Love Notes and Football (7 page)

“Shut it, Jared.” Morgan rolled her eyes.

“Jake was telling me that you were teaching him about fire fighters. He said something about a pole in your bedroom.”

“Oh, did he?” Morgan blushed and pretended to look for something.

“Look at all this food. I am starving.” Seth looked away, grabbed a spoon out of the draw and plunged it into the macaroni salad.

Morgan swatted at his hand. “Lunch is almost ready.”

“All landscapers and junior landscapers get cleaned up so we can eat,” Sydney said. She then turned to Morgan’s father. “Curtis, isn’t it time for your meds?”

“Yes it is. What would I do without you?” He kissed Sydney on the cheek.

Morgan looked around. She loved this house. It was her childhood home. But for the first time, she felt like it was beginning to be too much for her father and Sydney to maintain. Maybe it really was time to think about hiring someone to help out. Or maybe even downsizing.

* * *

It was no surprise to Morgan that someone would come to visit, since Seth had an away game. She just didn’t expect it to be J.J. The oldest Blake brother bore a strong resemblance to Seth. But unlike Tyler, who was damn near Seth’s twin, J.J. had an edgier look to him. There was a deep intensity tucked behind those cool green eyes. His dimples were fainter than Seth’s, or maybe he just didn’t smile as much. His stormy marriage to Eden probably had much to do with it. The family didn’t push on that subject, but it didn’t mean Morgan didn’t worry about her brother-in-law’s happiness.

“J.J.! I’m so happy to see you! What are you doing here?” Morgan gave him a big squeeze.

“I had business in New York and thought I’d swing by and spend some time with you and Jake.” J.J. put his arm around her.

“Jake will be delighted to see you. You just missed Seth. The team bus left about an hour ago.”

“Morgan, you look radiant. Twins. I can’t believe it. Looks like Seth is getting that football team he wanted. How are you feeling?”

“Most days I’m fine, but today I feel like they’re throwing around a football in there.” She put his hand on a kicking spot.

“That is amazing. Those two of are going to be a handful.”

“I think so too. How are things at the ranch?”

“Everything is fine. Momma and Daddy can’t wait until your next visit.”

“How’s Eden?” Morgan couldn’t stop the grimace she made when she said her sister-in-law’s name.

“Morgan, you almost controlled your frown this time.” J.J. chuckled.

“You saw that?”

“Your reaction to Eden’s name is always the same. Either that, or you ate a bad pickle.”

“Sorry about that.” Morgan bit her lip. “So how are things between you two?”

“Pretty much the same.”

Morgan wished she kept a cattle prod in the penthouse. J.J.’s solemn expression at the mention of his wife yielded no clues of their current status. What was it going to take to get him to open up? “So what would you like to do this weekend? Besides watch the game in the war room on Sunday? I could show you around town.”

J.J. laughed. “You don’t have to do that. Seth’s given me a tour.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Did his tour include a home cooked meal at my dad and Sydney’s house?”

“No, it did not.”

“Uncle J.J.!” Jake screamed and he ran into the living room.

“Hey partner!” J.J. picked him up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “You’re growing like a weed.”

“Rowdy?” Jake looked around for his pet border collie that resided on the ranch.

“The last time I saw Rowdy he was near the barn following Isabelle around. But he said to tell you hello and that he can’t wait to see you again. I have something for you.” J.J. carried him over to his bags and pulled out a race car.

“That ought to keep him busy for a full ten minutes.” Morgan laughed.

J.J. took a seat on the couch. “I have an idea for a new construction project and I thought I’d talk to Jared while I was in town.”

“Jared is a great architect. He built my first doll house and I’m sure he showed you the design for Jake’s tree house.” Morgan beamed.

“That tree house is going to be awesome. Jake and the boys will have great adventures in it. I’ve ordered a special treated wood to make sure it’s durable and will last a long time.”

“So what’s this new construction idea you’ve got? Is there a new land development project going on?”

“This is something…personal. I’m thinking about making some home improvements.” J.J. winked at her.

“Oh.” She blinked. Would a man make home improvements with a woman he was going to divorce? “Well, come on. Let’s get you unpacked.”

* * *

“Hey, baby. How’s everything?” Seth drawled into the phone.

