She shook Carolyne’s hand politely but looked as if she’d much rather be anywhere else but there. Her gaze met Meghan’s and she stared at the cane and then averted her gaze.
Self-consciously, Meghan shifted slightly to hide the cane and began laying out the silverware.
“Well now…” Carolyne walked into the dining room with Chase. “I know you’ve met Meghan, Chase. Meghan, this is Chase’s daughter, Sarah.” She indicated the young girl. “Sarah, this is Meghan.”
Meghan smiled warmly at the child, thinking how hard it must be on her being the only young one here.
Sarah stuck her chin up and said stiffly, “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
“And you,” Meghan replied. She herself was ill at ease too and wished Dakota was here. Though she was quickly falling in love with Carolyne for the sweet graceful woman she was, she felt closer to Dakota, more at ease with him, as if he could protect her from the others she didn’t know or who might expose her as a fraud.
It was silly, but true. Though she hadn’t been back in years, she still felt an instant connection with her childhood friend. She wondered if he was even going to make it tonight.
“Hello, everyone,” Dakota called, striding in the door on cue and dropping an armful of papers and books on a small table.
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Meghan wilted with relief. All attention turned from her to the handsome, composed, smiling man who had just entered the house.
“Hey, man.” Chase walked up to Dakota and shook his hand.
Dakota gripped Chase’s hand in return and shook it.
“I made it on time tonight, I hope, though it looks like everyone is already here.”
Mary and Margaret walked into the dining room, pot roast and carrots nestled in white decorated dishes.
“We wondered if you’d make it this evening at all,”
Margaret hmmphed.
“Of course he would, sister,” Mary added.
His mom returned to the room with another bowl of potatoes and a smaller one of gravy. “You’re just in time. Can you get the pitcher and glasses for me?”
Dakota nodded. “Of course.”
He passed Sarah, ruffled her hair, and winked at Meghan. Though he’d put her out of his mind, he found with that dress she was wearing tonight, she was now back in the forefront. He was right, she really did clean up nice. In the kitchen he quickly washed up and then returned, carrying a tray filled with iced glasses and a pitcher of tea.
“So, how is everyone tonight?” he asked as they all took their seats.
They paused while he said grace and then Margaret replied, “We’d be a lot better if you would let us replace that bed Meghan is sleeping on. It’s disgraceful, I tell you. Absolutely scandalous.”
“I must agree with Margaret, Cody, dear,” Mary said.
“That bed has seen better days.”
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“Oh no—” Meghan began, her cheeks turning pink.
“I didn’t know,” Dakota interrupted smoothly and cut his roast. “I’ll have to check it out.”
“No, really,” Meghan interrupted.
“Yes, really,” Margaret argued.
“A bed is a bed, isn’t it?” Sarah said into the argument, not looking up but cutting on her roast.
All turned to look at her. The room fell quiet.
Carolyne chuckled. “You are quite right. Except in some cases beds break down and become lumpy.”
“I had a bed like that once,” Mary added, as if obliv-ious to the simmering anger of the young child. “You’ve heard the story of the princess and the pea? Well, my bed had several peas the size of boulders. I was never so happy as when Papa bought me a new mattress. It was sheer heaven.”
“They probably were boulders, sister. You used to get so dirty when you were a child.”
Dakota shook his head. “I’ve slept on a few boulders—in sleeping bags.”
Everyone laughed and Dakota smiled, until Sarah added, “I might as well sleep on boulders in this hick town.”
“Sarah!” Chase warned shortly.
“Well, it’s true. This town is small and has nothing at all.” She glared at her father, her mouth trembling with anger as if she was trying not to burst into tears.
“You won’t talk like that when we’re guests in someone’s house,” Chase warned.
“Actually, it is a small town.” Dakota worked to smooth over the tension. Both Mary and Margaret had that offended look on their faces and he knew if he 118
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didn’t take charge of the conversation, there was no telling what they’d say. Meghan looked shocked and his mom had simply fallen quiet. Chase looked furious.
“Many people leave because they don’t like small towns. Meghan, on the other hand, has come back to visit.”
No one could argue with that, so the problem was, hopefully, solved. “What did you do today?” he added.
Dakota noted the apologetic look Chase sent him. He nodded slightly in acceptance.
“Mary and Margaret took me shopping,” Meghan’s cheeks colored.
Ah, a faux pas, he thought, seeing Meghan’s embarrassment. But the sisters weren’t the least bit shy.
“Yes, we did,” Mary said, her knife pausing over her roast. “And we had a grand time. We even stopped for ice cream.”
“And you had a soda float,” Margaret added, looking at Meghan. “Of course, I don’t think you would have, had we not insisted.”
Meghan turned redder. “You’d done so much for me already, ma’am,” she said softly.
Margaret beamed, as did her blue-haired sister. “And we were so happy to for someone as sweet as you. We’ll have to do it again.”
“Oh, my, yes,” Mary added. “I love going out for ice cream.”
A strange look crossed Meghan’s face. “I’ll be glad to drive next time.”
