Meet the Blakes (4 page)

“Hey, Mama. I see the boys wore themselves out,” Tate said as he took a seat at the dining room table.

She laughed. “Yes, they had one heck of a morning.”

“Here I thought I was coming to the rescue.” He picked up a spool of ribbon.

“My boys were perfect little helpers today.”

“Really? I’m surprised they weren’t banned from the store.”

“Stop it. They’re always good with me. And I promised them a treat if they sat still during their fitting for the wedding duds.”

“Ah, bribery. That sounds more like them.”

“My grandbabies are much more civilized than their rowdy fathers were growing up.” She poured him a glass of lemonade.

He ran a hand over his face. “I honestly don’t know how you did it. Matt has me and Isabelle running around like idiots and he’s just one child.”

“Just wait until you add another one into the mix.” She grinned.

He smiled back. “That would delightful and downright scary.”

“So how’s the song coming along for the wedding?”

“It’s finished. I recorded it today and thought I’d play it back for Izzy tonight. She’s great at filling in the gaps.”

“Now that it’s done, you can enjoy the wedding activities. You sing your song at the wedding, and then Lulabelle goes back in the case.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“So what’s on your mind?” She reached over and ran her hand through his blond curly locks. Matt had the same tousled mane.

“Cyril called. We talked about my plans for the new album and doing some touring in the interim until it’s finished.”

“Well, that’s great. You’ve been working on new material.”

“It is. Normally I would jump at the chance to get on the road but lately I’ve been…”

“Content?” She finished his sentence.

“Yes. I don’t want to leave Isabelle and Matt. I don’t want either of them to think I picked music over them. Matt’s still so little, I don’t know if he’d understand.”

“Baby, they would never believe that. Seth had the same feelings of anxiety about his football schedule. It broke his heart leaving Morgan and Jake, but they adjusted. You’re the star. Map out the kind of tour you want to do and I’m sure Cyril will make it happen. And if you want, take them with you. The band may have to trade in those beers for juice and crackers on the tour bus, but everyone will get used to your new role as a dad who happens to be a musician.”

“Do you think it can work?”

“You were nervous about how your fans would react to turning over a new leaf and you weathered that storm. You and Isabelle did great when you did those appearances to promote your collaboration CD. Matt looked like he was having a great time when you called home.”

“Why is it that you always make the things bouncing around in my head sound so sensible?”

“It’s what mothers do.” She heard rustling coming from the direction of the living room. “The boys are waking up.”

“I’ve got those two. You finish up whatever it is you were doing with this pink ribbon.” He kissed her on the cheek.

“Make fun of me if you will, but after this wedding stuff is done, I’m on to your anniversary party. So I suggest you start thinking of a nice gift to give your wife.”

“I’m already on it.”

* * *

John Jacob dropped Michelle at her new home and continued on to the stables. There was a flurry of activity when he pulled up. Everyone was working hard in preparation for the upcoming festivities. The horses were being exercised and groomed, and Bo made sure Iris and Reed’s Fire were ready to ride when their owners arrived today. Morgan never could hide her enthusiasm for her gift from Seth who, after the boys, tied with Reed’s Fire for her heart. As he walked into the stables, he could hear a ruckus of laughter that could only mean his grandsons were close by.

“Where are my boys?” he bellowed.

Seth’s brood rounded the corner like a stampede of stallions. “Right here, grandpa!”

“Did the three of you get bigger since the last time I saw you?” He lined them up in height order.

Jake nodded. “Mom said I grew an inch.”

“And gained a few pounds.” He grinned. “My, how time is flying. I remember when I held each of you in my arms the day you were born.”

“It seems like that was only yesterday,” Morgan said as she stepped out of Reed’s Fire’s stall.

“How’s my sweetheart doing today?”

“Much better now that I’ve seen you.” She hugged him.

Jake tugged on John Jacob’s jeans. “Grandpa, can we help feed the horses?”

“Sure. Go tell Uncle Bo you want to help.”

The boys took off outside.

