Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Posted July 5, 2018
Topeka's in Kansas. Too flat there fer my likin'." Addy shook her head. "Once ya see them Rockies, ain't nothin' else like 'em...so high an' pretty with th' snow an' all."
Her tone was wistful and her gaze distant for a moment before she looked back at Robert. "'Course I hear there's folks here that plain hate 'em, and I reckon I understand...wrong time'a year they're unforgivin."
Then she smiled. "So whacha gonna do with all that gold ya find? Think ya might need a driver fer yer fancy carriage?"
Posted July 5, 2018
"We had some mountains back East, middle of Pennsylvania but be doubtin' they could hold up to those Rockies of yours," Robert observed, "Me, don care much for the cold. Means more layers of clothin' and that's one of many things I don got much of." He wasn't whining though, he said it all with a smile.
He had to laugh at her optimism though he knew she meant it as a joke, "Oh, I be havin' no trouble spendin' it to be sure. Clothes....shoes without holes in 'em..." He wiggled his boots.
"A house not a cabin the size of an outhouse. Servants to do all me chores. And since it's sounds like ye be offerin', yes, I will hire a driver and would be glad for it to be you. That is if you can stand fer takin' orders from the likes of me?"
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Posted July 12, 2018
"Don't reckon as I'd mind that," Addy answered with a grin. "I'd just clock ya if ya got too annoyin'!"
She laughed and gave him a friendly wink. "Servants fer chores sounds good, too...no muckin' stalls or cleanin' up, an' if ya can afford more clothes then th' weather won't be much of a bother neither...just hibernate like a ol' bear all Winter, come out in th' Spring ta enjoy th' rest of th' year!"
Honestly, she wouldn't mind not having her fingers frozen as she gripped the ribbons, freezing rain pelting her in the face. But then, there were the Summer days when it was hotter than Hades and her brain felt like it might boil under her hat!
"Well, I do hope it works out fer ya. I'd like ta see ya struttin' around in tails an' a brocade vest!"
Posted July 12, 2018
"I surely would be quite the sight, would I not, lass?" Robert had to just shake his head and chuckle, not that he truly believed he'd ever luck out to be that successful. He would settle for an occasional tidy sum to tide him over just long enough til he found some more. Right now money and supplies were tight. But hell..........this was supposed to be a fun evening and worrying about the future was hardly entertaining. He was here to eat good (free) food and mingle with folks (such as Addy). So it was going well.
Of course the musicians had just completed a high stepping energetic square dance number and now were switching over to a slow mild waltz. He was not much of a dancer not because of any clumsiness, he was quite the opposite but no real opportunities to practice such a skill. For one thing dancing took a willing partner. He glanced at the woman then made up his mind. Worst that could happen would be she would turn him down. But you never know til you try.
"Addy, girl....would you be carin' to step on out on that floor with a two left foot Irishman and try a little dancin'? If I be a bit too forward here, I be apologizing," he made his sales pitch.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Posted July 19, 2018
"Forward? Nah, not a'tall, an' I'd be happy ta trip th' light fantastic toe with ya! How bad can it be, we survived th' race, right?" Standing, she brushed out her skirts, then chuckled. "Got my clunky boots on, so best take care an' keep yer feet out from under mine!"
She had passing knowledge of a few dances, and some she could improvise passing fair. "Just be careful that we don't run inta no one else!"
Posted July 19, 2018
Much to his delight, she had no hesitation about accepting his offer to dance though she did point out he might wish to watch out for her boots stepping on his feet, which only drew a chuckle from the young man.
"I've had far worse in me life than stepped on toes. I do some fisticuffs on occasion in the ring........for money, not because I be enjoyin' that sort of thing," Robert pointed out as they walked out onto the dance floor, "Granted...no one ever tried to punch me in the feet."
The pair then assumed their dancing stances and joined on in with those others waltzing and while they would hardly be confused for good dancers, they did not embarrass themselves either. And even if they had, neither seemed to be the type to worry about such nonsense anyway.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Posted July 27, 2018
Surprisingly -- or maybe not -- Addy found herself enjoying the dance, although it was a bit awkward, they still made a decent show, and she did enjoy...well, just dancing. There was something about sweeping across the floor that allowed her to let loose and have fun, feel like a 'lady' for a few minutes, which, in all honesty, was enough for her!
