Dont be a snob, he chided her. Believe it or not, the South is great. We have indoor plumbing and everything. And on weekends, we get to go mudding.
Mudding?
We drive our trucks in the mud.
Ronnie faked a dreamy expression. That sounds so intellectual.
He nudged her playfully. Yeah, tease me if you want. But its fun. Muddy water spraying all over the windshield, getting stuck, spinning your wheels to soak the guy behind you.
Believe me, Im giddy just thinking about it, Ronnie said, deadpan.
I take it thats not how you spend your weekends in the city.
She shook her head. Uh no. Not exactly.
Ill bet you never even leave the city, do you?
Of course I leave the city. Im here, arent I?
You know what I mean. On the weekends.
Why would I want to leave the city?
Maybe just to be alone now and then?
I can be alone in my room.
Where would you go if you wanted to sit beneath a tree and read?
Id go to Central Park, she countered easily. Theres this great knoll behind Tavern on the Green. And I can buy a latte just around the corner.
He shook his head in mock lament. Youre such a city girl. Do you even know how to fish?
Its not that hard. Bait the hook, cast the line, then hold the pole. How am I doing so far?
Okay, if thats all there was to it. But you have to know where to cast and be good enough to cast exactly where you want. You have to know what bait and lures to use, and those depend on everything from the type of fish to the weather to the clarity of the water. And then, of course, you have to set the hook. If youre too early or too late, youll miss the fish.
Ronnie seemed to consider his comment. So why did you choose to use shrimp?
Because it was on sale, he answered.
She giggled, then brushed lightly against him. Cute, she said. But I guess I deserved that.
He could still feel the warmth of her touch on his shoulder. You deserve worse, he said.
Believe me, fishing is like a religion to some folks around here.
You included?
No. Fishing is contemplative. Gives me time to think without interruption. And besides, I enjoy watching the clouds while I wear my NASCAR hat and chew tobacco.
She wrinkled her nose. You dont really chew tobacco, do you?
No. I kind of like the idea of not losing my lips to mouth cancer.
Good, she said. She swung her legs back and forth. Id never date anyone who chewed tobacco.
Are you saying were on a date?
No. This definitely isnt a date. This is fishing.
Youve got so much to learn. I mean, this is what lifes all about.
She picked at a sliver of wood on the dock. You sound like a beer commercial.
An osprey glided over them just as the line ducked once and then a second time. Will jerked the rod upward as the line went tight. He scrambled to his feet as he began to reel it in, the rod already bending. It happened so fast that Ronnie barely had time to figure out what was happening.
Did you get one? she asked, jumping up.
Come closer, he urged, continuing to reel. He forced the rod toward her. Here! he shouted. Take it!
I cant! she squealed, backing away.
Its not hard! Just take it and continue to turn the reel!
I dont know what to do!
I just told you! he said. Ronnie edged forward, and he practically forced the rod into her hands. Now keep turning the reel!
She watched the rod bob lower as she began to turn the crank.
Hold it up! Keep the line tight!
Im trying! she cried.
Youre doing great!
The fish splashed near the surfacea small red drum, he noticedand Ronnie screamed, making a scene. When he burst out laughing, she started laughing, too, hopping on one foot.
When the fish splashed again, she screamed a second time, jumping even higher, but this time with an expression of fierce determination.
It was, he thought, one of the funniest things hed seen in a long time.
Just keep doing what youre doing, he encouraged. Get it closer to the dock and Ill take care of the rest. Holding the net, he got down on his belly, stretching his arm over the water as Ronnie continued to reel. With a quick motion, he was able to scoop the fish into the net, then he stood. As he inverted the net, the fish dropped onto the dock, flopping as it hit the surface.
Ronnie continued to hold the reel, dancing around the fish as Will grabbed for the line.
What are you doing? she shrieked. Youve got to put it back into the water!
Itll be fine
Its dying!
He squatted and grabbed the fish, pinning it to the dock. No, it isnt!
Youve got to get the hook out! she shrieked again.
He reached for the hook and began to pry it out. Im trying! Just give me a second!
Its bleeding! You hurt it! She danced around him frantically.
Ignoring her, he began to work the hook out. He could feel the tail moving back and forth, flopping against the back of his hand. It was small, maybe three or four pounds, but surprisingly strong.
Youre taking too long! Ronnie fretted.
He carefully freed the hook but held the fish pinned against the dock. You sure you dont want to bring it home for dinner? You should be able to get a couple of fillets out of it.
Her mouth opened and closed in disbelief, but before she could say anything, Will tossed the fish back into the water. With a splash, it dove and vanished. Will reached for a hand towel and wiped the blood from his fingers.
Ronnie continued to stare at him accusingly, her cheeks flushed with excitement. You would have eaten it, wouldnt you? If I werent here?
I would have thrown it back.
Why dont I believe you?
Because youre probably right. He smiled at her before reaching for the rod. Now, do you want to bait the next hook or should I?
So Moms been going crazy trying to plan my sisters wedding and make the whole thing perfect, Will said. Its been a little tense at the house.
Whens the wedding?
August ninth. It doesnt help matters that my sister wants to have it at our house. Which, of course, only adds to my moms stress.
Ronnie smiled. Whats your sister like?
Smart. Lives in New York. A bit of a free spirit. Pretty much like another older sister I know.
