Chapter 38: New Year's Eve
On New Year's Eve, Elizabeth found herself at Abigail's café along with Hannah and some of the other townswomen and their children. An assortment of cakes, pies, and cookies had been prepared and were quickly being consumed. The children were running about playing hide and seek and other games. Rip was napping on the floor, one eye half open to make sure that none of the children disturbed his slumbers.
The soiree was small in number and somewhat subdued. The townswomen were concerned that many Coal Valley miners had journeyed down south that day to join the new miners for an evening of New Year's Eve high-jinx. Even Bill had traveled south that day, worried that the few Mounties who had been assigned to the new mining area wouldn't be able to contain the large group of men that was gathering there – a gathering that was sure to turn ugly once alcohol started flowing.
"Why would Mr. LeRoy allow such wild behavior to take place?" Florence asked, pursing her lips in dismay. Abigail answered, "According to Bill, LeRoy left town earlier this week – apparently he needed to arrange for groundbreaking equipment to be sent to the new mining area. He also said he was visiting relatives for the holidays." Florence harrumphed and added, "I think he just wanted to skedaddle out of here." A few of the women glanced over at Elizabeth pointedly. Elizabeth quickly looked away, pretending she was diverted by the children's antics.
At midnight, the children ran out into the middle of Main Street and banged on pots and pans to bring in the New Year. Elizabeth and the other women watched from the sidelines, smiling at the children's exuberant noise-making. Elizabeth gazed up at the sky with its myriad stars and wished for a happy 1911 for her and Jack. "1910 has been so eventful," Elizabeth thought to herself. "Coming to Coal Valley, beginning my teaching career, meeting Jack, falling in love, and getting married – it's hard to believe!" Elizabeth shook her head in wonderment. "And 1911 will be just as remarkable!" Elizabeth determined.
A little while later, the party broke up as the mothers wanted to get their children home to bed. Elizabeth said her goodbyes as well, hugging Abigail and Hannah and wishing them a happy new year. As Elizabeth walked out of the café, Rip followed her dolefully, not because he was sad, but because he always looked doleful, even when he was content.
Back at her apartment, Elizabeth quickly undressed and got under the covers of her bed. Ever since Jack had left earlier in the week, Elizabeth had felt prickles of fear during the nighttime and a sense of unease. Elizabeth kept thinking she was hearing noises in the apartment, but nothing ever materialized. Elizabeth realized she was probably just imagining things, since Rip slept soundly near her all through the night, never even twitching an earlobe. Yet Elizabeth kept having troubling dreams during the night about dark figures who suddenly came and went, but whose faces she could not piece together. Elizabeth would awake every morning feeling drained and anxious, wondering whether her dreams were punishment for her past behavior or harbingers of the future.
Elizabeth eventually fell asleep, but was awoken near dawn by a loud pounding on her door. Elizabeth jumped out of bed, put on her robe, and opened the door to see Bill and Dr. Colson carrying a slumped-over Jack in their arms, his shirt and jacket unbuttoned. Elizabeth started to ask, "What's going on?" when she saw Jack's left arm bandaged across his chest and blood near Jack's left shoulder. "Oh my goodness," Elizabeth gasped, as she helped the men carry Jack over to the bed.
Bill explained breathlessly, "Elizabeth, Jack was stabbed by one of the miners last night – we're not sure who. Luckily, Dr. Colson had been assigned to the new mining area for New Year's Eve and was able to stitch him up and put a bandage on it. We rode all night to get Jack home." Elizabeth, alarmed, looked at Jack, who was basically unconscious. Dr. Colson added, "I'm going to put a new bandage on him now and I'll come back later to teach you how to change it. He's going to be in a lot of pain later on. He's basically in shock right now."
Elizabeth's legs felt weak, so she sat down in the nearest chair. "Is Jack going to be okay?" Elizabeth asked in a quivering voice. Dr. Colson continued, "It doesn't look like any internal organs were affected, so he should recover in a few weeks. He's a lucky man – the miner was going for his jugular, but Jack fought him off." Elizabeth started to feel like she was going to be sick, so she lowered her head to take some deep breaths. Bill came over to Elizabeth and patted her back. "It'll be okay, Elizabeth. Jack is a strong young man – I'm sure he'll be back to his old self in no time," Bill assured her.
