Chapter 8 – Settling In
"Thanks for this." Jack said as he let Doug in.
"Where do you want this stuff?" Doug asked.
"Put Elizabeth's stuff in the master and drop my stuff in the library." Jack said.
"Sounds good." Doug said. "Here are your keys. The Jeep is in the garage. I will either have Devin take me home or catch an Uber."
"Thanks." Jack said. "I will talk to you tomorrow."
Doug dropped the stuff where Jack said and waved to Elizabeth before he took off. Jack was looking at Elizabeth wandering around. It looked like she was thinking about something.
"Hey." Jack said. "Everything okay? Did you see something that you needed?"
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "I was thinking of what I need."
"Why don't you make a list?" Jack said. "I will make sure that you have everything that you need. I ordered supper, it will be here in about an hour. I was thinking that we could just watch a movie and relax tonight."
"That sounds good." Elizabeth said. "I was thinking of taking a long hot bath."
"Why don't you go do that now." Jack said. "I had Doug put your stuff in the master bedroom. There is a nice large tub in there. I will let you know when supper gets here."
"Where are you staying?" Elizabeth asked.
"Doug put my stuff in the library." Jack said. "I will probably just stay here on the couch. If I stay more than tonight, I will probably take the second room. If you don't want me to stay, I will stay in my apartment until we leave for Saratoga."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I will make a list while relaxing in the tub."
"Is there anything you need right away?" Jack asked.
"I don't think so." Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth headed down the hall toward the master bedroom to have a bath. Jack looked around the kitchen and saw that they had stocked some of his favorite things. He made a list of things to add to the service delivery. Jack then headed over to the library and looked at what Doug had grabbed for him. He saw that Doug had grabbed some lounge pants so he changed into those. Jack also looked through the bag and found his toothbrush and shaving kit. Jack was glad with the stuff that Doug had grabbed, but Jack also knew that he had to head home and finish packing things for the trip to Saratoga. He had a list of what Katie was getting for him and what else he needed to pack.
Jack was thinking about everything that had happened that day and his heart went out to Elizabeth. He knew that he had a connection to her, but he also didn't want to take advantage of her in this situation. He also didn't want her to get hurt. Jack knew that he was angry at Charlie Kensington and the way that he treated Elizabeth. Jack was trying to not let what Charlie or Elizabeth's father said bother him, but he couldn't believe the way that they were treating her. Jack had his own problems with his father and family, but he also knew that they would be there for him no matter what or at least he thought that they would. He never understood when families turned on each other. Jack knew that he might not agree with his parents about certain things, but he didn't think that they would ever treat him like the way that William Thatcher treated Elizabeth. Jack also knew that he had steps that he could take if that happened. Jack was glad that he had the resources if something ever happened and he had a falling out with his family. The more that Jack had seen and heard throughout the day the more that he wanted to protect Elizabeth. He knew that it was a lot of changes for her and a lot to take in all at once, but he wanted to make sure that he knew that he and his family didn't expect her to repay them or want anything in return.
As Jack was relaxing on the couch flipping through some of the sports channels, the apartment intercom rang. Jack jumped up to answer it. It was Benny letting him know that their pizza was there. Jack told him to send him up. Jack grabbed his wallet and went to the door. After paying for their supper, Jack put the stuff in the warming oven. He then went to knock on Elizabeth's door.
"Elizabeth." Jack said. "Pizza is here. I have it in the warming oven, so come out when you are ready."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "Can you make me some tea to have with supper?"
"Sure." Jack said. "I will get the water on."
Jack went back to the kitchen and turned the electric tea kettle on. He pulled down the caddy of tea bags that were stocked in the apartment. He wasn't sure what kind she liked. Jack poured himself a large glass of ice water as well as a glass of the Mountain Dew that he ordered. He also pulled out a couple of throw blankets from the storage bin and put them on the couch for them. Just as Jack was getting settled, Elizabeth came out in sweatpants and tee-shirt.
"Feeling better?" Jack asked.
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "The bath was great."
"Supper is ready." Jack said. "I have the electric tea kettle on and it should be ready."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "Thank you for staying."
"No problem." Jack said. "I didn't know what kind of tea that you liked, so I just pulled the caddy down."
