Chapter Fifteen

Meg looked over at Rascal as they left Regina's Roadside Refuge with Phoebe, David, and Joey. They'd picked up the kids for supper out and then playing at the park on the swings. Phoebe and Grant were bound and determined to take their dessert of ice cream cones to the park. Meg had held in a laugh when Rascal paused twenty feet from the door to go back in and get new cones. A shoving match between the kids had their ice cream cones hitting the ground.

"Now, I will not buy you any more if you fight and drop your ice cream again. You're supposed to be kind to your brothers and sisters," Rascal's stern voice had David and Phoebe nodding their heads.

Joey was lying in the stroller she'd grabbed from their house and had fallen asleep. Rascal slid a hand along her waist as they walked down the street.

"So, how do you feel about what the detective said today when he called?"

When she'd been notified that the college accountant had awakened and basically turned on the college president, she was dismayed. At first, she had wanted the day in court, but after thinking about it, she was thrilled she'd never have to go back to that town.

The detective had informed her that not only had an account been set up in her name but also one in the head of the English grad department's name. Part of the money had been embezzled from the college, but the majority of the funds were from the sale of drugs. The president had enlisted one of the science professors to manufacture the drugs in the college science lab.

"I think relieved the longer I thought about it. Nothing is looming on the horizon, hanging over my head. We can make plans and do whatever we want."

She pushed the stroller while Rascal took Phoebe and David's hands to walk across the street to the park.

"Papa, can we do the swings?"

"Yep, run there. I'm going to help Nana Meg get the stroller over the grass."

Her heart sang every time Rascal or one of the kids called her Nana Meg. She had so much now. Rascal took the stroller and popped up the front, so he only had to deal with the back wheels in the deep grass.

He stopped the stroller to the side of the swings and made sure the sun shade was pulled up before holding her hand as they walked over to push the kids on the swing.

"I'm glad you don't have to go back. I'm relieved but astonished no one else knew what was going on in the science building."

Meg nodded. "Me too. I find it hard to believe whatever they were making didn't smell. Now, tell me why we're at the park. I love to play with the kids but it's not like we had to come to the park to do it. There are three different swing sets on the compound."

Rascal chuckled and grinned at her. "Never try to get something past an intelligent woman. That eyesore lot over there." He nodded to the overgrown lot across from the park. "It's for sale. I looked at it space-wise and there is room for four tennis courts and four pickleball courts. I know some of the women have wanted to play pickleball, and I feel bad that the school doesn't have courts to use for tennis. Since we're together, I wasn't going to make that big of a purchase without your input."

Meg pushed David again and stared at the man with the biggest heart and softest center.

"Do we have the money?"

"Of course, we just did all that stuff at the bank, and you know how much we have."

"Is it something you want to do?"

"Well, yeah."

"I love that you want my opinion, especially on a big purchase but we have plenty of money. More than we'll need probably in this lifetime. I love that you want to do something that everyone can benefit from."

"Papa Rascal, I want to learn tennis."

Meg giggled. "Guess you'll need to think about someone willing to teach classes too."

"Yes, Phoebe girl. I will always try my best to make sure you and your siblings learn everything you want to."

Phoebe dragged her feet to stop the swing and then jumped up to wrap her arms around Rascal's waist. "Love you, Papa."

"I love you too."

"Don't want tennis. I leawn awchy?"

Meg looked at Rascal, trying to figure out what David was saying, then David held his hands up like a bow and arrow.

"Oh, archery? I can see who knows how to do that as long as your parents say it's okay."

Meg greatly agreed they needed to check with Bear and Winnie. David with a bow and arrow could be dangerous if he wasn't supervised.

"So, who is ready to head home? We'll grab hot cocoa and cookies from the clubhouse before you go home."

The kids' gleeful yells had her smiling, but Joey started fussing. Meg walked over to settle him. A rub on his tummy and humming a tune, and he quieted.

Rascal walked with Meg and the kids across the park. It was a lot easier going after they got to the sidewalk. The sheriff's department was on the corner and something at the back door caught his eye.

The new deputy he hadn't made a decision about yet was carrying a box to the trash but as he got close to the dumpster, a furry head popped out of the box.

Was he seriously tossing a kitten in the trash?

Rascal wasn't letting that happen. There were plenty of people who would take in unwanted animals. "Hey Deputy, is that a kitten in the box?" Rascal yelled.

The deputy abruptly paused, then glared across the street. Rascal was guessing if his face was any indication, the man was mad someone had caught him.

"Keep the kids here, just in case," Rascal directed.

If something was wrong with the kitten, he didn't want the kids upset. He hurried across the street. When he stopped in front of the deputy, the man reluctantly handed the box to Rascal. He opened the box the deputy had closed before Rascal had made it across the street.

Rascal couldn't believe his eyes. There were two kittens in the box. One a tiger striped tabby and another orange and white. Rascal guessed their ages about a couple months old.

"Are they strays?" Rascal worked to keep the fury from his voice. What type of person boxed up kittens and threw them in a dumpster?

"Yes, I was taking them to my car to deliver to the shelter."

Rascal glared, letting the deputy see all his fury. "It looked like you were walking to the trash dumpster."

The deputy smiled. "I would never hurt an animal. I think you're mistaken. My cruiser is parked by the dumpster. I considered keeping them myself, but I'm not home enough."

Rascal didn't believe a word out of the guy's mouth but wasn't willing to fight about it today. He turned and walked across the street before he put his fist in the deputy's face. He put a smile on his face so his grandkids wouldn't be upset. Well, maybe it was fate because in the last week, Meg mentioned she wouldn't mind getting a pet since she'd never had one before.

When he stopped in front of Meg and the kids, he opened the box where they could see.

"Oh, they are so cute," Meg reached in to pet one of them.

"Papa Wascal, can we keep them?" David asked.

"Well, you can come visit them. Nana Meg hasn't ever had a pet, so they are for her."

The joy in Meg's eyes and on her face had him knowing he'd done the right thing. Every dream she had and every wish she made was going to be granted as long as he lived. She was the woman he'd been waiting for.

"So where can we get pet food and all the things they'll need?"

Rascal smiled. She was already planning. "Let's text Locks because there is always a cat or two there."