{"id":3373,"date":"2008-11-17T01:00:22","date_gmt":"2008-11-17T06:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3373"},"modified":"2025-02-27T12:13:39","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:13:39","slug":"blizzard-of-destiny","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=3373","title":{"rendered":"Blizzard of Destiny (by karilyn)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: <\/span>Adam is rescued from a raging blizzard by a young woman who changes his life forever.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 MA (38,245 words)<\/p>\n

Author\u2019s Disclaimer<\/strong>: This is an Adam story, although the other Cartwrights are also present.\u00a0 This is an MA romance and contains some sexual situations, so be forewarned!\u00a0 This story as well as my two other \u201cDestiny\u201d stories (one about Hoss and one about Joe) assume that the three Cartwright brothers find love.\u00a0 All of the characters are based on those created by David Dortort for the Bonanza TV series.\u00a0 All publicly recognized characters and settings are the property of the respective owners.\u00a0 Original characters and plots are the property of the author.\u00a0 The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators or producers of any media franchise.\u00a0 No copyright infringement is intended.\u00a0 Enjoy!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Destiny Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Blizzard of Destiny<\/a>
\nDesert Destiny<\/a>
\nDestiny Next Door<\/a>
\nBrothers<\/a>
\nNo More Birthday Parties, Thank you<\/a>
\nIt’s Just for Now<\/a>
\nThe Homecoming Part 1<\/a>
\nThe Homecoming Part 2<\/a>
\nLogan’s Bride<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Blizzard of Destiny<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Part I<\/strong><\/p>\n

Freezing rain and giant flakes of snow riding on a strong wind pelted the man riding through the densely wooded area.\u00a0 He had known this early spring storm was coming, but he had been anxious to reach home following his successful three-day business trip, so he had pushed his horse forward, betting against the odds.\u00a0 It was now almost dark and he knew he was in trouble.\u00a0 Lapses in good judgment were unusual for him, and he silently cursed himself for getting into this mess.\u00a0 The storm was rapidly worsening and very soon he would be lost in the dark, in blinding blizzard conditions.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He needed to find some shelter quickly, because it was becoming obvious that he\u2019d have to hunker down somewhere for the night.\u00a0 If he pressed on, he would surely lose his way and could easily freeze to death out in the storm.\u00a0 He had been riding for hours, ever since the smallest snowflakes had begun to float to the ground, and long before the wind picked up to the gusts that now slammed against him. He had turned up the collar of his coat, pulled on heavy leather gloves and pulled the brim of his black hat down low on his forehead.\u00a0 That had helped some, but enough time had passed that he was now pretty much wet through and through, and he was aware that ice was forming on his hat and coat.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He was contemplating the idea of stopping to build himself a shelter for the night, using pine boughs and tree branches, when he realized he was probably somewhere in the vicinity of the Nolan Mountain line shack.\u00a0 \u201cWhoa, boy,\u201d he spoke softly to his horse, patting his neck.\u00a0 The large brown horse stopped, but kept snorting and throwing his head.\u00a0 The weather was agitating him, and he was wet too.\u00a0 The man looked around to get his bearings.\u00a0 The mountain was on the north edge of his family\u2019s ranch and the shack had to be only a couple of miles directly ahead, close to the property border, as many of the line shacks were.\u00a0 He spurred the horse on, knowing that darkness and the thick, blowing snow were going to be his worst enemies in locating the shelter.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As the snow accumulated on the ground, travel was slow for the man and his horse.\u00a0 It was now completely dark and he knew he had traveled far enough to be close to the line shack.\u00a0 Although he could no longer see it, he knew he was in white-out conditions, which would make locating the shack almost impossible.\u00a0 It consisted of a cabin and a small stable, but they wouldn\u2019t be occupied by any of the hands at this time of year so there was no use in looking for any kind of light to guide him.\u00a0 He knew that his best hope was to get lucky and ride smack into the building, and he also knew that hope was slim.\u00a0 He got down from his horse and began to lead the animal, moving slowly, eyes darting in every direction, trying to get a glimpse of a structure.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At least a foot of snow stood on the ground now, and moving through it was difficult.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t take long for the wet to penetrate his thick leather boots, and his heavy corded pants were a lost cause; they had been soaked hours ago.\u00a0 He could even feel that his shirt was wet through his coat, and he was more than cold.\u00a0 Reminding himself not to panic and to keep thinking clearly, he sent up a quick prayer for help.\u00a0 In return he only heard the wind roaring through the trees.\u00a0 He kept moving, resorting to murmuring to the horse in a low, reassuring voice. He knew perfectly well he was trying to reassure himself as much as the horse.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Then without warning, he glimpsed a light a short distance ahead of him.\u00a0 Good Lord, it couldn\u2019t be.\u00a0 There would be no light out here now.\u00a0 He must be so chilled he was beginning to see things.\u00a0 However, the light remained steady, and it was closer than he thought it was.\u00a0 When he came up face to face with the flat wall of the shack he dropped his head to his chest.\u00a0 There was<\/em> such a thing as a guardian angel, and his had directed him here!\u00a0 Keeping his hand on the wall he moved toward the stable, whose location he knew from the lighted window.\u00a0 Someone else had also taken refuge in the line shack, and thank goodness that person or persons had already lit a fire.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As he pushed open the stable door he realized he was breathing heavily.\u00a0 The hours out in the inclement weather had definitely taken a toll on him and he was winded.\u00a0 In the dark he knew another horse was present.\u00a0 Knowing his way around a stable from an early age, he quickly unsaddled his horse, rubbed him down, found a blanket to throw over him, and fed him some oats found in a nearby wooden trough.\u00a0 Leaving the stable, he secured the door behind him and headed toward the lighted window which was dimming in the onslaught of snow.\u00a0 After the relative sanctuary of the stable, the wind-slashed snow felt like needles against his face.\u00a0 The few steps to the shack felt like miles.\u00a0 With shaking hands he found the door, and threw it open, eyes moving directly to the fire in the hearth.\u00a0 He had made it.\u00a0 Fortune had smiled on him, and Adam Cartwright believed he would now likely survive this deadly blizzard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The young woman stoking the fire started violently when the cabin door flew open against the wall.\u00a0 Her immediate thought was that the storm had worsened and the wind had forced the door open, but that thought was quickly replaced when she turned to see the man standing mutely in the doorway.\u00a0 Normally she would have been frightened by the sight of him, but it was probably the storm that made her curious instead.\u00a0 Strange weather did strange things to people.\u00a0 He just stood in the doorway, not moving, leather saddlebags hanging over one shoulder.\u00a0 That he was in a bad way was clear.\u00a0 His clothing was plastered to his body, but covered with ice and snow.\u00a0 His face was reddened raw from the weather.\u00a0 His dark eyes were narrowed as they stared at the fire, as if trying to figure it out, and his mouth hung slightly open.\u00a0 He was shaking fiercely.\u00a0 When he still didn\u2019t move after a few more seconds, she started again, feeling the bitter wind and drifting snow blow in through the open door.\u00a0 She moved quickly toward him, grabbing one arm to pull him into the small, one-room cabin while shutting and latching the door at the same time.\u00a0 Not sure how much longer he would remain on his feet, she grabbed a wooden chair from a rough wooden table in the middle of the room and shoved it near the fireplace.\u00a0 She took him by the arm again and pushed him into the chair.\u00a0 As he sat down, thin slices of ice broke off his coat and pants, falling in shards around him.\u00a0 She took off his hat and started unbuttoning his coat.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood heavens, Mister, long how have you been out there?\u201d she muttered as she worked quickly, pulling off his coat and throwing it onto the table.\u00a0 When he didn\u2019t respond, she stopped to look at his face.\u00a0 Still staring at the fire, he seemed to be in shock.\u00a0 His lips looked slightly blue.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t react when she pulled off his boots and started on his shirt and pants, all cold and wet, including a gun belt.\u00a0 Shortly she had piles of wet clothing all over the floor and she was down to his long-johns, which were also wet.\u00a0 She unbuttoned the first two buttons at his neck and reached inside to lay the palm of her hand against his chest.\u00a0 It was cold.\u00a0 Too cold for a human being whose body core was supposed to be warm.\u00a0 A shock of realism hit her when she suddenly understood that she may be dealing with a life and death situation.\u00a0 She had no idea how long he had been out in the storm, cold and wet, but it was clear that his body temperature had dropped.\u00a0 She unbuttoned the sodden underwear to his waist and stripped it off him. His skin was very pale against heavy black chest hair.\u00a0 Quickly she yanked a blanket off the bed in the corner of the room and wrapped it around his shoulders.\u00a0 It was the first warm, dry piece of cloth that had touched his skin in more than six hours.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thinking and moving at a furious pace, she dragged the rumpled mattress off the bed and pulled it as close to the fireplace as she dared.\u00a0 Hanging over the end of the rustic bed frame were two heavy old buffalo robes which she lugged over to the mattress.\u00a0 One she spread over the mattress itself and then she turned back to the man.\u00a0 \u201cMister, can you stand up?\u201d\u00a0 For the first time, he turned his head and looked up at her with a blank expression.\u00a0 But he stood up, teeth chattering.\u00a0 Without thinking about what she was doing, the young woman unbuttoned and removed the rest of his long-johns, kicked them aside, and guided him over to the bed by the fire.\u00a0 He sank onto it, with a rush of air escaping his lungs as he did so.\u00a0 He closed his eyes as she covered him with the remaining buffalo robe.\u00a0 A few seconds later she tucked a pillow under his head.\u00a0 His black hair was wet and blown every which way, and she smoothed it back where it was plastered across his forehead.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hanging over the fire was a pot of water she had been warming to make herself a cup of tea before she went to bed.\u00a0 Ignoring the tea, she filled a tin cup with some of the water, testing to make sure it wasn\u2019t too hot.\u00a0 She took it over to him, finding that he had curled up and now lay on his side, still shaking.\u00a0 She was determined to get something warm down him; anything to help raise his body temperature.\u00a0 She leaned over him and pulled gently on his shoulder, trying to get him on his back.\u00a0 She eased an arm under his neck and raised his head slightly.\u00a0 \u201cDrink this, Mister.\u00a0 It\u2019s warm and it\u2019ll help you.\u201d\u00a0 The first few drops dribbled down his chin, but when he realized what it was, his hand came up to grasp the side of the cup and he guzzled the water down completely.\u00a0 So he was thirsty, too.\u00a0 She realized he had been outside longer than she had originally thought.\u00a0 Well, at least something warm had gotten down him.\u00a0 She helped make him comfortable again and tucked the buffalo robe tightly around him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Shaken, she sat down on the wooden chair he had earlier occupied.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t know much about anatomy or medicine, but she was pretty sure he was suffering from a dangerously low body temperature, and she knew that condition could be fatal.\u00a0 For the moment she had done everything she could for him, but she was still worried.\u00a0 Glancing over at him, he appeared to be sleeping, but it was hard to tell because he still shook from the cold. She looked down at herself and smiled grimly.\u00a0 She was a sight too, wearing her coat over a long flannel nightgown and boots on her feet.\u00a0 She had been on her way home to the top of Nolan Mountain, following a visit to a friend, when the storm caught her by surprise much earlier in the afternoon.\u00a0 Having only lived in the area for two years with her grandfather, she wasn\u2019t thoroughly familiar with all of the terrain, so she had stumbled on this empty line shack by accident when the snow began to fall heavily.\u00a0 Finding it stocked with wood and some food supplies, she decided to wait out the storm here.\u00a0 It had taken her a while to get her horse, April, settled in the stable, and to build the fire inside\u2026but what would have happened to this near-frozen man if he hadn\u2019t found the cabin, or even if he had been forced to take the time to start a fire himself in his wet and frozen clothing, with every passing moment dropping his temperature?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Shuddering, she rose and picked up the wet clothing, spreading it over chairs, table and bed frame so that it could eventually dry in this drafty, chilly shelter.\u00a0 She walked over to the cabin\u2019s one window.\u00a0 Trying to peer out she saw very little, but the depth of snow on the outside window sill and the howl of the wind told her the blizzard was not abating.\u00a0 She put one more log on the fire to keep it going through most of the night and then blew out the lantern on the table.\u00a0 It was then she realized that there was no place for her to sleep except on the mattress with her cold, exhausted patient.\u00a0 The bed in the corner was useless without its mattress.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t debate the issue for long, however, because the line shack was very cold, as the bitter wind forced itself through every crack and board.\u00a0 In fact, combining body heat was probably the most sensible thing two people could do under the circumstances.\u00a0 It was a matter of survival, especially for the cold, wet man.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Having found a quilt near the bed, she added this atop the buffalo robe.\u00a0 Then she took off her coat and boots and slid under the covers next to this man she did not know.\u00a0 Now sleeping on his back, his breathing was shallow.\u00a0 She moved aside the blanket she had earlier wrapped around his shoulders to once again lay her hand on his chest.\u00a0 Not warm enough.\u00a0 She moved it down to his stomach.\u00a0 Same there, and his forehead was tepid although his red cheeks were hot.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t shaking as badly, but there were tremors that ran through his body now and then and he shivered occasionally.\u00a0 Resolutely, the young woman bundled up her coat to use as a pillow and placed it close to the man.\u00a0 Then she put her arm around him, bringing herself as close to him as she could.\u00a0 Finally she brought one leg up and slung it across his legs.\u00a0 That was it.\u00a0 She couldn\u2019t think of anything more she could do to warm him up.\u00a0 Feeling anything but relaxed, she closed her eyes and tried to go to sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam awoke to the smell of brewing coffee.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t move immediately but just lay still, trying to gauge his surroundings.\u00a0 He remembered the nightmare of being lost in the blizzard the day before, and he definitely knew now what it felt like to freeze to death.\u00a0 At the present time, however, he wasn\u2019t freezing.\u00a0 He was, in fact, warm, even though he could still hear the blasted sound of the raging storm outside.\u00a0 He furrowed his brow, vaguely remembering that he had found what he thought was the line shack he had been searching for.\u00a0 He remembered stabling his horse, Sport, but couldn\u2019t remember anything beyond that.\u00a0 He shifted his body slightly under the covers and realized in an instant that he wasn\u2019t wearing a stitch of clothing.\u00a0 Feeling the heat coming from the nearby hearth, he turned his head in that direction and saw a woman kneeling there, preparing the coffee.\u00a0 He could only see her back, but she had long, straight blond hair that fell down her back over the coat she was wearing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWater?\u201d he said, only it came out as a whisper and he had to clear his throat before that much was even audible.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh! You\u2019re awake!\u201d the woman turned and jumped to her feet, with wide blue eyes and both hands clapped over her mouth.\u00a0 She was very young, maybe only 20.\u00a0 \u201cOf course you want water.\u00a0 Hold on here one second while I get it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He could hear water being poured and shortly she was kneeling at his side with a cup.\u00a0 He leaned up on one elbow and took the cup with his other hand.\u00a0 Taking a sip of nearly hot water, he made a face.\u00a0 He was thirsty; he wanted cold water.\u00a0 But she was shaking her head at him.\u00a0 \u201cDrink that down.\u00a0 I\u2019m still afraid to give you anything cold.\u201d\u00a0 So he slowly did as she instructed and handed the cup back.\u00a0 As he did so, he realized the effort that simple act had cost him, and he lay back down again, looking up at her steadily.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Without warning she put both hands on either side of his face, pausing silently.\u00a0 Then she felt his forehead and moved her hands down to feel his upper arms, and then his chest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, thank goodness you feel warmer!\u00a0 I wasn\u2019t sure if you were going to live or die.\u00a0 When you appeared last night, you were nearly frozen, and it was all I could do just to get you to stop shaking.\u00a0 Your lips were blue and your teeth were chattering.\u00a0 I made you this bed by the fireplace and I gave you some warm water, and then I practically slept on top of you just to…\u201d she stopped abruptly and turned bright red, looking away from him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026keep me warm,\u201d he finished for her, a slight smile curving his lips.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right!\u00a0 I had to!\u00a0 People can die if their bodies get too cold.\u00a0 I can tell you, though, I didn\u2019t sleep much at all with all the worrying about you.\u201d\u00a0 She paused to draw in a deep breath and then resumed.\u00a0 \u201cHow are you feeling now?\u00a0 Can you move your fingers and toes?\u00a0 Is there any feeling in them? Are they tingling?\u00a0 We should check to make sure they aren\u2019t turning black, because that\u2019s a sign of frostbite, which is very dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He moved his hands out from under the bedcovers and held them up, flexing his fingers.\u00a0 She grabbed each hand and inspected it.\u00a0 They were pink.\u00a0 She let out a breath.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy feet tingle a little, but I have feeling in my toes,\u201d he reported.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She dove to the far end of the mattress and pulled the covers up to look at his feet.\u00a0 His toes looked a bit purple to her, but they weren\u2019t black by any means, and he was moving them.\u00a0 \u201cI think you\u2019re OK,\u201d she said with relief, tucking the covers back where they belonged.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She sat back on her heels and looked at him.\u00a0 He was really a handsome man, she thought, with that black wavy hair, dark eyes and beautifully curved lips.\u00a0 She remembered, too, somewhere in the back of her mind, that when she undressed him last night he was all sinew and muscle.\u00a0 He was, of course, quite a bit older than she.\u00a0 Embarrassed again, she remembered the coffee.\u00a0 She moved to the fireplace and poured two cups, kneeling back down carefully next to him and waiting until he could position himself to take the cup she held forth.\u00a0 It would be hot, and hot was good for him right now.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you, and how did you get into the condition you were in last night?\u201d she queried, taking a sip of hot, strong coffee.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cCartwright.\u00a0 Adam Cartwright.\u00a0 I was trying to reach home before dark.\u00a0 It was a long shot, and I lost.\u00a0 If it weren\u2019t for the fact that I stumbled on this line shack, I\u2019d probably be frozen dead somewhere out there now.\u00a0 If you didn\u2019t have a lantern and a fire burning, I would never have found it,\u201d he was very matter-of-fact.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere\u2019s home?\u201d\u00a0 She watched him over the rim of her cup.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cA ranch outside of Virginia City, just a ways beyond the bottom of the mountain.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cVirginia City\u2019s not that far away.\u00a0 You almost made it.\u00a0 Almost.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, almost.\u00a0 And thank you,\u201d this last was spoken very quietly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you?\u201d She tilted her head, questioning.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, for saving my life.\u00a0 You did, you know.\u00a0 I wouldn\u2019t have made it if you hadn\u2019t done everything you did for me last night\u2026including taking away every last stitch of clothing I had on,\u201d one side of his mouth tilted up slightly as he eyed her directly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She knew she was red again, and she hated herself for it.\u00a0 \u201cWell I had to! You were soaked through and there was even ice on your coat!\u00a0 You didn\u2019t think I would try to warm you up while you were all wet, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNot at all.\u00a0 You behaved appropriately, and I am deeply grateful.\u00a0 Now may I ask what your name is, my dear heroine?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She paused momentarily to see if he was making fun of her.\u00a0 His face, with its heavy black whisker stubble, was solemn.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m Mary Lynn Nolan.\u00a0 I live with my grandfather on the top of the mountain.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam frowned.\u00a0 \u201cVance Nolan?\u00a0 My father knows him.\u00a0 We don\u2019t see him very often; I didn\u2019t know he had a family.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy father was his son.\u00a0 My parents died two years ago, so I came to live with Grandpa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry about your parents.\u00a0 Why haven\u2019t I heard about you before if you\u2019ve been here for two years?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0 I could ask you the same question.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we must not travel in the same circles,\u201d he said mildly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat circles?\u201d she practically snorted.\u00a0 \u201cGrandpa hardly ever comes down from the mountain, and I only have one friend here, and it\u2019s her house I was returning from when the storm caught me yesterday.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t even know about this cabin, but I decided to stay here when I saw it because I know that traveling up the mountain on horseback in the snow can be treacherous.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou made a good decision in more ways than one,\u201d and then he chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you\u2019re probably right about our \u2018circles.\u2019\u00a0 Vance Nolan is known in these parts as a bit of a recluse, and a grump at that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe is,\u201d she agreed, \u201cbut he\u2019s been good to me.\u00a0 In fact, he\u2019s probably worried sick about me right now.\u00a0 Isn\u2019t your family worried about you, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cProbably not too worried.\u00a0 They know I would turn back or find shelter somewhere.\u00a0 I\u2019ve lived in this area for many years.\u00a0 I know the terrain\u2026and fortunately where we built all the line shacks.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, then, you have a very understanding wife\u2026and you mean this cabin belongs to your family?\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry I just took it over, then.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t know,\u201d she was embarrassed again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou did the right thing to stop here.\u00a0 It probably saved your life too.\u00a0 And there\u2019s no wife; just a father and two brothers and our ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was an ensuing silence during which Adam drained his coffee cup and then started to sit up.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve got to check on my horse.\u00a0 I may not have taken the best care of him last night.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn hopped to her feet immediately.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve already done that, Mr. Cartwright, and at least for today you\u2019re not leaving that bed.\u00a0 After your misadventure yesterday, a day\u2019s rest can\u2019t hurt you one bit.\u00a0 Besides, it\u2019s so cold in here your clothes haven\u2019t dried yet.\u00a0 Lie back down,\u201d she pushed against his shoulder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Miss Nolan,\u201d he started.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMary Lynn.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMary Lynn, I really think\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026that you need something to eat. \u00a0Stay put.\u00a0 You don\u2019t have anything to wear anyway, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to see what I can find for us to eat.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d he said, knowing he was losing this argument.\u00a0 Tiredness overtook him again and he dozed off almost before his eyes closed.<\/p>\n

