Leap of Faith (The Blake Boys Book 17)

by Laurel,Rhonda

  “I liked the style, so I decided to keep it.” Cassidy ran her through her short tresses. It started out as a hairstyle of convenience but had turned into a fashion statement. But she knew her sister wasn’t in her room to talk about beauty secrets. She wanted something.

  “How’s work?” Megan asked.

  “Well I have this new client that—”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Does Channing have any more eligible brothers to date?”

  Cassidy cut her eyes at Channing when he laughed. So much for sisterly bonding. “I am happy to report that all his wayward kinfolk have found wonderful mates.”

  “Damn.” She slapped her knee. “I was hoping to rope me a handsome corporate cowboy. What about friends?”

  “Why would we set you up with someone? You have a horrible reputation for discarding men.”

  “Oh you make it sound bad. I’m just having fun.”

  “At whose expense?” Cassidy replied.

  “Ha ha.” Megan stuck her tongue out and lifted off the bed and headed for the door. “Keep me in mind if you know someone.”

  “Only if I wanted to inflict cruel and unusual punishment on him,” Cassidy called after her.

  Once the door was closed, Cassidy took a seat on Channing’s lap.

  “Megan is too much.” He nuzzled her neck.

  “I don’t have the energy to analyze her right now. Let’s go to bed.”

  Cassidy turned out the lights and they snuggled under the covers. She nestled against Channing’s chest as he encircled her waist with his arm. She liked being able to feel his heartbeat against her back as he fell asleep. It soothed her until she drifted into her own slumber. But she knew she couldn’t sleep until they talked about what happened at the dinner table.

  “I’m sorry you got ambushed with the baby talk. The least my family could do is let us enjoy a nice dinner without dissecting our lives,” she whispered.

  “It’s OK. We weren’t really targeted. Your mom was just making conversation.”

  “Yeah, but it’s a private thing.”

  “I know. But you handled it very well.”

  “At least your family has some decorum about sensitive issues.”

  “You were at Avery’s birthday party?” He chuckled. “Because the lunacy was flowing around the room.”

  She laughed too. “I remember. You were part of the posse to take Wyatt down. Teri-Lyn would have never put me on the spot like that.”

  “Your mom says things in public settings because she’s still afraid you’ll reject her in private.”

  “I’m trying. I really am. I notice you answered her question rather quickly.”

  “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about it. Because I do. But we can talk when we’re on the same page.”

  “We’ve been so happy. I don’t want anything to ruin it.”

  “You think having a baby is a bad thing?”

  “No.” She closed her eyes. “But some of the stories in the support group about couples splitting up over this issue broke my heart every time I heard them.”

  At first, joining the group seemed like a great idea. They’d met couples who’d been through the uncertainty and disappointment. But after awhile it had only seemed to weigh her spirit down. Kept her wounds open and raw.

  “Nothing could ruin our relationship,” he said softly. “I wouldn’t let that happen.”

  “Right now, I’m Aunt Cassidy, the biggest pushover in the family. The kids know I’ll take them anywhere they want to go and let them eat junk food. I get to spoil them, and they help me feel sane. But I don’t know if I have the courage to look you in the eye if we can’t have a child the natural way. I don’t want you harboring any resentment down the road.”

  “Listen to me. We have a lot of love to give a child, no matter the circumstances of their birth.”

  “OK.” Cassidy replied, but it took her a long time to finally fall asleep.

  * * *

  Channing barely got showered and changed at the crack of dawn before Cassidy hustled him downstairs for breakfast. He was happy that she’d agreed to go to the Football Hall of Fame with him, but he was pretty sure it wasn’t open this early. They went downstairs to the kitchen to find coffee brewing and an assortment of fruits, juices, and fresh bagels on the counter.

  “Good morning,” his mother-in-law said as she entered the kitchen with the newspaper.

  “Good morning, Hyacinth.”

  Cassidy smiled. “I told you she’d be up. My mom gets up with the chickens.”

