Chapter 38
Well before daylight, Jack felt a hand on his shoulder. He opened his eyes slowly to a little brown head standing over him. JJ was never one to sleep the morning away, but he wasn't an early riser either. Jack saw a boy that was already dressed and with his hair perfectly combed. He was smiling.
"Good morning, daddy. It's time for you to get up."
"JJ…" Jack huffed a little at the early morning. "It's still dark outside. Why are you up so early?" Jack rolled over to face his son.
"You need to get up. We can't be late. Let's go."
"JJ…why are you up now. It's…five thirty." Jack stated as he looked at the small clock on the bed table.
"We need breakfast, and we need to get to town." JJ stated as he turned to walk out of the bedroom.
"JJ!" Jack stated loud enough for him to hear. "Where are you going?"
"To wake up Mr. and Mrs. P." JJ stated looking over his shoulder while he kept walking toward the door.
"Freeze!"
JJ stopped walking and turned to his father.
"I'll ask again…why are you up and dressed so early?"
"Today is going to be hard on Mommy. It's my job to care for her today. I don't want to be late." He stated it as if Jack had forgotten what today was.
"JJ, it's way too early. Mommy isn't even up yet. The transport team won't leave until nine."
"So, Mommy will need me, and I will be there for her." He stated with great determination. "You need to get up or I will go without you." JJ stated as he turned to walk out the room.
Jack remembered that threat he told JJ several times. He could only shake his head at his little boy and his determination to love his mommy today. "Please don't wake…" Jack stated as he began to pound on Mr. and Mrs. P's door. "That boy…" Jack shook his head.
…
Elizabeth lay in bed with her eyes fixed on the ceiling. She just couldn't sleep. Her mind was too busy with the days upcoming event. Her father was going to be taken to Medicine Hat. She knew this day was coming, but she still wasn't looking forward to it. Instead of just staying in bed, she thought she would go ahead and get dressed. She even thought she would go and have breakfast with her boys, but then she decided she needed to stay with her mother. As hard a time she was having with her father and today, she knew her mother was facing a greater difficulty. She sighed as she kicked the covers off her and sat up in the bed.
…
Abagail looked up when there was a small knock and then the door just opened, this happened each day at five thirty. She knew who it was before the door opened. She smiled when Frank walked through the door. Over the last few days, Frank has shown up each morning to help her in any way she needed. He always did so with a big smile. While working in the café wasn't the best part of his day, he loved spending time with Abagail.
"Good morning, beautiful."
Good morning, handsome." Abagail always smiled at his compliments. She just didn't take them for granted. It has been a long time since she received them. She loved this man.
Frank walked up to her and gave her a small kiss on the lips. "Careful, I don't want to get any flour on you."
"Who cares about a little flower when I get to kiss you?" Frank flirted.
"You are a precious man." She reached up and caressed his cheek with a flour covered hand.
"What may I do for you this morning?"
"The normal?"
"Wood, setting the dining room, and getting the coffee going would be great."
"Yes, but one more thing."
"And what would that be?"
"Another kiss." Abagail flirted.
…
"I'm sorry." Jack stated as Mr. and Mrs. P came down the stairs.
"It's ok." Mrs. P stated. "JJ is up and ready early this morning."
"He wants to go to the café this morning to be with Elizabeth."
"Oh…now I understand." She nodded. "That makes sense."
Jack's smile was lovingly priceless. "He wants to take care of his mommy."
"Because men take care of the women they love."
"Correct young man. Men do take care of the important women in their life."
"Well, we are having breakfast at the café. Coffee is made and ready. Help yourself."
"Let's go daddy. We're going to be late."
Mrs. P looked out the kitchen window and noticed it was still dark.
"Don't asked." Laughed Jack as JJ ran to the front door and headed outside.
…
Just after six, Jack and JJ let themselves in the side door of the café. JJ knocked and then just walked in. He waved at Abagail and Frank. He never broke stride toward the stairs. He was on a mission.
Jack walked in and said good morning to the couple. He nodded toward the coffee pot. Frank nodded and Jack made a beeline toward it.
"The normal?"
"Yes, times three."
"Elizabeth isn't up yet."
"She will be any moment. JJ was eager to get here. He walked so fast I couldn't keep up with him."
"He wants to be with her."
"He does." Before Jack finished his short sentence, they heard a knock on the door and then Elizbeth's door opening before she even responded.
"Good morning, my handsome young man." Elizabeth's voice was happy to see her little man.
