{"id":2975,"date":"2011-07-06T17:50:36","date_gmt":"2011-07-06T21:50:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2975"},"modified":"2026-01-20T15:36:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T20:36:45","slug":"the-missing-week-or-the-art-of-convalescing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2975","title":{"rendered":"The Missing Week or The Art of Convalescing (by faust)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: <\/span>The way to recovery can be stony. But sometimes obstacles come from the most unexpected origins. And just how many times will Doctor Martin have to come to the Ponderosa to patch up Adam once again?<\/p>\n

16,750 words, rated T<\/p>\n

My Story Index and reading order for the Art-Universe<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

The Missing Week<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This can be read as a stand alone, although it is a companion piece to The Art of Horse Selling<\/a>. It contains some spoilers, so you might want to read Horse Selling first.<\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t read Horse Selling, you have to know is this: Adam was shot and left for dead in a mud hole. He was eventually found and brought home; and while Hoss was going for the doctor, the Ponderosa was raided and Adam, despite his injury, had to defend his friend Juliet against the burglars.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0The Missing Week<\/strong><\/h3>\n

or<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Art of Convalescing<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sunday Evening<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Juliet stretched out her long legs under the bedcovers. She yawned heartily, snuggled into her blanket and finally gave in to exhaustion.<\/p>\n

After Hoss had delivered her to Mrs. Hawkins\u2019; after the widow had dragged her in crying, \u201cDear god, what happened to you?\u201d over and over again; after she had thanked Hoss for offering to tend to her horse and send him on his way with the words, \u201cAnd take good care of Adam!\u201d; after she had given a short but trenchant summary of the day\u2019s event to her host, who was busily fluttering around, heating water, getting towels, and making tea; after she had washed herself and changed into a wonderfully clean nightshirt and dressing gown\u2014Juliet had settled down and drawn up the new series of articles she planned for the next issues of the Territorial Enterprise<\/em>. She had even fully written the one that would probably be the banner story of tomorrow\u2019s edition: a first hand report of the events leading to the capture of Virginia City\u2019s most wanted criminals. She had chosen not to give away details yet, she had spared the best for the conclusion of her series. She had only stopped writing when the first strays of morning sunlight flickered through her room.<\/p>\n

Now sleep engulfed her and led her to an endless swamp that she was supposed to clean out with only a tiny Brussels laced handkerchief. She desperately tried to wipe here and there, but, of course, her efforts had no success. Just when she was ready to give in to frustration, a long fingered tanned hand grabbed her arm and dragged her away. She looked up to see Adam, clad in a Roman toga, with a laurel-wreath on his head; and he gazed at her with warm, sad eyes and said, \u201cI just came to say good-bye. I know you did your best, but once again, your best wasn\u2019t good enough.\u201d And then suddenly the pristine white sheet draped around him was stained with crimson red, and the stain became bigger and bigger until there was no white left, and Adam let her arm go and went to the swamp, and with every step he took he sank deeper into the mud. Juliet watched that in utter horror, and she cried and screamed and begged him to come back, please come back\u2014<\/p>\n

She woke with her mouth open, her throat sore from crying. Pushing her covers from her sweating body, she sat up at the side of her bed, pressing her hands to her throbbing temples, silently rocking back and forth until it was time to get up at last.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Monday<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n


\nAfter a minor battle with Mr. Goodman, Juliet managed to make it out of the bureau quite early that afternoon. Dr. Martin readily agreed to take her in his buggy to the Ponderosa, since he always found it nice to have some company on the long drive to the ranch house.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ben Cartwright was obviously relieved to see the doctor, even though Adam seemed to be as fine as anybody could wish, but from the way he greeted Juliet with, \u201cI didn\u2019t expect you to pass by <\/em> so soon.\u201d it became quite clear that he didn\u2019t assign these feelings on her, too. If Juliet noticed his reservation she didn\u2019t let on. Instead she beamed at her reluctant host with one of her brighter smiles and handed him the hamper she had brought.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you might not have the time or energy to cook, so I asked Mrs. Hawkins to prepare something for three hungry men… And there\u2019s some broth for Adam, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked at her, surprised. \u201cThat was…very thoughtful of you, Miss Heatherstone.\u201d He considered her for a moment and then, with a tiny smile only the most suspicious would have called mischievous, he added, \u201cIf you follow me into the kitchen I show you where you\u2019ll find everything to heat the broth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Juliet stared at him, beaten. She opened her mouth, but clearly was at a loss for words.<\/p>\n

\u201cBroth,\u201d the doctor filled in. \u201cVery thoughtful, indeed, Miss Heatherstone. I never mentioned it, knowing Hop Sing wasn\u2019t here. That\u2019s exactly what Adam needs now. If you have it ready right after I examine him, that would be perfect!\u201d<\/p>\n

Juliet pressed her lips together, crossed her arms on her chest and glared at the two men.<\/p>\n

Both Ben and Doctor Martin saw her jaws working and each began to count down inwardly towards the inevitable outburst.<\/p>\n

Juliet lifted her chin in that very familiar imperious gesture, raised an eyebrow and announced, \u201cVery well. I\u2019ll do what\u2019s necessary. I hope your cooking equipment meets my requirements.\u201d<\/p>\n

And with that she swept into the kitchen, her skirt swishing somehow indignantly, leaving Ben and the doctor nonplussed.<\/p>\n


\n***<\/span><\/p>\n


\nWhen Dr. Martin descended the stairs, announcing that all was well, and Adam\u2019s wound showed no signs of infection or other complications, Juliet had just emerged from the kitchen, her hair in even more disarray than usual, holding a steaming bowl of heavenly smelling beef broth and a spoon in her hands and with a dishcloth draped over her right shoulder. If not for her sumptuous black and cream striped skirt, her ivory silk blouse and her elaborately embroidered vest, she could have been mistaken for a kitchen maid.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, a kitchen maid wouldn\u2019t glare at Ben Cartwright as he tried to pass her at the foot of the stairs, or use that clipped accent to admonish him, \u201cExcuse me, but this soup is getting cold when not served immediately. And I\u2019d like to talk to Adam alone, if <\/em>you don\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Of course, a kitchen maid would have been send on her way with a month worth of wages at that point, but since he could hardly do this to the Bearer of The Broth\u2014and Juliet seemed to know that very well\u2014Ben just glared back, silently fighting an eye-duel with her for a few seconds, then finally sighed and, shaking his head, gave in.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, certainly. Just go ahead; you know the way already.\u201d<\/p>\n

A regal nod of her head, only a slight tilt, barely visible, \u201cThank you, Mr. Cartwright\u201d, and she swept up the stairs, again leaving behind two bewildered men.<\/p>\n

Juliet stifled her giggle before she entered Adam\u2019s room.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t bring a basket of goodies, but since you\u2019re not my grandmother, I assume broth is more suitable anyway,\u201d she said by way of greeting.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd since I\u2019m not the big, bad wolf, I will stick to the broth and spare you, Red Riding Hood,\u201d Adam replied with a chuckle. \u201cI was very relieved when Paul told me about the broth, Juliet. Pa already threatened me with bread soaked in milk.\u201d Adam pulled a face and shuddered at the thought. His wince at the movement was microscopic, but Juliet noticed it anyway.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you in pain, Adam? Do you need the doctor to come back?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, it\u2019s all right. I\u2019m fine. As long as I don\u2019t move I\u2019m fine as frog\u2019s hair.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs\u2014what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs frog\u2019s hair.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure you\u2019re well?\u201d Juliet put the bowl on the nightstand and bent down to Adam to search his face. \u201cMaybe you\u2019re running a fever?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not delusional, Juliet. It\u2019s only a saying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe frog\u2019s hair?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Ha, ha<\/em>.\u201d She tried a sarcastic face, but couldn\u2019t help sniggering. \u201cFine as frog\u2019s hair. That\u2019s nihilism, Adam. Pure nihilism.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever you say, Mylady. Now wasn\u2019t there some broth?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yes.\u201d She handed him bowl and spoon, and sat down on the bedside. \u201cCareful, it\u2019s still quite hot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSmells delicious. Don\u2019t tell me you made it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t want to eat anything I made, Adam.\u201d She gave him a surprisingly thoughtful look. \u201cAt least I assume not. I would rather let Mrs. Hawkins cook it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, it was very th\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you say thoughtful<\/em>, I will start to scream, Adam!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to hear that one day, really, Juliet, but not now, please.\u201d Adam chuckled, albeit very carefully, so not to disturb his wound anymore. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with thoughtful<\/em>, anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour father and Doctor Martin already said that, as if it were a major miracle that I brought it. As if I\u2019m completely inept at caring for others.\u201d She sounded more wounded than Adam thought possible; and she lowered her gaze to study her hands.<\/p>\n

Gingerly Adam reached out and lifted her chin. He waited until her eyes finally met his. \u201cYou are very apt in caring for others, Juliet. Don\u2019t let anyone make you think differently.\u201d He saw her eyes getting watery. \u201cWhat\u2019s eating at you, Juliet?\u201d he asked very softly.<\/p>\n

Juliet turned her face away and pulled out of his hold. She shook her head. \u201cI…I\u2019m tired, that\u2019s all. I haven\u2019t slept much last night. Just like everybody, I suppose.\u201d She looked at him, nearly pleading to let it go. Then she stood, pulled the rocker from the place at the window, where Ben Cartwright had left it only this morning, next to the bed, sat down on it and leaned back. She gazed at Adam, and suddenly she looked as composed as ever.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow eat your soup, Adam, before it\u2019s cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

He looked back at her. Well, he could play along, if this was what she wanted. He lifted the spoon in a mock salute. \u201cAye, Madam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Juliet smiled. \u201cThat\u2019s the spirit! And if you\u2019re a good boy and eat it all, I shall read you something, after you\u2019ve finished.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n***<\/span><\/p>\n


\nIt was late afternoon and Dr. Martin long gone, when Hoss, who had finally finished repairing the barn roof, harnessed the buggy and prepared to drive Miss Juliet back to Virginia City once again; and Joe, who had come home from the north pasture only half an hour earlier, was sent upstairs with two mugs of tea.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Joe entered Adam\u2019s room, he found his brother reading silently. Joe couldn\u2019t help but laugh. Only Adam would read while having a lady sitting at his side.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, have you run out of topics already?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShh.\u201d Adam nudged his head to Juliet, who was sitting on the rocker, her hands neatly folded in her lap, her head lying at a very uncomfortable looking angle on her left shoulder. Her eyes were firmly closed, and her chest was falling and rising in a calm, steady rhythm.<\/p>\n

Joe put the mugs on Adam\u2019s bedside table, turned to the rocker and gazed into Juliet\u2019s relaxed face. He couldn\u2019t believe it. \u201cShe fell asleep on you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBe quiet,\u201d Adam hissed at him. He watched Juliet for a moment, but she didn\u2019t stir. \u201cJust get out. And, Joe, be smart, don\u2019t ever talk to her about this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? But\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t tease her about this, Joe. Just\u2014don\u2019t.\u201d Adam caught his brother\u2019s eye. \u201cShe\u2019s worn out. She hasn\u2019t slept at all last night; just let her rest a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean she\u2019s human after all? \u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, all right, I don\u2019t say a word.\u201d Joe crouched down a bit to look at Juliet again. \u201cShe looks different with her eyes shut. Cute.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam chuckled quietly. \u201cDon\u2019t tell her that either. I\u2019m sure she doesn\u2019t want to be seen as \u2018cute\u2019!\u201d He gazed at the sleeping lady. Joe was right, she looked somehow cute, and tame, and mild; and Adam fervently missed the spark in her stormy eyes, the sarcastic arch of her brow and her teasing voice. \u201cNow go. Quietly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe left the room, barely suppressing a giggle, and Adam resumed his perusal of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Tuesday<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n


