Henry Gowan could feel the stares on his back as he walked into Abigail's. His limp wasn't so bad these days, but sometimes he could swear the pain would never go away. But he endured it, as a reminder of his past wrongs, as a reminder of the mab he was, and of the man he was becoming. And it was all thanks to God, and a walking miracle that served the community with all her heart. She was currently refilling a customer's tea glass when she looked up and saw him, swearing his face brightened by half when he saw her, but something in his eyes told her this wasn't a social call.
"Good afternoon Henry, what can I do for you"?
"Abigail, I was wondering if you've got a minute".
"Of course", she said, motioning him to follow her to the back room, "What's the matter"?
"It's not a matter that I'm sure I can discuss, but I want to be honest and I know I can trust you".
"Of course Henry, what's wrong"?
"Well, a few days ago Bill came by Lee's office and asked if I knew anything about Constable Delaney. I didn't of course, but I said I'd look into it if he wanted me to, so I did. It turns out that Mr. Delaney's older brother was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Wynn Delaney, who would be our Constable's parents".
"Who are his birth parents"?
"That's where it got tricky. The records were sealed but, the clerk owed me a favor that I cashed in, and... I'm not sure if you need to hear this"?
A look of concern flushed Abigail's face.
"Are they criminals"?
"Nono, they...theye are, were, the husband passed before he was born, but the mother is alive. But, Abigail...Abigail his birth parents are Jarrick Evans and Charlotte Thornton".
"What"?
"Thomas Thornton was not Jack's paternal father. I don't know the details, but when Jarrick Evans passed, Charlotte, not to long after married Thomas Thornton. I'm sorry if this hurts but.."
"No Henry, thank you. For now, keep this between us okay"?
"Okay. Thank you Abigail, for everything".
Abigail slowly sank into her chair. It was so hard to process, Charlotte had a third child no one knew about, that child was Wynn Delaney's father...Jack was an uncle. She knew it wasn't her place, but for Elizabeth's sake she needed answers.
Abigail packed her bag lightly and rented a horse from the stables. Cidy would be in Clara's capable hands until she got back. She had questions, and Charlotte Thornton could answer them.
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Moving across a moving train was nerve-racking. Jack was fighting the wind and the constant motion of the train cars. Atop the last car, in a secret compartment was hidden four revolvers and a set of keys for the safe. The guns were insurance, they didn't know how many men were inside. The four men climbed down the ladder and broke the door in, bearing their arms, only to find an empty car. Empty, except for four large safes and empty crates waiting for them.
"Looks like the boss was right after all boys", one burly man said, putting his gun in his belt. But the bearded man wasn't sure. That man he saw held himself like a Mountie. And if there was one, there was bound to be more. Turning around he set out for the car he came from.
"Where are you going Thornton? We need you".
"There's a Mountie on this train and"...
"Not a chance, we grav the loot and we jump, no side missions or personal vendettas".
Wordlessly the man opened his safe and started loading the nearest crate with the gold. But the joy was short-lived as the men heard the click of a gun.
"Raise your hands and step away from the gold". Wynn Delaney had his iwn revolver trained on the burly man.
"What are you gonna do lawman"? the burly man asked, "you ain't fast enough to kill all four of us before we rush you".
Wynn hesetated a moment, but it was long enough for the burly mab to rush Wynn and wrench the gun from his hands. But Wynn fought back and the gun eventually was thrown out the door and off the train.
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Bill Avery was nearing Carter's Junction, he could hear the train, not to far off, but his horse was tiring. He prayed he would make it in time. That's when he heard the gunshot.
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The bullet pierced Wynn Delaney's left shoulder from the front. He looked up to see the smoking barrel of the gun of John Gibson, up and coming criminal on the heels of many of the criminal gangs that had suffered during the wars of both the Northern and Southern Territories. He was a man looking to make a name for himself, and he was a man Wynn Delaney knew.
Well, Constable Delaney", Gibson said, walking towards a fallen Wynn, Thornton's eyes on his boss, "you have been a thorn in my side for too long now, and it's time I did something about it". Picking Wynn up by the arms John Gibson was about to throw Wynn off the back of the train when three quick gunshots resounded in the small space, causing Gibson's ears to ring. Just as fast he felt the cold steel of a gun barrel on the back of his head. Slowly he put his hands up, intending to grab the gun, but he was to slow, and nobody dodges a bullet once the trigger has been pulled.
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RCMP Post - Hope Valley
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"Hello? Wynn?"
Elizabeth knocked on the door, and waited for an answer. When none came shr tried the door, and found it open.
"Bill, are you here"?
No answer. Walking to the desk she started writing a nite for Bill, and sae a wanted poster sticking out of the tip drawer. Looking at the pencil drawn face she felt her breathe catch,. it was a very familiar face. Finding a clean sheet of paper and put it and the poster against a brightly lit window and began to trace the face, leaving off the beard. the face staring bback at her caused a scream that brought the whole town to attention.
As she ran out of the office she ran straight for the livery, ignoring everyone along the way. Once there she saddled up Sargent and rode off towards Carter's Junction, the train station that she had been hearing so much about.
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Elizabeth was heading east, and that was the way she kept. Until she came to a fork in the road,. right or left, that was her decision and then she saw a handkerchief hanging from a branch on the left side. It was Bill's.
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Bill finally made it to Carter's Junction as the gold was being off-loaded, along with three bodies and a wounded mountie.
"Well Delaney, looks like you were right", he said, approaching the young man.
"I'd appreciate it if you just reported my actions without rubbing it in", Wynn said, adjusting his shoulder and easing the pain in it. Bill just smiled.
"You know, Jack Thornton would have done the same thing".
"Yeah," Wynn said, looking nervous, "about Jack".
Before Wynn could say a word there was the sound of handcuffs clacking together and shuffled feet, causing Bill to turn around, and cry at the sight before him.
"Hello Bill".
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As the closest post was Hope Valley, Bill and Wynn took custody of Jack and together they rode out if Carter's Junction and headed home, sans handcuffs for Jack. Bill ride alongside Wynn, making sure he didn't pass out and fall off his hirse, while Jack rode on the back, going over everything flooding his mind.
Seeing Wynn's helpless face on the train triggered his memory of the landslide, and hiw helpless he had looked as hard pieces of earth and rock fell around him. He remembered the claustrophobic feeling of being buried alive and wishing to God he had just five more minutes to tell Elizabeth goodbye. Elizabeth, the wiman in his dreams. He remembered her, but was having a hard time reconciling her with himself now, post landslide Jack Thornton. But when he heard a fourth horse approaching from across the stream at full gallop, and he saw the woman riding it he inew his fears were un- warranted.
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Elizabeth and Jack raced towards each other at full speed, Elizabeth's dress pulling her down into the water, only to be pulled up by two strong, very familiar arms. She recognized the broad xhest that she was held against, and was clinging to. She recognized and welcomed the two lips that claimed hers and she claimed for her own with all the love she had. For the first time in a long time, she was finally home.
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YAY!!!! Jack is finally back and not a moment to soon if you ask me. The story might be drawing to a close, but if I get inspiration you can bet I'll write more.
Now I know a lot of y'all may not like that Jack killed, but these were men that killed his brother (though he doesn't know that yet), kept him prisoner, jept him from his wife and were about to kill a man he loves like a brother so, for me it's, not justified completely but I'm not going to fault Jack for it.
As always leave a review and I'll see y'all next chapter
Sincerely
Ficmaniac12