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With that out of the way...here's the next chapter of Cowboy and Frank finally coming around. And this one comes with a STEAM ALERT! Hope you enjoy! Thank you everyone for your reviews. Please, please, please keep them coming! I feel like I've lost a lot of you, but I hope I'm wrong.
***STEAM ALERT***STEAM ALERT***STEAM ALERT***STEAM ALERT***STEAM ALERT***STEAM ALERT***STEAM ALERT***STEAM ALERT***STEAM ALERT***STEAM ALERT***STEAM ALERT***STEAM ALERT***STEAM ALERT***STEAM ALERT***STEAM ALERT***
July 18th, 2015 – University Hospital
"Frank? Oh, Frank, sweetie," Charlotte exclaimed as she cupped his face with her hands. "I was so scared. Thank you, God," she said, barely above a breath. She watched Frank as he closed his eyes and seemed to have gone back to sleep. "Frank? Frank, baby. Oh, please come back."
"Ma, give him a moment," Jack said and laid his hand on her back.
Frank's eyes fluttered open once more and darted all around the room. Stopping on her face again, he repeated, "Charlotte?"
"Yes, Frank. It's me. Hi, sweetheart."
"What happened?" he asked, struggling to keep his eyes open.
"You were in an accident on the ranch."
"An accident?"
"Yes, Pops. On the tractor," Jack answered this time.
Frank's eyes closed once more, and again, he became unresponsive. Charlotte straightened and leaned against her son, burying her face in his chest.
"He'll be okay, Ma. It can take him a bit to pull out of this. I'll get the doctor," Jack said and began to turn.
"No, please stay with me," she pleaded as she grabbed his arm.
"Okay, Ma. I'll stay," he replied, wrapping his arms around her.
Several minutes passed as they waited with their gazes locked on the man, waiting for any type of sign. Finally, he rolled his head from one side to the other, then his eyes shot open, and he looked around the room. His face was cloaked with confusion as his eyes suddenly locked on Charlotte's. Fighting to keep them open, he blinked hard and forced them to widen.
"Char?"
"Yes, sweetie. It's me," she said and laid her hand on his cheek.
"What happened?" Frank asked. His voice was low and quiet.
"You were in an accident, sweetie. Do you not remember?"
"No," he replied as he shook his head. His eyes began to close once more, but he shook his head and forced them open. "Was anyone else hurt?"
"No, Frank. It was just you. You were mowing with the tractor."
"The tractor?"
"Hey, Pops," Jack said as he touched his stepfather's shoulder. "I'm going to get the doctor."
Once the doctor and two nurses were in the room, Jack and Charlotte stepped back to allow them to do their jobs. Jack held his mom as she smiled with such relief. Jack removed his phone and texted Tom, letting him know Pops was awake.
After several minutes of checking Frank's vitals and asking him questions, the doctor and nurses left the room. Jack and Charlotte were quickly by his side again, and she instantly began fussing over him once more.
"Char, please, I'm fine," Frank said with a slight grin.
"You are not fine, Frank Hogan. So let me do what I can to help you," Charlotte said with a stern voice.
"Yes, ma'am," Frank said with a smirk.
"Well, I can see that your chipper demeanor is still intact," she stated and laid a hand on his cheek. Lowering, she kissed him, then said softly for only Frank to hear, "I love you, Mr. Hogan."
…..
The family stood around Frank's bed, praising the Lord for Pops' return. Sam had arranged for everyone to be in the room together before they left for the evening. Jack had his arm around Elizabeth, smiling from ear to ear, and Tom was doing the same with Sam. Charlotte held Frank's hand between hers, kissing his knuckles over and over. Having no memory of the accident, Frank had been filled in by everyone about what had happened.
"I don't understand what could have happened?" Frank said, struggling with his dry, hoarse voice.
"Tom and I will check it out in the next day or two. We haven't been over to see it yet."
"Thank you, Boys," Frank said and tried to smile against the pain.
"Are you okay, Honey?" Charlotte asked.
"I'm fine," Frank replied and laid his hand on her cheek. "I'm just so happy to see this beautiful face again."
Charlotte laid her hand on his and closed her eyes, thanking God for the twentieth time.
Sam moved in by his head and laid her hand on his shoulder. "Frank, are you really feeling okay? You can push that for more morphine if the pain is getting to be too much," she said and showed Frank the button.
"Thank you, dear," Frank said and smiled.
"Let's let Frank rest," Charlotte stated and stood. "I'll be right back, sweetie," Charlotte said and leaned over her husband, kissing his lips.
She followed her children into the hall, hugged each one goodbye, kissed Brianna, then returned to Frank's side.
Jack, Elizabeth, Tom, and Sam started toward the exit of the hospital and stopped in the lobby.
"Do you work tomorrow, Sam?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes. Day shift. So I can check on them frequently and keep you posted if anything changes."
"Perfect," Elizabeth said then hugged her sister-in-law.
"I'm going over to Ma's tomorrow to check on things," Jack said to his brother. "Would you want to meet over there at 8?"
"Sounds good, Jack. I'll see you there," Tom said, then hugged his brother and Elizabeth.
Jack and Elizabeth walked to the Yukon, hand in hand, enjoying the night air. When they reached it, Jack set Brianna's carrier on the ground, turned Elizabeth, and pushed her against the vehicle. He covered her lips with his and kissed her as if they hadn't kissed for days.
…..
July 19th, 2015 – Frank & Charlotte's Ranch
"Seriously, Jack. How did Frank survive this?" Tom asked.
The brothers were standing at the top of an embankment looking down at the rolled tractor. A small area of the ridge had washed away in the last rain that couldn't be seen from the seat of a tractor. The weeds were tall, masking the hole that sent the tractor tumbling down onto the rocks.
"I don't know," Jack said. He removed his hat, raked his fingers through his hair, then returned it to his head. "Let's go take a look."
