He'd been back into to the house now twice, not wanting to miss Lisa's arrival. He was so excited to see her that it almost surprised him just how giddy he was. Lisa had come over to the house more times than he could count, certainly, embarrassingly, more times than he'd been to Fairfield, but there was something about this now. To start, they hadn't been apart these last two weeks, and he had really enjoyed that, which only confirmed he needed Lisa as much as she needed him. He was happy, and he knew who to thank for that. As odd as it was, he was also very much looking forward to getting things out in the open and just pushing on with their lives. He hated the grand inquisition from the family, but he also knew that they were completely in the dark, and here he was, showing up after his heart attack, supposedly from Arizona, with a strange truck and a tale of Lisa coming after him. Yes, it sounded crazy, but right now, there was no other way he wanted it, well, maybe not staying in that dump of a place in Quartzite, but still, it had all been part of the pathway to get him here, home with his bride on her way.
His first trip back into the house had been for a quick shave, yes, Lisa was very used to his scruffy look, but it was really bad. He'd been quick about that, noting that he'd joked with her over the years that he didn't shave much, when the mood struck him or once in a blue moon, and it was high time for that. He had tried to remember the last time he'd shaved, and it had been back days and days ago on their trip. It didn't take him long, not after decades of doing the same thing, and he was glad he'd taken a few minutes to freshen up. He had the snow to thank for that too, knowing that the drive over from Fairfield wasn't long, but it would almost double with the snow.
His second trip into the house had been Lou trying to get him to come inside and stay. She'd asked for help in the kitchen, and he'd stepped in, wondering where Tim had disappeared to because he wasn't there. He'd helped Lou pull the roast out of the oven while she was trying to finish mashing the potatoes. He knew she was worried about him, and when he started back to the door, the clue that she really hadn't needed his help, she'd tried to engage him in conversation and suggested he could watch for Lisa from the kitchen. He'd declined.
Just when he was about to start getting worried, after he'd doubled the drive time and all, and Lisa still wasn't there, he saw headlights and finally relaxed. The drive was less than 10 minutes on a normal day, and it had been almost 30 now. She was driving slowly down the long, winding driveway, not that he hadn't done the same thing. Tim had plowed it well, but there was just a lot of snow, and it was hard to move it out of the way. The tire tracks they had all created helped, and finally, she was pulling up to the cleared area to park. Jack was quick on his feet and to her door before she opened it.
"Sorry, I got almost halfway here, and I realized the pie was still sitting in the garage on the shelf while I'd been putting things in the car," she said, opening her door and finally Jack catching sight of her.
"No problem," he said, as she stepped out. He helped her get out with the snow, and the two now were both looking at each other.
"Hi," she grinned and leaned up to kiss him, putting her hands on his arms to do so. He kissed her back quickly and answered.
"Hi, yourself," he started to say, but she started to chuckle. "What?"
"You shaved, well, your version of shaving. Thank you. I don't have to feel like I have a rug burn on my face," she teased.
"It's not that bad, is it?" Jack reached for his face, where he only shaved parts of it, and she continued to laugh.
"Well, now it's not, but yes, it does get pretty rough, Jack."
"Sorry, I'll do better," he said, pulling her into his arms. "It's good to see you. I missed you, and I know you like to hear that."
"I missed you too, but I've been very busy and gotten a lot done today."
"I can't say the same," he chuckled lightly. "I've been trying to just get out everything to the girls, and it's been one thing after another. I hadn't intended to take a nap, but I fell asleep just trying to stretch out."
She nodded, "So, what have you told them?"
He smiled warmly at her, "I haven't told them we got married, but I have told them that I love you more than anything, and both girls do know I intend to marry you."
"They do?" Lisa raised an eyebrow at Jack and shook her head. "Okay, ahh-"
"Which brings me to this," he said, meeting her gaze. "I had thought about this for later, but," and he pulled the ring out of his pocket. "I know this is about as backwards as can be, but there's a reason for that. I already married you," he winked, and she laughed slightly, nodding as she bit her lip. "I already proposed to you," she laughed, and he held up his hand with the box now. "I wasn't sure when I wanted to give this to you, but I then decided that I definitely didn't want an audience, and it was high time you have this. I told you I would get you a ring, but what I didn't tell you was that I had one here at home, waiting for you. Lisa, I won't try to pretend that I royally messed up things after my heart attack, and not only am I glad you came after me and refused to give up on us, but that after hurting you so badly, that you forgave me." She shook her head at him, and he could tell she was trying to will away any tears that were there. "This was my grandmother's ring," he told her as he opened the box and saw her mouth drop open. "I've had it for a very long time, and I should have done this a very, very long time ago too. You've been part of this family for so long that it just got comfortable, and I am sorry for that. I don't want any question about who you are in this family or your place in it. I've had the ring cleaned and a new diamond put in it, so," he met her still speechless and shocked gaze, "since you've already married me, that question seems futile, but Lisa, love of my life," he smiled at her before he continued, "may I give you this ring?"