\nFrom where Adam was tied to an odd rock formation that bore a striking resemblance to a horse saddle, with a particularly pointed edge that represented the saddle horn and poked very unpleasantly into his right side, he had a clear view of the two outlaws who pushed a struggling Juliet back and forth between them. He tried to shout and make them stop, but instead of words his mouth only emitted a hoarse croak that didn\u2019t seem to impress the men in the slightest. Now one of them held Juliet by her upper arm and tried to nestle his face where her neck and shoulder met, while Juliet tried to wriggle free from him, all the while looking at Adam and reaching out for him with both hands. Her eyes were wide and pleading and she whispered nearly inaudibly, \u201cWhy don\u2019t you help me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He strained against his bonds, trying to yank his arms free, but somehow this only caused the stony saddle horn to dig into his side even more painfully. He cried out in frustration and launched himself against the ropes that kept him in place with all the strength he could muster. And just as if the sheer will to get free was enough, miraculously the bonds fell away and he stumbled forward, reaching for his gun, ready to strike. But when he trained his gun on the man holding Juliet, the scene changed, and Juliet, with a nurse\u2019s hat and a huge white apron approached him carrying a bowl with water and a stack of towels.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you\u2019re hurt. Let me help you,\u201d she said softly.<\/p>\n

He looked down his body, and he saw a bloodstain on his shirt, and when he gazed up again, Juliet had been replaced by an enormous black bird. The bird\u2014was it a crow?\u2014spread its wings, huge wings that threw a shadow on Adam; and the shadow grew and became darker and darker as the bird came closer, until there wasn\u2019t any light left, and Adam stood in complete blackness. He wondered briefly if this was death after all, when suddenly flames were leaping out of the ground, engulfing both him and the crow, and the bird suddenly gave a shrill cry and, furiously flapping its wings, rose from the ground and pecked at Adam\u2019s side with his big, sharp beak. Adam\u2019s world exploded in agony; he tried to fight the beak, shove the bird off him, get out of the flames, escape from the dark, the heat, the pain, the fear, the unknown.<\/p>\n

In the end it was the pain that brought him home. Adam woke up with an excruciating stabbing in his right side. He was bathed in sweat, completely entangled in his bed sheets, thrashing around, trying to get rid of the trapping cloth, and he was hot, so hot. Finally he somehow got his body free from the crumpled blanket, and just lay still, exhausted despite having been asleep only minutes ago, trying to relax, breathing heavily and feeling the pain slowly fading away. The air in his room was stale\u2014and hot!<\/em>\u2014and he felt as if he was suffocating. Fresh air, need fresh air<\/em>, became the only imperative in his mind.<\/p>\n

When the pain had subsided to a tolerable level, Adam cautiously pushed himself up on his elbows, then into a sitting position. He rode on the waves of dizziness for longer than he cared for, but when his room stopped spinning around, and the walls didn\u2019t look as if they were made out of wobbly jelly anymore, he slid to the edge of his bed, turned and got his legs out. Hot sweat was itching at his skin, and he would have given anything to be able to slip out of it like a snake, leave the sweat and smell behind and feel clean and fresh once again. His eyes fell on the window. Fresh air<\/em>. He pushed off of the bed and, holding tight to the bedpost, got himself to an upright position. Upright, yes, but he wouldn\u2019t call it standing. No, not really. He clung to the post for dear life, more sweat prickling at him. He was so hot. But he was cold also. And hot. So hot. He couldn\u2019t breath properly, the air was too thick. Thick and hot and thick and\u2014fresh air, need fresh air<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Adam pushed himself away from the stabilising bedpost. For a glorious few seconds he stood on his own power, triumphantly looking at the window that wouldn\u2019t be closed for much longer now. But then the room took a vigorous leap and started to revolt again. Adam felt bile rising in his throat, and the attempt to hold himself upright seemed too much for his weak legs. He quickly turned to get back to his bed, but immediately realised that he had made a bad, bad mistake. The abrupt movement jarred something in his wound and a blinding pain soared through his side. He went down to the floor uncontrolled, banging his right side at the edge of the bed, which caused the pain to rise into unconceivable heights. He pressed a hand at his side in a futile attempt to work against the agony, and, noticing a suspicious warm wetness there, this time he couldn\u2019t hold back the bile, and he puked the poor contents of his nearly empty stomach all over the floor. He would have loved to push himself up and get out of this mess and back into his soft, clean bed, but all he could do was lie there, clutching his side and trying to will away the newly rising nausea and the darkness that threatened to engulf him and take him back to that horrid world of fire and death birds.<\/p>\n

Faintly he heard thundering footfalls on the stairs, on the landing, in his room, and voices, well known voices.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat in tarnation\u2014\u201d That was Pa. Thank god, Pa<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The next minutes became a blurry swirl of shouted orders \u201cJoe, go and get the doctor!\u201d \u201cHoss, towels!\u201d, hurried footsteps, tender hands that stroked his back and his face and smoothed his hair back, soft words \u201cIt\u2019s all right, son, I got you,\u201d of wet towels and strong arms that held him, removed his nightshirt and gave him a new one, of a broad chest to lean on and a voice full of brotherly love that said, \u201cYou got yerself in a real mess here, Adam.\u201d And then there were hands under his arms and a force that lifted him up, and he opened his eyes to see his father\u2019s concerned face for a split second before the room collapsed into itself and darkness crept on him from all sides, and then\u2014nothing.<\/p>\n


\n***<\/span><\/p>\n


\nDr. Martin came down the stairs shaking his head and joined Ben at the coffee table at the great fire place. He gratefully accepted a cup of coffee, and a piece of cake, obviously a left over from the fabulous food basket Miss Heatherstone had provided the day before, and, with a content sigh, leaned back in his chair.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBen, your boy has worked himself up quite prettily,\u201d he said. \u201cI thought I made it very clear that he wasn\u2019t to get up for at least ten days? And how long did he stay in bed? Less than two days! Didn\u2019t you say something about taking care of him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul, we didn\u2019t let him up on purpose. He was sound asleep when Hoss left the room,\u201d Ben replied in a strange mixture of irritation and defensiveness. \u201cAnd he certainly seemed too weak to get up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, well, he was too weak to get up, but, of course, he had to try anyway. From what I understood, he had a nightmare and woke up feeling hot and in need of fresh air.\u201d The doctor shook his head again. \u201cAll he wanted to do, he says, was to get up and open the window. Ben, didn\u2019t Hoss suggest tying Adam to his bed? Perhaps you should take it into consideration.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean it, Ben, he has to stay put. I don\u2019t want to come out here and redo my stitches every second day. If he continues to retard his recovery like this, he will be confined to his room until next Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, as I said, we didn\u2019t know he\u2019d even be able to try. I\u2019ll make sure he won\u2019t try again.\u201d The way Ben delivered his last statement it was clear that the topic was closed. \u201cHow bad is it, Paul?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCould be worse, actually. He opened the stitches, ruining all my good work. I closed the wound again, but this time there will be a scar. He worked himself into quite some fever, but maybe that was even there before he went up. That would be an explanation for the warmth he felt. There is a little infection\u2014\u201d The doctor held his hands up when Ben gasped, and made a calming gesture. \u201cBut here the whole incident turns out to be a blessing in disguise: since the wound was already open I could clean it thoroughly, and the infection should subside in no time. All Adam needs now is rest. And I mean complete rest. No exploration to the window, no fatherly scolding for unreasonable behaviour, no commotions, no excitements. Just peace and quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben looked like he wanted to argue, but he swallowed his words and confined himself to glaring at his friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cBen, don\u2019t look at me like that,\u201d the doctor chuckled. \u201cEverything will be all right. Just give it time, and make sure your boy rests.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben sent over another dark scowl. \u201cI already said I\u2019ll take care of that. You don\u2019t have to lecture me, Paul.\u201d He knew he was throwing a tantrum, but he couldn\u2019t help it. He had been terrified by the sight that had greeted him when he\u2019d entered Adam\u2019s room after they had heard that telltale thumping up there. Now he learned that his son was going to be all right he just had to work his anxiety out of his system, and he did it in a way that, as usual, would leave him embarrassed and full of regret once he\u2019d realised what he had done\u2014by lashing out at others. \u201cYou had better take care that Miss Heatherstone won\u2019t be \u2018passing by\u2019 in the next few days, because as sure as death and taxes she will manage to rile up Adam in no time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Martin knew Ben long enough to not take offense. He merely chuckled and said, \u201cWell, as far as I heard, she spent her last visit here sleeping in the rocker. That sounds like a quite relaxing meeting to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe was tired. But now she\u2019s rested they will start their bickering again. You heard them the other day, Paul. This can\u2019t be good for Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you might be right about that, Ben.\u201d Dr. Martin rested his elbows on his knee and rubbed his chin. \u201cI\u2019m going to see her at the Enterprise <\/em>this afternoon and tell her that Adam can\u2019t have visitors the next two days. All right?\u201d He gazed at Ben and then frowned. \u201cShe won\u2019t be too happy about that, though. She seems quite fond of your eldest, Ben. And somehow I have the feeling Adam won\u2019t like that too much, either.\u201d The doctor leaned back again and smiled broadly at Ben. \u201cBut that will be for you to explain to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ben crossed his arms. \u201cI\u2019m sure he will understand,\u201d he grumbled. \u201cAnd don\u2019t look so gleeful!\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Wednesday<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n


\nHoss leaned back in the rocker. Adam was finally sound asleep. After having insisted on refusing the sleeping powder the doc had left for him, he had tossed and turned in his bed more than Hoss had liked it, complaining about it being too hot in the room, too stuffy, too crowded. Well, Hoss hadn\u2019t been able to help with the last, because he had vowed to his father that, come hell or high water, he wouldn\u2019t leave Adam\u2019s room for even a split second, but he had opened the bedroom window to let in cool and fresh evening air, and this eventually had done the trick, and Adam had finally settled down and drifted off.<\/span><\/p>\n

The past twenty-four hours had been an ordeal for the whole family, who had taken turns to watch over the reluctant patient. The doctor had left them with a drugged Adam, which inevitably had triggered the dreaded nightmares. Adam had woken up several times, panting hard and sweating. He had refused to tell them what his dreams were about, but from all his writhing and head throwing when he was in the clutches of a dream, it was quite clear that the images they provided were at least unpleasant.<\/p>\n

Later that night Adam\u2019s fever had spiked, and that had seemed to provide more fodder for his nightmares. He had thrashed out in a ferocity that had made them fear for the newly administered stitches, and so they had awoken him every time his tossing and turning had gotten too wild for their liking. When being pulled out of yet another disturbing vision, Adam had looked at them with unfocussed, burning, fever bright eyes, clutching whatever piece of clothing he could get a hold on, and had agitatedly asked the same question time and again: \u201cIs Juliet all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Of course, they had assured him that Juliet was fine, that she was safely at home in Virginia City, and didn\u2019t he remember she had been here, at the Ponderosa, only yesterday and slept so peacefully on the rocker at his bedside? Adam had stared at them, slurring things like \u201cBu\u2019 they wanna hurt \u2018er…\u201d or \u201cGotta help \u2018er…\u201d before sliding back into restless sleep.<\/p>\n

