The Thornton Trust

Chapter 5: Complications

Author's Note: I hope you enjoy my chapter, "Complications".

Charlotte woke up to the sun creeping in through the window. She reached over for her husband, then pulled her hand back to her chest as the realization hit her...he was gone. Tom Thornton never knew how long he would be away, but he always told her that he would be back soon. She cherished those words. She recalled their conversation the morning he left.

'How long will you be gone, this time?' Charlotte asked hopefully.

'Now, Char, you know I don't know for sure. Constable Houston did say it was only for a few days, but you know how a few days can easily turn into a few weeks.' Tom pulled Charlotte into his arms.

An errant tear escaped her eye. Tom took his hand and caught it on his finger, bringing it to his lips. Char caught her breath as he pressed his lips to her cheek, catching the rest of her tears which were determined to escape down her face.

'Char, please don't cry. It kills me to see you so sad.' Tom implored. 'Jack and Tom need their ma.' Tom explained.

'I know, Tom. You're right.' Charlotte sighed. 'I'll do my best to not cry, but I won't make any promises.' Charlotte smiled sheepishly.

'My Char! I love you so much, darling!' Tom enthused as he kissed her lips chastely.

Charlotte was having none of this kissing chastely on the lips. She took Tom's collar of his unbuttoned red serge and kissed him so hard that his ancestors would feel her love. Tom walked her back to the kitchen wall, pressing her against it. His arms securely wrapped around her waist as hers were holding the back of his neck, her fingers playing with the hair on the nape of his neck. Tom's lips lingered on Charlotte's as he continued to delight his wife. Tom loved his Charlotte so much. She had changed his world. He had once told her that Mounties don't get married. It wasn't long after that that he couldn't live without having this amazing woman in his life. Charlotte had told him that they would be married by that following spring. She was right. Tom had never dreamed that he could have it all: Becoming a Mountie, a wife and two strapping young boys. He knew how truly blessed he was. He was indeed a rich man. At length, Tom broke away from their kiss, still holding her in his arms.

'Now, Char.' Tom began.

'I know, Tom.' Char interrupted, pressing her fingers to his lips. 'No more tears.' She kissed him one last time.

Tom righted his red serge and within a matter of minutes, he was out the door. He looked back at Char as she watched him from their front porch. She blew him a kiss and he reached his hand up as if he was catching it and pressed it to his heart.

'I will not cry, unless I'm alone in my room.' Charlotte vowed.

Charlotte was brought back from her reverie when she heard a knock on the door. She opened the door to Jack and Tom. They smiled at her and informed her that they were going to school.

"Have a good day, children." Charlotte kissed each of them on the cheek and sent them on their way.

"Good day, Ma!" Jack and Tom expressed as they grabbed their coats and closed the door behind them.

Jack and Tom were passing the little girls house. Jack looked at the window and noticed that she wasn't there. He sighed as he realized that she may never watch for him again. He hated that he couldn't take back what he said, but it was too late. He had ruined his chances with her. She was the unatainable girl. He was determined to forget her. Tom had been rattling on about something, when he suddenly saw the girl stepping out of a car a few feet away.

"Shh. Tom please be quiet. Here, lets go this way." Jack urged his brother down an allyway.

"What is it, Jack?" Tom inquired.

Jack peeked his head out from behind the building. Shushing his brother and motioning him to stay there, Jack walked over to a bush strategically placed by the building she was in front of. Jack listened to the conversation she was having with a young boy. He was tall, skinny and had a smug look on his face. Jack knew right away that he didn't like him. Jack was unimpressed.

"I hope you have a pleasant day!" The young boy offered his arm to Elizabeth.

She took his arm and alighted the car. She nodded, but did not speak. She curtsied as the boy got into the car and his driver drove him away.

"Yes, do go for I do not wish you back again." Elizabeth breathed as she watched him leave.

Jack had watched as he was trying to figure out what his heart was telling him. He didn't like that this boy was in her company, but what could he do about it. He had turned her away. He was rude and his rudeness hurt her. She didn't watch for him from her window any longer. His heart was heavy as he watched her start to walk towards him. He couldn't move without her seeing him. So he stood up, catching her off guard.

"Hello!" Jack greeted the stunned girl. "It's a beautiful day!" Jack expressed. 'You're beautiful!' He thought to himself as he guaged her reaction.

"Hello, Jack." The girl responded, not knowing what to do.

She was all in knots. She couldn't think when he was near her. He had been so rude during their last encounter and yet, he was being so polite this time, that it took her by surprise. Realization hit her suddenly.

"What are you doing here? Were you spying on me?" The girl accused. "How dare you!" She seethed.

"Well, no. I was on my way to school and you were getting out of that boys car." Jack began lamely. "I didn't want to interrupt your conversation." Jack stopped as he saw her expression.

"What's it to you, anyway?" The girl questioned. "You're jealous!" She smiled.

"I'm not jealous. I'm concerned is all." Jack countered.

"Why would you be? You have made it perfectly clear that we are from two different social circles. So why would you 'concern' yourself with whom I have in my company?" The girl asked, her temper flared.

