Family for Keeps & Sadie's Hero

by Margaret Daley

  “One game.”

  “I want to play Twister,” Amy said.

  “Yeah,” Johnny added.

  “Then Twister it is.”

  “I’m gonna spin for everyone,” Amy said with a shout of joy. “I do that real good.”

  Thirty minutes later Tess contorted her body to reach a yellow circle with her right hand.

  Amy spun the wheel for her father. “Red, Daddy.”

  Mac twisted to look at the spinner, then plopped his left foot in the circle next to Tess. His face was inches from hers. Chuckling, he tickled Tess in the side, causing her to fall forward into Johnny, who managed to plow into Amy on the sideline. Mac jumped back, avoiding the pile of arms and legs, laughing at the sight of the entwined body parts before him.

  “This reminds me of the clowns at the circus,” he said, trying to bring his laughter under control.

  Tess looked up. “I think it’s payback time, kids.” Pulling her arm free from the bottom of the heap, she rose, her gaze fixed on Mac with mischief in mind.

  He began to back up, his hands out to ward off the advancing trio. “I’m sure in the rules somewhere it states no ganging up.”

  “I can’t read, Daddy.”

  “Mac, it says nothing of the sort.” Tess proceeded toward him with Johnny on one side and Amy on the other.

  “Well, it should. It’s highly unfair.”

  “And tickling an opponent is fair?”

  Mac feinted a move to the right, then circled the group. Tess lunged toward his upper body at the same time the two children went for his legs. Mac went down with a thump. Sitting on her haunches, Tess let Amy and Johnny tickle Mac in the ribs. His laughter warmed her insides, confirming the feeling of closeness she’d had all evening.

  “Uncle. Uncle,” Mac called.

  Reluctantly the children stopped, but Amy flung herself at her father, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  “This has been the bestest day.” The little girl kissed Mac’s cheek.

  “Yeah. I’ve never been to the circus,” Johnny added.

  “I’m glad you two enjoyed it. Now it’s time for bed.”

  “Can’t we stay up a little later?”

  “No.” Mac sat up, bringing Amy with him. “You two get ready and I’ll be in to say good-night.”

  “Tess, too?” Amy asked.

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  With slumped shoulders and bent heads, the two children left the room. Tess sat on the floor near Mac with her legs tucked against her chest and her arms wrapped around them.

  “They’re quite good at trying to make me feel bad that they have to go to bed,” Mac said with a chuckle. “Apparently Johnny didn’t have a bedtime before coming here. You should have heard him the first night I told him it was time to go to sleep. Amy has since learned to do the same thing. The other day she told me she would be four soon and perfectly capable of staying up all night. That was said with her arms folded and her chin tilted as though daring me to deny the fact.”

  “Has she picked up any other habits from Johnny that you’ve had to contend with?”

  “A few, but Johnny has been so good for Amy. She’s quick to share her things with him. She doesn’t even mind when I pay Johnny some extra attention. That worried me at first. She’s thrilled to have him here.”

  “Have you heard from Mrs. Hocks about her search?”

  The lines in his forehead deepened. He rose and began to pace as though nervous and not sure what to do with the extra energy. “Not in a few days. I have to confess I’ve started praying that she isn’t successful. I don’t want Johnny to leave here.”

  “Hopefully things will work out.”

  Mac stopped in the middle of the den and faced her, his arms straight at his sides. “What if they don’t and Johnny has to leave?”

  “Then you will deal with it. You’re one of the strongest men I know. Your faith will sustain you.”

  Mac knelt in front of Tess and took her hands. “But when I think about the possibility—”

  Tess pressed her fingers over his mouth to stop his flow of words. “Shh. Don’t borrow trouble.”

  Mac’s gaze snared hers and held it for a long moment. He started to lean forward when Amy called that she was ready for bed. “I guess that’s our cue.” Rising, he towered over Tess and offered his hand to help her to her feet.

  “And I need to get home after I say good-night to Amy and Johnny.” Tess tamped her disappointment. She’d wanted Mac to kiss her.