"Hey mommy." JJ walked straight into a hug. Elizabeth just finished with her hair. She was fully dressed. "Mommy, would you like to have breakfast with us?"
"It's early."
"So, Auntie Abagail is already downstairs."
"True, but I doubt she has any food ready yet. Would you like some milk?"
"Sure."
"Did daddy get you up this early?"
"No. I woke him up. I wanted to have breakfast with you. I missed you." JJ stepped toward her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He squeezed her a little harder than normal. When he leaned back from her, he motioned for her to bend down with his finger. When she bent down, JJ kissed her on the cheek. "I love you mommy. Come on, let's find something to eat."
JJ reached for her hand. He held her hand and they both walked down to the kitchen together. The smile never leaving either of their faces.
…
Jack looked up when he heard footsteps on the stairs. He couldn't help but smile when he noticed his future wife and son holding hands and smiling a huge smile. He knew JJ was in protective mode. He pulled out a chair for his mommy and then sat down beside her. Jack, Abagail, and Frank watched the whole display and couldn't keep from smiling. JJ was doing his best to protect and love his mommy.
"I'll have pancakes and bacon soon."
"Thank you Auntie Abagail."
"Thank you, Abagail."
"Anything for you two."
"What time is it, Auntie Abagail?"
"It's six thirty."
"Two and a half hours." JJ whispered.
Everyone turned their heads when they heard Grace come down the steps. JJ stood and walked over to her. "Grandma Grace how are you this morning?"
Grace couldn't keep from smiling at this precious little boy.
"I'm ok." She sighed. "How are you?"
"I'm good. We're about to eat Auntie Abagail's pancakes and bacon. Would you like some?"
Grace looked up towards Abagail. She gave her friend's mother a slight nod.
"That sounds great. Let's go." JJ reached out his hand for her to take. He escorted her to the table and pulled out the chair beside Elizabeth. When Grace sat down, he looked at his mommy. He gave her a smile and leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
Breakfast was nice. The conversation was light. Everyone was just happy to be in the presence of each other. They were drawing strength and comfort. Jack excused himself around seven to go to the jail. With JJ and Grace sitting beside Elizabeth, he sat across from her. They shared looks and smiles. Since he was still the stationed mountie, everything fell onto him. He still needed to meet with Sargeant Adams and inform him of his decision to leave the mounties. He had an odd feeling that the mounties would forego the ceremony concerning his promotion.
JJ walked toward the door with Jack. In a voice that only Jack could hear, JJ began to speak. "Daddy, I'll take care of mommy. You go and do your job. I've got things here."
If that little boy didn't already have Jack in the palm of his hand, he certainly would now. Not only was he protecting Elizabeth, but he was also trying to take care of Grace too. His little boy's heart was so large and only grew larger. JJ was doing all he could to love his mommy.
"You are doing a great job. Now, just love her."
"That's the easy part."
Jack messed up JJ's hair. "You take care of everything, I trust you."
…
Jack walked into the jail that was full of mounties. Sargeant Adams, Constables Jackson, Richardson, Franks, Williams, and Reed were all working. Adam, Jackson and Reed were going over the route one last time. With so many prisoners, they wanted to make sure there were no mistakes or surprises. Richarson and Franks were triple checking the boxes of evidence. They were sealed and the inventory list was sealed, one with each box it corresponded with and another with the master file folder. Williams was going over all the handcuffs and leg restraints. With four prisoners, they wanted to make sure everything was in working order.
The plan was simple. They learned that with Jack over the last few days. Keep things simple and effective was the best course of action. Don't over complicate issues. Make sure things are in order and know your stuff. Leave nothing to chance. They were renting a wagon from the livery. One mountie will drive the wagon while two will ride the wagon with the prisoners. The others will ride their horses in front and behind the wagon. If everything goes well and with a day of hard riding, they will make it to Medicine Hat by night fall. Abagail was supposed to have plenty of food for them to travel and feed everyone.
"Thornton, do you have a few minutes for me?" Superintendent Johnson asked as he walked in form the back door.
"Of course sir."
"Walk with me. We need to finalize all the paperwork and have a conversation."
"The paperwork is already finalized, sir. Let's take that walk." Jack knew what he wanted to discuss.
Jack nodded toward the group of mounties as they walked out of the jail. He didn't even pay attention to the prisoners.
"Jack, I understand you met with Mayor Stanton yesterday." Johnson asked as they made their way down main street.
"Yes sir. We had business to discuss. There were issues with the mill and town she wanted to discuss."
"Everything settled?"
"Yes sir. She is on top of it. She knows her stuff."
