"Why am I sweating just standing here?" Jack asked, frowning at Lisa as they stood at the rental car counter where Lisa was finishing up with the paperwork. She flashed a fake smile at him and nodded at his appearance.

"You should be thanking me. You were going to wear one of your normal plaid button up shirts, layered over your thermal, I might add, along with bringing your heavy coat." She smacked at his stomach, and he groaned while she continued, "At least I made you ditch the long sleeves and just wear a solid, navy short sleeve t-shirt. You'd be much more comfortable if you would have worn the lightweight khaki pants or even those shorts."

"I'm not traveling in shorts," he grumbled, rolling his eyes. "Never worn them, and I'm not flying out of Calgary looking like that. You don't have on shorts," he gestured to her. She glanced down, like she wasn't aware of what she was wearing. In addition to her capri pants, Lisa had on a simple t-shirt with a cardigan over it, telling Jack she hated being cold on the plane. She had a lightweight jacket with her and had even worn that during the flight. Dressy sandals were on her feet, and Jack, in contrast, had tried to wear one of his typical outfits from home. She had insisted he ditch the long sleeves for a solid t-shirt, and he agreed the jeans were fine, even if she'd suggested other. Instead of his cowboy boots, she'd had him wear a new pair of lightweight loafers, and as much as he wanted to complain about them, he'd found them to be pretty comfortable. He hadn't told Lisa that yet. He didn't want to admit complete defeat in his wardrobe choices just yet. At least his feet weren't sweating too. He realized he was doing a once-over of their attire, and he looked up when Lisa answered his comment.

"No, but capri pants are at least Florida-like and good for travel. Cheer up," she patted his arm, "we'll have full control of the air conditioning at the beach house, something you're not used to either. That will feel fantastic after all of this humidity. You can cool off the place and avoid the heat and humidity if it's too much of a bother."

"Doesn't feel normal for it to be December and 88 degrees Fahrenheit," he gestured to the wall where it was displaying the temperature, "or whatever is it here in Celsius, really hot is whatever it is," he added, glancing around at the airport. "You said this place isn't that crowded? It's packed in here, Lise."

She made a face and shook her head, "No, this is just a normal day here. I told you I've flown through here before. Be glad we didn't fly in and out of Miami. Talk about a total disaster. That airport is ridiculously busy and a nightmare to navigate. At least our flight was smooth, on time, and no problem with the connection in Atlanta."

"Now that airport was huge," Jack shook his head. "I will admit, while large, it was a lot easier to navigate than Paris was. Charles de Gaulle was terrible. I still have nightmares about that place."

"Hmm, everyone does I think," Lisa broke into a laugh. She met Jack's gaze, "I picked Fort Lauderdale because it's close to the house, but it's also a very nice airport. You have to admit it's not a total zoo."

Jack looked around, watching people, and he gestured back to Lisa, "I think you have to be the youngest one in here. What is this place-the nursing home for the South? Why is everyone here older than me?"

"Snowbirds," Lisa pursed her lips and nodded, smacking at him again. "You fit right in with the old people, and thank you for the compliment that I don't," she grinned as she glanced around too. "Yes, I think I am the youngest one here. It seems like every retiree from the North, to include Canada, flocks to this warm weather every winter and lives here four to six months of the year. What?" Lisa looked to him, carefree and with her eyes sparkling, "You aren't interested in the heat and humidity all winter?"

"Never thought I'd say that the cold sounded good. Wait, snowbirds, like old people who fly south for the winter like birds do? Okay," he rolled his eyes as Lisa grinned at him, "I heard myself just saying that and realize it's exactly what we just did."

"Yes, that's exactly what I mean by snowbirds, just like in Arizona. We saw that there the few times we went. You didn't hear that terminology when we were in Arizona? Face it, Cowboy. It's what we are," she bumped up against him with a nod, "well, maybe you're the old one. I'm just tagging along with you." Jack started to laugh, dropping his head as he did. Lisa was in a good mood. He was even in a good mood despite the long flight, where he hadn't complained at all. Lisa had surprised him with a few fishing magazines for the plane, and they had kept his attention. She'd also packed some snacks-trail mix, peanuts, and a couple of candy bars, and that had been perfect on the plane. They'd had a simple lunch in Atlanta, salads for both, as neither wanted a heavy meal with all the travel. She'd also booked them first-class tickets, something that still surprised Jack, traveling with her as he had a little now, at least to Arizona a few times. He wasn't used to that, but he had to admit it was nice to have more room on the plane. It definitely wasn't a lifestyle he was accustomed to, but he knew it was how Lisa was used to traveling, and with all of her traveling, he was glad to be with her. She navigated airports with ease, had all of the tips and tricks to get through security and screening easily, and she just eased his mind while traveling. He knew he'd been a fool not to travel more with her; he could see how happy she was even after their long day. He liked seeing her happy and hoped it continued the week, now that they were in Florida, ready to get out of the airport.

