Chapter 122 – Getting Jack to Talk

As they reached the top of the stairs, Lee shook his head and put a smile on his face. He planned to help Gran in the kitchen and make sure that if she needed help that he was there to help. As much as he wanted to hear from Doug what happened after he left, he knew that they wouldn't talk about anything until they got back down to their room.

"Gran." Lee said.

"Yes, Lee." Gran said.

"I was just wondering if it was okay to come up." Lee said.

"We are done." Gran said. "I was just getting up to finish up in the kitchen."

"We will help." Lee said.

"Yes." Elizabeth said, stepping next to Lee.

"Thank you." Gran said.

Lee and Elizabeth went to the kitchen to wash up and then get started. Doug got up and headed to the kitchen as well. Nathan stayed seated at the table for a minute.

"Thomas, Charlotte." Gran said. "Since you didn't have your clothes downstairs when Abigail came, you are responsible for making sure that they are ready for tomorrow. I have too many other things to do, I won't have time to deal with them."

Charlotte stared at her mother. She opened her mouth to say something, but Thomas grabbed her arm.

"No problem." Thomas said. "I will get one of the kids to take care of things."

"No." Gran said. "They have enough to do as well. You knew that I prepared the clothes the afternoon before an event. You chose not to have your stuff downstairs for me to deal with. So you will take care of them yourselves. You will not ask JP or one of his friends to deal with it. Am I clear?"

"Yes, ma'am." Thomas said, sullenly.

Charlotte just glared at her husband and then at her mother. Thomas gathered the papers that he had been given by his father and Peter.

"I am going to go pick up my papers in the office." Thomas said.

"Very well." Gran said.

"What do you expect me to do?" Charlotte said.

"I don't know." Gran said. "And at this point, I really don't care. I have plenty to do before bed. You have had plenty of time to get things in order and you didn't. Don't complain. Also I don't want to hear another word about it."

Charlotte huffed two or three times and then stocked off after her husband. Gran got up and headed to the kitchen. She knew that her daughter wasn't happy, but at that point, she wasn't concerned. Gran had more to think about then what Charlotte wanted.

… … … …

After they had been playing for a bit, Father Mark had been back and forth between the keyboard and guitar. He needed a break, but he also knew that Jack wasn't ready to deal with people. When they came to the end of the song that they were on, Father Mark stood up.

"I need a little break." Father Mark said.

"Fine." Jack said. "I am not ready to go downstairs."

"That is fine." Father Mark said. "I just need a drink and to stretch my back for a moment."

Jack stood up and went over to the corner. He opened the cabinet and there was a small fridge inside. He knew that Gran would have stocked it with water knowing he was coming. Jack took two out and turned around.

"Here." Jack said.

"When did that get put in?" Father Mark asked.

"The summer before Laura got hurt." Jack said. "Gran keeps it stocked with water when I am here. Unless you come up here and play when I am gone, no one uses this room other than to pass through to the balcony outside."

"I have been up here a time or two to play." Father Mark said. "But never for very long."

"You are more than welcome here anytime." Jack said. "I don't know if you know, but Grandpa and Gran have agreed to me inheriting Coal Creek. The company, the land, the horses, everything. I came to them with a long term plan that I put together with Grandpa John. I signed the final paperwork this morning. After next week, everything Coal Creek will belong to me. Don't worry, I am not kicking Grandpa and Gran out. We signed papers that allow them to live here as long as they want to. The only thing that really changes will be names on legal paperwork and who ultimately signs the checks."

"I sort of knew." Father Mark said. "I will tell you that Grandpa talked to me about it when he asked me to pray for them and you about all of it. I just didn't know the details."

"I kind of figured you had at least a general idea." Jack said. "I wasn't sure how much Grandpa had shared. I figured he would ask you to pray, knowing that you couldn't and wouldn't say anything."

"So I can assume that is part of the discord that Gran was talking about." Father Mark said.

Jack nodded.

"Ma is not happy." Jack said. "Not even considering her brothers, I guess she assumed that she would get Coal Creek if something happened."

"She never would have gotten Coal Creek." Father Mark said. "Grandpa said that the original site has always passed to the oldest son. It has been that way for generations. Why would she think that she would get it."

"Maybe because Dad has Thornton Thoroughbreds." Jack said. "But he doesn't really have it. I have enough shares and money that I could buy him and Tommy out anytime I want. Grandpa John has asked me to hold off on it for now, but I won't for much longer. Tommy wants nothing to do with the business."

"What about your dad?" Father Mark asked.

"He is more interested in the status points of owning race horses." Jack said.

"What do you mean?" Father Mark said.

"Their high society friends." Jack said. "It is something to brag about. The more that I took an active role in Thornton Thoroughbreds, the more Dad stepped back. Over the last year or so, with Grandpa John's approval, I have bought the majority of Tommy's shares. He only has two percent of the company and Dad has fourteen. I own twenty-seven. Grandpa John has fifty-five and the remaining two percent is split between Aunt Shirley's family, although I think that those shares do officially belong to Grandpa John; he shares the profits with his sister's family since it was their father who originally started the company. I have enough shares and money that if I want to buy them both out completely, I can. If Dad keeps pushing I will do just that. Grandpa John has promised that Thornton Thoroughbreds and all of Thornton Inc, will be mine when he is gone."

