Staying in between us
Chapter 3: unplanned
The telegram read:
To: Bill Avery
In Nate's jail cell he wrote on the walls many ways he was going to kill Jack Thornton. Give warning to Jack. Nate Tolliver is heard to be seen by Cape Fullerton. He is not alone. This man will not stop for anything.
From: Superintendent Williams
{Bill rushed from the jailhouse and went looking for Jack. Bill had to inform Jack as soon as possible.}
{Back at the school house}
Cody raised his hand and asked "Miss Thatcher is it lunch yet?"
Elizabeth totally zoned out thinking about all that's happened recently and didn't hear Cody say something. So Cody spoke again.
"Miss Thatcher are you okay?"
"What?" Elizabeth said finally coming back from her deep thinking.
"Is something wrong Miss Thatcher?" Cody asked.
"No everything is fine Cody I was just thinking. What is it you wanted to tell me?" Elizabeth spoke while trying to find her reader.
"Is it time for lunch?" Cody said once again.
Elizabeth stopped looking for her reader and looked at the time on her watch. Realizing that she forgot to send the children to lunch ten minutes ago.
"Oh my goodness yes, children you may go to lunch." Elizabeth said with a rushed tone in her voice. There has been so much on her mind she completely forgot about the time.
"Race you to the big oak tree." Robert said to Cody while walking down the stairs of the school house.
"Deal. Loser has to eat a worm." Cody replied back.
"Got it ready, set, Go!" Robert said while on the run. Off they both went racing towards the big oak tree by the school house. Lunch pails in hand ready to eat after their fun challenge.
"I won. You have to eat that worm after your lunch." Robert said out of breath.
"Okay. But let's eat first I'm starving" Cody said with sadness in his voice but emptiness in his stomach.
{In town Jack finally done with his rounds walks into Abigail's cafe for a cup of coffee.}
"Hey, Abigail!" Jack said with a cheerful sound in his voice.
"Hey, Jack! You wanna cup of coffee?" Abigail said while knowing his answer already.
"That would be great Abigail thanks." Jack said while sitting down.
"Oh I almost forgot did you see Bill yet this morning? He has been looking for you." Abigail said while bringing coffee to where Jack was sitting.
"No I've been doing my rounds. I haven't seen him yet. What did he need?" Jack said while taking his cup of coffee.
"He didn't tell me but he said if I seen you to send you to the saloon." Abigail said.
"Oh okay I'll go right now. Thanks for the coffee Abigail!" Jack said while he left the money on the table.
"Anytime!" Abigail said while walking back to the kitchen. Jack made his way towards the saloon. He knew Bill got some news but didn't know what it could possibly be.
{Back at the school house lunch is about over}
"Lunch is over children back inside." Elizabeth shouted while ringing the cow bell.
Cody and Robert were walking up the stairs. When Cody remembered he forgot his lunch pail.
"Oh snap. I forgot my lunch pail. I'll go back and get it. I'll be right back." Cody said while he turned to Robert. Cody ran back to the spot and grabbed his lunch pail. He was about to head back when he heard a voice.
"Hey kid come here." A voice came from the trees.
"Who is there?" Cody turned around
"Don't worry about that kid. Let me just tell you something." The man said while Cody moved closer to him.
"This is what you have to do."
{Jack arrived in the saloon but didn't see Bill anywhere in there. Just as he was about to leave again Bill walked in.}
"Jack there you are I've been looking for you everywhere." Bill said while taking Jack to the side.
"I was doing my rounds. What's up?" Jack said.
"I got a letter from superintendent Williams today. Here read it yourself." Bill said while handing the paper to Jack.
After Jack read it he looked up at Bill. Before speaking he thought for a moment. Than said, "He is coming for me."
"Yes I know and we have to be ready for him too. This telegram I received is a day old. Which means Nate could be closer than we think." Bill said with a worried look on his face.
"I'll inform everyone we need a town meeting right away." Jack said going back to the cafe to tell Abigail.
"Make sure Elizabeth is safe too Jack. Nate knows about her and won't stop until he gets to you." Bill grabbed his arm and told him.
" I will. He won't get anywhere near her." Jack said while his fists at his side. Then he headed out to tell the town of the meeting.
{Later that night everyone gathered at the town meeting. Jack and Bill was informing the town of the situation. Warning everyone about going far from town and the need to lock their doors. When from the back of the saloon the door opens.}
"Sorry I'm late. But Cody needs to tell you something Jack and it's important." Abigail spoke while walking into the room.
Abigail leading Cody towards the front of the room where Jack is. Once they are there Jack speaks saying " What is it Cody?"
"I am suppose to give you a message." Cody said with a sacred look in his eyes.
"From who?" Jack spoke.
" I don't know he never told me but he stopped me outside of school to tell me."
Cody replied.
"Tell me what happened Cody and what he said." Jack said gently.
"I was going for my lunch pail after lunch was over because I forgot it. I went to the big oak tree to get it when there was a man who spoke to me. He said, This is what you have to do. Give Jack Thornton a message for me. Here is a letter now you make sure to give this to him right away you hear? And don't go looking in it either or you get yourself here in a lot of trouble. Don't go telling people either just give the note to him. Now get before your teacher over there be worrying. That's what he said Mountie Jack." Cody said while handing the note to Jack.
"Thank you Cody. You are so brave." Jack said while opening the note.
It read: Jack Thornton you will get what you deserve. It will hurt you more than you think. Signed Nate Tolliver