Chapter 4 – Moving Forward

The week was mostly a blur, not only for the Mounties, but the townspeople. So much had happened and information was slow coming about what was going on. It was that Nathan and Jack were intentionally keeping things from the townspeople, but there was little that they could tell them at that point. Obviously people saw the hotel was closed and roped off, only the Mounties coming and going from it. The Pinkerton lady was also always hanging around.

…. …. …. ….

Monday:

Since Elizabeth had planned to be gone Monday already, Cat took the class as planned. It was just a review day for the final test on Wednesday. Once again, Elizabeth and Rosemary stayed at their houses, going back and forth using the backyard, allowing Little Jack to play out there instead of in the field out front.

The rest of the town tried to go about their regular life, but it was hard. The moving men had stuck around until some time Monday until they were told to move along or they would be arrested and their vehicle impounded. They loaded up and went back to Benson Hills.

Even Florence was unusually quiet about what was going on. She had been kept busy on the telephone exchange. She was happy to be able to spread the news that Little Jack was well on the road to recovery. As promised, Jack took the time to bring Little Jack in for some ice cream. It had been the first time Jack had seen his son awake since he had walked out of the house Sunday morning.

…. …. …. ….

Tuesday:

Tuesday was much the same. The Mounties had finished searching the hotel with the exception of the two safes that were found in Lucas's office and the storeroom next to it. Gustav had opened the safe at the front desk and the Mounties had confiscated a large amount of cash from it, along with two pistols. Everything was logged, photographed and locked in the large safe in Bill's office. Gustav swore he didn't know either of the other two combinations. He had been warned about lying. But he didn't change his story. He ended up leaving for Buxton on the train Tuesday night. Jack had called and the Mounties there agreed to keep an eye on him.

Carol also was able to corner Nathan on Tuesday afternoon when he was trying to care for Newton. She asked about the case, but Nathan would budge, so she tried to get to know more about him. She told him about the long conversations she had had with Pastor Joseph on Sunday night and Monday. She still wasn't sure where she stood with God, but she had been willing to listen.

As Nathan listened to her, he felt conflicted. After a long conversation with Gabe in Brookfield, Nathan realized he had feelings for Carol. Gabe was convinced Nathan was in love and that was why he felt so twisted inside when she was around. Nathan wasn't sure it was love, just yet, but the feelings were strong enough that he wanted to explore them further.

When he dropped a brush and she picked it up to hand it back, their fingers brushed and they both just froze and looked at each other. Not knowing the other had also felt the bolt of electricity that had shot between them, neither knew what to say. Taking the brush and quickly dropping it into the bucket, Nathan quickly escaped the livery and headed straight for the pond, because he needed to think.

Carol stood there frozen until Nathan had safely retreated from her. She was shocked and confused. Something like that had never happened to her before and she wasn't sure what it meant. She wondered if she had just scared Nathan away for good. Once she regained her composure, she made a quick stop at the mercantile and picked up a few things and then retreated to her hotel room to sort through everything.

…. …. …. ….

Wednesday:

Wednesday turned out to be a big day in Hope Valley. The students were taking their end of the year test and Mrs Thornton was there to give it. She wanted all of them to do well and hoped the events of the last week didn't negatively impact their scores.

Bill, Nathan and Jack were also able to make a breakthrough in the investigation. Information had arrived from Union City and the names that Jack had given Stevenson, along with running all of Bouchard's aliases really made a difference. They also received the warrants to break into the two safes. Jack was convinced there was information in them that they needed.

Wednesday evening, Bill insisted Jack go spend some time with Elizabeth and Little Jack, so Jack went home for supper and some family time. Bill also insisted Nathan spend some time with Allie since she had finished school for the year. So Nathan took Allie to the cafe for supper. That was where Carol found them. Nathan had wanted the time with Allie, but she was fascinated with the Pinkerton and invited her to join them.

Granted the first thirty minutes were pretty much rapid fire questions from Allie as fast as Carol answered one, Allie had another. As Allie's questions slowed down and Carol shared more about some of the things she had done, Allie noticed the awkward glances between Carol and her dad. It took Allie back to watching her father with Mrs Thornton. She wondered if her dad had feelings for Miss Lockland.

