Posted May 21, 2020 / Emeline Pike
Emeline's eyes followed his vision for a ranch, and she couldn't help but smile as she pictured what he was saying, adding her own touches, like a rabbit hutch, a little picket fence around the house, that had flower boxes under the windows. and a tree with a swing. A wistful smile crossed her lips...it was the sort of place where you could make a good life and raise a passel of children.
Someday...
"Well, hopefully the soldiers will be inclined to behave if they have officers to be accountable to," she commented. "I don't begrudge them some fun, of course, but within reason."
She looked out toward the falls for a moment, then asked, "Were you a soldier, Barnabas?" As soon as it came out, she regretted it, there was no need for politics, but now it was out there. "I'm sorry, it's none of my business. Try a peach pie...or apple, I'm not certain which is which."
Posted May 21, 2020 / Barnabas Pike
“So’jers behavin’? Not real sure how that’s gonna go. Believe Marshall Guyer’ll need him a depity ‘er two, ‘course that’ll depend on what the command is like. Most, well, most don’t care much when the men are off the post, others, they do care, and let it be known.” Pronto explained. “Yes ‘um rode with the Eighth Texas durin’ the late fracas.”
The memories of those years were for the most part pleasant. But then all memories of fighting have both good and bad memories. At her apology Barnabas smiled , “No need to be sorry Miss Emeline, none a tall. That was some years back an’ long over with, thank the Almighty. Now, the pies, they’d be of a more serious matter.” Then he laughed.
He did not live in the past, neither about the war, or the years after with the Rangers. He was truly in the moment, right there with Missus Emeline Blakesley, enjoying a picnic and the waterfall. Day dreaming of a ranch sitting a stones throw from where they were seated. Perhaps not as a couple, but as two souls with a desire for something more.
Posted May 22, 2020 / Emeline Pike
"Of course...food is the great equalizer, everyone has to eat, so if you can make something palatable, all the better!"
Well, she had to admit, the fruit pies were decent as well, so there was a new venture for her.
"So, a cattle ranch?" She glanced at Barnabas. "I don't know what would be easier, ranching or farming, but I think I'd prefer not having to break the land." Farming was hard, back-breaking work, but then, ranching was hard in other ways, and all were subject to the whims of nature.
"Cows stink, though." She laughed. "They are so cute when they are little, but then they grow up! I've always been interested in Morgan horses, but I don't know anything about breeding...I mean, besides the...breeding." Her cheeks went bright red as she hastily asked, "Are the fruit pies to your liking?"
Posted May 23, 2020 / Barnabas Pike
"Of course...food is the great equalizer, everyone has to eat, so if you can make something palatable, all the better!"
“Eatin’s one of them things a body’s gotta do purdy reg’lar, that’s fer sure.” He agreed. “You got competition with place a body can eat, but that bein’ said even Missus Evensome at the boarding house cain’t hold a candle to the food you put out. Jest don’t tell ‘er I said that or I’ll be out on my ear.”
"So, a cattle ranch?" She glanced at Barnabas. "I don't know what would be easier, ranching or farming, but I think I'd prefer not having to break the land." Farming was hard, back-breaking work, but then, ranching was hard in other ways, and all were subject to the whims of nature.
“Tell ya the truth, Maw had her a patch, but I never worked it much, sortta her little patch a ground. But I’m a fair hand with cattle
"Cows stink, though." She laughed. "They are so cute when they are little, but then they grow up! I've always been interested in Morgan horses, but I don't know anything about breeding...I mean, besides the...breeding." Her cheeks went bright red as she hastily asked, "Are the fruit pies to your liking?"
He looked down at the half gone fruit pie so she would not see him smiling. “Yes ‘um, hardly get my fill of fruit, and these? Now these, these set you a part from anyplace else in town, maybe the whole county.” He paused a moment and the said, “Cows an’ their leavin’s do tend to smell, but, was a body to start a place up here, there’s a meadow more ‘er less down wind that could hold mebee a couple hund’erd head, and sales well, a body could do alright.”
Posted May 24, 2020 / Emeline Pike
"Do you think so?" She glanced over at him, pondering. "I have no real knowledge of ranches, but I always thought that you had to have a thousand head or so to make a herd. Back home they'd come through town and stretch for miles, on their way to the stockyards." Her nose wrinkled up. "I have no interest in finding out what happens after that...at least until I make them into pies!"
She laughed. "I admit, I do like the end product! So, a hundred or so cows, a half dozen Morgans, a small vegetable garden and a dog...oh, and Buster, of course! It sounds really nice."
