Chapter 26: Buchanan' S Harbor
Cabin
In the meantime, up at Bruce’s cabin, they went hiking and animals that lived in the woods were curious
so all creatures large and small came out to greet them. Later in the afternoon they went fly fishing for a few hours before
they were able to catch any fish. And after catching rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout on Two Rivers. Bruce, Jack,
Mark, and Trent head back to the cabin. There each of them grilled their catch of the day. While eating dinner; the guys want
to know more about Sue.
They
keep pestering Jack until he answers all their questions. They have fun discussing life, family, relationships, and just hanging
out together. Before packing up in the morning, they take several snapshots of the four of them at the cabin. Then drive home
to see their family. The guys slap each other on the back and promise to keep in touch. Jack and Sue spend one more day with
his parents and siblings before they head home to D.C. Actually, Jack has another surprise waiting for Sue.
Bruce: Hey,
Jack when is the big day? (smile and teases Jack)
Jack: What
are you talking about? (raise eyebrows and laughs)
Bruce: When
are you and Sue getting hitched, taking the plunge, tying the knot, wedding bells ringing, need I say more? (laughs and teases
Jack)
Jack: Oh.
Why does everyone keep asking me that? (megawatt smile, rolling eyes at Bruce, and laughs)
Bruce: Because we care and we don’t want to
be left out in the cold when you do walk down the aisle. (laughs and teases Jack)
Trent: Yeah. But what Bruce is really referring to is the
wedding reception. You know the part where the bride has to toss the bouquet and the groom toss the garter belt. The old saying
is whoever catches the bouquet and garter belt will be next in line to get hitched and that’s why Bruce is so anxious
for you to marry Sue. (laughs)
Jack: So let me get this straight. This has nothing
to do with me and Sue. It’s just another way for you to meet women, is that right, Bruce? (laughs and teases Bruce)
Bruce: Yeah. You and Sue are my two dearest and oldest
friends. I want to share in your wedding day. Just a warning, I’ll be force to steal Sue away from you. Who knows, she
might decide that you’re not worth it after all. (laughs and teases Jack)
Jack: That will never happen. Sue knows who the right man is for her and it’s me. Bruce, you need to get your
own woman. (megawatt smile)
Bruce: You admitted that much to us. See Trent, I
told you Jack would crumble under my line of questioning. You and Mark have to pay me $200 bucks. Hand it over boys. So, I’ll
ask again, when is the big day? (smile, laughs, and teases Jack)
Jack: You guys made a bet on when Sue and I might marry. I’m talking way down the road from now. I don’t
believe it. I should throw you guys in jail to teach you all a lesson. (megawatt smile, laughs, and raise eyebrows)
Trent: Hey, it was Bruce’s idea. Once you are off the market, single women all over the country will be knocking
on both our doors, begging for a chance to go out with me and Bruce. We’ll have to fight them off with a stick. (smile
and laughs)
Jack: If you must know (pause)…you will all find out when and if I choose to tell
you or not. That’s all I’m going to say on the subject. Hey Mark, you’ve been really quite all evening. How are things going for
you and Renee? (megawatt smile and laughs)
Bruce: That’s right. Are you and Renee hearing
wedding bells? (smile)
Jack: You have a one-track mind, it’s all about
weddings Bruce. Are you applying for the job as the wedding coordinator for my eventual wedding as you put it? (megawatt smile,
laughs, and teases Bruce)
Bruce: That’s not a bad idea, Jack. I have big
plans for your wedding ceremony. We should talk about this later. (smile and laughs)
Jack: Sure thing. No offense, Bruce. But you are the
last person I would call to get advice about weddings. Is everything okay, Mark? (smile and teases Bruce)
Mark: Yeah. Renee and I are great together. And I
adore Grace. In fact, I have news. I’m going to adopt Grace. (excited smile)
Jack: That’s fantastic news. Congratulations
Mark. When does the paperwork go through? (megawatt smile)
Mark: In a
couple of weeks. As for wedding bells for me and Renee, I don’t think Renee is ready to take that leap with me just
yet. Grace needs time to adjust to me being a part of their life. In truth, I’m not ready to take that leap myself.
I haven’t been around kids much. But I know one thing; Grace has a crush
on you. She has pictures of you all over her room, Jack. (smile, laughs, and teases Jack)
Trent: I guess you better inform Sue that she has competition for your affection, Jack. From what I hear, Grace can give Sue a run for her money so Sue had better watch out. (smile, laughs, and
teases Jack)
Mark: Yeah.
Grace is a delightful little girl. Back to what I was saying, it’s more than a little school girl crush. After dinner
a few weeks ago, Renee tucked Grace into bed. I said goodnight to Grace and waited for Renee in the hallway. That’s
when I overheard their conversation. Grace smiled and told her mom that when she grows up she wants to marry Jack Hudson.
