{"id":14105,"date":"2017-03-29T22:48:21","date_gmt":"2017-03-30T02:48:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14105"},"modified":"2025-09-25T15:41:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:41:15","slug":"take-me-home-by-home-alone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14105","title":{"rendered":"Take Me Home (by Home Alone)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/strong>: \u00a0Adam is called home from Boston for a family emergency after a ten-year absence. Will he be able to win back the love of his life he left behind?<\/p>\n

Rating: \u00a0MA\/R\u00a0\u00a0 WC 19208<\/p>\n

Take Me Home Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Take Me Home<\/a>
\nLetters from Home<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Take Me Home<\/strong><\/p>\n

By Home Alone<\/p>\n

Ellie Cartwright sat on a chair in a darkened bedroom at the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Lit only by low lamplight, the room was eerily silent except for the sound of labored breathing.\u00a0 In the bed in front of her was Ben Cartwright, a victim of a suspected stroke.\u00a0 He had suffered small strokes before and had recovered quickly, but this one had taken him down, rendering him unable to walk and barely able to communicate.\u00a0 He was sleeping fitfully\u00a0and looked pale and weak lying in his huge bed.\u00a0 She held his hand in hers\u00a0and whispered to him to fight. \u00a0Although he was her father in law, she loved him as much as any daughter could love her father.<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

When Ellie first arrived in Virginia City, she was only 19.\u00a0\u00a0 Her father and brother had a small silver claim and big dreams of striking it rich.\u00a0 They settled on a little farm adjacent to the Ponderosa, and while the men were out working their claim, Ellie was home tending her chickens and growing produce in a garden next to the farmhouse.<\/p>\n

Even though she was closer in age to Hoss and Little Joe, it was Adam who noticed her first.\u00a0 She was just his type.\u00a0 Tall and slender, her skin glowed a golden brown with a sprinkling of freckles across her nose and cheeks from working outside.\u00a0 Her hair was streaked with blonde, and her bluish gray eyes seemed to be always smiling.\u00a0 She was just as much at home in britches and boots as she was in dresses and petticoats.\u00a0 Although young, she seemed to possess a maturity Adam had not known in other girls her age – most likely from having to fend for herself and care for her brother and Pa after her mother died.\u00a0 She was beautiful, desirable, and independent.\u00a0\u00a0 She was not without some faults, however \u2013 the biggest of which was her tendency to swear.<\/p>\n

Ellie was immediately taken with Adam. \u00a0Drawn together at first by a shared love of literature, she found him disturbingly handsome.\u00a0 Quiet and reserved, he seemed to be a gentle man of few words.\u00a0 His voice, low and melodic, stirred her inner emotions.\u00a0 She felt safe when he was around.\u00a0 Any woman would be lucky to land a man like Adam.<\/p>\n

They began spending more and more time together, enjoying each other\u2019s company. \u00a0Adam was not looking to get married, but if he was, she certainly seemed to be the perfect fit for a wife.\u00a0 A hard worker herself, she understood the demands of a ranch on a man\u00a0and accepted the time he spent away from her on ranch business.<\/p>\n

After a year of getting to know each other more intensely, Adam began courting Ellie in earnest.\u00a0 When he was sure he was ready to commit to a life together, he went to Ellie\u2019s father and asked for her hand in marriage.<\/p>\n

The day Adam announced to his family he and Ellie were getting married, Ben was overjoyed.\u00a0 Ellie became the daughter he never had\u00a0and a sister to Hoss and Joe.<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

Ben stirred.\u00a0 He opened his eyes and locked gazes with Ellie.\u00a0 His eyes were wide, and he looked frightened and agitated.\u00a0 Ellie sat on the bed next to him.\u00a0 She gently bent his head forward and rearranged the pillows.\u00a0 Looking him straight in the eye, she mustered one of her best smiles.\u00a0 \u201cHello, handsome\u201d she whispered.\u00a0 \u201cHow are you feeling today?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben responded with a groan.\u00a0 He was trying hard to say something, but because his speech was affected by the stroke, it all came out garbled.\u00a0 Ellie moved closer to his lips to try to hear him better.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs there something you want, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Growing frustrated, Ben shook his head no\u00a0and made another attempt to speak.<\/p>\n

Ellie\u2019s eyes grew wide as she understood some of what he was trying to say.\u00a0 Ben repeated the sound over and over\u00a0until Ellie repeated it back to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam.\u00a0 You want Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

A look of relief flooded Ben\u2019s face.\u00a0 He nodded yes.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to see Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben nodded again\u00a0and clasped Ellie\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll send for him, Pa.\u00a0 I\u2019ll send for him right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben let his head fall back on the pillow, and muttered what Ellie guessed was his attempt at \u2018thank you.\u2019\u00a0 He said it over and over\u00a0until he fell back asleep.\u00a0 Ellie sat back in the chair\u00a0and wiped tears from her eyes with the sleeve of her shirt.<\/p>\n

Behind her, the door opened quietly, and she felt Joe\u2019s hands on her shoulders.\u00a0 She reached up and grasped his hands while resting her head on his arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cSis, come on.\u00a0 You\u2019ve been up here all afternoon.\u00a0 Go on downstairs.\u00a0 Alice has made some food \u2013 you haven\u2019t eaten all day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie stood up and faced Joe.\u00a0 Her face was tired and drained.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s condition had deeply affected everyone, but Ellie seemed to be taking it especially hard.\u00a0 The day Ben collapsed he had been working in her barn, and somehow she felt responsible.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on now.\u00a0 Alice and I can take over here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, Pa asked for Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked shocked.\u00a0 \u201cWhat? Are you sure?\u00a0 He is so hard to understand – are you sure he asked for Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019m sure.\u00a0 When I asked him if he wanted me to send for him, he nodded.\u00a0 I think he wants to see him one last time before . . .\u201d \u00a0\u00a0Ellie couldn\u2019t finish the sentence.\u00a0 She looked over at Ben again.\u00a0 \u201cIf that\u2019s what he wants, I am going to make it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome with me.\u201d\u00a0 Joe took her by the arm, led her out into the hallway, and quietly closed the door behind him.\u00a0 He spoke in a whisper.\u00a0 \u201cWe already discussed this.\u00a0 If Adam wanted to be a member of this family and a part of the Ponderosa, he\u2019d be here right now, standing alongside us, helping Pa fight.\u201d\u00a0 Joe\u2019s temper flared.\u00a0 \u201cHe chose to leave and begin a new life in the East.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure he\u2019s too damned busy and important to travel across the country to watch his father die.\u00a0 We shouldn\u2019t have to beg him to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but Adam doesn\u2019t know how serious Pa\u2019s condition is.\u00a0 What if Pa has something to tell him before it\u2019s too late?\u00a0 What if he wants to make amends?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Pa had better not be trying to apologize to him.\u00a0 If there\u2019s an apology coming, it had better come from Adam.\u00a0 He owes that to Pa, to us, and especially to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Upon hearing all the commotion, Joe\u2019s wife Alice had come up and stood at the top of the stairs, listening to the discussion.\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cI agree, Joe.\u201d\u00a0 Alice joined the debate. \u201cImagine if something happens to Pa and he leaves this earth without being able to tell Adam what\u2019s on his mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie reached for Joe\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cYou are the head of this household now, Joe.\u00a0 If you ask me not to do it, I won\u2019t.\u00a0 But if Pa struggled that hard to ask for him, I think we should at least send a telegram.\u00a0 Let him decide whether or not to come home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at the two women.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I can argue with you one at a time, but it\u2019s pointless to try to argue with both of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie looked at Joe.\u00a0 \u201cThen I have your blessing?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe let out a deep, thoughtful sigh.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s been a long time.\u00a0 Do you know how to contact him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Adam\u2019s address is in Pa\u2019s desk drawer.\u00a0 I can send Benji to town with the message.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe crossed his arms over his chest.\u00a0 \u201cAll right \u2013 go ahead. \u00a0Let\u2019s see what happens.\u00a0 But if you are disappointed, don\u2019t say I didn\u2019t warn you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie wrote out a quick note.<\/p>\n

October 11, 1880<\/em><\/p>\n

To Adam Cartwright<\/em><\/p>\n

51 Elm Street<\/em><\/p>\n

Boston, Mass<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam-<\/em><\/p>\n

Pa\u2019s health failing.\u00a0 Asking to see you.\u00a0 Please come without delay.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ellie<\/em><\/p>\n

Ellie called for her nephew.\u00a0 \u201cBenji, take this into town to the telegraph office and have Ira send it right away.\u00a0 Here\u2019s the address and the money.\u00a0 Tell him to mark it urgent, and have him bring any reply to the Ponderosa immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Auntie Ellie!\u201d\u00a0 Benji grabbed his hat and ran out the door so fast he didn\u2019t close it behind him.\u00a0 He leaped into the saddle without touching the stirrups, just like his father used to do.\u00a0 Always trying to prove he was no longer a child, he was excited to be given the important responsibility of delivering the message to town all by himself.\u00a0 He shot out of the yard with a thunder of hoofs and a cloud of dust.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful!\u201d Ellie called after him.\u00a0 \u201cSo much like your father,\u201d<\/em> she muttered under her breath.<\/p>\n

Watching him ride away, Ellie couldn\u2019t help but smile.\u00a0 Never having children of her own, she loved her role as Auntie\u00a0and relished spoiling Joe and Alice\u2019s children every chance she got.\u00a0 Benjamin Joseph Cartwright was thirteen years old and a serious young man, anxious to become a grown up. \u00a0Little Marie was four and the apple of Joe\u2019s eye. \u00a0She was able to wrap her father around her finger\u00a0and was the delight of her Grandpa Ben.<\/p>\n

###<\/strong><\/p>\n

The next day Ellie was in the barn grooming Ben\u2019s horse when she heard a rider approaching.\u00a0 It was Ira from the telegraph office.<\/p>\n

\u201cMornin\u2019, Mrs. Cartwright.\u00a0 You have a response to yer telegram.\u201d\u00a0 He handed her an envelope. \u00a0\u201cCame across the wire about an hour ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie reached up for the message\u00a0and tore open the envelope.<\/p>\n

October 12, 1880<\/em><\/p>\n

To Ellie Cartwright<\/em><\/p>\n

Ponderosa Ranch<\/em><\/p>\n

Virginia City, Nevada <\/em><\/p>\n

Ellie:<\/em><\/p>\n

Leaving immediately.\u00a0 Expect me by the end of the week.\u00a0 Will message you when I get close.<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Ira.\u00a0 If there are any other telegrams from Mr. Cartwright, I would appreciate it if you could bring them immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill do, Mrs. Cartwright.\u201d\u00a0 Ira shifted in his saddle.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019s Ben doing?\u00a0 We all wish there was somethin\u2019 we could do fer him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo change, Ira.\u00a0 Please, if you could, remember him in your prayers . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe whole town is prayin\u2019 for him.\u00a0 Have no doubt about that! \u00a0Let us know if there\u2019s anything we can do fer you folks.\u201d\u00a0 Ira spurred his horse and started off down the road back to town.<\/p>\n

Joe walked up behind Ellie, and she handed him the telegram.\u00a0 \u201cSo he\u2019s coming,\u201d he said as he read the wire.\u00a0 \u201cI hope he knows what to expect when he gets here.\u201d<\/p>\n

###<\/strong><\/p>\n

Days went by with no word from Adam.\u00a0 Finally, Ira brought a telegram from town.\u00a0 Adam was due in Virginia City tomorrow on the morning stage.\u00a0 Ellie went up to Ben\u2019s room to tell him the news, but decided against it – just in case Adam didn\u2019t show up.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t want to get his hopes up for nothing.\u00a0 She took his hand\u00a0and looked at his sleeping face.\u00a0 How could a man who lived so large be reduced to this body in the bed in front of her, a body that was broken and barely surviving?\u00a0 She hoped Adam would make it home before Ben breathed his last breath.<\/p>\n

The next morning at the light of dawn, Joe and Benji hitched the wagon to the team for the trip to town to meet Adam.\u00a0 Father and son worked silently, buckling and strapping the horses to the rig.\u00a0 Joe was deep in thought.\u00a0 Ellie rode up just as they were ready to leave.<\/p>\n

\u201cOff to town to collect Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s see if he has the courage to show up.\u201d\u00a0 Joe spat out.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, please<\/em> don\u2019t do anything to make Adam feel unwelcome.\u00a0 Remember, this is for Pa.\u00a0 You can hash out the problems between you another day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe tugged on the harness and patted the horse on the neck.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Sis.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be amiable, just like Pa would expect me to be.\u00a0 After all, we are brothers, and Benjamin Cartwright\u2019s sons.\u201d\u00a0 He boarded the wagon and handed the reins to Benji.\u00a0 \u201cHere you go, son.\u00a0 Your turn to drive.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Benji grinned broadly, snapped the reins, and the wagon pulled out.<\/p>\n

Ellie went into the house\u00a0and found Alice in the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cMornin\u2019, Ellie.\u00a0 Coffee?\u00a0 The pot is still hot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I would love some.\u201d\u00a0 Ellie poured a cup and sat at the table while Alice cleaned up from breakfast.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019s Joe doing?\u00a0 I mean, with Adam coming today and all . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a little edgy, as I\u2019m sure you noticed.\u00a0 I\u2019m hoping that will all disappear when Adam arrives and the two of them catch up.\u00a0 The bond of brothers should be stronger than their pride, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie sipped her coffee thoughtfully.\u00a0 \u201cWell, we are talking about Cartwright men here, so it\u2019s anyone\u2019s guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alice poured herself a cup and sat with Ellie at the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about you, Ellie?\u00a0 Are you nervous about seeing Adam again?\u201d<\/p>\n

Alice was such a gentle soul.\u00a0 She and Ellie had become sisters and good friends since marrying the Cartwright brothers.\u00a0 Ellie was grateful to have such a caring, thoughtful ally.<\/p>\n

She looked down into her cup.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think nervous is the right word.\u00a0 I think panicked<\/em> would be a better description.\u201d\u00a0 Ellie and Alice laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m worried about how I\u2019m gonna be around him.\u00a0 I\u2019m so grateful he\u2019s coming for Pa, but . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

