She settled on the couch and let Scott’s masculine voice vibrate against her ear. She could listen to him all night.
“Randy is getting ready for another race.”
“Dirt bike?” Megan remembered how nervous she’d been watching him race before.
Scott chuckled. “Why do I get the feeling you aren’t much of a dirt bike fan?”
“It isn’t that.” Megan quickly denied. “I’m just so afraid he’ll get hurt.”
“Only if he crashes.”
“What a terrible thing to say. I suppose you’re going to tell me there’s no chance of that?”
“I’d be lying if I did.”
“Exactly.” Megan’s voice dropped. “He’s a special boy, Scott. I would hate to hear he’s been mangled in a bike pile-up.”
“Then come with us next Saturday and watch for yourself so you’ll know he’s all right.”
Megan’s heart leapt at the chance to be with Scott and Randy. But she knew she’d never be able to go by herself. “I’d love to on one condition.”
“Which is?”
“That Derek comes with us.”
“Why not? We were going to invite him, anyway. This will likely be Randy’s last race of the season, and he wants his best friend there. So is it all set?”
Megan smiled at the eagerness in his voice. She liked Scott more than she should. “Yes, if Shelly gives her approval.”
“I’ve been working on Randy’s old bike for Derek to ride.”
“Oh, wonderful.” Megan rolled her eyes. “Now I’ll be worrying about both of them.”
Scott’s warm chuckle wrapped around her heart. “I was wondering if you could bring Derek over tomorrow afternoon for his first lesson?”
“Tomorrow is Sunday. Shelly said she invited you to church.”
“She did, but I’m not ready, Megan.” The friendly banter disappeared from Scott’s voice. “I promise I’ll keep it in mind, though. Randy is excited about going. Shelly and Derek are picking him up for Sunday school.”
“That’s great.”
“Will two o’clock be all right with you?”
Megan couldn’t think. “Two?”
“For Derek’s lesson.” Scott’s smile traveled over the phone line through the tone of his voice.
“Oh, yes, two will be fine with me. I'll check with Shelly. If she gives the okay, we’ll be at your house then.”
~*~
Sunday afternoon Megan stopped her car in front of the one-story brick home Derek pointed out. They started up the walk together when Randy darted around the corner of the house.
“They’re here, Dad.” He yelled over his shoulder then grinned at Megan and Derek. “Dad’s getting the bikes loaded. Come on.”
Randy ran back the way he’d come with Derek close beside him. Megan followed. She rounded the corner of the house and found Scott in the back of his truck between two bikes. His wide grin welcomed her. “Hey, you ready to roll?”
Megan shrugged. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
Scott jumped out of the truck and stepped closer to Megan. “You want to follow me, or shall we try to squeeze us all in the truck?”
“I take it we’re going someplace?”
“Oh, yeah.” Scott looked sheepish. “I guess I forgot to mention that. The boys can’t ride these bikes on the streets. I know a guy who lets Randy practice on his land.”
“In that case, I’ll follow you.” Megan looked at her nephew. “Derek, are you coming with me.”
“He can ride with Randy.”
“Can I, Aunt Megan?” Derek clasped his hands under his chin and waited. “Please?”
Megan smiled. “Sure, I don’t mind.”
When they got to the farm, Megan drove behind Scott’s truck past the house through an open gate into a cow pasture. At the first bounce of her little car, she put on the brakes. Maybe she’d better walk from here. She pulled over and stopped close to a barn that looked as if it had seen better days. The hitch end of a white camper stuck out through the open bay. It looked familiar to her. In fact it looked like the camper Scott had at the state park.
Scott and the boys unloaded the bikes before Megan got to the truck. The boys donned helmets and protective padding, their chatter non-stop. Derek’s grin hadn’t relaxed since they’d started out that afternoon.
“Are you sure you want to go through with this?” She couldn’t help teasing her nephew.
“Aunt Megan!” Derek acted as if she’d threatened to take his last toy away. “You aren’t chickening out now, are you?”
