ETTA (by ansinico)

Text Size +

The days sped by. Candy was told of his inheritance. He had no idea how to take the news, or what to do. Ben suggested that he take sometime to think on it. If he needed any help or advice Ben would make an appointment with Hiram, the family lawyer. When Candy questioned as to why Mr Fuller had done such a thing. Ben could only suggest that Barney had realised that after his death, as he had no kin. His business would be put up to the highest bidder. Barney did not want everything he had to go to some unscrupulous body of people. Barney Fuller as like the Cartwrights valued the land and the Pines. Ben told Candy that Barney had informed him about the job offer. The man was impressed with the way Candy had handled himself. He decided, not to tell Candy that Barney, had hoped that his own son would have been as fine a man as he thought the Ponderosa foreman to be. He felt that it may put pressure on the young man and influence whatever decision he came too. Neither did he tell him that if Candy was not of a mind to take this inheritance. Barney Fuller had left it to Ben to either combine the Fuller business with his own, or sell it, as he saw fit.
It was only a few days after speaking with Candy that Ben received two letters. One came from the San Fransisco Police Department. Advising him that they had made an arrest. A petty thief, known to them, had been picked up for another criminal act. During the course of his interrogation. The man had confessed to the murder. He had not even know the victim of his crime. He had been paid by a certain party. This certain party had connections with the mining and timber company of Turner, Lawson and Rawston. This company was now under investigation. There would be no necessity for Ben to attend the man’s trial, as the man had made a full confession. The Police Chief added that the man, who had never committed this act before, felt remorse. He added that this would hardly save him from the gallows. He closed by saying he would keep Ben informed of any further or future developments.

The second letter was from was from Lawson & Rawston Mining. A brief note offering condolences for the death of Mr Fuller. Neither Nils Lawson nor Andrew Rawston had any inkling of Amos Turner’s nefarious handy work.. The man was under Police investigation and had been dismissed from the board of directors. The Company of Turner, Lawson and Rawston was no longer trading. Lawson & Rawston Mining had ceased any interest in timber or lumber. They hoped that if they did need anything along those lines, that they would be able to do business with Ponderosa Lumber.

Joe spent the mornings with Etta. She was skilled in massage and helped him with muscle building exercises. His afternoons were divided between envy and admiration, plus a splash of annoyance. Admiration for Griff’s capabilities in horse breaking and the obvious relish he was getting from his promotion. Envy at Griff daily doing what Joe very much wanted to get back to doing. Annoyance with himself and his body for not recovering as speedily as he would have liked. His urgency to get back in the saddle was driving not just him, but everyone who came in contact with him a little crazy.

Etta’s afternoons were spent with Adam, touring the Ponderosa. He took her to beautiful places of seclusion. Where they spent beautiful hours in each others arms. Making love under the scented pines. In the long grasses or by the side of the lake. It was on the third day. The day before they were leaving for Turner’s Town that Adam took Etta to a place very special to him.

This day they had taken the buggy, not the horses. The house took her completely by surprise. It was hidden in a grove of trees, that gave shelter to the rear of the building. The views to the front were magnificent. Rolling green meadows sloped down to the azure blue of Lake Tahoe. Beyond that ponderosa pines stood tall under the snow tipped Sierre’s.

“Laura’s house.” without thinking she spoke the words aloud. Adam reined in the horses.

“Yes, that is what everyone calls it. There is very little reason for it. Laura had nothing to do with the design, or build and had never lived here.”

Before he lifted her from the buggy, Adam apologised to Etta for his seemingly selfish manner. That if she were to feel uncomfortable in any way about the house. He would not be offended. He had built one house he could build another. Etta pooh pooed the idea that the house, just because it had originally been designed when Adam was betrothed to another. That it should be abandoned or torn down was ridiculous. Looking down on her lover’s face. She kissed his forehead.. She told him that as long as they were together, she would live in a torn canvas tent, in the middle of a dry and dusty prairie. Encircling her waist in his hands Adam lifted her down and held her close. Devouring her with his eyes.

“You would do that for me?” Etta had become used to this man. Though his voice was hoarse with emotion. His toffee coloured eyes held a teasing spark. The lips that thrilled her twitched mischievously.

“Of course l would.” dutifully she bowed her head, and twirled her fingers at a loose button on his shirt. “and being a good wife and tent keeper. I would tighten this button on your shirt and of course repair the torn canvas at the earliest opportunity.” Adam threw his head back and laughed into the blue above. Picking her up once more. Holding her tight to his chest, he spun around in twirls of happiness. Till Etta, pleaded for release. On the grounds that she would be so dizzy she wouldn’t be able to stand. Or that she would deposit the picnic lunch, that she had very much enjoyed, all down his shirt front. Giving in to her cries, Adam stood her on the porch.

