Off Season (The Blake Boys Book 15) by Rhonda Laurel Page B

check on Gabe and Owen.”
    “Sure.”
    Morgan resisted the urge to take a picture with her cell phone when she saw John Jacob hunkered down at the kiddie table talking to Mackenzie. She gave them both a kiss on the cheek and joined them.
    “I hear there’s an important stock holder’s meeting going on in here.” She winced as she gripped the table as she sat down on the tiny chair. “Hi, Mackenzie.”
    “Hi, Mo—” She stopped when she locked eyes with her mother.
    Morgan raised an eyebrow. She could have sworn her daughter had stopped on purpose.
    “Are you OK?” John Jacob furrowed his eyebrows and reached out to help her.
    “I’m fine.” She smiled. “Getting old.”
    He laughed. “I doubt that.”
    “How was the scouting mission? Did you like the space?” John Jacob’s eyes gleamed.
    “It was perfect, but you knew that.” She gave him a knowing look. “Just like you knew Seth helping T.K. with that new quarterback was a good idea.”
    “Talking to that boy will be good for him.”
    “I agree.”
    “So are you taking the space?”
    “I’d be a fool to pass it up. I’ve already sent pictures to Michelle and she loves it. Mackenzie Square is going to be a premier shopping center. There will be just enough shops for people in these parts to enjoy without making them scared about over-development.”
    “I’m glad that’s settled then.”
    “I’ll let you two continue with the tea party.” Morgan tried to push off the table and stand, but her legs weren’t cooperating so she plopped back down.
    John Jacob gripped her arm to steady her. “Are you sure you’re OK?”
    “I’m fine. I’ve just been having a harder time bouncing back from that flu I had last month.”
    “What did the doctor say?”
    “That it was a new, wicked strain, and I may need to rest more than usual. And I didn’t follow his advice.”
    “Not surprising.”
    “I’ve got too much living to do,” she said in the Southern drawl she’d been trying to perfect over the years.
    “Using my own words against me.” He shook his head.
    “I just need to rest.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you for building Mackenzie Square. One day she’s going to see that and understand what you did for her future.”
    When she arrived at home, Seth was back from the stadium. He was sitting in the family room watching sports footage of a Tomcats’ game. Books on the history of the Tomcats were strewn about on the table. She remembered those days of his intense scrutiny of the games he played so he could critique his performance. He was so engrossed he hadn’t realized she’d come into the house. It was quite the turn-on to see him so focused. She knew that was always when the big picture in his mind became clearer. Morgan slid onto his lap and put her arms around his neck.
    “I take it the meeting went well.” She gave him a light peck on the lips.
    “As well as to be expected. Riley is livid, and T.K. couldn’t care less. We set a date and time for him to come to the ranch. I don’t want our talk to turn into some kind of photo op for him.” He caressed her back. “But it was nice to catch up with Ross and some of the guys. What do you think about having Ross, Mandy, and the kids over?”
    “I think it’s a great idea.”
    “How did the real estate expedition go?”
    “You mean that staged fox hunt at the new development that your daughter owns?”
    “The one and the same.” Seth grinned but kept his eyes glued to the screen. “I thought it would be a fun surprise.”
    “You knew the plan for Mackenzie Square and the prospective bookstore location?”
    He nuzzled her neck. “Yes.”
    “And you still withheld this information from me?”
    “Yes.” He slid his hand underneath her blouse and caressed her breast.
    “You should have told me.”
    Seth tugged on the button on her capris. “I should have. I’m an awful husband. You should punish me in some kinky way to teach me a lesson.”
    “I like the