The Canyons May Call but Don't You Dare Listen to Them

Hello, I'm new to writing for Heartland, but I love Jack and Lisa, and wanted to give Lisa more of a story than the show writers do. Hope you enjoy.

Title and chapter titles comes from the song "Carry You" by Phillip LaRue

Chapter 1: Inches Away From The Edge

"And then, Drew fell right into the fountain!" Lisa laughed with delight as Katie ended her story. The teen had just returned from a school trip and was very animatedly telling them all about it as they crowded around the small kitchen table. She passed around pictures of her classmate soaking wet in a fountain after he'd gotten tangled in a dog's leash as it chased a squirrel. Lisa could feel Jack's shoulders shaking in laughter as well, her arm draped loosely around him, and Lou and Amy were both wiping away tears from laughing at Katie's stories, Lyndy pressed up against her older cousin, giggling away at the pictures. A phone ringing interrupted the laughter, and she excused herself to the living room when she realized it was hers, waving away Jack's concern when she frowned at the unfamiliar number.

"Hello?" she answered, still partially focused on the antics in the kitchen. She refocused herself when the callers voice came through, trying to tune out the raucous conversation and laughter in the kitchen, moving toward the fireplace.

"Hello, Lisa? This is Ramona Wilde, Evelyn's friend." Lisa's heart began to pound. She'd spoken to her aunt just the week before, and though Evelyn was slowing down in her old age and not traveling as much, she had been in good spirits and had been staying with Ramona and her husband in Brussels for the last several months. She'd met Ramona a few times, and though it had been many years, she could hear the emotion in the older woman's voice.

"Y-yes Ramona, I remember you. Is everything alright?"

"I am so sorry, my dear, but our dear Evelyn has passed away. She went in her sleep last night, and the doctor says she had a stroke." Lisa gasped, bringing a hand to her mouth as tears welled in her eyes. Her chest was suddenly tight and she couldn't make it past Ramona's statement.

"Lisa? Are you still there dear?" At Ramona's inquiry, Lisa brought the hand covering her mouth to the back of her neck and forced herself to speak, her throat thick with emotion.

"Yes, I'm here. I…was she feeling unwell? I just spoke with her last week, and she seemed to be fine." She closed her eyes and tried to focus on Ramona's answer, her aching chest making her want to hang up and deny this news instead of listening.

"She'd had high blood pressure for some time, but she's been managing it pretty well. She has gotten slower in the last few months and seemed….tired more often. Again, I'm so sorry Lisa. I know how close you and Evelyn were, I'm sure this is a shock. It's been a shock to Phillip and I as well. We've so enjoyed having her here with us."

"Yes…it is. I…." Lisa sighed and opened her eyes to see Jack there, not realizing he'd followed her into the living room. His eyes spoke of his concern and she just shook her head, unable to speak. She could hear Ramona saying her name, but it felt far away, and she was suddenly so cold. A hand eased the phone away and she watched, as if from a distance as Jack spoke into the phone, and as his face fell as the news was repeated to him. Lisa couldn't focus on the words being spoken, but watched as Jack continued the call for a few minutes, and just looked at him in desperation as he hung up and set her phone down on the end table behind him. She trembled as his hand ghosted over hers, and then gently rested on her shoulder and pulled her into him. She choked out a sob, clenching her hands into the back of his shirt, falling into him as the news began to truly sink in that Evelyn was gone. Lisa clamped her lips tightly shut, trying to hold in the tears she could feel rising, refusing to give in, knowing she'd fall apart as soon as she did. Jack murmured to her softly "it's ok to let it out Lisa" as he soothingly rubbed his hands up and down her back, but she couldn't let herself fall into it. The noise still coming from the kitchen was joyous, and she felt lightheaded at the abrupt change in circumstance, one moment laughing with her family, the next, sinking in despair. After a few minutes or a few hours, Lisa couldn't tell, Jack gently pulled back, and lifted one hand up to cup her face, his thumb brushing across her cheek. She knew he could see the tears she was desperately trying to hold back, and just quietly turned her and guided her toward their bedroom.

