Sorry...not sorry ;) for that little cliffhanger...but here's the next chapter so you don't have to wait any longer. It's a shorter one but...but impactful, I think. Please leave a review with your thoughts. I would love to hear from you. This chapter was 6 months in the making! So it's been a tough one to keep quiet about. I hope you enjoy it. You never know what life will throw at you...How you react is what defines you. 3
August 29th, 2009 - World's Toughest Rodeo, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
Becky walked through the parking lot, looking for the familiar truck. She thought she had found it, but a large, beautiful trailer was attached that she didn't recognize, making her unsure if she had the correct truck. She walked through the lot a little more, not spotting another one like it, Becky turned toward the stadium.
She walked down the long corridor that led to the arena and stopped near the bull pen, checking out each cowboy, looking for a particular face. Unable to find who she was searching for, she finished the trek to the arena.
Becky walked behind the chutes, scanning each bull rider as they readied themselves for their upcoming ride. She spotted who she'd been looking for and began walking toward him, only to stop suddenly, watching him kiss the woman in front of him.
She dropped her gaze to the ground, looked back up at everyone buzzing around her, then walked toward the gate that led to the spectator seating.
Becky watched as Jack rode, running half a dozen different scenarios through her head. When his ride was over, she watched him run to Elizabeth and climb the gate to kiss her again.
"Rodeo fans that are lucky enough to be here tonight, you have witnessed a record-breaking ride!" The announcer was speaking louder than usual. "Jack Thornton has just received the highest score ever of 97 points! This man has been on fire this entire season and will most definitely be on his way to compete in the world championship. And I'm sorry ladies, this cowboy is taken and will be getting married to that beautiful woman you see there."
Hearing this announcement, Becky stood and quietly exited the stadium.
…..
April 12th, 2014 – Hope Meadows Ranch
Jack backed the tractor into the barn and turned it off. Jumping down from the cab, skipping the steps, he pulled the handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the dirt and sweat from his face. Looking at his watch and seeing that it was close to lunch, he headed to the house.
As he crossed the lawn, he noticed a small white Honda with Oklahoma license plates parked in their driveway, assuming it was someone there to see Elizabeth.
He walked through the front door and could see a woman sitting at the island, her back facing him. She was talking with Elizabeth and Jack headed toward the half bath to wash up, not listening to the conversation.
"Hi, Jack."
Jack looked up to see who it was, and he froze as he stared at Becky, sitting in his kitchen, talking to his wife.
"Becky?" Jack thought he could feel his heart stop.
Becky nodded and turned her chair to face him.
Jack heard the loud rumble of footsteps running down the stairs and looked to see Peyton, Colton and a third child running down toward him.
"Daddy!" Peyton yelled as she jumped into Jack's arms.
"Hey, Pey Pey." Jack said as he kissed her cheek.
"Ew, you stinky," she said as she patted his face.
Jack chuckled as he lowered her to the floor. It was at that moment he saw the face of the little boy. Jack froze, still bent over Peyton as he looked back and forth between Colton and this unknown child. He slowly straightened as a large lump formed in his throat that he attempted to swallow.
He looked over to Elizabeth who had been watching him. She was walking toward him, her eyes filled with concern as she watched his face fill with fear.
When she reached her husband, he still wasn't breathing and she rubbed her hands along his arms.
"Jack, take a breath," she said softly.
Only then did Jack draw in a long, slow breath and blew it out. "Is he..." Jack swallowed hard, pointing toward the boy with a shaky hand. "Is...he..."
Elizabeth nodded, still rubbing his arms. "Becky has something she needs to tell you, Jack." Elizabeth paused for a brief moment. "And you need to listen." Her voice was steady, unshaken, yet soft.
Jack nodded, looking back and forth between the two women, feeling his stomach churning now.
The three sat around the island, a glass of water in front of each of them. The kids returned to the twins' playroom where they would be kept entertained.
"So, let me get this straight," Jack started, holding a shaky hand in front of him. "I have a son...and you've known he's mine...but you never told me?" His words were short and precise.
