Chapter 147 – Causing a Scene
"So how many siblings do you have again?" Elizabeth asked.
"Two older." Father Mark said. "Four younger and they were all a handful growing up. Just pray that yours and Jack's kids aren't like his cousins."
"They couldn't have been that bad?" Elizabeth said. "Especially since you don't know my little sister. That is one that we don't want our kids to be like."
"Our kids." Jack whispered. "I like the sound of that."
Elizabeth looked at Jack and blushed.
"Tell me about your sister." Father Mark said.
"Julie." Elizabeth said. "She is a lot like Tommy without the entitled attitude. Spoiled to the core. Mom and Dad try to punish her, but it lasts about a day or two and then they give in because they can't stand the whining."
"What do you mean?" Father Mark asked.
"When Julie doesn't get her way." Elizabeth said. "She turns into a tired, cranky three year old. She stomps around the house and everything out of her mouth is in a whiny tone that grates on your nerves."
"And she does it because she has learned that if she keeps it up she gets her way." Father Mark said. "So the lesson is to be consistent with discipline."
"Good point." Elizabeth said. "I babysat for a neighbor a few times and I know what you mean about being consistent."
"Good." Father Mark said. "Many parents don't learn that until it is too late and they have spoiled brats on their hands. Don't get me wrong, I think all children are a gift from God. Their behavior, not so much. Love the sinner not the sin is a perfect phrase."
Jack was getting uncomfortable talking about kids, because his body was reacting to the thought, so he felt it best that he change the subject to something more safe.
"So." Jack said. "Are you still coming out for lunch tomorrow?"
"Yes." Father Mark said. "I plan to come out after Church. As soon as I change and check the messages at the house, I plan on heading out. I will grab some riding clothes."
"Are you still going to try and come on Wednesday?" Jack asked.
"I don't know right now." Father Mark said. "It will depend on a few things. I should know more by Tuesday afternoon."
"Okay." Jack said. "Just let me know. I can always have the jet bring you back and then come back to Toronto to get us the next day."
Jack sat back for a moment and looked around him. He was glad that his friends and employees were getting along and it appeared that everyone was having a good time. He was glad that he had insisted on coming. Jack leaned over and gave Elizabeth a kiss on her temple.
"Did you want another pear cider?" Jack asked.
"It was wonderful." Elizabeth said. "We should get some for the house."
"I think that we might have some." Jack said. "If we don't, I can order some."
"What other flavors did they have tonight?" Elizabeth asked.
"Sparkling cranberry." Jack said. "Pear/apricot and apple/cherry."
"Can I try the apple/cherry?" Elizabeth asked.
"Sure." Jack said. "I will go get it."
Jack got up to go get them both some more cider. When he got to the bar area, Bouchard approached him. Jack saw him approach from the right.
… … … …
The undercover security saw Bouchard head toward Jack and alerted Chris. Chris turned to Katie.
"Stay with Elizabeth." Chris said. "No matter what happens, you and Nathan stay with Elizabeth."
Katie nodded. As Chris got up and tapped Peter on his shoulder, Katie got up to go sit by Elizabeth.
"Just stay calm." Katie said. "We don't know what is going on, but Chris and Peter are going to handle it."
Katie turned to Nathan.
"Chris said no matter what we are to stay with Elizabeth." Katie said.
"Okay." Nathan said. "What is going on?"
"I am not sure." Katie said. "Chris got an alert on his phone and told me to stay with Elizabeth."
Nathan looked around and noticed that Jack was not at the table.
"Where is Jack?" Nathan asked.
"He went to get us more cider." Elizabeth said.
Nathan looked around and saw Jack and Bouchard at the far end of the bar. He tapped Katie on the shoulder and motioned to what was going on.
"Elizabeth." Katie said. "It looks like Bouchard is talking to Jack. Please don't worry. My job is to keep you safe. Chris and Peter will keep Jack safe."
"Okay." Elizabeth said.
Katie could see that Elizabeth was getting anxious, so she wanted to try and distract her.
"Father Mark." Katie said. "Did you tell Elizabeth that you used to jump?"
"I think that Jack mentioned that." Elizabeth said. "Why did you quit?"
Father Mark realized what was going on and was glad that Katie was trying to keep Elizabeth occupied.
"I knew early on that I was called to be a priest." Father Mark said. "When I needed to focus on my studies, it was hard to keep jumping at the level I wanted. I knew where I belonged, so I gave up jumping. I still love to ride when I can, but it was hard to give up jumping when I needed to focus on my theological studies."
While Father Mark was talking to Elizabeth, Nathan had indicated to Doug to see if could figure out what was going on.
… … … …
Jack turned to face Bouchard knowing that Chris was going to be coming up behind him.
"You are much stupider than you look." Jack said.
"She will never be yours." Lucas sneered.
"She already is." Jack said.
"Liar." Lucas huffed.
Jack didn't say anything, but turned to the bartender.
"Can I get two glasses of apple/cherry cider, please." Jack said.
