“What did you think?”
“It was emotional but wonderful at the same time. Your words captured the essence of that summer nearly perfectly. You must be proud.”
“I am. It was a labor of love.” He was quiet for a moment, then went on. “If you read the book and got my letter, why didn’t you call or write?”
His question seemed to take her by surprise. “I wanted to… was going to…”
“But?”
“Honestly, I didn’t think you’d want to talk to me, not after…”
Jack found a quiet place and switched off the engine. For nearly a decade, he’d wondered what he might say at this exact moment. “This might come as a surprise, Ellie, but I harbor no resentment toward you.”
She raised her eyes as a look of shock scrawled across her delicate features. “You don’t?”
Jack swung his head in a no. “When I came back from Korea, I was in a dark place, not just because of what happened with us, but because of the war and the things I’d seen and done. The doctors call it combat fatigue. As it turns out, a lot of us who served suffer from the same condition. I tried to pick up where I left off, to acclimate to life away from the battlefield, but I found no joy in anything. There were times I’d sit and stare at the water for hours, just trying to feel something. Then when I’d lost almost all hope, my doctor suggested a change of scenery, so I went out west for a while and stayed with a buddy from my platoon. He and I ran a mechanic business, working on cars and trucks. I had only planned to stay for a few months, just long enough to clear my head, but I ended up meeting someone while I was there. But eventually, I started longing for home, for the mountains and the water. And since I couldn’t convince her to move to Tennessee, we ended things.” He paused, gathering his thoughts. “I say all this because I want you to know I understand why you did what you did. We were kids back then, Ellie, forced into a situation that neither of us wanted. The only difference is you had options, and I didn’t.”
A relieved look washed over her face. “You don’t know how glad I am to hear you say that. And I’m sorry about all you went through. I had no idea.”
Jack smiled at her, thinking how beautiful she still was. “That’s okay. I’m doing much better now.”
“And I’m glad you got over me,” she added. “I was afraid you hadn’t.”
“Over you?” Jack suppressed a laugh. “Is that what you think? That I got over you? Hell, Ellie, I moved on, that’s all. Not because I wanted to but because I had to—to keep from going crazy. But I never got over you, and never will. You were the one I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with. How does anyone get over that?” His words left her speechless. While she composed herself, Jack started the boat and motored around the next point. “Listen. I realize it’s only for a few days, but I’m glad you’re back. This place hasn’t been the same without you.”
Ellie’s expression lifted into a smile. “Honestly, it’s good to be back. I’ve missed this place, more than you know.”
Jack looked up as a thick cloud shuttled across the sky.
“So how long are you in for?”
“The funeral is Monday, but since Clara appointed me her executor, I have to stay at least another day or two to take care of some paperwork.”
“What about work?”
“The quarter just ended, so I’m off for the summer. I still have research to do, but I’ll probably take a few weeks off before I dig in again.”
When Ellie had finished, Jack checked the time. “Listen. I hate to cut our conversation short, but I have a group coming in at ten. Perhaps we could continue this later?”
She nodded. “Yes, I’d like that.”
When they reached the dock, Jack helped Ellie out of the boat. She wobbled for a second, then steadied herself.
“Easy,” he said.
She put a hand on the rail. “I guess I’m out of practice.”
Jack grinned. “It takes some getting used to, but don’t worry. You’ll have your sea legs back in no time.”
After a friendly goodbye, Jack stood in the doorway to his office and watched Ellie until her car faded from sight.
Matthew appeared then and said, “Looks like you were right. She came back, just like you said she would. Now what?”
Jack shook his head, wondering if it was coincidence or fate that had brought her back into his life. “I don’t know, but she’s back, and for now that all that matters.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
Fireball
