Chapter 40
Abigail was baffled by Elizabeth's dress, but looked into the picnic basket just as Jack came into the cafe.
"Oh hello Abigail," Jack pointed to the picnic basket on the table, "I left an envelope in the basket."
She looked into the basket, "Yes and most of the food it appears…I guess you two were busy…"
Jack looked at her, "Yeah…we were…busy," unsure what Elizabeth told her.
"Well, when I saw Elizabeth's dress…"
"Oh, well that was an accident…" Jack scratched the back of his head nervously.
"An accident?" Abigail stared at him with a hint of a smile.
Jack started moving his hands, "Yeah, the way the back laced…I couldn't exactly…got it a bit mixed up," he shrugged and looked at her.
Abigail put her hand up, "You don't have to explain anything to me. You and Elizabeth are grownups…"
"Wait…what did she say..." Jack was confused.
Elizabeth came down the steps and interrupted them, "Did you decide to come back for something to eat?" She smiled at Jack and then looked at Abigail, "We didn't really get to eat."
"I'm aware of that…" Abigail was a bit surprised by Elizabeth's apparent admission.
"I just came back for the…I forgot my envelope in the basket," Jack said nervously.
"Oh…" Elizabeth reached for the basket. "We could eat, we worked up an appetite didn't we."
Abigail looked at Jack wide eyed.
"Yes…I mean no…I …I'm good," Jack patted his stomach as he glanced between Elizabeth and Abigail. "Maybe I should go…"
"Don't be silly," Elizabeth reached for his hand. "I can fill Abigail in later on what we did," she looked at Abigail, "you just wouldn't believe how Jack's hands got me out …"
"Elizabeth, she doesn't want to hear that," Jack interrupted, grinning nervously from Elizabeth's statement.
"Oh no, do tell, I am curious," Abigail folded her arms across her chest, listening intently.
"Well, you see my dress…"
"Elizabeth, can I see you outside please," Jack held her arm firmly.
"Now?" She was surprised by Jack's seemingly urgent request, "Yes…of course. Excuse us Abigail."
Jack slammed the door behind them, "What did you tell her?"
"Nothing…yet."
Jack exhaled, "Then why does she think…" He looked at her face, the questioning look she gave him made him realize she didn't know what he suspected Abigail was thinking. "Never mind." He tucked the envelope under his arm, touched her arms and kissed her cheek, "Good night."
Elizabeth, a bit stunned, watched him walk away, "Good night Jack."
She went back into the café, "Hmm, he's gone."
Abigail was taking items out of the basket. "I hope I didn't embarrass him," she couldn't help but smile.
"I don't think so, why would he be embarrassed?"
"Well, when I mentioned your dress, I think he was uncomfortable that I knew…"
Elizabeth laughed, "You know? You don't know, I didn't even tell you yet."
"What you and Jack do is your business, you don't have to tell me. That dress helped create some magic tonight but I know you're both sensible and proper and didn't do anything inappropriate."
Elizabeth was blinking, "Abigail, do you think Jack and I did something…"
Abigail put her hand up, "It's none of my business."
Elizabeth started breathing heavy, "Oh no…you don't think that we…what did Jack tell you? I'm going to go talk to him…" she walked to the door.
"No, he didn't say a word…" she rushed to Elizabeth's side, "it's okay, really."
"My dress got caught on a nail, Jack helped me untangle myself."
"The lacing in the back, it was quite the …design," her eyebrows raised, "certainly not the way I did it."
"The dress was caught on the lacing…poor Jack, he did his best to lace me up," Elizabeth started laughing, "Apparently he didn't do a very good job."
Abigail realizing the truth, began to laugh, "No, he didn't!" She thought about it for a moment, "Oh Elizabeth, poor Jack thinks….well, he thinks that I think….oh my goodness!"
The two ladies laughed. Elizabeth touched Abigail's arm, "Oh I'd love to play a little prank on him."
"Elizabeth…," Abigail warned.
Her hand covered her mouth, "He would be all flustered."
"I believe he already is!" Abigail laughed.
