Chapter 212 – Rosemary Pushes Boundaries

When they got down to the stable, Jack had been right, Carlos had turned out the horses. They were in the holding pens near the stable.

"Let's deal with the regular horses first." Jack said.

"I will check the ones in isolation." Lee said.

"I will help him." Frank said.

"Thank you." Jack said.

The guys set about their work. They got Bandit, Athena, Ghost, Honey and Aphrodite brushed and ready to ride. Jack saw that they had food and water in the holding pen. Once they had the horses ready, they went to change. The girls were already in their riding gear.

"I will get you each a locker in the other locker room." Jack said. "Then you can leave your riding gear down here."

"Okay." Missy said. "Our tack cases came with Rocky and Rainbow. Our uniforms were in there, along with our dress boots and helmets."

"I will figure out where they are." Jack said. "For now, you can use one of the other helmets."

"Okay." Maddie said.

By the time that they were ready, James had called over to the stable to have Jack come over. He headed over in his riding gear and Coal Creek jacket.

Opal had already taken a seat at the counter and Elizabeth had made her a couple of waffles and put some strawberries and blueberries on the plate along with a sausage patty. After a few bites, Opal looked up.

"Yummy, thank you." She said.

"You're welcome." Elizabeth said. "But you be sure to thank Nathan later as he was the one that made them."

Opal nodded and continued to eat. When Gran had finished her coffee, she got up and went to the kitchen. She wanted to see what she still needed to bake.

"Gran." Father Mark said. "I think I will head down to the stable. I will come say goodbye before I leave."

"Okay." Gran said. "So how many waffles did you freeze?"

"Over two hundred." Elizabeth said. "We were able to get four waffles in a quart bag and four quart bags in the extra large freezer bags and we stacked twenty of the large bags on a shelf in the upright freezer."

"Wow." Gran said. "That is a lot."

"From what I gathered." Father Mark said. "Nathan and Frank made two double batches. That way there would be plenty for quick breakfasts for the next couple of weeks. Don't worry, they will get eaten."

"I am not worried." Gran said. "I just don't know how much freezer room is left for baking."

"Do you want me to take some stuff down to the freezer downstairs or the one in the garage?" Father Mark said.

"No." Gran said. "Go see the horses. We will figure it out."

Father Mark left and Gran took a seat next to Opal. She pulled out her notebook that she kept for her baking. She looked at what they had made and what she still wanted. As she was doing that, Abigail and the kids knocked on the door. Elizabeth answered and came in with them.

"Morning Abigail." Gran said.

"I brought the fruit and veggies." Abigail said. "I figured that I could run in later for milk and/or anything else we need."

Peter got Cody settled with his toys while Becky helped carry things to the kitchen.

"Do you want me to make some waffles for you guys?" Trish said. "Elizabeth just finished putting everything away. But we can easily pull some out and toast them."

"No, the kids ate." Abigail said. "But I have a feeling that they will want some later."

"That is fine." Gran said. "Peter, they are already down at the stable if you want to head down. Jack should be heading over to the press conference soon, but I know that the others are going to be riding in the sand ring. I don't know how much jumping they will be doing. Doug did say something about maybe taking the new horses over some fences."

"Okay." Peter said. "Just so you know Dad is down at the arena and will be here for lunch."

"Got it." Gran said.

"Thank you, Peter." Abigail said. "I would have remembered."

"Can I go see the horses as well?" Becky asked.

"If you want." Abigail said. "Just listen to the guys."

"We will." Peter said.

Opal had finished her breakfast as looked at Gran.

"You may go as well." Gran said. "Just please listen to Nathan and the others."

"Yes, ma'am." Opal said.

The three children headed down to the stable and Cody went back to play with his blocks by the piano. He had wanted hugs from everyone before would settle in and play. Abigail poured some coffee and took a seat next to Gran. They were talking about what they were going to bake. They wanted to make bread for the next day. They also wanted to make some more snack type things to have on the table during the music the next evening and for the Fourth. It wasn't that they didn't have plenty of food, but they wanted a variety. Gran also knew that no matter what they made, it would get eaten during the week between JP, the boys and the twins.

Jack took a deep breath and headed across the property to the arena. He had taken a side by side, but that didn't mean he had wanted to do it. When he arrived at the small arena, he saw that there were a lot of cars, more than he had thought. He parked the side by side and headed to his grandfather's office in the large arena. He figured that was where they would be. He could see security all around the area. Not only was there their security, but Jack could also see a number of uniformed officers.

Jack walked into his grandfather's office and saw both his grandfathers, Andrew, Peter and Devin.

"Let's head over." James said.

"Just a minute." John said. "JP, Devin and Andrew are going to walk us over. Peter is going to stay in the back and watch. I know that we didn't talk about what you were going to say, so I will just give you the opportunity, if you don't want to say anything, that is fine. Just indicate to me at that time with a shake of the head."

