Posted December 22, 2020 | Leah Steelgrave

"I don't know that a plaque is necessary, but you are right about the name." Grinning, Jonah nodded. "Best to have the town name in it, so there is no question as to where it is, and it will bring pride to the town." More than opera and grange halls, institutions that provided for the basic needs of a community were key to the degree of 'civilization' a place had.

“Exactly, Jonah! Naming them for the town means, in essence, it belongs to the town!” She agreed. “And, I believe I’ll withhold our name until after we’ve met with the town council, just to see what they have in mind, besides attempting to steal the whole plan just to feed their egos. Self important fools that they are.”

Yes she was angry, first at semi-retired Judge Ben Robertson, followed by the rest of the town council who would go along with whatever he said. And the newcomer, Charles Wentworth Sr., who owned and managed the bank. And even though she had trusted Mister Croft, Wentwworth was a different matter altogether. Gossip had it he was inquiring about her on behalf of the council. She found that quite interesting.

Her funds were no longer in Kalispell, making access a bit more difficult, but away from prying eyes. Her personal account was in Hungry Horse, Other accounts were in Helena. What to do about the grants she held? That would have to wait, for now.

Posted December 23, 2020 | Adelaide Chappel

"I don't know this Miss Emeline but I'll take your word for it," the officer smiled.

"She has a little place called th' Lickskillet," Addy explained, "good, simple food. Come from Illinois if I recall proper. Her an' her husband, but she lost him an' set up th' place here."

Resilience and the ability to adapt were paramount to survival out west for man and woman alike, but the rewards were well worth it.

"She an' Pronto Pike'er startin' up a ranch up by th' falls, once they get hitched proper. That's them there." She indicated a couple on the dance floor, then stopped to look over the table that still had a decent selection of cookies and pies.

"Lord'a'mighty! I reckon as I could have me two'a each if no one was lookin'!" Then she noticed Jay approaching and was fixing to introduce him when he just blithely whispered in her ear, spoke to Barlow then left.

Well, she'd come alone, and wasn't alone now, and she was having a good time, and had no particular reason to go after Jay...

"Tarnation an' lizard tails," she grumbled, then looked at the Captain and sighed. "If ya'll be excusin' me, I'd best see what's chompin' at his hide. Hadda fine time dancin' with ya, sir."

She gave Barlow a nod, then trotted out after Jay, catching up with him a short way out of the barn. Falling in step with him, she gave him a light smack on the arm. "What's got you so all-fired in a rush? I was hopin' fer another dance'er somethin'."

Posted December 24, 2020 | Jonah Danforth

“Exactly, Jonah! Naming them for the town means, in essence, it belongs to the town!” She agreed. “And, I believe I’ll withhold our name until after we’ve met with the town council, just to see what they have in mind, besides attempting to steal the whole plan just to feed their egos. Self important fools that they are.”

"The best tactic against men is to let them think that they are in charge, and know what is best." He grinned, although he suspected she knew that. "The bigger the ego, the easier it will be to bamboozle them. And the best part is that those same egos keep them from admitting that they have been duped..."

He looked toward the barn as a young man emerged, shortly followed by Addy. "Do you know that man?" he asked Leah. He'd seen him around town but hadn't had cause to speak to him. "Miss Chappel seems to..." Well, he wasn't sure that the lady had any capacity to be 'sweet' on anyone.

"No mind, that's another lady that can see to herself...when she was delivering my supplies she told me she 'almost got e't by a bar!" He laughed, then shook his head. "Kalispell has many fine examples ladies if one is willing to look."

Posted December 24, 2020 | Leah Steelgrave

"The best tactic against men is to let them think that they are in charge, and know what is best." He grinned, although he suspected she knew that. "The bigger the ego, the easier it will be to bamboozle them. And the best part is that those same egos keep them from admitting that they have been duped..."

“Yes, that certainly can be true, in most cases. My concern is that these are not young men by any stretch of the imagination, and what works on the young men, or those not dealing in a business setting, since older men can also fall prey to a woman’s charm.” She smiled, “I believe that they have been meeting, either as a group or singularly, but that is conjecture plain and simple.”

