Chapter 215 – Growing Tensions
After they were done eating, Jacobs went upstairs to check on Jack himself one last time before walking Wynn and Elizabeth Rose back into town.
While Jacobs was upstairs, Wynn turned to Dee.
"Are you going to be okay here while Burke goes back into town?" Wynn asked.
"I will be fine, Dad." Dee said. "I will do the dishes and make sure we have water and wood."
"I won't be long." Doug said. "I just need to get Pegasus settled and grab my stuff from the jailhouse."
"Take your time." Dee said. "I will change the sheets on the bed down here. There is plenty to do."
"We will be back as soon as possible in the morning." Elizabeth Rose said. "If you need something, please don't hesitate to send one of the Cadets to get someone."
"I got it." Doug said.
Jacobs came back downstairs. Jack is fine, there is a notebook and pencil on the nightstand to record his breathing and heart rate. Right now, they are both sleeping and Jack is breathing fine.
"Then we will head back." Wynn said.
"I will be back shortly." Doug said.
Dee nodded and continued to clear the table. Jacobs, Doug and the Delaneys all headed back to town. Wynn wasn't sure about leaving Dee and Doug overnight, but he knew that he had to let go a little bit. He knew that they were both capable, trustworthy young men and he needed to remember that. Wynn had a heavy weight on his shoulders as he quietly walked back to town. His wife noticed and knew that she was going to have to talk to him later. She was worried about how all that was going on was taking a toll on her husband. She knew that he carried a heavy burden because of the men that he was responsible for. She wondered if it was starting to get too much for her husband. She knew that he felt that it was his fault for all that Jack had been through. No matter how many times she told him that he wasn't responsible for what happened to Jack, she could see in his face that he still felt bad.
Elizabeth Rose wasn't the only one that noticed that the events of the past few days had taken their toll on Wynn. Jacobs noticed it as well. He resolved to do everything that he could to help lessen the burden that he knew that his commander was carrying. Jacobs had never been one that wanted to climb the officer ladder, but in the last few days, he realized that if becoming an officer and leader was a way to help take some of the burden that he saw Wynn carrying then he was willing to do that. Jacobs knew that he would be a good officer and leader. He had been a natural leader in his family growing up, especially after Scotty's death and his father's just months later.
In town, it was more subdued than it normally would have been on a Saturday night. Yes, there were people coming and going from the saloon and yes, they appeared to be having a good time. However the mood of the town had shifted once again. Maybe the continued drizzle since the early afternoon had been a part of it, but if you talked to people it was more than that. Word had quickly spread through town that Jack had another setback and was in and out of consciousness.
Even the other Mounties and Cadets noticed the shift in mood when words spread about Jack. They realized how much he meant to the town and many of them hoped and prayed he would pull through. They also hoped and prayed that the people they served cared about them as much as this little town seemed to care about Jack Thornton. One of the Constables made the remark that this time was only going to add to the legend that was already out there about Jack Thornton. Even the Cadets had heard about Jack Thornton and the stories about him and his father. It helped that they had been at the academy when the Tolliver gang trial happened, but even that was just one more story for the legend of the Thorntons in service.
What most of the Cadets and even other Mounties didn't know, was that even though Jack and his father alike had many big takedowns for the force, the thing that both men were most proud of were the little things no one talked about. It was helping a widow by chopping wood or helping a farmer fix a fence while out on rounds. Even though Thomas had died when Jack was young, he had taught him to help others because that was what Christians did. Yes, Charlotte reinforced it by teaching Jack to not let a day go by without serving others, but that was a lesson that had long been instilled in Thomas by his own parents. There were probably many townspeople that didn't even realize all that Jack did for others. He might not have had a lot of money, but he always was willing to share what he had.
The most surprising thing that happened that afternoon while Jacobs, Faith and the Delaneys were dealing with Jack was the very loud and public argument that took place in the middle of the street despite the drizzle that fell. Charlotte had been crossing from the cafe over to the saloon when Bill stopped her. When she didn't want to listen to Bill, he yelled at her and threatened to put her in jail if she walked away from him. She ended up turning on her heel and facing Bill, anger oozing from her every pore. Because of the wind and rain, most people couldn't hear exactly what was said between Bill and Charlotte, but there was no mistaking the anger and frustration that flowed between them as Bill escorted Charlotte over to the jail after she had pushed Bill.
