Chapter 176 – Frank Shares a Little
Doug, Lee, Elizabeth and Opal headed back to the house. Opal was peppering the trio with questions about the horses and riding. They answered as they could and what they didn't know, they said they would ask Jack or find out for her. Elizabeth was glad that Opal felt comfortable with them; she hadn't been sure when she heard that she was coming from having lived among the Amish. What little Elizabeth knew about the Amish, the children were expected to be quiet and not encouraged to ask a lot of questions. Whether that was true or not, she wasn't sure. There was a part of Elizabeth that wanted to ask Opal about her time living with the Amish, but she wasn't sure what the girl would share.
When they got to the house, Lee and Doug set up their laptops to work on various things. Elizabeth showed Opal the puzzles and games. Opal wanted to put a puzzle together. Elizabeth remembered seeing a puzzle mat down in the closet so she went to get it so that they could move the puzzle for supper. While Elizabeth did that, Opal opened the puzzle and started sorting the pieces looking for the edge pieces.
Overall, they had a very nice afternoon. Doug and Lee got whatever they needed done on the computer while Elizabeth and Opal put a couple of the puzzles together. At one point, even Doug helped put a few pieces together when they decided to do one with five hundred pieces.
Jack, Frank, Nathan and Manny spent another thirty minutes talking about various things including more about Frank's time in the Army. Manny talked about a few of the horses that he was excited about. Jack added a comment here and there, but mostly sat back and listened. Both Nathan and Jack asked a few questions as needed, but it was mostly Frank and Manny sharing with each other. Jack's phone chimed and he looked at it and realized that they should get back to the house.
"Manny." Jack said. "As much as I love spending time with you, we should get back to the house. That was Katie telling me that they are finishing up in town. I also need to talk to Frank about a few things."
"It was nice meeting you Frank." Manny said. "Feel free to stop by anytime that you are in the area. Nice meeting you as well Nathan, I am sure that I will be seeing you around. JP, don't forget about gate training."
"I won't." Jack said.
The men stood and shook hands before Jack, Nathan and Frank left to head back to the main site. Jack took them on a slightly scenic route to show Frank some more of the farm and talk about some of the things that he would like to see in the future. Nathan loved hearing those as well. Nathan realized that even without the new properties, Jack had plenty of room to expand. As they pulled up to the stable, Nathan had a question for Frank and wondered if he would tell them.
"Frank." Nathan said.
"Yes." Frank said.
"I have a question." Nathan said. "But if you don't want to answer it, that is okay."
"You want to know why I left the Army." Frank said. "Especially after the way I talked about it earlier."
"Yes." Nathan said. "I don't mean to intrude, but I have found that few people who love the service that much leave voluntarily."
"You sound like you speak from experience." Frank said.
"Not the service, but giving up something that you love." Nathan said.
"Fair enough." Frank said. "I was medically discharged a few years ago. I settled with an Army buddy in the city and have kind of been floundering since."
"So you were injured?" Nathan asked.
"Yes." Frank said. "We were on a routine patrol and our humvee hit an IED (improvised explosive device). I took some shrapnel, mostly in my leg. However there was a very small piece of metal that hit me in the face and caused some damage to my optic nerve. I lost most of the peripheral vision in my left eye. There was nothing that they could do. The surgeons removed the shrapnel, but the damage was done. The Army has standards and I couldn't meet them to remain in a combat unit. I couldn't see myself sitting behind a desk pushing papers so I took a full medical discharge with honors."
"I am sorry." Nathan said. "That can't be easy, but I am glad that you are okay."
"Thank you." Frank said. "So Jack, should I pull the SUV back up to the house?"
"Might as well." Jack said. "By the way, do you have something for me from Devin?"
"Yes." Frank said. "I actually have a couple of things for you. Let's head up to the house."
The guys got in Frank's SUV and he drove up the house. He was pulling in, just as Rob was pulling in as well. Frank parked and they went to grab the few things that Gran had for them. Rob and Katie said that they would take Katie M back to the apartment and help her carry stuff up.
"Thank you." Gran said. "Then I want all three of you to come back up here."
"That is not necessary." Katie M said.
"I insist." Gran said. "Besides, Opal is still up here. Rob and Katie, I don't want any argument from you either. I have already messaged Chris and told him that you are all expected for supper at the house tonight."
"Yes, ma'am." Rob said.
Nathan jumped in the truck to go help Katie. Frank, Jack and Gran headed into the house with the bags of groceries that were for them. When Gran got into the house, she looked around and saw Doug, Lee and Elizabeth all sitting at the table with laptops.
"Where is Opal?" Gran asked.
"She was yawning and rubbing her eyes." Doug said. "So we convinced her to go lay down in the library. We told her that she didn't have to sleep, but just to rest for a bit. She has been asleep for about ten minutes. I was going to let her sleep for about a half hour."
