"Not that this should be a surprise, but once again, you found us a great place to stay," Jack said to Lisa who was sitting in the car as Jack climbed in the driver's seat, both ready to now leave Flagstaff and head north. Lisa, who had been texting on her phone, put it down, and gave Jack a warm smile.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it here, at this little cottage," she gestured. "I've had a very nice and relaxing time myself. I like this town, cute, with the university here, it has some nice shops and all. I can't believe how much snow they get even with it being in Arizona. That elevation really makes a difference, which isn't a surprise."
Jack nodded in agreement, "All set? I just turned in the key where the instructions said to, that box by the mailbox."
"All set," she said with a shake of her head. "Let's head north. Another week to enjoy. This last week has been really, really nice Jack," she said reaching to grip his hand. "I've really enjoyed our time together. We rarely get this kind of alone time, and I've also liked exploring new places with you. We rarely get to do that too. The Grand Canyon was great, and I've loved relaxing here in Flagstaff, although I think we broke a record taking two naps in one day," she laughed. "It's going to be very hard to go back to reality at home."
He sighed, nodding in agreement, but he pulled her hand up and kissed, "I know, but the important part is we're going home, together, engaged. Talk about progress in a week's time."
"Yes, that's very good progress," she grinned, leaning over and kissing his cheek. "I'm not going to rush it, though. I'm looking forward to the next couple days of driving and then getting to Montana. I'll really enjoy relaxing there for several more days."
"Me too," he said, squeezing her hand before putting it down and putting the car into drive. "So, we're ready with coffee," he nodded to the console there where he'd gone to get coffee at a coffee shop while Lisa finished getting ready. She nodded too.
"All set, long day of driving, but I do like road trips, especially with you. Much better than my lonely drive down, especially when I wasn't sure how things would go with you. Today, we are stopping at a hotel just north of Salt Lake overnight, so close to 10 hours of driving today. Tomorrow will be a little shorter, around eight hours or so up to Whitefish. I'm excited about Montana. I enjoy going there to sell horses, but I am always in a hurry and never really enjoy the area. It's beautiful with all the mountains. I'm excited to drive over to Glacier National Park to see what we can see in the winter. I know the road over the pass in the park isn't open now due to snow, but I've seen pictures, and the park is breathtaking, and our luck, it's right there, not far from Whitefish."
"I'm looking forward to that too," Jack agreed as they started their drive. He made a few turns and was soon making his way toward the interstate, which they'd be on all day. As he waited at a stoplight, he glanced to her and gestured, "It looks like you found us another great place to stay. This one will be a little different, in downtown Whitefish."
"Yeah, but it's a small town. It's not like we're staying in a big city. I did that because they do get a lot of snow, and I thought we could park the car and not have to move it for things like lunch or dinner. It looked like there were a lot of good local places to eat, and," she paused and leaned toward him, her eyes sparkling at him, "I'm really enjoying not doing much cooking right now. As soon as we get back home, it's back to cooking and not just for you and me, it's cooking for the entire family, which is always enjoyable, but it's a lot too."
He nodded and looked to her to reply, "Well, I sure do appreciate your hard work, cooking all of those meals. You're a wonderful cook, great baker too. Whether or not they tell you, everyone appreciates it, and I guarantee, they will all be glad to see you back at Heartland and not just for cooking meals," he said, reaching to clasp her hand in his. She gave him a soft smile. "You really are a saint to take on the entire family as you have. You just always pitch in and do anything, and a lot of women would not do that, would even be resentful of the hustle and bustle that is always going on at home. I appreciate you," he said, winking at her.
"I appreciate that," she said, nodding and squeezing his hand. "I have to admit there are times it is hard. On the rare occasions we think we're going to enjoy a meal, just the two of us, someone always ends up popping in, usually Tim," she said rolling her eyes, and Jack chuckled, nodding in agreement. "But," she paused until Jack looked at her, "I do love them, Jack. You gave me a family when I didn't have much of one left. Family isn't always easy, but it's family; you work together to get things done because that's what family does, and I'm very happy to be joining yours."
