Chapter 99

After a little bit of time outside exploring their land around the creek and pond, Elizabeth and JJ came back into the house. Elizabeth had made them a light lunch. She had a couple of more pains outside and two while preparing and eating lunch. The pains were not too awful, but she most certainly noticed them. She thought she hid it from her son. However, he noticed them. She just didn't know he noticed them.

"Mommy, may I go into town and see Auntie Abagail?"

"Why do you want to go to the café to see Auntie Abagail?"

JJ shrugged his shoulders while avoiding eye contact. "Why not. I haven't seen her in a couple of days. I just miss her. Maybe Uncle Frank will be there too."

"Sure. Why don't you go to the mercantile afterwards and pick up a couple of things for me so we may have them for dinner?"

"I can do that."

She took a moment and wrote out a small list for him to pick up. She also made a note at the bottom for Mr. Yost. She asked for the items to be put on her family account. She also knew he would pick up a few candy sticks. Normally she wouldn't allow him, but he would always pick her up a couple of her favorites, watermelon flavor. He knew that was his saving grace. She loved those candy sticks just as much, if not more, than he does.

"Now, go and enjoy your time with Auntie Abagail. Just make sure you are home for dinner."

"Thank you, mommy. I will. Why don't you lay down for a little bit and rest."

"I might do that." She gave her son a loving look. She loved how he always looked out for her. She tried to fix the tuff of hair that always fell on his forehead just like Jack's. She loved it when it did that. He was just like his daddy.

…

Jack, Sam, and Jared spent a few more minutes in the barn looking around. Then they stepped out of the barn to discuss everything. Their horses had made their way over to the tree line to wonder and graze on the grass in the shade. After checking to make sure their horses were alright and somewhat close by, the three men turned their attention to the needed conversation between them. The horses were acting like nothing was wrong. They were content with lazily walking around munching on the taller grass.

"What do you think, Jack?"

"From what you two saw in the house and what I saw in the barn, we are certain that someone has been here very recently. We just don't know who that someone is."

"True." Sam stated.

"With this being the rumored family member's old farm, is it safe to assume that this is our rum runner?"

Jack took a moment to think about his answer. He quickly looked from the house to the barn. Then he turned his gaze to the ground in front of his feet. Finally, he spoke as he turned his attention to the two men. "Jared, things are leaning that way, but we really don't know that for certain yet. These developments demand us to look into all of this very closely." Jack stated as he looked past the barn and to the tree line. "You could be completely right. We just don't know for certain yet. Let's look into it with a watchfulk eye but we don't want to turn a blind eye on someone with our minds already made up. Jared, when did the rumors begin?"

"About a week ago, maybe a little less."

"I received the first notice about the rum runner eight days ago."

"So did I, Sam."

"The last couple of days the notices have increased."

"Me too." Jared stated as he took off his hat and wiped aways a few sweat drops on his forehead. "I received a notice the last three days straight. That's not common. Someone is staying here that shouldn't be."

"Do you have any help here or is it just you?" Sam asked.

"Nope, just me. We are a small town."

"I fully understand that." Jack stated as he nodded his head slightly. "Now…" Jack's voice stopped when he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. As he reached for his shoulder, he ducked like everyone else. It was completely on instincts with all three men. That's when they heard the loud bang.

…

JJ quickly walked down main street with one purpose on his young six year old mind. "Well, I better stop by Auntie Abagail's Café, so I won't get in trouble for lying. I'll just go to Nurse Faith first." He told himself as he jumped off the sidewalk. He darted across the street and straight into the open door of the infirmary. He didn't slow down until he was inside the building.

"Nurse Reed!" JJ yelled.

Faith quickly looked up from her desk. She was reading in one of her biology books for her studies to be a doctor. She could easily hear the seriousness of JJ's tone. This caught her attention immediately.

"What is it, JJ?"

"It's mommy."

"Is she ok?"

"No. She's has been hurting today."

"Can you please explain it to me? What do you mean hurting?" She was hoping he would calm down a little so she could understand him better.

JJ took a deep breath. He took a few moments to share with Nurse Carter everything that happened at the creek and the pond. Plus, he told her about the two pains his mommy had at home. To Faith's credit, she tried her best to understand the fast talking six year old. She never thought he would stop long enough to take a breath. When he finally did, she jumped at her chance to speak.

"Ok, so let me get this straight." Faith stated as she reached for his forearm. She was hoping her gentle act would calm him down a little. "While you two were outside today, she would have these occasional pains?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Where the pains regular?"

