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September 1st, 2009 – Hope Meadows Ranch
Jack threw open the bedroom door and ran down the hallway, almost tripping over his own feet as he ran. Another scream came from the bedroom as he pushed opened the double doors, bursting inside to find Elizabeth sitting up in the bed. Her knees were drawn to her chest, her head was buried in her arms, and her body was shaking.
Jack ran to the bed and carefully lowered himself on the edge.
"Beth?" He said quietly.
She didn't move.
"Beth." He spoke a little louder.
Elizabeth raised her head, took one look at Jack and scrambled to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She was crying uncontrollably now, as Jack held her.
"Baby, you're alright. I have you." Jack said softly as he stroked her hair. He gently rocked her back and forth, speaking to her softly. "You're safe, Baby. You're with me. I'll protect you."
Elizabeth moved her body, pushing into Jack as tight as she could. He could still feel her shaking; a combination of fear and tears.
Jack, without letting go, turned and moved further up the bed, resting his back against the headboard, and pulled Elizabeth up against him.
She buried her head into his chest and pulled his arms tighter around her, as if she was trying to hide inside him. Jack held her until he felt her body relax and her breathing change. He slid down until his head was on the pillow and turned to his side. He pulled Elizabeth so her back was against his chest and tightly held her as he fell asleep to the rhythm of her slowed heartbeat.
A few hours later, Elizabeth woke to the sunlight illuminating the room in a warm glow. Dust filled beams reached into the room, slowly moving along the floor. She looked around, forgetting where she was, until she felt Jack's arm around her. She scooted back until she was against him again, pulling his arm tighter around her.
Jack let out a small grunt and tightened his grip on her, still sound asleep. Elizabeth, feeling the safety of his arms, joined him and dozed off.
Jack woke to a tingling in his left arm. A weight was on it, causing it to fall asleep. He looked over and saw Elizabeth lost in a peaceful sleep. He carefully pulled his arm out from under her and shook it out, trying to accelerate the blood flow and stop the tingling sensation.
Once the feeling had fully returned, Jack draped his right arm across her. He watched her as she slept. A small smile formed across her face; her lip twitched slightly. He ran his fingers softly across her bottom lip, licking his own at the thought of kissing her. He leaned toward her and kissed her cheek. Elizabeth stirred slightly, letting out a little moan. Jack kissed her cheek again, and then her neck.
Elizabeth stretched her body, then turned her head to face Jack.
"Good morning, Baby," Jack said as he leaned down and kissed her on the mouth.
"Good morning, Jack." She rolled onto her side and touched the side of his face with her hand. "Thank you."
Jack smiled and nodded. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
Elizabeth slid into his arms, her head against his chest and laid her arm across his side. She had never felt so safe in her life as she did in his arms. She closed her eyes and breathed in; filling her lungs with air laced with his cologne. She could hear his rapid heartbeat, fluctuating with her touch.
Jack's nose rested against her hair. He breathed in the fruity scent of her shampoo mixed with her perfume.
"Are you asleep?" He asked quietly, a few minutes later.
Elizabeth lifted her head, "No."
"Want to talk?" He asked, looking down at her.
"What about?"
"Anything." Jack reached over and pushed a stray hair that was falling across her eye.
"Okay. You start."
Jack thought for a moment, then asked, "Do you want to keep teaching after we're married?"
"Absolutely. I love my job."
"Okay. I just want you to know that if at any point you want to quit working, you can."
"Alright. But I love what I do and plan to keep working for a very long time."
"Okay." Jack smiled.
"What else do you want to talk about?"
"When do you want kids?"
"Not any time soon." She stretched up and kissed his lips. "I want to enjoy us for a while."
Jack grinned, "Me, too." Jack thought for a moment, "Are you on birth control?"
"Um, no. Not yet."
"Is that something that you want to do?"
"Yes, probably. I have an appointment with my doctor in a couple weeks to go over my options."
"Oh, okay."
