Jack is all about the truth.

Chapter 9

The Next Day

Jack couldn't wait for "Carol's Cookies" to open the next day. He wanted to tell her everything before she heard what had happened at the Cottonwood courthouse on her own. News of this magnitude for a small town would spread quickly here. Besides, he reasoned, she should know, although he was not sure he was ready for the consequences.

Like most people, he was usually moody first thing in the morning, but the thought of seeing Carol filled him with a sense of cheeriness.

The sound of the bell tinkling up above signaled his arrival at the cookie shop. He focused immediately on Carol at the counter with a partial tray of newly baked muffins and cookies. She had almost finished stacking them in the display case. The tantalizing smell of the baked goods spread a cozy warmth throughout the shop. Carol had looked up at the sound of the bell as her alluring smile illuminated the room as well as Jack's heart.

"John!" Carol greeted gleefully, "so glad to see you this early in the morning!"

Her happiness, along with the homespun ambiance of the shop, was so welcoming.

It was like coming home again.

"And a beautiful morning to you, also!" exclaimed Jack sincerely. It had seemed so long since he had seen her, yet it had only been a day.

This morning Carol looked extra soft and feminine. Her hair was down today in a French braid, tied with a pink ribbon. The white buttoned- down blouse with a black skirt over a white ruffled apron added a simplistic beauty to her look. And then there was always her radiant smile. She seemed to shine from within.

"Care for a fresh apple streusel muffin?" she asked, waving at the fresh pastries in the case.

"A cookie and a cup of coffee will do just fine," Jack decided, as his mixed feelings fused together in his mind.

"Ahh…a cookie..." nodded Carol, as she knowingly reached for Jack's usual, the chocolate chip cookie.

"Oh, no chocolate chip cookie for me today!" Jack announced, as he looked at the assortment of cookies in the case before looking back up at her.

Carol eyed him with a playful smile.

"Oh? Feeling a little adventurous today?" she asked, with a tinge of mirth in her tone.

"It's like I have a new perspective on life!" he stated before adding, "I've decided to tread on the wild and tangy side this morning!"

Internally Jack wanted to celebrate yesterday's win before telling her the truth. Or at least, that's what he told himself.

"Oooh, John, you are truly an inspiration to me!" Carol mocked, gesturing towards the section which displayed the gourmet cookies.

Jack finally decided on the butter cream frosted lemon burst cookie. He sat on the counter to wait for his quick pick-me-up breakfast.

"What, no sitting at the table to enjoy the view of the town?" Carol asked as she placed the gourmet cookie alongside an empty coffee mug.

"I like the view here much better," said Jack boldly.

Carol watched his sincere eyes. He really is very attractive, she thought. He also seemed kind and gentle. And shy. But somehow, despite the shyness, he had an inner strength. Most of all, he always managed to make her smile. She was definitely drawn to him, despite her doubts.

"Oh, quite the charming one, here," she lightly laugh. It had a pleasant, lilting sound to it.

"Cookies will do that to you." Jack stated, "No wonder kids love them...they make a person so damn happy!"

Carol looked pleased.

"By the way," Carol said, "everything is on the house for the rest of your stay here!"

"Oh?" Jack's face showed surprise, "And is this due to my talented ability of being able to make scintillating conversation?"

His question produced a humored smile from Carol as she poured the hot coffee into his cup.

"Well, there's that," she agreed, "but it is also by way of a thank you. I received a call last evening, and, good news! It seems as if my Cottonwood case has been reopened! I am no great detective, but I have surmised that you somehow must have been at least partly if not totally responsible for that!"

As she finished pouring, she gave him a fleeting look, expecting a witty retort, but he was quiet. Carol uprighted her coffeepot as she watched his intense expression. She noted something in John's eyes that conveyed…deliberation? The morning cheer had shifted.

"A penny for your thoughts, John," Carol tilted her head and placed the coffeepot down.

"You need to produce the penny first!" Jack could not help the teasing, although he knew he was just trying to delay the inevitable.

Carol smiled agreeably as she reached into her apron pocket and tossed a penny on the counter. Jack watched as it twirled all around before quickly flickering to a rest, the only sound echoing in the shop. He took a deep breath, knowing this was the opportune time.

"I need to tell you something…regarding me," Jack's tone was low. He looked so serious.

A slight scowl appeared on Carol. She had often told herself she would not get involved with someone just passing through town, but there was just something so…charismatic about John. It was getting harder and harder to resist him. Yesterday she had looked for him all day to come into the shop and was disappointed when he did not show. Later at night as she closed up the shop, she had begun to think that the dinner invitation he had suggested from the first day was sounding better and better.

Surprisingly, she really had missed him yesterday, and now as she watched his consternation, she was truly concerned.

"…of course, John, "she empathized, "I'm here to listen…"

They both turned towards the door as the bell tinkled up above it. Two customers had wandered in.

Damn! Jack thought, as he heard bells going off in his head. Well, actually, there weren't bells really going off in his head. It was the ringing of his cell phone in his pocket. He reached in and unfolded his phone. What now?

There was a lot of static on the line. He managed to catch Carol's eye as he held up his finger to indicate he would be taking the call outside for better reception. As he reached the shop's door, Big Ed the Sheriff was just entering. Great, more customers, thought Jack sarcastically as he held the door opened for the sheriff who tipped his hat.

Once he was outside the shop, the phone reception cleared up.

"This is Jack," he answered, a bit too harshly, due to the interruption.

It was Brenda, his secretary. What the heck was he doing up there in Stockbridge, she wanted to know. Wasn't he supposed to be vacationing? Her phone has been ringing off the hook since late last night! Reporters from all over were calling, wanting to know about the recent reform the great Jack McCoy had initiated. She started telling Jack the list of reporters and TV newspersons that were anxious to get the scoop.

As Brenda went through the list of name of the reporters, Jack would blurt out one-word impressions of each reporter: Jerk. Brute. Imbecile. Derelict. Fool. Hack. And so forth. Jack noted how this reporter or that reporter never undertook the effort to get the correct information, so how can he trust that idiot? Jack ended the conversation by telling Brenda to just hold off the reporters until he returned back to New York City.

He folded the cell phone and took a view of the entire town. The old oak trees lined the lawn like weathered sentries, its leaves softly rustling. He marveled at the provincial business structures, which reflected the Rockwellian way of life during a more innocent era. Just looking at the surroundings seemed to have a calming effect on him. He will certainly miss Stockbridge.

Jack took another deep breath to calm his nerves as he opened the door and strode back into the shop. He would not delay it any further. He was ready to tell her, he wanted her to know.

By the time he completed the call, the sheriff and Carol were the only ones in the shop as he opened the door. The sheriff looked as if he had been doing all the talking as Carol's expression turned from one of interest to one of distressed surprise. A disconcerted frown drew Carol's brows together as the sheriff's expression showed bafflement at Carol's reaction. The talking had stopped as Jack approached them.

A feeling of dread started to fill Jack as he continued walking towards them. Carol and the sheriff were both observing him now. Jack slowed his steps as he felt a leaden weight in his chest. It took a moment for Jack to find his voice.

"Carol…" he began, knowing it was already too late.

"…Jack." Her low voice was like a shocked whisper as she stared stunned at him. "Jack McCoy."

So now she knew.

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