Chapter 27 – Coming Together
Elizabeth was able to get a nice nap before Abigail woke her for supper. Abigail had even invited Jack. It was during dinner, Elizabeth realized that with her wearing a ring, it would be hard to keep their engagement a secert.
"Jack." Elizabeth said. "If we want to keep this quite for a bit, how are we going to do that if I am wearing your ring."
"I have an idea." Frank said.
Frank reached into the collar of his shirt and pulled out a silver chain. He slid the ring on the chain off and put it in his pocket. Then he took Elizabeth's hand, slid the ring off and put it on the chain and then handed the whole think to Jack. Jack got up and put the chain around Elizabeth's neck.
"You can just give me the chain back when you decided to tell people." Frank said.
"Are you sure." Elizabeth said.
"Absolutely." Frank said.
After dinner, Jack and Elizabeth went for a walk to give Frank and Abigail some time. Both couples had enjoyed having supper together, but both were also enjoying the time as just a couple. Jack wasn't sure about walking because of Elizabeth's knee, but she said that it felt fine. When Elizabeth's got back, she decided to turn in early that night. She knew that she had a busy week at school and there was also so much else to do.
Monday morning, Elizabeth was up a little earlier then she normally got up. She wanted to have breakfast and run a couple errands before school. Her first stop was to send a wire to her aunt and uncle and then post the letter she had written to them. She then went over and checked into getting the row house. She learned that Abigail's old row house was indeed available, so she did the paperwork and agreed to bring the money the next morning when she would get the key. By the time that she got to school, she was feeling really good. By lunch time, Elizabeth's knee was starting to hurt again, so she changed a few things for the afternoon, so she would be able to be more at her desk.
Jack had a busy Monday as well. He had gone and done morning rounds, taking more time then normal. He needed to think and wrap his head around all the things that had happened in the last twenty-four hours. Then he spent some time with Sergeant when he got back to the livery. Jack sat in the jail after he had rode out to the sawmill and check on things there. Even though Lee was back to work with no restrictions, he still needed a cane. Jack still didn't trust some of the men out there. Jack thought about what Lee had told him while he had been out there. Lee had shared with Jack his plans of expanding the sawmill even further and also adding additional housing for his incoming workers. Lee had also mentioned that there was talks with the railroad.
Jack thought about all that had changed in just a few short months. There was still a lot of work to do. Jack still didn't trust Gowen. If there would be more people, there may be a need to expand the school. Jack was glad that him and Mr Miller had done the plans the way they had. It made for easy growth. He thought about how one day, his own children would attend school in the building that he had built. He was excited the he had made the decision to make Elizabeth his wife in six very short weeks. Jack was also excited that Hope Valley would be growing. He just hoped that it wouldn't lose the charm and thing that made it special.
Tuesday, Elizabeth got the key to the row house. While she was in school, Jack checked it out and started making a list of things that they would need to order and also things that needed to be done. Jack talk to Elizabeth that night and they agreed that that Jack could handle most of the repairs during the day, and then Elizabeth would give it a good cleaning. They also agreed to order some of the things that they needed, such as a bed, table and icebox. Elizabeth also wanted a simple writing desk and they would just add the rest as time when on. They figured that it would only take three weeks tops and then Elizabeth could move in and Jack would move in after the wedding. Both were getting excited about starting their new life as a married couple. It had only been two days, but they had managed to keep everything quiet. They were hoping to make it to the end of the month before telling anyone. Since they didn't need to actually order any real wedding stuff until closer, it made it easier.
The rest of the week, Jack was able to work for at least an hour each day in the row house. By the time that Elizabeth finished school on Friday afternoon, he had finished all the general repairs that he could. He was waiting on a new piece for the stove pipe and also a new window since one was cracked. Saturday, Elizabeth spent the better part of the day cleaning at the row house so that Jack could start on the floors over the next week. They also needed to prep the walls for painting. While Elizabeth was cleaning, Jack hauled two full wagon loads of wood for the row house and another for the church. Jack and Elizabeth had had a picnic lunch at the row house, it had been nice to share a meal just the two of them in their new house. They knew that Elizabeth would be moving in first, but Jack would join her soon after.