Jack and Tom eased down the hill and stood beside the tractor lying on its side. The front wheel had snapped off, the PTO shaft leading to the mower was sheared away, and a fender had wrapped around a rock. The metal roof of the cab had been completely torn from the tractor and lay half way down the hill. The steering wheel had been cut off, clearly when they were trying to get Frank out, and was tossed to the side. Jack and Tom walked around it, looking over the wreckage, shaking their heads, knowing the only thing that could have saved Frank was God.
"I just can't believe this," Tom said. "You know, we've spent more than our fair share of time in that hospital. I'll be fine never to see those halls again."
"I agree, Brother."
Jack found the wheel that had broken off, picked it up, and tossed it beside the tractor. The brothers picked up other pieces of metal and plastic that had come loose and added them to the growing pile of tractor parts.
"Not much else we can do here," Jack said as he laid the steering wheel at the top of the stack. Before leaving, he took his phone out, snapped a few pictures, and then returned it to his pocket.
Jack and Tom returned to the top of the embankment, stopped, and turned to take one last look at the wreckage.
"We need this out before Ma comes home," Tom said as they walked to the truck.
"I agree. I'll call the boys this afternoon. Maybe we can have it out before dinner."
…..
University Hospital
"How are you feeling?" Charlotte asked as she adjusted her husband's pillow.
"Char, please," he said and gently took hold of her arm. "Please sit down and relax." The gentleness had returned to his voice and eyes, and Charlotte lowered into the chair that remained at his bedside. "I'm fine. You don't need to keep fussing over me."
"Frank," Charlotte started and laid her hand on his arm. "I didn't know if you were going to wake up. I didn't know if you'd be coming home again. I had no idea if I'd be burying another husband."
Frank instinctively tried to turn toward his wife, but a wave of pain shot through his hips, causing him to fall back onto his pillow.
"Frank, sweetie, are you alright?" Charlotte asked, jumping to her feet.
"Yes, Char, please, sit back down." Frank closed his eyes until the pain subsided, then opened them and laid his hand on his wife's arm. "I'm so sorry you had to endure those scary few days. I'm sorry that I was the cause of bad memories coming back and haunting you. I don't ever want to do anything that hurts you."
"I know, Frank," Charlotte said and stood. She carefully sat on the edge of the bed and laid her hand on his cheek. "What happened?" she asked.
Frank's memory of the accident had returned that morning, but they hadn't discussed it with all the doctors and nurses rotating through his room.
"I was mowing along the edge of the path that runs alongside the horse pasture."
"Yes, I know where you're talking about."
"I was cutting in along the top of the embankment and...I don't know what happened. The front end of the tractor dropped and twisted to the left, and the next thing I knew, I was at the bottom among those large rocks with the tractor on top of me."
Charlotte knew exactly where the tractor had rolled. Her stomach began to churn, and she felt lightheaded over the thought of Frank having landed among those rocks. How he hadn't gotten crushed on them had her baffled and nauseous.
"Are you okay, Char?" Frank asked.
"I am now that you're awake," she answered.
"Lay down with me," he said as he held his arm out.
"I don't want to hurt you."
"I'll be much better if I could hold my wife."
Charlotte stood and positioned herself at the side of the bed to ease onto it without jarring Frank. She laid down and lowered herself into the loving embrace of Frank's arm. The security, relief, thankfulness, and love, all mixed into a kaleidoscope of emotions, flowed through Charlotte as she closed her eyes. She focused on the warmth of her husband's arm around her and tried to block out the sounds of the machines. Frank pulled her closer, drawing his wife in as tightly as he could without causing pain, and kissed the top of her head.
…..
Jack was in his tractor and Tom in his while the guys connected chains and tow ropes around the bucket arms and frame on Frank's. Once ready, Jack and Tom began backing and slowly pulled the tractor upright until it rocked onto its three remaining wheels. After replacing a few parts on the tractor and the wheel assembly, they were able to tow it into Frank's shed. Once inside, Jack pulled the doors closed tightly so his mother would not see it when she came home.
"Thank you for your help," Jack said to Walker, Lance, and Jason. "We appreciate everything you've done."
"Of course, Jack," Walker said as he hugged his friend. "We're here for your family. Whatever you need."
"Yes, anything," Jason agreed.
Before the men left, a schedule was planned to keep up with feeding the cows and calves and helping with Tom and Jack's ranches so they could spend time at the hospital. Tom, Jack, and Lee remained at the ranch for a bit longer. They fed the calves, watered and weeded their mother's garden, cleaned the stalls, and fed the horses. Having stayed at Tom's last night, Bandit was with them now and slowly followed them around the farm while they worked. Jack planned to keep him for the next few days and lifted him into his truck.
"Ready to see the kids, buddy?" Jack asked as he scratched the dog's head.
Bandit stretched toward Jack and licked his cheek before lying down on the seat beside him. He rested his head on Jack's thigh and remained there until they reached the house.
"Hi, Daddy! Hi, Daddy! Hi, Daddy!" Colton called out as he ran across the floor. "Bandit!" he added when he spotted the dog. "Why is Bandit here? Where's grampa and gramma?"
Jack knelt in front of his son. "Grandpa got hurt and is in the hospital, remember?"
"Oh, yeah. Is Grampa okay? Can we go see him?"
"He'll be okay. But he's in a part of the hospital where they don't allow kids your age to go. As soon as he's in the part where you can, then we'll take all of you to see him."
"Is Gramma in the hospital, too?" Colton asked with a furrowed brow.
"Grandma is at the hospital, but she's just visiting Grandpa."
"Okay, Daddy. Can we play with Bandit," Colton asked as he knelt in front of the old dog.
"You can, but you have to be very careful around him. He's old, and sometimes his knees hurt."
"Okay. Come here, Bandit. Let's go play." Colton patted his leg and walked into the living room where his brother and sister were playing. Bandit followed, then lay on the floor beside them.
"Hey, there, Beautiful," Jack said as he walked up behind Elizabeth. He kissed the side of her neck and placed his hands on her hips as she finished cutting a block of cheese. "Sorry, I'm late."
