Thanks for all the wonderful reviews! They truly mean a lot to me! There are some estimates in this chapter on the amount of time it took Jack and Charlotte to travel from Aberdeen to Lacombe, so please just go with it. Thanks again for reading and reviewing!
Chapter 17
Chivalry
One morning when Wynn went out to check on Lady, he noticed that there was a little Paint foal standing next to her. He slowly walked up to her and asks, what do we have here? He slowly bends down to see if it's a boy or girl. Lady stomps her back foot as if to say, that's close enough.
Wynn walks back in the house and asks, where's Little Beth? Mom replies, feeding Jarrick. She'll be out in a few minutes. What's up? Elizabeth came out just as Mom asked. He looks at both of them and says, you have the prettiest little paint filly!
Elizabeth hands Jarrick to her mom and takes off out the back door. She claps her hands twice, Lady looks up and walks over to her. Ooh Lady! You had your baby! She's beautiful! Jack is is going to be so surprised. He was hoping you would hold off until he got back.
Elizabeth walks around Lady and stretches her palm out to the filly. The filly stretches her neck out and smells her hand but doesn't come any closer. Elizabeth pats Lady's neck gently and says, congratulations mama! She's beautiful!
The next two days came and went. Mr. Weaver's son came by and bought the farm. He and his father were combining the land and would have enough to run all their cattle on. The son would live in the house with his wife and two children. It was going to be in good hands.
Charlotte decided to leave most of the pots and pans. She packed the dishes and everything she wanted to keep. She kept a skillet and Dutch pot, silverware, the lacy tablecloth that her husband Tom had bought her. Everything on the walls would go in a trunk and loaded. All her linens and blankets and quilts would be packed in another except for what they would need for camping.
Tom's trunk was packed and would go on last to be shipped on their way out of town. Jack had carefully took her bed apart and loaded in the front of the wagon. Her rocker would be loaded next to it and all 7 trunks were loaded around them. They gave the house a good cleaning before they shut and locked the door.
She had shed a few tears while she packed. When she shut the door for the last time, she kissed her fingers and placed them on the door and said goodbye.
Her and Jack had went through the barn and got what they wanted and loaded. She climbed up on the wagon and placed the bench blanket on the seat. Jack hitched up the horses and climbed up next to her. Everyone had came by to say goodbye for the past two days and brought meals so they wouldn't have to cook.
Just as Jack was going through the front gate she told him to stop please. She got down and walked over to the sign and ask him to bring her the hammer. He brought it and took the sign down and handed it to her.
She run her hand over it and said, I remember when he came in holding in his hands and said, honey? I've come up with the name of our farm! He turned it around and said, "The Wildflower Farm". Wildflowers were my favorite and they were everywhere when we first moved here. After a while there wasn't as many because of the cattle but there was a field out behind the house that he wouldn't run them on. That way I always had flowers.
She put it under the seat and they climbed back on. They went through town and Jack sent Tom's trunk to him and sent a telegram telling him it was coming.
They drove until almost dark and set up camp. He unhitched the horses to a runner and fed them some feed after they drank from the stream nearby.
A few days later they ran into some rainy weather and had to stop. He hung a tarp over the horses and on each side of the wagon. They set their little fire in the dry Dutch pot and heated up some leftover stew and biscuits. It took a day and a half for the rain to stop.
When they came to a town with a telegraph he sent a telegram to Elizabeth to let her know where they were and about the weather. He had sent a telegram saying they would arrive today. Finally they were a half days ride away from home. They had stopped to let the horses rest and they had lunch. It had taken just over 16 days with all the rain.
Elizabeth had enjoyed spending so much time with her mom and dad. They had carried her and Jarrick into town for dinner once a week.
Jarrick had been fought over so many times. Her mom and dad were a little jealous of the other if they got more time with him. Dad kept saying that mom had had him while he was at work and it was his turn as soon as he changed out of his uniform. She actually thought they were watching the clock.
Jarrick was definitely enjoying all the attention. She could hear them banter every time she had to nurse and changed him. The children were happy with her mom teaching them. She kept up with the field trips for science. They had their last day of school field day coming up in 3 weeks. Elizabeth had planned on being there on the last day. She was hoping that they would extend her contract again. Her dad had Phillip to come help him take the bed to his house and put it in their attic. Elizabeth had swept and scrubbed the floor and placed a rug in there .
Just about dusk Jack and Charlotte drove up. Elizabeth was standing at the door waiting for them. Her mom and dad were in the house fussing over who would hold Jarrick. Jack pulls the wagon to a stop. He helps his Ma down. They both stretch trying to get the kinks worked out.
