Chapter 31 – Father Mark
Before they left as other people were filling out, Nathan put his hand on Elizabeth's arm to get her attention. Right after the last song, Elizabeth had sat down and looked like she was a million miles away. Nathan was concerned that something was wrong, he noticed that she had a slight blush. Nathan figured that she was thinking about Jack. He also didn't want to startle Elizabeth, but he needed to get her attention so that they could leave. He wasn't going to leave her sitting by herself, even if they were in a church. Elizabeth jumped slightly when Nathan touched her arm. She turned her head to see Nathan sitting there looking at her. She couldn't quite make out the look on his face, but it was a mixture of worry and understanding. Elizabeth wiped her face as she felt a few tears.
"Are you okay?" Nathan asked with concern.
He had seen her crying earlier and a few sitting there. Then he saw the look on her face as they sang the last song. Then when she sat there without moving, he feared something had happened. He also saw the blush on her face. Nathan knew that he had to make sure that Elizabeth was okay.
"Are you okay?" Nathan repeated.
"Yes and no." Elizabeth said. "I can't describe it. I have never felt like this before. I have been to a number of churches growing up, but what I saw and experienced today … (sigh) well … There is so much I need to share with Jack, but right now, right here, I feel better about things."
"I understand." Nathan said. "If you want to talk about it later, I will be around. I can also recommend some good reading for you if you have questions."
"Please." Elizabeth said.
"I will do that." Nathan said. "But at this moment, I think we need to get going."
Elizabeth looked around and saw that most everyone else had left or was moving toward the door. Jack had gone to talk to someone he knew. Nathan and Elizabeth stood and headed to the back of the church where James, Margaret, Charlotte and Tommy were waiting for them. Jack quickly excused himself and headed over to his family. They greeted the pastor and Charlotte introduced Nathan and Elizabeth as friends of Jack's who were staying with them.
"Hello, Father Mark." Jack said as he put his arm around Elizabeth's waist and pulled her back to him just slightly.
Which drew looks from those around them, not all positive. Jack looked very happy standing there with Elizabeth. She looked comfortable in Jack's embrace, despite the slight blush on her face. Jack and Elizabeth looked very much like a couple, but no one said anything. Jack didn't even think about it, as it was just natural to have his arm around Elizabeth when they were out. It was his way to feel like he was protecting her. Jack and Elizabeth might not have seen the look on Charlotte's face, but Nathan and Father Mark both saw it. Nathan knew that Charlotte might be a problem down the road, but he wasn't concerned about that at the moment. Nathan moved closer to Jack to give Elizabeth a little more protection. He would deal with the looks from Charlotte later. James and Margaret noticed the sparkle in Jack's eyes when he was near Elizabeth. They smiled at each other, because they knew their grandson was happy.
"So good to see you again." Father Mark said. "Grandfather tells me that you are jumping at the charity event this coming Saturday."
"Yes." Jack said. "Nathan and I will also be jumping at Sugar Creek in a couple weeks."
"Well then." Father Mark said. "I may just have to check my schedule. I had already planned on attending the charity event. I was invited by grandfather weeks ago. You know how much I love to watch you jump. Where are your other friends that you are usually with?"
Jack looked at his grandfather with raised eyebrows but didn't say anything. He turned his attention back to Father Mark.
"Well, we will be practicing at the ranch all week." Jack said. "If you want to come watch us, let us know and we will wait to jump while you are there. Doug will be coming up with Dad and if Lee is coming he will be with them. Lee's mother really wanted him home this summer since we are going to be starting school this fall and living not that far from campus. Something about her baby boy going off to school and leaving her."
"I just may do that." Father Mark said. "Understandable about Lee's mother. Just glad that you have time with other friends as well. Do you jump as well, Miss?"
"No." Elizabeth said. "Please call me Elizabeth. Jack here is going to teach me to ride better. I have ridden before, just not for a long time."
"Well, then you can call me Father Mark." Father Mark said. "I have seen Jack ride and he is an excellent teacher. I am going to check my schedule and see what is going on this week. Maybe I can come out to the ranch, watch the boys jump and then we could all go for a trail ride. I look forward to spending time with you all."
"That would be wonderful." Charlotte said.
"When will Thomas be joining you?" Father Mark asked.
"He should be here Tuesday night or Wednesday morning." Charlotte said. "He had some business to finish up in the city before he could get away."
"Until later then." Father Mark said. "Have a good rest of your day."
"Thank you, Father." Jack said.
"It was nice to meet you, Elizabeth." Father Mark said.
"Yes, thank you." Elizabeth said. "It was nice to meet you as well. Maybe we can talk when you come out to the ranch."
"Feel free to call me anytime." Father Mark said. "Especially if you need to talk. I am here as a listening ear for everyone …."
Father Mark stopped and looked around to see who else was around, before he took a step closer to Elizabeth and Jack.
"I hope it was okay." Father Mark said. "But Gran called me yesterday and filled me in a little on your background. She didn't want me to be surprised that there was armed security at the church. I will be praying for you. I hope you feel comfortable enough to talk to someone. If you don't want to talk to me, I can arrange for a female counselor through Catholic Charities. I have also added you to the church's prayer chain. It just says Elizabeth and special intentions. No one else knows and I won't say anything."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "Thank you for everything. I will think about talking to someone, everything is still pretty fresh."
