Posted October 13, 2021
Barnabas watched as Em scrawled out her message for the operator, thinking of what he would say to speed, then he smiled as Em finished and the operator began tapping out the message, traveling over the wire to Kalispell. Hardly a new concept as the telegraph had been around since 1830, in various states of development and usage.
Once the operator was finished he stepped \up to the counter and scrawled out his message to Speed Guyer, "Got us here to Portland. Taking a steamship to San Francisco, then on to Virginia City by train. See you when we get home. Pike." He pushed the paper to the man and waited. He would add the "stops" as he had for Em, and then he'd settle up.
"Sir, both wires come to-"" Pike pointed to the paper, the man nodded and wrote the cost on a blank message form. Pike handed him two double eagles ($40.) and held up his hand as if to say 'keep the change.' A hefty tip.
"On their way Em, let's us have some lunch an' then see the sights. Maybe make our reservations on the steamer." He offered.
Posted October 14, 2021
"That sounds like a wonderful plan and I'm famished!" Taking his hand, she laughed as she fell in step beside him. "I'll have to take care what I eat so I'll fit in those dresses. Oh, and Miss Eleanore recommended a shop in San Francisco that can make dresses that can be adjusted as the baby grows."
Her free hand went to rest on her belly and she leaned against Barnabas, a small smile on her face. "I'm so happy, and I can't wait to meet our child. By then, the ranch should have a good start and we'll be settled in the house." So long as fate treated them kindly, the future was something to look forward to.
Posted October 14, 2021
"That sounds like a wonderful plan and I'm famished!" Taking his hand, she laughed as she fell in step beside him. "I'll have to take care what I eat so I'll fit in those dresses. Oh, and Miss Eleanore recommended a shop in San Francisco that can make dresses that can be adjusted as the baby grows."
"Dang, I ain't never heard'a such a thing, we'll need ta look into getting a couple a them at least, maybe more. Adjustable clothes. What'll they think of next?"
Her free hand went to rest on her belly and she leaned against Barnabas, a small smile on her face. "I'm so happy, and I can't wait to meet our child. By then, the ranch should have a good start and we'll be settled in the house." So long as fate treated them kindly, the future was something to look forward to.
"See now, that was what this is all about, us seein' some sights, and you bein' happy. Happy about ever'thing. As far a meetin' our child, now that there's gonna be more special than anything I ever done, 'cept maybe meetin' you. That was was about as special as it gets ya know."
A child, a child of his, not something that had seen in his future until he met Emeline. Not something he considered to be a part of his life, and her talking of a number of them. Well, they could do that. The money that came in from the mine, well that would make life easy living. It would allow them to grow the ranch and the family in relative comfort. So long as the silver didn't peter out they would be a lot more than just fine.
Posted October 15, 2021
"Oh, well, of course...I'm a wonderful cook and I'm sure you were tired of bland food." Looking up at him, she grinned. "They say life is full of surprises, and since meeting you, I keep getting new surprises all the time...good ones."
She hopped up to kiss him on the cheek, then kept walking. "So, where are we going for lunch? I mean, since we still have our mundane, common clothes? Do you suppose we can find a place that will let us in?"
Fancy would have to wait, but that didn't mean there wouldn't be good, and seafood was truly a rare treat.
Posted October 16, 2021
"Surprises are al'ays good, unless they ain't, and I only deal in them good'uns! 'specially for you. Now, about eatin' well, I figger we'll just head over't that there sea food joint an' give 'er a try." He said, taking her hand. "That upstairs restaurant, what was it, 'The Blue Fin,' whatever that is, that'd be the place to eat."
So far it had been quite the day, both of them outfitted with new clothes, taking a walking tour of the local area. He was pleased with himself. They had gotten word out to Kalispell as well, and to him, that was just as important for him as for Em but she needed to let Clara know where she was, and that she was fine. He simply felt the need to let Speed know things were good and safe. There would be more wires to send as the traveled.
