Chapter 106 – Figuring Out a Plan for the Day (long)
As they were eating, they chose not to talk about the three sitting in jail, but turned to other topics while enjoying the meal that Elizabeth made.
"Frank say anything about Easter Sunday services?" Jack asked.
"He said he would like to have them in the grove." Dee said. "But he wasn't sure about the weather."
"What is the grove?" Wynn asked.
"It is where we had services when I first arrived in then Coal Valley." Elizabeth said. "The church had burnt down and many people didn't want to have services in the saloon. For a time it was where Cat Montgomery took the children to have a Bible lesson while the adults held services. After the mine disaster, many of the widows started sitting in on the Bible lessons. Then after Reverend Anderson quit as the pastor provided by the mining company, he held services there. After he left and before Frank came, Cat continued to have Bible lessons there on Sundays, weather permitting."
"Where is it?" Wynn asked.
"Between town and the mine." Jack said. "It actually isn't far from where the old site of the church is. We have ridden by it, but I guess I didn't think to show you."
"I might have to go check it out." Wynn said. "Especially if they are going to move the old parsonage from the old site to be near the new church/schoolhouse. They were also going to see if the old teacherage was salvageable and if not they were going to clear that as well as the burn site."
"Wow." Jack said. "They can do that?"
"Yes." Wynn said. "The person in charge of the men that came to work assured Abigail that it could be done. He talked to Lee and they are planning on doing it tomorrow I think."
"If I can." Jack said. "I would like to see that."
"I think that could be arranged." Wynn said. "You would have to be in a wagon. I don't want you walking that far."
"Not a problem." Jack said. "I think it would be fun to see. I am sure that there will be a lot of people out to watch."
"I told them that." Wynn said. "That is part of the reason that I want Jacobs to stick around until tomorrow. Between him, McGinty, Dee and myself we are going to have to work some crowd control."
"Bill will help and I am sure that Lee will help as well if you ask." Jack said.
"I will help with the kids." Charlotte said.
"Thank you." Wynn said. "I am going to have Mr Johnson let people know when it is going to happen and what route they are going to take so it will be clear to everyone what is going to happen."
"That sounds like a plan." Jack said. "As much as I would like to go into town with Elizabeth, I think I should stay here. Sleeping in my own bed helped, but I am still tired."
"Sounds like a good plan." Charlotte said. "I will stay back with Jack and make sure that the kitchen gets cleaned up."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said.
They finished eating and then Elizabeth got ready to head into town with Wynn and Dee.
"Jack, is there anything you need while I am in town?" Elizabeth asked.
"Please check the mail." Jack said. "I didn't see any yesterday."
"I guess I forgot to ask." Elizabeth said. "I was so focused on getting there and getting back. I will stop and check the mail. Anything else?"
"Please be careful." Jack said, giving Elizabeth a kiss.
Charlotte started to get the water heated for dishes as Wynn, Dee and Elizabeth headed to town. As soon as they were gone, Charlotte turned to Jack.
"Son, are you alright?" Charlotte asked.
"Yes, Ma." Jack said. "I am starting to feel better, but I know that it will be a while before I am one hundred percent."
"How are you doing about everything else?" Charlotte asked.
"Elizabeth's family is what it is." Jack said. "As far as us, expecting, I am overjoyed. I can't wait to be a father. Elizabeth probably wouldn't want me to tell you this, but last night I noticed the tiniest bump and was so excited. Oh, Elizabeth wants all of my commendations so she can hang them in the new house."
"Okay." Charlotte said. "I will send them to you. I have had them all framed, but they are not on display anymore. I had them in your old room, but took them down as I was planning on sending them to you. I was going to talk to you about it, but I was wondering if you wanted your father's commendations and medals as well."
"Yes." Jack said. "I would love that, especially since I have his serge. I removed the stripes and have them saved. I have worn his serge a few times. Now that I have more, I have put Dad's away to save. I was thinking that there might be a way to display Dad's medal and stripes. I will have to think more about it, but I really want to do something with them. Since we are alone, there was something I wanted to ask you."
"Okay." Charlotte said. "This sounds serious."
"It is." Jack said. "What do you know about Dad's family?"
"Not much." Charlotte said. "I never met your grandfather, he died when your father was about fifteen. You meet your grandmother a few times as you know. She passed away about two years after your father. I know that there was another son, but he had died. Other than that, I don't know anything else."
