"No, no, I don't."   Emeline laughed.  "I suppose living out here the worst I have to worry about are raccoons and mountain lions, although I think there is enough activity around the place to keep them away."

She sighed, using her foot to rock a bit.  "It's odd, though, knowing that there's always someone awake here, wandering the grounds.  Oh, they keep busy tending the horses and such, but mostly they are there as lookouts.  Strange...I suppose it's good to know if something happens in the middle of the night we'll know, but still, it's almost like having prowlers!"

Of course, in town there were people up and wandering at all hours, and at least here she knew who was roaming the grounds!

"Oh back when I lived on the farm, we had issues with raccoons. They look so cute but they are born thieves," Clara recalled with some annoyance, "fortunately no cougars ever bothered us."

"It's odd, though, knowing that there's always someone awake here, wandering the grounds. Oh, they keep busy tending the horses and such, but mostly they are there as lookouts. Strange...I suppose it's good to know if something happens in the middle of the night we'll know, but still, it's almost like having prowlers!" remarked Emeline.

"Well, it is understandable your husband being concerned about security. Never know when Steelgrave might take an unhealthy interest in your place. I know he wants father's property," Clara frowned.

"And do not forget, the Indians may come back in a fighting mood. Right now it sounds like most of the hostile ones ran off to Canada after wiping out Custer. Father says that our army can never really catch the Indians if they do not want to be caught."

Clara need not relate to Emeline of her own terrible encounter with Indians when she herself was seriously wounded and her mother killed, shielding her. It was a day she would never forget. And mourn. Fortunately she found another mother figure in Emeline.

"Very good points!"  At least Clara was in town most of the time, where it was relatively safe, at least from Indians and wild beasts.  "I suppose I never really thought about that...oh, yes, I did, when Andrew and I were moving West, I knew there were dangers, and that there would be times when I'd be alone on the farm, but I just did my best not to think about it."

She shrugged and sighed.  "I had enough distractions, and then I was on my own, so I either had to go home fearful, or carry on, and you know well, a body, and especially a woman, can't carry on out here if she's too timid or worried."

It might be cliche, but it truly did take a special person to survive in the West.  "Of course, I don't know that I'd be happy living in a city like San Francisco or Virginia City...but there are people who thrive in those places."

"Very good points! I suppose I never really thought about that...oh, yes, I did, when Andrew and I were moving West, I knew there were dangers, and that there would be times when I'd be alone on the farm, but I just did my best not to think about it."

"True enough, that is one of the risks of rural living compared to towns or even more so big cities," Clara nodded.

Emeline pointed out that she carried on, kept busy. Clara knew Emeline was not the sort to be easily intimidated. The other woman had seen San Francisco and other cities but admitted to not being thrilled with city life. Clara could hardly have an opinion...well, an informed opinion on such matters. Emeline had far more travel experience than she did.

"If I might ask, did Andrew like to farm? Some folks never take to it," Clara was curious.

"Andrew was born a farmer."  Emeline smiled wistfully.  "He was always talking about growing things, he was talking about having an apple orchard in Oregon, not that he knew anything about that.  I was honestly surprised when he proposed moving west, I always thought we would be in Illinois, near family and what we knew."

She took a sip of coffee as she glanced at the sleeping infants.  "First, he wanted to try his hand at mining in the Dakotas, said we could save what he earned there to buy our orchard.  We were there three years and there was barely enough for me to open a cafe in a tent after he was killed."  Shrugging, she chuckled.  "Turns out those miners were anxious for a good home cooked meal, and I was able to put money down on the Lickskillet...a real roof and heat!"

Rocking the chair with her foot, she continued.  "I loved Andrew, we grew up together, were friends, were accustomed to each other, but with Barnabas..."  Well, it was hard to put into words, and sometimes she had a hard time reconciling her feelings.  "It's different, he...well, it's as if he's part of me."

"Oregon? Yes I have heard good things about that place but father was determined we would go no further than Montana...well, plus our funds were running low and we would need a certain amount to purchase farmland. We got a good deal thankfully," Clara replied.

Emeline told her more.

"So you started up in a tent? Fascinating. I imagine you left those miners hungry for your next meal," Clara commented.

Emeline now grew rather somber, sad. Perhaps she should not have brought up the whole subject. Clara could hardly imagine how she would feel if Jacob would pass. Well, that sort of thing did happen to Emeline.

"Well, I am sorry for bringing it up but at least you now have Barnabas. I can tell you two are truly in love," was her take.

"Now.........I came her to do some work for you not spend the time chattering away like an old ladies sewing circle," Clara now quickly rose to her feet, "Not that I have ever been to a sewing circle and hope I never have to." More of Clara's deadpan sense of humor.

"Yes, I do have Barnabas, and I realize that my path led me here...well, both our paths led us together!"  Emeline chuckled.  "Same with you and Jacob.  If the events in your life had been different, you may not have met, and may not have had such a sweet, lovely child who takes so after her namesake!"

At that, she laughed.  "And yes, my cafe was in a tent in the Dakotas, it was all I could afford there, but you are also right in that hungry men appreciate a good meal, and especially when women are in short supply."  She laughed again.  "I'd get half a dozen proposals every day!  But then, you know that, I'm sure."

With a slow sigh, she stood, glancing at the infants sleeping in the cradle.  "I don't want to disturb them."  She looked at Clara.  "Do you mind bringing Wheeler up when he wakes up?  I'd like to get some sleep.  And you have the run of the house, of course, just don't work too hard!"

It was good to have Clara here, at least until she recovered from the effects of childbirth.

Clara was surprised, "Proposals huh? Well, I am certain you were even more beautiful then than you still are now. As for me? No, I have not had a single person propose to me except for Jacob. But then in the diner, almost everyone knows me, small town and all, so they know I am a married woman."

With a slow sigh, Emeline stood, glancing at the infants sleeping in the cradle. "I don't want to disturb them." She looked at Clara. "Do you mind bringing Wheeler up when he wakes up? I'd like to get some sleep. And you have the run of the house, of course, just don't work too hard!"

Oh of course, go sleep. It is why I came so you can rest. I will bring him up to then," Clara nodded, "And my mother used to say there is no work that is too hard if it is necessary work. I will be fine."

ooc: This thread seems to have run it's course, maybe a good place to end it???