Summary: Adam and Joe are having nightmares about Hoss and don’t know what they mean. Too late, one brother understands the message that was sent. It’s a WHI for the end of the series.
Rating: T  Word count: 6,705

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A Shadow Calling

Chapter 1

Walking down the slope to the lake that was calm on this day, he wished he could calm his heart and mind. Each step seemed to send a shock into his system. After receiving the news months earlier, he had thought he had managed to adjust, to adapt, but realized it was a shard of his broken past that would probably be there forever to cut and torment him. When he saw that stone, he stopped and felt his heart stop too except within seconds it was beating so hard it felt like a hammer in his chest. Each step he took hurt. It wasn’t physical in the usual sense, but the pain was real. His body ached as he approached the cold hard stone so unlike the brother he had lost. Standing with a hand on it, his body began to shake and his legs gave out. He slipped to the ground unable to stop the tears that fell. Putting both hands against the stone, he never felt the small rocks biting into his knees nor heard the other man approach until he felt the hand on his shoulder.

“I wondered when you would come back. Our foreman saw what he called a ‘stranger’ headed this way, and I knew who it had to be. No stranger would ride onto this ranch and head this way first.”

“I had to come here before I saw anyone.”

“I know. I used to think that when you came back, I probably would be angry with you despite my best intentions, but this made that shadow go away.”

“The past left a lot of shadows over us, didn’t it?”

“Some are good.”

“Yes, he is one. He left a big shadow behind, didn’t he?”

“Adam, we have a little brother who would like to know more about him. You could help both of us by telling us stories about him.”

“Joe, I would be happy to do that. It would help me too.”

“I know what you mean. He won’t be gone if we can share our memories and talk about him.”

“Yes, I need to be able to grab onto something more than this cold hard stone too because it is so unlike him.”

“Pa needs it too. He’s got more shadows behind him than he ever thought he would have. He’s having a tough time. This is his worst nightmare come true. At least you’re back, and he can relax about that fear until you leave again. I know you will. I only hope it’s not soon. I’d like you to stay awhile before you leave.”

“I suppose you’re upset about that too.”

“No, Pa talked about that. He said it was no different than when he left his family and then later left your grandfather behind taking you with him too. Men have to follow their own paths. I don’t understand your reasons, but I accept that you have them.”

“Thank you. That’s one less shadow I have to worry about.”

“I do hope you plan to write to us more though. That I do hold against you.”

“All right. We’ll talk about that.”

“Let’s take a ride to the house then and see about banishing some shadows.”

“Maybe it will make the nightmares stop too.”

“What?”

Grabbing his shoulder, Joe pulled him around.

“Nightmares? Like he’s calling to you and wants you to find him?”

That cold shard stabbed hard then, and Joe didn’t need to hear Adam’s answer. He saw it in his brother’s reaction.

“Adam, what does it mean?”

“I wish I knew.”

“Does he say anything to you? I mean, I call out to him in my dream and he only looks so sad at me like something terrible has happened, and I can’t make it right.”

“Yes, I hear words but they’re like echoes.”

“What does he say?”

“Come Home. Rescue. Joe. Danger. Save. Pa.”

“He must have wanted you to come home to help rescue him but from what? And is Pa in danger too?”

“Joe, it doesn’t make sense. And the words aren’t connected like that and sometimes they’re in a different order or maybe they aren’t, but I’m asleep so how do I know? It’s been haunting me, and I’m afraid it will still do so until there are answers.”

Grabbing a bandana from his pocket, Joe handed it to his brother.

“You need to wipe your face before you see Pa.”

As Adam wiped his eyes and cheeks, Joe couldn’t help himself. He grabbed his brother in a hug holding on with a fierceness that said more than any words he could utter. When he stepped back he had questions.

“Have you been sick? You look healthy enough, but you’re a lot thinner than those clothes make you look.”

“No, not sick in the usual sense.”

“No games, please. Tell me.”

“All right, but this is for you only at this point. When I heard about Hoss, I wanted to come immediately. My wife said if I did, I was going alone.”

“You’re married? Sorry, I won’t interrupt again, but that was pretty big news.”

“Her family is there. Her history is there. Everything that is familiar to her is there. It is her home. I made Australia my home too and our son’s home.”

Adam had to smile a little there. It was a lot for Joe to hold back with all the news he was getting. He waited for Joe to react knowing his younger brother had to at that point. Joe was almost overwhelmed.

