A/N:

Sorry I'm posting this late. I trued this morning but I was having difficulty in doing so. I have to leave for work before I was able to upload it. Leave people better than you found them. I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 100

Instead of turning around to face his wife, Jack quickly looked at Sam. He saw a little bit of fear in mountie's eyes. Then he looked toward Faith. She only slightly shrugged her shoulders and gave him a 'I don't know what to tell you' look. Jack closed his eyes and lowered his head. He knew he could not hide this from Elizabeth, he just wasn't ready to have this conversation with her at this very moment.

"Wait!" He stated as he turned around to face his wife. "Why are you here? And why were you behind the privacy curtain in an exam area?"

Elizabeth paused for a moment with his questioning. She didn't want to tell him about her having pains earlier. She knew she would have to at some point, but she didn't want to share that information at this point since the pains turned out to be nothing. She hesitated until she saw the blood on his shirt.

"You're bleeding!" She stated as she began to walk toward him while she held her tummy. She stopped when she was about ten feet from him when he began to speak.

"I'm fine." He stated as he moved his arm a little trying to prove to her that he wasn't hurt too badly. "You didn't answer my question. Why are you here?"
"Jarrick Thorton…you come into the infirmary proclaiming that you were shot, and you are now questioning me?" Her hand flew to her hips in a defiant, teacher and wife pose.

"My question is valid." He turned his attention to Faith. "Why is she here?"
"Oh no…you are not dragging me into the middle of this. You need to speak to your wife."
"Well…I'm waiting!" Elizabeth glared at him. She was not wavering one inch. "I asked you first! You know its rude to answer a question with a question."

"Fine. I'll answer your question and then you will need to answer mine." He placed his hands on his hips mirroring her stance. He tried his best not to smile, but the corner of his lips was beginning to turn upward.

"Fine." She huffed. "Now, what happened to you?" She asked nodding toward his arm.

"Sam, Jared, and I were looking into a piece of property for a potential connection to an outlaw. After Jared and Sam checked the house and after I checked the barn, we were outside the barn discussing everything when we were shot at."
"So, you were shot!"
"No. We were shot at." He emphasized the word 'we' and 'at'. "The person missed but hit a board of the barn. The splinter went into my shoulder. That's where the blood is from. You're turn." He nodded toward her tummy.

Elizabeth looked into Jack's eyes and saw everything she needed to know. Jack would never lie to her. His eyes especially wouldn't lie.

"JJ and I were out walking around the pond and creek at home earlier today. Throughout the day, I would have these pains. I thought it was the pre labor pains that Faith told us about a week or so ago. I thought I hid it well from my son, but you know JJ. Once we were home, he told me he was going to Abagail's to visit with her. Instead, he came to Nurse Faith."
"He talked me into going to check in on Elizabeth without her knowing he sent me." Faith cut in. "Then he went to Abagail's."

"Pains?"
"Yes. Faith said I'm close, but she thinks the pains are the pre labor pains she told us about a week or so ago. I'm not in labor."
Jack turned his attention towards Faith. She nodded her head in agreement.

"Your turn. You said you were shot at, and he missed."
"Yes, we were shot at. After Sam pulled the splinter, we strategically approached the house looking for the individual or individuals who shot at us."
"What do you mean, strategically?" She asked as she took a step to close the distance between them.

"I went up the middle while Jared and Sam came from different sides. We used our training to do this safely. The person or persons already left. No one was in the house. Now, it's your turn. Why are you here if Faith came to the house?"

"After asking me some questions at home and a small exam, she wanted to take a closer look at me. I'm not in labor but I am dilated a centimeter or two."

"Isn't that labor?" Jack asked as he stepped a little closer to his wife.

"Not yet. It's the very beginning of things happening, but it could still take days or even weeks before the baby comes. Faith said no one tells the baby when to come. He or she will come when they want to. There's no hurrying or delaying the baby. They are in charge."

"So…you're good?"

"I am. Are you good?" She nodded to his bloody sleeve."

