Page 5 of The Maverick's Forever Home
“Hi, Ms.Cooper.My name is Wyatt.”The boy sat back against his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.“Why doesn’t Cody’s dad take care of him when you’re gone?”
Her palms were instantly dewy.Telling Cody’s classmates that the man biologically responsible for Cody’s existence was a selfish jerk that wanted nothing to do with his son wasn’t appropriate—even if it was true.This was one of those moments when she’d be happy if the ground beneath her opened up and swallowed her whole.Instead, all eyes turned her way—
“Oh, I just got a message from the office.”Ms.Jalen looked up from her computer.“I need a volunteer to go to the office to pick up our math worksheets.Any takers?”
And just like that, several students were up and vying for the job.
Maggie found it highly unlikely that Ms.Jalen received such a conveniently timed message from the office, but she was eternally grateful for the teacher’s maneuvering.
A quick glance Cody’s way told her Wyatt’s question had bothered her son.He knew about his father and that he’d chosen not to be a part of Cody’s life.But knowing it didn’tmean Cody was okay with it.Or that he’d want it brought up on his birthday.
“Cody, why don’t you go, too?”Ms.Jalen waved him over.“You can get your birthday sticker while you’re there.”
“Yes, ma’am.”Cody rolled his eyes and acted like this request was beneath him.But Maggie could tell he was happy as he hurried from the classroom.And, as long as he was happy, she was happy.
She turned to Ms.Jalen, eager to return the favor.“How can I help?”she asked.
“If you could pass out these worksheets for our next lesson, that would be great.”Ms.Jalen pointed at one of the stacks of papers.
She picked up the worksheets.“Tell me if there’s anything else I can do to help.I’m especially good at organizing things.”
Ms.Jalen smiled up at her.“Really?Okay, but remember you offered.”
Maggie laughed.“I will.”
Ms.Jalen took her up on her offer, and Maggie did her best to weed out the chaos in the colorful room.The mindless work did wonders to alleviate her nerves.
By the time she was following Cody to the cafeteria for lunch, she had her anxiety well under control.
As soon as she stepped foot in the cafeteria, she was transported back in time.Not much had changed since she’d enjoyed her own school lunches here.Fresh paint, updated cafeteria tables and new black velvet curtains framed the stage that occupied the back wall.
“Over here, Ma.”Cody nudged her side.
“Lead the way.”She smiled down at him.She wasn’t all that thrilled about eating from the lunch line, but they were serving pizza and that’s what Cody wanted.
Pizza was not on her doctor-approved gut-healthy food list.Recovery from an intestinal parasite as severe as her case was no easy thing.Every day, she had to eat the right foods, get plenty of rest and drink lots of water.Which was why she’d packed Cody’s lunchbox with a yogurt and some raw veggies for herself.
“Think I can get an extra piece?Since it’s my birthday?”Cody rubbed his hands together.
“No harm in asking.”She was more than a little surprised over how excited he was over school cafeteria pizza.
“Hey.”A hand tugged on the back of Cody’s shirt, causing them both to turn around.“Is it your birthday, too?”The little girl pointed at the birthday sticker on her shirt.
Maggie instantly recognized her.If the mismatched knee socks didn’t give her away, the pom-pom topped birthday hat would have done the trick.“I saw you in your hat earlier.”A quick inspection showed no sign of the girl’s father.“Happy birthday.”
“Uh-huh.Happy birthday.”Her smile was 100 percent pure adorableness.
“Thanks.”Cody clearly wasn’t interested in getting to know the girl, but the little girl didn’t pick up on that.
“I’m five.”She held up all five fingers.“How owd are you?Wots, huh?You are super tall.”She worked hard to get thatlout.
Cody took that as a compliment.“Yep.I’m nine.”
“Wow.”She counted off her fingers, then held them up.“See.”
Cody glanced from her hand to her face and sighed.“One more.”He reached over and unfolded one more finger.“That’s nine.”
“I know.”She giggled.“Youaresuper smart.”She beamed at Cody.
