“There’s a table by the grills that has an empty bench.”
“Sounds good.”
While Miss Jorgenson left to get their food, Daddy walked behind her chair and began pushing her toward the smoking barbeques. Cammy wondered what was wrong with him. He was acting weird, weird, weird. Like he forgot how to talk. Daddy never acted like that before. He always knew the right things to say.
Oh, well. She couldn’t think about that now. All she could think of was this way-fun day.
Meg set down two green plastic plates heaped with baked beans, grilled hot dogs, macaroni salad, and Grams’ famous potato salad and fruit salad. One plate she deposited in front of Vance. It contained both a hot dog and hamburger. The other plate of food, a smaller-scaled version, she set in front of Cammy. Then she sat on the bench opposite them at the picnic table.
“So, what do you think?”
“I think I won’t have to eat till Thursday,” Vance quipped.
“I think, yum!” Cammy dug in with enthusiasm. But hearing her dad clear his throat in a tone of reminder, she paused to say a quick, “Thank You, Jesus, for this food.” Then she tucked her napkin inside the neck of her orange T-shirt.
Meg bit her lower lip to keep from smiling, but the fact that Cammy knew to use her manners at all was a credit to Vance’s parenting skills.
Reaching for the plastic bottles of ketchup and mustard, Meg placed them in front of Vance and Cammy. “I’m happy to fix a plate for your girlfriend, too. I overhead one of the men say that they’ll be shutting down the grills soon.”
“No—” Vance shook his head. “I, um, don’t have a girlfriend.”
“Not anymore,” Cammy blurted. “Not since—”
“Cammy.” There was an unmistakable warning note in Vance’s tone.
The girl pressed her lips together, but Meg got the idea. He and the blonde had broken up after all. Had he severed the relationship for his daughter’s sake? If so, Meg’s opinion of Vance increased a notch or two. But was he hurt about it? Disappointed? Angry?
Meg shook herself. On to a new subject. “There’s dessert, too—cookies, brownies, and all sorts of cakes. I just couldn’t fit everything on a single plate.”
“Cammy and I appreciate your kindness, but you’re the one new in town. We ought to be serving you.” Vance looked chagrined. “Cammy and I can go up and get dessert later. Don’t want to trouble you.”
“No trouble. In fact, I get a lot of pleasure out of watching other people eat.” She glanced at Cammy and smiled. “Maybe it carries over from when I used to waitress in high school.”
“You were a waitress?” Cammy wiped her mouth on the paper napkin and swallowed her bite of beans. “Where?”
“In St. Louis.”
Cammy’s eyes grew large. “Did you ever know a girl named Laura Downing? She was in day camp with me when I was in first grade. Her dad got a job in St. Louis and they had to move.”
“I think my waitress days were a little before your time.” She glanced at Vance and they shared a grin before Meg looked back at Cammy. “I’m talking about ten years ago.”
“Oh.” Cammy shook her head, and Meg noticed that her short black hair was even curlier in the humid weather. “Then you wouldn’t know Laura Downing.”
“No.” Meg was amused by the eight-year-old’s logic.
“I thought I heard you were from Chicago.” Vance slid a forkful of baked beans into his mouth.
“I am. But I’m really from all over, I guess. I was born here, and after my parents divorced, my mom moved us to Louisville. From there we went to San Diego, then back east to St. Louis, and we finally ended up in Illinois. I completed my senior year of high school in Bloomington.”
“Sounds like your mama had a good case of wanderlust.”
“That’s a nice way to put it.” Meg sent him a smile.
He smiled back. “My life’s been uneventful in comparison to yours. I’ve lived all my born days in Kentucky.”
“Lucky you.”
“Me?” He laughed. “You’re the one who got to live in different states and meet all sorts of people.”
“True, but it’s hard to constantly move and make new friends, only to leave them behind and never see them again.”
Vance momentarily ducked his head. “Guess you’ve got a point there.”
“You could email them,” Cammy said with a positive note ringing her voice.
“You’re right.” Meg looked her way. “And some of them I did email for a while. But life has a way of moving along, and friends you never get to see face-to-face end up going their own way while you go yours.”
