Chapter 131 – Jacobs Talks to Becky

Jacobs looked at her. He knew that he had to share some personal information with her to get through to her. He knew that Dee had talked to her. Jacobs wondered if the attitude had more to do with the idea that she might be sent back to an orphanage, so she shouldn't get attached.

"There are plenty of things that I can't do." Jacobs said. "Do you think that I have had it easy? I have always been the biggest kid around. I used to be so clumsy because I was so tall. It was only after I really started putting my mind to things that they started to change. Because the other kids used to tease me all the time, I spent a lot of time reading and by myself. We all have things that challenge us. My grandmother said we can look at challenges two ways – 1) something for us to conquer or 2) something to cause us to stumble. I decided to always look at it like a challenge. I started running and chopping wood to get better control of my movements. Now look at me.

I know it is not the same as being sick, but I have been hurt while working and it is hard sitting and doing nothing while I heal, especially for someone who is used to doing things for others. Do you think that Mountie Jack likes having to take it easy right now? I am sure that he wants to be helping everyone else, but he needs to take the time to heal. So that means resting for him. For you it means doing your exercises and trying to move about."

Becky just looked at him. He wasn't sure that he was getting through to her, so he was going to try something else.

"Bet you didn't know that I broke my leg my first year out of the academy." Jacobs said. "I was trying to catch someone who shot another man and I was thrown from my horse. I was in a cast for months and then it took several more months of working to build up the strength in my leg. I could have quit, but that would have meant not being a Mountie anymore. Do you know how hard it is to move around on crutches when you are my size?"

Becky giggled at the thought of this huge man trying to get around on crutches

"What do you want to do when you are done with school?" Jacobs asked.

"I don't know." Becky said.

"Really?" Jacobs asked, tilting his head to look at her more.

"You will think it is silly." Becky said.

"No I won't." Jacobs said. "And you know why, because I know how that feels. People used to say things when I said I wanted to be a Mountie. So I will never make fun of someone's dream."

"Why would they make fun of you?" Becky asked. "I thought being a Mountie was a good thing."

Jacobs sighed.

"It is." Jacobs said. "You have to understand. I was raised differently. My grandfather was a successful lawyer who went on to be a judge. My uncle is also a lawyer. My father was a doctor before he died. It wasn't that they didn't want me to be a Mountie, but they believed that because I was the oldest, I should do certain things. They wanted me to take over things with my uncle. As much as I love the law, I felt I was better at being a Mountie. My brother also used to tease me that I stick out enough being as tall as I am, that I didn't need to add a scarlet serge."

Becky giggled again at the thought.

"So honestly." Jacobs said. "What do you want to do? You can't have much schooling left?"

Becky leaned over and grabbed a portfolio.

"Promise not to laugh?" Becky asked.

"I promise." Jacobs said.

Becky handed him the portfolio.

"Open it." Becky said.

Jacobs opened it and saw amazing pictures of bridges and buildings.

"I want to design those for real." Becky said.

"So architecture." Jacobs said.

"Yes and no." Becky said. "As much as I like to draw them, I really want to build them."

"I think that is great." Jacobs said. "I am sure that you will be amazing at it. You just have to work at it."

"But I don't think I will be able to go to college." Becky said. "Even if Mrs Stanton takes us in. I know that she doesn't have a lot of extra money and I already know that school is expensive."

"I promise you that if you want to go to college." Jacobs said. "I will help to find a way to make it possible."

"Really." Becky asked.

"Really." Jacobs said. "But you have to make me two promises. 1) you are going to have to do what the doctors said and really try."

"You said two things." Becky said.

"I did." Jacobs said. "The second is that you have to invite me to see your first bridge or building."

"Deal." Becky said.

Becky reached out her hand and Jacobs shook it.

"So how about I help you walk to the stairway." Jacobs said. "Then, I will carry you down, but I want you to walk as far as you can first."

