After breakfast, Adam sat Shiloh down on the sofa. “Wait right here. I want to show you something.” When he returned, he held a round tube. He sat next to Shiloh and pulled drawings from the tube and straightened them in their laps, putting his arm around her so that she was leaning into him, and he could hold both sides of the drawing.
“Well, it’s not a barn,” she said, looking into his eyes. “What is it?”
“This is the front door. This is the kitchen…dining room…living area…”
“This is a house?” He raised his eyebrows and smiled. “Adam, we have a house.”
Bowing his head, he pursed his lips. “I thought we could start our lives in a house that wasn’t my father’s house and wasn’t your father’s house.” She considered him, not wanting to question any further, seeing by the hopeful look in his eyes that this was important to him. “Shiloh, I understand that the Flying W house is the only home you’ve ever known, but you live there with ghosts.” She started to protest. “Hear me out. I’m not saying that your memories of your family are like ghosts. But the sadness associated with the things that happened in that house are.” He let one side of the drawings go so that they rolled back up, and then laid them on the floor as he pulled her to him. “We’re starting a new life. I think it will do both of us good if we start in a house that’s just ours without a past.” Leaning into her, he rested his forehead on hers, looking deeply into her eyes until she smiled.
“Where would you build it?”
“Pa gave me some land on the Ponderosa. The house will sit on a hill with a view of the lake in the distance and overlook a valley where we can build a corral and barn for your horses. You’ll be able to watch them from the house.”
She placed her hands on his cheeks, cocked her head, and kissed him, pushing him backward on the sofa, kissing his eyes, his nose, and his lips again. Adam enveloped her, and the two laughed as they teased each other’s lips until Adam moved his hand to the back of her head and held her mouth to his. Sitting up, he slipped from underneath her, then picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.
***
Adam hurried into the main room and retrieved the drawings, making sure to close the bedroom door should the attendant come in. The two spent the rest of the morning in bed, talking about the plans for their new house.
“We’ll have a wash room similar to the one here with a water closet…maybe even two.”
“Why would we need two?” asked Shiloh, leaning into him as he sat back against the headboard of the bed with an arm around her.
Cupping her chin in his hand, he turned her face to his. “For the children,” he said, gently caressing her lips with his. “You have goose bumps,” he mumbled.
“Hm, yes, I suppose I do. I hate to bring this up, but we have lunch coming up soon. We should get up.”
“Nope.” He pulled his arm from around her and swung his legs off the bed, reaching for his trousers and shirt. “You, my love, will stay right there in the bed. I’ll bring your lunch to you.”
“This is inappropriate in so many ways, Adam. I should really…”
“We’ve been married for two days. Nothing has happened or is going to happen in this room that could possibly be considered inappropriate.” Hearing a knock at the door, Shiloh giggled and slid under the sheet as Adam went to answer, leaving the bedroom door cracked.
He returned, rolling the cart in front of him and pouring two flutes of champagne. Crawling to the edge of the bed with the sheet held up to cover her, she sat next to the cart with her legs folded under her. “What is it?”
Adam sat down next to her and named all the dishes. “Lobster croquets, scalloped oysters, asparagus, and fresh, hot bread.”
“This is a lot of food. I don’t know that I’ll be hungry for dinner.”
“Then we’ll have a late dinner. If it’s nice this afternoon, we can go for a walk, and then have dinner in the restaurant here.”
Adam prepared her plate, and when he spooned on the oysters, she drew back. “Eew.”
“You don’t like oysters?”
“Well,” she began, inspecting the plate he set in front of her, “I don’t like them raw.”
“Oysters are good for you.”
“Spoken like a man.”
“Excuse me?”
She looked at him with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “I know exactly why you want me to eat the oysters.”
Sucking in the sides of his mouth to suppress a grin, he replied. “And how would you know about such a thing, young lady?”
“Literature. Greek mythology. Aphrodite.” Leaning into him with a bite of oyster on her fork, she said, “I was of the opinion that I was doing just fine without the oysters,” just before she put the oyster in her mouth.
He grinned. “I ordered oysters because I like them. Believe me; it had absolutely nothing to do with you.”