"I tried once, Jack," Becky nodded. "I went to the rodeo in Nashville when I was three months pregnant. I had finally gotten up the nerve to tell you. But I saw you kissing Elizabeth, though I didn't know who she was at the time. Then I heard the announcer say that you two were getting married. I didn't want to get between you and Elizabeth, cause any problems for you, so I just left."
"So, why now? Why are you here now?" Jack asked, his tone harsh, his hands were still trembling from anger and fear.
Elizabeth slid her hand across the cold tile countertop and rested it on top of Jack's hand, steadying it. She squeezed, giving Jack a little warning to calm down.
Becky took a deep breath and a tear slipped from the corner of her eye. "Jack...I'm dying."
Jack squeezed Elizabeth's hand as his heart began to race faster than it already had been, feeling as if it would literally burst right out of his chest. His gaze dropped to Elizabeth's hand, then back to Becky.
"I'm very sorry to hear that," Jack finally said, sincerity now reaching his eyes.
"I have stage four pancreatic cancer and there is nothing they can do for me." Becky had to pause to keep control of her emotions, blowing out a long breath between her lips. Swallowing hard, she continued. "Both of my parents are gone and I am an only child. All of my aunts and uncles are elderly and I'm not close to any other relative." Becky stopped, contemplating her next words. "I wanted you to know about your son."
Jack flinched when Becky spoke the words "your son."
"I know you and Elizabeth will need to talk about this, I know you'll have questions, and I know you'll want proof, but I would like you to consider taking Blake. I want to know that he will be safe and loved after I'm gone." Becky's voice cracked as she spoke the last sentence.
Jack looked down at his hand, still covered by Elizabeth's, and moved his free hand to cover hers, squeezing it tightly.
"How old is he?"
"Four."
"When was he born?"
"January 16th, 2010"
Jack quickly did the math in his head; it lined up. He looked up at Becky.
"His name is Blake?"
Becky swallowed, then answered, "Jackson Blake."
Jack drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes, now rubbing his temples with his fingers. How can this be happening? he asked himself.
The three children came barreling down the stairs again, as fast as two three-year-olds could go, followed by four-year-old Jackson Blake.
Colton ran to Elizabeth and Peyton ran to Jack. Each of them picked up their children and sat them on their laps.
Blake ran to Becky and she pulled him up onto her lap. Jack stared at him, seeing his own unmistakable, dark, hazel eyes staring back.
"Blake, this is Jack."
"Like me," he smiled largely.
Jack looked at him, confusion covering his face. "What?"
"Your name is like mine. My real first name is Jackson," the little boy said excitedly.
"Oh, yes, that's right," Jack answered, nodding.
"I like your house," Blake said, his eyes darting everywhere, not knowing where to focus.
"Thank you, Blake," Elizabeth replied this time, giving Jack a moment to gather his thoughts. "You are a very sweet boy."
"I saw your big barn when we drove in. Do you guys have horses, too?"
"Yes, Blake, we do. Do you like horses?"
"Oh, yes. I have a pony at home. His name is Doodle. I ride him all the time. I'm a cowboy." Blake rocked back and forth on his mom's lap as if he was riding his pony.
"That's wonderful, Blake. I bet Doodle is a pretty little thing, isn't he?"
"Oh, yes. He's brown and white and he gets reeeal fluffy in the winter."
"We have pony!" Peyton blurted out, a huge smile on her face.
"Really?" Blake asked, smiling.
"Yes. My pony is Peanut," Colt said.
"Mine Daisy," Peyton added.
"That's so cool," Blake said, wide eyed.
Jack sat in silence as he listened to his wife and twins have a conversation with his son, unable to comprehend exactly what was happening.
Jack was looking down at the top of Peyton's head when he heard Elizabeth say his name.
"What?" He asked as he looked to Elizabeth.
"Blake asked you a question."
"Oh, sorry. What was it?" He returned his gaze to the boy.
"Are you a rodeo cowboy?" Blake asked, his little voice high with excitement.
Jack grinned slightly, "Yep, I sure am. I used to ride bulls but now my buddy and I team rope."
"Wooooow, you used to ride bulls?" Blake's eyes widened, and Jack and Elizabeth could both see the same unique, gold flakes mixed into the dark hazel just like Jack's.
