He gave her a side glance look, "We will do what has to be done, an' hopefully not alone, neither. You keepin' that scatter gun handy is a good thing, as is that pistol in yer apron. Hopefully you ain't never gonna need either of 'em."
A nice thought, but from where he stood it was doubtful. One of the reasons he had been cautious about her was the fact that there were men who would not hesitate where a woman was concerned, and he suspected that the Steelgrave riders were just the type to do such things. At least from what he had seen, and from what he had heard, there were some bad hombres associated with that spread.
"We'll weather this, an' likely many other storms afore we're done."
"But far more good times," Emeline declared, "and the bad times will only make us stronger." Optimistic words, but she knew that both of them had weathered hard and sad times, yet it was those paths that had brought them together, and while she was certain that her life with Andrew and her children would have been amazing, it wasn't to be, and there was no gain in pining over that so that she couldn't embrace what had been given to her now.
And Barnabas was different, but she embraced that, her love for him was different, but just as deep, if not more, and she was looking forward to the excitement that lay ahead for them.
"I was a pretty good scrapper when I was a girl," Emeline chuckled, "but if you can think of anything you can teach me...and it wouldn't hurt for me to have some practice with shooting." In town, she wasn't so concerned, and while she didn't want to think anything bad could happen out here, it was wise to be prepared.
"I was a pretty good scrapper when I was a girl," Emeline chuckled, "but if you can think of anything you can teach me...and it wouldn't hurt for me to have some practice with shooting." In town, she wasn't so concerned, and while she didn't want to think anything bad could happen out here, it was wise to be prepared.
Pronto laughed, “I reckon I best mind my P’s an’ Q’s then.” He responded. “There’s things we’ll do you might not have done afore, and shootin’ all manner of guns, such as that Colt yer packin’. You ever shot it?”
"As far as bein' prepared, that's the best thing to be. This is wild country, filled with beasts and hamans that are far from tamed. One needs to know what's about, like that cougar up there, waitin' to get to the water. Water's a blessing, and not to be hoarded as some men will. The creatures of the land need it as much as the folks what settle it. Cows and horses drink a plenty so havin' the falls feedin' the river is good, there's plenty for all."
“I reckon I best mind my P’s an’ Q’s then.” He responded. “There’s things we’ll do you might not have done afore, and shootin’ all manner of guns, such as that Colt yer packin’. You ever shot it?”
"I have." Smiling proudly, Emeline nodded. "Shot a snake! Well, I nicked his tail, but at least I hit it!" Crossing the prairies with Andrew, he had taken care of most shooting, and, while they'd had to fend off an Indian attack, fortunately nothing had come of it.
"As far as bein' prepared, that's the best thing to be. This is wild country, filled with beasts and humans that are far from tamed. One needs to know what's about, like that cougar up there, waitin' to get to the water. Water's a blessing, and not to be hoarded as some men will. The creatures of the land need it as much as the folks what settle it. Cows and horses drink a plenty so havin' the falls feedin' the river is good, there's plenty for all."
"There's a cougar..?" Looking where he had indicated, it still took Emeline a few seconds to sight the beast, and she frowned. "I didn't see it up there.It's beautiful." So, she was going to have to learn to be more observant, especially if the big cat was willing to get this close to people. "Is there a way we can run water up there for it, so it doesn't have to come down here?"
Of course, there was plenty of water to be had, and not all that close to where the house and buildings were going to be. "We'll have to get a couple of dogs," she declared, "Buster's a great cat, but I'm afraid he won't bark loud enough to warn us when we have visitors!"
"Is there a way we can run water up there for it, so it doesn't have to come down here?"
Pronto almost laughed, envisioning one of them carrying a bucket up to it. “Ah, I doubt it’d be appreciated. It’ll sort of shy away from us and mosey on down at it’s leisure.” He explained instead. “It’s kinda about sharing. He was here first. But, us movin’ in up here, it’ll move off ‘til there’s stock, then things’ll change some. We’ll need to put it down.”
Of course, there was plenty of water to be had, and not all that close to where the house and buildings were going to be. "We'll have to get a couple of dogs," she declared, "Buster's a great cat, but I'm afraid he won't bark loud enough to warn us when we have visitors!"
“Yeah, Buster ain’t gonna scare off no cougars, nor any other critters what might show up. But yeah, a couple dogs’ll be of help.” He agreed
"Oh, I bet that old can could give a cougar or a bear a run for their money!" Emeline laughed, although she knew it wasn't wise to test her convictions. "But yes, I think once we move out here it wouldn't be bad to have a dog or two to warn of any problems, and to protect the chickens and rabbits from foxes and cougars!"
It would likely be a while before there were hands, so that there would be times that she was the only one out here, and while that wasn't going to intimidate her, a good warning would make her feel safer, so that she would have a chance to know what was coming.
"And a rifle by the door..." Something long-range that was powerful, just in case, although it probably wouldn't be so bad even though it was isolated out here.
“Most animals will fight shy of humans, but there’s always the exception to the rule.” Barnabas explained. “Never sure about cougars, and fer sure, bears are trouble. So a rifle by the door’ll discourage man and beast. A good shotgun handy just to be sure ain’t a bad idea either.”
The floor plan gave a good field of fire from most rooms, but especially from the main room. Interior shutters of thick wood with rifle ports were on every window for defensive purposes, and to keep out the majority of the cold as well.
Not just wild animals, but Indians who were notional at best, and white men who could be worse. Although with the addition of a couple hands right off might be a good idea, was his thinking.
It seemed a little strange, to be discussing defense of a home, but she didn't have any delusions that it would be completely safe here, and it was best, of course, to prepare for trouble. It was something she and Andrew would have had to do, had they had the chance to realize their dreams, but she'd always lived in a town-proper, and while that had its own hazards, there was always someone close by to help.
"It'll be fine," she declared, "I'm looking forward to all of this, and I'm not afraid, either of being alone nor facing what comes." Of course, he would know that of her, she wasn't one to shrink back, but would face what she had to.
"It'll be fine," she declared, "I'm looking forward to all of this, and I'm not afraid, either of being alone nor facing what comes." Of course, he would know that of her, she wasn't one to shrink back, but would face what she had to.
“This life’s jest chock fulla surprises, sometimes good, sometimes not so good.” He said, smiling. “We’ll just meet it head on and see what gives. First thing though, seein’ all this wild life about, we’ll do no shooting here, buildin’ll be enough noise for these critters, though they’ll know the differ’nce between hammerin’ and gunfire. Won’t have the same echo. Animals are right savvy about such things, ‘specially that.”
“You’ll be just fine. It’ll be hard, yes, on both’a us that’s sure, but we’ll make out.” He assured her. “I cain’t leave Speed I a lurch. Maybe Hannah Cory’s tough enough for what’s likely comin’ over this hospital, but I’d not be willin’ to chance it.”
"So," Emeline commented, taking his hand, "I think this is going to be an amazing place to live, and I love it already!" It was so peaceful and quiet, except for the sounds of the waterfall and birds, and despite potential dangers, she knew she was going to love it here.
"Give me a tour of the house!" It was just dirt right now, and a basic frame, but she wanted to know where everything was going to be. "The kitchen here, right? Where is my rocking chair going to be?"