“The blues will be blue and the jealousies green. But when love picks its shade it demands to be seen.”~Garth Brooks “The Red Strokes” 

~*~

Ruth lay back in the bed, clinging to the child in her arms. The baby had Adam’s beautiful hazel eyes and his dark wavy black hair. She glanced over at Adam who was grinning for ear to ear.

“Are you happy, sweetheart?” She asked him.

“Yes, darling, I’m very happy. Our family is finally complete.”

Ruth closed her exhausted eyes and breathed a sigh of content.

 

“Ruth sweetheart, wake up. You’re talking in your sleep.” Adam said, shaking his wife’s shoulder gently.

At first, Adam’s words sounded like an echo from a different dimension to a dazed, dreaming Ruth. Finally her reflex caused her to wake up all at once and look up at him.

“Are you alright, darlin’? You must have been having some dream.” Adam said, smiling at her.

“Oh I-I’m sorry I didn’t even realize I was dreaming.” Ruth said, still a bit shaken.

“That’s alright. You were sleeping so soundly at first I wasn’t going to wake you but then you started talking and I wasn’t sure.” Adam told her.

Ruth felt her way underneath her and pulled herself into as sitting position and glanced over at the clock on the wall.

“Oh goodness it’s already nine in the morning! I’ve over slept!” She then rushed up and started to run toward the kitchen when Adam gently but firmly grabbed her arm.

“Whoa wait a minute young lady! Don’t be in such a hurry! You’re not fully awake yet!”

“But Adam I still have to make breakfast and do all these other things!”

Adam put a hand on each of her shoulders and looked at her. “First of all, I’ve already made breakfast. That right there is your plate. I was coming up here to see if it would wake you up when I heard you talking in your sleep.” He pointed to the plate of food sitting on the table next to the bed.

Ruth stood not knowing what to say. Finally she spoke. “You didn’t have to do that! Thank you for doing it though.”

“Ruth Cartwright, we have been married for eight months now during which time I can count on one hand the times you’ve not cooked and I have. I’m starting to wonder if you don’t think I’m a very good cook.”

Ruth gave her husband a suspicious grin. “Of course I don’t think that way! I simply think it’s the duty of the wife to do that sort of thing.”

“And you do when you are able.”

“What makes you think I’m not able right now?” She asked, confused.

“Because my dear, you seem utterly exhausted lately.”

Ruth thought about it. She had been putting herself to work quite a bit recently. She hadn’t really given it much thought until then when he pointed it out.

Adam sat on the bed next to her and put his hand in hers.

“Now darling, you’ve been running yourself ragged helping me with this place, running errands in town, helping Doc, when do you have any time for yourself anymore?”

“I’m alright, Adam, really I am.” She said, trying to ease his mind.

“Oh really, then why is it you’re so tired every morning?” He crossed his arms.

Ruth took a deep breath, admitting defeat. “Okay maybe I’m a little bit tired sometimes.” She smiled dryly.

“Mhmm. This is exactly why you’re going to take it easy for a while.”

Ruth nodded her head hesitantly.

“Great, now I have to go into town for a while. Would you like to come with me?” He asked her.

“Now I’m not trying to second guess you or anything but didn’t you just say I had to take it easy?” She asked, knowing she was pushing her luck.

“Yes, I did say that. I didn’t say you can’t go into town, just that you can’t be running around like the proverbial chicken without a head.” He winked. “Now finish your breakfast and get ready.” He disappeared out of the room.

Ruth hurriedly rushed through eating and then quickly got dressed. Not more than twenty minutes after Adam had last seen her, Ruth was downstairs ready to go.

Adam gave her a sly look when he saw how fast she was ready.

“What? Well you know I’m not the kind to enjoy sitting in the house and not doing anything!”

Adam nodded in agreement and then opened the door for her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In town, things seemed to be a bit busier than usual, which lead Adam to wonder if it was a good idea to have brought Ruth with him. Adam parked the buggy in front of the post office and got out.

“I’m going to get the mail. I’ll be right back.” He smiled.

“Alright, take your time.”

Adam winked and disappeared into the office. Ruth sat in the buggy and took in the cool spring mountain air. It was a little chilly but the days were beginning to warm up. Suddenly Ruth saw out of the corner of her eye someone walking up to her. She turned around right away.

“Now doesn’t Adam know better than to keep a beautiful gal waitin’ alone?”

“Oh, good morning Hoss!” Ruth grinned. “I can’t complain about that! I’m lucky to have gotten to come in town at all!”

“Why? Ol’ Adam ain’t bein’ too bossy with ya is he?” Hoss asked.

“Oh no it’s nothing like that. I’m sorry, Hoss, I’m afraid I said that the wrong way.”

Hoss laughed. “It’s alright Ruth. I was just joshin’ with ya.”

Suddenly, as they were talking a group of the town’s ladies walked over to them.

“Well good morning Mrs. Cartwright, Hoss.” One of them said.

“Mornin’ ladies.” Hoss smiled and tipped his hat.

“Good morning.” Ruth smiled sweetly.

“So Mrs. Cartwright, we thought we’d be hearing an announcement from you and your husband before now.” The same one said.

“An announcement?” Ruth asked, puzzled.

Hoss turned away and rolled his eyes figuring that he knew what the women were getting at.

“Why yes! You and your husband have been married for almost a year now, isn’t that right?”

“That’s right. Adam and I have been married for eight months now.” She said proudly yet still oblivious of what they were trying to say.

“I’m sure he’s expecting that you have something for him by now.” Another of the ladies said.

“I’m afraid I still don’t understand what you’re trying to say.” Ruth told them.

“Why a child of course!” The first woman said bluntly.

“Yep, I knew it.” Hoss muttered.

“What was that, Mr. Cartwright?” A third woman asked.

“Ay? Oh me? Nothin’ ma’me.”

“Well what about it, Hoss? Isn’t your father expecting a grandchild?” The inquisitive one asked.

“Yes ma’me. I reckon my Pa wants lots of grandbabies.” Hoss proclaimed, unaware that he was just adding more fuel to the fire.

“There you have it then! I’m sure your father would be very disappointed and think that his eldest son made a mistake if this marriage doesn’t produce any grandchildren for him!”

“No ma’me, that ain’t what I meant!” Hoss said frantically.

Finally, Adam walked out of the office and over to them.

“Oh, good morning ladies. I’m all finished now, honey.”

“Good morning Mr. Cartwright. We were just having a most interesting discussion with your wife.” The leader of the group said.

“I see. Well I’m glad that Ruth is making some friends in town.” Adam smiled politely.

“Aren’t you the least bit interested in what it was we were talking about?” The second lady said.

“Eh, howdy Adam!” Hoss said, dispersing the conversation a bit.

“Oh mornin’ little brother. You’re so small I didn’t see ya there!” Adam joked.

“I reckon I have been gettin’ a little smaller. Since you up and got married ol’ Hop Sing’s nose is outta joint only havin’ to cook for us three Cartwrights.”

“Well it can’t be too different seeing as how you eat enough for two.” Adam winked.

“Well we really must be going, other pressing details. You understand.” The leader of the group of busy-bodies finally spoke up, seeing how they were starting to be ignored.

“Yes we’d better be going too.” Adam said.

“Yeah I reckon if I don’t get back to the ranch soon with these supplies Pa’s label to tan my hide. Excuse me ladies.” Hoss jumped.

“Good morning ladies.” Adam tipped his hat. “Oh and Hoss, tell Pa we’ll be coming out sometime this weekend.”

“Will do Adam! Bye Ruth.”

“Good-bye Hoss, ladies.” Ruth said.

Finally, two of the three small groups separated; Hoss going one way and Adam and Ruth going the other.

“It’s so unfortunate isn’t it? That poor Mr. Cartwright. I’m sure he’s thinking that his boy made a terrible mistake marrying a woman who can’t give him any children.” The leader of the group said.

“It’s no surprise, Penny. Just look at how she grew up. I mean, can you imagine?” The second lady said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Well Pa I’m off now, see ya!” Joe hollered as he was about to walk out the front door.

“Just a minute young man! Did you get your chores done?” Ben asked from around the corner sitting at his desk.

“Yeah Pa most of ‘em anyway.” Joe said in almost a mutter.

“Most of them is not good enough! I want them all finished before you leave this house, understand?”

“But Pa, I said I’d meet Amy at a certain time to go to lunch now I can’t just be late!” Joe said in a slightly annoyed tone.

“Amy knows I’m sure that you have obligations to this ranch and to your family and I’m quite sure she will understand.”

“But how am I supposed to get word to her that I’m gonna be late? You know how she worries!”

At that moment, Hoss walked into the house. “Somethin’ wrong fellers?” He asked, noticing the tension between his father and younger brother.

Just then Joe got a thought. “Hey, there ya go, Pa! Hoss can do the rest of my chores for me! How ‘bout it Hoss?”

“Ay?” Hoss asked confusedly.

