Tempting Fate (The Blake Boys Book 9) by Rhonda Laurel Read Free Book Online Page B

the world.
    He didn’t mean to go on about her the way he did. Maybe it was the three glasses of wine he’d drunk. When he finally came up for air, he noticed the goofy looks on Sam and J.J.’s faces. Sensing some mushy speech coming, he decided to go. He’d done enough sharing for one evening. Channing kissed a sleeping Jack good night, and J.J. walked him to the door. J.J. was still smiling.
    “What?”
    “Nothing.”
    “What is it?” Channing said as he opened his car door.
    “You’re not fourteen anymore.”
    “I haven’t been fourteen for over a decade.”
    “No, I mean I think for a long time you’ve been frozen at a certain age in my mind. Now you’re all grown up—a lawyer, of all things—working at the company with me and postulating about love and relationships. You’re not my snot-nosed baby brother anymore that needs looking out for. I’m proud of you.” He leaned against the doorframe.
    Channing splayed his hands on the roof of the car. “Nah, I’ll always need your help. Just like Tyler will always be the wild card that always comes through in the end. Tate is the sensitive one who always knows how to make Mama smile, and Seth is the one who makes everyone feel better. And you’re the glue that keeps us all together. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
    “Cassidy is a lucky woman.”
    “You tell her that if I ever get her to speak to me again.”
    “You will. Just use that natural charm you have, and if that doesn’t work, use something out of Daddy’s playbook.”
    Channing got in the car and waved to his brother. He drove down the road to the guesthouse. Maybe it was time to show Cassidy he was serious. Flowers were good, but there was something else he could send her that he knew she’d like. And he knew just where to get it.
     
    * * *
     
    It was day thirteen of Channing’s floral apology, and Cassidy was becoming the envy of every woman in the law firm. Each morning a beautiful arrangement greeted her with a heartfelt card at the receptionist’s desk when she arrived for work. Who would be crazy enough to threaten to send flowers until she was willing to answer his call? Her officemate Sally told her that it was the most romantic and crazy thing she’d ever seen.
    But today was different. In addition to a bouquet, a courier awaited her with a huge box. He asked for her signature, handed over an envelope with the embossed letters BW on it, and told her she should get it insured as soon as possible. Insured? What on earth did he do?
    The box was so heavy she had to get two of the facilities guys to lug it into her office. She was curious but didn’t want to seem too anxious, so she decided to open it after lunch. But the ladies in the office weren’t having that. The package had also attracted the curiosity of two partners in the firm. A crowd stood at her door, waiting for the unveiling. Cassidy carefully picked at the top lid of the box, became frustrated, and went at it with the scissors. When she tore the packaging away she found a beautiful abstract painting from her favorite artist that was featured in the Boyd-Wheaton Art Gallery. The artist, T.J. Johansson, was known for her broad brushstrokes and use of color. While the group oohed and ahhed, Cassidy took a peek at the contents of the envelope. It was the bill of sale. The courier was right. She did need to have it insured, like yesterday.
    Grayson Pritchard, one of the senior partners barged into her office. This man was rarely seen in the building, let alone on the fifteenth floor with the minions. She hoped she wasn’t getting fired for distracting her co-workers. She was relieved when two men came in behind him, set the painting on an easel, and positioned it in the corner of the room.
    “I heard there was another T.J. Johansson in the firm. You have very good taste, Ms. Shaw. I have a painting from this artist hanging in my office.”
    “Thanks. She’s one of my favorites too.” She wouldn’t know