CHAPTER 23 PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME DO THIS, MRS THORNTON

A/N I want to apologize to my readers who went looking for the Chapters I had posted but quickly withdrew. I had been working off 36 hours of no sleep due to a bad arthritic flare on my pain medication, so some of it was gibberish, missing sentences, and repetition of paragraphs. I want to thank those who graciously (No snarkiness meant here, only genuine gratitude) pointed out what was wrong. I added a few things in rewriting and correcting them, and I think the finished product is much better. I sincerely hope you will like the surprises in the following four chapters. A special note: The Fort Clay plot is very similar to A song of the Heart. It's Constable Mrs. Thornton, Endless Love, and maybe others, so I want to credit them here. When Hargraves is involved, it's tough to create new unique plots. I've gone over and over and over these chapters, so if there are more errors, they are permanent.

"Well, I'm glad you three spoke up though I already knew that Lucas was a scoundrel. However, this is a new low for him. However, Judge Avery, Constable Grant, can you tell me truthfully that what that man said was a lie? The three of you knew about what happened at Fort Clay and didn't tell me?"

"No, we can't. But..." Nathan started to answer. Without letting Nathan finish his sentence, she continued, oblivious to how much she was disrespecting them. Bill had quietly called Rosemary and told her to send Abigail to the jail right away. Although it wouldn't have mattered because Elizabeth was agitated, she didn't even notice. In her mind, all she could see was that article with pictures while Hargrave was doing the commentary.

"Well then, I guess you're all the same as Lucas in my eyes, and I need to go and remove Mayor Stanton from my home. If you gentleman, and I use that term loosely, will excuse me." About that time, Abigail walked in wondering what was going on."

"Oh, Mayor Stanton! How convenient, because now I won't have to order you out of my home. Would you like to tell me where my son is? Or did you leave him home by himself?" How dare you call yourself upholders of the law or even my friends. You're more like the keepers of secrets. If you excuse me, I have to get home to my son."

She headed to the door and almost made it until she heard Bill call out to Nathan.

"Constable Grant!" Bill said. With a sigh of resignation, Nathan walked over, shutting the door before she could leave. "Elizabeth Thornton, you are under arrest for Contempt of Court, Failure to Appear. Harassment of Public Officials."

'Oh Elizabeth, why did you not listen. Nathan thought. Now I am going to have this on my conscience. You can be so hardheaded and strong-willed at times. After all, you've heard and seen Lucas do; I can't believe you've just brushed it off. Now he helped Hargraves and set you up for the Fort Clay story at Jack's grave. But you would instead go to jail than listen to the truth. You would rather blame your friends for betrayal and believe someone you just met. You would rather believe lies instead of looking for the fact.

He started getting irritated at this point, and suddenly, it became funny at the look on her face. Hargraves was beginning to get under his skin. It seemed there was nowhere he could go beyond that man's reach. He had a strong desire just to give up and leave the Mounties. Maybe he should discuss it with Bill.

Henry and Jessie looked up in shock at his words, sure they had heard wrong. Clara put a voice to their thoughts. "Bill, did you just say something about Nathan taking her into custody?"

"Constable Grant, the hearing is set for 9 am tomorrow. Until then, Mrs. Thornton can enjoy the comforts of one of our cells. Clara, you will be in charge of meals starting with dinner until I tell you differently.

"Bill, you can't do this! I've done nothing wrong, and I'm not staying here. Nathan, don't you do this because I will never forgive either of you."

"Stop right there, Mrs. Thornton, because you cannot address us informally. Constable Grant and Judge Avery said with an authoritative tone she had never heard.

At her questioning look, he said, "It's straightforward, Mrs. Thornton. I do not allow those in custody to be informal such as on a first-name basis, as it's not proper. So, you are to address us as Judge Avery, or your honor, and I am Constable Grant. Do you understand?"

Nathan gently took her arm and walked to the cell as he shut the door. He went to his desk to sit down, thinking again about their situation. He had to admit that he was starting to enjoy her predicament. But her words still stung and wounded his heart.

