Chapter 95 – Sharing A Plan
Friday came early and most everyone wanted to sleep, but knew that they needed to get up and start their day. There was a lot that needed to get done and there would be time for rest later. Nathan woke with a groan and when he looked at the clock, he jumped up and looked around. Jack was still sleeping, but Doug and Lee were gone.
"Jack." Nathan said. "Wake up! It is quarter to seven."
Jack looked at the clock and realized that was telling the truth. They both quickly got ready and headed out. Jack knocked on Elizabeth's door, but there was no answer. When he pushed the door open, she wasn't there. Neither bothered to check on Tommy as it wasn't their job. When they got upstairs, Elizabeth was sitting at the counter with Thomas and Gran was in the kitchen.
"Sorry we overslept." Jack said.
"No problem." Gran said. "Lee and Doug went to do chores. They said to take care of what you need in town and they will deal with the horses and see you when you get back."
"I hope Doug remembers …." Jack started to say.
"James reminded them of the routine." Gran said. "Ghost and Bandit will be lunged and then turned out. The hands also know to give them extra pellets today and an early feed tomorrow."
"Thank you Gran." Jack said.
"Any word?" Nathan asked.
"Marcus called." Gran said. "Gabe will be here later this afternoon. You may have a police shadow when you get to town, but he didn't say anything other than Gabe will talk to you when he gets here. If there are other questions, you can call him in the afternoon. He also said that he had called John and Devin and let them know what was going on."
"Thank you, Gran." Nathan said.
"Now what do you want to eat?" Gran asked.
"Whatever you are making." Jack said. "It smells good."
"That would be the cinnamon toast that I had." Elizabeth said.
"I will have that with some eggs." Nathan said. "Please."
"Me too." Jack said. "Maybe some bacon as well."
"Of course." Gran said. "There should be coffee, but please make more. I have a feeling we will need it today."
"I got it." Elizabeth said.
"I also want to make sure that your outfits for tomorrow are ready." Gran said. "Both riding and dress."
"Yes, ma'am." Jack said.
"Yes, ma'am." Nathan said. "It was on my list of things to do. I also need to do a load of laundry."
"I have two loads in." Gran said. "But they will be done by the time that you get back."
"Thank you." Nathan said.
"JP." Gran said. "I also want you to make sure that there are clean sheets on the bed for your grandfather and Gabe."
"When I get back." Jack said. "But my room should be fine."
"Please check." Gran said. "I don't know if Becky made up the beds or just put the quilts on."
"Becky?" Jack said.
"Abigail and Becky were over helping me clean the week before you came." Gran said. "I had Becky strip all the beds so we could wash sheets so you all would have clean bedding. I just don't know if she redid all the beds in your room or the extra guest rooms upstairs."
"I will check." Jack said.
"I will be in the office." Thomas said. "JP. Please be careful in town. I don't want you to go, but I know that I can't stop you."
"We will be careful." Nathan said.
Jack looked over and smiled since his mouth was full. Thomas didn't say anything else, but poured another cup of coffee before heading to the office. It didn't take long and Gran put a plate of food in front of both boys. Nathan said a quick prayer and they started eating.
"Gran." Jack said. "I want to apologize for last night."
"No need." Gran said. "You didn't cause trouble. I am just glad that we were able to deal with it before something happened."
"Me too." Jack said, looking over at Elizabeth.
"What do you all need to do in town?" Gran asked.
"Bank, courthouse, farmer's market and Primal." Jack said. "Don't worry about the courthouse, I just need to sign some papers for Grandpa John. He wants them filed today."
"I wasn't going to ask." Gran said. "I figured you are an adult and would tell me if you wanted."
"Thank you." Jack said. "I just didn't want you to think we were going to sneak off and get married."
Gran turned around and looked at Jack.
"I would tan your hide if you did that." Gran said. "I already didn't get one wedding, I am not missing another if I can help it."
"Yes, ma'am." Jack said with a smirk.
"Who's wedding did you miss?" Elizabeth asked.
"Chris and Molly." Gran said. "We had a nice party later, but they had snuck off and went to Atlantic City."
"I promise." Elizabeth said. "I would never do that to you, especially after all you have done for me."
"Thank you my dear." Gran said.
Jack and Nathan finished eating and quickly put the dishes in the dishwasher. Nathan went back downstairs and grabbed his guns and a couple other things. While he was doing that, Jack printed the forms that he wanted and made sure that Elizabeth had the list of where they were going at the farmer's market.
