Love Returned

by Mildred Colvin

  “Shelly? Megan?” Their mother stood in the doorway. “Is something wrong?”

  “Nothing that concerns you, Mother.” Megan couldn’t keep the venom from her voice.

  Shelly stood and shook her head at her mother in some sort of signal. “It’s all right, Mom. Megan just found out Randy’s birthday is in August.”

  A look of pain crossed the older woman’s face as she met Megan’s glare. Her voice sounded old. “Even so, Megan, he isn’t your son.”

  “You think he is, too, don’t you, Mother?” Megan narrowed her eyes as she studied her mother’s expression. “That’s why you offered to let him stay here that night Scott and I went to Columbia. I wondered about that.”

  “Derek told me Randy was adopted.” Her mom looked away. “He looks so much like you when you were that age. But that really isn't proof. Megan, you need to understand once you give a child away, he’s no longer yours. Randy is Scott’s son.”

  “He wouldn’t be if I hadn’t been forced to give him away, would he?” Megan glared at her mother as she stepped around her and out the door. “But I guess you’re happy about that, aren’t you? You got me and my son out of your way, just like you wanted.”

  Megan didn’t wait for a response. She ran down the hall and outside. Then, as if she were being chased, she drove home and locked her front door behind her.

  Her house phone rang. She twirled and ran back outside to her car. She turned her cell phone off before backing out of the driveway. If they couldn’t reach her by phone, they might come to the house. She refused to face her mother and sister so soon after the outburst she already regretted.

  Megan drove to Columbia to lose herself in the big city. She stopped first at the mall where she browsed from store to store, picking up a purchase here and there. She paid little attention to the merchandise as images of Scott and Randy whirled through her mind. Randy on his bike and at Scout meetings. Scott watching her across the restaurant table. Scott across the cab of his truck or kissing her. What did Mother expect her to do? What could she do? To ignore the facts concerning Randy was impossible. She could demand DNA testing, but did she want to? What would Scott think of her if she did? How would this affect her and Scott?

  Megan’s stomach churned, and a dark cloud seemed to surround her, pressing against her heart, weighing her down. By the time Megan covered the mall, she wanted to go home and crawl into bed where she could hide from a world that had again turned against her.

  As soon as she let herself into her house, she set a bowl of food and some water out for Bagheera and went to bed. She was just drifting off to sleep when the phone rang, bringing her back to full awareness. She lay still, letting the answering machine pick up. When Scott’s voice drifted from the kitchen, Megan grabbed the phone by her bed.

  “Scott, I’m here.”

  “Hi, I was beginning to think you’d run away.” Scott’s rich baritone soothed her jangled nerves.

  “I went shopping in Columbia.” She didn’t tell him why.

  “Ah, getting ready for Christmas. What did you get me?” Megan heard the laughter in Scott’s voice, and she smiled.

  “Strange you should ask.” Megan visualized Scott’s half-grin and crinkles in the corners of his eyes, and the weight of her life lifted a small bit. “I found this great sale on coal.”

  “A lump of coal!” Scott’s voice rose. “In that case, I’ll be taking the mink coat back tomorrow.”

  Megan giggled. “You didn’t buy me a mink coat.”

  “You’ll never know now, will you?” Scott laughed and changed the subject. “Randy sold some more popcorn at John’s dinner. We went out tonight, too, but it wasn’t as much fun without you and Derek.”

  “I had fun last night, too.”

  “Good, does that mean you’ll go with us again Thursday and Friday?”

  Megan smiled at the eagerness in his voice. Of course she would go with them.

  “I’ll throw in dinner after we finish selling Friday night.” Scott offered before she could answer.

  Megan laughed. “You must be desperate.”

  “For your company? Always.” At Scott’s lowered voice, a bittersweet longing filled Megan’s heart.

  “I can’t think of anything I’d rather do, Scott.”

  Except tell you I’m your son’s mother and hear you say you’re glad and everything will be all right. But Megan knew that would never happen, so she kept quiet.

