Macy's Parade

by D. R. Grady

  “I’m tired tonight,” she admitted.

  He wanted to kiss her. But he remembered Savannah was using her bathroom, so his eldest daughter would soon exit Macy’s room for her own. Since Nick couldn’t be sure he wouldn’t get hurt by his attraction to Macy, he needed to protect his children, he reminded himself.

  Oh, but the temptation. He really wanted to kiss the tiredness from her face. To taste those luscious lips again. He bet she tasted like chocolate and popcorn. A delightful combination. At least on Macy.

  “Quit that,” she scolded.

  He looked around to see if she scolded one of the kids. Nope, no one else about but him. “Quit what?”

  “Looking at me like that.”

  Nick tried to affect innocence. Apparently he failed, because her eyebrow rose a notch. “Nice try,” she said dryly.

  “Did you know you’re sexy when you yawn?”

  “You need more sleep.” Her expression could only be described as baleful.

  “That, too, but it’s true.”

  She smothered another yawn and waved at him before turning to disappear into her bedroom. He missed her already. But came face to face with Savannah.

  “Teeth brushed and sparkly clean?”

  She bared her teeth, like she used to do when she was little and he asked her that question. Nick bent and pretended to inspect her teeth. “Yes, I think you pass, young lady. Off to bed with you then,” he said and patted her head and swatted her bottom.

  “Dad,” she scolded but he could tell she appreciated the parental attention.

  Nick watched her saunter into her room and thought about the playful things they used to do in the past, before Melissa had left. They’d been a family then. But once she left, they had struggled to survive, so the fun things had fallen by the wayside, and been run over by an eighteen wheeler.

  It was a shame. Nick contemplated his children’s bedroom doors and thought about the future.

  Regardless of whether Macy stayed or not, she had given them a gift they needed to keep. Fun. Excitement. How to enjoy family life again.

  This time around, he thought maybe he would work a little harder at making sure his children were happy and content, rather than just fed and clean. The other things would get done. He’d make sure of it, but he could never enjoy these years again. They would disappear in the pursuing years, and he couldn’t snatch them back. Once they were gone, that was it. He only had one crack at this time with his kids.

  If he failed, there was no other chance to redeem himself as a father. As much as he wanted Macy, he had to put his children first. They depended on him. Macy could take care of herself.

  He’d still be careful of her heart, but he had to concentrate on the four people he helped to create. No one else could care for them like he could.

  Now was the time.

  It was a shame kissing Macy was so easy. And felt so right. Because he’d have to be careful. He wanted her, but the four people he loved more than life needed him.

  Need always came before want, right?

  Chapter 18

  The kids and Nick were in the car and Macy knew she couldn’t drag her feet any longer. She had already tried and failed to come up with an excuse to stay home. Even contemplated faking an illness, but doubted she’d get away with that one. Why she didn’t want to go to the lake, she didn’t know, but she could think of a hundred other things she’d rather do. And a few of them even comprised cleaning the house. With a toothbrush.

  Her attitude was bad, really bad, but it didn’t change the kids’ minds. They had started packing last weekend. When she checked on the three younger kids Bryce had forgotten his toothbrush and underwear, Brandt his swimming trunks and t-shirts, and Macy didn’t think Starla needed five pajama sets, all in satin, nor seven changes of clothes. Savannah could take care of her own packing, as could Nick. Everyone had finished packing the night before.

  Except for her. Macy didn’t even start her packing until this morning. An hour before their scheduled departure. And then she only started tossing random items into her luggage under protest.

  This was why everyone else was in the car, waiting for her. She shoved the last t-shirt into her bag and wrenched the zipper closed. The bulging sides of her bag banged against her as she hefted the pack to her shoulder, spun and made for the door.

  Only to slam into something big and warm. “Ooff,” she said and teetered. The momentum shoved her bag into him as she struggled to stay on her feet.

  Nick scowled at her. “Would you hurry already?”

  “I’m ready,” she muttered.

