Posted October 6, 2018
Jonah found it sad that women were not valued for the fascinating creatures that they were, but then he supposed that there were plenty of women who were happy and content to run a household and have children, and they were brilliant at it, and that was all right.
As they approached the house, he looked it over with an assessing eye -- he'd never actually bought a property or had more than a rented office and an apartment, so he wasn't too sure what he needed or how much it should cost.
"It's nice," he observed. Two stories, surrounded by a picket fence that needed some mending, a small yard of grass and some flowers, and a big tree that provided shade. "I can hang my shingle from the tree."
And he suddenly had the crazy notion that this could be real, be permanent, a place to actually settle and become a part of the community, so long as the mayor didn't have a teenage daughter with a wild streak!
"I need a reception area, exam room, perhaps one or two rooms for overnight patients..." He could have his private quarters upstairs, he didn't really need much. But he'd need a nurse, too, and a housekeeper...this was getting complicated!
Posted October 6, 2018
Harriet had been examining the lawn with its neat white picket fence. Something in Jonah's tone of voice brought her attention back to the doctor. It was not quite panic, more like a sudden realization of something she could not immediately define. Perhaps the thought of buying a place and setting up a more permanent place of business was suddenly overwhelming. Had it been the same for her? No. When Harriet had placed the sign for her business on her first office door, it had been with a sense of accomplishment and defiance. What about when the first... She gave a mental shake of her head. Some things needed to stay buried.
"I think the house should provide you with all of that, Jonah. It is larger than I thought it to be," Harriet assured the man. "Why not go inside and see how much space there actually is?" She turned toward the steps that led up toward the front porch. "You should consider having a ramp built to make it easier to carry those that are incapacitated inside..."
Posted October 10, 2018
"Oh, good idea. It will make it easier to get equipment in, too." Jonah smiled and nodded as he got out of the buggy then went around to help Harriet down.
The place looked even more intimidating from the ground, although it was fairly straightforward and simple. Still, it was two stories and had a small porch, and, well, it was a real house! He looked up at it, then finally mounted the stairs and stepped onto the porch.
"Well, this is nice, I suppose. I could put a rocker out here and watch the town go by!" He chuckled then opened the door, standing back to let her enter first, then followed, leaving the door open. The foyer was open, with a parlor to the right and a smaller room on the left, both with some furnishings -- a sofa, desk, chairs, cases with books...
"Ah, some furniture, that will make it easier." He moved down the hall past the staircase and to the kitchen at the back of the lower floor. "Looks....adequate."
He was a guy, this was a house...what more was there?
Posted October 10, 2018
Harriet looked around the house, walking through the parlor and sizing up the furnishings that had been left. The things that had been left behind were in good repair. Although it had been abandoned, the home was relatively clean. Croft had informed Harriet that he sent one of his daughters to clean it on a regular basis just in case someone became interested in purchasing the place.
The main floor was well-designed for a doctor's office. The parlor could easily serve as a waiting room and the smaller room across from it would work quite nicely for a receptionist. Harriet followed the hallway and found two more rooms, empty of furnishings. They could serve as examination rooms or an exam room and an overnight room. There was also a large kitchen, a dining room, and a privy.
Returning to the kitchen with Jonah in tow, Harriet noted a second set of stairs that led to the second floor. That would be handy if the doctor was going to make his living quarters on the upper floor. Large windows in the kitchen looked out on a small backyard, what appeared to be a chicken coop and stabling for a horse. There was also a space that had been used as a kitchen garden.
Turning to Jonah, Harriet waved a hand at the kitchen, "Someone loved this home once upon a time. I think you could do quite well here. We should see what is upstairs too. With luck, there is a place for a small stove. You would not have to come downstairs just for heating coffee or soup." She offered a saucy smile, "If you decide not to take it, I might put in an offer. Sooner or later, I will have to find a permanent place to live here. I do not see myself returning to San Francisco." Montana, particularly Kalispell, and its residents had taken hold of her heart. Harriet was seriously considering signing the house in San Francisco over to her sister. It was a big change for the lady attorney, but it was time to consider making those changes.
Posted October 14, 2018
"Oh, well, then I'll have to put in an offer quickly!" Jonah grinned, leading the way to the stairs. His hand ran over the smooth, finely carved wood or the banister in appreciation as he started up. "It certainly seems some expert craftsmen worked on this place, so it should be standing for a good long while yet."
