Chapter 29 – Arrival of the Delaney's
Monday morning, Elizabeth was able to get the children to focus long enough to get through their math lesson and a short lesson on geography. After lunch, they worked on the Christmas play. That night, Elizabeth was exhausted. She was glad that her and the ladies had gotten enough done over the weekend that she was able to relax a little with Jack. They both knew with her family arriving and his mother set to come by Thursday, that they would actually have little alone time together until after the wedding. She was okay with that, because it would be worth it all when they were married. She knew that she would miss their routine over the next few days. Elizabeth was also excited to see her aunt and uncle.
Tuesday at school, was much the same as Monday had been. By the afternoon even Elizabeth was getting excited. Between her aunt and uncle arriving and the dress fitting that evening, there was a lot going on. After the children ran through the Christmas play twice, she let them go a few minutes early so that she could be there to meet the stagecoach herself. Her aunt had said they would be there about 3:30. So at 3pm on the dot, Elizabeth walked from the school toward the platform where the stagecoach stopped. She could see Jack already there pacing back and forth. Elizabeth went over and stopped Jack in his tracks. She leaned up and gave him a quick kiss.
Shortly after Elizabeth arrived, they saw the stagecoach coming. That was when Jack noticed that the stage had an outrider that had a second horse with him. Jack quickly realized that outrider was a Mountie. He just hoped that didn't mean trouble. Elizabeth was so focused on the stage, she didn't see the Mountie right away. The stage stopped and Jack stepped forward to open the door. He helped the woman down and who was immediately wrapped in a hug by Elizabeth. Jack then stepped back to let the man out. He was older then Jack thought he would be, but dressed in his Mountie uniform he looked very well put together.
"Welcome Sir." Jack said snapping to a salute.
Wynn Sr returned the salute and then seemed to relax.
"Would you mind helping Dee with the luggage." Wynn asked.
"Yes Sir." Jack said.
While Jack went to help Dee, Wynn greeted Elizabeth. He couldn't believe how grown up she looked. Elizabeth was so excited to have her aunt and uncle there. As soon as the stage left, Elizabeth went and greeted her cousin. Wynn Jr who they called Dee, was just as happy to see Elizabeth. They gave each other a huge hug. Finally, Elizabeth turned to introduce Jack.
"Everyone." Elizabeth said taking Jack's hand and pulling him closer. "This is my fiance, Jack Thornton."
"Elizabeth Delaney." She said stepping forward to give Jack a hug. "My husband, Wynn. And that there is my son, Wynn Jr, but we call him Dee. We are pleased to finally meet you."
"Pleasure to meet all of you." Jack said. "Your rooms at the saloon hotel are ready. I can take the horses to the livery if you all want to get settled before supper."
"Relax son." Wynn said. "I may be in uniform, but we will be family soon. I would love to get settled, but first a gift for my favorite niece."
Wynn walked the short distance to the beautiful chestnut colored horse the Dee was holding the reins for. He took the reins from his son and then turned to Elizabeth.
"Beth, dear. Come over here." Wynn said. "This is Thor and he is a gift for you. We figured that if you were going to live out here, you needed your own horse."
"Thank you so much." Elizabeth gushed. "I love him. Jack here taught me to ride. Normally, we just rented one from the livery."
"Well," Wynn said. "Now you have your own. Jack, I have made arrangements with the livery and paid the first six months of fees. Don't worry, this horse was trained by the best. He could have easily been on the force if I hadn't wanted to give him to Beth here. He is a five year old Morgan. I hope that you both have lots of fun riding."
"Thank you." Jack said. "I will take him and get him settled with Sergeant. Dee you want me to take your horse as well?"
"Please if you don't mind." Dee said.
"No problem." Jack said taking the reins for both horses.
"Jack." Elizabeth said, causing Jack to turn back. "I have a dress fitting, but we should all do supper at the cafe because I won't have time to make something."
"Sounds good." Jack said. "Come find me or I can find you."
Elizabeth turned back to her aunt, uncle and cousin. She still couldn't believe that they were there and she was getting married. She was so excited that everything was coming together. She wanted to spend time with her family, but she knew that she needed to get over to Dottie's.
"Well." Aunt Elizabeth said. "If you have a fitting. Let's get this stuff to our rooms and then you and I need to go see this dress."
Elizabeth saw a couple of the older boys from her class.
"Gabe, James." Elizabeth called. "Could you please come here."
