The Blake Legacy (The Blake Boys) Read Online Free PDF Page B

sports that sometimes platitudes and assumed loyalty is not a motivating factor to remain with a team. I’d like to place bets on the estimated new salary for the quarterback when the bidding war for his talents begins…”
    Seth turned off the television and willed himself to get back to work. He wouldn’t have known about the broadcast had Patton not sent him a text and told him to turn on the Sports Network. Now was the time for quiet reflection about his future, not listening to hypotheses by sports analysts. It was the off-season, for heaven’s sake, and he should get a lengthy reprieve before shifting back into strategy mode.
    The plans for the new golf course and spa were draped over his desk, waiting for his final approval. His dad, never insistent about too many things, had asked that he review them and give him a call. When he’d unrolled the design sketch, he knew why his father wanted him to examine every detail. Leave it to John Jacob Blake to show you something when a simple statement could have sufficed. Seth smiled and dialed his dad.
    “John Jacob Blake speaking. You’ve got ten seconds to speak fast or not at all,” his father said into the phone.
    Seth laughed. “Hey, Daddy.”
    “Hi, son. You looked over those blue prints I sent you?”
    “Yes, sir. Everything looks great.”
    “Are you OK with the final decision?”
    “As—as long as it’s OK with J.J.,” Seth said, taken aback that his father asked for his approval.
    “Then it’s agreed. Where’s my boy?”
    “Morgan is feeding him.”
    “Is she still planning to go back to work?”
    “Yes.”
    “I suppose you didn’t bother to tell her that she didn’t have to go back to work.” John Jacob laughed.
    “That’s like telling Momma to do something.” He sighed.
    His father chuckled. “When you coming down here?”
    “Next month.”
    “I’ll see you then. Love you, son. Give Morgan and Jake my love. Your mother is going to be so excited to see them.” With that his father ended the call.
    Seth rolled up the blueprints, blown away by his dad’s decision. He’d always viewed him as a strong, silent type. He wanted to tell Morgan what a generous, heartfelt thing his dad was doing with the land development project, but he’d save it as a surprise.
    Seth’s cell phone rang. He was surprised by the name on the caller ID display. “McKinney, how the hell are you?”
    Ross McKinney was an old college friend and a running back for the Texas Tomcats.
    “I’m good, man. Congrats again, on the win. Listen, I’m in town for a few days. You want to go out for a beer?”
    “Out for a beer? Are you kidding me? Dinner here, I insist. You can meet my wife and son.” Seth beamed.
     
    * * *
     
     
    Ross arrived at six o’clock with a baby gift. It had been ages since Seth had seen his old college buddy. He was a native Texan as well and had boyhood dreams, just like Seth, of being part of the Tomcats football dynasty. Fate had led Ross to the Tomcats during the draft, and he’d been playing for them ever since. Seth had played against friends on other teams before, but each time he played Ross and the Tomcats, he felt like he was doing something sacrilegious.
    Ross entertained Morgan during dinner with tales of his and Seth’s college life, but Seth stopped him short at some of his racier escapades. It was fun reminiscing with him, but he knew that wasn’t his friend’s real reason for visiting. Whenever Ross wasn’t telling the truth, his eyes moved faster than a camera shutter. When Morgan went to check on Jake, the other shoe dropped.
    “Thank you for inviting me to dinner.” Ross drank back the single malt scotch Seth poured for him.
    “Anything for an old friend. But I know you came here for another reason.”
    Ross laughed. “You could always see right through me. That’s why I hate when we play the Titans. OK, I’m not going to lie, I think it would be great to have you come to Texas when you’re contract is up.