“First time.”
“Welcome aboard. And don’t worry,” he said, sensing some trepidation, “you’re in good hands. I may not look it, but I’ve been running these waters for forever and a day. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.”
* * *
The ride to the island took a half hour, during which Jack entertained the guests with stories of the Native Americans who had inhabited the land long before the river was dammed up by the TVA. It was all part of the experience. Jack’s ability to spin a yarn was one of the reasons George had agreed to hire him in the first place. That, and he knew his way around the water.
When the island appeared, Jack cut the engine and glided to shore. After securing the boat, he helped the passengers onto the rocky stretch of beach.
“Watch your step,” he warned.
Ellie waited patiently for the others to disembark before she made her way to the front of the boat. “You’re not coming with us?”
He shook his head and helped her from the bow. “This is as far as I go. But I’ll be close by if you need me. Oh.” He noticed her shoes. “Those look new and expensive. Are they?”
“Yes. Is there something wrong with them?”
“That depends.”
“On what?”
“On whether you want to wear them again.” He grabbed a pair of waders from the boat and handed them to her. “Put these on.”
Ellie turned up her nose. “Thanks, but I’ll take my chances.”
“Look, I know they’re not the most glamorous things, but you’ll fare a lot better in these than you will those.” He glanced at her shoes again. “Trust me on this.” When she didn’t object, he dropped to one knee and helped her out of her shoes and into the waders. “How do those feel?”
“Like I’m wearing someone else’s bloomers.”
He breathed an easy laugh. “Can’t say that I’ve heard anyone describe it quite like that before.” He looked up at her and smiled. “All right, off you go.” He stood and pointed to an opening in the trees. “It’s just through there.”
While the guests scoured the island for artifacts, Jack drifted over to a familiar cove and put a line in the water. His odds of catching something in the middle of the afternoon were slim, but occasionally he’d get lucky and snag a carp or catfish feeding on the bottom.
The summer before, he’d brought a hammock to nap in the shade. Seeing it was still in decent shape, he stretched out and rested his eyes. After a catnap, he checked his line, then took out his journal and scribbled a few notes in the margin, documenting the lake level, the weather, and where he planned to fish that afternoon.
When the sun dipped below the treetops, Jack reeled in his line and eased over to the island. Sure enough, as he landed the boat, the guests appeared. He scanned the group until he found Ellie, covered in mud from the knees down.
“How was it?” Jack took Ellie’s hand and pulled her into the boat, trying not to laugh.
She jammed her hands on her hips and glared at him. “I’ll have you know I traipsed around this godforsaken island all afternoon, and the only thing I have to show for it is a sunburn and these mosquito bites.” She scratched vigorously at her arm. “I demand a refund.”
“Sorry, Miss Spencer, but all sales are final.” It took every ounce of energy for him to keep a straight face. “On the bright side, at least you didn’t ruin your shoes.”
Her scowl loosened, if only a little. “Yes, I suppose you’re right. Thank you, by the way, for the waders. They weren’t as bad as I thought once I got used to them.”
“You’re welcome.”
When everyone was aboard, Jack shoved the boat into the water, cranked the engine, and turned for home.
During the ride back to the dock, the guests talked among themselves, several showing off the arrowheads they found. But Ellie was quiet, choosing instead to concentrate on the scenery.
“Did you at least enjoy the fresh air?” Jack asked her as they motored south toward the dam.
She nodded once, looking glum. “But I had my heart set on finding an arrowhead.”
“There’s always next time. In fact”—Jack lowered his voice to a whisper—“if you’re serious about finding arrowheads, I know a better spot than that old island.”
She cocked an eyebrow. “You do?”
