Off Season (The Blake Boys Book 15) (12 page)

“OK, Dad. Thanks.” Jake gave him a hug.

“My baby’s first play.” Morgan sniffed and squeezed him too.

Seth took her hand and guided her to their seat. Mackenzie crawled over Cassidy and Channing to take her place on Seth’s lap. Mackenzie grabbed Morgan’s hand, but she seemed to be too entranced to notice.

“Wouldn’t it be something if Jake became an actor?” Seth leaned over and joked. “When he’s not playing football of course.”

“Uh huh.” Morgan stared at the stage as if the performance had already started.

“Or maybe he’ll go into law enforcement. I can see him getting into shootouts, two, three times a week.”

“Probably,” she mumbled.

“Hey.” Seth gently nudged her. “What’s going on?”

“I was just thinking about my first school play.”

“Oh yeah. What were you?”

“Pumpkin number three. I had one line.”

“I bet you looked awfully cute.”

“You know it.” She chuckled. “When the main pumpkin asked if autumn had arrived, my line was, ‘the leaves are falling!’ I rehearsed that line for weeks and I tried on the costume every night before I went to sleep. My mom had to fix the rips on it about four times before she forbade me to wear it again before the play. A few days later, she got sick and was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. My dad said not to worry, that she’d be out in time for my big day. She said she wouldn’t miss it for the world. Things went on as usual in our house, but now I knew that things weren’t normal. The looks on my brothers’ faces…at the time I didn’t know what worry was, not that kind. But I kept believing she’d come home before my play. It was the day before the play and my grandma was babysitting me at our house. I wanted to show her how cute I looked in my costume, so I tried it on quick so I could take it off in case my mom came home from the hospital and caught me wearing it. My dad came home and told me he needed to talk to me. I thought it was because I’d tried on the costume again and he was going to chastise me for it. But he sat me down and told me my mom had passed away and she wasn’t coming home again. I think I cried for two days straight. I didn’t understand why she would go to the doctor and then couldn’t come home ever. It just didn’t compute for me. I was just about Jake’s age.”

Seth opened his mouth to respond, but the lights dimmed, then the curtain opened and the play started. The apprehensiveness about going to the doctor now made sense. She was Jake’s age when her world unraveled and she lost her mom. They’d talked about the raw grief she still felt because of her mother being ripped away from her at such a young age. What started as a simple respiratory illness had rapidly turned into pneumonia and her mother had become too weak to fight it. She’d faired a little better as an adult when her father had his heart attack years ago, but it had brought back memories of her mom’s abrupt departure.

He wiped away the single tear that had fallen onto her cheek. He wanted to hold her and let her bawl like a baby right there in the auditorium. But she remained focused on Jake and the play. Instead he laced his fingers with hers and tried to concentrate on the show.

Mackenzie yelled out Jake’s name every time he went on stage, but the audience didn’t mind. He waved to her and she settled down, content that her brother had finally showed her some attention. Jake said his lines perfectly. Whatever Avery taught him must have worked. By the end of the play, he looked very relaxed and even managed a smile when he took his bow for the audience.

Afterward the family went to Jake’s favorite restaurant that served burgers and his favorite, brownie sundaes. They were having such a good time he didn’t rehash the conversation they’d had before the curtain rose. Still, it gnawed at him while he ate his meal. Finally, when they were back home and the kids were tucked in, he pulled his wife close as she crawled into bed.

“Our kid did good today,” he said.

“Yes, he did. He’s a natural born ham like his father.” She giggled. “He has your confidence. Did you see the way he helped his classmate Steven when he fell on stage?”

“That’s our boy. Always thinking of others. He gets that from you.” He kissed her on the forehead.

“Seth.”

“Yes?”

“I’m scared Dr. Fulton is going to tell me something I don’t want to hear.”

He didn’t want to think about that. A part of him was scared too that something beyond his control could take her away from him and the kids.

“I promise, no matter what the doctor says, you’re going to see plenty of plays and birthday parties and soccer practices. We’re going to dance at their weddings and spoil our grandchildren.”

“You can’t promise that.”

“Yes, I can.” He pulled her closer. “Morgan?”

“Yes.”

