Chapter 23 – Lunch

After everyone had a chance to freshen up, Jack knocked on Elizabeth's door.

"Ready?" Jack asked. "I think lunch is almost ready."

"One minute." Elizabeth said.

Jack waited and when Elizabeth opened her door, Jack gave her a dimpled grin.

"Gran likes you." Jack said. "If you are up to it, we can head to town after lunch."

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "So is your room also in a horse theme?"

"No." Jack said. "Mine kind of looks like a locker room. There are even lockers in there from the old school. White walls, cream/beige carpet, red lockers. The beds have quilts in red, blue, white and beige. I doubt that there is much on the walls."

"So where are all your ribbons, then?" Elizabeth asked.

"Some are at home in the city." Jack said. "Others are in the trophy rooms over at the arena."

"Trophy rooms?" Elizabeth asked.

Jack just laughed.

"Yes." Jack said. "Grandpa thinks it will inspire other riders. A number of Laura's are over there as well. I, personally, think it is embarrassing."

"So she has more than what is on her wall?" Elizabeth asked.

"Lots more." Jack said. "She competed in hunter jumper, show jumping, cross country and eventing which also includes dressage with cross country and show jumping. Then there was also equitation and she was getting a little into reining, though that is thought of more as a western sport and not English as the rest are. She did at least one show a weekend from April to October for years.

We have also had a few other riders, mostly cousins of mine. Their ribbons are mostly in the trophy room as well. There are also awards from thoroughbred racing over there. We can keep any of the ribbons that we want and the rest go in the trophy rooms. Like I said, I have a few of mine that are special to me. Most of them are in the trophy rooms."

"Wow." Elizabeth said.

It was really all Elizabeth could say. She had no idea that there were so many different things to do. She knew that she was going to have to do a little more research. Jack watched Elizabeth and knew that she was impressed. He couldn't wait to see her face when he showed her the actual arena and the various trophies and ribbons.

Everyone met in the large dining room and sat down to a nice lunch.

"JP." Grandpa James said. "When do you want to look at that horse? Sorry I didn't get anything to you. I had Marco make a file for you about Ryan. It should be uploaded to the system."

"Well." Jack said. "Elizabeth and I need to head into town and get boots. I looked and I don't have dress boots for next weekend and my riding boots don't fit."

"I need some boots as well." Nathan said.

"Why don't you three head into town after lunch." Margaret said. "You know that we have an account at the Saddlery and at Cheshire."

"Yes, Gran." Jack said.

"Why don't we go get what we need in town." Jack said. "I can show Elizabeth and Nathan around a little bit. We shouldn't be gone more than a couple of hours. When we get back, I will take a look at the horse. I haven't promised that I would ride."

"What happened to your other rider?" Nathan asked.

"Bandit threw him and he broke his arm." James said.

"Bandit?" Jack asked, surprised.

"Yes." James said. "Didn't you say that it was okay."

"So what did this kid do to Bandit?" Jack asked.

"I don't know about that." James said. "I wasn't there when he got hurt. He had been riding Honey Pot, but claimed she was dragging and missing fences. I told him that he could ride Bandit since had been bugging to ride him since he saw Marco on him. Sorry, I didn't ask first. Marco thought it would be fine since you weren't jumping. Marco and I talked about it and Marco thought he could handle Bandit so I agreed.

Apparently, Ryan was trying some four foot fences when Bandit refused. It sounded like Ryan got mad and used the crop a number of times trying to force Bandit to do what he wanted. Marco told him to ease off since Bandit wouldn't jump at all if he didn't trust him. Ryan didn't listen. He came around again, using the crop to keep Bandit moving and that was when Bandit threw him into the fence. The other trainer that was working with them did say that Ryan was pulling on the bit quite hard and was really using the crop hard, but he had never seen Bandit react that way."

"Fine." Jack said. "I want to see both horses when we get back. I also want to see that kid. Honey is one of my best and Bandit is the gentlest horse I have ever worked with. Didn't Marco tell him that Bandit didn't like the crop and I have never used one on him."

"I will call him." James said. "And yes, Marco told him."

Jack shook his head.

