Summary: A bad choice with a good ending, causes Adam to grow up and take on new responsibilities.
Rating: PG-13 Words: 11,550
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The Bransters thank Corina for forwarding this story to include in the Preserving Their Legacy Project.
Author’s Note: I want to thank my beta reader and sister for all their help at making this story what it is now!
Adam’s Tarnished Halo
Marie knew. She definitely knew that Adam should not be entangled with this Stewston gal. But as many times as she tried to bring the issue forwards to Ben, he just laughed and said that Adam was just a child. But Marie knew that that was not true and that the little hussy Stella Stewston had more than a school- girl crush in mind. She wanted an affair. Marie definitely knew that this was true- she had been in Stella’s shoes at 16. But Ben would not listen to her about the impending properties that were needed to take place. He just laughed it away.
Adam grinned and took Stella’s hand and kissed the laced fingers.
Stella immediately simpered and touched her bonnet. “How do you like my bonnet? It’s new and you haven’t mentioned it!”
Stella pink lips turned into a pout as she tossed her brown curls. Giving Adam a wide eyed look, she waited- her expression over expectant.
Adam grinned, “I like it. The yellow is bright.”
She kissed Adam’s cheek. He gazed longingly at her lips and she treated him to a long kiss. Starry eyed and beginning to flush, Adam pulled away gasping. Looking back at Stella as he stumbled away, he felt bad. Her lips had once again formed the perfect pout, and her brown eyes were flashing under her long lashes. Adam could also see that her cheeks were a delightful pink. Stella Stewston. She had been in is life for nearly two years. The pair was beginning to get too involved, but Adam was too blind to realize that it was time to step away. Anyways he let himself believe that since she was Ralph Stewston, the bank owner’s little sister, that she would never do anything indecent.
Adam turned back and took her hands and kissed them again. “I’m sorry, sweet, I – Well. You have a certain… effect on me.”
Stella graced his cheek with her palm. “Adam, I’m sorry for un-doing you. Now are you going to take me inside or not? It’s hot and I am going to wilt!”
Adam helped her down from the surrey and led her into the ranch house, calling behind him for a ranch hand to tie the horse up. When the two walked in, Ben, Marie, Hoss, and little Joe were just finishing afternoon tea. Adam had taken Stella on along ride around the Ponderosa and now had brought her to the ranch house for a little while.
“Hey Pa, Marie, I’m home.”
Ben jumped from his chair the same time baby Joe did. Ben rushed to greet Stella and take her to the fire and the best chair. Joe rushed for Adam’s arms and was rewarded with a hug. While Adam tussled Joe’s hair and sat the child down, he missed the disgusted look from Stella- so did Ben, but Marie didn’t. She knew this young woman needed to go.
“So, how are you, my dear?” Ben asked and then quickly summoned Hop Sing for coffee.
Stella flashed a flirty look towards Ben, “Very well, Mr. Cartwright. And how is your growing family?”
At this she wrinkled her nose a little bit again. Adam, whom had come over to sit on the footstool at his girl’s feet, noticed the twitch but dismissed it as a reaction to a funny smell. He smelled it too. Vainly hoping it wasn’t him, he quickly glanced around, trying to target its location. The conversation stagnated as they waited for coffee.
All of sudden there was a peep from Joe. “Mama?”
Marie immediately turned to Joe. “Yes, mon chere?”
“Mama!” The child began to cry and held his arms up to her.
It was then that Adam realized what the smell was- it was now overpowering. Joe had had a little “accident.” At 4 the child still had a rare accident. Adam shook his head. It WOULD have to be now, when Stella was here. What would she think? Now she would just think him of one of a “growing family,” and not as much as Ben Cartwright’s refined eldest son. Adam rolled his eyes, took Stella’s hand and asked her if she wanted to go ahead and leave. She nodded quickly as Marie walked by with the weeping Joe, leaving the wake of a not-so-pleasant smell.
As the two headed for the door, Ben called out to Adam “Adam, don’t forget that you agreed to help Ted and Sam bring that group of cattle down from the West Pasture this evening.”
Adam stood still for a minute, half glaring. He had forgotten that.
Stepping forwards, he addressed Ben in a whisper, “Pa, can you give me a break this time? I promised Stella that after I took her home, I’d stay for dinner.”
Ben stood still for a second and then smiled at his son. “Alright, Adam, you go out and have fun with Stella. She’s a good girl. Just don’t get home too late.”
Adam grinned and then bolted out of the door where Stella was waiting on the porch. Ben stood smiling after them until he heard foot steps behind him on the stairs.
“Ben, you are so blind!! You should not have done that.”
Ben whirled around and saw Marie glaring down on him. Her eyes were flashing green pools.
“Marie! What is wrong with you?”
He rushed to the bottom of the stairs and began to start up them when Marie held up her hand, “Don’t you come near me! I am angry with you! Vous estes une exasperation, l’imbecile, profondenent dirige et arrogant, taureaur dirige, qui inconscient a ce qu continue! You sent Adam out there again with that hussy. That’s the straw that breaks the camel’s back.”
A tear escaped and rolled down her cheek. Marie was now flustered, “Your son won’t come back the same.”
Ben bolted up the stairs and covered Marie’s mouth.
“Are you crazy?” Ben shouted at her in a whisper.
“Where did that come from?”
Marie shoved him back. “I have been telling you the last two years that that Stewston hussy is no good for him! She’s going to ruin our son!”
Tears coursed Marie’s beautiful face.
Ben took her in his arms, “Alright sweetheart, I’ll take your word, but Stella really isn’t a bad girl. Her brother and his wife may be a little arrogant, but she’s alright.”
Marie sank down on the landing, unable to stand anymore. “Ben, please listen to me. You know only a little bit of my past, but to save Adam,”-
“Save Adam?” Ben bellowed.
“Shh, you will wake Joe,- yes to save Adam I will tell you it all.”
“Marie, dear, you don’t have to…”
She covered his mouth. “When I was a child, my father died. It was then that my mother began to see ‘gentlemen.’ A different one every night. And then when I was around 12, she began to bring them home at night. By 14, she had purchased an old building in downtown New Orleans and opened a brothel. She was the main lady. But she actually hired on a few other girls. That’s where I did most of my growing up- in those lush red rooms with mirrors and flashy stuff all around. I was also one of my mother’s girls. By the time I was 16. I was out on the street bringing the men into ‘Madam de Vrye.’ I was just like Stella Stewston. I primped and kissed and revealed my body to bring men and money in to my mere.”
Marie tried to wipe away her tears as she struggled to carry on. “I wore low cut dresses sometimes cut all the way up to my knees. I covered myself in rouge and decorated my eyes and hair. Every night I went out on the street. I was a prostitute, Ben!”
