Slow Burn (The Blake Boys Book 7) (11 page)

He shook his head. “If I’m all those things, why do you bother?”

“Maybe I was just looking for a good time.” She pulled her hat out of her pocket and put it on.

“Newsflash, Michelle. You don’t kidnap someone to have a no-strings weekend with them. What do you want?” He came closer to her.

Michelle looked at him for a while then finally said, “I want to go home. This was a huge mistake.”

“You know what I think? I think you’re scared to do what you came here to do. You’re scared to ask the questions you said you were going to ask me on the first day, or maybe you’re scared to hear the answers.”

“I don’t know why I thought I could ever get you to care about me. It’s stupid. You can’t force someone to care about you, let alone love you. Maybe I’ve been living in the shadow of Seth and Morgan’s romance, thinking something wonderful like that could happen to me too. And maybe you just happen to be the man that crossed my path as I was having that thought.” She shook her head.

“I did come to Philly the last time I said I’d take you out, but I didn’t come into the bookstore. Instead, I stood across the street like a leering lunatic all afternoon.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“You were wearing a yellow blouse with deep scoop neck that shows off the necklace you said your mother bought you for your sixteenth birthday. You had your hair up in a bun but a lock of your hair kept falling out of it so you finally tucked it behind your ear. You were talking to Seth’s friend Derek. He’d been looking at you the entire time he was in the book store and he tried to ask you out before he left but you turned him down.”

“How often do you come to town just to watch me?” Michelle started to cry.

“More than I care to admit.” Tyler closed his eyes and touched her forehead with his.

“That’s kind of disturbing.” She laughed through her tears.

“I have something for you.” Tyler retrieved the bracelet from his jeans pocket, pushed up her sleeve and fastened it around her wrist. “The book charm is obvious because you love to read. The football charm is because you’re a die-hard Titans fan. The spoon is for the cooking you love to do. The boat, well you told me you liked going sailing so I thought perhaps we could go out on the water one day. The heart and the key…well they’re more symbolic. I can explain the rest to you in the house.”

“It’s beautiful.” She wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“I may not be able to convey the right words to say what’s in my heart most times, but…I’m falling for you and I’m afraid I am liable to screw up at every twist and turn.”

“What you just said was perfect. Just perfect.” She threw her arms around his neck.

Tyler kissed her with all he had. Michelle gripped him tighter.

“If you just give me a chance, I promise no more lurking in the shadows. I’ll be around so much you’ll grow sick of me.”

She hugged him again.

“So where do we go from here?” he whispered into her hair.

“Let’s face it, you’re a stalker and I’m a kidnapper. We both have some things to work on. But I would love to grow up
with
you. I want to get to know you like… two mature adults. The rest will fall into place.”

“I like the sound of that.” Tyler kissed her. “It’s Christmas Eve. Why don’t we give your audition tape one more try and then we’ll head to the ranch? You haven’t experienced Christmas until you’ve seen of one my Momma’s extravaganzas.”

“Sounds fantastic. And Tyler?”

“Yes?”

“I’m falling pretty hard for you too.”

“I haven’t been able to think about another woman since we spent the night together in Texas. I didn’t want that groupie to kiss me. She caught me by surprise and the cameras were flashing. I was just concentrating on not doing something stupid that would go viral. But I promise that will never happen again.”

“Good.”

“If it’s any consolation, that woman kissed like Rowdy.” Tyler stuck his tongue out and panted like the Blakes’ big golden retriever.

Michelle snorted.

“I like my kisses slow, hot, and full of passion.”

“Why don’t we go back to bed for a while, then get ready to leave?”

“I like the way you think.”

Chapter Eight

Tyler didn’t exaggerate when he said Christmas at the Blakes’ was like something out of a movie. They made it to Texas in the early evening, just in time to join the Christmas Eve festivities. Michelle felt like she was in a surreal dream when Tyler drove through the front gates of the ranch. Giant candy canes lit the roads as they made their way to his parents’ house, which was decorated to the hilt and could probably be seen from space.

“So your family really likes Christmas, eh?”

“Momma has always been excited about it. But since the boys came along, she’s been over the top. Wait until the imported snow gets here so we can make snowmen.” Tyler chuckled.

