July 14th, 2009
Elizabeth was sitting in her chair with Jack on his knees in front of her. His arms were wrapped tightly around her waist with his hands pressed against her back. His head was resting on her chest as she held tight to him. Tears were flowing for both of them as they began to heal.
Jack and Elizabeth had both realized, accepted and confessed their feelings for one another, and forgiveness had been given wholeheartedly.
Jack sat back on his heels and took Elizabeth's hands in his. "I am so sorry," he said in a soft, low voice that could barely be heard.
Elizabeth lowered herself to her knees to be directly in front of Jack. "You are forgiven. You don't have to apologize anymore."
Jack raised his hands, and pushed a few fallen locks of hair from her face and tucked them behind her ears. He cupped the sides of her face with both hands, his fingers entwining in her hair, covered her mouth with his, and kissed her with more passion than either had ever experienced in their lives.
The lingering kiss left them both breathless, and Jack wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into him. Jack shifted his body so he was seated on the wood deck of the porch and pulled Elizabeth around to sit across his legs, doing all this without releasing his hold on her.
They remained this way, holding on to the new love that was growing exponentially between them, as they watched the sun set behind the barn.
Once the sun had disappeared behind the tree line, Jack lifted Elizabeth's chin, bringing her lips up to his. He kissed her softly, gently covering hers with his, his tongue grazing hers.
Neither had ever felt the kind of current that flowed through their bodies every time they would touch. Neither had ever felt the kind of love that was blossoming on the porch that evening. And neither wanted to let go at that moment.
"Beth?"
"Yes."
"I can't feel my legs."
The pair laughed harder than ever as Elizabeth slid off his legs and stood. She held out a hand to Jack and pulled him up, steadying him until the blood flow returned feeling to his legs.
She walked to the railing and looked out at the full moon that was illuminating Jack's ranch. Dreams filling her mind.
Jack walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He softly kissed the top of her shoulder, her neck and then her cheek.
"What are you thinking about, Beth?"
"Changes. Things that I never thought I would be wanting in my life. Possibilities."
Jack turned Elizabeth to face him, placed his hands on either side of her head, and brushed the sides of her cheeks with his thumbs. He captured her lips with his and Elizabeth's mouth parted, inviting his tongue in.
Jack only stopped when both needed to take a breath, then stood, staring into her blue eyes.
"I have been imagining changes and possibilities too, Beth."
"What have you been imagining?"
Jack brushed a stray lock back again, then ran his hand down her bare arm. "A better, more fulfilling future. One with you in it."
Elizabeth's heart raced. "I've been thinking of one with you, too."
Jack smiled and Elizabeth noticed a change; his smile reached his eyes now. His smile was genuine and spread through his whole face. His dimples more prominent than ever. This was a smile of a truly happy man and Elizabeth smiled back.
"What are you doing tomorrow?" Jack asked as he wrapped his arms around her waist again.
"Rosie and I were going riding. Maybe we can all go."
"I would really like that. I'll call Lee tonight and see if he wants to join us."
"If Rosie's there, he'll be there." Elizabeth joked.
"Yes, those two are pretty close, aren't they?"
"Yes. They've been seeing each other almost every day."
Jack's smile faded as he looked deep into her eyes. "I have missed you so much."
"Oh, Jack." Elizabeth reached up on her toes and kissed Jack. Each of their kisses were growing in passion and urgency and Elizabeth pulled back and smiled. "I think I should go home."
"I think you should, too," Jack smiled.
He took a hold of her hand, locking his fingers between hers, and walked her to her car. He opened the door and waited for her to get inside. He stood in her doorway, one arm resting on top of the door and the other on the roof of the car, and waited for her to start it.
Once it was running and she was buckled in, Jack bent down and kissed her goodbye.
"Good night, Beth. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Good night, Jack."
He shut her door and stood in the driveway and watched as she drove away. Smiling, he turned and faced his large house, imagining again, Elizabeth inside waiting for him.
…..
Jack couldn't sleep, walked back downstairs, sat down on his couch and picked up the guitar that now had a permanent home on the guitar stand next to the side table. He tuned the new strings quickly, then began to strum a familiar melody. Once he had refreshed his memory on the correct cords, he began to sing the Big & Rich song as the house filled with song.
See your mama and the candles and the tears and roses
I see your daddy walk his daughter down the aisle
And my knees start to tremble as I tell the preacher
Don't she look beautiful tonight?
