"Wills can be forged or so I have heard. I will need to see your signature though," Clara kept teasing.

But she quickly got back to her more usual serious side, "I will write out that list for you before I leave today."

Next came the fruit pies, Clara tried one of the apple ones since she had supplied the applies. First bite convinced her.

"Oh yes, this is delicious. But I agree cream is impractical. Besides the idea is to keep as simple to eat as possible. Is that not correct?" Clara pointed out.

"Did you want to go up and look at books?" Emeline asked when they finished their food. It was actually quite filling.

"Certainly, if you think we can leave the place empty? What if a customer walks in?" Clara wondered aloud.

I can put the bell up over the door," Emeline commented, "I don't keep it there when I'm down here because it can get pretty annoying when it's busy."

She wiped her hands on a towel, then laid her apron over the back of a chair. "You'll have to forgive the mess, though, I haven't had much time to devote to housecleaning."

After slipping the bell onto its holder on the door she led the way upstairs. The stairway opened to a small room that served as living quarters, appointed with a sofa, a desk, a small table with a couple of chairs, and a bookcase that held not only books, but some nick-knacks including a stereoscope. Past that was the doorway to the bedroom, where a bed with a wrought-iron frame was covered in a colorful quilt.

"Here it is! My luxury home...but at least the kitchen downstairs will keep it warm in the winter!"

"I have two menfolk at home, I am used to things being a bit disorderly, it is fine," Clara informed her.

Up the stairwell the pair went and into Emeline's living quarters. Of course Clara could not help but look around as the woman spoke.  There was little to be critical about really. She liked the place.

"Here it is!  My luxury home...but at least the kitchen downstairs will keep it warm in the winter!"

Clara nodded, "It is very homey. I think it is grand. Our farmhouse is warm enough but we are still having the occasional issues with the roof leaking and ranch cattle trampling our vegetable garden. We get along now though with the Lost Lake ranch but the Evergreen ranch is - to be blunt - a congress of louts."

Emeline couldn't help but chuckle at Clara's expressions, that were quite colorful!

"I'll be sure to tread lightly if any Evergreen boys come in," she declared. "I'd love to have a farmhouse...a real house, but it would need people...children, to make it right. Maybe one day, but as you say, for me alone, this is homey and cozy." She was tempted to ask the girl to spend the night sometime, but it was a little soon for that sort of thing. She needed to be certain they got along well.

"So, look over the books and take what you'd like, or anything you think your brother might like...and your father, for that matter. A new book can be refreshing." She always liked getting her hands on a book she hadn't read before.

Clara hoped that her new employer took her warning about the Evergreen bunch seriously. They were dangerous folk alright. But hopefully even they wouldn't be the sort to come into a nice business and cause any issues. She certainly would not want Emeline to be hurt or her business hampered in any fashion. And not just because she now was an employee of the place.

"I like our place but it still needs a lot of work. But my father is a hard worker and I do all I can, we are doing our best to impart those same virtues upon Wyatt. He is a good boy.... most of the time. I am not worried about him. He will be fine once he grows up," Clara spoke with confidence, something she seldom lacked.

Emeline told her to browse the book shelf and take what she wished. That would include picking something for her father or even Wyatt. Clara smirked.

"I know what Wyatt would say right now. Are there any really short books?"

Her eyes now starting skimming the titles and in a few minutes she had pulled three out as selections. She was still mentally debating a couple others. She did not wish to be viewed as ... greedy.

"These are really in excellent condition I see. That's impressive," she commented still not taking her eyes from the shelf.

"What is your opinion of poetry? If I may ask," she suddenly blurted out.

"I've got a couple McGuffy readers," Emeline commented, "they're a good compilation of various stories and histories, for different skill levels." The Readers were used in many schools for teaching children to read and for learning a bit of history and literature without being overwhelming.

When Clara asked about poetry, Emeline had to think that over. "Well, honestly, some of it is pretty...dull...a long-winded way of saying something simple, and while I have no issue directly with prose, sometimes it gets too much and you lose interest." She shrugged, not wanting to put the girl off poetry, but giving honest answers. "And the ones that tell stories...The Iliad, The Song of Roland, Canterbury Tales...exciting stories, but again, by the time you get there you forgot why you started."

She laughed. "And then there is Edgar Allen Poe...I'd wager your brother would like his writings." Then she shrugged. "So, my answer is, I take each poem and poet on their merit, and I don't begrudge myself the right to stop reading after three lines and my eyes are crossed at the flowery words!"

"I suppose we could do that." Emeline set out a piece of paper, along with ink and a pen. "That way, if you know of anyone else that you'd want to lend them to, you can keep track.' She fully trusted the young woman, she seemed to be very responsible and earnest, and Emeline had no doubt the books would be back just fine.

"You know, my husband took me to a fine restaurant once. It was a special treat, on our first anniversary, expensive, and purported to be best in the territory." Emeline smiled and shook her head. "It was awful, and barely any food for the effort. Poor Andrew was so disappointed. We should have just gone to a nice little place like this and had chicken pie! My point is, you are smart not to try to like something because everyone else says it's the best. Sometimes people praise things because everyone else is. Poetry, literature, art...make your own opinions."

"Oh gosh, I would never lend out any of your books, that would be irresponsible," Clara wanted to clear up any worries the woman might have about that possibility.

Emeline then began talking about a memory of her husband and her going to some fancy restaurant. For a few seconds Clara wondered why on earth she would tell her this but by the time she was done, it all made perfect sense.

"Yes, fine example," Clara nodded.

"As for opinions, most people who get to know me would agree I certainly am full of opinions. Father says I share them a little too openly and often," she smiled, indicating despite her father's attempts, she probably paid him little heed.

"Well, I suppose that can be a problem, there are many people who don't appreciate women having an opinion, particularly a young woman." Emeline smiled as she started for the door. "But that does not mean you can't have your opinion, and around here, you can speak it freely. I find the conversation enjoyable." She laughed. "Honestly, the food and the cat aren't very engaging, and the customers ar too busy eating or flirting!"

It really was nice to have another female around, and Emeline was looking forward to it. "We'll check on those fruit pies, then I need to start getting ready for supper."