"I know it's hot, but it will be a nice break from the cold this week, and it might just help your arthritis. I know you've been complaining about it."

"True," he nodded. "What is taking the guy so long with our rental car?"

Lisa looked down the rental car desk area, shaking her head, "I have no idea."

"I'm looking forward to a meal when we get out of here. What time is it?"

Lisa flashed another grin at Jack, shaking her head, "You never know what time it is when we travel. I do remember that from France. You couldn't get the time zone figured out. You know," she patted her hand on his front jean pocket where he had his phone, "your phone does update to the time zone." Jack's eyes widened as he pursed his lips in an appreciative nod.

He pulled out his phone and smirked at Lisa, like he was the first person to ever figure that out, "It's now 7:00, definitely time for some dinner."

"Look at you," she grinned, patting his chest, "you figured out the local time."

"Not bad for an old geezer," he flashed a smirk at her, and she started laughing at him, dropping her head. Jack smacked her arm when the rental car agent returned, almost appearing out of nowhere.

"Okay, sorry about that. I had to verify the vehicles we had ready to go. We had a lot of cars returned today, and some are ready, but many are not. The SUV class you booked isn't ready. I do have a truck ready if you want it."

Lisa made a face, looking to Jack. He started to chuckle and shook his head. Lisa looked back, pointing to her paperwork, "No, I really don't that here. We're trying to get a break from our normal lives, even though any truck you have would be so much improved over what is at home," she told the man, glancing to Jack with a roll of the eyes. He continued to laugh inwardly and had to step away. Lisa looked back at the agent, "I have elite status, which I know is eligible for upgrades. What SUVs do you have available?"

"Let me check," he said with a nod, and he disappeared again, Lisa turning and smacking at Jack again.

"I'm not flying all the way to Florida to ride around in a truck all week."

"Sounds like a great start to our trip to me," Jack continued laughing, shrugging his shoulders at Lisa. She sighed loudly but quickly started laughing too. She turned back when the agent returned quickly.

"Sorry, you are in luck. They are just finishing up with a few SUVs. My manager just updated the system. I'll have you all set in a few more minutes."

Thankfully, they were set shortly thereafter, and once Jack loaded their luggage, he graciously allowed Lisa to navigate the congested roads, already commenting on them as their flight was landing. Once they were clear of the airport, Lisa turned on her GPS, with directions to the house and started their short drive. Jack was busy looking around at the scenery, all foreign to the native Canadian.

Jack glanced at Lisa. She looked relaxed even driving in a new place, her hair clipped up, sunglasses on, and well, she looked beautiful and ready for a relaxing vacation. He had to admit that right now, whatever it was, she looked way younger than she was. It was hard to believe she was going to be turning 60. Sure, she looked a little older than she had when he met her at 42, but almost on a daily basis, he had to remind himself that this beautiful, younger woman loved him. Right now, there was no way she looked 60, or even 50 for that matter. Watching her now, loose pieces of her blonde hair blowing slightly with the air conditioner on full blast, Jack just couldn't get over how beautiful she was inside and out. He really had a wonderful wife in Lisa, and he could see just how happy she was about this trip. She'd even told him she'd gotten her nails done the day before. His thoughts were paused as he started to mess with the car's visor.

"That sun is blinding," he grumbled.

"I tried to get you to buy a pair of sunglasses. You're used to your cowboy hat. You're going to need a good pair of sunglasses here. We'll have to get you some."

"Sunglasses," he grumbled. "Glasses are for reading."

"Or protecting your eyes from the sun, case in point," she continued to look forward at the road as she pointed to her own pair. "We don't have to spend a fortune on sunglasses, Jack, but seriously, you need them down here. You didn't want to get out your new hat?"

"No, you said it was for the beach."

"You can wear it anywhere."

"The only people I saw wearing a hat like mine at the airport were old."

Lisa slowly turned her head to him, pulled her sunglasses down to her nose, and she pursed her lips, looking at Jack, no words, but her look made him roll his eyes.

"Older than me," he gestured. She repeated the look, and he just chuckled, "Fine, probably my age, but I don't want to be the old guy in a hat down here."

"Jack, when everyone is old, you just blend right in." She patted his arm as she drove, and he dropped his head chuckling. He looked up when she started messing with her phone.

