CHAPTER 61
In another semi-detached house, Jack was helping Elizabeth take a nice bath. She was a big child, laughing a lot and smeared with chocolate. Jack had never seen anything more beautiful than his wife. Elizabeth, taking care not to get her broken hand wet, looked at her husband, who was helping her get the chocolate goo out of her hair, he was wonderful and on top of everything, he was beautiful... and pulling her man close, she grabbed him by the neck and kissed him passionately, leaning her naked body against his chest. Jack moaned softly, he had seen his wife's smile and knew she was going to do something, but...
That's when he was pulled into that huge basin, and his wife sat on his lap, kissing him all over his face and lips, while her hands roamed his body. She was irresistible, and Jack wasn't made of iron... he couldn't help himself when he was close to his Bella. And now her wrapped around his waist, that warm water, that soft body in his hands and her kissing and sucking lightly on my earlobe... it could only result in this act of love with this intense passion, laughed Jack.
Still panting, they bathed in the cold water that was in the buckets, and Jack carried his wife into the bedroom where, after drying her hair, they lay down in each other's arms.
- Bella! I can't describe what I'm feeling. Every day I have with you in my arms is... I mean you take the floor out from under me. And you take me to new heights.
- I know, Jack. I feel the same way...
Jack couldn't lie to his wife, a marriage should be based on truth and love.
- Bella! I want to tell you something, but for now I can't tell you much. I'm cramming all the evidence in, but I want you to know that I love you too much, and that I'll be with you every moment of your life.
- Jack, what's going on?
- Bella... I just want you to keep an open mind. Strange things often come into our lives, but I want you to have faith in God, because he writes crooked lines well.
- Yes, love, I promise I'll trust and lean on you, whatever happens.
And so they went to sleep cuddled up close together.
Bill was a lost man... at that moment, he didn't know how to react around Charlote. He needed something to eat and so he found himself in the kitchen, and to his surprise, he found himself face to face with Charlote... she too had taken a shower, her wet hair making her look even more beautiful. Her eyes were alive, she emanated a light. Charlote handed him a cup of coffee. As she used to say, a cup of coffee solved all the world's problems.
Bill smiled and saw Charlote smiling. Just as he was about to start explaining himself, there was a loud knock on the door, followed by several more knocks... someone was hurrying.
- Coming! Bill shouted.
Tom, who heard the noise at the door, arrived quickly, and he and Charlotte saw Bill talking quietly to Ned. Bill's face was not very friendly. Something serious had happened; Charlotte had known that expression for many years.
Bill turned and grabbed his coat and bag. He ran to the kitchen to get supplies.
- Tom, I need help. Saddle my horse quickly.
The boy noticed that something serious was going on and ran off. He could help and would be useful.
Charlote ran into the kitchen and prepared a quick snack for him to take with him, as well as a sandwich for him to eat right there in front of her; she wouldn't let him leave hungry.
Bill came down from his room, fully dressed with two guns in his waistband and a packet of ammunition in his bag. He sat down and ate quickly. After brushing his teeth, he went downstairs and spoke seriously to Charlote.
- I'm leaving and I don't know when I'll be back. Charles Kensigton III has escaped. Some thugs helped him escape, it seems that all the mounties from the transfer are dead, there are only two of them who are still missing, but there was a lot of blood at the scene, we can't say that they are alive.
- Bill, do you want me to call Jack?
- No, Charlote; he must stay and look after my daughter, I need you to warn Wynn and Jack about this. But Jack must stay here and protect Elizabeth at all costs, Charles is dangerous and could come after her. Wynn will know what to do. Tell them I'll be joining the mountie gang after I check out the agony curve.
Charlote knew the reputation of that place, she didn't want Bill to take any chances, and looking at him with her honey-colored eyes, she spoke softly:
- Promise you'll take care of yourself?
- I will, Charlote. I promise.
