Adam had neither the inclination, the will or ability to drive to his new home. He wasn’t drunk, but then again, neither was he sober. The night too was bright and starry. Which would have made the journey not so precarious. He felt though the pull of his old room and his old bed. His wife, she too, not drunk nor sober, had raised no objection to forgoing the hours ride..
Tonight they would sleep in his old bedroom. Passion and desire became superfluous to his thoughts and the delicious feel of his wife’s warm, soft skin touching his. They lay on their backs. Shoulders hips and thighs touching. Even to make love would have stolen this special moment of comfortable, happy, togetherness. He knew she too was awake. He wondered what were her thoughts. Was she wondering why her husband was more content to just lay with her. Lay in silence together. The only sound being their soft breathing. Breaths that would give substance to this beginning of a new chapter in his life…their life..together.

Etta’s thoughts were not dissimilar to her husbands. After the weeks of arrangements and fittings. The fussing and coming and going. To now be here, in the silence, at no ones beck and call. This man, her husband. His strong body, relaxed and warm, his skin touching hers. It was enough to know that his love for her had wiped the misery slate of her life clean. Her old life had ended. A brand new life was starting. A new life was beginning and her joy would be double fold.

He rolled over and rested his head on his elbowed arm. He looked down upon his wife. He daren’t touch the locks and tendrils of hair that lay across her neck. Her face hallowed in curls, her eyes closed, the long lashes resting on soft, coffee and cream cheeks. The faintest of a smile curved her mouth. To Adam, she looked to be Aphrodite; the Mona Lisa; a Botticelli angel. No mere human had a right or privilege to touch such beauty. He smiled a sigh. Contented and deep within him. Etta was his, his wife. At any other time his desire would be pounding for release. It was enough now to bathe in her beauty. He watched the rise and fall of her breathing. He knew she wasn’t sleeping. Now his desire, his urge was to know her mind.

“Are you happy?” this ridiculous question flicked open her eyes. The jade orbs sparkled in the dim lamp light. A teasing sparkle of disbelief.

“Do you really want me to answer that?” Adam grinned at his foolishness. He didn’t care.

“Of course, is there something wrong with a husband wanting to know if his wife is happy? If she is contented?” the need to touch her was overpowering. Delicately, he plucked a wispy strand of hair that had fallen on her cheek. Allowing the tips of two, long, elegant fingers the merest touch of her skin. Etta looked into the eyes that shone down on her, first hazel, then yellow, then deep honey. The light of the lamp changing the colours as it flickered and danced in the soft breeze from the open window. Scrunching her face up in great thought. She gave herself a few moments of time to answer. His eyes crinkled happy, smiley wrinkles as he allowed her to toy with him.

“Well…l am so happy, l could scream.” to emphasis her words her eyes saucered, wide like a child’s on seeing it’s first butterfly or snowflake.

“Go ahead. I am sure we are permitted, even expected to make some noise,” the words purred from him.

“I suppose we are. But not the blood curdling shriek that is waiting to burst forth.” Adam pulled the pillow from beneath his elbow and handed it to Etta.

“Here, go ahead.” Etta held the soft feather pillow to her face and let rip. The muffled sound was even more drowned out by Adam’s deep, chortling laughter.

Etta held out the pillow to Adam “Your turn,” she invited.

“What makes you think l need to scream?” she rolled over on to her side and adopted the same position. Leaning on her elbowed arm. Looking across at him. The pillow lay between them. “what have l got to scream about?” she played along with his game. An acute look of concern masking her face. As he spoke he thrust his clenched fist into the pillow. “what have l got to be happy about (punch) l now have a house to keep in good order (punch) l now have a wife (punch) that l have to feed (punch) and clothe (punch) and keep in good order.” (punch, punch) Etta raised her eyebrows in shock horror.

“Husband you have overlooked something.” Etta remarked with a look of profound seriousness.

“Oh, l think l have covered all encumbrances,” Adam answered loftily.

“So, l have suddenly become an encumbrance. Once the ring is on the finger.” she glanced at the slim band of gold that had been Adam’s mothers. With no adjustment necessary, it had fitted her perfectly. She returned her angry eyes to her husbands dimpled face. “the wife becomes a burden…is that what l have to look forward too. Am l now an encumbrance?” Adam smothered her in his arms.

“Come’ere my sweet encumbrance.” she pressed her face against his frizzy chest. A warm, damp nest of tickling curls. Curls that set her body tingling and sent shivers through her. She rolled away from him and kneaded her fist into the pillow.

“All right Mrs Encumbrance Cartwright, tell me what is it l have overlooked? What did l forget?”

“I suppose, at present it is only a small encumbrance…but…it will grow and——.” Adam placed his fingers to her lips. Etta coyly looked at him from under half closed lashes.

“You mean…you are…you…are you sure?” Adam’s look of disbelief was not just for Etta’s words, but for himself. His wife was a nurse. If she didn’t know the changes taking place in her body, no one did. At her confident nod. A shudder swept through his body. He squeezed his eyes closed and pursed his lips tight. On opening his eyes. Etta was holding the pillow in front of his face.

