Chapter 31 – Going for Help

Without telling anyone, Lee went over to his car and headed to Buxton. He hated feeling helpless when two of his best friends were injured. Lee made good time on the way to Buxton. He found Dr Stone's house and went to knock. When the doctor answered the door, Lee explained that a number of people had been shot in Hope Valley including Jack and Bill. The doctor had Lee step in the house while he let his wife know that he was heading to Hope Valley. He then went to his office and packed a bunch of supplies that he figured that he would need. As he was packing the supplies, he asked Lee more about the injuries. Lee told him what he knew. When the doctor headed for his car, Lee let him know he had his. The doctor promised to follow Lee, but would prefer to have his own car. Lee agreed. Dr Stone pulled his car out and followed Lee back to Hope Valley. Dr Stone also told his wife to wire Union City and cancel if they had sent anyone.

While Lee was gone, Collins had checked on each of the men. Once he knew that everyone was accounted for, he had his men remove Jake Garrison's body from the schoolhouse and clean up all the blood as well as repair anything that had been damaged. When they were done with that, he had each man write their report. He would get Bill's and Jack's when they recovered. Collins had hoped that no one would have gotten hurt, but it appeared that everyone was being cared for. He hadn't gone to personally check on Jack, but knew that he was in good hands. Collins knew that there was plenty to do and was making sure that he did everything that he could to make it easier for the townspeople. He kept the men on watch until morning just in case there were other people that they hadn't accounted for. He also told them to pray for those that had been injured, but not to spread rumors and gossip.

People were upset as word spread that Jack and Bill had been injured, but they did as Collins ordered and didn't talk about what they didn't know. Ned was worried about what to do about incoming wires, but Collins assured him that he was in control and unless the wires were personal, he would handle them until told otherwise. Ned was still concerned as he knew that Jack had sent personal wires to Wynn. Ned wasn't sure what Collins knew, but he decided to keep any wires from Wynn addressed to Jack and wait to give them to him personally. Ned knew that it was the least that he could do for Jack as he knew that Jack and Elizabeth liked their privacy.

Elizabeth refused to go back home and stayed by Jack's side. She was scared and afraid that she was going to lose Jack after such a short time. Abigail had assured her that he wasn't injured that bad and should be awake soon, but Elizabeth wasn't sure. Elizabeth tried to think logically, but it was hard as it was Jack that was injured. Abigail tried to hide her own fears, but it was hard. Abigail realized that it would be a long night and that there were going to be a number of hungry Mounties in the morning. While keeping an eye on Jack and Elizabeth, she started baking. She needed to do something, and baking kept her mind and hands busy. As Abigail was working, she prayed for Jack and all those involved.

Elizabeth was also praying for Jack as she sat with him. She couldn't lose him and she was praying that he would just wake up. She wanted to see the green eyes that she loved and kiss him. Elizabeth also began to wonder if she would really be able to handle all that came with Jack's job. She prayed for strength to be there for Jack and help support him as he had been supportive to her.

Lee and Dr Stone arrived back in Hope Valley well after midnight. Lee brought him to Jack first. It wasn't that Lee didn't care about Bill, but Jack was his best friend. Abigail was surprised when Lee walked in with the doctor. He looked at Abigail and she quickly gave him the details. He then asked Elizabeth if he could examine Jack. Elizabeth nodded, but refused to let go of Jack's hand. Dr Stone checked Jack's wound and agreed that it wasn't that bad, but would need a few days of rest and longer before back fully at work. He tried to assure Elizabeth that he would be fine. Satisfied that Jack was okay, Lee took Dr Stone to the infirmary. He checked Bill first. He stitched the wound and let Bill know that he would need to take a couple weeks to let it heal, but might give him problems since it was so close after a similar injury. Of course Bill wasn't happy. Next Dr Stone checked Jesse and agreed that it was flesh wounds and rewrapped his arm and side. He put both Bill and Jesse's arms in slings. He told them both to take it easy for two weeks.

Dr Stone then moved on to check Pastor Frank. He found a couple broken ribs and wrapped them. He didn't find anything else wrong with Frank and let him know that he would be sore for a few weeks. Frank let him know that he had been hurt worse. He asked if he could go sleep in his own place. Once Dr Stone was satisfied that he hadn't hit his head he agreed. Frank carefully got up and headed back to the schoolhouse. Dr Stone asked if anyone else had been injured and was informed that two prisoners had minor injuries. Constable Carver stayed with Bill and Jesse while Constable McDillion took Dr Stone over to the jail. Dr Stone checked both of the prisoners and agreed that they would be fine. When he left the jail, Dr Stone looked around and as if Lee could read his mind.

