***STEAM ALERT***STEAM ALERT***STEAM ALERT***

They are newlyweds so there is still lots of steam. Thanks for reading and for all the lovely reviews!


October 27th, 2009 – Hope Meadows Ranch

Elizabeth rolled over and stretched her arm across the bed to find it empty. Sitting up, she glanced around the room, searching for Jack but he was nowhere in sight.

She dragged herself out of the bed and pulled one of Jack's shirts over her head. Stepping into the bathroom, she picked up her brush and began running it through her long hair. After tying it up into a high ponytail, she proceeded to brush her teeth.

Jack stepped into the bedroom door, "Beth?" Seeing the bed empty and the bathroom door opened just a crack, he pushed it open and took a step inside.

Elizabeth had something in her hand and popped a small white pill out of it. Placing it in her mouth, she picked up a glass of water and took a drink.

"Good morning, sexy." Jack walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissed her neck.

"Hi, Babe."

"Whatcha got there?" Jack asked, pointing at her hand holding a small flat pill pack.

Elizabeth raised her eyes from the pack to look into Jack's eyes, staring back at her in the mirror. "Birth control," she answered, grinning.

"Oh," Jack stated, smiling back. He placed his hands on her belly, looking over her shoulder into the mirror, "I want some time...just the two of us, but one day, I can't wait to see you carrying our child."

Elizabeth turned in his arms, wrapping hers behind his neck. "Me, too."

"And I must say, this shirt looks much better on you than it does on me."

Jack captured her lips with his, dropping his hands to the hem of the shirt and slipping his hand under it. Quickly pulling back from her kiss, his eyes wide, he moved his hands down her hips.

"You're not wearing anything underneath," he stated, wiggling his eyebrows. "Let's go practice making that baby."

He scooped her up into his arms and began walking to the bed. Elizabeth squealed and began laughing as she tightened her arms around him.

…..

"Are you ready to go back to work tomorrow?" Jack asked, running his fingers through her hair.

"No." Elizabeth rolled onto her stomach, resting her hands and chin on Jack's chest. "I like it here." A smile spread across her face as Jack swept his knuckles along her jawline. "I was only going back for a few days before we leave for Vegas. I think I'll just see if the sub can finish this week, too."

"Good. I want you all to myself." Jack pulled her further onto his chest and kissed her nose.

"Oh, you told me at the dealership yesterday that you needed to show me something."

"Oh, yes. Wait here."

Jack slid out from under her and vanished out the bedroom door. A few minutes later he returned with a manila envelope in his hand. Getting back into the bed, sitting up against the headboard, he pulled some papers from the envelope. Elizabeth sat up, pulling the sheet up and around her.

"I know we haven't really talked about this before, not the amount anyway, but I want you to know exactly what we have."

Elizabeth looked at Jack with confusion, "What are you talking about?"

Jack handed her the papers and immediately, Elizabeth saw it was a bank statement. Dropping them to the bed without reading anymore, she looked up at Jack. "I can't look at these."

"Why not?"

"Because this is your personal stuff, Jack."

Jack rotated to face her, picking up the papers again. "Beth, this is our stuff. Our account. Our money. When we married, everything of mine became ours. All of it." He pushed the papers in front of her again, waiting for her to take them.

Hesitantly, she took them and began to read through the pages. Trying to hide her surprise, she looked at Jack when she saw the total amount of all of his accounts.

"Like I've said, we're fine."

"I know, Jack. But I had no idea...this...can I ask something?"

"Of course."

"Where? How? All of this?"

"Worlds, inheritance, cattle, horses, and I don't spend much. Until you anyway," Jack winked at her.

She looked at the pages again, still in shock. "So, just out of curiosity, if you win next week, what is the prize?"

"Over a million dollars."

Elizabeth nodded in exaggerated movements, "I see."

Jack took the papers from her and set them aside, then took her hands in his. "Mom and Dad have always lived a modest life. That's how Tom and I were raised. They always saved and invested, never spending on frivolous things." Jack smiled, thinking back on one special memory, "Except one time, my dad wanted to surprise my mom."

…..

