hapter 175 – Talking to Manny
When the group got back to the kitchen/dining area, James was there as well. After introductions were made and a prayer said for the meal, Katie excused herself and Opal to go wash their hands. When they came back, most everyone was sitting down, but Jack and Elizabeth were still in the kitchen making their plates. Jack immediately went over to Opal with a clean plate.
"Do you want a ham or turkey sandwich?" Jack asked.
Opal just looked at her mom.
"You can talk to him." Katie said. "Please excuse her, she has learned that she is not to address an adult without permission."
"That is fine." Jack said. "For future reference, you can always talk to me as long as I am not busy and especially if I talk to you first."
Opal gave him a small smile.
"Do you have peanut butter?" Opal asked. "I like that better than either turkey or ham."
"Peanut butter it is." Jack said. "Do you like it smooth or with extra peanuts in it?"
"Smooth." Opal said going over closer to Jack.
"Okay." Jack said, grabbing the peanut butter from the cupboard.
"I can do that." Katie said. "I am sure that you need to get back to work."
"No problem." Jack said. "I had planned on spending the afternoon with Frank and maybe watching Opal while you go grocery shopping."
"I need to head back." Frank said after hearing his name.
"And you came all this way." Gran said. "We have plenty of space and I insist that you spend the day here and can head back tomorrow when the kids take off."
Frank went to argue, but then looked at Doug who just shook his head.
"Thank you very much." Frank said.
Elizabeth and Katie were talking as Elizabeth finished making her plate and Jack's. Katie was still feeling overwhelmed, but was trying to relax. She had never been in a house as nice as the one she was currently in. Katie was much more used to simple Amish style houses. There was a part of Katie that wondered if she had made the right choice in coming here. She knew that it was a great opportunity, but she wondered if it was going to be too big of an adjustment. For the last year or so, she had barely had any contact with the real world and Opal had even less. She knew that it wasn't a good environment for Opal and was part of the reason that she jumped at the chance to start over when Nathan had called about this job opportunity.
The other thing that Katie was wondering about was how Nathan had hooked up with Jack Thornton and his family. As far as Katie knew that last she knew, Nathan had been working security and as a private investigator. She had a thought that maybe Nathan was working while he was here, but then why would he have been introduced as a friend. She wondered if it was possible that Nathan had actually opened up and made some new friends. If that was the case, she was glad for him because from what she could see Jack and his family were good for Nathan. Katie had a million questions, but she knew that she needed to take her time and show that she could be trusted before she bombarded them with questions about things that might not be any of her business.
Elizabeth smiled when she saw Jack with Opal. He was talking to her and being sweet, just as he had been with Cody. At that moment, Elizabeth couldn't wait to see Jack as a father. She had to shake her head and not think about those things as they hadn't even been engaged a week. Jack learned that Opal likes honey on her peanut butter sandwich. Jack had to smile as the only other person that he had met who did that was Laura. Jack helped Opal get some carrot and celery sticks as well as some cucumber slices. She also grabbed a bag of chips and Jack put a chocolate chip cookie on her plate. He carried to the table and realized that she needed a boost.
"Just a moment." Jack said.
He turned around and opened one of the lower cabinets and pulled out a wooden booster seat and strapped it on the chair and then lifted Opal up onto, pushing her in next to her mom.
"You could have used the kitchen stool." Gran said.
"This was quicker." Jack said. "Besides, we can leave it here for later."
"Thank you." Katie said. "I hope that it wasn't too much of an inconvenience to have us here."
"Nonsense." Gran said. "We are happy that you are here. We know that it will take time to get settled. I have already reserved a spot for Opal at St Clement's School. Before you argue, several of our other employees' children go there and it is the best option. I don't want to hear an argument about the cost either. James will explain it all to you, but just know that it is covered."
"Thank you." Katie said. "Normally, I would argue, especially since I am not Catholic. But I think a smaller school will be the best considering how we have been living for the last year or so. Just please understand that I am only agreeing because I want what is best for Opal. If I feel that is not Catholic school, then she won't be there."
"Good that is settled." Gran said. "JP, what time was security coming?"
