Chapter 137 – Mounties Arrive
"Becky." Jack said. "You said your dad was an engineer. What kind, if you don't mind sharing."
"He was a mechanical engineer in Fort Garry." Becky said. "He helped build some of the buildings there. He also worked on a number of bridges."
"So you are originally from Fort Garry?" Jack asked.
"Yes and no." Becky said. "Cody was born there. I was born in Chicago in the United States. My mother was Canadian, but my father was American. We both have dual citizenship, not that the orphanage cared."
"How did they meet?" Elizabeth asked.
"I am not sure." Becky said. "They never talked about it and before you ask, I don't know if my parents had siblings. As far as I know, they didn't and the officials at the orphanage didn't find anything …. Or at least that they said."
"What were your parents' names?" Elizabeth asked.
"My father was James and my mother was Vanessa." Becky said
"After we found you." Jack said. "I had the Mounties look into your history and as far as we can tell there is no other family. I will send those names to headquarters and have them also check with the American authorities, but don't get your hopes up that there is a family. Regardless if there is family, since so much time has passed, if you want to stay with Mrs Stanton, then we will make sure that happens. I also want to let you know that the orphanage that you came from was shut down by the Mounties in Fort Garry. They children were all moved to other orphanages. Before you ask, they made sure that siblings stayed together. The people that were running it are behind bars and will be there for a long time."
"Thank you." Becky said. "They really weren't nice to us. Sergeant Jacobs said something about the orphanage being closed. Pastor Frank said something as well."
"I am sorry about what you had to go through." Jack said. "But know that you are more than welcome to stay here in Hope Valley. Cody loves it here and I know that Abigail wants you both to stay. She was really upset when you were sick."
"If the judge will let us." Becky said. "Then we want to stay."
"Then we will make it happen." Elizabeth said.
Becky glared at Elizabeth. Her face was stone and her tone icy when she spoke. Elizabeth didn't even flinch at Becky's look, but Jack did.
"Don't promise something you can't deliver." Becky said. "Especially to Cody."
"If Elizabeth says it will happen." Jack said. "It will happen. The Delaneys and I will do everything that we can to help that."
"Thank you." Becky said. "But until I hear it from a judge, I don't know if I will be able to believe it."
"That is understandable." Elizabeth said. "But have a little faith, this is Hope Valley after all."
Becky just looked at Elizabeth and shrugged. There was a part of her that wanted to believe Mountie Jack and Mrs Thornton, but she had learned that adults say a lot of things and rarely follow through. Elizabeth knew that she was going to have to work to convince Becky that she could trust them. She just wasn't sure what she could say at the moment to make her believe that they would do everything that they could to help her and Cody stay in Hope Valley. Elizabeth knew if it came to it, she wouldn't be above calling a number of favors. She also knew that Wynn would as well. She figured that Jacobs might also be able to help. She made a mental note to talk to him about it.
As Ann worked in the kitchen, she listened to Jack and Elizabeth talk to Becky. She was glad that someone had been able to get the girl to open up as it seemed that she hadn't really opened up to anyone else.
It was just before 11 am when Wynn stepped out of the office. He stopped at the top of the stairs and looked around. Bill had been right, the town was much more busy than he had seen it. The cafe and mercantile both looked busy and there were several wagons along the main street. Wynn looked down toward the jail and saw his horse, along three others. He knew one to be Dee's horse and another McGinty's. Wynn figured that the third belonged to Jacobs. As Wynn was standing there, Jacobs joined him.
"What are you thinking, Sir?" Jacobs asked.
"What?" Wynn asked.
"I asked what you were thinking." Jacobs said.
"Nothing." Wynn said. "I was just taking in the beauty of the town."
"Bill was right." Jacobs said. "It is pretty busy. We need to be extra careful."
"I know." Wynn said. "We will do everything that we can. I can't wait until things slow back down. It just seems like it is one thing after another and I don't know how much more these people can handle."
"Bill said something similar last night." Jacobs said. "I will tell you what I told him – one thing at a time. We will deal with things as we can. Life has a way of hitting you hard, but I believe God doesn't give us more than we can handle."
"Good way to look at it." Wynn said. "But sometimes it feels like the hits keep coming."
"I know what you mean." Jacobs said.
As the two were standing there, Bill rode up.
"Hey Bill." Wynn said. "What do you know?"
"They men have the cabin about a mile out of town. They are going to break for lunch and let the horses rest. They will start moving again at 12:30."
Wynn looked at his watch.
"Good." Wynn said. "Why don't you two head to the jail. Send Dee to the cafe. Buxton should be here anytime."
"Agreed." Jacobs said.
Jacobs went down the stairs to join Bill. Wynn stood there for another moment looking around. Before Wynn could head to the cafe, he saw a group of Mounties turn the corner and pull up next to the jail. Wynn had said that he was going to let Jacobs and Bill handle things, but the group of Mounties that pulled up in front of the jail was larger than he expected, so Wynn headed that way as well. Wynn wasn't in uniform, but did have his gun belt on him. A couple of the Mounties recognized him and snapped to a salute before they even dismounted their horses. Wynn returned the salute and then stepped up on the jailhouse porch.
"This is quite a large group to move two low level criminals." Wynn said.
"Only three of us are here to move the prisoners." Captain Taylor said.
"I take it the other five of you are part of the protection detail." Wynn said. "For those of you that don't know this is Sergeant Jeremiah Jacobs, he will eventually be in charge in Benson Hills. Right now, he is acting as close protection for me and will be here until this is over. Also this is retired Inspector and Hope Valley Sheriff, Bill Avery. Would you all please introduce yourselves with your current station."
