Thank you for all the great reviews. I love reading them all. This chapter has a sermon from For The Church website, written by Tim Counts, verses from the Bible, and a section written by my friend Becky Sue.
Jack, Elizabeth, Rosemary, Lee, Charlotte, Tom, Thomas, William, Grace, Julie, Viola and Frank are all characters created and owned by Janette Oake in the When Calls The Heart series. All other characters are new, created by me.
Thank you for reading!
July 31st, 2009 – Elizabeth's Townhouse
Elizabeth nervously sat on the couch with her phone to her ear, listening to each ring, waiting for her mother to answer.
"Hello?" Grace finally picked up after five long rings.
"Hi, mom. How are you?"
"Oh, Beth. Hello. I'm good. How are you doing, dear?"
"I'm fine. Is daddy home?"
"Yes, he's around here somewhere."
"Can you get him on the phone, too?"
"Is everything alright, Beth?"
"Oh, yes. I just have some news I want to share with you and wanted to tell you together."
"Okay, honey. Hold on and I'll go find him."
Elizabeth could hear her mother lay the phone down. She wiped her sweaty palms across her jeans, attempting to dry them. What felt like a lifetime, but in reality, was less than a minute, her father finally picked up the other line.
"Good morning, Beth."
"Hi, daddy."
"Your mother is going back to the other phone. She said you had some news for us?"
"Hi, Beth. I'm back." Grace said as she picked up the phone.
"So, what's going on, Beth?" William asked.
"I have some exciting news to share with you," Elizabeth cleared her throat and was wishing she had grabbed a glass of water. "I've met someone."
"Oh, Beth. That's wonderful." Grace exclaimed. "What's his name?"
"His name is Jack Thornton. He lives not far from me on a ranch."
"A ranch?" William asked. "So, what does this boy do?" He knew by the nervousness in his daughter's voice that this was serious and there was something she was afraid to tell them.
"He trains horses. He helps his mother with her cattle ranch."
"That sounds interesting," Grace said.
"Is that all he does, Beth?" William asked, feeling that there was more.
"Well, daddy. He's a bull rider, too."
"What?" William exclaimed. "Why would you want to be with a man that knowingly puts his life in danger constantly? Don't you know how dangerous that is?"
"Of course, I do, daddy." The shakiness in Elizabeth's voice faded as she answered him. "I know very well what can happen. But Jack is a good man. He's kind and loving and from a wonderful family."
"So, you've met his family?" Grace asked.
"Yes, they all share a large ranch."
"So, you said he helps his mother with the ranch. Where's his father? Did he take off and leave the family?"
"Daddy," Elizabeth said sternly, "Jack's father is dead."
"I'm sorry, Beth." William paused for a brief moment. "What happened?"
Elizabeth swallowed hard then answered. "He was a bull rider, too, and died during a rodeo."
"Elizabeth, how on earth would you want to get involved with someone you know that could happen to as well?" William stated.
"Dad, any one of us could die at any moment. Are we supposed to stop living our life out of fear?"
William did not reply.
"I know very well the dangers of bull riding. I have seen firsthand, the effect it can have on someone."
"What does that mean?" Grace asked.
Elizabeth wished she hadn't said that last sentence, but it was too late now. "Jack took his father's death pretty hard. He was barely eighteen when it happened, and he was very close to his father. Like I said, he is a good man."
"How long have you known him, Beth?" Grace asked.
"A little over three months."
"And this is the first we've heard of him? That means you were seeing him when you were here for Father's Day." William stated.
"There was nothing to tell then, daddy. We weren't really dating or anything at that time."
"Do you love him?" Grace asked.
"Yes, mom. I do. Very much."
"So, when are we going to meet this boy?" William asked.
"Daddy, he's a man, not a boy. And, I would love it if you and mom could come to Missouri and visit. You've never been here and I've always wanted to show you how beautiful it is here."
"Alright, Beth. Your mom and I will discuss it and we'll let you know."
