Chapter 7: Memories of Days Gone By
The funeral was held a few days later. The whole town came out to pay their respects. The Pastor spoke from the steps of the church, as the townspeople gathered in front of him.
"Today, we come together in a time of grief to say goodbye to one of our own, Emily Montgomery. Our sadness is beyond comprehension as we lay down the soul of this precious child, the first to be buried at our new church. It is fitting, however, that our church doubles as the town's schoolhouse, for Emily loved going to school and learning new things. Every school day, the presence of students in this building will honor their friend and classmate, and every Sunday our attendance at church will help pay respect to her memory. Let us now bow our heads as we recite the Lord's Prayer."
A moan was heard from the crowd, as Kat Montgomery started to falter through her tears. Her eldest son, Gabe, who was in from Buckstown for the funeral, caught his mother, and he and his younger brother, Miles, held her up as best they could. Elizabeth and Jack, who were standing behind Kat, stepped forward to help as well.
After the burial, the townspeople walked back to Abigail's cafe, where a potluck meal was being served. As groups of people ate and talked quietly amongst themselves, Julie walked over to Elizabeth, and gave her a hug, trying to cheer her up. "Well, at least the epidemic passed," Julie said, "and no more children died either here or in Buckstown." Elizabeth replied, downcast, "It's hard for anyone to feel grateful at the moment." Julie squeezed Elizabeth's arm and said, "I know."
Julie continued, "By the way, Jack gave me a letter this morning from his friend, Faith, about nursing schools in Hamilton. I love that idea – thank you for thinking of it! First, though, Faith suggested I return to Hamilton to volunteer at a hospital, so I can see for myself what nursing would be like. So I'm thinking of taking the next stage back to Hamilton to do that. I'm sure Father and Mother will be surprised to see me – gone one day and back the next!"
Elizabeth smiled. "Good for you, Julie. I'll miss having you here with me, but it's important for you to try this. And Father and Mother I'm sure will be thrilled to have you back at home. Be careful, though – try to talk to them about your plans in a mature way, okay?"
Julie frowned. "Of course I'll be mature – I'm a changed woman, Elizabeth. My experiences here in Hope Valley have made me grow up. And if Father and Mother can't see that, they can go stew in a pot for all I care!"
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Julie, this is exactly what I'm talking about . . ."
Julie grinned and teased, "I'm just kidding. I'll explain my plans carefully so they can see I'm serious this time."
Julie continued slyly, "I'm excited to meet Faith and see if she's as pretty as we've heard . . ." Elizabeth raised her chin and responded, "I'm sure she is . . . she seems very nice and helpful as well. Those are good traits for a nurse – maybe you should try it!" Elizabeth scolded her sister.
Julie laughed and held up Elizabeth's hand to admire her engagement ring. "Don't worry, Elizabeth. There's no competition from that quarter now, is there?" Julie winked at Elizabeth. Elizabeth raised her chin even higher, folded her arms across her chest, and retorted, "I never thought there was."
Just then, Jack walked over and gently touched Elizabeth's arm. "Are you okay?" Jack asked. Elizabeth smiled gratefully and nodded. Julie chimed in, "I was just telling Elizabeth about the letter I received from your friend, Faith. She suggested I come back and volunteer at the hospital in Hamilton to see what nursing is like. I plan to do that, but I'm wondering . . . should I stay here a few more days? Are you and Elizabeth getting married anytime soon?" Julie smiled mischievously at Jack and Elizabeth, who both looked horrified at Julie's directness.
Elizabeth stuttered, "Julie – stop prying! There's been a lot going on, as you know. Don't be inappropriate!" Jack chuckled and said, "Once it's decided, you'll be the first to know, I promise." Elizabeth angrily shook her head at Julie behind Jack's back, while Julie clapped her hands in delight.