Elizabeth rolled onto her stomach and propped herself up onto her elbows. "What do you want me to do?"
"Beth, that's up to you. I just know that if we are both wanting to wait to start a family, then we'll need to do something." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Because I plan on spending a lot of time in here with you." His voice was low and seductive as he spoke.
Elizabeth felt her cheeks get hot and she dropped her head, laughing.
"I think I'm going to retire from bull riding."
Elizabeth's head shot up and she stared into his eyes, trying to decide if he was joking. "Are you serious?"
Jack nodded.
"Why?"
Jack drew in a quick breath and blew it out before starting. "When it was just me, things didn't matter as much. If I got hurt, I didn't have anyone in the stands worrying about me. But it's not just me anymore, Beth." Jack cupped her cheek in his hand. "I have you to think about now."
Elizabeth's heartbeat sped up and her stomach was churning. "I can't ask you to do that, Jack. You love bull riding. It's your whole life."
"You aren't asking. And it's not my whole life, you are."
Elizabeth sucked in a quick breath, "Oh, Jack. But you just can't."
Jack nodded and rubbed her cheek with his thumb. "I've been thinking about this for a while now. I want to. I'm not getting any younger and I can't have you worrying every time I climb into that chute. It's time."
"But you love rodeos."
"I've been talking with Lee, and we might try our hands in team roping."
"Really? That would be wonderful." Elizabeth's eyes lit up.
"We've done that around the ranch for fun before, and we actually aren't too bad. That way we still get to go to our rodeos and it's much safer." Jack leaned down and kissed her.
"Rosie will be glad to hear that, too. I know Lee getting kicked really scared her."
"Yes, that got to Lee, too. He called me yesterday before you got here and told me that he was in for team roping."
"What about Vegas?"
"That will be my last ride."
"What? So fast?"
Jack nodded, "Yes, I just can't put you through that." Jack paused and looked at the wall across the room. "I can still see my mom's face when my dad was killed. I don't ever want you to feel that way."
"But what if you don't get your third world title?"
Jack returned his gaze to Elizabeth, "If I win, I win. If I don't, I don't. I'm not going to let that dictate my future any longer."
"But what if you start to resent me for your decision to quit?" Elizabeth asked with worry in her eyes.
Jack wrapped his arms around her and pulled her up, bringing her face to his. He was laying on his back and Elizabeth now rested on his chest. He cupped her face with his hands and kissed her very passionately.
"I will never resent you, Beth. Not ever. This was my decision. I want a long future with you and I am not promised that if I keep riding."
Elizabeth lowered her face to his, covering his lips with hers.
"Alright. My turn." Elizabeth slid back down onto her elbows. "Do you want to have a honeymoon?"
"Oh, yes. For sure. I've actually been meaning to talk to you about that."
"Yes?"
"I have World's two weeks after the wedding, and I was wondering if you would mind if we took our honeymoon after?"
"That would be just fine, Jack. Where do you want to go?"
"Well, I have some ideas on that." Jack ran his hand down her back. "Do you trust me?"
"Of course, I do."
"Will you let me plan the honeymoon?"
A smile grew across Elizabeth's face, "Yes, of course. "
"Do you have a passport?"
Elizabeth's heart began to race at the thought of getting out of the country again. "Yes, I do. Do you?"
"No, but I have already sent in all the necessary documents and application."
"Do I get any hints?"
Jack nodded, "But only one."
"Okay."
"We will have to take a plane to get there." Jack grinned, his dimples showing and his eyes glistened.
"Jack," she exclaimed and slapped his arm. "That's not fair."
"You need to learn to be patient."
"You have enough patience for the two of us."
Jack continued rubbing her back. "So, would you be okay with spending our wedding night here?"
Elizabeth had dreamed of making love to Jack in this very room; butterflies danced in her stomach at the thought. "Yes, Jack. That would be perfect."
"Good." Jack ran his fingers through her long hair. "Anything else you want to talk about?"