"I sure did."
"I want to ride bulls." Blake said, clapping his hands together.
"You should have your da..." Jack stopped himself just as he was about to say daddy, the realization that he was the boy's daddy still setting in. He lowered his head and sighed.
"Hey, kids. Why don't we go outside and play with Wyatt." Elizabeth lowered Colton to the floor, grabbed Peyton from Jack's lap, and started toward the back door. "Want to come with us, Blake? Wyatt is our dog."
"Can I, Mommy?"
"Sure." She lowered him to the floor and watched as he followed them out the door. She turned back to Jack and stared at him, waiting for him to say something. When he never did, she resumed the conversation. "I'm sorry to spring all of this on you, Jack. I had no intentions of doing this. I was just going to live my life and raise my son myself."
Jack lifted his eyes to meet hers. "You mean our son." His voice was low but had a coldness to it, short, stern.
"Yes, Jack. Our son."
"How could you not tell me. Four years, Becky. Four...years." His voice began showing signs of anger.
"Like I said, I didn't want to come between you and Elizabeth. I heard you were getting married, and I panicked. I am not a home wrecker."
"How do I know that he's mine."
Becky let out a little laugh. "Have you seen him, Jack."
Jack nodded slowly, "Yes." He rested his elbows on the counter and held his head in his hands, rubbing his temples.
Becky leaned forward, resting her arms on the cool tile. "I'm sorry, Jack. I don't want to cause trouble. I just need to know that Blake will be taken care of after I'm gone. I don't have a lot of time to figure things out."
Jack raised his head and looked at Becky. He hadn't noticed the dark rings below her eyes before, or her sunken cheeks. "How much time do you have?"
"They aren't sure. Maybe only a couple of months. Maybe less."
Jack looked back to his hands, "I'm so sorry, Becky. I'm sorry you're going through this."
Becky stood, walked around the island, and sat in the seat next to Jack. "He's your son, Jack. I wasn't with anyone else around that time other than you. I had no doubt before, but after seeing you again...and seeing your son...there is no denying who Blake belongs to. But I understand if you want to do a DNA test and I have no problem with that."
Jack turned to face her, looking into her dull eyes once more. They appeared almost lifeless; any spark that once resided in them was long gone. "But we were careful. I always used protection...always."
Becky nodded, "Yes, Jack. You did. But it doesn't always work."
Jack breathed in a long breath and slowly blew it out. "I'm not saying you're lying, but I would like a test before we make any decisions."
"Of course, Jack. I can set something up on Monday if that works for you."
"Yes, that will be fine." Jack thought for a short moment before continuing. "Can you tell me about him?"
Becky let out a breath that she hadn't realized she'd been holding, relief flooded through her.
"He's amazing, Jack. He's so smart. He knew all his alphabet at three and he's starting to read. He's so good with horses, too. He tries to saddle and ride his pony all by himself. He loves Monster Trucks and rodeos. He says he's going to be a bull rider when he's big enough."
Jack let out a little laugh at that, his mind reeling at all the information.
"Where do you live?"
"Just outside of Tulsa."
Jack sat, nodding. "So...how would this work? If we decide to...to keep him."
"I'm not sure on all the legal stuff yet. But I would like to add you to his birth certificate."
Jack was still nodding, looking down at his hands. "When are you going back?"
"Next weekend."
"So soon?" he asked, looking back up to her.
"Yes, I have to finalize a few things there first. Then...if you and Elizabeth want to get to know Blake...I'll move here and find someplace to live."
"You've really thought this through, haven't you?"
"I found out three weeks ago and I have thought of nothing else since then."
"Of course, sorry." Jack's emotions were all over the place. Fear. Regret. Anger. Empathy. All were flowing through him, mixing, causing his head to spin and heart to ache. He looked out the windows, hoping to see Elizabeth walking toward the house, but she was nowhere in sight. After staring down at his hands for what felt like an eternity, Jack finally looked back up to Becky. "I'm sorry, Becky. This is a lot. I'm trying to process everything." After the words came out, Jack felt like kicking himself. "I'm sure this has been a lot for you to process, too. I'm sorry. I don't mean to sound insensitive."