Adam slept on and off for most of that day.\u00a0 Mary Lynn made cornbread along with salted ham and dried applies, which they ate for breakfast and again for supper.\u00a0 She found that Adam was inordinately thirsty from his ordeal and she finally let him drink unheated water.\u00a0 He never developed a fever, which she had been halfway expecting, and she was grateful she didn\u2019t have to nurse him through the unknowns that could bring to this situation.\u00a0 His clothes were drying slowly, mostly because the cabin wasn\u2019t very warm at all, except close to the fire.\u00a0 Those things closest to the hearth dried faster and the rest seemed to stay damp for a very long time.\u00a0 His coat, the heaviest and wettest of what he had worn, looked as though it may never be dry again, so it was eventually moved close to the fireplace, hung over a chair back.\u00a0 As daylight was beginning to fade, Mary Lynn prepared to go out to the stable again to check on the animals, even though snow was drifting and blowing everywhere the eye could see.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou strung a rope between the cabin and the stable, didn\u2019t you?\u201d Adam asked as he watched her button up her coat.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, why?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Alarmed, he felt a sudden rush of anger.\u00a0 \u201cThe minute you take two steps out that door, you can\u2019t see a thing!\u00a0 You could start walking in the wrong direction, and walk until you freeze to death!\u00a0 Blizzards are famous for killing people that way.\u00a0 You have to string a rope so you can hold onto it, knowing that it will lead you straight to the stable and back.\u00a0 I\u2019ll see to the horses myself,\u201d he was sitting up now and grabbed his now dry shirt, beginning to button it down the front.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn felt stupid as she realized the logic of what he said, but she felt a rising anger as well.\u00a0 \u201cWell what\u2019s to keep you from wandering off away from the stable?\u00a0 If no rope is a problem for me, it\u2019s a problem for you, too!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTurn around,\u201d he commanded as he stood up suddenly and wrapped the blanket he\u2019d used earlier around his waist.\u00a0 He stepped off the mattress and took two steps toward his pants when the room began to spin and he walked straight into the table.\u00a0 Muttering an oath, he put one hand on the table to steady himself, and the other hand over his eyes, letting the blanket fall to the floor.\u00a0 Mary Lynn spun around when she heard him hit the table and gasped to see him leaning heavily over it.\u00a0 She quickly averted her eyes as she hurried toward him, going so far as to put her hand over her eyes.\u00a0 She grabbed the blanket and quickly put it back around his waist while she grabbed one of the wooden chair rungs with her foot and dragged the chair over.\u00a0 Soon he was sitting, elbows on his knees, head in his hands.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you scared me.\u00a0 Tell me what\u2019s wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u00a0 I just stood up too fast after being in bed all day.\u201d\u00a0 He sat back in the chair and raised his head, looking around him as if to make sure the room had stopped moving.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook, that settles it.\u00a0 You can\u2019t go out to the stable today.\u00a0 I have to do it,\u201d Mary Lynn pointed out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou still need the rope,\u201d he said wearily, rubbing his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cWithout it you\u2019ll face the same odds I faced last night, and I\u2019m only here now by the grace of God.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFine, we\u2019ll string a rope, but we\u2019ll have to work together and you\u2019re staying inside, agreed?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam nodded and gestured for his pants.\u00a0 She handed them to him along with his boots and socks, both of which were still damp.\u00a0 Then she obediently turned around while he dressed, mostly sitting as he did so.\u00a0 A suitable rope was found in a wooden chest against the wall.\u00a0 Adam tied one end securely around Mary Lynn\u2019s waist, and they walked together to the cabin door, moving slowly to make sure his dizziness didn\u2019t return.\u00a0 Mary Lynn had dragged the chair with her and made him sit on it by the door.\u00a0 He tied the other end of the rope to the outside door latch, hunching over against the wicked wind that whipped in the moment the door was cracked open.\u00a0 When he was finished he looked up at her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, head out to your left.\u00a0 The stable isn\u2019t more than 50 paces from here.\u00a0 When you get there, untie the rope from your waist, pull it mostly tight and tie it to the outside latch of the stable door.\u00a0 If you go more than 50 paces and haven\u2019t reached the barn, you may be off course.\u00a0 If that happens, just pull on the rope and follow it back here.\u00a0 Either way you\u2019ll be safe.\u00a0 When you get to the barn, call out to me.\u00a0 I may be able to hear you over the wind.\u00a0 I\u2019ll stay right here,\u201d he couldn\u2019t think of anything else to tell her.\u00a0 The rope would guide her back one way or another.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She nodded and stepped outside.\u00a0 In a second or two he could no longer see her, but he felt the slack rope moving through his hands.\u00a0 She had tucked her flannel nightgown into a split riding skirt, buttoned up her coat and tied a scarf over her head.\u00a0 She had on some knitted gloves that he considered only slightly better than nothing.\u00a0 He was counting off paces to himself, but he had no idea how deep the snow had become or how long it would take her to move through it.\u00a0 Time passed in an agony of slowness until the rope stopped moving.\u00a0 He sat up straight and strained to listen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam!\u201d\u00a0 It was a shout.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMary Lynn!\u201d Shout returned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cFound the barn!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At that announcement, Adam let out the breath he didn\u2019t realize he\u2019d been holding, and shouted back, \u201cGood girl!\u201d\u00a0 He stayed at the cabin door, keeping it cracked open until he could feel her pulling on the rope, making her way back.\u00a0 When the cabin door pushed open, she stood in front of him covered with snow from head to foot.\u00a0 He pulled her inside the same way she had done for him the night before, and started removing her scarf and coat.\u00a0 She was gasping from the cold and the strength of the wind.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe drifts reached my hips.\u00a0 My boots are full of snow and there\u2019s snow all the way up my skirt!\u00a0 The snow feels like pin pricks.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know how long this can last, but you were right about the rope.\u00a0 And to think I went to feed the animals alone this morning!\u201d\u00a0 She was sucking in air in between every few words.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stood and latched the cabin door.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t dizzy, so he let her sit while she removed her boots and dumped snow out of them.\u00a0 When she started slaking snow from the inside of her riding skirt, he discreetly moved toward the hearth.\u00a0 He put more wood on the fire and this time he fixed her a cup of tea.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have a change of clothes?\u201d he asked her, seeing that the bottom of her nightgown was damp from the snow that had wet her skirt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She nodded and twirled her finger at him, which he correctly interpreted as an instruction to turn his back to her.\u00a0 He did so as she took a small satchel from the corner.\u00a0 He could hear her rustling inside it and waited patiently.\u00a0 Listening to the sounds of the fire, he was beginning to relax and so was startled to hear something slam loudly against the cabin\u2019s window.\u00a0 Mary Lynn yelped in surprise, and he spun around, heading directly toward the window.\u00a0 She had frozen momentarily at the noise and as he passed her his gaze caught her in the act of pulling a fresh nightgown over her head.\u00a0 He saw her gauzy camisole, which left very little to his imagination, and he was surprised at the jolt that sight gave him.\u00a0 Without pausing he moved quickly to the window.\u00a0 There was nothing to be seen since full darkness had now settled in.\u00a0 The window, at least, was still fully intact.\u00a0 He moved to the door and opened it in a futile attempt to see much of anything at all except snowflakes swirling immediately in front of his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When he turned back, Mary Lynn was fully covered again and looking at him questioningly.\u00a0 He shrugged his shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know what that was, but we\u2019re extremely fortunate that the window didn\u2019t break.\u00a0 If it had, it would be so cold in here we would have had to move into the fireplace just to keep warm.\u00a0 That noise could have been a bird or a limb torn loose by the wind, even a large pine cone, but I couldn\u2019t see anything at all out there.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think someone is out there?\u201d she seemed tentative and concerned.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf there is someone out there, we\u2019ll know soon enough, but I don\u2019t see how anyone could have survived in this storm for this amount of time.\u201d\u00a0 Nevertheless, Adam had taken his holster and set it near the bed.\u00a0 He held her tea out to her and they both settled into the bed, not only for the evening, but mostly for the warmth.\u00a0 This time Mary Lynn was shivering from her excursion to the stable.\u00a0 As soon as the tea was gone, Adam pulled the quilt and the buffalo robe securely over them, and then he pulled Mary Lynn close to him, her head on his shoulder.\u00a0 He could feel her snow damp hair through his shirt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to have to get used to sleeping this way to get through this storm with any degree of comfort,\u201d he was addressing the ceiling.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a little awkward, but it conserves heat.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI agree, so we\u2019ll just both have to do the best we can.\u201d\u00a0 There was a long silence.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, how old are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThirty.\u00a0 Old enough to be your big brother, I bet.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m twenty-one.\u201d\u00a0 More silence.\u00a0 One last time she reached up her hand to feel his face and forehead.\u00a0 \u201cNormal,\u201d she sighed, except of course, for the black stubble of his beard.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He took her hand and placed it on his chest.\u00a0 \u201cGood?\u201d he asked in the dark.\u00a0 She could feel the warmth through the fabric of his shirt.\u00a0 \u201cGood,\u201d she answered.\u00a0 Time passed and sooner or later they both slept while the wind whirled outside.<\/p>\n

\n

Chapter 2:<\/p>\n

With dark blue light appearing through the window, Mary Lynn opened her eyes.\u00a0 It was early morning, and she had slept soundly, to her surprise.\u00a0 She was comfortably warm, and realized that her back was right up against Adam\u2019s front, spoon style.\u00a0 From his breathing, she could tell that he was asleep.\u00a0 It was true; shared body heat did help a person stay warm.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t need to rise yet, so she simply lay still, enjoying the comfort.\u00a0 She could still hear the wind, but it didn\u2019t seem as strong as it had been the previous day.\u00a0 Shifting slightly, she became aware that Adam\u2019s arm was fully around her stomach, holding her right up against him.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t know what to make of the situation.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t holding her tightly; he was relaxed in his sleep.\u00a0 Was this just a simple accident or was he trying to keep them warm?\u00a0 She relived briefly in her mind all the unconventional things that had occurred in the past 36 hours or so.\u00a0 Never had she experienced a blizzard like this, being stranded the way she was, or a man like Adam Cartwright.\u00a0 Truth be told, she had minimal experience with men at all.\u00a0 She had certainly had her share of boyfriends growing up, and she had been thoroughly kissed, but nothing had ever been truly serious.\u00a0 Since arriving in Nevada Territory to live with her grandfather, she had barely met any men at all, much less had a relationship with one.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Becoming uncomfortable with the situation, she turned carefully onto her back.\u00a0 This caused Adam to shift as well, and he moved onto his back, the arm in question now resting on his stomach as he slept.\u00a0 Mary Lynn felt relieved, but she could very much still feel where he had been holding her.\u00a0 She also felt a curious excitement.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 She barely knew this man, and all their interactions so far had been incidental to staying alive.\u00a0 Pondering the situation, she closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She woke again a couple of hours later, to the feeling that she was being watched.\u00a0 Opening her eyes she discovered that her senses were indeed accurate.\u00a0 Adam was awake, reclining on one elbow, his head resting in his hand, and he was watching her intently.\u00a0 He had actually been watching her for some time now, really looking at her perhaps for the first time.\u00a0 As urbane as he considered himself to be (and in fact was) he found her quite lovely.\u00a0 Her long straight hair was a sunny shade of blonde which she seemed to like to braid in the front on each side and then tie the two braids behind her head.\u00a0 She had a straight nose and high cheekbones and a chin that looked as though it could be defiant if she so chose.\u00a0 Her skin, pink from sleep, was freckled across her nose and cheeks.\u00a0 He vaguely remembered that her eyes were blue, and now that she had opened them, he saw that he had been correct.\u00a0 They were in fact a slightly startling shade of periwinkle blue.\u00a0 Her eyelashes were light to match her hair, but they were long and nicely curved.\u00a0 He seemed to recall that she was on the lean side, but then he remembered her full breasts and felt a quick heat start in his body.\u00a0 Adam Cartwright was the scion of the great Ponderosa ranch.\u00a0 He was worldly, educated, and had had a few serious love relationships in his past, all of which had ended, to his disappointment and disillusionment.\u00a0 At his age, he wondered why this 21-year-old girl had so captured his interest this morning.\u00a0 Perhaps it was because she had saved his life.\u00a0 That could certainly be a valid reason.\u00a0 But something more pulled at him, and he couldn\u2019t identify it.\u00a0 He wanted to keep looking at her.\u00a0 Her mouth was hard to figure.\u00a0 Her lips looked full, but he couldn\u2019t really remember if he had ever seen her smile yet.\u00a0 Then again, there hadn\u2019t been much opportunity for smiling since he had burst into her life like a frozen wild man.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Miss Nolan.\u00a0 And may I inquire as to whether you slept well?\u201d he used his very most correct manners.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 You may so inquire, and in fact I did indeed sleep well,\u201d she returned in kind, remembering his early morning embrace.\u00a0 Then she giggled, given the absurdity of their situation in the shared makeshift bed on the floor by the fireplace.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ah.\u00a0 There was her smile, quick and bright, revealing straight white teeth.\u00a0 She reached out to touch his growing beard stubble.\u00a0 It was jet black like his hair and anyone seeing him for the first time would no doubt assume he was an outlaw of the worst kind.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He fingered his chin, still feeling her hand on his face even though she had removed it seconds before. \u00a0\u201cFeels like I could use a shave.\u00a0 I have a razor in my saddlebags.\u00a0 I\u2019ll take care of it today as soon as I work up the courage to leave this warm bed,\u201d he said ruefully and gave her a lopsided grin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re better today, aren\u2019t you?\u201d\u00a0 She was appraising him carefully.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re going to be all right.\u00a0 Lord, but you gave me a scare.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t know what I would do with a dead man on my hands!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019m glad you didn\u2019t have to find out,\u201d he shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI really misjudged that storm, and I\u2019ve been watching them for years now.\u00a0 I can read the signs and I know better than to try to outride one.\u00a0 I just really wanted to get home.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHome must be pretty special to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt is.\u00a0 The Ponderosa is a beautiful ranch.\u00a0 It\u2019s big and we all work it together, along with a lot of hired help.\u00a0 I designed the ranch house myself and when the weather\u2019s nasty, it\u2019s just a good feeling to be in the great room, sitting by the fireplace with my family.\u00a0 I had been gone three days on a business trip before this storm kicked up, and I was ready to be back there again.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019ve heard Grandpa mention the Ponderosa.\u00a0 It sounds wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt really is.\u00a0 It\u2019s got mountains and lakes and meadows and pastures and trees for as far as the eye can see.\u00a0 You can ride for days and still be on Cartwright land.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAs I guess I am right now since I appropriated your line shack.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He looked up from where he was running a finger across the buffalo robe.\u00a0 \u201cYou are, but like I said, I\u2019m glad you were smart enough to stop here.\u00a0 My family would want anyone in need to take refuge here.\u00a0 We usually keep the line shacks stocked for the hands when they use them during round-ups and cattle drives and foaling season.\u00a0 We\u2019re lucky to have enough wood and food on hand now to help weather this storm.\u00a0 It sounds to me as though the wind has died down some,\u201d he pushed himself up and picked up his boots as he walked to the window.\u00a0 \u201cWell, there\u2019s a lot of snow, but it\u2019s not blowing anywhere near what it was doing yesterday.\u00a0 We\u2019ve probably seen the worst of it.\u00a0 Now we just need to wait for the snow to go down some.\u00a0 The horses will never be able to get down the mountain through this snow.\u00a0 It\u2019s going to be a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDown the mountain?\u00a0 But I need to go up<\/em> the mountain to get home,\u201d Mary Lynn\u2019s voice was plaintive.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He turned to look at her, tucking his black shirt into his pants.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I hate to be the one to tell you this, Mary Lynn, but it\u2019ll take longer to get up the mountain than to get down it.\u00a0 Going up is rougher riding, and with heavy snow on the ground, a horse can\u2019t get proper footing and it\u2019s almost sure to falter.\u00a0 It could be very dangerous for both you and your mount.\u00a0 I\u2019ll tell you what we should do.\u00a0 As soon as the snow clears enough to get out of here, we\u2019ll both ride down to the Ponderosa where you can stay until we can get you get you safely up the mountain to your grandfather.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn didn\u2019t look happy.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I\u2019d be imposing on your family, and we don\u2019t even know for how long.\u00a0 And besides, Grandpa is going to be frantic wondering what\u2019s happened to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He walked back to her and put a finger under her chin, lifting her face until she was looking at him.\u00a0 \u201cMary Lynn, you would be more than welcome at the Ponderosa for as long as you need to stay.\u00a0 We almost never get a woman staying in the house and it\u2019s a treat when it happens.\u00a0 My brothers go all googly-eyed, and Hop Sing, our cook, uses the best china and linen.\u00a0 My Pa even serves his best wine every night.\u00a0 I realize that your grandfather is going to be worried, but there\u2019s nothing to be done for it right now.\u00a0 I promise you that as soon as travel is safe, we\u2019ll take you home immediately.\u00a0 Deal?\u201d\u00a0 He felt bad about her obvious disappointment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She sighed deeply.\u00a0 \u201cIt doesn\u2019t sound as though there\u2019s much of a choice, does it?\u00a0 Okay, you\u2019ve got a deal. How long do you think it\u2019ll be before we can leave here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He couldn\u2019t sugar-coat matters for her.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know for sure, but from what I just saw, it could be a week, maybe more.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Her eyes widened in surprise, but she didn\u2019t say anything.\u00a0 She simply got up, shrugged into her coat and moved over to the hearth to start breakfast.\u00a0 Adam was pulling on his boots and reaching for his coat, which was by now reasonably dry.\u00a0 She knew he was heading to the stable to tend to the horses.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The food had been ready for some time before Adam returned and Mary Lynn had been starting to worry.\u00a0 He explained that as long as he was outside, he set some snares to see if he could catch any rabbits or squirrels for dinner.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sure he would in snow this deep. \u00a0He had also piled more firewood near the door and now started stacking it inside. Visibility was much better now, but the sky was still overcast and the temperature was bitter.\u00a0 Although his coat had remained dry, his pants and boots were wet again.\u00a0 The snow had reached his mid-thigh in some areas.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn handed him his long-johns.\u00a0 \u201cThese are mostly dry now.\u00a0 You better put them on and let your pants dry.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t you bring a change of clothes on a business trip?\u201d She raised an eyebrow at him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI did, but I lost my pack riding in the storm.\u00a0 You were luckier than I was,\u201d he sounded a bit sheepish.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She set out coffee and a repeat of yesterday\u2019s food while he changed.\u00a0 They took their plates and cups and sat on the mattress where it was warmest while they ate.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI told you about me; you tell me about you,\u201d Adam was ravenous, but he was making an effort to eat slowly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want to know?\u201d\u00a0 Mary Lynn was chewing slowly, pushing pieces of ham around on her plate, suddenly self-conscious with him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, for starters, where did you live before you came to Nolan Mountain?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up in St. Louis and lived there all my life until my parents were killed in a steamboat accident.\u00a0 That\u2019s when I came here to live with Grandpa Nolan.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t have any other family?\u00a0 No siblings?\u00a0 No aunts or uncles?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy mother had some family, but they were killed six years ago traveling west in a wagon train.\u00a0 I\u2019m an only child.\u00a0 It\u2019s a pretty dismal story, really.\u00a0 I have school friends back in St. Louis, but none that I could move in with after my parents died.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry you\u2019ve had so much tragedy in your life.\u00a0 My mother died when I was born, and my pa\u2019s two other wives also died.\u00a0 Each one had a son\u2014my brothers.\u00a0 It was hard seeing three mothers die and watching my pa live through it,\u201d his voice was low and somber.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She put her hand on his arm.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Adam, I\u2019m so sorry about that.\u00a0 It seems we both know more than we want to about death.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd blizzards,\u201d he looked at her over his coffee cup and this time there was a sparkle in his eyes that made him look distinctly roguish.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd blizzards,\u201d she agreed, getting up to pour more coffee and give him the last of the dried apples.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Later Adam sat with his coffee staring into the fire.\u00a0 His knees were pulled up and his arms rested on top of them.\u00a0 Mary Lynn had cleaned up after the meal and turned back toward him when she was through.\u00a0 She was thoroughly surprised to see how much of him was clearly outlined through his form fitting long-johns.\u00a0 He seemed unaware of this and she averted her eyes as she moved back to the bed where it was clear they would be spending most of their time unless the temperature outside rose suddenly and considerably.\u00a0 Her cheeks began to burn as she realized she would have preferred to stand and stare at him much longer than would have been appropriate by any standards.<\/p>\n

Later on he got up to shave.\u00a0 There was a small mirror hanging on the wall which he used along with a towel and some heated water.\u00a0 He had a cake of soap in his saddlebags and painstakingly worked up shaving lather with it.\u00a0 As he rummaged through his saddle bags, he pulled out a thin book and tossed it to Mary Lynn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHere, this\u2019ll give you something to do while you lounge around all day.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHmphh!\u201d was her indignant retort, but she picked up the slim volume.\u00a0 \u201cShakespeare\u2019s sonnets.\u00a0 How wonderful, I love Shakespeare,\u201d she began turning the pages.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRead one to me.\u00a0 I could shave in my sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She began to read aloud the artistry of words as only the Bard himself could write them.\u00a0 When she finished one, she read a second.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs Shakespeare your favorite?\u201d She asked him as he wiped spots of lather from his face and neck.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He hung the towel around his neck and turned to her, \u201cShakespeare, Milton, Homer, Tennyson, Byron, I like them all.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She looked up from the book.\u00a0 Good Lord he was a beautiful man, she thought.\u00a0 Without the growth of beard she could clearly see his features, every one of which was just about perfect.\u00a0 His shoulders were also wide and his hips were narrow.\u00a0 He had long legs and long, tapered fingers that belied the hard work a rancher undoubtedly did on a daily basis.\u00a0 He strode back to the bed and slid back under the covers, shivering briefly from his exposure in the cold room.\u00a0 He took the book from her and flipped onto his stomach, reading aloud to her.\u00a0 His voice was deep and melodious and the words he read were clearly familiar to him.\u00a0 Eventually he closed the book and put it aside.\u00a0 He turned onto his back and put his hands behind his head, continuing to recite the sonnets from memory.\u00a0 Mary Lynn was captivated.\u00a0 Miss Henderson\u2019s School for Girls in St. Louis had given her a good female education, but she was going to have to dig deeper into the classics to match him; that much was clear.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They napped briefly in the afternoon, and then Adam went back outside to tend the animals and check his traps.\u00a0 While he was gone, Mary Lynn washed up as best she could.\u00a0 The cabin was very cold and drafty despite the continuous fire, so she hurried with her bathing and added another log before scurrying back to the bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam returned victorious, with a squirrel and a rabbit in hand.\u00a0 He had skinned the rabbit in the stable, and with Mary Lynn\u2019s help they made a stew using onions, potatoes that were found in a vegetable bin and salt from a supply shelf near the hearth.\u00a0 By the time dark fell, there was a meal they both felt was like manna from heaven.\u00a0 There was even leftover stew for the following day.\u00a0 They both drank tea brewed from Mary Lynn\u2019s private supply, choosing to ration the coffee for the mornings.\u00a0 Then they did the only remaining thing they could: they turned off the lantern and tucked themselves under the warm covers for the night.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They were both silent for a long time, facing each other, but just listening to the fire snap in the hearth.\u00a0 Adam was looking directly into her eyes, and she watched him back, for once not bothered by his direct scrutiny.\u00a0 Time passed.\u00a0 Outside there was only the stillness of the snow which blanketed everything.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you thinking about?\u201d\u00a0 Mary Lynn asked.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t answer.\u00a0 He was thinking that she was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen.\u00a0 Why had he not noticed that before now?\u00a0 She was fresh and honest and beautiful. He reached out a hand and placed it on the back of her neck, pulling her toward him.\u00a0 He slowly leaned toward her and gently placed his lips on hers, kissing her softly.\u00a0 He leaned back slightly to gauge her reaction, but her eyes were only searching his.\u00a0 He leaned in again and kissed her once, twice, three times, very gently.\u00a0 She made a soft sound in her throat.\u00a0 He parted his lips and kissed her again, this time longer, much longer, drawing her lower lip into his mouth and sucking on it lightly.\u00a0 Her hands grabbed his arms tightly, but she was kissing him back, and continued until she fell back, breathing heavily.\u00a0 They still held each other\u2019s gaze, and he moved over her to wrap his arms tightly around her.\u00a0 She grabbed his head and pulled it down to hers, initiating her own series of kisses.\u00a0 They continued this way for a long time until he pulled away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to stop.\u00a0 I can\u2019t\u2026 You\u2019re not\u2026 I shouldn\u2019t have\u2026\u201d his forehead was touching hers as he struggled to catch his breath.\u00a0 She had never been with a man before, but she could feel what their actions had done to him.\u00a0 Her own heart was pounding and her body felt strangely hot.\u00a0 Her stomach was doing flip-flops that were oddly exciting.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He lay back.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Mary Lynn.\u00a0 I took advantage of you.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now she was leaning on her elbow, facing him.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you sorry for? How did you take advantage of me? Don\u2019t I have a say in this?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He turned his head to look at her.\u00a0 \u201cHave you ever been with a man before?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026but\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s just it.\u00a0 I can\u2019t do what I might have done to you just because we\u2019re stuck here together like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat were you going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLove you.\u00a0 I would have made love to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if I wanted you to?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo you even know what you\u2019re asking for? Do you even know what you\u2019re talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She was quiet.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe.\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure.\u00a0 I know I wanted you to keep doing what you were doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He grabbed her hand almost angrily and put it against himself, holding her there to let the implications sink in.\u00a0 \u201cAre you prepared for this?\u00a0 Do you even know what happens?\u201d\u00a0 He let go of her, but she didn\u2019t snatch her hand back.\u00a0 She was fascinated.\u00a0 Did she want this?\u00a0 She thought she did.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook,\u201d he began, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose.\u00a0 \u201cI started this, but it was a mistake.\u00a0 We\u2019ve only known each other for 2 days, and most of that time was under duress.\u00a0 I behaved badly.\u00a0 Let\u2019s just go to sleep.\u00a0 Please.\u201d\u00a0 And with that, he turned his back to her and let his head sink into the pillow.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With her hand back in her own possession, she sat and stared at his back for a few minutes.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t know what to think or feel.\u00a0 Hurt.\u00a0 She knew she felt hurt, but she wasn\u2019t sure exactly why.\u00a0 Silently she burrowed herself under the covers with her back to him, and stared straight ahead.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t think sleep would be claiming her any time soon.<\/p>\n

\n

Chapter 3:<\/p>\n

Mary Lynn awoke to full daylight the next morning, and this time it was actual sunshine for the first time in days.\u00a0 Adam was gone, and she momentarily feared he had taken his leave until she noticed his saddlebags and gun belt slung over the bed frame.\u00a0 He was probably in the stable.\u00a0 Memories of the night before came flooding back to her, and she groaned inwardly.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t know how she was going to face him, and right now she didn\u2019t want to.\u00a0 The hurt she felt was still present, now accompanied by anger.\u00a0 He had been so gentle, and then so rejecting.\u00a0 Was he playing a game with her?\u00a0 She didn\u2019t know.\u00a0 She only knew she was inexperienced enough not to know how to play the same game with him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She rose, used the necessities, and moved over to the mirror where she unbraided her hair.\u00a0 Adam had already stoked the fire, and the temperature in the room had improved slightly.\u00a0 Still, she shivered as she deftly fixed her hair in a long French braid down her back.\u00a0 She was splashing water on her face when the door opened and Adam returned, stamping snow off his boots.\u00a0 She glanced at him quickly through the mirror, but he kept his head down as he headed toward the fireplace.\u00a0 He began to make coffee and warm the rabbit stew leftover from the night before.\u00a0 She made no move to help him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was no change in the depth of the snow, and the wind was blowing deep drifts in various places.\u00a0 He had set more snares for small wild game, but he mentioned none of this to Mary Lynn.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know what to say to her.\u00a0 He had watched her sleep again this morning.\u00a0 God, she was beautiful.\u00a0 He wanted her, there was no question in his mind.\u00a0 The problem was he had been raised by a strict father with high moral standards.\u00a0 He knew she was a virgin and that their present circumstances created an artificial environment that would never exist in the real world.\u00a0 There, he might never have met her, and if he had, she might have dismissed him as an uninteresting, older man.\u00a0 But then again, nine years wasn\u2019t such a big difference.\u00a0\u00a0 People had married with much greater age differences before this.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He was fighting with his conscience, he knew.\u00a0 Last night he could easily have taken her, and he knew she had been willing.\u00a0 But he also knew that any relationship they had here might not carry over into a post-blizzard world.\u00a0 And if he took her virginity, she might have trouble finding a man to accept her.\u00a0 She could even become pregnant and then her reputation would be ruined forever.\u00a0 Cartwright men did not take advantage of unmarried girls that way.\u00a0 He would have to marry her.\u00a0 Was he prepared to do that?\u00a0 Was she willing to marry him?\u00a0 Was their relationship based on enough to sustain a marriage?\u00a0 Characteristically, he tried to lay out his feelings under a thoughtful microscope to examine them in depth.\u00a0 He lost himself in thought.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re burning the stew,\u201d her comment was tight, and yet she made no move to assist him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His reverie lifted and he quickly grabbed the pot from the fire and ladled out two plates, along with coffee.\u00a0 Without comment, he handed over her plate and cup.\u00a0 They ate in silence.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