All the wonderful words in my head I've been thinkin'
You know I wanna say 'em all just right
I lift your veil and angels start singing
Such a heavenly sight, yeah
Lost in this moment with you
I am completely consumed
My feeling's so absolute
There's no doubt
Sealing our love with a kiss
Waited my whole life for this
Watching all my dreams come true
Lost in this moment with you
I smell the jasmine floatin' in the air like a love song
Watch my words draw sweet tears from your eyes
Bow our heads while the preacher talks to Jesus
Please bless this brand new life, yeah
Hey, lost in this moment with you
I am completely consumed
My feeling's so absolute
There's no doubt
Jack played and sang through the end of the song, then laid the guitar on his lap and picked up his journal.
…..
July 15 , 2009 – Rosemary's Ranch
Elizabeth parked her car then proceeded to search for Rosie around the farm. She finally found her coming out of the backdoor of her house. Elizabeth had gone early so she could talk to Rosemary.
"You're early, Liz."
"I know. I just thought we could...I don't know...catch up before the guys get here."
"I just saw you a couple days ago. What is there to catch up on?" Rosie asked, confused.
Elizabeth smiled, "A lot can happen in a day, Rosie."
"Alright, Liz. Something has obviously happened. Spill it." The two walked over to a bench under a shade tree and got comfortable.
"I went to Jack's last night," Elizabeth started.
"What? Really? What happened? What did you decide?"
"Rosie, take a breath." Elizabeth giggled then told Rosie about their conversation.
"Wow, Liz. That is great. You look so happy, too."
"I really am. I know we have a long road ahead of us. But Jack has made so many changes in his life already."
Elizabeth told Rosie about her conversation with Charlotte.
"She is such a great lady. Looks like you'll be one of the lucky ones that get along with her mother-in-law."
"Rosie. Jack and I are not there yet."
"Yet. That's the operative word."
"Oh, Rosie." Elizabeth laughed and shook her head. "Oh, and the guys are coming over to ride with us today."
"Wonderful. Let's go get some coffee before they show up."
…..
They heard a truck pull up, then two doors close. Elizabeth and Rosemary stepped out of the house and walked toward the barn as Jack and Lee walked across the yard to meet them, a pup following them.
Lee picked up Rosie and spun her around before setting her back on the ground and kissing her.
"Who's this?" Rosemary asked, picking up the puppy.
"That's my new buddy," Lee answered. "His name is Tuff."
"He's adorable." Rosemary exclaimed.
Tuff licked Rosemary's face.
"Is he a blue healer?" Rosie asked.
"Yes." Lee answered, scratching him behind the ears.
Jack and Elizabeth didn't notice them as they couldn't take their eyes off each other.
"Good morning, Beth." Jack wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tight against him.
Elizabeth smiled and stood on her toes, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
"Good morning, Jack," she finally said after a long, sweet kiss. "Lee got a new puppy?"
"Yes, he just picked him up yesterday."
Elizabeth walked over and petted Tuff, receiving puppy kisses in return.
"Are you guys ready to go ride?" Rosie asked, still playing with the puppy.
Jack slid his hand into hers and they walked toward his truck and trailer to unload Harley and Duke. Lee and Jack led the horses into the barn and tied them in the aisle. Rosemary and Elizabeth pulled out their respective horses and tied them in the aisle, too.
Jack watched Elizabeth as she brushed her horse out, then picked up a saddle pad and placed it on the horse's back. He started to walk to the saddle but stopped when he saw Elizabeth pick it up, carry to the horse and gently place it onto the horse's back. Jack stood and watched in awe as Elizabeth reached under the horse, grabbed the cinch, slid the cinch strap through it and began to wrap and tighten the strap.
Just as she was finishing, Jack walked up behind her and whispered in her ear. "I see you've learned a thing or two since last we rode."
Elizabeth jumped at first, caught off guard by Jack, then smiled and nodded. "A few things," she answered, grinning.
The group finished saddling their horses, replaced the halters with bridles, then led them outside, little Tuff running circles around them.
As Lee and Elizabeth were mounting their horses, Rosemary slipped over to Jack, motioned for him to bend down, and whispered in his ear. "If you ever hurt her, I will personally castrate you." She made a clicking sound with her mouth, pointed toward his penis, then used her fingers to make the scissors cutting motion.
Jack chuckled quietly, "I'll keep that in mind, Rosie.
Rosemary, with Lee by her side, led the group out toward a trailhead that would lead them through the forest that lined her property. Jack and Elizabeth rode side by side behind them. As the path narrowed, the group moved into a single file line, with Rosemary leading and Jack at the back. Tuff followed behind Harley.