"It's fine. Supper isn't ready yet anyway," she said as she turned to face him. She held her hands out to the side with a knife in one and the cheese wrapper in the other.
"It smells great in here." Jack leaned down, kissed her lips, and then took the knife and wrapper.
"There're pork chops on the stove and baked potatoes in the oven. I made fresh rolls, too."
"Sounds perfect," he said and laid the knife in the sink. After tossing the wrapper in the trash, he passed by and kissed her again. "I'm going to take a quick shower. I'll be right back."
Jack returned wearing a fresh pair of jeans, a clean T-shirt, and the scent of his cologne that Elizabeth loved. As he passed by her to pick up the milk jug, Elizabeth got a whiff of it and looked at her husband.
Jack was watching her, grinning, knowing he'd get a reaction from her. "What?" he asked in an exaggerated high-pitched tone of innocence.
"You know what," she said and smacked his butt as she walked by.
Jack opened the refrigerator and saw that it was filled with containers of food. "What's all this?"
"Some of the food the church ladies brought by."
"Some?"
"Yes, the freezer is full, too. So is Sam's."
"Wow, we will have to make sure we thank them all. Why are you cooking then?"
"I need to take my mind off things, and we had some food that needed to be cooked before it went bad."
"I see," Jack remarked and kissed her cheek. "Distractions are most welcomed right now, aren't they?"
"Yes, they are."
"Mommy, Daddy! Mommy, Daddy!" Peyton yelled as she ran into the kitchen.
"Speaking of distractions," Jack said as he picked up his daughter and tossed her up. "What can we do for you, beautiful Princess?"
"We're hungry. Is the food ready?"
"Well, yes, it is, madame. Retrieve your brothers and help us with the feast."
Giggling, Peyton replied, "Okay, King Daddy."
The kids each picked up an item and carried it to the dining room. They sat around the table, discussing everything the children had done that week with Uncle Lee and Aunt Rosie's kids, sharing each story of forts, movies, baking cookies, coloring, and singing. Jack and Elizabeth let them talk, enjoying being with their children, missing them terribly while spending their days at the hospital.
Brianna began to fuss, and Jack retrieved her from her bassinet. He placed his daughter in Elizabeth's arms, keeping his eyes locked with hers. Even though he'd seen her each night and the day before at the hospital, he thought for sure she'd grown during the past few days. He returned to his chair and turned his focus back to his three other children, who were still talking non-stop about the fun they'd had with their cousins.
…..
Elizabeth put Brianna to bed and picked up the baby monitor. Jack had gone downstairs to get something to drink but hadn't returned yet, so she went to find him. The kids were sound asleep, but Jack wasn't in either room or the living room. Looking out the back windows, Elizabeth saw him standing on the deck, his arms resting on the railing and a beer in his hand. He was wearing his blue plaid lounge pants and had no shirt or shoes. Both dogs lay at his feet, Bandit on one side, Wyatt on the other, their heads resting on their paws. With the monitor in hand, she walked out the backdoor and joined Jack on the deck.
"What are you doing?" she asked as she placed the monitor on the table next to Jack.
"Just getting some fresh air and thinking."
"About Frank?"
"Yes. We just can't figure out how he survived that accident."
"It was that bad?"
Jack pulled his phone from his pocket and opened his photo gallery. After tapping on the first photo, he handed the phone to Elizabeth. She scrolled through the pictures, at a loss for words at the magnitude of the damage, and wiped a tear from her cheek.
"I see what you mean," she said as she handed the phone back to her husband.
"There is no reason for him to be alive right now other than God isn't finished with him."
"That's exactly what I was thinking," she said and slipped her arm through his.
Jack moved his arm behind his wife and pulled her against him, kissing her head. "We've spent more than our fair share of time in that hospital."
"Yes, we have," she agreed.
"I hope this is the last time."
"We can only pray," Elizabeth said.
"Are the kids asleep?" he asked as he brought his arm forward and laid the phone on the table.
"Yes, I just put Brianna down." Elizabeth moved in behind Jack and laid her hands on his back. She slid them both outward and down his arms before pressing her lips to his spine.
"Good," he said as he sucked in a sharp breath of air. "Sure is good to be home," he added as he wrung his hands tightly around the beer bottle.
"Yes, it is," she stated as she continued to kiss his back and move her hands around him and onto his chest.
Jack laid a hand on one of hers and gripped it tightly. He closed his eyes and tipped his head back as her free hand grazed across his peck, and her lips floated along his cross tattoo. Elizabeth could feel Jack's heart begin to race beneath her hand as she paused to see the changes to his body that her simple touch created.
Jack had never been able to explain why Elizabeth had this effect on him, but he lost all control when she got near the aged ink of his tattoos. He had never really let any other woman touch them as they were sacred to Jack, but from the first moment Elizabeth had, Jack had no desire to stop her.
She pulled her hand from beneath Jack's and returned both to his back. She pressed her palms to his damp skin and ran them up his shoulder blades and onto his shoulders. Continuing, she started down his arms, onto his ribs, and didn't stop until she gripped his hips.
Jack downed the last little bit of beer that remained in the bottle and placed it on the table beside the monitor. He turned in her arms and moved his around her, drawing her in close to him.
Elizabeth laid her head against his chest, and they looked out across the valley. The moon hung high in the sky, and thousands of stars sparkled like diamonds. The air was heavy with the heat and moisture from the hot July day, but Jack and Elizabeth didn't notice. They held one another, appreciating their time together and the answers to prayers they'd witnessed.
Jack looked down at his wife, and a grin spread across his face.
"What are you smiling for?" Elizabeth asked.
"I love it when you wear my T-shirts...and nothing else," he said as he slipped his hand under the hem and across the soft skin of her buttocks.
"And what are you doing, Mr. Thornton?"
"Remember those distractions we were talking about earlier?"
"Yes, I do."
"Well, I'm in need of one," he said and pressed his lips to her neck.