Dr. Colson rose from tending to Jack, who was still unconscious. "Elizabeth, make sure Jack stays immobile so he doesn't lose more blood, and keep him warm with blankets. He should come to in a few hours – if not, come get me. I'll be at the saloon. And feel free to give him shots of whiskey to dull the pain." Dr. Colson patted Elizabeth's arm and started for the door. Bill gave Elizabeth a quick hug and whispered, "Abigail and I will come over later to help out. Don't worry – it's going to be okay." The two men left.
Elizabeth quietly pulled her chair over to the side of the bed to be near Jack. Elizabeth gently wiped Jack's hair away from his eyes and stroked his face. Elizabeth pulled the blanket closer to Jack's chest, and gingerly touched his bandage. Elizabeth sighed. "Oh Jack, why did this have to happen?" Elizabeth asked herself tearfully, wondering why God was sending them so many trials in their fledgling marriage. Elizabeth got down on her knees and said a prayer. Still on her knees, Elizabeth held Jack's hand against her lips and cheek, and rested her head on the side of the bed near Jack's torso, careful not to disturb him.
A few hours later Elizabeth heard a sound. She realized she had fallen asleep on the floor, and lifted her head. Elizabeth looked over at Jack, whose eyelids were fluttering. Jack was trying to say something through cracked lips. Elizabeth quickly recovered and put her ear close to Jack's mouth so she could hear him. "What is it, Jack. What can I do," Elizabeth whispered. Jack mumbled again, and Elizabeth realized he was saying, "Water." Elizabeth jumped up and ran over to fill a mug with fresh water. Elizabeth came back to the bedside and cradled Jack's head in her arm to help him drink. Jack took a few sips of water and leaned back to rest. Jack's hand reached out for Elizabeth's, and Elizabeth grabbed it. "Jack, I'm here. I love you. It's going to be okay – Dr. Colson said you're going to be fine." Jack opened one eye to look at Elizabeth and then closed it again. Jack mumbled something else – Elizabeth leaned close to Jack again to hear what he was trying to say. Jack croaked, "Happy New Year," in Elizabeth's ear, making her laugh in surprise. Elizabeth leaned over and softly kissed Jack's mouth. Jack whispered, "That's nice." Elizabeth smiled and gently pulled Jack's hand close to her to kiss it. Jack sighed deeply and fell back to sleep.
About midday, Bill, Abigail, and Hannah came by to see Jack. Jack's head was lifted up on pillows as he lay in bed. At this point, Jack was wincing in pain from the stab wound and the stitches, and was much grouchier about the whole incident. Hannah rushed over to Jack's bedside and put her hand on Jack's forehead. "Oh son, I was so worried when I heard what happened," Hannah exclaimed. Jack turned his head away and declared, "There's no need to worry – I'm going to be fine." Hannah continued solicitously, "Abigail made you muffins and I made you some soup – do you want some now?" Jack shook his head, "I'm not hungry. Just thirsty – Elizabeth, could I have some more water," Jack asked, looking at her pleadingly. Elizabeth hurried over with the mug and helped Jack take some more sips of water.
Bill put a bottle of whiskey on the table and said to Jack, "Here, why don't you take some of this." Jack shook his head and replied, "I don't want it – I don't need it," through gritted teeth. Bill guffawed, "You don't need to act the hero in front of us. I'll leave it here for you." Jack averted his eyes from Bill and looked out the window with a frown.
Hannah asked anxiously, "Jack, do you know who did this to you?" Jack looked over at Bill questioningly. "It was dark – and whoever it was had covered his face with a bandanna. I couldn't see the man. I was just about to settle down for the night when I heard a sound behind me and someone came rushing at me with a knife. I fought him off but . . . he was able to get me under the arm." Jack shook his head angrily. Abigail asked, "But why? Why would someone single you out like that? Were any of the other Mounties attacked?" Bill and Jack looked at each other again. Bill replied, "No, for some reason, it was only Jack. It's odd. At first we thought it might have been Sam wanting to get back at Jack for arresting him for stealing after the Miner's Dance, but whoever it was ran away, and we found Sam still drinking and cavorting with the others." Jack shook his head. "It wasn't Sam – the man who did it was much smaller and wirier. Sam has no beef with me – we were getting along fine this week. Mark my words, though, I'm going to find out who did this," Jack said harshly.
