Thank you, so much, everyone for your reviews! Thank you for taking time to read my story and more time to leave a review!
This one does come with a STEAM ALERT, so a little warning for those that don't like those parts. Happy reading and have a great day!
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April 25th, 2015 – Charlotte and Frank's Ranch
Jack ran behind a screaming Peyton, scooped her up, and tossed her into the air. Catching her, Jack wrapped both arms around his daughter and blew his lips against her neck. The little girl squirmed in her daddy's arms, trying very hard to escape, and screeched from the vibrations tickling her neck.
"Daddy, stop," she shouted amidst her laughter. "Daddy, no tickle."
Colton and Blake were tugging on Jack's jeans and shirts, making every attempt to free their sister from the clutches of the giant tickle monster.
Jack swung Peyton down, then grabbed Colton, tossing him in the air and repeating the attack. "You're next, little man," he said just before blowing against the little boy's neck.
By now, Noel and Austin had joined in, and between the four kids pulling on Jack, the tickle monster was brought to the ground, where they proceeded to give back what Jack had been dishing out. Wyatt, Nitro, and Tuff were running in circles, not quite sure what was happening with their kids.
Lee ran by, snatched Noel, and tossed her into the air. The little girl screamed as she fell back into her daddy's hands before he became the attacker. The kids moved off of Jack and began their assault on Lee, saving their friend from certain death from laughter.
Jack remained on the ground, out of breath, with his arms outstretched beside him. Elizabeth walked up to him. Looking down into his flushed face, she grinned. "Did they get you?"
"Yes, that's a rough and rowdy crowd," he chuckled, then rolled to his knees and stood. "Hello, Beautiful," he said as he wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her to him.
"Hey, Cowboy."
"Did you have fun today?" Jack asked as they followed behind everyone, walking toward Frank and Charlotte's house.
"Of course," Elizabeth answered, putting her arm behind Jack. "I always love helping out with this."
Jack kissed her cheek and tightened his arm around her. "You looked so natural, like you were born for this life."
Elizabeth laid her head against Jack's arm as they walked. "I feel that way, too. How's your back?"
"It's fine. Doesn't bother me anymore," Jack answered.
They walked behind the five children trying to get Lee down, and as he dramatically fell to the ground, Jack took off running and jumped on top of his friend.
"Come get him," Jack shouted to the kids.
All five kids descended upon them as they tried their hardest to tickle Lee under the chin, his armpits, and his stomach. Jack's hands were locked around Lee's wrists while his body pinned his friend to the ground. Lee had begun to laugh as he twisted beneath his friend in an attempt to break free. Finally releasing him, Jack jumped to his feet, and the children jumped onto Lee.
Elizabeth walked up behind her husband and wrapped his torso with her arms. With her cheek pressed against the back of his plaid shirt, she stated, "Lee doesn't stand a chance against you."
Jack turned in his wife's arms and put his arms around her. As he looked down at her with a smirk, he replied, "He thinks he does."
Jack was laughing when a pair of arms encircled him from behind, and the hands locked together.
"I don't stand a chance against you, huh?" Lee said as he tightened his grip as hard as he could.
Jack let go of Elizabeth, and she moved out of the way, laughing at the childish antics of the best friends. Jack grabbed Lee's hands and tried to separate them, but Lee's grip was too firm, and his fingers were locked together. Jack spread his feet into a firm, wide stance, gripped Lee's arms, and bent forward, sending his friend over his head. Jack held tight onto Lee's arms to keep him from hitting the ground too hard, flipped him around, and held him in a headlock.
"Brother, you will never stand a chance against me," Jack said as he kept Lee restrained.
"Jacko?" Lee said with a strained voice, caused by Jack's bicep pressing into his throat.
"Yes, Lee?"
"You seemed to have forgotten what I was known in high school for."
"What?" Jack asked.
Then, just as he was being flipped to his back, he remembered. Lee was second in the state in high school wrestling three years in a row and, on occasion, would remind Jack of this fact.
"Yes, I seemed to have forgotten that," Jack laughed, looking up at his friend, who had him pinned to the ground.
"We good," Lee grinned.
"We good," Jack said as his laugh grew.
Lee leaned down, kissed Jack's forehead, then released him.
"Are you boys done playing around?" Rosemary called out, having almost made it to the house.
"On our way," Lee answered.
Lee jogged to Rosemary, while Jack jogged to Elizabeth and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Are you guys done acting like children?" she asked with a grin, looking back over her shoulder at her dirt-covered husband.
"I don't think we ever will be," he chuckled and kissed her cheek.
…..
The back deck was filled with Charlotte's family and hired hands. Children ran through the backyard with Wyatt, Tuff, and Nitro on their heels. Now showing his age, Bandit lay on the deck with his head on his legs, watching the activities.
"How are you doing, boy?" Jack asked as he knelt beside the dog.
Bandit lifted his head and glanced at Jack before returning his attention to the children. Jack scratched Bandit behind the ears and watched his kids trying to keep up with the older ones. Jack kicked his legs out and took a seat next to the dog, and Bandit shifted and laid his head on Jack's leg.
Elizabeth walked up beside her husband and sat down next to him. "How are you doing?"
"I'm good," Jack said, then looked down at the dog. "But old Bandit here is pretty tired."
"How old is he?" Elizabeth asked, reaching across Jack and petting the dog under his chin.
Jack thought for a moment, then answered, "He's eleven."
"Such a good boy," she said, getting a tail wag in return.
"Where's Brianna?" Jack asked.
"With Sam."
"Mommy! Daddy!" Peyton shouted as she ran across the lawn. "Hi, Daddy," she yelled again before leaping into his arms.
"Hey, there, Pey Pey."
"Did you see me? Did you?"
"When you hung from the tree branch?" he asked his daughter.
"Uh huh. All by myself."
"You're such a big girl," Jack stated, then encircled his daughter with his arms.
Peyton laid her head against Jack's chest, her face toward her mother. "Hi, Mommy."
"Hi, Pey," Elizabeth replied, brushing her knuckles along her daughter's cheek. "Are you having fun?"
"So much fun. I gotta go have some more," the little girl exclaimed, then wiggled off her daddy's lap.
"She has way too much energy," Jack remarked as they watched her join the other children again.
"She sure has a lot of it," Elizabeth agreed.
"Food's ready," Frank shouted from the edge of the deck.
Ten kids flooded the deck, seeking out their parents, ready to begin choosing their food from various choices. Plates were filled, and the children were seated around the edge of the wooden deck while the adults sat around a picnic table, benches, and camping chairs many had brought. Repeated trips for seconds and thirds from some guests, beer cans cracking open, and numerous voices from the countless conversations filled the next hour.
When most of the adults had finished eating and threw their trash away, Charlotte and Elizabeth disappeared into the house. Jack stepped inside, shortly returning with his and Tom's guitars. Then with a wink, he handed one to his brother.
