Chapter 40 – A New Morning

Everyone had an uneventful night. Jack still groaned when the alarm went off at six thirty but for a different reason. He had been having a wonderful dream and when he woke he realized that his whole body had reacted to the dream he had been having. Jack looked down at himself and then fell back on the pillow letting out a groan. The last thing that he wanted to do was move, but he knew that he needed to. Jack took a couple of deep breaths to try and calm his body down. It wasn't working and he still felt like he was on fire.

"If you don't like mornings." Nathan said. "Why do you set the alarm?"

"No, I groaned for a different reason this morning." Jack said. "I had been having a wonderful dream and I didn't want it to end. Give me a moment."

Nathan gave a little chuckle as he fully understood what Jack was talking about. It wasn't that Nathan was old or anything, but the teenage hormones had calmed down and he didn't need a cold shower in the mornings.

"No problem." Nathan said. "I was going to wait to shower until after we worked out anyway."

Nathan got up and pulled on some shorts and a sweatshirt. He knew that he would be changing into riding clothes soon enough. Before leaving the room, he turned to Jack.

"Get up." Nathan said. "I don't want any excuses when I beat you again."

"Who says you are going to beat me." Jack teased.

"Me." Nathan laughed as he left the room.

Nathan made his way upstairs.

"Morning." Nathan said.

"Morning." Gran said. "Here is your coffee."

"Thank you." Nathan said, taking a sip.

"Breakfast now or after chores?" Gran asked.

"Before please." Nathan said. "Since I will be going from chores to riding to working out."

"Okay." Gran said. "Take a seat. Eggs and bacon or oatmeal?"

"Eggs, please." Nathan said. "I am not picky, so whatever is easiest."

Gran quickly made him an omelet with bacon and cheese. She plated it with a side of Irish bacon and two pieces of toast.

"Here you go." Gran said. "Where is that grandson of mine?"

"He was still laying in bed when I left." Nathan said. "Something about not wanting to move. I told him I didn't want excuses when I beat him again."

Gran chuckled, but she knew that Jack would be up soon. Nathan quickly said a prayer and then dug into his breakfast. He was half done when both Tommy and Jack wandered upstairs. Jack quickly went for some coffee. Tommy plopped down next to Nathan and looked at him, shook his head and looked at his grandmother.

"Breakfast boys?" Gran asked.

"Please." Jack said.

Gran quickly made eggs and bacon for both Jack and Tommy. She put it in front of them along with some juice for Tommy.

"Good, Nathan?" Gran asked.

Nathan didn't say anything, but just gave Gran a lopsided grin. He finished his plate, took it to the sink, and refilled his coffee before stopping to give Gran a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you." Nathan said. "It has been a long time since I have had other people cook for me. If I didn't have to get back to the city eventually, I would stay here just to have your cooking."

"Thank you." Gran said. "It is nice to be appreciated."

She shot a look at both Tommy and Jack.

"What?" Jack said. "I like your cooking."

"Well." Gran said. "It would be nice to hear it once in a while. Your friends seem more appreciative."

"Sorry." Jack said. "I will try to remember."

"Let's go." Nathan said. "We are burning daylight. You are the one that set the alarm."

Jack shot him a glare before quickly taking the last two bites of his breakfast. He refilled his coffee, thanked his grandmother and left the house with Nathan. Neither said anything on the walk down to the stable. As they approached the horses, Athena stuck her head over her stall.

"Morning, girl." Nathan greeted the horse.

She stretched to reach Nathan, so he took a step closer. She nuzzled into his neck. Nathan petted her muzzle, returning the affection the horse was giving him. Honey nickered for attention as well. Nathan stepped to the side so he could pet both horses.

"Well." Jack said. "I see how I rank with my own horses."

Nathan just chuckled. They quickly fed the horses. While they left the horses to eat for a bit, they went out and made sure that the ring was set for them. Jack ended up moving a few of the jumps into different combinations. When they were both satisfied, they headed back into the stable. They gathered Honey and Bandit. They brushed them down before turning them out in the holding pen by the sand ring. Nathan went back to care for Athena while Jack mucked the stalls. Nathan turned her out in one of the close grazing pastures. When Nathan returned, he saw Jack with another horse.

