Off Season (The Blake Boys Book 15) (19 page)

“Really?”

“Really. We used to hang out all the time back in the day when it was just the two of us.” She rubbed his cheek.

“I’d like that.”

“Me too.” She hugged him. “Did you decide who you were inviting to your pool party?”

“No, not yet.”

“I think we should start working on that list to give everyone enough time to RSVP.”

“OK. No girls though.”

“No girls? You get along with Allison and Jennifer in your class. Why don’t you want to invite them?”

“OK. But I still get to do cannon balls into the pool.”

“Of course. No respectable pool party would be complete without cannon balls.” She smiled.

“I know you’ll get better, Mom. You can do anything.” Jake hugged her.

“Thank you Jake. It means a lot that you have faith in me. You’re getting so tall. You’re almost my height.” She kissed the top of his head. “Now take these snacks to the tree house before Connor starts chewing on the wood. Lunch will be ready in about a half hour.”

* * *

Later that night after the kiddies were asleep and Riley had left, Seth swept Morgan into his arms and took her to their bedroom and locked the door. Once there, they undressed and got in the bed.

“We got through this one OK, considering we had that big, extra kid. What grown man throws food at kids?” Seth covered them with the bed linen.

“Well, in Riley’s defense, Connor and Colby did throw that popcorn at him first.” Morgan trailed kisses down his jawline. “Did you see Riley’s face when Jack told him he should diversify his stock portfolio?”

“It was priceless.”

“He really likes you.”

“I don’t know about that.”

“You told him Avery wasn’t here and he wanted to come over anyway.”

“Big whoop.”

“I had a chat with Jake and it got me to thinking.”

“About what?”

“Maybe it’s time that I get on with the business of living again. I’m going to sign off on the lease for the bookstore. I know what you’re going to say.”

“That I think it’s a good idea.”

“Huh?” She moved her head. “No, that’s not what I thought you’d say.”

“I’ve been thinking too. My overzealousness for keeping you safe might be a little heavy handed. If I insist you do nothing, we’re giving this disease more power than it deserves. There was a time when cancer would have been a death sentence for Cassie. Now she and C.J. are talking about having kids. I have faith that you’ll be fine.” He rolled her onto her back and covered her body with his.

“Is this horny Seth talking or logical Seth talking?” She groaned.

“He’s one and the same.”

“Door locked?”

He nodded. “Door locked.”

Morgan moaned when Seth slowly entered her. He’d been so gentle lately, like he was when she was pregnant. His movements were deliberate and skilled; he always found new ways to give her pleasure. She slid her hands down his back, then to his butt and his thighs. He hadn’t lost any of the definition in his body. He was just as taut as when he played football. She braced herself when Seth began to move in that sultry rhythm she’d come to love. Their bodies rocked together as one for what seemed like an eternity before he began that deep, guttural growl he did right before he climaxed.

In the afterglow, she fought her sleep, but damn she was so sated she could barely keep her eyes open. Seth caressed her body in all the places she’d complained about aching earlier. The last thing she remembered was him putting his head on her chest and listening to her heart beating.

* * *

When John Jacob came to her with his proposal for a massive social service initiative, Morgan thought he was joking. When he came back the next day with a check with so many zeroes it was astounding, she knew he was serious. He said the vision for his family was expanding and she was a big part of it. After insisting she was the wrong person for the job, he calmed her with encouraging words and told her he had faith in both her and Seth and that sometimes a father had to steer their kids to their destiny if they were too afraid to chase after it.

She told him she was still figuring out how to be of some use to Michelle as she opened the second bookstore. She and Michelle had talked and Michelle decided it was a good time to stick around the ranch more. She and Tyler had agreed that they’d change their home base to Texas for a while. Morgan asked Seth what to do and he’d responded there wasn’t much you could do when John Jacob asked something of you. That check was to show her that he was serious about the plans.

So she did what John Jacob asked and assembled a caucus of the best minds she knew and they were meeting tonight. Hopefully everyone would attend. There was one person who she’d invited she wasn’t sure about. But she put it out there anyway. This was about more than egos and besides, they’d buried the hatchet.

