Chapter 50 – Many Changes Monday
Monday August 8th, Adam was hoping to start his new life. He knew that he would never be able to work in the mine like he use to, but he still hoped to be able to work. Adam went to see Mr Gowen that morning after walking with the girls to school. He knew that he needed to do it before he lost his nerve. Adam wasn't sure how Gowen was going to react to him, but he knew that he needed to try and find something. Adam knew that he needed to do something to provide for his family. It was never one to take charity.
"I know that you are a busy man, Mr Gowen." Adam said. "So I will get right to the point."
"Of course." Gowen said. "What can I do for you Mr Miller?"
"I appreciate the company's generosity." Adam said. "Especially with my family while I was recovering."
"Well." Gowen said. "It was the least that we could do. Please, sit."
"Thank you." Adam said taking a seat.
"I was, um …." Gowen said. "I was unaware of the extent of your injuries. You're a fighter and the company does appreciate your sacrifice."
"Yes, sir." Adam said. "The thing is, I need to work."
"I don't understand –." Gowen said.
"I'm not asking to go back in the mine, sir." Adam said. "I know that I can't do that. But I was hoping that there might be something that I would be able to do. I could work behind a desk or maybe help the superintendent out in some way."
"I don't know if we –." Gowen said.
"Please, sir." Adam said. "I will do anything. I just need to be able to provide for my family."
"I will speak with Mr Ansvil." Gowen said. "And I'll see what I can do."
Gowen stood and came around the desk. Adam stood as well.
"Great, sir." Adam said. "Thank you."
Adam wasn't exactly sure, but he got the feeling that Mr Gowen was uncomfortable with him there. Adam was starting to get use to that feeling. He had experienced it in the hospital, but it was different then. In the hospital it was pity, here it was more then pity. Adam felt that they didn't want them there. He especially felt that Mr Gowen didn't want him there. Maybe it had something to do with with what Jack had talked to him about a few days prior. Adam had promised that he wouldn't mention the ongoing investigation to anyone, especially Gowen. Jack had encouraged him to go about his life and his plan to find work. Adam knew that Jack was trying to help. Adam wasn't sure that he was able to continue to work with Gowen or for him, but he knew that he had to try at least until he could figure something else out.
Monday morning, Elizabeth got the children settled and told them what she expected of them on their field trip, she made sure each child had a jar or basket to collect their bugs before they headed off. They were only heading over toward the grove just outside of town. The children were excited. Elizabeth was excited for the children even if she didn't like bugs. She did love seeing the children learn new things. As much as Elizabeth didn't want Julie to come with, she insisted. When they got to the grove, Elizabeth let the children explore, but told them they had to stay close. She was trying to keep an eye on the students, but Julie was making things hard.
"Ugh." Julie whined. "My feet are hurting and they are cold. Can I go back to the classroom now?"
"You were the one who was so excited to join us on our little insect hunt." Elizabeth said. "Besides, I told you to dress to be outdoors."
"You didn't tell me we would be walking forever." Julie whined.
"We haven't been walking forever." Elizabeth said. "I have walked farther some days. It is your fault for not having sensible shoes."
"You could have picked a more suitable day for this" Julie said.
"This is a perfectly suitable day." Elizabeth said. "It is not raining and despite the bit of fog hanging in the air, it is a lovely day here."
As the children continued to search for bugs, Jack and Patrick rode up.
"Hello, Constable Thornton." Julie said with a smile. "What happens to bring you by this time?"
Elizabeth wasn't happy with the sudden change in Julie's demeanor, but she was happy to see Jack. She was still on a high from their supper, despite having not seen much of Jack the day before.
"Actually." Jack said. "We were just out on patrol."
"Well." Julie giggled. "What a happy coincidence. You should just happen upon Elizabeth's class out here."
Elizabeth especially didn't like Julie's blatant flirting with Jack. She tried to ignore it, but it bothered her. She did like the way that Jack didn't respond to it.
"Since you are here, Jack." Elizabeth said. "Maybe you have some free time to take Julie on a tour of the surrounding countryside?"
Jack could see the pleading look in Elizabeth's eyes and he already knew that Julie had caused some trouble in the classroom.
"I would love to." Jack said. "However, I have some paperwork back at the office. Constable O'Reilly is free however."
"Oh, really." Julie exclaimed.
Patrick just gave Jack a look, like he was going to owe him.
"I would just love to see the countryside." Julie said. "I just have to get my riding boots."
Julie hurried back toward town. Elizabeth laughed. Patrick cast Jack another look and then clicked to his horse and turned to follow Julie.
"Thank you." Elizabeth said as Constable O'Reilly went by.
"My pleasure." Patrick said.
Elizabeth let out a huge sigh and Jack dismounted for a moment to talk to her.
"Julie was right." Jack said. "I am not here by coincidence. There is still something that I need to talk to you about."
"Miss Thatcher." Gabe called. "Come and see this slimy bug I found –."
Elizabeth let out a gasp as she turned and saw what Gabe was holding. Jack chuckled.
"Gabe!" Elizabeth said. "Please give me a moment, just a moment please."
Gabe put the bug in his jar and turned back to his classmates.
"What was it you wanted to discuss?" Elizabeth asked.
"Not here." Jack said. "It's okay. I will let you get back to your slimy bug. There is plenty of time for us to talk on our picnic, perhaps tomorrow, after class?"
"I'll pack the food." Elizabeth said.
"Wonderful." Jack said.