All the Cadets and other Constables got an ear full after Bill and Charlotte were in the jailhouse. Apparently at one point, Bill put Charlotte in a cell and locked the door because she refused to listen to him. The word was that Bill was angry at Charlotte for something she did or said regarding Jack. Word was quickly spread to steer clear of both Bill and the jailhouse until further notice.
…. …. …..
(Earlier in the afternoon.)
Bill had been watching for Charlotte. He wasn't happy and he was going to let her have it. He had learned from Patty that Charlotte was still pushing Jack and Charlotte was not happy with Jack and Elizabeth's decision to take on the Russell girls. Bill knew who the Russells girls were and how Jack had rescued them. Patty filled him in on what she knew and asked Bill's help to try and talk to Charlotte. When Bill saw Charlotte leave the cafe and head to the saloon, he took the opportunity to confront her. He caught her right in the middle of the street between the mayor's office and the saloon.
"Charlotte Thornton." Bill yelled.
"Leave me alone William Avery." Charlotte yelled, not even looking at Bill.
"You stop and talk to me or I will arrest you." Bill yelled.
Charlotte turned and stocked back over to Bill. She glared at him and crossed her arms across her chest.
"What are you thinking?" Bill asked.
"None of your business." Charlotte said.
"What is your problem?" Bill yelled. "Why are you fighting with Jack, especially at a time like this?"
"Stay out of it." Charlotte warned.
Bill took a step closer to Charlotte.
"Thomas was my best friend." Bill said. "Don't you think I have thought about his family and what I could have done differently. I knew about his brother, but I didn't know about his lifestyle. I was horrified when Jack told me. Part of the reason that I think he is doing this is to right a wrong that he feels was done. That may or may not be right, but I know that Jack feels guilty that Thomas wasn't there to help his family. Jack is the eldest male in the Thornton family and I am sure that he feels that it is responsibility to take those girls in because they are family. Forget the emotional connection that he feels to them because of their looks.
He is also looking at things from Elizabeth's point of view. Andy Russell was a friend of hers and I am sure that she feels guilty for what his girls have been through. Jack hasn't specifically talked to me about it, but I know enough to know that Jack feels like that is a lot that he needs to make up for because Thomas is not here to do it himself. I have told him that it isn't his fault that Thomas is gone, but it is just like Jack to think about how to make things easier.
Besides, I think that Jack is the perfect person to raise those girls and this is the perfect town to do it. Jack and other children in this town know the pain of losing a father way too early. Not only will he be able to connect with the girls, but the other children in this town will be able to connect with those girls. Children need to know that there are others like them. I know that you tried to do your best after Thomas passed, but by not allowing the boys to talk about him was a disservice to not only them but you."
Charlotte pushed Bill.
"Don't bring Thomas into this." Charlotte yelled.
Bill grabbed Charlotte's arm and forced her to go with him to the jail. She was yelling at him the entire way. When they got into the jailhouse, Bill took the pistol he knew that she carried and put her in a cell. He didn't lock it right away, but when she tried to push him again, Bill locked the door and told her that she could stay there for a while.
"You need to calm down and think things through." Bill said.
Charlotte continued to yell at Bill while he stoked the fire to keep the chill out of the room. Bill then went to change into dry clothes. When he came out, he walked over to Charlotte.
"I will be back in an hour." Bill said. "If you have calmed down and are willing to talk rationally, I will let you out."
Not waiting for a reply, Bill grabbed his hat and walked out of the jailhouse and headed to the cafe.
…. …. ….
Wynn walked into the saloon not knowing about the argument between Bill and Charlotte. He saw them sitting at a table, playing cards. The thing was that you could feel the tension in the room the moment that you walked in. Wynn walked over to the bar to speak with the man who was helping behind the bar.
"Everything okay?" Wynn asked. "Any problems this afternoon?"