Also that week, Jack had sworn Lee and Bill to secrecy when he asked them to both stand up with him at the wedding. Elizabeth had talked to Abigail and she had agreed to be her maton of honor. Elizabeth really wanted another person to stand up with her, but she really couldn't ask anyone else without risking the secert getting out. She would worry about all that later. Elizabeth was happy that Jack had chose Bill and Lee. Both meant so much to him. Jack was also happy that Elizabeth had chosen Abigail.
Elizabeth took a break for an early supper at the cafe, but decided to check the mercantile to see if she had received any word from the wire that she had sent. She had checked everyday and nothing. She really hoped that it would work. She was excited for herself, but almost more so for Jack. She quickly picked up the few items that she needed and paid for her items. Before she left, she asked Katie Yost if there was any mail or messages. When Katie checked their box, she found a letter and two telegrams. Elizabeth saw that the letter was from her mother and that each her and Jack had one telegram. She slipped all three envelopes into her basket and headed for the cafe.
The cafe was busy for early on a Saturday evening. Elizabeth let Abigail know that she was waiting for Jack, but wanted to head upstairs and read her letter. Elizabeth tore into her telegram first, it was from her Aunt Elizabeth. The telegram read:
Christmas sounds lovely The answer is Yes Will aim for the 20th Letter to follow
Elizabeth was so excited about her aunt and uncle coming, she really wanted to run tell Jack, but the more she thought about it, the more fun the surprise would be. She then opened her letter from her mother. She learned that Viola was engaged to Sir Lionel and they were planning a summer wedding. Julie was still being Julie and Father was still being difficult.
Grace wanted Elizabeth to come home for Christmas so she could start the process of getting her dress for Viola's wedding. But more important, Grace expressed that she wanted her entire family under one roof for one more Christmas before Viola got married. Other then that, it was just news about home and different society functions.
Elizabeth was torn for just a moment about her mother's letter and the expressed wish that she come home. Then it struck her how her mother had only invited her and not Jack. She knew that she didn't want to go back without Jack and she especially didn't want to delay their wedding. He mother would just have to understand that it wasn't possible for her to come home that year. She really didn't want to have to deal with her family pushing Charles on her over the holidays and once she was married to Jack it wouldn't be an issue. Elizabeth decided to send off a quick letter to her mother. Elizabeth explained that because of the way that Christmas fell that year, she would be unable to return home. She needed to be there to help the children put on the Christmas play on Saturday the 24th and then a special play again on the 31st for the special New Year's celebration that the town was putting on. She expressed her regret that she wouldn't be home, but that she wished Viola the best and maybe would try to get away early in the spring. Elizabeth was careful not to mention anything about Jack, their upcoming wedding or Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Wynn.
Elizabeth had just finished her letter, when Abigail called up to her. Elizabeth came downstairs to meet Jack at the bottom of the stairs. She had his telegram in her dress pocket and after getting and giving a kiss, she handed it to him.
"Picked this up this afternoon." Elizabeth said. "Figured that it could wait until supper since it wasn't marked urgent. Also I got a letter from my mother."
"Thank you." Jack said. "What your mother say."
"She wants me to come home for Christmas." Elizabeth said. "Viola is engaged, planning a summer wedding. Father is still being difficult. What your telegram say?"
Jack took a moment to open his telegram before speaking.
"You okay." Jack asked. "It is from Ma, she is going to try and come the week of Christmas."
"I am fine and that's great." Elizabeth said. "I already wrote a letter back and have it ready to post. Told her I was unable to come for Christmas with the Christmas play on the 24th and the special New Year's celebration on the 31st. I mentioned that I would try to get away early spring. Sent my congratulations to Viola. She doesn't need to know anymore then that right now. I just want to be able to call you my husband for Christmas. We can deal with my family at some future point."
