"Oh, shhh, look who's here," Maggie nudged Marion at restaurant counter where the two had been catching up on the latest, well, mostly on the Jack and Lisa gossip. Marion turned and smiled at her dad.
"Hey, Dad, on your way to Amy's competition?"
"Ladies," he said with a nod and tip of his hat, stepping up to the counter. He sat down next to Marion and looked over at her. "Yes, I am. I missed lunch, mending fence down by the river all day, so Maggie," he glanced at her, "could I get a piece of pie and cup of coffee?"
"Sure, Jack, anything else?" Maggie asked.
He shook his head, but Marion jumped in, "Dad, you can't go missing meals."
"I'm fine, Marion, "he sighed. "I'll be okay missing lunch today. It's too late in the day to have some big meal, and I'm too hot from being outside for soup."
"Oh, well, I have an idea," Marion looked at Jack. He glanced at her, but he saw her then grin at Maggie, "Maybe you should take Lisa to dinner after Amy's competition. She's still coming, right? She thought she could make it."
Jack frowned with his head slumped slightly and then turned to eye both Marion and Maggie. Both women were grinning at him. He sighed and rolled his eyes, waving his hand at them, "Oh, come on, you two. I'm sure I've been the center of your afternoon gossip. Just keep your pants on with your excitement."
Maggie raised her eyebrows, grinning at Marion and then at Jack before she spoke, "Seems like we're the one who should be telling you to keep your pants on, Jack." At that, Marion burst out laughing, and Jack looked up at them horrified that his words had been twisted and used against him. He sighed and just shook his head.
"This is exactly why I try to keep my private life, private. Lisa and I have been out a couple fo times, yes, but that's been it."
"A couple times?" Maggie's eyed Marion, catching Jack's comment. "Wait, we head about the winery. What else?"
Jack made a face and groaned slightly, finally looking up to see both women staring at him. In one way, he was surprised they hadn't heard from Lisa. He met their gaze, "Okay," he said putting his fingers on the counter and drumming them, "I took her to the rodeo."
"The rodeo? You mean, when you went the other day? You took Lisa?" Marion's eyes widened, and she smacked at Jack. "Dad! I had no idea. Man, you are sneaky."
Maggie's face gave off a horrified vibe, and she gestured at Jack, "Wait, Jack, did Lisa actually like the rodeo? That's not really her thing."
"She did," he nodded. "Had a great time. I mean, obviously, it went well with you two here grilling me about the two of us now dating."
Marion smacked at Jack's arm and then pointed to Maggie, "Her cowboy hat! You got her that, didn't you? I noticed she had a beautiful hat at her house, but it surprised me."
"That's right," Marion nodded. She reached over and swatted at Jack with her dish towel, "Jack, okay, impressive. I have to hand it to you."
Jack dropped his head, but when he looked up, he had an almost bashful look on his face and gestured again, "You can't go to the rodeo without a hat. Standard procedure."
"Oh, Dad," Marion flung her arm around his shoulder, "we are happy for you, really. We love Lisa, but we can also tease you. I mean, that wasn't even teasing about your ages."
"Here you go, Jack," Maggie put down his coffee and pie, giving him a nod. "I'm happy you and Lisa talked and saw what we see. She's great, and I think she's going to be great for you. In all seriousness," she told him, "you should think about taking her to dinner tonight."
He rolled his eyes at the two of them and waved his hand, "I'm a grown man and have managed my personal life for a very long time. Besides," he said, with the coffee cup up by his mouth as he dropped his voice, "already have plans to take her to dinner."
"Oh, yes," Marion laughed, and Maggie reached over to high-five Marion. Jack watched the interaction with an annoyed waited for them to calm down before he spoke again, "She's leaving for three weeks in France tomorrow. Of course, I planned to see her tonight, and Marion, to answer your question, yes, she's coming to Amy's competition. She's going to meet us there after she finishes with a buyer this afternoon.
"Well, that's great to hear, Dad," Marion slid off the stool and picked up her things. She kissed his cheek, "I'll see you at the competition. I have to go pick up Amy from school and get her over there. For an old guy, you seem to be doing okay with this dating thing. I'm proud of you."
