Moving in the Right Direction

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As Claire packed her bags at the hotel, she thought back on the visit with Nathan the day before. Meeting him had certainly been a
pleasure and the highlight of her time spent in Golden Valley so far. Not only was he irresistibly handsome, but easy to talk to and
someone she hoped to see often. Of course she had to concentrate on getting her business going and he had obligations of his own.
Still, it would be nice if they could keep each other company, sensing there was a good chance they would.

Having eaten lunch already after spending the morning at the Gazette, she left the floral carpetbag on the bed, knowing it would be the
first thing she’d take, something light enough she could carry, assuming Nathan would be available. If not today, then she could easily
put moving off and concentrate on getting the apartment set up, something she’d spent a couple of hours doing earlier.

Picking up her reticule, she decided it was time to go in search of the good doctor…or vet as it were. The way he’d talked, sometimes they
were one in the same.

Before long, Claire found herself standing at his door and, as it was unlocked, entered, glancing around to make sure he wasn’t busy.

(ooc: I wasn’t sure where to post, but decided to stay here for this one.)

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At first the place appeared empty. There wasn't much to it on initial inspection. A desk in the middle of the room, piled with books and papers in a rather haphazard fashion and a chair behind that. Off to one side was a flat empty table. There were shelves on two walls, stocked with jars, small bottles, and tins, yet more books, and a leather satchel sat on one of the shelves. There was a back room also and that is from where Nathan appeared then. He didn't have his suitcoat on now but wore an apron of sort and his shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. His hands were stained with blood.

 He had a surprised look on his face.

"Claire? I am rather dubious you are here with a patient?" he smiled as his little jest.

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She’d just had time to take in her surroundings, noting with special interest the many books covering not only the desk but along some of
the shelves. It had occurred to her Nathan might be upstairs having his lunch a little late and should that be the case, she wouldn’t want to
venture up there and interrupt him.

Fortunately, that wasn’t the case she was relieved to see when he appeared from the adjoining room. But it didn’t take but a second to notice
the blood on his hands.

She returned his smile and stepped farther into the room. “No patient, but I see I’ve disturbed you from working on one perhaps? Did
I catch you in the middle of a procedure of some sort? I can come back later…”

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Just as he was certain, Claire affirmed she was not there with a possible patient. The young woman could hardly miss his bloody hands though and made a logical enough assumption it was he who was working on a patient. Not really the case though.

"Oh yes, this mess. Sorry about my appearance but I am almost finished up with an autopsy on a dead calf. Trying to figure out what was wrong with her you see," Nathan quickly explained.

"Calves aren't supposed to drop over dead but sometimes they do. It's owner was naturally curious and so was I," he smiled.

"I am just about ready to wash up if you don't mind a little waiting."

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Claire grimaced slightly, not having realized he’d been doing something quite as in-depth as an autopsy. “Oh, don’t apologize. I wasn’t
aware autopsies were performed on animals.”

“I can see why you’d both be curious though. I’ve never heard of that myself, but then my knowledge of farm animals is very
limited.” The smile she gave him was a little sheepish, but she was a city girl.

“I don’t mind waiting at all. I was just here to ask if you’d have time today to help move my things from the hotel. You probably
haven’t had your lunch yet,” she speculated, and couldn’t help but be glad she’d had hers or it might’ve ruined her appetite. “So, if you like
to do that first, you can come by the Gazette when you’re done.”

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"Normally they're not but it's not complicated really and sometimes it might well tell me something," Nathan replied about animal autopsies.

She took it well though and then explained her actual purpose for being there. She was taking him up on his previous offer to help move belongings when the right time came and apparently that right time was now. Fair enough, he had volunteered and he'd keep his word of course.

"Very well, unless something last minute comes up, I can be available then," he assured her.

As long as she mentioned lunch he did nod, "Well, actually I'm not much in the mood to cook up anything for lunch ....no surprise huh?"

