Posted April 26, 2019
Harriet showed Jonah to the downstairs washroom so that he could clean up and gave him directions to the small dining room next to the kitchen. The family rarely used the larger formal dining area. It was reserved for special occasions such as holidays and when there were guests. While Mary put the finishing touches on dinner, Harriet set the table. She was about to help put dinner on the table when Mary handed her the teapot and shooed her out of the kitchen.
Having been admonished to go sit down, Harriet settled at the table and reached for the teapot. The smoky aroma of the tea made her sigh with anticipation. Mary was going to take a tray to the children's playroom and dine with them, leaving the adults free to discuss Ezra's condition without upsetting them. There would be upset enough when Shade arrived home. In fact, Harriet glanced at the long windows that showed the spectacular view of the Chogun mountains and Lost Lake...the shadows were lengthening toward night. Shade should be home soon.
She had only been seated for a moment or two when she realized that she had lost track of Quentin. Harriet told Mary where she was going in case Jonah came back from washing up. She had a good idea where Quentin was...the study had become his favorite refuge after a long day.
Harriet had been correct. Quentin sat slumped and sound asleep in the big easy chair. She hated to wake him but he would want to know how things stood. Reaching out, Harriet gently shook his shoulder, "Quentin," she said softly, "wake up. It is time for dinner."
Quentin gave a start and looked around as he sat up, his wide eyes relaxed after taking in the room and Harriet standing before him. He looked back to her. "Is Ezra alright? Did something happen?"
"No, Quentin. Ezra is holding his own for now," Harriet told him. "I came to find you for dinner." Her voice was devoid of the usual hostility that crept in when she was dealing with Shade or Quentin.
Quentin exhaled and rubbed his face before standing up. "Sorry for falling asleep..." He reached and picked up the shirt he had brought with him and buttoned it on then tucked it in as he followed Harriet to the dining room. He walked in and looked around, then breathed in deeply. "Smells delicious...I didn't realize I was hungry..."
"Mary made her famous chicken, dumplings, and biscuits. Do not apologize for falling asleep. Taking care of Ezra had to be exhausting." Harriet's voice trembled slightly, "He's so badly hurt." She did not point out another worry. Shade had yet to arrive at the house.
Harriet helped Mary finish setting the table and laying out supper. They had just finished when motion in the doorway alerted her to the doctor's return. "Jonah," she called out, "in here. We're just now ready."
Jonah Danforth | Posted May 25, 2019
After washing up. Jonah slipped on a clean shirt that he kept in his bag for this purpose, and while it was pretty rumpled, it was at least clean and presentable. As he headed to the dining room, he raked his fingers through his hair, then smiled at Harriet as she met him.
"It smells wonderful," he declared, just realizing how hungry he was now that the crisis was over. Giving Mary a nod, he offered an arm to Harriet. "Can I escort you to the table...although I'm afraid you are going to have to point out who sits where."
The layout was nice, simple but neat and inviting, and he felt relaxed, and relieved that he didn't have to deal with crystal glassware and six forks with its own purpose!
Posted June 13, 2019
Harriet smiled and took Jonah's arm, "We do not stand on ceremony. Everyone sits where they please." She chose a seat where she could easily speak to both Jonah and Quentin.
Although manners dictated that discussing Ezra's injuries was not a proper dinner conversation, Harriet felt that since the twins were not present, she need to find out how he was faring. She glanced over at Quentin briefly and then turned her gaze back to Jonah. "How is Ezra, Jonah? Will he live?"
Quentin Cantrell | Posted June 13, 2019
Quentin watched Jonah and Harriet walk into the dining room arm and arm and refrained from rolling his eyes with great effort. He leaned over and dug into the food in front of him, maybe using his silverware a bit more than necessary as he attacked his food. Quentin told himself it was partly from hunger, but he also did not follow that train of thought too closely because he was damned if he could think of any other reason to be angry at what that woman did. He did straighten up and listen when Harriet asked about Ezra. For everything else he might be feeling at the moment, he did appreciate the effort the doctor had put into saving Ezra's life.
Jonah Danforth | Posted June 13, 2019
Jonah sat at the table, relieved that the setting wasn't too formal, not that he couldn't handle six plates and ten forks, but that brought along with it formal conversation and manners that just about ruined even the best of food. And right now, he was exhausted and frazzled, so he was glad for a relaxing meal.
"How is Ezra, Jonah? Will he live?"
As he buttered a roll, he looked over at Harriet, thinking that over, but there was no point in hedging. "Right now, I can't really say," he answered honestly, "it depends on a number of factors...how much blood he lost, if any of the wounds putrefy, his health prior, and if he recovers quickly so he can start taking in nutrition."
