"Okay, that sounds good, and I'll see you tomorrow. Oh, gotta go. Marion is here. Bye," Lisa smiled as she ended the call with Jack. She tucked her phone into her pocket and walked to her front door, excited about this do-over date she was going to have the next evening with Jack. They had been talking on the phone each day, sharing a lot of information, discussing a lot, getting into a lot of their backgrounds. She felt she'd gotten a lot of information about him in the last week and hoped he felt the same way. Neither had brought up the age issue again, but yes, if things went well on their date, she knew it would need to be addressed. She was not concerned with it; she liked him for who he was, regardless of his age. Honestly, she liked his maturity, wisdom, and just his overall thoughts on life. She had a lot of the same beliefs and ideas, and to her, that was definitely more important than any age on a piece of paper.
She smoothed down her hair as she opened the door, knowing that it didn't matter at all what she looked like for this ladies' night. It was her turn to host; she hadn't had a good chat with Marion or Maggie in now a couple of weeks, and she was looking forward to the evening. While both women had been out to the stables, neither had been in her home; very few people really had. Jack hadn't either, Lisa almost jumping from his truck the night he'd taken her to the rodeo, the disaster that had been.
"Hi!" Lisa exclaimed as she opened the door and found not just Marion there, but Maggie too. Jack had called her for a few brief minutes, telling her Marion had just left the house and that he wanted to chat with her before she got too busy with her evening. They had talked the 10 minutes it took Marion to get to her place, most of that drive up and down both of their long, winding ranch roads. She wasn't thrilled with the thought of keeping her date a secret, but she also knew that if the date went well and they were both okay, really if Jack was okay with the age difference, they would proceed forward dating, as a couple, and wow, that was something. She almost couldn't believe after so many years alone she might be starting a relationship, but at the same time, she really liked Jack, and the idea of not pursuing something with him was worse.
"We're here! Marion exclaimed with a bright smile as she held up a bottle of wine. "I brought wine, and Maggie has brownies."
Lisa grinned, gesturing for both of them to come inside, "Great. I made bruschetta and a spinach dip." The ladies all stepped inside, both taking off their jackets. While it was still technically summer, late August in Alberta came with cooler nights, something Lisa welcomed. She did not like the heat, but wished that the fall-like weather would stick around more than it did. It often seemed like they jumped from the heat of the summer to the dead of winter.
"This place is gorgeous, Lisa," Marion told her as she glanced around. "Wow, so modern, yet so cozy." Lisa grinned as she took their jackets and hung them up there by the door where she had a custom built hall tree area with jacket and winter storage. Both women watched as she put up their jackets.
"Ahh, thank you. I love it too. My parents had this place, and after my dad passed away, I started to renovate a lot of it. I really like the feel and look of it too, a lot of the earthy tones with the metal look."
"Okay," Marion stepped toward the hooks and gave Lisa a respectable nod as she pointed to her things, "I am certainly surprised and maybe impressed you have a cowboy hat. Didn't see that. You're the English style rider type. I really like your hat."
"Oh, thank you," Lisa smiled, trying not to blush, knowing Marion would die if Lisa could tell her that Jack had bought her that hat. It was a gorgeous hat, and she knew he'd probably spent a good amount on it. While she had not owned a cowboy hat prior to this one, she did know the rough cost of good ones, and this fit that criteria. Jack might not spend money on much, as evident by his truck, but he'd put effort into her hat.
"Yes, that is a nice color, Lisa," Maggie agreed, nodding at the hat. "Don't see too many dark ones like that. The shop in town has some beautiful ones like that. Looks a little like the one Amy got for her birthday, doesn't it Marion?"
Marion nodded, "I think the same brand, but good hats-well, that's expected."
"Why don't you both come into the living room?" Lisa put her hands together and tried to change the subject. One day, she and Marion would have a good laugh over that hat, but now, she ushered them into her living room.
"Lisa, this view is spectacular," Maggie said, walking over to the floor to ceiling windows Lisa had that looked out over the property. With the evening sun still just over the horizon, several of her stable horses could be seen grazing out there in the pasture.
