July 28th, 2009 – Thornton Ranch
Elizabeth, Samantha and Rosemary sat on a bench next to the corral and watched as the men separated the calves from their moms. Lee was on a horse, cutting the calves out from the cows and running them into a separate pen.
Once all the calves were separated, the real work began. One man with a lasso, captured a calf and flipped it onto its side. With the man kneeling on the calf's neck to hold it down, another would grab the brand from the fire and brand its hip, while one more would inject something into its neck, and Tom punched a tag into its ear. The entire process took less than thirty seconds and Elizabeth watched in awe at the perfectly choreographed motions of the process.
Jack walked into the arena with a lasso and captured the next calf, flipping it onto its side, and holding it down. Lee picked up the brand as two more men injected the vaccines and tagged its ear.
Two separate groups were now working their way through the calves.
Elizabeth noticed Charlotte standing in the arena with a clip board, writing things down as the men shouted tag numbers to her.
Elizabeth leaned toward Rosie, "This is amazing," she commented, smiling.
Rosie smiled and shoved her shoulder into Elizabeth's, "Enjoying watching your man at work?" She teased.
When the calves were almost done, Jack walked to the fence in front of the women. "Would you three like to come in and help?"
Rosie jumped off the bench, "I thought you'd never ask." She was quickly scaling the fence and joined Lee at the head of the calf on the ground. Samantha found Tom and began to help him with the vaccines.
Elizabeth laughed at her friend, walked to Jack and climbed the fence. Jack grabbed her waist and lowered her to the ground, turned her, and kissed her on the lips, a little more passionately than she had expected in front of everyone.
He took her hand and led her out into the middle of the arena.
"Okay, see that little red one without a tag in its ear?"
Elizabeth nodded.
"You're going to catch it."
Elizabeth looked at Jack with a shocked expression. "What?"
Jack moved to stand behind her and held a lariat in front of her. "I'll help you," he said into her ear.
Elizabeth shivered at the warmth of his breath against her ear and neck.
Jack held the rope out and showed her where to hold it. He placed his hands over hers, lifted her right hand and began to move it in a circle.
"Release the rope when I say."
After circling the rope several times, they threw the loop toward the calf, only to land a few feet in front of them.
"Okay, you released the rope a little too late and your hand began to drop. That's why it didn't go very far. Let's try it again," Jack said smiling.
The feel of Elizabeth's body against his was distracting him slightly and they dropped the rope too short another three times.
Not realizing they had an audience, the pair continued until Elizabeth finally landed the rope around the calf's neck. She jumped excitedly and turned toward Jack. As she did, she noticed that half the men, Charlotte, Sam, and Rosie had been watching them.
Jack turned to see the onlookers and both he and Elizabeth's cheeks grew red.
"Don't y'all have better things to do?" Jack yelled, laughing.
"Nope!" Rosemary yelled back.
Jack pulled the rope with the calf on the other end toward them, showed Elizabeth where to grab it, and helped her flip it to the ground. Elizabeth knelt down onto its neck to secure it to the ground and petted its head, talking to it softly.
Jack smiled as he watched her, his heart felt as if it would burst.
Charlotte walked up next to Jack and placed her hands on his upper arms and hugged him.
"She's perfect," she whispered into his ear.
Jack turned his head toward his mother, smiled and nodded.
He knelt down next to Elizabeth as three of the men approached the calf. Jack put his hand on the calf's head to help hold it down as it got branded, inoculated and tagged. When they were done, Jack pulled the rope over the calf's head, releasing it, and helped Elizabeth up. The calf jumped up and joined the others.
Jack turned Elizabeth to face him and placed his hands on her hips.
"So, what did you think about all this?"
Elizabeth smiled, "I loved it." She reached up and kissed him. "And I love you."
"I love you, too." Jack bent down and kissed her again.
Whistles and hollers came from the group as they watched, and Jack and Elizabeth both laughed and turned to face them.
…..