"Security?" Katie asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "We can explain more later, but for the time being, neither Elizabeth nor I leave this property without security. That is also why all the gates are closed and security is careful about who is coming on the property."
"Yeah." Frank said. "I saw the press when we were outside of the gate. Thanks for the heads up on that by the way."
"You're welcome." Jack said. "And to answer your question, Gran. They will be here at one, but they will be down at the security office and/or the arena until you message Rob and Katie."
"This is going to be confusing for a bit with two Katies." James said.
"We will figure it out." Gran said. "It is not the first time we have had more than one person with the same name."
Overall they had a nice lunch and as they finished, Jack texted Rob and Katie. Elizabeth, Doug and Lee started clearing the table and putting things away. It wasn't long when Katie and Rob knocked on the back door and were waved in. James said his goodbyes and headed back to work.
"Do you want to unload your stuff at the apartment first?" Gran asked. "That way you can see what we have already gotten for you and the list that Katie here made of other things she thought you might need. Then we can head into town."
"I think that would probably be the easiest." Katie M. said. "I don't have a lot of money, so I can't get much."
"Okay." Gran said. "But I think you are misunderstanding me. As part of your employment, you will get a furnished apartment. We have already gotten new linens and towels. They are washed and the beds are made up. We got you new dishes and a few other things. Anything for the apartment, I will be getting and I got you a gift card to get you started on the groceries. We always do a gift card for employees who move, to help with things as they get settled until their first paycheck. James will go through all the other stuff with you and if you need help moving a bank account or anything like that, we can help you. We know that this happened fast and that your situation is different then most of the other employees we hire here."
"Wow." Katie M. said. "This is so much more than I expected."
"Mama?" Opal said.
"Yes, dear." Katie M. said. "Can I stay here and see the horses?"
Katie looked around the table.
"We were going to leave it up to her." Gran said. "The kids knew that if she wanted to stay that they would be responsible to watch her."
"Then, yes Opal." Katie M. said. "You can stay here this afternoon. You need to listen to Nathan and them."
"Okay." Opal said.
"We have some games and puzzles in the library." Jack said. "But I think we can go see some of the horses as well, especially with Frank here. We can show you around."
"Good." Gran said. "Then I suggest that we get going. JP, what do you want for supper?"
"Can we make pizzas?" Jack said. "We should have everything."
"I will pick up some more cheese." Gran said. "But yes we can do pizza. It will be easy enough to get the dough going when I get back. I noticed a few other things I forgot yesterday so I will add cheese to the list."
"Gran." Nathan said.
"Yes." Gran said.
"I think we used the last of the chicken." Nathan said. "If it is not too much trouble, could you grab a rotisserie chicken. Or even a cut up one that is cold. As long as it is cooked we can use it for the pizza."
"Got it." Gran said. "Anything else?"
"I added the items for Saturday." Nathan said. "I know that either we or someone else will run in on Friday, but if you want to grab that today it would be okay."
"Yes." Gran said. "I saw that, I will get everything today then."
"Thank you." Nathan said.
Once everything was cleaned up, Gran went and got the key card for the apartment. Rob took Gran and pulled the truck down to the stable. Katie M and Frank went in his vehicle and followed Rob. Everyone else walked down to the stable and to the apartment. When they got there, Gran handed over the keycard. With Rob, Katie and the guys helping, it didn't take long to unload Katie and Opal's possessions. When they were done, Gran, Rob and both Katies headed out. Opal had wanted to play with her new tea set, but Elizabeth promised that they would have time later in the week.
While they were down at the stable, Jack showed Frank around. Opal was having fun petting Honey and Bandit as they had both stuck their heads over their stalls to get some attention. Nathan was holding her so that she could pet both at once. While Jack was showing Frank around, Manny came over looking for Jack.
"If you have work, I can leave." Frank said.
"No." Jack said. "I just need to talk to Manny and do some paperwork. Nathan hasn't been over to see the track either. Give me a minute."
Jack walked over to Nathan and spoke to him for a moment and then went over to Elizabeth and spoke to her. It was agreed that Nathan would go with Frank and Jack over to the track and the rest of them would take Opal back to the house.
