Chapter 141 – Lunch Back at the Ranch
By four thirty, everyone was back at the ranch and most were gathered around the table visiting. John had retreated to the office to work for a bit and several of the security members were in the library. When Jack got upstairs, he went to the kitchen to greet his grandmother properly.
"Hey Gran." Jack said.
Gran looked at Jack with a raised eyebrow.
"What?" Jack asked. "I still have to change for the banquet and I just wanted to be comfortable for a little bit."
"Fine." Gran said. "Please help get things set so we can eat. Nathan, Chris, Rob and Andrew are in the library. John is in the office."
Jack nodded. The first thing that Jack did was go over to the table and tap Elizabeth on the shoulder. She looked up and smiled at Jack.
"Can I talk to you for a moment?" Jack asked.
Elizabeth nodded and Jack helped her up before leading her over to the pantry.
"First of all." Jack said. "I am not mad and I understand that you were scared, but you really pushed the boundary when we were in the garage. He wouldn't say anything, but I think that you even made Doug uncomfortable."
Elizabeth looked down. Jack took his finger and lifted her chin.
"Hey, hey." Jack said. "I said I wasn't mad. I thought we agreed to let the other know when one pushed the boundary. I get that it was another emotional day and a lot happened, but we need to be able to talk to each other."
"I am sorry." Elizabeth said. "I was just so scared, then when I saw you. I was so afraid when Katie told me that the man that was watching me had a gun. Especially after one of Charlie's frat brothers had shown up."
"Whoa, whoa." Jack said. "What is this about a gun? I still haven't heard all that happened."
"The man that was watching me." Elizabeth said. "Apparently he had a gun. I don't remember all the details, but that is why Katie and them insisted on getting me out of there as you were having your picture taken."
"Okay." Jack said. "I will talk to security and figure things out. Now, let's go help get things ready to have some food before tonight."
Elizabeth nodded and quickly leaned in and gave Jack a quick kiss before turning and heading back into the kitchen. Jack quickly followed Elizabeth, not only did he want to help as he was asked, but he really wanted another kiss.
"Gran." Elizabeth said. "What do we need to get ready?"
"There are platters of cut up fruit and veggies." Gran said. "There should also be a platter with turkey, ham and roast beef. There should also be another one with several kinds of cheese. JP, please grab the large bowl with small bags of chips and also the platter with cookies and bars."
"Got it." Jack said.
As Jack Elizabeth started grabbing things, Doug and Lee jumped up to help.
"Doug." Gran said. "Please go get John in the office and knock on the library door and let them know that we are getting ready to eat."
"Yes, ma'am." Doug said.
"Lee." Gran said. "Please put coffee mugs and glasses on the table."
"Of course." Lee said. "Do you want me to put drinks on the table as well?"
"There should be coffee and a couple pitchers of lemonade." Gran said.
"Where did all of this come from?" Elizabeth asked. "I don't remember all of this."
"Kathy came in while we were at the show." Gran said. "She prepped some stuff for tomorrow and made up the platters of meat and cheese."
"Gran." Jack said.
"What, JP?" Gran said.
"Do you want me to put out the potato and macaroni salads?" Jack asked. "They are marked Saturday."
"Then yes." Gran said. "I wasn't sure if she would have made enough for both days."
Jack brought out the salads and Elizabeth helped arrange everything on the counter so it worked better. There was a basket of fresh rolls for the sandwiches. Elizabeth grabbed a stack of forks so people could grab for the salad. Jack also put spoons or tongs on everything. When they were done, Jack stepped back and pulled Elizabeth to him. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and then wrapped his arm around her as she leaned against his chest. Jack leaned back against the far counter while he waited for everyone else.
"Thank you for always helping Gran." Jack said. "I know that it wasn't what you were expecting when I asked you to come up here with me."
"It is okay." Elizabeth said. "I like helping Gran. She is teaching me so much that I didn't realize I missed out on."
"First." Jack said. "I am sorry that you missed out on so much growing up. Second, I am glad that you feel at home here."
Elizabeth turned to face Jack.
"It is not your fault that I missed out on things." Elizabeth said. "Furthermore, you are going to be my husband and therefore we will be family. I am glad that for the most part, your family has been welcoming to me."
"I am sorry about the way that Ma and Dad treated you." Jack said. "I never expected that from them."
