Chapter 280 – Thursday Night Fun

At ten to six the group got ready to leave the ranch and head to the RV park to have supper and some fellowship with Nathan's friends. Emily didn't want to go, but her grandmother gave her two choices – she could go with or spend the evening at her parents house, because she was not going to be allowed to be in the house alone. Emily whined and complained but agreed to go to her parents for a while. Gran told her that the house would get locked up at ten pm and if she wasn't in the house, she wasn't getting in. She started to protest and Gran just gave her a sharp look. Emily was sulking as she left for her parents house. Gran had already texted her son to give him a heads up that Emily was headed that way. She didn't tell him what was going on, but that Emily had chosen to spend the evening over there instead of out with them.

The rest of the group broke up into different vehicles, including Peter and Andrew who had returned to take the grandparents. The food and drinks were placed in coolers and put in the back of the truck with Nathan's group. The musical instruments were loaded into the trucks as well. They took four guitars, one of the hammered dulcimers and one of the keyboards. Jack had also grabbed some of his notebooks with music in them. Frank once again gave his keys to Trish to drive as he wasn't able to drive yet. She didn't mind because she was used to driving a vehicle similar to Frank's. Jack and Elizabeth ended up riding with Father Mark so they could have a little time together. They were trying to take every moment they could to have without extra people watching them. It wasn't that they didn't want to spend time with the others, but they needed some time alone or mostly alone. Neither Jack or Elizabeth minded Father Mark playing chaperone. Nathan wasn't sure, but Father Mark promised to keep them safe. The group ended up caravaning and Nathan never had Father Mark's truck out of his sight as he was ahead of him.

Jack and Elizabeth riding with Father Mark ended up being a good thing as Doug, Lee and Nathan were able to talk a little about. They talked about what they wanted to do during the day of the wedding to be out of the house and where they wanted to eat. Jack had said he didn't care, but just wanted a place to relax. They all agreed that getting dressed at Father Mark's was probably a good idea. Nathan agreed that it was probably a good idea to get Jack out of the house and keep his mind on other things, if possible.

"We don't have to gamble." Doug said. "But what about going to the Saratoga Casino Hotel. We could get a suite and hang out. Watch some of the racing without going to the track. They have plenty of food options and we could even get ready there if we wanted. I know that it was on the list of security approved places. I think it would give us the most options for things to do."

"Wouldn't that be expensive?" Nathan asked. "Because to have it during the day, we would have to reserve it the night before and someone would have to go check in, not saying they would have to say and then keep it Friday night as well."

"John will pay for anything we want." Lee said. "I asked him if there was a budget and all he said was to stay within an hour of Saratoga by helicopter and under six figures."

"Oh." Nathan said. "I guess the casino would be fun, especially if we had a suite to hang out in. I haven't been to a casino in years. I don't particularly like gambling because of my father, but I don't mind if others want to. A game or two when you know your limits is not a bad thing. I will go where you guys want to. All I ask is that it is approved by Devin as far as security. We have talked about upping security around the wedding. Devin doesn't trust Kensington nor does he trust Jack's parents. He wants everyone to be safe, but he knows that it is going to be hard because they have to leave the ranch to take care of some things."

"We don't have to gamble." Doug said. "We can watch the races from the track. We can hang out in the sports bar or even the pool. There is plenty to do. We can have fun and relax there. I don't trust Kensington, the Pennybakers or Jack's parents to leave us alone. We are just going to have to be careful and keep an eye out."

"If Frank and Father Mark agree." Nathan said. "Then I have no problem with it."

"Thank you." Doug said. "I think this would be the best option. Like I said, it would give us the most flexibility. I will talk to John."

"Has Jack said who is going to stand up with him?" Nathan asked.

"He didn't want to play favorites." Doug said. "But he had to name a best man, just for the programs. So he asked me, since we technically have known each other the longest. So I will walk out with him and Father Mark. I think my sisters are going to be altar servers. You two will both be walking down the aisle, but I am not sure with who."

"Is that why he had me measured for a kilt?" Nathan asked.

"Yes." Doug said. "We will be wearing black kilts, white shirts and our silver vests. Frank will be getting a shirt and vest to go with his black dress pants. He will be doing the readings. Mom will do the music. I think Becky and Cody will be flower girl and ring bearer and then Peter will read the prayer intentions. He wanted to be able to include people and not have anyone feel left out. With Bill walking Elizabeth down the aisle and Abigail as a bridesmaid, they both felt that they needed to include the kids. He also didn't want to leave any of us out, so found a way to include us all."