"Okay, dad. Thank you."
"So, other than this b...man, what else is new in your life?"
Elizabeth talked to her parents for another thirty minutes before they ended the call. She sat the phone down on her coffee table, stared at it, then picked it back up and dialed her sister's number to tell her about their conversation.
…..
July 31st, 2009 – Sunnyspring Counseling
"How has your last two weeks been, Jack." Dr. Marie Harban asked.
"They have been great."
"Wonderful. How are the rodeos going?"
"I am finally back on my game; I've been coming in first or second."
"That's great, Jack. You sound good."
"I feel good. That weight you mentioned a while back, has been completely lifted."
"Wonderful, Jack. How are things with Elizabeth?"
"Perfect. I finally told her that I love her. I have never said those words to anyone before, other than my family."
"And does she feel the same about you?"
"Yes, she does." Jack smiled and leaned back in his seat.
"Well, Jack. It sounds like all your hard work has paid off."
"Yes, it has. And thank you for always being frank with me, not holding back."
"It's not in my job description to hold back, Jack." Dr. Harban smiled.
…..
August 1st, 2009 – Midnight Rodeo
Jack returned to the table with one beer for himself and a strawberry daiquiri for Elizabeth. He pulled his chair around to sit right next to her.
"When are Rosie and Lee supposed to be here?" He asked.
Elizabeth looked at her watch, "Any minute." She took a sip of her drink then set it on the table.
Jack took a small drink of his beer and sat it next to Elizabeth's drink. He stood up and held his hand out to her, "Would you like to dance?"
Elizabeth smiled, placed her hand in his and stood. Jack led her out to the dance floor, spun her around, and pulled her in against him.
She giggled at the surprise of the move, then stared up into his eyes as they swayed back and forth to I Melt by Rascal Flatts.
Jack pressed his hand against the small of her back and held her tight against him, his other hand held her hand against his chest. He lowered his head and captured her lips with his, tasting a bit of her fruity drink on her lips. He realized he would never tire of kissing this woman.
He moved his head to the side of hers and quietly sang into her ear.
"I melt
Every time you look at me that way
It never fails
Anytime, any place
This burn in me is the coolest thing
I've ever felt"
They slowly swayed, barely moving their feet, letting their love lead them. Jack kissed her cheek, then began to softly sing again.
"What's even better is
Knowing that forever
You're all mine
The closer you get
The more my body aches
One little stare from you, is all it takes
I melt
Every time you look at me that way"
When the song ended, Jack took her face in his hands, covering her mouth with his, he softly and lovingly kissed her.
When they returned to their table, Lee and Rosemary were there waiting for them. Rosie was fanning herself with her hand, her mouth opened in an "O," her eyes wide.
"You two are going to burn this place down if you don't cool it," she teased.
The group spent the evening dancing and laughing. After Jack's first beer, he had ordered water for the remainder of the evening. Lee had seen this and after only two beers, joined him. Jack couldn't remember the last time he had laughed so much. Lee and Rosemary had them in hysterics all evening.
Before leaving the parking lot to drive Elizabeth home, Jack lifted the center console and tapped on the seat beside him, letting her know she could slide over if she wanted. Elizabeth undid her seatbelt, slid next to Jack, and buckled the belt across her lap. Jack turned the huge truck onto the road, then placed his hand on her knee.
Once at Elizabeth's, she slid out of the truck on Jack's side and he walked her to her door.
"What are you doing tomorrow?" Jack asked her.
"I'm going to church in the morning. Then Rosie and I were talking about having lunch and getting our nails done."
"Sounds like a great girls' day out." Jack gave her a long kiss. "Call me when you're done?"
"Okay. Goodnight, Jack."
"Night, beautiful." Jack smiled, his dimples showing, and walked to his truck.
…..
August 2nd, 2009 – Crossroads Cowboy Church
Jack stepped through the familiar doors of the church and was greeted by Chauncy Wilson. "Hey, Jack. Glad to see you here today."
