Chapter 162 – Start of a Busy Week
Monday morning and Jack's alarm went off. He pulled the blanket over his head for a moment and then he remembered that his mother wasn't there to nag him nor did he have to deal with his annoying brother. After a few minutes, Jack got up and started to get ready for the day. He grabbed his bag of clean riding gear to take down. Nathan and Doug were not that far behind him. They knew that Lee was up, but wasn't sure if he was going to come up or go back to sleep and they were fine with that. Jack stopped at Elizabeth's door, but didn't hear anything. He knocked, but there was no answer.
When the guys got upstairs, they found Gran sitting at the table making a list. Grandpa John was already there as well. He was working on his laptop and drinking coffee. Gran looked up when she heard the boys.
"There is a little casserole left." Gran said. "Or I can make eggs. There probably is not enough casserole for everyone."
"I will take the casserole." Jack said. "Might as well finish it up."
"I am fine with whatever." Nathan said.
"Me too." Doug said.
Gran got up and went to the kitchen followed by the boys. Jack pulled out the casseroles. Nathan made everyone a cup of coffee.
"There are four pieces left." Jack said.
"Split them with you." Doug said.
"Sure." Jack said.
"Then I guess I will take eggs and toast." Nathan said. "Thank you Gran."
"JP, heat all four in the microwave." Gran said. "I will get eggs going for Nathan."
"I can make my own breakfast." Nathan said.
"No sit for now." Gran said.
Nathan and Doug took the coffee and silverware to the table to sit. Doug got up and got a glass of juice as well. Jack brought the two plates to the table and set them down and let Doug choose. It wasn't long and Gran set an omelet in front of Nathan.
"Boys." Gran said. "I am not sure how long it will take in town today. We need to get the stuff for Katie and Opal, but I also have a couple other things to do and since I am there, I figured I would pick up groceries as well."
"That is fine." Jack said.
"There is still all that stuff to make sandwiches." Gran said. "There is plenty of salad left from this weekend. I am going to throw a roast in, but I was thinking that we could have leftovers tonight. There is plenty of food in the fridge that needs to get eaten."
"Take you time." Nathan said. "We can manage lunch. Sandwiches, salads, veggies and chips. It will not be a problem."
"Thank you." Gran said.
"Don't forget that we need to meet with security." John said. "I have asked Chris, Peter and Andrew to sit in on the meeting. Rob and Katie will take Gran and Elizabeth into town. They will also have at least one undercover team."
"Thank you." Jack said. "Elizabeth mentioned that last night."
"Gran." Nathan said. "Can you stop and pick me up some more wood for carving and a pack of sandpaper with different grits in it?"
"I can do that." Gran said. "What size wood? What about the sandpaper?"
"We picked up some three by three blocks at Lowe's." Nathan said. "Just a basic pack of general use sandpaper will be fine."
"How many blocks would you like?" Gran asked.
"We got four." Nathan said. "I could use probably four more. I am making something for Cody and then I realized that I should maybe make a set for Opal as well."
"I will get you plenty." Gran said. "Anything else you boys need?"
"Can you grab another fruit punch Gatorade." Doug said. "Especially if the girls are coming this weekend."
"I can do that." Gran said. "What do you want for next weekend and the Fourth?"
The boys looked at each other as Lee and Elizabeth both came up. Gran got up and quickly made them some eggs and toast. The guys were talking amongst themselves when Lee and Elizabeth sat down.
"What are you talking about?" Lee asked.
"Gran asked us what we wanted for Sunday and the Fourth as well." Jack said.
"We have to do burgers on the Fourth." Lee said. "We always do that."
"I know." Jack said. "I was just asking them if burgers and hotdogs twice in a couple days would be okay."
"What about grilled chicken breasts for Sunday?" Elizabeth said.
"I like that idea." Jack said. "But I was thinking of keeping it simple so we don't have to bring Kathy back in. Not that I mind, but it is asking a lot."
"I can see that." Elizabeth said.
Gran came back with a plate for each of Lee and Elizabeth.
"How about chicken breasts for Saturday." Elizabeth said. "Burgers and hotdogs for Sunday and I am fine with having that on the Fourth again."
"I am good with that." Doug said.
Nathan and Lee nodded as well.
"Gran?" Jack asked.
"We can do that." Gran said. "I will pick up some more bacon ends, if Nathan you would be willing to make another batch of the bacon jam. I don't think that there is enough left."
"I can do that." Nathan said. "I will try to make that on Saturday. I honestly think it is better the next day after it has sat."
"What time is Patricia and them coming on Friday?" Gran asked.
"I got them a ten-fifty take off time." Jack said. "They all know and I messaged Devin as well."
"Okay then." Gran said. "I will pick up some more sandwich stuff as I think that will be the easiest for lunch this week."
"Don't forget that we are taking off Wednesday morning." Jack said. "We won't be back until after lunch on Thursday. I was going to remind you all to eat and we can grab something when we get here."
