|
Chapter 24: Jack’s Hometown
After their snowball challenge, everyone went back inside. His mom prepares French crepes, another batch of
her famous cinnamon rolls, and gingerbread waffles with hot chocolate sauce for brunch. His mom mentions that Jessie and her
parents are coming over for brunch. They always get together after the holidays. And later in the evening, the Hudson
family along with everyone else in town will attend the Winter Festival.
It’s a chance to see old friends and talk about plans for the New Year. Everyone gets to enjoy a winter
parade with a royal snow princess riding on her float; ice sculpting contest, snow tubing, dogsled race, pony rides, kids’
face painting, snowbird egg hunt, brat cookout with beer, art show, food and beverages, fireworks, live music and dancing
throughout the night. Someone taps Jack on the back. He turns around and sees Trent
grinning at him.
They hug each other and then Jack introduces Sue to Trent.
As Jack catches up with Trent, Bruce walks towards them and
gives Sue a kiss on the cheek, Chris Snyder sees Jack, Bruce, and Trent and comes over to chat with them. Then Jessica comes
by to talk to the guys and Sue. In a short while, Grace runs over to hug Jack; Mark and Renee follow behind her.
More hugs and handshakes are exchanged. Before long, they agree to meet at Prime
Time Sports Bar tomorrow night to catch up
on everything. Jack makes an excuse so he and Sue can leave to go on their romantic sleigh-ride.
Trent: Glad to meet you Sue. So you’re the one who’s managed to rope Jack? I never thought I
would see that day come. (smile and teases Jack)
Jack: Gee, I’m so glad I came to the Winter Festival just to run into my old chums. (megawatt smile,
laughs, and raise eyebrows)
Trent: If you didn’t want to see us, then you shouldn’t have come here. (smile and teases Jack)
Jack: Hey, Bruce what do you think you’re doing? Keep your hands off my lady. (megawatt smile and
laughs)
Bruce: I’m just being polite. I don’t think Sue minded one bit. (smile and teases Jack)
Jack: You know the rule, stay away from Sue. Go find your own woman. (megawatt smile and teases Bruce)
Bruce: Maybe I will. I saw Jessica around here somewhere. (smile and laughs)
Chris: Hey Jack, Trent, and Bruce. How’s it going? (smile)
Jack: This is a nice surprise. Good to see you buddy. Last I heard, you were stationed somewhere in the Gulf. (megawatt
smile)
Chris: Well, I was but then I got injured in the line of duty. I was honorably discharged from the Air Force. So I decided
to start up my own P.I. business. (smile)
Jack: That’s great, Chris. I would like you to meet Sue. (megawatt smile)
Chris: Glad to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you. (smile)
Sue: Nice to meet you, Chris. Don’t believe everything Jack tells you about me. He has a tendency to be biased.
(lighthearted smile and teases Jack)
Trent: I’m glad you’re here Chris. Hey, isn’t that Mark with a pretty lady and a little girl walking
this way? (surprised smile)
Bruce: I didn’t know he got married and had a daughter. (curious smile)
Jack: He’s not married and that little girl is Grace. She is Renee’s daughter. (megawatt smile)
Bruce: Renee? Why does that name sound so familiar? (teasing smile)
Trent: Now I remember. I set you and Renee up on a blind date. It was unfortunate that things did not work out for me
and Claudia. (smile and laughs)
Jack: Yeah. So Mark, what are you doing here? I thought you would be in D.C. (megawatt smile)
Mark: I came to visit my parents and Renee wanted Grace to see Wisconsin. So here we are. It’s just
like old times again. Bruce, Trent, and Chris; it’s great to see all of you. (smile)
Trent: Yeah. So are you going to introduce us to your new friend? (curious smile)
Mark: Renee these are my friends; Bruce, Trent, and Chris. Guys, allow me to introduce you to Renee and
her daughter Grace. (cheerful smile)
Bruce: Renee this is Jessica. Jack has a lot of women friends especially in Wisconsin. But don’t let
that scare you away, Sue. (smile and laughs)
Sue: Actually I think it’s great that Jack has so many friends. This way I get to hear all of Jack’s
secrets from those who know him best. (lighthearted smile and laughs)
Bruce: I told you, Jack. This one is a keeper. (smile)
Jack: I think so too. Well, I would love to stay and chat but we have plans. (megawatt smile)
Bruce: Hey, since we’re all together like this, we should get together at Prime Time Sports Bar and have some fun. (smile)
Jack: Sounds like a good idea. Tomorrow night at 8 PM, see you all there. (megawatt smile)
Jack and Sue leave his friends to join his family and watch the dogsled race and
fireworks together. They are watching the live music when everyone gets up to join in the “snow dance”.
