Posted September 6, 2018
While his demeanor appeared to be easy and relaxed as he leaned against a post in front of the Belle-St. Regis Hotel, Jonah was actually a bit nervous. Not that he particularly was intimidated or enamored by the lady he was waiting for, but still, the 'date' was important to him getting settled in town here. And he was interested in making a good impression where a lady was involved!
Having just come from Sunday services at the Methodist church, he was in the best clothes he had -- dark slacks, white linen shirt with onyx cufflinks, a black and maroon brocade vest under a maroon jacket and a narrow black bowtie. His flat-brimmed hat sat on his head at a bit of a cocky angle. (Think Ezra Standish!). Unlike many people, though, he was comfortable in the clothes, and quite honestly would dress dapper all the time if he could afford it.
As he waited for Miz Harriet, he looked over the town, allowing as how it seemed like it was going to be the change of pace that he really needed!
Posted September 8, 2018
Harriet guided the buggy along the main road through Kalispell. She was giving her team a rest and using one of Lost Lake's high-stepping carriage horses. The big gray gelding had a gentle disposition and good mouth. The day promised to be gorgeous, so she had chosen the light carriage with a folding top. If it got too hot, they could raise the top for shade. The vehicle only had two seats, but there was a small well behind them where she had stored a parasol, blankets and a picnic basket.
She had chosen to dress practically for the day since she had no idea how comfortable the good doctor would be with managing the carriage. Her deep blue skirt was full-length with a cleverly concealed split in case she needed to ride the gray for any reason. Her tailored blouse with its long cuffs and full sleeves was a crisp white. A matching jacket lay folded in the well behind the seats. Although she had worn her hair up for Mass, afterward she had pulled the pins out and let it fall down her back. As usual, she wore a jaunty driving hat, gloves, and boots made of leather dyed to match the skirt and jacket. Harriet wanted to make a good impression.
"Whoa, Rory," Harriet called out to the big gray. Flashing a smile at Jonah, she said, "Dr. Danforth! Mrs. Hale provided us with a substantial picnic lunch. I thought we could check the property at the edge of town I was telling you about? Then maybe find a cool spot along the river?"
Posted September 9, 2018
As the small buggy approached, Jonas stepped off the boardwalk, tipping his hat to Harriet as she stopped. She sure was a striking woman, and he suspected she was strong of spirit as well.
"Miz Mercer, a fine rig you have here, and a fine day for a drive." He climbed in and sat next to her, smiling. "I look forward to seeing the property and to whatever treats Mrs. Hale has prepared for us. Honestly, I appreciate the chance to have a relaxing day before I have to get to business. I trust you've had a good day so far?"
Posted September 12, 2018
"Please call me Harriet or even my business name of H.G. in private," Harriet said as the doctor settled himself in the buggy. She shot the man a mischievous grin, "Mass was blessedly short today. I believe the good Father was more interested in getting to the Hembree ranch for his Sunday dinner than saving our souls."
Surreptitiously, hidden below the sweep of her long eyelashes as she guided the buggy away from the sidewalk, she looked the man over. He had certainly dressed well for their outing. He was handsome, obviously well-educated, and genuinely interesting. She was looking forward to her day out with him. Still, after making sure the road was clear, Harriet turned the rig and started the gray out of town at a slow trot, mindful of the town's speed laws. Kalispell had had a spate of cowboys galloping full speed through the streets and freight wagons going way too fast. Two people had been badly injured as a result.
"The buggy is mine, but Rory belongs to the ranch. I love driving," Harriet told Jonas, deciding to keep her penchant for buggy and sulky racing to herself. Most men did not approve of women having such pursuits. "However, if you'd prefer to take the reins, Rory has a good mouth and a wonderfully gentle temperament."
Posted September 16, 2018
"Please call me Harriet or even my business name of H.G. in private," Harriet said as the doctor settled himself in the buggy. She shot the man a mischievous grin, "Mass was blessedly short today. I believe the good Father was more interested in getting to the Hembree ranch for his Sunday dinner than saving our souls."
"Harriet... and of course you can call me Jonah." He smiled and nodded to her, then quipped, "Well, blessings come in all forms, right? Besides, I think sometimes short and sweet is better than risking losing your audience to tedium." This was going to be an enjoyable ride, he mused, and certainly a change from the norm!
