Posted September 17, 2022
"I don't suppose I need to worry about padding quite as much as you do." Emeline grinned and patted he backside, then started to pour tea for them. "Between all the petticoats and skirts, I have plenty! But yes, no benches, and something soft to sit on. I can make stuffed cushions from canvas, they'd be inexpensive and easy to change." At least in the areas where children were going to be running around the most.
"There's time." Having poured them both tea, she sat across from him, letting him add what he wanted to to the brew. For herself, she chose a small bit of sugar, stirring it in with a small silver spoon.
"We'll see first what's there, then we can decide what we need, although I can't get past needing much more than a bed, table and some chairs! Oh, and book shelves, of course."
Posted September 17, 2022
"It's not like we cannot afford comfort in our furnishings, and certainly making stuffed cushions out of canvas is an option, all I'm saying is we should have comfortable furniture." He agreed.
"Now if you make to make cushions and such like, why you just go ahead. And someday when we're old and grey, we'll have the grandest furnishings available, because we'll be the only ones to spill anything on them. Hows that?" He added
"All this other stuff, if it ain't there already, then we'll get it, and it'll be just what you want, not what I thought would work." The he took her hand and squeezed it, you're right Em, there's time, plenty of time." And there was, for them the world was about to open up, because while they were on the Comstock, he would learn what he was truly worth.
Posted September 18, 2022
"You go right ahead and get old and grey, but I plan on staying young and spry forever!" Emeline laughed. "But yes, we're going to have those rocking chairs on the porch, where we can just sit back and watch the next generation doing all the work!"
She took a sip of tea, gazing out the window, where the rolling hills had given way to a vast expanse of waving grass as far as could be seen. "I can see the temptation to plow this all up and plant," she observed, "it looks so promising."
In truth, she was glad that Barnabas preferred ranching. While she knew it was no easy chore, and they'd have their share of growing hay, she didn't like the thought of her husband behind a plow all day.
Posted September 18, 2022
"Old an grey, well, I've seen my share of men leave their youth behind as the years caught up with 'em, figger it'll be no different for me, so, best make what I can while I can, that goes for money, bigger herds, more land, an' lots a sons an' daughters to carry on." Then he grinned at her, "You stay young an' spry an' we'll surely see how that'll work out."
He knew that working the ranch was hard work, long days doing a myriad of chores, even with hands to help. Throw in his duties in town, and that could age a man right quick. But it was there to be done, and maybe he'd not be able to do both. He would have to see about that.
Posted September 19, 2022
"Well, I suppose it's my duty as wife to grow old with you." Smiling widely, Emeline looked at him as she sipped her tea, then set the cup down. "I'd be quite happy to grow old and grey with you, Mr. Pike. As for sons and daughters, I'm more than happy to accommodate you in that. As for the rest, I'll leave that to you, and I promise not to squander any of it."
She could think of all sorts of ways to 'squander' money, and while a tiny part of her would gladly throw money at frivolities, she knew that not only she, but Barnabas as well, would get more pleasure in living modestly, and using what they had to do good.
Posted September 19, 2022
"Well then I suppose we have a bargain." He stated. "Squandering, now that almost sounds like work. But I intend, as I said to squander our fortune on sensible things, like cattle and land, even them Morgan horses your so fond of, if there any return on 'em." He grinned, "And you, I plan to squander large sums on you Missus Pike, large sums."
"I've come to some conclusions Em, I work for the town, and they pay me. But I, well, we, you and I have a responsibility to Kalispell as well as to our own place, and our family. Not sure in which way I think of that responsibility, but I know that we have it, so I ask you, what do you think about that?"
Posted September 20, 2022
"I think," she declared, "that whatever I think now will be completely different in six months, if not three!" Life had cycles, and sometimes things were stable and predictable, such as her time before she met Barnabas and he had become part of her world. And then there were times like this, when everything was in flux and changing faster than you could adjust. But there was always the promise that things would become stable again.
"You may not have time to devote to town, or you may have more time than you know." She had no idea, really, what was involved in running a ranch, and in truth, she hoped that would keep him too busy to be running off being deputy. Not only would that keep him from home, but it put him in harm's way, not that she'd even say that to him.
"We have so many paths, and none any worse than the other. That's a wonderful situation to be in!"
Posted September 20, 2022
"A lot of paths, to be sure, but the ranch is certain." He began, "That'll be there no matter what. We get them cows delivered, and your horses of course, and if I can hold the boys bringin' 'em up, well, we'll be sittin' pretty. Not sure about deputyin' so much. But that depends on Speed, won't leave him hangin' with just Charlie. He'll have them Marshals outta Helena for a while yet."
It was not cut and dried, not about the Deputy job. But then there was the family, and the ranch to consider, one thing he had never been forced to look at and consider. Being a single man, fancy free to do just as he pleased wearing a badge was just a job. Not so much these days. Now there were those things that meant something more to him, things he needed to consider.
"You got me thinkin' on alla this, you do. Not that any of it's bad, just different is all. We got us more of a future than I even realized." He took her hand once more and looked into her eyes. "We can do anything we want, have anything we want, and be anything we want. We can make a difference up there in that little town of ours, whether I'm a deputy or or not."
Posted September 21, 2022
Emeline gripped his hand, smiling, although her eyes were a bit misty. Only a few months before, she hadn't allowed herself to think of the future, beyond working at the cafe and an occasional jaunt to the falls, alone, with a picnic lunch.
But now, those falls were outside her window, and there was so much more ahead of them.
"I want to be your wife, and to have my husband," she murmured softly, as if speaking louder might doom it all, "anything after that is just all the better."
Outside, once they were through Sacramento, the train started chugging into the foothills, through the 'Gold Country' that had, just a couple of decades before had triggered the rush to move West. The scenery of rolling brown hills gave way to mountains covered in pine tress, reminding her of home, but in a unique way. And the scent of pine wafted in the window, along with the cool of evening, so that the window had to be closed, although the curtains were open so she could enjoy the view until she retreated to the sofa and dozed off again...
Posted September 22, 2022
The door opened, "Reno folks, Reno in fifteen minutes." The conductor stated, the retreated, closing the door behind him.
Pike looked up at the intrusion, though aboard the rail it was perfectly acceptable. It gave them time to prepare to leave the train. Their luggage would be on the platform waiting, the larger pieces would be tagged for the Virginia and Truckee the following morning. Most of the things they would not need had been shipped on ahead by freight wagon to Kalispell. In fact of the three trunks, only one would go on to the hotel, a simple change for both of them.
"Reno Nevada, been a while. But we'll get a room and then find some supper, how does that sound, and perhaps a walk along the Truckee in the moon light, if you like." This trip was truly unlike any he had ever made. He was returning to the Comstock, but in style, with his expectant bride to show her the mining town that made them, and a host of others rich.