Chapter 34 – Medical Leave
After being together, they lay snuggled up in bed. Elizabeth was dancing her fingers across the muscles on Jack's chest. Jack loved when she traced his muscles. It was a light airy touch and it caused his muscles to twitch in reaction to her movement. Besides causing his muscles to twitch, she created a fire on his skin wherever her fingers landed. While Elizabeth was doing that, Jack was once again playing with Elizabeth's hair. He loved to play with her curls. He loved the feel and smell of her hair. Despite what Elizabeth was doing to him, he was having trouble keeping his eyes open. Slowly he quit playing with her hair and his hands stopped. Jack's arms were wrapped around Elizabeth and when she felt his breathing slow down, she stopped what she was doing. As much as she wanted to stay there and snuggle with Jack, she knew that she couldn't. Once Elizabeth knew that Jack was asleep, she slipped from the bed, put on a nightgown and wrapped a robe around herself. She then headed back back downstairs, pulling the bedroom door closed.
Once downstairs, she went to her writing desk and worked on her manuscript. She had six publishers in mind and had to type a copy for each one. She also wanted to have a typed copy for herself. Elizabeth had been working on her manuscript for a while and didn't notice that it was getting to be evening. Elizabeth was lost in her typing and didn't hear Jack come down the stairs. Jack walked over and wrapped his arms around her from behind, causing her to jump.
"I didn't hear you come down." Elizabeth said.
"Sorry." Jack said. "I didn't mean to startle you, but it was lonely upstairs without you."
"I figured that you needed the rest." Elizabeth said. "I wanted to get some more done on the manuscript. I was hoping to get them out to potential publishers soon."
Jack had pulled on some pajamas and a robe before coming downstairs. Both had figured that since they had a day to relax, it wasn't worth getting dressed again. Neither planned on going anywhere and Jack was technically on medical leave, so no one should bother him. He wanted to be comfortable and so did Elizabeth. Jack had brought his portfolio and sketchbook down with him. He wanted to work on a sketch while Elizabeth worked on her writing. Jack wasn't sure what he was going to do with himself all week, but he was glad that he had picked up the extra sketchbooks when they were in Hamilton. He figured that he would be spending a lot of time drawing in the coming week. Jack also wanted to do paperwork at the office, but he also knew that he needed his rest.
It was about an hour after Jack had come downstairs that Elizabeth heard her stomach growl. She went to start getting supper ready. She wasn't sure how hungry Jack was, but she knew that she was hungry. Once things were almost ready, she called over to Jack and he came and sat at the table. She put the food in front of them and once again Jack offered a prayer. They ate but didn't talk much, similar to how they had been most of the afternoon and evening. Again when they were finished eating, Elizabeth did up the few dishes. Jack liked watching his wife work. He wanted to help her, but he knew that she would insist that he stay where he was. When Elizabeth was done with the dishes, she banked the fire in the stove and checked both doors. Jack banked the other fire and turned down the lanterns. They then headed back upstairs for the night.
Monday morning came and the alarm went off. Elizabeth was excited to get back into the classroom and get back into a routine. She knew that it was going to be hard for Jack that week, but hoped that he would do what he said and take it easy. He didn't have to go out on rounds and didn't even have to go into the office, but she knew that he would. Jack wasn't one that could sit and do nothing for too long. Jack barely moved when the alarm went off, so Elizabeth reached over and shut off. She slipped from the bed and got dressed for the day. She went downstairs to make some breakfast and a lunch to take to school. When Jack still hadn't come down, she went to check on him and he was still sleeping. Elizabeth went back downstairs, wrote him a note and left it near his coffee cup. She also made a mental note to have McGinty check on him later if he hadn't come into town by lunch time. Elizabeth left for school, but what she really wanted to do was stay at home with her husband.
Before heading to the schoolhouse, she made a quick stop by the jail and saw Carver. She asked that they check on Jack if he hadn't come into town by lunch time. Carver promised that he would and wished her a good day at school. Elizabeth made her way to the schoolhouse and started getting things ready for the day. It wasn't long and it was time to welcome the students back for the week. The morning went by fast and Elizabeth was glad that she could let the students out at lunch. They needed the time to run around and the fresh air also helped. While she was sitting on the steps watching the children, she wondered how Jack was.