Lisa grinned when both women looked at her, their jaws dropping. She nodded, "I love it too. Really great house this is. Go on," she waved to her seating area, "sit anywhere you like. I put out the food, plates, and stemware. Marion, you got my message about Kurt?"
As the ladies started to get comfortable, Marion frowned but nodded at Lisa, "Yes, bummed to hear he's taken, another good one gone. Thanks for trying."
"I'm sorry I got your hopes up," she told her. "I had no idea he was seeing someone. He'd not mentioned it."
"Crazy how that can happen even when we think we know someone," Maggie shook her head.
Lisa felt that comment had a hidden meaning, but she turned her attention to the food and started to serve her friends. Once they all had wine and were settled in for the evening, Marion put up her hand.
"Okay, so I told Amy Tim was back in town, and he wants to come to the school open house. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but at the same time, I know he wants to try. He has to start somewhere. I'm going to be busy, so maybe it will be okay. It's at least a situation where she can escape if it's too strange for her."
"I'll be there too," Maggie put out her hand and gave Marion a reassuring smile as she squeezed it. "I'm glad you didn't put up a fight about Tim coming."
Marion shrugged, "What else can I do? He is trying to prove he's changed, and even if I don't want to go down that road again, he's still her dad and deserves that chance. I just want her to be happy and not get hurt."
"Well, I've told you that I barely had any relationship with my dad," Maggie eyed her. "I'm proud of you, Marion. Maybe Tim has changed."
Marion nodded, "We will see, I suppose, tomorrow, when we have the back to school night. If it goes well, he asked about coming over for dinner, and I know that Dad will about hit the roof, allowing Tim back into the house."
"Maybe it won't be as bad as you think, Lisa offered with a shrug. She and Jack had not discussed Tim, and from what she'd learned through Marion, she knew Jack had thrown him out. It would be interesting to get the story from him, his version of events.
Marion made a face, "I am not sure. They will never get along. Tim really wants to prove himself and get back to this notion of one big family, even if he and I aren't together. I can tell you this-even if things go well tomorrow, and I do agree he can come to dinner some night, it won't be this weekend."
"What's this weekend?" Maggie asked.
"Dad's birthday dinner," Marion pursed her lips and nodded. "Tim will not be part of that," she groaned. "Dad would kill me."
"Your dad's birthday is this weekend?" Lisa asked, raising an eyebrow, all the while trying not to look like she was being too nosy.
"Tomorrow," Marion told her between bites of brownie as she nodded. "I told him he should come to the back to school night, but even I know he has no interest in that. Dad around a bunch of parents and their kids-nope, not his thing. He said he'd be fine, but I did tell him I was having a birthday dinner for him this weekend."
Lisa bit her lip and tried to hide her surprise. His birthday was tomorrow-the night of their date-do-over? He'd asked her about that night specifically, and as she thought about it, she felt her cheeks reddening. She tried to put the thought out of her mind for now and put her attention back on her friends.
"So, Lisa, when do you have to head out of town again for work?" Maggie asked her.
"Ahh, next week, actually, to France, probably three weeks there," she nodded. "I'm looking forward to it. I love this time of year in France, but I'll be back mid-September and here through gosh, maybe Christmas. I like to go to France during the middle of winter," she explained. "You both are very aware that Alberta isn't fun buried in snow."
"That sounds amazing," Marion sighed. "Oh, I've not been to France, but I'd love to go someday. I will just have to live through the stories and pictures you have, Lisa. I can't wait to hear about your trip."
"Mmm, yes, I do love it there. I have a house in Toulon, and if you do make it over there, you are both welcome to use it. Maybe you'll have to take a trip together sometime."
Maggie nodded toward Marion, "You know, we should take the girls when they graduate. That would be a blast, something none of us would forget. Plus, it's still so far away, we can work on saving up for the plane tickets."
Marion pointed to Maggie, "I love that idea. Let's start planning-five years from now, Lisa," she laughed.
