Chapter 225 – Reassuring Elizabeth

As Doug set about keeping busy, Dee looked at Elizabeth again.

"What is going on, Beth?" Dee asked.

She looked at her hands and played with the rings that Jack had given her. Dee was going to allow her a few minutes before he pressed her for an answer.

"I am just missing Andy." Elizabeth finally admitted.

"Oh." Dee said.

"Not like that." Elizabeth said. "Seeing Doug with Jack reminded me of how close Andy and I were. Or how close Sophie and I were. Andy is gone and I haven't seen Sophie in over two years now. I guess I was feeling a little alone.

Don't get me wrong, I love Jack and we have a special connection. But at this point we don't have that history and despite being surrounded by people I am feeling very alone going through this. I feel like I can't help Jack. I feel like I am failing as a wife."

"You are not failing as a wife." Dee said. "Given everything that has happened, I would say it is normal to miss people you have felt close to. There have been a lot of changes in the last year and there are more coming in the next. You need to cut yourself some slack and not be so hard on yourself.

Look at all that has happened in the last year. A year ago, you were living in Hamilton and planning to come out here. You were twenty years old and a recent graduate from teacher college. You had never had a serious boyfriend and lived in your father's house. Now in less than a year, you have moved more than halfway across the country to a frontier town without modern amenities. Are in charge of a school that has over thirty students. You are married and expecting a child, while agreeing to take on the orphaned little girls of a friend.

Your family, mainly your father, has fought you every step of the way. Yet, you have persevered. Some of the obstacles you have overcome since coming here are absolutely amazing. You came out here not knowing much of anything about the town. You were teaching in the saloon because the schoolhouse had burnt down after a tragic mining accident that killed forty-seven men, leaving many of the children fatherless. Despite the huge obstacle, you were able to connect with the children and help them through their grief. You went into that mine out there to help the women who had become your friends fight for their homes. I am sure no one thought you would be able to go down in that mine, yet you proved to them and yourself that you could.

You were kidnapped by the Tolliver gang and held. You not only survived that, but protected your sister at the same time. You handled that situation with more grace and maturity than I have seen from people twice your age. You kept your head about you and didn't let it overwhelm you.

You stood toe to toe with Henry Gowen when he was going after a friend of yours and trying to drag her late husband's name through the mud. You didn't let his position or threats overwhelm you. You stood your ground and in the long run helped the widows get some measure of justice for what happened. Yes, there were struggles along the way, but you have overcome them. You are stronger than you give yourself credit for."

Doug couldn't help but overhear. He came and sat down in an armchair close to the settee.

"Elizabeth." Doug said. "Don't you see. Jack doesn't love you because of what you can do for him or give him. I know for an absolute fact that he loves you because of your strength, compassion and determination. He wrote to me about how you wouldn't let anyone tell you you couldn't do something.

Does he wish you weren't so stubborn at times? Probably. But my point is that he still loves you because of it. He told me how you were determined to help some of your older students and found a way to teach one to read after everyone else had given up on him.

Jack told me how instead of embarrassing a child because they didn't have lunch, you shared your own saying you didn't want to waste food that was packed for you. You didn't have to do that, but you did. Then you also shared your concerns with him and Abigail so that they could help the family in other ways.

Did you know that at some point in the last year, Jack has chopped wood for every single widow. He might have chopped it at the jail and left it at their house when they weren't there, but the point is he did it. And do you know why? I mean other than he loves to chop wood to think or work out a problem. He shared the fruits of his labor because you set the example of sharing. Yes, this town has pulled together and helped one another but from what Jack and Joe have written to me about, when asked there were two people who stood out as examples of how people should act.

Do you know who people said? You and Abigail Stanton. You gave when you didn't have to. You helped when it wasn't your job to help. You stood up and helped friends because you believed in something bigger. You gave people hope that things would be better."

"You really mean that." Elizabeth said.

"Yes." Doug said. "Because from the little I have seen it is true."

