“I figured as much.” Mac took the papers and without looking at them, folded the estimates in quarters before tucking them into his back pocket. He liked the remodeling contractor Ted had hooked him up with the minute he’d met him, sensing he was honest and straightforward, so he didn’t hesitate to ask, “When’s the soonest your crew can get to work?”
“Yesterday.”
Mac crooked a smile. “That sounds good. Just give me a day to look over the estimates to see if I have any questions. Then I’ll give you a call and you can get started.”
“Sounds great, Mr. Hattaway.”
“Mac.” He held out his right hand.
“Yeah, Mac. Thanks.” Bill shook his hand. “I’ll look forward to hearing from you.”
As Bill’s pickup backed out the driveway, Mac turned to look out into the fields. He’d walked the grounds earlier in the day with a sales rep from a local company who said they could supply materials for a rubberized walkway. Luckily, it wouldn’t be any problem to put the rubber pathway over the grasses to construct a temporary sidewalk for the wheelchair participants and their families on event day.
But just like hours earlier, his eyes veered from the grassy meadows and caught sight of the oak tree where he’d nearly kissed Megan. And for the second time that day, he didn’t know whether to laugh or frown about his near-kiss miss.
It was just his bad luck, wasn’t it, that a stranger would be lurking on his property at the very moment he was about to become acquainted with Megan’s sweet lips? Scaring her half to death. At least scaring her enough that she just about busted his eardrum with her scream.
Or maybe …
He squinted at the formidable oak and could almost see Megan leaning up against it in her pretty yellow dress again. Could almost hear the brave tremor in her voice as she recounted the circumstances surrounding Sammy’s birth, including the way her husband walked out on their family. That must’ve hurt to the quick, he imagined. But Megan squared her shoulders as she spoke about it, and her courageous front only made him respect and care for her even more.
So, yeah …
Maybe it had been a good thing that they hadn’t kissed after all.
Not that he liked dwelling on that. Not that he didn’t still want to kiss her in the worst way. In fact, kissing Megan was pretty much at the top of his mind every time he saw her. And he hated to admit it—couldn’t even believe he was thinking it—but there it was: Kissing Megan was on his mind all the time he wasn’t near her, too.
Even so, maybe it would be better to slow things down. Let her know I’m sincere. Not try to push her into something she might not be ready for.
Ah, man … He groaned inwardly, his insides protesting at the thought. Do I really want to do that?
Watching long shadows blanket and retreat from the fields over and over again as the sun drifted in and out of the clouds, he stood weighing his options.
Yeah … I’ll take it slow, he finally resolved to himself. Take my time, he vowed. And be sure not to look at that big old oak tree anymore, reminding me what I missed out on.
It sure wouldn’t be easy. He shook his head. But if he won Megan’s heart as a result then his restraint would be worth it.
In the meantime, he was still going to go forward with his plans to make his house wheelchair accessible. He had to do something to make himself feel hopeful, like he was moving ahead in a relationship with Megan. He had to do something that would hold some kind of promise that she and Sammy would stay a part of his life.
What else was there to do? Except maybe have another talk with God.
Oh Lord, this isn’t easy. Putting my pride aside and being patient where Megan is concerned. Not even knowing where it’s all leading. Or if it will lead anywhere. But, as uncomfortable as it is, Lord, I’ll try because Megan and Sammy are the best things that have ever happened to me. I have these deep feelings for them. Feelings like I’ve never had before—and, well, I thank You for this chance, Lord, I do. And if it ends up Megan and I are just friends, I guess I’ll have to put up with that. But I hope that’s not what You want, Lord. He looked up at the wisps of clouds stretched across the sky.
I don’t think that’s what You want. Do You?
Chapter 12
And these are my parents, Laura and Kurt O’Donnell.”
Mac extended his hand as Megan introduced him to the couple sitting in the matching lawn chairs on the Nisbet Park ground. Wearing bright neon runners’ gear, they fit right in with the sportive backdrop of the park, which was decked out with colorful balloons and banners for Loveland’s Amazing Race festival. “It’s nice to meet you both,” he said sincerely. “It’s really nice to meet you, MacNeill.” Megan’s father hopped up from the chair, pumping his hand.