During the long day that followed, Mary Lynn read and re-read Shakespeare\u2019s sonnets, ignoring Adam.\u00a0 He shaved again and skinned the squirrel for that night\u2019s meal, not speaking to her when she visited the stable to check on her horse, April, and where he was working on the squirrel.\u00a0 She spent a long time with the horse, murmuring to her and stroking her nose and neck.\u00a0 She noted that Adam\u2019s brown mount, Sport, was a fine, large animal and had probably been very expensive.\u00a0 Big ranch, good horse, she thought to herself.\u00a0 April was significantly smaller, but she was the right size for Mary Lynn, and her disposition was sweet.\u00a0 The two of them were a good match for each other\u2026unlike herself and Adam, Mary Lynn thought wistfully.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The evening meal was roast squirrel and potatoes baked on the hearth, along with some boiled carrots.\u00a0 They each helped cook the food, but no words passed between them.\u00a0 Following the silent meal, Mary Lynn sat herself in a chair in front of the fire, once again reading the sonnets.\u00a0 Adam stood by the window for a long time, staring out at nothing but darkness, wrestling with his thoughts.\u00a0 He stood legs apart, his arms crossed over his chest.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t move, and Mary Lynn, by now just staring at words blurred on a page, wondered if he would sleep all night standing up that way.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Finally he turned away from the window, but stayed put.\u00a0 He rubbed the back of his neck.\u00a0 \u201cI just don\u2019t know,\u201d he sighed to himself in a low tone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She turned to look at him but didn\u2019t respond to his comment in any way. She didn\u2019t know what to say.\u00a0 He looked over at her, the first direct eye contact they\u2019d had all day.\u00a0 Even in the dimming light of the cabin she saw the question in his eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you want me?\u201d\u00a0 It was a soft, tenuous question.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Then he moved.\u00a0 He walked across the room in three strides, grabbed her upper arms and lifted her to a standing position directly in front of him.\u00a0 His jaw was clenched.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI want you.\u00a0 How could I not want you?\u201d He said it harshly.\u00a0 \u201cBut you don\u2019t know what you\u2019re getting yourself into.\u00a0 You\u2019re a virgin.\u00a0 You could get pregnant.\u00a0 No other man would have you after that.\u00a0 Who knows what will happen to us when we leave here?\u00a0 I can\u2019t ruin your life!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI want you, too,\u201d it was a whisper.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you know that?\u00a0 I could hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think you would hurt me.\u00a0 You didn\u2019t yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat was only kissing.\u00a0 When a man sleeps with a woman for the first time, it hurts for her, but only once and only for a few moments.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, what?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, I accept that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u00a0 Why?\u00a0\u00a0 You don\u2019t know me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI knew enough last night.\u00a0 You did too.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Defeated, he threw his head back and let out an inarticulate sound of frustration.\u00a0 Then in a quick move, he grabbed her head and pulled her to him.\u00a0 His lips were on hers again, pressing, crushing, demanding, and then suddenly gentling.\u00a0 There was a moan deep in his throat, yearning for more.\u00a0 His arms wrapped around her, holding her so close to his body that she couldn\u2019t have stopped him if she wanted to, but she didn\u2019t want to.\u00a0 Her arms reached up around his neck and he kissed her with deep, open-mouthed kisses that sent molten blood spiraling through her body.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He took a step back and unbuttoned his black shirt, shrugging it off to the floor.\u00a0 He kicked his boots off and then moved back to her, unbuttoning the row of buttons down the front of her cream colored flannel nightgown.\u00a0 As he did so, she looked at his torso.\u00a0 He had a chest of black hair, broad shoulders, muscled arms and a flat stomach.\u00a0 She wanted to touch him but he was drawing her gown up over her head.\u00a0 As it floated to the floor she stood before him in her thin camisole and her pantalets.\u00a0 He slid the camisole over her head and then his thumbs jerked down her pantalets.\u00a0 She stepped out of them and he turned her to face him.\u00a0 She was breathtaking, he thought.\u00a0 Her legs were slim, her bottom rounded and her belly was flat.\u00a0 Within a second he swept her over to the bed and under the covers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Then, very slowly and gently, he began to make her feel things she had never felt before.\u00a0 She felt safe with him, and the feelings were good.\u00a0 She began to feel the building of a pent-up energy that felt like white-hot fire.\u00a0 She was breathing heavily, and just when she thought she could bear no more of what he was doing, he pushed her over the edge and her back arched as spasm after spasm of electric pulses cascaded through her core.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Then suddenly he left her and as she lay back, spent and panting, he was back just as quickly, moving over her, having stripped off his pants.\u00a0 With a jolt she remembered him telling her that she didn\u2019t know what she was asking for, and she felt a stab of panic.\u00a0 It must have shown as her eyes flew open because he was right there with reassurance.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Mary Lynn.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be gentle,\u201d His low voice was soothing. He moved over her, and before she knew it, she felt a sharp stab like a knife tip.\u00a0 She gasped, and he stopped, waiting.\u00a0 \u201cAre you all right?\u201d\u00a0 She nodded, her face hidden against his neck.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She held onto him, and felt the spirals of excitement start in her stomach again as he kept on.\u00a0 Presently he began moving faster and his breathing quickened.\u00a0 He became more urgent and suddenly there was a low growl deep in his throat as he went still, his face buried in the side of her neck, catching his breath.\u00a0 As her hands moved over his back she found he was damp from perspiration.\u00a0 Shortly he moved next to her, pulling her to him so that her head rested on his shoulder.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He was still trying to catch his breath, staring up at the ceiling\u00a0 He turned his head and kissed her forehead.\u00a0 They were quiet for a time, drugged by their lovemaking, holding each other.\u00a0 Mary Lynn moved slightly and felt something wet and sticky on her legs.\u00a0 It felt like blood.\u00a0 Alarmed, she reached quickly down to feel it and brought some up on her fingers.\u00a0 Adam noticed her movement, and touched her hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAh, don\u2019t worry,\u201d he said knowingly.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s just a small part of me that I left with you.\u201d\u00a0 He stretched an arm out and reached for his shaving towel which was draped over a chair, pulled it off and handed it to her.\u00a0 \u201cUse this to wipe it off.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She knew she sounded stupid, \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He explained what it was.\u00a0 \u201cI told you that you could get pregnant, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She nodded dumbly.\u00a0 Pregnant. \u00a0\u00a0With Adam\u2019s baby.\u00a0 The girls at Miss Henderson\u2019s had talked about sex and men and babies, and her own mother had explained to her the birds and the bees, but suddenly Mary Lynn\u2019s mind was blank.\u00a0 \u201cHow soon?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam smiled.\u00a0 It was the first time she had actually seen him smile and it was magnificent.\u00a0 He had dimples.\u00a0 \u201cWell, that depends.\u00a0 Right away if it\u2019s the right time of the month for you\u2026and not at all if it isn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d in her mind she was frantically trying to calculate time, but failing miserably.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook, Mary Lynn,\u201d Adam reached out and took her hand.\u00a0 \u201cI would never leave you stranded.\u00a0 If you become pregnant, I\u2019ll take care of you.\u00a0 You won\u2019t be on your own.\u00a0 I would want my baby anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For a moment she wasn\u2019t sure she\u2019d heard him correctly.\u00a0 What was he thinking?\u00a0 What had he just said to her?\u00a0 That she would accept money from him?\u00a0 That she would be his Geisha girl?\u00a0 His baby\u2019s wet nurse?\u00a0 Of all the pompous, arrogant statements coming from a high and mighty big-ranch snob! She knew her mouth had fallen open and she snapped it shut, but she also raised her hand quickly and connected her palm with the side of his face.\u00a0 She watched it turn with the force of the slap and then she stood, grabbing the quilt off the bed to cover herself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGet out!\u201d She was pointing at the door.\u00a0 \u201cLeave now, Mister<\/em> Cartwright.\u00a0 Maybe you can find yourself a floozy to accept your generous charity in your wonderful Virginia City. Go<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyes had narrowed and his hand was on his cheek.\u00a0 He tilted his head back to look at her.\u00a0 What had he said to warrant this fury?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMary Lynn, all I said was\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She interrupted him.\u00a0 \u201cI heard exactly what you said, and you heard what I said.\u00a0 Leave now and take what you need with you.\u00a0 I don\u2019t ever want to see you again.\u201d\u00a0 She sat down on one of the chairs and put her feet up on the rungs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He had pulled his pants on and now stood in front of her, buttoning them.\u00a0 \u201cLook, I think you misunderstood me.\u00a0 I never meant to insult you, and you are obviously insulted.\u00a0 You know as well as I do that there\u2019s nowhere to go in this mess right now.\u00a0 Even if I wanted to do as you request, I couldn\u2019t!\u201d\u00a0 His voice was rising impressively as the result of frustration and impatience.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat is not a matter of concern to me.\u00a0 You were right in the first place.\u00a0 We should have stopped like you said.\u00a0 I should have gotten to know you a LOT better first.\u00a0 Now get out so I don\u2019t have to look at you anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He turned toward the fire, hands on his hips.\u00a0 \u201cI was right about the rope; I was right making love.\u00a0 So why am I wrong now??\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you are a boor.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Exasperated, he exploded, \u201cLady, you must be crazy!\u00a0 You<\/em> leave if you want to.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to bed!\u201d\u00a0 And he did.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Seething, Mary Lynn pulled her nightgown over her head, stuffed her feet into her boots and shrugged into her coat.\u00a0 With the quilt around her shoulders, she headed for the door.\u00a0 She would sleep in the stable.\u00a0 Anything would be better than being with that insufferable man.\u00a0 He had turned onto his side in bed, and as she passed him, she gave him a swift kick in the rump, gratified by the sound of his muffled curse.\u00a0 She opened the front door and slammed it behind her, knowing he would have to get up to latch it shut.\u00a0 As she plowed her way through the snow drifts toward the stable she heard him at the door, \u201cAnd watch out for the wild coyotes!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Damn him.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t know whether there were wild coyotes about or not.\u00a0 She let herself into the barn, barred the door, and settled herself uncomfortably in a pile of clean hay in the corner.\u00a0 This structure was no better than the cabin in terms of human comfort, and it certainly didn\u2019t have a fireplace to give off any additional warmth.\u00a0 Sleeping here was going to be a cold misery.\u00a0 She wrapped herself in the quilt as best she could, wrinkled her nose at the stable smell, and then burst into tears as she felt the cold thick substance that had trickled down her thighs.<\/p>\n

Sometime during the night he came into the small barn.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t see her at first, but eventually he spotted her in the corner, away from the horses.\u00a0 She was curled up in a tight ball, sleeping.\u00a0 The quilt was wrapped tightly around her, up to her ears.\u00a0 Making low murmuring sounds to the horses, he moved over to where she lay and picked her up in his arms.\u00a0 It was way too cold to safely sleep here.\u00a0 He opened the stable door with his shoulder and slid the bar back in place with his elbow.\u00a0 She wasn\u2019t heavy, but as he waded through the snow drifts back to the cabin, he found the going tricky.\u00a0 He had to negotiate his steps carefully or they would both land flat in the deep snow.\u00a0 Fortunately he kept his balance and managed to get her inside and into bed without waking her as he removed her coat and boots.\u00a0 After securing the door and adding more wood to the fire, he sat next to her and watched her in the firelight.\u00a0 He absently picked pieces of hay off the quilt and from her long French braid, tossing them into the fire when he got a handful.\u00a0 He peered more closely at her face.\u00a0 Her eyelids were pink and swollen.\u00a0 Her nose was red.\u00a0 She had been crying.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thoroughly confused, he wondered for the hundredth time what he had said to offend her.\u00a0 He had been trying to reassure her, to allay her fears, and clearly he had failed.\u00a0 Maybe there was no hope for an ongoing relationship with this woman.\u00a0 This he regretted, because he had never enjoyed loving a woman more in his life than he had that night.\u00a0 And he wanted more, he admitted it freely.\u00a0 Let a pregnancy come.\u00a0 He would marry her; hadn\u2019t he said that?\u00a0 If not in so many words, certainly he had conveyed his point, hadn\u2019t he?\u00a0 He sunk his chin into the palm of his hand.\u00a0 Even with swollen eyes and straw in her hair she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.\u00a0 Good Lord, he wanted her again even now.\u00a0 Slowly he lowered himself under the covers, leaving a good distance between them.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know what to say to her in the morning or how to say it.\u00a0 And whatever he did, he\u2019d have to watch for her flying hand as he did it.<\/p>\n

When Mary Lynn awoke the next morning, her eyes felt as though sand had been rubbed into them. In seconds she realized she was in the line shack and not the stable.\u00a0 She had no memory of leaving the stable during the night.\u00a0 She wanted to groan out loud, but she didn\u2019t.\u00a0 Her back was to the hearth, and she tried to figure out where Adam was.\u00a0 She could hear his breathing close to her.\u00a0 Damn.\u00a0 He was still in bed.\u00a0 She wanted to get up and wash herself off, but she certainly wasn\u2019t going to do that in front of him.\u00a0 Keeping her eyes closed, she turned over.\u00a0 Maybe he would think she was still asleep.\u00a0 Minutes passed and then she felt his hand brush her cheek.\u00a0 He also tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.\u00a0 She opened her eyes, knowing that he was watching her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Leaning on his elbow again, he looked serious.\u00a0 \u201cBefore you do anything, will you let me tell you something?\u201d he asked her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t answer him, which he took as her assent.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I told you last night that I wouldn\u2019t leave you stranded if you became pregnant, I didn\u2019t mean what you thought I meant.\u00a0 I would never hide you away somewhere and try to pay you off.\u00a0 Cartwrights don\u2019t do that.\u00a0 I would marry you.\u00a0 You would be the mother of my child.\u00a0 I would honor you in every way,\u201d he was doing his best to be sincere.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat makes you think I would want to marry you anyway and be stuck in a loveless marriage?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t be stuck in a loveless marriage.\u00a0 You would be made love to every day of your life.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t last night tell you anything at all?\u00a0 You would be surrounded by our babies and our family.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She chewed on her lip and looked away from him.\u00a0 Was he really telling her he wanted her?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He was quiet for a few minutes, and when she didn\u2019t say anything he decided to nudge her a little.\u00a0 \u201cWas I really that awful last night?\u201d\u00a0 He had one eyebrow raised and gave her a lopsided smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A solitary tear ran down her cheek and she shook her head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it was all new for you.\u00a0 Was it a good experience?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She nodded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAn experience you would care to repeat sometime?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She nodded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, then let me tell you something I generally make it a policy never to reveal.\u00a0 Not only are you the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, you are the best lover I have ever had.\u00a0 And, to put the icing on the cake, you also saved my life, and for all of those things, I am most humbly grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She raised her head to look at him, and he was grinning back at her.\u00a0 She inexplicably burst into tears again, and all he did was pull her into his embrace, where he held her for a very long time until both their stomachs growled too loudly to ignore.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They made love again that afternoon.\u00a0 They didn\u2019t argue again, and in the evening they both sat watching the fire while he caressed her body and she leaned against him, reaching up for a kiss every few minutes.\u00a0 That night, waking momentarily, Mary Lynn reached over for Adam.\u00a0 That was enough for him to respond, still half asleep.\u00a0 Afterward, as they fell asleep once again in each other\u2019s arms, she heard him whisper very low, \u201cI love you, Mary Lynn.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cI love you, too, Adam,\u201d she murmured into his chest.\u00a0 Later she could never say for certain that the words had actually been spoken between them for the first time that night.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They both wanted full baths after a couple of days, and one entire afternoon was spent heating melted snow over the fire until the tin hip bath was full enough to bathe in.\u00a0 Then, like children, they both got in it together, having to draw their knees up to their chests to fit in.\u00a0 But fit in they did. She washed his back and he helped her wash her hair.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This was the pattern of their days, and on the sixth day after his arrival in the blizzard, Adam began to discuss leaving the line shack.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI think we might give it a try tomorrow or the next day,\u201d he said one morning.\u00a0 \u201cIt will probably be slow going for the horses because the roads and paths are still covered, but if we take our time, we should be able to reach the Ponderosa by the end of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you\u2019re sure your family won\u2019t mind me coming with you?\u201d she was still nervous about this, and also very worried about what her grandfather must be thinking about her survival.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He looked closely at her.\u00a0 \u201cDo you still think by now that I would leave you behind?\u201d and he pulled her in for a deep kiss.\u00a0 She sat in his lap facing him, her ankles crossed behind his back.\u00a0 She sighed contentedly and rested her head on his shoulder.\u00a0 He played with her long hair, letting its silky strands slide through his fingers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMary Lynn, \u201che was suddenly serious and she sat up to look at him.\u00a0 \u201cWhen was your last monthly flow before you came here during the storm?\u00a0 You weren\u2019t bleeding when you got here, were you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d she thought for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cI guess it was a week and a half or two weeks earlier.\u00a0 Somewhere thereabouts.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell then, my dear, we should make plans, because you are very likely pregnant at this very moment.\u00a0 And that means we need to get married.\u00a0 I definitely don\u2019t want to have to explain the unwed mother of my child to my Pa.\u00a0 I\u2019d rather walk through the desert without water first,\u201d he declared.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut Adam, I don\u2019t feel pregnant\u2026that is, I feel like I always do.\u00a0 I guess I\u2019m not really sure what it feels like to be pregnant.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it would take several weeks before you felt anything anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow long?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAbout six, I think.\u00a0 But the first thing you would notice is that you missed a monthly flow.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that hasn\u2019t happened yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, but it sounds to me as though we\u2019ve been shooting at fish in a barrel, so to speak.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe time was right, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s it, little lady.\u00a0 So come here and kiss me.\u00a0 You\u2019re going to be my wife soon, and probably a mother too.\u00a0 Looks like big changes are in store for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut what about my grandfather?\u00a0 I don\u2019t want to get married without having him there.\u00a0 He\u2019s my only family.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019d like my family to be there too.\u00a0 Maybe we could sneak into town and get married as soon as we can, and then have a wedding ceremony at the Ponderosa as soon as we can get your grandfather down the mountain.\u00a0 That way we\u2019re not really breaking any rules.\u00a0 We just bent them a lot this last week,\u201d he winked at her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got a deal, cowboy,\u201d she grinned and planted a kiss directly on his waiting mouth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Chapter 4:<\/p>\n

It took two more days until Adam thought it was safe to attempt travel.\u00a0 They had been together in the line shack for eight days and those days had changed everything for both of them.\u00a0 Neither one could imagine being without the other, nor could they manage to keep their hands off each other.\u00a0 But the food was running low and they had been subsisting on whatever wild game Adam could scare up, and dried vegetables which had seen much better days.\u00a0 The coffee was gone, and Mary Lynn\u2019s tea supply was down to a handful of leaves.\u00a0 It was time to leave.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

