“I have done some bookkeeping and computer work.
Secretarial things.”
“That’ll be a good help to my mom. She hates that stuff,” he told her with a grin in his voice. He felt her relax beside him.
“Thank you for all you’ve done for me,” she whispered.
He shook his head. “Don’t thank me. Thank God.
He’s the One who orchestrated this.”
She sighed. “It’s still going to take time for me to see God’s hand in every area of my life. I mean, I came here looking for you when I was—drunk.”
He nodded. “And isn’t it amazing that we still live here? And that we just happen to have that extra room?
And that your situation has given my mom a purpose?”
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“Well, when you put it that way…” He heard the smile in her voice.
“Exactly. God brought a childhood friend to your memory, even though you weren’t serving Him, and He led you back here. He has plans for you, Meghan. You just take time, get well, and don’t rush it, and you’ll find what He has in store for your life.”
“You, too,” Meghan said pertly.
Dakota laughed. “That’s the spirit. I think that is the first time you’ve spoken to me like that, except for the first day.”
Meghan groaned. “Please don’t remind me of that.”
Dakota laughed. “At least you had some spirit.”
“Well if you would come around more often, you might find I have more than you realize.” She raised an eyebrow.
Dakota turned, his own eyebrows raised. “Is that so?”
She smiled and he could tell her cheeks had darkened some. He leaned back in the swing, causing it to rock, and laughed.
“What’s so funny?” his mom asked, walking up, Mary and Margaret tottering along behind her.
He shook his head. “I think you’ve been working on the girl. You’ve changed her when I wasn’t looking, Mom.”
His mother chuckled. “Not at all. You’re just finally meeting the real Meghan.”
He glanced at Meghan. “The real Meghan, huh?” His gaze traveled her face, and softly, so that only Meghan could hear, he said, “I find I like the real Meghan.”
“So what do you think?”
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He realized Mary had been talking to him. And he’d completely missed what she had said. Turning his attention to Mary, he replied, “I think I’m going to relax for a while tonight and sit here and enjoy you ladies’ company.”
Mary blinked. “Well now, that’s grand, but that wasn’t what I asked, was it?” She looked to Margaret.
“Hmmph.” Margaret made a noise and sat down next to his mom.
Dakota grinned. It was going to be a long, enjoyable night.
Chapter Fifteen
“Just take it slowly.” Dakota helped Meghan through the back door. Though he’d arrived early at church as he always did, his mom and Meghan had come later, as was his mom’s habit. And, of course, his mom always came in the back door too, so she could then stop by the office and put fresh flowers on his desk before going out front.
Meghan was moving slowly. She sighed. “I don’t know why I am having trouble with my leg today.” She paused and rubbed the muscle in her left thigh. “I didn’t do too much yesterday. It’s cramping up in the thigh and sometimes refusing to hold any weight.”
Dakota wondered as well. Meghan’s leg nearly dragged as she awkwardly used her cane to rest her weight on it. She winced and quickly shifted her weight. She’d chosen a dark blue dress for the Sunday service that tucked in toward the knees. He wondered, though it was a beautiful dress, if it made walking hard.
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“Just something else we’ll have to research, dear—
or ask the doctor when we go to the appointment,” Carolyne said.
Meghan nodded. “Every time I think I have this figured out, something changes.”
“God is in control,” Dakota murmured and turned to walk by her side as they entered the main sanctuary. He rested his hand on her back so he could pace himself.
And because he liked touching her.
She glanced up at him in recognition of his actions and then back down to the floor.
The sanctuary was over halfway full. Of course, when the music started at ten and people started singing, he knew he’d see several more families sneak in.
During the first half hour of the service, many families would slip in and find seats. And as church neared the end, there were always those who would slip out—
some for work, but many because they had “put in their time” and were ready to go hunting or fishing or to visit family for Sunday dinner.
It saddened Dakota in many ways because he believed that church shouldn’t be just a social occasion here on earth, it should be about learning and growing and drawing closer to those who would one day be in heaven. Christianity was all about a relationship, but in America, so many saw it only as an obligation. Dakota shook his head and wondered what he wasn’t doing right to reach these people.
His mom touched his arm. “Dark thoughts?”
“No. Not really.” His attention turned to Meghan as they made their way to the first pew, where his mother always sat. “You okay?”
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Meghan nodded and sat down with relief. “I’m sorry about the trouble.”
Genuinely surprised, he said, “Meghan. When are you going to realize you’re not trouble to me?”
She smiled.
He returned the smile and continued smiling as he looked up to glance around at his friends and acquaintances. His smile stayed fixed as he looked for visitors, but it strained when he saw the Bennetts and some of the other elders glowering at him from the back of the church.
Oh, brother.
He glanced back at Meghan and his mother. “I need to go say hi to the congregation.”
“Of course, son.” His mom nodded and then returned her attention to Meghan.