"C'mon Lise" he quietly urged and led them away.

She walked, dazed, into the bedroom and just stood there as Jack closed the door, and walked over to lead her to the edge of the bed, and nudged her into sitting. Without speaking, he removed her shoes, and then with slow movements removed her earrings, placing them on the nightstand. He then moved her gently to the pillow and lifted her legs up to the bed, so she was laying on her side. She watched in silence as he grabbed one of the throw blankets on the chair and covered her with it. He stroked her hair back from her face and spoke quietly.

"I'll be right back, rest for a minute."

Lisa sighed deeply as he left the room, her energy completely depleted. She stared into the distance and kept hearing Ramona's voice "our dear Evelyn has passed away" … "she had a stroke" … Lisa's mind just kept playing it on repeat. She felt numb and barely noticed when Jack re-entered the room, until he was in front of her, setting a glass of water and her retrieved phone down on her nightstand. She watched ashe removed his boots and then lay down next to her, pulling her into his chest and letting her tangle her legs in his. She sighed deeply as she rested her head against his chest.

"Just…take a few minutes Lise. Stay right here and in a bit, we'll figure out what's next. But for now, just let it out if you need to." She nodded against him at his words and felt something come loose inside her and let the tears come this time, her body shaking with grief. She sobbed over the loss of someone so dear to her, and clutched at Jack as he held her. His arms around her gave her the freedom to let go and she sank into heartache, gasping for air through her tears. Jack's deep rumbling voice sounded in her ear. She couldn't make out any of his words, but knew he was there, and she sank further into him as she fell into exhausted, stricken slumber.

JLJLJLJL

Lisa's next conscious moments were as she woke to a still bright room, the sun streaming in. She gazed at the ceiling in confusion and turned her head to see Jack lying next to her, his eyes already on her face. She attempted to smile at him, but the sudden awareness of a headache and the tight feeling in her chest brought everything back, and her face fell as she remembered why she was lying down in the middle of the day. Jack's hand reached for hers and squeezed, bringing her focus back to him. She croaked out a question, her voice raw from the earlier tears.

"How long did I sleep?"

"About 40 minutes…not long." He let go of her hand and slid his up her arm, over her shoulder and under the hair at the back of her neck, lovingly massaging out the knots that had already formed. He just lay in silence with her, his eyes showing love and understanding. His steadiness gave her the strength to move to the next thing.

"Do I remember you taking the phone and speaking to Ramona?" at his nod, she continued, "did she tell you anything else?"

"Yes, Evelyn had shared her wishes in the last few years with her and her husband. Ramona said you are probably already aware of most of it. She wanted to be buried here in Hudson, by your dad and grandparents." Lisa nodded, Evelyn had told her that many years ago, so it wasn't a surprise to her.

"Evelyn gave Ramona her lawyer's name to call if it happened over there" Jack continued, "so Ramona is already arranging transport back to Alberta. She'll email you the information so we can start making plans here, and the lawyer will email in a few days for the estate planning." Lisa nodded and met Jack's eyes as hers began to well up again.

"I suppose I should call Rachel" she whispered, swallowing thickly at the thought of telling Rachel. She didn't see her sister nearly enough, and wished she had something happier to share with her. They'd mended their strained relationship a bit in the last several years, but she wasn't sure how Rachel would react to the news. Rachel hadn't been as close to Aunt Evelyn, and often butted heads with the older woman, but Lisa knew they'd always loved each other in their own way. Lisa hated giving people bad news, and just wished it was already over with. She sighed again and scooted herself up to sit against the headboard and watched as Jack followed suit. She reached for the glass of water he'd brought her and drank deeply, wetting her dry throat. She drank half the glass and set it back down.