"So you never want a husband and family?" Allie asked.

"Alison Rose." Nathan hissed.

Nathan looked at Carol.

"Sorry." Nathan said. "You don't have to answer. She forgets her manners at times and wants to know too much."

Carol waved her hand.

"I remember being a teenage girl." Carol said. "We all go through that phase. We love love and want to grow up too fast."

Nathan gave a bit of a sigh of relief, but he was still upset with Allie.

"To answer your question, Allie." Carol said. "I would love to get married, but with my job it is hard."

"But plenty of married women work." Allie said. "Mrs Yost runs the telephone exchange. Mrs Sullivan works with Dr Faith. Mrs Coulter owns the newspaper. Mrs Canfield runs the cafe here. Those are just off the top of my head."

"Yes, Allie." Carol said. "I have noticed that this town is different and lots of women work, but it is not like that in other places. Usually once a woman gets married, she is expected to stay at home to raise the children and keep the house."

"That isn't fair." Allie said.

"I never said it was fair." Carol said. "But things are changing. There is something called the Woman's Suffrage Movement. It started in a place called Seneca Falls, New York. I have been there and met some of the ladies."

"Cool" Allie said. "So what is it that they want? I have seen a little about it in the newspapers that Mrs Coulter brought to school for us."

"It is mainly for the right to vote." Carol said. "See right now, in the United States, only men can vote. The women want to vote, because the right to vote will lead to other things, such as better access to education and opportunities to own land."

"Women can't own land?" Allie asked, incredulously.

"They can." Carol said. "But the government, which is run by men, makes it hard. They make up all these extra rules and since women can't vote, they can't change things."

"Women vote here." Allie said. "They also own property and businesses. There was a woman mayor and at least two women sit on the town council."

"Things are different out here." Carol said. "Things like that wouldn't happen in the big cities, especially back east."

"So we want the Woman's Suffrage Movement." Allie said.

"Yes." Carol said. "These women are risking a lot to make changes for future generations. A lot of the men aren't happy and have tried to stop them."

"That isn't nice." Allie said.

"You are right." Carol said. "But the world you are growing up in is different then the world even I grew up in. Women are getting more and more opportunities. I bet one day there will be women Mounties and a woman Prime Minister. Your dad and I might not live to see those changes, but you might."

"I can't imagine." Allie said.

"Allie, I have always told you, you could do anything you put your mind to." Nathan said. "With the changes happening, it is more true now than ever."

The three continued to talk about things, but Allie steered clear of asking about love or feelings between them. She figured she had pushed her dad too far already. Overall, it was a nice meal and great conversation. Nathan walked Carol back to the hotel before walking Allie home. Only then was he able to get more details about the last day of school and how she felt she had done.

…. …. …. ….

Jack had a nice supper with his wife and son. Once again, Little Jack clung to Jack, since he hadn't seen him much. Jack was okay with it, he really missed the little guy.

"We are going to have to figure out a nickname for you." Jack said, tickling his son. "We can't keep calling you little forever."

"What do you think, Little Jack?" Elizabeth said.

"Not buddy." Little Jack said, making a face. "Hate that."

"I will remember that." Jack said. "I also know why you don't like it and that is okay."

"How about we call Little Jack, JT." Elizabeth said. "So that way we know who people are talking about, since I had been trying to not use the 'little' moniker this year."

"What do you think, Big Guy?" Jack asked. "Can we call you JT?"

"Otay." JT said.

"It may take time for people to remember." Elizabeth said. "So don't get mad if people still call you Little Jack."

"Otay, Mama." JT said.

"It is getting late." Jack said. "About we get you pajamas on and I will read to you."

"Otay, Daddy." JT said.

Jack took JT upstairs and got him ready for bed as Elizabeth cleaned up from supper. When she got upstairs, Jack was reading to an almost sleeping little boy. She joined them and it wasn't but a few more pages and JT was softly snoring. Jack closed the book and kissed his son's head. Elizabeth also gave him a kiss and made sure his blanket was tucked in.

Jack and Elizabeth then walked into the hall hand in hand. Jack immediately pulled her in for a kiss after closing the door.

"I missed you." Jack said.

"I missed you last, too." Elizabeth said.

