Chapter 2 – Birthday Plans

Their weekend plans didn't go quite as planned. Bill had been having trouble with some of the new lumberjacks in town and had sent for Jack on Saturday night to help him with a fight at the saloon. They ended up putting four guys in jail. Jack was not happy with the way that some of the men were behaving and he chose to speak to Lee about some of the men that he hired. The drinking and fighting in excess had to stop, especially the fighting.

The last straw was when those same men interrupted Jack and Elizabeth's special dinner. He apologized to Elizabeth and went to deal with the troublemakers. This time instead of letting the men off with a warning, after cooling off in the jail for a few hours he wired Mountie Headquarters to see if there was something that he could hold them on. He heard back that if they had previously been warned that he could hold them for the circuit judge for disturbing the peace or he had the authority to write a fine up to twice the person's daily wage. The money would be put in the town coffers.

Jack wanted to make an impression on the men that were causing trouble so he did just that. He fined each of the men the maximum amount allowed and gave them two weeks to pay it or they would face the circuit judge. After writing out the fine for each of the men, he made them sign another letter saying that they understood the fine and what would happen if it wasn't paid. After he had dealt with the men, he went and had a conversation with Lee. He also informed Lee that he had fined each of the men and they were subject to arrest if it wasn't paid. If he had to deal with them again, they would be held in jail for the circuit judge no exceptions. Lee said that he would talk to his men and hoped that things would get better. He also apologized to Jack about ruining his evening with Elizabeth.

After Jack left Lee, he headed back to the cafe and apologized to Abigail. He then packed up their supper and took Elizabeth home. He felt bad, but there was only so much that he could do. She was upset at first, but understood that it was part of his job. When they got back to the house, Elizabeth reheated their supper and they were able to have some quiet time. After the leftovers were put away, Jack persuaded Elizabeth to leave the dishes. He promised to help in the morning before he left on rounds. He then banked the fires and bolted the doors, before leading Elizabeth up to their room. Their special supper may have been interrupted, but he fully planned on making that up to her. They had been so busy, they hadn't been together all week and it physically hurt Jack not to be with Elizabeth. There were times that he wanted her so bad, but they couldn't be together. That night, he was going to love her for as long as she let him. They ended up coming together twice, before Elizabeth curled into Jack's side and fell asleep.

The next morning as promised, Jack helped Elizabeth clean up the dishes after breakfast. Jack didn't leave right away, but wanted to have a talk with Elizabeth.

"Bella." Jack said. "Can we talk a little before school?"

"Sure." Elizabeth said. "Everything okay?"

"Yes and no." Jack said.

"What is wrong?" Elizabeth asked.

"I don't really know." Jack said. "But, how would you feel if I changed my rounds some so that I could walk you to school some days. I really don't have to do full rounds everyday. I am only required to do them at least every couple of days. I was thinking that on Mondays I would leave early as normal and be able to check on people that didn't come to Sunday services.

Then Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, I do shorter rounds and then another set of full rounds on Friday morning. It would also change things in the afternoons. I would be able to walk you home on Mondays and Fridays and maybe another day here and there depending."

"I would like that." Elizabeth said. "Are you sure that it would be okay?"

"I checked and I think it should be fine." Jack said. "I want to at least try it for a couple of weeks and see if it makes a difference. I think that we will get some more time together and that was what I was hoping for. Just know that there are going to be times that things change and I don't have control over those. Say if something happens and I need to be more visible."

"What about today?" Elizabeth asked. "I also understand that your job is not as predictable as mine is."

"Today, I will walk you to school." Jack said. "Then I will check on the three families that didn't come in for services. Starting this afternoon, I will walk you home and then head back to the office for a time if I need to finish paperwork or whatever. Let's try it and see what happens."

"Have I told you how much I love you?" Elizabeth said.

"Oh." Jack said. "I think I could stand to hear it again."

"I love you." Elizabeth said coming over and giving Jack a kiss.

"As much as I would love to spend all day here kissing my wife." Jack said. "I think that we should head to town."

"You're right." Elizabeth said.

They gathered their things. Jack carried Elizabeth's books to the school and made sure the fire was going before heading out to get Sergeant. Elizabeth already liked this new arrangement. She liked when Jack walked her to school. She wouldn't even mind coming in early just so that she could walk with him. She made a note to talk to him about that. She could always grade papers or work on lesson plans if she came in early. Elizabeth couldn't wait to see Jack that afternoon. They hadn't even been married a month and they fit so well together. She loved how Jack always thought about her and tried to be there for her without her even saying anything. She liked that he was willing to change his routine so that they could spend more time together. It hadn't been until they were in bed the night before that Elizabeth realized how much she missed Jack and their time together. She wondered if there would come a time that she would ever tire of being with Jack. As she thought about it, she realized that he would always love her time with Jack, no matter what life threw their way.