"Good idea." Gran said.
Frank started unloading the bags and Jack started putting things away. Elizabeth got up and came to help as well.
"You guys can go relax." Gran said.
"There isn't much left." Jack said. "But thank you."
Gran started some coffee while Jack, Elizabeth and Frank put the last of the groceries away. While the group was busy in the kitchen, Doug and Lee shut the laptops down and put them aside. As soon as the groceries were put away, Gran shooed everyone out of the kitchen. They sat around the table. Elizabeth got up and got a pitcher of water and glasses for everyone. When the coffee was ready, Gran put in a carafe and brought it over. Just as they were getting settled, Nathan, Rob, Katie and Katie came back. Katie M was a bit worried when she didn't see Opal, but Nathan saw Jack nod toward the library, so Nathan led Katie over there so she could see that Opal was laying down. Rob and Nathan joined the group at the table. Katie sat at the kitchen counter and was talking to Gran as she pulled things to make a batch of cookies. Katie M and Opal joined Gran in the kitchen. They got Opal set up with some juice on Gran's stool where she could see what was going on.
"Rob." Jack said. "How were things in town? Any trouble with the press?"
"No trouble." Rob said. "They were there, but not as many. I think that your grandfather's statement helped, but you will always have the less reputable ones that will continue to try and get a picture or statement. I think that the arrest yesterday helped thin them out as well."
Jack rolled his eyes and let out a harsh breath. Elizabeth grabbed his hand.
"It is okay." Elizabeth said. "I trust you all to keep me safe. We will deal with what comes."
"Thank you." Jack said. "I still don't like it, but you are right, we will deal. I just wish that it wasn't so hard for you."
"I will survive." Elizabeth said.
Jack leaned over and gave her a quick kiss.
"So, Jack." Frank said. "I saw that you won the Charity Classic on Sunday. I didn't realize that you were back to jumping. Also, good job Doug on your second place."
"Thank you." Doug said. "Like I told James, I don't mind losing if it is to Jack."
"When I was in the city." Jack said. "I had no intention of jumping again. Things happened and that changed. I fired the rider that we had because he got hurt and injured a horse. Not to mention that he failed to take instruction from our trainers. I know how much the classic means to Grandpa and also how important it is for business. I had agreed to jump at the Classic and then that turned into another one at Sugar Creek."
"Then Jack got the wild idea to host a show." Doug said. "So we will be doing at least those three shows."
"So, are there any plans to continue?" Frank asked. "I know that we talked about different things back in March, but you just didn't know."
"I still don't know." Jack said. "So much has happened since March."
"I mean, other than getting engaged very quickly, what else has happened?" Frank asked.
"I have officially taken over Coal Creek." Jack said. "At least on paper. I will still go to school. I have bought additional property and there are a lot of plans afoot."
"Wow." Frank said. "I know that you talked about certain things when you were showing me around, but I didn't realize that you had actually taken steps toward those changes."
The group continued to talk and catch Frank up on all that had happened in the last couple of weeks. Frank felt bad for Jack for the way that his parents had treated him. Frank had never personally met Jack's parents, but he had gotten a pretty good idea that things were not that great when they were at the retreat back in March. To actually hear how Jack had been treated, reminded Frank of growing up. It wasn't that his parents weren't supportive of him, it was just that they wanted better for their children then working for other people and not having much to show for it.
At one point Jack's phone rang and he excused himself to take the call when he saw it was Father Mark. Jack stepped into the library and had a conversation with Father Mark. Jack wasn't happy, but he understood what Father Mark was saying. He also knew that the plan he had was better in the long run. When Jack sat back down, Elizabeth and Doug both noticed that Jack's mood had shifted some.
"What is wrong?" Doug asked.
"Father Mark can't come with us tomorrow." Jack said. "He was talking to the Bishop and he needs to be in the office this week as he is taking a leave of absence after they do the capital campaign kickoff this weekend."
"What do you mean he is taking a leave?" Elizabeth said. "I thought he was going to meet with us for the marriage prep stuff."
"He is taking a leave for the month of July." Jack said. "But he isn't going anywhere. He wants to be able to spend more time with us and also if his parents are coming back to town for the show. He said he will still help us. The only thing that will change is that he won't be in the office and another priest will be around in case of emergencies and to help with weekend Mass times."
"Oh." Elizabeth said. "I guess that is a good thing."
"It is a good thing." Frank said. "He must realize that he is needed more here and with his family. I am glad that the Bishop allowed him the time that he needed."
Elizabeth looked at Frank confused.
"Jack mentioned that he had a cousin that was a priest when we were at the retreat in March." Frank said. "I just put two and two together. I had looked at the Churches here in town. When I heard the last name of Jack's grandparents and then Jack talking about the show for Laura, it clicked."