Jack had slept until about 10 am that morning. He went downstairs and found Elizabeth's note. He made himself a quick breakfast and then headed into town. He wanted to talk to Jesse and check on Bill. Jack headed for the jail and found Bill there. He was grumpy because he was supposed to be taking it easy. McGinty and Carver wouldn't let him do anything. Out of frustration, Bill had gone to the cafe only to annoy Abigail and she told him to rest. It was the same arm that he had hurt when he had gone after the counterfeiters, so she was concerned about it healing properly. Jack agreed that it was hard to take it easy, it wasn't something that Mounties did well. Jack learned that Wynn had put Jesse up at the saloon hotel for two weeks so he could heal and decided what he wanted to do. Jack wasn't going to bother him at this point, he figured Wynn had talked to him. Jack would give him a little space and talk to him later in the week. Jack had lunch with Bill at the cafe.
After lunch, Jack was in the office again. He still hadn't read through the daily reports from when he was gone and he had end of the month paperwork to do that week. It was one time that Jack was grateful for paperwork. It was something that he could do and he was sitting so, it wasn't bothering his leg. At one point Jack looked up and realized that school would be getting out soon, so he finished up the page that he was on and got ready to head out. Before heading to the school, he stopped by the mercantile, picked up a couple things and checked mail and messages. The afternoon had not been much better for Elizabeth. The children were still having a hard time sitting still and focusing. She hoped that it was only because it was Monday, otherwise she would have to change up her lesson plans for the week and include some time outside either doing something with a nature lesson or maybe a science project. She would have to see how things went the next day. She was just gathering the last of the things into her basket when she heard footsteps coming up the stairs. She looked up and smiled when she saw Jack.
"I was wondering if you would like an escort home Mrs Thornton." Jack said.
"As a matter of fact." Elizabeth said. "I would love for an escort to walk me home, Constable."
"It is Corporal, Mrs Thornton." Jack teased.
Elizabeth smiled and nodded that Jack was right. She grabbed her basket and walked to the back of the classroom. Jack held her coat for her, then took her basket and set it in the small crate that he had gotten at the mercantile. He carried it while Elizabeth closed up the schoolhouse. When she was at the bottom of the steps, she slipped her arm into Jack's and they walked home. That was how the week went. Elizabeth would get up before Jack and head to the schoolhouse. He would sleep in and then head into the office for a while. He would then meet Elizabeth and walk her home after school. Then he would take a nap on the couch before supper. As the week went on, Jack wasn't sleeping in as late or as tired when he came home in the afternoon. By Friday, Elizabeth wasn't as concerned about Jack as she had been earlier in the week. She still insisted on cleaning and rewrapping his wound each evening before bed. She was glad that they were able to stave off infection. On Friday, Jack agreed that he could probably take the stitches out Sunday or Monday, but then he would have to watch it again for a couple days.
Since Jack was feeling better, he had wanted to do something with Elizabeth on Saturday. Mother Nature stopped any plans by covering the countryside in a blanket of snow overnight. The temperatures were chilly and didn't allow for much outside activity. Elizabeth did make a quick trip into town because they needed some things at the mercantile. While Elizabeth had gone into town, Jack took the opportunity to bring in some more wood. He was glad that he had decided to cover the wood in the backyard. He didn't have to worry about it freezing together and making a mess when he brought it in. Elizabeth returned from town with the needed supplies as well as stew from Abigail. When Elizabeth got back, she heated the stew so they could have something to eat. Elizabeth also set out the biscuits that Abigail sent to have with the stew. They enjoyed a nice lunch, but Jack could tell that something was going on with Elizabeth. She had been quiet since she had come back from town. He wanted to ask her, but had learned that sometimes it was easier to just let her come to him. He knew that sometimes she had to work things out in her head before she was ready to talk.
There hadn't been many people in town and Elizabeth was able to get what she needed as well as pick up mail and messages. Elizabeth handed Jack a couple of messages. Elizabeth hadn't heard from her family since they left. She knew that her mother was not one for writing long letters, but she usually sent something. Julie had also not written to her and she was disappointed. It was usually Julie that let her know what was going on in the family. Jack read through his messages. He learned that the Garrisons had been delivered to Medicine Hat prison. Wynn and Dee had returned to Hamilton. Price and Taylor were stripped of their badges. Price would also have to serve six months in jail. There was still an ongoing investigation into other activities by both Price and Taylor, so there may be additional charges. For now, they couldn't continue to cause trouble for people or the Mounties. Jack hated seeing Mounties be arrested, but even worse was when Mounties thought that their badge gave them the right to break the law. He was glad that Wynn had punished them and that the Mounties were continuing to look into what they all did. Jack then looked over at Elizabeth and saw that she was withdrawn even more and he decided that he couldn't wait any longer to figure out what was wrong.