  “And I knew you’d be the first one up and darting out of the house,” Hyacinth responded.

  “We’re not darting. We’re getting an early start to the day.”

  “And I promise we’ll be back in plenty of time for the party.” Channing took a bite out of his cinnamon raisin bagel. He could hear the rest of the occupants in the house waking up. Footsteps pounded down the stairs at a quick pace. Channing almost choked on his bagel when Cassidy grabbed his arm, the car rental keys, and tried to scoot him out of the back door. But it was too late. Megan had entered the kitchen and she was wearing a Tomcats T-shirt.

  “Where are you two headed to at this god-awful hour?” Megan yawned.

  “Well…” He swallowed the chunk of bagel lodged in his throat. “We’re going to Canton. I like to visit the Football Hall of Fame whenever I come to Ohio.”

  “I’ve never been. I have to admit my interest in football only started when Cassie got involved with your family. Thanks for the Tomcats gear, by the way.” Megan pointed at her shirt.

  “You’re welcome. It’s a family affair. We’d love for all of you to come out for a home game when the season starts. We can make a weekend out of it.”

  “That would be great.” Hyacinth beamed. “The rest of the Shaws are known for our epic tailgate parties.”

  Cassidy pulled on his hand. “We have to get going if we’re to be back on time. See you later.”

  Channing couldn’t help but notice the look of loneliness in his sister-in-law’s eyes. “Megan, would you like to join us?”

  “Yes! I would love to spend the day with you two. Give me a half hour to get ready.” Megan jumped off the stool and headed upstairs.

  “Good going.” Cassidy nudged him.

  “What, babe? She looked…lonely.”

  “She is.” Hyacinth sighed. “There is something going on with your sister. Maybe you two can get her to open up.”

  “Open up?” Cassidy huffed. “When does she ever shut up?”

  “You know your sister. The constant chatter is her burning off mental exhaust. She’s been a bit off since her last break-up.”

  “She has a million friends. I’m sure she’d confide in one of them if something were wrong. Megan always bounces back.”

  “Would it hurt to ask a few questions?” Hyacinth countered.

  “Mom, you know Megan and I don’t have that kind of relationship.”

  “You’re right.” She took a swipe at a bread crumb with a napkin. “Maybe Channing can talk to her.”

  “Why would she open up to Channing? She barely knows him.”

  “That’s not exactly true.” He coughed. “Megan and I have talked on a few occasions.”

  Cassidy folded her arms over chest and glared at him. “Why didn’t you tell me this?”

  “Well, she’d call for you, but you’d be unavailable. I thought it was a good way to get to know my sister-in-law.”

  “You were right, Channing. Thank you for extending an olive branch to this side of the family.” Hyacinth squinted meaningfully at Cassidy.

  “And why am I just finding out about this?”

  “I didn’t think it was a big deal.” Channing flashed his biggest smile to counteract the atomic frown on his wife’s face. Yes, he was guilty of keeping in touch with her family behind her back, but he was glad it was finally out in the open. The hurt feelings from hiding her health scare still lingered, but Cassidy didn’t see it that way. She’d seen
a problem that she’d wanted to fix herself and still didn’t grasp why everyone was so up in arms about it. Her family seemed like nice people who wanted to know she was safe and taking care of herself. He felt he owed it to them to communicate that she was well-loved and happy.

  “Maybe you’re just finding out about it now because you don’t answer your phone.” Hyacinth stuck her tongue out at her. “Channing and your dad talk too. I don’t see what the big deal is. Just because you don’t want to talk to your family doesn’t mean your husband doesn’t.”

  Cassidy’s eyes narrowed as she looked at him. “Do you keep in touch with anyone else?”

  “Your brothers,” he eked out.

  His mother-in-law touched his arm and smiled. “Thank you for making the effort, Channing.”

  He smiled back, but it was forced. He wished she wasn’t making such a big deal about it. He could see it was only making Cassidy upset, as if they were rubbing the secret in her face. Which hadn’t been his intention at all.

