"Can we take a walk?"
Jack looked up from the book he'd been trying to read for almost the last hour. He had no idea what he'd read, and at this point, he was ready to toss the book and never see it again. Tim had thrown it in his bag when they were packing, commenting that Jack could sit for hours in the hospital and might want something to keep his mind off things. It had been a good idea at the time, the book one he'd been trying to read now for a year, sitting on his own nightstand at home, but now, after all this time, the book needed to go. It hadn't taken his mind off anything; in fact, as he'd tried to read it, his mind had only wandered more. The book had served as some fake cover for actually reading.
He looked over to her in the doorway, cane in her hand and arm still in that sling and air cast looking thing. She still looked so battered after the horrendous accident, but yes, beautiful to him. He'd almost lost her in more ways than one, and he just hoped that they'd get through things now here that he'd put the bottom line upfront.
"Sure," he closed his book and took off his glasses.
"I don't want to interrupt your reading-"
He shook his head and started to lightly chuckle as he moved to get off the bed. He had been stretched out there, giving Lisa the space she wanted on the porch. Sitting in the living room seemed to be too intrusive with her just outside, so he'd retreated here almost two hours ago. He'd first tried to watch her television, but he couldn't figure out the remote and find anything in English. Then, he'd tried the book, and well-
"If I'm being honest," he eyed her as he stood up and then picked up the book waving it before continuing, "I can't tell you a single thing I've read over the last what, six weeks? I think the book needs to go to the garbage, some old Western," he grumbled, shaking his head again.
She raised an eyebrow, "Okay, it's serious if you don't want to read a Western."
"Just think it's too much of a reminder of this entire mess," he sighed, folding his glasses and putting them on the nightstand. He turned back to her, Lisa standing there now biting her lip. He knew that face; she made that face often when she was deep in thought, which right now was no surprise. He glanced outside and saw that it was still light out, good, because he wouldn't want her on a walk in the dark with her injuries. Their early dinner had thrown off the evening timeframe, but it was still plenty early.
"I'm just a little stir crazy," Lisa explained, and Jack turned back to her, catching her waving her hand as she was looking flustered trying to explain herself. "Anyway, the doctor wanted me to walk some, and I haven't walked much today, just a little around the house and in and out of the salon. It's a warm spring evening, daylight for another hour or so, and I just thought-"
She stopped talking, and Jack saw her frown. He walked over to her and shook his head, "Lise, no explanation necessary. I'd very much enjoy going for a walk with you. Maybe we could walk down to the corner?"
She nodded, "I'd like that, just some fresh air."
"Okay," he nodded, kissing her head as he stepped around her, "let me get my wallet and tell Ben."
She gave him an odd look, and he gave her a nod, "Coffee shop around the corner other side of that park, and while most things around here close early, I know that's open. Too far for you to walk to the coffee shop, but maybe we can take a break and have a coffee before the return walk home."
Her small smile and nod were all the encouragement he needed. Jack saw Lisa step into the bathroom, and while he knew he needed to stay close to the door in case she needed help, he first knocked on Ben's door.
"Your aunt wants to take a walk," he told Ben, putting on his lightweight flannel jacket. Jack knew it stuck out here, but he really didn't care. It was newer, at least, so it didn't look ragged, just maybe out of place in the south of France, but he was a cattle owner, after all."
"I'm glad you're pushing her, Jack," Ben told him, from the desk where he was studying.
Jack raised his hand in defense, "Can't take credit for this one, all Lise, but it is good for her to walk. I'm going to remember we need to do this each day. Can I bring you anything? Cup of coffee? I think that's our plan, to sit in that park down the block."
He shook his head, and after telling Ben he needed to check on Lisa, he stepped back into their room to her opening the bathroom door already.
"That was fast," he raised an eyebrow. She waved toward her hair.
"Just brushing it out. I didn't like the way the stylist, well, styled it." Jack studied her hair, and as much as he wanted to tell her he could see the difference, he really couldn't. He could tell she'd had it colored and styled, yes, but he didn't notice the difference from five minutes ago.
