CHAPTER 1

“Adam, you’re late. You were due back two weeks ago. We were getting ready to come…..” Ben noticed not only his son’s odd expression but also the young lady accompanying him. “Adam, why is this young lady tied to her horse?”

“Why pa?! WHY?! Because if I don’t keep her tied, she runs away. In fact that’s why I’m late. I had to track her down, TWICE!” Adam got off his horse and went over to the one that , as his father had put it, the young lady sat on.

“Adam who is she?” Ben knew, well he prayed, there was a very good explanation as to why his son would use force to bring the girl here.

Hoss and Little Joe had heard their father and realized that their brother must finally be home. They ran outside because they had all been very worried about Adam. It was not like him to not send word if he was going to be late, as their father often reminded them, he was the reliable one. While they hadn’t made it outside in time to hear Ben’s question they heard their brother’s very shocking answer.

“Who is she pa? You want to know who she is?” Adam reached up and pulled her from her saddle and threw her over his shoulder. “She’s my wife pa! That’s who she is.”

Adam marched past his dazed brothers and into the house.

“Adam’s just joking pa.”

“Yeah he can’t be serious; can he?”
“I don’t know Hoss. He certainly seemed very serious.”

“No, we’ll probably go inside and he’ll be standing there laughing.”

“Really Joseph? Than who is she?”

“I don’t know pa.” Boy, Joe thought, this was one practical joke not even he would have thought up and even if he had he would have never had the nerve to carry it out.

“Neither do I, but I intend to find out RIGHT NOW.”

Ben marched into the house followed very closely by his two younger sons.

“If you would just put me down I can WALK!”

“NO! and stop kicking!” That only caused her to kick him harder. Which, in turn, made Adam do something he had done a few times since this journey had begun. He brought his hand down rather sharply across her backside.

“ADAM. Why don’t you put her down on the settee and explain what is going on.”

“I thought I did pa, she’s my wife.”

Ben didn’t like the sarcastic tone in his son’s voice but under the circumstances was willing to overlook it.
“And he seems to think that gives him the right to treat me as he wishes!”
“The only thing I wish right now is that I had never laid eyes on you!”

“I do believe that is one of the first things we agree on!”

“Alright!” This was becoming too much. Ben couldn’t believe that this was happening. Even more so he couldn’t believe it was happening to Adam, as he had reminded his other two sons quite often he was the reliable one. “Son, please put her down and explain what is going on.”

Maybe it was because of his father’s outward calmness but Adam began to calm down a little.

“Okay pa. I will try to explain it. I’m not too sure how good an explanation it will be since I still can’t understand what happened myself.”

“If you would have just let me go, you wouldn’t have to explain anything!”

“And I told you Storm, you’re my wife! That makes you my responsibility!”

“You didn’t want to marry me any more than I wanted to marry you!”

“It doesn’t alter the fact that we both stood up in that church, in front of that preacher and everyone there, and spoke those vows. I don’t know about you but I was raised to stand by my vows once I‘d given them!”

“Adam, please. No more yelling, all of a sudden I have a rather large headache.”

“Then, damn it, just tell him to let me go!”

“STORM! That is my father and when you speak to him you will do so with respect, do I make myself clear?”

Storm knew she had pushed him to his limits on a number of occasions but she could tell this was one area she had best not try to defy him in.

“Adam please, the explanation.”
“It started the first day I rode into Keegan’s Bluff. That was the first time I saw her.”

 

CHAPTER 2

“You’re new in town.”
“Yes I am.”

“Are you looking for a job?”
“No, not right now. If I were could you get me one?”

“Probably. I know most of the ranchers around here.”

“Does your family own a ranch?”

“No, my father is the mayor.”

“I just get into town and I meet the mayor’s daughter.”

“Yeah, well don’t go trying to trade on it too much.”
“Not one of the more popular mayors?”
“Not one of the more popular daughters. It’s been nice talking to you but if you will please excuse me I best get going.” Storm left the store and went to wait by the wagon outside as it was being loaded up. She watched as the gentleman she’d been speaking to left the store and headed down the street to the hotel.

“Miss. Storm? Miss. Storm. Who was he?”

“I’m not sure Gwen.”

“He was rather handsome.” Gwen had never seen Storm stare after a man so.

“I suppose; for a man.” Storm had tried very hard not to notice this. She had recognized a long time ago that no man was worth what it would cost to love him.

 

That night at dinner she found herself surprised by her father’s guest.

“So we meet again.”

“So it would seem.”

“Storm, you’ve met Adam?”

“Yes father, we’ve met, although we haven’t been introduced.”
“Then let me. Adam Cartwright this is my other daughter, Storm.”

“It’s good to see you again.”

“Likewise.”

“When did you two meet?”
“This afternoon in town Rachel.”

“Yes, your sister offered to find me a job.”

“Storm, how many times must I tell you that this town does not need any more drifters.”

“Of course not father, drifters don’t vote.”

“No they don’t.”

“Then am I to assume he’s not a drifter?”
“Actually I met up with him this morning.”

“This morning?” Then Adam had already met her father before he had met her in town? She thought it strange he hadn’t mentioned it.

“Yes Storm. It would seem as if that friend of your’s failed to properly saddle father’s horse. It’s a good thing Adam came along and found him, or father just might have…..”

Storm knew how good an actress her sister was, so the tears that began to fall failed to rouse any concern or sympathy.

“Now Rachel, I told you there was never any real danger but I did have to fire him Storm. What if next time he failed to saddle Rachel’s horse properly.”

“But father! Maybe it’s about time she learned to saddle her own horse. Father Dexter needs the job. A few more months and he’ll have enough saved to buy the land he’s had his eye on.”

“I’m sorry Storm but that is not my worry.”

“If you will all excuse me I find I have suddenly lost my appetite.”

“Storm you will stay and have dinner with our guest.”

“Mr. Kendall, it’s alright. If the young lady isn’t feeling well.”

“Oh she feels fine. My sister sometimes fails to see that…..”

“Keep quiet Rachel! I know you’re to blame for this. Did you pay someone to loosen the cinch!”

“STORM!”
“Oh father.” Again, as if on cue, Rachel began to cry. “Father do you believe her? Do you think I could do something that might cause you harm?” Rachel went into her father’s arms and only Storm saw the sly grin she gave just before she hid her face.

“Of course not. Storm you apologize to your sister!”

“I’ll not apologize for something that is most likely true. She may not have wanted you hurt but, to her, even that would have been a small price to get rid of someone I trusted and could talk to.”

“Storm you go to your room. We will discuss this further later.” As Storm left the room the mayor turned to Adam. “I hope you will accept my apologies for Storm’s behavior. She is sometimes forgetful of her manners.”

“It’s perfectly alright Mr. Kendall.” Adam admired the young ladies ability to hold to her convictions. Even though he didn’t believe it possible that her sister would do as she had accused, he would see if perhaps this Dexter would like a job in Nevada. It also occurred to Adam that Storm had gotten exactly what she wanted, she was not being made to join them for supper.

As Adam left that night, he inquired of some men in town where he might find Dexter.

“Dexter? He use to work at the mayor’s. He’s probably saying goodbye to his girl. If the mayor is against you, you really don’t stand a chance of getting a job around here.”

He was given directions to where Dexter’s girl lived and went there.

“Are you Mr. Dexter?”

“Actually it’s Mr. Brown. Dexter Brown.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Brown, I hear that you are in need of a job.”

“Bad news sure does travel fast.”

“If you wouldn’t mind going to Nevada, I’m sure you can find one there.”

“Mister I can find one anywhere, ‘cept maybe here, but what makes you think Nevada is where I should be headin’?” Dexter wasn’t about to admit that he thought he might have a very hard time finding a job, or at least a legal one.

“If you go to the Ponderosa…”

“The Ponderosa?” Yeah right, Dexter thought, one of the biggest spreads is gonna’ give me a job with no letter of introduction. Working for Mr. Kendall was the only job he had ever had and he couldn’t give them his name because he would have nothing good to say about him.

“Yes. I wrote this letter earlier, if you give it to Ben Cartwright I’m sure he’ll give you a job.”

“Ben Cartwright? He trust your word enough to give me a job?”

“I certainly hope so Mr. Brown.”

 

The next morning Adam received an invitation to the mayor’s house for lunch. The supper had been pleasant but not so much so that he felt like sharing lunch, but maybe he would see Storm again. He had thought it would be interesting to talk to her further. What little conversation they had proved to be interesting. He gave his answer to the man who had delivered the message. He was on his way out to the mayor’s house when he again met up with Storm.

“Hello again.”

“Hello Mr. Cartwright.”

“Please call me Adam, Miss. Kendall.”

“Storm.”

“That is not a name I’ve heard often.”

“My mother named me. As you might have guessed the night I was born was rather stormy. The woman who was helping mother commented about it being quite a storm. Mother said when she looked at me she said I certainly was. So that is how I got my name.”

“It seems to fit. You can’t honestly believe that your sister would wish to harm your father.”

“Harm him no but if that were the cost of getting rid of a friend of mine then to Rachel it would be a small price. She really doesn’t like when I have people around that I can talk to. People I can trust.”
“So you and Mr. Brown were friends?”

“Friends, nothing more. Dexter already has a girl and who told you his name is Dexter Brown?”

“You must have mentioned it.”
“No I didn’t.”
“Then perhaps your father did. It was a good thing too because I ran into him in town after I left your house last night and I told him of where he might be able to get a job.” Why he had failed to tell her that it was his father who he told Dexter to go see was not something he could understand.

“Really?”

“Yes. I gave him a letter of introduction. It’s one of the ranches I worked for. I left on pretty good terms and the owner trusts my opinion.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you going home for lunch?”

“I hadn’t planned on it. Is that why you’re out this way?”
“Yes, your father sent me an invitation.”

“Then you had best hurry. Father hates to be kept waiting.”

“Are you sure you won’t join us?” Maybe he should tell her that was the only reason he had accepted the invite in the first place.

“I can’t, I already have an appointment. I hope to see you again.”

“I hope so as well.” Adam found that he truly did mean it.

“Papa do you think he’ll do it?”
“I don’t know Rachel. We will see.”

After a very satisfying lunch Adam and the mayor retired to his office.

“Mr. Kendall is there something you wish to discuss with me?”

“Yes there is Adam, please sit down.” As Adam took a seat Thaddeus Kendall made his proposition. “Adam, you seem to me to be quite an able bodied young man.”

Why did he all of a sudden feel like some livestock about to be bid on? “Thank you.”

“Well you have met my daughter Storm and I’m sure you realize she will need a very strong man to keep her in line.”

Maybe he wasn’t the one about be auctioned off. “Maybe just one she loves?”
“Adam, Storm doesn’t love anyone. Now there has been talk of, well to put it bluntly, how she isn’t the most innocent of young ladies but you will have to agree with me she is rather lovely.”

“Yes she is.”
“I may as well get to the point. Adam I am prepared to offer a very substantial dowry if you will marry Storm.”

“Marry her? Mr. Kendall what makes you think she will marry me?”

“She will have no choice. She is my daughter and she will do as I say.”
“You will forgive me if I don’t agree with you. Judging from last night she doesn’t seem to be too afraid to defy you.”

“There are many ways to make Storm do something. You let me worry about that. What I want to know is if you’d be willing to accept my offer.”

“Mr. Kendall, I am flattered but I am not quite ready to get married yet.” Least of all to a woman I hardly know.

“Of course, but a father has to try. You do understand?”

“I suppose so.”

Rachel watched as Adam rode away and went in search of her father. She wanted to know just when she could expect to be rid of her sister.

“So father when is the wedding?”
“There isn’t going to be one. He turned me down.”

“Turned you down?! Didn’t you offer him enough?”

“He never even asked how much. He just said he wasn’t ready to get married.”

“We’ll just see about that.”

“Excuse me Rachel?”
“Nothing father. I think we should invite him to the party Saturday, just to show that there are no hard feelings.”

“That sounds like a good idea. I’ll send word to him in town.”

 

Adam was rather surprised when he received the invitation to the party. He had intended on leaving town the next day but, for the same reason Thaddeus had been convinced to invite him he accepted, he didn’t want Mr. Kendall to believe he held any ill will towards him because of his proposal. He told the gentleman who had delivered the invitation to tell Mr. Kendall he would be there.

When he had arrived Adam asked after Storm. He wondered if her father had told her of his offer. Adam knew he wouldn’t bring it up unless she did.

“Storm should be down shortly. Why don’t I go and get you something to drink Adam.”

“Thank you Rachel.”

Adam didn’t see any other guests, he just assumed he was the first to arrive. He didn’t know that his invitation had been for a slightly earlier time than everyone else’s. Rachel thought her plan was going along exactly as she had hoped. She felt she was a pretty good judge of a man’s character and she didn’t think Adam was the kind of man who would walk out on what he believed to be his responsibility. If he was he would have just left her father where he had fallen. Rachel would make sure that after tonight Adam would feel obligated to do the honorable thing by Storm.

Adam couldn’t understand why all of a sudden he was beginning to feel rather sleepy. He knew he hadn’t had more than two drinks.

“Is something wrong Adam?” Rachel was very happy to see that she hadn’t misjudged the dose either.

“I don’t know. I’m afraid I don’t feel very well. If you will please give my apologizes to your father Rachel and please tell Storm I’m sorry I missed her.”

“Don’t be ridiculous Adam. I can’t let you ride all the way into town like this. Why don’t you let Harry here show you to one of our guest rooms and you can stay there until you feel well enough to travel.”
He hated to admit it but Adam was afraid that given the way he was feeling he just might not make it into town. “Thank you Rachel. I’m afraid I just might have to accept your offer.”

He turned to the servant who was waiting for him and followed him upstairs. Before they had reached the room Adam had passed out. Harry did as Miss. Rachel had told him too. He undressed the gentleman and laid him next to Miss. Storm, who Miss. Rachel had someone undress earlier. It wasn’t that Harry disliked Miss. Storm it was just that he feared Miss. Rachel more.

They had told Rachel that the drug should wear off in two to three hours. She only hoped that Storm and Adam would wake close enough together so as to allow her plan to work completely. As luck would have it Storm awoke first. When she stretched out her hands and felt someone next to her she jumped out of the bed, in doing so she knocked the wash stand over. Upon hearing the noise, the drug having worn off enough for Adam to be awakened by the sound, he opened his eyes. The sight that greeted him, while a pleasant one, was an unsettling one as well.

Storm realized too late that she had nothing on. She reached for the covers but Adam realized he too had nothing on and held to them steadfast. He had turned his head away and figured Storm would find something else to cover herself with.

“Give me the covers! People will have heard the crash and are sure to come!”

“If I give you the covers what will I use to cover myself?”

“You mean that you’re…….What’s going on?!”

“I don’t know but I intend to find out!”

Storm heard the people in the hall and since she could find nothing within reach with which to cover herself, this was one detail Rachel had made sure to guarantee, she jumped back into bed and under the covers. As soon as he felt her rejoin him in bed Adam turned to look at her. He hadn’t yet realized that their clothes had been placed by the door which would have assured Storm being seen by those about to enter the room.

When the door opened Storm would have sworn that all the guests were attempting to stand in the doorway at the same time and all were straining to see into the room.

“MY GOD! Storm Margaret Kendall, I have put up with your impudence long enough, this time you have gone too far! As for you Adam, did my offer pique your curiosity?! Well now that you have chosen to embarrass me in front of the entire town what do you intend to do about it?”

“FATHER, nothing happened.”

“Nothing happened! You lay there in bed, both of you completely undressed, and tell me nothing happened!”

Rachel was very pleased with herself. This was working out better than she had hoped.

“But father.”

“Ladies and gentleman, I am very sorry but I am going to have to ask you all to leave. I feel that this night has been very upsetting.” As the crowd in the hall began to thin out Thaddeus turned once again to Adam and Storm. “If you two will please get dressed and I expect you, once you have, to join me in the library. We have much to discuss.” He grabbed their clothes and threw them in the direction of the bed. As her father left and once she was certain the hall was clear Storm turned back to Adam.

“Did you plan this? Maybe father paid you to do it! I’m telling you right now I am not going to marry you or any other man!”

“If you think this is something I wanted to happen you are wrong! If I wished to marry you I would have accepted your father’s first offer!”

“First offer?! What offer?!”

“The one where he would have paid me to marry you!”

“You know as well as I that nothing happened here! Why didn’t you tell him that?!”

“Because I don’t think he would have believed me!” Besides Adam wasn’t too sure of it himself. He wasn’t positive if it had been a dream or not but he did recall doing exactly what he was being accused of.

“If you will please close your eyes, I feel I would like to get dressed.” Storm wouldn’t admit it but she was becoming rather uncomfortable. Only after she was completely dressed did she tell Adam he could open his eyes a little surprised that he had kept them closed.

“Are you going to stand there and watch or are you going to at least turn away?”

“You saw me so why shouldn’t I see you?”

“FINE.” Storm hadn’t believed he would give in so easily. She saw him reach to remove the covers and she ran out of the room. In spite of the situation he was now in Adam found himself grinning as the door slammed shut behind her.

 

The next day found Adam and Storm standing in the church in front of a preacher and a few witnesses. Mr. Kendall had wanted as few people present as possible. He said he didn’t want the whole town to be witness to his embarrassment. It was right after the ceremony that Storm and Adam headed back to Nevada. Adam had thought to wire his family but didn’t think that was a very good idea. He could only imagine what his father’s reaction would be but he also knew that no matter how private a telegraph message may be the one that he would be sending would most certainly be all over Virginia City long before it reached his father.

 

CHAPTER 3

“So that pa is how this happened.”

The whole time Adam had been relating the events, or at least those he knew, that had led up to his present situation Hoss had noticed Storm fighting her restraints.

“Adam why don’t you untie her?”

“Because Hoss if I do she will run away. Won’t you?”

“As far and as fast as I can!”

“Son why don’t you go and make some coffee then we will discuss this further.” Ben just wanted to separate these two. He wanted to have the chance to talk to his son alone.

“I’ll make the coffee pa but I don’t know what more there is to discuss.” Adam was relieved to be home. To not have to worry about this by himself, or at least to have his families support while he did.

A few minutes after Adam had left the room, Ben followed him into the kitchen. Adam turned around to see his father standing there and knew what would be happening next.

“Pa you left Hoss and Little Joe alone in there with her?”

“I hardly think she can do them any harm.” Ben thought that his son sounded so very tired.

“Pa.”

Ben heard the crash and ran out of the kitchen expecting Adam to be close behind him but Adam knew better and was already on his way out the kitchen door.

“HOSS, what happened?” Ben saw both of his sons on the floor and the coffee table overturned.

“ I told you to leave her tied UP!” Adam once again came through the front door with Storm over his shoulder.

“I’m sorry Adam. She just looked so uncomfortable.”
“I do believe that you’re even more uncomfortable then her right now Hoss.” Adam knew the pain his brother was feeling, Storm knew only too well a man’s most defenseless spot.

“I guess I am.”

As Adam set her on her feet, Storm once again tried to run. Adam grabbed her and unceremoniously dumped her on the settee. He then did something that shocked his father and brothers as much as his explanation of who Storm was. He sat on her.

“Hoss will you please give me those ropes.”

“ADAM.” Ben had to find a way to stop this. “Storm are you true to your word?”
“Despite what you son may think sir, YES.”

“Then will you please…..”
“Pa don’t you think I’ve tried this?”

“Is that true? Storm did you give Adam your word you wouldn’t run away?”

“Yes I did and I didn’t run away.”

“You didn’t run away?! That’s funny because that was the second, and last, time I had to track you down. It was only the last time because after that I kept you tied up!”

“I didn’t run away! I walked to my horse and I rode, but I didn’t run!” Storm wanted to kick herself for saying what she just had but anger had a way of making her say things without thinking them completely through.

“Alright than, will you give me your word that you will in no way leave this ranch without Adam’s permission to do so?”

Storm knew she had no choice unless she wished to remain tied up for the rest of her life. “Yes sir, I give you my word.”

“Now Adam will you agree to get off of her?”

“Yes pa.”

********

“Storm.” Ben thought that after hearing Adam’s explanation of what had happened perhaps Storm would know the cause of it. “Adam has related the events that have happened. What I would like to ask you is why.”

“Because Rachel hates me and would do anything to…..”

“Why are you so fast to blame your sister?!” Adam believed there to be one more likely suspect. “Maybe your father didn’t like the idea of my having refused his offer in the first place.”

“Don’t get me wrong, father is just as happy to be rid of me, but not that way. That was just too embarrassing a situation for him to have planned.”

Ben knew there to be a story behind Storm’s declaration and he was determined to hear it. “Storm, why do you believe that your father and sister are glad to be rid of you?”

“Because Mr. Cartwright, to put it plainly, they both hate me.”

“I don’t believe they hate you.”

“Of course you wouldn’t Adam but that’s only because your family…..“ Storm looked around and realized that Adam had only known a family that loved each other; probably even when they had believed they hated each other. “It’s hard to understand something if you have never experienced it. Perhaps it would be easier for you to understand if I start at the beginning. My mother use to work for my father, she was just one of the servants that was always around. Father hardly took any notice of her until his wife was five months along with Rachel. I guess he’d gone as long as he could without female company, I’m surprised he waited that long. Even then he knew what he wanted his future to be, he knew he wanted to be mayor, so it wouldn’t be appropriate for someone with his aspirations to go into town where he might be seen by all those prospective future voters. He realized he didn’t need to because my mother loved him. She use to tell me that a heart wants what it wants, that it doesn’t care about the right or wrong of it, the good or the bad. She said it took someone of stronger character then her to go against it and do what they knew to be right and good. She knew there wouldn’t be a future to it but she gave in to him. Two months into the affair she found she too was going to have his child. She had planned to leave without telling him but she confided in someone who betrayed her secret. It was only after I was born that father let her go. You see he had hopes that I would be a boy, when I wasn’t there was no need for my mother or I to remain. She said he didn’t even want to see me, he just asked the doctor if it was a boy but once he was told it was a girl he arranged for a house to be bought for my mother and I and sent us away. It wasn’t until I was fifteen that I laid eyes on him for the first time. He rode out to that house he had bought and said he had come to take me back with him. I didn’t want to go but mama believed he was right when he said I would have a better life with him. I like to think that if she knew what his true motivation was she would have never allowed me to go, that she would have never even tried to convince me.”

“His true motivation?”

“Yes Adam his true motivation. He had decided it was time for him to try his luck at fulfilling his plan of running for mayor. There was just one small problem, you see his opponent had found out about me and was using it against him. He wouldn’t be the first man running for public office with a child such as I but they had the good sense to keep them better hidden or to kill them before they got old enough to be used against them. Father figured the only way he stood a chance of turning the election in his favor was to show the voters that he was honest. He admitted to his mistake and showed that he was willing to take on responsibility for it. He made some very eloquent speeches always with me standing by his side. He’d tell all those people how he had done wrong but was willing to now do what was right. How he had been young and foolish but now was older and wiser. He hoped that he could make up for the wrong he had done me by not taking on his responsibilities when he should have by accepting them now. He reminded everyone how it took a big man to admit he had made a mistake. Well they must have believed him because they elected him.”

“That does little to explain why you believe he hates you.”
“Mr. Cartwright, my father is not a man who likes being reminded he ever had a weakness. That there was ever at any time something he couldn’t control. I’m not speaking of his desire, that is something he doesn’t feel a man needs to control, no I’m speaking of his inability to keep me from ever being born.”

“That does little to support your belief that he isn’t the one behind all this? Why you believe so strongly it’s Rachel.”

“Did you like Rachel Adam? You certainly seem to need to defend her!”

“NO. Storm, I did not like Rachel! Maybe I’m defending her because you seem to be so set on condemning her.”

“You want to know the reason I believe Rachel hates me? FINE. Rachel hates me enough to have start spreading rumors that I was willing to give myself to any man who asked. She never liked that from the day I arrived she had to share, if only in public, father’s attentions and everyone else’s. She hated that whenever we went to parties or dances the men now had a choice of asking her or me. She believed if she started those rumors the more refined gentlemen would stay away but they didn’t, if anything it made me even more popular with them. At one time or another I have refused or fought off…..but you don’t believe that do you Adam. No you must believe that I have accepted and given in to every proposition that was made to me. For you to believe otherwise would mean that you would have to believe that nothing has ever happened between us. Rachel’s plan was simple. Embarrass me, prove that her rumors were true, and get rid of me.”

“That is hardly proof Storm.”

“Your father didn’t ask for proof just why I thought they were happy to be rid of me but, alright Adam, I will try to find some kind of proof. Who gave you the drinks when you first arrived?”

“Rachel.”

“Then isn’t it most likely that she is the one who also drugged you?”

“Okay, let’s say you’re right about that. How did she drug you? Are you saying that after all you’ve told us that Rachel is inclined to serve you?”

“Rachel serves no one except herself. You said that it was Harry who helped you upstairs, well it was he who brought me a glass of water.”

“So, even the servants hate you?”

“No Adam, they just need their jobs.”

Ben realized it was rather late and he knew there would be no easy solution to this. He hoped that a good nights rest would help to make everything clearer.

“I think it would be a good idea if we all sleep on this. Adam why don’t you show Storm to the guest room.”

“Guest room?” Storm had believed once here he would demand from her what was now rightfully his.

“Yes guest room. Unless of course as my wife you would like to exercise your right to share my bed?”

“ADAM.” Ben knew his son was only acting as he was because he felt trapped but he had to realize that Storm felt the same.

“I would rather walk through the desert at noon barefoot, I’d rather be dragged through a forest of cacti, I’d rather be….”
“ENOUGH. I get your point.”

No one slept peacefully that night. No one awoke rested the following morning. No one, especially not Ben or Adam. They were both at the breakfast table well before dawn. They sat there in silence for the better part of an hour lost in their own musings when one thought occurred to Ben. Maybe his son didn’t realize Storm was as much a victim as he.

“Adam, have you taken a moment to notice that she appears to be just as unhappy about this as you?”

“I realize it pa.”
“Maybe then, what you have failed to realize is that she is also afraid.” Ben hadn’t missed the look of terror that had come into her eyes at the mere mention of sleep last night.

“HER! Afraid?!”

“You have taken her away from her home and whether or not it was a loving home she felt safe there. She can’t be sure of the kind of a man you are. I didn’t miss the panic in her eyes when I suggested that it was time to go to bed. Adam I’m sure she was afraid that you would demand from her what, as her husband, you have every right too.”

“Pa do you honestly believe I would force her?”

“No, but then I’ve know you your whole life. How long has she known you? Just how well have you treated her in that time?”

“Not too well I suppose.”

“Judging from last night, not too well at all.”

Ben watched as his son suddenly looked as if he had just taken the weight of the world onto his shoulders.

“What am I going to do pa?”

“I wish I knew son. I honestly wish I knew.”

“Let me go.”

Neither of them had heard Storm come down the stairs.

“I already told you Storm, that is not an option.”

“Then let me prove to you nothing happened that night!”

“Storm there is only one way I can think of for you to prove it, and in doing so we only make it true.”

“It doesn’t have to be you! Choose anyone you want. If that’s what it takes to prove to you that I’m not lying then I don’t care who it is. If you can’t think of anyone you’d trust enough to tell the truth then find someone who wouldn’t mind if you watched.”

“STORM!” All he wanted was a few minutes of peace, some time to think. He knew he would never have them while they were in the house together. “Pa tell Hoss and Little Joe I’m in the north pasture, that they can join me there when they’re ready.”

“Son, aren’t you going to have some breakfast?”
“I’m not hungry pa.”

Storm noticed the way Ben watched after Adam as he left. She could see the concern and caring clearly reflected in his eyes. When Ben again turned to look at her he could tell she was fighting back tears. But why?
“Is there something wrong Storm?”

“I was just wondering if he realizes how lucky he is.”

“I don’t think he feels he’s very lucky right now.”

“I don’t mean because of me, I mean because of you.”

“Me?”

“Yes. I never had a father who loved me, maybe that’s why I decided a long time ago that I didn’t need or want any man’s love.”
“Everyone needs love Storm.”

