Read Online Harlequin Heartwarming May 2016 Box Set by Rula Sinara - Free Book Online Page A

instill them...to set an example. Even if staying in South Africa was best for Nick on so many levels, in the end, all Mac was doing was sending his nephew money. He wasn’t really in a position to judge Brice, or his own father, for that matter. Or Tessa.
    He rubbed his jaw against his shoulder and stretched his neck.
    â€œYes, well, consider this a lesson in manners. The Lagats are like family to me. It doesn’t matter that they just met you. You’ve been invited into their home because anyone I care about they care about, too. That’s the kind of people they are.”
    Nick slumped back and looked away from both of them, arms folded and face flushed. The rims of his eyes turned pink. Poor guy was fighting for control. He’d never asked for any of this. Not losing his parents. Not being here in the middle of nowhere. And certainly not being juggled between the only two people in the world he had left.
    The last time Mac had been in the same room with him, Nick had not quite hit thirteen yet and he’d retreated into himself. He’d changed a lot since the days after the funeral. It was like he was ready to discover himself...but he didn’t know how. And his safety net was full of holes. Apparently, so was Tessa’s. Good thing Mac didn’t need safety nets. Not having to rely on anyone had been his most liberating discovery as a young man. Maybe that’s what Nick had to learn.
    Tessa was nibbling on the corner of her lip. She shook her head ever so slightly as she studied the back of Nick’s head. Everyone was feeling disappointed and frustrated. No one felt in control.
    â€œHey, man,” Mac offered. “Wait until you try Kesi’s cooking. Trust me. It’ll be worth the wait.”
    â€œNo more waiting,” Mugi said, coming in the back door with a large bowl of what appeared to be a vegetable curry. Mouthwatering aromas permeated the room and lingered, despite the soft breezes floating through the screened windows and doors. He set the plate on the old wooden table and smoothed the simple black-and-brown patterned dashiki shirt that Mac recognized as the one Kesi had recently made. She’d made him one, too, only she’d chosen a brighter yellow-and-orange pattern for Mac, saying it was because he liked to be in the sky with the sun. Kesi was right behind Mugi with several more dishes.
    â€œKesi makes the best chapati. She cooks it in an iron pan over an open flame out back. Please, help yourself,” Mugi said. “And this is vegetable and potato curry and this other dish is sukuma wiki . Fried onion, tomato and spinach.”
    â€œMy gosh, this looks like it was so much work. I wasn’t expecting a vegetarian meal. I’ll admit, I was prepared to just eat bread and claim to not be hungry, out of politeness, but boy, am I relieved. I’m starving. We didn’t mean to bother you,” Tessa said.
    â€œIt’s no bother when it comes from the heart.” Kesi smiled and laid her worn hand on Mac’s shoulder. “Any family of Mac’s is family of ours.”
    â€œThank you,” Tessa said, dipping her chin. The corner of her mouth tipped into a grateful but slightly sad smile.
    Mac felt her kick his boot lightly and raised his brows. Her eyes opened wide and pink spread to her cheeks. She glanced sideways at Nick, and from his abrupt thanks to Kesi and Mugi, Mac figured she’d kicked the wrong foot the first time. He couldn’t resist messing with her. He tapped hers back, anyway.
    * * *
    T ESSA DID HER best to ignore the way the corner of Mac’s mouth lifted lazily after he kicked her foot under the table. If he added that flirty wink he was famous for in school, she’d scream. Don’t...don’t... He did it. She took a deep breath and turned her attention to the Lagats. She knew Mac wasn’t really flirting. She was a married woman. He’d never even gone out with ex-girlfriends of his