Posted February 9, 2019
"Is that so?" He glanced at her with a wide grin. "Skills that could be put to use, I'm sure, as I have no aptitude with any of those!" His talents were of more use at a Faro table. "Besides, I'd hate to risk injuring my hands...I'm a skilled surgeon, after all, and they could be considered delicate instruments!"
He laughed, holding up his hands and wiggling his fingers. He was having a good time, and was most assuredly charmed by the young lady...she was smart and confident, and could actually carry on a conversation that didn't have to do with fashion or babies. But that was part of the problem...she would have expectations, and likely questions he didn't want to answer. Still, that wasn't going to stop him from enjoying her company.
"I suppose, though, if we need any fancy knots tied, I'd be your man!"
Posted February 12, 2019
Harriet's eyes sparkled as she laughed. She was enjoy the company and the easy, light-hearted flirtation. She realized that it had been a really long time since she had let herself enjoy a man's company. It was not that she disliked men, quite the opposite in fact. It was simply the fact that the career she had chosen was dominated by men. It meant that she had to present herself to male clients as just as pragmatic, practical, and knowledgeable as any other attorney. Harriet's determination had paid off. Mercer & Associates was one of the top law firms west of the Mississippi and even known by some in the East. It had come at a price though.
Then, of course, there had been Franklin Hartwell Mercer...her thoughts shied away from thoughts of her father.
Impulsively, Harriet reached out to grab one of Jonah's hands, feigning a serious and detailed inspection of the appendage. "I think you may be right. We must not risk damaging the merchandise." Deftly, she gave his hand a firm shake, "It's a deal. Mercer & Associates will hang its shingle with yours, Dr. Danforth!"
Posted February 14, 2019
There was a little shock of thrill as Harriet reached over and put her soft hand over his, and the warmth was just a bit too invigorating. It had been a while since he'd had anything but a superficial relationship with a woman....well, that was pretty much never, and he wasn't exactly sure what to do with it to keep it under control. First, he figured was to make sure he didn't make it more than it was, and to enjoy it for what it was.
"I think you may be right. We must not risk damaging the merchandise." Deftly, she gave his hand a firm shake, "It's a deal. Mercer & Associates will hang its shingle with yours, Dr. Danforth!"
"Very good!" Grinning, he gripped her hand firmly, holding it a bit longer than necessary, then lifting it to his lips and pressing on a soft kiss. "Partners! Just be warned, I tend to sleep until noon, given my 'druthers', and I suspect we'll have an overabundance of chickens and vegetables as payment. At least people will pay coin for your services."
Posted February 19, 2019
Harriet felt a delicate blush rise in her cheeks when Jonah kissed her hand. She was not used to such gallantry from the men in her life. To be fair, of course, most of them were clients, and such actions would be untoward. It was nice to be treated like a lady for a change.
However, she shook her head at his remarks. "I will be taking my share of livestock and foodstuffs as payment as well as doing true pro bono work. Everyone is entitled to good legal services."
Smiling, Harriet reached down and smoothed her skirt over her legs. "As to your sleeping habits, I will endeavor to keep the ruckus to a minimum." Another thought occurred to her, "We should look for a receptionist that can manage a small waiting room for your patients and my clients. No, that will not work. My healthy clients may not want to share a waiting area with those of yours that are in ill health." She tilted her head, "I may have to put my meager carpentry skills to use and divide up one of the house's larger rooms."
"Ahhhh! I have it," Harriet exclaimed after mentally reviewing the home's layout. "If you make the parlor and downstairs bedrooms your medical practice, I can split the dining room in two, add an outside entrance and that will serve nicely as my office and waiting area. There is more than enough room in the kitchen for a table and chairs. Should a larger dining area be needed, an addition can be added. This will be the most cost-efficient arrangement for now."
Posted February 22, 2019
"I do like that idea, splitting the downstairs." Jonah smiled, impressed at her creativity. "And I don't mind dining in the kitchen, I'm not terribly choosy on that sort of thing, and I certainly am not the sort to entertain." Laughing, he shook his head. "And I certainly think that your carpentry skills will be put to use building pens to hold all our payments!"
There was a lot that they needed to do, but he suspected she would be a great business partner, and an asset as well.
"So, what do you think about getting back to town and secure our purchase, then get together for supper to hash out plans?" After all, if he was going to set up practice, the sooner the better, although as long as he had space, he could get started.
Posted February 24, 2019
Harriet nodded her head and smiled, "By all means. We should let Mr. Croft know of our intentions immediately."
The invitation to supper took a bit longer to consider. Harriet had told Laura Hale where she would be for the day and also left word that if it got too late, she would stay at the hotel in town rather than risk the drive back to the ranch in the dark. The pass through Ishmael's Gate was precarious in the daylight! Driving it alone at night was not high on her list of things to-do. Besides, she had not had any time away from the ranch since arriving with Shade and Quentin back in July. If she remained in town, she could look over the purchase contracts as soon as they were drawn up and do some shopping before heading back to Lost Lake.
"And yes, if a room can be had at the Belle-St. Regis, dinner sounds wonderful. I did not bring a change of clothes with me so you will have to put up with the dusty day-on-the-go me," Harriet laughed softly as she answered.
