Love Notes and Football Read Free Page B

corner so I told him to pick me up here.”
    “Didn’t want to go by yourself?”
    Morgan shook her head. “Strength in numbers.”
    “Give your dad a hug for me. Oh, let me get those books I set aside for him.”
    Morgan kept herself busy around the bookstore while she waited for her brother Jared. She took out the list of books she wanted to add to Jake’s library at home. Benny the Bunny had made his way west to California, and Seattle was his next stop in the series. She enjoyed reading to him each night. She loved his curious mind, asking questions like when was the baby going to arrive because he wanted to meet his little brother or sister.
    “Hey, squirt. You ready to go?”
    “I just have a few things to do before I leave.” Morgan picked up the book she’d put aside for him. “I saw this and thought it may help with working through the divorce.”
    Jared laughed. “You have a book for every occasion.”
    “If I didn’t, I shouldn’t be in the bookselling business.” Morgan went over to the café and poured a glass of cranberry juice. “Would you like something to drink?”
    “Sure.”
    Jared flipped through the book while Morgan drank her juice.
    “You still mad at me for not telling you about Dad?”
    She narrowed her eyes. “Yes.”
    “I didn’t want to upset you.”
    “I know. But I’m still mad.”
    “Have a cookie.” Jared went over to the counter and got a cookie out of the case.
    “Jared Oliver Reed, if you think plying me with sweets will earn you easy forgiveness, you’re severely mistaken. You’re lucky I don’t jump across this table and throttle you.”
    He looked down at the cookie, shrugged, and took a bite. “You are mellower with this pregnancy. When you were pregnant with Jake, you actually did try to choke me at Thanksgiving dinner.”
    She put her finger to her lips. “Didn’t I challenge you to an arm wrestling match too?”
    “Yeah, I thought that was a sucker’s bet until you won. But what really hurt was that you were eating that ham sandwich while you did it.”
    She sighed. “This one sleeps most of the day and eats in the middle of the night.”
    “Before I forget, I’ve been working on something in my spare time.” Jared pulled out his phone and handed it to her.
    “What’s this?”
    “Jake’s new tree house. I took a look at some of the trees in your backyard at the ranch when I was there for the party.”
    Morgan took a closer look. It was a three-dimensional mockup of a spacious tree house, complete with a ladder and a dumbwaiter. “You are an awesome uncle. I’m sure Seth can get someone to build it.”
    “Already arranged. Tyler said if I could design it, he would build it.”
    “Jake is going to love it. Thank you.”
    “So does this mean I’m forgiven for not telling you about Dad?”
    Morgan felt her momentary joy plummet back to earth. “I’m scared, Jared. I’m not sure what to do for him.”
    Jared stood and offered her a hand. “Me neither. This heart attack brought back memories of when mom died, which I hadn’t thought about in years. I know it was even tougher for you because you were so young. So if you ever want to talk, I’m here.”
    Morgan gave him a big bear hug. “Will you hold my hand like you used to do when I was little girl?”
    “I could even manage a reassuring hug and half of my cookie.”
    Morgan smiled and grabbed her purse. “You’re my favorite brother in this whole, wide bookstore.”
    “Heck with that, then. Get your own cookie.”
     

Chapter Two
     
     
    Morgan opened her eyes and glanced at the clock. It was a little past midnight and they’d had a perfectly good meal a few hours ago, but she was once again famished. She rolled over to find the other side of the bed empty. Seth wasn’t sleeping much these days. The new season, the baby, and her dad being sick had kept him pacing in his study most nights well after she’d gone to bed.
    Morgan padded down the hall in search of her husband. She