Her husband rubbed her back Somehow all along he had suspected this about his wife. And Stella. All of sudden, in his mind’s view, he could see Stella brushing Adam’s back, dangerously low. Lots of frightening memories washed over him. Of she and Adam, hugging, their bodies too close- their hands in all the wrong places Ben had put it all out of his mind because it had seemed so un-characteristic of his son. He could see the two of them, knee deep in Lake Tahoe, late one afternoon, in total lip lock.
Ben shook himself out of the reverie, Marie was speaking again. “When I was 18, I was pregnant. My mother had been killed by a lover a few months before, and now I was the owner of the- the.”
She couldn’t finish. “I sold it and headed for another outfit on the waterfront. They had me as a bar maid until I was too pregnant to work. Lucky for me, I had gotten into a relationship with a rich ship liner’s owner. He even wanted to marry me. We were engaged and I believe loved each other when his ship went down in a storm. I was allowed to stay in his home until I had the child whom I named Clay. I loved that baby, but I had no way of keeping him. My fiancé’s sister lived with him and she disliked me, so I had to leave. I left Clay at an orphanage and slowly made my way up to Mississippi where I was a servant for a few years. After moving back to New Orleans, I once again became a saloon girl. You met me right after I miscarried another man’s child.”
Marie sunk down in Ben’s arms, broken and battered. “You cannot love me anymore, Ben.”
She gazed up into his dark eyes seeing only love. Ben took her face in his hands and began to kiss her tears away. “My love, I will always love you because we were meant for each other.”
He embraced her and they wept.
In Virginia City, after the pair had roamed the hills around the city for a few hours, Adam and Stella were just arriving at the Stewston’s house in the middle of town. After entering by the front door, the two were informed by the downstairs maid that the adults would not be home until late. Adam was a little puzzled by Stella’s delighted look. It kind of made him excited. Maybe she had planned it so that they could have some time alone. Adam smiled and swept his hat off as Stella turned to finger his button on his shirt. After she had somehow undone two of them, she asked him if he wanted to take some air in the garden before supper.
“Sure,” Adam supplied.
Stella took his hand and led him out into the garden behind the house. They strolled around for a few minutes until Stella pulled him down on a small bench among a lot of roses. The bench was too small for the both of them, so Stella popped into Adam’s lap and began to talk about last week’s dance and how the ones back east had been so much better. Adam was barley aware of her tittering- her body was much too close to his. For some reason he felt intoxicated. The roses smelled so good and Stella’s giggle was light. All of sudden the house keeper called that supper was ready and the two had to go inside.
Ben still cradled Marie, letting her cry, helping her to release her shameful past. Another not so innocent image of Stella and Adam flashed through his mind- the couple strolling down a side walk in Virginia City. They had been walking too close. Ben shook his head. He HAD been blind. And he would have gone after Adam too if Marie had sunk into a deep fitful sleep. But then again, Adam was 16- he was mature. Another memory proved this. Of Adam pulling away from a passionate kiss. That had happened just last month. Adam wasn’t stupid and the Stewston’s were there to watch them. He would just have to have a little talk with his son after he got home.
As Adam and Stella were seated, she flashed him a look of pure passion, and then reached for Adam’s hand under the table. All of the way through the meal, the two shot one another looks that doomed the evening. After the rushed supper, Stella ordered the maid serving them to tell the rest to not bother them until they came downstairs. Adam was surprised that the girl didn’t seem surprised.
She just curtsied and said “Yes, ma’am,” leaving them alone.
It was as if Stella brought lovers home all the time, Adam thought. But surely not, she was his girl wasn’t she? Adam erased the thought and followed Stella up the stairs. He noticed how delightfully her brunette curls bounced on the back of her neck as they reached her door. She then swung it open, slipping out of her blouse, letting it fall to the floor. Now she was only clad in her skirt and thin chemise. At that, Adam banished all thought that what he was doing wrong, and fell onto the bed with her. After a few brief moments, Adam made love for the first time in his life.
As the night wore on, the couple made ravenous and then sweet and gentle love. Adam was sure that he was totally happy and that their bodies were made for each other.
As their sweat clung to each other, Stella whispered his name, “Adam, I love you.”
“I love you too.” He kissed her deeply, running his hands through her hair. “But, alas, it all must end, dear. It’s 9 and I have a long ride back to the Ponderosa.”
Stella sighed from underneath him. “Alright, Adam.”
She didn’t beg or plead for him to stay- she had gotten what she had wanted. Adam quickly found his clothes which were flung around the room, and then sharing one last kiss with his lover, slipped from her room. Tip toeing down the hall, Adam went down the stairs and the out of the front door, un-heeded. Glancing at the big clock on the bank, Adam quickly jumped into the buggy and headed for the stables. Because he was late it made sense for him to leave the buggy at the stables and ride Beauty home. He would come back for it tomorrow. It was 9:15. He had better ride at top speed!
Ben brushed away the last of Marie’s tears, and gently easing out from under her, he bolted for the door. He couldn’t stand it anymore. After images of Stella had floated though his mind all evening long he just had to go and save his son. Well, his son’s good name. His heart ached for leaving Marie like that. She had had terrible recollection of her past life and ended up weeping hysterically for 4 hours. Hop Sing had come by them once with trays for the boy’s suppers. But he had never come back down stairs. Ben assumed he had taken care of the eating, bathing, and bed time stories for his two younger sons. Hop Sing was the most loyal friend he had ever had. Now that Ben’s horse was saddled, he quickly mounted and rushed, pell-mell out of the yard.
Riding homewards in the very dark night, Adam began to feel so wrong. Just a little while ago, he had been elated as he explored a very beautiful and feminine body’s charms for the first time in his life. But now he felt so sure of damnation from his father and then God. Especially from God- his father would hopefully never know. It was a very long ride home with his whole body throbbing from the night’s activity. As he came over a hill about a half an mile from the ranch house, he heard hooves beating the ground somewhere below. Quickly guiding Beauty off of the trail, Adam drew his gun and waited in the shadow of a tree. After a moment, he spotted Buck scrambling up the road at a frantic pace.
Quickly leading Beauty, Adam came out into the moon light. “PA! It’s me, Adam. What’s wrong?”
Ben rode up to Adam and dismounted, looking him son over. The boy quickly dropped his gaze and re-holstered his gun. His Pa took in his half un-buttoned shirt and his ruffled hair.
Sighing with relief at Adam’s safety, he placed his hand on Adam’s shoulder. “It-it was getting late, so I thought I’d come looking for you.”
Adam stared incredulously at his father. It was only around 10:30. His Pa usually didn’t send out a search party until it was around 1:00 or 2:00.
“I’m fine, Pa.” Adam offered a lame smile as Ben remounted Buck and aimed for the trail back home.
“That’s good, son.”
As the two rode in companionable silence, Ben wondered if he had the guts to turn the conversation to Stella now that he had the chance. It was very obvious what Adam’s activities had been that night. Part of him wondered if they had even eaten supper.
