Chapter 318 – Day at the Races
Friday turned into a crazy day as the guys plus the twins worked with the horses in the morning. They had an early lunch so everyone could leave and head to the races. They took two vehicles and were picked up by security, less than a half a mile from the farm. John promised they would be able to come to a side entrance and avoid most of the press. The guys were all wearing khaki or black dress pants with their boots and their Coal Creek polos. Jack didn't want to wear his, but his grandfather had asked him to. They also each had a black or gray suit coat, since they were sitting in the owner's boxes, so it required a bit nicer dress. At least they could cover their Coal Creek polos with their suit coats.
Elizabeth ended up going with the vintage A-line Audrey Hepburn style dress with puff sleeves and polka dots and pleats. It has a nice swing to the skirt of the dress and it looked really nice on Elizabeth. She wore pearl earrings, but no necklace. As much as she liked the other green polka dot dress the girls had picked out, it was just the wrong shade of green. She borrowed one of Gran's small purses, so she has somewhere for her phone. She ended up picking a beautiful one from Portland leather in a lovely caramel brown color. Elizabeth was also excited about wearing the Infinity Sparkle Watch that Jack had gotten her. She had gotten a more everyday one that she had been wearing.
Trish wore a swing flowy v-neck dress in a midi length. It was a nice a-line dress with a sleeveless design and decoration buttons down the front. It had pockets and the softly gathered waistline created natural pleating. She paired it with a brown small shoulder bag and some bohemian bracelets she loved. Both Jack and Elizabeth had panic buttons that they could activate if needed and Trish, Frank and Nathan were armed.
They tried to avoid the press, but Jack's arrival drew a lot of attention when they arrived about fifteen minutes before the first post. While the security was able to prevent them from being swarmed by the press, they could all hear the repeated click of the camera shutter going off. As soon as Jack was a bit of a ways and with his back turned, he whispered to Elizabeth.
"You are safe." He whispered. "They can take our picture all they want. We don't have to talk to them and they can't come in the owner's boxes. So just smile and watch the races."
"Okay." Elizabeth whispered. "I will follow your lead."
"Good." Jack said.
They had a nice afternoon and it wasn't too hot. Jack was excited when Midnight's Run won his race and automatically qualified for the Breeders Cup. When John invited the group down to take a picture in the winner's circle, Elizabeth was hesitant, but Jack insisted. They got down there and James was being interviewed by one of the reports for the racing broadcast online and the race network on tv. When the reporter saw Jack, he asked James about him.
"Yes, my grandson is the registered owner through Thornton Thoroughbreds." James said. "But I doubt he will answer any questions."
Jack immediately went to Midnight and cooed to him. He pet his muzzle and one of the photographers captured a sweet photo of him with Midnight. Elizabeth was slightly visible just to Jack's left. The thing that was quite visible against Midnight's dark coat was Jack's ring. As they were getting the official photos, Jack had his arm wrapped around Elizabeth, holding her hand at her stomach as she stood in front of and just to the side of Jack. Once the official photos were taken and they had moved the horse off, reporters started shouting questions at Jack. He just smiled and nodded at the press, but refused to speak to them. He immediately led Elizabeth back up to the owner's box.
"You did good." Jack said.
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "I didn't know where to look, so I just looked forward."
"Always a good plan." Jack said.
As they sat down, an official came up and asked Jack to identify everyone in the photo for the press release. Without thinking he called Elizabeth as Elizabeth Thornton. The official didn't say anything, but just looked at the pair with a raised eyebrow. He then saw the rings, so shrugged it off. He got the names and Jack's info since Jack said he wanted a copy of the photo. The official promised to get it to one of his grandfathers as soon as it was ready. Jack thanked the man and went back to watching the races.
About ten minutes after the official left, Elizabeth leaned over and gave Jack's cheek a quick kiss and whispered to him.
"You know you just identified me as Elizabeth Thornton." She whispered.
"I did?" Jack asked.
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "I really like the sound of that, but you are going to create quite the stir."
