Chapter 140 – Scramble to Safety

As the winners were announced, a bunch of people were moving around and he lost sight of Elizabeth. When the people had moved out of his way, he realized that Elizabeth and the group around her were gone. He figured that they had made their way down to greet Burke and Thornton, so he started heading that way as well. The man wasn't sure what he was going to do if he wasn't able to grab Elizabeth. He didn't want to face the wrath of Charles Kensington if he failed to do what he was contracted to do.

When the man got down to where the people could talk to the riders and see the horses, he didn't see either Doug Burke or Thornton. He also didn't see their horses. The man worked his way around the meet and greet area and headed toward where the trailers were. He was stopped by the State Police. He quickly showed them the lanyard that he had been able to get by paying off one of those brats that hated Thornton just as much as his boss. When the Police saw the lanyard, they knew that they couldn't stop the man without causing a scene. All they had been alerted to was to be on the lookout for someone that didn't belong. The man had a lanyard to access that area, so he didn't raise suspicions.

Once getting past the State Police, the man started looking for the Coal Creek trailer. When he got there, he only saw one man and it wasn't the man that he was expecting. It was the older trainer that he had seen before.

"Can I help you?" Marco said.

By this time, the man had switched out his lanyard for a press one.

"Yes." The man said. "I am from Horse and Rider Monthly. I was hoping to have a word with JP Thornton on his win."

"All press requests need to go through our PR firm." Marco said. "If you have a card, I can pass it along and let them know that you want an interview."

"But I am here now." The man said. "It would only take a few moments."

"No." Marco said. "Now I suggest that you move along before I call for security."

The man glared at Marco for a moment before turning and walking away. When the man turned a corner, Marco took a step back and tapped the trailer. James came out.

"I think we should be going." Marco said. "Press is back here and I didn't have a good feeling about that man, especially with everything else going on."

"I agree." James said. "We need to get these horses home."

Marco and James got in the cab of the truck and they took off. Marco knew that James would have secured the horses while he was in the trailer waiting for the man to leave. James trusted Marco and was glad that they had already sent JP and Doug back to the farm. James didn't have all the details of what was going on, but he knew that whatever it was, it was putting his family at risk. James was reconsidering whether or not JP and Elizabeth should attend the banquet.

… … … …

The man watched James Sims and the trainer leave. He quickly got on his phone and let the others know that he was unable to get to Elizabeth or Thornton, but that they still would have a chance at the banquet. He told the group that he was talking to that they hadn't raised suspicions, so that they were going to plan B for the evening. He wasn't happy that he had missed his opportunity to get Elizabeth that afternoon, but he was glad that he would still have a chance later. He wasn't sure what he was going to do if he didn't return with Elizabeth. He knew that if he wasn't able to get Elizabeth that evening, then he wouldn't have many more opportunities to try and grab her. He wasn't sure what he was going to do, but he knew that he needed to get out of the track area and regroup for the evening.

… … … …

Rob was trying to direct Nathan around the traffic and get them away from the crowds. While still trying to gather information and keep an eye out for trouble. The entire time, Jack was peppering him with questions wanting to know what was going on. Jack was getting frustrated because he wasn't getting answers. As they came to a red light, Nathan had enough.

"Jack!" Nathan snapped. "I love you, but shut up. I can't think and I need to drive."

"Jack." Doug said. "Nathan is right. Give them a few moments to get out of traffic and then I am sure that Rob will answer your questions."

Jack turned and glared at Doug.

"John Parker Thornton." Doug said. "Don't look at me like that. I am on your side. However, that said, I agree you need to give Nathan and Rob a chance to figure things out. Rob is trying to watch, get information and is still directing Nathan around traffic. He can't do everything at once."

"Thank you, Doug." Rob said. "I will talk to you both in a moment. Let me get Nathan out of the city."

Jack grunted, but sat back in his seat. He quickly pulled his phone out of his jacket. Without responding to either Doug or Rob, Jack focused on his phone. He was texting as fast as his fingers would allow him. Doug watched as Jack sent off several texts in a matter of minutes. Doug was trying to help keep an eye out for things outside, but also keep an eye on Jack. Rob had Nathan turn off and take a different route back to the farm that was a longer way and would take them by Conrad's place. Doug realized that he didn't want to take the most direct route because that is what people would expect of them. Once they were outside the city limits, Rob turned to the two in the back seat.

"I am sorry that I got upset." Rob said. "It is a developing situation and I was trying to find the best way to keep you safe."

