Chapter 32 – Supper at the Row house

Elizabeth left the jail and walked to the mercantile. She picked up the things that she needed and headed to the row house to get things ready for supper. Jack and Dee finished up stuff at the jail. When they were done there, Dee wanted to meet Lee so they headed over to his office and talked for a bit. Before the realized it, it was time to get Dee's parents and head to the row house for supper.

That night Elizabeth had made shepherd's pie and cherry cobbler for supper. She had set the table and lit a couple of candles. She had music from the victrola playing. She couldn't help that all of the stuff for the wedding was still sitting along on wall, but it was what it was. She really hoped that Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Wynn liked her little house. She knew that Dee wouldn't care. He understood that it was what it was. Jack knocked and then came in, followed by everyone else.

"What a cute house." Aunt Elizabeth said. "This is going to be perfect for you and Jack to start your lives together."

"Well supper is almost ready." Elizabeth said. "Jack can you make sure the stove has enough wood."

Jack went over to the pot belly stove and checked it, added a couple sticks of wood that he had split. Then he went over to Elizabeth and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He didn't care that her aunt and uncle were there. He wanted a to kiss her, but settled for kissing her cheek. He was having a hard time not gathering Elizabeth in his arms and kissing her until they were both breathless.

"I made your favorite Jack." Elizabeth said.

"Yum, shepherd's pie and cherry cobbler." Jack said. "Need help with anything?"

"No, I am good." Elizabeth said.

Everyone sat around the table, since they Jack and Elizabeth didn't have a couch or other chairs yet.

"Sorry about this." Elizabeth said. "We hadn't planned on having guests quiet yet. We planned to order some additional furniture, but getting a ice box and a bed were a little more important. We also had to get a piece to fix the stove and a new window. We figured that as we save money, we would order things. But I guess we could use some of Jack's reward. Jack also plans on building a house for us, but he has yet to tell me where this house will be."

"Well," Jack said. "There is a piece of land that I have been looking at. I am working at talking to the current owner. I don't want to say anything until I know more, but I promise that I will build you a house Elizabeth."

"It is okay Beth." Wynn said. "The important thing is that you guys have a place. The rest will come. Relax, you don't have to impress me. Remember, I told you stories about when I first was a Mountie and lived in a tent for a year. Yes, I have a big house now, but I remember what it is like to live on the frontier."

"We were lucky." Jack said. "We were able to get this row house and between the two of us, get all the work done ourselves. This is actually the row house that Elizabeth stayed in when she first came to Coal Valley. Abigail opened her door to her and they lived here until Abigail opened the cafe and then they moved above the cafe. This house had one person live here for about six weeks and then it sat empty until Elizabeth and I rented it."

"Uncle Wynn," Elizabeth said. "I forgot to ask, for the wedding are you wearing your uniform or a suit?"

"What would you like for me to wear." Wynn said. "Obviously, I have my dress uniform, but Elizabeth here insisted that I bring a couple of suits."

"Dad." Dee said. "Jack here, is wearing his uniform so, maybe a suit. That way you don't take away from the bride and groom."

"If you don't mind." Elizabeth said. "Your suit, please."

"If that is what you want, Beth." Wynn said. "Then that is what I will do. I have my nice black one and an equally nice blue one."

"What do you think Jack." Elizabeth said. "What color are Bill and Lee wearing?"

"They both have grey suits with a cream colored shirt." Jack said.

"Then I will wear my blue one." Wynn said.

"Good that is settled." Aunt Elizabeth said. "There is so much to do tomorrow, but it sounds like there will be plenty of people to help. Where will you boys be getting ready on Friday."

"I will still be at the jail." Jack said. "So the plan is for the guys to gather there until we have to be at the church. I believe that Elizabeth is getting ready at the cafe, so I assume that is where you will be Aunt Elizabeth. Wynn and Dee, feel free to hang with Lee, Bill and I at the jail."

"I think we may do that." Wynn said.

The timer went off and there was a knock at the door at the same time.

"You get the timer and oven." Jack said standing. "I will get the door."

Elizabeth stood up and pulled out both shepherd's pies out and then closed the oven. Jack had walked over to answer the door.

"Ma!" He exclaimed. "I didn't think that you would be here this early. How did you find us?"

"I stopped to see Abigail." Charlotte said. "She said that you were all out here and I should join you. She also mentioned that you got me a room at the saloon."

"Yes." Jack said. "Come in. I didn't mind since Elizabeth's aunt, uncle and cousin were staying there, besides she has to children staying with her and Becky still isn't doing that well."

Charlotte came in and took off her coat and hung it up. Dee went to grab the chair from by the writing desk and bring it to the table. Aunt Elizabeth stood and got another place setting and put it on the table.

"Just in time for supper." Elizabeth said. "Welcome Charlotte."

"Ma." Jack said. "I would like to introduce you to Elizabeth's family that is here. This is Wynn Delaney Jr."

"Call me Dee."

"This is Elizabeth's Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Wynn Delaney Sr." Jack said.