The bartender nodded and went to pour the glasses. Jack decided to ignore Bouchard. The last thing that Jack wanted was to get into a fight. He knew that it would be a sure way to have the night end early and he was looking forward to dancing with Elizabeth some more. Bouchard was getting more upset that Jack was ignoring him. Bouchard knew that he had to keep Jack busy so that Charlie would have a chance to grab Elizabeth. Bouchard didn't understand why Charlie was obsessed with this girl, but he was more than willing to help a brother.
"You better watch your back, Thornton." Bouchard sneered.
"I am not afraid of you." Jack said. "But you better be afraid of me. If you are stupid enough to hang out with Kensington and/or help him then you can go down in flames with him. Now leave me alone before I put an end to you right here."
The bartender had set the two glasses in front of Jack and when he went to grab them, Lucas grabbed Jack's arm. Jack glared at Lucas.
"You really are stupid." Jack said. "Remove your hand from me before I remove your arm from your body."
"You can't do anything to me." Lucas sneered.
"Have it your way." Jack said.
Jack set the glass back down that he was holding, but before he could hit Lucas, Chris stepped in.
"Mr Bouchard." Chris said. "I suggest you unhand Mr Thornton or face the consequences of your actions."
"So you can't fight for yourself, Thornton." Lucas teased. "Need Daddy's bodyguard to step in and protect you."
Before either Chris, Peter or Lucas could respond, Jack had swung and clocked Lucas right across his nose, breaking it and knocking him to the floor. Chris quickly wrapped Jack in a bear hug and held him.
"Peter." Chris said. "Get him some medical attention and don't let him go anywhere. I want him in the custody of the State Police."
"Got it." Peter said.
"JP." Chris said. "Go sit down and I mean it."
Peter helped Lucas to his feet.
"You are going to regret this Thornton." Lucas yelled.
"Shut up!" Peter snapped. "You started it so if anyone is going to regret this it will be you."
"I don't have to listen to you." Lucas huffed.
Peter signaled to the State Police that were there. They were by Peter's side quickly.
"Is there a problem?" The officer asked.
"This is Lucas Bouchard." Peter said. "He grabbed John Parker Thornton II and refused to unhand him and then made a derogatory mark. To defend himself, JP hit Mr Bouchard. Another security member stepped in and removed Mr Thornton."
"Let's go Mr Bouchard." The officer said.
Peter followed the officers and Lucas. He wanted to find out what happened as he knew his boss was going to want answers.
… … … …
Chris watched Jack go sit down at the nearest table, then turned and got some ice from the bartenders for Jack's hand. Chris took the ice to Jack.
"Here." Chris said. "Use the ice."
"Thanks." Jack said. "Sorry. I know I shouldn't have hit him, but he had it coming."
"Still." Chris said.
Jack got back up and headed back to Elizabeth. When he got there, she jumped up and went to him.
"Are you okay?" Elizabeth asked.
"Just my hand." Jack said. "Not the first punch I threw and probably won't be the last. It will probably be sore tomorrow."
"Here sit." Elizabeth said.
As they sat down, the waitress brought over the cider that Jack had ordered. Father Mark moved closer to Jack and Elizabeth. He saw the blood on Jack's new shirt, so he went to get some club soda and a couple napkins. When he sat back down he looked at Jack.
"Keep the ice on your hand, but move your arm closer to me." Father Mark said. "I will take care of the blood stains before you ruin your new shirt."
"Thanks." Jack said.
Father Mark removed the cufflink and handed it to Elizabeth. He then went to work removing the blood from the sleeve of Jack's shirt. Elizabeth watched him closely.
"What are you using?" Elizabeth asked.
"Cold club soda." Father Mark said. "Always make sure that it is cold. Then you dab the spot with club soda. Never rub. The sooner that you can do it the better."
"I will remember that." Elizabeth said. "Why club soda?"
"I am not sure." Father Mark said. "I just know that it works. It is also what Mom always used when we got blood on our clothes. If you don't realize it and it dries, you can soak it in cold water and then use peroxide, but be careful if your clothing has colors. Peroxide can make a color bleed or even remove the color like bleach."
"Got it." Elizabeth said. "I knew about peroxide and colored clothes."
Elizabeth watched as Father Mark removed all the visible blood from Jack's shirt sleeve. He then got up and threw the napkins away and took the club soda back to the bar, so no one accidentally grabbed it to drink. When Father Mark got back, he saw that Elizabeth or Jack had replaced the cufflink.
"I would still soak your shirt and vest in cold water tonight." Father Mark said.
"Okay." Jack said.
"I will make sure that he does." Elizabeth said.
"Good." Father Mark said. "Now, do we need to have a conversation about fighting again?"
"No." Jack said. "I know that I shouldn't have hit him, no matter how much he had it coming. Just for the record, he grabbed me first."
"Doesn't matter." Father Mark said. "You weren't in danger and Chris was right there."
Jack just looked at Father Mark.
"Don't look at me like that." Father Mark said.