Pushing those things out of his mind, he went for it. “So how was your evening with Stella? “
Adam’s eyes darted nervously around. “Good, Pa.”
Ben shook his head- this would not do. “Son, your mother and I had a discussion. We don’t want you seeing Stella anymore.”
At Adam’s protest, he held up his hand. “Hear me out, son. You two are just too close for your age. You may think and look like a man, but you are still a boy. Bide your time.”
Adam didn’t protest this time, he felt too ashamed and guilty. And stupid. Stella had obviously made love before. All he had done was loose his virginity in a thick mist of lust and not true love. The last part of the ride back to the ranch was silent.
The next day brought Adam bolt right up in bed. Shame flooded over him again. Thinking about the night before caused him to blush. He also had a funny feeling that Stella was done with him and wasn’t going to see him again. She had got what she had wanted from him. Because of this, Adam wasn’t too surprised to hear about Stella taking up with James Wikker the next time his friend Ralph came over. This was it, he told himself sadly. They had been seeing each other for two years and now, because of his rash actions, it was all over. Adam then forced the night out of his mind and buckled down to his work.
Marie knew what had happened. She could tell by just watching Adam the next morning at breakfast. She knew that the boy was full of regret and that Stella would just dump him now. Marie also realized that Stella knew that she would never be able to get away with seducing Adam again. He was too smart for that. Nobody would ever be Adam Cartwright’s mistress. He was too honorable. She just hoped that Adam hadn’t gotten the girl pregnant.
Four months passed as Adam threw himself into his work on the ranch. He missed Stella’s company, but would not go back to her for the world.
One early October day, Ben called Adam to his desk and handed him a list. “I need you to go into town and pick these supplies up. Then I need you go and get that bank draft for the head of cattle we bought last week. I can’t go because Mr. Daggers is coming by in a couple hours. Hop Sing is going with you.”
Adam stood un-believing for a second and then said, “Yes, Sir.”
Leaving the house, he hitched the buck board and then tacked up Beauty.
Adam hadn’t been in Virginia City since the night he made love to Stella. He shivered a little as he passed by the “Welcome to Virginia City” sign. Adam was really dreading this. His best hope would be to get in and out as fast as he and Hop Sing could.
“Alright, Hop Sing, you can get the food supplies and I’ll go to the bank. Ok?”
Hop Sing knew. “Ok, number one son. We hurry.”
Adam glanced sideways at the little man from his perch on Beauty- his heart thudding. Why did Hop Sing have to have that intuition? That sixth sense?
Adam sighed- luckily, his secret was safe with Hop Sing. “Ok, see you in a little while,”
Adam wheeled Beauty around and high stepped down the street.
Hop Sing was left sitting on the wagon, shaking his head. Adam was a handsome boy headed for trouble. The boy was practically his own son- he would have to talk to him.
Adam and Beauty practically pranced down the street. The horse was in a frisky mood and lifted his legs high while throwing her head about. Between Adam and Beauty, it was a sight to see. The boy rode well, holding his seat with ease. His good looks were openly admired by women and girls, while all the young boys gazed at his pistol strapped to his side. All of the fathers shook their heads and smiled. That young Cartwright was a fine boy. In amongst the group mingling around the bank, there was one girl who hated Adam. She turned and dashed back into her brother’s establishment as Adam swung from Beauty. After landing gently on the ground, Adam tied the horse up. Reaching into his back pocket, he brought out the necessary papers and, with a showy light step, strode up the steps. Adam’s facade may have been relaxed and cool, but his heart hammering away. Darn! Why did Mr. Stewston have to own the bank? After being his little sister’s escort for as long as they had been living there, the man would ask why the relationship wasn’t still going. Adam took a deep breath and strode in. He saw a short line of people and then Stella. She was leaning against one of the counters, flirting with a young teller. Adam’s heart thundered, but maybe he could avoid her. Sliding the way up to the other counter, he kept his back turned.
Stella smiled evilly. This was perfect. Immediately putting on her most angry and heart broken look she marched over to Adam and pulled him around to face her. Adam stared back at her, wishing the ground would open up and swallow him.
“Hello, Adam Cartwright.”
“Stella.”
She released a few tears and then glancing around to make sure her brother wasn’t in the room, she sidled up closer to Adam. “You, you JERK!”
Adam tried to back away but she wouldn’t let him. “You- you, how could you!”
Adam’s face burned with shame as the girl yelled. He had no idea why she laying into him in front of a gathering crowd. Stella smiled to herself. Her scene was un-folding beautifully. Falling to her knees, she grabbed Adam’s arm.
With tears rolling down her cheeks, she wailed, “I’m pregnant, can’t you see! And it’s your fault. You took advantage of me and my innocence. I’m 4 months pregnant. I thought you were a good boy, but you aren’t. You’re a PIG!!”
Adam stood still, frozen to ground. He couldn’t move or breathe. Then it all came to him. She was obviously pregnant as it showed when she stood up. His breath came back as gasps. It was true.
Finally he heard himself asking, “Are you sure it’s my baby?”
Stella leaned forwards, all of her tears gone. Adam could see that she had set the whole scene up.
Hissing in his ear, Stella addressed him, “Yes, Cartwright. It is you child. I would never have cheated on you. Now I will have to live in shame for the rest of my life. But I’m gonna let everyone know that it was your fault.”
She then turned and strode out of the bank.
Only Adam’s sure will power kept in the bank. A few people were sending him shocked and disgusted looks. As soon as the teller had finished with his, he rushed blindly out and mounted Beauty. Cantering down the street, he headed for the store. Arriving there, he jumped from the horse and ran inside. News like this tended to get around in just minutes. He HAD to get out of here.
Forcing his voice from squeaking, Adam leaned up against the counter. “About done Mr. Cass?”
The man smiled, “Yep, there is the stack.”
Adam quickly went over and began to load the buckboard. He noticed Hop Sing watching him. The little man knew. The Stewston child was pregnant and had finally let Adam know. He shook his head and bent to lend a hand to Adam.
The two friends left Virginia City quickly. Adam kept Beauty under a firm hand, not allowing her to prance about and show off. As Adam rode tight reined, his stomach began to churn. Pa! What would Pa do! Adam knew that he should be a man and tell Ben, but he just couldn’t face the truth. As he thought about Marie and his brothers finding out, he because almost dizzy. Then the thought of ruining the Cartwright name because of his rash decisions caused him to heave. The boy just couldn’t handle it anymore. Yanking Beauty to a stop, Adam stumbled off. Falling to his knees, he violently threw up time after time.
In the back ground he could hear Hop Sing stopping the buck board and coming over to him “Mista Adam, are you alright? Let me get water.”
