Author's note: There is a very mild steam alert in the first part of this chapter.
Chapter 226 – Start of a New Week
Wynn was up early as well. He laid in bed with his arm around his sleeping wife. Despite their worry about Jack, they had had a nice Sunday. After breakfast at the cafe, they went to services. It was packed and Wynn insisted that the men stand in the back and on the sides to allow the women and children to sit. Frank had been surprised by the turnout, but then again he wasn't given what he had seen for Easter. Wynn appreciated Frank giving a bit of an update on Jack asking for continued prayers as he struggled with several setbacks. Frank had felt led to preach on understanding and acceptance. It was a timely message.
After church, Wynn, Elizabeth Rose, Andrew and David headed back to the cafe to spend time with Abigail and the kids. Frank joined them as well as Patty who had stayed to speak to Frank and help reset the building for school. The group had a nice afternoon. Games were played. Andrew went over the paperwork with Abigail about adopting the children. Once they had everything together and signed, including a personal letter from Becky, Andrew promised he would get it to a colleague in Buxton to get it approved. Wynn even offered to have one of the Cadets or Mounties hand deliver it in the next day or so. Andrew agreed and would make sure everything was ready the next day. David and Andrew were even able to help Abigail with a proposal for expansion. David went over the numbers and suggested additional services such as lunches to go. He agreed that the cafe was definitely busy enough to expand. He also made a suggestion of expanding the baked goods for sale. Maybe not right away, but definitely by fall. He suggested scones and muffins in the morning and cookies all the time.
Wynn handed Abigail a check for half what David thought the expansion would cost. She tried to object but Wynn and Elizabeth Rose insisted that it was simply payment for everything Abigail had done for their niece. It was finally Patty who convinced Abigail to just accept it. The expansion also included an additional room upstairs and one off the back that could be rented out later if needed. Becky was even able to draw up the plans after Andrew helped her walk out back so she could see. Wynn and David did several measurements until Becky was happy. Overall it was a productive day despite the drizzle.
The group had supper together and then left Abigail and Frank some time alone with the kids. Andrew and David played darts with some of the men downstairs while Wynn and Elizabeth Rose retired to their room. One thing both of them were enjoying was a renewed intimacy between them. It wasn't that they hadn't been intimate before but work and life had gotten in the way the last year or so. Wynn wasn't ashamed to admit that he had been much more intimate in the week that they had been in Hope Valley than they had been the previous several months. Wynn also knew that it was in large part his fault as work had required so much travel as of late.
Wynn was broken from his reflections of the day before by his lovely wife tracing the muscles on his chest. He looked down at her and smiled. She smiled back at him.
"You know." Elizabeth Rose teased. "You still cut quite the dashing figure for a man of fifty-four. And seeing you on horseback in your uniform … well I feel seventeen again."
"You are pretty good looking yourself." Wynn said. "You are still as trim as ever. Definitely doesn't look like you have birthed three kids. And I know I am extremely lucky that you are mine as over the last week I have seen several of the men checking you out."
Elizabeth Rose swatted Wynn's chest thinking he was teasing. He caught her hand and kissed it. Then started kissing her again, before pulling back and looking down at his wife.
"I am serious." Wynn said. "Had to have a conversation with one of them to let them know that not only were you a forty-five year old grandmother, but my wife to boot."
"And proudly so." Elizabeth Rose said, kissing Wynn indicating her ideas of what to do.
Wynn responded in kind and it didn't take much to stoke the fire that was still smoldering from their early morning romp a few hours before. Wynn took his time and thoroughly loved his wife again. Teasing her and almost driving her over the edge several times before finally entering her one last time that morning, sending their bliss to new heights. Exhausted from their recent passion, both snuggled back under the sheet for a bit more shut eye. Both fell back asleep feeling more connected then they had been since they were a young married couple.
Little did they know that their renewed intimacy and the magic of Hope Valley would have a very profound effect on their lives and those around them. They may have been fifty-four and forty-five, but they had been acting like young twenty something newlyweds over the last week. They would always love Hope Valley, but it now and forever would hold special memories that they didn't even know yet.
Despite the late night, Doug was up at five as was his usual routine. The first thing he did was kneel by his bed and say his prayers. He then carefully dressed in jeans and a henley, being quiet so Dee could continue to sleep.
Once ready, Doug slipped from the room. Before stepping outside, he got water heating for Jack, tea and coffee. Once back in the kitchen, Doug made the coffee and toasted himself some bread. He made a note that they would need more bread or he would have to make some. He looked in the cupboards and saw a few other things that they might need if someone was going to the mercantile. He wasn't sure that they had all the things that a bigger city had, but he was hoping that if possible that they would be able to order some of it. Doug was really hoping that they had some of the canned soup. As much as he liked the homemade stuff that they had done the day before, he knew that Elizabeth and him would need more than just soup, but they could do the canned soup for Jack. He was also hoping that they had soda as he missed that in the afternoons. He decided that he was going to talk to Dee about the grocery list and what the plans were for lunch and supper.