“Not me, not that kind.”

“Just what kind of love do you think it to be?”

“The kind where a woman gives everything she has and a man takes it. Where she’s expected to become some mindless creature. Something that is only permitted to mirror her husband’s opinions or beliefs. She is suppose to become a timid rabbit that runs and hides when there is any signs of danger. It doesn’t matter that she can aim straighter or make the odds more even, no she has to stand back and allow him to prove that he is a man. It’s where if she so much as looks at him too long or not long enough, or so much as breathes without his permission to do so he has every right to do what he wishes to punish her.”

“Storm is that how your father treated your mother?”

“No Mr. Cartwright. My father was never in my mother’s company long enough to treat her like anything other than a whore. It was how her husband treated her.”

“You never mentioned that your mother married.”

“I suppose I didn’t. After father, mother felt she was less than perfect. She didn’t feel she deserved any good man’s love so she took a bad ones. Mr. Brady Nelson, that’s who my mother married. He’s a man who beat her. A man who would tell me I had no right to try and stop him. A man who in order to prove he was telling the truth would, when he had finished with mama, take a belt to me. I learned very young to stay away from home. To me home was not a safe place to be. I use to go and stay with Charlie Bear. He’s the one who taught me how to ride, rope and shoot better than any man. He said he even taught me some things no lady should know.”

Ben didn’t miss the smile that was on her face as she talked of this man. “Charlie Bear?”

“He lived not from us. Just an old run down shack was what he called home but I was never afraid when I was there.”

“And you fear being here?”

“Not right now.” Storm was surprised to find that she meant it. For the first time in a long time she wasn’t afraid.

“But when Adam comes back?” She looked away from him and lowered her eyes and by that action Ben knew it was true. She did fear his son. “Storm, I know that Adam hasn’t exactly been treating you very well. Please try and understand that it is only because he is trying to come to terms with what has happened. He hasn’t been raised to behave as he has been. While there is no way to excuse it, I can only try to explain it by pointing out that he feels as if he has been backed into a corner. I believe that you know that there is nothing more dangerous then an animal, or a man, when it feels cornered.”

“But this is not my doing. I’m just as trapped as he is. Even more so because I have offered him a way out and he has refused to take it.”
“Storm the vows you both took are sacred.”
“And I would never break them but he wouldn’t be the first man to do so.”

“I guess I can understand your mistrust of men but that is not what Adam was brought up believing, but it goes even deeper than how he was raised. It is not in his nature, not in his character to betray an oath, especially one as sacred as that. Storm, Adam would never force you to do anything against your will.”

“Then why can’t he believe that nothing happened because in order for something to have he would have had to use force.”

“I don’t know, only he does and maybe given time he‘ll tell us.”

“Are you trying to tell me to make the best of the situation?”

“I’m just saying it will be a lot easier to try and come up with some solution if we all co-operate and a whole lot easier to think without all that yelling.”

“Are you suggesting that if I behave so will he?”

“I certainly hope so. If he doesn’t though I still haven’t forgotten how to make him.”

Storm smiled trying to picture Adam over his father’s knee.

“You have a beautiful smile Storm.”

“Thank you Mr. Cartwright. There have been few men who have made me feel like smiling.”

CHAPTER 4

When Little Joe and Hoss awoke, they did so to something very unexpected.

“Pa did Hop-Sing come back early?” Hoss figured it was either that or he was still dreaming.

“No Hoss, I’m afraid not.”

“You mean Adam’s cooking smells that good?”

“No Little Joe, Adam’s wife’s.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot about her.”

“Well I tell you something little brother, if her food tastes as good as it smells you will never forget about her again.”

To Hoss’s amazement the food, by his own admission, tasted even better than it smelt.

“If you two are finished your brother has been at work in the north pasture for quite some time.”

“We’re going pa.”

“Is there anything in particular you would like for supper tonight Hoss?” She had asked the one who had seemed to enjoy breakfast the most.

“You mean I can have anything I want?”

“Anything within reason.”
“I think it might be best if you surprise him Storm.” Ben knew if they waited for Hoss to make up his mind from all the choices most likely passing through it they may not be eating tonight’s supper until sometime tomorrow.

“Little Joe would you please give this to Adam. He left without eating anything this morning. I also packed some lunch for all three of you if you have need of it later.”

Ben noticed the puzzled looks in his son’s eyes as they took the basket Storm offered. He wished he could be there to see Adam’s because he was sure it would be even more puzzled than his brothers.

 

********

“She sent this for me?” Ben was right, the look on Adam’s face almost had his brothers laughing.

“Yes Adam, and believe me it’s real good.”

“Little Joe, after eating your own cooking for the past week anything would taste good to you.”

“No Adam it really is good. As good as Hop-Sings, maybe a little better.”

Hoss?”

“Now don’t you go telling Hop-Sing I said that cause I’ll just deny it.”

As he sat down to eat Adam wondered just what had brought about this change in Storm. He supposed it might have to do with something his father had probably said to her. He knew what his father had said to him had gotten him to thinking as well. When he finished he had to agree with Hoss that she certainly was a good cook. He set back to work with a full stomach and a slightly better attitude.

When it was time to head home Little Joe and Hoss did so eagerly. Adam began to have doubts that a change truly had taken place. He was tired of fighting, of feeling like he had to be constantly on guard, he hoped Storm was as well.

“Good evening boys.”

“Good evening pa.”

“Yeah, is that apple pie I smell?”

“Hoss are you going to eat dessert first?”

“No pa.”

“Well none of you will be eating anything if you don’t first go and wash up some.”
Was that Storm? Adam hadn’t seen her look this lovely since the first days in Keegan’s Bluff. It wasn’t so much her change in clothes but her change in attitude. She actually appeared to be at ease.

Storm noticed that Adam was staring at her. “Good evening Adam. I hope you had a good day.”

“After the meals you sent how could I have any other kind.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed them. I hope you enjoy supper just as much.”

“I hope so too.”
Storm knew he wasn’t referring to the food. He was hoping, as was she, that they would be able to sit in each others company without trying to kill each other.

********

 

“This has been, by far, one of the most delicious meals I can recall tasting. Where did you learn to cook so well?”
“Mr. Cartwright, my mother did work in the kitchen and she loved to cook. After I went to live with my father I suppose the one place I felt comfortable was in the kitchen. Knowing that my mother had spent so much of her time there and there was Gwen. Gwen had worked there when my mother did and she would tell me things my mother use to do.”

“Storm you said that the first time you saw your father was when you were fifteen.”
“Yes Adam. He didn’t need me until then.”

“After you went to live with him did you ever go back to visit your mother?”
“I tried Hoss. When I was sixteen I ran away.”

“How surprising.” Adam hadn’t meant to say that, it just kinda slipped out.

“Adam?”

“Sorry pa, Storm. Please Storm, continue.”

“There’s not really much more to tell. I went back to Piketon but she wasn’t there. One of mama’s friends, Mrs. Kelly, said that Brady had gotten money and had made mama leave. It was almost two years later when I found out where that money had come from and why.”

“Storm who is Brady?”
“Brady Nelson, Adam, my mother’s husband. I found out that father had paid Brady to help him convince mama that when I was fifteen my leaving was for the best. He told Brady that he would give him a thousand dollars if he could think of a way. Brady thought of something that was sure to make mama want me gone. I don’t think he had to think too long on it either, given his nature it was probably something he had already thought of. Father told me all of this when at eighteen I said I wanted to go back to mama. The only reason I told him was because I knew he would know where she had gone to. He told me I was better off with him and beside re-election was coming up. He told me that Brady had told mama that I was becoming a very pretty young woman. That soon I would be old enough to be pleasing to a man and that had been three years before.”

“You mean he helped to raise you and could think that way?”

“Little Joe he may have been my mother’s husband but he in no way helped her raise me. Charlie Bear helped raise me. He taught me right from wrong. He showed me that sometimes, no matter how hard it is, you have to do what’s right. Sometimes, even if they don’t want your help, you have to help people because they need it.”

“Alright, whose Charlie Bear?”
“A friend Adam. He use to live not far out of Piketon. I spent most of my days with him. He taught me a lot. Not many people liked him. Not because he had ever done anything to cause them too but because to them he was just an old half-breed. To me he was a friend, a teacher, more of a father than anyone else I have ever known.”

“Storm, where’s Charlie now?”
“I don’t know Hoss. When I went back I looked for him as well. Unlike mama no one knew why he’d left because no one cared.”

“Storm would you excuse me for one minute?”
“Of course Adam.”

“Hey hurry back. It’s time for that apple pie I’ve been thinkin’ about all through supper.”
“You mean you only suffered through the meal so you could get to dessert? Didn’t you didn’t enjoy my food Hoss?”

“Oh I enjoyed every bite Storm.”

“Yes why else would he have taken so many?”
“Ah pa.”

“I promise I will only be a minute.”

She had started the evening with a smile on her face but as she began to talk about her mother and Charlie Bear it had faded into a look of sorrow. Why Adam wanted to see her smile again he couldn’t understand, he only knew that he did, and he thought knew of something that might make her.

 

“Hey Dexter, Cartwright wants to see you up at the house.”

“Me? Why?”
“I don’t know he just said he does.”

Dexter walked slowly to the house. He hoped he hadn’t done anything wrong. He liked it here and he hoped he could find some land around here to buy. Then he would send for Amy and they could be married. He had finally reached the house and saw someone waiting on the porch.

“Hello again Mr. Brown.”

“You? I want to thank you for your letter. Mr. Cartwright sure seems to trust your word.”

“I would hope so. I don’t believe I ever told you my name.”
“No I guess you didn’t.”

“It’s Adam Cartwright, Mr. Brown.”

“Cartwright? You mean you’re…”
“Yes I am.”

“Do you mind if I ask why you sent for me?”

“I don’t mind. You see there is someone inside who I believe would be very happy to see you.”
“Really? Who?”

“Why don’t you join us for some apple pie and find out.”

Adam opened the door and allowed Dexter to enter first. Storm had fully expected to see Adam when the door opened. She was completely taken aback when she saw it was Dexter. She was even more shocked by what followed.

“DEXTER?”
“Storm!?” With that Dexter turned around and punched Adam. He then turned back to Storm. “I’m sorry Storm.”

“Dexter I believe it’s Adam you should be apologizing to, not me.”

“No it’s you. I’m sorry that he used a kindness to me against you.”

“Dexter!” Storm knew he was getting ready to hit Adam again. “What are you talking about?”

“You mean he didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what? What are you doing here?” Storm knew that Adam had said he told Dexter where he could find a job but here?

“I work here, or maybe I should say, worked here.”

“No Mr. Brown, work here.”

“What does he mean Adam?

“You remember I told you that I had told Dexter of where he might find a job? I wrote a letter to pa asking him to hire him.”
“Hire him?”

“Yes hire him.”
“Wait a minute Adam.” A very strange idea had occurred to Ben. “Storm do you know where you are?”

“I can’t be certain Mr. Cartwright. I can only judge by the direction and stars as we traveled. I think we’re somewhere in Nevada, maybe close to Virginia City, but I can’t be too sure.”

“Adam you never told her where you were taking her?”

“I guess I forgot.”

“You forgot?” Ben tried to remember that his son’s mind was preoccupied during the journey home but could he really have been so negligent?

“Storm what is it you think we do here?”

“I don’t know Adam. I haven’t given it much thought.”

“Storm you’ve heard of the Ponderosa.”

“Of course Dexter, everyone has heard of the Ponderosa.”

“That’s where you are Storm.” Adam could hardly believe it but he did. She really had no idea where she was or who he was. For a brief moment that afternoon he had thought that could be one reason for her change. Finding out that you had married into some money could help change any woman’s attitude.

“You mean you run the Ponderosa Adam?” Storm had heard of men who owned ranches and hired men to oversee the everyday running of them.

“Storm, they own it.”

“Don’t be ridiculous Dexter.” Storm had heard of the Ponderosa but had never paid much attention to anything said about it as she never thought to see it.

“Ridiculous? Why is it so ridiculous?” Adam didn’t know what bothered him more, that she hadn’t known who he was or that she seemed to find the mere thought of them owning the Ponderosa as ridiculous.
“Because Rachel would have never….unless she didn’t know.”
“Know what Storm?”
“Nothing Adam. Hoss how about some of that pie?”
“I’ve been waiting for you to ask.”

Adam knew there was more to this but it would have to wait until later. Hoss was very determined to have his dessert right now, truthfully, so was he.

 

After everyone had finished enjoying their dessert and Dexter had left Adam again wanted to find out what had not been completely explained before.

“Storm how about taking a walk with me? I think that since those two brothers of mine have been relieved of the cooking chores the least they can do is clean up.”

“I don’t mind Adam.”

“I didn’t say you did.”

“Storm, Adam is right, it’s the least these two can do.”

Ben didn’t want to give what appeared to be the start of another argument a chance to continue. He could also sense that Adam had something on his mind. Ben watched as they headed outside and found himself thinking that they made a very handsome couple.

“Storm, before you said that Rachel didn’t know something, that she wouldn’t have done something if she had.”

“Yes Adam. She would have never blackmailed you into marrying me if she knew you were more than just the drifting cowhand she believed you to be. She thought I would be spending the rest of my life following you from town to town, job to job. She thought you would be the kind of man who would force me into making her lie the truth and once you had had your fill of me you would abandon me somewhere.”

“Perhaps you believed that as well.”

“Maybe, at first.”

“And now? Do you trust me now?”
“I don’t know. Trust is a pretty powerful word. Maybe I’m beginning to believe in you a little. Are you suggesting that you trust me?”

“Well you haven’t tried to run since you gave pa your word you wouldn’t.”

“Adam can we go back inside? I’m feeling a little cold.” Actually she was beginning to feel slightly warm but wasn’t about to admit to it.

“Storm, why didn’t you tell Dexter that we’re married?”

“I felt it best not to. Once the word gets out it will be more than just cowhands you’ll have to explain it to.”

Adam hadn’t thought about this. He was sure in time he would have but he had been busy thinking of other things. Just how was he going to explain Storm’s presence to everyone? He certainly couldn’t try and keep her identity a secret. The first place Storm headed to when they went inside was the kitchen.

“Storm, those two will finish up in there.”

“Yes Mr. Cartwright. If you will excuse me then, I will bid you both good night. I’m feeling rather tired.”

“Good night Storm.” Ben was surprised at the change one day could make.

“Yes, good night Storm.”

“Adam?”

“Yes Storm.”

“I….well maybe….goodnight.” How could she tell him that perhaps she had gone a little too far last night. Maybe sharing his bed would be preferable to being dragged through a forest of cacti.

After Storm was upstairs and safely out of hearing Adam turned to his father. “Pa, Storm brought up a very good point.”

“What’s that Adam?”

“How do I explain her presence to everyone?”

“Let’s take one problem at a time.”

“Why pa, are you implying that my wife is a problem?”

Ben was glad to see Adam had quickly reached the point where he could at least try and see some humor in the situation.

 

********

The following morning found Storm the first to awaken. Of course to her that was as it should be since she would be making the breakfast.

“Pa is Storm in the kitchen?”

“You don’t honestly believe that your brothers’ cooking has improved so much as to smell that good.”

“No I guess not.”

Adam walked into the kitchen and saw Storm standing in front of the stove. Why did seeing her standing there cooking make him feel good. Why did the fact that he felt good scare him.

“Storm, you know you don’t have to do this. Right now you’re still a guest.”

“I’m not doing it because I have to Adam, or because I feel I should. Quite simply, after hearing all the complaints about you and your brothers’ cooking I’d much rather eat my own.”

“I suppose that makes perfect sense.”

 

CHAPTER 5

They got almost two weeks of no outside interference. Two weeks of trying to come up with an answer. Honestly, after a few days the search for an answer wasn’t very much thought of. Maybe because the only other person to know the truth of the situation was Sheriff Roy Coffee, it was easy for everyone to pretend that Storm really was only a guest.

Ben had ridden into town a few days after Adam’s return, at Adam’s request, to explain what had happened and to ask the sheriff if he could find Storm’s mother. When Roy heard the news he couldn’t believe it. His first instinct was to question Storm’s innocence but Ben assured him that judging from her behavior she was just as unhappy about the circumstance she now found herself in.

It was one Saturday afternoon that a knock was heard. It was a knock that re-awoke everyone to the true nature of their situation.

“Hello Rory, what are you doing out here?”
“Well I’m sure it’s a mistake Mr. Cartwright, but, well we got a shipment in and it just might belong to Adam. Although I ain’t quite sure of it.”

“One minute and I’ll call Adam down.”

Storm was in the kitchen when she heard Ben call Adam’s name. She wondered who it was at the door but she was too busy to go and look.

“Hello Rory, is something wrong?”
“No Adam, it’s just like I told your pa. We got a shipment and it might belong to you.”

“Might belong to me? Does it have my name on it?”

“In a way.”

“Rory, either it has my name or it doesn’t.”

“That’s what’s got us all confused. You see it’s addressed to Mrs. Adam Cartwright. Now we all know you ain’t got married cause if you had that news would have been all around town. I told them down at the freight office that someone could have just gotten it wrong. You know put an s on the end of Mr. by mistake.”

“No Rory, it was no mistake. Hoss, Little Joe will you please help Rory, I’ll be right there. Storm! Can you come in here please.”

“Adam, I’m kind of busy right now.”

“STORM, now!”

Something had to be wrong. Adam hadn’t sounded that way when speaking to her for quite a while. When she came out of the kitchen the only one standing there was Ben.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing Storm. It’s just time to face reality again.”

“But I thought you said Hop-Sing wouldn’t be back for two more weeks.”

“And he won’t”

“Then I don’t understand. What’s happened to…..” Just then Hoss and Adam came in carrying a rather large and, what appeared to be, heavy trunk. Little Joe and another gentleman followed with a trunk of similar size but, judging from their faces, of lighter weight.

“Storm this is Rory, he works for the freight line. It appears as if they received a shipment for Mrs. Adam Cartwright. Quite a large and heavy shipment.” Adam went and took Storm’s hand and led her to where Rory stood staring in surprise. “Rory, this is my wife, Storm.”

“It’s a real pleasure to meet you ma’am.”

“And you.”

Rory reminded Storm of a train. He started talking slowly but rapidly picked up speed.

“I can certainly see why you want to keep her a secret Adam. Boy she sure is pretty. Prettier than anything in Virginia City. Just wait till the fellas get a look at her. They’ll be wantin’ to know where you found her. How long you been married? Wait till everyone hears about this. Never mind everyone just wait till Alice hears about this boy howdy is she……” Rory realized he’d been rambling and he didn’t like the way Adam was looking at him. “I better get the rest of those trunks in here.”

“Rest? Adam there’s more?”

“So it seems.”

“Adam why didn’t you just tell him they weren’t yours. That it must have been a mistake.”

“They’re your things Storm. Don’t you want your things?”
“I’d rather have you talk to me as you did before they arrived.”
“Maybe it’s time we stop pretending that this is all some game and face the truth.”

Adam again went to help with the trunks and Storm went to the one he and Hoss had carried in before.

“What’s in there Storm?”

Storm lifted the lid. “My books, Mr. Cartwright. Every dream, every wish, every story that helped to make my life bearable. Whenever I felt sad or lonely I could always open one of these and find a friend.”

Ben saw her gently lift out one of the volumes that the trunk contained. “Storm, what is that one?”

“It’s funny, I must have read this a thousand times. It’s one of my favorites. It always makes me think, always confirms what I know to be true. The cost of love is too high. Look what it cost them.”

She rose and headed back to the kitchen. On the way she handed Ben the book she carried.

 

“Well this is the last of them. Hoss and Little Joe are going into town. I told them not to do anything, that this had to happen sooner or later.” Adam noticed the open trunk. “Is that why that one was so heavy? Is it full of books?”

“Yes it would appear so. Do you want to know the one she chose to take out from all of those? The one she says shows perfectly that love comes at too high a price?” Ben handed the book to his son.

Adam had heard the scorn in his father’s voice and only understood when he looked at the book in his hand. “Pa this is ‘Paradise Lost’.”

“Yes it is son.”

 

Adam went into the kitchen. It was time he and Storm had a long talk.

“Adam! Be careful.” Storm had noticed that he was about to lay her book down on the wet table and reached to take it from his hands.

“Storm is that trunk full of book?.”

“I suppose, I haven’t looked through all of it yet.”

“Pa said that is one of your favorites. Is it really because it proves love comes at too high a price?”

“Have you ever read it Adam?”
“Many times Storm.”

“Then you know it cost them paradise.”

“Is that all you remember?”

“No, maybe, I just don’t understand why they didn’t stay closer? Why did they walk away? Why didn’t they cry more?”

“Storm.” He had never heard it from a woman’s point of view. His father had. Maybe they could read it together sometime. “Storm you want to know a secret?”
“I’m your wife.”

“I don’t think that will be a secret much longer.”

Storm would have sworn he sounded almost happy about it. “Then what?”

“This book is where my mother chose my name from.”

“Adam I…..I….I had better get back to supper.”

“Yes and I’ll take those things of your’s to your room, or at least the ones I can manage alone.”

“Thank you.” My God was she really going to tell him she loved him? Did she love him?

 

********

Once supper was to a point where there was no further need for her to sit and watch it she went to her room. She began to unpack the trunks she found there. Hoss and Little Joe returned from town long before expected. They informed their brother and father that they had grown tired of being asked the same question over and over, was it true that Adam was married. Thankfully they had thought to go and tell Roy of the latest development. They also informed them that there would most likely be visitors tomorrow.

They were sitting around anxiously awaiting the food that smelt more and more delicious with each passing minute to be done when they heard something from upstairs. Adam was on his feet and up the stairs in an instant.

“Pa?”

“Yes Little Joe.”

“First she has a whole trunk of books, among which one of her favorites is ‘Paradise Lost’.”

“Yes.”

“And now she plays the guitar. Better than Adam from the sound of it.”

“Just what are you getting at Joseph?”

“Maybe, just maybe, they were meant for each other.”

“Yes I had that thought myself. I am also beginning to think that the only way I’ll ever get to see you boys marry is at the end of a shotgun.”

*******

“Storm.”

“I’m sorry Adam. Does it bother you? I know papa was never very fond of it. He made me learn but he didn’t like to listen.”

“Storm the only reason it would bother me is because you play so well. That was lovely.”

“You really think so?”
“Yes I do.”

“Like I said father made me learn. He could tolerate the piano so Rachel got that I got the guitar. Eventually I learned both. I guess music just comes easy for me.” Why did she have this feeling that she needed to feel his lips on hers? “I better go check on supper.” As she went to pass him he gently took hold of her arm. “Please Adam, please don’t.”

How did she know what he wanted to do? She must have or why else would she have refused him without asking? How could he know it was because it was exactly what she wanted him to do. Storm made her way downstairs and into the kitchen. Adam followed shortly after.

“Hey Adam.”

“Yes Little Joe.”

“She plays pretty good.”

“Yes she does.”

Storm came in from the kitchen with a very welcome announcement. “Another half an hour or so and everything will be done.” She noticed that Adam was sitting on the sofa with his eyes closed and he was rubbing his forehead. “Adam is something wrong?”

“No, I just have a slight headache that’s all.”

Adam saw her turn and walk out of the room and back into the kitchen. Of course, he thought, why would she care if he were in pain, she was probably happy for it. A minute later he was forced to regret that thought as he watched her come back in with a bowl of cold water.

“Adam, lay down.”

“Storm.”

“Just lay down!” She put a pillow under his head. “Now close your eyes and put this rag over them.” She handed him a rag she had soaked in the cold water. As he did as she had told him too he felt her kneel behind him. He felt her fingers on his temples.

“Hey Storm, I think I got a headache too.”

“Joe, go get your own wife.”

Ben sat in his chair with a slight grin on his face. It was nice to see his boys realize that there were some benefits to having a wife, other than the obvious ones, but then Adam had yet to experience all of the obvious ones and that might be the reason for his headache.

It took no more than fifteen minutes for Adam to fall asleep. Only after she was sure he was did Storm once again turn her attention to supper.

“Should we wake Adam?”
“No Hoss, I’ll fix him something when he wakes.”

Dinner was not only finished but cleared and Adam still hadn’t awakened. Hoss and Little Joe both said their goodnights and still Adam slept.

“Storm it’s getting rather late. Why don’t you go on up to bed, I hardly think he’ll feel like eating when he wakes.”

“It’s alright Mr. Cartwright, I’ll wait, but don’t feel as if you have to wait with me. Please go on up to bed if you want, after all I am his wife.”

“Storm for someone who hasn’t had the most perfect example of a happy marriage you sure seem to know how to make one.”

“Mother was always a good wife, she just didn’t have a good husband.”

“Good night Storm.”

“Goodnight.”

 

********

When Adam finally did awaken the fire had died down to glowing embers. The way they illuminated Storm’s sleeping face made her appear as an angel must when dreaming. He slowly and quietly got to his feet. He walked to where she sat and did something he had wanted to do for some time now. He lowered his lips until they were barely touching hers. As the passion of the kiss began to heighten he could feel her begin to stir. He removed his lips from hers and although she was still not completely awake he heard her whisper something. He would swear she had whispered his name. Adam wondered was it because she knew it to be him, or because she wanted it to be him? He found both answers to be pleasing.

“Adam, are you hungry?” She got to her feet. “I’ll go and get you….”
“No Storm, I’m not hungry.” Not for what you think anyway. “It’s late we best get to bed. Like Hoss and Little Joe said, there will be visitors tomorrow, or later today.”

“Adam.” He could hear the uncertainty, the fear if you will, in her voice. “I’ve been thinking.” And she had been thinking as she had watched him sleep before she too had fallen asleep.

“On what?”
“On how it’s not fair to you.”

“What’s not fair Storm?”

“I don’t think you would ever break your vow to be faithful.”

He took a deep breath. Maybe she did know what he was hungry for. “No Storm I wouldn’t.”

“But it’s not right of me to expect you too, well too remain faithful.”

“Are you saying you want me to share another woman’s bed?”
“No, just let me share yours.”
“Storm, are you saying you love me?”

“Do I have to Adam?”
“I suppose not, but I would prefer it if you did.”

It was only after they had retired to their separate beds that Storm began to wonder. If he were willing to take her to his bed if she said she loved him, did that mean he loved her? Oddly enough that was the same question on Adam’s mind.

CHAPTER 6

It wasn’t too late in the day that their guests did arrive. As they heard the carriage approach Adam went to see who it was. He was none too happy that he had. It was Mrs. Candice Simmons, Mrs. Esther Fisher, and Mrs. Frances Abbott. Three of the more influential women of Virginia City. Poor Storm, he thought, they had skipped the frying pan and had thrown her straight into the fire.

“Oh God, anyone but them.”

“ADAM.” Ben wouldn’t admit it but he had to agree with his son.

“Storm if there is anything you wish to check on, you best go do it now. We have three of the most talented gossips coming to visit.”

“ADAM.”

“You know it’s true pa and it’s only fair to warn her. Before today is over everyone in Virginia City will know anything and everything there is to know about her.”

Why was it important to her to make a good impression? She didn’t care what they thought about her, but Adam did.

“I’ll be right back down.”
Ben and Adam watched in disbelief as she ran upstairs.

“I didn’t think she’d go.”
“Neither did I son.”

Ben went to open the door for their guests.

“Hello Ben.”

“Hello Candice, Esther, Frances. What brings you ladies all the way out here?”

“Honestly Ben. Hello Adam.”

“Hello Mrs. Simmons.”

“Esther and Frances believe I should make up some excuse as to why we are here but you know me, I have never been one to beat around the bush. The word going around Virginia City is that Adam there has gone and gotten married. They say he has been married since before he got back, what, four or five weeks ago.”

“Are you asking if it’s true?”
“It is rather big news. I mean one of your sons goes and marries someone no one knows. It’s not exactly fair. With all the young ladies right here in Virginia City hoping to marry one of your boys. Especially Esther’s daughter. Everyone knows how she’s had her heart set on Adam.”

