Chapter 12 – William's Rant part 2 (long)

Elizabeth turned and gave Jack a slight nod. He knew that she wanted him to tell what happened. Jack took a deep breath, squared his shoulders and faced William Thatcher.

"That is because I arrested him for assaulting Elizabeth." Jack said.

"He would do no such thing." William retorted. "You just arrested him because you were jealous that he had my blessing."

"Are you calling your daughter a liar?" Jack said. "And calling into question my integrity as a peace officer? Because if I were you, I would think again before you go down that road. I don't care who you are, you are not going to smear my name and reputation."

Wynn could see the anger flash across Jack's face. He hoped that William would back down, but he knew his brother-in-law was not used to not getting his way and could be fiercely stubborn. Before things escalated again, he stood and spoke.

"Charles is lucky that Jack showed restraint." Wynn said. "Had someone laid a hand on my Elizabeth or Sophie, I would have probably shot them on the spot."

William just looked between Jack, Elizabeth and Wynn. This was not going the way that he wanted it to go and he needed to take a step back.

"Fine." William said. "We will discuss that whole situation more later. First we need to clear up a few things regarding Julie and Tom."

"Yes we do." Wynn said, taking his seat again.

Dee took a seat at the table on the same side as William, but not next to him. Dee decided to leave a couple spaces between them. Jack and Elizabeth sat down with Elizabeth between her aunt and Jack. Once they were seated, Jack scooted his chair closer to Elizabeth and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Her hand went to his thigh and his other hand came across his body and covered hers. The action didn't go unnoticed by Aunt Elizabeth. William visibly bristled when Jack wrapped a protective arm around Elizabeth. Jack chose to ignore it. He wasn't going to let William intimidate him or stop him from loving his wife. Wynn was the first to speak.

"Have you spoken to Julie?" Wynn asked.

"Yes, I have." William said. "I want to see this so-called evidence against her. I still believe that the Thornton boy is behind all of this. Julie would never do that on her own."

Elizabeth let out a harsh breath that drew a look from her father.

"Really, Father." Elizabeth said, rolling her eyes. "What about the year before I left for Coal Valley when she took the car to the club and back without your permission? You want to talk about someone with their head in the clouds, that would most definitely be Julie. I don't know what she told you, about this situation or about what really happened when she came to Coal Valley. But Julie thinks that life is one giant romance novel and that people will just rescue her because she is pretty and wealthy. I have tried to talk to her, but because you have always let her get away with everything, it is almost impossible to get her to understand that she just can't do whatever it is that she wants without there being consequences."

"What do you mean what happened when she was in Coal Valley?" William said. "She told me that Mrs Stanton had taken in an injured man and when it turned out to be a member of an outlaw gang, the other members of the gang kidnapped you so they could secure their escape. That is why I got that teaching job back here for you. I thought that Mrs Stanton would have had more sense than to have strange men in the house."

Jack, Wynn, Dee and Elizabeth all laughed. Aunt Elizabeth just shook her head. She had heard enough of the story to know that was not the case.

"Are you going to tell him or should I?" Jack said, looking at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth just nodded to Jack. He understood that she didn't want to talk about what happened.

"The truth, Mr Thatcher." Jack said. "After causing a disruption as Elizabeth was trying to teach the children a nature lesson, Julie ditched her Mountie escort and wandered into the woods. Where she found a cabin. She also found one Nate Tolliver. Yes, he lied to her at first. He needed medical attention and Julie said that she would come back and take care of him. She then returned to town and the next day without telling anyone where she was going or what she was doing headed back to the cabin to treat Tolliver's gunshot wound. When Julie realized that he was sicker than what she could handle, she brought him back to town and to Mrs Stanton's. Julie then lied to Abigail and Elizabeth about what happened and how she came to find him. When Constable O'Riley realized who he was, he wired for additional help.