“Jake finally fell asleep after conning J.J. into reading him three books. J.J. went to Robert’s house for a poker game, so I don’t expect him back until after midnight. He has the keys and the alarm code. I have to admit it’s so strange seeing him off the ranch.”

“J.J. travels when he has a lot on his mind.”

“Still no progress on the Eden situation?”

“J.J.’s not one for a whole lot of talking,” Seth mused.

“I wish there was something I could do.”

“You’re already doing it. You’re like the sister he never had. Although, my brothers are scared of you because of the talking-to you gave Tate.”

“Yeah, but that was the burr under the saddle that he needed.” Morgan put another pillow behind her back to get comfortable. “Did you know J.J. is hiring Jared for a project? I couldn’t find out anything with my casual snooping.”

“I had no idea, but it’s nice they’re working together.”

“So what do you think it is?”

“Maybe I’ll find out at the next board meeting.”

“J.J. and Jared will be watching the game with us. You always send the best babysitters.”

Morgan slipped on her robe and padded to the kitchen, but stopped when she saw a light from the television in the war room filtering out into the hall. She went into the room to turn it off and found Jake cuddled on the couch with J.J., who was watching a western.

“Hey. How was the poker game?” Morgan took a seat on the couch.

J.J. lowered the volume on the television. “I had a good time.”

“Did Jake wake up?”

“Yeah, sorry about that. I went into his room to give him a kiss goodnight and he woke up.” J.J. gave her a shy smile.

Morgan cleared her throat. “Try again. Seth uses that excuse weekly.”

J.J. held up his hands. “OK, I may have added a tickle, which caused him to wake up. I couldn’t help it.”

“What is it with you Blake men and not letting a child sleep?”

“Daddy used to wake us up when he got in from a late night at the office. We’d go down to the family room and watch television and talk.”

“Ah ha. So that’s where Seth gets it.” She laughed.

“The trick was to be quiet so Momma wouldn’t wake up or she’d have everyone’s hide, including Daddy’s.” He ran a hand over Jake’s head.

“Do you want something to eat? I was just about to make a turkey club sandwich.”

* * *

Morgan perused the shelves of her shop, hoping to find a good book for J.J. She was looking for something that would give him clarity on his relationship with Eden. A little voice in her head, that sounded a lot like Seth, was telling her to mind her business.

“Morgan, where’s that hunk of a man, J.J.?” She heard Michelle say on the other side of the bookshelf.

“He took Jake shopping and then they were going to get a bite to eat.”

“You know, every time I see him, the theme song from that eighties TV show about that cowboy private detective plays in my head. But I can’t remember the name of it.”

“Matt Houston!” Morgan squealed.

Michelle giggled. “Yes! That’s it!”

“I think it’s that commanding swagger he has.”

“Ah, the Blake swagger. If you look at it too long, you’ll go blind or insane.” Michelle sighed. “Do you mind if I take off early?”

“Of course I don’t. Michelle, weren’t you reading a new romance novel that came in the other day?”

“That book is smoking hot! The love scenes gave me arrhythmia. You should—” Michelle paused. “Forget it. I forgot who I was talking to.”

“And what is that supposed to mean?” Morgan moved to the next aisle. Michelle followed.

“You’re married to that gorgeous man and have a drawer of kinky sex toys in your nightstand.”

“Hey! I told you that in confidence!” Morgan said in a tight, low voice.

“No one can hear us.”

“You better hope not.” Morgan whistled when she looked up to see Michelle dressed in a curve-hugging red dress. “What’s the occasion?”

Michelle twirled around. “Do I look nice?”

Morgan gave her the once over. “No, you look stunning.”

“Thank you. I have a date tonight. He’s picking me up here.”

“I want details. Where did you meet? Is he nice? What’s his name?”

“His name is Finn Richards. We met in yoga class. He’s very nice.”

“Good for you. Yoga class, you say?” Morgan tapped a finger on her chin.

“Oh yeah,” Michelle mused. “The possibilities are endless.”

“Where are you going to dinner?”

“Rousseau’s.”

“Nice. Good food. Mention the lobster even if you don’t end up ordering it. If he flinches at the price, dump him.”