Nathan thought they were beginning to move towards a relationship after the dance, but apparently, he was wrong. She came waltzing in and had her say, dismissing everything her friends told her. I wish Hargraves hadn't shown her the newspaper article of Jack and the other recruits. Not to mention the article contained things that would have broken her heart. He couldn't blame her for being upset even. At least she can't run away when she hears something she doesn't like. Although what she is going to hear is going to be painful. Bill and Abigail plan on telling her everything about Fort Clay. I think maybe I'm going to step back and concentrate on friendship. I'm not going to keep going through this push and pull; instead, I will focus on Allie. She will never see me as someone with whom she could start a relationship anyway.

"Mrs. Thornton, you already hold me in contempt and have unforgiveness in your heart towards me. I can't get any lower in your perception of me as far as I can see," he said sadly.

Elizabeth lowered her head in shame because of his perception of how she looked at him. She was starting to see things a little clearer, and it was an ugly sight. 'Why didn't she keep her mouth shut and listen to Bill? She needed to examine everything and make some changes.

"But I have to listen to Judge Avery and hold all to the same standard, even you as a law officer." She could hear Nathan talking to her about what was expected. "I also took an oath to uphold the law, which includes following through for the Judge. An oath I intend to honor regardless of who it involves. If you had listened, you would have heard what he was saying instead of just barging in here and realizing it was in an official capacity. You're the one who escalated the whole thing, and now you have to suffer the consequences of your actions. You came here not as Elizabeth to see Nathan and Bill. Instead, you charge into the Jail, yelling at Constable Grant and Judge Avery while making wild accusations. Then you throw accusations against another public official, namely our mayor. Making what could be construed as threats against her. You may want to rethink that behavior because it's insulting Mrs. Thornton and unbecoming."

"He told you that he wasn't requesting an audience, but you certainly said no. Even after he told you that you left him no choice, you still disrespected a judge. Tell me, Mrs. Thornton, at any time were you addressed just by Elizabeth?"

"No, I guess I wasn't."

"Did you address us by Nathan or Bill? "

"No, I guess I didn't."

"I rest my case, Mrs. Thornton. You have done enough to warrant the charges of contempt of court and failure to appear." As he finished, she heard the lock click on the cell door. He turned and walked away but not before she saw the pain and sadness in his eyes.

I need to reassure him I understand because he is right. The fault for this entire mess belongs at my door. He has that inquiry beginning tomorrow, and I have just added more to his plate—my poor Nathan. I have to make this right between us as much as possible.

"Bill, I'm going to do rounds, and then since you are staying, I'm heading home." He said as he walked to the door. But all of them heard the catch in his voice.

As he left Elizabeth, he saw how much she had hurt him. When did I get to be this horrible person? She realized that she was afraid of losing him, but it was already happening anyway. Elizabeth, by her actions, deliberately hurt a wonderful man who cared about her and loved her son.

.

"That's fine, Nathan, but would you please stop by the Coulter's first before you do and inform them of Mrs. Thornton's location? I've been advised that her minor child's location by Mayor Stanton." Nathan just nodded, dreading that conversation.

"Tell them to call if they have any questions."

As the door closed behind Nathan, they all turned and looked at Elizabeth with mixed expressions. Disbelief, pain, aggravation, anger, sadness and frustration, and disgust. Between them. Bill indicated for them to follow him outside. As the door closed, Clara turned towards him. It didn't escape her notice that Abigail left without a word at some point.

"Bill, what are you doing? Is this necessary? What happened between the three of you?"

Before he could respond, Henry spoke up first, "Clara, I know it seems harsh, but I think he did the right thing. Did you hear her excusing what Lucas did after what we all told her? It's also obvious that whatever the other is about involves Nathan and this Inquiry. But more importantly, about some hidden agenda that Hargraves has to hurt him using her. I can read people, and there's something that man is hiding."

Then Jessie added, "Clara, you know Elizabeth is like a daughter to him. He feels the same way towards you. If you don't think so, just look at Bill's face and see it wasn't an easy decision. Based on Nathan's points with her, I agree she met the requirements for those charges."

Clara thought about it and then gathered Bill to her in a hug. "I'm sorry, Bill, and I'll go get dinner for you. Is there anything else you need me to do?"

"It's alright, Clara, but can you have Abigail come by?" she nodded and then went to take care of dinner.

"Thank you both for speaking up for me and understanding. Since Lucas and Andrew aren't aware that they were overheard, can you guys go keep an eye on them?"