Jack hooked his fingers over the edge of Elizabeth's black lace panties and pulled them down. As they fell around her ankles, Elizabeth stepped out of them, one foot, then the other. Jack picked her up with one leg on either side of him, walked to the closest lounge chair, then turned around, sat down, and moved back into the seat. Elizabeth rocked her hips, rubbing across him over the cotton fabric of his pants. Longing to feel his wife around him, Jack pushed his pants over his hips as Elizabeth rose slightly. With the pants no longer acting as a barrier, Elizabeth eased down onto her husband as he slid his hands along her back beneath the T-shirt.
He pulled the black fabric over her head and tossed it aside as his gaze slowly lowered down her naked body. The moonlight seemed to almost dance on her skin as it highlighted the ridges and threw shadows into the valleys of her perfect form. Jack's hands had returned to her back but slowly moved around her, cupping her breasts as she moved up and down his rigid shaft as if in slow motion.
She continued, and each time she lowered her hips, Jack raised his to meet her, sending himself deeper into her depths. Elizabeth's hands rested on the lean muscles of his belly, and she could feel them tense with each of her movements. Jack moved his hands to her butt and cupped it, lifting her with each thrust, squeezing the firmness of their flawless shape.
Their bodies were one as they moved perfectly in sync with the choreographed dance of the evening. A slight breeze had kicked up and blew across their damp skin, giving them the mildest relief from the heat. Time passed slowly as the couple took full advantage of the night's shield. Jack's hands explored his wife's beautiful body, while Elizabeth's did the same of his. Their lips met in passionate kisses each time she leaned down, then parted as she sat back up to continue her rocking motions, never missing a beat. Her hips moved at a slow hypnotic pace, bringing unbelievable pleasure to them both.
Jack's head rolled back as the tension inside him continued to build. From head to toe, his muscles contracted as he could no longer hold back. The moans and breaths that were exchanged between them were more than either of them could take and the night air filled with the sounds and scents of a dual release as the couple climaxed together.
Elizabeth fell onto Jack in a lethargy of spent passion, and he encircled her body with his arms. She slipped down alongside him as they lay in each other's arms, the night sky looking down upon them as they closed their eyes and calmed their hearts.
Jack pulled her in closer and kissed her forehead as she moved her arm across his torso. Suddenly hearing her giggle, Jack opened his eyes to find Wyatt and Bandit sitting side-by-side beside the chair, staring at them.
"Well, hello, boys," Jack said, reaching out to pet them. "Oh, if dogs could talk," he laughed.
"I'm thrilled they don't," Elizabeth stated and tapped each of their noses. "You two keep quiet."
…..
July 20th, 2015 – Hope Meadows Ranch
"Whose truck is that?" Elizabeth asked when she heard a vehicle outside and peered through the window.
After looking over his wife's shoulder, he replied, "That's Dalton. He's the new horse trainer who will help Lee and me."
"Oh, I didn't realize you'd picked someone," she said and crossed the kitchen to the coffee pot.
"Tom knew him from high school. He was in the Army, just got out, and has been looking for work. He's got PTSD, and many jobs just won't work for him with all the triggers. He's desperate for work and has been around horses most of his life. I talked to him yesterday, and he wanted to start right away."
"That sounds like a divine intervention for all parties," Elizabeth said and smiled at her husband.
"That's what I was thinking," he grinned in return. "He's coming in for coffee first, so we can talk about what he'll be doing around here if that's okay."
"Of course," Elizabeth replied and reached for another coffee mug.
"Might as well grab another. Lee will be here soon, too. But we can go up to the office."
"Nonsense," she said and grabbed one more cup. "Is your air working better in there?"
"No, not yet. I'm just going to buy another unit and trash that one."
"Well, then stay in here where it's cool."
"Yes, ma'am," Jack responded and kissed her cheek.
After letting him in, Jack led Dalton to the kitchen, where a cup of coffee was waiting on the island for him.
"Dalton, this is my wife, Elizabeth."
"Hello, ma'am. Nice to meet you," he said and held out his hand.
Elizabeth shook it and replied, "Very nice to meet you, too. Welcome to the family."
Dalton gave Jack a questioning look and received a laugh in return.
"We're all family around here," Jack explained. "You're a part of it now."
Liking the sound of that, Dalton took a seat at the island and lifted the cup of hot coffee to his lips. "This is great," he said after his first sip. "I hadn't had coffee this good since, well...since before my mom passed."
"I'm so sorry to hear that, Dalton," Elizabeth said and sat across from him as Jack sat beside her.
"Thank you, ma'am. We lost her three years ago to breast cancer."
"Oh, that's horrible," she stated and laid her hand on her chest. "Cancer is a terrible thief."
"Yes, it sure is, ma'am."
"I hear that you just got out of the Army," Elizabeth said then sipped her coffee.
"Yes, ma'am. I enlisted right out of high school and was in for fifteen years."
"You must have seen a lot of action," Jack remarked, having only heard a small part of the man's story the day prior.
"Yes, sir. I did see my fair share. I was in special forces, so I was usually one of the first ones in. There were many times I shouldn't have survived, but the Lord was watching over me for sure."
Hearing that he was a believer brought a smile to Elizabeth's face. "He does a lot of that for His children," Elizabeth stated.
"Yes, ma'am. He does."
"That must have been terrifying times," Elizabeth added.
"Yes, ma'am. They were some of the worst. 9/11 happened shortly after I completed basic training and AIT. I was part of a unit of mostly eighteen and nineteen-year-olds, fresh out of boot camp, and we were immediately sent to an army base to begin combat training. We were sent to Afghanistan and then Iraq. Many of my friends never made it home."
"We're very sorry to hear that, Dalton," Jack said as he held his coffee cup between his hands. "I can't even imagine how difficult that must have been."
"Yes, sir. And it doesn't seem to get any easier, so I'm hoping the horses can help me as much as I hope to help you."
"We'll make sure they do," Jack added.
"Hello?" Lee called out from the front door.
"In here, Lee," Jack replied.
Jack and Dalton stood as Lee entered, and Jack walked around the island to introduce the men.
