FARE THEE WELL<\/strong><\/p>\nAdam stepped outside the house and quietly shut the door behind him. Hoss stood a few yards away from him, chopping firewood.<\/p>\n
He\u2019d been at it for sometime now. There must be about two hundred bits of wood ready for the fireplace.<\/p>\n
Was it just Adam\u2019s imagination, or was Hoss heaving that ax as if he were decapitating his worst enemies?<\/p>\n
Something was wrong. Hoss hadn\u2019t spoken to him all day. Even when Adam asked his brother direct questions he responded with only grunts.<\/p>\n
Well, might as well confront him head on. Adam took a deep breath and strode up to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Hoss,\u201d he said by way of greeting.<\/p>\n
Hoss kept chopping.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooks like we\u2019ve got plenty of firewood,\u201d Adam commented.<\/p>\n
Hoss shrugged\u2014and continued chopping.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan I speak with you for a moment?\u201d he persisted.<\/p>\n
Hoss set the ax aside. He wiped his brow with his hand and then turned to Adam. He didn\u2019t say anything\u2014he just folded his arms across his chest and waited expectantly.<\/p>\n
That was not encouraging. Adam gave him an apologetic smile as he began talking.<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss, I think I must have upset you somehow. But I don\u2019t know what I\u2019ve done. Would you mind telling me what\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss sighed. He unfolded his arms and his whole body seemed to sag. \u201cYou ain\u2019t done nothing, Adam. You just\u2014well, you have a right to your opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam furrowed his brow. \u201cWhat, ah, what opinion would that be?\u201d<\/p>\n
He watched his brother shrug and turn away. \u201cIt\u2019s not important,\u201d he said as he picked up the ax again.<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss, two hundred pieces of firewood should be enough for tonight,\u201d Adam told him as he stepped up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. \u201cNow tell me what\u2019s going on. The only thing we\u2019ve been discussing lately is the wedding\u2014does it have something to do with that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss was silent for a moment but at length he nodded.<\/p>\n
Adam felt his stomach tighten. \u201cDo you have something against Antoinette-Charlotte?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo!\u201d Hoss said at once. “I like her.” He paused and managed a small smile. \u201cBut I think she and Little Joe have the same nose for trouble. She might keep you on your toes.”<\/p>\n
“She will,” Adam confirmed with a small smile of his own.<\/p>\n
Hoss paused again and his face grew serious. “You two might have a hard time of it, with her being a black Creole and all. But I don\u2019t think you should have to keep it quiet. Dagburn it, Adam, if you buy her a home in town and just stay with her part of the week folks will think\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know what they\u2019ll think,\u201d Adam interrupted as he guided his brother\u2019s arm to make sure he set down the ax. \u201cBelieve me; I\u2019d prefer to have everything out in the open. But Charlotte wants it this way\u2014and I understand her reasons. The people who matter to us will know the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss released the ax and took a step away from all the wood. He stared down at the ground and started drawing a circle in the dirt with his foot. \u201cIt\u2019s crazy, Adam. Why are people more likely to leave you two in peace if they think things are like that than if they know that you\u2019re married?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, it\u2019s a mixed-up world,\u201d he answered as he stepped back and leaned up against the house. \u201cIs that why you haven\u2019t been speaking to me today?\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss sighed again and hung his head. \u201cI wish that were the reason. The truth is\u2014well, I\u2019m ashamed to tell you. It\u2019s something\u2014it\u2019s something that I shouldn\u2019t care about.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, Hoss. Whatever it is, I\u2019m sure it\u2019s nothing to be ashamed of.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam watched his brother take a deep breath and then look up at him. His blue eyes held a mixture of hurt and embarrassment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI overheard you talking to Pa this morning,\u201d he said as a fierce blush spread over his face. \u201cAdam, you told him that Joe was going to stand up for you at the wedding. And you said that it was an easy choice! Now I know that you and Joe are close\u2014despite all the fights you get into. And maybe you are closer with him than with me. But\u2014well, why was it easy?\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam felt all the tension in his stomach disappear. In fact, he had to bite back a laugh. So that\u2019s what this was all about!<\/p>\n