"But that doesn't mean I'm not hungry. Did you realize that the saloon serves some really excellent beef stew? Ralph kept on the previous cook when he took the place over and I daresay no one makes any better...least in this town. Maybe in all Montana," he smiled, "Mind you, being a scientific sort, I can not actually prove that thru actual testing experience."

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“Oh, I’m sorry you didn’t get an answer,” said Claire when it appeared the calf’s sudden death was still a mystery.

She was happy to hear he’d be available to help her move from the hotel under the same conditions as he’d previously agreed to. “Thank you. I do understand how busy you are and would make other arrangements or postpone it till another day should anything come up.”

Shaking her head, she admitted what he’d just told her was news. “I didn’t know about the famous stew at the Golden Palace. In fact, I’d know very little about this town altogether if I didn’t have you to keep me well informed.” She smiled. “You’re an invaluable wealth of information. Does this mean you’d like for me to accompany there?” She wasn’t going to admit she’d had lunch about an hour earlier, though it had been light enough she was sure she could eat something else. “I suppose since you can’t prove it, I’ll have to take your word or sample it myself.”

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"Well, I did get some answers but nope, didn't solve the mystery. Sometimes that happens," Nathan admitted with a shrug, "It's stomach and intestines showed though it hadn't swallowed anything metallic or sharp enough to cause internal bleeding. There's that."

Claire was willing to postpone her plans if this wasn't convenient though for him but he waved one bloody hand, "No, no, it's fine. I need to go in back and do a thorough washing up though. Can't be seen in public like this, can I? I have a reputation to uphold."  That brought a smile.

Not surprisingly as she was a newcomer to town, the young woman admitted she had not known about the locally famous stew and complimented him on being her font of knowledge thus far. Fair enough, he'd take that.

"Happy to help acclimate you to our fine burg..........be right back then since - as you yourself said - the only real way to prove my statement is for you to have a taste. I will buy you a bowl and if you find you don't like it, be honest and admit it. Won't bother me any as I can always finish a second bowl," he smiled.

Even as he talked he began backing up toward the interior room but still facing her.

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Claire nodded, understanding what Nathan might’ve been looking for. She considered herself intelligent enough to do a number of things, but a vet wasn’t one of them. “It takes a smart man to do what you do. I assume you have formal training?” In their previous conversations, she hadn’t thought ask him that.

Smiling, she agreed. “Yes, a reputation is important, especially in your line of work and it might not sit well with the others hoping to enjoy their stew,” she point out.

Upon stating that he wanted her to be honest as to whether she liked the stew or not, she replied, “Oh, I’ll tell you, don’t worry.” She smiled then added, “I should probably be treating you instead with you helping me, but my offer to cook dinner for you one evening still stands.”

“Take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere,” she said as he’d backed up to finish what he started before her arrival.

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"Formal training....no. But when I joined the Army during the war, dreaming of heroism and glory, I ended up in the cavalry and then assigned to a vetenarian unit where we cared for the army horses. I learned a lot from actual veternarians and after the war I bought medical books and apprenticed with Dr. Hertwig, who did a lot of work with cattle," Nathan answered.

She agreed to go with him and sample the stew pointing out she should be the one treating him considering he was going to help her move later. He shrugged at that, "No, quite alright. Stew doesn't cost that much. Some day when you're more settled in then you can have me over for a dinner. I'd like that."

He excused himself then and went to clean the blood off his arms and hands. About ten minutes later he emerged back into the office part of the building. He had his usual coat and tie on and wearing polished shoes not the bespattered work boots of before.

"Now I look more presentable. But I'm still just as hungry so shall we go then?" he smiled.

It was only a short walk over to the Golden Palace saloon.

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The description Nathan gave as to how he’d worked his way through several stages of training was fascinating. “I’m sure the education you got in the army and with Dr. Hertwig prepared you as well if not better than if you’d gone to a university,” she commented.

She smiled brightly at his acceptance for her to make supper for him one evening. “Yes, it’ll take me a little time to get things in order. I’ll have to visit the mercantile and pick up a number of items.” In truth, it would undoubtedly take several trips. “I had an apartment above my place in Texas, but never had the opportunity to entertain anyone. I did get a surprise visit from an Indian though. I can tell you that story over our stew if you’d like to hear it.” Now she could smile about it, but then it was a frightening experience.

