Chapter 161 – Sunday Night (short)

After a few moments, Nathan looked up at Elizabeth.

"Hey Elizabeth." Nathan said. "Do you think you could pick me up some more wood tomorrow and some sand paper?"

"We should be able to do that." Elizabeth said. "Remind me in the morning. Also mention something to Gran."

"I will thank you." Nathan said.

"I really wish you would stay here tomorrow." Jack said.

"Katie will be with us." Elizabeth said. "She also said we will have at least one undercover team with us as well. Grandpa John is leaving them here until the press dies down. We just need to let them know the plan."

"I know." Jack said. "Still I am worried."

"Would you feel better if I wore a panic button?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes." Jack said.

"Fine." Elizabeth said. "Message Chris or Katie to bring them in the morning."

Jack did that. He also arranged for Rocky and Rainbow to be brought up Thursday evening.

"Doug." Jack said.

"What?" Doug said without turning around.

"What time should I arrange for your Mom and sisters for Friday?" Jack asked.

"Eleven." Doug said. "They will get here and we can have a late lunch."

"Sounds good." Jack said.

Jack pulled up the site and entered his information and got a ten fifty slot at West 30th.

"Ten fifty from West 30th." Jack said. "They should check in by ten thirty."

Doug gave Jack a thumbs up.

"I will let Rosie know." Elizabeth said.

"Okay." Jack said. "I added her as a passenger. She will need an ID. She just needs to let them know it was a flight booked under Thornton, Inc."

"Texting her now." Elizabeth said.

Jack texted the information to Trish and also to Devin. After a moment he thought and sent the info to his grandfather as well.

"Guys." Jack said. "What time do you want to take off on Wednesday? Also do you want to helicopter from here to Albany and then switch to the jet or have the jet come to the airport here?"

"Given the situation with the press." Doug said. "I think it might be safer to take the helicopter to Albany and take off from there."

"I agree." Nathan said.

"What time do you want to go?" Jack asked. "It is about a two hour flight to Bancroft and Grandpa John has arranged for a vehicle and driver for us. It is about thirty minutes to the ranch. I got directions from the guy. We just need to let him know what time we are going to be there."

Nathan and Doug looked at each other.

"What is it from here to Albany?" Doug asked. "Ten, fifteen minutes."

"Something like that." Jack said. "We will land on the tarmac and go right to the jet. They will work us for clearance if we give them a time frame."

"How long do you think it will take to look at the horses?" Nathan asked. "Also what time do we need to be in Toronto?"

"We can't check into the St Regis until three." Jack said. "Supper reservations are for six thirty, but I can push them to seven. We have to check out by ten thirty the next morning and I have already figured to shoot for an eleven fifteen flight back.

As for the horses, I would like some time. I doubt it will take more than an hour with three of us looking."

"So if we want to be out of Bancroft by two." Nathan said. "We need to take off from Albany by ten. Let's shoot for leaving here at about nine thirty."

"Okay with me." Doug said.

"Alright." Jack said. "Booked the helicopter to Albany taking off from the farm at nine thirty. They should land here at about nine twenty. Booked a tentative take off time for the jet at nine fifty-five. They will work us in up to fifteen minutes on either side."

"Sounds good." Doug said.

"How does that work with customs since we are going to Canada?" Nathan asked.

"A member of Customs Enforcement will meet us on the tarmac." Jack said. "They will have a portable scanner for our bags. We will need to show them our passports and we will be fine."

"Want me carrying?" Nathan asked.

"Up to you?" Jack said. "The biggest thing would be to have the paperwork for your firearms as well as the needed documents for your license to carry."

"I have all of that with me." Nathan said. "Devin made sure I had it, since he wasn't sure what you all had planned for the summer."

"Then I am going to leave it to you." Jack said. "Just mention something to the pilot both on the helicopter and the jet."

"Will do." Nathan said.

"And you are all okay with me staying here?" Lee asked.

"I am fine if that is what you want." Jack said.

Doug and Nathan nodded.

"Good that is settled." Elizabeth said. "Sounds like this is going to be a busy week, so let's enjoy some quiet down time."

