"I trust you," Emeline murmured, resting her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes. "Maybe while we're in town I can get a new derringer. I... I lost mine, I threw it at that man." She smiled, even though she didn't look up. "It seemed like a smart thing at the time, although I don't know what I thought it would accomplish."
She paused for a moment, then muttered, "Maybe something bigger, more powerful, just to carry around the ranch...in case." Not that she ever wanted another 'in case', but she'd feel better if she was equipped to deal with any threat, Human or animal.
"I notice, or I should say, I have noticed in my time, heroics are not planned, no, it seems they happen at the most unlikely time, and sometimes with the most unlikely of persons. Not to discredit your son Hector at all. No, sometimes a person has that moment, and they seize it without thinking of personal danger, as Hector obviously did. He was not seeking attention or personal glory; his only concern was for the young lady. A truly gallant gesture!" Of this, he was not only serious but genuine. He did admire bravery in any instance, including his own, on the field of honor with pistols at twenty paces.
"It is bitter sweet to remember, and walk again in yesterday" she sighed wistfully "But here we are in the present, Mr Lyle, and it is the present that we must deal with." she uttered, philosophically.
"Oh, so true. Moments in our past that create a lasting impression, regardless of the emotions involved, or the personal cost at the time." He agreed, having his own personal ordeals in the past to relate to. Not with a lover who created a child together, but perhaps just as heart-wrenching. "Ghosts of the past that have a hold on us yet. I fully understand such pain, if that is what you are feeling."
He listened to her recounting of Hector's skill at the key, and that was also good to hear, "Oh, a man without a skill in this day and age, even out here, is doomed to menial work, with no future, nor hope for advancement. There will always be a future with the telegraph." And that he believed was a certainty!
Forde Patterson Forde finished playing the sea shanty and steeled himself for the inevitable "Again! Again!!" from Big Sis whom he had learned early on had the greed for repetition of a two year old.
"Later, Miss Lister, Later!!" he assuaged her "By the clock on the mantle, we are upon the hour; , I am afraid that it is 'back to work' for me. No rest for the wicked, eh Mister Chappell?" he smiled. "Would you like me help you find Jane, or must you make your adieus?" he enquired, pretty sure that boy had seemed about to depart a minute or two ago.
"I did not mean to bring up unpleasant memories. Please excuse me for that."
Mrs Wigfall gave a fey smile.
"It is bitter sweet to remember, and walk again in yesterday" she sighed wistfully "But here we are in the present, Mr Lyle, and it is the present that we must deal with." she uttered, philosophically.
"Now I noticed that Hector has an interest in the telegraph. Does he work at the office?" Which seemed a safe question to ask.
"Oh, yes indeed, my Hector is known as the fastest telegrapher in the whole Territory, both sending AND receiving!" the Mother beamed with no little pride "They don't call him 'The Flying Finger' for nothing!"
"All these heroics are all very well, and they have certainly gained him some attentions from the more silly girls in town, but my Hector needs to concentrate on his career and on getting fully better. So important for a man to have a trade, a useful skill... like you and you tailoring, no doubt." she added, bringing him back into the conversation.
Shintaro nodded. He couldn't teach her how to defend herself in one training session. Even if he tried most likely she'll forget half of his instructions or mixed them up. Not due to any fault of her own but it took time and practice to learn these techniques properly so they could be performed quickly. They weren't always easy, especially if one's opponent is familiar with the techniques. In such a case it all fell down to one's experience, knowledge and ability to adapt quickly.
"Practice is very important and being in good shape. I can show you some exercises my Sensei taught me to build strength in the body and hands." Shintaro didn't consider all women weak, though women of wealthy samurai clans likely were, since they didn't have to toil in the earth as the women of farmers did. He definitely knew Tully didn't live the life of a courtesan or wealthy merchant's daughter, so suspected she had some strength in her. Either way, the exercises he'll show her will only improve her strength. These weren't body building type exercises but more geared to improve her overall strength, flexibility and nimbleness.