While he was cleaning up, Claire had taken a seat in one of the chairs in the room, making a mental list of things she’d need to purchase later and got to her feet when Nathan reappeared. “Yes, you look very handsome,” she said, giving him a quick sweep from head to toe and back again, smiling with her eyes. “I’m ready when you are.”

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Upon his reappearance, all properly cleaned up and dressed, the young woman complimented him on how handsome he looked.

"Well thank you but I wasn't angling for praise I hope you realize," Nathan smiled, "Let's go then."

Once they were outside on the boardwalk he paused to extract a key and lock the door, he did have valuable items inside including medicines and operating tools. That done, he now placed his hat upon his head, crooked arms with hers and began  a leisurely promenade in the direction of the saloon, as he said before it wasn't going to be a long walk but they were in no hurry. An elderly woman walked past them going the opposite direction and stared but Nathan paid her no mind. A buggy clattered on past and the driver waved in his direction, "Hey Doc!"

"Mr. Argoyle!" Nathan hailed him back then said softly to Claire, "A regular customer."

Just about then two little boys raced past them, one chasing the other with big grins on their faces. They almost collided with the pair but were agile enough to make it a narrow miss as they thundered on by, laughing. Nathan was simply amused.

"To think we were that young once," he chuckled.

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“I know that.” Claire smiled and said nothing more regarding the compliment she’d paid him, wondering if he wasn’t used to women flirting. That was exactly what she’d been doing, not that what she’d said hadn’t been sincere.

She didn’t blame him for locking up properly as she always did at the Gazette, but in no time at all they were making their way down the street arm in arm. It wasn’t surprising at all at the attention Nathan drew from the townsfolk. They obviously liked and respected him very much. She knew by the way the older woman peered at them, her curiosity was piqued and gave a slight nod of her head when he conveyed that Mr. Argoyle sought his services regularly.

Smiling, she had to agree with him once the two boys passed. “I’m sure to them we must seem old.”

Just a few steps farther brought them to the bat-wing doors of the saloon where Claire withdrew her arm from Nathan’s to allow him to push it open and let her enter first. She doubted there would be large number of people inside this time of day.

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Nathan smiled at Claire's comment but she was probably right on the mark about the boys. It was all about perspective and from a kid's view, most any adults were old. Some adults got upset by children racing about and laughing excitedly. Nathan didn't mind it, those kids would grow up soon enough and lose that simple enjoyment of life. Granted, not everyone was jaded about things as he was.

"Good point," he acknowledged the observation.

They had reached the swinging doors and Claire disengaged her arm so Nathan could be the proper gentleman and open a door for her to enter first. He did then followed right up behind her. This time of the afternoon the place wasn't busy but a saloon was seldom empty, a few customers were scattered about the large room. Nathan had his pick of tables though and motioned for her toward one in the near corner, far from any other occupied ones. They could have that much privacy at least, if not visually then their conversation could not be overheard. He pulled out a chair for the young lady then gently eased it forward when she sat. Next he sat down also, removing his hat and leaning it against the chair leg.

"Not sure how it compares to New Orleans but at least the place is fairly clean. Not too busy this early, you should see it some nights," he pointed out.

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Claire scanned the room as Nathan guided them to a corner table, noting as he did, the smattering of other patrons. She hadn’t expected it to be as fancy as the Argosy back in Texas, but it was clean and the aroma coming from the kitchen made it that much more inviting.

Well pleased with the location, she smiled and thanked him as he helped her get settled, placing her reticule on the corner of the table.

“It’s been a while since I’ve visited a place like this in New Orleans, but it’s fine. I did frequent a few in Houston as a reporter over the last few years,” she stated, folding her hands in her lap. “I’ll bet it’s pretty busy in the evenings since it’s the only place of its kind here. I’m guessing a lot of the customers are from the outlying farms and ranches.”