Posted March 1, 2019
"All right, then." He hadn't had any expectations for this jaunt besides a nice lunch with a pleasant lady, so Jonah was feeling pretty good, having someone to help with expenses, and a new friend to boot! After helping her pack the remains of the picnic away, he stood and offered Harriet his hand...a soft but firm hand he didn't mind holding!
"If supper isn't possible, that's fine, there are other nights." Picking up the blanket, he started back for the buggy. "I had thought you were living in town? Where all the civilization is, and all that!" It would be difficult to be a reporter and lawyer away from your potential subjects, but then, there really was no reason she couldn't get away and just come to town when she needed to.
Posted March 3, 2019
Harriet gratefully accepted Jonah's hand to help her to her feet. The day had been unexpectedly pleasant. She had enjoyed the company, and the opportunity to finally move forward with relocating her business to Kalispell was exceptional.
"If supper isn't possible, that's fine, there are other nights." Picking up the blanket, he started back for the buggy. "I had thought you were living in town? Where all the civilization is, and all that!" It would be difficult to be a reporter and lawyer away from your potential subjects, but then, there really was no reason she couldn't get away and just come to town when she needed to.
"If you are sure that you do not mind taking a raincheck on supper, that might be best for today," Harriet answered. She shook her head in response to his question as she helped load the remains of their picnic into the buggy. "No, I have been staying with the Thorntons at Lost Lake Ranch. In fact, while I had hoped to relocate to Montana in the future, I was actually looking to set up an office in Missoula."
Harriet did not have to explain much further than that. Missoula was one of Montana's population centers if such could be said of the territory. "My original clients were Chance and Regina Thornton," she could not help the slight tremor in her voice when she spoke their names. "When I was notified of their deaths, I traveled up here to be on hand since I am the ranch's attorney-of-record and had to deal with a lawsuit brought by a man who, by all rights, should be disbarred from practicing law."
Posted March 7, 2019
"Oh?" Jonah glanced at her, marginally curious, but it was good to know what was going on with the locals, who to court and of whom to be wary. "I'm sorry to hear that. What happened, if you don't mind? And who is this other attorney, so I can avoid him? Not that I'd seek legal advice from anyone else."
He gave her a quick smile, then shrugged. "I certainly hope there weren't children involved?" Of course, he had no idea who Chance and Regina Thornton had been, but in his head, he pictured them as an older couple.
Posted March 22, 2019
Harriet considered Jonah for a long moment. The deaths of Chance, Regina, and their two older children was on record. She would not be betraying client-attorney privilege by telling him what had happened. Yet, the hurt and grief was still raw for all that she put on a calm facade.
"The Thorntons own Lost Lake Ranch, one of the largest in the region, as well as businesses all over the country - mining, logging, and shipping. Ishmael Thornton settled here before there were many white settlers in Montana. Chance Thornton was the eldest and inherited everything after the death of John Caleb Thornton in 1868. The Lost Lake Trust mandated that all property and assets are bequeathed to the eldest son. In the interim, Chance made legal changes to the Trust that allowed him to bequeath property and assets however he wanted to."
For a moment, Harriet was not sure if she could go on. Squaring her shoulders, she took a deep breath, "In June, Chance, his wife, Regina, and three of their four children made their annual trip to Missoula. The fourth child remained at the ranch because she was ill. On the return trip, they were attacked - allegedly by an Indian raiding party - and murdered. Only their youngest son, Cody, escaped. Fortunately, a stage found the burned out wreckage and the boy and brought him back to Kalispell."
"This is where I enter the picture. As attorney-of-record and because I was tasked with seeing the dictates of the Thornton's wills carried out, I was notified. In the interim, the Thornton's former attorney, the aforementioned Carson Tyndall, lodged a lawsuit challenging the legality of the will and of the dissolution of the Lost Lake Trust. He was also suing for guardianship of the five-year-old Thornton twins. To put it in perspective, Tyndall is the attorney for the Steelgraves, the Thornton's biggest rival."
Harriet sighed, "I am sure this is all confusing and of no real relevance, but it is a relief to tell someone about all of it. Chance and Regina left the guardianship of their children to Chance's younger brother, Shade, and Regina's older brother, Quentin Cantrell. They also left half of the ranch to Shade and a percentage of their business interests to Quentin. The lion's share of everything was left to their children."
"Fortunately, Judge Oliver Mandrell upheld the dissolution of Lost Lake Trust and the wishes of Chance and Regina Thornton with a few stipulations that I cannot discuss. This brings us to the here and now. Although Shade and Quentin are the children's legal guardians and have direct responsibility for managing the ranch and business assets, I have been designated by the court to oversee everything. So, while I receive a healthy retainer and the Thorntons are my primary clients now, I still need to set up an office in town to keep my practice afloat."
Finally, Harriet paused and gave a soft laugh, "Chance, Regina, and their children meant far more to me than just being clients. In the course of time I worked for them, they became my dearest friends. Their loss has been..." she hesitated again, "...their deaths have left a gaping hole in my life. I will do everything in my power to see their wishes carried out and protect their children."