She was glad to see the truck service plaza come into view almost halfway into the drive home. She was fading fast, the 32 hours of travel catching up with her. She also realized she hadn't eaten a decent meal in longer than that, the airplane food being anything less than desirable. Truthfully, she'd expected to return home and settle in, her own ideals of what had been going on at the ranch way off. Of course, life hadn't stopped at home, and she was unreasonable to assume it had. She glanced over at Jack who was dozing. He'd been awake some, they'd talked just a little, but she knew the bump to his head must be really bothering him. The truck stop would be a good place to refuel in many ways. Lisa took a glance at Tim's fuel and nodded to herself. Yes, she'd get fuel first, then, she'd see what she could find inside to eat. She and Jack both needed something even before getting to Tricia's office. She'd do that too; Lisa would get in touch with Tricia and let her know their ETA.
"Honey," she said, after opening his door and patting his face. That woke up Jack who was still all covered up in the blankets, at least now looking like he had some color back in his face. It almost alarmed Lisa he had not awakened while she'd refueled the truck or had gone inside in search of food and in attempt to freshen up herself. Jack glanced over at her with a small nod and almost smile. She held up some sweatpants she'd found inside.
"As much as I'm sure you are enjoying your current dress state," she said with an almost silly grin, "I found some sweatpants. Figure that it better than walking around in a blanket sans pants."
"Thank you," he said with an encouraging nod, and she helped get him into the pants, seeing him wince slightly as he moved about there in the truck. She frowned, nodding at his head.
"I'm sorry your head is still bothering you. I don't want to give you anything until Tricia checks you out."
"I told you I'll be fine," he sighed loudly, waving her off. "We can just head home, Lise."
"We are not heading home. Jack, you have no idea how long you were in the water, no idea what is going on with your head, and I am slightly worried about your shoulder. You've been in pain with that too. No," she shook her head, "I'm in the driver's seat, literally," she rolled her eyes, "and I'm taking you to see Tricia. Besides," she said with a grin as she squeezed his arm, "she has a soft spot for you anyway. You know you'll get the best of care."
"You're not doing such a bad job yourself," he told her, his eyes meeting hers, and she could see the love behind them.
She nodded, holding up another bag, "Well, I found you some slippers too, better than those soaking wet boots," she nodded toward the back seat where his wet clothing was. At least now, you have a complete outfit." She slipped the slippers on, helping Jack get settled again in the truck, putting the blanket back on his legs. He waved that off.
"I'm okay and warm enough now," he said, patting her hand. He gave her a nod, "Thank you for finding some things for me inside."
"Ehh, don't knock a truck stop," she grinned. She held up a bag, "I found some food too, and we both need to eat, even before driving further. So," she gestured to the door, "Let me close this door, get in on my side, and we can eat."
Once Lisa was situated, she glanced over and saw Jack watching her intently as she pulled out food.
"Let me guess?" Jack tilted his head and raised his eyebrows, "Turkey and Swiss?"
Lisa burst out laughing, it feeling good to do so, and she glanced his way, a very warm smile on her face. She shook her head, "No, although, that sandwich is pretty special to us, ehh? No," she shook her head again, "It's soup for both of us. Chicken noddle, nice and mild, and it has some protein." She pulled out two small containers and some packs of crackers. She then gave Jack a flirtatious look and pulled out another container, nodding at him as she explained, "Now, I know we are pie people, but they actually had this hot food area with a fresh tray of blackberry cobbler they were putting out, and it looked good. So, we can share this too," she smiled at him, and he chuckled in reply.
"Sounds good, although, I know it's a major step down from any of your gourmet meals while traveling."
Lisa frowned at him, shaking her head, "Listen, Jack, I know we have so much to discuss, and I am hating myself more and more, minute by minute for being gone. Let me just be very clear," she said, reaching over and putting her hand on his while meeting his gaze there, his small cup of soup in his other hand. She took a deep breath and nodded at him, "I would 100% rather be sitting here, in Tim's truck," she rolled her eyes, "eating truck stop food with you than be in any fine dining establishment anywhere in the world, and that is a fact. I really mean that."
Jack put down his soup and frowned, glancing at Lisa. He sighed and turned his head to look out the window, even though it was now dark outside. When he looked back, Lisa hadn't taken her eyes off him, and he gestured at her, "Lise, I'm really not sure what to say or where to start. I've been pretty frustrated the last few months, and I've missed you. I don't know where things stand, and well," he let out a very long, loud sigh, "I hate saying this, but it's hard not to compare. I know what happened with you and Dan. You've told me, and gosh," he was now slightly irritated, "you did a disappearing act. I know Evelyn was sick. You've told me that, the little we've talked, and it's been a little," he said with a frown. "You did the same when your dad died, you left Dan to take care of him, and it doesn't take a genius to see how that ended. You've told me you realized you were better alone than with him, and as the time has gone on, I've been asking myself over and over and over what went wrong? What did I do? I thought we were solid, and I'd never do anything to hurt you or make you feel anything less than my absolute love. I'm just," he sighed, throwing up his hand and shaking his head. "I'm sad. I'm confused, and I'm just not sure what this is."