August 18th, 1989 – Thornton Ranch

Charlotte walked into the house; her arms full of groceries. After setting the bags on the counter, her two boys came barreling into the kitchen, each one grabbing one of her hands.

"Come on, Mom!"

"Come with us!"

"We have something to show you!"

Excited urgings from the boys dragged Charlotte away from her chore and out the back door.

Charlotte stepped onto the back deck, her hands covering her mouth as she took in the sight before her. Hundreds of red roses were placed all around the deck, candles covered the table along with two place settings. Thomas stepped from behind the back corner of the house, twelve more roses in his hand. He walked around to the steps of the deck and up to where Charlotte stood. Handing her the flowers, he pulled a small box from his pocket.

Thomas opened the box and revealed a beautiful one carat diamond ring. Tears began to fall down Charlotte's cheeks as she looked from the ring to Thomas.

"Ten years ago, you became my wife and made me the happiest man on earth. I couldn't afford to get you a proper engagement ring back then, but have always wanted to. Thomas knelt to one knee and held the box up. "Charlotte Marie Thornton, will you continue to be my wife, for the rest of my life?"

Charlotte giggled and nodded her head, a few more tears escaping their hold.

"Happy anniversary." Thomas slid the ring onto her finger then pulled her into a warm embrace, with a passion filled kiss.

"Ewww!" Both boys yelled as they watched their parents kiss.

…..

October 27th, 2009 – Hope Meadows Ranch

"That's beautiful, Jack." Elizabeth squeezed his hand. "I see where you get it."

"Get what?"

"You are very romantic and you're always doing sweet little gestures for me. You get it from your dad."

Jack rubbed his thumb along the top of Elizabeth's hand and let out a little chuckle. "Yes, I suppose I do."

…..

The next six days flew by in a whirlwind of adjusting to married life. Getting the rest of her things moved in and a few things donated that weren't needed in Jack's fully furnished house, allowed Elizabeth to finish cleaning her townhouse and turn her keys in, effectively closing the door on her past single life.

She spent the week unpacking her things and settling into her new home, arranging the kitchen how she liked it, and in her husband's arms.

Jack had been needed at his mom's ranch a few of those days, sorting cattle and loading some up for auction.

One afternoon, while Jack was out working, Elizabeth picked up his journal and took a seat in front of the fireplace in their bedroom. Feeling uncomfortable at first, thinking she was breaking the sacred oath of the privacy of someone else's journal, she drew in a deep breath and lifted the leather cover. Opening it to the first page, she saw his words: I'm sorry, Dad. Her heart ached for Jack, remembering how he was when they'd first met. She turned the page to find his next entry: I want to be me again. Tears began to fill her eyes, her heart was breaking thinking of the pain he had once been in. She slowly thumbed through the pages, the next several entries were similar to the first two. Then one caught her eye and she read it through several times.

July 3rd, 2009

Today I came in second. It was the best day as I lost first place to my best friend. But coming home to an empty house, without someone to share the news, was almost more than I could bear. My dreams are changing, and it's all because of one person. One wonderful, perfect person. I see her in my dreams, I see her dressed in white, I see her holding my child.

But I have to gain the courage to tell her something. Something that might make her leave. And I'm not sure I could handle that. I am learning new ways to cope with my grief and disappointments and will need to lean on those things extensively if she truly goes.

Elizabeth thought back on this time in their relationship. It was still new, just learning about one another. She hesitantly turned the page, knowing what had happened the next day, not sure she wanted to read it.

July 4th, 2009

I told her the secret that had been burdening me. And now she's gone, along with the burden. I don't know how to cope with this. But I will find a way.

Elizabeth closed the journal, tears falling down her cheeks. She held the worn leather-bound book against her chest, closed her eyes and began to say a prayer of thanks. Thinking back to the day on the porch, she thumbed through the pages, trying to find one with that date. Stopping when she found it, tear stains were evident across the page, some of the ink being smeared.