"Who is that?" Nathan asked.

"Doug's horse." Jack said. "They just brought him up from the stud farm. He normally spends his time down there. He is one of the main studs. I don't know if Doug is going to want to jump him or use one of the other horses. I had requested him be brought up just in case. Doug will want to ride him at least for trail rides."

"So tell me about him." Nathan said. "What is his name?"

"Sorry." Jack said. "This is the Ghost of Cody Malone. He is a fifteen year old dapple gray and white thoroughbred stallion. He didn't win a lot, but he was a good jumper and fast. We breed him mainly because of his color."

"Very good looking horse." Nathan said, coming over.

Nathan held out his hand for the stallion to sniff. It took a moment and then Ghost stepped forward and nudged Nathan's sweatshirt pocket.

"He is looking for treats." Jack said. "Doug would always hide them in his sweatshirt."

"Sorry, boy." Nathan said. "No treats this time."

The horse seemed to lose interest when he realized Nathan didn't have any treats.

"So if Doug doesn't jump him." Nathan said. "Who will he jump?"

"We have a twelve year old white mare." Jack said. "I think Doug might try her. He has ridden her before, just not in a real competition. He has ridden her at competition speed with me and Laura a few times. We have also used her as a horse for lessons, so I know that she is in good shape."

"What is her name?" Nathan asked.

"That would be Aphrodite." Jack said.

"Athena, Aphrodite." Nathan said. "Do I sense a theme here?"

"Yes." Jack said. "At one point, my cousin was into Greek mythology. I think she named about a dozen horses that year."

"Either way." Nathan said. "It looks like you will have competition."

Jack shook his head.

"So where do you want me to turn this guy out to?" Nathan asked.

"As far as possible from Athena." Jack asked. "He likes the girls."

"Okay." Nathan said with a laugh. "I will put him on the west side of the stable since Athena is on the east side."

"When you are done with him." Jack said. "I want to watch the video from yesterday before we tack up Bandit and Honey."

"Are you done with the stalls?" Nathan asked.

"I will be by the time you are back." Jack said.

True to his word, when Nathan got back, Jack was waiting in the aisle for him.

"So who took a video yesterday?" Nathan asked.

"Everything in the arena is automatically recorded." Jack said. "There are about a half a dozen cameras in there. Including two overheads so we will be able to see the entire course."

"Cool." Nathan said. "I think."

"Don't worry." Jack said. "The videos are for internal use only. Unless someone specifically saves it, they are deleted after thirty days."

"Okay, I guess." Nathan said.

"It was my uncle's way of being able to watch Laura when she was training." Jack said. "I don't mind the cameras. We have used them to show when there was a problem. It is also nice knowing that if something were to happen, there would be video to prove it. Like what happened with Ryan."

"Good point." Nathan said. "So do we have to go over to the arena?"

"No." Jack said. "I can pull it up on the computer here. Grandpa has a smaller office over here. I will show you."

Jack and Nathan headed to the office. Jack pulled up the video and they were just about to watch it when the phone rang.

… … … …

By the time that Elizabeth wandered upstairs, Gran was sitting at the counter in the kitchen with a list and the Sunday paper.

"Morning." Elizabeth said.

"Morning, dear." Gran said. "Do you want some breakfast?"

"Sure." Elizabeth said. "Where is everyone?"

"JP and Nathan are down at the stable." Gran said. "James and Charlotte took Tommy to the office over at the arena. They said he can't spend the day in his room playing games."

"I agree." Elizabeth said.

"I can do oatmeal or I made eggs for everyone else." Gran said.

"Is there any fruit left?" Elizabeth said. "I was thinking about that and some toast. I don't usually eat a lot in the mornings."

"Fruit and toast coming up." Gran said.

"No, you sit." Elizabeth said. "I can help myself."

"Okay." Gran said.

"So what is the plan?" Elizabeth asked as she made her breakfast.

