Rememberances
part 3
Getting Acquainted
By Pat
“I figured that when you stopped the car.” MacLeod dryly acknowledged. He glanced around as he got out; another typical suburban neighborhood in a typical American town, nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. He reflected to himself how much the town had changed since he had last been there in 1822. His musings were interrupted by the sound of a door opening and a very exuberant little boy…
“Luka, Luka!” the child yelled as he ran down the sidewalk towards the man who waited for him with wide-open arms. Duncan looked on as Luka scooped the boy up into the air eliciting squeals of delight from the youngster.
“Hey Davie, you ready to go to the circus and get some cotton candy?” Luka laughingly asked, knowing only too well the answer he would get.
“Lets go, Luka, lets go…” Davie tugged at Luka’s hand as he tried to pull him towards the car.
“I think we better wait for your mom. She might get mad at us if we leave without her, don’t you think?”
Standing by the car, Duncan grinned as he watched the boy nodding in agreement. Then looking up, he saw a pretty young woman standing in the doorway, a warm, welcoming smile on her face…
Melanie hesitated. She had spotted the tall stranger waiting by Luka’s car. While she considered Luka the most handsome man she had ever met, this man could certainly give him a run for his money. She could not help but appreciate his tall, lean build, the dark eyes, and the dark hair neatly tied back in a ponytail. But who was he? Luka hadn’t mentioned bringing anyone else along. Well, girl, only one way to find out, she thought, as she took a deep breath and walked out towards her son and the man she loved.
“Come on mommy, hurry up!” Davie shouted, “I want to go!” Letting go of Luka, he ran towards his mother, grabbing her hand and trying to hurry her along. Laughing happily, Melanie allowed her son to pull her along the sidewalk. Then she was where she wanted to be, caught up in Luka’s arms in a warm embrace, his lips passionately seeking hers.
“I missed you, sweetheart.” Luka whispered as his lips caressed her ear. “I love you so much.” He murmured.
“I love you too, my darling,” Melanie softly replied, “but don’t you think you should introduce me to your friend now?”
Reluctantly, Luka released Melanie from his arms, “Well, if I must, I must.” He jokingly muttered. Taking her by the hand, he led her over to where MacLeod stood waiting patiently.
“Melanie Lowell, I’d like you meet an old and dear friend, Duncan MacLeod.”
“It is so nice to meet you, Mr. MacLeod,” Melanie said as she took the hand he offered. “Luka speaks of you quite often.” So this was Duncan MacLeod, Melanie thought, she had heard his name many times; it was obvious Luka was very fond of his friend.
“Please, call me Duncan, and it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance.” MacLeod smiled warmly, “Luka and I go way back, but I’m afraid he didn’t mention how very beautiful you are.” He watched the blush spread across her face, liking what he saw, and was pleased that Luka had found someone he could love. He sincerely hoped things would turn out well for the couple.
“And who do we have here?” Duncan nodded towards the small boy at his mother’s side who was looking up at him rather shyly.
“Oh gosh, where are my manners? This is my son, David. Davie, shake hands and say hello to Mr. MacLeod.” Melanie instructed the boy gently as she urged him forward. Bending down so he could reach the lad, Duncan gravely accepted the small hand. “I’m happy to meet you, Mr. Mac, Mac…” Davie stumbled over the name.
“Just call me Duncan, that’s a lot easier, I think.” He winked at the boy. “And I’m happy to meet you too, Davie.”
Watching MacLeod interact with her son, Melanie breathed a sigh of relief. So many men she had met in the past either walked away immediately when they heard she had a child, or they treated Davie as if he didn’t exist. Only Luka had been happy and content to accept both her and her son and she was grateful to see that same acceptance from Luka’s friend.
“Well now that we all know one another, how about if we pile into the car and get going? After all I did promise someone some cotton candy!” Luka laughed. He smiled to himself as they drove to the park on the outskirts of town where the circus had set up. In the backseat, Davie had kept up a constant stream of chatter and questions for his new friend. Just what MacLeod needs, Luka thought, nothing like a child to keep one from brooding. Reaching over, he gently squeezed Melanie’s hand while observing, “I think Davie has a new friend.”
“I think you’re right.” Melanie replied. Then turning around slightly in the seat, she added, “Davie! Give Duncan a break…you’re talking his ears off!”
“Oh, he’s no problem at all.” Duncan reassured Melanie, “We’re having a good time getting to know one another.”
“Its okay, mom, I’m minding my manners!” Davie exclaimed, eliciting chuckles from the three adults in the car.
“How long are you going to be in town, Duncan?” Melanie inquired. “Luka and I would love to show you the sites around here.” She looked at Luka; “We should plan a trip on the cog railway to the top of the Peak. That would be fun.”
“Sure, honey, that sounds good to me.” Luka answered.
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be in town, my plans are indefinite at the moment.” Duncan replied.
“Well, I hope you will be here long enough for us to show you around. You really should see some of the neat attractions here, in particular the railway trip to the top of Pikes Peak, especially if you’ve never been there.” Melanie explained.
Duncan could have told her he had been in Colorado Springs long before she lived there…he had been a scout with Lt. Zebulon Pike’s expedition when Pike first discovered the mountain in 1806. Lt. Pike had originally named it “Grand Peak,” but the mapmakers labeled it “Pike’s Peak” and the name stuck. They had attempted to climb the mountain, but a cold November storm prevented the men from reaching the top, and Pike had predicted that “no man would ever reach the summit.” He was wrong. Dr. Edwin James was the first man to climb the peak in 1820, and several years later MacLeod himself had returned, determined to reach the summit, which he did.
“That sounds like fun. We’ll have to arrange it.” Duncan answered instead.
By now they had arrived , they could see the tents that had been set up, and the carnival rides. Getting everyone together, stocking up on the necessities of popcorn, cotton candy, and the like, they settled down to enjoy the show. If only those blonde cheerleader-types from high school could see me now, Melanie thought, they’d be green with envy! Here I am, sitting between 2 drop-dead gorgeous men, and my beautiful little boy. What could be better?
Hearing a slight giggle, Luka leaned over to whisper, “What’s so funny, darling? How about letting me in on the joke?” Shaking her head, Melanie whispered back, “Nothing in particular, Luka darling, just happy.” She gently squeezed his hand. Their attention soon focused on the activity in the ring…the performing animals, the clowns, and the other circus acts. Suddenly Melanie noticed a strange tension in both Luka and Duncan. Both men were sitting up straighter and looking around…
“Luka? Is something the matter?” she asked worriedly. “Not a thing, honey. Just getting comfortable in this seat.” Luka reassured, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and pulling her closer. His eyes met MacLeod’s and Luka nodded in agreement. He would keep Melanie and Davie safe while MacLeod took care of the other immortal they both sensed nearby. Just then they heard the ring announcer:
“Attention ladies and gentlemen! Put your hands together and welcome the lovely lady high on the tightrope – the Amazing Amanda!!”
With a feeling of relief, both Luka and Duncan relaxed back into their seats. They were in no danger from this immortal….Amanda was an old friend of MacLeod’s and a new friend of Luka’s. In fact, she had been a very close friend to Luka. Even though they had been on and off again lovers for hundreds of years now, Duncan was well aware of Amanda’s fondness for handsome young men. He had no doubt she had seduced Luka before he even realized what was happening. MacLeod grinned as he observed the deer-in-the-headlight look on his friend’s face. Now this could get interesting …things were never dull when Amanda was around…