“What is it?” he asked. “If you know of something I’m doing wrong, I’d sure love to figure it out. I want this experience to be great for my little guy. Gotta tell you, I hated hearing all of his disappointed sighs every time we saw someone else with a bream on the line.”
“Bless his heart,” she whispered, peeking through the store window to see Jerry, moving from the sink to the freezer. “Maybe you should try fishing in one of the shady spots next time.”
“A shady one?” He looked toward the pond and saw their blanket and equipment still in their spot, near the center of the right side of the pond. Away from any of the cascading willows. There had been an early rain this morning that put a cool breeze in the air, and Ethan had picked the place because it hadn’t been overly hot, and he thought Jerry would enjoy sitting in the morning sun. But now he saw that the majority of mentors had selected spots near or under the trees. In fact, the only other pair that were completely in the sun were the ones who had only caught one bream. “Why are they all in the shady spots?”
She placed a crooked finger over her mouth to attempt to hide a grin, then slid her hand away. “Maybe because that’s where the fish are?”
“Seriously?” he asked.
Her mouth still fought an impulse to grin, and it made her even more appealing. And made him focus on that heart-shaped mouth. What would it be like to...
“Typically, the fish gravitate toward the shade, or logs, or submerged trees. Things like that,” she said, and Ethan pushed the unwanted thought away. Then she tilted her head and asked, “You really haven’t been fishing before?”
“Never had anyone to take me,” he said, before realizing just how much that gave away about his past. He wasn’t thinking straight, probably because he couldn’t get his mind off what it’d be like to kiss Lindy Burnett.
Her eyebrows dipped, that pretty mouth drew downward and Ethan sensed that she might be feeling pity toward him. It was not what he wanted. At all.
“Not that I ever had any inclination for fishing,” he clarified. “I probably wouldn’t have liked it that much anyway.” He forced a grin, but her questioning gaze told him she wasn’t buying it.
“My grandmother taught me,” she said.
“Your grandmother? Taught you to fish?” He’d have thought her father, or maybe her mother, but not her grandma. Everything about this lady was unique.
“My grandmother raised me,” she said, and then added, “My mother had me when she was very young and didn’t want to raise a baby as a teen. She left right after I was born.”
“You don’t see her?”
“Never have,” she said, as though it were no big deal. “But she did what was best for me. My grandmother was terrific, and I don’t have any complaints about how I grew up.”
Which extinguished his guess that her mother was the part of her troubled past that still hurt so deeply now. She didn’t seem as though she harbored any bitterness toward her.
So what had happened?
Jerry stuck his head out and announced, “I got a strawberry one.” He held up the paper-wrapped treat. “Can I eat it now?”
“Sure,” Ethan said.
He exited the store and moved toward one of the rockers. “Can I eat it here?”
This time, Lindy answered. “Of course.”
“I’ll need to pay for that,” Ethan said, “and I think I’ll get me one, too.” He looked to Lindy. “Which flavor is your favorite?”
“To be honest, I haven’t tried one yet.” Then, watching Jerry peel the paper away and take a lick, she added, “Actually, it’s been a long time since I’ve had a Popsicle.”
“Then I’d say you’re due. Which kind do you want? My treat.” He grinned. “How much are they, by the way?”
“Just a quarter, but you don’t need to get me one. I’ll have one later.” She moved toward Jerry and sat in the rocker beside him. “You like that, huh?”
Jerry smiled and nodded as he continued eating. “Yes, ma’am.”
Ethan went inside, washed his hands and grabbed two Popsicles from the freezer. Then he placed three quarters on the counter and went outside to find her still chatting with Jerry.
“Yeah, sometimes those fish do play hide-and-seek,” she said, “but I’m hoping they won’t play so well the next time.”
“Me, too,” he said, nibbling the end of his Popsicle while peering at the alluring lady.
“I got you a peach one,” Ethan said, “and put my money on the counter.” He extended the Popsicle.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she said, but she accepted it and then looked up at him, bright blue eyes glistening. “But thank you.”
“It’s really good,” Jerry said, while Ethan and Lindy peeled their papers away and tasted the cool treats.
Jerry glanced at Ethan, and then watched Lindy as she tried hers. “Do you like it, Miss Lindy?”
She swallowed, then nodded. “I like this,” she said, giving him a tender smile. “I like this very much.”
Ethan watched her, eating his Popsicle and sitting beside his future son, and he knew she wasn’t just talking about the popsicle. She, like Ethan, enjoyed the feeling of sitting on the porch with a little boy, spending time together on a beautiful early summer day.
And he found himself suddenly wondering if what she liked so much about this moment included him.
Chapter Six
Lindy reflected on the sermon she’d heard at church Wednesday night as she filled the green watering can at the fishing hole’s cottage on Friday afternoon. The preacher at the Claremont Community Church, Brother Henry, had spoken about new beginnings and second chances, citing the stories of David, Paul, Peter and the Samaritan woman. So many people in the Bible had been given a second chance. It gave Lindy hope.
She felt certain God meant for her to hear that particular sermon, because she truly needed the reminder that He was a God of second chances, and that she might actually get a second chance to have her son in her life.