"Not your fault." Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth leaned in and gave Jack a kiss which quickly escalated. Elizabeth pulled back, then took a step back and turned when they heard someone clear their throat. Both Jack and Elizabeth blushed when they saw Gran standing there.
"Sorry." Jack said, ducking his head.
"Sorry, Gran." Elizabeth said.
"It is okay." Gran said. "I will just remind you to be mindful of your surroundings. Also know that no one is going to allow you to have too much alone time if you keep pushing the boundaries like that."
"Yes, ma'am." Jack said.
"Good, as long as we are all clear." Gran said. "Now, please join the rest of us so we can pray."
The color on both Jack and Elizabeth's cheeks got darker as they stepped over to where everyone else was.
"Since James told me to go ahead and eat while he changes." Gran said. "John, will you lead us in a prayer?"
"Of course." John said.
Everyone bowed their heads.
"Heavenly Father." John prayed. "We thank you for this day. Thank you for each and every person here. Thank you for keeping everyone safe this afternoon as we were at the show. Please be with the young rider that was hurt as well as his horse. We pray that You continue to keep Your protection around us as we go out this evening. Please bless this food to our bodies and the hands that prepared it. In Your name we pray. Amen."
Several amens rang out from the people gathered.
"Please make your plates and then we can all sit at the table." Gran said. "There is plenty of food for everyone. Also for those that want to know there will be food at the banquet this evening. They will start serving around eight."
As people started making their plates, Jack stepped over to Nathan and Chris.
"Everything okay?" Jack asked.
"Sort of." Chris said. "We will talk once everyone is seated."
Jack nodded and then turned to Nathan.
"Are you okay?" Jack asked. "What happened wasn't your fault and I am sorry for the way that I acted in the truck."
"Yes, I am okay." Nathan said. "And you already apologized. I feel bad about the way that things went down, but yes, I know that there was nothing else that I could have done."
"Good." Jack said. "As long as we are clear. I like you and want you to stick around. I have lots of plans and they include you."
"Oh really." Nathan said with a raised eyebrow.
"You are one of the musketeers now." Doug said, coming over. "All for one and one for all."
"You really believe that." Nathan said.
"Of course we do." Doug said. "And of course Jack has plans and they included you. If you haven't figured it out by now, both Lee and I would follow Jack to the ends of the earth. As much as there are things that we want to do with life, we are friends forever and that now includes you."
"Thank you." Nathan said. "So what are these plans?"
"In due time." Jack said. "In due time, my brother."
Doug let out a little laugh and Jack gave them both a dimpled grin before turning to join Elizabeth in making a plate of food. Nathan grabbed Doug for a second.
"Thank you for your help in the truck." Nathan said. "So you guys are really okay with me being a part of your group even though I work for Jack."
Doug smiled.
"No problem about helping." Doug said. "And in case you haven't noticed, we all end up working for Jack sooner or later."
Doug didn't say anything else, but went to finish making his plate of food. Once everyone was seated, John turned to Nathan.
"James tells me that you are great with the horses." John said. "Where did you learn, especially about natural remedies?"
Nathan swallowed the bite in his mouth and then took a deep breath.
"I didn't have the best life growing up." Nathan said. "Our neighbor lady's son had horses. My sister, Colleen, and I would go out there a lot. They taught us how to ride and took us to some schooling shows. As I got older, I wanted to continue, but couldn't afford it. The same people also helped me participate in several youth rodeo events.
As far as the natural remedies. Well, money was tight a lot of the time and my mother looked into other ways to treat us kids. The more that she read about natural treatments, the more she wanted to do. As I got older, I started reading everything that I could get my hands on about natural treatments for people and animals, specifically horses."
James sat down as Nathan was speaking, but nodded to continue.
"I am sorry that you struggled growing up." John said. "But I am grateful that you have been here for JP and his friends. I am also grateful that you were able to recommend someone to help James and JP go more natural here at the farm."
"Thank you again." Nathan said. "I am just glad that you are willing to give Katie a chance. She will amaze you with what she knows. I hope that I haven't overstepped my role while I have been here. Sometimes I forget and just take charge. Much of that goes back to growing up and having to be an adult many times long before I should have. If I have overstepped, please let me know. It is a strange role to be in, working security, but actually becoming close friends with Jack and Elizabeth, as well as Doug and Lee."
