“It’s cold,” said Shiloh, running back away from the wash of a wave.
Standing in the water with his trouser legs rolled up, Adam made a humored frown. “You’ll get used to it. Come back here.” He trotted out of the water toward her, and stopped when she backed away, then raised his head and smiled playfully, walking toward her. She turned and walked away, smiling back at him over her shoulder, and soon they had both broken out in a run across the beach. When he caught her, both laughed. Adam paused and gazed at her. Her eyes twinkled, her hair glistened, and her skin glowed in the sun. Putting an arm around her waist, he her up on his side.
“Adam, no please,” she squealed.
“We are not going to be here for a week without going into the ocean. I’ve never been in, you’ve never been in, and we’re going to remedy that.”
Walking into the water, he brought her around in front of him and set her down in the wash. Her mouth and eyes opened wide as her feet touched the cold water, and she jumped up, wrapping her arms around his neck, and pulling her feet up. “No, I don’t want to,” she whined.
“If you don’t put your feet down, I’ll carry you out into the water.”
Leaning back, she looked at him with big, round eyes. “You wouldn’t do that…” She raised her eyebrows. “Would you?” He raised his chin and an eyebrow…something she had come to recognize as a sign that he was about to assert his masculine dominance, and rather than being tossed into the waves, she let herself slide down slowly, touching the water with her toes first. She grimaced, and he smiled at her compliance when she was standing flat on her feet in the water.
“There, you see? It’s not that bad once you get used to it.”
Pouting, she said quietly, “It’s cold.”
He picked her up and began walking into the waves. “Adam, no. I don’t want to get my riding skirt wet. It’s the only one I brought. And what about your trousers?”
He stopped and thought, then turned around and carried her back to the windbreak. “Remove them.”
Shiloh stuttered, “B…but, Adam. I didn’t bring anything to wear in the water.”
“You don’t have to wear anything,” he said as he dropped his shirt over the windbreak and began to unfasten his trousers.”
“Adam Cartwright, it’s broad daylight and it’s…we’re outside.”
“And there’s no one around for miles. If you don’t feel comfortable taking everything off, strip down to your drawers and camisole.”
“I didn’t bring enough clothes to get some wet.”
“They’ll dry in the sun.” She breathed heavily, and he said, “You have a choice. Either way, you are going in so you can tell our children you’ve been in the ocean.”
“I don’t know how to swim, Adam. I’m liable to drown in those waves.”
“Those waves aren’t over your head,” he said, rolling his eyes. “All you have to do is stand up.” When she didn’t move, he laid his trousers over the windbreak, and stood there naked with his hands on his hips. He raised his chin again and took a step toward her, and she quickly began to unbutton her blouse. Soon she was standing in nothing but her drawers and camisole. Taking her hand, he pulled her back down to the water, backing into the waves. He stopped and let go of her hand, looking back at her with a frown. “You’re right, it is cold. There’s only one way to go in.” Standing in waist deep water, he waited for another wave to roll in and made a shallow dive into it, coming up on the other side of the breakers.
She was still standing in ankle deep water. “I can’t do that. I don’t know how to swim.”
“Shiloh, look at me. The water isn’t over my head.” She began to back away again, and he walked out of the water to get her.
“Adam, really, I don’t want to,” she said, turning and walking back toward the windbreak.
Hurrying out of the water after her, he scooped her up. “You don’t have to dive in. I’ll take you in. Besides, I seem to remember you saying that water doesn’t bother you in the slightest.”
“Adam, please don’t make me. I’m…I’m scared.”
“And what better way to get over your fear,” he said tenderly as he carried her back to the water. She held onto him as if her life depended on it, and when he carried her through a wave, she tightened her grip, burying her face in his shoulder and whimpering. When they were beyond the waves, he dropped her feet, but kept his arms around her, holding her against him. She kept a firm grip around his neck, and when he looked into her face, she was crying. “You really are frightened, aren’t you?”
“Please take me back,” she whispered.
“No, you’re out here, and that’s half the battle. Now, can you touch the bottom?”
“I don’t know.”
He had tried not to smile, but the sight of this strong-willed woman reduced to a frightened child by water amused him. “Well, try.” He felt her foot slide down his leg, finding his foot, and slowly testing the sand. “Now stand up,” he said as he pried her arms from around his neck.
“Don’t let go of me!” she cried out.
“I’ve got you,” he said, keeping hold of her arms. The water was only to the center of his chest, but it was lapping at her chin. “Now, can you hold your breath?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Because we’re going under.” She began to protest, and he spoke loudly over her. “When I say hold your breath, hold it or you’ll get a nose full of salt water.” She was still fussing when he said, “Hold it,” and just as he pulled her under the water with him, she took a deep breath.
When he looked at her face under water, her cheeks were blown out, her eyes were closed tightly, and her grip on his arm was so tight that her fingernails were digging into his flesh. He brought her up, and she sputtered and wiped her face, yelling at him, “Don’t do that again!”
“Hold it. Here we go,” he said has he pulled her under one more time. This time, she opened her eyes, then closed them tightly again as she fought against his hold. She got away from him and stood up, wiping her face and didn’t see the larger wave that broke over her head, sending her under the water again and tumbling her in the surf.
It was only a matter of seconds before Adam got to her, but it seemed much longer to Shiloh, and when he brought her up, she gasped for air, coughing and struggling to get away from him. “Let me go!” she yelled, pulling her arms back and trying to get out of the water. When she was standing in knee deep water, she shoved him back, crying. “I told you I didn’t want to go in. I told you I’d drown.”
Despite her protests, he put his arms around her, and held her to him until she stopped crying and pushing. “You didn’t drown. And all you have to do is hold your breath until you can get your footing.” She shoved against his chest harder. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll teach you to swim in the deep pool in the creek. Then we can try the ocean again.”
She whimpered, “I’m never going in the ocean again. I don’t need to tell my children.”
Taking her hand, he led her away from the water to dry sand. “Sit here and dry in the sun. I’ll be right back.”
She sat looking out at the surf, watching how the waves broke with an occasional wave that was much bigger than the others. Despite her tumble, she thought the ocean was magnificent, so vast and powerful a body of water that she was actually thinking about trying it again.
When Adam returned, he handed her a brightly colored blanket, and placed apples, cheese, and his knife on her lap. He had put his white drawers on and now held his white shirt up behind her. “Put your arms in the sleeves. I don’t want you to burn in the sun.”
She complied and when he pulled the shirt over her shoulders, she pulled it the rest of the way around her, turning her face into the sleeve and taking a deep breath. She smiled and glanced up at him. “It smells like you.”
Sitting down next to her, he took the apples, cheese and the knife and laid them on the blanket he had spread out in front of them. “Here,” he said, handing her the canteen. “Rinse the salt out of your mouth.”
He cut the apples and cheese in slices, then leaned toward her, propping up on an elbow while he pulled her down with his other hand so that she was leaning against his stomach. The two talked about the ocean, fish and swimming while they ate a lunch of cheese and apples and lay in the sun, drying.
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