“No, Hoss don’t worry about it. Your younger brother just wants to get out of finishing his chores and I’ve just got through telling him that he has to pull his weight on this ranch just like the rest of us.”

“Pa, how often do I ask for him to do my chores? And it’s not even all of them. It’s only part of them, the small part I didn’t finish this morning. It’s for a good cause.” Joe pleaded.

“Ah Pa I’ll do it for him just this once. I reckon he’s got a good reason. ‘Sides its more for that little gal than it is for him.” Hoss said.

Ben thought for a moment, breathing hard. Joe looked at him with beseeching eyes.

“You know all this time we’ve spent talking about it you could have finished already.” Ben said.

Joe’s face turned, believing that meant his father was saying no.

“Then again, like Hoss, I can’t seem to say no to that ‘little gal”. Just make sure this is the only time!”

“Yes sir! Thank you Pa!” Joe said before rushing out of the house.

Ben shook his head and laughed. Hoss grinned.

“That boy’s gonna be the next one to leave me you watch!” Ben remarked.

“I reckon so, Pa. Oh yeah, I run into Adam and Ruth in town.”

“Really!? How are they?” Ben asked, pleased.

“They seem to be doin’ alright, Pa, for the most part at least.” Hoss said, his obvious recollection of the ‘ladies’ interrogation present in the last part.

Ben cocked an eyebrow. “For the most part? What did you mean by that?”

“Ah it was just Miss Penny and the ladies gossipin’ again. They must’ve seen me talkin’ to Ruth and they walked up and startin’ talking about Ruth havin’ a baby.”

Ben’s eyes lit up. “Ruth’s havin’ a baby?! Oh that’s wonderful news!” Why didn’t Adam tell me before now!?”

Hoss worked quickly to calm his father down so that he could explain it to him. “Pa, Pa listen Pa Ruth ain’t havin’ a baby!” He had a gentle hold of his father’s shoulders.

Ben’s uplifted expression faded away slowly until a dim, let down grimace took its place.

“I see. I’m sorry Hoss I must have misunderstood. What-what was it you said again?” He asked in almost a daze.

“Pa, Miss Penny and her friends were tryin’ to cause trouble for Ruth today is all I was tryin’ to tell ya. I’m sorry if I made ya think somethin’ and now it hurt your feelin’s.” Hoss said, feeling remorse for his father’s disappointment.

“No, no that’s alright son. What was it exactly that Miss Penny and the ladies said?”

Hoss let out a sarcastic grunt. “I wouldn’t go right to callin’ ‘em ladies. They were doggin’ on Ruth ‘cause she ain’t had a baby yet or some nonsense like that.”

Ben snorted a bit in anger. “Why is it that somebody always had to start trouble for someone else? I hope nothing they said upset Ruth.”

“She didn’t seem to know what they were talkin’ about at first but I reckon she knows now.”

“Well I’m sure Adam wouldn’t have stood for that kind of talk so I’m guessing he didn’t hear it.”

“No sir, Adam was in gettin’ their mail. I don’t reckon she told him ‘bout it neither.”

Ben just shook his head.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ruth remained quiet throughout the drive and Adam was beginning to worry. Finally he turned to her and put his hand on her leg.

“Is it the dream that’s still bothering you?”

“What?” She asked dazedly. “Oh, no I don’t even remember what that dream was about.” She lied.

Adam curled his lip in suspicion. “Ah huh, well then if that’s not bothering you, then what is it?”

“Now, I never said anything was bothering me. You came to that conclusion all on your own, my love.” She said, giving him a cheeky grin.

Adam pulled the buggy to a stop. “Don’t you sass me young lady!” He said kiddingly.

“Yes sir! Why did we stop?”

“Well it just so happens that we are where we were headed. I think it’s about time I took you to lunch.” He told her.

Ruth looked in front of her and realized that they were next to the restaurant. A small grin crossed her face. Adam took this as a sign of approval and got out of the buggy, walking over to the other side to help her out.

“Shall we ma’me?” He asked, holding his arm out.

Ruth smiled again and extended her arm to his then looked ahead of her. “Looks like you weren’t the only one with that idea.” She said, pointed toward two familiar faces walking in to the restaurant.

Adam shook his head and they walked up to the other two.

“Ah why is that every time I have an idea you seem to pick up on it and do the same?” He said.

Joe turned around and laughed to himself when he heard his brother’s voice.

“I guess great minds really do think alike.” Joe smirked.

“And by great minds, he means Ruth and me.” Amy joked.

“Just hang on a second! Wasn’t it my idea for us to come here?” Joe asked her.

“Yeah and it was ‘my’ idea for us to come here!” Adam chimed in.

“Hmm…that’s right, it was.” Amy teased as she and Ruth walked toward the door.

“Puppets, that’s what we are, puppets!” Joe said.

Adam laughed and put his hand on Joe’s shoulder. “Well we’d better get in there then.”

The four met up inside and were seated at a table. Ruth stayed as quiet as she had been most of the day and when her food came, she hardly touched it.

“Ruth are you feeling alright?” Amy asked.

“Something’s been bothering her and she doesn’t seem to want to tell me about it. Maybe you can get it out of her, Amy.” Adam said.

Ruth shot her friend a pleading glance that the younger girl picked up on instantly.

“Well Adam, after all there are some things that ladies don’t really like to share with anyone,” He paused, “except other ladies.”

Adam nodded in lighthearted defeat. “I suppose that’s reason enough for her to be keeping something from her husband.”

“Nah now Amy’s right, older brother! It’s probably somethin’ that you just wouldn’t understand.” Joe said half mockingly.

The four joined together in a laugh. Suddenly, an older looking gentleman in a grey suit and equally colored top hat walked over to their table.

“Well, good afternoon all of you! Adam, just the man I was looking to see!” The man said cheerfully.

“You wanted to see me, Mr. Brisby?” Adam asked curiously.

Joe rolled his eyes a little to himself. He knew that the only time this man, who went around boasting about what a friend of Ben Cartwright’s he was, ever acknowledged any of them was if he had a job in his mine that he wasn’t comfortable doing himself or sending his men to do. In other words, a dangerous job.

“Yes, Adam, you see I was going to talk to your father about this and tell him to ask you but since I’m seeing you first I see no reason to drag the process on further.”

“Oh? What is you need me to do?”

“Here it comes.” Joe muttered.

Amy, sitting so close to him, was able to make out what he had said and gently tapped his leg from underneath the table.  When Joe looked over at her she gave him a confused stare. He returned this with a nod that suggested that he would explain later.

“Eh, might I sit down?” Mr. Brisby asked.

“Oh excuse me; of course you may!” Adam said, jumping to his feet to give the older man his chair.

“Actually, I was hoping we could go to another table. You know, to talk a little more privately.”

Adam looked awkwardly at his brother, wife, and Amy and then looked back at Mr. Brisby.

“I mean, that is if you ladies don’t mind.” Brisby reiterated.

“That’s alright, if you gentlemen have something to discuss.” Ruth said hesitantly.

“Excellent, shall we Adam?” Brisby began to walk over to another vacant table.

“I am so sorry about this! I’ll be right back!” Adam said guiltily.

“Just don’t let ol’ Brisby trick ya into somethin’!” Joe cautioned.

“Right.” Adam nodded before walking over to an obviously impatient Brisby.

Joe shook his head as he watched him walk away.

“Alright, now what did you mean earlier when you said what you said?” Amy finally inquired.

“Nothing, it’s just that every time that ol’ coot wants somethin’ from Pa, which is every time when he comes around, it involves one of us doing something that he’s too afraid to do himself!”

Ruth bit her lip in concern.

“Now Adam all I’m asking you to do is to supervise my new crew for a couple of days while my foreman recovers from his injury. I assure you, I will pay you handsomely for it; much more than I would anyone from town!” He pitched.

Adam thought for a moment, glancing over at the table where his wife was sitting. He first thought about how it would make her feel if she found out that what he was doing was dangerous. His thoughts quickly reverted to the thought of what good the money would do them.

“Well I suppose if it’s only for a few days.” Adam said in half confirmation.

“It’s settled then! I’ll see you at the mine tomorrow morning!” The satisfied man said, jumping up from his chair and shaking Adam’s arm vigorously.

“Just one thing if you don’t mind.” Adam said.

“What’s that?” He asked, worrying that Adam might ask for an increase in pay.

“Don’t mention this to my family, especially Ruth. I’ll find something else to tell her that I’m doing for you so she doesn’t worry.” Adam requested.

Brisby smiled slyly. “Certainly not; if I know one thing it’s that what the wife doesn’t know can’t hurt us!”

Adam sighed, feeling just a bit more guilty for keeping his venture a secret after having recently remarked, even though kiddingly, on how they should not keep secrets from each other.

“Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow morning, Adam. Ladies, Little Joe, it’s been a pleasure.” He said, tipping his hat and walking out.

