CHAPTER FOUR

The mid-morning sun was peeking through the blinds when Reba's eyes fluttered open, the smell brewing coffee tickling her nose. She yawned widely and stretched her limbs before sitting up on the edge of the bed. She had slept well the night before, albeit filled with dreams unlike she had had since she was much younger, but she couldn't believe she had slept so late. She made her way into the bathroom and quickly brushed her teeth and ran her fingers through her red mane in an effort to tame her hair before making her way out into the kitchen.

"Good morning," she greeted Jack who was at the stove cooking something as she made her way to the coffee pot to pour herself a cup of coffee into the empty cup he had left for her.

"Good morning beautiful."

Reba took a drink of her coffee and looked at him over the top of her mug. "Oh yeah, real beautiful with no make-up and hastily brushed hair."

Jack smiled over at her. "You know what would have been even more beautiful? You waking up in my bed."

Reba laughed and walked over and wrapped her arms around him from behind. "That's where you would be dead wrong mister. Because if I woke up in your bed, you would have gotten the full benefit of bed head and morning breath. What's for breakfast?"

"French toast and bacon. Do you need anything for your coffee? Cream, sugar?"

Reba shook her head. "No, black is fine. Breakfast looks great. Anything I can do to help?"

"No, I am almost finished here. Go take a seat and I will be right there."

Reba topped off her coffee and turned to go sit at the bar top, noticing for the the first time the single red rose laying across the plate that Jack had set for breakfast. She went and sat down and smiled as she picked up the rose and breathed in the scent. "Now this, is beautiful. Thank you."

Jack carried his skillet to the bar and distributed the French toast and bacon amongst their plates and then slid into the barstool next to her. He picked up the small pitcher of warmed syrup and extended it towards Reba, leaning in to capture her lips in a kiss. She tasted of an intoxicating mix of coffee, cinnamon toothpaste and something uniquely Reba and he had to force himself to pull away before he got carried away. "Just for reference, I would take morning breath and bed head any time, any place."

Reba's cheeks flushed, her lips tingling from the kiss and took the syrup to pour it over her French toast. She quickly took a bite. "Wow Jack, this is great. Smart, sexy and you can cook? What other fascinating secrets are you hiding?"

Jack chuckled as he ate his own breakfast. "Wouldn't you love to know?"

Reba took a bite of her bacon and gently hit her shoulder against his own. "I guess I will just have to stick around if I want to uncover all of your mysteries, huh?"

Jack turned and put his arm around the back of her chair. "That sounds like a plan to me. Any chance I could entice you to spend the day with me and uncover some more of those mysteries?"

Reba turned to face him. "I would love to, I really would, but I promised Cheyenne we could spend the day in my kitchen making up some meals she could freeze and use over the next several weeks while their family adjusts to the new baby."

Jack jokingly rolled his eyes. "Great, I'm already having to compete with another man for your time."

Reba smiled. "Oh Jack, it's not a competition. If you want to spend time with me, you are going to have to work around his schedule. You see, there is one man who is number one in my life right now and and he's not going anywhere. So, you sir, are just going to have to work around Mason's very busy schedule."

"All right then, do you think Mason could manage without you for dinner tonight?"

"I think maybe he could spare me for a few hours this evening. What are you thinking?"

"I don't know. Just a casual dinner out. I could pick you up at your place and we could just go somewhere close and casual. Whatever you want to do."

"Jack, if we go out tonight, I do have one request. Are you ok if we don't tell my family that we are seeing each other yet? It's not that I don't want to tell them, I just know it's going to open up a lot of questions and I would just like to have some more solid answers before I have to start answering those questions. Besides, for now, I want to enjoy having you all to myself."

Jack leaned in and kissed her slowly. "Reba, we can do this however you want. I just want to spend time with you whenever and however I can. So, this evening I will discretely text you when I get to your house and you can slip out and into my car and your family will not have to even know. And then we can spend the evening just enjoying each other's company."

"I'm already looking forward to it."

"Reba! You here?!" Barbara Jean yelled out as she let herself in the back door as Jake followed her inside.

"I don't think she is home yet BJ. I didn't see her car in the driveway."

"No, maybe not." Barbara Jean replied as she walked through the kitchen and walked over towards the stairs by the front door. She peered up the stairs and yelled out again. "REBA!"

Jake walked into the living room and dropped his backpack onto the couch. "I'm sure she will be home soon. You don't have to wait with me. I will be fine."

To tell the truth, Jake was anxious for Barbara Jean to leave. Spending the night with her and his dad the night before had been awkward to say the least. Things had started with a family dinner that had barely been edible because Barbara Jean had worked late and his dad had been forced to cook and then they had played a board game that Henry wasn't very good at and had thrown a fit when he didn't win. The evening had ended with Jake listening to his father and step-mother fighting on the other side of his bedroom wall long into the morning hours.

