Chapter 17 – Minor Problem

Elizabeth was really hoping that Jack entered the competition, because she really wanted to see him jump. If she was honest, she wanted to see him in that riding uniform in person. She had to shake the thought of that image from her head at the moment and try to put distance between them until things were more settled. Elizabeth also liked that Jack didn't brag about his jumping and other accomplishments. He was different then most other guys she had met. Most just wanted to talk about what they had done and how much better they were then others. Jack was different. He was more worried about other people and almost seemed uncomfortable with praise. Sitting there, Elizabeth realized that she was lucky to have Jack in her life and that she wanted more with him, but she also knew that she needed to give it time. She knew that Jack wouldn't push her for anything and wanted her to work through the current issues, before they jumped into something. Elizabeth wondered if there would be a time that was right. She knew that her family would always think that she jumped into a relationship with Jack right away. She knew that she would have to try and not let it bother her, because she knew the truth.

Jack tried to go back to his computer, but he couldn't hide his smile. He was thinking of Elizabeth in dance costumes and wondered if there were any pictures out there of her. He liked the comfortable aspect that he had with Elizabeth. He could easily see them like that in the future. Jack knew that he had to take things slowly, but he also knew that it would be hard if he continued to stay with Elizabeth in her apartment. Jack was actually glad that they would be heading to his grandparents. Not only would Elizabeth be getting out of the city, but even though they may have alone time up there, they would also have a lot of adults that made sure lines weren't crossed. It was a blessing and a curse at the same time. As much as Jack didn't want to push Elizabeth, he really wanted to be able to call her his girlfriend and eventually his wife. Jack had to stop a second and shake his head. He had never thought about a girl or women like that before and here he had had that thought several times in the last two days. Jack took a deep breath and tried as hard as possible to focus on his computer screen.

Elizabeth finished her coffee and then headed back to her room. As much as she wanted to sit there and stare at Jack, she knew that she needed to walk away before she said something that she wouldn't be able to take back. She knew that Jack was worried about her and didn't want to push her, but there was a part of her heart that already belonged to Jack. If she was honest, Jack had stolen her whole heart, but she couldn't think about that at the moment. She knew that he would not allow anything to happen until she was ready. Elizabeth also knew that Jack would want her to deal with Charlie and her family before even considering anything with him. She wasn't sure what would happen, but she knew that she wanted a future with Jack and she would do whatever it took to get there. Elizabeth also realized at that moment that she didn't care what her family thought about her and Jack. She knew that it would be hard, but she knew that she needed to limit things with her family for her own sanity. She knew that she wanted a future with Jack, no matter what it looked like. She just hoped that his family was as accepting as Jack was telling her. She knew what it was like to have parents who had their own ideas for their children's future. She also knew that they were not always happy when the child rejected those ideas. From what Jack had told Elizabeth, it already sounded like he was trying to make his own path and that might not be well received by his family. She knew that as much as he was there to support her, that she had to support him in what he chose to do, regardless of what his family wanted.

Jack wasn't all that surprised that Elizabeth left the table and the kitchen. He had seen her smile and knew that she was feeling much of what he was feeling. Both realized that it would be easy to jump into a relationship, but that might not be the best thing for either of them. Jack was also worried about what his family would say if he jumped into a relationship with Elizabeth. Jack had already figured out that Elizabeth's family probably already assumed that they were in a relationship. Jack wasn't as worried about what the public would say, but he did wonder what things would be said about them and how Elizabeth would handle them. Jack also knew that the trip to Saratoga would be a trip where they might have to deal with the press and paparazzi. He was a little worried about things and how Elizabeth would react. Jack knew that they would be protected to a certain aspect since his family wouldn't comment on him or Elizabeth or any potential relationship. He just hoped that would be enough, Jack knew that he wouldn't be able to stop people with a cell phone from taking their photo and posting it to social media or selling it to a publication. The only thing Jack was worried about was if something surfaced, how would Elizabeth's family react.

When Jack was done with his laptop, he pulled out his sketch pad. He needed to think and drawing was his way of doing that when he couldn't get on a horse, even sometimes when he was on a horse. The other thing that Jack liked was to chop wood, but he could only do that when he was up at the ranch. Not many people knew how good Jack's art was. It wasn't like he hid it, it was more that he didn't do it around other people. He also rarely gave his pictures away. Obviously his parents and grandparents knew, but he wasn't sure that either Doug or Lee knew how much he liked to draw and even considered getting an art degree instead of a law degree. Both Doug and Lee knew that Jack carried a sketchbook, but since he didn't share, they didn't push him about it. Jack was still thinking an art minor might be worth the effort. He mostly did pencil drawings, but he also did a few paintings. Jack just found pencil drawing much easier. He would sit and paint from time to time, but it was something that he did on his own. One of his favorite paintings was hanging at his grandparents house. He had signed the painting as JP and put his full name on the back of the canvas.

