This story is an AU/AU.

Summary: Jack and Ennis are working hard to get by in a small Iowa town. Ennis was born and raised there, and Jack is from Memphis, TN. A special gift leads to their meeting in this modern day love story.

I'll update this story at the same frequency as my last. No certain days, so check back often. Thanks for reading. Comments are appreciated.

Chapter 1

Just before five a.m., Jack Twist waited impatiently for the coffee maker to finish brewing, because the barn was where he wanted to be. What a night he'd had, but he felt exhilarated despite having slept for only about three hours. As he stepped out the back door and was greeted by the sunrise, he breathed fresh spring air into his lungs. The birds were awake and filled the early morning with their song. Another beautiful day.

The backyard was more or less made up of trees and plants that required little care. Hollyhocks lined one side of the small grass area, with raspberry bushes along the opposite side. Cherry and Apple trees grew here and there out beyond the barn, planted haphazardly, or maybe some had died over the years, Jack didn't really know. He didn't have much time for worrying about the yard and pretty much let it take care of itself. The old farm wasn't a lot, but it was peaceful and safe, and his. Yeah, his little patch of land in this rural Iowa town seventy five miles south east of Des Moines had been just what he needed.

Jack looked down at the black Lab that stood at his side. "Ready, proud papa? Shall we go visit your family?" As they walked the hundred feet to the barn, Jack called out a greeting to his female chocolate Lab, Maya, and one to the yellow male Lab, Duke, who were looking expectantly at being let out of the dog run, but it was still early so they would have to wait a little bit longer.

...

The barn door creaked as it slowly opened and Lureen looked up and smiled. "Morning, I hope you got some sleep."

"How are they?" Jack asked as he quietly moved to where Lureen sat, handing her one of the coffee cups as he balanced his own and crouched down by her side. "Sit still, boy," he said, and Jingles sat obediently by his side.

"Doing just fine," she said in a whispered voice. "This hits the spot," she said as she took her first sip.

"Lureen, I don't know what I'd have done without you. I can't thank you enough for droppin' everything ta help out."

"It was nothing, I was glad to do it."

"You went above and beyond the call of duty. You been here since what, midnight? You must be exhausted."

"We're just lucky Abby decided to go into labor on a Friday so neither of us had to work today," she smiled.

"That's a fact. I still feel bad for leavin' you out here while I went in ta bed."

"It was only for a few hours. You should have stayed in bed longer, you look tired," Lureen said as she squeezed Jack's arm. "Can always tell when you're tired, your southern drawl gets more pronounced."

Jack laughed, "I'm okay. You're the one who needs sleep now."

Lureen laughed and said, "After this coffee I doubt I'll be able to fall asleep too soon."

"That strong, huh?"

"Yeah, a little on the strong side."

Jack moved to stroke the yellow Lab's head as she poked her nose on each of her eleven nursing puppies. "You did a great job, girl," he murmured to her. "Uncle Harold would have been proud," he said half to himself.

"You miss him, don't you?" Lureen asked as she rubbed her hand up and down Jack's back.

Jack ran his hand across his face and rubbed his eyes. "Yeah," he said sadly.

"Well, I'll bet he's looking down and smiling, and I know he's proud of you," Lureen said.

"You always know how ta make me feel better." Jack's attempt at a smile wasn't too successful.

After a few moments of silence Lureen said, "You need to go out more, meet someone...someone special."

Jack snorted out a laugh, "Says who?"

"Says me," she said sternly. "And I know what I'm talking about."

Jack shook his head, "There's not much chance of me findin' anyone around here."

"You need to branch out, go to the city more, make an effort."

"I'm doin' okay. Shit, I'm so busy I hardly have time ta think, let alone have any kind of relationship." Jack sighed and after a few moments said in a quiet voice, "I don't know if I'll ever be able ta have a serious relationship, not after Pat."

"Well, that's a step in the right direction," Lureen said.

Jack stared at her wondering what she meant.

Lureen smiled and said, "You can at least get the name out now. That's a huge improvement."

Jack's smile reached his eyes and he said, "I hope so."

Lureen stood up and brushed straw off her jeans and handed Jack her empty coffee cup. She stepped over to give the litter one last look. "They really are beautiful, and all spoken for, right?"

"That's right, and more on a waitin' list."

"They're popular dogs. Okay, better get going. You'll be all right?"

"Yeah, fine. I can handle it now. Looks like everything's under control."

Lureen stretched up and gave Jack a kiss on his cheek, then headed for the barn door calling over her shoulder, "See you at work Monday, call me if you need anything."

...

Monday morning after he'd been to the barn to check on the puppies, Jack quickly loaded the dishwasher, and then picked up the phone to make a quick call. After a couple of rings, he heard a woman's soft spoken voice at the other end say, "Good morning."

