Posted September 4, 2022
"It will be strange," she admitted, "to have everything there." Last they had seen the house, it hadn't been much more than a frame with a couple of the interior walls up, so to imagine it fully furnished...
At least she didn't have much in her old place that she cared to bring along. There were some dishes and such that she'd brought from Illinois, and her books, a painting or two, but she had only just been starting to get to the place where she was able and wanting to get settled and start making the small apartment above her cafe a home.
Now, she was stepping into a completely new home, much larger than anything she'd ever lived in, but she knew that it would be perfect for a family.
"It will be nice not to have to fret over getting everything done, although I may have to do some adjustment." Not that she was upset at someone else arranging the house, but she just might have different ideas.
"I'm excited about the house...the ranch, the baby..." So much to look forward to!
Posted September 5, 2022
"Well, yes it will be different to actually walk into the house, since last we saw of it it wasn't much. But, everything will be do, the house, the bunk house, the chicken coops, all of it." He assured her, "Now, most alla the furnishings will be in the proper rooms, and I figure we'll need to do some rearranging to have it your way. But like I said, everything in it's place which will make it a bit easier to have it set up good and proper."
He was aware that a woman has her own ideas of how a house should be set up, and it was something of a risk to have the place put together for her, but now that she was in the family way, he was happier with the idea.
"Yep, not having to fret over every little thing will be helpful with the child on the way. Cecil was it?" He asked, knowing it was. "How'd you come by that name? I sorta figured we'd pick the name once we knew what we were having. I mean it could be a girl you know." Not that he minded, it was just something he thought they would do a bit farther down the line. And there was plenty of time to do that before they got home.
Home, the word made him smile. It was a ways off yet, but they were on almost the last leg of this adventure of theirs.
Posted September 6, 2022
"Cecil, Eudora..." Emeline grinned. "I'm just trying different things, to see if any is right." She laughed. "So far, nothing! And we'll decide on a name together, when the time comes." The names she'd been using so far were just some of the more absurd, outrageous ones she could think of, ones she'd never actually consider using. "I just like having something to call him...her..."
It didn't matter to her, so long as the child was healthy, although she was leaning toward a boy for his papa. But then, she knew that Barnabas would dote on a little girl, who would have her daddy wrapped around her little finger!
"You know, this trip is good...I mean, of course, it's amazing to see these places, to be able to do these things, but it's good too, to walk away from one life and into another." Thinking on it, she realized that the transition to being his wife, living on a ranch, in a nice house, with different responsibilities, would be easier with this interlude.
Posted September 6, 2022
"Well then, when the time comes you be sure and let me know. Might have a couple choices of my own, you know." He chided. "Eudora" Ain't never heard that one before." He smiled, thinking if that was to be the choice he would get used to it, but then he wondered, was that for a boy or a girl?
"This trip has been one that gave us some time we might not've ever of had. I need to be honest about it though, I had no idea where we we goin' wehn we started out. I was thinking of goin' to the coast and back, but, well, ideas came, and I realized that you an' me, we're pretty well off, maybe even rich, well richer than most back homer in Kalispell. 'cept maybe the Thornton's an' Steelgraves. But we'll give 'em a run for their money."
This stop over in Virgina City will tell us how well off we are. Cap Taylor's got the books, and made plenty of investments for us, well, not just us, but we benefit from 'em. You can bet yer boots on that! See a part of what I earn stays there in the Wells Fargo Bank, and another part goes to Helena, Money I never spent til you came along."
Posted September 7, 2022
"Spontaneous has its place, and I've enjoyed not having a schedule or plan." That aspect of the trip was really enjoyable, just taking it a day at a time, not having anything too specific to adhere to. It was so different than the regimented life running a cafe, up at the same time each day, most everything on a schedule...Oh, she had no particular problem with that, she'd never be able to run a business if she wasn't organized, but it was nice to just let loose for a time.
