Chapter 184 – Dinner Reservations part 1

Once the guys were seated with the menus, Doug wanted to make sure that they understood.

"Order whatever you want." Doug said. "Jack said he was covering this evening and to not worry about the cost. He wanted us to have a nice evening and enjoy ourselves. He also suggested that we split a bottle of wine if you wanted. Nathan, before you say anything. One, you are not driving and two, you are not on duty tonight."

Nathan nodded.

"Wine sounds nice." Frank said. "But looking at this list, I am not familiar with any of them."

"If we are getting seafood." Doug said. "I would suggest the Jacob's Creek Reserve Chardonnay from Australia. I haven't personally had that one, but I recognize the name and know that it will pair well with the seafood."

"Then let's do that." Frank said.

"Want to split a dozen fresh oysters?" Doug asked.

Frank looked at Nathan and nodded, so he did as well.

When the waiter arrived, Frank and Nathan looked at Doug.

"We would like a bottle of Jacob's Creek Reserve Chardonnay." Doug said. "You can decant it behind the bar."

"Can I see an id from all of you?" The waiter asked.

Once everyone had shown an id, the waiter was satisfied they were of legal age.

"We would also like ice waters." Doug said. "We will split a dozen fresh oysters. We should be ready to order the rest when you come back."

The waiter nodded and went to get their drinks and put in the order for the oysters. Frank and Doug both settled on a fresh East Coast lobster. Doug ordered buttermilk onion rings to go with his. Frank ordered the shoestring fries to go with his. Nathan decided on a lobster burger and shoestring fries. The burger consisted of meat from a whole lobster served with frisee (which is a curly endive of the chicory family), pickles, tomato and tartar sauce on a homemade bun.

While the guys waited for their food, they shared more about themselves. Doug and Nathan realized that with the job offer, that they would be seeing a lot more of Frank so they wanted to get to know him better. Frank knew Doug a bit from the retreat back in March, but he also enjoyed getting to know him better as well as getting to know Nathan. These two people were obviously important to Jack and so to Frank they were worth getting to know.

As they were talking, they realized they all had a lot in common despite the age difference in the three of them. The longer that they visited, the more that Frank was looking forward to spending more time with Doug and Nathan. Frank also looked forward to getting to know Lee. He also understood why he didn't want to come with them on the trip. Frank knew that he would just have to be more intentional in getting to know Lee better.

Before the night was over, Frank was convinced that he was going to take the job and also that he was going to talk to Jack about coming for the show and then staying. He understood if he had to stay at a hotel for a while, but he felt that since he wasn't doing anything, that his time would be better spent in Saratoga. Frank also wondered when Jack and them would be heading back to the city for school. He was pretty sure that they had to be back in the city the last week of August. He wasn't sure what Nathan was going to do, but from what he had gathered Nathan was working as security. Frank wondered if the friendship between Nathan and Jack was real for a bit, especially when he knew him to be security. Then he saw them and knew that Jack didn't have fake friendships and his friendship with Nathan was as real as it was with Doug or Lee. Despite being in his mid-thirties, Frank enjoyed his time with Doug and Nathan. He knew that Doug was mature beyond his years in part to the way that he was brought up.

"Thank you for doing this." Elizabeth said, after the waitress arrived with their appetizer and drinks.

"You are more than welcome." Jack said. "I hope that we will always be able to do things like this. I know that it won't be as easy to drop everything and take off for a few days when we are in school, but I still hope to be able to take you out once and while. Married or not, I think we always need to take time for ourselves."

"I like that." Elizabeth said.

"Did Abigail or Bill tell you that they still have date nights at least twice a month?" Jack asked.

"No." Elizabeth said.

"Yes." Jack said. "Bill did the same with Nora. They made it a priority to go out, just the two of them. Bill told me that it was how they made sure that they stayed connected as a couple. He started doing that with Abigail, after they were married. They would get a sitter and go out. Bill also told me that there are two rules when they are out on a date."

"This should be good." Elizabeth said.

"Bill said the rules were." Jack said. "One, no talking about the kids unless it was an emergency. Two, they had to spend at least an hour talking. Yes, sometimes they went to a movie, but then they would go for ice cream or a coffee and talk afterward. Bill also tried to plan at least one weekend away every three months. There have been times that plans change and things happen, but they try to make it a priority."

"Do you think we can do something like that?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yes." Jack said. "That was why I was telling you about it. I think that it will be even more important for us, since we are young and haven't known each other that long. So at least twice a month we need to go out, just the two of us and once every couple months, try to get away for an overnight getaway. Even if we just get a hotel room in the city. The point is to intentionally spend time with each other."

"I like that." Elizabeth said.

"The other thing that both Bill and Father Mark told me that was important." Jack said. "Is that we need to spend time not only praying for each other, but with each other. Do you know what I mean?"

"I think so." Elizabeth said. "So maybe we get a devotional book and work through it together."

"We can do that." Jack said. "But I don't think it even has to be anything as formal as that. I think it is more taking the time and praying together. If you were Catholic, I would suggest that we pray the Rosary together."

