As they closed in on Kalispell, Barnabas couldn't help but notice that Em was just not herself. "Maybe we pull off and have the doc have a look at you. You seem in distress, and we can't be havin' that." He said. Now Barnabas was no fool; he knew the pressure and stress of facing anyone with the details of what had happened out there.
He had faced that same stress and pressure himself more than once, but it was the first time that would always be the hardest. He also knew that she had nothing to fear; she had been justified in shooting Sisie's brother, that was self-defense. His shot at Sisie was simply in defense of his wife and son, and even though the girl was unarmed, she was far too close to Em and Wheeler.
"Yes, a grand day," Emeline replied as cheerily as she could. Indeed, it was bright and clear, a slight warm breeze pushing about high, wispy clouds. It was a perfect day for a drive, and normally she'd be looking forward to a chance to get into town and indulge in some visiting and shopping.
But this morning in particular, Emeline had a horrible headache, and was dreading having to relive what had happened the day before. She'd not slept well -- she'd been awake for a very long time, feeling cold and distant even though she'd been secure in her husband's protective embrace. And when she did drift off, nightmares forced her awake again.
Morning had been a welcome relief, with its chaos in preparing breakfast and getting together what they'd need for the trip to town. And the kind company of Angie and Pythias, as well as taking care of Wheeler and Barnabas had distracted her.
But now that they were settled in the buggy, with town and the interview ahead, the headache was back in full-force, although she tired to hide it as best she could.
"People will say what they will about any and everything that happens, whether they know what they're talking about or not. I've seen it my whole life, been guilty of more times than I care to admit, and come morning, it'll be no different here in Kalispell. But Emeline, you hold your head up. You and Wheeler are alright, Sissdy is guilty of something as simple as she is. Her brother meant to kill you, simple as that." Angie told her at length, but she was right, "And that man of yours, he'll know what to do to protect what's his, and the Marshal?"
"You'll be just fine."You'll be just finer," She added. And that was the hope of the entire ranch. That this incident would just go away, that those who were guilty would be caught and prosecuted.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Barnabas had his Foreman, Mike Wentworth, and Pythias Modeen in the kitchen. "When we ride out come mornin', you boys keep a lid on the hands. Them that want ta go back out huntin' this Love character, let 'em go. We clear?"
This was the first time time that anyone had mentioned the need for a ship, but that made sense, of course, and Weedy was contemplating how to accomplish that when Forde broke into song -- a real pirate song! Maybe the older boy was a real pirate! But...probably not, or he was sure that Jane would have said something.
And, he and Wyatt had a 'dead man's chest', or at least they assumed the original owner was dead. As for rum...well, Addy wasn't a drinker, at least at home, but maybe he could come up with something.
"Right..." Tully nodded understanding, realizing that there was a difference between the likes of Cecil and that...beast who had attacked her and Frances. In that case, she had known from the start that he wouldn't stop until he did them harm, so she had to be aggressive and fight any way she could until he was no longer a threat.
Cecil, on the other hand...
"Reckon it'd just be more satisfyin' ta inflict some damage before runnin' off, but I reckon that means th' risk of gettin' grabbed again." And if that happened with the likes of Cecil, she knew things would be bad because he'd be mad that she'd gotten away in the first place.
"One thing at a time, right?" Build on what you learned, until eventually she'd be able to fight off a demon.
"From what I've seen, and what Addy has said about you, I'm sure you'll do just fine," Emeline assured the doctor. "It will take some adjusting, everyone knows everyone, and while we all look out for each other, there's also a good deal of snooping and gossip." She chuckled. "You just have to learn to ignore it, or take it in good humor."
At that, Emeline slumped and shook her head. "Good Lord only knows what will be said about me, about us, and today. I know most people will understand, but I know, too, that there will be whispers and judging, and it won't be easy to hold my head high..."
Of course, she had no question that what had happened earlier that day had been necessary and justified, but there were always critics who had no idea what they were talking about. She just hoped it didn't effect business at the Lickskillet, for Clara's sake.
