Chapter 255 – Another Busy Monday

Monday once again dawned overcast, but it looked like the rain might hold off until later. The men were up and heading to work early. It had been decided that they would make the most of the day light to get as much done as they could. Lee had a list of projects waiting a mile long and seemed to be getting longer by the day. Lee knew he had enough work to keep the crew busy all winter and into the falling summer, so as he sat having coffee that morning, he was going over numbers. He didn't want to hire more workers, because of the lack of housing, but then he reasoned that if he hired single temporary workers and put them in tents for the summer, he would be able to get a lot done before he took a month off after his wedding. He knew that Christopher and Hickum could handle things while he was gone, but also didn't want to leave them with a ton of temporary workers. He was also worried about Bill and Jack and how they would handle things, especially with Jack not back to work yet. He knew that McGinty and possibly the other constable, Doug, would be staying for a while, but he also didn't want his men to be a problem for them.

Lee concluded that the only way forward was to hire more temporary workers on a three month contract and maximize the working hours and get as much done before the fall as possible. They needed the housing and there were other projects as well. He knew that the church/schoolhouse was going to need an expansion. There was the expansion at Abigail's. Granted, Frank had done a majority of that work with the help of the constables. He also knew that Jack needed his complex completed sooner rather than later. Lee also realized that his house might have to be moved down the list and Rosemary would just have to deal with being in the row house for one winter. He didn't see a way to get everything done and he didn't want it to look bad that he built his own house before providing appropriate housing for the workers coming in. He also noticed that Sam had sent something over about expanding the hotel from twelve rooms to twenty four by adding a third floor. Lee also knew that Andy was talking about building, but wasn't sure if he would bring in his own crew.

All Lee knew was that he was glad that he owned multiple sawmills as he was keeping them all busy. He was also extremely grateful for Wyatt Weaver and Lucas Walker. They were both a whiz at keeping his machinery in top condition. He knew that they were both young and others might not like that he hired them, but he saw that they were valuable to his operations. Which was why he put his contracts aside and started the first of several letters. He knew that both boys felt they needed to work to provide for their families. He knew that feeling and that was why he was going to do everything to help those boys. He was writing to some friends of his in the government and inquiring about getting the boys certificates for applied knowledge in diesel mechanics and engine repair. He knew that getting those certificates would go far in helping the boys, even if they had to do some schooling, at least if they could demonstrate applied knowledge that would cut down on the schooling needed. It would also afford the boys both an opportunity to travel the area to fix things and provide more for their families while they remained in Hope Valley.

… … … …

The extra men and longer days also meant long days for Abigail and Ann at the cafe. Abigail was also quickly realizing that she was definitely going to have to hire an additional person to help, especially in the afternoons, but she just needed to get through the current week. Then she smiled as she thought about the surprise it would be for her to come back married. Abigail had also learned that as much as Mary Graves wanted to come back, it would be closer to when school started before that happened. As much as she hated it, Faith had ordered her on strict bed rest until the baby came. It was the only thing that was keeping her in Hope Valley and not having to spend the months in Union City in the hospital. Mary didn't want to be away from DeWitt and Caleb that long so was willing to do what was needed to stay in Hope Valley as long as possible. It also meant that DeWitt was taking every shift he could at the mill. He was working weekends to make extra money and then taking Tuesdays and Thursdays off, but then he was spending part of those days helping Adam Miller with furniture and he also had plans to work on Jack's house on those days.