Posted October 18, 2021
"It smells wonderful!" As they stepped inside, Emeline couldn't help but look around and assess the layout and appearance of the place, as much to judge it as to get ideas for her own cafe. "It looks nice, too, although I don't think I'll ever have a maitre'd to seat people." That was for a bit higher-end places. The Lickskillet was suited just fine to walking in and finding a table, and that wasn't likely to change.
They were seated at a table overlooking the harbor, then handed menus and a wine list. Once the waitress had moved away, Emeline looked at Barnabas with a shrug. "I'm afraid I don't know much about wine, we rarely had cause to drink it, so I'll have to trust your judgement, if we even need wine with the meal."
She did know that there was an art to matching wine with food, but she was honestly more interested in the food, and how it was seasoned and prepared.
Posted October 18, 2021
Seated and looking out at the view of the harbor he smiled at the thought of a maitre'd at the Lickskillet. "Now about the wine, don't know a whole lot about 'em, 'cept some say white wine and still others say red, depending on what fish we're havin'. 'course now, I don't drink much, so I could care less about it, but if you're a mond to, we'll jest ask."
He opened the menu and began to peruse the entrées listed. "See anything that tickles yer fancy?" He asked, then added, this her 'Captain's Platter' seems a good choice. Several kinds of sea food on it." He was not much on sea food, he had tried clams up on the Comstock one time, and was not to fond of them. Barnabas Pike was a meat and potatoes sort. Beef steaks! However, he was game to try the varieties that this platter offered. Some he had never heard of.
Posted October 18, 2021
"I'm not particularly interested in wine either," Emeline agreed, "maybe with a fancy dinner, since I am curious to try it." Part of the 'experience everything' plan! "And that sounds great, a sampler of several things. I don't have much experience with fish, even fresh water. I've dabbled some with salmon and trout, but there was never a steady enough supply to get good with it.'
Maybe she'd try again when they got back?
"And, of course, sea food is too expensive and complicated to get, so that's not an issue." Suddenly, she grinned. "Hey, can you fish? Can you teach me? After all, we have that nice stream running through the property." Then she could get her own fish whenever she felt like it!
Posted October 19, 2021
"I'm not particularly interested in wine either," Emeline agreed, "maybe with a fancy dinner, since I am curious to try it." Part of the 'experience everything' plan! "And that sounds great, a sampler of several things. I don't have much experience with fish, even fresh water. I've dabbled some with salmon and trout, but there was never a steady enough supply to get good with it.'
Maybe she'd try again when they got back?
"Mostly I'd think it'd all be spoilt before it got to town. I mean it's a ways from here ta there, an' there ain't no train where it could be packed in ice." He offered, "I mean, sure, they could pack it in ice on a wagon, but where they gonna get it after they leave here, or worst, Frisco?"
"And, of course, sea food is too expensive and complicated to get, so that's not an issue." Suddenly, she grinned. "Hey, can you fish? Can you teach me? After all, we have that nice stream running through the property." Then she could get her own fish whenever she felt like it!
"I been a time 'er two, an' yah, I'd wager there's fish in that stream fer the catchin', so we kin giver 'er a try when we get back. No trouble a tall!" He said with a grin. "Folks might like the change 'a pace with fish on the menu. Et me a lotta fish at one time down south, game was scarce, Comanches was out, so huntin' weren't safe. We made do."
Posted October 20, 2021
"Splendid! You can teach me how to prepare them...better yet, you can do it!" It was one thing to gut and dress fowl, but fish, with all those slimy scales and tiny bones were something else altogether. "I'd love to learn to fish, although I have heard that it's easier to just use a shotgun and get a whole passel at one time!" Laughing, she shook her head. "I guess that would mean picking out buckshot on top of everything else!"
While she didn't think fish would ever be anything on the cafe menu, she certainly could include it on the ranch menu, even for the hands.
"How many men do you think you'll have working for you? At least I have experience cooking for masses! The food will keep them around!"