As I was traveling to my new posting of Cape Fullerton, I had come across a number of units out looking for the Tolliver gang. When one told me that Nate Tolliver's horse had been found near Coal Valley, I immediately turned and rode back as fast as I possibly could while still being safe and not pushing my horse beyond his ability. Meanwhile, Nate Tolliver had recovered enough from his gunshot and left the cafe. Apparently, he had gone back to the cabin to retrieve the money that they had stolen. Constable O'Riley was following Nate to see where he went, when Tolliver jumped him and knocked him out. While he did that, the rest of the gang rode into Coal Valley and learned that Nate had been staying at the cafe. They stormed the cafe, tied up Abigail and took Elizabeth and Julie with them. They forced Julie to show them where the cabin was. From what I understand, Elizabeth insisted that she go as well. She was trying to protect Julie since from what I have been told she was angering the group and not telling them what she knew. God knows what would have happened if Elizabeth hadn't stepped in and demanded Julie show them what they wanted.

When I rode into town … Actually, I found Constable O'Riley in the forest before I got to town. He had been tied to this horse and dragged. He was fine, but angry. Then Patrick and I found Abigail tied up and she was the one that told us that they had taken Elizabeth and Julie. Patrick filled me in on what happened and that he was positive that it was the Tolliver gang. We devised a plan to rescue the girls and capture the gang. Abigail had also let us know that Elizabeth left Patrick a note at the office. Between that and what Patrick knew, I then had him show me where Julie had ditched him a few days before. From there, I knew what cabin they were in. We followed the plan and rescued the girls without either of them getting hurt. Patrick and I were able to capture the gang and bring them to justice. It was when I thought that Elizabeth was in danger that I chose to return to Coal Valley. I actually was going against orders when I returned to rescue Elizabeth and Julie. But after capturing the Tolliver gang, it was forgiven. I couldn't bear the thought that anything happened to Elizabeth and I wasn't there to protect her."

William looked at Jack, then Elizabeth and finally to Wynn. He couldn't believe what Jack had told him. He couldn't believe that Julie outright lied to him about what happened. He was having a hard time believing that Julie would do something like that.

"If you don't believe Jack." Elizabeth said. "I have copies of all the statements that were submitted for the trial."

Again William looked to Wynn who just nodded.

"I told you." Elizabeth said. "Julie is the one that has her head in the clouds. She reads these romance novels and thinks that is real life. She flat out told me that people do things for her because she is pretty and has money. I am absolutely sure that she was behind breaking into the dance hall and taking the car. Julie does whatever she wants and because you have never made her face any consequences, she believes that she can do whatever she wants and you will be there to bail her out. Bringing Nate Tolliver to the cafe wasn't the first trouble that Julie caused in Coal Valley."

"You can't really believe that." William said. "Can you?"

"Yes." Elizabeth said. "Julie had also been very disrespectful to me in the classroom before the nature trip. She was also disrespectful to Abigail. I actually kicked her out of my classroom because she couldn't follow the rules and I didn't want the other children thinking that it was acceptable to act that way. You blamed me and Abigail when Julie caused trouble in Coal Valley. You took her word for it without finding out what really happened, despite me writing to you about what really happened. Then without all the facts or choosing to ignore them, you blamed me and Abigail. You blamed Abigail for being irresponsible and me for not watching Julie. You are doing the same thing here. You listened to Julie and without finding anything else out, you blamed Tom."

"There does seem to be one thing in common." Aunt Elizabeth said. "Wherever Julie goes, trouble seems to follow. Whether you know it or not, Julie has caused trouble for years. If you knew, you chose to ignore it or blame others for things that Julie did. I understand that she is the youngest, but she is also an adult that needs to learn that she can't do whatever she wants. What would have happened if she would have hit another car or God forbid, killed someone? As far as the trouble that she caused in Coal Valley, I am with Beth. If Julie was being disrespectful, then Beth had every reason to kick her out of the classroom. I would have never tolerated that to happen. William, you are the one that is causing trouble. You have never held Julie to the same standard that you have held the other girls. Julie is never going to learn if you keep making problems go away."

"Julie is an adult." Jack said. "She needs to learn that she can't do whatever she wants. I am with Elizabeth as far as what happened in Coal Valley. Abigail is not someone that gets upset very easily and I have never seen her as upset as she was with Julie. That includes when she faced the man that murdered her husband and son."

