The Blake Legacy (The Blake Boys) (12 page)

“I can’t believe Tate made that remark about his wife.” She giggled.

Seth burst out laughing. “I knew we’d have to fight our way out of there after that.”

Morgan sighed. “After your little stunt tonight, I think we should lay down some ground rules. How about we come up with some things that we mutually agree not to do since we’re parents now? That is what stopped me from beating Charisma’s ass that night at our house.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“Well, no fighting is number one. Unless you do it on the field for work.”

Seth laughed. “Absolutely.”

“Channing was right; you don’t have any body fat.” Morgan slid her hand along his side.

Seth gave her a wry smile. “I try to stay in shape.”

“Which brings me to my next request. I went into this marriage knowing you took good care of your body, and I find it to be quite spectacular. So I have to request that you keep all this”—she motioned up and down his body—“in excellent condition. I don’t think I could live with love handles or a beer gut on you.”

“OK. I counter that with no more talk about weight gain. I think you’re sexy just the way you are.” He kissed her nose.

“When I start spontaneous fires because my thighs are rubbing together, you better be walking behind me with a fire extinguisher.”

Seth shook his head. “Never going to happen.”

Morgan ran her hand through his hair. “I know you won’t keep your hair short forever, but I have to draw the line at you growing out something long with a feathered look.”

“When have you ever seen my hair long?” Seth huffed.

“I haven’t, but I don’t want to wake up one day next to a seventies pop music star either.”

He chuckled. “So Tate gets to be the only singer in the family?”

“Yes.”

“Any more requests?” Seth rolled her over on her back and covered her body with his.

“No more shirtless, sexy magazine covers. I loved the cover of
Sports Page
. You have to be more dignified. You’re somebody’s father for heaven’s sake.” She tried to keep a straight face.

“OK, then you can’t dress like a nun. I want to see some skin.” He nipped her neck.

“I think this is the most counterproductive conversation we’ve ever had.” She sighed.

“I’m surprised you didn’t mention wearing a toupee if I went bald.”

“Not worried about that. Your dad has a head full of hair, and if the gene deities are generous, so will you.” Morgan smiled.

“Well, I have one last request. Once a year, I get to do something nice for you. No refusals. No balking at the cost. No negotiations.”

“Deal.” She shook his hand.

Seth kissed her long and hard. Morgan wrapped her legs around his waist.

“Think we could keep it down tonight? We have a house full of guests.”

Seth pulled the covers over their heads. “I make no promises.”

* * *

Morgan was still asleep when he left the house. He knew his big brother liked to get an early start on the ranch. Seth eased into his truck and drove down the main road to J.J.’s.

Like clockwork, J.J. was in the driveway loading up his truck.

“Hey, Big Brother,” Seth said as he got out of the truck.

“Hey, yourself. Have fun at the Bright Star last night?” J.J. tipped back his hat to get a better look at Seth’s face. “You look better than I expected.”

“Morgan and I played doctor last night when we got home.” Seth scratched at his temple, trying to suppress a smile.

“You know, we all have to set a better example for Jake.” J.J. gave him an expectant look.

Seth sighed. “I know.”

“But,” J.J. added, grinning, “I am so happy you kicked Caine’s ass. That was a long time coming.”

Seth leaned against the truck. “I think so. Where’s Eden?”

“Eden’s been at her sister’s house. She just had a baby and Eden’s been helping her out.” J.J. leaned against the truck too. “I’ll be back around eleven. I have some things to do at the stables. How about a family dinner tonight? I miss my nephew.”

“Good idea.”

“See you tonight.” J.J. got in his truck and pulled off.

J.J. wasn’t the only Blake up at the crack of dawn. John Jacob, who’d returned from Dallas early in the morning, was in the stables saddling his horse.

“Morning, Daddy.”

“Morning. I hear you had an interesting night.”

“Yeah. I’m sorry about that.” Seth looked away, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Sorry for whooping Caine’s ass?” Bodine said as he emerged from a stable.

“Hell no.” Seth turned and gave Bodine a hug. “Hey, Bo.”

“Morgan speaking to you?” Bo laughed.

“Yes, thank goodness.” Seth shook his head. “We’re cooking out tonight at my house.”

