A Different Life
I know I have been gone a while, but I am trying to get back in to writing. I am working on Heart of Home but I need some inspiration so I thought just getting back in to writing would help.
I hope this idea isn't to off the wall. It's just something that has been floating around up there. It explores what life might have been like if Jack and Lisa had met earlier and under different circumstances.
This story assumes that Lindy passed away when Marion was quite young. Marion is now in her 30's, while Lou is 16 and Amy is 8. Tim left 3 years prior.
Lisa two daughters, Cora, who is 14 Clare who is 9, and the three live in a trailer at the race track having left Dan a few months prior. She also has a deceased son, who died in the Army. Lisa's dad is still alive and he and Lisa haven't spoken since she left home at 18.
I own nothing.
~~~Heartland~~~
Jack sighed as he leaned up against the rail of the Hudson Race Track. His daughter Marion was busy trying to coax a horse in to their trailer so she could take it back to Heartland and work on loading issues and aggressive behavior. He enjoyed early mornings, and the sound of hoof beats at early morning workouts where quite soothing. A loud clang from the starting gate caught Jacks attention and he looked over just in time to see a small figure fly from a large dapple grey and on to the ground. The individual stood up and pulled off the dark black helmet to revel a mane of shiny blond hair.
The woman called out "Loose Horse!" to alert the track members.
Jack moved toward the gate knowing the filly would likely try to go back to the barn. As the horse approached him it slowed and allowed him to grab her reins. He chuckled as the horse calmed and began to lead her back to the fallen rider.
"Thank you!" The blond said as she looked up at Jack, her blue eyes dancing with joy. "I am getting to old for this." She stated, laughing.
Jack chuckled, "Are you alright?"
"Absolutely, my pride might be a bit bruised. This is the third day in a row I've eaten dirt. I was a jockey for almost 20 years and now it seems I've lost my touch."
Jack smiled widely, "I doubt that. I'm Jack Bartlet by the way." He reached out to shake her hand.
She smiled at the handsome cowboy. She wasn't sure if it was him or the fall, but she felt breathless as she shook his hand. "Hi, I'm Lisa Heartfield I'm sorry that's habit, its Stillman."
Jack felt his heart unexpectedly sink, "Newly married?"
Lisa shook her head, "Divorced, just recently got around to changing my name back." Lisa's eyes twinkled.
Jack felt a surprising amount of relief that the woman before him was single. He stood there awkwardly before asking if she needed help remounting.
Lisa shook her head, "No, I think she's had enough for the day."
The two began walking towards the barn engaged in conversation about her horse, Frosted Delight. Jack found himself looking at her as she walked, truly in her element she smiled brightly and waved to a variety of people as the two chatted.
"So is the starting gate, has that always been a problem?" Jack asked curiously.
Lisa shook her head, "I never had a problem with her until I employed a rookie jockey train her while I was out with a broken arm. Ever since I haven't been able to get her near the gate. I honestly don't know what to do."
"Mom!" A young girl called as she bounded out of the living quarters of a horse trailer.
"Yes, Clare?" Lisa lead the horse to the cross ties and began to untack.
Jack before even realizing what he was doing had picked up a brush and begun to help Lisa.
Clare, a young girl of only 9 walked slowly around the horse her red hair out of control and her eyes flickering with anger. "Cora won't get out of the bathroom. I need to shower before school, the kids keep saying I smell like horse."
Lisa rolled her eyes slightly, "I know dear, our living situation is only temporary though. We will have a lease on an apartment soon enough."
Just as Jack was about to greet the young girl who looked, in Jacks opinion, like a younger version of Lisa appeared. "Did you really have to come tell mom?" She called out, "I told you I was hurrying."
Clare rolled her eyes, and Jack stifled a chuckle. Lisa looked at Jack and smiled, "I'm sorry Jack, I've forgotten my manners. Jack these are my daughters Clare and Cora. Girls this is Jack Bartlet, he caught Frost on the track this morning after she left me sitting on the ground again. "
Jack nodded and Cora looked him over skeptically, "You don't seem like the type who owns race horses."
Jack nodded, "Well I'll admit I don't know much about the sport. My daughter is just here trying to get a trailer shy horse in to the trailer so we can get it back to Heartland and she can work with it."
Lisa looked surprised, "Heartland, so I take it your daughter is the famous Marion Flemming." With a nod of conformation from Jack, Lisa continued, "I don't know if she would mind, but I really need to talk to someone about Frost's problems with the starting gate."
Jack nodded. "Yea, I'm sure she wouldn't mind."
Lisa smiled widely and Jack cursed himself, he liked her, and while normally he wouldn't admit that to anyone much less himself, he found this woman to be different in every way. He could tell she wasn't just another woman, and despite his dislike of change, he wasn't going to let her get away.
~~~Heartland~~~
After speaking with Marion in depth about her horse, Jack sensed Lisa had a story that dove beyond why she was living with her two girls in a small living camper and why she was so invested in that one horse. The horse was all she had besides her girls that much was obvious. Jack convinced himself it was a bad idea to ask her out. He was too old to be dating. And though she was older than Marion by many years, she had children that where about the same age as his granddaughters. It was all a bad idea.
But he found himself to have little control of his words, and before he knew it, the words had come out. He had stuttered after that trying to backtrack from asking her out, to offering her a friendly coffee or inviting her over to see Marion's horse training operation. But the words had come out all jumbled.
Lisa smiled, and took pity on the awkward cowboy. "Jack, I am going to be very honest with you, I think you are great. And I get the sense that you don't ask a lot of women out. But I need you to understand that I have two kids, I live in a trailer at a race track, and I have an ex-husband who makes my life miserable. I don't go on casual dates, I have a family to think about."
Jack took a breath, "I met your kids and I saw your trailer and while I don't know your ex-husband, anyone who lets you go has to be just plain stupid. You don't want to go on a casual date, don't. Bring your kids, come to dinner and meet my family. Lisa, I don't ask women out, but I am asking you because something is telling me you are someone I need to get to know." Jack couldn't believe the words where coming from his mouth. Had he reverted to a love sick teenager? What had overcome him?
When Lisa looked at Jack she knew she couldn't say no. And so despite her fears, she agreed. "How about Tuesday?"
~~~Heartland~~~
Let me know what you think.