"Saloon hotel is closed for the night." Lee said. "Why don't you stay at my house?"

"Lead the way." Dr Stone said.

Both men got in their cars and Lee led the way to his house. He let Dr Stone take his room. Lee said he would stay downstairs. Lee showed the doctor what he needed, then sat down on the couch and felt the emotional toll of the day. Lee closed his eyes for a little bit before he would have to head back into town for work.

It was almost dawn when Jack started to stir. Elizabeth was right there when she felt him move. Jack blinked his eyes a couple times to figure out where he was. He realized that he was at the cafe.

"Hey." Elizabeth said. "There are those green eyes that I love."

"Hey, Bella." Jack said. "Why am I at Abigail's?"

"Honey." Elizabeth said. "Do you remember what happened last night?"

"We got the Garrisons." Jack said. "Bill and Frank were injured. I need to check on them."

Jack tried to get up, but Elizabeth stopped him.

"Jack." Elizabeth said. "You were hurt as well. You got shot in the leg. Abigail and I were able to take care of you."

When Jack had heard that it was a leg injury and Abigail had helped, he blushed. He looked around again and saw his uniform pants sitting on the chair by the couch. He blushed even deeper.

"Lee went and got Dr Stone." Abigail said. "He checked on you and all the men injured. Everyone is fine. I was even able to clean and fix your uniform pants. Can barely tell that there was a bullet hole."

"I have to go." Jack said. "There is so much paperwork to do, especially with six prisoners."

"Jack." Abigail said sternly.

Jack started to sit up. He was mad. Abigail came over and sat down next to Jack to keep him from getting up. Jack shook his head and tried to sit up again.

"Hand me my pants please." Jack said.

"Let him go." Elizabeth said.

"Fine." Abigail said. "I will leave for a moment so that you can get dressed."

Abigail started up the stairs. Jack moved the blanket and looked at his leg. He realized that he would be sore for a few days, but at least Jake Garrison wouldn't hurt anyone else. He slipped his pants on and buttoned them. He then pulled the suspenders over his arms. He reached for his serge and put on. Once he was standing, Elizabeth was by his side. He pulled her into a hug and kissed her.

"Sorry to scare you." Jack said.

"At least you're okay." Elizabeth said.

"Walk me over to the jail?" Jack asked.

Elizabeth reached for her coat and slipped in on. Jack and her left the side door of the cafe and walked the short distance to the jail slowly. Jack had a bit of a limp, but tried to hide it. Elizabeth didn't even think that he should have been up and around. Henderson was surprised when Jack walked in. Elizabeth helped Jack to his desk. He sat down. Elizabeth took a seat on one of the other chairs.

"Elizabeth." Jack said. "I have reports to do. Please go home and get some sleep. As soon as I finish the paperwork and check on everyone, I will come home. I promise to take it easy today, but I have to get these reports done and send them with Collins when he leaves later with these prisoners."

Elizabeth reluctantly left Jack and headed home. Jack started writing up the report. It took him a little bit to piece everything together. He had to shake the cobwebs from his brain. It was then that he remembered Jake Garrison had been shot dead. When Jack stood to get some coffee, he saw that Price and Taylor were still locked up, but now sharing a cell. He looked over and recognized the other two as the ones with Garrison. He wondered where Jesse was and that was when he remembered that Jesse had also been hurt. Jack remembered that he saw Jesse at the infirmary when he went in to check on Bill. Jack was able to write up his reports. He was just finishing when McGinty walked in.

"Good to see you up." McGinty said. "Sorry I didn't realize that you were hit. How are you doing?"

"Sore." Jack said. "How are you?"

"Me, I am fine." McGinty said. "I just wanted to grab a rifle before I head out on rounds for you. Collins is going to leave me here for a few days so that you and Bill can rest and heal."

"Speaking of Bill." Jack said. "How is everyone? They were all sleeping when I looked at the infirmary."

"The doc stitched up Bill and checked Jesse. Both are in a sling for a while." McGinty said. "Frank apparently has some broken ribs from the fall, but other than that fine. As far as those two, minor injuries from what I hear. Nothing that will stop them from spending time at Medicine Hat."

Jack nodded. He was really tired. He looked around the jail and realized that there wasn't much more that he could do there.

"Joe." Jack said. "Before you go on rounds, can you take me home?"

"Sure." McGinty said. "Think you can ride? Sergeant is still saddled."

"Let's go." Jack said.

Jack and McGinty walked outside. Jack was able to get up on Sergeant with a little help. McGinty and Jack rode to the row house in silence. After Jack got down, Joe took Sergeant's reins.

"I will drop him at the livery before I go on rounds." McGinty said.