The little man rushed for Adam’s canteen and then using the boy’s neckerchief, he wiped Adam’s face off. Then he pulled Adam’s coat off and pushed him backwards into the shade. After the episode, Adam began to sob helplessly.
Hop Sing knelt beside him and cradled his head in his hands. “Tell Hop Sing what is wrong.”
Adam gasped for breath. He hadn’t planned on telling anyone, but how could a person kept that kind of mistake to themselves! Anyways, Hop Sing would never let it out.
“I- I- got- Stella S-Stewston p- pregnant.”
Hop Sing’s face never changed. He had known all along.
“Mr. Adam, what you did was very dishonlable, but can’t be changed. You must help take responsibility. That girl is not a good girl, but you must be there for her.”
“No Hop Sing, I’m never going to get near another woman again!”
Adam shakily stood up and then leaned up against a tree, moaning. “Pa is gonna kill me!”
“You must tell honlable father. Must get it from you, and not the town people. He would never trust you again. Yes?”
Adam wiped his tears away, turned and mounted Beauty.
The heavy snow helped two months to successfully pass without Ben going into town. Adam guessed that Stella was expertly keeping her condition hid from her brother until the time to spring the lock on him. From what he heard from his friends, the few people in the bank had kept mum about the whole incident. But as soon as the weather began to clear up, things came to head. It was an early, clear, Saturday morning when Ben told the family that he was taking Marie into town that day. Adam immediately began to beg Ben to take Hoss, Joe and himself fishing. He whined that Ben had promised to few weeks ago and that this was the first nice day since then. Ben turned to Adam, surprised. Adam never whined yet he and his two younger brothers wore identical puppy dog faces.
“Pwese Pa,” Little Joe lisped and grabbed Ben’s pant leg.
“You promised, Pa,” Hoss reminded him.
Hoss was ten, so wanting to go fishing didn’t surprise Ben. But Adam? Maybe he was just helping his brothers out.
Marie broke the silence. “Come, Ben, you take them fishing. I just need to pick up that dress from the shop, and Hop Sing can accompany me.”
Ben finally smiled. “Ok, boys, get your rods.”
As Adam turned to leave the room, he caught Marie’s look. Oh NO! She had figured it out. Worse yet was that she WOULD tell his father if he didn’t. But she was graciously giving him a chance- he would have to take it. Anyways, the last six months had been pure torture to him. His conscience had been onto him at every corner. When Joe had turned 5, Marie had hosted a small breeching party. When Joe had worn his first pair of pants, Adam wondered if he was ever going to get to see his own child going through similar stages. Joe had been so pretty that morning in his dress and long curls. He had looked quite like a girl. But around 1:00, the family had gathered, clipped off his precious curls which Marie had kept, and dressed him in his first pair of pants.. After the family had carried him downstairs to the small gathering of friends, Joe had strutted around looking somewhat different with short hair. Marie had been still trying to wipe her tears away when they had joined the party. And another thing that drove Adam to the brink of telling his Pa the truth was when one of the ranch hands had teasingly asked why Adam hadn’t put his brand on Stella yet. Adam had snapped at him and left the corral. Everyday he remembered Hop Sing’s words, “But you must take responsibility.” That’s exactly what he wasn’t doing. If he had, he would have stood up to Stella, admit it, and told his family. Adam had wept bitterly on his pillow every single night. One night had even brought a frightening nightmare that left him screaming. In it, Stella was taunting Adam that she had gotten rid of the baby by selling it to a family that lived in San Francisco. In the dream, Adam had been searching all over for the baby to find out that the family and his child had been killed in a stage coach accident. When Adam’s screaming woke the house, Ben had rushed to him. Adam had almost broke down and told it all to his father. Something kept him from doing so- fear that Ben would be ashamed of him.
Ben, Adam, Hoss, and Joe sat fishing by the waters edge. Ben and his two youngest were immensely enjoying the day. Adam was dreading each second to come. Finally he excused himself and walked off down a pine trial. It made it all worse to see his family so happy. Ben, noticing that the boy was distracted, did not allow Joe to follow him. The little boy screamed and yelled until Hoss suggested wading. Joe’s tears immediately dried up and he smile again.
As Adam walked down the cool trail, he wrestled with his thoughts. He could still hear Joe’s temper tantrum and a pang hit him in the breast. He would probably never get to see his baby until it was old enough to walk the streets of Virginia City. Maybe not even then. The Stewstons would probably leave the town as soon as they found out that Stella was with child. Adam hated himself as he stepped into a clearing. To his total surprise, a mother deer was laying on her side in a pile of pine needles. Once in a while her flanks would heave but then she would be still again. Adam didn’t dare go any closer. What in the world was wrong?
“Hey, you ok?” Adam gently whistled.
The deer turned his way and grunted. Adam took a step forwards into the clearing. The sun filtered gently down and a bird called out. Adam walked on over to the deer before he could see what was wrong. The deer was giving birth- and from the looks of it, had been for a very long time. Adam had seen many horses and cattle have trouble and had even lent a hand sometimes. No wonder she hadn’t moved when he had come over. The boy knelt down and touched the baby and then the mother. The deer look slightly wary, but the baby completely un-happy. Adam wiped his hands in the grass and then knelt by the deer. Grabbing the front hooves, he prayed for a miracle, and began pulling. After a long moment of straining on both ends, Adam flew backwards into the grass, the baby on top of him. Quickly, he stood up, and after dragging baby to the deer’s head, backed away. After a moment, the mother struggled to her feet and began to administer to her baby. Adam stood still, trying to wipe the amniotic fluid off of his hands and shirt front. He was amazed at the little fawn who was already struggling to get to her feet. Adam giggled and hush-hushed at the mother who stood staring trustingly at him. Adam lifted a hand in farewell and stepped back into the forest. He had learned a lesson from the deer and fawn. Never give up; someone would always be there to hold you up through trouble. He would see the Stella deal all the way though, tell his family, and come out in the sun shine. Quickening his steps, Adam headed back to Lake Tahoe.
As the rest of her family relaxed by the Lake, Marie was in town. She was going to have fun too! In redeeming her son this way, she felt much like a vixen. Remembering that she had done this when she was a teenager, made her smile. But this time it was as a mother instead of an angry girl whose man had been wooed by another girl. The girl had also become pregnant. Marie quickened her step, searching for Miss Stella Stewston. She had left Hop Sing with his cousin and had rushed back downtown. Finally as she was beginning to give up hope, Marie spotted the girl. Her heart skipped a beat. The girl was indeed pregnant. Her brother must have been blind, dumb, or both. Stella was hanging off a young man’s arm, the other arm gracing her middle. She seemed to be trying to sell herself off to the man. Marie smoothed down her dress, straightened her shoulders, took a deep breath, and hurried over to the couple. She had come up behind Stella for a better approach, so she startled the girl by yanking her around. Just touching Stella made her mad.
