Posted March 23, 2022

"I do understand wanting to be your own boss," Emeline commented, "but then, that comes with a whole set of complications, such as being the only one responsible to oversee everything, so that it's never out of your mind." She shrugged, then added, "But then, the pride is all yours, it's a good feeling to know you made something without any help."

Glancing at Barnabas, she added, "Of course, there's something to be said for building things together. That way I have someone else to blame when things go wrong!"

Posted March 23, 2022

"Essentially, you would be correct about being ones own boss. And true that has it's own problems, and rewards. At the end of the day, everything that went right and everything that went wrong is on you. But in my business, I have people that I rely on and they are well paid to handle whatever their specialty is within the hotel. However, yes, the buck stops right here, with me." Bill explained.

"Hard rock miners are always looking to get in on a new strike, make themselves rich. Some do, some don't. Actually, many don't, few do. Without a winning poker hand back then, they'd be no ranch, no trip, no cattle, nor any Morgan horses. Some gain wealth through unseemly ways. Illegal, fraud, murder, or holding three deuces against a pair of kings." He smiled, "Maybe it ain't fair, but it's how we are as we are. Fortunate." It was not a brag, just relaying what happened.

Posted March 23, 2022

"A hand well played!" Emeline smiled. "Sometimes things work out the way they are meant to. And yes, we have to rely on others to help us...I'm sure Mrs. Lutz is doing a fine job with the cafe."

It was odd to refer to Clara as 'Mrs' anything, but she was no longer a child, had she ever even been a child!

"It all starts with hard work, and I think there is a degree of luck tossed in. Of course, I suppose that is always the case...hard work and luck, be it good or bad." And they'd both had their share of bad, so wasn't it time for good?

Posted March 24, 2022

"Well,now, I guess things have worked out just the way they were supposed to for us. The poker hand was a fluke. Beldon Sharp had what looked to be the winning hand in any number of games. But you know, I was dealt them three twos. His luck had run cold and that forced him to use that one third ownership, Not a move I would have made. I would have thrown in the hand and ate the losses." Barnabas stated flatly, because that's what he would have done.

Of course, not being i the mans shoes, well, a pair of Kings look real good, sometimes too good.

Bill just smiled as he had seen men do some downright foolish things at a poker table, but then that is why it is called gambling. The higher the stakes, the more prone to do foolish things in an effort to win. "You were right to leave when you did. They would have killed you for that one third share."

"I 'spose that's true. I mean, I knew I'd bought trouble. I'd seen it as a deputy in other situations like that. But Cap Taylor knew I meant business, just like the 'Security men' that would come calling. He and I have become good friends since." He smiled at Em, "All that's over with now. Times have changes some, and now my shares are in Consolidated Virginia." he patted her hand. "Nothing to fear."

Posted March 25, 2022

"I hope so." Emeline looked quite serious, and she really did think that all this gambling business did sound quite risky. Even so, she was teasing. "I'd hate to have to flatten the man with a frying pan!"

Well, as long as there was no more gambling, and she had no doubt of that. Now that Barnabas had family, she knew he'd be much more careful and restrict any 'gambling' to things that involved running a ranch and raising a family...and lord knew, that was gambling enough!

"Well, I'm glad things worked out the way they did, and that no one saw fit to kill you...that will be my privilege, should you ever step out of line!"

She offered a sweet smile before resuming her meal.

Posted March 27, 2022

"I hope so." Emeline looked quite serious, and she really did think that all this gambling business did sound quite risky. Even so, she was teasing. "I'd hate to have to flatten the man with a frying pan!"

"That was sometime back, and things up there have changed according to Cap Taylor." Barnabas assured, in an effort to put Em at ease about what had happened. "But I could certainly rile up somebody for you to smack with a frying pan, if that's what you wanna do." The he laughed.

Then he said soberly, "So far as gambling is concerned, I was never much for it, just a way to pass the time, at that period in my life." He admitted. "Never was real fond of it, but at the time, well, I just didn't care much. So that sort of thing's behind me, just in case you're wondering."

"Well, I'm glad things worked out the way they did, and that no one saw fit to kill you...that will be my privilege, should you ever step out of line!"

"Well I suppose that there might be a man or two up there that would want to see harm done to me, but I doubt it." He said. "Especially, should I tell them it's you're 'privilege', and they'll need to stand in line."

She offered a sweet smile before resuming her meal.

Posted March 30, 2022

"Indeed!" Emeline laughed, nodding. "It will be my decision who gets to smack him first! Maybe I should charge for a chance!" But then she softened, her smile affectionate. "If only he weren't such a kind gentleman now! I'm afraid I've corrupted him!"

The main meal was over, and now the waiter asked about dessert, and Emeline sighed. "Oh, goodness, I'm stuffed! But I'll never turn down sweets!" She didn't know what some of the options mentioned were, so she glanced at their host. "What do you suggest? I'm open to about anything!" Well, maybe not pie, but there hadn't been any specifically mentioned. Maybe there would be something she could learn to make back home?

Posted March 31, 2022

"If only he weren't such a kind gentleman now! I'm afraid I've corrupted him!"

"That'd take some doin'!" Barnabas objected. They were clearing away the dishes then. "I never in my life met woman like this one Bill, not ever." Then the waiter arrived.

The main meal was over, and now the waiter asked about dessert, and Emeline sighed. "Oh, goodness, I'm stuffed! But I'll never turn down sweets!" She didn't know what some of the options mentioned were, so she glanced at their host. "What do you suggest? I'm open to about anything!" Well, maybe not pie, but there hadn't been any specifically mentioned. Maybe there would be something she could learn to make back home?

"Suggest? Well, if you've not tried it, have my favorite, 'Cherries Jubilee,' what about you., Pike?"

""fraid I'll pass on the dessert. Ate too much. However, let me say the food was excellent!" He said with a smile, because it was, and, because he was as well. It was food like he had only experienced on the hill.

Which as he thought of it, they had some of the worlds finest chefs up there, and he was able to experience some of the fare they had to offer in some of the finest establishments. But that was a while back, and even though the woman next to him presented some of the finest food he had ever put in his mouth, it was good solid stick to the ribs food, not this frilly, fancy stuff. Given the choice, he would take hers any day!