Chapter 72

'We truly have been blessed Jack.' Lisa and Jack were sitting together on the porch later that evening, the girls inside playing with the puppy after dinner. 'I still can't believe after all these years I'd ever have Lady again and yet she's out in the barn.'

'Jessie worked a miracle with that mare.' He replied softly. 'She really did and watching you with her today made me love you all the more.'

Lisa blushed, chuckling. 'You saw me playing with her?'

'Who knew you could run around like a spring yearling.'

'I'm going to feel it tomorrow.' She laughed. 'I haven't had that much exercise for years. It felt good though, I don't know Jack, I feel like somethings changed. Something inside of me.'

'You've been touched by the magic of Jessie.'

'Oh I don't know about that but it certainly felt magical watching her with that mare.' She smiled, remembering the girl's performance with Lady. 'Horses bring us to a deeper understanding of ourselves, I feel like I've changed. I don't know, it's hard to explain-'

'Then don't try to explain it, just accept it.' He could see a sparkle in her eyes that wasn't there before. 'You know I love you Lisa.'

'I love you too cowboy.' She smiled as he placed his arm around her and they kissed. Their eyes met, both of them smiling then she looked back out at the night sky. 'I miss it when I'm not here Jack, everything feels so much quieter, so much more peaceful.'

The sound of three girls laughing inside rang out loudly and he chuckled. 'Peaceful indeed.'

'Oh, you don't mind it, do you Jack?'

'No, I don't mind. I was merely making an observation.'

'I think those two young girls have been making some observations of their own. Did you see the way they were looking at us over dinner?'

'How could I miss it? Jessie was beaming like the morning sun and Cindy, well, she was just being Cindy.'

Lisa laughed, shaking her head in amusement. 'Oh I love those girls. They keep life interesting.'

'They certainly do.'

'And that wolf pup? Jack, you big old softly.'

'You know how hard it is to say no to that girl.'

'Why, Jack Bartlett-' She looked at him with a grin on her face. 'I do declare. You spoil her more then I do.'

He shrugged. 'Maybe. But I have put my foot down and told her no more pets now. She's got more than enough. This is the Heartland ranch, not the Heartland zoo.'

She chuckled softly. 'It is kinda turning into a Zoo, isn't it?'

'If I let Jessie have her way I have a feeling every stray within a hundred square miles would be living here.'

'And you wouldn't have it any other way, would you?'

'No. I love that girl, and you.'

'Wow Jack, you really must have missed me. That's twice now in the last five minutes you've told me you loved me.'

Jack smiled. 'Just don't go running away again so quickly.'

'I'm afraid I have to-' She sighed. 'I have to go back to France in a couple weeks.'

'Really?'

'Afraid so. I've been putting it off and off because I haven't wanted to go and now I can't hold it off any longer.'

'I understand.'

'You know you could come with me.'

'Who'd look after Jessie and Cindy?'

'Oh yeah, good point.'

'You know it's not really my thing Lisa-'

'I know.' She smiled. 'I know. Maybe one day.'

Jack nodded. 'One day. What are your plans for Sunday?'

'Sunday? I don't think I have any plans. Why?'

'How about you and I go on that picnic. Just the two of us.'

'I'd love to.' Her eyes sparkled. 'Who knew you were a hopeless romantic?'

'I have my moments.'

'You do.'

'Remember our first picnic?'

'Oh, you mean the one that Jessie railroaded us into then ran at the last minute. Yeah, I remember it. It was still a good one.'

'Jessie certainly had a field day with that one and you say I'm the hopeless romantic.'

'You know Jessie's never seen a proper relationship before, she's bound to have little ideas and such.'

'Like asking you when we were going to get married?'

'Exactly.' She giggled. 'Oh I still can see the look on your face when I told you that one. She sure is something, that girl.'

'That's one way of putting it.'

'Yeah.' Lisa rested her head on Jack's shoulder. 'I should get going but I don't want to leave.'

He smiled, stroking her golden blonde hair. 'Who says you have to go? There's a spare bed we can put up in the attic and I'm sure Lou could lend you some pjaymas. The girls would be thrilled to have you sleep over.'

'Oh, alright.' She gave in with a smile. 'I'll stay.'

