Jack couldn't remember the last time he had been in an airport, but man, things had changed. Even when Lou had gone off to New York, Marion had taken her inside while Jack dealt with the truck. Just navigating the parking situation was a feat in itself, but here he was, sitting in the Calgary airport waiting for Lisa to arrive. He'd managed to find the arrivals area as well as a good seat to wait. Jack didn't know how 'on time' the airplanes were, so he'd come an hour early and didn't mind waiting. He couldn't wait to see Lisa. Her week trip with a sick horse had turned into 16 days, but her horse was finally on the mend, even when things had looked pretty bleak. She was now coming home, and truthfully, he couldn't wait to see her.
Yes, he had embraced technology, so to speak, and had sent her a few emails here and there. He'd even had help getting back on a couple of video chats with her, but the time difference did make it hard, especially when she wasn't there for pleasure but was up at all hours of the day and night dealing with her horse. He could hear the relief in her voice a couple days ago when her horse had finally been medically cleared. It was now the end of October, and Lisa, being gone as she had, had missed the last of fall. They were now into winter, with a fresh dusting of snow hitting the ground just yesterday. It hadn't snowed much or long, but winter was here. Soon, it would be time for Christmas, and that already had him thinking about what he would get her. What do you get the woman you love when money is no object for her?
Jack glanced up at the arrivals board and now frowned. A new arrival time had been posted. Lisa's flight must not be moving as quickly as he wanted. She was coming in this time from Montreal, Lisa telling Jack she much preferred Toronto, but with her weird travel this time, she didn't have a lot of options when it came to booking the flight. After a quick glance at his watch, Jack calculated-at least another 45 minutes now until the flight landed. He could do that, but maybe he'd see about a cup of coffee too. All of this air travel was so new to him. He didn't like it, but he was going to try and travel some for the woman he loved.
After Jack located coffee and found himself a little more comfortable with the layout of things, he resumed his watch, seated right by the arrivals area after they had cleared the security checkpoint, as well as right by the gate information so he could see if there were any further delays. As he sat, his mind wandered, excited for Lisa to be back, but yes, dreading the looks and comments he would get at home.
With his mind wandering back to the day Lisa left, Jack sighed and closed his eyes briefly at the memory of running into Marion in the kitchen. Why in the world did she pick that morning to get up early? Marion with her smirky attitude-she was just like her mother, but really, she was witty, and that was one of the things he loved about her so much. Good grief. If things weren't awkward enough, Jack dating a friend of Marion's who was younger than his own daughter-it just figured that she would discover that Lisa had spent the night, the first night she'd spent the night. There was no mystery there, no wondering when it started or what they'd been up to, but yes, his daughter had smirked at him all morning. He'd done his best to avoid her in the barn, that is, after he'd scooped up that hair clip of Lisa's she'd left in the bathroom, Lisa groaning about that slip on the way to the airport when Jack delivered it to her, apologizing for forgetting she'd picked it up off his nightstand and then left it. Thankfully, Marion hadn't said much in the barn that morning, but she had just kept meeting Jack's gaze and nodding at him, a mischievous nod, one of those, 'I know what my dad has been doing' nods. He hated it; things had been so awkward.
It was finally that first evening, when Lisa was high above the clouds well on her way to France, that Marion prodded Jack. The two had a habit of sitting in the living room after dinner, usually sipping on decaf coffee by the point in the evening, Jack just always needing his coffee. They would usually read, watch some television, and chat with Amy if she was in a chatting mood-teenagers. You never knew what type of mood she would be in. With daylight now getting shorter and shorter, darkness came earlier and earlier. The chores had been long done, dinner-chili Jack made with a salad Marion made-had been cleaned up, and now that they were alone with Amy off on the phone, she decided to pounce.
"So, Dad," Marion called over to him where she was sprawled on the couch, stretched out with a blanket over her legs, almost looking like she was still a teenager instead of a 45 year old mother. Jack had a fire going for the evening, and he was comfortable in his favorite chair, reading the day's paper, something he had not done with all the events of the day. He was tired, but that was too be expected. He'd had a late night and very early morning, along with the drive to and from Calgary.
Jack raised his eyes over the top of the paper, barely looking at Marion, but meeting her gaze as she gave him one of her smirky smiles. "Yes?"
