"Dad, another package arrived," Marion called out to Jack, and he stepped out of the laundry room with the basket in his arms. Jack could see this was more of a crate and was about to say that, but Marion continued, "Oh, this is from Lisa, ohhh, maybe wine?" His daughter looked at him with a hopeful expression, and Jack chuckled, nodding at her as he stepped up to look at the package or crate.
"Yes, she said she was sending wine home and that it might get here before she did," he nodded at it. "We'll need a crowbar for that since it's a small crate."
"I guess this can go in the kitchen instead of that ridiculous pile over by the door," and at the mention of that, Jack shifted his gaze to the rather large pile of boxes outside his bedroom door that had been arriving, courtesy of his lovely wife. Lisa was coming home from France, and he was counting the days and minutes until her arrival. The boxes, not things she'd sent ahead from France, but things the two had discussed and she'd ordered for the house, were there waiting for her, waiting to be opened and their contents unloaded throughout the house.
Jack had taken Marion's suggestion to heart, wanting Lisa to feel at home here in her new home. Even that was something he'd not wanted to mess up, Jack realizing that he often didn't think of the bigger picture, as he hadn't here, assuming that Lisa would just move in without question. As he stood there, rooted in his spot for no reason, his mind wandered back to that conversation he'd had with Lisa now over a month ago.
"Say, when you come home," Jack had said to her on a video chat the two had shared over their meals-lunch for Jack and dinner for Lisa-from their computer webcams, "where is home?" He'd gestured at the computer, eyeing her, hopeful she wanted to move to Heartland.
"Ahh," she snapped her lips shut and thought about it, making a face and then chuckling slightly, "you know, I suppose we didn't talk about that, did we?"
"No," he softly smiled at her. "We were a little caught up in getting married. I know I love you and am very, very glad to be married to you, but we need to decide on living arrangements. I certainly hope those arrangements have us living together since you know," he smirked, "we are married."
"Yes, we are," she said slowly as she nodded with a bright smile on her face. She started to laugh now, dropping her head, "I can't believe we didn't talk about this. I, wow," she pursed her lips again, looking right into the webcam at him, "I'm sorry. I usually don't miss details."
"I'd say the same, but I will confess I just assume everyone will think like I do and want to do as I want. I'm learning," he winked. "I have to do better, so?"
"Well, I don't want to sell Fairfield, and I know you don't want to sell Heartland. Just because we got married, doesn't mean we have to let go of our ranches."
"No, it does not, but that also doesn't mean we can drop a house down halfway between our properties. I mean, that would make this one huge enterprise," he winked at her, "but if my calculations are pretty close to right," he shifted his head from side to side, "and considering the different landowners in between us, that would be somewhere on Val or Stumpy's property, and I know Val wouldn't have that; Stumpy wouldn't be too excited either even if the guy owes me a few."
Lisa laughed at that, nodding in agreement, "If," she put up her hand, "and only if, I mean this is a hypothetical," she narrowed her gaze at him, trying to look serious, but she was also holding back a smile, "if I were to come to Heartland and live there, it would be with you, with Marion, with Amy-"
"Don't forget the horses, cattle, and chickens," he winked. Lisa dropped her head laughing.
"Yes, including all of that, what would you be willing to concede? I'm told I'm a fierce businesswoman, so sell me," she waved her hand.
Jack put his hand up to his beard, like he was going to scratch it and pondered her suggestion. He looked at the screen and saw she was smiling at him and gave him a nod to propose something.
"Normally, if I'm negotiating on my end, I'd offer first right of refusal of next year's calves." He made a face, "Not sure that would sell you."
She burst out laughing and shook her head, "No, that doesn't do it for me. I'd probably offer the same, something about first rights at studding. Hmm, we really need something more appealing."
"I am not saying this as the only offer to you, but I do want you to know that I'm fine with you changing anything in our bedroom you want. Furniture, bedding-all of it, fine," he waved. "Marion has reminded me that I need to consider what you'd want too, and I've just been alone so long, and yes," he smirked, "I'm a guy and don't always think about feelings and all, that it wasn't at the top of my mind. So, the bedroom and oh," he pointed, "the kitchen are yours because Marion doesn't cook. You love to cook, and it definitely would need to have your flair."
She nodded, pursing her lips as she considered it. Then, she waved her hand at him, "I'm also assuming that if you were to move, that would put Marion and Amy alone at the ranch, at least for now."
"Been in my family for generations, as you know, and I do not intend for Tim Fleming to move in here and take over, at least as long as I'm alive and breathing. Can't see it happen when I'm gone, but that would put me to an early grave. I might be tolerating him, but that ranch is not his."