"Good morning, ma'am, this is Jack Twist. Is this Mrs. Del Mar?"

"Yes it is. What can I do for you...Oh, Mr. Twist, the dog man, uh, the dog breeder."

"Yeah, I was just callin' ta let you know that the litter was born over the weekend. Eleven real pretty pups, a black, and a yellow male you can choose from, so in a few weeks you and your husband can come on out and stake your claim."

"That's great, Mr. Twist. Real good news. I haven't told my husband anything about this yet. Was waiting to make sure everything went all right with the birthing and all. Yeah, this is real exciting news. I'll spring the surprise on him and also let him know about what we discussed in the way of payment. That still gonna be all right?"

"Yeah, sure. Got plenty of work needs doin' out here."

"Well, I'll tell my husband, and you can expect a call from him sometime this week to set up a meeting so he can see what you need done up there."

"That sounds good. Well, ma'am, I won't keep you. I'm on my way out the door anyway, so I'd better be goin'."

Jack didn't waste any time getting into his black Tahoe for the twenty minute drive to work.

Later that day Jack had worked up a sweat cleaning out the dog pens at ABC Animal Clinic and Boarding. After that, he played with, fed, and watered the dogs that were being boarded. By then it was lunch time and he and Lureen had planned to eat together at the McDonald's across the street.

"Monday's are always so busy. The phone rang off the hook all morning long, I swear," Lureen said as she took a bite of her grilled chicken salad.

Jack didn't answer, just concentrated on eating his Big Mac and fries.

"You're sure quiet today. Everything all right? The puppies doing okay?"

"Oh yeah, they're great, everything's fine. Just wore myself out this mornin', and this afternoon I've got ta tackle cleanin' the equipment in the OR."

"You're alone too much, Jack," Lureen said as she stared into his eyes.

"What are you talkin' about...are we on that kick again?"

"I'm just worried about you is all. Ever since your uncle died, you're like a hermit."

"I see plenty of people at work."

"But that's work, what about pleasure? You're thirty years old, time's ticking away."

Jack laughed between French Fries. "I could say the same for you. I don't see you settlin' down with a special someone either."

"But I at least date. Besides, I'm well under thirty. I've got lots of time."

"Well under?" Jack smiled.

"Get that silly grin off your face. We're talking about you, not me."

"It's a lot easier for you than me, you know that."

Lureen was quiet for a moment, then said, "You went through hell that last month your Uncle Harold was alive. I admire you for it too, taking care of him the way you did. I'm just saying that now's your time. You paid your dues, now get out there and do the things you like."

The conversation was getting Jack down so he said, "How bought we change the subject? I'm fine. I'm happy with what I have."

He was relieved when Lureen dropped it and said, "Okay, whatever you say." They finished their food and hurried back to finish out their work day.

...

Ennis Del Mar backed his white Dodge pickup into his drive-way at seven p.m. He was worn out, dirty, and hungry, but still less than enthused about being home. As he opened the door to the modest two bedroom home he shared with his wife, the smell of food was more than welcome. He was late for dinner and hoped the meal wouldn't be ruined. Even under the best of circumstances, Alma's cooking left a lot to be desired. He'd like time for a beer and shower before he sat down to eat.

"Ennis, you're so late tonight. Hard day?" Alma asked as she met him in the living room and took his lunch pail and jacket.

"It wasn't easy, that's for sure, but I'll live. That last job is what did me in. Took forever to get Mrs. Cutter's sink unplugged. Shit."

"Well, I have some news. I think you'll be excited. I've been keeping it to myself for awhile, just bursting to tell you, but wanted to wait awhile till I was sure." Alma was clasping her hands together and nearly coming off the floor with excitement, a big smile on her face.

Ennis stopped short and stared down at her, the color starting to drain from his face anticipating what she was about to say. Alma was on the pill and they'd barely slept together for the past six months anyway...He gruffly said, "I hope to hell this isn't something I need to be sitting down to hear."

"No, no, don't be silly, it's nothing bad. Just a little surprise I've been working on for your special birthday coming up, that's all."

"My birthday's not for a couple months and there's nothing so special about it," Ennis said, still feeling skeptical.

"Yes, there is, you don't turn thirty everyday. It's a milestone and I've got a great present for you. I know you'll love it." Alma was still smiling ear to ear.

"If my birthday's not for two months, why are you telling me about this present now, and why do I get the feeling it's partly for you?"

Alma laughed, "No, it's strictly for you. It's just that I'm so excited. I had the best idea, and I'm telling you now so you can get prepared, you know, look forward to it."

"You've really lost me," Ennis said as he rubbed his face and eyes. "What I really need right now is to sit down with a beer, and then get a shower."

