Meet the Blakes Read online

  Table of Contents

  Look for these titles from Rhonda Laurel

  Copyright Warning

  DEDICATION

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  ~ About the Author ~

  ~ Coming Soon ~

  Also by Rhonda Laurel

  More Romance from Etopia Press

  Look for these titles from Rhonda Laurel

  Now Available

  The Blake Boys Series

  For the Love of the Game (Book One)

  MVP (Book Two)

  The Blake Legacy (Book Three)

  Texas Heat (Book Four)

  Love Notes and Football (Book Five)

  The Perfect Storm (Book Six)

  Slow Burn (Book Seven)

  Cowboy’s Heart (Book Eight)

  Tempting Fate (Book Nine)

  Executive Desires (Book Ten)

  Meet the Blakes (Book Eleven)

  The Hollywood Heat Series

  Star Crossed (Book One)

  Hollywood Rush (Book Two)

  Ebb Tide

  Shutter

  “Masquerade” Halloween Heat IV

  In Print

  The Rhonda Laurel Collection

  “Masquerade” Halloween Heat MF

  The Blake Boys Collection

  The Blake Boys Collection II

  The Blake Boys Collection III

  Meet the Blakes

  The Blake Boys Book Eleven

  Rhonda Laurel

  Copyright Warning

  EBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared, or given away. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is a crime punishable by law. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded to or downloaded from file sharing sites, or distributed in any other way via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000 (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/).

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are fictitious or have been used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real in any way. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Published By

  Etopia Press

  1643 Warwick Ave., #124

  Warwick, RI 02889

  http://www.etopia-press.net

  Meet the Blakes

  Copyright © 2015 by Rhonda Laurel

  ISBN: 978-1-944138-02-8

  All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  First Etopia Press electronic publication: September 2015

  DEDICATION

  To John Jacob and Teri-Lyn, thanks for raising such fine, upstanding men.

  CHAPTER ONE

  John Jacob knew the clamor coming from downstairs as he got dressed could only be his wife Teri-Lyn getting ready for the party. She’d been running around like a mad woman since their sons Tyler and Channing announced they were getting married in a double ceremony. It was sure to be a spectacular event on the ranch, family and friends were coming from all over to attend. They were in the final stretch of the planning, and Teri-Lyn wanted everything to be just so for the couples’ perfect day.

  She’d been a beautiful, fiery ball of energy since the day he met her. Never content to accept help, she’d whip herself into a frenzy trying to do everything on her own. Over the years he’d learned when to let her be, but this wasn’t one of those times. There was a catering staff downstairs, but he’d put money on the fact that she was working harder than they were. Tonight’s party was going to be a casual yet elegant get-together to review the action plan for the next couple of weeks. All of his brood would be in attendance except Seth, Morgan, and their boys. Seth had some professional commitments in Philadelphia he couldn’t get out of, so they would be joining the party via video chat.

  John Jacob finished buttoning the shirt his wife had laid out for him, slapped on some cologne, and strapped his watch on his wrist. He took a look in the standing oval mirror in their walk-in closet and ran his hand through his hair. Not bad for an old cowboy who was marrying off the last of his sons. Funny, he didn’t feel like a man who had grandkids. He felt just as spry as he did when he was a young man building his empire and raising a family with the woman he adored.

  He’d always thought it was the state of mind that dictated the concept of a person’s age. Keeping up with very active grandchildren had something to do with it too. Jake, Connor, Colby, Matt, and Jack kept the whole family on their toes. They were full of energy and wonder, just like their fathers were at that age. And of course his wife, Teri-Lyn, made him feel eternally youthful, even when she was complaining that old age was creeping up on her.

  She’d been crying tears of joy for weeks and tonight would be no exception. Tyler and Channing were the babies, after all.

  He went over to the dresser where she kept the accessories in search of a handkerchief. She was always storing away mementos, so it was no surprise there were little trinkets scattered about. Each drawer he opened held some remnant of their lives together. He loved that about her. A linen napkin from their first date or a barrette she wore on the day he professed his love to her held as much value as the expensive jewels they kept in the wall safe. But he’d never seen the pink satin pouch that lay in the open drawer before him. He picked it up. It felt heavy and its contents clanged about. He hoped it wasn’t a collection of the boys’ old baby teeth, but he wouldn’t put it past her. His curiosity piqued, he opened it up and poured the contents into his hand.

  Seashells. He smiled. She loved the beach, so he’d collect seashells for her during his travels when they were courting and would bring them back to her. He carefully put them back and closed the drawer. It was time to go convince his wife that she should leave the details to the preparers and enjoy the evening.

  When he got downstairs, she was flitting about the room straightening things and sampling the food. John Jacob stopped her in her tracks and planted a smooch on her. “How’s my beautiful wife doing?”

