A Jar of Hearts by Clarissa Cartharn

the woman feeling burdened over this.
    “But that is… too minimal.” She lowered her eyes as she mentally calculated the costs.
    He smiled. “Trust me; it wouldn’t take long at all. I’m an expert. She will be ready for a brand new life after only a few dates with me.”
    “You sound so sure of yourself,” she uttered with disbelief.
    He laughed. “Let’s leave it at a hundred. Otherwise, you’re welcome to pay me an amount you are more comfortable with.”
    She let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, James”
     
     
     
     
    He ambled out into the back deck to find Ashley sitting on the floor, dangling her legs out the side.
    “Hey,” he said. “You’re by yourself.”
    She shrugged. “I usually am. Are you going home?”
    “Yeah.” He frowned. “Is something the matter?”
    “No… not really.”
    He glanced at the afternoon sun. He should be going home, but yet he was here lingering about Anne’s house.
    He sighed and sat down slowly beside her. She glanced across at him curiously.
    “I thought I could keep you company for a while. Is that okay?” he asked.
    “I suppose,” she said quietly.
    They turned towards the ocean, watching its waves gather and then break along the shore. Two young boys passed a ball to each other as they ran along the beach. Their German shepherd jumped gleefully with them, trying as much to be a part of their game. At one instance, they dropped the ball and the dog chased after it.
    The two boys shouted in horror, “Boxer, no! Don’t bite it!”
    It was a funny merry-go-round as the boys raced after the dog and the dog after the ball. James let out a little chuckle at the sight.
    “Do you have a dog?” Ashley asked, amusement from the scene lighting up her beautiful large brown eyes.
    “No.”
    “Oh,” she muttered and turned back to the boys again.
    He noticed she had returned to her silent self. “What about you? Do you have one?” he asked in an attempt to cajole her into a conversation.
    “No,” she replied in a low, disheartened voice. “Mom said I can’t have one. She won’t have one in the house because it might make a mess and Anne wouldn’t be able to see it when it does. We’d have to keep it outside but Mom can’t afford a kennel just yet.”
    “Hmm… that’s a problem then.” He curled his lips in deep thought. “What if I built you one, would your mom allow one then?”
    She widened her eyes with hope. “Really?”
    “Yeah. It shouldn’t take me more than a couple of days to put one up. What kind of dog do you want?”
    “I want a golden retriever,” she replied eagerly.
    “That’s a beautiful dog.” He nodded. “I know they love water and so it just might be perfect for a place like this.”
    “Would you really build a kennel for me?” she asked again guardedly, trying to reaffirm herself about his offer.
    “Only if your mother allows you that dog.” He smiled. “How about you go and ask her and let me know what she says?”
    “I’ll do that now!” She leapt out of her spot and bounded off into the house.
    James stood up and leaned against the railings, waiting for them. What would Julia think? He was already interfering into Anne’s life and now he was meddling with theirs? But he couldn’t leave the little girl whimpering after a dog when only a kennel stood in her way of getting her wish.
    “James,” Julia said as she stepped onto the verandah, followed by a suddenly zestful Ashley almost knocking into her. Julia licked her lips unsurely. “Ashley said you offered to build her a dog kennel.”
    “It’s true, Mom!” Ashley interrupted excitedly. “He did!”
    “Ashley, I’m talking,” her mother scolded. But it failed to curb the girl’s excitement as she bounced between them, looking up at James eagerly to attest her claim.
    He ruffled her hair fondly. “I did.”
    “But James… I can’t afford to pay you for the kennel,” Julia said hesitantly.
    “I am willing to do it for free so long as Ashley