“Well, congratulations and congratulations, and damn, Australia. But why didn’t you write and let us know all of this?”

“I did. I don’t know what happened to that first letter. I sent a second when I didn’t receive a response to the first. It took months before I found out that ship had been lost at sea. I would have written then except I got sick and my father-in-law died. I had to step up and take over his work as well as mine. I barely had time to sleep and eat. I know it’s not much of an excuse. Then I found out about Hoss and wanted to come home. When things settled out with the businesses, I told her it was time to go. She still said no and said if I went, I was abandoning them. She reminded me what that could mean in the law there.”

“She wouldn’t?”

“Honestly, at this point, I don’t know. It made me hesitate longer in making my decision. But I came.”

“Adam, I had no idea what it was going to cost you or might cost you.”

“I had to do it.”

“I know. Let’s go to the house.”

“None of this to Pa now. In time, I’ll tell him some of it.”

“Yeah, best to keep the worst out of it. He’s been dragging worse and worse every day. I’m hoping that seeing you will help.”

“What about our new brother?”

“He’s not so new to me, but, well, he can keep a secret better than I can. You can tell him whatever you decide you want him to know. And we’ve got a foreman who’s like a member of the family. He was gone for a while, but he’s back. He can keep a secret almost as well as you can.”

“You think I should tell a foreman?”

“You’ll understand it all better when you’ve met them all and been back for a bit. You’ll see.”

The ride back was quiet as each man was thinking about the reunion to come and the people Adam was going to meet. Adam tried to prepare himself for what he hoped would be a good reaction from his father but unknown responses from Jamie and the foreman who seemed so important to Joe. Joe worried that he should have said something about the others who would be there when Adam entered, but he knew the explanations would have been far more complicated than he could have possibly managed in a short version that would satisfy Adam. So he said nothing.

When Adam walked into the house expecting to reunite with his father and meet Jamie, he found there were far more people there than he expected. Two children ran to Joe. One was a small toddler who called out “Papa’, and the other was a child of perhaps four or five who called him “Uncle Joe” and wrapped an arm around him. Joe said nothing about them at first but introduced Candy as the foreman and Jamie as his new brother. Then Ben stood and moved to Adam enveloping him in a hug but whispering in his ear after the initial greeting.

“My Lord, Adam, I am so glad you’re home.”

The whispered greeting was calmer.

“All will be explained. Please be patient.”

Next, Adam shook Jamie’s hand.

“Welcome to the family.”

“Welcome home. Are you staying?”

“Well, you are direct. I guess we’ll be talking.”

Then it was time to meet Candy and shake his hand.

“Welcome home. I won’t ask what Jamie did. I don’t need those same answers. I’ll wait until you’re ready to talk.”

“Thank you. Now, I would like a few questions answered, please. Who are these children?”

Ben answered first with a smile and some pride.

“I’ll start. This youngster is Hoss’ son, Josh. His mother became very ill this year and passed away, but not before she was able to get Josh here to his home. Sadly it was not before we lost Hoss so he never met his son and Josh never met his father. We have told him a lot of stories. I hope you will be able to add to those. And before you ask, yes, we’re sure he is Hoss’ son. The information of his birth was kept from Hoss, but we found enough to know the truth. Joe and Candy checked out everything they could, and Hiram Wood did the rest with the assistance of the authorities.”

Josh had light brown hair, but in every other way, he was a small version of Hoss. There was no reason to doubt Hoss was his father. Adam turned to Joe who was holding a small girl on his lap.

“All right, it’s my turn. It’s more complicated and not so nice. Everyone else in this room knows the story, so here goes. I was seeing three women at the same time. One I was seeing a lot more of than the other two if you know what I mean.”

With his eyes, Joe indicated Josh meaning he didn’t want to be too direct in his statements.

“But, I decided to court one of the other ladies, Alice Harper. This little girl’s mother came to me to tell me her condition and found out I was courting another woman. She was furious. Then Alice found out that another woman was with child, and both of them found out there had been a third woman at one point. Alice left with her brother, and I have no idea where they are. Most people told me then they didn’t think we were well matched anyway. Sara’s mother wouldn’t have anything to do with me and decided to marry another man who wanted to marry her. But when Sara was born, he didn’t want the baby because he wanted to head to the gold fields and keep on moving. So, they dropped her off here and said she was mine to keep.”

