Posted November 7, 2022
"Oh! That's a wonderful idea, a start at a library!" It would be something for the community until they could start a city one, and it would show the need, or want, for one by the citizens. "But another store...what would be..."
Expensive...
But they could afford it, right? And it would be a good thing. "We can even offer pie and coffee on occasion. Yes, I'll look into it when we get home."
Another project, and in town, away from the ranch, but once it was up and running, she could find someone to run it, or at least open and close the place.
"Yes, it'll be nice," she mused as they stepped into the lobby, "the library, the pie, the snuggling..."
Posted November 7, 2022
"Be a nice end to a nice evening, 'course not so nice as home, though we'll be along soon enough, leavin' this here fancy life behind us. At least here. And the idea that we could and will build this library well that says we'll be providin' work for men in town to either build it, or, redo the inside with shelves and places for folks to sit and read." He explained, "I like idea of doing something in the Lickskillet with books, but I like having a library as well." They stopped just inside, "Don't look like anybodies about."
"Help you folks, oh hello again." The man said.
"Well, if it's not too much trouble, we'd like a couple slices of pie, and maybe some coffee to go along with it, if you've got it on." He asked.
"No trouble at all. We get folks at all hours lookin' for a bed, something to eat and susc. Have yourselves a seat, I'll be right back. Oh, apple 'er peach?" Pike looked at Em.
Posted November 9, 2022
"I'd like peach, please." Emeline smiled at the man as she sat in the chair that Barnabas was holding for her. In a way, she was a bit disappointed that the man had shown up, for she had started to get silly notions about raiding the kitchen while Barnabas stood guard!
It was fun to grab a late night treat, although she knew that when they got home there would be no late night treats, since there would be no late nights! They'd be going back to getting up before dawn so they could get to working early, but she didn't mind that. Lounging was nice, but Emeline enjoyed working, and it was going to be even better when they were working together to make the ranch successful!
"Oh, a half-piece is fine," she amended her pie order, rubbing her belly, "I have enough going on in here for now!"
Posted November 9, 2022
"That sounds good." Barnabas said. "Tomorrow's gonna be some busy what with the train ride to Virginia City, the hotel and the general hustle and bustle of life up there." He said, "You know, I wonder how the herd is making out, if it will be there by the time we get home, or some after?"
He was beginning to think beyond the immediate future, to the ranch that waited, and, to his work as deputy. How was Speed making out? Was there trouble in Kalispell? And the cafe, how was it doing with Clara and was she in a family way as well? That would be a problem with both women pregnant at the same time. Who then would run the cafe? Suddenly, his concerns had multiplied. He had not considered much of anything so far on the trip, but it had now come home to roost.
"You know, maybe I take care of the business that's waiting on me, and we pull up stakes and head for home. Not that we can't stay a few days, that's not a problem, but maybe we need to consider the trip north. We will go up to Tahoe Lake, you really should see that."
Posted November 10, 2022
"I'd like very much to see the lake," Emeline agreed, wondering what had changed for Barnabas. Not that he'd said anything specific, but there was a different feel to his demeanor. "What if we leave early, can we get to the lake, then Virginia City by the end of the day?"
Not that she wanted to rush things, but there was no reason they couldn't pick up the pace a little. She was anxious to be home as well, although she was enjoying the trip, too.
"I wonder if the cattle and horses are having as fine a trip as we are?" She laughed at the thought of the cows lounging around eating pie!
Posted November 10, 2022
"The lake is actually quite a trip. This is what happens, we take a stage to Steamboat Springs for the ten am train to Carson City. Now, once we get there it's another sixteen miles up by coach, which is slow going and likely they change horses because of the climb. It's a trip, now I think it's well worth it, but love, I need to get this business in Virginia City done. Then we'll have all the time in the world to go see the Tahoe Lake and head for home.."
He hated to not give in to her wishes, but they would not reach the lake until near dark. They would be late getting into Virginia City as it was. He wanted to find out where he stood, and Cap Taylor could tell him and advise his next move. None of this had ever been of importance to him until Emeline came into his life, and now a child? Business needed to come first. there were men he needed to see.
Posted November 11, 2022
"Oh, I'm sorry, I thought the lake was on the way to Virginia City." Emeline glanced at Barnabas with a smile. "You're going to have to show me a map, and in the mean time, you know what you need to do."
She had no idea how long his business was going to take, but she did know that time was a consideration. Of course, there wouldn't be business on weekends, especially Sunday, and evening hours would be more for social calling.
"I'm happy and content with where you are taking me, and we're back in your old home area, so you know all the good places." And she was enjoying his enthusiasm as he pointed out the things that were important to him.
"Besides, another day here and there won't make a difference one way or the other, right?"
Posted November 11, 2022
"Another day, no, no not at all. We'll take the time we need to take and it won't be a whole lot, not like San Francisco. Now, there's a couple things. Mining goes seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. Its loud on the hill, what with the stamp mills hammering away, ore cars running back and forth under the streets, but I do think it will be less than it was, just stands to reason." He explained. He doubted it could still be as active as it had been, It had been going since before the war.
"We'll make the trip to Tahoe Lake, alright. You have to see it to believe it, beautiful, just like you." He declared. "You'll see. I promise. And we'll have some time up there in Virginia Town, lots of people call it that as well. There will be a great deal to see." He promised, as he finished his slice of pie.
Posted November 12, 2022
With the beautiful scenery around Kalispell, Emeline was truly intrigued by how impressed Barnabas was with Lake Tahoe, and she really did want to see it. And what was another day or two? They were having a wonderful time, and as much as she wanted to settle into their new life together at home, she knew that an opportunity like this wasn't going to come around again for a very long time, if ever.
"You lead and I will follow," she said with somber sincerity as she put her fork by her mostly-eaten pie, "but just don't get used to it!" she added with a wide grin as she reached to give his hand a squeeze. "Let's get to bed so we can be rested for tomorrow...and so we can cuddle!"
Posted November 13, 2022
"Yes Ma'am!" He said eagerly. The day ahead would be one of travel, new sights for Em and eventually reaching the pinnacle of Sun Mountain, Virginia City, and it's fabled Comstock Lode. Home to Samuel Clemons, better known as Mark Twain. The Silver Kings, publisher, author, Dan DeQuille of the legendary Territorial Enterprise newspaper, and a host of others.
Perhaps a nemesis or two from the past because that was all part of life. The life he had stepped into uninvited. and might still not be welcomed by certain factions, therefor, unlike Portland or San Francisco, he would would carry a gun.