“You need something?” Bill called out from beneath the vehicle.
The question sent adrenalin spurting through his veins. “Yes, if it’s not a bad time for you.”
The mechanic’s gurney squeaked and moved until Bill’s face was visible. With a grunt, he said, “I need to talk to you, too. Give me just a minute.” He slid back beneath, made a few quick adjustments, and then slid back out, sitting up.
Micah reached down to give him a hand, but he brushed the offer away. “Too dirty.”
Waiting patiently, Micah’s gaze slid over the shop’s tools without really taking them in. He watched Bill move to a sink and wash his hands with a harsh soap. “Wanna go in and see if Anita’s got any lemonade for us?”
“No.” Micah blurted out much too quickly. “I mean what I want to talk about is personal.” He glanced at the door to his cottage. “How about my place?”
“Too dirty. Pull up a seat.” Bill closed a huge toolbox and perched on it.
Seeing an empty bucket, Micah plopped it upside down and sat across from Bill, who eyed him with curiosity and what he hoped was respect. “I’ve been working through some things. What I once told you about Megan wasn’t completely truthful.” At Bill’s growing frown, Micah quickly continued. “About my feelings for her. The truth is I love your daughter, sir. Have since the day I saw her on the steps at Rosedale.” He sighed. “It’s a long story.”
“I’ve all the time in the world.”
“She didn’t return the attraction, so I learned to hide it.”
“That why you came to Plain City?” Bill’s harsh voice interrupted.
“No. At that time, I didn’t harbor any hope that Megan would change her mind. It was more of a nuisance for both of us.”
Bill nodded.
“But then we became friends and helped each other through some stuff. I gave her advice. She gave me advice.”
Bill got a slight smile on his face, and Micah thought Bill was reading too much between the lines. “Anyway, I knew I’d fallen for her again, only I wasn’t sure about her feelings. When you brought up marriage, I didn’t want her to find out about my feelings that way. Didn’t think the timing was right.”
“I can understand it happened prematurely, but as far as the church is concerned, the timing could be the key to your future.”
“That’s just it. I started out not wanting Megan to interfere with my chance at the job, but now I don’t want my job to interfere with my chance for Megan. I don’t care if it means losing this position. I’m more worried about losing her.”
“Have you talked to Megan about this?”
“No. We haven’t been alone since the incident. I don’t know if I’m reading her wrong, but I have to find out. And I wanted your permission first.”
Bill rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Permission for?”
“To pursue her.” He ran his hand through his hair. “To figure everything out.”
Bill’s smile showed his teeth. “You have it. As long as you don’t go breaking her heart. I’d be proud if things progressed and you became my son-in-law. I’m assuming that’s your goal?”
“Well eventually. Long term, yes, sir.”
“Your guess is as good as mine to what this congregation wants in a preacher. From what Inez told Leon today, Susanna didn’t take the elders’ advice. She’s trying to turn the older people against you. Just being a little more subtle than normal. Pushing the idea that you’ll bring too many changes.”
Micah hated to hear it. He thought about what he’d done after he’d left the professor’s home. How he’d gone over to Susanna’s and started cleaning up her yard. She’d come out of the house, spewing, “Don’t think that’s going to change my vote.”
His thoughts went over the conversation they had that day.
“No, ma’am. I’m not here to change your vote. Just to show you I’m not the bad guy you think I am.”
“Same thing.”
“What’s wrong Susanna? What’ve I done to offend you?”
“For one, you stare at me when you preach.”
“I’m looking at the clock. I’m sorry you thought that.”
“You can just go. My son takes care of my yard every time he comes to town.”
“I’m going to finish what I started.”
“So am I,” she’d said, marching to the house and slamming the door.
Bill interrupted his thoughts. “She’s right about that. There’ll be changes.”
With only a week and a half until the big vote, Micah had done some planning. “I was thinking of having a communion service, then taking the vote afterward. Do you think that would be appropriate?”
