Robert and Daniel went back into the study after Evelyn said good night. “Well, Robert, did you give away the company?”
“No, Daniel. I just doubled the company’s profitability by accepting Adam as second partner.” Daniel spun around to face his brother, seething. “It’s Slater, Cartwright and Slater now. Get used to it. We’re also instituting compensation based on performance. So Daniel, you’ll have to work for your money now or you’ll get none.”
“You can’t do that without my approval.”
“You haven’t been paying attention. Your laziness has cost you an equal share. You’re less than a third now.”
“I’ll take care of this one way or another,” spat Daniel, turning toward the door.
“I’d be careful if I were you. Not only is Adam smart, he carries himself well. While you and I sit behind a desk and go soft, he works a ranch. You’re no match for him.”
As Daniel walked away, he thought about the easiest way to bring Adam Cartwright to his knees…his wife.
***
Adam unlocked the suite door, and stepped back to let Shiloh enter. She hadn’t said a word the entire ride home, and she wasn’t speaking to him now. She was off in that cavernous head of hers…not indicating that her skull was empty, but rather quite the opposite. It was full of intricate pathways leading from one set of thoughts to another, working furiously to try to connect each one and organize it into something manageable.
She walked to the door next to the fireplace and stepped out onto the balcony, looking up at the stars. Finding the North Star, she gazed at it, willing it to lead her in the right direction. The answer she kept coming back to came in the form of a man…an intelligent man that had nine more years of experience in work schedules and problem solving and finding ways to make sure things happened when they needed to. She wondered if he was including her ambitions in his plans.
His warm hands gently eased onto her shoulders, and she raised an ice-cold hand to touch his. “Shiloh, your hands are freezing,” he said quietly. Bending to her ear, he said, “Come inside, please,” as he softly kissed her neck.
Turning and smiling up at him, she stepped past him into the room and stood in front of the fireplace. “The attendant just brought in hot coffee. Would you like a cup,” Adam asked, pouring a cup for himself.
“That would be nice,” she answered, almost whispering. He poured another cup, and sat it on the table in front of the sofa, waiting patiently for her to join him.
When she sat down next to him and retrieved her coffee, he crossed his legs and turned to her. “Are you ready to talk about it?”
She sat for a moment, staring into her cup, then took a sip. “Adam, how much of this can you do from home?”
“In the beginning, most of it. I’ll be drawing plans. Robert will be initiating contacts for proposals.”
She chuckled. “I don’t know why I’m laughing. I was just thinking how much you and I both have to do with my horses and singing, and you taking care of two ranches, and now a partnership. This is frightening. What if we fall flat on our faces?”
He took her coffee cup, placing it on the table, and then pulled her into him, moving her arms to either side of his neck. “Then we’ll pick each other up, brush each other off, and start over. This doesn’t have to be hard, Shiloh. We can hire more help at both ranches, and you can teach others to train the horses.” He kissed her, and for a moment, they looked into each other’s eyes.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled herself closer to him, kissing him, and again, they looked into each other’s eyes. “Whatever you do, Adam, please don’t leave me behind.”
“I’ll never do that.” He moved his eyes to her mouth, to her eyes, and back to her mouth, and she knew he was about to kiss her, but before he could she leaned into him, pressing her lips to his. He chuckled as they kissed. “Hm. Not…hm…that I’m…complaining, but why don’t we get out of these clothes.”
“What a lovely idea,” she said, planting small kisses on his neck.
“Now that there are no more surprises or secrets, why don’t you write those letters you need to write so we can post them tomorrow on our way out?”
She backed away, frowning. “Are you turning me down?”
He pulled her back into him. “Oh no,” he said, kissing her again. “I just want the work out of the way of the rest of our honeymoon.”
After each of them changed out of their evening clothes, Shiloh sat at the desk, writing while Adam picked up the newspaper and sat in the chair by the fireplace, reading. “Adam,” she called from the office.
“Yes, Sweetheart.”
“Don’t you think you should tell your father about the partnership before he reads it in the newspaper? I’m sure he’ll have some concerns.”
“You’re right. I’ll send a telegram tomorrow on the way out to the Cliff House.”
Walking in from the office, she stood behind him, leaning down next to his ear with her hand moving down his shoulder and across his chest. “I’m going to get ready for bed.” He watched her walk away, letting her robe drop below her shoulders just as she entered the bedroom. Rising from the chair with a smile on his face, he dropped the newspaper on the seat, turned down the lamps in the main room, and went to the bedroom, closing the door quietly behind him.
***
Both of them must have been tired because they awoke in the last place they each remembered…wrapped up in a tangle of arms and legs. When Shiloh opened her eyes, Adam was already awake, watching her sleep. She closed her eyes again and smiled. “Do I snore?”
“No, but you do talk.”
“Really? What do I talk about?”
“Not that I could understand much of it, but from the little I could, I would assume you were either talking to Micah or about Micah to someone else.” She opened her eyes and looked past him. ”You’ve been thinking about Micah a lot lately.”
“Before we left home, you said that Micah was very protective of me and that we could talk about him.”
“We can, but why don’t we do that on the way to the Cliff House. It’s a long ride.”
“One question. Would Micah have been angry at you for marrying me?”
Adam raised his eyebrows, not expecting that question. “Well, I don’t know. I used to tease him when we were younger…when he was being too protective of you…that as soon as you were sixteen, I was going to…” He twisted his mouth and looked away. “Maybe I shouldn’t tell you this.”
She gave him a fierce look, pushing her bottom lip up into a scowl. “Did he punch you?”
“He most certainly did. That was about the only way I could get him to fight me.”
“Wait. Why did you want him to fight you?”
“Because at sixteen, he wasn’t very good at defending himself. Micah was a man who would rather talk around a fight than actually fight.”
“What’s wrong with that? You do it.”
He laughed. “At the time, I thought he needed to learn to fight, and I had a pretty short fuse. I didn’t realize until I was older that Micah had the right idea from the beginning.” He rolled her all the way over to the other side of the bed and kissed her. “Are you ready to get out of bed, Mrs. Cartwright?”
She moved her eyes up to the ceiling. “Oh, I don’t know. There’s something to be said for spending the day in bed.”
“Yes, there is. But then you wouldn’t get to see the Cliff House. Up you go,” he said, lifting her out of the bed as he stood.
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