“Joe, I can’t believe you did all that.”

“Well, at least I have my daughter with me. I didn’t abandon her like you left your son with your wife halfway around the world.”

Joe winced when he finished knowing what he had done. Ben was shocked at what Joe had blurted out.

“You’re married? You have a son? Why didn’t you tell me?”

There was no choice for Adam. He had to tell the story much as he told Joe. There were questions, but by the end, he decided it was probably a good thing to get the whole truth out right away.

“It’s all right, Joe. I should have known what would happen. I guess it’s probably better this way.”

“You’re not mad?”

“I was. I’m not.”

“I guess we ought to have you meet the children directly then.”

Both Josh and Sara had a difficult time saying Uncle Adam. It was decided that for the time being, they could say Adam. That they could manage as long as one could accept Sara’s version of it in toddler language.

Dinner was lively because there were so many stories to share. After dinner, the stories continued. They didn’t stop until it was time for Joe to put Sara to bed. After a half-hour, he was back with her.

“She’s difficult on a normal night. With all this excitement, I can’t get her calmed down enough to sleep.”

Standing up slowly, Adam reached out his arms.

“Could I try?”

Not sure if it was a good idea or not, Joe was almost reluctant to hand over his daughter.

“Sara, would you like to sing songs with me and draw pictures in the air? I’ll take you upstairs if you would like to do that. We could have some fun.”

Sara was willing, but when Adam took her in his arms, he cradled her like a baby instead of holding her upright as Joe had.

“This is how we do the singing, Sara.”

Adam began to sing then before she could object.

L’alouette et le pinson
Ont voulu se marier
Mais le jour de leurs noces
Ils n’avaient rien à manger.

Ma Nanon tout de bon
Oui bientôt nous ferons la noce,
Ma Nanon tout de bon
Oui bientôt nous nous marierons.

Par ici passe un lapin,
Sous son bras tenait un pain
Mais du pain nous avons trop,
C’est d’ la viande qu’il nous faut.

Ma Nanon tout de bon
Oui bientôt nous ferons la noce,
Ma Nanon tout de bon
Oui bientôt nous nous marierons.

Par ici passe un corbeau,
Dans son bec porte un gigot
Mais d’ la viande nous avons trop,
C’est du bon vin qu’il nous faut.

Ma Nanon tout de bon
Oui bientôt nous ferons la noce,
Ma Nanon tout de bon
Oui bientôt nous nous marierons.

Par ici passe une souris,
À son cou porte un baril
Mais du vin nous avons trop,
C’est d’ la musique qu’il nous faut.

Ma Nanon tout de bon
Oui bientôt nous ferons la noce,
Ma Nanon tout de bon
Oui bientôt nous nous marierons.

Par ici passe un gros rat,
Un violon dessous son bras
Bonjour à la compagnie,
N’y a-t-il pas de chats ici?

Ma Nanon tout de bon
Oui bientôt nous ferons la noce,
Ma Nanon tout de bon
Oui bientôt nous nous marierons.

Entrez musiciens, entrez,
Tous les chats sont au grenier
Du grenier descend un chat
Il emporte le gros rat.

[La noce des oiseaux or The Birds’ Wedding, Chanson enfantine, French]

A short time later, Adam walked down the stairs without Sara but still singing. He hated not finishing a song. Everyone was staring.

“I hate to end a song in the middle.”

“No, what about my daughter?”

“Oh, she’s sound asleep. She was almost sleeping by the time we were walking down the hall. She revived a little when I put her in the bed, but then a little back rub and singing, and she was done.”

“How did you do that? Do you have sleep magic?”

“No, but I helped raise you. I used the same methods. Put her in a sleep position and give her something that takes her mind from whatever is stopping her from sleeping so she can sleep.”

“It sounds so simple.”

“It won’t always work, but most of the time, it should.”

Ben nodded in agreement. “I had forgotten how you and Marie did that with Joe.”

That set the tone for the next few weeks as stories were shared and the family got to know one another and settle into some routines.

Chapter 2

There were some serious conversations too, but most of those occurred between Candy and Adam. There had been some close calls for Joe and for Jamie. There had been a rock slide that had nearly taken out Joe, but he had been able to ride fast enough to avoid a sure death. Jamie had gone to an old homestead to clear out some cattle that had wandered there and might have been decapitated by a clothesline hung too high. Jamie was short and the line caught him in the forehead and knocked him from his horse. If he had been a taller man, he would likely have been killed.