That evening was spent in Charlotte's back yard around the fire pit. Everyone had brought something to share and there had been more than enough delicious homemade food for everyone to eat.
Elizabeth sat back in a chair and watched some people finishing the clean up after the meal, another group laughing and joking around, and others just sitting and visiting. She sat in silence, smiling, as she remembered her new experiences of the day.
She had grown up in a life where her friends would only help someone if they received something in return, the girls would spend their time and money trying to outdo one another, or they would be making fun of someone they saw wearing a dress from last season. As a teenager, Elizabeth had already known that this was not a lifestyle that she fit into.
The people in front of her now would drop everything to help a stranger. They worked hard for their money and never took it for granted. They worked side-by-side and never needed guidance for the protocol of the day. They already knew what was required to help family and friends.
She was beginning to see a life that she wanted to be a part of, a life that was so much more rewarding than the easy life she had grown up in. A life with people that were not afraid of work, and knew how to have fun when the time arose.
Jack walked up behind her, knelt down and kissed her cheek.
"What are you thinking about, beautiful?"
"About a life I never knew I wanted." She looked over toward Jack and stared into his eyes.
"This is a life you want?" He asked, very seriously.
Elizabeth nodded, her heart racing from the closeness of Jack.
He ran his finger along her forehead and pushed a stray lock behind her ear. He cupped his hand behind her neck and pulled her toward him, covering her mouth with his.
The sounds around them faded until Jack and Elizabeth were the only ones in the yard. Jack kissed her fully, his tongue dancing with hers, an energy flowing through both of their bodies.
"Get a room!" Lee yelled when he saw them.
Jack quickly pulled back, remembering that they weren't alone in the yard. The pair laughed along with everyone that had heard Lee and turned to see who he was talking about.
Jack stood, "I'll be right back," and then vanished around the corner of the house.
He returned with two guitar cases in his hands and handed one to Tom. Tom looked at him with surprise, then smiled. The two men laid the cases on the patio table, opened them up and removed the guitars. After a quick tune up, they took two seats next to the fire pit.
The conversations and laughter slowly faded as everyone took a seat and waited for the men. Elizabeth leaned forward in her seat, shocked, and waited with them.
Jack and Tom began to play as everyone sat in silence and listened, then the brothers began to sing.
"Amarillo by mornin'
Up from San Antone
Everything that I got
Is just what I've got on
When that Sun is high
In that Texas sky
I'll be buckin' at the county fair
Amarillo by mornin'
Amarillo I'll be there"
Elizabeth listened, thinking her heart might stop. Jack and Tom were amazing together and sang in perfect harmony.
"They took my saddle in Houston
Broke my leg in Santa Fe
Lost my wife and a girlfriend
Somewhere along the way
But I'll be lookin' for eight
When they pull that gate
And I hope that
Judge ain't blind
Amarillo by mornin'
Amarillo's on my mind"
Elizabeth finally moved her gaze off of the brothers and began to look at everyone; several couples were rocking back and forth, singing along with them. Elizabeth's eyes stopped on Charlotte. She could see her eyes glistening in the firelight, a few tears running down her cheeks, her hand was over her mouth. Elizabeth looked back at Tom and Jack, then back to Charlotte, who hadn't moved.
She stood and walked to Charlotte, placing her hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright?"
Charlotte smiled and nodded, "Jack hasn't picked up a guitar since his dad died."
Elizabeth sat down next to her and took Charlotte's hand in hers. Charlotte squeezed it and held on for the remainder of the song.
"Amarillo by mornin'
Amarillo's where I'll be"
When the men finished, everyone began to clap and whistle.
Jack looked over to where Elizabeth had been sitting and saw the empty seat. He scanned the crowd until he spotted her, sitting next to his mother and holding her hand, and smiled.
Jack leaned to Tom, mouthed something to him and they began to play again.
Jack began singing alone.
"When the rain is blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love
When the evening shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one there to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love"
Charlotte pulled her hand from Elizabeth's and wrapped it around her, pulling her into her side. She leaned over and whispered to her, "He is so in love with you."
