Chapter 322 – Supper at Barnsider
Jack tore up the course and while he had a few hard rubs, he cleared the timer with a clear round. He looked up and a huge smile broke out on his face as he had finally won for the first time since the beginning of the summer. He had posted a time of sixty-four point sixty and he wasn't even sure how he had done it. While he knew the course, he couldn't tell you how he ran it as it was like he was on autopilot while Bandit ran the course. He took a victory lap before coming off and being greeted by his grandfathers, friends and coaches. They all congratulated Jack before the guys had to line up to get their ribbons.
Jack, Nathan and Doug were announced as the top three. They rode back out into the arena to get their ribbons and have their pictures taken. The three guys were all smiling and joking around as they sat there for a few minutes while the announcer went over several accolades for each of the boys. Jack blushed a bit as his accomplishments were read off, but at the same time he liked that he had done so well jumping and outright winning again felt good. While the guys had claimed the top three spots, Ryan Doyle had stayed in fourth and Cora Brown had gotten fifth. She couldn't have been more ecstatic about the ribbon as it was her first of the season.
As the guys came off the course for the last time, the reporters were already shouting questions at them. The guys handed the horses off to Marco, Andy and Carlo, before turning to James and John. They could all hear the click of the cameras, so kept their faces happy to neutral.
"Good job boys." James said.
"Yes." John said. "Excellent job and a nice sweep again. Ready to answer some questions?"
"Thank you." Nathan said.
"Thank you." Jack said. "If I have to."
"We are right here." Doug said. "You are going to be fine."
"Doug is right." John said. "Just play nice and you can always say no comment."
Jack nodded and put a tight smile on his face. The five men turned to face the press and Jack saw both Carson and Cora standing off to the side, so he went to them.
"Cora, Martin." Jack said.
"Congratulations." Cora gushed.
"Thank you." Jack said. "Congratulations to you as well. I knew that you could do it."
"Thank you." Cora said. "It is my first ribbon of the season. I love that it is pink and I am going to put it up in my room."
"As you should." Jack said. "To be honest, I will probably hang mine in my room as well."
"I bet you have a lot in there." Cora said.
"Not as many as you think." Jack said. "I don't keep all of them. Most of them are hanging in the stable at the ranch, but I have a few that I keep and my two friends have theirs hanging in our room at the ranch right now as well."
"You have to share a room?" Cora asked, surprised.
"Of course." Jack said. "I don't mind sharing. It is a big room and my friends are staying with me this summer so it is fine."
"I get my own room." Cora said. "The boys have to share."
"That makes sense." Jack said.
"We should let you get back." Martin said. "She just wanted to show you her ribbon and congratulate you."
"It is fine." Jack said. "I am glad you got a ribbon. I am also glad to see you wearing the pin I gave you."
"I love it." Cora said. "Thank you for everything. I hope it is okay, but I took some pictures of you and your friends as you were jumping."
"That is fine." Jack said. "I don't mind pictures of me jumping."
"I am going to wait to put them online." Cora said. "But I know my English teacher will have us do a report about what we did this summer and I am going to include meeting you."
"Okay." Jack said. "Good luck."
"Thank you again." Cora said.
Jack gave Cora a high-five as she and her uncle left. He could tell that she was really happy and he was glad. He was especially glad that she had gotten a ribbon. He liked that she didn't even care what place it was, it was just a ribbon. Jack turned to Carson who just nodded. Jack held up his hand to indicate five minutes and saw Carson nod again. Jack rejoined his grandfathers and friends to face the press.
"Who was that you were speaking to?" A report shouted.
"A younger rider and a fan." Jack said. "I am not going to name her as her and her family don't need to be hounded by you all."
James pointed to one reporter.
"Mr Thornton, how did it feel to win today?" He asked.
"It is always nice to win." Jack said. "But as long as Coal Creek is standing at the top of the standings, it is a good show."
"Any plans to continue jumping?" Another reporter shouted.
"As we said before." Jack said. "We will just have to see with our other commitments. We are just over two weeks from the start of school and that needs to be the focus this fall. If it works to come up here and jump in the finale in November, then that would be great and if not, then oh well."
"Mr Grant." One reporter shouted. "How about you? Any plans to continue jumping?"
"I will also be starting school." Nathan said. "So like Jack said, we will just have to see what our schedules allow. However on a personal note, I have loved spending the summer on a horse again, so would relish any chance I get to ride."