Michelle played with the neckline of her dress. “Do you think I’m good girlfriend material?”

“Of course you are. If I were a man I’d date you.”

Michelle snorted.

“Michelle, you look beautiful.” A voice came from the end of the aisle.

Morgan and Michelle turned around to see J.J. standing there with Jake.

“Thank you.” Michelle blushed.

“Michelle!” Jake yelled and tried to wiggle out of J.J.’s arms to get to her.

“She has a date.” Morgan chimed in and caught Jake as he ran down the aisle. “Jake, you can give Aunt Michelle a kiss but no hugs, she has to go out.”

“How’s my favorite munchkin? Did you have a good time with your Uncle J.J.?” Michelle kissed him on the cheek.

“Yes.” Jake nodded.

“If you intended to give your date a heart attack, mission accomplished.” J.J. whistled as Michelle did a little turn.

“You really think so?”

Morgan took her cell phone out of her pocket and scanned for her camera app. “I was just about to take her picture and send it to Tyler.”

Michelle’s eyes widened. “No, you’re not.”

“Good idea. Showing Tyler you won’t wait for him. Seeing you in that dress will give him some things to think about.” J.J. stroked his chin.

Michelle gritted her teeth. “Take the damn picture.”

Michelle posed for a few shots and went on her way. Morgan’s fingers flew over the keypad of the cell phone. “There. Sent to Tyler.” Morgan looked at J.J. “Do you think sending the photo will do any good?”

“The fact that Tyler still remembers Michelle’s name and hasn’t slept with her shows growth that even he’s not aware of yet.” J.J. put his arm around her.

Morgan smiled at him. “So brother-in-law, read any good books lately?”

Chapter Six

Morgan was sad to see J.J. leave to head back to the ranch. In the short time he’d visited she’d gotten to see a softer side of her brother-in-law. When he wasn’t spending time with Jake, he was on the phone taking care of business. Blake Enterprises was his life and he was very good at it. She’d slipped that romance novel Michelle recommended into his suitcase, hoping he would read it. Although the content was super-hot, she hoped he the male character would resonate with him. The guy was a no-nonsense alpha male, searching for love in the wake of personal tragedy.

The day had finally come for the Match Wits taping. Morgan was so rattled she’d given Jake a pair of Seth’s sneakers to put on when she dressed him this morning. The Queen Titans had been in a tight huddle ever since they made their grand entrance into the television studio. She got the feeling something was brewing, because Charisma received a frosty reception when she arrived. Not one of her new friends was trying to engage her in conversation.

Morgan gave Nina a hug. “Thank you for doing this with me. I know hanging around the Queen Titans has been a headache.”

Nina hugged her back. “It’s for a good cause. And at least you and I get to spend time together.”

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Jocelyn called as she walked over with a clipboard. “You are my anchor to reality.”

“What can we do to help?” Morgan asked.

“Your being here is all the help I need. Well, Sanguine apparently mended fences with the Queen Titans, so they’ve elected to take her back and kick your cousin off the team.” Jocelyn played with the necklace she wore.

“Oh. That reality show Sanguine was pitching didn’t get picked up and that caused a ripple effect in the deal for the clothing line she was hoping to start.” Nina quipped.

Jocelyn excused herself and went to the podium and started the meeting. They had a few hours before the actual taping so she thought it would be nice to play a few practice games. The staff arranged the tables and chairs and they got to work.

It was obvious the Queen Titans were ignoring Charisma, but she was hanging in there. Morgan didn’t know how long she’d be able to sit by and endure the humiliation. Lord knew how much bad treatment her cousin was willing to take to be initiated into that bitchy group, but Morgan couldn’t stand by and watch the travesty unfold.

Finally Ariana stood and cleared her throat to get their attention. “I think there are just too many unnecessary players here today. Charisma, why don’t you go and see if you can bring us some lunch.”

“Jocelyn, I can use another alternate,” Morgan said, loud enough for the entire room to hear. It worked. The room went silent and all eyes fixed on her.

“That solves that, now doesn’t it?” Jocelyn smiled and floated away.

Morgan looked at Nina who nodded in agreement at her and went back to completing the entry forms for their team. Charisma remained at the Queen Titans table, looking unsure of what to do.