While Doug waited for everyone else to wake, he went back to the paperwork. He really wanted to go for a run, but not having had a chance to ask about it, he would either do it later or skip a day. Doug chuckled to himself as he thought of skipping a day. He hadn't done that since before the academy.
Doug was so engrossed in the paperwork that he was startled when someone touched his arm. He jumped out of his seat and immediately regretted the decision as he saw he in turn had startled Elizabeth.
"Sorry." Elizabeth said. "I didn't mean to startle you."
"It is okay." Doug said. "How are you this morning?"
"Feeling better." Elizabeth said. "I was wondering if you had breakfast or not."
"I only had toasted a piece of bread when I got up." Doug said. "Other than the coffee, I haven't eaten. I have water on for Jack's steam treatment as well as for tea."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "Would you be okay with some oatmeal for breakfast?"
"Sounds good." Doug said. "I also started a list of groceries. I hope that you can get those things or order them. I know that you made soup, but I included some canned soup. I think that it would be good for Jack. Then you don't have to worry about constantly making him soup over the next week or so."
"I will have Dee deal with the groceries when he goes into town." Elizabeth said. "If you are here, he can have it delivered."
"I plan to be here this morning." Doug said. "I might want to see the town a bit this afternoon if someone else is with Jack."
"I usually come home around lunch time." Elizabeth said. "My aunt and Charlotte usually take over for the afternoons."
"Then I will wait until you return." Doug said.
"While I start the oatmeal." Elizabeth said. "Do you mind helping Jack down? He was sort of awake when I came down."
"I got him." Doug said.
Doug headed upstairs and Elizabeth headed to the kitchen. As Elizabeth was making breakfast, Dee came out and set the table. Doug came down with Jack gingerly walking.
"How is the pain this morning?" Dee asked.
Jack grimaced as he sat down.
"Been worse." Jack said.
"I will get your tea going." Doug said. "The water is hot. Elizabeth is making oatmeal."
"I am not hungry." Jack said.
"You will eat a few bites." Elizabeth said. "Even if it is just from my bowl."
She turned and stared at Jack with her hand on her hip.
"Yes, ma'am." Jack said, ducking his head.
Both Doug and Dee were able to stifle their giggles at the look on Elizabeth's face. As Elizabeth was cooking the oatmeal, she looked at the grocery list and added a few things, including more ginger biscuits and some crackers.
As soon as Doug set the tea in front of Jack, he reached for it.
"Let it steep just a bit longer." Doug said.
Jack nodded and by the time that Elizabeth put their breakfast on the table, Jack's tea was done. They said a quick prayer and while Jack drank his tea, the others ate. Elizabeth made sure that Jack had at least a few bites from her bowl. He made a face every time she held the spoon out to him, but did take it. They were almost done when Jacobs knocked on the door and came in followed by Faith.
"Morning." Faith said. "Don't get up. We will come over there."
Jacobs and Faith came over to the table. Doug immediately offered both coffee which was declined. Seeing that Jack was drinking tea and not eating, Faith decided to talk to him and start accessing how he was doing. Jack wasn't ready to talk, so he just held up a hand and then motioned to the tea.
"I will give you a few minutes." Faith said. "But you will have to talk to me and answer my questions."
Jack just nodded. His head was killing him and he knew that it was from the chloroform and morphine. He was hoping that the tea would have been able to take more effect before he had to deal with more pain. He was also hoping that no one noticed his headache. He wasn't sure how long he could hide it from Doug, but he was going to try because he knew it would just cause Doug to worry more then he already was.
As they finished with breakfast, Elizabeth started to clear the table.
"Leave the dishes." Doug said. "I will wash them after you leave for school."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "I am just going to make my lunch. Dee, Doug started a grocery list. Please see to that this morning. Have Ned deliver it and talk to Abigail about two loaves of bread. Also have her add some scones and a pan of biscuits for tonight."
"I will take care of it." Dee said. "I will also check the mail before I come back this afternoon. What are we doing for supper?"
"Thank you." Elizabeth said. "There is roast beef and soup that needs to get eaten up. I added another roast that I was thinking of making tomorrow while I am at school, so unless you want something else, please make sure that is all taken care of."
"I will." Dee said. "Don't worry about it. I will make sure everything is taken care of."
"I will make sure that everything is put away when it is delivered." Doug said. "I will also make sure that there is lunch when you get back."
They got Jack going with his steam treatment as he finished his tea. Elizabeth made her lunch and then got everything ready to go. She then took a seat next to Jack and rubbed his back as he did the steam treatment. While Jack was doing the treatment, they talked about the plan for the day. Doug was going to stay with Jack with the guards outside. Dee and Jacobs were going to head into town and to the office when they were done here. Faith said she would be back around lunch time to check on Jack, not necessarily do a dressing change, but to at least get a set of vitals and access his pain. Elizabeth informed them that she would be back after lunch as she was hoping to get some grading done at the school with her Aunt over lunch.
