Chapter 193 – Early Friday of a Long Weekend

Friday dawned slightly overcast, still warm. As the rays of sun tried to break through the clouds, Hope Valley started to come alive. The men working were already up and getting ready. The Mounties and Cadets were also up getting ready to go for their run. At five minutes after six, Jacobs headed over to the jail. It only took a few more minutes and the group headed out for the first of several laps. Constables Gill and Bennett had taken guard duty to allow the cadets to run.

After the fourth loop, Jacobs took pity on the cadets and let them go wash up as he went to do the same. When he came out of his room again, he was met by Wynn, Elizabeth and Patty.

"Already been for a run?" Wynn asked.

"Yes." Jacobs said. "I only made them do four as I had set a faster pace this morning."

"What do you want for breakfast?" Elizabeth asked. "I believe that Abigail was going to do oatmeal for the cadets and Mounties this morning unless they waited until she was officially open."

"Actually." Jacobs said. "Oatmeal with some honey sounds good. Maybe then I won't be hungry mid morning."

"Okay." Elizabeth said.

"Might as well do oatmeal for me as well." Wynn said. "Put butter and sugar on mine if possible."

Elizabeth Rose shook her head. She knew exactly what her husband wanted. As they walked out of the saloon, they saw the cadets come around the jail lead by McGinty. They saw Bill and Charlotte at the back of the pack. Wynn and Elizabeth exchanged a quick glance. Wynn always wondered if there were feelings between the two after Thomas had died, but he never asked. He knew they were both grieving, so chalked it up to that.

Once the group got to the cafe, Elizabeth Rose and Patty jumped in to help Abigail and Ann in the kitchen. Once the cadets and Mounties were all seated with breakfast, Charlotte took some scones and oatmeal and left. Without missing a beat, Abigail informed them that Charlotte was going to make sure Mary Graves was okay. Elizabeth Rose and Ann agreed that was good.

Before the rush, Jacobs was able to help Becky downstairs. Abigail sat with the children for a bit while they had breakfast. Elizabeth Rose and Patty insisted. Elizabeth knew that Abigail was struggling with how busy she had been, especially since Becky came back. So Elizabeth and Patty had agreed that they would do everything they could to help Abigail have a few minutes to sit with the children at breakfast and supper.

Elizabeth woke up with the alarm at six thirty. As she stretched, Jack wrapped his arm around her tighter.

"Stay here." Jack mumbled.

Elizabeth turned to face Jack.

"If I don't go downstairs." Elizabeth said. "I am pretty sure that Dee will come up looking for us. Besides, I have to go to work."

Jack groaned, but loosened his grip on Elizabeth and pushed to sit up a little more. Elizabeth sat up and made sure her stomach was okay before she stood up.

"I think I am going to have to put this one away for a while." Elizabeth said.

Jack gave Elizabeth a pouty look.

"I like that one." Jack said.

"I will order one that will fit my expanding middle better." Elizabeth said.

Jack smiled. Elizabeth got ready for the day. Jack slipped on some loose pants and carefully pulled a henley over his head. Once Jack was ready, he sat back down on the bed.

"I will send Dee up when I get down there." Elizabeth said.

"Thank you." Jack said.

Elizabeth headed downstairs and saw that Dee was sitting at the kitchen table.

"Jack is ready to come downstairs." Elizabeth said.

"Okay." Dee said. "I have water heating for him as well as for tea and coffee."

"What would you like for breakfast?" Elizabeth asked.

"I don't know." Dee said. "Maybe some oatmeal."

"I can do that." Elizabeth said.

While Dee went up to get Jack, Elizabeth started making oatmeal for the three of them. It didn't take long and the three of them settled around the table with breakfast in front of them. Jack looked at Elizabeth and she nodded.

"Heavenly Father." Elizabeth prayed. "We thank you for this time together. Please keep all the Mounties safe as they work to keep us safe. Thank you for this day and please keep all the workers safe. Bless this food to our bodies and use toward Your good will. Amen."

"Amen." Jack and Dee echoed.

