"Merci," Lisa could be heard at the door, and Jack walked toward it, cringing as he saw her close it. She turned to him and frowned, gesturing to her bag.
"Okay, so my bag arrived, but yours still hasn't. Tracking shows that it will be arriving from Madrid on the next flight this evening."
"Madrid!" Jack exclaimed, waving his hand. "We didn't even go to Spain. My bag went to Spain, but we came through Paris? I'm telling you, Lise," he shook his head, "traveling is not my thing."
"I know," she said with a frown, now, rolling her bag down the hallway toward the bedroom. "Look on the bright side-thanks to your amazing girlfriend," she said as she flashed a smile, "you were warned and packed a couple changes of clothing in your carry on bag, a brand new rolling bag that same amazing girlfriend got you for Christmas. On top of that, we're here at the house," she waved her hand, "with a washing machine, toiletries, and most of what you need even without your bag. Now," she stopped rolling the bag when she was now in front of him, her tiny hallway very narrow, just large enough for the two to stand there face to face, "remember, it should be here tonight, and they will deliver it when it comes." She leaned up and pecked his lips, then giving him a frown, knowing he was frustrated. "Come on," she nudged her head, "follow me so I can make sure my bag is in one piece here."
Jack groaned but he did follow her into her room where she used the very small floor space to unzip the bag and check it. Everything appeared to be untouched, so she nodded and looked up at Jack.
"I'm going to unpack. I'm very sorry your bag hasn't arrived yet."
"I know," he grumbled, waving his hand. "I'm going to go back to the porch and sit there."
"You mean sulk?" Lisa called after him, not hearing a response. She covered her mouth in a chuckle and sighed, knowing that baggage woes weren't fun but sometimes part of travel.
Meanwhile, Jack did retire to the porch where he had a cup of coffee still waiting for him. He'd been really hopeful his bag would be with hers. How had their bags been separated and both been lost to different places? With a delay due to low visibility in Calgary, they had been tight on time in Toronto, which caused for the bag mishap. They'd had to run, okay, until one of the gate assistants with a stupid electric cart rolled up and saw Jack, in his old age, and offered to get them to the gate. While he had huffed at the comments about his elderly, at the end of the day, he'd been glad for the lift to the gate. Their gate had been quite a hike away, and honestly, had it not been for the help, they may have missed their flight like their bags had.
No, that hadn't even been the start of Jack's travel woes. He'd been hassled at airport security, and that, well, he was just glad everything had worked out. He'd sent Lisa though the line in front of him, being the gentleman he was, and while he didn't know it at the time, that little act of chivalry had saved his surprise. Stupidly, Jack had the ring he planned to give Lisa in his vest pocket, and he had a vest on over his button down shirt. He hadn't been asked to remove the vest as part of his clothing; it wasn't a coat, but, he'd set off all kinds of alarms as he tried to walk through the metal detector. Lisa, who had breezed right though and was waiting on the other side to collect their things coming through the scanner, had turned back at the sight of Jack causing a stir. The agent had stopped him and asked if he had any kind of heart condition or anything else that would set off the alarm, and he'd had to quietly explain he had an engagement ring in his vest.
"I'm very sorry. I have an engagement ring in my vest pocket, and I really don't want that lovely lady waiting there to see it."
The agent had looked to Lisa and then back to Jack, not commenting, but Jack could tell by the look, the agent was thinking-this guy with that woman? He was sure he would be the chatter of the breakroom, but thankfully, the agent was understanding and accommodating, gesturing to Jack to take off his vest.
"Instead of removing the ring, just take off your vest and send it through the scanner. Shouldn't be a problem, but I'll still have to pull you to the side now and pat you down."
Jack nodded at that, happy to oblige, and he tried to wave Lisa on, thankful that the agent did that, seeing as how she would collect his vest before he finished with his pat down. Lisa was told to wait just beyond the screening area, and Jack thanked the agent for his help and his discretion.
Still, it had been annoying, his own fault for not putting it in his carry on bag, but the ring had him all twisted in knots and not thinking clearly. It had him in a mood, and now, the lost luggage was only making the situation worse.
Now, as he sat on Lisa's back porch sipping on his coffee, he sighed, not really comfortable here. The coffee was different, and honestly, he didn't like it. It was too strong, and Lisa had picked up on that the first time Jack had tasted it yesterday morning. That was the other thing, they'd been here two days now and were just getting their bags. Yes, she'd been right to suggest packing some clothing in the carry on bags, but he would have to do some laundry before bed if that dumb bag of his didn't show up. The coffee irritated him. She'd offered to get anything else.
