October 3rd, 2009 – Rosemary's Ranch

Elizabeth knocked on Rosie's door which was quickly answered by her exuberant best friend.

"Come on in," she exclaimed, grabbing Elizabeth's arm and pulling her inside. She handed Elizabeth a box, "Happy birthday."

"You already gave me some earrings."

"Those were a decoy. This is your real present." She bounced up and down, clapping her hands, waiting for Elizabeth to open the box.

She pulled the lid off to reveal a beautiful dress. Elizabeth picked it up by the shoulders and pulled it out of the box.

"Rosie, this is beautiful," she said as she held it up in front of her.

"Go put it on."

"Why now?"

"Because we are going out." She pushed Elizabeth in the direction of the bathroom. "Now, go get dressed."

Elizabeth chuckled and stepped into the bathroom and changed, to appease her friend. The dress was gorgeous. It was long and slightly dragged the floor. The front had buttons down to her mid-thigh, flaring open below. The neckline plunged slightly, it had ¾ sleeves, and it had a wide elastic waistband. The dress was beige with a graphic pattern of mauve and turquoise and fit Elizabeth perfectly; accentuating her small waist and long legs.

She had worn her boots, which paired perfectly with the new dress. When she stepped out of the bathroom, Rosemary let out a whistle.

"You look amazing, Liz."

"Thank you, Rosie. I love this dress. You look amazing, too."

Rosemary had changed while Elizabeth put her dress on. She was now wearing a blush-colored dress that just reached her mid-thigh. It had a soft lace handkerchief edging at the hem, falling just above her knees. The back had a deep-V collar with cutouts along the waistline. Her hair was pulled up into a low bun and she had on her favorite cowboy boots.

"There's one more thing." Rosemary stepped forward and put a turquoise necklace over Elizabeth's head and let it drop along the neckline of the dress.

"This is beautiful, Rosie." Elizabeth hugged her friend and kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you. So, what are we doing tonight?"

"We...are...going...somewhere." Rosemary giggled. "And it's a surprise so stop asking."

"Alright. Let's go then." Elizabeth picked up her purse and followed Rosemary out to her truck.

Twenty minutes later, Rosie pulled into the parking lot of a local family-owned café. Elizabeth spotted Jack's truck right away and a smile spread across her face. As soon as Rosie put her truck in park, Jack was at Elizabeth's door, opened it, and held his hand out for her. She placed her hand in his and stepped out of the truck.

"Beth," Jack paused as he looked at her, his eyes slowly moving down her body, taking everything in. He let out a big breath, "You look amazing."

"So do you," Elizabeth replied, looking Jack over as well.

He was wearing a tight fitted aged-denim button-up shirt that revealed the muscular shape of his torso. Elizabeth could feel her heart begin to race slightly at the sight of him. He was also wearing new Wrangler jeans and his boots that he saved for special occasions. His white straw hat was in his hand as he bent down and covered Elizabeth's lips with his, pressing her against the truck.

He took a step back and drew in a deep breath. "Seems like I've barely seen you all month."

"We just saw each other a couple days ago," Elizabeth said, still trying to catch her breath.

"Not enough," Jack smiled as he took her lips again.

"Hey, you two." Rosie called out. "We need to get inside."

Jack pulled back, staring Elizabeth in the eyes and smiling. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

Jack took her hand and led her into the little restaurant. They followed Rosemary to a private room in the back corner of the building and as they stepped inside, several people shouted, "Happy birthday."

Tom and Sam, Charlotte, Frank, and Lee were all standing just inside the room. Faith and Abby, Elizabeth's friends from work, were also there. After all the greetings were over, everyone sat down and ordered their food. The women visited about the wedding as they waited for their food, while the men discussed the latest rodeos.

After eating, everyone was scattered around the room, several different conversations going on at once.

"So, Jack bought you a baby grand piano?" Faith asked.

Elizabeth nodded, "Yes, he did."

"That is so romantic," Abby added.

"It was quite the surprise," Elizabeth said, grinning ear to ear. "I understand that Rosie had a little something to do with it."

"Hey, that was all Jack's idea. I just helped him pick one out that I thought you'd like."

"I definitely like it."

…..

