"That should about do it on this swing," Jack said, looking up from where he was sitting on the floor with his glasses perched on his nose and screwdriver in hand. Lisa was standing in her living room, reading a set of directions for a video baby monitor she had opened. She took off her glasses and looked over to Jack.
"Oh, that looks nice," she nodded in appreciation. "I like it, very simple, not full of a thousand colors, and not too big."
"Yeah," he said groaning, as he used her coffee table to stand. "It wasn't complicated to put together either, which I prefer," he agreed with a nod.
"I suppose that can go over in that corner," she nodded, "away from the full sun. That's great. Thank you."
"Much better than that highchair with the directions only in French," he said, spitting out the word French, as he rolled his eyes at her. She chuckled and pointed to him.
"I told you I didn't need that put together right away. It's not like he's using it for a few months, but thank you. I apologize for the French directions. I didn't know it would come like that either."
"What's that you have there?" Jack asked after placing the swing as he walked back to the couch and plopped down, grunting. Lisa gestured the device toward him.
"Well, it's a video baby monitor, so I can watch him from another room," she explained. "Almost like a security camera of sorts in his room."
"Watch him from another room? Lisa, don't you think that is a bit much? I mean, he cries, and he's heard. I think the amount of technology today is just ridiculous. Nothing wrong with good old fashion ways."
"Really?" Lisa now crossed her arms and nodded at him as she smirked. "Okay, so if I'm on my back patio there," she nodded outside to the gorgeous patio that overlooked the property, "and he's napping upstairs, I should just listen better? This just gives me that extra peace of mind that I can check on him. It's just a simple piece of technology."
He nodded at the camera, "How's that simple technology treating you? Seems to me you've been trying to figure it out since I started with the swing. As I can tell," he flashed a grin, "my old school ways of putting together a baby swing were much simpler than you trying to figure out that simple camera."
Lisa scowled at him, not wanting to admit that he was right about that. This particular camera was more of a mess than she wanted. It had good reviews, but she didn't need something this complex to set up for videos, etc. She hated it and wanted to trash it. Thankfully, their conversation was pushed aside when the doorbell rang.
"I'll get that," Lisa said, tossing the camera onto the couch, almost at Jack. "Piece of junk," she muttered as she heard Jack laughing from the couch.
"How about I make us some tea?" Jack called to her as she walked to the door.
"Yes, sounds good," Lisa called back to him. She was still between laughing and annoyance at her camera and the fact that Jack called her out on something that had turned out to be junk, when she opened the front door.
"Dan," she said and instantly frowned, not opening the doorway any further. "What do you want?"
"Lisa, here to talk business," Dan said, eyeing her up and down. "Wow, you really blew up."
Lisa smirked at him, "Always been such a charmer, Dan," she said rolling her eyes. "We don't have any business right now. Our joint horses are in the barn," she gestured, "where you know the way, and they currently have no issues. Vet was here for their well checks last week."
"Really hot here, Lisa," he nodded to her. "May I step inside?"
Lisa let out a loud sigh and put her hand on her stomach, as she stepped to the side and gestured with her other hand, "You may step inside to discuss this so-called business right here in this foyer." Dan smiled and stepped around her, while Lisa closed the door. She turned to him, her one hand now on her back, which was always killing her these days. "What do you need?"
"I was already in the barn," he told her in a nasty tone, "and decided to stop by and see if you were planning to go to that horse auction next week. Some of the best in North America will be up for sale there, but seeing you," he said, looking her up and down now with almost a look of disgust, "I guess you won't be going."
"Why wouldn't I be going?" Lisa asked him, gesturing with her hand. "It's next week. Yes, I'm going. I'm not due for six more weeks, five more weeks by next week. I own race horses and breed them; I have several on my list to look at next week."
"Oh," he said in complete surprise, "so you do know about it? I just assumed that with your pregnancy-"
"What?" Lisa gestured her hand in the air again. "You assumed what? You assumed that because I am pregnant, I can't do my job. I'm doing my job just fine, Dan."
"Well, I heard around town you took off for a few days, guess for some vacation?" Dan eyed her. Lisa thought a moment, let out a loud single laugh and nodded at him. He was referring to her stay in the hospital. She'd heard that too, that she'd gone on vacation, and it was fine with her.
"Yes, Dan, I was off relaxing for a few days, but as you can see," she gestured her hand around in the air. "My business is still doing just fine."
