Macy's Parade (The Morrison Family Book 6) Read online

“I’m glad we got that figured out. None of your teachers are giving you a hard time for bringing your phone to school?”

  “No. They can’t really. Most of them have one and I keep it out of sight during school hours. And you did call the school and told the principle you wanted me to have it.”

  Macy frowned. “But I’m not your parent or guardian. They shouldn’t have listened to me.”

  “You’re considered a guardian. Dad sent a note with all of us. If the school receives a request from you, they have to honor it.”

  “Oh,” Macy said because she couldn’t think of anything else. What a sweetie. Nick sending notes with all four kids so she could be a parent with him. Too bad he’d forgotten to mention that little fact to her. Still, warmth suffused her as she thought about what that meant.

  He was willing to share his children with her. In essence, these kids were also hers. She glanced at all four of them. Starla glaring at the rain, Brandt wolfing down his food and his sister’s, Bryce with his nose in a book, trailing milk from his bowl to his mouth. He’d stopped to say good morning to her before seating himself. His face had been earnest, the light reflecting off his glasses. He was such a cute kid.

  Then there was Savannah, who seemed unconcerned about the weather, because she wore a new outfit, had a phone, and had a nanny who was willing to help her. Macy liked her home situation very much. She felt like a mom. Maybe she hadn’t birthed any of these children, but she still felt responsible for them.

  She loved all four of them. If someone tried to harm any of them, she’d turn into a mother grizzly before their very eyes. Macy knew that, without question, she would die for these kids.

  Is that what made a mother? Being willing to lay down your life for your children? Their birth mother had sacrificed her children for her dreams.

  Macy swallowed. She prepared to do the same thing in the fall. Was she willing to leave these precious people for a dream she had relentlessly pursued for five long years?

  It was too late to turn back now. She’d met the Morrisons too late. What kind of lesson would she teach them if she turned her back on the dreams that had sustained her for the past years?

  What kind of lesson did it teach her?

  Would she wake up one day and resent them because they’d held her back from her dreams? Macy thought maybe someday she would.

  That reminded her, her mother had never called her back. She dug a hand into her pocket and tugged out her phone. Glancing at the screen, she saw her mother had called her back. Two days ago. Whoops.

  Maybe she ought to check her phone a little more often.

  “Macy, we’re going to drown before the bus comes,” Starla declared as she took her bowl to the dishwasher.

  “It’s a possibility, sweets,” Macy replied absently.

  “Even with umbrellas, we’re going to be soaked,” Bryce added. He left the pursuits of his book to glance out the window with Starla.

  “I imagine so,” Macy said, and thought hard. They couldn’t walk down to the bus. Bryce and Starla were correct, they’d be soaked and half drowned before the bus came. Then when the yellow vehicle did arrive, it’d splash more water over them, because a huge puddle formed at the end of the driveway and the bus tires would hit it just right to further soak the kids.

  “Okay, here’s what we’re going to do,” Macy decided.

  But she was distracted by Nick, who staggered through the doorway. She smiled. The man was definitely not a morning person.

  “Coffee?” he croaked and Starla took pity on him.

  “It’s where Macy always keeps it, Daddy,” she said, a hand on her hip while she used her other to point out the coffee pot.

  “Right,” he rasped and lurched his way there.

  Macy took a mug out of the cabinet and handed it over. He managed to pour the coffee into the mug and took a huge sip.

  “Macy, back to the bus and us drowning,” Bryce said. He hadn’t returned to his book, so she decided this was important to him. She didn’t imagine wet clothing would be comfortable in school.

  “I’ll drive you to the end of the driveway in the van. That way you can wait in dry comfort.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Savannah said, momentarily distracted from the magazine she had open in front of her.

  Macy nodded. “Yes, let’s give credit where credit is due. It is before seven, after all.”

  Starla stared dubiously out the window. “I’ll go get your keys,” she announced.