Morgan stabbed at the button on the sophisticated intercom system on her dining room table for the third time to make sure it was working.

Michelle glared at her. “Stop hitting the button. We get an automated notification every time someone joins the conference.”

“I can’t help it. I’m excited.”

“I’m excited for you.” Michelle squeezed her hand.

Cassidy came from the kitchen with hot crab dip. “Did anyone join the conference call?”

“No, not yet.”

The automated voice announced a caller had joined. “Hi, ladies. It’s Sydney. I have Charisma and Alicia with me.”

“Hi, Philly Grandma!” Mackenzie leaned on the table to shout into the device.

“Hi, baby. I miss you,” Sydney replied.

“Hello, ladies!” Avery bellowed. “Mom, did you get that text I sent you about my upcoming school break?”

“I did. I put in the request at work and got the time off.”

“Cool!” Avery looked up. “Mom’s coming to visit for a week.”

“Sydney, are you coming down too?” Teri-Lyn asked as she bounced Mackenzie on her lap. “I thought we’d go to this gardening expo in Houston.”

“As a matter of fact I am. I have some things for the kids I wanted to bring down,” Sydney replied.

“I have to say I’m intrigued about this call,” Charisma said. “I’m not sure why you included me.”

“Because I need your help. I need all the strong women in my life to help me with something new that I’m trying to accomplish.”

“Sounds interesting,” Sydney said.

“Tyler’s been talking about taking some time off from racing,” Michelle blurted out.

“Oh. What does he want to do instead?” Morgan replied.

“He wants to spend some time at Blake Enterprises. He says it’s time he learns the business. He figures since I’ll be down here helping you with the new store, he would keep himself occupied.”

“Looks like we’re all making changes in this family.” Morgan said.

The automated system announced another caller had joined. It was Sam, who was visiting her sister Parker, who’d been in another shootout and had been hospitalized with a flesh wound.

“Sam, how are things going? Is Parker OK?”

Sam sighed. “Physically she’s fine, but she has a parade of people waiting to yell at her for her reckless behavior. John keeps going in her room and storming out.”

“Sounds like my son.” Teri-Lyn replied.

The automated sound buzzed again. This time it was Summer and Autumn.

“Hi, ladies! Sorry we’re late. We just got out of a meeting,” Autumn said.

“No worries, we’re still waiting for—”

The sound beeped again. “It’s Nina and Gabby!”

“Now that we’re all here, we can get started. Does everyone have their snacks and wine?” Michelle said.

Alicia giggled. “We’re all good here. Derek has an awesome wine bar in his house. I think he’s going to regret telling us to make ourselves comfortable.”

“Mom, are you drinking?” Avery said.

“What if I am? You better not be.”

“I don’t see how a little wine could hurt. I’m almost twenty-one.”

“It’s just like being almost pregnant. Nice try though,” Alicia said.

“No worries, she’s sharing a juice box with Mackenzie. Only the finest grape juice for my niece.” Morgan tapped Avery on the nose.

“I have an iced tea,” Sam said as she played with Jack and Gabe in the background.

“We’re fine here too. Sipping on some cucumber water,” Nina said.

“OK.” She cleared her throat. The last person wasn’t going to attend her presentation after all. Just then, the automated announcement sounded again.

“I hope I’m not too late.” It was Penny Winterbourne-Dennison. “Prudence is fighting off a cold.”

The ladies at the table stared in shock at Morgan.

“No, Penny. You’re right on time,” Morgan replied.

After a moment collecting her thoughts, Morgan dove into her presentation. “John Jacob presented me with an idea that I’d like to share with you. As you know, I started Reading Builds Bridges years ago as a reading initiative for the community. I am happy to say we’ve made a tremendous difference with the story times at the library, book fairs, workshops, and classes at the bookstore. Isabelle has done wonders with her Classic Music Rocks organization. Some of her students have received scholarships to prestigious music schools. We have been blessed with resources to reach out to communities all over and empower those who may not have the means to do it themselves. Now John Jacob has tasked me with taking it a step further, but I can’t do it without your help. I am in the company of intelligent, wonderful women who each have incredible gifts to share with the world and I am asking for your help. The Blake Foundation would be a non-profit organization that would focus on raising awareness on health issues as well as funding literacy, music, technology, and self-defense programs. I’m also open to other ideas. I will be working on the second bookstore with Michelle, but I’d like to start the planning. With any luck, we can be fully operational within a year. We could do so much good for others in need.”

