Chapter 191 – Trish, Rosemary and the Girls Arrive
When they heard the helicopter, Jack, Doug and Elizabeth went out to greet their guests. Elizabeth was excited to see Rosie, but she remained on the grass with Jack until the blades had been shut down. When the doors opened, Jack was surprised when the first person to step out was Devin. Trish and the girls were the next out with Rosie stepping out last. Rosie gave Elizabeth a hug. While their luggage was unloaded, quick introductions were made.
"Let's get you all settled." Jack said. "We were just setting up for lunch when we heard the helicopter."
"That sounds good." Trish said.
"Mike." Jack said, looking at the pilot. "Are you sure that you don't want to stay?"
"Thank you, but we can't." Mike said. "We have a return trip in an hour."
"Okay." Jack said.
"I think I will be the one that will be coming up on Sunday." Mike said. "So I will see you then."
The group stepped off the helipad, and watched Mike and his co-pilot take off and head toward town. Once the helicopter cleared the buildings, they turned to head in.
"Devin are you staying?" Jack asked.
"Yes." Devin said. "At least tonight. I have a room with the rest of security. I will head there later. Chris knows to come get me when I text him."
"Okay." Jack said. "Why are you here?"
"After lunch." Devin said.
Jack looked at Elizabeth and then looked at Devin, but he couldn't read Devin's face. Jack wondered if this was about the case or was it personal to him. He had a ton of questions, but he knew that he wasn't going to get any answers.
When they got to the house, Elizabeth took Rosie to her room. Doug took his sisters downstairs while Jack showed Trish to her room upstairs. Jack tried to get Devin to stay, but he just put his luggage in the library and said it was fine there for now. Even Gran was a little surprised to see Devin. By the time that James got up to the house, everyone was back in the kitchen/dining room area and lunch was set out.
"Let's say a prayer." James said. "Then we can make our plates. I know that it has been a busy morning, but since lunch is ready we can sit and talk later."
"Sounds good, hon." Gran said.
Everyone gathered around. Rosie looked around as Jack took Elizabeth's hand and everyone bowed their heads. She stood near Elizabeth, but didn't say anything.
"Heavenly Father." James prayer. "Thank you for bringing our guests here safely. Please be with them as we all visit. Keep us all safe as we go forward working with the horses. Thank you for all You have given us, help us to have humble hearts and to seek Your will. Please bless this food and the hands that prepared it. Bless our bodies for Your use. Amen."
"Amen." Jack said, squeezing Elizabeth's hand.
Amen was echoed by most all around.
"Trish, girls." Gran said. "Please go ahead, make your plate and find a seat at the table."
"Thank you, Margaret." Trish said.
Jack and Elizabeth stood back as others got in line to make their plates. Gran made sure that there was coffee, water and lemonade on the table. James looked at his grandson and then Devin, he was trying to get a read of what was going on, but neither was giving away anything. Everyone made their plates and found a seat.
"Nathan." James said.
"Yes, Sir." Nathan said.
"Thank you for recommending Katie." James said. "I have a feeling that she is just the person for us to go more naturally around here. I know that it is going to take some time to get things up and going, especially since the greenhouse company can't get back here until after the Fourth, but we are already making great progress."
"I am glad." Nathan said. "Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help."
"I will." James said. "But right now, I want you to focus on jumping in the next two shows. We have time for other stuff later."
"Yes, Sir." Nathan said.
They had a nice conversation over lunch. James even sat longer than he normally would, because of the houseguests and especially because of Devin. He didn't learn anything more, then Devin needed to talk about some business with Jack.
"It was nice seeing all of you." James said. "But I need to get back to work. We will have time to sit and visit later."
"Supper will be about seven." Gran said. "Abigail is bringing the shopping later this afternoon. I have pork chops thawing. I was thinking we can do them on the grill."
"I will help." Frank said.
"Thank you." James said. "I am going to try and finish paperwork, so I might not be up until closer to supper."
"Is there anything I can help with?" Jack asked.
"Yes, but I have a feeling you have other things to do." James said. "We can finish next week if needed."
"Yes, Sir." Jack said.
James left to go back to work.
"Girls." Trish said. "I want you to clear the table and then unpack your stuff. I then expect you to come up here and either help Margaret or find out about your horses."
"Yes, ma'am." Missy said.
"Yes, ma'am." Maddie echoed.
The girls got up, cleared their plates and started clearing the table. Lee, Nathan and Doug jumped up to help them.
"Devin." Gran said. "What is your plan?"
"I need to talk to Jack and Elizabeth." Devin said. "I also have information for Nathan."
"Are you staying for supper?" Gran asked.
"Maybe." Devin said. "Depends on how long it takes to talk."
"Plan on staying then." Gran said.
"I can always run you into town." Frank said.
"Or you can stay here." Gran said. "There are still two open rooms upstairs."
"Thank you Margaret." Devin said.
"What are everyone else's plans for the afternoon?" Gran asked. "Abigail will be here later with groceries. I have a few things that I want to do for the ladies guild."
