Chapter 221 – Mostly Relaxing Afternoon

Jack looked at the two hands that still had a hold of the horse's reins. They were looking at each other, like they didn't want to talk.

"I am not mad." Jack said. "But I can get mad if someone doesn't tell me what happened. I need to know so I know what to look for."

They could tell that Jack meant business, even though he had kept his tone even and calm so as not to further upset the horse.

"I was at the starting gate." The first hand said. "So I didn't have a good look, but it appeared that the two horses bumped into each other. Midnight reared up first. When the rider on Bob here looked over, it moved Bob into Midnight again. That was when Bob reared up and his rider wasn't able to hold on. Connie was trying to get Midnight under control, but when she pulled on the reins to try and steer Midnight away from Bob and the downed rider, he took off at full speed. That was when Connie fell and hit the rail. Midnight jumped the rail at full speed and took off. We came for Bob here."

"Thank you." Jack said. "And where were you?"

"Quarter mile pole." The second hand said. "I thought the horses looked too close to each other and then they started bumping each other. Grayson's leg hit Midnight and Connie overcorrected when Midnight went toward the rail. Honestly it was a horrible chain of events."

"Thank you." Jack said. "I want a written statement in my email box asap and a physical one on Manny's desk before you leave today."

"Yes, Sir." Both hands said.

Jack started checking the horse. He ran his hand down the neck and continued. Jack removed the saddle and kept going. He checked the whole body and then started on the legs. There was a little heat in one of the rear legs, but Jack wasn't too worried. Jack literally ran his hands over every inch of the horse from head to hoof. When he was done, he offered Bob another mint.

"Good boy." Jack said.

The horse had calmed considerably. Jack took another minute to make sure he had calmed down and gave him some attention.

"Do you think that you can get him back to the stable?" Jack asked.

"Yes." The hand said.

"Good." Jack said. "I want someone to call Dr Matthews, if he hasn't already been called. Bob's right hind leg has a bit of heat and I want him to check it. I don't think it is anything serious, but I still want it checked."

"We will do that." The hand said. "Thank you for your help."

Jack nodded and as they led the horse toward the stable, Jack headed over to where there were several people gathered around who he believed was Connie. As Jack walked over to the group of people, he didn't see a second rider down, so he hoped that whoever it was, was okay. He could also see that Nathan and Doug were with the downed rider.

When Abigail and Elizabeth got back upstairs, they headed to the kitchen.

"We have two loads in." Abigail said. "I got things ready to put another one in after this. It is mostly towels and sheets. So it can all be folded later."

"Thank you." Gran said.

Abigail and Elizabeth both washed their hands and then started helping as they peeled potatoes and cut up the veggies and fruit.

"Margaret." Abigail said. "I have already mentioned it to Elizabeth and she wanted to make sure that you were alright with it, but I was thinking of inviting my niece Caitlin over tomorrow and then again for the Fourth."

"That is fine." Gran said. "I haven't seen her in awhile so that will be nice."

"Thank you." Abigail said. "I think that she and Elizabeth will be good friends."

"I think so also." Gran said.

As they were talking, the radio chirped an 'all clear'. Trish and Gran both let out a breath in relief.

"What was that?" Elizabeth asked.

"It's all clear." Gran said. "So that means that they have both horses. I don't know anymore than that, but I am sure we will all hear about it later. Abigail, please text your son and let them know."

"I will." Abigail said. "I had already sent a text and told them to stay in town until they heard from me."

"Why?" Elizabeth asked.

"Because if the alarm goes off for a loose horse." Gran said. "All the gates automatically close and lock. It is so that the horse is contained to this property. Security can override a gate, but they won't unless it would be for an emergency vehicle."

"Oh." Elizabeth said.

"It is okay." Trish said. "You didn't know. This doesn't happen often, but if it does it is a safety thing. The gates are closed. If you are not actively looking for the horse, you are encouraged to stay in whatever building you are in. That way they know where people are and that everyone is safe, including the horses."

"Good point." Elizabeth said.

"Peter says they are on their way back." Abigail said. "They were just waiting to hear from me."

"Good." Gran said. "I will let John know and put the radio away."

"Maybe let the girls know as well." Elizabeth said.

"I will." Gran said.

Gran left to go talk to John. Lee came back up having heard the all clear. It wasn't long and the house was a flurry of activity. As soon as Opal heard, she ran to the back door to get her swimsuit that her mother had left her. She then went downstairs with the other girls and they all got ready to go swimming.

"I will stay and help carry things in when Frank gets back." Lee said.

"Thank you." Abigail said.

When the girls came up, they came over to the kitchen.

"Let's go girls." Elizabeth said. "I will be watching you, but I won't be swimming today."

"Okay." Maddie said.

She then turned and led the girls out to the pool. Elizabeth, one step behind. As Gran came back to the kitchen, she looked over and saw that Cody had fallen asleep.

"Look." Gran said, pointing to Cody.

"Yeah." Abigail said. "He will usually fall asleep about this time if we let him be. If I try to put him down for a nap, he won't go."

"Sometimes it is just easier this way." Gran said.

"Ain't that the truth." Trish said. "Doug hated naps, especially at that age."

