She gave him a curious look. “I reckon. What should I wear?”
“Something nice. It’s a surprise, but it doesn’t involve fishing. Can you meet me at the dock at eight o’clock?”
“Sure.”
* * *
After walking Ellie to Clara’s, Jack went home and found his mama in the living room, reading the Bible.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?”
Helen shut the Bible and took off her reading glasses. “What’s on your mind, JB?”
Jack took a deep breath and composed himself. “I’ve made a big decision, and I wanted you to be the first to know.”
Helen straightened in her chair, her expression serious. “I’m listening.”
Jack produced the ring and handed it to her. Almost instantly, her eyes filled with tears.
“Mama, you’re crying. I’ve upset you, haven’t I?”
She shook her head. “I was just thinking about the day your daddy proposed to me. He was about your age.” A hint of a smile crossed her lips, and she returned the ring to him. “Jack, are you sure you’ve thought this through? You’ve only known Ellie since May.”
“You and Daddy dated for less than that. That’s what you told me.”
“Yes, but your situation is different. Your daddy and I grew up together. We knew each other for years before he asked me to marry him.”
“Is it Ellie?” Jack asked. “Don’t you think she’s good for me?”
“It’s not that.”
“Then what?”
“Well, it’s just that Ellie’s different,” said Helen. “She isn’t like the girls around here—not like me or Clara or Donna Rae either. She’s smart, Jack, real smart. Not to mention ambitious. A girl like that requires things the rest of us don’t.”
“Like what?”
“Well, for starters, she’ll need money. That’s the world she comes from, and she’s become accustomed to a certain lifestyle. Aside from that, she has her heart set on being a professor. She can’t do that living in a place like this. Sure, she might be happy for a while, but what happens when she starts longing for her dreams again?”
Jack dropped his head and sighed. “So it’s the other way around. You don’t think I’m good enough for Ellie, do you?”
“I would never think that. Never. But even if she says yes, you won’t be able to make her happy by staying here. Eventually, if you’re to make it, one or both of you will have to give up something near and dear to your heart.”
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
Stolen Thunder
“It’s strange to see you here at this time of day.” Clara found Ellie in the living room after supper Friday evening. “Normally, you’re out on the water with Jack. Things haven’t soured between you two, have they?”
“Everything’s fine, Aunt Clara. Jack asked me to meet him at eight o’clock sharp—says he has something special planned.”
“I see. Well, listen. I’m glad you’re here because there’s something I wanted to tell you.”
Ellie closed the book and placed it on the table in front of her, giving Clara her undivided attention.
“I want you to know I’ve enjoyed having you here with me this summer. If Bill and I had been fortunate enough to have kids of our own, I would have wanted my daughter to be just like you.”
Her comment caught Ellie by surprise, and it was only after swallowing the lump in her throat that she was able to respond. “Aunt Clara, that’s sweet of you to say. And I’ve enjoyed being here as well. You’ve been kind to me, and I’ve fallen in love with this place. If it’s all right with you, I think I’d like to return next summer.”
