Chapter 149 – Teaching Some Manners

McGinty finished his breakfast. He took his dishes to the kitchen and then came back to the dining room. He was carrying a plate to take over to their prisoner.

"Becky." McGinty said. "I will see you later."

"Take it easy." Becky said.

McGinty nodded and patted Becky on the shoulder.

"Sir." McGinty said. "I am going to ride shortened rounds. I will be back in time for services at the grove at 10:30."

"Very good." Wynn said. "Have you seen Charlotte this morning?"

"No Sir." McGinty said. "I have not seen her since I walked her back to Jack's late last night. She said she was fine making her way alone, but I insisted. I used it to check on the cadets guarding the house."

"What time was that?" Wynn asked.

"Late." McGinty said. "It was well after the saloon closed."

"Okay." Wynn said. "When you do rounds, please check and see if she is in her tent. Also check on the cadets."

"Yes, Sir." McGinty said.

After a salute from Wynn and Jacobs, McGinty walked out about the time that Dee walked in. Dee and McGinty exchanged quick words, then McGinty left and Dee finished coming into the cafe. Dee had barely sat down when his mother looked at him.

"Have you eaten?" Elizabeth Rose asked.

"No." Dee said. "Elizabeth got sick again this morning. I made her some tea and toast, then I told Jack that I would come into town. They planned to lay back down for a while. They will not come in for services since Elizabeth isn't feeling well."

"Is Mrs Thornton alright?" Becky asked.

"Yes, dear." Wynn said. "She is expecting and that was why she was sick. She just hasn't shared it with many people that she is going to have a baby this fall."

"Okay." Becky said. "I thought that was what was going on after you were talking baby names yesterday."

"We know." Elizabeth Rose said. "Abigail knows and a few other people, but it is not publicly known. So don't say anything."

"I won't." Becky said.

"I am surprised Cody is not down here." Dee said.

"He is still sleeping." Becky said. "He didn't sleep well last night."

Wynn and Elizabeth Rose looked at Becky.

"Is he alright?" Wynn asked.

"Yes." Becky said. "He came and crawled in my bed late last night after a nightmare. It took a while to calm him down."

"Did you tell Abigail?" Elizabeth Rose said.

"No." Becky said.

As the group was talking, Campbell came in and plopped down in a chair. Wynn just looked at him and shook his head. The group went back to their discussion, not even acknowledging him. It was only a few minutes before Campbell's lack of manners showed.

"Can a person get some service around here?" Campbell yelled.

Both Patty and Abigail came out of the kitchen with rolling pins in their hands.

"I want some coffee and some breakfast." Campbell demanded.

Abigail and Patty looked at each other.

"I will deal with this." Patty said.

Abigail nodded and went back to the kitchen. Patty crossed her arms and marched over to Campbell.

"Mrs Stanton is not open today." Patty said. "The people that are here were invited because Mrs Stanton considers them family. So change your attitude or you can go hungry."

"I saw the cadets come out of here." Campbell said. "As they walked by, they were talking about how good the food was."

"They were invited." Patty said. "Mrs Stanton likes Deputy Commissioner Delaney and he asked her to feed the cadets. He is paying for their meals here. So not only do you need to change your attitude, you will need to pay for your meal. If you can ask nicely, there are biscuits and gravy. There is coffee or water to drink."

Campbell looked at Patty and huffed.

"I guess I will take the biscuits and gravy and a coffee." Campbell said.

Patty stood there, tapping her foot for a moment and glared at Campbell.

"Pleaasee." Campbell ground out.

"I will have that for you in a moment." Patty said. "It will be two dollars."

Patty turned and went back to the kitchen to get his food. Campbell glared at the rest of the group that was in the dining room. Becky pushed back from the table and moved over toward Campbell. Wynn and Jacobs stood, not sure what Becky was going to do. Becky glared at Campbell.

"Sir." Becky said. "I suggest that you find some manners real quick. Miss Abigail is a stickler for manners around here. She will kick you out and refuse to serve you. You won't be the first Mountie that she has banned from her cafe. Not only should you have manners because you are a guest in this town, but you should be more respectful since there is a woman and child in your presence. Not to even mention a command officer."

Campbell went to open his mouth when Wynn stepped forward. Campbell shut his mouth and glared at the two of them.

"How dare you speak to me like that." Campbell huffed.

"I will speak to you anyway that I chose to speak to you." Becky said. "Especially since this is not only the cafe, but my home. My father taught me that if you disrespect a woman in her own home, that you aren't worth the time of day or the air you breathe."

Becky spun her wheelchair around and moved back to where she had been. Campbell sat there slack-jawed for a moment.

"I would listen to the young lady." Jacobs said. "You speak that way to any of the ladies that work here and you are likely to get shot and I will let them do it."

Patty came out with Campbell's plate and cup of coffee. She set it in front of him, then held out her hand. Campbell pulled out two dollars and handed it to her. She turned and headed back to the kitchen. When she went past, Jacobs and Wynn turned to sit back down.

Jack and Elizabeth woke up after another hour or so of rest. Jack quickly got dressed and headed downstairs. Elizabeth took a few minutes to make sure her stomach was settled before she got ready and followed her husband down. Elizabeth stopped at the landing and watched Jack for a few minutes, then she remembered that she needed to go outside. She went to pull her coat on and went out back. When she came back in, she looked at Jack.