Rosemary was distracting Sam, as everyone moved in around them. When Charlotte and Elizabeth came out of the house carrying a large cake covered in lit candles, Jack and Tom were sitting on a bench with their guitars tuned and ready. Elizabeth led the group in a round of "Happy Birthday" while Sam scanned the crowd in shock, her hand over her mouth and tears forming in her eyes.
"Oh, my goodness," Sam remarked once the song had ended. "Thank you so much, everyone."
"Happy Birthday," many exclaimed, while others moved in to hug her.
"You're one for secrets," Sam told Elizabeth, then tightly wrapped her arms around her sister-in-law.
Elizabeth moved back with a grin, and Sam spun around after a tap on her shoulder to find her mother and father.
"Mom? Dad? What are you guys doing here?" Samantha asked, then quickly hugged them. "I thought you were out of town for another week."
"No, we just said that to help keep this a surprise. Sorry we lied," Claire, Sam's mother, stated.
"Oh, Momma, it's fine. I'm so glad you're here. Hi, Daddy," Sam said as she hugged her father, Larry.
"Sorry, we couldn't get here sooner. We had a prior engagement on the other side of town that we couldn't get out of," Larry stated.
"I don't care. You're here now," Sam smiled with an arm around each of her parents.
"Hello, Claire," Jack said as he hugged the woman. Reaching out to shake the man's hand, he added, "Good to see you, Larry."
"Hello, Jack," Larry replied with a firm handshake.
Once the cake was cut, and the children served and situated, the adults returned to their conversations. With a beer in his hand, Jack sat next to Elizabeth. Brianna was asleep in her arms as Elizabeth slowly rocked back and forth.
"Hey, Beautiful," he said quietly and kissed his wife's cheek.
"Hey, Cowboy. Having a good time?"
"Always," he answered with a grin.
"Sam seems to be having a good time," Elizabeth stated.
"Yes, we definitely surprised her. Always fun to do it a few days before their actual birthday, then they don't suspect a thing."
"I'll have to keep that in mind," Elizabeth with a wink.
"Oh, you think you can surprise me?" Jack asked. He moved a leg over the bench, straddling it, and slid closer to his wife. Jack wrapped his arms around her waist, careful not to hit Brianna, and nuzzled Elizabeth's neck. "I see all, I hear all," he whispered into her ear.
"We'll see about that," she giggled and pushed back on Jack.
Elizabeth relaxed into Jack's arms, and the couple watched their family and friends. Some were playing a game of horseshoes, others were chasing the children across the lawn, and most were lost in conversations. Day turned to night, a fire was lit, and the music began. Many joined in on the lyrics, while others swayed to the melodies. A few kids had fallen asleep in someone's arms while the older ones played a game on the deck. Sitting next to Jack, Savannah could frequently be seen looking at her phone, smiling, then sending a reply.
Jack's gaze constantly fell upon his wife as he played his guitar and sang along with this brother and the others. Elizabeth would join in on the songs she was familiar with and rocked her daughter on the ones she didn't know. As a slow song began, Jack set his guitar aside, signed something to Savannah, then stood and crossed the grass to his wife. He carefully lifted Brianna from Elizabeth's arms, carried her to Savannah, and placed his daughter in his niece's arms.
Returning to his wife, he held his hands out and she placed hers in them. They walked out to an area where three other couples were already lost in their own world, and Jack pulled Elizabeth to him, pressing his whole body against hers. He placed his hand that held hers to his chest, pressed the fingers of his other hand into the small of her back, and drew her in tightly as they moved across the grass to the tune of It's Your Love by Tim McGraw. With his mouth close to Elizabeth's ear, Jack began to sing to her.
"Better than I was
More than I am
And all of this happened
By taking your hand
And who I am now
Is who I wanted to be
And now that we're together
I'm stronger than ever, I'm happy and free
Oh, it's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in
And if you ask me why I've changed
All I gotta do is say your sweet name"
Jack's hands were framing Elizabeth's face as his lips covered hers. Elizabeth's hands moved along Jack's back, resting on his shoulder blades, as she drew him in closer. Barely moving, they continued to sway slightly to the music as their lips and tongues did the dancing. Jack wrapped his arms around her shoulders again and held her close as he continued singing into her ear.
"Oh, it's a beautiful thing
Don't think I can keep it all in
I just gotta let you know
What it is that won't let me go
It's your love
It just does something to me
It sends a shock right through me
I can't get enough
And if you wonder
About the spell I'm under
Oh it's your love
It's your love"
Elizabeth tilted her head and kissed Jack on the mouth. They tightened their arms around each other, their kiss going deeper and their passion growing. Another song had begun, and several couples were dancing around them. Jack took Elizabeth's hand in his, holding it out, and moved his other hand to the small of her back, and the couple began to dance. Jack swung Elizabeth out, then pulled her back toward him. Her laughter echoed through the trees as Jack repeated the move.
The couple moved across the grass, dancing to the upbeat song the group was singing now. Lee and Rosemary had joined in, spinning and dipping across the grass. The couples laughed, sang, and danced the night away as children slowly drifted off in chairs or on someone's lap. Finally calling it a night just before midnight, everyone began to carry their kids to their vehicles, loaded what little food was leftover, and said their goodbyes.
The Thorntons and Coulters were the last to leave, and with all of the kids sound asleep in their car seats, Jack and Elizabeth, Tom and Sam, and Lee and Rosemary climbed into their respective vehicles and headed home.
…..
May 2nd, 2015 – Cattlemen Days Rodeo, Ashland, Missouri
Jack stood in the chute beside Blake, gripping the little boy's vest.
"Are you ready?"
"Yes. Ready."
"Dig your fingers in deep and squeeze your legs."
"Got it, Daddy."
"Here's a little treat for you, folks. This next little rider is the five-year-old son of Jack Thornton, three-time world PBR Champion," the announcer stated. "Let's see if we've got a future bullrider in our midst."
"He's ready," Jack said to the gateman.
The gate swung open, and the sheep leaped out, then tore across the dirt toward the rest of the herd. Blake held on until he heard a buzzer, then let go. He fell off to the right and skidded through the dirt on his right shoulder. The little boy jumped to his feet, held his arms into the air, then dusted his new chaps off before running back to his father.
"Great job, buddy," Lee stated as he took Blake's hand and led him off to the side.
"Thanks, Uncle Lee. Colt's up soon."
"Are you sure you want to try this?" Jack asked Colton one more time.
"Yes, Daddy. I'm sure. Blakey does it, so I want to."
"Okay." Jack checked his son's chin strap, pulling it a little tighter.
A little girl took her turn, and the announcer shared that she was the six-year-old daughter of a saddle bronc rider. She almost made the buzzer, falling just before it sounded.