"I'm good. It stings some but I'll be ok. I'm not sure if I'll need stitches or not. Maybe just a good bandage."

They both let out a long breath they didn't know they were holding. They needed their person to be fine. Just before Jack closed the distance for a gentle kiss, the infirmary's front door quickly opened. Abagail came rushing through the door.

"Elizabeth! Are you ok?"

"I'm fine, Abagail."
"JJ said…"

Elizabeth cut her off. "I know he's concerned, but it is just practice pains. Faith says I'm dilated one, maybe two centimeters, but I'm not in labor. It will be soon, but not now."
Abagail let out a breath. She was worried about her sister. Then her eyes went to Jack. That's when she noticed his bloody sleeve. "What happened to you? Are you ok?"
"Jack can answer that question while I take a look at that shoulder. I want to get it cleaned out before the infection has the opportunity to set in. Now Jack, take off your shirt and have a seat on that table." Faith nodded his head to the table behind the privacy curtain Elizabeth had just used.

"I think I'll stay." Elizabeth stated.

"Me too." Abagail quickly added. As much as Elizabeth was her younger sister, Jack was her younger brother. She certainly loved him like one and he reciprocated the feeling. She wanted to make sure he was ok. As Jack turned to walk to the table in the corner, Abagail spoke. "And what happened to you?"
Jack waited until he sat on the table. He looked directly at his wife. "Would you please help me with my shirt? My shoulder has gotten a little stiff."

Without saying a word, but with an expression Jack could easily read, Elizabeth waddled to her husband. She began to unbutton his shirt and gently took it off. She gasped when she saw the injury.

"Jack…" Her voice trailed off.

"It'll be ok. I promise."
"He's right, Elizabeth." Faith answered as she stepped up and saw the injury. "It looks worse than it is. Once I'll get it cleaned out, it'll look a little better. The important thing is to keep it clean and dry. Change the bandage morning and night for the next four days. I want to see you then to take a look at it."
"Yes ma'am."

Jack then turned his attention to his older sister. "We were at a farm…" Jack spent the next few minutes sharing everything he could with the two ladies in his life. He kept eye contact with Elizabeth so she could hear, and see, every word. Elizabeth kept her focus on her husband. She was grateful for their non verbal communication. She knew with all of her heart that her husband was being honest with her. As he finished the story, the door opened.

"You are a busy woman today, Faith." Jack chuckled.

"Mommy…" JJ's voice trailed off when he saw his daddy sitting shirtless on the table. "Are you ok?"

Jack extended his arm for JJ to walk to him. He helped his son onto the bed. "I'm fine. I got hurt a little bit, but Nurse Faith is taking great care of me. And you know mommy will make sure I do everything Nurse Faith wants me to do."
"That's true." JJ whispered in a knowing tone. He kept his eyes on his daddy. "Are you sure you're ok?"
"Yes. I am certain. Once Nurse Faith and your mom is finished with me, I will be back to normal very soon."

The father son duo kept eye contact for a few seconds. JJ nodded his head at the same time as his daddy. Then he turned his attention to his mommy. "And what about you?"

Elizabeth smiled at her two guys. They may not be father and son by blood, but they were father and son in every way possible. They even act like each other. She took a couple of steps and stood beside JJ. She placed her arm around him. She pulled him against her side.

"I'm fine. Nurse Faith said my pains earlier were the practice pains that she spoke of before. I'm close to labor but not there yet. I'm fine." She nodded her head at her last statement.

Like his daddy, he kept eye contact with his mommy for a few seconds. That is something Jack does all the time, and JJ was the perfect mirror image of his daddy. He nodded his head, and a small smile formed around the corner of his lips.

"So, I'll see my little sister very soon?"

No one corrected him any longer. He was so confident that he was getting a little sister that he wouldn't listen to them anyways.

"Come on JJ…I have some chocolate chip cookies that needs to go into the oven. You can help and then have some when they are cooled off. Let's let Nurse Faith help your daddy. They'll come and get you when they are finished here."