“Excuse us if we’re a bit sweaty and disheveled from the race,” her mother added, her blue eyes and welcoming smile reminding him a lot of Megan.
“Are you kidding? I think it’s great you both signed up for the Amazing Race,” Mac told them.
“They’ve been participating since the initial event years ago,” Megan chimed in.
“Yeah well, it’s a fun event.” Kurt chuckled. “Even if I will be sore tomorrow.”
“I know I’d be,” Mac agreed. “It sounds like a grueling triathlon.”
“Ah, it’s not so grueling. And it’s not really a triathlon either.” Kurt shook his head. “Even though you are on foot, traipsing through downtown Loveland. And then, you’re on a bicycle on the bike trail. And you even do some tubing on the Little Miami River. But what’s different is all along the way, they have these challenge stations set up. Kind of loosely based on that TV show.”
“Very loosely,” Laura added.
“That’s what I said, honey.” Kurt raised a brow. “Isn’t that what I said?” He glanced at Mac who then glanced at Megan who only shrugged and smiled.
“Yeah well, I’m sure it’s a good time,” Mac replied. “I wasn’t even aware Loveland had an event like this until Sammy mentioned it.”
He had hoped maybe Megan had put Sammy up to inviting him to the after-race festival when the two had been out to visit his farm the week before. But when all was said and done, he doubted it. Sammy had probably done it all on his own. But, whatever. He wasn’t going to be picky about where the invitation had come from. He was just glad to be there. After all, it felt like a month of Sundays since he’d spent any time with Megan and Sammy, even though it’d been closer to seven days.
He’d been glad, too, that Sammy had noticed his new truck by the side of the barn the week before and asked for a ride in it. Megan had reprimanded Sammy for being so forward. But for Mac, it wasn’t an inconvenience at all. It gave him the perfect excuse to pick up Sammy and Megan for the festival.
“Well, I’d say you were probably busy with more important things in past summers than our Amazing Race. Like traveling around the country striking out batters, right?” Kurt asked, a wide grin spanning his face.
“I don’t know how important that was …” Mac shrugged. “But yeah, that was the objective.”
He felt Megan lay her hand on his forearm, trying to direct his attention to the other folks seated around them. “And this is Allie and her husband, Greg. But I’m guessing you may already know them from Paxton’s.”
“I do.” He nodded at the couple spread out on a blanket with their daughter and son. “I can’t stay away from the place.”
“And we’re glad.” Allie smiled.
“Definitely.” Greg nodded. “Thanks again, Mac, for all your help with our Major League night at the grill a few weeks ago.”
“Not a big deal. Just signed some autographs.”
“You helped out at the grill?” Megan turned to him, her face registering surprise. “Where was I that night?”
“I don’t know. But Mac’s being humble. It absolutely was a big deal,” Greg replied. “Your being there that night brought in a slew of people, Mac,” he reconfirmed. “We made a lot of money fo
r the community peewee teams, which we wouldn’t have done without you.”
“Ahh-hem. Ahh-hem.”
The woman, sitting in a lawn chair next to a man close to her age, audibly cleared her throat. Donning a lavender visor over her blond-highlighted hair, she also wore a teasing smile.
Megan laughed and reached out to pat the woman’s shoulder.
“And, Mac, last but certainly not least in my heart, these are Allie’s parents and my second parents, Pam and Jim Matthews. They always sign up for the race with Mom and Dad.”
“Nice to meet you, Mac.” Pam reached out. “I work with Megan’s mom.”
“Oh yeah?” Mac shook her hand. “What do you all do?”
“You don’t want to go there,” Greg called out.
Mac turned to Megan who only blinked, suddenly seeming slightly uncomfortable. He held out his hands, not understanding. “What?”