"Well, would you look here," the announcer started. "This next rider is Colton, the four-year-old son of Jack Thornton. It seems that the whole family might follow in their daddy's footsteps."
Blake was standing next to Lee, waiting anxiously for his brother's turn. He listened intently as the announcer spoke and looked around at the cowboys everywhere. He saw their attention shift to the chute where his daddy was as soon as they heard his name. They were waiting to see what another Jack Thornton son would do.
"Is something wrong?" Lee asked as he knelt beside Blake.
Blake looked at his uncle and shook his head. "No, Uncle Lee. I'm just waiting for Colton."
"Okay, buddy," Lee said, then stood, keeping his hand on the little boy's shoulder.
Jack nodded once Colton was ready, and the gate was pulled open. Jack let go of his son's vest as the sheep ran out of the chute, and Colton immediately slipped to the side. He held on for a few seconds, then was left lying in the dirt as the sheep joined his friends.
Jack hurried to his son, grabbed his vest, and pulled Colton to his feet. "You alright," he asked as he unfastened the helmet.
When Jack could finally see his face, Colton was laughing, and he looked up at his daddy. "That was fun."
Jack chuckled and picked up his son. "Did you get hurt anywhere?"
"No, not really."
"That was awesome, Colt," Blake exclaimed once his little brother was beside him.
"Thanks, Blakey. That was fun."
The two little boys ran through the gate, excitedly talking about their rides and hitting the dirt.
"You might just have two fourth-generation riders under your roof," Lee stated as he laid his arm across Jack's shoulder.
"I don't know about that," Jack smiled. "That's all Blake talks about, so I'm sure he'll try it. But I don't think this will be Colt's thing, and that's okay with me. Besides, Beth will probably wring my neck if both boys end up on the back of a bull," Jack joked.
…..
Blake walked out of the arena with his very first buckle in his hand. His eyes were wide, his smile was as large as ever, and the buckle was housed safely in a shadow box. He couldn't take his eyes off his prize and almost tripped and fell twice.
"Why don't you let me carry that until we get to our seats," Jack said with a chuckle.
"Okay," Blake replied, his smile still filling his face.
As soon as Elizabeth was in sight, Blake ran to her. "Did you see me, Mommy? I won a buckle like Daddy!"
"I saw that," she said and reached to lift him to her lap.
"Daddy has it," he added, pointing at Jack.
Once Jack had reached the bleachers, he handed the buckle to Blake and picked up Colton. Jack sat next to Elizabeth and shifted Colton to his left leg.
"Wow, that's a beautiful buckle, Blakey," Elizabeth said as her son showed her his pride and joy at the moment. "Did you get a trophy, Colt?" she asked.
"Yes, look at it, Mommy," Colton said proudly as he held it up for everyone to see. "It has a sheep on the top."
"I see that. That's wonderful." Elizabeth held the trophy in one hand and the buckle in the other. "We'll have to build a shelf in your room to put these on."
"Wow, really?" Blake asked loudly.
"That would be awesome," Colton added.
"Well, I know what's on my to-do list this week," Jack grinned and winked at his wife.
"Yay!" Colton shouted, then put his arms around his daddy's neck. "You're the best daddy ever."
Jack laughed and wrapped his arms around his son. "I don't know about that. But I do know that you and Blake are the best sons ever."
Jack could feel his son's arms tighten as Colton gave his daddy one of his 'deep' hugs, as he liked to call them.
…..
Jack was hanging Maverick's bridle onto a hook at the back of the trailer when a large cowboy approached him.
"Excuse me," the man said in a deep and gravelly voice.
Jack turned around and raised his eyes slightly to look the man in the face. Jack recognized him immediately and quickly glanced around for Lee. Martin James, known to everyone as Martie, had a reputation that made the old Jack look like a saint. He had never lost a fight, and he'd started many, he was one of the top steer wrestlers on the circuit, and the women followed him around in droves.
Jack had no idea why Martie would be standing before him at the moment. Even in Jack's dark days, he had always been smart enough to steer clear from this 6'3", 220 pounds of solid muscle, anger-driven cowboy.
"Sorry to bother you, Jack, but Jeremy told me that you and your brothers have been running a Bible group for guys like me on Tuesday evenings. Is that correct?"
Unsure where Martie was going with this, Jack nodded and replied, "Yes, Martie. We host them at Crossroads Cowboy Church near where we live."
"Yes, sir. I did hear that, too. A few of us were wondering...if y'all would be willing to start one on the weekends at the rodeos."
Taken aback by this question, Jack had to gather his thoughts before answering. "Martie, that sounds like a wonderful idea. I will talk with Tom and Lee and get back to you, but I think we can come up with something."
"Perfect," Martie stated. He removed his hat and held it in both hands against his stomach. "I'm sure you're wondering why me, of all people, would be asking you this."
Jack grinned and replied, "Well, I won't say it hadn't crossed my mind."
"I'm tired of being known as the Fighting Cowboy. That part of my life is in my past, and I want it to stay there. I have seen how your life has changed, how you're a totally different person. I thought at first that it was just because you'd found the woman who is now your wife, but then I started thinking that there had to be more to it. I asked around and discovered that you'd found God and turned your life around. I want that. I want a better life."
"I'm very thankful you came to me today," Jack said. "I'll talk to my brothers and see when we can start."
"Really?"
"Of course, Martie." Jack laid his hand on the man's shoulder. "We're all God's children, every one of us."
"But as I'm sure you know, I've lived a pretty awful life. For many years, I was lost in the darkness of anger and alcohol."
"I want to share something I heard a few years ago that has always stuck with me. Without the darkness, we cannot see the light."
"Without the darkness...we cannot see the light," Martie repeated. "What does that mean?"
"Well, it's like...without bad things happening in your life, you would not recognize the good ones. Light is hope and the love of God," Jack started. "God is always there to help you through and out of the darkness."
Martie listened, nodding his head, trying to wrap it around everything that Jack was saying. He had never known God. He didn't grow up in a family of believers, he had never stepped foot in a church, and he'd never asked God for help in his life. He'd actually considered himself an atheist. But after seeing what had happened to Jack and friends of Becky, Martie had begun paying more attention to their actions and reactions to situations.
"We might even be able to get together today before we all leave if you'd like," Jack said.
"I think I would really like that," Martie replied.
Jack held his hand out, and Martie placed his hand in Jack's. "I'll see you later, Martie."
"Thank you, Jack."
Jack watched Martie walk away, then turned to find Lee approaching him. Jack threw his arms out and gave Lee a look. "Now you show up."
"Oh, I would have been here sooner, but I saw Martie talking to you, and you two looked serious."
"You mean, you saw Martie and turned and ran away," Jack teased.
"Well, there might be that," Lee grinned. "I could see that you were alright. I wouldn't leave you hanging against that dude."
"I appreciate that, Brother."
"So, what did Martie want?"
"Bible study."