  He took the suitcase from her, slung the bag over his own shoulder with ease and wrapped a firm hand around her wrist. Like he was afraid she’d vanish if he let her go. That might not be far off from the truth because she had scoped out several good hiding spots. At the time she was thinking of sulking kids, but one never knew. Here she was an adult and sulking. It was shameful.

  “I take it you’re not looking forward to this trip,” he said conversationally.

  She firmed her lips and decided to be honest. “Not at all.”

  “I don’t understand how you can’t be excited about this.”

  Macy turned incredulous eyes on him. “Why would I look forward to it?”

  “This is a vacation for us. The lake is fun,” he pointed out.

  “Yes, it’s a vacation for you. But not for me. If you’re on vacation, that means I’ll have even more to do.” She refused to think about the nasty campgrounds her parents had drug them to. Mildewed, wrong smelling toilets and showers. Lumpy mattresses if there was one. Leaking roofs and tents. Not her idea of fun.

  “We’ll still help you. And besides, you won’t have that much to do there, not like here, at least.”

  She eyed him suspiciously. Why should she trust him? He was a man – he didn’t have a clue as to how much work a vacation involved.

  “Umm hmmm,” she murmured, but didn’t agree.

  “Macy, we have a cleaning crew who comes in during the week to clean the places,” Nick said. “So you don’t have to clean anything.”

  That was good news. Better clarify, and maybe get this in writing. “I don’t have to clean anything?”

  “No. The rental company that handles our properties has staff that comes in and cleans all of the cabins. They also take care of them throughout the winter months.”

  “So all I’ll have to worry about is the cooking?”

  “Part of it. Like I said, everyone helps. So one person doesn’t have to worry about it all.”

  “Your mom did say she’d help.” Macy bit her lip. Maybe this wouldn’t be as bad as she feared. Maybe she wouldn’t end up with all the work, and maybe the cottage would be in good shape. Why did maybe have to be the operative word?

  “My mom usually takes over the cooking, but she knows how to direct me, my brothers, and Tia to work us the best.”

  “You have to help when you’re there?”

  “Of course. Mom doesn’t mess around.”

  “Good for her.”

  “The most we’ll have to do is clean up after meals and run some laundry.”

  “I figured on that. The kids will need clean bathing suits.”

  “Right. And I generally wash some towels.”

  “That’s not a bad idea.” But if he was used to doing all this, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. She wouldn’t have to remember everything. That would be a huge relief.

  Macy watched as Nick added her bag to those in the luggage rack. He slammed the compartment shut and locked it before waving her to seat herself in the front.

  She did so with some mild trepidation nonetheless. Hoping this weekend would prove at least a little fun for her.

  Why she doubted she didn’t know, but maybe she should be a little more trusting. The kids had been anticipating this weekend for weeks – she couldn’t, shouldn’t, rain on their parade.

  Nick crawled into the driver’s seat and glanced in the rear vi
ew mirror. “Everyone buckled in?” He snapped his belt on as he spoke.

  “Yes,” the kids all intoned. He glanced at her.

  “No,” she said, and hastily drew the seatbelt around her. He didn’t start the van until she clicked the two components together.

  “Macy, you’re slowing us down,” Starla complained from the middle seat.

  “Yes, I know.” Too bad she couldn’t think of any other stalling tactics. Nick sent her a sardonic look. She refused to respond to his jabs. Even if they were silent.

  “Macy thinks she’ll have to do all the work while we’re at camp,” Nick told his children. “Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen, okay?” He glanced in the rearview mirror again, and she turned to see all four kids nod.

  Although Bryce’s agreement was questionable. Wires trailed from his ears, so Macy figured he was already hooked up to his electronic of choice. She had her doubts as to whether he heard anything Nick said during his good moments. Still...

  It was a nice gesture on Nick’s part to help her out with volunteers. So long as everyone pitched in and helped at camp like they did at home, the time might not be so bad.

  “Macy, don’t you like camping?” Starla asked.

  “No,” Macy replied with no hesitation.