“I’ll be there.” Bo gave him a friendly punch to the shoulder and went into the office.

Seth’s father looked at him. “Feel like riding out with your old man? I need to check on a fence.”

“Of course.”

They rode for a while, John Jacob pointing out the things that were going on around the ranch. His father kept a watchful eye over the property in Seth’s absence. There was nothing major to be done, but it was good to keep on top of things. It was the quiet times like these with his father that Seth treasured. John Jacob was a country man who loved his land and his family. He’d done a fine job juggling them while building his empire. By looking at him, one would never think he was a millionaire several times over.

“So how’s fatherhood treating you?” John Jacob smiled at him.

Seth thought about it for a long time, then gave his father a sidelong glance. “You want the truth?”

“And nothing but the truth.”

“I’m scared out of my mind.” Seth let out a deep breath.

John Jacob guffawed. “Welcome to the club.”

Seth’s cheeks reddened at his father’s infectious laughter. “What’s so funny?”

“If you’re scared that just means you want to be a good father and husband. I was a nervous wreck when you kids started coming along.”

“Really?” Seth asked.

“Yeah. I wondered if I was teaching you the right things. It was a wild and crazy ride but it was the best years of my life. Being with the woman I love and raising our children.”

“Thanks, Daddy. Everything I’ve accomplished in my life, I owe that to you.”

“I’m proud of each and every one of you. Just like you will be proud of Jake.”

Seth smiled at his dad.

“So, did Ethan give you a hard sell at lunch?”

Seth exhaled. “You know Ethan, he didn’t say anything. That said it all.”

John Jacob gave Seth a hard look. “What do you want, son?”

“I’ve been thinking about retiring soon. I want to spend as much time as I can with Morgan and our kids.” Seth tipped his hat back.

“Kids? Do I hear a plural?”

“We negotiated. Five kids or until Morgan gets a girl.”

John Jacob slapped him on the back. “It’s a nice change of pace, a young couple who actually want to have more than two kids. I welcome all the grandkids you can give me.”

“And I want all of that to happen here, on the ranch. Sooner than later. I think the Tomcats can help me do that.”

“Then you know what you have to do.”

* * *

Morgan stared at the directions on the back of the box of grits, trying to decide if she should cook the entire contents. Knowing how much the Blake men could eat, the last thing she wanted to do was run out of food. Seth joked with her at home that she only cooked just enough for one meal, and he liked to go back and nibble on leftovers until the next meal was ready. She’d already put the bacon on the griddle, mixed the batter for the pancakes, and started the coffeemaker.

She reached for her coffee, hoping the caffeine would push her brains cells along. The sound of yawning coming from the living room brought her out of her cooking stupor.

“Hey, Morgan.” Tyler gave her a lazy smile.

“Good morning, Tyler. Want some coffee?” She held up a mug.

Tyler took a seat at the kitchen table. “I would love some.”

“Let’s see, you take it with cream and two sugars.”

“I’m impressed. You remembered.”

Morgan smiled and prepared his coffee. “Of course I did. I had your mug ready. I remember you being an early riser.”

Tyler accepted the brew with a wink and a grin. “Seth still asleep?”

“No, he went out a little while ago. I think to see J.J.” She took the bacon off the griddle.

“J.J. was missed last night. Eden probably wouldn’t let him out.” Tyler chuckled.

Morgan scrunched her nose at him. “Why is Eden such a sore spot with everyone?”

“Eden is the exact opposite of you. She’s selfish, materialistic, mean as a lion with a splinter stuck in its paw, and she lives to spend my brother’s money.”

“Then why did J.J. marry her?”

“The phrase starts with the letter p and ends with whipped.”

Morgan giggled. “Tyler!”

Tyler shrugged and scratched at his five o’clock shadow. “Sorry to be so blunt, but that’s how I see it.”

“And what about you? Ever have a woman lead you around by the nose?”

“Hell no.” Tyler snorted. “I have an undefeated record in the game of love.”

Morgan cleaned the griddle and began pouring the pancake batter. “And you’re very proud of that.”

“I’m sure Seth and my momma have told you I am the odd ball. I don’t commit to work or women.” He folded his arms over his chest.

