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  Rory looked back. A smile tilted his lips, and he waved. Jack mimicked the action and wobbly rose to his feet.

  “Fancy meeting you here,” said Rory.

  “Nice meeting you as well.”

  Rory arched a brow. “He talks…better.”

  “Yup, therapy did the trick, and I’m as good as new.”

  “Yes, well, you don’t sound anything like you did the last time we spoke.”

  “I don’t?”

  “No, you don’t.”

  “Well, I am from Kentucky, and I guess it finally shows.”

  “As much, or more, than my British heritage.”

  Jack smiled as they sat closer to the podium. They talked for a couple of minutes about trivial matters. Jack wanted things to stay light; no need to spoil the reunion too early.

  “How would you like to come home for dinner?” asked Rory.

  “I don’t know. Are you sure your wife won’t mind? I heard she’s expectin’ again.”

  “She won’t mind. I’ll call her on the way.”

  Jack offered to follow Rory. They pulled off at a pizza joint, and Jack couldn’t help but laugh at the awkward expression Rory flashed him as he entered.

  Vehicles back in motion, Jack studied the passing neighborhoods. They slowed before a two-story, red brick, rectangular-shaped home. Bushes and flowering plants decorated the walkway.

  Rory and Jack spent the afternoon rehashing old times and vaguely discussing Jack’s rehabilitation. While Hannah typed rapidly in her office, the children, Eve and Joshua, played quietly at their feet.

  “So, what are you doing here? I mean, I don’t mind seeing you, because it is always nice to see those who have succeeded, but what are you doing here?”

  Jack laughed and rubbed his temple. “Believe it or not I just finished my therapy, and I’ve been released to do just about anything I want.”

  “And you want to be here?”

  “Honestly?”

  “Honestly,” said Rory.

  “Honestly, I don’t know what I want. I know I’m going to have to get a job and find a place to live, and maybe even make up with my dad at some point, but right now I just feel, well, lost.”

  “Ah.” Rory drummed his fingers on the table. Hannah brought them some dessert and a cup of coffee.

  “Sorry, Jack, that I’m not being the best hostess. I have this book due, and then the kids, and quite frankly, I’m completely exhausted.”

  “No worries, ma’am. I just appreciate you having me over.”

  Hannah fell into a seat and palmed her chin. “Do that again.”

  “Do what?” he said, looking at Rory for clarification.

  “Talk. Just keep talking.”

  “Um? I’m a little confused.”

  “There it is again. Oh, your southern accent is so thick! I love it.” She stood quickly and pushed her chair beneath the table. She paced back and forth and mumbled rapidly. “Now if I put the hero in the south, I can make him a farmer, no, maybe a hunter. Ooo, I like it.”

  She hurried from the room, and Rory laughed. “I believe my wife just used your accent to plot a new novel.”

  “You think?” asked Jack, a wave of heat flushing his cheeks.

  “Yes, I do.”

  They laughed for a few minutes before Jack grew serious. He ran his hand through his hair. “I think I need to just get away from everything before I start my new life.”

  “You’re still looking for her, aren’t you?”

  “Who?” Jack gulped. How could it be so obvious?

  “You’re still looking for the nurse.”

  Jack fiddled with his fingers. He wanted to shout to the rooftops that yes, he was still looking for Raylyn, but what did it matter? She didn’t want to be found.

  “I am,” he finally replied.

  “Maybe you’re right, and you need time to relax.”

  “I agree.”

  “I think I have an idea.”

  Rory left him in the dining room, and Jack fisted his hands on the table and waited.

  ****

  Jack took a deep breath and inhaled the smell of fresh mountain air.

  “Beautiful, isn’t it?” asked Rory.

  Jack nodded and drew in another deep breath.

  “I’m so glad you were able to come. Normally, Hannah comes with me, but this third pregnancy has been rougher than all the rest. Besides the baby, she can’t seem to rest. Stories come to her mind, and she just can’t stop them. I worry she pushes herself too hard.”

  “At least she is taking it easy now,” said Jack, setting the rocking chair in motion.