"Oh, the coffee," she frowned at him, grimacing. "You don't like it."
"It's fine," he said, putting his cup down on the counter that first morning. They'd slept until almost 10 AM because of the horrendous time change. He wasn't used to an eight-hour swing, and that really was messing with him right now, definitely the latest he'd ever slept, but this morning had been much better, 7 AM.
"Jack," she sighed, crossing her arms there as they stood at the counter, both with their cups on it. "I know you, and I can read your face. I also know this is much stronger than what you drink at home. It's not what I usually buy here, but last trip here, it was all the store had. For some reason, they were out of all coffees."
"It's fine," he said, sipping again, but apparently not hiding his disdain well. She sighed.
"We'll get more coffee, promise."
Apparently, the village nearby, the one Lisa loved walking into each day, seemed to only like this blend of coffee, because even on their walk into the village, it was still all the small market had. They had received a call about their bags, the airline promising the bags would be delivered that afternoon, so they hadn't gone out anywhere else. No bags appeared, and this morning, it was a repeat of the coffee situation. Jack had found some honey that he'd tried in the coffee, and it wasn't perfect, but it was much better. At least today, though, the airline had delivered one bag, but they were still almost hostage at Lisa's place until the other bag showed up.
Looking out over her property, Jack tried to relax. The views were gorgeous; he had to admit that. She had a small vineyard behind the house, one she rented out to a local farmer who sent her a check for a portion of the profits. She had told Jack about it, that it was a good financial deal that paid a lot of her bills, and now, as he looked out over it, he could see it was a good deal for both parties-she had a great view and was paid for it, and the farmer used it for what he needed too.
Looking around, the area was just so different than anything back at home. The houses looked different, walking into the village was different, the language-oh, don't get him started on the language. That was driving him crazy, not being able to understand anyone. Lisa saying 'merci' earlier was about the only French he'd picked up. He didn't mind the walks into the village, but he wasn't excited about getting groceries almost on a daily basis, 'the French way' as Lisa told him, at least in this area. The bread was too hard, even though people raved about it. He hadn't minded the croissants, and the coffee they'd at least bought from a coffee shop in the village had been okay, but right now, Jack supposed he was homesick and missing the comforts of home.
They were scheduled another day of rest and relaxation before Lisa needed to go over to work. Jack knew that if he hadn't been with her, she probably would have gone already, and he'd told her she was free to go while he stayed back to wait on the bags. She seemed fine staying home with him, both still really tired from their travels and Jack still in his antsy state with that ring almost burning a hole in his pocket.
Well, right now, it wasn't physically in his pocket, but it was tucked into the drawers he was using in the bedroom. Now that it was upon him, proposing to her while here on the trip, he was in knots about it, unsure of when to pop the question. He was pretty confident she'd say yes; okay, he knew she would, but he wanted to get it right. It was odd, in a way, that the last time, he'd asked Lyndy's father, almost his way of psyching himself up; once he'd spoken to her father, there was no turning back. He had to propose and had. Man, that had been a long time ago. This time, there was no parent to ask, and even though he'd told Marion of his plan, he didn't have that push as he'd had before. Maybe, though, Marion was worse because he was sure she was ready and waiting for that phone call. Lisa had called her yesterday, and he thought for sure Marion would spill the beans on the phone, probably thinking Lisa was calling with the good news, but thankfully, she'd kept a lid on it.
"Hey," Jack heard and looked up at the familiar voice, finding Lisa there, stepping out onto her patio and closing the door. She frowned at him and stepped around to sit with him. Jack shifted, and Lisa sat sideways there on his lap, Jack wrapping his arm around her back, and Lisa putting one of her arms around his shoulders.
"I'm very sorry your luggage hasn't arrived."
"Lost luggage," he waved. "Just an annoyance right now."
"Oh," she smirked, "not lost, just delayed," and rolled her eyes saying that. She was mocking the airline for telling her that repeatedly. Jack appreciated she had been on the phone with them a few times, and he groaned and shook his head at her comment.
"They are giving a credit to both of us for the delay, but yours is still dependent on when your bag arrives, so there's that."
He nodded, "I do appreciate you making me pack some things in that carry on bag. I wouldn't have even packed a second bag, honestly, but thanks. I've managed to get by. I'm glad your bag arrived. None of my clothing has any value, but I know yours is all pretty expensive."
She nodded, now shifting slightly to snuggle up with him there. He pulled her into his chest, and she put her free hand on his chest, the two relaxing there. Jack sighed loudly as he relaxed, and the two were quiet until Lisa smacked at his chest.
