Jack’s eyes narrowed in thought. “That’s a great question. For a while, I thought I might be a professional surfer. See if I could get sponsored, that sort of thing. I like cooking, as youknow. I could have been a chef, man.” He laughed. “Maybe I would have been a landscaper. I like puttering around in the garden at home. It’s tranquil, you know? Like truly serene. There’s something righteous about having your hands in dirt, man.”
He set his fork down and clenched his hands over his plate, like they were full of earth. “It’s grounding, you know what I mean? It connects you to nature in a primal way.”
“I do know.” Frankie nodded as she passed the salad and dressing to Harper. “When I had my house, I had a fantastic garden. Grew all kinds of veggies. That garden was one of the big things I missed when I moved.”
“Why’d you move?” Jack asked.
Frankie’s expression turned sour. “Divorce.”
“Brutal, huh?” Jack said. He took the salad from Harper, using the tongs to add a good portion to his plate.
Frankie nodded, but then smiled at him. “Pain is good for the artist. Or so they say.”
“Right on,” Jack said, adding vinaigrette to his greens. “I hear that.”
Harper cut into her steak. The knife was almost unnecessary, it was so tender. It was cooked to a perfect medium rare. She took a bite. “Mmm, this is delicious.”
Frankie nodded. “So is the shrimp. What’s that sauce? It’s a little spicy, but really good.”
“Thanks, man. It’s a Cajun bearnaise sauce.”
“Where’d you learn to make that?” Frankie asked.
He cringed a little, almost like he was embarrassed. “My personal chef showed me how.”
Willa laughed. “It must be so cool to be you.”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Sometimes it is. And sometimes, I hate being Jackson Marsh.”
“Oh, come on.” Harper shot him a look. She knew that wasn’t true. “You don’t hate being Jackson Marsh.”
“Nah, you’re right.” He sliced off a new bite of steak. “Hate is a strong word, for sure. But my life can be a lot.”
Willa shrugged. “Maybe you need to do something different. I was getting burned out from school, so I decided not to go back. I got a job teaching instead. I start in August, so I’m pretty excited. Teaching is what I wanted to do anyway, so I’m getting a head start. I’m still going to finish my degree, just in my spare time online.”
“You’re going to be a teacher?” Jack’s eyes lit up. “What grade? What subject?”
Willa smiled. “Social sciences at the local middle school.”
He extended his arm across the table, hand curled into a fist. Willa bumped her fist against his. “Way to go, Willa. Teachers are so important, man. You’re going to shape young minds. Help those kids dream in ways they didn’t know was possible. I applaud you.” He picked up his fork, but only used it to gesture. “I’ll tell you what. Anything you need for your classroom, you just let me know. Uncle Jack’s got your back, teacher lady.”
Willa blinked. “Seriously?”
“I said it, I mean it.” He stabbed a shrimp. “I know teachers don’t get paid much, which is a crime, if you ask me. Let me be your classroom angel, cool?”
“Wow,” Willa breathed out. “Yeah, very cool. Thank you.”
Harper was touched. “That’s very generous of you, Jack.”
“I like to give back.”
“I know you do. You’re like your father in that way.”
“Speaking of,” Frankie started. “I’m going to the art store tomorrow to get supplies for the painting of Arlington. Anyone want to come with me?”
“I will,” Willa said right away.
“Aw, man, I wish I could go,” Jack said.
