"And, I just had this wonderful lighting with the evening sun. Oh, it was spectacular. You should have seen it…"
Lisa had tuned out listening to Jess, but to be fair, she wasn't into photography, and while she had been polite in asking how Jess's trip had gone, it was now over 10 minutes later, and they were still talking about her trip. Her photography trip. Lisa didn't care about lens size, filters, any of it. Her phone took photos just fine. That was all she needed. What was she going to do with most pictures anyway? She'd printed plenty from her phone too, and they always looked nice. Lisa realized she must have totally zoned out because she wasn't even sure she was looking at Jess.
"So, I can't wait to go over to the coast in a month for another shoot. I'll take Tim with me, and he can fish or something."
Lisa politely nodded at Jess and smiled at her, grateful to see that Jess hadn't even noticed her mind had wandered. She looked up when she heard the door and saw Amy and Jack walk in from the barn, and at the sight of them, she gave them both a big smile-glad to see them and glad to end this photography talk.
"Hi guys," Jess turned and greeted them. "I was just telling Lisa all about my latest trip. Where did my handsome husband go? I thought he was working with both of you."
"He is," Amy nodded. "He went back up to the loft to freshen up. Grandpa and I came in for something to drink, and then, the three of us are going to move some cattle, nothing major, just an hour or so to do that." Amy went right for the refrigerator. Jack finished stepping out of his boots and waved with his gloves in his hands. He put them down and stepped inside. Lisa made eye contact with him and smiled, grateful to see a small smile returned. She gestured at him.
"Would you like some coffee? Jess and I were just catching up, maybe still trying to wake up," she chuckled.
"That's right, rancher's hours," Jess rolled her eyes. "Not sure I'll ever get used to this. Lisa, you seem to have adapted, but what, you have several years on me."
"Maybe there's time," Lisa said with a shake of her head and looked back at Jack.
"Sure, a quick cup would be great, but a thermos to go would be appreciated too."
"Coming right up," Lisa said, standing to work at the coffee pot. She glanced over her shoulder at Amy, "You want any?"
"No, my juice is fine, but thanks, Lisa," she told her. "I'm going to go freshen up myself."
"Tim coming this way, do you know?" Jess asked, and Jack nodded.
"I'm sure he is, unless you have a pot of coffee on up there."
She grinned and shook her head, "I guess he'll head this way then. I will just wait."
"You heading to Fairfield today?" Jack asked Lisa as she delivered a steaming cup of coffee. She stood there to talk to him, her hand on the back of his chair.
"No, I'm planning to work from home today. Amy said she had an appointment with a client today, at their ranch, and she asked if I could maybe watch Lyndy later. That's all I have planned aside from just an hour or so of work. I mean," she waved her hand, "I'm sure a load of laundry will happen as well." At that, she chuckled and stepped back to sit in her chair too.
"Oh, don't remind me," Jess groaned. "I have a ton of laundry to do from my trip. Jack," she patted her hand on the table, "it's good to see you moving around better and all. How are those ribs doing?"
"Okay, still sore sometimes," he said quietly, sipping his coffee. He'd asked Lisa about Jess, about what his old self thought of her, and they'd talked about her a few times. Lisa had even told Jack about the picture Jess had taken of Jack at the gravestones, and then, she'd pulled it out from behind their dresser to show him. He'd been about as frustrated with it as he was when she'd debuted the picture, but Lisa had reassured him that he and Jess had worked it out-the fact the two of them now had possession of the picture was some proof of that.
"Any memory coming back?" Jess asked, and Lisa shook her head, shook out of her wandering thoughts, and she tuned in as Jess continued with her questions.
"No," he said glancing at her and then at Lisa. "Lisa has been really helpful telling me story after story, but it's not been bringing back any memories."
"Well," Lisa waved, "a flash here or there."
"True," he nodded, looking back at Jess with a smirk. "I had a flash of a memory seeing Tim trying to play polo. I asked Lisa about it, and she said it did happen."
