Taking the hint thrown in his direction from Ben Cartwright’s expressive eyes and brows. Paul Martin made his excuses, saying he had to see to Little Joe’s bandage.
“Adam, why don’t you get something special from the cellar?” Ben suggested

Lazily Adam moved his eyes from Etta’s face to his fathers and back to Etta’s. Unfolding his supple body he stood from the chair. Kissed the tip of one his long, artistic fingers then lightly touched Etta’s cheek. An amused smile quirked the corners of his mouth. Ben felt as if he were something akin to a peeping tom. Etta’s eyes followed his son’s every movement.

“Sure Pa, something special.” Adam made his way to the kitchen and then out to the root cellar.

Etta kept her eyes lowered. She was well aware that Ben Cartwright had orchestrated this private moment. She could feel his eyes on her. She lifted hers to meet his gaze. It amazed her how one family could have four men so different in looks and yet, each one, in their own way so strikingly handsome.

“It is amazingly, uncanny and a little disturbing for me. How so alike Marie you are.”

“l don’t know what to say Mr Cartwright…l am sorry for yesterday. It was a such a shock for you. I knew it would be, but l didn’t really realise how much it would be.” she was letting her nervousness control her tongue but she couldn’t stop herself. “it was for Adam…and then Hoss…and Little Joe…and the Sheriff…and…” she could see his brown eyes twinkling. The creases each side of them crinkling up matching the amusement that had set his lips twitching.

“Oh…l didn’t know you had met Roy. I thought he was away.” Etta was a little confused. Until she realised that of course he wouldn’t know about the sheriff’s and Hop Sings visit. She didn’t know whether to tell him or not. She decided it was unnecessary. Before she could continue. Ben had taken the lead. “l am sure it was a shock to everyone. The boys seem to have handled it well, even Joseph, but then he was very young when his mother died. I am afraid you may have to be a patient with me. You must tell me if you find me staring at you. It would upset me to think l was embarrassing you.”

“Mr Cartwright l am sure you would never embarrass me. l am sure though that l may cause you some embarrassment.” Ben got up from his chair. With a gesture, to which Etta nodded her agreement, he sat beside her on the sofa.

“How my dear would you ever be an embarrassment to me?” Ben took Etta’s hand in his. Ben’s skin had tanned from many years of working outdoors in God’s good sunshine. His skin and Etta’s skin were almost identical in colour. “now are you going to tell me that my son has any reason to be ashamed of you, or embarrassed by such as beautiful a young lady as you.” Etta could feel her eyes filling, she tried hard to control her emotions. This was was good a time as any, she thought, to let the man know what she had done in the past. Taking a pull on her back bone, she held her head high.

“There is something you must know about me before you allow Adam to marry me. I….” Ben patted her hand and silenced her.

“Just one moment young lady. Is this something that you have spoken with my son about? Adam is aware of this confession?”

“Yes, yes it is, l mean he is.” Etta nodded her head to confirm her words.

“Well then there is nothing more l need to know. Is there?” This time Etta couldn’t speak, she shook her head. “Miss Tone, may l call you Etta,” Etta silently nodded. “my son’s happiness and contentment, is my happiness and contentment. The sooner l can call you Mrs Adam Cartwright the happier Adam will be, and the sooner l can call you daughter the happier l will be. Etta, welcome to the Ponderosa.” Ben circled Etta in his strong arms and placed a kiss on her forehead. She burst into tears.

Adam waiting in the kitchen for the opportune moment to return, sauntered back into the room. He placed the two bottles of French Champagne on the table as he passed by. Etta was sobbing into his fathers handkerchief. Ben raised his eyebrows in puzzlement.

“Pa, you must be losing your touch. Its not like you to leave a lady in tears. What on earth did you say?” Trying to control herself Etta sat upright, taking in deep gulps of air between sniffs. As Adam sat beside Etta, Ben returned to his the red chair.