“Here, go ahead.” she invited with a giggle. Adam thrust his head into the case of feathers and roared. Before falling to sleep, cocooned in each others arms. They made love. A sweet, tender, union of requite adoration and deep affection.

By the time the married couple graced the great room. It was mid morning and the house was almost back to normal. They had enjoyed what Hop Sing called a ‘speciah, happy, mallied coupah bleckfast’. A tray was brought to number one son’s bedroom. Fresh coffee, hot biscuits and honey, fluffy scrambled eggs and crispy strips of bacon, were made short work of. The breakfast, was in fact exactly the same as the breakfast being served downstairs. And more or less the same breakfast that was served everyday. As Little Joe pointed out, much to his detriment. He was left rubbing a stinging ear. Courtesy of Hop Sings lethal kitchen cloth. The tip of which always found it’s chosen target.

The Simms and the Martin’s had both stayed overnight. They were now dithering as to whether they would accept Ben’s offer to stay for dinner or return to town. Both couples decided on the former. Adam and Etta also took the option to stay their last night at the family home. They would then, when they returned from their travels, move into their own home.

Etta was pleased that Adam had agreed to staying another night. As much as she wanted to move into her own house. Etta loved the atmosphere and the warmth of the welcome she had been given in her husbands family home. She also felt that it would make moving to their own home, after the honeymoon, more of a special occasion. It too delighted Hop Sing as he had every intention to prepare a splendid going away meal.

Etta already realised how important it was to the running of the Ponderosa, that the Chinese cook be kept in good spirits. She had witnessed his Cantonese curses and Asian outrage. She knew very well he was not to be trifled with. She also knew that the small man would lay down his life for any member of the Cartwright family. As they too would do for him This family that she was now a part of. She felt deeply that she belonged nowhere else on this earth but on the Ponderosa.

The next day Adam and Etta would be leaving for their honeymoon. Taking the West bound stagecoach. They would be stopping in San Fransisco for a few days. From there by train and boat to New Orleans. That would be the first stage of their journey. They then would make their way to Boston. Thomas and Harriett Simms had invited them to stay as guests in their new home. The newly weds would then make their way back to Virginia City.

The meal was indeed sumptuous, a veritable banquet. The conversations lively and humorous. Apart from the Cartwright’s, the Simms’ and the Martin’s. Both Candy and Griff were coerced into joining the going away celebration. At first both men declining but later happily changing their minds. Adam and Etta were toasted with every refilled glass

It was over the dinner table that evening that a lot of discussion as well as food and drink was taken on board. Candy had decided to take his inheritance seriously. Adam had suggested that while he was away, Candy work alongside Caleb Daws, Adam’s manager. He would learn the lumber business from a top man. On Adam’s return he and Candy would take a look at the Fuller business. Which in fact was being managed perfectly well by Barney’s second in command. Everyone now knowing that the man would very soon have to stand down due to his illness. Adam’s suggestion was found to be the best solution to Candy taking over his own Company. The Fuller house and acreage he proposed to put up for sale. The mansion house being so large, Candy said he would never feel comfortable in it.

Ben had received another letter from San Fransisco. Amos Turner, the disgraced director of Turner, Lawson and Rawston. Had been found guilty of complicity and conspiring to murder. By the time the letter reached the Ponderosa, the sentence would have been carried out. Thomas Simms added some information regarding Mr Amos Turner. He was the son of the Amos Turner the founder of Turner’s Town. He was also the father of Trooper Amos Turner. Father and son their lives both terminated by the hangman. The talk of Turner’s Town reminded Thomas Simms that he had collected a letter for Etta. This remark completely astounded the woman. It being the first mail she had since she had moved to the town. Now that she was no longer living there she receives a letter. Not wanting to appear rude by opening the message at the table. She was urged to do so by Dr Simms.

He explained that the town was in turmoil. People were leaving in droves. The Railroad Company having changed the proposed route. Turner’s Town would very soon become a ghost town. The letter may very well contain something that needed to be dealt with immediately. It was his opinion as the only thing she had left was her property. The Doctor assumed it may well be something pertaining to that. Adam agreed and added, what with their going away for some considerable time. It would be best to do as Thomas says. Etta handed the letter to Adam saying she wanted nothing more to do with Turner’s Town, and as she was now a married woman the property no longer was hers anyway.

Silence fell as the expectant faces around the table waited to hear what Adam had to say. The man was not able to suppress a grin, a wayward dimple enhanced his handsome features. He carefully folded the letter. Replaced it in the envelope and slid it into his vest pocket. Taking perverse enjoyment from the delay he was bestowing on his audience. Hoss’s patience failed.

He the man who would sit for hours watching a baby fawn and it’s mother drink from a mountain stream. Not a muscle moving or barely a breath taken. So as not to disturb or frighten the timid creatures. He allowed no such tolerance of his elder brother.

“Dadburn Adam, yer the most annoying cuss…pardon me Miss Etta ma’am.” his brother’s obvious frustration put an end to Adam’s playfulness. Circling Etta’s shoulder he pulled her toward him. She went without any reluctance.