Jack shook his hand, "Thanks, Chauncy. Good to see you again." Jack replied, nervously.
He entered the sanctuary which was a large, open room with cushioned chairs lined in rows. An old wooden podium stood in the front with a projection screen behind it. Everyone that was there were wearing jeans, some quite worn, cowboy boots, dress shirts; a few in just t-shirts. Jack relaxed slightly at this sight and found a seat near the back.
A small band consisting of a drummer, keyboardist, bass guitar and acoustic guitar opened with a few songs. The third song really hit Jack as he stood, without singing, and listened to the words.
"White as snow, white as snow, though my sins were as scarlet,
Lord I know, Lord I know, that I'm clean and forgiven.
Through the power of Your blood, through the wonder of Your love,
through faith in You I know that I can be
white as snow."
After the song was over, the band returned to their seats and Frank stepped up behind the podium.
"Welcome everyone. Please open your Bibles to Isaiah 1:18," Frank paused, then began to read. "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."
Don't read through this familiar verse and fail to be awed by what is going on here. The Lord of glory, the creator of the ends of the earth, the Holy One, is offering an incredible deal. You bring your scarlet sins, and He will give you a purified past and present. That sounds great, but what is the catch? We are used to hearing of sales that are too good to be true, mostly because they are. There is fine print and there are exclusions. But, when God offers the bargain of forgiveness, there is no catch. It is free.
In Isaiah chapter 1, the LORD of Israel has just laid out a court case against His people. They are guilty. He does not even want their sacrifices anymore, because going through the motions without hearts that love God–as seen in their actions–is detestable to Him; Isaiah 1:11-17. So, what will it cost them to receive forgiveness? If verse 18 which promises purity like snow is not enough, the answer becomes crystal clear near the end of the prophecy: "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!…Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food"; Isaiah 55:1-2. The holy God offers sinners a free banquet–and promises to satisfy them in Himself.
While grace is free, it is not cheap. Bonhoeffer explains, "Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of His Son: 'ye were bought at a price'…Costly grace is the Incarnation of God." There is a reason that we can receive the promise that our sins will be as white as snow. And it is not because of our own works."
Jack shifted nervously in his seat. He felt like Frank was talking directly to him. How can I be washed white as snow, with all that I have done? Jack asked himself.
"In Job 9:30, Job knew that even if he washed himself with snow, he could never stand before the holiness of God. Job told his friends that he was in a horrible predicament, feeling that God was out to get him and as if he was not able to stand in God's presence to even discuss it with Him. "For He is not a man, as I am, that I might answer Him, that we should come to trial together. There is no arbiter between us…"; Job 9:32-33a. Job felt the pain of trying to be in God's presence without a mediator.
What Job longed for; Jesus fulfilled!
King David, repentant after committing adultery and murder, cried out to God in Psalm 51:7b, "Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." If washing away of scarlet sins is going to happen, it must be God Himself who does the washing because the sin has been against God. The good news of the gospel is that God Himself purifies us by the blood of His resurrected and victorious Son.
What David longed for; Jesus accomplished!
The reason your scarlet sins can be made white as snow is because Jesus' scarlet blood covers them.
Your sin is not just removed, you are made clean.
If you are trusting in Jesus alone for your salvation, have you embraced your cleanliness before the Judge of all the earth? Whatever your shameful sin is, rejoice! Because of Jesus, your heart can be as clean as freshly fallen snow.
Maybe you are still trying to pay for your sin, or hide from it, or you're trying to run from your Savior. If you are trusting in Jesus, He says to you today: "Fear not."
Psalm 34: 3 says, In Jesus, your sins are white as snow! "O taste and see that the Lord is good!"
Let us pray. Dear heavenly Father, we pray to You today with grateful hearts that You gave the ultimate sacrifice, and our sins are forgiven. We thank You for washing us white as snow, making us clean."
As Frank continued to pray, Jack leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, his head resting in his hands.
How can this be? How can a man that has done what I've done be made clean? How can I become pure again? Why would God do this for me? I am not worthy of such a sacrifice.
