Mr. Shelby saw Adam and Shiloh coming and rushed to the door to meet them. “Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright, welcome back. May I take your coat and cape?” They each handed their wraps to Mr. Shelby who held them away from him as they dripped, looking back at the couple. He ventured a smell. “Salt water?” Opening his mouth to ask, he thought better. “Perhaps I can send these to the laundry for you. They’ll start smelling like fish in a little while.”
“Thank you, Mr. Shelby. That would be fine,” said Adam.
Shiloh looked back behind them as they walked across the lobby, their boots making squishing noises as they walked. “We’re leaving a trail,” she said, shivering.
In the lift, it was quiet enough for Adam to hear her teeth chattering. Putting his arm around her, he said, “More hot tea for you…and a warm bath.”
When they arrived at their room, they both went straight to the bedroom to remove their wet clothes. It was like peeling fruit; they were soaked to the skin. Having fewer layers to peel, Adam drew a hot bath, while Shiloh continued to undress, and when she came into the washroom naked, he held her hand as she stepped into the tub and sank down into the hot water. “How does that feel?”
She slowly moved her shoulders back and forth, wearing a relieved smile. “What about you? Aren’t you cold? And your hair…it will smell like fish.”
He chuckled. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. I’m going to order that hot tea first and see if there were any messages while we were out.” He bent low next to the tub and gave her a quick kiss before he left her.
There was a message waiting on the desk for him from Robert. Adam, we have some trouble. Mr. Stewart has filed a formal complaint against you with the mayor’s office. I don’t know on what grounds, considering you did nothing in the hotel lobby. Send a telegram to Mr. Booth asking for his information concerning Will Stewart and Shiloh, and have him send the response to me at the mayor’s office. Then leave and enjoy the rest of your time here. Mr. Childers and I will take care of this. As I said before, the city wants your courthouse. There’s nothing to worry about. Robert.
Adam wrote a quick note to Robert, then wrote the telegram for Edwin, placing it in an envelope with enough money to cover the fee. He walked to the suite door and pressed the call button, and before he had walked back to the office, there was a knock at the door.
“You called, Sir?”
“That was fast. Please deliver this note to Robert Slater at Slater and Slater Architecture and Engineering, and send this telegram. It’s urgent.”
“I’ll take care of this at once, Sir.”
“Thank you,” said Adam, closing the door and walking back to the office. Taking the newspaper out of the desk drawer where he had hidden it from Shiloh, he unfolded it and searched the front page. The front page headline read COLD WEATHER AHEAD FOR NEW CITY COURTHOUSE. Adam read the article.
San Francisco is apparently in store for one of the coldest years on record if what a source has informed this reporter is true. It appears that the city’s new attorney, William Stewart, the former Massachusetts State Senator, has an age old rivalry with the chief architect of the new city courthouse, Adam Cartwright of the Ponderosa Ranch in Nevada Territory. The rivalry…a woman. The source says that Mrs. Cartwright, also known as Shiloh Whitney of the Flying W Ranch in Nevada Territory; the same Flying W Ranch that produces fine riding animals, had been acquainted with then Senator Stewart while at college back East. From what we have been able to determine, Miss Whitney, at that time, had been the senator’s fiancé. And here it becomes even more interesting. Miss Shiloh Whitney, from the Nevada Territory, is none other than the newest singing sensation to arrive on the West coast, Miss Isabella Whitney.
The latest news on this triangle is that Mr. Stewart has filed a formal complaint against Mr. Cartwright with Mayor Teschemacher’s office. Details are not yet known, but will be reported as soon as they are made public.
Adam folded the newspaper and slipped it back into the desk drawer, then leaned back in the desk chair, hands clasped in his lap, lips pursed. He had an almost overpowering urge to go to the mayor’s office himself, but knew that doing so would only upset Shiloh. He had promised a peaceful end to her honeymoon, and rising from his chair to answer another knock at the door, he was bound and determined to keep that promise.
He entered the wash room bearing hot tea, delighted with the smile that she bestowed upon him.
***
Daniel Slater sat in the parlor of his home, nursing a glass of whiskey. The newspaper lay open on his crossed knee as he stared out the window, watching huge drops of rain splatter and form into teardrop shaped puddles that slowly oozed down the window pane like slugs. What started as a quiet chuckle ended as a malevolent laugh. Perhaps Adam Cartwright’s wife will be his undoing without any help from me. He was perfectly happy to sit and wait it out.
***
“Pa, you better read this,” said Hoss, rushing in the front door, holding a copy of the Alta California. “I know Adam said everything was fine in his telegram, but it sure don’t sound like it.”
Ben propped his pipe on the stand next to his chair and righted the newspaper so he could read the front page article. He grunted, laid the paper on his lap and reached for his pipe, looking off into the room. “Adam didn’t say that Will Stewart was in San Francisco in his telegram. Sounds like he’s got his hands full.”
“Well, Pa, shouldn’t we do something?”
