Chapter 15 – Jack Makes Supper

Jack watched Katie pull out of her spot and leave. He then went back up to the apartment and knocked before he thumbed the lock.

"You didn't need to knock." Elizabeth said.

"I was just respecting your space." Jack said.

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "But it still wasn't needed. Maybe after you are staying in your own apartment, but not right now."

"Okay." Jack said. "Need anything before I go back to working on things on the computer?"

"No." Elizabeth said. "I am going to finish going through this stuff and get another load of laundry going. Do you need to wash anything?"

"I probably should throw some things in." Jack said. "I will after you are done, I just have a couple pairs of jeans, socks and underwear. All else fails, I do a load after we get to my grandparents. I am not worried about it. You get your laundry done and start getting things packed. Do you need to go anywhere tomorrow?"

"I don't think so." Elizabeth said. "I planned on just taking it easy."

"Okay." Jack said. "I don't think I need to run back to the house, so I will probably just hang out here if that is okay."

"Sounds good." Elizabeth said.

Jack settled back at the table with his computer. After Elizabeth got her laundry going, she went into the library to check out what was there. She started looking through the books. After a bit, Jack got up to see if she was alright when he looked over and didn't see her on the couch. When he got to the library door, he just smiled. Elizabeth was on the floor with about half a dozen books around her. She looked happy surrounded by books. Jack filed the image away for later. He just went back to the kitchen and worked on his computer until he had to start getting things ready for supper.

As it was getting closer to putting supper on, Jack realized that he didn't know how Elizabeth liked her steak. He didn't want to bother her, but he also wanted her to enjoy the meal. Before going and bothering Elizabeth, Jack turned the oven on and got the potatoes ready. He then got everything ready to grill the steaks inside. Finally, Jack walked over to the library and knocked on the door.

"Hey." Jack said. "I was wondering how you like your steak done."

Elizabeth just looked at him for a moment. Jack could tell that she was confused and tried to think of what to ask so she understood.

"Do you like it cooked all the way through or do you like a little pink in the middle?" Jack asked. "I like mine so it is heated through, but it doesn't bother me if there is some pink."

"I guess I have never thought about it." Elizabeth said. "I guess they have always been cooked through."

"Well." Jack said. "Do you want me to cook it, because I can?"

"Is it safe to eat with some pink?" Elizabeth asked.

"Oh yes." Jack said. "It is actually quite common."

"Then just cook it however you make yours." Elizabeth said.

"Okay." Jack said. "I just put the potatoes in and will get the steaks on in a bit."

"Do you want me to help?" Elizabeth asked.

"Not right now." Jack said. "But I think your laundry is done. Why don't you go check on that and I will work on supper."

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I guess I kind of got caught up in these books."

"That is fine." Jack said. "They are there for anyone to read."

Jack headed back to the kitchen to work on supper and after a few minutes, Elizabeth headed to change her laundry. When she was done hanging up her laundry and putting the last load in the dryer, she headed to the kitchen to help Jack. He had the steaks on and the potatoes in the oven. She started opening cabinets until she found the plates. She then set the table. Jack pulled out a bowl for her to combine the salads. He set it on the counter as he was tending to the steaks. Elizabeth pulled out the butter and sour cream for the potatoes. She also grabbed some shredded cheese to add to the salad.

"What do you want to drink?" Elizabeth asked Jack.

"I think there is some Mountain Dew in there." Jack said. "Otherwise I will be fine with water. I have had enough coffee today. Feel free to have whatever you want."

"I think I will have some milk." Elizabeth said. "But I will wait until the food is ready."

"That is fine." Jack said. "The steaks are almost done and the potatoes should be about ten more minutes. I think that there is some A-1 in the fridge if you want. I don't like anything extra on a good steak."

"I think I will be good." Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth walked back to the library and started picking up the books that she had pulled. She made a list of the ones that she wanted to read. There was a part of her that wanted to stay in the kitchen, but there was a bigger part of her that needed to get away from Jack for a moment. As she was working with him in the kitchen, she could see them doing that as a married couple, in the not so distant future. The image that came to her scared her. She hadn't ever really thought about getting married. She knew that she wanted a husband and kids, but she figured that it wouldn't happen until she finished college and found a job. She knew what she wanted in her future, which was to be a teacher. Then suddenly, Jack came into her life and everything got turned upside down. Not only were the feelings for Jack new, yet so strong. But there was all that was going on with her family. Elizabeth knew that she had to focus on one thing at a time, so she tried to push her feelings for Jack down. She knew that it was dangerous to have him stay with her, because every time that she looked at him there was suddenly an army of butterflies that took flight in her stomach. When he flashed her that dimpled grin, her insides melted and all she wanted to do was wrap her arms around him and kiss him until they were breathless. She wasn't sure how long she was going to be able to resist him. She wanted nothing more than for him to ask her to be his. She knew that it was too soon, but she could clearly see a future with Jack. She wanted to proudly wear his ring and let the world know that they were together. Elizabeth had to keep reminding herself – one step at a time and that it was too soon.

Jack wondered what had gotten into Elizabeth. It was like she couldn't get out of the kitchen fast enough. Then Jack wondered if she was uncomfortable because he had kissed her head when he had walked by earlier. Either way, he knew that he had to tread lightly. Jack hadn't meant to drop that kiss on Elizabeth's head, but he didn't regret it either. He also realized that when he did it, his body reacted even more to Elizabeth. Jack wondered if she was struggling as much as he was with the emotions that were running through him. Jack knew that they needed to talk about some things, but he also didn't want to make Elizabeth uncomfortable. He decided to let things be for the night and see how they were in the morning.

"Elizabeth." Jack called. "Supper is almost ready."