Jack nodded toward McGinty then overlooked and saw two cars at Lee's and wondered why for a moment, then realized one must be Dr Stone's. Jack thought back to the night and wondered why he didn't wire for him and then realized that he had forgotten that he was there as he was retiring. Jack walked in the house and shut the door. He sat down and pulled his boots off. As he was sitting there, Jack knew that he was much more sore then he had originally thought. He was glad that it wasn't worse, but he also knew that he wasn't going to be able to do anything for a while. He knew if he was hurting that bad just from a short ride from the jail, that it was worse than he thought. Jack shook his head, he didn't want to think about it at the moment. He hung up his coat and checked the stove. He then went upstairs and crawled in bed with his wife. She snuggled close to him and he wrapped his arms around her before falling asleep. Jack didn't realize how tired and sore he was until he had laid down with Elizabeth. Elizabeth must have been tired because she didn't wake when he crawled in bed. Jack felt bad for frightening her again.

When Elizabeth woke up, she realized that Jack was next to her. She looked at the clock and realized that it was after 10am. She knew that they both needed sleep after the night that they had. She wasn't sure when Jack had come home or crawled in bed, but was glad he was there. She slipped from the bed and headed downstairs. She pulled her coat on and went outside. When she came back in, she washed her hands and put some coffee on. She then headed upstairs and got dressed for the day. She figured that she would have to spend part of the day cleaning the schoolhouse, so she dressed in more comfortable clothes. She headed downstairs and made some breakfast for herself. She wanted to make something for Jack, but she also didn't want to wake him. Just as she was sitting down, Jack came down the stairs.

"Smells good." Jack said.

"Sit." Elizabeth said.

She stood up, grabbed a cup of coffee for Jack and when she turned around and set it down, he pulled her into his arms.

"Here, have my eggs and I will make some more for myself." Elizabeth said.

"No, you eat." Jack said. "I can make some toast and eggs for myself.

Jack stood and made his way to the kitchen. He quickly made his eggs and sat down. They were eating when there was a knock at the door. Since Elizabeth was almost finished, she went to answer the door. When she opened the door, she found Constable McGinty with Dr Stone. Jack took the last couple bites and then greeted the visitors. Dr Stone insisted on checking Jack's wound. Instead of going upstairs, Jack went to the guest room. When Dr Stone and Jack came out, Dr Stone assured both Jack and Elizabeth that Jack would be okay. Dr Stone also stressed that Jack would need to take it easy. He also let them know that Jack had work to do, but that he needed to rest after he transferred the prisoners out. He also let them know that he would be back if there was any concern, but since Jack knew how to take stitches out, so he could if he wanted himself next week.

"Sorry, Jack." McGinty said. "I have orders from Collins to bring you into town."

"Well." Dr Stone said. "I will drive him, since I have to go check on the others anyway. But then you will need to rest, I will be letting Superintendent Collins know that you are out until the stitches come out. And don't even think about pulling them early – I am sure your wife or one of the others will let me know."

Both Jack and Elizabeth nodded.

"Can I have two minutes with my wife?" Jack asked.

"I will be in my car." Dr Stone said.

McGinty and Dr Stone went outside and gave Jack a couple minutes. As soon as the door closed, Jack pulled Elizabeth into a hug and then kissed her. When he pulled away, he looked in her eyes and held her for a moment.

"I know that I need to take it easy." Jack said. "But you understand why I have to go into the office. This morning, McGinty told me that he will be here for a few days so that Bill and I can recover. I promise to rest, but I have to sign the prisoners over. It is my station and my responsibility. Collins knows that I was injured, so if he wants me there, it must be something."

"I understand." Elizabeth said. "I don't like it, but I understand. Please be careful. Abigail and I had a hard time putting those stitches in and I don't want you tearing them."

Jack blushed slightly before he gave Elizabeth another kiss and then headed out the door. He climbed in the car with Dr Stone. McGinty climbed in after Jack, he had wanted to make sure that Jack didn't need a hand. The trio headed to town. The last thing Jack wanted to do was head to town, but duty called. Jack understood duty and service. He would have much rather spent the day curled up with Elizabeth. When they got to town, Dr Stone pulled up by the infirmary. Jack and McGinty headed to the jail. Jack grabbed some paperwork. McDillion and White were there keeping an eye on the prisoners. The first thing that White wanted was the keys to the cell. That alone made him suspect.

"Why do you want those?" Jack demanded.

"I was going to let the prisoners use the outhouse and change." White said.

"Well access denied." Jack said. "If Collins wanted you to have the keys, then he would have given them to you."

"We are still over at the office." McGinty said.