handed him a bowl of chips and a warm bean dip that was a favorite in those parts. Her version was spicier than most, which her sons all appreciated. He dipped in a chip and tossed it in his mouth. “I’ve missed Texas Trash Dip.”

  There was a knock at the front door, and then it opened and his two brothers tumbled in. Frank and Bobby.

  Frank raised an arm to the sky in appreciation. “Mom’s Texas Trash! We got here just in time!”

  Frank passed him and circled the counter, pulling their mother into a hug. “Hi, Ma.”

  She hugged him back, and laughed. “Hi, Frank. Don’t squish me.”

  Bobby followed, tossing a football onto the counter, and hugging their mom.

  “My brothers are here,” Daniel said—much more clearly than even a few days before.

  Amy smiled. “You have noisy brothers.”

  “I do.” He set down the medicine ball. “Are we done for today?”

  She nodded. “You’re doing really well, Daniel. I’m proud of how hard you’re working to make some improvement.”

  “Thanks.” He smiled at her warmly. Then he pushed up to a standing position and stretched. He was a big man, like all his family of football players. He held out an arm. “Come on. I’ll introduce you. That’ll drive Knox crazy.”

  She laughed and slipped her hand through his elbow.

  They turned the corner just as Knox was coming around. He was carrying a big tray of chips and dip and he stopped to keep from bumping into them, juggling the tray—and then one of his brothers bumped into him and the tray went flying, landing on the floor, scattering chips everywhere, though the dip stayed partially in the bowl.

  Knox said a bad word, but Amy just smiled and said, airily, “Oh, look—floor d'oeuvres.”

  Knox looked from the mess to her and started to laugh. Two other large men came into view, mocking Knox and bumping his shoulder. “No wonder you’re not a quarterback,” one of them said.

  “Or a receiver, Mr. Fumblefingers,” the other guy said.

  “That’s Bobby,” Daniel said, patting her hand. “He’s a senior at Baylor and incredibly immature.”

  Bobby snorted but stopped when he spotted her, looking from Daniel to Amy and back.

  She attempted to pull her hand back, but Daniel shook his head. “This other big lug is Frank, who plays for the Wranglers.”

  The brothers said, “Glad to meet you.”

  Daniel said, “This is my therapist, Amy Kingsley. She’s working miracles with me.”

  Knox was scowling at them now. She finally extricated her hand and nodded to the men. “I’m glad to meet you all.”

  Knox pushed his way to her side. “Amy is my girlfriend, so stay away.”

  Amy laughed. “He’s such a kidder.”

  “I’m not kidding,” he warned his brothers. “Stay away.”

  Frank tossed a football gently in her direction. “Wanna play football with us?”

  “And what part would I play?” she asked. “The football?”

  “Very funny,” Frank said, approvingly. “Let’s go.”

  Frank put a hand on her elbow and turned her.

  She suspected they were all trying to torture Knox, and she took pity on him. “Come on, Knox. Let’s go play football.”r />
  “If you’re man enough,” Frank said.

  Knox rolled his eyes and took her hand. “My brothers are a bad influence. I’d sit this game out if I were you.”

  A woman’s voice behind them said, “Sit it out? Is your new girlfriend a wimp or something?”

  Amy turned to see a young, woman grinning at her, extending a hand. Her hair was past her shoulders and a curly red color, her eyes a brilliant blue. “I’m Katie Reid. You must be Amy Kingsley.”

  Amy shook her hand. “I am.”

  “I’m the younger sister of all of these guys. Don’t let them fool you. They play tough—but they’re gentle as kittens around girls.”

  Daniel said, “I’m going to play today, too.”

  Amy frowned. “I think you need to wait until you’ve graduated from our therapy program first.”

  He frowned.

  Katie put an arm around Daniel’s waist. “Come on, bro. You can do the sportscasting. I love to hear your creative brand of smack talk.”

  And then Amy found herself on a football team of three, with Frank and Bobby and the Reid’s Great Dane, Benji, on the opposite side.

  Katie put the ball on the ground and got ready to shoot it back to her brother.

  “Hut, hut, hut,” Knox said with a grin.

  Katie tossed the ball, Knox grabbed it—and Amy—and began running across the lawn.

  The brothers grabbed him, pried her loose gently, and set her on the ground, then pounded Knox down. Benji barked and tugged on pant legs of anyone within reach.

  From the porch swing, Daniel announced, “And the famous Ft. Knox is down, folks.”