By one in the morning the fever had raged in Adam\u2019s unresisting body so furiously that it had taken both Hoss and Joe to keep their brother from throwing himself off the bed. He had become even more agitated, demanding to be let out of his room to go and save \u201cMylady\u201d from \u201cthe varmint\u201d (and if all this hadn\u2019t been so scary, Hoss would have laughed out loud at this \u2013 he had never heard his brother use this expression before, but from an earlier conversation with Adam he knew perfectly well where this came from). At that point his father had been ready to send Joe for the doctor, despite the dangers of a ride to Virginia City in the dark of the night, and had even suggested Joe might try and ask Miss Heatherstone to come to the Ponderosa, only so Adam could somehow be convinced she was, indeed, perfectly all right; when suddenly Adam had become deadly still, opened his eyes and said calmly, \u201cEither one of you opens the window or you all leave this room. There\u2019s far too much of a crowd in here, and since I designed this house I can tell you with certainty this room wasn\u2019t meant to be a place of assembly.\u201d<\/p>\n

They had stared at him, stunned, and then Hoss had reached out and felt Adam\u2019s brow, and had smiled broadly when he had announced, \u201cThe fever has broken.\u201d<\/p>\n

They had been too exhausted by then to cheer heartily, but had patted Adam on his shoulder and his leg and seemingly everywhere else they could reach him. Pa had given him a drink of cool water and had bathed his face with some more water, and Adam had turned onto his side, sighed deeply and slipped into a peaceful slumber. And then they had organised their watch schedule, and finally gotten some sleep, too.<\/p>\n

Adam had slept long into the morning, and when he woke up he had looked considerably healthier and better rested than the day before. He surely looks more rested than Pa<\/em>, Hoss had thought, but he couldn\u2019t fathom what had kept his father from sleep, after Adam so clearly had been out of the woods.<\/p>\n

The solution of the riddle had come later that day. Adam had been reading a few pages of the book from his nightstand, then had asked Joe to give him another one from the shelf, had read a few paragraphs in that, but obviously hadn\u2019t been satisfied with it and asked for yet another book. When Hoss had come into the room for the changing of the guard, as Adam called it, in late afternoon, Joe had drummed his fingers on Adam\u2019s desk, looking quite exasperated, and asking impatiently, \u201cI think there are two or three books left on the shelf, do you wanna have a peek into them now, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had just waved him off with an irritated flick of his hand, and when Joe had opened his mouth to say something that would inevitably cause a major eruption at the sick bed, Hoss had intervened and said, \u201cWhy don\u2019cha go an\u2019 hava nice cuppa coffee, Joe, an\u2019 I see that big brother here get what he need. All right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe had given him a brief relieved glance and had left the room muttering something that sounded suspiciously like, \u201cOl\u2019 bossy boots don\u2019 even know what he wants.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss had sat down at his brother\u2019s side, looked at the dozens of books that were strewn on the bed covers and the floor round the bed, and had softly asked, \u201cWhat is it yer lookin\u2019 fer, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust something to keep me occupied, Hoss. I need something to do, something to keep my mind busy. But I have read each and everyone of these books at least a dozen times. And I have stayed in this bed far too long already.\u201d Adam had looked at Hoss with a look that could have melted stone, and he had drawn out downright desperately, \u201cI\u2019m bored, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss had had to laugh at this display. Adam had looked and sounded exactly like the twelve year old boy who had been confined to his bed for long weeks with meningitis, who, for fear of overexertion, hadn\u2019t been allowed to read during recuperation, and who had complained (only to Hoss, so not to cause his pa and heavily pregnant ma any more troubles) bitterly, \u201cI\u2019m so bored, Hoss!\u201d And just like back then, Hoss hadn\u2019t had anything to offer to make Adam\u2019s life less miserable than it was but his wide toothy grin and the words, \u201cThere\u2019s no way you get outta this bed, Adam. But ya jest calm down, I gonna tell ya some funny story.\u201d<\/p>\n

While he had still been searching his mind for a funny story Adam yet hadn\u2019t heard, Pa had entered the room, carrying two steaming mugs of coffee and a broad smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just heard Paul\u2019s buggy coming in the yard, Adam,\u201d he had said. \u201cIf he thinks you\u2019re up to it, maybe you\u2019ll like to have some of the cake Mrs. Hawkins made for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just hope he brings Juliet along.\u201d Suddenly Adam had looked far more cheerful. \u201cShe promised to bring me a new book she discovered at her next visit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pa had looked uncomfortable. \u201cUm, son, I, um, wouldn\u2019t count too much on that. Surely Miss Heatherstone can\u2019t come out to the Ponderosa every other day. It\u2019s a long way, and she\u2019s got a job in the town and certainly a lot of other, er, occupations, too.\u201d He had spoken uncharacteristically fast, like he had wanted to get it over with, and Hoss had eyed him suspiciously. Pa had glared back, silently daring him to say a word. Hoss hadn\u2019t had any idea what<\/em>, but something clearly had been going on. He had never considered his father a coward, but something in Pa\u2019s behaviour had struck Hoss as cowardly.<\/p>\n

Adam had been oblivious to their exchange. He had shifted himself into a more comfortable position, and looked quite relaxed and content.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think Juliet minds the long way very much, Pa. In fact, she promised to make it today. And I have to admit, I\u2019m glad she\u2019s coming. No offense, but it\u2019ll be very nice to see another face.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pa had actually stepped from one foot to another. \u201cWell, I\u2019m fairly sure she won\u2019t come today. Paul said you needed rest and absolute quiet, and so we decided\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

Oh<\/em>, Hoss had thought, that\u2019s what\u2019s going on<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou<\/em> decided? You decided what<\/em>, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe decided that Miss Heatherstone\u2019s erratic behaviour was too strenuous to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

And then hell had broken loose.<\/p>\n

Hoss thought back with a shudder at the argument between his father and his older brother, and as much as he sympathised with Adam, who had been disgusted at his father\u2019s interference with his life, he also understood Pa\u2019s rage at being called a \u201cmeddling old cockalorum\u201d.<\/p>\n

The pandemonium had only stopped when a red faced Doctor Martin had stormed into the room, bellowing at Pa, \u201cYou, out here!\u201d and threatening Adam with a \u201cvery generously measured\u201d dose of laudanum if he wouldn\u2019t calm down \u201cin an instant!\u201d<\/p>\n

For the rest of the day Adam had been grumpy. He had spent quite some time sitting in his bed, propped up at the headboard, his arms crossed, and glaring at everyone who had ventured into his room. When this had gotten too tedious, he had opened a random book and read it without really paying it attention.<\/p>\n

While Pa had been fuming downstairs, and Joe had done everyone\u2019s chores just to stay out of the danger zone that had seemed to occupy most of the house, Hoss had brought Adam a bowl of broth and insisted that Adam empty it to the last drop. He had entertained his brother with stories from their childhood, hadn\u2019t spared Adam from a comparison of his recent attitude with that of his twelve year old self, and had finally managed to distract Adam\u2019s mind from the betrayal of which he accused their father. They had talked amiably until long after dark, had shared some long forgotten tales from the days when they had been only two sons, and then two sons and new mama, and eventually two sons and a baby brother. Adam had gradually gone quieter, until he finally had found the peace and quiet the doctor had prescribed and decided to go to sleep.<\/p>\n

Now he rested peacefully, without any disturbance, and Hoss closed his eyes to get a capful of sleep, too. Tonight the family wouldn\u2019t take turns to watch over Adam; even Pa had grumpily agreed that it would be wiser if Hoss were there should Adam wake up at night. There would be time tomorrow to sort things out between father and son, but tonight it would be just Hoss and Adam.<\/p>\n

Hoss yawned heartily, wriggled himself comfortably into the rocker and tightened the blanket he had draped around his shoulders. The last thing he contemplated before he let himself slip into oblivion was Adam\u2019s sleeping face that reminded Hoss so much of the child his big brother had once been. He decided that Adam hadn’t looked this relaxed since the day he had been shot; and so Hoss wouldn\u2019t have to feel bad when tomorrow morning he would leave the room and the ranch to keep his own appointment at Virginia City with none other than Miss Juliet.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Thursday<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n


\n\u201cNow ya jest open the loading gate here, like that….\u201d Hoss looked up and gazed at Miss Juliet\u2019s concentrated face. Her eyes firmly set on the Colt in his hand, she seemed to take inner notes on every word he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c…an\u2019 now ya see if there\u2019s a cartridge in the chamber or not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see.\u201d Juliet took the Colt in her hand and, testing, opened and closed the gate until finally she peered into the cylinder. \u201cYou really have to know what you\u2019re doing, Hoss. It doesn\u2019t look as if you can open it at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI never thought about that, ma\u2019am. I jest do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose you do, Hoss.\u201d Juliet smiled at him disarmingly. \u201cAnd I have to admit, now in the light of day, it doesn\u2019t seem as enigmatic as it did the other day. I assume, I was a bit, um, stressed back then.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Hoss could stop himself he nudged her upper arm, and, surprisingly, she didn\u2019t admonish him for that, but merely looked fondly surprised.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa was great, ma\u2019am,\u201d Hoss said with emphasis. \u201cAdam told me ya was very brave with them scoundrels.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, did he?\u201d Juliet face lit up even more.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, he sure did, Miss Juliet. He said ya was like a Greek Ama\u2014 Amaze…\u201d Hoss trailed off.<\/p>\n

\u201cAmazon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, like a Greek Amazon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I hope not.\u201d Juliet gave him a dark half smile. \u201cSince they\u2019ve got only one\u2014\u201d She cut herself off, looked at him as if she had woken up from a dream, and then, with a blush, lowered her face and added a muted, \u201cNever mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Hoss was still puzzling about her strange behaviour, she returned her attention to the gun, opened the gate once again, and, revolving the cylinder checked every chamber.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo the gun is loaded and ready to shoot. What do I do now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJest a moment, Miss Juliet.\u201d Hoss allowed himself to look smug. \u201cThere\u2019re cartridges in there all right, but are there bullets, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

Now it was Miss Juliet\u2019s turn to look puzzled. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss took the gun from her hand. \u201cThe bullets are in the cartridges, Miss Juliet. With gunpowder and fuse. When ya shoot the gun, the bullet come out an\u2019 the cartridge stay in. See here, when ya can see the primer here, then the bullet\u2019s still in. When ya jest see a hole in the cartridge, ya hafta reload.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. All right. I understand. A little technical marvel.\u201d Miss Juliet pursed her lips and raised an eyebrow. For a moment she seemed to contemplate Hoss, and then her face melted into a wide approving smile. \u201cAnd now I have made sure I saw a primer in every cartridge, I…?\u201d she prompted him.<\/p>\n

Hoss lifted the gun. \u201cYa draw back the hammer, like so, aim, and pull the trigger.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miss Juliet flinched when the shot exploded right next to her, but nevertheless looked expectantly over at the row of tins, bottles and a bucket on the fence next to the well in Mrs. Hawkins\u2019 front yard. She even gave a tiny whoop when one of the tins was whipped off the fence by the force of the bullet.<\/p>\n

\u201cWal, now ya try, ma\u2019am!\u201d<\/p>\n

Juliet seized the Colt, made a show of checking if the gun was loaded, shot Hoss a sarcastic smirk, drew back the hammer, took aim and shot. The bullet went astray, somewhere in the hydrangea bushes.<\/p>\n

Juliet looked at Hoss as if this was his fault. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t work.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYa jest hafta try again, Miss Juliet. Ya hafta practise.\u201d<\/p>\n

She pressed her lips into a grim line, lifted the gun, drew back the hammer, pulled the trigger\u2014hydrangeas, again.<\/p>\n

She glared at Hoss.<\/p>\n

Hoss opened his mouth, but she cut him off. \u201cPractise, I know.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the next twenty minutes she emptied cylinder after cylinder into the hydrangeas, the rose beds and, for a change, into the barn door.<\/p>\n