"Okay, ready?" Jack gestured for her to walk ahead of him. As much as he wanted to reach for her hand, he couldn't, not with her cane, but he could and would walk alongside her. Both said their goodbyes to Ben again as they stepped outside, and once Jack had shut the door and helped Lisa down the step, he turned to see her taking a deep breath.
"Feels really good to get outside. I am trying not to take the fresh air for granted. Weeks and weeks in the hospital have taught me that."
"Well, we've both always been partial to the fresh air, but yes, I will agree that if I don't see the interior of a hospital for some time, it's still too soon. Now, you have your cane. You're sure you're up to a walk?"
She eyed him and frowned, "That's like the doctor asking you if you were sure you wanted to go home from the hospital after your heart attack. Yes, I'm absolutely sure I'm up for a walk and will prove it to you."
He raised his hand in defense, "I don't need you proving anything to me, just making sure you aren't too worn out. We're not out here to run some marathon."
"No, just an ordinary walk to the coffee shop, or not even that, the park, and I know that will seem daunting, but that's today's goal-to the park and home."
He nodded, falling in step with her as Lisa's motions were slow, "Soon, you'll be walking to the coffee shop, Lise. Just take a day at a time. You're doing great, and I know the progress seems slow, but you've had a major accident."
She nodded, and the two fell into a comfortable silence. Jack wanted to speak, but he could tell she was really focusing on her steps, on walking, because it was difficult right now, so he didn't say anything. They walked, her cane making some noise each step of the way, but they continued their walk. Just reaching the corner was a feat, but she smiled and took a deep breath as they did. The park sat on the next block, and with no cars in sight, they were able to take their time crossing the street. Jack looked over when Lisa spoke up after they were across the street and almost to the park.
"What you said earlier took me by surprise."
He raised an eyebrow as he glanced her way, "What part? I do love you."
"Not that part," she replied but didn't offer further details. Jack just nodded as they started walking toward a free bench.
There were a lot of people milling about, some walking dogs, some kids playing, others, like them, just out for an evening walk. It really was a beautiful evening, and the way the sun was starting to streak across the sky, it briefly reminded Jack of home. He'd really not thought a lot about the day to day at home; things here had been such a mess, and because of that, he'd not missed it terribly, but seeing the sky tonight made him think about home. As he did, he realized that part of the reason he wasn't so homesick was standing right beside him. He was with Lisa, and as he'd been thinking about them over the last weeks, it was very true-home was with her, wherever she was, and that's what he wanted. Arizona had been horribly miserable, and as Jack's mind wandered to that, it was due to missing Lisa. It wasn't missing 'home' of the ranch, but her. Tonight, he didn't want to think about Arizona or anything like that; he wanted to enjoy a lovely, simple walk with Lisa, grateful to be able to do that.
"Well, I meant everything I said earlier, Lise," he finally added to the conversation realizing she wasn't going to get further into details right now. It was fine. She had a lot to process, and he didn't expect her to just up and profess anything; he'd hurt her too much and knew it. He'd taken her for granted, not ever really thinking much of their 'where do we go from here' conversations because he had just always assumed she'd be around until she wasn't. Now, he wanted to be here in the moment for her.
"I'm just not ready to get into much of a conversation about any of that," she told him, pausing a second to let out her breath. Jack looked to her.
"You okay?"
She nodded, "Just a bit winded. We're getting to that bench, though," she nodded, and he had to chuckle. The one she'd nodded toward was at the far point of the park, the furthest from where they'd entered. Leave it to Lisa, not that he would have done anything differently himself. They were both incredibly stubborn, but she'd decided they were going to sit on a bench on the complete opposite side of the park, and he wasn't about to argue.
"Yes ma'am," he decided to reply to her declaration of the bench they would reach. He amended with a grin and wink to her, "I mean, here in France, yes, madame," he winked at her, and she rolled her eyes first but then laughed. She'd always liked his silly humor, and he'd liked hers. They were so much alike even if they looked like they should be miles apart.
The walkway got a lot busier all of a sudden, and Jack found himself almost blocking people from bumping into Lisa. First it was a family with small children and a stroller passing by, then a dog walker, then some teenagers, then more and more. He looked around feeling like the entire village had come out and was walking around them. He waved to a nearby bench, still four away from the one Lisa had targeted.
