Chapter 214 – Packages Arrive
As Trish left Rosemary poured herself some coffee and then came to stand at the end of the counter again. Elizabeth moved the boxes from the table to the library and then took her seat again.
"What were you thinking for the Fourth?" Gran asked Abigail.
"Bill." Abigail said. "He is on call for part of the day. But he can do that from here. We will be here until after the fireworks. So count us in for lunch and supper."
"Already did." Gran said. "I want to get a better count of people for the Fourth. I know that we are going to need more items for that day."
As they were talking about the Fourth, Frank, Opal, Becky, Missy and Maddie came in the back door. Lee was a few steps behind.
"Everything okay?" Gran asked.
"We are fine." Maddie said. "We did our flat work. We need to work out, then we were going to see what the schedule was. Jack said something about vacuuming downstairs since it hasn't been done since he came."
"I am going to sit with the girls while they work out." Becky said.
"You know what to do?" Gran asked.
"Yes." Missy said. "Nathan printed off what Marco wanted. It is different from the boys, but we are good."
"Go work out, then put on some comfortable clothes." Gran said. "If you want a snack after you work out, let us know."
"We will." Maddie said. "It shouldn't be more than an hour. We might shower when we are done."
"I trust you girls to know what you need." Gran said. "There is Gatorade in the small fridge in the gym."
"Thank you." Missy said.
The girls headed downstairs. Frank and Lee came over to the kitchen.
"Was there something you needed help with?" Frank asked.
"We were just figuring that out." Gran said. "Elizabeth, maybe the guys can help you open those packages. Lee will know where the games can be stored until the Fourth. Lee, can you also find the frisbees and croquet?"
"Yes." Lee said. "I think they are in the storage area downstairs if I remember correctly."
"Lead the way." Frank said.
Frank, Lee and Elizabeth headed to the library to open the boxes. Rosemary stood there for a moment and then headed after them. Trish came back and took a seat at the counter.
"Okay." Gran said. "We need to figure out if we need anything else in town and what we are going to bake. I want fresh bread for lunch tomorrow. What else was everyone thinking for either tomorrow or the Fourth?"
Jack wanted to head back to the stable over at the main compound, but James had him wait a bit. He wanted to start getting the reporters cleared out. He also had a few things to share with JP. Jack wasn't happy, he just wanted to get on with his day, but he saw the wisdom in waiting a bit for the reporters to clear out. The last thing that he wanted was to be cornered by one of them. Jack wasn't sure that he would be able to keep his temper about him if that happened at the moment.
Frustrated, Jack plopped down on the couch and put his head in his hands. Devin came to sit next to him, seeing his frustration.
"Hey." Devin said. "You did well. You spoke clearly. From what I could see, you stood there and didn't make faces as your grandfather spoke, so I will chalk this one up as a success. I know that you don't like the press, but you did really good."
"Yes, JP." John said. "I was going to say the same thing. I figured that there would be questions like that and I was prepared with what I was going to say and I didn't let them push me into doing or saying something I didn't want. I am sure that Peter was able to get the names or publications of the reporters that were upset that we wouldn't talk about Elizabeth. I figured that would happen and we were prepared to deal with what happened. We will make sure that those reporters know if they continue to pressure or harass people, there will be consequences."
"Your grandfather is right." Devin said. "Peter, Andrew, Chris and I were prepared. They got the names of the ones that sat down as well as the ones that asked questions. We gave each of them a number as they came in. The number matched a number on a chair, so we know where everyone was seated. We did that on purpose. The numbers weren't in order, but shuffled at random when we handed them out. We know who the troublemakers are going to be and are prepared to deal with them."
"Thank you." Jack said. "I just want to get back to the stable and get one with my day. I know that Elizabeth wants to try and spend some time with Rosemary and see if things are any better today otherwise she is ready to send her home tonight. We have both had enough, especially after last night when we went downstairs."
"What happened?" James came over to sit near Jack.
"Elizabeth and Rosemary went to their room." Jack said. "Then after Elizabeth showered, she wanted me to braid her hair. I was still in the gym, but Doug caught me when I came back through. Anyway, shortly after Elizabeth sat down to have me braid her hair, Rosemary came out in very inappropriate sleepwear. We all did our best to ignore her, but she stood there trying to get all of our attention. Elizabeth was angry and I just told her to ignore it and deal with Rosemary once they were back in the room. From what I understand, Elizabeth did just that, but it didn't go over well."
"If Elizabeth wants her gone." Devin said. "She will be gone. All she needs to do is say the word. However if she stays, I will be having a very long conversation with her."
"Thank you." Jack said. "But from what I understand, it won't make much difference, Elizabeth says she is like Ma and only hears what she wants."
"Not here." John said. "I will be very clear about what is going to happen."
Just then Peter came in.
"It is safe to head to the house." Peter said.
"Thank you." John said. "Andrew, you are still good with going to Albany later."
"You are leaving?" Jack asked.
"I will be back later." Andrew said. "I just need to run to the other house and get the clothes and things so we can stay through the week."
"Oh." Jack said. "Thank you for doing that. I am glad that you are staying."
"Is there anything else that you need since you wrote the list, Sir?" Andrew asked.
"I don't think so." John said. "It isn't like we don't have shops, so if something comes up, we will deal."
