Chapter 86 – The Bonfire part 1

People started to get up and head to the tables of food. Doug, Lee and Jack all headed that way as well. Elizabeth watched as each of the boys helped a parent with children get settled with their food before getting back in line to make their own plate as Jack would be playing music. Elizabeth didn't know it, but Doug would also be playing some music. Jack came over and grabbed Elizabeth's hand.

"Go through the line and sit with me." Jack said.

"I will wait." Elizabeth said. "This is for your employees."

Elizabeth sat down next to Jack. He moved to straddle the bench, pulling Elizabeth close to him. Her back to his chest.

"I love you." Jack whispered.

Elizabeth turned slightly and Jack could see that she was smiling. As Jack held her, she snuck a few cut up veggies off his plate. As Jack was eating, he noticed Bill and waved him over. Jack saw that he had Peter with him and they had both brought their guitars as well. Jack let go of Elizabeth and then helped her stand as Bill approached.

"Bill." Jack said. "I would like to introduce you to my girlfriend, Elizabeth Thatcher. Elizabeth, this is my godfather, Bill Avery and his son, Peter."

"Nice to meet you." Elizabeth said.

"Nice to meet you as well." Bill said.

Peter smiled shyly. Jack noticed, but he didn't say anything. Peter had never been one that was comfortable around girls.

"Go get food." Jack said. "All three of you. Then join me. We will start playing soon."

"Elizabeth." Bill said, holding out his arm. "Care to escort me over to the food table?"

"My pleasure." Elizabeth said.

Jack watched them walk off with Peter trailing behind. Jack smiled to himself. He was glad that Elizabeth immediately took to Bill. Jack had been worried about Elizabeth being overwhelmed with the people that were there. Jack looked around and realized that there must have been over one hundred fifty people set up in the clearing. He looked over to the makeshift dance floor that had been set up with a small stage next to it and the bonfire set up off to one side, ready to be lit. As Jack looked around again, he noticed different groups of people sitting and enjoying the food and time with each other. He looked over and saw that both Doug and Lee were sitting with some of the trainers. Jack saw Nathan sitting with Carlo and his family. For a moment, Jack wished that his parents had chosen to come, but he wasn't going to dwell on what he couldn't change. He was lost in thought when Elizabeth sat back down and leaned back into Jack.

"You okay back there?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes." Jack said. "Better now."

Jack slipped his arm around Elizabeth again. He kissed her temple and tried to pay attention to the conversation that was going on around him. Jack was almost done with his food when he looked around and didn't see Nathan anymore.

"Have you seen Nathan?" Jack asked.

"Not since we sat down." Elizabeth said. "Want me to go find him?"

"No." Jack said. "He couldn't or wouldn't have gone far. We are okay. Bill is here and there are plenty of people around."

"Worried about something?" Bill asked.

"Not really." Jack said. "Just being cautious."

Bill gave Jack a look and then raised his eyebrow, tilting his head to look at Jack again.

"Fine." Jack said. "I am worried. I don't know all the employees and there are security concerns regarding something that happened back in the city. I just want Elizabeth to be safe."

"So you are worried someone might show up?" Bill asked.

"Maybe." Jack said. "Just a gut feeling that everything is not as it appears."

"Trust those." Bill said. "They are the body's way of telling us something isn't right."

"I know." Jack said. "I just don't want anything to happen, but I also want to have some fun."

"You can still do both." Bill said. "So what should I be on the lookout for?"

"Anyone that is paying a little too much attention to either Elizabeth or myself." Jack said. "Also anyone that you don't recognize or who looks out of place. You know who are locals and who aren't. I was hesitant to do this because of the concerns. I also know that you have a great memory for faces."

"Got it." Bill said. "I will keep my eyes open."

"I will too." Peter said. "I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Thank you both." Jack said. "I just wish things were different and we didn't have to worry about security all the time."

"Whatever is going on." Bill said. "It will get better. I have rarely known you to have full time security, so this must be something pretty serious."

"It is." Jack said. "Serious enough that I agreed to full time close protection around the clock, even at the house."

"Very serious." Bill said. "Anything else that I can do to help? I mean I assume that there is an actual direct threat."

"Yes." Jack said. "Against both Elizabeth and I. Part of the reason that I am glad that she is here and I can protect her as well."

"So who did you piss off this time?" Bill asked.

"Charles Kensington." Elizabeth said.

Bill let out a low whistle. Peter looked around and then leaned closer.