Elizabeth came out of the library and into the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of milk and grabbed a can of Mountain Dew for Jack. She also grabbed glasses and got some ice water for both of them. She put the salad on the table as well as the ranch dressing that was in the fridge.

"Ranch okay?" Elizabeth asked.

"Fine." Jack said.

Within minutes Jack brought over the potatoes and the steaks. He put one of each on their plates and then set the platter back on the counter. Jack sat down and waited for Elizabeth.

"Want me to say a blessing?" Jack asked.

"Please." Elizabeth said.

"Heavenly Father." Jack prayed. "We thank you for all Your blessings. Thank you for new friendships. Most of all we thank you for each day that You give us. Please bless this food to our bodies. Keep us safe and close to you. Amen."

"Amen." Elizabeth said.

Jack started opening his potato so he could put some sour cream on it. He then dished up some salad. Jack took a couple of bites and then looked at Elizabeth.

"Is everything alright?" Jack asked.

"Yes." Elizabeth said. "I guess I was just missing my sister's talking. It always seemed she did more talking than eating at a meal."

"Sorry." Jack said. "It will get easier."

"I guess." Elizabeth said.

"I can tell you there is a lot of talking around the table at my grandparents home." Jack said. "You should fit right in. I prefer to eat while the food is hot."

"Thank you again." Elizabeth said.

"You're welcome." Jack said.

Jack went back to eating and Elizabeth slowly started eating as well. She finally cut her steak and took a bite. Jack waited a moment.

"Do you like it?" Jack asked.

"It is really good." Elizabeth said. "I don't think I have ever had a steak that was this juicy."

"It is a combination of letting it marinate and then doing it slowly on the grill." Jack said. "Glad that you like it. Now you know that when you go out, you can order a steak cooked medium well and it will be done right."

"Good to know." Elizabeth said. "I guess that whenever I have had steak out, my father has ordered it for me."

Jack and Elizabeth ate the rest of their meal without much conversation. As soon as he was done, Jack got up and put his plate in the sink. He then made sure that the grill was off before he sat back down to finish his drink.

"When you are done." Jack said. "We can just put the dishes in the dishwasher. That was what I did with the morning dishes. We will just have to run it before we leave on Saturday morning."

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I think I can remember that."

"I am so glad that you liked my cooking." Jack said. "I don't do a lot of it, but I guess I can grill."

"Better than me." Elizabeth said. "I mean I can do simple things, but my mother never really had the patience to teach us girls."

"Well." Jack said. "If you want to learn, you should ask my grandmother. She is a wonderful cook and she was the one that taught me a few things. She is a great teacher. Maybe because she used to actually be a teacher."

"I think I will ask her." Elizabeth said. "It might be a way for me to get to know her."

"She would like that." Jack said with a smile.

When Elizabeth was finished, she helped Jack clear the table. She put the food away and Jack loaded the dishwasher. Once he had wiped off the counters, he looked at Elizabeth.

"You know you can move things around." Jack said. "If it would be easier for you. Although, if you look inside the corner of each cabinet door, it lists what is in there."

Jack opened a cabinet and showed her.

"That is a really good idea." Elizabeth said. "I don't think I will move anything. I just need to get familiar with where things are."

"It will come over time." Jack said. "The only reason I know is because it is laid out very similar to the kitchen at the house, probably because Ma had a hand in arranging the apartments here. We just have more cabinets and things. But things are pretty much in the same spot. Glasses next to the sink, silverware in the drawer closest to the plates. That kind of thing. I think the one over at my apartment is laid out similarly, except the kitchen has a slightly different configuration."

"It makes sense if you think about it." Elizabeth said. "What do you want to do tonight?"

Jack looked at his watch. It was pushing nine o'clock and he was tired. He also had a lot of feelings and emotions to work through. He needed some time, but he had also promised Elizabeth that he would be there since she didn't want to be alone. Jack also knew that he probably couldn't handle another night of cuddling on the couch.

"I was thinking of turning in early." Jack said. "I think I am going to sleep in the second bedroom. Unless you had something that you wanted. It has just been a long couple of days and I hadn't really slept well before so I think that it is catching up with me. I want to be well rested when we head up North. I know that it can get busy with the horses. Then to add to it, Grandpa wants me to jump at this event. I am going to have to get some practice in. I think it will all work out, but I figured if I can get some sleep without Tommy interrupting me, I was going to take it."

"I was thinking about a long bath and then bed as well." Elizabeth said.

"Okay." Jack said. "Don't worry about the hot water. It is on demand, so do what you need or want. I am going to change and then see if I can catch some scores before bed. I won't wake you in the morning, but I will be around. Saturday, we will need to be up, ready and packed by seven am."

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I think I will make sure that everything is packed tomorrow. How are we getting to wherever we have to go?"

"Whoever is on security will take us." Jack said. "I think it might be Chris, but I don't have their schedule in front of me."

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "Have a good night."

"You too." Jack said. "If you need something, feel free to knock on my door."

Jack headed to his room with his laptop and Elizabeth stopped to check her clothes before heading to her room. Jack took a quick shower and then turned the TV on to see if he could catch sports center. Elizabeth went to her room with her clean clothes. She started running water for a hot bath. She was liking the large tub that was in the master bathroom. It didn't take long and Jack was almost asleep in his room. Elizabeth had almost fallen asleep in the tub and when she finally crawled into her warm bed, she fell right asleep. At one point, Jack got up to check everything and saw Elizabeth curled up in her bed. He knew that he could stand there and watch her for hours, instead he pulled her door closed and went back to his room. He knew that staying there was going to be hard, but he just wanted to crawl in bed with Elizabeth and hold her. He had liked it when she snuggled into him on the couch. He also knew that he was going to have to be really careful, because things could easily go too far if he wasn't careful.