  “That long day tomorrow?” Mac asked while they walked down the hallway.

  Tess nodded and entered Amy’s room. She sat in her white canopy bed with scores of books scattered over her pink bedspread.

  “Daddy, I want you to read this one and this one and—”

  “One, Amy, at bedtime. You know the rule.”

  She screwed her features into a thoughtful look and flipped through the books until she found the one she wanted. “Can Tess read it to me tonight?”

  “Sure.” Mac slid a glance toward Tess. “If she wants to.”

  “Are you kidding? I would be honored to read you a story.”

  Amy scooted over and made room for Tess. “Great.”

  “What about your prayers?”

  Amy folded her hands and bowed her head. “Our Father, please watched over Daddy, Johnny, Grandma, Tess, Nina and all my uncles, aunts and cousins. Thank you for a great time at the circus. Amen.”

  When Tess heard her name included in the list of people Amy wanted God to protect, her throat closed. It took a moment after the child finished her prayer to feel her voice was strong enough to read to Amy. Finally Tess began the story about a princess who was lost and trying to find her way home. By the time she came to the end and looked at Amy, the little girl was asleep, her head resting against Tess’s arm. She closed the book and carefully slid off the bed while Mac shifted Amy to a more comfortable position then covered her with a blanket.

  At the door Tess glanced at the child, the soft glow of the night-light illuminating her angelic face. She wanted children. Seeing Amy sleeping so peacefully underscored her desire for a family. For the first time in a long while she began to wonder if it might be possible for her dream to come true. Walking with Mac toward Johnny’s room heightened the possibility in her mind. Mac is a wonderful father, she thought. She knew he had expressed reservations about having any more children, but surely if the right woman came along he would change his mind. Just because his wife had died giving birth didn’t mean it would happen again. She hoped she could get him to see that.

  When Tess entered Johnny’s bedroom, she saw he was already asleep. Disappointment washed over her.

  Mac switched off the lamp beside the boy’s bed. “He still hasn’t been able to manage staying up much later than Amy.”

  “It’ll take a while for his strength to return completely. I’m pleased to see him doing so much,” Tess whispered, making her way to the bedroom door.

  “He’s been pretty good about not overextending himself. I haven’t had to say much at all to him about slowing down.”

  “He has a lot to offer.”

  “I’m hoping he’s beginning to realize that.”

  “How could he not with you as the teacher, Mac? He’s lucky you came into his life.”

  “I was thinking the same thing about myself. I needed Johnny. It was my lucky day when I discovered you crying in the waiting room.”

  The sincerity in his voice nearly undid her composure. “I think it’s worked out for everyone.” She started for the den, tired from the long day at work and content from the evening spent with Mac and the children.

  He took her hand, and Tess found herself leaning into his strength, desperately trying not to yawn. His arm came up to cradle her close to him as she continued making her way toward the den.

  “I’ll drive you home before you fall asleep on me.”

  She did yawn then. “It isn’t your company, I assure you.” S
he laid her head on his shoulder.

  “I know, Tess Morgan. I’ve seen you working. If I ever got sick, I’d like you to be my nurse.”

  “When was the last time you were sick?” She bent and snatched her purse from the floor by the couch.

  “Not counting my broken leg—” he scratched his head “—you know, I can’t remember. I’ve never had to stay in the hospital except that time I had my appendix out, and besides a few football injuries, I haven’t been sick.”

  “Then it looks like my services won’t be needed,” she said with a laugh. “Thankfully, since men are lousy patients.”

  “Oh, I’m wounded.” Mac clasped a hand over his heart. “Is that the female or the nurse in you saying that?”

  She winked at him as she walked from the room. “I’m not telling.”

  “Colt, what brings you to the hospital?” Tess asked as she saw the big man approach the nurses’ station.

  “Me.” Casey came up behind Tess and put a folder on the counter. “I found a collie mix the other day. I thought Colt’s farm would be the perfect place for him to stay while I find him a home. Mom told me only one pet allowed at our place.”

  “I was coming to town so I offered to pick the dog up,” Colt added quickly.