  “A nervous wreck. The bridal consultant got a flat tire, but she should be here any minute. Try this.” She lifted a fancy-looking deviled egg to his lips.

  He took a bite. “That’s not bad. You promised me you wouldn’t run yourself ragged.”

  “Keeping busy is good for me. You know if I slow down I’ll start crying again.”

  “Woman, we’ve married off three sons. This is nothing new.” John Jacob raised an eyebrow.

  “This is different. Ty and C.J. are my babies.” She played with a button his shirt.

  “I know it’s hard, but your babies are grown men who have careers and are getting ready to start their own families. That means more grandkids. I thought you’d be happy about that.” He went for another deviled egg, but this time she swatted his hand away.

  “That was just a taste test. You can eat when the kids get here.” She rubbed his stomach. “I’m extremely happy. But weddings are a lot more complicated than when we walked down the aisle a hundred years ago.”

  “Oh, it wasn’t that long ago.” He smiled and caressed her cheek. That old age talk was cropping up again.

  “It feels like it.” She sighed.

  “We’re just as young as the day we wed. As a matter of fact, I thi
nk we have a little time for me to prove that up in the bedroom.” He trailed kisses down her neck.

  She giggled. “No canoodling over the food. House rules. And we don’t have time for that.”

  “The hell we don’t. If we hadn’t made time for it in the past you wouldn’t be marrying off two more sons.”

  “The kids will be arriving any minute.” She ran her hand through his thick, dark wavy hair. “Thank you for wearing the shirt I picked out for you.”

  “Looks like something Seth would wear.” He played with the cuffs. It did make him feel glamorous when he put it on. He wondered how his son made it look so easy posing for those magazine covers.

  “I thought it would be a nice change.”

  Like his shirt, her blue dress was snazzier than her usual duds. “I like that dress. Give me a twirl.”

  She giggled and did a half turn. “There’s going to be a photographer here to take pictures.”

  “I thought there was a photographer at the engagement party?”

  “Yes. He made us a beautiful album. But I thought it would be nice to get photos here and at some of the activities. We can never have too many family photos.”

  “You mean more pictures to cry over when you get out the albums every Sunday afternoon?” He smiled. He kidded her about it, but he loved how sentimental she was about the moments they shared as a family.

  * * *

  Teri-Lyn had a lot more on her plate these days. She accepted the challenge of organizing simultaneous weddings with vigor, but knew she needed help. She wanted to make Tyler and Channing’s double wedding a grand event that family and friends would never forget. When the couples put the details of the wedding planning into her capable hands, she screened the Texas elite in the bridal game and selected Jenna from Marry Me Now Bridal Consultants. Jenna had an excellent reputation and was a perfectionist. She’d gushed that the challenge of a double wedding for the Blake family would be a proud feather in her cap. She gave a thorough presentation and assured Teri-Lyn that it would be a seamless and stress-free process. Jenna was instrumental in organizing the catering staff, photographer, and the employees needed for the fun activities that would be happening on the ranch up until the wedding day.

  Although John Jacob worried about her overexerting herself, she’d maintained a delicate balance of wedding planning and going about her daily routine. She was the full-time caretaker for her toddler grandsons, Matt and Jack, and loved their time together. Her heart swelled with joy knowing that the countdown to Morgan and Seth’s move to Texas was on, and that meant seeing Jake, Connor, and Colby on a regular basis too.

  She gave John Jacob an apple when he tried to snag yet another appetizer and sent him to check the liquor Cal had dropped off for the party. She knew that he worried about her, but running around like a mad woman was the perfect way to focus on something besides getting older. It seemed like only yesterday her high-spirited, teenage boys ran through the house playing sports, lamenting about girls, and fantasizing about what they wanted to do when they grew up. Each of her boys had come into his own unique personality and had chased dreams and quite a few girls, but had finally settled down with a wonderful, independent, headstrong woman.

  The doorbell rang. Teri-Lyn headed to the foyer to see the Regency agent stationed there holding the door for Bo and Summer. She was delighted to see her nephew and his girlfriend. They’d just gotten back from their first vacation together in Hawaii and they looked great.

  “Hi, my babies. You two are looking rested and tanned.” She hugged them both and handed them a pink folder with a ribbon on it. “Here’s a wedding packet.”

  “Thank you again for inviting Wyatt and Corbett to the wedding,” Bo said.

  “Wyatt dropped by to personally tell me he was attending.” She smiled. “That boy is an enthusiastic breath of fresh air. We started chatting, and he ended staying for a few hours and had lunch with me.” And the boy would be just perfect for one teenage, entering freshman she knew, Morgan’s niece Avery. Teri-Lyn wondered how she could arrange for them to meet during the upcoming festivities.