July 15th, 2009

For the past 11 days, I truly believed that I'd lost my future. I thought she had left me forever. But I didn't blame her. I was an asshole and scum of the earth. What I did was unforgivable. But an angel with a heart of gold has done just that. Forgiven me. Returned to me. I will spend the rest of my life making up for what I did, proving to her that she is the only one for me. I hope to earn her trust again and keep it this time. She is my life and she has my whole heart.

I pray that one day she will be my wife. I dream of her walking towards me in white. I dream of her swollen belly carrying my child. She said to me, that she wants to be loved like my dad loved my mom. That she wants to love someone like my mom loved my dad. I want to continue my parent's love story, and I want to continue it with her. I want to love her like that...the way she deserves.

Elizabeth closed the book once more, wiping the tears from her cheeks; taking deep breaths in and out, trying to calm her emotions. She returned the journal to the nightstand, promising to return to it soon.

Their evenings had been spent at home alone, memorizing every inch of each other's bodies; never feeling like they could ever get enough of one another.

Music had also become part of their new routine. With Elizabeth on the piano and Jack on the guitar, they spent hours making music together, in more ways than one.

With Elizabeth completely moved in, a new normal beginning, and life going as they'd always wanted, the newlyweds began to prepare mentally for the challenging week at Vegas that was quickly approaching.

…..

November 3rd, 2009 – Las Vegas

Jack turned the blue rental Jeep onto Paradise Road, leaving McCarran International Airport toward the Thomas & Mack Center.

Elizabeth placed her hand on top of his, "Are you nervous about tomorrow?"

Jack, slowing the Jeep to a stop at the red light, looked over to her, "I would be lying if I said no." He forced a grin, making his nervousness more evident.

They rode in silence down the busy street toward the arena that would hold Jack's fate for the next five days. Five rides in five days would determine who the next World Champion bull rider would be. Five rides in five days would determine if Jack would reach his goal he'd set eleven years prior. In five days, he would be on his last bull, something that had been a part of his life since he was a teenager.

Thoughts flowed through Jack's mind as he drove. Reaching the Thomas & Mack Center, he pulled into the large parking lot and proceeded toward the large arena.

"Jack?"

Jack turned into a spot near the front of the building.

"Jack?"

He finally turned to Elizabeth. "Huh?"

"Wow, where did you go?"

"What do you mean?"

"I said your name four times before you answered." Elizabeth unfastened her seatbelt and turned in her seat. "Are you alright?"

"Sorry, Beth. Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking." Jack put the Jeep in park, turned the engine off and unbuckled his seatbelt.

"Thinking about your dad?"

"Yes, him," Jack paused and looked up, "among other things."

"Can you tell me?" Elizabeth reached out and laid her hand on Jack's leg.

Jack drew in a long breath through his nose then blew it out between his lips. "Just thinking about how this will be my final ride this weekend. Bull riding has been such a vital part of my life for so long, it will be hard to let it go."

"Jack, you don't have to quit."

Jack turned and took her hands in his. "I wasn't finished." Smiling, he kissed her hand and continued, "Bull riding has been such a vital part of my life and yes, it will be hard to let go. But you are my life now, Beth. You're the only part I can't do without. It will be sad to let this part of my life go, but I can. I can walk away from this. And I'm not afraid to because I know I have your support and the support of my family and friends. I know there are still other things in life waiting for me." He brushed his lips along her knuckles. "It will be hard, Beth. But that doesn't mean that I don't want to. I am at peace with my decision."

Elizabeth lifted her hand to his cheek, "I love you so much, Jack. I will be by your side no matter what you decide."

Jack leaned forward, softly kissing her lips. "And because I know you will, makes this decision an easy one."

After stepping out of the car, Jack took Elizabeth's hand and the couple walked toward the huge arena.

"When are Lee and Rosie supposed to be here?" Elizabeth asked as they neared the entry doors.

"Their flight lands in a couple hours."

"It's too bad we couldn't get on the same flight."

"Yeah, we tried to, but all the flights were mostly booked."

Jack pulled the door open, waiting back for Elizabeth to enter first. Security was standing guard, waiting to see their participant badges before allowing them through.

Once inside, Jack gave Elizabeth a tour, leading her into the spectator seating to get a bird's eye view of the arena. Elizabeth was shocked at the size and her nerves began to kick in for Jack and Lee.