He thought about it for a moment. "Not really."

"What did she say about them?"

"That you told her she may have some pains for a while, but Nurse Reed…" He paused trying to contain his emotions. He knew it was ok for him to have emotions, but he wanted to make sure he kept them in check so his mommy would get help in time. Just like his daddy. "…she wasn't having just a tummy ache, Nurse Reed."

"How painful were they?" She asked through a small smile at JJ's seriousness.

"What do you mean?" He tilted his head to the side slightly.

"Well, what was she doing when she had the pain? Was she able to walk and talk during them or did she stop walking or sit down?"

"We were walking and talking, nothing too much. Yes, she was able to walk and talk. She would stop for only a quick moment, but she didn't stop too long. She was trying to hide it. She would act like she was looking at a leave or a flower. You know how mommy is."

"Did she gasp for breath?" Faith asked as she nodded at JJ's last statement. She knew it to be true, but she didn't want JJ to stray into another line of the story.

"When she had the pain, she took a quick inhale of breath, but she recovered from the pain pretty quickly. You know mommy…she tried to hide it."

"That's very helpful." Faith placed her hand on his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. She could tell he was still nervous. "Now, that sounds exactly like the early practice pains I was telling your mommy about. I do not believe it's labor quiet yet."

The young boy's facial expression did not change at all. She could easily see that the information she had just shared with him didn't mean much nor did it comfort him very much. She could easily see that he wasn't going to relent until he got exactly what he wanted.

"Why don't I go and check on her." Her smile was reassuring to him.

"Perfect." JJ's voice rose in joy. His facial expression finally changed into a smile. "But she can't know I sent you." He wagged his little index finger in the air. "She won't like that very much."

"You are just like your daddy." Faith could only shake her head at the memory of her conversation with Jack a few months ago when he wanted Faith to secretly check on his wife.

"Thank you, Nurse Faith." JJ jumped forward and gave her a big hug.

…

Jack, Sam, and Jared all landed on the ground with chunks of wood falling on them. They didn't fully understand what happened. All Sam and Jared knew was that they heard a loud sound. It sounded like a firework that boomed in the distance. It wasn't multiple booms, just one big one. Even after the fact, the three men still remembered the echo from the bang. After the big boom, there was a large explosion of wood.

Just before Jack hit the ground, he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. This wasn't the same shoulder where he was shot by the bank robber's friend hidden in the woods. Jack hissed as he used his legs to push himself up against the barn wall. He avoided hitting his shoulder against the wall. He reached for his side arm and pulled it to his chest with his good arm.

"Ouch! You've got to be kidding me!" Jach hissed through clinched teeth. He clinched his eyes shut for just a split second. He needed to refocus himself through the pain so he could do his duty.

"Did you see anything?!" Sam yelled very quickly as he looked to the left.

"No!" Jared spoke just as quickly as he looked to his right.

Jack was looking straight ahead since he was in the middle. "Anything?" He asked after a few seconds of looking around. There was a small mound of dirt directly in front of him. He couldn't see over the small mound of dirt since he was sitting on the ground. The house was directly in front of him several yards away. However, with the dirt, he couldn't see the porch floor. The first two or three feet of the home was blocked by the dirt.

"No." Sam and Jared stated at the same time.

"Hey, are you good?"

"I don't think I was shot. It hurts differently than last time."

Let's get in the barn and I can take a look."

"First, we need to get this guy!" Jack's voice was determined. His mountie training was kicking in.

"What are you thinking?" Jared stated.

"I believe the shot came from in front of us." Jack nodded in that direction.

"That would be the house." Sam stated. Then he truly noticed Jack's shoulder. "Hey, you have a large splinter in your shoulder."

"That explains why it hurts." Jack shrugged his unhurt shoulder.

"Can you move it?"

After a failed attempt to lift his arm more than an inch, Jack let out a quick breath.

"Hold on." Sam stated as he reached for the piece of wood sticking out of Jack's shoulder. Jack grunted and hissed as the wood was pulled out. All he could do was glare at Sam. "There…at least you can move it now. I'll bandage it after this then get Faith to fix you up."

"Was that necessary?" Jack spoke through clinched teeth as he was moving his injured shoulder a little.

"Yes! At least you have some use of it now. Quit whining." Sam chuckled as he turned enough to get on his feet, but he stayed low enough to be hidden by the pile of dirt. "You good?"

"Yeah…Sam, you go right, and you go left." He looked at Jared. "I'll go through the front door."

"There's a door on the right side of the house."