Father Mark put his hand on Elizabeth's head and said a prayer over her. Elizabeth closed her eyes and bowed her head. Nathan reached out and put his hand on Elizabeth's shoulder as Father Mark prayed over her. He also prayed for Elizabeth. He knew that she was experiencing something amazing, but he was also sure that she had a ton of questions. Nathan was just glad that she seemed more at peace then when he had first seen her back in the city. Father Mark then did the same for Jack. Nathan also took a step over and put his hand on Jack's shoulder closest to Elizabeth as Father Mark prayed over them. Then Father Mark stepped over and took Nathan's hands in his left hand and put his right hand on Nathan's head and said a prayer. He then traced the sign of the cross on each of Nathan's hands before letting them go. Jack and Elizabeth watched in awe. Jack figured that Father Mark knew that Nathan was security and was praying for protection over him. He had seen it before.
"Thank you again." Jack said. "See you later."
Father Mark nodded and went to change. He squeezed Jack's shoulder as he walked by. Elizabeth turned and watched him walk away. She had never met anyone like him before and definitely wanted to spend more time talking to him. She knew that Nathan said he would answer her questions, but she also had some that she wondered if they wouldn't be better asked of Father Mark.
The group walked out to their vehicles to head over to eat. As soon as the door was shut, Elizabeth turned to Jack.
"He seems nice." Elizabeth said. "I wasn't expecting that."
"Who? Father Mark?" Jack said.
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "I guess I always thought of priests as older men who were aloof and not very friendly."
"Oh." Jack said. "I didn't even think about it. I have known him all of my life. He grew up around here. He used to go riding with Laura and I. He jumped competitively for Coal Creek for a long time. I want to say until he entered seminary. He still tries to make time to come out to the ranch and ride a couple times a month."
"So he must be a fairly new priest." Nathan said. "He can't be much older than me. He sure doesn't look much older than me and I don't even look my age."
"Let me think." Jack said. "He was ordained three years ago this month so he is twenty-nine and will be thirty this fall."
"Wow." Nathan said. "I have to agree with Elizabeth, I have never been around a young priest like that."
"The other two in town are fairly young as well." Jack said. "The other parish has a school, so maybe that is why they went with younger priests. I guess I didn't think of it. The one before Father Mark was on the younger side as well."
"Well I am glad." Nathan said. "He seems like a good role model for the young people."
"I think so." Jack said. "I know that it can't be easy, but my grandparents try to have him over for supper and let him ride when he wants to. He is pretty busy, but I think that he likes the time away from his responsibilities."
"I am sure." Nathan said. "That was one of the things that I had trouble with at first. I had to keep reminding myself that the priest is still just a man with human flaws. It can be hard to treat them like a regular person."
"I think it is easier if you have grown up seeing them outside of church." Jack said. "Also easier if you knew the person before they were ordained. That can also make it a little weird, but it can also be pretty special at times. Sometimes it is hard to remember to call him Father."
"Very true." Nathan said.
"I have a question." Elizabeth said.
"Shoot." Jack said.
"Why did Father Mark say grandfather and call Margaret Gran?" Elizabeth said. "Shouldn't he have said your grandfather and called Gran by her given name."
Jack didn't say anything, but took a deep breath.
"What?" Nathan said. "I caught it as well and I was wondering, but I wasn't going to ask."
"Fine." Jack said. "His full name is Father Mark Francis Xavier Sims and he is Laura's older brother. My cousin."
Elizabeth just looked at Jack, while Nathan hid a small smile. Jack could read the confusion on Elizabeth's face. He wasn't sure what he was going to say.
"Uh… " Jack said. "It is complicated."
"Try." Elizabeth said.
Jack took a deep breath and then looked at Nathan who saw Jack's face in the rear view mirror and shook his head. Basically telling Jack that he was on his own to explain.
"Well." Jack said. "First, unless you grew up around here, you wouldn't know. Sims is a common name, I mean not like Jones, but common enough. Second, when he took his vows as a priest, …."
"The vow of poverty." Nathan said. "Am I right?"
Elizabeth looked between the two confused.
"When a man is ordained." Nathan said. "They take a vow of chastity, poverty and obedience."
"As such." Jack said. "My family had to formally remove Father Mark from any inheritance. He tries to keep things simple and those that don't know he is related to us, well we don't advertise it. Some know, others don't. We try to keep it more formal when in public. Yes, he is still family and we include him when we do family things and he has full access to the ranch. I will make sure that he always has that and that if something happened, he would be taken care of. We do have to be careful. We don't want things to appear to be what they are not."
"Thank you for telling me." Elizabeth said. "I won't say anything."
"I won't either." Nathan said. "But I can see where he has to be careful, especially in this day and age when people are quick to accuse others. Don't get me wrong, there are those that have genuinely broken their vows and should be punished, but there are also many that are falsely accused and it can ruin a person."
"Exactly." Jack said. "I have always been close to my cousins, but I have to be careful about showing affection in public. I also have to be careful when I invite Father Mark places or get him things, even a birthday or Christmas present."