At the jail, Jack put the envelope of photographs next to his bed and sighed as he sat. He couldn't contain the grin that crept across his face as he thought of what Abigail said, "I guess you two were busy…" Jack laughed out loud as he lay back on the bed.
Morning came quickly as Elizabeth and Abigail drank coffee in silence, dreading saying good bye to the men for a few days. Elizabeth prayed they would be safe and return quickly.
"Elizabeth, I don't think you should say anything to Jack about last night," Abigail said.
Elizabeth smiled, "I won't…I thought about it and I think it's best just to forget it, besides I won't really be thinking of that today and I don't think he will be either."
The door opened and in came Jack and Bill, looking ready to travel.
"Can you feed us before we depart?" Bill asked.
"Of course," Abigail went into the kitchen and Bill followed her.
Jack sat down next to Elizabeth and took her hand, "Good morning."
"Good morning," she squeezed his hand, "I wish you didn't have to go,"
"Only for a few days, it will pass quickly," he leaned over and gave her a quick kiss, "please don't worry."
"I can't help but worry," she tried to smile.
"You know I won't be chasing outlaws or arresting kidnappers, so you don't have to worry, it's only training," Jack brought her hand to his lips.
After breakfast they all headed outside as Jack and Bill prepared to leave. Jack was concerned over Elizabeth's nervous demeanor and he put his arm around her shoulder, "Hey, why are you so worried?"
"I'm sorry, I am trying not to be…"
"You have to work with Adam, so you can't be nervous, I don't want any accidents while I'm away," Jack squeezed her closer and planted a kiss on her cheek.
"I know. I promise I won't destroy our house," she turned to face him.
Jack grinned, "That's my girl and watch out for nails…I won't be here to untangle you." He whispered as he kissed her ear.
Elizabeth giggled and hugged Jack. "Look at those two," Jack whispered.
Bill and Abigail were holding hands as Bill leaned and kissed her cheek, Elizabeth gasped softly, "Oh look, that's so nice to see."
Jack nodded, "Yes, it is," he turned Elizabeth's face to his, "now kiss me good bye."
"Can you send me a telegram…that you've arrived safely," she requested.
"Sure, but you really are worrying too much," he kissed her again and walked to his horse.
Elizabeth hooked her arm with Abigail's and watched the men head out. The ladies made their way back to the café.
"I think I'll head to the house and see Adam, I have to get busy," Elizabeth finished helping Abigail with the dishes.
"I understand…later we can have a cooking lesson, that will help pass the time too," Abigail touched her arm.
"Thank you," Elizabeth said.
At the home site, Adam had prepared an area for Elizabeth to work, keeping her safe and safely away from doing any damage to the construction that was already completed.
"Well hello Miss Thatcher. I've prepared a work space for you," Adam pointed.
"Please, call me Elizabeth," she followed him.
"Here is your chisel."
"Chisel?" Elizabeth looked closely at the tool, "Interesting…"
"Well, we'll call it a chisel. Shall we begin?" Adam asked.
On the road, Jack and Bill stopped to rest the horses. "Bill we have to get this training finished as quickly as possible," Jack said, "Elizabeth is really worried and I hate to see that."
"Yes, we do have a couple of beautiful women to get back to," Bill smiled, "and worrying them won't be good."
"Nice to see things going so well for you and Abigail."
"You did say women can change their minds quickly. You're a wise man Jack, and you're especially astute when it comes to women," Bill said.
Jack laughed, "I don't think I'd go quite that far."
"Let's get back on the road and get this over with."
Back at the home site, Elizabeth's hard work was not producing much success. "Adam, I can't seem to get this chisel to work."
"You're getting there, that looks more like a letter than the others," he looked at the small pile of wood next to her feet. "Don't give up…not yet."
"Maybe I should do something else, do you have somehing you need hammered?"
"No!" Adam looked at her, not meaning to sound so forceful in his response, "Now, now, don't give up, have faith. You're going to create something beautiful and the Constable will be very pleased and proud."
Elizabeth sighed and picked up a fresh piece of wood and started again.
The next day Jack and Bill arrived at Sanders Train Station, surprised to see the number of Mountie's grouped around. "This should be interesting…" Bill said as he led the way to the livery.
