"Well, I certainly must defer to your knowledge on starting projects...or seeing them through, for that matter." Jonah smiled. "The most I have ever done was set up my own business, and that is completely different than this sort of thing. I'm intrigued, though, I'd love to be in on the process, at least know what you are doing?"

He looked over the menu, then commented, "I believe I'd like to try the roasted capon with fried sweet potatoes." It was a change from the regular stew or scrambled eggs, and he may as well enjoy the meal as much as the company...or nearly as much!

"Well, I certainly must defer to your knowledge on starting projects...or seeing them through, for that matter." Jonah smiled. "The most I have ever done was set up my own business, and that is completely different than this sort of thing. I'm intrigued, though, I'd love to be in on the process, at least know what you are doing?"

He looked over the menu, then commented, "I believe I'd like to try the roasted capon with fried sweet potatoes." It was a change from the regular stew or scrambled eggs, and he may as well enjoy the meal as much as the company...or nearly as much!

"I imagine you have very good connections," Jonah commented, suddenly realizing how that sounded and stopping short of adding, 'and you know how to use them'. There was nothing about her that would lead him to believe she got her advantages in any way other then her skill at manipulation, something most women possessed but ignored because of tainted mores. "The house can give us a temporary start, but we can look at properties, or just extend what is there?"

He wasn't really sure what her vision was, but then, that was the reason for these meetings, right? "Do you think both institutions should be on the same property? Or perhaps the orphanage closer to the school?" He was just beginning to realize that there was a lot more to this.

“Part of being a Steelgrave is the family connections.” She could see that the sentence had made Jonah uncomfortable. “And yes, I was taught how to use them. That actually should be of comfort, as I will have the upper hand going in.” Then she added soberly, “I also know what has been said of me, and how much of that is actually true.

He wasn't really sure what her vision was, but then, that was the reason for these meetings, right?  "Do you think both institutions should be on the same property?  Or perhaps the orphanage closer to the school?"  He was just beginning to realize that there was a lot more to this.

“Those are choices we will certainly have to make, and in the not to distant future. I seriously doubt that I will be in the capitol more than two weeks at the very most.” She explained, “So, while I am here we can certainly browse the area for locations suitable, not that your property isn’t, we just might see a need to be bigger than the current plan.” The smile returned, “and we need to put that plan to paper so we know what we are looking at initially."

"In all honesty, I wasn't looking forward to having a hospital and orphanage in my private home," Jonah chuckled.  "I don't mind it like it is now, with the clinic downstairs and my rooms up, but all of the hustle of a full hospital..."  He shook his head.  "Not what I want as a home!"

He took a sip of wine, then commented, "Provided it doesn't pour rain again tomorrow, would you like to look at properties?  Then we can work on the paper part?"  They'd have to have some sort of idea on what they were looking at for a location, he figured, to start laying out plans.  "Have you seen an orphanage?  I really don't know what it would entail besides a large house and a larger-hearted matron."

“Oh no, no, no.” Leah proclaimed. “The orphanage will come in time, once the facility is built. I would not expect you to attempt housing more than your clinic as you do now. The hospital will be constructed before there is any expectation of receiving patients.” Somehow she had failed to explain that part of the plan and was embarrassed by the slip.

He took a sip of wine, then commented, "Provided it doesn't pour rain again tomorrow, would you like to look at properties? Then we can work on the paper part?" They'd have to have some sort of idea on what they were looking at for a location, he figured, to start laying out plans. "Have you seen an orphanage? I really don't know what it would entail besides a large house and a larger-hearted matron."

“Absolutely, Jonah, absolutely.” She confirmed. “I admit I have not seen an orphanage, but, my intention while in Helena is to see if they have one, and investigate it thoroughly.” She took a breath and continued, “If not there, then I will see where there is one or one I might contact for information. I shan’t do this haphazardly. We will have a proper orphanage, and a proper hospital, I promise you.”

(St. Joseph's Orphans Home was established in Helena on October 8, 1893 by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth in Helena. It is the oldest, but hey, this is fiction right?)

"Well, we do have time to research, make certain we have it right," Jonah commented, "especially where children are involved, certainly not my field of expertise, unless they have a fever!" He chuckled. "I do suppose, though, we may need to confer with the city council, after all, a number of children needing the services of the school and such will change the needs." Bringing in several children might put a toll on the schools, and maybe other areas as well, he had no idea, really.

"At least medical care will be provided!" That was one aspect they wouldn't have to worry about, although this was getting to be pretty complicated. But at least Leah seemed to have plans on where and how to start, and it wasn't going to happen overnight. "And there will be plenty of fresh produce and milk!" That would be something to do with all the 'payment' he got!

"At least medical care will be provided!" That was one aspect they wouldn't have to worry about, although this was getting to be pretty complicated. But at least Leah seemed to have plans on where and how to start, and it wasn't going to happen overnight. "And there will be plenty of fresh produce and milk!" That would be something to do with all the 'payment' he got!

“Meeting with the council is on the agenda, but, there are a few things I need to ferret out beforehand. When we approach them with the ideas we need to be ready to proceed.” Leah advised. “So that means we have to have the backing that will be required for each project. So, my trip to the capitol is really a requirement to get the ball rolling, so to say.”

She had no doubt she could garner support for either project. What she wanted was inside information on the route the railroad favored. She also doubted that she would have any trouble getting it, and getting it well in advance, but that information could wait.

“I would hope you realize Jonah, you will be compensated in you new position. It would certainly be difficult to operate a first rate hospital with volunteers and payments of livestock and food stuffs.” At that moment their dinner arrived.

Jonah chuckled, he couldn't help it. "I never thought I'd be paid to be in charge of anything other than my own clinic, and I'm not sure now that I can trust your judgment!" He gave her quick wink, then smiled as their supper was set in front of them. "This smells wonderful! I'm afraid I'm going to be spoiled by the time we are though with this."

He took a bite of the squab, savoring the wonderful flavors. "It's amazing how the right application of ingredients can change something that is mundane and dull to something superb. But I suppose that applies to just about anything, doesn't it? Good ingredients are wasted without good use and vice versa?" Did that somehow apply to him? Likely the opposite!