Chapter 94 – A Funeral and a Fight (long)

Abigail took the basket of food back to the office with her when she left the cafe. It appeared that everyone had things under control. As much as she wanted to be there helping, she knew that she needed to deal with town business. Abigail set up the lunch that had been prepared for her and Wynn. She joined Wynn at the table while they ate, both continuing to work. It wasn't that they were ignoring each other, but they both knew that there was plenty of work to do. They finished their meal and worked for another half hour before they started to pick up things so that they could head to the cemetery. Wynn stepped out of the office and saw his horse saddled over at the jail. He wondered who did it, because all the Mountie horses were over there. It also looked like someone had taken the time to brush all the horses and at least make sure that the saddles were wiped down and looking good.

"I am going to stop by the jail." Wynn said. "I will be riding out with the other Mounties. We will be in the back, on our horses."

"See you there." Abigail said.

Abigail headed to the cafe with the basket and Wynn headed to the jail. When he walked in, he saw Bill and McGinty sitting there, both in their red serge.

"You didn't have to wear your serge, Bill." Wynn said.

"I wanted to." Bill said. "It felt right."

"Thank you to whoever saddled my horse." Wynn said.

"That would have been your son." Bill said. "He saddled all of them before supervising the move of the coffins out to the cemetery. That is where he is."

"Where are Carver and Green?" Wynn said.

"Right behind you, Sir." Carver said.

"If you are all ready." Wynn said. "Then let's mount up."

The men all mounted up and got into formation. Wynn led the group with Bill to his right, with McGinty, Carver and Green behind them. When they lined up, it would be left to right – Wynn, Bill, Dee, McGinty, Carver and Green. Wynn looked over and only saw twenty-three coffins, but knew that there were twenty-eight dead. Before he could ask, Dee came over to mount his horse. He looked at his father and saw the confusion.

"We put all the families together." Dee said. "Including siblings sharing a coffin. We thought it would be easier. Besides, no one wanted to build that many small coffins."

Bill nodded in agreement.

"That was good." Wynn said.

Dee immediately got on his horse and got into line with the others. The townspeople started to file in and the wagon from Rock Creek arrived. Surviving family members were directed to the appropriate coffin or coffins. For the families that had no one, someone had been assigned to stand there for them. The Hope Valley widows helped with the small children. Finally, Pastor Frank stepped up.

"Thank you to everyone that came out today." Frank said. "These people may not have been members of Hope Valley, but we reached out to try and help. We are sorry that we lost so many. To the friends and family gathered, please know that all of Hope Valley is praying for you even if they are not here. Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we come to You with broken hearts. We don't know why You called these young people home to You, but we ask that You give their family and friends peace as they try to move forward. Please heal those with broken hearts and give all of us Your everlasting peace. Amen."

Frank then had the names of the dead read off as he went down the line of coffins as they were read off, pausing at each coffin to offer an individual prayer. Afterwards, he invited anyone who wished to step forward and share a memory. A few did and when there were no more, Frank stepped back up.

"Heavenly Father." Frank prayed. "Be with us as we head back to town. Be with those that will be traveling back to Rock Creek. Be with the men that will return to work tomorrow. I also ask that You be with the children as they face many changes yet to come. So we pray as You taught us … Our Father …."

Frank then leads the group in 'Amazing Grace' before dismissing the people. He also reminded people that he would be around if they wanted to talk. Frank was glad to be there for the people that needed him. A number of men stepped forward and started lowering the coffins under the watchful eyes of the Mounties on horseback. Several family members stayed and watched some of the coffins being lowered. When the last coffin was lowered, the Mounties again got into formation and followed Wynn back to town. They made sure that everyone had left the cemetery and the graves had been filled in. When they got back to town, Carver and Green would grab the rest of their gear and head back to their respective posts.

Just as people were getting back from the funeral, three supply wagons pulled into town. The men that had been in town helping build, arrived to help unload. One of the supply wagons was the five additional tents. They were unloaded back by the schoolhouse. The stuff that belonged to the cafe was quickly taken over there and then the men returned to work. The men that came from Rock Creek were brought into town and given lunch before they traveled back as well. The cafe and saloon were busy feeding people, but by two that afternoon, most people had gone back to their business. There were a number of people at the cafe, but plans were being made to clean the saloon top to bottom as well as the schoolhouse after the last of the men left in the morning. Even though it had been a somber afternoon, things continued in Hope Valley and people were moving forward and that was what was needed.

