Chapter 304 – Jack Shares with Carson
"Jack, was there something that you needed?" Carson asked.
"Not really." Jack said. "I am used to getting up at this time. Elizabeth is still sleeping. I just needed to move. How are the twins?"
"Probably getting hungry." Faith said. "I will go get their formula and then we will show you how to feed them. Then we can wake Elizabeth."
"Sounds good." Carson said.
Once Faith had left, Jack opened his shirt and placed Amber on his chest and covered her back up. He sat down for a moment and then looked at Carson with his little guy.
"Coat looks good on you." Jack said. "You gonna stay?"
"I talked to Abigail, she said it may take a couple of days to work things out if I wanted." Carson said. "I am assuming she would have to talk to the council and make sure that there was funding in the town budget."
"There is a grant that she can get to help for a bit." Jack said. "It won't be as much as you were making in the big city as a surgeon, but it would be enough to live on here."
"How do you know?" Carson said.
"Because I helped her secure the grant to cover the first year of Faith's salary." Jack said. "I know for a fact that we can use the grant again and it wouldn't be a problem. It can cover part of the cost for a nurse and/or doctor for up to three years."
"Are you sure?" Carson asked. "Because I have thought about it. I am just worried about my sister-in-law causing problems."
"Tell me." Jack said. "I will do whatever I can to help you. Honestly, I owe you that."
"Okay." Carson said. "I told you I lost my wife."
"Well actually." Jack said. "You have said you lost your wife and your last patient. I am guessing they are one and the same."
"Yes." Carson said. "Amber had a brain tumor. Surgery was her only hope and despite the risks, she wanted me to try. She died on the operating table and there was nothing that I could do. After her death, her sister, Marlee, accused me of murdering Amber and that I let my ego cloud my judgment. The medical board in Cape Fullerton found I had done nothing wrong and that Amber had understood the risks when agreeing to the surgery since she was a nurse.
That didn't stop her sister from telling everyone that would listen that I was a murderer. Patients left and people started treating me differently. I left Cape Fullerton and Marlee has twice found me and continued to tell people that I murdered her sister and got away with it, even when I was practicing medicine. She swore that she wouldn't stop until she saw me behind bars where I belonged. I have moved around frequently since, trying to stay ahead of her trouble. I am afraid that she is going to find me and cause trouble. I don't want that here. I actually like Hope Valley and really want to stay. It feels nice to put roots down again."
"So there was an official investigating?" Jack asked.
"Yes." Carson said. "Pretty standard when a patient dies in surgery or under questionable circumstances. Especially in the larger hospitals. In part to see if there was negligence and in part to learn for future cases. Because it was still considered a new surgery, Amber had to sign papers that she understood the risks and was willing to take them. That helped. The board found that I had done everything correct, but without the desired outcome. There was no fault on my part. Didn't help with the guilt that I felt."
"I am sure not." Jack said. "If the medical board found no fault, then I have no problem with you practicing medicine. IF your sister-in-law shows up here and tries to cause trouble, I will squash it. No matter what happens, you will always have me, Elizabeth, Faith, Frank and Abigail on your side. There are some people here that may look at you differently for a time, but ignore them. You saved my wife and children, I will defend you until my last breath. Considering I have contacts high in the Mounties, I could make things difficult for your sister-in-law if she wants to press things."
"She is grieving also." Carson said. "I just want her to accept that it was Amber's choice and not mine. She is so angry at me."
"Like Abigail would say." Jack said. "Let's not borrow trouble. We will deal with it if and when it happens. Having Abigail on your side is huge. She held this town together after the mine disaster that killed her husband and son. She took on the former mine executive and defeated him handily on more than one occasion."
"So the current mine executive is different from when the disaster happened?" Carson asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "The mine used to be owned by Pacific Northwest Mining; with Bill's and my help the widows were able to successfully sue the mine and owners for the deaths of their husbands. The judge ordered the mine closed in order to punish the company. That didn't stop Henry Gowen from continuing to cause trouble for the town. In short, he forced out the old mayor and took over. That was all in October. Little did we all know that would be short lived.
