Shiloh sat back in a chair on the terrace of the hotel room…the same hotel room where they had spent their first night in Santa Cruz. She reflected on the past week and the pleasant journey back, remembering the ride down the beach, stopping to take one more look at the ocean waves lapping at the white sand of the shore or at the meadows waiting for them after they climbed the narrow trail up the cliff, the wildflowers that seemed to smile and say, “nice seeing you,” as they waved goodbye in the breeze. She smiled even though she felt a bit of melancholy at the thought of leaving it behind because she knew spring would be waiting for her with the same warming sunshine and the Sierra’s own unique wildflowers in the mountain meadows waving to welcome her home.
Adam stood, leaning against the frame of the French doors that led from their room to the terrace, watching her…the smile that had slowly appeared, the soft sighs, and even her hands that every now and again would explore the weave in the fabric of her skirt without her mind ever knowing.
He had just come back from ordering their dinner after she mentioned that she wanted to relax and enjoy the sunset over Santa Cruz one more time before they left. He walked behind her and bent down, kissing her cheek. “Dinner will be here soon.”
Looking up at him, she smiled and touched the hand caressing her shoulder. “Are you ready to go home?”
He pulled a chair next to hers before he answered, and taking her hand, he replied, “Yes and no,” just before he began to kiss between her knuckles.
“You know that tickles, don’t you?”
“Mm hm. That’s why I do it.”
“I think I understand the ‘no’, but why the ‘yes?’”
“Though we added an introduction to some new things for us…for me…this isn’t our life. Our life is back home at the Flying W and the Ponderosa. I think it will be nice trying to figure our lives…our real lives…out together.”
“If you had a chance to change your life to this, would you?” Adam looked at her hand, spinning her wedding band around her finger, and then looked out at the late afternoon sky. “Well, at least you had to think about it before you answered.”
“Does that mean that you would trade your life on the ranch for this?”
“I asked you first,” she said, smiling.
“So you did. You said something on the beach. We’re ranchers. That’s what we do.”
“Oh no, you can’t use that as an excuse. You’ve picked up something completely different.”
“But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up the ranch. And that was a stipulation from the beginning…that I wouldn’t have to. There’s a lot to be said for building something tangible. That might have been a little true for the Ponderosa…but it wasn’t mine. We have the Flying W now that’s ours, and we can do with it what we want.”
Shiloh sat up straight. “But the Ponderosa will be yours…and Hoss’s and Joe’s. You worked longer than either one of them to help your father build it. I would think you would be more attached to it.”
“It was my father’s dream, and I was devoted to him. But when I came home from college…” He took a deep breath, and glanced up at her with a look that said ‘shame’. “Pa has been…hesitant to make some of the changes I’ve come up with…to improve things…to move us forward. Pa is an old-fashioned man. New ideas don’t seem to interest him.”
“Why are you ashamed of that?”
“I’m not ashamed of my father. I’m ashamed that I feel that way. But if we don’t improve the ranch using the new ideas, by the time our children take it over, it will be so far behind in efficiency…well, at some point, it just won’t make it. Pa doesn’t have to worry about that. His sons are grown. But our children will have to deal with progress; things we haven’t even imagined.”
She had turned to watch him as he spoke. This was the first time she noticed that he used his hands to reach for whatever ideas he was talking about. There was an excitement on his face and in his eyes and voice, and the more he spoke, the more she knew a lazy life on a beach might last a little while, but wouldn’t be at all satisfying for him. He needed to use his brain and his ingenuity. He needed to continually build something bigger, better, and more efficient.
“What about you?”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m your wife, and where you go, I go.”
Now he turned toward her and took both of her hands, speaking with that same excitement. “Shiloh, it does matter. You have so much potential to learn. That’s why I spoke to your father about college in the first place. The two of us could do some incredible things together.”
“And what about a woman’s place? I always knew you were more open-minded than most men, but still, you are a man of your times. You keep telling me you want to take care of me, and that hints of traditionalism. I’m even afraid of what will happen when…” she sank back into the chair. “Never mind.”
“What are you afraid of?”
A knock at the door drew his attention, but before he went to answer it, he looked back at her. “I won’t forget that question.”
An attendant wheeled a cart in, and Adam directed him to the table on the terrace. Adam waited for him to move the food and dishes to the table, and just as he politely excused the attendant, Shiloh took his arm and wrapped hers around it. “You ordered lobster again,” she said, smiling.
“I thought you’d like something besides beef since that’s what you’re going home to.”
“Well, there is chicken, duck, pork and fish at home.”
“True, but most often, we eat beef,” he said as he led her to the table, seating her, and then sitting across from her after he poured the wine. “Now, about that last question.”
“Adam, can we just enjoy our dinner?” she said, covering his hand with hers and giving him a sweetly sincere smile. “We can talk about that later.”
He looked at her from under his brow as he cracked open his lobster, but said nothing. It wasn’t like she was getting away with anything, but rather he would allow her to postpone it. Of course, he wasn’t going to tell her that.
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