"I didn't believe what I saw on social media." Peter said. "I knew that you couldn't do something like that, Jack. I tried to defend you and they started attacking me, so I blocked them."

"What are you talking about?" Bill asked.

Elizabeth looked at Jack.

"Charlie Kensington assaulted Elizabeth." Jack said. "Last week, Doug and I stepped in at Central Park to try and diffuse the situation. When we took Elizabeth home, her father didn't believe her. He demanded that she drop everything and go with Kensington. She refused, called me and I jumped into action. We took Elizabeth away from her place because she asked us. Kensington threatened both of us and then went on social media saying that I kidnapped Elizabeth with the help of the NYPD and I am holding her hostage. That is just the highlights. I don't even know all that has been said on social media as I am letting security deal with it."

"I am sorry." Bill said. "Anyone with two eyes and half a brain can see that you two are madly in love. Anyone that thinks that you would hurt a woman is out of their mind. I mean seriously, I have half a mind to deal with Charlie Kensington myself."

Jack looked at Bill with raised eyebrows, because he knew what Bill meant by 'deal with'.

"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "It doesn't help that I have basically ignored my family as they continue to call and text me. I just don't want to deal with them right now. My father basically gave me to Charlie Kensington as part of some business deal with his father."

"Well." Bill said. "I know most people here, at least by sight, so I will keep my eyes open. I also still have some friends in law enforcement. I will make some calls."

"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "But I don't know how much more we can do. I am going ahead with the charges and we have a lawyer handling things."

"Still." Bill said.

"Thank you." Jack said.

"Peter." Elizabeth said. "It was nice of you to defend Jack online, but please don't feel like you have to do that. I don't want whoever to bully you. The best thing that you can do is to report them and then block them. I have learned over the years that you shouldn't give a bully the time of day, it only feeds them."

"She is right." Jack said. "Thank you, but don't feel like you have to do that. I am a big boy and I can fight my own fights. Besides, as long as the people that I care about know the truth, then the rest don't matter."

"Very true." Bill said. "Peter, do you understand what they are saying?"

"Yes, Sir." Peter said. "It is just hard to see people say those things about Jack."

"I know." Bill said. "But Jack and Elizabeth are right, it is not your battle to fight. They are also right in that if you ignore a bully, they lose their power. What they want most is a reaction from people, so don't give it to them and they will go away. Jack was right, we know the truth and that is all that matters. If you hear people talking about it in town, you let your mother or I know and we will handle it. Okay?"

"Okay." Peter said.

"Thank you." Jack said. "I know that you want to help me, but you will be helping me by doing what we ask. I am not mad, I just want you to understand that because we have a few more years, we have a little more experience in things."

"I understand." Peter said. "I hope things work out for you both. I don't like when people talk bad about you."

"Peter." Elizabeth said. "People are going to talk, it is what they do. They are always going to want to say something. I have learned that the people that feel the need to tear others down are the ones that need our prayers and forgiveness the most, because they are usually the ones that are hurting the most. So please pray for them and if you hear people talking about others, you can ask them to not spread rumors and gossip."

"I can do that." Peter said.

"Good." Elizabeth said. "Now, go have some fun with the other kids. I think I saw a few games over there."

Peter looked to his dad and got a nod that he could leave. Peter cleared his plate, then went to find the other kids his age. Jack leaned forward and kissed Elizabeth's temple again after Peter left the table.

"Thank you." Jack whispered.

"For what?" Elizabeth asked as she turned to face him.

"For loving me." Jack said with a smile.

"My pleasure." Elizabeth said.

"I need to go start the music." Jack said. "Do you want to come sit by the stage?"

"She can stay here with me for a bit." Bill said. "I promise I won't let anything happen to her."

Jack leaned forward and kissed Elizabeth lightly.

"Okay." Jack said. "If you see Nathan or Doug, send them to the stage."

"Okay." Elizabeth said.

Jack got up and headed over to get his guitar before heading to the stage. Elizabeth turned to Bill.

"So tell me more about you?" Elizabeth asked.

"Not much to tell." Bill said. "I was born and raised around here. Went to school for law enforcement and land management. Started with the State Police then switched to Conservation when I got married again, well actually when I thought about getting married again."

"Again?" Elizabeth asked.

"Sorry." Bill said. "I thought Jack told you. Abigail is my second wife. Peter is my step-son. My first wife died of cancer and Abigail's husband was killed on the job as a logger. We married when Peter was about seven. We have now adopted a set of siblings."