"We will be back as soon as possible." Jack said.
"Elizabeth." Nathan said. "Please have your phone on you, just in case."
"I will go grab it." Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth quickly ran downstairs and grabbed her phone and wallet. As Nathan and Jack were waiting for her, Gran came over to Jack. She put her hand on his shoulder.
"I can step out." Nathan said.
Both Gran and Jack shook their heads no.
"JP." Gran said. "I know you are an adult and I respect that. But with everything going on, please be careful."
"Thank you, Gran." Jack said.
Gran took a deep breath and turned Jack's face so she had his full attention.
"I also want to let you know." Gran said. "Your grandfather and I talked about it and no matter what happens with your parents, we will continue with the plan. But I also get the feeling that they don't know about it, do they?"
"No, ma'am." Jack said. "Grandpa John and I did it together. Are you going to tell them?"
"I don't know." Gran said. "James and I have talked about it and after this morning, I think I need to talk to your father. I still haven't decided."
"What happened this morning?" Jack asked.
"Your mother said something while they were eating." Gran said.
"Please tell me." Jack said.
Gran took another deep breath and slowly blew it out.
"Okay." Gran said. "This morning your mother said that when she is in charge, you won't get to do whatever you want around here and that she will teach you a lesson or two."
"What did Grandpa say?" Jack asked.
Before Gran could answer, Elizabeth came upstairs and looked around.
"Everything okay?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "Gran and I were just talking, but it is okay. We need to get going."
"Yes, we do." Nathan said. "I will call security. See you at the truck."
With that, Nathan took Elizabeth's arm and led her toward the garage.
"You can tell Dad if you want." Jack said. "It isn't going to change anything. I had thought about telling him and Grandpa John wants him to be aware."
"Okay." Gran said. "If the opportunity to talk to him alone arises, I will tell him. Be safe."
Jack nodded and gave her a small dimpled grin.
"We will." Jack said. "I will call when we are on the way back."
"Thank you." Gran said.
Jack walked out to join Nathan and Elizabeth. Nathan looked at him and Jack gave him a smile and a nod.
"Please call Marcus." Nathan said. "Security will pick us up after we leave the gate."
"Okay." Jack said.
Elizabeth reached over and squeezed Jack's hand. He looked at her and could almost read her thoughts.
"Honestly." Jack said. "I am okay. We are together and nothing is going to stop our plan."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I just wanted to check, it looked like you and Gran were having a deep conversation."
"Sort of." Jack said. "But it is fine."
Jack picked up his phone and dialed Marcus. After talking to him for a moment and letting him know the plan, Jack hung up.
"They will pick us up at the courthouse." Jack said. "Since we have to go to the bank and that can be done through the drive thru, no sense having them there as we will have security. Then we will go to the courthouse. I have the papers that we need to file and there are papers that I need to sign there as well. Nathan, I might need you to witness those."
"That is fine." Nathan said. "We all have our ids. I will just have to leave both weapons in the truck when we go into the courthouse."
"I figured." Jack said. "But it should be fine. We can park in the back, off the street, so it should be better."
"Okay." Nathan said.
They left the gates and security picked them up and stayed closer than they had the last few days. Nathan didn't mind, especially with what they had learned the night before. The ride into town was quiet, but that was fine. Elizabeth and Jack sat next to each other in the back of the truck while Nathan drove. He didn't mind and actually preferred that they were not in the front seat.
… … … …
It wasn't long after Jack, Elizabeth and Nathan left that Thomas came out to get more coffee. When Thomas walked into the kitchen area, he saw his mother-in-law sitting at the counter with her head bowed in prayer. He immediately thought that there was something wrong. Thomas went over and filled his mug with coffee and then sat down next to Margaret.
"Is everything okay?" Thomas asked.
Margaret looked at her son-in-law and gave him a shake of her head.
"Yes and no." Gran said. "As far as I know everyone is fine, so don't worry. But there is something that you need to know and I don't know how to tell you."
"Margaret." Thomas said. "I know that we haven't seen eye to eye over the years, but you have to know that I want nothing but the best for you guys and Coal Creek."
"I am glad to hear that." Gran said. "But …."
"But what?" Thomas asked.
Gran took a deep breath and counted to ten.
