"So that's the latest with Tim," Marion nodded to her friends, the ladies all sitting around at Lisa's place, sipping the last of their wine while the food they'd brought was long gone. "I guess for now, I'm okay meeting him for coffee a couple times a week or so," she shrugged. "He is working hard. I see that."
"Well," Lisa gave her a soft smile, "it's not easy to just leave behind someone you care so deeply for even when they have let you down. There's a fine line between loyalty and allowing yourself to be walked on over and over. It seems like you are treading lightly and making sure to watch your feelings."
"Face it," Maggie smirked at the women and shook her head, "Tim is her soulmate. They lost their way, Tim's doing for sure," she pointed at Marion, "at least because he refused to clean up his act after his accident, but now that he's seen the light and is realizing all he lost, he's clawing his way back to Marion."
"Okay, okay," Marion waved her hand. "I really want to be done talking about Tim, except for the fact that he has been talking to Lou more as well. She's very cautious to let him in, but switching topics to Lou, her graduation is coming up. I can't believe it, and I'm so proud of my girl. Master's degree-MBA from NYU, I almost can't believe she's my daughter. I mean, where did she get any of that interest? She's big time, and I'm so proud of her."
"That's an amazing achievement," Lisa grinned. "Good for her."
"Booked our hotel today. Amy said she's nervous about flying to New York."
"Has she flown?" Lisa asked.
Maggie laughed and shook her head, "Amy? No, she's a little bit too much like your man there, Lisa, hates change and not really excited about going anywhere outside of Hudson."
"I think she'll like it once she's there," Marion nodded. "I mean, New York is the exact opposite of here, but it's still fun and exciting, plus with it being Christmas, the best time to visit New York."
"Oh, New York is lovely at Christmas!" Lisa exclaimed. "Sorry, I didn't even realize she was graduating this soon, and if you told me, it slipped my mind. I was thinking next spring. Gosh, that is coming up soon."
"I've only been to New York once to see Lou. I'm excited to go for a week this time, although I am sure I'll be happy to get back home when all is said and done."
"Lou doesn't miss home?" Lisa asked.
Marion shrugged, "I mean, a little, but she loves this life she's made for herself, and I'm happy for her. I know Hudson isn't for everyone, and that's okay. I'll just be so glad to have my girls together. We'll have the graduation and then a nice lunch out."
"Wait, did you convince your dad to go?" Maggie looked at Marion and started to laugh. "Hold on, I just heard myself say that aloud." She glanced at Lisa, "Has he complained about it to you?"
"No," Lisa shook her head vigorously. "Honestly, he hasn't said a word, and as I said, I didn't even realize it was coming up." She paused, thought, and nodded, looking to Marion, "He has no intention of going, does he?"
"Nope," Marion sighed. "You know how he is."
Lisa scrunched up her face and then nodded, laughing finally, "Actually, I really do."
"Speaking of," Maggie shifted in the chair and gave Lisa a big smile, "let's talk about Jack."
"Let's not," Lisa grimaced, letting a nervous laugh escape.
"Oh, come on Lisa," Maggie swatted at her. "You two seem to be doing ver well."
Lisa glanced at Marion who sat there, eager to hear anything. It was awkward; Lisa knew that, but she sighed and smiled at the women, "Yes, things are going very well. You two might have known what you were talking about, your matchmaking attempts with us. These last few months have been really wonderful, and we're working through our differences just fine," she nodded, content with that answer.
Maggie raised an eyebrow, "That's it? That's what we get? We can see that. I mean, let's address the elephant in the room, the fact that you stayed at the house once already."
Lisa's face reddened, and she shook her head while she waved her hand in front of her. Ironically, she wasn't about to correct them that she'd stayed at the house now on several occasions since she had returned from France. The women's get-together had been delayed when Maggie and Sorayah had gotten the flu, now the trio getting together two weeks later; Marion only knew of the one-time Lisa had stayed over. She and Jack were much better at working around that and had discovered that if she rode home with him and watched the timing, Marion was none the wiser. Marion often ran errands after getting Amy on the bus, and that was very helpful to them right now. Judging by her reaction now, she and Jack were right about that.
"Ladies, look," Lisa frowned at them and shook her head again, "you know that Jack is incredibly private, as am I. I'm really not going to discuss things partly because it is a bit awkward here. Yes," she nodded toward Marion, "ahh, as Marion has obviously shared with you, I've stayed at the house. Going forward, I hope it won't be too awkward."
