"Perhaps," Emeline commented at the remark about a full larder, "but I don't know if they expected us so soon.  I know Barnabas sent a telegram, but we weren't sure of the exact day."

She led the way to the kitchen, explaining, "The Andersons have seen to most of the interior, they're a sweet older couple that we helped rescue last year when Whitefish was hit by a storm.  They've been good friends."

As she rummaged through the cabinets, she pulled out what she could and named others.  "Potatoes, flour, lard, rice, beans, salt, of course..."  She glanced at Pythias.  "Perhaps griddle cakes?  There's a rasher of bacon we brought with us, and some preserves...I think we can make a decent enough meal of it."

It wouldn't be traditional, but she was sure it would be tasty and filling.  "A fire first, and we can go from there.  Do you know the origin of the name 'Pythias'?"

"Other than my Ma gave it to me, no Ma'am, believe it could be a name from the Bible, though I can't be sure of that. Truth be told, Missus Pike, been some time since I passed through the doors of any church. Not that I aint'r a God fearin' man, 'cuz I am! Yes siree." He answered.

"Yes ''um, griddle cakes oughtta fill the bill, with thet bacon an' preserves. Outta be jest fine." Pythia agreed. "When Nate, Mister Ambrose, 'er Cookie if ya like, rolls in there's venison and salt pork ta be had afore it goes bad. An' I'm sure there'll be game the men can track down, doubt yer husband'll be fer slaughterin' any of his beef, though we did increase the heard by a couple at least while on the trail."

"I'm sure Cookie and I will work things out," Emeline declared.  She understood that Cookie would be doing the bulk of the cooking for the hands, but that didn't mean they couldn't collaborate now and then. 

With a fire burning in the new stove, she started working on the potatoes, peeling them first.  "Can you start on the batter?" she asked, grinning, "it'll be a challenge without eggs and proper milk, but I don't think anyone will be foolish enough to complain!  And besides, enough fruit preserves will make anything taste good!"

She'd be happy for a full larder, but it was going to be difficult not to be cooking for a small army!

"So, now, Pythias was man in Greek mythology who was accused of plotting against King Dionysius, who sentenced him to death."  Potatoes peeled, she started shredding them.  "He asked to be allowed to go home to take care of a few things, and his friend, Damon, was left behind as a hostage.  The King didn't expect him to return, so when he did, the King freed both Pythias and Damon, for his loyalty to his friend."

"I'm sure Cookie and I will work things out," Emeline declared.

"Oh, sure. Cookie he may seem gruff, but he has ta or them fellers'd run all over him, an' his is a big job an' he's got to time ta be foolin' about, that' fer shore, doncha know." Pythias replied with a smile, "Yes Ma'am you two'll work out jest fine tagether."

"Can you start on the batter?" she asked, grinning, "it'll be a challenge without eggs and proper milk, but I don't think anyone will be foolish enough to complain! And besides, enough fruit preserves will make anything taste good!"

"Yes that's fer shore a fact. An' we ain't yet checked yer hen house yet. Seen it when We was at the bunk house. But milk, gotta have a cow fer thet and we're a mite short jest yet on milk cows, but there's a number that'll fill that bill when the herd gets here, so not ta worry none." He started to make up the batter as she asked, and there were a number of hens down there so eggs should be plentiful.

"So, now, Pythias was man in Greek mythology who was accused of plotting against King Dionysius, who sentenced him to death." Potatoes peeled, she started shredding them. "He asked to be allowed to go home to take care of a few things, and his friend, Damon, was left behind as a hostage. The King didn't expect him to return, so when he did, the King freed both Pythias and Damon, for his loyalty to his friend."

"Now thet's some story alright." Pythias remarked, "Never heard tellof it afore, 'course now my Ma might natta know'd the whole of it, so she decided to leave well enough alone, maybe plannin' on findin' out more as she went along, but fer whotever reason did not. But then you come along an' was there ta tell me all about him an' his friend Damon, oh an the King fer shore." It was a great story from biblical times no doubt.

"Oh, well, she may not have thought about the meaning or origin of Pythias," Emeline commented, "I don't think people often do.  So many names go back to antiquity, and I don't know that the original meanings are even thought of."

She grinned and chuckled.  "'Emeline' means 'peaceful home', but I really don't think Mama knew that.  And 'Barnabas'...he was a apostle who followed St. Paul, so the name means 'comfort'."

For a moment she paused, mulling that over.  "Peaceful home and Comfort...someone of a superstitious nature might think that all of this was meant to be."  Certainly there was no disputing that their paths had crossed at just the right time to lead them here, and life was going to be amazing!

"Yep, I reckon that most names go way on back to them days of the Christ child, though I'm jest as sure thet some's newer then thet. Then to, ya git them what's named after cities an' towns, like Lorado, what spells it wrong, and Dallas, 'er Dixie an then there's Wheezer Walcott, but then thet's out here. I spose in the east it's all reg'lar names."

It was a light conversation as they worked on the supper before them, getting it ready to set on the table.

Pronto walked into the room smiling, "A man get somethin' to eat around here?" A basket on his arm with fresh eggs in it. "Somone's been out feedin' the chickens as there was eggs a plenty in the hen house!"

"I suppose it depends on what you consider 'regular'," Emeline chuckled.  "I've been tormenting Mr. Pike with a string of the most hideous names I can think of for the baby, but I hadn't thought about places as names."  Laughing, she added, "'Kalispell, how is that for a name?  Or better, Whitefish, to remember the town that died!"

Just then, Barnabas came in with the eggs and she exchanged a kiss on the cheek for the goodies.  "You are an amazing man!  We're almost done here, but I can scramble up these eggs, too, we'll have a fine feast!  Would you mind setting out plates and whatnot on the table outside, and call the men?  Addy, too, if she's still here.  We'll have our meal out in no time!"

The first meal at their new home!

"She was, believe she was talkin' it up with them other two, I'll go and round 'em up for ya. " Branabas said. He was home, in a building he had seen many times in his mind's eye, and then drawn up on paper before it was built. Their home, and with guests already. men that would be hired hands of the Rockin' P. He grinned, "We'll be right back."

Pythias nodded as he continued what he was doing then said to her as Pike walked back out to fetch the others, "Now Kalispell Pike has a nice ring to it, be callin' her Kallie most times though, I reckon, but a good strong name just the same. Has meanin' fer you and the boss." He let that name roll around in his head. "Yep, 'at's a good 'un alright." He wasn't sure about Whitefish, or why it might be a good choice, no matter the reason.

"Well, I do suppose 'Kalispell' would be better than 'Dorcas' or 'Elmer'!"  Emeline laughed as she broke the eggs into a skillet and scrambled them up.  In a short time, she and Pythias were headed to the front porch with trays laden with the eggs, pancakes, potatoes and preserves.  It was closer to 'breakfast', but it was food, and she was proud to be serving it with Pythias' help. 

"Here it is!" she declared with a huge grin as the food was set on the table.  "It will get better, I assure you, and if there are any complaints, blame Cookie, who had nothing to do with this and isn't' here to defend himself!"

"I like the way you think, Ma'am." Lorado piped up.

"As do I," Pike added with a smile. "I can guarantee that the food will get better, this woman can cook I tell ya. She can put out the vitals, but then I'm partial to her and her talents in the kitchen."

Dallas was busy serving himself but did say, "This here's a fine lookin spread, Ma'am. Not sayin' Cookie couldn't do as well, I mean, he was on the trail and all."

"You got yerse'f a point there Dally, you surely do. Nate's as good as the best of 'em, and some better!" Pythias stated. "No offense Ma'am."