Alice looked at Ellie and took her hand.\u00a0 \u201cJust go with what your heart tells you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I am afraid of!\u00a0 I don\u2019t know how to feel or to act around him.\u00a0 I think it would be better if I stayed out of the way altogether.\u00a0 When the nurse comes today, I plan to head back home so the family can be together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you\u2019re family too, Ellie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie looked up.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want to create any awkward moments.\u00a0 Adam and Joe should have a chance to be with their Pa without any distractions.\u201d<\/p>\n

With that, Ellie finished her coffee, gathered Ben\u2019s breakfast tray and climbed the stairs to his room. \u00a0As usual, he was asleep.\u00a0 Ellie sat beside him on the bed and squeezed his hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa?\u00a0 Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben opened his eyes\u00a0and tried to smile at her, but now he didn\u2019t seem to have any control of his facial muscles.\u00a0 He took in a deep breath\u00a0and tried to squeeze her hands in return, but there was no response from his efforts.\u00a0 Frustrated, he tried to say something.<\/p>\n

Ellie was devastated by the sudden deterioration of his condition.<\/p>\n

\u201cShhh\u2026 don\u2019t try to talk.\u00a0 Just close your eyes and rest.\u201d<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

Arriving in town, Joe hitched the wagon in front of the mercantile, and he and Benji made their way over to the stage depot.\u00a0 Leaning against the wall, Joe scanned the street for signs the stage was approaching.<\/p>\n

Benji looked up at Joe.\u00a0 \u201cPa, my Uncle Adam \u2013 he\u2019s your older brother, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Benji, he is my older brother by 13 years.\u00a0 He was your age when I was born.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe lived and worked with you and Uncle Hoss on the Ponderosa, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, that\u2019s right.\u00a0 Adam, Hoss, me and Pa ran the ranch, just the 4 of us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy did he leave the ranch, Pa?<\/p>\n

Joe looked down at his boots and let out a slow breath.\u00a0 \u201cI guess the Ponderosa wasn\u2019t his dream.\u00a0 He had a different dream of living in the East and building things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy didn\u2019t he come home when Uncle Hoss died?\u00a0 If you have a brother and he dies, shouldn\u2019t you come to his funeral?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Benji, he should\u2019ve come home.\u201d\u00a0 Joe put his hands on Benji\u2019s shoulders and looked him in the eye. \u00a0\u00a0\u201cFamily is the most important thing a man can have, and he should do everything he can to keep family first.\u00a0 Don\u2019t ever forget that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just then, a rumble of horse hooves came up the street, pulling the stagecoach.\u00a0 The wheels locked and coach came to a stop, kicking up the dust.\u00a0 As the station attendant set down the step and opened the door to the coach, Joe took a step closer and strained to see inside.\u00a0 A young man emerged first and turned to help a lady step down.\u00a0 Two children followed.\u00a0 \u00a0A moment or two went by with no one else disembarking the coach.\u00a0 Certain there was no one else on board, Joe began to feel his temper rise.\u00a0 Maybe Adam didn\u2019t come after all.<\/p>\n

Before Joe could come to the obvious conclusion, he saw a man inside the coach place his hands on the grips near the door.\u00a0 Ducking out with his head down, he placed his foot on the step.\u00a0 He was dressed formally in a charcoal gray suit with a matching vest.\u00a0 The collar of his crisp white shirt stood up at the neck, and a loosely knotted tie kept the shirt closed.\u00a0 Holding a black felt top hat in his hands, he jumped down from the stage and straightened up, brushing the dust off his clothes. It was Adam, but not the Adam that left Virginia City ten years ago.\u00a0 His hair was gray now, and growing sparsely in the front.\u00a0 He had a well manicured gray beard that made him look distinguished.\u00a0 He definitely looked like an Easterner.\u00a0 Recognizing his brother, Joe felt a surge of excitement and smiled broadly as his eyes met Adam\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, brother!\u201d\u00a0 Adam reached for Joe\u2019s hand\u00a0and shook it warmly.\u00a0 A second or two went silently by while the two brothers assessed each other.\u00a0 \u201cWelcome home.\u201d\u00a0 Joe stepped back and reached for his son.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, you remember my son, Benji.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam held out his hand.\u00a0 \u201cYes. Benjamin Cartwright.\u00a0 I am pleased to see you again.\u00a0 You\u2019ve grown quite a bit since the last time I saw you.\u00a0 You\u2019re a man now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Benji shook his hand.\u00a0 \u201cHello, Uncle Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Turning to his father, Benji whispered \u201cSee Pa?\u00a0 Even Uncle Adam can see that I\u2019m a man now!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe and Benji gathered Adam\u2019s bags into the wagon.\u00a0 As they pulled out of town, Adam looked around Virginia City.\u00a0 Some of it had changed since he left, but it seemed to be the same active mining town it was ten years ago. The Sazerac was still there, as was the Bucket of Blood. \u00a0The Opera House had undergone a facelift, and the International Hotel had closed after a fire a few years back, and new one now stood in its place.\u00a0 Passing the Virginia City jail, he was flooded with memories of old Roy Coffee, who Joe said had recently passed away.\u00a0 His head moved from left to right, taking in the town.<\/p>\n

Rolling down the road out of town, Adam was struck by the beauty of the land, and how green it was.\u00a0 He had almost forgotten what fresh air smelled like, scented by the pine trees and jasmine growing along the road.\u00a0 If it wasn\u2019t for the fact that his father was dying, this could have measured up to be a wonderful getaway from Boston.<\/p>\n

Adam asked Joe about Alice and the children.\u00a0 Benji chimed in from the back of the wagon that he was at the head of his class in school.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs Mrs. Meyers still the teacher?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u00a0 She says I\u2019m a serious student just like you were, Uncle Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, young man, thank goodness you\u2019re not causing her any problems.\u00a0\u00a0 Your father was in trouble nearly every day at school!\u00a0 I\u2019m sure between the three of us she\u2019s had her fill of Cartwrights.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finally, the talk turned to their father.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe explained this stroke had been a severe one, and Ben\u2019s age and condition were making it worse.\u00a0 He told Adam how difficult it was for their Pa to communicate.\u00a0 The conversation grew silent.\u00a0 So much was going through Adam\u2019s head.\u00a0 Guilt mostly, for leaving the family. For not coming home when Hoss died.\u00a0 And then there was Ellie . . .<\/p>\n

As they reached a rise in the road, Adam could see the ranch house, standing majestically in the distance.\u00a0 Although ten years had passed, it seemed as if time had not touched the Ponderosa.\u00a0 They approached the house and Joe pulled back on the reins and stopped the wagon.\u00a0 As Adam started to get down, Joe grabbed his arm.\u00a0 \u201cJust so you know\u00a0 – Ellie is here.\u00a0 She has been Pa\u2019s caregiver since the stroke.\u00a0 When Pa asked to see you, it was Ellie who insisted we contact you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam felt his stomach catch with trepidation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks for the warning, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

Inside Ben\u2019s bedroom, Ellie heard the wagon stop in front of the house.\u00a0 She pulled the curtains back ever so slightly and peeked out the window. \u00a0Immediately, she felt a twinge of dread.\u00a0 Adam looked different, but the voice was undeniably his.\u00a0 She watched from the window as he embraced Alice, and scooped up little Marie in his arms and twirled her around.\u00a0 Joe and Benji grabbed his bags from the wagon, and they all went inside.\u00a0 Ellie sat back down in the chair next to Ben\u2019s bed and waited in the darkened room.\u00a0 Her heart was pounding.\u00a0 She could hear his boots on the stairs.\u00a0 She took in a breath and cursed herself for being so nervous.\u00a0 There was a soft knock at the door.\u00a0 Ellie stood up and turned around as the door opened.<\/p>\n

There stood Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cEllie.\u201d Adam stepped towards her and took both her hands in his.\u00a0 \u201cEllie.\u201d\u00a0 They remained fixed for a moment, neither one knowing what to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood to see you again, Adam.\u00a0 I\u2019m so grateful you came.\u201d\u00a0 Ellie inwardly kicked herself.\u00a0 Why did she say it was good to see him?\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t good.\u00a0 It was painful.\u00a0 Suddenly she was plunged into emotions she hadn\u2019t felt since Adam left for Boston ten years ago.<\/p>\n

He seemed slightly older and more mature.\u00a0 Grayer and a little heavier, his new look seemed to suit him.\u00a0\u00a0 His eyes were exactly as she remembered them, even though the last time she looked into Adam\u2019s eyes, he was angry and frustrated, packing his bags to leave for Boston.\u00a0 Today, his eyes conveyed hesitation \u2013 perhaps unsure of how Ellie would respond to him.<\/p>\n

Adam looked past her to his father.\u00a0 Ben lay motionless in the bed, except for the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed.\u00a0 One side of his face seemed to be drooping, and his mouth hung open.\u00a0 He looked so much older than Adam had remembered him.\u00a0 Shocked by the sight before him, he clenched his jaw.\u00a0 His father, always so strong, so big, so full of life and conviction, was now small and pale as he lay in his bed.\u00a0 Ellie took a towel and dabbed the saliva that came from his mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been asking for you.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t tell him you were coming because I wasn\u2019t sure . . .\u201d She didn\u2019t finish the sentence but Adam knew what she meant.\u00a0 She wasn\u2019t sure he would come, if he would honor his promise to come and visit his dying father.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t want him to be disappointed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took a few steps towards the bed, and Ellie offered him the chair.\u00a0 She sat on the edge of the bed next to Ben, leaned over and called to him.<\/p>\n

Adam put his hand on her shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cNo, don\u2019t wake him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I have to.\u00a0 He sleeps for hours, and the doctor said he could slip into a coma-like state at any time from which he may never recover.\u201d<\/p>\n

She leaned forward\u00a0and called his name.\u00a0 \u201cPa?\u00a0\u00a0 Pa, can you hear me?\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s eyes fluttered open, and he fixed his gaze on Ellie.\u00a0 He groaned out.\u00a0 Adam grimaced\u00a0and swallowed hard.\u00a0 His father was trying to talk, but he couldn\u2019t make out what he struggled to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cPa, Adam is here.\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s eyes grew large.\u00a0 \u201cPa, Adam is here to see you.\u00a0 Look, here he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

She moved aside, and Ben looked into the eyes of his eldest son.\u00a0 The son he had not seen in ten long years.\u00a0 The son with whom he had argued on the day he left the Ponderosa.\u00a0 The son he had written to and begged to come home to his wife and to the ranch that desperately needed him. \u00a0\u00a0His mouth moved as if he was trying to talk, but no sound came out.\u00a0 Tears began to roll down his cheeks.\u00a0 Ellie took his hand and placed it in Adam\u2019s hand.\u00a0 As the two men connected, she slipped out the door and quietly closed it behind her.<\/p>\n

She leaned against the closed door and tried to collect herself, her heart beating wildly.\u00a0 She tried to calm her emotions.\u00a0 She took a deep breath, smoothed her hair, and put her shoulders back.\u00a0 She made her way down the stairs to see Joe and Alice sitting in front of the fireplace.\u00a0 They searched her face for a glimpse of how it went when she saw Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI woke up Pa, and left them alone to talk.\u201d\u00a0 Joe looked at Ellie and could tell she was fragile.\u00a0 He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close.\u00a0 She loved his father so much that she had put aside her own confused feelings for Adam so that father and son could be reunited.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are a remarkable woman, Ellie Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n

She felt like crying, but why?\u00a0 Was it Adam\u2019s return?\u00a0 Was it Ben and Adam reuniting?\u00a0 Was it the realization that everything she once had was gone, and Adam\u2019s life had gone on without her?\u00a0 Since his departure, her life had been hanging in a kind of limbo.\u00a0 She lived, but was not living.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going home, Joe. \u00a0The nurse from town is due here any time. If there\u2019s any change, please send word.\u201d\u00a0 She hugged him tightly\u00a0and embraced Alice.\u00a0 Everyone in the room felt an atmosphere of dread.\u00a0\u00a0 She walked out the door and quietly closed it behind her.<\/p>\n

After a half an hour, Joe decided he should go up and see if everything was all right.\u00a0 He softly knocked on the door to his father\u2019s bedroom, and slowly opened it.\u00a0 Adam was sitting in the chair next to the bed, holding his father\u2019s hand.\u00a0 Ben was asleep.\u00a0 Joe stepped in and stood beside his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cWere you able to talk?\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

Adam stared straight ahead.\u00a0 He was silent for a moment\u00a0and then spoke in a soft, emotional voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was difficult to understand.\u00a0 I got the words \u2018son\u2019, \u2018thank you\u2019, and \u2018sorry\u2019.\u201d\u00a0 He looked up at Joe and continued. \u201cI was able to tell him how sorry I was, about everything.\u00a0 Especially about not coming home when Hoss died.\u201d\u00a0 He buried his face in his hands and leaned over, exhaling deeply.\u00a0 Moments went by without a sound.\u00a0 He took a deep breath and pulled his head up.\u00a0 \u201cSo much I regret now, Joe.\u201d\u00a0 A side of Adam rarely seen, Joe couldn\u2019t help but feel sorry for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think he understood you?\u201d\u00a0 Joe asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he tried to nod when I told him I loved him and again when I said I was sorry.\u201d\u00a0 Once again, Adam plunged into silence.\u00a0 He struggled to keep is emotions in check.\u00a0 Always the one to be calm and collected, his fa\u00e7ade was crumbling.<\/p>\n

Joe remained silent.\u00a0 After his emotional reunion with Pa and the admission that he had made some regretful choices, Adam had had enough for one day.\u00a0 Ten years of pain could not be undone in one hour.<\/p>\n