Meghan’s gaze on his looked a bit panicked but she nodded too. She was nervous, being on the front pew.
Dakota proceeded to go out and greet his friends and buddies, as well as those whom he only saw on Sunday mornings. He enjoyed getting to say hi to everyone, though some mornings he felt rushed in the process. But then he reminded himself of what Meghan had said about him being too busy and forced himself to slow down and talk to those around him—even as he saw Mr.
Bennett making his way toward him.
He continued to smile, silently asking God why this man had to do his best to end any joy Dakota felt this morning—for he knew that was Mr. Bennett’s plan from the hard look in his eyes.
“Pastor, can I talk with you?”
“Now isn’t a good time,” Dakota hedged.
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Zachary’s eyes darkened. “Well, now, I’m worried about that there girl you have sitting on the front pew,”
Zachary said, ignoring Dakota’s words.
Unable to be rude and simply pass by Zachary, Dakota stopped and smiled. “She isn’t feeling her best today but I think she’ll be fine later.”
Mr. Bennett shook his head. “That’s not what I meant. It looks unseemly to have that young girl sitting up there by your mom. People might be getting the wrong idea.”
He refused to ask what Mr. Bennett meant. He knew well enough, but if he was interested in Meghan, whose business was it?
Interested? He blinked, not realizing when he’d started thinking of Meghan that way. But he did. He realized he wanted to be around her and talk with her and spend time with her. He shook his head. Now was not the time for such a revelation. Not just before the service, and certainly not in front of this man who was studying him so intently.
And who read him so well. “I thought we’d discussed this. Look at her. She’s crippled. Sh
e can’t walk right. She’s got that disease her grandma had. She’s going to take up all of your time. Are you sure you want to put your church second to her? After all, this is your job—the church.”
Dakota felt his temper rising and decided the best thing to do was walk away. “I’m sorry, Zach, but I see a visitor who just came in. I need to go greet him. Excuse me.”
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the other elders in the back, the others who were Zachary’s cronies, watching him with disapproval.
Why were they so determined to watch out for Dakota? Of course, he knew the answer to that. They wanted absolute control. How had he allowed this to happen? When had they started controlling his personal life and personal time?
He couldn’t afford to be upset at the moment. Asking God to help him control his temper, he made his way to the visitor and struck up a conversation.
The church service went quickly, it seemed, as they sang and had announcements and some special music.
And then Dakota delivered his sermon on love. As he talked about the love Jesus had and the true meaning of love—laying down a life for a friend—he couldn’t help but find his gaze being repeatedly drawn to Meghan.
She was radiant in that outfit, and looked so good sitting right there by his mom. He was so glad she’d come into his life—or back into his life, he thought, though the child he knew wasn’t anything like the woman he was getting to know.
When he was done with the sermon, he gave an altar call and prayed with those who wanted prayer. And then the youth pastor prayed dismissal while he went to the back of the church.
Dakota chatted with each person as they left, listening to their joys and their problems. Many made com-ments about his sermon or wanted to chat about hunting. Dakota preferred fishing, really.
The Bennetts stood around, waiting to talk with him, but when they realized he was intent on not being drawn out, they left. Oh, they wouldn’t do anything where Cheryl Wolverton
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others could hear. And he knew they weren’t done with the subject. But, he also knew that as soon as something else new came along, they’d drop it. After all, they couldn’t control his private life. Not really.
He shook his head.
After nearly forty-five minutes, everyone was gone except Dakota, and so he finally locked up and drove home. His mom had lunch on the table when he came in.
“Roast, my favorite.” Dakota slipped off his jacket.
He unbuttoned his cuffs and folded up his sleeves before washing his hands in the sink.
“And mashed potatoes, carrots and gravy.” Carolyne set the gravy on the table.
Meghan seated herself. Dakota noticed. “You seem to be walking better.”
She shook her head. “I don’t understand it. I think it may be that spasticity that the printouts talked about.”
“What?” Dakota asked.
His mom explained. “The muscle will contract and not release because it’s not getting the neural signal. We discussed it on the way home. Her muscle is relaxed now and she’s getting around better.”
All seated at the table, Dakota blessed the food.
When he was done, he said, “Well, you’ll find out at your doctor’s appointment tomorrow. And I hope you keep me informed.”
“We will, dear,” his mom said to him and he grinned at Meghan. Seeing the returning smile, he said, “How about after lunch we go fishing?”
Carolyne laughed. “When was the last time you went fishing, Dakota?”
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He chuckled. “It’s been too long.”
“I’ve never been fishing,” Meghan confessed.
“That settles it! There’s no Sunday-night service tonight, and so I’m going to take you two ladies out to our famous fishing hole.”
Carolyne frowned. “Meghan, are you up to it?”
“I think so. If I don’t overdo it, I mean.”
“Great then.” Dakota dug into his lunch.
Meghan, he noted, ate her lunch quickly as well. She seemed to be looking forward to the trip as much as he was.