  “Yes, at least. She didn’t really want to, but the doctor insisted.”

  “I’m glad that friend of hers, Melanie, offered to stay with her for a few days. And I appreciate you giving me this opportunity. I haven’t been fishing since…” The words trailed away and Jack stared into the distance. He didn’t talk about the accident much. What was done was done, and there was no turning back. The only choice a person had was to live with what he’d been given and move on, even if he had to move on alone.

  Fishing gear in hand, they walked to a small pond, and Jack stared at the rowboat.

  “Are you sure this is such a good idea?”

  “Ah, come on, we can do it. Did I tell you about the plans Hannah made for our first wedding anniversary?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  The boat floated out of reach, and Rory placed his knee on the dock and deftly dragged it closer. He climbed in first and waited for Jack to follow suit. His heart thumped madly as the boat swayed beneath them. With only one foot on the boat, his balance felt off.

  “Sit down, Jack.”

  He obeyed and clasped the sides until his breathing calmed. Together they rowed to the middle of the pond. Jack began to relax, and Rory continued his story while they caught fish and piled them in a cooler.

  “Hannah wanted to jump from a plane.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yup. She had the entire thing figured out and cleared with my doctor before I knew about it. Of course, the jump was postponed when we found out she was pregnant. It was the happiest and scariest day of my life.”

  Jack stared at the rippling water. The line dipped down, but when he dragged it up, his bait was gone. He groaned.

  Rory patted him on the back. “Don’t sweat it. I intended to catch more fish than you anyway.”

  They shared a hearty laugh before both of them grew solemn.

  “How did you get past those times?” asked Jack as he reeled in his line and put more bait on the hook.

  “It wasn’t easy. I kept thinking I was half the man I needed to be, but Hannah and God helped me see otherwise. I was able to look past my faults and move forward.”

  “What do you think has helped you the most?”

  “Besides God and Hannah, I would have to say my charity work. Without the men I’m able to help, I don’t know what I would do with myself.”

  Jack nodded. Rory had his family, his faith, and a worthwhile project. Jack needed to find something he could do to help people; then he wouldn’t be so concerned about himself.

  The afternoon waned, and soon it was time to return to the cabin. The place belonged to Rory’s friend, Trevor Jacobs. Most of the time Trevor, his wife Janie, and their young son lived in a house in Pearl Valley, but when they wanted to get away from things, they visited the cabin nestled in the woods of Sapphire Shoals.

  The secluded structure supported a group of six comfortably. The area around the cabin offered hiking on established trails as well as fishing on a private pond. The nearest neighbor was over five miles away. It couldn’t be more perfect.

  Rory guided the rowboat to the dock and secured it. Jack had been skeptical that two men with only two legs between them could climb in and out of the unstable apparatus, but Rory had assured him it would work.

  Once Rory was on the dock, he offered his hand to Jack. The rowboat wobbled beneath him, and he clutc
hed the dock and steadied himself.

  “If I go in this water, Rory Chance, you’re going with me.”

  The Brit laughed and tugged, hauling Jack out.

  They carried their catch to the cabin. Trevor had the perfect setup for cleaning fish, and Rory dove into the activity with gusto. Finished, they carried the goods inside, both opting to clean up before cooking dinner.

  Showered and dressed, Jack sat on the bed and studied his phone. The alert light didn’t blink, and he shook it. There had to be something wrong with the thing. He’d been waiting for weeks without word.

  Just to be sure, he touched a few buttons and checked the place reserved for text messages. A sigh parted his lips.

  He dialed the investigator’s number, placed the phone to his ear, quickly changed his mind, and hung up. If the investigator had found something, then he would have contacted him, plain and simple.

  Where was she? Two years had passed since he’d left the hospital where Raylyn had worked. Maybe he should try—

  Rory whistled as he passed Jack’s door. Jack pushed to a standing position and shoved his phone in his pocket. By the time he reached the kitchen, the fish sizzled in the pan.

  “Amazing how good a hot shower feels after a day of fishing.”