"Lee, this is Dalton. Dalton, this is Lee. My training and ranch partner."
"Hello, sir," Dalton said as he held out his hand.
Lee's eyes did a quick scan over the man as he reached for his hand, receiving an extremely firm handshake. "Well, this is just great," Lee said.
"What?" Jack asked as he returned to the seat beside Elizabeth.
"One of you wasn't enough? You had to have another?"
Jack and Dalton looked at one another and then back at Lee.
"What are you talking about, Brother?" Jack asked.
"All of that," Lee said as he waved his hands in front of Dalton's body. "Both of you...all of that. Me," he began waving his hands in front of his own body, "none of that."
Jack and Elizabeth burst out in laughter, quickly followed by Dalton, as Lee stood shaking his head. Dalton was slightly bigger than Jack in height and build. His broad shoulders, thick arms and neck, tight stomach, and high and tight haircut gave the man away as having been in the military.
"Well, if nothing else, I've got two bodyguards if I find myself in a pinch."
"Brother, when have you ever found yourself in a pinch?"
"Well, it's been a while. But now that there are two of you, you just never know."
"Lee, you are a piece of work," Elizabeth giggled and took a drink of her coffee.
"Mommy! Daddy!" Peyton shouted as she ran into the room. "Uncle Lee!" she added, then ran and jumped into Lee's arms.
"Good morning, my little Pey. How are you?"
"I'm great!" Peyton noticed Dalton as he returned to his seat. "Who are you?"
Lee lowered her to the floor and pulled the stool out that was tucked under the island beside Dalton.
"My name is Dalton. You're sure a pretty little thing. What's your name?"
"Peyton Grace," she answered proudly as she walked around the island to Jack. "Daddy calls me Pey Pey."
"Well, it's very nice to meet you, Peyton Grace."
"Uncle Lee!" Colton shouted and ran to the man. "Hi."
"Hello, Colt," Lee said and lifted him onto his knee.
"Another one," Dalton stated. "And what's your name?"
"Colton," he answered timidly and hid behind Lee's head.
"Oh, a shy one."
"Not usually," Jack answered. "But then, he usually knows everyone that comes in here."
"Blakey, Uncle Lee is here!" Colton shouted.
Jackson hurried into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around Lee in a hug. "Good morning, Uncle Lee."
"Good morning, Jackson."
Jackson moved to Elizabeth and climbed onto her lap, keeping his gaze locked on the stranger.
"How many kids do y'all have?" Dalton asked.
"We have four," Elizabeth answered. "Brianna is in the bassinet behind you. She's four months old."
"You have a beautiful family."
"Thank you," Elizabeth replied.
"And what's your name?" Dalton asked.
"Jackson Blake."
"That's a very cool name."
"What's your name?"
"Dalton Avery Fitzgerald."
"Dalton Fitzgerald?" Lee repeated.
"Yes, sir."
"Why does that name sound familiar?"
"I'm not sure," Dalton responded, shaking his head.
"Wait! Dalton Fitzgerald. Starting running-back for Osage High?"
Surprised at this, Dalton nodded his head, "Yes. How did you know that?"
"Man, our schools battled for state every year. You were amazing. I remember, when was it? The fall of 98? No, Fall of 99. You got the ball and ran a sixty-yard touchdown. You took down, how many? Five of our guys along the way. We called you the tank."
"You played?" Dalton asked.
"Me, oh no. I just went to all of our games. I was a wrestler."
"What did you say your last name was again?"
"Coulter."
Dalton spun his chair and pointed at Lee. "Lee Coulter? Lee Coulter!"
"Yes?"
"You pinned my brother in two seconds in every single match."
"Fitzgerald? Wait, Dillon Fitzgerald is your brother?"
Dalton laughed and nodded his head.
"How is he?"
"Great. Married, two kids, CEO of a huge car dealership chain."
"Small world," Jack added with a laugh.
"Yes, sir, it most definitely is."
"Okay, enough with the formalities. I know it's the military background, and ours was in our upbringing, but you really don't need to call us sir."
"Or ma'am," Elizabeth added.
"Okay," Dalton chuckled and relaxed. "So, where do you want me to start?"
"We're going to begin in the round pen. See how you are around a green horse, see what you already know and what you don't. Once we do some work on a few colts, then we're running over to my mother's house to take care of her cattle and horses."
Jack filled Dalton in on the accident and the current situation they were in, and Dalton was excited to get started with his work.
"Where do I begin?" he asked.
"I like him," Lee smiled and pointed at Dalton with his thumb.
…..
University Hospital
Charlotte stood back while a nurse and Dr. Legum checked Frank over. The doctor pulled the sheet back, revealing the hardware of the fixator. Charlotte had seen it multiple times, but it hadn't gotten any easier and still made her stomach churn. They checked the surrounding tissue at each entry point of the rods, and he was pleased with how it looked. The doctor pulled the sheet back over the metal, and Charlotte watched as the air slowly dispersed and the thin fabric gradually formed around the fixator, leaving a perfect mold of the hardware that was currently holding her husband together."
As the nurse and doctor left the room, Sam stepped in and hugged Charlotte.
"How are you feeling today, Frank?" she asked as she logged into the computer, checking his chart.
"Much better."
After scanning the numbers and notes, she logged out and moved to the bed. "You have no idea how happy we are to hear that," she said as she squeezed his hand.
"When can I break out of this joint?" he asked with a grin, already knowing the answer.
"You heard the doctor, Frank," Sam said, shaking her finger at him. "But nice try."
"Well, I'm just starting my rounds and wanted to pop in to see how you were doing." Sam reached across the bed and took Charlotte's hand in her free one. "I'll stop by later on my break and see if you need anything."
"Thank you, dear," Charlotte said and firmly squeezed her daughter-in-law's hand.
"Take it easy, Pops," Sam said as she started out of the room.
"Oh, you know I will. I can't go anywhere," he joked.
"Just as long as you remember that," Sam added, shaking her finger at him once more.
…..