Jack and Elizabeth meet halfway and fell into each other's arms and held on for what felt like forever but in reality it was for just a few minutes. They both say at the same time, oh how I've missed you and kiss passionately but quickly get it under control. Charlotte leads the horses and wagon around to the back of the house. Jack says, Ma I'll get that. She replied, no son you have been away from Lizzy a long time. We can get this taken care of in a few minutes. She unhitched the horses and hooked them to the hitching post.
Jack walks in the house holding his Bella's hand, he steals Jarrick from his mom's arms. He holds him up in the air and brings him back down and says, daddy has missed you and your mommy so much! He kisses his cheeks. He hugs him fairly tight but not to tight that causes Jarrick to fuss. He kisses his mom's temple and says thank you for staying while he was gone. She replied, it was their pleasure any time.
Jack hands Jarrick back to his mom and asks his dad to help him get the bed off the wagon? He nods and follows him outside.
Just as he stepped outside Sargent came trotting over with Lady right behind him. Jack wasn't paying to much attention to Lady until he seen something white prancing around. He walks over to Lady and says, look at you! You're a mama now!
Jack squats down and puts his palm out to the filly. The filly comes right to him and sniffs his palm then takes off prancing around. Jack stands back up and runs his hand down Lady's neck and says, she beautiful! You did good girl!
Charlotte had 2 of the trunks off already. Ma? I told you I would get them. I know but I just wanted to help. He kisses her temple and says, I know Ma but why don't you go get a cup of coffee and sit down on a chair that isn't constantly bouncing. She replied, that does sound good right about now.
She walks in and Elizabeth hands her a cup of coffee. She sits down on the sofa. Says, aaaaah! It's been many years since I've traveled like that. I was pregnant with Jack the last time. Wow Ma that a long time ago, Elizabeth says.
Elizabeth asks, have you ate Ma? No but I'm not hungry. How about a scone then because you need something to eat before you turn in, she says. Yes that would be good, thanks. Elizabeth brings a plate of blueberry scones. Charlotte takes a bite and says, ooooh my goodness, these are delicious! Thank you Ma, I made them this afternoon from the wild blueberries!
As they were pulling everything out of the wagon Jack asked, when was she born? Some time early the day before yesterday. I came out to check on Lady and there the little thing was! She sure is beautiful, Jack says.
Jack and Wynn bring the bed in and put it together. He calls his Ma, Ma where do you want your bed to be? She comes in and looks around, she says, I guess centered on the wall without the window. That leaves plenty of room for the crib.
Don't worry about the crib because we are putting it in our room tonight. Are you sure because I don't mind sharing with him when he gets older. No this is your room Ma. Thanks son but I didn't move here to change your way of life. I know Ma but this is what we want.
The men push the bed frame over to where she wanted it. They go back outside to get the mattress and bring it in and put it on the bed frame. She tells Jack which trunk had the linen in it. They bring it in first. She went to making up her bed. They brought all the trunks in and put them in her room and Jack's in their room.
You can go through them whenever you want to and we will store the ones you don't need back in the wagon. I'll close it in so the critters stay out of them. Thanks son. Ma, where do you want your rocking chair, in here or in the living room? Is there room in the living room? Sure, I'll put it in there.
Charlotte comes out of her room and gets one more cup of coffee and sits down in her rocking chair. Mom and dad hands Jarrick to Jack and says, I think we are going to head out. Son, take the rest of the week off and come back Monday. You need to rest and spend time with your family, dad says.
We'll see you on Sunday. They each kiss and hug them then they kiss and hug Jarrick goodbye. Elizabeth says thanks for staying with me! I've enjoyed it even though Jarrick got more attention and laughs! You know we love you My Little Beth! Yes I know. I just never thought I would have to share so much of your time and laughs. Beth dear, jealousy doesn't become you, her mom laughs! They all have a good laugh!
That night while she was putting Jarrick to bed, Jack was changing into his night clothes. He asked, what should we name the new filly? He laughs and suggests, Princess? She says, very funny Jack. That's not even funny. I thought it was fitting, he laughs. I think we should name her Belle. I like it, he said.
The next day Jack contacted the school district and asked for permission to build a small barn before winter comes. He informed them that his Ma had joined them and they now had 5 horses, a wagon and a buggy. They sent back that they appreciated him asking but he needn't ask to build on the property as long as they weren't expected to pay for it but if the house needed repairs then make them and sent a full report and invoice and they would reimburse him.
He had taken the wagon into town for lumber with hopes of an approval. After receiving it he headed to the sawmill and purchased the lumber. Mr Levet asked, Constable how big is this barn you are building? 5 stalls, feed room, half loft with double roof. We have a wagon and buggy I want to pull in out of the weather. Ok he says. He went to figuring, he handed the figures back to Jack. Jack looks at it and says, ok, I'll take the first load of lumber now and if you could deliver the rest tomorrow, that would be great. Jack wrote out the check and shook Mr. Levet's hand and said thank you. Jack and a couple of workers loaded the wagon down with part of the lumber. Jack thanked them and headed to the mercantile to get the large bucket of nails.
