Summary: Adam arrives in Galveston, Texas and falls in love with a young woman and helps her cope with the tragedy when the town gets hit by a hurricane.
Rating:  Teen
Words: 2000

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Galveston Love

It was the middle of the day Adam got off of the stagecoach in Galveston, it was September and it was a hot day. Adam wiped his forehead looked around and saw a hotel across the street, all he wanted to do was check in and try to cool off. The driver took down his luggage after helping other people who was travelling in the same stagecoach, he picked up his bag and went over to the hotel.

He approached the desk and rang the bell, a man came out from another room, and smiled when he saw Adam there.

“Howdy sir, would you like a room?” The man asked.

“Yes please,” Adam replied and took his hat off, fanning himself.

The clerk pushed a book toward Adam and said, “sign here please.”

Adam signed it and the clerk gave him a key and replied, “room 1A, just go up those stairs, it’s on the left, first door.”

“Thank,” Adam said, and he took his bag and walked away. In the lobby were a man sitting in a big chair by the window, he looked sternly at Adam.

Adam continued to go to the stairs, went to his room and started to unpack. He looked out the window, there was the usual hustle and bustle of people walking up and down the street. After riding and being bumped and jostled on the road, Adam decided to take a nap and later go and have dinner.

When it was close to twilight and the sky was darkening Adam, refreshed from sleeping, went downstairs. The same clerk was at the table, he came over to him asked, “where is good place to eat around here?”

“Why you can go to Jack’s Place, always good food to eat, very pleasant atmosphere.” The clerk answered.

Adam went out of the hotel, the air was starting to feel a little cooler, he was about to walk away when he heard an argument next door. Adam saw a pretty young woman with long chestnut hair with a white ribbon and dress to match, a man that he recognized who was earlier in the hotel lobby was with her.

“I told you Sam we are through and I don’t want to see you again.”

“Oh come on honey you were just upset, why don’t we talk it over up in my room and I’m you’ll change your mind.”

“I’m afraid not so lets not make this any worse.”

“That’s what you think honey, your coming with me!”

“Let me go!” And the girl struggled in his grip.

Adam walked over and said, “You heard the lady, so let her go!”

“Who are you to tell me what to do? Why don’t you go just keep walking where your supposed to go.” Sam growled.

“When this lady told you to let her go, I kind of make it my business to make sure you do what she wants to do.” Adam smirked.

“Your a stranger here and you better just leave!” Sam shouted.

Sam lifted his fist toward Adam’s face, but he was quick and grabbed his arm before Sam can hit him.

“Maybe you better leave before you make further trouble.” Adam replied.

A crowd was coming around, Sam angrily looked at Adam and then saw the sheriff come over, he huffed and said,” you haven’t seen the last of me!” Sam walked away.

The sheriff came over and said,” Miss Teena, are you having any trouble?”

“No Sheriff, thanks to this gentleman here, Sam was harassing me again.” Teena smiled lamely.

“Well, that no good account of a boyfriend of yours was always causing trouble, you should steer clear of him.” The sheriff replied.

“I will, he just can’t understand the word no.” Teena said.

“Alright everybody go about your business, the show is over.” The sheriff said sternly and the crowd dispersed.

“Are you all right Teena? I heard them call you that.” Adam asked.

“Yes I’m fine thank you, and my name is Teena Roberts by the way.” She smiled.

Adam smiled back and replied, “my name is Adam Cartwright and I’m glad I was able to help you.”

“I’m glad you did Sam thinks he owns me just because he met me here a couple of weeks ago when he arrived.” Teena said.

Adam replied, “I just arrived earlier today, I came from Virginia City, Nevada. Are you visiting here as well?”

“No, I live here in Galveston, born and raised all my life.” Teena answered.

“Is Sam still your boyfriend?” Adam asked.

“Heavens no, after being with him I couldn’t keep up, he was always drunk and rowdy. I had to break off with him, he is attemping to get me back which I never will.” Teena answered.

“In that case Miss Roberts would you care to join me for dinner right now? Adam asked.

“Yes, I would like that very much Mr. Cartwright.” Teena answered smiling.

Adam offered her his arm they walked away, Jack’s Place was in fact as the clerk stated a pleasant atmosphere and the waiter polite took their orders and went away.

Adam asked, “Do you have a family that you are living with perhaps?”

“My brother Jake who I live with since my parents died two years ago and we have been taking care of each other. He has a fishing boat called The Seagull and he is going to be returning shortly.” Teena answered.

They talked non stop until the waitor brought their food and while they were eating Adam continued his conversation with her. He felt comfortable with her, he was enjoying himself.

