Chapter 156 – Jack and Elizabeth Ride Together
Once all the others were off, Jack helped Elizabeth up and then mounted Honey. Father Mark mounted Magic and they headed off as well. They rode all next to each other, with Elizabeth in the middle. As much as Jack wanted alone time with Elizabeth, he also realized the wisdom of having someone else with them. It wasn't that Jack didn't like the others or trust them, but sometimes it was easier to talk without others there.
"Thank you." Elizabeth said.
"You are welcome." Father Mark said. "I thought that you two could talk and the three of us could talk a little more as well."
"Thank you." Jack said. "As much as I like riding with the others, I was looking forward to some time with Elizabeth."
"So Jack." Father Mark said. "The biggest thing that I want to talk to you about was the announcement that you made at lunch."
"What about it?" Jack said.
"I know that a lot of it had been in the works before you met Elizabeth." Father Mark said. "But I think you need to be better about including her in your plans."
"Sorry." Jack said. "I didn't realize."
"It is okay." Elizabeth said. "I also understand that a lot of this was in the works before we got together, but Father Mark is right. We need to talk about things. I don't mind your plans, but you do know that it is going to be a lot of work."
"I know that." Jack said. "But I had also thought of hiring a property manager and at least one other person to actually oversee the orchard. There would also be several hands that would work on the property, but I was only thinking of having the property manager living on site. Before you ask, I was thinking of a completely separate house."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "But I think we BOTH need to be in on the decision of the property manager, especially if they are going to be living on site."
"I am okay with that." Jack said.
"Why didn't you tell me about the other properties?" Elizabeth asked.
"I guess I didn't think about it." Jack said. "I had originally planned to buy them when I learned they were available several weeks ago. I thought we could use them as grazing land or even for growing hay, but now that I have obtained the Miller property as well, I think it will work better with the other plans."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "But I am going to ask you from here on out, that we talk about things. I get it there are a lot of moving parts in business, but please try to talk to me about things."
"Elizabeth." Father Mark said. "What is it about Jack not talking to you that bothers you the most?"
"I think I am just feeling like I am being left out." Elizabeth said. "Jack didn't like his parents making unilateral decisions regarding his life, but he didn't realize that he was doing the same."
Jack looked down for a moment. He didn't realize what he was doing until Elizabeth said something. He was just so used to making decisions and had always tried to do what was best for him.
"I am sorry." Jack said. "I guess, I didn't realize it. I was so focused on business, that I forgot to talk to you since most of it had been in the works beforehand. I will try to be better as we move forward, but if I forget, please stop me and ask."
"I will." Elizabeth said.
"Good." Father Mark said. "Just so that you are aware. It is a huge change for both of you to include someone else in your decision making, but it is vital for a good marriage. Communication takes practice. I just want you both to be aware so you can learn and get used to talking to each other about things."
"I promise I will try." Jack said.
"Me as well." Elizabeth said.
"Very good." Father Mark said. "That is all I am asking is that you are more aware and make an effort. Just know that you will both fail at times and that is fine as long as you forgive, learn and move forward."
Jack and Elizabeth both nodded. They rode in silence for a few minutes, then Elizabeth looked over to Jack
"What were you thinking of naming the Miller property?" Elizabeth asked.
"I have been playing with a few names, but I don't know." Jack said. "I love Coal Creek and how it was named. However, I think our property should have a name that means something to us. I also want to honor my Celtic heritage. I looked up a few words in Irish. I love the word for heart."
"What is it?" Elizabeth asked.
"Croí." Jack said.
"I like that." Elizabeth said.
"I have been trying to figure out a way to use it." Jack said. "But nothing sounds right or feels right."
"Were you thinking of calling the place a farm, ranch or orchard?" Father Mark asked.
"I don't know." Jack said. "I had originally thought of an orchard, but then if I wanted to expand into vegetables or other things, it wouldn't sound right."
"I can see that." Father Mark said. "What about Croí Croft? Croft is an old word that means farm."
"I kind of like that." Jack said.
"I like it as well." Elizabeth said. "It also has the double c like Coal Creek."
"I didn't even think of that." Father Mark said.
"I really like that." Jack said. "What about Croí Croft, Inc?"
"I think we have it." Elizabeth said.
"If you agree." Jack said. "I will do the paperwork needed to formally name the old Miller property as Croí Croft, Inc. It would include the old Miller property and the additional acres that I had bought, so that extra eight hundred acres."
"Sounds good." Elizabeth said.
Jack stopped Honey and Lemon. He then leaned over and gave Elizabeth a quick kiss. They both pulled back and got their horses moving again.
Nathan led the group toward where the mares and foals were. As much as he wanted to be in the back of the pack, he knew that Cody would not have liked that. So he confidently rode in front so Cody could see everything. Doug was riding right next to him.
"They will be fine." Doug said, looking over.
"What?" Nathan asked.