…

A heavily bearded man slowly made his way through the woods on his horse for the first hour. He wanted to stay out of site and hidden from the law men. He kept one hand on the reins and the other hand he kept on the lid of his saddle bag. Tucked safely in his saddle bags were the three bags of money. He heard a tale of a town just to the east. It was supposed to be a small town.

After a solid hour of working his way through the trees and underbrush, he decided he was in the woods long enough. He finally felt comfortable enough to get on the road. He knew the riding would speed up some. He finally let out a long breath when an old, yet beautiful, water tower came into view.

"Hope Valley." Drew stated to himself as he sat on his horse on top of the small hill. From his vantage point, he could see the water tower and a good portion of the town. He smiled thinking the town was small. Some of those aspects would be beneficial to him. First, there wouldn't be many law men, probably one, or at most, two. Secondly, he could stay hidden easier in a room. The huge downside is the fact that a new person in town would stand out like a sore thumb. With just one law man, he felt his chances of staying quiet was better than not.

After quickly weighing his options, he decided a good night's rest would merit such a chance. He thought a warm, cozy bed would be a good night. Plus, he was ready for a beer. He eyed the saloon. That was the selling point for his internal debate. While looking over the town, he noticed a livery. He wanted to wait until it was darker, but the desire for a beer and a warm meal that he didn't have to cook overwhelmed him. That's when he noticed the café. He swore he could smell it, but he thought that would be too much of a risk. Ater all… He thought to himself… A stranger in a saloon wouldn't bring too much attention. He also smiled thinking of a poker game and that cold drink.

"Come on." He spurred his horse's sides. "Let's get going. There's food and drink waiting for both of us."

Drew rode the horse to the corner of the livery. He paid the fee for a night's lodging for his horse and for the feed. He smiled when the guy offered to take the saddle off and brush his horse down. Drew was grateful he didn't have to do it. It's been a few days since his horse has been taken good care of. Slowly, he made his way to the saloon. He could already taste the beer and food.

Drew happily paid for two nights' stay after finding out how little the rent was. Two nights in a soft bed was just too enticing. He was also excited about the atmosphere of the saloon. It wasn't as lively as he would have liked, but it was much better than an empty house and barn for the last few days. The guy behind the bar told him that the normal crowd would normally show up in a couple of hours. The thought of an evening with other people who didn't know who he was was just too much to pass. He smiled as he climbed the stairs with his large bag in one hand that contained his three bags of money, and a tall glass of the golden liquid in his left hand.

…

"Is Elizabeth and Jack, ok?"

"They are, Frank." Abagail shared the story with her husband as she was getting her favorite six year old some milk to go along with the cookies he was already devouring. JJ was so busy eating the cookies that he wasn't listening to the adults in the room.

"Wow!" Frank stated. "I'll need to check on Jack later."
"That would be nice. He's good, but I think he's hiding the pain from Elizabeth. What he doesn't realize is that his wife already knows."
Frank slowly shook his head. "He knows she knows, but as a husband, he is just trying to protect his wife. Plus, he doesn't want to show any weakness to her."
Abagail huffed. "He doesn't have to do that."
"I know, dear. Jack knows too. We just can't help ourselves. We want to constantly prove to our wife that we are strong. Admit it dear…you like it when I display strength instead of weakness."
Abagail smiled. She did like it when Frank was strong. It gave her a secure feeling. That was important to her after losing her first husband and son. She also freely admitted that she liked it when Frank would rely on her too. She knew it was important to Frank to show her his strength. She didn't always understand it, but she loved that man in front of her.

"I love you no matter if you are strong or weak."
Frank didn't say anything. He stepped closer and gave her a gentle, barely felt, kiss on the lips. Abagail could only smile at her husband. Even when he's being confusing, she adored him.
"Here." She handed him two glasses of milk. She mischievously grinned at her husband when he accepted both glasses with a little bit of confusion written on his face. "One for JJ and one for you."
"Wow…thank you." His ridiculously large smile gave her all the 'thank you' she could ever want.

