"Why Doctor Danforth! Men? Wanting to whisk me away? For what nefarious purpose I might ask." She wanted to know, but the compliments were very nice. "Snow Princess? I'll accept that, as you know there was a time when I was known as the Kalispell Witch to most folks."

She laughed, happy, not minding the blustery evening one bit, especially ensconced in the warm blankets. "Yes, yes, let's go we don't want to be late as I want to see this home Deputy Pike built for Emiline, and isn't that a story, the two of them?"

The buggy lurched forward and fell into a brisk trot as he wished her a Happy Christmas, the jingling of the bells on the harness making the beginning of the evening simply perfect!

"A most Happy Christmas to you Jonah."

"They are a rather unlikely pair, aren't they?" Jonah mused.  "I wouldn't have matched them, but then, I suppose that's how the Good Lord works, and they seem very happy.  And to have that ranch, and Mrs. Pike has those horses.  I hear they are magnificent."

He smiled, enjoying the music made by the bells and the cadence of hooves.  "I don't know that I'd ever settle, nor where that would be, should it happen."  The words were out before he realized, and although they were truth in his mind, his heart was starting to settle for Kalispell.

When you look at it on the surface I would say ues they are, but underneath Pronto's exterior is a man that apparently is nothing like the reputation he has, though I do like the nic-name he has." She said with a smile. People are really never how they appear to others, not exactly. Although I would say when he is at work with Marshal Guyer he is exactly what you see, and what you expect from a lawman."

And then Jonah changed the conversation entirely, catching her by surprise, but not without words of her own in reply, "Honestly Jonah? I think you know that there are a great number of people who have come to love you, who respect you. Not only that, you are a vital part of this community, more perhaps than you realize. I for one, would be lost without you."

If anything, Leah's compliments just made Jonah feel all the more guilty...and confused.  Everything in his life had been a con, a game to keep above water and make due, but now...

Well, he had gone to medical school, some, until some personal indiscretions had forced him to leave, so that was only part of a lie.  He'd been content with the way things were going, with the role he was playing, but then one Miss Leah Steelegrave had come waltzing in, trying to make an honest man of him, even if she didn't know it.

"I doubt it's me they love, so much as the idea that I can rescue them from whatever it is that ails them," he chuckled, "but I have found that this town has grown on me.  I actually hadn't planned on settling here for any length of time, but I've gained a fondness for the place...and, well, there's the hospital.  I have to see that through."

"See, so things are hardly as dreary as you painted them." Leah pointed out, "And yes, there are those who know Doctor Danforth can rescue them if need be. Like Speed who liked you long before the bullet found him, and Alice, who watched and waited. And there are others that you have treated that came to believe in you. And Doctor Smartypants, who I have believed in since the first day, so there."

She grinned. Settled back in the seat under the blankets, watching the sky as some clouds passed over the moon, enjoying the ride brisk as it was.

"You know, things here are about to get much better, though I dread the railroad and that camp that follows them as it is built. That may be most unpleasant." She admitted, but afterward, then it will be back to being our town again." Then suddenly she said, "Did you hear that Case Steelgrave brought in the body of the man who shot Marshal Guyer? It was a while back, it just came to mind again."