"I'm totally fine with it, Lisa," Marion nodded vigorously at her. "I mean, sure, it's a bit weird to think of my own dad romantically involved with someone, but it's you," she waved her hand. "I love you; you are amazing, and anyone who can make my dad smile like he's been-"
"Oh, Jack has been like a Cheshire Cat," Maggie jumped in, grinning as she laughed. She looked at Lisa, "Girl, I will just say whatever you are doing to that man, keep it up because we all enjoy a pleasant Jack."
"Okay, okay, stop!" Lisa let a laugh escape as she shook her head. "I'm really not going to get into details, but yes, he makes me very happy too, and yes," she paused before she made eye contact with the women hanging on her every word, hoping for any dirt, "I love him very much."
Between Jack's schedule moving the herd for the winter and Lisa dealing with a couple of sales, the couple didn't get to spend much time together over the next few days. It was finally a Sunday evening when Lisa invited Jack over for soup and salad, a chance to cozy up on the couch together at her place, and for once, Jack had accepted. Most of their time had been spent at his ranch, and she was looking forward to their uninterrupted time tonight.
"Hey, Cowboy," she greeted him, putting her arms up around his neck and kissing him as he stepped inside and closed the door. She jumped when he wrapped his cold hands around here and touched her bare skin where her sweater had ridden up. "Gosh, you are cold."
"Just can't warm up," he shook his head, kissing her quickly again as she helped him with his coat. "Man, something smells good." Lisa took his hand and smiled warmly, nodding to the kitchen.
"Come on in, and I'll show you."
He raised an eyebrow at her, "Are we talking dinner or other things?"
She laughed and swatted at him, "I'll let you decide."
A short time later, Lisa joined Jack at her kitchen island to sit down for a bowl of soup and salad. She had made French Onion, her favorite, and she spent the first few minutes telling Jack about learning to make it while living in France. They caught up on their busy week, and finally, Lisa put her spoon down and turned sideways to face Jack. He was mid spoonful of his soup when he saw her shift in his seat and eyed her. Lisa laughed and swatted at him.
"Why do I have the feeling you are about to have some big idea?" Jack asked, wiping his mouth.
"When were you going to tell me Lou is graduating?"
He narrowed his gaze, "That's the grand inquisition?"
"No, I mean," she shook her head from side to side, "yes, I guess. I just," she paused and sighed. "Look, I am trying really hard to keep our private life separate from my friendship with Marion. I don't bring up things between us, just as I try to respect Marion's privacy about her private life-"
"She's seeing Tim, isn't she? She won't say, but I see the look on her face. I've seen the two of them talking, and it's not just about Amy-"
Lisa put her hand on Jack's arm and looked him in the eye, "I'm not going to discuss Marion with you, regarding her personal life. I hope you can respect and understand that. Okay?"
He thought a moment and finally nodded, "Okay, I'm sorry. You're right. I don't want to put you in an awkward position."
"Thank you because that goes both ways. I'm not going to discuss our relationship in detail with Marion. I mean," she smirked, "would you like me to tell her I've been to the house several times instead of the one time she believes?"
Jack tried to hold back a grin, a smirk honestly, and he winked at her, "See, I told you we could work around Marion. So, just one time, that's all she thinks you've been over?"
"Apparently," she shrugged, leaning over to peck his lips. "Excellent work being discreet."
"Right back at you," he winked, leaning over to peck her lips back, but that turned into a much deeper, much more intense kiss. Lisa smiled into it, but finally, patted his shoulders to sit back. When he did, he winked at her.
"Stop," she swatted at him again, laughing. "You're terrible, trying to distract me. I'm serious. Why didn't you tell me Lou was graduating, and that the family is going to New York?"
He shrugged, a slight sigh with it, "I don't know. I mean, I do know. I didn't say anything because I'm not going to New York."
"And why not? Jack, this is your granddaughter, and she's achieved a wonderful thing. She's graduating from NYU, MBA! You need to celebrate that. Look, I say this lovingly," she leaned forward and put her hand on his shoulder, meeting his gaze. "I really think you should go. I listen to you talk about Marion and the girls. I know they are your world, and I think you will regret it if you don't go-"
"I certainly won't regret missing a trip to New York, no thanks on that."
"Okay, fine," she nodded, locking eyes with him. "This isn't about you. It's not about your hatred of travel. You told me you were going to try a little more because you love me."
"I do," he said softly, putting his hand on her cheek and stroking it. "This is not the same thing."
"No, maybe not, maybe not the same sort of love, but you love Lou, Marion, and Amy. This is about them. I know Marion would love for you to go. Put your distaste of New York aside. I know you will hate it, but you going to her graduation will mean the world to the three of them. Do you really want to disappoint them?"
