Jack walked back in the house after the "date" with his mom and picked up his phone, noticing a missed call, a voicemail, and five text messages all from Faith.

He listened to her voicemail.

"Hi, babe. I'm sorry I had to leave during our date. I know that we don't get much time together with the ranch and my job and I'd like to make it up to you. Can you meet me after work, at seven? I would love to go to a movie or maybe just talk. Anyway, I miss you. Hope to hear from you soon."

He sighed. It was way too late to have the conversation they needed to have. So he texted her. "Still up?"

"Yep. R u mad?"

"We need 2 talk. Can you come 2morrow nite?"

"I get off at 9. 2 late?" she asked.

"No, please come."

"Ok. I'll be there."

"C U then. Sleep well."

"U2."

Jack plugged his phone in and went upstairs to try to get some sleep. Rancher's hours started early.

Before he knew it, his alarm was buzzing. 4:30. He dressed, grabbed his phone, and headed to the barn, Harvey following closely.

"Morning Monte."

"Morning, boss," the cowhand greeted from the stall. Monte had been at Thornton Acres since Jack's father passed. He and his son Miles groomed the horses, kept the fences in good repair and tended to any cattle issues that came up, among other things.

It freed up Jack to take care of the business side of things and his other passion, working as an EMT for the city of Billings.

Shortly after graduating high school, he enrolled at Montana State to take EMT basic training. It took him nearly two years to complete because he worked on the ranch too. After that, he took his state exam and became certified.

Now, he spent three night shifts a week riding along with his fellow EMT's and was on call one week of each month.

Jack hopped on Thunder and went for his morning ride, Harvey following close.

THE GIRLS APARTMENT

Elizabeth got up early, 5:15, to make coffee and get ready for the day.

She loved early. It was quiet, peaceful, serene. She got a lot of thinking done before anything or anyone joined her.

"Hey sis." Except this morning.

"Jules? What are you doing?"

"Getting coffee. Is that ok?"

"Yeah, I'm just surprised to see you."

"I live here, or did you forget?"

"I meant…"

"I know, Beth. I was kidding. You don't have a sense of humor at 5:25 in the morning?"

"I didn't think you had a pulse before 10."

"Very funny. Maybe I'm turning over a new leaf."

She'd believe it when she saw it. "I'm going grocery shopping. Anything special you want me to get?"

"I'm not the cook here, Beth. You get whatever you want to."

"Ok, then." Elizabeth loved to cook. She had ever since she was old enough to sit on the counter watching and "helping" Mrs. Smith make their meals.

When asked why she never pursued a career as a chef, she changed the subject to why she chose to be a teacher. To make a difference in one child's life, meant more to her than knowing how to make crème brulee.

Elizabeth made an extensive list for the week, including things she needed for her lunch at school which started Wednesday…four days away. She had so much to do to get ready, including decorating her classroom.

For today though, grocery shopping and relaxing.

GROCERY STORE

Jack walked in the market to get food for the dessert that he hoped to enjoy with Faith. Their conversation was necessary and he hoped they would be in a better place after he told her how he felt.

Honestly the woman was his best friend and he felt lucky to have her, he just felt like they were so far away from each other sometimes and not in actual physical proximity.

They needed to reevaluate their priorities.

A good way to start that was homemade strawberry shortcake, her favorite, and he made the best shortcake according to her.

He picked up his ingredients and grabbed a bottle of white Zinfandel to go with it.

He turned the corner of the last aisle and bumped into another cart. "I'm sorry!" he apologized.

The eyes of the woman pushing the other cart caught him off guard because they were familiar. The girl he almost bumped into at The Bean. "It seems you like to bump into people," she told him, a gleam in her eyes.

"Not typically." In this case, he wasn't sorry he did.

She peeked into his cart. "Special night planned?"

"Something like that," he replied vaguely.

"Well, I hope it goes well." He nodded, smiling with his mouth, not just his eyes this time.

His deep dimples along with his smile and gorgeous eyes made her heart skip a few beats as he walked away. "Good grief," she whispered to herself.

Elizabeth knew being attracted to him wasn't wrong, but she felt a teeny bit guilty anyway. It made her instantly think of Charles and all they'd been through, good and bad times.

While she waited in line, she pulled out her phone and texted him.

"Charlie, you there?"

She waited, knowing he was most likely at work and unable to talk.