“Makes it hard for you to get close to folks now, I imagine.”
Meg tipped her head. “Not really. It’s just super-hard to say good-bye.”
She saw Vance’s bottom lip jut out as he contemplated her remark. She wondered what he was thinking about. Or who. His former girlfriend?
He caught her eye, but before he or Meg could say more, Kent Baldwin approached the picnic table.
“Mind if join you?”
“Not at all.” Meg scooted over, nearer to Cammy, and Kent sat down. Meg had greeted him when he first arrived, and it didn’t take her long to make an interesting discovery: Kent was the only guy at the picnic wearing a sleeveless shirt. It was bright yellow, and it emphasized his tan and his muscled biceps. Meg had a hunch that neither the color nor the style were selected by happenstance.
The bench dipped from the weight of his frame.
Meg made the introductions. “Kent’s the new phys ed teacher at Fairview Academy.”
“Good to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Kent said, reaching across the table. Self-assurance oozed from his every pore.
He and Vance clasped hands.
“Meg’s been telling me about Cammy. She’s a special girl, and I’m working with Earl to apply for some state funding for new gym equipment suited to her physical needs.”
Vance appeared impressed. “That’d be great. Wouldn’t it, Cammy?”
The girl nodded, but Meg sensed she didn’t quite understand.
“We exercise every night.” Vance’s tone didn’t sound defensive, just explanatory. “But I guess more exercise can’t hurt as long as her limitations are taken into consideration.”
“And they will be.” Kent shifted with enthusiasm. “My goal is to get Cammy involved in the sports aspect.”
“Goody!” That much the child comprehended.
Meg smiled at Cammy’s reaction. Since her luncheon with the principal, she felt one hundred percent more confident about teaching a child with physical disabilities this year. Meg had learned that the school district provided a HCA, or a “handicap assistant,” who would help Cammy do things like use the restroom. The woman also accompanied the child on field trips, and as she also worked as a secretary in the school’s office, she was on-site all day. Meg could just concentrate on being a good teacher.
Kent’s focus remained on Cammy. “What do you usually do when the other kids have gym time?”
“I dunno.” She shrugged. “We never had gym time before. Just recess.”
“That’s all going to change this year,” Kent said, rubbing his tanned hands together in anticipation. “I guarantee you, Cammy, that you and all your friends will love gym class.”
“But you’ll love math and English more,” Meg said. Somehow she couldn’t resist teasing Kent. Knock him down a few notches.
“I know I will cuz you’ll be my teacher for those subjects.”
Meg smiled and flicked a triumphant glance in Kent’s direction. He grinned, and as his brown eyes openly appraised her, it was obvious that he liked what he saw. Meg, however, hardly felt like melting beneath his gaze.
Kent slipped his arm around her shoulders. His palm felt warm against Meg’s skin.
She tensed.
“Let’s round up some people for a game of volleyball.” His tangy cologne overpowered the smell of smoking burgers. “What do you say?�
��
The words “smooth operator” rang melodiously in Meg’s ears.
She shook off his hold. “No volleyball for me. Much too hot and humid.”
“What about you, Cammy’s dad?”Kent asked. “You up for a game of volleyball?”
Vance lifted his gaze. “You know,” he drawled with a slight smirk, “I can honestly say that I have never played a game of volleyball in my entire life.”
“Then how ’bout giving it a go? Good ol’ country boy like you? You shouldn’t have a problem swatting at a ball. What do you say?”
Meg pulled her chin back, staring at Kent in surprise. The invitation sounded more like a challenge.
Vance didn’t react one way or another. “I don’t think so. Thanks anyway.”
Meg wasn’t sure if she imagined it, but she sensed an awkward tension beginning to build between the two men, and she didn’t want to be part of it. She stood from the table. “Want some lemonade, Cammy?”
“Sure.”
“Vance?”
“Can of anything cold will do me just fine.”
“Nothing for me,” Kent said. “I have volleyball players to recruit.”
