Chapter Two
When Shiloh laid her napkin on the table, Adam covered her hand with his. “You know, if you’re going to sing, everyone would have found out anyway. Virginia City would be the logical place to start…for Maguire’s opening.”
Hop Sing came in to clear the dinner plates before dessert. When he leaned in to take Shiloh’s plate, she said, “Thank you, Hop Sing. The roast was delicious.” He smiled and bowed, backing into the kitchen. “Mr. Cartwright, I hope you know how lucky you are to have Hop Sing.”
“I certainly do,” Ben replied, smiling, then taking a sip of coffee. “Shiloh, Adam’s right. You should speak with Tom. He’d be delighted if you’d perform for his opening.”
She smiled dubiously, sticking her chin out. “Are you and Adam campaigning?”
Ben raised his eyebrows, speaking wryly, “I see no reason for you not to. With Hank at the ranch, you can afford to spend the time away. And you do enjoy it. Why not?”
Sitting back and puckering, she thought for a moment before she spoke. “I have no idea what I’m going to do. Except for this evening…Hank doesn’t know I didn’t leave. I need to get back to the ranch and tell him.”
Adam set his coffee cup down. “I’ll take you home after dessert. Hop Sing made an apple pie.”
On the way home, Adam broached the subject of singing again, only this time he was much more direct. “Why don’t I take you into town tomorrow to see Tom? You’ll get to see the new opera house.”
She breathed deeply before she spoke. “First, I have no reason to speak to Tom yet. And second, I don’t think I want to go into town just yet; at least not until the sudden news settles down. And there’s a third; I have some work to do at home.”
“What work do you have that can’t wait?”
“The ledger hasn’t been updated with the numbers from the cattle drive, and I have several horses that I need to sell. I was hoping to start looking for a piano, but I spent all my extra money on my new property.” She frowned and dropped her eyes. “It will be a while before I can afford another one.”
“All the more reason for you to talk to Tom. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you used one of his pianos. In fact, I think he’d be delighted.”
“I’ll make you a deal. If you promise to stop pushing, I’ll think about it for the next few days. I have to unpack, and I have ranch work to do this week. In fact, I have a gentleman who’s interested in purchasing a horse or two. I was going to send him a telegram and ask that he speak to you because he said he knows you, but now that I’m staying, I can speak to him.”
“Who is he?”
“His name’s Jim Fischer. He said he went to college with you.”
Smiling, Adam said, “It’s been a while since I’ve heard from Jim. It would be nice to see him. How did you find him?”
“I didn’t find him, he found me. I don’t think he realized I knew you. He just mentioned you when I told him I was near Virginia City. Anyway, when you have some time, maybe you could come get familiar with the horses I have available for him.” She dropped her eyes again. “I need to sell some horses.”
When they arrived at the Flying W ranch house, Adam pulled Shiloh’s bags from the back of the buggy to take up to her room. “I’ll be right in, Adam. I want to find Hank.” When she came in the house, she found Adam half sitting on the desk, looking through a ledger. She stopped and crossed her arms, glaring at him.
“Don’t look at me that way, young lady,” warned Adam as he glanced at her from under his brow. “I’m still the ranch trustee. And you said you need to sell some horses. But, looking at this ledger, I don’t see anything that’s pressing you to bring in more money.”
She walked to him and gently took the ledger from him. “You stopped looking at my ledgers, remember? And there’s no reason for you to look now. Financially, we’re fine. I just don’t have a lot extra, and that’s not really the reason I need to sell some horses. I expect twelve new foals in the spring, and I’ll have at least ten three-year-olds to start, and that doesn’t even count the four and five-year-olds that haven’t been started. I also want to breed Max. He’s middle aged now, and I need to think about increasing my heritage stock. I have five stallions, including Max and eight mares. I should have ten of each if I want to grow.”
“So why do you need to sell some horses?”
“I don’t have the pasture space close to the house. And it’s too late this year to start clearing another one. I’ll have to wait until spring or whatever I clear will become a huge mud puddle.”
Hank rushed through the door with Johnny, one of the hands. “Miss Shiloh, I’m afraid we’ve got trouble.”
“What is it, Hank?”
“Adam,” he said, tipping his hat, then turned back to Shiloh. “We have ten steers down in the south pasture. Looks like they were shot.”
“Shot? Were they butchered?”
“No, Ma’am. They were shot and left.”
Walking toward the stairs, she spoke loudly over her shoulder. “I need to change. I’ll be down in a few minutes. Get Spirit saddled. And saddle another horse for Adam.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” said Hank, heading for the door.
As Shiloh ascended the stairs, she spoke loudly so that Adam could hear her, “Adam, will you wait and go with us?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
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