On the morning of departure, they both woke early and made love one last time together in the privacy of the cabin.\u00a0 They put the mattress back on the bed and set it to rights.\u00a0 Adam extinguished the fire after they\u2019d eaten and mucked the stable.\u00a0 They both dressed in their warmest clothing, knowing that whatever they wore wouldn\u2019t be enough to keep them warm enough all the way back.\u00a0 They both saddled their own horses, and once mounted, Adam held onto April\u2019s reins to keep her close to him and Sport.\u00a0 They set out down the mountain, as close to the paths as Adam could remember, moving slowly.\u00a0 The sun was out and a breeze was blowing.\u00a0 Both were squinting from the glare of sunshine on the snow.\u00a0 Adam pulled his hat brim down over his brow and Mary Lynn had to use her hand to shield her eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sport picked his way carefully through snow that was still over a foot deep.\u00a0 Adam didn\u2019t want him slipping on a rock or tripping on a tree root.\u00a0 About a quarter mile from the line shack, Adam pulled Sport to a stop.\u00a0 He spotted something sticking out of the snow.\u00a0 It was a boot. Adam shot a sideways glance toward Mary Lynn and told her to look away.\u00a0 He dismounted and handed her the reins of both horses. Moving over toward the boot, he bent over it, discovering that it was attached to a leg, and unfortunately, a dead man.\u00a0 Frozen.\u00a0 Adam dug him out with his hands.\u00a0 The man looked to be in his forties, and was dressed for cold weather. Adam inspected his body for injuries that could have caused death, but found none.\u00a0 He was probably a blizzard statistic: someone who became disoriented in a white-out and walked blindly in the wrong direction until he dropped and froze to death.\u00a0 Grimly Adam thought that this was exactly the reason he had insisted on stringing the rope from the line shack to the stable.\u00a0 It was a simple thing that prevented horrors like this one.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t recognize the man\u2019s face, which was purplish.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMary Lynn, there\u2019s a dead man here.\u00a0 He\u2019s frozen.\u00a0 We can\u2019t leave him here.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to have to build a travois to carry him down the mountain.\u00a0 It\u2019ll take me a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn was very quiet for several moments.\u00a0 Then she kicked herself into gear.\u00a0 \u201cI can help you.\u00a0 What do you need?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe need rope and long sapling-size branches that we can weave into a makeshift litter to lay him on. The greener the wood, the better because it won\u2019t snap.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She nodded, and threw him the rope that was coiled on his saddle. She dismounted and tied the horses to a nearby branch and then began foraging for the wood he needed.\u00a0 It took at least an hour to gather all the wood they would need.\u00a0 When he was ready to begin, Mary Lynn got close enough to see the dead man for the first time.\u00a0 He was a ghastly sight, clearly frozen.\u00a0 After one look, she turned away quickly, her face against Adam\u2019s coat.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo back to the cabin and bring back the quilt from the bed and the rope we used to get to the stable.\u00a0 We can wrap him in the quilt, and we\u2019ll need the extra rope no matter what.\u00a0 Will your horse be all right on her own?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn nodded, and moved over to April\u2019s side.\u00a0 She separated the reins of the two horses and mounted up.\u00a0 Turning back toward the shelter, she had a sick feeling from the sight of the dead man.\u00a0 What if this man had passed by the line shack and just missed it during the fury of the blizzard?\u00a0 Was it he who made the noise on the cabin window the second night?\u00a0 Had he been that close to help and life and had they failed him?\u00a0 Miserably, she turned these thoughts over and over in her mind. She thought about lying in the warm bed with Adam for eight days and nights, loving him, pleasuring and being pleasured while this man had frozen to death alone a few yards away.\u00a0 She leaned over April\u2019s side and vomited.\u00a0 The thought of it all was grisly and she felt like a murderer.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take long to reach the line shack and grab the items that were needed.\u00a0 When she returned to Adam, she found him already at work weaving the wood together.\u00a0 He looked up and reached out his arm for the quilt, which she tossed to him.\u00a0 He quickly wrapped the body in it, covering it completely.\u00a0 She wouldn\u2019t have to look at the dead face again, but she didn\u2019t think that would make a difference; it was already burned into her mind like a nightmare.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She dismounted and after tethering April back near Sport, she went to help Adam however she could.\u00a0 She had never made a travois, so she simply did whatever he told her to do, and before long she noted the pattern of his work which was making the conveyance take shape.\u00a0 He used his knife to cut lengths of rope to tie the wood where he needed to.\u00a0 Several times the wood pieces snapped and she had to go in search of greener ones.\u00a0 About two hours later Adam judged the project done to his satisfaction.\u00a0 He lifted the body onto the litter, and used the remaining rope to tie it in place so it wouldn\u2019t slide off during the journey.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With Sport pulling the travois, they were once again on their way.\u00a0 The time spent rigging the makeshift bed, however, had cost them more than hours.\u00a0 Both had damp clothing from kneeling in the snow, and the chill that brought would intensify as the day wore on in their travels.\u00a0 Adam had briefly considered returning to the line shack for one more night to get a fresh, dry start the next day, but he quickly dismissed the thought.\u00a0 Their food supplies had run low, and both of them had mentally made the transition to leave and reach the Ponderosa.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn tried to convey her feelings of guilt about the dead man, but Adam\u2019s logic was unemotional.\u00a0 \u201cMary Lynn, we simply don\u2019t know what happened to him.\u00a0 He may not have been anywhere near the cabin before he collapsed, and we have no idea how long he had been outside, or if it was day or night when he fell.\u00a0 And the stark reality is that he probably had no visibility at all and would never even have seen the cabin.\u00a0 Short of prescience, there\u2019s very little we could have done.\u00a0 If we had gone out looking for lost stragglers, it\u2019s likely we would be in the same condition he is right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She was silent, but the look on her face was forlorn.\u00a0 \u201cLook,\u201d he continued, noting her expression, \u201cblizzards are nothing to fool around with.\u00a0 I was stupid to stay out in that storm like I did.\u00a0 They can be killers.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She sat up straighter in her saddle.\u00a0 \u201cBut if you hadn\u2019t, we may never have met.\u00a0 Perhaps it was destiny.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking at her brighter countenance, he smiled.\u00a0 \u201cPerhaps you\u2019re right.\u00a0 I\u2019ve heard it said that everything happens for a reason.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From then on there was little beside necessary conversation between them as the horses moved along slowly, picking their way carefully down the mountain.\u00a0 They reached the bottom by early afternoon.\u00a0 Adam turned the horses southwest, in the direction of the Ponderosa, relieved to see that although everything was snow covered, the depth of it was less than what they had been traveling through so far.\u00a0 This would help them pick up both speed and time.\u00a0 So far, the travois was holding up well, but he had been checking on it regularly.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t say so, but he knew that Mary Lynn was chilled.\u00a0 He was, too.\u00a0 He was looking forward to his family\u2019s huge hearth and crackling fire.\u00a0 He was on thoroughly familiar ground now, and he estimated that they would be home by twilight.\u00a0 He glanced at Mary Lynn and saw that her head was nodding as she rode.\u00a0 He made a quick decision.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMary Lynn, I\u2019m cold and you probably are, too.\u00a0 Let\u2019s let April pull the travois, and you come sit in front of me on Sport.\u00a0 We\u2019ll combine our body heat again, just like old times.\u00a0 How does that sound?\u201d\u00a0 He gave her a wink.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Her head jerked up, and she gave him a tired smile and a nod.\u00a0 After the exchange had taken place, he rode with one arm around her waist.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t you try to sleep,\u201d he urged her, \u201cwe still have a way to go.\u201d\u00a0 She didn\u2019t reply, but she did lay her head back against his shoulder.\u00a0 He kissed the top of her head.\u00a0 He could smell the fresh, clean scent of soap in her hair, and for the first time that day he allowed himself to think of the pleasures they had shared, and would share.\u00a0 He shook his head, surprised at himself.\u00a0 He was behaving like a man in love, not like the serious, practical Adam Cartwright everyone depended on.\u00a0 Maybe he had been bitten, his number had come up.\u00a0 He had talked about marriage with this woman and hadn\u2019t regretted it!\u00a0 Still didn\u2019t regret it.\u00a0 And babies.\u00a0 He placed his hand over her belly protectively.\u00a0 Maybe there was one there even now. It was a marvel, all the changes of these past eight days.\u00a0 He wondered if any other man before had ever felt the way he was feeling.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And so it was that Sport and April came trudging up to the hitching post near the Ponderosa\u2019s front door just as dark was falling.\u00a0 Adam gave a piercing whistle that was apparently recognized inside, because there was the sudden pounding of feet and chorus of yelling as three men threw the front door open and ran outside.\u00a0 Mary Lynn had jumped at the unexpected whistle, having been dozing, and her heart started to pound with all the excited noise.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss was the first to reach them.\u00a0 \u201cDang it, Adam.\u00a0 I just knew you were all right.\u00a0 I kept tellin\u2019 Pa you knew how to hole up in a storm,\u201d he slapped his brother on the leg.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe caught up next and shook Adam\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cHey, big brother, back so soon?\u201d\u00a0 They all laughed at that whopper, knowing that the long wait had been tense at the ranch.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Then Ben Cartwright reached his son.\u00a0 He just stopped and looked fondly up at his oldest son, who by now was grinning down at his family.\u00a0 \u201cI won\u2019t lie to you, boy.\u00a0 I was worried about you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMe too, Pa.\u00a0 Me too.\u00a0 Wait until I tell you the story.\u00a0 Uh, everybody, this is Mary Lynn Nolan.\u00a0 She saved my life.\u00a0 Help her down, Hoss, she\u2019s cold,\u201d he gave her a reassuring squeeze before he helped her slide down off Sport and into Hoss\u2019 waiting arms.\u00a0 He was a giant of a man, but he had a kind face, and he smiled a welcome at her before steering her toward the house, keeping a strong arm around her shoulders.\u00a0 Joe tipped an imaginary hat at her and gave her a cheery, \u201cNice to meet you, ma\u2019am.\u201d\u00a0 He then stood by to help with the horses.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam swung down from the saddle and moved toward his father.\u00a0 \u201cPa,\u201d he said quietly, \u201cwe\u2019ve got a frozen dead man here.\u00a0 We found him this morning and I didn\u2019t want to leave him that way.\u00a0 I don\u2019t recognize him, but I thought we could take him into town,\u201d Adam gestured toward the travois.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Startled, Ben took a few steps to view the wrapped bundle on the litter.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, of course,\u201d he immediately agreed.\u00a0 \u201cWe should probably leave him on the porch.\u00a0 He should be safe there.\u00a0 Anyplace else and strays may get to him, or he may start to thaw, which probably shouldn\u2019t happen just yet.\u201d\u00a0 Adam winced at the words, but he knew they were right.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, get one of the hands to help you,\u201d Ben instructed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Father and son started walking into the house.\u00a0 \u201cPa, we\u2019re cold, hungry and tired, in that order,\u201d Adam told him.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ve been riding all day. Tell me you have some hot food ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSon, we haven\u2019t eaten yet, and yes, there\u2019s plenty of hot food ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In short order Mary Lynn had been given a guest room and hot water to wash up with.\u00a0 Adam had gratefully changed into fresh clothing in his own room.\u00a0 He splashed water on his face, but ignored the day\u2019s growth of beard.\u00a0 He knocked on Mary Lynn\u2019s door so she wouldn\u2019t have to go downstairs alone for the first time.\u00a0 She answered and he stepped inside quickly, softly closing the door behind him. She had redone her pretty French braid and her face was fresh and clean.\u00a0 She wore a dress he hadn\u2019t seen before and had satin ballet slippers on her feet. They must have been in her satchel from her visit before the storm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re beautiful,\u201d he said, drawing her into his embrace.\u00a0 He caught her mouth in a kiss that lasted a long time until she broke away. \u00a0\u201cAdam!\u201d she laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t breathe!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I have a lot of catching up to do.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t get to kiss you properly all day,\u201d his voice was low in her ear.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She kissed him back.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are we going to tell your family?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTonight, nothing, except the storm story.\u00a0 I\u2019m working on a plan for the rest of it.\u00a0 Now come on downstairs with me.\u00a0 We\u2019re starving and they\u2019re going to love you.\u201d\u00a0 He took her hand and led her to the stairs.\u00a0 They descended together, not touching each other.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Cartwright men, assembled at the dining table, all stood when Mary Lynn reached them.\u00a0 Adam took control.\u00a0 He placed his hand on the small of her back and re-introduced her.\u00a0 \u201cPa, Hoss, Little Joe, may I present Miss Mary Lynn Nolan.\u00a0 It is she who is responsible for the fact that I stand before you now,\u201d he pulled out her chair and helped her to sit, and then he took the chair next to her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Miss Nolan, we can\u2019t wait to hear the story, but we are certainly grateful to you for coming to Adam\u2019s aid,\u201d Ben smiled at her graciously as everyone sat and began to pass the food.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn blushed.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think I did anything that anyone else wouldn\u2019t have done.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam turned to her, \u201cWill you look at this table?\u00a0 Roast chicken, potatoes, vegetables, bread, and I know I smell Hop Sing\u2019s chocolate cake.\u00a0 My family will have to forgive us if we eat three and four helpings.\u00a0 Our food supplies were running low the last couples of days and I can honestly say we are nearly starving,\u201d this last he addressed to his family.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell then, you two better eat fast before Hoss catches up with you!\u201d Little Joe chortled in his characteristic laugh.\u00a0 Hoss grimaced and messed his brother\u2019s hair good-naturedly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben poured wine and Adam relayed the story of his misadventure in the blizzard, and how he happened upon the line shack, half frozen.\u00a0 He explained how Mary Lynn had kept close watch over him as he slowly warmed up, and how they hadn\u2019t been able to travel until today.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I\u2019m surprised you took a chance against that storm.\u00a0 That isn\u2019t like you,\u201d Ben reproved.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI know, Pa, but I tell you, it was a long three-day negotiation, and by the time it was over, I was just ready to be home again.\u00a0 A little too ready, I guess,\u201d he admitted ruefully.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThen you got the timber contract?\u201d Ben inquired.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSigned and sealed, in my saddle bags,\u201d Adam replied between mouthfuls.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGood work, son,\u201d Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cSo, Miss Nolan, where are you from and do have family that is wondering about your well-being this night?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, all of you, call me Mary Lynn.\u00a0 I live up on Nolan Mountain with my grandfather.\u00a0 I\u2019m afraid he has probably given up on me by now,\u201d she looked downcast, \u201cand Adam says it may still be awhile before we can get up the mountain.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs your grandfather Vance Nolan?\u00a0 I know him well.\u00a0 He\u2019s lived around these parts for a good long time,\u201d Ben responded. \u201cI didn\u2019t know he had a granddaughter, let alone such a pretty one.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Her cheeks were pink.\u00a0 \u201cYes, that\u2019s him.\u00a0 I\u2019ve only lived with him the past two years, before that I lived in St. Louis.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Vance is tough and he certainly knows the terrain.\u00a0 He\u2019ll know you wouldn\u2019t have been able to travel up the mountain in a blizzard.\u00a0 With a little luck he\u2019ll assume you either stayed with your friend or found shelter, just like you did,\u201d Ben reassured her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Hop Sing brought out the chocolate cake, Adam introduced Mary Lynn and complimented him on the meal.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing, compared to what we\u2019ve been eating, this has been a veritable feast.\u00a0 As usual, everything is delicious.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMistah Adam welcome home, and Missy Nolan welcome too,\u201d Hop Sing\u2019s face was wreathed in smiles.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After the cake\u2014two pieces for Hoss\u2014the family retired to the great room for coffee.\u00a0 Adam and Mary Lynn were next to each other on the settee, Ben and Hoss in arm chairs opposite the low wood table, and Joe lounged near the hearth.\u00a0 The great, crackling fire that Adam had so missed was snapping and burning brightly.\u00a0 The conversation turned to news about the routine matters of the ranch that Adam had missed in the past week, along with other idle conversation about the town and how neighbors had weathered the storm.\u00a0 Adam noticed that Mary Lynn only sipped a little coffee, and was beginning to look sleepy.\u00a0 Without interrupting the conversation, he reached around her waist and pulled her right up next to him and guided her head onto his shoulder.\u00a0 Her legs curled up under her, and then Adam was careful to place his arm along the back of the settee without touching her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Turning his head to her, he said casually, \u201cYou take it easy.\u00a0 It was a real long day.\u00a0 Just relax.\u201d\u00a0 If his family was surprised to see this tender move on Adam\u2019s part, they didn\u2019t show it.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t long before Mary Lynn was sleeping on his shoulder as the conversation continued around her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The family discussed the frozen man and decided that Ben and Adam would ride into Virginia City the following day and leave the body with the undertaker.\u00a0 Adam said that Mary Lynn would come too since she would probably be staying for a while and would need to buy some things she hadn\u2019t brought for her short visit to her friend.\u00a0 That agreed upon, Adam, becoming groggy himself by then, said goodnight and carried Mary Lynn upstairs to her room.\u00a0 He wanted to make sure a fire was started in her fireplace so she stayed warm during the night.\u00a0 He also asked Hop Sing to bring a bathtub to her room in the morning, knowing she would want it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He laid her on the bed in her room, and she wakened as he was preparing and starting the fire.\u00a0 Once it was burning, he sat next to her on the bed, pulling her into his lap.\u00a0 He explained the plan for the next day.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhile we\u2019re in town, I want you to marry me.\u00a0 Will you?\u00a0 We\u2019ll stop by to see the Reverend.\u00a0 Sheriff Coffee could do it too, but he\u2019s a good family friend, and he might just spill the beans to my Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut Adam, we don\u2019t even know if I\u2019m pregnant.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His smile was wry, \u201cWell if you\u2019re not, you will be.\u00a0 You get ready for bed now.\u00a0 When the house is quiet, I\u2019ll sneak back here to be with you.\u201d\u00a0 After a quick good-night kiss, he slipped out of her room and down the hall into his own.<\/p>\n

\n

Chapter 5:<\/p>\n

The house had grown quiet when Adam, wrapped in his robe, left his room and moved soundlessly down the hall to the room Mary Lynn was staying in.\u00a0 He slowly eased the door open and softly closed it behind him.\u00a0 The fire had burned down but he could still see in the dim light.\u00a0 She was asleep, that much he could tell.\u00a0 Throwing his robe to the foot of the bed, he pulled back the covers enough to slide in beside her.\u00a0 He was only wearing the bottoms of his long-johns.\u00a0 As he had so many times before, he studied her as she slept, memorizing her face.\u00a0 But what was this?\u00a0 Her cheeks were damp and there were tear tracks down her face.\u00a0 He gathered her close to him and held her as she slept.\u00a0 He knew she was exhausted and probably felt alone in an unfamiliar house.\u00a0 Resting his chin on top of her head, he closed his eyes for whatever sleep he could claim.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Before dawn, he wakened her to the feel of his hands on her body.\u00a0 She turned to him.\u00a0 \u201cHow long have you been here?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMost of the night.\u00a0 You were crying, and then you fell asleep.\u00a0 Are you upset about something?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was just feeling all alone and I was missing you.\u00a0 So many things have happened so fast, it just felt overwhelming.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMmm.\u00a0 That\u2019s what I thought.\u00a0 Do you still want to marry me today? His hands were moving up and down her back.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Her eyes flew open at his remark.\u00a0 Marry, today?\u00a0 Today she would marry Adam.\u00a0 Today was her wedding day.\u00a0 \u201cI think so, yes.\u00a0 That seems like the best idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou think so? I only want you to do it if you want to.\u00a0 Don\u2019t marry me for any other reason.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Her face was close to his chest and she could smell his now familiar scent.\u00a0 Her hand wove through his chest.\u00a0 \u201cI want to,\u201d she declared.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He shivered at her touch and stripped her nightgown over her head.\u00a0 \u201cWe only have a little while.\u00a0 Hop Sing is bringing you a hot bath before breakfast.\u201d \u00a0He took her in his arms and loved her.\u00a0 \u201cI have to be out of here before anyone else starts moving around,\u201d he kissed the tip of her nose, and before she knew it, he was out the door and gone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Not too long afterward, Mary Lynn found herself soaking in a copper tub of steaming water that Hop Sing had filled for her.\u00a0 The feel of the warmth surrounding her body was bliss, and she thought she had never felt anything so wonderful before.\u00a0 Well, maybe just one thing.\u00a0 She was clean and happy when she went downstairs for breakfast, wearing her riding skirt and boots for the trip to town.\u00a0 Breakfast was another treat after the plain fare she and Adam had been cooking for themselves, and about an hour later they were on their way to Virginia City.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam drove the buggy, which was warmer for Mary Lynn, and Ben rode his big horse, Buck, who pulled the travois.\u00a0 On reaching town, they first stopped at the undertaker\u2019s to drop off the body, and then at Sheriff Coffee\u2019s office to report it. While Ben visited with Roy Coffee, Adam and Mary Lynn begged off to run their errands.\u00a0 Ben also had an appointment to see his attorney in town, and they agreed to meet at the International House for lunch.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam quickly guided Mary Lynn through the streets of town to the church and its attached house, where Reverend Hawlings and his wife lived.\u00a0 Mrs. Hawlings answered the door and let them in, calling for her husband to come talk to Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After cordial greetings and introductions all around, Adam got down to business.\u00a0 \u201cReverend, Mary Lynn and I want to get married today.\u00a0 Right now.\u00a0 Can you do it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Reverend was clearly taken aback.\u00a0 \u201cYou mean right here, without your Pa and brothers, and no music or flowers or anything else?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Adam answered mildly.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re planning a more formal wedding ceremony several weeks from now when Mary Lynn\u2019s family can be here.\u00a0 But in the meantime, this is important.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That seemed to sink into Hawlings\u2019 brain.\u00a0 \u201cOh, yes, of course, right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He ushered them into the church, and within 10 minutes, plus a little paperwork along with Mrs. Hawlings as a witness, Adam and Mary Lynn were husband and wife. \u00a0There was no wedding ring because Adam didn\u2019t want to arouse suspicion by buying one in the general store.\u00a0 He planned to send to San Francisco for a special wedding ring for his wife to receive at their formal ceremony.\u00a0 After slipping the reverend some money, the newlyweds found themselves back outside.\u00a0 Even though it was cold, Adam pulled Mary Lynn around to the side of church, pressed her against the wall and kissed her deeply.\u00a0 His hips pressed suggestively against hers at the same time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, people will see us!\u201d she protested.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He put his forehead against hers, flashed one of his rare full smiles and then twirled her around in a great big bear hug.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t care, Mary Lynn.\u00a0 We did it.\u00a0 We\u2019re married.\u00a0 Now everything is proper, I love you, and we can make love all day long if we want to and no one can say a thing about it.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He patted the marriage certificate tucked in his coat pocket.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She put her arms around his neck.\u00a0 \u201cI love you, too\u2026.and<\/em>, when do you want to start?\u201d she asked slyly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He grabbed her hand and started walking toward the general store, grinning.\u00a0 \u201cTonight.\u00a0 We\u2019ll start tonight, in my room, which is now our<\/em> room, and<\/em> with a bottle of my father\u2019s best champagne.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She pulled him to a stop.\u00a0 \u201cWhen are you going to tell your family?\u00a0 It\u2019s going to have to be pretty soon, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe tomorrow morning.\u00a0 Pa and I have to get an early start to town for a Cattlemen\u2019s Association meeting.\u00a0 Maybe I can explain everything to him on the way there,\u201d he still knew it was going to be a tough go, even though he and Mary Lynn had done the right thing by getting married as soon as they could.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reaching the general store, Adam encouraged his new wife to buy whatever things she needed to tide her over until her things could be brought to the Ponderosa from Vance Nolan\u2019s mountain top home.\u00a0 That took some time, as there were clothing, shoes, sundries and general items such as fabric, needles and thread to be gathered together.\u00a0 Adam tried to stay away from his wife as she selected her things.\u00a0 He chatted idly with other customers he knew in the store.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to be obvious and start tongues wagging in town, but occasionally he would sidle past her and nod his head toward certain dresses and pieces of lingerie he liked.\u00a0 And of course, if Mr. Cooper, the storekeeper, thought it was unusual for all of those feminine articles to go onto the Cartwright account, he didn\u2019t betray his surprise.\u00a0 Adam had introduced Mary Lynn to him as Miss Nolan, a guest staying at the Ponderosa for a few weeks. \u00a0Mr. Cooper had given Mary Lynn a cheerful good morning.\u00a0 Adam couldn\u2019t resist adding some scented soap cakes and decorated hair pins to the growing pile of goods before he signed off on the bill, with a good-humored smile.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mr. Cooper agreed to keep the mountain of string-tied boxes behind the counter while Adam and Mary Lynn went over to the International House to meet Ben, who was already waiting at a table.\u00a0 They moved quickly over to join him, careful not to make any physical contact with each other. Waiting until Adam had seated Mary Lynn, Ben began to tell them about Sheriff Coffee\u2019s plan of action in regard to the frozen man.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, Roy said the most he could do was to print a poster with details about the man you found and send them to surrounding towns.\u00a0 He said if a man is missing, that\u2019s the best way to get the word out.\u00a0 They\u2019ll do at least a temporary burial.\u00a0 And for all we know, the man could have just been passing through and wasn\u2019t from this area at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn again expressed her regret that there hadn\u2019t been more they could have done to help the man, but Ben was as adamant as Adam about how slim the chances were to have really helped.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt is so easy to lose one\u2019s way in a true blizzard,\u201d Ben said sadly.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019d gone out, you may have become a victim yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s exactly what Adam said,\u201d Mary Lynn grumbled.\u00a0 \u201cLike father like son.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben laughed and patted her hand on the table.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s very frustrating under the circumstances, I know, Mary Lynn, but you and Adam did the right thing just staying put in that line shack.\u201d\u00a0 He failed to notice that as he finished his sentence both his son and Mary Lynn were staring hard at their menus, pointedly ignoring each other\u2019s gaze.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Following lunch, the three of them returned to the ranch.\u00a0 Mary Lynn spent the afternoon opening her many boxes and sorting her new things.\u00a0 Adam was in the barn working on chores and repairs that had been waiting for him.\u00a0 Hop Sing served another wonderful dinner of venison roast, homemade yeast rolls and sweet potatoes. Adam was in an especially fine mood and regaled them all with tales not only of the blizzard, but from his long-ago days in college as well.\u00a0 After dinner, Joe and Hoss played a lively game of checkers.\u00a0 Joe began to cheat almost immediately and Hoss never figured out why he was losing so badly.\u00a0 Mary Lynn did, however, and she was laughing behind her hand when Joe\u2019s twinkling eyes met hers.\u00a0 Adam and his father were involved in a more cerebral and quiet game of chess across the room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDadgummit, Joe!\u00a0 You must be cheatin\u2019 on me.\u00a0 Nobody can win at checkers that fast,\u201d Hoss sat back with an accusing glare at his brother<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn shook her head and forced herself not to look at the round checkers hidden on the seat behind Little Joe.\u00a0 \u201cWho, me?\u201d Joe\u2019s voice was unnaturally high.\u00a0 \u201cI never cheat, you know that.\u00a0 I\u2019m just a better player than you are, brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2019m gettin\u2019 me somethin\u2019 to eat.\u00a0 You play by yourself,\u201d Hoss pushed himself back from the table and headed toward the kitchen.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll play with you, Joe,\u201d Mary Lynn offered and Joe gave her a suspicious look as he scooped up the errant pieces and laid out the board for a fresh game.\u00a0 She gave him a level look.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure everything will go fair and square right from the start.\u201d\u00a0 Joe grimaced and began to concentrate intensely on the game.\u00a0 She beat him twice, and he beat her once.\u00a0 Hoss returned and was encouraged by his brother\u2019s lack of success, whereupon he invited Mary Lynn to play a match with him.\u00a0 He was amazed at how much better the playing went with her than with his younger brother.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Over at the chess table, Ben finally sat back.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you\u2019ve got me over a barrel there, son.\u00a0 That was a good strategic move.\u00a0 I could have sworn I was closing in on you.\u201d\u00a0 Adam just gave him a self-satisfied smirk as he put the pieces back in their rightful places.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Shortly after that, everyone bid each other goodnight and went upstairs.\u00a0 Adam had told Mary Lynn earlier that he would come and get her when the house was quiet.\u00a0 He warned her not to fall asleep.\u00a0 He had other plans for them tonight.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He eased her bedroom door open about forty-five minutes later.\u00a0 She was sitting in a rocking chair in her nightgown, close to the fireplace, waiting for him.\u00a0 He banked the fire, picked her up, and then moved into the hallway, closing her door softly behind them.\u00a0 He moved down the hallway a few doors, made a turn, and carried her across the threshold of his own bedroom.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHappy wedding night, Mrs. Cartwright,\u201d he said, depositing her on the bed.\u00a0 There was a bottle of champagne on a bedside table and two champagne glasses.\u00a0 He pulled back the covers on the bed and they settled in while he poured champagne.\u00a0 They toasted their new marriage and sipped champagne in between heated kisses.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam kept his wife up most of the night making love and drinking champagne. She had been thoroughly loved by the time they were through. It was the better part of morning when they both fell asleep, Adam whispering to Mary Lynn to skip breakfast and sleep late.\u00a0 He knew he was headed to the Cattlemen\u2019s Association meeting with Ben bright and early, so he would only nab a couple of hours of sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben had risen at his usual time and was quickly dressed.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t reminded Adam yesterday about the cattlemen\u2019s meeting, so as he stepped out of his room, he walked over to Adam\u2019s door and tapped on it lightly, opening the door slightly to remind Adam to wake up.\u00a0 He was caught completely off guard to see Adam and Mary Lynn asleep in the disheveled bed, the covers at their waists.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s arm was flung across her bare back and their heads were touching.\u00a0 He also noted the empty champagne bottle and glasses near the bed.\u00a0 Astonished, he quickly and quietly closed the door without disturbing them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

So this was how things were between them<\/em>.\u00a0 Although they had seemed comfortable with each other and had bonded over a shared traumatic experience, he had not suspected this kind of intimacy. And his sons had not been raised to treat women this way.<\/em>\u00a0 He did suddenly remember their first night home when Mary Lynn fell asleep on the settee with her head on Adam\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 With his brow knit in anger, he went downstairs to await his son\u2019s arrival.<\/p>\n

\n

Chapter 6:<\/p>\n

Ben was drinking coffee alone at the breakfast table about fifteen minutes later when Adam came down the stairs, freshly shaved and buttoning the cuffs of his black shirt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMorning, Pa,\u201d he said lightly and cheerfully.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMorning nothing,\u201d Ben\u2019s voice was ominous.\u00a0 \u201cI want to talk about last night.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s hand hesitated as he reached for the coffee, and then kept going.\u00a0 Damn.\u00a0 Somehow Ben knew he and Mary Lynn were sleeping together.\u00a0 Now he wasn\u2019t going to be able to control this conversation as he had wanted to.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben spoke in a low voice, very slowly as though Adam was stupid.\u00a0 \u201cSince when have I tolerated my sons sleeping with unmarried girls under my roof?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cPa, will you let me\u2026.\u201d\u00a0 But Ben didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you of all people!\u00a0 You should know better!\u00a0 Have I taught you nothing in thirty years?\u201d Ben\u2019s voice was rising, and Adam definitely didn\u2019t want his brothers to wake up to this.\u00a0 \u201cHow long and with how many women has this been going on?\u00a0 Exactly what do you think you were doing last night?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam slammed his palms down on the table, spilling his coffee.\u00a0 He stood up and knocked his chair over behind him.\u00a0 \u201cI think I was making love to my wife on our wedding night!\u201d he shouted back.\u00a0 Then he winced as he heard thumps upstairs and doors opening. Hoss and Joe weren\u2019t sleeping through this, unfortunately.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben sat back suddenly in his chair, the wind gone out of his sails.\u00a0 \u201cYour wife?\u00a0 You and Mary Lynn got married?\u201d\u00a0 He was genuinely perplexed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sighed deeply and righted his chair.\u00a0 \u201cPa, let me explain this to you.\u00a0 We were stuck together in that line shack for eight days.\u00a0 We had to stay in bed just to stay alive, the cold was so bad.\u00a0 We had a lot of time on our hands, and one thing led to another.\u00a0 Pa, we both fell in love.\u00a0 And yes, you did teach me something in thirty years.\u00a0 You taught me the right way to treat a woman, which is why we got married as soon as we could yesterday.\u00a0 I love Mary Lynn, and she is very likely carrying my child even now,\u201d he picked up his coffee cup, slurped it, and didn\u2019t meet his father\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben leaned toward him. \u201cBut son, are you sure about love after only eight days?\u00a0 Will it be enough to sustain a lifetime together?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow were you sure you loved my mother?\u00a0 Don\u2019t you know when you know?\u201d Adam countered.\u00a0 \u201cMary Lynn saved my life, she\u2019s sweet and beautiful, and we spent hours and hours together.\u00a0 I think I\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing quickly moved into the room to set hot platters of food on the table and then tip-toed out quickly to avoid the tension.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben shook his head as if to clear it.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, what about Vance Nolan?\u00a0 He can be a touchy fellow.\u00a0 He might be furious about this when he finds out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know that, but surely he had to realize that Mary Lynn would marry some day?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he won\u2019t be pleased he wasn\u2019t invited to the wedding,\u201d Ben harrumphed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Mary Lynn wasn\u2019t happy about that either.\u00a0 And for that matter, neither was I.\u00a0 We both wanted our families to be with us, but it was important to make it legal quickly.\u00a0 I told her that when the snow clears and travel up the mountain is safe, we\u2019ll bring Vance down and have a wedding ceremony here at the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For the first time that day, Ben smiled.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s an excellent idea, son.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was a whoop from upstairs as Little Joe\u2019s head appeared from around the corner where he had been listening on the second floor.\u00a0 \u201cHoss! Adam got married and they\u2019re going to have another wedding right here real soon!\u201d\u00a0 And then he was clumping down the stairs, tucking in his shirt as he came.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJoe, be quiet!\u201d Adam hushed him swiftly.\u00a0 \u201cMary Lynn\u2019s tired.\u00a0 She had a long night,\u201d and then he had the grace to blush as he actually listened to what he had said.\u00a0 That broke the tension, however, and everyone began to laugh.\u00a0 Hoss appeared at the table and slapped Adam on the back heartily by way of congratulations.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn didn\u2019t appear downstairs until almost lunch time, and she knew the news was out right away when she was immediately enveloped in hugs from Joe, Hoss and even Hop Sing.\u00a0 She wondered how Adam had pulled it off, since she knew his plan was to speak to his father while they traveled to Virginia City for the morning\u2019s meeting.\u00a0 She expressed this aloud, and Little Joe\u2019s jaw dropped.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t you hear all the hollering this morning?\u201d he gaped.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She blushed.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I was sleeping.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I don\u2019t know who was hollerin\u2019 louder, Pa or Adam, but it didn\u2019t take long to figure out you two had gotten hitched,\u201d Hoss filled in.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut don\u2019t worry,\u201d Joe reassured her.\u00a0 \u201cEverything\u2019s fine now, and Pa even likes the idea of the second wedding.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn beamed at this news; it did her heart good to know there would be a real wedding and that family who cared would be there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben and Adam were still in Virginia City, but as the rest of them sat down to lunch, Hop Sing informed her, \u201cHop Sing make velly special wedding supper tonight for Mistah Adam and Missy Melly.\u00a0 You wait and see!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou are all being wonderful to welcome me like this,\u201d she said, dabbing quickly at her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI can see why Adam thinks his family is so very special.\u00a0 I could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice every time he spoke of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Joe and Hoss grinned back at her.\u00a0 They were a close family and they knew their great good fortune in that aspect.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam and Ben returned shortly before dinner.\u00a0 Not even bothering to remove his coat and hat, Adam swept up Mary Lynn from the leather chair where she was reading by the fire, and planted a long kiss on her mouth.\u00a0 He hugged her.\u00a0 No more need to hide their feelings.\u00a0 They snuggled together on the settee until dinner was announced.\u00a0 Hop Sing had outdone himself.\u00a0 There was a roast goose with stuffing, potato and onion casserole, fresh bread and cauliflower.\u00a0 And Ben broke out a bottle of his best champagne, noting in a puzzled manner that another bottle seemed to be missing.\u00a0 At that, a direct look was darted at Adam, who merely smiled.\u00a0 There were toasts all around to a long and happy marriage and to another lovely woman now residing on the Ponderosa again.\u00a0 Adam and Mary Lynn held hands throughout most of the meal, and they were genuinely surprised and touched when Hope brought out a white, three-tiered wedding cake decorated with red roses.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Hop Sing, you made this all yourself just for us?\u201d Mary Lynn cried out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing bowed to her, \u201cEspecial cake for Mistah Adam and Missy Melly,\u201d he informed her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss looked at the mouth-watering confection and urged the newlyweds to cut it quickly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m gonna die if you two don\u2019t cut that thing right now,\u201d he declared.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Together, the bride and groom cut the cake and dutifully fed each other the first pieces before dishing out slices for everyone else, and an extra large one for Hoss.\u00a0 It was perfect.\u00a0 Mary Lynn felt she couldn\u2019t be happier.\u00a0 Finding Adam had been her destiny, she was absolutely certain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

