Chapter 3 – Morning of Change
After slowly unbuttoning Elizabeth's dress and kissing her body as he went, Jack once again thoroughly showed his wife just how much he loved her. Their love making only interrupted when checking on Little Jack and the small amount of time it took to get him back to sleep every couple hours.
Finally, as the first rays of light broke through to the valley, the three Thorntons lay in the large master bed together. Little Jack had refused to settle back in his bed after the last check, so Jack and Elizabeth brought him to their room where he settled between them. Elizabeth had fallen asleep shortly after Little Jack had settled, Jack was awake watching his sleeping wife and child. Little Jack was cuddled into his mother's chest and softly snoring.
After moving the hair from Elizabeth's face and tucking a strand behind Little Jack's ear. He went back to the drawing that he was doing of them. He had drawn the picture of Little Jack running down the aisle to him as well as one where Elizabeth had sat holding Jack at the party. He couldn't believe how much time he had missed with his son, but was determined to do everything to be there for him moving forward.
…. …. …. ….
Nathan said he would take the wagon to meet the Mounties on the train and bring them and the equipment back to the office. When Nathan walked into the office to retrieve something, he saw Bouchard still passed out on the bunk. He wondered for a moment if Faith should have checked him over, but then decided he honestly didn't care at the moment.
Nathan walked out of the office and straight for the livery. He got Newton and Hero harnessed up and hooked to the wagon. When Nathan arrived at the depot, the train was already there and people were deboarding. As Nathan walked toward the group of Mounties, a woman literally ran right into as she wasn't paying attention when she stepped off the train. Nathan caught her before either could fall.
As Nathan righted himself, he saw the most gorgeous woman in his arms. Already tired, Nathan got even more flustered. Once making sure the woman was steady on her feet, he quickly dropped his hands and stood back. Nathan took her in from the red hair to her smokey gray eyes down the hem of the dress that fell just to the top of her sensible yet stylish boots. He wanted to know everything about the amazing creature that stood there in front of him.
"Sorry, ma'am." Nathan mumbled.
"It is I who should be sorry." She said. "I wasn't watching and ran right into you. I am very sorry, Constable."
The woman looked up and was momentarily stunned at the blue eyes that were looking back at her. She also noticed his tall stature and square shoulders in his uniform. She caught sight of a rogue curl of dark hair that was peeking out from his hat and laid across his forehead. She shook her head and tried to regain her composure, but it wasn't easy as no man had ever affected her like that before. She extended her hand.
"Miss Carol Jean Lockland." She said.
"Constable Nathan Grant." He said, taking her hand.
"I know I have taken enough of your time." Carol said. "But if it isn't too much trouble, can you point me toward Mr Lucas Bouchard."
Nathan was instantly on guard and took a step back and assumed a Mountie stance. Carol noticed the change, but so did the group of Mounties Nathan had come to meet. They moved closer but stayed behind the woman because of one withering look from Nathan. Two of three looked like they might have out ranked him, but Nathan was highly respected and that trumped rank at the moment. They all needed more information and Nathan was the one in position to get it.
"What business do you have with Mr Bouchard?" Nathan asked, all business.
"I am sorry I am not at liberty to disclose that." Carol said.
"Then I am sorry." Nathan said. "I can't help you."
"If I may." Carol said, indicating her small handbag.
Nathan nodded, even as his hand rested on his pistol. Carol opened her bag and pulled out a black leather wallet-like item. She opened it to display her Pinkerton credentials.
"I am working a case involving Mr Bouchard." Carol said. "I need to speak to him and if he can't provide satisfactory answers, then I have been authorized by your government to take him into custody to be taken back to the States to answer to the accusations against him."
"I am sorry to inform you." Nathan said. "Mr Bouchard is in the Hope Valley jail after driving his car into a party and injuring three children last night. He is facing a litany of charges and there are other ongoing investigations. I will need to verify your credentials and story before I allow you to question the prisoner."
"By all means." Carol said. "If you can point me to the car service to get me into town, I will check into the hotel and we can proceed."
"The only hotel in town is owned by Mr Bouchard." Nathan said. "Also the taxi service to town doesn't run this early."