"Absolutely." Then both men left and headed to the saloon. They told her out of concern but couldn't understand why she just dismissed it as if it didn't matter. She couldn't face the fact that she could be wrong because her pride wouldn't let her. But if she was truthful, it was even more than that. This whole thing was ridiculous as she thought about it. She didn't even believe what she responded with about Lucas. She knew in her heart he was a first-class jerk. What was she doing, and who was she becoming? She was changing into a person she didn't recognize and hurting someone she lo… No, I can't allow myself to even think about going there. I'll give Lucas some leeway, at least for now, and deal with him later at some point. But Hargraves was another story, and she would listen to Bill tomorrow. Then she would have something to say to the Mountie before he left town. She had a feeling he had grossly overstated what Nathan did while downplaying his. She also had to apologize to both men that loved her and watched out for her and her son selflessly. There was someone else she needed to talk with that could help her more than anyone else. So, she knelt in her cell and began to pray, seeking forgiveness and guidance.

When she finished, she sat down and reflected on the times she spent here with Jack. 'I wonder if he slept in this cell or the other when he lived here early on. When she looked at the foot of the bed, Elizabeth saw and recognized a familiar blanket. She used it to cover up as she and Rip waited for him to return one evening out of concern for him. It was the night Bill had been attacked outside the mine and evidence stolen, and Jack went after them. Her thoughts were interrupted when the door opened. She looked up and saw Bill and Abigail come in disappointment and hurt on their faces. They carried food containers, and she wondered if he would let her out to eat or … Bill approached the cell and grabbed the key while looking at Elizabeth. She stood up, expecting that he would have her eat with him at the desk. She smiled as Bill unlocked the door, but her smile disappeared when he just handed the food to her and relocked it. He didn't say a word to her but looked at her for a moment and then walked away. Then Abigail joined him at the desk, and they ate dinner together. She noticed something different about their interactions. They were sitting close together, almost as a couple would. They whispered, and every so often, one of them would laugh at something the other said. Then she saw Abigail touch his hand or arm, and a few times, their gazes locked. It was as if she wasn't even in the room.

When did this happen? It made her sad, although she was happy for both of them. Had she been so caught up in her own life and the mess she created that she forgot about her friends? Somehow, she knew that she had. It was something that had to change as soon as possible. She sat back down on the bed with a smile and a pang of regret and ate her dinner. After she finished, she placed everything by the door so they could grab it. Then feeling tired, she stretched out on the bed. She laid down with her back turned to give them some privacy and covered up with the blanket. As she lay there, she thought about everything that had occurred over the past few months. Tears began to fall as she reflected on the hurt; she had inflicted. Tears began to fall down her face as she thought of the pain reflected in Nathan's eyes.

Across the room, Abigail and Bill looked over at the cell at a loss of what to do. When Clara first told her that Elizabeth was in jail, she was about to charge her. But then Clara told her what had happened, and she knew he was right. Shortly afterward, she brought food for the three of them to the Jail. Her heart broke as she saw the sad look on his face as he sat outside. When she inquired if Elizabeth had changed her mind, could he let her go?

"Abigail, as much as I hate it, she went too far. If I let it go, then it compromises the oath I took. I had no choice but to follow through with it. There is enough to hold her and charge her, but I can drop them later. But she has to hear the truth, and at least right now, she is a captive audience. Honestly, I am worried about her mental health because she acts irrationally. Maybe she needs to take a week off and visit family. I can only imagine the impact that article had in addition to what he was telling her. I want to go over there right now, and…." Bill didn't finish the sentence, but Abigail knew Bill enough to guess. She would be willing to help him.

"Well, as Mayor, I can get with Carson and have him medically order it. I think he would go along with it, and I think Nathan could use a break from her. Did you get all the information about it because she will need proof, I'm sure? Hopefully, she won't give you a hard time with me being here too. It might also make it easier for her to hear because she will be hurt because of Jack and Nathan. Despite what she says, I know her well enough to see her love for him."

"She may have pushed Nathan too far this time Abigail," Bill said sadly, leaning over to give her a quick kiss. As they approached the cell, they could see her shoulders shaking and knew she was crying. Abigail looked at Bill with a raised brow in question. He nodded silently and gave her the keys so she could enter. Elizabeth was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't hear the door unlock.