Just then, Lee Coulter came over to the three of them. "Jack, what's the latest news about the vagabonds?" Elizabeth swung her head around. "What vagabonds?" Elizabeth asked anxiously. Before Jack could allay Elizabeth's concerns, Lee answered, "There's a bunch of former miners who didn't get picked up for work in my saw mill. They've been camping on the outskirts of Hope Valley, mostly living off the land. But some of the area farmers think they've been poaching their farm animals – chickens and goats and such."
Jack assured Lee and Elizabeth, "Don't worry, I'm monitoring the situation. I've already met with the farmers. Tomorrow, I'm going out to see the men and warn them to stay away from people's properties." Jack led Lee away to discuss the matter more, and called to Elizabeth over his shoulder, "I'll come by later this evening – we can talk more then."
As the two men walked away, Julie exclaimed dramatically, "It must be so exciting to be a Mountie – each day brings a new, dangerous challenge." Elizabeth shook her head and declared ruefully, "Jack loves it, of course. As for me, well, I'm learning to endure it, for his sake." Julie rubbed Elizabeth's arm sympathetically.
Later that evening, Jack came to see Elizabeth at Abigail's, and the two of them sat out on the porch, holding hands, and contemplating their future together.
Jack said, "I've talked to Abigail, and she offered to have us stay with her after we're married. Is that okay with you?" Elizabeth smiled and answered, "Of course, that would be fine." Elizabeth asked shyly, "So, when were you thinking . . . " Jack replied, "I've written to my commander about our engagement and asked how long he thinks I'll be posted here in Coal Valley. Once I receive his answer, we can set a date."
Elizabeth sighed happily and snuggled closer to Jack. "I hope we hear soon – we've faced so many challenges already." Jack pulled Elizabeth closer to him. "I don't want to wait any longer either. I'm afraid Charles or someone else may come along and try to swoop you away!" Elizabeth scowled playfully and swatted Jack on his arm. "That is not going to happen, I assure you."
Elizabeth added seriously, "You're the only one for me . . . I know that now." Jack smiled and replied, "Same for me." Then Elizabeth added, "There's just one problem." Jack raised his eyebrows. Elizabeth continued, "I don't think I'm going to be able to say the wedding vows properly." Jack asked, "What do you mean?"
Elizabeth hesitated and explained, "You know the line, 'Do you promise to love, honor, and obey each other, till death do you part?'" Jack nodded. Elizabeth continued, "Well, I've never been real good at obeying people . . . ." Elizabeth cringed at the thought. Jack guffawed, "Yes, I can see that. Maybe we can talk to the Pastor about that – he may have a suggestion." Elizabeth smiled and sighed in relief. "That's a great idea. Thank you, Jack."
Elizabeth and Jack stayed out on the porch late that night, holding each other and continuing to discuss their future together. They may not have realized it yet, but they had crossed a threshold into a stronger relationship, one based on cooperation and respect - and one, hopefully, that would not be unmoored again.
The next day, Elizabeth saw Julie off at the stage in the morning, and then went to teach at the schoolhouse for the first time since the epidemic. Elizabeth took the opportunity during the day to talk with the children about Emily's passing, and to go outside with the children and say a prayer by Emily's grave.
After school, Elizabeth expected Jack to come by for a horse ride he had suggested they take that afternoon. Elizabeth kept looking out the window to see if Jack had arrived. As the minutes passed, Elizabeth began to worry. Elizabeth hurried back to town and over to the jail. "Jack, are you here?" Elizabeth called out as she opened the jail house door, but it was empty - not even Rip was there.
Elizabeth went over to Abigail's. "Abigail, have you seen Jack today?" Elizabeth asked. Abigail replied, "Not since he came in this morning for his regular coffee. Is everything okay?" Elizabeth answered, "Jack was supposed to pick me up after school today to go for an afternoon ride, but he never showed up." Abigail assured Elizabeth, "I'm sure it's nothing. Jack probably got caught up in work." Elizabeth nodded her head, but when Abigail saw Elizabeth's anxious eyes, she suggested, "Why don't you go ask Lee – maybe he knows something."