Hope Meadows Ranch
Jack and Lee sat on the old picnic table and watched Dalton with one of the horses in the round pen. The tall red mare had been there for three weeks, and Jack had been working with her a few times a week, so she was the perfect horse to see how Dalton would do. So far, Jack and Lee were impressed and could see that Dalton had an excellent foundation of training already in place.
"He'll work out great," Lee said as he leaned forward and rested his arms on his legs.
"I agree. He's already got the basics. He'll be ready to go with a little tweaking here and there."
"This will help out so much," Lee said with relief.
"Yes. And with Frank out, we can really use the help."
Jack had already ridden the mare a few times, and she was in need of more hours under the saddle. Dalton tightened the cinch before getting on, and swung onto the mare with ease. He rode her around one way several times, then turned her and went the other. His riding skills were even better than his groundwork, and Jack was pleased with his choice.
"He has a very gentle hand," Lee observed.
"Yes, he does. Very impressive," Jack agreed. "Hey, Dalton. Bring her over here," Jack called out and slid off the table. He met the man at the railing and petted the mare's forehead. "You seem to have the same background in training that we do, so that is great. Consistency is key for the best outcome, so you should fit in seamlessly."
"I'm very glad to hear that," Dalton said. "Do you want me to keep working on this girl?" he asked and patted the mare's neck.
"Sure, go for it. Lee and I will grab a couple of horses and work in the other pens."
The two men headed to the barn, and Jack looked over his shoulder to find Dalton already moving the mare into a new gait.
"He's a go-getter," Jack remarked.
"Probably the way he's always been, but I'm sure the military has a little something to do with that as well."
"I'm sure it does," Jack agreed.
…..
Elizabeth was sitting in a chair in the corner of the room near her piano with Brianna in her arms. She was getting ready to nurse her and adjusted her shirt and bra. With her daughter latched on and her shirt pulled down, Elizabeth laid her head back against the chair and listened to the song that played over the speakers. It was a new one by Lauren Daigle that Elizabeth had never heard before, and she loved the intensity of the lyrics and music. She opened the app on her phone, restarted the song, closed her eyes, and began memorizing the words.
"Before I bring my need
I will bring my heart
Before I lift my cares
I will lift my arms
I wanna know You
I wanna find You
In every season
In every moment
Before I bring my need
I will bring my heart
And seek You - First
I wanna seek You, I wanna seek You - First
I wanna keep You, I wanna keep You - First
More than anything I want, I want You - First
Before I speak a word
Let me hear Your voice
And in the midst of pain
Let me feel Your joy, ooh
I wanna know You
I wanna find You
In every season
In every moment
Before I speak a word
I will bring my heart
And seek You - First
I wanna seek You, I wanna seek You - First
I wanna keep You, I wanna keep You - First
More than anything I want, I want You - First
You are my treasure and my reward
Let nothing ever come before
You are my treasure and my reward
Let nothing ever come before
I seek You - First
I wanna seek You, I wanna seek You - First
I wanna keep You, I wanna keep You – First."
When the song ended, she opened her eyes to switch Brianna to the other side and found Jack leaning against the wall, watching her. A smile stretched across his face, and his love for her shone in his eyes.
"When did you come in?" she asked as she moved her daughter.
"Oh, about the time you restarted the song. That was a good one."
"Yes, it was," she grinned.
Jack crossed the room and knelt beside the chair. He watched his daughter nurse as Elizabeth hadn't covered herself yet, amazed by the miraculous bond created by God of mother and child.
"How's Dalton working out?"
"He's great. His training methods are similar to mine, and he's eager to work." Bandit was lying on the floor beside the chair, and Jack began petting the dog.
"Good combination," Elizabeth replied with a grin.
"Yes, very good," Jack replied as he ran his hand along her leg. "What are the kids doing?"
"They are downstairs putting together a puzzle."
"Well, that sounds like fun. I'll run down and check on them."
"Thank you, Cowboy."
Jack stood and leaned down to kiss her. "Of course, Beautiful."
After putting a few pieces of the puzzle in place, Jack left the kids to finish it while he returned to his work outside. Harley was tied to the hitching post near the back of the house, and Jack climbed on and turned the gelding toward the horse pastures. Wyatt, as always, was at his side and on alert.
He rode along the fences, staring down and inspecting each and every foot of it, and stopped when he reached the majority of his mares. He sat atop Harley, and the pair looked across the grassy hill covered with forty-two mares with foals at their sides. Maverick stood in the center, staring proudly back at Jack. After a snort, the stallion returned to grazing alongside Elizabeth's black and white paint mare.
Jack had turned Maverick out with the mares that spring, hoping his investment would pay out in several foals the following year. The stallion had been overly excited to join the herd and had the mares running for hours before he finally settled down. As far as Jack could tell, the horse had been doing his job, but time would tell in several more months.
Jack was most eager to see what Elizabeth's mare's foal would look like. With almost every color possible, he was hoping for another black and white or a buckskin like Maverick.
He urged Harley forward, and they continued with their fence checking, stopping at each pasture to look over the herds as well. At the final one, closest to the barn, Hope ran to the fence to greet them with her head held high and whinnies that echoed across the valley. Jack moved Harley against the fence and scratched the young mare between her ears.
"How are you doing today, Miss Hope?"
The young horse nibbled on Harley's mane, and the gelding threw his head toward her as a warning to stop. Hope took a step back, then returned to her nibbling.
"You better watch out, Hope. Harley doesn't like that," Jack said and gently pushed the mare's nose.
Hope spun around, took off running, kicked her back legs out, and began bucking across the pasture until she reached the other horses. Laughing, Jack guided Harley toward the barn to put him up for the day.
Lee had just closed the stall door to the mare he'd been working with when Jack walked in with Harley.
"Everything good?" Lee asked as he walked to the stall of another horse.
"Yep. No issues, and the mares and foals all look great."
"Old Mav enjoying himself?" Lee asked and laughed.
"Oh, yes. He's in heaven out there with all those gals. But his time is over, and I'll be moving him back in here permanently."