"Okay." Jack said. "Thank you for telling me. You don't think that there would be anything in Dad's things about his family?"
"Maybe." Charlotte said. "There were a few things that your grandmother gave me for you and your brother. I put them away and hadn't thought about them in years. I don't think I even remembered they were there until we started talking. Why do you ask?"
"I don't know." Jack said. "Maybe it is knowing that I am going to be a father. I want to be able to tell my children about the family that came before them."
"I understand that." Charlotte said. "I will look when I get home. I will also write out what I know about my family. I will send everything when I send your commendations."
"Thank you, Ma." Jack said.
"Are you sure that there isn't something else?" Charlotte asked. "I saw that look on your face when you asked. Just remember, I know when you are lying."
"You're right." Jack said. "There is something else. I learned something about Dad's family when I was in Hamilton this past January."
"What did you learn?" Charlotte asked.
"Dad's brother." Jack said. "He wasn't a good man. Yes, he had been a soldier, but he had left the service and eventually turned to illegal means to make money. He had at least one child out of wedlock. That child was with a seventeen year old and he didn't want the child. He sent the young woman away and she placed the child for adoption. The child was adopted by a wonderful family and actually became a Mountie. He was an Inspector before he was killed."
Jack got up and went to get the picture frame from the drawer where he had put it. Neither he or Elizabeth had thought about where to put the picture. They also didn't want to have it out until they explained who it was to Charlotte. Jack knew that Elizabeth wanted a table to display photos, but he hadn't gotten one built and she hadn't found one that she liked.
"Wynn gave this to me." Jack said, handing the frame to his mother.
Charlotte opened it and looked at it.
"That is a picture of Andy, but it is a few years old." Jack said. "That was when he had graduated from the academy. Andy would have been about three or four years older than me. I had never met him. It turns out Elizabeth knew him growing up. I think I would have liked him from what Elizabeth and Dee have told me."
"Why did Wynn make the frame for you?" Charlotte said. "There is still something that you aren't telling me."
"Well …." Jack said.
"Just spit it out." Charlotte said.
"It turns out." Jack said. "Andy was the father of the two girls that I rescued when I was on the train, back in October. Elizabeth and I went to see them at their grandparents when we were in Hamilton. Wynn had a set of photos made for each of the girls with their father and a wedding photo of Elizabeth and I. At least I can see why the girls want to come to me. I was in uniform and they probably felt that the serge was safe."
"Oh, I think it is more than that." Charlotte said. "You guys look a lot alike."
"Yeah." Jack said. "I noticed that as well. Elizabeth said Andy had blue eyes and no dimples, but we were both about the same height and build. Dee also said Andy's hair was a bit lighter than mine. But even I see that we look alike. I don't know how Elizabeth didn't know, but whatever. She said she didn't notice until she saw the photo and it was next to me."
"Well I am glad that you were there for those girls." Charlotte said.
"You didn't know?" Jack asked.
"No." Charlotte said. "You know your dad didn't talk about his family and I knew better than to ask his mother about things. She could be stubborn and had a bit of a temper, so I never pushed her. You saw how she was when you heard about your uncle and asked. I knew before that not to ask about her family. I had tried to warn you, but you were just stubborn back then."
"Guess that makes sense." Jack said. "Yeah, I remember her getting angry at me for asking about him."
"What are you going to do about the girls?" Charlotte asked.
"Elizabeth and I are going to stay in touch with them." Jack said. "What their grandparents tell them about their biological grandfather is up to them. They are going to send us a picture of the girls to put in the frame instead of our wedding photo. You would love those girls. Little Beth and Sarah are so sweet."
"And the grandparents are okay with this?" Charlotte asked.
"It helps that they knew Elizabeth and her family growing up." Jack said.
"So I assume they are wealthy." Charlotte said.
"You could say that." Jack said. "The grandfather is a prince of Norway. He was never in line for the throne, so he came to Canada to make a life. He retained his titles and those were passed on to the children. Despite his wealth, Andy joined the Mounties and was raising his daughters with honor and integrity."
"I didn't mean for it to sound the way it came out." Charlotte said.
"I know." Jack said. "The grandparents seem like nice people. I am glad that they will be raising the girls. It sounds like Andy had a couple of sisters from his adoptive parents as well. I have yet to meet them, but I look forward to the day that can happen."