"Yes, Ms Thatcher." They both said as the came over.
"Is there something that you need." Gabe asked
"This is my Aunt Elizabeth, Uncle Wynn and cousin Dee." Elizabeth said. "Would you two boys please help Wynn and Dee carry this stuff to the saloon."
"Yes. Ms Thatcher." Gabe said.
Just then Gabe's brother and his best friend came by.
"Miles, Timmy." Gabe called when he saw them. "Come here and help."
The other two boys quickly hurried over. Wynn, Dee and the four boys easily carried the luggage to the saloon. As they all made their way to saloon, Aunt Elizabeth turned to her niece.
"What wonderful students you have." Aunt Elizabeth said.
"The Mountie uniforms help." Elizabeth said. "This past spring, many of the children lost their fathers in a mine disaster. Jack has been amazing with the children. He had given them someone to look up to. Even when Superintendent Collins was here with other Mounties when Jack was promoted and received his award. The children wanted to be around the Mounties and they were so wonderful to spend a couple hours playing with the children. Most of these children didn't have many good role models after the mine disaster. Then Jack rode into town and showed not only the children, but the town as a whole that he was there to help them. The children love him and he always tries to take time to talk to them or help them when he can."
"I think that you have done something amazing with the children too." Aunt Elizabeth said. "It takes a special person to reach the children after something like that. Now lets go see you dress."
"Thank you so much for sending the dress." Elizabeth said. "I had just planned to wear the one that I had picked up in Hamilton and was saving for Christmas. It was a simple cream dress with little snowflakes on it. I know Jack would have liked it, but this dress. This dress is going to leave him speechless."
"You deserve something special." Aunt Elizabeth said. "Especially after the way that your father had been."
The two walked over to Dottie's. Elizabeth rang the bell and was quickly greeted by Dottie. After introductions were made. Dottie helped Elizabeth slip into the dress. The alterations that they had made were perfect. Elizabeth loved how they had added the lace to not show as much cleavage even though the neck still had a deep "v" cut, at least the bodice had been covered with lace. The length that they added was just right. Aunt Elizabeth couldn't believe how perfect it looked on her niece.
"You picked very well ma'am" Dottie said. "We needed to do very little to make it fit her. Elizabeth do you think Jack is going to like it. Rosemary and Clara are almost done with the veil. Clara wanted to add something special and have it be a surprise for you. We will have it for you when you get dressed on Friday."
"I think I may be able to render him speechless for a second time." Elizabeth said.
Dottie and her aunt just looked at her and then each other.
"Care to explain Beth dear." Aunt Elizabeth said.
"He was speechless for about five minutes when he learned about Uncle Wynn." Elizabeth said.
"Well. I don't know what you are talking about," Dottie said. "But if it left Jack speechless, then I must hear the story some time."
Dottie helped Elizabeth out of the dress and then hung it back up. They then went out to the front room to rejoin Elizabeth's aunt.
"So." Dottie said. "I will keep the dress here until Friday. Don't want Jack seeing it. Also, I talked to Florence and Molly. Everything is set to start decorating the church on Thursday morning. Then we can do the saloon Friday morning. Florence has the list of who signed up to help. Also I am suppose to remind you to check with Abigail about getting ready there instead of the row house. It will be easier to get you to the church in your dress from the cafe."
"I will check with her at supper." Elizabeth said.
The two Elizabeth left Dottie and went to find the men. When they had gotten a short distance, Aunt Elizabeth patted Elizabeth's arm.
"Sounds like you have some amazing friends." Aunt Elizabeth said.
"I do." Elizabeth said. "But it is more then that. The people of this community, really do treat each other like family. They are always there to lend a hand."
"Can't wait to hear more." Aunt Elizabeth said.
"I have an idea." Elizabeth said. "Let's head to the cafe and get some tea and let the guys find us."
They made their way to the to the cafe. Elizabeth wanted her aunt to meet Abigail. She figured that they would like each other. Both were strong women. Abigail heard the bell over the door and looked out to see Elizabeth. She nodded to her.
"She is busy in the kitchen." Elizabeth said. "I will get us some tea and be right back."
"Need something." Abigail asked when Elizabeth came into the kitchen.
"My aunt and I would like some tea." Elizabeth said. "I would also like if you could join us for a bit."
"Go sit." Abigail said. "I will be out when the tea is ready."
Elizabeth returned to her aunt and the two settled in for what Elizabeth thought was going to be a long talk.
