Home to You (21 page)

Meghan felt the last fears of her former life fade as she accepted the simple truth. Peace flooded her. “It doesn’t really matter, does it? Life is short, but eternity is forever.”

“Exactly,” Carolyne whispered. “We know you won’t have this disease forever, just for a short time here.”

Meghan hadn’t thought of that before. Joy bubbled up in her. For the first time in her life, she was glad she’d gone to the doctor.

She slipped down from the table. “And look at Darlene,” she said as they exited the room. “Fifteen years.

Hope, Carolyne. There is hope.”

“There is always hope in Jesus Christ,” Carolyne replied.

Meghan slipped her hand into Carolyne’s and squeezed. “Thanks for coming with me today.”

“Anytime, sweetheart. Now, I have a question for you.”

Meghan accepted the receipt and appointment date card from the receptionist and started for the door.

“What is that?” she asked as they left and headed down the hall together.

“How do you feel about my son?”

Chapter Seventeen

How did she feel about Dakota?

For three weeks now she’d wrestled with that question.

She’d felt like an imbecile when she’d answered that she didn’t know.

Of course she knew.

Didn’t she?

He was a friend.

But more. So much more.

Yet she had MS and he was a pastor who was needed by many. She’d seen it over the past weeks. They were always there, calling, dropping by, needing to talk. And she was needy as well, in the physical way, though lately she had been feeling so much better.

They’d started her on medication. She’d been able to get a special grant from one of the companies the doctor had researched. And when she got a job at the center, she’d be able to pay for her portion of it. Despite Carolyne’s protests, she’d gone out and applied for sev-Cheryl Wolverton

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eral other temporary jobs. She had an interview in a few days. She was nervous, but happy. Of course, it was only a temporary job, part-time at the health department, but they said they understood about her adjusting to MS.

She hoped she got the job.

She had to take shots three times a week, and she was on her second week now. Boy, was that something.

Thank goodness Carolyne had been there to help her learn to give herself injections. They wouldn’t interfere with a new job as she took them at night.

Meghan took up so much of the Ryders’ time at the house lately that she was afraid she was taking Dakota away from his job, but she had to admit, he’d slowed down. He was home every evening before the sun set, and at least three times, even four times, a week he made supper.

Carolyne was happy to see him at home, but she herself wasn’t at home as much.

They’d contacted Timothy Letterbed, the new Realtor, and within a week, he had struck an excellent deal for the downtown property that Carolyne wanted to use to open up the shelter. Their grant had come through and they had the money to start the shelter. It was all falling into place so quickly.

Carolyne had been working like mad, getting things going, organizing help and refurbishing the basics to bring the place up to code. And Chase had been there every step of the way. He spent all of his time off working on the building.

Which worried Meghan.

Sarah was always at the Ryder house and she was so
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withdrawn. Meghan was worried about her. The young girl had found a place in her heart.

Tonight, they were having a party to benefit the shelter. As Carolyne said, you had to do things like this constantly to keep people involved, or when it came crunch time, they wouldn’t have the money. As it looked right now, they’d have enough to pay five steady employees for the next year, plus enough to benefit thirty people, but Carolyne wanted to make sure they had extra money in case of emergencies.

Their party had nearly been stopped by the Bennetts and the Hamptons. Meghan couldn’t understand the desire of those people to control everything, but she was quickly learning you didn’t cross them.

They didn’t like her. That much was obvious from when they’d called to talk with the pastor and she’d answered the phone.

Dakota certainly hadn’t appreciated their interroga-tion of her and had apologized afterward. But it had blown over. And now they were at the benefit—Chase and Sarah, Carolyne, Dakota, Meghan and over half the town, including Mary and Margaret who were running the cakewalk.

A Christian band was currently playing music and booths were set up, selling different crafts, with all the proceeds going to the shelter.

Meghan pulled her sweater closer around her and once again asked herself, just what did she feel for Dakota Ryder?

