Speed sighed heavily at what was happening. He didn't like any of it, yet some of those on the Council were standing up to the railroad job with this Hospital Commission. Orr seemed to think he ought to be able to do just as he pleased about anything and everything. He shook his head. But at least Leah and Miss Devereau had vocally put him on notice, and in his place. Now the men were stepping up.

He caught Leah's eye as she was leaving and touched the brim of his hat and smiled. Yes she had changed the narrative of the meeting and the ploy to take control with the commission. He leaned over to Pike and said in a low tone, "Ain't nothing you and the Missus can do here but get yourselves worked up over nothing. Me and Charlie, we've got this, You two get some rest, long trail ahead come the morning."

"Yeah, like pissin' in the wind with these four flushers." His anger obvious. "Dang, sorry Em, fergot myself there fer a minute." But Speed was right, they had a long journey ahead of them, and this meeting was just something to be upset about. "Be seein' ya, Speed."

Speed watched them leave and considered leaving himself, but as Town Marshal, he was obligated to stay until the meeting was over. Concluded would mean that there was a conclusion reached, yet the "yes vote" hardly concluded anything as Councilman Orr attempted to interject himself in the governing of the hospital project.

Of course, that had met some unexpected, and stiff, opposition from other council members. That sort of restored what little faith Speed had in the governing of Kalispell. Of course the man still gave himself the title of "Acting Commissioner of Hospitals" in continued defiance of his fellow Councilmen. Had either Scott or Hannah Cory been present, Orr would have simply had a voice and vote, nothing more. An active Mayor was needed, that was clear. The thought of stepping away from his job as Town Marshal, suddenly met a slight roadblock.

Leah, Jonah and Dutton crossed the nearly empty street and mounted the steps to the hotel doors, entering and turning into the dining room where Governor Houser and his entourage were waiting, The men stood as she approached.

"Governor, Senator Ellsworth, may I present Doctor Jonah Danforth, our soon to be Medical Director." She introduced.

Houser extended his hand, " A pleasure, Doctor. We need a man like you out here, and one willing to take on such a responsibility. Ellsworth simply nodded saying;

"A pleasure Doctor." While Dutton Peabody simply smiled.

"Now, now this meeting, well I believe we have have done more harm than good in there, and it occurs to me, that exposing our friendship to those citizens present may have projected the wrong relationship between you and I."

"Well some will always believe the worst about Leah, no matter the lengths anyone would go to to clear up a misunderstanding about her." Dutton presented.

"Well, please, sit down and we can discuss the future plans for the hospital and the orphanage." Houser began raising his hand to attract attention so that they might order dinner. "Hopefully your town Marshal be be along shortly. At any rate, as I said earlier, we have an option available to us where we have been assured that there would be no problem with you or anything else. Columbia Falls."

"Governor, we have the yes vote from the Town Council, which is the go ahead for the project, there are a couple of things we will have to face, Mister Orr for one, and the delays he is likely to cause, so I wouldn't rule out Columbia Falls just yet." Leah explained, her concerns evident.

"Yes, well, well, Dick Orr can be a real nuisance, more times than not. And I'm afraid that I cannot intervene in the politics here, one reason I believe we have done more harm than good here. My intention was to meet with the members of the Town council in private to discuss the situation, that was my intention."

"You know what they say about intentions and the road to Hell, Sam." Ellsworth chimed in, as Speed Guyer walked in.

Medical Director?  When had that happened?  This was all wrong, Jonah was in way over his head, more than he ever cared to be, and more than was safe, but there was no way out, short of leaving, and he didn't want to do that, he'd invested too much, and he didn't want to let Leah down.  Besides, she was the sort to hunt him down and find him out if she got too riled!

And rubbing elbows with the likes of a senator and a Territorial governor?  What the hell was he thinking!?

Settling at the table with the others after Leah had taken her seat, Jonah centered himself, ready to join in the conversation as if he knew what he was talking about! 

"It seems to me that having your backing," Jonah commented, addressing both politicians, "can only reinforce Miss Steelgrave's position."  He chuckled.  "And I know now why I've never had an inclination to go into politics!  I just don't understand how some people think, nor do I have the stomach for it."