"Jack, are you still drinking that coffee you hate? Honey, I'm so sorry. I thought we'd be able to get to a bigger supermarket today to get something else. I can run out now-"
"No, no," Jack gripped her side, "no coffee in the world is worth that. I'm very content right here with you sitting here with me." He kissed the top of her head, and both dropped into silence again before Lisa spoke with her face almost buried in his chest.
"You don't like it here very much, do you?"
"It's fine, Lise, just really different than home. I'm used to things the way they are at home. It's not that I don't like it, just not what I'm comfortable with. I do like your house here, little small, but not if it's just been you. I do like this view."
"You've barely left this porch since you arrived," she chuckled, smacking at him again. "I was wondering if you were going to sleep out here."
He shrugged, a small smile forming on his face, "I might have, but it does get cold out here, and I don't have my usual pajamas with me, which reminds me, I will need to do some laundry before bed so I have something to wear."
"And what if you don't?" Lisa mumbled from her spot. Jack shifted his head, trying to get a look at her.
"What?"
"What if you don't do you laundry tonight?"
"Then, I won't have anything to wear," he chuckled, running his hand up and down her back.
"Okay," she nodded, "no rush as far as I see it, I mean, if you don't have anything to wear to bed." Jack burst out laughing and then kissed her head again, still chuckling.
"I'll try to remember that." They were interrupted with Lisa's doorbell ringing. She sat up, her hair now slightly tousled as she frowned at Jack.
"Who could that be? I don't exactly have a long list of friends just popping by here. Let me check," she told Jack, patting his chest as he shifted again, trying to help her get up off his lap. "How about a glass of wine instead of the coffee, eeh?" She nodded to him. "You get that, and I'll get the door."
Jack nodded at her suggestion and groaned as he stood; he was old, no doubt about that, and no matter how young Lisa might make him feel at times, his body revolted at other times. The long flight had been agonizing with his arthritis. He was stiff and tried to walk around almost each hour, but something about sitting there that long, even in first class, had really been hard on him. He shuffled into the kitchen, just inside the back porch area and had just uncorked the new bottle of wine when Lisa called to him.
"Jack?"
"Yeah," he said at the same time he started walking to the door. As he rounded the corner, he clapped his hands together. "My bag! What is it doing here? I thought the airline said it was in Madrid." Lisa finished signing the paperwork and nodded at the delivery driver before she closed the door. Jack reached for the handle to pull it further into the house.
"I have no idea what that airline is doing, some of the worst tracking I've seen in all my travels, but," she smiled at him and gestured, "your bag is here."
Jack nodded and wheeled it into the bedroom where he repeated the actions of Lisa from just a short time ago. He checked his bag and found it to be undisturbed, nodding as he looked back up at her.
"Do you want to unpack?"
"Nah, I will later," he said with a small smile. "You know," he nodded to her as he grunted while he stood, "that means I have plenty of clothing for tonight, no laundering needed."
Lisa laughed at that as she nodded, "Darn, my loss."
Standing there, looking at her so relaxed in the doorway, Lisa leaning against it, her leg crossed as she leaned, her hair slightly messy because they'd just been in and out all day on some short walks, well, it almost took his breath away. She didn't have on much makeup at this late hour of the afternoon, and that didn't bother him in the slightest. She was absolutely beautiful, and he wanted her to be his, officially. In that moment, he swallowed hard and gave her an almost nervous nod.
"Say, doesn't the sun go down early here?"
"Ahh, yes," she looked at her watch, "gosh, in probably another 30-45 minutes. I haven't looked up the exact sunset, why?"
He hooked his hand toward the window, toward the back of the house, "Let's take a walk, maybe through your vineyard? We've been trying to stay close to the house for the bags, and they are here. It's a little late to venture anywhere else today, not that I really want to, but what about a short walk? Say, we can even take a glass of wine as you suggested we have."
Her smile widened as Jack explained his idea, Lisa even nodding at him, "I like that idea."
"If you don't mind," he nodded toward her bathroom, "I'll freshen up and be right out. Can you get the wine?"
"Sure," she told him with a wink. "See you outside, Cowboy."