"I am sure that it hasn't been easy for you." John said. "Especially with the way that my son and daughter-in-law had been acting."
"I am sure that there are people that would say that you have overstepped." James said. "But I am okay with what you have done. You took control of the situation with Ghost and stood up for what you believed in. I believe that you taking control, you brought calm to a dangerous situation. You could see what needed to be done and were able to do it. The hands responded to you as they would have Jack or Doug giving orders. I expected that. I am fine with it. I told you and I am sure that JP told you to make yourself at home. I hope that you feel comfortable here and with us."
"I agree." John said. "I don't know all the details. But I can tell you that when you hire someone to do a job, you trust that they know what they are doing and if they need help, they will ask. You were brought in to protect JP and Elizabeth. I think that you have done a very good job of that."
"I told you." Doug said. "You are one of the musketeers now. Like it or not, you are a part of our group and we will stand with you."
Nathan nodded and ducked his head in embarrassment. He wasn't used to people giving him compliments all the time. Jack could see that Nathan didn't like the attention, so he decided to change the subject.
"So can someone please explain what happened at the show." Jack said. "I have yet to hear what actually happened."
"Sorry about that." Chris said. "It was a developing situation. I didn't even have all the details until we got back here. Several things happened at the show today. We can sit down and talk after we eat."
"Go ahead." Gran said. "I think we all need to hear this so we can help keep a watch this evening."
"Okay." Chris said. "So besides those of us at the table here, there were several undercover members of security that were at the track and in town all morning. Four of them are even staying at the track to better keep an eye on things. The first thing that happened was your former rider Ryan Kennedy causing trouble."
"I know." Jack said. "I dealt with it."
"Well." Chris said. "After he was taken by the State Police and handed over to the sheriff's deputies, his father was overheard making several calls, including to Ryan's cousin Oliver. Between that and the run-in that you had with Connor Walker when you were walking though the course, they were both out to get you. I tried to get a copy of the inquiry that they filed, but failed. I was able to talk to one of the judges and got the gist of what was said.
First they tried to accuse you of not being eligible to jump because they didn't see you as current members of the jumping circuit. When that didn't work, they tried to argue that you were cheating by going off course. They also tried to argue that your horses weren't eligible. Basically, they did everything that they could think of to get you kicked out. Nothing worked, you did everything fine. Besides, I think that Harold and Cass were more worried about losing support from Coal Creek and Thornton Thoroughbreds."
Chris shot a look at John, who just shrugged.
"I just reminded them what was at stake if they kowtowed to jealous spoiled brats." John said.
"Okay." Jack said. "So what happened with Bouchard and then after that?"
"So while the inquiry was happening." Katie said. "Someone came up to the guard and demanded to be allowed into the area to speak to someone. The guard kept trying to tell him that it was a restricted area, but he wasn't listening. I went up to see what was going on and also if I could help. I asked the man his name and after a few attempts, he told us that his name was Lucas and he wanted to talk to his brother's fiancée. When I asked who his brother was he told me it was Charlie. He was spouting off that Elizabeth had been kidnapped. We motioned for a few more officers and they told him that if he wanted to come down to the office and make a complaint then they could do something. He said he wasn't leaving, the officer didn't give him a choice."
"We figured that it would be one of his frat brothers that tried something." Nathan said.
"I told Katie what I knew about Bouchard." Lee said.
"Thank you." Jack said. "So what happened after that?"
"Elizabeth, Lee, Father Mark and I talked some more." Katie said. "When Elizabeth was getting wound up about the jumpoff, we walked over to the railing. I noticed this guy watching Elizabeth. I sent a message to a couple of the undercovers and they went to see what they could find. The guy dodged their questions, but they were sure that he was armed. They sent me a message and I kept Elizabeth close as the rest of the team went about executing one of the evac plans that we had come up with."
"Thank you for keeping Elizabeth safe." Jack said.
"Do we know what this guy looks like?" James asked.
"I have sent his picture to everyone's cell phone." Andrew said. "Devin and the team haven't been able to find out anything about this guy but a name. However, we think that it is fake."
"So you are thinking he was professional?" John asked.
"We have forwarded the photo and name to all the appropriate agencies." Andrew said. "So far we haven't heard anything back."
"So what is the plan?" Jack asked.
Andrew, Chris and John all exchanged looks that Jack saw.