"So what is going to happen?" William asked, realizing he had no way out, but wasn't ready to admit defeat.

"Well a lot of that depends on you." Wynn said. "No matter what, there will be no charges against Tom Thornton. All we can prove is that he was in a car that Julie took and was injured while she was driving. A job out of town has been arranged for him and he understands that it is his last chance."

"Well, where is this job and when is he leaving?" William demanded.

"That is frankly none of your business." Jack said, his voice was cold as ice. "All I will tell you, is that it has been arranged and it will take him away from Hamilton and out of Ontario. He also knows the consequences of choosing to stay here. You have no right to know anything else. Tom has the right to privacy and frankly, I don't trust you to leave him alone so he can start over. Don't cross me when it comes to my family. You will leave Tom alone and if I find out otherwise …."

"Jack." Wynn said.

"Sorry, Sir." Jack said without removing his steely stare at William.

"This is what I am offering." Wynn said. "I will hold off charging Julie, BUT in exchange, she needs to stay out of trouble for one year. Anything, and I mean anything happens and this will come back at her. After one year, I will just file things. There will be a record, but there will be no charges. Additionally, Julie is not permitted to get a license to operate a motor vehicle until she is twenty-five and proven that she is responsible."

"And if I don't agree to this." William said.

"I will personally see to the arrest of Julie and make sure she serves the maximum." Dee said. "Furthermore, I will have a conversation with a reporter friend of mine. I am sure that he would love to hear about how shipping tycoon William Thatcher's daughter crashed a car while driving without a license only to injure the son of a decorated fallen Mountie, only to blame the victim while her father tried to buy her way out of trouble."

Everyone at the table just looked at Dee. His mother could tell that he was serious, but she had never seen her son speak so boldly. She was worried that her brother would do something. She then looked at her husband and he also appeared shocked at what his son said.

"You can't do that." William bellowed.

"You can't stop me." Dee said. "Besides, the facts are on my side. I am so sick of these spoiled brats who think that they can do whatever they want and get away with it because their parents have money."

"Your choice." Wynn said. "Like Dee said, the facts are on our side. Not only do we have the physical evidence of Tom's injuries, but there are the witness statements that say Julie was driving. We also have a sworn statement from Tom himself. So we forget about this and you keep Julie out of trouble or we charge her and everything gets released to the paper."

William didn't like not getting his way, but he knew that he couldn't handle the bad press at this point. He also didn't want to cause any more stress to his wife.

"Fine, you have a deal." William ground out. "But I better not read about this in the paper."

"I can't help it if people talk." Wynn said. "But you have my word that we will not say anything."

William's patience had been tried and he was done dealing with his sister and brother-in-law. He stood and looked at Elizabeth.

"Let's go." William said. "You are coming home with me and I am putting an end to this sham of a marriage."

Elizabeth squeezed Jack's leg and he squeezed her hand. She leaned over, kissed Jack on the cheek and whispered that she loved him in his ear. He just kissed her temple, but made no effort to stand or release Elizabeth.

"Enough Beth." William said. "We are leaving now, this is over."

William started to walk around the table to get Elizabeth. Jack instantly stood up and held Elizabeth behind him. Jack had instinctively gone into full Mountie mode.

"No Sir." Jack said. "We are adults and we can choose to do what we want. We have broken no laws and are legally married. You will not lay a hand on my wife."

"I don't think you know who you are messing with right now." William said. "Now Beth, let's go. This is enough. Hopefully we can keep this quiet and Charles will be willing to give you another chance."

"No Father." Elizabeth said. "I don't love Charles. I love Jack and I am building a life with him in Hope Valley."

"What does love have to do with any of this?" William scoffed. "This was a business deal made between me and the senior Charles Kensington years ago. It is a done deal. So let's go, Beth, I am not going to ask again."

As William moved closer to Elizabeth, Wynn stood up and came to stand next to Jack, blocking William from Elizabeth. Dee also stood up and moved to a spot next to Elizabeth. He also wanted to protect her since she was refusing to let go of Jack's hand.