Abigail was glad to see that Mary and DeWitt were doing better, but prayed for them and their growing family. She knew what it was like to lose a child and she didn't wish that on anyone. There had been enough heartache, they all needed some good to happen and new babies were just the thing. Abigail also realized that there were quite a few little ones and that there would be many school children for years to come. She knew that in the past there had been years when no new children started school and now they were looking at expanding the school that wasn't even a year old. There was no way that she would have imagined that the population of the town would have grown so fast and as she saw it, there wasn't an end. She knew that there could be problems as the town got bigger, but she also was going to start addressing those as she wanted things to be laid out clearly and part of that was closing some of the loopholes and clarifying things in the town bylaws. That would start with the town council meeting that week. They would also pick a date for the special election to fill her empty seat. Abigail hoped that at least one of the new people ran and took the seat. She wanted them to feel like they had a voice in the town matters as well. She had talked to Ann about it and Ann was going to talk to a couple of people that she felt would be perfect for the position.

… … … …

Elizabeth woke with a groan on Monday morning. She had slept hard and hadn't moved all night and she was stiff. It took her a few moments to get moving, but finally she crawled from bed and dressed for the day. Jack hadn't stirred at all when she left the bed, but he had opened his eyes for a moment when he heard the wardrobe door. He laid there very still watching his wife, who took a moment to rub the side of her baby bump. He wondered if his child had just kicked her, letting her know they were also awake. He couldn't wait until he could feel it and knew it wouldn't be long and that would happen.

As Elizabeth came over to give him a kiss, he reached out and laid his hand on her baby bump. Elizabeth jumped slightly at the touch as she wasn't expecting it. She hadn't realized that Jack had woken up.

"Morning, Bella." Jack said, softly. "Is that little one awake this morning?"

"Turning somersaults." Elizabeth said.

Jack smiled and rolled over to face Elizabeth. It was still a bit painful to be on his hip, but he would deal with it for a few moments. He motioned for Elizabeth to step back, so he could sit up. He then put his hands on either side of the baby bump and leaned forward. First he kissed the bump and then spoke.

"Morning little one." Jack said. "Are you flipping and turning all over the place? I can't wait to meet you, but you need to be good. Mommy has to work."

Elizabeth smiled because the baby definitely moved when Jack spoke. She couldn't wait for him to feel the movement when he spoke. Elizabeth leaned down and kissed Jack's head.

"Take a moment and then come down." Elizabeth said. "I will get breakfast going."

"Thank you." Jack said.

Jack watched Elizabeth leave the room, then he fell back in the bed and screwed his face up in pain. He had moved wrong and it hurt. He knew it was going to be some time before he was one hundred percent, but most of the time he felt better. His ribs didn't bother him as much and he was breathing much better, occasionally he would need to stop to take a few extra breaths, but it was that jolt of pain when he moved wrong that got him.

… … … …

When Elizabeth got downstairs, she saw that there was water on for coffee and tea, but she didn't see anyone. As she walked to the kitchen, she saw a note on the table, so she picked it up.

Jack and Beth - Doug went for a run and then he will be back and stay with Jack until he goes into town. I went into the office early. There are some things I want to finish up before we leave, which I believe will be later this week. Dee

Elizabeth wasn't happy about the fact that her family was going to be leaving again, but she knew it had to happen at some point. She knew that her and Jack still had many changes that they were facing, but they had to get into some sort of routine as he went back to work and she finished up school for the year and then she could focus on the baby coming and enjoying that time. She knew that she was going to have to put lesson plans together for her friend and meet with her when she arrived, but Elizabeth knew that she had time for that. She was focused on the five students that were going to be old enough to leave school. She knew that Gem wasn't ready and was hoping to convince the girl to stay at least one more year, but she also knew that she was needed at home. Elizabeth was hoping that they could reach a compromise. She also knew that neither James was really ready to leave school, but she was sure that they wouldn't be back. She knew that with them both being sixteen, and the mine hiring, they were most likely going to go to work as their mothers needed their income. She knew that she would have Gabe and Cassandra for at least another year so she was happy about that. The younger children Elizabeth wasn't as worried about. She knew that by the time that they were of the age to be done, they would be more than ready to leave school. It was amazing how much an extra year or two did with the children.