As soon as he was done, he excused himself and changed clothes. When he returned to the living room, he found Meghan also in jeans and a long-sleeved top.
His mom was wearing a pair of old khaki pants, a button-up short-sleeve top with a sweater—and a crazy gardening hat.
“To keep the sun out of my eyes,” she said and everyone laughed.
They loaded into the car and in fifteen minutes were at the fishing hole.
“So what do we do?” Meghan asked immediately upon exiting the car.
“Well, I’m going to read,” Carolyne informed them.
She opened the trunk and pulled out a folding chair. Meghan watched as she crossed to a nearby evergreen and set up the chair. Taking her seat, she pulled a book out of her purse and began to read.
“I thought we were going fishing,” Meghan said.
Dakota chuckled. “That is how my mom fishes.
Come on, you can fish with me.”
Reaching in, he pulled out a tackle box and two fish-Cheryl Wolverton
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ing poles. He handed them to Meghan and then grabbed the two other chairs he’d packed. “Follow me.” Dakota walked slowly enough to make sure Meghan had no trouble following him.
At the edge of the water he set up the chairs and took the poles from her.
Meghan sat down, and then Dakota sat down next to her and laid the poles aside. Opening the box, he pointed out what was inside. “It’s been so long, but I still have my lures. Worms, fish, flies.”
“That one’s pretty.” Meghan pointed to a silver, metal fish.
He grinned. “Okay.” He lifted the line on her pole and attached the lure.
He chose a different one for his pole and then closed the box. “I usually stand up, but we can sit today. Do you know how to cast?”
Meghan shook her head.
“Well, then, we’re going to have to stand to teach you.”
Meghan stood up, and it was funny to watch her hold the pole out in front of her with both hands.
This was going to take some time. He laid aside his own pole and walked over to her. “The first lesson is to relax.”
“I’m worried that the hook is going to hook me,” she said and Dakota chuckled.
“I’ve had that happen once or twice, that’s true. But it doesn’t hurt. What does hurt is if you step on it or jam it into your hand, which you won’t do if you are careful.”
“What about my hair?” She reached up and touched it.
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Dakota reached up and brushed it back. The curly and silky strands flowed over his hand. “That shouldn’t be a problem. Let me show you.”
He stepped behind her. “Pick a place out there where you want to cast your line. Right there,” he said, pointing. “Now…wait!”
She lifted the pole straight up as if to throw it over her head. “To the side.” He grabbed her arms from behind. That brought her flush up against him. He suddenly felt protective of her, and an odd urge to pull her closer. He liked having her here. Reluctantly, however, he moved slightly to the side. “Take the pole here, to the right like this, and when you have it back even, give it a good flick of the wrist. When you do, you have to hold down here—” he indicated the handle “—and the line will go flying.”
On the first try the lure fell at her feet. “Oh dear!”
“You just need to flick your wrist and arm a bit harder.”
He stepped from behind her. “Watch me with my pole.”
He picked up his pole and cast out his line. The whir-ring was loud as the line sailed through the air and landed with a plop in the water.
“You make it look so easy,” she muttered.
He chuckled as he reeled in the line. “You try w
ith yours.”
She did and her line landed at the edge of the water, making a tiny ripple that spread outward. “Good. Reel it in and try again.”
He cast his line out again and smiled as he wound it back.
“Don’t you leave it out for the fish to bite?” she asked curiously, watching him.
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He nodded, his eyes meeting hers briefly. “I just want you to get used to casting your line first and then we’ll tease the fish.”
“Tease them?”
He chuckled. “First lesson first. Cast again.”
He cast his own line and thought how wonderful it was to hear the whir and plop that spoke of relaxation.
Meghan reeled her line in and turned to the side again to cast it. Dakota observed her posture.
“Your arm is going too far back. You won’t have as much control.” He debated whether to go over and give her another lesson. He liked having Meghan in his arms and guiltily found that he was looking for another excuse to do just that.
“Like this?” she asked.
Before he could answer, he felt a stinging in his scalp. Then pain.
“Yow!” He jerked and felt his scalp tear.
“Oh no!” Meghan gasped beside him.
“My head!” He grabbed and sure enough, Meghan’s hook had found a mark.
She dropped her pole. “Oh oh no!” she repeated and reached for his head.
His breath hissed as her pole bounced on the ground and pulled the hook out. His own pole hit the ground.
He dropped to his chair.
“I’m so sorry.” Meghan reached for his head, trying to find the wound.
“Don’t worry, Meghan.” He shook his head then winced, his eyes squeezing shut as he felt around the top of his head. When Meghan’s hands touched his head to examine it, he suddenly found he didn’t mind 190
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the pain. Her hands felt good. “That was…ouch…what I meant…ouch…about tossing your line too far back.
And then I was standing too close—” He didn’t open his eyes but relaxed and let her run her fingers through his hair.
“Are you okay, honey?” Carolyne called.
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