“History is not repeating itself.”

But Morgan only laid her head on his chest and didn’t say anything.

Seth continued. “Whatever it is, we’re going to get through this together.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Sydney and Curtis were waiting for them at the Ashcroft when they arrived in Philadelphia. The kids were excited to see their other grandma and grandpa. Sydney had gone ahead and prepared the penthouse for them, so they settled in as soon as they set their bags down. Morgan looked around. They had a spacious home on the ranch, but she missed this place. As soon as Jake, Connor, and Colby said their hellos to their grandparents, they bolted to their rooms.

“Sydney.” Seth gave her a hug and a kiss. “You didn’t have to do all of this by yourself.”

“I wanted everything to be just right. You know if one thing’s out of place, Colby won’t sleep well for two days.” Sydney pulled Mackenzie into her arms. “Hey, cutie pie. Grandma missed you something terrible.”

“Grandma!” Mackenzie clapped.

Morgan smiled. Sydney knew her grandkids well. Morgan focused on her father; there was something different about him. He looked refreshed and leaner. “Dad, have you lost a few pounds?”

“Twenty-five,” he replied. “Sydney and I are trying a new diet and we’ve taken up a few new activities to keep us out of the house.”

“That’s great.” She gave him a big squeeze.

“Tell the truth, Curtis.” Sydney swatted at her husband’s arm. “Our trip is coming up, and he wants to look trim like the other men. I told him John Jacob and Bo Sr. do ranch work and Lucas is a career military man. They look that way for a reason.”

“I used to be a fire fighter. I have to keep myself fit to represent my fire fighter brothers. I bet Seth hasn’t gained an ounce since he retired.” Curtis took Mackenzie out of Sydney’s arms and kissed her cheek. “Mackenzie, Grandpa has a present for you back at our house.”

“I have to keep myself in shape or your daughter will divorce me.” Seth patted his six-pack.

Morgan nudged him in the ribs. “I said if you got a beer gut I’d divorce you.”

Sydney laughed. “I know you just got here, but Curtis and I were hoping to take the kids today. We were going to—”

“Not a problem,” they said in unison.

Curtis laughed. “I remember the days when you wouldn’t let them out of your sight and tracked them for migration purposes.”

“Hey, if you can’t trust your own parents with your kids, who can you trust?” Morgan shrugged.

“I’ll go get the boys.” Seth headed down the hall.

“Is there anything else I can do to help with the party?” Morgan asked as she sifted through Mackenzie’s bag to make sure it was fully stocked.

“I don’t think so. Grace is going to be thrilled, then pissed that everyone made such a fuss.”

“Sounds like Grandma. Is Mr. Greene coming?”

“No,” Curtis said before Sydney could answer. “He had to get a hip replaced or something.”

“Actually he had to get a mole removed and if he’s feeling up to it he’ll attend.”

“Dad. I was shocked to learn you’re bullying senior citizens. I’ve heard he’s a nice man who thinks highly of your mother.”

“I don’t like his face and I don’t want another daddy,” he huffed.

Morgan and Sydney both folded their arms across their chests and gave him a stern look. Curtis, realizing he’d put his foot in his mouth began to backtrack.

“It’s different.” He shook his head. “It’s not the same situation.”

“I’m not saying Grandma will keep this guy around, but do you want her to spend years trying to keep the peace between you and anyone she likes?” Morgan put her arm around Sydney. “I think we all learned a valuable lesson the last time around.”

“Anyway.” Sydney squinted at Curtis and continued. “Charisma’s worked so hard on this party. Everyone is going to have a wonderful time. She said the two of you talk a lot more now.”

“Yeah. At first it was updates about the party, but now we just chat whenever we get the notion. She and Derek are going to come to Texas for a visit in a couple of months,” Morgan replied.

“Good. It’s good to see this family together. Now if we can only get Debra on the bandwagon.”

Seth returned with the boys and they waved good-bye as they filed onto the elevator. Once the doors closed, Seth pulled Morgan into his arms.

“You want check out the bed to see if that spring is still there?” Seth’s eyes gleamed as he took her by the hand and led her to the bedroom.

