Page 13 of Jack of All Trades
*That's the one. Get yourself something to eat if you're hungry. My treat.*
*I can buy my own food, Morrison.*
*Never doubted it for a second.*
I can't help but smile at our exchange. There's something refreshingly straightforward about talking to Jack. He teases but never pushes too far. He offers but doesn't insist. It's a delicate balance that few men seem to master.
I make my way to the concession area, where the smells of fried dough, grilled meat, and sweet cotton candy mingle in the air. My stomach growls, reminding me I haven't eaten since lunch. After a brief internal debate, I join the line for funnel cakes, figuring if I'm going to indulge in fair food, I might as well go all out.
"First time at the rodeo?"
I turn to find an older man in line behind me, his weathered face creased in a friendly smile.
"Is it that obvious?" I ask.
He chuckles. "You've got that look. Half fascinated, half terrified."
"That's... surprisingly accurate," I admit.
"You here with family?" he asks.
"No, I'm just—"
"She's with me, Mr. Henderson," Jack's voice comes from behind us. He's changed out of his riding gear into clean jeans and a fresh shirt, his hair slightly damp like he's just showered. He still wears his black cowboy hat, though, the same one he tipped to the crowd after his ride.
"Jack Morrison!" Mr. Henderson's face lights up. "Saw your ride. Best of the night so far."
"Appreciate that," Jack says with a genuine smile. "How's Mrs. Henderson doing?"
"Better now she's got that new hip. Doctors say she'll be dancing again by Christmas."
"Glad to hear it. Tell her I said hello."
Mr. Henderson nods, then gives me a knowing wink. "You picked a good one to show you around, miss. Jack here knows everybody worth knowing in Pine Haven."
Before I can correct his assumption, it's my turn to order. I ask for a funnel cake with strawberries, and when I reach for my wallet, Jack gently touches my arm.
"I got this," he says quietly.
"Jack—"
"Please? Consider it a thank you for coming tonight."
There's something in his expression, a sincerity that's hard to refuse. I sigh. "Fine. But I'm buying next time."
The words are out before I can stop them. Next time. As if there will be a next time.
Jack's smile widens, but thankfully he doesn't comment on my slip. He orders a funnel cake for himself and pays for both, then leads me to a relatively quiet table at the edge of the eating area.
"So," he says as we sit, "you actually came."
"I said I would," I reply, breaking off a piece of the warm, sugar-dusted dough.
"No, you said you'd think about it." His eyes crinkle at the corners when he smiles. "I'm glad you decided to come."
I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant. "I was curious. Rex talks about rodeo sometimes, but I've never seen it up close."
"And what's the verdict?" Jack asks, his expression genuinely interested in my opinion.
