Chapter 4: Dating

Things were awkward between Cody and Jennifer for a while. Neither spoke about that night and where they were heading. There were no more late-night talks. They helped their kids with their schoolwork and made small talk.

One day Cody and Alex were in the barn taking care of the horses.

"Dad, can I ask you a question?" Alex asked.

"Of course," Cody answered.

"Can you tell me about women?" Alex asked. "Like what do you do with them?"

Cody nearly fell over, "What do you mean?"

"What type of things do you do with a woman on a date," Alex explained. "I have been emailing this girl from the high school down in South Lake Tahoe. She wants us to go to the Winter Fling together. I can talk to her fine by email, but I am not sure what to do on a date. Aunt Robin was teaching me how to dance. But I am not sure how at act around women."

"I guess I have not been the best example for you," Cody said. Realizing his son is growing up. More interested in girls than he was. Of course, social media has helped with that connection. Something Cody did not have as a child. "Let's go for a walk son and we can talk about girls, dating and the birds and the bees. He was not comfortable about talking about sex to his son again, but thought it was a good reminder.

Cody told him how to treat a woman with respect. He needed to be a gentleman. He told him all about sex and that it was something special between a man and woman and be saved for someone that he loved and would want to spend the rest of his life with. If he ever wanted to talk more about it, he would be there to listen.

"Dad, if you ever wanted to get married again. I am okay with it. I am growing up and will be going off to college in a few years. And then you will be here alone," Alex said.

That really hit Cody. It is now the second time Cody thought maybe he needed to make some changes in his life. Maybe it was time for Alex to go back to town and be with kids his own age. Maybe it was time for Cody to move on with his life and open his heart up again. He thought back to that night with Jennifer. If she would have let him, he would have made love to her. He would have made love to Jennifer and not Lizzie. He realized it was Jennifer he was having feelings for, it was Jennifer he wanted to be with that night, not Lizzie.

"When is that dance?" Cody asked Alex.

"The Friday before Christmas," Alex said.

"I think we can make that work, if you want to go, ask your young lady and we will make sure you are in Tahoe and we can head down early for Christmas. I will talk to Matt and Robin about it. As for how to treat a woman on a date. We need to get you a practice date so you will be ready to go," Cody said. "I will talk to Jennifer to see what we can do."

After Cody's talk to Alex about girls, he decided he also needed to talk to Jennifer about that night when they kissed. They both had been avoiding being alone, so they could avoid the conversation.

Cody was coming from the barn and found Jennifer sitting on the porch sipping her coffee alone. He went and sat by her.

"Would you like to take a walk before it gets dark?" Cody asked.

"That would be nice," Jennifer answered.

Cody reached out his hand to Jennifer to help her up. The two walked side by side saying nothing. They get to a spot near the lake and sat on a log. Both still silent, Cody was getting more anxious, he looked over at Jennifer and there was uneasiness between the two of them.

Cody took a deep breath, "It's been a long time since I have…I have kissed a woman. I was not sure if it was because of all we shared or my memories of Lizzie. Lizzie was the only woman I ever truly loved, and she was taken away from me too soon. When she died, I never wanted to have those feelings again. If was not for Alex, I don't think I would have been able to go on. That night, you were asleep in my arms, and you looked so peaceful, I don't know what it was, but I just felt like I had to kiss you. It felt good when you kissed me back. I wanted more and for it to go farther. I could not help myself and I wanted you. I have not had those feelings in a long time."

Jennifer had just been staring at the lake the whole time not looking at Cody, he had been doing the same. He turned to her. "Jen, look at me," Jennifer turned her head towards Cody. "I don't know If I am ready for more. I planned on being alone for the rest of my life." Cody began to stumble over his words, "I…. I would like to..."

"Cody wait," Jennifer Interrupted. "I thought I had what you had with your wife Lizzie. It did not take long, and it became a nightmare. A nightmare I have lived with ever since. I don't know if I would be able to ever trust anyone in that way or be intimate with anyone again. The kiss was great and being with you felt so good, but I got scared. I don't know if I could love someone in that way again."

Cody wanted to start a relationship with Jennifer but could see she was not ready for one and maybe never will be. He decided maybe he was taking everything way too fast and Jennifer would need to take things slow. It was not going to be easy, but that is what he may need to do if he ever hopes to have a relationship with her.

They both sat there quietly for a bit. They had a bit of history together, from a time before they both were hurt so much.

"Can we move pass that night and just be friends?" Cody finally asked.

"I would like that," Jennifer said with a smile.

"So, I have a favor to ask," Cody asked.

"What is it?" Jennifer questioned.

"Alex wants to ask a girl out. He has been talking to her on-line from a local high school, but he does not know how to act around women and his dad has been no help. Robin has been teaching him how to dance. I think he needs more lessons. I would like to escort Hailey to dinner to show Alex how to treat a woman and he could escort you and you could help him," Cody asked not sure how their last conversation ended, this would be the best time to approach this subject.

"That would be nice Cody, it would be good for Hailey too and I think she adores you."

"That is good, since I am legally her father," Cody said with a smile and they both chuckled.

A few days later they were all dressed up in their best. Jennifer had made a nice dinner with salad, soup, main course, and dessert. The table was set with a tablecloth and candles. Cody did not have any fancy dishes, but they set out the best he had. Cody had picked some wildflowers that were peeking through the snow. Some nice soft romantic music was playing in the background. There was a knock on the door, Hailey ran to the door all dressed up with Jennifer behind her. When the door opened Cody handed Hailey a bouquet of flowers.

"Hailey, I am here to escort you to dinner tonight. You look very beautiful," Cody was paying all his attention to Hailey and had not noticed Jennifer walk up. Jennifer just smiled looking to see how Cody was doting on her daughter.

Alex came in, "This is for you ma'am," Alex handed Jennifer some flowers. Cody looked over to Jennifer and she nearly took his breath away.

"You can call me Jen," Jennifer said. "Thank you for the beautiful flowers."

Jennifer turned to her daughter. "Let's put the flowers in some water, so they don't die."

When they came back Cody was able to collect himself and said to his son, "Let's help these beautiful young ladies on with their coats." Cody helped Hailey with her coat and Alex helped Jennifer with hers. The two men escorted the ladies to the truck and then they climbed in. Cody waited a minute, "We've arrived at Cafe Hawkes, with a chuckle. "They were trying to give Alex the full experience that he would have on his date with Christy. The Hawkes men escorting the ladies back into the cabin and helped them take off their coats. Ladies took their boots off and put their dress shoes back on. Cody and Alex escorted them to the table and pulled their chairs out and helped them sit. They had a nice dinner. Cody got the food Jennifer prepared with Alex's help. She tried to have as much ready as she could, so they just had to grab it. Cody kept making small talk with Hailey and encouraged Alex to do the same. Cody had a tough time not looking at Jennifer. After dinner was over it was time for a little dancing.

Cody asked, "Hailey, can I have this dance?" Cody reached his hand out to Hailey. She took it and they began to slow dance. Hailey was not experienced. So, Cody told her to step on his feet. Alex followed his dad's lead and asked Jennifer to dance and reached out his hand to her.

"Not bad Alex. Have you been practicing?" Jennifer asked.

Alex answered shyly, "Yes".

"It shows, but I think it is time to turn up the music," Jennifer went over to the player and changed the music to more of the 1990s dance music.

Jennifer and Alex were dancing together, and Cody and Hailey continued. They were all dancing and having an enjoyable time. At the end Jennifer ended up in Cody's arms he spun her and dipped her. He wanted to kiss her but reframed.