Elizabeth turned to look at her, tears stinging her eyes and nodded. "I love him, too."
Charlotte squeezed her again and the pair turned back toward the men and listened. A few couples had gotten up and began to dance.
"I know you haven't made your mind up yet
But I would never do you wrong
I've known it from the moment that we met
No doubt in my mind where you belong
I'd go hungry, I'd go black and blue
I'd go crawling down the avenue
No, there's nothing that I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love
The storms are raging on the rolling sea
And on the highway of regret
Though winds of change are blowing wild and free
You ain't seen nothing like me yet
I could make you happy, make your dreams come true
Nothing that I wouldn't do
Go to the ends of the Earth for you
To make you feel my love"
Everyone clapped again and let out a few whistles. Then someone shouted, "Family Tradition."
Jack looked at Tom, said something to him, and the pair began to play and sing.
"Country music singers
Have always been a real close family
But lately some of my kinfolks
Have disowned a few others and me
I guess it's because
I kinda changed my direction
Lord, I guess I went and broke their family tradition"
When they reached the chorus, everyone was singing along with them, including Charlotte. Rosie was sitting next to Lee and singing with them now, too. Elizabeth smiled and laughed as she listened to everyone sing loudly with the chorus.
"They get on me and want to know
Hank, why do you drink?
Hank, why do you roll smoke?
Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?
Over and over
Everybody makes my prediction
So if I get stoned, I'm just carrying on
An old family tradition
I am very proud
Of my daddy's name
Although his kind of music
And mine ain't exactly the same
Stop and think it over
Put yourself in my position
If I get stoned and sing all night long
It's a family tradition
So don't ask me
Hank, why do you drink?
Hank, why do you roll smoke?
Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?
If I'm down in a honky-tonk
And some ole slick's trying to give me friction
I'll say leave me alone
I'm singing all night long
It's a family tradition"
The evening continued with more songs. Some of the guests had joined in with singing and made more requests. Rosie even sang a couple, earning her a loud applause afterwards. Many had gotten up and danced to some of the slower songs.
As the night wore on and everyone was settling down, Jack motioned for Elizabeth to come sit next to him. She left Charlotte and took the now empty seat by his side.
Jack turned in his seat to face her and pulled his guitar back up and began to play a slow song. Couples settled in together as they listened to Jack sing.
"She's a yellow pair of running shoes
A holey pair of jeans
She looks great in cheap sunglasses
She looks great in anything
She's: "I want a piece of chocolate."
"Take me to a movie."
She's: "I can't find a thing to wear."
Now and then she's moody
She's a Saturn with a sunroof
With her brown hair a-blowing
She's a soft place to land
And a good feeling knowing
She's a warm conversation
That I wouldn't miss for nothing
She's a fighter when she's mad
And she's a lover when she's loving
And she's everything I ever wanted
And everything I need
I talk about her
I go on and on, and on
'Cause she's everything to me"
Elizabeth wiped a tear from her cheek as she listened to Jack sing to her. Sam was standing behind Tom and laid her hand on his shoulder; he covered her hand with his. Rosie, while sitting on Lee's lap, rested her head against his.
"She's a Saturday out on the town
And a church girl on Sunday
She's a cross around her neck
And a cuss word 'cause it's Monday
She's a bubble bath and candles
Baby, come and kiss me
She's a one glass of wine
And she's feeling kinda tipsy
She's the giver I wish I could be
And the stealer of the covers
She's a picture in my wallet
She's my unborn children's mother
She's the hand that I'm holding
When I'm on my knees and praying
She's the answer to my prayer
And she's the song that I'm playing"
Elizabeth, choked up, looked across the crowd of faces that were watching her and Jack. Rosie winked at her when she stopped on her face. She returned her attention to Jack as he continued, wiping a few more tears away.