And so Charlote stood on her tiptoes. And he kissed her lips; at first Bill's eyes widened in surprise, but it was something special, that moment was magical, and closing his eyes, he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her, as he had wanted to for a long time;
But he had to leave, and with a light kiss, he picked up his things, when he heard her say:
- Take care of yourself and come back to me.
- That's what I want most in this life. And now I have a reason to come home.
When he got on his horse, he once again asked everyone to take care of themselves and his daughter, and turning to Charlote he said:
- Charlote, tell Elizabeth that I love her very much. I'm a lucky father to have her as my daughter.
And Charlote watched him go. She and Tom took their horses and set off for the city. First they went to Wynn's and told him everything, then she went to Jack's and did the same. Soon Elizabeth's semi-detached house was full... Frankison and Wynn were ready to go after Bill, while Jack and the others would keep an eye on the town and Elizabeth.
She told Charlote, after hearing Bill's message, that she couldn't live without him. That man had become her father, and she... And she began to cry.
Wynn, seeing that her emotions were running high, hugged her tightly, promising that they would find and protect Bill, that her father would be safe and home soon.
Elizabeth had never felt so protected and loved as she did now. She had always liked her uncle, but now, in that bear hug, it was like she was home. As if she were being hugged by a father. Even her father Willian Thatcher had never given her a hug, now it felt like she had found her home. Her huge uncle, Elizabeth felt like a child looking up to see his face, that's when she met his green eyes and saw herself there... without realizing it, she spoke with great emotion.
- Be careful... I can't lose you.
Wynn was overcome with emotion, she held back her tears and kissed his head, warning him to be careful. Elizabeth said goodbye to Frankison the same way she had in the living room, noticing their concern for each other. Aunt Elizabeth was there in the living room, she would stay with Charlote until her husband returned, at no time did she say anything, and Jack noticed from a distance that Aunt Elizabeth was looking at that farewell differently, her eyes held something like a question... Jack didn't know the lady well, but he could see that she had the same mannerisms as his wife, when she was thinking or analyzing something...
Jack thanked everyone. The next day, besides Tom, Charlote and Aunt Elizabeth would also be at school.
Jack called Tom into a corner of the room and said:
- I still can't forgive you, but I want to know if you're going to protect my wife.
- Yes, Jack... with my life if necessary. I can't forgive myself for what I put her through either.
Jack picked up a silver box from the shelf and took out a gun and five bullets.
- Use it only if necessary and wisely. To save her, you must have this.
Tom knew that his brother hadn't forgiven him for the whole incident, but handing him a gun and asking him to protect Elizabeth was a good start; he at least knew that Tom was a good man. This way he would have more people to protect Elizabeth while he made his rounds. Tom and Charlote were very good shots, Jack knew that at this point she would be protected. He was going to talk to his wife, and if she allowed it, he would teach her how to shoot.
Everyone went home, Charlote and Tom took Elizabeth Delayne's suitcase and they all went to Bill's house together.
It was a difficult night for everyone.
Elizabeth Delayne spent the night in prayer for her husband Wynn and their son Frankison.
Charlote, for her part, ran out of the room to pray for Bill. She was very nervous, and she didn't like it. Feeling Bill's kiss earlier, feeling loved there in his arms and now knowing that he was in danger, gave her the creeps.
As for Tom, he wasn't sleeping either. He would be prepared to protect Elizabeth; that cruel man wouldn't lay a finger on her. Besides, he was very worried about Bill, he loved him very much, and he knew that if anything happened to him, his mother would be very upset.
Elizabeth Thorton couldn't stop praying. Three important people were in danger: her father Bill, her uncle Wynn, who had always been a father, and her cousin, who had always been her brother, my dear Frankison.
Jack Thorton, for his part, was going mad, he had never run away from a battle, and today he was at home lying down, while Bella's two parents and brother fought to protect her. But he knew he couldn't leave her alone and risk falling into Charles' hands.
It was a difficult night for everyone. Even when they were sleepy, no one could close their eyes...