Executive Desires (The Blake Boys Book 10) (12 page)

Bo folded his hands over his chest. “You don’t have dinner in bed.”

“But you can have dessert.” His father grinned.

“I’m going to meet John Jacob in the stables. When I get back we’re all going to have a long talk.” Bo headed for the door.

“Son, can you come back in an hour?” Bo Senior said.

“Or two?” Evangeline chimed in.

“I like the way you think.” Bo Senior tickled her.

Bo closed the door before he was subjected to seeing anything else. He didn’t want to read too much into it but it was nice to see them together. He’d deal with his parents later.

* * *

“Hey, Uncle John.” Bo tapped on the office door.

“Bubba, on time as usual.” John Jacob closed the ledger he was reading. “You were the only one of the boys that didn’t need a cattle prod to get ready for school.”

“I guess I’m still that predictable.”

“No, you were disciplined. I always admired that about you. You had your own set of rules of conduct and you stuck to them even when you were a little boy.”

“I learned from the best. They don’t make men like you and my dad anymore.” He smiled.

“I’m sorry we haven’t been able to open your birthday present until now.”

“I should be the one apologizing. I’ve been preoccupied lately.”

“I know. Summer is her name, right?”

“Yes. Her name is Summer Waverly and she owns a software company, and I am absolutely smitten with her.” He blushed. There was no other way to say it.

“Love looks good on you.”

“It feels good too.”

“You ready to take a ride?”

They saddled their horses and rode out to a clearing that was one of Bo’s favorite spots.

“I’ve always loved this view.” Bo exhaled.

“Your dad was supposed to join us, but he’s a little tied up at the moment.” John Jacob broke out into a broad grin.

“I know what he’s doing too. I walked in on them a little while ago. I think I’m traumatized.”

“Try to take it easy on them. Your mama and daddy have been doing that dance for years. It wasn’t a big surprise that either of them forgot to follow up on the finalization of their divorce.”

“Do you think they’ll get back together?”

“Son, I don’t think they ever were apart.” John Jacob patted him on the back. “Open that present.”

Bo retrieved the box out of his satchel and tore off the wrapping. It was a beautiful mahogany box with a lacquer finish. He unhitched the latch and opened it to find dirt of all things.

“I gave your dad a box like that over thirty years ago, now I’m extending the same invitation to you. You always liked this clearing; I thought it would be the perfect location to build on when you’re ready.”

Bo’s eyes widened. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Your father and I have been friends since the beginning of time. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without him having my back. There are no words to thank someone who has been such a big part of my existence, but I try my best to show it. I know you have a daddy, but I’ve always thought of you as one of my boys. We raised you together. We loved you together. That’s what’s important.”

Bo nodded. “Thank you.”

“No thanks necessary. I know you’ll do something great with this spot.”

* * *

Bo would have preferred sleeping in with Summer, but he got a text this morning that there was a big announcement being made and his attendance was required at the ranch. He had the feeling something important was happening. The sun seemed to shine brighter when someone in the family had good news. He and Summer had been dating for a blissful two months and he’d loved every minute of it. This would be the first time she’d be meeting the entire family.

They were almost at the ranch when Summer turned to him. “So what do you think the big news is?”

“I don’t know but it’s something huge. My dad said he was combing his hair for the event.”

“Maybe he and your mom—”

“I don’t know. They seem to be happy with their long distance relationship.” Bo pulled up to the house, helped Summer out of the truck, and kissed her hand. Then he opened the door and helped Autumn.

Autumn straightened her dress. “Are you sure you don’t mind me tagging along?”

“Of course not. The Blakes would be insulted if you didn’t come. Family is very important to all of us.”

Summer cleared her throat. “I’m glad you said that because…our parents are coming for a visit and I wanted to introduce you to them. But if you think it’s too soon we can wait until their next visit—”

“I’d love to meet the parents of the troublesome Waverly sisters. We have a lot to talk about.” He smiled.

“Good, maybe we could have a dinner party and invite your mom and dad too.”

The moment they entered the house, the Blake ladies descended on them with hugs. Funny how everyone one of them knew Summer from Autumn. Bo said hello to the guys, but he could tell everyone was excited about the announcement. John Jacob shushed the crowd so they could get down to business. Bo’s eyes widened when he gave the floor to Tyler and Channing, who had Michelle and Cassidy beside them.

Tyler spoke first. “As you all know, the homes that Channing and I built are near completion and we’re happy to say they should be in move-in condition next month. My baby brother and I did a lot of talking during the construction and decided that there was something else we wanted to collaborate on, with the approval of Michelle and Cassidy, of course.”

Channing took over. “It is with great pleasure that we announce that Cassie and Michelle have agreed to marry two handsome, loveable, troublemaking cowboys on the same day. We’re having a double wedding.”

The family began whooping and hollering, even Rowdy got in on it. Bo made his way into the massive crowd and congratulated both couples. He’d known it was coming but this was a pleasant surprise. Bo squeezed Summer’s hand and he got a warm feeling inside when she squeezed his in return. The happiness that they just bore witness to was definitely something worth striving for.