"I go on and on, and on
'Cause she's everything to me
She's the voice I love to hear
Someday when I'm ninety
She's that wooden rocking chair
I want rocking right beside me
Every day that passes
I only love her more
Yeah, she's the one
That I'd lay down my own life for
And she's everything I ever wanted
And everything I need
She's everything to me
Yeah, she's everything to me
Everything I ever wanted
And everything I need
She's everything to me"
As he finished the song, someone let out a loud, high-pitched whistle and everyone else began to clap. Jack leaned forward and kissed Elizabeth, then only inches from her face, mouthed the words "I love you."
Everyone had slowly gathered their belongings, said their goodnights before going home, leaving Jack and Elizabeth with Charlotte.
"We're going to go, ma. Elizabeth still needs to drive home."
"Okay, Jack." Charlotte gave her son a long, tight embrace, then she placed her hands on his cheeks. "You have no idea how happy I was to hear you play and sing again, Jack. No idea. You have made my heart happy tonight." She kissed him on the cheek.
"It felt great to sing and play with Tom again. I have missed it. I let things go for way too long. But no more."
"You take care of that girl, Jack." Charlotte pointed toward Elizabeth, who was kneeling on the ground, petting Bandit. "That girl is the best thing that has ever happened to you."
Jack turned his head to look at Elizabeth, "I know, ma. Believe me, I know."
Jack parked his truck in front of his house, next to Elizabeth's car. He got out, walked around the truck and opened her door. Taking her hand, he walked her to her car.
When Elizabeth got to her car, she leaned her back against so she could face Jack.
"I had no idea you could play the guitar and sing like that. And Tom. You guys are wonderful together."
"Thanks. I didn't talk about it because I haven't played for years. But the first time I pulled dad's guitar from the case and started playing, it was amazing. I missed it and hadn't even realized."
"Well, I could listen to you all day."
Jack stepped forward and place his hands on the roof of the car, one on each side of Elizabeth. He pressed his body against her and covered her mouth with his. Elizabeth wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back, her tongue brushed against his.
Jack pulled back and took a step, "I think you should probably get going."
Elizabeth smiled and nodded. "Yes, me too."
Jack opened her door and let her in, then stepped back and watched as she drove away.
…..
July 30th, 2009 – Elizabeth's Townhouse
Elizabeth was chopping an onion when there was a knock at the door. She wiped her hands, then wiped her eyes with a towel before opening the door.
Jack was standing outside with a bouquet of red roses, his perfectly fitted Cinch jeans, and a new blue plaid dress shirt that Elizabeth had never seen. He removed his cowboy hat as soon as she opened the door.
"Come in, Jack." Elizabeth smiled as soon as she saw him.
Jack stepped in, bent and kissed her, and handed her the roses.
"For you, gorgeous."
"These are beautiful, Jack. Thank you."
She carried the flowers to the kitchen as Jack followed.
"You're really early, Jack. Rosie and Lee won't be here for another hour and a half."
"I know. I wanted some alone time with you."
"Well, I'm still preparing dinner, you can sit and watch if you'd like."
Jack set his hat on a chair and joined Elizabeth at the counter, "How about I help."
"Sure. Here, you can finish slicing these." She handed him the knife and slid the cutting board with the onion in front of him.
"Oh, so you can see me cry again?" Jack teased.
"Better you than me," she shoved her shoulder into his.
"So, what is on the menu tonight?"
Elizabeth began to giggle, "Julie Child's French Onion Soup and roasted chicken."
Jack laughed and channeled his best Julia once more.
They finished preparing the meal and once everything was in the oven, they sat on her couch, each with a glass of wine.
"Beth, can I ask you something very personal?"
"Of course, Jack. You can ask me anything."
Jack took a sip of his wine. "Why have you chosen to wait until you're married?"
"What?" Elizabeth had been caught off guard and didn't realize what Jack was asking.
"Why did you choose to wait until you're married to have sex? I mean...please don't take this the wrong way, Beth. I am willing to wait for you. I am not planning to pressure you into anything." Jack took a big drink of his wine. "I was just curious what made you choose to wait. You just never hear about people doing that anymore."
