Chapter 19
Coal Valley
It is now August and Jarrick is now six months old. Mom and dad were leaving to go home because Elizabeth would be back to teaching next month. She had got her letter stating that her job was extended for another year. She was ecstatic!
They had mom and dad over for dinner one night to spend time with them and to let them spend time with Jarrick. They didn't fuss over him this time. They put in time with him together.
Jack asked if they would like a picture with him? They both agreed. Jack went and got his camera and took their picture with Jarrick. He took others as well. He would take the film in and get them developed before they left.
After dinner they were all sitting in the living room together talking and Elizabeth asked, dad how long does Jack have to work before we can take a vacation? Jack just looked at her with curiosity. Dad said, well he took two weeks off to help his mother move and two weeks off when Jarrick was born. So he'll probably have to work another six months at least, why? Well I just wanted to take Jarrick to Coal Valley for two weeks but that's okay. We can go when he's a year old.
Son, how would you like to have a temporary transfer for two weeks? I can send you to Coal Valley to see how things are going down there because we haven't sent a replacement yet. Dad, that would be great! We can kill two birds with one stone! What do you think Bella? I think it's great! Ma, your coming too aren't you? No dear I think I'll stay here and tend to the horses. Ma, we could get Uncle Phillip to handle that if you wanted to go. No son, I think I'll skip this one. There will be plenty more opportunities for me to go. Okay Ma, I won't push.
When were you wanting to travel Beth? I thought we could travel with you as far as Calgary then split from there. It's six day there and six days back so I would like to stay for a least a week. So if we left with you and mom the day after tomorrow, then we could return the week before school starts. Jack claps his hands together and says, ok it's settled, we all leave then. We'll get the compartments tomorrow. On that note dear I think it's time to say good night.
They had sent a telegram to Abigail telling her of their arrival before they left Lecombe. They pulled into Coal Valley six days later on the stage. They were exhausted, it took both of them to keep Jarrick entertained on the stage. He didn't like the bumpy ride.
Abigail and Bill were waiting on the platform. Lee and Rosemary saw them standing there and walked over. Lee asked, who are you waiting for, you two? Bill and Abigail look at each other and Rosemary screams, you're waiting for Jack and Elizabeth aren't you! Abigail smiles and says, they wanted it to be a surprise.
About that time the pounding of horse hooves could be heard coming around the corner. It pulls to a stop at the platform. Bill opens the door but Abigail shoves him out of the way and reached in and said, hand me my Godson please! Jack laughs and hands him over and she kisses him all over his little face, he starts giggling.
Jack steps down and helps Elizabeth down. Bill helps the driver with their trunk. Jack reaches in and grabs her bag off the seat. Everyone says hello and hugs were given. Abigail says, well come on everyone let's get them settled up in Elizabeth's old room!
Bill and Jack carried the trunk upstairs while the ladies and Lee sat in the parlor. Rosemary spoke up and asked, why didn't you let us know you were coming, we could've thrown you a welcome home party? Rosemary, we didn't want everyone making a fuss. We knew you would want to throw a party but seriously we just wanted what we got. We are only here for a week. We wanted to bring Jarrick before school starts back in September.
The next couple of days were spent resting from the long stage ride. Jack check with Bill on how everything was going without a replacement. Bill told him everything that had been going on around town but couldn't tell him about the surrounding towns.
Jack told him that this was a working vacation for him because he couldn't take anymore time off with the baby being born and moving his Ma to their house from Aberdeen.
Jack checked the wanted posters that Bill had hung and made sure to take the captured ones down. He had asked, where's Rip? Bill got quite for a minute and said, he was hit by Godwin's car while we were at your wedding. I didn't have the heart to tell you. It wasn't the driver's fault. Timmy said that Rip was laying on the porch sleeping and the driver had honked at one of the children as he was driving by. Rip looked up just in time to see one of those farrow cats run across the street and he took out after it. The driver didn't have time to stop before he hit him.
They buried him behind the jail. The children went together and got him a little headstone. Jack walked to the back door and looked out. They buried him just inside the jail property line. He walked over and read the headstone.
Rip Thornton
Died
April 26, 1911
Loved by all
Paw print
Wow, they gave him my last name. They said everyone has a last name so they put yours because he was your dog even though you couldn't take him with you. They even had a paw print put on it. Yes that's his paw print. Wow, I'll have to thank them for this. Well the girls come by every once in a while and put flowers on his grave. Usually it's on a Sunday after church. Thanks for telling me Bill. Your welcome Jack.
They walk back in and Jack says, I'm here for a week to see if you need anything from Headquarters. They wanted me to make the judgement call on weather to send a replacement or not. If you feel that one is needed I'll contact Headquarters and have one sent but if you don't then I'll just contact them to not send one. Well so far we haven't really needed one but you know how that can turn. Well just let me know before we leave. I will and welcome back even if it's a working vacation! Thanks!
