"Maybe now that we're nearing the final touches on the place, McVey might be interested in doing a series of stories leading up to the opening?" Jonah suggested, "a bit of publicity. Of course, people here in town, and those who come through regularly know a hospital is being built, but we're covering a large area."
It would be a tragedy if someone they could have helped suffered because they didn't know that Kalispell was going to have a proper hospital. "I don't suppose it will be as difficult to find the auxiliary staff since the work isn't as skilled, but the sooner we have prospects lined up, the better." He chuckled. "Just don't ask me to train them, Mrs. Armentrout can attest that I'm neither much of a cook nor housekeeper!"
Josiah brightened up, "That old scallywag? What he'll see, if anything, is more subscriptions from the outlying areas! But, by gum, it's well worth a try. What can he say? No? I highly doubt that he'll be against a greater profit."
"Yes! To have the Union running a story about our hospital would be wonderful." Elinor said."And, it would do a world of good for us." It was the first time she included herself in the equation.
"There is no doubt that Phineas McVay will be glad to do a series of articles on the hospital and getting those editions out to everywhere around us. Fabulous! Just Fabulous!" Leah exclaimed, "We need to approach him on this right away, time is short really, we'll be open in a matter of months so really, there's no time to lose."
"Here's something you may not have thought of, the hospital may well draw people to move here, help the town grow!" Elinor stated, "I have my reasons for this, trust me, nothing sinister, I promise."
Jonah raised an eyebrow, but quickly looked down. To say that there was nothing sinister was a tell in itself. But for Leah's sake, he'd give Elinor the benefit of the doubt.
"So, then," he chuckled, "should we just pack up and troop over there? Give him a big surprise?"
It was late in the evening, yes, but supper was finished and he did find the idea amusing. "Take dessert and coffee...and champagne, of course! To smooth things over..."
Leah had a look of shock, and surprise at Jonah's statement, as did Josia. But it was Elinor who spoke up.
"And get us all killed. He may be willing to let things, including us, alone. But to go out to the Evergreen and flaunt it? You have misread the man, and you have underestimated him." She said. "Whatever his plans are, being our friend would not be one of them. He may well leave the hospital alone, he's older and he's had an episode already that could have been fatal."
She paused to let that sink in, "He may well realize that he may need that hospital, and all of you, sooner than later so he will want those doors open, and you welcoming him. Don't be fooled that some of his men might not do something stupid, because there are some that will!" Then she softened, "I know you were just being glib, Jonah. I just needed to remind you who he is."
The earnest attacks caught Jonah by surprise, and at first he was silent, startled. Then he laughed and shook his head.
"No, no, I meant McVey!" As he spoke, he was still chuckling at the absurdity of the misunderstanding. "I've no inclination to see Mr. Steelegrave ever again, if it can be avoided. No, I mean, let's go annoy Mr. McVey and run our idea by him!"
He laughed again.
"McVay?" Leah asked a bit stunned, "We were still digesting talk of my father and the possibilities, but I'm sorry. Buy all means that's exactly what we should do. I'm betting he would be happy to do something that would benefit his paper, the hospital, and this town, although I'm sure it would be more about his paper than the other two."
Josiah laughed and then said, "We're giving that man far too much power, even if he deserves it. So I have a solution for that problem, he's in need of medical help. bring him to town! He can be met by armed men, ensuring my safety, as he will be seen at my place until the hospital is completed."
Both Elinor and Leah looked a bit taken aback by Josiah's statement. "You can't." They both said almost at the same time.
"But I most certainly can and I fully intend to do just that!" Came his reply. "That keeps him away from Jonah's home and anywhere else that might prove inconvenient. I've been tired of that man since, well, way back, and this is where I draw the line!"
"I think they'd as soon coerce one of us to go out there, like they did with me, should the need arise." It seemed more likely, if Elias was to have another emergency, that someone would be sent to town to bring one of the doctors back to Evergreen. "And I'm all in favor of keeping Elias as far away as possible!"
The special dessert for the night was chocolate cake, and that was ordered, along with a fresh bottle of champagne, all of which was delivered to their table in a basket along with plates, forks and flutes that could be returned in the morning.
"Shall we go bother our local newsman?" Jonah asked with a grin, standing and moving to hold Leah's chair.
"Before that cake overwhelms our common sense and we eat it ourselves!" Josiah said. "He should be there and doing what? Nothing, that's what!"
"No time like the present, I always say," Elinor spoke up. "Besides, it will be fun to see his response to us walking in with all this."
Leah laughed, "Just the thing to break up the monotony. And you're right, I doubt he's ready for us, and the champagne and the chocolate cake. I do hope Missus Thornton-Carlton is there, it would be good to see her again."
The laughter continued as they took up their celebratory feast, and started for the door in a joyous mood with their little plan to bolster the news of the hospital, as well as the Union's circulation.
It was an odd little entourage that started up Main Street in the late evening darkness, bearing a basket of goodies. Jonah was in a great mood, everything was coming together, and they had plans to move forward. It was just a matter of a few weeks, and the hospital would be up and running.
Since it was after hours, they didn't just barge in, but knocked, then stood back and waited.
Inside, Tully was sweeping the office floor, and the sudden knock startled her so that she almost dropped the broom. Looking toward the door, she chose rather to scurry to the back room.
"Mr. McVey, someone's here..." Hopefully, taking the time to knock meant that whoever was there didn't have any bad intentions!
"Every town needs a newspaper."
Phin rose from his chair and started for the door seeing Doctor Danforth, Leah, and of all people, Elinor Steelgrave. He had heard that she was back but had not seen her, so he hurried to the door and pulled it open.
"Come in, come in. Who's birthday? He wanted to know, a wide smile creasing his face. eyes bright. "Elinor, as I live and breathe, how good to see you and that the rumor of your return is true."
"Phineas. It is good to be back and to know that you have stayed on!" Elinor said as the trio trooped in, cake, champagne, and all!
"We've come with an idea and desert!" Leah said as she stepped deeper into the office. "Here, on the counter, and chairs we'll need chairs as we have just the best offer."
"Offer? Now what could that be? And why all this, your cake, and the bubble water? Not that I mind, no not at all." He asked, "Tully, Misses Carlton! Look who here!"