Jack was exhausted by the time that he got to the row house. Elizabeth helped him upstairs and got him settled. She told him to rest, but for some reason he was agitated. Elizabeth thought that it was about the children, but she wasn't sure. Jack had been sad, but not agitated before. She wondered if he was remembering what happened to them. She ended up sitting with Jack until he started to fall asleep. She knew that he was still upset about the children, but there wasn't much that she could do, but be there for him. It didn't take long for Jack to fall asleep, he didn't even notice when Elizabeth left the room. Elizabeth headed downstairs and started in the kitchen. She went through and made her list. She realized that they needed a number of things. Elizabeth took a few moments and had a cup of tea while she went over the list again. She also took the moment to say a prayer for those at the funeral and for Jack as he dealt with the loss of those he had met. It felt good to sit in her own home and have a bit of quiet.

Elizabeth got one of her large baskets and headed into town. Despite the funeral, there were still a number of people in town. A few people stopped Elizabeth and wanted to see how she was doing. She politely let them know that she and Jack were fine, but needed to run her errands while Jack was resting and she didn't want to leave him alone for long. It wasn't busy at the mercantile, but it took Elizabeth a bit to find everything that she needed. She quickly realized that it was going to be more than she could carry in her basket. Ned, seeing her problem, suggested that she carry what she needed right away and he would have the rest delivered. Elizabeth agreed, but felt bad.

"Nonsense." Ned said. "I have a couple of the older boys working a few hours. I am sure that one or both of them would be more than willing to run the crate out there. Besides that is why I hired them."

"That is nice of you." Elizabeth said. "I am glad that the families are settling in here in Hope Valley. Don't forget I am starting school on Monday."

"I know." Ned said. "One from the settlement is seventeen and until it is decided what he is going to do, I don't mind putting him to work. His mother doesn't want him going back into the mine at this point, but he feels the need to provide for his family as he is the oldest. The other is that Walker boy and I know that he is done with school."

"No father?" Elizabeth asked.

"Not as far as I can tell." Ned said. "Just glad that I can help the boy. He is quite bright. I think he would do well at school. I tried to ask him about it, but he said he didn't have time anymore. The third is twelve and was looking for something to do. I don't mind having him help deliver or sweep up. And yes, I am paying him. And no, I am not violating any laws. I know what they can and can't do."

"I will look into the first boy who was working at the mine." Elizabeth said. "I wasn't thinking that, but thank you for saying. Again, thank you for delivering this stuff. With three extra people at the house, I didn't realize how much I actually would need. I am sure that there will be other things I need, but for now this will do. If there is more, I will come back or send a list in."

"No problem." Ned said. "And you got what you needed for tonight's supper? If you have to send a list in, I will make sure that it is delivered."

"Yes, I have stuff for tonight." Elizabeth said. "And thank you again."

Elizabeth left the mercantile and when she got to the bottom step, she saw a car pull up near the cafe. She didn't think much of it with so many changes happening. She also didn't recognize the car. Elizabeth continued to head down the boardwalk toward the butcher. She was just past the saloon when she felt someone next to her.

"Time to come home." Charles said.

"I told you to leave me alone." Elizabeth said through gritted teeth.

Elizabeth looked around and didn't see anyone. She started to get scared.

"Elizabeth." William Thatcher said.

Elizabeth turned when she heard her father's voice.

"Enough of this foolishness." William said. "You are coming home with me, right now."

"No I am not." Elizabeth said. "I am an adult and you need to respect that."

William grabbed her arm and tried to pull her toward the car that had been moved closer to the saloon.

"Let go of me." Elizabeth yelled as loud as she could.

Elizabeth hoped to get someone's attention with her yelling. Out of the corner of her eye, Elizabeth saw a flash of red and thought it was Wynn, but either way she was glad that a Mountie was there. Hearing Elizabeth yelling and taking in the scene, the Mountie quickly made his way there. He jumped off his horse and approached William from behind.

"Let her go." A very deep voice said.

William turned and was met with a wall of a man. William was face to chest with the man.

"Stay out of this." William hissed. "She is my daughter."

"And you think that makes it okay to put your hands on her?" The Mountie said.

"I will do what I need to get her away from that man." William snarled.

The large Mountie let out a low growl, before turning his attention to Elizabeth.

"Miss." The Mountie said. "Are you alright?"

"No." Elizabeth said. "I asked them to leave me alone and they won't. I just want to get home to my husband. He is recovering and I should be there."

"You are not married to that man." William bellowed. "I have paperwork saying he forced you to be with him and took advantage of you."

"Ma'am?" The Mountie asked.

"It is not true." Elizabeth said. "I LOVE Jack Thornton and we are both adults. We are legally married."

At that moment, the Mountie knew exactly who he was looking at. He had heard the stories and was looking forward to meeting the man who took down the Tolliver gang.

"Be on your way, Mrs Thornton." The Mountie said. "I will deal with these two."

Elizabeth turned to leave and Charles grabbed her arm.

"You're not going anywhere." Charles hissed. "You belong to me."