Dakota nearly guffawed but managed to turn it into a cough instead as he realized Meghan had experienced the sisters’ driving skills.
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“Are you okay, Pastor Cody?” Mary asked, concerned.
He nodded from behind his napkin and noted his mother’s admonishing look. “Yes, ma’am. Fine, thank you. So, sounds like you had a fun trip.”
Meghan nodded. “They bought me this dress. And thank you again,” she said, her attention turning toward the sisters.
“Bah.” Margaret waved a hand in dismissal. And so the conversation went, with the sisters filling in details of the day and Meghan being grateful.
Sarah ate in silence and Dakota wondered at it. Very few young girls were that quiet.
“Shall we retire to the living room for coffee and dessert?” Carolyne asked, and Dakota realized all were done with their food.
“Sounds great,” Dakota stood.
He watched with surprise as Meghan stood and lifted a cane to her side. He had noticed her trouble with her hand as she ate and wondered if that too was from her MS. Her walking seemed more balanced, if a bit slower and awkward as she worked to use the cane.
He forced his gaze away and led the way into the living room.
“How was your day?” Meghan asked softly and he realized she’d come up beside him.
He moved and motioned her to sit and then took a seat at a right angle to her. As the others came in and seated themselves, he launched into a detailed descrip-tion. “I met with the Bennetts today, as well as two other families, and then my youth pastor presented an interesting program he has planned for the youth.”
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“I like that young man,” Margaret told him. “He’s full of fire.”
“And nice,” Mary added.
Dakota chuckled. “He is that. He’s a good guy.” He accepted the dessert his mother handed him. “Thanks, Mom.” Returning his attention to the people sitting around, he added, “Chase, Sarah might enjoy the youth group. They
have several outings and are planning a winter one as we speak. You ought to stop by tomorrow night.”
“I just might do that.”
Dakota took a bite of the cake and smiled. “This is delicious. Who made this?”
Mary blushed like a young girl. “I did.”
“It was my recipe,” Margaret reminded her.
“But it was my frosting recipe,” Mary added.
“Indeed it was.”
“Well,” Dakota said, beaming, “it was worth the effort, for this is one of the best cakes I’ve tasted in a long while.”
Both women glowed. “You’re such a good child,”
Margaret added.
Dakota watched Chase cover his smile and nearly laughed, until he suddenly noticed that Meghan was asleep. Cake plate in her hands, her head was leaning to the side and her eyes were closed.
His gaze on her drew the others’ gazes.
“Oh, that poor dear.” Mary set her cake aside.
“It looks as if we’ve stayed too long,” Margaret added.
“She’s had a long day,” Carolyne said softly. “I guess we should have thought about that before planning dinner tonight.”
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“Nonsense,” Margaret argued. “We’ll take these dishes into the kitchen and then leave. It was fun. She needs to get to know more people and I’m sure she had a good time.”
Margaret stood and Mary followed.
“Does that mean we’re leaving?” Sarah asked hopefully.
Chase scowled at the way his daughter put it. “Yes, it does. However, I want you to thank Ms. Carolyne for dinner and thank her that you’ll start coming over here tomorrow.”
She didn’t look happy about it but she did it. “Thanks for the meal and that I can come over here.”
Carolyne smiled her sweet smile. “I’m so happy to have you, dear. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a teenager in the house and quite frankly, I am very excited about having you here.”
Sarah softened for a moment before shrugging in in-difference. “I’m not a teenager yet.”
“How true,” his mom laughed.
The laughter caused Meghan to stir.
Dakota went to her and touched her shoulder. Long lashes parted and green eyes gazed up at him. In that moment, they weren’t guarded or filled with the worries of the world. She smiled softly and met his gaze steadily.
Dakota felt an immediate connection just like this morning. He’d promptly removed his hand then, but this time he didn’t, and he felt his reaction all the way down to his toes. He realized he was caught in that gaze, but that he didn’t mind. She smelled good tonight, not like yesterday, but sweet and gentle, with a slight perfumy 122
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aroma. A strand of her hair brushed his hand where he’d touched. Unconsciously, as he watched her waking, he rubbed the hair between his fingers.
This wasn’t the little girl he’d once known, but a grown woman, a very beautiful grown woman.
Amazed at his thought, he froze.
The shadow of fear and worry crept back into her eyes and she sat up. “What…oh dear. Was I asleep?”
Dakota regained his equilibrium and hid his emotions. He touched her hand gently, taking the plate from her. “I think it’s bedtime for you.”
Warmth spread through him when he touched her hand and it disconcerted him. Wow. He mentally shook himself. He was a pastor, and he hadn’t had time for dating in so long that he’d nearly forgotten that feeling.
But it was there now.
He was attracted to Meghan. He didn’t have to mention how wonderful she’d looked tonight when he walked in, as he was sure everyone had noticed the change. But it was her demeanor, so soft and elegant, much like his mom in many ways, which had captured him during dinner. He hadn’t even realized it until now, staring into those eyes, how much she’d touched him.
