Chapter 74 – Ride Back
Doug turned his horse and lead the group back down the trail that they came. Lee followed then, Elizabeth, Jack, Father Mark and finally Nathan. They rode in silence until they reached where the trail widened out when it joined the trail back to the stables. Father Mark pulled up next to Jack and Elizabeth. As Lee and Doug pulled up next to each other. They seemed deep in a conversation. When Jack looked back at Nathan he looked like he was a million miles away. Jack wondered if he was okay, he had been quiet, even for Nathan as Jack was learning.
"So Jack." Father Mark said. "Have you spoken to your Grandpa John lately?"
"Sort of." Jack said. "I mean I messaged him, but I haven't actually talked to him."
"Okay." Father Mark said.
"Was there something that you needed?" Jack asked.
"I was going to talk to him about something." Father Mark said. "But I think Gran mentioned he might be coming this weekend, so it can wait."
"Okay." Jack said. "I mean I have to call him tomorrow about something else, so I can mention that you need to talk to him."
"That would be great." Father Mark said.
"So you know Jack's other grandparents?" Elizabeth asked.
"Only his grandfather." Father Mark said. "He has helped with some things over the years and when he is up here for the races he comes to church. I think I might have met his grandmother a time or two when I was younger."
"Oh." Elizabeth said.
"My grandmother passed away years ago." Jack said. "I was about six or seven."
"Sorry, I didn't know." Elizabeth said.
"It is okay." Jack said. "I didn't think I mentioned it. No worries."
"So what are you up to with John?" Father Mark asked. "Or is this what you talked a little about earlier?"
"He is helping me with a project that I want." Jack said. "I guess that it falls into both new business and what I was talking about before."
"Oh, tell me more." Elizabeth said. "I like projects."
"I can't really say more right now." Jack said. "But I promise I will tell you all about it when the time is right. I will even let you help me with it, if you want."
"So you aren't going to tell me." Elizabeth said batting her eyes at Jack.
"Nope." Jack said shaking his head.
Jack did flash a dimpled grin at Elizabeth.
"So you are going to come to the show on Saturday?" Jack asked looking over at Father Mark.
"Yes." Father Mark said. "I have to be back to say Mass at five, then I will be at the banquet since they are making a donation in Laura's name. Grandpa already gave me my ticket."
"I will make sure to save you a spot at our table." Jack said.
"Thank you." Father Mark said. "I believe Grandpa said that we have two tables, since you have friends and your Grandpa John is coming."
"Just so you know." Jack said. "Tommy is not coming. He had really pushed Ma and Dad too far and they have basically grounded him. We took everything out if his room other then the mattress and a blanket. Grandpa is making him clean tack, but he still has a ton of attitude. I am just glad that they are finally seeing what everyone else has been seeing for years."
"I will pray for you guys." Father Mark said. "But I will also tell you that you need to support your parents and not gloat. This can't be easy on them."
"Seriously?" Jack said
"I mean it." Father Mark said, with the tone of an older brother scolding a younger sibling. "I know how they have treated you, but that is not an excuse for you to make things harder for them. At least they are trying to make things better with Tommy. Besides, I am sure that there is enough other drama without you adding to the drama by fighting with Tommy."
"I suppose." Jack said. "It still isn't fair the way they have treated me for years and then turned around basically allowed Tommy to run wild."
"I never said it was fair." Father Mark said. "You and I, both know better then most that life is not fair."
"I guess." Jack said.
They were quiet for a few moments.
"Ed still in charge of the arena?" Father Mark said.
"Yes." Jack said. "Why?"
"Ed will straighten Tommy out." Father Mark said. "Otherwise Tommy won't survive."
Both Jack and Elizabeth stopped and looked at Father Mark.
"Who do you think kept your Uncle Conrad in line." Father Mark said. "He had a few go arounds with your mother when she was younger, too. Ed doesn't take any guff from anyone, he doesn't care what your name is, Grandpa told Ed that it was his arena/stable to run as he saw fit. I remember on time making a smart remark and him cupping me up the back side of my head. I never crossed him again."
"Wow." Jack said. "I have never had a problem with Ed."
"Probably because you were always so serious when it came to the horses." Father Mark said. "Then again, you learned pretty early that if you aren't paying attention you can get hurt."