Eventually Miss Juliet handed over the gun, crossed her arms, narrowed her eyes at Hoss and said, \u201cWell…\u201d Somehow it sounded like a threat.<\/p>\n

Hoss was at a loss. He had tried to hold Miss Juliet\u2019s hand while she shot, he had told her everything he knew about front and rear sights, he had advised her to stand sideways\u2014nothing seemed to help. He tried to remember how he had learned to shoot. A chubby eight year old boy, watching his elder brother practising with his new gun…then asking if he could try…his brother teaching him…. What had Adam said back then? The barrel is your finger<\/em>….<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Juliet, now I got it…\u201d Hoss held the weapon out to her with new hope. \u201cWhen ya aim, jest try ta imagine the barrel is yer index finger, an\u2019 ya point it ta the target.\u201d He nodded to her, encouragingly.<\/p>\n

Taking the gun, Juliet shot him a doubting glance, but she stood sideways, as taught, draw the hammer, aimed and\u2014shot the bucket into pieces.<\/p>\n

Lesser men than Hoss would have been disappointed by Juliet\u2019s lack of exaltation about her accomplishment. But if Hoss had already learned anything about Miss Juliet, then it was this: expect the unexpected, and be sure it will be even different from that. And, of course, if she\u2019d been whooping and cheering about her success she couldn\u2019t have done what she did. And Hoss wouldn\u2019t have wanted to miss that for the world.<\/p>\n

Juliet had watched the forceful destruction of the wooden bucket with a rather amazed expression. Now she turned to Hoss, smiled at him in complete admiration, and said, \u201cWe\u2019ve done it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She laughed silently, as if they were sharing a private joke. \u201cWe\u2019ve done it, Hoss. You\u2019re a wonderful teacher, thank you so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cErr, yes, wal…\u201d He took off his hat and, looking down, he scratched at the back of his head. \u201cYa welcome, Miss Juliet. Ya weren\u2019t bad either, um…\u201d He swung his hat back and forth and shuffled a bit with his feet. He didn\u2019t dare to look up for fear she would notice his blushing. \u201cAn\u2019 I jest told ya what Adam taught me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Praising his big brother was much more common for Hoss than being lauded himself; and so he finally was able to look Juliet in the eye again. \u201cAdam\u2019s the teacher in our fam\u2019ly, Miss Juliet. I ain\u2019t not sa smart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat makes you say that, Hoss? That you\u2019re not smart<\/em>?\u201d She sounded nearly\u2014vexed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa know, ma\u2019am, I don\u2019 know much about books an\u2019 pictures an\u2019 op\u2019ras an\u2019 stuff. Adam, he\u2019s been ta college, an\u2019 he know all kinda things, them poems an\u2019 that Shakespeare fella, an\u2019 about machines an\u2019, an\u2019 almost ev\u2019rything.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd not being as much informed about certain things as your brother makes you less smart, Hoss?\u201d She looked inquiring at him, then lifted a quizzical eyebrow. \u201cDo you think I\u2019m<\/em> stupid, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, ma\u2019am, no, I\u2019d never think that,\u201d Hoss hurried to affirm. \u201cI reckon ya the smartest gal I\u2019ve ever met.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I doubt that<\/em>, but thank you anyway.\u201d Miss Juliet flashed him a short smile. \u201cWhat I was about to say is, that I didn\u2019t attend college either; and I don\u2019t consider myself less educated than others. And there are some things I<\/em> know, that the others might not.\u201d She gazed at him intently and held his eyes. \u201cThere are a great many things you <\/em>know that I don\u2019t, do you realise that, Hoss? And this doesn\u2019t make either of us more or less smart.\u201d<\/p>\n

He shuffled his feet awkwardly. \u201cYeah, but most of the things I know I learned from Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

She laughed brightly at that. \u201cBut that\u2019s just the way education works, Hoss. Someone knows, and he tells you. You keep it in mind, and that makes it yours! Someone told Adam all these things, too. He wasn\u2019t born with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now Hoss laughed, too. \u201cWal, fer times he sure acts as if he was.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I know exactly what you mean, Hoss!\u201d He hadn\u2019t been aware that Miss Juliet was capable of one, but there was no other way to describe what was displayed on her face: it was a big, fat grin. \u201cHe can be an insufferable wiseacre.\u201d<\/p>\n

They exchanged a conspiratorial smile, that evolved into a rather hysterical giggle. And at just this exact moment, Miss Abigail Jones, local schoolmarm and self-proclaimed custodian of public morals and decency, passed Mrs. Hawkins\u2019 front yard. She paused and looked disapprovingly at the good-humoured couple. Hoss sobered immediately.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy, Miss Abigail,\u201d he greeted his former teacher.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss.\u201d Miss Jones nodded in acknowledgment.<\/p>\n

Miss Juliet looked expectantly at Miss Abigail. Miss Abigail stared back. Neither of them said a word. Hoss looked from one to the other and wondered what was going on. Why didn\u2019t they say hello? Surely they knew each other. Hoss squinted at Miss Juliet. There was something in her face…. And while the two ladies stood there, fixing each other with stares, Hoss saw Miss Juliet grow. Her back straightened, her chin rose, and she peered down at Miss Abigail with a plain Queen glance. Miss Abigail held her own, Hoss had to grant her that. She gazed back with a nearly comically obstinate expression. And then Miss Juliet lifted her right eyebrow the fraction of an inch.<\/p>\n

Miss Abigail\u2019s resistance faltered. \u201cGood morning, Miss Heatherstone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Jones.\u201d A curt nod accompanied Juliet\u2019s regal tone.<\/p>\n

Hoss still didn\u2019t know what was going on, when Miss Abigail spoke up, \u201cI\u2019m so glad for you, dear Miss Heatherstone, that you found yourself a substitute escort so promptly.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miss Abigail\u2019s smile was as sweet as her voice, only the hard glint in her eye giving her away. Hoss involuntarily took a protective step closer to Miss Juliet, but apparently she felt the need to protect him, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Miss Jones, for your concern. I\u2019m sure it is born out of a pure and honest care for my wellbeing.\u201d She smiled her most amiable smile. \u201cBut most fortunately I\u2019m not in a position to have to remain unwantedly unescorted for long, so you may return your attention to those in need.\u201d<\/p>\n

The slight emphasis Juliet put on \u2018I\u2019m\u2019 didn\u2019t go unnoticed by Miss Abigail, whose face acquired a certain sour expression; but Juliet hadn\u2019t finished yet.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd certainly I wouldn\u2019t discredit such a fine young man as Mr. Cartwright by calling him a substitute.\u201d She took Hoss\u2019 arm and gave him a brilliant smile. \u201cShall we take a lunch break now at the International House, and then come back and continue our affairs, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

Without waiting for an answer she proceeded to the street, bidding a sulky Miss Abigail good bye with a short nod, and somehow dragging Hoss with her. Hoss tipped his hat to Miss Abigail with a muttered goodbye, and saw to it that he kept up with Miss Juliet\u2019s quick strides.<\/p>\n

He was looking forward to showcase his new status as the Queen\u2019s escort for everyone in Virginia City to see. It felt incredibly good.<\/p>\n


\n***<\/span><\/p>\n


\nHoss\u2019 mood had changed entirely by the time, later that day, he was sitting in the great room waiting once again for the doctor to come down the stairs. He studied his fingers, fiddled with the buttons on his vest, did anything he could so as not to meet his father\u2019s scolding eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe remained wisely silent, but sat very close to Pa, as if to show which side he was on.<\/p>\n

Finally, the doctor came down and took his seat in the blue chair. He leaned forward, rested his elbows on the table and supported his head in his hands. No one dared to say a word while Paul Martin shook his head, emitting silent groans. Eventually he looked up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know which part of \u2018quiet and peace\u2019 this family doesn\u2019t seem to understand. Or why,\u201d he stated tiredly. \u201cFirst you,\u201d he looked accusingly at Ben, \u201cThen you, of all people.\u201d Now his gaze wandered to Hoss. \u201cWould you care to tell me what made you rile your brother up like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss flinched. \u201cIt was…. Wal, he riled me up all right, an\u2019 I jest…. He shouldn\u2019t have….\u201d He looked at the disapproving faces of his father, that hypocrite<\/em>, and his little brother. \u201cIt was all Miss Abigail\u2019s fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Abigail? As in Abigail Jones?\u201d Joe sounded more excited than he should, Hoss thought. Sensationalist<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Had it been Miss Abigail\u2019s fault? Well, her arrival had altered the events of the day somehow. Hoss still couldn\u2019t figure it out completely, but he had felt immensely good after this day with Miss Juliet, and when he told Adam the whole story about Juliet\u2019s progress in handling a revolver, her quick defence against Miss Abigail, and their pleasant meal at the International House, he had relived all that and enjoyed it a second time. Adam hadn\u2019t seem too enthusiastic about all this, but Hoss had understood that being confirmed to bed and not being able to have a rendezvous himself, might make Adam a mite moping. And since his big brother was his most intimate friend and counsellor, Hoss had asked him, if, hearing all this, Adam thought Miss Juliet was expecting Hoss to court her now. And if she was, how on earth Hoss should accomplish that. Adam\u2019s answer had been very blunt. Juliet, so he had said, had made it very clear that she wasn\u2019t interested in any romantic affairs. Hoss hadn\u2019t believed that, not with Miss Juliet being the way she had been today, and Adam had called him a simpleton.<\/p>\n

Hoss didn\u2019t remember much after that, only that he had accused Adam of being a swellhead, that Adam had a few choice words for him in return, and that at some point they both had started to laugh.<\/p>\n

Eventually Adam had held his aching side and had asked, \u201cAre you even sure Juliet is the kind of woman you want, Hoss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, Miss Juliet is mighty nice iffn ya look behind her highfalutin\u2019 words. I know, she ain\u2019t very pretty, but I ain\u2019t pretty either, so I figure that\u2019s jest okay. And I kinda like her freckles.\u201d He had blushed and looked down at his hands, and had been very surprised at his brother\u2019s next words.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Juliet is very attractive, Hoss. A woman doesn\u2019t have to be pretty to be beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yeah, that had been just like Adam. \u201cWhat\u2019cha mean, Adam? That sure sound loco. How can she be beautiful when she ain\u2019t pretty? It\u2019s pretty much the same, ainnit?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a significant difference, Hoss. The prettiest girl can\u2019t be beautiful when there\u2019s nothing more to her than pretty looks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd ya think there\u2019s more ta Miss Juliet?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s face had lit up. \u201cOh, yes, there is more. Have a close look at her. She\u2019s got more layers than a puff pastry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss had watched his brother closely and asked, \u201cAre ya sure ya<\/em>don\u2019 wanna court Miss Juliet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am absolutely sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen why don\u2019cha want me courtin\u2019 her?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI never said I don\u2019t want you courting Juliet. All I say is that she isn\u2019t looking for a husband. And even if she were, I\u2019d say you are not a very good match.\u201d<\/p>\n

At that point the argument had become heated again, especially when Adam had pointed out what <\/em>kind of man would be a good match for Miss Juliet and Hoss had accused his brother of talking about himself. Adam, naturally, had contradicted him and Hoss had retorted that Adam was just being jealous that Miss Juliet had been kind to him and hadn\u2019t argued with him at all. Hoss had emphasised his every word by stabbing his finger at Adam\u2019s shoulder, something he knew <\/em>riled his brother up no end, when he had ranted about how all that Adam and Miss Juliet were doing was fighting anyway or Miss Juliet would fall asleep out of boredom. That had been the moment when Adam, beads of sweat on his forehead and a flushed complexion showing that he had already aggravated himself considerably, had lashed out at Hoss and overbalanced when Hoss had ducked. As a result Adam had fallen out off his bed, once again jarring his injured side, opening the newly set stitches and bleeding all over the floor.<\/p>\n