Bill and Jack checked in with the commanding officers in charge of the training.
"Thornton, you're going to be giving a training tomorrow," one of the officers said to Jack.
"What? What do you mean 'giving a training'?"
"Says here you're giving the Tactical Maneuvers session, 9:00 a.m." He handed Jack a packet of materials.
Jack took the packet and turned to Bill, "Guess I better find a spot to look this over, no sense arguing with them."
Bill was handed a packet too, titled Forensic Investigation. "I guess they forgot to send us the telegram that we were teaching." The two headed off to the hotel where they were to be housed. They enjoyed a nice meal and began reviewing their assignments.
The next morning Jack and Bill began their respective training sessions. Bill's went smoothly but Jack ran into some trouble with several Mounties who thought Jack did not possess the experience to be instructing Mounties on tactical maneuvers. Two Mounties in particular were tough on Jack and responded with questions and comments to almost everything Jack had to say.
"I heard the Tolliver gang was just a few kids out for a good time, they couldn't have been that tough to arrest," one Mountie named Amendola smirked.
"Thornton, I heard one shot was fired and they pretty much surrendered. Doesn't sound very tactical to me," a Mountie named Edelman said loud enough for others to hear.
Jack put his notebook down, "The fact that the Tolliver gang was captured and arrested with only a single gunshot is a playbook for a tactical maneuver gentlemen. When cowards use innocent women as a protective shield, yes, they can be defined as kids, and we should be able to take them down easily and without guns blazing. If you don't comprehend that then I suggest you go back to basic training."
Nick Horton, a Mountie sitting back twirling a pencil, spoke up, "Yeah, yeah, can you just get on with it so we can all get out of here."
Jack looked at him, "I'll have you out of here shortly, if you will all pay attention and stop interrupting me for no good reason."
Later that day, Bill met up with Jack and they went to the hotel for dinner. An officer approached them, "Gentlemen, I'd like to give you both tickets to the Mountie Ball, a small gesture of thanks for teaching the sessions you have," he smiled, "without notice…"
Bill took the envelope the man offered, "Thank you, our lovely ladies will enjoy attending the Mountie Ball I'm sure."
Jack had heard of the Mountie Ball, "Where is this Mountie Ball? Have you ever attended?"
Bill raised his eyebrows, "I've been to a few in my career. My feeling is that is an opportunity for the women to get dressed in a big fancy ball gown," he took a drink from his water glass, "of course if you like to dance, I suppose it can be a good time."
Jack shook his head, "Dancing is okay, as long as you have a pretty woman in your arms." He smiled thinking of all the times he danced holding Elizabeth. "I've been lucky."
"I know you're missing Elizabeth, but maybe we can get out of here early."
"Sounds good to me. Do you think Abigail would like to go to the Ball?" Jack thought Elizabeth would like it.
"I'll have to think about it. It would involve traveling and staying in a hotel. How do you feel about that?"
Jack smiled, remembering, "We did a lot of that traveling to her parent's home and back. I rather enjoyed it."
"The ladies could share a room and you and I could share," Bill smiled, "Not the most romantic arrangement, but we could make it fun, couldn't we?"
Jack laughed softly, "We could and we will."
"You know Jack, I know you and Elizabeth plan to get married, don't put it off. Once you get that house finished, marry that girl Jack!"
"That is my plan. I think this Mountie Ball might be a good opportunity for us to finalize our wedding plans," Jack grinned.
"Good, glad to hear it. Life can change in an instant, you have to move forward. I know you're looking forward to being married."
Jack couldn't hide his feelings, "Yes of course I am," he cleared his throat, "are you offering me marriage advice?"
"Advice? I think you already know the basics. Keep her happy, be patient…." Bill shrugged.
"I don't want her to be unhappy," Jack said softly, "I want her to be happy…with marriage…"
"Jack, again, be patient. From everything I've seen, you're a good match," Bill leaned forward and lowered his voice, "you know women like being married, they enjoy it."
Jack blinked and drank rapidly from his water glass.