“Now Candice, really.”

“Oh Esther, hush. It’s almost a sin the way your Alice fawns over him.”

“I’m afraid she’ll have to stop fawning.” Storm knew she had no right to say it, but she couldn’t help it because it was what she felt.

Adam was surprised to hear her sound like she was protecting her territory. The pride he felt at knowing he was that territory was totally unexpected. Somehow she had managed to look even lovelier than she had. Adam took her arm and led her to their guests.

“Ladies, I would like you to meet my wife, Storm.” He found he was very proud to introduce her as his wife, he just didn’t understand why. He didn’t have a right to feel proud, he couldn’t take credit for her being his wife and yet she was.

“I can certainly see why you married her Adam. She is very lovely.”

“Thank you…..?”

“Storm this is Mrs. Candace Simmons, Mrs. Esther Fisher and Mrs. Frances Abbott.”

“Ladies, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Would you like to sit down?” Once they were all seated she took over her role as hostess. “May I get you ladies anything? Some tea perhaps?”

“That would be lovely.”

“I’m sure you gentlemen would prefer coffee. If you will all excuse me I’ll go and see to it.”

Storm left the room and Adam felt a very strong need to get out of there as well. It was almost as if she had taken his courage with her.

“If you ladies will excuse me, I’ll go see if Storm needs any help.”

Ben swore his son would pay for abandoning him.

“She is very beautiful Ben.”
“Yes she is Candace.”

“I suppose a man would wish to keep a new wife like that to himself if he could.”

“Yes for as long as he could.”

 

“Storm do you want me to help you with anything?”
“I can manage Adam.”

“Please, let me help you with something.”

Storm could hear it as the desperate plea it was. “Why Adam, are you afraid to be in there?”

“A little.”

“And you just left your father in there?”
“Oh he can handle it.”

“Take this tray in and I’ll be there in a minute.”

As she served the tea and coffee Storm realized she liked how it felt.

“So tell me Storm how did you accomplish something so many before you have tried and failed.”

“I’m sorry?”
“Just how did you get one of Ben’s sons to not only propose marriage but actually go through with the wedding?”

“It was fairly easy. There was no way he could refuse whey my father was holding a shotgun on him.”
Adam and Ben both choked on what they had just drank.

“That’s very funny. No really, how?”

“I suppose you would have to ask Adam but you probably know better then I how secretive he can be where his feelings are concerned.”

“I have found that most men are. You mentioned your father. Just what is it he does?”

“My father is the mayor of my hometown Mrs. Simmons.”

“Oh really. How very interesting.”

“I don’t know about it being interesting, but it is true enough.”

The conversation turned to more impersonal matters. Storm learned some things about Adam and his family she hadn’t known. Some Adam wasn’t too happy to have her learn. She also learned about what was now her home. As the ladies got up to leave Mrs. Simmons, who Storm had just realized had done most of the talking, turned to Adam.

“You are going to bring her to the fund raiser next Saturday, aren’t you?”

“I hadn’t heard of a fundraiser.”

“Of course you haven’t heard. You haven’t been in town for over a month, although I suppose you no longer need to. It’s a fundraiser for the orphanage. You know how long we have been trying to build one.”

“I suppose if Storm would like to go.”

Storm could feel all eyes on her. “I’d love to go.”

“Good. I’m sure your father will agree with me when I say that it is time you newlyweds rejoin the world, wouldn’t you Ben?”

“Yes Candace I guess I would.”

 

No sooner was the door closed then Adam turned to Storm.

“A SHOTGUN!”

“Oh Adam. I knew they wouldn’t believe it, so I told them the truth.”

“How could you be so sure they wouldn’t believe you?”

“Because here you are Adam Cartwright. A man who would never find himself in a situation that the only way for him to get out of it would require him to marry someone.”

“And in Keegan’s Bluff?”

“There you were, as what both Rachel and father saw you to be, a penniless drifter who could be easily bought or blackmailed into doing what they wanted.”

“I guess one of them was right!”

“Yes and we both know which one!”

“No I think that is one thing we don’t agree on!”

“Still defending her Adam! Tell me would you defend me so vehemently?!”

“Something tells me you wouldn’t want me to!”

“That’s right! I can defend myself well enough!”

Ben had had it. “THAT’S IT! Would you two please decide. Are you going to spend the rest of your lives hating each other or perhaps realize that maybe, just maybe, this was the only way the fates could think of to get you two together.”

“What are you suggesting pa?”

“I’m not suggesting anything son. I’m saying it flat out and plain. I know of no one as stubborn as you. No one who has a love of learning like you. No one who has a love of music like you. Except HER.”

“So you’re saying the only way he would have married me is if he were forced to?”

“It’s the only way you two would spend enough time together to get to know each other, and don’t you give me that look of innocence young lady. By your own admission you were never going to marry.”

Ben turned and walked out of the room. Storm turned to Adam.

“Boy, he doesn’t get angry often, but when he does.”

“Yes, when he does. Storm?”

“Yes Adam.”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For the way you handled our visitors.”

“You’re welcome but I didn’t do it for you.” At least she wouldn’t let him know she had done it only partly for him.

“Then who?”

“Your father. I would never do anything to embarrass or shame him. In spite of the lecture, he is a wonderful man.”

“That is one thing we are in agreement on.”

It was too early to start supper so Storm went to her room to look over what Gwen had sent. She knew it had been Gwen because she had found a letter from her safely tucked inside one of her books. It was one Gwen knew she would open as she did every Sunday.

Dear Storm

I hope you are well. I hope this letter finds you, as well as your things. I’m afraid it’s the only address I could find out. Your father told me his name and I asked around and was told that this was where he was. I would have put your name except I felt there was a better chance they would know where to find you if I put his.

I hope he hasn’t hurt you. Thank you for what you did but you know I wish you hadn’t. I would have managed fine.

If you can please write and let me know how you are, how he’s treating you. I’ll stay until I hear from you.

Love Gwen

Storm sat down and wrote her response to Gwen’s questions. When she finished she went to see if Adam would send it off the next time he was in town. She found him sitting downstairs reading.

“Adam?”

At the sound of her voice he looked up. “Yes Storm?”
“I’ve written a letter to Gwen thanking her for sending my things to me. Would you mind sending it off next time you’re in town?”

“Of course not. Why don’t you give it to me and I’ll send it tomorrow.”

“You’re going to town tomorrow?”

“Yes I am. Would you like to come with me?”

“I…..” Adam had seen a look of joy come to her face, he also saw it replaced rather quickly by a look of doubt. “Do you think it would be alright?”

“I think it would be fine.”

“Then I’d love to. Right now I better go get supper started.”

As she passed him on her way into the kitchen Ben looked up from his own book to see his son staring after her. “It’s a rather easy thing to get use to isn’t it?”

It was almost as if Adam had forgotten his father was there. “Pa?”
“Having a woman around. They have a way of making a house a home. Making a man feel comfortable; and yet sometimes uncomfortable.”

Adam could tell by his father’s face just what he was trying to imply.

“Why pa I’m shocked that you would even suggest such a thing.”

Ben knew his son was joking but he wasn’t. “Maybe that’s the problem Adam, that I’m the one suggesting it.”

 

CHAPTER 7

It was later than Adam wanted when they started off for Virginia City the following morning. First he had to wait while Storm cleaned up after breakfast. It was only then that he realized that she had been cleaning up after every meal, even though his brothers were supposed to be doing it. Then he had to wait while she changed her clothes at least three times before she was happy with how she looked. He would admit, at least to himself, that it had proven to be well worth the wait.

“Adam. I’ve been meaning to come out and see you. I have some….”

“Maybe later Roy. Storm I’d like you to meet Sheriff Roy Coffee. Roy this is my wife Storm.”

“Hello Sheriff Coffee. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“No, believe me the pleasure is all mine.”

“Storm I need to speak with Roy. Why don’t you go on inside and see if there is anything you can think of that’s not on this list.”

“Of course Adam.”

Adam handed her the list and she entered the store. She watched Adam and Sheriff Coffee head towards the sheriff’s office.

“Adam, I suppose if a man has to be forced into marrying someone, he couldn’t do much better than that.”

“She is rather lovely but sometimes looks can be deceiving.”

“I guess so.” Roy wasn’t certain if Adam had meant this to be good or bad.

“Now is there something you found out?”

“I think I know where you can find Mr. Brady Nelson and his wife Lenora.”

“Storm’s mother? You’ve found her?”

“I believe so.”

“Where Roy?”

“In Colorado. A town called Running Springs. I have it on good authority that’s where they are.”

“Thanks Roy. I’ll write to her and make sure before I get Storm’s hopes up.”

 

Back at the store Storm was checking over the list when three young ladies came in.

“Hello.”

Storm looked up and faced them. When she did she found she was being very intently looked over.

“Hello.”

“Are you Adam’s wife?”

The way this woman had said it made it sound less like an inquiry and more like an accusation.

“Yes. I’m Storm.”

“I’m Alice Fisher.” That explained the hatred Storm felt was being directed at her. “These are my friends, Beth Campbell and Diana Trainor.”

“It’s nice to meet all of you.”

“Did Adam tell you he was going to ask me to marry him?”

“No Miss. Fisher, he never mentioned that.”

“Well he was. What did you do?”

“I didn’t do anything.”

Thankfully Adam entered the store before this had a chance to go any further.

“Hello Alice, Beth, Diana. I see you’ve met Storm.”

“Yes Adam, we’ve met. I must say that I was rather shocked when I heard.”

“I’m sure you were Alice. Now if you will excuse us. Storm we best get on back to the Ponderosa.”

“Yes of course Adam. I believe everything is on the wagon.”

“Good then let’s get going.”

Storm did something more from instinct than anything else. In her opinion Alice was no different than Rachel and she didn’t like someone like that thinking that they were better than her. She walked to where Adam waited for her and gently placed her hand on his forearm. Then she stood on her toes and tenderly kissed his cheek. He, as well as everyone else present, understood it for what it was. She was again staking her claim but for some reason this time it bothered him. Maybe because this time it had been done out of spite.

He took her arm and led her to the wagon and helped her up. She could tell by his attitude it was only because of propriety he did so. She knew he was angry. Once they were well enough out of town and Adam was sure no one was watching did he stop the wagon.

“Storm why did you do that?!”

“Do what?” She knew only too well what he was speaking of but wouldn’t admit it.

“Kiss me like that!”

“Why! Would you have preferred it to have been Alice kissing you? Are her kisses more pleasing to……” He could hear the tears in her voice and he would swear he saw the start of them in her eyes. Before he could see one fall she ran to a tree just a few feet away. He got down and followed her.

“Storm?” As he approached her he could hear her trying to control her sobs. He placed his hand on her shoulder. He wasn’t sure what he was expecting but it certainly wasn’t what happened. She turned around and put her arms around his waist and buried her tear stained face in his chest.

“Oh Adam, I’m sorry. I’ve ruined everything. Did you love her Adam? I’m sorry.”

Why was he smiling at her? He should be angry. She had kept him from the woman he loved enough to want to ask to marry him.

“Storm I will admit to thinking you were many things, some unflattering, but I never thought you were a fool.”

“I’m not a fool Adam.”

He looked into her eyes and she knew what he was going to do, but for the first time she didn’t possess the strength or the desire to ask him not to. She could feel the tree against her back, his hands on her waist, but mostly she could feel his lips even before they touched hers. When once again they were no longer joined by a kiss he rephrased his previous remark.

“You must be a fool, if you still think I could kiss you like that and love her.”

“But she said you were going to ask her to marry you.”

“She may have wanted me to ask her but, believe me, I wasn’t going to.”

“You mean you and her weren’t, well you weren’t seeing each other?”

“Storm, I escorted her to two dances, that’s all. The rest was entirely in her head.”

“Adam, do you think that maybe tonight we….well that we could share…”

“Do you love me Storm?”

Perhaps she did but she was still afraid. Too afraid to admit to it just yet. “Adam I….”

He could see the truth in her eyes but, for some reason, it wasn’t enough. He needed to hear her say it. He thanked God that she didn’t ask the same question of him.

“We best get back home. Everyone will be wondering where we’ve gotten to.”
“Maybe they’ll think I ran away again.”

“Would you Storm?”

“Not without your permission.”

Rachel saw the letter that had arrived for Gwen and she also saw who had sent it. She took it and read it.

 

Dear Gwen

I’m fine and no he hasn’t forced me to do anything. Quite honestly Gwen there are times I wish he would because than I would have a reason to hate him.

It would appear as if father and Rachel misjudged him. He is not a drifting cowhand, his family owns the Ponderosa. You would like his father and brothers. Maybe once you leave you could come for a visit.

Thank you for sending my things to me. Adam was a little shocked to see all that you sent but he seems to enjoy my books and guitar. He says I play beautifully.

Oh Gwen I think I’m falling in love with him. What if he never loves me? There are times I believe he feels the same for me as I do for him but then something happens and I would swear he hates me. What am I to do? I always knew love would hurt too much.

Please come and visit because it would make me so very happy to see you.

Love Storm

This wouldn’t do, no it wouldn’t do at all. This just wasn’t fair and would spoil all of Rachel’s plans. Perhaps it was time for her father to know the truth.

“Rachel how could you do something like that?”
“Father you were just as happy as I was to be rid of her.”

“That may well be but to cause such embarrassment. Why now this sudden need to tell the truth?”

“Because now we will go and get her back. I won’t have her married to a man who is wealthy in his own right. Even more so I will not have her married to a man she loves.”

“Why do you hate her so Rachel?”

“Because it never mattered what I did or said, everyone always liked her better.”

“Everyone including Hugo Wyler?”

“Yes even him.”

 

********

The Saturday of the fund raiser arrived and Storm was excited to be going, after all she had hardly been off the Ponderosa since she had arrived. When they had first arrived in town Adam noticed that Storm seemed reluctant to leave his side but eventually she began to wander on her own, or as alone as one can be in a town full of people.

As the day wore on Storm found herself having fun. She was enjoying being around people and talking about Adam. She had baked an apple pie and a peach pie for the bake sale and learned only later that Hoss had bought both.

It was near to dusk when Storm noticed a rather young lady being escorted down an alley by a very ungentlemanly looking fellow. It didn’t appear as if the lady was being forced but Storm got the feeling her help might be needed so she followed quietly.

“Please Doyle, stop.”

“Come on Lori, a minute ago you were all too happy to accept my suggestion that we sneak down here.”
“I’ve changed my mind.”

“I haven’t.”

With that he grabbed the girl called Lori and kissed her. Storm could hear the fear in Lori’s voice when she again begged him to let her go.

“I think the young lady asked you to stop.” Storm knew she should have gone and gotten help but was afraid of what would have happened while she was gone.

“This ain’t none of your affair.”

“I just made it my affair. Lori, why don’t you come on over here by me.”

“She ain’t goin’ nowhere, and now neither are you.”

Too late Storm heard the two men entering the alley behind her.

“So it was going to be three against one young lady? Hardly fair odds.”

“Now it will be three against two.”

“We can always just scream.”

“Oh no. No we can’t. That would bring everyone and if my father finds me here he will just kill me.”

“I hardly think he will kill you Lori.” Storm felt that if her’s hadn’t killed her for all she had been accused of doing no one would kill Lori for a simple error in judgment.

“You don’t know her father.”

“Doyle is right, you don’t know my father.”

Not knowing who Lori’s father was made Storm think that if people who knew him thought him capable of such a punishment then who was she to argue.

“Than there is only one thing to do.” Storm turned to the men who were standing behind her. Before they could both react she had kicked one rather sharply in his shin. She turned quickly to the other but he acted faster then she had anticipated. He grabbed her but she managed to bring up her knee and make him very sorry that he had thought her too much of a lady to do something like that. As he hit the ground she quickly grabbed the gun out of his holster. She turned back to face Doyle.

“Now let her go.”

Doyle didn’t like having a gun pointed at him by a man and he most definitely didn’t like having one pointed at him by some nervous female.

“Why don’t you put that down before it goes off.”

“Why don’t you let her go before it goes off.”

Doyle let Lori go and she quickly joined Storm.

“Lori why don’t you go on and get out of here before someone sees you.” Storm was sure that Lori wouldn’t tell anyone what had happened because she was too afraid too and she was just as sure that Doyle wouldn’t because then he would have to admit to being beaten by a woman. It wasn’t that she wouldn’t tell Adam just not here and not now. What Storm didn’t know was that someone who would be only to happy to tell had seen Lori leave the alley. They also saw Storm coming out followed closely by Doyle and his two friends. While the part about seeing Lori was of little importance, telling of Storm’s departure and those who followed would most definitely suit their purpose.

 

“Adam, may I speak with you?”
“What is it Alice?”
“Please, what I need to tell you is best said in private.”

They stepped away from the group of people that he had been speaking with.

“Now, what is it Alice?”

“I hate to say this but I just saw your wife leaving an alley. That in and of itself wouldn’t be suspicious except that she was followed out by Doyle and two of his friends.”

“Alice, I don’t have time for your games.” Adam couldn’t believe that she would go this far.

Storm saw Adam talking to Alice and walked over to them. “Adam, I think you had better take me back to the house.”

“Why Storm?” Had someone done something to make her feel unwelcome? He couldn’t believe that Storm would allow anyone to chase her away.

“It would appear as if my dress has gotten caught on something and ripped. So if you will please excuse us Alice. May we go Adam?” Storm had assumed that Adam would not deny this request and so had not waited for an answer. She just turned and headed for the wagon so she didn’t hear what Alice said, she was too busy trying to think on whether or not she should give in and tell Adam that she loved him. She knew it was still early and they would have the house to themselves at least for a few hours.

“Caught on something Adam? Maybe something like Doyle’s fingers? You know his reputation for being rather impatient.”

Adam was certain that by the time they were barely out of Virginia City, Alice would make sure the entire town knew what she had seen.

As they rode out of Virginia City, Storm could sense an anger in Adam but she couldn’t think of why. Could it be because she had asked him to leave? If that were it he would forgive her that as soon as they reached the house and she told him what she had decided to give in and tell him. If that weren’t the cause she knew it certainly couldn’t be because she had ripped her dress. It was one of her own that Gwen had sent. He hadn’t bought her any, come to think of it he hadn’t bought her anything.

Storm was thankful when they reached the house because she was beginning to feel that she couldn’t have stood the silence another minute longer. It was only once they got inside that silence became the one thing she prayed for.

“What’s wrong Storm?! Did you get tired of waiting for me?! You almost had me completely fooled!” And that’s what was bothering him the most. That she had indeed fooled him completely. He had even begun to think that maybe he should be the first to admit to what his feelings for her were.

“Adam I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

“Are you going to deny that you were down an alley with Doyle and two of his friends?! Are you going to deny that’s when your dress ripped?!”

So that’s what Alice and he were talking about. Alice must have seen her leave but hadn’t she seen Lori leave first? Storm supposed even if she had she would have omitted telling Adam that because that would have not given him any cause to doubt her.

“Are you suggesting that you believe that I…..”

“I have known some woman who once they get a taste of it can’t go without it for long! What I can’t understand is why you just didn’t lie and say you loved me? Seeing as how you seem to be quite an accomplished liar, I am sure you would have been able to convince me!”

He took a step towards her and she knew what he was planning to do. She knew he had thought of a way to punish her. If he took her by force, without spoken words of love between them, then she would become what Rachel had tried to make everyone believe her to be. He grabbed her and roughly took possession of her lips. This only confirmed yet again what Storm knew to be true. She knew she should have never let a man into her heart because once inside he would find a way to cut his way out. Adam had chosen the most sharpest of weapons, the ones that left the deepest scars, he had chosen words.

“Adam, please.”

“Adam please. Tell me Storm are you really as innocent as you say, as you pretend to be? Maybe this whole thing wasn’t Rachel’s or your father’s plan, maybe it was your’s all along. You say you had no idea who I was. Is that true or did you really know the whole time. Is that why you wanted to marry me? Did you knew all about the Ponderosa from the very start?!”

“No Adam, I love you.” It was not what she had meant to say, not like this anyway, but now there was no way to take it back.

“That was very good Storm. Why I almost believe you. You should have thought how your little tryst with Doyle would be sure to upset your whole scheme though, if it were found out. Well it has been and I’ll be damned if I ever touch you again. Don’t worry though I at least know how to be discreet.”

“Damn you Adam! Damn you to hell!”

“Oh sweetheart, I’m already there.”

She turned from his condemning stare and ran to her room. She wasn’t sure what hurt the most, the fact that he believed her guilty of this or the thought of him with another woman.

When Ben came home a few hours later he found Adam sitting in front of the fire. He had hoped that the time he had given them would have allowed Storm to tell Adam what had happened in town. Ben had no doubts that she would tell him because unlike his son he wasn’t trying to find reasons to deny that he cared for her.

“Adam, where’s Storm?”

“Upstairs.”

Ben could hear the underlying anger in his son’s voice. Maybe Storm hadn’t told him. Maybe she was trying to protect Lori. If that were true he knew that his son would be hearing it and Ben thought it best to come from him. What puzzled Ben was what had made Adam angry if not the thought of Storm putting herself in danger the way she had. “Adam there was a rumor going around town that…”

“Yeah pa, I know all about it. How my sweet innocent wife went down an alley with Doyle and two of his friends. You know pa maybe I’m the one being a real fool. I am her husband and as such I have every right to take her whether or not she’s willing.”

Ben couldn’t believe what he had just heard his son say. Couldn’t believe it was his son saying it. What he did to prove that this was indeed happening, and it was his son, was not something he thought himself capable of doing. It was something he never thought he’d ever have enough provocation to do. He went to where his son sat and slapped him. He watched as his son jumped to his feet and if he wasn’t so positive that his sons would never raise their hands to him he would be afraid of what he saw in Adam’s eyes. He watched as his son got ready to leave.

“Don’t you walk away from me Adam.”

“Under the circumstances I think it would be best pa.”

“First you will let me finish what it was that I was saying. There was a rumor but, in spite of her fear of her father, Lori Frammer told the whole truth of what happened. It would seem she allowed Doyle to talk her into going into that alley. Once there she changed her mind but Doyle wasn’t about to change his. Lori thanked God that Storm must have seen them going down the alley and realizing what was most likely to happen followed after them. She said that if it hadn’t of been for Storm……well, you know as well as I what would have happened.”

“If this is true pa.”

“If it’s true?! Alice finally admitted to seeing Lori leave first but said she thought that upon seeing what was going on Lori was embarrassed and that was why she left the alley. You know as well as I that if Alice thought that Lori would have been able to back up her story she would have never left her out to begin with. If that isn’t enough proof then next time you see that friend of Doyle’s, Cresen, ask him to show you his leg. He has one nasty black and blue.”

“Why didn’t she say something?”

“Maybe she thought you were past blindly accusing her. Maybe she thought you trusted her a little, or maybe she simply hoped that you cared enough for her to ask before believing the worst.”

“I guess I owe her an apology.”

“You guess? I think it might be a good idea for you to wait until tomorrow. Give her a little time to perhaps remember that she cares for you because right now if she were to cause you any harm I wouldn’t fault her, son I might even help her.”

“I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”

Adam thought all night on just the right words to say he was sorry but somehow they always fell just short, so he was a little happy that by not showing up first thing in the morning Storm was giving him more time. He had tried to ask her to come down but when he received no answer he let her be. He figured if she were still this angry maybe it would be better to wait until later to talk to her, maybe by then the right words would come to him. Why he failed to realize that the only words Storm would need to hear to make her forget everything were very simple ones, although not easy ones, to say. All he would have to tell her was what he was feeling, but the first time someone says I love you to someone never comes easy. Ben did manage to see the one good thing in all of this, never once did Adam seem to think that Storm had run away.

Storm had waited upstairs until she was sure Adam was gone and only then did she go down. It wasn’t because, as Adam had thought, that she was angry but because she was afraid he would hurt her with more words. It seemed to her that he was a master of it, or maybe it was just because she loved him like she had never loved anyone before which made it all that more easier for him to hurt her.

“Good morning Storm.”

“Good morning Mr. Cartwright.”

“You slept rather late today.”

“I wasn’t sleeping. I’m sure Alice made certain that the entire town knew of what she saw, or at least the parts she wanted them to know.”

“Yes, but Lori also made sure they knew the whole truth of what had happened.”

“She shouldn’t have. It doesn’t really matter does it. They will all believe the worst anyway. I mean if he……”

Ben couldn’t bear the thought that it was Adam causing her this much pain. “Storm……” Ben was interrupted by the sounds of a carriage outside the house. He saw Storm quickly turn back towards the stairs. “Storm, it’s not Adam. He rode out on horseback not in a carriage.”

He went to see who was coming to visit hoping that whoever it was wouldn’t bring up yesterday.

“Are you Mr. Cartwright?”

“Yes, I’m Ben Cartwright.”

“I’m Thaddeus Kendall and this is my daughter Rachel. I’ve come to bring Storm home.”

“Bring her home? Mr. Kendall, as you already know she is married to my son.”

Storm had recognized her father’s voice and had gone out to see what was going on. Why was her father here?

“Not really.”

“What do you mean father?”

“Storm why don’t we all go inside and talk about this.” Ben wasn’t sure what was going on but he didn’t want to find out out here.

“No Mr. Cartwright. Please father explain.”

“Since you never attended masses you wouldn’t know it, but the man who performed your wedding wasn’t qualified to do so.”

“I never attended your masses because it was made quite clear to me I wasn’t welcome. I made sure every Sunday that God knew I was thinking of him.”

“That may well be but it wasn’t a preacher that officiated at your ceremony. He was just some drifter I paid to do the job.”

“Are you saying that you trusted your own daughter to a man you hardly knew and lied about them being legally married?” Ben couldn’t believe any father would do that.

“If you’re referring to the relations your son would now be at liberty to take with her, well Storm never needed the blessing of the church before to grant those liberties. Seeing as to how she believed she had them this time her conscience was clearer than ever before.”

“It doesn’t matter Mr. Cartwright. Will you please tell Adam that he’s free. That I hope he finds someone he can trust.”

“Storm, wait for him to come home. I know he has something he wants to say to you.”

“No. If he want’s to tell me he’s sorry it’s only because he now knows that what he thought isn’t true. He didn’t believe enough to even ask me, he just took Alice’s word. Tell him he can tell everyone the truth. Maybe he should just tell everyone that what they were told happened last night may not have been true but he found out that it wasn’t likely to remain so. If he believes me to be that kind of a woman than that is what I am because it never mattered what anyone else thought, it only ever mattered what he thought.”

“Storm, please, just wait.”

“No, I cant. Please send my things to me.” Storm went and kissed Ben goodbye. “Tell Hoss and Little Joe good bye for me.” She climbed into the carriage beside Rachel. “Father lets go.”

 

********

“Storm! Come down here! Pa she hasn’t been upstairs all day has she?”

“Adam, I’m afraid she’s no longer here.”

“What?! Are you saying you let her run away?”

“I didn’t let her do anything. Her father and sister came. It seems that your marriage was never legal.”

“What?”
“It appears as if the gentleman who performed your wedding wasn’t sanctioned by the church or the law. I guess Storm felt that since she wasn’t your wife she no longer needed your permission to leave.”

“FINE. If she feels better to leave than to face….well just FINE!”

Ben knew he had no reason to be grinning but he was.

“Hey pa what’s wrong with Adam?”

“Yeah he almost knocked me down on his way out.”
“Given the mood he’s in right now Hoss, he might have been capable of doing just that.”

 

********

Adam didn’t show up for supper, nor did he show up before Little Joe and Hoss said their goodnights. Ben sat up and waited. Happy to see that his son returned in as foul a mood as when he left.

“So did you find anything to take your mind off your troubles?”

“What troubles pa? The only trouble I had left this morning.”

Ben smiled after his son as he went upstairs. “Goodnight son.”

“Goodnight pa.”