"Okay," she laughed lightly and then gave him a sympathetic smile, "I don't want to sell Fairfield, but I would like to keep it as even a retreat, for us," she waved her hand. "It will feel like a grand hotel getaway. I suppose in the interest of your sanity and because I adore Marion and Amy, I could be okay with moving in, I mean, yes," she winked, "I'd like to change a few things in our room if you are okay with it."
"More than okay," Jack held up his hands in defense. "I should have talked about this before we got married, and I'm sorry I was in such a rush-"
"Well, you had to lock me down, you know, all the Frenchmen beating down my door," she winked.
"Don't I know it-" he pointed at her. "Can I ask a favor though, in regard to overhauling and redecorating?"
"What?"
"The fishing cabin," he stated with a single nod. "I know you haven't been there yet, which I'm going to correct as soon as the road opens to it, but that place is off limits to change, I mean big change. Sure, it needs to be cleaned up and all, but I don't want any crazy redecorating or additions or bulldozing-"
"How bad is it?" Lisa made a face. "Oh dear, should I have seen this place before I agreed to marry you?"
He dropped his head and laughed softly, raising his head to meet her gaze, "It's a special place. I know it's old. I know it's on prime property that could withstand a brand new larger structure, but can that be something that I decide, that I hold onto it as it is?"
"Jack," she leaned forward and folded her hands on the table, "now that is how you negotiate. You've got me," she grinned. "I'm picturing a falling down shack-"
"Not far from it," he muttered, loud enough for her to hear and chuckle.
"The fishing cabin is yours to keep as you want. It's your retreat, just as the house here is mine. I'm excited to go to your favorite place, and I hope that you enjoyed mine, even if yes, it was hard for you to come all this way. I appreciate you did and know it won't be something you do all the time, but the times you do, I will really treasure and respect the sacrifice of you doing so. I might say the same about me after seeing this dilapidated shack," she laughed, and Jack did too. "I might also love it. I'm not just stuck on fancy things. I want a life with you, and yes, I'll come to Heartland. To be honest, I hadn't thought much about it either, as we discovered when you brought it up, but I do love being around Marion and Amy. They are your family, and I'm not going to ask that you leave them. Can I bring a horse?" She perked up at that, and Jack grinned back at her.
"You know," he pointed at the screen, "that barn has four stalls. The way I count, Marion has a horse, Amy has a horse, I have a horse, and yes," he pursed his lips, "it's either your or sounding like Tim with the way he's been hanging around, so you may have a stall. Thank you for saving me from that discussion with him."
Lisa laughed, leaning forward again right up to the screen, "I do love you."
"I love you and can't wait for you to get home, here, to turn this into the home you want for us. Oh," he made a face, "back to the stall-are you bringing that English saddle getup with you?"
"Absolutely," she grinned brightly. "Amy's learning to jump, and she's riding English. Yes, it's coming with me, and there's nothing you can do about it. By the way, that reminds me, I want to send Amy something."
"What?" Jack shook his head.
"It's a surprise," she winked, "but you'll know when it arrives."
"Dad," Jack's head snapped toward Marion who was now giving him a worried look. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," he waved, turning around toward her, his laundry still in his hands. "Just got caught with my mind wandering."
She smiled sweetly at him, "You miss her, don't you?"
"I really love her, Marion," he said, glancing away bashfully. "I will be really glad when she gets home, and we can start our lives here, together."
"Well, I'm glad she wanted to move in here, but you know," she rolled her eyes, "Amy and I might just do some girl getaways to Fairfield."
"That's fine," he chuckled. "Lise won't care. She adores you both. Oh, did you need something?"
"Oh, yes," she held up the bottle she had in her hand, "this case of wine looks fabulous. I was going to show you what she sent."
"Where did you find a crowbar so quickly?" Jack asked, horrified.
She waved her hand, "I walked outside and got one out of my truck. Wow, old man, you really were out of it there, daydreaming about your better half, and yes, I am going to be the first to confirm it," she smirked, "she's your BETTER half, and you aren't the only one who can't wait for her to get here. I'm so excited too."
He put the laundry on the table and followed her back into the kitchen, "You know this isn't going to be one big slumber party each night, you ladies up chatting and eating popcorn all night, laughing."
She raised her eyebrows, "Please, she's going to be here all the time. I don't need to stay up late. She'll be here to chat with during meals, all of it. I'm really glad that you married her dad because I adore her too."
Jack started to pull bottles out of the crate, first trying to read the labels from afar without his glasses, but Marion quickly handed him the pair he had on the kitchen desk. He gave her a smirk and nod as he then continued to go through the wine bottles. She smacked at him.