He smiled at Hoss. \u201cIt was an easy choice,\u201d he said, \u201cbut I\u2019d better explain. I spoke with Father Patrick yesterday\u2014he said that because I\u2019m not Catholic, Charlotte and I can\u2019t have a wedding Mass. We\u2019ll be married in the rectory. He also told me that both witnesses should be Catholic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss stared at him. Suddenly comprehension lit up his face. \u201cOh!\u201d he said. \u201cAnd Joe\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUnlike you and me, Joe is Catholic,\u201d Adam continued, still smiling. \u201cAt least nominally\u2014Marie saw to that. I know he had some trouble in his catechism class over that caterpillar incident, but he did manage to make his Communion and confirmation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why it was an easy choice!\u201d Hoss said, grinning broadly now.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Adam answered. \u201cOtherwise, it would have been impossible to choose between you two. I love you both, Hoss. I\u2019m not closer to one of you than the other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss blushed again and stared back down at his foot. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, older brother. It\u2019s just that when I heard you say that to Pa\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand. Tell you what\u2014I\u2019ll even prove my devotion. I\u2019ll help you carry some of these two hundred chopped logs inside,\u201d he said as he walked over to the pile and scooped up an armful.<\/p>\n
Hoss laughed and followed suit. \u201cWell, you might be grateful for all this wood. It could get cold tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure,\u201d Adam said, returning his laughter. \u201cYou never know with these July nights\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
*<\/p>\n
Adam leaned up against the stone fireplace of the living room and allowed his eyes to rest on Charlotte and Little Joe. They were seated together on the settee. He smiled at Charlotte\u2019s excitement as Joe began to unwrap the gift she had brought over for him.<\/p>\n
Joe laughed as brown wrapping fell to the floor. “It\u2019s a map of New Orleans!” he exclaimed. “Framed and everything. Look! It\u2019s beautiful.”<\/p>\n
“Here,” said Charlotte, “this is Rampart Street. That\u2019s where both your mother and I were born. Your Aunt Th\u00e9r\u00e8se still lives there. And Congo Square is right across from it. And this is where\u2026”<\/p>\n
She continued pointing out landmarks\u2014some famous, some that had only familial significance.<\/p>\n
Joe grew wistful. “I\u2019ve got to go there,” he sighed.<\/p>\n
Pa raised his eyebrows at him. “Best wait till after the war,” he advised.<\/p>\n
Charlotte nodded. “Let\u2019s just hope those wretched Yankees don\u2019t ruin it by then.”<\/p>\n
Adam cringed as the room fell silent. Pa and Hoss were looking in shock at Charlotte. He should have told them in advance that New Orleans\u2019s gens de couleur libres\u2014the free people of color\u2014were largely loyal to the Confederacy.<\/p>\n
But Little Joe, he noticed, was delighted by Charlotte\u2019s opinion. Well, that figured.<\/p>\n
“Miss Charlotte, you\u2014you don\u2019t like the Yankees?” Hoss managed.<\/p>\n
Charlotte glanced over at him, surprised by the question. But she gave him a charming smile. “Well, I make an exception for these two,” she said, indicating Adam and his father, “but I\u2019m not partial to the rest.”<\/p>\n
Hoss furrowed his brow. “But you\u2019re\u2014you\u2019re\u2014” he paused, too embarrassed to bring up her race. “I mean, you don\u2019t approve of slavery, do you?”<\/p>\n
“The war\u2019s not about slavery,” she said reasonably. “It\u2019s about the right of a state to secede from the Union.”<\/p>\n
Little Joe laughed. “Amen,” he said. “I keep trying to explain that to older brother here.”<\/p>\n
Adam sighed as Charlotte glanced his way. Her eyes were dancing at him, daring him to take up the gauntlet.<\/p>\n
He smiled, unable to resist her bait.<\/p>\n
“The war is over slavery,” he said. “The South wouldn\u2019t have a reason to secede without it. They want to keep their \u2018peculiar institution\u2019 for another hundred years.”<\/p>\n
“Lincoln said that he just wants to preserve the Union,” Charlotte pointed out.<\/p>\n
“I know,” Adam replied. “I\u2019m sure he\u2019d prefer some form of gradual emancipation, but he\u2019ll have to free the slaves outright\u2014if only to keep England from siding with the Confederacy.”<\/p>\n
“And to satisfy the abolitionists in his own party,” Pa added.<\/p>\n
“Well, not to be selfish, but we gens de couleur are already free,” Charlotte said. “I don\u2019t see how the Yankees can help us. They\u2019ll more likely to destroy our way of life with their occupation.”<\/p>\n
Adam shook his head. “If the Union wins this war, even the free blacks will benefit.”<\/p>\n
“How?” she demanded.<\/p>\n
“To begin with, they\u2019ll gain the right to vote,” he answered.<\/p>\n
Charlotte folded her arms across her chest and inclined her head at him. “Is that so?” she asked.<\/p>\n
He nodded. “The Federal troops aren\u2019t going to keep fighting just to preserve the Union,” he said. “Freedom\u2014and subsequently, equal rights\u2014is the only thing that will make this war worth while.”<\/p>\n
Charlotte\u2019s eyes were sparkling now. “Tell me this, Adam. Is Mr. Lincoln going to give me the right to vote?”<\/p>\n
Adam stared at her. He was well aware that his family was struggling to bite back their laughter. And he didn\u2019t blame them\u2014he should have seen this trap coming.<\/p>\n
