Off Season (The Blake Boys Book 15) (21 page)

“This is a heck of a place for a party,” Morgan said.

He grinned. “I thought it was fitting.”

“Dad, will you still be able to coach the soccer team?” Jake asked.

“Yes. Nothing’s going to change. I’ll even continue to help out your mom with the cooking.”

“Mom’s a better cook,” Connor replied.

“OK. Well, I can help out with other things like homework.”

“Will you pick us up from school if we get sick?” Colby asked.

“Sure will.”

“Do you think you can help the Tomcats win a Super Bowl? They haven’t won one in a long time,” Jake said.

“That’s the plan.”

“If anybody can do it, Dad, you can,” Jake said very seriously.

“Thank you for the vote of confidence, Jake.”

“So what do you think? Sounds like a new adventure for us as a family, right?”

“Yeah!”

“Then it’s settled. We’re all Tomcats!” Seth said.

“Tomcats!” Mackenzie said.

“Here you go.” Seth lightly tossed a mini-football at his daughter, who caught it. He applauded. “Yeah, Sweet Pea! Take it to the thirty yard line.”

“Good catch, Kenzie!” Morgan clapped.

“Here, Mommy.” Mackenzie bent down and picked up her barrette that had fallen out of her hair.

Morgan clipped it back into place. “There you go.”

“Now go have some fun in your new playground. But stay out of trouble and be careful with your sister!” he yelled after them as they ran about the field playing with a football.

“We will!”

Mackenzie was doing her best to keep up with them. He liked how they waited for her when they could have easily written her off as too slow or being too small. They wanted her in their lives no matter how much she terrorized them. Jake tossed the ball to her again, and she caught it and spiked it.

He looked at Morgan. “Did you see that?”

“Yes, I did. She’s a natural. Just like her old man.” Morgan wrapped her arms around his waist.

“I think it’s wonderful that she says ‘mommy’ now.”

“Yes, especially when she needs something done,” Morgan quipped.

“I think she just needed to say it in her own time.”

“Or she just wanted to drive me crazy.”

“Sweet Pea would never do that on purpose.”

Morgan rolled her eyes. “Go ahead. Defend the daddy’s girl. I’m prepared for years of your whacky excuses for her willful behavior.”

“She’s a fireball. Just like her mama.” He laughed. “I’m so happy you’re feeling better. I’ll always be by your side, no matter how hectic our lives get. Our family and your health mean more to me than anything in the world.”

“I know. I’m so proud of you for taking this bold step. I always knew you’d have another future in football. You’re going to be a great owner and mentor for this team.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Looks like we’re back to the old football schedule. I couldn’t wait until the off season.” She smiled.

“Yeah.” He sighed. “But I won’t travel so much. And we can—”

Morgan interrupted. “We’ll manage.”

“What about, Sweet Pea?”

“What about her?” Morgan caressed his cheek.

“She’s going to wonder where I am. At the ranch I was just a stone’s throw away.”

Morgan beamed. “You can always bring her to the stadium with you.”

“Really?” Seth’s eyes sparkled.

“No. Our daughter is not being raised at Tomcats Stadium.” She laughed. “But she can visit often.”

“It was worth a shot to ask.” He grinned.

“Trust me, your place in her heart is cemented. And you’ll always be there for her.” She gave him a reassuring smile. “I’m so glad you tackled me trying to save me from that football all those years ago.”

“Let’s keep that story to ourselves for a little while longer. I want to be the kids’ hero as long as I can.”

“You’ll always be their hero, even after they find out the hilarious way you tried to get my attention.”

Seth looked at the kids playing. They looked so happy. He’d never regretted the time he took off after he retired. It had strengthened them all. The reason for his state of bliss was right next to him. He picked Morgan up and swung her around until she shouted for him to stop.

“What was that for?”

“I love you so much sometimes I don’t think my heart can take it.”

“I love you too. To the moon and back.”

John Jacob and the rest of the family came thundering onto the field. T.K. was joined by Logan and his other son Austin. The Blake dynasty was ramping up and headed into a new, unknown destination that had potential, and more importantly, kept them doing the things they did best. Love, family, and football. He looked forward to the next chapter in their lives.

END

~ 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, Tempting Fate
,
Executive Desires,
Meet the Blakes
, and
The Final Play
released in 2015.
Stranded in Paradise
and
Slap Shot
released in 2016.

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

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 Blake Boys Book Two

Rhonda Laurel

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/

The Blake Legacy

The Blake Boys Book Three

Rhonda Laurel

Two lovers. Two dreams. One hell of a hard decision…

NFL quarterback Seth Blake is having an unbelievable hot streak—he’s won his third Super Bowl title the same day his wife Morgan gave birth to their son. Life couldn’t be better for the new father and MVP. His contract with the Philadelphia Titans expires in a year, giving him a chance to make a professional dream come true: to play in his home state for the Texas Wildcats and return to his much-missed Twelve Horseshoes Ranch—this time, for good.

Morgan Reed-Blake has never been happier. She’s got the best husband, the cutest baby, and she’s successfully juggling career and family. Her bookstore is expanding, her charitable organization is growing, and she’s been offered her dream job on the literacy council. Everything in her Philadelphia world is coming up roses. Until Seth’s contract with the Titans expires, and his dream of returning home comes close enough to touch…and the powers that be in Texas start romancing Seth in earnest. Morgan and Seth both have dreams. But a choice has to be made…

Buy
The Blake Legacy
here

http://www.amazon.com/Blake-Legacy-Boys-ebook/dp/B00GO4J81I/