“And I’ve heard a lot about you.” Goodness, such a gracious man. “George has kept me apprised as to your work and support of our dream of another national park in Montana. Although in fairness Yellowstone mostly resides in Wyoming.”
“It is amazing how vastly different the two places are.” Father moved back to his seat. “My daughter, Eleanor, and I spent an entire summer in Yellowstone a few years back. There are a great many differences and that will entice people to want to conserve this area as well.”
“Yes, these American Alps, as I like to call them, are worthy of being set aside, especially for their glaciers. Certainly as worthy as last year’s addition in South Dakota.”
He must be referencing Wind Cave National Park. Eleanor loved that area.
She opened her mouth to reply, but Mr. Hill continued.
“Of course, they’ve done nothing with it to actually establish viewing, but the area is at least set aside.”
Mr. Grinnell stepped closer, apparently not wishing to be left out of the conversation.
As he put in his two cents about South Dakota, Eleanor licked her lips and shared a look with Marvella, who picked up a scone and took a bite. It seemed neither of them was needed for this introduction to the important Mr. Hill, after all. Marvella didn’t seem to mind, but had Eleanor known she wouldn’t be needed, she’d rather have taken that bath.
Hill clasped his hands behind his back. “Mark my words, it will be years before they are able to set up a proper way to explore the area, while our glacial lands beg for visitors and will have a proper railroad running through it.”
Eleanor picked up her own scone and nibbled at it. Judge Ashbury came and sat down beside his wife. He hadn’t said a word, but it was clear he’d been listening to everything the men had to say on the matter.
She’d love to ask him his thoughts, but the men rambledon about how the nation’s citizens needed to see these national lands. Then Hill’s dominant voice took over again.
“President Roosevelt should have little problem motivating Congress to set this land aside. It’s already perfectly arranged. With the exception of a few changes and additions. I have great plans for concessions and hotels throughout the park. We’ll talk about it tomorrow, of course. When I can show you the plans I’ve had drawn up.”
Eleanor almost choked on her scone. She lifted a cup of tea to her lips and prayed the bite would go down.Whathad the man just said? Concessions and hotels?
Didn’t that defeat the purpose?
Swallowing her tea, she lowered her face to study the carpet lest the others see her frown. What good was setting aside the land so that it remained in a natural state if a person was only going to turn around and build a lot of hotels? And something so intrusive as concessions?
The more she thought about it, the more she fumed. All these years ... all this time spent on conservation. Every statement she’d made on the subject, every debate she’d had with people who dissented so that they could understand. And then it all came down to this? What were they even fighting for?
She eyed her father, but he was smiling. How couldhebe all right with this?
“The benefit of a national park here in this great state is two-fold, Mrs. Ashbury.” Mr. Hill’s voice invaded Eleanor’s thoughts. “I am as passionate as Mr. Grinnell and Mr. Briggs in seeing our great country preserved.” He flashed the group a smile. “But funds and investors are needed. Congress likes to see that these national parks have support to help themcontinue. While Father has no use for a national park personally, he was pleased to hear that it would be possible for the southern boundary of the park not to cross his plans for future tracks. And that it will obviously drive up the number of passengers.”
The unsettled feelings that had plagued her now made her world feel completely upside down. If money and profits were the direction they were headed, she didn’t know what to believe anymore. Didn’t know what to feel. Didn’t know what to stand for.
Nothing made sense.
Without a word, she fled the room and ran up the stairs to her chambers.
If only she could go back to simpler times, when her mother was still alive and could guide her through this mess.
But no. She couldn’t do that. Because God had taken her away.
She had no one to turn to.
No one.
Carter leaned on the railing of his porch and listened to the sweet sounds of Kalispell.
This place had been his home for twenty years. It was hard to imagine that it could soon dwindle and die ...
Perhaps he was getting ahead of himself. They were only at the beginning of this journey. He doubted any of the other businesses in town wanted to pack up, leave, and start over.
Besides, he’d come here with his family long before there was an actual town. They survived then. They would survive now.
God, just don’t let me get too big for my britches.It’s important that we listen to one another and help each other through this new trial. I pray thatYou will guide me and all the leaders in this town.