Becky smiled, "I understand, Jack. This whole thing is...a lot."
And then, a thought crossed Jack's mind. "Does he know?"
One corner of her mouth turned up in a slight, forced smile. "He doesn't know that I'm sick. And, no. He doesn't know you're his father."
The word hit Jack once more. Father. It was as if each time she said it, he was slapped in the face or punched in the gut, never realizing that such a beautiful word could knock you right off your feet. Father. A word that had become one of his favorite things had just as quickly become one that could bring his whole world crashing down.
Jack stared at his hands, soaked with sweat. Wringing them, sitting there speechless, he heard little footsteps running across the deck outside the window. He looked just in time to see Blake run past the window, Colton right on his tail. The two were laughing as they chased one another, followed by Wyatt, close on their heels.
Having turned and retraced their footsteps, Colton stopped in the window, waving at Jack. He forced a smile and waved back to his son. Stopping next to him, Blake peeked in and waved. Frozen, his hand still in the air, Jack's eyes darted between the two boys' faces.
There was no getting around it, Jackson Blake was indeed, without a doubt, Jack's son.
…..
Elizabeth walked across the front porch looking for Jack, she hadn't seen him since Becky and Jackson Blake left a few hours earlier. As she rounded the corner to the back deck, she could see Jack sitting in one of the chairs, his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands.
Carefully approaching him, she laid her hand on his shoulder. Startled at the touch, Jack jerked back, and seeing it was Elizabeth, he pulled her in front of him between his legs, wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head against her stomach.
She cradled his head and gently ran her fingers through his hair. After a few minutes like this, Jack finally tipped his head back to look at Elizabeth.
"I am so sorry, Beth."
A tear slipped down his cheek and Elizabeth wiped it away with her thumb. "Jack, you don't need to be sorry. There is a beautiful little boy that needs your love, our love."
"How can you be so nonchalant about all this?"
Elizabeth knelt to her knees and laid her hands on Jack's thighs. "Is this something that I'm glad happened. Of course not, Jack. But it did and there's nothing we can do about it. Nothing except bringing that little boy into our lives and loving him. It's not his fault that any of this has happened and he's about to lose his mommy." Elizabeth cradled his face in her hands, forcing him to look her in the eyes. "You have another son, Jack." She smiled, hoping that Jack would realize the blessing in all of this.
Jack took her hands that were still holding his face and moved them to his lips, kissing the top of each one. "I don't get how you can be so calm. You should be pissed at me right now."
"And what good would that do?" she said, moving her hands to his thighs.
"What do you mean?"
"What good would it do for me to be mad? Would that solve anything? Would it change what's happened?"
Jack leaned back, shaking his head. "But I don't think you realize who this is."
"What do you mean, Jack?"
Looking into her eyes, he continued, "That night at the rodeo, that I left you crying and went to another woman?"
Feeling a slight tightness in her chest, Elizabeth realized where this was going. "Yes, Jack. I remember."
"It was Becky. Becky is the one I went to that night. That's evidently when Blake was conceived."
Thinking for a short moment, Elizabeth stood and sat on his lap. Jack wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her tight against him.
"What's done is done, Jack. And now we have to figure out what we're going to do about Blake."
Jack tipped his head back and closed his eyes, inhaling a deep breath through his nose.
"May I say what I think?" Elizabeth asked, brushing her hand across his cheek.
Jack opened his eyes and brought his head back to face her. "Of course."
"He needs to be with us. He's losing his mother; you know exactly what it feels like to lose a parent. He's going to need us...you. He's your son and we can't turn him away."
"So, you'd be alright with bringing in another woman's child, the one I hurt you with?"
"I'm alright with bringing in your son, Jack. He's a part of you, so he's a part of me."
"But every time you look into his face, you will remember that day. The day I almost ruined us. The day I left you crying to go to the arms of another wo..."
Elizabeth put her hand up to stop him from speaking, shaking her head, she interrupted him.