"How was the airport? The drive to Calgary?"
"It was fine," Jack stated in a very flat tone, turning the page of his paper.
"How was Lisa?"
"She was fine," Jack told her, knowing exactly where she was trying to go with everything.
"Oh, come on, Dad! This is big! I mean, I went to bed, and you two were on the outs, you sitting out there sulking about things. I get up, and man, I'm so glad I couldn't sleep, to see Lisa pulling away and then the hair clip," she burst out laughing as she shook her head. "Imagine my surprise, on so many levels. I mean, you two went from zero to sixty overnight."
"We've been dating for months!" Jack burst out, groaning to himself as he did for taking the bait, so to speak, with Marion. She sat up slightly and nodded at him, glad to get a response. He waved at her.
"I'm aware you've been dating her. She's a friend of mine. I'm just honestly a little surprised."
Jack sighed and put down the paper, gesturing at Marion. It appeared they were going to have this out, and in a way, he just wanted to move beyond it. "Marion, I believe we are all adults here. All I'm asking is that you don't let this get back to Amy. I'm trying to keep some morals around this household. It's bad enough," he started to say and then pursed his lips and shook his head before he spoke again. "What Lisa and I do is private. We are grown adults, and as you continue to point out, I'm well beyond my years. Lisa has been a great surprise in my life, and truthfully, I didn't expect anyone to catch my eye after you mom."
Marion nodded, a sympathetic smile on her face, "I know, Dad. I really do, and I'm happy for you. I really am. Sure, it's a little weird, you know, thinking that you're ahh, with," she said instead of something worse, "someone younger than me, but it doesn't seem to matter when the two of you are with each other. You just fit. I'm kind of surprised you did get beyond Mom, I mean, the idea that you could ahh, be with someone else. I know that couldn't be easy."
"No, it's not been," Jack said quietly, his face reddening as they were talking about that. Marion had a right to her thoughts. She had been married and while being divorced wasn't the same as losing a spouse, she certainly had her own heartbreak. "I loved your mother with everything, Marion, and I wrestle with the idea she would want me to be happy-"
"She would, Dad," Marion now sat up all the way. "She really would want you to be happy. I have no doubt about that. I think she'd really like Lisa. She's spunky, and Mom would enjoy that. Lisa pushes and challenges you, and Mom would like that too. It's okay to move on, Dad. It's been well over a decade. It's okay to love someone else, I mean," she paused and met his gaze, "I assume you do love her if you are now sleeping with her-"
"Marion," he cut her off and frowned at her. The two were quiet, Jack dropping his head as he considered exactly what to say. While he wanted to tell her it was none of her business, here she was, his grown daughter, in many ways until Lisa had come into the picture, his one and only confidant, his partner here at the ranch. He finally looked up and found Marion studying him, patiently waiting for him to speak.
"Yes, Marion, I do love her. I love Lisa, and yes, I've told her that. I wouldn't," he paused and frowned again before he shook his head. "I wouldn't physically escalate things if I didn't. I take it very seriously. Lisa does too."
Marion's smile only widened at Jack's admission, and he shifted in his chair, very uncomfortable with things. She tilted her head at him, "I'm very happy to hear that, and I know this is a big thing for you, that you aren't bringing women home all the time. I know Lisa has told me the same, that she's never brought a man home, gosh, since she was married. That's admirable for both of you, and I realize with the level of saying that, that the two of you must feel this is really special, really deep."
"It is," Jack stated, nodding back to his paper. "Can we be done with this discussion? As I said, I intend to keep Amy out of this, and I hope you will as well."
"Absolutely," Marion waved her hand. "Thank you for that, Dad, for thinking of what Amy should or shouldn't see here-"
"Lisa will be around for dinners and such as she's been," Jack told her as he continued, "and since this is something we haven't had a chance to discuss, I can't give a list of specifics, but neither of us want this to be awkward or a problem with you or Amy. I'm not going to be just parading her in and out, do I make myself clear?"
"I understand, and I won't bring anything up with Amy or around Amy. Thanks, Dad. I am, curious, though, one thing-"
"Do I want to ask? Actually, I know the answer to that. I don't want to ask. I guess the better question I should be asking is can I dodge talking about whatever?Again, I know the answer-probably not."