“No,” he admitted with a reluctant grin. “The right for women to vote is another question entirely.”<\/p>\n
Charlotte sighed. “And one that no men would go to war for. Oh well,” she said with a careless shrug. “C\u2019est la vie.”<\/p>\n
Little Joe regarded her curiously. “Do you want the right to vote?”<\/p>\n
She shook her head. “No. Only bad women want that\u2014like that wicked Mary Wollstonecraft. I got hold of one of her books once, but my mother burned it after she found out what that woman said about marriage.”<\/p>\n
She paused and gave Adam a sly glance. “I mean to be a model wife and let all my opinions be guided by my husband.”<\/p>\n
Adam grinned. “Except for your opinion on the Confederacy.”<\/p>\n
“Except for that,” she agreed with a wink.<\/p>\n
Everyone laughed and all the tension in the room evaporated. Joe even leaned over and gave Charlotte a kiss on the cheek.<\/p>\n
“I think you\u2019ll find a few more exceptions once you marry him,” he told her.<\/p>\n
Adam watched as they turned back to the map. His little brother was right, of course\u2014but he smiled anyway.<\/p>\n
*<\/p>\n
Little Joe stood outside of Adam\u2019s door, poised to knock. His brother had just returned from dropping off Charlotte at the Widow Hawkins\u2019 boarding house.<\/p>\n
Hoss was already asleep and snoring. Pa was downstairs pouring over the timber contract\u2014that would keep his attention for at least another hour. This was the perfect time to have a private conversation with older brother.<\/p>\n
To Joe\u2019s own surprise he paused before knocking on Adam\u2019s door\u2014he was more nervous about this chat than he had thought. But after swearing under his breath he forced himself to knock. There was an answering grunt, which he took as leave to enter.<\/p>\n
He found Adam sitting up reading. He had sunk himself into the plump, overstuffed armchair that he refused to part with despite its worn fabric and misshapen cushions. He seemed engrossed in whatever book he held.<\/p>\n
Joe walked up to the chair and crouched down so that he was eye level with the book. \u201cMoby Dick,\u201d he said as he read the title.<\/p>\n
\u201cYup,\u201d Adam answered, keeping his eyes trained on the page.<\/p>\n
Joe grinned. \u201cI read some of that. The first few chapters were a riot\u2014Melville had me in stitches. Then I skimmed my way through the sermon\u2014Catholics aren\u2019t good at long sermons\u2014but I lost interest once they were out to sea.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam returned his smile. \u201cThis is my second time around with this book. I read it when it was first published, but I couldn\u2019t decide what to make of it. \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd now?\u201d<\/p>\n
He shrugged. \u201cNow I can tell that it\u2019s brilliant\u2014but I still don\u2019t know if I like it or not.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe laughed as Adam tossed the book aside and stood up. He got to his feet as well, feeling a little bit better about the question he was about to ask.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat can I do for you?\u201d Adam asked as he walked over to his dresser and poured himself a glass of water from the pitcher that was sitting there.<\/p>\n
\u201cI, uh, I was wondering if you\u2019d tell me how you found out about my mother\u2019s past,\u201d he managed. Then he held his breath\u2014Adam had a heap of mixed feelings about Joe\u2019s mother. He was drunk the last time he spoke of her at length. He might not be willing to discuss her sober.<\/p>\n
He watched Adam set his glass down without taking a sip. At length he turned to face him. \u201cWhy do you want to know?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n
Joe shrugged. \u201cIt\u2019s so much to take in. I suppose I want to know why she confided in you when she wouldn\u2019t dare tell Pa or me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam was silent for a long moment, but finally he sighed. \u201cYou probably remember the day she told me,\u201d he said. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t long before I left for college. In fact, I\u2019m pretty sure you overheard part of our conversation\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
*<\/p>\n
Adam stifled a yawn as he stepped into the house. He stripped himself of his jacket, his hat and his gun belt and then made his way to living room. He was looking forward to collapsing into a chair with his newest book.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cCheri, is that you?\u201d Marie called out. A moment later she appeared at the top of the stairs.<\/em><\/p>\nAdam swore under his breath. Marie\u2019s habit of calling him \u2018cheri\u2019 never failed to grate on him.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cWhat can I do for you?\u201d he asked as she rushed down the stairs. He noted\u2014with disapproval\u2014that she was wearing only her chemise and a silk robe.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cCome, sit down with me,\u201d she said as she took his hand. \u201cI must ask a favor of you, cheri.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nHe resisted her attempt to pull him toward the settee. Instead he shook off her grip.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cMarie, don\u2019t call me that. I\u2019m your stepson, not your flirt.