Of course, at the ranch, there would be a completely different routine, and it would take a while to get that organized. "I'm afraid the first few weeks home are going to be chaos, until we settle in and figure things out." Grinning, she patted his arm. "I'm looking forward to that...and seeing my horses...well, the cows, too, I suppose, and the house and the window..."
She wanted this travel and exploring to go on, but she wanted to be home!
Posted September 7, 2022
"So let me set this straight, if I did not have to be in Virginia City, I believe we would be on our way home. Instead we will have a few days on the hill, an one of them we can make our way up to the Tahoe lake. It really is something to be seen to be believed. The sheer size and clarity of it is amazing, for lack of a better description." He explained.
"There is business that frankly I have to tend too while we are there, and sites to see aside from a mine tour, of course. As to my affairs there, I actually am not altogether sure what I have to attend to that Cap Taylor could not have done in my stead, but we shall see." Then he smiled, "And then we ride the Nevada Central to the end of the line, and head on to home." he paused, "Be good to walk the streets again with Speed and wonder what them Steelgrave's are up to. Hope Leah got her property to build that hospital we need to see how we can help."
Posted September 7, 2022
"Oh, I didn't mean to imply that I want to rush home, I just..." Emeline chuckled, snuggling against Brrnabas' side. "I just want it all, and I want it now! But I'm content to be with you, and the longer we're here, the more will be done when we get home."
She closed her eyes, trying to picture it all...the house, barn, bunkhouse (with lace curtains!), a corral with the horses prancing about, all amid the pines, aspens, and, of course, the waterfall in the background. It was going to be amazing!
"Don't worry," she murmured, "I promise to tell you when I'm ready to go home, but for now, I really am enjoying the trip. I never would have dreamed I'd be doing anything like this. but I don't want you to think I'm not enjoying it. If I want to just head straight home, I'll let you know."
Posted September 8, 2022
"Now I ain't in no rush neither, and I figured you'd pipe up when you'd had enough, unless we were already on the way home. Other than the fact that Virginia City is noise, what with the stamp mills goin' around the clock, whistles from the mines announcing change of shifts, trains, comin' an' goin'. All manner of wagons and such like on the streets at all hours. Saloons and eateries that never close, and some other businesses too, it's a twenty-four hour town. People are up all the time. Not sure how I ever got used to it, but I guess you do." He explained at length.
"Now Kalispell? Street roll up at dusk most times, and our place, she'll be finished, them horses and cows'll be there and the men to work 'em. Just hope they stay on once we're back. That'd be my main concern. But for now, it's ridin' along in this here plush car and enjoyin' life with my wife." He grinned. "Reckon you'll be a well traveled woman when we get back."
Posted September 9, 2022
"Well-traveled, so no one can question my opinions!" Emeline laughed, drawing her feet under herself. "I suppose we'll end up with help in the house, too, at least for a while." As much as she wanted to believe she could handle the house, and horses, and garden, and bunkhouse, oh, and the baby, she knew that was neither practical nor reasonable, so at some point they were going to have to hire some sort of help.
"I don't see why the men wouldn't want to stay," she added, "you're a wonderful boss, the land is beautiful...I don't think you'll have to worry. And we can always recruit from Evergreen."
Posted September 9, 2022
"Oh, right. I wouldn't have that sort on my property under any circumstance, but I do see the possibility that you will need some help. And then, there's the Lickskillet. And what is to be done about that." He agreed. "With the realities of life, I won't be able to take my lunch there with you on the ranch, and maybe, that won't be much of a problem if I'm on the ranch too, and not in town."
There it was, the thought that neither of them might be in town. That the ranch would command their presence there full time. Times were changing, as they always did. Scott Cory had retired as Town Marshal, then went on to become the Mayor, and retired again. They were town people, he was not.
"Never thought about the conflict of the ranch and working with Speed. But there surely is one. I can't be in two places at one time, doing two different jobs, and I can't expect my foreman and hands to be doing all the work, although that is one possibility. I mean, in actuality, that is why I hired them in the first place. Isn't it?"