These thoughts, and more, flowed through Jack's mind; a battle within him and he wasn't sure who was winning. Jack hadn't noticed that church had ended and everyone was leaving, he remained with his head in his hands.
Frank saw this and sat in the seat beside him. He placed his hand on Jack's shoulder, causing him to jump.
"Sorry, Jack. I didn't mean to startle you."
Jack looked around the room to realize that he and Frank were the only ones left.
"I'm sorry, Frank. I didn't realize it was over. Jack began to stand, but Frank stopped him and pulled him back down.
"What's going on, Jack."
Jack looked down at his hands and shook his head.
"I can't help you if you don't talk."
Jack sat up and looked at Frank. "I am in love with a woman. I want to spend the rest of my life with her." Jack took in a deep breath. "I haven't made the best choices when I was mourning my dad. For years, I used sex to try to forget about the pain I felt from losing him. This wonderful woman, that actually loves me back, is a virgin. We talked about it and she said that it was the best gift she could think of to give her husband on their wedding night. I love Elizabeth. I want to marry her. But I don't have anything like that to give her."
"I see." Frank leaned back in his seat. "Does Elizabeth know about your past?"
"Yes, she knows everything."
"And she still loves you?"
"Yes."
"She loves you just as you are, Jack. Your love for her is a precious gift of its own. You have a lot to offer her. It's amazing that she is saving herself for her husband, and yes, that is quite the gift to give him." Frank turned his chair to face Jack. "Jack, God loves all His children, no matter what they have done. He sent His own Son as a sacrifice, so that we may all be forgiven. Like today's sermon, He washes away our stains and makes us clean. God loves you so much that He has already forgiven you. You are purified in His name."
Jack listened to every word that Frank said, trying to believe them but having a hard time with it. "Why would God forgive me? What have I done for Him?"
"Jack, whether you believe it or not, God loves you, all of you. And it is not what you have done for Him because His gift of salvation is available to anyone who desires this free gift. His Son, Jesus, died in your place so that you can be clean of any sin. He loves you so much, He wants you to choose to follow Him, to believe what He did for you, so that you may walk as a new man. Those who accept this gift, what He did for you, and live a new life in freedom with the Holy Spirit, then God wants you to follow the teachings of His Son, and help others and to serve Him."
Jack was confused by all of this and it showed on his face.
"The first step to redemption is to confess your sins to God, ask Him for forgiveness and accept Him into your life. Is this something that you want to do, Jack?"
Jack nodded; a tear slipped down his cheek. "Yes," his voice cracked.
"Would you like me to pray with you? To help you through this step?"
Jack nodded.
Frank reached out and took one of Jack's hands in his, then placed his free hand on Jack's shoulder. He bowed his head and began to pray.
"Dear gracious Father. I pray for Jack, that he will find peace in his heart, that he will trust You to guide him down the right path." Frank looked up to Jack. "Jack, these next words need to come from you."
Jack nodded, "Okay."
"Confess your sins to God and ask Him for forgiveness."
Jack bowed his head and looked at the floor, sucked in a deep breath, then closed his eyes. "God...I have not lived...a...righteous life. I have..." Jack cleared his throat, "I have slept with many women. I have lied and gotten drunk on many occasions." Jack paused to wipe a few tears from his cheeks. "Please forgive me, Lord."
"Thank you, Lord," Frank continued. "For your forgiveness for Jack. Thank you for giving Jack the strength and courage to do this today." Frank paused and looked at Jack. "Jack."
Jack opened his eyes and looked at Frank.
"Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God that died for you and rose from the dead?"
"Yes."
"Do you accept Jesus into your heart as your Savior?"
"Yes."
"Why don't you thank Him for this gift of taking away your sins, to live in the freedom of Christ Jesus?"