“Please, Lord, let that happen,” she whispered, pouring half of the water over the first pot of geraniums and then emptying the remainder around the stunning red clusters in the second pot.
She’d been a little disappointed when she’d first arrived at the church Wednesday night, because she’d looked forward to seeing the Willow’s Haven children filling their respective pews. But she’d learned that the group often held their midweek devotions at the children’s home, particularly on pretty nights when the weather permitted them to gather outside.
She’d also learned that the children had an afternoon devotion each day at the home, and had been very grateful that Jerry already had the presence of God in his world. Lindy had grown up going to church and talking freely about God with her grandmother, but Gil hadn’t been a believer. She’d married him thinking he would come around in his spirituality, but they’d never stepped foot in a church after their wedding day.
Lindy refilled the watering can and headed to the store’s back entrance, where long, slender planters lined the deck. Here, Mrs. Bowers had chosen cascading petunias in deep purple, red and white to provide an intense splash of color.
She refilled the can twice and had only made it halfway down the porch, but she didn’t mind. Out here, with the beauty of these flowers, as well as the sparkling pond, feathery willows and brilliant green moss-covered bank, she felt a peace she hadn’t experienced in three years.
A child’s laughter drifted across the air, and she paused to view the only current guests, a father and son, at the opposite side of the pond. The little boy held up a fish so small that Lindy could barely see it, while the man took a photo with his phone.
Sadness swiftly replaced the peace she’d felt merely seconds ago. She’d so wanted Jerry to have a father like that, but Gil had been a far cry fro
m the type of dad she’d dreamed about for her son. She’d wanted a man who would want to spend time with Jerry, who truly enjoyed being a father and all of the wonderful responsibilities that went along with the role.
Gil had thought of their baby as more of a burden than a blessing.
“Hello? Anybody here?” The deep voice grew louder as a man walked around the store to the back deck. And even though Lindy couldn’t see him yet, she recognized Ethan’s voice easily. Suddenly finding her palms sweaty, she brushed her free hand against the gauzy fabric of her sundress.
“There you are.” He wore a slate blue T-shirt and khaki shorts. As he climbed the stairs of the deck, she realized that he didn’t look like any schoolteacher she’d ever known, and Lindy suspected every eighth-grade girl in his class had a crush on their teacher.
“You have a customer,” he said, slowly walking toward her on the deck.
“I do? I didn’t hear anyone, and I’ve only been out here a few minutes. I’ll go see what they need. I wonder why they didn’t ring the bell.” She placed the watering can on a nearby table and hurried toward the door, not only wanting to help her customer but also to put a little space between her and the handsome man she’d actually dreamed about last night and who—she had to keep reminding herself—wanted her son.
His laughter halted her progress as she reached for the knob. “What is it?” she asked.
“Your customer,” he said, pointing his thumb at himself. “You’re looking at him.”
“Oh,” she said on a sigh. She’d hoped to escape yet another situation where she’d be alone with the guy who could ruin her life. And who, in spite of that blatant fact, still made her wonder what it’d be like to be in his arms.
“Well, you don’t sound very excited about it,” he said, still grinning. It was a beautiful grin that came naturally, making him appear honest and approachable. Trustworthy. In fact, Lindy’s resistance to trust slipped a little whenever he was around.
A judge would fall in love with him as the ideal parent. A woman who didn’t protect her heart could fall in love with him, too.
Lindy had to protect her heart.
“No, it’s not that,” she lied. Again. And mentally noted that the majority of her conversations with this guy ended up with at least one prevarication on her part. And with her asking God for forgiveness. Which she did now. Again.
But she didn’t need to justify her odd reaction. Instead, she asked, “Did you ring the bell?”
“No, I figured you were nearby and decided to find you on my own. But I didn’t sneak up on you this time, right? You didn’t even jump.”
“That’s right, you didn’t. Thank you for that.” He hadn’t wanted to startle her. As much as she didn’t want to like the things he did, Lindy appreciated the thoughtfulness behind the gesture.
“You’re welcome.” He moved toward the tiny table and picked up the watering can. “Need some help watering the flowers?”
“No, I can do it.” She reached toward the can and, since he held the handle, wrapped her hand around the spout. “Are you going fishing? Did you need to buy some bait or something?” He had said he was a customer, so presumably, he’d meant to make a purchase.
Unless he was here to see her.
Was he here to see her? And how would she feel about that if he was?
Her stomach fluttered, giving her the answer.
He didn’t release the can when she put her hand on it, but instead, gently tugged it closer to his chest and grinned. “I wasn’t going to point out the obvious, but it looks like you’re getting as much water on yourself as the plants.”
Lindy glanced down to the gauzy turquoise fabric of the dress she’d fallen in love with at the consignment shop in the square. Apparently, she’d doused herself as she’d been watering the flowers, and she hadn’t even noticed. The majority of the fabric from her knees down was soaked. “Oh, my.”
“How about I refill the can and finish watering these, and you can fix a minnow bucket for us to use at the pond?”
“For us to use?” she asked.