“I wish they were that enthusiastic about cleaning their rooms,” Morgan said. “Bo was telling Seth about the bachelor party plans. Looks like you’re in for a wild night at the Bright Star.” She gave him a stern look. “I don’t want to have to bail my entire family out of jail again.”

“Nothing to worry about. I’ll personally make sure everyone makes it to the wedding.”

“The way Teri-Lyn tells it, they inherited that kick-ass-now-and-take-names-later philosophy from you.”

“That might be true.” He put his arm around her shoulders. “How’re your dad and Sydney? His golf game getting any better?”

“Yes, he’s been practicing and said to get ready to lose.”

“How’s the bookstore and your charity?”

She flashed a big smile. “Everything is fine.”

He could read her like a book. “Then why do you look like there’s something you want to tell me?”

“Oh.” Morgan tapped on her temple with her index finger. “There’s always something going on up there.”

“Seth’s retirement is getting closer.” He gave her an expectant look. That seemed to be on everybody’s mind today.

“Yes. It is.”

“What do you plan to do when you move here permanently?”

“Michelle seems to think it would be a good idea to open a bookstore here in Texas, since we’ll both be living down here too.”

“So Reed Bradley Books is becoming a chain? That’s a great idea.”

“Maybe. In this digital age, bookstores are going the way of the dinosaur.”

“Your bookstore still does a lot of business. I think you’ve weathered the technology storm pretty well.”

“That’s because we’ve been there for years and have a unique niche for our customer base. We offer book clubs and art classes, but they also come to hang out and gossip.”

“I like your bookstore. It’s cozy and friendly. You can create that unique kind of environment here too. I know you can do it.”

“When we first got married, Seth made that suggestion. I thought he was nuts, but now it doesn’t feel so crazy. Our lives have changed so much.”

“And here we are.” He grinned.

“He does have incredible foresight.”

Seth walked into the barn. “Hi, Daddy.”

“Hey, son. You and Bo come up with any more bright ideas for the bachelor party?”

“No, just getting stinking drunk and praying we all make it to the ceremony.” Seth laughed and put his arm around Morgan’s waist. “Isn’t it about time the boys start helping out around here?”

“They have plenty of time before they start ranch work.”

“What? I was younger than Jake the first time I drove the tractor.”

“That was to give you boys something to do so you wouldn’t drive your mama crazy.”

Seth raised an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me you’re going to go soft on your grandsons?”

“I retired so I could smell the roses and enjoy life more. I get to spoil them. You get to teach them about hard work.” The days of relentless pursuits were behind him. There was a time when all he thought of was amassing his fortune and restoring the Blake family name. It was Teri-Lyn who had reminded him a long time ago of what was important.

John Jacob had been driving around for ages, and was tired of it, so Teri-Lyn’s house had seemed like the right place to go. She wasn’t going to be happy that he’d been fighting again, but this time he was pretty sure it wasn’t his fault. He drove up the house and cut the engine, debating about whether or not to knock. She had said another fight and she would be done with him for good. But she’d also said that before. As he continued to weigh his options, she came bounding out of the house.

“I just got off the phone with Lila. Did you get into a fight with Russ Winterbourne?” She stood next to the truck with her hand on her hip.

“We had a few words,” he replied.

“And several punches.” She opened the truck door.

He took that as a good sign and got out. “It looks worse than it is. Russ is the one who’s at the dentist right now getting a tooth replaced.”

“Come on.” She led him into the kitchen and pulled out a chair for him to sit at the kitchen table. She went into the pantry and retrieved the first aid kit. “Why do you let him bait you like that? You know he only does it to get a rise out of you.”

“There are two things in my life I won’t tolerate someone bad-mouthing: you and my family. And pretty soon you’ll be my wife which will consolidate everything into a nice, neat package.” He winced when he tried to smile. His jaw was still tender.

“He make a smart remark about your dad again?” She bit her lip.

“Yeah.”

She was right. Russ’s snipes about his dad should have rolled off his back by now. Earl Winterbourne had conned his father Jacob out of that land over thirty years ago, and it should have been water under the bridge. The Blake family had a good life and a thriving farm, but they could have had so much more. Teri-Lyn would get upset with him when he dwelled on it, and it didn’t help that loud mouth jerks like Russ reminded him that the Winterbournes had prospered from a broken promise by their double-crossing daddy.