"That was nice of him." Nathan said. "I would have understood if he only wanted you two to stand up with him."

"I think it was Elizabeth who wanted three." Lee said. "I have heard a few conversations with Trish and Abigail. Elizabeth wanted Abigail and Caitlin, but felt that she needed to include Katie from security as well since she has been so helpful since Elizabeth left her home."

"I understand that." Nathan said.

"So a late afternoon ceremony and then supper to follow at the ranch." Nathan said.

"Yes." Lee said. "There will be some huge tents set up right off the back patio. Most people coming for the reception don't realize that it is a wedding reception, but a party to celebrate the end of summer as well as Jack and Elizabeth's relationship."

"I don't know if I agree with that." Nathan said.

"I didn't either until I heard the reasoning." Doug said.

"From my understanding." Lee said. "It was the grandparents' idea, that way they could keep the wedding a secret and still invite extended family. They will be told it is a semi-formal event on the invitation and when they get there, they will be told about the wedding and why things were done the way they were."

"Okay." Nathan said. "I guess from a security standpoint, that I can see that. I know that Jack was worried about having a ton of people at the church and not being able to control it."

"I think that the group invited to the church is pretty small." Doug said. "I haven't seen a final list, but I don't think it would include many more than what we have already talked about, plus a few long time employees that Jack is particularly close to. I think the group at the actual wedding Mass was intentionally kept as small as possible, while it still felt like a real wedding that Elizabeth wants."

"Okay." Nathan said.

… … … …

They all arrived at the RV park and saw that there were a lot of people. Greg and his group had ended up with thirteen spots, with six on one side of the road and the others seven on the other, but they were all together and it was great, because they pretty much had a private area because the group was so large. The other spots further down were all rented out, but that was fine as well. They were close to the playground for the kids and they had a nice view of the lake as well. The group pulled up and parked where they could near the group. Some of the guys immediately came over to help unload the food, instruments and camp chairs that the group brought. Greg and Nathan went around and made sure that introductions were made to John, James and Margaret.

Everyone was excited to see Nathan and he took time to speak to people. Jack saw Nathan start to come out of his shell a little with the group. The kids were amazed that Father Mark was there. While many of them were Catholic, they had never spent time with a priest outside of Church. Father Mark was more than happy to sit down and answer the kids questions, because he knew they came from genuine curiosity. Gran and James loved to see the smile on their grandson's face. They knew he was meant to be a priest, but they also knew that he would have been a great husband and father. They loved watching him with the kids and looked forward to him spending time with Jack, Doug and Lee's kids as they all grew their families. Gran was looking forward to having great-grandchildren close by. She loved David and Dawn's children, but she had never actually met any of them yet, at least not in person. Conrad had set up a facetime so she could see them and talk to them a few times.

Some of the ladies wanted to get to know Elizabeth, so she gave Jack a quick kiss and went to sit with some of the ladies. They wanted to know how she met Nathan and Jack, how long they had been together and what she was looking forward to in school. Elizabeth shared a few details, but not a lot. She ended up turning the tables and asked about being married and having kids. The ladies were more than willing to share. They also realized that she was young and looking for good role models. Many, if not all of them knew there were security concerns around Jack and Elizabeth and it had in part to do with their parents and people not taking no for an answer.

So that is how the groups ended up for a bit. Margaret, James, and John ended up sitting with some of the older adults who were with or those who were interested in the horses. Gran actually ended up moving over to be with some of the women. Nathan, Jack, Lee, Doug and Frank also seemed to split and were in different groups talking to people. The kids wanted to have Father Mark play with them, and he was more than willing to do so. Jack, as usual, sat back and watched more than he spoke, but he loved hearing some of the stories. The groups seemed to migrate depending on who was telling a story.

After a half an hour, the food was ready and they called everyone together. Greg asked Father Mark to lead them in a prayer before they started eating. Father Mark was more than willing to do that. He gave a nice prayer about time and fellowship as well as safety for all the people helping and showing that weekend. Once again, Jack, Doug, Lee and Nathan each helped one of the kids get their plates and get settled before getting in line to get their own food. John, James and Margaret heard compliments about how wonderful the group of young people were that they had. The grandparents loved hearing that. Trish also smiled as she heard those compliments.