Lisa shrugged, "I plan to still have the house, so it's fine with me. You and your girls would have a wonderful time. The house is yours, and it's walkable to the village. I think that would be a great trip for all of you. In the meantime, I'll just have to bring home some of the local wines for us to enjoy on these nights we get together."
"Now, that," Maggie nodded with a smile, "is something I look forward to enjoying."
The women enjoyed another night chatting together, but both Marion and Maggie needed to leave earlier than normal with things to finish for the school's charity auction. Once they had left, Lisa leaned against her front door and frowned. Jack's birthday was tomorrow. He hadn't mentioned it, but she certainly wasn't going to ignore it. What in the world did she get for a man she was starting to care deeply for but wasn't exactly dating-yet?
The next afternoon, Lisa was ready and waiting in her kitchen for Jack to arrive, more nervous than she had been their first date. This date did seem to have that feel of a do or die date-if it didn't go well, there would not be a third date; both seemed to know that. While she was really nervous, she did feel like all of the chatting with Jack had paid off; she felt as she was getting to know him, even if behind a phone call. She walked into her hall bathroom and checked her appearance again, and as she did that, her doorbell rang. Lisa fluffed her hair and walked to the door, taking a deep breath. She didn't think she'd ever been this nervous for a date.
"Hi," she smiled softly at Jack, eyeing his appearance. She had worried she would be overdressed in her simple, black wrap-style dress with her knee-high black boots. When she caught Jack eyeing her, she tried to hold back a smile; it didn't seem to matter if she was overdressed. Jack's eyes indicated he liked her outfit, as simple as it was.
"Hi," he smiled, gesturing to her, "you look beautiful."
"Thank you," she said bashfully, nodding, "and you look very handsome yourself." She liked the light purple dress shirt he had worn with his dark jeans. He looked modern, surprisingly for Jack, in that, and she noted that the light purple color was really good on him. She hooked her thumb over her shoulder. "Ahh, I just need to get by bag and my shawl. I have them in my kitchen. Please, come in," she gestured, holding open her door. Jack stepped in, eyeing the house. "Oh, I haven't shown you around. Come on," she gestured toward the kitchen, and he followed her. Lisa turned her head over her shoulder, talking to him as he followed her to the kitchen.
"So, I should give you the grand tour," she told him, adding, as she smiled with a shrug, "maybe later?"
"Sounds good," he said with a nod of his head and a gesture to her kitchen. "Nice big kitchen. I like the view out the back." Both looked toward the windows. Lisa had floor to ceiling windows along all the back, some of that space was kitchen, and some was her living room. She nodded her thanks.
"I love it too. Ahh, I have my things. Should we go?"
"Yeah," he offered a small smile. "I'm looking forward to this, and I know you enjoy a good wine too. Hoping this is a lovely evening."
"Me too," she told him as she stood there, reaching to squeeze his arm. Jack gestured for her to walk ahead, and they both reached the front door, Lisa locking it as they stepped outside. Jack, as he'd done before, opened her door for her and helped Lisa into the truck. Once they were both inside, Jack looked over at her before he started the truck.
"Happy Birthday," she smiled warmly at him as she pulled a small gift from her handbag. She had not known when to give it to him, not wanting his birthday to be an elephant in the room, and this seemed like the perfect time. His eyes widened at the sight of the gift.
"How did you know-" he started to stay, but then he sighed and nodded. "Marion."
Lisa shrugged, "I did not ask. In fact, you were very sneaky," she pointed her finger at him and continued, "suggesting this date on your birthday and not telling me. Marion mentioned she was having a birthday dinner for you this weekend, and I just asked about that, I mean, that your birthday was this weekend. I didn't ask about the dinner, I mean, I didn't ask about coming-"
He smiled, reaching over to take the gift from her hand and then squeezed her hand as he did. He eyed her, "I was hoping to invite you to that dinner, I mean, if all goes well tonight and I don't put my foot in my mouth again acting like an idiot. I don't know," he sighed with a shrug, continuing, "all this awkwardness about age, and here, it's my birthday. I just felt like it was rubbing salt in a wound we've already had to hash out. That's it. I'm sorry I didn't tell you it was my birthday."
