Chapter 73 – Special Spot
Jack and Father Mark stopped and picked up the needed tack and headed out to get the two horses. Father Mark went over to the fence and Lemon Drop was right there looking for attention. Jack hadn't been sure which horse would take to Father Mark as he usually rode Athena, but Nathan had her. Jack was actually surprised that Father Mark didn't say anything when the group had taken off earlier.
"Looks like Lemon chose you." Jack teased.
"Sounds good." Father Mark said. "Good to see Athena getting rode."
"Yes." Jack said. "She has really taken to Nathan. He was even able to jump her. If things work out, I think I might give her to him."
Father Mark looked at Jack.
"You would do that?" Father Mark asked.
"Why not?" Jack asked. "It isn't like she really likes me all that much, just more than other people."
"Good point." Father Mark said.
"Would you be okay with that?" Jack asked.
"Yes." Father Mark said. "She seems to really like him and from what I can see it is mutual."
Jack nodded, then went over to saddle Diamond as Father Mark saddled Lemon. It didn't take long and they were ready to head down the same trail that the group had gone down earlier. Neither said anything until they had made the corner and were through the small opening in the thicket.
"Jack." Father Mark said. "I was thinking, there is a step before engagement. I know that it is not that common or popular over here."
"Are you talking about promise rings?" Jack asked.
"Yes." Father Mark said. "That and/or a formal courtship. I know that courtship is definitely more popular in the upper class in Europe, but it used to be a very common practice among all young couples wanting to get married. You could court for a year or two and no one would say anything. Yes, it was expected that most courtships would lead to marriage, but it was also a chance for the young couple to get to know each other without having to worry about someone else declaring intentions. It might be something to consider. You wouldn't need to do anything other than talk to Elizabeth. If you went with promise rings, then you could get those. I think that there are some for both men and women."
"I thought about that." Jack said. "I did order a set of promise rings for us. I wasn't going to, but then the more that I thought about it, it seemed like a good idea. I was thinking it would be a way for my family to warm up to the idea that I was going to be with Elizabeth. I had a custom set made. They were also something that I ordered last week and was part of what was delivered earlier. Either way, I will give the ring to Elizabeth and will probably wear the one for me."
"What kind of rings did you get?" Father Mark asked.
"Sterling silver." Jack said. "Elizabeth's has a little horse on it that is actually cutout of my ring. When you nestle the rings together, her horse fits into my ring. I went a step further and had my initials engraved on the back of her horse and her initials engraved near the opening of my ring."
"I like that." Father Mark said. "I can't tell you what to do, but I honestly think that is a better way to go right now. Maybe by doing things that way, it might give your mother a chance to warm up to the idea and see what the rest of us see."
"I will think about it." Jack said. "I really want to put a ring on Elizabeth's finger as a way to bind us together, but also to give other guys the message that she is taken. She doesn't realize it, but she turns heads wherever she goes."
"Oh and you don't." Father Mark teased.
Jack just looked at him in surprise.
"So you didn't notice on Sunday." Father Mark said.
"Notice what?" Jack asked.
"That when you walked into church every woman young and old alike turned to watch you." Father Mark said. "Then again, I shouldn't be surprised, it appeared that you only had eyes for Elizabeth."
"You're kidding right?" Jack asked.
"I am not and you know it." Father Mark said. "I have had no less than two dozen calls since Sunday asking if you were with the young woman that you had your arm around at church. Many of the mothers and young women are expressing regret that you seem to be taken."
Jack stopped his horse and stared slack jawed at Father Mark. Jack couldn't believe what he was hearing. Jack hoped and prayed that Father Mark hadn't said anything.
"What did you say?" Jack asked.
"I said that I had no comment." Father Mark said. "I went on to explain that I don't gossip about parishioners and until I was officially told about an announcement, that it was none of my business nor was it theirs."
"Thank you." Jack said. "And sorry about that, I should have warned you."
"No problem." Father Mark said. "Warning or not, my answer would have been the same."
"Still." Jack said. "I feel bad for causing a stir. I had thought about it, but I didn't think it would be as bad as you are saying. I knew that people would be curious since there hasn't been a young woman sitting with our family since Laura."
"Hey." Father Mark said. "Stop, it is okay. You have a right to have friends and to have privacy, it is no one's business."
"Well." Jack said. "At least that explains how Lacy Pennybaker knew that I was in town. She accosted us at the Local after church. She made a scene and Ma had her bodily removed from the premises."
"Sorry." Father Mark said. "Her mother was one of my calls. Then again, that family never got subtle. I had barely gotten back to the house and that was one of the first calls I ended up taking. Honestly, I don't even remember seeing the Pennybakers at church on Sunday."
"I don't remember seeing them either." Jack said. "But I am sure that there were plenty of people that were willing to call them and let them know that I was around and with a girl no less. Because of what happened on Sunday, they have been served with a restraining order. They are not allowed within three hundred feet of me and Elizabeth. They are also banned from this property, so that is a plus."
"I just feel bad that you have to resort to those measures to stay safe." Father Mark said.
"I am not a fan of it either." Jack said. "But I understand why it is needed. I am just glad that Nathan is cool."
