Summary: Adam always had a fondness for Peggy, a daughter that he always wanted. It broke his heart when Laura and Will left. Their reunion was filled with joy after many years of lost communication.
Rating: G 2,425 words
Written for the 2022 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar
Bonanza
~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~*
Day 12
Big Things Start Small
Hearing the sounds of horses, Adam looked up from cleaning Sport’s hoof. Two riders he knew–one not overly fond of–the other he loved dearly. Will and Peggy dismounted, Peggy running into his arms. He lifted her up, tossing her into the air, and held her to him. “How are you sweetheart?”
“Fine, Uncle Adam.” Adam winced “Could have been pa .”
Peggy held his chin. “I have a new dress for the wedding. It’s pink with lots of bows.”
“Pink? I thought blue was your colour.”
“Mommy wanted me in pink.” She whispered in Adam’s ear, “It’s ugly. She said I should stop been a tomboy and dress more like a little girl.”
“Peggy, run inside. I need to talk to Adam.” Will gestured with his head towards the door.
Adam put her down and watched her run to the house almost bumping into Ben coming out.
“Whoa, little lady, where’s the fire?” he laughed.
“Going to see if Hop Sing has any donuts.”
‘Donuts? Did I hear someone say donuts?” asked Hoss coming out of the barn. He started to run. “Let’s see who can get to the kitchen first.” Squealing, Peggy ran inside.
Ben came over. “Will, how are you? Saturday’s the big day.”
“Certainly is. Time creeps up on you that’s for sure,” Will smiled.
Adam stood with his arms folded. “You wanted a word?”
Ben asked, “Is this private?”
“No.” Will shook his head. “I know that Laura and I caused some upheaval. We had a long discussion and we both would like it if you would stand with us.”
Both Adam and Ben looked at Will astonished. Adam thought “Seriously, I can’t believe what i am hearing.” Ben looked over at Adam and saw his son’s clenched jaw and pin-like pupils and his face clouded over.
Adam was about to say no, when a small hand reached up and took his. “Please Uncle Adam.” He looked down into Peggy’s pleading eyes.
Will said, “Peggy, you were told to go inside.” With her back to him, she mouthed “I need a friend.”
Adam winked. “Sure I do it.”
Will shook his hand. “Thank You. We both are pleased. Peggy, bring some of Hop Sing’s donuts. Let’s tell your mom the good news.”
Hoss came out, watching the two ride away and eating two donuts. “Are you sure, sure that’s a good thing?” he asked. He put his arm around Adam’s shoulder. “Remember, I went to Margie’s wedding. I kept a smile on my face but it hurt like a dickens.”
Adam rested his head on Hoss’s shoulder. “I’m doing it for Peggy.”
Ben came over and rubbed Adam’s shoulder. Just then Little Joe rode up. “Just passed Peggy and Will,” he said. He dismounted and walked over very concerned.
Hoss said, “I think a family group hug is in order. That means you also Hop Sing.”
~~~~~~~~~~
Sitting at the dining table, starting on their coffee and cinnamon apple pie. Joe looked over at Hoss, who raised his eyes sending a silent message. “Not a good time.” Little Joe nodded his head.
Adam, catching this from the corner of his eye, said, “What?” He waved his finger at the both of them. “What, do you want me to get up from this chair and shake it out of one of you?” Of course, he looked at Little Joe.
Ben got up from the table. “Come with me Adam, let’s take a walk.”
Adam sat on the outside table, feet on the bench, chin on his hands.”Okay, what?”
Ben took a deep breath. “They’re leaving.”
Adam felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. He knew perfectly well who was leaving but he’d ask anyway, just on an off chance he was wrong. “Who’s leaving?”
“Will, Laura, and Peggy,” Ben said, pursing his lips.
Adam got up. “Going to see how the horses are. Maybe take Sport for a run, clear the cobwebs from my head.”
Ben patted his shoulder and walked back to the house.
Adam set Sport to a fast long gallop up Oaken Hill which was called that for the obvious reason that there were 14 giant oaks growing there which cast a beautiful contrast to the Ponderosa Pines. Adam jumped down, removed his hat and ran his fingers through his curls. Tears silently flowed from his eyes. Pinching the bridge of his nose and sighing, he looked down to see a few acorns. He put two of the best and put them in his pocket. Then he mounted back up and rode home.
Laura greeted him. “Adam,how nice to see you. As you can see we’re packing to leave.”
“Adam,” Will said as he came forward extending his hand.
