The Final Play by Rhonda Laurel Page A

barely has time to cook, and he says he doesn’t have any time to date.”
    “Sure he does. He had a date with Bo last night.”
    “I thought he had a double date—”
    Morgan coughed and interrupted. “Summer and Autumn had to go out of town for a business meeting.”
    “So the setup you ladies have been trying to put into motion since forever didn’t work out,” Jared cut in. “I love that you care, but maybe this wasn’t meant to be.”
    “Nonsense. You and Autumn would make a nice couple.” Sydney said.
    “He’s being difficult today.” Morgan rolled her eyes at her brother again. “Where’s dad?”
    “He’s packing for our cruise.”
    “It’s not for three weeks,” Jared replied.
    “Morgan, do you know if Teri-Lyn is packing a swimsuit?”
    “Yes, as a matter-of-fact she went out and bought one the other day.” The vacation with the grandparents had snowballed into a full-blown senior’s event. Bo Sr. and Bonnie were going as well as Isabelle’s parents.
    “Good. I did too.” Sydney giggled.
    “You’re going to have a great time. Teri-Lyn’s itinerary is jam-packed with activities, so you there will be non-stop action.”
    “That’s what I like to hear. I wonder if I can get your father to enter a limbo competition?” Sydney said.
    “Sure, if there’s a T-bone on the floor he can reach for,” Jared said.
    “Then we would definitely win. I’ve cut his red meat intake so drastically, he says ‘porterhouse’ in his sleep.” Sydney laughed. “Well, my children, I have to finish packing. Kiss the boys and give my granddaughter a good tummy rub for me.”
    “Will do.” Morgan ended the call. “Isn’t it nice that Sydney doesn’t have to drag dad kicking and screaming on vacations anymore?”
    “Yes, it is. I’ve been telling him for years that he needs to slow down and enjoy life more.”
    Morgan scowled at him. “You are such a hypocrite. Take your own advice. Bo gave you that Executive Desires vacation months ago.”
    “What’s the rush? It doesn’t expire.” He shrugged.
    “Wouldn’t you like to be on the beach with a tropical drink in your hand, watching the waves roll in?”
    “In this dream scenario of yours, am I shirtless? Because I’ve been working out.” He grinned and flexed his bicep, then grew serious. “Dad put a lot of time into his life’s work. I’m just following his example. I’m just starting to find my groove, and my firm is booming with work. I have plenty of time for romance and vacations. So, as nice as the gesture is, I really don’t need to be set up with someone.”
    “I totally respect that, but I don’t want you to miss out on love because you got burned by that ex-wife of yours.”
    “Speaking of, I got a belated birthday card from Taylor the other day.”
    “Really? What is she up to these days?” Morgan raised an eyebrow. Talk about a blast from the past. She didn’t think they still kept in touch. Dr. Taylor Hastings was a beautiful woman and a gifted neurosurgeon. When she and Jared got married, everyone thought they were the quintessential perfect couple. Then they’d separated for a while before they made the divorce official, so it wasn’t really a big surprise when he announced that they’d split for good. He kept it private, but she never really knew the reason they’d decided to throw the towel in. Taylor was very ambitious, and when a position opened up at a hospital in Illinois, she’d left.
    “She’s Taylor.” He shrugged.
    Perhaps that was reason for his hesitance to meet someone new. The ex-wife was lurking about. “She never liked me.”
    “That’s not true.”
    Morgan laughed. “Your nose is growing right before my very eyes.”
    “She said you were bristly toward her.”
    “The astute doctor was right. There was something about her. She wasn’t warm like Alicia.” Morgan nibbled on a piece of sliced pineapple. “Do you miss her?”
    “Sometimes, but not enough to make drunken phone calls