“It seems that I, not only have married a beautiful woman. But that for a brief moment that beautiful woman was also a very wealthy woman.” Etta looked up in amazement. Her hand swiftly made a movement toward her husbands vest pocket. Not swiftly enough. Chuckling Adam caught her wrist. “ah ah, my pretty encumbrance…not so fast. What is yours is mine.” Adam’s laughter deepened. “and what is mine is….” Etta mimicking her husband’s laughter pressed her head into his chest. Adam loosened his grip and replaced his hand on her shoulder. Etta sat back in her chair. The envelope firmly held in her fingers. Joe’s crazy giggle set the scene. Everyone burst into laughter. Adam eventually explained that the Railroad Company had offered Etta a considerable sum of money for her house and land. The water that ran through her land being the important part of the deal. They needed the house and barn for storage and accommodation for a line manager. The tracks were being diverted from the town across Etta’s land, where a water stop was going to be situated.

The meal continued in the same fashion of goodhearted bonhomie. It was over the coffee’s and brandy that Etta came up with the idea. That is if Candy was in agreement. The orphanage was fund raising to try and get enough money to make needed improvements. As she had only seen the outside of the house she had no idea if her suggestion would work. But that Adam would be able to advise. Would it not be possible to move the orphanage to the Fuller house? The monies that had already been raised could go toward any alterations in the newer, larger building. The grounds of the Fuller house. With it’s orchard and gardens would be ideal for the children. Adam agreed it was a sound idea. He had been inside Barney’s house on a number of occasions but had never had a grand tour, so to speak. But he could see no reason why bedrooms couldn’t be made into dormitories. Or even left as they were. He remembered the rooms downstairs to be large, he would assume that the upstairs was built along the same design. Etta added that although she never knew the man. Knew only what she had been told. She felt that he was a lonely man who only wanted a family and a family house. And that now he could have that. The Orphanage could be renamed the Fuller’s Home for Children.

Ben was speechless. He stood and walked over to where Etta was sitting. Standing behind her he bent and gave her a fatherly kiss on top of her head. Exclaiming how blessed he was. That after such a long wait to have a daughter. He should get one that was charmingly lovely and intelligent to boot. Candy was one hundred percent behind the idea. Adam was not only delighted that Etta’s suggestion had been so well received. He announced that he would take a block of paper with him and start making some sketches. Joe’s teasing and slightly disrespectful remark…

“That if elder brother couldn’t think of anything better to do on his honeymoon. He’d be glad to go along and help him out.” only earned him a sharp cuff from Hoss. Which as his head was turned away from his big brother’s punishing back hand. He could not, as in his usual manner, evade the blow.

The house was uncomfortably quiet. All the guests had left. Adam and Etta Cartwright were San Fransisco bound on the first leg of their honeymoon and life together.

Ben, Hoss and Joe were occupying themselves in the usual manner. Ben, pipe in one hand and newspaper in the other. His son’s not wanting to head for town with Candy and Griff. Were deeply involved in a game of checkers. Joe’s patience was waning. His brother seemed to be taking no interest at all in the game…Joe hadn’t even had to bother to misappropriate the odd checker.

“Awww, come on Hoss, at least make a fist of it…that’s four games in a row.”

“Only coz yer cheating as usual,” Hoss remarked forcing his mind back to the matter in hand.

“I aint got no need to, you just aint taking no notice.”

“I reckon yer right at that little brother, l jes aint intrested.” Hoss sat back in the chair and gave a huge sigh.

“Heck Hoss, l aint forcing yer to play…l just thought ta do something we usually do.”

“l know Joe…but l jes aint up to it. Guess l jes keep thinking what elder brother’s up to.”

Joe turned to check the clock. “Well it’s kinda early but l reckon it don’t take much of a guess to…”

“JOSEPH.” the reprimand came from behind closed eyes.

“Dadburn Joe, that aint what…caint you ever think of anything else?” Joe grinned, pulled a long face and took sometime to answer.”

“Nope…what is what then?”

“I’s thinking on that last night…yer know…we wuz all at the table. Yer know that’s how come we’re sitting here like two ole fish’s outa water and Adam he’s out there, married, gal on his arm.” Ben opened his eyes and put down his paper. Joe rested his face in his elbowed fist and gazed sympathetically at his brother. “it’s all that book learning…he knows jes what ter say, when ter say it an how ter it. Yer know what ahm saying?”

Eyebrows raised questioningly, Ben and Joe looked askance at each other “Nope” Joe repeated.

Ben threw his son a disparaging look. “What are you trying to say Hoss?”

“Pa, iffun l could say stuff like that.”

“Ya mean like old granite head?…what’s so special about what he says?…it’s all from them dead poets.”

“That’s what l means…iffun l could say that stuff.” Joe’s patience was again on the wobbly leg.

“Like what fer instance?”

“Like…wait up, l gotta remember…yeah…’my purty encumbrance’ stuff like that. Aint that something?”

FINIS