"I suppose we'll just take it as it comes," Jonah commented with a shrug, although he really would like for them to have a better handle on what the plan was. "I have the property here, I and Miss Mercer, not quite an acre, but we could look into buying up land around if we have to."
While a challenge made things interesting, Jonah wanted to think that they had some sort of chance for success, and the best way to accomplish that was thorough planning, as well as back-up plans and more.
"We'll get it figured out and have our hospital," he declared, "especially with what happened in Whitefish, the territory needs something, and we're going to be growing, making the need even more."
"I suppose we'll just take it as it comes," Jonah commented with a shrug, although he really would like for them to have a better handle on what the plan was. "I have the property here, I and Miss Mercer, not quite an acre, but we could look into buying up land around if we have to."
Leah’s facial express tightened at Jonah’s words. What he was saying was that the community was going to block their efforts, or at the very least the Town Council would somehow scuttle their plans because of her name.
While a challenge made things interesting, Jonah wanted to think that they had some sort of chance for success, and the best way to accomplish that was thorough planning, as well as back-up plans and more.
“I have real difficulty with such delay tactics, and petty politics. Perhaps our best ally is your editor and the paper.” Doc Boone stated.
"We'll get it figured out and have our hospital," he declared, "especially with what happened in Whitefish, the territory needs something, and we're going to be growing, making the need even more."
She looked to both men in turn. “If we have to move it to Columbia Falls, if not build it on the rubble of whitefish. A hospital is needed in this area, when it ends up, well, that would be up to the Town Council. I want it here, but I intend to make it clear there will be a hospital, if not here, somewhere else!”
"When we speak to the man from the paper -- McVey, is it? -- we can also mention the economic advantage of a hospital here," Jonah suggested, "even just the building of it, not to mention the support we're going to need...nurses, cooks, maids, the supplies..."
Jonah wasn't too versed on economics, but he did understand how something as big as a hospital could bring a lot of business to the town, not to mention families of patients who would need a place to stay, food to eat, goods to buy, places to board their horses...that would certainly boost support from the people in town.
"Folks here might even put pressure on the town council, if they are reluctant to approve the land?"
"When we speak to the man from the paper -- McVey, is it? -- we can also mention the economic advantage of a hospital here," Jonah suggested, "even just the building of it, not to mention the support we're going to need...nurses, cooks, maids, the supplies..."
“McVay.” Leah corrected.
Jonah wasn't too versed on economics, but he did understand how something as big as a hospital could bring a lot of business to the town, not to mention families of patients who would need a place to stay, food to eat, goods to buy, places to board their horses...that would certainly boost support from the people in town.
"Folks here might even put pressure on the town council, if they are reluctant to approve the land?"
“I will be talking with him on this situation.” She assured them.
“And your father and brothers?” Doc Boone asked.
“They are to be reckoned with, most certainly. We cannot discount them.” She responded. “There truly is nothing I would put past my father, much less my brothers, and that include Case healing up over in the County Sheriff’s office. To be honest I have no idea what he may or may not do.”
"So, we'll have to be alert and prepared, and in the mean time, carry on with planning, take things as they come." Jonah was neither that optimistic nor charitable, but he had become invested enough in this to want to see it through, and it wasn't as if he was a stranger to hardship or opposition.
"I think it would be best to have our contingency plans in the works, too, so that anything they throw out to stop us will only be a minor delay." Being able to quickly regroup and move on would help advance the project, and show that they were determined in this.
"So, we'll have to be alert and prepared, and in the mean time, carry on with planning, take things as they come." Jonah was neither that optimistic nor charitable, but he had become invested enough in this to want to see it through, and it wasn't as if he was a stranger to hardship or opposition.
Both Leah and Doc Boone nodded I agreement with Jonah’s statement. Because it made perfect sense.
"I think it would be best to have our contingency plans in the works, too, so that anything they throw out to stop us will only be a minor delay." Being able to quickly regroup and move on would help advance the project, and show that they were determined in this.
“The hard part, waiting for spring to see which way the Town Council goes.’ Leah added soberly. “I agree, from here on we need to be prepared for just about anything, no matter the depth of the snow, or the cold, or what have you. I have two men in town who are reliable and have broken ties with my father, they are already on alert knowing that as far as Elias is concerned, they are the enemy.” It was the first time she had used her fathers Christian name, as if to distance herself from him. She smiled, but not a pleasant smile. “So, you may consider yourselves his enemy as well, once he gets wind you are a part of this.”
“I’m too old to run, an’ I got no place to go, so I reckon as I’ll just have to stand and fight if that’s what he has in store for us!” Boone stated. "Though all that was behind me after the war, guess not."
"Hopefully, we won't have to run or fight." Jonah was fond of neither, he more preferred more subtle obfuscation, if such could be had. Of course, with this group heading things up, there was plenty of talent, and he had no doubt that they would prevail.
"I'll speak to Miss Mercer, we can start planning the supplies we need...what about fundraising? Perhaps soliciting donations from the more well-to-do folks in town?" He glanced at Boone. "You may have the most credibility of the three of us..."
After all, he was new, and Leah was, well, a Steelgrave...
"Hopefully, we won't have to run or fight." Jonah was fond of neither, he more preferred more subtle obfuscation, if such could be had. Of course, with this group heading things up, there was plenty of talent, and he had no doubt that they would prevail.
“I’ll not run, and if it’s a fight my father wants, then I’ll give him one.” Leah protested. There would be no running in her, but fight, there would be that a plenty.
"I'll speak to Miss Mercer, we can start planning the supplies we need...what about fundraising? Perhaps soliciting donations from the more well-to-do folks in town?" He glanced at Boone. "You may have the most credibility of the three of us..."
“I would be most happy to perform that duty. Yes, you are probably right about my having the most credibility with those folks. Again, who could possibly be against a hospital and an orphanage.” Boone interjected. Her difficulties with the Judge, whom he not only had heard of, but knew somewhat personally, confounded him.
After all, he was new, and Leah was, well, a Steelgrave...
“I can’t wait for spring!” Leah sated.
"To Spring," Jonah refilled their glasses, then raised his, "and the Kalispell Hospital!" This was going to be done, one way or another, and would be a great asset to the whole territory!
"To Spring and the Kalispell Hospital!" Repeated Leah and Doc Boone. There was optimism in the room even though all were aware that it appeared there would be a fight. It would be worth it.