"Wouldn't that just get under ol' Steelgrave's hide!" It was an entertaining concept, but Barnabas was right. "But there's no sense in poking the bear if there's no need, and there's plenty to do around here." She sighed and leaned over to kiss him. "Orphanage, library, the cafe...I suppose it's best to stick to Kalispell."
She supposed if folks were willing to put their efforts into Whitefish, and support a Steelgrave, that was their choice.
"We'll make Kalispell a beautiful place that folks will want to come to. There's no place with trees and mountains like this..."
"Oh, I believe that would get his goat real good and God knows what that'd start." Barnabas stated with a rye smile, "If anyone cared about his feelin's. Point being maybe it would be a good investment, til he burned it to the ground." And that would be just one possibility, there was alway Case and his bunch to contend with.
"And you are right, Love. Kalispell should have our attention and support goin' forward. There's much we could do, some would make money, others well, not so much. Things that the town needs or things that would make life here better than it already is." He pointed out. "And you saw what they had goin' in Virginia City. Electricity, and gas lights, running water, an' girl, we got lots a water! Of course, it would take a lot of money to do most all of those things."
"It will take time," Emeline pointed out, "planning, ideas to keep in mind." They both had plenty to do already and wouldn't be able to take on much more until the ranch was well-established, the Morgans were settled and the children were growing. It was all a process, something that would take time, but could eventually be accomplished.
"I just hope Kalispell doesn't grow too big, it's nice to visit places like Portland and San Francisco, but there's a...niceness to Kalispell that I'd hate to see lost." It seemed like the big cities lost themselves in, well, their bigness, and Kalispell was a comfortable, friendly place. Oh, sure, it had its faults, but it still felt like a home and not an experience.
"So, first we have to see to this little one!" Grinning, she patted her belly.
"Oh now, I don't see that happening for quite a while, if at all. Now, the railroad will have an effect on the town, as well as the surrounding area, you can bet on that, but she won't get all that big any too fast." He said confidently. He realized that yes, the railroad would change the town and the area, and time would do the same, everything changes.
"What I do see happening is things improving in Kalispell, and to the area in general. Not sure about the Steekgraves, other than Leah, but overall, things here will get better." He smiled, "Just gonna happen a little faster once the railroad arrives."
"So, first we have to see to this little one!" Grinning, she patted her belly.
"I can hardly wait for that one to show up!" He stated as he reached over and ran his hand over her belly.
As he reached to caress her belly, Emeline sighed and smiled, the let out a little gasp as the baby gave a kick, right where Barnabas' hand was. "Oh! It hurts when he does that, but I don't mind too much because it means..."
Hesitating, she took a breath before continuing with a smile. "It means he's alive, and anxious to meet his father." She still had to fight the ever-present misgiving that something was going to go wrong -- that was, of course, a reality, but she couldn't let it dominate her thoughts or she'd just shrivel up and stop.
The baby kicked again and she laughed. "I just wish sometimes she'd sleep a little more. Four more months or so...at least I'm not an elephant...I've heard it takes close to two years!" UGG!
"Good God no you're no elephant!" He agreed. And boy or girl, that was a kick alright. This will be a strong one, no matter its sex. Strong to help either of us. And healthy, or so I expect moving like that."
He was no expert on babies, had never sired one that he knew of, and had only been around a few babies belonging to other folks. But he was excited, this would be the first of her promised many, and they would all be needed.
"Yep, this ones a Pike alright!" He haded with pride and a grin.
"Strong and feisty like Papa!" They both had qualities that blend to make wonderful children, although Emeline knew as well that they had their difficult traits as well, so she hoped she and Barnabas would be able to deal with that with understanding.
"I just hope we know what to do when things don't go ideally," she commented with a sigh. "I know I wasn't always the perfect child..." Grinning, she glanced up at him. "Don't you dare say anything! I just don't know sometimes how my folks kept us in line. But I don't want to stifle them."
She supposed, though, that no one really knew about raising children until they were faced with it, and although she did have a little experience, she still wished she had more wisdom.
"Far as that goes, all kids push the boundaries, just have to rope 'em in, make 'em toe the line, well, as close to the line as possible." He said, realizing the multitude of tings he and his siblings got away with growing up.
We'll all be fine, Em. It's just a process. Granted, it is hard from time to time, but I figger there's lots of love involved, and with siblings. you know the one's you promised, it'll all work out. And, there's a lot of good men on the ranch that'll watch out for 'em." He said at length, "Just we don't let 'em think they're better than anybody else. We need to keep us humble."
"Oh, I'm sure shoveling manure will keep them plenty humble," Emeline chuckled, "and if that doesn't, we have a bunkhouse full of seasoned cow hands to do that for us!"
While she didn't expect the hands to be handing out discipline, she wasn't going to put them in a position to take guff off any of the kids who might get a swelled head. Of course, she hoped that she and Barnabas raised them properly, so that they treated everyone with respect, regardless.
"It's going to be good, Barnabas...real good!"
"Good? Why Em, It'll be grand!" Barnabas replied grinning like a Cheshire cat. "And that shovlin'll keep 'em busy, but I'll be teachin' 'em to ride too. I mean there's a whole host of things toiur young 'uns can do around here that has nothin' ta do with manure." Of that he was confident.
"There's gonna be chickens an' rabbits ta tend to. Yeah, there's their leavin's to deal with, but there's also feed and general care that'll need doin'. Grand, might not describe how it's gonna be out here on the Rockin' P. Not at all." He concluded. "You wait an' see if it ain't!"