"Very true." Andrew said. "I will be leaving as soon as I see you to the other house. I will be taking one of the towncars from the lot over there."
"Very good." John said. "James, unless you need anything else, we should let you get back to work."
"Thank you." James said. "I should be up for lunch. JP, you did well. Try to put it out of your head and get on with your day."
"Yes, Sir." Jack said.
When Elizabeth, Frank and Lee got to the library, they looked at the four large boxes, three medium and two smaller ones.
"I think that the smaller ones are the books that I ordered for me." Elizabeth said. "So let's start with the larger ones. There should be four outdoor games. Gyro wheels, kaleidoscopes, glow in the dark stuff as well as candy for the Fourth. I also think that this might be the other stuff I ordered for Opal. There were books and several toys. I know that it is a lot, but I figured we can always keep some of it up here. Some of it I think I might like to play with."
"Why are you buying Opal stuff?" Rosemary asked.
"Because." Frank said. "Jack and Elizabeth are generous people. Also I think that she doesn't have much because of the situation that she came from. They are just trying to make sure she has plenty of stuff to keep her busy this summer."
Rosemary rolled her eyes and sat down on the couch. Frank opened the first large box and found the giant Jenga.
"This is fun." Frank said. "We have this for youth night at the Church. The kids love it."
"Good." Elizabeth said. "I wasn't sure.
The first box that Lee opened was the giant connect four and cornhole."
"Looks like assembly required." Lee said.
"We can do that on Wednesday." Frank said.
"I have the ladder toss." Elizabeth said. "It will require assembly as well."
"It looks like they all have carrying cases." Frank said. "So let's make sure everything is there and then put them in the cases for now."
"Sounds good." Lee said.
As the guys checked everything was there, Elizabeth grabbed a medium box.
"I have the candy." Elizabeth said. "We can maybe put this in the pantry until Wednesday."
Frank opened the last large box.
"Think this is the stuff for Opal." Frank said.
"What is all in there?" Elizabeth asked. "I just want to make sure that we have everything."
Elizabeth pulled up the list on her phone ready to check them off as Frank pulled them out.
"I have an Etch-A-Sketch." Frank said.
"Check." Elizabeth said.
"A package of six wooden tops." Frank said. "Two sets of barrel of monkeys. Looks like four Jacob's ladders and a sock monkey. Something called Tangram and what looks like mosaic tiles. That is it."
"What is missing?" Lee asked.
"Six tangle toys and a spirograph." Elizabeth said. "Along with the books and the other stuff for Wednesday."
"What about those boxes?" Rosemary said.
Frank and Lee each grabbed a medium box and opened them.
"Frank." Elizabeth said.
"I have books." Frank said.
"Which ones?" Elizabeth asked.
"Looks like Amelia Bedelia and Berenstain Bears." Frank said.
"I have glow in the dark stuff and tangle toys." Lee said.
"So the only things missing are the Little Golden books." Elizabeth said. "The spirograph, gyro wheels and kaleidoscopes."
"Check online." Frank said. "They might have shipped separately."
"What do you want us to do with all of this?" Lee asked.
"The stuff for Wednesday can be stored in the garage I think." Elizabeth said. "The candy should probably go in the pantry. Take the glow in the dark stuff, since that is for Wednesday. Leave the tangle toys with the other toys and books. I will figure that all out later."
"Okay." Frank said. "That sounds like a plan. I am sure that Gran wouldn't mind things in the corner. We will deal with the boxes."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "It looks like the other stuff is supposed to be here later today or Monday. Not all of it was coming from Amazon. This came from an Amazon delivery truck. It looks like the other stuff is coming by FedEx."
"Then no worries." Frank said.
"This far out." Lee said. "FedEx won't deliver until after lunch. They will deal with all the businesses first. I know that they come from Albany and deliver in town first."
"Then I won't worry about it." Elizabeth said.
Devin took Jack back to the stable while Andrew stopped his side by side at the house. Peter and John headed inside and Andrew headed to get the car and head to Albany. Jack was glad that his grandfather was staying and not going back for a day or so. He knew that even if he had staff at the house, he was still alone. Jack would rather him be with everyone else, as long as he was willing to stay. He knew that his grandfather would be able to work as long as he had his laptop and internet access.
When they got to the sand ring, Jack didn't see anyone, but he could see that the poles were laid out for flat work. He turned and saw that Rocky and Rainbow were in one of the close grazing paddocks. Just as Jack was going to head into the stable he saw Nathan and Doug over by the new horses.
"I see them." Jack said to Devin.
"Then I will leave you be." Devin said. "I might join the family later, but I am not sure. If Rosemary is still a problem please call me."
"I will." Jack said.
Jack got out of the side by side and headed over to isolation. Devin drove down to a little further to check something then he was headed back to the security office over at the arena.
When Jack got over to the isolation stalls that were set up, he realized that Doug and Nathan weren't alone.
"What is up?" Jack asked.
"Everything is fine, Jack." Nathan said.
"What is she doing here?" Jack asked, motioning to the vet tech.
"She is just doing her job." Nathan said. "Dr Matthews was listed on your paperwork as the vet of record for Coal Creek. She has been ordered by Dr Matthews to do an assessment on them, that is all. She had all the proper paperwork."