Posted September 9, 2022
"You...we bought a ranch and a home to be our ranch and home," she murmured, resting her head on his shoulder, "I'd say that should come first, but who knows? Until we have a chance to live that life and figure out how it fits in to what we want..."
Chuckling, she patted her belly again. "At least until little Elrod comes along, and then things will change. Of course, I'm still of a mind that the hands will make fine nannies, and they can cook their own meals!"
Pulling back, she looked into Barnabas' eyes, reaching to caress his cheek. "One day at a time and take it as it comes, that's all we can do, and I have a good feeling we'll do just fine!"
Posted September 10, 2022
"Oh now, that won't hardly be a problem, us doin' fine. You think we wouldn't? And it's gonna be a mighty fine place, that ranch of ours. Not sayin' there won't be trouble of one kind or another, but we'll meet it head on." He began, "Elrod, you got some of the dangedest names for this child. But, that aside, they got themselves a chuck wagon with a cook and a helper, a boy usually called 'Little Mary' most times. So feedin' the men, that won't be no trouble at all. Now ehoever this boy is, well, he'll be a help in more ways than one."
"Generally speaking the boy'll want to be a cowhand, which is fine and dandy, but he can be a help to you as well, 'course now, that depends if they stay on, and I'm hopin' that they do, all of them. But like all things unknown, we'll see when the time comes. We'll get home before they get there so we'll have the welcome mat out."
Posted September 10, 2022
Emeline nodded...this was all so new and exciting, and challenging and intimidating at the same time. She'd never really had anyone working with her or for her before Clara and Barnabas, and they were more friends than employees, so she knew she had a real task ahead. But she had Barnabas to help her, and she knew that the hands, if they were good men, would help her as well. And she knew that Barnabas would only hire the best.
"It will be wonderful," she mused, "once we get it all sorted out. And if it doesn't, I can always move back to my apartment above the Lickskillit and hide away!"
She was teasing, of course, she'd never leave him, her child or her home, and she'd no doubt that they would do just fine. She also had no doubt that they'd be just fine!
"We should open a window, so we can see the countryside. Do you suppose we'll be on the train over night?"
Posted September 11, 2022
"Oh, there'll be no hidin' woman! You an me, well we got it to do. Likely take the rest of our lives to get it done." He objected. but with a smile in the end of the sentence. "Now about those hands that will about, they'll have their own work to do, but I suppose that they'd be willing to help out now and again. And your husband, likely as not he'll be helpful too."
"We can do that, probably be pretty noisy but if it becomes a bother, we'll just close it again. and no, well be in a Reno hotel this evening and dining someplace in town. Maybe even stroll along the river, if you're a mind to." He reassured her, though he was equally as sure she would just as soon spend the night in Bill Sharon's railroad car, but that was not to be. he got up and opened the window for her.
Posted September 11, 2022
"The breeze is lovely." Emeline stood and walked over to the window, letting the cool air wash over her face as she watched the passing of rolling brown hills covered in oak and manzanita. It was so different than home, but it had its own beauty, although she would be happy for the vibrant green of the mountains.
After a time, she went back to the sofa and laid down, intending to just 'rest her eyes' for a bit, but was soon fast asleep, so much that the gentle knock on the door didn't waken her.
If Barnabas answered, he'd find a snappily dressed man with a tray of tea.
Posted September 12, 2022
Barnabas in fact did rise quickly and quietly and answered the door, accepting the tray of teas, complete with two coup and a pot of steaming hot water. "Sir, I can bring back some snacks, there are no meals served between San Francisco and Reno, but there will be supper served in the dining car after that stop."
"Thank you, snacks might be nice, we'll leave the train in Reno." Pike said pleasantly. The service was excellent, he had to admit that. Once the door was closed he moved to the table where he set the tray and moved to the sofa.
"Em? Em? Tea has arrived and the porter is bringing some snacks." He said gently.
Posted September 13, 2022
"What?" Blinking, Emeline sat up, then smiled as she focused on Barnabas. "Oh, I didn't mean to fall asleep, I'm sorry." She sat up and ran her fingers through her hair, only succeeding in mussing it up more than straightening it. "Did you say tea and snacks? Here? We don't have to go for it?"
Smiling, she stood and gave Barnabas a hug. "I just might be getting soft," she muttered, "I'm going to need a whole entourage of help!"
Fortunately, while she was more than enjoying the first-class treatment, she'd be more than happy to be back to 'normal' life.
"Go ahead and sit, and I'll pour us some tea." Even the chairs at the small table were plush and covered with red velvet.
Posted September 13, 2022
"Not to worry, the motion of the train has that effect. And perhaps you needed a nap, I now I was considering it myself." He said easily, "Now he promised to bring the snacks when he delivered the tea. And I think that will just hit the spot."
"He informed me there will be no meal on board until after they leave Reno for God knows where, but that's fine. We'll find a place to eat, hopefully at the hotel, but maybe we'll need to roam the streets. Hard to say." He took a seat. "Now chairs like this, they can be ordered, but with children, I don't know if that's such a good idea. Leather, now that might be the answer, easy to clean where is fine velvet would be ruined at the first spill."
Posted September 14, 2022
"And here I thought you said you never had children!" Emeline laughed. "You are just right, if there is a way to get something dirty and ruin it, a child will find that way!"
She laughed, but then fell silent for a moment, having stirred up bittersweet memories. "Goodness, but Elena could get into things, even though she was barely two. As soon as she started walking, she was exploring, touching, tasting..." She chuckled. "I guess Daddy's boots didn't taste that good!"
It had been a long time since she'd talked about her daughter and she didn't regret it, it reminded her that there was something she and Barnabas could look forward to.
Posted September 15, 2022
"I know. Perhaps leather is the answer, not just plank seating. Of course, plank seating has it's advantages. It gets bad, pry it up and replace it." He paused looking at her. "But for you, yes, leather covered seating, now that has all the advantages in comfort and ease of cleaning. Seen me a few of these, some what they called 'tufted' cuz there was stuffing under the leather, and some that just had a layer of hide over the board. Not sure that's for us."
It struck him that they were discussing furniture, that their child, be it male or female, was a regular topic of conversation. That in fact they were a couple talking about couple things, far different from before, when he was the dishwasher trying to get her attention. It was clear he had, or that maybe, she had gotten his, it made him smile.