Chapter 176 – Getting Better (long)

Wednesday morning dawned bright and warm in Hope Valley. It was actually unseasonably warm given what the temperature had been the last few days. The farmers and the men were taking the warm days, because they were able to get a lot done. They just hoped that it didn't stay that warm and they got a little rain, but it could probably hold off for a couple more weeks. The farmers wanted to get their crops in and the men building wanted to not have to wait.

With McGinty still gone, Captain Cook had the Cadets and other Constables up shortly before the sun rose. He went on rounds as they went for a run. Constables Bennett and Gill took guard duty so the cadets could go for a run with the others. As they were on their second loop, Jacobs joined the group. He pushed them as he ran the loop. He ran it three times, not letting the cadets quit when they reached their third loop.

When they were done running, Jacobs let them go wash up as he was headed to do the same. When he left his room after washing up, he found Wynn, Elizabeth Rose and Patty in the hall. As a group they headed to the cafe. Abigail insisted that Elizabeth Rose and Patty have something to eat before they helped. Abigail had biscuits and gravy ready for the cadets. Elizabeth Rose made pancakes for Wynn, Jacobs, Becky, Cody and herself. Patty had a scone and jam with a cup of coffee before jumping in to help. Ann came as the cadets and Mounties were eating.

Even the man pretending to be Campbell came over after Abigail was officially open. He ordered breakfast and paid for it. He quickly ate and then left again. Elizabeth Rose and Patty helped in the kitchen as several of the men working as well as the lumberjacks all came in for breakfast. Abigail liked the business, but it made it hard to keep up. She was glad that she had Ann, Elizabeth Rose and Patty to help. Jacobs also made sure that Peters, Harvey and Edwards helped with dishes and hauling water. Bennett and Gill came in as Wynn and Jacobs headed to the office for a bit before heading over to Jack and Elizabeth's house.

Charlotte came and got a plate for Bill and herself. She also took a plate back for the prisoner. She didn't explain why she was eating with Bill and Abigail didn't have time to ask. Within an hour, Charlotte was back with the dishes. She washed her hands and jumped in helping where she could. The ladies talked while they worked, but didn't talk about things they didn't want others over hearing. Ann dismissed the cadets after they were done with the dishes from the breakfast rush. Charlotte took over and finished the last few dishes.

When they finally had a chance to take a break, Abigail pulled out the books to work on. They talked about what they were going to have on the menu for the rest of the week and what had been ordered and what they needed to order. They knew that the supply wagon was coming the next day or Friday. She was pleasantly surprised to see that they had done better than she thought, even without billing the Mounties for all those meals. She realized that she needed to do another deposit, so she got that ready to take over when she went. Normally she did one a couple times a week, but she was realizing that she might have to do it every other day right now.

Abigail also realized that with Mary Graves on bedrest, that she would be able to pay Ann. She was worried about Mary and knew that she needed the extra money, but she was also glad that Mary was listening to Faith and taking it easy. Her and DeWitt had decided to put the extra money from the mine settlement into savings so hopefully if Caleb wanted to go on to more schooling, they would be able to pay for it. They really didn't want to touch it if they didn't have to. Abigail understood that as well. She has set some of her settlement money aside in case something happened to the cafe and she needed it. So she knew she had a reserve if she needed to draw it, but she was hoping to let it be, especially with taking on Becky and Cody.

Elizabeth opened her eyes and looked at the clock and realized that she had overslept. It was almost quarter to seven. She quickly jumped from bed and hurried to get ready. As she was rushing around, Jack opened his eyes and looked at his wife. He still smiled as he thought about that. He continued to watch her rush around.

"What is wrong?" Jack asked.

Because Jack had spoken so softly, Elizabeth didn't hear him until he cleared his throat and spoke a second time.

"What is wrong?" Jack repeated.

"I overslept." Elizabeth said as she buttoned her blouse.

"It is okay." Jack said.

"I hate feeling rushed." Elizabeth said. "I will send Dee up to help you."

Elizabeth didn't let Jack respond, but headed downstairs. When she got downstairs, she found Dee still sleeping, so she woke him, then she went outside for a moment. When Dee got up, he put water on first and then headed up to Jack. He helped Jack change clothes and then downstairs. When they came down, Elizabeth was scrambling eggs and toasting bread for them.

"Sorry, I don't have any bacon or sausage." Elizabeth said.

"It is fine." Dee said. "You make sure that you eat, I can always grab something in town."