  Thursday afternoon they knocked on doors until dark and again Friday for a couple of hours after school. Randy went home with Derek while Scott and Megan drove to Columbia.

  “The boys are doing great selling popcorn, aren’t they?” In the same restaurant they had gone to before, Scott looked across the table at Megan.

  She smiled. “It’s because they’re little and cute. People can’t resist them.”

  “Hmmm.” Scott nodded. “That may be it. Of course, determination may be helping. Randy is determined to sell a thousand dollars’ worth. I think he’ll have it by the Cub Scout’s Thanksgiving dinner, too. He called both sets of grandparents last night after we got home and sold over one hundred dollars to them. They’ll have to wait until we go home for Christmas to get their purchases.”

  Both sets of grandparents? Home for Christmas? Megan hadn’t thought of Randy’s adoptive families. Possessive jealousy clouded her reasoning for a moment. Randy was her child. Her baby. He didn’t belong to people she didn’t know.

  Scott continued to talk, telling about his parents, how his father worked too hard and his mother worried about him. “My sister has two girls just a year apart. They were always close as children, but now they’re in their teens. Janice says they fight about boys and clothes all the time.”

  Megan pushed her hurt aside. “I can understand that. Shelly and I went through a time when we did the same thing. I’m afraid I was a terrible pest being the younger sister. But I think she loves me now in spite of all the growing up we had to do.”

  As Scott described his family, Megan tried to visualize the people who loved her son as their own, and she couldn’t feel ill will toward them. He had been theirs after his birth. They were more a part of his life than she could ever be. She had no rights regarding Randy, and she had no option except to remain silent. Yet as she thought about it, she realized she had more at that moment than she’d ever had before. She could spend time with Randy and know he was all right. That had never been the case before.

  Megan looked across the table at Scott and smiled. One never knew what the future held. Maybe the love she and Scott shared would eventually grow into a permanent relationship. Maybe one day Scott would ask her to marry him. And maybe in time she could adopt her own son.

  ~Fourteen~

  Scott’s heart skipped a beat when Megan stepped out of her house. Her long, blond hair, hanging below her shoulders, caught the porch light in shimmering, golden waves. He’d never seen a more beautiful woman. Her welcoming smile and the light of love in her large brown eyes shot straight to his heart.

  He dropped his gaze. “Is that for me?”

  Before she could answer, he took the pie from her and sniffed. “Mmmm. Pumpkin. My favorite.”

  Megan’s laughter curved his lips. “Your favorite is anything round, nine inches across, with a crust and filling.”

  “Uh oh.” Scott slipped his arm around her waist, steering her toward his truck. “You’re learning my secrets.”

  Randy opened the door and hopped out. “Hi, Megan. You can sit in the middle beside my dad.”

  Megan gave Randy a hug and kiss. “I’m being escorted to the Cub Scout Thanksgiving dinner by my two favorite men tonight. A woman couldn’t ask for anything more.”

  Scott waited while they climbed into the truck before closing the door and going around to the driver’s side. He handed the pie to Megan before starting the truck.

  Megan and Randy got along better than a lot of mothers and sons. Scott let the thought run through his mind. He hadn’t
dated until Megan because of Randy. Which wasn’t Randy’s fault. He was a great little guy, but most women would still see him as a burden. Megan seemed different.

  She honestly seemed to care for his son. Sometimes Scott wondered if she cared more for Randy than she did him. The hint of a grin touched his lips. How childish could a grown man be? Jealous of his nine-year-old son.

  Scott slipped his seatbelt into place and pulled away from the curb. He shared a smile with Megan as she wrapped her hand lightly around his upper arm and snuggled close to his side. She felt good there. Real good.

  Megan became more important to him with each passing day. They’d met only three months ago, but he felt as if he knew Megan better than he’d known his wife after three years of marriage.

  Common sense said they needed time to develop a long-lasting relationship, which was why he hadn’t pushed things. But Megan McGinnis had stolen his heart and made him think of wedding bells when he’d thought that part of his life was over forever.