"Abigail will join us when the tea is ready." Elizabeth said. "I really hope that you like her. She has meant so much to me."
"So, I just have to ask you." Aunt Elizabeth said. "Are you sure about this. You have only known each other for such a short time. Also the life of a Mountie is not always easy."
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "I am sure. I have never been more sure of anything in my life. I know that Jack and I haven't known each other all that long, but I think I knew from the moment that we meet that he was the one for me. We fought it for as long as we could. Neither of us were looking for this. But yes, I am absolutely sure that I am meant to be with Jack."
"You understand why I had to ask." Aunt Elizabeth asked. "With everything that you have been through, I just had to ask. I just wanted to make sure this wasn't a reaction to him saving you. You know that I worry."
"I know." Elizabeth said. "At least you understand. Father is being impossible. Just because Jack is the son of the schoolteacher and a Mountie, and not wealthy. I am not sure what Father was more upset with, his lower social standing as he saw it or who is parents were."
"Wait." Aunt Elizabeth said. "Jack's father was a Mountie. What are is parents names?"
"His mother is Charlotte." Elizabeth said. "She will actually should be here for the wedding. His father was the late Sergeant Major Thomas Thornton."
"No wonder he looked familiar." Aunt Elizabeth said. "I thought that I knew is face, but couldn't place the name. Wynn served with Jack's father. I meet him a few times. I even meet Charlotte. Wynn and I were at the funeral. I remember little Jack. Sad thing, that situation. No wonder he is so great with the children in town. He understands their pain."
"Well you will have to share with Jack that you guys knew his father." Elizabeth said. "I know that he will like that. I know that it has been hard for him planning to get married without his father here."
Abigail came out with tea and joined them for a cup.
"Aunt Elizabeth." Elizabeth said. "This is Abigail Stanton. She has been a godsend to me. She took me in and helped me find my way. Abigail, this is my Aunt Elizabeth Delaney."
"Nice to meet you." Aunt Elizabeth said. "I have heard a lot about you. If you need any help, please just ask. I am here to help. It is the least that I can do for all that you have done for my niece here."
"I may just take you up on that." Abigail said. "How are you in the kitchen? Not only do we have the wedding, but we also have a huge Christmas meal on Sunday after church. I decided that with everything that has happened this year, I want to offer people a place to celebrate Christmas and share a meal. I have faired much better then some of the widows, many are still struggling. It has been two months since the judge ruled in our favor, and the Pacific Northwest Mining Company is dragging its feet in paying out what the judge ordered."
"Oh Abigail." Elizabeth said. "I didn't know. Why didn't you say anything?"
"Well." Aunt Elizabeth said. "I will be sure to mention that to my husband and maybe he can light a fire under them. And I do quite well in the kitchen. The Christmas dinner sounds wonderful. I will be sure to come over and help."
"In that case." Abigail said. "I really hope that you guys would be willing to join all of us."
"Sounds wonderful." Aunt Elizabeth said. "We are planning on staying until at least the day after Christmas. Wynn and Dee don't have to be back to Hamilton. Granted, if Wynn wanted more time, he could take it."
"You should have seen Jack when he learned about your husband." Abigail said. "Elizabeth here was explaining some things to the Pastor because he didn't understand why her father was so against the marriage. Jack may not be a man of many words, but I had never seen him completely speechless like that. It was well over five minutes before he could form coherent words."
"Yeah." Aunt Elizabeth said. "He seemed really nervous when Wynn stepped out in his Mountie uniform. Wynn told him to relax, but I don't think it helped."
"Well, I have plenty to do." Abigail said. "Please sit and enjoy the tea."
"Abigail." Elizabeth said. "Before you go, how is Becky doing? Cody has been really quiet about things."
"She is struggling." Abigail said. "She wants to be better for Christmas, but she just can't seem to be up for more then a few hours. The medicine that the doctor left doesn't seem to be making a difference."
Abigail turned to leave and Aunt Elizabeth just looked at her niece.
"Abigail has taken in two orphan children." Elizabeth explained. "Becky had been really sick and bedridden since Jack brought her here. The little boy Cody, was caught trying to take some food. We insisted that he that he stay inside and that was when were learned that his older sister was sick and out in the woods where they had been hiding. Cody led us to her and we brought her back here and then Jack wired Union City Hospital. I just wish that there was more that we could do. Her fever broke, but she just doesn't seem to be getting better."