Then Elizabeth started to wonder how many new children that she was going to have next year and then she realized that she wasn't going to be starting school with them. She knew that she was going to have to talk to her friend and maybe be there the first day to at least meet the new students, especially if she hadn't gotten a chance to meet them over the summer. As Elizabeth was working things out in her head, she knew that she was going to have to get a letter off to her friend, Deb, and see when her and her husband planned on arriving, because there was housing for them whenever they arrived. Elizabeth was deep in thought as she made breakfast and that was how Jack found her.

"Elizabeth." Jack called to get her attention.

Elizabeth shook her head and tried to focus on breakfast before she burned it.

"What had you so deep in thought?" Jack asked.

"I was thinking of all the things that I needed to get done before the end of the school year." Elizabeth said. "Then I was thinking of all the things I would need to get ready for Deb to come. Which reminded me I needed to write to her and find out when her and Daniel were coming. I know that he would be willing to find work here, as there is plenty and that they would be okay with neither of them working for a bit. He has a generous trust fund and they have saved a lot knowing that she was going to take a year or two off when they got married."

"They are welcome to come anytime." Jack said. "But I think this is the first time I heard you call them by name. So you went to teacher college with Deb?"

"She was in the class ahead of me and we lived in the same apartment building." Elizabeth said. "Sorry, I thought I told you their names. Dan and Deb Swift. She is a lovely woman who is about two years older than me and I think Dan is about Dee's age. He might have been raised just north of Montreal on a working farm, but his grandfather and now father run a chain of hotels in Montreal and the surrounding area. His two older brothers will each inherit half of the hotels. He has degrees in architecture, business management and accounting."

"Wow." Jack said. "So smart."

"But very nice and down to earth." Elizabeth said. "I think you might like him. In my last letter, I told him how the town was growing and having an accountant around might be a nice thing. I also told him that I thought that the bank might be looking for investors and/or new people. I also mentioned that there were several new or expanding businesses coming to Hope Valley. When Deb wrote back, they sounded excited and were looking forward to the new opportunities. I know that they would maybe want to come out sooner rather than later. I wasn't sure about housing in my last letter, but now that I was able to get a list from Frank as to what was in the teacherage, I can better let them know what they will need."

"I am just glad that she will be able to come help you." Jack said.

Elizabeth set breakfast on the table.

"I was thinking that even after I go back after the baby." Elizabeth said. "That there might be enough children that it would be worth sticking around. I know that if Dan is working, it wouldn't be so much pressure on her to earn a full-time wage. I was thinking if I needed days off or even help in setting up the library it would be great. I was talking to Katie Yost and she didn't sound like she wanted to travel to Calgary and sit for her finals to get her teaching certificate. She said that she and Lucy are too busy with the girls and helping Ned."

"Then it just might work out for everyone." Jack said, with a smile.

Jack said a quick prayer and they had breakfast. As Jack sat there talking to Elizabeth as she made herself lunch and a snack, they talked more about her friend and what the plans were not only for the day, but the week as well. Elizabeth reminded Jack that they both had appointments with Faith on Wednesday afternoon.

Doug came back just as Elizabeth was leaving for school. He let her know that a guard would meet her at the school as Jacobs had called all the cadets for a meeting.

"Do you want me to walk you?" Doug asked.

"No." Elizabeth said. "I will be fine. There are enough people out, I have heard several wagons this morning."

"You are right." Doug said. "The men have been busy hauling lumber since early this morning."

Elizabeth kissed Jack goodbye and he did his little routine of kissing her baby bump and telling the little one to behave. Elizabeth took her lunch pail and basket and left for school. Doug just smiled at Jack.

"You have it so bad, my friend." Doug teased.

"And I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!" Jack said, the biggest dimpled grin on his face.

Doug shook his head.

"Any word on where you are going when I am better?" Jack asked.