"How are you doing that?" John said. "I saw the notice, but didn't read it."
"We booked a helicopter from here to Albany then are switching to the jet." Jack said.
"With the press." Nathan said. "We thought it would be easier than trying to go to the airport here and dealing with everything."
"No, I agree." John said. "I will make sure that you have cars and drivers while you are there. I will get on that this morning."
"Thank you." Jack said.
"Where is the security meeting?" John asked.
"We were going to meet at the office down at the stable." Jack said. "But …."
"Go ahead." Gran said. "I won't be here, but don't make it a regular thing."
"Yes, ma'am." Jack said.
"I will message Kevin and Brandon when we are on the way up here after jumping." Jack said. "We can meet right here."
"I will be here working with Peter and Andrew." John said.
"What time are you leaving?" Gran asked.
"I won't be leaving until after you get back." John said.
Before John could say anything else, there was a knock on the door. Gran got up and saw that it was security. She let them in and asked if they had eaten. They assured her they had, but would take some coffee. She got them some coffee.
"We need to deal with the horses." Jack said. "We will be back up here after we jump for the security meeting."
"See you later." John said.
Jack, Doug and Nathan took their dishes to the kitchen, refilled their coffee and left out the back door."
The boys got down to the stables. They got the horses feed, brushed and turned them out. They mucked out the stalls and then decided to just do flat work that morning. While Doug and Nathan went about getting the sand ring ready, Jack handled setting up for Rocky and Rainbow to arrive Thursday night and also made arrangements to possibly have three horses in isolation by the weekend.
It was decided to leave all the horses they were working with as well as Moondancer and Lemon Drop at the stable and move the rest over to the other stable. They could be brought back if people were going riding next weekend. Jack thanked the guys and then went out to join Nathan and Doug.
After Jack, Nathan and Doug left John turned to Lee and Elizabeth.
"How are things coming for the show?" John asked.
"Really good." Lee said. "I was going to work on that while the others were gone this morning?"
"Let me know if you need anything." John said.
"No problem." Lee said.
"How was the press?" John asked, looking at Chris and Andrew.
"Some." Andrew said. "Not as bad as yesterday."
"Elizabeth." Gran said. "Are you still okay going out?"
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "My location has already been put out there. Jack was worried and I agreed to wear a panic button. I am just glad that he didn't make a bigger deal of it or say he wasn't going to let me go."
"Good." John said. "JP would never do that. He is worried about your safety, but he would never tell you that you can't do something just because he was worried or didn't like it."
Elizabeth nodded
"In that case." Gran said. "I will be right back."
Gran got up and headed to her room.
"Is that what you are going to wear?" Katie asked.
Elizabeth had on the blue jeans with Aztec print on the back pocket and a black lace tank top with an off the shoulder gray light sweater.
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "Is there something wrong?"
"No, just don't remember picking that up for you?" Katie said.
"You didn't." Elizabeth said. "It was in the closet downstairs with the tags still on it."
"Oh." Katie said.
"I told her it was fine to wear anything she liked that was in the closet." Gran said coming back to the table.
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "I had something similar to this at home in blue."
"I can get you another one if you want." Katie said.
"No, I have plenty of clothes." Elizabeth said. "Besides, Jack ordered a few things he saw me looking at online last night."
"He has a tendency to do that." John said. "If it is too much, let me know if and I will talk to him."
"It is fine." Elizabeth said. "I did put my foot down and told him no more until later unless I ask."
"Good." John said.
"Here Elizabeth." Gran said. "You can borrow this. It will be easy to use a panic button. Just give it back when we get back."
Gran slid a long flat case toward Elizabeth. Elizabeth opened and saw a beautiful Omega watch with a black fabric band. It was a small oval face of yellow gold with three little diamonds on the top and bottom.
"It is gorgeous." Elizabeth said. "But it is too much."
"Nonsense." Gran said. "It is one of my everyday watches. It will be easy to put the panic button on the back. I insist. Please. Not only will it look nice with your outfit, but it will be easier to keep track of time without having to look at your phone all the time. Sorry, I am old school and think that people should wear a watch and not always be looking at their phone. I also think that a watch and jewelry, if done right, pull any outfit together better."
"She is right." Katie said. "Bonus, it works well with the panic button."
"Okay." Elizabeth said.
Katie took the watch and put the button on the back and then helped Elizabeth put the watch on.
"We should get going." Gran said.
"I need to run downstairs for a moment." Elizabeth said.
Gran nodded and Elizabeth quickly went down for her phone and wallet. When she got back, Gran, Katie and Rob stood up to leave with her.
"Let us know when you are headed back or if you run into trouble." John said.
"I will keep them safe, Sir." Rob said.
"I know that." John said.
"I will keep Chris and Andrew updated." Katie said.
John nodded and the group left to the garage to take the truck.