Becky nodded her head. Jacobs helped her up, supported her with one arm and carried her portfolio with the other. Becky made it four or five steps out the door before she started to falter. Jacobs quickly scooped her up.

"I got you." Jacobs said. "You did very good. Keep that up and you will be running up and down those stairs in no time."

Becky took her portfolio so it was easier for Jacobs to carry her. When they got downstairs, Abigail looked at them. Jacobs settled her in her chair.

"I should be going." Jacobs said. "There is a lot going on and I am sure Bill is wondering where I am."

Ann handed him a basket.

"I will take the other over to McGinty." Ann said.

"Knock and wait for him to answer." Jacobs said.

"Got it." Ann said. "Now go."

Jacobs left after giving Becky a nod.

"What was all that about?" Abigail asked.

"Nothing." Becky said.

Abigail was sure that there was something going on, but she was going to give the girl some space for a little bit. She also planned on talking to Jacobs about it before he left. Abigail was just happy that whatever Jacobs had said seemed to dispel the attitude from Becky.

Aunt Agatha's letter was to see how Elizabeth was doing since the slide. She wanted to let them know if they needed anything else to just ask. There was other news about Viola's wedding and other happenings around Hamilton and Toronto. Elizabeth wrote a letter back to her aunt thanking her once again for everything that she had sent and that they were doing well. She told her about Jack's injury, but that he was recovering well it would just take time. She also told her about the additional slide at Rock Creek and how everyone was there. She told about the mine in town reopening later in the summer and how they would have new residents arriving once that happened. She told her that at the moment that she only had ten new students, but wasn't sure how many she would have after the new miners and railroad people showed up.

Elizabeth thought for a moment about telling her about the baby, but hesitated. In the end, Elizabeth told her about the baby and said that she could share it with her mother, but she was also going to write her a note. Elizabeth also asked that they not spread the word, as it was still new and she didn't want everyone to know. She also asked that they hold off on sending things for the baby until later when they were closer to getting into their new house. She said she would let them know when they could send stuff. Elizabeth then quickly wrote a note to her mother saying much the same that she had told her aunt. She also mentioned that they didn't appreciate what her father and Charles had done and if she didn't know to ask them. Elizabeth thought about addressing the situation with Viola, but chose not to at the moment. Especially since she had been vague about when the baby was due other than the fall.

Once Elizabeth had both of those letters ready to post, she opened the letter from her teacher friend. It was once again filled with news about a job hunt and not having much luck. She had included information about other teachers that they both knew and were in the Montreal area. Elizabeth quickly pulled out some paper and wrote a letter back, letting her know about the baby and the possible job opportunities in some of the cities closer to Hope Valley if they wanted to get out of Montreal. Elizabeth said that she would love to have her closer if that was something that they wanted to try. The last thing that Elizabeth mentioned was that if they hadn't found something, she would love it if she covered for her in the fall when she took off for the baby.

Jacobs quickly hurried over to the office. When Jacobs walked in Bill gave him a look, but it was Wynn that Jacobs was worried about.

"Sorry, Sir." Jacobs said. "It took longer, Abigail needed help with Becky. But I did bring breakfast back for all of us."

"It is okay." Wynn said. "Bill was filling me in. I am glad that you were there to help Becky. We all need to step up and help as long as we are here. I don't want Abigail to think that she has to be the one to lift Becky, especially up and down those stairs."

Bill helped unpack the breakfast that Jacobs brought while he went to get some coffee.

"McGinty is at the jail." Jacobs said. "The ladies were going to take him and the prisoners breakfast. Dee hasn't come back into town yet."

"I suspect he will be along shortly." Wynn said.

"I wired Buxton to move the two from last night." Jacobs continued. "I also put out a description of our shooter to see if he can be identified."

"Good job." Wynn said. "So Bill was saying that Lee came in to get you guys and that Dee had the man."

"Yes." Jacobs said. "I guess that Charlotte was the one that found the man with their help. From what I understand a shot was fired near the row houses this morning and Charlotte fired a second shot when the man didn't listen to lower his weapon or something. She didn't hit him."

