Megan listened to the revving of a dozen engines combined with the call and buzz of many voices as they entered. The aroma of hot dogs on a grill drifted from the side and mingled with the smell of fuel and rubber as they approached a crowd of spectators filling the wooden bleachers. Several others pressed as close to the roped-off track as they could.
“There’s Scott.” Shelly called out before Megan saw him.
Standing to one side beside the rope surrounding the track, Scott turned and saw them. He smiled, waving them over and watched until they picked their way past several people to reach him. “Hi, I was afraid you weren’t going to make it.”
“We aren’t late, are we?” Shelly asked.
“No, but they should be starting any minute now.” Scott stepped back to allow room for them. He stood behind Megan and Shelly squeezed in front with Derek.
Megan saw the track was made of dirt. It looked as if a farmer had plowed a large oval in his field to remove every blade of grass. They stood on a natural hillside, which allowed the track to bank in the turns.
Megan looked to the left and studied a line of bikes and riders. She was sure Scott had chosen this spot because he had a clear view of the starting line that would also serve as the finish line. The boys all looked alike to her in their riding jerseys, but she saw one in blue she thought might be Randy.
She turned to Scott. “What’s Randy’s number?”
“Twelve.”
“There he is, Aunt Megan.” Derek pointed.
“Yes, I see him.” A satisfied smile curved her lips. She’d picked him out before she knew the number to look for.
A man standing beside the bikes lowered the flag. Megan held her breath as Randy’s bike shot forward with the others. So many bikes zooming around the track confused her, so she lost sight of Randy for a moment. The engines roared, and the tires skidded. As the young riders hit the dips and hills in the track, they became airborne, landing with what looked like a bone-jarring jolt and no pause in momentum.
Megan found Randy again and prayed for his safety. She knew little boys his age were tough and liked to play rough, but this sport seemed dangerous.
One bike fell as its rider attempted to come out of a jump. Megan gasped along with half the spectators. She watched to see if the boy was hurt. When he bounced back up and righted his bike to resume the race, she breathed a sigh of relief. She glanced down at Derek and saw rapt attention on his face. Shelly would have a hard time keeping him off Randy’s dirt bike now. She didn’t envy her sister.
Before long the race ended with Randy coming in third. Scott couldn’t seem to stop grinning. “That’s the best he’s done.”
Randy pushed his bike to meet them. Scott clamped a hand on his shoulder and gave him a hug. “Hey, good race, son.”
“Did you see that last turn?” Randy’s eyes shone. “I thought I was going to crash.”
“You handled it like a pro.” Scott squeezed Randy’s shoulder.
“Thanks, Dad.”
“This is my first race, except on TV. You looked like you knew what you were doing.” Megan smiled at the boy. “I’m just glad you didn’t crash.”
He laughed. “Sometimes I do, but not too bad.”
Derek stood on the other side of the bike from his new friend. “You want help getting loaded?”
“Sure, come on.” The two boys picked up their speed while the others followed.
Derek and Randy had the bike up the ramp into the back of the truck before they got there. The boys ran to the side of the camper and went in.
Scott waited with the women. “They’ll come back out when he changes.”
Within minutes, Randy opened the door and jumped to the ground minus his helmet, gloves and goggles. His riding jersey had been replaced with jeans and a T-shirt. Derek carefully closed the door before joining them.
“That looks more comfortable.” Megan smiled at Randy.
His shy grin struck a chord in her heart. Then Derek caught his attention. “Hey, I bet we can watch the next race from that hill.”
They headed off with their blond heads together. Megan watched them talk and laugh as the old, familiar yearnings for the son she’d lost took control of her heart.
“How long has Randy been racing?” Shelly’s question penetrated Megan’s self-pity. What was she doing feeling sorry for herself? She shook off the melancholy feelings that always persisted this time of year.
“Since he was six.” Scott grinned. “Are you thinking of letting Derek ride?”