"I should do it now before I lose my nerve."

"You can wait a bit if you want, or I can call her, if you'd rather have me do it." Jack gently offered. She smiled at him sadly, touched that he was willing, but knew she needed to do it herself. She ran a hand along the side of his face, and smiled again when he placed a kiss on her palm.

"Thank you honey, but I can do it. Stay with me while I talk to her though?" she asked, unwilling to do it without him at her side. At his nod and quiet "of course Lise", she picked up her phone and dialed her sister before she could talk herself out of it. She listened, Jack taking her free hand in his, as the phone rang. When the call picked up, Lisa took a deep breath to prepare as her sister's voice came over the line.

"Hey Lisa, what's up?" Rachel answered in her usual casual manner, background noise telling Lisa that her sister must be outside. Lisa hated to jump right to it, but knew she couldn't delay with small talk.

"Hi Rach, I ahh… I actually have some news. It's… well…" Lisa sighed, unable to speak the words out loud. She felt Jack drop her hand, place his arm around her shoulders and pull her into him. She rested her head on his shoulder as Rachel spoke.

"Lisa you sound upset, what is it? Is it…is it Jack, did something happen?" Rachel asked, sounding nervous.

"No! No, Jack's fine Rachel, he's sitting right here with me. It's, well… it's Aunt Evelyn. Ramona called a little while ago. Evelyn had a stroke in her sleep and died yesterday." Lisa had to choke out the last words, feeling as though she'd made it real by speaking it out loud. The line went silent for a moment and Lisa waited as Rachel processed.

"Oh no! I'm sorry Lisa. I know how close you were to her." Rachel's voice was soft, and Lisa could hear the emotion in her voice. "You know Evelyn and I weren't as close, but…damn Lisa, she's still my aunt. And she's daddy's sister…." Lisa let silent tears fall as Rachel's voice trailed off.

"Well..." she cleared her throat and tried to make it through giving her sister the information she needed, not able to focus on either of their emotions yet. "Ramona is making arrangements to have Evelyn sent home. She wants to be put to rest here in Hudson, by Dad. I can send you information once I know more."

"Yeah, ok. I can head to Hudson tomorrow to help, I just have to wrap up a few things today…." Lisa looked up at Jack in surprise as Rachel's voice trailed off distractedly, knowing he could hear Rachel with how close they were sitting.

"Oh honey, you don't have to come yet, you can wait until I know more and have a service planned."

"No it's okay Lisa, I want to come and help. I can stay at the Fairfield house I assume?"

Lisa just nodded in shock, not having expected her sister to immediately travel home to assist with planning, and Jack had to nudge her to respond audibly.

"Ok…well…yes, whatever works best for you Rach. And of course, you can stay at the house, it's your home too. And…thank you, I appreciate you coming out. It'll be good to see you, even if it's not for something happier." She looked up at Jack again and saw surprise lingering in his eyes too, at her sister's sudden willingness to come immediately to Hudson. She had only sporadically been back as an adult, and Jack had only met Rachel a handful of times.

"Okay, well I better go and get my flights booked, and get packed. You'll be okay until I get there?" Rachel spoke again before Lisa could answer, her usual chaotic personality beginning to shine back through, "of course you'll be okay, Jack will make sure you are. Ok, Lisa, I'll let you know my flight info and see you soon, ok?" Rachel already sounded distracted, and Lisa just sighed internally, accustomed to it after all these years, but still wishing Rachel could focus for longer than a few minutes.

"Yes, that's fine, let me know once you know. But Rachel, before you go, do you want me to call and tell Ben and Krista?" She didn't really want to have to break the news to another person but would if Rachel wanted her to.

"No, I'll call him tonight, but thanks. Ok, well, I'm gonna go. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye Lisa, take care." Rachel ended the call as she always did, abruptly.

Lisa set her phone down on her lap and turned to Jack. "Well, I guess Rachel's coming."