The nurse from Doc Martin\u2019s office arrived to stay with Ben, and Joe and Adam went downstairs to eat the lunch Hop Sing had prepared for them.\u00a0 The last time Adam sat at this table, all the Cartwright men – father and sons, were together. \u00a0Now it was just Joe and Adam.\u00a0 Alice had taken the children on a picnic so the brothers could be alone to talk.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill Ellie be joining us for lunch?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s gone home, Adam.\u00a0 She wanted you to have some time alone with Pa and the family.\u00a0 The nurse will be staying with Pa for a few days.\u201d\u00a0 A quiet lunch with uncomfortable silences ensued.\u00a0 Finally, Joe could no longer control his temper.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, why this time, Adam?\u00a0 Why did you decide to come home this time, and not when your own brother died?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam put his fork down.\u00a0 He spoke in low, measured tones.\u00a0 \u201cI made a dreadful error, Joe.\u00a0 I should have come home.\u00a0 If I could undo what\u2019s been done, I would.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut why, Adam?\u00a0 Why didn\u2019t you come?\u00a0 You broke Pa\u2019s heart!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBelieve me, Joe.\u00a0 No one can hate me more than I already hate myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe dropped his fork on his plate.\u00a0 \u201cThink again, brother.\u201d\u00a0 With that, he shoved his chair out from under himself, strode outside, and slammed the door behind him.<\/p>\n

Alone at the table now, Adam surveyed the room.\u00a0 It was just as it was the last time he sat there, except for a few feminine touches here and there.\u00a0 A vase of wildflowers sat in the middle of the table – no doubt provided by Ellie. The house, the furniture, the fireplace \u2013 all ignited memories of celebrations and arguments, chess games and singing, brothers laughing and teasing each other.\u00a0 A memory of Little Joe as a young boy brandishing an ep\u00e9e while jumping from table to chair in mock battle came to mind.\u00a0 Adam could hear his father chastising him as if it were yesterday.<\/p>\n

After the blow up at lunch, Joe left Adam alone.\u00a0 Throughout the day, Adam checked in on his father\u00a0but always found him in the same state – sleeping peacefully.\u00a0 He began to feel the hopelessness of the situation\u00a0and began to realize his father could not win this battle, and would not recover.<\/p>\n

By nightfall Ben had still not awakened from his sleep.\u00a0 Adam declined dinner\u00a0and went instead to his old room.\u00a0 It was Benji\u2019s room now, but there were still a few memories there for him.\u00a0 In particular, the bookcase containing all his copies of the classics was standing right where he had left it ten years ago.\u00a0 Alice said Benji loved the books, even though some were too advanced for his vocabulary.<\/p>\n

Worn out, Adam retired to the guest room downstairs, removed his jacket and boots, and stretched out on the bed.\u00a0 Memories of his life on the Ponderosa came flooding back.\u00a0 The sounds from outside, the wind blowing through the pine trees, even the smell from the barn, awakened happy memories of his life at the ranch.\u00a0 Weary from traveling and the emotional day, Adam closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep.<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

Adam bolted awake to the sound of a sharp knock on the door. \u00a0\u201cAdam, wake up.\u201d\u00a0 As Joe opened the door, a crack of light illuminated the darkness of his room.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s Pa.\u00a0 Come quick.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still dressed in his traveling clothes, he hurriedly followed Joe up the stairs to his father\u2019s room.\u00a0 Alice and the nurse were gathered by his bedside.\u00a0 A lamp cast a low light over the room.<\/p>\n

The nurse looked at the two brothers.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is failing\u201d, she said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cIt won\u2019t be long now.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know if he can hear you, but if you want to say goodbye, now is the time.\u00a0 I will be right outside the door if you need me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The nurse excused herself, and Joe and Adam looked at each other.\u00a0 This was the moment the family had been dreading since the stroke occurred.\u00a0 Joe took one hand, Adam the other.\u00a0 Together they held their father\u2019s hands and whispered to him gently in his ear.\u00a0 Ben was trying to talk in his sleep, but no one could understand him.\u00a0 At last, Joe understood.\u00a0 Ben was calling Hoss.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss is here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe sat on the bed next to his father and leaned in close.\u00a0 \u201cHoss is here to help you, Pa.\u00a0 Take his hand.\u00a0 He will lead you to your next life.\u00a0 I know you\u2019re not afraid.\u201d\u00a0 Emotion gripped Joe by the throat.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry about the Ponderosa.\u00a0 We will take good care of her.\u201d<\/p>\n

With that, Ben took in a breath, exhaled, and breathed no more.\u00a0 Benjamin Cartwright was dead.<\/p>\n

Adam, always the unshakeable one, found tears rolling down his cheeks.\u00a0 Impossible to hold it together any longer, he collapsed into quiet sobs.\u00a0 Alice put her hands around his shoulders until he was able to let go of his father\u2019s hand.\u00a0 Joe took his father\u2019s hands and gently crossed them over his body.\u00a0 The three of them stood silently.\u00a0 After allowing the family some time alone with their father, the nurse returned and began to prepare his body.\u00a0 When finished, she wrapped Ben\u2019s body in his sheets.\u00a0 The scene was unthinkable.\u00a0 Under the low light of the lamp, Ben lay still, his two devastated sons standing by his side.<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

With only an hour to go before daybreak, Joe and Adam went out to the barn and hitched up the wagon. They solemnly brought their father down, reverently laying his body in the back of the wagon, bundled in the quilt his wife Marie had made him many years ago.<\/p>\n

At first light, the two brothers began their trip to Virginia City.\u00a0 A mile out from the ranch, Joe stopped the wagon on the road and hesitated.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to tell Ellie.\u00a0 She\u2019ll want to know right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe veered the wagon to the right and began down the road to Ellie\u2019s.\u00a0 In the shadowy light of dawn, they could see her house in the distance, smoke rising from the chimney.\u00a0 Adam had not seen it in ten long years. \u00a0Built for his bride with his own hands, Adam had carefully selected the site and designed the house as his wedding gift to her.\u00a0 His father and brothers all helped to complete the home on time for the wedding day, all the while keeping it a secret from Ellie.<\/p>\n

She was standing on the front porch, having her morning coffee and getting herself ready to make the trip to the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Down the road, she could see Joe and Adam in the wagon, making their way slowly towards her house.\u00a0 As they came into view, she could see their faces\u00a0and knew something was wrong.\u00a0 As they approached the house, she caught sight of a bundle covered by a quilt in the back of the wagon.\u00a0 She froze, unable to move.\u00a0 The realization of what had happened finally hit, and she dropped her coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe. . .\u201d\u00a0 She clasped her hands over her mouth in an attempt to stifle a scream.\u00a0 \u201cNo!\u201d\u00a0 She jumped off the porch and ran towards the wagon when Adam stopped her.\u00a0 He grabbed her by the shoulders and wrestled with her, trying to keep her from seeing the cargo in the wagon.<\/p>\n

\u201cEllie.\u201d His voice was low and gentle. \u201cHe\u2019s gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her legs went weak.\u00a0 Adam drew her into his chest.\u00a0 As they held on to each other, she felt a long forgotten comfort that gave her strength.\u00a0 Finally, she looked up at him, her eyes red and swollen.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEarly this morning,\u201d Joe responded.\u00a0 \u201cBy the time we figured out his time had come, there was no time to send for you.\u00a0 It was peaceful, Ellie.\u00a0 He passed gently.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam reached into his pocket and handed her his neatly folded handkerchief.\u00a0 She accepted it gratefully, and tried to wipe the tears from her face, but they kept coming.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right, Ellie?\u201d\u00a0 Adam was genuinely concerned.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. . . damn it<\/em> . . . yes, I\u2019m all right.\u201d\u00a0 She tried hard to calm herself.\u00a0 All the while, Adam held her close.\u00a0 Finally, she dropped her arms from around Adam, wiped her eyes again and steadied herself.<\/p>\n

\u201cMay I see him?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam led her to the back of the wagon.\u00a0 He lifted the sheet, and she saw one of Ben\u2019s bare feet.\u00a0 She stroked his foot, kissed it, and gently wrapped it back in the sheet.<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright\u2019s funeral was the largest the Comstock had ever seen.\u00a0 Townsfolk, ranchers, and even the governor attended the solemn service.\u00a0 The merchants in town closed their business out of respect, and even a few of the saloons were shuttered.\u00a0 Ben was laid next to Hoss and his beloved Marie, on the bluff overlooking Lake Tahoe.\u00a0 Everyone in attendance was invited back to the Ponderosa for a reception put on by the ladies in town.\u00a0 Ben would have been embarrassed by all the attention.<\/p>\n

After a long day, the reception finally wound down. \u00a0Departing guests were shaking hands with Joe and Adam, embracing them and offering their sincere condolences.\u00a0 Exhausted by the event, the brothers finally sat at their father\u2019s desk and poured glass after glass of his best brandy.\u00a0 As Alice walked by, Adam asked her if she had seen Ellie.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Adam.\u00a0 The last time I saw her she was heading out to the barn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam rose and set his glass down.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going out to see her, just to make sure she\u2019s all right.\u201d\u00a0 Joe and Alice looked at each other knowingly.\u00a0 Ever since he\u2019d come back to the Ponderosa, Adam seemed preoccupied with Ellie \u2013 where she was, what she was doing.\u00a0 Clearly, he still had feelings for her.<\/p>\n

He entered the barn and saw Ellie standing with Ben\u2019s horse, gently whispering to him and stroking his nose.\u00a0 A delicate ray of sunlight streaming through a gap in the roof illuminated the scene.<\/p>\n

Standing here alone with her now, he couldn\u2019t help but notice how simplistically beautiful she was.\u00a0 She was wearing a tasteful dark blue dress with lace cuffs and collar, no doubt made by her own hands.\u00a0 Tapered at the waist, the skirt hung close to her slender form – no ridiculous bustle or hoops like the ladies in the East were known to wear.\u00a0 Her hair was rolled softly at the sides\u00a0and cascaded freely around her shoulders.\u00a0 Around her neck she wore a gold necklace he had given her on their first anniversary.\u00a0 Her skin was glowing, free from any intrusion on her natural beauty by powders or paints, or any of the other things ladies wear on their faces believing it makes them more attractive.\u00a0 In his opinion, nothing was more beautiful than a natural blush.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Adam.\u00a0 I was just out here for a moment-\u201c\u00a0 She turned away to try to hide her tears from him. \u201cDamn it!<\/em>\u00a0 I can\u2019t seem to stop crying.\u201d<\/p>\n

He had already noticed\u00a0and reached for his handkerchief.\u00a0 He walked up to Ellie and offered it to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy is it you never seem to have a handkerchief when you need one?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie tried to smile.\u00a0 \u201cI guess some things never change.\u201d \u00a0She gratefully accepted the handkerchief\u00a0and began to dab her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cNow I owe you two.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEllie -\u201d \u00a0Adam reached for her hand, but she clasped her hands together and took a step back.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you thought about how long are you planning to stay, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t decided yet.\u00a0 I will need some time with Joe to figure out where the Ponderosa goes from here.\u00a0 A month or two – maybe more.\u00a0 Why do you ask?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, now that you\u2019re back, I figured you would want to stay in our . . . the house.\u00a0 Just let me know when you would like me to move out.\u00a0 If you can give me a few days to pack my things, I can move into town until you go back to Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMove out?\u00a0 Ellie, I\u2019m not taking your house away from you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie brushed past Adam on her way out the door.\u00a0 \u201cYou built, it, Adam.\u00a0 It\u2019s your<\/em> house.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEllie! Wait!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie disappeared into the house.\u00a0 Adam felt defeated.<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

A few days had passed since the funeral, and although Ben was gone, the responsibilities at the ranch never ended.\u00a0 Joe needed to ride out and check on the herd and Adam had decided to go with him.\u00a0 As Joe and Adam were preparing to leave, Ellie rode up to the house with a horse in tow.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning Ellie.\u00a0 What do you . . .?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stopped in mid sentence.\u00a0 Behind Ellie was Sport, looking a little older but still vigorous.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if it isn\u2019t old Sport.\u201d\u00a0 Adam walked up to the horse and patted his neck.\u00a0 Sport nickered, as if he remembered him.<\/p>\n

Ellie smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve been taking care of him since you left.\u00a0 I thought you would like to ride him while you\u2019re here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou weren\u2019t riding him, were you Ellie? \u00a0He\u2019s far too high strung for you to handle \u2013 or at least he used to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked at Ellie.\u00a0 She had a smug look of satisfaction on her face.\u00a0 \u201cWhy yes, I ride him almost every day.\u00a0 We get along great, right Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, Adam.\u00a0 Ellie and Sport are fast friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam frowned.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you\u2019ve taken excellent care of him, I must say.\u201d\u00a0 He ran his hand down Sport\u2019s neck and patted him on the chest.\u00a0 \u201cIf you don\u2019t need him I would love to take him for a ride down to the lake later today.\u00a0 Would you like to join me . . . if you aren\u2019t busy, that is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, I have chores at the house waiting for me.\u00a0 But you enjoy \u2013 it\u2019s a great day for a ride.\u201d<\/p>\n

With that, Ellie handed Adam the reins, turned her horse around and trotted away.\u00a0 Adam watched as she rode out, her hair bouncing on her back from beneath her hat.\u00a0 He adjusted Sport\u2019s stirrups and tightened the cinch, all the while continuing to glance in her direction.\u00a0 None of this was lost on Joe.<\/p>\n

The brothers made a loop around the ranch and checked on the stock.\u00a0 It had been quite a while since Adam had been in the saddle.\u00a0 Funny how soon your muscles forget how to sit a horse.\u00a0 Back in Boston, they took buggies and cabs everywhere.\u00a0 No one in his circle of acquaintances rode by saddle.\u00a0 That would be considered low class.<\/p>\n

Legs aching, Adam turned to Joe.\u00a0 \u201cIf we are done here I\u2019d like to take Sport on a ride alone – just to collect my thoughts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFine with me, brother.\u00a0 Sure you can find your way home all by yourself?\u201d\u00a0 Joe couldn\u2019t resist a little good-natured teasing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I can manage.\u00a0 See you later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOK then.\u201d\u00a0 Joe turned his horse and galloped full speed away.\u00a0 Adam watched him until he disappeared on the rise towards the ranch, then started out in the opposite direction \u2013 the way to Ellie\u2019s house.<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

Ellie stood at the sink in the kitchen of her house, washing up after lunch.\u00a0 Glancing out the window, she saw Sport enter her yard – rider less.\u00a0 She wiped her hands on her apron, pulled it off, and went outside to see what had happened.\u00a0 In the distance, she could see Adam walking through the pasture towards the house.\u00a0 Ellie grabbed Sport\u2019s reins and rubbed his nose.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, old Sport, did you throw him after all?\u201d<\/p>\n