  Tess looked from Casey to Colt and noticed a flush in her cheeks. Colt was shifting from one foot to the other. Tess realized Casey had taken the children to the farm a few weekends before. She had said because Johnny and Amy had begged her. Now Tess wondered if the kids had begged very much.

  “I see,” Tess said, taking the folder from the counter and preparing to leave them alone.

  “We thought we would stop by Mac’s and say hi, maybe go out for some pizza, all of us. Want to come along?” Casey asked, keeping her gaze averted from Colt’s.

  “I wouldn’t want to intrude on—”

  Colt dismissed her concerns with a wave of his hand. “You wouldn’t be. Johnny and Amy love pizza, and I thought it would be fun for all of us to go to dinner, including you. Besides, what would Mac do if you didn’t come along?”

  It was Tess’s turn to blush. She started to say something and realized she had no reply. The implication of what Colt had said thrilled her and scared her. Did the world think of them as a couple? Did Mac think of them as a couple? She and Mac had spent a lot of time together in the past few months. She had always told herself that they spent time together because of the children. She’d been lying to herself. She wanted them to be a couple.

  “I guess I could. I need to go by my apartment first and change. After being in these all day, I’m ready to change.” She gestured to her pastel green pants and shirt with small rainbows splashed all over them.

  “Then we’ll meet you over at his house.” Casey retrieved her sweater from the back of her chair.

  “Does Mac know you’re coming?”

  “No, but then that’s part of the fun, surprising him. He expects it from me. Don’t worry. By the time you get there, he’ll know about the plans we have for him.” Casey sauntered toward the elevator with Colt next to her.

  Tess pulled up behind the row of cars in Mac’s circular driveway, the sun heading down toward the mountains. Casey opened the front door.

  “Sorry, it took me longer than I expected. Rush hour traffic is a bear today.”

  “Yeah, I know. We only arrived a few minutes ago ourselves.”

  “Where are the children?” Tess stepped into the large foyer.

  “In the backyard showing off their puppies to Colt. Mac’s out there, too.” Casey added the last sentence with a gleam sparkling in her eyes as though to say she knew that Tess really wanted to know where Mac was. “And he’s thrilled about this impromptu dinner, especially when he heard you were coming along.”

  “You know I noticed how close you were to Colt when you left work,” Tess said as she walked next to Casey toward the back of the house.

  “Just friends.”

  Tess glanced at Casey, realizing that was exactly what she had been telling everyone about her and Mac. “Sure. Keep telling yourself that. There are plenty of good shelters for animals in a city this size, I’m sure. Why did you call Colt about the dog?”

  “A collie needs lots of room to run around.” Casey fired the words back.

  “And Colt dropped everything to come into Denver, an hour’s drive, to pick up the dog from you.” Tess reached for the handle of the back door.

  “Okay. I won’t say another word about you and Mac. But Tess, before I clam up, I just have to say I haven’t seen my big brother this happy in a long time. You make him laugh.”

  “Must be the clown in me.”

  Casey stopped her from going out. “Does he make you laugh?”

  Tess grew serious. “Yes.”

  Nodding in satisfaction, Casey smiled. “Good. Then I leave the rest in the Lord’s hands.”

  In the backyard Johnny threw a ball to Frisky. The puppy chased it, stumbling over her own big feet. Buttons pounced on the ball, which set the two puppies fighting over it.

  Amy put her hand on her waist. “I’ve been trying to teach them to share.”

  Mac laughed. “Honey, that’ll take time. They are only a few months old.”

  The puppies tumbled until Frisky managed to take the ball and dart off with it. Buttons bounded to her feet and went after her sister.

  Amy huffed, starting for the two puppies who were again vying for the ball. “They’re family. They shouldn’t fight so much. Johnny and me don’t.”

  Mac saw Tess and strolled over to her with a smile in his eyes. “I’m glad you could come. The children are so excited about going out for pizza. You would think I don’t feed them.”

  Tess leaned close to Mac to whisper, “Don’t tell them, but so am I. I know pizza is mega calories a slice but I love it, too.”