"You've been part of it for years, Lise," he said, tugging on their joined hands. "I'm sorry that maybe you haven't felt it, that I haven't done more to make you part of it. I've not seen a legal piece of paper just making someone family, but I have to realize that it is important, important to you, so that is important to me too, and I'm old fashioned enough that I want us married. I was just too comfortable not doing anything about it, and I am sorry about that. I do want to marry you; I'm so happy you are going to be my wife, but you've been family to me just as someone like Mallory is or Ty is, even more so," he said, with a wink and kissing her hand again. She smiled softly again at him.
"As I've told you, I'm thrilled to be marrying you. You captured my heart a very long time ago. However," she eyed him, raising her eyebrows at him, "I'm not going to change my name." Jack turned to her, a surprised look on his face, and she gestured at him, "You don't want to wear a ring, and I'm okay with that. I don't want to change my name, and I hope you are okay with that too. Stillman has always been my name, and I just," she paused and sighed. "I don't know. I just want to leave it. It has nothing to do with you or how much I love you and want to marry you, just as you said about the ring. You just don't want to wear one, and I get that."
Jack pulled his hand from hers to gesture with it, "Now, why do you have to go and make an argument that makes sense, and I can't argue with?" Lisa started laughing and shrugged her shoulders at him, shaking her head.
"You said you liked my independence," she pursed her lips, eyeing him.
He grumbled, but he was teasing her, and she knew it too, "Yeah, but maybe you're too independent, too modern for me."
"Too modern?" Lisa flashed a grin at him, both enjoying this banter. "Your own granddaughters have very similar opinions on this. Lou, well, who knows what name she is using, but she uses Fleming some and hyphenates it sometimes too. Georgie, that poor girl, they adopted her with a hyphenated last name as if changing her name wasn't hard enough. Amy has already told me that when she and Ty get married she doesn't want to change her name. Jack, she hates change more than you," Lisa started laughing, looking at him. "You want to talk about strong, independent women? You raised some, Marion included even though I didn't meet her but heard all about her strength and independence, so it shouldn't surprise you it was attractive to you in a spouse now too."
"Again," he grumbled, glancing at her, while rolling his eyes, "you just had to make good points. Fine," he said with a head nod. "I'll still marry you, even if you don't change your name," he said, trying to look like he was pouting, but he was okay with it. "Now," he glanced her way and pointed with his finger, "should you ever change your mind," he said nodding, "well, I'd not argue with that either and would gladly help you get your name changed on any documents and all."
She bit her lip from grinning at him, "I'll remember that. You never know." Just as Lisa was about to say something, her phone rang, and she had to dig it out of her purse. "Oh, it's Lou. I think I know what this is about," she said, turning toward Jack and nodding at him. He gave her an odd look, and she put her finger to her lips for him to keep quiet while she took the call.
"Hi, Lou," she said into the phone and then nodded as she continued, "yes, this is a good time."
Lisa was silent for several seconds, listening to Lou. He could hear her muffled sounds coming from the phone and watched as Lisa nodded.
"I think it's more than fair, Lou. Honey, what's the problem with the offer?"
Jack eyed her, not knowing what the conversation was about with Lou. Lisa hadn't mentioned anything over this last week. He watched as Lisa listened, shook her head, and then answered again.
"Lou, I'm happy to sell the dude ranch back to you. You're home, which was the issue before, that you were going to be gone. We've done well with it, but it's yours to manage and own. I was trying to help, and at this point, I think you are more than capable. I don't need to change the terms of the sale, and I hope you are okay with it."
He watched as Lisa listened again, his interest heightened now, understanding the purpose of the call. Lou and Lisa had been co-owners of the dude ranch now for a few years, and while they'd had their issues at times, it was going well and profitable for both. They'd really gotten into it a couple years ago when Lou and Peter had talked about building a house there, and Jack had unfortunately been stuck in the middle, trying to stay out of it, but trying to support Lisa as best he could. Lou had Peter, and he needed to support Lisa, something he figured out in the middle of that mess. Now, though, he was a little surprised to hear she wanted to sell her half back to Lou.
"Honey, really, I am fine with the price. It's more than fair. We've made money, and I want you to have this back. Please, Lou, let me do this for you." Jack listened, wondering what the issue was with the price. He knew Lisa to be more than fair, and unfortunately, he knew his granddaughter to stir up things when not needed. She would get set in her mind with something and not want to back down. "Just let me know. I'm fine with it, really. Okay, yes, I'm fine, and no," she glanced to Jack, giving him a small smile as she was still talking, "I don't want to talk about your grandfather with you, so please respect that right now." She winked at Jack, and he just shook his head, chuckling slightly. Okay, Honey, bye."
