Jack opened the passenger side of his truck for her, suddenly embarrassed to be taking such an elegant woman to dinner in his beat up old junker.

He shut the door once she swung her perfectly shaped, long legs inside the cab. "Holy crap, she smells good," he chuckled to himself. As he slid himself behind the wheel, he wished he had the guts to just lean over and kiss her but he didn't. That was the only thing he wanted to do, though.

"What are you thinking about, cowboy?" He certainly wasn't going to tell her so he changed the subject.

"Italian?"

"Huh?"

"Do you like Italian? I made a reservation at Pancelli's in Billings."

"Oh, yes. Italian is wonderful."

He grinned, his dimples popping. "Good."

As they drove, he held out his hand, palm up, on the seat, hoping she'd slip her hand into it. It didn't take long. They grinned at each other as they intertwined their fingers.

"How has school been going?" he wondered.

"Good, the children are really enjoying when we talk about their wishes. They keep insisting that I put my wishes on the wall too."

"Why don't you?"

"Because the whole idea is for them to get to know each other."

Jack thought for a moment. "Right now, Elizabeth, what do you wish?"

"Right now?"

"Yeah." She smiled and looked out the window, her cheeks turning pink. He pulled over to the side of the road and looked at her. "I have a wish," he told her as he unbuckled his seat belt and scooted closer to her.

"What's that?" She was pretty positive their wishes were in sync at that moment. She saw the look in his eye that confirmed it.

"I wish I could kiss you right now."

"I wish you would," she said quietly, the anticipation almost driving her crazy.

He leaned toward her, his fingertips grazing her jaw and his other arm slipping around her shoulders. Then it happened. Their mouths fit perfectly together like the puzzle pieces they had been searching for their whole lives. The perfect amount of passion and pressure mixed with their undeniable attraction and the result was amazing. Relaxing into his kiss, she slipped her arms around his back, pulling him in deeper.

Elizabeth didn't want it to end but it had to. They were on the side of the road after all.

When they finally pulled apart, they gazed into each other's eyes for a moment.

She needed him in her life. She wanted him to be there forever. She knew it with one hundred percent certainty. Numbers 1 and 9 were fulfilled on her bucket list and all by the gorgeous man who still had his fingers in her hair. She had experienced a perfect kiss and had fallen in love all in one moment.

"What are you thinking about, cowboy?" she asked again.

He was thinking about how sweet her lips tasted and felt against his. He was thinking that he wished they weren't on the side of the road so they could continue what they started. He was thinking that he had fallen hard for her in the six short weeks of knowing her. Instead of telling her all of that, he gave her another kiss, smiled, and then scooted back to his side of the cab. "I'm glad we did this tonight."

"Me too." He offered his hand to her again and she took it happily.

Their dinner was delicious and they enjoyed being with each other more than either thought possible.

At around ten o'clock, they arrived out in front of the apartment, both not wanting to end the evening. "Do you want to come in for coffee or a glass of wine?"

"It's late. I probably should get home." He didn't want to, though.

He hopped out of the truck and walked around to open her door. He offered his hand to help her out and then held on as he walked her to the door. "Meet me for breakfast tomorrow?" she asked as she hugged him, enjoying the smell of his aftershave and the safe feeling of his arms around her.

"Why don't you come over to the ranch for breakfast? I'll make pancakes." He kissed her cheek and pulled back to see what she thought.

"Ok." She moved her arms around his neck and smiled. "Thank you for tonight. It was perfect."

"It was." He slipped his arms around her waist again and kissed her soft lips.

"Bacon or sausage?"

"Bacon, of course." She turned and opened her door.

"Banana or blueberry pancakes?"

"You pick." She kissed him again. "Night, Jack."

"Night."

INSIDE THE GIRLS APARTMENT

"Did you have a good time?"

"Oh! Julie you scared me!"

"Sorry. I want details." Julie grabbed her hand and led her over to the couch.

"Spill it."

"We had a nice time."

"Did he kiss you?" Elizabeth stood up and walked into her room, knowing Julie would follow her. She took her journal from her desk and handed it to Julie along with a pen.

"Number 9. Cross it off."

"Number nine? Perfect kiss, huh?" Julie squealed. "I knew It! You two belong together."

Elizabeth slipped her nightgown over her head and sat down next to Julie on the bed. "I've never felt this way before, Jules. It's amazing."

"I'm happy for you, Beth."

"Me too."