Morgan plopped down into her seat and exhaled. It was a huge undertaking, what she was proposing.

Teri-Lyn beamed. “I think it’s a great idea.”

“You have my full support.” Cassidy smiled.

“We’re in!” Summer and Autumn replied.

Avery bit her lip. “Maybe we can do something with a veterinarian angle?”

Morgan nodded. “I like that. I know there’s always a need for a rescue shelter.”

“I think we can do this. I have the security angle covered,” Sam said.

“You know my ride or die philosophy with the people I love.” Michelle hugged her. “I’d follow you into purgatory.”

“I know, sweetheart. I just wish you wouldn’t say things like that when you’re driving and I’m a passenger.” Morgan hugged Michelle back and kissed her on top of the head. “We have to work on your road rage issues.”

“I’ll help, of course,” Nina said. “But I don’t know what I could do from Alabama.”

“Nina.” Morgan swallowed hard. “About that. I’d be honored if you worked for the foundation in a part-time capacity. You’re awesome at everything you do, and I would love to have you as part of the administrative team. It would require you to visit Texas more often.”

“I’d have to talk to Patton,” Nina stammered. “But I'm sure he’d go for it.”

“I know I’d be interfering with cousin Rollo’s ability to pitch his ideas to Patton every Sunday after church.”

“Screw Rollo. He’s a lawsuit waiting to happen if any of his crap actually makes it to the marketplace.”

Morgan laughed. “Great. I hope it’s possible.”

“Team Reed is ready to go,” Sydney chimed in.

“I know you already hold down the fort in Philadelphia. My deepest thanks for keeping everything running smoothly up there.” Morgan smiled. “And Charisma, I mean it. You’ve already helped Sydney so much with Reading Builds Bridges, I’m counting on your input too.”

“You got it,” Charisma replied.

“I’d be honored to be a part of this endeavor. Thanks for thinking of me,” Penny said.

“You’ve done awesome work with the Main Street clinic. I’m hoping the foundation can give it an extra boost.” Morgan said.

“I’d like to make a toast.” Teri-Lyn stood with Mackenzie on her hip and her drink in her hand. “To Morgan Blake, a woman who is always thinking of others.”

“Hear. Hear.”

* * *

The rumor that the Tomcats were letting go of their defensive line, linebacker, and offensive coordinator coaches was on every sports channel. This wasn’t something the general public normally knew about, so the fact that the rumor mill had started churning wasn’t good. Seth and J.J. had analyzed the team and the back office personnel for months, it was good fit. Losing even one of those key people would derail the delicate system that was in play and would put the Tomcats back at the bottom of the league.

He called Ross to see if he had any information. Ross said there had been a lot of meetings by management, but no decisions had been made. Someone tipped a reporter off that there were problems in the executive offices and that’s where the trouble had started. Seth was so incensed, he drove all the way down to Blake Enterprises and marched into J.J.’s office. And walked right into a meeting.

The managers all greeted him, but he held up his hand. “Hi, everybody. I’m sorry to interrupt. I guess that’s what Anna Beth was trying to tell me on my way in here.”

“Probably.” J.J. laughed. “People, can you give us a minute? Last time I saw him this fired up, Tyler had worn his lucky shirt to school.”

The group laughed and exited the office.

Seth picked up the remote and turned on a sports channel. “Did you see this?”

He and J.J. watched the sports media coverage for a few minutes in silence.

“What the hell is T.K. doing over there?” J.J. huffed.

“I don’t know, but now is not the time to switch up offensive coordinator coaches with Riley. The kid’s just getting his footing.”

“I think that divorce is messing with his head. He needs to learn how to delegate." J.J. lowered the volume on the television.

“Hold on. There’s a team of people there who get paid well to make decisions. He can’t be the only person moving the chess pieces around the board.”