“Are you looking forward to this?” asked Adam as he and Shiloh rode side by side down the trail.
“More than you know. I’m not sure I should admit this, but I’m just more comfortable when I’m outside without all the propriety. If I tell you something will you promise not to take it the wrong way?”
He gazed at her with a content smile. “What?”
“Sometimes I wish you had never sent me to college.” Adam twisted his mouth and looked forward. “Please don’t take it like that, Adam. I appreciate the things I learned there, but it seems the bigger part of those things has caused me more grief that it’s been worth.”
“What part are you talking about?”
“Isabella. It was Isabella who Will was taken with. I don’t think he would have even noticed me if it hadn’t been for Isabella. And I’ve been thinking, with everything you already handle and the partnership…maybe I shouldn’t pursue singing. It could take us away from the ranch a good bit. I just don’t know if there will be time.”
Cocking his head, he let his mouth fall open, looking a bit upset. “Before you make any decisions about your music and singing, I want you to give us a chance to get our lives organized. It might not be as bad as you think.”
“Might? You don’t sound as confident as you did in Santa Cruz.”
“Shiloh, having a lot to organize is nothing unusual for either one of us. It just sounds bigger because there are two of us now, and we have to fit into each other’s lives.” He reached out and took the hand lying on her thigh. “You are supposed to forget all about horses and ranching and singing….and dairies while we’re out here. So I want you to concentrate on how we’re going to catch fish, how we’re going to carry back your shell collection, and how many whales you think you might see.”
“Alright, let’s talk about catching fish. What are we going to use for bait?”
“Sand crabs.”
“Oh. What’s a sand crab?”
“It’s very small crab that you dig out of the sand where the waves wash up on the shore.”
“And what do we catch them in?”
“Our hands.”
Shiloh jerked her head toward him. “Do they bite?”
Adam laughed. “You’re not afraid of a little sand crab are you?”
“I am if they have pinchers.”
Still laughing, he said, “They don’t have pinchers. The most they’ll do is tickle your hand.”
They rode in silence for a few minutes until Shiloh looked at him apprehensively and asked, “Do you know how to cook fish?”
“I’ll tell you what. I’ll teach you to clean the fish and cook it over the fire. I’ll even teach you how to clean a rabbit and cook it over the fire.”
“Have you ever camped on a beach?”
“Nope. This will be a first.” He watched her face change from an amused look to a wide grin accompanied by a giggle and grinned back. “This is going to be the best part of our honeymoon. I can see it in your eyes.”
They cut off the main trail and made their way down a narrow path through the cliffs, coming out on a wide expanse of white sand. “It should be just around that next cliff,” Adam said, pointing to a distant rock face. “We’ll have to go through a little water, but Moses said these horses are used to being ridden on the beach.”
The sand at the foot of the cliff was already covered by the waves, and the horses went right through. On the other side was a smaller beach cut off on the far side by large rocks that went out at least a hundred feet into the ocean. Adam turned back and looked at the way they had come in. “Tides coming in. In a few minutes that way will be impassable. This must be the place.”
Riding on around to the side of the cliff, they spotted the creek, and further in, they found the windbreak. There were trees beyond the windbreak where the creek flowed out of a cypress forest.
“Adam, it’s beautiful here. Look how deep the creek is when it comes out on the sand.”
Adam had dismounted and stood next to her horse, and rather than stepping down, she slid down into his waiting hands. “Mrs. Cartwright,” he said motioning to the windbreak, “your home for the next five nights.”
“Mrs. Cartwright. I wonder if I’ll ever get used to that.”
Adam snorted. “You’d better.”
She laughed, shaking her head, and walked into a large square with sides about four feet high created by the trunks of fallen trees and limbs. Around the trailing end of the bank that rose up into the cliff, she could see a clearing where meadow grass was growing…a small box canyon perfect for the horses.
She turned back to Adam with delight in her eyes. “It’ll be like being stranded on a deserted tropical island. You know…like Robinson Crusoe.”
As he brought the horses closer to the windbreak, he looked at her with a smile that made her stomach flutter and said, “And the best part is that it’s just the two of us. No cannibals and no mutineers. We should have come here from the start.”
Shiloh took the saddle bags and laid them on the sand inside the windbreak while Adam unsaddled the horses. He exchanged their bridles for halters, and walked them into the canyon. “There’s water back there, too.”
“Look. There’s a fire pit here that the sand has blown over,” said Shiloh as she brushed sand away from a ring of large rocks.
Sitting down on one of the logs of the windbreak, Adam pulled off his boots and socks, then untucked his shirt and unbuttoned it down to his belt. He began pulling everything out of the saddlebags and gunnysack they would need for cooking and fishing, and by the time Shiloh had cleared the sand out of the fire pit, Adam had set up side and crossbars over it and placed the pot, pan, and coffee pot on the flat rocks around the pit. He had also tied fishing line to two of the poles he found stacked with the windbreak and tied hooks on the ends.
“Now, dear lady, if you would kindly remove your boots and socks, we can take a stroll along the beach.”
When Shiloh had done as he requested, he took her hand and led her out from behind the windbreak, then wrapped an arm around her. The two walked out to survey their private slice of heaven.
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