Adam noticed all too well the grin on his father’s face. He had ridden around for hours only to find himself reminded of Storm everywhere he went. She hadn’t been there so long and yet had managed to become imbedded so deep in his mind that she became a part of ever memory he had. If she hadn’t been directly involved in a past event all he could think of was how he would love to tell her about it or how she would react upon hearing it. If he stopped someplace he hadn’t yet shown her then all he could think of was how she would love to see it. Needless to say it wasn’t a very restful night for Adam but then it wasn’t a very restful night for Storm either.

 

********

“Good morning Adam.”

“Morning pa. I’ve been thinking that I should at least go and tell Storm that I’m sorry.”

“Adam if the only reason you’re going after her is to ease your conscience by apologizing then I suggest you just write her a letter. You have hurt her enough already.”

“Pa I’ve slept pretty well all my life and the past five weeks have been no exception, except for that first night. Last night I couldn’t sleep at all. Just knowing that she was no longer in the room next door made it hard for me to close my eyes. When I finally passed out from sheer exhaustion all I did was dream about her. I have to get her back pa, I love her.”

“Then go and get her. Go bring her back even if you have to tie her up to do so.”

“Funny pa, very funny.”

 

Adam went back upstairs to pack what he would need for his trip. What would end up being a trip that would end before it had begun.

“Hey pa! Adam!”

“Joseph, what is it?”

“Look who I found pa.”

“Hello Mr. Cartwright.”

“Storm.” Ben was happy to see her. He was happy to know that she couldn’t leave Adam any more then he could let her go.

“Little Joe what is it?” Adam was half-way down the stairs before his father stepped aside and he saw her.

“Hello Adam. I guess father didn’t know enough to tie me up.”

“Storm.” He finished going down the steps and she ran to him. She went straight into his arms.

“Come on Joe. Why don’t we give them some time alone.”

“But pa.”

“Joseph.”

“Yes pa.”

********

“Adam, I don’t care. It doesn’t matter if we’re married or not. I love you Adam, I love you.”

“Storm, I’ve been such a fool.”

“No it’s me whose been the fool.”

“ No you told me you loved me long before you spoke the words. I saw it in your eyes but was too stubborn to accept that as enough. I had to hear the words and when I did…..”

“Adam I know that the preacher wasn’t real but maybe since it was in a real church God would believe it was real.”

“Storm I think if anyone knows the difference between truth and lies it would be God. Remember we may have said the words but our hearts weren’t really in them.”

“But they are now, so maybe He would forgive us if….”

“Storm, the only way He’d forgive us; no that’s not exactly true because I do believe you may be right and He would forgive us, but the only way I would forgive myself is if you were my wife.”

“Your wife?”

“Yes. Look at it this way, this time you get to choose whether or not…..”
“Oh Adam.” He accepted her into his arms thinking that it certainly felt good to have her there.

“Should I take this as a yes?”

“On one condition.”

“Condition? What condition?”

“That this time, Adam Cartwright, you make me your wife in every sense of the word, that from the very first you insist I share your bed.”

“You have my promise of that.” In an attempt to try and prove he meant it, he kissed her with all the passion he felt. “Storm, I love you.”

“And how I love you.”

“Five weeks together and all it takes is one night apart.”

“Was it only one night pa? Funny but if felt like a lifetime.”

“Adam?”

She suddenly sounded worried.

“What is it Storm?”

“How are we going to have a wedding if everyone believes us to be already married?”

“Let’s not worry about that just yet.”

“I know, we can just go somewhere and get married and no one will ever have to know.”

“NO!”
“Pa?”

“It was bad enough you coming back and announcing that you were married. Granted the circumstances were such that there would have been no way for me to be at the ceremony but this time there is and I will not allow you to cheat me out of it once again.”

“That’s it pa. See Storm given time a solution will most likely present itself.”

“What do you mean Adam?”

“We will simply tell people that pa was so upset at not being at the first ceremony he wished for us to have one here. That it took all this time but he was finally able to convince us, besides his birthday is coming up.”

“Adam this is one present I wish to get for the next three years straight.”

“Pa I can only get married once.” Adam thought that it was a good thing his brothers weren’t there or they would be looking for ways to escape.

“No Adam this would be twice.”

“Yeah but the same bride pa.”

“Adam do you really think that people would believe it?”
“Storm I don’t really care what they believe. As long as at the end of it all you are my wife.”

“Storm, will your father be coming after you?” Ben could see it would be a good time to change the subject and therefore the trains of thought of both his son and Storm.

“No Mr. Cartwright. I’m sure he doesn’t believe I’d come back here and he’s probably glad I’ve run away, unlike some people I know.”

“Would you like to send them an invitation to the wedding?” Adam knew it wasn’t right but he was hoping that this time Storm could show them that even though this had started out as a way for them to hurt her it had ended up being one of the best things they could ever have done for her. At least he hoped that she thought that because it was certainly one of the best things that had ever happened to him.

“I think that would be a wonderful idea. Of course I’m not too sure if they will come.”

“Storm there is something that has been bothering me for some time now, why didn’t you run before out first wedding. I mean I couldn’t, seeing as how I was kept locked up in jail until the ceremony, but you could have run at any time.”

“Father said if I didn’t go through with it he’d fire Gwen and Harry. He said if I did he would give them each a thousand dollars.”

“You did this for Harry even though he helped Rachel?”
“Oh so now you believe me when I say it was Rachel.”

“That’s not important.”

“Adam I told you that the only reason Harry did what he did was because he needed his job.”

“But now that he has a thousand dollars he doesn’t?”

“Not as badly as he did before, and quite honestly I didn‘t think you would be so stubborn as to hold to vows you had been forced to take. I thought that when I ran you would be happy to see me go.”

The conversation was prevented from going further by the door opening and Little Joe and Hoss coming in.

“Storm?”

“Yes Hoss?”
“You know Hop-Sing will be back in a few days.”

“I see. Would you like anything in particular for supper tonight?”

“That beef roast you cooked up was real tasty.”

“Than beef roast it will be.”

 

As Storm once again lay in the room that was so near to Adam she began to wonder about something. It had been bothering her for some time and thought that maybe now Adam was ready to give her an answer. She quietly got out of her bed and tip toed into Adam’s room. She knew it was wrong but tried to justify it by thinking that it wouldn’t be the first time they would be in a bedroom alone. At least this time they would both be dressed, well sorta dressed.

“Adam?” She gently tapped him on the shoulder and again whispered his name. “Adam, are you awake?”
“I must say the last time I awoke to find you standing next to the bed I was sleeping in was much more pleasant.”
“Adam Cartwright!”

“Now don’t you try and go sounding all indignant. It isn’t me who’s snuck into your room.”

“Why Adam? Why haven’t you snuck into my room? Why haven’t you even tried?”

“I guess I was a little bit afraid that you would turn me away, maybe even more afraid that you wouldn’t.”

She felt his arm go around her waist and before she knew what had happened she was lying next to him.

“Is there a reason you came in here?”
“Yes but this wasn’t it.”

“Really?”

“Yes really. I came to ask you why you didn’t believe me when I said nothing happened.”

“Oh.”

“Adam, I know nothing happened and I told you so, why didn’t you believe me?”

He knew there was no way to avoid telling her. “Because Storm, true or not, real or not, whether it was the drug I’d been given or not, I remember making love to you that night.”
“You mean you had a dream about me?” The idea of him thinking of her even in his sleep pleased her especially since it was so shortly after they had met.

“I suppose it might have been a dream.”

“Adam it was a dream. Nothing happened that night. I know because if it had it would have been my first time and there were no, well, no signs to show anything had happened. Leastways none that I heard comes with a woman’s first time.”
“Storm it really doesn’t matter to me….”

“I know.” She could feel something happening to her. Suddenly she was having a hard time breathing. “Adam, would you…” She thought he had read her mind because before she could finish his lips were on hers.

Her mind was the one thing he hadn’t read. “Storm, you better get back to your own bed.”

“Why Adam?”

“Because even if you’ve forgotten I haven’t, we’re not married; yet.”

“Alright Adam.” She reluctantly got out of his bed and returned to hers.

 

 

CHAPTER 8

The stage pulled into Virginia City and two people got off. Lenora looked around, unfortunately Brady felt it was for too long.

“What are you looking at woman! Move!” He shoved her out of his way and marched past her as she stumbled and fell.

“Are you alright ma’am?”

“I’m fine. Thank you.” Lenora tried to get away knowing this would only make Brady angrier. It wasn’t that she was afraid he would do her any more harm but that he would hurt the gentleman who had helped her. She would hate the payment for this man’s kindness to be a punch in the jaw.

“Leave her be! She can take care of herself.”

“That may well be but there is no need for her too. Ma’am why don’t you let me help you.”

As Adam bent to take the ladies arm he knew the man was angry, so when he saw his fist coming towards him it wasn’t a surprise and he was ready for it. Adam once again turned to help the lady to her feet. No one helped the man.

“Thank you.” Lenora tried not to smile at the sight of her husband’s humiliation knowing if she did she would pay greatly for that small pleasure later.

“Is there somewhere I can help you get to ma’am?”
“You stay right here! You’re my wife!” Brady struggled to get to his feet.

“No, I won’t take it anymore Brady.” Maybe it was the sight of him trying to give orders while sitting on his backside or that the gentleman next to her seemed so determined to help her that gave her the strength to answer back, but Lenora felt that it was more than likely the knowledge that Storm was somewhere near.

“Brady? Are you Lenora Nelson?”

“Yes I am.” Lenora watched as the man smiled and she thought to herself that he was a very handsome man.

“Yes she is and she is my wife.” Brady had finally found his feet.

“That may well be Mr. Nelson but she is welcome at the Ponderosa, I’m afraid, unless you learn how to treat a woman with the respect she deserves, you are not.”

“The Ponderosa! Then you know my daughter, Storm.”

“Yes ma’am, I’m afraid I do.”

“From the sound of it you know her well.”

“Well enough to know that she will be glad you’re here in time to help her with the wedding.”

“Wedding? She’s getting married?”

“Married? Who in hell would want to marry a she devil like that?”

“ME Mr. Nelson. Me.”

“You? Are you the gentleman who wrote me?”

“Yes Mrs. Nelson, I’m Adam Cartwright.”

“Cartwright? That little witch did real well for herself.” Brady had expected to come and find her, if not living with some miner or cowhand, then working in some saloon. Unlike Storm Brady had heard of the Cartwrights and their wealth.

“I’m not too sure who’s done better, her or me, but the point is Mr. Nelson she is no longer the little girl you could beat. If you so much as try I will be the one teaching you a lesson.”
“Yeah, and once he’s done teaching it’ll be me making sure that lesson sticks. Hi Adam.”

“Hello Hoss. Hoss this here is Storm’s mother, and her husband.”

“It’s a real pleasure to meet you ma’am.” Hoss purposefully ignored the man standing there.

“Now Mr. Nelson, are you willing to behave yourself or would you rather get on the next stage back to Colorado?” Something told Adam that it might be better if Brady took the later choice. He really wasn’t too sure of how Storm would handle seeing him. He knew she would have never admitted to it but when she had spoken of him he had sensed that she was afraid of Brady.

“I suppose I’ll try to behave but you really have no right to tell a man how he can treat his own wife.”

“As long as you are accepting my families hospitality I have every right to tell you how to behave.”

Brady would behave for as long as necessary. He was real anxious to see just how that little witch had turned out.

When Storm heard the carriage pull up she ran out to see Adam. She had missed him so. It still surprised her that she could care for him so much, how just hours apart could feel like days.

“Adam! You’re back. I’ve missed….. Mama? Mama is that you?” Storm ran to her mother.

“Oh baby, yes it’s me.”

“Mama where have you been? Where did you go? I went looking for you and you were gone, so was Charlie.”

“Hello little devil. How have you been? You certainly have grown up prettier than I thought you would.”

Adam didn’t miss that Storm took a step away when she saw Brady. “Mr. Nelson you had best watch yourself or you may find that you will be getting your first lesson.”

“Adam don’t bother with him. He ain’t worth bruisin’ your knuckles over.”

“No he’s not, but you are.”

“Oh Adam.”

Lenora watched as her daughter ran into this man’s arms. It was a welcome, although unexpected, sight.

 

Hoss took the luggage upstairs while Adam made the introductions after which Brady and Lenora were shown to their room. It didn’t take long for Brady to fall asleep and once he was Lenora went in search of her daughter. She found her downstairs sitting on the settee with the man she was going to marry.

Neither Storm nor Adam had heard Lenora come down, so when Storm happened to glance up and saw her standing at the foot of the stairs watching her and Adam she was a little surprised.

“Mama, aren’t you tired? I thought you would be resting.”

“Resting? How could I possibly rest without first finding out what kind of a man it took to show my stubborn daughter that maybe all men weren’t bad.”

“If you ladies will please excuse me, I do believe you need some time to talk.” Adam kissed Storm and went to see if perhaps his brothers could use his help.

“He seems to be a good man Storm.”

“He’s a wonderful man, mama. Like none I have ever met before.” Storm set about explaining everything that had happened. “But mama what about you? Where did you go?”

“Colorado. Oh there’s really not much to tell. I suppose my life was pretty much the same as it was in Piketon only a lot more lonely. I heard news of you here and there. I didn’t like some of what I’d heard but I always believed you could handle it.”

“Yes mama I handled it. It wasn’t always easy, but I handled it.”

“Storm I wish I could…”

“I know mama. It’s alright. Do you know what happened to Charlie?”

“No I don’t. I know he left to go on that trip he always took that time of year, but he never came back. I like to think he met some nice woman and decided to settle down. I preferred that then to think he ran into any kind of trouble.”

“Yes mama I believe he could have found someone. He’s a very good man.”

“Yes, he certainly is.”

 

 CHAPTER 9

“Mr. Kendall I really need to know where Storm is. She has a right to know what is in this document your wife left in my care. You are also aware that nothing can be finalized until she is found.”

“Mr. Wharton, I have told you that Storm left with some man and is no longer here. Last I knew she was on her way to Nevada.” Up until Wharton reminded him that without Storm nothing would be settled Thaddeus had well intended not to say where Storm was. He hadn’t really known where she had run to and hadn’t cared. It was only because of the invitation that he did now know where to find her.

“Than Mr. Kendall I will be leaving for Nevada.”

“Father I don’t understand. How can this be true? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Thaddeus had waited until he knew Mr. Wharton was on his way before he told Rachel.

“If I had know Rachel I would have.”

“Yes father you would have because then I could have taken better care of this.”

“There still may be some time. I received an invitation to Storm’s wedding.”

“Wedding? You didn’t tell me! When?”

“In September, so we still have four months.”

“Yes father, four months.”

********

When Lenora came down and saw her daughter sitting in a chair and, by the looks of it, reading she realized just how much she loved Adam.

“Is that a good book Storm?”

“Yes mama. Very good.”

“I must say if it’s that good upside down, right side up it must be truly wonderful.”
“I miss him mama. I tried to read to take my mind off of him but it doesn’t matter. It’s as if every word brings him deeper and deeper into my thoughts.”

“Maybe you should try reading something other than ‘Paradise Lost’”

“ I tried but I found every other book to be of no interest at all. At least this was able to keep me busy for a little while.”
“Why Mr. Cartwright? What is it about that book?”

“It held a very special meaning for Adam’s mother and myself. As a matter of fact it’s where she chose his name from.”

“Really? Maybe that’s why it’s always been one of your favorites.”

“Maybe mama, maybe.”

Ben couldn’t bare to see the forlorn look on Storm’s face. He was also feeling a little guilty about being slightly happy to know how much she loved his son.

“Storm they will be back tomorrow.”

“I know Mr. Cartwright. I know.”

“Then cheer up. Pretty soon you won’t be able to get away from him.”

“Now you should know if I want to I can always get away from him.”

“I do believe if you try he will just tie you up again.”
“He’s already got me tied and there isn’t a rope in sight.”

 

********

“I am very glad that I ran into you.” Kevin Wharton couldn’t believe his luck. On the stage to Nevada he had been lucky enough to run into a gentleman who not only knew who Storm was but also where she was. He rode out to the place he had been told to look for her, the Ponderosa.

Storm had heard the horse ride up and had begun to get up to go outside when she realized it had only been one horse. If it were Adam she would have heard three horses because Hoss and Little Joe would be with him, so she sat back down. Ben and her mother were sitting outside. She knew it was because they couldn’t stand being in the same room with her any longer. She had been in such a bad mood since Adam had left. Brady had been spending his time in Virginia City. Storm didn’t believe this to be because of her mood, if anything seeing her miserable would make him happy, it was most likely because he feared what would happen to him if he slipped up and misbehaved.

“May I help you?”

“I hope so. Are you Mr. Cartwright?”

“Yes I am.”
“I must say I was expecting someone younger.”

“Then perhaps it’s one of my sons you are looking for.”

“Actually it’s Miss. Storm Kendall I’m looking for.”

“Than it is one of…….”

Two things happened that prevented Ben from finishing his sentence. First his three sons arrived home. Second the front door flew open and Storm ran out. Ben would have sworn that she was in Adam’s arms before he was off his horse.

“You’re home! You’re finally home!”

“You had better be careful Storm. People might start to think you care for me.”
“I don’t care for you Adam, I love you.”
“As I love you Storm.”

Ben observed as his two younger sons took the horses, their brother’s included, and went to tend to them.

“So tell me, did you miss me?” It was a foolish question because judging by the greeting he had received she had missed him almost as much as he had missed her.

Now that he was home Storm began to feel like herself again. She once again was able to tease.

“No I didn’t miss you.”

“Oh not at all?”

“Not at all. Did you miss me?” She prayed Adam wouldn’t tease her because she wasn’t too certain if she could take him saying he hadn’t missed her even if it were only said in jest.

“Oh bits and pieces.”

“Bits and pieces?”

“Yes. I missed your eyes, your nose,” After mentioning each part he gently placed a kiss on it. “your ears, both of them.”

“Oh Adam.”

“But mostly, your lips.” This kiss lasted slightly longer then the others.

“Adam?”

“Yes Storm.”

“I have two lips.”

“So you do my love, so you do.”

By now they had quite an audience, one to which they were blind to. Right at that moment, for each of them, they were the only two people in existence.

“Pa?”

“Yes Joseph?”

“Who’s he?”

Ben had been so lost in watching his son’s happiness that he had forgotten all about the stranger that had ridden up right before his sons. He once again turned to him.

“I’m sorry, what was it you were saying?”

“I believe you were about to tell me I was looking for one of your sons. Judging from what I have just seen I believe it to be that one.”
“Yes, much to my other two sons dismay. It would seem as though you have us at a slight disadvantage.”

“Sir?”

“You know who we are but…”

“Mr. Wharton?” Storm had just noticed the man standing on the porch. She supposed she should have sooner but up until now her eyes had been able to focus on only one face and now that she was certain he was here and safe her world was once again slowly opening up to include the others around her.

“Hello Storm.”

“Mr. Wharton what are you doing here?”

“I’m looking for you.”

“For me? Why would you be looking for me?” She began to fear that Rachel and her father had found some way to spoil her happiness yet again.

“Mr. Cartwright would it be alright of we continued this inside?”
“Yes of course, please forgive me.”
Once they were all inside and seated Storm again inquired of Mr. Wharton why he was there.

“Mr. Wharton I don’t mean to be rude but why are you here? Is it something my father wants done?”

“No Storm. I realize you probably think I work for Mr. Kendall but I don’t, I never have. I work for Mrs. Kendall.”

“But she’s been dead for eight years now.”

“That may well be but I still work for her, or at least I do until this last job she entrusted to me is completed.”
“What job?”

“Storm, she left me in charge of delivering some rather important information. You see the money Mr. Kendall has been living on was only a small portion of the estate left to Miss. Hope Preston. This document is instructions as to who the balance of the inheritance goes to.”

Had he really ridden all this way to tell her she would get nothing? “It’s alright Mr. Wharton. You shouldn’t have bothered to ride all this way to tell me. I know it must go to Rachel, after all she is her daughter.”

“No she’s not Storm.” Lenora knew the truth, she had hoped that Storm never would.

“What do you mean mama?”

“Mr. Wharton would you mind very much if I explained this?”

“You would be Miss. Lenora Shore?”

“It’s Mrs. Lenora Nelson now.”

“I have no objections so long as what you say agrees with Mrs. Kendall’s version.”

“Thank you. Storm you see Rachel is not Hope Kendall’s daughter, you are.”
“No I’m not, I’m your daughter.”

“You are my daughter in every way but blood. You see Hope thought her daughter would be better off if she weren’t raised by a man like Thaddeus Kendall. She much preferred her to be raised where her father could keep an eye on her, could help to raise her into a person she knew she would be proud of. Hope came to me knowing I would want my daughter to have the benefits and privileges I thought money could give her. Hope was always smarter than me. She always knew money wasn’t what was important, love was. She knew I would love you. At first I tried not to but you were such a beautiful baby. So good and so loving, you just loved to cuddle. You had eyes that could melt the coldest heart. In time I began to forget that you weren’t my child. When Thaddeus came for you I didn’t want to let you go, and if I had known the truth I wouldn’t have. It was only later that I learned it was Thaddeus who had given Brady money to say what he had said.” Lenora noticed how Adam had taken hold of Storm’s hand. The way he had put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her towards him. She was surprised to see how Storm accepted his support.

“If Thaddeus Kendall isn’t my father, then who is?”

“Storm, who is the only man who ever behaved towards you as a father would?”

“Charlie Bear mama. Mama are you saying that he’s my father?”

“Yes Storm, he’s your father.”

“Wait, if I’m Hope Kendall’s daughter then is my name really Rachel?”

“No your name is Storm. The only thing different is it wasn’t because of a storm on the night you were born that you got that name but because when Charlie found out that Hope was to have his child he said you would bring with you a storm.”

“Didn’t Charlie want to marry Hope?”

“Yes he did, he even went to Mr. Preston to ask for permission, but Hope’s father wouldn’t hear of his daughter marrying a half-breed. He said it was bad enough he was his grandchild’s father. He told Hope that if she wanted Charlie to stay alive she would marry Thaddeus. Of course Charlie told her that they could run away and be married but she knew her father would find her anywhere they would run. She told him she had a plan and he agreed to it but only because he knew she was right. They loved each other so very much but they loved you even more. They knew that you were more important than they were. Hope came to me just before you were born and told me what her plan was. It was just after Rachel was born that we switched babies. That’s how much Thaddeus paid attention he didn’t even realize that one day his child was bigger than the next. I took you away and raised you as my own, she raised Rachel. We both did our best. Fortunately for me I had her daughter to raise, unfortunately for her she had mine.”

“But mama.”

“How could Rachel have become anything but what she is. Look at who her parents are, look who raised her most of her life. Perhaps if Hope had lived longer she might have grown up different.”

“Alright Mr. Wharton is that what’s in the document you’ve brought?” Adam couldn’t understand why it was so important for this to be known and after all this time.

“Some of it but as I said it also deals with the estate Mrs. Kendall left. You see a portion was left in trust for Rachel. Mr. Kendall was also allowed a certain sum each year for expenses. If there were any funds needed above that amount it had to be approved by me.”
“Mr. Wharton I’m sure you can see that not only is Mrs. Nelson upset but so is Storm. So if you would please finish with whatever it is you have to say I would greatly appreciate it.” Adam didn’t like to see either one of them as distressed as they were.

“Of course. You know if you were any other man I would tell you that you were a very lucky one.”

“Mr. Wharton I believe myself to indeed be very lucky.”
“Yes I suppose any man would consider himself lucky if he were to find himself married to such a beautiful young lady but you have also married a very rich one as well.”

“Mr. Wharton. There is something you should know. Adam?”

“It’s alright Storm, I think we can trust him.”

So again Storm told the truth of their situation only this time she left out quite a few details that weren’t necessary.

“I’m glad to see that you have trusted me. You are so very much like your mother. Now to get back to the reason for my being here. You see in accordance with Mrs. Kendall’s wishes, upon completion of your twenty-first year, which I do believe has passed, you inherit a rather large sum of money.” Wharton turned to Ben. “Mr. Cartwright have you any knowledge of the Prestons?”

“I believe I have heard that name before. They made a rather large sum of money and invested it very wisely.”

“Yes they did. Mrs. Kendall left strict orders as to how that money is to be divided. She stated that the house and lands are to be Thaddeus’s and Rachel’s. She never thought you would be living there but she did stipulate that if you had need of them they would also be yours.”

“I have no need of them Mr. Wharton.”

“Fine. They are both to be given one half million dollars each from the money now remaining and you are to get the balance after that deduction.”

“Balance? I suppose it’s not much after one million is deducted.”

“There’s where you would be wrong Mrs. Nelson. The balance, after the deduction is almost double that. Would you care to look over the figures Miss. Kendall? I did bring the books with me.”

“No.” Storm was in shock. How could this be? She wouldn’t know what to do with all that money. She pleadingly turned to the one person she was sure would help her. “Adam?”

“Sweetheart, it’s your money.”

“But once we’re married it will be our money.”

“Once we’re married but we’re not yet.”

“Mr. Wharton, if I wanted to and I refused to take the money would it go back to Rachel and fath…Mr. Kendall?”

Lenora was happy to hear that Storm could easily stop calling Thaddeus father but she still called her mama.

“I’m afraid not Storm. It would remain in trust for your children or in the unlikely event that you were to have no children it would go to some charities that Mrs. Kendall has listed. Mrs. Kendall felt that it was time Rachel and Mr. Kendall learned to survive without leaning on her. She didn’t think that they would be capable of going through the money she’d left them but if they did then they would have to find their own way.”

“Mr. Wharton will you join us for supper and also accept my invitation to stay at the Ponderosa for the remainder of your visit here?”
“That is a very generous and welcome offer Mr. Cartwright. I’m sorry now that I had planned to stay for only two days.”

 

********

That night Storm found it very difficult to fall asleep. No matter how she tried to think of other things everything in her life that she had believed to be true but wasn’t kept going through her mind, which made sleep impossible to find. She decided to go to the one person she knew could help her make sense of everything.

“Adam are you awake?”

Adam hadn’t fallen asleep because he had been expecting Storm to come in at any moment ever since they had all said their goodnights. He had known how upset she was and knew she would need to talk.

“Once again you have snuck into my room.” He reached out and pulled her into bed beside him.

“And once again this is not the reason.”
“Really? Tell me Storm will it ever be the reason you sneak to my bedside?”

“Maybe, once we are married.”

“But then you won’t have to sneak.”
“Adam, do you still wish to marry me?”

“Storm what is it?” He had known she would want to talk but never thought it would be about whether or not he wanted to marry her. She sounded so uncertain and fearful.

“My mother is not my mother, my father is not my father. So how can I just take for granted that you would still want to marry me when I’m not who you believed me to be.”

“Storm you are everything I know you to be. Who your mother is, who your father is, doesn’t change who you are.”

“Then help me Adam, tell me who I am?”
“You are the woman I love. The woman who is going to be my wife.”

“Adam.”

He felt her fingers on his face and knew it was time for her to go.

“Storm before you go back to your own bed,” He anxiously wished for the day his bed was also hers. “I want you to think about the good that comes of all this.”
“The good? What good?”

“Look at all the money you have. You can do anything you want with it.”

“Anything Adam? Could I use it to bribe you into letting me stay here tonight?”

“You should know that I can not be bought for any sum of money.”

“Adam just how much did Mr. Kendall offer you to marry me?”
“You know I never did ask.”

“Adam do you think that I could use it to find Charlie?”

“I think we could find someone who would do just that. There is one more benefit, besides the money.”

“What?”

“Since Thaddeus Kendall isn’t your father, Rachel is not your sister.”
“I suppose that is a very good point.”
“Storm would you have really given the money back to them?”

“I don’t need money to make me happy Adam, I only need you.”

“Storm.”

“Yes Adam.”

“Go back to your room, please.”

She again grudgingly got out of his bed. “Yes Adam.”

 

*******

It took some, but not too much, talking to convince Kevin Wharton to stay until after the party on Saturday. It was at this party that everyone would be told of the wedding.

As everyone began to arrive Storm had still not come down.

“Adam where is that lovely wife of yours?”

“She’ll be down soon Mrs. Simmons.” Adam went in search of Storm’s mother to see if perhaps she could go and find out what was keeping Storm.