“Oh, Greg’s just being silly.” Pam waved a playful hand in her son-in-law’s direction. “Megan’s mom and I plan weddings. We’ve been friends forever and so have our girls. Allie and Megan practically shared the same pumpkin seat.”
“Pumpkin what?” Again, Mac was having a hard time understanding.
Jim laughed as he stood up to shake Mac’s hand. “Pumpkin seats. Don’t worry. We’ve heard it a thousand times, Mac. The girls have been together since they were wee little and cute as pumpkins sitting in their pumpkin seats.”
“Ah—well. I believe it,” he said, still wondering if they were actually talking about a pumpkin-shaped seat.
“So, how’s the pitching arm doing?” Mac got the sense Jim was trying to segue to more manly topics.
“It’s uh …” He started to say he was due back to the team doctor soon to see about clearance to play again. But he really didn’t want to get into all of that. Not right now at least. Instead he shrugged. “It’s doing pretty good, I think.”
“Megan is a physical therapist, you know,” Kurt piped up.
Before he could answer, Megan gave him a look that said please-excuse-my-parents then tilted her head at her father, her lips curling into a sweet, patient smile. “Trust me, Dad. He does know that.”
“Just thought I’d mention it.” Her dad shrugged.
“So, it was a good race then?” Mac seized the opportunity to steer the conversation away from the topic of his elbow. “For the four of you?”
“It gets bigger and better every year,” Laura exclaimed.
“Oh, you like it because you get through the challenges so easily.” Her husband pretended to sneer.
“I do like puzzles and matching things, what can I say?” Laura grinned.
“I’d think running, biking, and tubing on the river would be challenging enough,” Mac quipped.
“You would think so, wouldn’t you?” Allie tuned in, while re-tying her daughter’s gym shoe. “But supposedly the challenge stations make it even more fun. At least that’s what these guys have to say about it.” She stopped what she was doing for a moment to point in either direction at both sets of parents.
“I plan to sign up for it one of these years,” Megan chirped. “It sounds like fun to me.”
“It’s nothing awfully strenuous,” Kurt explained to Mac. “Or I wouldn’t be able to do it. Like at the Loveland Stage Company—that was Challenge Seven, I think, you had to ‘dance a bit or spell a hit.’ And I still know a few disco moves, so …” He flung his arm up and down John Travolta style, making everyone laugh, including the kids.
“Hey, I don’t mind admitting it’s nice to sit down and rest at some of the challenges,” Jim added.
“No kidding.” Pam laughed. “I didn’t think I’d ever get you back on your feet after the challenge in the parking lot of the Loveland Massage Center.”
“The one where we got to sit and feed each other water from baby bottles?” Jim chuckled. “What can I say? I was really thirsty.”
Everyone laughed again, and as their merriment died down, Sammy spoke up and filled the void.
“Pap-ee, Mac bring us in new truck.”
“Is that right?” Kurt turned from his grandson to Mac. “I thought I spotted you driving around town in a shiny new Ford.”
Mac nodded. “I loved my uncle’s old truck—a ‘77. But it wasn’t safe anymore. In fact, the brakes were so bad on the thing, I almost ran into Megan and Sammy the night of the initial All-Stars Sports meeting. That’s how we first met actually, down on West Loveland near Paxton’s.”
“Really? Did you tell me that, Megan?” Mac noticed Laura trying to make eye contact with her daughter. “That’s quite a coincidence, isn’t it? And really very ro—”
“Mom!” Megan cut her mother short. “Aren’t you going to be too tired to cook out tonight after you’ve been in this race all day?”
“Definitely,” Pam spoke up. “Which is why we decided that you kids are going to do the barbecuing. Your mom and I made all the side dishes yesterday. The brats and burgers are at your mom’s house just waiting to be cooked.”
“That sounds more than fair,” Megan answered before turning to him once more. “I sure hope you like brats and burgers, Mac.”
Everyone turned their eyes on him.
“Of course I do. Burgers. Baseball. A Ford pickup. It all goes together, doesn’t it?”
“And Ize,” Sammy chimed in.
“Ize?” Mac looked at Megan.