The three of them started eating without much more comment. Dee mentioned that Andrew was in town to help with the audit and Wynn wanted a large family dinner. Elizabeth looked at Dee, but he assured her that she wouldn't have to cook, or at least alone.

Once they were done with breakfast, Elizabeth Rose and Patty went to help Abigail as they knew that they lumberjacks were going to be coming in. Jacobs got Edwards, Peters and Harvey going before he dismissed the rest of the cadets. He held the Mounties back for a moment.

"Thank you gentleman." Wynn said, standing up. "With the man who was pretending to be Captain Campbell arrested and moved as well as the other prisoner, I was hoping that we would be able to relax a little bit, but I am afraid that may not be the case. We still don't think we have everyone connected to the situation and there is still the matter of the escaped prisoner who is after myself and/or my family. Inspector Williams was pretty sure that the two events weren't connected. I still want everyone to be on their toes."

"Are we still thinking that someone might be after Corporal Thornton?" Captain Cook asked.

"We aren't sure." Wynn said. "We are going to leave the guards in place until we hear otherwise. The other thing that I want done this weekend is to make sure that the jail is cleaned both upstairs and the main office. Once you are able to get into the upstairs, I want to know what is up there and then it needs to be cleaned so we can use it, if that is deemed possible. The cadets can help."

"Also this weekend." Jacobs said. "I think if you can spend some time helping a member of the community, that would be great. We still have widows that will need wood for the coming winter. We have many fatherless children that would love to spend time with you. There are several buildings in town that could use some work."

"I agree." Wynn said. "We are here, and even though you are supposed to be looking out for me and my family. I would like you all to help the people of this community as they have given a lot to help others. There are farmers that could also probably need a hand. Please let Bill know who you are helping and what you will be doing."

"We will do that." Captain Cook said. "Corporal Thornton told us how special this town was when he was in town this past summer. I think we should all be honored to be able to help. This community obviously loves him and the rest of the Mounties."

"I am glad that you understand." Wynn said. "If you are having trouble coming up with someone to help or something to do, please speak with Bill, Lee Coulter or Pastor Frank. There are plenty of people that need help."

Wynn dismissed the Mounties, just as the lumberjacks started to come in. Charlotte got up and headed to the kitchen to help. Bill moved over to sit with Wynn and Jacobs for a moment. Together these three men came up with a list of things that the Mounties could do to help people in town. Bill also let Wynn and Jacobs know that the first group of men that Lee hired had arrived the previous afternoon. Bill explained that they will be out at the sawmill and their first task would be to make sure that their bunk house was built. Bill also informed the two that they started on things out at Jack's land and several men had been asking about helping there.

"See what Lee needs." Wynn said. "But if people want to help Jack, please get a list going so when Lee is ready for them, we know."

"Got it." Bill said. "If there is anything else, please let me know."

"We will." Wynn said.

Bill got up and left. Wynn and Jacobs sat there for a few more minutes finishing their coffee before heading to Jack and Elizabeth's house.

After breakfast, Elizabeth started getting her stuff ready to head for school. She made herself a small lunch. She had found over the week that she was too hungry by the time that she got home, so a smaller lunch at the schoolhouse might be the way to curb that. Dee started cleaning up from breakfast while getting the water heating for Jack. Jack sat back relaxing at the table. Dee had fixed him a medicated tea to have before the treatment. Jack didn't ask Elizabeth what she was doing when he saw her packing a smaller lunch and putting it in her basket for school. He just figured that she was getting hungry mid-morning and needed a little something before she got back to him. Seeing the time, Jack wanted to be able to go through his usual morning ritual that he started in the last week.

"Elizabeth." Jack said.