"As long as you are okay." Jack said.
"Couldn't be better." Elizabeth said reaching for the ring on a chain around her neck.
Jack and Elizabeth walked into the cafe and enjoyed a wonderful supper. Both were tired and chose not to work on the row house anymore. They had gotten a lot done and with Jack able to work for a time during the day, they should be done in no time. Jack knew that the things that they ordered would be there soon, so he was excited to really start putting the house together. He has also planned on trying to find some time to build some bookshelves for Elizabeth. He wanted to have them done before she moved in, but then thought that they would make a nice wedding/Christmas present.
Sunday, Jack and Elizabeth decided to go for a ride. They knew that there was still work to be done, but both wanted to enjoy the nice day. The weren't sure how many more they would have where it would be so nice. Monday dawned cool and rainy. Jack and Elizabeth both had work to do. Jack was hoping that he would be able to get some work done at the house even with the rain. The cool, wet weather continued all week, but Jack was able to get the upstairs floors varnished. He had worked his way down and made it to the landing before he ran out. He ordered more, but it would take a few days.
The new window arrived, but he couldn't put it in with the wet weather. The paint supplies and piece for the stove also arrived. On Friday, the new icebox was delivered. Jack was excited, things were starting to come together. The other thing that arrived on Friday, was the letter from Elizabeth's Aunt Elizabeth. She was so excited. She learned that her aunt and uncle would be there and they were hoping that Wynn Jr aka Dee would be able to get away from Cape Fullerton and also be at the wedding. They were sad to share that cousin Sophie would not be able to join them, she and her husband were expecting and it was too far to travel from Ottawa. They did send their love. Elizabeth was excited, she hadn't seen Dee since before he joined the Mounties. It had also been almost two years since she had seen her aunt and uncle.
That weekend, Elizabeth really wanted to work on the house, but she had reports that needed to be graded, as well as lesson plans to work on. She spent most of the weekend working on paperwork. Jack was able to get some things done, but he also had end of the month reports that needed to be finished. Their jobs were a more important, so the house would have to wait. The following week, the bed and other furniture arrived. Jack had it taken to the house and carried in. He would just have to work around things. At least he had finished the floors. All they had to do was paint and then they would be able to move in. Jack was hoping to get that done and have them moved in that weekend. Elizabeth had decided that she would spend an hour after school working on painting.
With Elizabeth helping after school, Jack was excited when he went to meet Elizabeth after school that Friday. The house was finished and they would be able to move Elizabeth in the next day. Elizabeth was also excited to see Jack, she needed his help on something.
"I have to talk to you." Elizabeth said after the children were gone."
"I have news for you as well." Jack said. "But you first."
"Have you seen a little boy, blonde hair, about ten." Elizabeth said. "I saw him near the woodpile during school today. When I went to invite him in, he just grabbed the bag he had put the wood in and took off running into the woods."
"Doesn't sound familiar." Jack said. "Could be from the new settlement, I haven't been out there yet, so I don't know any of the children. Besides, he was probably scared. I know I was scared of my teachers when I was that age."
"I am not scary." Elizabeth said.
"Really, I have seen you scary teacher face." Jack said teasing. "But I will keep an eye out."
"So what did you have to tell me." Elizabeth asked.
"How do you feel about moving tomorrow?" Jack asked.
"Really," Elizabeth said with excitement. "It's done."
"Finished the last wall just before lunch." Jack said.
Elizabeth worked on packing that night. She was excited. Part of her would miss Abigail, but Elizabeth knew that she wouldn't be in the row house that long alone. Jack would be joining her in no time. Saturday, dawned rainy and overcast. Jack didn't think that they would get things moved. Abigail assured Elizabeth that she was more then welcome to stay as long as she needed. Elizabeth worked on packing, but was a little disappointed about not being able to move into the row house. Sunday was busy with church, but the weather didn't clear until almost sundown. Jack promised to try and move some things during the week.