"Becky and Cody." Elizabeth said.

"Yes." Bill said.

"That is wonderful." Elizabeth said. "Not only did you find love again, but you opened your heart to children that need you."

"I can't imagine my life without them." Bill said.

"So you didn't adopt Peter?" Elizabeth asked.

"We gave him the choice." Bill said. "He remembers Noah. I didn't want to take that from him. It doesn't mean that I love him any less, because I don't. I understand why he didn't want to change his last name and I respect it. He still calls me Dad and on paper, I am his legal guardian for school and medical reasons, but in my heart he is my son."

"I see." Elizabeth said. "That was so nice of you to respect his decision. Not all parents are like that."

"Speaking from personal experience?" Bill asked.

"Yes." Elizabeth said sadly.

"Thank you." Bill said. "Just know that whatever you have been through makes you the person that you are and that is the person that Jack loves very much."

"I will try to keep that in mind." Elizabeth said. "Some days are easier than others."

"Elizabeth." Bill said. "I don't know your story more than what you have told me sitting here, but I do know Jack. He has never acted the way that he does with you. He has never brought a girl up here that he knew in the city. Trust me when I say you are special and you are loved by him. I can see it in his eyes. I can see it in the way he talked to and about you. Besides that, you look at him the way that my Abigail looks at me. I know that you love him as well. You may have your doubts that it is too soon or that you don't really know each other, but that is not true."

Elizabeth just looked at Bill. It was like he could read her mind.

"Let me tell you a little story." Bill said.

Jack quickly tuned his guitar and got ready before he turned on the mic that was set up so it would be easier for people to hear. At first Jack just started playing some cords, stringing notes together but it wasn't exactly a song.

"Good evening, everyone." Jack said. "I want to thank you all for coming out and celebrating with us. You are the people that make this place run and I don't want to forget to thank you for all you do. I may not have met each of you, but I do thank you for all that you do to work with the horses. For those that brought instruments, feel free to come up and join me at any point. I am going to play a few songs then take a break to let others have the spotlight. Please feel free to continue eating or if you wish to dance, that is fine as well."

Jack started with BrownEyed Girl. Several people moved to get their instruments. Many were set near the stage, but no one joined Jack right away. He didn't mind. Most people just listened to him sing and play as they finished up eating. Jack knew that there would be time for others to play and he honestly didn't mind playing for the employees. He normally didn't like playing for people, but this was different, this was a group that he felt comfortable with. Jack spotted Elizabeth still sitting with Bill and smiled. He could tell that they were talking and for that he was glad. If there was anyone that could calm the fears that Elizabeth was having, Jack knew it was Bill.

As Jack finished playing Brown Eyed Girl. Two others joined him on the stage. One of the hands had brought his keyboard and the other had a guitar. After a quick conference, they decided to play a few Irish standards. They started with Whiskey in the Jar and then moved on to Will You Go Lassie Go, and finally they played The Wild Rover.

Elizabeth looked at Bill and then up at the stage to Jack. When she looked back at Bill, she nodded.

"My first wife, Nora, and I." Bill said. "I knew the moment that I met her that I was going to marry her. I had been in love or so I thought with another woman, but she didn't see me that way. Anyway, I met Nora and we ended up getting stranded at her parents home in a snowstorm. That was supposed to be our first date and we ended up spending the weekend stuck at her parents. By the end of that weekend, we were engaged and married a month later. I was twenty and Nora was eighteen. We had fifteen wonderful years together and I wouldn't trade those years for anything.

Don't get me wrong, I love Abigail, but we both understand that there are other people that have a piece of our hearts. My point is that when you know it is right, it is right. Trust your feelings and your love for Jack. Life is short. Jack knows that better than most people his age. Don't wait, just because you think that other people won't understand. You need to do what is right for you and Jack."

"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "I needed to hear that today. I have been questioning if things have been moving too fast. With everything going on back in the city, it is hard to think about moving forward at times."

"I understand that." Bill said. "But remember, Jack loves you and will do everything he can to show you that. He won't push or pressure you, but please don't break his heart. I don't think he can handle much more heartbreak."

Elizabeth looked at Bill confused.

"He told you about Laura?" Bill asked.

"Yes." Elizabeth said.

"It broke his heart what happened to her." Bill said. "It took well over a year before he started to be himself again. If you understand what I am saying."

"I am." Elizabeth said.

"Good." Bill said. "Then I won't say anymore."