"Great," he gestured to the GPS, "we always do so well with your modern technology. Our luck, and this thing will have you driving right into the ocean."

She flashed a grin, "I figure that or the Everglades, just to the west," she pointed. "Maybe we can head right for the swamps. I'm sure you'd enjoy an up close and personal experience with an alligator."

He eyed her, "Now, we may have to check out some of those alligators. I haven't been close to any before, not that I'd like my wife to toss me to them and make me their next meal. Are you sure your GPS isn't going to take us off a bridge into the Atlantic?"

"Jack, you know, I realize we had a rough go of it with the GPS when we took our little road trip to Montana-"

"Didn't even make it to Montana-" Jack threw up a hand, gesturing at her. She pursed her lips as she nodded.

"Are you saying you wish we had? I believe we were headed there to sell my horse, you know, so I could move to France for good. Maybe you should be thanking the GPS because it bought you time to work up the nerve to just admit you'd been an idiot with your heart attack. The GPS saved things then, in my opinion," she flashed a grin at him and gestured to it now. "It's saves people everyday from getting off course, and if you think about it, it did its job for us." She patted his knee, "We'll be fine with this GPS. What we do need to find is somewhere to eat dinner."

"I can get on board with that," he shifted slightly in the seat, looking out the window. "They have palm trees everywhere down here."

"It is hot. I mean, it's not like they are going to have forests of pine trees. I read that palm trees do well in hurricanes; they sway but don't come down like other trees do."

"No thank you to hurricanes," he whistled, shaking his head. Jack continued to look around while Lisa messed more with the GPS. "I thought you had it all programmed?"

"I do, to the house," she gestured at it. "We need a restaurant first. Now, how about some seafood?"

Jack glanced at Lisa as she tapped a few times on the GPS. He looked around at the freeways and cars speeding past them, shaking his head. He hated traffic like this and was for once glad Lisa was driving and enjoyed driving in strange places. Right now, he wasn't about to comment that she was messing with it while driving in a strange place with traffic all around. He looked to the GPS when it started talking to them again, and Lisa pointed at it.

"A local seafood place, I looked up a few before we came. It's on the intracoastal waterway, and we'll be there in eight minutes."

"Suppose they don't have trout?" Jack looked hopeful at Lisa. She laughed quietly, grinning as she shook her head.

"No, you'll have to find a local seafood here you like, no trout. I'm sure the waiter will have some suggestions for you."

"Hopefully it's edible."

"Jack," she made eye contact with him when she looked over briefly from the driver's seat and gestured, "I'm not taking you to five-star restaurants. I learned my lesson, but please, would you try to embrace Florida?"

"I am," he nodded, waving his hand around. "I didn't bring my cowboy hat, which you know is not something I ever go without."

"Oh, I'm well aware," she said quietly, nodding.

"I'm dressed in," he gestured to his clothing, "well, not my normal, and I don't recognize half of what is packed in my bag, but yes, Lisa, I'm trying to embrace Florida as you say."

"Good," she reached over and squeezed his knee. "I think we can have a really wonderful week. Now," she gave him a single nod, "we have one very important topic to discuss, regarding the embracing of Florida."

Jack winced, "What? I am trying."

"Pie," she quickly added with a nod and a smile at Jack. "Are you ready to embrace a local pie?"

"Never tried a type of pie I didn't like," he grumbled, tilting his head at her. "What is it? Don't tell me it's not an actual dessert pie, but some alligator pie or something? I'm not trying that."

"No," she smacked at him again, shaking her head as she started to laugh. "Alligator," she mumbled, shaking her head. "No, I'm serious about a new pie you haven't had."

"What pie haven't I tried?"

"Key lime," she nodded. "Local fruit pie here. Sweet and tart at the same time. I think you'll love it." As she said that, the GPS announced they were arriving at their destination. Jack looked around at the waterway, noting all of the large boats and yachts up and down, as far as he could see. He raised an eyebrow at Lisa. She shook her head at him, "Nope, not a word about prices. We agreed. It is what it is, and when that credit card statement posts, I'm just paying it. You won't have to see the total. Just go with it, Cowboy."

"I didn't say a word, but I will take you up on that pie, no matter the price," he said, giving her a nod, and she just rolled her eyes at him. She pulled into the restaurant entrance, and Jack groaned, pointing to the parking. "Lise, valet? I can park the car."

She patted his arm, "No, we're just going to go with it. We're on vacation. It won't hurt you. A lot of places around here don't have the space for just off-street parking. This place might have valet but advertised casual, seafood dining, so that should be perfect for what we want." She was going to say more, but the valet attendant walked toward them. Lisa lowered the window, ready to speak to him.