"Most likely Buxton." Doug said. "Dee said he would have his dad put me in Union City so I could be close to my mother, but I would be further away from you or Joe if you needed me, so Buxton is a nice middle ground. I can see you, Joe or my mother on a day off. I am close enough to help if you need something and I get to see that little one from time to time."

"I like that idea." Jack said. "Have you let your mother know?"

"Yes." Doug said. "She got my crates of stuff off the train that came up from Lethbridge. I had asked her to hold on to them until I knew my new post."

"That was nice." Jack said. "So what is the plan for the day?"

"Jacobs suggested that you try walking into town." Doug said. "We can always get you a ride home, but you need to start doing more. While you are in the office, I plan to help Joe and Frank work on the expansion to the cafe. We want to be able to get as much done for Abigail while we have the extra hands. It sounds like Delaneys might be leaving by the end of the week and the cadets and Jacobs over the weekend. Nothing is for sure right now and Jacobs is not happy with the cadets."

"Oh boy." Jack said. "Wynn had told them that their ability to graduate depends on how well they did their job here."

"I think a few might not graduate." Doug said. "From what Joe said, they have been given plenty of chances, but continue to whine. Apparently that was what was getting to Bill and he left for Benson Hills for a few days. There was a wire this morning from Benson Hills to let Joe know that Bill would be back Wednesday or Thursday."

Jack just shook his head. He knew how Bill felt about cadets.

… … … …

Wynn and Elizabeth Rose had been up early as well. They laid in bed talking for a bit before they got dressed and ready for the day.

"I think we will be going home this week." Wynn said.

"I was going to ask if we could go with Frank and Abigail to Union City." Elizabeth said. "I think Abigail is going to feel overwhelmed taking both children."

"I will have Dee wire and reserve us a suite of rooms." Wynn said. "I was thinking of a suite for Dee and the kids and then each of us couples could take a room in a double suite."

"That sounds good, but I don't know if Frank or Abigail would be comfortable sharing a room." Elizabeth said.

"I think they will surprise you." Wynn said. "But we will figure something out."

"I am sure we will." Elizabeth said. "As much as I love being here, I am looking forward to getting back to Hamilton. My list of things to do when we get back is getting longer by the day."

"Just remember to take it easy." Wynn said. "If you aren't feeling well, traveling this week is only going to make it worse."

"I told you it is nothing to be concerned about." Elizabeth said. "I promise I will take it easy and if things get worse, I will see the doctor when I get home. But I told you what it was and I know myself."

Wynn just pulled his wife closer and kissed her temple.

"We have had fun here." Wynn said, teasingly. "Maybe we will continue that when we get home."

Elizabeth Rose swatted her husband's chest.

"I have never been opposed to our talks." Elizabeth said. "You were the one that pulled back and said work was getting to you."

"I am sorry." Wynn said, kissing her temple again.

"Then we will continue to enjoy our talks?" Elizabeth Rose asked.

"Yes." Wynn said. "If you feel that I am ignoring you, please let me know and we can work out some time together."

"I will do that." Elizabeth said. "I had forgotten how much I missed just being held by you."

"I promise I will do better." Wynn said.

"Have you thought anymore about adopting an older child?" Elizabeth Rose asked. "Being here has renewed that feeling that my time as a mother is not over. I know we have little JT, but he is still so far away. Please think about it. I know that there are plenty of older children that need a home and I am sure we could take in one or two."

"I will look into it when I get back." Wynn said.

"Thank you." Elizabeth Rose said, sitting up and dancing her fingers across her husband's bare chest.

He looked at her with a raised eyebrow and she responded by leaning over and kissing him. He didn't take long and they fell back into bed for a bit before finally getting up and getting ready.

Little did Wynn and Elizabeth Rose know just exactly what was in store for them. Elizabeth Rose was right, her time as a mother wasn't over and they would be surprised as to how it all played out. Neither would be ready what was in store for them in the coming year. God would smile down on them in unexpected ways and it would have an impact on many lives before it was all said and done.

… … … …