Chapter 101. A Second Chance
Jake excused himself and left with Jed, to investigate. He took note of everything that was missing from the livery and Sergeant's stall. Just as he was finishing up there, some of the first Mountie trainees arrived back in Hope Valley.
Gabe was in the first group of eight or nine who arrived together, and Jake spoke with him for a minute. They'd had an excellent exercise, successful in all aspects. Though, Nathan had not fully participated, but had taken notes from an observer and instructor capacity. So in the end, the question of WHO was the best tracker in all of Alberta, was left unanswered.
Jake caught him up on the recent events in Hope Valley, and Gabe offered to stay a few days to help out, since Nathan would be busy with the training class and Chief Superintendent Collins, who would arrive Thursday morning. Jake took him up on the offer, and they walked together to Bill's office to discuss the latest. On the way there, they ran into Nathan who was just riding in with another group of trainees.
Jake also caught Nathan up on the incidents of the last 24 hours. When Jake told him about Jimmy and his friend arriving all cut up, in the middle of the night, Nathan's head immediately whipped around towards the infirmary. Jake saw his concern and promptly put his mind at ease - Julia was just fine and Jake had been there the whole time, looking after both Julia and Faith. Jake informed Nathan that Gabe had offered to stay on longer, and they were headed to Bill's office to talk through the case. Nathan let them get to it, tied Newton up outside, and went directly to Julia.
After a long meeting, Jake, Gabe, and Bill decided it was best to wait and see if they could get some information out of Jimmy, as soon as he came to. And most importantly, they wanted to talk to Commander Collins about the case, when he got there in the morning. In the meantime, Jake called Constable Clement in Benson Hills and updated him on everything, and gave him a description of the missing horse.
Constable Clement shared an update from their side of the investigation. There was a criminal from Edmonton, a guy called Samuel Green, who often went by the name "Snake", and was known for using a hook blade. He was also known in Benson Hills, came around from time to time, and often butted heads with Romeo, a.k.a. Jimmy McIntosh. Jake had heard the name Snake before, from some of his colleagues in Edmonton. In fact, two guys from Edmonton were presently in Hope Valley, for the training program, and Jake would talk to them right away. As well, the next call he placed, would be to Timothy Bedford, the new inspector in Edmonton.
When Faith returned from her apartment, Julia was sitting in with Jimmy. The third transfusion bag was empty, and already, he was looking a little better.
Julia informed her of Davy's disappearance, and Faith was understandably shocked, just as Julia had been.
Julia felt horrible. She had left him, taken her eyes off of him, even if only for a short time. But still it had happened on her watch, and so, Julia felt responsible. And though Faith agreed he was in no shape to leave the infirmary, she assured Julia it was not her fault. He would have left sooner or later, if he had already made up his mind to do so, which obviously he had. And, there was nothing they could do about it now, but hope that he would return. In the meantime, they would focus on Jimmy, who still needed lots of care.
Julia and Faith worked together to complete an updated examination of Jimmy's condition. His sutures still looked good and were holding well. And there was still no sign of infection. His pulse rate and blood pressure was still lower than Faith would like them, and if both hadn't improved in another hour or two, they would start the fourth blood transfusion. Faith really wanted to see some positive change in the next twelve hours.
Faith took a medical journal and a chair, and resolved to sit with him a while, to give Julia a break. Julia took it, and slowly wandered over to her apartment, grateful for a breather. But after the intense roller coaster of excitement that had encompassed the last 24 hours, she now found herself feeling rather lost.
Julia decided to make coffee, and just as she took the coffee pot off the stove, she heard three light knocks on her adjoining door. Her heart was immediately in her throat.
He was just what she needed...yes, exactly what she needed.
Julia slowly opened the door and Nathan stepped through. As soon as she closed it behind him, he opened his mouth to say something, but she didn't wait. She just went straight into his arms. She buried her face in his strong chest and finally...she let go. And the tears came in a torrent. In his secure embrace, the dam broke...on all of her pent up emotions and fear, all that she had pushed down for the last 24 hours.
Nathan was just what she needed, he was her safe place, he was her home.
