"As I see it gentlemen, you are correct about simmering tension between the two, but so far as they squarin' off agin one another? Hard to say when, there was the scrap at the Stardust an' that could have more repercussions, but ol' Shade got himself a natural fortress on the Lost Lake. Gettin' at him would be a whole lot different than if the ownership was reversed." He explained.
"Now there ain't no doubt that ol' 'lias sittin' on the Evergreen smolderin' over his hatred of Shade fer killin' his youngest, Calvin. I'd say he might want to take the ranch, but what he really wants, is to kill Shade Thornton." He added seriously. "If that starts up, well we'll need every man-jack that can shoot ta posse up with us to try an' get the upper hand, Steelgrave has near thirty riders."
@JulieS, @Bongo,
"Pity there isn't a way to put enough laudanum in the well water at Evergreen to keep them all sedated!" Jonah offered with a chuckle. But this was potentially deadly serious business, and hot heads were hard to quell. "At least they will likely wait until after Winter, don't you think?"
And then was Spring, and calving season, maybe that would keep the ranches busy enough that fighting would be secondary.
"I've no desire to christen our new hospital with the blood of cowhands doing the dirty work for owners."
"Pity there isn't a way to put enough laudanum in the well water at Evergreen to keep them all sedated!" Jonah offered with a chuckle. But this was potentially deadly serious business, and hotheads were hard to quell. "At least they will likely wait until after Winter, don't you think?"
Pike laughed out loud at the idea, "Capitol idea! Too bad that attempting to salt their well would just get someone killed, but I can see your point Doc."He agreed. "Spring could be the turning point from what appears to be a fragile peace, to all-out war between the two factions.
"I've no desire to christen our new hospital with the blood of cowhands doing the dirty work for owners."
A sobering thought indeed, an all-out range war between the two could boil over, and Kalispell could be dragged into the fray, and the lives of innocent people put in jeapordy. "Not a handsome prospect, not at all."
‘Over the Mountains of the Moon, Down the Valley of the Shadow, ride, boldly ride, The Shade replied - If you seek for El Dorado
Shade reigned his big grullo stallion, Lakota, to a stop. He was running late to the Christmas party being held by the Pikes. In fact, he had put off even deciding whether or not to go until the last possible minute. He had kept himself scarce, focusing on working the ranch and rarely going into town since the break-up with Katherine Bowen. In fact, as he sat there staring at the welcoming lights in the windows of the Pikes' home, Shade seriously considered turning back around and riding back to the ranch although he had stopped in town and booked a room for the night to avoid the long ride back after the party. Of course, ditching the party did not mean he had to forego staying in town.
Sighing, Shade gently set his heels to Lakota's sides. He had come this far, no sense in not stopping in, at least for awhile. The horse picked his way along the trail, stepping carefully. Shade was glad he'd had the horse's shoes changed out for the roughened winter shoes. It gave the horse a bit more grip in the scant, but often slick, layer of snow.
After seeing to his horse, Shade made his way up to the ranch house's front door and knocked. While waiting for the door to be opened, he gazed admiringly at the home's festive appearance as well as the neat and clean outbuildings. The Pikes were doing an awesome job. He needed to remember to tell them if they needed help of any kind to not hesitate to ask.
A knock on the door distracted Barnabas from Jonah and Judge Townsand, a quick glance told him Em was engrossed in conversation with Clara, so he smiled as he turned back, "Jonah, Adam, if you'll excuse me our hostess is presently engaged and someone is at the door."
In short order he was opening the oak door and was surprised, "Well, come on in Shade, good to see you could make it." He extended his hand as he had hoped the owner of Lost Lake would make the party. "Hope you let CAntrell know about this. Be a shame if he missed it."
This was a momentous occasion having Shade at the Rockin' G, out in public as it were, he'd been seen but not on a regular basis, "I'm talking with Doc Danforth and Judge Townsend if you'd care to join us."
@ Stormie, @Bongo, @JulieS
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Unable to resist the temptation, Addy had taken a tour of the barn and stables, and now trotted up the stairs behind Shade.
"Shade, Pronto." She nodded to the men, pulling off her hat as she greeted the men. "Good ta see ya out an' about, Shade. An' Pronto! I'm jealous, ya got a real nice spread here. Ya lookin' ta hire a driver." She laughed.