Adam turned to three pairs of eyes staring him down curiously. Finally after a very brief silence, Ruth asked the question that was on everybody’s mind.

“What was that about, honey?”

“Oh, ah Mr. Brisby just asked me if I would help him with a few things for a while starting tomorrow. His foreman broke his leg so he needs some extra help.” Adam explained, figuring that this wasn’t actually a lie but rather just missing a few key points.

Joe sighed to himself and looked down towards the table, purposely avoiding eye contact with his oldest brother. Adam sensed the thickness in the air and knew that he would need to talk to his little brother when the time was appropriate.

Meanwhile, as Mr. Brisby walked out of the restaurant, he was stopped by a hand on his jacket.

“Oh, Mr. Shoupe, I didn’t see you there.” Brisby laughed nervously.

The unimpressed look on Henry Shoupe’s face suggested to Mr. Brisby that he should not speak unless spoken to.

“Did you accomplish what I sent you to do?” Shoupe asked.

“Oh yes, Adam said that he would help for as long as I needed him starting first thing tomorrow. I ah have a feeling that the money I offered him didn’t go unnoticed.” Brisby winked.

“And you didn’t mention me correct?”

“No, I did not mention that it was your idea that I ask him to work in the mine. Honestly I’m not quite sure I understand why you don’t want him to know your involvement in this.”

“Well you know that Cartwright and I don’t exactly…care for each other.”

“Yes especially since he married that woman. Stunning woman that she is I don’t blame you for being a bit sore about that but I do have one question. Since you obviously don’t care for Adam Cartwright, why did you insist on having his help when Shemp broke his leg?” Brisby remarked.

“I have my reasons Brisby and that’s all you need to know. Now, let’s get back to work.”

The two walked out of the restaurant and toward Mr. Brisby’s property.

The four continued with their meal in high spirits having seemed to have forgotten all about Mr. Brisby’s interruption. As the small group was beginning to disperse, Amy made a quick suggestion that was secretly meant to get Joe and Adam alone long enough to have a talk that she sensed they needed to have.

“Well, I guess I should be gettin’ you home before your Pa starts to worry.” Joe said, reaching out to help Amy into the buggy.

“Actually Joe,” Amy began, gently holding Joe’s arm back, “I totally forgot that there were some things I wanted to shop for today and I was thinking that Ruth could join me. That is if you two don’t have to rush off.”

Ruth looked over at Adam to test his reaction.

“Well I don’t see any reason why we have to rush off. I could always get a few things done here while you ladies do your shopping. How ‘bout it Joe?”

“It’s alright with me as long as you’re sure your Pa won’t be upset.” Joe shrugged.

“Oh Pa won’t mind. I’ll be home before dark and that’s all that matters.” Amy smiled.

“Alright then, I guess we’re gonna go shopping.” Ruth said.

Adam and Joe each dug into their wallets and pulled out some spending money for each of their ladies.

“Oh Joe I’ll pay you back as soon as we get home.” Amy assured.

Joe stuck his hand out. “Not necessary, call it an early birthday present.” He winked.

“But Joe my birthday isn’t for four months yet!”

“Well I did say it was an early birthday present. Now go on and have fun the both of ya!”

“You two go on and we’ll meet up with you in about an hour and a half. Will that be enough time?” Adam suggested.

“Yes I think that should be more than enough time. Thank you, sweetheart!” Ruth grinned.

“Alright, Adam I think you and me should get away now before they start talking dresses and stuff!” Joe winked.

“Thank you, Joe!” Amy said, kissing Joe’s cheek.

“Now you just save those kisses for when we get back! I’m gonna require more than just a cheek one.”

“Alright now Casanova let’s go!” Adam said, tapping Joe’s arm. “Have fun ladies.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finally alone, the girls went into the first ladies’ store on the street. Ruth’s lack of conversation lead Amy to wonder if something was bothering her.

“Alright, you’ve been awfully quiet now what’s wrong?”

Ruth looked at her obliviously. “Nothing’s wrong, I’m fine.”

Amy put one hand on her side and gave Ruth a stare that suggested that her act wasn’t being bought.

“It’s nothing important. It’s just that” She paused. “I know there’s something missing and I can’t understand why.”

Amy put her hands out in front of her. “Something missing?”

Just then, the store owner walked over to them.

“Ladies, is there anything I can help you with today?”

“Oh no, thank you, we’re just about finished.” Amy smiled.

“Mrs. Cartwright I have been meaning to express my sympathies to you for some time now.” The lady said.

“Your sympathies? About what?” Ruth asked.

“Oh now my dear there’s no need to hide your shame. I’m sure it isn’t easy having to face your husband knowing that you cannot give him a child.”

“What?!” Amy exclaimed, suddenly turning around. “Where did you get that idea?”

“Well, Miss Bishop it’s all around town I’m surprised being as close as you are to Mrs. Cartwright that you didn’t hear it.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand. I never said to anyone that I cannot have children in fact as far as I know that’s not even so!” Ruth said.

“I can see that discussing it upsets you which is totally understandable. Let’s drop it shall we?”

“I’m telling you it’s not true! Ruth said in almost a yell.

At that moment Amy decided that it was best to get her friend out of that situation.

“Ruth, let’s just pay for what we bought at leave.”

The ladies did as Amy had suggested and paid for what they had bought before quickly walking out of the store. When they were well away from the store, Amy spoke.

“I think I’m beginning to understand what you were trying to tell me.”

“Yes I think you might be too. I’ve been having to listen to the women of this town hassle me over and over about the same thing for so long now that I’m beginning to believe that what they’re saying is true.”

“No Ruth you can’t believe that! You’ll have a child when its time!” Amy encouraged.

“And when will it be time?” Ruth asked discouraged.

“There’s only one being that can determine that.” Amy said looking right into Ruth’s eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Adam walked out of the final place that he needed to stop into and he and Joe began slowly walking down the street again.

“I think you know what I’m gonna ask you.” Joe presumed.

“Ya know what? I think I do too. Go ahead with it anyway if it means that much to you.” Adam joked.

Joe was far from lighthearted when he spoke. “You know how I feel about Mr. Brisby. You know why I feel like I do about Mr. Brisby. Look Adam there are other ways of getting money than working a dangerous job for a man who could give a hoot about what happens to his men!”

“I agree with all that you’ve said so far but Joe, there aren’t too many jobs that pay like this one will!”

“But is the money worth it if you were to get really hurt or even killed?! You know how unsafe those mines of his are, you told me about it a dozen times!”

Adam shook his head. “I know, I know Joe but I’ll be fine and the money will be well worth it!”

Joe crossed his arms and snarled as he looked toward the ground. “Just what lie are you gonna tell Ruth when she asks?”

“I’ve already told her all she needs to know. I told her that I have a job with Mr. Brisby and that I start tomorrow. She doesn’t need to know the details. She didn’t even ask.”

“That’s because she assumes this man is a rancher or something not a miner! For that matter she knows nothing about this man’s reputation and how unsafe his mines are!”

“Joe it’s only for a couple of weeks at best just until he can find someone else to replace his foreman for a while!”

Joe threw up his hands. “Alright, it’s obvious I can’t talk ya out of it. I just don’t want any part of you lyin’ to Ruth or to Pa for that matter.”

Adam took a deep, agonizing breath.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning, Adam was up, dressed, and had eaten somewhat of a breakfast before Ruth had even stirred. He reluctantly went back into their room just before he left and kissed her head, waking her up.

“Hmmm….what are you doing up already?” She asked fogged.

He leaned in toward her and spoke in almost a whisper. “I had to get ready to leave to go to Mr. Brisby’s today and I didn’t want to wake you any earlier than I had to.”

Ruth, still not fully awake, had to think for a moment before being able to take in what he had said. Once she had, she quickly sat up and was about to remove the covers from her legs when Adam gently put his hand over her arm.

“I’ll get up and make you breakfast before you go!”

“No, honey I already had breakfast. It’s very early still so you go ahead and go back to sleep.”

“W-what….why didn’t you wake me when you got up? I would have made you something to eat.” She asked confusedly.

“It’s barely dawn, sweetheart, I wouldn’t ask you to get up that early. Now, do as I said and go back to sleep. I’ll see you when I get back.” He kissed her again and walked out.

“Adam?” She called out just before we walked completely out.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He winked, already having known what she would ask.

“I love you.” She smiled with her eyes half closed.

“I love you too.” He grinned.

While riding to Brisby’s Adam couldn’t get it out of his mind what Joe had said to him about lying. He finally convinced himself again that what he was doing was for the right reasons and that would be enough to compensate for not being truthful.

When he finally arrived, the first thing his eyes met was a familiar face; not the kind of face he was happy to see. He hurried off his horse and walked over to where Mr. Brisby was standing right next to Henry Shoupe.

“Good morning Mr. Brisby. If you don’t mind my asking quite bluntly, what’s he doing here?” Adam asked.