"Jack." Johnson stated as he stopped walking in front of the café. "What have you decided to do with your job?"
"I will not be reenlisting when my time is up. I will be taking the position of sheriff of Hope Valley."
"Jack, are you certain of this?"
"I am sir." Jack handed Johnson a piece of paper. It was his petition to challenge the temporary posting. "You need this sir."
Johnson scanned the piece of paper then looked up at Jack. "This means…"
"I am officially challenging the orders of the temporary posting to Buxton. That is my formal request. I will fill out the paperwork for my decision not to reenlist later today and post it to headquarters this afternoon."
"Jack, we don't want to lose you."
"Honestly, you didn't give me a choice in the matter. I don't want to leave the mounties. However, I will not leave my family. We have already had this discussion sir."
"What are you going to do?"
"I have accepted the position of sheriff of Hope Valley. I will begin that job soon after my end date with the mounties."
"Headquarters may send you to Buxton anyways."
"Respectfully sir, they can't. I have officially challenged the orders. According to the mountie protocol, I am to remain at my current posting until the hearing. I have just under two months before my end date. I'm not sure when we add in my time off that I haven't taken."
Johnson nodded his head in agreement. Jack knew the regulations. He was quickly trying to figure out a way to keep Jack from not reenlisting. He wasn't happy with the turn of events, and he knew his boss was going to explode when the paperwork came across his desk.
"Jack is there anything we can do that will keep you in the mounties?"
"Sir, we have talked about this. You knew the whole situation. Yet, you allowed the chain of command below you to move me for two months. We have spoken about this in depth. I told you my worries when we spoke about JJ coming to stay with me. I have already spoken with Mayor Stanton. I have accepted the job. I will not back out on my word."
"Jack…"
"Sir, you forced my hand. I am not leaving my family on such short notice for that length of time. Not with what JJ has already experienced. He is settling in well here. I will not put him through that."
"Jack, you will keep the promotion since it is already finalized. However, we will not have the ceremony."
"I figured."
"I will need to speak with Mayor Stanton to cancel."
"Don't worry sir, I already have canceled it. I figured headquarters wouldn't want to go through with it."
…
Superintendent Johnson stepped into the jail slamming the door behind him. He stomped his way to the desk throwing his hat toward the coat rack but missing it entirely.
"Huh…oh…" Reed whispered to Williams as they walked through the back door. "I'm shocked that door still works."
"He must have had his discussion with Jack."
"I would say so and it probably didn't go well."
"Yeah…I think I need to go and pick up the order for the food Ms. Abagail will have for us."
"Reed, she won't have it ready for another hour or so."
"I'm going to check."
"I'm with you." Both men turned and walked out the door they just came in. They wanted to avoid Johnson.
…
"Mommy…Grandma Grace…would you take a walk with me?"
Both ladies smiled at this little guy.
"I would love too, but I am going to see William before everything is too busy." Grace stated. "Maybe we can do it later?"
"Sure. Mommy, what about you?" JJ turned his attention to Elizabeth.
Elziabeth looked at her son for a moment. He has been attentive all morning, a little more than normal. JJ's smile melted her heart.
"Sure. Are you ready?"
JJ stood and reached out his hand for his mommy. Elizabeth stood and immediately took her son's hand. They walked out of the café together, both smiling.
"Any particular place you are thinking about going?"
JJ thought about it for a moment. "Maybe the pond? I know you and daddy walk around the pond a lot."
"We do." Her smile never leaving her face.
"Why don't we walk the pond a couple of times?"
"Fine, but we are not getting in the pond."
"We'll see." He smirked.
…
Jack walked into the jail after visiting the mercantile. He wanted to check to see if there were any messages. Grace walked in just a couple of minutes along with Mr. Lewis.
"Good morning Mrs. Thatcher, Mr. Lewis. What may I do for you?"
"Constable Thronton, may we please see William?"
"Sure." Jack waved his hand toward the same small room Mr. Lewis meet with him earlier. Once they were settled, Jack walked toward the cell.
"We are leaving in a about two hours." Superintendent Johnson stated curtly from Jack's desk.
"Yes sir. We also don't want an issue if we keep Mr. Thatcher from his lawyer. It is his right."
Johnson nodded as Jack walked toward the cell.
"Stay away from him today." Franks whispered.
"No kidding."
"Mr. Thatcher, this way please." Jack stated as he handcuffed him and then led him to the small room.
"Jack…would you please stay for a moment?" William stated as he sat down across from his wife and lawyer.
