Chapter 254 – Patty's Surprising Question (short)
Jack just shook his head and decided to change the subject because he felt he was wandering in dangerous territory when Elizabeth Rose reminded him that his Elizabeth was stubborn as well.
"Becky, are you looking forward to the science fair this coming Friday?" Jack asked. "I hear you made quite the impressive bridge."
"Yes, but I am also nervous." Becky said. "The way that Mr Landis spoke to me, it makes me think that the other kids have better projects."
"Becky." Elizabeth Rose said. "You did very complicated math and built that bridge out of scrap wood and wire that Mr Coulter brought over for you. You used the proper materials, even though you want your bridges to be built of steel, you were able to build a fully functional scale model bridge with wood and wire."
"You should be proud." Wynn said. "I have been to many science fairs over the years and I have never seen a bridge like that. I have seen some built from twigs and string, but they didn't look functional."
"Thank you." Becky said. "So you think I have a chance to win the scholarship. I know that Miss Abigail doesn't have a lot of extra money for me to go to school. I know that Jeremiah said he would help me find a way to go to school, but I still worry."
"If Jacobs said he would help." Wynn said. "He will help you. I am sure we can find plenty of scholarships for you to be able to go to school."
"I even know which schools you should apply for." Elizabeth Rose said.
"Really?" Becky said.
"Yes." Elizabeth Rose said. "I will even help you. First, I think you should apply to McMaster University in Hamilton. I would insist that you stay with us if you were accepted. Second, I think it should be the University of Toronto. Again, I know people that you can stay with. That would help cut down the cost if you went to either of those schools. It might also be easier on Abigail to know that you are staying with a family that will make sure you are taken care of. The last school I would apply to is King's College in New Brunswick. It might be the best school and most difficult to get into, but it is also the furthest and would be the most expensive."
"I like that thought of staying with you." Becky said. "I think I will look into the first two that you said."
"Then I will help you." Elizabeth Rose said. "We will also help you find scholarships and what you need."
Wynn nodded.
"I will have Dee wire the schools tomorrow and get information sent here." Wynn said.
"Thank you." Becky said. "But I need to pass my test first to even be allowed to finish regular school."
"And you will." Elizabeth Rose said.
They talked a bit more and Wynn made some more notes so he could refer back to them. He knew that between them and Jacobs, they were going to make sure that Becky got into one of those schools and she wouldn't have to worry about paying for it.
Abigail called everyone together when lunch was ready. She wanted everyone to move over to the dining room so that they could pray and then the ladies said they would bring the food out. Becky walked to the dining room, between Jack and Wynn. Everyone took a seat, except the ladies that were going to serve the food, then Frank stood up and led the group in a nice prayer. Nothing was said about their engagement, but most people had seen the ring on Abigail's finger. No one was going to ask if they didn't say something.
They had a nice lunch and sat and visited. Patty had the cadets do the dishes and get water heating for the laundry that needed to be done. Once the cadets had been dismissed, Jack and Elizabeth both said they were tired, so Jacobs said he would take them back to the house and send the cadets out. While that was happening, Elizabeth Rose and Patty got the laundry going so Abigail could sit and visit with people. Frank and her sat holding hands, which brought a smile from most people.
… … … …
Jack and Elizabeth got home and after relocking the downstairs, they headed up to their room. They both did need a nap, but they were also thinking of other things. Elizabeth changed into one of the maternity nightgowns that her cousin had sent. She was finding that the regular skirts, even maternity ones, were too constricting to wear all day. As Elizabeth sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing her ever expanding middle, she looked down and didn't feel like the gorgeous bride that Jack had married just a few months ago.
Jack came up behind her on the bed and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her neck and nuzzled her cheek. Elizabeth turned and gave him a small kiss on the temple.
"You are beautiful." Jack said.
"I don't feel beautiful." Elizabeth said. "I am getting fat."
"You are growing my child." Jack said. "I think you get more beautiful every day."
"Thank you." Elizabeth said.
Jack could still hear the sadness in Elizabeth's voice, so he got out of the bed, stood Elizabeth up and kissed her, leaving no doubt that she turned him on. Jack pressed his body up against hers and Elizabeth felt Jack's excitement. She ran her hand down his arm and rested it on his hip. Jack had to pull back from the kiss before he got lightheaded.
"Gorgeous." Jack said, low and huskily.
Elizabeth smiled at Jack and then pulled him into the bed to continue what he started. It didn't take long and clothing was shed and they came together. Once they had fallen over the cliff together, Jack pulled Elizabeth to himself so he could wrap his arms around her. That was how they fell asleep, wrapped in each other's arms and unclothed. It took Elizabeth a bit longer to fall asleep as she felt the baby move as Jack had been rubbing her stomach. She was noticing more that when Jack would touch her stomach or talk to the baby, it would move. She couldn't wait until Jack could feel a kick. She knew that he would love that.
… … … …
Everyone else had a wonderful Sunday visiting. Patty and Elizabeth Rose were able to get the laundry done and talk while they did it.
"Are you really okay?" Patty asked.
"Yes." Elizabeth Rose said. "I told you it was just my monthly. I haven't had it since before I came out here and honestly I think I am going through the change because it started last night, but it was just a little. Then there was nothing all day today."