"What?" Lee asked loudly.
"Yes. He wants us to start a Bible study at the rodeos."
"Huh. That's actually a great idea," Lee remarked.
"I thought so, too."
…..
Savannah and Dakota were celebrating their fourth-place times with their friends. Luke was with Sam and the others, discussing his no-time ride and how he'd missed the calf. Rosemary had just unsaddled Delilah and given the mare and special treat for their second-place run.
Jack, Lee, and Tom crossed the grounds in search of Martie, having quickly prepared a short Bible lesson for that evening. Always the tallest in the group, Martie was easy to spot, and the men walked in his direction.
Six other men waited with Martie, each wanting to hear what the lesson would be like. They pulled out some camping chairs and made a circle between two horse trailers, and Jack, Tom, and Lee began their lesson.
Once it was over, Martie approached Jack, Tom, and Lee and shook their hands.
"Thank you, guys. I appreciate you doing this. Can we do it again at the next rodeo? I think all of the guys are interested in continuing this."
"Of course," Jack answered. "We'll make it part of our weekends and have a men's group on the road."
"Perfect," Martie replied with a smile.
Jack thought back over all the years he'd known this man, and not once could he recall seeing him smile. Knowing this was the works of the Lord, he said a silent, "Thank you," and returned the gesture.
"It was good seeing you, Martie. I look forward to our next meeting," Jack said as he smiled at the man and shook his hand once more.
…..
May 6th, 2015 – Hope Meadows Ranch
Elizabeth lowered Brianna into the carrier that was strapped to her chest. "Are you guys ready?" she called out to the other children.
"Ready, Mommy!" Colton shouted as he ran down the stairs. "I got my boots on."
"Wonderful, sweetie."
"I'm coming, Mommy!" Peyton exclaimed as she carefully hurried down the steps, followed closely by Blake.
"Well, Blake, look at you," Elizabeth said.
"I know," he replied as he spun in a circle. "I love my chaps," he said as he flipped the fringe out.
"You look very handsome, Blakey."
"Let's go see Daddy," Peyton suggested.
"Okay, let's go."
The kids ran out the front door, followed by an ecstatic Wyatt, and began running toward the barn.
"Hey, kids. Wait for me," Elizabeth called out.
"Okay, Mommy," Colton replied.
They began to run around the yard, playing with Wyatt, and slowly made their way toward the barn as Elizabeth walked behind them. Seeing them, Hope, now almost ten months old, tore across the field to meet the family. By the time she'd arrived, Peyton, Colton, and Blake were waiting along the fence to greet her. The filly reached over the rail and gently nuzzled each of the children as they kissed her nose.
"Good morning, Hopey," Peyton said as she patted the horse's jaw. "Love you."
"Bye-bye, Hope," Blake called out as he started toward the barn again.
Colton patted the filly's forehead, then turned to catch up with his brother.
"Where's Daddy?" Peyton asked as they walked through the barn.
"He must be out working with a horse," Elizabeth answered. "Let's go find him and Uncle Lee."
"Uncle Lee!" Blake shouted, then ran toward the back doors of the barn.
As they walked to the round pen, Elizabeth saw Lee sitting on the table while Jack was working with the gelding that had hurt him three weeks prior. Elizabeth's heart sped up slightly as she prayed for Jack's safety, but as they walked toward the pen, she saw the gelding acting like a completely different horse.
Jack knew he was the last resort for many of the horses that came his way, and he believed in giving each of them the best chance at a good life. He'd worked with the gelding almost daily, finally getting his breakthrough a few sessions in.
Not noticing his growing audience, Jack moved the horse to the center of the round pen. With the lead rope in one hand and his training stick in the other, Jack moved to the side of the horse's head and gently pulled the rope toward the ground. The gelding lowered his head, his nose almost touching the dirt, and Jack began tapping the horse's belly with the stick. The animal started moving his back feet forward, tucking his legs underneath him, as Jack continued to tap and hold the horse's head down low. Eventually, the gelding bent his knees and laid down.
Jack moved to the horse's neck and carefully leaned on him, keeping him down, as he ran his hands along the gelding's body. The horse remained flat in the dirt while Jack showed the animal that he could fully trust him. Jack ran his fingers down the horse's neck onto his shoulders. Continuing down the animal's leg, he pulled the horse's leg up, bringing his hoof toward his belly. As Jack released it, the horse lifted his head slightly, trying to see what Jack was doing.
Jack moved off the horse's neck and kept an eye on the animal, waiting to see if he would try to get up. With no signs of fleeing, Jack touched the animal again, moving along his shoulder and neck.
"He doesn't even look like the same horse," Elizabeth said quietly to Lee.
Lee slid across the table, allowing Elizabeth and the kids to sit beside him. "Jacko is a miracle worker. That's for sure," Lee said as he watched his friend.
Lee, Elizabeth, and the kids spoke quietly while they watched Jack continue to work with the gelding. He stepped back and pulled on the rope, easing the horse's head up. The animal rocked to his stomach, straightened his front legs in front of him, then stood up. After shaking the dirt from his back, the gelding moved forward until he was directly in front of Jack. Jack moved his hand under the horse's jaw and scratched him.
"Good job, Daddy," Colton called out.
Getting his first glimpse of his family watching him alongside Lee, a smile filled Jack's face, and he started walking in their direction. Looking over his shoulder, he saw the gelding following closely behind him.
"That was awesome, Daddy," Blake said as he met him at the railing.
"Thanks, buddy."
"How did you make him lay down like that?"
"I will show you someday," Jack said, tapping his son's hat. "You look mighty sharp in those chaps."
"Thanks, I love them."
"Hi, Daddy," Peyton exclaimed loudly as she ran to join her big brother.
"Well, hello, princess. You look beautiful as always."
"Thanks, Daddy," the little girl replied as she spun around in her pink skirt and boots.
"What are you guys doing out here?" Jack asked his family.
"We wanted to see you," Blake answered, smiling ear to ear.
"Wow," Jack exclaimed.
"What, Daddy?" Blake asked.
"I was just thinking about how I wanted to see all of you and was wishing you were out here with me," Jack answered as he leaned onto the railing.
"Really?" Colton asked, now standing next to his siblings.
"Of course," Jack replied as he ruffled his son's hair.
"Why did you make the horsey lay down?" Peyton asked.
"Well, sweetie, this horse had many problems with trusting me. So, I taught him a few tricks where he had to trust me, to show him that I wasn't going to hurt him."
"A few tricks?" Colton asked.
"Can you show us more?" Blake added.
"Okay. You guys sit with Mommy, and I'll show you what Hanson here knows."
"Yay!" each child shouted, then ran to the table where their mommy and Lee were waiting.