"No, every time I look into his face, I will see you. I will see the eyes that belong to my loving and selfless husband. I will see the face of our son, his brother. I will see the face of a boy that just wants to be loved, wants to be a part of a family. I will see a little boy that entered this world under God's grace, that has now been brought to us to love and to raise. A little boy to complete our family." She lifted his chin to bring his eyes back to hers. "God has brought him to us, Jack. I truly believe that. He has brought us another son, the child we've been longing for."
The tears were flowing down Jack's face now as he wrapped his arms around his wife, pulling her against him. Elizabeth could feel his body shaking, evidence of his emotions taking full hold of him. Moving his hands up between them, he cupped her face and pulled her lips to his, kissing her with a love that impossibly seemed to grow each day.
"I love you so much, Beth. You are a remarkable woman."
Jack held her a few minutes longer before asking, "Where are the kids?"
"I ran them over to your mother's."
Jack quickly pushed her up, "Did you tell her?"
Shaking her head, she laid her hand on his cheek. "No, this is your story to tell, Jack. But I will be by your side when you do."
Looking out over the backyard, Jack saw a black wall cloud quickly moving across the field. Seeing his attention was elsewhere, Elizabeth stood and looked in the same direction. Jack quickly stood next to her and stepped to the deck railing, placing his hands on top, he leaned forward, looking to the west.
"We need to call Mom and Tom. This looks bad," Jack stated, pulling his phone from his pocket.
Once Elizabeth knew that Jack had called his mother, she took out her phone and called Sam. After a few phone calls, including Lee, Jack and Elizabeth ran into the house and started closing all the windows. Hearing his mother's SUV pull into the drive, Elizabeth ran out to help unload the kids.
By now, the wind had picked up, causing dirt and debris to swirl around them. Peyton and Colton began crying and rubbing their eyes from the dust that had blown into their faces.
Large raindrops began to fall and pelt them and the ground as Elizabeth, Charlotte and Frank ran into the house with the kids, where Jack was grabbing flashlights, batteries and candles.
As everyone ran down to the basement, a loud crash on the front porch caused everyone to jump and the kids began crying louder.
"Here, take these please," Jack said, handing the supplies to Frank.
"Jack, where are you going?" Elizabeth called out.
"I'm going to check on the horses. I need to get them out of the barn."
"Jack, no," Charlotte cried.
"Mom, I'll be right back." Quickly going to Elizabeth, he kissed her, "I'll be right back," he said softly, looking directly into her eyes.
After a simple nod from Elizabeth, Jack vanished up the steps, taking two at a time.
Once everyone was settled in the storm room, Frank stood, "I'm going to help Jack."
"Frank, please no. Don't go out there," Charlotte pleaded.
Running his hands down her arms, he replied, "I can't let Jack go out there and do that alone. I have to go help him."
"Please be careful," Charlotte said before standing and giving him a quick kiss.
She slowly lowered herself back onto the sofa as she watched her husband walk out of the room and close the door behind him. Looking at Elizabeth and seeing both Peyton and Colton clutching onto her, she reached over and grabbed Colton, pulling him to her lap. Reluctantly letting go of Elizabeth, he quickly wrapped his arms around Charlotte's neck and pressed against her, shaking.
Outside, Frank made his way to the barn, his arm up across his face to block everything that the storm was throwing his way. As he neared the barn, he could see Jack leading Wrangler and Harley out to a large pasture and releasing them before returning to the building.
Running now, Frank entered to find Jack pulling two more horses out.
"How can I help?"
Jack handed him the lead ropes, "Take these two to the same pasture. I'll grab two more."
Frank did as Jack said and ran the horses to where he'd just seen Jack release the others and did the same. Just as he was about the lock the gate, he saw Jack approaching with two more and held the gate open for him.
The two men repeated this until all twenty three horses had been set loose in the field, with the freedom to get out of the path of a tornado if one appeared.
Returning to the barn, it took both men to push the large door closed and lock it. The force of the wind had tripled and tree branches, dirt, and anything else it could pick up, was flying through the air, threatening to hit the men.
Inside the barn and leaning against the door, soaked and cold, Jack and Frank were both bent over with their hands on their knees, trying to catch their breath.