“Well Adam just in time! I like that about you, always on time! Oh ah, Mr. Shoupe is here because…” He paused and looked over to Shoupe like a scared child waiting to make sure he said the right thing.

“Oh why Brisby, you absent minded fool, did you forget to tell him that? Don’t worry about it, I’ll tell him. What Brisby failed to mention to you was that I own part of this mine now so while you’re working here you’ll be working for me.” Shoupe informed him.

“Yes Mr. Brisby did forget to mention that little detail and I have a hunch he knew that if he had mentioned it I would have had to decline his generous offer.”

“I take it you don’t need the money as badly as you made Brisby think you did.” Shoupe remarked.

Adam crossed his arms and leaned up against the fence, thinking on it for a moment. “I’m sure the fact that you know I could use that money is what prompted you to concoct this elaborate scheme to get me here.”

“I’ll level with you, Cartwright. I still feel the same way about you on a personal basis that I always have but on the other hand I do know that you are a capable foreman and that’s what I need right now. We’re still willing to pay you the same as Brisby told you yesterday.”

“And ah, where does my wife fit into this equation?” Adam asked suspiciously.

“Oh now I know you don’t think highly of me, Cartwright, but surely you don’t think I would resort to trying to gain a woman’s affections once she’s wearing another man’s ring!”

“Oh no certainly you wouldn’t do a thing like that! You are too much the gentlemen!” Adam said, making the sarcasm known.

“Truth be told I’ve forgotten all about what it was I saw in Ruth in the first place. I’m not interested anymore. How about it? Can we make a business deal or can’t we?”

Well, for the record I don’t believe a word that’s coming out of your mouth. I do need the money though so I guess I’ll stick around until your foreman comes back.” Adam reluctantly agreed.

“Excellent, eh Tim, show him where he needs to go.” Shoupe said, ordering another worker to show Adam where he was needed.

After he was sure Adam was out of earshot, Brisby spoke. “Henry, you told me that I wasn’t supposed to tell him about you working here!”

“I know that’s what I told you, you stupid fool. I told him otherwise for my own purposes. I told him a lot of lies, including that I’m no longer interested in Ruth. Well I’m accustomed to getting what I want and she is still what I want. ” With the end of that sentence, an evil grin crossed Shoupe’s face.

“Henry, I’ve told you how dangerous that mine is. Adam really could get hurt while he’s down there!”

Shoupe shook his head in annoyance. “That’s the idea, you idiot! And just to be sure it doesn’t happen too soon but that it does happen, I’m going to send a couple of my boys down there after hours in about a week or two to eh, do some repairing.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Adam’s first day seemed to go pretty well but by the time he got home it was late and he was sure that Ruth would already be in bed. When he opened the door he was surprised to see her fast asleep in the chair downstairs with a book in her lap. He quietly walked over to her and gently took the book out of her hand, closing it and placing it on the table next to the chair. Then he gently picked her up and carried her to their room. When he laid her on the bed, she instinctively rolled over but did not wake up. Adam laughed a bit to himself then he proceeded to get himself ready for bed too.

The first week went by in Adam’s view seemingly well but to Ruth and others who did not see much of him; it seemed to be never ending. Finally, Sunday morning came, the day that Adam would be able to spend with his family. Ruth woke up early so that she could make him breakfast but she found that he had already been up.

“I guess having to be out of here before the sun is barely up in the morning makes it hard to get used to sleeping in on Sundays.” Ruth remarked while standing in the doorway. Adam turned around when he heard her voice.

“Oh good morning, honey. Did you sleep well?” He asked casually.

“Yes after you carried me out of that chair I think I did sleep better.” She winked, commenting on the ritual that they had been performing every night since he began working there.

“You really didn’t have to wait up for me last night or any of the nights since I’ve been doing this. You need your rest and falling asleep in a chair with a book in your lap is hardly getting rest.” He smiled.

“Well don’t worry; tonight since you’ll be home I’ll get to bed when I’m supposed to like a good girl.” She kidded until she saw him bite his lip and look down at the floor. “You are home today aren’t you?”

Adam looked up at her sadly. “Sweetheart, the thing is that Mr. Brisby asked me yesterday if I could work today and he offered to pay me a bonus for doing it and I….I told him I would.”

Ruth copied Adam’s movements by biting down on her lip and staring at the floor to avoid eye contact with him. “I see, but that’s not going to be every Sunday until the job’s done right?” She asked hopefully.

“I honestly don’t know, my love. He is really anxious to get this work done so I don’t know if he’s going to wait for his foreman to get back before he does all the main work which would mean we’d have to work Sundays.”

“Oh, well I’m sure he’ll at least let you come home early today, right?” She asked, again hoping for a silver lining.

“I wish I could tell you that I expect that but I really don’t think he will. Ruth, I’m sorry about this, I really am!” Adam said, devastated that he was hurting her so.

Ruth closed her eyes to hold back the tears. “I understand.” Was all she could say.

Adam walked up to her and put a hand on each of her arms, turning her to face him and then he lifted up her chin to look into his eyes.

“I promise you, Ruth, that I will make this up to you as soon as the job is over! I am doing this so that we don’t have to worry about money for a long time! I promise it will be worth it.”

Ruth, temporarily successful in hiding her tears, cleared her throat and forced a smile. “I know it will be.”

“How did I ever get so lucky as to have married a woman like you?” Adam asked with a wink.

“Sheer luck on both our parts I suppose.” Ruth smiled half-heartedly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later that morning, Amy and Luther had stopped by to pick up Ruth for church having known that Adam was not going to be able to attend the service. Ruth was very grateful for their help and support. Afterwards, Amy invited Ruth to come on a picnic that she and Joe were going to have on the Truckee Strip. At first Ruth felt like she would be imposing and the very invitation was merely made out of pity but Amy soon convinced her that it was better than being alone all day.

“Ruth, are you sure you won’t have more to eat?” Amy asked concerned.

“Yeah, we’ve got plenty here, Ruth!” Joe chimed in.

As if she did not hear them, Ruth continued to fiddle with the food on her plate with her fork.

“Ruth?” Amy repeated.

“Huh? W-what? Oh I’m sorry, Amy.” Ruth said, finally shaking loose of the hold her thoughts had on her.

“We asked if you wanted more to eat. Are you alright?” Joe asked.

“Oh no, I couldn’t eat anymore. Thank you though. It was very good, Amy. Thank you for inviting me to your picnic. I’m sorry if I brought down the mood though.”

“Nonsense; we are happy to have you here!” Amy said.

“Well thank….thank you.” Ruth said, momentarily having to stop for the sick feeling that was beginning to become evident again in her stomach.

“Are you feeling alright Ruth? You’ve been acting like this for the last couple of times I’ve seen you now.” Amy pointed out.

Joe cocked an eyebrow this being the first time he had heard that Ruth wasn’t feeling well.

“Oh it’s just a little feeling that comes and goes. It’s just stress and worry I suppose.” Ruth justified.

“Does Adam know about any of this?” Joe inquired.

“Oh no; he’s been far too busy to have to worry about that! I’m fine, honestly Joe!” Ruth insisted quickly.

Joe and Amy exchanged a worried glance. Ruth caught it and right away knew what it was that they were thinking.

“Please don’t tell him about it! I promise it’s nothing!” Ruth begged.

“What do you think, Joe?” Amy asked.

Ruth gave Joe a pleading glance. “Joe please.”

Joe took a deep breath and looked around. “Alright,” He paused. “On one condition.”

“What is that?” Ruth asked.

“If you let Amy and I take you over to the Doc’s to have you checked out on the way back home.”

This time it was Ruth who took the deep breath. “Alright, Joe if that will make you happy but I’m telling you it’s nothing!”

“Good, let’s just see if Doc tells us the same thing.” Amy said.

The trio got into the buggy and rode to Doctor Paul Martin’s office in town. Ruth was a little hesitant to go in but she soon felt a gentle push on her shoulder and turned to see Amy’s bright, warm smile encouraging her.

“Hey Doc, you here?” Joe called after opening the front door into the office.

“I’m back here. Little Joe, is that you?” Doc Martin replied.

“Yeah Doc it’s me. For once there’s nothing wrong with ‘me’ except maybe the love bug but I did bring you a patient.”

“Oh I don’t know, Joe, that love bug sure can be serious; especially when you are infected by such a lovely young woman. Hello Amy.” Doc greeted.

“Good afternoon, Doc.” Amy replied.

“You’re not my patient I hope. You seem to look just fine to me.”

“No I’m not your patient.”

“That would be me I’m afraid.” Ruth said, slowly raising her hand.

“Why Ruth, what seems to be the matter with you? And where is your husband keeping himself? I don’t recall seeing him in Church either.”

“He’s been working for Mr. Brisby in his mine lately and he had to go in today too.” Ruth said sadly.

“Brisby? Now why would he think he had to do a thing like that?” Doc said looking at Joe.

Joe shot him back a discontented look.