Jack could barely swallow, and with tears running down his face and an overwhelming sense of peace washing over him, he dropped to his knees. Feeling the continued support of Frank's hand on his shoulder, Jack began, "Father, thank You for loving me. I don't deserve any of this, but I know this is who You are. I have felt something pulling me to You. I want to be a new man and I thank you for helping me see that I needed You back in my life. Thank you for being patient with me." Jack hesitated, and it seemed he could almost feel his blood flowing through his body. "Starting this day, I want to honor You, and to live the life I was meant to live. I need Your help with this, Lord. I trust that You will show me how to go forward. In Jesus' name. Amen." Jack lifted his head up, took a big breath, and felt lighter. He felt a warm sensation through his chest and closed his eyes for a few seconds. He then sat back on the seat as he opened his eyes, staring straight ahead. He took another deep breath.
Frank patted him on his back. "Jack?"
"Yes."
"Well done."
Jack glanced over at Frank, and with a tiny curve of a smile, he said, "Thank you, Frank. Now what?"
Frank looked at Jack, and chuckled. "Good question. I usually tell people to start reading the book of John. In fact, why don't we set up a time to meet for about 30-45 minutes in a few days?"
Jack thought for a minute. "I have rodeos on weekends so could we make it sometime during the week?"
"Let me get my calendar and we can put something down. In the meantime, before you open up your Bible and read, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you what you need to know as you read. Then, read one chapter a day in John. In that one chapter, pick out a verse that resonates with you. Write it down and then tell why it spoke to you that day. Next, write down how you can apply this to your life. And finally, write out a simple prayer asking God to help you do just that. This is a pattern to follow for a daily quiet time. Do this, preferably in the morning, and we will meet to check how it's going and answer any questions." Frank grabbed his calendar looking at his openings. Pointing at the calendar, he asked, "Now, will this date work?"
…..
Hope Meadows Ranch
Jack was in the large arena now with Delilah. He had a saddle on her and was exercising her before her ride. He placed his foot in the stirrup and gently swung his leg up and over her, settling into the seat. He clucked at her and she moved into a slow walk. He moved her around the arena, in different transitions, different gaits and stopped her in the middle. He pulled back on the reins and she slowly moved backwards until he relaxed them. Jack patted her neck and let her rest for a few minutes, then did it all again.
Delilah was a different horse than when she first arrived on his ranch. She had no trust in humans and had clearly been hurt at some point by someone. Jack had gained her trust and she softened and became accepting to his queues. She had turned into a horse that he would want for himself or his family.
Jack sat on her while he let her rest again, thinking about his own life. He had been reluctant to everyone's offer to help him until he had wanted to change and learned to trust others to help him do so. As soon as he allowed someone in, he began to heal; just as Delilah had.
When he was finished riding Delilah and had her settled in her stall, Jack returned to the house. He washed his hands in the small bathroom sink then grabbed a bottled water from the fridge. He stood at the kitchen window, overlooking the back yard and back pasture of his property.
…..
August 2nd, 1985 – Thornton Ranch
Jack walked into the office to find his dad sitting at his desk, reading something. "What are you reading, daddy?"
"Come over here, Jack." Thomas lifted five-year-old Jack on to his lap. "This is a Bible."
"What's a Bible?"
"This tells the story about how God created man, about Noah and Abraham and lots and lots of other people. It also tells the story about Jesus."
"Who's Jesus, daddy."
"Jesus is the Son of God. He died for us, so that our sins could be forgiven. So that we can go to heaven when we die."
"Jesus died?" Jack asked, his voice full of concern.
"Yes, son. But three days later, He rose and came back to life. Then He went up to be with his father."
"What are sins?"
"Sins are the bad things that people do. Things that made God sad." Thomas could see in the pinch expression on Jack's face, that he was thinking hard about what he'd said. "Here, Jack." Thomas picked up his Bible and held it in front of Jack. "I'll read some of it to you."
…..
August 2nd, 2009
His mind returned to the day prior, to the time spent with Frank. He sat the water bottle on the counter and walked up the steps and down the hall to a small closet. He opened the door and pulled a box down from the top shelf and carried it back downstairs to his kitchen.