Jack closed the door. He turned around but didn't step further into the room.
"Jack, I'm asking you not to marry Elizabeth."
Jack just shook his head. He was not going to have this discussion with him again. "Sir, we have already had this discussion. I am not replaying this with you. Elizabeth and I are getting married Wednesday."
"Wednesday!?"
"Yes." Jack just looked at William.
"Jack, Elizabeth will be taking over for me at the company and moving to Hamilton."
"No sir. She will be taking over for you as CEO and owner of the company, but she will not be moving to Hamilton. She has decided to stay here."
William's eyes cut toward Teddy. "I thought I told you…"
"And I told you that you have no say concerning the company. I laid out the options for Ms. Thatcher and she chose the one that she wanted to."
"He did William." Grace added.
"As CEO and owner of Thatcher Shipping, she has decided to stay here. I will honor that with every ability I have to offer her. She has made her decision and I think it is a good one."
"You are my lawyer."
"I am in this case between you and the Province of Alberta. I am also retained by Ms. Thatcher as the lead attorney for Thatcher Shipping. William…" Teddy softened his tone and spoke as a friend. "…your superior attitude ends now. Elizabeth has made her decision. You will accept that decision or you will only grow the distance between you and her."
William sat back in his chair. He did not like the fact he couldn't dictate the situation. He glanced from Teddy to Grace. Then he turned his attention toward Jack.
"You understand she is the new CEO and owner."
"Yes, I do. I also told her I will support her any way she needs from me." Jack stated.
"She needs to move to Hamilton to properly take over the business."
"No William, she doesn't." Teddy cut in before Jack could respond. He was finished with William's attitude. "Jack, I think your presence is no longer needed. Thank you." Teddy nodded at Jack. Over the course of a day, he learned to respect Jack. He still didn't know the whole story with him, Elizabeth, and Charles, but he trusted Elizabeth's decision to marry Jack.
"No." Grace stated. "Jack, would you stay for a little bit longer?"
Jack nodded his head.
"William, Elizabeth has accepted her new role with a few things she requested. She will remain here as the teacher of Hope Valley. She will be the CEO and owner, but she will do that here. She will hire someone to run the day to day operations in Hamilton. That individual will communicate with Elizabeth often for guidance."
"That won't work."
"It will work. Elizabeth will figure it out. It just won't be Elizabeth."
"What do you mean?"
"Her and Jack will be CEO and owner of Thatcher Shipping."
"She can't do that. She is first in line of succession."
"That is true, William." Teddy answered. "Her first decision was to stay here and for her and Jack to be the CEO. The paperwork has already been written up and they will sign it today. This was Elizabeth's wish. Jack was against it, but she convinced him. They will run the company from Hope Valley with both of them as CEO and owner."
William stared at Teddy with a blank expression.
"It's not too much different than what you had planned with Charles. Elizabeth chose Jack and asked him to work with her as a team."
William turned his attention toward Jack then back to Grace and Teddy. Everyone in the room saw the moment William's world came crashing in on him. Grace, Elizabeth, and Julie have softened the groundwork with their conversations with him, but now he fully realized that he has no power to lean on. He couldn't make a command and people would do it without question. He rubbed his face with both hands. He looked up into his wife's eyes. He saw regret and hurt. He closed his eyes for a moment.
"Grace, I'm so sorry for what I have put you through. I honestly thought I was doing the right thing."
"William, how could it be the right thing if innocent people got hurt?"
"That was never my intention. If the plan was executed correctly, no one other than the sawmill would be damaged. He wasn't supposed to be there."
"But he was there. It was never the sawmill that was going to be hurt by this. Innocent people would have lost their jobs. They would have lost their homes, William."
William nodded his head. For the first time he realized that it wasn't an object but people that were going to be hurt. With shoulder's slumped, he looked at his friend and lawyer. In a quiet and defeated tone to his voice, William spoke. "Teddy, accept whatever plea deal the D. A. will offer. Make sure all monetary needs are paid."
"Yes, sir." Teddy smiled at his old friend. He has finally accepted his role in this horrible scheme. This was step one of his reconciliations.
With a deep breath, William turned toward Jack. "Jack, please just love my daughter."
Jack nodded his head.
"I know I have no right to ask, and I certainly have no right to walk Elizabeth down the aisle, but would it be possible to delay my transfer so I can at least attend my daughter's wedding?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Thatcher. I simply can't do that. You are scheduled to leave at nine this morning. All paperwork is filed with Medicine Hat, Hope Valley, Mountie Headquarters, and the Province of Alberta. It is out of my hands."