Elizabeth sat on the side of the bed and put her arm around Jack. "Yes, but the most important thing now is for you to rest and get better." The group murmured their agreement. Bill, Abigail, and Hannah stayed for a bit to keep Jack company, but got up to go when they saw his eyelids start to flutter closed again.
Dr. Colson came by in the afternoon to show Elizabeth how to change Jack's bandages and check the wound for infection. "So far it's healing well," Dr. Colson said, raising Elizabeth's spirits. Jack seemed unaffected by Dr. Colson's words, staring off into the distance with his jaw set. Dr. Colson looked at Jack closely. "Jack, if you're in pain, take some whiskey – it'll help." Jack just shook his head and closed his eyes. Dr. Colson looked at Elizabeth with raised eyebrows, but Elizabeth put her hands in the air, not wanting to contravene Jack's wishes.
Later that evening, Elizabeth was able to coax Jack into having some soup. Elizabeth could see the strain in Jack's face from the pain. "Is there anything I can do to help?" Elizabeth asked. Jack smiled faintly and said, "Come lie here by me – that should help." Elizabeth grinned and carefully climbed over Jack to lie in the bed by Jack's uninjured right side. Elizabeth snuggled up closer to Jack and gently caressed Jack's chest. Jack smiled and whispered, "That feels good." The two of them drifted off to sleep.
In the middle of the night, Elizabeth woke up with a start. She put her hand out to feel for Jack, but he wasn't in the bed! Elizabeth sat up and saw Jack sitting at the kitchen table, the bottle of whiskey in front of him, and a glass in Jack's right hand. Elizabeth scrambled over to the table and glanced at the bottle – it was already halfway finished.
Elizabeth looked at Jack, who was staring into the distance with glazed eyes. Elizabeth asked quietly, "Are you okay? Maybe you shouldn't be sitting up yet . . . ." Jack didn't respond. He took another long sip of whiskey. Jack mumbled, "He wants to kill me." Elizabeth replied, "Let's not think about that man." Jack shook his head and looked directly at Elizabeth. "He wants me dead. LeRoy – he wants me dead." Elizabeth furrowed her brows. "LeRoy hasn't even been here this week. I don't think this has anything to do with him," Elizabeth said in an even voice, trying not to rile Jack. Jack continued, breathing heavily. "LeRoy took one look at you through the window and now wants me out of the way. Like David and Bathsheba." Jack snorted and took another long sip of whiskey. Elizabeth was shocked to hear Jack's words. She didn't know how to respond. "I don't know, Jack. But please come back to bed. It's late and you need your rest." Elizabeth tiptoed over to Jack, and gently took the glass out of his hand. Elizabeth wrapped her arm around Jack and helped him get up out of the seat.
Jack let Elizabeth walk him back to the bed, but mumbled, "I'm going to find out . . . I'm going to prove it was him. And then . . . ." Elizabeth whispered, "Shhh . . . ," trying to calm Jack down. As Jack lay down again, Elizabeth climbed over him to lay by his right side. Elizabeth put her arm around Jack's torso and smoothed his hair. Jack closed his eyes and began to nod off.
Elizabeth lay in bed, listening to Jack's heavy breathing, hoping he couldn't hear her heart beating frantically in her breast. The last thing they needed was for LeRoy to come between them again! Elizabeth hoped that Jack made his accusation in a drunken stupor and wouldn't remember it in the morning. Elizabeth feared, though, that Jack would remember, and become agitated again. Elizabeth recalled how, just a week ago on Christmas morning, Jack had smashed LeRoy's window and publicly called him out in a jealous rage. Elizabeth knew that they couldn't afford any more scenes like that – Jack needed to focus on his recovery, not revenge.
Elizabeth was determined to do everything she could to keep Jack calm and healing in the days ahead. "I love you, Jack Thornton," Elizabeth whispered into Jack's ear, kissing him on the cheek. Jack continued snoring lightly, unaware of Elizabeth's loving words and actions. Elizabeth continued whispering love messages into Jack's ear and gently kissing his face until she, too, fell asleep, her arm around Jack protectively.