 

********

“Storm what is taking you so long?”

“Mama? Please come in. I can’t decide what to wear.”

“Storm now is hardly…..My God child, you’re beautiful.”

“Really mama? Do you really think I’m beautiful?”

“The prettiest thing I have ever seen. Now why don’t we go on down, everyone is waiting for you.”

“Everyone?”

“Yes, especially Adam.”

“I don’t think I specifically asked after him.”

“Not in words maybe.”

“Mama, I love him so.”

“I know and so does he.”

Storm finally made her appearance and everyone agreed that it had been well worth the wait.

“You’re absolutely lovely Storm.”
“Thank you Mr. Cartwright. Where’s Adam?” She had searched for his face among all the ones looking at her and hadn’t seen it.

“I do believe he’s over there talking with Alice.”

“Thank you I think I will go and see what they are talking about this time.” She saw the look on Ben’s face. “Don’ worry, I promise to behave.”
“Storm came up behind them and heard enough of their conversation to know what it had been about.

“Adam why would you marry her? She can’t be as good a wife to you as I would be.”

“Alice, I am sorry if I mislead you in any way but the truth is that I love Storm.”
“But Adam I thought…”

“You thought wrong.”

Adam quickly turned around and faced her. “Storm?”

“It’s alright Adam, I’m not going to do anything. Now if you will kindly remove your hand from my husband’s arm, Miss. Fisher.” Storm had heard the room get quiet and knew all were waiting for the scene they were sure would follow.

“Your husband?! You did something! You had to! You tricked him somehow!”

“Alice it may be best if you went home.”

“NO! What did she do to you Adam? I swear I will find out!”

“Miss. Fisher, I will ask you once more to remove your hand from Adam’s arm. If you don’t I will break every finger on it.”

Adam could tell by the smile on Storm’s face as she had said this that no one else had any idea that she had done anything more than say something to try and make Alice calm down. What frightened him was that he knew by the look in her eyes that she meant what she had said.

“Storm.” He knew he was the only one who stood the slightest of chances to stop this before it went any further. “Storm may I have this dance?” He was thankful that the music had started up again. He didn’t know that this was in thanks to his father.

“I’d love to Adam.”
He pulled out of Alice’s grasp. As he led Storm away he made sure to pass by Mr. Fisher. He suggested that perhaps Alice wasn’t feeling well and perhaps it would be best if she went home.

“Adam.” She felt very happy in his arms. “I don’t think that Alice likes me very much.”
“I would have to agree with you.”

“You’re not angry with me are you?”
“No Storm, I’m not angry. I’ll just be very happy when I truly am your husband.”
“Not as happy as I.” She laid her head on his chest and found that the beating of his heart was more enjoyable to listen to than the music and it’s rhythm was one she found dancing too came quite naturally to her because it was one she had been dancing to long before she had even met him.

CHAPTER 10

A few days later found Adam out checking on how their house was coming along. He had Storm pick out where she wanted it and he was building it, with a little help of course. The design was entirely his own.

“It’s coming along real nice Adam.”

“Yes it is pa. I just hope Storm likes it.”
“I’m sure she will.”
“It’s getting late, maybe we should head on back to the house.”

“That is a very good idea. I’m sure Storm must be missing you.”

“I don’t know if she is missing me but I’m sure missing her.”

“And to think on how well you two treated each other the first time I saw you together.”

“True enough pa but think of the alternative. If we hadn’t behaved like that and, well, decided that perhaps it wasn’t so bad being married to each other…..just remember we weren’t really married.”

“But you would have been.”
“But then it would have been you holding the shotgun.”

“That’s right son, I’m just not too sure of which one of you I would have needed to point it at.”

 

Storm had gone outside to see if Adam was coming. She thought she had heard a horse but didn’t see anyone. She turned to go back into the house when she really did hear a horse, in fact it sounded like four horses. She began to turn around again thinking that Adam had met his brothers and father and was returning with them when she heard another sound. While she understood what this sound was when she heard it, she fully comprehended what it was when she felt it.

Adam and Ben had been riding to the house when they had met up with Hoss and Little Joe. As they approached the house they had seen Storm turn around and head back towards the front door. They also saw her begin to turn around at the sound of their horses. Then they heard the gunshot and saw her fall.

“Storm!”

“Hoss that shot came from over there.”

“I’m going pa.”

“Joseph.” Ben saw as he started to follow after Hoss. “No Joseph, you go and get the doctor.”

“But pa.”

“Joseph!”

Ben watched as Little Joe turned his horse towards town and Hoss went to go in search of who had done this. These were things he saw only briefly and out of the corner of his eye. What he saw mostly was Adam as he gently lifted Storm off the ground and carried her into the house. He followed after him saying a prayer with each step he took.

“What’s happened?” Lenora had heard the sound but hadn’t thought anything of it. Then she saw Adam cradling Storm in his arms as he carried her. “Oh no! Storm! Is she…” Lenora feared the worst.

“NO! and she’ll be alright.”

Adam carried her upstairs and laid her in his bed.

“Adam, Storm’s room is over there.”
“I think she’ll be happier in here Lenora.”

“Adam.” Only after she felt Adam’s arms leave her did she find the strength to open her eyes.

“Hush Storm.”
“Kiss me Adam.”

“I will once we’re married.”

“Adam I have no intentions of leaving you.”

“I won’t let you.”

Adam sat there holding her hand and trying to get the bleeding to stop. After a while Storm looked around and realized that something was wrong.

“Adam, this is your room.”

“Yes it is.”

“I didn’t sneak in this time.”
“This time? What’s this about sneaking?
“Nothing pa.”

“All of a sudden I don’t feel so good.”

“From what I’ve heard it could be because you’ve been shot.”

Storm knew it had nothing, or very little, to do with the bullet but the fear of Ben becoming angry at her again.

“Hello Paul.”
“Ben, Adam. Why don’t you two go and let me see just how bad this is.”

“NO. Please Adam, please don’t go.” Suddenly she was afraid. If she did die she wanted his face to be the last thing she saw.

“Sweetheart.”

“No, please stay with me.”

“Paul would it be alright if I stayed.”

“Somehow I feel I wouldn’t be able to get you to leave and besides she is your wife.”

So Ben and Lenora went downstairs to join Little Joe.

“How is she pa?”
“Better than I thought.”

“Don’t be too sure of it.”

“What do you mean Lenora?”
“Ben, Storm always, no matter how much pain she was in or how sick she felt, made you believe she was fine.”
They had been waiting about twenty minutes when Hoss came and joined them.

“Did you find who did this Hoss? Ben had been almost afraid to ask. Since no one was with his son and Hoss hadn’t had time enough to have brought someone to the sheriff that left only one alternative if he had found someone and Ben didn’t like to think that that was what had happened.

“No pa. I tracked as far as I could, then I lost the trail. In the morning I’ll go back and see if I can pick it up again. How’s Storm?”

“Paul is up there with her now.”

“How’s Adam?”

“He’s with her as well Hoss.”

They waited another hour before Dr. Paul Martin finally came down.

“Paul how is she?”
“I’m not really sure Ben. If I go by how she acted, at least until she passed out, I would say that she is better than you or I. If I go by the wound, how deep the bullet was, how much blood she lost, I would tell you that she’s pretty bad.”

“You told Adam this?”

“I didn’t have to, he was there. Adam said that she was heading into the house but had turned around when she heard you riding up.”
“Yes Paul, that’s right.”
“Then thank God she turned Ben. If she hadn’t it’s not a wedding you’d be planning.”
Adam stayed with Storm all night, he didn’t leave the spot he’d been in since Paul had begun to take the bullet out. She had lain on her stomach and he had lain beside her. She had asked him to lay there so that she could look into his eyes because there she would be able to find any strength she would need.

“How is she doing son?”

“Alright I guess pa. There isn’t a man I know of who would have taken it like she did. Not one yell, oh a whimper here and there, even though I knew she was hurting because I could see it in her eyes.”

“She’ll be alright son.”

“Who would do this pa?”

“I don’t know but we will find out.”

 

********

It was a very rough two days. That was how long it took for Storm to wake up. It was sometime after midnight when she did. Instead of Adam’s open eyes she found herself looking at his sleeping face. She was pleased to see that he was as handsome asleep as he was awake. She didn’t want to wake him but couldn’t resist the urge to do what she wanted. She reached over and tenderly stroked his cheek. She watched as his eyes slowly opened and wondered if this was how it would be every morning after they were married. She saw that at first his eyes were filled with worry and fear but once he realized that she too was awake, she watched that worry and fear be replaced by relief and love.

“Hello.”

“Adam, will you kiss me now?”

“You certainly do have a one track mind.”

“Are you saying you disapprove of the track it’s on?”

“Not for one minute.”

They were still lost in that kiss when Ben came into the room.

“I came to see how she was doing and judging from the looks of things the answer would be very well.”

“Yes pa, very well indeed.”

“Now that she is awake I think it would be best if you go and stay in her room son.”

“I do believe you’re right pa.”
“Must you? Why can’t you stay here? Suddenly I feel very weak.”

“I think that if you feel that badly I will stay with you.”

“Oh mama, it’s not the same thing.”

“No, not at all, but until you are properly married it’s what you will have to settle for.”

“Yes mama.”

 

It was two weeks after Storm was up and around that Rachel and her father came to the Ponderosa again.

“I hope the invitation to the wedding is still good Mr. Cartwright.”

“Yes, of course it is, but Storm didn’t honestly believe you would accept it.”

“She was mistaken. We gladly accept it.”

When Adam and Storm returned from the ride they’d been on they were both surprised to find them there.

“Storm how are you? Mr. Cartwright has informed us that someone tried to kill you.”
“Yes Rachel…”
“Are you really so surprised by that fact?! You know Storm said it was you who planned everything in Keegan’s Bluff. I defended you! I said I didn’t believe that…”
“Adam.” She placed her hand on his arm.

“What Storm?”

“Rachel may be capable of many things, but not that.”
“Storm I’m not saying that she pulled the trigger, there are men who are more than willing to do that for the right amount of money.”

“I know that Adam but there was no way for her to have gotten to Brady. She didn’t even know he was here.”

“Brady? Are you saying you know that he is the one who shot you?”

“I don’t know for sure, I just know I haven’t seen him since then. Has anyone?”

“Storm that is hardly proof that he is the one who tried to kill you.”

“I know mama but maybe he figured if I were dead before I was married, before I had any children, the money would go to you.”

“He has to know that’s not true. I’m not really your mother.”

“Maybe, maybe he didn’t think it completely through. Maybe he was just too drunk to think straight. I’m not really sure, but Adam I am sure it wasn’t Rachel. You see she knows the particulars of the money. She knows with me dead she wouldn’t stand a chance to beg or borrow anymore than what she already has. She knows me well enough to know that I would have made sure to have Mr. Wharton draw up a very legal document stating to whom the money would go to if anything were to happen to me. Right Rachel?”

“Yes, and I am sure it wouldn’t have been me.”

“No it isn’t you.”

“Maybe we better get to looking for Brady.”

“Yes Hoss, maybe we better.” Ben should have realized before now that Mr. Nelson hadn’t been seen for quite a while. He figured that he, along with everyone else, had been too busy worrying about Storm.

“Maybe we should go tell the sheriff. I don’t want any one of you going out there and looking for him. I don’t want any of you to risk getting hurt.”

“Storm, don’t worry, we’ll be fine.”

“Oh I’m not worried about you being fine or not Joseph. It’s just that my wedding plans have all been made and each one of you is a part of them. I won’t have my plans ruined because one of you goes and gets hurt.”

“How caring?”

“Never mind how caring Adam.” Storm tried to remain in the present state of mind she was in but found it impossible. “I just couldn’t stand it if any of you got hurt because of me. I love you all so very much. I’m fine, so there is no reason for you to go looking for him. He will probably come back anyway, once he sees no one is following after him he’ll figure that no one suspects him.”

“Maybe she’s right son.”

“I’m discovering that maybe she’s usually right.”

“Then you start off better then most men do. It can take years of marriage for a man to realize that.”

“True enough pa but if you go by the facts we’ve been kinda married for about six months now.”

“But without the usual distractions a wife can cause, so you’ve had more time to think.”

Adam knew it was more of a question than statement. “Yes Mr. Kendall too much time with nothing to do but think.”

“Come on Rachel we best be getting into town. It’s getting rather late.”
“Adam?”

He knew only too well what she was asking he just wished he could understand why. “Yes Storm?”

“ADAM?”

“Mr. Kendall would you like to stay here?”
“That would be very nice, thank you.”

“Don’t thank me, thank Storm.”

 

********

A few days later there was a visitor that was unexpected.

“Is Adam at home?”

“I’m afraid not, I’m the only one here.”

“And just who are you?”
“I’m Rachel Kendall.”

“Then you must be related to that….that…to Adam’s wife.”

Rachel heard in this woman’s voice what she herself felt about Storm. She recognized that she had just found an ally, one that might prove to be very useful.

“You don’t like Storm do you.”

“No Miss. Kendall, I don’t. Before she showed up Adam was going to marry me.”

“Really? Than perhaps you would like to know the truth of their marriage.”

Rachel told Alice everything, or at least everything she felt she needed to know. It was agreed between them that Alice’s visit would bet kept between the two of them, they both felt no one needed to know of it just yet.

********

“So what do you plan on wearing to the party tonight Storm?”

“I don’t know Adam. Is there something that you would like for me to wear?”

Adam knew if he said what he was thinking, what he knew Storm was trying to imply, this would go very differently then he had planned. “I have always thought you look rather lovely in that pretty sky blue dress of yours. You know it really isn’t so important what dress you wear so long as you wear what’s in this box.”

He took the box out of his pocket. Why was he so nervous? It wasn’t as if she were going to refuse him.

“Adam what is it?”

“Why don’t you open it and find out?”

She opened the box to reveal the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. “Adam what is it for?”

“It’s a betrothal ring Storm. So everyone will know that you are going to be my wife.”

“Adam as far as everyone knows I already am your wife so this really wasn’t necessary, and besides it’s not something I need.”

“I know. I didn’t get it because I thought it necessary or because I thought you needed it, I got it because I wanted too. I was hoping it would have arrived sooner but I am glad that it got here for the party tonight.” Adam put the ring on her finger and realized that she was one of the few woman he knew of who would have probably preferred a horse to the ring that fit her so perfectly.

“I love you so very much Adam.”

“And I love you.”

“Well if you don’t let her get ready for the party she will never be able to show everyone else that beautiful ring, or just what a beautiful wife you will have.”

“Lenora if she gets any prettier she will have every girl jealous and every man envious.”

“If she does just think how proud you will feel to know that she loves you, besides don‘t you have to get ready as well.”

“Mama he’s already perfect, in fact he may be slightly overdressed for what…..”

“STORM!”

“You’re right Lenora I best get going.” He kissed Storm and slowly left the room.

The guests began arriving and they were all greeted by smiling faces. Storm had gone with Adam’s suggestion of the sky blue dress and everyone must have agreed it was good choice judging by all the compliments she received. When the Fishers arrived Storm didn’t miss the look that passed between Alice and Rachel. She just assumed that they must instinctively recognize how very much alike they are.

“I must say Mr. Fisher I am surprised to see you here.”

“Yes Adam I’m surprised that we are here as well. Alice was the one who insisted that we come. She said that she has something she wanted to say, but if you would like us to go I do understand and will be happy to leave.”

“No, of course you’re welcome to stay.”

Adam assumed, as had Alice’s parents, that she had finally realized that she was being unreasonable. That she had come to offer an apology to Storm for the way she had behaved and the things she had said.

Only after Alice was sure everyone had arrived, or at least anyone of any importance, did she begin her speech.

“If it’s alright I would like to say a few words. When I first met you Storm I accused you of doing something to Adam, of somehow forcing him to marry you. Since then I have found out that I was right. Your sister has told me everything.”

“Alice!”

“No Adam, let her finish with what she has to say. Please Alice go on.”

“Your sister told me how you forced her to help you. That you knew who Adam was the first time you met him and how you came up with a plan that would force him into marrying you. You would let everyone believe, including him, that he had taken advantage of you. You knew that he would do what was right by you. You just couldn’t convince the preacher to go along with the plan so you hired someone to perform the ceremony. Rachel said that her conscience wouldn’t let her be so she knew she had to come and tell him the truth but that it was too late because Adam believed you to be his wife so he again has no choice but to marry you. Adam you don’t have to go through with this, Rachel said that you weren’t her first but you must already know that.”

“That’s enough Alice!”

“No Adam let her continue. I would like to know what else Rachel has told her.”

“What else? What more could there be? You can’t expect to go through with this now. Everyone knows the truth.”

“The truth Alice? You think that what you have said is the truth? I don’t know about anyone else but the only truth I can see is that they love each other and because of it you’re jealous. Adam looks at her as you wish he would look at you but that could be because she looks at him the same way, in a way that you never did or would be capable of doing. I am sure that, like me, no one else here has ever seen any other two people that move as one when dancing. Beside she didn’t lie to us. Isn’t it correct Frances, Esther that she told us it was a shotgun that got Adam to marry her? That may have been why Adam had to go through with the first wedding but it is not what is forcing him to go through with the second. Is it Adam?”

“No Mrs. Simmons. When Storm found out that our marriage wasn’t legal and binding she left. She told pa to tell me that I was free of her. The only problem was I didn’t want to be free of her and I could never be free of her. It only took one night for me to realize that. I was going to go after her but I never got the chance to leave. It seemed as if I’m as much a part of her heart as she is of mine.”

“DAMN YOU! Why couldn’t you have just died! If that stupid Brady would have just aimed a little bit better you would be dead and I would be marrying Adam!”

“Alice what are you saying?”

“I’m saying that I should have searched for a better gunman. One that would have earned his money and done the job right.”

“You? YOU….”

“Adam, no.” Storm stepped between him and Alice. “Leave it go, please.”

“Storm you heard what she said. She hired Brady to kill you.”

“Yes I heard. Maybe I can see it from her point of view better than you. I can understand how easy it is to love you so much.”
“Storm you would never do what she has done.”

“No I wouldn’t. That could be because I love you more than she does. I would rather be miserable my whole life if it meant you would be happy for the rest of your’s.”

“Albert it might be a good idea if you took Alice home. I’m sure we can wait until tomorrow to deal with her confession.”

“I believe you’re right Ben. I am truly sorry for all of this.”

“I know you are.”

In spite of Alice’s and Rachel’s attempt to embarrass Storm the party turned out to be very enjoyable for everyone. Of course anything that allowed Storm to be in Adam’s arms was something she found enjoyable. Thinking back on it Adam couldn’t say who had said it first but by the end of the night just about everyone there had teased him that this was the only way he could have ever gotten someone like Storm to marry him anyway.

“Mrs. Simmons before you leave I would like to thank you.”

“For what? Telling the truth?”

“No for recognizing it. For being willing to speak it.”

“Storm do you want to know a secret?”

“I didn’t think there were any left.”

“Well perhaps one. I once had a very dear and close friend. She trusted me with a secret. I have never betrayed that trust but somehow I think she would want me to now. You, my dear, are so like her, so beautiful, so strong.”

“I don’t understand Mrs. Simmons.”

“That dear friend of mine? Her name was Hope Preston Kendall.”

“You knew my mother?”

“Yes, very well. That first time I saw you I began to suspect, then when I saw Mr. Wharton I began to believe my suspicions must be correct. Tonight when I saw Thaddeus here I knew it had to be true. Hope told me of her plan with Lenora but she also told me what she was planning to do with the money. She was a very smart person and she has a very smart daughter.”

“I will agree with you that she must have been very smart. I, on the other hand, am not so sure about myself.”

“Storm, it takes a very smart person to realize that the best way to win a man’s heart is to let it go.”

Storm was glad to discover someone she could talk to about her mother. She could talk to her mama but she had know her as an employer and perhaps a rival not that she ever believed she would say anything bad about her but she couldn‘t have known what was in her heart like a friend could. Mrs. Simmons had known her as a friend.

 

Thaddeus and Rachel had left the party right after the Fishers and had sent a message requesting that their things be sent to Virginia City. They left for Keegan’s Bluff the following afternoon and when Storm heard this it was one bit of news she was very happy to hear.

When Storm awoke the morning after the party she went downstairs and was surprised to find Adam already up. Even after all the guests had left Adam, Ben, Lenora, Storm, Little Joe and Hoss had all sat up and talked each not wanting the night to end. It was well past two in the morning before sheer exhaustion drove them to their beds. So it was not surprising that even Ben was still asleep.

“You’re up early Adam.”

“As are you but I’ve been busy thinking about something that for some reason only occurred to me late last night.”

“Oh and what’s that?”

“If you are Hope’s daughter and Rachel is Lenora’s that would mean that you are really seven months older than I originally thought. I’m not so sure I want a wife that old.”

“Really? Maybe now that I’m an heiress I don’t want a husband who is a peasant such as you.”

“Peasant?” Adam took hold of her and gently kissed her lips. “I suppose you could find a king who could kiss you better?”

“Probably…maybe…..perhaps I could. Oh Adam kiss me again.”

“Anything you wish my ladyship.”

“AHEM. Good morning you two.” Ben tried desperately to sound angry but knew he hadn’t done a good job of it. Truth be told it pleased him much to much seeing his son so happy.

“Good morning pa.”

“Yes good morning Mr. Cartwright.”

“You have reminded me that there is something I have been meaning to ask you two for some time now.”

“What’s that pa.”

“I recall someone mentioning something about someone sneaking into someone’s room.”

“I think I’ll go and help Hop-Sing with breakfast.”

“Oh no you don’t.” Adam wrapped his arm around her waist. “This is your explanation, not mine. Remember it was you doing the sneaking.”

“Maybe, but it was you making the wrong assumption.”
“What assumption?”

“As to why I was coming into your room. Each time it was only to talk.”

“Yes that is what you said.”

“It’s the truth.”

“Good morning Storm, Adam, Ben. Storm don’t you think we should get as early a start as we possibly can? The wedding dress won’t make itself you know.”

“Yes mama. Adam can you take us into town?”

“I suppose. Hoss and I were going to go into town anyway.”

Immediately after breakfast and long before Ben could again ask for his explanation they were on their way to Virginia City. Once they were in town they went their separate ways with a promise to meet for lunch.

Storm and Lenora went to the dress shop and looked over every choice they had, some twice, before they finally decided on one. Measurements were taken and they left with a promise that it would be done in time for the wedding. They arrived at the restaurant a little later than the agreed on time so were surprised when they were told that neither Hoss nor Adam were waiting. They had been invited to sit inside and wait but it was such a beautiful day they chose to wait outside. While they were there they saw Sheriff Coffee running towards them.

“Storm come quickly.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“It’s Adam.”

“Something’s happened to him?”

“No but I’m afraid he just might kill Brady. You are the only one who might be able to stop him.”

Storm and Lenora followed Roy to the saloon. He explained as they ran that Hoss and Adam were there having a beer when Brady strolled in. As soon as Adam saw him he was on him.

When they got to the saloon Storm was the first one inside and she could see that Roy’s worries were well founded. It looked as if Adam had already beaten Brady half to death.

“ADAM!” At the sound of her voice his fist froze in mid-air. “I told you once he wasn’t worth bruising your knuckles over.”

“And I told you that you were. He tried to kill you Storm! He almost did.”

“So you’re going to beat him to death? Then what? I won’t have you kill for me Adam. Don’t get me wrong, I’m flattered that you would but I don’t want you too. Please Adam. Please?”

She heard him take a few deep breaths, watched him release his hold on Brady, and saw Brady fall to the floor. He was badly beaten but alive. She could tell from Adam’s eyes that he was once more thinking rationally. He came to where she was standing and gently stroked her cheek. Then he took her in his arms and kissed her.

“I love you Storm.”
“As I love you.”

They left as Roy went to collect Brady.

CHAPTER 11

The wedding quickly drew near and Storm found herself wishing things were a little different. Whenever she was with Adam she could dismiss what was bothering her because she could rationalize that if he was the one waiting for her it really didn’t matter how she got to him. It was only when she was alone that she would feel a little regretful.

“Hey you look kind of sad. Not staring to have second thoughts about your decision to marry my son, are you?”
“No never. I was just thinking that most girls have one father and they usually are there to give them away at their wedding. I have had three and yet not one is here to walk with me down the aisle.”
“Storm, I would be honored to walk with you. That is unless you think it may be hypocritical of me.”

“Would you really? I mean….”

“Storm why don’t we give those detectives you hired to find Charlie a little more time. If they don’t find him by the wedding then for that day and every one after I will gladly take on any and all responsibilities that come with being your father.”

“I believe you are the first man I would gladly accept as a father. The first one deserving of that title.”

“Besides Charlie?”

“No, in addition to Charlie.”

 

********

A week before the wedding both Lenora and Storm had moved into the hotel in town. They had used the argument that Storm would be closer to the church when the day arrived to convince her but that wasn’t their true reason. Quite honestly both Ben and Lenora felt that it would do both Storm and Adam good to spend a little time apart.

The day arrived to find Storm as nervous as any other bride. It wasn’t because she was having any doubts about Adam but because she was having doubts about herself. Did she really deserve to be Adam’s wife? She knew she would do her best to be a good one and she loved him so very much, but did that mean she was the one most worthy to carry the title of Mrs. Adam Cartwright?

“Mama do you think everything is alright? Do you think Adam will be pleased?”

“My lord child you really do love him don’t you?”
“What do you mean mama?”

“I never thought I would see the day when you would actually care whether or not a man approved.”

“I don’t! Well, maybe just for today.”
“Believe me he is just as nervous as you are.”

“Do you really think so?”
“I know so.” They both turned at the sound of Ben’s voice. He had been let into the room but on not finding them in the sitting area he had gone into the bedroom knowing that if Storm were as anxious as his son she would most definitely be ready. “He’s already at the church. Honestly though, I’m not sure of who is more happy about this, him, his brothers, or me. You are a true vision of beauty Storm.”
“Thank you. Is he really nervous? I hope he’s not too bad. I don’t want him to worry himself too much.”

“He will be fine, once he sees you and I suppose you will be just as fine once you see him.”

“Once I see him I will be absolutely perfect.”
“Then why don’t we get started. It’s nearly time.”
Ben took Storm’s arm and led her out of the hotel. There were some people watching in the lobby and even more lining the street. They were mostly those that either didn’t fit into the church or felt they didn’t belong in one. Somehow word got to Adam before Storm did that she was the most beautiful bride anyone had ever seen. When he did see her he thought that she put even the Ponderosa to shame.

 

They found themselves standing at the altar, each saying words they had already said before. This time, though, each said them with love, this time they gave their vows willingly to each other.

“Before I finish this ceremony I would like to say that it is good to see so many people here. Ben since it appears that for some of these people to come to church it takes one of your son’s getting married I certainly wish you had more sons but as it would…..”
“Excuse me Father?”
“Yes Storm.”

“Aren’t we up to the part where you tell Adam to kiss his bride?”

“I do believe that was where we left off, yes.”

“Then would it be alright if he kisses me while you talk?”

“I’m sorry, of course. You had better kiss your bride Adam.”

Adam willingly did just that.

“That was much better than last time Adam.”

“Everything will be much better than last time Storm.”

Everyone left the church and headed back to the Ponderosa for a party that would remain in everyone’s minds for all of their lives. They would often speak of it with fondness which helped it to live on and become a legend.

“Adam, the preacher, he really was a preacher right?”

They were dancing slowly when Storm had decided to dismiss this possibility from her mind.

“Yes Storm, we are very legally married.”

“Then it would be alright if we left now, wouldn’t it?”

“I suppose it would. But tell me Storm, before we go, is the only reason you wish to be alone with me is so that we can talk?”

“Not this time Adam.”
Adam enlisted his brother’s help and he and Storm managed to sneak away before anyone realized that they had gone. As they pulled up in front of their house, Adam began to have doubts of his own. Maybe he should have consulted her more on the house’s design. What if she didn’t like it? Well, he thought, if that turned out to be the case he would just start all over. He helped her from the carriage and carried her inside. He finally put her down and it made him smile to see her running from room to room like some child in a candy store. She was so excited she didn’t seem to know where to look first.