Just then one of the Mounties dressed in an Inspectors uniform walked over. Nathan immediately snapped to attention and gave a salute. Once the salute was returned, the man turned to the woman.
"Inspector Henry Delaney." He said. "I think we can all work together to make sure Bouchard will remain behind bars."
Delaney then turned to Nathan.
"Grant." Delaney said. 'I believe there will be plenty of room in the wagon, especially since I just oversaw the unloading of our horses."
"Yes, Sir." Nathan said. "Miss Lockland, I assume you have some luggage?"
"Yes." Carol said. "The porter over there with the two bags and the trunk."
"Men." Delaney said. "Please gather our equipment and help with Miss Lockland's luggage."
"Yes, Sir." The three Mounties said.
They gathered their items and Miss Lockland's luggage with the help of the porter and moved toward the wagon. Nathan went to help them load it as Inspector Delaney escorted Miss Lockland over to the wagon. As much as he tried to maintain a professional demeanor, the woman left Nathan feeling discombobulated. The men got the stuff loaded and mounted their horses. Inspector Delaney helped Miss Lockland into the seat of the wagon before mounting up as well. Nathan had been surprised to see four Mounties, but not completely surprised to see an Inspector. Nathan hadn't met this Inspector before and wondered if his father was the man he was thinking of, if so, it might bode well for Hope Valley.
What Nathan was not expecting was a Pinkerton and a woman one to boot. He was also trying to figure out what it was about the woman that rattled him so much. He knew she was beautiful, but that wasn't usually a problem or at least he had thought he had gotten over it with Elizabeth.
"So where are you from?" Nathan asked, trying to make the short ride into town less awkward.
"I was born and raised in Quebec." Carol said. "But I am an American citizen on my father's side. I moved to New York and went to school there when I turned fifteen. My father was a high ranking Pinkerton in the States. My mother preferred her quiet life in the country, so that was where I was raised, with my father visiting as he was able. When I left for school, I decided to follow my father into the Pinkertons."
"How long have you been a Pinkerton?" Nathan asked.
"Almost four years." Carol said. "How long have you been a Constable?"
"Over ten years." Nathan said.
"No desire to climb the ladder." Carol said.
"At one time yes." Nathan said. "But then my sister died and I took custody of my then four year old niece. I have since adopted her. When she came to live with me, I gave up climbing the ladder to be there for her. I have passed on promotions and dangerous assignments since I am the only parent she has."
"No wife?" Carol said.
"Never been lucky enough." Nathan said. "Not many women want a man with a child, especially one with a job like mine."
"Don't sell yourself short." Carol said. "You never know. So how long have you been in Hope Valley?"
"Almost five years." Nathan said. "I plan to stay here until Allie at least finishes school. She has a couple more years left. I personally like the place and depending on what happens in the next couple of years, I can see myself staying here."
Carol just smiled and nodded. She was also trying to keep the conversation polite as she was feeling things she had never felt sitting next to the tall Mountie. She had noticed how the other Mounties, other than the Inspector, had stopped and listened to him. He may just be a lowly Constable, but she knew that he was respected among the other men. She had seen his luscious dark hair that seemed to have a bit of wave or curl to it when he removed his hat and wiped his brow. Her thought had been about what it would feel like to run her fingers through it, but she had to quickly banish those thoughts because she was here to do a job, not find a husband.
They fell into an easy silence as they rode into town, the squeak of the wheels on the wagon and the clip clop of the horses on the gravel made plenty of noise. Each was lost in their own thoughts and were treading into dangerous territory. As Nathan thought about what it would be like to run his fingers through her hair and was it as soft as it looked. Carol was wondering what Nathan would like chopping wood in his riding pants and a henley. She knew that Mounties tended to be fit and muscular men, she knew that was especially true of those that served in more rural areas where manual labor was needed. She was also thinking about his lips and wondering what he would do if she just leaned over and ran her finger across them. She wanted to kiss his lips and feel them on hers. She shook her head as she had never thought or felt anything like that before. She had been told from an early age that men didn't want a woman who wanted a career, especially one like she had chosen so she had to choose – be a Pinkerton or have a husband. She was seriously considering giving it all up if the quiet man next to would give her a chance.
