"Val," Jack said, "Let's take that pie in the house, and maybe I can get you a cup of coffee."
"Got anything stronger?" Val asked.
Jack nodded, taking the pie from Val and leading her to the house, "I'm sure I've got a bottle of something somewhere."
They entered the house and Jack poured Val a glass of whiskey and poured a glass for himself.
Val downed the whiskey in one swallow with a bitter laugh. "How long have we been friends, Jack?" she asked, "ten? Fifteen years?"
He looked at her, bringing his whiskey to his lips, "yeah, I'd guess about that long."
"And I know we've had a lot of ups and downs."
"Yeah, plenty of those," he agreed.
"But I still consider you one of my dearest friends," she spat out a bitter laugh. "So imagine my surprise that I had to hear it from Maggie that you and Lisa are in a serious relationship."
Jack stood there, unsure of what to say.
"And you know how Maggie feels about me. And Marion. Huh! You know, forget it! This was stupid!" she said, putting down her glass with a bitter laugh, "I'm happy for you, Jack! I really am!" And she marched out the door.
Jack sat down, flabbergasted, his whiskey in hand. He brought the glass to his lips, then blew out the breath he'd been holding and ran his hand over his face. He put the glass back on the table.
As he pondered Val Stanton's unhealthy fondness for him, his eyes fell on Rosalita's Saskatoon Berry pie. Well, the roping date had not exactly gone as planned. He sipped on his whiskey, formulating a plan.
"You're back early!" Harry said, as Lisa stepped out of her SUV.
"Yeah," Lisa said, pulling a face.
"Date that bad?" Harry asked.
"No," Lisa said, with a laugh, "the date was great, although I am a truly atrocious roper."
"As expected," Harry said with a laugh.
Lisa nodded, "No, we, um, well, we got interrupted by a jealous woman."
Harry laughed, "That sounds like a great story."
"A story for another day," Lisa agreed. "Right now a nice hot shower is calling my name."
Harry chuckled and bid Lisa a good day.
Later that night, as Lisa was cooking dinner, she heard a knock at the door. She looked out the window, and saw Jack Bartlett standing outside, holding a pie in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other.
She pushed her hair behind her ears, straightened her shirt, and answered the door with a smile. "Jack," she said, "this is a pleasant surprise."
He kissed her, as she took the pie from him. "Well," he started, "I know I said I'd call, but I thought this might be better."
"Have you had dinner yet?" she asked. "I have some pasta on."
He shook his head.
"Care to join me?" she asked.
He smiled at her, "I'd like that."
And they had an enjoyable evening alone together. Eating their dinner, drinking their wine, and sharing Rosalita's Saskatoon Berry pie.
"I'm not sure this is what Val had in mind when she brought the pie by," Jack confided, as he leaned in to kiss Lisa.
"Me either," Lisa smiled, "But I don't mind if you don't."
Jack shook his head, "No, I don't mind," and captured her lips again.