Jack, feeling a trembling in her hand, turned her to face him and pulled her into his warm, strong arms.

"Everything will be fine, Baby."

Elizabeth pulled her head back, looking into his eyes, "You can't promise me that."

Jack shook his head and stroked her cheek with his thumb. "You're right. I can't. But I can promise you that I will take every precaution and will be as safe as I can." Covering her lips with his, he could feel her tense body begin to relax slightly. "I will always find my way back to you," he winked, paying homage to his wedding gift from her.

After a complete tour of the Thomas & Mack Center, Jack and Elizabeth headed back to the airport to pick up Lee and Rosemary whose flight was due in soon.

Once their luggage had been added to Jack and Elizabeth's in the back and everyone was loaded and buckled in, Jack turned the Jeep back onto Paradise Road, then turned left onto Tropicana Avenue toward their hotel.

"When does everyone else arrive?" Rosie asked.

"In the morning. Mom and Dad come in at 8:30. Charlotte, Frank, Tom and Sam arrive at 9:40."

"Tom and Sam aren't bringing the kids?"

"No, they wanted a little vacation, just the two of them," Jack answered.

"That will be good for them," Rosemary stated.

Jack turned the Jeep into the parking lot of the Mandalay Bay Hotel. The 43-story building loomed over them with reflective gold windows from top to bottom. Jack pulled under the large canopy roof and stopped in front of the doors that would lead them into the expansive lobby.

After unloading their luggage and Jack and Lee grabbed their bags filled with their riding gear, Jack handed the valet the keys and the group headed into the hotel.

The ivory walls of the grand lobby, reached up into the high two-story ceiling. Wide columns, topped with ornate carvings, lined the walls, stretching to the crown molding that outlined each step up of the tray ceilings.

Screens lined the wall behind the counters, combined to make one giant image, rotating through a variety of beautiful landscapes.

Jack checked in for their suite while Lee and Rosie checked in for their room, each receiving their key cards. Jack returned to Elizabeth, handing her one, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"A little honeymoon before our honeymoon," he winked at her. "I hope you like the room I picked out."

Elizabeth smiled, "I'm sure I will. This place is amazing."

"Everyone ready?" Jack asked when Lee and Rosemary joined them.

"Yep. We're on the 28th floor. Where are you guys?" Lee asked.

Jack grinned, "We're a little higher than that."

The group filed onto an elevator, dragging their luggage behind them. Once Lee and Rosie got off on the 28th floor, Jack scanned his key card and pressed 62.

"I thought this was only 43 floors," Elizabeth stated.

"They skipped floors 40 through 59," Jack replied.

"Why is that?"

"You know, I have no idea."

"Wait, isn't that the presidential suite?" Elizabeth asked.

Dropping his bag and smiling, Jack stepped toward her, grabbing her hands and raising them above her head, he pressed her against the elevator wall, taking her lips with his.

Elizabeth felt her heart begin to race and her knees weaken as she felt Jack press his hips against her, his warm, soft lips devouring hers and his tongue sliding along hers.

Feeling the elevator begin to stop before reaching their floor, Jack quickly pulled back and picked up his bag, holding it in front of his waist after doing a quick adjustment to his jeans. Elizabeth tried to hold back a laugh as she watched him complete his task just before the doors opened and a family stepped on.

The father pressed the button for the 60th floor as the family moved to the opposite corner from Jack and Elizabeth. The father, seeing their flushed cheeks and heavy breathing, grinned as he turned to face the elevator door.

Once the door opened and the kids and their mother stepped off, the father turned toward Jack and Elizabeth, grinning, and said, "You may proceed." Winking at them, he stepped off and joined his family.

Jack and Elizabeth burst out in laughter as the door closed and they began their ascent again.

Elizabeth watched the red numbers increase as they neared their floor. As soon as 62 appeared in the little black square, the doors opened and the couple stepped into their 5600 square foot suite.

