Ok. I'm not seeing any reviews. So I don't know if anyone is reading anymore. I'm going to continue to update even if it's just for me to re-read. I'm loving writing this one.

Chapter 11

Preparation

It was Saturday and a trip to town was planned. Jack hitched up Lady to the buggy. Sargent came over as well but Jack told him he had to stay this time. Sargent shook his head back and forth. Jack patted the side of Sargent's face and said, no, not this time. Elizabeth got in the buggy with Jack's helping hand. He climbed into the buggy and clicked his tongue to let Lady that they were ready. As Lady trotted off Jack watched to see if Sargent was going to stay. He did so they went on to town.

On the way to town, he said, Lady is pregnant so try not to run her. Walking is fine. Elizabeth clapped for joy and asked, how should we be using her with the buggy? It's alright for now but when she gets to 9 months, we'll start using Sargent.

When they got to town, Jack helped her down. He clipped the weight onto Lady's bridal. He walked in to the fabric store with Elizabeth. She had asked him to help her pick out some fabric for her clothes and for baby clothes that could be used for a boy or a girl. She had talked to Mrs. Ethridge and she had agreed to make her clothes and clothes for the baby. She had decided on all the fabrics that Jack had liked most. They bought enough fabric for 4 maternity dresses, 2 maternity skirts, 4 maternity shirts, and maternity undergarments.

They went to the Lady's apparel shop and she got 2 maternity corsets. She got her a pair of comfortable shoes and 3 pair of stockings.

After their shopping they went and had lunch at the restaurant. After lunch they had decided to go for a walk and check around town.

Jack had stopped in at the NWMP to see how everything was going. He was handed a sheet of paper but wasn't told anything. The 2 Constables looked at one another and nodded. Hey Elizabeth, why don't you go get an ice cream and I'll meet you there in a few minutes? She looks at him and he had that look of pleading that meant don't ask. She nodded and walked out.

As she closed the door McMurphy spoke first. Jack there are 3 more in this gang. He hands Jack the other 3 wanted posters. They were the Webster brothers from Montreal. They were wanted for robbing trains and banks and for murder of 2 bank clerks. What information do you have on them, Jack asked. They were thought to be heading west but we don't know for sure yet where they are heading. Ok, how far away were they? About a week by train. The last train robbery was in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. That's where they killed one of the bank clerks. It's a while since they robbed a train so Headquarters are thinking it's about time for them to rob a train.

Ok, we have time to get a plan in place just in case they come here. It's highly unlikely they'll come here because there isn't enough money here. Uh…Jack… I know you haven't been here very long but this is a hub for fur trading. The furor always has a couple thousand dollars on hand at all times. McMurphy why haven't I been informed of this? I'm not pointing fingers but I just wished I had been informed. I'll make sure I do full rounds everyday. I usually do half in the morning and the other half in the afternoon.

May I keep these posters? Sure we are putting them up all over town. Thanks McMurphy I'll see you tomorrow. Then we can start putting a plan together. I better send a telegram to Deputy Commissioner Delaney. Jack wrote telegram to the Deputy Commissioner. McMurphy sent the telegram. Ok we are going to be in town for another couple of hours so if you hear back from him before then please come find me. I would like the answer before we leave but if not I'll be in in the morning. Good enough. I'll let you know, McMurphy said. They solute each other and Jack left to join his wife at the ice cream parlor.

At the ice cream parlor Elizabeth waits for Jack to join her. She's sitting outside waiting for him. She sees him step out of the NWMP Office and walks towards her. She just stays seated and waits for him to come to her. He kisses her cheek and whispers, we'll talk at home. She nods.

He stepped back and asked, what flavor would you like? She put her finger to her chin and thinks. The baby would like a scoop of strawberry and chocolate, she says. Perfect, I'll be right back, he says. He was back shortly with a bowl for her and a chocolate cone for himself. They sit quietly and ate their ice cream. All of a sudden McMurphy walks up with a telegram and hands it to Jack. Jack wipes his hand on the napkin and opens it.

To: Constable Jack Thornton, Pine Springs

Be informed I'm on my way…stop…will be there Wednesday…stop…stay on guard…stop.