“Sounds perfect. I hope the congregation doesn’t make a big mistake. Because you’re the right man for the job. God will have to deal with Susanna.”
“He’s given me a word on that, but it’s not mine to tell yet.”
Bill arched an inquisitive brow.
“I thought I’d ask Megan if she wanted to go with me to a fall festival out in Galena-Sunbury way.” He’d wanted to take her someplace romantic, away from every reminder of church and daily grind. Some place where she might catch the passion.
“God bless you, son.”
Micah reached out his hand, and this time Bill took it, shaking it firmly. Then Micah left him and strode toward the house. Now that he’d been given the go ahead, nothing could keep him from going after the woman he loved. He knew that she was home from work, and he wanted a moment alone with her before supper to instigate his plan.
Inside the kitchen Anita was humming. She turned at the sound of the door closing.
“Hi. You hungry?”
The aroma of freshly baked homemade bread wafted over him. “Getting there. Is Megan home?”
“Yeah, she’s up in her room.”
He moved up beside her. “I’ll stir the pot for you, if you don’t mind getting her for me.”
Anita handed him the spoon. “ ’Bout time.”
It was getting hard to ignore Anita’s little matchmaking attempts. He stirred the taco soup that he’d grown to love, thinking it would be nice to be a real part of this tight-knit family. He’d liked the way Bill called him son, earlier.
“You wanna see me?”
Anita stepped up and snatched the spoon. Probably would have pushed him, too, if he wasn’t already physically drawn toward her daughter. Swallowing, he nodded. “We need to talk.” Without waiting for Megan’s reply, he started toward the living room. When he heard her footsteps behind him, his heart began to race.
Megan glanced back at her mom. She gave her a frantic nod to follow Micah, who was acting strange. On the porch, she touched his arm, “What’s this all about?” One glance into his anxious face and trepidation crawled up her spine.
“Sit with me?”
Shrugging, Megan settled onto the white porch swing. When his movement swayed the swing, she grabbed the chain with one hand. Their shoulders touched, the same as they had that last time they’d shared the swing. She glanced at him. “You’re not going to give another lecture about playing with fire and growing up, are you?”
He grinned. “Hardly.”
Her thoughts went to the rumors she’d overheard Dad tell Mom about, rumors that he wasn’t going to get an affirmative vote, and wondered if this was some sort of farewell. She didn’t want to lose him now. “What’s wrong, Micah?”
“Your eyes are gorgeous. When you look at me that way, it’s hard to breathe, much less talk.”
She shifted her gaze to the floor. “Is this better?”
“No.”
She looked back up with confusion. The adoration in his gaze was unmistakable. Her heart leaped with hope. “I’m listening.”
“I’d like to take you someplace romantic. I heard about a farm a county over that gives hayrides. Wanna go out Saturday night?”
The hope inside her exploded into fireworks that warmed and spread. But it seemed too good to be true. She had t
o hear more, to be sure of what he was offering. “Go on a romantic date?”
“Uh-huh.” He fastened his soft brown gaze on her in a way that started the fireworks all over again. A corner of his mouth lifted playfully. “Want to?”
How could she convey that the prospect of a hayride with him made Ecuador with Chance inconsequential? His eyes were so boyishly hopeful, and she wanted to remove every qualm. To erase any lingering memories of her past mistakes and poor decisions. Moments passed as she groped for the perfect response. In the lapse, his gaze grew dismayed. She needed to say something before he started wheezing.
“Only if you let me kiss you in the corn maze.”
His gaze opened in understanding. He beamed. Shook his head with wonder as if he’d been given a gift. “Now that’s a promise.”
CHAPTER 37
Megan skipped through the remainder of the week, feasting on her great-grandpa’s love quotes and Micah’s lovesick glances from across the dinner table. Neither of them sought out private conversation with each other, not wanting to burst their bubble of infatuation, but directing all their romantic energy toward their date on Saturday.