"You know, Beth." Dee said. "I always tell you like it is. So yes, I meant what I said."

"I guess I never realized how much has changed in the last year." Elizabeth said. "Or really processed how much I have been through. How much Jack has been through. How much we have been through."

"So relax." Dee said. "Things may not be exactly how you thought they would be, but you are here. Jack is here and I firmly believe that you two will have a long life together. I also know how things can feel overwhelming.

Don't you think it was overwhelming waking up in a hospital and not knowing what happened to me who I was? Don't you think I had doubts about ever being able to wear that uniform again? A uniform, I gave everything for. Yes, I was overwhelmed at times. When those times came, I paused and turned to God who gave me strength."

"You are right." Elizabeth said. "I have been letting myself get overwhelmed and feeling sorry for myself. I have a wonderful husband when many ladies in town would give anything to have one more day with their husbands. I guess sometimes I forget that I have been surrounded by people who have had a much harder go of things."

"So." Dee said. "Maybe you take your journal and do some writing before turning in for the night. Doug and I will be here. Let us know if you need anything."

"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "That sounds like a great plan and I will."

Elizabeth stood and gave her cousin a hug. She walked by and squeezed Doug's shoulder. Elizabeth then made a quick stop at her desk grabbing her current journal and some ink.

"Good night." Elizabeth said.

"Good night." Dee and Doug both said.

Elizabeth went upstairs to sort through her emotions. Doug and Dee headed to the table.

When Elizabeth got upstairs, she immediately changed into her nightgown again. She took her braid down and brushed through her hair. She then rebraided her hair for the night. Finally she slipped into bed. Jack was mostly laying on his stomach hugging a pillow. She leaned over and gave him a kiss.

"I love you." Elizabeth whispered.

There was no response from Jack. Elizabeth sat up against the headboard and opened her journal. She took a couple deep breaths and then started to pour out all of her feelings and thoughts since she last wrote almost a week ago. She wrote about everything that had happened since she had last written. She had to stop several times and either wipe away tears or take a deep breath. There were many ups and downs that she wrote about. It felt good to pour everything out.

She not only wrote about how she felt about Jack's latest setback, but the high of feeling the baby move and hearing the heartbeat. She wrote about being with Jack again after he was injured. She spent a full page talking about her feelings about being with Jack. At one point, she stopped and looked down at Jack. She moved a lock of hair off his forehead.

"You need to get better." Elizabeth whispered. "I want to show you how much I love you. And I know that you probably want to show me as well. So you need to get better so we can spend some special time together before this little one gets too big and we can't."

Elizabeth took a moment and just stared at Jack. She studied his lips that formed a cute little bow. She looked at his long eyelashes. She could just make out the smallest of dimples in his cheek.

"God." Elizabeth prayed. "I hope You know how much I love Jack and would not be adverse to our little one looking just like him. He has the most luscious lips and gorgeous eyelashes. You and I both know that if this little one has his dimples that I would never be able to say no.

More than looks, I pray for a healthy baby and a healthy husband to help me as we adjust to becoming a family. Because as You know we aren't only going to have this little one in the new house, but also two other little girls that You have brought to us. Amen."

Elizabeth spent a few more minutes just staring at Jack before she started a list in her journal of each and everything that she loved about Jack. Not only did she list the item, but she described it in detail and why she loved it. She was so focused on what she was doing, she was startled when she felt a hand slip over and rest on her baby bump. She looked down and Jack was still completely relaxed and asleep, but his hand now rested on the baby, just like he had been doing since finding out. Elizabeth loved how Jack was so protective of their baby and he or she wasn't even born yet.

Elizabeth made one more entry into her journal before she closed it and set it aside. She carefully slid down next to her husband. As he reached out for her, she carefully moved the pillow between them and snuggled down in his arms. As she got comfortable, she felt Jack's hand on her abdomen and his chin on her shoulder. She looked down and saw that Jack's large hand barely covered half her baby bump. She couldn't believe how fast it had popped out. It was still high, right under her ribs, but it wasn't affecting her breathing yet. Elizabeth put her hand over Jack's and interlaced their fingers.