As they rode along, the conversation evolved naturally to rodeo schedules in the near and distant future. Rosemary had taken a few weeks off but was planning on returning and competing for the remainder of the summer. Jack, too, was returning full time so the group planned their summer to be at all the same rodeos.
As nervous as Elizabeth was for Jack and Lee's safety, she was also excited to finally get to watch them all ride again. Even though her first rodeo experience ended badly, she was ready to go back with fresh eyes, knowing what to expect now, and get the full rodeo experience.
The trail widened and Lee moved up next to Rosie as Jack moved Harley up next to Elizabeth. He moved Harley over toward her, and held out his hand for Elizabeth to take. They rode side by side, hand in hand, just listening to the breeze blowing the leaves, the birds chirping, and Lee and Rosemary talking about what they were going to do that evening.
Tuff had moved up and was walking along side Lee. Lee stopped, hopped off Duke, picked up Tuff, then remounted Duke with Tuff sitting in front of him. Tuff, nervous at first, sat up taller and began looking at everything from his new perspective.
"Why don't you have a dog, Jack?" Elizabeth asked.
"I did for a while." Jack answered. "After Dad died, I took his dog. I had her for another six years. She ended up getting a tumor and died. I couldn't bring myself to get another one."
"I'm sorry, Jack. I had no idea."
"Beth, you do not need to apologize for anything. If you have a question, please ask."
The group came across a wide water crossing and Rosemary led the way. Samson, without hesitation, walked into the belly deep water and began the trek across. Lee and Duke went next, followed by Elizabeth on Jagger, and Jack on Harley. They let the horses stand in the water and take a much needed drink. Tuff started barking at a branch that was floating down the slow-moving water.
After the horses were finished with their water break, the group moved on and back onto the trail through the thick forest. They rode for two more hours, before returning to the barn, and unsaddling the horses.
Jack and Elizabeth were holding hands as they walked out of the barn. Tuff ran up to Elizabeth and jumped up on her, trying to get her attention. She knelt down and petted the pup, receiving kisses in return.
"He's so cute," she said as she picked him up.
Jack petted Tuff's head, "He sure is." Then he looked at Elizabeth, leaned in, and kissed her. "And so are you," he smiled. "Maybe it's time I get another one."
"Really?" Elizabeth grinned. "What kind?"
"I don't know. I've always been partial to Australian Shepherds."
"I like that breed. We had a neighbor growing up that had one. I played with her all the time."
Lee and Rosemary joined them as they sat around a firepit and visited. They got their plans set for that weekend's rodeo in Oklahoma; Jack will be driving his truck and haul his trailer for him and Lee to sleep in, and Rosemary will pull her trailer for her and Elizabeth to sleep in.
"So, we'll meet at the truck stop by the interstate at 5 tomorrow night?" Jack asked.
"Sounds like a plan," Rosemary answered.
…..
July 16th, 2009 – Sunnyspring Counseling
"Good afternoon, Dr. Harban," Jack said as he took his usual seat.
"Good afternoon, Jack. How was your week?"
"Very good," Jack smiled.
"Wonderful. Would you like to tell me about it?"
"Elizabeth finally came to see me. She forgave me."
"That is wonderful, Jack. So, now what?"
"We are...together. Dating."
"How's it going?"
"Great, so far."
"So far? Do you think it won't continue to be great?"
"I hope it does. But, you never know. Right?"
"Jack, you can't go through life waiting for the shoe to drop. If that's how you live, then you'll miss all the great things that are happening right now. Will bad things happen? Of course, it's part of life. But you can't go through your days watching and waiting for them. Enjoy what you have, work on keeping it, and deal with the bad as it happens and not before."
Jack nodded, listening intently.
"I think that you're doing great, Jack. You have made great strides on improving your life, you are doing the work, you've faced your fears. I don't think that you need to come here every week, unless you want to. Let's meet again in a couple weeks and reevaluate again."
Jack smiled, "Okay. That sounds good."
"Now that you see what happens when you put in the effort, you can continue to find ways to cope that works for you."
"Yes. Thank you very much, Dr. Harban. I really appreciate all your help."
"That's what I'm here for. And, please, Jack, don't hesitate to call if you need a session sooner."
"I will, thank you."
…..
July 16th, 2009 – Built Ford Tough Series Rodeo – BOK Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Jack pulled his truck and trailer up next to Rosemary's in the packed lot next to the stadium. As he put it in park, he looked over to Lee, who was driving, and nodded.
"We're here, babe," Jack said as he gently shook the sleeping Elizabeth in the passenger seat.
She opened her eyes and blinked against the darkness, looking around at the trucks, trailers and lights. She straightened in her seat as she took in the sight.
