"Hello, Lisa," Jack said with a nervous smile on his face when she opened her door. He tried to train his eyes on hers, but he felt himself giving her the once over, hoping that he didn't get caught well, giving her the once over. She really was so beautiful, and yes, he had noticed that right away after meeting her at Maggie's. There, he had been careful not to stare, surprised at the instant attraction he'd felt to her. It was something he had not felt since Lyndy, and that had given him a wake up call; it had made him really think about what was happening. He was interested in someone, and that hadn't happened in a very, very long time. Jack had had plenty of women take note of him over the years, but none had caught his eye, none until Lisa.
Even as he'd met her at Maggie's, now a few weeks ago, he'd tried to keep his cool and just figure out what was going on with himself. Only after he finally got home later that day did he start to process it, start to think through things-she was beautiful, and he'd noticed. He had felt feelings he hadn't felt for a very, very, very long time. She'd caught his eye, and it wasn't just one thing about her. She had a beautiful smile, bright eyes, and there was just something he couldn't put his finger on, but yes, she was beautiful, and here, now, he was standing on her front doorstep, feeling like a teenage boy as he was ready to take out his date for the afternoon.
"Hi," she greeted him, her had on the door as she looked into his eyes. She was doing much the same, trying to take in Jack and his appearance without his noticing. Her bright smile hid the nervousness she felt, and there, in her doorway, she finally broke that smile to speak further, "Ahh, welcome to Fairfield."
"Oh, yes," he lightly chuckled, glancing around but not really seeing anything. He was too nervous and quickly turned his eyes back to her. "You have an impressive stable here."
"Thank you," she nodded, that smile of her still radiating on her face. "Ahh, is this okay for the rodeo?" Lisa gestured to what she was wearing, and Jack felt his breath hitch as she was almost giving him permission to give her a once over. She looked more than okay, perfect for the rodeo with her dark fitted jeans and light blue blouse. She had her hair pulled back at the base of her neck, Jack realizing that he was taking in all of her little details. He nodded, his eyes again meeting hers, a warm smile on his face.
"More than okay. You look really great, no doubt best at the rodeo."
"Ahh, thanks," she flashed that smile again, reaching over to what looked like a small table by the door and grabbing for her purse. Jack noted that looked like a beautiful brown leather shoulder bag, something that he was sure cost a small fortune just by the looks of it. She gestured behind her. "I am all set to go, unless I can get you a water or something for the drive?"
"No, thank you," he told her, a single nod, "appreciate it. I'm fine."
"Okay, well, I will lock up," she told him, stepping outside and now into almost his personal space there on her step. He stepped back to give her space to lock the door, just studying her as she did. The way she was turned to deal with the door allowed him that short time to study more of her, the way her hair curled toward the bottom of where she'd gathered it, the way her jeans held her curves, the color of her manicured nails-"
"Ready," she turned, a bright smile again. With her hair pulled back, her eyes really sparkled in the mid-afternoon sun. Jack gestured toward his truck, and as they both looked that way, he realized just how much it stuck out here at Fairfield.
"Ahh, my truck," he waved, "a classic. I know it looks like it's on its last leg, but," he rolled his head as they walked toward it, "I love it, and it still runs great."
"Okay," she chuckled lightly, Jack stepping around her to open the door. For some reason the creaking door of the truck he loved made him grimace and really made him look at how absurd this did look. Aside from the very obvious note of their age difference, she just looked so classy, even in jeans and a blouse, while he was anything but that. He was an old cowboy, feeling older by the minute with this younger woman next to him, he even sometimes walking with a slight limp when his arthritis really kicked up, but here, now, with the truck door creaking, he cringed, closed his eyes, and let out his breath. They looked absurd-youth vs old age, sophistication vs rugged, wealthy vs not.
Somehow, even with the tattered look of his truck, something that had never bothered him before but was now keenly aware of, Lisa just turned and gave him a warm smile as she climbed inside and Jack stood there holding her door. She didn't grimace, didn't make a face, well, except to offer him a smile. He couldn't help but smile seeing hers, and soon, the two were just there smiling at each other.
"Thank you," she nodded to him at his opening her door. He finally shook out of his Cheshire grin and closed her door, walking quickly around to the other side, giving himself a quick once over. He had on his best jeans, darker than his daily work ones, but not as dark as Lisa's. He had worn a navy blue shirt with a light checkered pattern on it. The girls had noted he looked nice, Jack briefly thinking back to that at lunch.