John Jacob was still mad as hell, but the caring way she was tending to his scrapes felt good. Her soft hands moved along his face as she inspected him, and the tenderness of her touch cooled his anger. He’d love nothing more than to be with her and live a simple, content life. But there was something he had to do first. It may have seemed ego-driven, but he was intent on restoring his family’s legacy.

“He shouldn’t keep teasing you like that, just like you shouldn’t keep taking his bait.” She gave him back his whiskey glass. “Russ Winterbourne may have deserved this one, but I don’t condone your rough tactics. You’re better than this. You’re a good man with or without a fortune.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.” She caressed his cheek. “The past can cripple us if we don’t let it go. I know you think amassing some large fortune will show up the Winterbournes, but where will it leave you? The way you tumble around from state to state doing who knows what, what kind of life is that? You say you want to be happy and have a house full of kids. Are you serious about that?”

“Damn right.”

“Then you need to get serious about priorities. No woman is going to wait forever.” She cleared her throat. “I hope you know that while you were away, Russ asked me out, but I said no.”

“Oh, yeah?” He raised an eyebrow.

“I wanted you to know that in case he tries to use me as the excuse to goad you into another confrontation. I want nothing to do with that man. I know how he treats you, and I’m not that cruel. Besides, he thinks because his family has money he can have whatever he wants, and I’m not for sale.” She raised her chin in defiance.

“That’s good to know. I’m starving.”

“Daddy has a few steaks and fresh corn on the cob in the fridge. You start the grill and I’ll make us a salad.”

“Salad? I don’t want no bunny food.” He huffed.

“It’s good for your system. Besides, we’ll need you to eat something. We’ll need that steak for your eye.”

He grinned. “Teri-Lyn Callahan, sometimes I think you love me.”

CHAPTER THREE

Teri-Lyn stabbed at the phone button on the dashboard of her golf cart when she heard Hyacinth Shaw’s voice mail message. She was trying her best to keep her cool. They were about to become in-laws, as John Jacob reminded her daily. But the matter needed to be nipped in the bud for Cassidy’s sake.

Her initiative to have a fun-filled family event was going pretty well, but she had to have another talk with Sam. The head of security for the family was having a hard time turning over the reins to her partner Kendrick, who was doing an excellent job. She knew it had to be hard to just let things go. J.J. had the same problem delegating. But now that he was married, with a child, he’d been more focused more on spending quality time with his family.

She pulled the golf cart she used to get to the farther reaches of the ranch up to the house and got out, hearing the delightful sounds of squealing and laughter coming from the back yard. She took the path around the side of the house to find J.J. dressed in swim trunks holding a fully dressed Sam over the water, shrieking in delighted panic. Jack was already in the pool, wearing a floating device shaped like a shark.

“What do you say, Jack? I think mom needs to join us in the pool.” J.J. laughed.

J.J. gave his wife a big kiss and unceremoniously dunked her in the pool. Sam recovered quickly and when she surfaced to the top, she looked like she wanted to strangle her husband.

“Swim, Mommy!” Jack clapped his hands in glee, sending droplets everywhere.

“Jack, you’re supposed to be on my side.” She swam over to her son and tapped him on the nose.

J.J. grinned. “We were talking and made a unanimous decision that mommy needed to lighten up.”

“Hey, mama.” J.J. came over and gave Teri-Lyn a kiss on the cheek.

“J.J., I can’t believe you just dunked your wife fully clothed into the pool.”

“I thought Jack and I would get in a few laps before dinner. He wanted his mama to swim too.”

“A simple, ‘come join me and Jack in the pool’ would have sufficed.” She swatted at his arm.

“This way was much more fun.”

Teri-Lyn tried not to laugh at Sam’s misfortune, but she couldn’t help it. When he wasn’t super serious, J.J. could be fun and playful just like his father. The consummate workaholic even took time off to enjoy the wedding festivities. The splashing about reminded her of the day she had spent with John Jacob at the lake.