“It’s…it’s…not your…it’s not your father’s…f…fault.” Etta pressed a hand against Adam’s shoulder, declining his embrace. She sat, mournfully looking at the two men Sniffing and daubing her eyes. “it’s…it’s my f…fault.” once more she cast her forlorn look on the men. “It’s because…l’m…l’m so happy,” she cried, the tears welling and streaming anew.

Neither Ben or Adam could contain themselves. Etta’s face had taken on the identical lost, puppy dog, look that Little Joe often adopted. Both men, their eyes awash with sympathy. Their lips though twitching, trying unsuccessfully to suppress the uproarious laughter that burst forth. Taken aback Etta stared at them. Dabbing and daubing at her eyes. Adam cuddled Etta to his chest and between chuckles he explained. Remembering the look that Little Joe had used on her on a number of occasions. She started to giggle, then became infected with their mirth.

Nonplussed, Hoss, Joe and the Doc stopped on the half landing looking down on the chortling trio. None the wiser they made their way down to join Ben, Adam and Etta.

“Hey, shortshanks, aint yer pleased yer aint the only amusement in the family.”

Hoss remarked stretching out an arm to snatch an apple. Throwing Hoss a sour look. Joe seated himself beside Etta, she had moved closer to Adam to allow him room. Paul Martin, who after further urging was talked into staying to share the family meal took the blue chair. Before anyone could make themselves too comfortable Hop Sing announced that ‘come now dinner on table.’ Ben held out his arm and escorted Etta to the dining room.

The cork was popped on the champagne and Ben toasted his son and daughter to be. The meal, a sumptuous spread of excellent food, friendly banter and bonhomie. Candy was missing from the table. He was dining in town at the International House. It was known to everyone, excepting Etta, that Candy had taken to regularly dating a young lady that had moved to Virginia City a few months ago.

Etta had never felt more at ease, though a trifle self conscious when Ben openly thanked her for the help she had given her son’s. Especially the treatment and nursing back to health of Little Joe. Her feeling of self-consciousness was quickly turned into smiles and laughter as Ben went on to castigate his son for his less than gentlemanly language on the previous evening and again today. Joe’s attempt at explanation, arguing that he was provoked, fell on stony ground. Ben then went on to rebuke Joe for his flippant remark to Paul. Telling him he had a good mind to cut the boy’s pay for every lump, bump, broken bone and other injuries, that, over the years he had been inflicted with.

“Dadburn Pa, that’s a great idea.” Hoss agreed “yer could split the money ‘tween me an elder brother, seeing as how we always has ter cover shortshanks chores.”

“Big brother Hoss, with such logic and commercial mindedness you could soon be running a business of your own.” Adam added to the teasing.

Seeing that Joe was doing a bit of teasing of his own. In the shape of his food, which was being pushed around his plate. Very little making it to his mouth. Thinking Joe wasn’t as well on the way to recovery as first thought. Now feeling pangs of guilt that maybe he had been a bit harsh. Ben decided to change the subject.

“Well now, don’t we have a special occasion to arrange. I don’t know what plans you may have already made. I as wondering, hoping that the two of you may, would like to have the ceremony here at the house. A family wedding with a party to follow. Of course if you prefer the Chapel and a formal ceremony that…” Etta didn’t wait for any further information.

“Oh no, no Mr Cartwright, l mean yes l would love to be married here…don’t you think? Etta directed her last words to her fiancee.

“Where ever and whatever you say.” Adam gracefully agreed.

“Etta thank you, thank you so much.”

“Joe, you don’t have to thank me…anyway you already have, so many times.”

“Etta, this thank you is for something entirely different.” Joe had everyone’s attention. “if you can keep elder brother that subservient. You dear sister will be keeping all the Cartwright’s very happy.”

Ben smiled widely at Joe’s remark which had everyone else laughing. Even Adam was grinning with both dimples, showing that he had not taken any offense. Joe was enjoying the amusement he had been responsible for. That boy, thought Ben, must be made of rubber, he always bounces back. The sound of the horses hooves silenced the guffaws and laughter.