As they got closer to town, Nathan noticed that most people were still in their homes, which was strange, even for a Sunday. He wondered if there was something else going on, but he didn't have the time to consider much as they rounded the corner and got as close to the jail as they could, with the street still blocked off. It was when Nathan rounded the corner that he saw several men past the far barricade standing there like they were waiting for something. Behind the men, Nathan noticed two large trucks like Lee used. There appeared to be crates, blankets, tarps and other packing supplies with the men. Bill was standing on the porch of the jail, but he didn't look quite as annoyed as before. As Nathan looked closer, Bill had almost a self satisfied grin on his face. Nathan also noticed that the front of the hotel was now roped off and there appeared to be signs tied to the ropes.
…. …. …. ….
After making sure that his wife and son were still sleeping, Jack slipped from the bed, got dressed and headed downstairs to make some breakfast. The only good thing was that he had gotten much better since the last time he had attempted to make breakfast for his wife. First things first, he got some coffee going and water for tea if Elizabeth wanted. He then found some sausage and fried that up, placing the done ones in the oven to stay warm. Jack had mixed up some pancake batter and was just getting ready to make them when he heard small feet on the stairs.
"Morning Little Man." Jack said.
"Morning Daddy." Little Jack said.
"How are you feeling this morning?" Jack asked.
"Okay." Little Jack said. "Mama never lets me sleep in the big bed."
"Well." Jack said. "It is not going to happen all the time, but last night was different because you had gotten hurt."
"What you making?" Little Jack asked.
"I made some sausages." Jack said. "And I was getting ready to make some pancakes."
"I like pancakes." Little Jack said.
"Is that so?" Jack said. "I liked them a lot when I was your age as well."
Jack thought about adding, not when his mother made them, but he wasn't sure how much Elizabeth had told him about his grandparents. Little Jack pushed a chair over to the counter and crawled up on it like he did when Elizabeth was cooking.
"You have done that before?" Jack said.
"Mama lets me help." Little Jack said.
"I don't know." Jack said. "I am not used to having a helper. How about you watch this time and maybe next time you can help?"
"Okay." Jack said. "Auntie Rosie doesn't let me help either."
Jack chuckled, because he could totally see that. He was glad that Rosemary had finally changed. He remembered when she called children 'sticky' and didn't want anything to do with them. Jack poured the first pancake into the skillet and was watching it carefully as he usually burned the first one.
"You know Auntie Rosie and Uncle Lee?" Little Jack asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "I have known them for many years. I actually have known Auntie Rosie since I was just a little older than you are now."
"Wow." Little Jack said. "And you know Montee Nathan."
"Yes." Jack said. "I haven't known him long, but he seems really nice."
"He is." Little Jack said. "He always talks to me and lets me pet Newt."
"His horse is Newton." Jack said.
"Yep." Little Jack said. "So you know Uncle Bill too?"
"I have known Uncle Bill for a very long time." Jack said. "He used to play with me when I was your age."
"Neat." Little Jack said. "Did he play Montees with you as well?"
"Actually he did." Jack said. "Some of the Mounties on your shelf are from when I was a little boy and I am glad to see that you have them."
"Grandma Charlie sent them." Little Jack said.
Jack looked up when he heard footsteps and saw Elizabeth standing on the landing smiling at them.
"Are you helping Daddy?" Elizabeth asked.
"No." Little Jack said. "Just watching."
Elizabeth took Little Jack back upstairs and got him dressed for the day. When they came back down, Jack had breakfast on the table, except for a drink for Little Jack.
"I wasn't sure what he drinks." Jack said.
"Milk for breakfast." Elizabeth said. "Otherwise, mostly apple juice."
"Noted." Jack said. "And still tea for you or have you switched to coffee?"
"Tea if I have time to sit." Elizabeth said. "But mostly coffee these days since I need the energy to keep up with this little guy."
"I have water for tea." Jack said. "But I have a feeling it is a coffee day."
Once Jack had poured the beverages, they sat to eat. After a quick prayer they were enjoying their first real breakfast as a family. Little Jack was mostly giggles and questions. Elizabeth knew her son was feeling much better. They were almost done with breakfast when the phone rang.
…. …. …. ….