Chapter 18

The Waterfall

Charlotte came walking in the barn with Jarrick on her hip and said, he woke up a little fussy so I changed him and decided to take him for a walk, I hope you don't mind? No Ma that is fine. He loves it outside.

Jack puts some hay in each mesh bag and hung one in each stall. Then he put a scoop of grain in each bucket and hung one in each stall. He opens Sargent's stall door and whistles. Sargent came running and went in to his stall. Jack shut the door and locked it. Sargent stuck his head out over the door and shook it up and down as if saying he approved.

Lady was standing on the outside of the barn watching with Belle next to her. He opens her stall door and whistles again, she slowly walks in her stall, he shuts her stall door after Belle prances in. She just stands in there not sure what to think. Sargent stuck his head over the stall wall and shook his head at her as if telling her it was alright. She turned and put her muzzle to his. Awe hon she doesn't want to be away from her Mountie. He laughs and says, she'll get use to it. They can still have conversations over the wall! They all laugh at the gesture!

Jack started to go and get his Ma's 2 but she said, son just open the gate. Ma, I'm not chasing these 2 all the way back to Aberdeen. She shakes her head and opens Daisy's stall door. He does as he was asked and opened the coral gate. She whistles a certain way. Jack steps out of the way.

Elizabeth took Jarrick and stepped back. Daisy left the coral trotting, trotting into the barn and into the stall where Charlotte was waiting. She went right to her. Charlotte patted the side of Daisy's face and neck and said, welcome home ol' girl. Charlotte walked out and shut the stall door and locked it.

Charlotte opened The General's stall door and whistled differently. The General came trotting into his stall right up to Charlotte. She patted his face and neck and said, welcome home old man. He lowered his head. She put her forehead against his and stood there while petting the side of his face, a lonesome tear slid down her cheek onto his nose. She whispers to him, he (her late husband and partner to The General)would be proud and happy for us, you know. This is our home now. He backs up and shakes his head up and down as if agreeing. She pats him one more time and walks out and shuts and locks his stall door.

Jack asked, Ma, why did you let me tether them if they come on command? Son there are only a handful of people that know that command. I didn't want to use it on the way here but I will warn you that The General here is very sneaky. He can unlock and open his own stall door. So if you come out and he's in the field don't think someone didn't lock his door or someone let him out. He started doing it after your brother left home. The first few times I found him at my door when I went out to feed. Then as time went on he always went to the wildflower field. He never runs off. Ma, should I put a better lock on his? No son, it's just his way of watching out for me. She chuckles and says, if I didn't know better I would think that your father had a talk with him and asked him to do it! They all laughed but Jack whispered, he probably did. Elizabeth was standing close enough and heard him. She didn't say anything but nudged him. She whispers in his ear, maybe they are related? He whispered back, nope just how they are treated. Charlotte heard them but chose not to say anything. That was just between her and her late husband.

Jack had spoke to the preacher before the service, so after the sermon Preacher Alden said, before anyone leaves the Constable has a few words that he would like to say. He stepped aside and motioned for him to speak.

Jack began, we would like to thank everyone in this wonderful community for showing us that chivalry still exists. That is something that we want to in steel in to our children. We've heard about it but had never seen a barn raising.

My Ma explained it to me and said that it was something that would happen all the time in the old days. Even she said that she hadn't seen it since they had one for them all those years ago.

I think people get it in their heads that they don't want to except charity that they can't do it on their own. I guess that's the new generation of wanting to prove that they can do it on their own but I never thought like that.

I just never thought to ask because everyone was busy with their own stuff. So again thank you everyone for everything that you've done for us and for welcoming us to the community!

One gentleman stood and replied, Constable, we take care of our own. You and your family belong to us now, to this community. We hope that no matter big or small you will come us. Things happen a lot quicker when we do it together. We all love helping one another. Yes we are a community but we are all family not by blood for some of us but family none the same. You and your family are a part of our family now! Everyone clapped to agree. Jack put his hand out to Elizabeth and his Ma. All three of them nodded their heads and thanked everyone!

At home Jack asked, Ma, would you mind watching Jarrick for a couple hours? I want to go for a ride with Bella. She hasn't been riding since we found out she was pregnant. Sure son, I would love to!

Jack walks in the bedroom as Elizabeth was changing Jarrick. He goes to her chefrobe and starts looking through all her clothes. She asks, hon, what are you looking for? He pulls out an outfit and lays it on the bed and says, change into this and meet me out in the barn please and he walks out.

She looks down at Jarrick and says, I think your daddy wants to go for a ride. She picks him up and starts for the door but Ma meets her at the doorway before she gets there. She puts her hands out for Jarrick. Elizabeth puts him in his grandma's arms.

Charlotte says, he's good for at least two hours right? Yes Ma. Charlotte walks out of the room. Elizabeth hurries to change and goes by her son and kisses him and Charlotte goodbye.

She went out the back door and went to the barn. She walked in and there Jack had saddled Sargent and Lady. She walks into his arms and says, I have been wanting to go for a ride for a while! Thank you for thinking of it!

They mount their horse and start riding. Not caring where they ride, just wanted to spend some time together. They have always enjoyed their riding time together. Never knowing where they were going. Just riding, enjoying the peace of nature.

She hadn't rode anywhere but to the Delaney's or to town. Jack had found a beautiful spot that he wanted to share with her. It was about a thirty minute ride west of their home. They talked and held hands as they rode. All of a sudden the trees opened up to a small clearing and in front of her was a small waterfall. It wasn't huge because it was coming off a tall hill not a mountain like back in Coal Valley but was still breathtaking.

She stopped Lady and got off. She let go of her reins and walked over to the pond or stream. She didn't really know but this was beautiful. She stood with her eyes closed and just listened to the water hitting the bottom.