"I am sorry as well." Jack said. "I was still frustrated from earlier and I shouldn't have taken it out on you guys. So, please just tell me what is going on."

"From what I can tell everyone is safe." Rob said. "That is the first and most important thing. Some of the undercover were going to pick up Marco and James to make sure that they got back to the farm okay. Elizabeth and Lee were taken with John and Margaret. They had Peter and Andrew with them. Chris and Katie were following. They also had a State Police escort all the way to the farm."

"Okay." Jack said. "I understand that. Now please tell me why."

"Alright." Rob said. "A couple of things happened. The first was when Lucas Bouchard showed up and tried to talk to Elizabeth. This was during the inquiry I believe."

"He is a frat brother to Charlie." Nathan said. "Another trouble maker from what I was able to tell."

"We know who he is." Doug said. "I am sure that Lee filled Katie and them in."

"What happened?" Jack asked.

"He was causing a scene." Rob said. "Father Mark and Lee kept Elizabeth engaged and nothing happened. He was escorted out by State Police. I will warn you he does have a ticket to the banquet tonight and they have said that they won't turn away anyone with a ticket."

"There has to be something else." Jack said. "Why the cloak and dagger routine?"

"Yes." Rob said. "There is more. I am still trying to get the details. But apparently after Bouchard made a scene, several of the undercover agents moved closer to keep a better eye on things. Someone saw something concerning and that is honestly all that I know at the moment."

While Rob was talking Jack's phone rang and he quickly grabbed it without looking who it was.

"Hello." Jack said.

("Jack." Elizabeth cried. "Are you alright? Where are you?")

"Elizabeth." Jack said. "Slow down. Take a deep breath. I am okay. Doug and I are on our way back with Nathan and Rob. Nathan is taking a long way around. We should be home in less than ten minutes."

("Okay." Elizabeth said. "I just want to see and hold you. To see for myself that you are okay.")

"The same here." Jack said. "Rob was just telling me what he knew, but he didn't have a lot of information. I know about Bouchard, but that is about it."

("I don't know a lot." Elizabeth said. "But there was a man paying too close attention to me. He might have taken my photo. I think that there was something else, but I don't remember. Katie got me out of there and they were talking when we were in the car, but I was upset and don't remember.")

"It is okay." Jack said. "We will figure it all out when I get home. Talk to you in a little bit."

("Okay." Elizabeth said. "See you in a bit.")

Jack hung up the phone with Elizabeth and sent another text, then he leaned his head back against the seat and let out a deep breath. Doug reached out and put his hand on Jack's shoulder.

"See." Doug said. "Everything will be fine."

"For now." Jack said. "Kensington isn't going to give up. I just don't want to have to be looking over my shoulder forever. It is not fair to Elizabeth, it is not fair to you guys."

"Hey." Doug said. "I will decide what is too much for me. You forget who my family is."

"You are right." Jack said. "Still. I just wish things were better for Elizabeth."

"They will get there." Doug said. "It has barely been a week and a half."

"It feels like a lot longer than that." Jack said.

"Well." Doug said. "I can see why a lot has happened in the last eleven days. Your entire life has changed. You just need some time to process what has happened. Do you realize all that has changed today?"

Jack turned his head and just looked at Doug with a raised eyebrow.

"Did you forget that you proposed to Elizabeth this morning?" Doug asked. "Cause if you did, I have the video to remind you."

A full dimpled smile broke out across Jack's face.

"I did that." Jack said. "Didn't I?"

"Yes." Doug said. "And she said yes."

"Send me the video." Jack said. "I honestly don't remember all that I said. I know the important thing was that she said yes."

"My phone is in my tack case." Doug said. "When I get it, I will send you the video."

Jack nodded. When he looked out of the window, he realized that they were really close to the farm and he started to get excited.

… … … …

After speaking to Jack, Elizabeth came back upstairs.

"They are almost back." Elizabeth said. "I just talked to Jack. Rob had Nathan take the long way home."

"Good." Gran said. "I just talked to James and they should be here soon as well. He said that a guy claiming to be from Horse and Rider Monthly came looking for an interview with JP. Marco turned him away, but according to Marco there was something off about the guy. As much as he was pushing for an interview with JP, he refused to leave his contact information."

"I agree something is off." John said. "Especially with us putting out that statement. From the messages that I have been forwarded, there were several requests for more information. Horse and Rider was one of those. I know the reporter that called and he wasn't at the Classic or he would have come to talk to me so I wonder who this guy was."

"Already on it." Andrew said.