Elizabeth took Jack's phone and set it aside and cuddled into his side. The others went back to what they were doing. Jack and Elizabeth talked about a few things quietly between them, but mostly just sat with each other enjoying the time.

It was after ten when the group finally broke up and went to bed for the night. Jack walked Elizabeth to her room and they stood there for a moment just looking at each other.

"I hope you had a good day." Jack said.

"I did." Elizabeth said. "We got to spend some time together. I know Father Mark was there, but I honestly didn't mind. At least we were able to talk. I don't want to complain, but sometimes I feel left out when you are with Nathan and Doug. We don't get to talk as much."

"I am sorry." Jack said. "I will try to be better about it. It is going to be a bust week, but remember we will get to go out without security Wednesday night in Toronto."

"Thank you." Elizabeth said.

"Are you going to be okay staying in the suite with me and the other guys?" Jack asked.

"I don't know." Elizabeth said.

"It is a huge suite." Jack said. "You will have your own room and I think own bathroom. Doug, Nathan and I will probably share the other room that has two queen size beds. If Father Mark comes, he said he was fine sleeping on the couch or I still might get him a single room."

"Okay then." Elizabeth said. "So similar to here."

"Yes." Jack said.

They stood there for another moment lost in each other's eyes. Doug came back out into the hallway.

"Thornton." Doug called. "Kiss your girl and get your butt in here. We have a long week ahead of us."

Jack blushed, but he leaned forward and gave Elizabeth a kiss.

"I have to go." Jack said.

"I know." Elizabeth said.

Jack started backing away and again only let go of Elizabeth's hand when distance required it. Elizabeth watched him walk backwards all the way to his room. Once Jack turned and went into his room, Elizabeth closed her door and got ready for bed.

Once she was ready, she sat at the desk and pulled out her journal. She poured all of her feelings out into the book. She wrote about everything that had happened all weekend. She wrote about how she felt at the jumping event as well as dancing in Jack's arms later at the banquet. She wrote about how scared she was when security whisked her away and she didn't know if Jack was safe. Elizabeth wrote about how Jack had surprised her with the engagement ring on Saturday morning. She wrote about how she felt about his mother and how glad that she was gone. Elizabeth wrote about talking to Rosie and how she was excited and nervous at the same time for her to come. Elizabeth wrote about how excited she was to go to Canada with Jack later in the week. She was looking forward to a real date. She wondered where they were going to eat. She knew that they were staying at the St Regis, but she had resisted looking up anything about the hotel as she wanted to be surprised.

Finally after over an hour of writing, Elizabeth crawled in bed and pulled the light blanket up and fell asleep dreaming of Jack and their future together.

Once Jack had left Elizabeth and was in his room, he leaned against the door and let out a huge sigh.

"Seriously." Doug teased.

"Just you wait." Jack said. "When you get a girlfriend, I am going to remind you how you teased me."

"I can't wait for that." Lee laughed. "I still can't see a woman putting up with him."

"You should talk." Doug retorted, sticking his tongue out.

They burst out laughing. For as much as they teased and taunted each other, they really were the best of friends and would do anything for the others. Nathan sat there and was feeling both happy to be included and sad for the way that Gabe had acted. He had wanted nothing more than for Gabe to be a part of the group. Nathan also knew that if Gabe had just been honest, Jack would have included him. Doug noticed that Nathan had a far away look. He nudged Jack who motioned to Lee.

"Personally." Jack said. "I think we need to find a girl for Nathan here."

"What?" Nathan said, shaking his head.

"You need a girl." Doug teased.

"I am perfectly fine." Nathan said. "Besides, my job doesn't leave much time to date."

"You are not always going to be security." Doug said. "I mean you want to settle down and have a family some day. I mean I saw the way you were with Cody today. You would make a wonderful father."

Jack could see that Nathan's mood had shifted.

"Leave him alone." Jack said.

Doug just looked at Jack, but the look on Jack's face and Doug knew that he meant business.

"Let's turn in." Lee said. "You all have a long week."

"Alarm for six am." Jack said.

The others nodded and Jack turned out the light before crawling into bed. He hoped that Nathan wasn't upset and made a mental note to check in with him in the morning. The four guys were all quickly asleep.