End of Part II<\/strong> \u00a0\u00a0Blizzard of Destiny \u2013 Part III<\/strong><\/p>\n

Three and a half weeks had passed and Mary Lynn was enjoying life on the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Almost all the snow was gone and spring was present in the Carson Valley, but all the Cartwrights assured her that snow would still be present on the upper parts of the mountain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She settled into a routine of working with Hop Sing on various household chores, riding April along various scenic paths Adam had shown her, and reading classics from Adam\u2019s very respectable book collection.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She hadn\u2019t gotten her monthly flow, but she didn\u2019t mention it to Adam since sometimes these things just happened.\u00a0 However, she knew that her husband had an eagle eye and not much escaped his attention.\u00a0 And at the rate they were making love, he was surely going to question her soon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One morning after their one-month wedding anniversary, Adam and Mary Lynn joined the family for breakfast at the usual time.\u00a0 Everyone was in good spirits, discussing the round-up that was scheduled in a few weeks.\u00a0 Hop Sing\u2019s usual hearty breakfast was on the table: hotcakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, toast.\u00a0 Adam and his brothers jockeyed for who would perform what function in the round-up.\u00a0 Mary Lynn was listening to them quietly, taking small bites of egg.\u00a0 She found she wasn\u2019t terribly hungry this morning.\u00a0 Suddenly her stomach rebelled and she stood up quickly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me,\u201d she managed and ran from the table, through Hop Sing\u2019s kitchen and outside, where she grabbed a nearby tree and leaned over helplessly as her stomach emptied itself.\u00a0 Adam had followed her quickly and soon had his arm around her waist as she retched on the ground.\u00a0 He pulled her hair back and waited until she was finally quiet, breathing heavily to catch her breath.\u00a0 She leaned back against him, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I don\u2019t know what happened, but I just don\u2019t feel well.\u00a0 The thought of eating makes me ill.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all right.\u00a0 Let\u2019s get you upstairs so you can lie down until you feel better.\u201d\u00a0 As they walked together back through the house, Adam made apologies for his wife and got her settled comfortably in bed.\u00a0 He sat with her for a while, telling her to come back down whenever she felt better.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn napped and did, in fact, feel better when she woke up again.\u00a0 The house was quiet, with everyone out working.\u00a0 She had discovered that the ranch was just like a small community, and there were always projects and events going on all over.\u00a0 She had also learned that it covered a huge area; more than 1,000 square miles.\u00a0 That thought made her head spin.\u00a0 How could any family keep tabs on what was happening across that much land?\u00a0 Well, it was a western dynasty, that was for sure.\u00a0 She certainly had not realized that when she first met Adam, not even when he talked on and on about the ranch.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She ventured downstairs, and even found she was hungry when Hop Sing offered her a light lunch, which she kept down.\u00a0 It was cool outside, so she spent the day reading in the great room.\u00a0 When the Cartwrights returned for dinner, she was feeling like herself again, and she enjoyed dinner with everyone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That night when she and Adam made love, she was surprised that her breasts were tender when he touched them, and she almost asked him to stop.\u00a0 She was glad afterward when he was just holding her in his arms; for some reason the day had been very tiring, even though she hadn\u2019t done very much at all.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The next morning she was horrified to repeat the same race from the breakfast table outside to throw up.\u00a0 Once again, Adam escorted her upstairs and back to bed.\u00a0 They met each other\u2019s eyes this time, and he quizzed her about her monthly period.\u00a0 She admitted she hadn\u2019t had one since she met him, and also that her breasts felt almost painful.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was a shimmer of tears in her eyes, and Adam smiled as he brushed imaginary hair off her forehead.\u00a0 \u201cSee?\u00a0 I won\u2019t say \u2018I told you so\u2019 but you\u2019re going to be a mother, Mrs. Cartwright.\u00a0 You should know that I do want both my baby, and<\/em> you too, my dear,\u201d he hearkened back to their first big argument in the line shack, when she had stormed out to sleep in the stable.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She squeezed his hand as a small degree of panic hit her.\u00a0 \u201cWhy do you have to be right all the time?\u00a0 You predicted everything that\u2019s happened between us.\u00a0 And you\u2019re so smug about it, too,\u201d she made a face at him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He gave her his self-satisfied smirk.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s what everyone always says.\u201d\u00a0 But then he was serious.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s no magic to it.\u00a0 It\u2019s just stuff you learn with time.\u00a0 Don\u2019t sell yourself short, Mary Lynn.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be an amazing mother.\u201d\u00a0 Then, \u201cYou might as well start thinking now about a time to visit Doc Martin,\u201d he said as he got ready to go back downstairs.\u00a0 \u201cAnd,\u201d he said pointedly, \u201cno more horseback riding for you, young lady.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Adam returned to the table, only his father remained.\u00a0 Joe and Hoss had left to start their work day.\u00a0 Ben raised an eyebrow to Adam.\u00a0 \u201cTime for a visit to Paul Martin?\u201d\u00a0 As a three-time father, he knew the signs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sipped his coffee, but he was pleased.\u00a0 \u201cIt looks that way, Pa.\u00a0 I told you there wasn\u2019t a whole lot to do in that line shack,\u201d and he glanced away as Ben laughed out loud.<\/p>\n

\n

Chapter 7:<\/p>\n

Dr. Paul Martin confirmed that Mary Lynn was 6-7 weeks pregnant.\u00a0 He seemed a little surprised by the appearance of Adam and Mary Lynn together, but then, the local doctor saw many things he had to keep to himself.\u00a0 He noted how happy both Adam and Mary Lynn were, and he knew that Mary Lynn was living at the Ponderosa.\u00a0 They didn\u2019t come right out and admit that the baby was Adam\u2019s, but judging by the number of questions he peppered the doctor with, it was a fair guess that he was a highly interested party.\u00a0 There had been no wedding and no announcement that he knew of, but the two of them certainly acted like newlyweds.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Adam waited for Mary Lynn to get ready to leave Dr. Martin\u2019s office, he sensed the questions running through Martin\u2019s mind.\u00a0 Paul Martin had never let the Cartwrights down over the years through the thick and thin of illnesses and injuries.\u00a0 He had spent long nights at the boys\u2019 bedsides following one scrape, accident or another.\u00a0 Adam felt it was only fair to fill him in.\u00a0 \u201cBy the way, Paul,\u201d he offered in a low voice, \u201cMary Lynn and I have been married for a few weeks now.\u00a0 It\u2019s all sealed and proper.\u00a0 You can, however, expect an invitation to a small wedding ceremony out at the ranch in the near future.\u201d\u00a0 Dr. Martin smiled happily at this news and shook Adam\u2019s hand.\u00a0 As they left his office, he cautioned Mary Lynn to get a lot of rest and not overdo things.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, at least that explains why I\u2019m always so sleepy,\u201d she said outside, yawning immediately afterward.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cLucky you, you\u2019re going to be the pampered princess for the next nine months.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She stopped still on the sidewalk and pulled at Adam\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, we have to get my grandfather now<\/em>, and we have to have a wedding fast.\u00a0 Very fast!\u201d\u00a0 Suddenly everything that Adam had warned her about pre-marital sex was ringing in her head.\u00a0 Did he know everything about everything?\u00a0 Really, if she thought about it too much it would just be maddening!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He was looking off into the distance.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re right about that.\u00a0 It won\u2019t do to delay any of it any longer.\u00a0 One thing is for certain though, you cannot travel up the mountain in your condition. I\u2019ll have to go myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut Adam!\u201d\u00a0 She protested with the stamp of one foot.\u00a0 \u201cI have to get all my things.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can very well get them for you, but you are not riding in a wagon which is bumping over stones and ruts and limbs a long way up a steep mountain.\u00a0 And there\u2019s no room for argument about that.\u201d\u00a0 She knew from his tone of voice that there was no use in trying to argue the point.\u00a0 No doubt he was right as usual anyway.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

With wedding plans already underway, Adam found himself driving a solid wagon up Nolan Mountain on a clear, relatively warm day about a week later.\u00a0 He was alone and not particularly looking forward to breaking his news to Vance Nolan.\u00a0 Vance had a reputation for keeping to himself and having a touchy temper.\u00a0 Adam didn\u2019t know him as well as Ben did, so he wasn\u2019t sure what to expect in terms of a reaction.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Even with a team of strong work horses, traveling up the mountain was not easy.\u00a0 The horses had to step carefully in order not to lose their purchase.\u00a0 The snow was melting rapidly now, but it was still slippery, and there were still spots where snow covered whatever lay beneath it, and the unknown could be treacherous for the team.\u00a0 As he passed the general vicinity of the line shack where he and Mary Lynn had met, Adam felt a general nostalgia.\u00a0 Just thinking about loving her those first few days made him hard.\u00a0 He shook his head and moved on.\u00a0 It took an additional three hours to reach Vance Nolan\u2019s compound.\u00a0 It consisted of a small ranch house, a barn, several out buildings and a corral.\u00a0 As Adam pulled up the brake on the wagon, he looked at the vista surrounding the sight.\u00a0 He had to admit that at this remarkable height it was beautiful; as beautiful as any the Ponderosa offered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Company didn\u2019t come calling for Vance very often, and it only took a few seconds before the front door opened and he ambled out to see who it was.\u00a0 He thought this young man in a light coat and black hat looked kind of familiar, but he couldn\u2019t really be sure.\u00a0 Maybe he had some news about Mary Lynn.\u00a0 She had never returned from what was supposed to have been a short, overnight visit to her friend\u2019s house.\u00a0 The blizzard had hit, and he had been agonizing about her ever since.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam jumped down from the wagon and smiled as he walked toward Mary Lynn\u2019s grandfather.\u00a0 Vance Nolan was a rather short, wiry man with a grizzled face he didn\u2019t always shave, and an ever-present pipe he chewed on if he wasn\u2019t actually smoking.\u00a0 Today he wore a flannel shirt and jeans with suspenders, along with heavy work boots.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cG\u2019day, son,\u201d at least he seemed in a good enough mood, Adam thought.\u00a0 He extended his hand, \u201cMr. Nolan, I\u2019m Adam Cartwright from the Ponderosa.\u00a0 I believe you know my father, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBen Cartwright!\u00a0 I surely do.\u00a0 I must have met you at one time or another?\u201d he gave Adam a close look.\u00a0 He gestured toward the house, and Adam followed him in. \u00a0It was small and sparsely furnished, but it seemed comfortable.\u00a0 A fire burned in its central fireplace.\u00a0 It was definitely colder up on the mountain top than in the Carson Valley, and the fire felt good to Adam after the long ride.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can I do for you?\u201d\u00a0 Vance was puffing on his aromatic pipe.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, sir, I have news for you about your granddaughter,\u201d Adam began cautiously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Vance perked up instantly and yanked the pipe out of his mouth.\u00a0 \u201cYou do?\u00a0 Where is she?\u00a0 Is she all right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam held up his hands.\u00a0 \u201cYes, yes sir, she\u2019s fine,\u201d he heard Vance let out an audible sigh of relief.\u00a0 \u201cShe and I both holed up in the same line shack about halfway down the mountain when we both got stuck in the storm.\u00a0 Only she was smarter than I was and she hunkered down there in the afternoon before it got really bad, and being stubborn, I stayed out in it until almost dark, and only stumbled on it by accident in the white-out because she had a fire lit and I could see its light.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Vance chuckled, \u201cShe\u2019s a smart girl, my Mary Lynn.\u00a0 But where is she now?\u00a0 Why didn\u2019t she come with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, sir, we had to stay in that shack 8 days before we could get out to travel, and then we could only go down the mountain.\u00a0 Travel uphill has only been possible in the last few days, as you probably realize.\u201d\u00a0 Vance was nodding.\u00a0 \u201cSo I took her with me to the Ponderosa, and that\u2019s where she\u2019s been ever since.\u00a0 And she\u2019s fine,\u201d Adam hastened to add again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo where is she now, young man?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, sir, she\u2019s still at the Ponderosa.\u00a0 You see, we got married, Mr. Nolan.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGot married?\u00a0 Without her grandfather to give her away?\u201d\u00a0 Vance seemed hurt.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yes, but you see, sir, she had a good reason for that.\u00a0 Mary Lynn is expecting a baby and that\u2019s why we got married right away and why I wouldn\u2019t let her take the bumpy ride up the mountain,\u201d at least Adam had gotten it all out at once.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Vance Nolan stood stock still, staring at Adam, pipe in hand.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s married and expecting a baby?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir.\u00a0 We fell in love during the blizzard and she asked me to come up here and\u2026\u201d Adam didn\u2019t see it coming quickly enough.\u00a0 Vance had taken two steps toward him, pulled his arm back and slammed his fist into Adam\u2019s jaw.\u00a0 Caught completely off guard, Adam stumbled backward several steps.\u00a0 He was sure his jaw was broken, and Vance was seventy if he was a day.\u00a0 He put his hand up to it, feeling it gingerly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou took advantage of my granddaughter?\u00a0 You attacked my granddaughter when she was trapped and had nowhere to go?\u00a0 Why you\u2019re no better than human scum, and I don\u2019t care if your name is Cartwright!\u00a0 You\u2019re a criminal; you should be in jail,\u201d Vance was moving toward Adam again, and this time Adam put his fists up to protect himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Nolan, I don\u2019t want to do this, but if you swing at me again, I\u2019ll deck you,\u201d he called out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGo ahead, boy.\u00a0 I\u2019ll take you on any day,\u201d by now Vance was pushing his sleeves up, pipe dropped to the floor.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLook, I told you I love her, Mr. Nolan.\u00a0 She\u2019s happy. She hasn\u2019t been forced to do anything.\u00a0 I came here to bring you down to the Ponderosa so we can have a formal wedding ceremony.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That seemed to register with him, and he halted.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re having a wedding and Mary Lynn wants me to be there?\u00a0 You\u2019re positive she\u2019s happy?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Nolan, I assure you, we love each other.\u00a0 It would make her very happy to have you with her for the wedding.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow long have you two been married?\u201d he asked suspiciously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAlmost two months.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t attack her?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI most certainly did not attack her.\u00a0 I have only treated her with the utmost love and respect.\u00a0 She is my wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut you had to get married.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe both wanted to get married.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAren\u2019t you a little old for her?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNine years, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d he seemed, at last, to be out of questions.\u00a0 But then he thought of one more.\u00a0 \u201cWell, when do you want to leave?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Mary Lynn asked me to bring back her clothes and other belongings, which I figure will take a while to pack up.\u00a0 So I thought we might leave in the morning, if that\u2019s convenient for you, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, of course, her clothes.\u00a0 I\u2019ll show you where they are.\u00a0 You got boxes?\u00a0 Good.\u00a0 We can leave in the morning, that\u2019ll work.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

So after unhitching the team of horses, Adam spent the rest of the day in Mary Lynn\u2019s room packing up her things.\u00a0 His wife had pretty dresses, and he was impressed because he knew she made many of them herself.\u00a0 Now and then he stopped to rub his distinctly sore jaw.\u00a0 Vance Nolan packed quite a wallop, he thought every time he touched it carefully.\u00a0 He was never called for dinner, but when he smelled food and his stomach growled in response, he wandered through the house until he found Vance eating boiled beef and cabbage.\u00a0 Although Vance hadn\u2019t called Adam to dinner, a place setting had been laid for him, so he sat down and ate. It seemed that Vance couldn\u2019t decide whether to take to Adam or not, so conversation was rather stilted.\u00a0 After eating, Adam cleaned up after himself and slept in Mary Lynn\u2019s bed that night.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Early in the morning, Adam was up and loading boxes into the wagon.\u00a0 He had asked Vance if any of the furniture in her room should be taken, and Vance had indicated a bureau with an attached mirror as well as a rocking chair.\u00a0 So Adam wrapped them carefully, loaded them as well, and tied a canvas tarpaulin securely over the contents of the wagon bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Breakfast had been dry toast, bacon and cheese, along with strong, bitter coffee.\u00a0 As soon as Vance appeared with his satchel, Adam stowed it behind the buckboard and they were off down the mountain.\u00a0 Vance had a hired man who would be able to look after the place while he was gone.\u00a0 The journey was mostly silent.\u00a0 Occasionally Adam whistled to himself, and Vance puffed on his pipe most of the time.\u00a0 He knew where the line shack was, and when they passed the turnoff where it was located, he gestured in its general direction.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs that where you did it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam held his breath, counted to ten and exhaled.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s where we both took refuge from the storm,\u201d he said politely.\u00a0 \u201cActually, Mary Lynn saved my life.\u201d\u00a0 Vance halfway turned his head at that to look at Adam\u2014perhaps trying to decide if his life was worth saving\u2014but then listened quietly while Adam related the story.\u00a0 At least it helped pass some time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By mid-afternoon Adam was greatly relieved to reach the Ponderosa.\u00a0 One of the hired hands took the team from him and he grabbed Vance\u2019s satchel, escorting him into the house, where Mary Lynn was waiting with Ben.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Grandpa, I missed you!\u201d she cried, running into his embrace.\u00a0 He hugged her fiercely.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was mighty worried about you, Missy.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t know where you\u2019d got to,\u201d he took her left hand and held it up, then clucked his tongue.\u00a0 \u201cHe knocked you up and didn\u2019t even buy you a wedding ring!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGrandpa!\u201d\u00a0 Mary Lynn could only put her hands to her red cheeks and stare at him, astonished.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stepped in lightly at that moment.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Vance, she\u2019ll have a special one next week at the wedding ceremony.\u201d\u00a0 He then proceeded to reintroduce Vance to his father, who wasn\u2019t particularly surprised by the older man\u2019s direct coarseness.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

While Ben poured brandy for Vance, Adam used the opportunity to take Mary Lynn into his arms and kiss her.\u00a0 When she noticed the bruise on his jaw, he whispered, \u201cHe thinks I raped you.\u201d\u00a0 Again her eyes widened in surprise, wondering if the Cartwrights would survive Vance Nolan.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But survive him they did, and on the following Saturday, Vance Nolan gave away his granddaughter at a lovely wedding ceremony held in the great room at the Ponderosa.\u00a0 A string quartet played music, beautiful flowers filled the room, Mary Lynn wore a cream colored lace gown with her blonde hair styled into a French roll, and Adam was darkly handsome in a black suit with a white shirt and black string tie.\u00a0 Close Cartwright friends filled the room and Ben was Adam\u2019s best man. \u00a0Hoss and Joe stood proudly by while Hop Sing presided over delicious food and an even bigger wedding cake than he had previously made.\u00a0 After exchanging vows, with Reverend Hawlings officiating, Adam placed a gold ring on Mary Lynn\u2019s finger.\u00a0 It was a polished, wide gold band with a circle of diamonds that ran clear around the center of it.\u00a0 Even Vance couldn\u2019t find anything to criticize about it.\u00a0 At the conclusion of the ceremony, Adam wrapped his arms tightly around his bride and kissed her long enough that everyone in the room knew that this was no shotgun marriage.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The rest of the day was devoted to eating, dancing and toasting the newly married couple.\u00a0 It was a perfect wedding and a perfect party. The last of the guests left after midnight, and Adam hustled Mary Lynn off to bed shortly after that, despite her protests.\u00a0 He knew she was dead on her feet, and he wanted her to get the sleep she seemed to need so much of these days. He felt good.\u00a0 He had found a fine woman and married her.\u00a0 It had happened fast, but it felt right.\u00a0 After all his thirty years, it felt right to be wed to Mary Lynn; to love her, hold her, be her life partner, sleep with her and give her babies.\u00a0 He felt a peace his searching soul had never known before.\u00a0 If he could come home every day and see her face, talk with her, be with her, then everything in his world would be right.<\/p>\n

\n

Chapter 8:<\/p>\n

It seemed to Mary Lynn that her pregnant belly was awfully big.\u00a0 Not that she had a lot of experience in that department, but it was her general perception.\u00a0 She was in her fourth month of pregnancy, and thankfully the morning sickness had finally left her.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t even feel sleepy all the time anymore.\u00a0 She felt more like just herself.\u00a0 Except with a very large belly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One day when the men were all out mending fence line and looking for stray cattle, she rode into town with Hop Sing.\u00a0 They both had errands to run.\u00a0 Her fist stop was Dr. Paul Martin\u2019s office.\u00a0 She wanted him to reassure her that everything with her pregnancy was as it should be.\u00a0 He greeted her cordially and then gave her a thorough examination.\u00a0 He took a long time listing at her belly with his stethoscope.\u00a0 When he stood up straight, he smiled at her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Mrs. Adam Cartwright, the reason you perceive your baby\u2019s size to be larger than normal is that I can hear two heartbeats inside, and you are carrying twins.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn\u2019s face lit up at this news.\u00a0 She placed her hands on her stomach in wonderment.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Dr. Martin,\u201d she said, a slow smile spreading over her face.\u00a0 \u201cWon\u2019t this have the people of Virginia City counting the days from our wedding while they watch my growing waistline!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cProbably, Mary Lynn,\u201d he chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cBut you\u2019ll just have to ignore them.\u00a0 They don\u2019t know everything there is to know, unless, of course, you choose to tell them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She jumped down from the examining table and began adjusting her clothes.\u00a0 \u201cI can wait to see Adam\u2019s face when I tell him!\u201d\u00a0 She was beaming with excitement.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJust remember,\u201d Paul cautioned.\u00a0 \u201cMultiple pregnancies carry higher risks in general, so I want you to be careful and make sure you take it easy.\u00a0 Sometimes these babies comer earlier than singles, and the closer you get to delivery, the harder it will be to move around.\u00a0 So just sit back and let yourself be pampered by all those big strong men at the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI will, Dr. Martin.\u201d\u00a0 She kissed him on the cheek and fairly floated out of his office.\u00a0 She stopped at the general store to buy fabric to begin sewing more clothes for what was now going to be a double layette.\u00a0 She was glowing and she knew it.\u00a0 Hop Sing noticed right away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMissy Melly happy.\u00a0 Get good news?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Hop Sing.\u00a0 Very good news.\u00a0 I\u2019ll tell everyone at dinner tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The first person to hear the news, of course, was Adam.\u00a0 Mary Lynn told him in their bedroom before dinner.\u00a0 His eyes grew very wide and then he swung his wife around in a circle.\u00a0 \u201cTwins,\u201d he said, shaking his head.\u00a0 \u201cWe really got ourselves into something here, didn\u2019t we?\u201d\u00a0 He smiled at her.\u00a0 \u201cPink? Blue? Boys? Girls? One of each?\u201d\u00a0 They just looked at each other and shrugged, laughing helplessly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They told their news at dinner that night to a very excited Cartwright family.\u00a0 Everyone said they couldn\u2019t wait to find out exactly what type of twins would appear.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, the human type, of course,\u201d replied Adam with eminent logic.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