"I know U R busy, but I miss hearing your voice. Call me 2nite. Xoxo"

Jack stood in line a few checkout stations away. He texted Faith. "Hey babe. Got dessert 4 2nite. Your fave. See you at 9ish."

Ten minutes later, he got a return message. "Might b later than 9. R u sure that's ok?"

"Yes. This is important. We need 2 talk."

"Ok. Will b there as soon as I can. Luv u."

"C U then."

At least she hadn't cancelled. She seemed concerned about his time, knowing he got up early. She had always been a considerate person, but lately, her work had come first when she easily could have chosen him. Maybe that made him selfish, but he missed the old Faith.

THAT EVENING

Jack made the shortcake, timing it perfectly so it would still be warm when she arrived. The warm shortcake with a hint of lemon would be paired with ice cold strawberries, hand whipped cream and two glasses of Zinfandel. He boxed everything up, put it in a picnic basket and waited for her on the porch.

Faith showed up late, like she had said, but it was fine with him. As she walked up, she smiled at him that shy, lovely smile he had missed. He stood up and smiled back. "You look cute in scrubs," he told her.

"Thank you." He held out his arms and hugged her, her coconut shampoo filling his senses. When they pulled back, she took the initiative, stood on her toes, and kissed him. It was brief but it was nice. "I miss that, Jack."

"We have dessert. Let's have a seat."

"Jack, why do you do that?" she asked, irritation in her voice.

"What?"

"Nevermind. I don't want to fight."

"Faith, I don't want to either. This is why we need to talk." He pulled out a bowl and put a warm piece of shortcake in it. He added the cold berries and the whipped cream and handed it to her. She took his offered spoon and took a bite.

"Oh boy. This is amazing, sweetie. Thank you." She sipped her wine and watched him take a tentative bite, seemingly deep in thought. "What did you want to say?" He sat, staring at his food. "Jack? Where are you?" She touched his knee.

"What?"

"Where were you? It was like you were someplace else."

"I'm here."

"What's bothering you?" she gently asked. "Lately, you've been different."

"It's not just me. You have too." He set his bowl on the porch step and turned his body to face her. "Faith, our relationship is different. I miss the way we used to be."

"It is different," she admitted. "I don't feel connected to you. It's one sided."

"One sided?"

"Jack, like before. I kissed you and you changed the subject, as if talking about it makes you uncomfortable. I don't remember the last time you initiated affection."

"I hugged you tonight."

"For the first time in a month or longer. We're drifting apart." She set her bowl down and moved closer, taking his hand. "I love you. Do you feel the same?" He looked down, not making eye contact. She touched his face. "You used to say it back."

"Faith, I think we need to take some time apart."

"Why? We can fix this. We just need to figure out what changed and change it back."

"I don't know how or if I even want to. I'm sorry if this hurts you, but I don't feel the same way you do. What we had before was great, but we've drifted too far, I think."

"Jack, please don't do this. I don't want to break up."

"I'm sorry, Faith. I really am." He had started the evening thinking they could talk and everything would be better, but it started to sink in that they didn't have chemistry. The kiss she gave him, didn't create any type of feeling in him. It was nice but not what he could see making him happy in the future. He wanted chemistry, he wanted sparks. They just didn't have it and maybe he wouldn't ever find that with someone, but he had to take the chance that the person that could give that to him, existed out there somewhere.

THE GIRLS APARTMENT

Elizabeth waited for Charles to call but he didn't. Perhaps it was as simple as not getting her message but he constantly looked at his phone.

She texted him again. "You up?"

"Yes. Sorry. I had 2 work late. What's up?"

"I just wanted 2 talk."

"Ok. About what?"

She hit the phone icon next to his name. She wanted to hear his voice. "Hey."

"Hey, Beth."

"You sound tired. I'm sorry. I know it's late."

"What did you want to talk about?"

"Just everything. How has work been going?"

"Fine. Same old thing." The silence was deafening. "How is your new apartment?"

"Good. It's the top floor of an old house. The bottom is occupied by this man and his daughter. Pretty sure Jules likes him."

"Already? You've been there 24 hours."

"You know Julie. A cute face catches her eye…"

"You think he's cute?"

"Charles, stop."

"Stop what?"

"You know what, I can tell you're tired. Maybe we should talk tomorrow."

"Won't have much time tomorrow."

"Fine, when you can make time for me, you let me know."

"Me? Me make time? Elizabeth you moved out of state!"

"Yes, I did. To follow my dreams."

"What about my dreams, Beth?"

"What dreams? You are already a partner at the firm. You have a home. What more do you need?"

