Page 83 of Heart of a Hero

Karen grinned as she heard Laura say, “Hey, everyone! I have Mom on speaker, and she’ll be home soon.”

“Yay!”

Karen laughed, recognizing Zannie’s excited voice. “Did you have a good day at school, Zannie?”

“Yes!” came her exuberant reply.

“Olivia? How about you?”

“I got another hundred on my spelling test,” Olivia said, her voice breathy as though she’d been running. “And I brought home the instructions for our science project. It isn’t due for a couple of weeks, but I know you’ll have to buy some stuff.”

“I’m glad you had a good day, sweetheart, and thank you for giving me a heads-up about the science project.”

“Marty? How about you?”

“It was good, Miss Karen. It really helped that you went over the geography with me. My teacher said I got the best grade in the class.”

Her heart was full as she listened to the kids, loving their excitement.

“Benji? How was your day, honey?”

“I wasn’t sure it was going to be very good, Miss Karen,” Benji began. “My best friend broke his arm on the playgroundthis morning, and they had to call his mom. Our teacher told us at the end of the day that he would be out for a couple of days and then have a cast on his arm.”

“Oh, my goodness, Benji! That must’ve been scary.”

“He’s kind of a daredevil on the playground equipment. I like to do a lot of tricks, too, but Dad always warned me about being a show-off. He said that showing off can make you not pay attention to what you’re doing.”

“Well, your dad is a very smart man, and I think that’s sound advice.”

“What about me?” Zannie called out.

“Have you got more to say, sweetheart?”

“I didn’t tell you about my day. Judy threw up after lunch, and Parker stuck his tongue out at the teacher behind her back. But someone tattled, and he got in trouble. I don’t stick my tongue out at anybody.”

“I think that’s probably a good thing,” Karen said, trying not to laugh. “Okay, Laura, I just pulled into the grocery store. I forgot we needed more milk. I’ll hang up now, but I’ll be home soon.”

All five kids shouted out their goodbyes at one time, and even as the call disconnected, she was still smiling.

By the time she arrived home, Richard had pulled up and was walking toward the front porch. They greeted each other warmly as he took the grocery bags from her hands. The sound of wheels on the driveway had her turn around to see Mark arriving.

Since Laura had already put the lasagna in the oven, the whole gang was soon enjoying dinner while laughing and talking. As she got up from the table to get dessert, Zannie said, “I love being in this family!”

Karen turned around, her gaze landing on Zannie’s snaggle-toothed grin and bright eyes. Then her gaze drifted around the table until it landed on Mark, who was staring at her. Her heartbeat faster as warmth traveled through her veins. She smiled and watched as his lips curved in return.

“Me, too!” Marty said.

Olivia grinned, and Laura turned to lift a brow toward her mother and smiled.

“I told Dad that I thought you all should move into our house,” Benji announced. “We’ve got more room!”

Karen blinked as Mark jerked, and Richard’s mouth fell open before he began to chuckle.

“Can we?” Marty asked, his eyes wide. “I like it here, but if we all move to Mr. Mark’s house, then that would be fun, too.”

Laura’s and Olivia’s brows raised as though wondering if their mom had made more plans without talking to them. Hands raised, she shook her head. “No, no, we’re not moving into Mark’s house,” she said, making big eyes at Mark, hoping he’d jump in to help.

“Ms. Karen’s right,” Mark said smoothly, his lips still curved.

---