She smiled, "Of course Mister Alders," she reached across the table, "A handshake is as good as a written contract." She said as their hands clasped. "I'm afraid that the insanity revolving around my last name, and my father will continue no matter what is done."
She was well aware that no matter what she managed to get done for the town, it may never be enough to dissuade public opinion. She was doing what she could to become a better person, but she was still a Steelgrave. And she would always be the daughter of Elias Steelgrave, the woman with the bodyguards trailing her everywhere. But that was their choice, hers was to do what she believed to be right.
"Thank you sir for this agreement, and yes, I hope we are able to work together in the future. There may well be other building projects in our future." She said. Wellman was just amazed at all that had transpired. He suppressed a grin at the thought of Mason Aldridge and his reaction to all of this when he arrived from Helena.
A town is only as good as the timbers that form its buildings.
"Well, this idea of yours with the hospital and the orphanage is a big step in separating yourself from your father. Congratulations on securing the most finely hewn lumber in Montana." Christoph allowed himself a little bit of bragging every now and then. He was good at what he did, and so were the men he hired.
Having finished his coffee during the negotiations, Christoph set his cup aside as he rose. After putting on his hat, he tipped it and bowed to Leah, then to Wellman.
"Good day, Miss Steelgrave. Mr. Wellman."
It was rare that days in the lumber business proved to be this lucrative.
"Good day Mister Alders, and thank you. This project may do what you have suggested, in so far as my father is concerned, that would be nice, but what it will do for Kalispell, and this part of the territory is what is important, but thank you for the kind words." Leah replied, as Darius Wellman rose.
"Mister Alders, Looking forward to this. Thank you." He said. This would make life much easier, and the lumber could be delivered all at once, or as needed. 'That was something.' He thought as he watched the lumber man leave, and retook his seat. "Well this will help us immensely having lumber available as we need it? That is going to make this go up all the faster. No waiting on lumber from Helena, or anywhere else."
"That it will and whatever the cost, to have the hospital finished as quickly as possible is the goal." Leah stated with a smile. The cost would be high, but not as high as having to import it. She could live with that. Investments were doing well at this time, money was not a problem presently.
"Well, I need to get and get something organized what with Mister Aldridge in town." Wellman said as, once more, he rose from the table, "Miss Steelgrave, I don't mind saying, I had my doubts on the way here, but Ma'am, you are an incredible young lady. Your hospital will be the pride of the territory, if not the state. We will see to that, you have my word on that."