“I’ve heard choice words from both of them. They worry about you.”

“I know.” He sighed.

“Seth told me you thought about driving a racecar.”

“It was a thought. A buddy of mine races. I’ve spent some time behind the wheel. It’s exhilarating.”

“Looking for a rush?” She waggled her eyebrows.

“Something like that.” He grinned.

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Just be safe. I’m sure Jake would be very upset if something happened to his Uncle Tyler.” Morgan hoped a little guilt would make him think carefully about career decisions.

Morgan retrieved the last pancake from the griddle. She picked up the box of grits again and studied the instructions for a minute. But Tyler huffed and walked over to the stove and took it out of her hands. He filled a pot with water and turned on the fire. Morgan blinked. Standing next to Tyler sometimes felt like she was standing next to Seth. The physical similarities were there, but when one of them opened their mouths, it was no mistaking which Blake was her husband.

“Were you and my friend Michelle flirting at the Super Bowl?” She glared at him.

Tyler smiled, his eyes crinkling. “We were feeling each other out.”

“Just out and not up, right?”

Tyler howled. “I hate to tell you, Morgan, but your water breaking was a bit of a mood killer. Thanks to you I didn’t want to have sex for a month after Jake was born.”

Morgan crossed her arms and gave him a steady look. “I can get nosey when I care about people. And I care about both of you.”

He hugged her with one arm. “Of course you do. Tell you what. If Michelle and I pick up the flirting where we left off, I promise I will think before I do anything.”

“Don’t you hate having another sister-in-law?” Morgan patted him on the back.

“Actually, I like having an interactive sister-in-law. Eden and I stay far away from each other. And unlike her relationship with J.J., you’ve made Seth a happy man. You two make me believe marriage isn’t a constant struggle.”

“Do you think you will get married one day?”

Tyler’s eyes widened. “Baby steps, Morgan. Baby steps.”

Tyler and Morgan laughed.

He made the grits and poured them into a giant serving bowl while she set the table. Channing was the next person to come down, followed by Tate. There was no surprise at all that Jake was bathed and dressed when Teri-Lyn brought him downstairs. Morgan sent a text to Seth telling him they were eating breakfast, and she would save him some food. She placed Jake in his high chair but let Teri-Lyn feed him. Morgan looked around the table at the Blakes, knowing it would make Seth extremely happy to live in Texas full time. She wished she felt that same happiness instead of being wrought with conflict over a no-win situation. Tyler’s comments about Eden echoed in her mind. It seemed the root of J.J.’s unhappiness was his constant appeasement to his wife. If Morgan made a big deal about moving so soon to Texas, would Seth give in to her to make her happy? And at what cost to his heart and his career? Resentment had a way of sneaking in when no one was looking.

* * *

Hung over and stuffed from a big breakfast, Seth and the boys made their way to the Bright Star. After assessing the damage Seth sent Channing and Tyler off to the hardware store for supplies. The Winterbournes arrived on time as well, and Caine was kind enough to bring coffee for everyone. Seth and Tate opted to see Caine take the first sip before they’d drink. Caine uttered a curse and took a walk around and then out the door to appraise the outside.

Once all of the repair work was singled out, the crew of eight men began to work. Channing was the first to break the ice with one of the cousins, and slowly but surely a friendly dialogue had started. They even came up with a few ideas to spruce up the place, like a new railing for the outside and replacing a few of the planks on the handicap access ramp. Someone found a ladder, and Tyler and Peter Winterbourne whitewashed the Bright Star sign.

Seth offered to go for a food run so the cook wouldn’t have to fire up the oven while they were working on repairs. He got the shock of his life when Caine volunteered to go with him.

“I’ll help you with the food. It’s only fair we split the bill,” Caine said.

“Sure.” Seth looked at Tate, who nodded in response.

They picked up some barbeque from a popular restaurant. While waiting for the order, Seth and Caine took a seat at a table.

“You out of the military for good?” Seth sipped on the beer Caine had bought him while they waited.

“My family would like that. But I think there’s still some good I can do over there,” Caine said.

“I hear that. I always admired your dedication to the military.”