“Reckon it’s Candy.” Hoss observed.

“Nah, it’s too early,” Joe disagreed.

“Unless he’s had a spat with that little gal.”Hoss added.

“Not everyone, like you Joseph forgets where they live once they reach Virginia City.” suitable chastened, Joe shrugged and decided that in this instance he was a better judge of character than his father. Hoss and Adam as usual made no effort to open the door. Looking to their little brother to do the usual honours.

“You don’t expect your lame brother to do everything do yer?” simultaneously they dropped napkins onto plates and pushed their chairs away from the table.

“I’ll get it brother, seeing as you have a guest.” On his way to the door Hoss gave Adam a friendly pat on the shoulder.

“He’s going to use the cripple card whenever it suits him.” Adam quipped at Joe’s smug grin. The glare of reproach, flashed from one end of the table to other showed Adam his father’s mind set.

“Dadburn Roy, come on in. Kinda late for a visit aint it?” puckering his brow in concern Hoss quietly questioned. “Candy aint got hisself inta some kind of pickle?”. Roy shook his head and removed his hat.

“Thank yer Hoss, far as l know the the town is as quiet as a mute, moccasined injun.”

Adam had more than a good idea as to the nature of the sheriff’s visit. Ben though was a little puzzled. Roy was a good friend, it wasn’t unusual for him to call in at the Ponderosa. Yet he felt something was amiss. Seeing the family and Paul Martin still seated around the dinner table. The sheriff proffered his apologies for busting in on their meal.

“Not at all Roy, you are always welcome. Sit down, sit down, could you eat? It will not take Hop Sing a second to get you something.” Roy did as Ben requested. Ben leaned back in his chair and called out for Hop Sing.

“Seems a mite brass faced ah me ter butt in on yer. I must say my throat an gut aint been on chawing terms fer a while.” forgetting that a lady was present Roy made amends. “ Miss Etta, ma’am my apologies fer the rough talk.” Etta too was more than aware of the sheriffs reason to be at the house. Nervously she gave him a tight smile.

Scowling the small Asian man trotted out of the kitchen with a plate of food already to hand. The scowl was replaced with a wide smile as he placed the plate in front of the sheriff.

“Hop Sing vely happy feed Mista Sheliff Loy.”

“Hop Sing, this I sure am gonna enjoy, aint had a decent meal for a spell.” Roy wasted no time reacquainting his throat with his gut. The scowl returned as Hop Sing looked toward the top of the table. “Hop Sing hear hooves. Hop Sing hear door open and close. Hop Sing not bun in ear.”

Ben recalled his conversation with Sam in the Silver Dollar. Roy and Hop Sing had left town together. And now today Etta had said she knew the sheriff. Ben was at a loss to understand what was going on. He had no good reason at all to suppose Roy calling had anything to do with his son’s fiancee. So why then did he suspect that was the very cause for the sheriff to be sitting at his table.

It was at Adam’s suggestion that they take their coffee’s and finish them beside the fire. He hoped that whatever information the sheriff had uncovered it wouldn’t be to Etta’s detriment.

“Good to see yer on the mend Little Joe.” Roy managed a sentence between mouthfuls.

“Getting there Roy.” Joe replied as he limped passed the sheriff.

Adam picked up the coffee pot and topped up everyone’s cup. Leaving the family and guest’s to their small talk. He took the empty pot to the kitchen. Hop Sing replenished it. Adam returned to the table where he sat opposite Roy. Without first asking he filled the sheriffs cup and waited. Watching as Roy, with a portion of bread, swabbed the plate clean.

“Seems as if you weren’t joshing Roy.” Adam sat with his back to the great room. His long legs stretched out in front of him.

“I was at that son, aint tasted nothing finer in a month of Sundays.” Roy removed his spectacles polished the lens and replaced them on his nose. He patted the hand that was still clasped around the handle of the coffee pot. “reckon this is what yer been fretting on.” he took an envelope out of his vest pocket and handed it to Adam.