Back in Coal Valley, Elizabeth was still hard at work on her project, determined to get it just right and impress Jack. Adam was worried, she just wasn't getting the hang of it and he decided to intervene.
"Elizabeth, perhaps we should rethink your project and simplify it…just a bit," he smiled sympathetically, "can I show you what I have in mind?"
Elizabeth put the chisel down, her hand wrapped in a bandage, "Yes, that's a sensible idea at this point, my hand is sore and I can't get it to look right," she fought back a tear.
"Don't be upset, you've done a commendable job," Adam said.
"Commendable, but not very good, it looks awful," Elizabeth threw down the piece of wood, "I've wasted all this wood, you could build a whole other house with all the wood I've messed up."
Adam laughed a bit, "No, that's not true, I can use this wood for something else, don't worry about that." He sat next to her, "Let's see what we can make …let's try something new."
Back near Sanders Train Station, a lot of the men celebrated that evening, having completed the classroom work of their training. The next day would be field maneuvers where they would be on teams and review scouting and surveillance techniques. Jack and Bill talked with other Mounties, some of whom were letting off a bit of steam after being cooped up in a classroom all day. Horton, Amendola and Edelman got louder, arguing about something. Bill approached them, "Gentlemen, what's the issue here?"
"Nothing, just having a discussion," Horton replied looking past Bill and giving Jack a disgruntled look, "about tactical maneuvers…."
Amendola slapped Horton's shoulder, "Come on, let's go."
Jack felt the tension in his jaw.
"Jack, let them go, they're just letting off steam and being immature," Bill sighed, "they'll learn."
"They have a lot to learn," Jack walked away, looking over his shoulder several times. "I'm tired, tired of these men. I think I'm going to call it a night."
Back in his hotel room, Jack took out the photos of Elizabeth and ran his thumb over the photograph, "I love you Elizabeth and I miss you." He put the photo on the table next to the bed and reclined on the bed and soon fell asleep.
At the café, Abigail was concerned about Elizabeth's mood. "You know, Jack knows you aren't a woodworker, you don't have to make this."
"I know, but I want to. Besides I'm getting the hang of it," Elizabeth said resting her chin on her fist. "It's just taking longer than I thought."
"Well I know you won't give up," Abigail said, "do you need anything for your hands?"
"No, they'll be fine, thank you," she stood, "I'm going to bed, I'm exhausted."
In her room, she took the photo of her and Jack and ran her thumb over it, "I love you Jack and I miss you."
The next morning Jack and Bill headed out to the field where the training was to be held. Men were busy dispersing crates of ammunition and artillery along the outskirts of the field. Jack headed out to help one group along a line of trees while Bill verified the counts of the crates that were being unloaded. He was watching Amendola use a hammer on a crate lid, "Watch how hard you're pounding that, we don't want any fingers lost in this maneuver."
Bill was about to climb into the wagon when over his shoulder he heard an explosion. He and several men ran to the where a cloud of smoke covered the wagon and the men. Bill pushed his way through, "Oh no…," he raised his voice, "We need help here!" He continued walking, trying to gauge the extent of the damage. Several injured men lay on the ground. "Jack! Oh no…Jack!"
At the café, Abigail was trying not to laugh at Elizabeth as she, being a dedicated teacher, instructed the biscuits to rise and bake evenly. "I hope they listen to you," she smiled knowing her friend was trying hard to produce a platter of edible biscuits.
Ned Yost rushed through the door, "Miss Thatcher, got a telegram for you, wanted you to get it right away." He handed her the paper and left.
Elizabeth smiled, "Thank you," she looked at Abigail, "maybe they're on their way back…oh no, what does this mean…Abigail," as she handed the paper to her.
Abigail read the telegram aloud, "Accident. Get Jack. Cooperton Train Station. Thursday 1:30." She read it again, "What does it mean?"
"Accident? He must be hurt…oh no Abigail…" Elizabeth started to breath heavy.
"Now wait, let's think about this," Abigail didn't want Elizabeth to panic but it did sound like Jack was hurt or injured somehow, "….maybe he hurt his foot and can't ride, or fell off his horse and hurt his shoulder…"
"No, no Jack would never fall off his horse…maybe we can telegram them and ask for more information. I have to arrange a carriage to Cooperton," she began pacing in the kitchen, "I know, Vernon is still here with my father's coach, I'm going to see him."
