"So, Lisa isn't going to be having kids?"
Jack's head snapped over to find Tim looking intently at him from atop his saddle. Jack pulled back on his reigns to stop Paint and gestured at Tim.
"What are you talking about?"
"Dinner conversation the other night," Tim smirked. "She said it-ship has sail-"
"Tim, just stop," Jack put up his hand and shook his head. "You are honestly out here asking me about that? As dense as you can be, we are all aware of our ages. You're older than she is, but even still, this shouldn't be a surprise. Besides," he sighed, "what does it matter? That was never a consideration."
"That so?" Tim tilted his head. "She didn't want kids?"
"It never happened, and she made peace with that."
"Oh," Tim raised his eyebrows, "so you talked about that?"
Jack frowned, "Yes, we've talked about a lot of things over the years, all of that included, but I'm not about to get into that with you."
"Fine," Tim gave him a nod. "News to me, but the idea of some little Jack running around does make me cringe, especially at your age. Your daughter was my everything, but no thanks thinking of you like that with Lisa."
"Family isn't always about blood relationships," Jack gave a nod to Tim. "You and I are well aware of that, even if I've tried to cut you out many times."
"Still keep pawing my way back in," Tim said with a shake of the head. The two men were riding slowly after initially stopping. It was a beautiful summer day, amazingly not too hot, and they'd fixed a few sections of fence already today. They were on their way back to the house, Tim coming up with this strange topic of discussion.
"Hard to imagine Marion, gosh, almost 55." Tim made a sound with his mouth and shook his head, "I think she'll always be in my mind as the young, beautiful woman I met, I mean," he turned red, "not that she wasn't beautiful in her 40's, just really hard sometimes to think of her then and just gone now. I know I've told you I regret not making amends with her, and I would like to think she and I could have worked to repair things. I was really trying Jack, have been really trying with the girls. That's one of the reasons I kept pushing you to fix things with Lisa. I know what I lost. I'd give anything to get it back, and I knew losing her would kill you."
"I know," Jack nodded quietly. After several seconds of silence, Jack cleared his throat, "I think of Marion a lot too, of course. I do wonder what the dynamics would have been like with Lisa around, if Lise and I would even be where we are, I mean, if Marion would have given me such a hard time about Lisa that I would have backed off long ago. I'm more than aware their ages are close. I even had to convince myself initially that I was interested in Lisa for Lisa and not as some replacement for Marion. I mean," he paused and dropped into his thoughts, "there was no question how beautiful Lisa is or that she got my attention, but I did wrestle with liking her for her and not for just," Jack paused and pursed his lips, "not just a replacement for loneliness. There was that side of it, not just wanting to replace Marion as a confidant at home and then the other side of it, wrestling with moving on after Lyndy."
"The first time I met Lisa and saw how you two looked at each other, even though I might have wanted to take you outside and duke it out, I could see that despite the age difference, you two had something special. I mean that, Jack," Tim gave him a nod. "In all seriousness, I'm glad you two worked out things. As well as I knew Marion, she would have first given you grief for the age difference, but one look at Lisa and the way she looks at you," Tim eyed Jack and nodded, "Marion would have been okay with it. Seeing how you are without Lisa, Marion would definitely have been okay with you two together. Marion always wanted you to be happy, and you are with Lisa."
"Thank you," Jack said, looking ahead and not at Tim. Their ride continued; the silence continued. Finally, Jack waved his hand toward Tim, "Did you really think she would have wanted to have a baby? With me?"
"Well," Tim laughed, "I mean, she's great with kids, great with our household of girls. Considering you've been the man in her life these last, what eight years, eight years of, of," he waved his hand, "her prime," he finally offered, "I mean, I did wonder. I wondered for her but thought it ridiculous at your age. You two did speak about this?"
"We did," Jack waved, "long time ago, and it's just not something that was ever in the cards in a few ways. She had a rough time with that when she was married to Dan, and then," he paused, finally adding, "it wasn't the time or place. Now, can we talk about anything else?"
Speaking of awkward family moments, how's the family settling into the slumber party?"