  ***

  The rain still hadn’t let up by the time the kids washed in around three o’clock that afternoon. They spent a fun filled ten minutes waiting for the bus this morning, and as she predicted, the huge vehicle had created a tidal-wave-like crash of water that rocked the van when it screeched to a halt.

  Had the kids been standing where she parked the van, they’d have been doused in water all over again. As it was, when they made a dash for the open door of the bus, Macy feared they still ended up drenched in the short amount of time it took them to race from the van to the bus.

  Now, they dripped water all over the floor, and grumbled as they shook out saturated backpacks and shoes and clothing.

  “What a terrible day,” Starla announced and glared balefully out the window. “This isn’t funny.”

  “No, it’s not,” Macy agreed with her.

  Savannah took a different perspective. “Because of the rain, we didn’t have gym class today.”

  “I thought you liked gym class.”

  “I do, but I needed the time to study for my history test.”

  “And?”

  She shrugged. “The test wasn’t that hard because I had the extra time to study.”

  “I see.” Macy turned in time to see Brandt brandish an imaginary sword at an unseen assailant.

  “We’re being attacked by orcs?” she asked him.

  “No, Macy. By the horsemen,” he said and frowned at her.

  “Oh, right,” Macy said. She scolded herself for forgetting the horsemen didn’t have fangs and blood lust quite like the orcs did. They wouldn’t be nearly as interesting to Brandt, even though the horsemen were the good guys. She’d have to ask Rob since he designed the game. Brandt would be far more interested in the orc army. They were uglier and had bigger teeth.

  “When did these riders decide to invade?”

  “Whenever they want to, Macy. But don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate that.”

  He nodded absently, his attention, and rightfully so, focused on the battle at hand. Maybe she and Nick should see if they could enroll him in a fencing class. He seemed to have the talent.

  Where there fencing classes available in Hershey, PA? With a frown, Macy made a note to check at the first available moment.

  “I made hot chocolate,” she announced and the kids all brightened.

  “That sounds good,” Savannah said, and Macy saw she shivered a little.

  “Why don’t the four of you go change into dry clothes? Bring your wet stuff down.”

  The four of them tromped upstairs and Nick wandered into the kitchen. When he noticed she was alone, he wiggled his eyebrows at her. Which she interpreted as she was about to be kissed. A trill of joy burst through her right before he backed her into a counter and laid a most wonderful kiss on her unresisting lips.

  “Mmm,” she managed to utter and felt his lips curl up in agreement.

  “You taste good,” he murmured against her lips.

  They both heard footsteps on the stairs, and they were coming fast. Nick separated from her and she straightened just as the first kid, Brandt, hurtled through the doorway.

  “Hot chocolate,” she said a bit shakily.

  “Sounds good,” Nick answered, his eyes heavy, lids half-masted. He resembled a man who had enjoyed a stolen kiss.

  She wanted to kiss him again. Instead, she berated her girls for the trouble they caused her and turned back to the stove where the hot chocolate bubbled.
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  Dipping out the hot liquid required at least partial concentration, for which Macy was glad. Nick Morrison and his dangerous lips should be illegal. And he should be fined every time he used them.

  Her lips slipped to the side. Mmm, would she like to collect. Yum. When Macy realized where her thoughts headed, she again yelled at her recalcitrant hormones and instead returned her attention to dipping out six mugs of hot chocolate.

  She slid a plate of cinnamon toast toward Brandt and Nick.

  “What’s this?” Brandt asked, even as he scooped up a slice of toast.

  “It’ll help you fight better,” she assured him.

  That seemed to satisfy him, because he nodded and took a big bite. His eyes widened and he stared at her as he chewed. She was glad he waited to speak until after he swallowed.

  “This is good, Macy.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Of course it’s good. Did you think I’d serve you something gross?”

  “That tuna casserole came close,” Savannah said as she slid into a seat and picked up her mug.

  “None of you bothered to inform me you hated seafood,” Macy said, and raised a brow at the three of them.

