Chapter 10 – Taking Care of Business

They pulled up to the bank and Devin parked as close as he could get. He got out and looked around before going and opening Jack's door. Jack climbed out and then helped Elizabeth out. Again, he wrapped a protective arm around her as they walked into the bank. Devin stopped just inside the door and showed the security guard his credentials and let him know that he was armed. The guard nodded and escorted them into the bank and waved the manager over. The guard relayed that the young couple had private security with them and he was armed, but had the proper credentials.

"Yes, I am Mr Anderson, the manager, how may I help you today Miss Thatcher."

"I would like to talk to you in private." Elizabeth said.

"Sure." Mr Anderson said. "Your friends can wait here. Do you want me to call your father so we can conference him in our meeting?"

"No." Elizabeth said. "They come with me. Not only is Mr Thompson here my security, but he also is a lawyer from the firm that represents me. Jack, here will also be coming with me. There is no need to involve my father."

Jack was glad that Elizabeth had stood up for herself and didn't let the bank manager pressure her to call her father. He also knew that Devin would have stepped in if he had felt that it was going to be an issue.

"Of course." Mr Anderson said. "Right this way."

Mr Anderson led them to his office and sat down. Jack guided Elizabeth to one chair and stood behind her. Devin took the other chair.

"So what can I do for you?" Mr Anderson asked.

"I have paperwork for you." Devin said. "It is an order to remove Miss Thatcher's parents from having any access to her accounts. Failure to comply with these orders could result in fines or more from the courts. It will also result in the removal of Miss Thatcher's accounts and a report to the Federal Banking Commission."

Mr Anderson looked at the three people before him. It took him a moment to regain his train of thought. He cleared his throat and looked at Elizabeth.

"Do you have your id, Miss Thatcher?" Mr Anderson asked.

"Here you go." Elizabeth said handing over her driver's license. "I also need to change my address and add Jack here to my accounts."

"You don't need to do that." Jack whispered to Elizabeth.

"I want to." Elizabeth said firmly.

"If that is what you want." Jack said.

Jack pulled out his id and handed it over to Mr Anderson to add him to the account. At the same time, Devin wrote out Elizabeth's new address. As soon as Mr Anderson saw Jack's id, his entire demeanor towards the group changed. Jack and Devin both noticed it, but didn't say anything. Although they exchanged a look. Jack was used to dealing with things like that and Devin had seen it before as soon as people learned who Jack was. For her part, Elizabeth didn't notice anything different, so neither Jack or Devin was going to say anything. Mr Anderson made the changes that were requested and Jack signed so he could have access to Elizabeth's accounts, even though he still wasn't sure. He did it because she asked him to. When that was done, Mr Anderson looked back at the group.

"Is there anything else that I can do for you today?" Mr Anderson asked, with a much more pleasant tone than he had been using before.

"Please don't advertise that we were here." Devin said. "Miss Thatcher is in protective custody at the moment. You can also comply with the orders that you were given and not allow unauthorized access to her accounts. I will be checking."

"Of course." Mr Anderson said, nodding. "Anything else, Mr Thornton?"

"Yes." Jack said. "Miss Thatcher will be traveling to upstate New York. I want to make sure that her card will work and it won't be flagged."

"Of course." Mr Anderson said. "If you have any problems, just call the number for card services on the back."

"Thank you for your time." Devin said.

They all gathered their stuff and put it away. They stood and everyone shook hands. Devin then led them back to the car. Devin waited until they were all in the car before addressing Jack and Elizabeth.

"That went better than I expected." Devin said.

Jack just rolled his eyes.

"Yeah." Jack said. "Especially when he saw who he was dealing with."

"Did I miss something?" Elizabeth asked.

"When he saw JP's id." Devin said. "The manager changed the way he spoke to us. We have both seen it before. It is okay that you didn't notice. It is something that you get used to, sort of."

"Yeah, sort of." Jack said, rolling his eyes.

"Is there anything else that we need while we are out?" Devin asked.

"I know that you have that service to bring things." Elizabeth said. "But we only have today and tomorrow before we leave. I was wondering if we could just stop and pick up a few things that I want, well … need."

"Sure." Jack said. "I mean if you tell me what, I can have the service deliver it today."

"I would prefer to stop myself." Elizabeth said.

"If that is what you want." Jack said. "Where do you want to go?"

"Any grocery store will do." Elizabeth said. "I want some fresh fruit and I need a couple of personal items."

"That is fine." Devin said. "I will need to go with you inside, but that is fine."

"I will go with you as well." Jack said. "I might as well pick up a few things as well. I was thinking of making us supper tonight Elizabeth. Do you like steak?"

"Yes." Elizabeth said. "I didn't see a grill. Are you going to do them in the oven?"

"There is an indoor grill." Jack said. "It is just covered when not in use. I was thinking of doing steaks with baked potatoes and a nice salad. Maybe we can pick up a premade salad."