"You really need a wine fridge for all of this. These aren't the cheap bottles from the supermarket. That's what you should do, put in a wine fridge."
He glanced at her over his glasses, "Maybe I will."
"Please," she rolled her eyes. "The three of us are eating out tonight and no arguments," she pointed at him. "We're going to go find one tonight so that Lisa has that to come home to at least. Make some effort," she smacked at him. "It's great you gave her free reign to redecorate and whatnot, but do something for her. Girls love that," she pointed to him again.
He eyed her but didn't say anything. Instead, he nodded, put the wine down and stepped toward the door.
"Where are you going?" Marion gestured at him.
"I'm going out to tell Amy to close up shop for the night. You just said we're going to town to eat and find this wine fridge. Fine," he nodded. "I'm trying to adapt and all-"
"Wow," she chuckled, covering her mouth, "you have it soooo bad for Lisa. I love seeing this side of you, so accommodating and loving toward her. Can I get like a new truck out of this deal-I mean, new to me because I love old trucks, but I'm tired of the repairs on mine."
"You're getting your best friend here round the clock," he gestured to her. "That's what you are getting out of this."
"Touche," she grinned but gestured out the window.
"Amy got a full jumping arena, so I suppose," she handled another bottle of wine, "this is my gift? I'm not complaining at all. Amy gets that ridiculously expensive jumping arena Lisa sent her as a 'small gift' as she said. You get her home, so I get the wine, right?"
Jack finished putting on his coat and looked over at Marion, "I think the wine is for all of us to enjoy when Lisa gets home. Let me talk to Amy."
Marion called after him, "Or the wine is for me after you and your bride retire for the night. I'm going to need it living here with that, newlyweds." Jack leaned back in and just gave Marion a look, one that she flashed a bright, fake smile at him, and then, he stepped outside, not dignifying her comment with a response.
Several days later, Jack was proud of himself as he carried his tool bag and leftover lumber back toward the hut; he'd finished the wine fridge installation, happy to have a surprise for Lisa. He really owed a lot to Marion; she really was giving him good advice, and while he wanted to kick himself for not thinking of many of the things himself, well, he was just glad she was trying to make Lisa feel so welcome too. He finished putting things away and had thoughts about a good, hot shower. It had been a long, but good couple of days getting that all set in the kitchen. As he walked out of the hut, he waved over at Amy, working away on her new jumps. Jack had told Lisa she didn't need to spoil Amy like that, but Lisa had insisted that to be competitive in show jumping, she needed the jumps. As soon as the ground thawed, he was planning to put in a new fenced area for the jumps; there was plenty of space for it, but now here, the second week of March, the ground was still frozen and snow still on much of the ground. Yes, that would be a project to push to May, but he was happy to do it. Amy was looking better and better riding and jumping, and he just shook his head, thinking about all of the ways Lisa would probably try to spoil them all. He knew it was her nature, to take care of those she loved-all of the boxes of new things piled up inside were proof of that-but he also knew that he didn't want this place becoming a Briar Ridge or anything like that. Lisa knew that too, but he had a feeling he'd have to remind her of that every now and then.
An unfamiliar vehicle made its way down the long driveway, and Jack watched as it approached. Thankfully, it wasn't Tim, and it wasn't Scott either-he knew his favorite vet's truck, but this was a sedan, and he stood there until it pulled up right by him at the barn.
"Hey, Cowboy," Lisa grinned and stepped out of the car, Jack realizing it was some sort of taxi. His eyes widened, and he moved quickly to her, hearing Lisa giggle as he did.
"Lise! What are you doing home? You're scheduled to come in two days from now." He pulled her into a tight embrace with a deep kiss as the driver retrieved her bag. She grinned at his kiss and planted one on him too as soon as they'd broken from the first.
"Just ready to get home," she said, patting his chest. The two notice the driver had retrieved all of her bags. Lisa turned to address him, and with a quick nod, he was off, leaving them standing there in the yard with her three bags surrounding them.
"Oh, it's so good to see you," he said, a huge smile on her face as he pulled her into his side. Jack glanced down at her, nodding as he did, "You look so beautiful."
"What? I've been traveling for 20 hours." She waved at her coat, Jack noted a beautiful taupe long wool coat, "I almost didn't stop here first because I know I look terrible." Jack looked down at her and shook his head, "You, my dear, look absolutely beautiful. No one looks this good after traveling. I'm so glad you are here."
"Lisa, hi!" The couple turned and saw Amy riding up to them on her horse, Rhapsody. "Mom told me you weren't coming home for a few more days."