He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He leans his head against her shoulder. He kisses her neck and asks, isn't it peaceful? She whispers, ooooh Jack, how did you find this? It is peaceful! He said, I was out doing my rounds one day and ran across it. So when I'm not going to be home for lunch, I bring it here and eat.

He gets the blanket off his saddle and lays it down on the ground. He helps her to sit. He takes her boots off and set them aside. He takes his off and then puts his hand out. She takes it and he leads her down to the water's edge. He rolls up his pant legs. She grabs the bottom of her riding pants and pulls them up. He helps her to step into the water. The water was a little chilly but not to cold. They walk in the water for a few minutes then goes back to the blanket and sits down.

Jack pick a blade of grass and puts it in his mouth. Elizabeth stretches out leaning back on her hands. Jack lays down with his head on her lap. She leans down and kisses him softly and says, thank you for this! I truly needed it.

He sits up and takes her in his arms and says, I figured you needed some time away from everything to rest and collect yourself. You have been at the house since Jarrick was born except for when we took Abigail back to the train station. He is almost 4 months old now. Yes but I haven't minded though hon, honestly I haven't. I've enjoyed having Abigail here even though she push me out of the house to get me out of my own scared place. I've also enjoyed having Ma here and having mom and dad here. Everyone has kept me busy. Yes but Bella you need down time also. I know hon and I appreciate you taking the time to get me out of the house!

They look into each other's eyes, they lean in for a soft but passionate kiss. Before long they had come together out in their quiet place. They lay there but he covers them. They hold each other for a few more minutes then she breaks the silence and says, how much more time do we have before we need to start back? He gets his pocket watch out of his pocket and says, about thirty minutes why?

She sits up and pulls him up and drags him down to the water. She pulls him in with her. They swim out to the waterfall. She lets the water fall on her head brushing her hair back as it fell. He swims up to her and kisses her under the waterfall and says, I'm liking this new side to you. Miss Thatcher would never had made love out in the open or went skinny dipping either. Well for your information Mr. Thornton no Miss Thatcher would not have but Mrs. Thornton loves her husband very much and we are so far away from any house that there is no chance of getting caught.

Well to be honest here, there is a house up on that hill about a hundred yards. She grabs her breast and yells, Jaaack why didn't you tell me? He laughs and says, the house is empty. She swats him and swims off.

She steps out of the water and starts to put her clothes back on. She twists her hair back up and put her clip back in. As she's putting her boots on he comes up and starts putting his clothes back on also.

She stands up while he's pulling his boots on. As he stands she pulls the blanket out from under him and he hits the ground. He starts yelling like he's hurt. She drops down to check him out and grabs her and rolls her over and says, that was mean Mrs. Thornton. She replied, it was mean what you did to so I guess were even. He slowly kisses her and said, I love you so much! She says, I love you too! More than I could ever imagine!

Once they get back to the house, he takes both horses to the barn and takes their saddles off and brushes them until they shine then put them in their stalls. Belle was there waiting on her mother, whining.

In the house Charlotte looks at her and asks, did you have a good time? We did Ma, thanks! I didn't realize I needed it! You need to get out of the house more. I'm surprised you don't have cabin fever, Charlotte says. We plan on it.

Jack found this waterfall out in the woods in the middle of nowhere. It was beautiful! Did you go for a swim? Yes…..she stopped talking because she had just told her mother in law that she went skinny dipping with her husband. She quickly rushed to her bedroom to change.

She was really wishing Jarrick was ready to nurse because she was to embarrassed to go back out there. She took her time changing and brushing her hair.

Jack came in the house and asked, where's Bella? Charlotte pointed to their bedroom with a smile. He looks at her and asked, what's wrong with her? She walks up and says, I think she got embarrassed. Why would she get embarrassed Ma? Talk to her son. Tell her that there's nothing to be embarrassed of. He said, thanks Ma and goes to the bedroom.

He stands in the doorway and watches her. She turns her head and looks at him but says nothing. He walks over to her and stoops down in front of her. He turns her to look at him and asks, Bella, what's wrong? You were so happy today. What happened to change that? Jaaack, I told Ma about the beautiful waterfall you found. Then she asked, did I go for a swim and before I thought about it I said yes. Then it dawned on me that I had just told my mother in law I went skinny dipping with my husband. Bella there's nothing wrong with that, it was a very natural thing to do when we are by ourselves. Do you think we are the only ones that does it? I'll bet every husband and wife in this community has at one time or another. Yes, but hon that is a very private thing between just us and i blurted it out like it wasn't to your mother.

Well she sent me in here to check on you and told me to tell you that you have nothing to be embarrassed about. Jack how am I going to look her in the eyes again. Just go about your day like nothing happened.

Come on Bella I'm starving and I really don't want to eat my Ma's cooking, pleeease! Ok but only because I don't want you to starve. He kissed he and held out his hand for her to take. She took it and he lead her out to the kitchen. She looked to see where Charlotte was sitting. She had Jarrick in the living room on a blanket for tummy time.

Elizabeth fixed a quick soup with cornbread. Jack set the table while she made dinner. Neither one of them spoke while they were in the kitchen.

Charlotte noticed and walked over and pulled Elizabeth in for a hug and said, Lizzy I promise you that I don't look down on you. I've done that with my husband every chance we had. It was something that was just between us that we shared and didn't have to share with anyone else. Elizabeth whispers, thanks Ma.

Charlotte asks, what's for dinner? Vegetable soup and cornbread, Elizabeth replies. That night after everyone went to bed, Elizabeth was laying with her head on his chest with his arm holding her close. She looks up at him and says, I had a really good time today with you! I love you with all of my being! I love you too, he said.