The girl immediately recognized Marie, “Mrs. Cartwright…”
“Just look at you!”
The girl recoiled.
“You vulgair. You messed with my son and stole his innocence. You are a salope. Salope! You ruined his life. Now I’ve got something to tell you- you are a pig-headed jerk. Imbecile femme. Imbecile, imbecile, imbecile! You just want my son to sleep with him. You never loved him! You dirty vulgair. Never come near me and my family. Don’t even TOUCH me!”
Marie glared down at the girl, looking like she was going to spit. But, instead turned and walked away. Stella couldn’t speak a word of French; but she had gotten Marie’s drift. She turned, leaving the man behind, and ran home. How dare that Cartwright vixen! She would just tell her brother that it was Adam who did it. She had kept silent before, but not anymore!
By the time the evening had rolled around, Adam was again plagued with doubt and fear. Marie had come in from Virginia City at about five, and now they were enjoying supper. At least everyone else in the family was. Adam squirmed around, picked at his food, and finally asked to be excused.
Ben looked intently at him, “Are you not feeling well?”
Adam pasted on a fake smile. “Nah, but can Hoss play checkers since he is done?”
Adam knew that he had evaded the question but his Pa was still wondering what was wrong. Hoss got up, stuffing a roll into his mouth and followed Adam over to the checker board. Ben gave Marie a questioning look who deflected it by trying to make Joe eat a little more. This aversion didn’t work because the little boy wanted to go watch his brothers. Marie quickly got up too and sat on the settee with her knitting. Ben sat alone for a moment. Wondering what had become of his family. Finally he shrugged and headed over to his desk where he began to sort through some papers.
Adam all of sudden sat bold upright. His mind had been so far away from the checker game that he was loosing. Hoss was grinning and jumping about 5 of his checkers.
Adam slammed his fist down on the table. “DANG IT!”
“ADAM! Watch your language around your brothers. Everywhere else if that matters.”
Adam bit his lip and smiled at Hoss for his rare victory. Ben went back to his papers.
After a few minutes, Ben stood up and carried a stack of papers to the table, “I’ve got to go into town tomorrow with these-“
Adam’s head shot up and a “No!” escaped his lips.
He froze, so did Ben and Marie.
Ben turned and looked at him, “Any why not? You might as well also answer as to why you have been trying you best to keep me out of town for the last 4 months. It’s been pretty obvious.”
Adam knew that this was the end of the line for him. Standing up, he took a deep breath. Staring back into Ben’s eyes was when he lost his nerve. Turning he collided with Hoss who fell against the checker board. Pushing him aside, Adam rushed up the stairs.
Ben stood still for a moment and then turned to Marie with a helpless shrug. “What was that all about? I should tan him for being so disrespectful.”
Marie took his arm, “He needs to talk to you can’t you see? Now come read the boys their bed time story and then you can go up to him.”
Ben smiled and took her hand, “Alright, Sweet.”
He then turned to the boys, “Alright, boys, on the settee.”
Both children clamored onto it- Joe in his father’s lap and Hoss cuddled up next to them. Marie had always kept herself distant during this tradition, so she busied herself with some futile dusting.
Adam lay in his bed, sobbing. His whole body writhed in anguish from his tears. After maybe 10 minutes, he could hear Ben and Marie in the hallway. Marie was begging Ben to come down stairs for a few minutes. Adam knew that Marie as giving him his last chance- she had been speaking way too loud. Giving himself two minutes, Adam climbed from the bed. Crossing himself, he mumbled a word of prayer and then left the room.
Ben looked up at the lone figure at the top of the stairs.
“Yes, Adam?”
Adam swallowed hard and then made his way down the stairs.
His heart was pounding and his whole body felt clammy. “Pa?”
“Yes, son?”
“I need to tell you something.” Adam’s stomach turned over.
“What is it?”
Ben came over and put his hand on his son’s shoulder but the boy still hesitated. “Look Adam, you can tell me anything. I’m you father”.
Adam still stood frozen, staring past Ben. Ben turned and motioned Marie to leave. She smiled at Adam and quickly stepped towards the kitchen.
Ben turned back to Adam. “Out with it.”
“Uh, well, I got Stella Stewston pregnant six months ago.”
Ben’s expression didn’t flicker. And then in a very quiet voice, he asked, “You did what?”
“Stella Stewston is pregnant because of me.”
Ben finally exploded, “You got a girl pregnant? You are 16! You aren’t even engaged to her! Adam!”
Ben cradled his head in his hands. How guilty he felt of allowing his son to go this far. What a stupid stupid thing for the boy to do. Foolish.
As soon as he turned back to his son, his temper went unchecked. “You were so foolish! I am ASHAMED of you! How could you violate yourself and that girl?”
Ben’s face was livid with fury when he felt his wife’s soft hands on his back. “Ben, calm down. Adam was dragged into the whole thing. I know from a reliable source that that Stewston hussy seduced him.”
Ben had calmed down a bit.
Whirling back around to face his son once more he shouted, “You may have been seduced, but- but- I can’t believe it! I knew you slept with her, but I just couldn’t see you being able to get her pregnant!”
Adam was shocked at this and gasped. He had never felt so near tears in his life. He didn’t dare speak in fear of loosing his facade. But, as the minutes passed and Ben dished out a vicious talking to at a bellow, Adam began to break down. As his father drilled it into him how ashamed of him that he was, the boy fell to his knees. Giving up, he fell to the floor, great sobs shaking his thin frame. Ben immediately stopped his flow of language and with Marie at his side, rushed to their son. Ben pulled Adam off of the floor, and cradled him tightly to his chest. For some reason he was not so angry anymore. Maybe because Adam had admitted to it; maybe because the boy had broken down; maybe because he knew that the boy was truly sorry for his unchecked actions. Whatever the case was, Adam was his little boy and he was the parent who had failed his son. Placing a kiss of Adam’s forehead, he rocked him by the dyeing fire.
The morning was a long way away, leaving Adam with many tortured dreams. In them, he and Stella were always together, frolicking in the hills or sitting around talking. Adam especially dreamed about the day he tried to teach her to ride. She had perched on the saddle for awhile, until he urged Beauty into a lope. That was when she fell off and refused to get back on. Being miles from town or the ranch house, the two ended up riding double. Adam woke for a minute in a feverish state, and then dropped back to sleep. Another dream flashed through his mind. Of Stella innocently leading him to her room for his birthday present last year. She had handed the bundle to him and they had immediately left. Adam woke again, realizing-but not for the first time- that Stella had been building up his trust for two years just to catch him unaware one evening. Adam sat up. What bad choices he had made. He had allowed the wool to be pulled over his eyes.
Adam began to desperately pray: “Please God, I don’t want to die and go to hell. I’m so sorry. So so sorry. Please forgive me.”
Adam was so exhausted that he dropped off at the end of his plea.
