Posted September 8, 2020
"I suppose that's an option, although I don't know who I would trust with it..." She frowned, thinking. "I wish Clara was a bit older...she's very responsible and competent, but a teenaged girl shouldn't have that sort of responsibility. But there's no rush, I suppose, and even if I find someone and it doesn't work out, I can change my mind." And most of her energy was going to go to the ranch, if he was going to be spending time in town.
After all, nothing was set in stone, and she could change her mind. "And yes, I've been saving for the future, but...this is my future...our future." She certainly was anxious to contribute to their venture, not just in marriage, but in business as well.
There was so much to consider, but nothing that couldn't be taken as it came. "So, where is the barn going to go? And the chicken coop, we'll need a pen for a couple milk cows...and rabbit hutch...garden here..." she pointed on the map, "will we need a bunkhouse?"
She really wasn't sure how big this set-up was going to be, but then, it was likely going to change with time.
Posted September 8, 2020
"I suppose that's an option, although I don't know who I would trust with it..." She frowned, thinking. "I wish Clara was a bit older...she's very responsible and competent, but a teenaged girl shouldn't have that sort of responsibility. But there's no rush, I suppose, and even if I find someone and it doesn't work out, I can change my mind." And most of her energy was going to go to the ranch, if he was going to be spending time in town.
After all, nothing was set in stone, and she could change her mind. "And yes, I've been saving for the future, but...this is my future...our future." She certainly was anxious to contribute to their venture, not just in marriage, but in business as well.
There was so much to consider, but nothing that couldn't be taken as it came. "So, where is the barn going to go? And the chicken coop, we'll need a pen for a couple milk cows...and rabbit hutch...garden here..." she pointed on the map, "will we need a bunkhouse?"
She really wasn't sure how big this set-up was going to be, but then, it was likely going to change with time.
Posted September 8, 2020
"Downwind from the house, of course!" She chuckled, then amended, "or is it upwind? At any rate, where we don't have to smell them!" It might help to go out to the property, but they'd have to wait until the snow abated a little...but it would be a good excuse to take out her new horse!
"I've never had the chance to design a house from the ground up...it's going to be fun! What do you mean, 'money is no concern'?" Money was always a concern!
Posted September 9, 2020
"Downwind from the house, of course!" She chuckled, then amended, "or is it upwind? At any rate, where we don't have to smell them!" It might help to go out to the property, but they'd have to wait until the snow abated a little...but it would be a good excuse to take out her new horse!
“We kin head on out, providin’ the trails open an’ the snow ain’t belly deep to have a look see.” He said with a laugh. He was thinking it was going to be a chore to walk back to the boarding house with the snow that was falling.
"I've never had the chance to design a house from the ground up...it's going to be fun! What do you mean, 'money is no concern'?" Money was always a concern!
“I’m sure I told ya, I’m a involved in in the United Comstock, consolidated ownership of the entire Gold Hill section of the Comstock Lode, back in Nevada. I’m paid monthly on my investment, which is quite handsome long as the silver holds out. So money, which sits safe in the Wells Fargo bank in Virginia City, and is transferred here as I need it, ain’t hardly of much concern. I ain’t no millionaire like Fair, Flood, Mackay, an’ O’Brian. They call ‘em the ‘Silver Kings’. But I done a’right.” He grinned somewhat boyishly.
Posted September 11, 2020
"Oh, well, yes, you had said, but..." she shrugged. "I suppose I didn't really understand. Even so," sitting back, she looked over at him, wondering if it was any of her business, but if they were getting married.."even so, we should be frugal and set funds aside for unforeseen circumstances."
After all, mines flourished and then failed, and imprudent investors lost everything. But then, Barnabas wasn't imprudent by any means.
"How long do you think it will be before the horse business is self-sufficient?" She knew such things took time, a couple years, perhaps, and they needed to establish a reputation for breeding fine animals, and she really had no idea how that worked.
"I'm ahead of myself again." Shaking her head, she laughed. "It's Christmas, there will be plenty of time for that later. Oh, and I quite forgot!"
Standing, she went over to the small Christmas tree and fetched a little box that she handed to him. "Merry Christmas, Barnabas."
The little box was neatly wrapped in green paper and decorated with gold and green ribbon.
Posted September 11, 2020
After all, mines flourished and then failed, and imprudent investors lost everything. But then, Barnabas wasn't imprudent by any means.
