Posted October 9, 2022
"Embarrassed yourself?" Raising an eyebrow, Emeline leaned forward. "Do tell?" She smiled sweetly, her imagination running a bit wild as she tried not to picture what Pronto might have been up to his younger days in Virginia City!
Of course, she couldn't imagine that he had been too rowdy, or at least had stepped outside the confines of the law, such as that was.
"I'll be on my best behavior, and not let any goad me!" She laughed and added, "Well, and not go in expecting anything, I'm sure it will be a great deal of fun!"
At least, she hoped, depending on what dynamic her hormones were in that day!
Posted October 9, 2022
"I can see them wheels a turnin'." He began with a smile. "So there were a couple of instances where I did or said the wrong thing, stuff like that. But it was embarrassing to me, don't know about them, nor did I really care what they thought. I was a lawman, plain and simple, and then I was a third owner in a major mine. Quite the leap, but not unusual in Virginia City in those days."
He chuckled. "A deputy Sheriff seeing a school teacher suddenly is thrust into the world of the well to do. She died of pneumonia. Her name was Julia, Julia Dey, we were to be married that spring. I know I have said little to nothing about her, or those times. And that is because neither has any bearing on today, you and I. We were meant to be, I guess the mine, the money, and washing dishes at the Lickskillet were all part of that, and Julia needed to step aside for you and I." He had never heard himself say that before.
Posted October 9, 2022
"And Andrew," Emeline commented quietly, reaching to take his hand. "It took just the right steps for our paths to cross, and I believe they were meant to."
While she had loved Andrew, now that she'd met Barnabas, she realized that there had been more of a familiar companionship with Andrew, than love. The way she felt about Barnabas was so much deeper and more passionate, a connection that was so consuming, she wasn't sure if she could go on without him, should something happen.
"And I'm happy that from now on, our path is one, and long." She was determined to hold onto that, and not to let past heartaches get in the way of present joy. "One step at a time, and we can conquer the world!"
Posted October 10, 2022
"I'd just as soon conquer more land, an' more cattle, maybe even more of them horses yer so fond of. 'course now if yer intent is on building a herd of young ones, well, that could delay increasing the size of the ranch." He observed. And it would be a chore trying to increase his holdings and then stock it, all the while trying to build a family, at least that was how he looked at it.
"But like you say, together we can do most anything we want." He pointed out, "Dumb luck bought us that, and so long as the lode hold out, well, we'll be banking a goodly sum every month. Might even look into what Kalispell has need of."
They would have the ability to help out in town, if needed. Though he was not sure how long he would be able to wear the badge what with the family coming. But that was a ways off yet, or so he thought.
Posted October 11, 2022
"If dumb is what it takes, we'll do just grand!" Laughing, Emeline nodded to the waitress who brought their food, then tried a small bite of chicken an' dumplin's.
"Oh, this is pretty good!" She grinned, then added, "Especially since I didn't have to cook it and you don't have to do dishes!"
It was different than the way she made it, but Emeline wasn't so persnickety that she would criticize someone else's cooking, and besides, she was open to ideas.
"And you already pointed out that we...have many irons in the fire, isn't that the term? So, if any one thing fails, we have others to support us. And if everything fails, you are still a lawman, and I can cook in a tent."
Funny, but she'd be just as happy in the big house by the waterfall, or a tent in town, so long as they were together.
Posted October 11, 2022
"See, now you're on the right track. And maybe we are just lucky. 'course I've never heard of 'smart luck'." He grinned as the plate was set in front of him and he dove right in.
He smiled, "Not yours, but tasty it is." He said honestly. There was no cooking like hers, not in the fanciest of places anywhere. "I like what they've done with it though. And as far as failing at any of our plans, I don't think so, love. We've not only invested a good deal in the stock and property, with the income from the mining investments, I believe by now there are more than one, we are already more than alright. I do need to check accounts, but I know I'm not going to believe what has accrued. Never paid much attention, but I surely will now, A lot's riding on all of this!"
It would be a goodly sum, enough by now to care for them both if another penny wasn't forth coming. And if there was, which he was sure of, then the world was truly their oyster.
Posted October 12, 2022
"It'll be enough." Smiling softly, Emeline continued with her meal, wondering just what 'accrued' was going to be, but she wasn't going to worry about that...she'd let Barnabas handle the finances, and once they were home, they could discuss the more serious things such as budgeting. She did have the advantage of being a business owner, so she had some skill and experience in handling money and working within a budget.
Sighing, she leaned back in her chair. "I wanted to try their pie, but I don't think we can eat a bite more! Maybe that walk will open up some space?" There was no problem with fatigue just now, she'd gotten plenty of rest on the train, and she was looking forward to a chance to move around some.
Posted October 13, 2022
"I believe you're right about that pie, darlin'. And perhaps that walk'll make some room." He said , honestly. "You know, all this talk of money's enough to wear a man out. But when I think of what that money will mean to us, and to our kids, well, that puts a smile on my face."
"Now, about this stroll, we can walk along the river a ways, or right on into town. I remember there was talk at one point of a second bridge across the Truckee River, but I didn't see it. So the choice is yours, walking the river, straight across the bridge into Reno, or we can walk along the river a ways, double back and then go into town." He sat back, comfortable and quite content for the moment, though it seemed he had been quite content most of the trip so far.
When he had wired for money in San Francisco he failed to ask for a balance, why, he did not know, but the money came and would last perhaps for the rest of the trip. He had taken to wearing a money belt with cash in the form of coin and paper. Checks written on Wells Fargo were kept in a compartment in his luggage for safe keeping. This was Nevada, still the United States, but far more of a western town than San Francisco was. Not quite at the more genteel cities like Frisco and Virginia City, though Virginia City was as rowdy as any frontier town one could name.
Posted October 13, 2022
"I think a walk along the river would be nice," Emeline commented, "quiet and peaceful." It would be nice just to walk, undisturbed, for a while, before turning back to the city.
"Unless you wanted to look in some of the shops? I'm not sure when they close for the evening, and honestly, for now I'm done with shopping." She chuckled, and shook her head. "Don't worry, I'm saving some of that enthusiasm for Virginia City, I'm sure I'll be more in the mood then."
It had been a long day, even though not strenuous, and she was content to have a quiet walk...and then pie!
Posted October 14, 2022
"We can walk, and no, I've no need to go shopping, It has been a long day and the meal, well, that has kind of Taken the wind out of my sails, but to walk with you, that would be just fine, Em. Peaceful and quiet." Barnabas said agreeably.
"Pie? I don't recall any agreement to any pie." He feigned protest. "I have no room to put it, though perhaps I could manage a slice, but then it would be time for bed, the stomach would force the eyes to want to close. Terrible how that works isn't it?" He stood and came around to help her with the chair and offer his hand. "I'll pay for the meal and let them know we'll be back."