Shelly looked at her son standing on the higher ground and smiled. “He thinks he wants to ride now, but little boys can change their minds as soon as something new shows up. Besides, it looks dangerous.”
“You saw the equipment Randy has to wear. The boots come over halfway up his calves. There are safety features in those boots, too. Of course, there’s the helmet and gloves. And he wears a chest protector.”
“Oh, my.” Shelly shook her head. “I can only imagine what all of that costs.”
Scott laughed. “You have a point there. It doesn’t come cheap. Tell you what. Why don’t you let Derek practice sometime with Randy? He can borrow some of Randy’s gear and his old bike. We’ll have fun. No talk of competing unless you decide later competition is what you want.”
“You are a nice man, Scott Landis.” Megan watched her sister smile up at Scott, and a stab of jealousy surprised her.
Mistakes from her past had ruined her chances of happiness with a man such as Scott. A decent man would never understand the mistakes she’d make. Especially giving her baby away. How could he when she didn’t understand it herself?
~Four~
The dismissal bell rang, signaling the end of the first day of school. Megan followed her students through the door into the hall. Since collapsing against the doorframe wasn’t an option, she stood where she could see the children speed-walk toward the bus exit. She smiled at the exaggerated steps they took in an effort to keep from running yet get to their destination as quickly as possible. Oh, to have their energy. Maybe then she could keep up with them.
“Hi, Aunt Megan.” Derek stood in front of her.
“Hi.” Randy’s young face scrunched in indecision. “Do I call you Miss McGinnis or Megan?”
Megan laughed. “Tell you what. Why don’t you call me Miss McGinnis at school if anyone else is around and Megan everywhere else? Can you remember to do that?”
Randy’s face lit with a huge grin. “Yeah, sure. Okay.”
“Is your dad picking you up?” Another glance of the handsome professor might perk up her first-day fatigue. Just the thought increased her heart rate.
“We kinda thought we could hang around your room until his dad gets here.” Derek spoke and Randy nodded.
Megan sensed someone walking up behind her. She turned just as Scott spoke. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm already here.”
“Dad!” Randy’s enthusiastic greeting brought a smile to Scott’s face.
“How’d your day go, son?” Scott rested his hand on Randy’s shoulder.
“Great.” Randy leaned against his dad.
Scott turned his smile toward Derek and then Megan. “I don’t need to schedule a parent/teacher conference, do I?”
Megan laughed. “Not that I know of. In spite of them being inseparable, I think they’ve behaved pretty well.”
Scott swiped his forehead in a mock gesture of relief. “Whew, am I glad to hear that.”
“Oh, Dad!” Randy laughed.
“You ready to go home?” Scott asked. “Better tell Derek bye.”
As the boys ambled toward the outside doors, Scott turned to Megan. “Thanks for keeping Randy with you until I got here.”
Megan shrugged. “I have hall duty this week, and the boys weren’t here more than ten minutes before you came.”
“That’s good. I’m sure the last thing you want to do tonight is babysit.” Understanding sparkled in Scott’s blue eyes. He pushed the door open.
“Better get my son home and figure out something to eat. He’s probably famished by now.”
She laughed. “I don’t doubt that.” An unusual desire to cook supper hit Megan, and she didn’t particularly care for cooking. Certainly not just for her.
She stopped at the doors leading outside while Scott pushed through. He paused a moment, holding the door open. “Well, thanks for watching him. Shall I send Derek back?”
“Yes, please.” How had she gotten so far from her post? Scott moved and she’d followed. How irresponsible could a teacher be? She glanced back to check for any stragglers in her section of the hall while warmth crept up her neck. Thankfully the earlier bustle had cleared out. If any of her fellow teachers caught her with a hunk like Scott, she’d hear about it in the lounge tomorrow. She started back inside.
“Aunt Megan, come and look at this.” Derek’s excited voice kept her from running to hide in her room. “Look at Scott’s cool motorcycle.”
