Chapter 111 – Abigail Arrives
While Elizabeth was having a nap and the boys had been in the library, Gran had gotten a lot done. She had finished getting everything ready to put in the oven for supper. She had prepped the breakfast casseroles for the next morning. She had also gotten two loads of laundry started and checked hers and James' clothes for the next day. She was sitting downstairs and had seen Gabe come and go. She wondered what happened, but figured that the boys would tell her. She was waiting for Abigail to come, not only was she looking forward to the help, she was wanting to talk to her friend.
Margaret loved her family, but she didn't like the discord that had been present the last week. She hoped that the talk around the table that afternoon would put an end to it, but she also knew her daughter could be stubborn. It wasn't that she was rethinking the decisions that her and James had made, but maybe the way that they had gone about them. Margaret knew in her heart that JP was the future of Coal Creek and she just hoped that her daughter would come around to see that as well. Margaret closed her eyes and said a quick prayer before she had to get up and continue to get things ready for the next couple of days, since it was going to be very busy.
"JP." Chris said. "Are you okay?"
Jack took a couple of deep breaths and then looked at his friend and security leader.
"I will be." Jack said. "It has been a long couple of days and I have the Charity show tomorrow, plus the dinner. I just don't understand why Gabe was acting that way. Why didn't he just say something?"
"Pride, arrogance?" Chris said. "I don't know."
"If he would have just told us." Jack said. "I would have let him stay, at least for Nathan's sake. I feel bad that Nathan felt like he was forced to choose. I hope that he is okay."
"I am here if you need to talk." Chris said.
"Thank you." Jack said. "Gran made us sit down to try and hash things out this afternoon, that was what was going on when you arrived. Dad and Ma didn't take my choices and decisions well. They forced my hand and I cut them off. I removed them from all of my accounts and from having access to anything school or medical. There is a part of me that still can't believe that they think that this is all because of Elizabeth."
"Do you think it would help if I talked to them?" Chris asked.
"I don't know." Jack said. "It might make a difference with Dad, but Ma is being so hard headed and snobbish. She has been outright rude to Elizabeth and she even slapped me across the face when she learned that I have control of Coal Creek."
Chris sat up a little straighter.
"Are you going to be okay here?" Chris asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "Nathan immediately stepped in and handcuffed her. Gran also warned everyone that no more rude and uncivil behavior would be tolerated. I just wish they saw that this is what I want and I haven't made a rash decision."
"Okay." Chris said. "I might talk to Thomas, but I will be careful what I say about things. I understand your need to be your own person, but they are your family."
"Elizabeth is my family." Jack said. "She is my future and I don't think I can live without her. We have agreed to a future together. I gave her the promise ring that I ordered and told her that when she is ready, I will replace it with a proper engagement ring."
Chris nodded.
"Why don't you go check on her." Chris said. "We will be around. We will sit down and talk when John gets here. I am going to call Katie and Rob in and we are going to go over things and see what we can work out."
"Okay." Jack said. "Feel free to work here in the library. Dad is in the office. Abigail Avery should be here shortly. She is going to help Gran with things, specifically to make sure all the clothes for tomorrow are ready."
"I will be here." Chris said.
Jack got up and walked out of the library to see his grandmother coming up from the basement.
Doug looked at Nathan and knew that he was struggling.
"I am sorry man." Doug said. "You know that Jack would have just let him stay if he would have told us what he was hiding."
Nathan nodded. Doug grabbed Nathan's shoulders and turned him to face him.
"Look at me." Doug said.
Doug waited until Nathan met him eye to eye.
"Jack trusts you and wants you here." Doug said. "You gave Gabe every chance to tell us what was going on. He came in here with an attitude and looking for a fight. I know that it doesn't make it easier, but you are not the bad guy here."
"I know." Nathan said. "I am just worried about what is going to happen."
"If you don't want to tell me, you don't have to." Doug said. "But what was it that Gabe didn't want you to tell us."
"It is okay." Nathan said. "You are probably going to find out anyway. Gabe's twin sister, Grace, is engaged to Trip Steele. They have a child together who is about a month old. Grace is living with Trip and they are going to be married later this summer. Gabe always thought that Trip took advantage of Grace, but Grace swears that they are in love and getting pregnant was an accident. At least Trip has stepped up and taken responsibility."
Doug nodded.
"Are you worried that he is going to run to Kensington or the Pennybakers?" Doug asked.
"I don't know." Nathan said. "I let Marcus know that Jack didn't want Gabe here and he had been asked to leave."
"Okay." Doug said. "We will just have to be extra careful tomorrow."
"Yes." Nathan said. "Are you going to sit in on the security meeting later when John gets here?"
"If you and Jack want me there." Doug said.
"I think it might be helpful." Nathan said. "The more people we have watching the better. Like Jack said before, to have all of us be on the same page."
"I will be there." Doug said. "Now, let's get a drink, find Jack and go check on the horses."
When they walked into the kitchen, Jack and Gran were there with Lee.
"Nathan." Jack said. "Are you okay?"
Nathan nodded.
"So what is the plan until supper?" Lee asked.