As Adam got closer, Ellie could see something was not quite right.\u00a0 He was walking with his hand to his head, and he didn\u2019t have his hat.\u00a0 She tied Sport to the post and ran towards him.\u00a0 As she got closer she could see his head was bleeding, and he was not too steady on his feet.\u00a0 She was horrified to see he had a wound to the head that was bleeding profusely.<\/p>\n

\u201cMerciful God in heaven!\u00a0 What happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

She helped him into the house and sat him at the kitchen table.\u00a0 She grabbed some linen napkins out of a drawer and moistened one at the sink.<\/p>\n

\u201cEllie, don\u2019t fuss!\u00a0 I\u2019ve had a lot worse than this.\u00a0 I think I\u2019ll live.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie took his hand away from his head and placed the napkin over the wound.\u00a0 She held it firmly with her hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you feel dizzy or nauseated?\u00a0 How did this happen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Ellie, I\u2019m fine.\u00a0 Something spooked Sport, and he ran me into a tree and knocked me off, that\u2019s all.\u00a0 I guess I\u2019ve lost my hat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie turned back to the sink to moisten the napkin again.\u00a0 She broke into a wide smile that Adam couldn\u2019t see.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, Sport threw you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I wouldn\u2019t say he threw<\/em> me. . . well, ok.\u00a0 Yes \u2013 he did throw me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie whispered under her breath \u201cthere is a God<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

She carefully washed the blood off his face and was relieved to see it wasn\u2019t as bad as she had originally thought.<\/p>\n

\u201cI should send for Doc Martin.\u00a0 You may need a stitch or two here.\u00a0 You\u2019re going to have a hell of a headache.\u201d<\/p>\n

She went to the cupboard and brought out a bottle of bourbon and a glass.\u00a0 \u201cHere, have some of this.\u00a0 It should deaden the pain a little.\u201d\u00a0 She poured an inch of bourbon in the glass, and Adam tossed it back.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnother?\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded, and Ellie poured another inch in the glass.\u00a0 Again, he took it right down.\u00a0 Immediately he could feel warmth and numbness begin to radiate throughout his body.<\/p>\n

Ellie stood directly in front of him, carefully assessing the damage to his head. \u00a0He took the opportunity to take a closer look at her while she was distracted.\u00a0 Although ten years older than the last time he had seen her, it seemed as if she hadn\u2019t aged a day.\u00a0 She was dressed in denim britches that were belted at the waist and hugged all her curves and accentuated her long legs.\u00a0 Her riding boots came up to her knees, and the collar of her white blouse was embroidered with lavender flowers.\u00a0 Her hair was tied loosely at the nape of her neck.\u00a0 She smelled sweetly of soap and fresh air.<\/p>\n

Adam thought about the women he had met in Boston, and how they dressed.\u00a0\u00a0 A man could hardly touch a woman, least she complained her skirts were being crushed. \u00a0Eastern women were thin and pale, as if they never stepped foot outside. \u00a0And their perfume was always overwhelming.\u00a0 Ellie dressed like a real western gal – hearty and strong, with a natural beauty.<\/p>\n

\u201cEllie, how is it that we all got older and grayer and you look exactly as you did the last time I saw you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think your memory is fading with time, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 Ellie took a step back. \u00a0\u00a0Well, he certainly was still as charming as she remembered him to be.\u00a0 She silently warned herself to be careful.\u00a0 She had suffered so much since he left.\u00a0 He can\u2019t just stride back in and pick up like nothing ever happened, even though every day while he was gone she dreamed he would.\u00a0 She started to feel a rush of emotions.<\/p>\n

She lifted the napkin and watched to see if the bleeding was slowing any.\u00a0 She placed it right back down on his head and held it firmly with her hand.\u00a0 \u201cWell, this proves it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cProves what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat your head is not made of granite\u00a0like I always thought it was.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam threw his head back and laughed heartily.\u00a0 Ellie giggled.\u00a0 For just a moment she saw a glimpse of the old Adam – the one she fell in love with.<\/p>\n

Smiling, he looked up at her and their eyes met. \u00a0\u00a0Their faces were so close.\u00a0 She could smell the bourbon and feel his breath on her cheek.\u00a0 She looked steadily into his eyes, and her breathing became quick and purposeful.\u00a0 She could feel her heart racing.\u00a0 When he reached out and put his hands on her waist to draw her towards him, she wrapped an arm around his shoulder to steady herself. His eyes were scanning her face – from her eyes\u00a0to her neck and finally to her lips.\u00a0 He reached up and took her face in his hands.<\/p>\n

Ellie stopped him and pulled away.\u00a0 She stepped back and sat in a chair across from him, trying to catch her breath.\u00a0 She knew he was going to kiss her, and although she wanted it too, she just couldn\u2019t allow it.\u00a0 He owed her an apology.\u00a0 He owed her an explanation.\u00a0 He owed her ten lost years.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Ellie . . . I\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 I got carried away. \u00a0Maybe it was the liquor. . . I lost control, and I\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 You were so close, and . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I’m the one that\u2019s sorry.\u00a0 I obviously sent the wrong message.\u201d<\/p>\n

They sat in the kitchen without talking for a moment.\u00a0 Adam was trying to figure out how to broach the subject of his leaving her.\u00a0 He had so much he wanted to tell her, and he was sure she didn\u2019t want to hear it.<\/p>\n

\u201cEllie, I want to . . .\u00a0 well, what I mean to say is . . . I hope you will . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie interrupted him.\u00a0 \u201cOh, don\u2019t worry, Adam.\u00a0 I forgave you a long time ago.\u00a0 You can go back to Boston with a clear conscience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie stood up and checked his head again.\u00a0 Suddenly, she seemed cold and distant. \u201cLooks like you\u2019re good to go.\u00a0 You had better take this with you.\u00a0 If I happen to find your hat, I\u2019ll let you know.\u201d\u00a0 With that, Ellie went outside, untied Sport, and handed the reins to Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood bye, Adam.\u00a0 You be careful now.\u201d<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

Adam kicked himself all the way home.\u00a0 He had moved too quickly on Ellie.\u00a0 He blamed the bourbon for his poor judgment.<\/p>\n

When he arrived at the Ponderosa, Joe was standing in front of Pa\u2019s desk looking over some papers, trying to make heads or tails out of a pile of invoices and receipts.\u00a0 Since Pa\u2019s illness, it was all Joe could do to keep the ranch running by himself, and paperwork was definitely not one of his strong points.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam.\u00a0 I\u2019m glad you\u2019re here.\u00a0 I\u2019m gonna need some help with all this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sighed\u00a0and sat down behind the desk.\u00a0 He started sifting through the papers.\u00a0 \u201cCould I start on this tomorrow?\u00a0 I have a pounding headache.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked down at Adam and noticed the gash on his head.\u00a0 \u201cBeen to see Ellie, huh?\u00a0 Did she do that to your head?\u00a0 Not that you don\u2019t deserve it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam remained silent while looking at the papers on the desk.\u00a0 Joe looked closely at his face. \u00a0Even after 10 years, Joe could read Adam.\u00a0 Something had happened at Ellie\u2019s –<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, sooner or later we will need to discuss the future of the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Pa left the ranch to you and me, so you have an equal stake in what happens here.\u00a0 I could go on alone as it is now for a little while, maybe a year.\u00a0 But after that, I don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe waited for a response, but none came.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are your intentions in regards to the ranch?\u00a0 To all of it \u2013 the mining, the timber?\u201d<\/p>\n

Still no response.\u00a0 Joe walked around the desk and shoved the chair out from behind the desk with his foot.\u00a0 He grabbed Adam by the shirt and pulled him up out of the chair.\u00a0 He was tired.\u00a0 Tired of shouldering all the responsibility.\u00a0 Tired of having to do everything himself.\u00a0 Tired of seeing his sister-in-law struggle to be happy.\u00a0 Adam was here, and Joe wanted this settled now.\u00a0 Was he in or out?<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you listening to me, brother?<\/p>\n

Adam twisted himself out of Joe\u2019s grip and tried to remain calm.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, I\u2019ve had enough for today.\u00a0 Can we discuss this some other time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve had enough?\u00a0 YOU\u2019VE<\/em> had enough?\u00a0 What about the rest of us?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s voice got louder.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t contain his temper any longer.\u00a0 It was all about to tumble out.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlice and I have been struggling to hold it together here while you\u2019ve been off chasing your dream.\u00a0 While you were gone, Pa talked about you almost every day.\u00a0 And when Hoss died and you didn\u2019t come home, it almost killed him.\u00a0 And how do you think I<\/em> feel?\u00a0 Do you think I\u2019VE<\/em> had enough, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe was right in Adam\u2019s face, shouting at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what about Ellie?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked down, and his voice began to rise.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want to talk about her, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you don\u2019t?\u00a0 Of course not.\u00a0 She\u2019s just your wife.\u00a0 The wife you left behind. You have no idea what you did to her, do you?\u00a0 You crushed her and left it to Pa and me to pick up the pieces!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe shoved Adam back down in the chair.\u00a0 Adam put his hand on the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes\u00a0as if attempting to shut Joe out.\u00a0 Finally, he looked up.\u00a0 He spoke through clenched teeth.\u00a0 \u201cI fully intended to send for her to join me in Boston.\u00a0 You know that. \u00a0I wrote every week, but after a while, my letters came back unopened.\u00a0 What was I supposed to do?\u00a0 I was sure she never wanted to see me again, so I stopped writing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe became incensed.\u00a0 \u201cYou should have come home!\u00a0 You should have fought for her!\u00a0 How could you just leave like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam slammed his hand down on the desk. \u00a0He had reached his limit. \u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s ENOUGH!\u201d\u00a0 He stood up to Joe.\u00a0 \u201cCome on, Joe.\u00a0 You\u2019ve been spoiling for a fight ever since I got back.\u00a0 Let\u2019s do it \u2013 right here, right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got it, brother!\u201d\u00a0 Joe took a step forward and swung at Adam, hitting him square on the jaw.\u00a0 Jolted, Adam steadied himself and swung back as Joe came at him, catching him in the gut.\u00a0 Joe rolled over the desk and fell to the floor, and the papers went flying.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop it you two – STOP!\u201d\u00a0 Alice came running into the room.\u00a0 \u201cHow dare you?\u00a0 Brothers fighting in their father\u2019s house!\u00a0 And him still warm in his grave!\u00a0 There are children in this house!\u00a0 Is this what you want to teach them?\u00a0 Violence?\u201d<\/p>\n

The two men looked at Alice like boys who got caught fighting in the school yard.\u00a0 Benji stood directly behind her, peeking out from behind her shoulders, his eyes wide.<\/p>\n

Adam and Joe were red in the face and breathing hard.\u00a0 They looked around at the damage they had caused.\u00a0 Joe spoke first.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Alice.\u201d\u00a0 He crouched down to gather the papers from the floor.<\/p>\n

He stood and faced Adam. \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m sorry, brother.\u00a0 I lost my temper.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot without good cause.\u201d\u00a0 Adam extended his hand to Joe\u00a0and shook it firmly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you may be out of shape, Adam, but you still throw a mean punch.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam put his hand to his mouth and flexed his jaw.\u00a0 \u201cYou too, little brother.\u00a0 I guess I\u2019ll think twice about mixing with you again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam and Joe stood together quietly for a moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI promise to make a decision soon, Joe.\u00a0 Give me a few days. \u00a0\u00a0I have a lot to think about.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grabbed his father\u2019s brandy bottle and a glass\u00a0and went out to the front porch. \u00a0Leaning a chair back against the post, he poured glass after glass, hoping to quiet the voices in his head.\u00a0 He heard the door to the house open and expected to see Joe, but it was Alice, pulling her shawl around her shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you would rather not have company right now I\u2019d understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam pulled out a chair for Alice and patted the seat for her to sit down.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry if I scared Benji.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBenji has a sister, so he\u2019s not familiar with how brothers interact.\u00a0\u00a0 I think it was good for him to see you fight, but more importantly, to see you forgive each other.\u00a0 That\u2019s the bigger lesson here, don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stared straight ahead.\u00a0 \u201cI guess I\u2019ve made quite a mess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, don\u2019t be so hard on yourself.\u00a0 You\u2019re here now – that\u2019s the most important thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sat quietly for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cAlice, I know I have to make a decision about my future soon.\u00a0 I owe it to you and Joe to let you know what my intentions are concerning the ranch. But before I do, I need to know where I stand with Ellie.\u00a0 I\u2019ve tried to talk to her, but she doesn\u2019t seem to want to talk about it.\u00a0 If she can\u2019t forgive me, if there\u2019s no chance she will take me back . . . I just couldn\u2019t live here on the ranch, seeing her every day. . .\u201d\u00a0 He looked down at the empty brandy bottle.\u00a0 \u201cI never stopped loving her, Alice.\u00a0 I want to set this right, but I don\u2019t know where to begin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alice reached over and placed her hand on Adam\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if I were a man trying to win back the woman he loves, I would start by earning her trust.\u00a0 But, be careful with her, Adam.\u00a0 Go slowly.\u00a0 She\u2019s very fragile.\u201d\u00a0 Alice squeezed his arm, and left him alone to think.<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

Adam woke to the light of dawn streaming through his window.\u00a0 He sat on the edge of the bed and watched the sunrise turn the horizon vivid orange and purple, silhouetting the pines.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t remember ever having seen such a beautiful sunrise in Boston.\u00a0 The buildings there, some of which he had designed, blocked the sky and the horizon was filled with smoke from the nearby factories.<\/p>\n

He could hear Hop Sing in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.\u00a0 He pulled on his trousers\u00a0and buttoned up his shirt.\u00a0 How did he ever live in city attire?\u00a0 Ranch wear fit him like a glove, like an old friend.\u00a0 Today seemed like a new beginning.<\/p>\n

Joe came down for breakfast, and soon Alice followed with two little sleepy heads plodding down the stairs behind her.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning children.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Pa.\u201d\u00a0 Benji sat at the table, while little Marie climbed into Joe\u2019s lap and snuggled close, her little bare feet peeking out from beneath her nightgown.<\/p>\n

\u201cBenji, you can eat your breakfast, and then I\u2019ll need to you clean out the barn before you leave for school.\u201d<\/p>\n