Patty just looked at Elizabeth Rose.
"Are you sure you aren't pregnant?" Patty asked.
"Patricia Annmarie!" Elizabeth Rose hissed.
"What?" Patty said.
"I have just turned forty-six." Elizabeth Rose said. "That is not funny. Besides, you know how I have struggled not being able to give Wynn additional children, I made my peace with only having Dee and Sophie."
"Sorry." Patty said. "I didn't mean to upset you."
"It is okay." Elizabeth Rose said. "But don't you dare say that to Wynn. I know that he has talked about adopting a child and I think I could agree to that, but I can't think about starting completely over."
Patty just nodded and smiled to herself. They finished the laundry and talked about other things, but for some reason, Patty was sure that Wynn and Elizabeth were going to have another child. As she was thinking about things, it came over her that there would be lots of babies in Hope Valley over the next year. She wondered who else would have babies and as soon as she said the thought to herself, somewhere she heard a voice say, Elizabeth and Abigail. Patty decided to keep that to herself, but she was going to write it down and prove them all wrong later.
… … … …
Abigail had a nice time sitting and visiting. Jacobs had not come back after dropping Jack and Elizabeth off. Doug and Joe had also excused themselves as they said they had things to do. So it was Wynn, Dee, Frank and Abigail. They talked about various things and how much life had changed in the last year. They also all knew that the Delaneys' time in Hope Valley was drawing to a close, so they talked about when they came for the fall and what they wanted to be able to do. They talked a bit about the house that Jack was building and how they couldn't wait to see it. They knew that it was going to be hard for some people to accept that Jack and Elizabeth had hired help. They also knew that there were going to be opinions about them taking on two more children while having one of their own.
"Do you really think people will accept what Jack and Beth have chosen?" Wynn asked.
He was concerned not only for his niece but those little girls.
"I will make sure of it." Abigail said.
"I will help." Frank said.
"They are opening their home to two little girls that need a home." Abigail said. "If anyone has a problem with that, especially given what has happened around her in the last year and half, then they will have me to deal with. I don't care that they will have hired help to be with the girls, that is no one else's business. If anyone says anything, we can say that it was the conditions that the girls' grandparents set forth."
"That wouldn't be that far from the truth." Wynn said. "Knowing Andrew Russell, he is going to insist on paying for a full-time nanny until little Sarah is at least school age. I am sure he is going to insist on security as well. I basically told Jack and Beth to accept what he is going to pay for because he either pays for it or sends me the money to put into Beth's account. We explained that it was just easier for him to pay for it if he wanted."
"I can see that." Frank said. "And Jack agreed to that."
"It took some convincing." Dee said. "But I think Mom finally got through to him."
"Yes, I did." Elizabeth Rose said, coming in. "I made it clear to him and informed him that I didn't want to hear about it again."
"Good for you." Abigail said. "I know that is one area that Jack has struggled with from the start."
"I also think that is what Charlotte's biggest issue is." Dee said.
Wynn and Elizabeth Rose looked at their son.
"Don't look at me like that." Dee said. "I know it, you both know it, Jack and Beth know it and most of all Charlotte knows, but she won't admit that is what the problem is. She would rather argue that Jack and Beth can't handle taking the girls and that Jack shouldn't be responsible for the children of a fellow Mountie."
Wynn nodded.
"I tried to explain to her that it wasn't much different then the Mounties being there for her after Thomas died." Wynn said. "But she tried to argue with me. I told her that if something would have happened to her, that if her brother had been unable to care for Jack and Tommy, I would have made sure that they were placed with the family of another Mountie and that they would have been taken care of. I guess that is why I got so upset when Becky told me about the girl that had been in the orphanage that was the sister of a Mountie."
"I heard you talking to her a bit about that." Abigail said. "I take it you found some answers."
"Yes." Wynn said. "She has been reunited with her brother in the Richmond Hills area. I will give her Becky's address here and she can write if she wants."
"Thank you for seeing to that." Frank said. "Any word on other things?"
"No." Wynn said. "It is going to take a long time to sort everything out. I told Becky if I receive additional information, I will send it to her here."
"Thank you." Abigail said.
They talked a little more and shared with Frank and Abigail about the plans to help Becky with school and how they were going to send off for information so she can get into the right school.
… … … …
Supper was a quiet affair at the cafe. Wynn made sure that the cadets helped clean up and the rest helped Abigail get ready for the morning. Jack and Elizabeth ate at the house. Joe and Doug came back about halfway through supper. They didn't say where they had been, but Wynn had heard from the cadets that Joe had ridden out in uniform and Doug went with. Wynn assumed that they had done a full rounds and Joe was showing Doug the valley.
After supper and making sure Abigail was set for the morning, Wynn and Elizabeth excused themselves, saying they were tired. Patty left as well. Frank, Abigail and the kids were able to have a nice family evening. Frank played checkers with Cody as he had finished his homework. Abigail and Becky worked on some needlework. Abigail was working on something for the new Thornton baby and Becky wanted to make something as well.
Overall, despite there being a lot of stuff that needed to be done, it had been a nice and relaxing Sunday in Hope Valley. People were settling into a routine and it was nice to have a day with family and friends.
… … … …