"I am not that picky." Elizabeth said. "Although, I prefer chamomile in the evening. I also like Earl Grey, orange and ginger."
"I will remember that." Jack said.
As Elizabeth made some tea, Jack pulled the pizza and breadsticks out of the warming oven. He grabbed plates and took everything over to the living room and put it on the coffee table.
"One or two pieces?" Jack asked.
"Let's start with one and a couple breadsticks." Elizabeth said.
Jack made a plate for her and then made a plate for him. When Elizabeth came over, he handed her the plate he made for her.
"So what do you want to watch?" Jack asked.
"It looks like you were watching a game." Elizabeth said.
"I was just flipping through." Jack said. "I caught the highlights. It is fine. So what do you want to watch?"
"Maybe a movie." Elizabeth said. "Anything but horror, I want to be able to sleep."
"Okay." Jack said. "Let me check the listings."
Jack pulled up the listings of movies playing. Elizabeth was looking as well.
"Wait." Elizabeth said. "What was that last one?"
Jack went back to the one that Elizabeth was talking about.
"I like that one." Elizabeth said. "Can we watch that?"
"Fine." Jack said. "Ghostit is."
Jack and Elizabeth settled in to watch the movie and enjoy their supper. When they were done eating, Jack cleared their stuff from the coffee table. He put the last few pieces of the pizza in the fridge. He poured himself some more water and also poured a glass for Elizabeth. He set it by her and then settled back on the couch. Before long, Elizabeth moved over closer to Jack. He thought maybe she was cold, so he grabbed one of the blankets that he had grabbed and covered her up.
"Thanks." Elizabeth said. "Do you mind if I snuggle close to you?"
"As long as you are comfortable." Jack said. "I don't want to do anything that you don't want. I also have boundaries that I will not cross, so you will be sure that I will be a gentleman. I just want you to be comfortable."
"Honestly." Elizabeth said. "I liked when you had your arms wrapped around me. I like being held close to you. I felt safe in your arms."
"As long as you are comfortable." Jack said. "I don't mind holding you. I just want to be clear where the boundaries are."
"Thank you for that." Elizabeth said. "I know that you are a gentleman, but I like that you checked with me."
Elizabeth snuggled closer to Jack and he wrapped his arm around her and she leaned on his shoulder. She also pulled the blanket up closer around herself. Jack figured that she was tired after everything that happened. Jack turned his attention back to the movie, but found it hard to follow with Elizabeth sitting so close to him. I mean after all, Jack was a red-blooded male, but he also had decided that he wasn't going to do certain things. Jack knew that it was going to be hard to be near Elizabeth and keep his distance, but knew that he had to, not only for her, but also for himself. He had admitted that he liked her, but he also knew that she needed time to deal with what happened and all that was happening. He wasn't going to take advantage of her, but he also couldn't deny the connection that he felt with Elizabeth. Jack knew that being close to Elizabeth was going to challenge him to keep his pledge to remain pure before marriage. It wasn't long and Elizabeth was asleep on Jack's shoulder. He finished the movie and flipped back over to watch sports highlights. He didn't want to wake Elizabeth, since she had such an emotionally draining day, but he also didn't want her to be uncomfortable.
When Elizabeth didn't wake up, when Jack tried to move, he knew that she was completely out. After picking up their glasses, Jack picked up Elizabeth and she snuggled into his chest as he carried her to her bedroom. He gently laid her down on the bed and grabbed a second blanket and covered her up. He then left the bathroom light on dim, so she didn't wake up in the dark. He then left her room and pulled the door closed. Jack then went back and laid down on the couch and fell asleep himself.
The next morning, Jack was startled awake when his phone went off at 6:30. He looked around and it took him a moment to remember where he was. He then remembered that he had stayed at the apartment with Elizabeth. He shut his phone off and stretched. He headed to the library and grabbed his stuff. He went to the guest bathroom and took a quick shower and shaved. When he was dressed and ready, he started some coffee before checking on Elizabeth. He knocked on the door and when there was no answer, he opened the door and saw that she was still sound asleep. He pulled the door mostly closed. Jack then headed back to the kitchen and poured himself some coffee. He grabbed his laptop and sat at the table. He texted Devin and asked him to bring Elizabeth a caramel macchiato when he came along with the chocolate topped croissants.