"I don't know. You go again."
"Will you trust me with something else?"
"Anything, Jack."
"I would like to pick our first dance song."
A broad smile spread across Elizabeth's face. "Of course."
"Thank you," he said as he leaned down and kissed her. "I promise that it will be perfect."
"I believe that it will."
"Do you want to stay here again tonight?"
"If you don't mind."
Jack reached under her arms and pulled her across his body, resting on top of him. He wrapped his arms around her, his face inches from hers. "I do not mind at all, Beth."
Jack pushed his hands up to the back of her head, her hair gliding through his fingers. He pulled her down until her lips met his. He allowed his passion to take charge for a moment, as he aggressively kissed her, his hands exploring her body. His hands slipped under her shirt, resting on her lower back. The feeling of her soft bare skin against his rough, calloused hands drove him wild. He slowly and reluctantly removed his hands from her shirt and dropped them, outstretched beside him, and blew out a long, exasperated breath.
"Okay, how about we get our day started and go down for some breakfast."
Elizabeth giggled and rolled off of Jack, pulling her shirt down in the process.
…..
Their day was spent doing various chores around the ranch. Elizabeth and Jack rode out to one of his mother's pastures to check on her cattle. Elizabeth stayed back on Annie and watched while Jack and Harley moved a small herd through a gate into a lower field.
They discussed their wedding details as they rode along the trails; Jack made a mental note of everything additional that needed to be done on the barn.
Jack was in the round pen working with another new horse; one he had purchased in hopes to get him trained and then resell him. Elizabeth ran an errand to town and when she returned, Jack was sitting on the picnic table watching the gelding buck and kick around the pen. She noticed Harley was tied to a tree nearby.
She stepped up on the seat and slid in next to Jack. "How's it going?"
"Not good at all," Jack answered, his forehead pinched.
Elizabeth looked out at the horse, who was nervously pawing at the ground. "What's wrong?"
"I cannot get this guy to join up with me. Can't even get near him. This is the third time I've had him in here and have made zero progress. I have to lasso him and use Harley to practically drag him from the barn out here and back."
Jack jumped off the table and entered the pen again; the horse laid his ears back, standing and eyeing Jack as he walked to the center of the pen. Elizabeth slid off the table and walked to the fence, resting her arms on the top rail.
The gelding turned toward her and popped one of his ears forward. He hesitantly took a couple steps in her direction. Jack straightened and watched, wide-eyed and shocked.
Elizabeth looked back and forth between Jack and the horse, not knowing what to do. Jack held out his hand, signaling her to do the same.
She slowly outstretched her hand to the horse, palm up. The horse took a few more steps then stopped, stretching his neck out as far as he could. He threw his head and snorted, then reared into the air, coming back down with a loud thud into the sand.
Elizabeth jerked her hand back and started to back up, but Jack was silently motioning to her to stay. She looked back at the horse and reached her hand out over the fence again.
The gelding settled back down, took two more steps, then stretched his neck to bump her hand with his nose. Elizabeth nervously tried to hold her hand steady as the horse sniffed it, eyeing his mouth to make sure she kept her fingers clear of a potential bite.
Jack watched from the center of the pen, amazed at the horse's interaction with Elizabeth. In all his years of horse training, he had never seen anything like it. Elizabeth continuously looked to Jack for guidance. He would motion to her with different things to do.
Elizabeth turned her shaking hand so her palm was facing the horse and slowly moved it toward its forehead. The horse pulled its head back at first, then pushed against her hand. Elizabeth scratched him between his eyes and the horse jumped back, then ran around the pen, bucking. After doing a complete circle around the pen, he stopped near Elizabeth once more.
Jerking his head up and down slightly, he moved toward her again. She held her hand out to him again and he snorted as he stretched out to reach her.
Jack continued to watch this miraculous event from his viewpoint in the center of the pen. His hands were on his hips now, and he was shaking his head in disbelief.
