by Kay Correll
Within minutes, Connor came back with a hammer and nails, and Mac started helping the boys repair their tree house.
He’d never had a tree house, and the structure fascinated him. He could only imagine having a place like this as a child. A place to escape to, to hide out in. These boys were very lucky kids.
Nora watched as Mac helped the boys repair their tree house. He carefully explained safety with a hammer, then let each boy have a try nailing in the boards.
“He’s good with them.” She set down the small trowel she was using to plant some bulbs in a flowerbed in the backyard.
Beth grabbed a sack of bulb food and sprinkled some in the holes her mother had dug. She glanced over at the boys. “He’s very patient with them, isn’t he?”
“He seems like a nice young man.” Nora dropped a bulb into the hole and gently covered it with soil.
“You’re probably the first person in Sweet River Falls to ever say that about him.” Beth watched while Mac climbed into the tree house with the boys.
“I remember he had quite a reputation when you were in school.” Nora plopped another bulb in the ground.
“He did. But you know what I found out? He had undiagnosed learning disabilities. He must have struggled so hard to try and keep up and fit in. It’s a shame, really. Our school system should do so much more.”
“Maybe your presentation to the school board will help.”
“I sure hope so. The state does some, but we could do so much more. These learning-disabled kids are getting lost in the shuffle. Jenny Larson’s son was teased for years until they figured out he had a reading disability. Kids can be mean. Anyway, he got some help through the state special education program, but it wasn’t enough. If Jenny hadn’t been able to afford a tutor, he’d never have caught up with his grade level.”
“What about the kids who parents can’t afford a private tutor?” Nora pushed a lock of hair out of her face with the back of her hand.
“I know.” Beth sighed. “And you know how this school is. They like the middle of the road kids. Average. Not exceptionally bright, nor ones with any disability. Both ends of the spectrum get left out. I want that to change.”
Nora could hear the urgency in her daughter’s voice. “I’m sure you’ll do your best to see if you can make that happen.”
Truth be told, Nora was beginning to worry about Beth. She had the boys, her teaching job, this crusade to help the kids at her school who needed extra help… and now this mayor’s race. Mayor of Sweet River Falls wasn’t a full-time position, but it would take up a lot of Beth’s time.
There didn’t seem like there would be enough hours in the day for all of that. Well, she’d help Beth as much as she could. She loved having the boys around. She could help out with that. But Beth was going to have to figure out how to sort out all the rest of it.
Trevor came racing back to where she and Beth were planting the bulbs.
“Can I help?” He dropped to his knees beside her.
“Of course.” Nora handed him a bulb and explained to him how to plant it correctly.
His face screwed up in concentration as he carefully placed the bulb and covered it. “Like that, Grams?”
“Just like that.”
Mac and Connor crossed the yard and stood watching. Mac handed the hammer and extra nails to Connor. “Can you put these back where you got them? Always put your tools away when you’re finished so you can find them again easily.”
“Okay.” Connor took the tools and headed for the garage.
“Do you need some help with the planting?” Mac asked.
“No, we’re about done. I’ll let the boys help me finish up.” Once again Nora thought that Mac McKenna was a polite young man.
“I guess I’ll be going, then.”
Mac didn’t seem very eager to leave. Nora liked that. “Beth, why don’t you walk Mac out?”
Beth stood and brushed the dirt off of her jeans. “Thanks for helping the boys with the tree house.”
“No problem.”
“And thank you so much for fixing my father’s mug. It means a lot to me.”
“Really, it wasn’t a big deal.” A hint of an embarrassed blush crossed Mac’s face.
Nora could see he was a man not used to compliments or thanks.
“It was a big deal to me.” Beth started into the house, and Mac followed her.
He turned when he got to the doorway. “Bye, Trevor.”
“Bye, Mr. McKenna. You should come back and play with us again soon.” Trevor looked up at Mac.
Nora could see the look in Trevor’s eyes. Mac was already a friend as far as Trevor was concerned.
Connor walked around the corner from the garage and up to Mac. “Bye, Mr. McKenna. Thanks for the help.”
“My pleasure.” Mac disappeared inside the house.
Nora went back to planting the bulbs with the boys, hoping to keep them entertained long enough to give Beth and Mac some privacy. Mac was the first man she’d seen her daughter show the tiniest bit of interest in since her divorce from Scott. She was certainly not going to be the person to stand in their way. She’d even like to give them a little push if she could think up a reason to get them back together again…
Mac stood on the front step with Beth by his side. He had to keep himself from reaching out and brushing away a streak of dirt from her reddened cheek. He didn’t think she’d be very receptive to his touch.
Too forward.
But he wanted to.
As if she could read his thoughts, she reached up and wiped at her cheek with her sleeve.
“Well… thank you for the mug and for everything.”
“Sure.” He desperately struggled to think of something else to say. Some way to continue to spend more moments with her. He’d been so disappointed when Beth’s mother had turned down his offer to help plant the bulbs.
He turned at the sound of the screen door opening behind him.