Jack:
Would you care to dance with me, my fair lady? (megawatt smile and his signature wink)
Sue: I’ve never danced on snow before.
I’m not sure how that would work. (lighthearted smile)
Jack: There’s always a first time for everything. For someone who
ice skates this should be a piece of cake. (megawatt smile and his signature wink)
Sue: I’ll dance with you on one condition. (lighthearted smile)
Jack: What’s that? (megawatt smile and raise eyebrows)
Sue: No spinning me around and you better catch me if I fall. (lighthearted
smile)
Jack: I believe that’s two conditions. I’m happy to oblige
and I promise to catch you if you fall. (megawatt smile and his signature wink)
Standing up, he slides his chair back and offers his hand to Sue. Sue accepts, placing
her hand in his, Jack leads the way to the far corner of the dance floor where the two of them can have a little privacy.
Then Jack pulls Sue into his embrace. She trembles because he has that effect on her every time he holds her in his arms. Jack lowered his head to kiss her slowly and run his fingers through her hair.
With one hand encircled around her waist and his other hand linked with hers, they
dance across the floor. Then Jack angles her head back for another lingering kiss and he slides his tongue inside her mouth. Later, Jack pulls away and rests his forehead against hers. His breathing was uneven
and so was hers. Sue glanced up at Jack and her eyes lit up when he gave her his “I love you” smile.
Then she wrapped her arms around his neck and brought his face down to her and kisses
him. Afterwards, Jack has plans to whisk Sue over to Clark’s Happy Trails Hay & Sleigh-rides. There Jack and Sue will be taken on a romantic sleigh-ride complete
with Belgian horses, with a view of the majestic scenic trail through the pine forest, followed by a bonfire for two, with
deluxe snack basket which includes hot chocolate, cookies, marshmallows, apple cider, and roasted chestnuts. Jack and Sue are wearing ski clothes, gloves, hats, and insulated ski boots.
Both are sitting in a sleigh-ride with soft hay underneath and warm blankets to keep them cozy and comfortable
during their ride. Jack smiles as he hears the sound of sleigh bells and Sue’s
laughter. All the while the Belgian horses gallop through the pine forest with a clear view of the starry skies up above.
Looking at the picturesque scene on both sides is more enchanting because Jack and Sue are snuggled under
a pile of warm blankets. Half an hour later, the Belgian horses stop at the “Kissing Tree”. Jack and
Sue get down for ten minutes to walk around and share a few moonlit kisses. Two hours later, the sleigh-ride is back at Clark’s
Happy Trails Hay & Sleigh-rides.
Jack helps Sue down from the sleigh-ride and they find a secluded spot to make a bonfire. Jack and Sue sit around the bonfire and try to keep warm.
They look up and see the stars twinkle in the night
sky. Jack roasts marshmallows for them to eat and they drink hot chocolate. No more marshmallows but they do have cookies, roasted chestnuts, and apple cider
to enjoy.
Jack pulls Sue into his embrace and covers them both with a warm blanket. Then
Jack leans towards Sue brushing his lips over hers. Their kiss last for another
minute before he lifts his head. Their eyes locked on each other. It was a spectacular
sleigh-ride experience.
Sue: Thank you for the enchanting sleigh-ride. I love you, Jack Hudson. (dazzling smile)
Jack: You’re welcome. It was enchanting. I love you, Sue Thomas. And the best part
was when we stopped by the Kissing Tree”. You know, this is the kind of day meant to be spent
with a beautiful woman. (megawatt smile and his signature wink)
Sue: Thank you for saying that. We better get back to your parent’s
house. It is way too cold to be outside. (lighthearted smile)
Jack: Yeah. I know; your nose is turning red like Rudolph. So let’s
get you home, sweetheart. (megawatt smile and teases Sue)
Sue: Are you calling me Rudolph? Your nose is turning red also. (lighthearted
smile and teases Jack)
Jack: Well, that just means we are perfect for each other. (megawatt smile
and his signature wink)
Sue: Yeah. We are. So what do you have plan for us tomorrow? (curious
smile)
Jack: I don’t know what you are talking about. I have no plans except going to Prime Time Sports Bar tomorrow evening. (megawatt smile and his signature wink)
Sue:
I’m looking forward to going to the Prime Time Sports Bar.(cheerful smile)
HOME OF YB FAN
by YANNICK BISSON ONLINE
|