"Jared, find another door to go through or a window in the back of the house. Sam, use the butt of your pistol. Knock as loud as you possibly can. Garner all the attention you can. Jared, after his knock, count to two. Bust through the door as loud as you can. I'll do the same with the front door. Sam, when you hear us, count to three and then you come in. Sam, be prepared to fire your weapon. Our lives may depend on it."

"What are you planning, Jack."

"Jared, Sam will distract them with the loud knock. When we bust through the door, he or they will turn their attention to us. They will be off just a little bit. When Sam comes through, they'll be so consumed with us that Sam will have a clean shot or be able to arrest them without an incident. We will use the distraction and hesitation to our benefit."

"Got it." Jared stated.

"Let's go. Stay low and spread out." Sam stated.

"Timing is everything, gentleman. Obstacle course timing, men."

As young men in mountie training, every cadet had what the instructors would call 'obstacle course timing'. The recruits took their time running the obstacle course very seriously. To each young man, they could feel their time down to the second. The young cadets knew their times without being told. They also knew the times of their fellow cadets. Most young men were very competitive, and they pushed each other relentlessly. The instructors were elated about that fact. The competition made the young men better.

When Jack stated, 'obstacle course timing', Sam knew exactly what he meant. Jared didn't know the inside story of the phrase, but he knew the importance of timing. Both men nodded their heads in understanding as they began to make their way to their side of the house. Jack made his way to the front of the home. As they began their approached low and slow, they saw a shadow moving in the home.

…

Elizabeth just woke up from a short nap. She decided to lay down on the couch to rest. She had no intention of napping. She just wanted to rest her feet. Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep. Her eyes quickly opened when one of her pains made its presence known. She placed her hand on her tummy and lovingly rubbed it. "Easy in there." She whispered. After a few moments, the pain went away as quickly as it came. She let out a breath trying to relax. That's when she heard a knock on the door. She let out a half groan and half huff as she got to her feet. She adjusted her dress trying to get the wrinkles out of it. She didn't even think about adjusting her hair.

Elizabeth slowly shuffled to the door then she reached for the doorknob and opened the door to a smiling Faith.

"Good afternoon, Faith."

"Good afternoon, Elizabeth. How are you feeling today?"

Elizabeth tilted her head slightly to the right. She took a moment to study Faith. "JJ sent you…didn't he?" A small hint of her teacher's tone came through in her voice.

"No…I…huh…"

"He's just like his daddy." Elizabeth smiled as she stepped back and opened the door further. "Come on in. I should have figured he would send you when he wanted to go to town."

"He didn't mean anything bad by it. He's just worried."

"I know." She lovingly said shaking her head. "I thought I hid the pains better than that."

"You know that son of yours, he catches on to everything."

"That's true." Elizabeth stated as she closed the door after Faith walked inside.

…

Drew Henson had snuck into the home through the back door. As he approached his family's old home, he noticed three horses that were grazing in the field by the barn. They were still saddled. He figured his hiding place was compromised. He thought about just turning his horse around and leaving. However, he couldn't leave the money he had hidden in the attic of the house. He had worked too hard to just leave the money behind. He has been at this place for a few days now. He knew he could sneak around the back of the home and enter the house without being detected. He would have been hidden by the house since it was in the line of sight between him and the barn. He only saw three shadowy figures in the barn where he saw the men walking through. They didn't act like they noticed him. The three men continued walking in the direction they were heading.

After climbing out of the attic with his three full bags of money, he noticed a red serge on one of the men who walked out of the barn. He hissed under his breath. He assumed it was just nosey neighbors who were lurking around. The red serge proved him wrong. Now he knew the game had changed. He leaned against the window frame to watch the three men and to figure out his next move.

That's when he recognized Jack from his picture in the paper. Drew's friend, Silas, was arrested by Jack a few months ago. His rum running and drug ring was ended by this man. The anger inside of Drew at seeing the man responsible for his friend's imprisonment was beginning to take over his common sense. He knew the best course of action would be for him to just slip out the back of the house and quietly leave on his horse with the bags of money. The men would have never known he was there. He has been at this place for a week or so now. In his criminal world, that is a long time to stay in one location to hide out. He was well rested. He was almost certain the newspapers had moved on to the next story. He could quietly assume the running of his business.