“Us,” he said. “Me...and you.”
Goose bumps moved up her legs and arms, almost as rapidly as those flutters in her stomach converted to a rapid staccato.
“How does that sound?” he continued, not realizing how very much his statement had pierced her heart. “Us fishing together? I want to get in a little practice before Jerry and I come back on Monday, and you definitely know more about it than I do.”
So it wasn’t because he wanted to spend time with her necessarily, but because he wanted to practice. Which was good. Really.
Even so, she didn’t need to spend any one-on-one time with the guy she couldn’t get off her mind. “I’m working.” Keep it short and simple, Lindy. No need to waste words.
He nodded. “I know, but as far as I can tell, the only other folks fishing seem like they’re doing just fine. And we can keep an eye out for any cars that come up.” He grinned and added, “Or they can ring the bell. Come on, Lindy,” he added softly, temptingly, “spend some time with me.”
Exactly what she shouldn’t do, and he knew good and well that they wouldn’t be able to hear the bell at the pond. “But we wouldn’t hear the bell.”
“I was joking about that. Don’t you think if someone needs you, they’ll come find you the way I did? And I’m sure Mr. and Mrs. Bowers expect you to help customers out when they’re having a difficult time catching anything.”
He was good, she’d give him that. So charismatic that she was having a difficult time remembering why she should say no.
“They’d want you to help me out,” he continued.
She pointed out the obvious. “You haven’t even tried.”
“Sure, I did. For two hours on Wednesday.”
He exuded charm without any apparent effort. “You haven’t tried today.”
“No, I haven’t, but I don’t have a lot of time to sit there and wonder what I’m doing wrong. I told Jerry we’d catch something on Monday, and I’ve got to make good on that promise. I’m not about to let him down.”
Lindy could’ve been touched by his desire to keep his word, but she was more bothered that he’d promised something he wasn’t sure he could fulfill. She didn’t want Jerry disappointed if Ethan didn’t deliver on that promise.
“Wasn’t that a bit careless, telling him you would do something when you aren’t certain you can?” She couldn’t control the accusatory tone; it’d have been just the kind of thing Gil would have done. He was always making promises to Lindy—that things would get better, that he wouldn’t hit her again, that he wouldn’t hurt her again...
“Yes, it was,” Ethan admitted. “And I wish I hadn’t said it. But I did.”
“You said you were going to do your best to keep him from being hurt again,” she reminded him. She’d replayed his statement several times, especially during her talks with her attorney this week, when she’d been reminded how much a judge could be influenced by the possibility of a good father for Jerry.
“I know. I did say that, and I meant it.” His tone was resolute.
Lindy had to make him understand. “Promising him something and not following through would hurt him.” She swallowed hard.
He didn’t argue with her, but nodded. “I know that, too. So right now the best thing I can do to keep that from happening is to practice my fishing skills before I bring him here Monday—and pray. I’ve got the praying part covered, but I figure God wouldn’t mind me at least learning more about what I’m doing, too.”
She truly wanted to dislike him, but even the way he admitted his mistakes tugged at her heart.
He gently pulled the watering can from her hand. “I saw a water spigot on the side of the house. I’ll go fill the can and finish watering the flowers, and you can g
et a minnow bucket ready for fishing.”
“But...” She was sure that Mr. and Mrs. Bowers wouldn’t mind her helping a customer fish. In fact, they’d probably encourage it. However, he wasn’t any ordinary customer. And she really didn’t want to sit on a quilt and fish beside him, spending an afternoon together as if they were a couple instead of two people who were going to find themselves on opposite sides of a courtroom soon.
Even if he didn’t know that yet.
“Come on, Lindy,” he said, his voice low and intense. “I need your help to keep my promise to him. I honestly don’t want to disappoint him in any way, and he wants to catch a fish.”
Mr. Murrell’s words from their conversation this morning echoed in her thoughts. The worst thing that could happen is that the judge will find the potential father as undeniably believable. Trustworthy. Someone who would be an exceptional role model for your little boy.
Ethan Green would be all of those things.
“Come on. It’ll be good for you to actually enjoy this place, and there’s no denying I need all of the help I can get.” When she didn’t readily agree, he added, “You could also give me some advice about Jerry.”
That got her attention. “Advice about Jerry?”
“You know, a woman’s perspective. We’ve spent the past two mornings together at Willow’s Haven, and everything seems to be going fine, but the social worker is coming back next week to check on our interactions and write her report for the court, and I want to make sure she sees how well we’re doing.”
Jealousy ebbed through her. He’d spent two mornings with her son. They were growing closer. She hadn’t spent that much time with Jerry.
But he did talk to her on Wednesday. And he’d smiled, a few times. In other words, he was doing better already, and undoubtedly Ethan had some part in that. “What kind of advice do you need?” she heard herself ask. “What kind of woman’s perspective?”
“Sometimes he shuts down, gets really quiet. Candace, the social worker, said he’s always done that. Apparently, he comes out of his shell somewhat, interacts and even seems like everything is going well, but he has moments when they can’t figure out what’s going on in his mind.”
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