Ben lay in bed, not knowing what to do. Time after time, he questioned his virtues, life, chastity, and most of all his blindness to his sons own problems. How could he have been so blind to it all? Marie had warned him time after time, but he had ignored her, believing his son too young to be thinking of such activities. He had believed the two to have just been in an innocent relationship. How wrong he had been! He had totally failed parenthood. Ben hadn’t noticed that he was getting so pent up, because all the sudden,
Marie laid her hand on his arm, and then propping herself up she laid his head on his chest. “Ben, you must not blame yourself love. You raised Adam in the right way. He was old enough to make his own choices, and he did.”
“No Marie, I’m must’ve gone wrong somewhere. I can’t believe it. I thought I’d done a good job!”
Ben sat up, agitated. Marie gently pulled him down and kissed his cheek. “Don’t beat yourself up about it. Stella would’ve got to him no matter what you did. He’s a very attractive boy, he can’t help it. Stella knew she could get him and did. Now you need to get some sleep love.”
Ben smiled at her in the dark “All right, Marie.”
Morning wasn’t welcomed. Adam knew that his pa would want a talk with him. He would want to know all about it and probably would end up locking him in his room until he was twenty one. The young man finally climbed out of bed onto the cold floor. Going over to the window, he stared out at the bleak view. He could barely see a few feet in the new blizzard. They had had so much snow this winter that it was depressing. Adam stood for a long time looking out until Little Joe came in and climbed in his bed.
Adam stood still for a moment watching the boy. “Adam, why you sad?”
“I’m not sad little buddy.” “Why was you crying last night? And are we gonna get a baby?”
Adam bolted over to the bed. “Y-you didn’t hear, I mean, were you eavesdropping last night?”
Adam was shaking, but he managed to shake his finger in Little Joe’s face. “You know you aren’t supposed to do that!”
Joe pulled his puppy dog face “Little Joe’s sorry.”
He grinned “Will I get to be a big brother?”
“Uncle,” slipped out of Adam’s mouth.
Then he slapped his hand over his mouth. “Look Joe, never repeat that! A young lady IS having my baby-” Adam paused there- that sounded horrible- “but you must never tell anyone that I was the one who told you. Not even Hoss. All right little buddy?”
Little Joe looked serious and pretended to lock his mouth. Adam lay back in the bed, pulling Joe with him. At Joe’s questioning look Adam shook his head and put a finger to his lips. Adam felt odd to be cuddling Joe, even though he’d always done it. Deep within him, he yearned to do the same with his own child some day.
A tear escaped, but he quickly brushed it away and got up. “Sorry Joe, I’ve got to get up.”
But Joe had dozed off. Adam turned to the mirror. He looked terrible! There were tear stains on his cheeks, his eyes had dark marks under them, and his whole face was deathly pale.
“Well, I can’t avoid the inevitable.”
Quickly changing, Adam went down the stairs. Marie gently greeted him from the table, where Hoss was stuffing his face.
“Joe’s in my bed,” Adam tried.
Marie just smiled and said Ben was in the barn. Adam knew what that meant. Grabbing two cups of coffee he headed outside.
“Here, Pa.” Adam handed the cup to Ben, who was checking the animals.
Ben smiled at his son, “Thank you Adam.”
Adam leaned up against a stall and took a sip, Ben did the same. Marie was right; his son was an attractive boy. All of the girls naturally flocked to him because of his looks and easy charm. The way he strode or rode up a street just commanded looks from men and women alike.
Ben shook his head and leaned up against the wall across from Adam. “I don’t know what to say or do.”
Adam held up his hand. “I’ll start Pa. It was a stupid thing to do and I am paying for it.”
“Are you ever! As soon as this weather clears up, I’ll have to go see Mr. Stewston.”
Adam dropped his head. “Pa, I’m really sorry.”
As he straightened up, Ben stepped forwards and placed a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Adam you are a good man, don’t ever forget that.”
Adam stared at Ben. His pa had never called him a man before. Ben brushed by him and left.
The love-child wasn’t mentioned for two more months. Adam was afraid though that Mr. Stewston would ask him to marry his sister. Mr. Stewston may have been arrogant but he was fair and square. He might have let his younger sister run all over town, but she had never gotten so involved or pregnant before. But Adam had to face it. The snow cleared up and a beautiful summer was promised. As the days increased in length the sun shone shown all day while billowing clouds passed overhead. Flowers were everywhere and many animals were being born. One spring day, Ben left for town. Adam remained at home, his heart threatening to beat out of his chest. When Marie suggested it, the young man had quickly agreed to take his brothers on a picnic to get away from the Ponderosa.
“Adam, you can’t catch me!” Little Joe darted away from his brothers who were chasing him in the shallow waters of Lake Tahoe.
“Oh yea I can!” Adam made grab for Joe, but fell head long into the water.
Hoss grabbed the child and began swinging him. “I’m gonna throw you in! One, two, three!”
Hoss tossed Joe at Adam who expertly caught him. Standing up, Adam threw him back. Joe was hysterically giggling. He loved being tossed back and forth between his brothers. The three had already eaten their lunch and now where just contented to waste the day away in the water.
Adam finally set Joe down and told him to climb on his back. “Ok, Hoss, let go out to the rocks.”
Adam pointed to their favorite spot further out. The two began wading out to the boulders.
“You gonna jump off Hoss?”
“Maybe.”
Adam laughed, “You never were much for doing that were you ?”
Hoss grinned, “Well, it’s gotta be a good 15 feet! Anyways, I hit the bottom when I jump.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s true. Hey Joe, how bout you jump off? I’ll catch you!”
Joe grinned, “Ok, Adam.”
They were at the rocks and clamored up them. Adam immediately jumped when they reached the highest one. After he hit the water he swam up and held his hands out. Joe immediately jumped and landed hard in Adam’s arms taking them both down. When Adam came up laughing, Hoss yelled down that he was going to jump too. After a running start, he also plunged into the icy water. The three swam around for awhile, just enjoying each other’s company, and then finally climbed out on the rocks to dry off. Adam was glad that the day had erased some of his stress. His brothers were the greatest
When Adam came in, Marie immediately ushered the younger boys into the kitchen. Ben called Adam from his desk. Adam, quivering, came over and stood in front of his father. Ben stood up and began to pace back and forth.
Finally he looked up at Adam. “Ok Adam, here’s the deal. Mr. Stewston was clear that either you marry his sister or take the child and pay him $10,000. If not he will take legal action against us, in the form that you raped Stella.”
Adam stood, breathing deeply. “But Pa, that’s not true!”
“I know it isn’t son, but he’s still going to do it. But since you’re old enough, I’m going to let you make the decision. You are going to have to take responsibility”
Ben paused “If you want to, I can get the best lawyer to defend you.”
Adam drilled his fingers on the desk, he was clear of one thing: he wanted his child if Stella didn’t.