"I don't think we should go back out there, Jack. We're going to have to find shelter in here until this passes."
Straightening, Jack looked at Frank. "I can't leave my wife and kids in there alone."
"They are safe, Jack. They are in the safest place on this ranch. We, however, are not and will not be any use to them if we get knocked out by a branch trying to make our way back to the house."
Knowing that Frank was right, Jack pulled his phone from his pocket to text Elizabeth. Seeing he had no signal, he shoved it back in his pocket and began to pace.
"There is no good place in this barn to go, Frank," Jack exclaimed, throwing his arms in the air. Punching at a bale of hay that was next to him, Jack attempted to let out some of his frustration of the day.
A loud crash outside caused both men to duck slightly. Going to the smaller walk-in door, Jack forced it open to find a large branch had hit the barn, partially blocking the doors. Pulling the door closed, he secured the latch and returned to his pacing.
"Is there something else bugging you, Jack?" Frank asked, watching Jack intently.
Snapping his head to Frank, Jack replied, "No. Why would you think there was something else?" Pointing in the direction of the house, Jack continued, "I'm stuck here, several hundred feet from my family and I can't get to them to keep them safe." The volume of Jack's voice had grown, surprising Frank.
"No, that's not all. You know your family is safe. You built that house with that room for circumstances such as this. You know in your heart that they are alright. What else is troubling you?"
With his back against the wall, literally and figuratively, Jack slid down to the concrete floor, cradling his head in his hands.
Frank knelt in front of him and placed a hand on Jack's shoulder, silently praying for him, waiting for Jack to speak when he was ready.
"I have a son," Jack finally said, barely above a whisper.
Not hearing him, Frank asked, "What?"
Jack lifted his head and looked at Frank. "I have a son."
Nodding, Frank replied, "Yes, Colton. I know."
Shaking his head, Jack continued. "No, I have another son."
With shock filling his face, Frank straightened, "What do you mean?"
Jack pushed his feet out, straightening his legs and laid his hands on his lap, and proceeded to tell Frank about the visit they'd just had from Becky, not leaving out a single detail.
"What am I going to do, Frank? What if this ruins my family?"
A loud crack of thunder shook the barn as the walls began to shake. Another loud crash outside, followed by two more, sent the men to the door again to evaluate the situation outside. Whole trees were down, branches large enough to take a man out were floating along the dirt and grass, and leaves were blowing everywhere.
Pulling the door closed and latching it, Jack walked toward the center of the barn, looking around for the safest place to go. Seeing a stall that was half filled with small square hay bales, he stepped inside, followed by Frank.
"This is probably the best place here," Jack said, pulling one of the bales down and sitting on it, his back against the stack. Pulling one leg up to his chest, he wrapped his arm around it.
"Jack, do you think that little of Elizabeth?"
Jerking his head toward the man, Jack snapped, "I don't think anything of the sort of that amazing woman. What are you talking about?"
"You just asked, 'what if this ruins my family?' If you don't think that way about Elizabeth, how will this ruin your family?"
Looking back at the hay and pulling a few pieces out, Jack began to tear them apart.
"Remember when we first met and what I had told you about my past?"
Frank nodded, "Yes."
"Well, shortly after Beth and I met, we were at a rodeo. I was upset about a bad ride and she jumped me about my past, she had just found out how bad it really was. I said some hateful things to her then walked away." Jack looked up to Frank, "I left her standing there alone, crying. I went to a gal's trailer and spent the night with her." Looking back to his hands, he continued. "That girl was Becky."
"Oh, I see. Does Elizabeth know all of this?"
Jack nodded, "Yes, she knows everything."
Outside, the wind continued to howl. Hail had begun to fall, and the sound echoed through the barn, as if several MLB pitchers were outside throwing fastballs against every wall.
"What does she have to say about all of this?"
Leaning back against the stack of hay, Jack looked back to Frank. "She said that we will welcome Blake into our home and love him as our own."
"Okay." Frank nodded, "Very good of her. So, what makes you think this will ruin you?"
"How can she mean that? I basically cheated on her and got another woman pregnant. And now here she is, a wonderful, perfect woman who dreams of having more kids, and she can't. How can she be so laid back about everything? I would be pissed."