However, he couldn't get past the hatred of the man who arrested his best friend. Silas had taken a turn for the worse after his arrest. He had to defend his friend. Even in his anger, he knew he couldn't best three armed men, two of which were mounties or one of them former mounties. Taking them on head to head wasn't an option. However, he was still unknown. He had secrecy on his side. Instead of taking on the three of them, he could just raise the window unknown by anyone and take a pound of flesh for payment of his friend by the man who put him in jail for a very long time.

He slowly raised his powerful 357 pistol revolver. While there was some distance between him and that mountie, he knew his pistol could easily be deadly. He crouched down and rested this pistol on the seal of the window. He closed his left eye and focused his right eye on the hard sights of his huge gun. Slowly, he squeezed the trigger with his index finger. He couldn't see exactly what happened through the puff of smoke.

…

"So, Elizabeth, how are you feeling?"

"Tired…my feet hurt…drained of all energy, yet I want to clean everything in sight. I have been driving Jack crazy cleaning things more than three times."

"That sounds about right." Faith chuckled. "It's called nesting. Like when a bird builds its nest before laying its eggs. You are preparing for your little one."

"Are these pains normal?"

"Yes, they are." Faith nodded her head. "Consider them practice labor."

"If this is practice labor, I'm not sure if I want to deal with real ones."

"I'm not going to lie to you, as you know childbirth is difficult. However, if you speak with any mother, they will all tell you it's worth it when they hold their little bundle of joy. Now, let me take a look."

"Sure."

Faith took a few moments to examine Elizabeth. She asked her several questions and felt her tummy in several places.

"Elizabeth, I think you may be closer than we originally thought. Would you mind coming to the infirmary for a better exam? I would like to take a closer look at you."

"Is that really necessary?"

"I believe so. I can do a better exam there with better lighting."

"Is there anything wrong?"

"I don't believe so. I just think you may be further along and I would like to take a closer look at you. I don't want you to be alarmed. I just want to be certain. Let's call it abundance of caution."

"Oh, alright. Let's go before Jack gets back."

…

Sam made his way to his side of the house as Jared made his way to his side. When they were halfway there, Jack began his journey to the front of the home. He was hidden by the dirt about halfway there. The last half was done in the open area. He felt comfortable as long as he stayed low. While this hurt his shoulder, it was better than the alternative. When Sam and Jared were set, Jack made his way to the front door. He slowly reached up and took the doorknob in his hand. His weapon was in his good hand. He took a deep breath and slowly released it. When he blew the last portion of air out of his lungs, he heard the loud knock by Sam.

Jack closed his eyes and internally waited for the allotted time. As he opened the door, he stood with his weapon pointing in front of him. He heard Jared to his left. He quickly scanned the room from the center to the ride side of the room. Jared had the left side covered. As he finished his scan, he heard Sam come into the room. He turned his attention to the side door and saw his friend with his weapon in front of him.

As hyped up as the three men were entering the room, they kept their cool and training. In no time at all, they noticed that the house was empty.

"I thought he would be here." Jared stated.

"He was." Jack nodded toward the window in front of the home. It was opened just enough for a person to take aim. It was in direct sight of where they were standing. That's when they noticed the board that was completely missing where they were standing.

"That had to be a high powered gun."

"No doubt." Jared shook his head. "You're lucky."

"Yeah…Sam, don't tell Elizabeth about this."

"She's not a dumb lady, Jack. She's going to notice the wound on your shoulder."

"She won't have to see my shoulder. She'll see it in my eyes. I swear, that lady can read me in half a second's glance."

They took a few moments to look around the house again. With someone in the house after they searched it, they hoped that person would have left something behind. The three men fanned out and took another look at the house.

"Hey Sam, was this like this earlier?"

Sam and Jared followed Jack's voice to the hallway. They followed Jack's gaze to the ceiling.

"No, that wasn't like that before." Sam stated.

Sam walked into the kitchen and grabbed a chair. He stood on it and looked into the attic.

"There's just junk up here...wait…" His voice trailed off. He looked closer and then stepped off the chair. "There is everything you would think would be in an attic, but just to the left of the opening was three places where the dust was disturbed. Three round spots. Something was there that isn't now."

"Sacks." Jack stated. "Whoever was here, grabbed his sacks and then shot at us. Then he left."

"Jack, I think he shot at you. With three of us standing there, you were the one that fellow was aiming at."

"I agree Jared. Jack, you were his target. We weren't standing that close together. Plus, if there were more than one person, they would have fired more than one weapon. This had to be one guy, and he had you in his sights."

"So…why me?"

…

"Gracie, thank you for allowing me to be part of this?"

"William, of course you can be part of this."