"She would have if she wanted." Bill said.

"I agree." Wynn said. "She probably came close as a warning."

"Sounds like it." Jacobs said. "But that still doesn't explain what he wanted."

"Let's finish our breakfast and talk about the other two first." Wynn said. "Then we can worry about him. Bill said you brought his stuff over."

"Yes." Jacobs said. "It is over there (pointing to near the desk)."

Wynn looked where Jacobs was pointing and nodded.

"So what did you learn about those two from last night?" Wynn asked.

"According to the files that Thornton had plus the paperwork that he requested." Jacobs said. "They have had several encounters with the Mounties. Nothing ever big, mostly drunk and fighting."

"Jack dealt with them twice in just a couple of nights." Bill said. "That was back in January, right?"

"Right." Jacobs said. "It looks like he had a third run-in with them back in March, but they weren't arrested and that was when he requested the information. From what I have found, they have been having trouble since they arrived in town. They would show up and do their work for the most part, but they also like to haunt the saloon until late. When Lee was injured they were some of the men that caused Jack trouble. Lee has signed the paperwork that I drew up, so we are in the clear there."

"Where have they been in the past?" Wynn asked.

"All over." Jacobs asked. "From the paperwork Thornton got, they have had contact with the Mounties from Lethbridge to Edmonton and as far east as Regina. Again, mostly drunk and fighting. There is one charge of a weapon discharge, but it was dropped."

"Then it sounds like these two have had plenty of chances." Wynn said. "What are they being charged with from last night?"

"Drunk and disorderly." Jacobs said. "Property damage for the things that were broken at the saloon and then the one will get an assault on a public official for the hit on Bill."

"What was damaged?" Wynn asked.

"Two chairs and there were a few broken glasses." Bill said.

"What is the total?" Wynn asked.

"Sam said the chairs are ten dollars each and the glasses were two a piece." Jacobs said.

"Is that going to be for both of them or just the one that was fighting?" Wynn asked.

"Based on the chairs that were broken." Jacobs said. "I believe that it was the two that we are holding. The glasses could have been either or both of them."

"Then split it evenly among them." Wynn said.

"That is what I thought as well." Jacobs said. "I have the paperwork all written, I just need your signature and then to send it with the guys from Buxton."

"Actually." Wynn said. "You two sign it and it will be fine. I know that Buxton knows I am here, but we don't need to make it official. Since it was in town, Bill had the right to act."

"Sounds good." Jacobs said.

Dee knocked and walked into the office.

"Have you eaten?" Wynn asked.

"Yes." Dee said. "Back at the house. Charlotte is going to stay with Jack and Beth for now. I have her initial statement, but she is writing a more detailed report and I will get it later."

Wynn waited a moment until Dee took a seat, then he turned to face him.

"So fill us in a little more." Wynn said.

"I guess Beth was startled awake by something." Dee said. "Jack came down to check things out and I woke up. We saw three moose in the field in front of the row houses. Suddenly a shot rang out. We opened the door to check and found Charlotte in the shadows of the house with her rifle trained on the trees. That was where we thought the shot came from. She said that she thought someone was watching her and had been up for a while waiting. I went back and got my serge on. Shortly after I returned, Lee came out. We sent Jack back in the house and the three of us split up and moved toward the grove. Charlotte found the man first. He made a comment that he wasn't scared of a woman. She had her rifle trained on him when I came up behind him and ordered him to drop it. When Charlotte lowered her rifle a bit, the man moved like he was going to raise his, so Charlotte shot and hit right in front of his foot. Lee came up and the man surrendered the weapon to him. I sent Charlotte back to the house and then Lee ahead with the rifle and pack. Jacobs and Bill met me just at the edge of town. That is everything."

"Did you get anything out of him?" Wynn asked.

"Nope." Dee said. "I asked his name and he refused."

"Good enough for me." Wynn said. "Make sure that you write it up."

Dee nodded.