“Last time I checked for the imaginary spring with you, nine months later we got what the boys affectionately call Mac and Cheese.” Morgan said. The boys mercilessly butchered their sister’s name whenever they tried to write it out. What began as Mackenzie always turned into mac and cheese in the end.

“How are you feeling?”

“Never too tired to make love to you.”

Seth would have gladly spent the remainder of the afternoon in bed with Morgan. They seldom got time alone and being in the place where their love began had an especial appeal. But he could tell his wife was tired from the travel and wrangling the kids all morning long. And whether she liked it or not, until she went to the doctor, he was going to make sure she got the rest she needed.

He stared into those beautiful eyes he loved so much while he unbuttoned her blouse and slid it gently down her shoulders. He unsnapped the front clasp of her satin bra with two fingers and cupped her breasts in his hands. He’d made love to her a hundred times before, but each time he touched her skin it felt like the first time he’d touched a woman. Because before her, he knew he’d just been going through the motions of dating until she’d come into his life and changed him forever.

Seth moved his hands down her stomach and continued his sensual caress until he reached her hips and tugged on her panties, sliding them down until they hit the floor. He pulled back the covers on the bed, picked her up, and placed her gently so her head was comfortably propped up on the pillows. She reached for his shirt buttons, but he stopped her.

“Aren’t you getting naked?”

“In due time.” He went over to the bedroom door and locked it.

Morgan giggled. “I’m pretty sure we’re all alone.”

“Fool me twice.” He laughed and knelt on the foot of the bed. “Have I told how much I love you today?”

“Um.” Her eyes went upward as if she were thinking about it. “I don’t think so.”

“Well, I do.” He kissed the sole of her foot.

Seth kissed down her leg until he reached her center. Morgan groaned as he parted her legs and inserted two fingers into her and massaged her clit with his thumb. Morgan grabbed his hair and writhed as he began a quick, fluttered motion with his tongue over her clit. She tugged for him to go faster, but he took his time. They’d had so few moments when they didn’t have to worry about interruptions, and he wanted her to have some unadulterated fun for one afternoon.

“Seth,” Morgan groaned.

“Yes?” he said without breaking his rhythm.

“Don’t stop.”

When her legs started to buckle, he gripped her waist and quickened the pace. Morgan still had a death grip on his hair, but he didn’t care. She screamed when she climaxed, and her body went limp. Her eyelids were half closed, and her body glistened. He crawled up beside her and pulled her into his arms. She snuggled against him when his hand settled on her ass. The steady breathing came minutes later, and he knew a few more caresses and she’d be sound asleep.

It wasn’t some mystery illness that scared him. It was the thought of living a day without her that shook him to his core.

* * *

Morgan woke a few hours later feeling like a million bucks. After she and Seth showered and changed clothes, it was time to mingle. Seth dropped her off at the bookstore, but she told him not to bother picking her up. She’d get a ride home with Michelle. She crept into the backroom hoping to surprise her best friend. When she opened the door, she saw Michelle sitting at her desk talking intently on the phone.

“OK. Thanks for everything, Sam. I knew you’d get to the bottom of things. I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.” Michelle hung up the phone and stabbed at the crab salad on her desk with a fork.

“If that salad’s from Pietro’s down the street, I want some.” She opened the door.

“Morgan!” Michelle scurried around the desk and squeezed her.

“Now that’s what I call a hug.” She laughed. “Why so glum?”

“Sam just gave me the rundown on the woman claiming to be a relative.”

A woman claiming to be an aunt of Michelle’s had contacted her through her cooking show months ago. Sam had Regency launch a full-scale investigation on the woman and everyone in connection with her.

“What did Sam find out?”

“Nothing bad.”

“That’s good news. Right?”

“I suppose.” Michelle held up her hand. “Forget about estranged relatives popping up now that I’ve achieved a minuscule amount of fame. How are you? How did the tests go?”

She’d called Michelle after she’d talked to Dr. Fulton that day. Her best friend let her bawl her eyes out as she retold the details about her weeks of symptoms and almost dropping Mackenzie that morning. Leave it to Michelle to cheer her up and make her feel optimistic about the future.

“I peed into a cup. They stole gallons of blood from me, and I was X-rayed so much I may actually glow in the dark.”