Chapter Thirteen
When Adam dropped Shiloh off at Maguire’s Opera House, the only person there was Tom Maguire. It was still early, and the musicians hadn’t been given a schedule yet, so they took advantage of the late start. Tom asked Adam to help with Shiloh’s trunk while she took her portfolio of music to the main hall, laying sheet music on each chair in the pit. She met them back at Tom’s office.
“Shiloh, I have the information for the piano you were interested in,” said Tom. “If you like, I can go ahead and arrange to have it shipped.”
“Thank you, Tom, but the piano will have to wait,” she answered as she turned, and jumped, surprised that Adam had been standing behind her.
Adam raised an eyebrow, scratching the back of his neck. “Tom, as long as Shiloh is staying in town, she’ll need an escort. The barn burning wasn’t an accident.”
“You don’t mean someone is out to hurt her, do you?”
“So far, it’s just been property. But I don’t want to take the chance that he’ll take it further.”
“So, you know who it is?”
“Can’t prove it,” answered Adam as he took Shiloh’s hand and headed out of Tom’s office.
“Consider it done,” said Tom, walking after them to the door.
“I need to get going. Joe and Hoss are going to think I’ve abandoned the ranch.”
“Thank you for bringing me, Adam. But please, don’t worry. I doubt Tommy or Sam would try anything here in town.”
“Still, I don’t want you working here alone. And make sure your hotel room is locked.”
“Adam, this is where I live. I’m not going to be made a prisoner.”
“Are we going to argue about this?”
“I’m not arguing.” Adam lowered his head and looked up at her from under his brow. She rolled her eyes. “I have an escort, thank you.”
“I’ll see you in a few days,” he said, raising her hand to his lips and lingering there.
She watched Adam drive away in the buggy, then turned back toward Tom’s office to discuss a rehearsal schedule. “Monsieur Rousset will arrive on the noon stage today,” said Tom. “I’ve arranged for rooms at the International for you and him and the section leaders, and the rest of the musicians are staying at the Tahoe House. The musicians will be here this afternoon to pick up their music.”
Shiloh busied herself in the opera hall creating a program for the performance while she waited for Tom to come get her to meet Monsieur Rousset at the stage office.
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