"Marshal Guyer." Governor Houser rose to his feet and extended his hand. Speed grasped it as he removed his hat with the other hand. Please, please have a seat."

"My pleasure Governor. Leah, gentlemen. Please, don't let me interrupt." He looked at Jonah and smiled. "Evening Doc." And took the vacant seat across from Leah, next to Dutton, who grinned.

"Now Doctor, my backing usually only goes so far, perhaps to the nearest privy." To which Houser enjoyed some laughter in response. But seriously Doctor Danforth, understanding folks and how they think is a bit overrated. My visit here was prompted by my aide Dutton, whom you all know, and who has a real soft spot for this place. I believe my job as Governor is, is to do what I believe is best for the territory. That means, supporting this hospital project as in would in Great Falls, or Ader Gulch, Helena or little Missoula."

"No one, outside of the larger towns and big cities has attempted to construct a hospital, so I am enthusiastic about what Miss Steelgrave, Leah, as begun. That being said, I am well aware of Elias Steelgrave and what he is capable of so Marshal Guyer, I've asked you here to let you know that I have a an order allowing you to assume the duties a County Sheriff until such time as one is properly elected. I will leave Marshal's Cook and McNue here to assist you as you see fit. I personally want to see the project succeed."

"Very generous Governor, but we've had no trouble with Mister Steelgrave to this point, and I don't anticipate any in the future." Speed said, somewhat taken aback by the offer.

Cook smiled and interjected; "Then you hadn't heard Case Steelgrave and his men were run out of Big Flat, one of them hung. The old man is a problem sure, but the son? The son is pure poison and so is his outfit."

Leah shuttered at the thought of of an angry, vengeful, Case returning to the only place left for him, The Evergreen.

Bad enough they wanted him to act as director, but now there was a real concern that brother Case may come in causing trouble. Jonah hadn't counted on any of this, but now that he was in it, he wouldn't go back. He'd stick it out for Leah, though, after all, they'd come this far, and he had actually let himself get invested in caring about the results...as much as he cared about anything.

Damn, but he hadn't come here to get involved in something like this...hell, he hadn't intended to get involved in anything! Yet here he was, genuinely wanting to make a go of the hospital and orphanage.

"Yet another reason to have the influence of important officials," he commented, "it should serve as a deterrent to anyone wanting to cause blatant trouble." It was sad to think that Case could really hate his sister so much that he'd risk physically harming her to stop her project.

"Well now, Doctor, not sayin' that Case'd want to harm Miss Steelgrave, didn't say that. Was I to guess, I'd say he's thinkin' he's got a score to settle here, where he believes he was wronged." Cook looked to Guyer, "Reckon that'd be you he'd be lookin' to settle up with. But, that bein' said, he 's got to get here first. Don't know that a posse ain't after 'em."

Speed looked to the two Marshall's in turn. "Be glad to have you. My full time deputy is on his honeymoon, and the new man is just that, new." Speed stated. "Case will likely head for the Evergreen, his pa's place before he does much of anything, least ways that's how I figure it. Doubt they'd want to try anything here in town." But there was Alice to consider and their upcoming wedding. Trouble was not what Speed was looking forward to.

"Maybe so." McNue interjected. "Takin' a town ain't no simple thing, that's for sure. And I'd think that's what they'd have to do."

Leah shuddered. Case was unpredictable. His temper bordered on insanity at times, and there was no telling what he was capable of, what he would do, or who he would strike out against. The thought of his return was about as unpleasant a thought as was possible.

Vengeance on the whole town?  That hadn't occurred to Jonah, although he supposed the man would have good cause, at least in his own demented head, to be resentful, and from what he knew of Case, he could more than cause grief for the town, and his father wouldn't stop him.

"Do you think this could happen soon?"  Jonah didn't think there was any imminent danger, but it didn't hurt to know what to expect.  "I'm on the outskirts of town, maybe I should look into...fortifications?"  He had no idea how he might make the house less vulnerable to attack, but he could certainly see it as a target to someone wanting to harm the town...take out the medical care, and that would have a huge impact.