"Oh well." Jack said, with a dimpled grin. "Maybe the press will back off since there is no longer a story. It just felt natural. Are you okay with it."
Elizabeth smiled and shook her head.
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "Especially since it will be official in a week anyway."
Jack and Elizabeth continued to talk and Jack told her more about the track. He also answered her questions about different things as it was different actually being there versus looking at things online. As they were talking, Doug came over and sat next to Jack. Jack finished answering Elizabeth's question and turned to Doug.
"Need something?" Jack asked.
"Just thought you should know that the park is buzzing about the pictures of you and Elizabeth that has already surfaced on social media." Doug said. "I don't know how many of them are from media outlets and how many are private people posting about you, but a new page has popped up on Facebook."
Jack looked at Doug with a raised eyebrow.
"It is called, 'Where in the world is JP Thornton?'" Doug said. "It is a public page and people can post sightings of you and or Elizabeth. Not sure who is running it, but there are pictures of all of us on there. I have informed Dad and Devin already."
"Thank you." Jack said. "As long as they are being respectful and not getting in our face, there is not much we can do right now. I am going to let Devin handle it."
"Wow." Doug said. "I thought for sure there would be more of a reaction from you."
"Maybe if we were at home." Jack said. "But we are in public and there are hundreds of cameras around right now."
"Good point." Doug said. "So you are okay?"
"Yes and no." Jack said. "I am not happy about it, but Devin will know what to do. The best thing right now is to not make a scene. Let's just have a nice afternoon and get ready for tomorrow."
"Okay." Doug said. "Thank you for bringing us and congratulations on Midnight's win. Can't wait to see him run in the Breeders Cup."
"I can't wait either." Jack said. "It is going to make going a bit more important. I will probably have to talk to professors and miss a few classes."
"We will deal." Doug said. "So you are going to the Breeders Cup for sure."
"Yes." Jack said. "With Midnight running down there, I will be going at least for the races. I doubt that I will be able to stay for the auction the following week, but Grandpa John and I have already talked about me flying back and forth while he stays down there. He has already booked a block of rooms."
"Cool." Doug said. "Any chance I could come?"
"If it works with the time off from school." Jack said. "But talk to Grandpa John to double check. You and I can't share a room anymore, especially if Elizabeth is going to come."
"That is a Friday and Saturday." Elizabeth said. "I should be able to go, we will just have to see."
"Sounds good." Jack said, giving Elizabeth a quick kiss.
"Get a room." Doug teased.
"We will." Jack said. "Next week."
Jack turned and pushed Doug's shoulder. He in turn got up and left to go back and sit with Lee and Frank. As Doug left, Jack looked over and saw a person he knew to be a reporter on the edge of the box they were sitting at. Jack turned around and caught Chris's eye and motioned toward the man. Chris immediately went over to speak to the man. Then Chris came over to Jack.
"He is from Young Rider magazine." Chris said. "He wants an interview with you, Doug and Nathan."
"No." Jack said. "If he wants an interview, he can go through proper channels and contact our PR people. Also double check his camera, I haven't authorized any photos of me to be used by them. Official jumping or race photos are one thing, but I haven't authorized any other photos of me to be published."
"Got it." Chris said.
After Chris walked away, Elizabeth looked at Jack.
"You are great with young riders." Elizabeth said. "Why won't you do an interview?"
"I have no problem doing an interview if they go through the proper channels." Jack said. "That way there is a contact and it is very clear what happens if they cross the line. This is trying to ambush me to get a quote about you or even ask you questions."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "I think I understand."
"I have been very clear that I am not doing interviews." Jack said. "I did the one with Horse and Rider because it was good for business. It was controlled and there was a clear outline about what was allowed and what wasn't. When they pushed, I threatened to pull the whole thing. Speaking to the gathered press after a show about the show is also different. We are here to enjoy the day. I am not in the mood to give an interview. I don't want anything to be twisted and it is not fair to give a guy who is stalking us an interview when I have a list of twenty others that have gone through proper channels."
"Okay, that makes sense." Elizabeth said.
"Are you doing okay?" Jack asked.