He didn't ask a single question, didn't say a word. He just simply held her, and held her so tight; he relished the closeness they shared. The intimacy, the deep abiding love, and the honest connection - it was what they both needed in that moment. And most of all, he knew it was what she needed, and he let himself be her refuge.
And she took refuge, there in the shelter of his arms, until every last tear was spent. She had already poured it all out to the Lord, but something about Nathan, encircling her in flesh, completed what needed to be done. And she stayed there as long as he would hold her. And well, since he wasn't ready to let go, they stayed a long time just like that - melded together.
When she did finally pull back, she knew her face must be a mess. She began to wipe under one eye with her bare hand. But Nathan ever-so-calmly reached into his serge pocket and pulled out a clean handkerchief.
Julia grinned up at him, and that little grin melted his heart. "Lawman, do you always carry a clean handkerchief in your pocket?"
He returned her grin, and stayed close. "Since Allie was four years old." And that statement went straight to her heart. A thousand images suddenly filled her mind - of Nathan, over and over again, wiping Allie's snotty nose, slobber, or even more touching - him wiping her many many tears, over all these years. Julia looked down at the simple handkerchief, which had quite possibly collected some of those very tears over the years, and been washed over and over - and her heart seized. Nathan's heart, and his love, were the purest and the kindest she had ever known.
And she would get the rest of her life to love him back.
"Are you okay, my love?" He had never called her that before, but somehow, it just fit in that moment.
Julia looked up at him and told him the truth. "I am now."
He slowly brought a hand up and wiped a little makeup that was smudged under one eye. Then he tucked some stray hair, a few loose strands that had gotten stuck in the track of her tears, ever so gently behind her ear.
"Do I smell coffee?" He asked her softly.
She remembered she had just made it. "Yes, it's all ready. Would you like some?"
"Yes. Though Jules, you must know, it's only an excuse to sit with you a while and catch up." Nathan traced her freckles with the back of his knuckle, as he told her his own truth.
Julia smiled up at him. "Well how about two cups, then?" She would keep him as long as he would stay.
Nathan nodded, and she slowly let go of him and moved to the stove. She took down two cups and filled them, dropped a little milk in hers, and carried them over to her table. She took out some of the sugar cookies Allie and her friends had decorated at the sleepover.
"I see the cookie decorating went well." Nathan said with a little grin. He chose one and took a bite.
"It did indeed. We had a lot of fun." She looked at him. "How was your adventure in the woods?"
"It went very well." He told her and took a sip of coffee. "They all found Gabe, though Ben Davis' group won the challenge, got there first."
"And you are still the best tracker in all of Alberta?" Julia asked with a little chuckle.
"Well…one of the best." He answered with a humble smile. "Do you want to talk about it, Jules? About Jimmy?"
She hadn't thought she would be able to talk about it so soon, but somehow, she suddenly wanted to. She wanted to tell him all about it, so she did. Julia told him about the knock in the middle of the night, and how many times Jimmy almost died, and how hard they fought to save him. And she explained how emotional it could be when you thought you would lose a patient. And they had spent an entire night on that roller coaster. Then she shared how Davy had disappeared during her watch, and how that made her feel responsible.
Nathan just listened and supported her, and offered words of comfort. And of course, he told her she wasn't responsible. He encouraged her that she and Faith had done everything within power to save Jimmy, and because they were both excellent at their job, had surely given him the best chance possible.
And then, because she asked, he shared all about his time up in the mountains. He shared about the tracking exercise and his trainees, and the fun they'd had around a campfire.
And after he was done, Julia shared all about her time with Allie. She shared about the sleepover with her friends and the cookie decorating. Then the stories and of course, the pancakes. But then, she told him about the sleepover at her own apartment. And she had to tell him. "Nathan, you might need to check with her, talk with her about what she saw when Jimmy and his friend showed up. I hope it wasn't shocking for her." She paused and told him. "Rosemary and I did talk with her about it, but I think it would be good if you spoke with her, too. Just to make sure she is okay." Julia hated that it was even necessary, but it needed to be done, for Allie's well-being.
"I will make sure and do that, Jules." He wondered about something. "Where is she?"