"How about this one?"
"No, I'm walking to the last bench."
"Just don't want someone to run into you," he told her, and she nodded, eyeing him.
"Thank you, but I'll make it. Plus, you're acting like a bodyguard, and I appreciate you watching out for me."
As she was finishing that sentence, the couple noticed an older woman walking ahead of them drop all of her bags. It appeared one had ripped, spilling her shopping contents. Jack sprang into action, moving quickly to help the woman collect her things. In the time he was busy doing that, Lisa caught up to them. The woman spoke to Jack in French, and aside from hearing 'Merci' he couldn't make out any of it.
"She is very thankful," Lisa said, catching a few words. Jack just nodded and stood up, handing her bags back to her. A small child on a bike almost rode into the woman, and Jack moved her out of the way too. Thankfully, Lisa was on the other side of the walkway, away from the child, and after being 'saved' by Jack, the woman continued speaking in her rapid French. The entire scene caught the eyes of several walking by.
"You're welcome. Ahh, no Francais," he told her, shaking his head. He handed the woman her things and sent her on her way, finally turning to Lisa.
"We made it to the bench," she gestured to it, now next to them, giving him a big smile. Jack might even call it gloating, but whatever it was, it was good to see on her face. She squeezed his arm as he reached her side. "That was very sweet of you, not that I would have expected anything less."
"Just did what anyone would have done," he glanced at her and gestured toward her cane, "present company excluded because you can't exactly bend down."
"No," she chuckled, nodding, "but I was prepared to fend off problem with this cane. I'm definitely ready to sit." She sighed and groaned. Jack helped her sit down, and he briefly sat as well, just on the edge of the bench to make sure she was really okay.
"I don't even know why I asked which bench you wanted-should have just walked to this one, furthest side of the park."
"I knew I could do it."
"Question is," he winked, "can you get back home?"
"Hoping so," she said with a shake of her head.
"Well, how about that coffee?" Jack patted her knee as he stood.
"How about a decaf tea? I don't want to be up half the night."
"Two teas, coming up."
"You don't have to get tea."
"I like tea, have for eight years," he winked at Lisa. "Besides, if I get coffee, I will still drink the tea."
"How's that?" Lisa started laughing, and Jack rolled his eyes, looking down at her sitting there. He enjoyed seeing the color return to her face and waved his hand as he answered. "A blonde I know will tell me that my coffee smells good. I'll be a gentleman, offer to share, and she'll enjoy it so much that I won't have the heart to take it back. I'll keep her tea, and that's how I'll end up with tea out of this either way."
She started really laughing as she nodded and then hummed. She grinned, the first he'd seen her with that twinkle in her eye, "I don't know anyone like that."
"So, am I getting two teas or a coffee and a tea?"
"Two teas," she said, sighing as she shook her head. "Thank you."
"I'll be back," he gestured to her cane. "Don't sit here and trip people walking back. Perhaps I need the cane."
She tilted her head with a perplexed expression, shaking it, "Why do you need the cane? We haven't gotten into the 'you're old' conversations, and that cane isn't going to help you try and muddle your way through translating your tea order."
Jack started walking toward the coffee shop and turned to answer her, "I want it to beat off any gentlemen callers you might have while I'm gone. On second thought, you can use it for that. I won't object," and with that, he gave her a nod and turned back around to walk to the coffee shop.
He muddled through his order, finally just pointing at things to order. He really didn't like being in a place where he didn't know the language, but he was really trying, had been. It was getting old, though, not knowing French and not having a lot of people who spoke a ton of English. Some spoke a little, but even Lisa had said it was more commonplace in larger cities. He'd ordered though, and now, armed with two cups of tea and an incredibly large cream puff to share. Those had been good; he'd not had one from this place yet, but he'd tried a few Ben had picked up. They were light, airy, and wouldn't be a dessert that would bother either of them. This one was huge, the reason for only ordering one.
As Jack approached the bench, he could see Lisa talking to two women. He'd noticed them in the park earlier, women maybe a little older than Lisa, but not by much. The three appeared to be chatting, Lisa sitting there, looking up and smiling at the women. It didn't appear she knew them, but she lived here and, well, he'd just have to find out.