"Are you attending Columbia as well?" A reporter shouted.
"Yes he is." John said. "And as I have said before, I will not tolerate any of these young people to be harassed while they are attending school. They have the right to attend class and activities like any other university student."
"Mr Thornton." A reporter shouted. "Any plans to attend more races."
"No." Jack said. "I have plans to return to the city soon with my friends to get ready for school. As much as I love to watch the races, I can see the results on TV. I can even watch the races on TV if I desire, which I have been doing this summer."
The guys answered a few more questions before a couple reporters started asking more about Elizabeth and Jack's parents. John immediately shut things down and sent the boys to finish caring for the horses. Jack waved Carson over and introduced him to John before leaving. The reporters were still shouting questions, but were being ignored by the group. The photographers were also still snapping pictures as fast as they could.
"Carson." Jack said. "So glad that you could come. This is my grandfather, John Thornton, Sr. Grandpa, this is Dr Carson Shepherd."
"Nice to meet you Sir." Carson said.
"Glad you could come." John said, shaking his hand. "I have heard so much about you. I hope that you are able to join us for supper again."
"I would love that." Carson said.
"Amber with you?" Jack asked.
"No." Carson said. "Her mother took her out for the weekend."
"That is good." Jack said. "I will see you in a bit. I need to go see to my horse and change clothes."
"You don't have to change." John said. "But if you do, please keep the jacket."
"I will just change boots and my pants then." Jack said.
"Very well." John said. "We will meet you over there."
"Yes, Sir." Jack said.
Jack nodded to Carson before going to see to his horse.
Thirty minutes later the group met at Barnsider. Cora and her family were among the group. As were the Averys and Carson. There were a few of John's business associates, so they were close to thirty-five in the group when you count the little kids. They had a private room set up for them. John knew that they could be around forty or more, so had planned accordingly. He requested a couple of high chairs for the kids, which was no problem. Peter had called ahead when they left the arena so the salad bar and some of the starters were already set out.
"Let me have everyone's attention for a moment." John said, as soon as they were all in the room.
He waited a moment until he saw everyone looking at him.
"Thank you." John said. "As you can see, there are a number of round tables set up, so we can sit how we want. As soon as we are seated, the waitress will come around and get our orders. Your choices are a twelve ounce prime rib, pork chops or baked pollock. The salad bar is also set up for us. There are chilled oysters, an assorted cheese platter, season fruit platter and bacon wrapped scallops to start. If Father Mark could lead us in a quick prayer, then we can be seated."
Everyone bowed their heads as Father Mark stepped forward.
"Heavenly Father." Father Mark prayed. "We thank you for the wonderful day with old and new friends. Please bless our time here this evening as well as when we travel home. Guide our conversations and help us to be welcoming. Please bless this food to our bodies and the hands that prepared it. We ask these things in Your Most Holy Name. Amen."
Several amens rang out. Jack insisted on pushing two round tables together and Cora sitting with them. So it was Jack, Elizabeth, Doug, Lee, Nathan, Frank, Caitlin, Carson, Cora, Peter A and Father Mark at the double table. Cody wanted to sit on Jack's lap, so he picked him up. Tyson, not wanting to be left out, came running over. Nathan scooped him up as he tugged on Cora's jacket.
"How about you sit with me?" Nathan said.
"Otay." Tyson said, seeing Cora nod.
"Are you sure?" Connie asked.
"They are fine." Nathan said. "We can always send them back to you."
"Not sure what he will eat." Connie said. "Maybe try some cheese and fruit. He might try a few bites of vegetables, but I have stuff if he doesn't like that.
"We will manage." Nathan said.
"Thank you." Connie said.
"Yes, thank you." Cora said. "You don't have to hold him."
"Can't leave him out." Nathan said, smiling.
Becky, Maddie, Missy and Jamie sat at another table with Katie. Gran, Trish, Abigail and Connie sat at one table while the men gravitated to the other two tables. They pushed them together as well and the twelve men sat around the two tables. There was plenty of room and they could talk among themselves. The women were loving holding little Harper who was content to be held by whoever.
The two waitresses came around to the big tables first. They got drink orders. Most everyone had water or soda. Frank, Father Mark and Carson all had a Manhattan made with Irish whiskey instead of Canadian. The guys also got milk for the two little ones. They also mostly ordered the steak and baked potato. While Caitlin wanted to try the baked pollock and rice pilaf. Elizabeth got the pork chops and a double order of vegetable medley to share with Cody and Tyson.