While Elizabeth was in her room sorting her clothes, she was thinking about what she should do about contacting her family. She knew that she had to do something, but she wasn't sure what she could say. Elizabeth knew that she wasn't going to tell them about going to Saratoga with Jack's family. She knew that would just cause more trouble. She knew that they wouldn't understand and she figured that the less that she had to explain the better. Elizabeth doubted that they would even understand why she wanted some time to think about things. She had always been the one that followed what her parents had told her to do. This was the first time that she spoke up and took a stand against her family. Them backing Charlie and his family over her was just the breaking point. Elizabeth realized that business and those contacts were more important than her feelings, wants and needs, much less her safety. It was a hard reality to learn, but Elizabeth was glad that she had learned it before things had gotten further out of hand. Elizabeth's biggest concern at that moment was what would happen to her sister. Julie was always pushing back against her parents' rules. Elizabeth was worried that her parents would take her rebellion out on Julie. But on the flip side, Elizabeth couldn't see how Julie could have any more rules.

Elizabeth finished in her room and went back out to find Jack. Before she went looking for Jack, she put her last load of laundry in the dryer. Elizabeth found him on the couch with a sketchbook. She stood there and watched him for a moment. She thought he looked so cute sitting in the corner of the couch with the sketchbook on his bent knees. He had a very serious look on his face. Elizabeth also noticed that his lips looked like a little heart when he was working on something. She really didn't want to interrupt him, so she turned around and went back to her room. She started working on a list to make sure that she didn't forget anything. She went through what she had already packed and what was left to add. She knew that it was mostly undergarments, socks and sleepwear that was in the dryer. She had hung up a lot of things and knew that she wouldn't be able to pack them until later. She added some of the jewelry that she had brought and then put her journal on the top. She then crawled on her bed and flipped the television on. It wasn't that she watched a lot of TV, but she didn't want to bother Jack.

While Elizabeth was sitting there, she decided that she needed to sort through some of her thoughts, so she got up and grabbed her journal, settled back on the bed and flipped to the next blank page. She took a deep breath and started pouring out her feelings from what happened the last couple of days. As she was writing, she was startled by a knock on her door.

"Elizabeth." Jack called.

"Yes, did you need something?" Elizabeth called.

"Please grab your phone and come out here, please." Jack said.

Elizabeth wasn't sure what was going on, but she grabbed her phone and walked out of her bedroom door. She was surprised to see Jack, Devin and another gentleman standing there.

"What is going on?" Elizabeth asked.

"Miss Thatcher." Devin said.

"I told you to call me, Elizabeth." She said.

"Sorry." Devin said. "Elizabeth, I don't mean to scare you, but I need to see your phone."

"Why?" Elizabeth said.

"Let's go sit down." Jack said.

They walked to the living room. Elizabeth grabbed Jack's arm and looked at him with pleading eyes.

"I promise I will explain." Jack said softly.

Jack ushered Elizabeth into the living room.

"Devin, please explain what is going on." Jack said. "I know that you told me, but I think that you will be able to explain it better to Elizabeth."

"Sorry." Devin said. "Elizabeth, I need to ask you a few questions."

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "Who is the other man with you?"

"Again, sorry." Devin said. "This is Robert Jones. He is a computer and tech expert. I need him to look at your phone."

"Why?" Elizabeth asked.

"Because we think we know how Charlie Kensington knew where you always were." Devin said. "You said it felt like he was following you."

"Yes." Elizabeth said. "What does my phone have to do with it?"

"I will explain." Devin said. "While I am doing that, please let Robert examine your phone."

Elizabeth handed her phone over and Robert went about looking at it. He then hooked it up to his computer and did something. He looked over at Devin and nodded.

"Elizabeth." Devin said. "I will explain everything, but I need you to answer my questions."

"Okay." Elizabeth said.

"Have you told anyone where you are?" Devin asked. "It is okay if you did, I just need to know."

"No." Elizabeth said. "I texted my best friend and sister and told them that I was safe in the city. I said I needed some time and to leave me alone for a bit. I ended by telling them I would talk to them when I had sorted through things. I have also had a number of phone calls from my mother, but I haven't answered them. I didn't know what to say so I just asked for time."

