"Ms. Stillman?" She did hear her name but didn't want to turn around and deal with her reality. Looking out over the beautiful rolling hills that were now completely hers, Lisa took a deep breath and turned around to address the caterer who was patiently waiting for her. "I'm sorry to bother you," she said with a sympathetic smile.
"No, no," she shook her head. "It's fine. I just needed a moment."
Lisa desperately needed a moment, more than a moment. She had stepped out here to collect her thoughts, to take a deep breath and collect herself. The long battle had ended, and her dad had passed away, now four days ago. While his struggle was over, hers, in a way, was just getting started, different than the struggle she'd had while he was ill. It scared her, almost, to now assume total control of the estate, the business. She knew her dad had left her the entire stable, all of Fairfield and had left her sister mostly money. There was plenty of that as well for Lisa, but in the letter her dad had left the two sisters, he'd explained that he'd paid for the home that her sister currently had and had paid to clear a lot of her debts over the years, so that yes, while things weren't perfectly equal in their inheritance, it was fair and for a reason. Both girls were left with plenty, even a full trust set up for Ben. Besides, Tammy didn't want the stable, and Lisa did. Tammy wanted to hop on the next plane back to Nova Scotia, and Lisa was sure she would as soon as they had finished with this memorial luncheon.
"The food, how long would you like the food out?"
She glanced at her watch and frowned, shaking her head at the younger woman, "It's only been a half hour. People are dropping in and out, so it can stay out for some time. You have it warming, so it will be fine. I'll be right back in. It's been a long morning already, a long few weeks, a long year," she grumbled almost quietly.
"Very good," the younger woman said with a small smile and turned to head back inside.
Catering the memorial was the best decision she'd made. They'd had the funeral earlier, finishing up in the Stillman mausoleum. She hated that place and didn't understand her family wanting to basically have an indoor burial area, but it was what her dad wanted, what her mom had wanted, and now, he was resting in peace alongside her beloved mother. A lot of people from town had attended the service, and now, her house and grounds were overflowing with mourners, all of whom had stopped to offer their respects. She just wanted to be done with this part, not that it had anything to do with her dad's memory, but she wanted to mourn in peace. Right now, though, she decided she should probably eat, not only because she was funding the meal, but in her calculation, she hadn't eaten a proper meal since yesterday at lunch when Tammy had made just some basic sandwiches.
"Hi, Lisa," she heard and turned toward her French doors, now knowing that voice. She'd started to build herself up to go back inside and had started walking along the edge of her patio when she heard the voice that had become a dear friend.
"Jack, hi," she turned to face him and offered him a teary-eyed smile. "What are you doing here?"
"Paying my respects," he gestured to her with the cowboy hat he had in his hand. She noted he was in a black suit, a vast contrast to the jeans and button up shirts she'd seen him in each day at the hospital. The last few days of her dad's life, Lisa had enjoyed running into Jack every single day at the coffee shop, enjoying a few minutes of easy conversation before facing the stark reality both had. She crossed her arms and walked across her patio to him where he stayed rooted in the spot, a solemn look on his face as he continued to hold his hat. As she approached, she noted he didn't have the scruffy look at all; he was cleaned up, and not that she would say it, but she appreciated that he'd come and made such an effort.
"I figured something had happened after I didn't see you in the coffee shop for a couple of days, I mean, since we had been running into each other practically every day," he said softly, frowning as he finished. "Then," he waved his hand with his hat in it as he spoke, "I saw your dad's obituary in the paper and knew I had to come. I didn't want to intrude on your family and come to the service, but I did want to stop by to offer my condolences."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you myself," she told him as she approached him and stood now in front of him. Lisa glanced down as she continued to speak, "I should have. I mean, you were a good friend, a good source of comfort these last weeks-"
"You don't need to apologize," he told her, reaching for her shoulder. At his touch, she looked up, and Jack offered her a sad smile. "I can only imagine how busy you have been these last days, and I know the last year has been a lot on you. All of this," he waved his hand in the air, "you didn't owe me anything." He dropped his hand that had reached for her shoulder.
"A friend communicates, and I didn't do that. I'm sorry. Thank you for coming."
"Of course," he stated with a single nod. "Least I could do, and I am sorry."
"Thanks," she said with a slight shrug. "I just had to step out here to catch my breath, take a moment, look over all this. I can't believe I'm not the owner and responsible for all of it."
"I've never been on your property, but this is quite the operation, very impressive. Listen," he hooked his hand over his shoulder, "I am sorry to interrupt your moment out here. Believe me, I understand needing a second to catch your breath. I'll leave you to it and-"
"No, please stay," she reached out to touch his arm and nodded to the house. "I was about to head back inside. Please stay a bit, have something to eat. I am well aware of the type of food you've been eating. I have a catered buffet in there, and I know you probably didn't have lunch before you came."
His eyes met hers, and he offered a small smile, "Only if you eat as well. You don't even have to indulge me and stand and talk to me while I eat, but I am probably the only one who could attest to knowing you haven't eaten a decent, solid meal in weeks, have you?"
"Guilty," she glanced up and quickly looked down when her gaze met his.