“Adam are those all my books?”

“Your’s and mine. The ones that there were two of, of which there were quite a few, I took your’s and left mine. Except, of course, ‘Paradise Lost’; I took both of those.”

“Adam mama said she left something on the bed for me.”

Lenora had mentioned something about it to Adam although she hadn’t mentioned what it was. Adam had respected her wish that he not speak of it either.

“And what is wrong with that?”
“It just doesn’t make much sense to me. I figure it must be one of those…well those fancy nightgowns and why should I go and take off what I have on to put something else on just so you can take it off? Seems to me like nothing more than a waste of time.”

“Come here.”

Storm heard something in Adam’s voice she had heard before but it had always been guarded. Which was fitting since she was beginning to feel something she had felt before but she had always tried to hide. As he took her into his arms and kissed her the feeling intensified until she could no longer deny it.

“Adam?”

He removed his lips from her neck only long enough to allow him to answer her.

“Yes Storm?”
“Adam, please. Please just listen to me for one minute.”
“What’s wrong sweetheart?”

“I’m….I love you and I know you would never do anything to hurt me.”

“Storm, what’s wrong?” Suddenly his need for her wasn’t as important as finding out why she sounded as if she were afraid of him.

“I swear to you Adam, despite all the rumors to the contrary, I have never been with any man.”

“Storm you have to know by now that it doesn’t matter.”
“I do know it but…I’m….what I mean is, Adam I’m afraid.”
“Then we will take as long as you need to stop being afraid.” He picked her up and carried her upstairs. Once at the top of the stairs he set her on her feet, took her hand and led her from room to room. He pointed out every detail. He saved their room till last.

“Adam what’s this room? Is it a closet? Why is there a window in the closet? Why are there two doors leading into it, one from our room and one from the hall?”
“Storm it’s not a closet.”

“But it’s so small. It’s hardly big enough to fit anything more than a bed and maybe a chair.”

“Storm it will fit a chest of drawers, a cradle and a rocking chair just fine, believe me I made sure of it.”

“Adam?”

“Storm it’s a nursery.”

“You mean for a baby?” Somehow that sounded good to her. She had always loved babies. Then she realized that what Adam meant was it would be a nursery for their baby. “Adam, our baby?”

“Yes Storm, our baby.”

With that realization came another one and it helped to ease her fears slightly.

“From what I’ve heard Adam, there is only one way to get a baby.”

“Oh, and what way is that?”
“I believe someone said something about a stork bringing it.”

“A stork?” She had said it so innocently that he began to wonder if she really believed it.

“Yes. Are you saying that’s not true?”
“I’m saying that is a fairy tale. The truth can be so much more enjoyable.”

“Show me Adam, show me how enjoyable it can be.”

He still saw fear in her eyes but he could also see the fire of desire had begun to consume it. He again lifted her off her feet and carried her to their bedside.

“Adam you had better take what mama has put on the bed off. It would be a shame to have it get all wrinkled for no reason.”

“I think she knows you better than you thought.”

“Why Adam? Why do you say that?”
“Open you eyes and look.”
She did and she saw why Adam had said what he had. There was no nightgown on the bed there was just a piece of paper.

“What does it say Adam?”

“It says the heart wants what it wants.”
“Yes it does, and Adam mine wants you.”

“It’s already got me.”
“Alright, then maybe it’s not my heart that wants you. Adam please.”

He looked into her eyes and could only see his need reflected there. He began removing her gown and was very glad when she once again stood before him as she had that night so many months ago. This time he took his time and examined every inch of her, not only with his eyes but his hands and lips as well.

“Adam?” She could barely think clearly enough to make her lips move and say his name, she barely had enough breath to say anything else. “Adam. Please Adam.”

She felt him lift her and lay her on the bed. She quickly opened her eyes when she felt him leave the bed.

“ADAM?”

He heard the panic in her voice. “Storm what’s wrong.”

“Don’t leave me. Please.” Why did she suddenly fear that this had all been some cruel joke? That he would tell her that he was exacting his revenge and that everyone had been in on it.. That once again they were not really married.

“Leave you? Don’t be silly.”

“Then why did you get out of bed?”

“So I can take my clothes off as well. Maybe we should have hired Harry, he did a fine job of it last time.”
“Adam, would it be alright….I mean could I….”
He took her hands in his and wasn’t sure of whose were trembling more. Together they removed his clothes and when they had all joined hers on the floor Storm found herself looking upon a man for the first time in her life.

“Well?” Adam found he was nervous at what her answer would be.

“If I had known it was such a pleasant sight Adam, I would have remained in the room in Keegan’s Bluff.”
“You little vixen.”

 

He gently pushed her till she was one again laying in their bed and he laid down beside her. He let his fingers and lips arouse in her a passion he knew of only one way to satisfy. Only when he knew she was ready by her breathing and in the way her body gently shivered with each of his caresses did he position himself over her. He had thought that perhaps her fear might return when she realized he had moved but her next action showed him that her fear had all but been lost in her need. She instinctively opened her legs to him. He put his hand underneath one knee and raised it and she seemed to understand because she followed suit with her other leg all by herself. As he prepared to enter her he found himself wishing he didn’t believe that he would be her first because then he wouldn’t feel so distressed over the knowledge that he would cause her pain.

“Adam?”

With that he lost all resolve, all ability to think of anything but their desire. He thrust forward and brought to an end many months of what they both now realized had been love unrecognized.

Afterwards they both lay there their minds lost to their own thoughts, their bodies for the first time fully satisfied in a way they never had been before. Adam reached over and pulled her close to him and again she seemed to understand without words what he wanted. She knew he needed her as near as possible but only because it was a need she too felt. She lay there with her head on his chest listening to the rhythmic beating of his heart which helped to ease her into a calm state of mind. This may be why she found her tongue first and had enough control over her emotions to use it.

“Adam, I think I understand a little better now.”

“Understand what my love?”

“Why would they have settled for Paradise when in each others arms they could have heaven.”
“So I guess sharing my bed has proven to be better than the desert or a forest of cacti.”

“Much better. I guess now you will have to admit that nothing happened that night.”

“Something most definitely happened. I was forced to marry the only woman I could ever love.”
“But we weren’t really married.”

“Not then, but we are now.”

Once again they took each other to a heaven only two people who truly love each other can find when they become one. Yet again it was Storm, calmed by Adam’s heart, who first spoke.

“Adam, what time is it?”
“Probably around eleven thirty or maybe closer to midnight. Why?”

“Do you think that there are still people at the party?”

“More than likely. Why?”
“Do you think that there is any food left?”

“Are you trying to tell me that you’re hungry.”

“Very. I was so nervous about the wedding I hardly ate at all this morning. I threw what mama brought me out the window when she left the room so she wouldn‘t worry, or nag me. Then I was so nervous about what I knew would happen tonight that I hardly ate anything the rest of the day. Now with all the….well all the…Adam I’m starving.”

“Are you saying that you want to go back and get something to eat?”

“Would you mind very much if we did?”
“No, not at all. Truth be told sweetheart I’m pretty hungry myself.”

They arrived back at the party to find that it seemed to be going as strong as when they had left. There were even some people who hadn’t realized that they had been gone.

“Storm is there something wrong?” Lenora began to fear that Storm had been too afraid and she knew Adam would have never forced her.

“No mama we’re just real hungry.”

“Hungry?”

“Yes Mr. Cartwright.”

“Storm maybe it’s time for you to start calling me Ben.”
“Yes Mr….Ben.”

“It would seem pa that neither one of us ate very well earlier.”

“Yes and it was a very exciting day.”

“And an ever more exciting evening Storm?”

“MAMA!” Her smile betraying that she totally agreed with her mother and was not really angry.

“I do believe there is still some food. Why don’t you go and find Hop-Sing and ask him.” Ben was sure even if there is none left Hop-Sing would gladly make them anything they wished.

Adam and Storm went in search of Hop-Sing and food. Little Joe and Hoss saw them and were both a little surprised to see them back. They went to find their father wondering if maybe he knew why.

“Pa is something wrong?”
“Wrong Joseph?”
“Yes. Why are Adam and Storm back?”

“It would appear as if they are hungry.”

“Hungry?”
“Yes Hoss, hungry.”

“But they ain’t done nothin’ but get married. How hungry can you get doin’ that?”

“Son it’s not the wedding, if done right, it’s what usually follows that can give you an appetite.”

“Is something wrong Hoss?”

“No Storm, nothing.”

Ben was surprised to see just how red Hoss could turn. “So have you two gotten enough to eat?”

“Yes pa I believe so.”

“Are you going to head back home?”

“I hope so Little Joe. Now that I’m no longer hungry I am very sleepy.” Storm was also anxious to return to their bed. She had liked how she had felt lying next to Adam. She felt safe and secure. She no longer felt that every burden, every worry that would come her way she would have to carry alone. Of course she was also anxious to satisfy another kind of hunger that she was beginning to feel, one that she knew only Adam could arouse in her, one only he could satisfy.

 

********

They awoke the next day to a very tempting smell. It wasn’t really morning but early afternoon and when they hadn’t shown up for breakfast Ben, knowing there was no food at their house or they wouldn’t have ridden all the way back to the party last night, after feeling he had waited long enough asked Hop-Sing if he wouldn’t mind going over to prepare something for them to eat. Hop-Sing hadn’t minded at all.

“Hop-Sing what are you doing here?”
“You father ask me to come and cook you breakfast when you no show up at house. He tell me to ask you to come for dinner later tonight.”

“Tell pa we’ll be there. He knows only too well there is no food here.”

“Good. I go and start dinner right now. Good morning Miss Storm. Mr. Adam she sure is pretty.”

“Yes Hop-Sing she sure is.”

“Thank you Hop-Sing and good afternoon. It was very nice of you to come and fix us something and thank you so much for the wonderful food yesterday.”
“You welcome and I see you tonight.”
After they had finished the fine meal Hop-Sing had prepared for them, Adam suggested that they go into town and pick up some supplies.

“And have everyone thinking that I wasn’t enough of a temptation to keep you here?”
“Why Storm Margaret Cartwright, you have become quite a…..”

Before Adam finished Storm removed the robe she had put on to reveal that had been all she had put on.

“Quite a what Adam?”

“Quite a temptress.”

He again carried her to the bed and once again made sure very inch of her body ached with a need for him before he was willing to satisfy it.

 

********

At supper that evening everyone was pleased to see how happy they were. From the smile on her daughter’s face Lenora knew that she was no longer afraid, if she ever was.

“So have you any plans on where you would like to go for your wedding trip?”

“We hadn’t really spoken much about it pa. Storm is there somewhere you would like to go, or would you prefer to think on it a little longer?”

“I don’t need to think on it Adam. I want to stay right here. I have a new house and a new husband to keep me busy. Quite frankly going anywhere would just be a waste of time.”

“And I remember how you hate to waste any time.”

Despite the redness she could feel coming to her face she didn’t look away when she answered him. “Yes Adam. As I recall it was you who wasted most of the time yesterday.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Taking me on a tour of the house as if I wouldn’t have the rest of my life to examine it. Which reminds me we had better go into town and pick up some supplies. I can’t believe you forgot to stock the kitchen.”

“Sweetheart the kitchen wasn’t the room most on my mind.”

“ADAM.” She knew that her cheeks must be a very bright shade of red and decided to find a way to avoid anything that might lead to her turning even redder. “Mama will you please come and help me pack up some of my clothes. That is another thing Adam forgot to bring over.”

“That could be because I was sure you wouldn’t be wanting them.”

“ADAM!”

She ran upstairs with Lenora close behind.

“Adam?”
“Yes pa.”

“That wasn’t nice.”
“No pa it wasn’t, but it sure was fun.”
“I think you should know that there is a wagon outside loaded with enough supplies to last for awhile.”

“Thanks pa, I’m sure Storm will appreciate it.”

“Yes I’m sure she will but like her I too feel you have wasted more than enough time.”

“Just what are you saying pa?”

“I’m saying I want a grandchild as soon as possible.”

“I will try my best pa.”

 

CHAPTER 12

Two weeks after their wedding Adam was out with Hoss and Little Joe getting everything ready for the upcoming winter. While they were out repairing some fences a stranger approached them.

“Excuse me but is any of you Adam Cartwright?”
“Yes I am.”

Adam would, for one of the first times in his life, regret admitting to his name. Before the answer was completely out of his mouth he was hit by a punch that felt like it had been thrown by a bull. His brother’s didn’t react fast enough to prevent him from being hit twice more. Finally Hoss and Little Joe managed to restrain the stranger but only by knocking him unconscious. They tied his hands, put him in the back of the wagon, and went to help their brother.

“Adam are you alright?”
“Yeah, I think so Joe.”

“What you do to that fella’?”
“I have no idea. Hoss, I’ve never seen him before in my life.”

“You sure?”

“Joe would you forget if you had ever crossed a man like that?”

“No. We had better get you back to Storm. Boy are you gonna’ be in trouble.”

“I’m gonna’ be in trouble? Why am I gonna’ be in trouble Joe?”

“The way I figure it with your lip swelling up the way it is you won’t be able to kiss Storm for at least a day or two.” Joe hadn’t missed how Storm insisted on Adam kissing her whenever he left, he also hadn’t missed how Adam never seemed to mind very much.

“Little brother, you will learn that there are some things if done right are worth any amount of pain.”

 

********

“What happened!?” All Storm saw was Adam and blood, anything beyond that she could care less for. “Sit down while I go and get something to….Adam are you alright?”

He had heard the sternness of her voice give way to distress and then he saw the tears begin to fail. “Storm I’m fine. I’ll be just fine.”

She disappeared into the kitchen to reappear only a few minutes later with a basin of cool water and some rags. Little Joe and Hoss watched as she was tending to Adam and wondered if he hadn’t planned this whole thing. They both knew better, though, because Adam wouldn’t have to be hurt for Storm to treat him as she was, they had seen her treat him like this before when he was in perfect health. They both knew she loved their brother very much and they were both very happy for it, if not for the fact that he was their brother and they loved him then because when Adam was happy life for them was much easier. When the door burst open her reaction was not what was expected.

“YOU! You did this to him?!” To everyone’s surprise she went to the man standing in the doorway and punched him rather forcibly on his arm. “Why did you do this?!”

“Storm why don’t you step aside.”

“Joseph, put that gun away.”

Adam noticed that the very large stranger had actually cringed at the anger in Storm’s voice. He had actually backed away when she hit him. “Put it away Joe. Storm, sweetheart, do you know this gentleman?”

“Know him? Of course I know him Adam. This is Charlie.”

“Charlie do you mean your Charlie Bear?”

“Yes Adam.”
“Storm you never mentioned that you called him bear because he was as big as one.”

“Adam will you please stop talking you’re only making you lip bleed more.” She went back to tend to him. “YOU!” she pointed to Charlie. “You sit down over there! Hoss will you please untie him.” Once he was untied and seated she again directed her comments towards him while she sat down next to Adam. “May I ask why you beat my husband?”
“Why? Cause a what he’s done to you.”

“Done to me? Just what is it you think he’s done to me?”

“He shamed you into marrying him all because he knew you had money.”

“Charlie does it look like he needs money?”

“Maybe not now but Thaddeus said…..”

“Thaddeus said! Are you saying you honestly believed something he said?”

“Not without asking around some.”

“I will tell you what happened and then you are going to tell me what happened to you.” She told him the true version of her and Adam’s first wedding and all that had followed that had led up to their second. “That is how and why we’re married. Now where have you been for the last seven years.”

“Prison Storm. I’ve been in prison.”

“Prison? Why?”

Adam found himself still amazed at how quickly her anger could give way to concern.

“Some people say I robbed a store. Even the fella who owned the store said it was me.”

“This wasn’t in Keegan’s Bluff?”

“No, Canter Ridge.”

“But that’s the next town out. What makes you think he wouldn’t have some influence there.”

“I suppose he could have had something to do with it. He knew that I always went to visit Hope’s grave on her birthday. He also knew that he was going to get you and he wouldn’t want me to interfere with that.”
“I think he was beginning to think you might tell the truth.”

“The truth?”

“Yes, as far as he knew you were Rachel’s father. “

“You know about that?”

“Yes I do; papa.”

“Storm there were so many times I wanted to tell you.”

He went and hugged her, not for the first time but for the first time they both knew he was her father. As they released each other Storm once again had some criticism to offer.

“Papa when is the last time you took a bath? I’ll go heat up some water because you are taking one right now.”

As she disappeared into the kitchen Charlie turned to Adam. “Nice to know that some things haven’t changed. She always was honest, sometimes too honest. Adam I’m sorry I guess…”

“Don’t apologize. You did what you did because you thought I had in some way wronged Storm. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

 

Once Charlie was what Storm deemed as presentable, they did just that. Lenora was happy to see he was safe, happy to know that Storm had her father back. It was only a few weeks after Charlie had returned that Lenora brought up something she knew Storm wouldn’t like but she knew it had to be done.

“Storm?”

“Yes mama?”
“I should be returning to Colorado.”

“Why? You could stay here.”

“Yes Lenora, you are more than welcome here.” Adam knew how sad Storm would be to see her mother leave and if it was one thing he hated was seeing her sad.

“I know that but I have to sell the house there if I’m ever going to return here.”

“But mama you can’t go alone.”

“That’s right Storm, that’s why I’ve offered to go with her.”
“But papa.”

“No buts. We will be back as soon as the house is sold. I promise.”
Storm knew Charlie had never broken a promise he’d made to her. “Alright but if you don’t hurry back I’ll come looking for you.”

“And I am sure you would find us.”

 

********

A few weeks later they headed off to Colorado and thankfully a few days after that Dexter came to speak with Adam.

“Mr. Cartwright there is something I wish to ask you.”
“Dexter please call me Adam.”

“Well you know how I’ve been savin’ up so I could send for my girl back in Keegan’s Bluff?”

“Yes, as I recall Storm mentioned that you wanted to buy some land there.”
“That was the original plan but, well, I’ve kinda’ grown fond of it here. I’m sure Amy will love it too, especially with Storm bein’ here and all.”
“What is it you wanted to ask Dex?”
“I think I’ve got enough saved to put a down payment on some land if you would tell me the best place to look. Then once everything is all set I’ll send for Amy.”

“I think I’ve got the perfect place. As a matter of fact we talked about this not that long ago. There is a small parcel pa said you could buy if you wanted.”

“You mean right here on the Ponderosa?”

“Yes right here, well not too far from here. I think it would make Storm happy to know that there were friends living close by.”

“You’re sure it would be alright?”
“Yes I’m sure. There is just one favor I would like to ask of you.”

“What is it?”
“Could you send for Amy as soon as possible? Storm has been feeling pretty down since Lenora and Charlie left. If you don’t think Amy would mind, I know helping with wedding plans would take her mind off it.”

“I’m sure Amy wouldn’t mind at all. See she don’t have no family and Storm has always been like a sister to her.”

“Good, then it’s settled.”

When Storm heard of the plans she was happy, happier than Adam had seen her in weeks.

“This is wonderful. It’ll be nice to have a woman to talk to.”

“So you don’t enjoy talking to me?”
“I enjoy it more when you use your lips for things other than talking.”

“Why just what are you suggesting I use them for?”
“If you don’t know by now I’m not going to tell you.” She turned to walk away but felt his arm go firmly around her waist. She then felt his lips softly caressing the back of her neck. “So you did know what I meant.”

He turned her around so he could look into her eyes. “My love, maybe it’s time we put your lips to better use as well.”

He lifted her off her feet and carried her upstairs. He again ran his hands over her body. It was a territory he had come to know so very well in the last three months, one he had mapped out in his mind almost every night of those ninety days. He was now at the point where he knew every swell, every dip, every curve without thinking. It was a place he knew better than he knew the Ponderosa, a place he was so very happy to lose himself in.

“Adam?”

“Yes?”
“I….” She sat up and firmly put her hands on his shoulders and pushed him till he was lying down.

“Just what are you doing?”
“It’s not fair.”

“What’s not fair?”

“Every time we make love you get to….well by now….Adam I’ve never felt you.” She could see by his eyes what he was thinking. “I meant with my hands!”

His next remark he would soon come to regret. “Well then my love,” He took her hands in his and placed them on his chest then he placed his hands over his head and rested it in them. “you let me know when you’re done and I’ll continue.”

She ran her hands over his body as he had done to hers so many times. She started tentatively but slowly became more bold. She was glad to see her touch affected him as his did her, of course his response was slightly more visible then hers. He reached up to pull her to him.

“You said I should let you know when I was done. I’m not done yet.”

“I think you are.”

“No I’m not.”

“Yes, my love, you are.”

He then placed his hands places he knew would make her forget all about what he had said before.

CHAPTER 13

Thankfully for everyone’s sake, and sanity, Lenora and Charlie as well as Amy arrived before Christmas. The main topic of discussion for Storm was Amy’s wedding and since Amy had said she had always dreamed of an April wedding, no matter how difficult it may prove to be, Storm would make sure an April wedding was what she got. It took a bit of planning and some tough bargaining but by the time April did come around there was a wedding performed.

Adam and Storm’s life settled into a routine of sorts, or as much of a routine anything involving the two of them could. It was never boring but predictable in that they knew they were always there for each other. When August came something happened to make Storm realize just how much she needed Adam because he was the only person who knew her better than she knew herself.

 

********

“That was a wonderful meal Amy.” It was a beautiful summer night and Adam and Storm had been invited to have supper with Dexter and Amy.

“Thank you Storm but it was no more delicious than the meals you have served us.”

“Now that the mutual compliments have been dealt.”

“Just what are you getting at Dex? Are you suggesting that neither Storm nor I are sincere in out praises?”

“No of course not. I just think there are other things of more importance to be said.”

“Really? What kind of things?” Storm had felt there was something odd in both Dexter and Amy’s attitudes tonight.

“Amy and I both agreed that we wanted both of you to hear the news first.”

“What news Dexter?”
“Adam, Storm, we’re going to have a baby.”

There were hugs and handshakes and oh so many smiles. Storm and Adam were both truly happy for their friends. It wasn’t until they were on the way home that a very disturbing thought occurred to Storm. No matter how she tried to dismiss it or put it out of her mind it kept haunting her so that by the time they reached their house she was very distraught. Adam had noticed that the ride was made mostly in silence but had thought Storm was busy planning a party for Dexter and Amy to celebrate the news they had just shared with them. If he had looked more closely he might have noticed the tears beginning in her eyes.

Before he could get down to help her out of the carriage she was inside the house. Adam couldn’t understand what could have brought this on. The night had been so happy and full of good news. He wasn’t sure if he should take care of the horses or see to Storm first. He compromised by only un-harnessing the horses and putting them in the corral. When he went into the house he found her in their bedroom sitting on the edge of their bed with her face buried in her hands crying as he had never seen her before. He went and knelt on the floor at her feet, gently pushed her hands aside, and looked up into her eyes.

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”
“If I tell you you’ll think I’m selfish.”
“Darling, you could never be selfish.”
“But I am Adam.”

“Please tell me what’s wrong?”

“I was so very happy when Dexter said they were going to have a baby. Then on the way home I began to think that they’ve only been married for five months and they’re going to have a baby. We’ve been married almost a year.”

“Darling I want you to answer me something. How long have Amy and Dexter known each other?”

“I guess six or seven years.”

“How long have we known each other?”

“Just over two.”
“So maybe we just need a little more time, besides if anyone is selfish it would be me.”
“Why?”

“Storm when we have a baby, I promise you that there will have never been a man happier about it then me but right now I am very happy to have you all to myself. For a little while longer anyway.”
Adam saw a small smile come to her face. He stood up and pulled her into his arms. “Feeling better my love.”
“Yes much but than you always know what to say to make everything alright. To think that there was a time I cursed you for how well you could use words. Of course that night you were using them to hurt me.”

“Yes I was. You know I don’t recall ever apologizing to you for that.”
She wrapped her arms tightly around him and held on. For one of the few times in her life she was afraid, so very afraid to let him go.

“Adam will you promise me something?”

“If I can.”
“Will you promise to never leave me.”

He knew what she meant. It wasn’t a day or a week or a month separation she was talking of.

“Storm.”

“Adam I know, I know eventually…but please promise anyway. Even though we both know, promise it anyway.”

“Alright Storm, I’ll promise but only if you make the same to me.”
“I promise Adam. I promise.”

That night their lovemaking was filled with an urgency that comes when two people realize that till death us do part would one day come to pass.

 

 

********

When Adam looked for Storm it was always easy for him to find her. It she wasn’t at their house or at his father’s, then she was at the house Lenora and Charlie shared or with Amy. He always felt a slight feeling of remorse whenever she spoke of the days she spent with Amy. He knew she was happy for her friend but he could always detect a slight hint of longing in her voice. The first time she felt the baby move she was in a state of complete awe.

“You should have felt it Adam. It was so amazing. To think there is a baby in there.”

As she spoke her face was filled with a wonder usually seen on that of a child’s. God, how he wanted to give her a child of her own, of their own.

“Storm, come here.”
“How do you do that?
“Do what?”

“Fill me with such desire without even touching me.”
He walked slowly towards her, each step bringing her closer to the point where she lost all sanity. She closed her eyes and waited. She felt him near, could feel his breath on her hair and she waited for the feel of his hands. She finally felt them but not where she had expected to.

“Adam?” She looked into his eyes and saw a worried look that she had never seen before, not even when she had been shot. “What’s wrong? Are you trying to tell me, in a very subtle way, that you think I’m getting fat?” She placed her hands over the one he had placed on her stomach.

“No Storm, how I wish you were.”

“Adam you’re scaring me. Please tell me what’s wrong. You look so troubled.”

“Storm what if we never have a child. What if I…..”

She placed her finger on his lips. “Adam hush. If we aren’t meant to have a baby then there is no fault, no blame. I just can’t believe that God would fill us with so much love and not wish for that love to live on. But I know you and you require proof and there is only one way I know of for me to prove to you that we will have children.”
“Really? How is that?”
“We will just have to try and make a baby every chance we get. I think at least once a day, more than once if possible. I know it sounds like a lot of work but….”

“I think it will prove to be one of the best jobs I’ve ever had the pleasure to perform.” He picked her up and carried her to their bed.

“Adam?” She sat up and firmly put her hands on his shoulders and pushed him down. “It’s been quite a while since I….well since I…..I examined my claim.”

“Your claim? May I ask just what it is you’re mining for?”

“Some people think gold could be found.” She straddled him and proceeded to unbutton his shirt and gently brushed her lips over his chest. “Then there are some who say silver is more likely.” She then turned her lips loose on his stomach. “Rarely some say you might find diamonds.” Her hands reached for his belt.

“Rarer still would be finding me with the patience to wait.” He grabbed hold of her and rolled her onto her back. “How do you do it Storm?”

“Do what?”

“Persevere the torture.”

“Torture? What torture?”

“I can see what I do to you before we make love. I try to make you ache with wanting me with my hands and my lips. I seem to need to…why don’t you just tell me it’s enough, tell me that you’re….well you can see how long I can take it.”

“You may not believe this but I enjoy it, but you seem to enjoy it so much more. If I have to suffer a little in order to please you than it’s a suffering I gladly endure.”

“Then get ready to endure.”

He placed his hand firmly between her legs and his lips firmly on her breasts.

“Adam! Oh God, Adam please.”

CHAPTER 14

One cold February night there was a knock on their door that had it occurred a half hour earlier might have been unheard or perhaps just unanswered. As it was at the time the sound of their door being beaten on by someone’s knuckles made it’s way through the house Storm and Adam had just begun to fall into an exhausted sleep.

“Who could that be?”
“I don’t know Storm, I’ll go find out.”

Storm got up after Adam had left the room and for some reason got dressed. She then followed him downstairs.

“Dex is something wrong?”

“It’s Amy, Storm she says it’s time.”
“Alright. Adam I’ll ride back with Dex.”

“No Storm I have to go and get the doctor.”