"Sad day in the stallion world," Lee joked.
"Until next spring," Jack said, slipping the bridle off Harley. "How's Dalton."
"He's amazing. He's working with that young colt now. I showed him a few things you taught me, and he's shown me some tricks. You just might have met your match in him."
"I'm okay with that," Jack said and flipped the stirrup up. "We need good help."
"Well, we've got it. He doesn't stop."
"Wonderful," Jack said and flashed his smile. "It should take some pressure off us."
"No doubt. Are you going to take on more horses now that he's here?"
"No, not right now. Not more than we're doing, anyway. At least not until Frank is better and getting around. And even then, we won't know how he'll be."
"How's your mom holding up?"
"Strong as always. But much better now that he's awake."
"I bet. How scary that must have been for her."
"You have no idea," Jack said, pulling the saddle from Harley's back. He carried it into the tack room, slid it onto the saddle rack, then returned to the horse. "I'm not going to lie; I honestly didn't know if Frank would pull through or how Ma would survive it. Losing two husbands would be too much for anyone."
"Well, Frank is awake; he's talking. This is all great news. He has miles of healing ahead of him, but he has all of you to walk beside him."
"Lee, you joke around a lot, you tease, and you're the butt of many jokes, but you're the best friend I have ever had," Jack said as he wrapped the man in a bear hug. "Thank you for everything."
Lee smacked Jack on the back several times, then kissed his cheek. "Of course. You're my brother."
"I love you, man."
"I love you, Jacko." Lee stepped back and picked up the lead attached to the horse. "Enough of this mushy crap," he teased. "Let's get cowboying."
Jack laughed as he watched his best friend walk out of the barn with the grey gelding in tow. He put Harley in his pen, gave the horse an extra scoop of grain, then retrieved his next project. As he headed out of the barn with a yearling filly beside him, he pressed his hand to the faded wood where Buck's nameplate once was, then stepped through the door.
…..
University Hospital
"Charlotte, please, go home," Frank pleaded. "You've been here for days. I'm fine. I'm not going anywhere," he said as he motioned over the hardware above his waist.
"Hilarious, Frank," she said sarcastically as she leaned back into her chair.
"Seriously, though. You need to go home. Relax, take a nap, bake, take your horse out for a ride, soak in a bubble bath...something other than sitting here and waiting for something to happen."
"He's right, Mom," Sam said as she stepped into the room. "I'm here all day. I just started my twelve-hour shift, I'll drop by frequently, and I'll let you know if the tiniest thing changes," she said as she laid her hand on her mother-in-law's shoulder.
Charlotte looked back and forth between Sam and her husband, then threw her hands into the air. "Fine. I can take a hint," she said as she stood.
"Now, Char. You know that's not what we mean," Frank said sternly.
"I know, dear," she said as she leaned down and kissed him. "I was only teasing," she remarked softly. "I will not be gone long," she added as she pointed at them.
"Mom, take all the time you need. His vitals are very stable, and he's doing great," Sam assured.
Charlotte looked at her husband and could see his color was great, his breathing was as expected, and his spirits were up. "Fine. But I'll be back tonight with a decent dinner."
"Sounds perfect," Frank said with a smile.
Charlotte turned to leave, stopped beside Sam, and laid her hand on her daughter-in-law's arm. "Anything," she said with complete seriousness in her eyes.
"Anything, Mom. I promise."
Just before Charlotte disappeared around the corner, she looked back one last time and pointed at Frank. "You behave yourself."
Frank grinned and replied, "I usually do."
…..
Hope Meadows Ranch
Elizabeth pushed the stroller with Brianna inside, the basket beneath filled with food, and three happy children dancing and playing as they crossed the yard. Bandit sauntered beside her; like Wyatt, he was never far away. The kids stopped to say hello to Hope and five other young mares who had greeted them. Elizabeth pushed the stroller up beside the fence and petted the side of the mare's face.
"Hello, beautiful Hope. You have sure grown into a gorgeous young lady."
Hope stretched her neck over the fence and looked into the stroller. Pushing down on the wire, she lowered her head until her nose was against the baby's stomach, and the mare breathed in. She lifted her head, threw it up and down, then returned to Brianna.
The four-month-old reached out and gripped Hope's nostrils, but the mare did not move. She gingerly brushed against the baby, smelling her clothes and then her face, as Brianna touched the horse's velvety soft nose.
The horse slowly lifted her head, keeping her eyes on the baby, then looked at Elizabeth.
"That's Brianna, girl," Elizabeth said and petted the horse again. "Such a good girl."
Elizabeth and the kids continued on their way while Hope followed along the fence for as long as she could. When she reached the corner, she stood and watched them walk away, then ran off to rejoin the herd. Elizabeth could see that all three men were outside working with horses, and she turned the stroller in that direction.
"Hello, Beautiful," Jack said with a huge smile. He had just stopped the yearling and crossed the round pen toward his wife.
"Hey there, Cowboy," she said and laid her arms on the top rail.
"Hi, Daddy," Peyton called out as she climbed the fence. "He's pretty."
"Well, he is a she, and yes, she is very pretty. But not as pretty as you," he said and tapped his daughter's nose.
Peyton giggled and reached out to pet the horse. "What's her name?"
"This is Melody," Jack said and patted the filly's neck.
"Hi, Melody."
"I brought everyone lunch," Elizabeth said as she reached into the bottom of the stroller and pulled out a bag of sandwiches.
"Oh, perfect timing," Jack said as he took the food. "I'm starving."
The men took a quick break and sat around the picnic table, discussing the progress of their horses while they ate. Once finished, Lee and Dalton returned to work, and Elizabeth followed Jack to his pen. He picked up where he had left off and soon had the filly standing in the middle of a blue tarp.
"Gramma!" Colton shouted from the dirt pile. "Gramma's here."
"Did you know your mom was coming?" Elizabeth asked as she turned the stroller in Charlotte's direction.
"No. I had no idea."