…

"Are you really ok?" Jack and Elizabeth asked each other at the same time. They both smiled after realizing what they did.

"I'm fine. Still a few pains everyone once in a while, but I know what they are. So that helps a little." She answered after Jack nodded toward her to go first.

Jack nodded his head as they took the first step off the infirmary porch. "I'm good." He moved his arm a little. "It's going to be sore for a few days or so, but not as bad as the other shoulder."

Elizabeth accepted his arm that he extended for her to take. Instantly, her mind went to the time when he was shot while she was in Hamilton. She immediately shook her head to get that horrible time frame out of her memories. Every so often that season of her life would pop into her head. She immediately shook her head to chase those memories out of her mind. That time was over, and all the lessons were learned that could be learned. There was no need to live in those memories.

"Good. Let me know if you need me to do anything."
"I will." Jack gave her a smile. "Please do the same."
"Now, let's go get my son."
"Our son." Jack corrected her. "You know Auntie Abagail is giving that boy all the chocolate chip cookies he could possibly eat."
"I know." Elizabeth sighed. "He will not want to eat dinner tonight."
"I'm just hoping he won't be sick."

"Oh goodness…I didn't think of that."
They walked in silence for a minute or so. They were walking slowly down main street.

"May I ask you something?" Elizabeth softly spoke.

"I'm not sure if JJ is right or not, but I have learned since he came to live with me that he usually isn't wrong."
"I agree." She chuckled at all the memories with her son. That boy, including her, had no idea how smart he really is. She stopped walking. She turned toward Jack and waited until she had his full attention. "You think he's right, don't you?"
"And you don't?" Jack challenged her.

Their smirks gave each other their answer.

…

Drew was about even at the poker table. He lost some but won some too. While he wasn't killing it at the poker table, he was still enjoying his time and the banter back in forth with the other guys. He enjoyed the small crowd around the poker table. He picked up his cards and smiled inwardly at the hand he received off the draw. He had three threes, a queen, and a five of spades. He quickly glanced at the four other guys and didn't notice any excitement. He was feeling really good with his hand.

When it was his turn, he placed the queen and the five face down. "I would like two please."

In a perfect world, he would get a pair in return. When the dealer tossed the two cards to him, Drew stopped and stared at the front door of the saloon. It was a nice night. So, the saloon doors were propped open. The red serge caught his attention. The guy to his right spoke when he noticed Drew's reaction.

"Don't worry…that's just Constable Sam Reed. For a constable, he's not too bad. As long as you aren't causing trouble, he's harmless." The man nodded toward the door and the man in red.

"He looks familiar." Drew whispered to himself trying to remember when he saw the law man.

"He's somewhat young. He's been out of the academy for a few years, but not too long."
"He's the only law man in town?" Drew asked as he watched the red serge walk toward the bar and speak to the man making drinks for others.

"No. He's the only constable in town. Been here for a few months now."
"So, he's not the only law man?"

"No. We have a sheriff. Jack Thornton used to be the constable but he didn't reup so he could get married. He's the sheriff now."

"Constable Jack Thornton?" Drew stated the statement as a question and a statement at the same time.

"Used to be but not anymore." The man stated. "I'll raise the pot a dollar."

Drew reached for the two cards in front of him. Even though he placed the two cards on the right side of his hand, he never took his eyes off Sam. He was afraid he would be noticed. Then he remembered he wasn't seen at the house. He initially thought he hit Jack by how he reacted, but since Sam didn't have a look of urgency, he thought he must have missed. While he wasn't excited about missing, he was excited with the opportunity that now was in front of him.

Sam had the look of a normal mountie. He was a fit man with an intense gaze if needed. He carried himself well and you could easily see he was in charge. He had the look of a man not to be tried with. However, Drew had no issues with this constable. He wanted Jack. The man who put his best friend in prison.

"Hey! Are you in or not?"