Jack frowned, but reached up to pat Marion's hand on his shoulder as she left. Marion waved to Maggie, and Maggie worked her way down the counter, filling coffees. When she got back to Jack, she put her elbows on the counter to speak to Jack.
"Yes?" Jack glanced at her as he ate.
"Tell me about this winery date," she nodded at him.
"Nothing to tell," he shrugged. "We went there on my birthday, had a nice time."
"Mmm," Maggie nodded. "I know there's more. Marion said she saw you kissing Lisa before she got into her car at the ranch, and from her view, it didn't seem like the first time, so the winery?"
Jack finished his pie and pulled out his wallet, throwing down a few bills. He took the last swig of his coffee and nodded at Maggie, "You know that I'm not going to discuss that with you. Marion has always been perceptive," he said with a nod. "Afternoon, Maggie."
After making his way over to the competition arena, Jack found Marion in the stands and made his way up to sit with her. She clasped his hand when he sat down.
"Why am I so nervous?"
Jack shrugged, "Amy's moving up to the junior level, big jump to that level of competition. She's a good rider. Don't put pressure on her. She'll figure things out. Let's see how she does on Buttercup today." As he was finishing saying that, they both caught sight of Amy down with her horse and school coach. This was a school competition, and right now, Amy was focusing on that. Jack and Marion waved at Amy, and she grinned back at them.
"Why, hello, neighbor," both Jack and Marion heard and turned to see Val Stanton sitting down just across the aisle from them, smiling brightly at Jack and offering a small wave. Marion nodded at Val with a tight smile, and Jack did the same. Val leaned over toward them, "Gosh, girls are getting big, aren't they Jack? Ashely and Amy moving to the junior level. I know Ashely is more than ready with her prize-winning jumper, Zeus. Has Amy been able to get any practice in with all the chores and things she has to do around your ranch?"
"Amy's doing just fine, Val," Jack said with a small smile. "Looking forward to the competition."
Jack spotted Lisa then as she was scanning the stands looking for him. There was a good crowd for the competition, 30 or so riders from the school team of various levels. Jack put his hand up to catch Lisa's attention, and she saw it, giving him a big smile. He watched as she made her way toward him, looking very classy and incredibly beautiful with her hair in soft waves and wearing black fitted pants and a cream-colored short-sleeve sweater. Something about it just really accentuated her figure, and while it was hard to believe, she seemed more beautiful each time he saw her.
"Lisa's here," Jack leaned over toward Marion. Marion, who leaned around, figuring out seating, moved over, leaving a spot for Lisa between her and Jack. She met Jack's gaze as she slid over, and she rolled her eyes, "I thought you'd rather her sit between us than on the outside where Val can shoot daggers at her. Dad, you know Val has been gunning for you. She's horrible."
Jack sighed but nodded his thanks, and as Lisa approached, she smiled brightly at them.
"Hi, you two," she said, and Jack stood to let Lisa in next to him. He reached for and squeezed her hand as she stepped in and sat down. He wanted to do more, to kiss her on the cheek at least, but this was not the time nor the place. He did not like public displays especially when a lot of his neighbors were sitting around him. Once he sat down, he lightly put his hand on her back and leaned toward her.
"Hi yourself. Glad you could come," he said with a soft smile, his hand still resting on her back. "We still on for dinner after this?"
"Yes, looking forward to it," she smiled brightly, reaching to pat his knee. She left her hand there, resting on his knee, which Jack didn't mind at all. Jack nodded and sat back, his hand that had been on her back now reaching to hold her hand. He started to turn his attention to the arena, but caught Val staring at him. He gave her a polite nod, but she quickly looked had a pretty good idea why Val was staring, definitely something to do with the gorgeous blonde sitting next to him, but he tried to block Val and put his attention on the competition and Lisa. Lisa, still holding his hand, which made him smile slightly, was turned and talking to Marion, something about the riding boots Lisa had given Amy during the week. Jack had at least spoken to Lisa each day and had met her for a quick lunch in her kitchen at Fairfield earlier in the week. He was not looking forward to her three weeks in France, but she had told him that was part of her job.