  Nick darted a look at her. “I didn’t know that.”

  “No one’s thought to ask,” Macy said.

  “Why do you hate camping?” Savannah asked. She had wires trailing from her ears, too, but Macy figured she must not have switched on her device yet.

  “Because mosquitoes love me, I get poison ivy, oak, and sumac by just looking at the plants, and I’ve yet to not sunburn when camping. I hate it.” Maybe she should think about going to vet school a little early. At least she could avoid bright red, bumpy skin and major discomfort.

  “This happens every time you camp?” Savannah asked.

  “Every time.” Macy crossed her arms across her chest. “I’d rather clean toilets.”

  “You didn’t have to come, you know,” Nick said.

  “Oh, really?” More news to her. She’d pretty much picked up that she didn’t have a choice in the matter.

  “Well, maybe not,” Nick prevaricated.

  “Yeah, that’s what I thought.” She rolled her eyes. “I will be horrible to live with, by the way.” It was only fair to warn them.

  “Daddy packs mosquito spray and sunscreen, Macy,” Starla informed her.

  “Did Daddy pack those things?” Macy asked Nick with interest.

  He sent her a superior look. “Of course. I have the family sized bottles. Plus, I always pack Calamine Lotion.”

  She was intimately familiar with the pink liquid. Unfortunately. “Thanks, I’ll be your first customer.”

  “I also packed some stuff for after the mosquitoes bite. We’re covered.”

  “Just wait until we get there. I’ll give you a brand new definition of covered,” Macy warned.

  ***

  She was relieved and a bit surprised when they pulled in front of a modern, fairly new building. It didn’t resemble a cabin so much as a house. The place looked neat and well kept. No ominous bathroom facilities in sight and she bet the roof didn’t leak. Another plus. She crawled out after the kids and was immediately tugged inside.

  The four of them took turns at tour guide duty, pointing out the kitchen area which opened into the dining and family rooms. The entire downstairs was open except for a bath and laundry room. Macy approved.

  Upstairs, Nick had neatly tucked six small bedrooms and three baths into the space. The kids each had their own room, but there were two bunks to every room. “So we can have a cousin or friend over,” Starla informed her during her turn as tour guide.

  They all showed her their room, which consisted of the two bunks, a chair, tiny pull down desk and closet. The rooms were rustic, but friendly with bright rugs and pictures on the walls.

  “Dad rents this out when we’re not here,” Savannah mentioned.

  “Oh, that’s not a bad idea.”

  “Yeah. We usually have it the first weekend, and then we’ll come back another time in June, be here for the Fourth of July, and then a few more times after that. But otherwise he rents it out for a week at a time. If no one is scheduled to be here, we come up for the weekend.”

  “We schedule our times first, and then the local real estate agent does the actual renting. It works out well,” Nick said.

  Must have been his turn to tour guide because he showed her his room, which had a double bunk and then a smaller one above it. “The smaller bunk is for scared kids,” he said.

  “Ah, gotcha.”

  “Your room is identical to mine,” he said and took her to the other end of the hall to show her a room that did resemble his.

  “This way we’ll have the kids between us,” she said and nodded in approval. Made sense to have the kids sandwiched between them.

  “It can really storm here, so if that happens, we’ll both end up with full beds,” he warned.

  “Well, we’re supposed to be on vacation, so anything goes, right?”

  Nick rolled his eyes. “Right.”

  “What, you don’t like being invaded?”

  “Have you ever had four kids, the dog, and cat all crowded in your bed?”

  “Just all four kids and you,” she reminded him.

  “Well, that’s likely to change. We’ll add the wildlife here.”

  “I’ll keep your warning in mind,” she answered and dumped her bag on the bed. The room would do nicely. Nick showed her the bathrooms, all identical, and all containing a toilet, sink, and shower. Including the one downstairs. Her room shared the bath with Savannah’s. She could work with that.

  “Did you design this cabin?”

  “I did,” he said.

  “It seems to work well.”