Nora peeked her head out the door. “So the boys and I decided they should come over to the lodge and have dinner with me later. We’re going to make homemade pizza. How about I have Miss Judy make you two a picnic basket and you could picnic by the lake? Beth could use the break. She works too hard.”
“Mom, I’m sure Mr. McKenna has better things to do with his evening.”
Oh, no he didn’t. “Actually… I can’t think of a better way to spend my evening.”
“You sure?” Beth looked uncertain.
“I’m sure.”
“Great. Come over about five. Beth will be wanting to get the boys back home before too late since it’s a school night. But that should give you two time for a nice, relaxing meal. Nothing better than a nice picnic outside by the lake. Might as well take advantage of this weather before it turns too cold.”
“I appreciate the invite.” He turned and hurried to the truck, glancing at his watch. If he hurried, he’d just have time to head back to Mountain Grove, check on things at the tavern, and put on a clean shirt. He wondered if Beth considered this a date with him?
Or… what was it, really?
Whatever it was, he was pleased to be seeing her again tonight. He climbed into the truck and waved to Beth and her mother as he pulled out of the driveway.
So far this day had turned out way better than he’d expected.
“Mom, what are you doing?” Beth turned to her mother as Mac pulled out of the drive.
“What do you mean?” Her mother feigned innocence, but Beth was having none of it.
“Why did you invite him over? It’s almost like you set us up on a date.”
“Call it what you want. Personally, I’d simply call it a picnic.” Nora turned and headed into the house. She called back over her shoulder. “I’m going to go ahead and take the boys to the lodge with me. You can get cleaned up. You have a smudge of dirt on your face, by the way.”
Beth walked to the mirror hanging over a small table by the door and scrubbed at her face with her hand.
Large wisps of hair had broken free of her french braid. She looked a mess. What a great impression she must have made on Mac.
Immediately she was annoyed that she even cared what kind of impression she made on him.
She headed to her room to clean up, but only because she didn’t want to look like such a wreck. Only because a woman had a sense of pride in her looks, not because she cared about Mac’s opinion.
A shower and three changes of clothes later, she headed over to the lodge.
Chapter 12
Beth shook out the blanket and set it on the ground by the lake. The early evening rays of sun filtered through the tree branches, tossing spots of light on the blanket.
“Here, let me help with that.” Mac straightened out the blanket and set the picnic basket at the edge.
Beth knelt on the blanket and began to unpack the basket. Miss Judy had put in chicken salad sandwiches, chips, fruit slices and a couple of huge pieces of chocolate cake. “Well, this is enough to feed an army.”
“Good, I’m starving.” Mac tossed a lazy grin at her.
She tried not to let him see the effect his smile had on her. She picked up a sandwich and promptly dropped it. She picked it up again and carefully unwrapped it. She handed it to him and he took a bite. She tried not to stare at him while he gazed out at the lake and enjoyed his supper. The golden light bathed his strong cheekbones. He looked over at her, and she quickly concentrated on her own sandwich.
“It’s really quiet and peaceful here, isn’t it?” He motioned toward the lake.
“It is. I really love it here. Though there are rumors that Dobbs is trying to get the zoning here changed. He wants to sell some land he owns on the far side of the lake to a condo developer.”
“He can’t do that, can he?”
“Not if I have anything to say about it. There are plenty of lakes in Colorado with condos and motorboats and noise. Lone Elk Lake is just so… well, like you said, peaceful.”
“It would be a shame to ruin all this.” He looked out over the lake. “A real shame.”
“Well, I’m going to do everything I can to make sure it doesn’t happen.”
“Dobbs is a hard one to fight, I’d imagine.”
“He is, but no way is he going to ruin this lake. Not only because it would hurt Mom’s business, but because… well, I love this lake. I grew up here. So many people come to enjoy the serenity here. There’s a small park at the far end of the lake with picnic tables, a gazebo, and a fishing dock. It’s just… lots of people come here to enjoy it. I’d hate to see condos and motorboats come in.
“Well, I hope none of that happens. I hope it all can stay the same. I’m all for needed change. Everything eventually changes, doesn’t it? But I don’t see the need for ruining the tranquility of this place.” He shook his head.
They sat in quiet for a while, finishing up their dinner. The sky began to burst forth in streaks of yellow and orange slashing through the white fluffy clouds.
“It’s going to be a gorgeous sunset.” She reached for the chocolate cake and handed Mac a piece.
“Looks like it. I’m usually busy working this time of night and don’t get to see too many sunsets.”
“This is my favorite spot to watch them.”
Mac took a bite of the cake. “Mm, this is good.”
“Miss Judy makes the best chocolate cake.”
“I’d have to say I agree with you.”
Silence drifted around them again as they sat and watched the sunset deepen. A peace settled over Beth. It was nice to slow down and just enjoy the moment. She didn’t do that very often, and she should.
Mac glanced over at Beth, her face bathed in the golden light of the sunset. He’d love to just freeze this moment in time and take it out again and again to enjoy it like a person did with a beloved photograph. Just being with her like this felt so right… and so strange at the same time.