“Imported snow?”

“Well, we get a snow maker and…”

“Stop. The North Pole has nothing on this place.”

“This time of year always seems magical.” He caressed her hand.

As soon as he cut the engine of the truck, Teri-Lyn bounded out of the house.

“I’m so glad you two were able to make it! Did you settle your differences?” Teri-Lyn hugged them both.

“Yes, we did.” Michelle smiled.

Tyler folded his arms over his chest. “Momma, how could you in be on a plan like this?”

“Don’t Momma me.” She wagged her finger at him. “The family’s been waiting for you. We each get to open one present tonight. Now get inside before I change my mind about the present I got you.”

“What is it?” Tyler smiled.

“He’s so easy,” Teri-Lyn said to Michelle. “Been a sucker for presents since he was a little boy.” She squeezed his cheeks.

There was plenty of laughing and talking coming from the living room. A soft jazz rendition of We Three Kings filtered through the postcard perfect house. Stockings hung on the roaring fireplace and a gorgeous, beautifully decorated tree sat in the middle of the room. The tree was so huge the tree topper scraped the ceiling. There was wrapping paper strewn about and the boys were playing with new toys.

Tate greeted them with two glasses of eggnog. “Glad you could make it.”

“Yes, the holidays wouldn’t be the same without you.” J.J. smiled as he tossed Tyler a present from under the tree.

“Michelle, happy holidays. So glad you could make it.” Channing came over and kissed her on the cheek.

Tyler glared at him. “Watch it, little brother.”

Channing laughed and pointed upward. Michelle was standing underneath the mistletoe.

“Channing, you are so adorable.” Michelle smiled.

“Uncle Tyler! Michelle!” The boys yelled and came running over.

The rest of the Blakes came over with hugs and holiday wishes. Michelle could feel the love coming from all of them, but it was the embrace from Morgan that tugged at her heart.

“I’m so happy to see you,” Morgan said. “I have something for you.”

Michelle followed her friend into the dining room where it was quieter.

“I have presents for you back at my house, but I want you to open this one first.” Morgan handed her a box.

“What is it?” Michelle shook it. “It’s awfully quiet in there.”

Morgan rolled her eyes. “Just open the box.”

Michelle tore into the wrapping paper to find a velvet box the size of a ream of paper. She opened it to find documents inside. It was a partnership agreement for Reed Books to become Reed Bradley Books.

“What is this?”

“I just wanted to show you how much I love you and appreciate all the dedication you put into the bookstore and into my life. Shane Bracht said Harold’s old store next door is still available if we want to buy the space. Apparently Harold left mention in his will to see if the nice bookstore girls wanted the space before it went up for sale. We can expand and implement some of the great ideas you’ve been telling me about.”

Tears welled up in Michelle’s eyes. “I don’t know what to say.”

Morgan gave her a tight squeeze. “Say Merry Christmas.”

* * *

Michelle found Tyler sitting on the couch playing with the boys. He kissed her the minute she sat down.

“What’s got you on cloud nine?”

“Morgan and I are going to be business partners. She wants me to own the bookstore with her.”

“That’s great. You’ll have the bookstore and the cooking show, you sure you’ll have time for me?”

“Tyler Blake, you want to get handcuffed again?”

“That depends. What do you have in mind?” He waggled his eyebrows.

“Quiet, children are present.” Michelle smiled at the little Blake boys.

“Michelle, did you see my car? It looks like Uncle Tyler’s.” Jake help up a model of Tyler’s car.

“Awesome.” Michelle pulled the tot onto her lap and gave him a hug. Connor and Colby wedged in between her and Tyler. “Maybe you can work on his pit crew.”

“Hey, Jake, don’t you have a question for Michelle?” Morgan yelled over to them. Jake’s eyes shifted to the side like he was trying to remember his line. “Michelle, are you and Uncle Tyler going to get married?”

Tyler nearly choked on the eggnog he was drinking. Michelle shot a look at the precocious toddler’s parents. Seth and Morgan were over by the bar laughing and giving each other a high five.