  “I think so. Although when the kids are grown it might not work so well...”

  “Sure it will. You’ll have plenty of room for your grandkids then,” Macy argued.

  “That’s true. But I’m not quite ready for grandkids.”

  “That’s okay. They’ll arrive before you know it, from what I hear.”

  “Hello?” a female voice called from downstairs.

  “Aunt Tia,” one of the kids shrieked and they all scrambled for the stairs. Which Macy noted there were two sets. One at each end.

  She and Nick descended at a more leisurely pace and when they reached the bottom, she saw a tall blonde woman arise from the pile of kids in the middle of the floor. She was laughing, her face glowing with delight. Macy stared at her for a moment, not fooled by the baggy clothing and big sunglasses.

  Tia Morrison looked like a supermodel in hiding. She frowned at Nick. “I thought you said your sister was a nerd.”

  “She is,” he said and stared at her blankly.

  “She’s tall, thin, and blonde. With beautiful skin, and eyes. How is she a nerd? She looks like a supermodel.”

  Nick’s brows rose, as if this was new information to him. He turned to stare at his sister. He took a few moments of deliberation. “I see a nerd.”

  Macy stared at him in disbelief, but before she could refute his stupid statement, Tia extricated herself from her nieces and nephews and held out an elegant hand to Macy. “Hi, I’m Tia,” she said in the same throaty tones Starla used. Yet Macy guessed this is what Savannah would look like in a few years.

  “I’m Macy,” she answered, feeling unfortunate that some women were so blessed, like Tia, while others were overlooked. Like her.

  “It’s nice to finally meet you. We’ve heard a lot about you.” Tia’s tone implied they’d heard good things and she was pleased to meet her. Macy decided she liked Tia Morrison.

  “Thank you,” she answered.

  “No, thank you. It’s not every woman who can handle Nick and all four kids,” she said, even as the four kids cavorted around her. Tia seemed oblivious to the destruction happening right in her orbit.

 
Macy admired that, too. Only someone used to kids could handle a situation like that so well. Tia didn’t so much as blink when a lamp nearly tumbled to the ground. She simply reached out and straightened it, all the while keeping up her end of the conversation.

  “We’d given up hope of Nick ever finding a nanny who would work out so well. But Mom said you were perfect.”

  Did she say she liked this woman? No, Macy decided she loved her.

  “Aunt Tia, Macy has been with us for almost two months now,” Starla said.

  “I heard that.” Tia answered and smiled at her niece. Macy still couldn’t see elements of a nerd in this woman. She looked like she should grace the covers of fashion magazines. Of course, it might be good if someone else chose her clothing. Tia seemed to favor the baggy, non matching look.

  “And we got new clothes,” Starla continued and modeled her outfit.

  Tia clucked appreciatively, saying all the right things as Starla strutted. Even Savannah preened a bit. Macy watched over her chicks like a proud mama hen. While Tia’s hair wasn’t as curly as the girls’, and it was blonder, it was still obvious she belonged in the Morrison family.

  The woman was gorgeous. And Nick had mentioned she had a Ph.D. At least she was friendly. With her beauty and intellect, she’d be hard to swallow if she was snooty. Then she stood to help Brandt with something and tripped. Macy watched in horror until she caught her balance and kept going like this was a normal occurrence.

  “Aunt Tia is a klutz,” Starla whispered to her.

  “I see.” Macy liked the woman even more. She wasn’t perfect, although at first glance you could make the mistake in believing she was.

  “She’s also not the best dresser out there,” Savannah added quietly, “but we’re working with her.”

  “You think your dad and uncles might have something to do with her lack of fashion sense?” Macy asked dryly.

  “We’ve blamed them from the start,” Lily said behind her.

  Macy turned to her with a smile. “That’s where I’d lay blame.”

  “Yes, definitely. But we girls are working with her. She’s smart, which helps.”

  “Aunt Tia just isn’t very interested in fashion,” Starla shared, making it sound like that was a bad thing.