"I suppose we can ride together," he nodded, almost telling her instead of asking.
Lisa titled her head and made a face at him, "No, that won't be necessary. Again, I'm pregnant, not incompetent. I'm still driving, and I will find my way there just fine."
"Dan," both heads turned when Jack stepped into the hallway, holding two tea cups in his hands. He made eye contact with Lisa and nodded to Dan, a neutral expression on his face.
"Jack Bartlett," Dan nodded, looking between the two. "I'm surprised to find you here with what I've been hearing."
Jack didn't flinch and didn't change his expression, "I'm where I am supposed to be right now. Lisa, your tea is ready and is nice and hot." He met her gaze and gave her a small smile.
She gave him a reassuring smile in return and nodded to him. Before she could say more, Dan continued.
"Must be getting close to not being able to travel, Lisa. I am surprised you're going to that auction with it being all the way down in Kalispell, Montana," Dan said again, almost trying to spur on Jack. "That baby looks to be coming soon. Boy or girl."
Lisa schooled her features and refused to discuss the auction again, especially in front of Jack. She chose to give him a little of his own medicine.
"Oh, I'm doing just fine Dan," she said patting her side. "Baby is a boy, Benoit," she said, pursing her lips and trying to hold back from laughing. She heard a small snort from Jack and knew if she looked in his direction at all, she'd burst out laughing. That had become the joke now between them. Thankfully, Jack was standing behind her in the hallway with the tea.
"Dan's eyes rose in surprise, "Oh, a very French name," he nodded. "Interesting. It certainly doesn't help to have that name with the rumors I've heard." Lisa shrugged, and Dan continued, choosing to poke at Jack. "Don't you find that interesting, Jack, a very French name, with all the rumors going around about a French jockey and all? No questions at all?"
"Dan," Jack said very quickly in a firm, no-nonsense tone, "Dan, the only question that plagues me is what Lisa ever saw in you. Now, I'm going to enjoy this tea while it's still hot."
"As I will too," Lisa said, now turning to give Jack an encouraging smile. She mouthed, "Thank you," to him, and he gave a slight nod and stood his ground.
"I'm sure I will have to see you at the auction, Dan," Lisa said now, walking around him and opening the door. "I think that wraps up any business you think we had. Goodbye."
She was quiet until Dan left, closed the door abruptly, and turned to find Jack still there in support.
"He had no business to discuss," she said, shaking her heard, clearly irritated. "I will be so glad when I can sell the horses we still jointly own. They are still under a contract we have."
Jack nodded as he listened and when she'd finished, he gestured toward the living room. He followed Lisa and spoke as they walked, "What was that about a horse auction?"
"Yes, next week, it's by invite only, and there will be some amazing horses there with fabulous lineages. I have my eye on several, four or so. That should be my last big work purchase for a few months. I'm really hopeful I can get my hands on at least a couple of those horses."
Jack put down the tea while Lisa first picked up the video monitor and then threw it on the floor by its packaging. Jack chuckled at that, and then Lisa sat. He sat at the other end of the couch while Lisa turned sideways and put her feet up on the couch, letting out a sigh of relief.
"Did I hear that it's down in Montana?" Jack asked, eyeing her. She made a face and nodded.
"Yes, Kalispell, which I know you've been to many times, so about 4.5 hours from here. I'll drive down, stay overnight, go to the auction, hopefully take care of any paperwork for any purchases I make, stay again, and come back. It won't be too bad."
"Lisa," he sighed, "I'm not crazy about you driving down there right now. That's a lot of driving, and you are uncomfortable already."
Lisa raised an eyebrow at Jack, "I certainly hope you are not suggesting I'm not capable of doing my job."
"No!" Jack exclaimed, sighing as he shook his head. "This goes back to your health, asking for help, and just knowing your limits right now. You know I am fully aware of your competence, but you've got to think about your health. You weren't off at a spa relaxing as Dan there thinks, and you know it."
Lisa was quiet as she processed what he was saying. Finally, she let out a long breath and looked back at him, "Fine, Jack," she nodded and pursed her lips. "I do need to go to this auction for my job. I've asked you to go to auctions with me before, one time in particular was a very nice memory," she smiled. Jack thought about that first date of theirs when his truck broke down and smiled too. "So, are you up for a road trip to Montana? If you really want me to go with someone, it's either you or Dan," she said, flashing a smile at him. "Your choice."