  Bryce and Starla trailed in as the three seated at the island tried to defend themselves.

  “Did you see any seafood in the fridge or freezers?” Savannah questioned. She reached for a slice of the toast.

  “No.” Macy shook her head.

  “Well, there you have it.”

  Nick scrunched up his nose. “Seafood is nasty,” he informed her loftily.

  “You could have told me this before I served you tuna casserole.”

  “What happened that night?” Bryce asked as he helped himself to a mug and some toast.

  “We ordered pizza, I think,” Macy replied and stared at the ceiling as she tried to remember for sure.

  “Yes, we did. You mentioned about putting anchovies on it, and we considered lynching you,” Nick stated. He took a sip from his mug and their eyes met over the rim. Macy liked the promise she read there.

  A little voice in the back of her head reminded her she was leaving in the fall. Don’t get caught up with this man and his family. You’re leaving.

  Like she needed her pesky, annoying conscience to remind her of this. She knew this fact. It didn’t help matters. She still wanted the man and his children.

  But she wasn’t about to look back on her life and regret that she had missed this opportunity. Her mother maybe didn’t regret her decision to have a husband and family over a career, but Macy knew she would.

  Giving up on this dream would gnaw at her for the rest of her life. But then, glancing at each beloved face, she thought maybe leaving this family would also impact her soul. They were there, in her very being, a part of her. She couldn’t leave them.

  Could she?

  ***

  “Macy, I’m bored,” Brandt announced, and Nick cringed.

  This was at least the third child to make that whine to her since supper. So far she’d handled the belly-aching well. But even Macy had to have a breaking point.

  He tried to think of a way to save her, but so far nothing heroic had occurred to him. It was a shame. He’d hoped to be able to squeeze at least one kiss out of her, but at this rate, she would be so frazzled she’d probably just as soon punch him for procreating than kiss him.

  She appeared in the doorway to his office. Curls bounced around her face, which was pleated into frown lines. Not a good sign.

  “You.”

  He braced himself. “Yes?” A smart man probably wouldn’t step up to the plate, but then there were certain people who would emphatically claim he wasn’t the smartest of the lot.

  “It’s raining,” she said in dire tones.

  “Yes.” Despite his limitations he had managed to figure that much out.

  “We’ve got four kids who are bored and who I can’t send outside.” She sounded like a drill sergeant.

  He nodded rather than say anything. Those earlier yeses might have implicated him in something he didn’t want to be a part of. Better to play it safe and not say anything.

  “This means we need entertainment for them.” Nick cringed at visions of him in a wig, and apron. Not a good option because neither did him any favors in the sexy department.

  “What did you have in mind?” He hoped his voice didn’t crack, but he was fearful, and it probably showed. Nick wasn’t sure he wanted to know what she had in mind, but better to get it over with now.

  “You need to find three movies, lots of popcorn, and minimal candy.” Yes, she definitely could make a decent career in the military.

  Relief soared through him. “I can handle that.”

  She glared at him. “You’d better.”

  “Darn, is the honeymoon over already?”

  Her glare should have cut him into two halves.

  Still, Nick started to whistle as he made his way to the garage. “You need to take at least two kids with you,” Macy declared.

  He stopped whistling.

  ***

  When Nick, Savannah, and Brandt returned from their mission, Nick looked a little frazzled, but apparently the three of them had come to a compromise. Nick plunked the movies on the counter in front of her.

  “I hope you’re happy with these,” he growled, his tone telling her she better not argue.

  Macy grinned. “I guess the honeymoon’s over,” she teased.

  He tried to swipe a finger down her nose, but she sidestepped him, and rather neatly she thought.

  “I’m never taking two kids along again,” he vowed.

  “At least not those two.” Macy tried to keep her lips from twitching into a full-fledged grin.

  “Savannah and Brandt have totally different tastes in movies, but then so do Bryce and Starla. I’m not even sure Savannah and Starla agree on movies.”