"We love you, Jack." Elizabeth whispered before closing her eyes.

Doug had grabbed some paper and Dee pulled out his paperwork again. Doug was going to write a letter to his mother when he saw Dee pull out work papers.

"What do you have there?" Doug asked.

"Papers I need to go through." Dee said.

"Can I help?" Doug asked.

"Sure." Dee said. "Here is a list of questions that need to be answered. Start going through a stack of papers and if you find an answer, write it down and where you found it."

"I can do that." Doug said. "Mind me asking for what investigation?"

"Pacific Northwest." Dee said. "Specifically as it relates to Henry Gowen, Wilder Group, gambling or safety violations."

"So basically all the stuff that was going on around here." Doug said. "What is Wilder?"

"Yes." Dee said. "And a shell company the Gowen set up to divert funds into for his own gain."

"Got it." Doug said.

They set about going through the stacks of papers. At one point Doug got up and made coffee and put some cookies on a plate. He set the plate between them and poured each a mug of coffee. They only spoke when needed. Surprisingly, Doug's fresh eyes quickly found several answers. The more he read, the more Doug realized how much Jack had been dealing with work wise.

It was well after midnight when either realized how long they had been working. Doug quickly excused himself and went upstairs to check on Jack. When he came downstairs, he saw that Dee had started to pack up the paperwork.

"Just leave it." Doug said. "We can deal with it in the morning. We only have a few hours and we need to be up again."

"Sounds good." Dee said.

After checking the downstairs, including the fires, the two turned in for the night. Both were tired and it didn't take long for either of them to fall asleep. It did take Doug just a bit longer as he thought about all that he had heard and read about what Jack had been dealing with. Doug knew that Jack had had a hard time since arriving here in then Coal Valley, but he hadn't realized how hard it had been. Jack had downplayed the events. Which Doug knew was totally a Jack thing to do. As Doug fell asleep, he said another prayer for his friend and the town that he loved.

Monday morning came early for many people. Despite it having been a fairly relaxing weekend, it had cleared off late Sunday and the men working knew that they were going to put in a long day to try and make up for the time that they had lost over the weekend.

Most of the workers were up before the sun and had their breakfast over open fires before the rest of the town was up and moving. They were headed to the field for work just as the first rays of light touched the valley. They planned to work until darkness set in and they couldn't continue. They had also agreed no matter how much work they got done, they were staying until Friday with plans to head back to Union City on Saturday, except those who had been hired on and were staying. They would then move their tents or bedrolls out to the mill or to where they were staying. The men had promised they would make sure that the field had been picked up and taken care of before they left.

Abigail and the others were glad that the men were being responsible and there had been no additional problems since that first fight in the saloon. The word had spread quickly that the Mounties meant business and they were not to push the limits. Abigail wasn't who was more scary to the men – Bill or Jacobs. She knew both men to be big teddy bears, but they also didn't put up with a lot from people who should know better or thought that the rules didn't apply to them. Abigail and the town council appreciated the help, but they were also relieved that some of the men would be leaving since it had been so busy in town. Most knew that Lee had hired more men and miners could start arriving anytime, but a small breather would be nice. No one said it, but everyone wondered when the Mounties would be leaving and what would happen then.

Abigail still had questions about who hired the men, but she had talked to Wynn, but she had no confirmation of who did it. After those conversations, she had her own ideas and she felt bad that Elizabeth thought she needed to provide for the town. Abigail was grateful that Elizabeth's extended family was in position to help and so willing to do so. Her impression of Elizabeth's parents left a lot to be desired. She couldn't believe that parents would treat their child like Mr and Mrs Thatcher have treated Elizabeth. She was an adult who was very capable of taking care of herself, but they treated her like she was still a child that didn't know anything. It wasn't that Abigail felt sorry for Elizabeth, because she had made it clear to Abigail and others that she didn't care what her parents thought, she was going to live her life as she saw fit. If anything, Abigail was impressed with the strength that Elizabeth showed in the face of adversity.