“Why would someone string a new clothesline at an abandoned homestead?”

“Can’t see any reason other than to do what it did.”

“How could they know it was Jamie?”

But Adam nodded as Candy answered knowing even as he had asked what it had to be.

“Someone was following him and saw where he was going. Wouldn’t take long to do what was done. It would look like an accident.”

“Yeah, another accident. Now I have this meeting in Carson City. I’m wondering if there’s an accident waiting for me.”

“Why are you suspicious of a meeting in Carson City that your father is sending you to?”

“Because it came out of the blue and there seems to be no logical purpose to it.”

“Does every meeting of the Association have to have a logical reason?”

“In my experience, yes.”

“But why are you so suspicious? Maybe someone has a new idea about something and doesn’t want to let it out of the bag early?”

“Or someone wants to get me on the road alone away from the ranch?”

“You haven’t been here long enough to make people that mad at you.”

When Adam didn’t even crack a small smile, Candy knew he had been serious.

“What’s going on that I don’t know? What should I be watching for?”

Turning from his horse, Adam sat down on a bench and indicated it was time for Candy to sit too. They needed to talk. On Thursday, Adam had been in town and ended up in a serious discussion with Clem. Although he had tried to share the information with Joe, his younger brother didn’t want to hear it.

“I talked with Clem yesterday. He said that the accident that killed Hoss may not have been an accident. The woman who survived came to him and told him more of the story now that she’s had time to think about things. Some odd memories are bothering her.”

“Odd memories? Like what?”

“She said at the time that she thought lightning and thunder caused the horses to bolt, but now she remembers there were no storm clouds at all. Then she said there was another one of those when the big man, Hoss, fell from his horse into the flood waters.”

“You think those were gunshots?”

“Rifle most likely.”

“But why? and who would do that?”

“We don’t know who fired the shots, but we know who told those people to go that way. The woman described that man and Clem pointed him out in town. She identified him. A man by the name of Jan Gilley. He met them on the road and told them of a shortcut. He said he had just come that way, and it looked impassable, but was shallow. There was a big man on a black horse there who would help them.”

“He set Hoss up to be murdered. Why would he do that?”

“Clem has looked into his past and into his present activities and can’t find anything to help explain it.”

“Joe won’t listen to this?”

“Hoss died a hero. Joe wants it to stay that way.”

“But if Hoss was murdered, then the rest of you could be in danger. Ah, that’s why you’re wondering about this trip that seems to have no reason to be.”

“Yeah, the meeting was announced after Pa said he wouldn’t be participating in this year’s Founders Day celebration. The family would be staying at home but the hands would be free to attend. On short notice, suddenly there’s a meeting being held, and while I’m gone and most or all of the hands are gone tonight and tomorrow with the big celebrations in town, the family is more vulnerable too.”

“Can I pay some of the men to stand guard to help protect the family?”

“You and one other. If too many are involved, they’ll get scared off if they see a guard, and we won’t know when they’ll move on us again. What do you think?”

“With Joe and Jamie, that should work. So you’re going to Carson anyway?”

“I’ll be careful. My guess is that they didn’t expect me back, so this is a last-minute addition to whatever plan they have. They had to know Pa wouldn’t go so they’re expecting me or Joe. It isn’t likely too well thought out. I have to think I can be better at anticipating that they are at executing.”

“I’m not too crazy about that last word you used.”

“You be careful here too.”

Candy agreed and watched Adam ride off hoping to see him ride back the next afternoon. On the road, Adam was nervous and watchful, but nothing happened. In Carson City, he thought about it and realized that any assassin would have a difficult time knowing when he was leaving the Ponderosa and what route he would take. However, he would be easy to spot leaving Carson City and an ambush would be easier to set up. Early Saturday afternoon when he began his trip home was the likely time for him to need to be worried. By dawn on Saturday, he scouted out likely spots for an ambush. He had already talked to people he trusted, and he had hired men to place at those locations. He paid them well and when he got back to town, he told them to be in those places as soon as possible in and get hidden.

“Remember, your chance at a big bonus only lasts as long as I’m alive.”