  Megan came back into the room. Everyone stopped talking.

  “Well, that wasn’t awkward at all.” She did a half twirl. “Am I dressed appropriately?”

  “Wow,” Cassidy said. “I didn’t know you owned a pair of jeans that you didn’t need the Jaws of Life to get them off you.”

  “I’ll ignore that because I plan to have a great day on the town with my handsome brother-in-law.” Megan went over and linked her arm with Channing’s. She then looked at her sister. “And you too Cassidy.”

  Channing saw the look Cassidy shot her mom as Megan hustled him out of the door, talking a mile a minute. His wife followed, but she did not look happy.

  Hyacinth called after them. “Have a good time.”

  * * *

  Cassidy could barely keep up with Channing and Megan as they walked through the Football Hall of Fame. Usually she loved seeing how Channing’s face lit up every time they did the VIP tour. She could see why the Blake family was so invested in football. The rudimentary elements of the game that echoed their real life values. Skill. Hard work. Planning. Perseverance. She knew it was only a matter of time before Seth was inducted once he was eligible to be nominated. Had J.J. had not been so badly injured when he was playing for the Denver Colts, she knew he’d have been initiated too.

  But even though she usually enjoyed their trips here, once Megan had latched onto Channing in their parents’ kitchen, Cassidy had been relegated to third wheel. Everyone in the family loved him, especially Megan. It shouldn’t have been a surprise that they talked occasionally, except that it was. She’d tried her best to get along with her older sister all her life, but the attempts to find common ground always failed. She was inverted and shy, while Megan and Dahlia were the outgoing social butterflies.

  She hated to be suspicious, but damn it, her sister was never this nice to her. Channing was busy grilling the tour guide, so now seemed like a good time to chat with her sister. Cassidy tugged on her sister’s sleeve and pulled her in the direction of the snack bar. Once they’d ordered a coffee and a Danish, they took a seat at a table.

  “Hey. What’s going on with you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Mom said she thought you might be having a hard time after your break-up.”

  Megan rolled her eyes. “Breaking up with that jerk Daren was the best thing I’ve ever done.”

  That was a relief. The family consensus was that Daren was an idiot. “OK. If it’s not the latest breakup, then what has you moping around?”

  “I’m not moping. Mom is being dramatic. As a matter of fact, I’m taking a break from dating. I thought I’d spend some time getting to know myself without incorporating the needs and wants of some random guy.”

  “Good for you.” Cassidy smiled. For as long as she could remember her sister had a boyfriend. Taking some time to find herself was a good thing. But she’d asked if they knew any single guys last night. “Then what was all that about us knowing any eligible men?”

  “You can’t blame a girl for trying. If a carbon copy of Channing comes along, I’m willing to refine my thinking about relationships.” She winked.

  “He’s one in a million,” Cassidy said with a grin.

  Megan gave her a shrewd look. “So what’s the deal with the kids? Isn’t it time you started family planning?”

  Cassidy cleared her throat. “Channing and I haven’t really talked about kids in great detail.”

  “I find that hard to believe. He seemed enthused about it at dinner last night.”

  “Well, we’ve talked in passing.” Cassidy looked up to see Channing walking toward them. Relief flooded through her. Now she’d have an excuse to end this conversation that had somehow derailed back to having children.

  “For what it’s worth, he’s totally ready to be a dad. In case you were worried.”

  Why would she be worried? Had Channing said something to Megan? He was ready, she could see it in his eyes. But she wasn’t sure he’d be prepared for failure if they couldn’t conceive. No matter what he told her.

  Channing came over to the table. “Ladies, did you enjoy the tour?”

  She smiled. “Not as much as you, but it was very informative.”

  “Megan, what about you?”

  “I’m just glad the uniforms and equipment evolved over time. Nowadays you can see how hot a guy is without taking everything off.”

  “We’ve been here for hours and that’s your take away?” Cassidy quipped.

