The Blake Legacy (The Blake Boys) (18 page)

“Well, we’ve been living in two places for over a year now. We’ll just be spending more time in Texas.”

“What about the bookstore? The job offer? Your non-profit? I know they’re more than jobs to you. It’s a part of who you are.”

“Just like being a professional football player is part of yours. Concessions will be made, but we’ll adjust. Life will go on, just a bit differently.”

Seth put Jake down and reached in the bag for a juice box and an apple slice. Jake took it and walked down the field.

“Joining the Tomcats has been my lifelong dream. I never wanted anything so badly in my life. It was what drove me to become a football player. It was the most important goal in my life.”

Morgan smiled. “Your dream is coming true. Congratulations.”

Seth looked into her eyes. “You’re going to miss your life? Your family?”

She nodded. “Who would have thought I’d grow closer to those lunkheads. Or have a relationship with Sydney? Just when I stop running from everything, it’s time to go.”

Seth pulled her to him. “Having you in my life will always be the best thing that has ever happened to me Morgan. I love you.”

Morgan put her arms around his waist. “Love has a way of changing a person’s life. You’ve changed mine in every way imaginable.”

Seth ran his hand through her hair. “Morgan, I renewed my contract with the Titans.”

Morgan froze. “What?”

“The good things you achieve with the bookstore and your charity are just as important as my football career. You’re making great strides and keeping you away from it isn’t fair. This is about more than my legacy as a pro athlete. It’s about our legacy as a family. The Titans have been good to me, and I want to continue to play for them while you continue following your dreams.”

Morgan shook her head. “I-I can’t let you do that.”

“I’m invoking my get out of anniversary jail free card. So you can’t object to my decision.” He laughed.

“Is that why you didn’t do anything crazy this year for our anniversary? Because you were saving your card for this?”

Seth grinned. “Yes. I am crafty.”

“This would be using up all of your cards for a lifetime.”

“That’s not fair,” he drawled.

“Why are you doing this?”

Seth put his finger under her chin and lifted her face to meet his gaze. “I want our kids to know that we are partners in our life journey. I want them to know that a man’s legacy is greater than what he achieved in his career. It’s about being a good husband and father.”

Morgan stared up at him, tears burning her eyes. “I love you so much, Seth Blake.”

“I love you too.” Seth kissed her long and hard. “The new contract is for five years. After that I’m thinking about retirement.”

“Retirement?”

Seth laughed. “You do remember that I have another job? Blake Enterprises, the company I own with J.J. and my dad?”

“Yes, I vaguely recall my son inheriting a golf resort last month,” she quipped.

Seth caressed her cheek. “You should talk to Maura at the library and see if that position is still available. I think it would be a great fit for you.”

“My personal spy Harriet came into the store the other day and said she hadn’t filled it yet.” Morgan smiled.

“And don’t worry, we’ll work it all out. Look at how well we’re doing with Jake.”

Morgan looked around. “Where’s Jake?”

It took a minute for her statement to register. “He’s at the twenty yard line.”

“How did he get all the way down there?”

Seth looked on in amazement. “That boy takes off like a rocket.”

“Can you believe how much he’s grown?” She sighed.

Seth kissed her again. “Yes, and he’s a very independent toddler.”

Morgan smiled at him. “I’m late.”

“What?”

“I was thinking it was the stress of your impending decision, but I feel it. I had this feeling when I was pregnant with Jake, I just didn’t know what it was at the time.”

“What does it feel like?” Seth touched her tummy.

Morgan thought about it for a minute. “It feels like love is growing inside me.”

“Let’s go to the doctor now,” Seth said.

“How about I call and make an appointment? In the meantime, we can get one of those pregnancy tests at the pharmacy after we grab a bite to eat.” Morgan looked down at Jake pulling on her jean pocket. “See, he’s hungry.”

“No, he just loves tugging on his momma.” Seth laughed.

Morgan gathered her bag, and they made their way off the field. Jake took his place back up on Seth’s shoulders, giggling.

“Did the Titans match T.K.’s offer?”

Seth winked. “Sure did.”

“Did you talk to him?”