“No Dex, I’ll go get the doctor, you ride back with Storm.”

“You wouldn’t mind Adam?”
“No Dex. I don’t mind.”
As she passed by him Storm gave Adam a kiss. “Maybe you should stop and ask mama to come out as well.”

“I will.”

 

When they arrived at Dex and Amy’s house they went straight into the bedroom.

“How are you doing Amy?”

“Alright, I guess. I mean I ain’t never done this before.” Amy then spotted her husband in the doorway behind Storm. “Dex you were suppose to go and get the doc.”

“Adam’s going for the doctor. Dex why don’t you go and make some coffee. I’ll sit with Amy, besides mama should be here soon.”

“Lenora is coming?”

“Of course Amy. I asked Adam to stop by and tell her what was going on. Now Amy why are you crying?”

“It’s just that I haven’t had a family for so long and now I have a sister in you and a mother in Lenora, and a brother in Adam.”
“There are times that I wish that’s all he was to me as well.”

“Really Storm?”
“Yes, but that feeling never lasts for very long.”

 

About ten hours later Peter Brown was born. After that whenever Adam wished to find Storm, if she wasn’t home, he knew to look for her with Amy.

 

Winter gave way to spring. Storm always loved spring the most of the four seasons. It was so full of beginnings and hope. This one was also the beginning of a new life for Storm and Adam, it was almost the end of one as well.

“Paul may I talk to you?” Storm had told her mother and Ben that she had wanted to go and see Paul because she hadn’t been feeling too well lately. She didn’t mention the reason she believed to be responsible for her ailment.

“Of course Storm. Is there something wrong?”

“No…well I hope so.”

Storm told Paul of how she had been feeling lately and her suspicions as to what may be the cause. He set about trying to confirm them with a grin and by the end of the examination that grin had turned into an unmistakable smile.
“Really Paul, am I really?”

“Yes Storm really.”

Paul had seen many women happy about the news he had just given Storm, he had also seen some distressed by it, but he would swear he had never seen any in such a state of total bliss as she upon learning that they were to become a mother. Storm felt that she had floated to the store where she had agreed to meet her mother and Ben. She wasn’t even too sure of how she had gotten there.

“Storm is something wrong?”
“Wrong mama? Why do you think that there is something wrong?”
“You just look as if you’re a thousand miles away.”
“No nothing is wrong. I was just thinking about Adam.” And that wasn’t a complete lie. She was thinking how he would react when he heard the news that he was going to be a father.

Ben had smiled at Storm’s answer because he had seen his son looking the same way when he was thinking about her. It was as he was looking towards the street that he noticed Little Joe coming fast. He could tell by the urgent way in which he was looking around there was something of great importance he needed to say.

“Excuse me Storm, Lenora I’ll be right back.”

“Of course Ben.” Lenora had noticed Little Joe too.

“Joe what is it?”

“Pa. Pa thank God I’ve found you. It’s Adam…pa he’s been shot.”
“Joe he’s…”

“No pa, he’s still alive. I sent the doc out and he said I might find you here. I wanted to come and let you know.”
“I’ll go get Storm and I’m sure we’ll be right behind you.”
Ben went back into the store contemplating whether he should tell Storm now or wait until they were home. If he was correct in his belief as to what was the cause of her not feeling well and her manner earlier he wished he didn’t have to tell her at all. As it was the decision was taken out of his hands.

“Ben what’s wrong?” Storm could tell by his expression it was something serious.

“Nothing Storm.”

“Don’t lie to me. It’s Adam. Something has happened to him.”

Ben knew that having her know the truth was better than her imagining the worst.

“Yes Storm, something has happened to Adam.”

“I told him to stay away from that horse. I told him he was just too wild. What did he go and do? Did he crack some ribs or maybe…”

“Storm he’s been shot. Dr. Martin is already on his way out there.”

“It’s my fault. It’s all my fault. I was greedy, I wanted it all. I can’t lose him. If that’s the price then it’s too high!”

“Storm calm down. Let’s get home and see how bad it is before we jump to the conclusion that its that bad.”

Before the carriage had come to a complete stop, Hoss and Little Joe were outside. Thankfully Hoss stopped Storm from rushing inside and running upstairs.

“Storm I don’t think you should go upstairs just yet. The docs still in there and if he’s still trying to get the bullet out and you run in and startle him he may…”
“Little Joe’s right Storm.” Hoss didn’t like seeing Storm cry but he knew that the doc needed all the quiet he could get.

“How is he? How bad was the….? Who did this?”

“Pa?”
“Tell her the truth Joe.”
“The doc said it’s real bad. The bullet is in real deep. We don’t know who or why.”

Hoss had to practically carry her inside. Once there she sat on the couch leaning against Ben who didn’t remove his arm from around her shoulder. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Paul came downstairs.

“How is he?” Storm was up and on her feet before he had cleared the last step.

“He’s alive Storm and right now that is the most important thing.”

“He’s going to be alright?”

“I hope so Ben but that’s up to him. I’ve done all I can.”

“I’m going to go and sit with him.”

“Storm I don’t want you to forget to take care of yourself.”
“I won’t doc.” She ran upstairs to see Adam.

“Ben make sure she doesn’t wear herself out.”

“I know Paul. I’ll go and talk with her.”

Ben made his way upstairs and stopped outside the bedroom door and listened to Storm as she talked to his son.

“Adam can you hear me? Oh God please if I can only have one or the other I need him.”

“Storm.”

“Ben he’s so pale.”

“Listen to me, I want you to promise that you will eat and sleep. You have to keep up your strength.”

“I don’t want to. I can’t….this is all my fault. I should know by now that everything comes with a price.”

“If you honestly believe that then it’s Adam’s fault. Storm, if it were the other way around, would you want him to choose you or the baby?”

“Our baby of course.”

“What makes you think he’d be any different? Storm just the other day he was telling me how it rips at his heart to see you hold Peter. To see how happy it makes you, knowing that eventually you will have to give him back to Amy. He said he would give anything to see you with a child you didn’t have to give back to someone. To see you with one you could…..this is all nonsense talk anyway because he’s going to be alright. Storm tell him the news, give him another reason to wake up.”

She watched Ben leave the room and realized he was right. She shouldn’t give up hope not until there was none, and as long as Adam kept breathing there was hope. She laid down in the bed beside him.

“Adam, I hope you can hear me. You have to be alright, you just have to. I found out today that we’re going to have a baby. A baby Adam, our baby. So you see you just gotta be alright and besides you promised you’d never leave me, remember.”
Later, when Ben went upstairs to make sure everything was alright he was happy for two things. First and foremost, Adam was still alive and second, Storm was lying on the bed asleep.

Lenora saw Ben coming downstairs. At first she had thought she should have gone and talked to Storm but thought that she would be more comforted by Ben. After all when he said that Adam was going to be alright it would be hard to contradict.

“How are they Ben?”
“Both sleeping.”

“She’s going to have a baby, isn’t she?”
“Yes Lenora, she is.”

 

********

For four days and nights Storm stayed by Adam’s side. She wouldn’t leave the room for anything. She ate, but only because Ben had threatened to force feed her each time food was brought to her.

“Storm I’ve brought you up your supper.”
“Thank you Ben. Just leave it and I’ll eat it later.”

“Storm must we go through this every time. You will eat it now.”

“Ben please.”

“Storm, Paul has said for me to make sure you don’t neglect yourself. To make sure you get your rest and that you eat. So you will eat this food now, even if I have to tie you down and force you too.”

“See pa, sometimes tying her up is the only way.”

“ADAM! Your awake!” Before she had even finished she was on the bed covering his face with kisses.

“Awake yes, but not quite strong enough for anything else just yet.”
“ADAM.”

“What? The way you’re kissing me…wait, pa why does it sound as if Paul is more concerned about her than me?”

“Because once he took the bullet out there was nothing more to be done to ensure a favorable outcome for you.”

“I see. Storm what is it pa’s not telling me?”
“We’re going to have a baby Adam.”
“A baby? Really Storm?”

“Yes really.”

Storm leaned to kiss Adam again and Ben backed out of the room. He knew everyone would be happy to know that Adam was awake.

Adam took advantage of everyone’s concern. He used the extra time he had to really get to know his wife. In all the time they had been together they had either been too busy fighting or too busy making love to spend much time just talking. It wasn’t the simple things that Adam found himself curious about but every dream, every wish she had ever had. He wanted to know just how she had grown to be such a remarkable person, how she had become the woman who had stolen his heart.

“Storm I know you say that Rachel hates you.”

Where had this come from? If it was one thing she hadn’t thought of for some time it had been Rachel. “Adam do we have to talk about her?”
“It’s just that I want to know everything about you. Soon I’ll be….well completely recovered and talking will be the last thing on my mind.”
“Adam will it be… I mean if we do we won’t hurt the baby will we?”

“I don’t believe so but if you have any doubts you can ask Paul.”

“No I believe you.”

Adam sat there looking at her looking at him. He knew she hadn’t forgotten how this conversation had started.

“Storm, Rachel?”
“Oh yeah. There was this fella’, I never understood why she liked him so. I mean he wasn’t rich and he definitely wasn’t as handsome as you, but for some reason Rachel liked him.”
“But he liked you?”
“Yes, for some reason he liked me. Rachel blamed me of course. She said that I had done something to turn him from her. I swear I never did anything. I think it was more her and the rumors she had already begun spreading about me. In spite of everything Hugo swore he loved me, he even said that he wanted to marry me. I told him I wasn’t interested in marrying him or any man.”

“So he gave up?”

“Not every man is as persistent as you my love.”

“Thank God for that.”

“I’m not really sure of what happened. He came to me one day and said he had family business to attend to and swore that when he returned I’d be his wife one way or the other. Hugo didn’t like being refused something he wanted. Thankfully he never returned. I don’t mean to imply that I wished anything bad to have happened to him but to be quite honest I was a little afraid of him.”

“You were afraid of him? Just who was this man and what did he do?”

“I don’t really know what he did. But his name was Hugo Wyler.”

“Wyler? Storm did you say Hugo Wyler?”
“Yes. Why do you know him?”
“I know of him. I just can’t believe you don’t.”

“Why did I turn down some very wealthy man?”

“Storm he and his family are one of the most wanted in the country. They’ve robbed and killed, among other things. How long ago was it that he left Keegan’s Bluff?”

“I guess I was about nineteen.”

“That would have been about the time they were going to hang his brother in Arizona. I remember only because of what it was said they had….”
“Go on Adam.”

“It’s not important Storm.” But Adam knew better. Storm would never be happy with only half a story.

“No please finish what you were saying before.”

“Storm it’s really not…”

“Adam please finish.”

“Alright. I remember because of what I’d heard they had done to get their brother free.”

“What did they do Adam?”

“It’s really not that important. Why don’t we….”
“Adam tell me what they did!”

“It’s said they took the sheriffs eighteen old daughter. They sent word that the only thing they wanted to return her was for their brother to be set free. They said that the longer the sheriff took the more his daughter would pray for death.”
“Adam, Hugo said he had four brothers. Do you think that they….”
“Storm all I know is that the sheriff let their brother go after one day.”

“And what of his daughter?”

“They say she hasn’t ever fully recovered but that could all be talk.”

“No, Hugo always had a mean streak in him. He use to enjoy hurting things especially people. I think that’s why he frightened me so. There was never any rhyme or reason to his anger. He could be kind and nice one minute and then the next so cruel.”

“Like Brady?”

“No. Brady was never kind and nice. Hugo was different, it may sound silly but I sometimes thought he had no soul.”

“It’s not silly. You are never silly.”
Suddenly Storm found it hard to breath. She had heard the change in Adam’s voice and had responded to it as she always did.

“Adam, are you sure?”

“That we won’t hurt the baby?”
“No, that we won’t hurt you.”

“I’m sure of that, in fact staying away from you is starting to pain me more then that bullet ever did.” He reached up and pulled her into his arms.

CHAPTER 15

Storm watched as Adam rode away with his brothers. She knew it would only be for seven days but she missed him already.

“ Baby I realize it’s not going to be easy but I need your help with something.”

They were all at Ben’s house for supper. Adam had left Storm in his father’s care while he was gone and Ben had asked Lenora and Charlie to come and help him take Storm’s mind off of his son. No matter how hard they tried Lenora noticed that none of them seemed to be doing a very good job of it. That’s why she decided to tell Storm the news now instead of waiting for Adam to return as they had originally planned.

“What do you need my help with mama?”

“You did such a fine job helping Amy that Charlie and I would like your help in planning our wedding.”

“Wedding? Mama, Charlie, really?”

“Yes Storm. If you approve.”

“Approve? Charlie I was beginning to wonder if you would ever ask her.”

“All of a sudden she’s an expert.”

“Yes Ben, I am. Adam’s has seen to that.”

“And we’re right back where we started from.”

“What’s that mama?”
“You brooding about him.”
“I’m not brooding mama. I’m just…..” They all saw a very strange look come over Storm’s face.

“Storm what’s wrong?”
“Nothing Ben. I just….I felt the baby move. I really felt it move.”

“You see baby, you’ll never be without him again.”

“No mama he will always be with me.”

The rest of the evening passed with Storm in a very contented state. Ben mused that even though he wasn’t there it was Adam, in a way, who had made her feel better.

 

********

The days passed slower than Storm felt they had a right to. To her they felt like a lifetime but it was the seven nights that felt like an eternity.

“Storm are you ready to come with me?”

“Where to Ben?”

“Into town. I have some business I need to attend to and thought that perhaps you might need to do some shopping. I thought you could do just that while I see to my business.”

“No if it’s all the same I’ll stay here. Maybe Adam will come back early.”

“Storm you know as well as I that they are due back tomorrow.”

“I know. It just feels as if tomorrow has taken so long to get here, longer then it should have.”

“Alright but please be careful, you know Adam will never forgive me if anything should happen to you.”

“I’ll be fine.”

She watched as Ben rode away.

“Very good. You did real well.”

“Hugo what do you want.”

“I seem to recall you telling me you weren’t going to marry any man.”

“Adam isn’t just any man.”

“He bled like any man.”

“What do you mean? Are you saying you’re the one who shot him?!”

“I tried to kill him.”

“You son of a…..”

“Ah ah, be careful what you go and call my mother. My brother Seth gets real upset whey any one insults our mother.”

Hugo went to where Storm was standing and placed his hand on her stomach. “Just how far along are you?”

Storm pushed his hand away and took a step away from him.

“Five months.”

“I bet you can feel it moving around by now.”

“What is it you want Hugo?”
“Back where we started aren’t we but that’s only right since the answer is one you already know. I want what I’ve always wanted; you.”

“But why? I’m already another man’s wife.”

“Doesn’t really matter. I want you Storm and I’ll have you.”

“Not today you won’t.”

“I thought you were going into town?”

Ben saw him begin to make a try for his gun. “Don’t try it. Storm how many are here?”

“I’ve only seen these two Ben.”

“Then if you two will please slowly drop your guns.”
Hugo knew he didn’t stand a chance against a gun that was already drawn, so he did as Ben had asked and told his brother to do the same.

“How’d you know that we were here?”

“Simple. We made arrangements even before Adam left to meet him and his brothers in town today. She would have been halfway there before I had my horse saddled if her present condition wasn’t preventing her from hitching the carriage or saddling her horse by herself. I knew something had to be wrong because nothing would keep her from my son.”

“Even if you manage to get us into town and they put us in jail, just remember I still have three brothers out there.”

“Maybe, but if any harm comes to those I care for I will be sure to kill you first.”

“You always were a very determined woman Storm.”

“The only reason you’re still breathing Hugo is because he’s alive.”

Hugo knew she meant it and for some reason it made him want her even more.

When Adam saw his father coming into town alone he began to worry, then thought that perhaps Storm just hadn’t felt up to the trip. He had been foolish to suggest they meet in town but he had wanted to show Storm off to everyone and had used the fact that they would reach Virginia City before they would reach the Ponderosa as an excuse.

“Pa is….” He then noticed the two men tied in the back of the wagon. “Who are these two? Pa where’s Storm?”

“This is Hugo and Seth Wyler. Storm is at the house. It would seem that Hugo here is the one that shot you.”

“And Storm knows this?”

“Yes she does.”

“And he’s still breathing?”

“I believe it weren’t for the fact that so are you he wouldn’t be.”

Hugo examined the man who had somehow gotten Storm to surrender to him. He didn’t see anything so special about him.

“Just so you know something Cartwright, I told Storm sometime ago she’d be mine and she still will be. When my brothers come and get us out I’ll be coming for her.”

“Mr. Wyler somehow I don’t really believe you could handle her.”

“Are you saying you’re a better man than me?”

“I’m just saying in your mind loving her means controlling her. When you love someone like Storm and are lucky enough to have that love returned there is no control.”

“Adam why don’t you get on home to Storm. I’ll bring these two to Roy and let your brothers know what’s going on.”

“I’ll go pa. Hoss and Little Joe are in the saloon. Just one thing Mr. Wyler, you come near my wife and I’ll kill you.”

 

********

As he rode up to the house he was expecting to find Storm outside but when he didn’t he began to think that maybe his father hadn’t told him the whole truth. He opened the door expecting the worst.

“ADAM. Come here quickly.”

He ran to where she was sitting. She took his hand and placed it on her stomach. She watched as the look of awe she knew would come came to his face.

“That’s our baby?”

Storm wasn’t sure if it was a question or a shocked statement.

“Yes Adam, it’s our baby.”

He sat down next to her but didn’t remove his hand. “I ran into pa in town, are you alright?”

“I’m fine.”

“What happened?”
“I couldn’t really sleep, knowing that you were going to be in town and that I’d see you today, so I decided to go outside and wait. The sun was just barely up when Hugo and Seth rode up. Maybe if I had been able to get out of the chair faster I could have made it inside before….but that doesn’t matter. Hugo told me I had better not try to warn anyone or he would kill them. I knew if I acted as if I didn’t want to go into town Ben would know something was wrong.”

“You’re really okay?”
“Yes, I’m really okay. You can feel the baby and you can see me. Adam he’s the one who tried to……”

“I know and I’m real happy and surprised that you didn’t kill him.”

“Why would I? For shooting you? It’s not like he killed you or anything? So just why…..” He watched as the tears came to her eyes and began to fall. “Oh Adam I wanted to, I really did, but I knew you would be angry if I did.”

“Angry? All of a sudden my getting angry bothers you?”

“Yes. Are you saying you want me to have killed him?”

He took her into his arms. “I love you Storm and no I didn’t want you to kill him but if he had done you any harm I would have killed him.”

“Adam I love….”

Adam felt only too well what had stopped her. “That was a rather forceful one.”

“They usually get stronger the hungrier we get.”

 

********

Even though December is one of the coldest month’s it brought with it a very warm feeling.

“Mama are you sure? Wouldn’t you rather wait for spring?”

“Storm, Charlie and I were going to wait but we decided why should we. We’re not kids and beside we want to be married before our grandchild is born.”

“Than you are cutting it pretty close. The baby is due three days after the proposed wedding date.”

“I know. I guess we’re hoping maybe you’ll give us a wonderful wedding present.”

“Don’t count on it.”

 

On December second Lenora and Charlie were married and on December seventh they got they’re present.

“Adam? Are you awake?” When he didn’t even stir Storm once again called to him. “Adam!” She roughly pushed him. “Are you awake?!”

“I am now. What’s wrong?”

“I’m afraid.”

This wouldn’t be the first time she’d had a bad dream. “What’s wrong sweetheart, did you have another nightmare?”

“No, it’s just that it’s so cold outside.”

He began to get out of bed. “I’ll go stoke the fire.”

She grabbed his arm and squeezed it tightly. “That’s not what I mean. I meant I hate to send you out for the doctor on such a cold night.”

“The doctor? Storm are you telling me that it’s time?” Now that it was actually time all the preparation and planning he had done for this event were all but forgotten in his excitement.

“I think so.”

“I’m going.” As he got dressed Storm kept talking. Mostly because as she gave him things to do it helped to take her mind off the pain she was feeling.

“Adam get mama.”

“Yes Storm.”

“And Charlie.”

“I think they’ll come together.”

“Yeah, I forgot. You better get your father and brothers.”

“Yes Storm.” He began to walk out of the room.

“Adam! Don’t leave me.”

He remembered that she had said that to him on their wedding night. That night he had no intentions of leaving her but this night he had no choice. “Darling I swear I’ll be back as soon as I can. If I don’t go I can’t get the doctor.”

“I know. Hurry.”

“I will.”

“Be careful.”

“I will.”

 

Luckily Ben managed to think a little clearer than either Storm or Adam.

“Adam, you, Hoss and I will ride back. Little Joe would you mind very much going for the doctor?”
“Not at all pa.”

“Little Joe.”

“I know Adam, hurry.”

“Well yes, but be careful.”

 

Storm was very happy to see Adam return with the others. She was surprised that she hadn’t thought of it herself but supposed that her mind was preoccupied as was Adam’s she guessed. Adam sat on the bed next to Storm.

“How are you feeling?”

“Okay mama. It just hurts every now and then but it keeps getting more and more…..” She gripped Adam’s arm very tightly as another pain came upon her. When it eased slightly she realized how tight her grip must have been when she looked at the expression on Adam’s face. “Adam did I hurt you?”

“Sweetheart you can hurt me as much as you want.”

Finally they heard the door downstairs open and anxiously awaited Dr. Martin’s appearance. He was accompanied by Mrs. Cain, but Little Joe was made to remain downstairs and everyone else was forced to join him. After what Adam would swear were days they heard a baby’s cry.

“Did you hear that?”

Ben found himself grinning at his son’s expression. “Yes we all heard it son.”

“Where’s Paul? Why doesn’t he come on down?”

“Adam I’m sure he’ll be down soon. Wouldn’t you rather he take his time and double check that everything is alright?” As soon as Ben said it he regretted it.

“Why pa, do you think something could have gone wrong?”

“No son, I am sure everything is fine.”

Ben was saved from anymore worried questions from his son when Paul came down.

“Paul how is she? How’s the baby?”

“Fine Adam, they are both fine. I’m sure you heard that cry. I think they heard it all the way in Carson City.”

“It was pretty loud. I guess it got Storm’s lungs.”

“It Adam? Paul before we go any further is it a boy or a girl.”

“Ben, you have a grandson. A fine healthy grandson who, according to his mother, looks exactly like his father. You know Ben I was beginning to wonder if I would ever see this day.”

“You were beginning to wonder.”

Everyone looked at Ben and began to laugh. Adam started upstairs with a very good feeling in his heart and soul. He heard the laughter of the people he loved downstairs and the sweet voice of his wife upstairs. Mrs. Cain saw Adam in the doorway.

“Well if you will excuse me. Congratulations Adam he is a very handsome baby.”

“Thank you Mrs. Cain.” Adam approached the bed. “Better now my love?”

“Much better.” Storm pushed aside the blanket from their son’s face. “Come closer, you can’t see how handsome he is from that far away.”

Adam looked at his son, then he looked at his wife. He never thought he could love someone as much as he did Storm, never thought he’d be looking into the eyes of his child. Yet here he was doing both.

“Are you happy Adam?”

“Happy? Storm I don’t know what words I could use that could come close to describing how I feel.”

She reached up and wiped the tear from his cheek.

“Adam sometimes words aren’t necessary, because I know. It’s alright, I know.”

He bent and kissed his son then he kissed his wife.

“Is it alright if we come in?”

“Of course. Please everyone come and tell me if this isn’t the handsomest baby you have ever laid eyes on. Adam will you please take your son, I’m feeling a little tired.” She wasn’t so tired that she couldn’t have held her son a little longer but she desired to see her son in his father’s arms.

“I would be happy to take our son.” He was very happy and proud to show their son to everyone. Just before she fell asleep Storm heard something that made her, even though she thought it impossible, love Adam even more.

“Adam did you decide on a name?”

“Little Joe, Storm gave me a list and said I could choose whichever one I thought fitting. I think Charles Jacob fits.”

CHAPTER 16

By the time Christmas was near Storm insisted on a party.

“It will be the perfect time to introduce CJ to everyone.”

“But Storm…”

“No buts Adam. Please I’m so tired of being in this room.”

“I can recall you once saying you wished we could spend our lives in this room.”

“That was when we were using this room for it’s intended purpose.”

“I thought it’s purpose was for sleeping in.”

“If that’s what you think this room is for then it’s been longer then I thought and I will do my best to remind you.”

“Soon just not yet.”

“Adam?”

“I know sweetheart, soon.”

Storm heard the hunger in his voice and she knew he was thinking the same thing she was.

“Oh DAMN.”

“STORM.”

“It’s just that now that I’ve started thinking about it I know it’s all I’ll be able to think about.”

“Trust me we have the same problem as far as that’s concerned.”

It was a problem that Storm tried to forget by losing herself in the planning of the party. It worked during the day, but at night there was no way to forget what she missed because it was laying right beside her.

“Adam, are you awake.”

“No, go to sleep.”

“ADAM.”

“Sweetheart, you had to have what I believe to be the biggest tree on the Ponderosa for a Christmas tree. Pa, I think, had to have the second biggest one. After that……” Adam looked at his wife’s face. So like a child’s, at times so full of innocent wonder. “What is it my love?”

“I know you’re exhausted. I’m sorry I guess I didn’t realize how much work it would be. I just wanted CJ’s first Christmas to….” He reached over and pulled her to him.

“I know my love and I’m sorry. I guess I’m just tired, that’s all. Now what is it you wanted to tell me.

“I miss you.”

“But I’m right here.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yes I do but I think maybe we should wait a little longer.”

“Why?”

“For my peace of mind. I don’t want to risk hurting you.”

“Adam, you won’t think I’m bad will you?”

“Never.”

“Even if I say something no lady should?”
“Storm what is it?”

“I know that you know more than me.”

“Nice to hear you finally admit it.”

“I don’t mean about everything.”

“Then what about?” He watched her play with the blanket and look everywhere but at him. This was a side of her he had never seen. Even when she had been embarrassed before she had never looked away. “Storm? What is it?”

“Isn’t there some way we can…I mean without….Adam I miss the way you make me feel, I miss the torture, Adam I need you.”

“Storm will you promise me something?”

“Anything.”
“Don’t ever change.”

********

“He’s absolutely beautiful! Your mother would be so proud.”

“Thank you Mrs. Simmons.”

“Hello Candace. It is very good to see you again.”

“Hello Charlie, Lenora. Hope would be so happy to know you found each other. To know that in doing so you’ve made Storm happy.”

“Would you like to hold him?”

“I would love to hold him Storm.”
As more and more people began to arrive the only time Storm found her son in her arms was when he needed to be fed, but then Adam didn’t even have that time.

“So who has my son now?”
“Your son?”

“Alright Storm, our son.”

“I do believe Roy has got him.”

“Then I guess he’s safe.”

“Yes I do believe so.”

“Hey Adam.”

“Yes Little Joe.”

“You want to borrow my mistletoe?”

“Little brother, I don’t need mistletoe, I’ve got a wedding ring.”

“Oh really and just what do you think that means?”

“It means, my dear wife, that I can get a kiss anytime I want.”

“And do you want?”

Adam pulled her to him. “Yes, very much.”

“Hoss I’ve got something here I want you to have. Of course you will have to pass it to Little Joe when you’re done with it.”

“What is it Adam?”

“Here.”

Hoss gave his brother an odd look and took what he handed him. “Adam this is just a lasso.”

“Oh no little brother it’s a very special rope. You see that’s the rope I used to get Storm here.”

“ADAM. You’re embarrassing him. Hoss don’t pay him no mind.” Storm was interrupted by her son’s crying. “I can’t believe he’s hungry again. I will swear Hoss that nephew of your’s has inherited your appetite.”

“And you say I embarrassed him.”

 

The night grew late and people began to leave. Storm, Adam and CJ stayed the night not wanting to wake the baby up now that he’d finally had been allowed to fall asleep.

When everyone was sleeping Ben did something he use to do all the time when his son’s were young. He went into each of their rooms to look at them as they slept. It was funny but even though they were all full grown men he could still see a little boy lying there.