"Oh, I know Jakey, but I was really hoping to see your mom. I feel like I haven't really had the chance to spend any time with her lately and I miss seeing her. It seems like since she admitted I'm her best friend, we just haven't had much time for each other. Besides, I'm curious about this friend she's been spending so much time with lately. Has she mentioned who it is to you?"

Jake just shrugged his shoulders and picked up the TV remote. "I didn't even know she had a friend she was spending time with."

"Of course you didn't. You are such a guy."

The sound of keys in the front door caused them to both turn and look expectantly waiting for Reba but were instead met with the strawberry blonde curls of a little Elizabeth followed closely by Cheyenne who was lugging in a diaper bag and a car seat with baby Mason tucked snugly inside. "Oh hey Cheyenne."

"Hi Barbara Jean. It's so good to see you too." Cheyenne said with a hint of sarcasm.

"Oh no! Of course, it's wonderful to see you! And any chance to see that handsome little boy is appreciated, I was just hoping you were your mom."

"Mom's not home yet?"

"No, I guess not."

"Oh, we are supposed to have plans this afternoon. That's why I am here. I'm sure she will be here soon. She had to come home from downtown so maybe she just got caught in traffic."

Barbara Jean busied herself with extracting a sleeping Mason from the car seat without waking him and also not making her questions seem prying. "Yeah, she stayed downtown because she went to see Wicked with…who was it again?"

"She was with…" Cheyenne started off but quickly realized that Barbara Jean was digging for information. Her mom was surely keeping the fact that Dr. Morgan was back in town, and they were in the very early stages of exploring a relationship to herself. She managed to quickly cover, albeit not very gracefully. "She was out with an old friend. That's all I really know."

Barbara Jean narrowed her eyes and stepped closer to Cheyenne. "You know who she is with, don't you?" Cheyenne winced and tried to escape BJ's questioning gaze. "You do! Is it a man? Is Reba dating someone? Cheyenne, you have to tell me!"

Cheyenne sighed. "Listen, Barbara Jean, I do know who mom is with. I promise you, there is nothing for you to worry about. Mom is fine. But do me a favor, don't bug her about who she is spending time with. Just give her some time to explore this on her own. I promise you, when she is ready, she will loop everyone in on what is going on in her life and who she is spending time with."

Brock was surprised to find his wife in their kitchen when he arrived home from playing golf. "You're home early. I thought you were going to stay over at Reba's for a while when you dropped Jake off."

"Well, I was going to but Reba wasn't home yet."

Brock walked to the fridge and pulled a beer out and opened it, taking a long drag. "She wasn't home yet? Well where the hell was she?"

"I don't know Brock. It was only 11:30 in the morning when I dropped Jake off. She spent the night downtown, maybe she was stuck in traffic trying to get home. Maybe she decided to sleep in since she didn't have any kids or responsibilities to wake her up at dawn. Or maybe whoever she spent the night had her otherwise…occupied this morning."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Brock took another long swig of his beer.

"Well, if you must know, I saw Cheyenne over at Reba's and while she didn't come right out and say it, she all but admitted that the friend that Reba has been spending time with lately is a man. I told you she has a boyfriend. And don't you think it's a little early to be hitting the beer already?"

"Oh lay off BJ, it's just a beer." Brock scoffed as he finished his beverage. "And Reba doesn't have a boyfriend."

Barbara Jean flattened her palms against on the kitchen countertops. "You keep saying that Reba doesn't have a boyfriend every time I mention the possibility and yet all the evidence points to her in fact having a boyfriend, or at the very least she's exploring the possibility of starting a relationship with whoever she's been spending so much time with."

"And I am telling you, you are wrong. Reba doesn't date, she doesn't do relationships. If she were with someone, I would know."

"Oh, you would? Because there's no way the woman that you've been divorced from for over seven years now could be keeping something from you? Face it Brock, you don't know everything about Reba. There are some parts of her life that you just aren't a part of anymore despite the fact you are constantly finding reasons to always be with her."

Brock opened the fridge, grabbed another beer and slammed the fridge door. "Oh, now we are really getting somewhere. Yes, I spend a lot of time with Reba. You know who else is there? Jake and Henry. We go over there for dinner several evenings every week. You know why? Because my wife is off pursuing a career that has somehow become more important than her family. And Reba, being the kind and generous person that she is opens her home and has us over for dinner. But because we have been spending more time together, I think I would have noticed if she was dating someone."

