Chapter Nine
“What time is it?”
Adam didn’t bother looking at his watch. “It’s five minutes past the last time you asked me what time it was.” He pulled the chair he was unloading the rest of the way out of the wagon, set it down and walked to the spit where she was basting a side of beef. “Why are you so nervous?”
“I’m not nervous. I just want this day over with.”
He leaned over to look into her eyes. “Why? Don’t you like my company?”
She looked away, fighting back tears. “I know what you’re trying to do, Adam. And it’s not that I don’t appreciate it. But, painting this…” she smelled the jar she had been dipping the brush in… “whatever this is on a skinned, dismembered cow isn’t very…comforting. Nor does it occupy my mind.”
He took the brush out of her hand. “Maybe you’re right. Why don’t you see if Hop Sing needs help in the kitchen?”
“I don’t know what you expect me to do in there. I don’t know how to…” She stopped and stiffened, not sure that she wanted him to know that… “convince…Hop Sing to let me help.”
“Then maybe you can bring a couple of platters and some carving knives out, then bring plates, coffee cups, glasses and silverware…and whatever else Hop Sing has ready to come out. It won’t be long before people start arriving.” She turned and disappeared into the house.
Hank set the last chair out behind Adam. “Adam, I didn’t think about it, but maybe basting that side of beef after…well, after seeing Max in the barn, wasn’t such a good idea.”
“I don’t think that’s it, Hank.”
“What else could it be?”
Adam breathed deeply. “I think it’s facing the good people of Virginia City for the first time since she’s been back from San Francisco. I’m sure part of it is Max, and I’m just as sure part of it is Sam. She’s dealing with a lot of things right now.”
“Maybe we should have called this off.”
“I think if we had done that, she would have regretted it later on. And this way the people of Virginia City will see her as charitable instead of just a celebrity.”
“A what?”
Adam snorted. “A famous person.”
They both looked up at the sound of horses as Ben, Joe and Hoss rode into the yard. Dismounting, Ben handed his reins to Hoss. “You two get the horses settled in the barn and make sure we have plenty of room for horses and buggies. Adam,” he said, walking toward the spit. There’s a crowd headed this way…we’ve got maybe fifteen minutes. How’re you doing with the beef?”
“I think it’s about ready to carve. I sent Shiloh in to start bringing dishes and silverware out.
“Adam,” said Ben, motioning for Adam to join him away from the spit, handing him a handbill. “Maguire has these posted all over town. Is this true?”
Adam looked at the handbill and smiled. “It’s true.”
“Well no wonder the crowd heading this way is so large.”
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