This was it, do or die, not really, but this was it. He'd come up with this idea of a walk to propose, really otherwise having no plan or time to do so. Jack knew he was going to make himself miserable and possibly remain his grumpy self if he didn't just do this now. Something told him it was time, right now, this evening, the two of them just in their ordinary, lounge around the house attire. With Lisa now out of the room, he sprang into action and retrieved the ring from his drawer. It stuck out in his pocket, so he opened his bag and pulled out the lightweight jacket he had brought, very thankful his bag had arrived just for the dumb jacket. Jack moved quickly into the bathroom and splashed some water on his face. He looked into the mirror and saw the old, tired lines on his face. What she saw in him, it did make him wonder. He was about to ask a very beautiful and special lady to commit to him for the rest of his life, because he knew, with their age difference, she would most definitely outlive him. It was a lot, overwhelming almost, his mind wandering back to his engagement to Lyndy and then in the same flash in his mind, seeing her lying there, taking her last breaths. Man how life worked. Here he was, an old man now, with a gorgeous woman in love with him. Oh, he loved her, and life just did work in very mysterious ways.
"Jack?"
Jack wiped his face with the hand towel and opened the bathroom door.
"I'm coming, Lise,' he said, and she stepped around the corner, now seeing him.
"Oh," she said with a warm smile, handing him his glass of wine. "I didn't hear you and wondered if you'd snuck out before me."
"No," he chuckled, gesturing to his jacket, "just grabbed this because I know it cools off in the evening."
"Ahh, I'll grab my sweater," she said, and he watched as she retrieved it from the hook she had on the back of the door. He smiled softly at her, Lisa there, not at all her 'put together' self in the sense that she was very casual, and he loved it. Even at home, she was always very put together because she was coming over to the house or at work. He had rarely seen this 'at home' comfortable version of her and really did love it. He loved her, but this was something that just made him realize even more she was the woman for him.
"You ready?" Jack snapped out of his gaze and looked to Lisa now who had spoken but was also studying him. He nodded and gestured for her to walk ahead of him, both with their wine in hand. Jack patted his side; they would return to the house shortly, hopefully as an engaged couple, something he never would have imagined just a year ago.
Once they were outside and had walked down the stone pathway to the garden, the two walked side by side, Lisa humming at the beautiful views.
"So, tell me about this place, when you bought it and all," Jack encouraged her. He did want to know the answer to that, but right now, he just needed her talking, talking about something she could explain and not ask his input. He was getting more and more nervous by the second, sure his blood pressure had to be rising. This shouldn't be so stressful; he knew she'd say yes, but just putting himself out there, a 66-year-old man now, asking a woman to marry him. It was almost absurd at his age, and he knew in that moment that he loved her more than he could imagine because he was willing to take this plunge, willing to dive into a marriage again, but it was all worth it; Lisa was an absolutely amazing woman that he could not and would not let get away. He loved her too much.
"Jack," Lisa stopped walking and turned toward him, putting her hand on his arm. He hadn't heard a word she had said, but he stopped walking and shook his head slightly, feeling lightheaded now. "Honey, are you okay?"
"Fine," he said through a raspy voice now, and he coughed trying to clear his voice. Why was it raspy all of a sudden. He took a sip of his wine, but he found Lisa studying him, looking very concerned. Jack took another sip and wave his hand at her, "I'm sorry, Lise, just," he paused but added, "I'm fine."
Lisa tilted her head at him and shook hers, "No, you're not. What's wrong?"
He couldn't tell her what was wrong-she was what was wrong, not that she was a problem, but he was now lightheaded and apparently almost tongue tied because the moment was upon them. He wasn't sure even how far they were into the vineyard, not that he had a spot in mind, but he felt like an idiot, unaware of his surroundings and almost unable to function. He could do this; he had done this before. So many did this without knowing the answer they would get or at least not being 100% sure, but he was sure. He knew she would marry him if he could just ask her now.
"I, ahh," he tried to start talking but paused, feeling the blood rushing to his head. Without another thought, he dropped right to his knee there in front of Lisa.
"Oh my gosh!" Lisa exclaimed loudly, putting her hand on her mouth. "Jack! You're having a heart attack!"
She dropped to the ground and had her hand on him, one hand reaching to pat at his face. "Jack? Can you hear me? Your face is flushed, red honestly, you're hot, and do you know you're now down on the ground? Jack, stay with me. Oh, Honey, stay with me!"
"No! I'm not having a heart attack," Jack found his voice, suddenly things clear to him as he snapped out of his proposal fog. This had gone so wrong, and as he was trying to now move and think in what felt like slow motion, Lisa was trying to remove his jacket and have him lie down with this 'heart attack' she felt he was having. Before she could panic further, Jack found himself snapping out of his stupor. Why had things gone so sideways?
"I'm down here on my knee because I was trying to ask you to marry me!"