What would it hurt now? After another glance down the empty hall, Megan leaned past the outside door. Sure enough, Scott and Randy stood beside a large motorcycle while they fastened the chinstraps of their helmets. She watched them mount the machine and heard the noise of its motor as Scott tromped the throttle. Within seconds they were no more than a rapidly diminishing roar on the street.
She turned back inside shaking her head. Derek’s excited chatter about Randy and Scott and their bikes filled her head while she straightened chairs and erased the blackboard.
Megan dropped Derek off and watched from the car until he was safely inside. The first day of school always left her exhausted, and she had no interest in seeing her mother. She checked her mailbox as she unlocked the door. Bagheera, greeted her with a disgruntled “meow” that seemed to ask why he’d been neglected all day.
Megan sat on the sofa to give him attention and flipped through her mail.
A few minutes later, she scooped the large black cat from her lap. “Sorry, Bagheera, but I’m hungry.”
After rummaging through her refrigerator, she pulled out a frozen dinner and wrinkled her nose. “This is a poor substitute for cooking a real meal for three, but it’ll have to do.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she slumped against the refrigerator door. “How stupid can you be, Megan McGinnis? You’ve done nothing but dream about that man since you grabbed his hand at the campground. And now you’re talking to yourself like you’re two people. Next thing you know, you’ll argue with yourself.”
She tore the cardboard from the dinner and stuck the tray in the oven with a quick laugh. “I’m going crazy, that’s what it is. I’ve lived alone with a cat for company way too long. Shelly’s right. I should give up this lonely exile and start dating again.”
She shook her head at the total stupidity one good looking charismatic man could bring out in her. She turned the oven dials and set the time. “Get a life, Megan, so all the Scotts in the world will roll right off your hunk shield.”
She was still giggling when the phone rang.
Almost five o’clock. That would be Shelly. Megan grabbed up the phone. “Hi. My first day at school was exhausting, but I’ll survive just as I always do. What else did you want to know?”
Shelly laughed. “You don’t have caller ID. How’d you know it was me?”
“You got off work at four thirty today and besides, you always call me on the first day of school.”
“Oh, no. I’m becoming too predictable. Actually, Mom wanted to know if you’d like to come over for supper. We knew you’d be tired.”
Then, why didn’t Mom call? Megan almost asked the question aloud, but stopped herself in time. “I’m sorry, Shelly, but my supper’s already in the oven. Maybe another time.”
“All right. We’ll look forward to that.” Shelly didn’t push the issue and Megan silently thanked her. “Derek tells me Scott has a motorcycle.”
Megan laughed. “It stands to reason, doesn’t it? After all, his son rides a dirt bike.”
“And now your nephew thinks he should be riding one, too.”
“Oh, wonderful.” Megan couldn’t keep the sarcasm from her voice. “Next thing you know, he’ll want to compete. Thankfully, he has health insurance.”
“Yes, but wanting to and getting to are two different things. For one thing, I can’t afford the equipment. He’ll have to be content to ride Randy’s old bike once in a while.”
“Then you intend to let him ride?”
“He’s a boy, Megan, with a thirst for adventure. If Scott is willing to spend some time with him, why should I deny him? Besides, all boys need a good father figure.”
“And you think Scott is all right?”
“In the time we spent with Scott and Randy, did you see anything wrong with Scott’s behavior or his relationship with his son?”
Megan had thought of little else for the last three days. “No, I didn’t. It just makes good sense to be careful. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Oh, I have no intention of letting Scott take Derek off alone. If I can’t be there, I figured you would fill in.”
Megan frowned. Exactly what did her sister want? She claimed to have no romantic interest in Scott. Had she changed her mind? And what difference did it make, anyway? She closed the conversation disgruntled. Bagheera rubbed against her leg, his purr demanding. “Fine, I’ll get you something. Hold on a minute.”
She poured the cat’s food in his bowl and set it on the floor just as the oven timer sounded. “Perfect timing.”