Ben sat down “I have to tell you something else, Adam. They don’t want that baby. Mr. Stewston referred to already trying a ‘back-alley procedure.’”
Adam jerked his head up, tears in his eyes. “I want my baby. Even if they weren’t going to –do- away with it. She’d never give it a good home.”
“Ok son, I’ll write the letter.”
Ben’s eyes darkened “You’d better be a good father. Now go on.”
Adam backed away frightened “Yes sir.” He bolted out of the room, leaving his father’s head in his hands.
Adam mounted Beauty and rode out of the yard. He had to get away for awhile. He hadn’t even saddled the horse- just put the bridle on. Adam rode hard because Beauty was enjoying herself. Pine trees flanked the field on either side while the two sped through the wild flowers. A hawk soared overhead. Adam felt like he was flying. Giving Beauty her head, they ran until they reached the woods where she stopped. Guiding her in between the trees, Adam was startled to see a doe and fawn. After a long moment of the three looking at each other, he realized it was the deer he had helped two months ago on the spring like day. It had to be- she had the same trusting look in her eyes. The fawn was big and long legged now. Sitting there on Beauty, he admired the two then went on his way. Dismounting a few minutes later, Adam lay back in some thick grass near Lake Tahoe. Drifting off, he wondered how he was going to be a father.
Ben and Marie sat on the settee drinking their afternoon coffee. Ben always tried to take some time out of the day for this. Hoss played with Joe in front of the fire. Hoss was now eleven, his birthday being the month before. But age didn’t matter; he was always ready to play with his little brother.
Marie cuddled up next to Ben “It will be different having a baby around.”
She brushed Ben’s cheek “What will we tell Hoss and Joe?”
“The truth. Joe won’t care but I’m afraid it will hurt Hoss because he and Adam have always shared each others secrets. I’m afraid that he will be upset that Adam hadn’t told him. We will just have to stress that the baby is his niece or nephew and that means he has a responsibility to help raise it. They both need to feel needed.”
Marie kissed him “Perfectly thought out, love. I worry about the both of them, but we need to tell them.”
“After the child is born, just in case something bad happens.”
“Did you write the letter?”
“Yes, right after Adam went out I sent Tom to deliver it. It will be nice to have a baby in the house again. Since breeching it wouldn’t be fair to call Joe a baby. Well I must get back to work now Marie.”
Ben stood, kissed his wife, called goodbye to the boys and left.
Adam rode back to the ranch house later that evening. Joining his family for supper, the affair was light. Everyone laughed and joked. Ben mentioned a funny incidence between two of the ranch hands; Hoss told everyone about his ride to the north pasture with the top hand, old Finnigin; and Joe prattled on about helping Hop Sing with making cookies. Adam finally joined in, and mentioned his nice long ride after Marie told the family about slipping in the garden and ending up all muddy. Everyone was jovial over the meal when there was a pounding on the door. Hop Sing rushed through to answer it. Flinging the door open, a young boy was revealed. Ben got up and moved around the table. Adam was already on his feet. He had recognized the Stewston’s servant boy and saw the bundle in his arms. Adam broke out in a cold sweat. It couldn’t be, it was a month early! As he stood staring, the bundle gave a weak scream. He was right. The servant boy had brought his baby. Ben immediately realized the same thing and dominated the situation. Hop Sing pulled the frightened the child in while Ben pushed Adam forward.
“Come on in child” Ben told the boy.
The child vigorously shook his head and fumbling in his pocket removed a note. Adam knew what he had to do and stepping forwards, he took his child and the note. Staring down into the little face his heart gave a jump. The baby was definitely his child.
The servant boy whispered “It’s a boy. ‘E was bawn just a couple hours ago.”
Ben turned back to Adam and after peering down at the baby, took the note from Adam. As Ben silently read the letter, Marie kept Hoss and Joe silent at the table. After a moment Ben quickly moved to his desk and taking out the cash box and removed the $10,000 bank draft. Adam involuntarily shivered. Under the very roof he stood his pa was buying his grandson for ten thousand dollars. It just wasn’t right to buy and sell children. But sadly, there was no other way. The servant boy took the money and quickly backed out of the room. The door slammed and the trade was sealed. Adam knew he would someday pay his father back for his son.
All the sudden Joe piped up “Why do we got a baby?”
Adam jumped. Joe had evidently forgotten their discussion two months earlier.
Ben immediately patted Adam’s arm. “Why don’t we all sit down?”
He led his family over to the fire and waited until they all sat down. Adam sat down on the settee, allowing Marie to take the child.
Ben paced back and forth for a moment, and then he addressed Hoss and Joe. “Boys, I was going to tell you this before the baby arrived but it was born early. Um, this is your nephew, Adam’s baby. He and Miss. Stewston-”
Ben was at loss for words “Anyway, he’s going to live with us.”
Both boys peered at the baby. Adam leaned over and picked Joe up, while hugging Hoss close to his side. He was afraid less his brothers left jealous or left out. Hoss stared at Adam for a moment and then smiled. Everything was all right. The baby was accepted. After a moment of everyone watching the baby, he started to wail. Adam gently turned the swaddling down, his fingers touching the bare skin of his child. For the first time, there was a contact between the father and son. Adam’s heart raced as the baby stared up at him. There was a connection.
“He looks like me, pa,” Adam burst out.
Ben smiled and took his grandson. Hoss and Joe went to lean over the chair arms and stare at the baby.
Marie turned to Adam, smiling, “Congratulations son.”
Taking Adam in her arms, she hugged him.
The rest of the evening was spent in finding Joe’s cradle to put in Adam’s room, mixing up warm milk in bottles, and digging out stacks of old diapers. Adam spent most of the time on the settee holding his child. Around 9, Ben came down and told Adam that his room was ready. Marie came over with a pile of diapers, baby clothes, and a bottle of warm milk. Adam took the milk and with a natural ease he had learned with Joe, began to feed the baby. Following his parents up the stairs, the four were joined by Hoss and Joe. Marie reprimanded them for getting out of bed, but allowed the two to stay.
After Adam placed the baby in the cradle for the night, he turned around to his family. “Thanks for accepting Benjamin Alexander.”
“B-Benjamin Alexander” Ben smiled.
“I’m honored. Thank you son. Now lets all go to bed. I am sure that little Alex needs some sleep.”
He looked down to the baby’s dark eyes and smiled “Good night little one.”
Marie, Hoss, and little Joe joined Ben to bid the baby good night.
Marie smiled at Adam “He’s beautiful son.”
Leaving, the group called out good night to Adam, who smiled. Left alone with his child, Adam took him out of the cradle and held him. Running his hand over the dark fuzz on Alex’s head he marveled over the tiny baby. Then after gently changing Alex he fed him again and then stripping down, went to bed himself.