"Hi, Honey," she grinned up at her and gestured toward the house. "I wanted to get home, my new home," she grinned, and Amy did too. "I do have a question for you-"
"Oh, I love my jumps. I hope you know that."
Lisa grinned and reached over to pat Amy's leg, "You've told me a few times, and I'm so glad to hear that. You're looking good there. I was watching as the driver brought me in. No, my question," she stepped out of Jack's grasp and leaned toward her with a grin, "who has been missing me the most-your mom or your grandfather?"
Amy's face lit up at the question, and she gave Jack a playful look before she turned back to answer Lisa, "Well, that's a very tough question, but I think Grandpa has been working really hard around the house to make it nice for you."
Jack chuckled, and when Lisa glanced up at him, he shrugged, squeezing her shoulder as he pulled her back to his side, "She's right about all of that, but I will promise, I missed you more."
Amy hooked her hand over her shoulder, "I'm going to finish with my training for the day before it gets dark."
"We'll get Lisa settled inside," Jack nodded, now stepping away to gather her bags.
Amy called back over her shoulder, "Oh, I won't be out here that long. With all the boxes inside, that's going to take days."
Both Jack and Lisa laughed, Jack now with two bags there to pull toward the house and Lisa throwing one on her shoulder. Before they started walking, she leaned up and kissed him again, "Really missed you."
"I'm so glad you are here. Feels like so long ago we got married."
"That bad, eeh?" Lisa eyed him with a frown and then a smirk. "I know what you mean," she laughed. "Gosh, it's been two months tomorrow already. Wow."
He nodded, "And we've barely been in the same country most of that. We're going to change that."
"Yes," she nodded in agreement, but then looked up at him with a frown, "I will have to go to Florida sometime soon to take a look at some horses. That's all part of my routine."
He frowned back, the two still walking to the house, side by side, "Well, I can't even pretend I like hearing that, but I know it's your job. I hope before you have to go we can start to get things settled here. You have a huge stack of boxes that have arrived, and I told you the wine you shipped arrived too."
She nodded, the two taking the steps to the house now, "I do love travel, but married to you now," she shook her head, "yes, will be very hard to leave. Hopefully, I will be here for a few weeks. Plus," she leaned in, "you promised me a trip to this famous fishing cabin."
"I did, and I'll deliver but," he pointed at her, "road up there is still closed, at least until April. We'll have to play it by ear, but as soon as we can, we have a date to the cabin. Until then," he leaned in slightly, smiling at her, "maybe I can take you out on the town, I mean, the town of Hudson," he winked and she chuckled, "tomorrow evening for this two month milestone. It seems only fitting we do that and share with all of Hudson. Surprised it hasn't gotten out yet with how Val was cryptic with me last month."
"Yes," Lisa frowned and nodded, "she has something up her sleeve. She's not one to sit on information, and as I told you, Dan was at the track, and I did tell him we had gotten married. I didn't want to hide it-"
"Nor should you have. I'm not a fan of the guy," he rolled his eyes, "I mean," he gestured at Lisa, "he hurt you and let you get away, good for me, though, but I agree that telling him then was the right decision. I'm glad you two can work together still without issue. That's not common with a divorce."
"He was honestly okay with it, but yes, with Val dropping his name and all, she has to know. Maybe she's licking her wounds, sad she didn't scoop up the very sexy cowboy I did," Lisa lowered her voice and grinned at Jack, leaning up to kiss his cheek.
"Well, in the spirit of tradition and now that you are home," Jack pulled the bags to the side and then turned back to Lisa, gesturing at her.
"Yes?" Lisa tilted her head, but before she could say more or react, Jack had scooped her up. She yelped, "Jack!"
"One tradition I'm keeping," he winked at her, adding, "even if it's two months later-carrying you over the threshold."
"Put me down you silly man," she swatted at him as she laughed. Lisa waved toward Amy on her horse, "Amy is going to think you are crazy. You are crazy."
"I'm sure she already does, marrying someone completely out of my league, but welcome home, Lise," and with that, he stepped inside and then put her down. He winked at her, the grin only widening on his face.
"You silly, silly, wonderful man," she said, stepping up and wrapping her arms around his neck. "Hmm, I can't tell you how excited I was to get back here. It was all I could do to not call you and tell you I was coming in early. I thought about telling Marion, but you two are equally biding for my time."
Between lazy kisses, Jack brushed her hair out of her face and spoke quietly, "We can both compete for your time, but at the end of the day," he said before he kissed her softly once then twice, "it's you and me. We have our own retreat, just you and me in there," he nodded toward the bedroom. "I'll share you with Marion some, but that is our room only."
"I can most certainly agree with that," she told him before she added a few of her own lazy kisses right there in the kitchen of her new home.