“Yes. He was formally notified, but I called him and we talked.”

“What did he say?”

“He said he was disappointed, but there was a new Blake he had his eye on.” Seth patted Jake’s knee.

“T.K. is too funny.”

Seth shook his head. “T.K. doesn’t joke around, especially when it comes to football.”

Morgan took his hand in hers. “Thank you for changing your dreams for me. For us. For our family.”

“Thank you for giving me something new to dream about.” Seth kissed her.

“So where do you want to go on vacation? What do you think about going back to the island? You know they named bungalow twelve, the Blake bridal suite.”

“Is that right?”

“We can make sand castles, think of baby names, and discuss your retirement in five years.”

Seth walked off the field with Morgan beside him and Jake on his shoulders. They were going to have another baby, and Seth was ready. Five years seemed like a lifetime, but he was sure it would all fly by in a whirl of laughter and love.

~ 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
and
California Bored
and
Tourism
in 2013. The print anthology,
The Rhonda Laurel Collection
, featuring
Ebb Tide
,
For the Love of the Game
and
Shutter
released June 2013.  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://www.goodreads.com/RhondaLaurel

http://pinterest.com/rhondalaurel/

~ Also by Rhonda Laurel ~

The Blake Boys
Series

For the Love of the Game

This quarterback is making the greatest play of his life…

Quiet bookstore owner Morgan Reed can’t wait to lie on the beach on her much-needed tropical vacation, but getting tackled by a tall, green-eyed stranger playing touch football isn’t exactly what she had in mind. Neither is falling for said stranger, or going along with the eccentric islander who sends them off with a mock wedding. But all’s fair when it comes to vacation romance, and Morgan has plenty of time to get back to reality when she gets home.

When he slams into the beautiful Morgan on the beach and sends her to the infirmary, superstar quarterback Seth Blake insists on helping her recover—if she agrees to share his bungalow with him. Seth is nothing less than smitten, and the best part is that the beauty has no idea who he is.

But when he finds out that their little “wedding” was the real thing, Seth finds himself in a sticky situation. Especially when Morgan finds out the man she fell for isn’t at all who he made himself out to be…

Buy
For the Love of the Game
here

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Game-Rhonda-Laurel-ebook/dp/B00A3X2NS6/

MVP

The game has just begun…

Morgan Reed-Blake discovers that being the wife of MVP quarterback Seth Blake has its perks…and its challenges. Thrust into Seth’s high-profile world, she must wade through the celebrity, status, and the ghosts of girlfriends past. So when Seth takes Morgan home to his ranch in Texas and introduces her to his family and friends, she’s not surprised when his high school sweetheart comes to call. Morgan suspects she wants to rekindle the flame, and how can she blame her? Distraught over the changes their relationship has caused for Seth, Morgan wonders if maybe he’s better off without her.

Pro quarterback Seth Blake is elated that his wife Morgan is giving their “fake” marriage a real chance. But he doesn’t anticipate running into the woman who broke his heart years ago. He hasn’t told Morgan about the complicated relationship with his ex, but as he guides Morgan through the maze of his celebrity lifestyle, can he convince her the past is in the past? The MVP does not accept defeat, and he’s determined not to lose. But winning Morgan might be the most difficult game of his life…

Buy
MVP
here

http://www.amazon.com/MVP-Rhonda-Laurel-ebook/dp/B00DI9WD3W/

Ebb Tide

Simmering passion at play.

Natalie Griffin is an attorney who is practical, smart and good at her job. Legalese is the least of her worries, for much of her time is spent keeping her employer, playboy extraordinaire Evan Darchon, out of trouble. Natalie has managed organize everything for him--his company, his home, and his women--but if she could teach him to control some of his wilder impulses, her job would be a heck of a lot easier.

But what about her impulses? Her cool, controlled demeanor is the perfect complement to Evan’s wild side, but she craves the carefree way he makes her feel. His attraction is obvious, but can either of them afford to rock the boat of their professional relationship?

Buy
Ebb Tide
here

http://www.amazon.com/Ebb-Tide-Rhonda-Laurel-ebook/dp/B008HQEIZC/