"I just assume that you and Lisa have talked about something important, especially before you took this big step as you did. As we know, she's younger than I am. I know she's been divorced 10 years herself, 10 years in her prime, gone, Dad. So," she eyed him with a single nod, "I assume she doesn't want a family, I mean to have one? For her, that's a fair question, and there's still time for her, and I know in that manner, you are both in very different places in life."
Jack wasn't sure what to say or do, and he closed his mouth, not sure when it had fallen open in shock. Why did his daughter have to bring up a very important conversation they had not had? Marion was right; he and Lisa were at two very different stages. He was much closer to the retirement home, and if she was interested in a family, that was something they should have discussed. He didn't want to get into that with Marion. He just gave her a nod as he pulled up his paper.
"Lisa and I discuss things, Marion. Thank you very much," and as he ended that conversation, he did mean that thanks. He did need to clarify that with Lisa because the response to that question could put them on two totally different pathways that did not intersect.
"Just making sure all expectations have been addressed, Dad, because honestly, that's one thing Lisa has never mentioned to me before, and we've discussed a lot. Funny I don't even know what to expect with her answer."
Jack was already back to reading his paper, but yes, he had to agree with Marion-he didn't know what to expect from Lisa's answer because it could certainly change things with them, and now he was irritated with himself for not thinking of it himself. Why in the world did he have to get involved with a woman who was still that young?
A quick glance at the board had Lisa's flight still on track with its late landing. 20 more minutes. He nodded as he thought about that. Lisa would be back here with him, but the nagging feeling in the back of his mind was still there. They did need to have a very big conversation, one that Marion was right-it needed to be discussed. It didn't seem appropriate to discuss it over a video chat, especially there at the house in the kitchen, Amy and Marion wandering in and out as he was talking. Sure, they tried to give him some privacy, but the computer was right there in the kitchen. Both had spoken to Lisa too as they'd helped Jack connect the chat, and during the chat, Lisa had mostly vented about how stressed she was with her horse. No, that had not been the time to bring up some important discussions, but now that she was 20 minutes from landing, yes, it would have to be discussed and soon. As much as it pained him, this discussion had to happen before either was even more invested than they already were.
Sadly, Marion's comment about Lisa possibly wanting a family of her own had kept him up at night almost every night she'd been gone. He was struggling with this, really mad at himself for letting his physical desire take over before they had hashed out some very important things. Jack hoped that he didn't come across as nervous when he saw Lisa because he wasn't at all nervous to see her. In fact, he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless; she just did that to him. He couldn't get enough of her, but knowing his aversion to public displays, he wouldn't do that at all. Really, this needed to be a conversation had very soon. He had a feeling Lisa would want to get settled at Fairfield for the next day or so, but honestly, since they'd now progressed things, he knew they'd have to talk about that going forward. He missed her; he wanted her, but if they were on completely different tracks in life, well, sadly, they needed to figure that out now and go their own ways. That scared him. He hoped it wasn't the case, but he had been preparing himself that it could be.
Because, as much as it scared him to admit it, he was falling deeper and deeper in love with Lisa and was starting to imagine his life with her in it, all the time. He was scared of losing her, but he would not hold her back from going after something she wanted. His feelings for her were such a surprise, possibly stronger than ones he'd had before with Lyndy, and that didn't seem possible, until it was, until now.
Jack had ridden out to Lyndy's grave that day after he'd returned from Calgary. It was late into the afternoon, and he knew it would be dark soon, but he felt like he owed it to her. The grave was sentimental to him; he'd spread her ashes, but there was something about that gravestone there, like she could hear him. Jack told her about Lisa, about how surprising she was in his life, and then, he told Lyndy that he loved Lisa, that he hoped she would understand, but that she made him happy. He didn't break down out there, but came close to it, leaving finally with a sense of peace and something in his gut telling him that Lyndy was okay with it, that she was glad he'd found someone younger to keep him young too.