Jack returned to the center of the round pen as Hanson remained close behind him. Jack picked up his training stick, and with the horse standing in front of him, Jack lightly tapped the animal's shoulder. Hanson lifted the front leg of the shoulder that Jack had just tapped, held it for a moment, then set it down. Jack stepped to the gelding's other side and repeated the trick on the other leg. Claps could be heard from his children as Hanson lowered his left leg.
Jack moved to the horse's side, softly pulled on the lead rope, and tapped the gelding's shoulder again. The animal moved back, bending one leg, and lowered his nose to the ground.
"He's bowing!" Peyton shouted; her voice filled with excitement.
Jack released the rope, and the horse returned to standing. Jack petted the animal's neck and allowed the horse to relax a moment.
"More, Daddy!" Colton shouted.
Elizabeth leaned to her son and rested her hand on his shoulder. "Just wait, Colt. Daddy has to give Hanson a break between tricks while training."
"Okay, Mommy," the little boy said, looking over his shoulder at his mother.
Elizabeth was looking at Colton the moment he did this, and Elizabeth could see Jack staring back at her. Both boys looked so much like their daddy, and occasionally, one would look at her in a way that he looked exactly like Jack. This was one of those moments, and Elizabeth touched Colton's cheek as he smiled at her.
Jack pulled on Hanson's lead again, tapping the horse on his withers this time, and keeping his front feet together, the horse leaned back, stretching his front legs out. Jack released the rope, and the horse straightened. Jack grinned at the sound of his children's applause again.
Jack walked to the gate of the round pen, opened it, and picked up a pedestal sitting off to the side. He carried it to the center of the pen and placed it in the dirt.
"Is Daddy going to stand on that?" Peyton asked.
"Just wait and see, sweetie," Lee answered.
Jack moved the gelding in front of the block, held the rope loosely out in front of the horse's head, spread his arms wide, and asked the horse to step up.
The gelding began lifting a leg but dropped it back into the dirt. Jack made a clicking sound again, still holding his arms out, and asked the horse again. Hanson picked up his right leg, placed it on the pedestal, and held it there. Jack motioned for the horse to keep moving, and eventually, Hanson set his other foot on the stand and remained with both front legs elevated on the metal pedestal. Jack patted the horse's shoulder, then allowed the animal to step off.
"He can be a circus horse, Daddy," Blake called out.
"Maybe, buddy," Jack laughed. "Well, I'm finished with old Hanson here, so I'm going to put him away. Remember kids, he's a horse in training, so you guys stay back when I bring him out."
"Okay, Daddy," they all replied in unison.
Jack opened the gate and led the horse to the barn. Hanson followed closely alongside Jack, getting too close at times and getting reminded by Jack to keep their space. Once Hanson was settled into his stall, the kids surrounded Jack with their arms wrapped around his legs.
Lee began feeding the horses, starting at one end and working his way down. Elizabeth moved the children to the side so Jack could finish his work, and he stepped into the stall where bales of hay were stacked. He grabbed the twine of one with his right hand and another with his left, then carried the two bales down the aisle toward Lee.
Elizabeth stood at Wrangler's stall and petted her horse. He had gotten excited when he'd seen her coming his way, and as she laid her hand on his forehead, the horse settled, and his eyes closed part way. Wrangler reached out and nuzzled the small bundle that hung on Elizabeth's chest, and she turned so the horse could see the baby.
"This is Brianna," she said as the horse stretched out further, taking a deep breath of the baby's scent.
Blake was petting Max while the twins were visiting the ponies. Jack and Lee continued through the barn until each horse was fed, then Jack walked up beside his wife and petted Wrangler.
"Ready to go back to the house?" Jack asked.
"Sure," Elizabeth replied, then turned around. "Let's go, kids."
"I'll see you tomorrow, Brother," Jack told Lee.
"See ya, Jacko. Goodbye, Beth," he said as he kissed her cheek. "Bye, bye, kiddos."
"Bye, bye, Uncle Lee!" They all shouted.
The children skipped, hopped, and spun in circles as they made their way to the house. Jack had slipped his hand into Elizabeth's and looked down at the sleeping Brianna.
"You sure have a way with horses," Elizabeth said softly. "You've got that special...touch."
Jack turned Elizabeth to face him and lifted his hand to her neck. He brushed his fingers along her skin and stared into her eyes. "Like this?" he asked as he moved both hands into her hair.
"Uh-huh," she said.
"Or like this?" he asked as he pressed his lips to her neck.
"Uh-huh."
"Or this?" Jack moved his lips to hers, being sure not to press against Brianna, and sensually kissed his wife.
"All of that," Elizabeth said as Jack moved back. Her cheeks were flushed, and her breathing had grown slightly heavier.
Jack's eyes scanned his wife's face, and a smile formed on his lips. "I guess I do have that special touch," he teased.
….
May 8th, 2015 – Hope Meadows Ranch
Elizabeth was in the tub with bubbles up to her chest. With one foot propped on the edge of the tile, she was running a razor along her leg when Jack walked in.
"Hey there, sexy," Jack said, taking a seat on the edge of the tub.
"Hey, Cowboy. Did you get all the kids settled in with your mom?"
"Yes. They were very excited to go visit."
"How was Brianna?" she asked as she reached down and began shaving again.
"Perfect."
"Good."
Jack stood and kicked his boots off, then emptied his pockets.
"What are you doing?" Elizabeth asked.
Still in his jeans and a button-up shirt, Jack stepped into the tub.
"Jack! What are you doing?" Elizabeth asked again, then laughed at her husband.
"You looked like you could use some help," he said as he took the razor from Elizabeth.
"Jack, you're crazy," she said as she tipped her head back in laughter.
Jack placed her leg across his shoulder, then laid his hand across the top of her thigh. He eased the razor along her skin, slowly working his way around each leg. When he finished, he laid the razor on the edge of the tub, gripped both of Elizabeth's legs, and pulled her forward until she was on his lap. He moved his arms around her waist and covered her lips with his.
"We need to get you out of these wet clothes," Elizabeth said with a grin, pulling on the front of his shirt.
Not bothering with the buttons, she gripped the tail of his shirt and pulled it over his head. She let it drop with a splat onto the tile floor, then returned her hands to his chest.
"Much better," she said as her hands wandered across his tight muscles. "So tense, Cowboy."
"That's what you do to me," he said, then grabbed her face and took her mouth once more.
"How are we going to get these off of you?" She asked, tugging at the front of his jeans.
"We just...pull them off," he answered with a shrug and a grin.
"Wet jeans are not easy to get off. I don't think you thought this through very well," she teased.
"Baby, all I could think of at the time was getting in the water with you as quickly as I could."
Elizabeth shifted on Jack's lap, reached into the water, and unbuttoned his jeans. She slid off his legs and motioned for him to stand up.
"Yes, ma'am," he said.