Elizabeth let out a breath, a sigh of relief, before answering. "I was taught that sex was a gift from God that is only to be shared between a husband and wife. And I believe wholeheartedly in that. I have heard so many stories from my friends that didn't wait...terrible stories. How they slept with their boyfriend and then they broke up. So, they moved on to the next guy, and the next. They had no real connection with any of them. Then, by the time they got married, sex was just a thing they did."
Jack nodded, understanding exactly what she was saying and feeling a deep regret in his heart.
"Saving my body for my husband is a choice that I made long ago. I made a promise to God and I intend to keep it."
"Beth, please don't think that I'm wanting you to change your mind for me."
"I don't, Jack. And I don't have a problem talking about it either. I'm not embarrassed. It's a choice I made and I'm proud of it. It is the biggest gift that I can think of to give my husband on our wedding night."
Jack thought about that and was amazed at her for her convictions and sticking to them. "I didn't know it was even possible, but my love for you just increased."
A few moments later, Rosie walked in, followed by Lee.
"Hello," she called out as she entered the townhouse.
"In here, Rosie."
"Hey, Jack. Hi, Beth." Lee said as he entered the kitchen.
Hey, brother," Jack said as he slapped Lee on the back.
"How can I help?" Rosie asked, setting the strawberry-rhubarb crisp she brought on the kitchen counter.
"Here, can you take this out to the patio?" Elizabeth handed her a tossed salad.
Rosie, Lee, Jack and Elizabeth each picked up an item and carried them outside to her patio table.
Elizabeth's backyard was full of lush green plants, large trees and several clay pots with a variety of flowers. There were many white, tin candle holders with citronella candles burning and a line of tiki torches. Her barbeque grill and a rolling cart filled with a few plants and dishes, sat along the edge of a flagstone patio. Moss covered the ground and gaps, adding a beautiful texture and color to the grey stones. Her wrought iron patio set had grey cushions on the seats with a few colorful throw pillows.
"Beth, this is a great space out here," Jack exclaimed, never having seen it before.
"Yes, Beth, this is awesome," Lee added.
"Thanks. I love it. This is the reason I chose this townhouse."
"I can see why," Lee said.
They set the food on the table which was already dressed with more citronella candles, place settings and water glasses.
While enjoying the delicious food, the group made plans for a few more rodeos, Lee teased Elizabeth about her roping skills, and Elizabeth gave Lee a hard time about his rusted pickup truck.
"Yes, I need to get a new one. But ole' Bessie still gets me to where I need to go."
After another hour of visiting, the group carried everything back into the house and helped clean up. Lee and Rosie said their goodbyes and left, leaving Jack and Elizabeth alone again.
"We need to do this more often," Rosie had yelled back as she walked through the door, closing it behind her.
Jack took Elizabeth's hands and pulled her close to him. He stood, staring into her crystal blue eyes, before lowering his lips to hers. He softly kissed her, slightly sucking on her bottom lip, then ran his tongue along her top lip. They wrapped their arms around each other, pulling their bodies close. Elizabeth could feel Jack's chest tighten against hers and strong hand pressing against her back.
He stepped back, drew in a quick, deep breath, and stared into her eyes again. "I think I need to get going."
"Okay."
"You do things to me, Beth. Things that I want to act on very badly," Jack grinned. "But I will not. Not until you are ready. And if that means our wedding night, then so be it."
"Our wedding night?" One corner of her mouth turned up into a half smile as she cocked her head.
"Yes, our wedding night." Jack kissed her again, but kept it short and sweet. "I love you, Beth. I want you in my life...fully."
"I want you, too, Jack."
"But I'm going to do this right. I still have a few things to work through. Something I need to do for myself so that I can give you my whole self." He pressed his forehead against hers. "I'm almost there. But I want to do it right."
Elizabeth nodded and smiled.