Meg set off to fetch the cold drinks, and when she returned, Kent was gone. Sitting in his place was Leah Lawton.
A wave of relief rushed over her. Meg had learned from experience that smooth operators came in all shapes and sizes, Dillon being the latest and greatest. But she wasn’t about to befriend or fall for another self-absorbed guy who just wanted a good time and, in Dillon’s case, a meal ticket.
She handed Cammy the blue plastic glass and set a can of cola in front of Vance. Meg thought he seemed genuine. Was he?
She gave him a polite grin.
“Thanks. At this rate, I’ll have to leave you a tip,” he joked.
“Services are on the house.” She wagged her index finger at him. “But only for today.”
He smiled at her in reply. He had a nice smile, too, Meg decided. It appeared sincere, non-threatening…
“Thank you for the lemonade, Miss Jorgenson,” Cammy said politely.
“You’re very welcome.” Meg stooped beside her chair. “When you’re done eating, I’ll take you by the play area and maybe you can introduce me to some more kids who’ll be in our class this year.”
“Okay!” Cammy’s eyes lit with excitement. “I know practically everyone here.”
“You’re not playing volleyball, Meg?” Leah batted her lashes before setting down her sweating can of diet cola on the table and wiping her hands on her denim, knee-length skort. “I’m thinking about it.”
“No volleyball for me today.” She pushed strands of her hair from her damp forehead.
“I second that! But it seems Kent’s convinced every unattached female in Stanford to play in spite of the heat. Look at ’em all, following him to the volleyball net like a string of ducklings.” Her gaze shifted and she peered across the table at Vance. “Sorry, fella, but you’ve got competition.”
The humor wasn’t lost on him, and he chuckled. “Guess I’ll learn to deal with it.”
A moment later, his hazel eyes found Meg’s, and it was odd how she felt riveted to his stare.
“Miss Jorgenson—”
Meg tore her gaze away from Vance’s and became aware of Cammy tugging on her shirt.
“I’m ready to go, Miss Jorgenson.”
“Me, too.” She stepped around Cammy’s wheelchair and chanced another look at Vance. “It’s all right, isn’t it—if I take her near the play area?”
“Fine. But, um, stay clear of that volleyball area. I wouldn’t want Cammy to get hit or knocked over.”
“Not to worry.” Meg watched as Cammy released the brake on her chair. “We’ll stay clear of it.”
Silently, she added, And as far away as possible from Kent Baldwin.
Chapter Nine
Vance had swung himself around on the picnic bench and now lazed back, his elbows resting on the table. Once he felt convinced that Nicole wasn’t going to show up today, he began to relax. He knew she’d been hurt over their breakup, but he didn’t relish witnessing another public scene such as the one in the church parking lot a few weeks ago.
Peals of laughter suddenly captured his attention, and he looked toward the play area. His gaze seemed adhered to Meg Jorgenson like melted gum on his shoe. He had to admit to feeling curious about her. She sat in the sand, interacting with a gathering of kids. She had a special way about her, that’s for sure, and he had a hunch she’d be one of those teachers whom students remembered for the rest of their lives. She took an interest in each child, including Cammy, and what eight-or-nine year-old didn’t enjoy an adult’s rapt attention?
Thoughts of how she greeted him and Cammy when they first arrived at the picnic circulated through his head. He decided he certainly didn’t mind Meg’s doting at mealtime. Not one bit. What’s more, he enjoyed the way she brushed off that new gym teacher’s advances. Rather amusing to see, actually.
Vance tried to hide his slow grin by rubbing his fingertips across his mustache.
An instant later, his buddy Boz gave him a friendly rap upside the arm before sitting down beside him. His name was really Eddie Poedell, but as a kid he had curly orange hair that stuck out on the sides like Bozo the Clown’s. Hence, the nickname “Boz.”
“You get a load of the jock playing volleyball with the girls?”
“Mmm-hmmm.”
“He had the nerve to take off his shirt. The old ladies are aghast.”
This time Vance didn’t even attempt to conceal his mirth. He glanced at his husky friend and they shared a chuckle.