That seemed to please her. As they strolled the beach, the sun was setting and Will could tell that Ronnie was feeling more relaxed. Theyd ended up catching and releasing three more fish before he drove her to downtown Wilmington, where theyd enjoyed lunch on a deck that overlooked the Cape Fear River. Drawing her eyes to a spot on the opposite bank, hed pointed out the USS North Carolina, a decommissioned battleship from World War II. Watching Ronnie inspect it, Will was struck by how easy it was to spend time with her. Unlike other girls he knew, she said what she meant and didnt play stupid games. She had a quirky sense of humor that he liked, even when it was directed at him. In fact, he liked everything about her.
As they approached her house, Ronnie ran ahead to check on the nest tucked into the base of the dune. She paused at the cageit was made of chicken wire and secured into the sandy dune by extralong stakesand when he joined her at the dune, she turned to him doubtfully.
This is going to keep the raccoon away?
Thats what they say.
She studied it. How do the turtles get out? They cant fit through the holes, can they?
Will shook his head. The aquarium volunteers remove the cage before the eggs hatch.
How do they know when theyll hatch?
Theyve got it down to a science. The eggs take around sixty days to incubate before they hatch, but that can vary slightly depending on the weather. The hotter the temperature is all summer, the quicker theyll hatch. And keep in mind that this isnt the only nest on the beach, and it wasnt the first one, either. Once the first nest clears, the others usually follow within a week or so.
Have you ever seen a nest hatch?
He nodded. Four times.
Whats it like?
Its a little crazy, actually. As the time approaches, we remove the cages, and then we dig a shallow trench from the nest to the waters edge, making it as smooth as possible, but high enough on the sides so the turtles can only go in one direction. And its weird, because at first only a couple of eggs are moving, but its like their movement is enough to set the whole nest going, and before you know it, the nest is like a crazy beehive on steroids. The turtles are climbing over each other to get out of the hole, and then they hit the sand and head toward the water in this little crablike parade. Its amazing.
As he described it, he got the sense Ronnie was trying to picture the scene. Then she noticed her dad stepping onto the back porch, and she waved.
Will motioned to the house. I take it thats your dad? he asked.
Yup.
Dont you want to introduce me?
Nope.
I promise to have good manners.
Thatd be good.
So why wont you introduce me?
Because you havent taken me to meet your parents yet.
Why do you have to meet my parents?
Exactly, she said.
Im not sure I follow what you mean.
Then how on earth did you ever make it through Tolstoy?
If he wasnt confused before, he was completely baffled now. She started walking slowly down the beach, and he took a few quick steps to catch up with her.
Youre not exactly easy to figure out.
And?
And nothing. Just noting it for the record.
She smiled to herself, glancing toward the horizon. In the distance, a shrimp trawler was making its way to port. I want to be here when it happens, she offered.
When what happens?
When the turtles hatch. What did you think I was talking about?
He shook his head. Oh, were back to that. Well, okay, when do you leave for New York?
Late August.
Thats cutting it close. Just hope for a long hot summer.
Its off to a good start. Im boiling.
Thats because youre wearing black. And jeans.
I didnt realize Id be spending most of the day outside.
Otherwise you would have worn a bikini, right?
I dont think so, she said.
You dont like bikinis?
Of course I do.
Just not around me?
She tossed her head. Not today.
What if I promise to take you fishing again?
Youre not helping yourself.
Duck hunting?
That stopped her. When she finally found her voice, it was disapproving. Tell me you dont really kill ducks?
When Will said nothing, Ronnie went on, Cute, sweet little feathered creatures, flying toward their little duck pond, just minding their own business? And you blow them out of the sky?
Will considered the question. Only in the winter.
When I was a little girl, my favorite stuffed animal was a duck. I had duck wallpaper. I had a hamster named Daffy. I love ducks.
I do, too. he said.
She didnt bother to hide her skepticism. Will responded by counting on the tips of his fingers as he continued, I love them fried, roasted, broiled, with a side of sweet-and-sour sauce
She gave him a shove, knocking him off balance for a step or two. Thats terrible!
Its funny!
Youre just a mean man.
Sometimes, he said. He motioned toward the house. So if you dont want to go home yet, do you want to come with me?
Why? Are you planning to show or tell me about yet another way you kill small animals?
Ive got a volleyball game soon and I want you to come. Its fun.
Are you going to spill soda on me again?
Only if you bring a soda.
She debated for an instant, then fell into step with him in the direction of the pier. He nudged her and she nudged him back.
I think you have problems, she told him.
What problems?
Well, for starters, youre an evil duck killer.
He laughed before catching her eye. She looked down at the sand, then up the beach, then finally toward him. She shook her head, unable to suppress a smile, as if marveling at what was happening between them and enjoying every moment.
14Ronnie
If he werent so damn cute, none of this would have happened.
As she watched Will and Scott scramble around the court, she reflected on the series of events that had brought her here. Had she really gone fishing earlier today? And watched a wounded turtle swim around a tank at eight oclock in the morning?
She shook her head, trying not to focus on Wills lean body and visible muscles as he chased the ball across the sand. Tough to ignore, since he wasnt wearing a shirt.
Maybe the rest of the summer wouldnt be so terrible after all.
Of course, shed thought the same thing after meeting Blaze, and look how that had turned out.
He wasnt really her type, but as she watched him play, she began to wonder whether that was such a bad thing. She hadnt had the best luck when it came to choosing guys in the past, Rick being the prime example. Lord knows Will was smarter than any of the other guys shed dated, and more than that, he seemed to be doing something with his life. He worked, he volunteered, he was a pretty good athlete; he even got along with his family. And even though he liked to play things off in an aw, shucks sort of way, he wasnt a pushover. When she tested him, he called her on itmore than once, in factand she had to admit she sort of liked it.