Meanwhile

AJ and Zek had been watching from the shadows, but within hearing distance. They were not SeAL's for nothing. They had heard everything and had to try very hard not to laugh when Tom was acting like he was back in high school.

"Well, AJ, you weren't lying when you said Tom had a thing for Mac." Scratching his head in wonderment, "I know I have only known Mac for a little over a year, but I have never seen that look on her face before."

"Me neither, Zek, not even when she was suppose to marry Mic." He really hoped everything worked out for Tom and Mac.

"Come on, AJ, if I don't get you over to see Rose soon, she'll clobber me." Zek also knew that Rose was going to try and do a little matchmaking of her own with Ester and AJ and was not comfortable with that but promised Rose he would not say anything. He knew AJ would love Ester, they were too much alike.

They ran into Matt and explained what was going on and invited him to join them. He said that he would be more than happy to join them.

While they were eating, the men, along with Ester and Rose, decided to help the budding romance along. The men came up with a plan to get them together. They would arrange to have Tom help Mac with the horses and anything else that Mac would need a partner for. They would also encourage Tom to go with Mac when she would go into town for supplies suggesting that they go out to dinner and dancing, or the movies, while they were there.

Rose laughed to herself thinking, 'Yeah and they say women meddle in other people's business!'

While Tom put his things in the room next to Matt's, Mac was getting dinner on the plates. Ester had been teaching Mac how to cook and she was becoming very good at it. Not as good as Ester, but her food was edible now or so she was told.

She had a stew cooking in the crock-pot all day and it smelled so good that her stomach growled very loudly just as Tom entered the kitchen.

"From the sound I just heard, I'd say you were hungry, Marine." He smiled to let her know that he was teasing.

"Yes and you don't want to come between a Marine and their food, buster." Mac replied while waving a wooden spoon at him. She was enjoying teasing him and being teased by him.

"Did you make this yourself?" Tom asked looking anxious. He remembered that Harm said she could not cook.

She knew what he was thinking, "Don't look so grim. Ester, our chef, has been teaching me how to cook for the past seven months and, if I might add, I'm getting very good at it."

They walked into the large dining area caring their plates and ice teas. Tom asked if there was somewhere else they could eat.

Mac nodded and replied, "Yes, through those doors, there are tables for two." she was hoping he would want to sit in there. "Would you like to eat in there?"

"I would like that very much. It would almost be like taking you out to a real restaurant." He could barely wait to take Mac out to a nice place and see her dressed up.

They chose a table by a window and sat down. Tom lit the candle that was there and gave her a heartwarming smile.

Trying to relieve the butterflies that ware in her stomach, Mac teased, "Yeah, except you get out of paying."

"I don't know," he titled his head at her, "You are asking me try your food and from what Harm said, I'm almost afraid to." His eyes were twinkling as he looked across the table at her.

She stared into his eyes and was lost. It was as if they could see into each other's soul. She took a sip of her drink to clear her throat. "If you are too afraid to try it that only leaves more for me."

Instead of replying he took a big bite, chewed for a second then stopped. This was the best stew he had ever had. Mac was getting a little worried, maybe it was not as good as it smelled; she hadn't tried it yet. Finishing off the mouthful with a hearty swallow, he told her, "This is the best stew I have tasted in a very long time, almost as good as my mom's was."

Mac could not explain why she wanted Tom to like it so much, but what he said had her close to tears. In a somewhat quiet voice and glancing to the side, she replied, "Thank you."

He reached across the table and took a hold of her chin. Turning her face towards his so they would be looking into each other's eyes, he informed her, "Sarah, you should be proud of what you have accomplished and I'm not just talking about the stew. Harm explained to me how you took those boys under your wing and how you help troubled teens in the area for the past year, giving them jobs to do around the resort, and forming a youth group involving them in horse competitions. What you're doing here is a good thing." Leaning in, he kissed her tenderly on the cheek.

Before she could respond, Tom released her and leaned back, saying, "Now to finish this wonderful meal before it gets cold or you hog it all." He was trying so hard not to rush this, but all he really wanted to do was hold and kiss Mac and show her how he cared for her.

"Hey, there is plenty here for a whole platoon of Marines!" Laughing as Tom was almost inhaling the stew.

He stopped long enough to say, "Yeah, but Harm told me how much you can eat and I'm not taking any chances." He laughed with her as they returned to eating but took their time.