He set the box on the island and lifted the top off. Setting it aside, he looked into the box. He reached inside and pulled the worn, leather-bound book out. He opened it and could see his dad's writing along the margins and several passages highlighted in faded yellow. He turned to the book of John and began reading chapter one.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Jack finished reading the first chapter, then as Frank recommended, he got his journal out and began writing.
…..
Jack heard his phone ringing, turned the shower off, and quickly grabbed his towel and ran to his phone that was laying on the bathroom counter.
"Hello?" He answered breathless, not looking at the caller ID.
"Jack?"
"Oh, hi, Beth. How are you? Did you have fun with Rosie?"
"Always," Elizabeth laughed. "What are you doing?"
"I worked a few horses after lunch and just stepped out of the shower."
Elizabeth's mind immediately went to the morning Jack was standing in front of her, wearing nothing but water droplets. She closed her eyes, imagining him.
"Beth?" Jack asked against the silence. "Beth, are you still there?"
"What?" Elizabeth asked, embarrassed.
"Did you hear what I asked?"
"Sorry, Jack. No. What did you say?"
"I asked if you want to go see a movie?"
"I'd love to. What's showing?"
Jack opened the paper and turned to the movie theater section. After reading through the movies, he began to laugh.
"What's so funny, Jack?"
"Julie and Julia is showing."
Elizabeth began to laugh with him. "We kind of have to go see it now, don't we?"
"I think so."
After finalizing their plans, Jack hung up his phone and finished getting ready. An hour later, he pulled into Elizabeth's driveway.
When he got to her door, he saw it was slightly opened. He slowly pushed it the rest of the way and leaned into her house.
"Beth?" He waited for a reply. "Elizabeth?" Still nothing. He stepped through the doorway and closed the door behind him. "Beth?" He called out louder.
He began walking toward the living room when he heard a door shut upstairs. "Beth?" He called out again, almost shouting.
He slowly climbed the stairs and once at the top, he could hear a noise coming from one of the rooms. He walked down the hall, in the direction of the sound, noticing that her walls were lined with paintings.
Once he reached the door, he could hear that the noise was a hairdryer. He smiled and turned back down the hallway. Jack stopped at the first painting and looked at the lower right corner. Elizabeth's name was signed in black.
He stepped back and looked over the painting. It was of a young girl with long, flowing hair wearing a white dress. She was walking away with her hand brushing across the tall grass.
He stepped to the next one. It was of a street leading to the Eiffel tower. The colors were muted with a lot of pink. A couple was walking down the street, the man's arm around the woman.
The third painting was of a woman, standing in the middle of a wide sidewalk. She was wearing a red dress and holding a blue umbrella. The trees were colorful with many pastel colors.
The next painting was the back of a woman in a dress, holding a bouquet of flowers.
He looked over each painting. There were two more of the Eiffel Tower, one of a bridge with colorful trees and one of a balcony, possibly in Italy.
Jack noticed the hair dryer had been turned off, so he walked down the stairs to her sofa.
Several minutes later, Elizabeth walked down her stairs to her kitchen to get a glass of water. Just as she was about to take a drink, Jack stepped into the kitchen.
The glass shattered against the floor as Elizabeth screamed.
"Jack Thornton!" Elizabeth yelled. "You scared me to death."
Jack tried to stifle his laughter. "I am so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
"What are you doing...how did you get in?"
"Your front door was open."
"What?" Elizabeth thought for a moment then remembered. "Oh, I had moved a large, potted plant from the front yard into the back yard and I forgot to go back and close the door."
"You need to be careful about that, babe."
"I know. I was...well...thinking about other things," she grinned.
Jack walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her. "What things? These things?" He bent down and covered her lips with his, pulling her tight against him.
When they parted, both drew in a deep breath.
Elizabeth giggled, "Yes, those things." Elizabeth looked around at the mess on her floor.
"I'll get that. Where is your broom?"