Alma looked disappointed. The smile left her face, and Ennis felt bad so he tried to muster up some interest in what she had to say. "Okay, Alma, go ahead and say whatever it is. I'm listening."

Her smile returned and she said, "All right...the present for your birthday is a puppy!"

Ennis stood silent, pretty much speechless.

"Aren't you gonna say something?" Alma asked.

"What the hell do we need with a puppy? We can hardly put food in our own mouths as it is."

The annoyance Ennis felt came through in his tone loud and clear. All he wanted and needed was to relax a bit after working since sun up, and here was Alma going on about a puppy.

She wasn't deterred though, and kept at him, although in a softer, more serious voice. "It's not just any pup, Ennis. It's a Lab...you know, a hunting dog."

"A Lab? What are you talking about?"

"You know, to take duck hunting with you." Alma looked as though she was going to tear up, but continued. "I just thought that when you and K.E. go on your hunting trips, a good Lab would be a big help."

"Jesus, do you know how much a Lab would cost? Have you lost your mind?"

"I thought of that and have it all worked out."

"There's no way we can pay hundreds of dollars for a Lab. I'm breaking my back working six, sometimes seven days a week, and you're on your feet full time at the Wal-Mart. We don't have the money to throw around that way! I shouldn't have to tell you that." Ennis shook his head and closed his eyes. "Look, it was nice of you to think of this, it's the thought that counts, but we don't need a dog, Lab or otherwise. Call whoever and get out of it."

"Ennis, it's already all set. I don't want to call it off. And you didn't let me finish. It's not going to cost us anything for the pup. I mean, not actual money," Alma said, casting her eyes down to the floor.

"You've lost me, and I don't think it's just because I'm dead on my feet and have to get up and do it all again tomorrow. You're not making any sense."

"All right, let me explain. I was able to get Mr. Twist to agree to having you do some chores around his place in payment for the pup."

"Jesus Christ, Alma! You let on to a stranger about our personal business?"

"Personal business?" Alma asked in a timid voice.

"Telling people we don't have money to buy what we want! Bartering? I can't believe you'd do that...Fuck, I'm having a beer now and taking a shower. And then I'm eating dinner and going to bed. You tell whoever you need to that the deal's off!" Ennis stormed into the kitchen and grabbed a beer out of the refrigerator. He took a couple of long swigs and then noticed that Alma had followed him. "What is it now?" he shouted.

"Can we please just sleep on this and see how you feel about it tomorrow? Mr. Twist seemed just fine with having you do some jobs for him in payment for the pup. I didn't have to ask him twice. He could have said no, but he didn't." Alma had tears in her eyes and said, "I'm trying, Ennis. I'm trying so hard to make you happy."

Ennis was so tired he didn't want to fight anymore, so he reluctantly agreed to sleep on it and drop it for the night. His last thought about it was that Alma had some nerve to arrange it so he'd be paying for his own birthday gift.

...

Mid week, Jack had just been to the barn to feed the dogs, then had set dinner down for Jingles in the kitchen when his phone rang. He grabbed a towel to wipe his hands and reached for it.

"Jack Twist, how can I help you?"

Jack heard someone clear their throat and waited for them to speak. After what seemed like a longer than normal pause, he was about to say something when a deep male voice said, "Yeah, this is Ennis Del Mar calling about some work my wife arranged for me to do at your place." There was another pause as Jack tried to figure out who this was, and before it fully dawned on him, Ennis went on, "Uh, I understand that you have some work that needs done, and a pup set aside for me."

"Oh, yeah, right, of course, Mr. Del Mar. Sorry, it took me a minute ta focus. Sure, I spoke ta Mrs. Del Mar a couple times and yeah, she said you'd be callin'."

"Well, I was wondering if….say….Friday would be a good day for me to stop by and look at what you got? Make plans when I can fit you in?"

"Friday'd be all right as long as it's before eight-thirty or after five-thirty. Or I could come back during lunch if that would work better for you. It's not a bad idea for me ta come home mid day ta check on the pups anyway."

"Before eight-thirty is best for me. How about between seven-thirty and eight?"

"That works. Mrs. Del Mar has the address, I think. Do you need directions? It's kinda off the beaten path."

Jack proceeded to give Ennis directions and they hung up with the agreement to meet on Friday. As Jack placed the phone in its cradle, he tried to conjure up a mental image of this Mr. Del Mar from his voice. He couldn't tell how old he might be, but what did that matter anyway, just a client coming over about a pup. He would be working there though, and he didn't know anything about the Del Mar's. Mrs. Del Mar seemed real nice, and the voice he'd just heard sure was easy on the ears. Lureen must be right, I'm alone too much if I'm givin' this much thought to a workman comin' over. Shit.

To Be Continued...