Elizabeth hurried over to the saw mill office and peeked her head in. "Lee, have you seen Jack today?" Lee looked up from his desk. "I saw him this morning – he was going out to warn the vagabonds against poaching." Elizabeth replied, "Shouldn't he be back by now?" Lee shrugged his shoulders and said, "I don't know – I'm not sure what else he had going on today." Lee could see that Elizabeth was worried. "I'm sure he's fine. When I see him, I'll tell him you're looking for him." Elizabeth thanked Lee and walked back to Abigail's.
Elizabeth watched the clock the rest of the afternoon, unable to do any work. As dusk approached, Elizabeth turned to Abigail and exclaimed, "I think something's wrong. I think we need to go look for Jack – he should have been back by now." Abigail stopped serving a customer and looked out the window. "Maybe you're right – go tell Lee to gather up some men to go look for Jack before it gets too dark."
As Elizabeth rose from her seat, Lee and Rosemary walked into the café to have dinner. Rosemary saw Elizabeth's worried expression and asked, "Elizabeth, what's the matter?" Elizabeth answered, "Jack hasn't been seen since this morning when he went out to talk to the vagabonds. I think something may have happened to him." Lee replied, "I'll go look for him, don't worry." Pastor Frank, who was having a cup of coffee at the café, rose to join Lee. "I'll go with you, Lee," Pastor Frank said.
Rosemary and Abigail stayed with Elizabeth as the hours went by and night fell. About 9 p.m., they heard the sounds of horses approaching and ran outside. Lee was riding into town holding a slumped-over Jack in the saddle with him, while the Pastor was leading Jack's horse along with his own. Elizabeth ran over to the men and asked, "What's happened? Is Jack okay?"
Lee answered, "Elizabeth, we found Jack lying in a ditch near where the vagabonds had been camping, but those men are long gone. It looks like someone gave Jack a terrible blow to the head that knocked him out." Pastor Frank helped Lee take down Jack from the horse. Abigail announced, "Jack needs medical attention – carry him upstairs to Clara's bedroom. He can stay there while she's gone."
The men carried Jack upstairs, and the women started tending to him. Elizabeth gasped as she gently touched the wound on Jack's head. Pastor Frank said, "I'll go for a doctor." Just then, Jack started to stir.
Jack's slowly opened his eyes and looked around the room, uncomprehendingly. Jack grimaced in pain and reached his hand up to touch his head. Elizabeth gently wiped Jack's hair away from his eyes and caught Jack's hand. "Jack, we're here. We'll take care of you," Elizabeth said lovingly. Jack looked at Elizabeth with a dazed expression, and then at all the people staring at him.
When Jack's eyes reached Rosemary, he managed to smile. Jack croaked, "Rosemary, you're here – you're back from New York. I knew you'd come back." Elizabeth dropped Jack's hand, startled. Jack reached out his hand towards Rosemary. Rosemary's eyes went wide as she looked at the others, and then back at Jack. "Jack, I . . . are you okay? Do you know where you are?" Jack glanced around the room and the people in it, and replied, "Not really. Who are these people?"
Elizabeth started moving away from the bed, her hand covering her mouth. Abigail turned to Jack and said, "Jack, you're in Hope Valley. It used to be called Coal Valley. You're the Mountie here, remember?"
Jack shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, Ma'am. I don't know what you're talking about." Jack reached out again for Rosemary's hand and managed to grab it this time. Jack pulled Rosemary's hand to his chest and said to her lovingly, "Rosemary, I knew you'd come back to me. I'm so glad you're here."
Rosemary stood at Jack's side, her mouth wide open in amazement, not knowing what to do. Elizabeth stifled a cry and ran out the door. Abigail turned to look at Pastor Frank with wide eyes. Lee stared at Rosemary, stricken. Pastor Frank started for the door, saying, "I better get the doctor now." Abigail nodded her head vehemently and exclaimed, "I think Jack may have amnesia!"