"Everything okay?" Jack asked
"Yes and no." Elizabeth said. "I haven't heard anything from my family since that telegram addressed to you when we first got back from Hamilton. Not even a letter from Julie. I usually get one a week. She always was filling me in on things in Hamilton, now I haven't had a letter from her since before we left. I knew that they were upset, but this is the first time that I actually feel rejected by them. I am sure that Viola's engagement announcement has been in the paper, yet nothing."
"Oh Elizabeth." Jack said. "I am so sorry. I know that you were close to your family, and I am sorry that I am the reason that they don't talk to you anymore."
Jack wasn't sure what he could do, but he would be there for Elizabeth.
"I love you." Elizabeth said. "I am not sorry that I chose you, but I am a little shocked that my family can't accept my decisions. I know what they said when I was there, but I figured that Father would calm down and realize that we are happy. I also know that my mother is in a tough spot. I also know that Mother is not one for a long letter, but not even a note. It hurts."
"I am trying to be understanding." Jack said. "But also remember that Julie got in trouble, so maybe your parents are keeping her closer to home and haven't been out. Julie also strikes me as one to pout when she doesn't get her way. So she probably is mad at you for not siding with her. I am sure that things will get better. We can ask Aunt Elizabeth if Viola's announcement was in the paper and to send a copy if you want."
"I know." Elizabeth said. "But it still hurts. I would expect that they would send it to me, especially since Viola is expecting me to be in the wedding. I don't know if I even want to at this point."
Jack pulled Elizabeth to him. He held her close as he rubbed her back. The tears that she had been holding fell. He wasn't sure what to say, so he just held her. Jack didn't understand how a family could treat each other the way that Elizabeth's family was treating her. He knew that no matter what happened, he could never turn his back on one of his children. He thought that ironic since he currently didn't have any, but he knew how it felt to not have a father. Granted his situation was different, but he would have done anything to have his father say that he was proud of him. As Elizabeth's sobs stopped, Jack took his hand and lifted her chin so that he could see her face. He kissed her forehead and then the tip of her nose. When he leaned his forehead against hers, Elizabeth closed the distance and claimed Jack's lips. After a brief but comforting kiss, Elizabeth pulled back and rested her head on Jack's chest again.
Elizabeth was amazed how much better she felt just being in Jack's arms. Yes, she was sad about the way that her family treated her, but also realized that Jack was her family and hopefully they would have a family of their own one day. Elizabeth was also grateful that she had her aunt and uncle. She also loved that Jack's mother was so supportive. She and Charlotte may not agree on some things, but the fact that she supported both them was enough. Elizabeth hoped that her family, especially her father, would come around when they had children. Jack and Elizabeth spent the rest of the afternoon curled up on the couch, each reading a book. Elizabeth just wanted to be close to Jack, but didn't want to be physical. She wanted to calm her emotions before she and Jack came together again.
The next morning, Elizabeth got up before Jack and got ready for church. She headed downstairs to get their breakfast ready and Jack was down shortly before it was ready. Jack knew that Elizabeth wasn't feeling the greatest, so he planned on taking her to the cafe for lunch after services. He knew that the last couple of weeks had been hard for her and was hoping that seeing people and being out would help. They left early so that they would have enough time to walk slowly into town for church. Jack's leg was feeling better, but he still needed to work to build the strength back up. He hoped to be back to work in the coming week. He wanted to see how it went, but thought that maybe he could at least send Carver home by midweek and McGinty by the following weekend. He would have to see how Bill was doing and also how it went riding a horse. Jack had been on a horse a couple of times since he was hurt but not for long periods of time. He also knew that it had been painful when he had rode just those short periods of time. He knew that if he sent the other two Mounties home that he would have to ride rounds.