"One condition then-"
With an almost teasing glance at him, which felt good to think of anything other than the sorrow right now, she pursed her lips, "I thought the one condition was that I eat."
"Fine," he chuckled, glancing to his hands down on his hat in front of him. "Another condition, and this shouldn't be too hard-no coffee."
Lisa smiled. She smiled and realized she was smiling and couldn't remember the last time she'd been actually smiling, actually happy about much of anything, but right then, that was the perfect thing to say.
"To be honest," she batted an eye at him, "I almost told the caterer no coffee today, but I realized I'd only have to keep explaining to people why I didn't have coffee. Iced tea, perhaps?"
"Anything," Jack gestured for her to walk in front of her, "as long as it's not coffee."
She turned her head as they approached the door, "No muffins, either, not that they weren't delicious, but I went with a simple baked chicken, green beans, and," she scrunched up her face, "a sweet potato."
"Sweet potato?" Jack raised an eyebrow as he held the door for her. "Not that I mind, but you don't hear that every day for something like this. Why do I get the sense you aren't excited about that even though you came up with the menu."
She turned there in the doorway, realizing her error-Jack was right there behind her, and she'd almost turned right into him. She didn't mean to be so close to him, but with his side touching hers, she glanced up, silently wishing she had given him just a bit more personal space, she frowned, "Sweet potatoes were my dad's favorite. I really don't care for them, but I thought it was something special. At least my sister and nephew like them too."
"Ahhh," he nodded and continued to shake his head. He reached for and squeezed her arm, "well, then, I'd be honored to eat one myself."
"I'll introduce you to my sister and nephew too."
"You don't have to do that-"
"Do you need to get right back to the hospital?"
"My daughter is there," he explained. "I will head there when I leave."
She pointed at him, "As long as you take some food. Believe me, it's the least I can do, and as you know, I've been there too."
"I won't disagree and thank you. Show me to these sweet potatoes."
Over the course of the next hour, Lisa spoke to friends of her dad and friends of hers. They really didn't have much family around, and Tammy had disappeared for a bit to take Ben out to walk through the stables. While Lisa knew all of these people and had known many for years, she wasn't particularly close to any of them and felt great comfort anytime she could loop back around and chat with Jack. She was glad to see he was eating and had eaten a couple plates of food. She was grateful he had come by and had kicked herself for not reaching out to let him know her father had passed away. Truthfully, the last few days had been a whirlwind, but she did miss their chats over coffee and tea. Now, she knew he would want to get back to the hospital, so she stepped into her kitchen to speak with the caterer and then went in search of Jack so she could send home a good deal of food with him.
"Seems like a lot of Hudson turned out today. Your dad was a good man, even if I didn't know him well."
"Thank you," Lisa told him with a sincere smile. "It's been nice to hear stories of him today. I do need to apologize again for not letting you know what had happened. I need you to know you were a friend when I needed one, and I know you are still going through your own mess, and I want you to know that while I won't be in the coffee shop each day, I certainly hope you will know I'm here for you if you need something. I will miss our chats."
"I really appreciate that," he said with a single nod. "I will too, I mean, seeing your friendly face downstairs. It's like we've said-until you're going through it yourself, it's hard for others to understand."
"That it is," she continued to nod. "Listen, I spoke to my caterer, and I am going to send home a lot of this food with you."
"Lisa, that's not necessary," Jack frowned and shook his head.
She tilted her head and almost smirked, "Did you not enjoy the food?"'
"Food was great," he frowned. "I mean-"
"Jack," she sighed and shook her head. "Please, let me help. You're helping me. Soon," she gestured around, "everyone is going to leave, and I'll have all that food. My sister is even flying home tomorrow morning. I can't eat all of this food, and I would really like you to have it with all you have going on."
"Lisa," she heard and internally groaned as she turned around from speaking to Jack. She had Jack at her side now as she turned and looked right at Dan.
"Dan," she nodded, and he leaned toward her to kiss her cheek. "I came from the airport." He spoke to her as if he hadn't noticed someone else there, someone she'd been talking to. Before Lisa could introduce the men, Dan extended his hand.
"Hi, Dan Hartfield, Lisa's husband. You must be an old friend of her dad."
"Wait, what?" Lisa snapped her head to Dan and then shook it as she frowned. She gestured at Dan and glanced to Jack, "Ex-husband, Dan. You continue to forget that."
"Well, I liked the way things were-"
Lisa shook her head and glanced upward before she looked back to the two men and found both looking at her. She narrowed her gaze at Dan, "This is Jack Bartlett, a friend of mine. He didn't know Dad."
"Jack," he held out his hand to greet Dan. "Nice to meet you, and ahh," he quickly glanced at Lisa but then back to Dan, "Sorry for your loss."
Lisa knew that was the appropriate thing to say. Dan, after all, had been the son-in-law for years, but they were clearly divorced now. She opened her mouth ready to speak but Dan jumped in.
"How do you know Lisa? I don't recall hearing your name. Have you known her since she was younger?"
