Chapter 9
Back To Work We Go
After a night of bliss, she opens her eyes and sees him staring. He was on his side with his head resting on his hand. He asks, did you sleep well, Bella? Best night's sleep I've ever had. He leans down and kisses her. She asks, how did you sleep, husband? The best. Better than any of my dreams. She asks, you dreamed of being with me, hon? He smirks and says as if you haven't. She giggled and said, well husband, I can honestly say that I have never dreamed of being with me and broke into full-fledged laughter. He laughs and says, you know what I mean sweetheart. She says, a lady never kisses and tells. She went to get up but he caught her, straddling her, and started tickling her. She kept asking him to stop but he didn't. He says, tell the truth wife. She finally stops giggling and says, ok…ok…ok. Yes, I have. He stops ticking her and bends down and captures her lips passionately then craws off, pulls his boxers back on, and goes to the kitchen leaving her there. She got her breathing uncontrolled, sat up, and put her negligée back on. She followed him into the kitchen.
He was bending down looking in the icebox. She walks up behind him smacks his bottom and says, you don't play fair. He jumps because he wasn't expecting her to do that and says, is this the way it's going to be? We haven't even been married 24 hours and you've already started abusing me, all the time smiling? She said you deserved it for leaving me like that. She puts her robe on and steps out to the outhouse. He stands there rubbing where she smacked him. He thinks I have to make a note not to bend over in front of her.
He pulls the items out to make breakfast. He put on a pot of coffee. As she was coming back in he sat her a cup on the table. She said, thank you hon. He says, you are welcome sweetheart. How does pancakes sound for breakfast, he asked. That sounds wonderful, she says. She gets up and pours 2 glasses of orange juice for them and then sets the table. She fixed another cup of coffee and took her seat. He puts the butter and syrup on the table. He puts the last pancake on the plate and sets it on the table. He sat down, joined hands, and asked for the blessing.
After breakfast, they do the dishes together. He dries the last dish and puts it away. She had walked back to the bedroom to get dressed. He walked up behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist and asked, what are you doing sweetheart? Well, hon, I don't want anyone to show up and catch me wearing this. He chuckles and says, I don't think anyone is going to show up for a few days. She laughed and said, I guess they aren't are they? He backs her up to the bed and asks, don't you think we are a little overdressed? He starts kissing her neck as he unties her robe. He gently leans her back on the bed. After a couple of hours of blissful lovemaking, they fell asleep.
After a long honeymoon at their home, it was time to go back to work for both of them. Oh hon, you need to take your tent down and pack it away. Already done. Tom and I took it down Saturday morning after you left to go to Lydia's. It's right outside the back door under that tarp. She fixed their breakfast and they got ready for work. She fixed their lunch, hers in her basket and his in his saddle bag. He came out of the bedroom pulling his suspenders over his shoulders. She held his serge for him to slide into it. She brushed the shoulders with her hands. He turns and says, I'll be home in time for dinner. He kisses her and says, I love you, Bella. She says, I love you too and I'll miss you hon. He says I'll miss you too.
The children were all excited to be back and eager to discuss her wedding. She let them talk for a few minutes to get it out of their system then she called the class to order. They all complied.
She told them that they had their spring field trip coming up in 2 weeks. Ashley raised her hand. Yes Ashley? Miss Tha…I mean Mrs. Thornton, what will we be studying on this field trip? She turned and wrote on the chalkboard as she talked. We are going to study Entomology. She turned to the class and asked, does anyone know what that is? No one raised their hand. She said it is the study of insects. Everyone will bring a jar with a lid from home to collect 3 different species. Then when we get back, you'll set your jar on your desk. Then the next day we will get the books out and identify them. Make sure the lid has very small holes in it so that the insects have air. Then after school, you can turn them loose outside on your way home. We don't want to find them back in the classroom. I'll let you know what day we will be going.
After school, she cleaned the chalkboard off, gathered her basket, and started for the door but Jack came in and said, teacher, may I carry your books for you? She smirks and says, you know I don't play favorites. I treat all my students the same. You won't be getting a better grade for it. So if that's what you are looking for I am very capable of carrying them myself, she said with a smile. No ma'am, I was just trying to help the teacher. You see I know Mountie Jack very well and he would appreciate me helping the teacher. He raised his eyebrows at her. Well in that case it would be nice of you. I will be sure and let Mountie Jack know that you were very helpful today.