C\u2019mon Adam, you know what we mean,\u201d Little Joe, said, his eyes sparkling.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know what you mean,\u201d Mary Lynn jumped in.\u00a0 \u201cWe can\u2019t wait to find out either.\u00a0 It\u2019s so exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But they all had to wait another five months.\u00a0 In the meantime, Erin, now Hoss\u2019 wife, helped Mary Lynn make double the items she had planned on for her layette.\u00a0 And they tried to stay away from gender specific colors.\u00a0 Erin was very interested in all aspects of the pregnancy, since she and Hoss wanted a baby very much.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But ranch business didn\u2019t stand still for pregnancies, and so the busy life of the Ponderosa ranch moved on inexorably, with all the men busy with their seasonal work.\u00a0 Sometimes Adam was away on business, and other times the men were away overnight, but still on the Ponderosa for round-ups or other work.\u00a0 Mary Lynn passed the time as quietly as she could, growing her babies.\u00a0 As Adam told her, that was her Number One job right now.\u00a0 And eventually she reached the point where she was within a few weeks of delivery.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn was finding it increasingly hard to get around these days.\u00a0 Everyone in the family was helping her to get out of chairs, out of bed, climb down from carriages, walk up stairs and almost everything else.\u00a0 They did it gladly, but she was frustrated by her inabilities, and ready for the babies\u2019 appearance.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam still held her close at night, his arm around her belly, but they had ceased lovemaking several weeks ago at Dr. Martin\u2019s warning. They both missed the closeness, but also realized the physical obstacles such an act was faced with.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After one particularly sleepless night, Mary Lynn had fallen asleep fitfully just hours before dawn.\u00a0 When she awoke, Adam was up and pulling on his pants.\u00a0 She turned to him, alarmed,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, the bed is wet.\u00a0 I\u2019m all wet!\u00a0 Did I\u2026?\u201d She was embarrassed and angry at herself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Mary Lynn, you didn\u2019t.\u00a0 It seems your water has broken.\u00a0 Our babies have decided to come.\u00a0 Today may be their birthday,\u201d he grinned at her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh!\u201d\u00a0 She pushed herself up suddenly.\u00a0 She felt a small twinge around her belly.\u00a0 \u201cI think you\u2019re right, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSweetheart, you stay there and I\u2019ll send Erin to help you and someone else to ride for Doc Martin,\u201d Adam spun around, and still shirtless, he was gone from the room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

End of Part III<\/strong> \u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Blizzard of Destiny \u2013 Part IV<\/strong><\/p>\n

By the time Doc Martin arrived at the Ponderosa, Mary Lynn had been changed into a dry gown and moved into a larger room.\u00a0 She was sitting up in bed with pillows propped behind her back.\u00a0 Her hands were splayed across her stomach as small contractions tightened her belly every 15 minutes or so.\u00a0 Erin sat by her bedside sympathetically, chatting lightly, ready to do whatever was needed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Breakfast downstairs had an excited air, as the family gathered and eagerly anticipated the first Cartwright grandchildren.\u00a0 This group included Vance Nolan who had arrived a few days before the anticipated event.\u00a0 There wouldn\u2019t be much work done on the Ponderosa this day.\u00a0 Ben was finally able to force Adam to eat a few bites of food before he bolted upstairs to be with Mary Lynn.\u00a0 Dr. Martin pronounced everything moving forward on schedule, and even took time to have a bit of breakfast with the family.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By noontime, Mary Lynn\u2019s contractions were more intense and coming more frequently.\u00a0 She was getting through them with gritted teeth and squeezing Adam\u2019s forearms tightly each time.\u00a0 Dr. Martin had told them there were probably hours to go yet, so Mary Lynn tried to rest between contractions.\u00a0 Adam murmured reassurances to her and bathed her face with a cool cloth.\u00a0 Erin laid out Dr. Martin\u2019s instruments at his instruction and gathered the other supplies he ordered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Several hours later, when Paul felt the first baby was close to being born, he tried to persuade Adam to join his family downstairs.\u00a0 Adam was characteristically himself at that point and bluntly refused.\u00a0 He was staying with his wife.\u00a0 With intense contractions tearing at her mid-section, Paul finally told Mary Lynn she could push the first baby out.\u00a0 She struggled mightily, and Adam had by now tied rope pulls to the bed posts for her to grasp.\u00a0 She felt as though nothing was happening, but both Paul and Erin told her she was doing a good job.\u00a0 Adam couldn\u2019t see what was happening from his vantage point by Mary Lynn\u2019s head, but he knew that things were under control.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cKeep going, Mary Lynn, we can see a head of black hair now.\u00a0 Give another push and let\u2019s get that head out,\u201d Dr. Martin encouraged her.\u00a0 The contractions seemed right on top of each other, and she barely had time to lie back and breathe before the next one assaulted her body.\u00a0 At last Paul told her the baby\u2019s head was out and that she could lie back while he eased the baby out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After a few silent moments when Doc Martin was very busy, a very loud cry filled the room.\u00a0 This was one baby who was objecting to being thrust out of his nice, dark, warm cocoon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, look at that.\u00a0 You two have a very fine son, and if he doesn\u2019t look just like his father, I don\u2019t know who does!\u201d\u00a0 Doc Martin sounded pleased.\u00a0 He handed the baby off to Erin who began to clean him, and he turned his attention back to Mary Lynn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, now, Mary Lynn, we have one more to go.\u00a0 It may be a few minutes before the contractions start for this one, but you\u2019re going to do the same thing all over again.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Elated at the news of her son, Mary Lynn just rested, holding tightly to Adam\u2019s hand.\u00a0 Adam was amazed by the thought that he and Mary Lynn had created a child, who was now, in fact, here and crying lustily.\u00a0 He disengaged his hand from his wife\u2019s and moved over to where Erin was bathing his son.\u00a0 His heart swelled watching the red-faced baby yell for all he was worth, arms and legs flying.\u00a0 Well, the boy had energy, that much was certain.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He returned to Mary Lynn\u2019s side.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s beautiful, sweetheart.\u00a0 You did a great job,\u201d and he kissed her lightly.\u00a0 She smiled and a tear fell from the corner of her eye, which Adam caught and brushed away.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After more than a few minutes passed with no activity except on the part of the newborn, Dr. Martin checked on the second baby.\u00a0 He had to reach way up inside Mary Lynn to get an exact position, which he knew caused her discomfort.\u00a0 His head dropped down momentarily, but then he sat up and took a deep breath.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, everyone, we have a problem here.\u00a0 This second baby has flipped on us and is now in a breech position.\u00a0 We\u2019re going to have to turn him so Mary Lynn can deliver him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam felt a chill run through his body.\u00a0 He knew what the risks of a breech birth were.\u00a0 Both the mother and the baby could die.\u00a0 Suddenly he felt nauseated, but he just kept stroking Mary Lynn\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I\u2019ve got hold of the baby\u2019s foot, which is pointing toward me.\u00a0 We have to get his head where his foot is.\u00a0 I want you to try to turn him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam felt true panic as suddenly everything he lived for stood at stake. He had never done anything remotely like this before.\u00a0 He stood woodenly and moved toward Paul.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI want you to get a grip on her belly and turn that baby 180 degrees.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to hang onto his foot as long as I can so I can gauge his progress.\u00a0 Mary Lynn, this isn\u2019t going to be comfortable, but we have to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She nodded.\u00a0 \u201cJust do it, then,\u201d her jaw was clenched.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam pulled up her gown to expose her belly and then felt it with both hands trying to get a feel for the baby\u2019s position.\u00a0 Her belly felt hard, but the baby\u2019s head must be facing her if the feet were facing Paul.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cJust do it, Adam.\u00a0 You have to turn hard,\u201d Paul instructed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Not even sure he was grasping the baby at all, Adam\u2019s hands gripped and he turned them toward Paul.\u00a0 Mary Lynn shuddered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNothing, Adam.\u00a0 Try harder.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam gripped again and twisted with all his might.\u00a0 Mary Lynn screamed at the pain and Adam took an immediate step back, his hands in the air.\u00a0 He placed one hand over his eyes, trying to block out the developing nightmare in front of him.\u00a0 Hearing his wife scream at pain he had caused her terrified him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Paul looked quickly at Erin.\u00a0 \u201cIs Hoss here?\u201d\u00a0 When she nodded, Paul instructed, \u201cGet him up here, and make Adam leave.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Erin swiftly placed the first baby in a waiting cradle and rushed out the door.\u00a0 For a big man, Hoss was in the room in mere seconds.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGet Adam out of here,\u201d Paul said tersely.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As Hoss tried to guide him to the door, Adam struggled. \u201cI\u2019m not leaving.\u00a0 I\u2019m staying with Mary Lynn.\u00a0 Leave me alone!\u201d\u00a0 He was in a black fury born of fear.\u00a0 In the end, Hoss simply picked him up bodily, put him outside in the hall, and locked the bedroom door.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTell me what to do, Doc,\u201d he turned back to the birthing bed, all business.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to turn this baby, Hoss.\u00a0 I know you\u2019ve done this before with animal births.\u00a0 It\u2019s not all that different.\u00a0 I\u2019m holding a foot and we\u2019ve got to move the head down toward me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hoss took a deep breath.\u00a0 He knew what needed to be done.\u00a0 First he looked at Mary Lynn.\u00a0 \u201cDarlin\u2019, don\u2019t you worry none.\u00a0 If I have anything to do with it, you ain\u2019t goin\u2019 to die and neither is your baby.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be as gentle as I can, but like as not this is going to hurt.\u201d\u00a0 When he saw her eyes acknowledge his statement, he went into action.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Chapter 9:<\/p>\n

The excitement in the Ponderosa\u2019s great room had turned into tension when Hoss went racing upstairs at Erin\u2019s beckoning.\u00a0 Ben heard Adam struggling with Hoss upstairs, and he ran up to try to comfort his oldest son.\u00a0 Adam stood outside the birthing room, facing the wall.\u00a0 His arm leaned against the wall, and his face was buried in the crook of it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben put a fatherly hand on his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cEverything will be all right.\u00a0 Paul Martin knows what he\u2019s doing, and you know how much experience Hoss has birthing animals, even some pretty difficult breech births.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know that everything will be all right,\u201d Adam\u2019s voice was muffled.\u00a0 He heaved a dry sob.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t lose her, I just can\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSon, the Good Lord is watching over her, you have to believe that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Before Adam could answer, another scream of pain came from the room.\u00a0 Hearing this, Adam turned and flung himself into his father\u2019s arms.\u00a0 All Ben could do was to hold him, filled with anxiety himself.\u00a0 His son hadn\u2019t sought the comfort of his arms since he was nine years old.\u00a0 They stood there holding each other for an eternity, until finally the door opened and Hoss stood there, straight faced and serious.\u00a0 Adam spun around and Hoss gripped his shoulders.\u00a0 He placed a hand on Adam\u2019s back, gave him a nod and with a light push sent him into the room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn was lying back in bed, eyes closed, her face terribly pale.\u00a0 Her freckles almost stood out in relief against the whiteness of her skin.\u00a0 Paul Martin was working busily with something on his lap, and Erin stood close by, watching anxiously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cC\u2019mon, fella, breathe and turn pink for me,\u201d Paul was muttering as he swiped out the baby\u2019s mouth with a clean cloth.\u00a0 He deftly turned him over and tapped sharply on his back.\u00a0 There was a gasp, and then another before a thin wail was heard, that grew steadily stronger as Paul rubbed the baby\u2019s back briskly.\u00a0 After a few moments, he handed the baby off to Erin and turned back to Mary Lynn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Adam, Mary Lynn did a lot of hard work, but she\u2019s given you two fine sons today.\u00a0 Looks to me like they\u2019re both going to be just fine, and I need to take a closer look, but if I\u2019m not mistaken, you\u2019ve got identical twin boys there.\u00a0 I\u2019d watch out for that second one, though.\u00a0 He\u2019s going to be a little devil, given what he put us through today.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam let go of a breath he didn\u2019t realize he was holding.\u00a0 He caressed Mary Lynn\u2019s face, and she opened her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cAdam,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHush, sweetheart.\u00a0 You need to rest.\u00a0 Did you hear?\u00a0 We have two sons!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She smiled weakly, \u201cAnd I suppose they look just like you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He smiled at that, \u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019ve heard, but I haven\u2019t seen them both yet.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll probably know everything about everything, too, won\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He kissed her forehead.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, let me see my boys.\u00a0 Bring them here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Erin brought them over, and as Adam rose to meet her, he saw a large pile of bloody towels near Paul\u2019s feet.\u00a0 Mary Lynn was bleeding heavily.\u00a0 His eyes met Erin\u2019s and he saw fear looking back at him.\u00a0 He knew Paul was packing clean towels between Mary Lynn\u2019s legs and he was massaging her belly to get the bleeding to stop.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Feeling the same earlier chill, Adam took the two small bundles and held them where Mary Lynn could see them.\u00a0 When she reached one arm out, he nestled one baby next to her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is Number One,\u201d he said<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNolan Benjamin,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cJust like we decided.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019ve got Number Two,\u201d Adam held the baby so she could look at his face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLogan Eric,\u201d she smiled.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, Hoss saved him.\u00a0 We have to name him after Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know he did,\u201d Adam replied, feeling the sting of tears.\u00a0 He saved you too, dearest<\/em>, he thought.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTake them downstairs.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure everyone is waiting to see them.\u201d\u00a0 She closed her eyes again after Adam had a baby in each arm.\u00a0 \u201cAnd Adam?\u201d\u00a0 He turned back to her.\u00a0 \u201cI love you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI love you, too, Mary Lynn, my darling.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Erin opened the bedroom door for him and he moved gingerly down the hall and then the stairs until he reached the landing. His entire family was gathered there, including Vance.\u00a0 Adam stood there with a baby in each arm, suddenly grinning like a fool, and everyone let out whoops of joy.\u00a0 Moving down to the bottom of the stairs, Adam handed one baby to his father, announcing, \u201cNolan Benjamin.\u201d\u00a0 Vance and Ben eagerly began to inspect their namesake.\u00a0 The other bundle was handed to Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cLogan Eric,\u201d Adam said, and then, in a voice that failed him, he whispered hoarsely, \u201cThank you, Hoss.\u201d\u00a0 The baby looked unbelievably tiny in Hoss\u2019 big arm, but never was there a more tender embrace. Hoss had tears in his eyes as his gaze met Adam\u2019s and he answered, \u201cAnytime, brother, anytime.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The rejoicing and celebration was all too short, because Erin appeared at the top of the stairs and called for Adam.\u00a0 \u201cDr. Martin needs to see you, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Leaving his newborn sons with his family, Adam bounded up the stairs.\u00a0 Paul Martin looked very serious when he saw the new father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I think I got the bleeding stopped.\u00a0 She hemorrhaged, and she\u2019s weak from it.\u00a0 The delivery was hard on her; you know that.\u00a0 She\u2019s slipped into a coma, Adam, and there\u2019s nothing to do for it except wait it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam looked quickly at Mary Lynn.\u00a0 She was pale, but she was just sleeping like before, he was sure of it.\u00a0 He moved toward the bed and sat next to her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMary Lynn?\u00a0 Wake up, sweetheart, it\u2019s me,\u201d he stroked her cheeks as he spoke to her.\u00a0 But she didn\u2019t move.\u00a0 He could see her chest rising and falling with her breathing.\u00a0 She was still alive.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, she can\u2019t hear you,\u201d Paul sounded inordinately sad.\u00a0 He had moved over to Adam and now placed his hand on his shoulder.\u00a0 Adam grabbed his wrist.\u00a0 \u201cPaul, she won\u2019t\u2026.. tell me she won\u2019t\u2026.\u201d he couldn\u2019t finish the sentence.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I can\u2019t say.\u00a0 She took a beating and this is her body\u2019s way of protecting itself.\u00a0 It\u2019s shutting her down and putting up all its defenses so she can get the rest she needs.\u00a0 There\u2019s so much we doctors don\u2019t know about the human body.\u00a0 I\u2019ve seen people recover from things like this, and I\u2019ve also seen them slip away.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam grabbed the man\u2019s coat.\u00a0 \u201cNo!\u201d He was nose to nose with Paul.\u00a0 \u201cTell me what to do for her.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Doc Martin shook his head from the futility of it.\u00a0 \u201cKeep her warm and watch for a fever.\u00a0 If she starts to bleed again, pack her with clean towels and send for me right away.\u00a0 I\u2019ll send a wet nurse for the babies.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo<\/strong>!\u201d Adam now looked almost like a wild man.\u00a0 \u201cDo not<\/em> send a wet nurse.\u00a0 If she wakes up and finds I\u2019ve let her milk dry up so she can\u2019t nurse her babies, she\u2019ll have my hide.\u00a0 She wants to nurse them.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Paul knew that Mary Lynn\u2019s milk would come in anyway if she woke up within a few days, but since the issue seemed so important to Adam, he just nodded and turned to leave the room.\u00a0 \u201cRemember, son, call me if anything changes.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam sat and rested his forehead on his arm.\u00a0 A light hand touched his shoulder.\u00a0 He looked up to see Erin still in the room.\u00a0 The look in her eyes spoke volumes about love and sympathy.\u00a0 He took her hand.\u00a0 \u201cThank you for everything you did, Erin.\u00a0 I\u2019ll never forget it.\u00a0 When the babies get hungry, bring them up here.\u00a0 This is where I\u2019m staying for now.\u201d\u00a0 She nodded and quietly went downstairs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was almost evening.\u00a0 Adam turned down the lantern in the room and pulled down the covers opposite Mary Lynn. \u00a0He crawled slowly under them, moved close to her, and took her gently in his arms.\u00a0 When had it happened that her life had become his?\u00a0 It didn\u2019t really matter, he thought, because it was already done.\u00a0 He knew he would not leave this bed until her condition had resolved one way or another.\u00a0 He was a father now, but he didn\u2019t know if his children would have a mother.\u00a0 He put his head down next to his wife\u2019s and silently let fall the tears that he had held back for hours.<\/p>\n

For the next two days Adam never left Mary Lynn\u2019s bed.\u00a0 Occasionally he took a drink of water, but he didn\u2019t eat.\u00a0 Mary Lynn\u2019s condition didn\u2019t change and he just held her close in his arms.\u00a0 When the babies needed a feeding, Erin brought them in and they would unbutton Mary Lynn\u2019s nightgown and each held a baby so he could nurse at his mother\u2019s breast.\u00a0 On the second day her milk came in and her breasts were engorged with milk.\u00a0 When the babies weren\u2019t feeding, Adam draped her with towels to absorb the leaking milk.\u00a0 The bleeding had diminished to normal post-delivery bleeding, but Erin still checked it regularly.\u00a0 Adam knew that if she didn\u2019t wake up and take liquids soon her milk would begin to dry up.\u00a0 But he couldn\u2019t think about that now.\u00a0 For now, he was just doing whatever he could manage without going crazy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His family tried to persuade him to leave the room, but he adamantly refused.\u00a0 He essentially never took his arms away from her.\u00a0 If she was dying, he needed every moment to memorize the feel of her, and if she was going to recover, he knew the feel of his love would spur her on.\u00a0 He talked to her, too.\u00a0 He told her about the babies and how greedy they were when they ate.\u00a0 He told her stories about his days in college in Boston, and about how he fell in love with her at the line shack during the blizzard.\u00a0 He told her he needed her to wake up so he could keep on living, and how he didn\u2019t know how he would live if she didn\u2019t. And when he had talked himself out, he recited Shakespeare\u2019s sonnets to her.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

On the morning of the third day, Adam, spent, was sleeping fitfully.\u00a0 The twins had fed at 4:30 in the morning, and he had fallen into an exhausted sleep after that.\u00a0 He woke up slowly to the feeling of someone stroking his chin.\u00a0 When he opened his eyes, he saw Mary Lynn\u2019s deep blue ones looking back at him.\u00a0 She was smiling at him, and it was she who was touching him.\u00a0 He started when he saw her, and she laughed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you\u2019re growing a beard.\u00a0 Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMary Lynn, sweetheart, are you all right?\u00a0 Do you feel all right?\u201d he hovered over her anxiously.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She laughed again.\u00a0 \u201cOf course, silly.\u00a0 Why wouldn\u2019t I be?\u00a0 Well, on second thought, I do feel a little sore, and I\u2019m thirsty, and starving, and most of all I want a bath.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you slept for a long time after the babies were born,\u201d he said cautiously.\u00a0 Was it possible she didn\u2019t remember the coma?\u00a0 Doc Martin hadn\u2019t even talked about that.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell you would too if you had gone through what I had to!\u201d She feigned indignation. \u201cThe men get to have all the fun making babies, and the women do all the work birthing them.\u00a0 Isn\u2019t it just typical!\u201d\u00a0 She gave him a pointed look.\u00a0 \u201cAnd Adam, next time Doc Martin says turn the baby, turn<\/em> the baby!\u00a0 I have to give Hoss a big hug and kiss.\u00a0 You should too.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam couldn\u2019t take his eyes off her.\u00a0 He was beginning to feel life and joy coursing through his veins again.\u00a0 She was awake and it appeared she had no memory of the terrible hours when she hovered between life and death.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He stroked her hair and smiled at her.\u00a0 \u201cI will, Mary Lynn.\u00a0 As soon as I see Hoss, I\u2019m going to kiss him.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, go get the babies.\u00a0 Let\u2019s look at them again,\u201d she sounded as excited as a child with a new toy.\u00a0 \u201cAnd please<\/em> ask Hop Sing to bring me a hot bath.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Within minutes they were both lounging on the bed they hadn\u2019t left for the past three days, examining and playing with their sons.\u00a0 They counted fingers and toes, compared eye color, fingernails and length of hair.\u00a0 They couldn\u2019t tell the boys apart.\u00a0 Mary Lynn, beginning to realize that she had slept for longer than she realized, wanted to know how everyone was telling them apart.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s Nolan and who\u2019s Logan?\u201d She was truly perplexed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if you really want to know,\u201d Adam teased her, \u201clook at their ankles.\u00a0 Erin made a red band for Logan\u2019s ankle since he gave us all the trouble by trying to come out feet first.\u00a0 It\u2019s like a scarlet letter.\u201d\u00a0 There was, in fact, a red band around one of the four ankles.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn made a face and kissed Logan\u2019s foot.\u00a0 Then she kissed Adam\u2019s mouth and sighed.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t we make beautiful babies?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOf course we do.\u00a0 They both look just like me,\u201d he smirked for the first time in days and in the course of doing so, didn\u2019t duck fast enough to avoid the pillow that flew through the air and hit him square in the face.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After eating a light meal at Adam\u2019s insistence, Mary Lynn let him help her take a bath and wash her hair.\u00a0 It felt heavenly.\u00a0 She was amazed by the increased size of her breasts.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I have giant breasts.\u00a0 I can\u2019t believe it.\u00a0 Are they going to stay that way?\u201d she was just staring down at herself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s great, isn\u2019t it?\u00a0 And I certainly hope so.\u201d\u00a0 He grinned again and caught a wave of water the heel of her hand sent his way.\u00a0 He felt giddy with happiness.\u00a0 She was his Mary Lynn, back and being herself.\u00a0 However, he encouraged her to finish her bath and get back into bed.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to overtire her, and Doc Martin had already been sent for.\u00a0 He was just helping her button a fresh, clean nightgown when Erin knocked on the door and offered to braid her hair.\u00a0 Hoss was right behind her.\u00a0 Erin hugged Mary Lynn.\u00a0 \u201cYou gave us all a scare, dear,\u201d she said in her Irish brogue.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn held out her arms.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Hoss, how can we ever thank you?\u201d\u00a0 She wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek.\u00a0 He blushed a bright red.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt weren\u2019t nothin\u2019 and you know it,\u201d he said softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes it was!\u201d\u00a0 Mary Lynn insisted.\u00a0 \u201cYou saved my life and Logan\u2019s too, little hellion that he is.\u00a0 And Adam, remember you said you\u2019d kiss Hoss, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam rolled his eyes, but obediently got on his tip-toes and planted a kiss on his tall brother\u2019s forehead.\u00a0 Mary Lynn and Erin laughed together at the sight of their husbands\u2019 display of affection.\u00a0 It was this scene that Doc Martin encountered as he entered the room. How different it was from the one he had last seen in this very same room!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow, now,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cMy patient is not allowed to have any levity at all.\u00a0 It makes her cheeks pink.\u201d\u00a0 They all grinned at him.\u00a0 Hoss and Erin left the room, and Paul proceeded to examine Mary Lynn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Mrs. Cartwright, I would say you are well on the road to recovery.\u201d\u00a0 He was amazed by her verve and renewed strength.\u00a0 He had taken the time to explain in detail what had happened to her, which surprised her since she didn\u2019t remember anything beyond the babies\u2019 birth.\u00a0 \u201cI think you were in shock and your body just put you on shutdown so you could recover,\u201d he concluded.\u00a0 He also pronounced the babies healthy and fit and left the \u201csick\u201d room with Adam and Mary Lynn nuzzling each other.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A very relieved Ben Cartwright offered him coffee with brandy when he got downstairs, which he happily accepted.\u00a0 The Cartwrights were whole again, and the life and love of their daily routine would now resume.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Later that night, when Adam and Mary Lynn were lying in bed together following a 10:00 feeding, Mary Lynn told Adam about her long sleep.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI know I was dreaming, Adam.\u00a0 I saw my mother and we had a long talk.\u00a0 I told her I had gotten married and just gave birth to twins.\u00a0 She acted like she knew all about it and she said they were going to be very handsome men, along with their brothers and sisters.\u00a0 She was in a beautiful garden, and I wanted to stay and talk to her, but she told me I needed to go back because you needed me and the boys did too.\u00a0 Then I dreamed about the blizzard and how we met and fell in love.\u00a0 And finally I was dreaming Shakespeare.\u00a0 Does that make any sense to you at all?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam was quiet for a while, breathing deeply and peacefully.\u00a0 \u201cIt does, Mary Lynn.\u00a0 It makes perfect sense to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Chapter 10:<\/p>\n