He stepped back.
She shifted to get up. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered as she stood.
“Oh, don’t be, dear,” Carolyne told her. “We’re all tired and you especially. Don’t forget our deal and we’ll talk tomorrow.”
She nodded and Dakota wondered what that was about.
“If you’ll excuse me…” She turned to go. “Nice meeting you all,” she added and then fled.
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Chase walked up next to him and watched her go. “I think she was embarrassed about going to sleep on us.”
Dakota sighed. “Looks that way. Hopefully she’ll get over it. She did say her disease made her tired sometimes.”
“What do you know about MS?” Chase asked.
Dakota shrugged. “Not much. Just that her grandmother had it and was in a wheelchair.”
Chase nodded. “Well, I have to get my daughter home.”
Dakota noted Sarah had already gone out to the car.
“About what she said earlier,” Chase began.
Dakota shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. She’s hurting. She’s going to act out. There’s enough of us here to love her and help you.”
Chase’s look of gratitude was nice to see. “Thanks.”
He reached out to shake Dakota’s hand.
Dakota returned the handshake. “See you tomorrow.”
He nodded and left.
Carolyne closed the door after Chase and then turned to her son.
“Well, that went well, all in all, and I think we’re building a good base of friends for Meghan.”
Dakota nodded. He walked into the kitchen to help his mom load the dishes into the dishwasher. “I’m sorry she was embarrassed about falling asleep.”
“She doesn’t know us well, dear. It’ll take time for her to feel comfortable just being herself around us.”
His mom scraped the dishes while he rinsed and loaded. “I hope she gets adjusted quickly, because she needs a team of friends,” Dakota muttered.
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“Ah yes, I heard you say something about meeting with the Bennetts today.” His mother didn’t miss much.
He sighed.
“They had something to say about Meghan, didn’t they?”
“They’d heard the rumors about her, that’s for sure.
And they’re worried she’s going to take up too much of my time.”
His mother shook her head. “It’s a shame they had to approach you so quickly about something like this.
I don’t understand why they’re so afraid of change.”
“They’re afraid of losing money,” Dakota har-rumphed. “I don’t mean that. I think sometimes that it’s my age. I’m so much younger than our last pastor and I think they don’t believe I can do the job.”
He added soap and closed the dishwasher, starting it as he did.
“Hogwash.” His mother waved her hand in the air in dismissal. “They’re a tight, greedy couple who simply live to control.”
“Mother.”
“Well, it’s true, and yes, I do pray for them, but there’s no reason to ignore the truth.”
“God can still change them. And none of us are perfect.”
His mom nodded. “Just like little Sarah. Could you see the hurt in her eyes tonight? And the anger?”
“Chase has his work cut out for him with her. She’s not over her mother’s death by a long shot.”
Carolyne’s eyes took on a shadowed look. “Sometimes it can be really hard to get over a death, especially if you don’t understand why.”
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She had grieved a long time over his dad’s death and Dakota knew she had had a hard time coming to terms with why his dad had died in the granary accident. He had trouble sometimes himself. “We’ll have to help her understand that God is in control.”
“She’s going to need a lot of love, that one.”
“Well, I’m off to bed. I need some time in prayer and Bible study, and if I don’t do
it now…”
Carolyne reached out and hugged him. “I know, honey. Go on up. I’ll get the lights.”
He paused. “You know, Mom, I love you and appreciate you so much.”
She chuckled. “I’m glad to know that.” She waved him off. “Now go.”
He shook his head. He didn’t know what he’d do without his mother and her years of wisdom. He wondered how Sarah would do without her mom and vowed to spend some extra time in prayer about that and about the woman sleeping in the apartment behind their house.
Chapter Ten
The morning had been full of activities for Carolyne.
At one point she’d noted the young woman in the dying gardens out back, a sweater wrapped around her as she walked to one of the benches and sat down. The wind whipped her hair and Carolyne had sensed her loneliness.
She’d left her alone, praying and waiting until she felt Meghan was ready to talk. Right now she felt Meghan needed some time.
So, Carolyne had gone to Bible study and met up with Georgia, who had questioned her at length about Meghan. Carolyne had grown weary of answering without giving information and was glad when Georgia had been distracted from the subject.
Then she’d had to go shopping, but she’d finally made it back home for lunch.
Meghan had fallen asleep, again, right during the meal, so she’d gone to her apartment for a nap.
And now Sarah was here.
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Dear Sarah.
She’d arrived with a look of distrust on her face and a leeriness that made Carolyne’s heart contract in pain.
“My dad told you, didn’t he?” she asked, wording it, Carolyne noted, so that if Chase hadn’t mentioned the specific homework, she could lie and get away with not doing it.
“Yes, he did, Sarah. Would you like a snack while you copy your work?”
She shook her head no. Then, “Like what?”
“Well, I have bananas and cookies and milk and or-ange juice. You name it.”
She frowned. “I’m not really hungry but I guess a cookie would help keep my energy up.”
Carolyne resisted the urge to smile. “I think it just might.”
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