Chapter 3
Lisa stood in the kitchen looking out the window, watching Amy and Logan work with a new client horse. She remembered a time when that was Amy and Ty out there. They worked so well together, that was the reason she turned all of Fairfield's vet needs over to their new business venture a few years ago. She trusted them with her biggest investment, it was time to trust Amy again.
Jack walked up behind Lisa and put his arms around her waist. "What's on your mind?"
She turned around to face him. "I've been thinking. Two things actually. I want to give some of Evelyn's money to Amy, for the youth center. We watched Ty grow into an amazing husband and father. He had some rough early years, but he was able to change all that with your encouragement. Jack, we need to do that for more kids, I want to try to do it for more kids, no they won't all turn out like Ty, but maybe some will."
"I think that's very generous of you, Lise."
"Well, come on, we don't need the money, and I could never spend it all."
"Oh, I beg to differ there," Jack said, teasing her.
"I'm serious Jack, what would we do with it all?"
"Ok, what's the second thing?"
"I think Amy should invite Logan to spend Christmas with us. Most of the other kids will be home with their families for Christmas, Logan's father is still in jail and he's never mentioned his mother. Lyndy could stay in with Amy and Logan could stay in Lyndy's room."
Jack kissed her forehead, "Lisa, sometimes you amaze me. You are so generous in every way. I am proud to be your husband."
He held her in a hug, neither of them wanting to break away, both thinking about the past and how they shouldn't even be having this conversation.
She looked up at Jack, his eyes meeting hers. "I miss him too. You know, we both came into this family about the same time, we were new, together. I watched him fall in love with Amy, while I was falling in love with you. There were times he went to bat for me with Amy. We had our own connection, I cared for him very much."
Amy came into the kitchen, Jack and Lisa parted. Sensing the heaviness in the room, she asked what was wrong.
"Nothing's wrong."
"Are you sure, cause I feel like I just walked in on something I shouldn't have."
Lisa reached for her hand, "I assure you everything is fine honey." Lisa walked out of the kitchen.
Amy looked at Jack.
"It's not my place, Lisa will talk to you when the time is right."
"Seriously grandpa, now you have me worried."
"Everything is fine Amy, no need to worry. Is Logan staying for dinner?"
Logan did stay for dinner. He was always a welcomed guest. Lisa started to clear the table, Jack followed her into the kitchen.
"You need to talk to Amy, Lise, she thinks we're not telling her something."
"I will Jack, but I don't want to say anything with Logan here."
"Fine, I'll run him back to the center, you talk to Amy."
Lisa and Jack finished with the dishes while Amy quickly got Lyndy ready for bed.
"What do you say Logan, you ready to head back."
"Oh grandpa, I'll take him once Lyndy is asleep."
"How about I take him back and that will give you and Lisa a chance to talk."
Amy poured two cups of tea and took one out to Lisa. They both sat on the sofa.
"Ok, what's going on," she asked, concerned.
"I'm sorry Amy, you caught Jack and me having an emotional moment earlier, but it's not what you think. You know my aunt left me some money, some of which I'm giving my employees, some I gave you and Lou for the girls' education." She took a deep breath. "I want to give you money for the youth center. Jack and I were so proud of how Ty turned his life around, we watched him grow to be an amazing husband to you and father to Lyndy. I want to see you help more kids like Ty."
"I don't know what to say."
"Say you'll put it to good use and help more kids with it. I told Jack, Ty and I had our own connection, both coming into this family at the same time, I know he went to bat for me sometimes. I cared about him very much."
"I know you did, Lisa, Ty knew it too. The center can help so many with your donation, I can't thank you enough."
"Amy, one other thing. How about we have Logan stay with us for Christmas. Lyndy could stay in with you and he could stay in Lyndy's room? He seems to connect with horses, almost in the same way you do. Who knows where it will take him, but as long as he's interested, what's wrong with some kindness and support."
"It's funny you say that Lisa, I see so much of Ty in him and he's at such a crossroads right now. Maybe showing him what family support can do would be good for him. I'll ask him. And thank you again so much for your donation, and for your support."
Jack returned home from dropping Logan off and found Lisa reading a magazine in bed.
"How did it go with Amy?"
"It went well. She was appreciative of the money for the youth center and she seemed to think it was a good idea to have Logan here for Christmas."
"So let me guess, that means more shopping, so Logan can have some presents under the tree?"
"Maybe just a few things, I don't want to make him uncomfortable."
"Lisa Stillman, have I told you lately how much I love you?"
"Maybe. But you better tell me again, once you've joined me here in bed."
