Another thing about Leah...she didn't dwell on the past, didn't use it to justify any of her actions, something Jonah needed to learn. 

"I suppose I could put up a few decorations," he commented as they entered the house, "maybe get some peppermint sticks for the children.  It's bad enough that they need to see a doctor, but maybe it would help to have something festive."  It was one of those things that he didn't often pay attention to.  "If it will help put patients at ease..."  Well, that would be a positive!

He spotted Barnabas across the room with Mr. Wentworth, and headed that way, pausing to be acknowledged.

"Judge Townsend, welcome to the Rockin' G Ranch! Here, let me take your coat, we've a bedroom off the living room, as they're calling it. Too big to be a parlor. It's where we're putting the coats. Glad to say, at least it's not snowing, had my doubts about having it this late in the month, but then the weather's been pretty quiet so far." He said. And that was true, so far, but Montana weather could turn on a dime, and had many times before.

Adam smiled as he handed over his coat, "Good evening, Deputy Pike.  Yes, the snow has been good enough to stay away.  It makes for travelling around to parties like this a bit more easier."

He left long enough to put Townsend's coat with the others then returned. "So, It's buffet style, but if it's a drink you're after, well, there's punch over there, and a bar table set up close by with whiskey and glasses for it. Good to have you here sir, it is." That was the truth, he had come to like Towsend over the past couple of months. He was easy to work with, or perhaps Townsend, Speed and he were just of the same mindset. "So, please, enjoy yourself."

"I think I'll start off with some punch first and have a whiskey later."  Even though he liked whiskey, he found it at times not enough to quench his thirst after a long ride.  The Pike's ranch was some distance from town but it looked like most of the important people were here.

Over in the far corner, he could see Mayor Wentworth with his parents.  There was no doubt the three of them would have made the journey here together and that made sense considering the looming troubles.  Perhaps, when the evening was over, he would travel back with the Wentworths instead of returning on his own.

Turning to address Barnabas, he nodded, "It looks like you've got a grand turnout tonight."

Just as Barnabas was answering, Matt Wentworth joined them, "Evening, gentlemen. I must say that Mrs. Pike has outdone herself this evening.  My mother is very impressed with what she has done with the place."

Before Barnabas could reply, they were joined by Danforth.  Both Adam and Matt acknowledged the man and waited for Barnbas to do the same.

@ [Flip] @ [Bongo

"Doctor, glad ya made it." He looked around, Leah was approaching Emeline and Clara, "Good comp'ny you're in tonight. Addressing the Wentworths, "Grand is right, this place may not be big enough after all, but look's to me like ever'one is enjoying themselves."

"How was the ride up? I had some of the hands that volunteered to man the fires along the trail, hoping that helped. Figger'd a bit of light on the trail up'd be real helpful. The road in is real easy ta find in the daylight, but not so easy after dark. Plann'n on maybe some poles with lanterns hung from 'um. Anyway good having  you boys here."

@JulieS @Bongo

Leah made her way to where Emiline was talking with Clara Lutz, the proud new mother, and she looked radiant as did Emeline. "Emeline? What a wonderful party, and your home is just beautiful!" She exclaimed. And, Clara, congratulations. And where is the baby? Left with Grandfather?" She had not seen Aurelian Redmond present.

She was glad to be at the party, glad that there was one, last year was such a disaster, and there certainly were no festive events to mark the day, other than church. "The waterfall is just so lovely, Barnabas certainly has an eye for property. And this house, oh my I must admit I am taken aback by it all, the road up, the falls, just so lovely."

"The ride out here was lovely," Jonah declared, although he accounted that more to his company than the scenery, "and the fires along the drive were a welcome beacon."  The flickering lights had been a great way to get the festivities started.  "And this house is amazing, you've done a great job."

He couldn't imagine living this grandly himself, although his own house in town was one of the larger places, but that had been out of the necessity to have room for his office and the clinic.

"Civilization seems to be swooping in on our fair town.  I just hope it doesn't ruin ambiance, or that it gets so large that we don't know each other any more."

"The ride out here was lovely," Jonah declared, although he accounted that more to his company than the scenery, "and the fires along the drive were a welcome beacon." The flickering lights had been a great way to get the festivities started. "And this house is amazing, you've done a great job."

Pike smiled, "Thank you, Em plans on a large family. And the thanks the fires goes to the men who had that idea, several riders approached foreman Frank Teal with the plan and promised to man the fires until everyone arrived and were safely on their way home. They promised no matter the weather, but I believe we are safe from that threat. Actually, Em had the final word on that." True, there had been no snow or rain, and all that might have deterred some were the clouds.

"Civilization seems to be swooping in on our fair town. I just hope it doesn't ruin ambiance, or that it gets so large that we don't know each other any more."

"Yes, my hope as well, but with the railroad coming one can only guess how things will develop." Pike said, "Their 'Hell On Wheels' town that follows them, that will be the challenge we will need to prepare for, what do you think Judge Townsend? Can we survive this eventuality?"

@JulieS, @ Bongo

Other people approached to chat with Emeline, she was the hostess of the party after all. Clara realized she could not monopolize the woman's time. This was a big social event, Emeline had to mingle. Now mingling was not exactly something Clara was not very good at. Oh, she could be civil at all times and at work, she did all the necessary customer service niceties. Life of the party though, never!

Steelgrave's daughter, Leah, approached. She had turned out so different from her mother. Amazing really and a credit to her also. She greeted Emeline but took note of Clara too.

"And, Clara, congratulations. And where is the baby? Left with Grandfather?"

"Thank you, Miss Steelgrave. And yes, my father and his new wife are caring for her. He is doting on the child already like a true grandpa," Clara nodded.

"And, Clara, congratulations. And where is the baby? Left with Grandfather?"

"Thank you, Miss Steelgrave. And yes, my father and his new wife are caring for her. He is doting on the child already like a true grandpa," Clara nodded.

"Miss Steelgrave, I'm glad you could make it!"  It hadn't been lost on Emeline that the young woman had arrived with the doctor, but then, they were business partners, right?  "Grandpa's job is to spoil a child, right?"  She chuckled, remembering how her own grandparents had doted on them and her Granddaddy Harris had encouraged pranks and 'horseplay'!

"The house is much bigger than I'd anticipated, but I suppose Mr. Pike intends on doing some entertaining," she grinned, resting her hand on her belly, "and we're going to need room for a dozen children!"

"Yes, my hope as well, but with the railroad coming one can only guess how things will develop." Pike said, "Their 'Hell On Wheels' town that follows them, that will be the challenge we will need to prepare for, what do you think Judge Townsend? Can we survive this eventuality?"

Adam smiled, "I think we can even with the problems that come from having a lot of itinerant workers around.  However, at this point in time, we may have more pressing matters to worry about."

Matt nodded, "Yes, there are.  This simmering tension between Lost Lake and Evergreen is libel to boil over at any moment and I'm afraid that Kalispell will be caught up in it."

"Considering that I have been for only a short term, I've seen enough to know that there is cause for worry," Adam replied.  Turning to Barnabas, he continued, "Since you live closer to the two ranches in questions and also work in town, it would be interesting to hear what you have to say about the situation."

@ [Flip] @ [Bongo