Free Love Notes and Football by Rhonda Laurel Page B

thinking about it myself. I just didn’t know how you kids would feel about us selling the old homestead.”
    Morgan let out a big sigh of relief. “That’s wonderful!”
    He looked surprised. “So, you’re OK with this?”
    “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
    “I know how attached you are to the house.”
    Morgan caressed his hand. “I’m sentimental about this house because you did a terrific job raising all of us in it after mom died. But I think it’s time you got a chance to enjoy your retirement. You and Sydney can make your own memories in your new digs. You don’t have to hold on for my benefit anymore.”
    “Here I thought you’d be kicking and screaming.” He laughed.
    “People in glass ranch houses shouldn’t throw stones. I’m moving to Texas in a few years. It’s not fair to me to keep you frozen in time while I change my landscape. Would you like to see the model home? Your son is a wonderful architect.”
    “Let me get my coat.”
    “And dad?”
    He turned back to look at her.
    “Bring the cookies.”
     
    * * *
     
     
    The Titan’s didn’t win the Super Bowl. The game was down to the wire, but it just wasn’t meant to be. They celebrated Jake’s second birthday at the penthouse, an event that was almost as lavish as his birthday party at the ranch. But the best part of the week was making preparations to head down to the ranch for the wedding.
    She cried when Jake tried on his tailored tuxedo. It was only yesterday that he was learning to crawl. Now he was a big brother, a fact that he was greatly proud of, and he was getting closer to the age when he’d be starting school. She’d thumbed through a few books on home schooling at the bookstore, but Michelle conveniently placed a book on healthy relationships between mothers and sons on her desk. It snapped her out of the ferocious desire to keep her babies in a cocoon.
    And then it was time for her bachelorette party. Morgan put on a comfortable pair of jeans and a T-shirt, ready to let her friends and family lead her into heaven-knew-what.
    “There’s the bride-to-be. How you feeling?” Sydney said as she descended the stairs.
    “Sydney.” Morgan stopped at the kitchen threshold. “I just wanted you to know—I thought I’d never feel like I had a mother again, but I have been blessed with two wonderful women who are great moms to me. Thank you for giving me the time I needed to have this great relationship with you. I can’t tell you how much it’s meant to me that you didn’t give up on me.”
    “Love waits for everyone.” Sydney smiled.
    Morgan and Sydney entered the kitchen just in time to join a lively discussion. Nina and Michelle looked upset, and Isabelle was snacking on a cookie. There were raw meats and vegetables on the counter, and Teri-Lyn was wearing an apron.
    “So what are we doing tonight?” Morgan rubbed her hands together.
    “We’re going to have a cooking class.” Teri-Lyn smiled.
    Michelle sighed. “Ladies, no offense, but I thought we were going to have a wilder time than this.”
    “What year is this? Do we still have the right to vote?” Nina quipped, taking a sip of her wine. “I thought we were going to cut loose.”
    Sydney put on an apron of her own. “All of you take a seat.”
    Morgan, Isabelle, Nina and Michelle all reluctantly perched themselves on stools. Teri-Lyn reached into the fridge and pulled out a platter with that included prosciutto wrapped figs and cold cuts and veggies. “Snack on this, but don’t fill up.”
    “I have a cook at home,” Nina said. “I’m too busy to prepare dinner at the end of a hectic day.”
    “I don’t need to learn how to cook,” Michelle huffed. “My fingers are expertly trained to order takeout.”
    “Tate cooks for me.” Isabelle smiled. They all looked at her. “What? He’s better at it.”
    Michelle chomped down on a carrot. “I have a raunchy comeback for you when his mother isn’t within earshot.”
    “Listen, you