"I haven't decided yet." Elizabeth said. "But I am interested in learning more about Catholicism. I ordered a few books. I also saw the ad for the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes."

"Those might be a good thing." Jack said. "I have known a few people that took them and decided at the end, that they just weren't ready to commit to being Catholic. They did the class and learned a lot and it has helped them with their spouse or other family member that is Catholic. So if you want to do them, I can look into what it would involve when we get back to the city. I know that the classes usually start sometime in the fall and end with the Easter Vigil services."

"Can you do that please?" Elizabeth asked.

"Absolutely." Jack said.

Jack and Elizabeth talked about a few other things as they enjoyed their appetizer and then waited for the rest of their meal. They were enjoying spending time together and just talking and sharing. They didn't have to worry about interruptions, other than the waitress. They also didn't have to worry about press, the Kensingtons or Pennybakers, or any of that. They were just able to relax and have a nice meal, just the two of them.

Frank, Nathan and Doug were having a nice time as well. Both Frank and Nathan shook their heads when Doug put several drops of hot sauce on his oyster and then slurped it down.

"What?" Doug said, when he saw their faces. "That is how my grandmother taught me to eat them."

"Your doyen of high society grandmother?" Frank asked.

"Yes." Doug said.

"Well then." Frank said. "If it is good enough for her, who am I to argue?"

Frank picked up an oyster, made sure it was loose using a tiny fork that was provided. He then added a couple drops of hot sauce and slurped it down.

"Not bad." Frank said. "I would never have thought the hot sauce would work with something like that."

"I got to try this." Nathan said.

So Nathan did what he had seen Doug and Frank do. Nathan made a bit of a face, but then seemed to like it.

"I agree, not bad." Nathan said. "I think I added too much hot sauce, but otherwise not bad."

"Then let's eat up." Doug said.

They each had four of the oysters and by the fourth one, Nathan had perfected the amount of hot sauce. After they finished their oysters, they sipped the wine and shared from their backgrounds. Frank shared more about growing up in Kentucky and then joining the army. Nathan shared a bit about growing up and becoming Catholic as a teenager. Both asked Doug what it was like to grow up with a famous mother and grandmother. Doug shared that he didn't see them that way, so he wasn't sure how to answer. He said it was a teenager before he realized that his life was different from others.

"It wasn't that I didn't have friends that struggled," Doug said. "Because I did. I mean I went to public school for several years. I then switched to a private school, because there was a shooting at my school and Dad freaked out."

"I can see that." Frank said. "Especially given his job."

"Two years after starting private school." Doug said. "I met Jack and Lee. I then switched to the same school that Jack was in and well, the rest is history."

"I know that you guys are all close." Nathan said. "Is that why you all chose to go to Columbia?"

"Columbia wasn't actually my first choice." Doug said. "Jack chose Columbia because he is a legacy. Both his parents went there and so did his grandfather. Lee chose it because it was close to home. His mother still struggles at times with losing her youngest."

"What was your first choice?" Frank asked.

"University of Southern California." Doug said. "I think I applied to every major school in California, Texas and Florida. I got into several of them, but Jack convinced me to go to Columbia. It helped that John promised me an internship and job when I graduated if I went to Columbia. After talking to Jack and then some more with my dad and John, I decided that I was going to get my MBA and then become Jack's right hand at Thornton, Inc."

"So what will that mean?" Frank asked.

"John has said that Jack will be the face of Thornton, Inc." Doug said. "But in order for him to be able to take over both Thornton, Inc and Coal Creek, he was going to have to hand off a lot of the day-to-day stuff of Thornton, Inc. to someone else. Together they convinced me that I was the person that Jack wanted running things and in charge when he couldn't be. It only makes sense, with how close we are."

"What about Lee?" Nathan asked.

"Lee is going to take over his father's businesses." Doug said. "His father doesn't know it yet, but Lee has talked about bringing Coulter Enterprises under the Thornton, Inc umbrella. Lee would still be the head of the company, Jack would just be a major investor."

"So you all would be working for Jack." Frank said.

Doug nodded.

"Like I told Nathan." Doug said. "Eventually, we all end up working for Jack."

"And you don't think it will affect your friendships?" Frank asked.

"We made a pact that we won't let it." Doug said. "It hasn't been a problem in the past and we are committed to keeping it that way. Like I have said, Jack has always been the leader of our group and it had nothing to do with wealth. It is because Jack can read people and see things others can't. He can read a room like we read that menu. He just knows when something is off and he usually has a solution worked out before others even notice. Don't let his lack of talking convince you otherwise. Jack only talks when he has something to say."

"I am learning that." Nathan said. "Although, I think that he has talked more when Elizabeth has been around or we are talking about horses."

"Horses." Doug said, with a roll of his eyes. "One of Jack's favorite subjects. That he can talk about for hours."

Frank laughed as he had learned that.