He dropped his head, eyeing her finally and frowned, "Why do you have to make good points?"
She laughed and leaned in to kiss him again, Jack's hand still cupping her face. "I love you and just want you to support your daughter and granddaughters. Going would support them."
"Marion can't stop talking about this trip. I have no interest in Central Park, seeing a show, Christmas shopping there-"
"So, don't do those things. Nothing says you have to stay the week as they are."
"Well, here," he waved, amending it, "I mean the ranch. I can't just leave. That's always the problem. Someone has to be there. The horses can't feed themselves."
"Already thought of that," Lisa shook her head. "I'll be happy to send over some of my stable crew a couple times a day to feed the horses. You know I have a full staff here, and before you say you can't accept the help, yes, you can. My crew is already working for me, so whether they are in my stable or yours, it's fine for the day. We're only talking, what a few days? What day is graduation?"
He grunted and frowned, "It's on a Friday afternoon."
"Great," she nodded. "You could fly on Thursday, go to graduation and the late lunch Marion mentioned, spend a little time with them and fly back say Sunday? That's not awful, Jack. This is the life your granddaughter has picked. You need to go see her in that. It will make such the difference. I know you miss her, but holding out hope that she will either up and move back here or come home more for visits, well, it's not reality. You have to be willing to meet her where she is."
Jack leaned back in his chair and ended up crossing his arms and almost glaring at her. She chuckled and waved her finger at him.
"No, you are not going to scare me with that look."
"I hate flying. You know that."
"As I said, you recently told me you were going to try more in that area because you love me."
"But you aren't involved with this, and so I don't want to fly. How about this," he met her gaze, "you go too."
"Oh, no," she shook her head. "I'm not inviting myself to Lou's graduation. She's never met me, and this is your family time. Besides," she scrunched up her face, "talk about awkward. I can't stay with you at the hotel. We have discussed keeping this from Amy. I mean, Marion might have mentioned things to Lou. I really don't know if she has, but no, this is for your family."
"I might consider going," he held up his hand, "just for a few days, if you were traveling by my side. I really hate flying, and the idea of going from here to one of the busiest places on the continent, no thanks. I already know I'll hate New York, Marion hasn't flown enough to be some sort of pro, besides that, I know her. Traveling with her will be exhausting. She's already so excited; she'll talk my ear off the entire flight to New York. No thanks."
"You know, hold on," she said, standing up and walking over to her desk and computer. "My aunt, ahh, Evelyn, you know, I've told you about her. She emailed me a few days ago and said she would be in New York for the holidays. I didn't give it a thought. She's got some new boyfriend and is going to be spending the time with him. She travels the world, and before you ask, she's been married three times and has all this cash-"
"Charming," Jack raised his eyebrows, and Lisa waved her hands.
"I know, but I do love her, crazy as she is. We're very opposite in that regard, how we view marriage and relationships, but I do adore her, and we have so much fun together. I'd love to see her. Oh!" Lisa exclaimed, opening an email and turning to grin at Jack. "She'll be there three weeks of December. Jack," she nodded, "this could actually work. We could fly together. I could visit Evelyn, and you could go to graduation. So," she stood and walked back to him, Jack still seated at the barstool and pulling her into an embrace, "you just said you might go if I was going. Well, I can take care of booking the plane tickets and all, and I promise you that you will travel in style, that is, if you are willing to do as you just said-go to New York if I travel with you?"
Jack pursed his lips and after making eye contact with Lisa for quite some time, he finally glanced down and then looked back at her. She was grinning at him, nodding, and then, Jack relented.
"Fine," he let out a long breath. "While this is against all of the things I know-"
"Sometimes, it's worth the risk to try something new," she said quietly, grinning at him as she kissed him quickly. "Take us for an example."
"I did promise I would try, and this isn't some big vacation either. It's for Lou, and yes, I love Lou very much. I miss her too, and she's not coming home for Christmas, already working at this new job. So, yes, Lisa," he looked into her eyes, "I'll go to New York for Lou's graduation on one condition."
Lisa narrowed her gaze and shook her head as she replied, "What's that?"
"You can't say a word we're coming. I mean it. If Marion knows, I won't hear the end of her going on and on about me traveling. I just want to show up, for this to be a surprise because I know those three women-Marion, Lou, and Amy. This will be the news of the century so to speak, so please, please," he paused and met her gaze, "can we just keep this quiet and show up?"
Lisa smiled warmly and finally nodded, "That, Cowboy, I can do. Just consider me your travel agent, you know, with some extra benefits."