  “No, I imagine Starla enjoys some of the old classics, whereas Savannah would be more attracted to the latest teen movies.”

  “How’d you know?” He eyed her suspiciously.

  She shrugged. “A wild guess.”

  “I wish I’d known that before taking Savannah and Brandt to the store.”

  “I’m betting Brandt wanted something with lots of bloodshed and gore.”

  Nick rolled his eyes and shuddered. “I had to be firm.”

  “What you’d end up getting?”

  “All I can say is thank goodness for Harry Potter.”

  “I imagine a lot of parents feel that way. He does tend to appeal to all ages.”

  “I’m kind of looking forward to a Harry Potter marathon myself.”

  “This explains why you brought home that stack rather than the three I ordered.”

  “Yeah. Hopefully this will keep us occupied for the weekend.”

  “Hopefully. But I’ve got a few other ideas, too.”

  “Oh?”

  “Since we’re going to the lake next weekend, I want to get a jump start on the cooking. I thought maybe we could make some meals up now, freeze them, and take them along with us.”

  He thought about that. “We are already cooped up at home...”

  “That was my thought. This way we’ll have more time to play next week, and this should help to get the kids excited about the trip. As well as help my not spazing out about the cooking.” She sincerely hoped she’d only be cooking for the six of them, but she feared cooking for a hundred. Or more. Gulp.

  “It’ll help keep us occupied this weekend. They’re calling for rain all weekend.”

  “I heard. The weather forecast helped me with the weekend decisions.”

  “Did you go to the grocery store?”

  “Yes. And the cost club. I should have all the ingredients we need.”

  “Will there be baking involved,” Brandt asked behind Nick.

  “Of course there will be baking involved.”

  “Can I help with that?”

  “Yep.”

  “Good. Bryce and Savannah can
help with the cooking, but I want to help with the baking. That’s my favorite part.” Brandt licked his lips.

  Macy stared at him for a moment before turning to Nick. “He reminds me of someone I know, but I can’t place him.”

  “My father,” Nick supplied glumly.

  She snapped her fingers. “Ah, yes, of course. Your father does like to eat, doesn’t he?”

  “And like Brandt, he’s still skinny,” Savannah supplied on her way through the kitchen.

  “Are you up for helping with the meals for next weekend?”

  “Yeah, but what can we make ahead of time?”

  “The baked beans and pizzas. All the casseroles can be frozen. We’ll also make all the desserts.”

  “What will we make there?”

  “I was also wondering that,” Nick said, and he and Savannah both surveyed her like she was in charge. In essence, she was.

  “The hamburgers, chicken, and hot dogs on the grill, plus sandwiches for lunches.”

  “We’re staying until Monday, right?” Savannah asked her dad.

  “Yeah, it’s Memorial Day, so we’ll try to beat the traffic home. We’ll leave after lunch.”

  “How long a drive is it?”

  Nick shrugged. “Two hours.”

  Macy nodded.

  “Will we have S’mores?” Starla questioned, as she sauntered into the room. Macy blinked at her shiny, satiny pink pajamas. They sported a button down front and drawstring trousers. Macy swore she had seen a femme fatale of old wear a pair exactly like them in some classic movie whose title she couldn’t remember. Seems there was a certain wardrobe you had to adhere to if you wanted in the club.

  Although, it could all just be innate. Starla knew exactly what she liked and didn’t like. Macy couldn’t say she was as good at choosing her own clothing as Starla was. Starla also had the advantage of knowing exactly what suited her. That consisted of everything.

  “Yes, I bought ingredients for S’mores.”

  “Can we make some tonight?” Bryce asked, as he joined them in the kitchen.

  Macy cocked her head at Nick. “It’s damp enough we could build a fire,” she said, and glanced at the fireplace in the family room.

  He nodded. “It’ll work fine. Might even take some of the chill out of the air.”

  “S’mores would be fun to make,” Savannah said.