"Here are a few other techniques I think you'll find useful," Shintaro said. He then demonstrated the move he pulled on Jimmy his first day in Kalispell. It wasn't a very difficult technique in theory, twisting a hand back to inflict high levels of pain without too much use of strength. It was more leverage and working against the joints. There were a few other simple techniques he showed her that inflict sharp sudden pain but weren't too damaging, though he did explain the risks if too much force was used. After that he just had her practice everything he taught her so far in self defense. All the while he kept an eye to see in what ways she was struggling or feeling discomfort from the unusual physical activities. He wanted to give her exercises which would strengthen her weak areas more than where she was already strong.
Elias sat back at the news, "That would be this Doctor Lurent. Didn't know they were letting women be doctors out here." He said as if it were preposterous.
"It's Larant, and she is from Chicago. A friend of Doc Boone's who came at his suggestion. A surgeon, I believe. Thet are of course, looking for nurses and all manner of staff." Phin informed him,
"A surgeon, now that is news! By thunder, a woman doctor at Steelgrave Memorial!" Elias erupted.
"No Elias, it will be Kalispell Regional Hospital; it will be the first such hospital in Northern Montana and will draw patients from all over the region." Phin corrected him. And it was already a known fact that he would like nothing better than his name plastered on the hospital to go along with his whore house!
"Yes, yes, I was aware of that, but I still think my daughter should have had it named after her." He grumbled.
"So did everyone, she declined the honor. Anyway, on with the interview. A lot of people want to know what your plans are for the brothel?" Phin asked, "There are plenty of rumors floating about concerning it."
Angie smiled as they broke from the hug, "Thank you for making me feel so welcome," she said. Your home is also beautiful, and where it sits, an amazing piece of property, the view, the waterfall. Just everything about it."
"Having so many men about the place, I can understand how you feel. I felt something similar at work in Chicago, where I was the only female doctor in a sea of male doctors. Of course, there were nurses, both men and women, so I had female company. But what you have here? This is heaven! I should be so lucky." With that, she giggled. I'm at Doctor Danforth's in town with Leah Steelgrave and her mother, Elinor."
Sighing, she managed a smile. "There's an extra quilt in the wardrobe if you need it. Is there anything else you need?"
"Not a thing, just a good night's sleep, and I'll bet you could use one too," Angie replied. "Good night and thank you again, Emeline. And don't worry about tomorrow, it will be just fine
"If it does not improve, we'll see about some headache powder from the doctor. I'm sure she has some with her," Then again, it might be clear by the time we get to town." He said, hoping that it did clear, but resolute in the solution if it did not.
"And you're right about the day, it is shapin' up real nice. Be good to see folks and do some shopping. This other business shouldn't take all that long either. I mean, it ain't like they're gonna arrest me. It's all just a clear-cut case of self-defense. No other way to look at it. You were set upon. Plain and simple, no other way'a lookin' at it." Of that he was certain, it was just this new County Sheriff they would be dealing with. With Speed it would have been over by now.
"It's just a bit of a headache," Emeline murmured, "nothing bad, and there's no need to hold things up." She forced a smile, then sighed. There was no getting anything past Barnabas, and no sense trying.
"I didn't sleep well," she explained, "nothing a little chamomile tea won't fix, and I want this nonsense past me." She took her husband's hand and gave it a squeeze. "I'll be all right once this is over. And it's such a nice day, I'd be remiss not to appreciate it."
This really was better than just moping around home, and once the interview as done, she knew she'd feel much better.
"Thank you," Emeline smiled and gave Angie and impulsive hug, "I'm so glad you are here, it's good to have another woman here." Grinning, she explained, "Living here is like having dozens of brothers and uncles looking after you, and I love that. But sometimes it's good to have another woman around."
Sighing, she managed a smile. "There's an extra quilt in the wardrobe if you need it. Is there anything else you need?"