"Oh," Jess grinned and looked at Lisa, nodding. "That was really fun, and now, looking back, classic Tim. He was trying so hard to impress me. I really do love polo, and that day, hmm," she nodded, "it was a really great day, a great time with Tim. He did pretty well, all things considered, and I suppose I was impressed he tried to hard to impress me. We started seeing each other not long after that."
The trio dropped into silence, each one enjoying their cup of coffee. Tim joining them broke the silence, and he walked over to Jess, putting his hand around her shoulders and snagging her cup of coffee.
"Yuck, what did you put in that?" Tim asked Jess, making a face as he returned her cup, coughing after taking a swig of it. She smirked.
"Pumpkin creamer, just out for the season, and if you don't like it, then don't drink mine."
"That is terrible," he pointed at it and moved behind her to walk to the coffee pot. "Are all of you drinking that creamer? Yuck."
"No, just my normal here, Jack too," Lisa explained to them.
"Jess, I can't believe you like that stuff."
"I'm just glad it's out for the fall. Hmm, September 1st already," Jess nodded. "I guess it's going to start getting cold."
"Was chilly this morning, matter of fact," Jack added. "Tim, we need to grab Amy and move those cattle before lunch. I don't want to be out there all day."
"Me either," Tim nodded, sipping at his cup. "Well, I'm game. Let's grab her and get going. You two ladies can continue your morning chat."
"Hey, I can move cattle just fine," Lisa nodded pointing at Tim. "You know I can."
"Very true," Tim gave her a nod and grinned. "If you would have told me years ago that you'd be able to move cattle and hang in there on a rainy cattle drive, I would have said you're crazy, but yes, you've surprised me over the years."
"Some of the nicest family memories," Lisa nodded and added, "even if it rains every single time I've gone on a cattle drive with all of you."
"Well, I am not interested in learning how to move cattle," Jess grinned. "Taking pictures is definitely more my speed."
"Okay, Dad, Grandpa, ready to go?" Amy returned to the kitchen, and the three eyed each other. Tim took a big swig of his coffee, getting some on his shirt, but then putting the cup in the dishwasher. Lisa patted Jack's hand and nodded to his cup.
"I'll get it. Small thermos is ready on the counter," she pointed.
Jack stood and nodded at her, "Thank you." He stepped around her and squeezed her shoulder as he did, grabbing for the thermos. Tim was busy speaking to Jess, and Amy was already getting her boots and jacket back on at the door. Jack stopped back at Lisa's chair, and she turned slightly to look up at him.
"We should be back by lunch. What time are you watching Lyndy?"
"Ahh, 4:30," she told him, adding, "shortly after she gets home from school."
"Okay, I'll be back in the house by then and can help with her. Would you like to take Duke out on a ride with me after lunch? We don't have to be gone long."
"Oh, that would be lovely," she said with a warm smile, patting his hand. "I'll get my work done while you are gone. Duke needs some exercise, especially since it was days ago I went out with Amy and Lyndy."
"I'll see you for lunch," he said with a single nod, squeezing her shoulder again as he left.
"Jack, be careful," Lisa called after him, but as quickly as the trio had arrived, they were gone, ready to get back to work.
"So," Jess asked, eyeing Lisa over her cup of coffee. Lisa looked over at Jess, unaware she'd been staring blankly toward the door.
"So?" Lisa asked. "Ahh, your pumpkin creamer-reminds me that I should start making pumpkin muffins. Jack, Katie, and Lyndy love them."
"Ohh, that does sound good," Jess nodded, but pointed toward Lisa, "but that's not what I was going to discuss. So, how are things going with Jack? You two," Jess shook her head from side to side, "seem pretty comfortable considering last time I saw him around you."
Lisa put her hands around the cup and nodded at Jess. The two women talked a lot. They had plenty in common with both of them marrying into the family, both having good careers-Lisa had kept hers, but even though Jess had left her job in New York, both were well off and independent. Neither of them had their own children, but while Lisa just adored the granddaughters and great-granddaughters and all the time she spent with them, Jess really didn't seek out time with them. Sure, she got along okay, but she didn't really enjoy baking or shopping with the girls like Lisa did. She didn't sit at the table late at night and talk things through, things from all walks of life like Lisa had. It was just different, and that was okay, but over the last couple of years, the two women had talked a lot. Neither really had any other female to talk to, not that they couldn't talk to Lou or Amy, but it was different. Still, Lisa wasn't sure exactly how much she wanted to share with Jess, knowing it would get back to Tim.