When the day finally arrived, Megan dressed in a warm skirt, blouse, and light wool coat. Micah wore jeans. When she slid into the passenger seat of his Honda Civic, she grinned. “This is my first ride in your car.”
“First date,” he reminded her with a look that held plenty of promise, a look that wasn’t going to let her back down. “Hopefully, a lot of firsts tonight.”
This openly flirtatious side of him was new. It was as though he’d rent the veil, and his adoration poured over her in a massive warm wave. She should have known he’d be flirtatious and fun. He’d probably be eloquently expressive in a relationship, too. After all, he was a preacher. But it was hard to believe that he was finally throwing decorum to the wind. She cast a skeptical side-glance at him. “How long do you think it will be until everybody hears about this?”
“It doesn’t matter. We have your dad’s approval.”
“I know.” She felt strangely nervous.
He sensed her hesitation. “Anyway, the Lord says not to worry about tomorrow.”
“If we date, will you always quote scripture to me?”
“Not in the corn maze.” He grinned. “I was thinking we’d better do that first, before it gets dark. I don’t want to miss it.”
Megan laughed and turned her gaze to the window. Everything familiar whizzed by, but she felt as though she was starting a wild adventure.
When they reached the farm, Micah paid their admission and raised his gaze to the jean-clad teenager who took their money. “Point me to the corn maze.”
Aye, yi, yi. What was she getting herself into with such a determined, one-track man? She couldn’t wait to find out. “You can buy that ticket here, if you want.”
“I want,” he replied, looking deep into Megan’s eyes. Blushing with delight, she clasped his hand, now stamped to get them inside the maze. They strolled along a wide path flanked with pumpkins and corn shocks. “I’ve waited a long time for this.”
“Yes, autumn is my favorite season. Especially after a long hot summer.”
“Hot and dry. Absolute drought-ridden.”
They passed some food booths. It almost frightened her to imagine how such a parched man would quench his thirst, and with thoughts of her own inexperience, she slowed her pace. The pleasant aroma of kettle corn wafted over them, and he misunderstood. “Hungry?”
She paused to watch the man who ran the booth. He smiled at her. She didn’t really want popcorn in her teeth for their first kiss. “There’s more to life than food,” she paraphrased, shooting scripture back at him.
He caressed her hand with his thumb. “I can’t wait to get you alone.”
A breeze swirled some fallen leaves. Megan shivered.
Micah turned to face her. He gently took her by the shoulders. “I’m only teasing you. I’m a patient man.”
The tenderness in his gaze drew her. “Yes, well, I should probably tell you, about now, that sometimes I’m more words than action.”
He dropped his hands, then tucked her hand in his arm and started walking. “Don’t worry. I don’t even know what to do in a corn maze. I’m a city boy.”
She doubted that. Micah was good at everything he attempted. They passed a stand that sold apple butter and Ohio maple syrup. “Will it be hard for you to adjust to small town? To Plain City?”
“I loved it when I was in college. In Allentown, we lived in the suburbs.”
“Tell me about your grandma’s house. Your house.”
“It’s small but quaint. In an old shady neighborhood.”
“Sounds nice.”
He squeezed her hand. “Very nice.”
“You’re very one-tracked.”
He pointed at his chest. “Me?”
They reached the maze entrance. He showed another teenager the stamp on his hand. The kid motioned them in. Megan stared at the large red sign that read Enter. With a chuckle, Micah grabbed her hand and tugged her through its opening onto a path. Walls of corn instantly towered above her head. Children’s voices carried to them over the beige tousled heads, and Megan relaxed. She felt almost childish again. In truth, it had been a long while since she’d actually been inside a corn maze.
Micah slipped his arm around her waist and drew her possessively to his side. “Wonder where the closest dead-end is?”
She lowered her voice and thickened her Dutchy accent. “I’ll bet you do.”
They followed the well-trodden path. On either side of them, sticky green and beige arms with stringy fingertips waved them along. They walked until the titters of children grew quiet around them. Rows and rows of tall brittle stalks, silent strangers except for the rustle of breeze or the thrashing of birds.