“He just felt that we needed the extra money I guess.” Ruth said.

“Alright then let’s just see what the matter is with you now. What seems to be troubling you?”

“Well it’s really nothing but I’m afraid my brother here doesn’t to agree with me.” Ruth winked.

Joe smiled to himself at being referred to as Ruth’s brother as opposed to adding the in-law to it.

“Well how about letting me be the judge of that? I don’t recall you ever getting a medical degree.” Doc joked.

“Oh I’ve just been a little stomach sick for a couple of weeks. It comes and goes but it mostly comes around in the morning.” Ruth explained.

Doc smiled subtlety to himself already having an idea of what might be ailing his young patient.

“Alright, Joe, Amy, go ahead and wait outside and I’ll get to checking her over.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Adam had reported for work at Brisby’s mine on time just as he always did in spite of the sickening feeling that he was sacrificing precious time with his family, mainly Ruth. Any other day he would have been focused enough to know that something was not right. Any other day he would have been focused enough to question Brisby about the mine after having been down there for more than five minutes. Any other day he would not have been down there when it collapsed. Any day that is, except for today.

Adam had been lost in his own world of thought when he heard that fateful rumble of the mine starting to give way above him and by the time he was shaken into reaction, it was too late. Incidentally, or just by sheer design, none of the other men had been down there when this took place.

Everyone above the explosive rumble seemed stunned by what they saw and felt all except of course for Shoupe who sat there with a malevolent grin on his face. All around him men were rushing to get down to Adam’s aid and try to free him from his stony prison if there was any chance he was still alive. All Brisby could do was stand there with his head hung in shame at what he had been cowardly enough to allow to happen; what he would have to life with for the rest of his life especially if Adam Cartwright died.

“Now what?” Brisby asked.

“Now you just keep your mouth shut and let me worry about the rest.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joe squirmed in his seat in Doc’s waiting area until Amy put her hand on his arm. “You should really try to sit still, sweetie.” She cooed.

Joe sighed loudly. “I know I should, I’m just so-so- I don’t even know what to call it.” He finally sat down and rested his head staggeringly on his fist.

Suddenly, both Ruth and the Doctor reappeared. The young couple noticed rather quickly the stunned gaze on Ruth’s face as well as what appeared to be a shining trail from her cheek down her face where a tear might have fallen.

The two stood up and walked over to her, Amy’s hands extended to meet with Ruth’s. “Well what happened in there?” Joe said anxiously with his focus on Doc Martin.

“She is going to be just fine, Joseph.  I will let her decide when to tell you. Ruth, I’ll be seeing you very soon.” He winked.

“Thank you, Doctor Martin!” Ruth said in a faint voice, obviously still in shock.

Ruth then started to walk out with Amy and Joe at her heels. When they got outside Joe speed walked in front of her and gently but firmly grabbed her shoulders. “Ruth, I can’t wait any longer! What is going on?!”

Ruth bit her lip in thought. “Oh I just don’t want to ruin it for Adam to get to tell you after I tell him.”

Amy gently touched Ruth’s shoulder. Ruth turned to face her. “Well is it alright to tell me at least?”

Ruth once again looked over at Joe with a bit lip. “C’mere Amy.” She said before taking Amy to the side. Joe stomped like a five-year-old. “That’s not fair!”

“Amy I still can’t believe its happening! All the nights I’ve prayed for this and all the people who thought it would never happen!-Ruth was about to go on when finally it clicked in Joe’s mind.

“Now why would Adam need to tell me-You’re gonna have a baby?!!!!! He instinctively shouted.

Both of Amy’s hands went to cover her mouth partly from Joe’s loud blurt and partly for the news itself. A gasp came from her lips and then she went over to hug her best friend.

“I am so happy for you!” She said in a voice that was now about as faint as Ruth’s.

Joe stood there in shock himself now until he felt a small tear gather in the corner of his eye. Ruth noticed this and went over to him. “You’re going to be an uncle!” She said. Joe paused as a small smile became a grin then all at once he hugged Ruth tightly. “I’m gonna be an uncle!” He said through tears.

“Now I know this is gonna be hard, Joe, but please let Adam tell you as if you don’t know anything!” Ruth pleaded.

Joe made the motion of a zipper across his lips. “Not a word!”

Just then, a rider came in at top speed and ran toward the doctor’s office without giving a second thought to the fact that there were people standing outside. Joe got the idea that he should see what was going on. “I’ll be right back ladies.” He said.

Going in, he overheard what the rider was telling Doc Martin. “Doc, there was an accident at the mine! Adam Cartwright was still in there!”

“What?!! He’s still down there!?” Joe exclaimed.

Doc ran to get his bag and just as quickly went out the door but not before trying to reach Joe. “Joseph, listen to me, I will take the girls with me and you go get your father and Hoss!”

“But Doc-

“Do it Joe!!” With that he shot Joe one last sympathetic glance before heading out to do the difficult job of telling Ruth what had happened. When he got outside he saw that Joe was already in the process of doing so.

“Ruth, there was an accident at the mine and…” He paused. “Adam was in there. I don’t know how bad it is yet. I have to get Pa and Hoss but Doc wants you and Amy to ride with him to town.”

Ruth felt her legs give out from underneath her and the words coming out of Joe’s mouth began to echo in her mind until they finally faded so far she couldn’t reach them anymore. The incessant sound of her heart’s pounding even seemed to become inaudible all at once. She felt her whole world fall from under her feet with the ground itself.

The Doctor instinctively grabbed one side of her and Joe the other and they helped her over to the buggy, feeling that there wasn’t enough time to get her calm before they went for Adam. The entire ride to the mine The Doctor and Amy cooed and soothed her but she still couldn’t hear it. Finally, her tears were able to fall and fall they did. She tried to control it at first but the sobbing was too strong to hold back. She was so afraid for him, so afraid.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Joe arrived home Hop Sing informed him that his father and Hoss were already in town so he wasted no time following their trail. He waited anxiously for them to come out of the General Store where he then filled them in on everything. Upon hearing what happened, Ben felt sick inside and his only focus was getting to Adam in time. When they arrived to the mine sight, Joe and Hoss quickly rushed out and headed over to the entrance but were pulled back by a couple of workers, fighting all the way. When their angered attempts to get to their brother were proved futile, Joe then did the only other thing he could, try to find out what happened to cause this turmoil.

“Brisby!” He shouted. Brisby cowered when he saw Joe and Hoss irately walking toward him. “What happened?! How did my brother end up the only man trapped down there?”

Brisby looked at the ground trying to find a way to lie through his teeth without it being too obvious. “I…I don’t know Joe.”

“Perhaps I can answer any questions you may have.” came Henry Shoupe’s voice.

Joe turned around sharply when he heard it.

“After all, I am a partner in this mining operation.”

“Did my brother know that?”

“Well no, at least not until the first day he walked in here after he accepted Brisby’s offer. As you can see though he did choose to stay after he found out.”

“Just like you planned I guess.” Joe accused.

Before anyone else could say a word, Ben walked up to them, walking with his arm around Ruth in consolation. “Hoss, Joe, keep an eye on Ruth. I’m going down there!”

“But Pa they ain’t even lettin’ Joe and me get over there. What makes you think they’re gonna let you go down there?” Hoss asked.

Ben looked his middle son right in the eyes. “I’m not askin.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ben was met inside the mine by three other crew men, including one by the name of Willy, who were trying to make contact with Adam from behind the pile of rocks. Willy turned around when he saw Ben standing there. “Mr. Cartwright, you’d better stay back and let us handle it. You could get hurt down here.”

Ben resented being treated like a fragile old man and he made his feelings known. “Willy, my son is down there! Now, you and I have known each other a long time and I think you know that you aren’t getting rid of me until Adam is safe!”

Willy looked on for a moment and then sighed. “Alright Mr. Cartwright, since you’re here I gotta be honest with ya. We’ve been tryin’ to make contact with Adam for several minutes and he isn’t responding.”

Hearing this, Ben did not say a word. He just picked up a large rock and began to beat on the others that had encased his son inside them. He banged four times. Then three times. He kept up for several minutes not able to hear anything returning it to him.  Finally Willy and some of the other men pulled Ben back gently but firmly. “It’s no use, Mr. Cartwright. It’s just no use.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joe and Hoss sat on each side of Amy and Ruth. It was getting closer to night and there was a soft rain beginning to fall. Ruth was dumb to the misty drops for most of her face already seemed to be covered in her own tears. Joe sat trying to keep his emotions locked away for the time being and Amy knew it. Every few minutes she would reach for his hand or rub his shoulder.

“Ruth,” Joe finally spoke. “You can’t be in this cold. It’s not good for you. How about you let Hoss take you and Amy home?”

“Well Joe, why don’t you take them home? I reckon you could use the break yourself.” Hoss suggested.

“I don’t think I wanna leave. Besides, you’d be better to take them home than me because I’m just not in the mood to concentrate.” Joe argued.