"Oh my gosh, Jack." Elizabeth stated as she walked into the living room area. A huge chandelier with hundreds of strands of crystal beads hanging around each light, illuminated the large room. Two sofas and a coffee table filled the center, just in front of the floor to ceiling windows that lined the two-story wall, overlooking the Vegas strip.

"This is absolutely amazing, Jack. Look at this view," Elizabeth said, standing next to the window.

"I am looking. And I agree, amazing."

Elizabeth turned to find Jack staring at her, quickly crossing the floor and closing the gap between them. Placing his hand on her back, he pulled her against him, covering her lips with his.

"We need to finish what we started in the elevator," Jack said, pulling back and looking into her eyes. "Let's go find our room."

Jack grabbed her hand and began toward the large staircase that curved to the second floor. Elizabeth had to jog to keep up with his fast stride, giggling along the way. Once upstairs, they moved between the two rooms before settling on the one that had a king-sized bed facing the window, overlooking the city. Each room also featured its own master bath; this one with a huge walk-in shower and a tub that was slightly larger than theirs.

Stepping into the bedroom, Jack turned Elizabeth to face him, pulling her shirt up and over her head. She quickly began working on his belt and buckle, then with them out of the way, she undid his button and zipper and pushed his jeans off his hips, allowing them to fall to the floor around his ankles.

Jack had removed her bra and was pushing her jeans off as she unbuttoned his shirt. As soon as she had all of the buttons undone, she pressed her lips against his chest, moving along his collarbone. After pushing his shirt off his shoulders, she ran her hands down his arms, then back up across his chest.

With his desire kicking into overdrive from her touching him, he started to back her toward the bed.

Pressing her hand on his chest, stopping him, she looked into his eyes. "Let me," she said, pulling his arms down to his side.

"Let you what?"

"Let me touch you and just stay still."

"I don't know that I can do that, Beth."

"Try."

She pressed her lips to his, sucking and nibbling on his bottom lip. Taking his hand, she led him to the bed and pushed him down onto it. Jack pulled himself further onto the bed, his head resting on the pillow.

Elizabeth pushed her lace panties off, letting them drop to the floor as she climbed onto the bed on her knees and crawled over Jack, dropping beside him. She ran her fingers along his stomach, following the waist band of his boxer briefs. His hardened erection was quite visible through the thin fabric as she brushed her fingers across it.

Jack let out a moan as he tipped his head back and clutched the bed with his free hand; his other hand rested against Elizabeth's bare back.

She moved over him, and gripping the elastic of his boxer briefs, she pulled them down as he lifted his hips. Once she'd pulled them off and tossed them to the floor to lay next to hers, she returned her attention to Jack. Sliding her hands along the tops of his legs, thighs, and hips, she lowered her head and took him in her mouth.

A loud moan escaped Jack as he tightened his grip on the bedding, the blood leaving his knuckles, causing them to go white. "Elizabeth!" He let out a breath of air as he moved his hand to her head, feeling her move along with the pulsating pleasure that was about to cause him to lose all control. He quickly sat up and grabbing her by the shoulders, he pulled her up toward him.

Startled, Elizabeth stared at him for a second. "What is it? Did I do it wrong?"

Shaking his head, Jack let out a slight chuckle. "Beth, that was the complete opposite of wrong. But if you had gone one more second, there would have been nothing left of me and I wouldn't be able to do this."

In one swift, smooth motion, Jack pulled her up the bed, flipped her onto her back, moved his body over hers, and pushed himself deep inside her.

Moans slipped through her lips as Jack took her mouth with his, capturing her moans. Holding himself up with one arm, he pressed his large, calloused hand against the soft skin of her chest and moved it down her body, taking her right breast in it, rolling the erect nipple between his fingers. He lowered his mouth to hers again, his tongue eagerly dancing with hers.

Moans continued to escape Elizabeth as Jack proceeded to rock his hips with hers and moved his hand all along her body, stopping frequently to give each breast the attention it longed for.

Elizabeth called out as the wave of an orgasm flowed through her body. Instead of joining her, Jack continued, moving inside her, his lips tasting her salty sweat that had formed along her collarbone. Working his way up her neck, he moved over her mouth, silencing her with his forceful and eager kisses.