Ben turned to Hoss with his brow furrowed. “What would you have us do? We have no idea what’s going on. There’s really nothing we can do until he decides to tell us.” Adjusting in his chair, he bit down on the mouthpiece of the pipe. “That young man has a lot of talking to do when he gets home.”
You know, some people thought this one is the worst of them all…kind of a fantasy that never would have happened. I don’t know about that. All these places really did exist back then. The Lick House was real and accurately described, the Cliff House and the beach, too. And Santa Cruz in the mid-1800s was the way I described it. The Meders were real, and so was their dairy. In fact a couple of those buildings are still there. Thomas Maquire and his opera house in San Francisco and VC were real. Even the San Francisco mayors I have in the stories were all real. This one’s a story back, but Eliza Biscaciante was real and her story was real. She eventually regained her popularity in South America (from Adam’s encouragement, of course!), but she was singing in Gentlemen’s Clubs in San Francisco for drinks at one point. I love working history into my stories.
I suppose my favorite part of all of this was their time on the beach. I’ve been to that very beach, but it’s not a little hideaway any longer…it’s got quite a surfing crowd these days. But the description of the creek coming off the bluff down through the woods is true as well as the small pool of water on the beach. And you can get stuck on that beach at high tide. The cliffs are so high, you can’t climb out. You either have to swim around the points or you have to wait for the tide to go back out. A lot did happen in this one, but as I said, I think this one is my favorite of them all.
Thanks so much, Marie. I think you have just a little ways to go to the end of this one.
I was in a lot of pain last weekend so I didn’t get to finish it. I’ve been busy all week so I’m looking forward to figuring out where I left off. I love this story. I’m loving the entire series! I love long long stories and a series to boot? What more could I ask for! Okay, off to figure out where I left off before I hurt my back last weekend. 🙂
~ A great way to start a new beginning! I look forward to reading each chapter and commenting about them as I read them. 🙂 I just love this couple!
~ Poor Shiloh, she doesn’t do well on those stage coaches. I don’t think I would have either! I just can’t imagine having to travel via a stage coach to get anywhere. I’m glad they arrived at Sacramento safe and sound…Who is this mysterious man?
~ What an opulent hotel, Adam. Presidential Suite? Very impressive indeed! Who was the gent inquiring about them that didn’t want to identify himself? Hmmmm
~ Adam was very adamant about not letting Shiloh sing even if it was for just one night. I can’t blame him though, they’re on their honeymoon! Somehow I don’t think Shiloh will be in that beautiful nightgown and robe too long after breakfast is over. 😉
~ Oh snap! That witch, Natalie Peterson and Will! I just knew he was the “mystery man”. Those two…ooooooh, this is going to get GOOD! LOL
~ Who is this mysterious thug? No doubt a hinchman for Will. I was hoping Adam would get him and show him a thing or two. I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of him, Will, or that nasty Natalie.
~ I sure would have loved to been at dinner! The food sounded divine. Is Adam and Shiloh moving to SFO? I must keep reading! 🙂
~ I don’t like this Daniel guy. Not respecting the institution of marriage. I think he has a thing for Shiloh. He’s trouble indeed!
~ What is that no good Daniel up to? It seems the whole world is after poor Shiloh. First it’s Will, Natalie and the mystery man, now Daniel. Somehow I think their honeymoon is going to be a firestorm!
~ It’s almost like she saw a ghost! Who…or what did she see? The plot thickens. 😮
~ Shiloh is so good to go along with Adam, even though these types of events are what she despises the most. She’s such a trooper. The mayor’s wife was so excited to see they had a celebrity in the house, however, she was quite rude to drag her around like a rag doll. Poor Shiloh. Oh boy, the well just got deep! Will is going to make it tough for Adam and his new firm. I know Adam will work it out. Don’t mess with a Cartwright, buddy! That darn Peterson woman…I can just see her body language now; like she’s got the upper hand and she’s going to make Shiloh’s life a living hell. rrrrr
~ Well, the mayor’s reception went well….Cartwrights 1, Will and Natalie, 0. ROTFL
~ What a powerful chapter. How stupid is Will? I mean to come to the hotel where Adam and Shiloh are staying and make such a scene. Did he think it would end well for him? Now the hotel has his face and he will be escorted out if he tries to step in again. I can’t wait to see what Natalie has up here sleeve. I almost feel sorry for her, though…Natalie, that is…She’s just a pawn in this scheme. I’m not sure if she wants Will or if she wants Adam, but she’s a sad lost soul; I pity her.
~ How cute was this chapter. I loved the “escort” Shiloh had for the banquet hall and the “password”. Pretty clever of shiloh to come up with something only Adam would know. I loved their banter at the breakfast table. Too cute!
~ How sweet are Mary and Harold? The seawall thing was so fun! I don’t think I would want to do it in the dead of winter but it might be something fun to share with your beloved in the summer! I loved this chapter!
~ The Alta California is nothing but a sleazy rag paper. On the front page no doubt. I wonder how much money Will paid them to run that article. He’s such a sleaze bag. I sure hope Shiloh does not find out about this; she’ll be heartbroken thinking she’s caused all of this drama for Adam. What she doesn’t know is if you mess with the Cartwrights, you’re messing with a mighty empire nobody can defend against.