"The buggy is mine, but Rory belongs to the ranch. I love driving," Harriet told Jonas, deciding to keep her penchant for buggy and sulky racing to herself. Most men did not approve of women having such pursuits. "However, if you'd prefer to take the reins, Rory has a good mouth and a wonderfully gentle temperament."
"Oh, no, you know him and his quirks." Glancing at her with a cheeky grin, he added, "And I'll never turn down a chance to let someone else do the work!" It would give him an opportunity to really look around at this new place and see what he'd gotten into. "And you know your way around, so I will concede to your expertise. This is a beautiful setting, though. Is there much trouble with the natives?"
Posted September 19, 2018
Harriet picked the buggy whip out of the holder and flicked Rory's haunches while clucking at him to come up. The horse settled into the harness and eased away from the sidewalk, settling into a jaunty jog-trot.
"The natives..." Harriet murmured as they turned toward the end of town where the property was that she had told Jonah about. "The trouble is more in the eastern part of the territory...right now. The Blackfoot tribe, hereabouts, are not our friends. They are also not our enemies." She sighed and shook her head, "It will get worse, I am afraid."
Posted September 22, 2018
Jonah glanced over at her with a raised eyebrow. "Worse? Why do you say that?" He'd heard tales, of course, all sorts of them, and picking truth from exaggeration four all-out lies was sometimes difficult. "And who do you think will be responsible. I know the savages can be...well, savage and unreasonable, but the same could be said of any man or race. And they've done the same to each other. But, I'm sorry, this is supposed to be a day of pleasure!"
He chuckled, looking out at the scenery. "Men fight for beauty and wealth...what is it you ladies fight for?"
Posted September 24, 2018
Harriet considered Jonah's statements and questions for a few moments. She was not an alarmist by nature, but she preferred to be straight-forward with those she chose as friends. She shook her head to his comments regarding the Natives.
"The Natives I have met have been intelligent and peaceable. Their culture is quite different, often hard for us to understand. I also do not think many people make an effort. They fight for the same things that we do - their lives, their culture, their lands, their families."
"As more and more white settlers invade their lands, the more violence there will be. It is sad but inevitable. Too many lives will be lost on both sides. In the end, the Indians will lose the battle. Perhaps even be completely exterminated which is sad also. There is much they can teach us about the land and living peaceably with it."
Harriet shook her head and laughed ruefully, "I sound as if I am putting forth the summation at a trial. I've spent too much time in the courtroom and not enough talking to ... people." She arched an eyebrow at Jonah, "You said that men fight for beauty and wealth. Some women do the same, most women fight for themselves and their families as that is what they are raised to do. I fight for justice in the courtroom. I think women and men, white or redskin fight to survive and see that their legacy survives."
Posted September 27, 2018
"I'm sure you made an excellent attorney," Jonas chuckled, "although I must say, it's refreshing to speak with a woman who..." Well, there was no delicate way to say that, so why bother...she knew.
"I'm not implying that I don't think that ladies aren't intelligent or have capacity for critical thinking and independent thought, it's just that they are seldom encouraged or taught to use their minds, if not downright suppressed!"
There was another good-natured chuckle. "Whether or not that's a pity is a man's opinion, I suppose."
Posted September 28, 2018
Harriet's laugh rippled from her throat, a pleasant and lovely sound. "I had no choice but to learn to fend for myself and my sister." She decided it was unnecessary to share the details of those circumstances. "Women should have more choices in life beyond marriage or prostituting themselves to survive. I made a choice."
Shrugging her slender shoulders, she darted Jonah a smile as she tugged the reins bringing the carriage to a stop. "Needless to say, more men find me annoying than alluring." Her smoky gray eyes danced, inviting him to be as amused by it as she was.
Harriet had been told by the banker that it would be open for inspection. She had seen him after Mass. He was not Catholic, but he and his wife spent one Sunday a month at the orphanage run by the nuns. Now, she turned her eyes to the property as she set the break and looped the reins over the holder at the front of the buggy. Alighting from the carriage, she looked to Jonah, "We have permission to go inside."
The house appeared to be in good repair despite having been vacant for some time. Other than a loose shutter and needing a coat of paint, the exterior seemed solid. "Mr. Croft said that it had good bones. Should not take a great deal of effort to make it habitable. If you choose it, I can represent you in the negotiations if you like."