The call for Joe to ride and get the doctor had become merely routine by now, as had getting Adam back into his bed and cleaning him up.<\/p>\n

So that was what had happened, but Hoss wasn\u2019t willing to share any of this with his family or the doctor. And so he just said, \u201cI teased him with…Miss Abigail an\u2019…things, an\u2019…he got mad an\u2019 fell off his bed, an\u2019 that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Doctor Martin frowned at him, shook his head resignedly and heaved a deep sigh. \u201cWhat are you planning now? Are you taking turns, and Joe will have his go at delaying my patient\u2019s recovery tomorrow?\u201d He warded off the rising complaints with a hand gesture. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t want to hear anything. Just make sure your son stays put for the rest of the week, Ben. Or next time I will charge you double for the stitches.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked down at his hands again. The voices of the doctor and his father faded in the background. He thought of Miss Juliet\u2019s silvery laugh, and how she had said, \u201cYou\u2019re a wonderful teacher.\u201d Well, he would never understand women. Or big brothers. And it was <\/em>all Miss Abigail\u2019s fault!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Friday<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n


\n\u201cYou three just look menacing. Let me do the talking.\u201d Adam shot his cronies brief glares. While his brothers lowered their eyes and mumbled, \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d the lady merely glared back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat makes you think you can order me around?\u201d she demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. Maybe the fact that I\u2019m the boss of this little gang?\u201d He smirked at her. \u201cIf you have a problem with this, Miss Heatherstone, you can go back to that stinky prison cell where we found you.\u201d<\/p>\n

She held her hand up in a defensive gesture. \u201cAll right, all right. No need to bite my head off, Cartwright!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t know why we got her out anyway,\u201d Joe muttered under his breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothin\u2019, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam narrowed his eyes at Hoss. \u201cAnd do you have anything to say concerning that matter?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNah, Adam. Jest that I wonder why that gal is ridin\u2019 with us now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam joined the fingertips of his hands together. \u201cThat Lady <\/em>is the fastest draw north of Texas. And since you two haven’t exactly covered yourself with glory lately, you should be mighty glad she agreed to beef up The Cartwright Bros. Corporation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Joe barged in. \u201cThere\u2019s somethin\u2019 I always wanted to ask you. Why do we have to go with such a boring name? Why can\u2019t we be The Black Riders. Or The Three Terrors?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, for one, we are not three anymore but four, and since I\u2019m the only one you can rightly call \u2018black\u2019 that other name would be just as ridiculous, wouldn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n

He peered around the corner of the building they were hiding behind for what must be the hundredth time. He squinted his eye at the sight of a woman leaving the bank on the opposite side of the street.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, that was the last one. Let\u2019s go!\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a short and well organized raid. The Cartwright Bros. Corporation, neckerchiefs wound around the lower halves of their faces, went into the bank, Boss Adam asked the cashier in some well chosen and very polite words to open the safe and, please, present them with all the money stored in there. There was a short moment of confusion, when the bank manager left his bureau and tried to intervene, but The Lady stepped forward and wordlessly waved her gun. At one glance at her trademark flowing golden mane, he gasped, \u201cDear God, Gungirl Heatherstone!\u201d and very eagerly helped the cashier to stack dozens of neatly bundled banknotes into the large carpetbag the gang had handed them. As usual Adam politely thanked both the cashier and the bank manager and wished them good business for the future, and then the gang headed outside and to their horses.<\/p>\n

Adam helped The Lady into the side saddle. She took a second to lean down to him. \u201cThank you, Cartwright.\u201d Her voice was soft and as seductive as her eyes. He moved his face closer to hers, and she didn\u2019t pull back, but leaned to him. Their lips touched, and\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cWake up, sleepyhead, I got\u2019cha some breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n

A friendly hand shook his shoulder, pulling him out of the scene gently but yet much too abruptly. Adam jolted up, grabbed at his new-stitched wound and looked around the room, still dazed with sleep. His brother Hoss stood next to his bed, a small bowl in his hands, and a goofy grin on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoy, Adam,\u201d he said. \u201cThat sure wasn\u2019t a bad dream ya jest had, with that smile on your face!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam wiped the sleep from his eyes and yawned heartily. \u201cWell, it was rather weird. We were robbing a bank, and there was Juliet, too, and she was a crack shot, and then…well, then you woke me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA bank robbery? An\u2019 that made ya smile?\u201d Hoss chuckled. \u201cSorry, I hadda wake ya, but ya breakfast is gettin\u2019 cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam peered into the bowl Hoss held out to him and screwed up his face. \u201cWhat on earth is that<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, ya know,\u201d Hoss gave the bowl an apologetic glance. \u201cThat\u2019s milk-soaked bread an\u2019 eggs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s disgusting, Hoss. Take it away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, big brother,\u201d Hoss looked very contrite, but this didn\u2019t make things any better for Adam. \u201cPa said ya hafta eat some\u2019in\u2019 and I hafta make sure\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cPa? Pa made you a vanguard?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss gave him a crooked smile. \u201cWal, he knew why, didn\u2019 he?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t there anything of that broth left?\u201d Adam knew he sounded pathetic, but in the face of milk-soaked bread keeping his dignity wouldn\u2019t get him anything.<\/p>\n

\u201cNope.\u201d Hoss looked even more apologetic than before. \u201cI ate the rest last night fer supper. A mighty good broth. Miss Juliet sure is a good cook.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMrs. Hawkins, Hoss. She made it. Juliet can\u2019t cook at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss mouth fell open. \u201cShe can\u2019t\u2014\u201d He stopped himself and looked nearly relieved. \u201cWal, then it\u2019s good that I….\u201d He trailed off, gazed down at the bowl, put it on the night stand; and sat down at the bedside, looking helplessly at his brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat you what<\/em>, Hoss?\u201d Adam prompted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWal, Adam, I wanna apolergise fer last night. I shouldn\u2019 have…. Wal, I made ya mighty mad, an\u2019 I shouldn\u2019 have boasted like I did….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing to apologise for, Hoss. In fact, I should apologise. I was very, um, unfair, I guess.\u201d Adam laid his hand on Hoss arm. \u201cHoss, if you want to court Juliet, you don\u2019t need my advice. Just be yourself. Juliet seems to like you the way you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut that\u2019s jest it, Adam.\u201d Hoss shifted uneasily on his seat. \u201cI don\u2019…. I mean, I was thinkin\u2019 about what\u2019cha said last night, Adam, an\u2019 ya was right, ya know. Miss Juliet is mighty nice an\u2019 all, an\u2019 I like her all right, but she\u2019s jest not the gal I want fer a…ya know, fer a…wal, ya know.\u201d Hoss looked at Adam like he was begging for absolution. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, and then he burst out, \u201cAn\u2019 she can\u2019t even cook!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam pursed his lips in a futile attempt to stifle a snicker. He looked at Hoss for a short moment under raised brows, and then they both exploded with laughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, the lady can\u2019t cook,\u201d Adam struggled to choke out. \u201cAnd we surely don\u2019t want to tie you up with a woman that can\u2019t provide you with three hearty meals a day.\u201d<\/p>\n


\n***<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the fact that the lady couldn\u2019t cook, Juliet brought another food basket along when she arrived at the Ponderosa later that day. Adam greeted her with the air of a long starved prisoner, and dug into the dish of steaming stew she had taken to his room with more enthusiasm than one would have expected from a convalescent.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you do seem to like the stew, Adam.\u201d Juliet sounded amused and curious, Adam thought, and he couldn\u2019t fathom why.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very good, and I didn\u2019t have anything solid today.\u201d He smiled at her. \u201cGive Mrs. Hawkins my best, Juliet, she has outdone herself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Juliet laughed and nodded, and watched him eating. Eventually she leaned forward, took the now empty plate from him and deposited it on the desk behind her. She gazed at him, obviously assessing something, until she seemed to come to a decision.<\/p>\n

She harrumphed, and finally announced, \u201cI helped with the stew.\u201d She looked at Adam almost challengingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou helped cooking the stew?\u201d Well, it had been a good stew. And Adam didn\u2019t feel any ill side effects. Not until now, anyway. But maybe that would come later. He tried to get a look at the empty plate, but Juliet had cleared it away, and, really, what could be found on an empty dish anyway? And honestly, he had to get a grip on himself. What harm could someone do to a stew? Wrong question, Adam, wrong question!<\/em> He didn\u2019t want to think of that now, most certainly everything was just fine with the stew, it had tasted good, and Mrs. Hawkins had been involved, supervising at least\u2014he had never considered himself the ranting type, but ranting was what he did, and he did it without even saying it out loud, and all because of\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cI cut the carrots,\u201d Juliet pronounced the sentence.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou cut the carrots.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d Royally, there was no other word, royally.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou did it…very well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d Even more royally.<\/em><\/p>\n

An awkward pause. Then Juliet, almost annoyed, \u201cI\u2019m not completely incapable,\u201d and far more subdued, \u201cI wanted to…do something for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d Adam looked at her. Which had cost her more, he wondered, to make herself useful in the kitchen or to give away that tiny confession? He gave her a smile for her efforts.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re very welcome.\u201d Well, royally again.<\/em><\/p>\n

Another awkward pause. Juliet stood and went to the open window. She seemed very intrigued by something, fumbling on the windowsill and muttering soft noises. When she turned and came back to sit in the rocker again, she held something in her hand.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Adam,\u201d she chuckled and held her hand out to him. \u201cA ladybird!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA ladybug, Juliet.\u201d Adam watched the beetle slowly crawling on Juliet\u2019s ink stained hand. \u201cWe say ladybug<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, and you say \u2018ee-ther\u2019 instead of \u2018i-ther\u2019. But that doesn\u2019t mean I have to, n’est-ce pas?\u201d She waved her hand emphasising her words, and the ladybug or ladybird, fluttered up, went for a spin in the room and landed on Adam\u2019s shoulder. Adam tried to chase it away, but the beetle stubbornly came back time and again. Adam looked at Juliet in comical despair.<\/p>\n

Juliet sniggered. \u201cLeave her, Adam. Of course, she wants you for a harbour \u2013 she\u2019s a lady<\/em>bird.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I don\u2019t see you <\/em>sitting on my shoulder, and you are a lady-bird, too!\u201d Now Adam chuckled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou call me a beetle?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would never dream of it, Mylady.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you better not!\u201d<\/p>\n

She glared at him mockingly and he ducked playfully, and they shared a knowing smile and a soft ripple of laughter.<\/p>\n

Juliet leaned back in the rocker, arranging her skirt and smoothing non-existent wrinkles in the fabric. Her fumbling betrayed her mocking tone, but she smiled when she said, \u201cI\u2019m glad you look so much better, Adam. Although I heard you didn\u2019t do yourself very good, lately.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam looked up, alarmed. \u201cWhat did you hear? You don\u2019t…. Did Hoss…?\u201d He searched Juliet\u2019s face for a telltale smirk, but her smile was guileless and\u2014caring. \u201cWhat did you hear?\u201d he nevertheless demanded again.<\/p>\n

Juliet smiled even wider. \u201cRelax, Adam. All I know is that you wanted to get up, against the doctors orders, I may add, that your body didn\u2019t like that very much and so it decided to put you in your place by giving you a relapse. And that both you and your body didn\u2019t get tired of that game for the last couple of days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all they told you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, yes.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