"There is plenty for all of us." Elizabeth said. "I just don't have any meat. I need to get some things in town this afternoon."

"Bella, slow down." Jack said.

"What else do you need?" Dee asked.

"I need meat, milk, eggs, tea and crackers." Elizabeth said.

"I can have things delivered out here." Dee said. "What kind of meat do you want?"

"Can you get a large roast?" Elizabeth said. "Some bacon and sausage."

"I can do that." Dee said. "I will get the other things delivered as well. Is there anything else?"

"Do we have any cheese?" Jack asked.

"I don't think so." Elizabeth said.

"I added it to the list." Dee said. "I was also going to pick up some more jam."

"Fine." Elizabeth said.

"Have Ned put it on our account." Jack said.

Elizabeth set three plates on the table and Jack led them in a prayer. Jack ate a little, but still didn't have much of an appetite. Elizabeth finished what Jack couldn't so as not to waste the eggs.

"I will do the dishes." Dee said.

"Thank you." Elizabeth said.

Jack sat and sipped his tea while Elizabeth got her things ready for school. She quickly made lunch and gathered her papers.

"Elizabeth." Jack said.

"Yes." Elizabeth said.

"Come here for a moment." Jack said.

Elizabeth walked over to Jack. He turned to face Elizabeth. He put his hands on her hips, leaned forward and kissed her little bump.

"Daddy loves you." Jack said to the bump. "Be good for Mommy this morning as she has to teach."

Jack gave her belly one more kiss. Elizabeth leaned down and kissed Jack.

"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "Don't forget with have to see Faith at one. I won't come back here before."

"I won't forget." Jack said.

"I will make sure that he gets into town." Dee said.

As they were speaking there was a knock at the door. When Dee opened it, he found Jacobs and Elizabeth's guards.

"Beth." Dee said.

"Coming." Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth grabbed her basket and left for school. She was still feeling rushed, but not as bad as when she first got up. She had everything that she needed, including lunch. She smiled as she walked to the school thinking about how sweet Jack was talking to the baby. She loved how even when he wasn't feeling good, he tried to make her feel better.

After Elizabeth left, Jacobs and Dee went about getting everything ready for Jack. Jack asked about certain things going on in town. If Jacobs didn't have an answer, he promised to check and let him know later. As Jack did the steam treatment, Dee washed up the dishes from breakfast and changed into his jeans and button up, he had still been in his pajamas when Jacobs first arrived. Dee was just glad that he was able to wear casual clothes while in Hope Valley.

"Little slow this morning." Jacobs teased as Dee came back out.

"We all overslept." Dee said. "After you left last night, I stayed up for a while playing on Jack's guitar. Then I fell asleep hard. I guess I forgot to set the alarm. Beth woke me when she came down, then I jumped right into helping Jack."

"Just giving you a hard time." Jacobs said.

"I know." Dee said. "I just didn't want you to think I was slacking."

"You do more work in the morning than most of us do all day." Jacobs said. "I was just teasing."

Dee smiled. He liked Jacobs, but just wanted to make sure that he wasn't serious, especially since he technically outranked him.

"Dad already at the office?" Dee asked.

"Yes." Jacobs said. "The ladies are at the cafe, I had the cadets out for a run. They ate and have been assigned chores."

"Good." Jack said. "How are they working out?"

"Not bad." Jacobs said. "I think we finally got through to them that we are serious. They have extra chores and if they aren't doing those or on guard duty, they have been restricted to their tent."

Jack sat up and looked between the other two.

"It had been a long few days." Dee said. "Nothing that you need to worry about."

"We have handled it." Jacobs said. "Your only concern needs to be getting better."

Jack nodded. He didn't like it, but he also knew that Wynn, Dee and Jacobs were doing everything they could to help the people. Jack felt like he should be doing more, but he also knew that he needed to get better. As Jack was finishing up the steam treatment, there was a knock at the door.

"I will get it." Dee said.

When Dee opened the door, he wasn't surprised to see Charlotte standing there. He didn't want to, but he let her in.

"We were just going to get going." Jacobs said. "When we are done, Jack needs to rest. This is hard on him, no matter how much he needs it."

"I want to talk to him about some things." Charlotte said.

"We will see how he is when we are done." Jacobs said. "But if I feel that he is too spent, you will be leaving him alone to sleep. He has to go into town this afternoon for an appointment with Faith and I want him to rest."

