Duncan tried to reach out to help the girl up, realizing his faux pas.  Denied the chance to be much use he at least reached out to offer a steady stance before she sat down.  Then he seated himself and they were off.  As they rode his offered a little chit chat.  

“It's no problem about supplies.  But I may have family  joining me.  He watched for any signs of a reaction.  Then he added, “My parents, right hand man, and our Butler may join me.  That's  part of the rush - and the reason I haven't bothered with hiring any other hands.  But I do want to at least make the place presentable.  I just have no idea what to buy.  Money is not the problem.  I have a healthy bank account.  But I know my Mom.  She is going to want the place to have a lady’s touch.”

“I’ve heard that crime has taken a sharp upswing.  Our new Marshall may help, but that is a man I’d be careful about trusting.  Crime is the main reason I decided not to build a business in town.”  He sighed.  “I still haven’t decided what I'll do.  With the school system that will form soon, I might teach.”

"As far as the ranch goes, my plans, for the moment are pretty simple.  Greenhouses. My thoughts are to build about 100 acres of them.  I'll be able to grow stuff year round.  Even with my meager knowledge I'll get a far better yield per acre than they do in the South. And I'll be able to grow stuff not native to these parts and not have to ship them far.

"With the development of refrigeration on railcars, I'll be able to ship anywhere in the territories.  My only real limit is water.

"Problem is, I have no real interest in farming.  It's just something to do.  I am debating on doing research and starting a university.  Although, I have no idea where I'd get instructors who could keep up.  I'd have to teach them first.

"Or ... I might contract to the government.  Thing is, New Mexico won't be a state for about 30 years.  Maybe I can speed that up.  Who's the new president? Chester Aurthur?"  Duncan  grimaced. "Won't be any great presidents for another 20 years.  Some decent ones, yes.  But there is something about the turn of a century that makes a president great.  Still, I could pave the way now.  Maybe my mom could help President Aurthur, but I don't think so."

Duncan glanced over at Victoria.  "Sorry, thinking out loud."

++++++++++++

The trip didn't take long.  And when Duncan arrived, he set the brake and vaulted to the ground to help Victoria down.  Then he looked around to survey the scene?