"What are you talking about?" Elizabeth asked.
Jack let out a little groan and rubbed his left collarbone.
"When Jack was about five or six." Father Mark said. "He thought he could ride like some of us older cousins, so without permission, he saddled a horse and tried to jump. He fell off and broke his collarbone. When it was healed, Marco started him on equitation lessons and by the time that he was seven or eight he could do hunter jumper. He started training for show jumping when he was seven, but couldn't really show until he was twelve."
"Why?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes, there are some younger classes." Father Mark said. "But Jack didn't think that was really showing as he couldn't really jump. I mean the rails for the lower classes are only a couple feet off the ground and the horse basically steps over it or at most a little hop."
"Oh." Elizabeth said.
"Yeah." Jack said. "I thought show jumping involved actually jumping and wasn't happy until I could compete like the older kids."
"I guess that makes sense." Elizabeth said. "Especially if you have seen your older cousins doing it and you have done it when practicing."
"He was really good at equitation and hunter jumper." Father Mark said. "And when he started show jumping he was also really good. Still is I hear."
"Enough." Jack said ducking his head.
Before long, they had pulled back into the yard by the stables. As they were dismounting, Jack motioned to Father Mark and then Nathan. Father Mark gave Jack a nod that he understood. As they went about brushing the horses, Father Mark went over to greet Nathan and Athena. Athena was happy to see Father Mark and he petted her muzzle.
"How are you doing, Nathan?" Father Mark asked.
"Okay." Nathan said.
"So you settling in okay." Father Mark said. "I know that the money can be overwhelming, but for the most part my family is very welcoming."
"You know I am working for them right?" Nathan asked.
"Yes." Father Mark said. "But things can still be overwhelming. I mean you are suppose to pretend to be Jack's friend, but you just met him. That can't be easy."
"He is great." Nathan said. "I have told him that I thought we could be friends even if I wasn't working. We are friends or at least I hope so. I love being back on a horse. James had even decided to give my friend Katie and her daughter Opal a chance. She has a botany degree and is going to help set up things to go more natural here at the farm."
"Well that is good." Father Mark said. "I look forward to meeting them. How old is the little girl?"
"Five." Nathan said. "She just turned five in March."
"No father in the picture?" Father Mark asked.
Father Mark watched a a shadow crossed Nathan's eyes, before he closed them. When Nathan opened his eyes again and looked at Father Mark, there was a sadness there.
"No." Nathan said. "And it is not my story to tell."
"I wasn't going to ask." Father Mark said. "Just know that I am here if you ever want to talk. About anything. You know that I can't share what is talked about, with a few exceptions."
"I know." Nathan said. "I became Catholic when I was sixteen."
"Mind sharing how that came about?" Father Mark asked.
"I had had another fight with my parents." Nathan said. "Well mostly my so called father before he took off again. I was so upset that I just left the house. I was walking around and ended up in front of the Catholic Church near our home. It was starting to rain, so I went inside to sit for a bit and wait out the rain. The priest there, he greeted me. He could see that I was upset. He invited me to the kitchen downstairs. He made some hot chocolate for the both of us and we sat and talk for a couple of hours. That lead to me regularly going and talking to him about what I was feeling. One thing lead to another and I was welcomed into the Catholic Church the following spring despite what my family wanted."
"Well it looks like you found what you were searching for." Father Mark said. "Just don't forget to keep searching. Just because I am a member of this family, doesn't mean that you can't talk to me if you need."
"Okay." Nathan said. "I will think about it."
"So you got close to Athena." Father Mark said. "How did you do that?"
"I just walked up and she stuck her muzzle out for me to pet." Nathan said. "I was a little leery, since Jack said she doesn't like most people. But she seems fine with me. I even jumped her this morning."
"Wow." Father Mark said. "How was she?"
Nathan's face broke out in a smile.
"Great." Nathan said. "I had to hold her back as we weren't running at competition speed."
"Yeah." Father Mark said. "Good luck with that. She only has one speed in the ring – in it to win it. If she trusts you and you trust her, she will go all out for you."
"So you are okay with me riding her?" Nathan asked.
"Yes." Father Mark said. "Laura would want her ridden. I try to get out here when I can, but I know that it is not enough and I don't jump anymore. I know that she misses it."
