"Are you going to tell your dad you've been speaking to Tim?"

Upon hearing that question, Marion looked across the diner counter at her longtime friend, Maggie, and frowned.

"I mean, not right now," she sighed. "He knows Tim is back, working at Big River as the ranch foreman. That was a fun night at the house, listening to Dad complain about Tim being back in town. He ran into Tim in town, surprised you didn't hear about it," Marion rolled her eyes. "I just let him think I didn't know that Tim was back, but to be fair, I'd only seen Tim myself two days before that. We're just talking," she waved her hand. "I guess for right now, no, I am not going to bring it up. It's nothing more, and the girls don't even know what is going on yet. I'm not telling anyone at home anything. I told Tim that he had damaged things a lot, maybe beyond repair," she rolled her eyes. "Lou isn't even here, and Amy barely remembers him. For now," she gestured with her hand, "we'll see how it goes. I need to be sure he has really changed his ways before I consider even meeting him somewhere like this or potentially anything further than just getting together with him for coffee."

"You know you still love him," Maggie eyed her, but then schooled her features quickly. "Oh, hey Jack," Maggie stood up from where she'd been leaning on the counter talking to Marion over a cup of coffee. "Get all that feed loaded?"

"Yeah," Jack grunted, walking up to the counter. "I'd love a cup of coffee before we head out. That going to be a problem with you ladies?" He eyed them, and Marion grinned at Jack, patting the seat beside her.

"Not at all, I mean, aside from the fact we will just stop talking about you. Have a seat Dad. Join our chat."

Jack rolled his eyes and sighed, taking a seat at the counter. Jack grunted, perhaps louder than he planned because both women turned toward him. "This getting older stuff isn't fun. I ache in places I didn't know existed."

"Dad, I'm sorry," Marion put her arm around his shoulder, with a compassionate smile. "I told you I'd help load that feed, but you sent me in here."

"I can get it. I'm not dead," he made a face at her, sighing. "I can still complain about it too. You enjoy catching up with Maggie, getting all the town gossip. I see it as a win for me."

The women looked at each other, and both looked at Jack, throwing perplexed glances back and forth. Marion jumped on his comment, "Dad, how is it a win for you? You just complained about your muscles aching from loading feed."

Jack smirked, "I don't want to know any of the gossip. I see it this way-you two get to talk. Marion, you get it out of your system, and by the time we are home, you've told me anything actually important, like the town trying to tear down historic buildings, but I don't have to be your little chatting buddy and talk about everyone in Hudson."

Both women started to laugh. Marion hugged on Jack, "We do not just sit here and gossip. We have a lot in common with the girls. We talk about them all the time, and you know," she waved her hand, "both of us being divorced, well that is another common bond."

"I'll be right back," Maggie, patted the counter and picked up the pot of coffee. "Refills."

"Oh, Dad, speaking of the girls, Sorayah and Amy are having a sleepover, so just FYI."

Jack scrunched up his face and eyed Marion, "Great, thanks. I'll head to bed early that night."

"They aren't that bad," Marion waved her hand at Jack. "The girls really aren't that loud."

"Last time they were trying to watch a movie and somehow turned on the television speakers to the max volume, in the middle of the night! That would wake the dead! Had me flying up thinking I was about to be dead from a heart attack."

Marion leaned over and kissed the side of Jack's head while she smiled, "I promise they will be good. You are such a grump. You need to live a little, and I don't mean going on a ride with Paint each day. I love horses as much as you, but seriously, it's up at 5, chores, eat, chores, eat, ride, chores, ride, eat, bed, maybe some random fly fishing in there. You know, I heard Stumpy has started that poker league at the riding club."

Jack looked at her, "I am not interested in that. I'm fine at home with my flies."

"Okay, so, what did I miss?" Maggie walked back to the counter, but before more could be said, she looked to the door to greet her newest customer. It was mid-afternoon, and most were stopping in for coffee this time of day.

"Hi, Maggie, could I get a black coffee to go?"

Marion turned, recognizing that voice, "Oh, hi, Lisa-"

"Marion, hi, well, this is a nice surprise." Lisa walked up to the counter, a warm smile on her face and money in her hand. "Hello to you too, Maggie. You didn't tell either of us we had things in common. Marion and I met the other day and became fast friends." Lisa grinned at the group.

Maggie looked at the trio there in front of her and nodded, "Marion told me you met her along with Amy, and Amy hasn't stopped talking about that saddle since. Come to think of it, you and Marion do have some things and people in common."

"Lisa, this is my dad, Jack Bartlett," Marion gestured to Jack. "Dad, Lisa Stillman, the reason Amy has that saddle."

"Nice to meet you," Jack turned to shake her hand, and Lisa stuck out hers. He smiled at her, "You know, Maggie is right. Amy hasn't stopped talking about that saddle. You might say she's lifted you to celebrity status."

"Oh my, that's quite excessive," Lisa chuckled. "It's very nice to meet you, and I really enjoyed meeting Marion and Amy. You have a lovely family. We were all saying it is surprising that none of our paths have really crossed. Marion and I were a few years apart in school."