Charlotte didn't say anything, but glared at Jacobs.

"Ma." Jack said. "I know we need to talk, but please let me heal."

"I can stay here in case you need anything." Charlotte said.

Jack sighed, but didn't say anymore. He leaned forward and nodded for Jacobs to start. Jacobs started with the cupping motion on Jack's back and it didn't take long for him to start coughing and sputtering. Jack was only sick to his stomach once, but he coughed quite a bit of mucus up. When Jack slumped back in the chair, Jacobs could tell that he was spent. Jacobs grabbed the stethoscope and listened to Jack's lungs.

"Much better than Sunday." Jacobs said. "I think you have finally turned the corner. Let's see how you do not having a treatment this afternoon. If you are up to it, please try to do a couple steam treatments today. Let's get you settled and Dee will give you a cup of the tea to help."

Jack nodded. Jacobs basically picked Jack up and took him to the downstairs bedroom. Dee brought him a cup of the medicated tea. Jack took a couple of sips and then set it down.

"Please try to finish it." Jacobs said.

Jack nodded, picked the tea back up and continued to sip it. Jacobs stood there for a few moments and watched Jack. After a few moments of watching Jack and him almost finishing the tea, Jacobs leaned down.

"Do you want me to make her leave?" Jacobs asked quietly.

Jack nodded.

"I need two hours." Jack said. "I just want to sleep. It has been working out well with the guard inside."

Jack started coughing and Jacobs was right there to sit him up a little more.

"Slow down." Jacobs said. "We will go with the plan. I can't promise that she won't come back, but you can always send a guard to get me if there is a problem."

Jack nodded, finished the tea and handed the cup to Jacobs. He took it and left the room. Dee brought a glass of water and grabbed his messenger bag. Dee went back out to the kitchen, pulling the door almost closed. When he looked up, he saw Jacobs and Charlotte standing toe to toe.

"He is my son." Charlotte said.

"He is my patient." Jacobs said. "He wants to rest and that is what he needs right now."

"So I can stay here if he needs anything." Charlotte said.

"No." Jacobs said. "I don't trust you to leave him alone to rest. Give him at least two hours. I would prefer that you give him today, but please give him two hours."

Dee stepped closer to Jacobs.

"He is almost asleep already." Dee said. "I agree with Jacobs, he needs to rest. We have been through this several times over the last few days. He usually sleeps for at least two hours. It is what he needs. Besides, he can't talk much especially when he is like this."

"Fine, two hours." Charlotte said.

Dee got the guard from the back and spoke quietly to him. He nodded and then Dee walked over to Jacobs who motioned for Charlotte to lead the way. The trio left the house and walked back to town without speaking any further. Charlotte went to the cafe, Dee went to the mercantile and Jacobs across the road to the office.

When Jacobs walked in the office, he looked at Wynn, but didn't say anything. Wynn could tell that Jacobs didn't want to talk about things.

"Jack is better, but Charlotte is a pain." Jacobs finally said.

"Let me know if you need help with her." Wynn said. "Bill is also good at talking to her."

"I made her leave so Jack could rest." Jacobs said. "She didn't want to, but finally did."

"Where is she?" Wynn asked.

"Cafe." Jacobs said.

"Then I won't worry." Wynn said. "My wife and Abigail can handle her."

Jacobs didn't say anything else, but went to work on the ledgers that he had been working on. Neither even looked up when Dee came in. He handed his father a message and then went to work on the paperwork he had. Wynn looked at the message and then at Dee.

"Don't ask." Dee said. "I don't know anymore then what is there. I sent a message to the Union City station for him, hoping that he checks in there."

"What is going on?" Jacobs asked.

Wynn handed him the message.

Dee – Following a lead. Went to Union City. Will check back later. McGinty.

"I wonder what he found." Jacobs said.

"Me too." Dee said. "But I trust him if he found out something. He knows we are looking for information and he wouldn't go off and do something stupid."

"I agree." Wynn said. "He has a good head on his shoulders so if he found a solid lead, he probably didn't want to ride back here and then lose the chance to get the element of surprise on whatever he found."

"At least I hope he asks for help if he needs it." Jacobs said.

"I am sure he will." Dee said. "He is like Jack and knows his limits."

"Good." Jacobs said. "Then I am not going to worry. Hopefully he will be back soon and we can see what he found."

"I agree." Wynn said. "Lets not borrow trouble and stay on task here."

Jacobs and Dee nodded and went back to work.