When he rode out of town at two, he was nervous and paying attention but hoped his preparation would be enough to give him an edge. It was. He was accosted at the second spot he had scouted. Two men rode out and called his name. He wheeled to ride back and a third man appeared behind him. He heard laughter as he drew his pistol. It was over quickly as the two men he had hired used their rifles effectively. When it was over, Adam addressed the men who had helped him.

“Bury the murderers here if you want. You can keep their horses, saddles, firearms, and such then if you want. My guess is that you will find money on them that they were paid to kill me. You can have that too. The men from the other spot will be here soon I would guess. There should be enough for the four of you to split.”

“You don’t want any of it?”

“I’m alive. I got what I wanted. I thank you, gentlemen. It has been a pleasure working with you, but I need to get home. I think they may need me there.”

Riding hard, Adam approached the ranch shortly after the sun set, but he knew he was too late. He heard gunfire when he was miles away, and he prayed precautions had been enough. When he rode into the yard, his fears were realized though. Facing off against approaching gunmen were his wounded brothers and his unarmed father with Candy as the only able-bodied man left. One of the assailants was dead, but four were still fully armed and dangerous although at least one was bleeding. Swinging down from his horse, he rushed to Candy’s side as the foreman emerged from his cover behind a large tree. They approached the four gunmen.

“Who the hell are you?”

With Joe resting in Ben’s arms and bleeding from his belly and Jamie cradling his wounded right arm, most of the fight was over and the assailants knew it or thought they did. They had caught Ben and Jamie by surprise coming from the barn. Although they fought back, it had been easy to disarm them. Joe had rushed from the house surprising them and killed one of them and wounded another before they could stop him. They stood wary looking for other reinforcements but regained confidence when they saw none. The four men faced Adam and Candy.

Looking at the two men on the right, Adam spoke in a low voice that sounded as if he had no emotion. The four men almost shivered because none could recall ever hearing a voice so cold.

“Who wants to die fast and who wants to die slow? With two to kill, I can hit one of you in the head, but the other one is going to get it in the belly because I might have to help Candy finish off the other two.”

“Mister, you’re bluffing. Nobody is that fast.”

“Fast enough to do what I promise, but more important, I hit what I’m aiming at.”

“I said, who the hell are you?”

“I shot Langford Poole in a gunfight. I hit him in the arm because I had time. Sorry, I won’t have that kind of time here so you’re both going to die. One will go fast and the other one slowly and painfully.”

The four men were getting nervous. This man in black was too confident, and he did have another gunman with him. They didn’t think the two could take the four of them, but the risks were still big. Candy decided to unnerve them a little more if he could. Nervous men usually didn’t do well in a fight.

“It’s Adam Cartwright. You didn’t kill him. I guess you did make him mad. I’ve heard it’s not good to make him mad.”

They knew then why the three men they had sent to kill Adam were missing. Without any signal, they drew. Adam seemed to know they would and stepped to his left as he drew. As he had promised, he shot one in the head and shot the next one in the belly before he swung his pistol toward the other two hitting one man there a second time. Candy had wounded the man, but the wounded man was raising his pistol to fire as both Adam and Candy shot again. There was no need to check three bodies for signs of life. The fourth was moaning but was no threat. With the amount of blood pouring from his belly even as he tried desperately to hold it back with his hands, he wasn’t going to last long. They had no sympathy for him. He was a murderer.

 

Chapter 3

Candy helped Adam pick up Joe and carry him into the house. Settling him on the bed in the downstairs bedroom, Adam stood back as Hop Sing and his father did all they could. Candy was already headed to town for the doctor. Adam patched up Jamie well enough to stop the bleeding and make him comfortable before he went upstairs to relieve the man who had been guarding the children.

“I told them it was a bad storm, Adam. I hope it was all right to lie to them about that.”

“Thank you, Jess. That was a good idea for now.”

Going into the bedroom, Adam found both children were sleepy but worried. He assured them the storm was over and they were safe.

“Sing a song for us, Adam.”

“Yes, Adam, sing a song like Sara asked.”

Downstairs, Jamie heard the soft tones of the lullabies Adam sang to Sara and Josh and wished his heart could be soothed as well. A short time later, Adam walked down the stairs.

“They’re tucked in and asleep. I don’t look forward to the morning though.”

“Jess told me what he said. They won’t even remember that part.”

