“You might want to do that.”
“Yeah, it’s definitely on my to-do list. I just…haven’t worked up the courage yet to face the verbal ass-chewing that’s coming my way.”
A beat passed between them before Clara smiled, surveying his work. “You’re really good. This new stage is going to be great. Thanks for doing this.”
He returned the smile, warming beneath her praise. They held each other’s gaze a moment too long before Clara abruptly broke contact and climbed back down to the ground to continue helping in her own way.
By late afternoon, the stage was nearly complete. Jack climbed down, stretching his back with a wince. Seven hours of work. His ribs were screaming.
"You should take a break," Clara said.
"Almost done. Just need the railing and a safety check."
"Jack."
She'd used his name. Not "you" or "carpenter" or any deflection. Just his name.
Helooked at her, surprised.
"Your ribs," she continued, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "You're favoring your left side. Have been for the past hour."
"I'm fine."
"You're still recovering from being dashed against the rocks. You need to take it easy.”
Jack's mouth quirked. “Lighthouse keeper, illustratorandnurse? Damn, your talents are endless.”
“Ha ha, smart-ass. Maybe I just don’t want you to have an excuse to hang around for longer than necessary because you hurt yourself again,” she quipped with the cutest hint of a smile. “Come on, I want to show you something.”
Intrigued, he holstered his hammer on his tool belt. “Okay, you’ve got my interest. Let me tell Thomas we're done for the day.”
Clara took the lead, choosing a winding path that meandered away from the center of town and toward the beach. They walked along the coastal path in comfortable silence. The cove appeared suddenly—a small crescent of sand sheltered by high cliffs, accessible only through a narrow gap you'd miss if you didn'tknow to look.
“Oh wow,” Jack breathed. "This is incredible."
"It’s my favorite spot.” Clara sat on a flat rock overlooking the water. "My Gran brought me here to collect shells. She said sometimes you need a place that gives more than it takes.”
“The more I learn about this wise woman, the more I wish I could’ve met her. I could probably use a little wisdom in my life.”
“She was good for telling it like it is but in a nice way.”
Jack sat beside her, close enough to feel the warmth of her shoulder. The sun hung low, painting the sky in shades of amber and rose.
"Thank you," he said. "For bringing me here."
"You earned it. Though I should tell you—you were wrangled into a job that could've been handled by anyone back there."
He laughed. "I know."
“You caught onto that, huh?”
"Of course. That was a vetting disguised as a favor." Jack picked up a stone, turned it over. "They wanted to make sure that you’re safe around me.”
Clara's eyes widened with mortification, her cheeks reddening with embarrassment. “I’m so sorry. They’re all locked into the 1950s and have no cluethat two single adults don’t automatically need to pair up.”
“I think it’s sweet,” Jack said. "They love you. The whole town. It's obvious. That’s a gift.”
“Yeah, well, it’s still embarrassing.”