Maddie and Missy both got the pork chops with vegetable medley while Becky got the baked pollock with rice pilaf. Jamie checked with his mother who wasn't sure, so Gran told him he could order whatever he wanted from the choices and what he didn't finish he could take home. So Jamie got a streak with vegetable medley. Katie also got the baked pollock and rice pilaf.
Gran, Trish, Abigail and Connie all got the pork chops. They also got two large orders of rice pilaf and vegetable medley to share between them. The guys all got prime rib and a baked potato. Several of them also ordered drinks, including John and James following suit and getting a Manhattan with Irish whiskey. Everyone else at the table had coffee which was set out for all.
Once the waitresses had taken the orders, the groups went through the salad bar and the starters that had been set up buffet-style. Nathan and Jack got a second smaller plate for Cody and Tyson. Surprisingly, the two little boys ate more than anyone thought. They saw all the big kids eating so, were willing to eat. There was not only spring lettuce mix for the salads with a variety of toppings, but there were two macaroni salads, pickles and jello cubes. The group also got some cheese, fruit and bacon wrapped scallops. Nathan didn't take any oysters, because he knew that it would be hard to eat holding Tyson. Jack thought the same thing, but that didn't stop Frank, Carson and Doug from having a bunch. The waitress even brought them hot sauce to put in the oysters.
The conversations were lively and everyone was having a good time. Jack's table talked about the show, school and a variety of other topics, staying away from the wedding. Cora loved to be included and they asked her questions to get to know her better. She felt so grown up sitting there with the older teens and adults.
"That was so great of your kids to just include mine." Connie said. "I was worried about Cora, especially fitting in. Jamie also seems to be doing fine with your girls."
"The girls will be eleven here in a few weeks." Trish said.
"Becky just turned ten in May." Abigail said.
"They are all used to being around younger kids." Gran said.
"Well." Connie said. "Whatever they are talking about, it looks like they are having a blast."
"I am glad." Gran said. "And this little one is an angel. I haven't held a little one for a long time, so I am really enjoying this."
"I am glad she is so happy." Connie said. "She hates to be put down, so having extra hands to hold her is wonderful. I can't believe that she hasn't cried. She was so fussy last night."
"How old is she?" Abigail asked.
"She is seven weeks old tomorrow." Connie said. "I can't believe she is almost two months old. I feel bad for Cora as it has kept me from seeing her jump this summer. I am glad I was able to come today."
"We were glad to have you as well." Gran said.
They sat and watched the teens with Cody and Tyson who were now on Doug and Frank's laps.
"That is amazing." Connie said. "They just handle those two little ones."
"Cody loves Jack and his friends." Abigail said.
"Looks like Tyson does as well." Connie said. "They are all going to make great fathers one day if they are already this patient with little ones."
"Hopefully." Trish said. "But they are still all pretty young."
Connie just looked at Trish.
"But Jack is dating that one girl." She said.
"Yes." Gran said. "But they are only eighteen."
"Oh." Connie said. "I thought they were older."
"Nathan, Father Mark and Frank are." Trish said. "Jack, Elizabeth, Doug and Lee just graduated this past spring."
"Caitlin is only nineteen and graduated last year." Abigail said.
"Wow." Connie said. "I wouldn't have figured that. I would have put them all in their mid-twenties with how mature they are."
"Thank you." Gran said. "But they are used to being included in adult conversation, so it is a bit misleading."
"I saw the press after the show." Connie said. "I don't think I could handle that."
"It is something that is learned." Trish said.
"It is also why we have security." Gran said.
"I can see that." Connie said. "But I didn't even know they were security until one of them said something."
"Then they were doing their jobs." Gran said.
"I suppose." Connie said. "Again, thank you so much for inviting us. I wish Martin would have come, but he was worried about the horses."
"We understand." Trish said.
"We had two of our trainers at the show." Gran said. "They took the five horses back to Saratoga."
"That helps." Connie said. "If we lived closer, I would love for Cora to ride for you, but she is loving the center where she is at."
"As long as she is getting what she needs." Gran said. "If that changes, you can always contact us."
"I will keep that in mind." Connie said.
The ladies continued to talk about various things. At one point after the main entrees had been delivered, Elizabeth and Caitlin came over and joined the ladies as the guys were talking about baseball.
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