"Miss Mercer helps with the property payments, and she has some experience with orphans," he explained, "although those youngsters are with family now." How had he gotten to talking orphans and charity, Jonah wondered, with such a lovely companion? Well, no matter, they had a common interest, and and it was something that would actually benefit the town. "Addy, the stage driver, she has a lad she helps out. I think there is plenty of interest. So, what did you have in mind? Certainly, expediting both ventures would be desirable..."
He thought for a moment, then added, "And perhaps if we have even the groundwork for a hospital here it would be an advantage when the railroads make their decision?"
"Well, your Miss Mercer sounds like just the partner we would need in this venture, depending, of course, on her willingness to be involved." Leah paused, conflicting feelings taking hold. "I do realize that my name is not one good things would be associated with, however, I like this particular idea of building both the orphanage and the hospital here in Kalispell. We all know both will benefit this community, and those for miles around."
She looked at him a long moment. "A business venture to improve our community, one where my family has inflicted so much harm and ill feelings."
"Of course, a fine way to make restitution." Jonah nodded, although he wasn't particularly sure if she meant the Steelgraves or perhaps some rival in a veiled insult? No matter, it would benefit both the town and the participants, so it would be worth pursuing.
He smiled and nodded to the waitress as the food was placed in front of them, then glanced at Leah. "You know, the residence I use has several rooms, it's certainly large enough for the beginnings of your orphanage." After all, there were several rooms upstairs that they could modify. "I don't believe Miss Mercer would mind, but," he added with a grin, "Of course, we'd have to hire someone to take care of them and cook and whatnot. I'm far to busy to give that the attention it deserves!" More like, he wasn't about to run herd on undisciplined harridans!
“Yes, restitution, I’d not thought of it in those terms.” She said with a smile as the waitress arrived with their dinners after which Jonah’s offer of his residence was made. It caught her by surprise and her fork stopped in mid-air.
“How very kind of you Jonah, but what if we took another tack, one less taxing on you.” She began, her thoughts racing, formulating a plan. “Perhaps those rooms might be used as the early foundation for the hospital while details for both projects are worked out?” She took the bite that had been suspended in air.
Swallowing she added, “It would be easier on you to begin with, and, what if we were able to make some arrangement with say, the White Rose to provide meals for the patients at a reasonable cost until we locate a proper house keeper?”
"Yes, that's an idea," Jonah agreed, "I would do better with unconscious patients than rambunctious children!" He laughed, then took a bite of chicken, savoring the smooth blend of flavors, a far more sophisticated combination than he'd gotten accustomed to since moving here. "At any rate," he added, "I'd still need to find a nurse, and honestly, as far as housekeeping goes, there would be...unpleasantries..." Blood, vomit, excrement, things better not discussed over a meal! But then he laughed. "Well, I suppose you'd have the same issues with children!"
This was more than he'd ever intended to get into, but it really would be worth the fuss for the benefits. "As you say, it would certainly ease the burden to have meals prepared, so long as they understood that patients might have specific dietary needs." Depending on medical conditions, meals could be complicated, although not necessarily elaborate.
In any event, there was a great deal of planning if this was what the lady really wanted.
I'm so glad that you've an interest in perhaps building for the future. Admittedly this tack would surprise my detractors, though they are most certainly have a right to their view points." She said, also taking a bite of the chicken, and like the good doctor, finding it moist, tender and flavorful as, perhaps as good, if not better than anything served at home on the Evergreen.
"I look forward to a meeting with Miss Mercer and have her opinion on the viability of our little plan here. I'm excited about this, Jonah." She stated in all honesty. This was way beyond the scope of anything she had every been involved with, and for perhaps the first time, where no one got hurt.
"I wonder Jonah, could you tell me a bit about Mister Pike."
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Nate Bannister stood at the bar in the White Rose Inn sipping a beer and keeping an eye on his charge, Leah Steelgrave, who was dining with Doctor Danforth. To him that was not strange at all, but there was a difference in her demeanor this evening. He could see the look in her eyes, and he knew that she, for all her purported faults, was not attempting to lead the man on, at least not her usual way, and that was out of character for the daughter of Elias Steelgrave.
He had been her escort, alone or in concert with others for the last five years and he knew her, knew her actions and what they meant going forward. Whatever this was, was not her normal behavior with a gentleman. He knew Danforth, and the term fit him to a T. Their conversation appeared light and friendly, but there was something more and it was not sensual.
What was she up to? He, far more than any of the others that might be assigned to keep an eye on her, did that. To him, Leah Steelgrave was his responsibility. Though he had not been with her in her hour of need with the O’Malley boy, he had been within range ever since that day. He had no notions about her, that was not what his job was. He was to keep he safe, not to interfere, just ensure she is neither compromised or hurt. He was good at his job.
Most interventions were merely words, nothing serious, sort of “words to the wise.” Only twice had it ever gone beyond that, though neither time no one died. So this strange, out of the norm situation intrigued him. He tossed off his drink and walked out into the evening air and posted himself across from Danforth’s office. He was hardly ever where he could be seen by her, at least, not for very long.
"I'm so glad that you've an interest in perhaps building for the future. Admittedly this tack would surprise my detractors, though they are most certainly have a right to their view points."
"It's a shame that people are so petty as to judge a person solely by their name." Of course, he didn't know Leah that well, and she may very well be like the rest of her family, but he would be surprised to find out that was completely true.
"I look forward to a meeting with Miss Mercer and have her opinion on the viability of our little plan here. I'm excited about this, Jonah."
"As I said, she's kind and generous." He shook his head and chuckled. "I have to say, this small town has more than its share of good people." He really didn't think it would be hard to find support for both projects.
"I wonder Jonah, could you tell me a bit about Mister Pike."
"Pike?" He looked at her, a bit startled, off-balance from the change of topic, and honestly having forgotten about the man. "Oh, Pike, yes...shot in the shoulder, somewhere outside town." He shrugged and munched more food. "Some sort of surprise attack, he wasn't sure who did it. His horse managed to make it to the Millegan Stage barn, the driver there is the one who fetched me, and as far as I know he's still there." He smiled. "He'll be fine."
"Pike?" He looked at her, a bit startled, off-balance from the change of topic, and honestly having forgotten about the man. "Oh, Pike, yes...shot in the shoulder, somewhere outside town." He shrugged and munched more food. "Some sort of surprise attack, he wasn't sure who did it. His horse managed to make it to the Millegan Stage barn, the driver there is the one who fetched me, and as far as I know he's still there." He smiled. "He'll be fine."
“No, I meant what kind of a man is he?” She re-asked, having just seen him she was aware that he was on the mend, up and around. “”What I want to know is you assessment of the man. Is he a man of his word, do you think he could be trusted? That sort of thing. Our endeavor may require men that will protect our interests. One or two, possibly three men of that sort.” A man's evaluation was important, going forward there could certainly be trouble.
"Ah, well, I'm afraid I can't really say on that." Jonah gave a slight shake of his head. "He was fairly ill at that point, not much in the mood to be talking." Then he frowned as he looked at her. "Protection? Do you really think that will be necessary?" Who would want to stop a hospital or orphanage? But then, she knew the area and people better than he did, so maybe there was some sort of resentment based solely on the association of the Steelgrave name.
"I haven't been in town long enough to know who might be useful for such a task. Would they live there as well?" He chuckled at that. "Teach them to nurse and we can kill two birds with one stone!"