“Well one thing I do agree with is that Ruth needs to be at home where it’s warm. This rain is no good for your condition.” Amy chimed in.

“Her condition? What condition, Amy?” Hoss perked up his ears.

Ruth still stood with her gaze focused on one spot in front of her and spoke softly. “I just found out I’m going to have a baby, Hoss. Your brother is going to be a father. He’s going to be a father and he might be down there dying right now! Oh Hoss!” She began to cry holding her face against Hoss’ arm.

Hoss was now also in shock. The joy that filled his heart of hearing that he would soon be an uncle was combated by the sorrow and worry that his brother would not live to see it. Although the fear was wining out in his heart, he decided to let the joy shine through to those around him especially Ruth who he knew needed it.

“Ya mean I’m gonna be an uncle?! Ya hear that Joe?! Ol’ Adam’s gonna have a baby!” He grinned until realizing how the last part of what he said might have sounded in the moment. He then quietly hugged his sister-in-law and whispered. “I’m so happy for you both!”

Just then, all heads turned to the sound of the shaft coming up out of the mine with Ben Cartwright dirty and exhausted looking riding inside. He walked as if he would tower over at any moment as he came toward them.

“Pa how did it go down there? Did ya find Adam?” Hoss eagerly asked.

“No, Hoss, we didn’t find Adam.” Ben said slowly turning his focus to his distraught daughter-in-law. “We aren’t giving up hope yet, Ruth!”

“Pa, there’s something you need to know.” Joe said.

Ben looked on.

“What they’re trying to tell you is that I found out that I am going to have a child, Ben.”

Ben’s feeble-feeling body suddenly recharged in an instant and an uncontrollable grin reached his face. “You’re what?! Oh Ruth that’s wonderful!” He said extending his arms to embrace her.

That night, Ruth lay awake in bed unable or at least unwilling to fall asleep. Finally the darkness wrapped itself around her and she gave way to rest. Soon she found herself mixed up in a strange dream that found her again the next night.

“Ruth darling wake up.” She heard his soft voice say.

“Adam? Adam is that you?” She cried, afraid to turn and look at him for fear that he would be gone.

“Yes, it’s me. I’m still alive down there and no one else believes it. Tell them to keep trying, Ruth.”

“But where-“

Tell them to keep trying, please!”

“Adam!” Ruth yelled into the dark empty bedroom. Then she looked around and realized that it was nothing but a dream.

Meanwhile in another dark and cold place, something similar was happening. Adam Cartwright lay half conscious and covered almost completely in rubble. He could just barely feel the sting above his eye where he must have been cut. Breathing was getting more and more difficult and the part of him that was lucid knew that he would surely die before anyone found him. But what would happen to Ruth if he died? Henry Shoupe wouldn’t even wait for a funeral to snatch her up, Adam knew that. Damn that Henry Shoupe, he thought. He had this planned through to the end and it had happened just how he had wanted it to.

Suddenly, Adam felt a cool comforting touch across his burning face.

“My love you have to keep fighting! Don’t let Henry win! He will try to take me away! You have to fight to stay alive! Not just for me but for your child!”

“What child? I don’t have a child. Sweetheart what are you talking about?” Adam asked in confusion.

Just as quickly as she had appeared, Adam’s apparition of Ruth was gone and Adam once again fell victim to the darkness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two days passed with men from the mine as well as the Cartwrights trying to release Adam from underneath the rubble. Finally both Doc Martin and Sheriff Roy Coffee told them that it was too late and their efforts had to be stopped.

“I’m sorry, Ben, I truly am but there just isn’t any way that Adam could still be alive down there.” The Doctor said.

“Ben I’m sorry too but I’m the law in this town and I gotta stop this from going on any longer! Anyway I don’t think it’s doin’ you any good to keep this up when there’s nothing more you can do.” Roy pleaded.

Just then, the men realized that Ruth had ridden up in her buggy and had heard every word. She leaped out and rushed over to the men.

“No! No, Ben please you can’t give up yet! He’s still alive I know he is!”

“Ruth, I don’t wanna give up any more than you do but I think the doctor and Roy are right, there’s nothing more we can do!” Ben took both of her shoulders in his hands and faced her.

“He’s alive! I will prove it to you!” She said jerking away from him and heading over to the shaft. “I want to go down there!”

“Ruth you can’t go down there it’s too dangerous!” Hoss said.

“If no one will take me then I’ll get down there myself!” She climbed into the cage and was on her way down. As soon as they could, Ben, the boys, and Doc and Roy were headed down after her.

They then chased her over to where Adam had been trapped for three days. She picked up the same large rock that had been used for as long in an effort to make contact with him. Ruth gathered all the strength she could muster and banged the rock against the pile of rubble.

“Is this really it? Am I going to die down here?” Adam thought to himself as he felt his body go limp and the air slip slowly out of his lungs. “What if there really is a baby? I won’t be there for Ruth when it comes. I….I’ll never see my child grow up.” Suddenly, as the last seconds of Adam’s consciousness were upon him, he heard the knocking against his stony cage rattle around him.

“Ruth?” It was then that he felt himself muster up more strength than he should have had in him under those circumstances. He slowly picked up a rock next to him and hit it as hard as he could, praying it was enough.

Ben and Roy stood back and let Ruth do what she had to if only to give her the proof she needed to realize Adam wasn’t coming back. At the same time, there was still that small glimmer of hope in Ben Cartwright’s heart that maybe- just maybe…

The suddenly and without warning, each one of them thought they heard a small tap against the stones coming from the other side. The two men looked at each other and exchanged a glance that was as if to say that couldn’t have been anything….could it?

Ruth’s reaction was not nearly as subtle. Having heard that one ounce of proof she needed, she took that rock and banged it even harder against the barricade.

A few seconds of prolonged silence came and then the sound of the reply was heard again. Roy and Ben looked at each other and then called for help in digging away at the debris.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Soon after, the miners, with the help of Hoss and Joe, had dug an entrance way and had a perfect view of Adam. Once able to reach in and pull what was left of the rubble off of him, Ben and Hoss climbed over to where their son and brother was lying.

“Adam, son can ya hear me?” Ben asked gently.

Adam coughed some of the coal dust out and then, in a weak voice said “yeah Pa, I hear ya. Gimme outta here will ya?”

Within the hour, they had Adam in Doctor Martin’s office where he was being thoroughly examined while his family waited outside in the waiting area.

“You know Ruth,” Ben began in what was a last minute effort to calm his daughter-in-law’s fears, “if you had not held your convictions to the end and believed in spite of all logic that Adam was alive, I’m afraid he would not be now.”

“I’m just thankful that I knew it when I did. And above all else I’m thankful he is alive! Not just for myself either.” She said, her thoughts going back to her unborn baby.

For the first time since realizing that his eldest might still be alive, Ben Cartwright’s mind went back to the other important issue, the grandchild that was on its way. “How are you feeling, my dear?” He asked his voice in a low soothing tone.

“Oh I’m alright. The Doctor says I’m doing well but he’s glad nonetheless that I have a little less stress now.” She sighed. “Now all I have to do is wait until the right time to tell Adam that he is finally going to be a father.

Before either of them could say another word, Doc Martin appeared before them with a relieved smile on his face. Ruth and Ben both stood up quickly.

“He’s alright, exhausted and he was pretty thirsty when he got here, but he’s going to be just fine. And yes, Ruth, you may see him.”

Ruth smiled at Ben and walked to the back room where Adam was.

When she walked into the room she observed that Adam appeared to be asleep. She pulled up a chair quietly and sat next to him, putting a hand gently to his bangs and strikingly them lovingly.

“Hhmm hey beautiful.” He said weakly while gradually opening his eyes.

“Hey yourself. How are you feeling?” She cooed.

Adam struggled a bit to swallow indicating to Ruth that he was again in need of some water. She poured a glass from the pitcher next to the bed and eased it to his mouth.  “Here, drink some of this.”

Adam let the cool liquid submerse his throat and then grinned gratefully after the glass was taken away. “Thanks” he said in almost a whisper.

“I certainly hope this is going to be a lesson to you.”

Adam lifted up a hand to gesture his understanding. “Yeah I know, I know don’t trust Henry Shoupe as far as I can throw him which at the moment wouldn’t be very far I’m afraid. In my defense though I didn’t know he was in any way involved until after I took the job.”

“Well in that case I guess I can forgive you just this once. Maybe now he’ll actually do some jail time and we won’t have to worry about him anymore.”

“You know somethin’?” He asked.

“What’s that?”

“I shoulda known that he was lyin’ when he said he was over you!”

“What do you mean?” She asked, taken aback a bit.

“Well at first when I found out that he was part of this job I tried to quit but then he assured me that he was willing to let bygones be bygones because he was over his, for lack of a better word especially now, infatuation with you.”

“Well you most certainly should have known better!” She paused, “Because no one ever gets over me!” The two shared a hearty laugh.