Unbeknownst to me, some of the work that I had done led to major investigations into Pacific Northwest Mining and many of their top executives. Just before the wedding and Christmas, Bill and I arrested Gowen. Abigail was sworn in as mayor. Much of the investigation has yet to be made public as they are awaiting trial. A few, including Gowen, were shot when they tried to escape during a transport. There is not much that I can actually talk about, but as far as we know Henry Gowen no longer has any hold on this town or the people. It has taken a while to sort out. The mine was sold this past spring to a new company and he reopened it, bringing his own personnel."
"Wow." Carson said. "For a small town, you sure have excitement. I have heard a few other stories as well. Something about you catching the Tolliver and Garrison gangs, among others. Then something about an epic love story and a secret engagement."
"Yeah." Jack said, blushing. "I just happen to be in the right place at the right time. Even got an award and promotion for work that I didn't realize I had done. Between Gowen and another prisoner I turned over, I happen to hand the Mounties two of the biggest cases in their history. I also happened to catch a notorious international art thief without trying.
I rode into the Coal Valley on the third of May, 1910 and there has been way more excitement than I ever thought possible in a small coal mining town in the middle of nowhere that I didn't want to be at to begin with and fought being here until I got what I thought I wanted. Left for a couple days, then realized Elizabeth was in danger and raced back here to save her and the town.
I am actually looking forward to some down time, although I just got back to full duty not that long ago. I guess I will be taking a couple of weeks off to help Elizabeth with the twins."
"Faith said something about you getting injured this past spring." Carson said.
"Twice, or three times actually." Jack said. "End of January, I was shot while we captured the Garrisons. Then in April after the landslide at Silverton mine and in the evacuation of the settlement, a child went missing. I ordered Elizabeth, Abigail and my mother to get the settlers to safety. I went after the little girl. Just as I spotted her, my horse reared up and threw me. I guess the log jam broke and washed me about two hundred yards downstream. Elizabeth and Frank found me. With the help of others, they got me back to town. I was unconscious and suffering from exposure. Faith thought I might have pneumonia. I was unconscious for about thirty-six hours or so.
I had several setbacks with pneumonia. Thank God for another Mountie who was here for various reasons. His father was a doctor and had a baby brother with chronic breathing problems. He recognized right away what was going on. For several days, he pounded on my back two or three times a day until I had coughed up so much mucus that I was sick to my stomach. Faith wanted to send me to the hospital in Union City and the only reason that I wasn't was because the Deputy Commissioner was here and overruled her for safety reasons. I just went back to full duty in July. There was also a foreign object that Faith had to remove from my hip and then got infected. Once again the Mountie who helped with the breathing was able to help her and they saved my life."
"The doctor in me has to ask." Carson said. "Any problems since you returned to work?"
"I still have a little trouble breathing on wet cold mornings." Jack said. "But it has been getting better."
"You will let me know if that continues." Carson said. "And your hip?"
"A little pain from time to time." Jack said. "Before you ask, it was a wire from a guitar string. A friend had restrung my guitar and must have thought he had all the pieces, I must have laid on one and when thrashing about, got it embedded in my hip."
"Okay, again let me know." Carson said. "Now about that love story and secret engagement."
"Yes, I will let you know if there are any problems." Jack said. "I don't know about epic love story. There were sparks between Elizabeth and I from the beginning. Neither of us were looking for love, but somewhere we realized that we needed each other. We got engaged on November thirteenth and didn't tell anyone until December fifteenth. Part of it was that we wanted the wedding our way and not have to deal with everyone's opinions and part of it was that Elizabeth's father doesn't think I am a proper husband for Elizabeth."
"Mind if I ask why?" Carson asked.
"Elizabeth's family comes from money." Jack said. "I am the son of a late Mountie and school teacher."
"It can't be that bad." Carson said. "Amber and I came from different sides of the tracks so to speak."
"Okay." Jack said. "You were in Cape Fullerton, so these names will mean something to you – William Thatcher and Hamilton Shipping."
"High society, shipping tycoon with three daughters." Carson said. "Never meet them in my life, but they are just people. Granted probably more money then you and I will ever see in a lifetime combined. And the largest shipping company in Canada, part of Thatcher Industries."
"Actually, you have met a Thatcher." Jack said. "You are holding what could be described as the heir apparent to the Thatcher Industries. Elizabeth's full name is Elizabeth Grace Thatcher Thornton."
"Oh." Carson said, his eyes getting really big.