"What was that? You're selling your half of the dude ranch? It's been doing well for you," he eyed her, gesturing with one hand while driving with the other.
She sighed, pursing her lips, and nodding, "Well, as I did tell Lou, it makes sense now. She's home and trying to settle herself with things to do, not that she really needs to take on more between Maggie's and the dude ranch, but we both know her and know she has to have a million things going on. She doesn't need me to jointly own it now. I did that, as you know, back when she was supposed to be going back to Dubai, and we did work well mostly for a few years. To be honest," she pursed her lips and looked over at him, "I set that in motion when we fell apart. I wanted to start separating myself from everything at Heartland because you were so dead set on me not being in your life. That seemed like a good place to start, and if I am being honest, when looking at it, it was a good thing to sell back to Lou. I mean, I didn't jump the gun and just up and leave Hudson for good. I could have done something crazy like, oh, list Fairfield, sell it, and never come back. That would have been rather drastic, but that would have been an option too."
Jack listened, nodding at her, and he gestured again, "I suppose I understand that, but you're part of the family, legally joining the family," he said with a warm smile at her. "You don't have to sell."
"I do, and I want to," she nodded at him. "I know you were put in the middle of our disagreements, and I don't want to do that, at least avoid it as much as possible. It will be plenty I'm married to you and part of the household, helping you with decisions. That is Lou's baby, and I'm fine with it. I have Fairfield and now anything we decide together. It's really fine, Jack."
"Okay," he nodded. "The paperwork," he eyed her. "What problem does Lou have? She wants a different amount from you?"
"Sort of," she made a face. "I offered to sell it back to her for the exact amount I paid. She isn't happy about that."
"What?" Jack almost roared, his eyes widening. "Lise, it's worth a lot more than that now. You could have sold it for a lot more, and what, does she think it's worth less?"
"No, not at all," she smiled softly, reaching to pat his hand. "I'm not trying to take advantage of her, not like Tim tried to do when he sold me his half," she said, rolling her eyes. "Do you remember that mess?" Jack groaned and nodded, rolling his eyes at Lisa with the memory. "I made money already on it. Lou and I have done well. To be honest, I'd be happy selling it to her for next to nothing, but she wouldn't go for that, so it seemed fair to just sell it for what I paid, even if it's worth a lot more. She's family, Jack."
He looked over at her and shook his head, "Just when I think I can't love you any more than I already do, you go and do this. Lise, I know how you are with business, and well," he nodded in agreement, "this is not what a keen businesswoman such as you does. I'm sorry Lou is giving you a hard time. She's stubborn just like someone else I'm currently engaged to," he chuckled.
"Well, I am just trying to help her, to do something nice. You and I both know that my relationship with Lou is hot or cold, nothing in between. On one hand, she has me as Katie's godmother and is so grateful for my help with Katie and even back with Katie's nursery, but on the other, we can fight like cats and dogs. Oh, you remember how mad she was when I set her up with Peter? We didn't speak for days."
"Oh, I was there," he grumbled. "I remember. I lived it too, killed me you two were at such odds. Everyone in town knew our business then."
"It was horrible, and it put a strain on us," she gestured to them. "I don't want that. I know how Lou is. I know how I am. I just want to help, to be there for her. I meant it when I said that your family is my family. I consider both girls my granddaughters too, even if they don't want to hear it. I've been watching them grow up and mature these last eight years, and I plan on being around for much, much longer. Sadly," she sighed, shaking her head, "I will probably be around longer than Marion was able to be, Lyndy too-already have been around Amy longer than she ever knew Lyndy, and I hate that for them, but I hope they can grow to see that I'm here for them; I'm on their side, and I just want to be that person for them, a confidant, a friend, not a replacement for their mom or grandmother. Obviously, I don't want to replace their grandmother, but it's hard to know I'll be married to you, have helped them with whatever they need, and I'm still seen as some outsider. I realize we aren't married yet, but that's definitely how I feel at times, and I certainly hope that relationship with both girls improves."