“And what has you so entrenched in thought tonight, sweet Meghan?”

Meghan jerked as the very person of her thoughts
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came up to her. She smiled and debated on what to tell him, finally deciding to tell him the truth. “You.”

People jostled Dakota, bumping him into her. He reached out and caught her arms, nodding his acceptance to the person who called out an apology.

Holding on to one arm, he escorted Meghan out of the line of traffic. “That sounds intriguing.”

She shook her head and decided to change the subject. “Your mom is excited that you’ve been home so much more.”

They strolled along past the booths, watching as some of the residents looked over the crafts while others played games and still others bought food. “How do you feel about my being home more?”

Meghan blushed. But she had to admit the truth. “I like it, too.” But at the same time she didn’t. It was wonderful having him there for dinner. They had caught up on years of being separated and learned so many things about each other.

And every night they sat out on the porch, Dakota always by her on the swing, rocking as they chatted. Or, if Carolyne wasn’t there, sometimes they simply sat in silence. And that was the problem. They were getting to know each other and becoming too comfortable in each other’s presence. Meghan found she loved talking with Dakota, and her mind couldn’t seem to forget the kiss they’d shared. The memory was there constantly when he was around and when he was absent. She longed for another such embrace. Unfortunately—why she admitted she didn’t like him being around—she was afraid.

Though it was chilly at nights now, she didn’t want
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to give up their time, but she wasn’t willing to face her fear, either. A dilemma.

“I’m glad to hear that.” Dakota slipped his hand to the small of her back. That was the first time he’d done something so public—except for the kiss.

Through Carolyne she’d found out that Dakota had heard from someone on the board about his public dis-play of affection and they were angry.

Dakota never mentioned it to her.

“The fund-raiser is going well,” Meghan observed.

“In no small part thanks to Chase and Jerry and the others who helped set it up.”

“Speaking of Chase,” Meghan began.

Dakota glanced down at her and with a twinkle in his eyes, he asked, “Do I have competition?”

Her cheeks turned bright red and Dakota laughed.

He pulled her to him and hugged her.

“Will you stop it,” she whispered. “Be serious.”

His smile still in place, he said, not the least bit seriously, “Okay. This is me being serious.”

She shook her head. “I am worried about Sarah.”

Dakota’s smile faded and he did turn solemn then.

“She’s going through a hard time after losing her mom.

They’ve been coming in for counseling. I can’t say anything more than that. But I fear things are going to come to a head soon. She won’t tell us what else is bothering her. But there’s something else.”

Meghan nodded. “She mentioned to me that her daddy let her put some of her mom’s things out the other day.”

“Good,” Dakota said. “I suggested to Chase that might help Sarah with the adjustment. He’d packed everything up and it was killing him to unpack it. Maybe
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the two of them unpacking those things will help Chase heal as well.”

“I noticed they’re coming to church.”

Dakota nodded. “Chase is searching for healing. No one expects to have their life turned upside down like that. All I can do is pray for him and be there.”

“You think that’s why he’s thrown himself into this project so much? Because he’s still hurting?”

They sidestepped a small child who ran past and then Dakota continued, “I think that’s part of it. And of course, my mom can be a healing balm to those who are hurting.”

“She’s changed my life,” Meghan agreed. “You know, I’ve fallen in love with her and don’t think I could move away,” Meghan whispered.

They came to the cakewalk and Dakota paused.

Turning to her, he asked, “And what about me? Do you think you could leave me?”

“Oh, look, sister! Two more people. That will complete the cakewalk.” Mary clapped her hands in delight, her blue hair specially styled tonight for the event.

“Well, come on,” Margaret ordered. “Pay up and get in. We’re getting ready to start the music, Pastor Cody.”

Dakota grinned at Meghan. “Saved by the sisters, but I’ll want that answer later.”

Meghan swallowed.

Dakota pulled out his wallet and paid the small entrance fee.