"Elizabeth, stay calm!" Abigail yelled as Elizabeth ran out the door.
Elizabeth ran up the stairs of the saloon and banged on Vernon's door until he answered, alarmed at her panicked state. "Miss Elizabeth, what is it?"
"Vernon, you have to take me to Cooperton!"
"Now?"
"Something's happened to Jack, tomorrow…we have to leave tomorrow morning!" She turned and ran down the hall and down the stairs. Vernon watched her leave knowing better than to try to stop her to ask questions.
The next morning Elizabeth and Vernon headed out to Cooperton. Elizabeth put her head back and prayed for Jack to be okay. The ride seemed to take forever, but they finally arrived just after noon.
Vernon assisted Elizabeth from the coach and tried to calm her. "Stay here, I'll go see if I can find out when the train is due, maybe it will be early."
Elizabeth nodded, nervously twisting her fingers around the strings of her purse. She looked everywhere for Jack, "Okay, I don't see him…the telegram said the train was due at 1:30. It will be fine, everything will be fine," she kept repeating to herself.
After what felt like hours of waiting and pacing, the sound of the train whistle was a relief to both of them. Elizabeth ran up the platform as the train came to a stop. She kept looking at Vernon, who unfortunately knew as little as she did, although he did try to help by looking in the train windows hoping to see Jack.
Elizabeth continued twisting her purse strings until a train conductor approached her. "Good day to you Miss, would a fetchin' pretty gal like you be looking to board a train, this one is coming in so you're in the wrong spot Miss." The man had such a heavy accent Elizabeth didn't even listen to him.
"Do you work for the train? Did you come in on this train?"
"Yes, I'd be from this here train Ma'm," he smiled and tipped his hat.
"I'm looking for a passenger, can you please help me…." She kept looking past him, hoping to see Jack disembark.
"Who, who is it your looking for Miss?"
"Jack…I mean Constable Thornton, do you know him?"
"Ahh," the man rubbed his chin, "Constable?"
"Yes, he's a Mountie," Elizabeth was almost bouncing from her impatience, she didn't hear Vernon softly calling her name.
The conductor thought for a moment, "Oh dear, Miss…you've come for the Mountie?"
"Yes….where is he?"
The conductor pointed behind Elizabeth, "He'd be over there Miss, I'm so sorry."
Elizabeth frowned, "What? Where?"
"Are you his wife?"
"No…"
"Are you next of kin?"
Elizabeth turned, "Where, I don't see him…" then she noticed Vernon shaking his head. He was standing over a simple pine coffin, holding his hat down near his leg.
"What? No…" she laughed nervously, "What do you mean? He's not there…that's not where he is…"
Vernon knelt to read the tin plaque hammered into the top of the coffin, he gently moved the woven cross that covered the plaque aside and nodded as he looked at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth put her hands up, her fingers splayed, "What? No…no…NO!" She began to walk toward the coffin, her breathing becoming heavier and louder, then she ran, collapsing at the side of the box gasping for breath as the tears came. Her hands hovering over the top, afraid to touch it, afraid that would make it true. "No…no…this isn't possible." She felt her heart pound as she placed a hand tentatively on the top and quickly pulled it away covering her mouth. She sobbed and began to shake as she sank lower on the platform floor, leaning onto the coffin. Finally touching it, she began clawing at it, "No, Jack wouldn't leave me…not my Jack," she looked at Vernon through her tears, "No, Jack can't be in here…it's not so. It can't be. I knew something bad was going to happen, no...oh please no." She sat up straighter, "There has to be a mistake! There just has to have been a mistake."
Vernon tried to touch her shoulder, "Miss…let's get up and talk to someone…"
Elizabeth screamed and pushed Vernon away, "NO! Jack! I can't be without my Jack!" She rubbed her hands against the wood, banging on it. She moved so she could read the tin plaque and yanked the cross off, "What? Look! Look...it doesn't say Jack Thornton!" She pulled herself up, "It isn't Jack, it isn't my Jack!"