Jack had a nice ride and checked with each family. There were no major problems, one had family from out of town visiting. One just didn't feel well and felt it best to stay home. The third didn't give Jack a reason, but assured him that everything was fine. Jack made a mental note to mention something to Pastor Frank. He also worried about families that didn't come in for Sunday services. Jack couldn't shake the feeling that something was going on with that third family, since he hadn't really gotten to know them, since their children were just beyond school age and didn't feel the need to send them in at all. He also made a mental note to mention something to Bill and see what he thought. When Jack got back into town, he headed to the office. He found Bill and filled him in. Bill said that he knew the family that Jack was referring to and he had run across them before. He knew that they weren't the most friendly with law enforcement, so Bill suggested that Jack talk to Abigail to see if she knew more about the family. Jack agreed. After making notes about the rounds, he set out to find Pastor Frank, but stopped by the cafe first. Jack was able to pull Abigail aside and ask her about the family.

"Oh, the Greens" Abigail said. "Yes. They had trouble with the Pinkertons awhile back and then they lost their two oldest, Peter and Paul in the mine disaster. They usually keep to themselves. I was glad that they were coming back to church since they had refused to attend at the saloon."

"Would there be a reason that they didn't come in yesterday?" Jack asked.

"I think that it might have been Wynn and Dee." Abigail said. "I noticed that they weren't in church the last few weeks since Christmas. They might not know that they are gone, but if you are concerned, keep an eye on them. Those boys are usually the source of much of the trouble around here."

"I will do that." Jack said. "I think I will also talk to Bill some more about them and mention something to Frank about them. If you hear anything else, please let Bill or myself know."

"I will." Abigail said.

With that, Jack left to find Pastor Frank and also talk to Bill again. Pastor Frank said that he would make a point to visit the family that wasn't feeling well, as well as the family that bothered Jack. Jack left it at that and headed to the mercantile to check for messages, before heading back and filling in Bill. Jack couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was brewing, but he didn't want to worry others. He knew that Bill and Elizabeth would probably pick up on that something was bothering Jack, but he wasn't sure what to say. At least he knew that Bill would understand if he said it was a gut feeling.

The rest of the day was quiet and when Jack checked with Bill about walking Elizabeth home after school, Bill didn't see a problem. He knew where to find Jack if he was needed. Bill liked to see Jack take time to spend with his new bride. Bill had the advantage of staying at the saloon, although he thought about taking the room Jack had added to the back of the jail. He wanted to think about it a little more and he also wanted to talk to Jack about it. It would save him some money and he would still be in town if he was needed. Before Jack went to meet Elizabeth, he stopped at the mercantile again. He wanted to send a wire to Headquarters and also check if his package had arrived. He was cutting it close. Elizabeth's birthday was Wednesday. He just hoped that it arrived. As Jack walked over to the mercantile, he stopped and talked to a few people. He was surprised what a couple of weeks could do to change people's minds. He still heard a little grumbling about Abigail as mayor, but she had shown herself to be quite capable. When he walked into the mercantile, Ned spotted him and smiled.

"Guess what came in on the stage today?" Ned said.

"It came." Jack said excitedly.

"It did." Ned said.

"I was getting worried." Jack said. "It is for Elizabeth's birthday and it is this week."

Jack paid the remaining balance on the gift. then took it and a wire that came in and headed back to the jail. He put the gift in the back room and checked the message. Jack's face dropped a little when he read the message. Bill saw his face.

"What is it?" Bill asked.

Jack shook his head and let out a frustrated sigh.

"Garrisons." Jack said.

"Where?" Bill asked, concerned.

"Train just outside Union City." Jack said.

"Damn." Bill said.

"No indication that they are headed this way." Jack said. "But we should be extra careful. Especially with so many new people coming into town."

"Going to talk to Pastor Frank." Bill asked.

"I think that it is only fair to warn him." Jack said. "Another set of eyes watching never hurt."

"I still don't fully like him here." Bill said. "But you are right. He may be the only person that could actually spot the Garrisons. He also may know people that also used to work for them if they came into town looking for him."

Jack checked the time and then turned to head out.

"What was that other thing you put in the back?" Bill asked.

"Elizabeth's birthday gift." Jack said. "I will take it home tomorrow night."