~ What a lighthearted chapter. It was so good to see Shiloh smile and be childlike again. I was so sorry Adam couldn’t fully enjoy it with her. 🙁 I hope she is able to get him to feel the inner child he never got to experience. I was just glad they were finally free of all the drama which had encapsulated them in SFO. I just wonder if there is not drama around the bend….
~ Will is a scoundrel! Thank goodness the mayor sees through his stupidness and told him to keep his personal life out of his professional one. I have a sneaking suspicion good ole Will is going to amp it up a notch to try and discredit Adam with not only SFO but with Shiloh, too! Spec, Spec, Spec…She’s a character! I love that girl! ROTFL
~ Sounds like they’re finally going to be able to have the honeymoon they were expecting. The little town they are going to visit sounds delightful. The thought of Shiloh getting kidnapped by Will…makes me shiver.
~ Okay, I don’t know if I was stone cold drunk would I try a fried grasshopper. LOL but wow, that was too funny! The food sounded fantastic, however, I don’t do any seafood or fish, but I do love empanadas! Loved seeing them having such a great time in Spanishtown, even if the jerk who’s following them showed up.
~ What is Daniel up to and what does he want with Will? Those two along with Natalie; a deadly combo. 🙁 Shiloh seeing Micah? What?? Oh poor thing. She wants so much for her brother to be alive. :'(
~ I feel so bad for them, they can’t seem to catch a break on the drama left behind at SFO. Hopefully their time in Santa Cruz will be more enjoyable. The clipper ship sounded lovely.
~ Shiloh’s so cute. She’s a feisty thing and Adam has her hands full. I can understand her frustration with Adam not being forthright about the accusations Will thrusted upon him trying to get the Mayor to take away the contract for the courthouse, but at the same time I see Adam’s point, why burden her with the nonsense when he knew there was no merit to it and the mayor dismissed Will’s claim? She has so much already on her plate and what purpose would it serve her for him to tell her about Will’s ridiculous attempts to try and hurt him and the new company he is with.
~ What a great chapter. It seems maybe they should have gone to Santa Cruz for their honeymoon instead and just let everyone think they were going to San Francisco. LOL Loved how she got a bit tipsy again. Very cute! “Liar,” she said. ROTFL Loved it!
~Somehow I don’t think Shiloh’s to keen on learning the ropes of a dairy farm. LOL She did seem to enjoy the trip to the Meder farm though. 🙂
~ Interesting on how they made cheese and butter back then. I don’t think I like the whole rennent thing though. 🙁 Thank goodness I wasn’t born back in the 19th century or on a farm. I’m too much of a city girl! LOL
~ Why do I feel something is going to happen while they’re camping? Sounds blissful though…If you like camping and fishing. Seems it’s right up Shiloh’s alley!
~ I think Adam may have trouble getting Shiloh to leave their little private slice of heaven. I loved this chapter. I’m glad everything is going so well…for now. 😉
~ Shame on you, Adam Cartwright, for making Shiloh…no forcing her to face her fear of the water the way you did. He needs to realize you have to slowly let someone adjust to a fear. Help them in a safe environment. He’s lucky it didn’t backfire on him and her fear become worse when she was knocked about by the wave that took her under. I’m a good swimmer and that’s happened to me on more than one occasion and it’s scary as heck! Oh, Adam, I’m not happy with you. 🙁 Thank goodness Shiloh is strong and is willing to try it again.
~ My heart stopped when Adam called for Shiloh and she didn’t answer. I thought I can only imagine the fear that set in to him as he called her and no answer came. I can breathe again.
~ Ick…I don’t know if I would want to wake up to raccoons, skunks, and rabbits in my camp. LOL
~ Awe, I wonder if she is pregnant. She’ll make a great mom. She just doesn’t know it yet. 🙂
~ I never thought Ben would be such a “traditionalist” not wanting to move The Ponderosa forward. I can see how that would frustrate Adam. He’ll have to use his ingenuity at the Flying W.
~ I hope she’s not going to have issues having children. They’ll both make great parents. I kind of hope she is with child. 🙂
~ This poor couple haven’t had much of a honeymoon when they’ve been in the city. I guess that’s why Shiloh enjoyed the beach and Santa Cruz so much. Nobody knew them and most of all, they were away from Will!
~ Wow! What a great ending! Such a great opportunity for both Adam, Shiloh, and both ranches to be involved with the railroad. I know it was hard for Shiloh to have Adam sign the contracts instead of her now that she was married to him. I’m glad those times have changed! While I still am somewhat of a traditionalist at heart, I believe a woman can stand firmly on her own and share equally in a marriage partnership. It seems Shiloh and I think a lot alike. 🙂
Looking forward to the next story in the series!
Thanks for such a sweet tender story. I hope we get to see Will and his sidekick again. I love seeing them make fools of themselves. LOL