Despite the odds being in his favor, Jack wasn’t impressed.
“But if you want somethin’ to really tip the scales, you gotta find the key to her heart.”
Jack looked up. “How do I do that?”
“Well, for one thing, you can start by listenin’. When she talks, don’t just pay attention to her words, but to what she’s tryin’ to tell ya. Women are complicated creatures. They speak a language few men understand. And second, you can’t go wrong with an unexpected gift at an unexpected time. At least, that’s what my daddy used to tell me.”
“An unexpected gift at an unexpected time, huh?” Jack’s mind went to work. “Thanks, George. I knew I could count on you.”
* * *
Jack waited until church let out, then asked Ellie if she wanted to go to the island he’d been telling her about, the one with the arrowheads.
“I’d love to,” she said. “Wait, I thought today was your day off.”
“It is.”
“Wouldn’t you rather be fishing instead of wasting time with me?”
“Spending time with you isn’t a waste, Ellie. And, no, there’s no place I’d rather be.”
Ellie took a moment to process. She’d received compliments before, mostly on her looks, but nothing like this. With his words, Jack had touched a place no hand could; he touched her heart. “Just give me a minute to get changed.”
While he waited, Jack took in the view from Clara’s back porch—the type of view he wanted for himself someday. But it would take more than ferrying people across the lake to make the kind of money he’d need to afford a place like Clara’s.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Jack Bennett. I was wonderin’ when you might come around.” Clara pulled him into a hug. “How are you, handsome?”
“Fine, Clara. How are you?”
“Fair to middlin’.” She let go and gave him the once-over. “How’s that mama of yours?”
“Fine. Thanks for asking.”
“Still workin’ for Mr. Sturgill, I gather?”
“Yes, ma’am. So how was church? Was Reverend Sykes spewing more of his fire and brimstone?”
Clara chuckled. “Not today. Believe it or not, today’s message was about love.”
Jack turned and stared at the mountains standing sentry over the blue lake waters below. “I’d almost forgotten how amazing the view is from here. Someday, I’m going to have me a view like this.”
“I don’t doubt that.” She gazed out across the water. “So where are you and Ellie off to today? Flat Creek? Alley Ford? I saw George the other day, and he told me the stripe are runnin’ over at Zimmerman’s Shoals.”
Jack shook his head and pointed north. “Muddy Creek. Ellie’s been wanting to get her hands on an arrowhead ever since she got here, so I’m taking her to Parrott Island.”
A crooked smile touched Clara’s lips despite the wistful eyes. “Bill used to take me there when we were teenagers.” She fell silent for a moment, then said, “Boy, do I have some fond memories of that island.”
Ellie appeared then, stealing Jack’s attention. “Ready?” She dropped the shades over her eyes.
Jack gave a nod and turned to Clara. “Well, it was nice seeing you again, and I promise to have her home at a reasonable hour tonight.”
“You too, Jack. Y’all have fun and be careful.”
Ellie then took him by the hand and led him off toward the woods.
“I had fun yesterday,” she said when they were alone.
“So did I. And I have a feeling today will be even better.”
