Chapter 291 – Father Mark Helps Missy

Tuesday ended up being busy but relatively quiet on the ranch. Gran, Trish and Abigail made more salsa and some of the tomato sauce. Various other members of the house helped as they were able. Elizabeth liked learned about new things. She enjoyed helping Gran and also talking to the ladies in the kitchen while they worked. Along with the canning they also got more bread made and supper in the crock pot since it would be easier. Trish ended up making a run into town to not only pick up the last of the tomatoes, but also a few other things that they needed. When she got back, she reported that the press was still out in force and she had gotten questions yelled at her, but she ignored them. Because she was opening carrying, the reporters had chosen to keep their distance, but that didn't stop them from making a scene. Gran was upset that Trish had gotten harassed, but Trish assured Gran that it was fine and she could deal with things.

While the ladies were working in the kitchen, Frank and Father Mark had gone down to help with the horses. Because the guys wanted to ride, Frank and Father Mark volunteered to keep a watch on the girls as they worked with Bubbles and Squeak. They were working on getting the horses use to various things, including different water trays. Missy was having a particularly difficult time. Since they didn't want to wait to deal with the issue, Father Mark went and grabbed his helmet and vest. He then asked if he could ride Squeak. Frank just looked at him with a raised eyebrow, but also knew that Father Mark could ride.

"Please." Missy said. "He is just being difficult for me today."

"Let me see if I can figure something out." Father Mark said.

He put his helmet on and took a moment to get to know Squeak. He cooed and pet the horse then when he mounted up, he immediately felt him fighting the reins. Father Mark immediately hopped down and went to stand in front of the horse. He took hold of his bridle and spoke to the horse.

"What is with you today?" Father Mark said. "I just want to ride you for a moment, then Missy will be back."

Squeak stomped his foot, but Father Mark didn't back down. He used a bit of T-touch and then remounted. While Squeak still wasn't happy, he didn't fight him as much. Father Mark rode him around the sand ring and saw what Missy was saying abut dancing and being difficult at every little thing. Father Mark didn't back down and basically forced Squeak to stand there and deal with the water tray. While Father Mark was working with Squeak and riding him, Marco wander up and looked at Frank with a raised brow.

"Squeak was being difficult." Frank said. "Missy was getting frustrated, so Father Mark offered to ride him to see if there was something he noticed. The other boys had gone for a ride on the internal trails."

"Okay." Marco said. "I know that Father Mark can ride. I am just surprised, he doesn't do more then a trail ride once and awhile."

Finally after twenty-five minutes, Father Mark rode back over.

"There is something going on." Father Mark said. "I don't know what it is, but I think we need to have him checked out. How was he yesterday?"

"He was fine yesterday." Missy said.

"Anything different?" Father Mark asked.

"The farrier came yesterday." Marco said. "But I don't know if it was before or after they rode."

"After." Missy said.

"Then I would start with checking his new shoes." Father Mark said. "Then I would check if his diet has changed. Something is different with this horse."

"I will see what I can find." Marco said. "Missy, do you mind if I ride him this afternoon to see if there something I can find."

"Do what you need." Missy said. "We have homework and were going to help in the house this afternoon."

"Okay." Marco said. "If I find something I will send a message to Jack. But it might just be him being a horse."

"Okay." Missy said. "We have been working on the water trays and different things, since I he balked on Saturday."

"Good plan." Marco said. "I want you to see if you can ride Honey or Rascal if for next weekend if Squeak keeps acting up."

"I will see about getting up on Honey tomorrow." Missy said.

"Okay." Marco said. "I will let you know. I know that Case, Father Mark's old horse sometimes was difficult the day after he got new shoes."

"That is why I wanted to see what was going on." Father Mark said. "But I think it is more then that. Maybe check him over and see if there is anything else."

"I will." Marco said. "Why don't you guys go get a workout in and I will let you know what I find."

"Okay." Missy said.

Father Mark helped her unsaddle Squeak, check him over and then turn him out in one of the close pastures. When they were done, they joined Maddie and Frank to head up to the house.

"Thank you for trying." Missy said.