While Jack sipped his coffee, he checked his email. He answered a few things that he needed to and then saw an email from his grandfather. When Jack opened the email, he wasn't exactly happy. His grandfather had sent him information about a charity jumping event while they would be in Saratoga. Jack hadn't jumped at all in almost a year, but had very competitively jumped for a full four years from the time that he was twelve until he was sixteen. Jack had trained for several years even before that. He knew that he was good, but not having jumped competitively for more than a year made Jack stop and question if it was a good idea. Jack decided that he would email his grandfather back and let him know that they would talk about when they got up there.
Just as Jack was finishing up his emails, he heard Elizabeth.
"Morning Elizabeth." Jack called.
He didn't want her to be startled that he was there. He knew that it had taken him a moment to remember where he was when he woke up.
"Morning." Elizabeth said as she came into the kitchen area.
"How did you sleep?" Jack asked.
"Good." Elizabeth said. "The bed is really comfortable. I don't even remember going to bed last night."
"That is probably because I carried you." Jack said. "You fell asleep watching the movie. After another hour, I was getting tired, so I carried you to the bedroom. I covered you up and then came out here and fell asleep on the couch."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said.
"I hope that I didn't cross a line when I carried you to bed." Jack said.
"No, thank you." Elizabeth said. "You have taken wonderful care of me."
"You are more than welcome." Jack said. "I made coffee, but I also texted Devin to bring you a caramel macchiato when he came."
"Thank you so much." Elizabeth said. "For now, some coffee with cream will be fine."
"I also saw your list of things you needed or wanted." Jack said. "I have called the service and they will have your yogurt and fruit when you get back here. I also sent the list of other things to Katie for her to pick up for you. If you think of anything else, let one of them know."
"Thank you so much." Elizabeth said. "It wasn't until I was walking around last night that I remembered other things that I need. I feel bad about you spending so much money on me."
Jack grabbed Elizabeth's hand and stopped her in front of him
"Elizabeth." Jack said. "Trust me when I say it is no problem. I don't want you to worry about how much money I am spending. What I want is for you to be happy and safe."
"I will never be able to repay you." Elizabeth said.
"I am not worried about that." Jack said. "You want to repay me and my family, then you become the best teacher that you can and teach the next generation of youngsters to love this land and to respect it. That would be the best way to repay me and my family."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "If you are sure. I don't want you to think that I am using you."
"I would never think that." Jack said. "I don't want you to think that because I told you that I felt a connection to you that I am taking advantage of the situation."
"I felt that connection as well." Elizabeth said. "So when you said that you would be there for me, I knew that I needed to call and ask for your help. I didn't know where else to turn. I never expected my father to act that way."
"I am sorry about the way that your family treated you." Jack said. "For now, I think that we should stick to just being friends. If we both want something later, then that would be fine. I just think …."
"No, I agree with you." Elizabeth said. "I don't want people to think that I used you or your name to get ahead."
"I would never think that." Jack said. "Especially since you really didn't even know who I was when you asked for help. Honestly, I don't care what people say about me. People are going to have their opinions, but we will know the truth. If things get too out of control, my father will deal with the people. He has dealt with newspapers and magazines in the past. They are much more careful of what they print about us now. Most don't want to deal with my father's wrath if they cross him."
"Alright." Elizabeth said. "How are you this morning?"
"Good." Jack said. "Sounds like Devin wants to deal with the bank this morning. I will go with you if you want. Otherwise I need to head back to the house and get things ready for Saratoga. I will continue to stay here if you want."
"I would like that." Elizabeth said. "I just don't want people to talk."
"Don't worry about that." Jack said. "This is a two bedroom, so no problem there, besides I do have an apartment on this floor as well. I also don't mind sleeping on the couch or in the spare bedroom. I will head back to the house when Katie gets here. She will probably have you try things on and figure out what else you need. She will be getting some things for me as well. What I will do is head to my house and get things ready for the trip and then bring them here. Devin or one of the guys will take us on Saturday morning, so that will be fine."