Hey Bill, what did you do with all my stuff? I crated everything and set it in the back room, Bill replies. Thanks, I need to send it all to Pine Springs. I'll do that tomorrow or the next day.
At the cafe Elizabeth, Abigail, Rosemary, Cat, Florence and Molly were all passing Jarrick around. He was loving all the attention as usual! He didn't care who was holding him as long as they gave him the attention he wanted.
Rosemary spoke up, what is his full name? Jarrick Alexander Thornton, Jr. Didn't Abigail tell you all? She just told us Jarrick Thornton, Jr. I was just wondering what his middle name was, that's all. It's okay Rosemary. I wanted to name him after Jack and we had decided on it. Then when he was born and looked identical to Jack we knew that was his name but I told him that I didn't want to call him JJ, Little Jack, Jay or Junior. I wanted to call him Jarrick.
Ma said, wait you call Charlotte Ma? Yes she asked me to but anyway Ma said that when Jack was born they called him Jarrick but when Jack was about 2 he started following his father around and copied everything he could. So Pa started calling him Jack after him. His name was Thomas Jackson Thornton. So Jack came from his middle name.
Wow Elizabeth you have just joined right in with them haven't you? Well Rosemary they are my family now! Ma is great with Jarrick. She tries to get him to say granma all the time. She seems to think that's going to be his first word. We laugh at her all the time, telling her that their first word is usually mama or dada but she just won't hear of it. You should see her Abigail, she gets down on the floor during tummy time and plays with him.
Over at the jail, Jack asks Bill if he wants to get a cup of coffee at the saloon? Bill agrees and they go to the saloon. Bill asks, why the saloon instead of the cafe? For one I want everyone to know I'm here for the next week if they need me and two, I don't want to step foot in there with all those ladies. Bill laughed and said, I completely understand!
They went in and sat at a table. Tom came over to welcome him back and asked what can I get you gentlemen? Coffee Jack said, and thanks Tom. It's good to be back but I'm only here for the next week so if there is anything you need let me know. I will Tom said.
They sat and drank their coffee reminiscing when one of the sawmill workers came in. Jack asked, who is that Bill? That's Alvin O'Roarke. He's new to town. He started at the sawmill two weeks ago. Lee says he's a good worker but he's in here every night getting drunk and is at work every morning on time and putting in a full day's pay. He is one tough man to be able do that every day. Are you sure he's drinking all that alcohol Bill? Tom says he is. Let's keep an eye open okay? Sure Jack but he never causes any trouble. That's fine but my gut says there's more to this than meets the eye, Jack said.
Elizabeth took Jarrick up to nurse leaving the ladies in the dining room of the cafe. Rosemary says, she looks beautiful after having the baby, doesn't she! They all nod their head to agree.
Florence asked, do you think she'll ever come back to live here? Abigail replies, I doubt it. She plans on following her mom's footsteps by traveling wherever she was sent.
Wait a minute Rosemary says, her mom lives in Hamilton. I thought she wanted to stay away from that lifestyle? She does, Abigail says. But her parents have shunned her pretty much. They keep making excuses as to why they can't come to Pine Springs. It really tore her apart so she asked her Aunt and Uncle if they would be their mom and dad? They told her that they would be honored. So if they talk about their mom and dad it is actually her Aunt and Uncle. She may explain but she may not. Cat says, well she is in great spirits after everything she's been through! Yes she is, Abigail says!
Elizabeth came downstairs and said she was taking Jarrick for a walk. He loves it outside. Rosemary speaks up and says, mind if I join you two? Sure Rosie, we would love that!
Elizabeth grabs a blanket and heads out the door. Rosemary asks, may I carry him for a bit? Elizabeth looks at her like she has two heads and asks, are you sure Rosie, because we all know how you feel about babies? Rosemary nudged her arm and said, Elizabeth, he isn't sticky. He's all clean! Elizabeth laughs and says okay but don't jostle him or he will spit up on you.
She handed him over but Rosemary didn't know how to hold him because she was trying to hold him like a newborn but Jarrick wasn't having it. Rosemary asked, what's wrong with him? He won't lay still. Elizabeth took him back and put him on her hip and said, this is how he likes to be held. Rosemary took him back and put him on her hip like Elizabeth showed her. Everyone was happy now.
They stepped down off the porch of the cafe heading out of town. They walked past the school toward the pond. Elizabeth laid the blanket on the ground and took Jarrick. She sat him on the blanket and sat down next to him. Rosemary sat down on the other side of Jarrick. She watch Elizabeth with her son. She asked, are you happy Elizabeth? I mean really happy? Yes I am, Rosie. I have everything I've ever wanted.
