Chapter 98 – Finishing up in Town

Nathan turned around and got Brandon's attention. He pointed to the person in question. Brandon grunted in frustration.

"Stay with them." Brandon said to Kevin. "I am going to deal with this."

As Brandon walked past Charlie, he tapped him on the shoulder and motioned for him to follow. Nathan tried to get Jack and Elizabeth out of there, but Jack wasn't going to let that tramp dissuade him from what he had planned. Nathan gave Jack a pointed look.

"I don't care." Jack said. "We will deal if she causes trouble. I want to get done and get home."

"Fine." Nathan said.

Elizabeth found a few things that she wanted and even got another bag at the stand that they were at. Before they left, she checked her list and then her phone to make sure that she hadn't missed anything.

"We got everything." Elizabeth said.

"Good." Jack said. "Let's head to the entrance. Hopefully Brandon and Charlie can keep Lacy busy."

Kevin followed as the group made their way to the entrance. When Cole spotted them and they didn't have Brandon and Charlie with them, he was worried. He was quickly up on his feet.

"Everything okay?" Cole asked.

"Yeah." Nathan said. "Brandon and Charlie are dealing with trouble before she makes a scene."

Cole just looked at them confused. Kevin took a step forward and quietly explained things to him. Cole nodded his head in understanding.

"I will stay here." Cole said. "Head to the cars. I will call Charlie and let him know that the coast is clear."

"Thank you." Nathan said.

Jack, Elizabeth, Nathan and Kevin headed toward the parking lot as Cole pulled out his phone. Cole quickly let Charlie know that the group was headed to the cars and were safe.

… … … …

After leaving Thomas in the office, Doug stopped by the kitchen.

"Hey Gran." Doug said. "I just wanted to let you know that Lee and I were back. We are going to work out."

"Thank you for letting me know." Gran said. "I will have lunch ready when you are done."

"We can wait until Jack and them get back." Doug said.

"If you want to wait to eat that is fine." Gran said. "We are making sandwiches again."

"What is for supper?" Doug asked.

"I am going to make lasagna with homemade garlic bread." Gran said.

"You are the best." Doug said. "I was going to ask for pasta tonight."

"I remembered that you loved pasta the night before a show." Gran said. "You and JP are the same in that regard."

Doug smiled and gave Gran a kiss on the cheek.

"I need to get going." Doug said. "Lee is waiting for me. I just want to check in with you. Oh, Thomas is really upset and I didn't do it."

"I know that you didn't." Gran said. "I told him something this morning and he is upset about it. Don't worry about it, he will get over it. His problem is with his father and James."

"Business?" Doug asked.

"Yes." Gran said. "Now go."

Doug smiled and walked away. When Gran confirmed that Thomas was upset about business, he realized that he probably learned of Jack's plan. Doug smiled to himself. He was still surprised that Jack had been able to get everything finalized without his parents knowing. Doug was proud of Jack for having the foresight to plan for his grandparents and the future of Coal Creek. Doug was even happier that they would get to ride there for years to come.

… … … …

While they waited for Brandon and Charlie, Jack and Nathan got everything in the truck. They put the bags in the built-in storage in the bed of the truck. Jack saw that there were the two coolers, so he pulled them out so they would have them for the stop at Primal.

"Other than Primal, is there anything else that we need?" Jack asked.

"There was something that I wanted, but I will just have Gabe get it." Nathan said.

"What did you want?" Jack asked.

"I need something to keep my hands and mind busy." Nathan said. "I normally do a little wood working, but I don't have any of my tools."

"What kind of wood working?" Jack asked.

"Carving." Nathan said. "Granted, I also like to build things, but don't have a lot of space to do that these days."

"Lowe's is not that far." Jack said. "We can stop there before heading over to Primal. We can get a few tools and some wood. If there is something else that you want, we can talk to Grandpa, I know that he has an entire shop of tools, but I don't know all that is in there. I know that he has woodworking tools as well as leather working tools."

"I can't ask you to buy me more tools." Nathan said.

"You didn't ask, I offered." Jack said with a grin. "Besides, I think that there is something that I want at Lowe's so we are going."

Nathan just shook his head, because he had learned that it was becoming useless to argue with Jack. When Brandon and Charlie got back to the cars, Jack informed them that they were making a quick stop at Lowe's before they headed to Primal. Brandon went to argue, but Charlie put his hand on his arm and shook his head. Charlie had learned quickly that since Jack was paying for their service, that he was the boss and you don't argue with the boss.

"Cole and Kevin can stay outside." Charlie said. "Brandon and I will go in with you."

"Fine by me." Jack said.

With that, they headed to Lowe's. It didn't take long and they found a great set of tools for Nathan. Jack also picked up a few things that he really didn't need, but liked. They also found several nice pieces of wood for Nathan. When they got to the front of the store, Jack picked up some drinks for everyone. He went to pay for everything and didn't even get an argument from Nathan this time. After Lowe's, they headed to Primal. That was a quick stop as the order was ready and paid for. Knowing that it was a small shop, security stayed outside when Nathan, Jack and Elizabeth went inside. They were able to get everything into the two coolers and then secured them in the bed of the truck. With their errands done, they headed back to the farm. Brandon and Kevin lead the way with Cole and Charlie following. Nathan wasn't sure what Charlie and Cole were going to do when they got back to the farm, but he wasn't going to argue since it was above his pay grade.