'Good.'

They sat together, watching the stars twinkle in the night sky, just enjoying the others company. For Lisa, nothing compared to the bliss of being with Jack, feeling him stroking her hair softly. Sometimes it felt like a dream, she never thought she could be this happy and content. Jack made her feel safe, secure and loved. It was the best feeling on earth. She loved him, she really did and she knew just how lucky she was to have him.

Jack smiled, looking at the beautiful woman resting in his arms. She looked so gorgeous, the light coming through the kitchen window cascading her hair in a golden glow. She made everything right. The way she smiled, the way she laughed. He knew he was head-over-heels in love with her and he knew he wouldn't have it any other way. He couldn't have imagined finding love so strong, so beautiful after Lyndy had passed, that was until Lisa had come into his life. From the first time he'd met her she'd caught his eye and look at them now. He smiled again, looking down at her. Oh how he loved her, he really did.

It was Lisa who finally stirred, sitting up after she'd seen what the time was. 'I think it's getting close to bed time.'

He chuckled, kissing her cheek. 'You look exhausted honey.'

'I am-' She yawned, covering her mouth. 'But it's a happy exhaustion.'

'You have had a long day-' He stood up, his arm around her as they headed back inside. 'It's no wonder your tired.'

'No, not at all.'

'I wondered when you two would be in.' Jessie exclaimed, sitting on the rug with the puppy. 'Mallory and Cindy have headed off to bed already.'

'And why aren't you in bed?'

She shrugged. 'Can't sleep.'

Lisa walked over, sitting down beside the girl. 'Want to talk about it?'

'I'm just sad, that's all.'

'Why honey?'

'About Adashi-' The girl sighed, the puppy looking up at her with his blue eyes. 'She was a good dog, next to Cherry she was Lillian's pride and joy. Anyway-' She looked at her. 'Shouldn't you be heading home? It's getting really late.'

'I'm staying the night, Jack's putting the spare bed in your room for me if that's okay.'

'That's more then okay, that's brilliant! A sleepover.'

Lisa chuckled. 'We should really head in that general direction you know.'

'I know. I'll just take this guy out to the bathroom. Come on.' She clicked her fingers as she got up, the puppy following her eagerly. 'Good boy.'

The woman smiled, taking a seat on the couch. Already she could see that the girl was forming a connection to the pup, maybe it was providential the timing of his arrival. Give the girl something to do besides think about the mare. It was hard for her, she knew and understood that. Lillian and that way of life had been her life for so long but in the long run the girl needed to make new bonds and new memories.

'Your bed awaits you-' Jack exclaimed, placing his hand on Lisa's shoulder. 'You've got some pjaymas up there too.'

'Oh, thanks Jack.'

'Where's Jessie?'

'Taking her pup out to the bathroom.'

'Okay. Well, I'm going to say good night.' He leaned down, giving her a kiss. 'I'll see you in the morning-'

'Not bright and early.' She interrupted with a chuckle. 'I'm sleeping in.'

'I wish you good luck with that, you've got Jessie's zoo up there don't forget.'

'How couldn't I remember?'

'Yeah.' He replied, heading to his room. 'Turn the lights off before you head up please.'

'Sure. Night Jack.'

'Night Lis.'

She glanced back at her watch, waiting for the girl. Finally Jessie returned, carrying the pup. 'What took so long?'

'This one-' The pup licked her cheek. 'Thinks its play time. Well, its not. It's bed time.'

'You thought of a name for him yet?' Lisa asked as she turned the lights up then headed up the stairs after the girl.

'I'm thinking calling him Wolf. Very original, I know.' She chuckled, closing the door behind her. Mallory and Cindy had decided to sleep in her room so it was just her, Lisa and Cougar since Cindy had offered to take the kittens for the night. Cougar greeted the pup as the girl changed into her pjaymas then crawled into bed. 'Tell me a story Lisa.'

Lisa laughed as she finished buttoning her pajamas then turned and sat down on the girls bed. 'What would you like a story about tonight?'

'About you and Lady.' She smiled, Cougar and the pup curling up on the bed with her. 'Please.'

'Alright. I first met Lady when she was six months old-'