"Hi there," Lisa smiled at him as she put her sunglasses on her head. Jack sat back, dreading anywhere that had a valet. He hadn't been to many places that did, but the few times he had, it had been with Lisa. He didn't understand why people didn't park their own vehicles. His wandering thoughts were interrupted as he heard the valet and turned toward him, instantly aware that the valet was trying to flirt with Lisa.

"Well, hello there," Jack heard the tone and snarled as the guy hit on Lisa. "Wow, you have beautiful eyes. Thanks for taking off your shades so I could see them." Jack about flew across the console, Lisa realizing his struggle and reaching to pat his knee with her head still focused on the valet.

"Really?" Jack heard Lisa answer in a light, flirty tone, one he usually only heard and not around others, never around the family back home. He glanced her way but saw she was not looking at him, but directly at the valet. "You know, I heard this restaurant provided the best in customer service, and I am certainly seeing that right now." Jack just sighed, knowing Lisa had some stupid plan up her sleeve to be acting like she was.

"We definitely provide the best in customer service, more services if needed," he nodded to her, opening her door. "Here, let me help you out of the car. Is your father in need of assistance? We can provide wheelchairs up to the restaurant if needed."

Jack watched as Lisa turned her head toward him, her eyes closed as she shook her head. He was about ready to lose it with this idiot valet. She squeezed his arm as she opened her eyes, rolling them. She nodded to Jack to get out of the car, both very good at each other's nonverbal cues. He sighed and opened the door while Lisa grabbed her purse and turned back to the valet who was just giving her a once over.

"We'll be just fine, thank you, at least I will," she said, stepping out of the car and handing him the keys. Jack caught her smiling at the valet as she patted his arm.

"You aren't a regular here. I would have recognized you," the valet told her as she tried to pay him no attention while waiting for Jack to maneuver around the car. "I am happy to recommend some drink specials we have if you are interested." Jack had almost reached her when he watched Lisa turn back to the valet.

"No, not a regular, but I will definitely be ordering a drink. Time to switch to vacation mode."

"Nice," he nodded at her. "You're on vacation. A woman like you deserves a vacation."

"All week, ready to just have no cares in the world, soak up the sun, relax, and have some fun."

"Well, if you need anything at all, just check with me. I'm here all night, happy to give you any advice or give some ideas about fun during your vacation. Jack had almost reached Lisa, and the valet asked again, "I'm sorry, but did you want a wheelchair for your father? The seating area is around to the back on the waterway. It's a bit of a walk."

Jack, still unsure of what little game Lisa was playing, stopped just behind her, waiting for her to finish talking to this guy. He watched as Lisa pointed to the valet, "I'll remember that. Now, you'll take good care of my car?"

"The best," he said with a grin and nod at her. She pointed in jest at him as she turned toward Jack. He restrained from rolling his eyes at her.

"Ready to eat?" Lisa asked, and Jack just shook his head, as he held back a chuckle. He didn't even have time to answer before Lisa looped her arm through his. She glanced back, throwing a wave to the valet, and Jack, with a brief glance, was well aware the valet was totally watching Lisa's every move. Jack finally caught Lisa's gaze, and she was grinning, delighted with her little game of whatever that just was. She leaned up and kissed him, gripping his arm as she did before turning toward the valet.

"Oh, yeah, about your question, no, my husband definitely does not need a wheelchair, no issues at all, and oh, I'm probably well older than you think." She turned back to Jack, looping her arm again, as she grinned and they walked. Jack glanced to the valet, noting his stunned and speechless expression before he turned back to Lisa. He made a face at her as he gestured.

"What was that? That was painful to watch. Do you try to flirt like that when you travel? Either you've lost your touch, or I was really desperate to have a beautiful woman flirt with me all those years ago and didn't know you were really bad at it." Lisa burst out laughing and smacked at his stomach, Jack leaning over to kiss her head. They both laughed as they walked, Lisa finally answering with a shrug.

"Honestly, I don't know. After we pulled up, and he came on so strongly, I just decided to mess with the valet. At least he will be embarrassed to ask for a big tip."

"How many more times are people going to mistake you for my daughter and not my wife on this trip?"

"Ehh," she said with a casual shrug and a grin up at him, "not a clue, but I'll really enjoy laying a kiss on you like I just did to set the record straight." Jack erupted in laughter at that, nodding at her as they walked around to the restaurant entrance.

"Come on, Cowboy, we can see about that wheelchair for my ailing father," both laughing all the way to the hostess stand.