"Thanks Addy. I have to agree with you that this place was laid out right nice for me." He said with a smile, "Now I could use a driver, although, we go got a man what has a chuck wagon, but, you know the territory and that of itself is a sale point, so yeah, I could use you and yer expertise."
That was a fact, the woman knew what was where and the fastest, best way to get where she needed to be, and there would be that need from time to time. "Course now Speed over there might have a real use for them talents of yours, you oughtta ask him."
After Pike took his leave to answer the front door, Matt was pulled over by one of the guests to answer some questions about town regulations. This left only Adam and Jonah to continue the conversation that had just started.
"I agree and certainly hope that the hospital's first test will not be on the account of a feud between the two biggest ranches in the district."
Having not many reasons to talk to the doctor, other than in course of county business, Adam decided to take the opportunity to learn more about the man and what he thought of the current situation. Given the doctor's relationship with the daughter of one of the protagonists, it would be nice to get more insight into what might be going on and what could potentially happen.
"Doctor, I hope you don't mind me asking but I am interested in your views about the tensions between Evergreen and Lost Lake. I'm also curious as to why you think Elias Steelgrave hasn't stepped in and sabotaged his daughter's plans for Kalispell."
@ [Bongo]
@ [Flip]
@ [Stormwolfe
@ [Wayfarer
‘Over the Mountains of the Moon, Down the Valley of the Shadow, ride, boldly ride, The Shade replied - If you seek for El Dorado
In short order he was opening the oak door and was surprised, "Well, come on in Shade, good to see you could make it." He extended his hand as he had hoped the owner of Lost Lake would make the party. "Hope you let Cantrell know about this. Be a shame if he missed it."
Shade shook Pike's hand, smiling at the man's greeting. He had always liked Pike and was happy that the man and his new wife, Emmeline, had found the place. He returned the handshake, "Thank you for the invitation and belated congratulations on your marriage. As far as Quentin goes, I bet he's still at the hotel waiting on Harriet."
This was a momentous occasion having Shade at the Rockin' G, out in public as it were, he'd been seen but not on a regular basis, "I'm talking with Doc Danforth and Judge Townsend if you'd care to join us."
As Pike spoke, Shade had been surreptitiously trying to scope out the guests, looking for people he knew, and people he knew and needed to avoid. He nodded at Pike, "That'd be great if I'm not interfering in your business or anything..." Just then, Shade heard footsteps behind him and turned as the familiar voice of Adelaide Chappel spoke...
"Shade, Pronto." She nodded to the men, pulling off her hat as she greeted the men. "Good ta see ya out an' about, Shade. An' Pronto! I'm jealous, ya got a real nice spread here. Ya lookin' ta hire a driver." She laughed.
Shade made a mental note of Addy's question for Pike and filed it away for later. Lost Lake was always looking for good people and it was hard to beat Addy when it came to managing and driving a coach or freight wagon. If she was actually looking for a new job that is. He wondered if she had parted company with Millegan Stage and Freight. For the moment, he smiled and listened to the conversation. One thing his mother had made sure her sons knew and that was how to be polite in mixed company.
When the conversation between Addy and Pike subsided, Shade stepped in to the break, "Good to see you as well, Addy. If you're serious about hiring on somewhere new and Pike and Speed are dumb enough to let you get away, come see me or Mike at Lost Lake."
Emeline had her hostess duties to attend to, she was going to be very much a woman in demand this evening so Clara wandered off, nodding and forcing a few smiles to some of the other guests. Mrs. McCabe even congratulated her on the baby though then had to ruin it with "That sure happened fast, have you even been married nine months?" Nosy old bitty. Clara wanted to tell her to mind her own business but this was Christmas and all, so settled for a smooth lie, "Oh, certainly, it has been almost a full year."
And with that she moved on past the woman and straight for the refreshments. She took a small piece of cake and then ladled out a glass of punch to go with it. Looking about Jacob was busy engaged in quite a lively conversation with a few men she knew were farmers, one of them a neighbor of Granny Miggins. So her husband didn't want to be a farmer anymore, or so he said, but he sure enjoyed talking about fertilizers and crop rotations, and pesky insects. She would leave him be.
Oh well, she decided to enjoy her cake and punch. She never had been all that much of a social person, no life of the party for her.
