Of Saints and Sinners

Chapter 17

A Fisher of Men

"Aunt Lottie!" Jack exclaimed as he ran up to Char, who was brushing Ava.

"What's up, kid?" She asked as she crouched down to his level.

"Wanna go fishing with me and Uncle Arthur?" The young boy smiled at her.

Char smiled, knowing she can't say no to him, "You sure he's okay with me going?"

Jack nodded eagerly, "Yep! He wanted me to ask you." Char looked over to Arthur, who was making his way over to them. He offered her a smile as he walked up to the two of them.

"You comin' fishing with us, Charlie?" Arthur asked as he put Jack's fishing rod onto his saddle.

"I'd love to," she answered.

"Can I ride on Ava, Aunt Lottie?" Jack asked as he petted the black mare on the snout, who in turn began to gently nibble Jack's hair.

"Sure," Char laughed as she lifted Jack onto Ava, "She seems to like you a lot." Char mounted Ava as Arthur mounted Archie, "Be sure to hold on tight, Jack."

"So where are we going?" the young boy said as they began to ride away from camp.

"Just down to the river near here. We shouldn't go too far from camp," Arthur answered.

"Oh, okay," Jack said. He looked up at Char, "Can Ava go faster?"

"Of course she can, bud," she answered as she give a little kick to Ava's sides, making her trot a little faster, "She's a fast horse, but I don't want you to have a nasty fall and feel bad again."

"You feeling better?" Arthur asked Jack as Archie kept pace with Ava, "I heard you was a little sick."

"Oh, I'm fine," he answered, "Aunt Lottie took care of me and gave me medicine."

"You're a brave kid," Arthur praised.

"And you're the best doctor!" Jack praised to Char, who's heart melted at the boy being so sweet. She ruffled his hair in response, causing Arthur to smile to himself.

"Alright, this looks as good a spot as any," Arthur said as he halted Archie along the riverbank.

Char dismounted Ava and began give Jack a piggyback ride, "Come on Jack, let's go get us some fish!" She lightly jogged over to the shore, spinning and splashing around a bit when she got there, making Jack giggle in excitement. Arthur began to chuckle as he brought out Jack's fishing rod. He enjoyed watching how well she was with children.

Once Arthur caught up to them, Char squatted down to allow Jack back onto the ground. Arthur handed Jack his fishing rod before he and Char brought their fishing rods out.

"You remember how to fish?" Char asked, to no one in particular. Of the three of them, she was the best at fishing because she often went fishing often with her brother back then.

"Uncle Scott taught me, but I forgot how."

"It's okay, Jack," Char laughed off, "What about you, Arthur?"

"A little," he looked at Jack, "I'll try my best to teach you."

"Oh, this I gotta see," she quipped, lips curling from amusement. Arthur rolled his eyes, the corners of his mouth trying not to twitch upwards.

"First, we need some bait," Arthur informed the boy as he pulled out some cheese from his satchel, "I'm gonna use some cheese."

"Cheese?"

"The smellier the better! Now, to cast your line, swing your rod back over your shoulder," Arthur instructed, bringing the line over his shoulder, and then casting it forward, "and bring it forward in a smooth motion."