Chapter 177 – Supper with Everyone
After agreeing with Jack, Doug did a couple more things on his phone and then went back to the conversation around the table. The group continued to visit. They laughed and told stories. Rob had been sitting at the end of the table, half listening and half working on his laptop. He felt like he shouldn't have been up at the house, but Chris had told him that if he was invited to stay that he should so as not to offend Margaret. Chris explained that even though it wasn't what they normally did, this was a unique situation and was to do what the client wanted. Chris also reminded Rob and Katie to not talk about the things that they did at the house or the fact that they spent a lot of time at the main house.
Gran, Katie, Katie M and Opal were making cookies in the kitchen. Gran was glad that the girls wanted to help. She was also glad that Elizabeth opted to spend time with Jack and get to know Frank. Gran figured that Jack was up to something since he wanted both Elizabeth and Nathan to get to know him. She was so happy to hear the laughter coming from the table. It was so different then the past week had been with the sniping and fighting. She was enjoying helping Opal make cookies, it reminded her of when her kids and grandchildren had been that age and wanted to help. Gran still couldn't believe the way that Charlotte had acted. She had been over things many times in her head and wondered where she had gone wrong. There was nothing that she could think of, but that still didn't make her feel much better. Catching a glimpse of the clock, Gran realized that they needed to get supper going soon, especially if Nathan and Frank were going to run into town.
"Nathan." Gran called.
The group stopped talking and looked at the kitchen.
"Yes, Gran." Nathan said.
"Do you want to make the BBQ sauce or do you want me to make one?" Gran asked. "We are almost ready to start the pizzas."
"I can come make it." Nathan said. "How many pizzas are you making?"
"We figured on six." Gran said. "We thought we could do your BBQ chicken one. One with pepperoni. One with half cheese. The rest can be whatever you decide."
"I think we should do two BBQ chicken." Jack said. "We have enough chicken. Then do a pepperoni and half pepperoni half cheese."
"What else do you have?" Frank asked.
"We have red, yellow and green peppers, onions, beef, and bacon." Gran said. "I also have a jar of green olives."
"I am not picky." Frank said. "I usually get a supreme."
"We can make one with all the toppings." Gran said. "So what about the last one?"
"How about beef, bacon and onion." Rob said.
"We can do that." Gran said.
Nathan got up to make his BBQ sauce. The girls got busy pulling the other toppings and Gran went about making the dough. The group at the table went back to visiting. Jack wanted to go help in the kitchen as well, but there were enough people in there and he figured that Gran would kick him out as well. Elizabeth saw Jack glance at the kitchen a couple of times.
"It is okay." Elizabeth whispered. "She had enough help and we are having a good time visiting."
"She is right." Frank said. "I know that you feel that you should be helping since you are the reason all these extra people are in the house. But you have a right to sit and visit with us. You don't have to do everything."
"I know." Jack said. "I just feel bad that other people are working and I am relaxing."
"Don't." Doug said. "Gran knows to ask for our help if she needs it. We have been helping and I am sure we will clean up."
"Good point." Jack said.
Jack went back to listening to what Lee was talking about regarding the show.
"That sounds like a wonderful time." Frank said. "I might just have to see if I can come up for that. I would love to see Jack and Doug jump, but also to see all the work that you put into it. I am also excited to see some of the bikes. I haven't been one of those in years. Then again, I haven't been on a horse in a long time either."
"We would love to have you." Jack said. "Not sure if there will be enough room here in the house, but we can figure something out."
"We should probably start working on that." Lee said. "I mean we have quite a few people coming at this point."
"He is right." Doug said.
"Okay." Jack said. "Who is coming?"
"Both my parents." Doug said.
"At least my mother." Lee said.
"Father Mark." Jack said. "He wants to stay here, I told him that he could stay in our room."
"Your Grandpa John." Doug said.
"Uncle Chris and Aunt Molly will probably be back." Jack said.
"So who is staying here?" Lee asked.
"Well, Grandpa John." Jack said. "Obviously us and Father Mark. Missy and Maddie will be here in Tommy's room. Elizabeth will be in her room."
"Are you sure that Father Mark wouldn't want to stay with his parents?" Elizabeth asked.
"He was looking forward to staying here." Jack said. "But I will double check with him."
"So there are still two rooms upstairs." Doug said. "I am sure that Mom and Dad wouldn't mind staying with Chris and Molly. Their property is not that far."
"My parents can stay there as well." Lee said.
"We will still be at the hotel." Rob said. "I know that Peter and Andrew booked a suite for that weekend."
"Okay." Jack said. "I won't worry about them then. Are we missing anyone?"
"I don't think so." Nathan said. "My friends coming in have RV spots. So they will be fine there."
"Then Frank if you want to stay here." Jack said. "We can put you in one of the guest rooms upstairs. My Grandpa John will be in the small master up there. That also leaves the other guest rooms open."
"Are your parents coming?" Frank asked.
"If they do." Jack said. "They will not be staying here. I don't want to get into it, but things have happened as we have kind of danced around this afternoon."
"Okay." Frank said. "I don't want to take anyone's room."
"No, it is okay." Jack said. "I have three sets of bunk beds in my room. Actually, there is room to put another bed in there as well. So we will be fine."