"There's so many," she exclaimed as she looked at the sea of trailers.
"Yes, this is a much different rodeo than the last one you went to. This is the bull riding Build Ford Tough Series. Everyone here is hoping to make to the world finals in Vegas in November." Jack leaned across the seat and kissed her. "Ready to get settled in the for the night?"
"Sure," she smiled at him.
Elizabeth joined Rosie in her trailer and Lee went into Jack's for the night.
…..
When Elizabeth and Rosie emerged from the trailer the next morning, several people were already out and preparing for the day.
Rosemary was getting dressed and throwing her hair in a ponytail as Elizabeth walked around the trailer to find Jack standing just outside his trailer door, stretching with his arms above his head.
"Good morning, beautiful," Jack said as Elizabeth approached him. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her waist, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Good morning, Jack."
"Ready for some breakfast?" Lee asked, sticking his head out the trailer door.
"Yes," Jack exclaimed. "I'm starving. I'll holler at Rosie."
Jack disappeared around the trailer, looking for Rosemary as Lee held the door open to let Elizabeth in. She gasped at the site of the trailer, "Wow."
"That's what I thought when I first saw it," Lee said. "Nice, isn't it?"
"This is amazing," Elizabeth said as she ran her hand along the edge of the counter. There was a small round copper sink in the kitchen counter with stamped tin lining the wall. The floor was a light wood with medium brown cabinets. There was a slide out with seats that were covered in brown crocodile stamped leather. There were two cabinets along either side of the couch with glass doors; they were filled with buckles. At the end of the sitting area was a flat screen TV and stereo. Steps went up the left side, leading up to a bed.
"I had no idea that horse trailers could look like this inside." Elizabeth commented.
"Oh, yes. We sleep in style." Lee laughed. "Actually, Jack just bought this last month."
Elizabeth looked at Lee, "Really?"
He nodded, "Yep. Said we aren't sleeping like bums any longer and he went out and ordered this. He just picked it up yesterday."
Elizabeth walked around, looking at all the details of the trailer.
"Beth, can I tell you something?"
She turned back to Lee, "Of course. Anything."
"I didn't know Jack before his dad died, so I don't know what he was like then. But since I've met him, he'd always had this wall up and never quite allowed himself to be happy." Lee placed his hand on Elizabeth's arm. "I have never seen him as happy as he's been since he met you."
The door opened and Rosie stepped in, followed by Jack.
"Wow, it smells delicious in here," Rosie exclaimed.
The four sat at the table and ate the breakfast that Lee had prepared; bacon, eggs, toast and coffee. Elizabeth listened as the others talked about the lineup of the day and everything they needed to do to get ready.
After breakfast, Rosie and Lee left to go for a walk, while Elizabeth stayed to help Jack with dishes. As she washed them, Jack would dry and put them away.
Jack walked up behind her, and wrapped his arms around her waist. He kissed her on the neck then turned her to face him, her hands covered in soap.
"Jack, the dishes."
"They can wait," he said as he lowered his face to hers. He covered her lips with his, and kissed her with a wanting passion. He pulled her tight into his body with one arm while moving the other hand to the back of her head, locking his fingers into her hair.
Elizabeth held him tight, feeling a longing invade her like she has never known. She pulled back, needing a breath, and looked into Jack's dark hazel eyes. She could see a new desire in his eyes that she'd never seen before; a look that matched hers.
"What are you thinking?" Jack asked, trying to catch his own breath.
"How much my dreams have changed," she answered, still looking into his eyes.
"Mine have, too." Jack kissed her again, this time, not allowing it to get out of hand and keeping it short.
…..
Jack followed the other competitors down the alley toward the arena. The familiar echoes of the cheering crowd as each competitor was introduced, filled the stadium. As soon as Jack stepped through the gate, his eyes were searching the crowd for Elizabeth. He spotted her in only a few seconds and lifted his arm to wave, a huge smile growing across his face.
The prayer was said and the National Anthem was sung, then they all left the arena for the first event to start. Jack and Lee waited down the alley, pumping each other up to prepare for their ride. Something they have done for each other since their first event together six years ago.
…..
Elizabeth watched as Jack left the arena and kept her eyes on him until he disappeared past the wall. Her heart had begun to race when she'd seem him enter the arena and wave at her, and it wasn't slowing.
Rosie and Elizabeth watched as the competitors began to prepare for their rides. Bull after bull exploded out of the chutes, determined to throw the rider from their back, many succeeding. A few riders reached their eight second goal; the current high score being 88.