"Do you take your phone with you everywhere?" Devin asked.

"Usually." Elizabeth said. "Especially if I am in the city."

"Okay." Devin said. "Have you received any text messages from Mr Kensington?"

"Yes." Elizabeth said. "But not recently. Actually, he only ever sent me two. I think that they are both still there."

"Can I look?" Robert asked.

"Do what you need to do." Elizabeth said.

"Thank you." Robert said.

"Please tell me what is going on." Elizabeth said.

"We think that Mr Kensington put a tracking app on your phone." Devin said. "It can be embedded in a text message and installed without the person knowing when they open the text message. It is usually hidden and the person doesn't know that it is there."

"Why are you asking about this now?" Elizabeth asked.

"Someone showed up here looking for you." Devin said. "The doorman didn't know you were here and said the person was mistaken and refused to let them in, even after they insisted that you told them that you were here and were expecting them. He called me and I reviewed the security footage and I believe it to be a member of the Kensington family."

"So what happens now?" Jack asked.

"The Kensingtons will be notified that they violated a restraining order by trying to contact you." Devin said. "Robert has also let me know that a hidden tracking app was found on your phone. They are illegal. We will be able to charge him with additional crimes."

"Okay." Elizabeth said.

"Do you have a computer?" Devin asked. "Have you received emails from Mr Kensington?"

"Yes and yes." Elizabeth said.

"Can I please see your computer?" Robert asked.

Elizabeth went to get her computer. She opened it and logged on.

"What are your plans for today?" Devin asked.

Elizabeth looked at Jack.

"We were going to just relax and hang out here." Jack said.

"I think we need to go get Elizabeth a new phone." Devin said. "We will need to take the other one for evidence. We will be able to transfer everything, but the hidden app. If there is an app on her computer, we will get her a new one as well."

Robert checked Elizabeth's computer as Jack paced. He was muttering to himself. Devin stepped in front of him and stopped him.

"JP." Devin said. "This isn't your fault. I wouldn't have thought of it either. It is so rare that we find tracking apps, but I should have checked. I am sorry."

"It is okay." Jack said. "Nothing happened. I am just upset that they know where she is. I was hoping that we had some time to figure things out before they learned where she was."

"Jack." Elizabeth said.

Jack turned and looked at Elizabeth.

"It is okay." Elizabeth said. "Like you said. Nothing happened. You have gone above and beyond to keep me safe. I am just glad that it was found before we left for Saratoga."

Jack took a deep breath and let it out in a harsh manner.

"I guess you're right." Jack said. "I am more pissed at Charlie for doing this. Devin, you can charge him right?"

"I have already secured a warrant for all electronics that Charlie Kensington and his father have access to." Devin said. "If we find the tracking info, we will have a better case, but we don't actually need it."

"Computer is clean." Robert said.

"I don't mean to be rude." Elizabeth said. "But you look very young to be a computer tech."

"No problem." Robert said. "I am twenty-five, but I graduated from MIT four years ago."

Jack looked at Devin.

"JP." Devin said. "Before you ask, yes. He is the best and I trust him completely. I convinced him that he could make more in the private sector. He has been my go to guy for a few years."

"Mr Thornton, Miss Thatcher." Robert said. "Please be careful opening text messages, especially if they have an attachment or emojis in them. That is the easiest way to put this app on your phone. Until things calm down, Devin will have me periodically checking your electronics. Mr Thornton, can I check your phone and computer quickly?"

Jack handed over his phone and grabbed his computer. Robert checked both and they were clean.

"Clean." Robert said. "I will check them again when you get back from Saratoga, unless you feel the need to have it done before."

"Thank you, Robert." Jack said.

"No problem." Robert said. "Devin calls and I come. He has sent a lot of business my way, so anything I can do to help him."

"So how does this work now?" Elizabeth asked.

"We will get you a new phone." Devin said. "We will go if you are ready."

"Yes, just let me get my purse." Elizabeth said.

"You will need this." Robert said, holding out a thumb drive.

Elizabeth just looked at him.

"It has your contact information, phone and other information from your sim card." Robert said. "You just need to plug this in and it will load on your new phone. You will have the same number if you want. You will just need to download your apps. I would also suggest that you change any passwords. If anyone asks how you have the information on a thumb drive, just tell them that you downloaded it from the cloud because you lost your phone."

"Okay." Elizabeth said.