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nShe gave him a mischievous smile. \u201cThere\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t be both\u2014especially now that you\u2019re grown. Look at you, almost ready for college! By the time you come back you\u2019ll be one of my favorite flirts.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cSpare me that honor,\u201d he said dryly.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cAdam,\u201d she said, rolling her eyes, \u201cif you\u2019ll do me this favor I\u2019ll call you anything you please. Now come sit down.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nHe had no choice but to follow her to the settee. She\u2019d never leave him in peace until he heard her out.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cWell?\u201d he said as they sat down.<\/em><\/p>\nShe glanced down at her hands. \u201cYou have your own money, n\u2019est-ce pas? I mean separate from the Ponderosa\u2019s accounts.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nHe narrowed his eyes at her. \u201cTrying to touch me up for a loan?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cYes,\u201d she admitted as she met his gaze. \u201cI need two thousand dollars.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nAdam nearly choked. \u201cTwo thousand? What for?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nShe took a deep breath. \u201cAn emergency. Please don\u2019t ask any further. It is a very private and delicate matter. And, besides, explanations can be tedious.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nAdam stared at her. \u201cWhy haven\u2019t you asked my father?\u201d he said at length.<\/em><\/p>\nShe shook her head. \u201cYou know he took Hoss on that hunting trip. They won\u2019t be back on time. And I\u2014I would prefer him not to know about this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nAdam did his best to keep his voice even. \u201cI\u2019m not going to help you deceive my Pa,\u201d he informed her.<\/em><\/p>\nShe stood up at that and began pacing. \u201cI might as well tell you, cheri\u2014I mean, Adam\u2014that the money is already spent.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cI borrowed it from the safe,\u201d she confessed.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cYou what? Marie, that was the payroll! And the money for the contract!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nShe stopped pacing and turned to face him. She was standing by the desk now.<\/em><\/p>\nShe gave him a tentative smile. \u201cWell, if you have two thousand dollars you can cover it. And then I\u2019ll pay you back\u2014with interest, I promise.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nAdam stood up and clenched his fists. \u201cWhy would Pa even give you the combination to the safe?\u201d he demanded. \u201cDoesn\u2019t he know better than to talk business with you?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nShe bristled at that. \u201cAre you saying that women can\u2019t be trusted with business?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nHe glared at her. \u201cNo. I\u2019m saying that you can\u2019t be trusted. Inger would\u2019ve known better than to take the money. Hell, she could\u2019ve handled all our finances!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nHe knew how little Marie liked being compared to Hoss\u2019s mother\u2014so naturally he had made a career of doing just that. Therefore he wasn\u2019t surprised when she threw her hands up in the air and went off in a torrent of French.<\/em><\/p>\nAdam had picked up enough of her language to get the gist of it. She was calling on the Mother of God and various angels to save her from her vicious, autocratic, unfeeling stepson.<\/em><\/p>\nHe folded his arms over his chest as she went on. She soon calmed down enough to speak in English.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cListen to me, cheri,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m tired of you throwing Inger at me. I hate this perfect stepmother of yours! I\u2019m sick of being told how she crossed the plains heavy with child, healed the sick, fought Indians and no doubt changed water into wine. Mon Dieu, what didn\u2019t this woman do?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nAdam raised his eyebrows at her. \u201cShe didn\u2019t paint herself up,\u201d he informed her. \u201cShe didn\u2019t wear gowns cut so low that a prostitute would blush to wear them and she didn\u2019t steal two thousand dollars from our safe.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nMarie\u2019s eyes shot murder at him as she picked up Inger\u2019s portrait from the desk and hurled it at his head. He managed to duck\u2014but barely. The heavily framed picture went sailing over his head, crashing into the wall behind him.<\/em><\/p>\nHe turned and stared at the shattered glass and broken frame. Then he turned back to Marie and walked purposely toward her.<\/em><\/p>\nShe looked shocked at her action. But that shock was quickly replaced with fear.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cAdam,\u201d she said as she retreated behind the desk. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I didn\u2019t mean to hurt you or the picture\u2014what are you intending to do?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cWhat my father should have done ages ago,\u201d he answered as kept marching toward her.