"It is bigger than I thought." Elizabeth said. "And a lot more people, but I am doing okay. There are plenty of staff around. It is easier to not deal with the press when we are on the ranch. We can kind of just forget they exist, but when we go out it is a bit harder to ignore them. I am doing my best, but I know that they are taking my picture and trying to figure out what I am saying, but I am dealing."
"Good." Jack said. "As much as I want to stay, if you are uncomfortable, we can go. I saw Midnight's race. As much as I want to see Jack Frost in the Tale of the Cat Stakes, we can go."
"No, I am good." Elizabeth said. "We are going to have to be around other people eventually, so might as well get used to it under controlled situations like this and the shows."
"If you change your mind." Jack said. "Just let me know."
The rest of the time at the races was good. Everyone had fun. The stakes race was the tenth race, so they stayed. It was a big field and Jack Frost ended up getting edged out for the win, but it was a great race. There was one more race, but the group decided to leave to try and get ahead of the crowds. Jack thanked his Grandpa John and said he would see him the next day. John was glad that they came and understood why they were leaving to try and avoid the press.
As the group left, several reporters tried to accost them, but security kept most of them back. One photographer was able to get right up and shove a camera in Elizabeth's face. Nathan physically removed him. Rob then took the man and told Nathan to get the group home. Jack ushered Elizabeth to the truck and helped her in. The incident had drawn a crowd and by the time they left the parking lot, there were a number of reports following the truck and trying to hang on snapping photos. Jack was glad for the tinted windows. Elizabeth was crying and shaking in Jack's arms. He rubbed her back and tried to get her to calm down.
"Are you okay?" Nathan asked, as they left the track grounds.
"We will be." Jack said. "Just get us home."
Jack continued to hold and shield Elizabeth. She sniffed back the tears and wiped her face.
"Are you hurt?" Jack asked.
"No, he just scared me." Elizabeth said. "Jumping out like that."
"Rob and Chris will deal with him." Jack said. "I am sure that Grandpa John is not going to be happy. I am sorry that happened."
"It is okay." Elizabeth said. "I was trying to be on the lookout, but he just jumped out right in front of me. I honestly thought he was going to hurt me."
"I am so sorry." Jack said.
As Jack was comforting Elizabeth, he phone rang.
"Lee, can you grab that and put it on speaker?" Jack asked.
Lee grabbed his phone and answered it.
"Hello." Jack said.
("He Jack." Katie said. "I wanted to see how you and Elizabeth were?")
"Elizabeth is shaken up." Jack said. "The guy scared her and she thought he was going to hurt her. She was shaking."
("That was why I was calling." Katie said. "John wants to know if she wants to press charges. Since he actually touched her the local police say he can be charged with assault and if that happens, John said he would be banned from the track of the remainder of the season.")
"Elizabeth is nodding her head." Jack said.
("I actually need to hear her say it." Katie said. "Sorry. The detective assigned to the track is standing here.")
"Please keep him away from me." Elizabeth sniffed.
("Ma'am." The detective said. "Where did he touch you exactly?")
Elizabeth looked at Jack who nodded.
"When he jumped out from the bushes." Elizabeth said. "He touched my chest and shoved a camera in my face, snapping a few pictures."
("Thank you." The detective said. "When you get back home, can you please write out exactly what happened and I will get it from your security. We will charge the man.")
"Thank you." Jack said.
"Yes, thank you." Elizabeth said. "I will do that."
"Katie." Jack said. "Make sure he has my contact information and he can get ahold of Elizabeth through me. I am not giving out her number to anyone."
("Understood." Katie said. "I will see you guys tomorrow. Try to have a nice evening. We will handle things here.")
"Thank you again." Jack said.
Katie hung up the phone and Lee closed out the screen on Jack's phone and put it back in his suit coat pocket.
"We are sorry, Elizabeth." Doug said.
"It is okay." Elizabeth said. "It was just getting past that initial scare. I am okay now."
"Good." Jack said. "Then let's try to have a nice evening and once you write out your statement, we will put it behind us. We will all just be extra vigilant tomorrow."