"Captain Alexander Taylor, Buxton."
"Constable Robert Mitchell, Buxton."
"Constable James Roberts, Buxton."
"Constable Nathan Patel, Pine Springs."
"Constable Aaron Bennett, Alberta Southern Regional."
"Constable Steven Gill, Alberta Southern Regional."
"Corporal David Carlson, Brooks."
"Constable Ryan Wilson, Brooks."
"The five of you, who are staying." Bill said. "Sorry to say that we are short on accommodations. We do have a couple large Mountie tents. They will need to be set up and that can be done just out back. They are there, we just haven't gotten a chance to do it."
"Not a problem." Corporal Carlson said. "We can do that, while you guys get the prisoners moving."
"The back door is open." Bill said. "Feel free to drop your packs there for a bit."
"Just a heads up." Wynn said. "There are two other constables inside. Also a third prisoner that will be staying for now. At NOtime are you to address me by name in front of that prisoner. Neither are you to address my son, who is inside, by name in front of that prisoner. Also you are not to engage with that prisoner, just to listen and record what is said."
"Yes, Sir." Corporal Carlson said.
"Good." Wynn said. "We are working out of the mayor's office as it has more room. There is a lot going on. I am heading to the cafe to get some lunch. I will talk to the rest of you after lunch. To the three of you moving the prisoners, safe travels."
The men saluted Wynn and then he left. Jacobs and Bill looked around and then to each other.
"Why don't you men drop your packs in the back?" Jacobs said. "Then get the two tents up, there should be some cadets coming later this afternoon. We will get the prisoners moving."
Carlson nodded and led the other four men around to the back of the Mountie office.
"Captain Taylor." Jacobs said.
"Let's get this going." Taylor said. "I am sure that you all have plenty to do, no need to keep you tied up."
Jacobs and Bill lead Taylor inside, dismissing McGinty and Dee to go help the five out back. The other three men quickly got the two prisoners ready, loaded and on the way. Bill and Jacobs stood there and watched the transport wagon pull away.
"Glad to see those two gone." Bill said.
"Maybe things will start to turn around for the better." Jacobs said. "Let's check on the others then go grab some lunch before the men start moving that cabin again."
"Good idea." Bill said. "I also want to have a conversation with Jack if possible."
Jacobs nodded as they walked to the back of the Mountie office to see one tent was already up and another almost ready. Jacobs and Bill were not surprised that the men got right to work and didn't waste time getting things done. Jacobs took it as a good sign and hoped it continued.
"McGinty." Jacobs called.
"Yes, Sir." McGinty said standing up.
"Do you have a plan for this afternoon?" Jacobs asked.
"I want to see the men move the cabin." McGinty said. "Looks like they are taking a break. I also will need to ride rounds later."
"Good." Jacobs said. "Do that. In case you didn't know, there are five cadets coming in and additional members of the protection detail. Not sure when they will get here."
"Understood." McGinty said. "We have plenty of tents. There are two still in the storage shed."
"Good." Bill said. "We are heading to the cafe to grab a bite. When you are done, feel free to come over."
McGinty nodded.
"Dee." Bill said. "Come with us. The rest of you carry on. When the tents are up, you can grab something to eat."
Dee stood up and walked over to Bill and Jacobs. The three of them then headed to the cafe.
Knowing that it would be busy at the cafe, Mary Graves came in about eleven to help out. Abigail also came back to help out and it was still very busy. Pastor Frank once again came over to help with dishes over the lunch period. Jack wanted to help as well, but no one would let him do much. He did sit and chop some veggies for a bit. Elizabeth also helped out some as it started to get busier, but she stayed in the kitchen. When Wynn got there, he came into the kitchen and greeted his wife. He then took a seat with Jack and Elizabeth at the table. Elizabeth got up and made the three of them each a plate.
"Wynn." Jack said. "Please say a blessing for us."
"Heavenly Father." Wynn prayed. "Please keep all that are traveling safe. Keep all of us safe as we go about this Easter weekend. Be with us and keep us to You. Bless this food to our bodies and bless the hands that prepared it. Amen."
"Amen." Jack and Elizabeth said.
"Thank you, Wynn." Elizabeth said. "So how have you been this morning?"
"Busy." Wynn said. "There is something that I need to talk to both of you about, but I don't want to have that discussion here."
"Is it about what happened this morning?" Jack asked.
"Yes." Wynn said.
"Later then." Jack said.
"Agreed." Wynn said.
Becky joined them at the table at the insistence of Elizabeth Rose. Jack and Elizabeth tried to chat more with Becky, but with Wynn sitting there, she had once again reverted back to one or two word answers. It didn't bother Wynn, he knew that it would take the girl some time to feel comfortable and trust adults after everything that she had been through. He did appreciate the effort that Jack and Elizabeth were making to make Becky feel included. The four were about half way through their food when Dee came into the kitchen to greet his mother. He smiled at his father. After having a word with his mother, he went over to the table.
"Hi." Dee said. "How are you doing today Becky?"
"I am good." Becky said. "Jeremiah helped me take a few steps this morning. It felt weird, but he also was right there when I faltered."
"I told you." Dee said. "One day at a time. We will be here to help you as much as we can, but you have to do the work."
"Will you join us?" Becky asked with a smile.
"Okay." Dee said. "Let me tell Bill and Sergeant Jacobs."
"I will." Elizabeth Rose said coming over with a cup of coffee for Dee.
"Thank you." Wynn said. "I would offer to have them join us, but I think that the kitchen is crowded enough."
"They will understand." Elizabeth Rose said.