"Okay." Father Mark said. "How do you feel about that? I mean you have every right, but are you sure that is what you want to do?"

Jack took a moment and thought about it.

"Yes." Jack said. "I have plans for Coal Creek and Thornton Thoroughbreds. We are going to be on the cutting edge of high performance horses. It is going to take a few years to implement my plans, but both Grandpa and Grandpa John are committed to it."

"That is good." Father Mark said. "I assume that Uncle Conrad is on board with the plan that you have for Coal Creek."

"Yes." Jack said. "He also knows that I have the power to push him out. I wouldn't do that, but like Gran, I am not going to put up with the discord."

"Fair enough." Father Mark said. "So are you going to live up here?"

"Not full time." Jack said. "At least not until after school is over. There are a lot of decisions that still need to be made. Also with me buying the Miller property. Well, I was thinking that could be a place for Elizabeth and I as long as Grandpa and Gran are still here. Then we can transition over to this house and either rent the other out or something. Lots of details, plenty of time to work them out."

"Yes." Father Mark said.

Jack was quiet for a moment or two.

"What?" Father Mark said. "I know you are debating something."

"I guess I should tell you since it will be public knowledge tomorrow." Jack said. "The show that we are hosting here in a couple of weeks."

"What about it?" Father Mark said.

"I have officially named it The Annual Laura Sims Memorial Schooling Show at Coal Creek." Jack said. "And yes, I talked to your parents about it and they are okay with it."

Father Mark closed his eyes and let out a harsh breath.

"Please tell me that you aren't upset." Jack said.

"No." Father Mark said. "Not upset. Emotional. She would have loved it. She always wanted to do an annual show."

"I know." Jack said.

"Are Mom and Dad coming for that weekend?" Father Mark asked.

"I am not sure." Jack said. "I invited them, but they didn't say and haven't heard anything else."

"Okay." Father Mark said. "I think I might talk to them. I think I am also going to talk to the Bishop and see if I can get a priest to fill in for me that weekend. I want to be here for it."

"You are more than welcome." Jack said. "It sounds like Doug's family is coming up and his sisters will probably jump. I was going to talk to him and his dad to see if the girls could come up the week leading up to the show so that we can train a little. It also sounds like Lee's mother might be coming up. I am not sure about his Dad. I also don't know if Ma and Dad will be here that weekend. We have reserved a block of hotel rooms. However if Doug's sisters are able to come up the week leading up to the show, I will want them here at the house. I am not sure what is going on with Tommy, but I was thinking of putting the girls in there and depending on what is going on with Tommy, he might be in my room."

"I might talk to Gran." Father Mark said. "If I can get the approval of the Bishop, I was going to ask to stay here that weekend. I also just had a thought and granted I would have to get approval, but we could maybe have a family Mass here on Sunday. It would make things easier especially with the show. I would need you and/or Nathan to do the music."

"That is a great idea." Jack said. "Please look into it. I will do the music and if Nathan and/or Doug want to help, then I will let them know as soon as you let me know."

"I will." Father Mark said. "As soon as I know, I will let you know."

"I won't say anything." Jack said.

Jack picked up the song book and started flipping through it again. Father Mark got up and went out in the hall for a moment. While he was gone, Jack started strumming the guitar, playing a new song that he found.

… … … …

"Mr Thornton, Sir." Nathan said.

"You can call me John." He said. "So what is on your mind and there is no need to be nervous. I know what Thomas did and I don't approve. From everything that my grandson and Devin have told me, you have done a wonderful job. I also understand that you have been good friends with JP."

"Thank you, Sir." Nathan said. "I just wanted to apologize for Gabe. I knew about his sister and father, but I didn't know about the connection to the Kensingtons or the Pennybakers. If I had known I would have never asked or agreed to have him here. I am also sorry about the trouble that he caused."

"No worries, son." John said. "Just because he is your friend …."

"Was my friend." Nathan interrupted.

John nodded.

"You didn't know what he was going to do." John said. "You expected him to act like a professional, just like I did after I learned about his connections. Marcus called me before he left here last night so that I could have Gabe checked out before he got back here. Even Ryan, Director Quinlan, expected him to be professional and for him to do his job. Marcus and Ryan are both sorry that they ever let him step foot on this property."

"Thank you, Sir." Nathan said.

"So how are you really doing?" John asked. "I know that it couldn't have been easy for you."

"I am okay." Nathan said. "I can do my job."

John looked at Nathan.

"That is not what I asked." John said. "I am sure that you can do your job or JP and/or Doug would have said something to me. I asked how you are doing on a personal level. You lost a friend. A close friend from what I understand."

"Honestly." Nathan said. "I am struggling a bit. I had an emotional conversation with Father Mark earlier this week and then the thing with Gabe. However, Jack and his friends have been wonderful. I am grateful for this opportunity and to be back riding has been wonderful."

"Well." John said. "If you need to speak to Father Mark or someone else, please take the time. I am glad that you are here for JP and able to ride. I even hear that you have gotten close to Athena. You know the story with her, right."

"Yes, Sir." Nathan said. "She is an amazing ride. Honestly all the horses that I have been on are amazing."

"Oh that reminds me." John said.