Always Dakota - Debbie Macomber [96]
Jeb glanced at her and sighed expressively. “You know how I feel about meetings.”
“Yes, I do,” she said, and slipped her arm through his. Leaning her head against his shoulder, she reflected that his being part of this committee was no small thing. He’d agreed when she’d first mentioned it. Only later did he start muttering, and Maddy had the feeling it was mostly for show. Gage and Lindsay were also on the committee, along with Rachel and Heath Quantrill, and Joanie and Brandon Wyatt.
The weather was lovely and Maddy was convinced that, with a minimum of effort, they’d be able to get a group of volunteers together right away. She and Rachel Quantrill were spearheading the project. Everyone seemed to be waiting for someone else to do it. Maddy understood; people were busy with their own lives. Well, she, for one, was determined to see this park become a reality.
“I wouldn’t do this for anyone in the world but you,” Jeb muttered, his voice gruff.
“I know, honey, and I appreciate it.”
“Is Dennis going to be there?”
Maddy shook her head. “Not that I know of.”
“How come he gets out of this and I don’t?”
“Would you kindly stop your complaining? If all goes well, by the end of the summer, we should have a real park.”
He muttered something else, but she noticed he didn’t complain again as they continued the hour-long drive into town.
Lindsay and Gage were the only people already at the vacant lot when they arrived. Gage was carrying his daughter, Joy, and Julianne automatically went into Jeb’s arms when he removed her from the car seat. Not long from now, the girls would both be walking. It seemed impossible to Maddy that just a year ago she’d been pregnant. So many wonderful changes had come into her life since the move to Buffalo Valley.
Lindsay and Maddy immediately started chatting. Now that they were both married, they didn’t have nearly as much time as they would have liked to maintain their friendship. They found themselves depending on phone calls and even e-mail; at least they could stay caught up on news.
Gage and Jeb had their heads together, too.
“Hmm. There’s a sight you don’t see every day,” Hassie commented as she approached the small group.
“What?” Lindsay asked.
“Two men, holding their baby daughters on their hips. I gotta tell you, it does my old heart good to see those two married and settled down.”
Maddy and Lindsay glanced at each other and shared a smile.
“Is everyone prepared to work hard to make this park happen?” Hassie asked loudly. “It isn’t going to come together by itself, you know.”
“Maddy,” Jeb called.
She walked over to him and he handed her Julianne. “Gage says he can get the tractor out here to churn up the land and get the grass planted.”
“You’d be willing to do that?”
Lindsay stepped next to her and elbowed Maddy’s side. “Don’t look a gift tractor in the mouth. He volunteered, didn’t he?”
“I can set aside some time next week,” Gage told her.
“Wonderful.” Maddy beamed at him.
“Harvey Hendrickson from the hardware store volunteered wood for a couple of picnic tables,” Hassie added.
“I could build those,” Jeb chimed in.
Joanie and Brandon Wyatt arrived, followed by the Quantrills, and Maddy updated them on what had been discussed.
“We need playground equipment,” Hassie said next. “If families are going to come here for a picnic, they’ll want something to keep the youngsters entertained.”
“It wouldn’t take much to put up a few swings.” Maddy looked around. “Swings would be nice.”
Heath and Rachel nodded.
“One of those big timber play sets would be good, don’t you think?” Rachel asked.
Maddy liked the idea, but knew they were expensive. She mentioned the price listed in a brochure she’d read and watched the enthusiasm of her committee wane.
“And that doesn’t include assembly,” Lindsay said.
Brandon Wyatt cleared