Frank pulled another bale down and situated it so he could sit and face Jack. "Elizabeth is one of the strongest women that I have ever met, aside from your mother." Frank moved to the edge of the bale. "You said she can't have more children, but she wants more...and now one is being handed to you."
Jack sat in silence, his mind reeling, as he listened to the storm outside mixing with Frank's words.
"You and Elizabeth have one of the most remarkable relationships that I have ever seen. Love seeps from your pores when you look at one another. I truly believe that her heart is wide open for this little boy to enter as her own. He's a part of you, Jack. She would never turn her back on that."
Pausing, Frank waited for a response from Jack, but he sat quietly.
"Jack?" Frank said, causing Jack to look at him once more. "Do you think your heart can be open for this little boy?"
Shrugging his shoulders, Jack replied, "I guess so. In time."
"Is it his fault that this has happened?"
Jack shook his head. "No. And Beth said the same thing."
"She's a wise woman."
While taking a moment to gather his thoughts, another loud crack of thunder shook the entire barn and lightning lit up the windows. Hail continued to pelt the barn and branches could still be heard being tossed around.
"Jack, like the storm that is raging outside, we have storms in our lives to weather through. But God says He will not lead us to a storm without a way out. He will not give us more than we can handle. We have shelter against Satan's attempts to foil us, shelter in His arms and His love." Frank shifted on his seat and rested his arms on his legs with his hands clasped together. "Right now, you are thinking this is a terrible thing that has happened. It's a reminder of your transgression against Elizabeth. You feel as if you are drowning in your own flash flood."
Jack nodded, listening intently to Frank.
"But a little boy has been brought to you. A little boy that has done nothing wrong, nothing to deserve that he's about to lose his mother. He is innocent in all of this and all he wants is to be loved and to feel safe. All he wants is to know that he has some place to call home where he will be protected. And Becky just wants peace. Peace in her final days that her son will be cared for and loved."
Tears began to fall from Jack's eyes, and he wiped them from his face, leaving a dark streak from his dirty hands across his cheeks.
"What's done is done, Jack. You have been forgiven by God and by Elizabeth. A beautiful life was created, one that you have been asked to care for. He will be hurting, and you know that. You already know what he will be going through, you know what he'll need. You will need to be there for him, to help him learn how to live without his mommy. To show him that he is still loved, that he has a place to call home, and he still has a family. This big, beautiful, wonderful family."
"What if they don't accept him?"
"Seriously, Jack. Have you met your family?" Both men chuckled before Frank continued. "There is more than enough room in your heart and in your home for Blake." Frank lifted his head and listened, "Do you hear that?"
Jack sat up, "Hear what?"
"Exactly."
The men jumped up and ran to the door. Opening it, they got their first full look at the devastation that had been brewing outside. As they took their first steps out, the sun appeared and lit the ranch up in a golden hue and a double rainbow took form across the valley.
"Well, would you look at that," Frank stated, pointing toward the vibrant symbol of God's promise. Taking Jack's arm and turning him to face him, Frank finished, "Even with all this devastation out here before us," he pointed toward the rainbow once more, "something beautiful has been formed for all to see."
Jack pulled his stepfather in and hugged him tight, a single tear rolling down his cheek. "Thank you, Frank."
The two hurried back to the house in time to see the twins come running toward them, arms up. "Daddy! Papa!" They exclaimed as they jumped into the men's arms.
Seeing Jack was safe, Elizabeth began to cry and ran to him. The couple held each other, squishing Peyton between them, as they both cried.
Pulling back, Jack ran his hand across Elizabeth's face and looked into her eyes, "We have another son," he said with choked words.
With more tears forming, Elizabeth nodded, "Yes, we do."
Standing only a few feet from them, holding onto Frank, Charlotte straightened and turned toward her son. Opening her mouth to speak, Frank grabbed her arm and turned her back to him. Shaking his head, she got the hint to keep quiet and wait.
After a short moment, Jack faced his mother with Elizabeth's hand in his, and Peyton on his hip. "Ma, we need to talk."