"Ahhh, why is Val Stanton glaring at you and shooting daggers at me? I mean, I can't stand her, but we usually don't have to interact much. What's the deal?" Lisa shifted slightly to look at Jack which also meant she was facing toward Val. As Jack was about to answer, he saw Lisa plaster on what he knew was a fake smile, and at a tilt of his head, he could see that it was directed at Val.
"Val wants Dad, has for years," Marion leaned over, hearing the question.
"Oh, that's not the case," Jack grumbled, frowning. He met the eyes of both Lisa and Marion looking at him, and finally, he rolled his. "Fine, it probably is," and as Marion was about to correct him, he amended his comment. "Fine, she does, but," he locked eyes with Lisa, "it is completely one-sided. She's not that bad, just a longtime neighbor, but there's nothing there."
Lisa made a face and sighed, nodding her head as she turned back to look at the arena, "Oh, great. The woman I despise the most in this town because of her petty business practices and lousy ways of handling horses is after the one man I care about here."
"I promise," he reached for her hand and squeezed it, not letting it go before he added, "nothing there. You have to admit that it didn't take me long after you caught my eye to act on it, so know that whatever she thinks-it's what she thinks, not me." Lisa glanced up at him, her bright eyes meeting his, and she seemed to be reassured, squeezing his hand again and holding on tightly as the competition announcer began speaking.
Once the competition wrapped up, with Amy coming in fourth place, the trio stood and waited their turn to walk down the steps. Val was gathering her things and smiled smugly at the trio.
"Second place for Ashely," she nodded. "It's a start, but it's not good enough. Oh, I'm sorry Amy didn't place higher," she told them, putting her hand over her heart. "And, Lisa Stillman, what a surprise," she almost cackled. "I suppose you're now sponsoring Amy at your stable? I mean, that's the only way one gets anywhere in this."
"Hmm, Val," she said with a polite nod at her.
"Oh, there's Amy," Marion, who was standing behind Lisa, put her hands on her shoulders and leaned toward her. "Let's all go down and see Amy."
"Val, congratulations to Ashely," Jack said with a polite nod, gesturing for both Marion and Lisa to walk ahead of him. As they reached the arena floor, Lisa groaned, leaning back toward Jack to speak quietly to him.
"What's up?" Jack asked, leaned toward her.
"That man over there, one of the judges, the one in the middle," she told him and added, "that's Dan, my ex-husband. I didn't know he was judging the competition."
Jack took that moment to turn his attention to Dan. He'd not met him but had heard his name in town, another big-time stable, that until he had started seeing Lisa, didn't realize Dan had any connection to Lisa. Jack sized him up, Dan smiling with a great smile, sharply dressed, and laughing with someone. Dan was around Lisa or Marion's age, definitely not anywhere Jack's age, looked pretty fit, and was honestly a good looking man. He glanced from Lisa to Dan and back to Lisa, trying to picture the two together, and he just frowned. Dan seemed like a good fit for her, but she had told Jack that Dan was only interested in money and status.
Snapping out of his gawking, Jack turned to greet Amy who was already being hugged by Marion and Lisa. He stepped in and hugged her too, very proud of her placing at her first junior competition. Fourth place was nothing to frown at with the ages of these girls. He felt Lisa move to his side and clasp his fingers in hers, which brought a smile to his face. He looked down at her and found her bright eyes sparkling as she grinned up at him. He returned her smile and gave her a single nod, one he hoped indicated he was glad she was here and really wanted to do more than hold her hand right now.
"Amy," they all heard and turned to see Tim Fleming of all people making his way through the crowd. Jack felt his face redden at the sight of him, wanting nothing more than to toss him out of their family gathering.
"Dad, please don't start or say anything," Marion leaned in and frowned at him. She gestured at Lisa, "This is Tim."
Tim went straight to Amy, giving her a big hug, and when he turned to face the rest of them, he still had his arm around Amy's shoulders, grinning ear to ear.
"Oh, I'm so proud of Amy and so glad I could come see her."