Jack grabbed the edge of the tub and pushed himself up. The water dripped from the soaked denim as Elizabeth moved to her knees. She pulled the zipper down, gripped onto the waistband of the jeans and boxer briefs, and tugged as hard as she could. With some help from Jack, the couple was able to wrestle the jeans down his legs, and Elizabeth added them to the shirt and the puddle of water on the floor.
"That will make a mess," Jack stated as he began to reach down and pick up the jeans.
"I'm not worried about that right now," Elizabeth replied as she slid back in the tub, resting her back against the curved edge, and admired the full length of his powerful physique.
Jack straightened, leaving the wet, puddled mess on the floor, and looked down at his wife. "What are you doing?"
A grin formed along Elizabeth's lips as her eyes dropped down Jack's body. Water droplets were rolling along his tanned skin, moving over each rise and fall of his muscles. Her gaze locked on a particular drop and followed it along its path. It grew in size and speed as it merged with other droplets on its descent. As the water rolled over his defined abdomen, her eyes dropped slightly lower, seeing that he was completely and totally ready for her. Finally answering him, she said, "Waiting for you."
Jack needed no further invitation, and he dropped to his knees and moved over his wife. Elizabeth slid slightly into the water as her husband's muscular body hovered over her petite frame. Jack was gripping onto the outer edges of the tub, the muscles in his arms were tight as he supported his weight over his wife, and he slowly lowered himself onto her.
…..
Elizabeth was standing in the walk-in closet, a towel wrapped around her torso. She was thumbing through her jean drawer when Jack walked up behind her. He moved his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder.
"Those are my favorite on you," he said as her hand grazed over a pair of Miss Me jeans.
"These?" she asked, pulling the pair from the drawer.
"Yes. You look super sexy in those. But then you look sexy in everything," he laughed and kissed her neck.
Elizabeth tossed the jeans onto the top of the island in the middle of the room, then closed the drawer. Jack hooked his thumb over the top of her towel and gently pulled on it until it came loose and fell to the floor.
"Oops," Jack said as he looked over her shoulder.
"Oops? That was on accident?" Elizabeth asked with a giggle.
"Uh-huh."
Jack kissed the side of her neck, just below her ear. He kissed her shoulder as his hands slid across her flat stomach. Elizabeth tipped her head against Jack's chest and reached back to grip his thighs. Jack's hands migrated upward until he held a breast in each one, cupping them as they filled his grasp. Jack's lips and tongue tasted her sweet skin along her neck up to her ear as his hands massaged her plumpness.
A soft moan slipped from her parted lips as she focused on her husband's touch. The warmth of his breath covered her ear as the feathery strokes of his tongue grazed her skin.
Jack turned his wife to face him, then cupped her face in his hands. He looked longingly into her eyes, seeing a reflection of his own desires staring back at him. Jack slid his hands under Elizabeth's arms and lifted her onto the island. She moved her arms around his waist as Jack brushed his hands across her cheeks and into her damp hair. He pulled her to him, kissing her hard as his tongue pressed to hers. Elizabeth slipped her thumbs under Jack's towel and gave it a tug, causing it to fall around his feet on the floor.
Jack straightened and looked at his wife. He gently traced the curve of her collarbone with his fingers, then pressed his hand to her chest. He put his other arm behind her, leaned forward, and pushed her back, easing her down onto the wooden top of the island. Jack gripped Elizabeth's thighs and pulled her forward, bent down, and kissed the soft skin between her breasts. He sucked on her right nipple, gently rolling it with his tongue. Then he moved to the other, repeating the pleasure-generating motion.
Elizabeth weaved her fingers into Jack's hair as he kissed along her abdomen. He dropped to his knees onto the carpeted floor, grabbed her legs, and pulled her to the edge of the island. He pressed his lips to the delicate inner face of her thigh and grazed his tongue along her leg until he reached the heat of her intimate folds.
Elizabeth's eyes slid shut in ecstasy as she searched for something to grab hold of. Lifting her arms above her head, she found the edge of the wooden top and gripped it as hard as she could. Jack lifted one of her legs onto his shoulder as he continued his onslaught of raw physical desire. After several minutes, Jack could hear that his wife was getting close, and he stood.
Jack took hold of his wife's sides just above the curves of her hips and pulled her down as he entered her. Elizabeth wrapped her legs behind him, locking her ankles, drawing him in swift and deep. His body surged into hers as Elizabeth continued to grip the edge of the wood. Jack moved one hand to her shoulder, holding her as he moved in and out, as his other hand moved from one breast to the other, massaging each one equally, rolling her nipples between his fingers.
Jack moved slowly, keeping a steady rhythm, watching his wife as she stretched and arched against the pleasure sweeping through her body. Jack breathed in deeply as his heart rate began to speed up. He closed his eyes, and images of Elizabeth in the bathtub, her breast submerged in the water, bubbles coating her glistening skin, flooded his thoughts. He opened his eyes to look at his wife, lying across the dark wood of the island in the middle of their large walk-in closet, her chest heaving in an attempt to draw in the necessary air.
The images of his beautiful wife excited him, along with the sounds she was now producing as she neared yet another climax, and Jack could feel himself about to go over the edge. He clutched onto her hips, drawing her in tight against him, as he thrust hard into the depths of her hot sweetness.
Elizabeth called out just as Jack reached the apex of his orgasm. Her hands finally relaxed as she let go of the edge of the wood. Jack leaned over her, dragging his hand from her throat, between her breasts, and down to her navel. Remaining inside her, he stood still as the pair enjoyed the euphoric aftermath of their time together. Elizabeth brought her arms down and laid them along her sides as she calmed her breathing. She finally opened her eyes and looked at her husband, whose gaze was locked on her.
After a moment of just being together, Jack moved back and took Elizabeth's hands, pulling her up into a seated position.
"Something about this closet, isn't there?" Elizabeth asked with a laugh.
"If you're in it, yes there is," he replied with a smirk.
…..
Elizabeth, Rosemary, Abby, and Kate, Faith's sister, were sitting on a plush couch in the bridal boutique, waiting for Faith to come out in her wedding dress for her final dress fitting. They were in the midst of two conversations when Faith appeared, and the women fell silent for a short moment.
"It's perfect, Faith," Kate said, having never seen it before. She lived out of town and had flown in to spend the week before the wedding with Faith.
"It fits you like a glove," Abby added. "It's beautiful."
The four bridesmaids circled around Faith, eyeing every detail of the dress. The lace-covered bodice and sleeves, the floral appliques that adorned the skirt, and the delicate antique lace that trimmed the bottom edge.
"Elizabeth?" a woman holding another dress said.
"Right here," Elizabeth answered, then followed the woman to a dressing room.
She slipped the pale sage green dress over her head and let it fall around her body, reaching the floor. It was loose and would need to be taken in a bit before the wedding, but it was beautiful with a sweetheart neckline gathered at the bust. A thin rhinestone waistband encircled her waist, and the skirt was light and flowy. Elizabeth stepped out of the dressing room and joined Faith on the platform while the group discussed how gorgeous the dresses were.
