Chapter 2

Half a year had gone by since Philip's departure. At first Janet didn't know what to do. She had given her life and soul to this man. She held on to their marriage through thick and thin never did it cross Janet's mind to just leave the way he did. She has every reason in the world to leave him but she always remained faithful and by his side. The first week Janet stayed in bed locked behind her bedroom door. She didn't even bother to come out and make lunch for the employees. She felt like she had no reason to live and move on in life.

She felt like a small four-year old lost in Disneyland. She had no idea how to run a ranch or even worst what bills needed to be paid or who she even needed to pay them too? She would cry her self to sleep for an entire week. The phone would ring and she would pick up and let it fall on the receiver once again until she couldn't take the ringing noise anymore and unplugged it.

Until one rainy morning she heard a knock at the door. "Go away." She ordered.

"Mrs. Dawson. It's me Jack." He whispered against the door.

She looked around, "I don't mean to bother you and you don't have to open the door." He said softly. "I just…well…" He took in a deep breath. "I know you are going through a hard time but some of the fellows have not had a descent meal in days and I was wondering if you didn't mind me making breakfast. I know you have other things in mind and we don't want to bother you so if you don't have a problem with me making the meals for the men I …"

Janet slowly got out of bed and made her way towards the door, she stood behind it, "I'll be there." She said softly clearing her throat. "Give me some time to shower and I'll be there."

"Yes ma'm." He said with a smile on his face. "I'll go start everything for breakfast."

Janet took one last look in the mirror before she made her way to her kitchen. She inhaled a deep breath and promised her self she would get over this. 'If those men out there have enough love and courage to stay and keep working without notice of further pay or any news about their job, she was going to leave her problems behind and make it through.' She said as she brushed her long shoulder length hair. "I will make it." She said softy fighting her tears, "I have to prove to myself and Philip I can do this."

She walked out to the kitchen and painted a smile on her face. "Morning Jack." She greeted him with a warm smile as she congratulated him on the delicious smell coming from the kitchen.

"Go wash up and let the others we know breakfast will be ready in fifteen minutes and that we will have a meeting afterwards." She said taking the spatula from him.

He winked at her proudly. "You're the boss." Jack said making his way out the kitchen door but stopped his progress to turn around and look at Janet once more. "I'm very proud of you." He said as he leaned in to kiss her cheek.

After breakfast Janet apologized to her employees for her behavior and told them she was going to try to make sure they kept their job. "I never interfered with my husbands business a mistake I am now regretting but I promise I will do my best to keep this ranch going. And if you promise to help me and be patient with me we will be up in our feet in no time."

She was guaranteed their help mostly Jack's who approached her after the small meeting. "I know you will make it through this." Jack said without a doubt in his mind. "And like I've said before, Janet, if I can be of any help I am right here for you."

"Thank you Jack. I will need all the help I can get."

The two friends sat together for hours planning new ideas to improve the ranch and make it as successful as it once was when Philip's uncle used to run it.

With in months the place was beginning to see some profits. Janet managed to score a major contract with local and state wide grocery stores where they would deliver fruit to. During the year they would plant and grow different types of crops that were delivered throughout the state of California. Janet also hired two housekeepers. Courtney who was in charge of keeping the house clean and Nancy who made all the meals for the household. In addition to the two ladies Jack suggested she hire more men to help in the farm, mostly after Janet decided to start breading horses.

"Thank you for all your help." Janet said as she and Jack sat by the pool.

"That is my job." He said patting her hand.

She looked down as she saw him cover her hand with his, she smiled nervously as he feel of his touch seemed to awaken a different feeling inside her. "I know but you've gone above and beyond. And I really appreciate it. I don't know if I would have been able to manage this big place without your help." She thanked him. "You have giving me a new reason to go on."

Jack smiled tenderly as his baby blues twinkled just as bright as the starts up above them.

There was awkward moment between them as the silence seemed to echo forever. "Well." He said looking around as she removed his hand from hers. "I guess I will see you tomorrow?

She nodded her head and smiled at him, "Good night Jack. And again thank you for everything."

He returned the smile and waited for her to get up, "You coming?" He asked when he noticed she went back to her book.

"No, I am going to sit out here bit longer. I am hoping to finish this tonight."

"Okay. Don't fall asleep out here." He said laughing.

"I won't. Thanks for worrying."

'If she only knew.' Jack said to himself, "Night Mrs. Dawson."

She looked up at him with a warning look, "Janet. Don't call me Mrs. Dawson anymore I will soon be taking my maiden name back and I want nothing to remind me of Philip. Plus you are my friend and friends don't call each other by their last name."

"Okay Janet. Sweet dreams." He said as he inched closer to her and kissed her forehead before he took off like a little boy who had just stolen his first kiss.

Just as Jack suspected Janet fell asleep underneath the starts once again her book resting against her chest, "I knew it." He whispered as he slowly placed the book on the side table before carrying her body inside her bedroom.

