"That's a real good idea, Em, setting aside a space, couple of shelves oughtta do it, but then again, yes, we could find a building and start a real library or the town." It was something that actually could be done, either idea or both. Just a matter of doing it.
"You still like the idea of a fair of some sort, or maybe a carnival?" He asked, remembering they had talked about that idea a while back. "Or, come to think of it, a rodeo to go along with whatever else we do. Could be great fun and I believe there's still time before the cold really sets in."
"A fair or a rodeo, of course," Emeline agreed, "or both! It should be harvest time, so once that's over, folks like to celebrate anyway." Back home, the harvest festivals had been the highlight of the season, and everyone looked forward to them. "So long as things have gone well and the town is in the mood." After all, they had been gone for some time, and while she earnestly prayed nothing untoward had happened, there was always that possibility.
"We'd be able to slaughter a few cows, and I could show my horses." Of course, by then, she'd be close to having the baby, but this wasn't her first rodeo, so to speak, and she could handle it. "The carnival can wait for next year, so there's more time to plan. I think a fair could be put together pretty quickly, and we can find out if there's an interest in a proper library."
"Yes'um, sounds like a grand idea!" Barnabas said in total agreement of some sort of big event, it had been a while since they had had one, unless, of course, there was an event while they were away. "And sure, the carnival or circus can wait'll next year. Maybe the spring, after the calf branding round-up. Put on a big feed, maybe a fair ta go along with it, and fer sure a big ol' dance! That's the ticket, Em. Fun."
They were rolling alongside the lake sometimes the trail pulled away, and other times it was right up close, within a few yards. It was beautiful, but then it blended right in with the beauty of Montana's countryside.
"Be good to see if there's been any changes to the town, new stores and such, an' we plumb missed the election. Hope we got us a good Mayor and Town Council ta lead the way forward. Maybe me an' Speed been fired. Like they hired a reg'lar police department like some'a them bigger town's done, and maybe that railroad's come through already. Or maybe she's just the same as when we left."
It had not taken long for him to slip back into his normal speech patterns, but he had shown he could speak to the level of those around him.
"It would be just our luck that they elected Elias Steelegrave as mayor, and now he owns the whole town!" Emeline laughed, knowing (hoping) that such a thing couldn't be possible. "I'm sure they elected someone who has the best interest of the town at heart, and there's a bright future!" Which would be nice, the town was most certainly growing, and if there was no control over that, it could result in sprawl and chaos.
"Yes, I think it's best to wait until Spring for a larger carnival, it will give us more time to plan, and ask around about what folks might like to see." They'd have a lot going on, anyway, between getting home and the onset of winter, and by Spring they'd be more organized.
"You think they might have a formal police force?" That seemed more for big cities and back east, but she couldn't help but chuckle. "So, does that mean you'd have to wear a uniform?"
Her humor was just one of the things he loved about her, "Can't hardly imagine that, Elias as Mayor. Nope, don't hardly seem possible. Ain't but maybe five 'er six people'd vote for him, an' they'd all be new ta Kalispell." He chuckled, "Even the old Town Council wouldn't allow him on a ballot. Nope, that won't happen, but maybe one'a his people slipped on in there and won it. Hope not."
"Nah, this town's hard press to afford the three of us, was I hard pressed ta stay on, an' then maybe Speeds had enough, so that leaves Charlie Wentworth, who's showed lots 'a promise, just ain't got the experience with the likes of either Steelgrave, or that lot at the Stardust. Couldn't do that to the town, just couldn't." It was true he had given a lot of thought to stay on even with the ranch, but had he Teal and all his hands, he could easily manage the job too.
"I'm sure it will be just fine," Emeline assured him, "although you are right, Charlie still needs some experience, and if he had to take on the Steelegraves..." Well, it wouldn't be pretty, that was certain. "You and Speed have to teach him, lend him some of your wisdom!" Charlie was a nice boy, and she'd hate for something to happen to him because he wasn't getting the advice he needed to know how to do a job like maintaining the law.
"We'll see when we get back, I suppose, just one more thing to add to the list of chores." Not that she minded, she was looking forward to watching it all come together and grow into something amazing! "Besides, eventually, you'll have to move on from deputying, and it would be good to know there is someone who can step in."
"Move on, don't I know it. Time'll come right quick I'm thinkin', but, well, it'll take time ta teach him what he needs to know, things that took me years to figger out. But Charlie's a quick learner an' I'm sure Speed's worked with him an' he's father along than we remember." He speculated, confident that Speed had been working with him. Guided the young man through a few situations that crop up in the best of towns.
"An' the added chore'd be what? I don't remember a new chore, 'less you meant the trainin' for Charlie. Might not even have to. Then I could be a reserve Deputy, once he's ready for the job. Ya know, I'd be on call, case they needed more'n Speed an' Charlie. Then again, what if Speed was to leave, flat out? Then what? I surely don't want the job. Not even!" That idea didn't sit well with him.
"I won't lie," Emeline commented, "I'd not want you to take on the job of marshal, deputy is enough...second deputy at that!" She looked over at him with a bit of a smile. "Besides, there's enough other things going on that you don't need to be living in town and keeping everyone in line. I didn't marry you only to live apart from you."
There was a tone of levity in her voice, but the words were serious. While she wouldn't stand in the way of his duties as deputy, those were only occasional, but marshal would take much more of his time, and put him at that much more risk.
"It'll be fine," she murmured, "we'll trust in the Lord, and do what is right. But..." she gave him a sly glance, "once there's babies running around, you'll never want to leave!"
"Town Marshal? Me? Not on yer live Missus Pike, that ain't even a possibility. An' I ain't livin' in town an' you on the ranch. Nope, that ain' about to happen." He declared. "I ain't no second Deputy. But we'll get Charlie trained up, then, I'll but second 'er whoever, includin' part timer. How's that?"
"Kids an' cows, that's our future Em, cows an' kids. Yep, I reckon at some point we'll have the biggest spread, an' the biggest brood in the territory!" He added.
"Trustin' in the Lord's all well an' good, but he expects us ta do are apart in this deal. He' purtty busy lookin' after the whole world, doncha think? But you an' me, we'll tend to are own business and hope he's good with the results."
"So long as we're happy with the results, I suppose that will make God happy, too," Emeline mused with a smile. "And we can only do our best, but I do believe as a team we can accomplish just about anything!"
The wagon topped a small rise, revealing an open meadow that was teeming with cows...and horses!
"Barnabas, you don't suppose..." But he had already ridden out to greet the closest hand, so she turned the wagon in the direction the cows were going and came up alongside the chuck wagon.
"Good evening," she greeted the old man there, "are you by chance headed to Kalispell? The Rocking P?"