From: Deputy Commissioner Delaney, Calgary

He closed it back and asks, did you receive this or McFarlyn? McFarlyn did. Did you read it? No it wasn't for me. Jack hands it back to him and says read it. McMurphy reads it and hands it back. I'll be here first thing in the morning, Jack says. Ok, see you then, solutes and turns to leave. Jack reaches across the table and pats her hand as if saying it's alright. She smiled back at him but had a bunch of questions running through her mind.

They gathered their packages and put them in the buggy. He unclipped the weight from Lady's bridal. Puts it in the back and climbs in. Elizabeth had already climbed in. Elizabeth had slipped her arm through his elbow and held on all the way home. They didn't talk at all on their way home. She thought it was kinda eerie. She knew it had to be bad but just didn't know how bad but she would wait for him to come to her. She didn't want to be the kind of wife that questions his every move. So she waited.

When they got home he helped her down and took the packages in the house for her before he took care of Lady. Sargent saw them pull up to the house and came trotting over. He led her around to the side of the house and took the harness off. He got the brush out and brushed her until she shined. She had learned to stand still until he patted her rump. Then she took off with Sargent right behind her. Jack shook his head and said, they are two peas in a pod. I wonder if it will be black just like them!

Back in the house Elizabeth was putting the groceries away when Jack came in. She had made tea and set it down on the table for him. She set hers down and joined him at the table. She had put the cookies that she had made the other day on the table to. They each took a cookie and dipped it in their tea. That was something they had in common.

Elizabeth breaks the silence first by saying, I'm going to take all this fabric to Mrs. Ethridge tomorrow after church, do you want to come with me? He shakes his head yes while he swallows his cookie. He clears his throat and says, uh…Bella…we need to talk. She sits up straight and gives him her undivided attention and says, ok. Is there something wrong?

He clears his throat again and hands her the three wanted posters. She takes them and stares at them for a moment, then says, I've heard of them. They are bad news. They have been trying to capture them for almost two years. Jacks jaw dropped and asked, how do you know about them? I read it in the paper the last time I was in Hamilton. She didn't say home anymore. It was always Hamilton. Well you are right, it has been almost two years. But what I have to tell you is…they are…making their…way west. She doesn't cringe at all, she just waits for him to finish what he has to say. He continued.

I wired Uncle and he will be here Wednesday. Then she asked, is Aunt coming? I don't know, he says. The telegram came from Calgary. So I don't know if she was with him in Calgary or not. She said, it depends on if she was visiting her son Henry or not. He lives just outside Calgary in Airdrie. Really, he asked? I've been through there quite a few times. How long has he been there? Oh I don't know maybe 3 years. I've probably met him before. I was through there just before I came to Coal Valley.

Uncle won't send him too far away from him. Henry was in a bad accident a few years ago and he almost died. It took him almost a year to recover and ever since Uncle has kept him close.

Now Christine is just the opposite. She married a doctor in Calgary. His name is Dr. Eric Carlton. They have a fine home over looking the park. When you stand in the middle of the park and look up to the north, you see their house up on top of the hill. That's nice they are close enough to visit.

So Jack, do they think they are coming close? I mean Uncle wouldn't be coming unless they had some idea. I don't know Bella, I just don't know. We'll find out Wednesday when he arrives.

I have to get up early in the morning to meet McMurphy at the office so I think I'll turn in after dinner. How early, hon? I should be gone from here no later than 4:30. I want to be back in time for church. Oh okay. I was wondering if you were going to be back in time. Yes. I'll always be at church on Sunday morning unless I've been called away.

4:00 came early but Elizabeth was up making him a full breakfast. She said he couldn't work on an empty stomach. So she made him bacon, cheese scrambled eggs, fried potatoes and biscuits.

They sat down to eat and he asked, are you trying to fatten me up for slaughtering and laughs? No hon, I just know that you get busy and forget about eating. So as long as you eat a big breakfast then I won't worry as much, she said. He picks up her hand kisses it and says, thank you Bella. She walks him to the door and helps him on with his serge. She brushes his shoulders with her hands as if straightening them. They kiss each other and she says, I love you hon! Hope you have a blessed day. He nods and says the same back to her.

He whistled and Sargent and Lady came running. He saddles Sargent and tells Lady she has to stay here today and that it's Sargent's turn. She starts walking off as if she understood. He mounts Sargent and rides off towards town. He looks back to make sure she wasn't following. She wasn't so he nudged him into a gallop.