“I was wondering if I could take Peggy for a ride to say goodbye?” Adam asked.
“Sure. I’ll get her.” Will went upstairs to get her.
Laura placed her hand on Adam’s arm. “Please don’t.” he said.
“Uncle Adam!” Peggy ran down the stairs.
“Let’s get you saddled up,” smiled Adam.
“Are we going by Daddy’s grave? Mom won’t take me and Will doesn’t want to go against her wishes,” Peggy said.
“Yes. You and your father had a very special relationship. Keep those loving memories.” Adam reached over to hold her hand.
Arriving at the grave site, they both dismounted and sat down silently, with Adam holding Peggy in his lap. “I have something for you that we could do together.”
Getting up, Adam walked over to Sport and took two small shovels from his saddle bag and walked behind the headstone. He beckons to Peggy, “Come lets count eight feet.”
Peggy jumed up. “Ok, why?”
‘You’ll see.”‘
“Eight.” Peggy jumped on the spot.
Adam handed her a shovel. “Start digging. The hole needs to be at least a good 2 feet deep.”
After some time,the perfect hole was done. Peggy looked up at Adam who reached into his jacket pulling out the acorns. “Take one. The other will be for my wife.” Peggy placed hers gently into the hole, then covered it with dirt.
“How long?” she asked, staring at the hole.
“A long time. The mighty oak is steadfast. It takes time to grow, just as love takes time.”
‘Do you think I will ever see it as a tree?”
“Lets make a pact. How about in 15 years we come back,” suggested Adam.
‘When?”
“Christmas.”
Both stood there holding hands, deep in thought. Peggy would soon be on her way with her mother and stepfather. Adam would soon be leaving to start a new chapter in his life.
Christmas-1874
“Adam? Adam,where are you? Oh, there you are.”
Adam raised his eyes from his paper. “Should I be somewhere else?” he asked shaking his head.
I plunked down on a chair. “I have news.”
Adam put down his pencil. “So do I,” he said. Reaching into the drawer, he pulled out the change jar. “Let’s flip instead of saying ‘you go first’ which can go on forever, agreed?”
“Let me check that coin. No, I joke. I take heads.”
Adam flipped the coin. It looked like tails.
“Heads,” said Adam, knowing that I will pay for that later ,:)
“I have been offered a position at the medical school in Boston. I have to give them an answer on our decision as soon as possible.” Whew got that out!
Adam leaned back, arms folded behind his head. “Perfect. My contract here is done and I was going to talk to you about going back to the States for awhile and spending some time on the ranch.”
“How serendipitous is that.”
“I’ll book our passage tomorrow we can get there by late October. First class for me. Steerage for you,” he said, trying to keep a straight face.
I made a face at him. “I will tell the university tomorrow. Sandra and her husband are coming to do their doctorates They can stay here.”
Adam nodded. “Then we can go from there.”
“Katy over here,” I said, waving madly at my friend. “I need a favour.”
“Go,” she said, pouring herself a glass of wine.
I told her about Peggy Dalton, about how they had planned to meet in 15 years. They lost communication a number of year back. Now we are leaving 4 years earlier and I needed help in finding her.”
“Does Adam know about this?” she asked.
“I preferred not. I would like to surprise him for Christmas,” I said, twirling my glass.
While we were saying our goodbyes at the pier Katy handed me a gift. “I was going to hide the documents in a book, but knowing the bookworm, whom we will not name, he would have his nose in it. There is a false bottom in the box. It has the information that you need about Peggy. When you get to the ranch, get in touch with Mark Cunningham and he will get you in touch with Jarod Barkley. Good luck.”
Adam looked over at us. “What are you two whispering about?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~
‘Hey, Hoss, where’s Adam?” I asked, kissing Chubb on the nose.
“He’s out with Pa and the foreman. I’m going into town. Need anything?”
“Can I come with you? I will explain on the way.”
“Ride or carriage?”
“Ride.”
Halfway there, we were joined by Little Joe and I went over the story again.
“Have you spoken to Pa?” Joe asked.
“How could she? They have been like Siamese twins.”
“We’ll meet you back here in an hour.”
“Or more,” Little Joe said as he tipped his wing at a very attractive brunette. “Now that would be a nice present under the tree.”
I could see Hoss straining his neck to see. “Yes.” Adam did warn me.
“Had fun with my brothers?” Adam asked, as he helped me down and pulled me close. “I have to go to Mexico with Pa for 2 weeks.”
YES,now I can go to Stockton,without him knowing.
Hoss and I left as soon as Adam and his father took off for Mexico.
