"I can jump right in, and would be glad to."

"Of course!" Emeline declared, "Any time you feel like cooking, come on over, I'll never turn down the help!"  And she certainly wouldn't mind the company.  Then the conversation turned back to Leah's family.

"It's like being a prisoner most days. I mean especially with the uncertainty of what my father might attempt. Well, not him personally, but those that ride for him, if they are still willing to 'ride for the band,' as they say."

"I can imagine," Emeline commented, then she shook her head.  "No, no I can't imagine, having to have guards with me all the time, especially because family was a threat."  She'd be furious, that was certain!

"You know, it would be grand to help out, meet with some of the ladies here in town. So, you just point in the direction you need me, and tell me what is to be done. Even say, Friday evening to prepare, only if you should think that necessary, of course." She added. Yes this would be enjoyable, and different than how she was currently living. "And if I don't hear a word regrading the hospital or the orphanage the afternoon will be well worth it."

Emeline laughed.  "I think we could make a grand time of cooking, and a nip of good Scottish whisky will ease any pains we might have!"  Certainly, she was no prude when it came to drinking, and didn't mind a swig now and then, although she'd never become intoxicated.  "Is there anything in particular that you enjoy making?  Or would like to learn to make?"

"Just to help, just to get in there and be a part of doing something positive." Leah responded. "Really, I don't have a favorite recipe, but I'm really good at pitching in when the cooking starts. I guess somewhere after I guess ten, I sort of lost interest, and we had household staff that did the cooking."

"But this, yes, this would be fun do all the preparations for the afternoon.!" She added. "I could go to Mister McVay and put in an and if you like and we could design it ourselves, at least the wording."

"Oh, well, yes, all right." Emeline hadn't thought that far, but if they were going to do this, they may as well go all the way! "I don't even know what I'd say in an add. 'Real Victorian Tea without Victoria'!" She laughed. "I suppose I need to set a price, ladies will want to know what it will cost them..."

Then she frowned. "I don't suppose it has to just be ladies, right? There may be some gentlemen who'd like to come...or husbands who will be coerced for the sake of harmony!" At that, she laughed again. "Anyway, there's no sense in specifying if we're appealing to ladies or gentlemen. And we'd best not specify the menu, so it can change from month to month...Goodness! I'm making this so complicated, but I don't suppose it has to be, and I really am looking forward to a change of pace."

Not that she didn't love her work at the cafe, and there were special requests such as cakes and things to change the routine, but this was going to be a fun change!

"Well, I'm sure you're aware, most women wouldn't say spit with a man in the room, especially her husband. But if you're game to deal with that, I'm with you. Might only take one time, then again, the women may put their foot down." Leah clarified. She was not opposed to men attending an afternoon tea, in fact she was thinking it might add some levity as they tried to fit in.

"Women will have no problems with whatever you prepare, or should I say we? I do like the idea of an add, yes, more ladies, and men, will get the word. And really, Emeline, it doesn't have to be much more than the cafe is hosting a tea, date and time. That should cover it information wise. If they want to know more, you can bet they'll ask. Keep it simple."

Chuckling, Emeline grinned. "Ah, of course, tease them, and when they come in to ask questions, sell them pie!" Well, if that happened, could she be blamed if someone came in for more information and couldn't resist a good pie?

"A brilliant strategy! You're quite the business woman!" She laughed. "This will be great fun and something I think the community needs if it's going to grow beyond a mining town, and now that I'm getting married, hopefully going to have a family, I'd like to have a bit more civilization and a little less of bank robbing and whatnot!"

"One thing to keep in mind, Em, may I call you Em? it's 1876, there are bad men running free, like Case and his ilk. There are Indians out, though I don't believe they have ever raided a town, but ranches and farms, most certainly. So we are quite a ways from being a civilized town such as Helena, Great Falls, Missoula, even Virginia City. Not that Virginia City is all that civilized. So the addition of a tea, that would bring the feeling  of a civilized town."

She smiled, "Business woman? Of that I have my doubts. I doubt anyone else would have the problems building a hospital that I have, based solely on my father, whom you may have noticed I am not. But, if not here, then somewhere that is more, shall we say, receptive to the idea."

"Yes, you can call me Em, and yes, you could take your efforts elsewhere," she smiled, "but you haven't, and I think there's more to that than wanting to show your father you can do it."

Well, maybe she was being presumptuous, but it had to be easier for Leah to go somewhere where she wouldn't be judged by her name. "Anyway, I think it's admirable, it will certainly benefit the community, and I've no doubt you'll find all the support you need."

Then she smiled shyly. "And within a year, I mean, just in case I'm in need of a doctor once Mr. Pike and I are married."

"Oh, this is hardly about showing my father anything, up too and including the building of anything. The county needs a hospital as it is growing, not just here in Kalispell, but all over the county. And you are right, I haven't taken the idea, the grants, and other financial support for this idea elsewhere, yet." She agreed. "That's not to say I wouldn't."

"Really Em, it's been five months now, there has been no Town Council meeting, that I'm aware of. None of those who are on the council have spoken with me about the project, which to me, is a clear message. Oh, and yes, I'm sure that you will need a doctor, and this town is fortunate to have Doctor Danforth to treat the citizens of this area, he and Doctor Boone. Both are a part of the plans for the hospital. But i any case, you'll be in good hands."

"Yes, I've heard good things about Dr. Danforth, and he's always quite the gentleman when he comes in here." Emeline nodded. They were lucky to have two doctors so close by. "But...I mean, in case something happens, it would be reassuring to have a hospital here."

A doctor was good, but if he didn't have access to the equipment necessary, he could only do so much.

"I lost a pregnancy shortly after our daughter died," Emeline admitted quietly, "and I'm terrified it will happen again." Barnabas knew about the children, but she would never tell him of her fears, and she did her best to hang onto hope and the future.

Leah demeanor changed when Emeline told her of her loss of a child and her fears of that happening again. It was nothing she had experienced or had experience with. Though she could almost feel that pain.

"I'm so sorry to hear that, Em. It had to be devastating, and I can certainly understand the fear you're experiencing for the future. Yet I believe that everything will work out for the best with you and Mister Pike. It sounds like the two of you are already very happy together. Happiness and joy can overcome a lot, well, so I've been told." It was not as if she had much experience with happiness and joy either in her life.

"The hospital would make so many things better, safer, and, once it is up and staffed we could open clinics with the doctors in the towns around the county. If only."