  “Yep,” replied Jack as he popped the top on a soda.

  “I called Hannah. The children are in bed, and she is typing like a fiend, much to Melanie’s chagrin.”

  “Still inspired by my voice?”

  “Probably. I’m not sure whether I should be jealous or not.”

  Jack snickered, and Rory threw a fake punch.

  The fish almost blackened, Jack prepared salad and removed fries from the oven. Placing the tray on the counter, he said, “Food fit for a king.”

  They sat at the table and enjoyed the meal. Rory asked, “So how have you been? Since you came to the house, and we planned this trip, we haven’t talked too much.”

  “Good.”

  “Good? Is that it?”

  Jack ignored the question and savored a bite of the flaky fish.

  “Don’t want to talk, huh?” Jack didn’t respond, and Rory asked, “What about the voice therapy? Are you still going?”

  “Once a week.”

  “I can tell a big improvement.”

  “I’m just glad it doesn’t hurt now.”

  “How about your other therapy?”

  Jack swallowed. “It’s going okay. I believe my prosthesis finally fits like it’s supposed to. Still, I love taking the thing off when I can.”

  “Understood.” Rory paused before changing the subject. “I thought we could go into town tomorrow. Maybe grab a bit of dinner and check out the local town. I’ve heard there are a lot of jewelry stores.”

  Jack agreed. It would be nice to amble through a new town. It might even help him forget his search for Raylyn.

  Chapter Seven

  Uncle Roland helped Raylyn into the truck. Today was the two-year anniversary of her move to Sapphire Shoals.

  Maples, pines, and chestnut trees passed by, and Raylyn remembered her life before. She had been a busy nurse at a thriving military hospital. The therapist and the head nurse on the severely wounded ward had berated her for becoming too attached to her patients. If they had only known how attached Raylyn had really become.

  After Jack had been moved to a rehab facility, Raylyn had struggled. The therapist had made her promise to stop seeing him until after his recovery was complete and Raylyn had reluctantly agreed. She’d thought about visiting one time just to make her excuses, but that night in the hospital when he’d said he loved another, and then Tabitha had shown up, had left a bitter taste in her mouth and she’d decided against it. If she didn’t visit, he would take the hint and realize she was no longer interested.

  Uncle Roland had told her of a clinic job opening in Sapphire Shoals, and Raylyn had jumped at the chance. Uncle Roland and Aunt Renee had offered to let her live with them until she could find her own place, and she had readily accepted. She had packed her possessions, absolved the lease on her apartment, and prepared to start her new life.

  Today, they were headed into the town of Sapphire Shoals. She sighed under her breath. Uncle Roland and Aunt Renee were carrying on in front of her like a couple of high school sweethearts.

  Uncle Roland said over his shoulder, “I’m glad you agreed to come out with us.”

  Raylyn spent most of her time off at the cabin. The clinic job required long hard hours, and she took every available opportunity to rest and relax in the secluded cabin nestled in the woods.

  As they traveled the short distance to town, she remembered her last visit to the severely wounded ward…

  “Thank heavens you’re back. I’ve been lost without you. Here are the charts for your patients. You can see I’ve decreased your workload. I figured you would need time to…”

  Nancy rambled on and on. She must have finally noticed Raylyn’s silence because she said, “You’re not here to work, are you?”

  Raylyn shook her head.

  “Oh.” She studied the charts and laid them in a stack on the counter. “Sorry about that. It is just when Gerty said you were moving on, I couldn’t curb my excitement. When do you think you’ll be able to come back to work?”

  “I’ve taken another job.”

  Tears welled in the lady’s eyes as she helped Raylyn gather her belongings from her locker…

  The truck dipped into a rut, bringing Raylyn back to the present.

  Several times Raylyn had thought of apologizing to Nancy for leaving without a longer notice, but couldn’t bring herself to face her mentor after making her cry.

  “How’s that job working out? Do you like working for Cynthia?” asked Uncle Roland.

  Raylyn focused on the question and answered, “I like it. But I’ll admit Mrs. Torrent does take a bit of getting used to.”