Jack was looking at the tree in the living room, it was time to decorate it. He walked into the kitchen where Lou was making dinner.
"We need to get some decorations on that tree, when is Peter going to be back again?"
"He'll be home tomorrow night, for about a week. Let's pick a night that's good for everyone. Did you think about what I mentioned last week?"
"Yes, Lou. All taken care of."
"Good, it should be a fun night. Everyone loves decorating the tree, but nobody more than Lisa. You know, you're lucky grandpa, Lisa really loves you, I see the way you look at each other. Most people don't find that once, let alone twice in a lifetime."
"Peter looks at you the same way Lou. Lisa and I just don't have children to argue about, or jobs to fight about. A relationship can be very different at this stage, plus Lisa gives in a lot and puts up with a lot."
After dinner Lou brought up the tree and when everyone was available to decorate. It was decided that they would do it the day after Peter got home. It was fun having the whole family together. Lou would make a big dinner and Lisa and the girls would bake cookies and cupcakes. After dinner they would sing Christmas carols, drink hot chocolate and eggnog all while decorating the tree Lyndy picked out.
Jack could feel Lisa tossing and turning beside him all night. As much as she loved the holidays there was a bit of stress that she put on herself. Everything had to be perfect, in the sense that she wanted everything to be even among the girls. One couldn't get more than the other. He knew they would never even notice something like that, but it worried Lisa. He wrapped his arm around her and slid closer to her. Just that act alone, he could feel her body relax. He laid like that for a while remembering holidays of past years. Lisa started to stir next to him, enjoying the comfort of his arms around her, she snuggled in closer.
"I'm sorry, did I keep you up last night?"
Jack turned her to face him and pulled her in close.
"It's fine, Lise. You just need to find a release for that stress."
She leaned in and kissed him, "any ideas on how to do that?"
"Actually I do. He kissed her back, an early morning trail ride, just you and me." He pushed back the covers, exposing their bodies to the cold.
She pulled him back as he started to get out of bed. "Just a few more minutes please?" She pulled the covers back up.
He couldn't say no, he climbed back into bed, pulled the covers around them and wrapped her in his arms.
"This is my favorite way to start the day." She laid with her head on his chest, his hand rubbing her arm, slightly tickling her.
"Well, I think you know my favorite."
"Oh really, what's that," she asked, giving him an innocent look.
"It's the same as my favorite way to end the day. I'll show you later," he whispered in her ear. He kissed her quickly, " now let's get a move on, times a wastin."
Jack was tacking up the horses while Lisa made coffee for the thermos. He went back into the house to see how Lisa was coming along.
"It's a cold one, make sure you're dressed warm enough, Lise."
"What about you Jack, will you be alright with your arthritis?"
"I'll be fine, you ready?"
Lisa grabbed two blankets and the coffee and headed out the door.
It was a beautiful crisp morning, the rays from the sun beaming through the breaking clouds. They rode along quietly for a while taking everything in. After a while they stopped at a point in the field. Mountains in the background and a small stream in front of them. Lisa spread a blanket while Jack poured them some coffee, they sat down and covered up with the other blanket.
"This was a good idea, thank you. As much as I love the holidays, I know it brings out my OCD side," she laughs.
"You do a really good job with everything. I know how much effort you put into it. You put your heart and soul into making this a special time for all of us."
"You know I love our family Jack, I really do."
"I know that Lise, we all do."
"Sometimes I wonder… I wonder how different my life would be if Lyndy was still alive."
"Why would you think about that?"
"I guess, because my situation was different. I got divorced, you didn't have a choice in losing Lyndy. My family is all gone. I think about what my life would be like, who would I be spending Christmas with. Would we have even met? Would we have been drawn to each other?
"I can say one thing for sure: Lise. We are where we are supposed to be. I was meant to love Lyndy and I did, a part of me always will. But I was also meant to love you, and I do, more than you could ever know. I hope you never doubt that, or think that I loved Lyndy more than I love you, because I don't. In fact, I think in some ways our love is stronger, but I think that's because I've learned from my mistakes with Lyndy. I am thankful to be able to love you."
"I am thankful for our love too."
They sat a little while longer enjoying each other's embrace and the beauty that surrounded them before packing up and heading back. Once the horses were turned out and everything was put away, Lisa went to leave the barn to put on a fresh pot of coffee to warm up from the ride. Jack stopped her and pulled her in for a kiss.
"I hope you don't ever doubt my love for you, I'd be lost without you."
She reached up and cupped his face in her hands. "I don't doubt your love, you show me everyday how much you love me."
Hand in hand they walked back to the house.