The gelding closed the distance between himself and Elizabeth and lowered his head slightly. Elizabeth raised her hand to his forehead once more and rested it there without scratching. She slowly moved her hand back and forth and witnessed the change in the horse's eyes. She saw them soften from the wide-eyed, fear-filled look they had only seconds earlier.
Jack clasped his hands on top of his cowboy hat, still shaking his head back and forth. "Unbelievable," he whispered.
Elizabeth looked back to Jack for guidance. She shrugged her shoulder and mouthed, "now what?"
Jack motioned to move down the horse's neck and Elizabeth complied. She slowly moved down the fence, keeping her hand along the horse's jaw and onto his neck. She petted his neck for a few seconds, then looked over at Jack, who was still wide-eyed and mouth dropped. She smiled and Jack grinned back. He motioned for her to slowly back up and walk away from the horse, along the fence. She did, and the horse followed not far behind her.
Jack slowly made his way to the gate, waiting for the gelding to be well past it. He stepped through the gate and closed it behind him. Elizabeth turned and walked back toward Jack, the gelding still following on the opposite side of the fence.
"Beth, that was amazing."
Elizabeth just grinned and shrugged her shoulders. "What just happened?"
"You just got a horse to join up with you, that's what happened. I've been trying to do that for three days."
"But how?"
"He must be scared of men. That's all I can come up with for now." Jack stepped forward and wrapped his arm around her. "Maybe you need to be his trainer."
"What? No. I'm not getting in there with him."
"We can figure out different ways for you to work with him without being in the pen. I would never put you in harm's way."
Elizabeth looked out to the horse, still standing near her. "I don't know. I guess so."
Jack walked to the gate and pulled the halter off a post. "Want to try to get this on him?"
Elizabeth reached out and took the halter.
"Just see if he'll let you pet him some more first. Then we'll try to slip this on him."
Elizabeth walked back to the fence and held out her hand. Without hesitation, the gelding walked up to her and pressed his nose into her palm. Elizabeth moved her hand across the horse's face and neck once more. She added her other hand, and moved both along his neck and shoulders. She returned to his face and mirrored what Jack would do, by gliding her hand across the horse's eye.
She pulled the halter off her shoulder and held it out for the horse to smell it. He let out a small snort, but did not move. She stepped up onto the bottom rail, making it easier to reach over the horse, slipped the halter over his nose, and pulled the strap across the top of his neck, just behind his ears. She got it buckled, then stepped back to the ground.
"Wow, Beth. I can't believe that. That's amazing."
Jack slowly walked up to stand next to Elizabeth. Once the horse saw him, he took off running across the pen and stood on the opposite side.
"Well, looks like you're the only one he's going to let touch him."
Elizabeth turned to Jack, "So, now what?"
"I'll have to think it over and try to come up with some ways for you to work with him."
"I don't know about this, Jack."
"Like I said, I will not put you in harm's way. I'll think of something."
September 2nd, 2009 – Hope Meadows Ranch
That evening, when it was time to go to bed, Jack waited for Elizabeth to close her door before opening his, keeping it that way so he could hear her better if she were to have another nightmare.
Jack woke several times through the night, getting up each time to check on her, finding her sound asleep. He returned to his bed in the guest room and would quickly return to sleep. When morning came, Jack got up to check on her to find the bedroom empty.
The aroma of cinnamon and vanilla wafted up from the kitchen. Jack walked down the long wooden staircase and into the kitchen where Elizabeth was making French toast.
"Good morning, Babe." Elizabeth said as she flipped the thick bread over.
Jack walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed the side of her neck. "Good morning, beautiful." He breathed in deeply, smelling the cinnamon covered toast. "That smells delicious."
"It will be ready shortly. Then I have to hurry and eat and get ready for school. I need to get back today."
Jack looked at the bruise on her face, "You can barely see it now." He brushed his knuckles across her cheek then kissed her. "Let me finish this up and you can go get ready."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." He kissed her again. "Now get." He slapped her on the butt.