He bit into the roll, savoring the flavor before adding, "We can impact some of those factors with good, aggressive care, but beyond that..." He shrugged, then gave Harriet a smile. "I'm certain he will have the best care anyone can get."
Posted June 28, 2019
"We will certainly do our best," Harriet agreed. She broke a biscuit in two and buttered it. "Ezra was in excellent health. In fact, in all my years of visiting here, I don't recall him being ill or missing a day of work. Certainly, he suffered the odd minor injury. You cannot work a spread this size without that happening."
Harriet spooned a portion of the chicken and dumplings into her bowl, added a light sprinkling of salt and pushed the dumplings around with her spoon. "As far as aggressive medical treatment - I am sure Laura will agree to anything likely to put the odds of Ezra's survival in his favor."
Jonah Danforth | Posted July 7, 2019
"Well, that's good to hear." Jonah nodded as he took a bite of the meal, then smiled. "Well, it's to his advantage to have good health and to be in good condition." He took another bite, savoring the flavor, enjoying the meal. "With cooking like this, he's sure to recover quickly!"
The wonderful meal only reminded him that he needed to hire a cook and housekeeper. "I'm thinking that maybe we should try to steal away...Maria, is it?" he murmured softly with a grin. "It would be wonderful if we could lure her to town!"
Posted July 10, 2019
Harriet laughed, "It is Maria, although she goes by Mary. I am afraid that I would lose Laura Hale's friendship if I tried to lure her away from the ranch. But, I am sure she can recommend some ladies that need employment. Mary and Sage Miller have lived in the area and worked this ranch for many years."
She turned her eyes to Quentin, "Did I tell you that Jonah has been kind enough to offer me office space in his new building? I can use the ranch's leased rooms at the hotel for a couple of nights a week. I really do need to build up my clientele in the area and notify all of my regular clients regarding my relocation. I have no reason to return to San Francisco."
Quentin stopped in mid-bite and looked up at the doctor then over at Harriet. "That's...good to hear. I know I am glad you will be staying here even if it is in...town." He sat back and wiped his mouth with his napkin.
Harriet was momentarily flustered. That Quentin would express pleasure over the fact that she was remaining in Montana was surprising. Perhaps he was just really tired? "I will only be in town on days that I need to keep office hours." She glanced down at her napkin, "I am too attached to...this ranch...to abandon it completely."
Quentin looked over at Harriet. "The ranch would be sad to see you go...it would be happy that you will be staying on..."
"Well then, as long as the ranch is happy..." Harriet responded. It occurred to her that Quentin might be alluding to the ranch like she had. Neither of them wanted to come out and say that there was a growing liking between them.
Harriet glanced around, "I would feel much better if Shade would get home." Despite the fact that she felt she should dislike the man on principal, she was finding it harder and harder to do so. His record portrayed him as a hotheaded gunslinger. However, her dealings with him seemed to indicate he was anything but that. Maybe it was not too far over the line to admit that she was getting worried about Shade's continued absence. Of course, there was no telling how far the riders had to go to find him.
"Shade is no fool. If he or his horse get a whiff of bear they won't hang around to be introduced..." Quentin said as he finished cleaning his plate. "...he does have a habit of being hard to find, but he will be home soon enough, whether with one of our riders or on his own...he'll be here."
"I hope you are right, Quentin," Harriet said, glancing in the direction of the room where they had put Ezra.
Jonah Danforth | Posted July 21, 2019
"Well, I can certainly understand why you'd want to be here," Jonah commented with a smile, "it's so peaceful here, and...uncluttered." Even though the town was nothing like a big city, it still had people, animals, vehicles and the noise and commotions that went with that. Of course, the drawback was that very isolation. "Pity I need to be available for patients, or I'd find a place like this!"
Of course, he was so accustomed to civilization that he'd likely quickly go crazy away from towns and his source of income.
Posted July 23, 2019
"When I first came out here to meet with Chance Thornton and his wife, Regina, I thought I would be longing for the bustle of San Francisco," Harriet said. "Then I saw the mountains and rivers, wild horses, just everything was so breathtaking. I sometimes miss the ocean but the majesty of this land soon puts paid to that."
Harriet pushed her plate away and picked up her cup of tea. Leaning back in her chair, she smiled at Jonah. "Your new place is not right in middle of the town bustle so you should get some peace and quiet. It is not far to the river and plenty of places to go, sit and read a book, just listen to nature. Of course, not before that bear that mauled Ezra is dealt with."