Short Rides (Rough Riders #14.5)(27)

Didn’t have to tell them twice. Pizza out usually meant a special occasion. Westin, Sophia and Max scattered.


“Pizza, huh? What’re we celebrating?”


“We’re celebrating us.” Edgard dropped a kiss on Chassie’s mouth. “I like bein’ home with you guys, but some of what Colby said rang true. We do isolate ourselves out here. One way for people to see us as a normal family, is to do normal family things. Like goin’ out for pizza on a Wednesday night.”


Trevor came up behind him and wrapped his arms around his waist. “Excellent idea, Ed. where we goin’?”


“The Pizza Barn in Moorcroft.” He waited, figuring he hadn’t quite pulled off innocence.


Chassie opened her mouth, but closed it. Then her eyes took on a determined glint. “By the look on your face, Edgard Glanzer, I know you’re aware that Wednesday night is family church night. so there will be lots of them churchy-type families havin’ pizza afterward.”


“Good. Then they’ll see we’re happy with our decision to lead this life, and our children are well adjusted and well loved.”


Chassie hugged Edgard and then Trevor. “I’ll get my coat and make sure the kids are ready.”


“So we’re kicking dirt in some faces tonight?”


Edgard shivered at the deep rumble of Trevor’s voice flowing over his neck. “No. I’m not suggesting we put on a PDA to show the world we don’t care. I want people to understand they’re not about to run us off. Especially since I suspect we’ll be transferring Westin to school in Sundance. We’re here for good.”


Monday morning Westin was bouncing in his seat. From nerves, or excitement, Chassie didn’t know.


She draped her arm over his shoulder. “All that jumping is bound to upset your stomach. Can you take a couple of deep breaths so you don’t throw up on your first day?”


He nodded.


Chassie kissed the top of his head. Her eyes met Trevor’s in the rearview mirror. She returned his smile.


The closer they got to Sundance Elementary, the more jittery she became. Even when she knew they were doing the right thing, she worried about her son getting lost in the hallways or eating alone or dealing with more bullies.


“Mama. You’re squeezing me too tight.”


“Sorry. I just love you.”


“I know.”


The semi-circle drop-off zone in front of the building wasn’t jammed with vehicles yet. She craned her neck to see behind them. This traffic wasn’t bad at all.


“Chass? Baby, do you see that?” Edgard asked softly.


“What? Where?”


“There. Right in front.”


When Chassie peered out the window, her jaw dropped.


Lined up in front of the school, were all her McKay relatives and their spouses. Cord and AJ, Colby and Channing, Colt and India, Cam and Domini, Keely and Jack, Kade and Skylar and Kane and Ginger. The other McKays, ones she wasn’t related to, were there also—Quinn and Libby, Ben and Ainsley, Tell and Georgia, and Dalton. Plus, her West cousins, Chet and Remy and Boone.


Approximately ten thousand McKay offspring raced around the adults.


After they exited the car, Westin slipped his hand into hers. “Mama? Why are you crying?”


“Because I’m happy that you get to go to school with all your cousins.” She sniffled and leaned her head against Trevor’s bicep while Edgard stroked her back.


They faced the McKay throng.


Colby stepped forward. “Surprised to see us?”


“Surprised and grateful. And...” She couldn’t finish.


“Kids have enough to deal with without all the B.S. that was goin’ on at the other school. That won’t happen here. We can pretty much guarantee it.”


Colt moved to stand next to Colby. “No one wants to take on the McKays one on one, let alone all of us. You guys know you’ve always had our full support with your lifestyle, we just wanted to make sure everyone in town and everyone whose kids attend this school knew it too.”


Chassie didn’t bother to stop her tears. She’d always felt like she’d had some support in the McKay family, but nothing on this level.


Boone West crouched in front of Westin. “Know what? I transferred from the school in Moorcroft to this one when I was in third grade.”


Westin’s eyes lit up with the hero worship he reserved for his older, cooler cousin. “Really?”


“Yep. I promise you’re gonna like it a whole lot better.”


Chassie couldn’t believe her scrawny, sometimes mouthy cousin had turned into such a thoughtful young man. And a good-looking kid to boot.


Boone pushed to his feet and hefted his backpack over his shoulder. “Anyone says anything to you, you let me know, okay?”


“Okay.”


“Good. I’ll see you on the bus.” Boone grinned and Chassie swore the girls walking by actually sighed. The boy was on the road to being a heartbreaker.


Then Boone offered his hand to Trevor and Edgard. “I’ll keep an eye on your son.”