"Dad, did you say you were headed to the rodeo today?" Marion asked him as Jack washed up his plate from lunch.
"I am," he nodded, glancing to her at the refrigerator where she was putting things away. "Why?"
"Oh, just thinking about dinner-"
"I won't be home for dinner," he told her. "You and Amy are on your own."
"Great, ahh, well, Amy mentioned wanting to go to the movies, so we'll do that. You haven't been to a rodeo in some time, yes?"
"No, I haven't," he said, now drying his hands and then starting to roll down the sleeves of his shirt. "Looking forward to it," he met her gaze as he finished with his sleeves.
She nodded, studying him, "Good to see you getting out a little, going to something you enjoy. You have some color in your face, or maybe that shirt brings it out. You look good, wow, even shaved some of that nasty stubble."
He gave her a slight nod and small smile as he winked at her, "I'm sure the bucking broncs at the rodeo will notice the same." Marion laughed at that, and Jack, walking toward his room to collect his things, walked by Marion and leaned in to kiss her head. "You and Amy have a nice evening.
Now, as Jack climbed into his truck, he held back groaning from the aching joints he had and looked over at Lisa, gosh she was beautiful, and she just watched him, perhaps studied him herself. That reminded him of what he'd brought, and he held up his hand and reached down for the bag.
"I, ahh," he started speaking and waited until he had the large bag in his hand before he continued talking, now looking Lisa in the eye. She was curious as to what he was doing. He gestured to the bag, "I took a chance," he started, and she tilted her head and looked slightly confused. He waved his hand again, "It's been decades since I have been out, I mean, on a first date," he flustered, feeling his face redden, "I mean, if that's what this is. I mean, I hope that's what this is or what I wanted it to be, I mean, this day to the rodeo." Lisa, hopefully taking pity on him, reached over and put her hand on his there clutching the bag.
"I took it as a date too, yes?" Her eyes sparkled, and her face just lit up there looking back at him. She started to laugh quietly, "It's okay, Jack. I'm nervous too. What's in the bag?" Lisa nudged his hand, and Jack seemed to snap out of it.
"Right," he offered her a small smile and looked to Lisa's hand there on his. "Ahh, the bag," and she removed her hand, nodding at Jack. "I know, at least back in my day, it was customary to bring a lady flowers," and Lisa grinned at him. "I thought about doing that, but I then thought about where we were going, the rodeo. You mentioned you had not been to one before, and it got me to thinking. I wasn't sure if you had one of these," he said, pulling the item out of the bag. "Based on the fact you didn't bring one with you, I assume you don't have one."
"A cowboy hat?" Lisa's eyes widened, sparkled too, and she smiled brightly at him. Jack was holding a beautiful dark brown ladies' hat, something he had purchased just yesterday. He had recently bought Amy a new one for her birthday, and that had put the idea in his head, mixed with Lisa saying she'd never been to a rodeo. He hoped his gesture had paid off.
"Oh, it's beautiful, so lovely," Lisa said, and she nodded to Jack to take it from his hands.
He shrugged bashfully, nodding to her, "I hope you don't have one already."
"No, no I don't at all. Thank you," she grinned, putting it on, and turning toward Jack. "Well?"
Jack felt his breath hitch at the sight of her in the cowboy hat. Besides the fact that it fit her perfectly, it really was the best color on her and the fit of it looked like it was made for her. She had always looked lovely, and this was just wow, just wow.
"It's perfect," he told her, nodding. "It really is. Wow, you look amazing, like a true cowgirl. You'll be the knockout at the rodeo."
She smiled brightly, and Jack watched her dig in her purse and pull out her compact. She looked at her reflection and nodded, "Oh, I love it. Thank you, Jack. This was very sweet, very thoughtful."
"I'm glad you like it," he smiled at her. "It's like you knew you'd need something, already having your hair pulled back. Now, how about we head to the rodeo?"
"I'd really like that," she nodded. "I've been really looking forward to this, and I'm excited to spend some time with you this afternoon. Thank you for asking."
Jack started the truck, and they started on their way.
"So," he glanced over at her as they drove, "I'm just going to put it out there that I'm pretty nervous."
She chuckled a little and nodded, shifting slightly in her seat to look over at him. He felt his breath hitch again, seeing her sitting there in that cowboy hat. She offered a sympathetic smile, "I'm nervous too."