Juliet all but rubbed her hands. She looked as excited as a little girl with a very large gift box in her hands. Adam usually liked her being so eagerly interested in things\u2014but not this time. If she noticed his discomfort she chose to ignore it, though.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, now I\u2019m intrigued,\u201d and then she did <\/em>rub her hands. \u201cThere\u2019s obviously more to know. Tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJuliet…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr shall I ask Hoss? Pry it out of Joe? Make your father talk?\u201d Her attempt at looking menacing was a bit pathetic, considering the grin she couldn\u2019t seem to suppress.<\/p>\n

Adam squinted at her. \u201cAre you here to make fun of me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe a bit,\u201d she chuckled, her eyes sparkling in that way he liked so much, and Adam knew perfectly well what she was referring to and rewarded her with an acknowledging smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I\u2019m also here to give you this most wonderful…\u201d She bent down and picked up a book she must have had with her when she entered his room, but Adam didn\u2019t have noticed because he had been too focused on the steaming, heavenly smelling dish in her other hand. Thank goodness, his brothers hadn\u2019t witnessed this uncharacteristic shift of attention \u2013 or Adam would never hear the end of it.<\/p>\n

Juliet held the book out to him. \u201cIt\u2019s brand new, Adam, I had it sent from England.\u201d She beamed at him. \u201cCharles Dickens\u2019 newest: Great Expectations. Three volumes, I have the others downstairs in the basket.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam took the book with almost awestruck reverence. He smoothed his hand over the cover, smelled at the leather, and ever so slowly opened it at the first page.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what to say, Juliet. You said you\u2019d bring me something to read but I never assumed….\u201d He closed the book, and stroked his thumb over the cover. \u201cYou haven\u2019t even read it \u2013 are you sure you want to lend it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose you are in more need of entertainment than I am, Adam. I gladly give you the honour of ravishing the books.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have my eternal thanks, Juliet. This will save me from death through boredom.\u201d He gazed at her. \u201cAn affliction you don\u2019t seem to suffer from lately.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

\u201cHoss told me you bagged your first bucket yesterday?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I actually brought down two buckets.\u201d Now she was smiling again. \u201cOne on purpose, and the other one when I was aiming for the well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam gaped at her with a deadpan expression. \u201cHoly cow, just guess what would have happened if you\u2019d aimed for the barn!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI would have shot Hoss, since he stood only five yards from the barn. And that would have been a poor way to pay him back for all his troubles, don\u2019t you think?\u201d She let her ringing laughter flow through the room, and Adam thought that it would be nice to have it like this forever.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Hoss deserves better. He had a great day, though. He was very impressed by how you dealt with Miss Abigail….\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Ab\u2014oh, the teacher. Did Hoss tell you what she said?\u201d The look Juliet fixed Adam with could only be described as scandalised. Adam had a hard time keeping his face straight. He knew Miss Abigail had a sharp tongue, but Juliet habitually used her voice as a weapon too, and the sword she <\/em>bore was edged and unerring.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he said she tried to offend you and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOffend me? No. She…tried to imply <\/em>things; and she most certainly insulted Hoss.\u201d Juliet put on her best royalty-face when she proclaimed, \u201cAnd I don\u2019t bear it very well when someone bad-mouths my companion. So I kindly suggested that she mind her own affairs.\u201d She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. \u201cA schoolmarm should know better than to address people in such an impertinent and pretentious way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh yeah<\/em>, Adam thought, pot, call the kettle black<\/em>. \u201cEspecially not the Queen of England, huh?\u201d He winked at her, and couldn\u2019t help but chuckle.<\/p>\n

Juliet said\u2014nothing. She stared at him, stunned, her mouth slowly, very slowly opening, and then closing again. She swallowed whatever had been on her tongue and rose from her seat.<\/p>\n

\u201cI…have to go now, Adam. Thank you for your hospitality.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam watched her rush out of the room in blank astonishment. What the heck…?<\/em><\/p>\n

And then it struck him. Oh, darn it!<\/em><\/p>\n


\n***<\/span><\/p>\n

Juliet made it to the top of the stairs. She stopped dead, when she heard Ben Cartwright\u2019s carrying voice from downstairs. Holding at the banister with a firm grip, she lowered herself to the floor, and sat there, arms around her legs, looking devastated into the nowhere.<\/span><\/p>\n

She wouldn\u2019t go down into the great room, she wouldn\u2019t let Ben and his sons see her like this, and she would not cry<\/em>. Roughly she wiped a single tear from her cheek. How does he dare<\/em>, she thought, how does he dare!<\/em> She knew about the ridiculous nickname the townspeople had given her, and even though she understood what had made them do so, she despised the name. She knew she was intimidating to some people, she knew she seemed imperious to others, she knew her accent and diction separated her from the locals, but she also believed that in time they would see that she was more than fancy speech and elegant clothes. She had never expected Adam to use that abhorrent title. She had thought…well, she didn\u2019t know anymore what she had thought; she just knew that he had hurt her when she had trusted him.<\/p>\n

She would not cry.<\/p>\n

\u201cJuliet.\u201d Adam\u2019s voice from the bedroom.<\/p>\n

She clenched her teeth. No<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cJuliet, I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

So what?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cJuliet, I know you\u2019re out there. I can smell you fuming.\u201d<\/p>\n

She held a hand over her mouth to stifle the snort, but she was sure he had heard her.<\/p>\n

\u201cCome back, Juliet. I apologise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Juliet envisioned him making puppy eyes. She just knew he must be good at that. She gingerly got up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m an idiot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, that was something new. Self-flagellation. She made her way back along the hall.<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, I didn\u2019t mean it. I\u2019m an idiot, and I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

He stopped when she looked around the doorframe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere are the ear witnesses when you need one?\u201d Juliet\u2019s attempt at a joke was a bit forced but, Adam noted, at least she smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cJuliet, I apologise. I…really, I\u2019m sorry. I didn\u2019t mean….\u201d He looked into her hurt face, and he knew this wasn\u2019t good enough. \u201cI\u2019d never consider you that way; you know that, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can be absolutely sure about that.\u201d<\/p>\n

She studied his face, puppy eyes, indeed<\/em>. But honest puppy eyes. He didn\u2019t lie. She sat down on the abandoned rocker, absent-mindedly playing with a lose strand of hair. She smiled at him. \u201cWell, maybe I overreacted a bit. I should have known you meant no hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a joke. A thoughtless joke; and I apologise.\u201d He heaved a deep breath. \u201cI guess I\u2019m a bit out of practise at being courteous. You know, with being confined to the house while others go out and do things, and then Hoss having you a whole day\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss didn\u2019t have me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPardon?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoss didn\u2019t have <\/em>me. No one has<\/em> me.\u201d<\/p>\n

God, she wouldn\u2019t run away again, would she?<\/em> What was the matter with her today? Or was it him? Adam sighed inwardly. Why was it that the most interesting women always were the most irritating ones as well? On his non-existent list of trying and demanding, yet interesting and worthwhile women Juliet surely ranked on top position.<\/p>\n

\u201cJuliet, I didn\u2019t mean\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, listen to me, Adam, and listen good,\u201d she cut him short. \u201cI do not belong to someone. I\u2019m tired of people who try to meddle with my life. I\u2019m tired of men who try to decide for me.\u201d She bit her lips, as if she had said too much, looked down and smoothed her skirt in that already so very familiar gesture.<\/p>\n

Adam watched her fingers follow the complicated pattern of the skirt\u2019s fabric, long, slender fingers, delicately manicured but marred with tiny ink spots \u2013 she must have been working earlier. Working, because she chose to support herself. A young lady on her own. Surely that gave some men ideas. Some <\/em>men\u2014not him. He reached out and stopped her hand from roaming.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t do that to you,\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n

She looked up at him. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

This time she didn\u2019t pull out of his hold. She studied his face for what seemed like an eternity, until finally she relaxed and allowed a smile to slowly conquer her tense features.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she repeated, very slowly. \u201cNo, you wouldn\u2019t do that to me, would you.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Saturday<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Saturday morning was pure bliss. After an entire undisturbed night\u2019s rest, filled with pleasant dreams about a tiny little queen wearing a red, black-spotted mantle and carrying a penholder for a sceptre, who had walked all the way up his arm, sat down comfortably on his shoulder, leaned her back against his neck and dozed off, Adam had woken up on his own account, feeling rested and content. When he stretched his side didn\u2019t bother him as much as it had the previous days, the room didn\u2019t seem so hot anymore, and for once he was alone. He was looking forward to a day spent in the entertaining company of the book Juliet had lent him, and to some more of the regal-cut carrots in Mrs. Hawkins\u2019 stew.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam decided not to let his family know he was awake, but to give Mr. Dickens his full attention right now for as long as he\u2019d have his peace. He reached out for the book he had enthroned on his nightstand, but when his fingers were only an inch from touching the promising leather binder, Hoss came into the room<\/p>\n

\u201cG\u2019mornin\u2019, big brother,\u201d Hoss declared quite proudly. \u201cI got\u2019cha a real breakfast today.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo I smell scrambled eggs? Bacon by chance?\u201d Adam couldn\u2019t believe his luck. This morning….<\/p>\n

\u201cYep, an\u2019 fried bread.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam delayed his reading gladly to devour the desperately missed treat. Hoss sat on the rocker, watching Adam eat like one would watch a stray cat drinking a well-meant bowl of milk. When Adam had finished the dish to Hoss\u2019 satisfaction, he was rewarded with a wide grin from his younger brother and a mocking, \u201cAtta boy, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam grinned back, took a sip of coffee (coffee! This was really his lucky day!)<\/em> and reached for the book again.<\/p>\n

\u201cNah, wait,\u201d Hoss stopped him. \u201cWe hafta change them dressin\u2019s first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam groaned. This was going to hurt, he knew that. Well, here goes a perfect morning<\/em>, he thought. It had been too good to be true, anyway.<\/p>\n

It did hurt, and it took Hoss quite some time to remove the blood stained bandage\u2014soaking it in water to loosen it where it stuck to the stitches and prying it away bit by bit\u2014 to wash away all traces of blood and other more unpleasant things and finally to redress the wound. All the time Adam bit his lips so he would not cry out in pain and make Hoss\u2019 assignment even more unpleasant, since his brother already cringed whenever he did something he knew hurt. When Hoss finally proclaimed his work done and eased Adam\u2019s nightshirt back into place they were both drenched in sweat and shivering from exhaustion.<\/p>\n

Hoss, noting Adam\u2019s pale complexion, helped him to lie down and tucked his big brother in. That Adam didn\u2019t complain about being treated like a small child was evidence enough for Hoss to understand that his big brother was done in.<\/p>\n

\u201cYa jest rest fer a while, Adam. I get\u2018cha some more coffee when ya wake up,\u201d he said softly and turned to pull the rocker closer to the bed. Adam was asleep before Hoss\u2019 fundament had even touched the seat.<\/p>\n


\n***<\/span><\/p>\n

When Adam woke from his, for once dreamless, slumber he was feeling much improved and eager to finally start Mr. Dickens\u2019 latest work. The rocker was abandoned, which should have made Adam suspicious, but he was so thrilled to have been granted some time for himself, that he missed the implication of this. Sure enough, though, the moment his hand touched the spine of the alluring volume, Joe entered the room, bearing a tray with sandwiches and a cup of coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re awake. Good.\u201d Ignoring his brother\u2019s protests, Joe snatched the book from Adam\u2019s hand and placed it on the desk. He put the tray on the nightstand, handed Adam a plate and sat down, looking cheerfully at his sulking brother. \u201cWith best wishes from the kitchen-crew. They are just as you like \u2018em, Adam, cheese and mustard and loads of crisp bacon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam finished the sandwiches in no time. He wasn\u2019t hungry at all, but he knew Joe would try to get the food into him, quite certainly on Pa\u2019s orders, at any cost, so Adam decided to play along. The sooner his lunch vanished from this planet the sooner he\u2019d get to read his book.<\/p>\n

