May 28th, 2009 – Sully Schools, Missouri

Elizabeth put the last of her things away in her classroom. It was the last day of school and she was ready for summer. She had made plans to go to Rosemary's and ride at least once a week. She closed and locked the door to the art room and walked out to her car.

As she sat in the driver's seat, thoughts of Jack invaded her mind. Visions of him working with Delilah, helping Elizabeth off the horse, opening the truck door for her.

She shook the images from her mind, started her car, and headed home.

…..

Jack was working with a young horse in the round pen when he stopped, stepped through the gate, and took a seat on the table. He watched the young horse buck and kick around the pen, glad to be out of his stall.

He began to think about Elizabeth again. He hadn't been able to get her out of his mind since the rodeo. The morning after going to Becky, he'd woke with instant regret. He slipped out of the trailer without saying a word to her.

Elizabeth was different than any woman he'd ever met, far from his usual type. And she had wanted him for him, and that was a first for Jack. She hadn't known of his father, she hadn't known of Jack's success, she had only known the ranch Jack, and he wished that was still all she'd known.

He was missing her and it was driving him crazy. He couldn't concentrate, he could barely work, and every night, she came to him in his dreams.

That morning, Jack had awakened wanting her in his life more than ever. He had dreamed that she was in his arms, he wrapped up in hers, lost in loving her and feeling more at home and at peace than he had ever known. He hadn't been able to shake the feeling all morning.

He lowered his head into his hands and began to cry, thinking he'd ruined any chance at happiness that he might have had with her.

…..

Elizabeth pulled into her drive and noticed something hanging on her front door. She pulled into her garage, got out, and walked around to the door.

A folded, white piece of paper was attached with scotch tape, her name scribbled across the front. She pulled it down and read it.

Beth,

I understand if you never wanted to speak to me again. What I did to you was unforgivable. But I ask you just that; can you please forgive me? I am so sorry for everything. Can you please give me another chance? I need help and I know it. I am seeking it now.

I can't stop thinking about you. I see you in my dreams and wake to wanting you in my arms. I have never felt this way about anyone before and I didn't know how to handle it. I am hoping...no, praying...that you will give me another chance to make it up to you. I lost myself, but getting to know you has made me take stock of my life. My parents raised me to know better. I want to be the kind of man that deserves you and that you deserve.

Sincerely,

Jack Thornton

Elizabeth shoved the note into her purse, ran to her car, and pulled back into the street.

…..

Elizabeth turned down the tree-lined drive and stopped in front of the barn. When she didn't find him in the barn, Elizabeth began walking around the corner toward the round pen. Just as the pen came into view, Elizabeth stopped.

A little girl was standing just outside the pen, watching Jack. Every so often, he would turn toward the girl and sign something to her, the little girl would sign back. Elizabeth watched this interaction for several minutes until she was spotted by Jack.

Her first instinct was to turn and run to her car. But she didn't. She began walking toward Jack. He signed something to the girl and she turned and looked at Elizabeth.

Jack exited the round pen and ran to Elizabeth, stopping a few feet in front of her.

"You got my letter?" He asked nervously.

"Yes."

"Good. I meant every word. I am so sorry, Elizabeth. I know I keep doing stupid things, making me repeat this to you, but I swear, I'm changing."

Elizabeth could see the sincerity in his eyes and believed him. "Okay," she finally said. "But first, can you please tell me what your plan is?"

"I'm seeing a therapist to work through some issues. Mainly the death of my father, among other things."

"Jack, I saw something good in you. I want to trust you and to give us another chance, but it will take time."

The little girl ran up next to Jack and tugged on his shirt, signed something to him, and pointed at Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth, I'd like for you to meet my niece, Savannah." Jack signed as he spoke. "Savannah, this is my friend, Elizabeth."

"It's very nice to meet you, Savannah."

Jack signed as she spoke.

"Savannah likes to come to visit me sometimes and help me with the horses. She's quite the horsewoman." Jack smiled at his niece. "Aren't you."

Savannah did the sign for yes.

"She's my little brother's daughter. He's over visiting ma and Savannah, here, is visiting me." Jack's smile grew even larger as he tickled Savannah, causing her to bend over in laughter.

"Savannah, why don't you run into the house and pour three glasses of lemonade? We'll be right there."

Savannah nodded and ran to the house.

"She's great, Jack." Elizabeth turned her gaze back to him. "I didn't know you knew sign language."

"There's a lot you don't know about me," he grinned. "I love my niece and when they found out she was deaf, I immediately started taking classes, so I could communicate with her."

"That's very noble of you, Jack." Elizabeth's feelings for Jack grew just a little more.

"Thanks. It's come in quite handy. There have been a couple of deaf guys on the rodeo circuit. Most of them know I sign, so they get me to communicate with them. I've made a couple of great friends because of it."