"I was going to ask you." Bill said. "What do you think about me moving into the room in the back?"

"If you want." Jack said. "I don't see why you shouldn't be able to do that. There isn't much room, but the cot is not that bad actually."

"I have been living in that small hotel room for months now." Bill said. "I just wanted to check with you since it is technically your office."

"It may be a Royal Northwest Mounted Police Post." Jack said. "But I would like to think that we share this office as we are both law enforcement."

"Okay." Bill said. "Go see that bride of yours."

As Jack walked up to the school, he knew he had a few minutes before school was out, so he went around back and knocked on the backdoor to see if Pastor Frank was in. He wasn't, so Jack slipped a note into the doorframe, asking him to find him to talk later. Jack heard Elizabeth getting ready to dismiss the students and quickly went up the steps. He wanted to talk to the children before they left. He opened the door and stepped into the back of the school. Elizabeth saw him enter the school and wondered what was going on. She walked back to Jack to see what was going on. While she did that students were cleaning up their spots.

"If you don't mind." Jack said. "I would like to talk to the students for a moment."

They walked back up to the front of the room together. She then clapped her hands to get the children's attention.

"Okay." Elizabeth said. "Everyone, can I have your attention? Before I release you today. Mountie Jack wants to talk to you."

"Thank you Mrs Thornton." Jack said. "Now I don't want to scare you, but I know that a number of you walk in from a distance each day. I want to ask you to keep your eyes open for people that you don't recognize. If you see someone that you don't know or that makes you feel uncomfortable, I want you to be able to come to me or Sheriff Avery."

A couple of the older children raised their hands.

"Yes, Laura." Elizabeth said.

"Is there a bad man out there?" She asked.

"I don't know." Jack said. "I just think that it never hurts to be careful. Understand."

"Okay." Laura said.

"Yes, Robert." Elizabeth said.

"Do you want us to say something if we see people like that in town?" He asked.

"I would hope so." Jack said. "If there is ever a person that you see that you feel uncomfortable to be around, I hope that you feel safe enough to tell your parents, or me or Sheriff Avery or even Mrs Thornton. We all want to keep you safe. I have learned that people need to trust those feelings that they get about other people. I don't want you to worry, I just want people to be aware with so many people coming and going."

"Thank you Mountie Jack." Elizabeth said. "Any other questions? Okay. Have a good night and be safe. I will see you all tomorrow."

With that the children all left. After the children left, Pastor Frank came in as Elizabeth was gathering her things.

"You wanted to talk to me." Pastor Frank said.

"Yes." Jack said. "Please excuse me for a moment, Elizabeth."

Jack walked over to the door where Pastor Frank was and they talked for a moment in hushed voices. Elizabeth wanted to know what was going on. After he had spoken to her students, she was a little concerned. She couldn't quite make out what Jack was saying, but she saw Pastor Frank nod and then leave.

"Ready?" Jack asked.

"As soon as you tell me what is going on." Elizabeth said, putting her hands on her hips.

"I don't know if there is anything to worry about." Jack said. "I got a wire today that the Garrison gang was spotted just east of Union City. We don't know what way they are heading, but I thought the more people that had their eyes open, the better. I didn't want to mention anything specific to the children. I have learned in the past that children usually can sense if a person is good or bad a lot easier than adults. When a child has a bad feeling about an adult, I usually go with it. They are rarely wrong."

"I will let you know if any of the students say anything." Elizabeth said.

"Like I said." Jack repeated. "I doubt that they are headed this way, but it never hurts to be careful."

"Agreed." Elizabeth said.

Jack walked Elizabeth home and then he was headed back into town. She asked him to stop and pick up a couple things at the mercantile before he came home. He promised that he would be home in a couple hours for supper. Elizabeth had planned to finish the leftovers that they had in the icebox. Since supper was mostly taken care of, she went to her desk and started grading papers. She was also working on a writing assignment for the children. She was trying to work out things before she assigned it. When she was done, she looked at the time and decided to put the leftover roast on to start heating. She also peeled some potatoes and started them cooking. She figured that she could heat a can of vegetables to complete the meal. She knew that Jack wasn't fussy, but she felt that she should at least make an effort. She was glad that her cooking skills had greatly improved since she first came to Coal Valley. Being around Abigail had helped with that. Abigail had also written out simple meals and step by step instructions for her on each. Elizabeth hoped that as she mastered the ones that she had, she could get more from Abigail. Elizabeth also understood the need to keep it to four or five simple meals for the time being as she was still learning.