After the shock wore off, Renee explained to Grace that, she was too late. Someday Grace would find her own prince just like
Sue found Jack. Grace did not seem to mind one bit and drifted off to dreamland. Probably thinking about how to steal Jack
away from her main rival, Sue. (lighthearted smile, laughs, and teases Jack)
Jack: I know you made that up, Mark. In any case, thanks
for sharing that info. I will be sure to tell Sue about Grace’s crush on me. (megawatt smile and laughs)
Mark: I did not. If you don’t believe me, go ahead and call Renee.
That story came straight from Grace’s mouth. I bet it all started when you bought and built her the Hillsdale dollhouse. (smile, laughs, and teases Jack)
Trent: Tough guy, Special Agent Jack Hudson, plays with dollhouse. Well wonders never cease. You better not let
the bad guys find out about this. (laughs and teases Jack)
Jack: What is this,
pick on Jack Hudson day? (rolling eyes at them) I think you should buy her a puppy, Mark. That way Grace will forget all about
having a crush on me. Apart from hassling me all night, it has been great fly
fishing with you three chums. I am beat so I’ll say goodnight. See you guys in the morning. (megawatt smile and laughs)
Bruce: You better send me an invitation to your wedding
or else. I know where you live, Jack. So be very afraid. (lighthearted smile, laughs, and teases Jack)
The next day, back at Jack’s parent’s house
Jack comes home and
is greeted by his family and Sue. Meg invites Jack and Sue over to her house for lunch. She made grilled ham and cheese sandwiches
and crunchy chicken fingers for Tom and Sarah. Meg, Matt, Jack, and Sue have zucchini casserole and potato salad. Afterwards,
Matt helps Jack build the Hillsdale dollhouse for Sarah. Then Jack and Matt build the model airplane for Tom. Meg comes into
the living room and announces it is almost dinner time. They get cleaned up and wait for Jack’s parents and Abby to
join them for dinner. Meg prepared baked beef stew, crab puffs with cream cheese, avocado dip, chicken salad with peaches
and walnuts, sesame shrimp toasts.
Jack’s mom brought over coconut almond bars for Tom and Sarah while the grown-ups enjoy bourbon chocolate
cake. Afterwards, Matt gets clean up duty, while Jack and Sue play with Tom and Sarah. Jack
is teaching Tom how his model airplane works. Sue and Sarah play with her dollhouse. Tom and Sarah hug and kiss everyone goodnight.
It is getting late so Jack thanks Meg and Matt for having them over. More hugs are exchanged, Jack, Sue, Abby, and his parents
say goodnight and walk back to their house. After they say goodnight to his parents and Abby goes back to her place.
Jack and Sue sit on the porch swing for a little while before heading to bed. Jack
has his arm around Sue and she nestles closer to him. Soon after, Jack playfully pokes Sue in the ribs. She pokes him back
and then they start tickling each other. After Sue cries out uncle, Jack angles his head to kiss her. Sue wraps her arms around
his neck and he slips his tongue inside her mouth. Jack kisses her one last time and he says goodnight. They walk hand-in-hand
back inside the house. He walks her to Meg’s old room, she says goodnight to him, and closes the door. Jack walks to his own bedroom and falls asleep.
Jack:
A penny for your thoughts? (megawatt smile and raise eyebrows)
Sue:
We have to leave in the morning. I’m sad because I’m going to miss your family, your friends, Tom, Sarah, and
your hometown. Thanks for showing me Wisconsin. (smile)
Jack:
I’m glad you had fun in my hometown. I was worried you might think it was a boring small town. Now you know everything
about me. (megawatt smile)
Sue:
Are you sure I know everything about you? (curious smile)
Jack:
Yes. And you should also know that we will be back here next year or the year after that. Wisconsin is not going to change
all that much. (megawatt smile)
Sue:
I guess you’re right. So what time is our flight tomorrow? (smile)
Jack:
Actually, I have a secret to tell you. We’re not flying back to D.C. tomorrow. Do you remember when I told you about
taking you away on a romantic trip? (megawatt smile and his signature wink)
Sue:
Yeah. If we’re not going back to D.C. where are you taking me? (curious smile)
Jack: I thought
we would spend New Year’s Eve together at Star Gazer Bed & Breakfast Inn. Afterwards
we go back to D.C. and back to work. How do you like my idea? (megawatt smile and his signature wink)
Sue:
Sounds good. But when did you have time to set this up? (curious smile)
Jack: I have my ways. I have been working on the details for two months. I can’t think of
anything more special than being able to spend New Year’s with you. (megawatt smile and his signature wink)
Sue: Oh, that is sweet. And I forgot to thank
you for the lovely note you left on the dresser table yesterday. I’m going to have that note framed. So whenever we
are apart I can look at and always feel your love wrap itself around me. (cheerful smile)
Jack: Looks like I’m not the only poet around
here. I always love sitting out here watching the stars. Tonight sharing this moment with you is the icing on the cake. (megawatt
smile and his signature wink)
Early the next morning, Jack and Sue get up and
start packing for their trip home. After Jack brings all of their suitcases downstairs and load the car. They eat breakfast
with his family. Hugs and kisses are exchange between everyone, then Jack and Sue wave goodbye with Levi in the backseat.
Jack’s mom as usual is standing on the front steps watching the two of them drive off.
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