"Oh, well, I suppose I'm stuck with you, so it doesn't really matter how disappointed I am."  Grinning, she stuck out her tongue at him, then laughed.  "But you are right, it was good that we were friends first, I like that we got to know each other without awkward dating.  And it all worked out perfectly!"

She stood with his assistance, then hooked her arm into his.  "Depending on when we leave tomorrow, I might try to get in a bit of shopping, but it's not essential.  Just let me know, and I'll be ready to leave when the birds start chirping!"

"Well as far as when we leave, that's up to the ticket master. Depends on a train leaving town with room on board. Mornings can be busy.  I am not in a rush to get back, however, I understand the need for shopping so, how about we have an early breakfast, I'll have the luggage sent to the station, then we visit the shops, while I get us tickets for say noon, or after lunch? How's that sound" He suggested.

He could not seem to shake the feeling something was wrong in Kalispell, which according to his thoughts, left out the herd which had a couple of weeks time to reach the ranch, at least, maybe a month. It was an unsettling feeling in his stomach, that light trembly feeling that just seems to radiate and subside.  "Then, I will meet you at the Grosh Brothers store and we can continue on. We can spend the night in Carson City and get a fresh start the next morning."

A better plan than rushing off the hill, getting the wagon, maybe even the horses, arrangements with Nevada Central, and leaving on the next available train, exhausted. No, the shopping idea changed everything for the better. Actually, what were another few days to get this all done right?

"Whatever works for you.  Shopping isn't important," Emeline explained, "it's just that if there is time, I can use it.  But if the train leaves early, that's fine."

She kissed him on the cheek.  "Let's get up to the room and I can start with the packing."  She grinned, looking up at him.  "That way, if I do get to do some shopping, I'll know how much room I have...or if I need to get an extra trunk!"

With a laugh, she took his arm.  "Honestly, Barnabas, do what you need to do, and just don't forget me!  I'm happy with whatever your plans are."

"Well now, that's a good idea, see how much room you got," Pike said with a smile. "Not to worry, about me havin' a feeling, it'll be weeks before we're home to see if there's anything wrong or worth my worrin'. We still got us all the time in the world, my love. So we'll see what there is to this shoppin' trip, I'll get the tickets, and we'll have lunch after you're done with buyin' out the Grosh Brothers," Then he laughed, "Do what I need to do, of course I will, or it won't get done."

"Cap's off the hill, said as much, so everything with him is said and done. I think he's got him a girl out in Genoa." Barnabas remarked about his old friend. "Do him good to marry up. Settle down." He grinned, "Worked for me! Let's get to it girl. Maybe you will need that extra trunk."

Emeline laughed, slipping her arm around his waist as they headed to their room.  Leaving an outfit for the next day, she started packing, carefully folding and layering her clothing, moving more and more slowly until she finally crawled into bed, exhausted but happy.

The next morning, she awakened as the Sun was just starting to lighten the sky out the hotel window.  Between a busy day, the needle therapy and champagne, Emeline had slept well, snuggled in her lover's arms.  Now, as she slowly opened her eyes, she smiled and sighed.  "I'm going to get up to watch the sunrise," she whispered, not sure if Barnabas was awake, and not wanting to awaken him if he wasn't. 

Wednesday, August 23, 1876

"Well then, this is the crack of dawn. Good that we're in a twenty-four-hour town, now isn't it? He said, "They've had one every day, you know. but yeah, This'll be the last one." he said, letting it sink in. This place meant a lot to Pike, it was here he had had heartbroken, won a third of a mine, which had turned into far more than he ever imagined possible, the pot at the end of the rainbow and, in the bargain, went to kalispell and found the woman who would steal his heart and everything else.

He rolled back, and then sat up. Once we see the fireball crest, we can get ourselves together." He added. slipping out from under the covers. "Good idea packing up last night gives us a jump on the day. Fresh clothes all laid out for us. I've got my range clothes and boots together for the trail, separate."

Pulling on her robe as she stood from the bed, Emeline chuckled.  "I'll be glad to be rid of bustles and satin!"  Yes, she liked dressing up in the fancy clothes, but not all the time... not often...and she was looking forward to her simple skirts and waistcoats. 

Walking to the window, she gazed out at the vast landscape past the town limits, taking in the stark beauty.  It was something she would remember all her life, but it would never compare to Montana!

It was fascinating to watch the shadows recede as the Sun rose higher, chasing the darkness toward town, and for a few minutes she watched that, then sighed and turned back to the room.  "It should take me about an hour to get things together here."

Thursday, August 24, 1876, Sunrise

"We've still got all the time in the world. Maybe this feeling of dread isn't about Kalispell at all, maybe it's just me and leaving this place, forever. Not that I don't want to get back to Montana, because I do, we do."

He too enjoyed the sunrise, it was always something special as it rose, lighting up Sun Mountain and the town clinging to it, with miles of tunnels underneath it. "Yes siree, maybe it is leaving this place that really has ended up doing so much for us. But Montana and the 'Rockin' G Ranch' await our return." He looked at her then, we will rival Lost Lake and the Evergreen before we are through, I promise you that. But I plan to push north of us, maybe to the east as well. Not real sure about that. There's the smaller outfits, I'm not going to encroach on them." Then his thoughts died away, "So an hour or so, and then breakfast. And we're on our way home!"

"Yes..."  Sighing, Emeline nodded.  It was kind of funny, as long as they were looking forward to new places, Emeline felt like she could go on forever, but now that they had decided to go home, she couldn't wait to get there!

"Why don't you go down and do what you need to do and I'll finish up here, then meet you in the restaurant?" she suggested.  "Someone will pick up the luggage, right?  I'll make sure to separate out what we'll need." 

Thursday, August 24, 1876

"Yes Ma'am, I can do that," Barnabas said as he finished dressing. "Fact of the matter, I can head on down to the depot and see about tickets, and I'll check with the bellman about the luggage, pay up the tab and we will be set by the time you're ready." He offered, confident that everything was about to fall into place, he would have liked to have seen Cap, but he was off the hill, and so he would have to settle for sending a letter.

Once the tie was in place he suddenly grabbed her up and twirled he around, "We're on our way home, love!" Somehow that sounded so good. It seemed just then that they had been away for far longer than they actually had been, and the rush of happiness to be on their way was overpowering.

"Okay, I'm off, see you in the restaurant." He grinned, kissed her deeply, then took up his hat and exited the room. Down the elevator, to the front desk, paying for the room he had everything set with the bellman, and tipped him in advance. Then taking a deep breath, it was off down to the depot to secure their tickets to Carson City, and then, the beginning of their trip home to Montana.