"I understand, but a birthday is a birthday. We all have them, and it is something to celebrate. I am honored you wanted to spend yours with me," she said, putting her arm on the back of the seat of the truck, almost touching Jack. She swatted at him, "Go on, open it." Jack chuckled, nodded, and he opened the small box, Lisa watching and waiting as he opened it.
"A new watch," Jack eyed her, nodding with a small smile on his face. "This is a beautiful watch, Lisa. Thank you. You certainly didn't have to get me something this nice." The watch was very nice and very expensive, not that it was Lisa's intent. She had standards, and this watch met the standard she wanted for a nice watch for Jack. She didn't flaunt her money, but she bought things for people she cared about, and as she did that, she usually didn't worry about the price of things. It was a comfort afforded to her with her successful business. She had wealth, but she didn't want it to define her. Looking to Jack, she smiled.
"Well, I had noticed yours was a little scratched up, and I'm sure there is some sentimental story to it, but I wanted to get your something new. I understand if you are tied to the old one, even as little as I know about you, I realize you aren't into new things-"
"It's a beautiful watch, and I do really like it, especially that you were thoughtful enough to get it for me. Thank you," he said, eyeing her, the two sitting there close to each other in his truck. He pulled the watch out, took off his old one, and he put on the new one, one with a dark leather band and a broad face. He nodded as he held it up for her to see. "Looks great."
"It does," she smiled brightly when he looked at her. In that moment, their eyes locked, and Lisa felt her breath hitch. Something was there; something felt right, felt special. Apparently, Jack felt it too because he leaned toward her and cupped her cheek, pulling her in as much as she leaned toward him, and there, in his old truck, in her driveway, they shared their first kiss. It was tender, sweet, soft, and when they pulled apart, Jack with his hand still cupping her cheek, smiled softly at her.
"I wanted to do that as soon as I saw you," he told her, his thumb stroking the side of her face. "You really look beautiful, your dress, your boots, your hair curled like it is," he explained, reaching to put his hand on her hair. She had curled it, and her blonde hair hung in soft waves on her shoulders. Her smile widened as he told her all of that, and she nodded, reaching to hold his hand with her free one.
"I'm really glad you kissed me. I wanted to kiss you last week after you apologized for our first date mishap. I enjoyed our kiss and hope you did too." He leaned in and repeated the kiss, almost exactly, his hand on her cheek again, and she smiled into the kiss this time, each becoming more comfortable kissing the other. When he pulled back to look at her, she reached for him and pulled him in for another kiss, earning a chuckle from Jack, one that then had Lisa laughing too.
"Sorry, got carried away," she held her hand to her face and smiled bashfully at Jack. He shrugged and winked at her.
"I don't know why you are apologizing. I enjoyed that very much too. Maybe we can do that again sometime," he winked at her again with a small smile.
She grinned and nodded, "Well, if you play your cards right, you might earn a birthday kiss by the end of the evening."
"Is that so?" Jack smiled, as both of them naturally shifted back to their seats and put on their seatbelts. Jack put the truck in gear and winked again at her before he stared driving, "Well, I'm going to very much look forward to that and be on my best behavior. Wouldn't want to ruin anything as lovely as a kiss from you. You didn't tell me you were such a good kisser. Might have tried that sooner."
Lisa laughed, nodding as she replied, "Well, glad you enjoyed it. I'm pretty out of practice, so I suppose it can only get better."
"Then, we're in good company, with the same story," he nodded, reaching to hold her hand as he started driving.
The drive to the winery passed quickly as the two talked, catching up on the last few days. Since they had been talking in the evening, they had plenty to talk about, and nothing felt awkward. As they pulled into the winery, Lisa looked around, nodding to herself.
"Yeah, I was here once, years ago," she told Jack. "I knew something sounded familiar. Have you been here before?"
"No," he told her. "I've heard of the place myself, but haven't been here. Probably a much better date than the rodeo."