William nodded his head. "Gracie, would you please take a picture of her in her wedding gown for me?"
That was the first time William has called her Gracie in a very long time. In college, it was his pet name for her.
"I will."
Jack excused himself from the room. He felt he needed to give William and Grace a few moments to themselves. He did remind Mr. Lewis that he was required to stay.
…
"See mommy, isn't this fun?" Giggled JJ. He convinced her to take her shoes off and wade in the pond. They were in mid calf deep water. It did feel good, but she was never going to admit to it.
"The mud feels weird."
"It's squishy." JJ laughed.
Elizabeth faked a frown. It did feel squishy. The cool water was relaxing. She sighed with contentment of spending a few moments with her son. She just figured this is what mommies of boys had to do.
"Mommy…I'm sorry about your father."
"Me too."
JJ reached up and took her hand. His little hand fit perfectly into her hand. JJ warmed her heart as they waded in the pond a little longer. Very few words were spoken. They just enjoyed each other's company.
…
"Superintendent Johnson, it is eight forty five. We should begin the process of loading the prisoners." Jack stated as he stood in front of his desk.
"Are the boxes of evidence loaded?"
"Constables Williams and Franks will load those boxes as Sergeant Adams, Constables Reed, Richarson and Jackson assist with the prisoners along with myself. We will follow protocol. We will load each prisoner one at a time and handcuff them to the sides of the wagon. Two mounties will escort each prisoner to the wagon. Once loaded, the other prisoner will be escorted out."
"Very well."
Jack turned his attention to Sergeant Adams. "Sir, we are ready when you are. The paperwork is in the boxes and all official papers are in the folder on my desk."
"Thank you, Constable Thronton. Are we performing the ceremony for the town's people?"
"No sir. There is nothing here to be celebrated. The town's people are ready for this nightmare to be over with. We will just do our job today."
"Very well. Constable Thornton let's begin."
"Yes sir."
Jack turned his attention toward Lewis Franklin. He walked to the cell he was sharing with Charles. Jack completely ignored Charles. "Mr. Franklin, would you please turn around so I may place the handcuffs on you?"
"You remember our deal?"
"I do. I have a letter in the folder with all the other paperwork explaining your help in this matter. That is all I can do and all I promised. It is in the hands of the D. A. at this point."
"Thank you, Constable."
Jack placed the handcuffs on Louis. When he opened the door, Louis walked out to Jack and Adams standing tall. "Sir, this way." Jack stated.
Jack and Adams escorted Louis out the front door and to a waiting wagon. Jack noticed about fifteen people were standing across the street watching. Elizabeth was standing with JJ holding hands. Grace was beside her holding Elizabeth's other hand. Tom and Julie were standing beside Grace with his mother standing on the end. Jack knew that several other people would stop to watch as they began to load the prisoners.
Louis stepped up the two crates and then onto the wagon. He sat down on the flat portion as Jack handcuffed him to the side. He made sure he was secure and comfortable before turning to jump off the wagon. He straightened up before fixing his red serge. Elizabeth watched as Jack and Adams walked back into the jail. Within seconds of them disappearing, Reed and Richardson came out with Gowan. He didn't look happy. He struggled with the men holding his arms. Richardson jerked Gowan up the crates and tossed him onto the bed of the wagon. While Gowan was rude and rebelling against everything he was being forced to do, he still had to do what he was told. He didn't have a choice.
Jack walked toward the cell that held Charles. He was giving Jack a death stare.
"You know you will only ruin Elizabeth's life. You are below her. You will only destroy her opportunity for happiness."
"We agree that she is marring down, but I love her with all that I have. That's much more than you can ever say, Mr. Kensington. Please turn around."
"You can't do this to me!" Charles hissed.
"Mr. Kensington, you will be handcuffed and taken to the wagon. You may go willingly, or I may force you. Either way, you choose how you do it." Jack's voice was stern but not loud.
"You're not worthy of her."
"You are correct. I am not worthy of her. Somehow, she loves me and wants to marry me. I will do my best to show her how much I love her each day." Charles glared at Jack. "I am marrying her because I love her, not because her last name is Thatcher. I could care less what her last name is. I know the true Elizabeth and she is a wonderful person. Now, turn around!"
Charles did as he was instructed. Reed and Richardson stepped back into the jail. Jack glanced back at Reed. He understood what Jack was wanting. After Jack placed the handcuffs on Charles, Reed stepped up when Jack opened the cell door.