"Anytime." Father Mark said. "I really hope is is just something minor. Sometimes new shoes can throw a young horse off for a day. Case always hated getting his shoes changed, so we only ever did it on Mondays so he was fine by the weekend."

"Smart." Frank said.

When the girls got up the house, they headed to the gym. Father Mark headed to wash up so he didn't smell like horses when he went into town. It was about thirty minutes later that the guys came up to the house and got a work out in. Once Nathan had gotten cleaned up, him and Father Mark left to head into town. Gran told them to keep her posted and she would message if they needed to pick anything up. Father Mark agreed.

The afternoon found Jack meeting with his grandfather. The others had planned to go over things from the show and make notes for the future. Then the plan was to get any chores done and help in the kitchen. The guys knew that they could go work with horses or over to the track to hang out with some of the jockeys, but they also understood that Gran and Trish were doing a lot and it was better if they helped them.

… … … …

"I know that you have been busy." John said. "But thank you for taking time for me to update you."

"I understand." Jack said. "I get that I am going to have to start juggling my time better, but at the same time I know that there is not much I can do about some things."

"True." John said. "But I wanted to update you on a few things. First of all, I have double checked and confirmed everything is ready for your trip to Canada for the honeymoon. There will be several undercover security. You will just need to let them know when you are leaving the hotel, but otherwise you are free. You will have a car and driver to take you wherever you want. I felt it was best. They understand that they are to remain as unobtrusive as possible unless you are in danger."

"Thank you." Jack said. "I have spoken to the guys a little and they are fine all heading back Saturday or Sunday after the wedding. I think it will depend on who is all still here to go back in the helicopter."

"I will figure it out." John said. "It sounds like there might be two trips back to the city."

"Oh." Jack said. "I am not going to worry about it."

"Good." John said. "The next thing that I wanted to talk to you about was going to the races this weekend."

"I don't think that it is a good idea." Jack said. "We talked a little about it last night. If they others want to go, that is fine. I this I am going to try and leave the ranch as little as possible in the next couple of weeks. Elizabeth agrees. We are hoping that the press dies down a little. Elizabeth had even offered to not go to Schenectady if things are a problem. I don't know. I like having her there, but if safety is going to be an issue, then maybe it is best that she says."

"I was working on that." John said. "I have spoken to the teams in Schenectady. They think that things will be fine. We will have an increased number of people and there will be a police at the show. I think that there will be local, count as well as state and federal at the show. You know that it is only three levels jumping, so it will be a long day, but if you all want to go, I will do everything that I can to keep people safe."

"Thank you." Jack said. "Let's see what happens in the next few days."

"I agree." John said. "I am still going to plan like everyone is going."

"Thank you." Jack said. "I think that the one I was most worried about was Albany. I know that we said we were jumping at Schenectady and Cooperstown, but I think that Albany is the one that is going to draw the most press."

"I agree." John said. "But it also going to be the easier to control who is coming in and who is at the arena. I have already spoken to the organizers of the Albany show and they will be keeping the press out as much as they can. They did ask for the list of troublemakers will definitely keep them out, but might let a few publications in, but keep them to a certain area and they will only be allowed to speak to riders after they are done jumping."

"That should help." Jack said. "I don't know if Devin spoke to you, but we talked last night."

"He mentioned it." John said.

"I have agreed to do an interview for Horse and Rider." Jack said. "Devin was going to make it very clear that it will be about my return to jumping and the show future. I said I will pull the plug if they try to ask questions about my private life. I also agreed to a few photos to go with the article. I was thinking of one with Bandit and maybe one of the other horses. Devin also suggested a photo with Doug and Nathan. I haven't spoken to them about it, but I said I would ask."

"I think that the interview is a great idea." John said. "Horse and Rider is really good about understanding boundaries and doubt they will want to cross me because they know that I would cut them off from anything to do with the race horses."

"Good plan." Jack said. "I told Devin to set it up for sometime next early next week for publication in the next issue."

"Let me know." John said. "I will have Peter put together one of our standard contracts for media interviews."

