"Jack, afternoon, can I get you a cup of coffee?" Jack looked up not even realizing he'd dropped his head as he sulked into the diner. He made eye contact with Maggie, nodding at her question.
"Ahh, yes, please," he said, stepping to the counter and taking a seat at it. He almost flung down his car keys, which had Maggie turn her head from the coffee pot toward him and frown.
"Now, I know you aren't about to scratch up my counters throwing those keys."
"Sorry," he waved, as he sighed. He dropped his head at the counter again. Maggie walked back over and leaned onto the counter after she put his cup down for him.
"You're in a bad mood, and don't even try to convince me otherwise. What has you so irritated this afternoon?"
"Nothing," he waved, and when he glanced up and saw her raise her eyebrows at him, he waved his hand again. "Just a lot going on, nothing going well. Lost out on something that seemed promising."
"Oh," she pursed her lips, "like a business deal? Sorry to hear that."
"Something like that," he muttered.
She reached over and patted his hand, "I'll let you sulk into that cup of coffee and check on you in a few minutes. You want some pie?"
"Not right now," he shook his head. "Thanks," he said, giving her a forced smile. She nodded and walked away to take care of other customers.
Jack groaned and sipped at his coffee. His afternoon had gone from bad to worse, and he sat there recounting it. After he had decided to fix things with Lisa, he'd freshened up, given himself a pep talk, and driven over to Fairfield, parking by the stables. It was his first time to the stables and only second time to Fairfield after the disastrous first date. As he was getting out of the truck, he spotted Lisa up standing by the fence, embracing some man. If that hadn't been bad enough, it looked like she had kissed him, and well, the whole interaction seemed much more intimate than anything he had expected to ever see. She hadn't mentioned any other man in her life, not that they were some kind of item after one date, one bad date, but he had the impression she hadn't been seeing anyone else. That's what she'd told him, right? Instead of approaching her to apologize, he'd gotten back in his truck and left, and now, here he was at Maggie's. He wasn't sure why he ended up here, but he certainly didn't feel like going home.
Jack looked up when a plate was pushed in front of him, and Maggie was there with a small frown, "On the house, peach today," she nudged him with the pie. "Can't have you looking so glum. You sure I can't do anything?"
"No, but thanks for the pie," he said with a small smile now. "Ahh, Marion mentioned that all the school events are kicking up soon," he commented to her. "Summer is almost over."
"Goes too fast," she nodded, returning his smile. She swatted at him, "Oh, hey, I hear you have a birthday the day of all the back to school events."
Jack closed his eyes and groaned, "Marion doesn't need to be spreading that around. It's just another day."
"You should come to the school," she swatted her towel at him again. "It will be fun."
"Fun?" Jack eyed her. "Not my idea of fun. A quiet afternoon and evening, now that is fun."
She raised her eyebrows, "You and I have very different definitions of that." Jack chewed his pie, nodding and shrugged. "Suppose we do."
"If I had known you were coming to town, I would have told Marion to send Sorayah with you. She's still at your place. The girls had a nice ride today, so I'm told."
Jack nodded, "Marion told me she was going out to join the girls on their ride or catch up to them. Glad they had a nice time."
"Well, I'm glad to hear some had a good day," she huffed. "Seems like everyone coming in today has been in a bad mood. Lisa was in earlier too, not at all her perky self. She was upset but wouldn't talk about it. I'll have to see if she spoke to Marion."
Jack glanced up at the mention of Lisa, and he just listened to Maggie, nodding, but also finding that information interesting.
"Must be one of those days," he nodded. "Sorry to hear you've been the dumping ground for everyone's bad moods."
"You know," Maggie leaned on the counter again and met Jack's gaze eye to eye, "I really like her, and I think you two could be a good match. I know Marion said she was staying out of it, but I'm not. You should go for it, Jack," she nudged him. "There's something about you two. I have watched you talk to her, and you both just light up."
He frowned and gestured with his coffee cup in his hand, "I'm sure she's much more suited for someone her own age."
"Not since I've known her, which has been years. Besides," she frowned in return at Jack, "why does age have to factor into it? To me, that's just stupid. I've got to take care of some tables." She patted his hand again and walked to the end of the counter. Jack looked down at his plate, now almost empty. He did like Lisa, had strong feelings for her, stronger than he would have ever imagined. The fact that he was bothered, okay, maybe jealous was the right word, about some guy hanging all over her was proof that he should at least clear the air and see if there was a chance with her. Jack decided that he was going to get to the bottom of this today once and for all. It surprised him how irritated he was by all of this, and it was crazy to stew over it when he could apologize, find out who was kissing Lisa, and see if there was anything there, between them. One date. All of these feelings had surfaced after one date. If they could start over, he had a feeling he was in trouble-his feelings for her were incredibly strong already, and that almost scared him.
Lisa was in her office working when she saw Jack's old truck park outside the stable building. It was hard to miss; the old thing really stuck out. She stood, straightened her blouse, and brushed out the wrinkles from it before she walked to the door and stepped outside, crossing her arms as she walked toward him.