Jack reached for her hand and took it in his, frowning slightly at her, "I never want you to feel like you are an outsider because you're not. You're going to be my wife, and you're right; you have been around a long time, have seen the girls grow up and mature, and you've been the female in their lives, and boy," he shook his head, "they've needed one. I really appreciate that, and I want you to know that I do see a lot of what you said too. I see how Lou is with you at times, and I'm sorry. I try to stay out of things if possible, but I've said plenty to her over the years, and I want you to know that. I've made clear my feelings to her, when she's wronged you, but I also can't force her to be better with you even if I want to. I'm on your side, Lise, even when the girls are on the opposite side."
"Thank you, and I do know it puts you in the middle sometimes," she nodded, looking down but then to him. "I realize you are in a tough spot. They are your granddaughters, and you raised them."
"Yes," he agreed, "but I am going to be married to you, and I brought you into this family because I love you and love how you are with them. I would have not pursued things a long time ago if I thought you weren't a good fit for me, for all of us. You're wonderful with them, and I do know you aren't trying to replace Marion or Lyndy. Lise, you have incredible shoes to fill, not that it's some comparison, but you've more than filled them. It's really hard because it's not just one female the girls lost, but two. Granted, Amy was little when Lyndy died, but she's held onto her, and like you said, if there is anyone who hates change more than I do, it's Amy. You and Amy have a special bond, and I hope it continues. She's the reason I even met you, and Amy remembers you were the one to give her a chance with your horse. You trusted her, that 15-year-old girl who had just lost the person in her life she loved the most. I'll never forget that, and Amy won't either. Lou," he sighed and shook his head. "She's a lot for anyone, but again, you do have a special connection she can't deny. You gave Lou her husband, and man," he chuckled and continued, "I don't even know what to say. You're that amazing, you know? She does love you, even if she's a mess some of the time. She's a lot for all of us to handle. You've seen that. She and Amy used to hate being in the same room before Lou went off to college. She would boss little Amy around like you wouldn't believe. Lou is Lou, and you handle her so well. I am so in love with you, even more right now for the kindness you are still showing Lou even if she doesn't acknowledge or always give it back to you. You, Lise, do a remarkable job of not holding a grudge, and not many can say that, so thank you," he said, pulling her hand up and kissing it. "I'd do more," he winked at her, "but I'm driving your car right now."
That had Lisa burst out laughing, and the two enjoyed a good laugh about all of that, finally settling down and sipping at their coffees.
"Is she going to sign your paperwork?" Jack finally asked, and he heard Lisa sigh.
"I hope so. It's more than fair. I just want back what I put in, and the profit I made these last years is more than enough. She thinks she should pay me more, and I'm not having it. I'm going to just let her sit on it, and if she hasn't sighed it by the time we get home, hopefully, our news will be reason enough for her to see I'm family-legally," she grinned at Jack before continuing, "and just want her to have the dude ranch."
"Yeah, well, at least you're not selling it back to Tim. You and Lou may have had your differences at times, but he doesn't need to own any part of Heartland, even if he's doing better with the girls."
"You know," she shifted in her seat and smiled softly at him, "speaking of family relationships, you and Tim have come a long way, a very long way since I first met him, the night Amy won that Fall Finale. Gosh, that was a long time ago. She was still 15."
"Man, that was, and I was so proud of her that night, not," he waved his hand and frowned, "that I'm not proud of her all the time."
"You were in proud papa mode," she grinned, "gushing all about her. I so enjoyed watching you that evening." Jack looked over at her, and she just sat there grinning. He could tell her mind had wandered, and he prodded her about that.
"What are you thinking about, that party still?"
She smiled brightly at him, "Just our talk later, after you'd calmed down about Ty. I remember we sat on the porch, freezing, for some time," she started to laugh.
Jack nodded, "Ahh, yes, and I asked you about your comment to Tim, when you met him."
"You did," she grinned brightly. "Jack's friend," she nodded there. "That was the night we agreed that whatever this was really was us dating."
"It was," he winked at her. "You definitely took my mind of Ty leaving, talk about fooling around out there on that porch while we froze. Geez, that really was a long time ago."
"Yes, it was," she sighed. "I-" Lisa was about to say more when Jack's phone rang. He saw it was Tim calling, so he declined the call and shook his head at Lisa.
"Tim calling again," he sighed.