Suddenly Micah stopped. His arm still around her, he drew her close. “Thanks for coming with me tonight.”
“I was thrilled you asked. I thought I had run you off for good.”
“It’s been complicated.”
“Painfully so.” She saw his eyes sadden and wanted to explain that she wasn’t talking about Chance. “I’ve so many regrets that I didn’t get to know you back in school. Things could have been different.”
He leaned down and rested his forehead against hers. Whispered, “I’m not complaining. I like the way things are. You here, in my arms.” He tilted his head and sought her lips.
She melted into his kiss, her hand going up to the back of his neck. She allowed him to quench his thirst, but he gave her more than he took before he drew away. He stroked her cheek then dropped his hand and gazed at her with adoration.
With his tenderness, he had completely stolen her heart. She felt like doing Lil’s garbanzo dance. Or Paige’s cha-cha step. She tucked her bottom lip in her teeth. “I guess that was a good idea, huh?”
He burst into laughter. His eyes lit with mischief. “Just so you know. That was your kiss. The one you requested. The next one will be mine.”
Her eyes widened in speculation, his promise whetting her appetite.
“Come on.” He tugged her hand, and they started back through the maze.
Megan dropped her gaze to the black soil strewn with dry matter. Like their steps, her mind covered many paths. When she looked up, she said, “It’s hard to shake the feeling that we always have to watch over our shoulder.”
“We aren’t going to do that anymore.”
She nodded, wondering about Micah’s intentions for their budding relationship.
On the hayride that wound through a colorful display of woods, he brought up the subject. “By now, you must know how much I adore you. But we need to take things slow.” She nodded, although she didn’t fully understand, and recognized the look when his eyes took on a steely glint. “Will you trust me in this?”
Megan couldn’t begin to grasp what his question entailed, but she was sure it had a lot to do with the congregation’s vote. She als
o sensed his urgency.
“Yes, I will.”
His eyes slid closed in relief. When they opened again, he said, “That means everything to me. I’ll do my best not to disappoint you.”
She thought he wanted to kiss her again, but he didn’t. And she realized he wouldn’t do that in a public setting. His steel extended beyond his gaze. Mettle ran through his veins. And from the memory of their kiss, there was hot lava in there, too. She wanted to ask him if he’d still stay in Plain City if the vote was negative, but she’d just assured him of her trust, so she squelched the question.
Megan didn’t see much of Micah the next week. Her dad mentioned Micah was spending time in his cottage, fasting and praying about the vote. But on Wednesday morning, she’d just started her Nova’s heater when she noticed a small paper sack on the bench seat. It wasn’t any ordinary bag with its large blue ribbon. Her heart panting with thoughts of Micah, she drew it to her lap. She shot a look toward the cottage, but the drapes were drawn tight. Relishing the gift, she slowly pulled the ribbons. Peered inside. To the delight of her soul, she pulled out a clear plastic bag of candy corn. She opened the candy and placed one on her tongue. Closed her eyes, remembering their kiss. Wondering when she was going to get the next one.
Another glance toward the cottage told her that it wouldn’t be until after the vote. But in the meantime, she’d savor his gift, one kernel at a time. She stuffed the bag in her purse, thinking that with Tina coming into the office to begin her training, she was going to need all the sweetness she could get.
Megan stood in the church foyer, looking for Micah. She’d hoped to give him a word of encouragement before the big church meeting. With disappointment, she gave in to the fact that he must be cloistered off some place with the elders or search committee.
“Not me. I don’t like having the vote right after communion.” Susanna shook her auburn head.
Megan retreated into the sweet-smelling library and shrank against the nearest bookcase filled with inspirational nonfictions. She hadn’t set out to eavesdrop, but she didn’t want to step into the middle of that conversation. She feigned interest in a book of sermons. From her hidden vantage point, she could hear Barbara’s gentle protest.
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