She turned and stood, feeling anger rising in her chest. She rushed to the conductor, "How could you do such a thing? How could you tell me Jack Thornton was dead and in a box," she kept pointing to the coffin, "Laying out here on a train platform…in a box. How could you do that?" She couldn't control her tears only now they were angry tears. "It's terrible to do that to a person..." Then over the conductor's shoulder she saw him…she saw Jack… her Jack.
She began to tremble again, she looked over her shoulder at Vernon, who smiled and gently shook his head, fighting his own emotion. Elizabeth began slowly walking to Jack, who had yet to see her, and she flew into his arms.
"Jack!" She almost knocked him backwards, her arms around his neck so tight he couldn't move, he tugged her arm with one hand, holding a crutch with his other hand.
"Elizabeth…hello…Elizabeth," he was happy and trying not to tip over with her in his arms.
"Jack!" She grabbed his face and kissed him repeatedly. "Jack, oh Jack. Thank heavens you're all right," she continued to cry as she kissed his cheeks and his lips, "Jack…my wonderful Jack."
"I'm fine…it's okay," Jack didn't know what to make of her exuberance. "Calm down, I'm fine."
"You don't understand, they told me... but I knew it couldn't be true, not you, not my Jack. Not Jack Thornton, not the Jack I know," she squeezed his face, kissed him and then ran her hand down his chest, "You look wonderful."
"Well, my leg is a little cut up, but it's nothing serious. They said I shouldn't ride a horse," Jack stopped trying to stop her attention, "Vernon… is that Vernon over there?"
"Yes, he brought me to you Jack. I'm so glad you're okay, let's go home," she tugged on his arm finally noticing the crutch, "What's that?"
"It's to help my leg...Elizabeth, are you okay?" Jack was concerned that she was so emotional.
"I am now," she kissed him again.
Vernon approached and robustly shook Jack's hand, "Very good to see you. Let's get you into the coach."
Elizabeth held Jack's arm the entire way to the coach, "Vernon, help him in there."
Vernon shook his head and assisted Jack. Jack whispered to Vernon, "Is she okay? Why is she acting like this?"
"She'll explain…I'm sure she'll explain," Vernon replied.
Elizabeth climbed in and immediately crawled as close as she could get to Jack. "Hi..."
"Hi..." he looked at her quizzically.
"I'm so glad you're okay," she bit her lip trying not to cry as she kissed him.
"I've only been gone a few days, this is quite a welcome…" Jack said as she continued kissing his face.
"Jack! They told me…" she looked down and swallowed unsure of how to word it, "the conductor told me you were ….you were dead," she glanced at him, but looked down again, "He told me you were in a coffin that they unloaded from the train. Jack, I was…I was devastated…I thought…the thought of you being…" she started shaking her head and began to sob again.
"Hey, come here," Jack pulled her into his arms, "I'm sorry, that shouldn't have happened. Please don't cry, I'm okay."
She gulped and gasped softly trying to control her emotions, "Tell me what happened….you're hurt, how did that happen?"
"There was an explosion, the details aren't important right now. Bill is fine, he'll bring the horses back to Coal Valley. One of the men did get killed," Jack looked into her eyes, "Maybe that is why the conductor was confused, Horton was the man's name."
"Oh dear, yes, that must be why…I'm sorry for him Jack," Elizabeth said softly.
He wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb, "I know, me too." He kissed her and Elizabeth's emotions flared again.
She started kissing his face again as her hands squeezed his cheeks. Jack laughed at her actions, until she began kissing his neck and she moved over him, trailing her kisses down his throat to the other side of his neck. Jack laid his head back enjoying her affection, holding onto her arm as her hands moved from his face, slowly down his neck to his chest. He hissed as her lips moved lower on his neck. He didn't want her to stop, but he moved and squeezed her arm, "Elizabeth, it's okay, I'm here, I'm not going anywhere."
She looked up into his eyes and he couldn't help but kiss her lips.
"Jack Thornton, you're never leaving me again." They held each other for the rest of the trip, although Elizabeth held Jack a little tighter…