"Now let me get the straight of this," Angie said, "You are Steelgrave's daughter? You are his wife, or former wife, and there's a son?"
"There's Ben, Case, Clay, and Zeke." Elinor stated, "And Calvin, who was killed in a fight with Shade Thornton long, long ago."
Leah sat up straight and looked at her mother. "Mother!"
"Your father pushed that fight until it happened. He was never good enough to beat Thornton. Besides, his trying to rape Regina Cantrell. if Thorntomn hadn't killed Cal, Quentin Cantrell would have!"
"Mother, I know that, and A lot of other things, it's just not anything to be discussed over pie and coffee." She stated. "My father is not anything to be discussed at any time, in any place!"
"I would concur with that statement, wholeheartedly!" Josiah Boone said.
While the interaction was uncomfortable for the adults, Weedy was listening carefully, having the revelation that, just because you had a parent active in your life, that didn't make a person fortunate. In fact, things could have been worse for him, had he had an actual pa, and his ma had been a more awfuler person than she had been. At least she'd never encouraged him to hurt anyone, or get in a fight.
"Why would a pa do that?" he asked quietly, "try to get one of his sons to get in a fight, especially if he knew he might not win?"
There was a lot to being an adult he didn't understand, and wasn't sure he wanted to. In fact, running off to be a pirate was looking all the better every day!
The kitchen fell silent. It was noit like bullies were rare, because they were not. Everyone knew bullies of one sort or another, and everyone knew of parents who pushed a child in that direction. Elias pushed all of his brood, including Leah, in that direction because he was a bully.
"Well, Weedy, it's a mistake some men make with their children, and sometimes that mistake has consequences they did not anticipate," Josiah told the boy. "Trying to make a boy tough isn't always the way. A boy learns to toughen himself up naturally, over time. And some don't cotton to the tough ways until they need to." He paused, "Anyway, this pie is just dandy, Misses Armentrod can sure bake!" He was hopeful that Weedy would be satisfied with what he had offered about bullies.
Of the Steelgrave boys, and Josiah knew them all, Clay had been the weakest. Others were mean, Case was deadly, and Zeke was well. Zeke was the fastest with a gun, but like the others, he had moved off the Evergreen and settled down, raising a family.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
Addy gave Josiah a grateful nod. "An' you got plenty'a good men ta take example from," she pointed out. She was well-aware of the influence a man had on a boy growing up and trying to find his way, and as much as she could do, there were still things best learned from another man. "Ya know if ya got any questions or troubles, ya can talk ta Josiah or Jonah here, or Marshal Guyer, Deputy Pike, Mr. Wentworth, Mr. McVey...well, I reckon ya been taught well enough ta know who th' good an' bad men are."
Reaching over, she ruffled the Weedy's hair, making him cringe a little in embarrassment. "Yes, ma'am." It was something he knew, and he'd even worked a few odd jobs for some of them, but it was reassuring to hear. And he was determined to do the best he could, for Addy and his ma.
"An' this pie really is good, we'll hafta get us some from th' Lickskillet fer our trip ta Whitefish." She looked over at Angie. "Ya cook much?" The doctor had been helpful on the trail, but that was different, the grub was pretty basic there, but with a real kitchen, there was a lot more could be done.
"Yes, I do cook. In fact, I love puttering around in the kitchen. Learned from my Mother and both grandmothers growing up. I spent my time in a kitchen from the age of eight or nine until I entered medical school, which took away all my free time. Cooking was reduced to making something quick and easy." She explained. "But once I was working at the hospital, I had time and a kitchen available in my parents' home where I was still living, and saw no motive to move. I was able to cook dinner for us every day of the week, and my own breakfast as well."
She looked a bit downcast as she continued, "Father became ill and was gone within the year. Mother fell ill soon after and passed within several months. I buried myself in my work when Josiah wrote about this opportunity out here. I sold the house and here I am." She smiled, "So ready for this new adventure, not that the trip with Addy wasn't exciting enough, because it was! So anytime we can get started seeing patients, count me in. And the Whitefish trip whenever you're ready."
"Ah, well, all the more reason to keep you close," Jonah observed, grinning, "for the days Mrs. Armentrout can't make it! We won't starve!"
Addy glanced at Angie, then Leah, raising an eyebrow, wondering just how much the good doctor had dug himself into a hole with both women -- Leah for the implication that she couldn't cook, and Angie for the implication that she was only good for cooking. This should be interesting!
Leah started to speak, but burst out laughing to the point of snorting.
"Now let me understand what we have here, I mean to say, that I get the impression that, that you don't believe my girl, Leah here, knows how to cook?" Elinor asked.
And did you bring me all the way out here to be a substitute cook? I will be modest in saying not only am I a surgeon of some repute, but also, I can certainly make myself at home in any kitchen in this town," She carried on with the good-natured assault which a good many kitchens it could have turned nasty.
"Doctor Danforth, just what did you expect once we were married? Taking our meals at the hotel dining room every day?" Leah asked.
"Jonah, I believe a full retreat is in order while there is still time." Josiah offered.
"Doctor Danforth, just what did you expect once we were married? Taking our meals at the hotel dining room every day?" Leah asked.
"Oh, well, what I was expecting was..." Well, not living at the hotel, so not have a restaurant beneath your feet! But there was Mrs. Armentrout here, so he hadn't expected that Leah would be doing much cooking anyway, but then, they couldn't....
"Jonah, I believe a full retreat is in order while there is still time." Josiah offered.
"Yes, indeed!" Jonah nodded gratefully to Josiah as he stood. "It's time for the gentlemen to retire to the parlor for some whisky. Doctor, Mr. James..."
"Yes, sir!" Excited to be included with the 'men', Weedy stood eagerly, wondering if he would be included in the whisky tasting as well.
"Ladies." Jonah nodded to the three ladies, then beat a hasty retreat!
"Good luck with that man," Addy chuckled to Leah, "he's got no idea what he's in for! But I do believe he's got a good heart, if only he'd let it free."
"Yes, a very good heart, and one that had been misguided for far too long." Leah declared with a grin. "He has stood by me and the hospital, no matter what, since the beginning. I mean, he knows about my father and he men, but that has not dissuaded him in the least. In fact, he took lessons in gun handling and goes shooting with them every week. That is not the Jonah Danforth I originally encountered."
Josiah grinned as he got up to follow Jonah and Weedy out to the parlor, "Nope, he ain't. Nor does he resemble the man I first encountered, either. I'd say you've been good for each other, if you don't mind me sayin' as much. Folks about town have seen it as well, in both of you."
Elinor broke out laughing, "Well you're certainly not thre spoiled brat I left behind. Stubborn, yes, but far from the girl I left here. I apologize, Leah. I'll find a way to make it up to you, but it seems Doctor Danforth took care of that as well, whether he meant to or not.
Sit down, shut up, don't touch anythin'
"Yes, a very good heart, and one that had been misguided for far too long." Leah declared with a grin. "He has stood by me and the hospital, no matter what, since the beginning. I mean, he knows about my father and he men, but that has not dissuaded him in the least. In fact, he took lessons in gun handling and goes shooting with them every week. That is not the Jonah Danforth I originally encountered."
"Don't reckon he counted on runnin' inta a woman what'd change his whole way'a thinkin'," Addy observed. "Don't think he was doin' more'n hidin' out, bidin' his time. Now, seems like he's got somethin' ta care about." Sighing, she shrugged. "An' I reckon he ain't real sure what ta do with that!"