  Scott parked in the church parking lot and walked to the door with Megan on one side and Randy on the other. If it hadn’t been for the two of them, he wouldn’t have found his way back to the Lord. He owed Megan big time for that alone, but when he looked into her eyes, gratitude was the last thing he felt.

  ~*~

  Julie, the Bears leader, took the pie from Megan at the door. “Thanks. We’re getting several pies, but my guess is they won’t last.” Julie turned into the kitchen, and Megan went with Scott to the fellowship hall.

  “Is this all right?” Scott pulled a chair out for Megan just as Tim called for the flag ceremony.

  Each den put on a short skit then Tim held up several popcorn order sheets. “To my knowledge, this pack has never had more than one Scout who sold over a thousand dollars of popcorn. Tonight, we have three. Derek Judson, Jacob Raines, and Randy Landis, come forward.”

  When the boys lined up in front, he read off the total amount of their sales. He shook their hands. “Hey, guys, we’re proud of you.

  Megan’s heart swelled as Randy accepted his prizes and popcorn patch. She glanced at Scott. His grin told of his pride. He was a good father, and he loved Randy. She was grateful for that, but he’d turn from her if he ever found out her relationship with his son. Then she’d lose Scott and Randy. Her heart twisted as she longed to shout the truth to the world. Fear kept her quiet.

  ~*~

  Megan went Christmas shopping with Scott in Columbia where she picked up decorated pencils to hand her students after their part in the Christmas pageant at school.

  “How does this look for Randy?” Megan pointed out a science kit with microscope and slides.

  Scott’s eyebrows lifted. “A little expensive, isn’t it?”

  She brushed his words aside. “Not too much, but will he like it? He doesn’t already have one, does he?”

  He shook his head. “Other than the price, it’s a perfect gift for him. He loves anything to do with science.”

  She smiled and took the box from the shelf. “I know. Let’s look for Derek now. Maybe in electronics. He doesn’t have a Wii.”

  Scott chuckled. “Elementary teachers must make more than I realized.”

  She kept her gaze turned from him and shook her head. “No, I just don’t have many to buy gifts for.”

  She found a dress for her mother and a nice pants outfit for her sister in an exclusive women’s shop at the mall while Scott selected gifts for his family.

  As they left the mall, Scott’s half smile caused ripples of pleasure in Megan’s heart. “I want to take you to Rosey’s for hot chocolate.”

  Megan laughed. “Rosey’s? When Columbia is full of restaurants and cafés?”

  “You bet. You can’t beat home or Rosey’s.”

  Evening darkness had settled when Megan drained her mug of hot chocolate and smiled at Scott. “Thanks, I needed that.”

  “You’re welcome.” He looked across the table at her, and his gaze grew intense. “What is it about you, Megan? Why do I want to keep you with me always? I don’t want this night to end.”

  Megan’s gaze lowered to the mug in her hands as warmth swept through her. Scott had no idea how much she treasured his words. She never intended to fall in love. This wasn’t supposed to happen. But she loved Scott. With all her heart she loved him. What would he do if he found out who she was? He couldn’t know, or she’d lose him.

  Scott stopped in Megan’s driveway and turned the truck off. She waited when he didn’t move. Then he turned and put his arm across the back of the seat. Her pulse raced as his fingers touched her neck and urged her toward him. She gladly went into his arms for the kiss she’d wanted all evening. Scott massaged the back of her neck. The faint scent of his aftershave quickened her senses. She felt his heartbeat with her hand splayed across his chest.

  He spoke in a low voice. “Randy has a Christmas program at school. I wanted to ask you to go with me, but I suppose you’ll already be there?”

  Megan’s heart sank. She’d love to sit in the audience with Scott and watch their son. “The program is for third, fourth and fifth grades. My class is in it, too.”

  “I was afraid of that.” Scott shrugged. “That’s all right. Will you go someplace special with me afterward?”

  “Just you?”

  “And Randy.”

  Megan smiled. “I’d be delighted. Do I get to know where we’re going?”

  Scott grinned his little half smile again. His eyes sparkled in the moonlight. “Nope. It’s a surprise.”