`~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Adam was feeling better and ready to leave the hospital the next day but per the Doctor’s orders, and Ruth’s insistence that he follow those orders he stayed for two days after that. The weeks he spent recovering at home were very difficult on both himself and his loving-and proving to be rather patient-wife. He was told that he would not be able to do the things which he was accustomed for at least two weeks in order to give that leg time to heal and that did not sit well with Adam Cartwright or, as he was quick to point out, would it to any Cartwright in that same situation.

Hoss and Joe took time throughout their day to come by and help with any chores that needed to be done outside that were not for a lady to do by herself. As for those things that Ruth was able to do, Amy came by rather frequently and insisted that she do for her friend.

Ruth had decided the moment she got to see Adam for the first time after he was rescued, that she would wait until he had made a complete recovery to give him any news of the fatherly variety and she had kept to it, doing her best to keep her mind off of it until the appropriate time.

Finally, the day came where Adam was given an all-clear by Doc Martin to get back to his daily routine carefully. The frequent emphasis put on that word ‘careful’ did its share of aggravating the young man but he knew better than to test it.

That first day back to working outside proved to him that what he had been told was right, though he would not care to admit it to anyone. By the time he came home for supper he was bone tired and ready to relax. The smell of a roast in the oven hit his senses and he felt almost as if he was carried the rest of the way into the house by it.

Ruth was standing at the table putting the last dishes on it when the door opened. “Boy does that ever smell good!” He proclaimed. “What’s the occasion?” He walked up behind his wife and kissed her cheek.

“Oh, well for one thing I thought we should celebrate the fact that you’ve made a full recovery so quickly.” She said without turning to look at him for fear that her expression would be transparent of her true feelings.

“Well in that case I agree we should indeed celebrate! In fact, I think I have a bottle of Pa’s good wine still in the cellar from when we got married. I’ll go an-

“No! I mean, no I think we’d better hold off on the wine for a while.” She covered nervously.

Adam gave his wife a perplexed grimace. “Oh. Alright then whatever you say.”

The two sat down and Adam’s original concerns seemed to fade during what proved to be a very pleasant meal. The two talked about Adam’s recovery and about how his day working outside the house had been.

After they had finished their meal, Ruth walked away from the table and brought a freshly made chocolate cake that she had prepared before the meal.

Adam craned his neck around to see what it was she was bringing back to the table. “Wow somebody’s been busy! Honey you didn’t have to go to all this trouble!”

“Well first of all it was no trouble. And the truth is that this wasn’t just in celebration of your recovery.” She told him. Her heart began to race and her mind began to scan through to make sure she was playing this moment right.

“Oh?” He asked.

“Yes, actually there’s a little something that I need you to do for me and I was hoping to sweeten you up a bit first.” She joked.

Adam cocked an eyebrow and smiled. “Just what is it you would like me to do?”

Ruth cut him a piece of cake and put the plate in front of him. “I’m going to need you to get one of those extra rooms ready to be lived in pretty soon.” She said without making eye contact.

Adam took a sip of his after dinner coffee. “Why is somebody comin’?”

“Why yes, you could say that.”

“Well we’ve already got it pretty livable I’d say. The only person who wouldn’t be able to occupy it as it already is would be a……baby…..” Adam’s thoughts began to trail off into an idea of what might be going on. He whipped his head around like a flash to face Ruth who could no longer contain her joy. She gave him a bigger grin than he’d ever seen on her before that moment.

“Exactly.” She said in a faint whisper.

Adam’s heart began to beat so fast that he could have sworn that it could be heard throughout the whole room. His mouth slowly began to form the words of what he was trying to say. “A baby” he breathed followed by a jubilant shout. “A baby!”

He reached over and picked up his wife, spinning her around hurriedly before putting her down and planting a firm, deep kiss on her lips.

“W…when did all of this happen?” He shook his head immediately after, realizing how that must have sounded. “What I mean is how long have you known?”

Ruth giggled a little. “I found out right before the accident happened.” Her face went somber with the memory of almost losing Adam.

“Right after the accident?” For the first time since having that ‘dream’ while he was trapped, Adam remembered that the apparition of Ruth had told him the very same.

“Adam, are you alright?” She asked, noticing that he had gotten quiet.

Yes I…I was just thinking. Oh sweetheart I….I’m sorry that I wasn’t here when you needed me.” The pain in his eyes was evident in that moment.

“Oh Adam, no! It wasn’t your fault! Besides I’m alright and you’re here now. That’s all that really matters.”

Adam’s lips formed a side smirk and he pulled her close and kissed her arm. “That’s right, I’m here now. Oh just wait until I tell Pa and the boys!”

Ruth grinned and thought to herself, “I hope they don’t let on that I told them. I want him to have this moment for himself.”

`~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

The next morning, Adam rushed through breakfast and raced over to his Father’s house. Joe and Hoss had just finished their breakfast and were headed out to do their chores when Adam rode up on Sport so fast that they thought for sure he would end up falling off before the mount stopped.

“Whoa what’s yer hurry brother?” Hoss teased when Adam dismounted and walked, or rather speed walked, up to them on the porch.

“Where’s Pa?” Adam chocked out excitedly.

“In the house working on some book work.” Joe told him.

Adam patted each of his brothers in the arm with both hands and headed toward the door. The two younger Cartwrights immediately followed.

“Hey Pa?” Adam shouted when he opened the door. “Pa where are ya? I wanna talk to ya!”

Just then, Ben appeared quickly from behind his desk. “Morning, son! Is something wrong? Are you feeling alright? Is Ruth alright?” He asked, beginning to worry.

“Oh no, it’s nothing like that! I mean she’s fine and I’m feeling great. In fact I’m feeling better than ever!”

“Oh boy, he’s feeling better than ever. Somebody’s been dippin’ in the punch, Pa.” Joe said followed by the signature Joseph Cartwright cackle that only he could pull off.

“No, younger brother, its nothing like that. I just happen to have some news.”

“Oh, what news is that, older brother?” Hoss asked.

Adam grinned cheekily at the three other men and then took a slip of Brandy which he had poured for himself a few seconds earlier. “That there’s going to be another Cartwright running around this ranch soon.” He said before calmly taking another sip.

The three men brought out as much of a stunned look as they could each muster and then all began to speak at once and exchange hard pats on Adam’s back and shaking his hand. “I can’t believe it; I’m finally going to be a grandfather!” Ben beamed.

“And I’m finally gonna be somebody’s favorite uncle!” Joe exclaimed.

“Second only to me, little brother.” Hoss pointed out.

“Now you two will have plenty of time to fight over him or her when he or she is born! Right now, we need to plan a party!” Ben said.

“Oh now Pa I don’t think you need to go to all that trouble-

“Forget it Adam, you know once Pa makes up his mind on somethin’ like this there ain’t no changin’ it.” Hoss grinned.

“Well alright, I guess a first-time Grandpa might as well revel in it a little.” Adam agreed.

“Alright then, it’s time to revel, Cartwright style!” Joe said, passing around glasses of Brandy for all.

The four men raised their glasses.

`~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

The next week for Ben, Joe, and Hoss Cartwright was spent planning the perfect Ponderosa party in celebration of the future Cartwright heir. When working on the guest list, they decided to leave no member of Virginia City uninvited. It was going to be the biggest celebration Virginia City and the Ponderosa had ever seen if Ben had anything to say about it.

The evening of the party came and Ruth sat in front of her mirror in Adam’s and her bedroom getting ready. Behind her, Adam was shining his boots and fixing his tie. Ruth was quiet when suddenly Adam heard his wife let out a small, yet noticeable, sigh.

“Alright what is it?” He asked without even turning around.

“Hmm? What is what?”

“I heard that sigh. What’s the matter? Aren’t you excited for Pa’s party?” Adam asked, now turned around looking at her reflection in the mirror.

“Oh I am, believe me I am! I just…I don’t know.”

“C’mon now, of course you know. Now tell me.” He said gently but firmly.

“Well, I just keep thinking about those ‘ladies’ in town. You know the ones who made those comments?”

“Yes what about them?”

“Well they’ll probably be there tonight.”

“So? Don’t you think that’ll be the perfect opportunity for you to do a little bit of rubbing their noses in it?” Adam smirked.

“I guess that’s one way of looking at it.” She realized.

Adam walked over and kissed her head. “That’s the only way of looking at it.” He then walked out of the room to finish getting ready.

`~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

When they arrived at the main Ponderosa house, they were greeted by smiles and congratulatory slaps on the back for Adam. Ruth looked around throughout the night to see if she saw that anyone was missing. Everyone from Virginia City seems to be there. But there was one face that she failed to notice was there.

After what seemed like forever, Adam was finally able to cut in from everyone talking to his wife and even him. He brought her over a fresh drink. “Are you having a good time?”

“You know what? You were right! I looked at it like you told me to and I am having a great time!”