"Other than the public argument between Sheriff Avery and the woman he is playing cards with." The barkeep said. "Things have been fine. We have been busy, but with the rain, we expected it."
Wynn looked at the man with wide eyes.
"I am sorry." Wynn said. "I don't remember your name."
"It is fine." The man said. "I came in with the men who are working. I have spoken to Sam here at the saloon and offered to help. My name is Ian McGlen. My uncle was one of the men that was killed in the mine disaster a year ago. I came here to help in honor of him. Sam has offered me a job and place to live after my two weeks are done. I offered to help this afternoon since we can't work and he was busy."
"Nice to meet you Ian." Wynn said. "Can you tell me more about the fight between the Sheriff and Charlotte Thornton?"
"All I know." Ian said. "They were screaming at each other in the middle of the street. She pushed him and he took her to the jail where it is rumored there was more yelling and he locked her in a cell for a while."
"Thank you." Wynn said. "I will look into it. I am going to head to the cafe and will be back later. If there is trouble, please grab one of the other Constables."
"Yes, Sir." Ian said.
Doug got to town and immediately went to settle Pegasus. When he walked into the livery, he was greeted by Sergeant and Bandit.
"Hey boys." Doug said to the horses.
He took a moment to pet each of the horses. As he was doing that, Thor stuck his over the stall looking for attention.
"Who are you?" Doug asked. "What a pretty horse?"
"That is Thor." A voice said.
"Joe." Doug said.
"Doug." Joe said. "Glad you are here. Thor is Mrs Thornton's horse. It was a wedding present. He is a lovely Morgan."
"You can say that again." Doug said. "But then again Jack always had good taste in horses."
"It wasn't from Jack." Joe said. "It was from her aunt and uncle."
"Got it." Doug said.
"Did you need something?" Joe asked.
"I was just going to get Pegasus here settled." Doug said. "Then I need to grab my stuff and head back to the house. I need to stay with Dee tonight and help with Jack."
"Okay." Joe said. "Can you tell me a little about what is going on? I have heard bits and pieces from the cadets, but they didn't seem to truly know."
"Yeah." Doug said. "By the way, thanks for the heads up on the relationships. I mean I had a little knowledge from Jack's letters, but your quick rundown helped. Anyway, apparently there was a foreign object embedded in Jack's hip. The nurse and Jacobs removed it. However an abscess developed over a matter of hours. They had to clean it out, including searing the flesh. Despite the morphine Jack passed out from the pain. He has been in and out of consciousness all afternoon. He still has a slight temperature and we need to monitor that as well as his breathing.
From what I have been able to gather, because of this new setback, they haven't been able to do the regular breathing treatments that they have been doing. This evening they were going to give him some ether before they changed the bandage and cleaned the area again."
"You stopped them right?" Joe asked.
"Yes." Doug said. "Just barely in time. They are going to see if they can get some chloroform from Union City, but until then it is going to be extremely painful for Jack when they change the bandages and clean the wound. I was able to help keep him a little calmer this evening, but he still passed out from the pain. We both know that tonight and tomorrow are going to be critical. So I have said that I will stay with Dee, since someone needs to check on Jack hourly."
"Thank you." Joe said. "You know that I would stay, but I have been assigned to cover as the town Constable."
"I know." Doug said. "I also understand that is more important right now. Just keep us all in your prayers because that was one of the hardest things that I have ever seen and you know that I have seen a lot."
"I know." Joe said. "If you aren't able, I will exercise Pegasus tomorrow. I have been ponying several of the horses for a run each day."
"Let him rest." Doug said. "He didn't like the train ride and then I rode him pretty hard from Union City."
"Okay." Joe said. "Keep me up to date and hopefully next week the three of us can sit down together."
"Sounds like a plan." Doug said.
They got the horses settled for the night and then Joe and Doug walked over to the jail so Doug could grab his rucksack. He said goodnight to Joe and nodded to the other Constable sitting there. Doug then headed back to the house.
After he left, Joe took a moment to compose a wire and get it ready to send later. He was glad that he was able to get Doug there and knew that if anyone would be able to help Jack it would be him. Once he was done with the message, Joe got ready to head over to the saloon and help keep an eye on things.