"Ya do that right well," she declared when the music had stopped. Grinning, she curtsied just a little. "We both survived, good job! Yer gonna need a ball room in that mansion of yers, most certain." She nodded to him. "Ya need a concertina player, I'm yer gal!"
Posted July 27, 2018
"To the best of my knowledge, Doctor, you just need to deal with the bank. I would be happy to read any sales contracts they ask you sign," Harriet replied. "In general, property purchases are fairly straight forward. I have heard nothing untoward about the bank's dealings with people in that regard."
Jonah nodded, then chuckled. "Well, there's a give-away that I've never purchased a property before!" He laughed. "I do appreciate the information. I'm looking forward to setting up business, and the sooner I can get that started, the better. Besides, I'm expecting a delivery of equipment in a couple days, so I'll need a place by then."
It would give him something to do, too, until he was actually ready to 'open the doors'. He'd have to find someone to carve him a sign, too, and he would need provisions and necessities, and...well, funds. But he could work on that, too.
"Would you consider joining me for lunch tomorrow, Miss Mercer?"
Posted July 29, 2018
"Would you consider joining me for lunch tomorrow, Miss Mercer?"
Harriet could not help but look startled. It was very rare that she was ever asked out except by her clients for working lunches and dinners. She had long since accepted the fact that most men were either intimidated by her or disapproved of her working in a profession deemed to be the purview of men only. Not only that, she had the temerity to be successful. Harriet was strong, intelligent, and resourceful. These things had made her pride herself in her femininity as well. Still, wearing the latest fashions rarely brought her any kind of an invitation from the opposite sex. Actually, it was rare it happened that a woman asked her for lunch or dinner either. The overwhelming majority of them completely disapproved of her for being a career woman.
She turned her wide gray eyes on the doctor and studied his face for a few moments. There was no guile there and no judgement in his brown eyes. She had been friendly and helpful and he was asking her to lunch in return.
"I would be delighted to join you for lunch after church, Doctor." Harriet was not the type of woman that ran through the church doors every time they opened, but she did accompany the Thornton family to Mass on Sunday mornings. She enjoyed the the peaceful surroundings of the old Spanish abbey. She could drive her own rig separate from the family and stop in Kalispell to meet Dr. Danforth.
Posted August 3, 2018
"Ah, church...tomorrow is Sunday, isn't it?" In all honesty, he wasn't really a religious man, but he still went to church as a way of keeping a reputation...or, rather, not getting a bad one! It wasn't so bad, he did believe in God and Heaven and Hell and all that, and church certainly was a good social meeting place. Not only that, but often, the ladies would host meals, always a chance for food that he didn't have to cook!
"Is there more than one church in town? I prefer the Methodist, but as long as the Word of God is taught in earnest, I'm happy." At least he'd have the whole day to look around, and to enjoy his time with the pretty woman. "Perhaps I could rent us a surrey and you could show me around? We could have a picnic." Providing she didn't think such a thing would be scandalous?
"The church in town is Protestant although I am not sure of the denomination. I believe there will be a new minister taking over soon," Harriet confessed with a slight smile. "The only other option is St. Francis by the River, the abby. It is south of town, between here and Fort Kalispell." And since a day on her own with a new friend sounded like a lovely way to spend Sunday afternoon, Harriet added, "I would enjoy showing you the area."
"Ah, well, Protestant will do, although I may visit the abbey as well...professionally, of course. I'd like the people in town to be accustomed to me." Even if he wasn't Catholic, he could still respect the church and he wanted people to be comfortable with him.
"I'd appreciate a tour, the sooner I know my way around the better." His finances were starting to suffer, so he needed to get to business as soon as he could, but at least he was hopeful there wouldn't be a need to worry about competition. "How many doctors are in town? I don't mind competition, but I probably should introduce myself."