"Ahh, we are doing okay, I suppose, as well as can be expected if there is any situation remotely close to this," she sighed, shaking her head.
Jess nodded, "Tim told me he got on Jack while they were out working the other day. I'm glad to see that the two of them are doing better. For some time, I wasn't sure if he was going to throw a punch at Tim or kick him off the property, but I feel they are getting back on track, I mean, as much as one can when he doesn't remember anything for the last almost two decades. I'm so sorry, Lisa."
Lisa nodded, a small frown on her face as she gestured, "It's been really hard. I know Jack is struggling in his own way, but for him to not know me at all, but at least know Tim, Lou, Amy," she paused and let out a long sigh. "I just wish we could go back. I didn't want him to climb that ladder, and I just," she closed her eyes and sighed. "I just ask myself of all the points in his life to forget, why did he have to completely forget about me? I've known him 18 years and nothing? That is really hard, and I'm trying to respect his space, but I miss our closeness. I miss our talks, just sitting together in the evening and all. As much as I'm trying to give him space to figure things out, it's killing me too."
"Oh, I'm sure," Jess said, frowning at her as she reached over and squeezed Lisa's hand. "I suppose I could say the same for you-he hasn't thrown you off the ranch."
Lisa chuckled quietly, nodding as she sipped at her coffee again. "No, but I was afraid he might. I suppose we're doing okay, all things considered. He's okay with my being back in our room, but don't get excited," she leaned toward Jess and added, "It's purely a roommate situation."
Jess made a face and sighed, shaking her head at Lisa, "I am sorry. I hope, in time, he will remember or at least recognize that you are really amazing and that he can love you, even if he doesn't remember."
"Me too," she said with a tight smile and nod. "It's hard to imagine a future differently right now. I love him so much, and just watching him like this is hard."
"I can't imagine L," Jess glanced at Lisa and dropped her head slightly, "Tim said that in his chat with Jack, he told Jack that you were the best thing to happen to him. I thought you would want to know that."
"Thank you for telling me," Lisa said with a sad smile. "I feel the same about Jack, and it's true, yes," she nodded. "Tim has always been a cheerleader regarding my relationship with Jack, but it might surprise you to know that Jack actually told me the same about their conversation. I mean," she waved her hand, "he was somewhat telling, somewhat asking. It's not like I would have blurted that out without his asking, not when he's trying to come to grips with the idea that he even remarried, and I'd never be one to compare a marriage or even expect that there is a pecking order, but he and I talked about that on more than one occasion before the accident, and I'm not sure what he thinks now after hearing that from Tim."
"I certainly hope it didn't cause further problems," Jess sighed. "I love my husband, but sometimes, he can be a handful. I'm more than aware of that," she chuckled slightly.
"No, it actually opened up some good discussion," Lisa nodded as she thought back to their night out just a few days ago now. Since then, Jack seemed more at ease around her. Things had been incredibly busy at the house, and today would be the first time she'd really had a moment alone with him since then. Lisa had been busy at Fairfield getting ready to ship out a couple of horses, and that had kept her late the last two nights, getting home well after dinner. She'd found Jack asleep on the couch both nights, so they really had not spoken much at all. A ride today after lunch would be really nice, and she was already looking forward to it.
"So, if he doesn't regain his memory," Jess eyed Lisa, "are you going to be okay with this," she waved her hand in the air, "I don't know, plutonic friendship? I'm not sure what even to call it, but I know how much you love him. Would that be enough?"
Lisa let out a long sigh and shook her head, "I don't know. I mean, I don't want to lose him, no matter what, so I suppose I will figure that out. I hope it doesn't come to that because it will be a struggle for me, just missing that closeness. I mean," she chuckled quietly, dropping her head as she shook it, "let's be honest. At our ages, it's not about some hot and heavy passionate romance, but I miss just all the little things. I'm hoping if we can't get back to that, that we can at least find some level of closeness he's okay with."