"Oh, fine," Jack waved his hand. "I'm not naïve to expect that Amy and Lou weren't aware Lisa was staying over at times. They are grown women. Lisa and I just wanted to keep a lot of that private; it is our business. Lisa, especially, always felt, well," Jack frowned, "maybe awkward, and looking back, that is my fault too. I didn't nip this in the bud long ago. The girls were well aware, of course, that Lisa and I traveled some, France of course, some of our weekend getaways. I know they are aware of things, but she and I also are fiercely private. You and I both know something like that isn't exactly a topic of discussion with your kids or grandkids. Imagine you having to have a chat like that with Georgie-"
"No, no way," Tim shook his head. "Bad enough that Lou has walked in on Miranda and me, that both girls were well aware of some of the women I've seen. I've just not been as discreet-"
"Discreet?" Jack raised an eyebrow. "I don't think that word is in your vocabulary. He smirked at Tim, and both men chuckled at that.
"Fair enough. I like women," Tim shrugged.
"Besides," Jack waved, "it's not that I've hidden Lisa. You knew she was staying. As I said, I'm sure the girls were aware, but it's not been something to discuss, not until now."
"Let's talk about this wedding," Tim wiggled his eyebrows, gesturing as he added, "specifically the bachelor party."
Jack pointed at Tim, "There will absolutely be no bachelor party. Come on, Tim! We're not 20. Lisa and I have said a small, family affair."
"Right," Tim chuckled. "You and I both know how quickly things like that blow out of hand. I'll work on the bachelor party."
With a single shake of his head, Jack replied, "This won't blow out of hand, the wedding I mean. Now, let's pick up the pace. I promised Lisa I'd be back for lunch. She and I have to go into town and see that new doc."
"Tricia?" Tims' eyes and smile lit up. "Oh, she's great. Tell you what-I can drive you two medical messes. Happy to be the middle man and introduce you and Lisa to Tricia."
"No thanks," Jack scowled, glancing to Tim. "We'll be just fine. What is it about her? Wait, is she still in her 20's? Is that why you're chasing her like a one of our heifers in heat?"
"Says the guy marrying a gorgeous woman 25 years his junior. If we're doing the math, at my age, yes, that would be an appropriately aged woman to match the age difference you have with Lisa, but. No, she's not in her 20's."
"Oh, this is different," Jack waved his hand at Tim as they continued riding. "I did not meet Lisa in her 20's. We were both mature adults, and I certainly was not chasing her around like a heifer in heat."
"Well, you're right on a couple of points there," Tim smirked, adding, "although calling yourself mature does sound better than an old duffer. You're right that you most definitely were not chasing her around. That's the problem. You weren't doing much of anything. It was all Lisa. That woman is a saint and absolutely adores you to put up with you all these years. You, grumpy old man," Tim grumbled and shook his head. "So, no I am not going to follow your lead and grow old waiting for a gorgeous woman to just find me. Seize the moment."
"Let's just pick up the pace and get back to the ranch."
"Suit yourself on the introduction, but make sure you tell Tricia you're related to me. She's a great gal."
Jack rolled his eyes at Tim, "Not looking for a great gal in my doctor, just a competent physician." His phone rang, and Jack stopped Paint to answer it. "Lise, yeah," he nodded. "Yes, sorry, I see the time. We'll pick up the pace." Once Jack hung up, he waved at Tim, "We've been out here gabbing like school girls that I didn't pay attention to the time. Let's go. I'm about to be late for that appointment, and as much as I'd prefer to cancel it, Lise and I both need to go."
"You're going to love her, Jack. Mark my words. She'll take good care of you and Lisa. In fact," Tim gave Jack a nod, "feel free to invite her to dinner. Maybe you can be almost my wingman, I mean, with the entire family around, but yeah, maybe invite her to dinner. You've told me you and Lisa met at the ranch at dinner, so yes, let's make this happen."
"Let's not," Jack grumbled, rolling his eyes again. "Let me be clear-you might be family, which even at times is negotiable," he smirked, "but in no way am I setting up my doctor on a date with you at family dinner."
"Come on, Jack. I saved your life-"
"And I'll end yours if you don't drop this. Let's go. Lisa's waiting."
"You and your old horse need to pick up the pace. While you're in town, I'm going to work on planning this bachelor party."