"Not a lot of people know who Elizabeth's family is." Jack said. "Some do, most don't. We don't talk about it. Most of the family that people around here have met are Elizabeth's sister Julie that came last summer and then her aunt, uncle and cousin who were here for the wedding and a couple times since. Her uncle and cousin are also Mounties. They will probably be here soon. Heads up, he is also my commanding officer."
"The wire message." Carson said.
"Yep." Jack said. "Another thing that we don't talk about. Most people realize who he is and that he is Elizabeth's uncle since he gave her away at the wedding. I try to keep things more professional when other Mounties are around."
"You have a way more of an interesting life than me, my man." Carson said.
"More than you know." Jack said. "Please don't treat Elizabeth any differently. She came out here despite her family's objections. She has worked hard to show that she is not a society princess. She and I live simply. Yes, I am building us a large house outside of town, but it is something for our family since we want lots of children. We are also expecting two others to show up soon."
Carson looked at Jack with raised eyebrows.
"We have taken guardianship of two little girls." Jack said. "They are actually two little girls of a late Inspector and childhood friend of Elizabeth's. We know that it is a lot, but we both felt drawn to these girls for various reasons and agreed it was the right thing to do."
"Way more interesting, man." Carson said.
"Anyway." Jack said. "The girls will come with trust funds, and help. We might even have security, we are still working out the details. We don't talk about the money. We have traveled back to Hamilton in style thanks to her family, but right now they are having a hard time accepting our marriage. We didn't tell them until after we were married almost a month when we were forced to travel back to Hamilton to deal with respective siblings. Elizabeth's father had even sent another man here with the promise of her hand in January. This is a man they have openly pushed on Elizabeth for years despite her telling them she didn't love him.
Her father treats her like a child with her head in the clouds, not a twenty-one year old married woman who went to college and works hard teaching other children to have a better life no matter what they chose to do. They tried to kidnap her back in April, they were trying to force her to say I took advantage of her. Her father was determined to ruin Elizabeth to get what he wanted. It took another Mountie arresting him and threatening to go the press to get him to back off. We just want to live our life. We know that not everyone is going to accept our choices or understand why we have done things, but I hope our friends do."
"Thank you for the information." Carson said. "I promise I won't treat Elizabeth differently. I am just surprised, but I shouldn't be. Not all people who come from money are stuck up and self centered. I mean I have enough money from my grandparents that I will be comfortable for life, not anywhere near what Elizabeth apparently has, but enough I could probably be invited to several society events if I lived back east. I became a doctor because I wanted to help people and was drawn to it because of my grandparents."
"And you have." Jack said. "The little ones we each hold are proof of your desire to help. Now, since Faith isn't back yet. I am going to step next door and grab some coffee. I am sure Bill has some on by now. Mind if I take Amber with me?"
"She covered well?" Carson asked.
"Help me slip my coat on, just in case." Jack said. "Just wrap it around my left side. Good. Be right back."
Jack stepped outside and looked around, it was still early about six thirty in the morning. He was glad that people weren't moving around just quite yet. He wanted a little time with his daughter. He was loving the feeling of her sleeping against his chest. He couldn't believe that he almost talked himself out of this amazing experience. And to think he got both a son and daughter. He knew that they weren't even a day old, but he couldn't wait to watch them grow and to add to their family. He just hoped that Elizabeth was okay and she would give me more children. He knew that he was going to have to wait and allow things to be on her schedule for a while, but he already missed her. He would just have to find other ways to connect with her over the next couple of months. He was already thinking of what he could do to make their anniversary and first Christmas as a family extra special.
Jack stopped when he thought he saw a flash of red near one of the buildings. He stepped closer to the jail and was up against the wall when he saw the distinct outline of a Mountie riding into town. Jack waited, he wondered what was going on. He wasn't expecting anyone, at least not yet. Jack waited until he got closer and then he realized that it was McGinty. About the same time that Jack spotted McGinty, he spotted someone near the jail, but couldn't make out who it was. He directed Bandit to go there. As McGinty was securing Bandit to the hitching post, Jack walked over.
"Joe." Jack said. "What are you doing here?"
"You tell me." McGinty said. "Jacobs got a message that you needed help so I volunteered. What did you do now?" (pointing to his shoulder)
"Nothing." Jack said. "I was just heading to the jail to get some coffee. Come in and I will explain. Carson will kill me if I am gone much longer. I need coffee and my messenger bag."