"Don't tell him that I am here." Jack said. "I don't want him to have time to come up with excuses. Just tell him that you want him to talk to your new rider."

"Whatever you want." James said.

"Want some help with the horses this afternoon?" Nathan asked.

"I would love it." Jack said. "Another set of eyes never hurts. I also know that you know what you are doing, so we will be okay."

"Do you have a large helmet?" Nathan asked. "Or should we pick one up."

"Pick one up." James said. "Also get some riding boots if you want."

"Thank you." Nathan said. "I was going to just get some regular boots."

"Get both." James said. "Also get some riding pants if you want. You might need them."

"Thank you." Nathan said. "But I am too old to ride in the charity event. Jack said it was for fourteen to eighteen."

"Oh." Margaret said. "I thought you were the same age as JP."

"No, ma'am." Nathan said. "I am a few years older."

"If you still want them to be more comfortable." James said. "I don't mind. You three get whatever you need. JP, your riding clothes should fit, but please double check before you go."

"I am going to get some new riding pants." Jack said. "I think my white ones still fit, but I would like at least a second pair. I was thinking of getting black ones for training. Dad is bringing my dress shirts and the riding jacket. I wanted it embroidered, so I ordered a red one with a white shirt."

"Very well." James said.

"What are your plans this afternoon, Char?" Margaret asked.

"I was hoping to get on a horse for a trail ride." Charlotte said. "I also have some stuff that I need to do on the computer. There is a charity event shortly after we get back to the city."

"What about you Tommy?" James asked.

"I think I will hang out in my room." Tommy said.

"You should come riding with me." Charlotte said.

Tommy just looked at his mother and rolled his eyes.

"Everything okay, Elizabeth dear?" Margaret asked. "You didn't eat much."

"I am not that hungry." Elizabeth said. "I usually eat a lot more salads in the summer. Also I haven't had much of an appetite the last few days."

Margaret looked up and caught Jack's eye.

"JP." Margaret said. "Stop at the farmer's market and pick up some things for Elizabeth. I want to make sure that she has something to eat that she likes."

"We will Gran." Jack said.

"You let us know if there is anything else that you need, dear." Margaret said.

"I will." Elizabeth said. "You have all been so generous."

They finished eating and then went their separate ways. Charlotte and James headed out to the barn and the horses. Tommy headed to his room to play his games. Nathan, Jack and Elizabeth all got ready and then headed into town. Jack was glad that Nathan felt comfortable around them and was comfortable driving even though he was unfamiliar with the area. At least Jack knew where he was going. As they headed into town, Jack checked the report from Marco and made a few calls. He was also texting. Elizabeth wanted to ask him, but she knew that he was working on something from the little that she had picked up when he was talking.

Charlotte and James waited until they were on the trail riding before talking about things.

"So what is going on Char?" James asked. "I thought that JP and the girl had security. Are they going to be okay in town? Should I call the company and have someone go in to keep an eye on them?"

"First of all." Charlotte said. "They will be fine. They have security, both known and unknown."

James just looked at her and Charlotte shook her head.

"I want to emphasize." Charlotte said. "We have not officially told Tommy anything other than Jack is helping a friend and he is to give them space and he also is not to talk about her to people outside the family group."

"Okay." James said. "I will keep that in mind. Now what about security."

"Nathan is security." Charlotte said. "Thomas thought that it would be easier to have a younger person as close security. To anyone watching them, it will look like a group of friends. We are to treat Nathan as one of JP's friends, because that is how he will be introduced. There is also security that will be following them. Whether they know it or not, I don't know."

"Okay." James said. "I can see why Thomas would want that. I am sure that he was worried about what people would say if JP and Elizabeth were spending a lot of time alone."

"Don't get me started." Charlotte said. "JP has spent the last couple of nights in the city at the apartment that he put her up in. I am just concerned because of the way that she has attached herself to JP. I don't think that he is seeing things clearly. Granted I don't hold the Kensingtons in high regard, but I still can't believe that he would hurt someone. It is a mess and that is why Thomas is still in the city dealing with things."

"Doesn't sound like something JP would make up." James said. "I will talk to him. We will be spending some time together if he is going to be riding next weekend. Do you know anything else about this Nathan?"