“Who, me? I’m talking about you.” He’d hit closer to the truth than he realized. If he were her son, she didn’t think she could give permission for him to ride, especially out of her sight. She didn’t understand Shelly. Did she trust Scott that much to keep him safe?
“Aw, Aunt Megan, Randy rides all the time. I’m not going to get hurt.” Derek turned away as he and Randy pushed the bikes toward a rise in the land.
Scott stepped near her. “Come on, Aunt Megan, this won’t be too painful.”
His teasing grin brought an answering smile from her. “It had better not be.”
Megan stood to the side while Scott reminded the boys he didn’t want to see any tricks or careless riding. Derek and Randy mounted the bikes and rode down the slope.
Scott joined her. “Don’t worry. They’re just doing some practice runs right now so Derek can get used to the feel of the bike. They aren’t in as much danger as they would be on regular bikes on a city street.”
Megan’s muscles relaxed with his reassurance. She nodded. “All right. I trust you. I certainly don’t think you would do anything to endanger the life of your own son.”
“Thanks.” Scott’s softly spoken word sounded close to her ear. She leaned even closer to him, absorbing his warmth as they watched the boys fly down one dip and up another hill in a large oval. An oval in which the grass had been worn bare by the passage of many tires.
“What is this? A private track?”
“Yeah. John’s a bike enthusiast. He had this made for his sons, but they’re all grown now, so he lets Randy use it.”
Scott was new to the area. Megan turned to look at him. “How nice you met someone so quickly with a track just waiting to be used.”
Scott grinned. “Yeah, isn’t it?” His eyes twinkled and then he grew serious. “John and I go way back to high school. He was one of my teachers. He taught civics and history. I gave him a hard time because he was also my Sunday school teacher. He went into law and settled down out here about twelve years ago. His office is in Columbia. Actually, he’s the one who told me about the opening in the history department at the university.”
“John?” A chill traveled the length of her backbone. The lawyer who’d handled her baby’s adoption had an office in Columbia and his first name was John.
“Yeah. John Waldon.” Scott grinned. “We always kidded him about his name. We told him if he’d trade the ‘d’ in Waldon for a ‘t’ we could call him ‘John-boy.’”
Megan willed her muscles to keep her upright while she smiled at Scott’s joke. Her mind whirled, and her stomach lurched. She’d never forget the name John Waldon as long as she lived. How could she when he was the lawyer who took her baby away?
~Nine~
Megan wore jeans and a sweatshirt to the dirt bike race on Saturday. She tossed her jacket in the car just in case the warm sunny October weather took a nose-dive.
Scott and Randy were still at their truck when Megan parked. “Looks like we found them.”
“Yeah.” Derek scrambled from the car and slammed the door.
Megan jerked her door handle and tumbled out after him. “Derek, wait for me.”
He looked from one side to another, obviously absorbing every sight, sound, and odor within reach of his senses. Megan followed his line of vision to boys, some his age, some a little older, pushing bikes toward the starting line. The poor kid wanted to be one of them. Anyone could see t
hat. Why hadn’t she thought ahead to what seeing another race would do to him? Neither of them had any business here. Then she looked up and met Scott’s gaze.
His smile held a come-hither invitation, and she was drawn toward him. He took her hand in his, pulled her to his side, and spoke in a low voice. “Hey, I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me, too.” She looked into his eyes and smiled. “We’d better go. We don’t want to lose the boys.”
Megan fell into step with him as they walked to the track. Warmth from his hand spread up her arm, circled her heart, and moved throughout her body. No other man had ever had such an effect on her. His touch, his glance, but especially that appealing half-grin she’d come to crave. She’d never felt so secure with any other man.
Scott motioned to some seats at the side. “Why don’t you save me a place? I want to speak to Randy.”
“Okay.” Megan released his hand and watched him stride off before she settled on wooden bleachers similar to those at a high school football game. Scott caught up with the boys and spoke to Derek first. Derek and Randy bumped fists then Derek ran up the slope to join her. Scott talked to Randy for a couple of minutes before he returned.