Knowing what he meant, Adam sat beside him, and they waited for the doctor to arrive. When he did, and Ben sat with Jamie, Adam and Candy went out to take care of the five bodies. Jess had pulled them all into a line and had a buckboard already pulled next to them. Five equal packets of money were found with one tucked into the pockets of each man. They rolled the bodies into blankets and loaded them into the buckboard. Adam put the packets of money into a saddlebag. He had a plan for what to do with them the next morning. Candy guessed what he was thinking.

“You have a plan to use that against someone, don’t you? Maybe Jan Gilley?”

“Depends some on what happens tonight.”

Candy’s voice broke as he asked the next question.

“He’s not going to make it, is he?”

Adam turned and walked off into the darkness then not returning for nearly an hour. When he came back, Candy saw the red-rimmed eyes and knew. He guessed he looked about the same after spending that time on the porch. They went into the house together not saying anything but pouring out some brandies before taking seats by the fireplace. Ben had one with them as Jamie leaned on his father’s shoulder and cried quietly.

In the morning, Adam and Candy saddled up to ride to town. Ben walked out and said only one simple thing.

“Please come back home.”

“I will, Pa. We will.”

Stopping at the sheriff’s office, Adam and Candy explained all that they knew and what Adam wanted to do. Clem agreed it was worth a try. He had no idea how Adam wanted it to end but told him he would arrest him if he broke the law. The three men walked to Jan Gilley’s office. In the outer office, Adam told the clerk not to say anything. He entered Jan’s office without letting him know that Candy and Clem were in the outer office. He left the office door open.

“Adam, I had no idea you were in town.”

“Good one, Jan. You actually had no idea I was alive. Isn’t that what you meant to say? Five men came to the ranch last night. My brothers aren’t doing too well. From what the five men said, you sent them.”

“They would never have said that.”

“Oh, you know them that well? I found this money on them. It happens to add up to an amount you withdrew from the bank if you add in what was on the three killed near Carson City.”

“Banks aren’t supposed to give out that information.”

“They didn’t. I bluffed on that one. But that confirms that you sent them.”

“No one else will ever know.”

Jan pulled a gun and was going to shoot Adam when Candy stepped into the open doorway and fired first. In a panic, Jan tried to fire again, and Candy was forced to shoot again. Jan fell back against the wall cradling his bleeding arm and bleeding from his side as well. Adam stared at the wounded man.

“Why did you do it, Jan?”

“Damn you. Why did you come back. I’m your cousin. You didn’t know it, but I’m a Cartwright cousin. As soon as all of you were gone, I could have your father declared incompetent and take over. With his sons dead, he would have been a shell of a man. Then I would have inherited it all.”

“No, Jan, it wouldn’t have worked. I have a son. Hoss has a son, and Joe has a daughter.”

“No! You don’t. They don’t. You’re lying.”

“I don’t lie. You should know that about me. Yes, there are three, and they are the heirs, and you didn’t kill the brothers either. You set up that trap to make it look like an accident that got Hoss killed, and sent gunmen after the rest of us, but you failed.”

Candy and Clem pulled Jan up ignoring his cries of pain. Clem addressed him.

“You’ll live. Well, you’ll live long enough for a trial and to swing on the gallows for what you did.”

Following those two men out of the office, Candy turned to Adam.

“Did that help?”

When Adam looked at him and said nothing, Candy nodded. He knew. Nothing would help.

“Your father is going to need a lot of help.”

“Yes, he will need that. I hope you’ll stay on.”

“I will. And you?”

“I’m staying too. I’ll write and let her know my decision. I’ve learned not to let others dictate my life if I can help it. I love her and I love my son, but I love my family here too, and they need me more.”

“When things are settled here, and Jamie is older?”

“Yeah, I’ll go back at some point, but I don’t know if it will do any good if she decides it’s over between us. She could end our marriage and marry someone else. The law will be on her side.”

“Josh and Sara love you already.”

“They’re the biggest reasons I can’t leave.”

As the two men rode out of town, Candy felt there was more he needed to say.

“You know, I heard a lot of things about you before I met you. I heard you were bossy, proud, and stubborn, and had pretty much a smart mouth on you most of the time.”

“And your point is?”

“I’m not there yet if you wouldn’t interrupt. I also heard from Hoss that you were the one man he would never want to face in a fight. I have seen why that is the absolute truth. And Joe told me one thing about you that you should like to hear. He said after Ben Cartwright, you were the best father he had and he wished he had told you that at some point instead of fighting with you over everything you tried to teach him. He and Hoss couldn’t have a better father for their children.”