Well, man proposes, God disposes. Or at least that was what Adam thought hours later. He couldn\u2019t fathom what had driven Joe, but the boy had seemed determined to entertain his recuperating brother. He had talked at length about everything that had gone on at the ranch the past week, had asked Adam question after question about improving their breeding stock, had shared his thoughts about how Hoss really had a heart for the underdogs if he had bothered to teach high and mighty Miss Juliet how to shoot, and had not even spared his brother from a detailed synopsis of his latest dime novel. He had paused for a moment while describing Miss Molly Malone, saloon girl and the novel\u2019s hero\u2019s love interest, apparently to revel in an image he had conjured in his mind, and that was when Adam had ventured a try to get his book back.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, speaking of books, Joe, why don\u2019t you just pass me the one you laid on the desk earlier?\u201d<\/p>\n

To his surprise, Joe had instantly obliged, and Adam, settling into a comfortable reading position, had opened the much longed for tome.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat book is that, Adam?\u201d Joe had asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat Expectations by Charles Dickens,\u201d Adam had answered in a strained voice. \u201cIt\u2019s brand new. From England.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh. What\u2019s it about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, Joe. I haven\u2019t read a word yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see. I bet it\u2019s boring. It looks boring. Is it like the other books you have of this Dickens guy?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know<\/em>.\u201d Adam had glared at Joe, and he had put some effort in it. \u201cI\u2019ll tell you once I read <\/em>it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah. Good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had directed his attention to the book in his lap. My father\u2019s family name being Pirrip, and my Christian name Philip, my infant tongue could make of both names nothing longer or more explicit than Pip. So, I called myself Pip, and came to be called Pip\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou do have an awful lot of books, don\u2019 you, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n

Argh!<\/em> Adam had looked up to see Joe standing at his bookshelf, reading the titles on the spines.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, and I have read them all. The only book in this house I haven\u2019t read yet is the one in my hands. And I would very much appreciate it when\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, what\u2019s this one about, Adam? It sure looks interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s…what is it? Ah, Moby Dick. That\u2019s about a man who\u2019s determined to hunt down a whale he feels is responsible for all the hardships in his life. In fact, the whale\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA whale? How can a whale be responsible for hardships? Unless it\u2019s the whale that swallowed Jonah. Boy, Adam, imagine you have to live inside a whale!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess it\u2019d be very dark in there, so you wouldn\u2019t mind if you had no books with you. But most fortunately we are not living in a whale, and I have a book, and that means I can read. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, sure.\u201d Joe had actually ducked his head. \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Joe. Just let me read now.\u201d And Adam had started anew. My father\u2019s family name being Pirrip, and my Christian name Philip, my infant tongue could make of both names nothing longer or more explicit than Pip. So, I called myself Pip, and came to be called Pip. I give Pirrip as my father\u2019s family name, on the authority of his tombstone and my sister\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n

Joe hadn\u2019t said another word; it was merely his footsteps as he strolled through the room that had disturbed Adam. Sighing heavily, Adam had observed his brother meandering his way around the desk and the chair, over to the window, pausing there for a moment when his attention was caught by who knew what on the back yard, back to the desk, then to the wardrobe\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, Joe, why don\u2019t you go and, er, help Pa with…something?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I can\u2019t do that.\u201d Joe had looked at him with a rather sheepish expression. \u201cPa made me vow to stay in your room until suppertime.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat for in heaven\u2019s name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yes, to make sure you won\u2019t get up again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had blinked several times and shaken his head. \u201cThat\u2019s completely ridiculous. Why should I…. Well, I won\u2019t get up, Joe. You can just as well leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou say that now….\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had snorted and offered, \u201cI promise?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo chance, Adam. You promise now, and then you decide there\u2019s an emergency\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam had felt anger rising. He would have loved to lash out and wipe that smug expression from Joe\u2019s face\u2014but he remembered the last time his anger had gotten the better of him, and it had resulted in another round of pain and blood and stitches. And, God knows, Paul had been called to the Ponderosa often enough these past few days. So Adam had restricted himself to spitting, \u201cWhat about this \u2013 I will <\/em>get up if you don\u2019t <\/em> leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe hadn\u2019t been impressed at all. \u201cNo way, Adam. I\u2019d hold you down.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I\u2019m stronger than you.\u201d Adam had known he was whistling in the graveyard, but maybe\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re as weak as a kitten.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam would have let him get away with that, but Joe had to go one better.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could hold you down with only one finger, big brother. Or I could just snatch that book you\u2019re so fond of and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

And, predictably, Joe had lunged at the book to demonstrate the momentary power over his brother he believed to have obtained. Adam, anticipating his move, had stretched out his long arm and held the book just out of Joe\u2019s reach. Joe, who always reacted very impulsively to everything that reminded him of his inferior size, and quite often acted before he thought, had thrown himself on Adam, ripping at the sleeve of Adam\u2019s nightshirt and trying to gain hold of his brother\u2019s arm and to pull it down.<\/p>\n

The agonised cry Adam had involuntarily let out when Joe\u2019s weight had squeezed his injured side had instantly alerted Pa and Hoss. The wave of nauseating pain and dizziness that had followed the new aggravation of his wound had blurred Adam\u2019s awareness of what happened, especially after Hoss had stomped into the room roaring, \u201cJoe, geroff\u2019n \u2018im!\u201d and Joe awkwardly had scrambled off him and, in doing so, had jarred his side even more.<\/p>\n

When his vision eventually had cleared, the pain had subsided to a tolerable level, and he felt alert enough to follow what was going on, Adam found himself once again prone and neatly tucked in. His father had taken over the guard-rocker, and gazed at him with a strained smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, at least this time we didn\u2019t have to alert the doctor,\u201d Pa said, somehow looking guilty. \u201cAre you all right now, son? Do you need anything?\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam just wagged his head. He felt incredibly tired. He cautiously turned to his nightstand and looked longingly at the book that had been placed there by, well, whoever. He couldn\u2019t find the strength, though, to reach out for it. He couldn\u2019t find the strength to do anything, and so he constrained himself to staring at the ceiling until his eyes slowly closed.<\/p>\n

He detected a short commotion, and then he heard his father\u2019s deep voice, \u201cMy father\u2019s family name being Pirrip, and my Christian name Philip, my infant tongue could make of both names nothing longer or more explicit than Pip. So, I called myself Pip, and came to be called Pip. I give Pirrip as my father\u2019s family name, on the authority of his tombstone and my sister,\u2014Mrs. Joe Gargery, who married the blacksmith. As I never saw my father or my mother, and never saw any likeness of either of them (for their days were long before the days of photographs), my first fancies regarding what they were like were unreasonably derived from their tombstones. The shape of the letters on my father\u2019s, gave me an odd idea that he was a square, stout, dark man, with curly black hair….<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

And slowly Adam drifted into sleep on his father\u2019s familiar soothing tones.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Sunday<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n


\nJoe Cartwright was mighty happy with himself and his world. After a long week spent confined to the Ponderosa doing extra chores to compensate for Adam\u2019s temporary incapacitation and tending to his slowly healing brother, he finally had been allowed to go to Virginia City. He had gone to church, all alone and on the orders of his father. Pa had decided to stay at home and watch over Adam, who had felt like a million dollars this morning. Naturally this had alarmed both his father and Hoss, both of whom had felt impelled to stay at home for another Adam-watch.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe had been a bit reluctant to attend the service. It had seemed like a waste of time when he had only a few hours of unrestricted fun, but now Caroline Granger was there, too, and Joe managed to acquire a seat next to the beautiful girl. This also saved him from sitting next to Miss Juliet, who in result molested some other unfortunate\u2019s ears with her very creative <\/em>interpretations of the hymns.<\/p>\n

After the service Miss Juliet cornered Joe, and asked how Adam was. Joe didn\u2019t tell her about the book incident, but told her the bold-faced lie that Adam had read the whole previous day and was right as rain. Well, the latter wasn\u2019t a lie, really, because Adam was much better than they had feared after yesterday\u2019s events. Juliet was delighted that her small token had made Adam\u2019s day so pleasant (if she only knew<\/em>…) and expressed the expectation that he would have another fulfilling day with Mr. Dickens. She told Joe to give Adam her best wishes and an apology, for she would not be able to drop by the Ponderosa this day. Obviously she had to catch up on some articles that had been delayed by her extended visits to Adam\u2019s bedside and the shooting lesson with Hoss. Much to Joe\u2019s relief, since he always felt like a five-year-old when talking to the lady, she excused herself shortly after that, handing him a Sunday edition of the Territorial Enterprise<\/em> with the words, \u201cSomething for the family,\u201d and a rather complacent smile.<\/p>\n

Joe was overjoyed to accept a lunch invitation from the Grangers, but wasn\u2019t able to leave the church yard for quite some time. A lot of townsfolk asked him about his brother, and wanted him to give their regards to Adam. Joe received many friendly hand shakes and thumb-ups on Adam\u2019s behalf, and he thought it a bit creepy that Virginia City suddenly cared so much for his elder brother. Eventually Caroline was able to pry him away from the crowds, and he walked her home, letting his horse follow them slowly on a long rein.<\/p>\n

Caroline was just as darling as the Sunday before, loaded his plate with roast beef and sweet potatoes and delicious honey-glazed carrots, and peered at him from under coyly lowered lids. Joe bathed in her attention and ate more than in days. This was only partly due to the pleasant company\u2014the simple fact was that they hadn\u2019t had a proper warm meal at the Ponderosa since Hop Sing had gone to visit one of his numerous cousins in San Francisco. Joe would never belittle Mrs. Hawkins\u2019 generosity in providing them with fabulous food baskets, but most of the warm food had found its way upstairs to Adam\u2014or into Hoss\u2019 stomach, of course.<\/p>\n

After lunch he spent some splendid time with Caroline on the front porch, telling her how he, all on his own, had brought the nasty brother-shooting outlaw to Virginia City, and how he had ridden into town only days later, faster than anyone else could, to get the doctor and save the life of his elder brother. He exaggerated only a tiny little bit, and Caroline turned out to be a wonderful audience. Her father, too\u2014and that diminished his pleasure in the afternoon somewhat\u2014but all in all it was a very enjoyable time.<\/p>\n

When Joe eventually had to head home, Caroline followed him out of the house, and in an unobserved moment she planted a warm kiss on his cheek. That rounded the day off quite prettily, and it would have been even better, had Caroline not bidden him goodbye with, \u201cAnd give my best to Adam. Tell him to take care.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe\u2019s smile was a bit strained when he said, \u201cYeah, well, he\u2019s much better, y\u2019know?\u201d but she just thrust the Territorial Enterprise<\/em> in his hands and said, \u201cDon\u2019t forget your newspaper, Joe, I\u2019m sure Adam wants to read it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe stashed the paper in his saddlebags and, after a last wave to sweet Caroline, rode home.<\/p>\n

He found his big brother engrossed in the mysterious world of English literature and supervised by Pa, who was drinking coffee and reading a book from Adam\u2019s shelf. Joe presented Adam with Juliet\u2019s compliments and her apology, the well wishes from the townspeople, Caroline\u2019s regards, and the by now profoundly battered, coiled-up Territorial Enterprise<\/em>.<\/p>\n

He was thanked and excused from the room rather quickly, since apparently both men were very eager to return to their reading. Joe happily obliged and rushed downstairs to where Hoss had already set up the checkers board.<\/p>\n