“Give me another hug and you guys get back to opening up those presents.” Michelle gave them each a squeeze and sent them back in the direction of the tree. Then she glared at Morgan and Seth. “Shouldn’t you two be somewhere trying to make another b-a-b-y?”

Morgan and Seth looked at each other like they were contemplating it. Seth winked at Morgan, took her hand, and led her out of the living room.

“I was just kidding!” Michelle shouted after them. “Where’s a hose when you need one?”

* * *

Tyler burrowed under the tree for the gift he had for his father, the latest smart phone with all the bells and whistles. John Jacob’s general take on computers were that they were evil, but lately he’d been attempting to learn because even Jake was proficient with electronic devices. When Colby picked up Seth’s cell phone and called Morgan, he’d had enough. Not to be outdone by his grandsons, he’d asked Teri-Lyn to teach him how to use all the electronic devices within a twenty mile radius.

“Merry Christmas, Tyler.” Sam linked her arm with his and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I hope you’re not mad at me for my part in your kidnapping.”

“I would consider forgiveness if you admit I’m your favorite Blake.” He raised an eyebrow.

“You know I can’t do that.”

“I may be traumatized for months. Years.”

“Alright. Alright. When I was watching over this family in a professional capacity, you were my favorite charge. There was never a dull moment with you.”

“Was that so hard to admit?” He chuckled.

“No, but you better not tell J.J. about any of our adventures.” She looked around for her fiancé.

“My lips are sealed.” He laughed.

She glanced at Michelle, then back at Tyler. “Look at you, bringing a woman home to spend the holidays. Next thing you know you’ll be getting married and having a few kids of your own.”

“Baby steps, Sam. Baby steps.” He gave her a squeeze.

“Merry Christmas, little brother. Glad you made it home in one piece,” J.J. said as he approached and surprised them both with a hug.

“Merry Christmas to you too.” Tyler smiled. It was great to see his brother so enthusiastic about the holidays.

“I need my fiancée.” J.J. pulled Sam by the hand in the direction of the mistletoe.

When John Jacob didn’t turn up in any of the rooms, Tyler went outside on the front porch. He found his father looking up at the stars.

John Jacob looked back at him when the door closed. He chuckled and took a sip of his scotch. “I see you’re not being held hostage anymore.”

“No, I’m not.” Tyler blushed.

“I’m glad you could make it for Christmas. Your mother loves it when everyone is home.”

Tyler smiled. “I must admit it’s my favorite time of the year.”

“You were always the first one up on Christmas day,” his father said. “If you bothered to sleep at all. The excitement in your eyes is much like the gleam I see in them when you’re racing.”

“I love racing.” Tyler sneaked a glance at his dad. Now was a good time as any to ask the question that had been on his mind for a while. “Are you proud of me, Daddy?”

John Jacob gave him a strange look. “Of course I am. Why do you ask?”

“I don’t know. I’ve always felt like the odd duck around here.”

“I knew you would find your way in your own time. It took me some time to figure things out before I settled down with your Momma. But once I did, I came back and fought for her. I knew she was meant to be my wife.”

Tyler laughed. “Momma said you did a whole lot of beggin’ to win her over.”

“She’s not half wrong. Loving a woman is easy. Trying to reconcile all those mushy feelings, not so much.”

“I know what you mean.”

“Did you make things right with Michelle?”

“Yes I did. I told her it would truly break my heart to lose her.”

John Jacob nodded. “Sounds like love to me.”

* * *

Tyler knew the ‘talk’ was inevitable so he decided to seek Morgan out while she was in a good mood. He promised her a long time ago that he wouldn’t get involved with Michelle until he truly knew what that meant to him. He got that she worried, and he would never forget her face-off with Tate when Isabelle left the ranch in tears after Tate pushed her away. That was enough incentive to keep him out of his sister-in-law’s crosshairs.

“Hey, Morgan.” Tyler put his arm around her.

“Merry Christmas, Tyler. The boys tell me you’re taking them down to the racetrack tomorrow for a ride in your car?” She put her arm around his waist.

“Yeah, I, uh, thought it would be cool.” He stammered.

“It is. They can’t stop talking about their Uncle Tyler’s race car. I know you’ll take safety precautions, so I’ll be nice because it’s Christmas and save the lecture.”