“Profitable? Yes, beyond what I had hoped. We have the right away, but more important, we have a grant to help with expenses building the hospital from the governor himself.” She exclaimed, producing papers from her coat and handing them to Jonah.   Jonah took the papers, smiling.  "Splendid!"  Of course, any help they could get with the funding was a godsend, not only with expenses, but with the approval and support as well. “However, there is already a snag.”   Of course, wasn't that always the way of it?  Nothing came easy.  "And..?"   “ It seams the good Judge Robertson is delaying with the need for something akin to a town hall meeting to discuss the trading of land. Of course, since the property for the right away is already deeded to the township, we could be on the outside looking in.”   "So, we need to clear this with the town council?"  He was suspecting the same thing she was...that there were those who would object merely because of her name, so they'd have to launch as strong campaign...such as, 'A hospital will save lives...'  How did you argue with that?   “The contingency is the grant money and my own if necessary. Perhaps being a Steelgrave means the sanctimonious of Kalispell will oppose anything and everything I try to do here. That is except for my money, they’ll take that.”   "So, if they want your money, they'll have to help you with the hospital."  And wouldn't that just be irksome to the old biddies!  "I can gather some statistics, we can sit down and put an argument together that they can't dispute."   That sounded simple enough to him, but he'd never dealt with grants before.   "But please, take off your coat and have some coffee...or a shot of whisky!"   @Flip          

"It'll be clear in a day or so, and we can ride our horses to our property."  She smiled up at him, then relaxed into his embrace again.  "We can figure out the house later, there's time for that..."  She was actually looking forward to planning all that with him, but there were more immediate issues.   "I was thinking more on...marriage plans."  She didn't want to say 'wedding', she'd done that and didn't need a lot of hoopla, so the sort of ceremony would be up to him.  Honestly, tomorrow with the Justice of the Peace was fine with her!  "And making room for you here."  She laughed.  "I thought you were going to tell me that you were wanted for murder!"   @Flip

"Eh...sure, why not? Go ahead an' tell your side. Just maybe...put the gun away?"   Well, Clara figured she wouldn't be able to hit the man anyway like this, what with a whole horse in the way, and she did not shoot innocent animals. He also did have a nice smile. But she would not drop her guard completely, he still could be a varmint.  He worked for the Steelgraves didn't he?   "Fine, I will lower it but you step out so I can see you better and whatever you do - DO NOT - go for your gun or make a lunge for me," Clara agreed to his request but with certain stipulations.   Gun lowered, she then started her side of the story.   "I first met Billy and another jasper, ugly bald ruffian when I was swimming in the lake. I had thought, wrongly of course, I was enjoying myself in privacy.  I had my clothing and this Dragoon Colt piled up on shore. Along came those two ....well, I certainly cannot call them 'gentlemen'. They told me to get out of the water. I refused and told them such a thing was not proper. Billy admitted he had a desire to see me ...naked. Again I would not compromise myself in such a fashion and refused point blank. So he took all of my clothing and my Papa's gun - thinking it all a big joke, then they rode off and left me out there like that. So there .....that is your friend, Billy. Now you come along like I am supposed to be happy to see another Evergreen .....hooligan?"  

Leah smiled as she stepped inside.  “Profitable? Yes, beyond what I had hoped. We have the right away, but more important, we have a grant to help with expenses building the hospital from the governor himself.” She exclaimed, producing papers from her coat and handing them to Jonah. “However, there is already a snag.” She continued. “ It seams the good Judge Robertson is delaying with the need for something akin to a town hall meeting to discuss the trading of land. Of course, since the property for the right away is already deeded to the township, we could be on the outside looking in.”   “The contingency is the grant money and my own if necessary. Perhaps being a Steelgrave means the sanctimonious of Kalispell will oppose anything and everything I try to do here. That is except for my money, they’ll take that.” Being rebuffed by the judge had not sat well with her. But she was determined to provide the town with a first rate hospital. With or without the support of Kalispell's stuffed shirts.   Tag @Bongo

“Not much ta think on, really. Cain’t build til spring, but we kin plan how it’ll look, how may rooms an’ sech.” He said., his voice just above a whisper. “We had them plans already, I jest sortta finalized em fer us. Well, that an’ askin’ fer yer hand. Don’t believe I was all thet good at it, but then I ain’t sure how one’d be good at it either.”   “If the world weren’t blanketed in white out there I’d say we could ride out to our property. I like the sound’a thet, our property.” He was consumed with joy tempered with contentment. “Lovin’ you was the easiest thing ever Emeline.”   Tag @Bongo