"I am glad that you have that." Charlotte said. "It is more important now that you will have a child of your own. I doubt that your brother will settle down and have children anytime soon. And I am not sure about Elizabeth's family."
"Family is what we make it." Jack said. "We have plenty of people here that care about us. Elizabeth's cousin, Sophie, who is Wynn's daughter, just had a baby. Actually baby Jonathan and I share a birthday. We have a family, it just may not look like what others think it should look like."
"You're right." Charlotte said.
Charlotte stepped forward and gave Jack a kiss on the forehead.
"I think I am going to head back upstairs and lay down." Jack said.
"You do that." Charlotte said. "I think I am going to head into town. Please let me know if you need anything. I am sure that Elizabeth will be back soon."
"Thank you." Jack said.
As Wynn, Dee and Elizabeth were walking into town, no one spoke until they were almost to town.
"Beth." Wynn said. "You don't have to do this. No one will fault you if you don't want to face them."
"I have to do this." Elizabeth said. "I need to show Father that he can't push me around. I also need to show Charles that I am not scared of him and he can't push me around either."
"Okay." Wynn said. "We will be there for you."
"I understand why you feel you need to do this." Dee said. "But you need to take care of yourself and that little one you are carrying. The last thing I want is for anything to happen to you or that little one because your father goaded you into getting upset. I really don't want to see a repeat of what happened in Hamilton."
Elizabeth stopped and took a deep breath. Wynn and Dee stopped and looked at Elizabeth.
"I understand what you are saying." Elizabeth said. "But there are a few things I need to say. For me it is a respect thing. I need to say these things because I feel that Father and Charles have never really respected me because I am a woman. I feel if I don't say these things, I will never be able to live with myself."
"Okay." Wynn said. "You are more and more like your aunt. She is the same way. Sometimes, you just have to say things for your own well-being."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "That means a lot to me."
They walked into town satisfied that they all understood. There was no need for words. As they headed to Abigail's office first. The lights were on, so the trio headed up the stairs. As they entered the office, they saw both Abigail and Jacobs.
"Elizabeth." Abigail exclaimed. "Is everything okay?"
"Yes." Elizabeth said. "I just came into town to deal with my father."
"You don't have to do that." Jacobs said. "I was just putting the finishing touches on the paperwork."
"As I said to Wynn and Dee." Elizabeth said. "I need to do this for myself. I need to say something so I can move forward."
"Okay." Jacobs said.
"I also laid out some ground rules." Wynn said. "We will present the deal first and then we will be there while she has her say."
"Good." Jacobs said.
"Have either of you seen Bill or McGinty this morning?" Wynn asked.
"McGinty stopped at the cafe." Abigail said. "He was heading out on rounds and wanted some coffee. He said something about checking the river. I saw Bill in town before I came over here about twenty minutes ago."
"Good enough." Wynn said.
"A bunch of men took off this morning." Jacobs said. "I didn't get much information, but the pastor took a bunch of them in a wagon, with a second wagon following."
"That would be the men that have been released to work." Abigail said. "Frank was going to take them to Rock Creek and come back as soon as he could. He figured he would be back by afternoon. He felt it would be more comfortable to take two wagons, so Jesse Flynn drove the second wagon. Before you ask, yes Lee knows that Jesse went with Frank. It was Lee's idea to have Jesse go. The men also were back at work this morning. I am not sure exactly what they are working on, other than the row houses."
"Good." Wynn said. "I almost forgot that a number of the men would be taking off today. We have a lot going on in town today, so I need everyone to be on their toes. There is stuff coming in for the apartments, I think that there is still a supply wagon or two coming in. I also know that there is at least one stagecoach coming in. We need to get the apartments set up and the people into them. Then we need to get the saloon and schoolhouse cleaned. Those not moving into apartments or row houses will be moved to tents until decisions can be made. I want everyone out of the saloon and schoolhouse today or tomorrow at the latest. I know that Lee has the saw mill back up and running, but I would like to see more people get back into a routine. I think it would help everyone."
"Just tell me what you need me to do." Jacobs said. "I am here to help."
"Right now." Wynn said. "We need to deal with things at the jail, then we will see from there."
"I agree with Wynn." Abigail said. "There is a lot to do and we need to continue to move forward …."
Before Abigail could finish her thought, there was a knock at the door.