Jack joined his family as they walked across the lawn to Charlotte. Jackson, Colton, and Peyton were beside themselves with excitement about seeing her and hugged her again and again. Bandit had hurried to his owner and acted five years younger as she petted him. When Jack and Elizabeth reached her with the stroller, Charlotte immediately scooped Brianna up and held her granddaughter to her chest as she hugged Jack and Elizabeth.
"What are you doing here, Ma?"
"Frank and Sam insisted that I leave for the day. So, here I am."
"Good. I'm glad they finally got you out of there," Elizabeth stated.
"Who's this?" Charlotte asked, pointing toward Dalton.
"He's my new horse trainer and ranch hand. He'll be helping out Lee and me with the horses as well as filling in on your ranch."
"That's wonderful. I was worried about you boys trying to do all the work." Charlotte looked down at her granddaughter and brushed her finger along her cheek. "She's getting so big."
"Ma, Lance, and Walker are still helping out. We've got a schedule, and everyone is taking turns, so they don't fall behind on their own work. It's working out great so far."
"Oh, good. Thank you, Jack."
Jack put his arm around his mother and looked down at Brianna, who was smiling at them. "She looks like Beth," he said quietly.
"She looks like both of you."
Brianna's crooked smile grew and one eye closed as if she was winking at them, causing her dimples to become more prominent.
"She definitely gets those from you," Charlotte remarked and touched a finger to the baby girl's cheeks.
"Yes, that she did," Jack said with a grin, showing off his own.
"How's Frank doing today?"
"He's good...considering."
"Of course," Jack replied.
"Did you want to go inside?" Elizabeth asked. "Have a cup of coffee and visit?"
"I've been cooped up too long. I'd love some more fresh air. Can I watch you work with the filly?"
"Of course, Ma. Come on," Jack said and held his arm out for her.
Charlotte and Elizabeth sat on a bench outside the round pen with Brianna still in her grandmother's arms. Peyton, Colton, and Jackson ran around and played, pretending they were on their horses and raced. Jack worked with various instruments around the filly to desensitize her to sounds. Plastic bags, whips, tin cans, and large tarps were spread around the pen that day as he urged the young horse to walk over or through them.
"He's always had a way with horses," Charlotte said as she watched her son with pride. "His father was the same way, but Jack...I don't know...has something more. He has the gentlest hand with a young horse and a commanding voice when necessary. I've watched him take the meanest horse anyone has ever seen and turn him into something I'd put my grandchildren on."
"Yes, he's amazing with horses. And people, for that matter."
Charlotte placed an arm behind Elizabeth and laid her head on her daughter-in-law's shoulder. "Yes, he is. He's turned into a blend of his father and Frank."
Elizabeth smiled at the thought, thinking how Jack would love to hear that as he truly looked up to and respected Frank. The bench was angled in a way that the women could see all three pens. They alternated their gazes between the three men working three very different horses, each reaching the same results. The horses were focused on their trainers, moving in the direction asked, stopping when signaled. And after some work, not reacting to the sound of a plastic bag or the movement of the tarp.
It was apparent why so many people from miles away were bringing their horses to Hope Meadows Ranch. Jack had already saved several horses from horrible fates and will continue doing so for as long as possible.
After spending over an hour with the family, Charlotte said her goodbyes and left for home to shower and rest. Elizabeth returned to the house with the kids and got them into the tub. With freshly washed hair and clean skin, she lifted each out of the huge tub and wrapped them with large plush towels. She sat back on her heels as she watched them run from the room, holding their towels and giggling uncontrollably.
Elizabeth picked up a towel and began drying the floor from water the children had splashed out. She gathered the toys from the tub, placed them in a mesh bag, and laid them on the towel to dry. When Elizabeth walked into the room, Brianna was lying in the middle of the bed, cooing to herself. She lay across the mattress alongside the baby and softly sang to her.
Hearing this, Wyatt jumped onto the bed and lay on the other side of the baby, stretching his neck until his nose touched her hand. Brianna squealed with delight at the dog's soft fur as she grabbed his face, and Wyatt laid his head on her stomach. She patted his ear as the dog closed his eyes and listened to Elizabeth's sweet singing. Brianna kept one hand on the dog's head and reached for her momma's face with the other. Elizabeth leaned down until she felt the damp fingers of her daughter, as Brianna had just been sucking on her hand, and continued to sing the beautiful lullaby that her own mother used to sing to her.
…..
Hope Meadows Ranch
"Hey, Sam," Jack said as he answered his cell phone.
"Hi, Jack. Is Tom there with you?"
"He sure is. Did you need him?"
"Well, actually, I was wondering if you'd seen your mom."
"Yes. She was here early today, just after lunch. Why? Isn't she back at the hospital?"
Tom heard the conversation and moved closer to Jack. He pulled his phone from his pocket to find it off and realized he'd forgotten to charge it.
"No. Which isn't like her. It was like pulling teeth to get her to leave this morning, so I thought she would only be gone for a few hours."
"We'll run over to the house and check on her," Jack said as he started for his truck, Tom right behind him.
"Okay. Thanks, Jack."
"Of course, Sam." Jack hung up the phone, tossed it onto the front seat, and climbed in beside it.
"Have you heard from Ma?" Jack asked his brother as he started the truck.
"No. Not today." Tom reached for Jack's charger, plugged in his phone, and laid it in the dash.
They rode in silence as Jack hurried to her house, trying to silence the thoughts swirling through their minds.
Before Jack even had it in park, the brothers had their doors open and seatbelts off. They ran through the front door, calling their mother's name, and received no answer. As they approached her bedroom door, they saw it was closed, something she never did during the day. Jack looked at Tom before he placed his hand on the doorknob and noticed the same nervous expression staring back at him. He slowly turned the knob, eased the door open, and peered through the crack. Jack knocked on the door, but received no reaction from his mother, so he pushed the door the remainder of the way, and both men stepped inside. Charlotte was lying on the bed, her back facing them, fully dressed and with no blanket over her, unmoving.
Jack swallowed hard, took another step forward, and called out, "Ma?"