"Didn't Wynn say that there are supposed to be guards in front and back." Elizabeth said.

"Yes." Jack said. "Why?"

"There was no one out back." Elizabeth said.

Jack went to Elizabeth and pulled her into the bedroom downstairs. He handed her the rifle, but she tried to resist. Jack glared at her, she took the rifle and set it on the bed.

"If anyone but me comes in here." Jack said. "Shoot him."

Elizabeth nodded. Jack pulled his sidearm out of the holster he was wearing and went to the front door. He looked out the window and saw a Constable out there. Jack slowly opened the door.

"Patel!" Jack hissed.

Constable Patel turned around and saw Jack, gun drawn.

"What?" Patel asked, concerned.

"Where is the guard out back?" Jack asked.

"I am alone." Patel said. "The cadets went into town for a run and then breakfast."

"Okay." Jack said. "Elizabeth was concerned because she didn't see a guard when she went out."

"Sorry to worry you." Patel said. "It was decided this morning that there was only going to be one during daylight, at least until we know more and/or have more to help."

Jack nodded.

"You want some coffee?" Jack asked.

"If you have it." Patel said. "Don't make some on my account. Someone should be coming to relieve me soon."

"I have some made." Jack said. "I will bring you some."

"Thank you." Patel said.

Jack went back inside, holstered his gun and removed his gun belt. He hung it on the chair, then went to knock on the bedroom door.

"Elizabeth." Jack said. "It is alright, you can come out."

Elizabeth slowly came out. She saw Jack at the stove pouring a large mug of coffee. Before she could say anything, Jack walked toward the front door, opened it and handed the mug of coffee to the person outside. When Jack turned around, he looked at Elizabeth and quickly moved to her side.

"It is okay." Jack said. "There is only going to be one person during the day. Sorry for the confusion."

"No." Elizabeth said. "I just wanted to make sure everything was okay."

"Thank you for checking." Jack said. "I would have been worried had you not said something. Let's just have a nice breakfast. I took Constable Patel some coffee, but someone should be replacing him soon so he can have breakfast."

Elizabeth leaned into Jack and he held her for a moment before kissing her temple.

"Oatmeal should be ready." Jack said.

Jack led them to the table, then went to the stove and got their oatmeal. Jack made sure that they had everything that they needed and then sat down. He took Elizabeth's hand and bowed his head.

"Heavenly Father." Jack prayed. "Thank you for this day. Thank you for the men and women who are keeping us safe. Thank you for sending Your Son to save us. Help us have humble and grateful hearts this Easter season. Bless this food and our time with family and friends today. Amen."

"Amen." Elizabeth said.

Jack and Elizabeth started to eat their breakfast and were about halfway through when there was a knock at the front door. Jack grabbed his pistol and headed to the door. He cracked it and looked out. He saw Patel and one of the cadets. Jack opened the door the rest of the way.

"Thank you for the coffee this morning." Patel said. "Cadet Kane will be here until you head into town or noon, whichever comes first."

"Thank you." Jack said as he took the empty coffee mug.

Jack watched Patel head toward town. Kane took the chair at the bottom of the stairs, just to the side so that he could see the front and around the corner. Kane nodded to Jack and Jack nodded back. He then went back inside. Elizabeth saw him carrying the empty mug. Jack took it right to the sink, but didn't say anything. He just took his seat again, taking Elizabeth's hand in his and smiling at her.

"Chance of guard." Jack said.

"Figured." Elizabeth said.

Jack and Elizabeth finished their breakfast in silence, holding hands. When Elizabeth stood up at the end of their meal, Jack had to stop her.

"What?" Elizabeth asked.

Jack pulled her closer to him. Once she was standing right in front of him, he put both of his hands on her small baby bump, leaned forward and kissed between his hands. He leaned into her for a moment, enjoying being close. Jack was so excited that they were expecting that he wanted to shout it from the rooftops.

"You are gorgeous." Jack said, looking up at Elizabeth.

"I feel fat." Elizabeth said. "This skirt is tight and it is one of the largest that I have. When I go into town, everyone is going to know."

"Is that a bad thing?" Jack asked.

Elizabeth just looked down at Jack, who gave her a dimpled grin.

"I guess not." Elizabeth said. "I did send a note to both Aunt Agatha and mother. I told both of them, but I also asked them not to share it or start sending baby stuff."

"Then it shouldn't matter who knows." Jack said. "I promise I won't shout it from the rooftop, but I also won't deny it if someone asks me."

"Fair enough." Elizabeth said. "I am more grateful now that Aunt Elizabeth brought clothes for me. I don't think I would have made it to the end of the week without them."

"I know that she brought clothes." Jack said. "But if you want to get a couple more things, I won't object."

"I will wait and see what she brought first." Elizabeth said. "I think that most of my shirts should still fit for now, it will be the skirts and things."

"Okay." Jack said.

"Want to help me with the dishes?" Elizabeth asked.

"No." Jack said. "I want to sit with my wife and read the resurrection story from the Bible. We can do the dishes later."

"Okay." Elizabeth said.

Jack stood up, led Elizabeth to the settee and grabbed his Bible that was on the end table. The pair sat close together. Jack put his arm around Elizabeth and then opened his Bible to find what he wanted to read.