The Cartwright twins were growing like weeds, as Ben liked to say.\u00a0 At three months they were alert, smiling and cooing to each other on a regular basis.\u00a0 They both seemed happy, and loved it when a parent, uncle, aunt or grandfather picked them up to play. And as Dr. Martin had predicted, they were definitely identical.\u00a0 Logan still wore the red band around his ankle, even though Mary Lynn thought she could see some differences between the young brothers that helped her tell them apart.\u00a0 Even though they were too small yet to be moving around on their own, Logan seemed happiest when he was in the center of action.\u00a0 He wanted to see things happening, and tended to fuss more in quiet times.\u00a0 Nolan, on the other hand, seemed as though he might take after his father\u2019s bookish side.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t seem to mind solitude, and spent much of his time just taking in what was happening around him.\u00a0 Nevertheless, until her theories were further borne out, Mary Lynn left the ankle band on Logan.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To her surprise, even though Adam was affectionate and kissed her as often as he could, he had not made a move to make love to her since the twins\u2019 birth.\u00a0 She was still nursing the babies and thought that might be part of the reason her husband hadn\u2019t initiated any romantic activity.\u00a0 He seemed thrilled to be a father, and spent many evenings playing with his sons in the great room of the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Of course, the twins had become the favorite playthings for the entire Cartwright family, and the babies were usually in the arms of one doting relative or another.\u00a0 Adam liked to hold a baby on his lap and make silly faces, or let little fists grasp his fingers as he pulled unsteady legs up to a standing position.\u00a0 He also delighted in throwing them up in the air and catching them, which they also loved, and which Mary Lynn abhorred.\u00a0 But of course, Adam always caught his sons.\u00a0 He never missed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One night some weeks later, Mary Lynn decided to take matters into her own hands and made romantic overtures to Adam that night when they went to bed.\u00a0 He held her and kissed her as usual, but he didn\u2019t respond to any further advances, even ones she knew should have him ready and willing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, what\u2019s wrong?\u00a0 Don\u2019t you want to make love to me anymore?\u201d\u00a0 She was confused and somewhat angry, so she took the direct approach.\u00a0 This was not like the pre-baby Adam.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He turned on his back and addressed his answer to the ceiling.\u00a0 \u201cI do, Mary Lynn.\u00a0 It\u2019s just that I think we should be careful about starting another pregnancy until the boys are older.\u00a0 You had a hard time with them, and we almost lost you.\u00a0 I want to be sure you\u2019re completely recovered before I get you pregnant again.\u201d\u00a0 He had chosen his words very carefully.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut Adam, it\u2019s been five months now.\u00a0 Haven\u2019t you seen me back to normal for some time now?\u201d\u00a0 She pressed him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re doing a wonderful job.\u00a0 I just want to make sure you don\u2019t become exhausted.\u00a0 Maybe when the boys are closer to a year would be a better time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A year!\u00a0 That didn\u2019t sound anything like the Adam who had promised her a houseful of babies.\u00a0 \u201cWeren\u2019t you going to surround me with babies?\u201d She wouldn\u2019t let the subject drop.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He turned serious eyes to her.\u00a0 \u201cWell, things are different now.\u00a0 We have twins and their delivery was very complicated.\u00a0 Another baby anytime soon could be very overwhelming.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She knew the hurt showed on her face, but she didn\u2019t press him any further.\u00a0 She let the matter drop and settled into bed for the night.\u00a0 She had her back to Adam.\u00a0 He pulled her close and put his arm around her waist as usual, but as he fell asleep he never noticed the tears she allowed to fall.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Within the week she made a trip to see Paul Martin in Virginia City.\u00a0 Erin and Hop Sing had agreed to watch the babies while she was gone, and she agreed to pick up some supplies for Hop Sing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She poured out her heart to Dr. Martin, even shedding a few tears in her distress.\u00a0 He understood what she was telling him, remembering vividly how frantic Adam had been during the three days Mary Lynn was in a coma after giving birth.\u00a0 Fortunately, he was able to share some information with her.\u00a0 First, he told her that as long as women were nursing, they usually didn\u2019t become pregnant.\u00a0 He also explained the few days of the month that a woman was able to become pregnant, how to tell when they were, and how the timing of sex to avoid these days would make all the difference.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn was greatly relieved to learn this information, and she felt renewed hope when she left the doctor\u2019s office.\u00a0 She quickly picked up the items on Hop Sing\u2019s list and hurried back home. That night she explained what she learned to Adam.\u00a0 At first he was skeptical, but at his wife\u2019s continued insistence, and because he trusted Paul Martin, he showed more interest, and finally, great relief.\u00a0 Since she was nursing the boys right now, they should be safe, he thought.\u00a0 And would have been safe all along<\/em>, he thought as he mentally kicked himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That night they resumed their lovemaking with all the vigor they have ever put into it.\u00a0 For both of them, the feeling afterward was indescribably peaceful and close.\u00a0 The gap that had been between them had closed, and they were one again.\u00a0 Mary Lynn didn\u2019t completely understand Adam\u2019s earlier attitude, but she was grateful his appetite for her had returned, and she felt complete.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Nolan and Logan began teething a couple of months later, and Mary Lynn was forced to wean them from the breast.\u00a0 Hop Sing helped her by mashing table foods they might enjoy, and they both demonstrated healthy appetites at the table.\u00a0 The family joked that they had inherited Hoss\u2019 eating genes, and Hoss just grinned.\u00a0 He loved his nephews more than anything except Erin.\u00a0 Everyone laughed at the mess they made of themselves as they learned to eat on their own, and it usually took two or three adults to clean them up after a meal.\u00a0 Sometimes Adam would just carry one boy under each arm upstairs to a waiting bathtub, to do the job properly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Once she was no long nursing, Mary Lynn was careful to watch for the return of her monthly flow and also the signs of fertility Dr. Martin had told her about.\u00a0 This she managed well, and the marital intimacy between her and Adam continued successfully and spiritedly.\u00a0 It seemed to be the glue that held their love together, for they never tired of each other.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The twins\u2019 first birthday arrived with great celebration on the Ponderosa.\u00a0 Hop Sing made a huge birthday cake that both boys eventually got as much of on their clothes, faces and hair as they did in their stomachs.\u00a0 They were both toddling now, and everything was fair game.\u00a0 All the adults accepted responsibility for keeping an eye on them whenever they were nearby.\u00a0 An addition had been added to the house which allowed for a suite of rooms for Adam and Mary Lynn, and the boys slept in trundle beds in a room adjacent to their parents\u2019 room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The boys were a true joy for both their parents.\u00a0 Neither one had realized how much they would enjoy being a mother and a father.\u00a0 Adam was looking forward to the day he could teach them to ride a horse and do many of the other of the ranch activities, because the Ponderosa was their legacy too.\u00a0 Mary Lynn had just never realized the human heart could expand to love as much as hers was doing, not only for the twins, but for Adam and his family too. \u00a0She was great friends with Erin, and she knew that Hoss and Erin loved each other very much.\u00a0 They were a perfect match.\u00a0 If only they could have a baby too, their happiness would be complete.\u00a0 And Joe\u2026well, Joe was still courting many of the local girls as far as the family could tell.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When the twins were not quite 13 months old, Mary Lynn discovered that she was pregnant again.\u00a0 That didn\u2019t bother her in and of itself; in fact, it was a happy event for her.\u00a0 But she was afraid to tell Adam.\u00a0 She wasn\u2019t sure he would be happy despite how much pleasure the twins were bringing to his life.\u00a0 He never talked about having another baby, even though they were making love regularly now.\u00a0 If the subject came up in any way, he changed it or avoided any discussion.\u00a0 She knew that she would not be able to hide her condition from him for very long, especially if she had morning sickness the way she had the first time. She still wasn\u2019t sure what had changed Adam\u2019s feelings because he had never spoken candidly to her about it; she only knew he had changed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She chose to talk to him about a week after she was sure she was expecting.\u00a0 She waited until they had gone to bed and turned out the lantern.\u00a0 The weather was mild, and a pleasant breeze drifted in through the open window.\u00a0 Adam was lying next to her with one arm behind his head, and his other hand holding hers, their fingers interlaced.\u00a0 He had been talking about a new system for processing timber, and when he seemed to have finished, she spoke up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHmm?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI have something important to tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What\u2019s that?\u201d\u00a0 He leaned over and kissed her temple.\u00a0 She almost flinched, she was so nervous.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m pregnant, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t respond right away; he was very quiet.\u00a0 Nothing really changed, and yet everything changed in those few moments.\u00a0 He still held her hand, but he didn\u2019t move.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t make a sound, and she wasn\u2019t even sure she could hear him breathing.\u00a0 A long time passed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, did you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI heard you,\u201d his voice was neutral.\u00a0 There was more silence.\u00a0 She wasn\u2019t going to say anything else.\u00a0 She certainly wasn\u2019t going to defend herself or apologize.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Very slowly he disengaged his hand from hers.\u00a0 Somehow that was painful, even though it wasn\u2019t an overtly negative act.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow long have you known?\u201d\u00a0 His voice was quiet.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAbout a week.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow did it happen?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She was startled.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you mean, how did it happen<\/em>?\u201d\u00a0 She was beginning to be nervous.\u00a0 How could he ask her that?\u00a0 He unquestionably knew how it happened.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He spoke again, very slowly, \u201cI mean, how did it come to be that you are pregnant at this time?\u00a0 Did you make a mistake?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn knew her jaw had dropped and she was glad the room was dark.\u00a0 \u201cA mistake?\u201d \u00a0It came out in a whisper.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u00a0 Did you miscalculate the time of the month?\u201d\u00a0 It sounded so cold and clinical.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t think so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His voice had dropped even lower, and she knew he was beginning to seethe.\u00a0 \u201cYou knew that we were waiting before we had more children.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She tried to sound reasonable.\u00a0 \u201cNo. Although I\u2019m surprised by this, all I remember was that you said we should wait until the twins were at least a year old, and they are now.\u201d\u00a0 Now she was<\/em> defending herself, so she shut up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSo you decided that the time was right?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d\u00a0 She sat straight up at that.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t decide anything.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t plan anything.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t think<\/em> anything.\u00a0 It just happened.\u201d\u00a0 She was getting angry now, and she could hear it in her voice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He moved slightly and she knew he was rubbing his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cSo what are we going to do about it?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This time she was stunned.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t even know what his question meant.\u00a0 How could he ask such an absurd thing?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I don\u2019t know what we<\/em> are going to do about it, but I<\/em> am not going to do anything about it,\u201d she spoke as normally as she could even though she had begun to shake.\u00a0 Then she lay back down, turning her back to him, and spoke no more.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam said nothing more either and turned away from her.\u00a0 There were no \u2018good nights\u2019 between them.\u00a0 Adam stared into the darkness, hugging a pillow to his chest.\u00a0 Mary Lynn just felt angry. The discussion had gone far worse than she\u2019d ever expected.\u00a0 She knew he blamed her and didn\u2019t understand why.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t a disaster; babies were blessings.\u00a0 Logan and Nolan certainly had been.\u00a0 But somehow Adam didn\u2019t think another baby would be.\u00a0 She turned this puzzle over and over in her mind until she fell asleep, much, much later.\u00a0 What she didn\u2019t know was that Adam lay awake until morning.<\/p>\n

\n

Chapter 11:<\/p>\n

From that point on, Adam treated his wife very politely and very correctly.\u00a0 But he did not make love to her, he did not start conversations with her, and he did not laugh at all.\u00a0 He was not naturally given to laughing and smiling to begin with, but those occurrences all but disappeared.\u00a0 The only few exceptions were moments he spent with his sons.\u00a0 He went places with Mary Lynn, they slept in the same bed, and they ate at the same table, but everyone in the family knew that something had gone very wrong.\u00a0 They were aware that Mary Lynn was pregnant.\u00a0 That became obvious when her morning sickness set in.\u00a0 But there had never been an announcement from either parent, and there was no talk about the coming baby.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam worked from sunup until sundown, six days a week.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sleeping, although he kept that to himself.\u00a0 There were, however, dark circles under his eyes that spoke about how he spent his nights.\u00a0 He snapped at his brothers if they talked to him about anything beyond what was absolutely necessary, and they learned to tread a wide berth around him.\u00a0 Ben tried to keep out of his sons\u2019 personal business, but he was very worried about Adam.\u00a0 He thought about trying to talk to him, but he held back, hoping Adam would work things out with Mary Lynn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn spent her time watching over the twins and drinking ginger tea, which was once again being brewed regularly in the house.\u00a0 The boys were a real handful these days because they were into everything and wanted to go everywhere.\u00a0 Erin helped with them often.\u00a0 When they had a chance, she and Erin spent time together, but Mary Lynn didn\u2019t confide her problem to Erin, and Erin was too polite to ask about it.\u00a0 She did, however, try to be a good and fast friend to Mary Lynn because she knew it was badly needed right now and therefore it was sincerely offered.\u00a0 Mary Lynn knew that and was grateful for it.\u00a0 No one else in the Cartwright family treated her any differently than they ever had, and that felt good.\u00a0 But she knew they were concerned when she barely ate at meals.\u00a0 She was actually losing weight, too.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It was very hard to act normally around Adam when coldness practically radiated from him.\u00a0 Had he once loved her?\u00a0 Had she once loved him back?\u00a0 She remembered feeling passion for him at one time, but lately she simply avoided him.\u00a0 Their eyes rarely met, and when they did, it was never with warmth.\u00a0 Even at night there was a dividing line down the middle of the bed.\u00a0 Of course it couldn\u2019t be seen, but Mary Lynn knew it was there as surely as she knew her own name because neither one of them ever crossed it by so much as a hair.\u00a0 Mary Lynn quietly saw Dr. Martin, who told her everything about the pregnancy was proceeding normally.\u00a0 He had also been able to tell her that this time she was carrying just one baby.\u00a0 She knew Adam deserved to know this news, so she told him briefly one night after they were in bed.\u00a0 His response was short, mild and seemingly disinterested: \u201cThat\u2019s nice.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Mary Lynn was four months along, Erin and Hoss joyfully announced that at long last they were expecting a baby.\u00a0 Mary Lynn rejoiced with them, knowing how long they had hoped for this event.\u00a0 She knew of Erin\u2019s fear that somehow her inability to conceive was related to her abduction and treatment at the hands of the Sioux Indians.* When she went to hug Erin after the dinnertime announcement, Mary Lynn had tears in her eyes.\u00a0 They were bittersweet tears.\u00a0 Adam simply shook Hoss\u2019 hand, gave Erin a quick kiss on the cheek and walked away without speaking.\u00a0 Little Joe tried to make up for Adam\u2019s rudeness by loudly whooping more than he normally would.\u00a0 Now it was Erin\u2019s turn to drink ginger tea and she was less able to help watch the twins.\u00a0 Thus, Mary Lynn\u2019s time was spent primarily with child care, which was fine because it gave her little time to think about her marital situation. Ben finally did make an attempt to talk with his oldest son about the rift between him and his wife, but he was curtly told to mind his own business.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As the time for Mary Lynn\u2019s delivery grew closer, Ben hired a local widow, Mrs. McCarthy, to come in to help take care of the twins.\u00a0 It was becoming too cumbersome for Mary Lynn to do it all day by herself, and she tired easily now.\u00a0 Adam was away on a cattle drive when the baby was born.\u00a0 The cattle drive was a yearly event, and this year Adam went along with Little Joe and a group of the ranch hands.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn went into labor in the middle of the night, and Erin, now obviously pregnant, came to sit with her.\u00a0 One of the hands rode into town for Dr. Martin.\u00a0 Hoss stayed nearby just in case he was needed, as he had been for Mary Lynn\u2019s first delivery.\u00a0 By late morning of that day, Adam\u2019s and Mary Lynn\u2019s daughter had arrived safely, normally, and in the usual way.\u00a0 She had, of course, black hair, but this baby had blue eyes to go with it.\u00a0 Mary Lynn was sitting up immediately afterward holding the baby, and the family filed in to take a peek at the newest Cartwright.\u00a0 Hoss and Erin were especially interested, as they knew they would be the next ones to experience this miracle of life.\u00a0 And Ben, of course, was bursting with pride.\u00a0 Although she had never discussed it with her husband, Mary Lynn quietly named her daughter Elizabeth, after Adam\u2019s mother.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s eyes teared up at this news and he squeezed Mary Lynn\u2019s hand gratefully.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The following day Adam and Little Joe returned from the cattle drive, dirty, tired and hungry.\u00a0 Hoss happened to be working outside the barn when they arrived.\u00a0 He greeted Little Joe, but only gestured at Adam as he dismounted and walked toward the house.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYour daughter was born yesterday,\u201d Hoss called out. \u00a0It was hard for him to hide the derision in his voice.\u00a0 He was ashamed of the way Adam had been behaving toward Mary Lynn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s stride broke, and his head turned briefly toward his brother, but then he caught himself and kept walking.\u00a0 Inside he was greeted by his father, who also broke the news.\u00a0 \u201cSon, you have a beautiful daughter.\u00a0 Just wait until you see her,\u201d Ben was smiling from ear to ear, and never even asked about the cattle drive.\u00a0 Adam gave him a caricature of a smile, showing his teeth briefly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He stopped in the kitchen to ask Hop Sing for food and a bath, where he again received congratulations.\u00a0 He went upstairs and into his family\u2019s rooms.\u00a0 Mary Lynn seemed to be sleeping, a blue ribbon tying back her hair.\u00a0 The sound of the tub being filled and Adam\u2019s bathing awoke her even though he tried to be quiet.\u00a0 She turned to look at him as he dried himself off with a fresh white towel.\u00a0 She looked at him appraisingly, and the fact that he had to quickly wrap the towel around his waist was not a matter of interest to her as it would once have been.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYour daughter is in the cradle over here if you want to see her,\u201d she gestured to her side of the bed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam walked over in his bare feet and stared down at the sleeping infant.\u00a0 Black hair like mine<\/em>. \u00a0She looked a lot like the boys had looked as newborns.\u00a0 He looked at her for a long time.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe looks like the twins did,\u201d he turned and looked matter-of-factly at his wife.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She shrugged. \u201cSame parents.\u201d\u00a0 And then, after another uncomfortable silence, \u201cI named her Elizabeth.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAfter my mother,\u201d he murmured, almost to himself.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s her middle name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t give her one,\u201d Mary Lynn answered matter-of-factly.\u00a0 \u201cYou can if you want to.\u00a0 You can also hold her if you want to.\u201d\u00a0 I give you permission.<\/em><\/p>\n

He looked at her quickly, feeling the jibe. \u201cI will after I eat,\u201d and with that, he left the room.\u00a0 Mary Lynn wasn\u2019t even surprised, nor was she hurt.\u00a0 She hadn\u2019t expected him to ask her how she felt or how the birth had been. She had given up that hope long ago.\u00a0 She knew he was too steely for that type of sentiment now.\u00a0 She simply didn\u2019t expect it of him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

While he ate, Adam tried to register what he felt inside about this new baby.\u00a0 Mostly, he was glad that Mary Lynn had come through the birth without incident.\u00a0 She seemed almost as though it hadn\u2019t happened, aside from the fact that she was resting in bed.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know how he felt about having a daughter.\u00a0 He should be pleased.\u00a0 He should be crowing.\u00a0 Had he erected walls around him so high that he was now incapable of feeling?\u00a0 He thought that maybe he had.\u00a0 He was inured to any emotional feeling.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t even express love to his wife anymore.\u00a0 He served her blame instead.\u00a0 When had he become so dysfunctional?\u00a0 Silently he berated himself for his faults.\u00a0 For someone supposedly so intelligent and educated, he certainly was a difficult, convoluted man.\u00a0 Did he have feelings, or was he just afraid to examine them, to let them out of the tight cage he kept them in?\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know.\u00a0 He just didn\u2019t know.\u00a0 His family certainly didn\u2019t understand him, and he knew he had become a stranger in his own house.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He pushed back from the table and returned upstairs to their rooms.\u00a0 Mary Lynn had fallen asleep again.\u00a0 Adam bent down and picked up the sleeping infant in the cradle.\u00a0 She was tightly swaddled in a receiving blanket.\u00a0 She was tiny and barely seemed to weigh anything at all in his arms.\u00a0 He waited for feeling to wash over him.\u00a0 She looked like Nolan and Logan had looked.\u00a0 They had amazed him, such miracles of life.\u00a0 She was also a miracle of life, he knew that, but one that had helped freeze him into a stifled prison of his own making.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know if he would be able to break out of it. The baby began to stir and make small newborn noises.\u00a0 He watched her face screw up, getting ready to cry.\u00a0 It took her a while to work up to it, but in a few minutes she was crying loudly enough to wake up her mother, who knew it was time to feed her.\u00a0 Adam handed Elizabeth to her.\u00a0 Their hands touched as the baby moved from his arms to hers.\u00a0 They both almost jumped.\u00a0 This was the first touch between them in months.\u00a0 It should have been an endearing experience.\u00a0 Why couldn\u2019t he let it be?\u00a0 As Mary Lynn prepared to nurse her daughter, Adam turned and went into the twins\u2019 room.\u00a0 There was a cot in there.\u00a0 He lay down on it and went to sleep almost instantly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam continued to sleep on the cot, with the door between the bedrooms closed.\u00a0 The boys loved having him there; they thought it was great sport.\u00a0 He told them they had to be quiet in order to let the baby and Mama sleep.\u00a0 They tried, but it was practically beyond their genetic abilities.\u00a0 They were Cartwright boys.\u00a0 Sometimes he let them burrow into the cot and sleep with him.\u00a0 It was crowded, but he enjoyed it.\u00a0 He could express love to them.\u00a0 Why couldn\u2019t he let it overflow to Mary Lynn and the baby?\u00a0 Somewhere inside him he knew he couldn\u2019t live without Mary Lynn, so why was he doing this to her?\u00a0 He didn\u2019t understand it; he didn\u2019t think anybody did.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

On a Sunday morning when Elizabeth was a little over a week old, Adam was dressing for church.\u00a0 Mary Lynn hadn\u2019t gotten up yet, having just finished nursing the baby. \u00a0She had been doing a lot of thinking.\u00a0 In fact, she had made a decision and she was ready to act on it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Watching him button his shirt, she took a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cAdam would you give me some money?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Surprised, he turned to look at her.\u00a0 She always had enough for whatever she needed, he saw to that.\u00a0 \u201cMary Lynn, I\u2019ve never denied you money for anything you need, you know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, this would be more than usual.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you need?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI want to buy a house.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou want us to leave the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u00a0 I want to buy a house.\u00a0 In town.\u00a0 I want to live there with the children.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He appeared to be dumbstruck.\u00a0 He stood facing the mirror, with his head turned, looking at her for the longest time.\u00a0 \u201cMary Lynn,\u201d he finally said gently, as if speaking to a child, \u201cyou have a perfectly good house right here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you don\u2019t understand,\u201d she was shaking her head back and forth, determined.\u00a0 I want to leave the Ponderosa, Adam.\u00a0 I want to leave you<\/em>.\u00a0 You have spent the past nine months humiliating and ignoring me in front of your family, you haven\u2019t even bothered to spend time with your own daughter, and we don\u2019t sleep in the same bed anymore\u2014not that we did in any real way the whole time I was pregnant. I don\u2019t know why, but you systematically went about killing our relationship as soon as I told you I was pregnant.\u00a0 And you\u2019ve done a good job of it.\u00a0 There\u2019s no reason to be married to each other anymore. I don\u2019t want to be exposed to your obvious distaste for me anymore, and I don\u2019t want it for my children, either.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His eyes had narrowed, and he had not taken them off her as she spoke. The Mary Lynn he knew would have been in tears by now.\u00a0 This Mary Lynn was calm and dry eyed.\u00a0 Had he done this to her?<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Mary Lynn, I won\u2019t give you money to move out.\u00a0 You\u2019re my wife.\u00a0 This is where you live, with our<\/em> children.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI told you once I would not be stuck in a loveless marriage, and now that is exactly where I find myself.\u00a0 No matter what you say, Adam, I am leaving you and I\u2019m taking the children with me.\u201d She gave a short, harsh laugh.\u00a0 \u201cThis should actually be good news for you.\u00a0 You won\u2019t be saddled with people you resent anymore.\u201d\u00a0 She threw back the bed covers and stood up.\u00a0 \u201cGo to church by yourself.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to start packing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He actually took a step back from her.\u00a0 By this time his string tie was hanging loosely around his neck.\u00a0 He grabbed his hat and swung the door open.\u00a0 \u201cEverybody\u2019s waiting downstairs.\u00a0 I\u2019ll take the boys with me,\u201d and the door slammed shut behind him.<\/p>\n