He chuckled softly and pulled her even closer to his side, resting his cheek against the top of her head and speaking quietly.

"Unpredictable as ever, your sister. At least you don't have to tell Ben. I know how hard it was to do once for you." Lisa sighed, comforted by how well Jack knew her, very grateful she didn't have to tell her nephew. She was about to speak again when a soft knock at the door interrupted her. Jack looked down at her before answering and she nodded softly that he could let whomever it was in.

"Come in" he called and they watched as Amy's head peaked around the door, coming in further when they both smiled at her.

"Hi…ummm…we just wanted to make sure everything's ok? You guys have been in here awhile and… well…it's 2pm, and neither one of you really…naps." Amy shrugged as she spoke and Lisa looked up at Jack in surprise, thinking he would have told the family when he had gone back out to get her phone and water earlier. He shrugged back at her, and she realized that of course, he wouldn't' have told them without talking to her about it first. Her aching heart warmed at his care, and she looked back to Amy.

"Well…actually. My Aunt passed away yesterday. That call I got was from the friend she was staying with in Brussels." Lisa's voice wavered, still hating saying the words out loud. Amy's face fell and the younger women immediately crossed the room to sit on the side of the bed near Lisa's knee.

"I'm so sorry Lisa, I know how much you loved her. That's such sad news." Amy hands covered Lisa's in her lap and at the concern on her face, Lisa's tears fell again. She blinked and looked up, trying to calm herself. She looked back at Amy and smiled sadly.

"Thank you honey. She had a stroke, in her sleep. I've ahh…already called my sister, she's going to fly out probably tomorrow to help with planning a service." Amy nodded along and leaned forward to give Lisa a gentle hug. When she pulled back, Lisa's heart warmed again at the tears in Amy's eyes, feeling very cared for by her found family, knowing they'd come to care for Evelyn in the last several years as well.

"Well, that's good. I'm glad she's coming. But you let me know if I can do anything to help ok?" Lisa nodded in thanks and Amy stood.

"I'll let you guys be for now. Want me to tell the others?" Jack looked down at Lisa again, and at her nod he spoke to Amy, having stayed quiet while the two women spoke.

"Yes, thank you Amy, we'd appreciate that. We'll maybe be out a bit later." Amy nodded and quietly left the room. Lisa let the silence envelope her, already tired of crying and hurting. They sat for a while together, Jack's thumb gently stroking over her shoulder, her head resting against him. Eventually, he spoke again.

"You should try to get more rest Lisa. The next few days are going to feel endless if you don't." She sighed, knowing he was right. She'd almost crashed at her dad's funeral because she couldn't bring herself to sleep or even be at rest in the days leading up to it. She'd also done the same when Ty died, trying to be strong for Amy, and Jack, and the family.

Lisa complied when Jack gently nudged her into scooting back down onto the bed, covering her back up with the blanket he'd given her earlier. He cupped her face again, and she sighed at the warmth radiating from him.

"Try and get some sleep for a bit, I'm going to go talk to Tim about him handling things around here the next few days." Lisa caught his hand as he finished and began to move away.

"Jack, no, you don't have to stop working because of this. I'll be fine." She looked up at him and sighed, already knowing she'd lost that argument at the look on his face.

"Lise, you'd do the same for me. I'm going to arrange things, so I have time to support you and help with the planning. And I WANT to, so no arguments." He smiled to soften his command and she squeezed his hand in thanks. "Wake me for dinner?" She asked, and at his nod, she let his hand go and slid her eyes closed as his form retreated from the bedroom and tried to calm herself enough to get some sleep.

JLJLJLJL

The next time Lisa woke, it was to the rumbling voice of her husband and his hand on her shoulder. She opened her eyes to see him at the side of the bed.