He contently sat down at his usual place at the fireplace; and while engaged in a fiercely fought game of checkers with his middle brother, as was his habit, he tried to distract Hoss from one of his better moves with a random conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how has your day been?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss looked up with a downright miserable expression. \u201cOh yeah, it was jest dandy, Joe. I been watchin\u2019 Adam readin\u2019 ferever. Boy, I never saw anyone read as much as elder brother. Couldn\u2019 get a word outta him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe couldn\u2019t stop himself from snickering. \u201cAnd I bet you tried your best.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hoss smiled sheepishly. \u201cNot fer long. Ya know, that brother of ours gotta nasty glare, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe could easily envision the glares Adam has sent Hoss\u2014he had been on the receiving end of said glares only yesterday. \u201cOh, he sure has. I bet he can freeze Lake Tahoe with it, if he put a bit of an effort into it.\u201d He gave his brother a sympathetic smile and silently congratulated himself for having been the first to ask Pa for a day off. It could have been him again…<\/p>\n

\u201cWal, anyway, he made me stay real silent, an\u2019 I fell asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now Joe laughed out loud. \u201cYeah, Adam has that effect on people. First Miss Juliet, now you!\u201d He thought for a moment, then added genially, \u201cYou know what, Hoss? I think Adam\u2019s losing it. My<\/em> girls never fall asleep on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMiss Juliet ain\u2019t Adam\u2019s gal, Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe ain\u2019t? But she\u2019s around here an awful lot of times.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, but they\u2019re jest friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah, I see….\u201d The unconvinced look Joe gave his brother went unnoticed when both their attention was attracted to the angry voice from the upstairs bedroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe did it again<\/em>!\u201d There was no question which \u2018she\u2019 Adam was referring to, but they both wondered what <\/em>Juliet might have done \u201cagain.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a moment of silence, during which Hoss and Joe looked at each other, communicating with odd combinations of raised eyebrows and mouth grimaces but not daring to make a single sound, and then they heard their father\u2019s agitated voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Adam, no. You can\u2019t\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

This was followed by the sound of shuffling, which made the listeners jump to their feet and hurry up the stairs into their brother\u2019s room.<\/p>\n

They found their father and Adam glaring at each other with the same expression on their faces\u2014stubborn determination mixed with grim rebuke. Both had their arms crossed, both sat very upright, both looked as if they might start to snarl any second. On Adam\u2019s lap lay the Territorial Enterprise<\/em>, the Sunday edition that Joe hadn\u2019t spared a glance, showing the front page and a remarkably large headline \u201cAdam Cartwright, Fallen Hero\u201d. There was an illustration underneath that featured a man lying between some large boulders and a horse with its head low, apparently keeping vigil over the prone figure. And suddenly all the well-wishes from people he barely knew, Caroline\u2019s unexpected greetings and Miss Juliet\u2019s unusual hand-out of the newspaper made sense to Joe.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, that\u2019s great,\u201d he cried out enthusiastically. \u201cYou got your own article, Adam!\u201d He made a grab for the newspaper, but Adam snatched it out of his reach.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t!\u201d Adam\u2019s voice was pure steel. \u201cThis is evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, calm down.\u201d Pa didn\u2019t quite reach Adam\u2019s level of steeliness, but it was a close call. \u201cWe already agreed that you won\u2019t go anywhere before the doctor gives you a clean bill of health. Neither Mister Goodman nor Miss Heatherstone will leave the town anytime soon, so you can easily have your conversation with either of them at a subsequent date.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam said nothing; he just intensified his glare and clenched his teeth. But Joe could nearly hear his elder brother\u2019s mind working, and he was sure Adam would find a way to accelerate the \u2018subsequent date\u2019.<\/p>\n

Joe couldn\u2019t understand Adam\u2019s anger, though. Miss Juliet had written an article about him, but what the heck could be wrong about this? Surely she had done it just as expertly as usual and certainly she had shown Adam to be very brave and heroic\u2014where was the problem?<\/p>\n

When Joe opened his mouth to share these thoughts with his family, Pa silenced him with a warning frown and a shake of his head, and gestured him and Hoss out of the room. The last thing Joe heard as he left was Adam mumbling, \u201cInfuriating, inconsiderate, heedless…\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh<\/em>, Joe thought, synonyms. Uh-oh<\/em>. Nope, he wouldn\u2019t want to be in Miss Juliet\u2019s shoes.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Monday<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Adam hitched his horse to the rail in front of the Silver Dollar saloon and took the folded \u2018evidence\u2019 from his saddle bag. He glanced over at the Territorial Enterprise<\/em> bureau. In front of the big window three boys were playing a game of tiddly-winks, and behind it Adam could make out the shape of Joe Goodman. Well, there was no reason to postpone what had to be done.<\/p>\n

The ride into town had taken a heavy toll on Adam; his side was aching like nobody\u2019s business and he fervently wished he could lie down somewhere and die in peace. But\u2014a man\u2019s gotta do what a man\u2019s gotta do, so lying down would have to wait for a while. Suddenly Adam was happy to have been surprised by Hoss when he had sneaked his way out of the house in the wee hours of morning. Hoss, knowing he couldn\u2019t keep Adam from what he was determined to do, had made him promise to stay in town if the way back to the ranch should seem too strenuous. By now Adam realised that he was in no shape to get on his horse again, let alone make it back home. He\u2019d take a room in the International House, rest a night and the next morning go back to the Ponderosa and his father, who undoubtedly was already raging and would have a few choice words for him.<\/p>\n

Adam had to clutch his side when he limped over to the newspaper\u2019s office. His only relief was that he couldn\u2019t feel any moisture through his shirt which indicated that this time Paul\u2019s stitches had held up.<\/p>\n

By the time he reached the bureau, his anger had fed itself on his pain, and whatever reason he had reached while he had slept over the whole issue had given way to seething, untamable rage. He pushed the front door open with more force than strictly necessary, crossed the room to Goodman in two long strides, chucked the newspaper on the editor\u2019s desk and, pulling together all the strength he had left, roared at the top of his lungs, \u201cGoodman, I demand a retraction!\u201d<\/p>\n

Goodman, looking utterly unconcerned, leaned comfortably back in his chair, his hands folded on the table before him. He smiled maliciously, turned his head and called over his shoulder, \u201cMiss Heatherstone, please. Mr. Cartwright has some issues to discuss with you!\u201d<\/p>\n

Adam couldn\u2019t believe they were playing that game again; and when Juliet came over from her desk, smiling at him with well-remembered innocence, white hot rage exploded inside of him. His last sensible thought was, don\u2019t look into her eyes.<\/em><\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Juliet stretched out under her bedcovers. After an exceptionally long day she finally had come to rest. That argument with Adam, first thing in the morning, had been not a reprise of their last big battle, but a true expansion. Adam had been…loud. Very loud.<\/p>\n

In fact, she had been rather impressed at how loud he could be if he wanted to, and when she had told him that, he had gotten more furious, impossible as it had seemed, and, amazingly, even louder. But the really scary part had been when Adam had become very silent. When his eyes began burning again and had pulled Juliet into their blaze until she had gingerly backed away from him.<\/p>\n

By that time, half of Virginia City had assembled before the big window to watch their exchange and the eventual arrival of Sheriff Coffee, who had ended the argument.<\/p>\n

Juliet had felt a bit guilty that she had sparked the flames in Adam so much, and tried to prevent the worst, but to no avail. Well, at least she had been able to tend to Adam when he had lain down, completely spent and yet again feverish. And she had kept him company until he finally had fallen asleep.<\/p>\n

Juliet pulled the blanket over her shoulders, snuggled deep into her cushion and drifted into a sleep where she and Adam were living in a dungeon quarreling about windmills, while he called her \u2018Miss Cervantes\u2019.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately in the morning she wouldn\u2019t remember how Adam had ended their quarrel with a long, passionate kiss.<\/p>\n

____________<\/p>\n

Anybody can become angry, that is easy; but to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose, and in the right way, that is not within everybody’s power, that is not easy. ~Aristotle<\/em><\/p>\n

*** fin ***<\/p>\n

Beta-read by the wonderful Sklamb – thank you so much!<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/em><\/p>\n

Next Story in The Art-Universe Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Art of Setting Priorities<\/a>
\nMy Story Index<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

The way to recovery can be stony. But sometimes obstacles come from the most unexpected origins. And just how many times will Doctor Martin have to come to the Ponderosa to patch up Adam once again? <\/p>\n

16,750 words, rated T<\/p>\n

The Art-Universe series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":23290,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_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":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1005,23,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2975","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adam-cartwright","category-drama","category-hurtcomfort","wpcat-1005-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-41-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":5411,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Fragments.jpg?fit=577%2C467&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":9563,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=9563","url_meta":{"origin":2975,"position":0},"title":"The Art of Bronco Busting (by faust)","author":"faust","date":"August 20, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"It might look like everyday business, but it's more, much more. Ben makes some quite interesting observations, and Juliet learns something, too. 2,300 words 2450 words, rated K The Art-Universe Series, links to stories within the series are included.","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/AdamRiding.jpg?fit=455%2C411&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":13196,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=13196","url_meta":{"origin":2975,"position":1},"title":"Hero (by faust)","author":"faust","date":"August 9, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: All Joe wanted was some blackberry pie; was that too much to ask for? Yet Adam and Pa didn't seem to have any consideration for it. At all. 2660 words, rated mild T (canonical violence and a mention of blood)","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\/2018\/11\/apple-pie-3.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/apple-pie-3.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/apple-pie-3.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/apple-pie-3.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5284,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=5284","url_meta":{"origin":2975,"position":2},"title":"No Flash in the Pan (by Cowgirl8)","author":"Cowgirl8","date":"April 30, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0This is\u00a0a story that I wrote for my English class. My teacher really liked it. It's about the boys while Ben is out of Town. There is foreshadowing. And we weren't supposed to have blood and Gore so nothing gruesome in this story. Any spelling or grammar errors\u00a0are my fault.\u2026","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\/2014\/03\/Bonanza24.jpg?fit=526%2C372&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Bonanza24.jpg?fit=526%2C372&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Bonanza24.jpg?fit=526%2C372&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12915,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12915","url_meta":{"origin":2975,"position":3},"title":"Escape to Ponderosa – A Missing Scene (by Jenny G)","author":"Gwynne & JennyG","date":"January 11, 2001","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 A missing scene for the episode. Rating:\u00a0 T (implied sex)\u00a0 (640 words)","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\/2014\/05\/SAS-Stories.jpg?fit=613%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/SAS-Stories.jpg?fit=613%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/SAS-Stories.jpg?fit=613%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48263,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=48263","url_meta":{"origin":2975,"position":4},"title":"BTR Sourdough Starters #26 – June 2020 (by BZTrailriders)","author":"BZTrailRiders","date":"June 30, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Ride Like the Wind - Use this photo (Adam and Joe racing in The Hayburner) for inspiration for your scene or story.\u00a0 Rating: G, Word Count: 1676","rel":"","context":"In "Sourdough Starter"","block_context":{"text":"Sourdough Starter","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1323"},"img":{"alt_text":"Preserving Their Legacy","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/BTR.png?fit=442%2C255&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":47233,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=47233","url_meta":{"origin":2975,"position":5},"title":"Vengeance (by Lynnette Smith)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"January 31, 2004","format":false,"excerpt":"Story Summary: When a Jack Devon is out for vengeance for the death of his son, Joe is severely wounded and almost killed. Devon is thrown in jail and all seems to quiet down but it soon becomes clear that more then just Devon's son Jimmy would like to finish\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Action\/Adventure"","block_context":{"text":"Action\/Adventure","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=2"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2975","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2975"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2975\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/23290"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2975"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2975"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2975"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}