Benji returned a look that any young boy would have when asked to do the dirtiest chore on the ranch.\u00a0 He plopped his chin in his hands and dejectedly responded \u201cYes, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at him sideways.\u00a0 \u201cAnd take your elbows off the table.\u201d\u00a0 Benji yanked his elbows back and dug into his grits and molasses.<\/p>\n

Adam smiled and sipped his coffee.\u00a0 Memories of his father saying the same thing to him as a young boy flooded back.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Benji, I\u2019m a little out of practice cleaning the barn.\u00a0 Would you mind terribly if I took that chore from you today?\u201d<\/p>\n

Benji\u2019s mouth dropped open.\u00a0 He looked over to his father, and Joe nodded his approval.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Uncle Adam.\u00a0 I don\u2019t mind at all!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam finished his breakfast and went out to the barn.\u00a0 He sang softly to the horses as he cleaned and raked, and laid down fresh hay.\u00a0\u00a0 The simplicity of the chore made him feel purposeful and part of something bigger than himself.\u00a0 Joe came out to join him, and Adam proudly showed him his work.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Joe, does the barn pass your inspection?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks great.\u00a0 Good to know you still remember how to shovel manure.\u201d\u00a0 Joe grabbed the rake and began helping Adam.\u00a0 \u201cThat was a nice thing you did for Benji.\u00a0 He hates cleaning out the barn.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, Joe, I envy you.\u201d\u00a0 Adam leaned on the pitchfork.\u00a0 \u201cYou have a beautiful wife and two beautiful children.\u00a0 You\u2019ve taken great care of the ranch and the businesses.\u00a0 You are an honest, hard-working man with strength of character.\u00a0 I wish I could say the same about myself.\u00a0 You should be proud of the man you are today.\u00a0 I know Pa would be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stopped working\u00a0and looked at Adam.\u00a0 He started to say something\u00a0but thought again.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Later that morning, Adam sat at Pa\u2019s desk and finished the last of the accounting.\u00a0 Joe came in the front door and tossed his hat on the credenza.\u00a0 He glanced over to Adam, who was wearing his glasses to help him see the figures on the paperwork.\u00a0 Joe couldn\u2019t resist another opportunity to tease him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Adam, what\u2019s that on your nose?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThose are glasses, Joe.\u00a0 Don\u2019t laugh \u2013 you\u2019ll be wearing them someday, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, not me, brother.\u00a0 I can see the cows just fine without them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHey Joe, how about we go down to the canyon for some target practice. \u00a0I could do with a little brushing up on my gunplay. Maybe we can place a few wagers on who\u2019s the best shot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, be sure to bring a lot of cash with you, Adam, because you are going to lose big!\u201d<\/p>\n

The two brothers saddled up and rode down to the canyon.\u00a0 After yesterday\u2019s blow out, things between the brothers seemed less tense.\u00a0 Adam treasured this moment he was having with his only remaining family member.<\/p>\n

One of Adam\u2019s favorite places on the ranch, the canyon was rimmed on three sides by gigantic boulders.\u00a0 It was wild and magnificent, and he always felted dwarfed by its size.\u00a0 He had fond memories of learning to shoot there under his father\u2019s watchful eye.<\/p>\n

When they got to the canyon, Adam gathered up the cans littering the ground, lined them up, and stood behind Joe. \u00a0Joe drew his gun from his holster and shot them all down in seconds.\u00a0 Adam whistled.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood shootin\u2019, little brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe set the cans back on the rock.\u00a0 \u201cOK, your turn.\u00a0 Let\u2019s see if you still got it.\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s gun in the holster, he took a stance and drew his gun quickly.\u00a0 Six shots \u2013 six misses.\u00a0 \u201cGood thing that wasn\u2019t a bank robber with a gun in your face.\u00a0 You\u2019re getting slow, old man.\u201d\u00a0 Again, Joe could not resist an opportunity to tease Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t carry a gun anymore.\u00a0 No need where I come from.\u00a0 That would be considered rude.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRude?\u00a0 Well, I think getting gunned down with no means to defend yourself is rude, too.\u201d\u00a0 The men ejected the empty cartridges and reloaded their pistols.\u00a0 The conversation stalled.\u00a0 Joe had something he wanted to know from Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I\u2019m going to come right out and ask you, brother.\u00a0 Have you made your peace with Ellie?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam continued to look down, plugging bullets in the empty chambers of his gun.<\/p>\n

\u201cI tried, but she wouldn\u2019t let me.\u201d\u00a0 He clicked the revolver closed and looked down the handle to the sight at the end of the barrel. \u201cShe won\u2019t talk to me about it.\u201d\u00a0 He looked at Joe.\u00a0 \u201cIf I could just get some time alone with her . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe holstered his gun.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t you buy her picnic basket at the charity auction this Sunday?\u00a0 She always enters a basket.\u00a0 That would buy you at least 2 hours of her time.\u00a0 Maybe you could talk to her then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked at his brother.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, I think you might have something there.\u00a0 What time is the auction?\u201d<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

On Sunday afternoon the town of Virginia City bustled with activity.\u00a0 Bunting and banners were everywhere, dressing up the town.\u00a0 Up and down Virginia Street there were booths and games, shooting matches, and baked goods for sale; all to benefit the Virginia City charities. \u00a0In addition to a horse race and a sewing contest, there would also be a beautiful baby contest.\u00a0 It seemed like everyone in the territory was there.<\/p>\n

Alice and Joe arrived with the children in tow, and Adam and Sport followed behind.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, kids, where shall we go first?\u201d Adam asked, rubbing his hands together. \u00a0The children each took a hand\u00a0and pulled Adam down the street to the candy booth.<\/p>\n

Dressed all in black, he had permanently shed his city clothes for ranch attire. He\u2019d even replaced his lost top hat with a new black Stetson.\u00a0 His gun strapped to his waist and his boots clean and shiny, he looked every bit the westerner.\u00a0 As he walked down the street with Benji and Marie, he casually scanned the crowds to see if Ellie had arrived.\u00a0 From a distance he saw her, radiant in a blue gingham dress, hair blowing in the breeze.\u00a0 The sight of her set his heart pounding.\u00a0 She still looked every bit the young lady he had courted and married.<\/p>\n

Ellie was looking for Adam, too.\u00a0 Arriving in town she had seen Sport tied to a hitching post, so she knew he was here.\u00a0 She nonchalantly looked around\u00a0but was unable to find him.\u00a0 Waving to Alice, she crossed the street, and the two women dove deep into conversation.<\/p>\n

Joe was getting ready to ride out to moderate the horse race when Dave from the land office caught him by the arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Joe.\u00a0 I\u2019ve had a few people stop into the office asking about the Ponderosa.\u00a0 They wanted to know when the ranch will be ready for sale.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSale?\u201d\u00a0 Joe was confused.\u00a0 \u201cThe Ponderosa isn\u2019t for sale, Dave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I thought, Joe.\u00a0 But one of the men had a newspaper with an advertisement for prime grazing acreage for sale.\u00a0 They didn\u2019t mention the Ponderosa by name, but your ranch is the only one in this territory that fits the description.\u00a0 With your father passing and all, I guess they just assumed . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure it\u2019s a mistake, Dave.\u00a0 Has to be.\u00a0 But I\u2019ll come out to your office next week to see if we can get this straightened out.\u201d<\/p>\n

At noon the mayor called everyone over to the auction table to begin the lunch basket auction.<\/p>\n

\u201cFolks, folks, if you could, please gather around as we begin the picnic basket auction.\u00a0 You will be able to bid on a basket\u00a0and have lunch with the lady who prepared it.\u00a0 Remember, this is for charity, so please be generous!\u00a0 Our first basket is prepared by our very own school teacher, Mrs. Abigail Meyers.\u00a0 Do I have an opening bid?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hank Meyers stepped forward.\u00a0 \u201cTwenty dollars!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a bid of twenty dollars!\u00a0 Do I hear twenty-five?\u00a0 Twenty-five?\u201d<\/p>\n

A voice in the crowd called \u201ctwenty-five!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have twenty-five!\u00a0 Come on, folks, this is for charity.\u00a0 How about thirty?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hank stepped forward, and bid again.\u00a0 \u201cI bid thirty dollars!\u00a0\u00a0 And if anyone tries to outbid me, I\u2019ll throttle them!\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughter ran through the crowd.\u00a0 The mayor continued.\u00a0 \u201cThirty, going once. . . going twice . . . sold to Hank Meyers for thirty dollars!\u00a0 Hank, come collect your basket!\u201d\u00a0 The crowd responded with polite applause.<\/p>\n

Three more baskets were auctioned in similar fashion.\u00a0 Finally, Ellie\u2019s basket was up.\u00a0 \u201cThis basket was prepared by Ellie Cartwright, and we all know about her fine pie making skills.\u00a0 Now, who will open the bidding?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe spoke up.\u00a0 \u201cTwenty dollars!\u201d\u00a0 Adam shot him a glance from under the brim of his hat and scowled.\u00a0 This was too good for Joe.\u00a0 He was going to up the bidding against his brother, just to get a rise out of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwenty-five\u201d came a bid from the crowd.\u00a0 \u201cThirty!\u201d Joe called out. Then two more bids came in. \u201cForty!\u201d \u201cFifty!\u201d<\/p>\n

This was Adam\u2019s chance to win the basket, and he wasn\u2019t going to play around.\u00a0 He took a step forward and coolly placed his bid.\u00a0 \u201cFive hundred dollars.\u201d<\/p>\n

The crowd went silent, and the Mayor was dumbstruck. \u201cWell, we have a bid for five hundred dollars from Mr. Adam Cartwright!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie looked at Adam with her mouth gaping open.\u00a0 What was he trying to do?\u00a0 This was nothing but embarrassing.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo I have any other bids?\u00a0 Anyone?\u201d\u00a0 The Mayor scanned the crowd\u00a0but knew no one was going to outbid Adam.\u00a0 \u201cGoing once. . . going twice. . .\u201d\u00a0 The crowd started to get excited.\u00a0 \u201cSOLD!\u00a0 To Mr. Adam Cartwright for five hundred dollars!\u201d<\/p>\n

Thunderous applause and cheering came from the crowd.\u00a0 Ellie felt her face getting red and hot.\u00a0 Adam stepped through the crowd\u00a0and paid for the basket in cash.\u00a0 He went over to Ellie to collect his prize.\u00a0 He tipped his hat to her and took the basket from her hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you get what you paid for, Adam,\u201d she said out of the corner of her mouth while trying to smile for the crowd.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf your pie is as good as I remember it would be worth twice the price.\u201d\u00a0 Smiling a devilish smile, he extended his elbow towards Ellie, and she wrapped her arm through his.\u00a0 Adam sauntered through the crowd with Ellie on his arm, tipping his hat to the ladies who had gathered to watch.<\/p>\n

They loaded the basket in Ellie\u2019s wagon and took the north road out of town.\u00a0 Adam whistled a little tune in time to the gate of the horses.\u00a0 They came to a clearing in the trees they both knew well – they had spent time there together while courting many years ago.\u00a0 Adam parked the wagon\u00a0and reached up to help Ellie down.\u00a0 Effortlessly, he lifted her from the wagon and gently set her on the ground.\u00a0 She took the basket from the back of the wagon and set about arranging the picnic.<\/p>\n

Adam had decided to let Ellie do the talking today.\u00a0 The conversation was light for a while, but soon it became awkwardly quiet. As she busied herself with cleaning up the picnic, Adam stretched back on the blanket and leaned on his elbow.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t had a chance to thank you for sending the telegram about Pa.\u00a0 If it hadn\u2019t been for you, I would never have been able to make my peace with him before he died.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019d have done the same for me.\u00a0 After all that\u2019s happened between us, we\u2019re still family, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam became thoughtful.\u00a0 \u201cI very much want to be, Ellie.\u201d \u00a0He moved in closer and took both Ellie\u2019s hands in his.\u00a0 She made a move to draw them back, but he held them fast. \u201cI hope, at the very least, we can be friends.\u00a0 I know you don\u2019t trust me, and I don\u2019t blame you.\u00a0 I am going to work hard to earn back your trust.\u00a0 Do you think we could start again and see where it takes us?\u201d<\/p>\n

This time she pulled her hands away.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Adam. I don\u2019t know . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEllie, I promise, I will never hurt you again.\u201d<\/p>\n

She remained silent.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to decide today.\u00a0 Let\u2019s start at the beginning.\u201d\u00a0 Adam held out his hand.\u00a0 \u201cFriends?\u201d<\/p>\n

Smiling, she took his hand in return.<\/p>\n

\u201cFriends.\u201d<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

The picnic was over and the sun was beginning to set.\u00a0 Ellie and Adam rode silently back to town.\u00a0 Inside, she was deep in thought, back to the days before Adam left for Boston.<\/p>\n

She knew when they were married it wasn\u2019t easy for Adam to be the oldest son of Ben Cartwright.\u00a0 He had placed a lot of the responsibility for the ranch squarely on his son\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 Knowing his father intended to pass the Ponderosa down to him and his brothers made him feel trapped.\u00a0 He tried to be a dutiful son, but at the same time, he had dreams for his life, too.\u00a0 While going to school in the East, a whole new world had opened up to him \u2013 literature, architecture, music.\u00a0 Having to return to the grind of the ranch with no hope of ever being able to pursue his dreams made him inwardly angry and resentful.<\/p>\n

When his classmate Michael wrote and asked him to join his building firm in Boston, Adam regretfully declined his offer.\u00a0 Ellie immediately noticed a change in him.\u00a0\u00a0 Restless, he felt the world was passing him by.\u00a0 It even began to affect their marriage. \u00a0He was often distant and withdrawn.\u00a0\u00a0 Their sexual relationship, which had always been passionate and exciting, had waned.\u00a0 Many nights when he came to bed, she could expect nothing more than an emotionless kiss on the cheek.\u00a0 His desire to move back East and her love of the ranch life in the West was causing them to drift further and further apart.\u00a0 Ellie knew he would have to go and pursue his dream if he was ever going to be happy.<\/p>\n