"Dad, it was fourth place," Amy said with a slight shrug. She wasn't as thrilled with her placement as the rest of them were.
"You looked amazing, Honey," Tim beamed. "I can't believe how grown you look out there. Jack," he said, extending his hand, "good to see you."
Jack felt all eyes on him, waiting to see his reaction to Tim's gesture of a truce. Jack tensed his face, but then felt Lisa squeeze his hand. He quickly glanced at her and saw a reassuring smile on her face before he reached out to shake Tim's hand.
"Tim," he said curtly.
Marion, who was standing to the side of Tim, put her hand on his arm and leaned in, gesturing at Lisa with her free hand, "Tim, this is Lisa Stillman, Dad's girlfriend and my friend."
"Hi," Lisa said quietly, reaching to shake Tim's hand. She noted Tim eyeing her and then looking at Jack, surely trying to do the math in his head. He flashed a big grin and clasped Lisa's hand.
"Wow, lucky Jack," he chuckled quietly, smacking Jack's arm with a nod. "Ahh, this is quite the change, Jack. Lisa, lovely to meet you, and I apologize because I know Jack doesn't want to have to stand here talking to me, and I'm sure you'll hear an earful about it when you two leave. So, dating? Wow."
"Tim, I'm trying to be civil, but you're on thin ice," Jack stated, standing tall as he frowned at Tim.
"Lisa," Tim tried again, throwing a facial expression Jack's way, "ahh, what do you do?"
"Dad, she owns Fairfield, Fairfield Stables. Lisa races and breeds race horses," Amy explained.
"You're Fairfield Stable?" Tim's eyes widened, as he once again looked between Jack and Lisa. He nodded and then chuckled, "Wow."
"I do," she stated, her hand still clasped in Jack's. "Speaking of which," she looked up at Jack, "I do have that early flight tomorrow." She turned back to explain to the group even though most knew her plans, "I have to get to France tomorrow, work," she gestured.
"Yes, ahh, Lisa and I are going to get going," Jack said, hugging at Amy again. "Really proud of you, Amy." He turned to Marion, "I'll be home later."
Marion nodded, leaning to hug Lisa, "Thanks for coming. Safe travels."
"Lisa," Amy stepped toward her, "thank you again so much for my new riding helmet and boots. I really appreciate them and you coming."
"Glad I could come, Honey," she said, pulling Amy in for a big hug. "I'll see you when I get back, okay?" Amy nodded at that, and then, Jack reached for her hand again, the two walking side by side toward the door. While he knew Hudson would be all over this, he enjoyed holding her hand and knew that if he was dating her, well, it was bound to come out at some point.
"Lisa," the couple heard, and Lisa froze in her tracks, squeezing Jack's hand as she looked up at him. He could see the dread in her eyes, even only knowing her the short time he had, and Lisa threw a smile on her face and turned.
"Dan, hi," she said to him, but Dan walked right up and embraced her, still with Jack's hand in hers, and he kissed her on the cheek.
"I didn't know you were coming to this. Which rider is Fairfield sponsoring?"
"Ahh, none," she said with a slight shrug. "You know I'm more into the international racing scene right now. This is Jack Bartlett," she said, gesturing to Jack, "and his granddaughter, Amy Fleming, was competing."
Lisa felt Dan size up Jack, and Jack, who had a very nonchalant expression on his face, reached over to shake Dan's hand.
"Jack," he said with a nod.
Dan, with his eyes still on Lisa, reached to shake Jack's extended hand.
"Dan Hartfield, Lisa's husband."
"Oh, come on, Dan," Lisa scoffed. "We've been divorced over 10 years."
Dan looked Jack up and down, sizing him up and then looked at Lisa as he hooked his thumb toward Jack, "Huh, really? So," Dan eyed Lisa and then Jack, looking back to Lisa as he waved his finger between them, "you two are?"
"Leaving," Lisa huffed, and with that, she and Jack walked away, hand in hand.
Once they were outside and clear of the building, Jack tugged at her hand and pulled her around to the side of a small building there next to the arena. He grinned at her as he pulled her tightly to him, wrapped his arms around her, and leaned down to kiss her sweetly. She gripped his forearms and returned the kiss.