"Hi," she frowned, reaching him. "Care to tell me why you were here before, left, and are now back again?"
"How did you know-" Jack started to ask but frowned at her.
She tilted her head and rolled her eyes, "You and the truck stick out. One of my trainers was working there," she pointed to the fenced area by his truck, "and saw you arrive and leave quickly. He asked me if I knew what the older gentleman in the older truck wanted. I would like to know the same."
"Key word in all of that is old," Jack said with a single nod and frown. "Look, that's why I am here."
"Because you're old?" Lisa said with a deadpanned expression on her face. That had Jack almost want to laugh, but the situation was not one to laugh about right now.
He waved his hand in the air, "I guess, yeah, yes," he nodded, looking her straight in the eye. "I am old, and you're definitely not. I came here to apologize for yesterday and try to explain things."
She looked to the ground, her arms still crossed. He couldn't help but study her as she did that, Lisa looking really beautiful in a lilac-colored blouse and gray pants. She was incredibly classy, and he had no idea how she did that, portrayed that look all the time. Finally, she spoke, although she didn't look up.
"I think you made things clear last night. Age is too big of a factor to you, and you'd rather I be 50 just because it sounds better. Sorry to disappoint. She looked up at him then and added, "I am much more interested in the quality of character not some number on a paper, but perhaps that is just another way we are too different, so thank you for the evening at the rodeo. No reason to waste time when things aren't going to work out."
Curious about earlier and tabling her comment, Jack met her gaze and gave her a nod, "Who were you kissing earlier?"
"Wait, what?" Lisa asked, her eyes widening. "What are you talking about?"
"I did stop by earlier, yes. Your stable hand was correct. I'd come to apologize. I left because clearly you were pretty busy with some other guy." He frowned and looked away, shaking his head.
"Are you talking about Kurt?" Lisa eyed him, then rolling her eyes. "Really? Kurt?"
"I didn't catch his name. You two were obviously busy."
"So, you don't want to date me because I'm too young, and you were disappointed I wasn't older, 50 to be exact, but apparently, you thought I looked 50-"
"That's not what I meant-" Jack paused and sighed, looking away.
"But it is," she nodded. "You assumed I was 50, which wow, I guess I should be flattered to look good at 50, but still. You are clearly horrified of my age, compared to yours, but now you're standing here jealous that I was with my stable manager?"
"You're with your stable manager?" Jack eyed her.
"Oh my goodness!" Lisa exclaimed, waving her hand in the air. "I just told you on our date I wasn't seeing anyone and hadn't been, or did you forget that with the old age?" She smirked at Jack, and he grunted at her, rolling his eyes too.
"I deserved that," he finally stated with a nod. "I suppose all of what you said is true."
She crossed her arms again and met his gaze, "Why are you jealous of a dear friend, one who is like a brother to me, when you made it clear that dating me was a horrifying idea?"
"It's not horrifying," Jack sighed, dropping his head. "In fact," he raised his eyes slightly to meet hers, "I did come here to apologize, to tell you that I've had a miserable day, well, miserable night last night and day today. I can't stop thinking about you, and I'm really sorry I freaked out and was now, well," he waved his hand, "jealous. I'm jealous because I do really like you, and yes, my feelings are stronger than I would have imagined, and even with our age difference, I find we have a lot in common and just seemed to get along really well."
She listened, raising her eyebrows at his admission, and finally, she pursed her lips to respond to him. "Kurt is my stable manager and has been for a very long time. He started working here for my dad and has worked his way up through just about every job at Fairfield. He and I are very close, but it's never been anything at all romantic. He's been like a brother to me. I was embracing him today because he completely surprised me and told me that he's fallen in love with a woman, and I had no idea. I didn't know he was seeing anyone. In fact, I wanted to set him up with a friend."
Jack raised an eyebrow at Lisa, "What friend?"
"Oh, seriously?" Lisa smacked at his arm. "All of that, and you took that from it? What does it matter? He's fallen in love with a woman, and I'm thrilled for him. He was just telling me that he wants to marry her, and that was all it was. I don't even know why I have to stand here and defend myself to you. We clearly-" she paused and let out a long breath before she just shook her head.
"We clearly have a strong connection to one another even with our age difference. That's what should be said, and I recognize that. As much as I want to think seeing you sounds crazy with that age difference, the fact is," he paused and met her gaze. "The fact is that I do like you very much Lisa, and I would very much like to keep seeing you. That's why I came here."
Her mouth dropped open, and finally she tried to speak, flustering her words, "You, you, just didn't come to apologize?"
"No," he said with a slight frown. "I did come to apologize for the outburst about our age difference, but I am interested in you and would like to take you out again, that is if you will allow me to do so? I do think we need to talk about our age difference, yes, but in weighing the idea of not dating you because of it, well," he paused and gave her a small smile, "I might be an idiot, but I realize there is something very special about you, about maybe us together."