Again as they ate, the groups tended to shift and migrate as stories were shared and so people had a chance to meet everyone in Nathan's friend groups. There was lots of fun and laughter across the various groups as they all shared a meal. It was no easy feat as there were close to sixty people in the group. They also got looks from others as they moved around the campground, but nothing was said. Most people recognized John Thornton and didn't want to upset them if he was a part of that group. Some people had been concerned when they saw the motorcycles and club colors, but there had been no problems. The owners of the RV park were happy to see John Thornton and knew that if he was part of the motorcycles group, they knew that there wouldn't be an issue as the John Thornton they had heard of didn't put up with the things that they normally see with large groups like the one that was currently there.

As the group finished eating supper, some of the ladies got up and started putting the food away, leaving the fruit and veggies platters as well as the desserts that had been set out. The coolers of drinks were also left. Greg and Frank got the fires going. The decision was made to start one on each side of the road, so they didn't have to worry as much about the kids running back and forth, but knew it was still going to happen. Then Frank had an idea.

"Why don't we set up musicians on each side of the road?" Frank said. "We can take turns singing and maybe it would keep the kids from running back and forth too much."

"That sounds like a good idea." Greg said.

"You divide your group and I will divide Jack and the boys." Frank said.

"Pretty much everyone is a musician." Greg said. "Everyone sings and pretty much everyone plays either guitar or banjo. We also have a couple of keyboards."

"Jack and the guys brought guitars, a hammered dulcimer and a keyboard." Frank said.

"Who all plays?" Greg asked.

"Jack, Doug, Nathan, Father Mark, me." Frank said. "Also Doug's mother Trish and his twin sisters. I think most everyone in our group sings as well. I think his grandfather might play the guitar also, but I am not sure."

"Wow." Greg said. "Hammered dulcimer? Really."

Frank nodded.

"I wish I could have talked them into bringing both." Frank said. "When Jack and Father Mark play dueling dulcimers, it is amazing."

"There are not that many songs that are written for the dulcimer, are there?" Greg asked.

"From what I understand." Frank said. "If it can be played on the guitar, Jack and Father Mark can play it on the dulcimer. Father Mark has a Bachelors in Music. I don't know the specifics about it, but he mentioned it when we were talking about education."

Greg raised his eyebrows.

"That is pretty cool." Greg said. "I would have never thought that."

"He plays and sings." Frank said. "He used to jump and is still a heck of a rider. He was an outrider for Jack when he was racing a young thoroughbred around the track."

"You do have to be a heck of a rider to do that." Greg said.

"I looked forward to working with him since I am staying up here." Frank said.

Again, Greg looked at Frank with a raised eyebrow. Frank gave him a quick condensed version of expanding Coal Creek with new property that he would be overseeing. Once they had the fires going, they started talking to people about people taking turns of playing on each side of the road. People agreed it was better to split the group, but they would still be able to enjoy both playing the music. They knew even without amps and stuff that the sound would carry and others might start to gather around the edges and they were okay with that as long as they didn't intrude on either side of the group.

Knowing he wasn't driving, John pulled out a bottle of Caramel Apple Wine from the orchard in Albany. It was quickly shared with several other people. It seemed like everyone enjoyed it and he messaged his nephew if he could drop off a case of it at the house so security could bring it up to Saratoga on Friday or Saturday.

Greg started playing a song and several others on his side joined in singing and playing. The two sides went back and forth playing different songs for over an hour before they took a break. As predicated, people from other sites started gathering along the edges of the large group. They didn't intrude but were enjoying listening to the wonderful singers. They might not have been able to see the different faces of the singer or even know what their names were, but they were enjoying it as much as those that were playing back and forth.

The playing continued back and forth. Parents took a break and put small children down as they got tired. No one was worried about the noise as they knew that their children could sleep through pretty much anything. About nine o'clock, John made a point of saying thank you to the people that had gathered. He then excused himself, saying it had been a long day and he needed to head back. James and Margaret went with him. They made the rounds and said their goodnights. Gran reminded Jack not to stay too late. He promised to be back within ninety minutes. She reminded him the doors might be locked but he would be able to thumb the lock to get in.

