“Walkways?” Eleanor couldn’t believe her ears. “What kind of walkways?”
“Wooden. Probably about four feet wide—enough to allow two people to pass each other on the trail without needing to step off and damage the tundra.” Mr. Hill didn’t seem to appreciate her question.
She didn’t care. “Won’t the walkways do a fair bit of damage?”
“There will be initial damage, of course, but we will dowhat we can to minimize it.” The man spoke to her as if she were a child in need of calming down.
Which only served to incense her more. She glanced at her father, who frowned. Whether it was because of her questions or the idea of walkways, she wasn’t certain.
Grinnell studied the prints. “I could see these walkways making it easier for less-active people to enjoy the scenery.”
Hill unrolled another set of prints. “Further in the mountains, however, there will be natural paths to hike. We can plan those out when the time comes.”
“If they’re planned out, they’ll hardly be natural.” The words were out before she could think. All gazes swiveled to her.
Hill glared at her and then continued. “The lake is just over here, and I figure we can put in a boathouse and a fishing outfitter.”
“And is this a roadway?” Father asked. Why did he sound ... supportive?
“It will be one day. I foresee making great roads into the depths of the park so that a person could tour to the north and south of the rail line. We wouldn’t need to put the roads completely through from one end to the other. After all, that’s what the railroad is for. There’s money to be made here, my friends, and a glorious national park to share with the world.”
Eleanor could stand it no longer. “It sounds like an awful lot of changes for the delicate balance of nature this area supports. You want hotels and concessions, boathouses, and walkways. And roads. This isn’t leaving the area in a natural state at all.”
Hill straightened and looked at her. “Miss Briggs, witheach national park we’ve seen the addition of accommodations. It’s necessary to allow the visitors some comforts. You can’t expect a person to come from hundreds of miles away and not eat or rest. There also needs to be ways for the park to be self-sustaining. Toll roads are necessary and perhaps one day even park entry fees.”
That wasn’t how it was supposed to happen. “But that isn’t making it free for the public. People should be able to visit at no cost. I thought that was at the very heart of creating a national park and setting aside public lands.”
“For Congress to be willing to set these places aside, they need to be self-sustaining.” Grinnell’s look to her was almost scolding.
Why was she all of a sudden the bad guy? She was only speaking of the very things this man and her own father had taught her.
Hill crossed his arms over his chest and stepped toward her. “To convince people that a trip to a national park is worth the trouble, one must provide certain amenities. And of course, those amenities can’t come for free.”
“Of course not. It’s a great moneymaking opportunity.” Eleanor didn’t even try to hide her disdain. This man was impossible.
“Ellie, perhaps you could leave us to discuss the particulars for now.”
She started and looked at her father. He was dismissing her?
“We won’t be needing you to take notes until perhaps this afternoon.”
So. She’d gone too far and this was her punishment. Getting to her feet, she smiled. “Of course. Mrs. Ashburywanted to show me her roses, and this would be the perfect time. Good morning, gentlemen.”
It was hard to hold her tongue. Hard not to tear up. How could her own father betray her so?
This trip had changed him. First the talk of settling down and now this conversation about making money through the national park lands. It wasn’t like him at all.
Eleanor made her way outside and wandered around until she heard Mrs. Ashbury chattering about new bushes that should be arriving any day and where she intended them to be planted. The woman had endless energy as she moved back and forth amidst her budding bushes.
Sir Theophilus came running and yipping. He jumped up and seemed so eager to be in her presence that she picked him up. He immediately licked her face.
“Well, at least someone is glad to have me around.” Her mumbled words earned her another lick.
“You are a welcome sight for my poor little dog. I’m much too busy to pamper him while tending to my roses.” Mrs. Ashbury stepped over to her. “I’m so glad you could be spared from the discussion inside. I’m sure those men can be preoccupied with their plans. And just look. For mid-May, it is unseasonably warm. It will do wonders for my roses.”
Eleanor didn’t feel much like touring a garden, but she did her best to pretend pleasure.
Marvella showed her bush after bush, explaining the names and colors of each. Then without so much as a pause she straightened and looked Eleanor in the eye. “I want to know you better, Miss Eleanor Briggs.”