Drew shook his head and looked at his cards for only a second before asking. "How much?"

"A dollar raise to you."
"Three dollars." Drew stated as he tossed three dollars on top of the pile, barely taking his eyes off the mountie.

He turned his attention back to the card game as he heard the audible moan from the man beside him. They had laid their cards down when everyone put their money on the pile or folded. He had won the pot. Maybe my luck has changed for the better… He mentioned to himself under his breath. The possibilities of this small town coming to the forefront of his mind. He was unknown in this hick town. As small as it is, he would have no trouble finding Jack Thornton. Especially since Jack had no idea what he looked like or who he was. A small, weird smile broke free from his long, unkempt beard.

As he dragged the money in the pot toward himself, he asked the group of men. "Is there a barber in town? I need a cut and a trim."
"There's this guy in the end store on main street on the south side. He'll be in tomorrow."

"Perfect."

…

Sam stood leaning against the bar looking over the patrons in the saloon. The place wasn't packed, but there were several people there. The normal group of men were playing poker. There was one new guy with them. He was a little uncombed, but nothing stood out to him…good or bad. Several men from the lumber mill were sitting around the bar and a couple of tables talking and laughing over their drinks and bowls of chili. Tom, the bartender, was always happy when Sam or Jack would show up for a few minutes during the evening time. It reminded everyone to keep control of themselves while they had fun and blew off a little steam from a hard day of work.

"Anything exciting happened today?"
"Tom." Sam shook his head. "You've been listening to too many fantasy stories again.

"Not what I've heard Constable. Jack is in the infirmary due to one of those fantasy stories."

"Just a run in with someone who didn't want to see a law man. Jack will be perfectly fine. He just needed to get a starch taken care of." He looked around the saloon. "Anything around here I need to know about?"

"Not really. The normal crowd acting somewhat civilized. We do have a stranger in town, but he's just playing poker and enjoying a beer. He came in asking for one night but decided to stay two nights."
"Anything off about him?" Sam asked as he took a quick glance at the stranger. He didn't stare too long. He didn't want to give anything away.

"Not really." Tom shrugged his shoulders. "Seems pretty excited about a drink and a card game. I think he may have been by himself for a while."
"Really?" Sam asked glancing at the excited man.

"Seemed that way, but he didn't say anything about it. He just seemed like a normal guy. Spoke a little but didn't say too much."

"Can I see the books?"

Tom handed over the ledger. "Says his name is Drew Henson."

Sam nodded his head as he read the name that was printed on the last written line on the page. "Did he say where he was from?"
"No. Just paid for two nights and took his bag and beer upstairs to his room."
"Room six." Sam whispered as she read that beside Drew's name.

"That's correct. There are four other rooms that are rented, all lumberjacks."

"Thanks Tom. I'll be here for a few minutes then I'm going home. If you need me, come and get me. Let Jack have the evening to himself."
"Got it. Thanks, Constable."

Sam nodded his head and stepped to the edge of the bar. He wasn't facing the table with the poker game, but he was positioned in such a way that he could easily see the whole table, especially the new guy.

It was true that Drew hadn't done anything wrong, or even suspicious. It was just a gut feeling that something was off. He couldn't put a finger on why or what gave him that feeling. He just knew he had the feeling in the pit of his stomach that didn't go away. With the bearded gentleman already paying for two nights, Sam knew he would be in town for a couple of days. He wanted to stop by the mercantile to make a call to headquarters to check to see if they have heard anything on this guy. He also didn't want to rush out and give this man any suspicious thoughts.

Sam stayed another fifteen minutes. He made sure to speak with a couple of guys to give the illusion of everything being normal. He did catch the bearded man glancing his way a few times. Nothing overt, but certainly paying attention to him.

Drew played it calmly and enjoyed the game. He did keep an eye on the constable, but relaxed when he didn't make a rush to leave. His luck turned at the poker table. He won four out of five hands. Now he was certainly up on his money. He raised his hand for another beer. He had every intention of enjoying his evening to its fullest.