"I, uh, um. I'm not sure why. I just am, alright." Jack explained.

"Well, you needn't concern yourself with me, Jack!" The girl turned on her heal and stormed off.

Jack watched her go back to her house. This was not going to be easy. He wanted them to resume their tentative friendship, but he didn't know how to make things right. He had put his foot in his mouth, yet again and she was not going to let him forget it. He sighed as she gave him one last look as she slammed the door. Jack turned and headed back to his brother.

"Let's go, Tom." Jack called to his brother. "We're going to be late for school."

They walked to school in silence.

While Tom Thornton was on leave…...

Miles away, Constable Houston had arrived in Cape Fullerton. He had interviewed several of the families who had given Tom Thornton the information he needed to further his investigation. Constable Houston was not sure what Tom had gleamed from all the intel he gathered, but he had hoped that he was still in the dark about what was really going on. Constable Houston left the widow, Constance Hemmings home with what he hoped was the information that would help him stop Constable Thornton from investigating any further. He thought back to their conversation.

'Now, Mrs. Hemmings, I was informed that you had some documents that proved that this man had indeed taken your money and promised you a new life on a new ranch with land and money to buy livestock, is that correct?' Constable Houston inquired.

'Yes. He promised me so much. I gave him my husband's and my nest egg.' She responded. "Then he took it and I haven't heard from him since.'

'I'll make sure that the man investigating this case will get these documents.' He paused. 'Why didn't you given him these papers when he last spoke with you, Ma'am?' Constable Houston inquired.

'I didn't know if I could trust him. He seemed trustworthy, but I haven't heard word from him.' Mrs. Hemmings acknowledged.

'I see.' Was all the reply Constable Houston gave her as he turned to walk away.

'Please! Help me!' She called out to him.

Constable Houston turned and nodded his head. 'I'll be sure to help...to help myself.' He thought inwardly. 'Constable Tom Thornton will not get this information and I will get what is due me.' He snickered as he walked back to his car and drove back to Hamilton.

The widow watched in hope as the kind constable drove away. She trusted that he would do what he promised. He would find the person responsible for them losing their money and bring him to justice.

Present day...back in Cape Fullerton...Constable Tom Thornton waited...

Tom Thornton was meeting a young man by the train station. He knew that Constable Houston couldn't be trusted, but he didn't have the evidence he needed to prove it. At length, a young man came to him under the street lamp where they had agreed to meet.

'Hello, Constable!' The young man greeted Tom Thornton.

'Hello.' Tom acknowledged. 'Did you bring the documents?' Tom inquired.

'Yes, I did.' The young man handed him the papers which would prove that Constable Houston had indeed been the man who had swindled the widows out of their money. 'Do you think this is enough to give him the justice he deserves?'

'Yes, I believe it is just what we need to put him away.' Tom Thornton acknowledged.

The young man nodded and turned to walk away. He didn't look back at the constable, but trusted that this constable was the one who would bring the man responsible to justice. He said a silent prayer as he disappeared into the night.

…...

Jack Thornton was coming back from yet another run to the market for dinner. He passed the girls house and she was at the window. But she was not alone. His heart sunk as he saw the tall boy from a few days before, standing by her.

'He's standing a bit too close to her!' He thought to himself. 'But what can I do? What am I to her?' He breathed mournfully. 'We could have been something special, but I had to put my foot in my mouth.' He sighed as he continued on his way.

Jack continued on his way. He hoped that some day, they would be able to become friends. But, he had a more pressing hope, to become the man that his father would be proud of...He repeated aloud what his father had told him a few days ago.

"Mounties don't marry, son." Tom remarked.

"What about you and Ma?" Jack inquired.

"We are among the blessed few, son." Tom replied.

Jack was determined to not seek her friendship after all...It was a hopeless cause anyway. Wasn't it?

Elizabeth watched as Jack walked down the street. She glanced up at the tall boy who was standing just a tad too close for her own comfort, then she watched Jack walk further away. 'Oh, Jack. Why did you have to be so rude? I would much rather have you by my side.' Elizabeth sighed. 'We are not meant to be after all.' Elizabeth turned to the tall boy at her side.

"That boy is odd." Charles remarked.

"Odd? How?" Elizabeth asked, suddenly intrigued.

"Oh, he's very quiet at the school yard. I went there the other day with my father to see if he wanted to donate to their library. Our library is far superior, but so are we for that matter." Charles stated.

Elizabeth was stunned at the snobbish comment. She had thought that Charles would be more gracious to his fellow man. But what did she know, she had only just turned fourteen and Charles was already sixteen. She turned back towards the window and smiled as she saw Jack turn a corner out of her sight.

'If we are meant to be, Jack...I guess we'll have to wait and see...'Elizabeth smiled inwardly.

Author's Note: I hope you like these turn of events. I'm really looking forward to what will happen next just as I suspect that, you, my dear reader's are. Please review. Have a BLESSED DAY, FELLOW #HEARTIES!