"If you are okay with it." Trish said. "I can help with supper. Since you have the piano, the girls can practice this afternoon and then they can relax. I told them that they weren't riding this afternoon."
"Sounds good." Gran said. "Elizabeth, what is your plan?"
"Well, I guess I will be talking to Devin." Elizabeth said. "I want to spend time with Rosie here. I was hoping to show her around the ranch some."
"You go ahead and do that." Gran said. "I am sure that Doug, Lee and/or Nathan can help you as well if JP is busy with Devin."
"Thank you, Gran." Elizabeth said.
"Devin, why don't you use the office." Gran said. "Normally, I would say the library, but I feel that the office would be better with all the extra people in the house."
"Yes, ma'am." Devin said.
"How about this?" Jack said. "Elizabeth, you take Rosemary downstairs and then come back up and we can talk to Devin quickly. Then you will be free to do what you want the rest of the afternoon. Have your phone with you and when I am done with Devin, I will text you and figure out where you are?"
"Sounds good." Elizabeth said.
"Jack," Trish said. "I expect you to play for me this weekend."
"Yes, ma'am." Jack said. "I spent a little time playing yesterday, but want to definitely play some more."
"Margaret." Frank said.
"Yes." Gran said.
"Is there any more baking that you need done?" Frank asked.
"I had wanted to make some bread and I was hoping to also get a few pie crusts done." Gran said.
"I can do those for you." Frank said. "I love to spend time in the kitchen. That way I will be around in case anyone needs anything."
"If you want to do that." Gran said. "I would appreciate that."
"The girls and I can help as well." Trish said. "I know that they both have reading that needs to be done today as well."
"Reading?" Rosemary asked.
"Yes." Trish said. "My girls go to school year round. That way we can take time for other things such as music performances and horse shows. They will also graduate early and hopefully get some college done before they turn eighteen."
"Oh." Rosemary said.
Everyone came back to the table and they went over what was going to happen. Gran agreed to lay down until Abigail arrived. She promised to get the recipes out first. Nathan, Doug and Lee said that they would stick close to the house until Elizabeth and Rosemary wanted to go see things. Once everyone was understanding what was going on, they broke up. Gran got the recipes for Frank. Nathan, Doug and Lee went to grab laptops to work on things, including the list of foals that needed names. Elizabeth and Rosemary headed downstairs. Jack and Devin headed to the office to wait for Elizabeth.
Once Elizabeth and Rosemary were downstairs and the guys were seated around the table, Nathan looked at Doug.
"Did you see the looks that Rosemary was giving Jack and Elizabeth?" Nathan asked.
"Yes, but I am trying to keep an open mind." Doug said. "We have had time to adjust, she is still learning about all of this."
"Okay." Nathan said. "I just have a bad feeling."
"So I am not the only one." Doug said. "I think it will be fine, we just need to be ready to step in. I don't think that Jack can take much more of people questioning his being with Elizabeth."
"We got his back." Lee said. "I think Rosemary will be fine. Let's just make a point of getting to know her."
While Trish gave the girls a piano lesson, the guys went over things for both the Sugar Creek show as well as the one they were putting on. They also worked out a training schedule that included the girls for the next couple of weeks. They talked about the show in Cooperstown the first week of August and if they wanted to try and go or not. There was also another show the weekend before, it was another schooling show and they were also talking about that.
Frank started with the bread. He loved listening to the piano and he didn't mind doing some baking since Margaret had welcomed him into her house. Frank saw that the boys were huddled talking about something and he hoped everything was okay. He also wondered what Devin had to talk to everyone about. He has seen the two briefcases that Devin had carried in, not allowing anyone to take either of them. Frank just hoped that whatever happened it wasn't bad news. If it was bad news, he hoped that he would be able to help Jack.
The boys were still quietly talking about things when Rosemary came back up and sat at the table with what looked like a script. Trish came over at that point as well.
"Elizabeth went to talk." Rosemary said.
"Thank you." Doug said. "I am sure it is just about the case against the Kensingtons. Devin is handling things for that through Jack's Dad's law firm."
"Oh." Rosemary said. "I didn't realize he was a lawyer, Elizabeth told me that he was security."
"He is both." Trish said. "He doesn't do a lot of work through the firm, but handles things for Jack as needed. He mostly helps his uncle run their security company while acting as the head of security for the Thorntons. It is okay if you don't know. This is all new to you. It took the rest of us some time to learn who everyone was, so don't feel bad."
"So this is his grandparents' place?" Rosemary asked. "Moreover, what should I call him? I have heard a few names."
"Yes." Doug said. "This is Jack's grandparents' place. James and Margaret are his mother Charlotte's parents. Call him Jack. His grandparents and a few others still call him JP, but he prefers Jack."
"Okay." Rosemary said. "So you are all rich as well."
Doug and Lee quickly looked at each other because of the way that she had said it.
"Rich is a relative term." Trish said. "Yes, Doug and Lee come from money. What matters is how people act and how they treat others. We don't judge people on the size of their bank accounts."
Rosemary just looked at Trish.