  As if she cared. Anywhere with Scott would be wonderful.

  ~*~

  Megan waited with her students in the hall outside the door leading to the gym-turned-theater. Randy had a speaking part and his voice carried to the hall. The applause that followed echoed her pride in his moment.

  She hurried to the front of the line and motioned her first student to move. They went up the stairs to the stage as the fourth grade came down. Megan smiled at Derek when he passed her. She whispered and patted Randy’s arm. “Good job.” She’d save her hug until later then tell him how proud of him she was. She stopped behind the concealing curtain and directed her students onto the stage.

  After the program, when her students had all gone home, Megan walked to the parking lot with Scott and Randy.

  “You can sit in the middle, Megan.” Randy’s insistence in putting her next to Scott amused her. Surely, his motive was to bring her and Scott closer. Did Randy feel as close to her as she did to him? Surely he also felt the connection.

  Scott took the highway south out of town. Megan glanced at him. “So we’re going to Columbia.”

  Scott grinned, and Randy snorted.

  Megan frowned from one to the other. “You’re in on this together, aren’t you?”

  Randy nodded. “Don’t worry, Megan. You’ll like it.”

  “Oh, really? And do I get a hint?”

  “Nope.” Randy shook his head, and Scott chuckled.

  She nudged Scott with her shoulder. “Do you think this is fair? I’m captive, stuck here in the middle with no idea where I’m going.”

  He grinned. “Right where I want you.”

  Her heart pounded out of control. She stared at his profile until he turned again and met her gaze. An emotion flashed between them with such intensity it frightened her. She turned away to watch the road.

  Scott drove through Columbia without stopping and continued south. Megan didn’t try to guess anymore. She didn’t care as long as she was with the two people who meant more to her than anyone else. Twenty-five miles down the highway, he turned onto a county road, and her curiosity again kicked in.

  “All right, this is bizarre. You surely aren’t taking us on a back road sight-seeing trip in the dark.”

  Scott grinned. “Haven’t you figured it out yet?”

  She frowned. “If I remember right, there’s nothing down this road but a dinky little town.”

  At Randy’s snicker, she swung to
face him. “Come on, Randy. Where’re we going?”

  His dark eyes danced in the dim light from the dash as he laughed. “I’m not telling.”

  He didn’t need to. At that moment, a hundred twinkling Christmas lights on the right side of the road came into view. No, a thousand or maybe a million. Scott slowed the truck behind the car in front of them. To their right, a snake made of blinking lights slithered up a tree. More red lights representing fruit in the tree blinked off and on. Next came Abraham, a life-sized mechanical figure, tying his son to the altar. Then lights flashed in a nearby bush, and Isaac sat up.

  “Roll your window down, Randy.” Scott ordered.

  The bleat of the ram that would be used for a sacrifice sounded through the open window. Megan watched in wonder as they followed a line of vehicles down the trail and through the years of prophecy concerning the birth of Christ. Christmas songs and sound effects filled the night air. One after another, the Bible stories she’d heard all her life came alive in the display of lights and mechanical figures.

  They drove through the tiny town at a snail’s pace and for several yards beyond until they came to the last set of lights depicting the ascension of Christ and His return in billows of clouds.

  Megan touched her cheeks and found tears as they followed a circle drive to go back the way they’d come. The same scenes played in reverse until they were back on the road heading home.

  “How did they do it? How did you know this was here?” Although she spoke little more than a whisper, her voice sounded loud in the silence of the truck. Surely Scott and Randy had also been impressed by what they’d seen.

  “This is the first year they had the entire display completed. It’s amazing, isn’t it?” Scott’s voice was also quiet.

  “Yes, it is.” Megan held the image of the lights in her mind as she would for a long time to come. “How did you know about it?”

  “A friend of mine at the college lives here. He helped get the churches together to do this. He said it took several years of fund raising and cooperation to accomplish what we saw tonight. It’s a wonderful witness for Jesus.”

  “Yes, definitely. I’m still trying to believe what I just saw.”