"You look so good, Liz," Rosemary told her best friend. "Your body just snaps right back in place after you have babies," she said with a tinge of jealousy.
"I don't know about that," Elizabeth said, looking down at her tummy. "It's not what it once was, and I worked on it to get this far." She had her hands pressed against her flat stomach.
"I don't know what you did, but you look amazing," Rosemary added. "It took me months to return to almost what I was before the kids. I'm still not quite there."
Elizabeth laid her arm around Rosie's shoulder and rubbed her other hand across her friend's stomach. "Rosemary Coulter, you have the stomach of a nineteen-year-old."
"A nineteen-year-old what?" Rosemary asked, sending the group into a fit of laughter.
…..
Once everyone was finished with their final fittings, and minor adjustments were noted, the women left the bridal shop to spend an afternoon getting massages and facials.
When Elizabeth returned home, she felt rejuvenated and ready to tackle her housework. When she stepped into the house, a scent of caramel wafted through the air, and Elizabeth scanned a perfectly cleaned home.
"Mommy!" Peyton shouted as she ran to Elizabeth and jumped into her arms. "I missed you, Mommy."
"Oh, I missed you, too, Sweet Pey. Did you guys have fun today with Daddy?"
"We sure did. We cleaned. Isn't it beautiful?" the little girl asked as she motioned out with her arm.
"It is lovely, Pey. Thank you for helping Daddy."
"You're welcome," Peyton said, kissing her mommy's cheek.
"And it smells so good, too."
"That's a candle. Daddy let me pick it out. It smells like yummy candy."
"It sure does."
"Can I get down now? I want to go play with Noel and Autumn."
"Sure," Elizabeth said as she lowered her daughter to the floor. "What's Daddy doing?"
"He's playing pool."
"Who's Daddy playing pool with?"
"Uncle Lee and Blake and Colton."
"Oh, I want to see that. Let's go down together."
"Okay, Mommy," Peyton said and held her mother's hand.
As Elizabeth emerged into the family room, Lee was holding up Blake as the little boy lined up the pool cue and tried to hit a ball.
"Ah, man. I missed again," Blake said as Lee lowered him to the floor.
"That was a good try, buddy," Lee said and ruffled his hair. "It was very close."
"What's going on down here?" Elizabeth asked as she walked toward the table, and Peyton ran to join Noel and Autumn near a stack of dolls.
"A very intense game of pool," Jack answered and was soon at his wife's side with a kiss hello. "Hey, Beautiful."
"Hey, Cowboy."
"Have fun today?"
"Yes. Very much."
Jack pressed his face against her hair and took a deep breath. "You smell wonderful."
"It must be all those lotions they used on me."
"Maybe I can...rub some more on you later," he whispered into her ear.
"Maybe," she replied with a grin.
"Hmmm," he grunted, then returned to the game. "Ready for your turn, Colt?"
"Yes, Daddy," he answered with the cue in his hands.
Elizabeth walked to the two bouncy chairs by the windows, where Brianna and Stetson were asleep. Stetson filled his, his legs hanging off the edge, and his head almost passed the top. But he was sound asleep, and his bottom lip was moving in a sucking motion. Elizabeth knelt beside the babies, holding a hand of each one in hers, and rubbed her thumb across their soft skin.
Jack knelt behind his wife and put his arms around her waist. "They're beautiful, aren't they?"
"Yes, they are," she answered softly.
"Daddy," Colton said as he tapped Jack's shoulder. "It's our turn."
Jack stood, picked up his son, and spun in a circle. "Okay, buddy. Let's show them how it's done."
…..
May 10th, 2015 - Hope Meadows Ranch
Elizabeth ran to the closet to find a dress to wear to church. She twisted the hangers out one at a time, eyeing each dress, finally deciding on a long, flowy one. It was red with large white flowers, a V-neck, and a slit up to her lower thigh. When Jack found her, she was in the bathroom curling her hair.
"Wow. You look great," he said and wrapped his arms around her waist. She was facing the mirror and Jack was looking at her reflection.
"So do you," she said, then turned and looked at him.
Jack gently kissed her, trying not to ruin her makeup, then scanned her face. "So, beautiful. Hey, the kids have something planned for you."
"We need to get ready for church."
"They are ready, and you look amazing."
Elizabeth smiled, placed the curling iron on the sink, then followed Jack out of the room.
"Happy Mother's Day!" Colton, Peyton, and Blake shouted as she entered the boys' room.
"Oh, my goodness," Elizabeth said and covered her mouth with both hands.
The kids held large homemade Mother's Day cards, each dressed in their Sunday best, and a large bouquet of flowers, including lilies and roses, was sitting on the floor.
"I picked out the pink ones," Peyton proudly stated.
"I picked out the orange ones," Colton added.
"I picked out the yellow ones," Blake said.
"They're so beautiful," Elizabeth said as she picked up the glass vase and breathed in the floral fragrance.
Jack took the bouquet, so Elizabeth could sit down and read the large cards the children had made. Each child read the words of their card, described what they'd drawn, and gave Elizabeth hugs and kisses. Elizabeth took her cards and flowers to her bedroom and checked on Brianna, asleep in her bed, and Jack helped the children into their shoes and boots.
When Elizabeth came out of the bedroom with Brianna in her arms, Jack was walking down the steps with Colton and Peyton behind him. Elizabeth waited a moment, but Blake didn't come out of the bedroom.
"Jack, what's Blake doing?"
Jack turned around to find only the twins behind him. "I don't know. I thought he was behind me."
"I'll check on him," Elizabeth stated.
"Here, hand me Brianna," Jack said with outreached hands.
Elizabeth stepped into the bedroom and saw Blake staring out the window. His arm was resting on the window sill, and his chin rested on his arm.
"Are you alright, sweetie?" Elizabeth asked, kneeling beside him.
"Uh-huh," he answered.
"What are you doing?"
"Thinkin'."
"About your mom?"
Blake turned his head and stared at Elizabeth. "How did you know?"
"Because it's Mother's Day, and she's your mother," Elizabeth answered as she brushed his hair from his face.
"Oh, yeah," he stated, then looked out the window.
"It's okay to miss her and be sad."
"I know."
"Do you just need a moment alone?" Elizabeth asked as she stood.
"No. You can stay."
"Okay." Elizabeth grabbed a chair and pulled it toward the window. She sat down and waited for Blake to make the next move.
"I feel bad," Blake finally said.
"Why do you feel bad, Blakey?"
"Because I was excited to give you your flowers and card, and during that time, I wasn't thinking about Mommy." Blake turned to face Elizabeth, and she could see a tear roll down his cheek.
