Posted June 13, 2021 / Emeline Pike
"Can we?" She looked over at him with a wide, teasing grin. "Just pitch a tent and there we are! I've lived in them, my first cafe was in a tent, so I can adjust!"
Standing, she laughed. "I can wait, and you're right, I need to get back and start the preparations for tomorrow. But if you have no objections, I think I'll just close Sundays from now on, so we can have some time? That is, if Speed will let you?" Then her grin widened. "I'll bribe him with pie!"
Standing, she turned to look at the house site and sighed. Soon, this would be a happy, thriving home, and she'd want to spend most of her time here.
Posted June 14, 2021 / Barnabas Pike
"Yep, yer right we could jest pitch us a tent an' make the best of it til we're married, but one'a us'd have ta sleep outside. You know, on alternatin' nights." He chided. "Ain't no problem with Speed, 'less there's a need of me bein' there. Most Sundays 'er quiet anyhow, an' that'd be good fer us, I'm thinkin'.
Sundays were slow everywhere in Kalispell. The saloon, White Rose Inn, and the hotel were always open it seemed. Everything else was closed. Em's business was slow to non-existent most Sundays so it made sense. Most folks stayed at home after church, nothing else was open, it was just the way of things.
"Well, let's get to it." He said with a smile.
Posted June 15, 2021
"Sundays it is, then!" Emeline was thrilled that they had a set 'date' time, and frankly wondered why they hadn't done this sooner, it wasn't as if she would need the income in a short while, although she had never learned to 'count her chickens', so to speak, and was reluctant to give up the security of her business until she was good and properly married, and her income was secure.
Not that she thought that Barnabas would back out, but anything could happen...she knew that full-well...and she just didn't want to give that up yet. Still, closing on Sundays wouldn't do any harm, and Clara could have more time with her family.
"After church on Sundays, then," she grinned and kissed his cheek, "then, every day!" At that, she kissed him full on the lips, then spun and skipped toward her horse.
Posted June 16, 2021
Barnabas stood there watching her go, there was time to be spent with her, aside from those future days when they would be wed. He looked to the house, as she had, approving what he, and the men, had done.
It stood, solid in it's build, big enough in it's size, grand enough in it's design for her. It was just a frame with walls and a roof, she would make it a home. It was all he wanted and if he hadn't known that before, the fact filled him in that moment. Together, they would do great things large and small together, of that he was sure.
Of the cafe and the deputy job, both would serve their purpose for however long. It was a big country, despite the size of either Lost Lake or the Evergreen. This might not be the end, but the beginning of their holdings. He chuckled under his breath, he realized he was suddenly way ahead of himself, as he started for his roan.
Posted June 19, 2021
After stowing the picnic remains, Emeline swung into her saddle and moved Noel over by Barnabas, then turned to look back at the framed house, the woods, the falls past that, and sighed.
"One day we won't need to ride away." Grinning, she looked back at Barnabas, then frowned. "It needs a name, right? Don't most ranches have names? Like 'Lost Lake' or 'Evergreen'?" She laughed. "Or 'the Redmond Place'. What should we call it? Pike's Place? Barnabas' Barn?"
Posted June 20, 2021
He stood, one foot in the stirrup, one hand on the pommel, "Call it?" He asked. "Home I 'spose, or'd you mean along them lines?" He swung aboard, turning the roan to face her. "How's Paradise Falls sound to ya? 'course we' need us a brand ta go with it. Then agian, maybe that's to girly for a big cow outfit. I dunno, hadn't give it much thought, really. How 'bout you pick.? I am partial to the Rockin' P, 'er the Rafter P."
Naming the place was probably the last thing on his mind, but what he realized was, it was important, most every ranch had a name of one sort or another, and a brand for live stock of which they both would have, the cattle, and her horses. He would need to get with the smithy and get his irons made, and register the brand as well.
Posted June 20, 2021
"Paradise Falls...I like that." Grinning, Emeline nodded, looking over the property again. "It really is a paradise up here. That's perfect!"
Then she laughed and shrugged. "What about two 'P's' rocking? That can be us in our rocking chairs years from now, looking out over our paradise!" She rode close enough to kiss his cheek. "Or just one 'P' and I can be sitting on your lap for all time!"
As trivial as naming the ranch might seem, it just felt more like theirs, and another step closer to starting their future together.
Posted June 23, 2021
"Okay then, Rockin'P and Paradise Falls, which is whot it is, our Paradise at the Falls! Fine name, good brand, I'll be at the blacksmith in the mornin' ta have 'erm made up." He announced. "Rockin' P, yep, that'd be us, just relaxin' on that porch a'ours. Ain't real sure about rockin' chairs jest yet, but one fer you fer shore. Women al'ays need 'em a rocker fer the little ones." Then he smiled at her, "An' I figger that won't be none to far off."
He nudged the Roan forward and they started back for town.
Posted June 25, 2021
"Within a year, with luck!" Her cheeks blushed hotly, although she was looking forward to the process! Even so, she was having a hard time suppressing misgivings, a fear of losing it all again, but she refused to believe that such happiness had been given them, only to be ripped away.
"And within five years, we'll have a dozen!" Giving him a cheeky grin, she urged her horse into a lope.