"Really?" Jack eyed her. "You? I have no idea why you would be nervous."
"Well, I don't do this often, really at all. I haven't been out on a date in a long time myself, but I was teased when we had coffee in town that it looked like a date then, a coffee date. So, if that's the case, I guess we shouldn't be nervous, neither of us; we've had a date already. I really can't remember anyone I've agreed to a second date with since gosh, maybe one time since my divorce. I really don't do this either."
"Okay," he nodded, a slight chuckle in his tone. "Well, thank you for giving me a chance."
She leaned slightly toward him and put her hand on his there, resting on the bench seat. She smiled brightly as she spoke, "I think you are very handsome. I've reached a point in my life where I just want to put all cards on the table. I'm not interested in dancing around or a casual this or that, which is why I haven't dated much. I'm not going to waste my time."
He glanced at her and found her smiling with a shrug. He nodded, "Okay, I like your honestly, and all cards on the table myself, I was instantly attracted to you when I met you. It surprised me at the time because no one has caught my eye, and truthfully, I surprised myself with the attraction I felt. I'm a really private person, and it wasn't something I was comfortable sharing with anyone, especially Marion."
"I understand," she said, shifting back to her seat. "I don't want to come between you and Marion. I will let you take the lead on that, I mean," she paused, and as she did, Jack looked to her, seeing her face redden. "There might not be anything to tell her. I mean, it depends on how things go, you know, if we want to ahh, have another date."
"Well, so far," he nodded to her, "I would. I'm having a good time."
"Really?" Lisa laughed. "Oh, it just feels so awkward. Why are we so nervous, at least me, I mean."
"I'm really nervous too, promise," he nodded. "Let's try just talking. We seemed to do that easily at the diner when it was just coffee and nothing more."
"Agree," she grinned. "Tell me about the rodeo," she gave him a nod as he turned off one road and headed down toward the rodeo grounds. "You were into rodeo for a few years?"
"Felt like a lifetime, was a long time," he told her. "Loved the rodeo, but now my body doesn't. Broken bones, arthritis-all of it coming back to bite me now. Loved all things rodeo though, that's for sure."
"What was your favorite event?"
"Well, that's a good question. I'm not sure I had an event I disliked. Nothing like riding a bronc or roping a steer. Oh, here's one you might not know-the Working Cow Horse Competition."
"What's that?" Lisa asked.
He waved his hand, "It tests the horse and rider's ability to move and work cattle, which is a lot of what I do. You have to have a good horse that knows how to cut quickly and move cattle without spooking them. Great competition."
She nodded, "Ahh, I bet with as much as you move cattle, that it's important. So, how do they judge this Working Horse Cow competition?"
Jack chuckled, "Working Cow Horse."
"Sorry," she grinned, and Jack waved his hand.
"No need to apologize. Ahh, you are put in an enclosure with a cow, and you work them. You're judged on a point system. I'm sure we'll see one today. Great event, and it's not nearly as dangerous as a bucking bronc."
"I can't wait to see it. Ohhh, we're here," she said, smacking at his arm and instantly grimacing. "Sorry, I tend to do that, especially when I like someone. I can't help but ahh, reach for them."
He offered a small smile as he parked. Once they were both out of the truck, hats on, ready for the rodeo, he walked alongside her and leaned in toward her to say, "I'm really glad you're here. It's been a long time since I've been really looking forward to something."
Their afternoon at the rodeo went really well, and both found conversation easy. After breaking the ice in the truck and putting themselves out there a little, they laughed a lot, talked a lot, and Lisa was completely impressed by the level of skill she saw at the rodeo. What impressed her the most, though, she brought up as they were walking back to the truck after the rodeo.
"So," she was laughing and looked up at him as she put her arm on his forearm. Jack noticed her arm right away and he tried not to focus on that but focus on her, "You did not tell me what a rodeo legend you are. I mean," she waved her hand at him, "everyone knew you! I heard story after story after story. Gosh, you haven't been to the rodeo in a long time for so many old cowboys to come up and want to talk to you. I hope I wasn't in the way."
"In the way?" Jack paused and looked at her, shaking his head. "You were the envy of the rodeo. After I made sure people didn't think you were Marion, everyone wanted to know who the lovely lady was who had accompanied me to the rodeo. I'm flattered you went with me and put up with all of those old cowboys." As they continued to walk, Lisa realized she'd put her hand on his forearm and moved it back to her side. Jack, glancing her way, reached for her hand, nodding at her.