Knowing he would never approach his father about the possibility of leaving, Ellie confided in Ben and talked him into supporting Adam\u2019s desire to go to Boston.\u00a0 A few weeks later as he was preparing to leave, she discovered one thing she hadn\u2019t counted on – he wanted to go ahead of her to establish himself with the firm and find them a place to live.\u00a0 When he was ready, he would send for her to join him. \u00a0Ellie was crushed.\u00a0 She assumed they would be leaving for Boston together.\u00a0 She tried to be understanding\u00a0but felt angry at being left behind.\u00a0 The day Adam left they argued and said dreadful things to each other.<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

In the days following the picnic, Adam became optimistic about the possibility of reconciling with Ellie.\u00a0 In the back of his mind, however, he knew he had a big decision to make.\u00a0 His obligations in Boston certainly wouldn\u2019t wait forever.\u00a0 He hoped Ellie would give him some clue as to whether they might have a future together.<\/p>\n

Over the next few weeks, he fell into a routine of helping Joe with the ranch chores – mending fences, chopping wood, and even some branding.\u00a0 He began to realize just how out of shape he had become.\u00a0 Ranch work certainly kept a man in shape, and the physical demands of the ranch also helped a man stay focused on what is important.<\/p>\n

He tried to make a trip out to Ellie\u2019s house nearly every day.\u00a0 Sometimes he stopped just to bring her some wildflowers he had picked for her, and other times he spent the day working on fixing little things at their house.<\/p>\n

The tension between them seemed to lessen as the days went by.\u00a0 They became more comfortable in each other\u2019s company, and she had even invited him to dinner once or twice.\u00a0 Adam enjoyed his time with her.\u00a0 When they parted, he always gave her a tender kiss on the back of her hand.\u00a0 Despite the progress they were making, there were still some unasked questions needing to be answered.\u00a0 Ellie would know when the time was right.<\/p>\n

Today she busied herself with touching up the paint on the interior of the house while Adam worked on the stalls in the barn.\u00a0 She found herself gazing out the windows frequently, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.<\/p>\n

When finished, she prepared some lunch and headed out to tell Adam it was ready.\u00a0 She stepped into the barn and, without his knowing, found him working without his shirt on.\u00a0 Glistening with sweat, she could see his defined muscles as he hammered some new boards into place.\u00a0 She stopped dead in her tracks and stared.\u00a0 The time that passed while they were apart brought the new reality of age.\u00a0 His hair, once full and dark, was now disappearing and had turned silver, along with the hair on his chest.\u00a0 His body was heavier, but still in good shape. \u00a0He was every bit as attractive as the day she met him \u2013 if not more so.<\/p>\n

Ellie\u2019s heart pounded. \u00a0She could feel her face getting warm.\u00a0 \u00a0Flashes of their passionate nights together sparked her memories.\u00a0 She had not felt desire for Adam\u00a0or any other man\u00a0since he left.\u00a0\u00a0 A few years after he had been away, suitors in the area began to make themselves known to her, but she rebuffed all their advances.\u00a0 She was married to Adam\u00a0and would remain so until he<\/em> ended their marriage.<\/p>\n

Not accustomed to the site of half naked men, she felt as if her feet were nailed to the floor.\u00a0 She cleared her throat to make her presence known.<\/p>\n

\u201cEh hem. . . \u201c<\/p>\n

He turned to face her.\u00a0 \u201cEllie!\u201d<\/p>\n

She tried to look only at his face, but couldn\u2019t help herself.\u00a0 Her eyes flicked up and down his body.\u00a0 Finally, she looked at the floor.\u00a0 Adam knew what she was doing\u00a0and unashamedly stood with his exposed body facing her while he wiped his hands on a towel.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm . . . well . . . I have some lunch ready\u00a0if you\u2019re hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat sounds great \u2013 I\u2019m starving.\u201d<\/p>\n

He washed up at the pump\u00a0and put his shirt back on.\u00a0 Ellie invited him to sit\u00a0and scurried around the kitchen serving him his lunch.\u00a0 It reminded her of their life together before he left.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s the work coming?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam sipped his lemonade.\u00a0 \u201cPretty soon I\u2019m going to have a hard time finding anything to do around here.\u00a0 You\u2019ve taken exceptional care of the place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Pa and Joe helped a lot.\u00a0 You know, I feel a little guilty taking you away from the Ponderosa.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure Joe relies on you now for your help with the ranch.\u201d\u00a0 Ellie took a seat at the table and passed a plate of sandwiches.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t feel guilty. I enjoy coming here.\u00a0 Brings back some good memories.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, um, there\u2019s something else I feel guilty about.\u201d\u00a0 Adam looked at Ellie.\u00a0 She was serious.\u00a0 She lowered her head and fidgeted with the edge of the tablecloth.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I . . . I\u00a0 . . . I have done something I shouldn\u2019t have.\u00a0 I hope you can forgive me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can forgive you anything.\u00a0 What is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

She raised her head and met his inquiring gaze.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you remember the day Sport threw you? \u00a0\u00a0After you left, I went out and found that damned, ridiculous hat of yours. \u00a0I intended to bring it back to you, but I was so angry – I threw it in the river.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled a devilish smile.\u00a0 \u201cIf you want it, it should be somewhere at the bottom of the lake by now.\u201d<\/p>\n

He broke into laughter.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAhhh. . . thank you.\u00a0 That\u2019s exactly where that ridiculous hat belongs!\u201d<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

The next day, Adam was already at the breakfast table when Joe and Alice came down and joined him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re up awfully early.\u00a0 Where are you running off to?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam blotted the corners of his mouth and dropped his napkin onto his empty plate.<\/p>\n

\u201cEllie and I are going riding this morning, so if you don\u2019t mind . . .\u201d\u00a0 He stood up from the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure you wouldn\u2019t rather spend the day fixing fences with me, brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam shot Joe a sideways glance and flashed a sly smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you don\u2019t look like the cat that ate the canary!\u00a0 Maybe I should come along \u2013 you know, to chaperone you two.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGoodbye Joe,\u201d Adam called as he walked toward the door.\u00a0 He strapped on his gun and put on his hat, pulling the brim low on his eyes.\u00a0 He turned back and tipped his hat.\u00a0 \u201cAlice.\u201d\u00a0 Alice winked back.<\/p>\n

Adam and Sport made their way down the road to Ellie\u2019s house. \u00a0It was a crisp autumn morning, and he could see the breath puffing from Sport\u2019s nose as they plodded their way along.\u00a0 \u00a0Grinning to himself, he felt like a young suitor, romancing the woman he loved.\u00a0 Over the past few weeks, they seemed to have grown closer, even though Ellie was still wary of him.\u00a0 Today\u2019s ride down to the lake should be a beautiful one, with plenty of time to talk along the way.\u00a0 When he got to the house, Ellie was out front, sitting in a chair trying to get her boots on.\u00a0 Adam threw his leg over the saddle and slid to the ground.\u00a0 He could hear Ellie swearing.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnything I can help you with, my dear?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn<\/em> these boots! \u00a0They are so hard to pull on!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam moved in front of her and without a word, took the boot from her hand and crouched down so his face was even with hers.\u00a0 He took her hand and placed it on his shoulder for balance.\u00a0 With the boot in one hand, he took her leg just under her knee and twisted the boot on to her foot.\u00a0 His mission complete, his hand lingered on her leg, caressing it while looking into her eyes.\u00a0 Ellie took a breath in \u2013 afraid to move lest she break the spell.\u00a0 His touch made her heart beat faster.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess we\u2019re ready then,\u201d Ellie whispered.<\/p>\n

Adam let go of her leg, reached for her hands and pulled her out of the chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst one to the oak tree wins.\u201d\u00a0 Adam smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u00a0 Wins what?\u201d\u00a0 Ellie yelled to him as she ran for her horse.\u00a0 She jumped into the saddle and kicked her horse hard, sending her galloping down the road.\u00a0 She loved a good race!<\/p>\n

Laughing, Adam jumped on Sport and ran after her.\u00a0 The two of them dashed down the road, neck and neck.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t let Sport throw you again!\u201d\u00a0 Ellie shouted back to Adam.\u00a0 They laughed as they sprinted down the road, the oak tree in their sights.\u00a0 She put her head down and leaned low on the neck of her horse, nudging him to the finish line.\u00a0 The clear winner, she dismounted and fell down in a patch of green grass.\u00a0 She rolled on her back, laughing and breathing heavily after the heated race.\u00a0 Adam came down from his horse\u00a0and lay in the grass next to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what did I win?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam brushed the hair from her forehead.\u00a0 \u201cThis,\u201d he said, and leaned in and gently kissed her on the lips.\u00a0 He looked into her eyes to try to measure her response.\u00a0 Ellie put her hand on the side of his face\u00a0and returned his kiss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess we\u2019re both winners now,\u201d Adam said.\u00a0 He lay on his back and reached for Ellie\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to know I\u2019ve noticed how loving and considerate you have been lately, Adam.\u00a0 But. . . I don\u2019t know. . .\u00a0 there are still a lot of things I need to work out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo need to rush anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two lay in the grass for hours.\u00a0 Adam had brought a book of sonnets, and he selected a few of his favorites to read aloud. His low, melodious voice was almost hypnotic.\u00a0 Ellie listened to the words a poet had written many years ago – of lovers who were lost to each other, just as Adam and Ellie were.\u00a0 How was the author to know his words would resonate with them now, as surely as those words did for other lovers in other places?<\/p>\n

Ellie rolled over and propped herself up on her elbows.\u00a0 She reached over and touched Adam\u2019s beard. It was gray in most places, and even some pure white patches appeared next to his mouth.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what do you think of my new look?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie ran her hand over it again and again.\u00a0 \u201cI like it, Adam.\u00a0 I remember how much you disliked shaving.\u00a0 It must be a relief not to have to do it anymore.\u00a0 I think it makes you look – distinguished.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, distinguished, huh?\u00a0 I like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut -\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI miss seeing your dimples.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA man my age shouldn\u2019t have dimples. There\u2019s nothing distinguished about dimples.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA man your age \u2013 what are you talking about?\u00a0 You are just as handsome as the day I met you.\u201d\u00a0 Just then, the sky darkened and the wind started to blow. \u00a0Adam scanned the sky.\u00a0 He remembered how quickly the weather in the Sierras could change, and how dangerous it could become.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like a storm\u2019s blowing in \u2013 we\u2019d better start making our way back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie and Adam mounted up and began the ride back to the house.\u00a0 They had only ridden 15 minutes or so before the sky opened up and rain fell in sheets.\u00a0 The thunder rolling against the mountains intensified the sound, and the horses were getting spooked.\u00a0 They made their way home as fast as they could safely travel.\u00a0 Arriving back at the house, Adam took the horses to the barn and bedded them down for the night.\u00a0 He would not be traveling back to the Ponderosa tonight until this storm had passed.<\/p>\n

Ellie ran into the house and started a fire.\u00a0 She was thoroughly soaked.\u00a0 Adam, soaked as well, entered the house, removed his jacket and hung it by the fire to dry.\u00a0 Ellie lit the stove in the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee.\u00a0 Outside, the thunder cracked and the lightning flashed, making her jump.<\/p>\n

Adam began peeling off his wet clothes, draping them over the furniture near the fire.\u00a0 He glanced toward the kitchen and caught a glimpse of Ellie.\u00a0 Her wet clothes were clinging to her body and had become transparent, leaving nothing to the imagination.\u00a0 He tried not to stare, but he couldn\u2019t help it.\u00a0 She was beautiful, even soaking wet.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you remember the big storm a few years back?\u00a0 The one that almost blew the roof off the barn?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, Adam.\u00a0 How could I ever forget?\u00a0 As soon as the roof was patched you left.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie\u2019s good will towards Adam was now gone.\u00a0 She felt anger and hurt rising in her chest.\u00a0 She was now ready to know why Adam had left her ten years ago, however painful that was going to be.\u00a0 If their relationship was going to continue, it had to be told.<\/p>\n

Dripping wet, she glared at Adam from across the room.\u00a0 \u201cThere is something I need to ask you, and I want you to promise to answer me honestly and truthfully.\u00a0 Are you able to do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam already knew what the question would be.\u00a0 She wanted an explanation, a reason why.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam . . . why?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam let out his breath.\u00a0 He rubbed his hand over his beard\u00a0and became deeply thoughtful.\u00a0 Ellie handed him a cup of coffee, but he could only stare into the cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, when I got to Boston, I found a small apartment and went to work for Michael\u2019s firm right away. Before long, he married into one of the most influential families in Boston.\u00a0 Once you are in that circle, well, things begin to happen for you.\u00a0 We were designing houses, warehouses, and storefronts for wealthy, influential people we would never had met had it not been for Michael\u2019s in-laws. \u00a0I found these people to be shallow and disingenuous, but Michael urged me to try to fit in for the sake of the firm.\u00a0 Soon, we were getting referral after referral, and it seemed the work would never end.\u00a0 We were making a fortune.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I remember reading about that in your letters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything happened so fast.\u00a0 I bought a home\u00a0and was making it ready for you in my spare time, which I didn\u2019t seem to have much of.\u00a0 Before I knew it, a year had gone by, then two.\u00a0 I was getting ready to write you to come join me\u00a0when Michael\u2019s wife found out he had a mistress and an illegitimate child.\u00a0 Overnight, we were pariahs in the community.\u00a0 I was unfairly judged by my association with Michael.\u00a0 He left for parts unknown, and I stayed in Boston and tried to make a go of it alone.\u00a0 No one would hire me.\u00a0 I had business debts to pay and no work coming in.\u00a0 I had to sell the house just to pay the creditors.\u00a0 I lost everything.\u00a0 I had to swallow my pride and start from the ground up.\u00a0 I was earning enough to get by, but I was never able to recapture my previous success.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie interrupted.\u00a0 \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you come home?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam remained quiet for a moment.\u00a0 He stood up and turned his back to her.\u00a0 \u201cI was a failure, Ellie.\u00a0 I pursued my dream and failed on the grandest of scales.\u00a0 I just couldn\u2019t admit it to Pa, to you, or even to myself.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t come home a failure.\u201d\u00a0 Adam turned.\u00a0 \u201cI needed you so much then.\u00a0 I wrote you over and over, but the letters came back unopened.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just couldn\u2019t read your letters anymore, Adam.\u00a0 They all spoke of how happy and successful you were.\u00a0 When you were here with me on the ranch, you were miserable and restless.\u00a0 I could only guess you were happy in Boston because I wasn\u2019t there with you. \u00a0\u00a0I wanted so much to join you\u00a0and waited for the invitation that never came.\u00a0 It seemed like each letter had a new reason why you didn\u2019t want me to come \u2013 you were too busy, the weather was bad, the house needed renovations . . .\u00a0 The excuses went on and on.\u00a0 Your letters became too painful to read.\u00a0 You had a new life.\u00a0 I knew I was a simple ranch girl . . . I would never fit in with the society of Boston.\u00a0 So I sent your letters back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam was silent.\u00a0 He was trying to absorb the weight of the words she had spoken.\u00a0 He knelt down in front of her\u00a0and looked into her eyes.\u00a0 Finally, he spoke. \u201cWhen I left you that day, I knew it was wrong not to take you, but I was selfish and thinking only of myself.\u00a0 I think that\u2019s why I was so angry.\u00a0 The things I said to you . . .\u00a0 I knew I was hurting you . . . Ellie, I am so sorry.\u00a0 I don\u2019t expect you to ever forgive me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie stood up.\u00a0 Her face turned red, and she could feel her temper flaring.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, do you know what you are asking me to forgive? \u00a0Do you know what I went through?\u00a0 If it weren\u2019t for Pa, I might have done some harm to myself.\u00a0 I tortured myself every night.\u00a0 What was wrong with me, that you would just ride away and leave me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEllie, I . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToo fat?\u00a0 Maybe too thin, huh?\u00a0 Maybe you wanted a more lady-like wife.\u00a0 Maybe I wasn\u2019t fancy enough for Boston.\u00a0 Maybe I wasn\u2019t educated enough.\u00a0 Maybe I wasn\u2019t your intellectual equal!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam started to protest, but Ellie kept on going.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were gone and never coming back.\u00a0 I had to let you go.\u00a0 And now, here you are!\u00a0 Do you think you can patch the barn, read a few poems to me, and we would pick up as if nothing had happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam remained silent.<\/p>\n