“Now, dear, do you think you can walk? I notice you didn’t bring your cane.” Mary tsked.

“She doesn’t always need it, she says, sister,” Margaret argued. “She can do it. Pastor Cody will take care of her if she can’t.”

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Mary smiled. “Oh. Yes, of course.”

Meghan groaned because everyone was watching with interest as the two sisters talked. “Are we ready to start?” Meghan tried to distract the sisters from her personal life.

They were wonderful women, but they had decided the two were a couple and didn’t care who knew it.

“We’re just waiting on you to take a place.” Margaret moved over toward the CD player. “Now, what we’ll do is a lot like musical chairs.”

Mary smiled. “Like when you were children. Oh, those were fun days.”

“I’m telling them, sister.” She frowned at Mary who looked highly offended. “Go around the chairs. When the music stops, grab a chair. The last one with a chair wins a cake. And we have some good cakes here.”

“I even baked one,” Mary added proudly to Dakota.

“Your favorite. Mississippi Mud.”

Meghan grinned. Each week they came up with a new favorite that Dakota just loved. They were so happy to have him coming home that they were constantly baking surprises for him.

“Nonsense. His favorite will be my Red Velvet.”

“I might not win,” Dakota cautioned sagely.

Mary giggled like a schoolgirl. Margaret har-rumphed and put the music on.

Meghan and Dakota, along with six other people, started marching around the chairs.

“Are you okay doing this?” Dakota asked as they marched.

She opened her mouth to answer, when the music stopped. She gasped and after a hesitation dived into a
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chair. Her eyes widened. “Oh boy.” She covered her heart. “I’d forgotten how silly this game is.”

Everyone was laughing. The person left out threw up his hands. “I want that Red Velvet. Don’t no one else claim it!” And he stepped out of the way.

Meghan laughed. She and Dakota both stood and watched as Mary took out one of the chairs and metic-ulously rearranged the two nearest ones. “It looks like I’m going to be okay. My legs are tired, but I think that’s just going to be a fact of life.”

He nodded. The music started again. And they started marching.

People stood around laughing and pointing, calling out to family members. It was a fun time. “So, are you ready to answer my question?” he asked when the music stopped.

Everyone dashed for a chair. Meghan overbalanced and fell into one, but managed to keep from falling out.

His question didn’t help her. She glared at him. “You did that on purpose.”

Eyes wide, he lifted his hands. “Would I do that?”

“You want that cake, don’t you?”

He burst out laughing.

A teenager was left out and wandered over to the side to watch and wait and see who would win. They all stood back up, the six of them. Jerry was one of them.

He pulled at his pants and adjusted his belt. “Get ready, folks,” the sheriff said and they laughed.

The music started back up. Twice more they went around, watching people get disqualified before Dakota was near enough to talk again.

“You aren’t answering my question,” Dakota ac-210

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cused as they marched once again around the ever-shrinking circle.

She glanced back over her shoulder. “That’s right.

And I may not, either, if you win.”

He stumbled in surprise. “Hey, that’s blackmail!”

The music stopped.

They dived for chairs and Dakota and Jerry hit the chair at the same time. Jerry went flying and landed on the concrete ground of the parking lot.

The crowd roared with laughter.

“See if I show up Sunday morning, son,” Jerry called out as he climbed to his feet.

Hoots of encouragement came from the crowd watching. Dakota grinned. “I have eyewitnesses. That was a win, fair and square.”

They stood while the chairs were rearranged.

Meghan laughed. She was having the time of her life.

“I haven’t felt this young in years,” she confided to Dakota as the music started again.

“It’s good to stay young. Just look over at the sisters,”

he said, and pointed.

Mary was clapping in time to the music, dancing as she did, and Margaret was intent on the CD, even though a ghost of a smile kept turning her lips up occasionally.

The music stopped and Meghan found herself in a chair next to Dakota.

The other person stepped out. They both stood and Dakota smiled. “Just down to you and me it seems.”