MVP

by Rhonda Laurel

  The crowd erupted in applause as Tate took the stage. Morgan could feel heat on her back and knew Seth was now standing behind her.

  “Hey, Blake, it’s good to see you.” Penny flashed a warm smile.

  “Good to see you too, Dr. Winterbourne. I see you’ve already met my wife, Morgan.”

  “Yes. Congratulations on your marriage. This is quite a surprise. When did you two get hitched?”

  “Three months, six days ago.” Morgan took a swig of her beer.

  “Wow. Why so secretive? I always imagined you’d have a big soiree at the ranch.”

  Seth took the bottle of beer out of Morgan’s hand and took a swig too. “I thought so too, but I enjoyed the privacy we had. It was just the two of us, standing on a cliff at sunset with a very eccentric minister. It was perfect.” Seth turned to Morgan. “Dance with me?”

  “I’m afraid I don’t know how.” Morgan held up her hands in defeat.

  “Just follow my lead.” Seth took her by the hand and led her onto the dance floor.

  Morgan remained rigid as Seth moved to the rhythm of Tate’s song. She didn’t want to feel the comforting warmth of his body right now, she wanted to get away and clear her head.

  Seth caressed her back and settled his hand on her butt. He tried to lift her chin with his other hand, but she tucked it to her chest to avoid looking at him. A loving, simple gesture turned into a contest of wills.

  “If you don’t relax, I’m going to pick you up and carry you out of here.”

  Morgan’s eyes widened. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “Try me.” Seth looked her right in the eye.

  “Only if you get your hand off my ass.” Morgan tried to reach back to move his hand.

  “Nope.” Seth pulled her closer.

  She sighed. “Let’s negotiate.”

  He kissed her on top of her head. “I’m listening.”

  “We finish this dance like civilized adults, then we leave. I don’t think I can take any more of your trip down memory lane.”

  “Agreed.” Seth twirled her around.

  Seth led her out of the bar as Tate started an encore. He didn’t have to look back to know Penny was watching them leave. He put Morgan in the truck and drove off. For a few miles there was silence.

  “Morgan—”

  “She’s pretty. You two must have made an adorable couple in high school. Don’t tell me, you two were the king and queen of the prom?” Morgan put her finger up to her lips.

  He didn’t answer. He knew a verbal minefield when he heard one.

  “Don’t answer. I already know. You were Mr. All American and the two of you were voted most likely to get everything your perfect hearts ever wanted?” She reached to turn on the radio, but he caught her hand.

  Seth gave her a sideways glance. “Are you just letting off steam or deliberately trying to hurt my feelings?”

  “I honestly don’t know.” She exhaled, slow.

  “When you know which direction you’re taking this conversation, we’ll continue it.”

  “OK, I’ll take the category Hurt Blake’s Feelings for a thousand.” Morgan hit the dashboard as if it were a buzzer.

  Seth slammed on the breaks and pulled off the road. He unclipped his seat belt and pulled her to him.

  “I’m not getting murdered on the side of some Texas road by a serial killer. Can we go home please?” Morgan tried to squirm out of his grasp.

  “There’s nobody out here but us,” He murmured as he kept her still in a bear hug.

  “Yeah, the boyfriend always says that in slasher movies right before the maniac jumps out of the bushes. Home, please.”

  “Not until you tell me why you’re acting this way. This is not my Morgan.”

  “We don’t really know each other that well. Do we?”

  “Don’t give me that crap. We know each other. The day I met you, I felt like I’d known you my whole life.”

  “Then why don’t you know I’m feeling…vulnerable right now?” Her gaze drifted down, away from his. “I don’t know how other women handle meeting a husband’s ex flame but it’s a first for me. So much of what I feel for you is a first for me. To know you loved someone and you did an incredible thing for her, that just tells me how much she still means to you.”

  “My generosity to Penny in the past can’t hold a candle to the love I feel for you. I hope you don’t hold that against me. And I love you too much to let you think otherwise.” Seth ran his hand through her hair.

