(Chapter Twenty-Five)
Bad News
"Jack!" a loud voice boomed behind him.
Jack swung around to discover Bill running from the jail in his direction.
"Bill – Is anything wrong?" Jack asked with concern in his voice.
"I just got word from Mountie Headquarters. There's a new gang headed our way."
"I see," Jack said as Bill handed him a poster of the outlaws.
"Ross, Abe, and Vince, I believe. They're bank robbers, and they have recently kidnapped a young girl. Her name is Belinda Marshall. She's from a town north of here."
"I see," Jack replied, not exactly sure what to say.
Bill nodded, his way of saying that the conversation was over. Jack nodded as he lifted the paper in his hand, his way of saying "thank you." And with that, Jack walked briskly to the mercantile to pick up a few items for his wife.
Two weeks later, Jack had no way around the fact that he must tell Elizabeth about the danger headed their way. He had been informed that help was on the way, but from what he had pieced together, it might not be in time.
"Elizabeth," Jack whispered one night as they were getting ready for bed.
"Yes?" his wife asked with concern filling her eyes and voice. Jack seemed to be very serious. Too serious to her way of thinking.
"What is it, Jack?"
"You know I wouldn't bother you if I didn't have to," he began.
Elizabeth nodded her understanding. Her husband never brought up anything that he thought might disturb her.
"But, there is a gang headed this way. I know you'll find out about it sooner or later. So I thought it best if you heard it from me."
Elizabeth held her breath and waited for Jack to continue.
"I don't want to tell you more than I have to – They are bank robbers. They've kidnapped a young girl names Belinda Marshall."
Elizabeth was very aggitated at this news; and being pregnant didn't help matters.
"Well, thank you for telling me, Jack. I'm so thankful that I heard it from you."
"You're welcome," he said, drawing her into his arms. He kissed her deeply. By the time he stopped to look at his lovely wife, she was breathless and flushed with happiness.
"Thank you for being so understanding," he said softly still holding her close.
He kissed her again and released her.
"Goodnight, darling. I love you," Jack said as they both climbed into bed.
"Goodnight, Jack. I love you too."
They blew out their candles and tried to fell asleep. It was not going to be an easy task.