The boys who had tracked Love and those with him were back. The trail had dried up in some rocky country east of Kalispell. The story was that Love had started west and then circled to make their way east, trying to lose any pursuit. Tired without food and needing fresh horses, the trackers gave up and headed back to regroup and head out again with food and some spare horses.
Having left his orders with Wentworth and Modeen, Barnabas rose with Em that morning confident that the day ahead would be quick and easy, that he, Em and Wheeler would likely stay the better part of the day, do some shopping and have dinner at the Lickskillet, and then head on back to the ranch for supper and any news from Larado, Will Ames, and Zane Geraghty, who had just ridden out.
Breakfast was done, and the horses and the two buggies were ready as the Pikes and Doctor Laurant mounted the buggies. Three out riders were to ride along with them, Modeen selected Dallas, Pecos Pete, and Logan McVay, Phineas' brother, who were already mounted for the trip
"Gonna be a grand day from the looks of it." Barnabas said loud enough for all to hear, "Let's get to it then."
"The hospital, yes. Well, since that is my little girl's pet project, you certainly opened with a bang." Elias said, taken aback, "It is very much needed by the town, and us ranchers and the sod, er, farmers, not to mention the entire county. I am proud that a Steelgrave is at the head of this project, and that Leah has become a driving force in our little community. Yes, she has made me very proud indeed. You have treated her well in your paper, which is appreciated, even though we do not get on well at this time. The girl is strong-willed, and that has come to serve her well." He cleared his throat.
"Now, I understand that construction is on schedule to be completed in June, and that bespeaks a competent firm, yes, a most competent firm was hired for the project. I would be interested to know if the Territorial Government has supported this undertaking financially, and to what degree, since it benefits the county, not that I understand the usage of that term, but alas, I am not privy to their choice of words.' He had strayed off the subject; it was a known fact that he had no love for Governor Houser.
"Of that I have no information, and Miss Steelgrave has said nothing either way about it. I suppose the financials will be made public at some point." Phin told him. "Now you may know that the staff has increased, even before completion, which, as you say, is on track for an early June. A Doctor Laurant, a surgeon out of Chicago."
"There was some talk of it that reached me. A big city doctor, well, no doubt he won't last long." Elias laughed at his own remark.
"Oh, then you had not heard, Doctor Angelique Laurant is a woman," Phin said as the room fell silent as a tomb.
"Oh yes, I would. The plates are wonderful, but models of the dresses, or in them, whichever you mean, would really be so much better." She responded excitedly, as she had not really shopped for a wedding dress before. In her previous marriage, she had worn a nice enough dress, but it was almost an everyday dress. This was a world away from that.
"Please, sir, I am a complete novice at this, but I guarantee you, I know what I like, and I'll know what I want when I see it. Mister Pettigrew, you have made this experience one I shall brag to my friends about, I promise!" Whatever it was that he meant, she could not wait. She was suddenly very excited about this shopping trip that she had dreaded making only hours ago.
"Lunch, what an odd term. I mean, been dinner since I can remember, but lunch it is then. I could use a bite to eat." He said to her. The decision was made easily enough, but actually, it was a foregone conclusion. He had no doubt she would be happy about it and agree to it. It would give them more time together, even out at the mine, and maybe get the falcon opened and going. That one was going to require much more work than the Queen had needed.
"I'll need to call in the deputies and let them know what's what before I see Mayor Wentworth." He said as he stood up and got his hat, "Be different, that's for sure., He set his hat on his head and pulled it on in the back with his left hand. A habit of his.
"The new fellow? How's he working out? He has a daughter, right?" She asked."Does. But I haven't seen him or the daughter, have to go with what I've got. The new County Sheriff makes a difference for the town and the county." Speed explained, unsure about Valentin Caine, but then his decision was made, and it was not his problem. Matt would have Charlie and Shintaro Takahashi, plus a County Sheriff to count on. That was more than what he had when he took the job with Hannah Cory as his deputy. Time and things change; that was a constant. "Come on, give us a chance to walk a bit.