After a few more minutes of Jack's attentive yet eager motions, Elizabeth found herself falling into a wave of energy once more, crashing through her like a storm. Joining her, Jack called out her name before collapsing beside her on the bed.

Reaching out to her, Jack wrapped her up and pulled her body against him, skin on skin, as he closed his eyes and focused on his heartrate. Feeling hers begin to slow, Jack drew in deeps breaths and attempted to match his with hers.

….

Two hours later, Elizabeth woke to find a blanket draped across her and Jack missing. Sliding off the bed, she wrapped herself in the blanket and stepped to the large floor to ceiling window that overlooked the city. Luxor, the 30-story pyramid, stood not far from their hotel. The people that covered the walks appeared to move like ants; all busy with a job, making their way back to their queen. Vehicles lined the streets, barely moving as they tried to make the green light before it quickly changed to red again.

Tightening the blanket around her, Elizabeth walked out of the room, finally getting a good look at their suite. The balcony overlooked the immense chandelier that hung over the living room. Two story high windows lined the outer wall, opening up to the scene of downtown as if she could step right into it.

She could hear a few faint random notes being plucked on a piano and she made her way down the grand staircase that led to the sofas. As she neared the bottom, the sounds coming from a piano became more prominent, but the notes strung together did not make any song, but rather, a random cluster of noise.

Elizabeth moved toward the sound, finding Jack sitting at a beautiful grand piano nestled under the staircase. His elbow was resting on the keys with his hand holding up his head, as he pressed down random keys with his free hand.

G...C...B...D#...a long pause, then E, F, G.

Elizabeth carefully walked toward him. "Jack, are you alright?"

Startled by her sudden presence, Jack sat up, his elbow dragging across several keys in the process.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

Jack moved one leg over the bench so he was straddling it and patted on the cushioned leather for her to join him. Elizabeth walked over, turned, and sat down with her back leaning against him. Jack wrapped his arms around her, holding her tighter than normal.

"What's going on, Jack?" Elizabeth asked as she pulled from his embrace, turning toward him.

"Just thinking about stuff." Jack reached up and smoothed her untamed hair down and pushed it back off her shoulders.

"Is it about retiring?"

"A little but I'm fine with that." He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "Please don't worry. I always get this way before a huge event. Five rides in five days...that's what I'm thinking about." He turned her back around and pulled her against his chest. He gently kissed the side of her neck as he wrapped his arms tightly around her. "I love you so much, Beth."

Elizabeth pulled from Jack's hold again and turned so she could see him. "Jack, you're scaring me. What's going on?"

"Nothing, really. Anytime I have a huge event like this I just run through everything in my head." Jack leaned down and kissed her bare shoulder. "I think of everything my dad taught me, everything I've learned over the years on my own, everything that went right or went wrong. I just try to plan a strategy for the week...as much as I can anyway."

Elizabeth turned to face him more, running her hands along the sides of his thighs. "I don't think that's everything, Jack."

Jack smiled and leaned, pressing his forehead against hers. "You know me so well, Beth."

"Then what is it?"

"I've never had someone else to think about before." Jack lifted his head, resting his hands on the sides of her neck, brushing her cheeks with his thumbs. "I have you now. So, I have to make sure I do everything right." Jack leaned in and kissed her; his kiss was gentle but had an edge of urgency. "Will you play something for me?"

"Of course. What would you like to hear?" Elizabeth turned to face the piano, tightening the blanket around her.

"Anything." Jack slid forward, closing the gap between them, and pulled the blanket tight, holding it for her. As her fingers began to glide across the keys, Jack rested his head on her shoulder and watched the magic she was performing before him.

As the notes of Pachelbel's Canon in D filled the suite, Jack's mind began to settle as he focused on Elizabeth's hands and the song that was being generated from them. He closed his eyes and listened, everything else that had filled his thoughts began to dissolve and disappear.

Elizabeth, fully engrossed in her playing, gently swayed to the music. Jack lifted his head from her shoulder and watched her with awe. His eyes moved from her face to her hands and back as the song neared the end.

When she lifted her hands from the keys after the final note, she turned her head to look at Jack.