"That's great, Jack." Elizabeth smiled, but Jack could tell she was still guarded.

"Let's go check on Savannah."

"Alright." Elizabeth's smile relaxed slightly.

Jack put his hand out, hoping she would take it. Elizabeth placed her hand in his and they walked to the house.

Savannah had the lemonade poured and was sitting in front of the TV with a cartoon on, closed captioning scrolling across the bottom. Jack motioned for Elizabeth to sit at the kitchen island and she took a seat. Jack took the stool opposite her.

"So, Beth, how have you been?"

"Good. Today was the last day of school so I'm on summer break now."

"That's great. Maybe we can get some rides in if you'd like."

"That would be nice. I also have plans to ride with Rosie more."

"Sounds perfect. I'm glad you're keeping up with that. Being on a horse is like nothing else."

They sat in awkward silence. Jack spun his glass in his hand, while Elizabeth fidgeted with the hem of her shirt.

"I'm sorry," they both said at the same time.

"You go ahead," Elizabeth said.

"No, go ahead," Jack responded.

"I'm sorry for what I said at the rodeo that night. I had no right to talk about your dad or to judge you on things you had done."

"Beth, you had every right to say what you did. You were only saying the truth." Jack looked down at his glass. "I'm sorry that that is my truth."

"Jack, what's passed is passed. What matters now is that you are trying."

He looked straight into her eyes, "I am trying. I'm trying for you, and me. I don't want to be that person anymore."

Elizabeth could see tears welling in his eyes. She had never seen him this vulnerable before and it was tugging at her heart. She stood and walked around to where Jack sat, wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him in for a hug. Jack, still sitting, wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tight. By the movements of his body, she knew he was crying.

Savannah walked into the room and tapped Jack on the arm. When he looked, she signed, "What's wrong?"

Jack, without speaking for Elizabeth's sake, signed his answer to his niece. She nodded and returned to the TV.

"What did you say to her?" Elizabeth asked him.

"I told her that I was having a bad day and that you were making me feel better. She knows that I have bad days thinking about my father, so she will assume that's what it's about."

"You share a lot with her, don't you?"

Jack nodded, "Other than Lee, she's my best friend."

Elizabeth stepped back, took Jack's hands, and pulled him up to stand. Jack winced slightly when she pulled his arm and she stopped.

"What is it?" She asked.

He told her about the accident in November and how this last ride had agitated it.

"What did the doctor say about it?"

"I haven't gone back."

"Why not? Don't you need it looked at?"

"I already know what he'll say. I don't need to see him to find out."

"What will he say?"

Jack looked at her, hesitated for a moment then answered. "He'll tell me to stop riding or it will damage my shoulder for good."

"Then why would you still ride?"

"It's hard to explain to someone that doesn't do it. It's not something that we can just walk away from. It's all I know." He lowered his gaze to the floor.

Elizabeth lifted his chin so he'd look at her. "I think it's more than that."

Jack looked at her, not speaking.

"What's the real reason?"

Jack sat back down but lifted his gaze to look at her. "My father."

"What about him?"

"He constantly chased the win. And he was great at it. Better than most. But when he drew that bull, something didn't feel right and I begged him not to ride. He never got to see me win on the pro circuit."

"You don't think he watches you?"

"Sorry, I don't believe in that. He's gone and he'll never see me ride again."

"He sees you, Jack. I know he does. You don't have to keep trying to prove yourself to a ghost."

"I'm not trying to prove myself to a ghost. I'm trying to prove myself to me." Jack stood and set his glass in the sink, then turned and leaned back against the sink, his hands on the counter.

"Do you not feel like you're good enough, Jack?"

Jack looked up at Elizabeth. "Some days I feel like I am, but others I feel like I'll never be. I am constantly being compared to my father. He was an amazing man and rider. I just don't think I'll ever be as good as him."

Elizabeth stepped forward and placed her hands on his arms. "Jack, you are a good man; I can see it."

Jack wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in. She rested her head against his chest and they stood, holding one another. After a few minutes, Jack leaned his head back and looked down at Elizabeth. "I need to get Savannah back to my brother."

Elizabeth stepped back and nodded.

Jack reached up, brushed her hair from her face, and ran his finger along her jawline. "Want to ride over with me?"

Elizabeth nodded and smiled. Jack took her hand and led her into the living room. He tapped Savannah on the shoulder and signed to her. Savannah turned the TV off, stood, and took Jack's hand. She held her other hand up toward Elizabeth. Elizabeth took it and looked at Jack who was smiling at her and smiled back.

Jack pulled his truck up in front of his mom's house and put it in park. He climbed out and reached up to Savannah who had been sitting next to him, and lifted her down.