"Oh." Elizabeth said. "I guess I didn't think about that. So what is this retreat that you are talking about."
"Jack and I spent this past spring break at Maryknoll Seminary at a nine day lock in." Doug said. "Frank was chaperoning another group and we spent a lot of time with him as he was one of our small group leaders."
"You didn't go, Lee?" Elizabeth asked.
"No." Lee said. "My sister was home as it was the ten year anniversary of my little brother's passing. My mother wanted us to spend time as a family. Jack and Doug totally understood. As much as I wanted to go, I am glad that I spent time with my family."
"Well." Frank said. "That is important as well. Maybe next time. It sounds like they are going to do it again. It will again be for young men aged seventeen to twenty-one."
"We will just have to see what is going on." Jack said with a smile.
"What is going on tomorrow?" Frank asked.
"We are taking a quick trip to Bancroft, Ontario." Jack said. "I am looking at some horses up there. I have booked a huge suite at the St Regis in Toronto so I can take Elizabeth on a proper date. So we are staying overnight. Since Father Mark knew about the horses, he was going to go with us."
"Who is all going?" Frank asked.
"Elizabeth and I," Jack said. "Nathan and Doug are also coming. Nathan because, well security and Doug because two of the horses are for his sisters to ride as they continue to jump."
"Lee, you are not going?" Frank asked.
"No." Lee said. "Couple reasons, we are putting the show together and I can/need to work on that. Also, I am not a huge fan of flying. I know it is different in the jet, but I still don't like it."
"Sorry." Jack said. "I forgot about that."
"No worries." Lee said. "I can get things done here and also help with the horses a bit."
"So you have room for someone else to go?" Frank asked.
"Yes." Jack said with a smile. "What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking I didn't need to get back to the city so quickly." Frank said. "I think it sounds like a wonderful opportunity to spend more time with you all."
"You are more than welcome to come." Jack said. "Did you bring enough clothes?"
"Sort of." Frank said. "I will have to run into town after supper and pick up a few things as long as you don't mind me doing a load of laundry tonight."
"I am sure that will be fine." Jack said. "You have your passport?"
"Yes." Frank said. "I have one of those cards, so I always carry it along with my military ID."
"Then we are set." Jack said. "I will make the changes to the flight manifest."
Jack pulled out his phone and made the changes as needed. He also added a room at the St Regis.
"Mind if I go into town with you?" Nathan asked.
"You are more than welcome." Frank said. "As long as you don't mind me driving."
"That is fine." Nathan said.
"So where are we going to eat while you are on your date?" Doug asked.
"There are plenty of options." Jack said. "I was going to let you pick. I can get a reservation pretty much anywhere."
"What is the dress code going to be?" Frank asked. "That way I know what to pick up."
"We are doing business casual." Jack said. "If you need a button up, I have one here that will fit you that you can have. It has a jacket and if you went without the tie, it wouldn't be too dressy. Or you can pick up something at Walmart. That is what the two suit bags that you have for me are. It has two outfits for Elizabeth to choose and something for me."
"How about I look at the shirt you have." Frank said. "I will also pick up something at Target or Walmart. Let's pull up a map and pick a place to eat and then it will be easier to know what I need to get."
"Between us boys." Lee said. "I am sure that we can find shirts to fit you, so don't worry too much about those. We all look about the same size."
"Sure." Doug said. "I already pulled it up and am looking at places. I have been to Toronto before and I am looking for this place that my mother loves. I know that it isn't that far from the St. Regis."
"Will we have the car?" Nathan asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "I got Elizabeth and I a reservation at the Louix Louis which is in the St Regis."
"Cool." Doug said. "Grandma loves that place. She stayed at the Regis when she was up there for some charity function."
"Do we want to eat there?" Frank asked.
"Let's look and see if I can find this place." Doug said. "Are you okay with seafood?"
"I love seafood." Frank said. "Don't have it as often as I like since most of the good places in the city are too expensive to eat there much or you need a reservation and I always forget."
"Okay." Doug said. "Here it is, Lobster Burger Bar."
"Sounds good." Frank said.
"Just so you know." Jack said. "The trip is on me. Frank, please use the card that Devin gave you to pick up anything that you need."
"You don't have to do that." Frank said.
"I insist." Jack said.
"Don't try to argue." Nathan said. "I have found it to be useless, when Jack wants to do something for another person."
Frank just nodded.
"So casual for this place then?" Frank asked.
"Yeah." Doug said. "I will probably wear a polo, nice jeans and my boots."
"Me too." Nathan said.
"Sounds good." Frank said.
"Jack." Doug said. "I booked a reservation."
"Good." Jack said. "You will have the car and we will stay at the hotel."