The stairs opened to a wide landing off which were four doors. Each of these opened to bedrooms, and the front two had small balconies that overlooked the street.
"This really is nice," he commented, "I can use one room as an office, and, of course, the bedroom. The other two, whatever I need...." Again, there were some furnishings, two of the bedrooms had beds, one had a wardrobe...and that gave him a thought...
"This is going to be more complicated than I'd thought," he added with a chuckle, "I'll need all those...domestic things....linens, pots, pans...dishes, if I expect civilized company..." He'd definitely have to hire help.
Posted October 18, 2018
Harriet wandered down the hall, opening and closing doors. She was listening for squeaks and noises from the flooring that might hint at needed repairs. So far, like Jonah, she was quite impressed. At the end of the hall, where the back of the house would be, she saw a small indentation with a curtain over it. The curtain revealed a door which opened into a tiny alcove.
Giving a squeal of laughter and delight, she looked back at Jonah, "An upstairs privy! This home is a miracle!" Moving back to where he stood, she slanted a look up at him, "As far as needing help and household goods...you will have all that you need once word gets out, which it will...that a good-looking, single man - and a doctor at that! has moved to town." Harriet's eyes sparkled with humor, "Your kind is a bit rare in these parts."
Posted October 19, 2018
"Oh, well, I suppose I can trade goods for care," Jonah agreed, then he frowned. "Good-looking? Do you mean to say that I'm going to have to stave off the attentions of the town's unattached spinsters? I suppose a steady supply of baked goods can't hurt!" Well, if it made life easier, he supposed that would be all right, so long as they didn't get fancy notions.
"Well, as soon as we can get the paperwork on this going, I can send for my equipment and get business going properly. This should prove...interesting." He smiled at the woman. "And an upstairs privy, luxury at its best! I do thank you greatly for your assistance. I owe you, once I have some chickens, I'll pay you back!"
Posted October 24, 2018
Harriet shook her head, "You do not owe me anything, Jonah...especially not chickens! I promise you, the ranch has more than enough."
She turned to make her way back down the stairs, noting again that loving care had gone into the woodwork on the banisters and railings. Harriet always found it sad when a well-loved home was abandoned. "I will stop by the Croft's home on the way back to the ranch after our outing. They will not conduct business on a Sunday, but I can make arrangements for an appointment tomorrow morning."
Turning to face Jonah, Harriet's gray eyes sparkled with mild amusement, "You realize this is the frontier, yes? It will not only be spinsters setting their caps at you. We have our fair share of young women. Their mothers will be seeking suitable husbands for their daughters."
Posted October 28, 2018
"Ah, 'suitable', there's the clinch!" Jonah laughed and shook his head. "Although I suppose that 'MD' in front of my name immediately implies 'suitable', if not 'amazingly rich and respectable'!" Grinning, he headed back down the stairs. "Not that I mind the ladies, mind you, but at the moment I don't need that sort of complication, until I get settled at least."
While he appreciated the ladies, he certainly didn't want to live with one, and brave all the moods and rules, nope, not for him! "At any rate, I am going to need some help around here, but then, that might be better trade than chickens!" He laughed, although there was a large bit of truth in that! He'd much prefer cleaning and cooking to a menagerie of more things to keep up.
"So, I'll make an offer and get this started." He gave her a genuine smile, starting to actually look forward to this. "I'll send to Oakdale for my supplies."
Posted October 29, 2018
Harriet felt herself relax completely at Jonah's words regarding not wanting the complications that a romantic relationship would entail. She had had a tiny niggling fear that he had asked her out that day due to some attraction. Harriet had had a couple of romantic entanglements in her life as well as a would-be suitor still residing in California. The suitor was a former client that Harriet had finally requested that he find another firm to represent him in his business dealings. Looking into his flat dark eyes had given her cold chills.
Perhaps Jonah could become another good friend? He was an enjoyable companion, handsome, and very intelligent. Harriet enjoyed his company. However, despite being at the age that was considered well past marriageable age, Harriet was not interested in setting her cap at him.
"Since the house is suitable, I will make a totally unladylike confession...I am starved!" Harriet flashed Jonah a smile and laughed. "I suggest I show you some of our spectacular landscape and we have lunch by the river?"