"Definitely taken," he heard as he walked up, raising his eyebrows at whatever that conversation was. Lisa had said that, and while he couldn't pick out what the women were saying to her, he just saw Lisa shake her head as he approached.
"Hey, Lise, here's your tea," he said apprehensively as he approached her, holding out the cup. He eyed her to see if he could get a sense if she knew them.
"A real cowboy, "one said with a grin, and instantly, he could hear an English accent. Jack gave Lisa a quizzical look, and she gestured to them.
"Ahh, they were complimenting you on your good deed, saw it all, and we all realized we spoke English. Then, they asked if we were American, and I told them Canadian, and your flannel," she waved at his shirt, her cup in her hand, "sticks out, so yes, I told them you were a cowboy."
"Ahh," he nodded to them.
"So nice to see you helping that elderly woman and," they gestured to Lisa's cane, "here you are helping her."
"Well, I didn't do anything earlier that anyone wouldn't have done. I just helped a woman who dropped her things, and with Lise," he smiled warmly at her, "well, she's the most amazing person and just needs some help while she recovers."
"Bad accident," she made a face, nodding to the women.
"Sorry to hear that," the other one said, and she looked to her friend. "We should be going. Enjoy your evening." The two women waved and stepped away. Jack watched them briefly before looking down to Lisa as he sat down next to her. He eyed her, "You sounded abrupt with them as I walked up. Everything okay? I only heard you say 'taken' and didn't know what was going on."
"Ahh," she pursed her lips and then looked down to her cup of tea. He watched her nod to herself and then look up to meet his gaze. He held out the bag with the pastry, and she sighed and smiled, taking the bag. "Thank you."
"That was more of a bribe to tell me what happened with them. They seemed nice, but did they upset you?"
"No, nothing like that," she said, again pursing her lips. He waited, tilting his head. Finally, Lisa sighed and turned toward him, frowning as she rolled her eyes before starting her explanation. "They were perfectly nice, I suppose. I mean, they were. What I told you is accurate-they did see you help that older woman and were very impressed by it-"
"It was nothing, Lise," he shrugged. "She dropped her bags."
"It was exactly you, as I said and would expect, but apparently you caught their eye."
"How so?" Jack grimaced.
She returned the grimace and nodded, "They, ahh, apparently saw us here, saw you leave, and then, they walked up to me. We did start talking and quickly realized about speaking English. I told them I had a house here and was recovering from a long stay in the hospital. The one did as well, a vacation place. She and the friend were here on a holiday for a couple weeks. Anyway, the one who owns the home, she commented on my cane, saying and I quote, Lisa frowned at Jack, 'It's really sweet to see that your father came to stay and help you while you recover.' So-"
Jack dropped his head and groaned, nodding. That turned into a chuckle as he looked up and saw Lisa still there frowning.
"Sorry, Lise, but it's not the first time we've heard that, probably won't be the last."
She sipped at her tea, Jack quiet as she did. When she had finished with that sip and was looking down at her cup in her hand, she continued to vent, "It's not even that. I'm honestly used to hearing that. I surprised myself; I suppose if I'm analyzing it now."
He nodded, again pursing his lips. Finally, when she didn't expand more on that comment, he prodded her.
"How did you surprise yourself? You were upset they assumed I was a generation older than you? I am," he shrugged, "just most definitely not your father," he chuckled to himself lightly.
"No," she smacked at him, and that surprised him, not that she did it, but she hadn't in so long. It felt, well, normal, good even, which was funny to say. Yes, it felt good for Lisa to reach over and smack him, of course, with her good hand. She'd put her tea down on the bench before that, giving her the ability to smack at him as she had. "I mean, no, it wasn't that comment, although," she sighed, closing her eyes briefly, "it's amazing that no matter where in the world we are, we get that comment. What surprised me, ahh," she paused and pursed her lips before nodding to answer, "She just came out and said that about you, my father, and that it was good to see kindness in the world, rare to see at times. Her next sentence before I could even correct her that you weren't my father was," she now started to laugh, although nervously, "she asked if you were single."