"Nathan?" Father Mark asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "Technically, he is a member of the security team. Dad wanted someone close to us when we went out and he knew I liked to ditch the other security, so he decided to have one pose as a member of my friends group. I just don't think that Dad realized that we would actually become friends, really good friends. I think that was part of where the problem came last night when he was questioning Nathan about crossing a line. I thought you knew when you prayed over Nathan on Sunday. I was sure that you knew, since I have seen you pray for protection like that over police and stuff like that."
"I can see how Thomas might not be comfortable with that." Father Mark said. "But he should have figured it would happen. I didn't know, I just felt compelled to pray over him for protection. When I have those feelings, I don't ignore them, especially when it is to pray for or over someone."
"I guess." Jack said. "Still doesn't take the sting of the accusation away. Cool about Nathan and you not knowing that he was security."
"I am sure." Father Mark said.
They rode toward the split in the trail. Just as they were going to turn right, Father Mark noticed something flapping in the breeze.
"What is that?" Father Mark asked.
"What?" Jack asked.
"That over there." Father Mark said, pointing to the post at the head of the other trail.
"I will go check it out." Jack said.
Jack rode over and saw that it was a red handkerchief. He pulled it off the fence and looked at it and that was when he noticed that it was monogrammed – N.G.
"It is Nathan's." Jack said. "I bet they went this way and this was left so we would know."
"Are you sure?" Father Mark asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "Only Nathan would think to do that."
"Okay let's head that way." Father Mark said. "Doesn't this lead to the creek?"
"Yes it does." Jack said. "Doug probably wanted to show Nathan and Elizabeth."
Jack and Father Mark turned down the left path and headed after the other group of riders.
… … … …
Doug led the group down the path. They were taking it slow as it was a slightly harder trail just because it narrowed in some spots and also had dips and rises. The last thing that Doug wanted was for anyone to get hurt and he knew that Jack would never forgive him if something happened to Elizabeth. They were almost to their destination when Doug stopped the group.
"Alright guys." Doug said. "Not that much further. How is everyone doing?"
"We are good." Lee said. "Elizabeth has been doing well."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "I am trying to control my excitement as I know that horses can pick up on that. I am just curious what you want to show me. Is this still part of the property?"
"Yes." Doug said. "We are near the edge of the property, but we are still on Coal Creek property. I slowed down, because I know that this trail doesn't get used much. Keep your eyes open for branches and some might be hanging close to the trail."
"We will." Nathan called.
Suddenly, Athena started dancing around.
"What is it girl?" Nathan asked as he tried to calm the horse down.
Nathan ended up dismounting in an effort to further calm Athena. She kept looking back at the trail that they had just come. Doug saw what was going on.
"I think that she knows Jack is coming." Doug said. "He must be close. Let's just wait."
Doug was right. It was only a couple of minutes and Father Mark and Jack came around the corner.
"Glad you found us." Nathan said.
"Your handkerchief helped." Jack said. "Good thing, Father Mark spotted it. I wasn't paying attention too much as we were talking."
"I figured you would know what it was about." Nathan said.
"So what are we waiting for?" Father Mark asked.
"Athena had gotten antsy." Nathan said. "When I got down to calm her, Doug said you must be close so we waited."
"Well." Jack said. "I am here, so let's go, I can't wait to show off where we are going."
Nathan mounted back up and the group was off again. Doug led the group out. Jack rode next to Elizabeth when he could, but the trail was mostly single file. Suddenly, they came out of the trees and Doug stopped on the top of a ridge. Lee pulled up next to him and Elizabeth followed with Jack right behind. Father Mark and Nathan pulled up last.
"So why are we stopped?" Elizabeth asked.
Elizabeth had been so focused on watching the trail and what her horse was doing, that she hadn't looked up yet.
"Look." Jack said.
Elizabeth looked up and gasped.
"It is amazing." Elizabeth whispered.
They were looking down on a clearing that had a creek running through it. It was mostly covered with native grass and wildflowers and there was a fence beyond the water and beyond that were apple trees. The scene was absolutely breathtaking. Elizabeth thought she couldn't have found a better spot. She wondered if Jack had ever drawn this scene and if he had, she would have loved to see it.
"I am glad that you like it." Jack said. "This is one of my favorite spots to ride out to. I like to come out here and think."
"I can see why." Elizabeth said. "So who's property is this?"
"We are on Coal Creek property." Jack said. "Just beyond that fence line past the water is the Miller place."
"Oh." Elizabeth said. "I knew James said it was close, but I didn't realize it was that close."
"Yeah." Jack said. "There is a spot for the shared trails just a little further down. Those skirt around our property and connect a few of the other farms."
"Cool." Elizabeth said.
Jack looked out wistfully at the trees and was lost in thought when Father Mark touched his arm
"I know that look." Father Mark said softly. "You are up to something."
Jack turned and looked at him, but didn't say anything, Jack just gave him a full dimpled grin.
"I knew it." Father Mark said. "Care to share."
"Not at the moment." Jack said. "It is too early and I don't want to ruin things."
"Okay." Father Mark said, nodding in understanding.
The group sat there for a few minutes just looking at the beauty of the area around them.
"We should head back." Father Mark said. "I know Gran is expecting me to stay for supper and I would love to visit with you all."
"Okay." Nathan said. "Doug, are you going to lead the way back or what is the plan?"
"I can if you want." Doug said.
"Please." Jack said. "You know the way and that way Nathan can be in the back as I know that is where he wants to be."