Randy got into position. Scott sat beside her, but kept his face turned toward the track. “This race is important to Randy.”
“More so than the one last month?”
He nodded. “He’s worked hard this summer. This is the last one of the season he’ll attend, so he wants to do better than he’s ever done before.”
“And what of his father? How important is it to you, Scott?” One of Megan’s pet peeves was parents who continually pushed their children to achieve—to accomplish for the parents’ benefit rather than their own.
His gaze left Randy and met hers. He shrugged. “I’d be proud of him if he came in first place, but I’d be just as proud if he tried and came in last.”
She searched his eyes for honesty, and he grinned. “You think this is my idea, don’t you?”
She looked away. “The thought crossed my mind.”
Scott chuckled. “I’ve known parents like that, too.”
He slipped his arm around her shoulders. “You really like Randy.”
It wasn’t a question. She let the comment settle into her mind. How could anyone not like Randy? But did she like him too much? She was drawn to him. He brought out maternal feelings she’d tried to ignore. Why? Because he was adopted and could be her son? No, because she didn’t believe he was. The odds of that happening were too far reaching. He wasn’t her son, but she still wouldn’t mind being his mother. She wouldn’t mind being more to Scott than only his friend.
The race started at that moment, and Megan pulled her mind from Scott to his son. Her entire body tensed as Randy surged ahead with the other bikers. He leaned over his bike and passed another rider. She cheered. Then in the first turn, his back tire slipped, and her breath caught in her throat.
Lord, protect him.
She breathed again when he pulled out of the slide and raced on. The checkered flag lowered seconds before Randy passed it with his front tire only inches from the back of another bike. She lost track of the number of laps he completed. She clutched Scott’s arm when he let out an ear-splitting yell. He turned to her with a wide grin as Derek jumped up and began twirling in a circle, his arms straight up, repeating one word. “Yes, yes, yes.”
Megan laughed. “Does that mean he won?”
Scott’s face beamed, and he chuckled. “Sort of.”
What did he mean? Before she could ask, the loud speaker crackled. “Dustin Jones takes first place.”
Megan’s heart sank. She’d thought Randy was behind that other bike, but the way Scott and Derek cheered…
“And second place goes to Randy Landis. Tommy Carr rolled into third place. Great job, boys.” The announcer gave details about each of the winners, but Megan stopped listening.
Scott squeezed her shoulders. “It’s the best he’s done yet. Second place! I’ll bet he’s walking on air.”
Randy met the other winners at the grandstand to accept his cash prize before Scott, Megan, and Derek surrounded him. His face glowed with pleasure.
“This calls for a celebration.” Scott’s pride was evident. He patted Randy’s shoulder. “How about it, son? Does pizza sound good enough for the second-best dirt bike rider in this county?”
Randy’s grin widened. “I’ll take first place next year. You wait and see. I’m going to practice real hard all winter long.”
“I have no doubt you can do it.” Scott’s voice held a serious edge. “But let’s not forget our motto. All right?”
“I know. Do your best and let the chips fall where they will.” Randy’s expression grew serious. “But I still plan to be number one.”
Scott and Megan shared an amused look. Scott draped an arm around Megan’s shoulders and grinned at the boys. “Last one to the truck pays for the pizza.”
The boys took off at a trot, pushing Randy’s bike between them. Scott grinned at Megan, keeping her close to his side. “I’d outrun them, but I know it’d be wasted energy unless Derek’s a whole lot richer than Randy, prize money excluded. You can be sure he won’t part with it.”
“Of course not.” Megan laughed. “Derek hasn’t got two dimes to rub together, I don’t suppose.”
“Good.” Scott said. “I didn’t want to run, anyway.”
His arm around her shoulders warmed her heart. She didn’t want to run either.