"Jack talking also shows his comfort level with people." Doug said. "Didn't you notice that as the retreat went on, Jack was more willing to offer an opinion or speak up in a small group."

"Looking back." Frank said. "I can see that."

"That is because if Jack is uncomfortable he retreats back into himself." Doug said. "When he is like that, he is watching and listening. He analyzes everything and is trying to get a good read on people."

"So the fact that he is comfortable voicing an opinion or thought." Nathan said. "Shows that he is comfortable around us."

"Yes." Doug said. "It took a lot out of Jack to walk onto that farm today and look like he was in control and knew what he was talking about. We all knew, he knew what he was talking about when it came to horses, but because of his natural tendencies to be shy, he has had a hard time showing that confidence to others. I have seen it, not so much before this last couple of weeks, but when Jack feels uncomfortable or lacking in confidence, he takes the emotion out of things and can come across sounding a bit like a robot. He is trying, but it is hard for him. That is why I want to be there to help him in business. There is something about having someone there that always has his back that makes him feel more comfortable."

"So do you think he would have stood up to his parents if you and Lee had not been there?" Nathan asked.

"I think it would have happened," Doug said. "But there would have been a lot more yelling and screaming. I also think that if we wouldn't have been there, Jack would have hit back when his mother slapped him."

"You really think so?" Nathan asked.

"I was there for the screaming match that happened the night that Jack won the championship." Doug said. "He had just won and had been named a national finalist for the young rider of the year. Charlotte was pushing him to jump to the A-circuit immediately. She had shows lined up and was pushing him to jump in three days again. They were screaming at each other. At one point, Jack stood toe to toe with Charlotte and at the top of his lungs yelled that he hated her and he was never riding again. She was still yelling at him when he walked away.

Not sure what he was going to do and given that I knew that he had never dealt with things after Laura, I followed Jack. He went over to Bill and Abigail's. Bill and Jack went for a drive. I went back to the farm and waited. Jack came back to the farm the next afternoon. He apologized to his grandfather for his behavior, but refused to speak to his parents. It was actually over a week before Jack spoke to his mother and then it was only one or two word answers to direct questions. I don't know how long it was before he would speak to her without being spoken to first. All I know is that whatever was left of their relationship basically ended that day of championship. Jack formally cutting them off was just the last step. He really hasn't had a real relationship with either of his parents since that day.

It was Christmas before Jack asked me to go riding again. I don't know if he had gone riding alone during that time, but the minute someone mentioned jumping, he would shut down and not even entertain the conversation. That was why I was so surprised that he agreed to jump at the Classic and then at Sugar Creek. I wasn't surprised that he wanted to put on a show, but I was surprised that he wanted to ride in it. I don't know if he has plans to continue jumping, and I am not going to push him."

"I was surprised as well." Frank said. "Especially after what he said about riding competitively at the retreat."

"I know." Doug said. "That is the thing, this Jack. The focused, determined businessman who is jumping head first into several projects is not the Jack I have known for the last few years."

"So do you think that Elizabeth is the reason for the change?" Frank asked.

"Maybe." Doug said. "But there were changes before that. I knew he was interested in taking over and acquiring additional land that once had been a part of Coal Creek. Something definitely shifted with Jack that day we stepped in to help Elizabeth at Central Park. I feel like I have been trying to play catch up. That is why I forced him to talk to us the morning after the blowout with his parents. The Jack I have known for years has never acted impulsively. I will admit that he has always had a bit of a temper, but he was usually able to control it. That and most people were smart enough not to push him."

"What do you think is the reason for the changes then?" Frank asked.

"I am not sure." Doug said. "But I saw the look in Jack's eyes that day that we stepped in and confronted Charlie Kensington and his frat buddies. I mean it is no secret that Jack has a hatred for Charlie like no other. I mean it goes beyond the way that Charlie treats women. I don't even think I can put it to words, but the look I saw in Jack's eyes the moment he realized it was Charlie who had a hold of Elizabeth. Honestly, I was scared that Jack would kill Charlie right there. I had never seen it before and the only time I have seen anything close was when we were in the library and Gabe was pushing him about Lacy Pennybaker. Honestly, I was a little scared that day in Central Park and definitely breathed a sigh of relief when Charlie and his buddies took off."

"Yeah." Nathan said. "I told Jack that he needs to control his temper."

"So when we were all talking." Frank said. "What is the timeline we are talking about? You all were never very clear about that."

"Let's see." Doug said. "It is the twenty-seventh. The Classic was the twenty-third. So that means that Jack, Elizabeth and Nathan came up to Saratoga on the sixteenth. They came with Charlotte and Tommy. Thomas, Lee and I arrived on Wednesday the twentieth."

"Wow." Frank said. "So when did you step in and confront Charlie, rescuing Elizabeth?"

"That would have been late in the morning of the thirteenth." Doug said. "It was later that evening that Jack helped get Elizabeth away from her father."

"So they have known each other for about two weeks." Frank said.

Doug and Nathan nodded.

"And they are engaged." Frank said.

Again, Doug and Nathan nodded.