"Well, leastways this served as a warnin'," Addy pointed out, "so we can be more cautious." If someone came gunning for Speed again, they'd have a lot to get past. "Same fer th' other lawmen, an' likely th' council as well. Not ta say that's gonna happen, but folks are gonna be more cautious."
Leah shook her head, "It was a cowardly act, shooting Speed from ambush! I'm sure that we all have thought of the town as being a safe place, but not anymore. You are right, we'll need to be more cautious, both of strangers and of men known to be Evergreen riders and those suspected of riding with my brother Case.
Shrugging, she munched on a treat, then changed the subject. "I see that hospital's startin'. Gonna be a godsend fer th' territory, ya done good."
"It is. Moving right along and much faster than I thought. And believe me, you are right about the hospital being a godsend, being able to render proper care to people of this part of the territory. A price cannot be placed on that. You know, Doc Boone will be on staff with Jonah, and that will be a very good start for the hospital."
"As for unseen wounds, I can't say on that, either. That's another individual reaction, and while I think that Speed is the sort of man who can overcome it, there's no telling." He shrugged. "He might not realize if it has effected him for some years, but having someone who cares about him, supports him, that should help."
"I know him well enough to believe he would be honest with me," She began, "I really have no idea how this ambush would affect him. He was an infantry officer during the war, so that experience has not seemed to affect him as I have seen with other men over the years. But this was different, well, I think so. Maybe not." She shook her head. "It will be his choice about resuming his career with Marshal's Office, but that worries me." And that was the truth. His being Town Marshal was 'just his job' until he was shot. Now she looked at it with totally different eyes. That badge now was a target.
"Of course it's always been a dangerous job, no more now than before," Jonah pointed out, "it's just that you've faced the reality, and that's what makes it different. I suppose the two of you will have to talk out your plans, once you know where Speed stands." He wasn't much for giving advice, he really had no experience in that sort of thing, but he did believe that a couple should be open to discussing what they were thinking and how they felt about that.
Unless, of course, Speed was the sort of man who didn't put any stock in what their ladies thought and just did what they wanted to, regardless, expecting their companions to go along and blindly obey. But he was certain that Speed wasn't like that, nor that Alice would put up with it.
"Hopefully, everything will be all right, as it was, but it might be best to prepare for something...bad." He grinned. "That's why I avoid relationships!"
"Oh, I believe that everything will be alright. And if there's one thing I do know about this man, he'll do what he thinks is best. Best not just for him, but best for us, the mining company, and our mines." Alice replied. There is a lot for him to consider so far as remaining Town Marshal, or even County Sheriff, but that's a Town Council matter since it was never put forth as something we'll see on the September ballot. It depends on who wins, and what it is they want to do."
"I'm not sure if getting shot will affect what Speed wants to do in the future, though it might. Having two mines to contend with, plus the business here in town would be a lot on his plate, not that I don't think he can manage all of that, because I know he can, it will come down to what he wants, and I want what he wants and sees for our future." She smiled, "We're a team."
"Of course, time will tell." Jonah commented, "and who knows, there may be a shift in mayor or town council that effects things." There could be people elected who didn't want Speed around, and there might be some that Speed wouldn't want to work for.
Of course, what he knew of Speed, the man worked for the people, and the more someone on the council, like, say, a Steelegrave, wanted to be rid of him, that would give him all the more reason to stay at the job. It was going to be interesting!
"Hopefully, Deputy Pike will be back soon...I don't know that that boy -- Charlie? -- can handle the town alone."
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
"It is. Moving right along and much faster than I thought. And believe me, you are right about the hospital being a godsend, being able to render proper care to people of this part of the territory. A price cannot be placed on that. You know, Doc Boone will be on staff with Jonah, and that will be a very good start for the hospital."
"It'll be good ta see Doc Boone again." Addy nodded with a smile. "Be nice not ta hafta go all th' way ta Helena with someone who's real ill, that's a long drive, an' not good fer anyone's health, I'm thinkin'."
Bad enough to be gravely sick, or have some awful injuries, but then to have to endure the wagon trip to Helena...that really only made matters worse, if not just outright finishing off the patient!
"Gonna mean some less business fer me, but I don't mind one bit! Of course, contact me if there's anything needs deliverin' that ya can't get otherwise!"
"I really had thought about the upcoming election, and you certainly have a point, though I can't say what Speeds plans were before this, and what they might be now. I realize that this can have an effect on a person, though he's been to war, still and all, being shot on what amounts to the city street, well, who am I to say. But whatever he chooses.
"Hopefully, Deputy Pike will be back soon...I don't know that that boy -- Charlie? -- can handle the town alone."
"But for the most part, town's quiet most times right? I mean, there's not a great deal of trouble, and maybe this was an isolated incident." She replied, " Yes, Pronto needs to be here, he would know what to do. I hope they are on their way back. God knows where they are. What with those Marshall the Governor sent, then recalled, it would seem we are prime for trouble."
"It'll be good ta see Doc Boone again." Addy nodded with a smile. "Be nice not ta hafta go all th' way ta Helena with someone who's real ill, that's a long drive, an' not good fer anyone's health, I'm thinkin'."
"Yes, yes it will. I liked him, liked him alot. He seemed to always know what to do. And it was like he was always there when you needed him." Leah recalled. "A grand gentleman, that's what Mother had to say about him, and that was right on the mark. He was that and more. Yes, it will be really good having him back."
"Gonna mean some less business fer me, but I don't mind one bit! Of course, contact me if there's anything needs deliverin' that ya can't get otherwise!"
"From what I've heard, Speed has two mines, and if they were worth anything you might be the one that they would turn to for hauling the ore. I was told it's copper, and that has some real value back east. I've already invested in some stocks, and I will be speaking with Speed about investing in his operations, once he's up and about."
"But for the most part, town's quiet most times right? I mean, there's not a great deal of trouble, and maybe this was an isolated incident." She replied, " Yes, Pronto needs to be here, he would know what to do. I hope they are on their way back. God knows where they are. What with those Marshall the Governor sent, then recalled, it would seem we are prime for trouble."
"Town's quite until it isn't." Jonah shrugged and chuckled. "Mostly isn't bad, but that's because of Marshal Guyer's reputation. A place this remote attracts those who don't get on well with civilization, and the local Indian tribes have been emboldened by what happened on the Big Horn, so there's always a chance for trouble." He laughed. "Not to mention grizzly bears and mountain lions.
"But then, life has its hazards...mining..?" He shook his head. Certainly she knew the dangers, and all the ways one could be maimed, if not killed. You just had to take things as they came.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
"From what I've heard, Speed has two mines, and if they were worth anything you might be the one that they would turn to for hauling the ore. I was told it's copper, and that has some real value back east. I've already invested in some stocks, and I will be speaking with Speed about investing in his operations, once he's up and about."
"Might could consider on that, but I'd need a mighty good man runnin' shotgun," Addy declared, "like as not there'd be bandits lookin' fer th' load. Processed ore would be best, but even th' raw has value, like ya said."
She took another sip of coffee. "I ain't itchin' fer th' business, stage gives me steady work, an' there's plenty'a freight ta haul...an' what with th' reward I got from them bandits that attacked us on th' road from Oakdale, I'm doin' all right, an' I'm wantin' ta stay around town more fer Weedy. I gotta get some education so that boy ain't smarter'n me!"