… … … …

When Doug and Lee were done working out and they had showered, they headed upstairs. When they got to the kitchen, Gran was sitting at the counter having a cup of tea.

"Everything okay?" Lee asked.

"Yes." Gran said. "Just a stressful last few days."

"Understandable," Lee said. "Doug let me know that Thomas was upset, but didn't say why other than business."

"Then we will leave it at that." Gran said. "Granted, I assume that something might be said before the day is out."

"So we are making sandwiches and then lasagna for supper?" Lee asked.

"Yes." Gran said. "If you are hungry, you can make your sandwiches otherwise JP and them are on their way back."

"We will wait." Doug said. "I assume everyone else will be coming up at some point."

"In about forty-five minutes." Gran said.

"Then I am going to try and catch up on scores." Doug said.

"Know the password?" Gran asked.

"Yes." Doug said. "Jack shared."

"I will call you up when they get home." Gran said.

With that. Doug and Lee headed back downstairs. Doug flipped the TV on and found sports center. Lee turned the laptop on and was working on something. Every now and then he would look up at the TV and make a comment. The two were enjoying a little down time that they normally didn't get, especially together. That was where they were when Nathan, Jack and Elizabeth got back. Nathan had brought some stuff down to the bedroom and saw Doug and Lee watching sports center.

"Anything interesting?" Nathan asked.

"Depending on who you are rooting for." Doug said. "Lots of trade talks."

"Okay." Nathan said. "For the record, I am a Phillies fan, but don't mind the Mets. Never could bring myself to cheer for the Yankees."

"Me either." Lee said. "I am a Mets fan and for hockey I am an Islanders fan."

"See I like the Rangers." Nathan said.

"We will have to take in a game at The Garden when the two play." Doug said.

"That would be fun." Nathan said. "As much as I like hockey, I have never been to a game."

"It is awesome." Doug said. "Jack has amazing seats."

"I am sure that he does." Nathan said with a smile. "Who does Jack cheer for?"

"Rangers." Lee said through gritted teeth.

"Smart man." Nathan said with a laugh.

Before Lee could say anything, Nathan headed to drop off his stuff in the bedroom. When he came back, he looked at the two of them.

"Lunch?" Nathan asked.

"We are coming." Doug said.

Nathan bounded up the steps with Doug and Lee not far behind. When they got up there, Jack and Elizabeth were helping Gran set everything out for lunch. The boys washed their hands and started to help. Once everything was ready, Gran looked around.

"How about Nathan lead a prayer." Gran said. "Then you can eat. The rest can eat when they come."

"Okay." Jack said.

Nathan stepped forward.

"Heavenly Father." Nathan prayed. "Thank you for Your many blessings. Thank you for keeping us safe today. I ask that You be with us as we work with the horses this afternoon. Watch over us as we jump tomorrow. Keep those that are traveling safe. Thank you for the wonderful food that is before us. Bless the hands that have prepared it. Amen."

"Amen." Jack said, squeezing Nathan's shoulder.

Everyone else added their own amen.

"So what happened in town?" Gran asked.

Jack just shook his head and let out a harsh breath.

"Press and lots of it." Nathan said. "We were bombarded by them at the courthouse. It was crazy. I was glad that Marcus had sent several officers there."

Gran looked at them.

"Why were you at the courthouse again?" Gran asked.

"I had to sign the final paperwork." Jack said. "We also had to file papers so I would have access to Elizabeth if something were to happen. Without it, her father as next of kin could keep us apart. Just one more layer of safety I decided that we needed."

"I am glad you thought of that." Gran said. "Just so you know, your Dad knows. He is upset and has been throwing a fit in the office since I told him."

"Oh." Doug said. "So that was what that was about."

Gran looked at Doug.

"You didn't think that Jack would make a decision like that without telling us?" Doug asked.

"Guess I didn't think about it." Gran said.

"Didn't think about what?" Thomas asked as he came into the kitchen.

"Letting Bill and Abigail know about the extra security." Gran said. "We will need to let security know that Kathy will be here while we are at church on Sunday and then that Bill, Abigail and the kids as well as Father Mark are coming."

"Yes." Thomas said. "They need to be on the list, or they won't be allowed in. Right now, anyone who isn't family or an employee isn't being let in unless they are on the list. Before you say anything, I made sure that they knew that Gabe and Marcus were on the list as well as my father."

"Thank you." Gran said.

Everyone else looked around and shared relieved looks that Thomas bought what Gran had said. By the time that Thomas sat down with his lunch, Charlotte, Tommy and James were coming in."

"Everything is set out in the kitchen." Gran said. "Grab what you want and then have a seat."