"Oh, Lisa," Jess frowned. "I really am sorry, but as I was watching just now, he seemed better around you, more affectionate. I mean, he wasn't glaring at you like before."
"Hmm, yes," Lisa nodded. She wasn't ready to share things with Jess about the status or the development of things with Jack. It was their marriage after all, one she remembered, but he certainly did not. "He's trying. I'm trying, but we're worlds apart from our expectations, but that's okay," she said nodding and putting her hand on the table. "Hopefully, we can find a middle ground at least."
"Well, I'm here if you want to talk or anything else," Jess said, looking at her watch. "Oh, I need to get over to the gallery."
"And, I need to get some work done. Jack did suggest we take a ride after lunch, and I'm looking forward to that."
"Good," Jess said gripping Lisa's hand. "You know, they always say dating your spouse is a good way to rekindle things, so maybe?" She shrugged, giving Lisa a small smile. Lisa nodded in return.
"Exactly what I hope."
Lisa was able to work for almost an hour and a half, knocking out all of her Fairfield work. As she looked at her watch and then out toward the barn, she decided that with her cowboy not in sight, she would go ahead and start lunch for everyone. She had a taste for BLT's, and with the fresh tomatoes on the kitchen counter, she got to work. She was just finishing with the bacon when the trio came in, dusty, but all smiles. Like earlier, she glanced over and saw them all filing in for lunch.
"Why hi," she said to Jack, who this time was the first one in. She gestured to the food, "I made BLTs for lunch, and it's such a nice day, I thought maybe we could eat outside, that is if you three aren't tired of being outside."
"BLTs outside?" Amy asked, grinning. "Sounds perfect. I won't even take off my boots. Need anything Lisa?"
"No, no, I have it," she waved. "Go on outside, sit, and I'll bring out lunch for all of us. Tim, Jess went into town."
"Got it," he waved. "Thanks for lunch." He and Amy stepped back outside, but Jack was already seated and taking off his boots. He groaned and made eye contact with Lisa.
"Feet bothering you?" Lisa made a face.
"Yes, do they always?" Jack asked, slipping his feet into his slippers with another groan.
"Well, you need new boots, but you keep telling me you're fine, even though you are barely able to walk by the end of the day, so maybe this version of Jack might consider new boots?"
"Ha," he said limping over to the sink to wash up. "This version of Jack," he grumbled, nodding at her. "That's about the truth of it. How are you?" Jack looked her way while he washed up. She finished putting together the sandwiches and started plating them. She nodded at him as he wiped off his hands with the dish towel.
"I'm fine, got my work done, made lunch, and I am looking forward to our ride, that is if you are still up for it."
"Oh, I'm up for it," he said, now leaning against the counter as he talked to her. Lisa put down the knife she's used to cut the sandwiches and turned sideways with a grin on her face.
"That sounds like a challenge. What's the deal?"
"Really interested in seeing this country cowgirl you claim to be. I mean, I assume you are going to look the part."
Lisa leaned in, teasing them, "I have a very nice cowboy hat my favorite cowboy bought me last Christmas. I can be a country cowgirl just fine. You wait and see."
She watched Jack glance outside to see Amy and Tim at the picnic table. He then leaned in and kissed her quickly, winking at her. "Wanted to do that all morning."
Lisa grinned, wanting to point out that they had their very own bedroom with some privacy where he could kiss her, but she didn't. That just seemed like a threshold, literally, he wasn't comfortable crossing, and she was not about to push him. Instead, she just kept grinning and said, "Hi."
He pushed off the back of the counter where he was leaning against it and put his arm gently at her back, "What can I take outside?"
She appreciated the closeness and was so happy to have somewhat of a normal lunch with him. She handed him a tray, took one herself, and she nodded toward the outside. "Behave yourself during lunch, and then we can take that nice, quiet ride, just the two of us."