He took her books and kissed her. He asked, how was your day, Bella? It was good. The children took about 30 minutes this morning talking about the wedding. I figured I'd let them get it out of their system so we could get on with our studies. Oh, I almost forgot, we are having a field trip in 2 weeks. We'll go out on that Thursday. What's this one for? We are going to study Entomology. He chuckled and said, uh, sweetheart, you realize that's the study of bugs. You hate bugs. She huffs and says, I know but I have to teach them so they are going to collect them in a jar with a lid on it. They are supposed to punch little holes in the lids so they can get air. Then on their way home on Friday they will turn them loose. Ok, he says.
She asks, how was your day, hon? The same every day. Ride into town. Do my rounds. Do my reports. She says I can't believe that you can just turn Sargent loose to roam. Has he ever run off? Nope, watch. He whistled. Sargent came running over. Wow, aren't you the smart one, she said as she rubbed his neck. She took the apple out of her basket and gave it to Sargent. He chomped down, she caught the rest in her hand before it could hit the ground. He ate the remainder from her hand. She patted him one more time and Jack said, ok boy go on now. Sargent shook his head up and down and took off.
That afternoon she was standing in the kitchen cutting up vegetables and was thinking. He put his paper down and looked up when she stopped talking. He walked up behind her put his arms around her with his head on her shoulder and asked, a penny for your thoughts? She kissed his cheek and said, you may have them for free. I was just thinking, we only have about 6 weeks of school left. I was wondering if they are going to extend my teaching contract here. Well, do they usually let you know this far in advance? Not really. They usually give you a 2-month notice. Well, then we won't worry about it until we know for sure. Hon? What are you going to do if they send me somewhere else? Bella, I told you that I would never leave you. If you get sent somewhere else I'll just put in for a transfer. But what if they don't need a Mountie where I'm sent? Bella, you are working yourself into a tizzy. Don't borrow trouble.
He kissed her cheek and stole a freshly chopped vegetable. She swatted his hand. They both chuckled but he said, I'm finding a violent side to you. You are always popping me somewhere on my body and smiling. She said, well you shouldn't bend over making it look like you were expecting it and they both laughed.
Ok, children, tomorrow is our field trip so don't forget your jars with the tiny holes In the lids. Ok, you're dismissed. Don't forget your lunch pail, Andy.
The next day the children came prepared with jars in hand. Elizabeth said, ok children I have 4 rules for today,
1.No going past the tree line.
2.No more than 3 different kinds.
3.No scaring each other
4.I don't like spiders so I don't want to see one if it's not in the jar with the lids on.
Is that understood? We are out to collect and have fun. Now we can't leave them in the jars overnight so as soon as we have lunch we will be going back to class. Go on now, enjoy. The children all took off to the tree line, looking under rocks, stumps, and anywhere they thought a bug would hide. She laid out her blanket and sat down.
Jack rode up and asked how everyone was doing. She looks up and says, they just got started. Let's just hope they don't come running to show me. He laughs and asks, should I speak to them? No, I think they'll be fine. That was one of the rules. He got off his horse and sat down with her. He asked, if he could join her for lunch? She said that would be wonderful! I figured you would show up so I brought extra! After lunch he kissed her cheek and whispered, I love you and I'll see you at home later. Oh, and I'm cooking dinner! Rabbit stew. I got 2 this morning.
Back in class, she explains what Entomology is. Entomology is the study of insects. There are more than a million different species. They are the most abundant group of animals in the world and live in almost every habitat.
Now I want you to break up into 3 groups. Each group gets a science book off the shelf. I want you to take turns looking up the insects and write them down on the paper. When you're through then you are dismissed. She reminded them to take their jars home and turn their insects loose.