Elizabeth let out a squeal and ran up the steps to the bedroom. Fifteen minutes later she returned, dressed and her hair wet.
Jack had the French toast plated and set the plate in front of one of the stools along the island. He poured two cups of coffee and handed one to Elizabeth.
"Thank you, Jack," she said as she breathed in the aroma of the coffee.
After Elizabeth was done eating, she finished getting ready for work, packed her things and left.
Jack stood in the quiet, empty house, wishing she was still there. He walked up to his bedroom and all evidence that Elizabeth had been there was gone: his bed was made and her clothes were gone. He walked into his bathroom where the scent of her perfume lingered in the air. He drew in a deep breath, drawing in as much of it as he could.
Elizabeth decided to stay at her own place that evening. She knew she'd have a lot of work to catch up on from the last two days of school, and wanted to hurry home after work and get started on it. She assured Jack that if she had problems sleeping, she would let him know and stay with Rosie. Jack had given her Dr. Harban's number and suggested that she see her.
Jack walked out to the barn to feed the horses and stopped at the gelding's stall. He rested his arms on top of the stall door and watched him as he ate; the horse constantly keeping an eye on Jack.
"What am I going to do with you, boy?" Jack asked the horse, watching him eat his grain. "So, you like Beth?" Jack grinned, "I do, too. She's hard not to like." Jack waited until the horse was done, then reached his hand into the stall. The horse snorted loudly, then began to paw the dirt. Jack pulled his hand out of the stall and the horse immediately began to settle, standing against the opposite wall. Jack let out a long breath, "Okay, you win. Beth, it is."
…..
The following weeks passed quickly as wedding plans were being made and the barn was being restored. Lee had recovered quickly from getting kicked, only a lingering yellow bruise remained as evidence. Elizabeth had sought help from Dr. Harban and had begun weekly sessions with her; her nightmares had all but stopped.
Jack had a construction crew working on the barn, making all the improvements necessary to get the barn to Elizabeth's vision. A new floor had been put in, new electrical throughout, plumbing, roof repairs, and a few new windows. Jack also had the project behind the house moving along quickly, unbeknownst to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth kept herself so busy with school and wedding preparations, that she and Jack rarely had time to spend together. Jack had also kept busy with his own projects; including construction on the wedding arbor, as well as his normal work of training horses and helping out his mom.
Julie flew in for a weekend of dress shopping with Elizabeth, Rosie, Sam, Faith and Abby. Brunch, followed by a trip to the bridal store, ended with Elizabeth finding her perfect dress. With only a few alterations needed, Elizabeth left her dress to pick up in a few weeks. The bridesmaid dresses had even been found, and looked great on everyone. The cake, caterer, men's attire and flowers had also all be checked off the list.
A couple of Thornton family dinners and two rodeos rounded out the month. Jack took home two more wins and secured his spot at the World Finals in Vegas. Lee had taken home second and fourth place standings and Rosemary a first and third.
…..
October 1st, 2009 – Elizabeth's Townhouse
Elizabeth ran to her ringing phone, picked it up and saw Jack's name on the caller ID. She smiled as she answered, "Hello, Jack."
"Good morning, beautiful. Happy birthday."
"Thank you, Jack."
"What are you doing?"
"I'm getting ready for work. What are you doing?"
"I'm sitting in the driveway of a beautiful woman who's celebrating a birthday today."
"Oh, really? You know someone else having a birthday today?" Elizabeth teased.
"Ha ha, Beth."
"Why are you in my driveway?"
"Because I am driving you to work today and picking you up after."
"Oh, are you?"
"Yes, I am. Come on out when you're ready. I'll be waiting."
Elizabeth's grin filled her face as she hung up the phone and hurriedly finished getting ready.
Jack was standing at his truck door, holding a bouquet of red roses, stargazer lilies, pink and white carnations, and a few other filler flowers.