Elizabeth turned and walked over to the table from her writing desk. Once Elizabeth was standing in front of Jack, he put his hands on the sides of her belly and leaned forward to kiss her baby bump. He then told the baby to be good as mommy had to teach, just as he had done everyday that week. Elizabeth just smiled when Jack kissed her belly and spoke to their child. She loved how much Jack already loved their child. She knew that it wasn't common for fathers to be so expressive or involved, but she was glad that Jack was wanting to be involved and help her as much as possible. She wasn't sure what she would ever do if something happened to Jack. Elizabeth knew that there would still be times that Jack would have to leave for work, but she chose to not think about those at that moment. She wanted to be happy that Jack was on the road to recovery and that they were going to be parents in a few short months. Elizabeth then leaned down and gave Jack a kiss.

"Have a good day." Jack said.

"I will." Elizabeth said. "Despite expecting visitors this morning, please try to get some rest."

"I will." Jack said.

With that, Jack released Elizabeth. She finished getting everything ready for school and was ready just as there was a knock on the door. Elizabeth answered it to find not only her guards, but Jacobs and Wynn. She welcomed Jacobs and Wynn in, she then turned and grabbed her stuff and left with her escorts. As Elizabeth left, Jacobs and Dee got Jack going on the steam treatment as Wynn sat down to talk to Jack.

"How are you doing son?" Wynn asked.

Jack just shrugged his shoulders. There was something that he wanted to talk to Wynn about but he was wondering if he was actually the best person, but then realized that since he was the only one married, it probably was the best.

"I know it is not easy to have to sit back and let others do the work." Wynn said. "I also know that it will be hard as you start to feel better, but I don't want you to push things. I want you to take the time that you need to heal. You have been through a lot already this year and it is only late April. Please take the time that you need to get better. There is too much at risk if you don't. The last thing I want for you is another setback. I also know that my niece will not be happy if you start pushing to be back at work too soon. I know how she normally is, but with her being pregnant, she is going to be more unpredictable. I just want you to be aware.

She hasn't formally said anything to either myself or my wife, but we can see it in her face as well as her actions. We know that she is struggling with her feelings and emotions. I just wanted to talk to you. I also know that you are good for her and if you can get her to talk, all the better. Not only have you both been learning about each other and how to live as a married couple, but you both have been through a lot of stuff individually. We also both know that you will have a lot more changes in your life this year before things start to settle down.

My point is to keep your eyes open and keep talking to each other. If there is anything that either my wife or myself can do for you we will. I am sure that you know by now that my son-in-law, Andrew, is in town to help with the audit. I am not sure how long he and his brother will be here, but I am sure that Beth will want to have a family supper at some point."

"It is tomorrow night." Jack said. "Apparently your son has already been planning it. He was going to ask your wife to help cook tomorrow."

"Very well." Wynn said. "We will figure things out."

"So honestly." Jack said. "How have things been in town? I know that it must be hard to have a lot of extra people in town."

"Things are going good." Wynn said. "The men that came in are keeping busy, but also have been socializing with townspeople. It sounds like Lee has hired a few of them. He has also hired other men and they have started to arrive. He staggered their starting dates, so that they didn't all arrive at once. I guess the first group came in yesterday."

"Dee mentioned something about that." Jack said.

"Good." Wynn said. "Then I will leave it to Dee to keep you updated. If you have other questions or concerns, please let me know."

"I will." Jack said. "I do have a concern off the top of my head."

"I am listening." Wynn said.

"I am concerned about Bill." Jack said. "This wasn't what he signed up for and I know that the events at Rock Creek upset him. Please make sure that he is alright."

"Bill is doing okay." Jacobs said. "We have talked a little and he has taken a liking to McGinty as well. The last few days, he has been spending time with you mother. I think that they are good for each other. Both saw things at Rock Creek and they could talk to each other. I will continue to keep an eye on him."

"Thank you." Jack said.

"If you are almost done." Jacobs said. "We can get going, get you settled and then head back to town as it is going to be another long day."

Dee and Jacobs both had everything ready and as Jack moved from the steam to prepare for the rest of the treatment, both men worked in an easy manner to work on Jack. Jack coughed up quite a bit of mucus, but was only sick to his stomach once.

"You are sounding so much better." Jacobs said. "Let's get through the weekend and then we will talk about what the plan is."

Jack just nodded as he sat back, trying to take slow breaths.