  “Your secret is safe with me—for a price.”

  Tess arched a brow. “What?”

  “That you come back with us and help me get the kids to bed. They don’t put up a big argument when you’re here. The other night was a breeze compared to most.”

  The idea of helping him put the children to bed pleased her. She felt a fluttering in her stomach, as though butterflies were beating their wings against her. “Sure. I can’t pass up a chance to read another story to Amy.”

  “I doubt it’ll be another story. She’s been stuck on that one for the past two weeks. She could probably recite it to you.”

  Nina opened the back door and called to Mac. He jogged over to her and listened, his face tensing into a frown, the taut set of his shoulders indicating displeasure.

  When he came back he said, “Mrs. Hocks is here to see me about Johnny. Will you come with me?”

  “Have you said anything to her about wanting to adopt Johnny?”

  “I called her this morning, but she was out of the office. Maybe this is her way of returning my call.” He kneaded the back of his neck, his forehead creased in a frown. “Still, I’ve got this feeling—” He let the rest of his sentence fade into silence.

  “Do you think something is wrong?” Tension vibrated from him, making Tess tighten her muscles until they ached.

  “She’s dropped by before unexpectedly, but—Oh, it’s nothing. I’ll feel better when I can get the proceedings started on the adoption.” Mac called over his shoulder to the group in the yard, “Be back in a minute.”

  Casey and Colt were deep in conversation and barely acknowledged their departure. Johnny and Amy were busy chasing after their puppies and rolling around in the grass with them. Tess glimpsed the beautiful family scene and shuddered, Mac’s worries becoming her worries.

  Mrs. Hocks stood in the middle of the living room, staring out the picture window. She clasped her purse in one hand and a notebook in the other. When she heard them enter, she pivoted toward them with a smile on her face.

  “I’ve got good news.”

  Tess felt Mac relax next to her, his features easing into his own smile of greeting.<
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  “And I have good news, too,” he said, beckoning for Mrs. Hocks to have a seat on the couch while he and Tess sat across from her on the other one. “What’s yours?”

  “I found a relative of Johnny’s this afternoon who lives in California.”

  Without taking his gaze from the child welfare worker, Mac fumbled for Tess’s hand and grasped it.

  “Dottie Brown is his father’s sister. She’s coming to pick Johnny up. She didn’t know about Johnny’s mother’s death. She lost touch with them a few years back. So isn’t it great that Johnny will finally be with his family?” Mrs. Hocks beamed, delighted with her accomplishment.

  The silence following her announcement pulsated with tension. Mac’s grip tightened on Tess’s fingers. The sides of the lady’s mouth fell as she looked from Mac to Tess then back to Mac.

  “I thought you would be happy.”

  Mac swallowed hard, a muscle in his jaw twitching. “And she wants to adopt him?”

  “She’s coming to Denver. She hasn’t said yes yet, but I think she will. She hasn’t seen Johnny in six years.” Mrs. Hocks peered toward the entrance. “I wanted to tell Johnny about his aunt. Where is he?”

  “He’s out back playing with his puppy.”

  Mrs. Hocks started to stand.

  “Wait,” Mac said, halting the woman, who immediately eased down on the couch. “I’d prefer telling him, if that’s all right with you.”

  “Well, I guess so.”

  Mac rose. “When should he be ready to meet his aunt?”

  “Day after tomorrow. I’ll bring her to the house in the afternoon. Have Johnny’s things packed.” Mrs. Hocks came to her feet, her brow wrinkled. “What good news did you have?”

  Mac shrugged. “Nothing really. The doctor said he’s still in remission and everything looks good.”

  “Great! That will certainly ease his aunt’s mind.”

  Mac escorted Mrs. Hocks to the front door, then returned to the living room where Tess remained, stunned by the news. The anguish on his face when he entered said it all. She could feel his devastation even before he drew her to him and held her tight. It mirrored what she was experiencing.

  “I know I shouldn’t have, but I was beginning to think of Johnny as my son. What am I going to do?” He trembled with the force of his pain.