Off Season (The Blake Boys Book 15) (3 page)

“Listen.” T.K. stood. “Can you just think it over? Take as much time as you like, but I guarantee that even five minutes with you and he’ll be a better man for it.”

“Son, it couldn’t hurt to mull it over,” John Jacob said.

Seth locked eyes with his dad. The subtle nod he’d given Seth meant he wanted him to at least consider it. “OK. I’ll think about it.”

Seth walked his father and T.K. out. He went into the kitchen and pulled out the food he needed to cook, still trying to figure out what had just happened. He got the feeling his dad and T.K. had been talking about more than his post-football hijinks. Just the other day Seth was cleaning out one of the stalls when his father came in and asked how things were going. This wasn’t unusual; they talked all the time. But it was something about his tone. He did that gentle probing thing he used to do when Seth was younger and he had something weighing on his mind. Only his dad couldn’t know Seth would have anything weighing on his mind. Or so he’d thought.

He was happy with his life. He adored being front and center for Mackenzie’s early years, something he’d felt guilty about with the boys. He loved the kids equally but there was no denying that there was a special bond with his daughter. Maybe it had something to do with helping Morgan deliver her in the stables. Or that daddy’s girl thing Patton raved about before Mackenzie was born. It felt good to know that whenever she needed him, he was just a stone’s throw away.

He was content in retirement, but when he got the urge to reminisce, he’d chat with Patton about their former team. He’d catch his favorite sports analyst’s show every afternoon. Now T.K., a man who’d pursued him relentlessly about joining the Tomcats organization for years, had stood in his home moments ago practically begging him to counsel his wayward quarterback. Seth had been following Riley Sloane’s career. He was a good player but let early buzz about his potential greatness go to his head. Riley’s massive ego began in college and he’d become obnoxious and arrogant in the NFL. He was more interested in perfecting his brand than in buckling down and earning his success.

The reason Seth had succeeded was that he’d learned to navigate the pitfalls pretty well. He’d listened to the coaches, and even though he didn’t always agree with them, he respected the years of experience they had over him. He’d valued his relationship with Jimmy and didn’t flaunt it in the faces of the other players. From his interviews, Riley sounded borderline insubordinate. That was another thing. The controversial bad boy’s hair-trigger interviews made for good tabloid news and put the spotlight on the team for the wrong reasons.

Riley liked being the star and reveled in the fact that the world was hanging onto his every word. What he really needed was a good sack from Patton followed by a tough love talk. That would clear all those delusions of grandeur from the young man’s head. And if he didn’t change his ways, he’d only succeed in dragging his team down into defeat with him, no matter how much raw talent Riley might have.

No, Seth wasn’t interested in teaching a quarterback how to be great. He was done with that life. Now the most important thing to him was that Morgan and the kids were happy. He hated to turn T.K. down, but it was the best thing to do.

* * *

Morgan turned into the main gate of the ranch and waved at the guard, happy to be back home. The short trip to the market proved to be more exhausting than she realized. She loved hosting the sleepovers, but she knew it was going to be chaos in the house until the parents picked the kids up tomorrow afternoon. She blamed her recent lethargy on her attempts to keep up with four active kids, but she’d been struggling to get her energy back after that nasty bout with the flu.

Seth had been a trooper, helping out with the kids while she was sick. He was doing better than anyone expected since his retirement. He wasn’t one to sit still, but he seemed to be settling nicely into their new life. She could tell he missed football. The long chats with Patton about how the Titans were playing and watching the sports shows religiously were a dead giveaway. She just hoped he wasn’t delaying finding a new passion because of her and the kids. He’d said countless times that he felt bad about the traveling he’d had to do when he was a football player, but she didn’t see it that way. There was never a time when the boys went lacking for love and affection from their father. He was great at motivating people, and she thought for sure he’d decide to coach. But even lucrative offers from T.K. weren’t able to coax him back into that world.

She made the turn on the road that led to J.J. and Sam’s house. She’d found a new diaper rash cream in the baby aisle she thought Sam and Isabelle would like to try. She parked the truck and grabbed the bag. J.J. opened the front door as she made her way down the path.

“Hi, J.J.” Morgan kissed him on the cheek. “How are you?”