"Wait, what? That lady," he hooked his hand over his shoulder and even turned to see if he could still spot her which he couldn't, before finishing his sentence, "asked what?"
"Single."
"She was hitting on me through you."
"I mean, that's not really what's it called, but you get the idea. So," she turned her head and titled it as she answered him, "What surprised me was my reaction."
"Which was?" Jack waved his hand. "Hopefully, even with this," he gestured between them, "and the mess I've created with us, you didn't throw me under the bus. Wait," he pointed his finger at Lisa, a teasing tone to his voice, "you didn't set me up on some French date, did you?"
"No," she smacked at him again. "I'm not even sure why I'm telling you this. You're terrible."
"You're bothered by something, Lise, and now I get why."
She frowned as she glanced to him again, now further explaining, "No, I did not throw you under the bus and offer you up as her 'Saturday night sweetie' as one of your old cowboy friends once called me all those years ago. Remember that? We were at that hideous all-you-can-eat steak buffet for your birthday."
"Yeah, I remember," he sighed. "I told you then he wasn't a friend, just someone I knew from the rodeo circuit, and at the time, I most definitely clarified his comment was not correct either."
"Right, so," she flashed a fake smile at Jack, "Just now, I didn't offer you up either. What surprised me is my defense. She asked if you were single. I didn't give a second to even think; I just responded immediately, telling her, no, that you were absolutely NOT single and that I was NOT your daughter. The nerve of her! I then blurted out 'definitely taken' which was maybe the surprising part."
"Ahh," he nodded, a small smile on his face. He couldn't resist his next comment, "So, you were jealous."
"I was not jealous," she smacked at him again and then picked up her tea, which Jack appreciated. It had been months since he'd been 'beaten up' by Lisa, and well, he'd honestly missed it, missed her way of talking with him, always smacking him. It was just them, their style.
"It's fine," he gestured. "You said my cowboy look was out of place here-"
"It is out of place."
"Still attracting the ladies, always works," he winked to her, and when she glared at him, he chuckled. It felt good to laugh, to feel normal. "Well, thank you for defending my honor. So, that was the 'definitely taken' comment I heard as I walked up," he nodded. "Okay."
"It's, just," she gestured now with her tea in her hand as she let out a long sigh, "silly. It was a ridiculous conversation." She put her cup back down on the bench, and Jack put his hand on hers there, looking down at her hand. When he looked up, she was looking at his hand too.
"I know you aren't ready to talk about things, but I'm glad you told them I was taken, hope I still am, but," he said with a nod, "only by you, and no, I am not needing you to respond to any of that. Just glad to hear you say it, not reading into it, but knowing that for the last eight years, I've only had eyes for you, just you, Lise, ever since Lyndy died. I've never had eyes for anyone and won't for the rest of my life. That's a promise, no matter what happens. I love you and always will."
The two dropped into silence. Lisa finally dug the pastry out of the bag. Jack grinned after she took a couple of bites and just handed it over to him, nothing said. He took a couple of bites too and handed it back to her, waving her off when she tried to share it again. When she'd finally finished the sweet treat, he turned his head and smiled softly.
"Ready to make the return trip?"
"I walked too far," she groaned, and he shifted, putting his hand on her knee as he did.
"I'll go get the car," he said while he hooked his hand over his shoulder. "You don't have to prove anything, Lise."
"No," she frowned and reached for her cane. "We're walking home. I can do this. I'm just tired, ready for bed." He didn't argue but helped her stand, both grunting as they did, which had them chuckling. Jack threw away their trash, and the two started for home, their pace much slower this time, but each step took them closer to home.
"Puts new meaning to the long walk home," he gestured to her.
"I hate this," she said, gritting her teeth.
"I know, and I'm sorry. I'm really glad you're recovering, even if it's slow. You just walked into town. That's huge, Lise."
"Still can't ride, can't drive, can't drink, can't," she paused nodding, "can't do much of anything." Jack could sense her frustration and decided to change the topic.
"You just didn't want me to walk home alone, worried about the women I'd pick up."
"Yes, that's it. That's exactly it, women falling all over you, the Canadian cowboy who has captivated the females of Southern France."