"You need to rein in your wife or she is going to lose more than you realize." Gran said. "Don't get me wrong, James and I love Charlotte very much, but isn't listening to us."
"What are you talking about?" Thomas asked.
Gran looked at Thomas and then got up and walked over to get a cup of coffee to stall talking to him.
"Margaret." Thomas said. "If one of the boys did something to upset you, please just tell me so I can deal with it. I am sorry for the way that Tommy has been acting. I have tried to but I guess I failed."
Gran walked back to sit down with her mug of coffee.
"You did the best that you could." Gran said. "I mostly blame Charlotte for the way that Tommy is. At least you are trying to make things right, but I think it might be too late. That is not why I am upset. James and I have talked about things and we have been back and forth about this and now I realize that there isn't a choice."
"Margaret." Thomas said again, giving her one of his cold stares.
"Looking at me like that is not going to make this any easier." Gran said. "I am glad that you want what is best for Coal Creek, but you need to know that the future of Coal Creek is out of your hands and it is out of Charlotte's hands."
"What are you talking about?" Thomas asked. "Did Conrad decide to take over?"
"Not exactly." Gran said. "Let me backup."
Thomas wanted to say something, but at the last moment he stopped and just nodded to Margaret.
"Over a year ago." Gran said. "JP came to James and I with a long term comprehensive plan for Coal Creek. After a lot of talking and debate. Conrad agreed with us and we accepted JP's plan. As of July first this year, JP will be the majority owner of Coal Creek Inc and the deed holder to the entire property. We have it in writing that James and I will be able to live here for as long as we want. James will stay on as head trainer and essentially the president of Coal Creek. Conrad will continue to be a trainer and the public face of Coal Creek for now. With a couple of exceptions, JP will be able to make decisions that he feels are in the best interest of Coal Creek as he sees fit. That includes breeding, selling and buying of stock. It would also include acquiring additional property if he wants without the need for us to approve it."
Thomas sat there stunned for a moment.
"I don't understand." Thomas said. "What about Thornton Thoroughbreds?"
"As far as that." Gran said. "Nothing will change. In all honesty, we thought you knew about the plan that JP presented us. He has the backing of your father as well. It was only in the last few days that James and I realized that you probably didn't know and the comment that Charlotte made this morning only furthered that idea. I outright asked JP and he admitted that he did the plan with John and that you didn't know anything about it. He did say that I could tell you, but there is nothing that you can do.
Coal Creek is James and mine to do with as we see fit. We have changed the wills to reflect the changes that will take place on July first. Conrad is in agreement that we made the right decision. We also talked to Chris and he is glad that JP is going to be getting Coal Creek as he has his place in Montana to worry about. Conrad also has his own place so he didn't mind allowing JP to have Coal Creek. This place has been in James' family for generations and with JP's plan it will be in the family for generations to come."
"So you are saying that in just over a week JP could kick us out of here." Thomas said.
"Yes and no." Gran said. "This house will still be ours, mine and James' home. But JP will own it along with all the other property connected to Coal Creek. John has set it so that we are protected if anything happens with the business. That is why James has been pushing Charlotte to get the paperwork done this week. He wants everything done and ready for when JP takes over July first. I mean I know that he won't exactly be hands on every day, but James wants to make things easier."
"And my father went along with this." Thomas said incredulously.
"Yes." Gran said. "He did a lot of the work to set everything up. Like I said, we honestly thought that you knew. JP never said otherwise. James was glad that he was taking a bigger interest in the business. James had been tossing the idea around for a few years to leave this place to JP, but wasn't sure that was what JP wanted or how Conrad and Chris would feel."
"What about Charlotte?" Thomas asked.
"She has never shown an interest in wanting to take over the business." Gran said. "Yes, she helps with some of the paperwork, but she doesn't want to be here day to day. She has gotten used to her life in the city."
"Thank you for telling me." Thomas said. "I need to think."
Thomas got up and walked back to the office without waiting for Gran to say anything else. She knew that he was upset, but she also knew that she had made the right decision in telling him. She knew that both Thomas and Charlotte would be upset that JP had gone behind their back, but as she had told him, they needed to do what was best for Coal Creek. Gran knew that JP's plan was what would ensure that Coal Creek was there for JP's grandchildren to enjoy. Gran turned back to her Bible that was still open on the counter and continued to pray that everything would work out.
… … … …