"Well." Gran said. "The boys will be busy until at least lunch. I need to make a quick run into town. James and Charlotte will be working in the office. They may or may not come up for lunch. They just may make something in the kitchen down there. Depends on how involved they get with things."

"Oh." Elizabeth said.

"Did you want to come to town with me?" Gran asked.

Elizabeth looked at her feet and chewed on her bottom lip a little. She was thinking of her options.

"I don't know." Elizabeth said. "What about security? I am not supposed to go without security."

Elizabeth looked back up at Gran.

"We can let them know that we are leaving." Gran said. "They will follow us, like when you went with the boys. They may stick a little closer, but I am okay with it."

"I wouldn't mind going with you." Elizabeth said. "As long as you are sure?"

"Absolutely." Gran said. "It will be fun. I mean I have to run a few errands and make a stop at Walmart, but we will be okay."

"As long as you are sure." Elizabeth said.

"I am." Gran said. "I am going to call down and ask Nathan about the truck, I think it will be easier to get what we need."

Elizabeth sat down with her breakfast as Gran finished up her list of what she needed and where she wanted to stop so she could let security know. As Elizabeth ate, she looked at the list Gran had made.

"Looks like a lot of stops." Elizabeth said.

"Most of these places." Gran said. "I just need to stop and drop something off or pick it up. I know that it looks like a lot, but most won't take long."

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "Where are the places that will take the longest, other than Walmart."

"How about this?" Gran said. "We will only run the errands that need to be done today. I can always head back into town tomorrow."

"I don't want to have you make a special trip just because of me." Elizabeth said.

"Don't worry about it." Gran said. "I need to go to Primal. Not only do I need to pick up some meat for the week, but I need to order stuff for the weekend. I also need to run by the bank, but I can do that through the drive thru. I also need to go to Walmart and Saratoga Cleaners. The rest I can do on the phone or it can wait until tomorrow."

"Are you sure?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes." Gran said. "Don't worry about it. I usually make a couple trips into town each week. This week will be no different. Let me call the boys and let them know."

"I am going to run down and throw some jeans on." Elizabeth said.

"I will be right here waiting for you." Gran said.

While Elizabeth went to change, Gran called the office to see if she could talk to Nathan.

… … … …

"Coal Creek Farms." Jack said, picking up the phone.

("JP." Gran said. "I am glad that you are there. Is Nathan with you?")

"Yes." Jack said. "Nathan it is Gran, she wants to talk to you."

Jack clicked the line to speaker

"Hello." Nathan said.

("I don't mean to bother you." Gran said. "But I know James said you could use the truck while you were here, but I need to make a run into town.")

"Fine." Nathan said. "We will be down here until at least lunch anyway."

("Okay." Gran said. "I just wanted to check.")

"Keys should be by the door." Nathan said.

("Thank you." Gran said. "See you at lunch. I will be back by then. Anything you boys want?")

Nathan looked at Jack.

"Do you have stuff to make homemade pizza?" Jack asked.

("No." Gran said. "But I can pick it up when I am in town.")

"Good." Jack said. "Let's do that."

("See you at lunch." Gran said.)

"Later." Jack said.

"Thank you for checking." Nathan said.

Jack clicked the phone off and then finished getting the video cued up.

"Shoot." Nathan said. "I should have asked if Elizabeth was going with."

"Do you want me to call back?" Jack asked.

"No." Nathan said. "Just maybe give security a heads up."

"I will." Jack said.

Jack picked up his phone and sent a quick text before turning his attention to the video.

… … … …

By the time that she got off the phone, Elizabeth was back up and ready to go. Gran called down to the security office and let them know that she and Elizabeth were heading into town. They promised that security would pick them up as they left the farm. Elizabeth was glad that she was spending some time with Gran. She liked spending time with her as she never really knew her own grandparents. Elizabeth realized that being with Jack came with a large extended family, even though she hadn't met them all yet, she was excited to have a large family that she belonged to. Elizabeth stopped a moment as she realized that the thought of belonging with Jack didn't scare her and it only brought good feelings. Elizabeth smiled and looked out the window at the scenery.

… … … …