“Drained.” He laughed. “You and Seth warned me about a two-kid household, but I thought you were exaggerating.”

“I’m not above saying I told you so.” She smiled. “So you have anything planned for your night without the little ones?”

“We thought we’d have a romantic dinner, maybe go dancing, but I think we’re going to nuke some leftovers and snuggle up on the couch.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I feel horrible that the first time in a month we get some time alone, all I want to do is get a good night’s sleep.”

“Don’t. Seth and I once fell asleep by the elevator at the Ashcroft after my parents picked up the kids for the weekend. Michelle and Tyler stopped by later in the day and walked right over our bodies and started cooking dinner.” She giggled. “I come bearing gifts. I saw a new ointment that might help with diaper rash.”

“I’m so glad we have you and Seth to share cautionary tales of parenthood.” J.J. put his arm around her shoulders and escorted her into the house. There were photo albums strewn about the coffee table. Morgan smiled as Gabe tried to focus on the picture of his namesake Gabriel that Sam held in her hands. John Jacob was speechless when they’d decided to name their son after his older brother who had died in the war many years ago.

“There’s my handsome nephew,” Morgan cooed at Gabe as she handed Sam the bag. “Are you ready to spend the night with Aunt Morgan?” She glanced at Sam. “He’s getting so big.”

“Tell me about it.” Sam smiled and looked at the contents in the bag. “Thank you. I saw an ad for this in a parenting magazine.”

J.J. went in the direction of the laundry room. “As much as I’d like to hang around and talk about diaper cream, I’m off to do another load of laundry. Jack has a favorite blanket he wants to bring to the sleepover.”

“Look at this picture of John Jacob’s brother Gabe. Wasn’t he handsome?”

“Yes, he was.” Morgan nodded. “It’s a shame his life was cut short so soon.”

“I was thinking of doing a family tree as a present for John Jacob and Teri-Lyn for their upcoming anniversary. I wanted to include Gabe on it. It would give the kids a sense of the entire family history, even of those who’ve passed away.”

“I think that’s a great idea. I’d love to help with it.”

“Thanks. I’ll see what information I can get from Teri-Lyn and we’ll go from there.” Sam leaned toward her. “I talked to Michelle last night. She said the two of you were tossing around the idea of a second bookstore again.”

“I’m supposed to be scouting locations, but I haven’t actually gotten off my butt to do anything about it.” She shook the rattle at Gabe to get his attention. “How’s Kendrick? I wanted to thank him for speaking to Jake’s class on career day.”

“Licking his wounds after that last breakup.”

“There’s got to be somebody we know who would be a good match for him.” Morgan tapped her chin.

“But I don’t know any sane woman who would put up with that hard-headed action junkie with no concern for his own safety.”

Morgan smiled. “Funny, that’s how J.J. used to describe you.”

“Touché.” She laughed. “I’d be happy to go with you to check that new Blake property John Jacob was gushing about the other night at dinner.”

She’d been thinking about that. John Jacob didn’t gush about anything, but he seemed really excited for her to see that property. “That sounds like work. Aren’t you on maternity leave?”

“Yes. But that’s not work. I’d be spending the day with my sister-in-law who happens to be checking out a location for her business expansion.” Sam gave her a toothy smile.

“I’ll let you know when I’m ready.” She stood. “I’d better be going. Seth’s probably wondering what’s taking me so long.”

“J.J.’s going to drop Gabe off around five. He’ll probably be asleep soon after.”

She caressed her nephew’s hand. “I’m looking forward to some cuddle time with this one.”

Morgan got back into the truck and headed for her house. She noticed John Jacob riding his horse in the distance away and he had company. It was T.K. Holbrook. Morgan rolled down the window and waved; the men waved back. He and John Jacob were old friends, but T.K. never came by just to
visit
.

Morgan walked through the front door with bags of groceries and called out, “Hey, babe. Guess who I just saw horseback riding with your dad?”

Seth appeared out of nowhere and stole a kiss. “T.K.”

“Wow, swami. What number am I thinking of?”

“Seven.” He took the bags from her and headed into the kitchen.

She squinted at him. “Ha. Ha.”

“He stopped by about an hour ago with Daddy to ask a favor.”