"Oh, Frank. I can't believe you did that." Charlotte said, laughing.

"Oh, that's not all we did. My youngest brother thought it would be funny to trap a skunk and set it loose inside the house. I thought my dad was going to kill us when he got home. The house stunk for a month."

Charlotte let out a deep laugh, and realized she hadn't laughed that hard in a very long time.

"Thank you, Frank," she said, laying her hand on his forearm.

Frank tipped his head, "For what?"

"For making me laugh again."

…..

Tom and Jack were sitting back in a corner, drinking a beer and watching their mother laughing with Frank.

"It's about time she found love again," Tom said as Charlotte laid her hand on Frank's arm.

"I know. I agree. Frank would be great for her," Jack commented, smiling.

Tom turned in his chair to face Jack, took a drink from his beer, then set the bottle on the table. "How are you, Jack?"

Jack turned his head, "I'm good, Tom." Jack smiled behind questioning eyes.

"I've never seen you this happy. I'm very glad that you found Beth."

"I am too, brother." Jack was still confused by Tom's comments. "What's up, Tom?"

Tom looked down at his hands, wiping them across the top of his jeans. "Sam and I are both curious about something." Tom looked back up at Jack.

"What is it, Tom?"

"I know your past."

Jack nodded, "I know you do."

"Well, Sam and I are worried that...well...you could have..."

"An STD?" Jack finished his question.

Tom let out the breath he'd been holding. "I'm sorry, Jack. We're just worried about you. And Elizabeth."

"I understand. And don't worry about it, I'm not upset. I put these questions upon myself." Jack leaned back in his chair. "But no, I do not have anything. I've been tested and I'm clean."

Tom let out another large breath. "That's good to hear, Jack." He put his hand on Jack's shoulder. "I love you, brother."

"I love you, too, Tom."

"You two sure seem deep in conversation," Charlotte said as she walked up to her sons.

The two men turned to their mother.

"Our conversations are always deep, Ma," Jack replied, winking and smiling.

….

"So, Rosie, what do you do?" Frank asked, pulling out the chair next to her, Elizabeth and the other women.

"I work with Liz at the school. I teach choir and drama."

"That's wonderful," Frank responded. "And you teach art? Is that correct?" He asked Elizabeth.

"Yes. Just started my fourth year."

"Very good." Frank turned to Faith and Abby. "Are you two teachers, also?"

"I'm the school nurse," Faith answered.

"And I teach Home Ec," Abby replied.

"That is wonderful. My mother was a teacher as well; for forty years. She loved it."

….

Lee joined Tom and Jack who were still sitting back in a corner, in the middle of a conversation.

"So, what did you do?" Tom asked.

"I did what any real man would do. I beat the shit out of them." Jack motioned toward Lee, "With his help."

Lee pulled a chair around and sat down. "I assume we're talking about the scumbags at the rodeo?"

"Yes," Jack replied, shaking his head. After a long pause, Jack continued, "There's something I never told anyone though."

"What's that?" Tom asked.

Jack shifted in his seat before beginning, looking over his shoulder to see if anyone was within earshot. "The officer that was handling the case approached me later on that day, when I was alone. He told me that if I had gone much longer on the guy, that I could have killed him." Jack looked up at Lee. "Thank you for stopping me when you did."

Lee put his hand on Jack's shoulder and squeezed it, not knowing what to say.

Jack stared at the floor for a brief moment, then looked back up to the two men, "I didn't want to stop. I wanted to kill him for what he did to Beth."

"I would have felt the same way if someone did that to Sam," Tom said.

"Me, too, Jack." Lee added.

Several minutes later, Rosemary approached the three men. "We need to get going if we are going to make it on time."

Jack looked at his watch, "Oh, yes we do. I didn't realize it was so late." Jack stood and spoke so everyone could hear him, "It's time to go."

Elizabeth looked around the room to see everyone getting up and gathering their things.

"What's going on?" She asked anyone who would answer.

Jack walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "The rest of your birthday surprise." He kissed her forehead then took her hand.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see," Jack answered, grinning.

Frank and Charlotte told everyone goodbye. Charlotte hugged Jack goodbye, then Elizabeth.

"You're not going with us to...wherever we're going?" Elizabeth asked as she hugged her.