"I knew your dad, but not socially," Jack explained. "Good man, and I know it's been quite some time, but I'm sorry for your loss. He and I helped with petitions to stop the Stantons from putting in one of those huge subdivisions on land they bought, land backing up to several ranches, but it would have problem to the water supply. That was the only time I really spoke with him, but I liked his straightforwardness and integrity."

"Ahh, wow, that is very nice of you to say. Thank you, yes, gosh, he passed away 10 years now. Oh, thanks, Maggie," she said handing her money and waving at her as Maggie handed her the coffee to go. "I don't need change."

"Are you sure?" Maggie's eyes widened.

"As I always say, just help someone less fortunate if they need a meal," she smiled. She shifted to look at Marion and Jack. "Well, I suppose now that we've all met, we'll run into each other all over town."

"Lisa, you know what," Marion grinned, glancing toward Maggie. "Maggie and I were talking about getting together, a wine night, away from our girls. We're both single parents, and well, the girls are having a sleepover at the ranch, but Dad," she put her arm around his shoulders, "you'll be home and can keep an eye on the girls." Jack looked at her, almost horrified.

"A teen sleepover, me?" Jack shook his head with a throaty chuckle. "I don't think so."

"Dad, you'll be fine. You were just saying you had no desire to go out anywhere in the evening, so I know you'll be home. Anyway, Lisa, would you please consider joining us for just a fun evening together?"

"Oh, please do," Maggie nodded at Lisa, smiling as well. "The diner will be closed. We will bring out the wine, cheese, chocolate-all the good stuff and just enjoy the evening."

"That sounds lovely," Lisa smiled, adding, "but I don't want to intrude."

"You won't be at all," Marion smiled. "We women of this cowboy land need to stick together. Please come."

Shifting in his chair toward Lisa, Jack gestured as he spoke, "Apparently, the other option for this night would be supervising a teen girl slumber party," Jack rolled his eyes with a sigh. All three women laughed at that.

Lisa nodded, grinning at Jack as she responded to him, "While that does sound fun, very tempting," she chuckled, "I already have plans. She then looked to Marion and Maggie, "I'd love to come. I don't have a lot of close friends in town. Honestly, my work keeps me so busy, but yes, getting out for an evening, especially for some of my favorite things-wine, cheese, sugary snacks. All right," she grinned. "Thank you. I will be there. Please," she put her hand out, "let me at least bring the wine since I'm crashing your little group. I've picked up some wonderful bottles in my travels and haven't had the right time to try them. I would love to share. Honestly, though, I am crashing your evening, so I would love to bring the wine."

"You are not crashing!" Marion smiled. "I think this needs to be a regular thing, right Dad?"

Jack dropped his head and started to shake it. "I learned a long, long time ago never to argue with a group of women. Living with only women has simply confirmed that over the years. Just tell the girls to knock of the giggling by midnight."

"Oh, you love them," Marion kissed his cheek. "Amy has you wrapped around her finger. Okay, ladies," she looked at them, "let's put a date on the calendar."

"I am really looking forward to it," Lisa smiled. "Say," she said, again shifting there as she stood and before she could say more, Jack spoke up.

"Would you like to join us?" Jack waved to the free stool next to him. "It's not like the seat is reserved or anything."

"Well," Lisa hooked her hand, "I was going to just run in and out for my coffee, but maybe another time. I was going to tell you that I mentioned to Scott Cardinal that I'd met you, Marion, and he couldn't sing your praises enough, both of you," she nudged her hand at Jack too. "In fact, he told me that you both saved his life, taking him in and setting him straight."

"Dad did a lot of that," Marion said, hugging on Jack again. Jack frowned and dropped his head.

"We provided the opportunity. Scott had to do the work. He's a good man, very proud of him for getting his life together, for finishing all his schooling and becoming a vet. Just hate that he broke my granddaughter's heart."

Maggie let out a snicker, and Jack looked at her, "What?"

"Nothing," Maggie waved her hand.

Marion elbowed Jack, "Come on, Dad. That's unfair. We both know it was Lou who broke off things with Scott. She wanted to get out in the world. We can't fault that. She's a grown woman, following her dreams. I wish I'd done more of that."

Lisa pursed her lips and nodded at that information, "Ahh hah, well, that gives me some insight. I'd tried to set up Scott with one of my trainers, and he didn't seem interested right now-"

"Poor guy still has a broken heart. These Bartlett-Fleming women with their independent ways," Maggie grinned. "Scott is really struggling to get over Lou."

Jack turned his head toward Marion and frowned bringing up what she'd last said, "What dreams would you have followed? Seems like you are doing exactly what you want to be doing at home."

"Oh," she waved her hand, "you know, I really would have loved doing something totally adventurous like backpacking across Europe. You are aware I just love nature. That would have been a fabulous adventure. Instead, I found a rodeo cowboy and had a different adventure."

"Backpacking across Europe?" Jack asked, lowering his cup of coffee and looking at Marion with a horrified expression. "How am I just now hearing about this? There's nothing safe about that, and besides, why would you have wanted to go to Europe? There's plenty of beautiful countryside right here in Alberta, plenty of hiking."