"You! I need you but you're gone! Hundreds of miles away in some little town in the middle of nowhere."

She didn't know how to respond. To her, their relationship had always taken second place to his work. He had worked for five years to get to where he was. It was her turn to do something to make her own dreams come true.

"It's my turn now, Charlie. You made your dreams happen. It's my turn."

"Well, call me when you're ready to have more. I just hope it won't be too late."

His phone beeped and she was stunned.

Her bedroom door opened and Julie popped her head in. "Beth? I heard yelling. Is everything ok?"

"We broke up," she said simply.

"Well, good riddance to him."

"Julie!"

"You know I never thought Charles was right for you."

Elizabeth laid back on her pillows and sighed. She did know that but she must have thought he was right for her at some point or she wouldn't have stayed with him. Lately, it had become more apparent that their dreams were too different. They wanted such opposite things that it couldn't possibly work. She almost felt a sense of relief instead of sadness.

"Tom is nice. I think he has a brother," Julie suggested.

"No thank you. I just broke up with my boyfriend of over five years. I think I'll take a breather and just concentrate on my job. That's what we came out here for."

"Sorry Beth but you can be so boring sometimes. Maybe you need to take a chance and move forward."

"That's what I'm doing and you're along for the ride. Speaking of, tomorrow I need your help setting up my classroom."

"I have plans."

"I bet. With whom?"

"Tom and his daughter Elisa. We are going to the zoo in Billings. It's supposed to be nice weather."

"Aren't you moving fast, Julie?"

"Maybe. I really like him, Beth."

"You don't know him."

"That is the whole point of dating, to learn about the other person."

"I just worry about you."

Julie slipped into bed beside her sister, leaning her head on her shoulder. "I love you, Beth. Thank you for worrying, but I'm fine."

Elizabeth kissed Julie's forehead. "I love you too."

THE NEXT MORNING

Elizabeth's phone rang endlessly while she was in the shower. Julie had already left to see Tom and his daughter so no one answered it. By the time she got to her phone, she had text messages and an angry voicemail from her father.

She hesitated to listen to it because she was positive he had found out about her and Charles and he wasn't happy.

Before she talked herself into pushing the button, her phone rang again. "Hi, Daddy."

"Beth have you officially gone nuts?"

"Gee thanks. I love you too."

"Why on earth did you break up with Charles? He was the one thing that was stable in your life. He was good for you and could take care of you. Why throw that away?"

"Dad! I'm not discussing my relationship with you. It doesn't concern you."

"Yes it does, young lady! He is one of my partners."

"Us breaking up has absolutely nothing to do with your business relationship. Also, my life is stable and I don't need anyone, especially Charles to take care of me. I'm perfectly capable."

"The choices you've been making, Elizabeth…I just don't know what to say."

"Then don't. I need to go. Bye, Dad." He hung up without saying goodbye.

She took a few deep breaths and vowed not to let her most recent bickering match with her father ruin her day. She grabbed the boxes of art supplies and trinkets she purchased and left the apartment.

First she wanted, no, needed, coffee so The Bean had to be a priority. She drove down the street and parked out front of the coffee shop and then walked inside.

"I can help you," the young woman behind the counter said.

"Hi, can I get an iced Mocha, extra shot, no whip?"

"Are you following me?" a familiar voice from behind her asked. She turned and smiled at the handsome man she had seen three times around town so far.

"Since I arrived first, I think it's you who is following me," she pointed out.

"Then how do you explain ordering the exact same thing I get everyday?"

"Coincidence," she said with a smile. "And good taste." She paid for her coffee, turned, and took a sip. "Mmm perfect," she said quietly. She smiled again. "Have a good day, cowboy."

She found herself turning red as she left The Bean. Not only did she flirt shamelessly with the man, but she liked it. It was exhilarating. The best part was, she didn't need to feel guilty about it. She was a free woman.

THE BEAN

Clara smirked at Jack. "Got something to say, Clara?"

"Nope, nothing at all."

"Can I get an iced…"

"Mocha, extra shot, no whip? Got it, cowboy. You're pretty predictable, if anything." Clara concentrated on his drink for a moment. "Her name is Elizabeth."

"Who?" he asked innocently.

"The beautiful woman you were flirting with."

"I wasn't flirting."

"You were flirting, Jack. There's nothing wrong with it, as long as Faith doesn't mind."

"No reason for Faith to care."

"Why's that?"

"We broke up."