Off Season (The Blake Boys Book 15) (2 page)

“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 Uncle 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.

Last night, they’d gone to bed at a decent time, anticipating keeping up with the kids over the weekend, but still she’d looked tired this morning. Lately she’d complained of achy joints too. At first he’d thought it was having four active kids that expended her energy quicker than usual, but now he wasn’t so sure. She’d caught a bug last month that had really wiped her out. She’d been treated with antibiotics but didn’t get as much rest as the doctor suggested. He was starting to get a little concerned.

Whatever was going on with her, it couldn’t hurt to get it checked out again. She wasn’t a fan of doctors, and half the time he’d goaded her to appointments by reminding her they needed to set a good example for the kids. Connor bolted every time someone mentioned the dentist. Mackenzie, normally a good-natured child, got really fussy when it came time for her checkups.

He would have been delighted if it were another pregnancy, but she didn’t exhibit telltale signs like she’d done in the past. Besides, they’d agreed their family was complete after Mackenzie came along. There might be no more babies in their future, but there was certainly no danger of fewer little ones running about the ranch. If his brothers kept adding to the family, the adults would soon be outnumbered. It seemed like it was a lifetime ago when Jake was born. His mama said her first grandbaby’s birth was the catalyst for all this loving going around. Eight kids later and heavens know how many more on the way, he was hosting a slumber party in the living room.

There was a familiar rhythmic knock on the front door, then the alarm system announced the door had been opened.

“Seth?” It was his dad.

Seth walked toward the foyer to find his father coming in with none other than T.K. Holbrook in tow.

“Hi, Daddy. What a pleasant surprise,” Seth said as he shook T.K’s hand. “T.K., it’s always good to see you. How’s the family?”

“The team is looking good for the new season.” T.K. flashed a big smile.

Seth laughed. “I was referring to your wife and sons but it’s good to know the team is in good shape.”

“Trust me, I know more about the Tomcats.” T.K. played with the brim of his white Stetson in his hand.

T.K. was a great businessman, but his personal life had suffered from all those years of ambition. There had been rumors that his fifth wife Selene, who was significantly younger than him, had been running him ragged. He had two sons, Logan and Austin, from his first marriage, but relations between them had been strained for the longest time. The Blake men had gone to school with the two boys who’d had nothing but contempt for their father for the way he’d left their mother.

“Well, come in and I’ll fix you both a drink.” Seth moved some things out of the way to make a path to the living room then went over to the bar.

John Jacob looked around at the camping gear and toys scattered about. “It’s your turn to watch the kids tonight?”

“Yes. I’m setting things up while Morgan picks up a few last minute things from the market.”

“T.K. and I were having lunch at the club. I told him how happy you were since you retired, but he didn’t believe me. So I thought I’d let him see for himself.” John Jacob turned to T.K. “Does this look like a man itching to get back into football?”

“It looks more like insanity.” T.K. took a seat on the barstool and glanced at the camping gear and the tent in the living room.

“This is my life these days.” Seth handed them both glasses of scotch. “Now that I don’t have the noose of a football schedule around my neck, we take more family vacations. I’m spending quality time with the kids. I even coach the soccer team at the boys’ school.”

T.K. clutched his chest as if he were having a heart attack. “Stick a knife through my heart. It would hurt less.”

“Aren’t you being just a tad dramatic?” John Jacob replied.

“No. I don’t think so.” T.K. slammed back his drink. “I thought the biggest travesty in this family was when Tate didn’t pursue a professional career in football. He had a real gift, but you let him strum on that damn guitar instead.”

“The boy had a natural affinity for music,” John Jacob fired back. “It was in his blood, you know that. Forcing him to do something else would have been wrong.”

“Sometimes we have to steer our kids in the right direction. They don’t always know what’s best for them,” T.K. replied.

“How’s that working out for you?” John Jacob raised an eyebrow. “Logan barely spoke to you at the club today.”

“He was born with a chip on his shoulder. He got too much of his mama in him. But he’s not too proud to accept that paycheck I give him.” T.K. raised his glass as a signal for Seth to refill it.

“Logan’s good at his job. Don’t take that away from him,” John Jacob said. “He doesn’t put up with your foolishness.”

Seth interrupted. “If it makes you feel any better, Bo has been working me like a dog down at the stables. And I don’t mean the pampered kind of dog like Rowdy or Bingo.”

T.K. shook his head. “I know you have had a ton of offers since you retired, including mine to join the Tomcats organization.”

“Sure. I’ve been offered everything from announcement gigs to writing another book. But I choose to focus on my family. So if you’ve come here with another job offer, I have to decline it.” Seth folded him arms across his chest.

“I didn’t.”

“Oh.” Seth unfolded his arms and ran a hand through his hair. “Then I’m sorry I made that assumption. I guess I’m just used to the hard sell about the Tomcats whenever I see you.”

John Jacob laughed. “You may want to hold off on that apology.”

“I know when I’m beat. But I did come here to ask for a favor.”

Seth’s eyes darted from his dad’s to T.K’s. It was hard reading the unflappable poker faces of these business titans. T.K. Holbrook didn’t ask for favors. “OK. What is it?”

“Riley Sloane.”

Riley Sloane. The Tomcats’ new quarterback and all-around egregious ass and big mouth. He’d been touted as the savior of the Tomcats and he knew it. Seth had seen one of Riley’s wild and loose interviews where Riley had trashed him and said he’d retired on top because he was afraid the new blood in the league would usurp his throne. He then made a bold prediction that he’d break all of Seth’s football records within two years. Whatever it was T.K. was selling, Seth didn’t want any part of it.

“What about that pompous jackass?”

John Jacob let out a snort.

“Yes. Despite how he sounds when he opens his mouth, he’s a brilliant player. There are some rough edges that need to be smoothed.”

“Rough?” Seth balked, poured himself a drink, and slammed it back. “That kid has eagle talons and he’s not afraid to use them, no matter who he pisses off.”

“OK. He’s a little arrogant and likes the ladies. Who doesn’t? He’s a good-looking young man who isn’t used to the limelight. I knew when we signed him he’d be a challenge, but he needs the benefit of guidance from someone like you.”

“T.K., I know you have people for this. You tell me a team of image makers can’t control him?”

“He doesn’t listen to a word they say, and I don’t have time to babysit him. I can hardly keep up with my wife.” His jaw ticked.

“And what makes you think he’ll listen to me?”

“Because he’d be an idiot not to listen to the best quarterback there ever was in the game.”

Seth smiled. “Not the best. But in the top five.”

“See, right there is the reason he would benefit from a sit down with you. The boy has no humility.”

“He could use a class in character building. When he wins he’s charismatic and on top of the world. When he loses he walks off the field without shaking the other quarterback’s hand after a game.”

“Exactly.”

“I’m not the man for this. Your superstar trash-talked me in that interview with Sports Live. I have a thick skin, but I’m not
that
forgiving.”

“I was hoping you hadn’t seen that one.” T.K. scratched at his temple. “If it makes you feel any better, I talked to him about that interview. I told him you were a close personal friend and he was out of line.”

“T.K., I feel for your situation, but I don’t need the headache. And Riley Sloane is a walking migraine.”