"This was your grandmother's ring?" Lisa asked, looking up at him, still totally shocked, pointing at it. The two were shielded standing with her car door open, blocking anything from view, and they were standing in each other's embrace, so Jack was certain this was a private moment.
"Mmmhmm," he said eyeing her, "and now it's yours."
She shook her head at him, "It shouldn't be mine-"
"Well, who should I give it to?" Jack pretended to be confused and looked around. "I wanted my wife to have it, but if you're not interested, I guess I should start looking for the next wife with as long as it takes me to get my act in gear and all."
"Stop," she giggled, smacking at his chest. "It's a beautiful ring, Jack, and I guess I'm just surprised you have it and that you want me to have it. I know you loved your grandmother very much. Why didn't I know about this?"
"You don't know everything, even if you probably know 99.9% of things," he winked. He shrugged, "I've had this since she passed away, and yes, I really, really loved my grandmother, so it's important to me that someone I love deeply get this ring."
She smiled so brightly at him, it almost melted him right there in the extreme cold, "I'm very touched and honored you want me to have this ring, Jack, so yes," she nodded. "I'd love to have it. Thank you."
"I mean, I didn't realize I'd need it in Arizona, some very persistent woman chasing me down halfway around the world, but I'm so glad she did." Lisa grinned as she pulled off her gloves; it was really cold out, but neither seemed to mind. Jack slipped it on her finger and smiled at her when the ring was secure against her wedding band. She grinned sheepishly at him, and Jack leaned in to kiss her."
"I think we have quite the audience at the kitchen window," Lisa said quietly as they pulled back, and she looked up at him. Lisa had sight of the house; Jack did not. He grinned at her.
"Well, then, let's give them a show," he said, and he pulled her into a deep embrace as she laughed at his idea. When they were finally ready to go inside, Lisa put her gloves back on, eyeing Jack.
"I can't wear my gloves at dinner, and this is my left hand, you know, the one I eat with."
"I know," he waved. "We'll clear up things. Remind me later to tell you about a huge annoyance today too." He rolled his eyes as Lisa gave him a quizzical glance. He waved his hand at her, as in a later, don't worry about it gesture. "What needs to go inside?"
"Ahh, the pie," she nodded. "I have a few other things to leave here, but we can get those later. One shock at a time," she smiled, patting his chest. Jack offered her his arm so she could walk without falling, and she looped her arm through it. He glanced down and chuckled at her boots.
"Would you look at that, regular snow boots." She smacked at his arm as they walked.
"You know you love my black boots; you've said so many times, but yes, when driving in heavy snow piled up all over Alberta and coming to the ranch, I can and do wear regular boots. It's not like you haven't seen these boots before. Besides," she smacked at him, "maybe I'll leave these ones here. They are better for walking around here, walking to the barn and all. I will say Tim did a good job plowing."
"I thought the same," he agreed, the two taking the steps into the house. He reached for the door handle, "You ready?"
She smiled, "It's just dinner, Jack, with the family." She winked at him and leaned up to kiss his cheek, whispering, "Dinner, with all your family, telling them you ran off and got married. No big deal." She patted his chest, and he laughed as he opened the door for her, ready to face the family.
"Oh, Jack, there you are," Tim appeared before they could step into the house, almost scaring both of them. He had a panicked look on his face and stepped out, closing the door to the house. "Lisa, hi," he smiled brightly at her, Lisa leaning over to give him a quick hug. "Good to see you, Lisa. Jack, I need to talk to you about," he eyed Lisa and looked back at Jack, gesturing, "something important, something we discussed earlier. There's a problem."
Jack eyed him, trying to read between the lines, and it hit him; Tim didn't know he'd gotten the ring from the drawer, and knowing Tim, Jack had a feeling Tim had gone in search of it to give to Jack. Since the two hadn't spoken alone today, Jack just nodded at him and gave a nod toward Lisa.