For the first time, Lisa's expression really changed, and her eyes seemed to sparkle again. Her eyes met his, and she cleared her voice as she tried to give him an answer, "I liked us together."
"Liked?" Jack picked up on.
She sighed and shook her head, "Liked, yes, before I was aged 10 years and told it was a crazy idea for us to date. I had a really nice time at the rodeo and felt more comfortable with you than I have with anyone. Yes, I liked us together, and as you phrased it, I, too, would be an idiot to not explore that. The age difference doesn't bother me, but I am more than willing to discuss it. I am more interested in your character and integrity."
"Well then, we have something else in common because those traits are very important to me. I will also add that I find you incredibly beautiful and very attractive."
Her eyes widened again at another admission, and she smiled softly at him, "And I think you are so handsome. I've never found any cowboy attractive, until you."
He chuckled quietly, rubbing his beard as he met her eyes, "Well, you still haven't. I haven't been a cowboy for a long time."
She tilted her head and smiled, "That is absolutely not true. You are the very definition of a cowboy, no matter what that Cowboy Hall of Fame or anyone else says. I suppose I'm willing to have a do-over for a date, except I'd like to put the age discussion on hold, please?" She eyed him.
He smiled warmly, "I think that is a great idea, but if by chance, I'm able to take you out in the future, after this do-over date, I think it will need to be discussed."
"Fair enough," she said with a small smile.
"Good," he replied. "Ahh, there is a winery about an hour from here. Are you free next Thursday?"
"A winery?" Lisa asked, her eyes looking hopeful.
"You enjoy wine," he gestured at her. "I do as well, but I don't know much about wine. I have seen the place advertised, and I thought it might be a nice place for us. Aren't those places set up to try a few different wines while you have time to sit and talk?"
"They are," she grinned. "Ahh, that sounds lovely. I am free then."
"Great," he smiled, hooking his hand to the truck. "May I call you between now and then to talk about the details?"
She smiled and crossed her arms again, "You don't need to ask to call, nor do you need an excuse, so yes, you may absolutely call me. I'd like that."
"Well good," he hooked his hand again, not realizing he was repeatedly doing it. "I should get going before I put my foot in my mouth again."
"Okay," she laughed, but gestured to the grounds. "You don't have to run off."
"You're working," he made a face. "I feel I dug my way out of the doghouse but don't want to put myself back in it tonight, so I will let you get to work." He stepped backward to his truck door, and with a glance to his truck, he put up his finger. "Oh, these are for you." He opened his truck door and pulled out flowers.
"Oh," Lisa put her hand to her mouth, and Jack just gestured to them.
"I have beautiful wildflowers behind the house, and it seemed crazy to let them go to waste. I am sorry-sorry for being an idiot last night and today, for obsessing over age and jumping to conclusions about Kurt."
"Hmm, yes, remind me why I agreed to a do-over with that rap sheet?" Lisa flashed a smile, and Jack broke into a laugh as he dropped his head, nodding. Lisa cradled the flowers and met Jack's gaze when he looked back at her.
"Thank you for the flowers. They are lovely, even more special that they came from your place."
"Yeah, well, it would have been a lot to explain had Marion seen me picking them, but she didn't. Look, I know if this goes further than this do-over date, I'll have to talk to her." Lisa put her hand out, almost grazing his arm.
"I don't want to be a point of contention with you and Marion," she said with a single nod at him.
He chuckled, winking at her as he started to step into his truck, "I assure you it would be quite the opposite. She's a huge fan of yours, and well, we can talk about that later too."
Jack closed his door, and Lisa stepped up to it, smiling at him.
"I'm glad you came by," she said quietly as she stood there at his truck door.
"I'm glad to see you smile, especially since I was the one who upset you. Is that why you were upset in town earlier today?"
"Who told you-" Lisa started to ask and then frowned, nodding. "Maggie?"
He shrugged, "I was there just awhile ago, pretty frustrated with the state of things. She mentioned I wasn't the only one in there upset today. I'm sorry again that I upset you, that I created this mess."
"Well, maybe with your old age, you'll forget all about it," she flashed a grin, and Jack broke out laughing again as he nodded at her.
"I'm not going to live that down, am I?"
She scrunched her face, "Ahh, probably not. I'm going to keep reminding you about those 25 years. Wow, that's a quarter of a century, eeeh? Younger than Marion too, eeeh?" She grinned, and he groaned, reaching to pat her hand on the door.
"Man, so harsh. I thought you would have been taught to respect your elders." At that Lisa burst out laughing, and Jack started the truck. He winked at her, "I'll see you next Thursday for our trip to the winery."
"I'll see you then," she bit her lip and stepped back before she pushed herself toward him, already wanting to kiss him. She wouldn't, not now. She'd let him hopefully make that first move. "Bye," she waved with her free hand as she clutched her flowers. Jack waved too, a final wink at her as he pulled away.