Jack lead Sergeant a little ways down the path before mounting up and riding back to town. Jack was glad he had a plan to tell Elizabeth, but he still didn't know what he was going to say. He had gone over it a number of times in his head and it never ended well. Jack was just afraid that Elizabeth wouldn't understand. They had made so much progress and he didn't want to go backwards. Jack knew that he wanted a future with Elizabeth, but he wasn't sure how he could at the moment. He also knew that Patrick was right and he knew that he couldn't refuse the order, especially after the way he had gone about it. Jack just wished that for once in his life that something was easy. It had been three months since he had put in for the transfer, he just thought that it wasn't coming and that was the only reason he pursued Elizabeth. He honestly didn't think that he was going to get the transfer. He just hoped that he could find the words to explain what happened.
As much as Elizabeth hated bugs, she turned her attention back to her students. She gladly allowed them to show her their bugs. After another half hour, they headed back to the classroom, so the children could use the books to try and identify the bugs that they found. Elizabeth was glad that Julie was out on a ride. As much as Elizabeth loved her sister, she couldn't deal with her spoiled behavior. Elizabeth was realizing how different she was from Julie, especially since coming to Coal Valley and having to live without everything at your fingertips. Elizabeth knew how to appreciate things, something Julie had yet to learn. If Elizabeth was honest with herself, she didn't think Julie would ever learn that lesson as long as their father gave her whatever she wanted.
While Elizabeth was back in the classroom and Jack was working on paperwork, Constable O'Reilly and Julie had gone on a ride around Coal Valley. Even thought Patrick didn't know the area all that well, he had rode with Jack, it was daylight and he was good with directions. Patrick wasn't exactly happy with Jack for volunteering him to show Julie around, but he was technically an escort for Julie Thatcher. Although Patrick had volunteered for the assignment, it was turning into much more of a chore then he thought. While they were riding on the main path that him and Jack had ridden, Julie saw a path leading off and headed that way.
"Where are you going?" Patrick demanded.
"Into the trees!" Julie sang happily.
"I don't think that is a very good idea." Patrick said. "I haven't been down that way and I don't know what is there. There are bears around here and I am not interested in messing with any grizzlies."
"Oh where is your sense of adventure." Julie said.
"I left it back at my last post." Patrick said.
Julie kept heading off on the side path. Patrick let out a frustrated sigh.
"Look." Patrick said. "We should be getting back to town anyway."
"Just give me a moment." Julie said. "Stay here. Nature calls …."
Patrick went just a bit deeper into the trees, but still where he could see the main trail. Julie however disappeared into the trees. As Julie rode, she was glad that she had ditched her escort. It was only a little ways and she found a cabin. Always up for an adventure, Julie decided to check out the cabin.
"Hello!" Julie called out.
When there was no answer, she decided to look around. Seeing the door open, Julie called out again, but there was no answer. Julie entered the cabin and started looking around. Suddenly she heard a noise behind her. She turned and a man had a gun pointed at her.
"Hold it right there." He said.
Julie was frightened, but she didn't want to scream and scare her horse away. She knew that she hadn't tied him tight.
"Whatever you want is in my saddlebag." Julie said frantically. "Just don't shoot me."
The man looked at her confused.
"The money is in the saddlebag." Julie said.
"Lady calm down." The man said. "I am not going to rob you."
"Oh, well." Julie said. "Sorry to be so presumptuous, I'm not accustomed to strange men introducing themselves by pointing a gun in my face."
"You're the one who snuck in here and surprised me." The man said.
"You're bleeding." Julie said as the man entered the cabin.
"Some men were chasing me." He said.
"What men?" Julie asked.
The man shuddered and sat in the chair still holding his arm to his side.
"Outlaws." He said. "I got away, but my horse threw me and I got tangled in some barbed wire."
"There's a town just a short ride away." Julie said. "I could take you to see the company doctor."
"I'll be fine." He insisted.
"I've read all about you rough and tumble cowboys." Julie said. "You can't just rub some dirt in that wound and hope it will mend. You need medical attention."
"Please." He said. "Just … just leave me be."
Julie started to leave and he let out a groan.
"Well." Julie said. "I can't just let you bleed to death."
"Then get me some bandages." He said. "And some alcohol, to keep it clean."
"Looks like you'll need some food as well." Julie said. "And something for the pain?"
"Yeah." He said. "Just don't go making this anyone's business in that town, okay. I like to keep to myself. I also don't want my boss to find out. I think he was working with the outlaws. I don't know who to trust, so I am taking a leap of faith here."
"Well." Julie said with an air of superiority. "You don't really have a choice, now, do you? But I won't tell anyone."
"This this is for your safety as much as it is mine." He said. "Like I said, I think my boss was working with the outlaws. I don't want to see you get hurt. Just make certain you're not being followed. I don't know what they would do if they found you helping me."
"I'll be back tomorrow." Julie said.
Julie stepped out onto the porch and he called to her.
"Hey." He said. "What is your name?"
"It's Julie." She said.
"Julie." He said. "That is real pretty."
"And what might your's be?" Julie asked.
"Nathaniel." He said.
"How can I believe you?" Julie asked.
"You don't have a choice now, do you?" Nathaniel said.
"Fine." Julie said. "Tomorrow."
With that, Julie left and Nathaniel watched her leave. He wasn't sure that was the best idea, but he really didn't have a choice. He just hoped that girl wasn't going to cause him trouble. Julie went back to her horse and headed back up the trail that she had been on. She took her time and finally got back to Constable O'Reilly and he wasn't happy. Julie didn't realize that she had been gone as long as she had.
"Where have you been?" Patrick demanded.
"I told you." Julie said.
"Well." Patrick said. "It is getting late and we need to get back to town. No more side trips."
"Fine." Julie huffed.
She rode ahead of Patrick and he kept a close eye on where they were and Julie. He had a bad feeling. He was sure that she had found some sort of trouble, but from what he could see no one was following them.