"Hey, did you still want to come out for dinner? Lou says it'll be ready in about 10 minutes. You can stay in here if you'd rather, and I can bring a plate in if you're hungry." He sat on the edge of the bed as she scooted herself up a bit, trying to assess if she felt like leaving her solitude as the vestiges of sleep faded.

"Thank you for the offer of room service honey, but I want to come out and eat with everyone." He smiled at her, and she figured he probably wasn't surprised. As independent as Lisa was, she always preferred being with people rather than being alone. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and sat at the edge next to Jack, resting her head on his shoulder for a moment, feeling the weight of this very long day, and then looking up at him.

"I'll just pop into the bathroom and freshen up, and then I'll join you." He nodded and kissed her forehead and left the room again.

Lisa made her way wearily through their closet into the bathroom, cringing at her pale face and red eyes in the mirror. She sighed and decided not to dwell on her disappointing reflection right now, feeling older and more tired than she had just that morning. She splashed some cool water on her face, patted it dry and ran her brush through her hair. She looked down at her shirt, wrinkled from her nap, and shrugged, knowing no one would care. She flicked the light off and made her way to the dining room. When she walked out, Lou and Jack were putting the last dishes on the table and Katie was filling the water glasses. The teen lifted her head and saw Lisa, immediately putting the water pitcher down and crossed to Lisa, hugging her tightly. Lisa wrapped her own arms around Katie, surprised at the tears she could hear in the girl's voice as she spoke, but the embrace from her goddaughter filled up some of the cracks in her heart. Katie especially had warmed to Evelyn after their first meeting. The teen treasured the letters and gifts Evelyn sent and anytime the older woman had visited, they'd made a point of spending time together.

"I'm so sorry Lisa. This is so horrible." Katie sobbed into Lisa's shoulder. She met Lou's concerned face over Katie's shoulder and waved her off with one hand. It was easier to focus on Katie's tears and grief than her own. She gently pulled back but kept a hand resting on Katie's arms, bringing the other up to wipe away some of the girl's tears and swept a stray hair behind her ear.

"Thank you, sweetheart. It is horrible, but hugs from you help" She smiled at Katie and the girl smiled back, pulling back further, and twisting her hands together anxiously.

"I'm glad it helps, but I am sorry, it probably DOESN'T help to have me sobbing all over you." Lisa was about to strongly refute that, not wanting Katie to feel at all guilty, but Amy beat her to it, walking up next to them.

"Katie, that's not how it works with family. When my mom died, and I felt so alone, you know what finally helped me start working through it?" Katie shook her head, and Lisa looked on, already suspecting what Amy would say. "Well," she continued "the moment when Grandpa and your mom stopped trying to be strong for me and admitted that they were in pain over losing mom too. Sharing that pain with each other helped us all heal. And it helped me when Ty died too, knowing how much everyone in this family missed him too." Amy rubbed Katie's back and nodded at the teen's tearful "really?" but caught Lisa's eye and let her answer.

Lisa drew Katie's eyes back to her as she spoke "She's right Katie, sharing it with people is what gets us through things like this, so if you need to cry about it, you go ahead. It won't make it worse for me, I promise." She pulled Katie into another quick hug and pulled back to say "Now, I think dinner's ready, and I could use some good family time. Should we eat?" Katie nodded with a teary smile, and they headed for the table, everyone else filling in as they did. As she settled in her chair next to Jack, Lisa smiled at him as he gripped her hand in his.

"You alright?" he asked softly, and she nodded, already glad she'd come out to the table. She meant what she'd told Katie, that she needed some family time. She glanced away from Jack as Peter passed her a bowl and sent everyone a stern glance when she saw they were all staring at her and politely said "please act normal", took a helping of potatoes before giving the bowl to Jack. She smiled to herself when, after a few awkward silent moments, they all seemed to try and settle, Amy talking softly to Lyndy, Peter catching the dinner roll Lou tossed to him, and Katie sheepishly silencing a notification on her phone at a stern look from Jack. Once everyone had settled into their meals, Jack cleared his throat and spoke.