He looked toward the barn as a young man emerged, shortly followed by Addy. "Do you know that man?" he asked Leah. He'd seen him around town but hadn't had cause to speak to him. "Miss Chappel seems to..." Well, he wasn't sure that the lady had any capacity to be 'sweet' on anyone.

“Can’t say as I do.” Was her response. “ Sweet on him? That could be the case, most certainly. She is a woman after all!”

"No mind, that's another lady that can see to herself...when she was delivering my supplies she told me she 'almost got e't by a bar!" He laughed, then shook his head. "Kalispell has many fine examples ladies if one is willing to look."

“That is true, she actually shot and killed the bear that a party of hunters went out after. Something of a local hero as I remember.” Leah informed him. “I must get to know her better, she’s one that would see the need for the hospital and the orphanage, I’m betting.”

Posted December 24, 2020 | Adelaide Chapel

"I'm not feeling good. All these people, dancing, music....maybe it's the punch."

Addy nodded understanding, she wasn't too keen on crowds and fuss herself, although she didn't mind now and again, and tonight she wad having a good time. "Yeah, kinda stiflin', ain't it?" As much as she understood, she had been hoping to have some time with him, laughing and kicking up their heels...

"I'm really sorry, Addy. I came because of you, you know."

While the confession, and touch, sent an electric chill through her, Addy struggled to continue to convince herself that she felt no more of Jay than a good friend...and it was a hard struggle...

"You're important to me."

The soft kiss, the quiet words, they broke past her barriers, and Addy knew then that this man was special, that she had more than just a deep affection for him, and that she didn't want to ever lose him.

But she didn't have words...

"Go back and enjoy the evening. You've earned it."

"Yeah, awright..." Frowning, she nodded, wondering if she was reading more into his words than was there...after all, there was nothing final in them, but somehow the tone said different.

She started for the barn, but then turned back and kissed him soundly on the lips. "Ya take care'a yerself, ya hear me, an' don't go an' do nothin' stupid, there's folks here what care 'bout ya....Weedy'll be wantin' ta show ya th' new house..."

At that, she shoved her hands in her pockets and headed back to the dance. She wouldn't be staying long.

Posted December 25, 2020 | Brendan Connolly

"Well, I did enjoy dancing with him. Just as I am enjoying dancing with you."

Brendan raised one eyebrow at Clara's comment. There wasn't anything wrong with being put on the same level as Charlie - or there shouldn't have been - but for some reason he found himself irritated. It was as if Clara was trying not to play favorites, which was ridiculous since she had no reason to think of him as her favorite after the incident with Billy and Greer.

The dance ended and Clara applauded while Brendan simply stuck his thumbs behind his suspenders and waited, then walked alongside Clara as they left the dance floor. He walked nonchalantly, as if he had just happened to be walking the same way. But he was listening for her to say something, and say something she did.

"He did not step on my feet, he surprised me at how well he danced to be honest. Just as you did, I must compliment you on how well you did."

"And I must accept your compliment, I s'pose. Dancin' sort of comes natural to me - at least square dances and things like that." He grinned and tried to herd her surreptitiously toward the punch table. There would be time for the beer tent later on, but he was thirsty after two fast dances in a row.

"Thank you for asking me to dance. I confess that - prior to the dance - I was quite worried that maybe the entire evening would go by and no boy....excuse me, man ... would even take enough interest in me to ask," she admitted.

"Shucks," he said as he filled a cup and offered it to her, "I never have to worry about havin' someone to dance with. I always find somebody. But I guess it's harder for you."

He meant her being a girl would make it hard because she had to wait to be asked, but there was always the possibility she would think he was calling her plain or homely. Girls were touchy about their appearances. He suddenly thought of Bridget, with her too-fancy dresses and naivete, and glanced around the barn to see where she was. Once he had located her, he turned his attention back to Clara.