"Are you kidding?" Lisa raised her eyebrows at Jack. "I really enjoyed the rodeo, I mean, until the end of the night," she frowned. "I don't want you to think that you have to constantly impress me with nice things, Jack. I like simple things in life; I really do. The rodeo was a lot of fun, and I even have received some compliments on my hat," she grinned. Jack glanced to her and shook his head.
"When did you wear it? I can't see you in your stable with that on."
She lowered her chin and eyed him, "My friend, your lovely daughter noticed it at my house and complimented me on it. Don't worry," she squeezed his arm, "I didn't say a thing. Now, should we kick off your birthday and enjoy some wine?"
Jack reached for her hand resting on the bench seat of the truck and tugged her closer to him, leaning toward her and kissed her again, this time with more passion and more heat. She smiled into it again, reciprocating the kiss, the two shifting closer to each other, Lisa wrapping her arm around his neck. Finally, they separated, and Lisa grinned, nodding toward the building.
"We really should try some wine and get something to eat."
He nodded, "Agree, but I'd say that we've kicked off my birthday very nicely so far. I'm enjoying myself very much."
"We haven't even stepped foot out of your truck," she chuckled, waving toward the building.
"Exactly," he said, leaning in and kissing her quickly this time, winking as he did. "Come on, let's see how this evening plays out. Like I said, you might get invited to my birthday dinner if all goes well." That had Lisa laughing out loud as they both got out of the truck and made their way into the winery.
Like the rodeo, they had a great time together, enjoying sampling fine wines. As luck would have it, Lisa and Jack discovered they had a similar palate for wine, Lisa pushing off his credit card when she wanted to buy several bottles.
"Oh no, no, no," she shook her head. "I'm buying, and there's no argument about it. Your birthday."
"You are not buying these for my birthday," he frowned at her. "You already got me a nice watch."
"Fine, then I'm buying them for me," she grinned, shrugging at him. He narrowed his gaze, but she persisted and handed over her credit card to purchase all the wines they had enjoyed.
"Let me take a stab in the dark-these might reappear if whatever this is continues?" Jack rolled his eyes, and Lisa grinned, winking back at him.
She shrugged, "I have no comment on that. I pull out wines I enjoy for people I enjoy. Whatever is this, anyway?"
He eyed her, "I put my foot in my mouth last time at the end of a very lovely date. I'm not doing that again, and I'm not going to label whatever this is before the date ends. I'm not going to jinx things. I have a lot riding on this."
"Oh you do?" Lisa leaned toward him, her eyes sparkling. "Well, keep it up, Cowboy. I've had a great time, and as it would appear, I think we are ready to head out, yes?"
"Lead the way," he gestured with his hand. "I believe I was promised a tour of your mansion if we made it through the date."
Lisa sighed and scoffed, waving at him, "It's not a mansion."
Jack chuckled and nodded, "You can think that. Sure, it's not a mansion compared to a castle. It's a mansion," he nodded, adding, "and I'd really like a tour of it. I want to see where you live and what you enjoy. You've been to my ranch."
"Yes, but you didn't invite me," she leaned up, teasing him, just inches from his face. "Marion did. I only saw the kitchen and living room. I would need a proper tour myself."
Jack opened the door of the truck, helping her inside and then stowing the wines she had bought. As he started to close her door, he leaned toward her, leaning up against the truck, "How about you come over to the ranch this weekend for a tour and dinner?"
She raised her eyebrows at him but turned sideways now, facing him there at the truck. She nodded, waving her hand, the two in very close proximity, "So, you're inviting me to dinner at the ranch, your birthday dinner, with Marion and Amy?"
"Yes," he said with a firm nod. "I'd like you to come. Whatever this is," he gestured, "I'd like it to continue. I'd like to continue seeing you, dating you, that is if you are interested yourself."
Her smile widened, and she nodded, "I would really like that. I like you very much, Jack Bartlett. I feel we have a lot in common, share similar values, and I've enjoyed spending time with you. I haven't seen anyone beyond a second date since I dated Dan, and I'm telling you this right off the bat-I'm not in this for some casual fling."