Ellie stood up to Adam.\u00a0 \u201cYou see me, Adam?\u00a0 LOOK<\/em> at me!\u00a0 I\u2019m not the woman you left here ten years ago – I\u2019m disillusioned and angry now.\u00a0 You<\/em> did that to me.\u00a0 You say you want a life with me now, but what will happen when the feelings that drove you away come back?\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you pick up your hat and go back where you came from?\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you get out and leave me alone!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s heart was breaking. The day had started so full of promise and now it had all collapsed.\u00a0 Maybe Ellie was right.\u00a0 Maybe too much damage had been done. The hope of reconciliation was over.\u00a0 Crushed, he slowly exhaled, silently dressed, and gathered his coat and hat.\u00a0 He opened the door to the house, stood in the doorway, and looked to the rain falling outside.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t feel so good to be unwanted, does it, Adam?\u201d\u00a0 She instantly regretted the words.\u00a0 She had pushed him too far.<\/p>\n

Hearing those words, Adam stopped, but he did not turn around. Placing his hat on his head, he stepped outside, gently closed the door behind him and made his way out to the barn to wait out the rain.\u00a0 Outside, the thunder and lightning resonated around the valley, like the emotions rumbling deep in his soul.<\/p>\n

Inside the house, Ellie broke into sobs.\u00a0 \u201cWhat have I done?\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>All those feeling she had kept inside all those years had just come spilling out.\u00a0 \u201cDamn it!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 When would she learn to control her mouth?\u00a0 She wanted to hurt Adam like he had hurt her.\u00a0 She wanted him to know what it felt like to be left behind like a piece of unwanted furniture.<\/p>\n

All the years he had been gone, she only wanted him to come back to her.\u00a0 Now here he was, and she just closed the door on any chance for them to be together.\u00a0 This was it.\u00a0 This was her last chance.\u00a0 She knew if she let him leave, he would never come back. Ever.<\/p>\n

She looked out the window and saw him with his back to her, leaning against the doorway to the barn, his head bent down against the rain. If she didn\u2019t do something now, right NOW, she would lose him forever.\u00a0 She suddenly felt emotions she had not felt in a long time \u2013 love, regret, forgiveness.<\/p>\n

She grabbed the door and flung it open.\u00a0 Adam looked over his shoulder and saw her coming across the yard to the barn in the pouring down rain.\u00a0 \u201cAdam!\u00a0 Adam!\u201d\u00a0 He burst out of the barn door and swept her into his arms, kissing her over and over.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, don\u2019t leave . . . don\u2019t leave me!\u00a0 I need you so much, please Adam . . .<\/p>\n

\u201cEllie, forgive me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Adam, please forgive me.\u00a0 I\u2019m so sorry for what I said.\u00a0 I was trying to hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam lifted Ellie off her feet and carried her into the house.\u00a0 He could feel her heart beating through her chest.\u00a0 She collapsed into Adam.\u00a0 He took her face in his hands and gently smoothed her wet hair from her forehead.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy Ellie, how could I have ever hurt you like I did?\u00a0 You are everything to me\u201d he whispered in her ear.<\/p>\n

Ellie looked up at Adam.\u00a0 Her heart pounded.\u00a0 This was the man she loved.\u00a0 This was the man she was destined to be with.\u00a0 \u00a0Her desire for him overwhelmed her.\u00a0 She reached for his hand, and wrapping her fingers in his, led him up the stairs to her bedroom \u2013 their bedroom.<\/p>\n

Once inside, she sat on the bed and pulled him down next to her.\u00a0 As they sat next to each other, Adam reached out and touched her face.\u00a0 She covered his hand with hers\u00a0and closed her eyes.\u00a0 The storm outside raged as all that had once come between them \u2013 the pain, the stubbornness, the pride – melted away.\u00a0 Only passion and love remained.\u00a0 The moment was electric.<\/p>\n

Ellie opened her eyes and looked at Adam.\u00a0 His eyes were hesitant.\u00a0 He was waiting for her signal to continue.<\/p>\n

\u201cEllie . . . I\u2019m not sure if I should . . . do you want me to stop?\u201d<\/p>\n

She leaned into him, and tenderly kissed him on the lips.\u00a0 He drew back and began slowly kissing her cheeks, her neck, her temple, her eyes, her lips. \u00a0Softly at first, she opened her mouth to his, and he began to kiss her – stronger, deeper, harder. They embraced each other as their passion took over. Adam\u2019s hands began to move along her body. \u00a0\u00a0He kissed her over and over, again and again.\u00a0 Slowly he moved his hand up her side and caressed her breast.\u00a0 He reached for a button, and undid it, waiting to see if she would ask him to stop.\u00a0 He continued one at a time\u00a0until her chemise was fully exposed.<\/p>\n

\u201cEllie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie, in turn, pulled his shirt out from his trousers\u00a0and undid his belt.\u00a0 She ran her hand up and slipped it under his shirt, caressing the hair on his chest. \u00a0Button by button, she unfastened his trousers.<\/p>\n

They undressed each other until no clothing came between them.\u00a0 He gently laid her on her back and began to make love to her.\u00a0 She relished his touch, arching her back to meet his caresses.\u00a0 Although they had been apart for so long, it seemed to make their lovemaking even sweeter.\u00a0 The excitement and desire felt brand new – as if this was their first time together.\u00a0 They spent the night as one – both of them overcome with passion.\u00a0 Finally, exhausted, they fell asleep entwined in each other\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

The next morning, Ellie was awakened by a\u00a0noise downstairs in the kitchen.\u00a0 She looked over and saw Adam was not in bed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t come down, Ellie.\u00a0 I have a surprise for you.\u00a0 Stay in bed, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Adam,\u201d Ellie smiled.<\/p>\n

He came up the stairs with a tray of coffee and toast. \u00a0On the tray he had placed some wildflowers he found in her garden.\u00a0 \u00a0He proudly handed the tray to Ellie.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m not the best cook, but the coffee isn\u2019t bad.\u201d\u00a0 He was relaxed and smiling.\u00a0 He pulled back the covers to hop into bed, and got a glimpse of Ellie, naked beneath the quilt.\u00a0 He stood for a moment and took in the sight of his beautiful wife.\u00a0 Ellie, feeling exposed in the morning light, grabbed the quilt away from Adam and tried to cover herself.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, my love.\u00a0 Don\u2019t cover yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie held up the quilt and allowed Adam to have his fill.\u00a0 \u201cIs it all as you remember it to be?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes went up and down her body.\u00a0 In the light of day, the sight of her unclothed body immediately aroused him, and he began to slowly caress her, kissing her all over.\u00a0 \u201cIs it possible it\u2019s better than I remembered?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, if we start this again we won\u2019t get any chores done this morning.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure Sport is hungry by now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m hungry, too,\u201d Adam winked.\u00a0 \u201cBut you\u2019re right. \u00a0I guess we\u2019d better get going.\u201d\u00a0 He was quiet and thoughtful for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cEllie, I have made my decision.\u00a0 This trip has reminded me of what\u2019s important in life.\u00a0 I want to come home \u2013 to you, to the ranch, to our life.\u00a0 Will take me back?\u00a0 I want to be your man again – the man you knew ten years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy love, I would never trade the kind and caring man you are today for the husband that left me ten years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

He threw back the quilt, got out of bed, and knelt on the floor next to Ellie.\u00a0 \u201cEllie Cartwright, would you do me the honor of being my wife \u2013 again?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait!\u201d\u00a0 She jumped out of bed and pulled the quilt around her.\u00a0 She went to her dresser and opened a drawer.\u00a0 Inside she found a small box that held her wedding ring.\u00a0 The one he placed on her finger on their wedding day.\u00a0 Ellie gave the ring to Adam.\u00a0 \u201cTake this and ask me again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took the ring from Ellie and held it over the end of her finger.<\/p>\n

\u201cEllie . . .\u201d That was all he was able to get out before she yelled \u201cYes!\u201d\u00a0 He placed the ring on her finger, and kissed it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you placed this ring on my hand on our wedding day, you asked me to wear it as a sign of your love and devotion.\u00a0 I want the world to know Adam Cartwright loves me and is devoted to me – and me alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

Dressed and fed, Adam and Ellie went out to the barn to feed the horses.\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cAdam, you should head back to the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Joe and Alice are going to wonder what happened to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not going without you.\u201d\u00a0 He took her by the waist and lifted her off the ground.\u00a0 She crossed her arms around his neck\u00a0and met his lips for a passionate kiss. \u00a0How lucky could he be – to have had this woman and then lost her, only to find her again?\u00a0 His mind made up, he intended to tell Joe that he and Ellie were back together, and he planned to stay on the Ponderosa permanently.<\/p>\n

They hitched up the buggy and began the trip back to the ranch.\u00a0 As they pulled into the yard, Joe came out of the house – a serious look on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been looking for you, Adam.\u00a0 Where have you been?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, Ellie and I . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA man was here, Adam.\u00a0 He was looking to buy your shares of the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Did you place an advertisement in the paper?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you are talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said you were going back to Boston\u00a0and would be selling out.\u00a0 You know what that means to me!\u00a0 I can\u2019t run half a ranch!\u00a0 Pa must be turning his grave.\u00a0 He worked so hard to build this place.\u00a0 How dare you divide the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, wait \u2013 I have no idea what is going on here.\u00a0 We should go into town and see what Dave in the land office has to say.\u00a0 Obviously, there\u2019s been a huge mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just came back from town.\u00a0 Dave showed me the advertisement. There are surveyors out in the north pasture already.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just as he finished his sentence, a carriage pulled into the yard.\u00a0 A thin woman, dressed all in green velvet, stepped from the carriage.\u00a0 Adam looked like he had seen a ghost.<\/p>\n

\u201cLila!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Adam dear.\u201d\u00a0 She approached him, and as she leaned in for a kiss, Adam took a step back.\u00a0 He looked at the woman and immediately knew she was the source of all the trouble.\u00a0 Lila was nothing short of a devious, manipulative woman.\u00a0 She had set her sights on Adam back in Boston\u00a0and was bound and determined to land him. \u00a0The spoiled daughter of a wealthy business associate, Lila was known as poison in the Boston community.\u00a0 Unfortunately for Adam, he found out too late to avoid her attentions.\u00a0 She fully intended to marry him\u00a0and made no effort to hide the fact from anyone, including Adam.\u00a0 He had tried to let her down by politely refusing her advances.\u00a0 She, however, continued to pop up wherever Adam was, foisting herself into his life against his wishes.<\/p>\n

\u201cAren\u2019t you happy to see me, darling?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d he sneered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, darling, I came to help you close up the ranch and sell the land.\u00a0 Since your father is dead now, you certainly wouldn\u2019t be thinking of staying in this God forsaken place!\u201d\u00a0 Adam clenched his jaw.\u00a0 \u201cBut, enough of that talk for now, darling.\u00a0 Get my luggage into the house for me, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t think you are going to stay here, do you?\u201d Adam hissed.\u00a0 \u201cGo back to town.\u00a0 There are several hotels to choose from.\u00a0 You can catch the stage back to Boston tomorrow morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t dream of it, love.\u201d\u00a0 Lila shot a sideways glance to Ellie.\u00a0 She guessed this was Adam\u2019s wife.\u00a0 \u201cNot much competition for me,\u201d <\/em>she thought.<\/p>\n

Ellie stood next to Alice.\u00a0 Knowing Ellie\u2019s temper could quickly get out of control, Alice reached down and grabbed her wrist.\u00a0 The last thing they needed right now was Ellie swearing at their guest. \u201cLet\u2019s all go inside, shall we?\u201d Alice said.\u00a0 \u201cWe obviously have a lot to talk about.\u201d\u00a0 She held Ellie fast and led her into the house.<\/p>\n

Lila brushed into the house and looked around.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, my . . . how . . . rustic.\u201d\u00a0 Her face looked as if she had seen the bottom of the outhouse.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, darling, I am simply parched!\u00a0 Be a good man and get me something to drink.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get it for you, Miss . . .\u00a0 Miss . . .\u201d Alice stammered over her name.\u00a0 Still holding her by the wrist, Alice pulled Ellie into the kitchen.\u00a0 \u201cEllie, dear, could you help me in the kitchen, please?\u201d<\/p>\n