  “There are times when I think this is all so crazy. How we met. Why we stayed together.”

  “You said you would give us a chance.”

  Morgan looked back up at him, her gaze wary. “I did.”

  “Did you mean it?”

  “Of course I did. Especially after I saw my horse.” She laughed.

  “I knew that would seal the deal.”

  Morgan’s face softened. “No, the endless nights of bliss in bed with you is what sealed the deal. And you’re kind of cute in a cosmopolitan cowboy way.”

  He smiled. “So we’re leaving the past in the past. Right?”

  “Yes. I just hope it stays there.”

  Chapter Three

  Seth was delighted that Morgan was in better spirits by the time they headed back to Philadelphia. He credited her change in mood to one last ride on Reed’s Fire before they drove to the airport. Morgan bid Reed’s Fire a woeful goodbye and promised to come back soon. Teri-Lyn drove them to the airport, gave them both a bear hug, and made them promise to come back soon so Morgan could meet the rest of the family.

  The stillness in the penthouse was welcoming to Seth. He noticed the relief on Morgan’s face that she wasn’t accosted by the staff asking her if she needed any help. As soon as they stepped off the elevator Seth wanted to go straight to bed but ringing phones and Morgan’s tummy had other plans. He’d turned on his business cell phone when they landed in Philadelphia and was bombarded with seventeen messages. Most of the messages he assumed were about the commercial he was shooting in a few days for a new endorsement deal he had with a sports drink company. He made calls while Morgan went into the kitchen to fix them dinner.

  * * *

  Seth placed his iPhone in the docking station on the kitchen counter and put on one of Tate’s songs. Not a bad way to end the day, a quiet dinner at home. “Sorry about all those calls.”

  “I know it comes with the territory.” She smiled as she hugged him. “Is everything good with you rescheduling the commercial?”

  “Perfect. What’s for dinner?” He reached in the fridge for a bottle of water.

  “I was thinking a nice piece of grilled fish with asparagus and a salad? Just have to check and see what’s in the fridge. I have to balance out all that rich food you fed me this weekend. Your stomach is a bottomless pit.” Morgan rubbed his belly.

  “My brothers and I have eating contests.”

  “I wanted to ask your mother what she fed you all. How did all you giants come out of such a petite woman?”

  “Momma says we all got daddy’s genes. Although, we did all have red hair when we were born.” Seth ran his hand through his hair.

  Morgan laughed.

  “God’s honest truth. Our hair darkened around age three.”

  “Your mom showed me your baby pictures. You were adorable. By the way, I have to work tomorrow. I’ll try not to wake you when I leave.” She pulled out the asparagus from the vegetable crisper.

  “I thought you had the day off?” He scratched at his five o’clock shadow.

  Morgan shrugged. “I do but every other Sunday I volunteer for story hour in the children’s room at the library. It’s my turn tomorrow and I forgot to reschedule when we left town.”

  “Nice.” Seth opened the fridge and retrieved some veggies to make a salad.

  “It’s one of the programs I rallied for in the community and the kids are so cute at that age.”

  “What age is that?”

  “Right before
they discover television and the internet,” she said with a laugh.

  “What time is story hour?” Seth took the vegetables over to the sink for a rinse.

  “Ten o’clock. About three kids show up despite the mailers and posters. Two of them are my customers’ kids from the bookstore. They come as a show of support.” Morgan chuckled.

  “I’ll be ready at nine.”

  She waved her hand at him. “Oh. You don’t have to come.”

  “And what if I want to?” He looked at her.

  She shrugged, prepping the hollandaise sauce. “Sure. Of course. I just thought you’d be a little bored.”

  “Not at all. In fact I’ll be your assistant.” He smiled sweetly.

  Seth came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist while she stirred the sauce.

  “I appreciate the enthusiasm but you haven’t tasted the food yet.”

  “I’d rather taste you right now.” Seth turned off the fire under the pot and lifted her onto the island counter.

  “We can’t have sex near the food.”

