Read Online For the Love of the Game by Rhonda Laurel - Free Book Online Page B

of her.
    “Hi, there. You must be Morgan,” the woman said.
    Morgan peeped under the woman’s cowboy hat and replied, “Yes, it’s nice to meet you. That is a beautiful horse.”
    The horse was a lovely brown color with a white patch near the center of his head. He looked serene but feisty at the same time.
    “Yes, he is. He’s a new edition to our family. Seth got him last week.”
    “I don’t know much about horses, and I certainly haven’t been up close to many, but he’s magnificent.” Morgan breathed as she reached out and stroked his mane. “Have you known Seth long?”
    “All his life.” The woman smiled enigmatically.
    “What’s his name?”
    “Reed’s Fire,” Seth said from behind her.
    Morgan turned around and smiled. “Odd name for a horse.”
    Seth came behind her and put his arms around her waist. “Reed’s Fire is much like his owner. Sweet and tender one minute and hell on wheels the next. I think you two will get along great.”
    It took a moment for the words to sink in. Seth then lifted the older woman, twirled her around, and let out a yell. “It’s good to be home! I missed you, Mama.”
    “I missed you too, baby.”
    “Morgan, this is my mom, Teri Lyn Blake.” He smiled sweetly.
    “No need in running now, honey, you’ve already married my son,” Teri Lyn said with a hearty laugh.
    Morgan didn’t realize she’d begun backing slowly out of the barn after Seth’s declaration. “Oh! I didn’t mean…”
    “Don’t worry,” his mother drawled, “I’m familiar with the fight-or-flight syndrome.”
    “Mama has a wicked since of humor.” He winked.
    His mother turned to him. “She is exactly as you described her. I think she and Reed’s Fire will get along great.”
    * * *
     
    After two hours of goading and encouragement, Morgan was finally on Reed’s Fire. Seth had saddled up Iris and they were taking a leisurely stroll. As the sun began to set behind a clearing, Seth stopped.
    “I have a confession to make. I crashed into you on the beach. I was trying to get your attention. Actually, I’d been trying to get your attention for three days, and I was getting desperate. I had Patton throw a long pass but I underestimated how far he’d throw after having six of those Tropical Depression drinks. It was either you get hit in the face with the ball or get tackled by me.”
    Morgan smiled but remained silent.
    “I love you, Morgan. I think I fell in love with you that day I saw you getting off that plane on the island,” Seth declared.
    “I love you too, Seth.” She leaned over and kissed him on the mouth. “But I’m gonna tell our kids that you ran into me accidentally.”
    “Is that right?” he drawled. “And how many kids are we going to have?”
    “At least three. The accidental thing is more romantic, I think.”
    “You think so?” He kissed her hand.
    “Trust me. I’m an avid reader and a bookstore owner. People love a juicy plot like that. It was fate. Blah, blah, blah.” She laughed.
    “About your bookstore. My business manager has a talent for finding rare business opportunities. I told him about your store, and he thinks there’s good potential for expansion. He’s thinking a bigger place at a building downtown, and then within six months you can open your second store.”
    “Seth,” she said, exasperated.
    “Who knows where it will lead? You could expand on your children’s section. I’m sure Michelle will come up with more crazy promotional ideas. But you wouldn’t lose sight of that atmosphere you want for your customers. Cozy and intimate without being too commercial. A home away from the public library.”
    She laughed.
    “I may one day be that guy who’s married to Morgan Reed of the national chain Reed Books. I just want you to be able to pursue your passion in life. I have football and the ranch. You have your books. With any luck we’ll have brainy, athletic kids.”
    “Sounds good to me, number twelve.” Morgan leaned