Jarod met us at his office. “Welcome. Nice to see you again. There is someone that I would like you to meet. Daniel Williams, this is Adrielle Cartwright, Adam’s wife. Daniel is Peggy’s husband.”
I liked how Daniel looked–tall, blonde, brown eyes, a strong firm handshake with a serious attitude. Adam would approve.
~~~~~~~~~
Ben was pretending to be busy with his ledgers. Little Joe’s duty was to keep Adam busy at a game of chess. Hoss’s wife laughed. “Adam! Stop frowning, you’ll get wrinkles.”
“You mean gray hairs with this one,” he said, pointing at Little Joe. “Seriously, you’re going to make that move?” Sitting back with wide eyes,
Hoss gave me the signal that the carriage was ready.
“Adam, honey, I need help. Can you meet me outside?” I called from the front door.
“Saved!” Adam said as he scrambled up, grabbing his coat and hat. He pointed to the carriage. “What’s that?”
“You’ll see. Hop in, I’m driving,”
“Yes,madam. Can I sit close to the driver?” His arm was already over my shoulder. “Do you know where you are going?”
“Yes. I am curious to see how big the oak tree that you and Peggy planted.” I peeked at Adam,who became quiet,deep in thought.
Daniel had agreed to bring Peggy back for a visit not knowing that she will see Adam. Adam and I got out and looked at the tree, a fair size but still has some growing to do.
I took the stuff out of the carriage.
“Are we planning moving here? Let me help you.”
“No. I want to do it all,” I said stubbornly trying to hang the lanterns.
‘Give them to me,shorty. You’re killing me.” Eyeing the spread on the blanket, Adam added, “Hungry?”
“Yes, fresh air does that.”
Shaking his head, he turned back to putting up the lanterns. On hearing another carriage drive up, he said, “Wonder ,who that can be? This is private property.”
“People do get lost you know, “I sassed, receiving the vampire look.
Adam and I walked up to the carriage. Daniel came around the side to open the door. Adam had no idea who he was .Peggy stepped out. Adam and Peggy stood looking at each other for a minute. After walking slowly over to her, Adam took her hand and kissed it. “What a beautiful young woman,” he said, his voice shaking.
“Uncle Adam.” Peggy reached upwards to wrap her arms around his neck. Adam enfolded her in his arms, holding and kissing her head. They held each other for a while. As they released their embrace, Peggy took Adam’s hand and placed it on her stomach. “Only 4 months.”
Daniel came over and place his arm around his wife. “I will never hurt her.”
Adam raised his eyebrows. “You better not!”
Daniel responded, “To take you and your wife on, I don’t have a death wish.”
Adam turned, held his hand out to me. “Thank You.”
‘Merry Christmas, darling,” I said and kissed his cheeks that were wet with tears.
Hop Sing had prepared a great feast of cold cinnamon chicken, potato and pasta salad, cut raw veggies, cinnamon buns with Adam’s cinnamon butter and a few bottles of champagne.
Reaching into the basket, I pulled out four books. Peggy looked them over. “My favourite -A Christmas Carol,” she said smiling at me.
“I figured we could do parts.”
We had a good time. Adam was in his prime directing us. Champagne flowed except for Peggy, so keeping in the Christmas spirit I had her share. Daniel and I got up. “We ‘re leaving so that you two can be alone, visit with your dad and catch up.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Wake up!” Adam said, shaking me, pulling the blankets off, and tickling my feet.
Rolling over, I groaned. “WHY? pray tell. Why are you torturing me?”
“Ha,ha champagne headache?”
‘No ,Adam headache.”
“Come on get up.” He threw clothes at me.
Adam had two horses saddled.
‘Where are we going? “it’s 3 or 4 in the morning.”
We rode to Oaken Hill. “This is where I got the acorn that I gave Peggy as a gift, a gift of love. Great things can be born from small beginnings, like kindness, thoughtfulness and a generous soul.”
Pulling me close to him, I could see the moonlight reflecting in his beautiful eyes.
“Merry Christmas,” he said. Taking my hand in his, he placed the second acorn, closing his fingers around mine. “Thank You for a wonderful Christmas gift, one that will always be in my heart and soul.”
Birth Announcement–Daniel and Peggy (Dalton) Williams are proud and happy to welcome into their lives two very special little people.
Frank Adam and Adrielle Elizabeth.
My word-Acorn
My main person-Adam
My second Person -Peggy Dalton
Link to the 2022 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar Day 13 – The Christmas Lamb by JC*