Lisa, who had tears streaming down her face now, shook her head and reached over the clasp his hand in hers. After Jack's confession, he finally looked her way when she tugged on their now joined hands. She could tell he saw her anguish, and she shook her head at him.
"This was NEVER EVER," she enunciated, "about leaving you. I promise you that. I love you with everything in me, more than you can imagine, and I know I have hurt you. I was so naïve to think that I could just walk in the door at home and walk back into our life. It was a wake up call when you weren't there, and I was stupid to think you'd just be sitting at the kitchen table sipping on your coffee, waiting for me to return. I've been so torn, taking care of Evelyn, but I know realize it was wrong to be away so long. You needed me too. I," she tugged on their hands and met his gaze, "needed you. Our marriage is more important than anything to me, and I've forgotten that or at least have pushed it to the back burner." She sighed and shook her head, "That was not the right thing to do, and I cannot apologize for the hurt or questions I've caused. Jack, you are my world. I got so caught up in just being a caretaker, and with the crazy time difference, the lack of technology we like to use," she sighed again. "It's no excuse, but I am back here because I want you. I want our life, and nothing has changed with that. I didn't leave to get away. I only want you, and I need to put us first. I'm so sorry, and I just hope you can forgive me."
At that, she scooted toward him in the truck and threw her arms around him, pulling him tightly to her. She felt the tears flowing down her face, and she loved the moment Jack's hand cupped the back of her neck, a fistful of her hair in his hand. They both held each other tightly there in that brightly lit truck stop parking lot, trying to repair three months worth of questions and doubts.
"I love you," he grumbled into her hair. "I'm pretty sure I love you more than I could ever grasp. Thinking about my life without you, well," he sighed into her hair and kissed the side of her cheek as he continued, "well, it's not something I want to imagine. I was miserable just trying to live life without you these last few months. I can't live life without you, Lise. I don't want to, and I realized that a very, very long time ago, well before we got married. "
She pulled back, wiping her now damp hair strands from her tear-stained face and looked him in the eye, "I've been cutting back on my travel for years because all I want to be is with you, and I put care for Evelyn in a different compartment compared to work and vacation travel. That was wrong. The idea that something could have happened to you, and I wouldn't have been here," she paused, the emotion hitting her hard, and she broke down sobbing there, putting her face into her hands. She felt Jack pull her toward him, and she buried her face in his chest, and even with the emotions she was feeling, felt finally at home, at peace, there buried in his chest. Jack kissed the top of her head, and he pulled back to look her in the eye.
"Soup is getting cold," he said with a small, warm smile at her. "Eat your gourmet meal," he winked. "I'm very interested in this cobbler you found. Sounds like we are both having probably the best meal we've had in a long time right here."
"Best company for sure," she said wiping at her face, smiling at him. "I'm really sorry."
"Stop apologizing, Lise," he sighed. "You weren't exactly jet-setting around the world. I know you were taking care of dear Aunt Evelyn, and I respect that you always put others ahead of yourself. I just need you to know that it's been very frustrating, confusing, and until you were sitting right here, I've been questioning everything. I was having trouble just getting out of bed each day, wondering what would become of things. I have always told myself I'm fine alone," he admitted, frowning. "I suppose I was, and I was," he nodded. "I got used to being alone after Lyndy, but man," he whistled. "When you came into my life, well," he gave her a smile. "You just rocked my world, and I cannot imagine you not part of me."
"But I shouldn't have put her above our marriage, especially after months away," she bit her lip. Jack squeezed at her leg, there as she sat sideways facing him.
"Let's focus on one thing at a time. We're sitting here, trying to eat, my head is killing me, I'm dressed in clothing that looks like I left some homeless shelter-"
At that, Lisa started to laugh, nodding as she put her spoon into her soup. She eyed Jack, "One step at a time. We're going to eat, get you to Tricia, and then, we're going home, to our home, to our life because that is all I want."
"Well, that sounds like we are on the same page then again, finally," he said with a nodding smile at her. "I'm so glad you are back."
"I'm so glad too, and I am so glad we found you," she said, tearing up.
He patted her leg again, "You know Tim will claim he saved my life again." At that, the two chuckled as they sipped on their soup. Lisa sighed, nodding in agreement, and when she glanced at Jack, he nodded at her. "You saved my life, a very long time ago, coming into it. Seeing you today, in my disoriented state, well, I thought it was some dream. It wasn't until you flung yourself at me and kissed me senseless that I realized you were actually home, and I had hope we could get back on track."
She clasped his hand in hers, "Back on track," she nodded with a firm grip, her eyes locking on his. "I promise you that, and I promise that we are going to take that vacation I blew off before I left. That is happening, very soon, and we will spend all that time just reconnecting because we desperately need that."
"Count me in," Jack said with a nod and a small smile at her, gesturing to her soup. "Eat up, my love. Our day isn't close to being over, and I'm only moving forward with you."