"Sure sounds good." Elizabeth said.

Devin looked at the GPS and headed to the nearest CTown Supermarket. Again he pulled up as close to the doors as he could. Jack again waited and helped Elizabeth out of the car. He kept a protective arm around Elizabeth as they entered the market.

"Let's stick together." Jack whispered to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth nodded as Jack grabbed a cart.

"Lead the way." Jack said.

Elizabeth was a little embarrassed about picking up the personal items that she needed, but realized that it was what it was. She looked over at Jack when she steered them toward where she was going. He just smiled at her.

"Get whatever you need." Jack said. "I got it."

Elizabeth couldn't believe how supportive Jack was being. He walked with her as she went down the aisle and grabbed what she needed. She then led them over toward the meat where Jack picked out a package of steaks for them. They then picked some potatoes up and looked at the premade salads. Together they agreed on two different ones that they would combine. Elizabeth then grabbed a few bananas and oranges. There were a few other things that Jack grabbed as they were walking around.

"Need anything else?" Elizabeth asked.

"Do you want some raspberry tea?" Jack asked. "I know that my cousin Laura liked that during her time of the month. I know that is not normally stocked at the apartment unless we ask."

"Never tried it." Elizabeth said. "If you don't mind, can we grab some?"

"Sure." Jack said.

They headed over to where the tea and coffee was. Not only did they pick up a couple different teas that Elizabeth wanted, but they also picked up some coffee that she liked. On their way to the checkout, Jack grabbed some Dove chocolates and put them in the cart. Elizabeth smiled at Jack and he gave her a dimpled grin back. They waited in line for a few minutes and then Jack insisted on paying for their stuff. Jack was just glad that no one wanted his attention while they were in the store. When they were done, Devin once again led the way back to the car. After they were all in, Jack's phone chimed. He looked at it and showed Elizabeth.

"Anything I need to know?" Devin asked.

"It was just Katie." Jack said. "She was letting us know that she would be at the apartment in about an hour."

"Plenty of time." Devin said. "Anything else?"

"No, I am good." Jack said. "Elizabeth?"

"I am good." She said. "I just want to relax a little before Katie comes, if that is okay."

"No problem." Jack said. "We can head back. I will stay until Katie comes. Then I will head to my house and get what I need. Do you want me to stay until we leave for Saratoga, because if you do, I can get my stuff and just bring it back to the apartment like I said. I can always stay in my apartment if you feel uncomfortable with me there."

"If you don't mind." Elizabeth said. "I would feel better."

"No problem." Jack said. "And Devin, I promise I will go straight home and back. No need to bother one of the guys."

"As long as you are careful." Devin said. "I want to know when you leave, when you get there and vice versa.

"I will be." Jack said. "I know the drill."

Devin drove them back to the apartment and parked in the garage. Jack grabbed their stuff and walked Elizabeth back up to the apartment. He put the stuff away and got the steaks marinating. Elizabeth settled on the couch and flipped the TV on. Jack thought it was cute the way that she curled up on the couch. He put the electric kettle on for her in case she wanted some tea. He then made each of them a large glass of ice water before heading over to sit with Elizabeth.

"Here." Jack said, handing her the water. "I also put the electric kettle on in case you wanted some tea."

"Thank you." Elizabeth said.

"Need anything else?" Jack asked.

"No, I am good." Elizabeth said.

Together they curled up on the couch and watched part of a show. It was just under an hour later that Katie knocked on the door. Jack jumped up and got it.

"Hey." Katie said. "Sara is bringing the rest, I am going to help her."

"Okay." Jack said, taking the rack that she was pushing.

Jack pulled the rack into the apartment.

"Katie will be right back." Jack said. "She is getting the rest and she has her assistant, Sara, with her."

Elizabeth looked at the rack and then at Jack.

"That is a lot of clothes." Elizabeth said.

"Remember." Jack said. "She brings a size up and a size down, as well as lots of choices. Don't feel bad. Pick what you want and like. She will take the rest back. It is not a problem."

"Okay." Elizabeth said.

It wasn't long and Katie was back with Sara. Jack greeted both of them.

"I will see you later." Jack said. "Katie, if you have my stuff, you can just leave it here."

"I will drop it off later." Katie said. "I am sure there will be a few other things that Elizabeth here needs. I will text you when I leave."

"Thanks for this Katie." Jack said. "Elizabeth, just relax and let Katie do her job. She will understand if you don't like something. She will help you, but you have to let her."

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "See you later."

"See you later." Jack said.

Elizabeth watched Jack leave, she didn't want him to go, but she knew that he was trying to give her some space. Besides, she wasn't alone, Katie was there and she had a ton of clothes for her. Elizabeth understood that Jack needed to go home and deal with things. Besides, he had to pack for the trip as well as grab other things to stay with her for the next couple of nights.