THE NEXT MORNING

Elizabeth got up early and dressed and then drove over to the ranch. As she walked up the steps, the door opened and Charlotte walked out. "You must be Elizabeth?"

"Yes. Are you Jack's mom?"

"Charlotte Thornton. Nice to meet you, Elizabeth."

"You too." Charlotte slipped her arm through Elizabeth's and walked her inside. The heavenly smell of bacon wafted toward Elizabeth. "Something smells good."

"Son, your lady friend is here."

"Thanks, Ma." Elizabeth stared at Jack, not because his back was turned and he looked cute in his jeans, but because the apron he was wearing was ruffled and pink. Yep, this man would be her husband one day.

"Nice apron, cowboy," she said with a giggle.

"Thanks. It's mom's." He set a plate of blueberry pancakes on the table and kissed her hello. "Morning. Sleep well?"

"Yes. You?"

"Better than I have in years." He smiled at her and sighed. Even with no makeup and her gorgeous brown curls pulled back, she was lovely.

She cocked her head as he stared at her. "Oh, to read your mind," she thought.

It turned out, she didn't need to. "You look beautiful this morning, Elizabeth." He kissed her cheek and walked back to the stove for the bacon.

Elizabeth blushed. She wished the breakfast was just the two of them. With his mom in the room, she felt like she was on display.

"Jack says you're a first grade teacher?" Charlotte asked as they ate.

"Yes I am. I love it so much. He told me you were a teacher too?"

"I was. I taught fifth grade. The older kids are more of a challenge for me. I like a challenge."

"I do too but first graders are so honest. They will tell exactly what's on their mind and are pretty much up for anything."

Charlotte nodded. "Great pancakes, son."

"Thanks, Ma."

Jack's phone started buzzing on the counter. His "on call" week had started but he had hoped he wouldn't get a call. He stood up and looked at his phone. "Gotta go ladies. I'm sorry." He ran upstairs and changed into his uniform and then hopped in his truck and left.

He sighed as he drove to the station. It wasn't an emergency call, it was a drill, kind of like practice. Part of the drill and being an EMT for Hunter Creek was endurance training. He thought he was in good shape but whenever he finished the drill, he vowed to get in even better shape by the next time it came around.

This time was no exception. Three hours later, he just wanted to collapse in a heap on the floor. Instead, he showered, changed clothes and sat in his truck to text Elizabeth.

"Sorry I had 2 leave. Where r u?"

A moment later she responded. "At The Bean."

"I'll be there soon."

"Great!" Elizabeth ordered his iced Mocha and sat down to wait for him. When he walked in, she stood hoping for a hug.

"Hi."

"Hey," he responded. He leaned down and kissed her briefly and then sat beside her.

"You look tired, Jack."

"I am. Thanks for the coffee." He sipped it and sighed. "I hope next time we do breakfast, I won't get called away."

"I understand your job's important."

"It is but you're important to me." He looked deep into her blue eyes and sighed again. "So important."

"Next weekend, I'll make us dinner. Cash in on that rain check." He nodded and kissed her forehead.

"Elizabeth."

"Yeah?"

"I think I…"

"Can I get you two anything else?" Clara said with a smile.

"We're good, thank you," Jack told her.

Elizabeth's phone buzzed on the table but she ignored it. "Not going to answer?"

"No. It's my father. The last thing I want is for my happiness to go away." She leaned into his shoulder.

"What if it's important?"

"The only thing I want to think about is you right now."

"That's very sweet, but what if something is wrong and he needs to tell you?"

She stared into his eyes and she saw his support. Even if her father was just going to throw the Charlie thing in her face, Jack was there, holding her hand. A moment later, the phone buzzed again and she answered it.

"Hello?"

"Beth." She could hear it in his voice.

"Daddy, what's wrong?"

"It's your mother." Elizabeth squeezed Jack's hand. "She's sick. We need you to come home."

"What's wrong with her?"

"Last month she found a lump in her breast. The doctors did a biopsy and confirmed that it's cancer." Elizabeth's stomach churned.

"I need to talk to her, Dad. Is she there?"

"Yes, but sweetie, we need you and Julie to come home."

"For how long? School just started. I can't just leave."

"Beth, it's your mother! Are you saying this silly dream of yours is more important than your mother's life?"

"You know that's not true! Let me talk to her, Dad."

"Come home, Beth. Think about what's most important and come home."

"Dad!" The call disconnected. "Oh, God." She dissolved into tears as Jack wrapped her in his arms.