“Cap, well, he sortta looks out for me, which’ll be us here shortly. He pulled me outta the Yella Jacket an’ into United Comstock. The money that was invested is gone a’ready. Ain’t putting no more in, jest taken out my percentage.” Pronto explained. “Might jest move what cash I got in the bank to Helena instead, since I’ll not be goin’ back. Bank here's jest too small.”
"How long do you think it will be before the horse business is self-sufficient?" She knew such things took time, a couple years, perhaps, and they needed to establish a reputation for breeding fine animals, and she really had no idea how that worked.
“I cain’t say, had no truck with the horse bid’ness.” He said onestly. “I ‘spose it depends what yer breedin’ for. I mean ya mentioned Morgan Horses, right? Well good ridin’ horses, word’d travel pudy fast I reckon.”
"I'm ahead of myself again." Shaking her head, she laughed. "It's Christmas, there will be plenty of time for that later. Oh, and I quite forgot!"
Standing, she went over to the small Christmas tree and fetched a little box that she handed to him. "Merry Christmas, Barnabas."
The little box was neatly wrapped in green paper and decorated with gold and green ribbon.
Pronto looked up at her, then with great care he loosened the ribbon, and slipped it off, then carefully removed the paper and opened the box, gazing at the items inside. They were beautiful, the craftsmanship, highly detailed. “I don’t hardly know what ta say. I mean, well, yeah, Merry Christmas.” He abruptly stood, drew her to him, and kissed her.
Posted September 11, 2020
"I thought they'd look nice on your saddle and bri..." He cut her off with the best present ever, and Emeline didn't mind one bit! Well, except that they couldn't just keep going, and...
Her cheeks blushed hotly as she reached up to tickle his chin, then instigated another kiss, after all, they were engaged, right? When she broke off, she still held to him, resting her head on his shoulder, soaking in the sensation and knowledge that she now had someone to partner with her, to fill the voids.
"A very wonderful Christmas! The first of many to come. Hey, is it still snowing?"
Posted September 12, 2020
"I thought they'd look nice on your saddle and bri..." He cut her off with the best present ever, and Emeline didn't mind one bit! Well, except that they couldn't just keep going, and...
He pulled back slightly, “Dang, uh, ‘scuse me. They will, be the envy of the whole town, I reckon.” He stated never having received a gift like the one he held in his hand. All that he had given her in his mind could not match he ornaments he had received.
Her cheeks blushed hotly as she reached up to tickle his chin, then instigated another kiss, after all, they were engaged, right? When she broke off, she still held to him, resting her head on his shoulder, soaking in the sensation and knowledge that she now had someone to partner with her, to fill the voids.
He held her, her head on his shoulder, a rush of joy flooding through him. The memory of the mornings he had gone to the café just to see her, hoping that maybe he could talk with her, now he held her in his arms as his betrothed.
"A very wonderful Christmas! The first of many to come. Hey, is it still snowing?"
“Don’t know, ain’t looked.” Was his reply.
Posted September 14, 2020
"Well, it would be a shame to waste good snow on Christmas, right?" Any other time of year, snow was a bother, in the very least, and a hazard at worst, as evidenced by Whitefish, but something about fresh snow on Christmas just seemed special and magical. "There's a sled out back that needs some exercise."
Grinning, she went over to a window and pulled back the lace curtain, then frowned. "Should have know...it's dark in here for a reason." Standing back, she showed him that it was snowing heavily, not quite a blizzard, and without wind, but enough that there was no going out any time soon.
"Looks like you might be spending the night...downstairs." Laughing, she added, "I guess you'll get some nice, fresh coffee in the morning." Some day, it wouldn't be so complicated!
Posted September 15, 2020
"There's a sled out back that needs some exercise."
“Really? A sled what needs excercise? Girl, I ain’t too sure about you.”
Grinning, she went over to a window and pulled back the lace curtain, then frowned. "Should have know...it's dark in here for a reason." Standing back, she showed him that it was snowing heavily, not quite a blizzard, and without wind, but enough that there was no going out any time soon.
“That’ll save the suit fer shore. Be needin’ it come spring.” There was a grin with the statement. He gently pushed the map aside.
"Looks like you might be spending the night...downstairs." Laughing, she added, "I guess you'll get some nice, fresh coffee in the morning." Some day, it wouldn't be so complicated!
“So Em, ya got any cards, checkers? Far to early ta head ta bed. Ain’t gonna be this way come the spring. Count on it.”