Summary: On a trip to Cheyenne, Adam expects to meet a gunfighter but instead is surprised to meet someone who eventually becomes a part of the Cartwright clan.
Rating: PG  Word count: 1,491

Miss Liberty Valance

A long trip to Cheyenne left Adam Cartwright dusty, weary, and hungry. After a bath and a short rest on a lumpy bed, he headed in search of food. A small café sufficed, and afterward, he felt more like a night on the town. Down the street, music and shouting drew his attention. A man in front of a building shouted out the name of the show and the evening’s lineup.

“Sergeant Pepper’s Wild West Show. Sharp Shooters, Trick Ropers, and the prettiest gals this side of the Rockies. Tonight’s Feature – Liberty Valance.”

Adam frowned at the thought that the gunfighter Liberty Valance would be in Cheyenne, much less be a part of a show. Keeping a wary eye, he bought a ticket. Inside, he watched the shooters and ropers. Then the lights dimmed as dramatic music played.

“Gentlemen hold onto your hats. Making her debut tonight, Miss…Liberty…Valance!”

As the lights rose, a young lady, dressed in a long red dress slit almost to her waist, entered the stage. Adam noted her slightly darker skin, but it didn’t seem to matter to the rest of the men. They went wild. Her performance was dazzling and seductive. Every man felt like she was performing only for him.

After the show, Adam left after the throng of men exited. Passing an alley, he heard a woman and man arguing. Adam loosened his pistol and headed that way. The man was gone, and the lady was sitting on a crate crying.

“Um, are you alright, Miss?”

She looked up, startled, but relaxed as Adam held his hat in his hand and gave her a smile that showed dimples. She couldn’t help being charmed. Her initial fear melted away.

“Yes. Just a disagreement with the Sergeant. Um, Sergeant Pepper, the man who runs the show.”

“Okay, well, I better go then.”

“Wait. You were in the front row tonight?

“Yes, I was.”

“You didn’t respond like the other men. Why?”

“Your performance was most enjoyable. You are very talented.”

“But…”

“I was only there because of your name. I was concerned that the real Liberty Valance would be here, and cause trouble. I was surprised to find someone with your talent performing in a show like this.”

She sighed. Looking at him, she wondered how much she could tell him. His kind eyes let her know he could handle the truth.

“I know what you mean. You see, my last name actually is Valance. I was born into slavery. My father was the master’s son. I was freed when the war ended. I chose the name Liberty for its meaning, but my manager made me use the full name to draw the crowds.

Adam sat down next to her.

“Isn’t that rather foolish? And didn’t you get Valance because that was the last family that claimed to own you?”

Her head popped up, and a lovely smile lit her brown eyes.

“Yes, it is, to both of your questions, and I’m trying to convince him to change it. That was why we were arguing. It is my name, but it isn’t by my choice nor by my family heritage. Thank you, Mister -?”

“Cartwright. Adam Cartwright. Changing your name ought to be your right regardless, and there are other rights you should have.”

She rose, wrapping her cloak around her slim body. He could tell he wasn’t ready to discuss all of that with him. He was still a stranger.

“I’m heading back to my room. Would you mind walking me there?”

Adam slipped his hat on and offered his arm.

A few months later the traveling show found its way to Carson City. Adam noted her name had not changed. He attended the show with his brothers and then met her by the stage door.

“Hello, Adam.”

“Would you like an escort to your room, Miss Valance?”

She smiled and took his arm. Rounding a corner, a shot rang out.

Adam pushed Liberty to the ground and drew his gun. A staggering man waved his gun at Adam. His mushy statement indicated that he was drunk.

“I’m gonna kill Liberty Valance. I’m gonna be famous.”

He aimed, but Hoss’ gun stuck him in the back.

“That ain’t Liberty Valance, you fool. He’s my brother.”

Joe disarmed the drunk, and the brothers took him to the Sheriff. Standing up, Liberty shared a look with Adam.

“I warned him this would happen.”

“Sergeant Pepper?”

“Yes. I told him it was only a matter of time before something terrible would happen.”

Frowning, Adam kept a careful watch as they continued to her room. It had been too close, and all because of a name.

“Maybe now he’ll listen.”

“Maybe now it’s time for me to have the rest of that conversation with you. I don’t want to be in this show any longer. I don’t want to be stuck with this name. I want to be truly free.”

“I could help you with that.”

“I’m sorry, but how could a cowboy in Virginia City help me with that?”

Kind enough not to chuckle at that, Adam stayed serious and explained.

“Oh, I know some people in San Francisco, and my father has some contacts too. If you have any doubts about what I’m saying, you could check in with the owner of Piper’s Opera House tomorrow. However, you may need some protection too from Sergeant Pepper. He’s not likely to take kindly to losing his star attraction.”

“I know. I thought about getting on the stage in the morning. He never gets up very early.”

“I think I can help you out there too. You are welcome to be a guest on my family’s ranch. Again, if you have doubts about me and that offer, you could check with the sheriff here or even with the manager at the hotel. My brothers and I could rent a carriage and get you safely out of town tonight if you wished to do so.”

“It’s all happening so fast.”

“Is it what you want?”

“Yes, but until you started talking it seemed like a dream I couldn’t have. Now it seems real.”

“It is if you want it to be.”

“I do.”

“Dadburnit, Adam, did I just hear an ‘I do’ from that gal? You didn’t up and marry her now, did you? Pa’s going to be right upset if he missed a wedding.”

Hoss and Joe couldn’t contain their laughter as Adam rolled his eyes.

“Liberty, these are my brothers, Hoss and Joe. Do you still want to go along with the plan?”

“Yes, it seems like it could be quite fun.”

Under his breath but still loud enough to be heard, Adam muttered his thoughts on the matter. ‘Fun, she says. She hasn’t lived with them as long as I have.’ Then he told his brothers what they were going to do. Hoss went to get a carriage and Joe volunteered to get her luggage from the hotel. Adam said it might be best to bring it down the back stairs. He went to settle up with the desk clerk and make sure there would be no word to anyone on where she had gone.

The next morning, Sergeant Pepper was upset at finding his star missing. Sheriff Coffee handled his complaint.

“There’s no crime in an adult woman choosing to leave town of her own choice and without your permission. Taking her possessions with her is her choice too. Trying to make her stay or trying to keep what rightly belongs to her would be crimes though.”

Sergeant Pepper got the message. He left town. A couple of weeks later, lawyer Hiram Wood got a message that he was needed on the Ponderosa. Surprised when he found out what he was summoned to do, he carried out the work and was paid well as he always was by the Cartwrights. Liberty wanted a new last name and the theatrical agents had agreed she needed one. After much thought, she had asked Ben Cartwright for permission and he agreed.

“As a child, I was called Irene. If my family ever looks for me, they may recognize me by that name. They might know the plantation that bought me. I’m going with a traveling theater group. In the program, my name will now be Liberty Irene Valance Cartwright. I can’t think of a better name to have.”

“Lordy, you almost sound like a royal lady with all them names. We can’t think of a better cousin to have neither. You’re a sight better than some we already have. We got to choose you.”

“Thank you, Hoss. I hope you all can come see me sometime when I’m performing. I’ll make sure to sing especially well for all of you.”

The whole family rode to town to see her off on the stage. The newest Cartwright was all set to make a name for herself.