As she walked into the house she got a whiff that she hadn't smelled in a long time. She asked, hon? What's that smell? What did you burn? He looks up at her frilly apron with flour all over his forehead and says, well….I put the biscuits in the oven and thought I had enough time to go pick those wildflowers but….when I got back the house was full of smoke and the biscuits were burning. So I threw them out and went to make another batch. Sorry, Bella. She laughed and said, hon what's the lesson we learned here…giggling? He stands up tall and says, Bella, I have never laughed at any of your misshapes but to answer your question is…never leave biscuits unattended. Next time I'll be sure to pick the flowers first. Well, they're beautiful hon, thank you! Do you need me to make the biscuits? No, I just put them in the oven. I just have to clean up my mess. You go change and dinner will be ready in a few minutes. She turns to go in the bedroom but stops and turns…oh and hon….as she points at him with her index finger twirling it in circles and says, you look good in that frilly apron.
She came out and set the table. She took the flowers and sat them on the coffee table. He was pulling the biscuits out of the oven. As they went to sit down he kissed her as he slid her chair in. My biscuits won't taste as good as yours but they'll pass.
They sat and talked about everything that went on during their day. After dinner they cleaned up the kitchen together and then sat on the sofa cuddling, what started out cuddling quickly became passionate. He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. After coming together a couple hours later they fell asleep in each other's arms.
The next morning they decided to go to town. They rode Sargent together. On their way to town, he said, I think it's time we get you a horse and buggy. That way if I'm not available you have a way of going. She chuckles and says, are you growing tired of me riding with you already Mr. Thornton? Never, Mrs. Thornton, never. But we do need to get you a horse and buggy. That way if you wanted to do some shopping you'd have some way to bring it home. Ok, I'll leave that up to you. I have no clue about horses but I will trust you to not get me an old hag, hon. Never, it has to be beautiful just like you! Besides I was hoping you would help me pick it out, Bella. I can do that. Are we doing that today? Yep! That's why I suggested we come to town.
When they got to town they went to the livery. Jack told the man that he was interested in a good horse for his wife and a buggy. The man asked, do you want it for riding and pulling the buggy? Yes sir we are. The man took them around the corner to the coral. Elizabeth immediately asked, is the black one for both? He says, yes ma'am she is. You have a good eye. Looks just like yours.
Jack asks, is she from good stock? Yes sir. I got her from the NWMP auction. They had just got them in and she was left over. Jack whistled for Sargent, he walked over to the fence. The man brought the horse to the inside of the fence. They checked each other out. Jack checked her out. He felt her legs, looked at her teeth, and mouth, felt her haunches and her ears. Jack says, we'll take her. He paid the man and went to look at the buggies. They chose one with a top and back seat that could be raised. He bought everything to hook her to the buggy. Jack bought a saddle for Elizabeth as well.
Bella, would you like to ride her? She was so excited. Jack saddled her and handed the reins to her. She pulled the reins over her head, Elizabeth mounted her and Jack asked, what are you going to name her? Lady! Sargent and his Lady, she said! Perfect, he said! She rode her around the coral. How does she feel, Bella? She stops her, pats her, and says, we're going to be just fine aren't we Lady? Lady shook her head up and down. He says, oh we got a smart one, at that!
She asked, hey hon, will we have to build a coral to keep her by the house? We'll have to see when we turn her loose he said. Maybe she'll stay with Sargent. If she does then no, but if she doesn't then yes we will. We can build a barn if we stay. Let's hope we do but if not that's okay too! She got off and walked her out of the coral and tied her next to Sargent. Sargent and Lady brushed their mussels together. Yep, they are going to be good friends, Jack says!
They went to lunch and then did their shopping. When they were ready to go home Jack went and hooked Lady to the buggy. He tied Sargent to the back and went and picked up Elizabeth. It was still nice outside so he left the top down. When they got home Jack took care of the horses. He pulled the buggy to the side of the cabin. He unharnessed Lady and led her out to the field. He had already turned Sargent out. Lady just watched for a few minutes then took off to Sargent. Jack and Elizabeth stood and watched them to see what Lady was going to do. She did just as he had hoped, she followed Sargent everywhere he went. Jack says, let's see if she'll follow him. About that time he whistled. She perked up her ears and came running just like Sargent. Yep, no barn is needed until winter. The lean-two isn't big enough for both. He took her hand and led her into the house.