Jackson tossed another rock out into the water. This time Tex dove in and interrupted the ripples. “Throw in an external force like the dog, and everything is in an uproar.”

“Or maybe that external force will help break the pattern, so the next generation won’t have to face all these problems that we’re dealing with today,” she suggested.

“That’s an interesting thought,” Jackson said. “Does that mean you want to borrow my dog to interrupt the pattern?”

“No.” Nessa smiled again. “But you are right about it being easy to talk to a stranger.”

“I’m here anytime you want to talk, but I’d rather be a listening friend than a stranger,” Jackson said.

“Is there a girlfriend to get jealous, or a fiancée to break up with you for talking to another woman?” She turned her head and locked eyes with him.

He stared into her green eyes for a full fifteen seconds before she blinked and turned away.

“No girlfriend. No fiancée,” he answered. “I won’t even send you a bill for the therapy if you’ll be my sounding board as well.”

“It’s a deal.” Nessa stuck out her hand to shake with him.

He’d just taken her hand in his when Tex ran between them and shook water everywhere. When the dog stopped, their hands were still clasped over his wet back. “Does shaking hands over a wet dog mean something deep and meaningful?” He chuckled as he dropped her hand.

“Of course it does.” Nessa’s eyes glittered. “It means that we will both find the answers to our questions right here by this waterfall, but if you’ve already pretty much come to grips with finding yourself, what would you have to worry about?”

“Well”—Jackson rubbed his chin—“I do like to talk about my job, my day, and other things. But we’re discussing you tonight, so what do you want to talk about?”

“Why Daddy is such a strict preacher and Uncle Matthew a womanizer. They both showed up at the house, and it was horrible. Daddy tried to bully me into leaving. He and Uncle Matthew were like two old bulls in a pasture. Neither of them would back down, and the tension seemed to be thicker than a dense fog.”

“What did you tell him?” Jackson asked.

“I told him I wasn’t leaving, and that I was even thinking about quitting my job. He left in a fit of anger,” Nessa answered. “Seems like I can’t move forward until I get my head wrapped around everything.”

“I understand.” Jackson had been in that same state a few years ago and knew exactly how Nessa felt. It might take a while for her to get a grip on her life—but Jackson was a patient man.