"No, not tonight. This is just for you kids to go have some fun." Charlotte smiled at her then hugged her again. "Happy birthday, Beth."

"Thank you, Charlotte."

Frank and Charlotte left while everyone else went out to their cars. Abby and Faith rode with Lee and Rosie while Tom and Sam rode with Jack and Elizabeth.

"Come on guys, where are we going?" Elizabeth insisted.

"We're almost there, Babe. You'll see very soon," Jack responded, smiling toward her in the back seat. "Be patient, Beth."

Elizabeth visited with Sam for the remainder of the drive, trying to take her mind off of not knowing where they were going. When she felt the truck begin to slow, she looked around to see where they were turning.

As Jack drove down a long drive, a long line of cars in front of them, a sign came into view that read Ozarks Amphitheater.

"We're going to a concert?" Elizabeth asked, smiling.

"Yes," Jack answered, looking back at her.

"Who's performing?"

"Well, a little birdie told me that you started listening to country music and that you fell in love with Miranda Lambert."

Elizabeth's eyes widened along with her smile. "We're going to see Miranda?"

"Yes." Jack could hear the excitement in her voice and his excitement began to grow along with hers.

They found two parking spots and made their way to the entrance. Elizabeth noticed a sign that said VIP entrance and that they were headed toward it.

"We're VIP?"

"We are tonight," Jack answered, smiling, pulling her closer and wrapping his arm around her waist.

Once inside, the group walked down to the front near the side of the stage. The women followed the men and Rosie made a comment about Wrangler butts again, pointing at the guys. Jack and Lee had heard it, and both shook their butts as they walked down the path. The women burst out laughing as they continued toward the stage.

Everyone put lanyards around their necks with badges hanging from them. Jack turned to Elizabeth and hung hers around her neck. Elizabeth picked up the badge to read ALL ACCESS.

Her eyes widened as she looked back up to Jack. "How?"

"Tom knows the head of security here and he hooked us up."

Elizabeth turned to Tom and gave him a hug. "Thank you so much."

"You're very welcome, Beth. Happy birthday."

Security opened a chained off section and let the group enter. They were led behind the stage where several band members were hanging out, eating snacks and drinking a variety of beverages. Tom saw his friend and walked over with Sam to speak to him.

Elizabeth looked around and saw several people with guitars, a couple with fiddles, and one guy had drum sticks and was beating them against his shoe and leg. Jack heard her gasp and he turned just in time to see Miranda walk up to the table covered in fruit, cookies, sandwiches, brownies, among many other items.

"Ready to meet her?" Jack asked Elizabeth.

She nodded, smiling ear to ear.

Jack motioned to the others to follow, and the group made their way to the country star.

"Hello, ya'll." Miranda said as the group approached. "I hope ya'll are having a great time so far."

"Yes, ma'am, we sure are. Thank you." Jack answered, then pulled Elizabeth up. "It's my fiancé's birthday. She loves you and wanted to meet you."

"Well, hello, fiancé. Happy birthday." She put her hand out to Elizabeth.

"Thank you. It's Elizabeth." She shook her hand, attempting to keep her own steady.

The rest of the group introduced themselves, each shaking Miranda's hand. Tom and Sam had joined them now, just in time to meet her. They took photos with her and visited a little while longer until it was time for her to go to wardrobe.

"It's very nice to meet all of you. I hope you enjoy the concert. John, Karen, Kim, Phil and Jimi will all be out soon."

"Thank you, Miranda. Wonderful to meet you." Elizabeth said, shaking her hand.

"Oh, come here," Miranda pulled her into a hug. "Everyone deserves a hug on their birthday," she said in her thick southern accent.

Everyone began chattering after Miranda left, each of them very excited over having just met her.

Shortly after Miranda left, the members of Little Big Town appeared. They each took turns introducing themselves to Karen, Kim, Phil and Jimi and spent time visiting with them as well.

Last to appear was John Michael Montgomery. Elizabeth wasn't very familiar with his music as it was older, but everyone else had been very excited to meet him. He stayed and visited with them for over twenty minutes before having to leave to prepare for the show.

"This has been the best birthday ever." Elizabeth stood on her toes and kissed Jack. "Thank you for everything."