But one bite of the unappetizing chunk of meat in her tray had her wishing for the meal Shelly offered. Granted the invitation had come from her sister and not their mother. Shelly would never understand. She had a normal, comfortable relationship with Mom, which was something Megan hadn't had for ten years.
Megan forced the unappetizing food past her desire for something better then went into the living room and collapsed on the sofa. Going over lesson plans for the next day should keep her busy for an hour or so. As she worked, she thought of Randy and his cute grin. He’d been so eager to call her Megan rather than Miss McGinnis. He probably wanted that special attention all little boys crave. The poor child didn’t have a mother and probably needed a woman’s influence in his life. Scouts would be starting again next week. Scott needed to enroll his son.
By Thursday, Megan had established a routine for her class. Each night after school, Derek and Randy stopped to visit before going outside to meet Randy’s dad. She assumed Scott had told him to wait outside so he wouldn’t bother her. As if he could. The first chance she got, she’d tell Scott how much she enjoyed Randy. The little boy had already captured her heart.
Thursday evening at home, Megan stared at the phone. She should call Scott. Just to put in a good word for Scouting. Telling him she’d like for Randy to wait in her room each night until he got there might come up in the conversation. Boy talks were scheduled for the following afternoon at school, and sign up night would be Monday. Scott would have to make a decision soon. What would it hurt to give him a little push in the right direction?
She lifted the receiver and stopped with her finger on the first button. Although she’d given Scott her phone number, she didn’t have his. Praying he didn’t have an unlisted number, she grabbed pen and paper and called directory assistance. A couple of minutes later, with a satisfied smile on her face, she dialed Scott’s number.
By the fourth ring, she steeled herself to leave a message. Then he answered.
“Hi, this is Megan McGinnis.”
“Hi, Megan. How are you doing?” Scott sounded glad to hear from her.
The air rushed from her lungs.
After a short catch up about school and his classes at the college, Megan filled in the first pause. “I mainly called about Randy.
“Randy? Is something wrong?” His voice sharpened.
“No, of course not. It’s just that we’ll be starting Scouts in about a week and I wanted to remind you. I guess I’ve be
en a little anxious because of Derek. They get along so well, it’d be great to have them in Scouts together.”
Scott chuckled. “Yeah, they’ve become pretty good buddies.”
“Then, have you decided to give us a try?”
“That depends.” Scott seemed to have given the possibility some thought as he asked about supervision and safety.
His concerns were legitimate. “That isn’t a problem, Scott. Safety first is always stressed at our Scout meetings. Of course, one sure way to know what is going on is to become a leader yourself.” Megan explained how simple it would be for Scott to join right along with Randy. “Please think about it. We can always use help. Many parents follow their son through the entire program. Not only can you know firsthand what’s going on, but your son and you both gain so much when you’re involved in his interests.”
A short silence on the other end of the line gave Megan a moment of panic. She’d overstepped the line. He’d turn her down for sure now.
Scott finally spoke. “I don’t think it’s likely I could be a leader, but we’ll see what we can do about getting Randy in Scouts. It sounds like a good program for boys.”
“It is.” Megan shoved her disappointment aside. What had she expected? Of course he wouldn’t jump at the chance to work with the boys. Few parents did. Even those who’d make wonderful leaders. Like Scott. His interaction at the lake with the boys proved he had what it took. She wouldn’t give up on Scott. Not yet.
~*~
Monday evening Megan dressed in her yellow Cub Scout uniform shirt and a pair of blue jeans then headed for the church. She was early, but already vehicles waited in the closest parking spaces.
The other Webelos leader, Joe Perkins, waved as she came in. “Hey, Megan. Ready for a record sign-up?”
Megan laughed. “We can hope.”
Julie Bradshaw, the new Bears Den Leader, sat in a folding chair behind the table and looked up at her. “I’ve never done this before.”
Although not much older than Megan, Julie had been married thirteen years and had three sons, two in Boy Scouts and one in the Bears den. With a truck-driver husband, she filled the role of two parents for her boys.
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