All the lumber was delivered as promised along with a tarp to keep it out of the weather. Jack enlisted Phillip to help, he said he would be glad to help. He said he would be over first thing in the morning. They shook hands and Jack thanked him.
The next morning, it was Thursday. Several wagons and men on horseback came up to the house. Jack heard the wagons and came outside. He looked up at Phillip and asked, what's going on Uncle Phillip ( he had started calling him that just shortly after they started calling Uncle dad)? Well I don't know how things are done down in that Coal Valley of yours but up here when a building is being built all the men and women get involved. They help with the construction while all women get to cooking for them. It's like an old fashioned barn raisin. The women will all set up their fires over there away from the area where the barn will be built.
Jack asks, Bella will you come out here please? She came to the door and said, yes hon? Have you ever heard of an old fashioned barn raisin? I've only read about them she replied. Well then you are in for a treat. We are having one right here. Oooh Jaaaack! Jack thank them all and proceeded to show them where the barn would be constructed.
Elizabeth went back inside and told Ma what was going on. Charlotte drew her hand to her mouth and gasped. She said, I haven't been to an old fashion barn raising since they built ours back on the farm.
By late afternoon the barn had all the posts in the ground and the roof on. All the ladies had kept everyone fed lunch and dinner and plenty of coffee and water while the children ran around playing. Everyone loaded back up and said that they all would be back in the morning. Jack thanked everyone and went inside to wash up.
When he got washed up and changed his clothes out of the dirty ones from the day he sat down with a glass of tea. Elizabeth sat next to him and asked, hon what are we going to do if I'm sent to another school? We've put so much money into this place that we can't sell. Bella, the Lord will provide. I have a feeling that your contract will be extended. Everyone loves you and I suspect that everyone has sent letters to keep you here at least for another term. Ooooh hon, do you think so? I do!, I hope Jarrick could grow up with family and good friends around him and with him.
It's was now Saturday, everyone had helped finish the barn by midafternoon. Some of the men had went into the woods and cut some saplings down to build a coral that connected to the side of the barn. Some of the men had donated some hay. They spread it in the stalls. Jack had ordered 20 bales, they would be delivered next week. They all helped put the wagon and buggy in and all the tack was hung on hooks across the wall. There were even saddle horses built to store their saddles. There was a hook above each saddle for the bridles. Instead of a feed room there were two wooden barrels with lids put in the corner to keep the critters out of it. Jack and Elizabeth thanked everyone for everything they had done! That's what a community does for one another, Mr. Hammon says.
Everyone left and Jack took his Ma's horses to the coral and turned them in. They took off trotting around the coral. Charlotte walked up and rested her arms on the top rail and said, I haven't seen this since before your Pa died. I thought chivalry was gone, a thing of the past. I know Ma. I never expected it. I had heard you and Pa talk about it but had never seen it? Bella said she had only read about it in her books.
Well this is a humbling experience. Don't ever forget it. Pass it down to your children and their children son. You can't teach chivalry, they learn it by seeing it, by helping others. Chivalry is an exceptional thing to possess. I've taught you to never let a day go by without helping someone. Yes ma'am we will, Ma. Thank you and Pa for everything that you've taught me! I love you! He reached over and hugged her. She whispered, your very welcome son!
Jack and Charlotte carried water to the trough until it was full. They went back to the house. Jack had picked up 5 pieces of scrap lumber and took with him.
He sat outside the back door and started carving a sign for each stall. Elizabeth brought them a glass of lemonade and sat them on the table next to him. She took a seat on the other side of the table to watch.
She looked out to the barn. She was amazed at what all their neighbors had done. She spoke up and said, hon? Yes Bella. I want all our children to learn chivalry though us and all our neighbors. I'm glad to hear you say that Bella because that is something that I want for our children. Together we will show them what it means to possess chivalry. That is the most important aspect to raising children, I think honey! Weather God gives us a whole clan or just Jarrick, we will in steel it in them not from being just taught how to act but by seeing it in us, Bella!
Jack finished the signs and asked her to walk out to the barn. She hadn't seen the inside yet. She stepped back into the house to let Charlotte know and to ask her to listen out for Jarrick while she walked out to the barn with Jack. Charlotte shooed her with her hand. Elizabeth says, thank you and steps back out with him.
They walk in and he grabs a hammer and nails. He walk over to the first stall and nails Sargent's, then Lady's, then Belle's, then Daisy's, then last but not least The General's. She chuckles and says, soooo the 3 ladies are protected by their own Mounties, huh! He looks at what she was saying and chuckles himself and says, I guess so! I just hung them in the order that I made them. I like it she says!