Owning a cafe hadn't been in her thoughts until Andrew died and she needed to find a way to support herself. Emeline had been looking forward to getting to Oregon and having a small farm where they would raise a family. That hadn't worked out, but she wasn't going to pine over it. She was doing well for herself, and maybe she could save enough to buy some land.
"What do you know about the Homesteading Act?"
Posted May 25, 2020 / Barnabas Pike
“I do, I mean about the pies. Hundered sixty acres fer free. Well, gotta file an pay a fee which I understand ain’t much.” Pronto replied. “‘bout all there is to it.” He paused with a smile. “You plannin’ on filin’ on this here land?”
“First thing is buildin’ the house, plenty of trees to fall, but we’d need us a wagon ta git ‘em to town to get sawed inta boards. Then there’s a well ta sink which might not have ta go to deep. You kin foller that by the out buildin’s you’d need, so ranchin’ ‘er farmin’, jest a lotta work long afore the seeds get sewed, ‘er the first cow arrives. But, danged if it wouldn’t be worth the effort.”
It set his mind to wandering about doing it, maybe setting some roots for the first time since he was a boy in Texas. And maybe that was what she was thinking too. He liked Kalispell, hard winters or not. Liked the people, especially one Missus Emeline Blakesley. Though he had to remember who and what he was, and that the time would come when he would be called on to use his guns. Or, called out to use them. Still...
Posted May 27, 2020 / Barnabas Pike
"That would be a lot of work with the cafe," Emeline mused. Homesteading really wouldn't be possible while she was working in town, but she didn't have the means yet to give up the cafe.
Then she chuckled. "Well, it sounds like a lot of work anyway. House wouldn't be too bad, just a simple square to start, right?" Her wheels were turning, however slowly. "So initially it comes down to having the funding to buy your cows and have...or my horses...and the equipment to care for them...but that means a barn for the Winter since there aren't really any lower pastures to keep them over the cold season..."
Homesteading sounded like a good way to have some independence, but as a single woman, she'd need a decent savings built up first.
"I might try that someday. Have my own place, raise Morgans and donkeys...because they're cute!"
Posted May 27, 2020 / Barnabas Pike
He snickered at the mention of the most stubborn animals on earth, but they were good for an number of jobs one would not want to use a horse for. He could see her dreaming of what it would take to get a ranch off the ground while trying to run a business some miles away. Not an easy thing to do.
"Well granted yah gotta be able to get the buidin's up first, and thet jest takes time an' hard work. 'course now, hirin' a couple men ta help out, thet'd get 'em up right quick." He offered. "Not ta mention ya gotta pay 'em, though it'd shorely be worth it." Mentally, Barnabus 'Pronto' Pike was way ahead of her. He knew what it would take, and most likely how long.
Posted May 27, 2020 / Emeline Pike
"Oh, well then, it's just a matter of finding a couple of desperadoes who are willing to work in exchange for bunks, good grub and a place to hide from the law!"
Emeline laughed, then shrugged. "Well, I have all Winter to plan and save, so I should have it figured out by the thaw!"
Thing was, she was really starting to think about it, although she knew there was a lot to consider. Still, under the right circumstances she might actually be able to make a go of it.
"At least I do have a good business for now, and I can set some money aside." Grinning, she glanced at him. "I don't suppose you're a wanted desperado looking for a hide-out that has amazing pies?"
Posted May 30, 2020 / Barnabas Pike
"Oh, well then, it's just a matter of finding a couple of desperadoes who are willing to work in exchange for bunks, good grub and a place to hide from the law!"
Pike could not help but smile and shake his drooped head, “Now the first lesson in ranchin’ is ya don’t never hire no no accounts as hands. Not never, less’n you don’t mind losin’ yer herd. ‘sides what yer talking about doin’ll cost ya.
Emeline laughed, then shrugged. "Well, I have all Winter to plan and save, so I should have it figured out by the thaw!"
“Figgerd out ya cain’t quite pull it off by yer own self. But then again, ya mite run onto a partner what has some experience with such like.” He said seriously, not to dissuade her if that was what she’d set her mind to do. Ain’t sayin’ you cain’t do it, ain’t sayin’ thet at all. I’m sayin’ might take longer’n a winter.
Thing was, she was really starting to think about it, although she knew there was a lot to consider. Still, under the right circumstances she might actually be able to make a go of it.
"At least I do have a good business for now, and I can set some money aside." Grinning, she glanced at him. "I don't suppose you're a wanted desperado looking for a hide-out that has amazing pies?"
“Ain’t sure about bein’ wanted, but I surely don't answer to the description on no wanted circular, but a hide out thet has amazin’ pies, now you might just’ve found a hand. Yes ma’m, I’d be plumb interested in ridin’ fer thet brand!” She might be kidding, but he wasn’t.