Jack is a great father. Jarrick lights up when he walks in the room. He has gotten used to Jack going to change when he comes home. As soon as Jack comes out of the bedroom Jarrick is raising his little arms up for Jack to take him. I always knew he would be because he always liked babies growing up, Rosie says.
Elizabeth pulled out a wooden block out of her pocket for him to play with. Elizabeth was watching him play with it and asked, Rosie, do you think you and Lee might have a little one of your own? I don't know, Lee wants one so badly but I'm just not ready yet.
Jack walks into the cafe and looks around but doesn't see her so he asks, Abigail, where is Bella and Jarrick? Oh, Jack I didn't hear you come in. Elizabeth and Rosemary took him for a walk. She took a blanket so my bet she's at the pond. Thanks Abigail, he kisses her cheek and heads out to the pond.
As Jack was approaching the pond he saw them sitting by the pond. He looked around at his surroundings. He sees a few children playing by the school on a Teeter totter and the swing. He looks in the opposite directions and sees someone sitting under a tree looking in Elizabeth and Rosemary's direction.
He keeps walking not letting on that he was seen. He walks up to them and Jarrick immediately raises his arms wanting his daddy to pick him up. Jack doesn't disappoint. He reached down and picked him up. Held him in front of him and swung him around in a circle. Keeping an eye on the man under the tree. He was still sitting there watching.
Jack nonchalantly says quietly, Bella I want you and Rosemary to get up slowly and fold the blanket, while he was still playing with his son. Elizabeth didn't ask any questions. She did as he asks. Rosemary quietly asked, Jack, is something wrong? He quietly replied, I'm not sure yet but let's slowly walk back to town. I'll explain when we get back to the cafe.
Elizabeth folded the blanket and draped it over her arm and took his arm. They walked back to town as if nothing was wrong.
They walked into the cafe and Jack seen Bill sitting at a table and asked him to join them in the kitchen. Bill got up and walked into the kitchen and asked, what's going on? He had the ladies to have a seat. He sat in the armchair while Bill brought over a kitchen chair. Bill asks, Jack what's going on? You've only been here for less than 12 hours.
Jack cleared his throat and asks, do you remember me asking about the O'Roarke guy? Bill nods. I told you something wasn't settling right with me about him. I went out to the pond a little bit ago and I scanned my surroundings just like I always do and he was sitting under a tree at the other end of the pond by the dock. He was staring in their direction. I don't know if he was watching Elizabeth and Rosemary or the children at the school but he was definitely staring. I picked up Jarrick and swung him around to see if he was still there and he was.
I want a telegram sent to Headquarters and ask about him. Something isn't right here. I've got a bad feeling. Bill stood and said, I'm on it. Be right back. Bill you need to wait for the answer. I don't want him to see Ned running across the street with a piece of paper in his hand. Mark it Urgent and use my name. Address it to Deputy Commissioner Delaney. We'll get an answer quicker. Bill heads out and sends the telegram. He reminds Ned that this was confidential. Ned shook his head yes.
Elizabeth asks, Jack are we in danger for coming back here? If so we need to get out of here ASAP because we need to protect Jarrick. Bella, I don't know yet but I'm going to get to the bottom of this, I promise.
She takes Jarrick from his daddy and rushes upstairs. Rosemary gasped and asked, Jack, are you talking about Alvin O'Roarke that works for Lee? Jack shakes his head yes. She says, that maybe you should talk with Lee. He runs a background on all his workers. Jack spoke up and said, not the ones NWMP runs, Rosemary. I need to know everything about him not just where he worked before. Still I think you need to speak to him because he's going to want to know what you're doing.
I'll be back down in a minute but don't you go anywhere. She just said okay but not another word. Jack went upstairs to Elizabeth's old room. He didn't knock this time. He just went in and saw her sitting in Abigail's rocking chair rocking Jarrick. He was sound asleep on her chest. She was holding him close.
He bent down in front of her, rubbing her cheek with the back of his fingers. He rubs his son's back with his other hand. He says, Bella? Talk to me. What are you thinking? She whispers to keep from waking Jarrick, do you know what is going on? No Bella I don't. That is why I had you two come back here.
He walked into the saloon today while I was having coffee with Bill. He came in and I just got a bad feeling about him. You know I don't judge anyone but I always trust my gut, you know that. I do but I'm a little scared now. It hasn't been that long since I got over my fears from before. I know Bella, but I couldn't keep this from you and protect the two most important people in my life. I need you to be aware of your surroundings. I don't mean shying away from anything but just always take someone with you when you go out. Ok hon, I will, she says.