Finally, she pushed her plate back, and rolled backward on the bed, clutching her stomach. “I can’t eat another bite.”
“You didn’t eat that much.”
Climbing back to her knees behind him, she wrapped her arms under his and kissed his neck. “I ate everything you put on my plate.”
“Hm. So you did,” he said, turning for a kiss.
“While you finish, I’m going to take a nice, long, warm bath.” She slid out of bed, letting the sheet fall behind her and went into the washroom. Adam stopped eating to watch her walk across the room.
***
Sitting back in the swivel chair of his desk, the newest resident of San Francisco admired the office of his new home, the rich cherry wood paneling on the walls matching the ornately carved wood of the furniture, the deep blood color of the carpet, the lush gold upholstery, and volumes of law references lining the floor to ceiling bookcases across the wall on the other side of the room. Turning in his chair, he looked out of the tall windows onto a courtyard with a view of the harbor in the distance.
“Excuse me, Senator.”
Turning back around, he answered, “My dear, you must stop calling me Senator.”
“I understand they are here in the city, though the hotel where we were told they would be staying has denied their presence.”
“Merely a ploy on his part. The newspaper has reported that she is here, and they are expected at the mayor’s banquet.”
“I don’t know what you hope to accomplish. The marriage has significantly changed things.”
“Perhaps. The marriage did eliminate the possibility of driving her off that ranch…for now. But next week, I will be the new city attorney. He’ll be a new favorite of the mayor because of his new project, and with that, my dear, I’m sure another opportunity will present itself.”
“For what? She’s married. And it’s not as though she married into an ordinary family. They’re well known and well liked.”
“That’s not such a problem. After all these years, his time has come…and will be gone.” Rising from the chair, he walked forward, offering her his arm. “Now, we have reservations for lunch at the Lick House. Time to make them nervous. Shall we go?”
***
“Shiloh, what’s taking you so long?” called Adam from the main room.
“Oh, I hate these hats,” she mumbled. “Be right there,” she answered cheerfully after which she growled, “One more pin.”
She jumped when she heard his voice behind her. “Why don’t you just pull your hair back and take a parasol,” he said calmly.
Taking one more look and deciding she was satisfied, she smiled at his reflection in the mirror. “Because I can’t walk close to you with a parasol without poking your eye out.”
“Shall we go?” Offering his hand as she rose from the chair, he guided her to the door with his hand other hand at her back.
Just as he opened the door, Mr. Eaton was poised to knock. “Oh, I apologize, Mr. Cartwright. This note came for you. The clerk asked that it be delivered immediately.”
Adam took the envelope and opened it, reading intently for a moment. “Shiloh, I need to answer this. It will only take a minute.” He walked into the office and sat down to write a reply.
“Mr. Eaton, while we’re waiting, would you mind telling me if there is a piano I can play?”
“Why yes, Mrs. Cartwright. If you’ll give me a moment, I’ll have an attendant show you. If you’re not familiar with the hotel, the directions can be a bit confusing.” Mr. Eaton pushed the call button and an attendant quickly appeared. “Please show Mrs. Cartwright how to get to the piano in the banquet room.”
“Thank you. Would you tell Mr. Cartwright where I’ve gone?”
“Of course, Mrs. Cartwright.”
Leading her to the lift, they exited at the lobby and walked down a hall past the front desk to a large room with a Lick grand piano. “Lick?” she asked.
“Yes, Mr. Lick made pianos while in South America. Will you be staying, Ma’am?”
“No, I just wanted to know where it was. I’ll come back later to play. Now, how do I get back to the lobby?”
“Right down this hall, Ma’am, if you’ll follow me.”
When she arrived back in the lobby, Adam hadn’t come down yet, so she waited near the lift, looking at the luxury around her. Her eyes followed the lines of the arches in the ceiling down the posts and then over to…she froze. Not more than twenty feet in front of her stood Natalie Peterson, smiling wickedly.
Answering with a livid gaze, Shiloh quickly turned around and gasped as she ran into a man standing behind her. “I’m sorry. I…” she sucked in a breath.
A hand caressed her cheek. “As lovely as ever, I see.”
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