"William." Wynn said. "This is over. You need to leave. Beth has made her decision. She doesn't want to go with you. She is an adult and you can't force her. But you lay a hand on her against her will and it will not end well for you. You are in the presence of three Mounties. I will arrest you and it will not go away. Remember, I am a Deputy Commissioner. I don't care how much money or influence you have, in matters like this my word will carry a lot more weight."

"Beth, this is your last chance." William said. "I mean it, I will cut you off. I will no longer help you. I will no longer pay for you to travel first class. I will no longer send you money. Nothing! Absolutely nothing from me in the future."

"I don't care!" Elizabeth yelled. "I chose Jack. Besides, I don't need your money. Mostly all I have ever used the money that you send was to add to my classroom aids. Other than that, I saved it. I have lived on my salary for months. Jack and I will continue to make ends meet. We don't need much, we are fine in Hope Valley."

"You will be sorry Beth." William said.

William spun on his heel and headed for the door. He grabbed his coat and briefcase before slamming the front door and storming over to his car. The driver quickly started the car and pulled away from the house. William was fuming. He barked at his driver to take him back to the office.

As soon as the door slammed, Elizabeth collapsed into Jack's arms. Jack caught her and without a word carried her to the library. Everyone was worried about her and quickly followed Jack. He laid her on the couch, checked her breathing and pulse before standing and turning to see Wynn, Elizabeth and Dee standing there looking at him.

"Is she alright?" Wynn asked.

"Her breathing and pulse are fine." Jack said. "It has been an overly emotional and trying week. But I think that she will be fine."

"Are you sure you don't want me to call the doctor?" Aunt Elizabeth asked.

Jack looked back at Elizabeth and then to Wynn and Elizabeth. He just shrugged his shoulders.

"It couldn't hurt." Jack said. "I am sure that she just fainted, but if you want, go ahead."

Before Aunt Elizabeth could go over to the phone, Dee was already on with the operator.

"He is on his way." Dee said. "It shouldn't be more than ten minutes or so."

"I am worried about her." Jack said quietly to Wynn. "She really has eaten that much. She only had one piece of French toast this morning and she barely touched her lunch. She also didn't eat much while we were traveling."

After speaking to Wynn, Jack sat by Elizabeth. He wasn't going to leave her side and Wynn knew it. Wynn looked at his wife and son, then nodded. They understood and left the library. Elizabeth Rose went to clean up the dishes from tea. Dee really didn't want to look at the work that he had brought home, so he grabbed his sketchbook and headed to the dining room. He needed to keep his hands as well as his mind busy. He was worried for his cousin. His Mountie training told him that she was going to be okay and he trusted Jack, but there was just something about seeing her collapse like that that unnerved him. It felt like forever, but it was really less than ten minutes and there was a knock on the door. Dee hurried to the door and was relieved to see the doctor. He immediately led him to the library as he filled him in on what happened. When they entered the library, Wynn stood and greeted the doctor before leaving with Dee. He knew that the doctor wouldn't want a bunch of people around. Jack also stood to greet the doctor.

"If you will excuse me." The doctor said to Jack. "I would like to see the patient."

"This is my wife." Jack said. "I am not leaving."

"Fine." The doctor said. "Just stay out of my way."

Jack stepped back, but kept his eye on the doctor. He didn't particularly care for the older man's bedside manner and didn't want to leave him alone with Elizabeth. The doctor pulled out a stethoscope to check Elizabeth's heart and lungs. As he was examining Elizabeth she started to come around and tried to push the unfamiliar hands off her. Jack was quickly at her side.

"Bella." He said softly. "Calm down Bella. I am right here."

When she heard Jack's voice she instantly calmed down. She scrunched up her face before opening her eyes and trying to focus.

"It is okay." Jack said, still sitting by her and holding her hand. "You passed out. Aunt Elizabeth insisted that we call a doctor. I just wanted to make sure that you are okay."

"I am fine." Elizabeth said softly as she tried to sit up.