"This way, sir." Reed stated as he grabbed the cuffs. Reed and Richardson escorted Charles to the wagon.
Jack followed them to the door. Even with the crowd growing outside, he quickly found Elizabeth and JJ. JJ had moved to stand in front of Elizabeth, as if he was standing between his mommy and the bad men. He was truly protecting her. Elizabeth had one hand on his shoulder, and she was holding her mother's hand with the other. Their eyes immediately connected. The conversation was completely understood. After several seconds, Jack and Elizabeth both nodded their heads at the same time. The understanding was perfectly clear.
Jack turned to walk back into the jail. "Mr. Thatcher, please turn around."
"Jack, would you promise me one thing?"
"If I can."
"Just take care of my Elizabeth."
"I will love her with everything I am. I promise you that."
William nodded his head slightly. "Thank you, Jack."
"Sir…"
William turned around before Jack was able to finish. He extended his hands behind his back. Unlike with the others, Jack carefully placed the handcuffs on William's wrists. He turned when Jack began to open the door.
"Sargeant, please pass me that jacket."
"Why?"
"The blue jacket, please,"
When Jack received the jacket, he escorted William to the door. Before opening the door, he placed the jacket over William's hands and handcuffs. He didn't want Elizabeth or her family to see it. He reached for the knob but spoke before opening the door. "Sir, I know the assistant D. A. in Medicine Hat. He was a friend of my father. I have wired him and sent him a letter asking for a plea deal for you. Whatever you do, take the deal."
"Thanks, Jack. You didn't have to do that."
"As much as we don't like each other, I didn't want Elizabeth's father to stay in jail for twenty plus years."
"That's kind of you."
"He wired me this morning. He said he thinks he can work it out to where you will spend three years in low security prison close to Hamilton and be released on eight years probation. You will have to reimburse Mr. Coulter for all the damage to the mill and repairs, and for his pain and suffering."
William turned his head and looked at Jack. That was a better deal than Teddy thought they would offer.
"I promise you Jack, I will make a full restitution for my awful actions, with Mr. Coulter, with Grace, with Elizabeth, Viola, and Julie…and with you."
"I will be happy if you truly love your middle daughter. You don't have to like me, but I hope you can respect the woman Elizabeth is."
"I will. I will show you in time."
Jack nodded his head. "Are you ready?"
William nodded his head. Jack made sure the jacket covered William's hands then he opened the door.
Elizabeth's head raised when she noticed the door opening. She saw Jack standing by her father. William's body posture was defeated. As they began the walk down the stairs, Elizabeth let go of her mother's hand and released JJ's shoulder. She ran toward her father. She embraced him in a hug. She felt the jacket on his wrists and knew what Jack did. She kissed her father on the cheek.
"I'm so sorry, Elizabeth. I was a fool."
When she released her hold on her father, Grace and Julie was there to do the same thing. When they finished saying their goodbyes, Jack carefully helped William up the crates and sit down. He discreetly handcuffed him to the wagon and stepped down from the wagon. JJ was right beside his mommy with his hand around her. Elizabeth was hugging her mother.
Jack stepped beside them. When they finished hugging, Jack leaned into Elizabeth.
"Are you ok?"
"Not yet."
"I have about twenty minutes of things I have to finish, may we take a walk after?"
Elizabeth nodded her head.
"I've got her daddy."
It was then that Elizabeth realized that JJ was taking care of her today. She loved that little boy more than ever. He loved her with all his little heart.
"Thanks JJ. I've wired the assistant D. A. in Medicine Hat. He was a friend of my father. He said he believes he can get the sentence reduced to three years in low security prison somewhat close to Hamilton. He will have eight years of probation and will have to make a full monetary restitution. That's the best he can do."
"That's better than what Mr. Lewis thought possible." Grace stated.
JJ stepped up to his mommy. He took one hand and then reached for Grace's hand. The wagon and riders left. They watched the wagon disappear from view.
"I'm sorry, Elizabeth, I have to go back inside." Jack squeezed her hand gently. His loving expression helped her in that moment. "I'll be there as soon as I can." Jack stated. He kissed Elizabeth on the cheek. Then he patted JJ on the top of his head. He turned to walk up the stairs and into the jail.
"Come on mommy."
"Where are we going?" Elizabeth asked.
JJ gently pulled her hand toward the cafe. "We're going to Auntie Abagail's. She will have some tea for you all and some of your favorite snacks. Daddy will be along shortly." JJ gently tugged on both ladies' hands. Grace wiped away a tear and looked at her middle daughter. The look was understood.