“I don’t know about you,” Boz said, “but I work too many hours to get tan like Mr. Muscleman over there. I mean, I might get a little sunburned when I mow the lawn.” He leaned forward. “Who has time to lay out in the sun all day?”
“I think it’s more like fifteen minutes a day at the tanning salon.”
“Aw, man—” Boz looked embarrassed. “I shoulda known.”
Vance laughed again.
Boz sat back. “Well, the guy’s the talk of the town, and it’s irritating, you know? I mean, all I’m going to hear about at home is how out of shape I am and how built Mr. Muscleman is. Tara’ll want to join that new fitness center by the Goodwill. Next thing ya know, she’ll be feeding me nothing but fancy grass trimmings and a piece of meat the size of my thumb.”
“Might not hurt.”
“Which one? The fitness club or the diet?”
“Both.”
Boz removed his cap and whacked Vance.
A few other friends sat down and joined the bantering. Then Jeff Short extracted a fifty-dollar bill from his wallet and gave it a surreptitious wave.
“Here’s betting that Mrs. Jorgenson’s granddaughter and Musclehead over there are an item by the end of the year,” he said, sitting forward in the green lawn chair.
Vance knew his buddies didn’t mean any harm, but he shook his head at their antics all the same. “Listen, you guys, shouldn’t we be reaching out to the new teachers, instead betting on them?”
“A friendly wager never hurt anyone.”
Vance shrugged, and his gaze skipped to where Meg still sat in the sand with a circle of children around her. The view reminded him of a serene watercolor painting, even with his young daughter bound in her black wheelchair. Cammy always stuck out in a crowd because of her disabilities, but the smile on her face right now shone as brightly as the other kids’. The sight did Vance’s heart good, but somehow it irked him to imagine Meg romantically involved with Kent. He wasn’t really sure why.
“So are you in, Vance?”
“Nope.” He pulled his gaze from Meg.
Boz nudged him. “You don’t have to pay right now.”
“I’m not betting, okay?”
His chums inched backwards, and Vance immediately regretted his sharp tone.
“What’s eating you?” A frown creased Jeff’s brow.
“Nothing. I’m just not betting.”
“We’re just havin’ a little fun.”
“Go on, then. Have your fun.” Vance stood and made his way to the table filled with every kind of dessert imaginable. He didn’t feel hungry, but he selected a few peanut butter cookies off a platter anyway.
Boz had followed him. “So what’s going on with you? You seem tense.”
“Aw, nothing.”
“Is it Nicole? You heard the news then, huh?”
“What news?”
Boz winced. “I hate to be the one to tell you this.”
“Just spit it out.”
“She’s back together with that professor in Stanford that she used to date. Tara said he didn’t get married like he planned, and instead, he’s hooked back up with Nicole.”
“Well, then, maybe the two of them are meant to be.” Vance raked his fingers through his hair. He wondered if Nicole had been seeing the professor while he was still dating her. But then he decided he didn’t care one way or the other. He honestly wished Nicole the best and hoped she’d find happiness.
“The way I see it is,” Boz began, “she just wants to get married again in the worst way. She talked about it a lot when we’d all get together.”
“I know, but that wasn’t what scared me off. It’s like I told you—Nicole is no Angie.”
“Of course not. No one will replace her. But in time you’ll find the right woman and the two of you will have something special together.” Boz gave him a friendly slap between the shoulder blades.
“Yeah, maybe.”
In spite of himself, Vance’s gaze wandered back to where his daughter and Meg sat near the play equipment. The idea of asking Meg out sometime sent a thrill right through him, but he knew they were opposites in many ways. She was big city, he was a country boy. She had her college degree, and Vance didn’t even finish his second year at the University of Kentucky. He had quit school so he could marry Angie, and Cammy was born the next year.
Yeah, he could see where Meg and the new gym teacher might appear more compatible, and as he and Boz walked back to where their friends sat, Vance couldn’t fault them for betting on the match. And yet, he wasn’t so naïve about life that he didn’t sense a spark of interest coming from Meg each time they made eye contact.
Love Finds You in Miracle, Kentucky Page 8