As Jack finished with his steam treatment, Jacobs started with the cupping on his back. Jack coughed and sputtered quite a bit and it made his headache worse, but he didn't tell anyone that. Once he was completely spent, he leaned back in the chair and pinched the bridge of his nose. Doug knew that he was trying to hide a headache, but wouldn't call him out at the moment. Elizabeth came over and kissed his forehead.
"I will see you later." Elizabeth said.
"Wait." Jack rasped.
Jack took a couple of breaths and then turned to Elizabeth. He put his hands on either side of her baby bump, kissing between his hands.
"Be good for Mommy, little one." Jack whispered. "I love you."
He gave her belly another kiss and then gave Elizabeth a dimpled grin when he looked up at her.
"We love you too." Elizabeth said. "Now finish up and rest this morning. I will see you after lunch."
"Love you." Jack said.
"I love you." Elizabeth said.
She leaned down and gave him a kiss. She then turned and waved to everyone else. She walked over to the desk and picked up her basket and went outside. She couldn't be in the house a moment longer and watch Jack suffer anymore. She knew that he needed the treatment, but it was hard to watch.
"Mrs Thornton." Constable Wilson said. "Your escorts aren't here."
"Then please walk me." Elizabeth said. "Jack is inside with three constables. I want to get to school. We will probably meet them on the path."
"Yes, ma'am." Wilson said. "Please just let me let my partner know."
Elizabeth and Wilson walked around the side of the house.
"Bennett." Wilson called.
Bennett stuck his head around the corner. They made a few motions and Bennett came toward the front.
"Morning Mrs Thornton." Bennett said.
"Morning." Elizabeth said.
Wilson and Elizabeth headed to the schoolhouse and she was right they met the cadets in the grove. They agreed to take her to school and stay there. Wilson returned to the house.
After Elizabeth left, everyone gave Jack a moment.
"Jack." Faith said. "Let's continue. Let's get a temperature and blood pressure."
Jack nodded. Faith slipped the thermometer under Jack's tongue and took his blood pressure. She then picked up his wrist and got a pulse. She picked up her stethoscope and listened to his lungs and got a respiration rate. She made a note of Jack's vitals in her notebook.
"Little high." Faith said. "But all things considered, in line with what I thought. I am going to want another set before we leave."
After a few minutes, Faith pulled the thermometer and looked at it.
"Ninety-nine point four." Faith said. "About the same as last night."
"Okay." Jacobs said. "Doug, maybe some cool clothes this morning."
"Of course." Doug said.
"How did you do after the chloroform last night?" Faith asked
"Okay." Jack said. "Nothing I didn't expect. I slept all night and am doing okay this morning."
"I checked on him twice and he was fine." Doug said.
"Very well." Faith said. "Then we will use it again this morning."
"No morphine this morning." Jack said. "I just had some medicated tea. Can I please try to go without painkillers?"
"Yes." Faith said with some reluctance. "But I want you to rest and not move around then. I will definitely be back around lunch to check on you if that is the case."
Jack wasn't happy and let out a harsh breath, but he knew that Doug wasn't going to let him get away with anything.
"Fine." Jack said, resigned.
"I will keep a close eye on him and if I feel he needs something, I will send for you." Doug said.
Jack made a face at Doug, but Doug glared right back. Doug really wanted to stick his tongue out at Doug, but he already felt like they were treating him like a child, no need to add fuel to that fire. Jack loved Doug, but knew that he was serious about taking care of things to the letter of instructions.
"That is fine." Faith said. "How about you get him situated in the bedroom and we can finish up."
Doug helped Jack to the bedroom and got him situated on the cot propped up with pillows and his hip exposed, but otherwise covered. Doug got up and opened the door. The rest came in. Doug sat back down near Jack's head and put his hand on Jack's chest. Once Faith was seated, he nodded to her and she put the cone over Jack's nose and mouth. Again, it didn't take much for Jack to close his eyes and relax. Dee and Jacobs were easily able to get Jack's dressing changed and the wound cleaned. Once he was rolled back on his back, Faith took another set of vitals and was much happier with the result.
"I promise to stay here until he wakes up." Doug said. "Then I will make him rest. He is okay to stay here this morning where I can keep an eye on him."
"Fine by me." Dee said.
"Very well." Faith said. "I will be back around lunchtime."
Doug nodded, but didn't take his focus off of Jack.
"Get a guard if you need anything." Dee reminded him. "I will deal with the groceries and see you later."
"Later." Doug said.
The group left Doug and Jack. They gathered their things and headed to town. Dee felt bad leaving the kitchen a mess but Doug had said he would deal with things.