…

Drew excused himself for a few minutes from the poker table after the constable left. He needed to make a telephone call or send a wire. When he was instructed that there was a telephone at the mercantile, he knew what and who to call.

As Drew stepped on the top step, the constable opened the door. Sam tipped his hat to the new guy as he stepped out on the porch. Neither said anything. They just nodded their heads at each other. Drew stole one last glance at the mountie before stepping into the mercantile.

"Hey, drop what you are doing and catch a train to a small town in Alberta named Hope Valley."
"Why?"
"I found the man who captured and arrested our friends and ended our money train a few months ago."
"Where?"

"Hope Valley."
"I'll leave in the morning. I should be there by tomorrow night or the morning of the next day."

"It's outside of Buxton."
"I'll be there tomorrow night."
"He's no longer a Constable. He's the sheriff of this small town."
"That'll make it easier."
"Maybe a little, but he's still the same guy."
"True. I'll bring Stan."
"Perfect Trent. With you two, we should be good." Drew stated softly in the phone. The phone was in a mercantile and he didn't want the chance to be overheard.

"Should we bring some product?"
"No. Let's take care of some revenge and then we'll worry about making some money. I have some from the last shipment. This isn't about business. This is about revenge."
"Nice."

"See you two tomorrow."

"Yeah."

…

JJ was talkative the whole way home from Auntie Abagail's. Jack and Elizabeth thought it was due to all the chocolate chip cookies he had. When he realized he wasn't in trouble for getting Nurse Faith, he was his old self.

The evening was a typical evening for them. That's what made it so special. They both loved the evenings of just being together. Abagail sent home dinner for the family. She insisted and wouldn't take no for an answer. JJ laid on a blanket in front of the open fireplace reading a book. Elizabeth spent part of the evening sketching and the other part reading. She was resting per Faith's orders, but mostly by Jack's and JJ's orders.

Jack was doing the same thing. Faith had told him to take it easy and to make sure the bandage stayed clean. He could use the arm, but to take it easy so he couldn't tear the stitches. He spent part of the night sketching and the other part reading. He had to change spots on the couch so he could lean on his good side and keep the weight off the injured shoulder.

Elizabeth kept a close eye on him and Jack kept a close eye on her. They were making sure each other was ok. What they missed was the fact that JJ was keeping a close eye on both of them. While he wasn't worried since Nurse Faith and both parents weren't outwardly worried, he did pay a little more attention to them.

After Elizabeth hugged and kissed her son goodnight, she pulled the small over to his chin. "Now, sleep well. I love you, sweetie."
"I love you mommy." His sleepy grin melted her heart.

"I love you son.' Jack stated as he kissed his boy's forehead.

"I love you, daddy."

The two guys shared a look between them.

"What was that look for?" She asked when she noticed the look between her two guys.
"What do you mean?" Jack asked as he closed JJ door, leaving it open just an inch or two.

"That look." Elizabeth nodded toward the bedroom. "I saw a look between you two."
"I'm not sure what you are talking about." Jack shrugged his shoulders. "Come on, let's get the pregnant lady to bed."
"Mmhmmm." Elizabeth hummed the sound as she gave Jack her 'I don't believe you stare'.

"What about a hot cup of tea and a cookie before bed?"
"I'm up for the tea, but I don't want the cookie."
"Come on. I'll make the tea."

"Aren't you going to explain the look between you two."

"Elizabeth." He tried to sound normal. However, she knew her husband.

"Wait…you two are handling me, aren't you? Since JJ's in bed, it's your turn to watch out for me. To take care of me."
"Of course we'll handling you. You are that boy's mommy, and he is worried about you. You are my wife, and I am worried about you. We love you."
"I don't have to be handled."
"Of course you don't. However, we love you. So…just accept it and learn to deal with it."

Elizabeth melted at his sassy grin.

"You're lucky your cute." She wiggled her finger at him with a flirting grin.

"I'm blessed you love me."