"Good." Jack said. "I haven't really said anything to the others, but had wanted to talk to you first. I will let the others know and then ask Doug and Nathan about joining me for some pictures."

"Don't forget they might want to talk about the racehorses." John said. "So maybe a photo with one of the racehorses might be nice."

"We will see." Jack said. "I was thinking with Bandit and then one or two others."

"I understand." John said.

"Any word on what is going to happen with Emily?" Jack asked. "We have been letting Father Mark deal with Nathan and what happened, but I know that Nathan is worried that you or I are upset with him about what happened. I know that Father Mark had been reassuring him that we just want what is best for him and that nothing that happened is his fault."

"Good." John said. "I was going to go have Devin talk to her. She left California because she got fired and came back to New York because she got an offer for over half a million dollars if she could get a photo of you an Elizabeth. The racier the photo the higher the price. She was also offered a job with one of the tabloid papers in Albany if she was able to get an exclusive for them. That was one of the publications that we knew were going to be trouble. They have already pushed things and have received a one year ban from Coal Creek and Thornton Inc properties. Because she has already shown disregard for your guys safety, Devin agrees that we need to limit her access to the made property."

"So what is going to happen?" Jack asked.

"Devin is going to offer Emily a deal to stay out of jail." John said.

"What is the deal?" Jack asked.

"For the money and trouble that she caused." John said. "She owes us one hundred and sixty hours of mucking out stalls."

"And if she refuses or fails to do the work?" Jack asked.

"I have spoken to James and Margaret as well as Chris." John said. "They all agree that she is an adult and I turn everything over to the county attorney. I have already gotten a statement from Nathan and Father Mark. As well as James, Margaret, Chris, Trish and James to turn over if it comes to that. I am hoping that she will take the deal, but I don't know. Chris didn't sound all that positive that she was willing to listen. According to Chris, she keeps going on and on how you stole Coal Creek and that Elizabeth is a con artist and Charlotte is going to prove that she is just after your money. She is also demanding that we let her keep her Coal Creek badge."

"Absolutely not." Jack said.

"Devin as already taken and destroyed it." John said.

"Good." Jack said. "I have also decided that family badges that are going to be marked family and only certain ones will be all access."

"That is your call." John said. "But I don't think that all family need a badge unless they live or work on site."

"I agree." Jack said. "I don't think that everyone needs a badge unless they are directly involved in the business. We can issue family and friends badges for events."

"I agree." John said.

"Good." Jack said. "I don't want something like this to happen again. I am not happy with Emily and trust me when I say she better not be on the main site. She can muck stalls at the retirement center. I don't want her to have a chance to continue to harass Nathan. Whatever happened, he needs to be able to feel safe here. The same with everyone else."

"I agree." John said. "I really hope she takes the deal. I know that this hasn't been easy on James and Margaret. I also know that you never meant for them to have to choose between family members."

"I know and I have apologized if they feel like that." Jack said. "But I also hope you all understand that Elizabeth and I shouldn't have to compromise our safety for the sake of family. Because I want to be clear. That will never happen. Keeping Elizabeth safe is the most important."

"I understand that." John said. "I would never ask you to compromise the safety of you or Elizabeth."

"Thank you." Jack said. "Is there anything else that you need to speak about."

"No." John said. "But I want you to work on your temper. I will give you credit that you have gotten better, but there are times you are still to quick to anger."

"I will work on things." Jack said. "Like I told Father Mark, there I are times I feel like I have no control as much as I want it. I am trying to get a better handle on my emotions, but like I have also explained, it is like I opened the door to deal with something and now there is no shut it."

"Thank you and I understand." John said. "Let me know if there is anything that I can do to help."

"I have a question for you." Jack said as he stood up.

"Okay." John said.

"Do you really think that mucking out stalls in an appropriate punishment for what Emily did to Nathan?" Jack asked.

"I have thought about that." John said. "James and I have also apologized to Nathan for not stepping in sooner. After speaking to him and Father Mark, we all agree that some form of punishment is better then nothing and if she doesn't want to accept the terms of the deal, then she can face the legal consequences."

"Okay." Jack said. "I just had to ask."