"What does Carson have to do with anything?" Bill asked, opening the door to the jail.
"Let's go inside." Jack said. "And keep your voice down, please."
"Why." Bill asked gruffly.
"Because I am holding my sleeping newborn daughter." Jack said.
At that both Bill and Joe whipped around and looked at Jack.
"Did you say daughter?" Joe asked.
"Yes." Jack said. "Elizabeth went into labor yesterday. Amber here is about twelve hours old and Carson has her brother back at the infirmary. He is only a couple hours old. It has been a long night, hence why I was coming to see if Bill had coffee on."
"Elizabeth had twins?" Bill questioned.
"I am surprised it isn't all over town." Jack said. "She went into labor yesterday and Amber here was born just before five yesterday evening and her brother joined her about four this morning."
"No." Bill said. "Everyone has been trying to figure out what was going on. People saw Carson go into the infirmary and then Frank camped out there all evening, but no one would say what was going on. All anyone could get out of Frank was that the infirmary was closed until further notice. I still don't understand how Carson fits into all of this."
"I am a doctor." Carson said from the doorway. "You okay Jack? When you didn't come back right away, I got concerned. Faith has Amber's bottle ready. Want me to take her back?"
"No." Jack said. "She had her fingers wrapped in my chest hair. I will follow you back. Joe here scared me when I saw movement by one of the buildings until I saw his serge."
"Constable Joe McGinty."
"Dr Carson Shepard."
"Well." McGinty said. "I guess I know why I am here. I will be covering for a bit. Better listen to the doc and get that little one back. I will stop by later to see them. I am assuming Delaney will be here at some point."
"Probably." Jack said. "But I don't have a timeline, yet. I haven't even sent word to my mother or Elizabeth's parents yet."
"That situation any better?" McGinty asked.
"Nope." Jack said. "But they have a right to know. Talk later."
Jack walked back to the infirmary with Carson, leaving a stunned Bill. It was one of the few times that Jack had seen Bill at a loss for words. He knew that he would have to explain in greater detail later, but for now it was nice to shock Bill.
"Sorry about that." Jack said. "I wasn't expecting Joe."
"I was just concerned." Carson said. "Just trying my best to keep my littlest patient healthy."
"Got it." Jack said.
Faith was already feeding the little guy when they entered the infirmary.
"Want to try feeding Amber?" Faith asked.
"Sure." Jack said.
"Get her comfortable in your arms." Faith said. "Best if her head is up a little. I want to try the bottle again, otherwise I have the eyedropper. Abigail was able to find some smaller nipples."
Faith handed a tiny bottle to Jack and he put it on Amber's lips. At first she didn't want to take it, but he took his finger and touched her check and she opened her mouth just enough for the tip of the nipple. Jack continued to stroke her check and she sucked a little on the nipple but seemed to tire quickly.
"It is like she doesn't have enough energy to be awake and eat at the same time." Jack said.
"This is why we have been offering her formula every hour or two." Faith said.
"It is going to take time for her to not eat every couple of hours." Carson said. "She took an ounce and a half, that is more than she has taken at one time all night. My grandmother taught me if you can get them to take an ounce or two every two hours for the first few days then they are okay. Being born is just as much work for the baby as it is for the mom. It is traumatic, then everything is new and bright. Not to mention that we are also having to keep her warm. We are fighting an uphill battle, but gaining ground and so far winning. I would say that you did good, Dad."
Jack teared up when Carson called him that. Granted he knew it, but it was the first time it sunk in.
"Where did you learn the trick of stroking her cheek?" Carson asked.
"I used to have to do the same thing with a foal I bottle fed." Jack said "Figured it couldn't hurt."
"Well it worked." Faith said. "Let's get these two changed and then I think it is time to wake Elizabeth and check on her."
Faith showed Jack how to change Amber's diaper and make sure that area around her umbilical cord was clean and dry. Jack was sure he would eventually get the hang of the diapers, but at the moment they were as foreign to him as ever. Once she was fed and dry, they wrapped her back up and placed her in the crate with her brother. They both seemed calmer next to each other.
"Side by side." Jack said. "Even with the water bottles, the size difference is stunning."
"Two pounds is a lot at that age." Carson said. "Let's go get Elizabeth up."
"I will watch those two." Faith said. "Just let me know when to bring them in."