Bo Senior came over. “Summer, did Bo tell you that I’m just dying to bounce some grandkids on my knee?”

“Dad!” Bo’s cheeks lit up a bright pink color.

Summer laughed. “Mr. Jamison, my mother has been rallying for my sister and me to ‘get it together’ as well. It doesn’t matter that my older sister and two brothers already have children.”

“Summer and I are—”

Bo Senior held up his hand. “You don’t have to map out a plan for me. You love each other. That’s a good beginning.”

Teri-Lyn came over and gave them another hug. “Here’s the happy couple.”

“Auntie Lyn, it’s a big day here on the ranch.”

“Five down, one to go.” Teri-Lyn winked at him and turned to Autumn. “Autumn, Bo tells me you’re single.”

“I’m just waiting for the right person, Mrs. Blake. Like my sister did.”

“Let’s get you some lemonade and a piece of cake and talk about it.” Teri-Lyn led her over to the food table.

“Auntie Lyn is going to make it her mission in life to find Autumn a good mate.” Bo sighed.

“Well, she knows a thing or two about a good man. She raised a room full of them,” Summer mused.

“Want to get some air?”

“Sure.” Summer picked up her cake and followed him onto the veranda.

Bo escorted her to the porch swing. Summer nibbled on her cake while he rocked them back and forth. It was nice to sit there in silence enjoying the revelry coming from inside.

“I got a call from Wyatt. He’s thinking about transferring to a school in Texas.”

“That would mean you’d see him more often.”

“My mom wasn’t happy, but she likes that he’d be close to me.” He shrugged.

“She’d feel better if his big brother was looking out for him.”

“So would you mind if Wyatt were around more?”

Summer nestled closer to him and put her head on his shoulder. “I say the more the merrier.”

“And Corbett invited us to his wedding, but I wouldn’t go out and buy a dress just yet. Something tells me he and Courtney are on shaky ground.”

“OK.”

“And.” Bo took a deep breath.

“There’s an
and
?” She giggled.

“John Jacob gave me a box of dirt for my birthday. It was symbolic for the house he’s inviting me to build here on the ranch someday.”

“That’s quite an offer.” She lifted her head up.

“I know it’s early days, but I felt like I had to say this because I can see us being together forever. And this is my home. I may have gotten away from it for a while but this is home.”

Summer looked into his eyes for a long time. “When the time is right, it’ll be my home too.”

Bo kissed her hard. He loved her so much. “So are we still on for the comic book convention next week?”

“You bet. And I have an electronics expo next month. Since Corporate Hijack’s release, it’s been a full-throttle press campaign. Autumn has been handling things like a pro.”

The new games were selling out everywhere, and like he predicted, NuWave had catapulted into a new category. The Waverly sisters were on fire.

“I already have it in my planner. But I warn you; I won’t be responsible for my actions if someone makes some sexist remark to you or Autumn.”

“Well, we have Regency to handle situations like that, but you never know when I’ll need a handsome cowboy to defend my honor.” She bit back a smile.

Bo stood and pulled her up with him. “Let’s get back to the party and get you another piece of cake. I love you, Summer Waverly.”

“I love you too, Bo Jamison.” She got up on her tiptoes and kissed him.

Bo returned to the party happy that there was a lot of celebrate. He informed the ladies that he wouldn’t be using his vacation to Executive Desires, but he wanted their blessing to pass it on to someone he knew could use a vacation: Jared. The ladies agreed that was a good idea and he’d call his friend tomorrow and give him the good news.

For so long he thought he needed to get away from the ranch to find himself, when the core of who he was was right there all along. He nodded at his dad, who was talking to John Jacob. He knew his dad wouldn’t admit it, but seeing his mom again had given him a brighter smile and an extra pep in his step. Bo was hopeful that they could be happy together in whatever capacity they deemed fit. He was happy to be back to his roots. He was happy to be back home.

~ About the Author ~

Rhonda Laurel is a contemporary interracial/multicultural romance writer whose two great loves are writing and landscape photography. She uses both as a vehicle to convey the complexity of the human spirit and the beauty of the world around her.
Ebb Tide
,
For the Love of the Game
and
Masquerade
were released in 2012.
Shutter, Memories of You, Star Crossed, MVP, California Bored and Tourism
and
The Blake Legacy
in 2013. The print anthology,
The Rhonda Laurel Collection
, featuring
Ebb Tide, For the Love of the Game and Shutter
released June 2013.
Texas Heat, Love Notes & Football
and
The Perfect Storm
, books 4, 5 and 6 in
The Blake Boys Series
released in 2014.
Slow Burn, Hollywood Heat,
Cowboy’s Heart,
and
Tempting Fate
released in 2015.

The author is happily building her backlist.

Discover more about Rhonda Laurel here

http://www.rhondalaurel.com

http://www.facebook.com/authorrhondalaurel

http://www.twitter.com/rhondalaurel

http://pinterest.com/rhondalaurel/

Also by Rhonda Laurel

The Blake Boys
Series

For the Love of the Game

The Blake Boys Book One

Rhonda Laurel

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