He eyed her but nodded, "I am not either, and it surprises me, if I am honest, that I can't stay away from you. No one has caught my eye since Lyndy, and I didn't expect anyone to ever catch my eye again, honestly. There is something very magnetic about you, Lisa Stillman. I'm in, and with the fear of ruining this, I'm going to just say it. I've been wrestling with our age difference all week. On one hand, it does seem ridiculous," he paused, and Lisa started to open her mouth, but he raised his hand in defense. "On the other hand, who cares what people think? We do have a lot in common. Neither of us are young where it would appear I'm taking advantage of you, and I do like you very much. You make me feel much younger than I am, and for that, I thank you."
She grinned, her smile only widening as he talked. She finally nodded and said, "You're even a year older today, my my. I realize this probably will not be our last conversation about this because it's not just as simple as we want to make it, but I'm really glad to hear you say that."
"Good, we are on the same page," he said, leaning in and kissing her sweetly. Lisa wiped at the lipstick he had on his face, and Jack gestured to the door, that he was going to shut it. Once inside the truck, now heading back to Lisa's place, both reached for the other's hand, and as Jack drove Lisa home, they had matching smiles on their faces.
Jack's phone rang as he was turning off the highway onto Lisa's sprawling estate. He stopped the truck just as he pulled onto her property and frowned looking at it.
"It's Marion, sorry," he looked over at her. Lisa waved her hand, and Jack answered the phone. "Hi, Sweetheart, everything okay?" Lisa waited for him to finish the call, looking out at her horses and her land. She did love this place, and as she thought about things, she found it interesting she was falling for a cattle rancher. It was not something she would have ever predicted, but life was full of surprises. Her attention was turned back to Jack when she heard him replying to Marion, "Yes, I ran out for some dinner, and I am on my way. Don't worry. We'll gather all the horses." He hung up and looked over at Lisa, frowning. "Ahh, I'm sorry, raincheck for that house tour?"
"Sure," she said, shaking her head. "Everything okay?"
"Amy left the gate open when they left the house, and the horses are scattered. I need to get home and help Marion get them all corralled for the evening. I'm sorry," he said, pulling her hand up and kissing it. She shrugged at it.
"It's fine. I've had a wonderful time, and I'm just really happy, Jack. Thank you. Thank you for not giving up. I'm really looking forward to dinner this weekend if you are sure that's what you still want to do?"
"I do," he said with a small smile and nod, kissing her hand again. "We can put things out in the open with Marion, and well, that will be what it will be."
"Okay then," she smiled, leaning over to kiss Jack, and the two quickly found themselves in a heated embrace right there at her driveway entrance. Both laughed, their foreheads touching when they broke apart. Lisa nodded at their kiss, and Jack smiled, putting the truck in gear again. When he reached her front door, she patted his arm.
"Listen, I know you need to go, so don't get out. I very much appreciate your chivalry, but go and help Marion. I'll talk to you later. I hope it was a good birthday. I'm glad I was part of it."
"You were a big part of it," he told her, squeezing her hand. "Here's hoping I have many more, many more with you. I really can't explain this strong attraction I have. It seems crazy this quickly, but I feel it."
"I do too," she said, returning his hand squeeze. "Call me tomorrow?"
"You don't even have to ask anymore," he said with a soft smile, rubbing his thumb over her cheek. "We need to set up that raincheck."
She smiled brightly and nodded, "I'd like that, maybe I fix you dinner one evening, that with a movie or something?"
"That sounds great," he nodded, leaning over to to kiss her gently for the last time for the evening. "Night, Lisa."
"Night, Cowboy," she said grinning, and she grinned all the way into her house, putting her wine down on her side table. She leaned back against her door and sighed a happy sigh. Jack Bartlett. She was dating this man now. Wow, it felt both great and scary to think that. Marion, hopefully would be happy for them. The town of Hudson, well, she frowned even thinking about it. Something told her people would definitely have something to say about their ages and just their overall differences, but even as much as she wanted to push their comments aside, she knew it would be another river to cross. Jack Bartlett, wow, she was so happy he wanted her. Who knew what might develop.