"No," Jack wiped at his mouth with his thumb. "We actually met at the hospital, not all that long ago-"
"Jack's wife has terminal cancer," Lisa put her hand on Dan's arm, hoping he would stop with the grand inquisition. "Funny story," she said with a slight smile while she looked up at Jack. "We ran into each other, and he spilled coffee all over me."
"We got to talking and realized we were both there all day every day, and it was nice to take a break from all the medical problems and just talk to someone."
"Right," Dan eyed her and then Jack. She hated the way he seemed possessive of her. "Ahh, well, I'm sorry to hear about your wife. She's-"
"At the hospital," Jack nodded, hooking his hand over his shoulder. He turned to look at Lisa, "and, I need to get going."
"Yes, Lisa, as I was saying, I'm here now and can support you in whatever you need. I'll stay as long as you like. We knew this would one day be ours-"
"Mine," she stated with a firm glance at him. "I own Fairfield. You and I are divorced, Dan. I do appreciate you coming, but-."
"Well, I did just fly home from France where I have been dealing with our jointly owned horses."
She sighed, and before she could say more, Dan added, "Oh, and I'm sure you heard I bought my own place here."
"You did?" Lisa's eyes widened. She was about to say more, but Jack jumped in.
Jack jumped in, "Lisa, I'll let you two talk. I really need to get going."
"Dan," Lisa turned back to him and frowned, "if you'll excuse me, I would like to send some food home with Jack." She gestured toward Jack, "If you want to follow me to the kitchen."
"Any food for me?" Dan gestured as well.
"There's still food at the serving line," Lisa nodded to the area. "Help yourself, Dan. Let me walk Jack out."
Lisa stepped away from Dan with Jack walking alongside her. She glanced up at him.
"Sorry about that. I do appreciate Dan coming, but I'm really not in a mood to deal with him."
"Just felt like I was in the way, but I do need to get going."
"No," she offered a small smile. "You're a good buffer if anything. Thank you for that," she reached to pat his arm. "I do really appreciate you stopping by," and she leaned toward him, "and I'm not just saying that. I really do, and I will miss our daily chats."
"I will too," he frowned as they stood outside the kitchen.
"Please call or stop by anytime-"
He shook his head, "I don't want to bother you."
"Jack," she met his gaze and held it. "I insist. I call you a friend."
"I do too. Your friendship has meant more than you know. Thank you. I really do mean that. There's a lot going on with my family, and it's nice to talk to someone completely unrelated to that."
"How is your wife?"
He frowned and glanced away, only to glance back, and she caught his eye. "Doc said they are keeping her comfortable now. There's nothing else."
"I'm so sorry, Jack."
He nodded, and she watched as he swallowed hard, trying to hold back any emotions. When he met her gaze, she could see the tears in his eyes, "I've known it's coming. Just still hard to see. Hard to go home. I hate going home."
"I know that feeling, and I really do want you to know I'm here. I'm going to be a better friend. You call me anytime. We can get together for coffee-here, in town-I mean that or something other than coffee. Pie."
He choked back his emotions, but nodded with a small smile, "I do like pie."
"There you go," she nudged him. "Pie it is. Now, let's send you with some food."
"How will you be here?" Jack asked while Lisa rested her hand on the doorframe. "I mean, everyone is going home-"
"To be honest," she pursed her lips and nodded. "After all this, I'm looking forward to some peace and quiet, time to think, reflect, grieve even, time to just sit on my porch out there and look out over this home I have."
"It's a beautiful home, beautiful property. I'll leave you to your peace and quiet."
She pointed at him, "That does not mean be a stranger. I am serious. Stop by if you're having a bad day. Call if you just need someone who understands, even in the middle of the night. You have my info, now, right?"
"I do," he told her. "Do you have mine?"
"I do, but let's have you write it down again because in all this chaos, I'm not sure where it is. I really should have called you, but to be honest, I can't even remember what all went on yesterday."
It took another 10 minutes to exchange information and send Jack out with quite a bit of the food. Lisa was so glad she could do that. She really wouldn't eat it. Not only was there too much food for one person, she wasn't a huge fan of leftovers, well, leftovers from such a sober event too. She would be okay. The next chapter of her life was starting, and she would work through things on her own.
Her mind wandered to sending Jack on his way just now. She'd hugged him and told him to keep his chin up. He'd replied, telling her he should be the one saying that. Truthfully, both needed to hear it, but with Jack's loss still coming, Lisa hoped she had encouraged him. She'd at least provided some food and would try to do more of that while Jack was still dealing with his mess. Yes, she could be a good friend and neighbor and at least make sure he and his daughter had a decent meal at times.
Right now, as she turned back to the room of guests, which the numbers were starting to dwindle, she laid eyes on Dan. With a loud sigh, she made her way across the room to speak to the man she's sadly she had given her heart to but had ruined her idea of a 'happily ever after' life. She was alone now, but she would get back up on her own feet and push forward. Lisa would also be a better friend. She really would and was frustrated at herself for not letting Jack know about her dad. He was a good, kind man, and he definitely needed a friend. They both still did. She could be that, a better friend than she had been. Maybe it would be the one bright spot in this mess; maybe she would come out of it with a solid and reliable friend.