“Because you and I share a past?”
“That, and because she knows in my eyes, she’ll always be second to you.”
His comment caught Ellie off guard.
“I only mean that she knows how things were that summer and how in love I was with you,” he clarified. “Anyway, I’ll have a talk with her before she leaves. The last thing I want is her causing trouble for you and your family.”
They walked to the end of the aisle, and Ellie got in line.
“Listen,” said Jack, “I was serious yesterday when I said we should continue our conversation. I know you’ve got a lot going on, but maybe we could take another ride around the lake, or you could come over to the house and let me show you what I’ve been working on.”
Knowing Jack was in a relationship made her hesitate. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”
Jack gave a half-cocked smile. “Is this about Sara? Because if it is, you have nothing to worry about. Her bark is worse than her bite. Besides, she’ll be at her mother’s place in Rogersville tonight. Come on, what do you say to supper at my place? I’ll cook.”
A voice inside Ellie’s head screamed no, but she agreed anyway, thinking anything—even something as risky as supper at Jack’s—was better than time with her mother.
“Great. We’ll eat like kings, and I can give you a tour of the house. I think you’ll be impressed.”
Matthew then popped his head inside the store and told Jack it was time to go.
“A man’s work is never done.” Jack paid for the ice, then jotted down the address and handed it to Ellie. “Come by around seven. I should have everything ready by then.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
Event Horizon
Amelia stood in the doorway to Ellie’s room, picking lint from the sleeve of her blouse. “I think since tomorrow is going to be a long day for us all, I’m going to take Mother to dinner in Knoxville this evening, if only to take her mind off things for a few hours.”
“Good idea,” said Ellie, who sat by the window, watching the birds and the squirrels play in the yard. “She’ll enjoy that.”
“I don’t suppose I could talk you into joining us, could I?”
Ellie was quick to say no, likening a night out with her mother to beating her head against the wall. “I appreciate the invite, but I have plans of my own.”
Amelia took a step inside the room. “Anything you care to share?”
Aware of her mother in the next room, Ellie kept her voice down. “I ran into Jack this afternoon, and he invited me to dinner at his place.”
“Just the two of you?”
Ellie nodded.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“A girl’s gotta eat, doesn’t she?”
Amelia raised an eyebrow. “You know what I mean. Besides, after what you told me about Sara, I can’t imagine her being supportive of this.”
“Who said she was?” Ellie went to the closet and rifled through her outfits, choosing a red-and-white polka-dot dress with the plunging neckline. “She’ll be at her mother’s this evening, so she won’t be around.”
Amelia eyed the dress, then cast a wary glance at Ellie. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“Actually,” said Ellie, shaking her head slowly, “for the first time in my life, I don’t know what I’m doing.” She laid the dress on the bed, then set her gaze on Amelia. “But I know how I feel. God knows I don’t want to be the type of woman who breaks up a relationship, especially after what Michael did to me, but I need to know if Jack still has feelings for me. Besides,” she said resolutely, “they’ve only been dating for six weeks, so as far as I’m concerned, he’s fair game.”
Amelia grabbed Ellie’s black heels and set them on the bed beside the dress. “In that case, wear the pearls,” she said, then winked at her. “Men are suckers for pearls.”
Ellie’s brows went up in astonishment.