"You know Amy, hearing you say that about Lou and I admitting we missed Marion as well when she died, you actually partially have Lisa to thank for me coming around." Lisa furrowed her brows in confusion at her husband, Amy and Lou also looking confused.

"What do you mean Grandpa?" Amy asked, her fork hovering mid-air above her plate. Jack put his own fork down, took a sip of his water, and then answered. Lisa leaned in a bit, not knowing where he was going with this.

"Well, she and I ran into each other at Maggie's once, really early on. I think we'd only known each other a few months. Anyway, we had coffee together and she asked me how you two were doing. I told her I was worried about both of you, as it seemed you were bottling everything up, and upon a little prodding on her part…" he paused and looked at her, and she nodded at him with a smile, now remembering the day he was retelling, "well, she figured it out before I did, and told me 'Jack, I think they may just need to you that you miss Marion too'. She also told me that she was beginning to think maybe you two get that bottling things up thing from me and ended up getting me to talk about your mom quite a bit that day." Lisa chuckled to herself at that part. He'd certainly gotten better at sharing his feelings over the years, but he still liked to default to stoic cowboy on occasion.

"Oh wow, that's…geez Lisa, you were looking out for us before you even knew us that well" Amy said, smiling at Lisa. Lisa just shrugged.

"Well, most people just want someone to acknowledge that it's horrible when someone they love dies. Misery loves company after all." Lisa looked down at her plate, her current grief bubbling up again. She'd meant that to sound more lighthearted, but her comment made the table go quiet again and watched as a few tears fell to her plate.

"Lisa?" the littlest voice in the family spoke up hesitantly from across the table. Lisa looked up at Lyndy, brushing the tears away and focused on the little girl.

"What is it sweetheart?" She asked.

"I'm sorry Auntie Evelyn died. It's really sad." Lyndy looked at her nervously, obviously hoping she'd said the right thing. Lisa could see the tears shimmering in Lyndy's eyes and her heart clenched when she realized that the little girl had already felt grief in her young life and even at her young age, could understand some what Lisa was feeling right now. The silence continued for a moment, until Lisa let out a choked half sob, half laugh and smiled at Lyndy, the little girls honest effort to be comforting making her feel a bit lighter.

"Thank you, it IS very sad." She chuckled again and Lyndy smiled too, glad she'd been able to help. Amy and Lou both laughed softly too, and Amy rubbed Lyndy's back and kissed her daughter's head.

The tension finally loosening, Lou spoke up.

"Remember when we first met Evelyn and she kept telling Lisa she should get Grandpa to shave more often?" Lisa laughed with everyone else, glad that Evelyn and Jack had become more friendly since then. She smiled with tears in her eyes at Jack and he reached for her hand again and offered up his own memory.

"Remember that time she sent Lisa and I that awful painting?" His eyes twinkled at that memory, and she shed another tear, a little happier this time, as her family continued to tell Aunt Evelyn stories.

"What about that time she was here for Lisa's birthday, and we all went into Calgary for dinner, and she almost beat that guy that tried to take Amy's purse off with her cane." The group practically cackled at that one and Lisa's cheeks began to hurt from laughter. "Oh man, that's when I knew never to get on her bad side. That woman could be SCARY when someone wronged her family!" Lou added. Lisa listened as they continued to tell stories about Evelyn's visits over the years, and the gifts and letters she'd sent from all over the world. Once she'd seen how happy Lisa really was at Heartland, Evelyn had embraced the family with her whole heart, and had never forgotten to send a birthday or Christmas gift, and Lisa had kept her up to date on all the family news. Lisa's heart clenched again at the thought of never seeing her beloved Aunt again. She felt as if the earth had shifted beneath her today, but as she looked around the family table, at the faces she loved most in the world, she thought that just maybe she could get through this loss, with them at her side.

Thank you! Chapter 2 coming soon!