Tom and his wife, Samantha, came out to meet them, followed by Charlotte. Savannah ran up to Tom and wrapped her arms around him.

"Elizabeth, you're back," Charlotte said when she saw her. She walked down to Elizabeth and hugged her.

"Hello, Charlotte. How are you?" Elizabeth asked.

"I'm great. It is so good to see you again." Charlotte had her hands on Elizabeth's face, smiling ear to ear. "So very good to see you."

"It's good to see you, too."

"Okay, ma. Please let the poor girl go." Tom interjected.

Jack walked up to stand next to Elizabeth. "Tom, Samantha, this is Elizabeth. My girlfriend."

Elizabeth shot her gaze at Jack. He was smiling down at her. "Is that okay?" He whispered to her.

She smiled and nodded.

Tom, with a surprised look on his face, approached Elizabeth and shook her hand. "Great to meet you."

"You too," she replied.

Samantha repeated the gesture.

They visited for a few minutes then Jack and Elizabeth left.

"Your family is very nice," Elizabeth commented as Jack drove back to his house.

"Yea, they're great." He turned and looked in her direction. "Where's your family? You never mention them."

"They are on the east coast. It's where I grew up. Daddy is a lawyer and has a big law firm, Mom is a homemaker. Then I have two sisters, Viola and Julie. They're both married. Viola lives in London and Julie lives in Vermont."

"Do you visit them much?"

"I try to get back at least once a year."

Jack stopped the truck in front of his house and turned off the engine. He turned in his seat to face her. "What brought you to Missouri?"

"I wanted a change. I grew up in big homes, fancy parties, private schools. All the kids were the same, snooty, brats with too much of mommy and daddy's money. It just wasn't me. I had a friend as a kid that had moved to the Midwest and we'd kept in touch over the years; writing letters and emails. She would send me photos of different places she'd visited and I fell in love with it. So, the first chance I got, I moved."

"Wow, that must have been scary. Young girl, moving to a strange area."

"It was a little. But also, very exciting. Mom and Dad fought me for a year, trying to stop me. But I had made up my mind. They have finally accepted my decision, but it's left a wedge between us I feel."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

Elizabeth smiled, "It's fine. I love it here and have never regretted it. We'll work things out eventually."

"You are very brave." Jack looked at her with admiration. "Can I tell you something?"

"Of course."

"Did you notice that look Tom gave when I introduced you as my girlfriend?" Jack reached across the seat and took Elizabeth's hand in his.

"Yes, I did notice that."

"Well, I have never introduced a girl to my family. Like, never." Jack smiled nervously.

"What? Did you keep all your girlfriends hidden away or something?"

"I've never had a girlfriend."

Elizabeth tried to comprehend what he'd just told her. "But..."

"Yes, I have been with a lot of women. And I am embarrassed by that. I went out here and there in high school but never stuck with any long enough to call them a girlfriend. And then my dad passed, and I just...well...I just wanted the pain to go away. I tried to forget his death, and so many knew about my dad...and the girls. I just didn't think about it and with them, I didn't need to...think. I just took more risks, and ... I started on a downhill spiral. I was trying on my own to change. When I got injured and during the recovery, I realized I needed to change. I didn't want to be that guy anymore." Jack squeezed Elizabeth's hand. "I met you, You're different, Elizabeth. I want to know more about you. I've never met anyone that I even wanted to call a girlfriend until now."

She looked down at their hands and rubbed the top of his with her thumb. Elizabeth felt a new wave of feelings flow through her. This man before her had somehow entered her heart. She would have never seen herself with someone like this. A bull rider, someone who slept around, someone who drinks too much. But Jack was showing Elizabeth a side of himself that she could see herself with.

"Can you tell me what you're thinking?" Jack asked her.

Elizabeth looked up at him, trying to gather the right words. "Jack, I'm going to be honest with you."

"Yes, that's all I ask."

"I never thought I would find myself with a man like you. Please don't take this the wrong way."

"Beth, please, tell me anything that's on your mind."

"I never thought I would want to be with someone that was a bull rider. Someone that had slept around. Someone with your past. But I can see a different man in you. I can see that you are really trying to be better. I want to try this with you, Jack. I want to try us."

"That's all I ask of you, Beth. I want to try this too. I really want to make it work. I will do whatever I need. I have never felt this way about anyone. You are so different than any woman I've ever met, and I mean that in a very good way. You are a breath of fresh air and I want to be someone that you want to be with."

Jack lifted the center console that was between them on the front seat. He moved closer to her and slid his hand behind her neck and pulled her in to kiss her. His was soft and gentle, yet filled with passion.

He pulled back and looked into her piercing blue eyes, "I am falling so hard for you, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth nodded, looked at Jack's lips, and leaned into him for another kiss.