"I still want to check on the horses." Jack said.
"Abigail should be here soon." Gran said. "Be around in case she wants to see you in your clothes."
"Don't wash the ones that were sent for Gabe." Jack said. "I don't know if they can be returned, but it will be easier if they aren't washed."
"Okay." Gran said. "I was going to ask."
"Later." Jack said. "Also, Chris, Rob and Katie are going to be working in the library for a bit. We will sit down with them later when Grandpa John gets here."
"I would like to sit in on that." Doug said.
"Me too." Lee said.
"Good." Nathan said. "I think tomorrow is going to be hard and I am glad we will all be on the same page."
"I agree." Jack said. "We are all going to have to keep an extra eye on things tomorrow."
Lee and Doug walked over to Jack.
"We have your back." Lee said.
"Like always." Doug said.
"Thanks guys." Jack said.
"What else is going on?" Gran asked.
"Other than the security meeting, checking the horses and polishing the boots." Nathan said. "We are good."
Gran nodded.
"I have breakfast casseroles for the morning." Gran said. "I have lasagna for tonight. Are Chris and them staying?"
"Is there enough?" Jack asked.
"I have four full pans and three loaves of garlic bread." Gran said. "There is also plenty of salad. I have stuff to make more, if we need."
Jack looked at Doug, Lee and Nathan.
"As long as you don't mind, I think it would be nice to include them." Jack said. "Then we can sit down after supper to talk about things."
"Let them know." Gran said. "I will deal with Charlotte."
The boys all nodded.
"I will tell Chris." Jack said. "I want to check on Elizabeth and then we should go check on the horses."
"We will wait for you." Doug said.
Jack turned and left. He went to talk to Chris for a moment and then he went downstairs.
Nathan waited for a few moments, then he turned and faced Gran. He wasn't sure what he could say to make things right, but he knew that he had to try.
"Gran." Nathan said. "I am sorry for all the trouble that I caused. Please don't hold what has happened with Gabe against me. Also thank you for believing in me and including me in your family."
Gran walked closer to Nathan and pulled him into a hug. Nathan froze for a moment, but then relaxed into her hug. Gran just held Nathan for a couple of minutes just to let him know that he was loved. She was sure that he needed the hug more than the words that she was going to say. Doug and Lee watched as Gran held Nathan and comforted him as she would any of them.
"Nathan." Gran said. "What happened wasn't your fault. I just want to make sure that you are okay. I don't know what happened, but having to choose between two different people that you care about is not easy. Please let us know if you need time or space. I am sure that Father Mark will make time to talk if you need. I was more than willing to include you. You are a wonderful asset to JP's friend group. You also looked like you needed a grandmother to fuss over you, so that is what I will do. Like it was said before you are good for JP and as long as he wants you here I will fuss over you as I fuss over him, Doug and Lee."
"Thank you." Nathan whispered. "I might call him. Thank you for fussing over me, I haven't had that in many years and didn't realize what I was missing until you all included me like family. I am glad to be here and hope that this is the beginning of many years of being here and not just as security."
Gran nodded and then released Nathan when the doorbell rang.
"I got it." Lee said.
Lee went to get the door, while Gran looked at Nathan. She figured the door was Abigail, but she needed to make sure that Nathan was okay. Nathan took a couple of deep breaths and was looking at Gran trying to say something when small feet pounding on the floor caught his attention.
"Bugie!" The loud feet and small voice cried before launching themselves at Doug.
Doug scooped him up and lifted him over his head. Nathan looked from Gran to Doug when he heard the name. Nathan had to cover his face to not laugh at the name.
"Hey Cody." Doug said. "I didn't know that you were coming today."
Cody just giggled and then reached to hug Doug. Doug pulled Cody to himself and gave him a big hug. Just as Doug was setting Cody back on the ground, Lee and Abigail walked into the kitchen area.
"Abigail." Gran said. "So good to see you. Thank you for coming over and helping."
"Glad to be able to help." Abigail said. "Sorry, I had to bring Cody. Bill wasn't back yet and I didn't feel comfortable leaving him with just Peter and Becky at home."
"No problem." Gran said. "He can hang out with the boys. They still need to go down and check on the horses."
"Horsies." Cody shouted, jumping up and down.
Doug put his hand on Cody's head to stop him from jumping around.
"As long as it isn't too much trouble." Abigail said.
"No trouble, ma'am." Nathan said. "We aren't riding."
Abigail looked at the tall gentleman standing there. She smiled. He was exactly as Bill had described. She was glad that she was getting to meet him. He was obviously someone important to Jack and therefore he was important to them.
"You must be Nathan." Abigail said. "I heard about you from my husband."
"Nathan Grant." Nathan said. "Nice to meet you. Taking Cody down to the stable won't be a problem. I have a niece who is just a bit younger than him. So it will be fine."
"Okay." Abigail said. "He is really excited today."
"I am sure it will be fine." Nathan said. "There will be all of us with him."
Abigail knelt down and looked Cody straight in the eye.
"You be good for them." Abigail said. "No riding today, maybe Sunday."
Cody nodded, but didn't say anything as he heard footsteps on the stairs.