Jack checked with Elizabeth and she said she was fine. Trish said she should probably head back as she saw the girls were getting tired. Frank told them to take his car and he would ride back with Father Mark. Trish thanked everyone, gathered the girls and they left shortly after the grandparents had left. After a short break, the group agreed to play a few more songs before they broke up. They didn't want to upset people by being loud as they knew there were other people around the campground and as they knew the music carried in the night air.

Thirty minutes after Trish and the girls left, Jack and his group started saying their goodnights as well. They knew it was going to be a busy weekend and people needed their sleep. They got everything loaded up and Frank rode with Nathan, Doug and Lee. Jack and Elizabeth once again rode with Father Mark. Father Mark didn't mind them sitting together in the back seat of his truck. Elizabeth snuggled into Jack's shoulder. They didn't talk, but just enjoyed the ride, with the music on. Elizabeth didn't realize how tired she was and fell asleep on the ride home. Jack was torn as to whether or not to wake her and decided to just carry her downstairs. Father Mark followed them downstairs and turned down the bed. Jack laid Elizabeth down on the bed and removed her shoes before covering her with the blanket. He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead and then walked away, no matter how much he didn't want to.

Jack walked out into the hallway and pulled Elizabeth's door shut. He then leaned against the wall and let out a sigh. Father Mark was right there.

"You okay?" Father Mark asked.

"I will be." Jack said. "Just the feeling of her in my arms."

Father Mark nodded.

"You don't have much longer to wait." Father Mark said. "And the time will go fast, with how much is going on."

"I know." Jack said. "I keep telling myself that. But some days are harder than others."

"I understand that." Father Mark said. "Go to bed. I am going to say night prayers and then do that myself."

Jack nodded and then walked down to his room. Father Mark grabbed his prayer book and then went upstairs to the library to say his prayers. He also prayed for his cousin and his friends. He also prayed for his sister and that she didn't do anything stupid. He was worried about what she was up to. It wasn't long and everyone was in bed, asleep.

… … … …

Emily had not come home when Gran had texted her that they were home. She hadn't even answered the text, so when Elizabeth and the guys got home, Gran made sure the house was locked up and called security to let them know that they were turning in and unless it was an emergency, they weren't to have visitors that night and that included Emily since she couldn't follow the rules and be back when she was suppose to. Gran hadn't called her son to see if Emily was there. She was going to treat her like an adult and if she couldn't follow the rules that was her fault. Gran had a feeling that Emily wasn't where she said she was, but she wasn't going to worry about it. She had tried to talk to her granddaughter, but she wasn't listening, so Gran was going to let her learn the hard way. Gran said a prayer for her and went to bed. As much as she didn't want to see her granddaughter arrested, she knew that Emily was an adult and made her choice.

… … … …

Little did anyone know that Emily had stopped at her parents place, but told them she was only stopping in on her way to the RV park where everyone else had gone because she changed her mind and wanted to join them. But Emily had no plans to go to the RV park, she had snagged the card Jack had given Elizabeth. She had plans to hang out at the local night club scene. She started at the casino where she also ate. Emily had taken the forty dollars in cash and turned it into close to two hundred. When she was questioned about the card at the casino, she showed them her Coal Creek ID badge as well as her license. She said she was home visiting her grandparents and they gave her the card. The manager knew James and Margaret as well as John Thornton, so agreed that it was okay for her to use the card. Emily was happy, because she was short on cash and wanted to use what she had to gamble for a while.

Emily stayed at the casino for a while and then went to various places downtown that included The Misfit Bar and Lounge, The Night Owl and the Sound Bar. Emily left the bar/nightclub scene about two am headed back to the ranch. She wasn't falling down drunk, but was pushing the limit of legally allowed to drive. When she got to the ranch, she found the gates locked and she was told that they weren't allowed to let anyone in. Of course Emily got pissed. She started yelling, but was told if she didn't leave, they were calling the cops. Emily got in her car and drove off. She went back to the casino, where she was able to get a room, especially since she had been able to use the card before without a problem. She gambled and drank for another two hours before crashing close to five am in her room. She had gotten the room through Friday, so she could sleep. She didn't have to be gone until ten am on Saturday. Emily figured that no one would notice the card was gone and the charges weren't that bad so she didn't think anyone would question it, not that she really cared. She had always been a bit spoiled and thought she could do what she wanted.