"For the experience, Dad, come on!" Marion exclaimed. "It's one of those dream trips. I totally would have done that after high school had I not met Tim."

"I don't think so," Jack chuckled, sipping his coffee. Then, he looked at her and nodded, "Although, if it would have been a choice between that and Tim Fleming," he said with a single nod, adding, "I would have funded the entire backpacking trip to avoid the headache of Tim Fleming. Backpacking," he grumbled.

"Oh yeah, sure, lots of people do that," Lisa chimed in, and all eyes turned to her, taking the heat off Jack's comment about Tim. She saw the expression on Jack's face and started to squirm a little, "I mean, I have never done anything like that, nor would I, but I get the dream of travel and adventure. I love to travel, and to do so all over Europe-just so many beautiful sights," she paused with a smile. "Well, it's just simply stunning. Have you been to Europe, Jack?"

"No, and I am proud to say that," he stated with a firm nod at his cup of coffee.

"Dad, you are terrible," Marion sighed.

"Well, that's a shame," Lisa said patting Jack's shoulder. "There are some gorgeous places in Europe, places that even put this scenery to shame." When Jack looked at her like she was crazy, she held up her hand in defense and chuckled, "Sorry, but it has to be said. I love it around here too, just beautiful country, but the world is full of beautiful places. You should get out and see them."

"Hmm, you don't know Jack," Maggie nodded to Lisa and chuckled. "He'll tell you he does get out and see that countryside-each day on his horse, on his own ranch."

The women all started to laugh, and Jack rolled his eyes and waved his hand, "Laugh it up, all of you. Can't a man just have a simple cup of coffee without being laughed at? I've traveled," he gestured with his hand. "See where that got me? It got me right back here. I went places when I was younger, all over Canada and the United States and decided there was nowhere better than here."

"Plus, you returned to take on a 600-acre ranch," Marion leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I hate to break this up, but Dad, we need to get going. I have a client coming in about 45 minutes." Marion turned to Maggie and Lisa, "How about Friday night, this week? I think that's when the girls wanted to have their sleepover."

"Works for me," Maggie shrugged. "How about you, Lisa?"

"I'm free and still in town," she told them. "I'll be here."

Jack stood, seated between Marion and Lisa, and he put money down on the counter, "Ladies, it's been a pleasure, as always," he said with a nod to Maggie and then turned to Lisa. "It was very nice to meet you, Lisa. I hadn't heard you were managing Fairfield, but to be honest, I don't really keep up with the horse racing and breeding businesses around town."

"Yes, 10 years now, and I understand. I was telling Marion that while I know where the different ranches are in the Hudson area, I don't know the ranchers. Lovely to meet you as well, Jack," she said with a small smile. "I look forward to discussing traveling adventures the next time we run into each other," she grinned, reaching to pat his hand. Jack rolled his eyes in jest as he stepped away. He then tipped his hat at her and stepped back from the counter further as he looked at Marion. "I'll let you finish your gossip and meet you out back at the truck. Ladies," he said again, tipping his hat.

They all watched Jack step outside, and Lisa, turning to Marion, commented, "I take it you got your adventure gene from your mother?" Marion and Maggie started to laugh, and Marion nodded at Lisa.

"Oh, most definitely. Sorry he was a grump."

"Not a grump at all," Lisa waved as she started to laugh too. "I get it. My mom hated travel, and I suppose that is why I latched onto my aunt, my dad's sister so much. She travels the world constantly."

Marion nodded, "My mom loved to travel as well, mostly on tour-"

"Marion's mom was Lyndy Bartlett, the famous singer. She put out a lot of records."

"Oh, I've heard that name," Lisa perked up, nodding. "I don't think my dad had any of her records. He wasn't too much into music. So, wow," she raised her eyebrows, "she traveled a lot, eeh?"

"She did," Marion smiled fondly at the memories. "She passed away oh, now 11 years ago or so, but yes, she was constantly on the road with her band. Dad always stayed home and took care of me. I always wanted to go with Mom, off to faraway places. I guess I have my dad's love of horses but otherwise, my mom's free spirit. She was fine at home on the ranch, but you could tell she couldn't wait to get back on the road. Anyways," she said as she stood, "I have to get going. The grump," she nodded her head toward the door, "will get impatient, and I do have a client coming."

"Here," Maggie said, handing Marion a fresh cup of coffee in a to-go cup, "peace offering for Jack. We love him, the old grump rooted in Hudson and all. See you, Marion."

"Bye," she waved, accepting the cup. "Lisa, I will see you Friday, and I'm going to make something for us to enjoy, maybe a spinach dip or something."

"Ohhh, yours is so good," Maggie nodded. "I'll get the bread and cheeses we like."

"If you ladies like pie, I LOVE to make pie and never do," Lisa clasped her hands, giving them both a hopeful look.

"Are you kidding?" Marion's eyes widened. "Umm, we love pie, and I'd never turn down a homemade one." She looked to Maggie and gestured to Lisa, "I think we have the start of a great friendship here. Look at that-you never know. I mean, I got in touch with you because of a saddle."

Lisa shrugged, "You never know. See you Friday."