Back in the house Elizabeth cleaned the kitchen and washed the dishes. She put them away. It was almost 5:00 so she went back to bed. She set the alarm clock for 9:00. That would give her plenty of time to get to church by 10:00. She closed her eyes and went to sleep.

She woke up when the alarm went off. Got dressed, had some fruit and cheese, picked up her Bible and walked to church. Lady followed her to church as if she were walking her to church. Elizabeth patted her face and thanked her for walking her to church. Lady nodded and went about her marry business.

Elizabeth went in and sat down next to Lydia. Lydia asked, where's Jack today? He had to go into work this morning but said he would be back in time for church. Just as the preacher went to close the doors Jack came riding up. Dismounted and walked in the church. Said good morning to Paster Alden and took his seat beside his wife. He whispered, sorry I am late. She whispered back, you're not late if the preacher hasn't started yet. He puts his arm around her shoulders and listens to the sermon.

The sermon was on helping your neighbor. Galatians 6:2 says, carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. We were never meant to do life alone. We need the love and care of others, as much as we are needed by others in the same ways. The preacher went on to explain what it meant.

After church, Elizabeth talked to Mrs. Ethridge to let her know that they would be over after lunch to bring the fabric for her clothes. Mrs. Ethridge thanked her for telling her and that they would see them in a bit.

Jack and Elizabeth walk home with Sargent and Lady following. He looks back and says, look Bella, our children are following us home. She turns to look and says, I hope our human children obey as good and then chuckles. He says one can only hope. When they got home he unsaddled Sargent and let him run. He didn't bother with brushing him because he brushed him this morning.

They had a light lunch of fresh fruit and cheese, Jack had crackers with his and they had iced tea to drink. After lunch he hitched up Lady to the buggy, told Sargent to rest that and they wouldn't be long. Sargent just kept eating grass, not paying attention. Jack helped Elizabeth into the buggy with all the packages. They trotted over to Mrs. Ethridge's. She lived a half mile past Phillip and Lydia's.

It was a beautiful day for a buggy ride. They took the packages to the door and knocked. James came to the door and invited them in. This was the first time she had been inside. It was a beautiful home. Mrs. Ethridge came in wiping her hands on her apron. She invited them to sit at the dining room table. She asked, would you care for some tea? I just put some on. To be polite they both agreed.

After their tea Elizabeth tells her what she wants with each fabric. Then she shows her the fabric she had chosen for the baby. It was nightgown fabric. That would work for a boy or a girl. Mrs. Ethridge said she would have a couple of dresses done by this coming Saturday. She measured Elizabeth and wrote it down. They thanked her and said they needed to get home.

They took the long way home enjoying the peace and quiet. They get home and he unhitched Lady and brushed her off. Then turned her out with Sargent.

The next few days Elizabeth started feeling the affects of being pregnant. She was finding herself more tired in the afternoon after school.

Uncle Wynn did arrive on Wednesday as planned. He would pick up Jack every morning in his car leaving Sargent in the field with Lady. They would go to the office to get a plan in place just in case the Webster brothers came their way. Gradually more Mounties would arrive but in plain clothes. They were also sent to Edmonton in plain clothes. The plan was set. Now it was a waiting game. Wynn would drop Jack off every afternoon in time to do his afternoon rounds.

Jack had became more quiet. Elizabeth knew he was in Mountie thinking mode. She left him to his thoughts. After dinner every night for the next couple of weeks, they would cuddle in bed until they fell asleep. She wasn't happy about the situation but wouldn't bother him with her concerns. She just enjoyed the closeness that they had.

It's now the end of October. RCMP Headquarters has word that the Webster brothers were in fact heading west. They had confirmation that they were seen just across the border in Saskatchewan heading towards Edmonton or even Calgary.

Wynn was torn. He wanted to be here but wanted to be in Calgary by his children. His Elizabeth is safe in Vancouver for now. Jack had went around to every neighbor to show them the wanted posters so they would be prepared.

They all agreed to be on the lookout and had agreed that the children wouldn't walk alone to school. They would all travel in 3 groups, the children to the west would travel together, the children to the north, and the children to the east.

The children were told at school one morning and showed the wanted posters. They all had questions so Jack and Wynn answered all of them the best they could without frightening them.

Wynn left going back to Lecombe to leaving Jack to do his rounds while the children were in school. It had been decided that there would be 2 other Mounties in plain clothes to walk with each group, Jack would take the east group with Phillip's grandchildren. This was in affect until it was safe again.