"I do not." Elizabeth yelled. "Let go of me, you are hurting me."

"You can't talk to me like that." Charles said, raising his hand.

Instead of hitting Elizabeth, like he had meant, Charles' hand was grabbed and pinned behind his back.

"Let go of me." Charles bellowed. "Do you know who I am?"

"You are going to jail." The Mountie said.

"Let go of me." Charles hissed. "You don't know who you are messing with."

The yelling brought the attention of several people. Seeing it was Elizabeth, several hurried to help.

"Come, my dear." Ann said, shielding Elizabeth.

Elizabeth went with Ann. Just then horses could be heard and when everyone turned to look they saw several Mounties. McGinty, seeing who it was, broke formation and sped to help. He was quickly off his horse.

"Grab him." The other Mountie said. "They are both going to jail."

McGinty quickly grabbed William Thatcher and led him to the jail with the other Mountie following. Wynn nodded to Bill to deal with things for a moment. Bill pulled up in front of the jail and quickly followed the others in.

"Deal with the horses, Dee." Wynn said. "Carver and Green, you are dismissed."

"Yes, Sir." Both said.

Wynn jumped down and headed to the cafe to check on Elizabeth. Dee took his father's reins and led both horses to the livery. He then went back and got the other three. He planned on dealing with all three before seeing what was going on because he had seen the look in his father's eyes. Upon seeing the Mounties, the townspeople gathered when about their business.

Wynn entered the back door of the cafe and found Elizabeth crying in Ann's arms.

"Come here, Beth." Wynn said.

Wynn opened his arms and Elizabeth went to him. He held her for a moment, trying to calm her down. Finally, he led her to the couch.

"What happened?" Wynn asked.

Elizabeth took a couple of breaths as her sobs stopped so she could speak to her uncle.

"I had … come in … because we … needed … things … at the … mercantile." Elizabeth gasped.

"Slow down." Wynn said.

Elizabeth took a couple more deep breaths before speaking again.

"I had just arranged to have the majority of it delivered and I was heading to the butcher before I went home." Elizabeth said. "I saw the car, but didn't think much of it. Suddenly someone was next to me and it was Charles. He wanted me to go with him. He said I belonged to him. I told him to leave me alone. That was when I heard my father. He grabbed me and I yelled. That was when that Mountie arrived. He was very angry that Father put his hands on me. When I said I just wanted to go home to my husband, Father got mad saying Jack forced me and took advantage of me. I said it wasn't true. Charles grabbed my arm when I tried to leave. It hurt badly. That was when that Mountie grabbed him. Then you all arrived."

"Where is Jack?" Wynn asked.

"At the house, sleeping." Elizabeth said. "He had insisted on walking home and it took a lot out of him."

"I will have someone take you home." Wynn said. "According to the information that we received, there should also be a lawyer and someone by the initials EM. I don't want anything to happen to you."

"EM?" Elizabeth questioned.

"That mean something to you?" Wynn asked.

"Yes." Elizabeth said. "But I can't believe that he would stoop that low."

"Who is EM?" Wynn asked.

"Edward Monclair." Elizabeth said.

Wynn let out a low growl and Elizabeth looked at him.

"Don't worry." Wynn said. "I will deal with them."

Wynn knew exactly who Elizabeth was talking about and he knew that boy better not be there or he wasn't going to be a Mountie very long. While Wynn was trying to figure out what to do, Clara came back to the living area of the cafe.

"Excuse me, Sir." Clara said. "I know that you need to talk to Elizabeth, but there is a young Mountie out there I have never seen. He is demanding to see Miss Thatcher. I told him that it was Mrs Thornton and he got angry and told me that it was Miss Thatcher."

Elizabeth started shaking. Wynn held her close.

"Thank you Clara." Wynn said. "Can you do me a favor?"

"Yes, if I can." Clara said.

"Go see if Lee Coulter is around and tell him to come here." Wynn said. "And to bring his car. But please go out the back door. Don't speak to anyone else and while I want you to hurry, please don't run."

"Okay." Clara said.

Clara left the cafe and Wynn wrapped Elizabeth in another hug as she was still shaking. It wasn't long and Clara was back with Lee.

"What did you need?" Lee asked.

"I need you to take Elizabeth home." Wynn said. "Then I want you to stay close until either Dee or I arrive."

"Of course." Lee said. "The car is right outside."

Wynn and Lee helped Elizabeth outside. Ann brought her basket and handed it to Elizabeth once she was in the car. Wynn watched them pull away before heading back into the cafe. He tugged his serge straight and then entered the dining room. Monclair had his back to Wynn. He was trying to flirt with one of the young girls. Wynn had seen the girl, but didn't know her name. Wynn was furious.