After services, Jack and Elizabeth joined a number of friends at the cafe and had an enjoyable afternoon visiting. That evening, Jack talked to Elizabeth about getting back into a routine and hopefully that he would be able to take on more of the duties of his work over the week. He talked about his plan to hopefully send Carver home by midweek and McGinty home by the following weekend. Elizabeth was worried that Jack was pushing it, but she didn't argue, because she figured that he knew his body. That night before bed, Elizabeth checked Jack's wound and agreed that the stitches could come out. Jack had her carefully remove the stitches. Jack still blushed when he thought about Abigail cleaning and stitching his wound when he looked at where it was on his leg. It was on the outside of his thigh, about three inches above his knee. He knew that Abigail wouldn't say anything to embarrass him like that and she had been a wife and mother, but still, for some reason Jack was embarrassed. Maybe because he was an adult and saw Abigail like a mother. Elizabeth cleaned the wound after removing the stitches and wrapped it again.
When she was done, Jack finished getting ready for bed. Jack much preferred Elizabeth to tend to his wound, as he thought about it again, color once again came to his neck and face. They snuggled under the covers. Elizabeth had noticed Jack blushing and was going to ask him about it, but chose to not further embarrass him. She wondered if it had to do with where his wound was. She thought it was cute that Jack was embarrassed about having his leg tended to. She wondered if there wasn't more to it and then she remembered that it was Abigail who put the stitches in. Elizabeth wondered if that didn't have something to do with Jack's embarrassment, but she wasn't going to say anything.
Monday started way too early for either Jack or Elizabeth. Neither had slept well and both wanted to stay in bed. Both crawled from the bed late and rushed around trying to get ready for the day. Jack helped make their lunches after breakfast and for the first time in awhile, Elizabeth left the breakfast dishes for later. She felt bad about leaving them, but Jack let her know that it was okay, and that she couldn't do everything all the time. Jack walked Elizabeth to the schoolhouse and then headed to the jail. He planned on trying to ride Sergeant for at least a little bit that day. He knew that Sergeant would love to go for a ride. Jack was also worried about Thor, but then when he talked to McGinty, he learned that he had been riding Thor some even though it was for shorter rounds. He agreed that the horse was amazing and he didn't mind riding him.
By noon that Monday, it had started to snow lightly. Jack and McGinty both kept an eye on the weather. They hoped that the worst of it held off until after school let out. As the two worked on paperwork, they noticed that the snow was falling harder. They both wanted the children to be safe and knew that walking home, even in a light snow could be dangerous.
At the schoolhouse, Elizabeth had also noticed the snow. She had had a good day and the children were doing really well. They had gotten their math done and new spelling words. After noticing the snow, she let the children have lunch and then shortly after recess, she saw that the large flakes were coming down harder. She was also worried about the children getting home safely. She looked at what she could assign for homework and if school was out the next day. She was just about to dismiss school when Jack knocked on the door of the schoolhouse and came in. He was there to advise that she let the children out. She let Jack know that she was just going to assign work and then let them out. Jack smiled.
"I will wait and walk you into town." Jack said.
"Give me a few minutes." Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth went back to the front of the class, assigned homework and also asked the students to take their readers and to continue reading. Just before she dismissed the students, she let them know that unless it was too bad, there would be school in the morning. She also expressed that she would understand if there were students that lived farther out if they couldn't make it or were late. With that, she dismissed the students and told them to be careful on their way home. The students quickly bundled up and were off for the afternoon. Jack helped Elizabeth pick up the classroom and gather her stuff. He then walked Elizabeth back to town. She wanted to stop by the mercantile and also the cafe to talk to Abigail. She promised that she wouldn't be long and that she would be safe going home. Jack also promised to be safe.
Elizabeth went to the mercantile and picked up the few things that she needed. She also checked the mail, but there were no letters. Elizabeth then went to the cafe to see Abigail. She asked Abigail for a loaf of bread for Tuesday or Wednesday. She also let Abigail know about the announcement that she had made about school the next day. After some tea and a scone, Elizabeth bundled up and headed home. The normally twenty minute walk took almost thirty. Elizabeth immediately stoked the stoves and tried to warm up. She put her things away and then grabbed a book, a blanket and pulled the settee closer to the pot belly stove in the corner. She wrapped the blanket around herself and tucked her legs up under her before opening one of her favorite books.