"That's more like it," she flashed a bright smile. "Hi, Cowboy."
"Hi, yourself. Tortue sitting in there with a gorgeous woman on my arm and not being able to do that. I'm sorry about all of the well," he waved one hand and quickly put it back on her hip, "locals."
She chuckled with a nod, "Yes, well, one of them was my local issue, so there's that. We said we'd have to deal with Hudson. I thought it went okay for a first outing, yes?" She pulled back from their embrace slightly just to get his reaction. He nodded at her, brushing hair from her face.
"It went okay, yes, and if you are willing, I'm still planning to take you to dinner in town to the Italian place. I'm sure we will see more locals there tonight."
She leaned up and kissed him with some passion behind it, wrapping her arms around his neck. When they separated, she smiled and ran her hand over the back of his hair, "I can handle it. It's worth it."
He chuckled, pecking her lips as he nodded. Before they separated, he smirked at her, "You're only saying that because you're leaving for three weeks."
"You're right. I am," she said, pulling on his hand. "Let's have that dinner. I'm starving."
The couple walked hand in hand into the restaurant, braced to face any of the locals they might run into. They were put to the test immediately as they waited for their table. Val and Ashley walked in behind them.
"You again, Jack," Val smiled brightly, leaning in to give him a hug. Lisa just studied her and tried to not roll her eyes. Val gestured at Lisa, "Now, this is the second time today I have seen you, Lisa. What are the odds? Jack, the whole family here?"
"No, Val," he stated, turning to her as he reached for Lisa's hand again. "Marion and Amy mentioned heading to Maggie's. Lisa and I decided to head here for a nice dinner."
"Together," Val gestured, looking horrified.
"Duh, Mom, they're clearly on a date," Ashely interjected. "I mean, they are holding hands, and both of them are single."
"Yes, Ashely, we are," Jack said with a firm nod and small smile on his face.
"Ahh, our table is ready," Lisa patted Jack's arm as the hostess was ready to seat them. Jack gave them a nod, and Lisa flashed a bright smile.
"Lovely to see you both, Ashely, Val," and with that, she turned, making sure Jack's hand was still in hers as they were seated.
"Well," Lisa said after they had ordered their meals and were both sipping on their wine, "I'm so glad our first date out in public was met with just about everyone we don't like in town," she laughed, leaning toward Jack. He laughed too and nodded at her.
"Sorry about that," he sighed. "I guess it is what it is. Val still shooting daggers at you?"
"Absolutely," Lisa grinned and shrugged. "I'll deal with it. I'm the one seated here with you."
"I'm going to miss you when you are away," he stated, reaching for her hand and clasping it in his on the table.
"I'll miss you terribly. I love going to France, but I have to admit, I haven't been there and left behind someone I care about in decades, so yes, I will really miss you. You know," she leaned toward him, grinning, "you have a standing invitation to my house in Toulon. I would never turn you away."
He chuckled, dropping his head, "I'll remember that."
"Tell me," she nudged his hand, "what was your first date with your wife?"
Jack made a face and gestured with their joined hands, "You don't want to hear that."
"Yes, I do," she grinned. "It's a big part of your life. Tell me," she encouaraged him.
"Ahh, to one of those root beer stands, where you order at your truck. I took her for a root beer float after she got done singing. She was a singer, and I was captivated right away. She didn't notice me for some time, even though I followed her as I was on the rodeo circuit, listening to her wherever she sang. When I finally got her attention, it was because I'd broken my leg, and yes, we went for root beer, but," he chuckled softly, "she had to drive her car because I couldn't with my broken leg."
Lisa laughed, nodding at Jack's story.
"I like that. Very sweet. Did you two date a long time?"
"No," Jack softly smiled as he thought about the events fondly, "two months. I knew I wanted to marry her that quickly. Oh, we were young, had these big dreams, didn't have anyone we felt we had to answer to-got engaged and then married a month later, so by three months into it, we were married.I gave Marion a hard time for marrying Tim in six months, but I was one to talk."
Lisa nodded again, still smiling at him.
"What about you?" Jack gestured. "First date with Dan?"