Lee was up next and Rosie screamed his name just as the bull launched from the chute. Elizabeth and Rosemary both on the edge of their seats, cheered him on as he neared the buzzer.
"He did it!" Rosemary exclaimed when the buzzer blew. Lee let go and landed on his feet, running from the bull and jumping onto the nearest gate. The crowd cheered as they secured the bull behind the gate and the announcer said Lee's score of 92.
Lee pulled his face mask off and removed his mouthguard, found Rosie in the crowd, and blew her a kiss. Rosie blew one back in return.
"He's in the lead," Rosemary said, full of excitement.
"That's amazing," Elizabeth joined in on her excitement.
…..
Jack met Lee at the gate and gave him a hug, slapping him on the back. "Great ride, brother."
"Thanks. You're up soon, aren't you?"
"Yes. Four more ahead of me."
"Let's go get you ready."
Jack and Lee stood along the planks and cheered on their friends. The next set of bulls were loaded into the chutes and Jack watched as his bull, Murphy's Law, entered the chute in front of him. He placed the mouth guard into his mouth, zipped his safety vest and pulled the face shield down over his head.
The bull strap was set in place, Jack lowered himself onto the bull's back, warmed the rosin, strapped his hand, and nodded.
…..
Elizabeth watched, terrified, as Murphy's Law blew out of the chute, spinning, then stumbling down onto his knees. She gasped, but Jack held on. The bull regained his footing, and launched straight into the air, unable to shake Jack from his back. He began bucking and spinning as Jack held on, making every perfect motion that every bull rider strives to accomplish. The buzzer sounded, and Jack released his hand. He was thrown from the bull and landed on his back in the dirt. Just as he was about to get up and run for cover, the bull came down, his hoof just scraping the side of his arm, then spun away. Jack rolled out of the way, jumped up, and ran to the gate, holding his arm.
The bull ran out of the exit gate and Jack stepped back into the arena, waiting for his score.
"Jack Thornton is our new leader with a score of 95!" The announcer exclaimed.
The crowd began to scream and clap as Jack searched for Elizabeth's face, found her, smiled and covered his heart with his hand.
"Let's go find the guys," Rosie said as she stood up.
The two ladies made their way down to the tunnel that led to the area behind the chutes. They quickly found the guys and both ran up to them, jumping into their arms.
Jack winced as he grabbed Elizabeth and spun her around.
"Oh, Jack. Is your arm okay?"
"I think so. I haven't looked at it yet."
"Let me take a look." Elizabeth said, motioning to his arm.
Jack unzipped his vest and pulled it off, being careful not to move his arm. He tried to unbutton his shirt but the pain in his arm was too much when he tried to use it. He looked at Elizabeth and grinned.
She reached up and finished unbuttoning his shirt, then carefully pushed it off his injured arm. The bull had just caught the skin and pinched it, but the result was a six inch bruise forming on the outside of his upper arm.
"Jack, that looks terrible," Lee said when he saw it.
"It will heal," Jack said as he pulled his shirt back onto his shoulder.
They waited for the last riders to go and to get the final scores. None came close to Jack and Lee's scores, and they took home first and second again. After the placings were announced and trophy buckles handed out, they went back to their trailers to celebrate.
Elizabeth was looking at the buckle when Jack came back into the trailer.
"This is heavy," she said as she turned it over in her hand.
"Yes, some of them are a bit."
"Want to put it in one of your cases?" She pointed at the glass doors next to the couch.
"Sure. Would you like to?"
She walked to one of the empty cases and opened the door. After securing the buckle in its place, she closed the door and stepped back, staring at it.
She turned toward Jack to find him standing by the sink without his shirt on. His head was bent around, looking at the bruise on his left arm. Elizabeth was able to see his right arm for the first time. His upper arm to the shoulder was covered with a tattoo of a bull rider on a bucking bull. His right shoulder blade had a stone cross with angel wings with the word dad across it.
Elizabeth walked up to him and ran her hand across the letters. Jack straightened to her touch and turned his head to face her.
She ran her fingers across the bull rider. "Is this your dad?"
"Yes," he answered, swallowing hard. Her touch was sending a wave of electricity through his arm and it took everything in him to not act on it. He slowly turned to face her, taking her hand and holding it in his. He lifted it to his lips and kissed it. "I want you to know, that when you touch me like that, it kind of drives me wild. So, it's probably best that you don't do that." He grinned as he kissed her hand again.
Elizabeth felt the heat enter her cheeks as she blushed, "I'm sorry."
Jack laughed, "It's okay. One day, you can do that." He smiled sheepishly.