"Jack and Elizabeth will be fine." Doug said. "Father Mark was right, they need to talk. He won't let them out of his sight. Besides, the retirement center is one of the most spread out places of the entire ranch. He will keep them to the inside pastures and not even think of going close to the road."
"Okay, fine I was worried." Nathan said. "But I agree that they need to talk about things. Did you know about the additional acres?"
"I had an idea." Doug said. "We were checking them out last summer. He mentioned something when he saw they were officially listed for sale this spring. Honestly, I am not surprised. Since he started with this plan to take over Coal Creek, he has been determined to get every single acre back that once was a part of this place. With his plans to expand, I personally don't think three thousand acres is going to be enough. I also know that he was looking at property on the other side last summer as well. That would be closer to where we are headed and also over by the retirement center. I think Jack would be happy if he had about ten thousand acres that he could ride and be on without having to worry about the press or other people."
"I think you might be right." Nathan said. "Any idea, who is thinking of getting to manage the new property? If I could convince my sister and niece to come up here, I wouldn't mind taking that job at all."
"I am sure he is thinking of someone." Doug said. "But he won't tell me until he talks to the person."
Doug did tuck the information that Nathan had said away to mention to Jack.
"The best thing that you can do is pray for him." Lee said coming up. "Pray for wisdom and that he makes the right decision."
"I can do that." Nathan said.
"Bugie, look!" Cody said.
"Yes, Cody." Doug said. "Do you see the little horses?"
"Horsies!" Cody said.
"Cody." Nathan said. "You can't bounce. We will stop and see if they will come over."
"Otay, sorry." Cody said.
Lee, Doug and Nathan stopped near the rail. Doug dismounted and lifted Cody down so that Nathan could get down. They tied the horses to the rail for a moment and walked a little ways down. Slowly some of the foals came over to see what was going on. Nathan helped Cody hold out his hand and one of the colts came over and lipped his hand to Cody's delight and giggles. Katie had pulled out her phone and snapped a couple of photos of Nathan and Cody. She leaned over and showed them to Gran.
"Can you send those to me please?" Gran asked.
"Of course." Katie said.
Katie then leaned over and showed Abigail.
"I will get those from Margaret." Abigail said. "He will love having that."
John and James lead their group over to the track. John was surprised that there were a few jockeys there when they pulled up.
"I knew they would be here." James said. "That is why I suggested we head this way."
"Those must be fairly young ones." Bill said.
"Last year's foals." James said. "The three of them are lining up right now, this is their first time on the track."
The guys watched as the jockeys ran the young horses. It looked to be pretty good, but none of them had actually timed the run. At that point, they were more concerned with how the horses reacted to running on the dirt.
"They looked pretty good." John said. "Looks like we will have to get them in some races over the winter."
"There are about a dozen that Conrad wants to take to Florida." James said. "Since their kids are out of the house, he doesn't mind traveling more now."
"Let me know and maybe we can go down and watch a few races." John said.
"Sounds good." James said.
"Hey, if I can swing it with Abigail." Bill said. "I wouldn't mind getting out of the cold this winter for a few days."
"I will let you know." James said.
"You can always bring Abigail and the kids." John said. "I am sure they wouldn't mind a couple days at the beach and we can go to the track."
"I will keep that in mind." Bill said.
The guys rode over closer to where the jockeys were.
After the foals ran off, Nathan stood up and when he picked Cody up, he tossed him in the air and caught him. Katie also got some pictures of that.
"He is so good with Cody." Abigail said.
"He loves kids." Katie said. "I know that Devin said he spends a lot of time with his little niece in the city."
"The problem is going to be tearing Cody away from him when he leaves at the end of summer." Abigail said.
"If I have read things right." Katie said. "He will be back."
"You think so." Gran said. "I told him that he was always welcome here, but I wasn't sure."
"I am sure that Nathan is now a permanent member of that group." Katie said. "I don't think that Doug, Lee or Jack care that he is six/seven years older."
"I didn't realize it was that much." Gran said.
"I didn't either until Devin said something." Katie said. "I thought he was like twenty-one, twenty-two."
"Well he definitely turned heads this morning at Church." Abigail said.
"At the Classic yesterday as well." Katie said.
"You will have to try and come to the show here in a couple of weeks." Gran said. "Then you can see him jump."
"We are already looking forward to that." Abigail said.
"Good." Gran said.
Doug, Lee, Nathan and Cody rode back up to the rest of the group.
"Do you want to ride more or head back?" Nathan asked.
"I think Abigail and I will head back." Gran said.
"I think I will go as well." Katie said.
"Mind if I take him for a bit longer?" Nathan asked, motioning to Cody.
"Cody." Abigail said.
"Mommy." Cody said.
"Are you alright to stay with Nathan?" Abigail asked.
"Stay wif Nayan." Cody said.
"You be good and listen to Nathan and Doug." Abigail said.
"Otay." Cody said.
Cody waved as the rest of the group headed back toward the main farm. Doug, Lee, Nathan and Cody turned and went to ride along the trail that ran next to the pastures with mares and foals.