“Oh, that’s right. Ice. I promised the kids shaved ices,” Megan explained. “But I also promised to hand out these cards for Janey.” She pulled a pack of postcards from her backpack. “To announce the contest she’s running.”
She bit her lip, looking apologetic and of course, Mac felt an instant desire to make everything right for her. But it was Greg who jumped up from the blanket and began to take charge.
“Well, if it’s okay with everyone … Allie and Megan, you two go ahead, feel free to pass out the cards,” he suggested. “Meanwhile, Mac and I will take the kids for ices. That’ll give the parents a chance to relax and bask in the glory of having another Amazing Race under their belts.” He smiled at their elders. “Then later we’ll head to the O’Donnells’ to barbecue.”
“Sounds good to me.” Kurt settled deeper into the lap of his chair, closing his eyes.
Eyes drooping, Jim didn’t look far behind him. “Me, too,” he agreed.
“How about you, Mac?” Greg asked. “That okay with you?”
“I’m in.” Mac nodded, shuffling behind Sammy’s wheelchair. “Sounds like a plan.”
“Are you sure, Mac?” Megan leaned close, laying a hand on his forearm again. “You don’t mind taking Sammy? And being with my family all evening?”
“Mind it?” She really had no clue, did she? “I’m all over it,” he said, feeling warmed he could make her grin. “Ready, kids?”
While Megan and Allie headed in one direction, he and Greg started off in the other. As he pushed Sammy’s chair and Justin and Carrie held their dad’s hands, their group made their way through the crowd of race participants and curious observers. It reminded him of a time when he and his family belonged to this town. Making him feel like he belonged to a place—this place—again.
I should give Mom and Dad a call down in Florida tomorrow, he thought as they strolled across the bike path to the Hawaiian Ice Hut. Wonder how they’re doing? It’s been awhile …
Megan watched the full moon play hide-and-seek, flickering in and out of sight between the trees, as Mac eased his truck over the winding road leading to his farm. The breeze coming in the window felt slightly cool on her face after being out in the sun the entire day, but not enough to have to put her sweatshirt on. Or to worry about Sammy being chilled.
It was way past his bedtime, as a matter of fact, and she couldn’t believe she’d said yes to yet one more activity before Mac dropped her and Sammy off at home. The three of them had already packed so much into the day, spending the afternoon at the Amazing Race festival, and then all evening at her parents’ ho
use, barbecuing and visiting while the kids played. But she was as intrigued as her son was when Mac mentioned he could bring the moon to Sammy.
Oh, please! Who was she kidding? Truth was, she was more than intrigued with Mac, too.
Even now, she couldn’t help from turning to look at him, his angular profile lit up by the bluish glow of the dashboard lights. He appeared so serious and purposeful as he gripped the steering wheel, intent on getting them to the place he’d promised. And he looked so handsome … making her suddenly conscious of what a mess she must look like after spending an entire day outdoors.
Her white shorts and gauzy white top had been a mistake to wear, no doubt. Clearly neither was spotless or fresh at this point. Plus her hair! She didn’t even want to imagine what it looked like. It’d gotten wavy and out of control in the first hour in the sun. She’d pulled it back into a ponytail without even looking, and it’d stayed that way the rest of the day.
But not so with Mac. The outdoor activities and sunshine had only made his complexion more golden. His mussed hair and day-old-whiskers only made him more rugged-looking and attractive—and hard not to look at.
To her embarrassment, he must’ve felt her staring because he turned, and even though it was only for a moment, he gazed at her in a way that made her think he hadn’t noticed that her shorts were less than white and her hair more than messy.
“What a great day, huh?”
“Yeah, it was, wasn’t it?” Her cheeks flushed in the wake of his attention.
“You’ve got a really nice family,” he said, his eyes turned back to the windshield. “And good friends. Really easy to be around.”
“They’re keepers, for sure. Sometimes they try to help a bit too much, but—”
“That’s better than having it the other way, don’t you think?”
Wedding Homerun in Loveland, Ohio Page 12