"Oh, Blake. Come here," she said with her arms out. She pulled the little boy onto her lap, wrapped him in a hug, and wiped the tear away. "You will have days when you think about your mommy all day. But you'll have other days when you're so busy that the day will slip by before you know it. That's normal. Sometimes life can get so busy that it fills our minds with other things."
"Really?"
"Yes, sweetheart. Your mommy knows that you love her. She knows that you miss her. And she understands that you might get caught up doing other things and forget for a moment. But she also knows that at some point, you will stop and think about her again."
"Yeah, I do that a lot."
"Of course you do." Elizabeth held Blake's hand in hers and brushed her thumb back and forth across his knuckles. "I have an idea."
"What?"
"When we get to church, we'll say an extra prayer for your mommy today. Then after church, we'll stop by the cemetery to say hello."
"I would like that," Blake smiled. "Will you go with me?"
"Of course I will."
"Okay. Daddy's waiting."
Elizabeth stood, and with Blake's hand still in hers, the pair left the room and went downstairs, where Jack was patiently waiting at the front door with Brianna and the twins. He opened it, and once the kids were outside, he stopped and turned to Elizabeth.
"Everything alright?"
"Yes. He was just having a mommy moment."
"Understandably. Is he okay?"
"Yes. He seems to be. It's his first Mother's Day without his real mother, so it will be rough on him."
Jack laid his hand on Elizabeth's arm and turned her toward him. "I know what you mean when you say real mother, but you are also his real mother. I just don't want you to forget that."
"I know. But you also know what I mean."
"Yes, Baby," Jack said, slipping his arm around her waist. "I know."
Blake sat quietly in the Yukon as they drove to church that morning. The twins were doing their twin thing: finishing each other's sentences, laughing at each other's silliness, and pointing out every animal they spotted.
Jack looked into the rear-view mirror and saw Blake staring out the window from the back seat, not paying any mind to his siblings. Jack reached across and gripped Elizabeth's hand, giving it a slight squeeze. When she looked at him, Jack motioned with his head toward the back of the vehicle. Elizabeth turned in her seat to find the little boy lost in thought, looking out the window but not noticing anything passing by.
When they arrived at church, Elizabeth unclipped Brianna's car seat, removed it from the SUV, and then pulled the seat forward to allow Blake to step out. She knelt beside him and held his hands. "Do you want to sit with us today?"
Blake nodded without saying a word.
Elizabeth stood, picked up Brianna in her carrier, took Blake's hand, and walked into the church behind Jack and the twins. Jack ran the twins to their Sunday school class while Elizabeth found their seats with their family. Sam quickly took Brianna, and Elizabeth sat down and pulled Blake onto her lap. Seeing this, Charlotte gave Elizabeth a questionable look, getting a nod in return.
Blake was sitting on Elizabeth's lap sideways, his head resting against her chest when Jack took the seat next to them. He combed his fingers through his son's hair and bent down face to face with the little boy.
"How ya doing, buddy?" Jack asked softly.
"Okay," Blake said in a quiet voice.
"We all miss your mommy," Jack added.
Blake gave Jack a tiny grin and nodded. The little boy took hold of Elizabeth's hands resting on his legs and pulled her arms around himself. Jack sat up, leaned toward Elizabeth, and kissed her cheek. He mouthed the words "I love you," then stood to join the praise team up front.
…..
"We'll meet you at Ma's," Jack told his brother. "We have a stop that we have to make on our way home." Jack motioned toward Blake, standing beside Elizabeth with his arm around her legs.
"The cemetery?" Tom asked.
"Yes. He's having a rough day."
"Understandably," Tom said. "He's lucky he has Beth."
Jack turned to look at his wife. Her hand was resting on Blake's back, her thumb brushing across it, giving his son what little comfort she could at the moment.
"Yes, he is fortunate. So am I."
…..
Elizabeth walked across the manicured lawn of the cemetery. Blake's hand was in hers as they neared his mother's headstone. Dried flowers from their last visit were lying on the ground at the base of the granite. Elizabeth picked up the withered bouquet, and Blake laid a dozen red roses in its place.
"Do you want me to wait over there?" Elizabeth asked.
Blake took hold of her hand once more and shook his head. "No, you can stay. I think Mommy would want you here."
"Okay," Elizabeth said as she knelt beside the little boy.
"Hello, Mommy. Happy Mother's Day," Blake said with a slight crack in his voice. "I miss you so much." He fell silent, unsure what to say next, and looked at Elizabeth.
"Hello, Becky. I want to let you know what a good boy Blake has been. He's so helpful around the ranch, listens very well, and takes great care of Max."
"Oh, yeah," Blake added. "Daddy gave me Max, Mommy. I feed him and brush him and ride him. I'm going to show my baby sister how to ride Doodle when she's big enough. Oh! Mommy! I have a baby sister! Her name is Brianna, and I help Mommy and Daddy with her. I talk to her and feed her."
"He's the best big brother to both of his sisters and his brother," Elizabeth added. "He teaches them how to share and how to clean their rooms. They look up to him so much already. Hey, do you want to tell your mom about your buckle?"
"Oh, yeah. Mommy, I won my first buckle in mutton busting. It's awesome! Colton won a trophy, and Daddy is going to build us a shelf to keep our stuff on." Blake fell quiet for a moment, then added, "I wish you could see me ride."
Elizabeth shifted and sat down on the grass. She pulled her son onto her lap and held him. "Blake, your mommy can see you. She's with Jesus, and they watch you in all your accomplishments. I bet they even cheered you on as you rode that sheep."
"I hope so?" he said, tilting his head to look at her. A tear rolled down his cheek, and Elizabeth wiped it away. She kissed the top of his head and held him against her chest, rocking slightly.
"I love you, Blakey," Elizabeth said softly.
"I love you, too, Mommy."
Elizabeth could hear him sniffle slightly and laid her hand on his head, cradling him against her.
…..
Jack watched from the truck. The twins played with a toy while Brianna slept, and Jack stood outside the open door. He could see his wife holding his son, rocking him back and forth as they sat in front of Becky's headstone. His heart ached for his little boy. Blake was too young to deal with such a tragedy and life-altering events he'd gone through in the past year, and Jack was amazed at his resilience and bravery. The five-year-old was wise beyond his years and had accepted everything life had handed him with a smile and a full heart. He was full of love and life, and everyone around Blake had been affected by him.
Jack leaned against the truck, one leg crossed over the other, his arms folded in front of him, trying to keep the tears back that he could feel threatening to make their appearance. After several minutes longer, Elizabeth lifted Blake up off her lap and stood. She took the little boy's hand in hers, and the pair began walking toward him.
Jack stood and took a step, trying to get a better look at his son's face. Blake was smiling now; He and Elizabeth were talking. Halfway to the truck, he heard his son's laugh carry across the cemetery as he and Elizabeth began laughing about something. Jack's heart eased at this sight and sound, knowing that his son would be just fine once again.