  “More like Mrs. Tyrant,” injected Aunt Renee.

  Uncle Roland and Raylyn shared a laugh. He said, “Now, we shouldn’t be judging people we don’t even know.”

  Aunt Renee faced her. “Am I telling the truth? I’ve always wondered if the lady is as bad as they say.”

  Raylyn struggled to find the right words. “She does run a tight ship.”

  The rest of the trip the two argued about who was right. Raylyn didn’t bother to express her own opinion and enjoyed the loving banter of the couple.

  The truck shuddered to a halt in a shaded lot. Uncle Roland jumped from the cab and approached Aunt Renee’s door.

  Raylyn frowned at the full parking lot.

  “Oh dear, Roland. Have we come during the Gem Festival?”

  Uncle Roland lifted his ball cap and scratched his forehead. “Looks like it.”

  “What is the Gem Festival?” asked Raylyn, her apprehension growing.

  “Only the biggest shindig in Sapphire Shoals. All the jewelers in town showcase their wares. Over thirty years ago, I purchased Renee’s ring at this very festival.”

  Aunt Renee patted his cheek. “And I’ve loved him ever since.”

  He gasped. “You mean you didn’t love me before that?”

  Aunt Renee sashayed away, and Uncle Roland trotted along after her. Raylyn snickered under her breath, shook her head, and hurried to catch up.

  All the towns in the surrounding area had names containing gemstones. There was Pearl Valley, Peridot Point, Sapphire Shoals, and the list went on and on.

  As she followed Uncle Roland and Aunt Renee through the festivities, she forced her heartbeat into a regular rhythm by studying street signs. Ruby Road, Amethyst Alley, Opal Obsession Drive…

  They turned onto Emerald Street, and Raylyn gasped. Tents lined both sides of the street. Gems of various shapes and sizes were encased in settings and hanging from the tents’ frames or lying on black velvet cloth. A booth for kids consisted of panning for gems.

  “Uncle Roland, why does everything here center around gems?”

  “Topaz Mountain b
orders Sapphire Shoals, and it’s full of various gemstones. Rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. Of course the gems are pretty much worthless until they are cut, polished, and placed in a setting.”

  “So it’s a racket. You think you’re getting something valuable only to find out you have to pay the jeweler to make it worth something.”

  Uncle Roland tweaked her nose. “Maybe, but the crowds enjoy it nonetheless.”

  Raylyn laughed and approached a booth. A sapphire necklace dangled and swayed in the afternoon breeze. The light hit the stone, and she stared at the object, transfixed.

  ****

  Rory and Jack stepped onto the busy street.

  “I thought you said the town had jewelry stores not tents.”

  Rory scratched his head and pointed at a sign announcing the Summer Gem Festival.

  They walked through a side street. “I bet this is a security nightmare,” muttered Jack.

  Rory nodded. “I bet they employ more security than the summer Olympics.”

  Jack mentally agreed with the exaggeration.

  White canvas tents covered tables. Jewelers hawked their wares. Gems sparkled in the bright afternoon sunshine. Jack stopped at a booth and studied a group of beautiful stones.

  A jeweler behind the table said, “That emerald came from our very own Topaz Mountain. A local doctor designed the setting.”

  “It’s very beautiful.”

  “They say the doctor intended it for his future bride, but the lady he’d chosen wasn’t exactly willing.”

  “It happens,” said Jack, letting the ring slip from his grasp.

  Rory studied at another booth, and Jack took his time catching up. He read the street signs and rolled his eyes. He’d seen corny before, but this place took the cake. Whose idea was it to name everything around gems? Must have been a woman. Only a woman would be so obsessed with shiny rocks. A smile tinged his lips, and he sauntered over to find Rory holding a ruby necklace encased in a silver setting. Tiny diamonds surrounded the main stone.

  “How much?” Rory asked.

  The jeweler mentioned a figure, and Jack widened his eyes and whistled. Rory pulled out his wallet and handed the man a wad of cash. Jack expected drool to drip from the man’s open mouth as he took the money and wrapped the gift.