"No, I just met both Nathan and Elizabeth this morning." Charlotte said. "As far as Nathan goes, Thomas trusts him and says he is really good at what he does. Thomas and Devin, the head of our security, hand picked Nathan to be with JP. I was hoping that Mom would be able to spend some time getting to know Elizabeth. I had been hoping that the trip up here would put some time and distance between JP and this girl, but Thomas felt it would be good to get her out of the city and JP wanted her to come. I guess I was overruled."

James stopped his horse and Charlotte pulled up next to him.

"It will be alright." James said, putting a hand on her leg. "Try to have some fun and relax while you are up here. JP is a good kid and there will be plenty of people around. If Margaret doesn't take the initiative to spend time with Elizabeth, I will mention something to her. You just got here, relax. Everything will work out."

"I will try." Charlotte said. "But we have so much going on, especially if JP is going to be jumping in this charity event. We have days at the track, the charity event and I have so much to organize for things back in the city. Then there is Tommy."

"Charlotte." James said. "It will be fine. You are wonderful at organizing things. There is nothing that you have to do for JP jumping. I have already done everything. We will just let them know the day of the event. I reserved a spot and told them I would let them know who the rider and horse were the day of. We don't have to be at the track until after the charity event. Your brother has been taking point on things for Coal Creek. He has been back and forth between Aqueduct and Belmont. He will be here when Saratoga opens near the end of July. Are you coming back for that?"

"I suppose." Charlotte said. "I was also hoping to get Tommy interested in something other than his phone. All he wants to do is spend time on his phone or playing games online with his friends. I don't know. I thought that they were racing sooner."

"I will work on it." James said. "You remember my rules – everyone helps. They are having a few charity events, but the regular season got shifted slightly. We have a number of jumping events between now and then. I have younger riders for some of the hunter jumper events. I also have two fifteen year olds for eventing, but this Ryan was my only upper level jumper. I need to speak to JP about what we are going to do. We had really hoped to expand the jumpers this year by getting the name out there and doing well at a number of shows."

"Good luck, with Tommy." Charlotte said. "We will have to see what happens. I barely can plan for next week. I will leave the jumping to you and JP. Just let me know where I need to be to cheer him on."

"Thank you." James said. "I will talk to him and he will not be spending all his time in his room. I will change the wi-fi password if I have to. I am also not above calling Thomas and having him turn the boy's phone off. As of right now, the only event that JP is doing is the charity event. I know, I know he hasn't officially said yes. I will have Marco and Maria talk to him. He can't seem to say no to Maria."

"I have threatened that." Charlotte said. "But Thomas hasn't been so sure about it. We seem to be at an impasse when it comes to Tommy. Thomas thinks I am too soft and I think he is being too hard. Tommy got into trouble at school again and we just don't know what to do with him. I try to punish him, but it doesn't seem to make a difference, he still does what he wants. He has threatened staff and several have threatened to quit if we don't do something. I can't deal with this and Thomas doesn't seem to get it as he is gone so much. I would love to see JP jumping again. I still can't believe he walked away. He has always been a natural."

"Speaking of Thomas." James said. "When will he be here?"

"Late Tuesday or Wednesday." Charlotte said. "He had some things he wasn't able to finish or hand off to others. Also with all of this with the Kensingtons, he wanted to be there to handle it personally, especially since the senior Charles Kensington threatened JP directly. It is a mess, they have been dragging our name through the mud on social media. I have decided to let Thomas handle it as I don't need the stress."

"Good." James said. "Let's head back. There is a lot to still do around the ranch. I was glad that I was able to spend some time talking to you. I was wondering what was going on. Like I said, I will talk to JP and I will also try to talk to Elizabeth. Keep your mind open and try not to judge her. I am sure that there is more to the story. I will do what I can with social media. I know that JP doesn't like the spotlight, but maybe him jumping at his event will get some good press."

"I will try." Charlotte said. "Don't mention the press to him or he will never jump."

"I won't." James said.

James and Charlotte headed back to the ranch. They talked about what needed to be done and what they hoped to see while at the track. They talked about some of the horses that would race while they were there. As much as she liked the amenities of living in the city, she missed some things from living on the ranch.