"Elizabeth, shhh. It's ok, sweetie." It felt so natural for him to call her that she almost didn't notice. At this time of feeling lost and confused about her mother and going home, Jack made her feel loved by using one simple term of endearment.

After she stopped crying, she wiped her eyes and sighed. She sat up and looked at Jack. "I'm sorry, look at your shirt. It's all wet."

"Don't worry. What happened?"

"My mom. She has breast cancer." She could barely get the words out. His heart hurt for her.

"How bad?"

"I don't know. It was like he didn't want me to speak with her. I need to talk to her, Jack."

Jack got up and offered his hand. "Let's go somewhere more private and you can call her." Elizabeth grabbed her keys and phone and allowed him to lead her to his truck. "You shouldn't drive now. I'll bring you back to your car later." She just nodded and accepted his kindness.

They drove to her apartment and sat quietly for a moment. "I don't know if I can handle this."

"Sweetie, I'm with you and Julie is here. You're not alone."

Jack hopped out and opened her door. She sat still, staring straight ahead. "Elizabeth?"

She slid out of the truck and into his arms. He held her close for a few moments and then they walked inside.

"Julie? Are you here?" When she didn't receive a response she pulled out her phone.

"Are you at Tom's?"

A few moments later she received a response. "Yes. Where r u?"

"Home. I need you. Please."

A few moments later, Julie walked in. "Beth?"

"Julie!" Her voice came out more as a sob than anything.

"What's wrong?" She eyed Jack who was standing in the kitchen.

"Mom. Have you talked to her?"

"Yeah, this morning." The calmness in Julie annoyed Elizabeth.

"I don't understand. Why aren't you upset? Julie, she has cancer!"

"I know, but they did a lumpectomy and the doctor is confident she won't even need chemo."

"What?"

"Beth, sit before you fall." Elizabeth sat on the couch and tried to make sense of the whole thing. "What did she tell you?"

"Nothing. Dad called and told us to come home. That she's sick and she needs us."

Julie shook her head and took out her phone, dialing her mother's cell. "Mother? Hi, can you please talk to Beth?"

Elizabeth took the phone, not able to stop the sob that broke out from her throat. "Mom?"

"Sweetheart, I'm ok. I caught it super early. They won't even need to do chemo."

"Mom, why did Dad tell me to come home? He made it sound like if I didn't come that I was choosing myself over you. Mom, it's not true. You need to know that you are more important than anything."

"Of course I do. I'm sorry he did that. The only thing I can think is that he is desperate to get you home. I'll talk to him."

The frantic fear and helplessness Elizabeth had felt just a moment before was now replaced with extreme anger over what her father had done. She shoved the phone at Julie and walked out the door.

Jack followed her down the stairs to the bottom step. "Elizabeth?" She stared into the distance. "Hey." He touched her arm.

"How could he do that to me? It was so hateful to use guilt and my mother's cancer to lure me home. I cannot believe he did that."

"Look at me." She turned, her eyes red and puffy but filled with anger. "What he did will take a long time to forgive, but being angry will only hurt you."

"What are you saying? I need to let it go!?"

"I can't tell you what to do."

"Spit it out Jack."

"The way I see it, you need to concentrate on being grateful that your mother isn't as sick as you thought and forget about how badly your dad hurt you."

"You don't get it Jack. This is just one more example of his manipulation."

"We only get one father, Elizabeth. Mine is gone. Yours is still alive."

"I'll see you tomorrow." She kissed his cheek and walked back inside.

They didn't see each other for a few days though. Elizabeth immersed herself into a new project for school so she could forget about cancer and her father. It didn't work though. On top of those things, she missed her best friend.

At lunch one day, she texted him. "U busy?"

"Just cleaning stalls. My favorite!"

She smiled. "I miss u."

She waited for a text but instead her phone rang. "Hey," he said quietly. "I miss you too."

"Jack, I'm sorry about getting so angry."

"Don't be sorry. I didn't mean to tell you how to handle things. It's the only way I get through rough patches sometimes. I just try to remember that I need to be grateful."

"I wish you were here. I need a hug."

"I'll pick you up after school, ok?"

"Ok." She sniffed and wiped her eyes. She wanted to tell him she loved him but something made her want to wait for him to say it first.

"Elizabeth, I'll see you in three hours and twenty nine minutes."

She laughed. "Ok, cowboy."

"Bye."