“Well how about that? You know if only I could get my brothers to admit more often that I’m right!” This made Ruth grin.

From across the room, the other three Cartwrights and Amy were standing at the punch table watching the guests of honor.

“She’s positively glowing!” Ben remarked.

“Well Pa so are you. I don’t reckon I’ve seen you this happy in a real long time!” Hoss said.

“Ya know Hoss’ right Pa. I don’t think you’ve ever been this happy!” Joe said.

“You’re father’s not the only one grinning like the cat that swallowed the canary. You two have been beaming all night!” Amy smiled.

“Well Joseph always looks like the cat that swallowed the canary, Amy!” Hoss joked.

“Yeah only this time I’ve got a pretty good reason! I’m going to be that kid’s favorite uncle!”

“Joe you-

“Now, now let’s not start that again boys. Besides, I think it’s about time for me to be making my toast!” Ben then took his glass and tapped a spoon against it until the room fell silent.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, first of all I’d like to thank everyone for coming tonight to join us in celebrating the coming of my very first grandchild.” Ben paused when everyone began to clap. “Thank you. Now I would like to say to my son, Adam and to his beautiful wife, Ruth, that all of us here could not be happier. And that this little girl or boy could not have better parents. I’m afraid though that this child may end up a might more spoiled than you might like but that’s just the purgative of the grandfather! Congratulations both of you!”

Everyone once again stood with hearty applause and Adam and Ruth each mouthed a thank you to Ben. Finally when the room was almost quiet again, a voice came from the background.

“Yes, congratulations to the happy couple. And might I just say, Adam, you seem to have recovered well! Though I can’t say as I’m all that happy to see you up and around.”

Everyone in the room turned to see Henry Shoupe standing in the back with a glass of champagne in his hand.

“Looks like when you invited everybody you forgot to put minus one.” Joe muttered to Ben.

“Henry, why aren’t you in jail?” Ben asked.

“Why would I be in jail? I didn’t do anything wrong. At least not anything you can prove.” He took a smug sip of his Champaign.

“You aren’t wanted here, Shoupe so why don’t you just leave?” Joe demanded.

“But the party’s just begun. So Ruth tell me, how does it feel knowing that your baby could have grown up having everything it could every want and instead you chose to have a baby with him?”

“Alright that’s just about enough! Shoupe, I want you out of my home immediately!” Ben said, starting to walk up to him and push him towards the door.

“Oh I’m leaving. But I’ll be back.” Henry made sure they were outside where none of the other guests could hear before he continued. “And as for what I did to Adam, next time he won’t live to come out of it.”

Before he had a chance to reply, another voice trumped over Ben’s. “Is that so, Mr. Shoupe? Well in that case I think you’d better come with me!” Sheriff Roy Coffee, who had just arrived, spoke up.

“Well Roy! I must say that your timing could not have been better!”

“Thank you, Ben. And I’m sorry that I can’t stay but I think I outta cart this jasper off to my jail now that he’s admitted his guilt.

The following months were uneventful on the Ponderosa with the exception of the remodeling being done to what would become the baby’s room which Adam finished putting together based on Ruth’s instructions and wishes. Against her better nature, Ruth kept from doing much work and rested as much as she could stand to, and as little as Adam would let her get away with. Finally the time came when Ruth would only have precious few weeks to wait for her child to be born. Doc Martin stopped by that morning for what they assumed would be his last visit before delivering the newest Cartwright and was greeted by a rather anxious Ruth.

“Ruth, it seems as though you are doing very well. And I don’t think it’ll be more than a couple of weeks now. I suggest in the meantime you do like Adam says and keep rested up. We don’t want him getting grey hair before his baby is even born!” He winked.

“Well alright if you say so, Doc.” Ruth sighed.

“He says so and what he also says is that you have to do as I tell ya. Now did ya hear that?” Adam teased.

Ruth crossed her arms and stuck out her lips in play pouting.

`~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

A week later, the sun peaked through the split between the curtains of Ruth and Adam’s bedroom window. When the warmth hit her face she began to stir. Slowly coming into reality, Ruth got up carefully and glanced over at the clock. Nine-thirty, she realized it said. “Adam must already be outside working.”

She took her time getting out of bed, as it was becoming quite a chore, and took her time still getting dressed.

Outside, Adam was chopping some wood when he heard a horse ride up. A cheerful grin crossed his face when he saw his bigger brother atop the dark steed appropriate called Chubb.

“Howdy Adam, I’s just in the neighborhood so ta speak so I thought I’d come on by and see how things were comin’. We ain’t seen much of you two lately.”

Adam put down his axe and straightened up, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. “Well Ruth hasn’t been feeling so well lately and Doc told her to take it easy so we’ve kinda been keeping close to home. Her time’s coming pretty soon now.”

“Yeah I’ll bet you’re pretty danged excited too ain’t’ ya?” Hoss grinned.

“Is it that obvious?” The two shared a laugh.

Meanwhile, Ruth had just come downstairs to make herself some breakfast. Just as she was about to pour herself some orange juice, she found herself feeling strange. She was stricken by dizziness followed by a sharp pain. By instinct, she put her hand to her stomach and her eyes widened. “The baby.” She said to herself.

With the pain getting worse by the moment, Ruth knew that she had to get Adam’s attention somehow but she would never make it outside.

“Well can ya stay a while and have some lemonade with us?” Adam offered.

“I reckon that’s too temptin’ an offer not to!” Hoss chuckled.

The two were almost to the house when they heard a loud crashing sound as if something had fallen to the ground inside and broken. They picked up their pace immediately and discovered the pitcher of orange juice shattered all over the kitchen floor and Ruth doubled over beside it, holding her abdomen.

“Ruth, what happened? What’s wrong?” Adam asked, knelt down beside her.

“It’s…baby….”

“Hoss, go for the doctor!” Adam turned sharply and said.

Hoss didn’t take the time to reply. He rushed out the door and mounted Chubb as quickly as he could.

On the road between Adam’s house and Virginia City, Ben and Joe Cartwright were riding leisurely on their way to town in the buggy when they heard the sound of another rider coming towards them in a hurried pace. “Hey it’s Hoss!” Joe observed curiously.

The two stopped and waited until Hoss had ridden up to them. Nearly out of breath Hoss spoke. “Pa…it…Ruth’s havin’ the baby! I gotta go to town and get Doc!”

Joe and Ben looked at each other with widened eyes then Ben urged the team quickly toward Adam’s house.

`~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Three men stood in the front room of Adam Cartwright’s house anxiously awaiting some news. Ben Cartwright and his two youngest sons paced around the room while Adam had chosen to go into the room with Doc Martin and Ruth.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the trio heard a loud cry followed by Doc walking out of the room over to where the men had been waiting.

“Paul?” Ben asked.

“She’s alright, Ben. Congratulations, you have a new baby granddaughter.”

The three grinned at each other. “A girl.” Joe mouthed.

“Now be sure not to keep Ruth up too long, she’s had a hard day!” Doc warned.

“Oh ah…of course not, doctor.” Ben said, getting up to walk him out.

As Ben walked away, Joe and Hoss looked at each other in awe. “We got a niece, Joe!”

Just then, Adam walked into the room holding a small blanket and an even smaller baby inside of it. “Say hello to my new daughter, Crystal Grace Cartwright.”

“Oh ain’t she somethin’?” Hoss practically squeaked.

“She sure is.” Joe said.

Adam she’s….well she’s just beautiful!” Ben said, beginning to have trouble with his vision for the tears building up. “Just beautiful.”

`~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Two weeks later, Ruth Cartwright awoke in the middle of the night to find her husband not lying beside her. She got up slowly and felt her way in the dark to the lamp, lit it, and then started down the hall. She stopped in front of the baby’s room and went in, finding Adam leaned over in front of the crib.

Adam turned when he saw the reflection of the lamp behind him. “You’re not supposed to be moving around so much yet! What are you doing?” He said in a whisper.

“Well it’s a rather frightening thing for a woman to wake up in the middle of the night to find her husband not in bed.”

Adam thought about it for a few seconds. “I’m sorry; I just couldn’t sleep so I figured I’d look in on her.”

“Once I realized you were gone I had a feeling you had.”

“She really is beautiful isn’t she? Beautiful like her mother.”

“She’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. You know, if you had asked me this time about two years ago if I’d ever be this happy I would have said there wasn’t a chance.”

“If you had asked me this time two years ago if I’d have a beautiful wife and daughter now I would have probably said the same thing. Thank you.”

“For what?” Ruth asked, caught off guard.

“For making me this happy. I really must be the luckiest man in the world.”

Ruth smiled and put her head on Adam’s shoulder. “And I know I’m the luckiest woman in the world. Now, let’s let out daughter sleep and try to get some ourselves.” She stood up and headed toward the door.

“Goodnight, Crystal.” Adam leaned in carefully and kissed his daughter’s forehead. Then he got up and joined Ruth at the door.

The End

 

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.