Jack's head snapped up when a group of people came through the security exit, and while he knew it was too soon for it to be Lisa, he looked up at the board. "Landed." He smiled at that, just knowing she was here, not far from him, not an ocean away, here. He decided to get her a cup of coffee, with it being mid-morning and all, knowing she had flown overnight and caught a ridiculously early connection in Montreal. It was a long way to France, almost 24 hours of travel with the time change and connections, and yes, he'd get her coffee. The talk they needed to have could wait, at least for today, because he just wanted at least one more day with her, Lisa, the woman who had surprisingly captured all of his heart.
He was just putting cream into the steaming cup of coffee when he heard a sweet voice, a voice he'd missed hearing in person over the last two weeks.
"Hey, Cowboy, are you willing to share that coffee with me?"
"Lisa," Jack's smile lit up, and he stepped toward her, Lisa grinning ear to ear, almost jumping into his hug. He kissed the side of her head, and Lisa who was holding onto him tightly, pulled back, made eye contact with Jack, and the two embraced in what Jack would call a very public display of affection, one just like he had imagined but swore would never happen. It was just so public, and his feelings were just so intense, but there, with Lisa wrapped in his arms, smiling ear to ear, well, emotion definitely took over. Once they pulled apart, Lisa grinned again at him.
"The board just updated to landed. I thought it would take longer."
"Oh," she waved, "those things seem to be on a delay all the time. We landed about 10 minutes ago now. I sit in first class, so I'm always one of the first off, and today," she waved, "the gate was right here by the exit. Oh, it's so good to see you." Lisa plastered another kiss on his lips, and Jack quickly responded. When she finally stepped back, Jack gave her a nod.
"You look beautiful," he told her. She grimaced.
"I've been traveling for nearly a day. I feel gross. I know I look gross," she laughed, "but thank you. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, indeed. If you don't mind, I'd love to get a cup of that coffee too. Smells heavenly."
"It's for you," he told her, stepping back to the small prep area. He smiled warmly, "I had a cup already, got you one thinking that after all that travel, you might like one."
"You know me well," she smiled, linking her arm through his. Jack nodded, a half smile on his face, thinking about that statement, about how he didn't know the answer to something life changing, something relationship changing that could tear them apart. He nodded, hoping his small smile didn't give away they fear he had. He gestured toward the door.
"Baggage claim?" Jack asked, and before she answered, he gestured to himself, "I want you to see that I am taking a big step here. I'm in the airport, and I can't even tell you how many decades it has been since I've been in an airport."
"I appreciate that and love you for it," she said, leaning up to kiss his cheek as he took her small rolling bag. She put her purse over her shoulder, and the two, arm in arm, walked toward baggage claim.
"Are you hungry? I ate hours ago myself and could certainly eat again, but I know you might be all off on your mealtimes."
"Starving!" Lisa exclaimed, smiling brightly at him. "You know what sounds amazing to me? It's almost lunchtime, and I really, really would love to have Maggie's turkey dinner special. Oh, that sounds so good. France is wonderful, but they do not do a turkey and mashed potato special like Maggie's does."
Jack turned his head and eyed her, trying to hide his shock, "Maggie's? Are you sure you want to go there? We'll see all of Hudson in there, and we both know that Hudson likes to talk."
"Oh, Jack," she swatted at his arm, "you know, let them talk. We love each other, and we're going to have to deal with it, might as well be now. I mean, does it really bother you that much? Most men your age would be parading around their much younger girlfriend," she grinned.
He shook his head from side to side, "I'm not most men. I don't need to parade you around; you are very much your own confident, sophisticated woman. I just was thinking you just got back, and Hudson, well, it's a lot."
"I'm fine with it, and I most certainly know you haven't been talking about our private life together," she said, squeezing his arm. "Honestly, I'm just so happy to be here with you. Lunch together sounds lovely, and I really would enjoy that meal, if you don't mind."
He smiled down at her; it was hard not to smile at that gorgeous face, that incredible woman, her eyes sparking just looking up at him. No, he didn't want more Hudson gossip and feared that the gossip would only increase if the conversation he and Lisa needed to have didn't go well for him. Knowing how happy she was, how glad he was for her to be home, he smiled at her with a nod, "Of course, Lise. Anything you want."
Yes, he'd give her anything she wanted today. Tomorrow, they would have to talk and clear the air, whatever this was. After that, he hoped they would be on the same page to continue with their relationship because he was falling deeper and deeper in love with her each day.