Pulling up, Adam dismounted and walked to the side of the road to sit on a fallen tree. He bent over and couldn’t hold it in any longer. He began to sob and it was the last thing that Candy expected to happen. It triggered the same reaction in him. The two men had been strong to help everyone else, and the pressure had to be released. After a few minutes, they looked at each other and smiled softly in acknowledgment of how they must look. Candy smeared a little dust across his face which was good camouflage. With a nod, Adam followed suit. They mounted up then and rode home because they had a family to protect and a ranch to run.

Three weeks later, Adam tucked Sara into the back of the carriage to sit with her grandfather. She objected and wanted to sit on the front seat with him.

“Sara, I told you Josh will sit with me as we ride to the lake and you will sit with me on the trip back to the house. Now, you have to remember to do what I say when I say it. Right?”

“Yes, Papa Adam.”

“Thank you. Now, keep your dress tucked down around your legs. It’s an important day, and you need to act like a little lady today.”

“Yes, Papa Adam.”

Josh sat up proudly on the seat waiting for Adam. When everyone was settled in, Adam did join him and wrapped an arm around him so he could put his hands on the reins next to Adams. Then the procession to the lake began.

The stone for Joe was done and was set in place that morning. It was time for the official visit to the scene. Adam had landscaped the area and the family and close friends were gathering there for a commemoration. It was a sad occasion, but also a time to celebrate the lives of those who had gone on as well as the family that remained. Jamie and Adam were there with Candy to support Ben who was doing all right. Having Adam agree to stay to be a father to Sara and Josh and to run the ranch had helped Ben handle another dark shadow. For Adam, the nightmares had stopped. Too late, he had realized that Hoss had wanted him to protect Joe to save their father. He had managed the second part. He felt guilty about the first part, but Candy said he shouldn’t.

“Joe was Joe. He rushed out to fight five men to save Jamie and his father. He never had a chance but he felt he had to try. I yelled at him to wait, but it wasn’t his nature when his family especially his father was threatened. A few more minutes and you would have been there. He didn’t know. We didn’t know.”

“Were my father and Jamie about to be killed?”

“I don’t think so. They had them under the gun, but they were asking where Joe was. I said we could flank them, but Joe said it would take too long, and they would probably kill them as soon as we started shooting.”

Often, Adam had to remember that conversation with Candy so the guilt wouldn’t eat away at him. His father told him the same thing that Candy did. Joe made his decision. No one else was responsible. What Adam did do though was create a setting for anyone to visit where Marie, Joe, and Hoss had their final resting places, and have a chance to talk with them metaphysically at least. At the lake site, there were roses and benches and the area was cleared for an unobstructed view of the lake. The group that gathered agreed it was appropriate for the three who rested there. After an hour, the attendees were invited to the house for refreshments.

As the group approached the house, there was one more carriage that drove in. Ben saw Adam tense up and guessed he knew the lady driving that carriage. When she got out of the carriage, Adam stood silently for a short time. Everyone else stayed silent much longer as Candy hustled Sara and Josh into the house.

“I wasn’t sure I would ever see you again.”

“I had hoped to speak privately, but this is probably something that your family needs to hear too by now. I thought I could make you stay. I thought I could make you come back. If not, I thought I could live without you. I was wrong on all counts. I hope you can forgive me, and I hope we can go forward from here.”

“You came to stay?”

“I was wrong. Australia is not my home. My home and our son’s home is wherever you are.”

“He’s here?”

“Of course he’s here.”

That was another voice from the back of the carriage.

“You don’t think I would let my daughter and my grandson run off and leave me alone halfway around the world do you? Besides you’re family too, and I missed you, and I told her she was a fool. Now, here’s your son, and I have had a devil of a time keeping him quiet. I would like to go inside. I heard there’s food.”

“Welcome, Mama, please be my guest.”

Helping his mother-in-law from the carriage, Adam sent her toward his father asking if he would please escort her inside even as a bundle of energy jumped into Adam’s arms.

“Papa!”

With his son on one arm, Adam took his wife on his other side and walked into the house only to be greeted by calls from Sara and Josh.

“Papa Adam, who is that boy?”

“Papa Adam, is that our new Mama?”

“Adam?”

“I have a lot to explain.”