The Final Play by Rhonda Laurel

but alas, he and Autumn kept narrowly missing each other. They both had busy careers, and it was proving taxing to get them together under seemingly innocent circumstances. Morgan knew her brainy brother was aware of their plans to set him up and that he wasn’t happy about it. Sure he was content with being divorced, but she didn’t want him to retreat into work and forget about having a social life and finding someone special to share his success.
    Today she’d find out if they finally made any progress. Jared had dinner last night with Bo and Summer, and Autumn was sure to be there. Now it was ten-thirty the next morning, and her brother still hadn’t come into the house. The downside to the new guesthouse she and Seth had added was that she couldn’t harass her family at will.
    “Boys, go get your Uncle Jared.” Morgan opened the patio door for them and watched as they scurried across the grass. A few minutes later the boys brought their sleep-deprived Uncle Jared into the kitchen then marched back out into the backyard.
    “Good morning, sleepyhead.” Morgan laughed. She handed him a plate with bacon and waffles on it. She went to the fridge and got out the fresh strawberries and whipped cream. “I know you like your breakfast extremely sweet and gross, but you add the fruit so people will think you’re health-conscious. Did you have fun at Bo’s last night?”
    “Yeah, we had a great time. We had dinner and discussed some modifications to the plans for his house. He wants add an observatory. Bo is very meticulous. If he stops adding things he could be close to breaking ground soon.” He jabbed at the waffles with a fork.
    “Good. I’m sure it’s going to be some technological spectacle with two super nerds living there.” Bo was calling the women in the family asking questions about engagement rings. Cassidy and Isabelle had taken him ring shopping last week.
    “He and Summer are so cute together it’s sickening.”
    She shook her head. “Sorry you have to lose another bachelor buddy.”
    “Nah, I’m happy for him. Bo never really was a player. He needed to settle down quick before he got in over his head.”
    Morgan tapped her fingers on the table. She was sure Jared was holding out about Autumn. He should have been gushing that he’d fallen in love at first sight by now.
    “Is there a problem?” He eyed her suspiciously.
    “So, what did you think? I told you she was beautiful, funny, and sassy.”
    Jared raised an eyebrow. “Who are you talking about?”
    “Autumn.” Morgan gave him an expectant look.
    “What about her?”
    “So help me, I’m going to throw a pot at your head. Did you enjoy Autumn’s company?”
    “Oh.” He let out an exaggerated sigh. “Summer and Autumn had an unexpected business meeting out of town. Bo and I had dinner alone.”
    “Oh.” She pouted.
    Jared shook his head and took another bite of his food. “All that time spent plotting and it yielded no results. What a shame.”
    Her cell phone rang. Morgan looked at the display. “Hi, Sydney.”
    Morgan answered and put it on speakerphone. “You’re on speaker. Jared’s with me.”
    “How are my babies doing?”
    “We’re fine. We were just talking about how mule-headed he is,” Morgan mused.
    Sydney continued. “Jared, I dropped by your loft and watered your plants and had some time to kill so I washed a load of laundry too.”
    “Thank you. You’re the best.” He beamed.
    “What a baby.” Morgan rolled her eyes.
    “Says the woman who’s trying to get our parents to move to Texas to be closer to her.” He huffed.
    Sydney laughed. “Jared’s a bachelor. He needs someone to look after him.”
    “He has a maid service.”
    “True, but the maid service doesn’t leave homemade chicken pot pie in the freezer.” He gave Morgan a cheesy grin. “You did make me some, right?”
    “Yes, and split pea soup.” Sydney laughed. “Morgan your brother works so hard expanding his architecture firm he