Nathan, Jack and Frank took a side by side and followed Manny back to the track area. Jack was pointing things out as they went. Nathan was amazed, he knew that the property was big, but he didn't realize how big it was. When he saw the full size track with club house and six gate starting gate, he was and wasn't surprised at the same time. The track looked amazing. There was a part of him that wanted to get his jockey licenses just so he could race a horse with Jack. As they pulled up, they could see mares and foal grazing as well as other race horses.
"Wow this is amazing." Frank said.
"I was thinking the same thing." Nathan said.
"Let's go into the office." Manny said. "I will show you some aerial views as well as some pictures that my wife took of the place. The thing is that the pictures don't show the new stable nor do they show the jockey lounge. I should get her to update some pictures since these are about three or four years old and we have done a lot of building since then."
"I agree." Jack said. "But at least they will get an idea of the property. Nathan hadn't been over this far yet and this is Frank's first time here, period."
They walked over to Manny's office and he showed them the pictures and then told them that they could walk around while he talked to Jack. After looking at the pictures, Nathan and Frank walked and talked while Manny sat down with Jack. Manny had printed off all the paperwork that Jack needed as well as a list of things that he needed to do. They went over the paperwork and Jack filled out what was needed and Manny agreed to file it.
"Thank you." Jack said.
"No problem." Manny said. "Your grandfather had already talked to the Gaming Commissioner about this. It was agreed that you are a competent rider and it isn't like you want to race professionally."
"So I have one hundred and twenty days to complete gate school and then I am good." Jack said.
"Pretty much." Manny said. "Just let me know when you have some time and we can do the gate school training and then I can schedule a track official to come over and test you."
"Thank you." Jack said. "I will let you know. Things might get a little crazy before the show here, but I will try to get it done, if not definitely before I head back to the city."
"Then we are good." Manny said.
Jack was glad that Manny had done all the leg work for his license. He wasn't sure what he would have to do, but it was much easier than he had thought. Jack was grateful for the wonderful employees that worked so hard at Coal Creek. He was also glad that Manny had agreed to an assistant to train for when he finally wanted to retire. The two sat for a few minutes chatting about different horses, eventually Frank and Nathan wandered back in.
"Like the place?" Manny asked.
"I love it." Frank said. "I wish I could stay more than the night. I miss the fresh air and the horses. Don't get me wrong, I love the city, but I love the open space and fresh air more. There is just something about the open space and fresh air that feels so much better at times."
Jack was glad that Frank had said that as it would make his suggestion easier. Nathan took a seat next to Jack as Manny stood and went over to Frank to point out a few things to him on a photo that he was looking at.
"So where are you from?" Manny asked.
"I live in the city now." Frank said. "But prior to me joining the Army, I was raised in Kentucky horse country. My father worked for a huge stable/ranch down there. I think that he was hoping I would follow in his footsteps, but I felt called to serve our country. I joined the Army when I was eighteen. After basic training and then AIT (advanced individual training) I was stationed at an Army base in Fort Bragg, North Carolina."
Nathan couldn't help but overhear and he wanted to know more as several members of his high school had joined up.
"What unit were you a part of?" Nathan asked.
"504th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion." Frank said.
"So you saw action." Manny said.
"Yes, Sir." Frank said. "Spent time in Kandahar, Afghanistan."
"Thank you for your service." Manny said. "My brother wanted to join, but was disqualified due to a medical condition."
"Thank you." Frank said. "Sorry about your brother."
"So why did you feel called to join?" Manny asked.
"I joined after nine eleven." Frank said. "I had just turned eighteen that summer and I wasn't sure what I was going to do, then nine eleven happened and I knew I needed to join the Army and fight the evil that had come to our shores."
Jack sat there and listened. He knew that Frank had been in the Army, but he hadn't asked too many questions at the time. It seemed that Frank felt comfortable with Manny and Nathan to answer their questions. Jack was glad that Frank felt comfortable with them as he felt it might be easier to convince him to stay on if he was already comfortable with some people. Not only had Jack wanted Elizabeth and Nathan to have a chance to get to know Frank, but he was also hoping that he fell in love with the area. Nathan looked over and saw Jack smiling and figured he was up to something, but he wasn't going to ask at the moment.