\n

Chapter 12:<\/p>\n

Later that day Mary Lynn asked to speak to Ben privately while Adam was outside in the barn.\u00a0 She told him everything she had told Adam.\u00a0 She asked him to help her move away from the Ponderosa.\u00a0 He certainly knew what she was talking about. He had been watching it unfold in front of him for the past nine months.\u00a0 Although his heart broke for his son, he agreed to help Mary Lynn.\u00a0 He knew how thoroughly Adam had pushed her away.\u00a0 They briefly discussed whether going to live with Vance Nolan was an acceptable solution, but Mary Lynn didn\u2019t want her children growing up in an isolated mountain-top setting.\u00a0 Ben nodded, understanding this.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The following day, Monday, Ben took Mary Lynn into Virginia City while Adam was working the timber site with his brothers.\u00a0 They found a pleasant, furnished house with enough room for the boys to play in, and a good back yard with a fence.\u00a0 Ben paid three months\u2019 rent in advance.\u00a0 On Tuesday, he drove her there with the children and their clothes.\u00a0 He hired Mrs. McCarthy full-time to live in the house to cook and help with all general duties.\u00a0 Ben knew that he was in for a doozy of a confrontation with Adam that night, but he had promised Mary Lynn he wouldn\u2019t tell him where she was.\u00a0 They both knew that he would find out soon enough on his own.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam was in a black rage when he got home and discovered that his family had moved out. He was especially angry that no one would tell him where they had gone. And the fact that his own father had betrayed him by helping Mary Lynn leave hurt like a gut punch.\u00a0 That night, his family sat in the great room and tried reasoning with him.\u00a0 Erin, wisely, had escaped upstairs to avoid the flying barbs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, you drove her away and you know it,\u201d Hoss stated emphatically.\u00a0 \u201cYou ignored her the entire time she was pregnant, and you didn\u2019t even bother to be with her when the baby came.\u201d\u00a0 He just shook his head, not understanding how his brother could have done such a thing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBrother, if she did something to you, tell us.\u00a0 But otherwise, we couldn\u2019t see that she ever changed how she acted or who she was, but you sure did.\u00a0 And you won\u2019t even talk about what\u2019s wrong.\u00a0 Anyway, it\u2019s pretty obvious that baby belongs to you, so that can\u2019t be the problem,\u201d Little Joe giggled at what was obvious to all as he finished.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong is none of your business!\u201d\u00a0 Adam roared.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSon, what happened between you two anyway?\u201d\u00a0 Ben was coaxing now.\u00a0 \u201cWe could all see how much you loved each other once.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam was standing by the hearth, facing the fire, and he just put his face in his hands.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t speak.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t going to.\u00a0 He stood up straight and without ever turning back to his family, walked upstairs to the empty rooms his wife and children had fled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Weeks passed and Adam threw himself into work more than ever.\u00a0 He spoke to almost no one these days, and usually came back home long after the rest of the family had eaten.\u00a0 He had stopped going to church on Sunday because if Mary Lynn was there he didn\u2019t want to encounter her.\u00a0 The truth was, he had never been more miserable in his life.\u00a0 He knew he had steered himself into this dark place and that he had only himself to blame.\u00a0 He missed Mary Lynn terribly, and perversely, he was furious with her.\u00a0 I love her<\/em>, he thought, can\u2019t she see that<\/em>?\u00a0 He thought he didn\u2019t even understand it himself, but he did.\u00a0 He was afraid of losing her, and in his fear, he had driven her away.\u00a0 What we fear, we create<\/em>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Six weeks after Mary Lynn left, a letter to Adam came from her attorney.\u00a0 She was starting divorce proceedings against him, and she sought sole custody of the three children.\u00a0 Adam was livid and jumped on Sport, immediately heading for Virginia City.\u00a0 Ben was very sad and thoughtful.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t really thought that Mary Lynn would take matters this far.\u00a0 But he was also surprised that Adam had made no attempt to find her since her departure.\u00a0 If he thought he would make any headway, he would sit Adam down for a serious talk, but two previous attempts to do just that had already failed.\u00a0 Ben wasn\u2019t anxious to try again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reaching town in the late evening, Adam went directly into the saloon.\u00a0 He bought a bottle of whiskey and sat alone at a back table.\u00a0 He was well into the bottle when Sam, the bartender, came over to his table.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, why don\u2019t you just go home?\u00a0 You\u2019re not a drinker.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI am tonight,\u201d Adam pronounced the words slowly but perfectly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you just go home to Mary Lynn?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cExactly where is<\/em> she, Sam?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAw, Adam, you know perfectly well she\u2019s in that nice house on D Street,\u201d Sam said innocently.\u00a0 He had seen her often in the past few weeks, shopping with the children.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right, Sam.\u00a0 I remember now.\u00a0 D Street,\u201d Adam stood up slowly, put on his hat and took his bottle with him as he carefully walked out into the night, pulling Sport by the reins along behind him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By the time he reached D Street, the bottle was empty, but he clutched it by the neck as he walked past houses along this street, trying to guess which one was hers.\u00a0 He finally stopped in front of one that had children\u2019s toys on the front porch.\u00a0 And he recognized the toys.\u00a0 There were lights on upstairs, so he approached the house.\u00a0 The front door was locked, so he pounded on it.\u00a0 Mrs. McCarthy came to the door in her night robe.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Cartwright!\u201d she gasped, seeing clearly that he was drunk.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cGet Mary Lynn.\u201d\u00a0 It was an order, not a request.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She closed the door in his face, and he slid down the porch wall, arms on his raised knees, dangling the empty bottle from his fingertips to wait until she came down.\u00a0 It took several minutes, longer than it should have, but finally the door opened again and Mary Lynn stood at the threshold, watching him.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t think she had ever seen him look worse before.\u00a0 She had also never seen him drunk.\u00a0 He was always in control, but not tonight.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I don\u2019t think you should be here.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He got up slowly and faced her.\u00a0 \u201cWhy did you send me that letter?\u00a0 All I was trying to do was save your life.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She thought he was talking nonsense, that in his drunkenness he wasn\u2019t making sense.\u00a0 He was actually making perfect sense.\u00a0 \u201cWhy did you leave? You took my children.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I told you I was going to.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNow I have nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou threw away what you had.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI was trying to save what I had.\u00a0 Save you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSave<\/em> me?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cSave you so you could live.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She looked down and saw the whiskey bottle.\u00a0 For heaven\u2019s sake, had he drank the entire bottle?\u00a0 \u201cAdam, where\u2019s Sport?\u201d\u00a0 He raised his hand and gestured to where she could see the horse tethered loosely to a shrub. She reached out and pulled Adam inside.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019d better stay here while you sleep this off.\u201d\u00a0 She really didn\u2019t want him in her house, but she couldn\u2019t just turn him out in this condition, either.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Why?\u00a0 You don\u2019t care.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re my children\u2019s father, so that makes me care.\u201d\u00a0 She pushed him onto a settee and tossed a throw over him.\u00a0 He closed his eyes and stopped talking.\u00a0 Mary Lynn watched him for a while before she began to go softly up the stairs to her own room.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMary Lynn, everything went so wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, it did.\u00a0 I never thought it would, I loved you so much,\u201d she whispered in his direction, her eyes stinging.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI love you too, Mary Lynn.\u201d\u00a0 And then he was snoring.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Mrs. McCarthy got up to prepare breakfast the following morning, Adam was still sleeping on the settee.\u00a0 When Nolan and Logan found him there, they were delighted.\u00a0 They had been puzzled by their father\u2019s absence and their mother\u2019s lack of any explanation that made sense to them.\u00a0 The both hurled themselves onto his stomach.\u00a0 He came awake in an instant, an agony of nausea and pain in his stomach and head.\u00a0 But when he recognized the boys he loved so well, his arms reached out to squeeze them as tightly as he dared.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Shortly Mary Lynn was standing over him, peeling the twins off him and sending them in to breakfast.\u00a0 Elizabeth wasn\u2019t with her.\u00a0 Maybe he had imagined Elizabeth?\u00a0 Maybe this had all just been a nightmare?\u00a0 \u201cWhen was the last time you ate?\u00a0 Let me feed you something, and then we need to talk.\u201d\u00a0 He nodded, and she left for the kitchen.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s head fell back and the misery of his life returned full fold.\u00a0 He heard Sport whinny softly outside in front of the house.\u00a0 By the time Mary Lynn came back with food for Adam, he was gone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Three weeks later Erin gave birth to a blonde haired, blue eyed baby boy.\u00a0 He was named Eric, of course.\u00a0 Mary Lynn learned the news when Ben stopped by one day when he was in town, as he often did.\u00a0 She was very happy for Hoss and Erin, and she wished she had been able to be with Erin the way Erin had never left her side during both her deliveries.\u00a0 But she knew that Hoss had been at his wife\u2019s side every step of the way.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn had not heard from Adam since the night he had slept on the settee, but now Ben was telling her that he wanted to pick up the boys Sunday evening for an outing.\u00a0 She could hardly deny him that, she thought, nor the boys, who adored him.\u00a0 They had cried to find him gone that morning three weeks ago.\u00a0 For them, he had momentarily popped back into their lives, and then popped back out just as quickly.\u00a0 She told Ben to tell Adam to pick them up at 6:00.\u00a0 What she didn\u2019t tell Ben was that she was having her first dinner party in her new house that night.\u00a0 It made things a little awkward, but Mrs. McCarthy could help her handle everything.\u00a0 She had to begin a new life sometime, and she had invited some people from church to join her.\u00a0 Ben played with the boys and kissed Mary Lynn\u2019s cheek as he left.\u00a0 Neither of them had spoken of Adam, which meant that nothing had changed on his part.\u00a0 Sadly, they were both still feeling the chill of his anger.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mary Lynn was sitting at her dressing table after her guests had departed.\u00a0 She was combing out her hair over one shoulder, pleased that the evening had gone so well.\u00a0 Her guests had seemed to enjoy themselves, and Mrs. McCarthy had taken care of the handoff of Logan and Nolan to Adam when he arrived for them at 6:00.\u00a0 This had been her first foray at entertaining on her own, and she had been hoping she could make it work so she could make new friends for this new phase of her life.\u00a0 Tonight had encouraged her in her efforts, and she smiled.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Her door opened unexpectedly and she turned to see Adam in the doorway.\u00a0 He glanced behind him down the hall, and then came into the room, closing the door after himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI just brought the boys back,\u201d he informed her. \u201cMrs. McCarthy is putting them to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, Adam,\u201d she replied quietly.\u00a0 She was then silent, not knowing what else to say to him, feeling awkward.\u00a0 This was their first contact since the night he had shown up at her door, drunk.\u00a0 Adam had picked up the twins tonight to have some time alone with them, and she hoped it had done him some good.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He moved closer to her.\u00a0 \u201cMary Lynn, have you been entertaining unmarried gentlemen in this house?\u201d\u00a0 His voice was very low and quiet, a sound she had come to know as a prelude to anger.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, I had a dinner party tonight with three guests. Two of the people were married, and the other was a single man from church.\u00a0 Just friends.\u00a0 Nothing more.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He had moved directly behind her and she could watch him in her mirror.\u00a0 He was looking at her, unmoving, silent.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t know what he was thinking.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou cannot entertain unmarried men in this house as long as we are married,\u201d he said very quietly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam, it was just dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His jaw clenched and he moved swiftly around her to drag her upright by her upper arms so she stood facing him, much closer than she cared to.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAs long as we are married you will not entertain unmarried men in this house,\u201d it was an order.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you remember, Adam, we are separated, and this is my house,\u201d her voice was turning cold.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe are still married, and as long as you\u2019re my wife, you\u2019ll behave respectably, especially while my children live in this house with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She began to struggle against his hold.\u00a0 \u201cStop it, Adam.\u00a0 I did nothing wrong, and we are separated anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut we are still married.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe may be married for now, but don\u2019t forget that you were the one who left me, first emotionally, and then physically.\u201d\u00a0 His grip was beginning to hurt her.\u00a0 \u201cLet me go,\u201d and she tried to twist away, unaware of the double meaning of her words.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Instantly aware of the double entendre, he took his hands off her suddenly and took a step back.\u00a0 He moved over to her bed and sat on it, putting his head in his hands.\u00a0 She remained standing where she was, just watching him.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t know what he was thinking.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t,\u201d he finally said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t what?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t let you go.\u00a0 You\u2019re my wife.\u201d\u00a0 I can\u2019t keep living this way; it\u2019s hell.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou did a fine job of letting me go while I was pregnant with Elizabeth.\u00a0 You were the perfect example of letting go.\u201d\u00a0 She sounded bitter.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He groaned to himself and swung his head up to look at her.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t understand.\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure that I understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat don\u2019t I understand?\u00a0 That once you loved me and then you stopped?\u201d\u00a0 Her voice was almost a whisper.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t stop.\u00a0 I never stopped.\u00a0 I was afraid of losing you,\u201d his voice was miserable and he stared at the floor.\u00a0 Keep talking.\u00a0 Tell her everything.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She couldn\u2019t help letting out a sharp laugh, and he winced.\u00a0 \u201cFor someone who was afraid of losing me, you did a great job of actually doing it!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI made a complete mess of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There was a long silence.\u00a0 Neither one of them moved.\u00a0 She looked at the man she knew so well, whom she had loved so much and perhaps still did, who had hurt her so badly with his rejection not only of herself, but of their child as well.\u00a0 This educated man, so worldly, so proud; what could he be afraid of?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand you, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I don\u2019t understand myself<\/em>.\u00a0 He sighed deeply and stood up, facing her.\u00a0 \u201cI let myself love you,\u201d he said simply.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She looked surprised.\u00a0 \u201cI knew that, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I mean I really let myself love you.\u00a0 I completely dropped my guard.\u00a0 I\u2019ve had walls around me all my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut I loved you back, you knew that.\u00a0 I thought we loved each other,\u201d it hurt to say the words, especially after so many months.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve lost so many people that I loved\u2014three mothers, other sweethearts.\u00a0 I put up walls to protect myself against being hurt again.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut I never hurt you!\u00a0 I\u2019ve been loving and loyal and constant in my affections toward you,\u201d she was thoroughly perplexed now.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you never hurt me, but you might have.\u201d\u00a0 And then I would have been alone again.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0 She didn\u2019t believe what she was hearing.\u00a0 \u201cI never gave you any reason to even think such a thought!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t understand.\u00a0 When you almost died birthing the twins, I thought that I would die too.\u00a0 I thought that I would have to die because if you weren\u2019t here, I couldn\u2019t live either.\u00a0 And then you recovered and our life together continued.\u00a0 But\u2026when you became pregnant again, there was that monster again, looming over me all the time, night and day.\u201d\u00a0 Good, get it out<\/em>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat monster?\u201d\u00a0 She was whispering.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDeath.\u00a0 The thought again that you could die in childbirth.\u00a0 My mother died birthing me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She thought she saw the sheen of tears in his eyes, and her heart was swelling with sorrow at his miserable expression and the long, stupid silence of their separation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBut I didn\u2019t, Adam.\u00a0 Elizabeth came easily in the most normal way possible.\u00a0 You know that.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI do, but I had long before decided that if I distanced myself from you\u2026put up a wall\u2026then if you died I might be able to survive it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She was overwhelmed by his reasoning.\u00a0 \u201cIs that what this has been all about?\u00a0 All these months?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He nodded and turned his back to her.\u00a0 She moved over to him and touched his shoulder lightly.\u00a0 He almost flinched.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cRemember when we first met and you told me that if I became pregnant you would marry me and we would live on the Ponderosa surrounded by our babies?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but I can\u2019t do that now.\u201d\u00a0 Because love hurts too much<\/em>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBecause you\u2019re afraid I might die?\u00a0 Adam, you could die too.\u00a0 Any day you go out and work the Ponderosa, an accident could claim your life. I know it\u2019s dangerous work.\u00a0 And this is wild country.\u00a0 But I never stopped loving you because of that.\u00a0 I waited for you to come home every night to love me again.\u00a0 And you always did.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He turned and studied her face.\u00a0 Clearly he was struggling with his demons.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou said you would give me babies to surround me.\u00a0 You said you would love me every night.\u00a0 So love me, and give me babies to surround both of us.\u00a0 I\u2019m not frail.\u00a0 The twins were a very unusual birth experience.\u00a0 Elizabeth wasn\u2019t.\u00a0 And then Adam, even if something were to happen to me\u2014which I don\u2019t intend to allow\u2014then you will have our children to surround you for the rest of your life.\u00a0 A piece of me and you, each one of them.\u201d\u00a0 Her voice was soft now, caressing him, washing away his sorrow.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do love you,\u201d his voice sounded strangulated in a way she had never heard before.\u00a0 The vulnerable side of her husband had made its way to the surface from a private place deep inside him were he kept it firmly tamped down.\u00a0 You are everything to me, from the first moment I saw you.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s all you need, then.\u00a0 I love you, too.\u00a0 Now show me.\u201d\u00a0 Her hands were on either side of his face, her lips were smiling and she drew him toward her.\u00a0 Their kiss was tentative, like a first kiss.\u00a0 And in a way it was.\u00a0 It was the first kiss of a new understanding, after a very long time. She slid her arms under his and around him.\u00a0 He pulled her tightly against him.\u00a0 There were no words for the longest time.\u00a0 There was only contact, healing, love that came bubbling back to the surface. Don\u2019t ever let go; I won\u2019t ever let go of you either.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Slowly they undressed and got into bed.\u00a0 They made love to each other as though it was the first time.\u00a0 They were slow, unrushed, occupied solely with each other.\u00a0 Afterward, they held each other.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMary Lynn, I never stopped loving you,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She put a finger over his lips.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t ever stop.\u00a0 Please.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They slept after that, but woke more than once to make love again and then again.\u00a0 They were sleeping as one when sunlight slanted into the room and the door was thrown open as Nolan and Logan burst into the room.\u00a0 They were momentarily confounded when they saw their father in bed, but delight quickly replaced surprise.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDaddy, Daddy!\u201d\u00a0 And then they leaped onto him, rousing him instantly from a blissful slumber.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, boys,\u201d he groaned, grabbing them each in an arm.\u00a0 \u201cI may never be a father again after that!\u201d\u00a0 The twins each squirmed until they sat on his stomach, grinning at him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mrs. McCarthy opened the door, bringing in Elizabeth for her feeding as she was used to doing every morning for Mary Lynn.\u00a0 She stopped short when she saw Adam in the bed, but Mary Lynn just smiled and held out her arms for the baby, who was soon nursing comfortably in her mother\u2019s arms.\u00a0 Adam watched the baby remorsefully.\u00a0 He had a lot of making up to do.\u00a0 He and Mary Lynn had barely spoken during her pregnancy.\u00a0 He had been unreasonably angry and blamed his wife for allowing the pregnancy to occur, even though she could hardly have prevented it.\u00a0 He had missed his daughter\u2019s birth and had ignored the first few months of her life.\u00a0 She had his jet black hair, but he thought she had a lot of Mary Lynn\u2019s beauty.\u00a0 He stroked her fine hair and smiled at the sound of her hungry suckling.\u00a0 He leaned over to kiss Mary Lynn, just as the boys began bouncing on his stomach.\u00a0 That caused him to turn his attention quickly to them, and soon they were burrowing under their parents\u2019 pillows.\u00a0 Adam picked the imps up by the backs of their pajamas and set them on the floor.\u00a0 \u201cNow wait for me, and I\u2019ll take you downstairs for breakfast,\u201d he promised.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As he wrapped his robe around him, Mary Lynn looked up at him.\u00a0 \u201cHow soon are we going back to the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cToday.\u00a0 We\u2019re going today,\u201d and his saucy grin and wink told her that the Adam that she knew and loved was back.<\/p>\n

When the buggy containing Adam\u2019s family pulled up at the ranch\u2019s front hitching post later that day, Hoss and Joe were working outside and came running to greet them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHey, it\u2019s great to have you back!\u201d\u00a0 Little Joe wrapped Mary Lynn in a bear hug, careful not to squeeze Elizabeth, who slept in her arms.\u00a0 Then he held her at arm\u2019s length, \u201cYou are back to stay, aren\u2019t you?\u201d\u00a0 Mary Lynn smiled and nodded.\u00a0 Hoss had picked up the twins and had one in each hand, twirling them above his head, on their stomachs, as they squealed with delight.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As they went inside, Erin looked up from where she was rocking baby Eric near the fireplace.\u00a0 She beamed at Mary Lynn, who hurried over to admire the newest Cartwright.\u00a0 The two sisters-in-law were close, and Erin knew it was a good sign to see the family walk through the door together.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ben got up quickly from behind his desk and moved to Mary Lynn\u2019s side, where he put an arm around her shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cI had hoped it was a good sign when Adam didn\u2019t come home last night,\u201d he told her.\u00a0 \u201cHe convinced you, I hope?\u201d\u00a0 Mary Lynn nodded.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you convinced him too, didn\u2019t you?\u201d\u00a0 Ben\u2019s penetrating look brought a knowing smile to her lips, and again she nodded.\u00a0 Ben sighed with relief.\u00a0 He squeezed the back of Adam\u2019s neck affectionately.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHop Sing!\u201d He shouted.\u00a0 \u201cFour more for dinner!\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hop Sing hurried out from the kitchen, and beamed to see Mary Lynn.\u00a0 He patted Adam on the arm, and bowed toward Mary Lynn.\u00a0 \u201cMissy Melly back home, very good, and babies, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

No one commented any further on the separation between Adam and Mary Lynn, for which they were grateful.\u00a0 Dinner went on as it normally did these days, with lots of noise and laughter and food.\u00a0 And even at bedtime, Mary Lynn felt almost as though she had never left the Ponderosa, especially when Adam reached out to her and said simply, \u201cCome here.<\/p>\n

\n

Chapter 13:<\/p>\n

EPILOGUE<\/strong><\/p>\n

More babies came for Adam and Mary Lynn.\u00a0 Another set of twins (Eli and Susannah) and then Hunter, Caroline, Ross, and Marianne, individually.\u00a0 Mary Lynn never had trouble delivering a baby again, and she and Adam learned to completely trust each other.\u00a0 Their love remained constant and was never again put to the test it went through before and after Elizabeth\u2019s birth.\u00a0 Adam went to considerable pains to make up for his lack of attention to his first daughter.\u00a0 Often of an evening, no matter what was happening in the big ranch house, Elizabeth was in Adam\u2019s arms, either looking over his shoulder as he held her upright, or later sitting on his shoulders as he moved through the house or yard.\u00a0 She proved to be the most stubborn Cartwright grandchild, probably to directly spite her father, but her countenance had all the beauty of her mother\u2019s.\u00a0 So it was no surprise to anyone when she generally got her way.\u00a0 But then, Elizabeth Patience (as Adam had appropriately chosen for her middle name) was her father\u2019s treasure.<\/p>\n

Several additions were added to the ranch house, all designed by Adam.\u00a0 Hoss and Erin needed one for the two brothers that joined young Eric, Benjamin and Gunther.\u00a0 And Joe and Amy, once they recovered from the initial shock of their sudden wedding** contributed a total of five grandchildren to the Cartwright clan: Isabel, Joseph, Jonathan, James and Sarah.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Ponderosa became a place of laughing, playing, loving, hardworking family with unbreakable ties.\u00a0 None of them would ever have changed the living situation\u2014all under the same big roof.\u00a0 Their roots had begun there, and that\u2019s where they all found the love that sustained them long into the years that followed.\u00a0 No matter where life took any of them, they always knew that returning to the Ponderosa would anchor them, bring them back to each other and to their vast Nevada legacy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

THE END<\/strong><\/p>\n

Next Story in the Destiny Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Desert Destiny<\/a>
\nDestiny Next Door<\/a>
\nBrothers<\/a>
\nNo More Birthday Parties, Thank you<\/a>
\nIt’s Just for Now<\/a>
\nThe Homecoming Part 1<\/a>
\nThe Homecoming Part 2<\/a>
\nLogan’s Bride<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

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

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

Summary: Adam is rescued from a raging blizzard by a young woman who changes his life forever.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0 MA (38,245 words)<\/p>\n

Author\u2019s Disclaimer: This is an Adam story, although the other Cartwrights are also present.\u00a0 This is an MA romance and contains some sexual situations, so be forewarned!\u00a0 This story as well as my two other \u201cDestiny\u201d stories (one about Hoss and one about Joe) assume that the three Cartwright brothers find love.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Destiny Series, links to all the stories within the series included.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":98,"featured_media":3216,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,23,690],"tags":[14],"class_list":["post-3373","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-a-u","category-drama","category-ma-rated","tag-adam-cartwright","wpcat-7-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-690-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":3611,"today_views":1},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/WoF-37Edengirl.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2913,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=2913","url_meta":{"origin":3373,"position":0},"title":"Ride of Destiny (by faust)","author":"faust","date":"January 18, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Adam's fate is sealed. 650 words, rated K","rel":"","context":"In "Alternate Universe"","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/destiny.jpg?fit=300%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6493,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6493","url_meta":{"origin":3373,"position":1},"title":"We Dance (by MissJudy)","author":"missjudy","date":"May 4, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0This was a poem I wrote shortly after Pernell Roberts death, remembering his accomplishments and wonderful character. It's not sad! Those who love Adam or Pernell or any of his other characters will understand exactly what I'm writing about. Sweet dreams! \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC \u00a0200","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/the-friendship3.png?fit=400%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6200,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=6200","url_meta":{"origin":3373,"position":2},"title":"What Do You Want in A Man (by Annie K Cowgirl)","author":"Annie K Cowgirl","date":"June 27, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0A poem I wrote for the Man In Black's birthday. Rated:\u00a0K+ (260 words)","rel":"","context":"In "Poetry"","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Adam-Stories.jpg?fit=637%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Adam-Stories.jpg?fit=637%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Adam-Stories.jpg?fit=637%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7310,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7310","url_meta":{"origin":3373,"position":3},"title":"Little Girl in Pink (by Sibylle)","author":"Sibylle","date":"May 7, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0Adam meets a little girl on the road to Virginia city that he better never found. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0T \u00a0WC 600","rel":"","context":"In "Adam Cartwright"","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/WoF-37Edengirl.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/WoF-37Edengirl.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/WoF-37Edengirl.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/WoF-37Edengirl.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7350,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7350","url_meta":{"origin":3373,"position":4},"title":"Seafarer Blood (by Sibylle)","author":"Sibylle","date":"May 7, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0It\u00b4s a\u00a0brief\u00a0glimpse\u00a0at a time Joe needs his oldest brother to prevent him\u00a0from a big mistake. \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K \u00a0WC 600","rel":"","context":"In "Adam \/ Joe"","block_context":{"text":"Adam \/ Joe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1091"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":7313,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7313","url_meta":{"origin":3373,"position":5},"title":"For Honor (by Sibylle)","author":"Sibylle","date":"May 7, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: \u00a0The consequences of a fight at school.\u00a0\u00a0Prequel (1854) \u00a0 Rated:\u00a0K+ \u00a0WC 600","rel":"","context":"In "Drama"","block_context":{"text":"Drama","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3373","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\/98"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3373"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3373\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3216"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3373"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3373"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3373"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}