Chapter 85 – Trouble Brewing? (short)
After Jack and Elizabeth headed back upstairs, Elizabeth grabbed her journal to write and Jack sat on the bed working on a sketch. He was glad to be doing something, but still felt that he should be doing more. As if sensing what Jack was thinking, Elizabeth turned to him.
"Are you doing okay with everything?" Elizabeth asked. "I know that it is hard to just sit here, but you need time to recover."
"It is hard." Jack said. "I feel like I should be out there helping people. Instead I am stuck here not able to do anything. Not that I mind spending time with my wife, but there is so much that needs to be done."
"And from what I understand." Elizabeth said. "People are doing what needs to be done. You will be no good to anyone if you don't take the time to recover. I need you and so does this little one. I don't want to do it by myself. I won't do this by myself."
"Your right, Bella." Jack said. "It is just hard for me. These people and this town are my responsibility. I should be out there helping."
"Okay." Elizabeth said. "But you helped by getting a plan in place to help people, you also need to trust Bill and Lee that they can handle things. Charlotte, Wynn, Dee and Abigail have been doing a great job. I think that it is more important that you take the time to fully recover. Please, take it easy and listen to Faith."
"I will." Jack said. "I may not like sitting doing nothing, but I will try my best not to complain. Although I may need some kisses to feel better."
"I think that can be arranged." Elizabeth said with a sly smile.
Elizabeth went over to Jack, leaned down to kiss him and he pulled her down on the bed. They were laughing and kissing when they heard Cody come up the stairs. Knowing that their door was open, Elizabeth tried to pull away from Jack, but he had a hold of her.
"Afternoon Mountie Jack, Mrs Thornton." Cody said. "I just wanted to let you know that I have been taking care of Rip. I think that he misses you, but he is okay."
Elizabeth blushed that Cody had caught them kissing and fooling around. She sat up and tried to regain her composure before turning to face Cody.
"Thank you Cody." Jack said. "What are you up to today?"
"I was playing ball with some of the boys." Cody said. "Now I am going to do my homework. Pastor Frank promised to play checkers with me tonight if I get some done."
"Well that sounds like fun." Elizabeth said. "Have you been including the new children when you have been playing?"
"Yes." Cody said. "Pastor Frank and Mrs Thornton have made sure that we include them."
"Good." Elizabeth said. "Because they will probably be joining us in school on Monday."
"I better go." Cody said. "Ms Abigail told me to not bother you."
"Talk to you later Cody." Jack said.
After Cody left, Jack tried to hide his laughter.
"I can't wait until we are back in our own house." Jack said.
"You and I both." Elizabeth said. "But I guess we have that to look forward to in a few years."
"And our bedroom in the house I am building will have a lock." Jack said with a dimpled grin.
Elizabeth got up, went and pulled the door almost closed. Then she went back to sit at the desk to write. Jack went back to his sketch. He was drawing a couple of the children from the Rock Creek settlement. He just hoped that they had survived. No one had brought him a list yet. He felt bad for all the people that were hurting. Elizabeth knew that she had to give Jack some space to deal with the deaths of the people from Rock Creek. She was sad as well, but she had never met them. She was sad because she felt for those that lost someone. She also knew it was different for Jack and he needed time. Both were so deep in thought, that they barely heard the knock on their door. Only when McGinty called Jack's names did either look up.
"Joe?" Jack asked. "Is something wrong?"
Joe just looked over at Elizabeth and then back at Jack.
"Elizabeth." Jack said. "Can you give us a minute?"
"I will go get some tea." Elizabeth said.
After Elizabeth left and McGinty pulled the door shut, he took a seat in the chair near Jack's bed.
"What is going on?" Jack said. "I have known you long enough to know that you wouldn't bother me unless it was important."
"I think that we may have a problem." Joe said. " You know that I worked in Hamilton from the time that we graduated until I came to Benson Hills, right?"
"Yes." Jack said. "What is going on? Do we need to get Wynn?"
"I don't know." Joe said.
"Out with it." Jack said. "Elizabeth will not be gone that long."
"I need to give you a little background." Joe said. "My cousin is actually employed as a servant for William Thatcher. He doesn't know, no one does. She knew that I was escorting Elizabeth back here this past fall. She also heard what happened when you two were there in January. She also knows that we are friends and that is why she wired me."
"What are you trying to say?" Jack asked.
"Well." Joe hesitated. "You know how sometimes rich people talk and don't think the servants hear them or don't care."
"Just show me the wire." Jack said.
Joe reached in his pocket and handed over the message.
Jack just looked at the message and had to read it twice.
Joe – WT & lawyer head to CV to take E back. Warn J & E, don't have anymore
Mia
"She didn't know that the name had been changed." Joe said. "That came into Benson Hills. The guys knew that I was here so had it sent here. I don't want to alarm people, but what is going to happen."
"Nothing." Jack said. "We didn't do anything wrong. We need to talk to Wynn and let him know. I really don't want to upset Elizabeth, especially right now. This is the last thing that we need."
Just then Elizabeth knocked and came back in. She looked between the two men in front of her and shook her head.
"What are you boys up to now?" Elizabeth asked. "You two look like you have been caught with a hand in the cookie jar."
"Nothing to worry about right now." McGinty said. "Just Mountie business. I will be back later."
McGinty didn't say anything else, just quickly left the room. He knew what he had to do. He didn't want to go talk to Wynn, but he knew that he needed to. He just hoped that things would be okay. He didn't want to see Jack or Elizabeth get hurt. He didn't know what they were going to do, but he was going to stand with his friend. By the time that McGinty got back downstairs and outside, he saw people starting to gather for the meeting. He had hoped that he had enough time to talk to Wynn before the meeting but it didn't look like it. Taking a deep breath, McGinty walked up to Wynn and saluted.
"Can I have a moment before the meeting, Sir." McGinty asked.
"Something wrong?" Dee asked.
"Not here." McGinty said.
"Mayor's office now." Wynn said.
The three walked back across the street and into the office.
"Excuse us Abigail." Wynn said. "We need to talk and then we will be over to the meeting."
"Everything okay?" Abigail asked.
"Yes, Ma'am." McGinty said. "Just some Mountie business."
"Okay." Abigail said.
As she walked away, she sensed that there was more, but she learned not to ask.
"Now, what is going on?" Wynn said sternly.
"Can I speak freely?" McGinty asked.
"Yes." Wynn said. "And make it quick."
"I have already talked to Jack and he asked me to talk to you." McGinty said. "As you know I worked in Hamilton before coming to Benson Hills. Anyway, my cousin works as a servant for the Thatchers. No one knows and we want to keep it that way. She wouldn't have said anything, but she is concerned. Here look."
McGinty handed the message to Wynn. After a moment, Wynn looked up at McGinty.
"Who knows?" Dee asked.
"Just Jack." McGinty said. "And now both of you."
"Don't say anything." Wynn said. "I will deal with this. That is an order."
"Yes, Sir." McGinty said. "Jack wanted to talk to you about it. I don't know if he told Elizabeth."
"I will deal with it." Wynn said. "Let's go to the meeting and then go about your business."
"Yes, Sir." McGinty said.
McGinty turned and headed back across the street. Dee looked at his father, but didn't say anything. He could see the anger on his face. Dee just chose to follow McGinty. The last thing that Dee wanted was another confrontation with William Thatcher. Wynn took a moment to compose himself before he headed to the meeting. He didn't want to have to deal with the likes of William Thatcher, but it was what it was. He also knew that he would have to go talk to Jack and Elizabeth.