Abigail took a few moments that morning to give thanks for Elizabeth, Jack and all the changes that they brought to the town. It might not have been easy, but a majority of the changes that had happened in the last year had been because of Jack and Elizabeth. They came to Coal Valley in a dark time and when they arrived, they brought light with them. They helped to bring the joy back to the town. There may still be some people who were struggling, but it wasn't because people didn't try to reach out to help, but the help had been turned away or resisted at every turn. Abigail hated to see anyone struggle, but if someone didn't want help, there wasn't much that you could do. After her prayers, Abigail made a list of things that needed to be done that day and that week. It was something that she had been doing for the last year as a way to get through the grief. She knew that she was still grieving, but she also felt that Noah would have wanted her to open her heart up again, so she was determined to do just that. She knew that she liked Frank and was sure that he liked her in return. She also knew that Frank would be patient and give her as much time as she needed.

The men working weren't the only ones up early, Jacobs had been up at just past five. He quickly got ready and went for a run. When he was finished, he woke the Cadets and told them they were running on their own that morning because he needed to tend to Jack. Just then Captain Cook came in.

"I have got them." Cook said.

"Minimum three laps." Jacobs said. "If you feel they are slacking, they can run five. You set the pace Afterwards, they can wash up and have breakfast. Then I expect their chores to be done."

"Of course." Cook said. "I also think that they might do well with some riding and drills."

The cadets had perked up at the thought of riding, even if it was drills. They hadn't had much of a chance to ride since they had arrived in Hope Valley. Most of them still weren't sure why they were there and that they would learn more if they had been left in the larger town. They hadn't really seen that there was any danger and they thought that it was still a test. A couple of the cadets even tried to convince the others that everything that had happened was a set up to see how they would react. There were a few that truly didn't believe that because they had seen the anguish on people's faces and the total it was taking on them.

"If you want." Jacobs said. "Don't forget guard duty at the house and school."

"We all will help." Gill said coming in.

"Then I will leave you to it." Jacobs said. "I will be over at the mayor's office later. There is a lot to do and I know that DC Delaney is hoping to wrap something up this week, but I am not as optimistic that things will be resolved this week. So stay on your toes, there is supposed to be more new people arriving in town this week."

Salutes were exchanged and Jacobs left. He went next door to collect Faith and then wanted to head out to deal with Jack. When he knocked on Faith's door, she invited him for a minute as she was just finishing breakfast. Jacobs took the offered coffee while Faith finished her breakfast. While they were sitting there, Faith had to keep telling herself that Jeremiah was leaving and he wasn't interested in her. She however hadn't failed to notice the tall handsome Mountie, along with every other woman in town. She had only gotten to know him a little bit taking care of Jack. What she wanted to do was invite him to supper, but Faith wondered if he would think that too forward.

"You look like you want to say something." Jacobs said.

"Maybe. Sort of." Faith said.

"I am listening." Jacobs said.

"I was wondering if we could have supper." Faith said. "I would love to hear more about your medical knowledge. My mother was a nurse and I have always been interested in the medical field. There was a time I thought I wanted to be a doctor."

"First of all." Jacobs said. "I will have supper with you, but I don't want you to get the wrong idea. I am not interested in courting or marriage."

"That is fine." Faith said, although a bit disappointed.

"Then we can have supper." Jacobs said. "We will find a time this week. Something I want you to be able to answer for me at that supper is why you gave up on your dream of being a doctor. You think about it, but for now, we should head out to take care of Jack."

She smiled and put her dish in the sink. She grabbed her bag and they left her apartment. Faith was a little disappointed that Jeremiah immediately shut down any possibility of a romantic dinner, but she was still going to hold out hope that once they got to know each other better that it might change. She also already knew the answer to his question, but she wasn't sure that he was going to like her answer. But for Faith it was what it was and at this point there wasn't much she could do about it to change it.