Adam awoke in a cold sweat about midnight. Weren’t babies supposed to cry at night? Diving from the bed, Adam ran to the cradle to see if his baby was still breathing. Placing his hand on Alex’s chest he was relived to feel the rising and falling. Maybe he will wake up hungry later. On impulse, Adam lifted the baby up and went back to his bed. Last night had had been so exhausting that he had crashed into bed soon after his family left. Hearing a knock on the door, Adam quickly glanced at his clock, surprised to see it was only 11:00. It was Hoss.
The boy came over and perched on the bed. “Something wrong Hoss, are you sick?” Adam quickly laid Alex on the bed and felt Hoss’ head.
Hoss pulled away smiling “Naw, I just wanted to come talk to you.”
Adam knew what was coming. Getting back in bed, he patted the spot beside him. Hoss crawled up to the headboard, being careful to not jostle the baby.
Getting comfortable in the coveted spot at Adam’s side, he looked up into his brother’s face, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Hoss’ face held no anger or accusion, only questioning.
“I-I don’t know. I was ashamed for one. Pa brought us up to not, well, take advantage of a young lady- or to- make love until you are married.”
“But Adam, you’d never take advantage of a girl!”
“You’re right, Hoss. But I did sleep with Stella.”
Adam winced. That was not easy to tell his brother. Hoss accepted the answer. They were on equal terms once again. Cuddling up next to Adam, he watched his nephew. It was right then that the baby opened his eyes and began to cry. He didn’t wail like most babies, just cried softly.
Hoss grinned in delight, “Little Joe always screamed, not cried.”
Adam handed the baby to Hoss and got up.
“Pa said that I never cried as a baby except for maybe once or twice. Alex must be like me.”
Adam headed for the door, “Watch him for a second while I go warm this milk.”
Leaving the proud Uncle Hoss in charge, Adam hurried down stairs.
In the kitchen, Adam took a pan off of the rack behind the stove and poured the milk into it. Lighting the stove, he leaned up again the table, waiting.
A minute later, Adam heard a squeak and Hop Sing shuffled into the kitchen. “Baby cry for milk?”
Adam jumped at his presence. “Yeah, just a minute ago. I left him with Hoss.”
At Hop Sing’s questioning look Adam smiled. “He came to talk to me about Alex.”
“He angry?”
“No, I guess he just wanted to know why I hadn’t told him.”
“What you tell him?”
Adam looked at the floor, “That I was too ashamed.”
“You were ashamed, Mista Adam, but you took responsibility.”
The boy smiled and taking the now warm milk, poured it back into the bottle. Patting Hop Song’s shoulder, he headed back up stairs.
The next morning shone bright to the Cartwright family. When Adam came downstairs, everyone gathered around the baby, ohhing and ahhhing. Hop Sing had prepared a bottle of milk and took Alex into the kitchen for breakfast. Sitting down at the table, the family discussed the new member on the Cartwright household. Marie was delighted to be able to watch after Alex; asking Joe to help out. She wanted the little boy to help take responsibility. After that first day with Alex, the family fell into an easy routine. Adam awoke everyday, dressed and changed Alex and then brought him downstairs. Hop Sing would take him into the kitchen for breakfast while the others ate in the dining room. After breakfast, when Adam and Ben left for work and Hoss school, Marie and Joe would care for Alex. Around 3:00 when Hoss would come home from school, he would watch his brother and nephew for an hour while Marie helped Hop Sing with dinner. At 4:00, Marie would take over again while Hoss went to do his homework. At 6, Ben and Adam would come in from working and the whole family would sit down to supper while Hop Sing fed Alex in the kitchen. The routine was good for everyone, making the days pass quickly.
When Alex was a month and three days old, Ben sent Adam into town to get the mail and to stock up on a number of items that the Ponderosa needed. Adam didn’t relish the though because he knew the whole town had figured out who Stella’s baby’s father was, but he had to face the crowd someday. As Adam pranced into Virginia City on Beauty, everyone stared.
He knew what they were saying. “That’s the handsome devil that got Ms. Stewston with child.”
Adam was still ashamed, but held his head up high. Riding around the corner onto Cassidy St. he yanked Beauty to a stop. Stella herself was standing in the middle of a group of people, crying. And then Adam noticed something else- the people were all either friends of the Cartwrights or the town’s trouble makers. The group was all cursing the girl, yanking at her clothes and throwing rotten food at her. Adam was immediately angry. It wasn’t right for the group to gang up on her because he had gotten her pregnant. He had loved this girl and they had had a child together. He wasn’t going to let this happen. Leaping off of Beauty, he ran over to the crowd, yanking people out of the way. Punching one of his best friends in the nose, Adam grabbed Stella and started screaming for the crowd to back up.
Those who didn’t met the boy’s fist. “You all just leave her alone! Get out of here!”
A few rotten eggs were pitched in his direction, but the group started to move away. The last thing they heard before it was dissipated were a few slang words referring to Stella.
After the two were left alone, Adam turned to face Stella. “I’m so sorry. I’ll tell Sheriff Coffee.”
Stella shrugged while pulling her dress back into place. “Thank you for defending me, Adam.”
The two looked into each other’s eyes and Stella tuned to walk away.
Turning back, she smiled through her tears, “My family is going back East. Good-bye.”
Adam lifted a hand in farewell and then she was gone. Another chapter in his life had been closed.
EPILOGUE
Two years had passed. Adam smiled at his young son’s antics. The child was trying to climb the curtain drapings by the table. Little Joe was expertly keeping that baby from doing so. After being raised the last two years together, Little Joe had become an expert uncle. Adam’s smile turned sad when he remembered Marie teaching Joe to watch the baby. Marie’s death had been horrible. Actually Marie’s death and her unborn child’s. Another brother or sister had been on the way at the time of the tragic accident. But the family had rallied through the hard times and had come out on the good side. Now Hop Sing was a full time mother and cook. Another change was coming. In two months Adam was going to take Alex and head east for a college education. Ben had tired to keep his grandson on the Ponderosa, but Adam had refused. He had become too attached to Alex to let him go for four years. Adam’s grandfather had been very nice about taking the child into his home. Everything was falling into place.
Right then Joe hefted the baby over to Adam. “Take him, Adam, before he climbs the curtains”
Adam sat the baby in his lap while Joe crawled onto the settee beside him. Adam believed that the baby had been one of the reasons why the family had managed to come out on the good side after Marie’s death. He was something that had to be looked after ever day, all day. He had kept Joe and Hop Sing occupied while the other three had worked the ranch. Life was finally turning out well. Hop Sing was banging around in the kitchen, preparing supper: Ben had just gotten home and was at his desk; Hoss was sitting at the round table finished up his home work, and Adam had his little brother beside him and his son in his lap. Life WAS good! Because of the way everything had turned out, he could now allow that passionate night with Stella become a sweet memory.