  He trailed kisses down her neck while unbuttoning her jeans. “I won’t call the board of health if you won’t.”

  Morgan reached over and picked up a whisk out of the caddy. “I could teach you this whipping technique I learned in home economics class.”

  As Seth pulled Morgan to the edge of the counter, something vibrated between them.

  “Take it easy cowboy, that’s just my cell phone.” Morgan laughed and reached into her pocket. “Damn it, it’s my brother Robert.”

  “Maybe you should answer it. You didn’t call anyone and tell them we were back.” He kissed her nose.

  “I thought I gave up my four wardens when I introduced them to you.”

  “They’ll never stop worrying about you. I know how they feel. I’m sure Robert will spread the word that you’re home.” He played with the buttons on her blouse.

  “Hey, Robert, someone better be dead or at the least in a diabetic coma,” Morgan said into the phone.

  He pulled at the snap on her jeans and slowly pulled down her zipper until she stopped him.

  She smirked and held out the phone. “He wants to talk to you.”

  “Hey, Robert, what’s up?”

  Morgan reached for the phone, but Seth moved out of her way.

  “Sure, that sounds great. See you then.” Seth ended the call. “He said to tell you he misses you.”

  “No, he did not. Where is my brother taking you to?”

  “I was invited to dinner by all three of your brothers.”

  “Are you going?”

  “Of course. Your brothers are nice guys. It wouldn’t hurt to have a relationship with them.”

  “Robert has a man crush on you. You’re always his fantasy football quarterback pick.”

  “I’m sure after a while I’ll just be that dude that’s married to their baby sister. We should have your family over for dinner one weekend.”

  “If you let them see those flat screens in your strategy den, they’ll never leave.”

  * * *

  Morgan touched the chrome knob on the bookstore door and felt like a piece of herself had been restored. Every time she went away Michelle would take the opportunity to put her own decorative mark on the place. A colorful piece of art on the wall, new throw pillows for the couch, or a new gourmet coffee flavor would be added to the menu.

  “Hey boss!” Michelle shouted from an aisle.

  “Don’t call me boss.”

  “Chick who owns this store?”

  Morgan put her bag down on the counter. “Somewhere in between those two extremes is a happy medium. Let me know what you come up with. How are things?”

  “Rome did not fall while you were gone.” Michelle took a bow.

  “Good to hear.”

  “You look radiant, by the way, now that you’ve been getting the quarterback sack on a regular basis. I meant to tell you a few months ago.”

  “I wonder if they make human muzzles,” Morgan wondered aloud.

  “How was Texas? And please if you say nice, great, or good, I am going to hit you.”

  “How’s wonderful?”

  “I accept that. Elaborate.”

  “Met Seth’s mom, some of his friends, and my new horse, Reed’s Fire.” Morgan rifled through her bag, looking for her phone.

  “How sweet is that?” Michelle squealed.

  “Yes, and guess who was there?” Morgan held her hand over her mouth to suppress a smile.

  “Somebody frickin’ famous I bet.”

  “That country singer Tate McGill.” Morgan handed the phone to her to show her a picture of Seth and Tate.

  Michelle tried to speak but the words wouldn’t come out. Her mouth fell open so wide Morgan noticed she’d gotten a new filling.

  Morgan shook her head. “Well, I’ll be damned. Something shut you up. Yes, before you ask, Tate McGill is just as sexy in person. He even sang a new song he’s working on by the bonfire.”

  “I hate you.”

  “I know.”

  “Please send me that picture. I need it.”

  She picked up her cell phone and sent the picture to Michelle’s phone, shaking her head. “Fine, there you go.”

  Michelle picked up her smart phone and sighed. “Holy cow. Tate and Seth shouldn’t take pictures together. That’s too much sexy in one concentrated area.”

  “We had a great time all week until we went to the Cinnamon Festival. Met his old high school sweetheart. She’s a doctor and runs a clinic.”