The two women made their way into the kitchen.\u00a0 Ellie went up to the sink and leaned on it for support.\u00a0 Feeling emotions rising, she tried to control herself.\u00a0 Damned<\/em> Adam!\u00a0 And after he promised to\u00a0never hurt her again.\u00a0 She looked at the ring on her hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been a fool, Alice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alice came up behind her, took her by the shoulders and turned her around.\u00a0 \u201cEllie \u2013 what\u2019s this all about?\u00a0 Who is that terrible woman?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cApparently she is someone from Adam\u2019s life in Boston.\u00a0 Someone he neglected to mention to me.\u201d\u00a0 Ellie buried her face in her hands.\u00a0 \u201cAdam and I reconciled last night.\u00a0 I forgave him everything.\u00a0 We . . .we . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie\u2019s eyes were red and teary.\u00a0 Alice knew – Adam and Ellie had been intimate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t do this again, Alice.\u201d \u00a0Ellie opened the back door and ran out into the yard.\u00a0 She untied Benji\u2019s horse, climbed aboard, and rode away.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Adam, Joe, and Lila were seated around the fireplace.\u00a0 Lila continued to look down her nose at the furnishings and d\u00e9cor.<\/p>\n

Adam tried to hold his temper in check.\u00a0 \u201cLila, are you behind the advertisement for the sale of the ranch?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, yes darling.\u00a0 I hadn\u2019t heard from you in quite a while, so I made some inquiries regarding this property.\u00a0 I discovered you had done nothing to disperse it, so I thought I would help and move it along for you.\u00a0 I was only trying to get you back to Boston as soon as possible.\u201d\u00a0 She continued on with a sickening, child-like voice. \u00a0\u00a0\u201cDarling, I hope you\u2019re not angry with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stood up.\u00a0 \u201cLook, lady, I don\u2019t know who you are, but the Ponderosa is not for sale!\u201d \u00a0He looked at Adam, who was sitting with his mouth gaping open.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, maybe your<\/em> half is not for sale, but my Adam has decided to sell his half, right darling?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam, clearly trying to stay calm, answered her with a low voice.\u00a0 \u201cQuite the opposite, Lila.\u00a0 I have no intention of ever<\/em> selling my stake in the Ponderosa.\u00a0 I have decided to stay in Nevada, and run the ranch with my brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe looked at his brother \u2013 a look of relief on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, darling, you are just blinded by the grief of your father\u2019s passing.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure when you think about it, you\u2019ll want to return to me and our life in Boston where you belong.\u201d\u00a0 She reached over to put her hand on his, but he forcefully grabbed her by the wrist.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur <\/em>life?\u00a0 What do you mean our life?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Alice returned with a glass of water for Lila.\u00a0 \u201cHere you are, Miss. . . What did you say your name was?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, it\u2019s Lila.\u00a0 Lila Donnelly of the Boston Donnelly\u2019s.\u00a0 Thank you, my dear.\u00a0 Now, I\u2019m going to need a napkin to blot myself with. The heat here is brutal!\u00a0\u00a0 Be a dear and fetch one for me?\u201d Lila pulled a small compact mirror from her handbag and began to powder her nose.<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s face was getting redder by the minute.\u00a0 He was not going to allow this woman to order his wife around. \u00a0He stood up and walked over to Lila, and taking her by the elbow, walked her to the door. \u00a0\u201cI think you better leave.\u00a0 You are not welcome here.\u201d\u00a0 Joe led her outside, and all but threw her into her carriage.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut how will I find my way back to town?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake the north road.\u00a0 You\u2019ll find it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe strode back to the house.\u00a0 As he closed the door, Lila called out \u201cBut which way is north?\u201d\u00a0 Ignoring her, he bolted the door shut.<\/p>\n

Adam paced the floor.\u00a0 So angry, he could barely speak.\u00a0 \u201cWhere is Ellie?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe left, Adam,\u201d Alice replied.\u00a0 \u201cShe was upset.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam covered his mouth with his hand and slowly shook his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no.\u00a0 I\u2019ve lost her for sure now.\u00a0 We were reconciled. I had decided to stay on and make a go of it with you and Joe on the ranch.\u00a0 She had forgiven me.\u00a0 But now . . .\u00a0 I need to talk to her, to explain . . .\u201d<\/p>\n

Alice took Adam by the shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, Ellie is hurting right now.\u00a0 She probably won\u2019t listen to a thing you have to say.\u00a0 Let me go to her.\u00a0 I\u2019ll see what I can do, but I\u2019m not promising anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

Alice drove the wagon to Ellie\u2019s house.\u00a0 She opened the door of her house without knocking.\u00a0 \u201cEllie?\u00a0 Are you here?\u201d<\/p>\n

An emotional voice from upstairs called down to her.\u00a0 \u201cGo away, Alice!\u201d<\/p>\n

Alice ignored her and climbed the stairs.\u00a0 She found Ellie in her room, lying face down on her bed.<\/p>\n

She grabbed her by the arm and forced her up.\u00a0 \u201cEllie!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave me alone!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Ellie.\u00a0 I won\u2019t leave you alone.\u00a0 Listen to me . . .\u00a0 LISTEN to me!\u00a0 A few weeks ago, Adam and Joe had a terrible fight.\u00a0 Joe was trying to get Adam to confess why he had left you.\u00a0 Adam said the fault was all his, but Joe wouldn\u2019t believe it.\u00a0 Do you know what he said to Adam?\u00a0 He said \u2018Why didn\u2019t you fight for her?\u00a0 Why didn\u2019t you come home and fight to get her back?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie looked at Alice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m asking you the same thing, Ellie.\u00a0 Why aren\u2019t you fighting for Adam?\u00a0 A Cartwright woman would never allow that skinny-assed, pale-faced phony to steal her husband.\u00a0 A Cartwright woman would kick and scratch and claw to keep what\u2019s hers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam is yours, Ellie.\u00a0 You said so yourself.\u00a0 He\u2019s broken and hurting now, and he\u2019s afraid to talk to you for fear you will reject him.\u00a0 Our men seem tough, but sometimes they are as fragile as a teacup.\u00a0 Men need the help of their woman, and Adam needs your help right now.\u00a0 Now, get up out of this bed!\u00a0 Wash your face, saddle up your horse, go into town, and send that harlot packing!\u00a0 Claim what\u2019s yours!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie fingered her wedding ring; the one Adam had put on her finger just that morning.\u00a0 She took a breath\u00a0and wiped her eyes on her bedspread.\u00a0 She grabbed Alice by the shoulders and gave her a hug.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, sis.\u00a0 Wish me luck.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t need luck, Ellie.\u00a0 Go get your man!\u201d<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

Ellie jumped on her horse and headed for town.\u00a0 She went straight to the Palace Hotel, assuming Lila would only settle for the best in town.\u00a0 She was right \u2013 Lila had taken the entire upstairs suite.\u00a0 She climbed the stairs and stood in front of Lila\u2019s door.\u00a0 She steadied herself and knocked on the door.\u00a0 There was no answer.\u00a0 She knocked again, this time more forcibly.\u00a0 Her stomach dropped as she heard the lock turn.\u00a0 Lila opened the door, dressed in a dressing gown and slippers.\u00a0 Her hair was down, and Ellie could tell it was not a natural color.\u00a0 She wore a large amount of face powder and rouge.\u00a0 Ellie thought she looked much older than her years.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if it isn\u2019t Mrs. Cartwright.\u00a0 My, my!\u00a0 Aren\u2019t you the western gal!\u201d\u00a0 Lila\u2019s eyes ran up and down Ellie\u2019s body.\u00a0 \u201cWon\u2019t you come in, Mrs. Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n

While trying hard to control her anger, Ellie spoke in a quiet, measured voice.\u00a0 \u201cNo, thank you.\u00a0 I won\u2019t be coming in.\u00a0 I came here to tell you to stay away from Adam.\u00a0 He is my <\/em>husband, and he will not be seeing you again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lila narrowed her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cWell, Mrs. Cartwright, it seems we have a difference of opinion.\u00a0 You see, even though Adam talked about you all the time, it was me he came to for comfort on those cold nights in Boston.\u00a0 We were a couple.\u00a0 Adam was working hard to build his business, and he was going to ask me to marry him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie crossed her arms over her chest and shifted her weight.\u00a0 It was impossible to even try<\/em> to control her temper now.\u00a0 She was in full fight mode.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m not sure about Boston, but here in Nevada it\u2019s against the law to have two wives.\u00a0 Adam never divorced me, so that would make you nothing but a damned<\/em> whore<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lila gasped.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd funny thing about you saying he talked about me all the time \u2013 he never once mentioned you to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lila\u2019s gaze suddenly shifted over Ellie\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 Behind her at the top of the stairs stood Adam.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u00a0 Adam, my love!\u00a0 This woman is delusional!\u00a0 She is trying to intimidate me into not seeing you again.\u00a0\u00a0 Tell her, Adam.\u00a0 Tell her who I am.\u00a0 Tell her what I mean to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam stepped between Lila and Ellie.\u00a0 He put his hands on Lila\u2019s shoulders, his face inches from hers.\u00a0 He spoke to her in low, forewarning tones.<\/p>\n

\u201cListen to me, Lila.\u00a0 You<\/em> are the one who is delusional.\u00a0 You mean nothing to me, except in your own mind.\u00a0 You\u2019ve been ruthlessly pursuing me despite my telling you to stay away.\u00a0 You are nothing but a spoiled, lying woman determined to get her way by any means possible.\u00a0\u00a0 Now, you get this straight.\u00a0 Ellie is my wife, not you.\u00a0 She is everything you are not.\u00a0 I love her\u00a0and intend to stay here with her.\u00a0 I am not selling the Ponderosa, and I am not going back to Boston.\u00a0 Ever.\u00a0\u00a0 Do you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took Lila by the shoulders and shook her.\u00a0 \u201cDo you hear me, Lila?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, no!\u201d\u00a0 Lila broke down in tears.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow get out of my sight.\u00a0 Go back to Boston where you belong.\u201d<\/p>\n

He took a step back and turned to face Ellie.\u00a0 Suddenly he heard a loud crack\u00a0and felt a bite on his shoulder that twisted him around against his will.\u00a0 The unmistakable smell of gunpowder filled the air.\u00a0 He turned and saw Lila standing in the doorway to her suite with a smoking gun in her hand.<\/p>\n

Instinctively, Ellie pushed past Adam and dove on Lila.\u00a0 She knocked her to the ground and the pistol went flying across the floor.\u00a0 Sitting on Lila\u2019s chest, she clasped her arms together and swung, striking Lila in the face with both fists, knocking her out cold.<\/p>\n

Townsfolk who had heard the shot came running up the stairs to see what had happened.\u00a0 Adam leaned against the wall, his shoulder bleeding.\u00a0 \u00a0Ellie turned around and saw he\u2019d been hit.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u00a0 Adam!\u00a0 Oh my God \u2013 are you all right?\u00a0 You\u2019re bleeding!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a nick.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sheriff came upon the scene and deduced Lila had fired in a fit of jealousy.\u00a0 When she came to, he took her off to jail.\u00a0 \u201cCome by the jail tomorrow and sign the complaint, won\u2019t you Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie helped Adam across the street to the doctor\u2019s office.\u00a0 She gingerly removed his shirt while the doctor prepared his instruments.\u00a0 He put on his glasses and silently studied the wound to Adam\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is he, Doc?\u201d<\/p>\n

The doctor turned and smiled at Ellie.\u00a0 \u201cOh, this little thing?\u00a0 You\u2019ve been shot by much bigger guns than that peashooter, Adam.\u00a0 Some cleaning and bandaging, and you\u2019ll be on your way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie held Adam\u2019s hand while the doctor dressed his wound.\u00a0 He was quiet and thoughtful.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you see to the woman, Doc?\u00a0 Is she going to be OK?\u00a0 I hit her kinda hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYou really walloped her, Ellie!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that\u2019s what happens when some woman messes with my man.\u00a0 Best you remember that, husband.\u201d<\/p>\n

Freshly bandaged, Ellie helped Adam back into his shirt.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Ellie,\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 \u201cFor everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ellie smiled at Adam.\u00a0 She knew right there they were destined to live together for as long as God would give them.\u00a0 She whispered a prayer of gratitude\u00a0and took her man by the arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go, Adam.\u00a0 Take me home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Next Story in the Take Me Home Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Letters from Home<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tags:\u00a0 Adam Cartwright,\u00a0Joe \/ Little Joe Cartwright,\u00a0wife \/ wives<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/g><\/svg><\/i> \"Loading\"<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0Adam is called home from Boston for a family emergency after a ten-year absence. Will he be able to win back the love of his life he left behind?<\/p>\n

Rating: \u00a0MA\/R\u00a0\u00a0 WC 19208<\/p>\n

Take Me Home Series, links to stories within the series are included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10301,"featured_media":14402,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,690,698,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14105","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-a-u","category-ma-rated","category-post-timeline","category-romance","wpcat-7-id","wpcat-690-id","wpcat-698-id","wpcat-3-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":3310,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Pondarosa-House-3.jpg?fit=564%2C401&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":12134,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12134","url_meta":{"origin":14105,"position":0},"title":"In My Father’s House (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"May 1, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. Any reader wishing to read this series should e:mail the Brandsters:\u00a0 Brandsters2020@gmail.com","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Pondarosa-House-3.jpg?fit=564%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Pondarosa-House-3.jpg?fit=564%2C401&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Pondarosa-House-3.jpg?fit=564%2C401&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12120,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12120","url_meta":{"origin":14105,"position":1},"title":"Blundered Seduction (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"December 1, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Caught with his pants down and in a compromising situation by the one person he'd least likely want to find him as such, Joe learns three valuable lessons; no one ever died of embarrassment, chose your friends carefully, and being 16 and still a virgin is nothing to be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":12132,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12132","url_meta":{"origin":14105,"position":2},"title":"Chinese Molasses (by DebbieB)","author":"DebbieB","date":"January 1, 2002","format":false,"excerpt":"DebbieB passed away Christmas 2021. 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