~*~
Randy kept his promise to practice on his bike and took Derek with him as often as Shelly would allow. Megan didn’t always go along to watch, but several times throughout the month of October she stood beside Scott and held her breath as Derek and Randy kicked up clods of dirt and slipped around the turns at John Waldon’s farm. In all the time she spent on his farm, she never saw the attorney, which was fine with her. She had enough memories of that most painful time in her life without bringing more to the surface.
Megan continued to invite Scott to church. He always made excuses, but Randy went with Derek. One day soon, Scott would work through the hurt of his past and join Randy at church. Megan was sure of it.
On the last Monday night of October, Megan stood before her Webelos. “Don’t forget this month’s Pack night will be our annual hayride. It will be this coming Saturday. If you plan to enter the pumpkin contest, you need to carve your pumpkin yourself. The prizes will be for scariest and most artistic.”
After the meeting, Scott pushed a couple of chairs under the table. “So where shall I get a pumpkin? The grocery store or a farmer?”
Megan laughed. “I suppose you could go with Derek and me Friday evening. The Beck’s raise some of the best pumpkins around here and since we go to the same church, I always get a discount.”
“You’ve got a deal. What time?”
Megan made a quick decision. “I’ll pick you and Randy up about four-thirty if that’s all right.”
“Sounds fine.” Scott didn’t object to her driving.
Friday after school Scott and Randy ran from the house as soon as Megan and Derek pulled into their driveway. “We’re ready for the pumpkin patch.” Scott grinned at her as he took the passenger seat in front.
Ten minutes later, Megan turned into the short drive to the Beck farm.
“Hey, look who’s here.” Mr. Beck, an older man with an abundance of gray sprinkled throughout his dark hair, lifted a hand in greeting. “I’ve got some big ones this year, Megan.”
“Great. That’s what we want.” Megan turned to Scott. “Mr. Beck, I’d like you to meet Randy’s dad. This is Scott Landis, a history professor at the university. He’s also been helping me with Scouts.”
The two men shook hands. “Glad to meet you, professor. I’m Sam Beck. Been farming this land all my life. It was my father’s before me.”
“I’m glad to meet you, Mr. Beck.” Scott smiled at the man. “We’re looking forward to seeing what you’ve got in th
at pumpkin patch.”
“Got a good crop this year.” Mr. Beck led them through a gate into a large plot of ground that had been turned into a truck patch.
Large, orange pumpkins sat on the ground still attached to the vine. He turned to the boys. “Why don’t you two walk down the rows and when you see one you like, just holler.”
“While the boys pick out their pumpkins, I’d like to see what else you have for sale.” Megan took a couple of bags from her car. “I even came prepared.”
“I’ll bet we can find you something, then.” Mr. Beck led the way to a shed at the edge of his yard.
Megan bought a couple of butternut squashes to give to Shelly and a few sweet potatoes for herself. By that time, the boys were ready to go.
On the way back to town, Megan spoke over her shoulder. “What’s your choice? McDonald’s for supper or shall we carve pumpkins first?”
“Carve pumpkins.” The boys agreed.
Scott and Megan shared a smile. “Fine. Derek, you can call your mom from my house if that’s acceptable with everyone?”
“Yeah!” The boys were eager to begin, and if Scott’s grin was any indication, he didn’t mind, either.
Megan parked in her driveway. She unlocked her door and led the way into the kitchen.
After Derek got permission to stay, they set the two pumpkins on newspapers spread over Megan’s kitchen table. Megan and Scott helped the boys top each pumpkin and scoop out the pulp and seeds. Then they stepped back, letting the boys discuss their ideas and get to work.
“What are you going to do with all this pulp?” Scott tilted the bowl and peeked inside.
Megan took it from him and set it on the counter beside her sink. She smiled at Scott. “Is that a hint for pumpkin pie?”
His grin teased her. “I never turn down a good piece of pie.”
“How about coffee?”
“Mmmm. Sounds good.” He rubbed his hands together as if they were cold.
“I’ll get some started, then.” Megan turned away from the warmth in his soft blue eyes. She’d become entirely too attracted to Scott Landis. She couldn’t come within ten feet of him without wanting to move closer.
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