  “All I heard you say is that you met the bitch that isn’t married to Seth. How’s Seth’s mother? Did she tell you that you weren’t good enough for her quarterback son and try to pay you off?”

  Morgan laughed. “You watch too many soap operas. She’s pretty, shorter than me, and has a beautiful head of red hair. We had a very frank discussion.”

  “So no…keep your hands off my son?”

  “No. Seth spent so much time in the dating pool I think she genuinely just wants someone who’s a good person for him.”

  “Well, that you are and then some honey.”

  “Thanks, Michelle.”

  Michelle bit her lip. “I didn’t tell you before, because I didn’t want to ruin your good time down there…”

  Morgan rolled her eyes. “Spit it out.”

  “Jason stopped by the other day.” Michelle winced.

  Jason, her ex-boyfriend Jason? The same Jason who dumped her for her cousin, Charisma? Just great. “What did he want?”

  “Don’t know. He asked for you, I said you weren’t here. He said I was lying. I told him that your rich, quarterback husband whisked you away to his ranch in Texas and I didn’t know when or if you’d be back.”

  “He has a lot of nerve. Seth’s publicist told him someone went to a newspaper and said he’d stolen me from Jason.”

  “I saw that sound bite. The press didn’t play it up this time. It sort of came and went.”

  “Well, that’s good.”

  “Yeah, but I can’t believe they paid Charisma and Jason for that lie. Because you know it was Charisma, it had to be.”

  Morgan sighed. “You know Seth wants to drop it. He said he doesn’t take it personally any more. I still want to choke the shit out of Charisma and Jason.”

  “Yeah. Your cousin does seem driven though. Didn’t you say she only dated basketball players?”

  “She’s an NBA groupie.”

  Michelle shook her head. “By the way, you also got a call from some woman named Whitney. She said she was the administrative assistant for Dana Schmidt, the head of the Reading Rainbow Initiatives committee.”

  “Really? I’ve been trying to get in touch with her for months about the library’s reading hour.”

  “Whitney said Dana would like to make an appointment with you and to call her back as soon as you came back to town.”

  “Maybe my luck is changing for the better.”

  “Also, her
e’s a list of the inventory that needs replenishing. I had to order another case of Seth’s biography. I think people stop by hoping to get a glimpse of him in the store.” Michelle handed Morgan a clipboard.

  “Did you read it?” Morgan scanned the list.

  “Yes, I did. That dude is so humble it’s painful.”

  “Humble was the last word I would have used when we met.”

  “We got a package in the mail for the upcoming booksellers’ convention. If you want one of us to go, you need to send in the registration form as soon as possible. If you fill it out now, we can have it ready for the mailman today.” Michelle shooed Morgan toward the back of the store.

  Morgan went to the back room in search of the package and found a copy of the book she’d ordered for her father’s wife, Sydney, on her desk. The book Sydney wanted was out of print but Morgan had worked her magic and found a copy. It was her way of saying thank you for the talk they had the day Seth came over to meet her father and brothers. The idea that she’d missed out on having a relationship with her all those years would cross her mind every now and again. Spending time with Teri-Lyn in Texas reminded her of the absence of a mother figure in her life.

  Sydney really wasn’t a bad person or a terrible stepmother. Morgan did, however, still feel like she’d replaced her mother in a way but how could she begrudge her father the right to be happy? He’d even waited until she started college to seriously start dating someone. His marriage to Sydney was Morgan’s incentive to get her own apartment when she graduated from college.

  Sydney’s advice and Morgan’s willingness to listen had changed both of them that day. She didn’t know what kind of relationship she wanted with her stepmother, but she could start with the peace offering of the book. It was the perfect excuse to drop in and out without too much fuss.

  Morgan finished the form and brought it up to the counter. She took a look at the work schedule for the week. As usual, everything was running like clockwork while she was away. The day was getting off to a good start. She’d just been talking to Seth last night about her plans and something positive seemed to be happening. Of course she would call back and make an appointment with Dana Schmidt. She’d been trying to get in touch with her for over six months.