"Thank you." John said.

"Are you going to wait for James to eat?" John asked.

"If you are hungry." Margaret said. "I can start setting things out."

"If they will all be here soon." John said. "Let's wait. I am okay."

… … … …

Elizabeth stood watching from the window where she could see when Nathan pulled the truck around. Even though she had talked to Jack, she just wanted to see him. When she saw the truck, she rushed to the garage. Lee just shook his head as Elizabeth ran past him in the house. Nathan barely had the truck in park and Jack was opening the door. His feet had barely touched the floor when Elizabeth crashed into him.

"I love you." Elizabeth cried.

"Shhhh." Jack said. "I am here, we are both okay."

Jack held Elizabeth for a minute and then he moved her so he could kiss her. Elizabeth pressed her body into Jack and intensified the kiss. Jack could feel his body reacting and tried to move back, but was pinned against the seat of the truck. When Jack pulled back, breathless he leaned his head against Elizabeth's.

"Please don't leave me again." Elizabeth whispered in a low voice.

"I will never leave you." Jack said. "But I think we should go inside."

Elizabeth didn't want to let go of Jack. Doug came around and tapped Elizabeth's shoulder.

"Jack and I need to shower and change." Doug said.

Elizabeth took a half step back and blushed.

"I promise I will come up after I change." Jack said.

"Okay." Elizabeth said.

Reluctantly, Elizabeth let go of Jack and went back into the house. As soon as Elizabeth turned around, Jack had to adjust his breeches and take a deep breath. Doug chuckled and shook his head.

"Thanks man." Jack said, when he turned back to Doug.

"No problem, man." Doug said. "But I suggest you calm down before going in the house and then you need a cold shower."

Jack blushed because he knew exactly what Doug was talking about. Jack and Doug went about unloading their tack cases from the truck. They unloaded Nathan's as well. Jack removed his boots and then moved the case to the back door so he could take it down later. Doug followed with his and Nathan's cases. Doug grabbed his boots and phone out of his case and then went in the back door. Jack went back to the garage and grabbed the cooler from the back of the truck. Once Jack made sure that everything was out of the truck, he took a couple more deep breaths and then headed into the house.

"Hey." Jack said.

"Congratulations." Gran said.

"Congratulations." John said.

"I am going to go shower." Jack said. "When I come back, will someone please explain what happened at the show?"

"Of course." John said. "We need to talk about things anyway. But go shower first and then we are going to have a bite to eat."

"Be back shortly." Jack said as he headed to the stairs.

"Put your clothes in the laundry room." Gran called after him.

"Okay." Jack called back.

When Jack got downstairs, he saw Lee sitting watching TV.

"Where is everyone?" Jack asked.

"Elizabeth went to her room." Lee said. "Doug is showering. I haven't seen Nathan."

"Okay." Jack said. "I am going to go shower and then we are going to eat."

"Okay." Lee said.

Jack headed to his room and found Doug there.

"Have you seen Nathan since we got back?" Jack asked.

"He said something about talking with security." Doug said.

"Okay." Jack said. "I am going to shower. Gran said to put our clothes in the laundry room."

"Thanks." Doug said. "I was already told. I am going to head up, see you in a bit."

Jack waved as he headed to the bathroom. Not only did Jack need to finish calming his body, but his emotions were all over the place again. When Elizabeth had pressed him against the truck, it started a fire in him that he was still trying to put out. Not only was he physically turned on, but with all of the emotions of the day, she stirred more emotions in him. Jack was upset that Elizabeth was so upset, but very quickly full-on desire took over. As Jack stood under the cold water, he thought about everything that had happened that day. From proposing to Elizabeth to the run in with that Connor kid at the show to the inquiry to winning to the security concern. There was a part of Jack that really didn't want to go to the banquet, but he knew that his grandparents were expecting him to attend. There was a part of him that wanted to dance with Elizabeth, but there was a bigger part of him that just wanted to keep her on the farm where she would be totally safe.

As Jack finished his shower, he was looking forward to the Toronto trip even more. He wanted some time with Elizabeth and more than that, he didn't want to have to worry about someone following them and trying to cause trouble. Jack finished drying his hair, threw on some black and navy basketball shorts and a gray on gray short sleeve hoodie. He figured since he had to change for the banquet yet, he was not going to put socks on, but slipped on some flip flops. As he left his room, he grabbed his phone and put it in his pocket. He knocked on Elizabeth's door, but there was no answer so he headed to the sitting area and found that Lee was gone as well so he headed upstairs.