Barbara Jean let out a sarcastic laugh. "Why are you so caught up on whether Reba has a man in her life or not? Personally, I hope she has found someone to find love with. Someone who treats her like the queen she is. She deserves it. I just wonder why you wouldn't want that for her. Are you jealous that she might be seeing someone else? Is spending all this time with her stirring up old feelings, Brock? Do you want her back so no one else can have her?"

Brock scoffed almost too indignantly. "Oh, who is jealous now?"

"I am not jealous Brock. There is nothing to be jealous of. You know why? Because Reba doesn't want you. She will always love you as the father of her children but she is never going to want you again. That ship sailed the day you slept with me in your x-ray room. But you obviously think there's something still there between the two of you, don't you?"

Brock downed the last of his second beer. "I don't know what I think."

Barbara Jean felt her heart break a little bit and she took a minute to collect her thoughts. "Well, maybe you should leave then. And don't come back until you figure out what…or better yet, who you want."

"Thank you so much mom. This is going to be such a huge help over the next few weeks."

Reba finished putting foil over the top of the last of the casseroles that she and Cheyenne had spent the afternoon making to help the new family of four out over the next several weeks. "No problem honey. I loved spending the afternoon with you. I'm just sorry I was late."

Cheyenne grinned at her mom. "Speaking of…how was your evening?"

Reba gave her daughter a pointed look. "Cheyenne."

"What? It's an innocent question. I just want to make sure that Jack showed my mother an appropriately good time."

Reba smiled as a blush warmed her cheeks. She made her way around the kitchen counter to sit next to her daughter on the bar stool. "The truth? It was amazing. Beyond the fabulous dinner and seeing Wicked, being with Jack was…everything. He is kind, smart, funny, and he smells so good."

"And?" Cheyenne asked expectantly.

"And what?"

"C'mon mom, you know."

"Fine. Jack is a really fantastic…kisser."

Cheyenne slumped back in her chair. "That's it?"

"Yes Cheyenne, that's it. But when I say it was good…it was fan-freaking-tactic. I can't believe I am saying this to my daughter of all people, but that man makes me feel things I've never felt before."

Cheyenne squealed and grabbed her mom's hands. "Mom, I am so happy for you. When are you seeing him again?"

Reba smiled. "Actually, we are going out to dinner tonight. And Cheyenne, for now, let's just keep all of this between us. Because of the history between Jack and myself, I am going to keep him to myself for a while before I bring him around the family again."

"Ok mom, I get that. But you should know, Barbara Jean was here earlier poking around and asking questions about the 'friend' you have been spending time with lately."

Reba sighed. "Craaap. Your dad was asking a lot of questions the other evening also. Listen, I know I won't be able to keep able to keep Jack to myself for long, but I just want to hold off a little while longer. I want to make sure we are on solid ground before I bring him back around. I promise I won't hide him away too much longer."

Reba had just put one of the casseroles she and Cheyenne had made earlier that afternoon in the oven to warm up for Jake for dinner and was about to head upstairs to get ready for her date with Jack when her front door opened and Brock walked in. She stopped on the bottom step and turned to look at her ex-husband.

"What are you doing here Brock?"

"Reba, I need a place to stay tonight. I was hoping you would let me stay in one of the girls' old rooms."

Reba crossed her arms and fixed him with a stare. "And why do you need a place to stay?"

Brock sighed knowing he was probably about to get lectured by his ex-wife. "Barbara Jean and I had a fight. She kicked me out."

"Oh good grief Brock. The two of you are supposed to be working on your marriage. Go buy some flowers, a bottle of wine, go home and make up with your wife."

"Listen Reba, right now is not the right time. Believe me when I tell you the best thing for me to do right now is stay away for the night. So, can I please stay here tonight?"

Reba rolled her eyes. "Fine, you mo-ron. You can stay in Kyra's old room. For tonight. Tomorrow you go home and make up with your wife. I put a casserole in the oven for Jake for dinner. I'm sure he will enjoy the company."

"Oh, you won't be joining us?"

Reba pointed over her shoulder and up the stairs. "Actually, I was just headed upstairs to get ready. I have dinner plans with a friend this evening."

Brock smirked at her. "My aren't you the social butterfly lately."

Reba cocked her hip to one side. "I'm sorry Brock, I fail to see what business of yours my social life is. Yes, I have been going out more frequently lately but guess what? The kids are grown, they aren't being neglected, and I have no one else to answer too. And that's more of an explanation than I really owe you."

Brock raised his hands in surrender. "I'm sorry Reba, you are right. It isn't my business. I guess I was just hoping to spend some time with my old friend tonight instead of her running off with this mysterious new friend that no one knows anything about."

"Well, I'm sorry Brock, like I said, I've already got plans. Now, I have to go get ready."