“Still trying to get you to reconsider coaching the Tomcats?”

“No. Seems his new quarterback Riley Sloane thinks he’s god’s gift to football, and T.K.’s worried his attitude and off-field antics will be harmful to the team.”

“The little punk who said he’d break your records in two years?” She opened the bag of carrots and nibbled on one.

“The one and the same.” Seth shook his head.

“It was bound to happen. As soon as he came onto the scene they were touting him as a young Seth Blake.”

“Really?” He scratched at his beard. “When did they say this? And why didn’t you tell me?”

“You watch sports. I’m filtered entertainment news via Michelle. You know that as soon as someone made the comparison, she went ballistic on social media. Besides, you were too busy trying to win a fourth Super Bowl title. I thought that took precedence over telling you about some handsome new young buck high on his own rising fame.”

“Good call, wife.” He smiled, then it faded. “You think he’s handsome?”

“Sure. He does kind of remind me of you. But much rougher around the edges. He has those boyish good looks and a nice smile. A golden boy in the making, if he can keep his foot out of his mouth.”

He put his hands on his hips. “Sounds like he has one fan already.”

“I’m not blind; he’s cute.” She chuckled. “But I don’t have to ogle a knockoff. I have the original right here.” She put her arms around his neck and ran her hand through his hair.

“I’m sexier than him,” he mumbled and brushed his lips against hers.

“Way sexier. And smart and charming and good-hearted.” She nipped at his lip. “Stop me when I’m back in your good graces.”

“You have a ways to go.” He swept his tongue into her mouth.

Morgan reluctantly pulled away from him. “As much as I love your kisses, we need to get this stuff organized. The mob can get surly when food’s not at the ready.”

“I know. After we put said mob to bed, we’ll have our own adult fun.” He caressed her face.

“I’d like that. But play it cool. If the kids think we want a moment alone, that tent’s going to end up in our bedroom.”

“So I have to pretend that I’m not into my own wife?”

“Yeah.” She rolled her eyes in an exaggerated way. “So what did you say to T.K.?”

“I wanted to tell him a flat-out no, but Daddy gave his steely John Jacob-esque gaze that implied I should give it some thought. So I caved and told T.K. that I’d mull it over.”

“It would be a challenge, but if anyone could talk some sense into him, it’s you.”

He shrugged. “I doubt that I’ll do it.”

“Are you sure you don’t want—”

Seth silenced her with another kiss. She loved and hated when he did that.

“Babe, I’m fine.”

He was now one of the greatest football players of all time and that meant he was constantly being targeted in the media by some young whippersnapper who wanted to make a name for themselves. He’d set the bar pretty high, but it took balls and arrogance to call out a four-time Super Bowl champ. But Riley had gone and done it and seemed like he was almost taunting Seth in the media. Sure, she wanted to wring Riley’s neck when she saw the braggart saying he’d surpass Seth’s legacy within a few years. But maybe Seth could really set the young man’s head straight.

When they finished putting up the groceries, Morgan sagged against the counter. She felt like she’d run a few laps around the entire ranch. She looked up to see that familiar worried look on face.

He caressed her cheek. “Are you OK?”

“I was feeling good when I left, but I started feeling rundown as I walked around the market.”

“Why don’t you get some rest?”

“We still have a lot to do.”

He wrapped his arms around her waist. “Don’t you think it’s time you made a follow-up appointment with the doctor?”

“It’s nothing.” She shook her head. “We both know I didn’t rest as much as Dr. Fulton told me I should. I’d feel like an ass trotting in there because I only half listened to his instructions.”

“If it’s all the same to you, if you don’t feel better in a couple of days, make an appointment for a follow-up.”

“OK.” She kissed him and leaned into him. If she were going to be of any use tonight, she really did need a rest. “I think I will take that nap. The kids should be back around five. Make sure you wake me up before they get here.”

“Will do.”

* * *

Seth laughed when his newborn nephews’ parents dropped them off and dashed out of the house like it was on fire. A half hour later, the kids barreled into the house with Channing and Cassidy in tow. The Blake brood looked tuckered-out, but he could tell they enjoyed it. They were all rattling on at once about the things they’d seen. Mackenzie must have really had a good time; the poor thing was asleep in Channing’s arms.