Moonlight on the Millpond by Lori Wick Page A

might be special too, but that doesn’t mean I trust him. I would never deliberately hurt him, but if my rejection of him does that, I’ll not feel guilt.”
    â€œWe don’t expect any more than that, Maddie,” Doyle told her. “We want you to be honest about your feelings, and if they don’t include Jace, then he’ll have to learn to live with it.”
    â€œAnd we don’t think he’s the type to play games with your heart, Maddie,” Cathy added. “We would not have welcomed him in the first place if he were that sort of person.”
    Maddie nodded, hoping they were right. It had been years ago, she knew that, but some things you don’t overcome. She honestly didn’t think her heart could take that kind of treatment again.

    Jace didn’t know when he’d been so nervous. He was ready for services a full hour early, the picnic basket prepared and waiting, and all he could do was pace.
    Woody would be going on his own, giving Jace the wagon. He wasn’t sure his uncle felt that well, but Jace thought he might be putting on a good front so that Jace would keep the date.
    In a last-minute, desperate move just before he went out the door, he slipped a small flask of Woody’s liquor into the basket. Not even when he’d come to Tucker Mills on the train had he been this nervous. As excited as he was to have Maddie Shephard all to himself, he wondered if he’d have the wits about him to say anything intelligent.
    â€œYou’re going to be late,” Woody said, already to the door.
    Jace shook himself. He’d paced himself into a standstill and was now behind schedule. He went out the door knowing he mustn’t dare but wondering if he might need a drink from that flask just to get into town.

    Maddie was utterly silent on the wagon seat next to Jace. Jace kept the team at an easy pace, not having revealed where they were going, but Maddie noticed they were headed in the direction of the mill.
    â€œDid you have anything to ask Mr. Sullins this morning?” Jace asked.
    â€œNo,” Maddie said, not wanting to admit that she’d heard little of the sermon.
    â€œI hope you didn’t delay your questions on account of me. I would have waited.”
    â€œNo, I didn’t have questions this morning.”
    Jace wondered if it was going to be this strained the whole time. He knew he ducked out on her answer last night when she said yes even though he could tell she was doubting.
    His eyes shifted every now and then to look at her, but she kept her eyes straight ahead, and there was no eye contact.
    Jace had driven the team past the mill and the farm to a nice grassy area of unknown ownership. Woody was friendly with all his neighbors, so Jace felt confident that he was welcome. When he finally stopped the team, he helped Maddie down from the seat. Clara had set out a quilt, and Jace grabbed that along with the basket.
    The field was open and huge. The grass wasn’t overly long, and Jace took them only a little ways into the field before he set up. Maddie sat on the blanket as soon as it was spread out and let Jace do the rest. He began to unload food, and it seemed to her that there was no end.
    Maddie was impressed with the picnic—she couldn’t help but be. Clara had made fried chicken, honey rolls, and cheese biscuits. She had cut up small pieces of salted pork and mixed them with apples and raisins. There were cookies, tarts, and a small jug of tea.
    â€œThank you,” Maddie said when Jace loaded a plate and handed it to her. “It all looks very good.”
    â€œI think Clara outdid herself,” Jace commented, starting on his own plate.
    And with that, conversation nearly died. Maddie would only glance in Jace’s direction, and she initiated no conversation at all. He hated it when women threw themselves at him, but it would have helped if Maddie had at least spoken to him.
    Jace knew it was his own