"After a time you learn the patterns and adjust," Emeline explained, "and I'm sure Cookie is used to that. Yes, there are so many hands, but on any day, some can be staying out in the fields, or all of them can be rushing in at once, ready for their meal."
That had been one of the challenges that Emeline had relished when she was running a cafe. From day to day, the number, and even the sort of patrons changed -- it was crazy busy just after payday, then next to dead in the days before the men were paid. But it had taken only a couple of months for her to adjust and plan.
"Half the fun is improvising for hungry, expectant customers! Anyway, it's a suggestion if they are having a hard time finding a main cook. And I do think there will be a need for a few assistants, especially since food will need to be delivered to some of the patients." She thought for a moment, then suggested, "Perhaps I can speak to Miss Steelegrave about organizing the kitchen."
She wasn't sure if hospital crew had thought about talking to someone who had knowledge of running a kitchen, to get an idea of what to expect, so it wouldn't hurt to ask.
With the ladies talking about cooking and the hospital, Barnabas stepped back outside thinking of the thing he had overlooked, but he meant to cover all his bets, so he stepped quickly to the door of the bunkhouse and looked inside, and a dozen sets of eyes looked back at him. "Wheezer, job a job for ya. Seems I forgot something. Step on out here a minute."
"Sure thing, Boss, what's ya need?" Wheezwer asked as he stepped out alongside Pike.
"Which is the fastest horse on the spread?"
"Shucks, that'd be Virgil Munson's black.
"An' who'd be the lightest rider we got, other'n Danny?"
"Me, that's who, Pecos Pete thinks he is, but I got 'im by five pounds!"
"Alright, I'm sendin' you ta town on Munsons's black get yer gear I square it with Virgil." as they stepped back into the bunkhouse, he called to Munson. "Virg! c'mere" It took all of a minute to explain what he wanted and for Virgil to agree. So he told Wheezer what was needed and why the ride was at dusk. "You get Speed, I know there's a County Sheriff, but Speed'll be better, we can deal with this new man later. Best we have family here at the start'a this mess."
"Count on it, Boss !" And he was off at a run for the barn to saddle up and ride for town!
Pike felt better about the situation, with Speed to get the lowdown on both shootings might make a difference, not that he didn't believe he had nothing to fear. After all, it was self-defense on her part and defense of another on his. The whole affair had been an ambush, not that he understood why, but he believed that this Tom Love wanted his wife and son dead. He waited until Whezzer galloped out of the barn and down the trail, then walked back to the house.
Stepping inside, he walked over to Em, "I sent Wheezer to town to get Speed out here and let him in on everything so far. There's some of the men out tracking this Love fellow and his men. I'll feel better once Speed is up on all this."
With dinner finished, Emeline was about to start in on the dishes when Barnabas came back in and filled her in on sending for Speed. Of course that was to be expected, not only was Speed a friend, but there would have to be an investigation, and that meant having to tell her story, something she really wasn't looking forward to.
"It's good call someone else in," she commented, "I think you are too involved, and besides, maybe Speed knows this Love man." 'Love'...an ironic name for someone so evil!
Sighing, she glanced at Angie. "I don't suppose anyone but Wheeler is going to be getting any sleep tonight, I'll make sure there's plenty of coffee, and there's the snickerdoodles." She hated the thought that the men were going to be out searching all night, but she knew that none of them would rest until they knew it was safe.
"I haven't met the Marshal yet, but then I haven't met a whole lot of people in town as yet. I wouldn't think there would be much to worry about. It's going to be a long ride back in the dark." Angie supposed, not being familiar with the West and how things might work in Kalispell.
"Well, we got us a new County Sheriff, a man I don't know from Adam. which ain't good 'er bad, just is. Now he might not make a big deal outta this, or he might. Depends. Can't speak badly about him, not knowin' him an' all, jest playin' it safe case anybody's got any funny ideas." Barnabas said honestly that Kalispell could be tricky at times, depending on who you were dealing with.
Barnabas was very leery, being involved with the shooting of this girl. Who was she? Who did she know or was related to? Now the killing of the brother was no problem, or it shouldn't be. He knew that after Speed got there and heard them out, they would likely have to troop into town tagether and explain it all to this County Sheriff.
"Likely we'll need to put tp the Doc here, an' Speed as well, then ride in together come daylight, don'cha think, Love?" He asked. "Best have me another cuppa coffee.
"We've plenty of room." Emeline put on a brave smile as she poured Barnabas his coffee, then set it in front of him. "And you can mind Wheeler for a bit while Angie and I go check out the bunkhouse."
She needed the distraction, although she hadn't done anything wrong...it had been self defense, after all, but it still weighed on her. "I'm sure Cookie and Danny have had time to spruce the place up and warn the men there that we're coming!"
"Don't you worry none about this. If it was just Speed, it'd be nothing'. But we git ta deal with this County Sheriff, an' the cold be some different." Barnabas explained. "Prolly more 'bout me shootin' Sissy, but I got rights too, an' in this case, any man'd a done the same, an' likely woulda killed 'er!" If he was trying to smooth over her worries, he probably should not have said anything about his shooting Sissy, but he had, and he was right, given she shot Sisdsy's brother in self-defense, shooting the girl who was rushing at his wife and son was reactive.
"Them boys'll be out till daylight trailin' Love and his crowd." He added. "With any luck they might take 'em and bring 'em in, then again, they may locate 'em and hightail back here."
"I'll be all right," Emeline assured her husband, "even if it isn't Speed. I know what I did was right, that doesn't mean I like it, and I'd just as soon this is over with and behind us." Well, as much as it could ever be behind.
"Angie and I are going out to the bunkhouse." She gave Barnabas a kiss on the cheek. "We shouldn't be long before Cookie shoos us away!" She laughed, then linked arms with Angie. "And if there's time in the morning, I'll show you the horses!"
In a moment the were at the door of the big bunkhouse, where Emeline knocked on the door...she'd never just barge in on the men, out of respect for them. "Cookie," she called, "it's just me and the doctor!"
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Nate had the men straighten up the place, not that he ever allowed the bunkhouse to be in disarray like some that all of the men had experienced at one time or another. They were actually few and far between, but they existed. The men living in a brand new building were quick to maintain it as such without being told to.
"C'mon in, ladies," Nate called out. "The men were ready for visitors; they all knew Emeline Pike, and most had seen the lady Doctor when she arrived, some up close, others from a distance, but seeing ladies up close was always a pleasure, and sometimes it was like it was an honor to be around ladies that the, men would attempt to put their best foot forward.
While it most certainly was a man's realm, the bunkhouse was kept in good condition, partly because Cookie insisted, partly because the men kept it that way, and partly, Emeline was sure, because of her threats to put in lace curtains!
"Gentlemen, this is Doctor Laurant," she introduced the newcomer, then introduced the men who were there that Angie hadn't met yet, including Justus.
"And this is Justus Gibbs, I'm not sure he had a chance to actually introduce himself when he was fetching you."
"Ma'am." Smiling, Justus nodded. "We didn't have much chance fer niceties! Yer a real good wrangler, Doc!"