He looked in on Joseph first. His youngest son. Ben supposed that in his eyes he would always be a boy even though he knew what a fine man he was becoming.

Then he went to Hoss’s room. His middle son. Always a big man but always possessing the heart and faith of a child.

Lastly he hesitated at Adam’s door. After all he was no longer alone. He decided to risk it and was so very happy that he did. CJ must have awakened because he was no longer in the cradle but lying between his mother and father.

He looked at Storm, the woman who had finally proven to be a match for Adam. Adam, his eldest. The son who at times Ben feared he had forced to grow up too soon. The one he knew could handle anything that came along calmly and with a level head. Well anything but Storm.

“Hi pa.”

“Hello son.”

“Making the Christmas Eve rounds?”

“I almost didn’t come in here.”

“Oh, I would have been disappointed.”

“I better get going, I don’t want to wake up those two.”

“These two? Pa they could blast a mining shaft under this very room and they wouldn’t wake up these two.”

“Adam, I’m real proud of you.”

“Me? I’m glad to hear it pa but it isn’t me, it’s her. I love her so much. When I think of how this all started, of how I treated her, I can’t understand how she could love me.”

“It’s every woman. Loving us men comes with so much pain, so much worry. Perhaps that is one mystery we will never solve.”

“She made me promise her something. I promised it even though we both know it’s one that can’t be kept. Will you promise me the same thing?”

“Make you a promise we both know can’t be kept?”

“Yes.”

“What is it?”

“Promise you’ll never leave.”

“I promise son, now goodnight.”

“Good night pa.”

As Ben closed the door behind him Storm opened her eyes. “If that isn’t reason enough for me to love you then how about the fact that I knew you would give me beautiful children.”

“How long have you been awake?”

“Since before the blast.”

“Oh.”

Luckily for Adam his son decided he was hungry.

CHAPTER 17

Again winter gave way to spring. Storm was home alone, Adam being out with his brothers on spring roundup. She enjoyed the days she had alone with CJ. He was growing up so much even though he was only five months old. He had finally gone down for his nap giving Storm some time to start preparing supper. When she heard the front door open she thought that perhaps they had decided to come for lunch instead of eating on the range.

“So you decided that coming home for lunch was better…..” Storm saw who it was and tried to run upstairs. All she wanted was to get to her son.

“Now I told you I would be back. It proved to be a bit more difficult but I have finally managed it.” Hugo grabbed her as she tried to pass him.

“Just where do you think you’re going?”

“Adam will kill you!” She watched as one of his brothers went upstairs. She was filled with terror when she saw him come down with CJ. It was a terror that became even worse when Hugo took CJ into his arms.

“He’s a very handsome boy Storm.”

“Please Hugo.” She would do anything to keep her son safe. She realized now that meant anything even if it would cost her Adam’s love because she knew what Hugo wanted and that just might be the price. “Hugo, please leave him. I’ll do anything you want. I’ll come with you, I promise I won’t give you any trouble.”

“You mean to say if I promise to leave his brat alone you’ll come with me, you’ll lay with me. You’ll promise you wont try and leave.”

“If you promise me you’ll in no way cause him any harm, yes I’ll promise.”

“Fine. I have no need to harm him. He’s not exactly a witness who can tell what he’s seen is he.” Hugo agreed to this because he preferred Storm to come to him willingly, it’s not that he wouldn’t have used force but was glad that would prove unnecessary because Storm always kept her word. He also thought that if he spared the child then Adam wouldn’t have a reason to go after him. It wasn’t that he feared Adam but why take any chances.

“No he’s not.”
“Alright, I want you to write a note to your husband telling him that you’ve decided to come with me. That you prefer to be with me. That he shouldn’t come looking for you because it was your choice.”

“I will but can I just go and get something to bring with me?”
“Sure, but you write that note first.”

Storm sat and wrote the note then went to go and get what she needed. She made sure CJ was comfortable and would be safe and put the note next to him.

********

“Storm! Storm!” Adam saw his son lying on the floor. Something had to be wrong. “Storm are you alright?!”

“Hey Adam why don’t we forget all about supper.”

“No something is wrong pa. She would never leave CJ like this.”
Adam went to pick up his son and then saw the note.

Adam

Hugo’s returned

I’ve chosen to go with him

Please don’t follow. It’s my

Choice

I’ve felt so

Alone lately

You have been gone

So much. I feel as if I hardly know

You anymore. The clues were all in Paradise Lost.

Storm

“Adam you can’t believe this.”

“No pa. Look at how it’s written. If you take the letters that are lined up in the first words of each line what does it spell?”
“I love you.”

“Yes.”

“But what about this part about ‘Paradise Lost’?”

“I’m not sure. Somehow the clues to finding her are in there.”

“Adam we’ll bring CJ to Amy, then we’ll start looking.”

********

As they made camp for the first night Storm found herself hoping that Hugo would be too tired to collect on her promise. That maybe he would want to make her suffer through not knowing when he would demand from her what she had promised.

“What are you doing?”

“Going to sleep. I’m tired.”
“Not over there. You sleep with me. Remember your promise Storm. While we are both tired I am not that tired. I’ve waited a long time for this.”

“Hugo please.”

“Come here Storm, tonight you find out what Rachel already knows. You find out what a real man is.”
Storm lay beneath him praying for death but knowing in her heart it was a prayer she didn’t want to have answered. Even if she lost Adam, CJ still needed her. When he was through he rolled off of her and fell asleep. She knew that his brothers had watched because she had heard them. She could only hope that Adam would find her before Hugo tired of her enough to allow his brothers at her. If that happened she just might be better dead.

The sun rose to find Storm still awake. She wondered how CJ was, where Adam was. Would he find the clues she had been leaving? Had he discovered the hidden message in her letter or had he taken it at face value? Would he be blinded to the truth by what the letter had seemed to be saying?

They had set out right after Adam had dropped CJ off with Amy. Ben had ridden into town to tell the sheriff what was going on.

“Adam what’s that?”
Adam walked to where his father was pointing. As he picked up the piece of paper Storm’s message became very clear.

“It’s the first page of ‘Paradise Lost’ pa. She’s leaving us a trail.”

 

As they made camp for the second night Storm began to think that maybe after this Adam wouldn’t allow her near their son, but she knew better. Adam loved her and he wouldn’t turn away from her, not when she needed him more than she ever had, would he?

“I hope tonight is as satisfying as last night Storm.”
“Hugo…”
“You promised. You know I could always send one of my brothers back.”

She walked to him and laid down. When he was once again trying to prove how much of a man he was she silently begged Adam to forgive her.

It was as they were preparing to make camp on the third night that Storm’s torment ended.

“I hope tonight you will be a little more lively then the past two.”

“You would have to be more of a man to accomplish that.”
“You promised me you wouldn’t give me no trouble!”

“And I won’t but I won’t lie to you either.”

“Lie to me! Are you suggesting he’s more of a man then me?”

“Hugo he’s more of a man then you ever dreamt of being.”

“Do you think he’s so much of a man as to take you back if he knew what I’ve done to you these past two nights.”

“Done to me! You’ve done nothing to me! All you’ve done is use me to satisfy yourself!”

“Storm! Come here! Hugo I would advise you and your brothers to put your guns down. Believe me there is nothing I want more right now then to kill you.” He had heard only too clearly what Storm had said and knew only too well what it meant. It wasn’t that he hadn’t suspected it but knowing that she had suffered at Hugo’s hand made it worse then he could have imagined.

“Adam!” She couldn’t believe he was really there. She ran to him, to the safety of his arms. When Hugo saw that Adam was not alone he decided it best to surrender, unfortunately his brothers weren’t of the same mind. They didn’t want to return to prison, especially knowing that if all of them were in jail then there would be no one to free them. At the first shot Adam pulled Storm to safety.

When the shooting was finished there wasn’t a Wyler left standing. Much to Storm’s dismay this fact pleased her greatly.

“You understood my message.”

“Of course. Except the part about ‘Paradise Lost’, at least until we found the first page.” He pulled her into his arms.

“Adam, oh Adam.” The tears fell from her eyes and even though she needed to be in his arms she found herself pushing out of them. The other men had gone back to their horses to give them the privacy they knew they needed.

“Adam…he…I…”

“Storm it doesn’t matter. I’m not saying to forget it or pretend it didn’t happen. I’m just asking you to believe me that it doesn’t matter.”

She knew he meant it, that he truly meant it. She pulled him to her.

“I love you Storm.”

“As I love you Adam. How is my son?”
“Your son?”

“Alright our son.”

“We left him in Amy and Lenora’s care. I’m sure he’s fine.”

 

Ben saw them walking towards them and he wasn’t too sure of who he was prouder of, Storm or Adam. He knew there were some women who would have shut themselves off from everyone, especially those she loved, after having suffered through what she had feeling the world and everyone in it was to blame. He also knew there were some men who would have turned their backs on a woman who had gone through what Storm had blaming her instead of the truly guilty party. He knew though that the love they had for each other was strong, stronger than anything that the world could try to put between them.

They rode up to their house, his father and brothers as well as Charlie having gone home after making sure there was nothing they could do. They hadn’t gone to get CJ as Storm had suggested, Adam having said that it was late and CJ was probably already asleep. He was sure that Amy wouldn’t mind keeping him for another night. He didn’t say it but he also believed that Storm might need one night with just him. It would give her time to say whatever she needed to and although CJ’s interruptions were welcome ones they were still interruptions.

“Storm?” They were standing in front of the fireplace. “Sweetheart are you alright?”

“Yes Adam, I’m fine.” He knew she wasn’t. He was sure that she would be, but that would take time. He took her in his arms and held her while she cried.

********

The first night after her rescue was not a restful one. Storm found herself awaking often. She knew she’d had a bad dream, knew she must have done something to wake Adam, because he was always awake and ready to hold her until the terror she felt eased enough to allow her to go back to sleep.

They went the following morning and picked up CJ. Amy said if they wished they could leave him with her as long as they needed, but Adam could tell by the way Storm clung to their son that she needed him home.

The days passed and each night found Storm sleeping a little better then the one before. At the beginning of the third week Adam thought that perhaps it would help Storm if he reminded her of what true love was really like. He started the same way he always did, he ran his hands over her body and could feel her responding as she always had. That’s why her next action surprised him so much.

“Adam, please.” She gently pushed him away. “Not yet.”

“Alright Storm.” She could hear the disappointment in his voice. She wanted to explain but was ashamed to and that’s why when he took her into his arms she cried.

The following morning Lenora came to stay with her daughter as Adam had asked her to. Adam had wanted to stay but Storm had insisted that he go, she said that he was getting lazy and it was about time he started to do some work. She also said that she would be fine alone with CJ but Adam had agreed to go only if Lenora came to stay with her. Storm agreed because she realized she would be glad for the company and maybe her mother could help her with some questions that had been going through her mind.

“Mama may I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“If I had a baby do you think Adam would accept it?”

“Storm you have been with Adam longer than you were with….there would be no way to know for sure that it wasn’t Adam’s.”

“It would be Hugo’s. Adam and I haven’t….not since I’ve been back. I wanted to be sure.”

“Storm I didn’t think you capable of being selfish.”

“Selfish? How am I being selfish?”

“Storm, I will give you that Adam is an amazing man but he is still a man. Don’t you realize that he is probably felling guilty?”

“Guilty about what?”

“About not keeping you safe!” Could her daughter really not understand?

“Mama he has nothing to feel guilty for.”

Then Lenora remember that Storm had taken care of herself for so long that she would never expect anyone else to take responsibility for anything that had happened to her. “I know that and you know that, and I’m sure deep down he knows it as well, but in keeping him away from you you may have him thinking that perhaps you do hold him at fault. That maybe you can’t forgive him, that maybe you can’t bear to be in his arms.”

“Oh mama that’s not true. I need him and I love him. Mama what should I do?”

“Talk to him. Tell him the truth.”

“Mama would you mind greatly keeping CJ at your house tonight? I think you’re right, Adam and I do need to talk.”

“Of course I don’t mind.”

 

After Lenora left with CJ Storm spent the time waiting for Adam’s return home trying to think of how to say what she needed to say.

“Hello sweetheart.”

“Hello Adam.”

She watched him head for the stairs. “Don’t worry I’ll be sure to wash up before I go and see CJ.”

“Mama’s got him.”

He turned back to Storm. That’s when she saw that her mother was right. She saw something in his face she had never thought to see, it was something that looked like fear.

“Adam I asked mama to take CJ because I have to tell you something.”

This was it, Adam thought, this was when she was going to say she was leaving. That she was going to take CJ and go because she could no longer feel safe with him.

“What is it Storm?”

“Adam do you know why I won’t let you make love to me?”

“Storm I…..”
“I can see in your eyes that mama was right. Adam I don’t blame you. You are no more guilty of what happened than I am. That is unless you do think I’m guilty. It is more my fault than it is yours. He came here because of me, I went with him….”

“Storm! You went with him to keep CJ safe, same way I should have kept you safe. As his mother it’s your responsibility and as your husband it was my responsibility.”

“Adam you can’t be with me all the time. If anyone should know I can take pretty good care of myself it’s you. I don’t hold you responsible.”

“Yes you do Storm. Maybe not consciously but subconsciously you do.”

“How can you say that? You can’t know what’s in my mind.”

“Yes I can. That first night back you woke up five or six times, each time screaming my name.”

“And you believe it’s because I was accusing you? Adam I may not remember exactly what the dream was but if I called your name it was because it was the one thing that made me feel safe. Thinking of you helped keep me sane. Whenever Hugo took me into…..I couldn’t even begin to pretend that his arms were your’s, that his lips were….the only thing that made it slightly bearable was knowing that you would love me in spite of what was happening. That even though I was allowing it to happen you would understand. I never feel safer than when I’m in your arms. I have wanted to lose myself in them so many times since then.”

“Then I don’t understand. Why do you keep pushing me away?”

“Adam don’t you see? What if….what if I’m carrying his child?”

It looked as if a great weight had been removed from him. She saw a true smile come to his face, a sight that had been rare of late. He walked to her and took her in his arms.

“Is that what has got you so worried? Darling, do you honestly believe it would matter? Do you truly feel I would hold it against you or the baby? Storm the child would be your’s and in being your’s it would be ours.”

“But wouldn’t you want to know the truth of who it’s father was?”

“Honestly Storm, no. I think I would much prefer not knowing.”

She stepped back from him but only far enough as to allow her hands access to his belt.

“Storm?” He knew once this started it would be near impossible to stop.

“I need you Adam. God how I need you.”

He picked her up and carried her upstairs knowing that she wouldn’t push him away this time. He was very thankful that Lenora had CJ and they wouldn’t have to worry about his welcome interruptions.

They lay in bed afterwards and Storm realized that each time she and Adam made love it would help to bury the memories of Hugo’s attempts at proving he was a man. The memories would never leave her but she knew in time they would become so buried it would be hard to recall them.

“Adam.” Once again she was safely in his arms. “I don’t understand something.”

“And you’re actually admitting to it and asking for my help?”

“ADAM.”

“Why don’t you tell me what it is and I’ll do my best to try ad explain it.”

“You’ve been with other women.”

“Why don’t I like where this seems to be going.”

“Listen to me. What I don’t understand is why is it a man can find satisfaction in any woman’s arms and…..when Hugo touched me I felt nothing.”
“I hope you’re not waiting for me to say I’m sorry for it.”

“I just don’t understand.”

“You’re right Storm. A man can satisfy his body’s need with any woman but it takes a special one, one that he loves, to satisfy the needs of his heart and soul as well. Once a man has experienced that kind of total satisfaction he can never be content with anything less.”

 

********

“Adam, is that Storm?”

Adam turned to look in the direction Hoss was pointing.

“It certainly seems to be.” Whatever reason she was coming for must be important. She was riding real fast and at first he thought something might be wrong with CJ but as she drew closer he could see she was smiling. “You seem to be in a very good mood.”

“I am Adam.” This was the first time in her life, since she had entered puberty, that she could say she was happy about this. She dismounted and went to where he was standing. “Hello Hoss.”

“Hi Storm.” Hoss gave her a hug. “If you’ll excuse me.” He walked away to give them some privacy.

“Adam, I’m not going to have a baby.”

“That would explain the smile.” He took her again into his arms. “But as I told you it wouldn’t have mattered.”

“I know. Adam I don’t deserve you.”

“No you don’t.” She raised her head and looked into his eyes. “You deserve better.”

“Hoss.”

“Yeah Storm?”

“Would you mind greatly if I steal your brother for the rest of the day?”

“No Storm. If you ask me I think we’ve done enough work today.”

“This is one time I’ll agree with you brother.” Even though Adam knew in Storm’s present condition the only desire they would fulfill would be that of spending time together.

 

Ben watched as Hoss came in the house and noticed the puzzled look on his face.

“You’re home rather early. Did you finish up with that fencing already?”

“Nope.”

“Do you mean to say that you left Adam there to do it by himself?”

“No Joe. Storm came out to get him. Pa you don’t believe that….well I heard Storm tell Adam something, not that I meant to listen just that I kinda’ heard by accident.”

“What is it son?”

“Storm wanted CJ right? I mean she wanted him real bad.”

“Yes Hoss, she wanted him more than anything.”

“Than why is she so happy that she ain’t gonna’ have a baby now?”
“I think it could be because this time it might not have been your brother’s child.” Lenora had told Charlie about Storm’s concerns. Charlie had confided in Ben hoping that if it became necessary he could tell Adam: thankfully it hadn’t become necessary.

“Yeah but pa it wouldn’t have mattered. Not to Adam, not to any of us.”

“I believe she knows that Hoss. I guess she’s just happy not to have to ask us to prove it.”

 

As time passed Storm’s belief that the more she and Adam made love the easier it would be to put aside the short time she had been with Hugo proved to be true. There were times though that Adam knew she was thinking about it. It was those times she held him tighter than usual, the times when her need to satisfy him outweighed any other. Even if he had missed those signs he knew she was remembering because those were the times she would cry herself to sleep in his arms.

CHAPTER 18

As Lenora and Charlie’s first anniversary drew near Storm was planning a surprise party to celebrate.

“Adam I need you to help me with something.”

“What is it?”
“I can’t figure out how to wrap the gift I’ve gotten for mama and papa.”

Adam looked up from the book he was reading to CJ.

“Well you haven’t even told me what it is so how can I help you wrap it.”

“I haven’t told you because up until now I wasn’t sure it was going to arrive but now I am.”

“And just what is it?”

She watched as CJ reached up to take the book from his father, how Adam laid the book aside and picked up his son and kissed him. It wasn’t the action that brought tears to her eyes but the way in which it was done. Adam had done it without thinking but by instinct. That kiss made her recall just how many times she had seen him hug and kiss CJ when he didn’t even know she was watching.

“Sweetheart what’s wrong?”
“Oh Adam you’ll love this baby as much as you do CJ won’t you?”

At first he thought that she was once again thinking about Hugo even though it had been quite a while since she had.

“This baby?” Then he understood. “Storm, this baby?”

“Yes Adam, this baby.”

He went to her and she was given hugs and kisses by the two men she loved the most.

“Is this the gift you need help in wrapping?”

“Yes. I know it could be the same as their wedding present and they will have to wait until July to get it, but I think they’ll like it don’t you?”

“I think they’ll love it, but what do you mean it could be the same.”

“It could be another boy but it could be a girl as well.”

“I suppose it could be.”

He sounded so stunned by that realization it made Storm smile. “Adam don’t worry chances are it will be a boy.”

 

The night of the party there was no need to hide it. While everyone else knew the party was for Lenora and Charlie they thought it was for CJ’s birthday, so when they arrived and realized the party was indeed for them they were truly surprised.

“But baby what about CJ’s birthday party?”

“Don’t worry mama, that will be next week.”

Storm managed to hold out for almost an hour but that was the length of her patience.

“Mama would you like to open your present now?”

“Storm, this party is more than enough. Whatever else you have gotten you can just send it back.”

“I’m afraid that would be impossible Lenora.”

“No it’s not Adam. You just send it back.”

“Mama I really don’t think it would work. Somehow I think this gift can only go in one direction.”

“Storm, don’t be silly.”

“Lenora maybe you should open it first and if after that you still wish to return it I think you will have to argue with my father to do so.”

“What are you talking about Adam? If Lenora wishes to return her gift it’s of no concern of mine.”

“Let her open it first Ben, then we’ll see.”

“Alright Storm, where is this gift?”

“It was Adam’s idea on how to wrap it. Frankly I couldn’t think of a way.”

“So then where is it?”

“All you have to do to open it is to untie a bow.”

“A bow?” Storm saw what looked like a slight glimmer of hope in her mama’s eyes. “A bow like the one you’ve got tied around your middle?”

“That exact one mama and I wish you would because I feel rather silly.”

Her mother pulled her into her arms, then her father, then it was Ben’s turn, then Hoss, then Joe’s. If she wasn’t in one of their arms then Adam was. After their family was done the rest of the guests offered up their congratulations and best wishes.

“So mama do you still wish to send it back?”

“No baby, oh no, but just how long before I can hold my gift?”

“Early July maybe if we’re lucky late June.”

 

For everyone’s sake, and sanity, they all proved to be very lucky. Storm was slightly more emotional this time and Adam was never too sure what would greet him when he got home. There were times the smallest of things would start Storm yelling, then the next time the very same thing would get her crying. Then once she realized just what she had done she would be so upset and angry with herself she’d cry even more.

One might think that this might make a man try to avoid as best he could putting his wife in this condition again. Truth be told Storm’s anger and sadness weren’t the only things that seemed to be heightened, her desire was as well. There were times he’d barely shut the door behind himself and she’d be removing his clothes. These times there was a hunger in her eyes that almost scared him.

The last two weeks in June Lenora came to stay with her daughter so that when Adam went to get the doctor Storm wouldn’t be left alone with CJ.

“Mama what time is it?”

“Almost two o’clock, why dear?”

“Adam won’t be home for another two or three hours then.”

“Storm he only left an hour ago. You can’t possibly be missing him already.”

“I do miss him but that’s not why……OH MAMA.”

“Oh baby is it time?”

“Yes mama. You have to go and tell Adam to go and get the doctor.”

“But what about you, what about CJ?”
“CJ just went for his nap, he won’t be up for another hour or so. That’s plenty of time. All you really have to do is ride over and see if Ben is home, if not then go and get papa. Just please mama hurry!”

Lenora ran out of the house not sure of which way to turn first. She didn’t have to turn many.

“Hello Lenora. I was just out checking….”

“Doctor, please. Storm.”

“What is it?”

“She say’s it’s time.”

“Alright, why don’t we go on inside and see.”

Storm was surprised to see the door open so soon after her mother had left and was very relieved to see Paul come in.

“Paul? Mama you went fast.”

“I was out checking on the King boy. He broke his arm and since I was out this way I thought I would look in on you. I guess it’s a good thing I did.”

“Yes a very good thing.”

Paul helped her upstairs and got her into bed.

“Mama do you think you could go get someone to get Adam?”

“What about CJ? He’ll be awake soon and besides Adam will be home in an hour or two.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

 

Adam came in the door followed by Little Joe and Hoss. When Lenora saw them she was glad he wasn’t alone.

“Little Joe, Hoss, go and get your father and Charlie.”

“Why Lenora what’s wrong?” Adam had failed to notice Paul’s buggy outside, neither Hoss nor Little Joe had.

“That was Paul’s buggy.”

“Yes Little Joe and it’s a very good thing he….”

“Wait! Paul’s here? Where’s Storm?”

“Upstairs.”

“Why? What’s she doing up there?”

“Bringing your second child into this world.”

Hoss and Little Joe went to fetch the grandfathers to be. Everyone Storm cared for gathered and waited to hear that she and the baby were alright. Paul came downstairs ten minutes after they heard the baby cry, it was after only five that Adam was ready to go upstairs but Lenora reminded him that the doctor didn’t have any help this time.

“Paul is everything okay?” Ben looked at Paul’s face and he would swear he was in shock.

“Yes Ben everything is fine.”

“Storm, the baby?”

“They’re both fine Adam.”

“Then why is it you look as if something is wrong?”

“Honestly Adam nothing is wrong. That wife of your’s, though, she sure can work miracles.”

“Paul I am the first to admit that my wife is an amazing woman but she is not the first to have a baby, as a matter of fact she’s even done it before.”

“That may be but she has done something this time that she didn’t last time.”

“What do you mean Paul?”

“She has given you a daughter Adam.”

“A what?”

“There is up there a small, little, female Cartwright. Adam she’s given you a fine, healthy daughter.”

Adam, once his could get his legs to move, ran upstairs.

“Paul it’s a girl?”

“Yes Ben it’s a girl.”

“Why does everyone seem so surprised about that. There is always a fifty-fifty chance it will be a girl.”

“Yes of course Charlie. It’s just that is has been so long since there has been a baby girl in my family….” Ben couldn’t believe it, he had a granddaughter.

 

Adam quietly approached the bed. He could see Storm’s eye’s were closed and he didn’t wish to wake her if she were in fact sleeping. Storm felt someone pulling aside the blanket from her baby’s face. When she saw the way Adam was looking at his daughter all thoughts that perhaps he would be disappointed disappeared.

“She’s beautiful, isn’t she Adam?”
“Almost as beautiful as her mother.”
“No, she’s much more beautiful then me.”

“Someday she will be, someday. Right now though, by a very small margin, you are the most beautiful woman to have ever lived.”

“Do you think that this is why I behaved as I did?”

“Are you trying to say my daughter is going to be emotionally unstable and….” Adam recalled it wasn’t only Storm’s emotions that were affected. “She’s not leaving this house until she’s twenty years old, no thirty.”

“Adam it’s just that they say girls are more emotional then boys.”

“I have never noticed you to be overly emotional except for these past six months or so. I mean the excessive anger and tears were the only difference, so if she’s anything like her mother has been…..She’s not leaving this house until she’s fifty.”

“The child’s not even an hour old and you’re talking about her being fifty.”

“Well pa if I explained it to you you’d agree with me. Now why don’t you come and see just how pretty a female Cartwright is.”

Adam got into the bed next to Storm so everyone could have a place to stand around the bed. They all agreed she was the prettiest baby they had ever seen and yet Storm noticed that it appeared as if they were all afraid to touch her.

“Papa would you like to hold her?”

“I…um…I…maybe later Storm.”

“Mama?”

“Maybe a little later.”

“Little Joe, Hoss?”

“Tomorrow Storm.”

“Yeah maybe tomorrow.”

“Adam?”

“I’ve got CJ.”

“You all act like she’ll break. Ben you’ll hold her won’t you?”

“Well….Storm I never held a newborn baby girl before.”

“I know you’ll have to hold this one Ben. Once I tell you her name, you’ll have no choice.”

“Come to think of it Storm, there wasn’t one name on that list you gave me for a girl.”

“No Adam, there wasn’t. That’s because I get to name the girls, you get to name the boys.”

“I get to name the boys? You mean I get to pick a name from the list you gave me!”

“I told you that you could add any that you wanted!”

Ben knew it was just anger born of tiredness and worry that they had been feeling all day but it brought a smile to his lips. “Did we just go back to when you first arrived Storm!”

“No.”

“Alright, now Storm you were about to tell us the baby’s name.”

“Yes I was. It’s Elizabeth Hope, unless Adam disapproves.”

Ben sat down on the bed. “He won’t disapprove, now give me my granddaughter.”

 

EPILOGUE

That night Ben held the first of the two granddaughters Adam and Storm would give him. Before he held the second granddaughter, Lenora Dawn, he held the second grandson they gave him, Benjamin Nathaniel. A few years after Benjamin was born he held the last child Adam and Storm would have, Adam Milton Jr., although they never stopped trying for more.

The rope did pass from Hoss to Joseph. Once Joseph had finished with it he returned it to Adam, who hung it in a very special place in their house. A place where everyone could see it. When they’re children were old enough to ask and understand they were all told of the importance the rope hanging over the fireplace had played in making sure they would all be born.

Next Story in the Storm series:

Foolish Questions
Ante Up
Love Lost, Destiny Found