“Etta Tone, soon to be Etta Cartwright, let me introduce you to My house…Adam’s house…soon to be Adam’s and Etta’s house.” Bowing from the waist, he held out his arm. Etta curtseyed prettily and thanked him. Taking the offered arm they walked through the front door. A door as big and wide as the one at the ranch house. As if she hadn’t had enough spinning around. Etta twirled from one end of the spacious main room to the other. It was built on a par with the Cartwright family house. This house had an identity of its own. It drew her in. She ran her hand along a couple of the many book shelves that lined the walls in both the main room and a separate study. She could already see her own books decorating the shelves. She looked upward to the carved wood gallery.

Climbing the stairs, Etta ran her hand over the smooth banister. The finely carved wood felt warm to the touch of her fingers.. More bookcases lined the upper walls. Two large, comfortable looking, leather upholstered, high backed chairs were positioned between the shelves and the banister. Everything she touched and looked upon pleased her eye. Adam watched with amusement as Etta opened each door that led off the upper hallway. Before she entered the room. She hesitated, peeping in as if she might have been disturbing some unseen resident. He could hear her footsteps as she walked the length and breadth of each room. As Etta entered the final room. A plumbed wash house, containing a tub, copper for heating water and a toilet facility. A gasped squeal of excitement emitted from the woman. Adam’s enjoyment rose. Etta’s voice echoed through the empty house.

“l’ve read about these rooms being installed in the finest hotels…did you do all this?”

“More or less.” Adam replied though whether Etta heard him he couldn’t tell. His mind took him back to the hours and days he had spent in the house, bringing it to completion. He had refused offers of help from his brothers and friends. Unless a specific task required more than two hands. Then it was to Hoss he called on. As he worked and spent time on the final details. Bringing everything up to his high standard of excellence. Adam had wondered, fantasized as to what woman, or if any at all, would share his castle. He had already made his mind up that after this last drive. He would move out of the family home and live in his own house.

With eyes bright and feeling quiet giddy with pleasure Etta leaned against the doorway and watched Adam. He stood leaning against the railed banister. His arms crossed over his chest. His half dimpled gaze fixed on the wooden floor beneath his feet. Or maybe he was staring at his on shoes. She didn’t know which. His mind though was miles away. The last rays of sunlight streaming through the large windows from the floor below, cast him in a hallowed shadow. She thought he had never looked more handsome. She wanted this moment of just looking at him to last forever. The longing though to be in his arms was over powering.

The sound of Etta’s footsteps broke into Adam’s reverie. Uncrossing his arms he welcomed her to his chest.

“Did you really do all this?” she questioned again. He gave the same reply.

“More or less. I did have some help from my brothers. Is it to your liking, madam?”

“Well of course.” Etta appeared shocked by the question. “it was obviously designed with me in mind.”

“Etta,” Adam chided “you don’t have to humour me, when you know darn well it wasn’t.” again Etta appeared shocked.

“I’m not humouring you. It was you who didn’t know l was in your mind all the time. This is my house. A house l have dreamed of. A house that if you asked me to build one. It would be just like this.” hugging her close Adam kissed the soft curls that crowned her head. Somehow he knew she was right.

“You haven’t even bothered to look at the kitchen. Isn’t that an important room for you?” he spoke into the top of her head. Etta looked up into Adam’s face.

“Oh, l don’t know.” she said coyly, under dark lashes.” l wouldn’t say it was the most important room in the house…would you?” Cupping her chin between his fingers. He kissed the tip of her nose.

“Would you like to show me what you consider to be the most important room in the house?” Adam asked with a look of feigned ignorance. Thrusting her palms against his broad chest. Etta pushed herself away from Adam’s embrace, her face a spectacle of horror.

“Most certainly not.” she took another step backward away from Adam. A deep chuckle escaped from his throat. He raised his arms in surrender. “I haven’t lost all my dignity. Not until l am Mrs Adam Cartwright, and you, Adam Cartwright have carried me over the threshold.” Adam bowed in reverence.

“Of course, l wouldn’t expect anything less of you.” suddenly he caught her by the hand. “quick, come on…hurry. Before we lose the light.” hurriedly he pulled her down the stairs, rushing her out the house.

“What…what is it? Is something wrong? Adam please, what is it?” within moments they were sitting in the buggy. Snapping the reins the pony too was infected with the Adam’s urgency. “tell me… Adam is something wrong?” Adam’s mischievous grin widened as he shucked the animal into a faster pace.

“On the contrary, we are just going to find the rest of your dignity. I think l know exactly where you lost it.” snuggling closer Etta ducked under Adam’s arm. Holding the reins in one hand, he curled her into his side.

“Adam Cartwright, you are a wicked, sinful man.”

“l do my best,” he chuckled as he guided the horse and buggy to a well remembered spot.

 

Loading

Bookmark (0)
ClosePlease login

No account yet? Register

Author: ansinico

1 thought on “ETTA (by ansinico)

  1. That was terrific. I like Etta – she is the perfect foil for Adam.
    Please let’s have more of this story.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.