Just after her ex-husband's goodbye, Janet would make it a habit of staying out and relaxing as she watch the stars up above, where he would end up in a deep restless sleep. The first night Jack took her inside her home, she though she had lost her head, wondering how she got back inside her room.

But now she knew she had her own guardian angel living with her. He wanted so bad to get her out of those jeans and shirt but decided it would be best if he just leave her alone. He would hate to wake her up and frighten her. Jack softly laid her body against the soft sheets, he slowly place a strand of hair behind her ear. Admiring her beauty he let his imagination go wild as a picture of him lying next to her crossed his mind.

Jack chuckled at his thoughts, "Night angel." He said as he presses his lips against hers softly trying to savor the taste of her lips.

"Hey babe," Vicky said as ran her hands across Philip's chest while he tried to put on his pants.

He smiled, "Where are we going today?" She asked rubbing his back. "You promised this trip to be more fun the some of your other business trips."

He turned around "I have to go met with an old friend and discuss our new deal for the old gallery I used to have here. After I come back I will take you out to the most luxurious restaurant in town." He said running his hand through her hair.

"Are you going to stop by your old house?" She asked curiously.

"I have to." He said smiling evilly. He wondered how Janet had been managing since his goodbye. "I just need her to sign the divorce papers and I am a free man." He said opening his arms wide. "Besides I'll love to see how she is doing with out me. I bet she is all tears, spending sleepless nights crying missing me." He laughed out loud as she joined in.

He wondered how she'd take it
When he said goodbye
Thought she might do some cryin'
Lose some sleep at night
But he had no idea
When he hit the road
That without him in her life
She'd let herself go

"Mrs. Dawson shouldn't be to long." The young lady told Philip as she brought out some sweet tea for him to enjoy. "She just went to pick up some things we needed for lunch."

"Good." He said enjoying the refreshing drink.

The two adults made some small talk as they waited for Janet to arrive. At the sound of Janet's new Jeep Wrangler Philip started to make his way out the door, anxious to see his wife's face when he welcomed her home.

Janet parked her red vehicle along the side of the house as she and Jack laugh uncontainable. "That was probably one of the funniest jokes I've heard." She said catching her breath.

"I have a million of them." He informed her as he came around to open the door for Janet to get off. "Allow me." He said as he opened the door and she took his hand.

Philip's smile seemed to disappeared in slow motion as he watch Janet having a great time with a an unsurpassable smile across her pretty face. He watched as another man took his wife in his arms and carried her body to the floor. His hands securely settled around her slim waist.

"Thank you." Janet said as her feet touched ground. The feel of his touched made Janet's heart skip a beat and loose her sense of thought. Slowly she raised her sight to meet her eyes with his. He smiled softly as she swallowed hard. Their eyes seem to have gotten lost in one another's as their bodies inched closer against the others. Janet felt her lips part slightly but enough to give Jack the courage to lean in and touched his lips with hers. She felt a light tingle feeling run all through her body. It had been decades since she's felt the honest touch of a man. Slowly her tensed body alleviated as she found a rhythm to his soft lips. And without a worry of her mind she let herself go….enjoying the feeling of true love.

As they pulled away slowly Jack explore her face with a worry expression before Philip's laughter interrupted their moment. Janet's eyes widen and Jack brought both of his hands to his side. "Very cute." He said clapping his hands together. "I didn't think you would be the type to sleep with another man while you were still married." He said chuckling as he gave Jack a darting look.

Jack stepped up to him but Janet held him back, "Thanks Jack. I will handle it from here. Make sure everyone is doing well and let them know lunch will be ready in an hour."

"Yes, ma'm" He said as he couldn't help but run his fingers through her cheek.

"What do you want?" She asked firmly.

"Ouu, I love your new attitude, if it weren't for the big cost I've already invested in our divorce I would keep you by my side." He said trying to run his finger down her arm.

She pushed him off and repeated her question, "I don't have all day."

"I just need you to sign our divorce documents but maybe we can hold that off till after you and I have a little fun in our bedroom. You know reawaken some old memories." She could feel her temperature rising as she heard his sickening words.

"Don't talk to me like that." She demanded, "I am a new person Philip. Don't you ever think you can walk all over me like you did before. Where do I sign?" She asked with annoyance counting the minutes for him to leave her house.

Once Janet had sign all that was needed she asked him to leave. "Call me sometime." He said admiring her new attitude and look. She had change since his leaving. She was always a pretty girl he wouldn't deny that but something about her today made her stand out. He wonder if the touch of make up or the way she did her hair had anything to do, or even her new clothing. He looked her up and down once more, before he forcefully pulled her closer pressing his lips against hers. But Janet was quick and was not going to take his macho man attitude like she did for the past twenty years of her life. She pushed him away before she cross her hand across his face. "Don't you ever touch me again." She said looking him straight in the eye, "Leave. Leave me alone. Go." She repeated furious as he left with an ear to ear smile.