The couple spoke as they approached the second The Next Chance Home. William has come to the home almost as much as Grace does. She loves this place, and she loves the young ladies that have come through the door.

"I know they love having you here. You do a lot of work here."

"I enjoy it. I don't know how to do too much, but I like helping Henry around the homes as much as he lets me."

"I know he enjoys your help."

"So, what do you think about the classes here for the young ladies?"

"I'm open to it. I think there are a couple of young ladies that would benefit from it, especially that young lady that came in last month. She had a true mind for business."

"Yes, Sandy seems like a smart young lady. Her doctor's appointment went very well. Her pregnancy is going well."

He stopped on the front porch of the home. The two homes for young ladies are going really well. Both of the homes are full. They were beginning plans to begin a third home in the city. William made a concentrated effort to avoid taking over. This is Grace's commitment. He was only there to support her. He was honest about teaching the business class. Sandy would greatly benefit from the class. He could easily see her doing well.

"That's great to hear." He turned to face his wife fully. "Gracie, I am so proud of you for doing this. You are doing a great job for these young ladies."

"William, these young ladies pull themselves out of their circumstances. They are doing a good job on their own."

"Yes dear, but you are giving them an opportunity to do that. Just don't short change yourself." Grace nodded her head. "I love the fact that you don't ask any questions. You just ask them if they need a room."

"I believe that's key. They know they will not be judged when they come here. No judgment…just an opportunity."

William kissed his wife and gave her a hug. "You are an impressive lady, dear."

"What do you think about looking into starting the fourth house? Toronto has written me and was wanting to talk with me about a home there."

William gave his wife a gentle squeeze. "They would be lucky to have you there. I will support you in whatever you want to do. Now, give me a kiss and we need to finish hanging those shelves."

"Have you spoken with your parole officer about traveling?"

"I have. I couldn't give him a set time, but he said he'll work with me. I just have to give him a twenty four hour notice before leaving. Then I can call the parole office with the day I will be traveling back."

"I'm grateful. I'm looking forward to going and seeing the newest Thornton."

William smiled at the thought of his little girl having a baby. His brain knew this was his first blood grandbaby. However, his heart also knew this was his second grandbaby. At some point along the way, he had begun to think of the new baby being a girl. JJ's line of thinking, and his confidence, had him thinking the baby was a girl. Then he chuckled.

"You're right, dear. JJ will be impossible if Elizabeth has a girl."

"How did you know that's what I was thinking?"

"Because I'm thinking the same thing."

…

Faith had Elizabeth in the corner bed with the curtain pulled around them for supreme privacy. She performed an internal exam and rechecked her vitals. She was pleased with what she found.

"Alright…first, all is well. Everything is normal and exactly where I would want you to be."

"And the pains?"

"That's where I'm not certain. Before my exam, I would have told you they were just the pains I have told you a couple of weeks ago."

"And now?" Elizabeth asked with a little doubt in her voice.

"They could still be the early pains, but…"

"But…"

"They could easily turn into labor pains. You were dilated a centimeter or two. That doesn't mean these pains are labor pains, but you are very close to that time. Most certainly within the next couple of weeks."

"Really?"

"That is my best guess. But here is the thing, that baby will determine when he or she is ready to come. My guess is just that, a guess. You are ready today."

"It could be today?"

"It could be, but I seriously doubt it."

"How will I know when the pains are labor pains."

Faith smiled. "You will know. Maybe not in the very beginning, but you will most certainly know as it progresses. Now, come and get me whenever you have any questions. I'm here for you."

"Thank you."

Their conversation was interrupted when the front door of the infirmary opened and closed.

"Sweetheart, are you here."

Elizabeth gave Faith a knowing smile. "Sweetheart?"

Faith shrugged her shoulders as her face turned a little red with embarrassment. "I'll be right back."

Faith walked around the corner of the curtain. Elizabeth still needed to finish getting dressed and she wanted Elizabeth to have her privacy.

"Jack." Faith whispered out loud as she looked up to see Jack and Sam standing at the door. Jack's shirt was dirty with dry blood down his sleeve. It looked torn with a bandage wrapping around his arm and shoulder. "What happened to you?"

"We had an incident."

"What type of incident?"

"We were shot at."

Faith gasped. "Where you hit?"

"No, I did catch a splinter though. Don't tell Elizabeth."

"Jarrick Thornton!" Elizabeth called out as she stood by the edge of the curtain. When she heard Jack's voice, she began to walk to the edge of the curtain to step out from behind the curtain. Her eyes landed on him when he said he was shot at.