We'll have to have them over for supper," Emeline commented as she looked through the larder, amazed at the variety of spices and staples that were already there.  "They've done such a wonderful job," she added, smiling.  "They've seen to everything, and then some!"  A clear sign that they had gone over and above the job, but then, they were good people, so it really wasn't surprising. 

"And I suppose we should have some sort of soiree anyway, eventually!"  She did want folks to come out and see the place, but there was a lot to do before she was ready for that.

"So, now," she took his hand, "there's the whole upstairs, and I'm feeling a little tired."  Grinning, she wiggled her eyebrows at him.  "I wonder what might be up there?"

A place for tired people, kids, I dunno, plenty of rooms up there I reckon, best we go investigate, doncha think?" He asked. He was happy that she was happy about what she had discovered so far, and the stained glass? It would easily fit into the transom, he was sure of it.

"Now I know what was done, not sure what's what 'er who's who in them rooms, but I'd be as excited as you ta find out." He explained then added, "Like the winda's in the front room face the waterfall, I'm, hoping the biggest bedroom, which'd be ours is at that end's the house too."

He led her to the stairs, wide and with a bit of a sweep to them leading to the second-floor landing, they were about to find out all about the second floor, and maybe, even the attic.

The bedroom with the waterfall view was, indeed, the largest, and the Andersons had done a fine job of furnishing it with a bed that sported a fancily carved headboard that matched the wardrobe, dresser and washstand, with a muted flora-print rug that complimented the hunter green curtains.

"This is...unbelievable," Emeline murmured as she stood at the window, gazing out at the scenery.  There was just the right murmuring of water from the falls, enough to be heard, but not so much as to be intrusive, and a light breeze brought in the aroma of pines.

Turning to face Barnabas, Emeline had tears in her eyes.  "Is this real?" she whispered.

Out in the yard, Addy pulled in her wagon, making yet another delivery, although this one was 'special', so she'd been told.  The Pikes were finally home now, but she'd been told that Mrs. Pike, in particular, wasn't supposed to see the crate, so to be sneaky (the man at the depot had used some fancy word, but it boiled down to 'sneaky') and Addy was good with that.

Driving past the house, she headed for the bunkhouse, where she was hoping to find some of the construction workers to help her unload it -- not only was the crate heavy, but it was unwieldy, being long and relatively narrow.  She set the brake and hopped to the ground, then hopped to the ground and strode into the bunkhouse.

"I got a delivery, could use some help with!" she announced, a bit startled to find three men she'd not seen before, and who looked more to be cowhands than construction workers, but she didn't care, she just needed some muscle!

"Yes 'um, let's give this lady a hand." Pythias said, "Pythias Modine, Ma'am, one'a Mister Pike's hands, this here's Lorado an' Dallas. Where is it ya want this here crate?" The bunk house just didn't see the logical place to put whatever it was.

"You're aware that the Pikes 'er up to the house havin' a look see? Recon they'd wanna now about this, an' where it should oughtta go." He added that that seemed to be the sensible thing to do as likely as not, this crate would end up in the house "I mean ta say, we'll do as asked, just seems some odd ta put it in here."

"Addy Chappel."  Grinning, Addy held out a gloved hand to each man in succession, pausing a few seconds to look over Pythias.  Not that she'd never seen a black man before, she'd seen plenty during the war, but they were unusual in this part of the country.  And despite having served the Confederacy, she held no may any ill will, so long he demonstrated none toward her.

"Good ta meet ya, gents!  As fer th' cargo, I was told ta stow it outta sight, particularly of Miss...er...Miz Emeline, until it could be installed, whatever for that's supposed ta mean!"  Hers not to question!  "Come all th' way from San Francisco, an' I'm curious ta see what it is, but that'll hafta wait."

Moving around to the back of the wagon, she lowered the gate, using her shoulder to take some of the weight so that it didn't slam against the wagon.  "Been watchin' this place go up, they done a good job.  If ya'll stay on, yer in fer good...Deputy Pike's a fair man, an' Miz Emeline is about th' best cook in th' territory!"

The three men exchanged looks at the idea of a deputy, and about the best cook in the territory as their bosses, but then they knew about Pike, it was again the statement about her cooking that perked them up, not to slight their own 'Cookie,' Nate Ambrose who could without a doubt make something out of nothing that was good and filling.

"Can't say as I'd doubt that Ma'am." Dallas offered, "We got a feller ain't none too bad over a campfire, our own selves."

"Now this thing what needs to be hid, let us gab holt of it an' stash it here in the bunk house." Pythias said, not doubting this womans ability to handle her end of whatever was in the crate.

"Yes 'um, we'll get off yer rig and set down easy as a new born." Lorado promised.

"I surely do appreciate it."  Addy smiled and nodded as she took a step back to get out of their way.  "So, there's more'a ya?  Don't see no cows." 

Seemed like there should be a lot more men on the crew, and some cows for them to mind.  "An' there's tell that th' Missus has some fine horses comin' in, too?  I'm more partial ta draft animals, but I do like fine-bred horses, that's certain.  Cows...only good fer eatin', if ya ask me!"

"So, there's more'a ya? Don't see no cows."

"Nuther twelve, an' some seven hundred and fifty head. maybe by noon tammara." Pythias said. "A mixed bunch, should be three bulls commin' along as well, but not with us."

"An' there's tell that th' Missus has some fine horses comin' in, too? I'm more partial ta draft animals, but I do like fine-bred horses, that's certain. Cows...only good fer eatin', if ya ask me!"

"Shore is!" Lorado stated. "Morgan Horses. A fine lot." Then the crate was in hand and they were moving it inside, setting it carefully next to the first bunk. against the back wall. "That oughtta 'bout do 'er."

"Morgan?  Can't say as I've heard'a that sort, but there's no one else in th' area breedin' quality horses.  As fer cattle, hopefully th' range war that's brewin' betwixt Evergreen an' Lost Lake won't come ta nothin', an' even so, hopefully th' Rockin' P here won't get caught up in it."

Range wars could get really ugly, and usually there weren't any 'winners', so she was hoping that nothing came of the grumblings between the two big ranches.  But with Silas Steelgrave involved, there was no telling!

"Always good ta have new folks in town.  Not th' biggest, nor th' civilized-est of places, but it'll do!"