"Last night, as soon as Jake got here, he took her to Fiona's. She stayed there till about noon and now she's with Rosemary. They were going to make Banana Bread." Julia told him. "I really hope..."
He knew what she was going to say. He gently put his hand over her's and relieved her worry. "Allie's a tough girl, she'll be fine, Julia." He paused and then added. "I hope you don't feel responsible."
Julia told him. "Maybe in some way, because she was in my care." Julia looked in her coffee cup. "Please just make sure that she's okay."
Nathan squeezed her hand and reassured her. "I will talk to her."
Julia was glad about that. She quietly asked him, "Would you like more coffee, my love?"
He looked at the clock. As much as he wanted to stay longer, he really should see to Allie. Plus, he missed her, too. "I should probably go, Jules. I should pick up Allie."
Julia understood. "I should also get back to the infirmary." She grinned at him. "Thank you...for being there for me, Nathan."
He nodded and stood, and took her hand again. She walked him to the door. Nathan looked down at her, and was filled with optimism for their future. They were going to have a wonderful life together. One where they could both share openly and honestly, and where they could find support and comfort in the other. Where they could share deep things, but also the day to day little things. A life where they could grow and dream…together.
He felt blessed. Nathan placed his hand gently on her cheek, and leaned down and kissed her. Sweet and endearing and tender. And she relished his warmth and love.
The next night of watching over Jimmy was long. Julia and Faith took turns sitting next to him. He became more and more agitated as the night wore on, coming more and more back to life, and likely feeling his broken physical state a little more with each passing hour. Faith had indeed given him the fourth blood transfusion late in the evening, when his blood pressure and pulse were still not satisfactory.
By the morning, his vitals were better, as well as his coloring and temperature. Faith was still rather concerned about infection, but the positive strides were a good sign. By the time Bill brought coffee and breakfast, Faith and Julia had already completed their morning examination, and laid out the treatment plan for the day.
Just after they were done eating, Julia went to sit a while with Jimmy. She took the opportunity to pray silently next to him, petitioning his Maker once again, for grace and mercy. Like everyone else on earth, herself included, Jimmy wasn't deserving of anything, let alone a second chance, but still she asked. She knew firsthand that God was a God of grace, so she asked him to extend that grace to this broken man in the bed before her.
And about an hour later, as Julia sat reading a medical journal, he woke up. Julia noticed his eyes starting to flicker, and she called for Faith. Faith entered and sat down too, and they watched him painfully, begrudgingly come into consciousness.
They both stood next to the bed as he slowly opened his eyes. They wanted to reassure him instantly, so he wouldn't make any sudden movements. When he saw Julia, he slowly looked around and finally, hazily seemed to understand where he was.
Jimmy looked back at the two women standing there, first Julia and then Faith, and asked weakly, "Are you angels?"
Faith looked at Julia and grinned even. Another good sign. "I hope you are joking, Mr. McIntosh, because you are very much alive. And we intend to keep it that way."
He looked meekly at Julia, who told him. "Don't move around too much, Jimmy. You are not in good shape."
"So you angels managed to save me." He told them just above a whisper.
"Something like that, Mr. McIntosh. But, you are not out of the woods yet." Faith told him. "You need to do your part, and take it easy."
He nodded slowly. He swallowed hard, and managed to whisper a gruff but heartfelt, "Thank you." And Julia knew he sincerely meant it. She found it curious that he had such a strong will to live, considering the hard life he'd had. Perhaps this was another good sign, one that Julia clung to, as she continued to pray.
He laid back and closed his eyes, and rested for another hour or two.
When he woke later, Julia was sitting next to him. He looked around, searched the room, and asked the question. "How's Davy?"
Julia glanced at the floor and then back up at him, she dreaded to tell him. "We took care of him and he was doing well, a lot better than you." She swallowed hard. "But he took off, just up and left. And now, we don't know where he is."
Jimmy didn't look happy about that. "He left?"
"Yes. I'm sorry, Jimmy. I went outside for just a few minutes, and when I came back, he was gone." She told him the honest truth.