Truthfully, he did want to speak to Tim. They had plans to make about meeting up in Whitefish, but it would be really hard to talk to Tim with Lisa in the car, at least about that. Tim now knew Lisa was with Jack, but Lisa didn't know that Tim knew because it would spoil her ring surprise. Jack was really looking forward to giving Lisa her ring before they got back home. It meant a lot to him that she have his grandmother's ring, and while his proposal had been heartfelt and perfect in the moment, he only wished he'd had the ring. Lisa kept telling him it didn't matter, but it did to him. She deserved this beautiful ring. Tim had found it, had taken it to a jeweler to be cleaned up, and he'd even called Jack to say that the main diamond was loose. Jack had spoken to the jeweler, and the two had agreed on a better diamond, and against his better judgement, he'd let Tim take care of that, telling them both what he wanted for Lisa. She deserved the world, and he really hoped she liked the ring. It was supposed to be ready tomorrow, probably why Tim was calling, and he and Lisa would be arriving in Montana late tomorrow. They would be there a week, so Tim and Jack now needed to coordinate the ring drop-off.
Jack sipped at more coffee, noting that Lisa was eating a cookie from the bag of food she'd packed. She handed him one without his asking, and he winked at her. Before he could eat it, Tim called again.
"What does he want?" Lisa asked, shaking her head.
"Not sure, but there's an exit coming up," he gestured. "I could use a pit stop, so why don't we stop, and I'll call Tim to see what is so urgent."
"Perfect," Lisa agreed. "My bladder thanks you." Jack started to chuckle.
"Noted," he said. "In my old age, my bladder is the same."
"Well, not that this topic isn't fascinating, but speaking of Tim, as I was saying, Jack, I'm really proud of you for how you've handled Tim over the years. I know he can be incredibly frustrating. I really do, but the way you've put aside your feelings to allow him back into the family, well," she patted his hand on the steering wheel. "I know it means a lot to the girls. Tim has been working to repair a lot, and even as annoying as he can be, he's trying."
"I know," he sighed. "I still wonder how in the world Marion ever fell in love with such a goofball."
Lisa laughed, nodding at Jack, "Well, she was your daughter, and I suppose with as strong and independent as she is, she liked his fun side. When he cares about something or someone, he's all in. They did give you two pretty wonderful granddaughters."
"I know, I know," he waved. "I sometimes wonder how things might be different now, you know, if Tim hadn't started drinking and with the pills. I wonder if Marion would still be around, you know, because she was so used to just being headstrong and doing her own thing. I wonder if that night would have been different, that she wouldn't have gone after that horse, that Tim would have stopped her."
Lisa raised an eyebrow at Jack, "Really? You really think he would have stopped her? Jack," she sighed, shaking her head, "I know we always want the 'what ifs,' but you and I both know that if someone is set on doing something, even in a marriage, it's hard to change that. You said she was just like Amy is, and there would have been no talking Amy out of anything like that. Ty wouldn't stand a chance, and you know it. I suppose the only thing that could have been different is that Tim would have gone with her, and the girls could have lost both parents, so if there is anything to take from that, they got their dad back. He came back into their lives. Losing Marion was horrible for you. I know that, and you've told me, but it did bring Tim back to the girls, and we both have to admit that they need their dad, even as frustrating as he can be at times."
He eyed her, frowning, "Again, why are we back here, to you having to be right about something?" Lisa let out a low chuckle, and she reached over to clasp her hand in Jack's.
"You are a very forgiving man, Jack Bartlett, and both Marion and Lyndy would be proud of the relationship you have built with Tim. You've worked hard to repair a lot, even if you don't want to admit that. I see it. The girls see it, and well," she gave him a flirtatious look, "just be glad that night I met him, the night Amy won, that night we were just talking about, be glad I was already pretty invested in you, Cowboy, because," she made a clicking noise with her mouth, "you never know. I could be with Tim right now."
Jack started to laugh, dropping his head quickly, as he was driving and then focused on the road. "You wouldn't have lasted a week with Tim, with as much of a goofball as he is, not to mention his bad house habits like being a slob and all. No," he winked at her, "you need a much more mature man."
"Mature as in old?" Lisa made a face, and Jack looked to her, his mouth dropping open at the surprise she'd said that. She burst out laughing, and he started to laugh too.
"Well, you do speak the truth, Lise. No secret I'm old."
"Oh, age is just a number, Cowboy. You show me, I see it, and you are living proof of that all the time."