Elizabeth walked to her closet and returned with a hand broom and dustpan. "What are you doing here already?"
"Didn't we say six?"
Elizabeth looked at the clock hanging on her living room wall: 6:18. "Oh my goodness. I lost track of time. I didn't realize it was this late."
"It's fine. We have plenty of time before the movie starts." Jack took the broom and dustpan from her and began to sweep up the broken glass. "I'm really sorry I scared you."
"It's alright, Jack. Don't worry about it. I need to finish getting ready. I'll only be five minutes."
"Okay. I've got this," Jack said as he finished sweeping up the shards of glass.
Five minutes later, Elizabeth returned to the kitchen. "I'm ready."
Jack turned to see her; her hair was slightly curled and flowing around her shoulders. She was wearing dark, fitted jeans with brown knee-high boots, a white scoop-neck t-shirt and a thin mint green sweater.
"You look beautiful, Beth." Jack kissed her gently on the lips. He took her by the hand, let her to the door and opened it for her. Once outside, he took her hand again and led her to his side of the truck, opened the door and helped her up. Elizabeth slid into her spot in the center of the seat, next to Jack.
…..
They walked out of the movie, laughing, as Jack mimicked Julia Child again.
"You are so silly, Jack."
"I aim to please, my dear." He said as he locked his fingers between hers.
"Your paintings are amazing, Beth," Jack said as he turned the truck onto the highway toward her home.
"When did you see my paintings."
"Oh, yeah, well...when I first got to your place and found your front door open, I got worried when I called out your name and you didn't' answer. I heard a sound upstairs so I went up, calling your name multiple times. Once I got to your door, I could hear the hair dryer so I went back down. But I looked at your paintings while up there. They are really amazing, Beth. You are very talented."
"Thank you. I do love to paint. My dream is to have my own art studio at home someday."
"That sounds like a great dream."
After dropping her off at home, Jack drove home, but stopped at his barn. He walked down the aisle, checking on all the horses. He pulled Harley out, saddled him and the pair ventured out into the dark for a night ride. The sky was clear and the moon full, illuminating the field before them.
They walked around the ranch as many thoughts filled Jack's mind. He prayed, he hoped and he planned. After returning Harley to the barn, Jack drove the truck to the house, went inside and pulled out a sheet of paper and began making a list.
He picked up his phone and dialed Rosie's number, "Rosie, I need your help."
…..
August 11th, 2009
After a long week of planning, phone calls, and another rodeo, Jack was finally staring out the window of an airplane, watching the green and brown landscape glide by. Rosie had helped him with everything he needed and Jack had made the necessary phone call. And now, Rosemary was keeping Elizabeth busy while Jack began to execute his plan.
The rodeo that weekend had been another success. Jack had taken first place again and Lee finished in third. Rosie had even come out on top and took another first-place win. The rodeo had only been two hours from their homes, so the group rode together in one truck and back home when it was over.
Jack had followed Frank's guidance and had been reading the book of John every day and journaling about it. He could feel his own heart being lifted as he grew closer to God.
Jack looked out the window again, watching the clouds slowly float by, the sunlight skimming across the tops of them. He looked down at his journal that was laying on the table. He opened it to the next blank page and began to write.
….
Jack stepped off the plane and made his way through the crowd toward the rental car counter. He got his car and started down the highway; following the directions given by his GPS on his phone.
He pulled into the driveway of the large white house and put it in park. He sat in the car for a few minutes, both hands on the steering wheel, his head bent down. His heart was racing as he took deep breaths, trying to slow it.
"Please, Lord. Give me strength and courage. Please give me the right words to say. Thank you, God. Amen."
Jack drew in one more deep breath through his nose, blew it out through his mouth, and opened his car door.
He rang the doorbell, took a step back, and waited for the fate of his future.
The door opened, and a nicely dressed older woman, greeted him. "You must be Jack."
"Yes, ma'am." He put his hand out to shake hers, "You must be Mrs. Thatcher."