  “But I still haven’t heard yet from Corbett,” she added.

  “Since mom is coming too, I think he and Courtney will attend.”

  “Perfect.” Teri-Lyn took Summer by the hand and led her into the living room. “Where’s Autumn? Is she coming?”

  Summer smiled. “She has a date tonight and apologizes for not being able to come.”

  “Really? Anyone promising?” She’d been thinking about who would be perfect for Summer’s beautiful twin sister one night, and finally it came to her. The next two weeks were not only about the boys getting married—she was going to be engineering a few love connections too. But her plan wouldn’t work if Autumn was dating someone.

  “Don’t worry. She said she was dumping him tonight, so you can continue with your matchmaking scheme.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Teri-Lyn smiled and ushered them into the living room. “How was the vacation?”

  Summer beamed and gripped Bo’s hand. “Wonderful.”

  “Have anything you want to tell me?” she probed. It would totally be Bo and Summer’s low-keyed style to get married in a small ceremony to avoid the chaos going on right now.

  “We brought you back a hula skirt and a book on Polynesian dancing. They’re in the car.” Bo smiled.

  She squinted at him. “That’s not what I meant.”

  “I know.” He chuckled. “Look, Tate and Izzy are here.”

  The couple joined the group and Isabelle hoisted little Matt up onto her hip. Isabelle happily opened the folder Teri-Lyn handed her and began reading.

  “Summer, we should do a spa day together,” Isabelle said. “We can get a massage and a mani-pedi. Make sure Autumn comes too.”

  “That sounds great.” Summer smiled. “The deep tissue massage sounds invigorating.”

  “No male masseur.”

  The ladies looked at Bo and Tate like they were insane.

  “I don’t want no man touching my woman,” Tate huffed. “Bubba, back me up.”

  “I agree with Tate,” Bo, Bubba to his closest friends, replied.

  “Oh, stop it,” Isabelle said without looking up from the list of group events. “Look, there’s going to be a mock Newlyweds Game! We are so going to win.” Isabelle squealed and kissed Tate.

  “It does sound like fun. I was thinking of getting John Jacob to play with me if I can get him to sit still that long,” Teri-Lyn replied.

  “I would pay good money to see him as a contestant.” Tate pointed to the section listing the entertainment lineup. “I’m singing one song and that’s it? I thought I’d sing a few tunes from the new album coming up. Izzy and I can—”

  Teri-Lyn interrupted. “You’re singing the song you wrote for the wedding and that’s it.”

  “But Mama—”

  “I want you two to take a break from music for the next couple of weeks and have some fun. You did your due diligence when you found that band to perform.” She pinched his cheek.

  “OK,” Tate mumbled.

  “Can I eat now?” John Jacob bellowed as he came into the room holding a beer.

  “Yes, but don’t overdo it.”

  The rest of the family poured into the house and the bridal consultant had finally arrived too. She flashed her hand, signaling she’d need five minutes to set up in the living room.

  “Isabelle, can you get Morgan and Seth on that Internet conference call thing on the big screen? We’ll be starting in a few minutes.”

  “Sure thing.” Isabelle smiled and handed Matt to his father.

  A few minutes later, Jenna gave a rundown of the pre-wedding activities that included the spa treatments the ladies were raving about. In addition to the mock Newlyweds Game, there would also be a paintball game and a horse trail ride around the ranch led by Bo Sr. the day before the wedding.

  The guys would be having a bachelor party bash at the Bright St
ar while the women were celebrating their last night of freedom with a casino night at Teri-Lyn’s house. Everyone was excited about the events. Tyler and Channing were so busy canoodling with Michelle and Cassidy, she didn’t think they heard a word the wedding planner said. Michelle and Cassidy had had their last fittings two weeks ago, and the rest of the bridal party would be picking up their wedding duds as well. The only thing left to do was confirm the lodging arrangements. The ranch was going to be flooded with people, and most of them were staying on the premises. It seemed like every house on the Twelve Horseshoes Ranch would be at capacity, with the exception of Tyler and Channing’s homes. Teri-Lyn thought the future newlyweds could use the privacy.

  * * *

  As the family disbanded for the evening and the catering staff had gone home, Teri-Lyn persuaded the engaged couples to stay for another slice of the delicious red velvet cake Michelle had made. But to be honest, she just wanted to enjoy a quiet moment with them before the chaos began.

  “Let me help you with that.” Cassidy came into the kitchen and picked up the serving tray with the plates of cake ready to deliver.

  “Thank you, baby. I’ll get the coffee.” Teri-Lynn picked up the other tray.

  “You are the best.” Cassidy followed her into the living room.

  John Jacob dug his fork into the cake as soon as Teri-Lyn set it down in front of him and took a huge bite. “Michelle, you outdid yourself this time. This cake is delicious.”