Reba paused at the top of the steps and watched Brock walk to the couch and sit down with a sigh. She watched him rub his hands over his faces and then wipe away a tear. She barely heard him as he quietly said, "No, it's ok Reba. Go live your life. Who needs their best friend when their life is falling apart?"

Reba finished ascending the stairs and stepped into her bedroom. She looked over at the outfit laying on her bed that she had carefully picked out for her date with Jack and sighed. There was nothing she wanted more than to go out with Jack again, to be in his arms and to feel the warmth of his breath on her face in the seconds before he kissed her, but Brock was downstairs, and he was hurting. He needed someone to talk to and truth be told, other than Barbara Jean, she was his only friend. Reba released a deep sigh before picking up her phone.

"Hey, it's me. I'm so sorry to do this to you but I am going to have to cancel our plans for tonight."

"Is everything ok?"

Reba smiled at the instant concern in his voice. "I'm fine but Brock and Barbara Jean had a fight. She kicked him out and things are a mess around here. I just need to be here this evening. I'm so sorry. Trust me, I would much rather be going out to dinner with you tonight."

"Well, I won't pretend I'm not disappointed that I won't be seeing you again this evening, but I understand. Take care of your family. But when will I get to see you again? Tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow is Sunday, family day. We are going to church in the morning, I have an open house after lunch and then Jake has baseball games tomorrow evening. What about Monday? We could meet for lunch?"

"I will block off extra time in my schedule so we can make it a long lunch."

Reba chuckled. "That sounds perfect. Thank you for being so understanding Jack."

Jack smiled on the other end of the line. "Don't make me sound so noble. Not seeing you until Monday is going to be absolute torture and I plan on making you make it up to me."

Reba felt her pulse quicken. "I will call you later. And tomorrow. Thanks again Jack."

Brock put the casserole pan on the kitchen table between the two place settings he had set for himself and Jake. "Jake! Son! Dinner is ready!"

Reba came walking into the kitchen wearing yoga pants and a long sleeve t-shirt. "Only two place settings? Do you have room for one more?"

Brock looked up surprised. "Reba, I thought you had plans tonight."

Reba shrugged. "Plans change. How about you get me a plate and I will join you guys for dinner."

Brock smiled and walked over to the corner cabinet to pulled another plate down and grabbed some silverware from the drawer and brought it to the table where Reba was putting another placemat down.

The three of them enjoyed a nice casual dinner together. Brock found himself watching her, maybe a little too much, as they shared the chicken casserole and side salad she had prepared for what was supposed to be a quick dinner for their son while she went out with her "friend" but she was taking her change of plans in stride. Reba was fully engaged with their son, listening to his stories about how his week had been at school, asking questions when appropriate, simply listening when the situation warranted. Occasionally Reba would look his way and he would be quick to look away, not wanting to be caught staring but by the time their dinner was coming to an end, he was coming to the realization of what all he had missed out on when he had walked away from his family.

After dinner Reba had suggested a game night and surprisingly, Jake had agreed to forgo his video games for awhile to play games with his mom and dad. Reba had pulled out some old family favorites and after a few rounds of the board game Wahoo, two of which she won and one which Jake won, they had moved on to the card game Phase 10.

Brock was getting his tail kicked badly in this game also, to the point that Reba had even made comment about his focus. He had just laughed it off saying that she was obviously just way more competitive than he was. But she was right, his focus was off, he couldn't stop watching her, the way her eyes sparkled as she strategized her next move, the way her lips lifted in a small smirk when the cards began to line up for her, the way her teeth worried her bottom lip when things weren't quite going the way she wanted. Just then Jake said something to his mom that caused her to laugh, a full throaty laugh that caused her to throw her head back, the curve of her neck exposing itself fully to him. In that moment Brock's breath caught in his throat and suddenly he wondered if Barbara Jean was right. Was he starting to have feelings for her again? Was he falling for Reba again?

Reba yawned as she closed her bedroom door behind her. Despite her disappointment in having to postpone her plans with Jack, she had to admit she had enjoyed her evening with Jake and Brock. It had been fun having dinner and playing games, no heavy discussions, just spending time together. Somehow they had managed to keep Jake's attention for the entire evening and when he finally had decided to go to bed, she had attempted to talk to Brock about his fight with Barbara Jean but he seemed distracted by something and uninterested in talking. Finally, she had just given up and said goodnight.

She made her way to her bathroom and went through her bedtime routine before coming back to the bedroom and settling into her bed. As she made herself comfortable, she picked up her cell phone and looked at the time. 11:15 pm. She debated for just a minute before she pressed the recently saved number on her favorites list. She listened to the line ring briefly before they were connected.

"Hey, I hope I didn't wake you." She smiled at the sound of his voice on the other end of the line and snuggled further into her pillows. "It's good to hear your voice. I missed you too."

TO BE CONTINUED….