For Adam it felt as if he were in a dream moment. The hubbub of sound, happy voices mingled with chuckles emanating from the great room, faded, drifted away into the background of his mind. Leaving only the crinkle of the folded white paper. He removed it from it’s enclosure and read the printed words. Pressing his fingers to his lips he closed his dark lashed eyelids. Not a word was spoken. Giving a nod to the sheriff Adam pursed his lips. He handed back the envelope to the elderly man, the folded paper once more concealed, The pressure of Roy’s hand on his arm forced Adam to reopen his eyes.
“You wanna tell ’em?”

“Pa doesn’t know anything as yet.”

“It’s your play son?” Adam chuckled softly. There really was no choice to be made.

“You would still have to explain your being being here.”

“Son, l can lie as well as the next man, iffun l’ve a mind to.” Adam smiled at the elderly sheriff. A man he had known since he had been a boy. Since, Roy had first arrived in Virginia City to take up the post of sheriff. Roy and Mary Coffee had been as an Aunt and Uncle to Ben Cartwright’s boys. More so to Adam, Hoss just a youngun and Joe had as yet not been born. Adam had as much respect for the elderly man as he did for his father. Giving Roy a small nod of gratitude, Adam and the sheriff went to join the others.

“Well Roy, now that you’re fed and watered. Let me introduce you to my soon-to-be daughter.” Ben Cartwright was in good spirits. He was a man happy with his world. Well rested and fully recovered. Plus the news of his son’s engagement had lightened his heart. Ben was his old self. Roy congratulated the couple. “But yes, you have already met Miss Tone. No, no l cannot be doing with this,” Ben looked to the woman who was soon to be a part of his family. “as Hop Sing would say ‘too much formality’. If l may, l shall call you Etta. You must call me, oh l don’t know, let it be whatever you feel comfortable with,” Etta smiled and nodded her agreement.

She had never called anyone other than her own father, Pa. She tested the sound of it in her head. She thought that she might say it aloud later in her room. Ben could see that the girl was struggling with his suggestion. Strangely it helped him, that although Etta’s likeness to Marie was almost identical, her mannerism’s were not. She had her own ways about her which separated her and gave the woman her own identity. Ben found Etta to be intelligent, caring and very much in love with Adam. A good match for his eldest. There were moments when he would look at her and she at him. In those moments his beloved Marie was with him still. He supposed that eventually he would become used to it. He would come to terms with the fact that this lovely young lady was not the ghost of his dead wife.

Roy and Etta acknowledged each other. Adam stood with his back to the hearth. It was obvious to all that there was something important that was going to be said. Adam asked if everyone would bear with him and just listen to what he had to say. His eyes came to rest on his fathers face. It had taken on a sombre appearance.

Having already discussed the situation with Etta. A situation that they both knew was inevitable. Etta had wanted everyone present. There was to be no secrets. Even Hop Sing, when he returned with the refilled coffee pot was asked to remain in the room. He perched himself on the arm of the sofa, beside Little Joe.

Adam alone knew all of Etta’s past. He gave a brief synopsis. Ben’s face saddened at his son’s words. Lowering his eyes, his heart grew heavy. He abhorred injustice and bigotry as much as he did vengeance and retribution. As Adam had asked, Ben kept his thoughts to himself. Silent in his head, he waited for Roy Coffee. Whom he gathered was obviously here to do what? he could not bear to think. Was he going to arrest the woman? Take her to jail? lock her up? Was that the purpose of this visit?

Ben could tell by the expressions on his younger son’s faces that they were unaware of all or part of Etta’s history. Paul Martin, a man who had seen and experienced the best and worst of humanity. He too sat frozen, a visage of horror and disbelief on his face. And who wouldn’t be horrified, the poor girl’s life had been a living nightmare. But there was still the fact that Etta had committed a crime. A premeditated murder. Who was he to judge? One thing he knew for sure. First thing in the morning he would be banging on the door of Hiram’s office. He would do everything that was in his power to save Etta from the penitentiary, or worse.

Coughing in an effort to clear his throat. Roy’s voice pulled Ben from his thoughts. Roy explained that when he left Turner’s Cross he went to straight Fort Dobbs. He had already sent a wire and had received a reply. He went to the Fort to get written and official verification from Captain Tait. The man was known to Roy. He was a man who did everything by the book, and, thankfully was a stickler for detail and record. A Trooper Turner, for that was the soldiers name. That piece of information was easily accessible. From what Etta had told him and the records of the Mission Hospital. The Hospital, which had since been closed. Fortunately these records had been transferred to Fort Dobbs. The Mission Hospital and Reservation being in the jurisdiction of the Fort.. The dates from the hospital and Trooper Turner’s records matched. The trooper had indeed died.

Etta’s gasped cry was clearly audible. The small hand that covered her mouth was a poor sound barrier. Adam had forsaken the hearth for the sofa. His arm tightened around Etta’s shoulder. The envelope was once more saw the daylight. Roy, settled his spectacles more comfortably on his nose and read from the document. The copy of the Court Martial of Trooper Amos Turner. For three accounts of rape, one account of murder, and an account desertion. He had been found guilty on all accounts, and duly executed at dawn the following day.

Confused and unable to reconcile the facts in her head Etta turned first to Adam and then to Roy.

“That cannot be, that was a year later…that was a year after…a year later.”

“Yes ma’am it was. As a matter a fact it was twelve months, two weeks and four days to be exact.”

“How can you be so exact?” both Adam and Etta voiced the same question.