"Okay." Jack said. "I don't really want to speak, but I might depending on what you say."

"Fine." John said. "I just didn't want you to walk in their blind."

"Thank you." Jack said.

"Just so you know." Peter said. "Security have checked in twenty-one reporters and have closed the gate at this point so no more will be coming. Most are local to Saratoga, Albany and the city. We have a few equestrian magazines and two national reporters."

Jack let out a harsh breath.

"Before we go over." Jack said. "I have a question. How did the release of the photo go last night."

"It is apparently the hottest topic this morning." Peter said. "Sorry, but you will probably get more questions about it. Remember you don't have to say anything. The AP (Associated Press) picked up the story and is making the rounds on the morning talk shows both local and national. I guess the PR firm has been fielding calls since six am for interviews. All the local talk shows want you and there have been three national talk shows that want interviews, despite us saying that there won't be any at this time."

Devin walked over to Jack and stood in front of him.

"Look at me." Devin said.

Jack slowly met Devin's gaze.

"Take a deep breath." Devin said. "You don't have to say anything. The only thing that they can do is ask questions. It is no different than when you won the championship. Smile and let them take their photos. It will do no harm."

"Yes, Sir." Jack said. "Thank you, I was starting to freak out."

"I know." Devin said. "That is why I said something. You don't have to talk about Elizabeth or your relationship. The photo and story are out there, so it is a secret anymore. Don't make a big deal about it and it won't matter."

Jack nodded.

"Let's go do this before I change my mind." Jack said.

The group turned and headed to the arena and the waiting media.

Just as Elizabeth and Trish had finished cleaning up from breakfast and were pulling out ingredients for baking, Rosemary wandered up still in her skimpy pajamas. Gran and Trish exchanged a look, but it was Abigail who spoke up.

"Rosemary!" Abigail said, sharply.

"What?" Rosemary huffed. "Where is the coffee and breakfast?"

"First of all." Abigail said. "I am quite sure that you were informed that those so-called pajamas were not appropriate to wander around the house. There are children and teenage boys around. So I suggest you go get dressed in something more appropriate.

Second of all, breakfast is done. Everyone ate over an hour or more ago. The boys and Doug's sisters are already down working with the horses. Trish and Elizabeth helped to clean the kitchen. We were just getting ready to bake, so sorry the kitchen is closed until lunch time. This may be Margaret's house, but you will not be around my children dressed like that."

Gran nodded at Abigail.

"Additionally." Gran said. "If that is what you call sleepwear. I would suggest that you rethink anything that you bought for a swim suit. NO teeny tiny bikinis allowed when there is mixed company. If you don't have anything appropriate, then maybe if you ask nicely, Abigail or Trish can run you into town."

Rosemary stared at them for a moment.

"I am an adult." Rosemary said. "You can't tell me what to wear."

"Yes, I can." Gran said, standing up. "I have rules in this house that will be followed by everyone. I have never allowed something like that while in mixed company. Part of the reason that I have those rules is because I understand teenagers and hormones. We have standards here and try not to make things difficult for other members of the household. So if you don't want to go into town and get something more appropriate, then you won't be in the pool. I told you this is my house and everyone follows my rules."

"I warned you." Elizabeth said, coming over. "I wasn't even allowed to wear the bikini that I brought. I have since picked up several one piece swimsuits. I think one or two might fit you. Otherwise like Gran said, if you ask nicely you might get to head into town. But right now, I suggest that you go change. I have a feeling that Abigail's kids and Doug's sisters will be back shortly if they guys stick to the schedule that they have been keeping."

Rosemary huffed, but turned around and stomped back downstairs. Once she was heading downstairs, Elizabeth turned back to Gran and Abigail.

"I am sorry." Elizabeth said. "I warned her last night, but she wouldn't listen. She kept going on and on about how she was going to wear what she wanted. She also said something about having some fun with the guys, but she didn't know that I heard her. She came out of the room like that last night when Jack was braiding my hair. I think that the guys were all shocked and embarrassed when she stood there in the sitting room wearing that."

"I am sure." Gran said.

"I will not allow her to dress like that near my girls." Trish said. "I am sorry Margaret and Elizabeth, but I will not allow it."

"Good." Gran said. "Maybe one of you can get through to her."

"Yes." Elizabeth said. "I am pretty much done. She hasn't done anything to prove that she supports me and she seems to just want to push everyone's buttons. I told her that she needs to get on board or she will be left out."

"Thank you, all." Gran said. "I will see how the rest of the morning goes, but I am done with the attitude as well."

"Then she can leave if you say so." Elizabeth said.

The ladies all sat down at the counter after Rosemary had left. They all took a moment.