"Is it about the ring?" He glanced to Lisa as he explained, "Tim helped me with the ring and got it cleaned up for me. We had this big plan."
Tim's eyes widened, "She knows about the ring?" He grinned at Lisa, "Oh, that's fantastic! Congratulations So great, engaged, finally you two!"
Lisa gave Jack a slight smirk as she looked back to Tim with a shake of her head, "We're not engaged."
Tim's face fell and turned pale white as he looked from Lisa to Jack. Jack had to briefly look away, surprised at this game Lisa was playing with Tim, but glad to play along.
"Wait, what? Jack-," Tim gestured between them, and Jack had to hand it to Lisa. She stood there with a stone face, not giving anything away. Jack gestured to the house.
"Let's go inside, and we can clue in everyone on things," Jack sighed. Tim shook his head at Jack in disbelief, and Jack just sighed, opening the door, and with Tim standing there, he walked in first. Lisa winked at Jack and bumped up against him, with a grin on her face. He just shook his head at her.
There wasn't a second to even get another look in at Tim, but Jack could see he was shocked and floored. Tim took off his boots and walked to the kitchen table, glancing back at Jack and Lisa.
"Lisa," Lou called over from the sink where she was finishing dinner preparations, "good to see you."
Jack nodded his thanks at Lou for at least greeting Lisa. Katie came flying in, and Tim took the opportunity to scoop her up and tickle her, while still looking to Jack and Lisa.
"Hey Lisa," they both heard and saw Amy walk up and give Lisa a quick hug. "It's really good to see you."
"Oh, it's good to see all of you," Lisa said, returning Amy's hug. "You will have to come over and check out my new riding horse, Cinders," she told Amy as the two ladies stood there catching up. Jack was now seated, taking off his boots. Lisa had not gotten that far yet.
"You have a new riding horse?" Amy raised her eyes. "I would love to meet him."
She nodded, "I came across him in France, rode him a couple of times, and he's just got this great temperament. He did well coming overseas, and I'm really looking forward to having less snow on the ground to ride him, "she said laughing.
Amy grinned too, "Yes, well, I think we'd all like a little less snow to just get basic chores and all done. I can't exercise any of the horses with this kind of snow, oh, except for now Val's," she rolled her eyes and made a face at Lisa.
"Val is back in town?" Lisa asked, horrified as she looked to Jack.
"Grandpa didn't tell you?" Lou called from the table where she was finishing the salad. "She stopped by here, fresh off the plane, a plane from the U.S., saying she just heard about his heart attack and wanted to check on him."
"Oh, and suggesting if she knew Grandpa flew home this morning, she would have been on his flight," Amy laughed. Lisa turned to Jack who was just standing up from taking off his boots. He reached for the pie to take it from her hands.
"Val came by?" Lisa asked.
He nodded, "Remember outside I told you to remind me to tell you about a huge annoyance today? "
Lisa and Amy both burst out laughing, and Lisa nodded, "Val. Okay, yes, she is a huge annoyance." Jack had walked to the table to put the pie on it and turned his head back, nodding in agreement. Lisa started to undo her coat. Tim, standing there, looked over at the pie.
"You made this today, Lisa? I thought it was from the store. This pie looks fantastic." He reached to touch the crust, and Jack smacked at his hand.
"Tim, leave it. No one wants your hands on the pie."
"Dinner is ready, everyone," Lou announced, and the family started toward the table. Jack noticed Lisa struggling with her coat and stepped over to help with it, leaning in quickly to kiss her check. She pulled off her gloves, making sure everyone was otherwise engaged, and then, she sat down to take off her boots. Jack waited, winking at her as she finished.
As Lisa stood and the two walked toward the table, he leaned in toward her, "If they start rioting against us, we can make a run for it." Lisa chuckled quietly, whispering at him.
"I hope you don't mind I just had to mess with Tim a little."
"Mind?" Jack raised his eyebrows, shaking his head at her. "That was pure genius. Anything to throw Tim off his game for even a few minutes is a win in my book."
"You two had this plan?" Lisa eyed him, shaking her head.
"Remind me to tell you later, but the plan was for him to meet me with the ring. That was before we decided to get married, and I like our plan better."
"You two giggling teenagers coming to dinner? Some of us would like to eat," Tim yelled to them, and Jack groaned, nodding at Lisa.
"Very glad you messed with Tim, yes."