"I am sorry about being gone." Jack said. "You know that is not what I want. I am trying, but this case has just blown up."

"Shhh." Elizabeth said. "I don't like it, but I understand. We will be fine, but right now, I was thinking if you weren't too tired, we could spend some time together."

Jack smiled and pulled Elizabeth into their bedroom. They quickly got ready for bed. Jack stood there with just his pajama pants on. Elizabeth looked at him in the mirror. She still couldn't believe that he had come back to her. She stood up and went to him. He kissed her, as she ran her hands over his torso stopping at the top of his exposed hips. Jack shuddered as Elizabeth drummed her fingers on Jack's hips. Jack slipped her fresh nightgown over her head as she pushed his pajama pants off his hips. Both articles of clothing fell to the floor as Jack and Elizabeth fell into the bed. Jack continued to kiss Elizabeth. It didn't take very long at all and the passion between them was reaching new heights. Both happy and satisfied, they laid back in bed, staring at each other.

Jack was so happy to be back with Elizabeth and couldn't wait to have more children with her. For five years he dreamed of the day that he could come back and start a family, not knowing he already had a son. Now he couldn't wait to grow his family as large as possible. The couple, just happy to be together, fell asleep in each other's arms dreaming of more children. Jack even whispered his wish for more children to the universe as he slipped off to dreamland. What was that saying? – be careful what you wish for.

…. …. …. ….

While Jack was in the midst of marital bliss, Nathan was sitting alone in his house contemplating marriage period. After the lovely supper with Carol, despite Allie's questions, Nathan hadn't been sure what to think. He had been glad that Allie begged to stay at the Coulters and help with Baby Goldie since Lee was helping at the jailhouse. Nathan hadn't been looking forward to having to play a thousand questions from Allie when they got home, so when they saw a frustrated Rosemary and Allie begged to help, he quickly relented.

Nathan had gotten home, changed out of his serge and then called his best friend. He needed advice and at the moment the only person that he trusted with his heart was Gabe. Gabe assured him that what he was feeling was love and he just needed to take a chance for once. He could sit there and analyze all the possible outcomes and look at it from every angle, but then by then she might be gone and he would have lost his chance.

After speaking to Gabe, Nathan pulled the ring out of his desk that he had bought a long time ago. He looked at it and then started imagining it on Carol's finger. His thoughts quickly spread and he was thinking about the bolt of electricity that she had caused to shoot through him. He thought about her lips and what they would feel like on his. He had only ever kissed one other woman and he frankly enjoyed the feel of her soft lips. He wanted that feeling so bad. He absentmindedly brushed his fingers across his lips. He then ran his fingers through his hair and started to think about playing with all the luscious red hair that Carol had. Nathan was so lost in his own thoughts he jumped when he heard a voice.

"What are you waiting for?" It asked.

Nathan shook his head and then looked to see his sister standing there tapping her foot at him.

"I said." Colleen said. "What are you waiting for?"

"I don't know." Nathan said.

"Not an answer."

Nathan rolled his eyes, because that was what their mother had always said to them and what he said to Allie.

"Honestly." Nathan said. "I really don't know. I can't even think about her getting on the train and leaving here, but at the same moment, I feel frozen and like I can't move forward."

"That is because you are letting your head not your heart lead. I know that you always think through everything, but this is one time that you need to let your heart take control and think later."

Nathan just stared at his sister.

"Staring isn't going to change anything."

"You are annoying at times."

"Just like when we were little. But you know that I am right. Even Gabe said I was right. What more do you need? I can't do it for you, I mean I would if I could, but I can't. So you are going to have to man up and ask her. Even if it is just to stay and figure things out."

Nathan sighed.

"I love you brother."

"I love you, too, Collie."

Once again, Colleen walked to her brother, kissed his head and then vanished. She felt for him. She knew what it was like to be in love and scared to move forward, but she hoped with everything she could, that he would just listen for once.

After sitting there for another twenty minutes, Nathan put the ring in his serge pocket. He wasn't sure why he did that and didn't put it back in the desk where he usually kept it. All Nathan knew was that he suddenly felt very tired. He climbed the stairs, said his prayers and collapsed into his bed, asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

…. …. …. ….