The deadline had passed. Yet he demanded nothing, no great reveal of the secret she kept. With each passing day her confidence waned, she was certain she would lose everything. The minute she said those words, told the whole story, he would no longer look at her like he did at this very moment. And she would lose him forever.
Jimmy appeared at the door holding up a wooden fishing rod and small basket. “I’ve decided to take you fishing.”
She jumped up from the sofa, where she and Ruth were discussing plans for the future. “I thought you only like to fish alone?”
“Normally. But for you, I’ll make an exception.”
Ruth nudged her forward. “Go with him or else I will take your place.”
They meandered through the meadow to the creek that edged its northern border. The water trickled lazily ov