"Beautiful," was all he could get out before taking her lips with his.

Elizabeth turned in her seat, to give Jack her full attention, once he released her from his kiss. She placed her hands on top of this thighs and looked him in the eyes.

"Jack, no matter how good or bad you do this week, you have the full support of your family and myself. You have come so far. God has brought you through so much. But always remember, that you did the work. You did what you needed to heal yourself. I am so proud of you." Elizabeth leaned forward and gently kissed him on the lips. "We are all already so proud of you. I know you will do great this week and that God will bring you through again."

Jack ran his hands up and down her arms as he listened to her. His eyes welling with tears.

"Would you like it if I prayed with you?"

Jack nodded, "Yes, very much."

Elizabeth took both of Jack's hands in hers and the couple bowed their heads.

"Dear Father, I pray that You keep Jack, Lee and all the other riders safe this week. I pray that whatever outcome You have planned for Jack, that he will be accepting of it. Thank You, Lord, for bringing Jack to this moment. A moment he can honor You, praise You, show You the glory. I pray that each and every rider will be able to walk away from their ride on their own accord."

"Lord, I just want to thank You for giving me this man. Thank You for entering his heart and leading him down the path of righteousness. Thank You for being a forgiving God, and for forgiving all of us for our sins. Thank You for all the blessings in our lives. And one final thank You, thank You for blessing Jack with this talent and for the opportunity You have given him this week. In Your son's name we pray. Amen."

Jack squeezed her hands as they opened their eyes. He cupped her face with his hands and leaned in and kissed her. "Thank you for that." Catching the time on the large clock that hung on the wall opposite them, Jack straightened. "Ummm...we're supposed to be meeting Lee and Rosemary in the lobby for dinner in five minutes. Lee called while you were sleeping."

"Give me thirty and I'll be ready." She jumped off the piano bench and clutching the blanket, she darted off toward the stairs.

Jack called out after her, "I'll text him and let them know we'll be late."

…..

Forty minutes later, Jack and Elizabeth stepped off the elevator and found Lee and Rosemary already waiting in the lobby.

"Sorry, we're late," Elizabeth smiled.

Rosemary grinned at her friend, "I won't even ask why," she winked.

Elizabeth shoved her with her shoulder and the group headed to the House of Blues. After an enjoyable evening of southern-inspired food, drinks and live blues music, the friends waited at the elevator to go back to their rooms.

"Would you guys like to come up to our room for a few more drinks?" Jack asked as the elevator doors opened.

Lee looked at Rosie who was nodding her head. "Sure. Sounds great."

Several minutes later, as the doors opened to the presidential suite, Lee and Rosie's jaws dropped and they stepped into the room.

"You definitely have a better room than we do." Lee stated as he took in the magnificent views from the two-story windows.

"Tom and I booked this suite together. Tom, Sam, Mom and the Thatchers will be staying here with us."

"This is gorgeous," Rosie exclaimed as she walked through a few rooms on the first floor.

Jack stepped behind the wet bar and pulled a few small bottles of alcohol from the fridge. Finding Sprite in the fridge as well, he mixed up four drinks, splashing each one with a shot of Crown Royal.

The foursome sat on the sofas in the living room, drinking, visiting and laughing until almost midnight, when Lee and Rosie decided to go back to their room.

After saying goodbye, Jack turned to Elizabeth and wrapped his arms around her, covering her mouth with his. His kisses were wild and eager, his hands wandered all over her body.

Elizabeth pulled back to look into his eyes. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yes, why?"

"Because I haven't seen you drink that much in a very long time. And you just seem...I don't know...off."

Jack slowed his movements and ran his hands across her cheeks and into her hair. "I'm fine. Just a lot on my mind. I'm sorry I got carried away." He kissed her gently on the cheek and then moved to her lips, keeping them soft and loving. "Can I carry you to bed now?" He whispered in her ear before carefully taking her earlobe between his lips.

Giggling, Elizabeth nodded and Jack bent down, grabbed her around her knees and stood, causing her to fall over his shoulder. He smacked her butt and started toward the stairs.