“I’m sorry, miss.” He strode toward her. “You can’t be here. This is private pr—” He stopped dead in his tracks. After what felt to her like an eternity, he said, “Ellie?”
The sight of him took her breath. For several long seconds she stood there, frozen in time. “Hello, Jack,” she finally said, finding her voice.
He stared, seemingly unsure if she was real or a figment of his imagination. “I-I’m sorry if I startled you.” His tone softened. “I got a call from Mrs. Myers saying someone was snooping around. I figured it was some of the local kids again. You don’t know how many times I’ve had to run them off.” His eyes were on her again.
“That’s all right. I didn’t mean to cause a fuss, it’s just that when I drove by and noticed the house, well…” She glanced at the ruins. “I didn’t know you still lived here.” Her mind was reeling. “Last I heard you were in Arizona. Or was it California?”
“Oregon, actually.”
“Oh.” She held his gaze for a moment before looking at the ruins again. It was easier to think when she wasn’t looking directly at him. “What happened here?”
“A storm.” He eased toward her. “Remember that old oak tree, the one we used to sit under? Lightning split it right down the middle. Half of it fell on the garden, the other half on the house, which is what started the fire. Fortunately, no one was home when it happened, but by the time help arrived, it was too late to save the house.”
“Thank God your mother wasn’t home.”
There was a moment of silence, during which Ellie could feel Jack’s eyes on her.
“Listen,” he said. “I’m glad I ran into you. Given the circumstances, I figured you’d come, and I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for your loss. Clara was… well, she was a fine woman, and she’ll be sorely missed.”
“Thank you, Jack. That means a lot. I was just telling Amelia last night how I still can’t believe she’s gone.”
“Neither can I.” He took a breath. “I only wish I could have gotten to her sooner. Maybe she’d still be alive.”
Recalling a detail from her conversation with her mother, a chill climbed Ellie’s spine. “You mean you’re the one who found her?”
Jack nodded, looking solemn. “I had come to repair the back porch. When I arrived, she was sitting in that old rocker of hers, facing the mountains. At first, I thought she had fallen asleep, but…” His expression grew grim.
Ellie put a hand to her throat and blinked back tears. “Jack, I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine what that must have been like for you. Thank you for trying to save her though. I know how much she meant to you.”
He stared silently ahead, looking as though the enormity of the moment was too much for him. “I should go.” He took a step back. “Feel free to stay as long as you like.” He turned and headed for the truck.
“What’s your hurry?”
He stopped at the truck and pivoted slowly on his heel. “Work. I told Matthew I’d only be gone a few minutes.”
“Work? Where?”
“At the dock, same as before. You remember the place, don’t you?”
“Sure, but…” She scratched her head. “You still work there?
“You sound surprised.”
“It’s just that I figured you would have given all that up, what with the success of your book and all.”
Jack climbed into the truck and rolled down the window. “It’s only one book, Ellie. Besides, even if I write a hundred books, it won’t change me or my love for the water.” He turned over the key and started the engine. “Well, it was nice seeing you again. Take care.”
“Wait,” she said before he pulled away. “How do I find you… in case I want to see you again?”
He stared at her for a moment before answering. “You’re a smart woman, Ellie. I suspect if you want to find me bad enough, you’ll know where to look.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
The North Star
After Ellie had eaten dinner, she stood on the back porch, watching dusk fade to a night sky filled with stars. With the anxiety of seeing Jack now behind her, she was free to focus on whatever came next. And although their exchange that afternoon, albeit brief, had been cordial, she didn’t get the impression he was overjoyed to see her. Either way, she was happy they talked, and equally satisfied to have seen his face again.
Hearing the door behind her creak open, her thoughts evaporated as she turned to find Amelia slipping out onto the porch.
