Then maybe you should take your own advice.
Nick was happy to see that everyone other than her mom praised and congratulated Maisie. It pissed him off that her mom didn’t but that wasn’t his focus.
Until she spoke. “Yes,” her mom said through the chatter. “It’s a wonderful opportunity. One that could turn into so much more.”
“In what way?” Colton asked, stealing another of Asher’s carrots.
Her mom looked at Maisie and though there was a resemblance between them, there was a much softer openness about her daughters. A likability they clearly hadn’t inherited from her; but maybe he was biased.
“She could finish her degree. Go for her master’s,” her mom said.
It was like she’d poured water over the enthusiasm with her words.
“Degree in what? She has a thriving business. Do you even have time to go back to school, Maisie?” Jake asked, tossing his napkin on his plate.
“I thought you didn’t want your degree? You certainly don’t need it,” Natalie said, an edge to her tone as her eyes darted to their mother.
Nick was glad her siblings had her back.
“I don’t have a degree. I made out okay,” Nick said.
Ellie laughed nervously. “We might want to stay out of this one.”
Laura stiffened. “There’s nothing to stay out of, dear. And you can never go wrong with education. I’m sure even you, Nick, who must be coming to the end of a career, can see value in having a backup.”
“Mom,” Maisie whisper-yelled.
Nick’s gaze went wide. It wasn’t his place but, in this moment, he didn’t care. “I have a backup, Laura. I bought a bunch of real estate and property. Didn’t need a degree to do that, either. I also sponsor several products for a healthy sum of money. I got those based on how good I am at my job. Sort of like how Maisie got the university job.”
“I don’t want my carrots,” Asher said, his tone just short of whiny.
“Okay, honey,” Ellie said, reaching for his plate.
“Really?” It wobbled a little in his hands when he lifted it.
“Sure. No cookies tonight though.”
Asher frowned, set his plate down. Colton lifted his fork but lowered it with a look from Ellie.
“Kanaroos don’t like carrots.” Asher ducked his head and picked up his fork.
Nick worked to contain his frustration. He was out of line but he wasn’t sorry. He leaned toward his nephew. “Eat three carrots, we’ll go outside and shoot the puck around while the others clean up. Then we’ll decorate cookies.”
Ellie smiled at him over Asher’s head. Asher gobbled up three carrots.
Maisie stood up.
“I’m sorry, Ellie. Dinner was delicious. Would anyone mind if we did the cookie contest tomorrow?”
“But I ate my carrots,” Asher said loudly.
Though she looked like she was going to snap the plate in half with her white-knuckled grip, Maisie smiled at Nick’s nephew with a sweetness that sent a whoosh of adrenaline through his system. “If your mom is okay with it, you can still have some, sweetie. I’m just kind of tired and I want to be at my best when I beat the others.”
“Can I be on your team?” Asher asked.
“Of course.” Maisie looked at her mom, said nothing, and walked into the kitchen.
“I apologize, everyone,” Maisie’s mom said, looking around the table.