Jimmy could see she felt responsible, though she shouldn't. "That kid always had a mind'a his own, Miss Matthews. Don't take it to heart." Julia grinned even. "If anyone's to blame, it's me. I got him involved in this."
"Involved in what, Jimmy?" Julia took the opportunity to ask. She knew Jake would want any information she could get.
Though Jimmy saw right through her, knew what she was doing. "I can't rightly say, Miss Matthews." He paused and held her gaze. "It's not talk for a lady."
"My brother is going to question you, Jimmy." She told him straight. "A crime was committed, and the guilty deserve what's coming to them, for what they did to you and Davy."
Jimmy laid back and closed his mouth. Julia understood - it was his way of telling her that he wasn't talking.
"You almost died, Jimmy. Several times. I think you should take this seriously." And then she said something that she had already told him, once before. "It might be time to turn over a new leaf."
He held his ground and didn't say a word.
Julia gave up and nodded slowly. On to other matters. "Are you hungry? It would do you a lot of good to eat and drink something."
Jimmy nodded a sort of agreement, to the eating, not the talking. So she brought in a tray of soup, bread, and water. She set the tray on the table next to him and brought the table over real close.
Julia had to help a lot, but the good news, she managed to get him to eat and drink quite well. And, when he was done, she exited with the tray. To her surprise, Jake was already sitting at her desk, waiting to go in. He must've heard from Faith that Jimmy was awake. He quietly motioned, sort of asking, and Julia nodded. He headed right in, so Julia left and walked the tray straight over to the cafe.
Jimmy wasn't very forthcoming with information. He was determined not to say anything, which was frustrating for Jake. Why wouldn't he rat on the guys that did this to him? Who or what was he scared of?
Jake tried cutting to the chase. "Jimmy, tell me about Snake." He didn't answer. So, Jake tried Snake's given name. "You don't know any Samuel Green?" Still radio silence.
Jake finally gave up. He'd gotten plenty of information from Timothy Bedford in Edmonton, Constable Clement in Benson Hills, and the four Mounties that were in town, from both Edmonton and Benson Hills. Smith and Hubbard had had plenty to say about their experiences with Samuel Green in Edmonton. And Ben Davis and Pendergrass both had a lot to offer related to Samuel Green's well-known discord with Jimmy McIntosh.
"Well, I'll just get this done without you." Jake told him, confident. "You're safe here, Jimmy. Nobody knows where you are, and there are 18 Mounties in town. Nobody would dare." Jake reassured him. "Time to focus on what's really important. Getting well and re-evaluating your life."
Jimmy looked over at him but still didn't say a word. Jake had one more thing to say. "Second chances don't come along everyday, Jimmy. Take this one seriously. Because it's a miracle that you are even alive."
Jake rose slowly, rubbed his hands down his pant legs, and walked towards the exit. He turned back just before he rounded the curtain. "My sister knows where to find me, if you find your tongue." Jimmy just looked at him and didn't respond. Jake gave him an even grin, and walked on out. Jake walked past Julia sitting at her desk, and winked at her on the way out. He headed straight to Bill's office, to discuss the case further, before Commander Collins arrived.
At 11:30 a.m., Chief Superintendent Collins, and his assistant, Dupré, arrived by special coach. Nathan and Jake were there to welcome them, and showed them straightaway to the hotel. Alex and George took care of their bags, while the four men met in the sitting area of the restaurant. Nathan reported to the Commander on everything related to the tracking program, and the exercise they had just completed over three days in the mountains. Then Jake briefly mentioned the recent stabbing case, involving Davy and Jimmy McIntosh, and asked for a meeting.
Commander Collins agreed that a meeting was in order right away. Jake, Gabe, and Bill met with him over lunch, and discussed the stabbing case. The three men briefed him on all the details, and he gave Gabe and Jake official orders, so they could get to work on it right away.
As soon as lunch was over, Gabe and Jake rode for Benson Hills, with their orders and a solid plan. Bill would be their point person in Hope Valley, and would coordinate with Nathan and Commander Collins, as long as he was in town.
And then, as previously planned, Commander Collins spent the entire afternoon with Nathan's training class.