"Oh, Jack, those are beautiful." She exclaimed as he handed her the bouquet. "I'm going to run these into the house and put them in water."
"Wait," Jack said as she pulled her in against him, capturing her lips with his. After a long, passionate kiss, Jack released her, "Okay, now you can run those in."
Elizabeth giggled as she ran back into her townhouse, returning a couple minutes later.
…..
The final bell of the day rang and Elizabeth hurried out of her classroom to meet Jack who was waiting for her outside.
"Hey, Liz!" Rosemary yelled from down the hall.
Elizabeth stopped and spun around to see Rosie jogging toward her. "Hey, Rosie."
"I haven't seen you all day. I wanted to tell you happy birthday." Rosemary pulled her friend into a tight hug.
"Thanks, Rosie."
"What are you doing now?"
"Jack is waiting outside for me. He's got plans for us but I don't know what they are."
"Oh, how sweet. You sure got yourself a real romantic there, Liz."
Elizabeth smiled, "I know I do."
"Okay, don't keep him waiting."
Elizabeth turned and started toward the front door when Rosie called out again.
"Come over to my house Saturday afternoon. I have a birthday present for you and we can have a girls' night."
Elizabeth turned around and walked backwards, "Okay, Rosie. I'll see you tomorrow." She turned back around and jogged toward the doors.
Forty minutes later, Jack pulled into his drive and pulled around to the house.
"What are we doing tonight?" Elizabeth asked.
"Well, first, I want to give you your birthday present. Then I thought we could go out to eat, your choice."
"Oh, okay. Sounds good."
Jack stepped out of his truck and held his hand out for Elizabeth to slide hers into. He helped her down from the truck. They walked to the front door and stopped before opening it. He turned to Elizabeth and took both of her hands in his.
"Okay, so, your present is inside and it's not wrapped. I hope it's...um...the correct...how do I say this without giving it away." Jack thought for a moment, "I hope it's the correct kind that you can use for what you need it for."
Elizabeth looked at him, puzzled. "Okay?"
"Rosemary helped me pick it out. She thought it would be perfect."
"Okay, Jack." Elizabeth smiled, her excitement building.
Jack opened the door and stepped behind Elizabeth, covering her eyes. Elizabeth laid her hands on top of his and laughed. Jack guided her into the house, turned her to the left, and guided her toward the sitting area by the living room.
He leaned forward, his mouth next to her ear, keeping her eyes covered. "Happy birthday, Baby."
He pulled his hands away and Elizabeth let out a loud gasp and covered her mouth with both hands. "Jack, what...this is...Jack!"
Jack heard her voice crack and he stepped next to her and could see tears falling down her cheeks. "Is it not the right kind?" He asked with concern.
"Jack, it's perfect." She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him tight. She pulled her head back and kissed him, long and hard. "You really didn't...Jack...I can't accept this."
"Yes, you can, Beth."
"Jack, this is way too much."
Jack cupped her face with both hands and kissed her. "Beth, I plan to do things like this for you, always. So, get used to this. It is not too much. I can never repay you for changing my life, saving my life. I will do anything for you. Please accept this gift from me."
Elizabeth turned back and covered her mouth again. "Jack, it's beautiful."
She walked up to it, and ran her hands across the ivory keys of the black, baby grand piano. She pulled the seat out, sat down and positioned her fingers on the keys. She began to play a song Jack had never heard before and the house filled with a glorious melody. Jack sat on the arm of the couch, watching her in amazement. The only time he had heard her play was at his baptism, and she was exceptional. He watched her expressions and body movements, seeing in person her love for the piano, thankful for his decision to do this for her.
When she finished playing, she sat still, her fingers still resting on the keys, a tear fell down her cheek. Jack jumped up and went to her, sitting on the bench next to her.
"What's wrong, Beth." He wiped the tear from her cheek.
She turned to Jack and wrapped her arms around his neck again and held him. "Thank you so much," she whispered into his neck.
"You're welcome, Beth. Happy birthday."
