Chapter Ten
When the crowd started to arrive, Shiloh disappeared into the house. The Cartwrights were all outside greeting their guests who were all wondering where Shiloh was.
“Shiloh?” yelled Adam, rushing through the front door. He walked to the stairs and shouted up, “Shiloh!”
“I’m over here,” she answered quietly from behind Ben’s desk. She had changed into a lovely, frilly lavender dress and had tied her hair into a pony tail with a matching lavender ribbon, allowing her curls to cascade down her back.
Adam turned and smiled. “You look very pretty. Your guests are asking for you.”
She snorted. “My guests? You know, I really wish we had postponed this. I’m not in a party mood.”
Adam walked to her and draped her hand over his arm, heading for the front door. “And what would you have done with all that beef?”
“Given it away.”
He stopped and faced her. “Spit it out.”
“I don’t want to talk about Sam, I don’t want to talk about Max or the barn, I don’t want to talk about singing, and I don’t want to face all those people who pulled their children away from me when I walked down the boardwalk after I left school because they thought I was a troublemaker; the same people who came today just because of Isabella. I just…want to be left alone.”
“Then maybe a party is just what you need to bring your head back above water,” said Adam as he redraped her hand over his arm and led her to the door. “Chin up,” he ordered, but she continued to look forlorn. He took a deep breath. “Just think of it as a performance then.”
“I’m not an actress.”
“Not true. I’ve seen you act. Now, let’s go.” He opened the door and grinned at the smile that suddenly appeared on her face. By the time he had walked her to the edge of the porch, a crowd of people approached her, taking her hand, thanking her for the picnic, and offering concern and support at the burning of her barn. Adam stayed within earshot as she mingled, listening to the questions, not only about the fire and the cattle, but also about singing at Maguire’s. He watched her glide across the yard, smile graciously, laugh delicately and talk with just the right amount of sadness or just the right amount of excitement depending on what she was being asked. In essence, she was performing.
By the end of the day, seven of the ten steers had either been eaten or packaged up and sent with the families from the church. Tom Maguire was one of the last to leave after having a lengthy and seemingly private conversation with Shiloh across the yard. When Adam joined them, Tom was just saying his goodbyes. “Adam, as usual, the hospitality of the Ponderosa has been outstanding,” he said, shaking Adam’s hand.
“We’re glad you enjoyed it.”
“I suppose I’ll be seeing you in town for the next few weeks,” said Tom, winking at Shiloh and turning toward his horse. She smiled and nodded.
Adam turned to her. “What did he mean by that?”
Still smiling, she said, “I should help Hop Sing get this cleaned up,” then patted his hand and walked away, leaving him looking puzzled as he watched her go.
Oh, I love this story! I cried my eyes out for Max. I love Annie and Hoss. The wedding was beautiful. Cat Fight!!! Perfect. My second read and I think I like it better this time. You also hit on a struggle that has been going on forever. Women’s rights. Things have changed in 150 years but things still aren’t equal.
You know, Max’s death was by far, the hardest part of these stories to write – perhaps because I’ve had to say goodbye to some of my own horses, and could not imagine having to live through what Shiloh did with Max. I glad you like this one. And you will see more about women’s rights in the future. After all, those women in Boston think they have some kind of hold on Isabella. Thanks again, Neano!
What can I say? You went through all the highlights. I’m just so glad you liked all those things that got written. I had never intended for this story to be so long, but as I write, things just keep coming up. I have to wonder if they’ll ever grow have kids…grow old…finally just be comfortable with the people they are.
Thank you so much, Marie.
I bet it’s that fired Hand, Sam King. That sneaky b@st@rd. He shot those animals! I hope he gets caught. He’s just a cruel person.
I’m so glad to know Shiloh is going to sing in Virginia City. Her ideas were perfect! Tom will want to generate buzz and excitement prior to the opening of the new season and having a pre-season kick-off will do just that! I love it!
OMG! First the cattle, now the horses! I know it’s that heartless animal, Sam King! Max! How could he do this to those poor defenseless animals! Adam and Hank did what was right by Max, he would have suffered greatly otherwise. My heart stopped when I realized the orange glow was the barn where the horses were. I hope they catch that b@st@rd! Nothing will do Shiloh more than to see his sorry butt hang for the misery he has caused her. 🙁
Adam is such a great guy. I wished Shiloh knew Adam is only wanting to help because he loves and cares about her, not because he doesn’t feel she can take care of the ranch herself, quite the contrary. She’s as bull headed as Adam. No wonder they are attracted to each other. LOL
I wonder what is on Shiloh’s mind? Could it be she’s falling in love with Adam? Hmmmmmm 🙂
Keeping herself busy with the music preparations will help keep her mind off everything that’s happened. I just hope she’s safe in town.
Thank goodness Adam got Tommy to confess. Now, to catch the other animal, Sam King. Oh, when Adam and he come face to face….and the plot thickens. 😀
Sam got what he deserved, but at the expense of Shiloh having to find out personally what it took to take a man’s life. 🙁
I cried when she lost the mare and her colt. :'( I just cried. How much more loss did Shiloh have to endure? Very well written. I cried.
The catfight…OMG! So funny! I could see it all in my head. I laughed so hard and that woman deserved it! She deserved to be ran out on a rail the way she was.
The wedding was beautiful! I loved the note Adam placed on the try for Shiloh, again, I cried like a baby. So beautiful.
I was so excited for Annie finally getting into medical school! How sweet she and Hoss became a couple. I would love to see her come back and she marry Hoss. How wonderful it would be to see Shiloh’s best friend become her sister-in-law.
How funny was Joe’s kiss to Shiloh. I loved Adam’s response. So Adam, so Joe. Loved it!
The ending was just perfect. It didn’t matter how they got from there to here, they were here. What a great way to end the story. I’m so excited to see what the next story involves.
Loved this story! Loving the series!
Gosh, you’re bringing back memories. Seems I started writing this story so long ago. I have a very rough outline, but most of things that happen, only happen at the moment they get written. Sometimes I surprise myself with what I read back. The barn fire and the horses were one of those things, and I could draw on my own love of my own horses, and how I would feel if faced with a barn fire while my horses were inside. They generally have the run of the place in good weather, but in winter, they are in the barn at night. As far as Shiloh goes, Will Stewart was a mistake. She had thought she would never get married, so thinking about Adam romantically has to be frightening for her, especially with his strong sense of taking care of those he loves. He’s a take charge kind of guy. She’s a take charge kind of girl. So either they’ll bash heads or they’ll find a way to work together or it will be long path to get to where they co-exist peacefully.
I added my final comments to the story above your reply. I really enjoyed the story immensely! I look forward to reading the other parts but I’ll save those as a treat for later when I’m done cleaning the house and doing laundry. I stayed up very late the past few nights trying to finish the first and second stories, but had to call it a night each time and finish the next day. I see my breaks and lunch is going to be busy reading because once I start a new story, I can’t put it down! LOL