"Then we should be good." Nathan said. "How many bedrooms are there at your Uncle Chris' place?"
"Seven plus the master." Jack said.
"So there is plenty of room there." Gran said, coming over. "Don't forget that there are also bedrooms at Conrad's place. I am not sure if they will be here or not for the show, but I have spoken to him and he said that we can use the house if we need extra room."
"Good to know." Jack said. "There are at least five bedrooms there that can be used."
"So plenty of room." Gran said. "Now, can you guys clear off the table and set it. Super should be ready in about half an hour."
"We can do that." Jack said.
"I am going to bring my bag in as well as the stuff for you." Frank said.
"I will show you to your room when you come back in." Jack said.
Frank went out to get his stuff and the rest worked to clear the table of their laptops and get it ready for supper. When Frank came back in with the two suit bags and his overnight bag, he looked at Jack.
"Do you want to stay in the guest room upstairs?" Jack asked. "Or do you want to stay downstairs either in my room or in the one next to it."
"I would be the only one upstairs?" Frank asked.
"Yes." Jack said.
"Then I will stay downstairs." Frank said.
Frank and Jack headed downstairs and put everything in Jack's room. Jack took a moment to show Frank around downstairs.
"Did Devin give you anything else?" Jack asked. "He was supposed to send some paperwork and documents."
"This is all he sent." Frank said. "He did remind me to tell you to check the pockets."
"Got it." Jack said.
Jack quickly thumbed the small lock that held the suit bags closed and together.
"That is a handy little item." Frank said.
"I love it." Jack said. "It can be programmed to just me or up to several people. Just so you know it wasn't because Devin didn't trust you."
"It was because he didn't know me." Frank finished. "So what did he send?"
Jack reached into the suit coat and pulled out two envelopes. One had his name and one had Elizabeth's.
"One is Elizabeth's passport." Jack said. "And this other is a cashier's check and documents to sign if I choose to buy the horses."
"Cool." Frank said. "We should head back up."
Jack quickly put everything in the safe and they headed back upstairs for supper. When they got upstairs, the table was set and Chris was there. Jack went over to greet Chris and introduce Frank.
"Do you have everything for the Ontario trip?" Chris asked.
"I do." Jack said. "I got a text from Andrew to let me know that we will have a driver when we are in Toronto, but Nathan can drive from Bancroft to the ranch and back."
"I can always drive too." Frank said.
"You are going?" Chris asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "Father Mark called and can't go. Frank overheard and asked about it. I said he could go if he wants. I have already changed the flight manifest. Frank grew up in horse country in Kentucky. It might have been awhile, but I am sure he has a good eye. Besides, we are all getting along and I already had the rooms. It isn't a big deal."
"Okay." Chris said. "I was just surprised. Did Father Mark tell you why can't he go?"
"Just that he can't get out of the office this week." Jack said.
"Okay." Chris said.
"Have a seat." Jack said. "I am going to see if there is anything I can do to help."
Jack headed to the kitchen. Chris and Frank headed to the table. James came in the back door just as they were pulling the pizzas from the oven. He immediately went and washed up. He sat down just as everyone was sitting down as well.
"Let's pray." James said.
Everyone bowed their heads.
"Heavenly Father." James prayed. "Thank you for bringing us together. We thank you for our new friends around the table. Please watch over Katie and Opal as they start their new lives here. Be with my grandson and his friends as they travel the next couple of days. Keep them safe and bring them back here safely. We thank you for this food before us. Bless it to our bodies and bless the hands that prepared it. Amen."
Several people echoed the amen. They then started dishing up the food. James even took a very small piece of the BBQ chicken pizza to try this time.
"This is really good, Nathan." James said. "I am not usually one to try new things often, but I am glad I tried this."
"Thank you." Nathan said. "I know it isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I really like it. I have always been willing to try most anything once."
"Maybe I might have to take your advice and at least try once." James said.
Margaret looked at her husband.
"Don't get any wild ideas." James said. "I am still drawing the line at sushi and raw fish."
Margaret just shook her head. Jack ducked his to hide the smirk. He knew that his grandfather liked certain foods and that was what they usually stuck to. Overall they had a very nice meal and conversation flowed around the table. As soon as they were done, Frank and Nathan excused themselves so that they could head into town.
"Does anyone else need anything since we are going?" Frank asked.
"I am good." Jack said.
"Me too." Elizabeth said. "But thank you for checking."
After they walked away, James looked at Jack.
"Why are they going into town again?" James asked.
"Frank decided to go to Ontario with us since Father Mark can't." Jack said. "He needs a few more things. Nathan offered to go with him and it sounded like Nathan needed something as well."
"Okay." James said. "I am glad that you will have others with you in Canada, but please be safe."
"We will." Jack said. "Once we check into the hotel, Elizabeth and I won't leave. We have a dinner reservation at the restaurant there. Frank, Doug and Nathan are going somewhere else. I am sure that Grandpa John sent an undercover team up there already, so I am not worried. Besides, no one really knows that we are going. The helicopter will land here, we will get on and it will take us to Albany where we will switch to the jet."
"Okay." James said. "Still."
"I know." Jack said.