"Where are we going?" Lisa asked, breaking the silence, as she noticed that Jack had missed the turn for Fairfield.
"I thought we'd swing by Maggie's and grab something for dinner to go," Jack said.
Lisa looked at him quizzically.
"I didn't think you'd want to have to cook after dealing with that horse's ass," Jack said, smiling sheepishly.
Lisa chuckled, "No, I don't think I would."
"And I thought," Jack continued, "if you wouldn't mind the company, maybe I could join you for dinner."
"I'd like that," Lisa said, adding, "very much."
Jack smiled, "It's a date then."
Lisa cast her eyes at him and grinned, sliding closer to him on the bench seat and grasping his free hand in hers.
When they arrived at Maggie's, Jack headed in to get their order, and Lisa stayed in the truck, relaxing, and trying to put the thought of Dan Hartfield out of her mind.
Jack returned with their orders and they drove to Fairfield, Lisa nestled into his side and his arm over her shoulder.
When they arrived at Fairfield, Jack and Lisa headed inside and Jack plated their food while Lisa popped a bottle of wine and generously filled two glasses. They ate at the counter in her kitchen, enjoying their food and each other's company.
When Lisa stood up to put their plates in the sink, Jack came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, rubbing them.
Lisa let out of a contented moan.
"You're tense," Jack said, his lips just centimeters from her ear. Lisa could feel his breath on her hair.
Lisa smiled, turning her head toward his voice, "Dan has that effect on me."
"All the more reason for me not to like that guy," Jack said, rubbing her shoulders.
She leaned into his touch, "I'm sorry that my ex-husband can be such a jerk sometimes."
"Why don't we take our wine and go sit on the couch and I'll see if I can help you relax?" Jack said, leaning down again, so that he was speaking into her hair.
Lisa nodded and turned her head, capturing his lips in a short, soft kiss.
Jack smiled at Lisa and grabbed their wine glasses and headed toward her couch. Jack settled down, and Lisa leaned against him. They sipped their wine.
Lisa rolled her eyes, "So, you're not running in the other direction now that you've met my ex?"
Jack laughed and took Lisa's hand in his, kissing it, "He doesn't scare me. What I don't understand," he said, looking at her intently, "is how you ended up with such a jerk?"
Lisa laughed, "Young and stupid, I guess. We met, there was a spark, the courtship was quick and intense, we got married. We lived in the States, and I spent my time organizing social functions and fox hunting and being Dan Heartfield's wife, and I just felt like I was losing sight of who I am. I don't know if you know what I mean."
"Not personally," Jack said, moving her hair aside, so he could rub her neck, "but I've seen it happen, my wife, well things were usually good with us, but she had a career before we met, she was a singer, and she had a hard time adjusting to married life, at least until we had Marion."
Lisa's eyes turned even sadder and her voice quieted, "I don't think that helped. I'd always pictured being a mother and having a large family. But that did not pan out with Dan and I and I think that was a large part of my frustration."
"I'm sure you'd make a great mother," Jack said, smiling at Lisa.
"Yes, well, that ship has sailed," Lisa said, "and I am happy with my life."
Jack smiled, "That's good to hear."
Lisa smiled, "You have a lot to do with my current level of happiness in Hudson."
Jack smiled and kissed Lisa deeply, "I'm glad to hear that."
Lisa brushed his hair aside and leaned into him, kissing him deeply, "You know, Jack, you really are very easy to talk to."
Jack chuckled, "You too." She smiled at him. "Seriously," he said, "usually I'm more of the strong, silent type."
"The mystery of Jack Bartlett unfurls before my very eyes," Lisa said mock seriously.
"No mystery really," Jack said, "I'm a simple man with simple desires."
Lisa cocked her head at him, "Want to tell me about those desires?" She asked, and he laughed and kissed her deeply.