Later on when Adam payed the check they both walked out, he turned to face and asked, ” It’s such a beautiful evening would you care to go for a stroll Miss Roberts?”

“I would love to and please you call me Teena Mr. Cartwright.”

“You can call me Adam if you wish.”

“Alright Adam, I’m having such a nice evening,” Teena replied and they both started to walk away when someone called her name.

“Teena over here!” A tall young man with chestnut hair, waved and rushed over.

“Jake your back, how was it out there, did you catch a lot of fish?” Teena asked.

“Yeah, sure did a whole mess of them, I’m going to get pretty paid for them.”

“Oh Jake, I would like you to meet Adam Cartwright, he arrived earlier today.” Teena said. Adam this is my brother Jake whom we talked about earlier.”

“Nice to meet you Adam,” Jake shook his hand.

“Same here, so your a fisherman huh?” Adam asked.

“Sure am, I just love the ocean, can’t keep away from it.”

“Well I sure would wish that you just stay out of the ocean since hurricane season is coming soon.” Teena said.

“Oh sis your always worrying about me.” Jake grinned.

“I have to worry about you Jake, your my brother.” Teena said.

Jake laughed and said, “well I’m exhausted, going to sleep early, bog day tomorrow, nice to you meet you again Adam and he walked away.

Adam said, grinned, “he is sure is full of energy.”

“Sometimes I do worry about him Adam.” Teena shook her head sadly. “He’s my big brother.”

“I know what you mean, I have two younger brothers as well. “Adam laughed.

They started to walk and then he dropped her off to her house at the end of the street, Teena said, “Goodnight Adam and thanks for the lovely evening.”

Adam smiled and took her hand, held it, replied, no, I thank you for this wonderful evening.”

They both smiled and Teena went inside, Adam turned around went back to the hotel.

The next day the sky was gathering clouds, Teena approached him, Adam smiled at her but he saw a worried look on her face.

“What’s wrong Teena, why the long face?” Adam asked.

“Oh, I have this feeling, you know it’s a very strange type of feeling, and I see the sky is not to great either. I hope Jake is going to be all right out there, he can be stubborn at times.” Teena answered glumly.

“I’m sure he will Teena, don’t worry, he must be a great fisherman handling the boat.” Adam replied.

Teena shrugged, they both walked away, later on in the afternoon the sky was turning gray, with horror Teena saw the flag staff up in the air.

“Oh no that means the hurricane is coming.” She turned towards the sea, looking hopefully for the boat that should be coming in.

“Jake should be here soon, he must see the flag hopefully.” Adam said.

“I sure hope so Adam, sure do hope so.” Teena murmured.

The sky was starting to darken and thunder was rolling in, Teena with worry on her face was heading to the dock, Adam along side of her. She looked for the familiar boot name but it wasn’t there.

“Oh Adam, I’m so worried Jake is not here and it’s starting a storm.” Teena said.

“Come on, we better go where we will be safe.” Adam took her hand, Teena kept turning back but Adam pulled her fast away.

“We can go in that building, it’s been a shelter whenever we get these hurricanes.” Teena pointed.

They both hurried inside with everybody else along side them.

The storm raged for the rest of the afternoon and into the evening, Teena looked out the rain drenched window, but couldn’t see anything. Adam took her hand, squeezed it.

The next morning the sun rose high above the sky, turning it blue, the horror of the night before, with the winds howling and the thunder and lightning making it more scarier.

Adam took Teena’s hand, she looked up at him, shaking her head sadly, said, “Jake is gone, he’s dead, after this terrible storm, I knew something like this would happen.”

“Im going to help you Teena, stay here with you for a while.” Adam said, he took her in his arms and kissed her. Teena responded back, hugged him and they both walked away.

For two weeks Adam helped Teena cope with the loss of her brother, everybody who lost a family member tried to salvage what was lost in the storm, rebuilding homes that the hurricane ruined.

When Adam was leaving and going on the stagecoach, Teena said, “Adam I would like to thank you for all the help you did for me.”

“I sure don’t want to leave you, I wish you can go back with me, maybe you do that, share a life with me back at my home at the Ponderosa.” Adam replied.

“No, I think I can make it out here,” Teena replied.

“I love you Teena, I care a lot for you, I sure wish you would change your mind.” Adam said.

Teena smiled, replied, “I love you too Adam, I wish I can but maybe someday we will meet again hopefully soon and then you never know what can happen.

Adam kissed her, went into the stagecoach rode off, he waved at her, sat back remembering all that happened, thought about Teena. He said to himself, “maybe I will return here soon and see her.” He closed his eyes, the other passengers sitting opposite him, were talking and laughing, Adam just kept his eyes closed.

The End