Jack wrapped his arms around her, "You're welcome. This has been pretty amazing, hasn't it?"

The group talked about each of the stars as they made their way back to their special section for the concert.

"I can't believe how down to earth they all were," Sam said after they were allowed into their section by security.

"I know. They're so...human." Rosie said, laughing.

The men left to get drinks for everyone while the women stayed in their spots next to the stage. Abby and Faith were flirting with a couple of cute cowboys that were on the other side of the section fence. Jack and Tom had gotten their drinks and handed them to the girls when they returned.

The seating had filled up and the standing room along the front of the stage was packed shoulder to shoulder. The section the group was in was located at stage right and they were the only ones in it. The women all stood along the edge of the stage while the guys stood back behind them.

The stage lights lit up and band members began to take their places on the stage. John Michael Montgomery was first and he began with Be My Baby Tonight. The crowd went crazy when he started the famous tune and everyone sang along with him. Elizabeth didn't know the words but she swayed along with Sam and Rosie that flanked her as they rested their arms on the stage. Elizabeth could hear Jack, Tom, and Lee belting out the lyrics behind them, causing her to laugh.

John Michael followed the song with Sold and then I Can Love You Like That. The audience sang every word with each song.

After a few more songs, the band began playing one that sounded familiar to Elizabeth. As soon as he began singing the words, she recognized it as one of the songs that Jack had sang to her; I Swear. She turned to see Jack stepping toward her. He pressed his chest against her back and wrapped his arms around her. Elizabeth held his arms as she swayed back and forth with him to the rhythm of the song. Jack began to sing, his mouth next to her ear.

Elizabeth closed her eyes and rested her head back against his chest, listening to his voice as he sang. When the song ended, everyone clapped and the amphitheater filled with cheers.

He finished his set and the stage was switched over. Little Big Town came out next to more roars and cheers from the crowd. They started with Boondocks, a song that Elizabeth was familiar with and was able to sing along. They followed with Good as Gone and Bring It On Home. Three more songs finished their set and the stage was transformed once again.

The guys ran to get more drinks for everyone and returned just in time to see Miranda take the stage. The crowd roared louder than ever at the site of her in her mini skirt and her fringe covered shirt. Carrying her guitar, she walked to her microphone. "Hello, Ozarks!" She started. "How ya'll doing tonight?"

The crowd screamed.

The band began playing and Miranda began to sing Kerosene. Elizabeth knew every word, along with the rest of her group, and they all sang along with her. Her next song was Only Prettier, one of Elizabeth's favorites. Followed by Heart Like Mine, The House That Built Me, and White Liar.

The group of friends were having the time of their lives; singing along with every song. Miranda had come to their end of the stage and sang with them a few times as well. At one point, she had held the microphone in front of Elizabeth and they could hear her voice fill the theater. Miranda announced Elizabeth's birthday over the microphone and led the entire audience in a chorus of Happy Birthday. Elizabeth's cheeks were hot with embarrassment as the crowd sang.

Famous in a Small Town and Gunpowder and Lead were her final two songs, after covering several other songs before them. When Famous in a Small Town began, Little Big Town joined Miranda on stage and sang along with her. They stayed, to everyone's excitement, and sang Gunpowder and Lead as well. Miranda came to the group's section at the end of her final song and shook all their hands again, telling them goodbye.

"Thank you, Ozarks. Ya'll are the best. Good night!" She took her final bow, then left the stage, following Little Big Town.

The group slowly made their way to the trucks, Jack holding Elizabeth's hand tightly in the large crowd. Once in the trucks, Elizabeth and Sam talked all the way back as they scrolled through the photos on their phones.

After dropping Tom and Sam off at their truck, Jack drove Elizabeth home. He walked her to her door and waited as she unlocked it. Once she swung the door open, Jack pulled her to him, kissing her hard, his tongue grazing her lips.

"Happy birthday," he said as he brushed his fingers along her jawline. "I hope you had fun."

"It was so much fun, Jack. I had the best time." She reached up and kissed him again. "Thank you for everything."

"You're welcome, Beth."

He told her good night, then climbed in his truck and left. Elizabeth walked into her townhouse, locked the door and went to her journal to write all the details of that evening.