"Nice to meet you." Charlotte said.

"Let's all eat." Elizabeth said. "We can get to know each other over food."

Charlotte went to the basin and washed her hands before joining the group at the table.

"Uncle Wynn." Elizabeth said. "Please say the blessing."

"Heavenly Father." Wynn said. "Bless this food to our bodies and bless our time together. I also ask a special blessing on Jack and Elizabeth as they get ready to start their lives together. Please be with Becky as she continues to heal. Amen."

"Amen." Everyone echoed.

Supper consisted of small talk and things about the wedding and everyone was getting along. Jack had specifically left out Wynn's title and he took the hint. Aunt Elizabeth and Wynn didn't talk about what they did and steered the conversation toward the wedding. About half way through the meal Charlotte turned to Wynn.

"Delaney." Charlotte said. "If I recall, my late husband served with a Delaney."

Jack, Wynn and Elizabeth all quickly exchanged glances and the Charlotte caught that look on Jack's face.

"Jackson Alexander Thornton." Charlotte said with only a tone that a mother could say. "Start talking. I want to know what is going on. I saw the looks that you have exchanged. I also have noticed that you have steered the conversation away from what Wynn does and anything from his past."

Elizabeth and Dee had to look away at the use of Jack's full name. Jack just lowered his head, took a deep breath and then looked back up at his mother. Wynn gave Jack a slight nod, giving Jack the go ahead to talk.

"Yes, Ma," Jack said. "I was going to tell you later."

"Start talking." Charlotte said.

"Everyone else already knows." Jack said. "So, yes Wynn here did serve with Dad. He was Dad's commanding officer and was there when Dad got hurt. He told me the story about what happened and we talked about them meeting me at the funeral. Aunt Elizabeth here even said that she meet you before. I didn't know if you remembered or not, since you never talk about what Dad did."

"Fine," Charlotte said. "But there is something else isn't there. You are way too nervous for there not to be something else."

"If I may," Wynn said. "We didn't want to just spring this on you, but he is nervous because of my rank and title. Just before your husband passed, he was named Sergeant Major and I was named Sr Inspector for the work that we did, that resulted in his death. Over the years, I have stayed with the Mounties and five years ago, I was named Deputy Commissioner of the Mounties."

"Sorry Sir." Charlotte said. "I taught Jack protocol better then that and he should know better then to not introduce a superior officer properly."

"No, it's okay." Wynn said. "I told him when it was just family to call me Wynn. It took him a while to wrap his brain around the fact of who I was. I thought that it would be easier for all of us if he just relaxed a little, so I have insisted that he not use my title unless we are with other Mounties or on official business. Even my son here, has learned that it is easier to not use my title around people."

"Yes." Dee said. "I am a Mountie also, ma'am. We didn't mean any disrespect, but it has always been informal with family."

"Like I said." Jack commented. "I was going to explain things to you later. So now can we finish this lovely meal that Elizabeth made. Because I want cherry cobbler."

"Fine." Charlotte said. "I just wish you would have told me before."

"Okay, I get that." Jack said. "Did you want me to send a telegram saying guess who Elizabeth's uncle is? I felt that it was a conversation better had in person, and now that we have had it, it's done."

Charlotte decided to drop the matter, but she wasn't exactly happy with Jack.

"So Lizzie," Charlotte said. "Your parents coming in for the wedding? I am surprised they are not already here."

"My brother and his wife won't be here." Aunt Elizabeth said. "My brother can be a down right ass when he wants to be. He doesn't approve of Jack here and actually forbid Beth here from marrying him. He has been pushing someone else on her for years. He is from a wealthy family and works for my brother. Beth here chose to follow her heart and marry the man that she so deeply loves."

"I am sorry Lizzie." Charlotte said.

"It is fine." Elizabeth said. "I have accepted that my family doesn't approve. It is their loss. My father doesn't approve because as he sees it, Jack is from a lower social standing. He also as a serious problem with Jack being a Mountie. I knew that Uncle Wynn and Aunt Elizabeth would have no problem with Jack being a Mountie. They see nothing wrong with the son of a Mountie and schoolteacher. That is why I have asked Uncle Wynn to give me away."

The rest of the meal went by without a problem. Aunt Elizabeth steered the conversation toward wedding details and things that needed to be done. After dessert, they talked for a little bit longer and finally it was Dee who noticed that Elizabeth was tired.

"Well, I think I am going to have to excuse myself." Dee said. "I said that I will ride with Jack here on morning rounds and we are heading out at six."

"Your mother and I will walk you back." Wynn said. "Charlotte, care to walk back with us."

"Sure." Charlotte said.

"I should be going too." Jack said.

Everyone said their goodbyes and Jack wanted a moment alone with Elizabeth before walking back to town. Jack and Elizabeth said their goodbyes and Jack gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving. Once everyone was safely delivered to the saloon for the night, Jack made a quick round around the town checking things before heading to bed himself. Jack didn't go right to sleep. He was thinking about the wedding. He couldn't wait, but he hoped that everything came together.