"Ahh, to a horse race," she nodded.
"Where was this horse race?" Jack eyed her, smiling softly.
"Umm, it was actually the Kentucky Derby. Dan was working down there, and my dad and I had been doing a lot of business there in Kentucky. We went to the derby."
"Gee," Jack put his hand to his chest and clutched it, "how can I compete with that? Your first date was to the derby? I took you to-" he paused and frowned at her. "I'm not sure what we are calling our first date? The rodeo, but I made an idiot of myself or the winery."
"Oh," she leaned toward him, lowering her voice, "definitely the rodeo. A first date doesn't have to be perfect. Ours was not, for sure, but even with as bad as it was, you aren't too off your game, Cowboy. You somehow convinced me to a second date, and now, here," she waved her hand. "We're out in public, with many glaring at us."
He reached for her hand, still in his and pulled it up, kissing it as he winked at her, "Then, I'll give them a little tidbit to talk about."
Once they had finished dinner, Jack held her chair and then took his hand in hers as they both nodded to Val, still glaring at them, and walked to the door. Outside, Jack turned and pushed hair out of her face again, smiling at her.
"I hate that we both drove. I don't like you driving home alone at night."
"I'm a big girl," she said patting his chest. "I know you care, but I'll be fine."
"I know," he sighed, frowning slightly. "I also hate saying goodnight because I realize I won't see you until almost the end of September. Gosh, that's a long time."
She nodded, stepping toward him, both of them clasping both hands in the others as she looked up into his eyes. Jack was a goner, looking down at her. She was just so beautiful, and after an evening like this, he was seeing just how easy she was to talk to and enjoy spending time with. Gosh, he liked her, and it almost scared him. When Lisa had asked about his first date with Lyndy, it reminded him of how he felt then, and he felt very similar to that now, maybe even more of a pull than he could remember to someone. What was it about Lisa? How crazy was this that the two of them, from such different backgrounds and with such an age game, could just be so right together. He couldn't resist leaning in to kiss her sweetly, their kiss intensifying rather quickly.
"Come on," she pulled back, her eyes sparkling at him. "Walk me to my car."
Jack didn't have words; he just nodded and walked alongside her, hand in hand. Lisa had parked on the side street, not in the small lot by the restaurant because the lot had been full. Jack had followed her to the restaurant and had his truck in a spot just up the street. It was a late summer, or rather, almost an early fall evening, and while it was a Friday night, it was quiet in Hudson. The Italian place had only been about half full as they left, most people heading home for the night. Jack pulled Lisa into his arms and both got into a very heated kiss, Lisa's back against her car door, and Jack there, cupping her face as he kissed her. He could get lost kissing her. It felt so natural and so wonderful. Their goodbye kiss turned into a heated one again, Lisa smiling into their kisses, as Jack ran his hand through her gorgeous, flowing blonde hair. He shifted that hand to her waist, pulling her tightly toward him, both lost in each other and the moment. Yes, three weeks would be a long time.
"Oh my, that really is you, Jack!" The couple broke apart, both with rosy cheeks and swollen lips to see Val and Ashely walking down the other side of the street. Lisa frowned at Jack, and he sighed loudly, putting his head against hers. Neither had any intention of responding to Val. "My, oh, my, the things I shouldn't have to put up with or see in Hudson." As quickly as she surprised them, she disappeared, and they were left standing there in an almost desperate embrace.
"Sorry," he said with a low chuckle, kissing her head.
"I'm not," she said in an almost huff. "Maybe she'll get the idea now that she saw us."
"I'm sure the town will be talking about it, us out here on the street necking like teenagers."
Lisa pulled back to grin at Jack, "Necking?"
"Yeah," he waved. "Why?"
She started to laugh and put her hand on his chest as she shook her head, "Ahh, this is going to be fun, this age difference. Right there, that-necking-yes, I suppose that is what we were doing, but no one says that. I'll get you up to speed on things."
He glanced down at her with a teasing grin and shrugged, "Alright, if you insist. I'll hold you to that when you get back. So, tell me, what parts of dating do I need to get up to speed on?"