“Because Ben, Miss Etta…because the Mission Hospital, their records showed, and the dates match those of the Fort. That a Trooper Turner to be suffering from a severe case of dysentery, from which he recovered. But for which he was treated again at the Fort a week later. There had been an outbreak of the sickness at the Reservation.”

Etta fell limp against Adam. For a brief moment Adam thought his fiancee had fainted. But no, she forced herself upright, her spine pressed against the back of the sofa.

“All these years, all these years. l have carried the shame in my heart like a stone. A cold, bitter, stone. It made me cold and bitter. I truly believed l had killed another human being. I felt no sorrow for the death. Just the selfish shame that l had been driven to commit such an act.”

“Yer aint got nothing ter be ashamed of no more Miss Etta. All yer did was give the man a big belly ache” Hoss sprung to Etta’s defence. His father though was not in agreement.

“Have l not taught you better than that son. Do the words in the Lord’s Bible mean nothing.” Ben spoke not with anger or reproach. His words were edged with sorrow. Ben’s youngest had an opinion of his own.

“He weren’t no man Hoss…he deserved all he got.” it was obvious that Joe’s emotions were high and his thoughts were not on a par with his father’s.

“You too know your Bible Little Joe…” whipping his head round to face his father Joe was not about to let go. Etta the woman who had tended to him nursed him back to health, was in his mind beyond reproach..

“Yeah, l do Pa…vengeance is mine. Isn’t that what it says?…who are we to judge?. Well we don’t have to do we. He was judged and found guilty and executed. Etta was just a bit previous, but she was right all the same…”

“JOSEPH.” Little Joe was not easily silenced. He had the bit between his teeth and galloped headlong without thought.”

“What about you elder brother, aint you got nothing to say. Aint your woman worth a word?”

How easy, Adam thought, to just get up and slap the kids face. That would be more degrading to his brother than a dig in his disrespectful mouth. But Adam did neither. A scene of that sort, if it were warranted, was for the barn or the yard. Adam used his prized and deadly weapon. The weapon of control, the eyes of disapproval and the face of stone. When he did speak, give reply to his brothers challenge. It was with deliberation and icy calm. He held his brothers gaze in his. Unwavering the green sparks testing the cool, unflinching, unblinking, tawny stare of a feline.

“Firstly, Little Brother,” Adam placed great stress on the last two words. “l do not regard my fiancee as my woman, a possession. Etta Tone is to be my wife, my partner in life. As man and woman, equals. And as equals we have discussed this situation. Etta knows how l feel. Anything l have to say on the matter l have said to Etta.” Adam knew that he would not have to ask his brother to apologise. Joe, his fiery temper rapidly cooling, lowered his gaze and bit hard into his lip. Before he could speak he felt a hand on his arm. It was Etta, Etta calmed both father and son.

“Joe. you know that your father is right. The laws of God and the laws of the land may not follow the same path. They may conflict, but they must be adhered to. I am sure the sheriff has more to say. Whatever it is l shall abide by his words.”

“l’m sorry,” Joe’s apology was met with a stiff smile and soft squeeze to his hand. “so what happens now Roy. Your not thinking of taking Etta back to town with ya?” Joe’s mercurial temper was again on the rise.”

“Little Joe Cartwright, iffun that’s what l came here to do, that’s what I’ll be doing aint you or no one can stop me doing what l has ta do, that’s the law.” Adam cast a uncertain look at the sheriff. That wasn’t the impression he had got earlier. Ben too became belligerent.

“For land sakes Roy, is that necessary?”

“Aint nothing like that necessary Ben, Joe, Miss Etta, l aint said anything to that fact.”

“Damit what are…”

“Joseph that is enough, you watch your mouth young man.” clenching his fists, Joe turned again to Etta and apologised. This time it was Adam’s long arm that snaked around Etta and gave Joe a squeeze of reassurance.

“Iffun l can be allowed to…”

“Get on with it you old goat.” much to his own annoyance Ben’s patience snapped.

“Ben, iffun yer don’t mind my saying, between you an Little Joe, aint a lot ter choose from. Iffun yer let me tell ya…aint nothing ter get on with. Miss Etta claims she poisoned a soldier. This here paper state’s the same soldier to have been executed after a fair trial. Aint any body as evidence ter Miss Etta’s claims and aint anyone to press charges of being poisoned. Aint no evidence of any crime been committed. An any hows, to my knowledge itsa crime committed in most bars and saloons across the territory.”

“Heck Roy, a lot nearer than that. You aint tasted Hoss’s cooking.” Joe’s quip raised a laugh from all except Hoss.

“Dadburn, yer smart mouthed young pup.” Joe managed to duck away from his brother’s not so friendly dig. Ben immediately rebuked both of his sons.

“You are saying Roy there is no case to answer?”

“Well thank you Ben, that is ‘xactly what l am trying ter say. An now l’ll leave you good folks an get home to my bed.” Ben, Adam and Etta stood as one. For a moment Etta was swept with such a weakness. A weakness that made her feel as light as air. As if she could float up to the ceiling. A weakness that had her clinging to Adam’s arm. Ben and Adam shook hands with the sheriff. Concerned, Adam inquired if Etta was feeling all right. She said she could do with some air, and, would he escort her outside. Paul Martin suggested Roy ride with him back to town. Roy was more than grateful to share the doctors buggy. The buggy, with the sheriff’ horse tied to the rear, left the yard.

Ben stood on the porch. The night was well lit by the Lord’s brilliance. Starlight and moonlight illuminated the yard. To his left, Adam leaned against the corral fence. Etta was encircled in his arms, her back against his chest. Ben knew well, when to leave well enough alone.