The ladies all laughed, because they knew all the boys had gone through it at one point or another. It was about fifteen minutes after Abigail got the text, Frank was pulling up to the garage. Lee went out to help carry things in. He then planned to go out and see if Elizabeth needed a hand keeping an eye on the girls. It took a couple trips, but Frank, Lee and Peter were able to carry everything in.

"Did you have a nice time in town?" Abigail asked.

"Yes." Peter said. "Frank took me out for lunch. I showed him around a bit. We were able to drive around the perimeter of the ranch and the new properties."

"That was nice of you." Abigail said.

"So where did you go for lunch?" Gran asked.

"We decided on Marino's Pizza." Peter said.

"Oh, good food." Trish said. "What did you have?"

"We each had an order of mozzarella sticks." Peter said. "Then I had an Italian sub. Frank had a BLT sub."

"What are you talking about?" Frank asked, coming in.

"Peter was telling us what you had to eat." Trish said.

"Yes." Frank said. "We had a nice time and Peter was a great tour guide. I thought that Jack said that the property was just over thirteen hundred acres, but what Peter showed me was much larger."

"What is currently marked as Coal Creek." Gran said. "It is just over twenty seven hundred acres. The retirement center and the track area are separate, so JP doesn't include them. His new properties are also going to be set up under a separate trust, but it will all be Coal Creek."

"Got it." Frank said. "That makes more sense now."

"I don't know all the details off the top of my head, but I am sure that JP will also explain it all better than me as well." Gran said.

The ladies shooed the guys out of the kitchen once the cold stuff was put away. Frank and Peter headed downstairs to check scores and talk some more. Lee headed out to check how Elizabeth was doing watching the girls.

As much as everyone wanted to know what happened over at the track, they were going to wait until Jack and the guys got back. It was a nice afternoon, relaxing and spending time with friends and family. Gran, Trish and Abigail spent the time baking and cooking in the kitchen. Abigail got everything ready for Nathan to make the bacon jam and for Frank to make the casserole that he was going to make for supper. He showed them what he got and left the recipe, but they were going to let him make it.

It was close to two thirty when Jack, Doug and Nathan came back to the house. They waved at the girls as they walked along the back patio. Elizabeth jumped and went to Jack, but he held his hand up.

"I would hug you." Jack said. "But I seriously need a shower right now. Once I shower and process things a little bit, I promise I will tell you everything. I just need a little bit of time."

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I understand, but I just want to know if everyone is okay."

"Mostly." Jack said. "Horses are in their stalls, the riders are at the hospital getting checked out. I can't even think of explaining right now."

Elizabeth went to ask another question, but then saw Doug and Nathan shaking their heads behind Jack.

"Go shower and do what you need." Elizabeth said. "Then we can talk whenever. I think Frank and Peter are downstairs still. Lee might be down there as well. He had been out here, but went in about fifteen minutes ago. I think Bill is still with your grandfather in the office."

"Thank you." Jack said.

Jack walked away and went around to go downstairs and avoid everyone, mostly because he smelled like he had been rolling around in the barn. Doug and Nathan stood there for a moment. Once Jack had turned the corner, Nathan motioned for them all to sit.

"Girls." Elizabeth called. "Ten minutes and we need to go in. You have been in the sun for quite a while now."

"We will get out and dry off." Maddie called.

"Thank you." Elizabeth said.

She then turned to the guys.

"What happened?" Elizabeth asked.

"The short version." Doug said. "Two of the two year old racehorses bumped each other on the track and it went downhill from there. Both riders were thrown. Grayson is fine. He had been the first down. Jack and Manny insisted that he go get checked out anyway. The other rider was Manny's daughter, Connie. She probably has a dislocated shoulder and a possible concussion. Jack checked the first horse and he had heat in one of his hind legs. They are going to watch it. Doesn't sound serious, but they want to be sure."

"What about the other horse?" Elizabeth asked.

"After he was finally cornered over near the breeding facility." Nathan said. "He was so agitated that they had to tranquilize him to get him back to the barn. Jack insisted on checking every inch of the horse, but even with the meds was slightly agitated. Jack wouldn't listen and insisted on checking the horse. He was knocked down in the stall twice before he was able to finish checking the horse. Jack is fine, maybe a few sore muscles. The horse they are going to have to watch and they won't know more until maybe Monday. There was a lot of heat in the horse's legs and they don't know if it was from all the running or he was injured. They need to let the tranquilizer wear off and then see."

"Oh." Elizabeth said.

"We should probably go wash up as well." Nathan said. "Once we do that, we will let the others know."

"Just let Jack talk about it at his own pace." Doug said. "These are both horses that Jack had very high hopes for, so if they can't race anymore it is a huge loss."

"Thank you for telling me." Elizabeth said. "I will let Jack come to me. I was just worried."

"I get that." Doug said. "If Jack hasn't talked to you before supper, talk this evening. He needs to talk to someone."

"I will thank you." Elizabeth said.

Doug and Nathan headed inside where Jack had gone. Elizabeth turned her attention back to the girls to see that they had all gotten out of the pool and were laying the sun drying off. She was glad that the girls listened to her. She knew that they probably would be in the pool tomorrow and later in the week, but for the day, she had had enough sun.