"Do you mind?"
"No, I don't mind," she shook her head at him and flashed a big grin. "Can I admit that I'd hoped you would do that all day?" She leaned in, squeezing his hand as she did, and Jack looked over to see her biting her lip.
"Well," he lowered his voice as they now walked hand in hand, almost to his truck," I've wanted to do that all day. Maybe I just had to gather up the nerve." Apparently that was the right thing to say because Lisa's face broke into a wide smile, and as Jack reached for her door, she didn't take her eyes off him as she got into the truck. Jack almost walked into his truck headlight because he was still staring at her while walking to his door. Lisa took off her new cowboy hat and put it on her lap, smiling at Jack when he got into the truck.
His face felt hot; he was blushing, but he pushed beyond that feeling and gestured toward her, "So, I know it was warm this afternoon and evening, but thank you for coming. I'd really like to take you for something to eat if you have time?"
"I have time," she nodded as she answered. She smiled. "You know, there's an old-style drive-up place, like a root beer stand, not far from here."
"You'd be okay with that? That's a great place." Jack eyed her. He shook his head at her, "Who are you? I have been trying to think of just the right place to take you."
"I'd love something simple like that. I just enjoy spending time with you, really. It's been refreshing today. I can't even explain it, but I've had one of the nicest afternoons I've had in a very long time."
"Me too," he reached for hand there in the truck and squeezed it. "You're very easy to talk to, and you adapt to anything, or so it seems. Now that is something I need to improve for sure. Maybe it's my old age."
"You're not old!" Lisa exclaimed, frowning at him. "Age is a number. You still run a full ranch, along with everything that goes with it. Besides," she nudged toward him, "I like you for who you are, age and everything."
"Hmm," he hummed, studying her as she spoke. He smiled and gestured toward the road, "Appreciate you saying that. I'm feeling like some old timer being around you. You're young, energetic, full of life, and I am not sure I can live up to that."
She listened, nodding, and finally, she shrugged, "Well, I'm okay with one thing at a time. How about we get something to eat and talk some more before you take me home?"
"Sounds good," he smiled back at her, winking as he finished speaking, "but I should probably get you home early. Old timers like me, well, can't stay out too late-probably will fall asleep on you if I do."
Lisa laughed, "Hmm, well, Cowboy," and at that Jack looked over at her. She grinned, "Oh, after seeing what a legend you are with the rodeo, I'm calling you that, Cowboy, and I certainly don't see you as old. 25 years-just a number."
Jack's eyes widened, and he shook his head at Lisa, "25 years?"
"Umm, yeah," she narrowed her gaze. "Why? You're 65-Marion told me that. I'm 40."
"You're 40?" Jack's eyes widened.
"How old did you think I was?" Lisa looked at him, clearly confused. "I thought, I mean, Marion and I talked about ages."
"Well, yeah," he waved, "she said you were five years apart in school. I assumed-"
"You thought I was 50?" Lisa's eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. "I'm 40. I look 50?"
"No, no," Jack sighed and groaned, waving his hand. He dropped his head. "You don't look anything, I mean, you don't look old, not that 50 is old. I thought you were the older one. Marion and I never discussed that. I assumed. You're 40?"
"40 yes, still, same as I was a few minutes ago."
Jack groaned and dropped his head. He sighed and glanced to her, frowning, "I don't know, Lisa. That's a lot. Gosh, it's like a kick in the gut that you're younger than my daughter. 40, really?"
"This wasn't a problem this afternoon," she frowned. "Why is it now? You know what," she turned and gestured to him, "I don't have a problem with it, but clearly you do. I've had a lovely time, but maybe just take me home. No harm, no foul. Marion never heard and never will, and we can chalk this up to a friendly afternoon where I learned about the rodeo." Lisa shifted and put elbow on the window, shaking her head as she rested it on her hand.
"Lisa, I didn't mean to ruin a nice afternoon-"
"Don't worry about it. Clearly, in your eyes, we are just too different because of age, so fine. It is what it is."
Jack grew silent, pursing his lips and trying to decide what was the best thing to do. Somehow, his very lovely afternoon had just blown up on him, and really-they were 25 years apart? It was just too much, wasn't it?