He reached over with a napkin. “You got a spot of chocolate here in the corner of your mouth.” He gently wiped it away.
She self-consciously swiped at her mouth with the back of her hand.
“No, I got it all.” He smiled at her, and she rewarded him with her warm smile in return.
A crazy thought flashed through his brain.
He’d really like to lean over and kiss her.
Before he had a chance to act on his impulse, she picked up her plate and dropped it into the picnic basket. “I guess we should pack this up. I really do need to go round up the boys and get them home.”
He reluctantly got to his feet, the opportunity for a kiss broken in an instant of indecision. He reached down his hands for her. She put her hands in his, and a shock of electric connection flashed through him. Her warm hands grasped his as he effortlessly helped her to her feet. As she rose, she started to lose her balance and fell against him, banging into his chest.
He tightened an arm around her. “You okay?”
That smile again. “I’m fine.”
He reluctantly lessened his hold on her. They picked up the remnants of their picnic and put them back in the basket. He grabbed the basket and they headed back toward Nora’s cabin.
Their hands brushed once as they started along the path. He debated taking her hand in his.
Once again, his indecision cost him his moment.
Beth paused and turned back to get one more look at the sunset.
He watched her look at the view, a sweet smile of contentment resting on her face.
Yet another moment he’d like to freeze in time.
Beth took the picnic basket from Mac as they reached her mother’s cabin. “Thank you. I had a really good time. I think I just needed the break.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. I did too.” Mac looked as if he was going to say something else, but he didn’t.
“Well, I better round up the boys.”
“Beth… I… um. Would you like to go out to eat?” He shuffled his feet. “Not tonight, of course. I mean another night. With me. Maybe tomorrow?” He let out a long breath of air, then tossed her a shy grin. “I’m not very good at this, am I?”
“So, you’re asking me out on a date?” Her mind reeled. She didn’t really want to date anyone. Especially now. Things were just crazy in her life. And yet she’d had a wonderful time with Mac tonight. Her thoughts bounced like a rock skipped across the lake.
“I wasn’t very clear, was I?” He shook his head, a mild look of disgust covering his face. “Yes, would you like to go out with me?”
“Well, I can’t tomorrow. I have to stay late and work with one of my students. He has learning disabilities and I’m trying so hard to unlock things for him. Find a way to get things into his brain. He’s trying hard, too.”
“I could help you with that.”
“What?”
“Like, you know, a volunteer or something. Seriously, I know a lot about teaching people with learning disabilities. Once I unlocked the secret to reading for me, I did a ton of research. I keep up with new techniques. Maybe I could help him. I’d love to pay it forward for all that JT did for me when he taught me to read.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive. Why don’t you let me come by after school tomorrow? I’ll bring some books I have. Let me work with him.”
“That would be great. I’ll check with his mom to make sure it’s okay with her, but I’m sure it will be.”
“Then I’ll see you after school tomorrow.”
“I’ll see you then.”
He turned and headed to his truck, a soft whistle trailing behind him as he walked away.
Chapter 13
Mac pulled into the school parking lot right as school let out the next day. Kids streamed out of the building to waiting buses and cars. He waited until some of the chaos settled down, then climbed out of his truck, a stack of books tucked under his arm.
He pushed through the front door and saw the large sign. “Please check in at the front office.” He swallowe
d. He could do that. It made sense in this day and age to have visitors check in. He strode to the office, trying to feel like he belonged, and pushed the door open.
A lady at the desk smiled at him. “May I help you?”
“I’m here as a volunteer. Beth Cassidy is expecting me.”
The lady walked behind her desk, contacted Beth, and turned back toward him. “Yes, she’s expecting you. Here’s your visitor badge.”
He pinned a badge onto his shirt and headed down the hallway, trying not to let the rows of lockers and endless floor tile intimidate him.
A grown man.
Intimidated by a school.
Beth stood in the doorway of her class as if waiting to rescue him from the torment of his memories. “Hi.”
“Hi.” He peeked around her to see a young boy sitting at a desk.
“That’s Jimmy Nelson. Come, let me introduce you.”
He followed her into the room.
“Jimmy, this is Mr. McKenna. Mac, this is Jimmy Nelson.”
“Miss Cassidy says you’re like me.” The boy looked up at him.
“Well, I like to think that everyone is different in their own way. But, yes, my brain kind of works like yours. We think and learn things differently than others. Not wrong. Just different.” Mac slipped onto a low chair beside the boy, maneuvering to find room to stretch his legs out.
“Well, I hate it. I just want to be like everyone else.”
He remembered feeling just like Jimmy Nelson. It was hard trying to fit in and trying to read and keep up with your classmates. “You don’t need to be like them. You can be like you. We’ll find a way to sort through all this. We’ll get you reading. Let’s see if we can work together to make that happen. I’m not saying it will be easy, but we’ll work at it together. Deal?”
“Deal.” Jimmy nodded his head enthusiastically.
Mac spread out some books on the table. “Let’s get started.”