"Thank you." Nathan said. "I feel better knowing that you are okay with it. I know that Jack said I could, but everyone else seemed surprised that I would jump her."
"I think that they were surprised that she took to another person." Father Mark said. "Jack told you the story about her didn't he?"
"No." Nathan said.
"Not surprised." Father Mark said, shaking his head.
"So what happened?" Nathan asked.
"When Athena was born, something happened." Father Mark said. "The mare died the next morning. I don't remember what it was, but Laura bottle fed this one every couple hours around the clock until she was weaned. She even convinced Grandpa to let her sleep down at the stable for the first few nights. I swear, Laura slept in the stall, but no one ever saw her. Laura halter broke her and taught her to jump. She was never going to be a race horse with how much handling she had from the start, so Laura was determined to make her a jumper. And she did. Athena lived to please Laura. She would follow Laura around like a puppy. If Laura was near, Athena wanted to be with her. I think that Athena was depressed for weeks after Laura … That was when I started riding her on the trail, it helped, but I know that she would look at the sand ring and let out a low whine if you could call it that. I was hoping that Jack would take over jumping her, but he had such a connection with Bandit, it just didn't work."
"No wonder she only likes a few people." Nathan said. "I am glad that I am able to jump her. I am looking forward to running her some more."
"I would love to see you jump her." Father Mark said.
"I will keep that in mind." Nathan said. "Hopefully, I will be riding her at Sugar Creek, but if not, I will make sure that you see us jump."
"Good." Father Mark said patting Nathan on the shoulder as he walked away.
The group finished brushing the horses and turned them out in the close grazing pastures. Then the group headed to the house. They had time before supper, but it was easier to sit and visit up at the house. When they got to the house, Gran greeted each of them with a hug. Nathan was taken aback just a bit as his family wasn't really huggers. Gran felt his tension and moved him to an arm's length away, looking into his eyes.
"Nathan." Gran said softly. "I hope you can relax. I don't care if you work for Thomas, you are always welcome here. I hug all my grandchildren and their friends. You look sad, are you okay?"
"I think I will be." Nathan said. "Just thinking."
"Talk it out if you need." Gran said. "There are plenty here who will listen if you just ask."
Gran looked over at Father Mark and then back at Nathan. Nathan had seen where she had looked and gave her a little nod. With that, Gran released him.
"Okay." Gran said. "I have fresh cookies and cold lemonade as long as you promise not to ruin your supper."
"Thank you Gran." Jack said.
Gran looked around the group.
"I can make coffee or tea if anyone wants." Gran added.
"Lemonade is fine." Father Mark said.
Doug and Elizabeth went to the kitchen, grabbed glasses for everyone and the pitcher of lemonade. Gran brought over the plate of cookies that she had ready. The group sat around the table while Gran went back to the kitchen.
"Do you need any help?" Elizabeth asked.
"No." Gran said. "You sit and visit. I will let you know if that changes."
"Okay." Elizabeth said.
The group each grabbed a warm cookie and enjoyed the first few bits before picking up with the conversations again. Jack was sitting as close to Elizabeth as he could and gently took her hand and held it between them. Elizabeth looked over and smiled. Jack was glad that she allowed him to hold her hand. He knew that he had to be careful, but he was trying.
"So Elizabeth." Doug said. "How did you like the meadow?"
"It was amazing." Elizabeth said. "I can see why it is a favorite spot. I would love to take pictures out there."
"We can always go back out there." Doug said.
"I don't have my camera." Elizabeth said sadly.
"I can have someone go get it at the apartments." Doug said.
Elizabeth wiped a tear from her eye, hoping no one noticed.
"You didn't bring it to the apartments did you?" Jack ask softly.
"No." Elizabeth said. "It was locked in Dad's office."
"Why was it there?" Jack asked.
"So Julie would leave it alone." Elizabeth said. "My Aunt Agatha gave it to me for Christmas and Julie was so jealous that I had a nice big camera with different lens that she would sneak into my room when I was gone and play it. I got so mad at her that she wouldn't leave my stuff alone. Dad offered to keep it in his office, since Julie wouldn't dare go in there and touch it."
"Oh." Doug said. "Sorry. If I had known, I would have made sure that you had it."
"Not your fault." Elizabeth said. "I never thought that things would turn out this way. I didn't even think about it myself."