  He smirked at his sister-in-law. “We can teach you the fundamentals.”

  “Megan doesn’t have the greatest attention span,” Cassidy said.

  “Be quiet, Cassie.” Megan stood and kissed him on the cheek. “That would be cool. It’s a date. I’m going to the restroom before we head to the museum of art.”

  “Do you know you can’t date my husband?” Cassidy yelled, ignoring the inquisitive looks of the other diners. She turned her attention back to Channing. “Why are you being so nice to her?”

  “Because she’s your sister and she reminds me of you, right down to the cute button nose.” Channing took the seat next to Cassidy and put his arm around her.

  “You are such a boy scout.” She folded her arms over her chest.

  “No, I’m just a dutiful husband who wants to have a good relationship with his wife’s family.”

  “Where were you when I was being told what to do or ignored?”

  “Hey, I share your baby-of-the-family blues.”

  “I think I’m the only one in the family who didn’t inherit the social butterfly gene.”

  “That’s OK. I wasn’t blessed with athleticism.”

  “Are you kidding me? You’re in great shape.”

  “Yeah, but I can’t send a football spiraling through the air like a bullet or pull a tractor with my teeth.”

  She nudged him and laughed. “No one in your family can pull a tractor with their teeth.”

  “Ty can after he’s had some of Bo’s moonshine.” He pulled her closer. “I don’t want your family feeling I have you walled off in Texas. Also, I like them. Your brothers and I get along great, and Megan always needs someone to talk to after a break-up.”

  “If she were more discerning about the men she dated other than a handsome face and ripped abs, she wouldn’t need counseling.”

  “You’re one to talk. You wanted me for my body the second we met in law school. Sounds like you two have more in common than you think.” He winked at her.

  “I beg to differ. I am very focused and determined, while she’s scatterbrained. I don’t know if I like all this attention she’s giving you.”

  “I’m irresistible.”

  “Yes, you are.” She let out a dry laugh. “You know I love you, right?”

  “And I love you.”

  There it was, that look of unconditional love. Sure, she hadn’t been talking about babies the second the doctor said it would be OK to explore natural options. There was still plenty of time. But s
he’d also changed the subject whenever he brought it up.

  Cassidy swallowed hard. “Are you disappointed that—”

  Megan appeared and announced, “I’m ready.”

  She jumped. “You scared the crap out of me.”

  “You’ve been a Nervous Nelly our whole lives.” Megan grabbed Channing’s hand and pulled him up. “Come on, we’re wasting daylight. After the museum, I need to stop at the mall and buy Anderson and Shannon a gift. And Mom will kill us if we’re late. And I need all the time I can spare to look devastatingly gorgeous.”

  Channing frowned. “You don’t—”

  Cassie interrupted him. “Oh brother. She’s fishing for compliments.”

  “Ladies.” Channing extended both his arms for the ladies to grab hold. “Both of you are too beautiful for all the glamming up you do. There’s something to be said for having good genes.”

  “Thanks, C.J.”

  Cassidy rolled her eyes. Now he was C.J. Despite how annoying she was being, she did notice her sister’s spirits had lifted considerably since last night. Of course, from outward appearance you couldn’t really tell. But that was Megan. It was the subtle things that you had to look for to sense her change of mood. For instance, there were a few cute guys checking them out, but she hadn’t given them a second glance. Whatever was going on with her, she was keeping to herself for now.

  * * *

  Cassidy looked at her watch. They hadn’t been back from Ohio for more than twenty-four hours and already she was back on the case. Now she had ten minutes to get back to the office for her appointment with Joy. First thing she’d done today was smooth things over with Isaiah’s daycare so he was back in school, but the investigation from child protective services was still in motion. She’d called Ms. Garth, the caseworker assigned to the case, and after having a long chat with her, she knew she had her work cut out for her. This wasn’t the first time the agency had been involved with Joy and Isaiah, and he’d been removed from the home at least once.