<\/em><\/p>\nShe wisely kept the desk between them. \u201cIf you lay a hand on me your father will have your hide,\u201d she warned him.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cIt\u2019ll be worth it,\u201d he assured her as he burst forward and managed to corner her.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cLet go of me!\u201d she shouted in French as he took hold of her arm. \u201cI\u2019m still your stepmother!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cWhy should that stop me?\u201d he asked as he dragged the chair out from behind the desk. \u201cConsider this a form of flirtation.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nShe slapped him across the face with her free hand. He ignored that as he sat down, fully intending to pull her over his lap. But he reckoned without Little Joe. That scamp appeared from the vicinity of the staircase. He hurled himself at Adam and screeched for him to let go of his mother.<\/em><\/p>\nJoe was only five so he couldn\u2019t do much damage, but he was an effective diversion. Adam managed to fend him off, but then he sighed and released Marie.<\/em><\/p>\nIt was just as well that Joe intervened, he told himself. Unfortunately he had no right to take his stepmother to task. He would have to apologize\u2014and then force himself to show her a modicum of respect.<\/em><\/p>\nHe glanced over at Marie. She looked ashamed and overwrought. He took a step toward her and placed a hand on her shoulder. She responded by leaning against him and bursting into tears.<\/em><\/p>\nJust then Little Joe decided to launch a second attack. Adam swore as the tyke managed to grab hold of his hand and bite it.<\/em><\/p>\nIt was going to be a long night.<\/em><\/p>\n*<\/p>\n
Adam cringed, convinced that he had discovered his own personal hell.<\/em><\/p>\nHe had one arm around Marie, who was sobbing into his left shoulder. His free hand was clinging to the scruff of Little Joe\u2019s neck, who was kicking his shins in an effort to escape.<\/em><\/p>\nFive more months till he left for college, he reminded himself. He just had to survive five more months.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cLet me go!\u201d Joe shouted.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cOnly if you stop attacking me,\u201d Adam told him, keeping his voice even.<\/em><\/p>\nJoe\u2019s response was a rude French phrase he had presumably picked up from his mother. Fortunately Marie intervened.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cLeave him be, mon petit,\u201d she said. \u201cHe did not hurt me. I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nLittle Joe regarded Adam with suspicion but he stopped kicking him.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cAre you still angry with my Ma?\u201d he asked.<\/em><\/p>\nAdam released Marie and crouched down so that he was eye level with his brother.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cYes,\u201d he answered. \u201cBut I won\u2019t lay another hand on her. That was wrong of me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cPromise?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cI promise. Now come here, buddy,\u201d he said.<\/em><\/p>\nLittle Joe flung himself into Adam\u2019s arms, so Adam lifted him up and carried him upstairs.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cWhy don\u2019t you set up your fort and your toy soldiers,\u201d Adam said as he set him down in his room. \u201cGive me a few minutes with your Ma and then I\u2019ll come up and we\u2019ll have a battle.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cOk,\u201d he answered. But he didn\u2019t rush to set up the figures as Adam expected.<\/em><\/p>\nAdam scratched Joe\u2019s head. \u201cWhat wrong, Little Joe?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nJoe looked down at his feet and then back up at his brother. \u201cWhy do you hate my Ma so much?\u201d he asked.<\/em><\/p>\nThe question took Adam aback. \u201cI don\u2019t hate her, Joe,\u201d he told him. \u201cWhy would you think that?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201c`Cause you\u2019re always talking back to her and saying stuff to her. You make comments about her clothes and her perfume and the stuff she puts on her face\u2014why don\u2019t you think she\u2019s pretty?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nAdam picked Joe up again and carried him over to the bed. He sat down with Joe on his lap.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cI do, Little Joe,\u201d he said truthfully. \u201cYour mother is the most beautiful woman I\u2019ve ever known. But she would be just as beautiful in more modest dresses and without the paint.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nJoe sighed. \u201cYeah, but it\u2019s not only that, Adam. If my Ma tries to help you with anything, you tell her that she\u2019s doing it wrong. And you talk down to her\u2014as if she doesn\u2019t understand anything. And your voice always sounds nasty when you speak to her.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nAdam tried to respond to that\u2014tried to defend himself. But he shut up as he realized how much truth there was to his brother\u2019s words.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cAnd you always compare her to Hoss\u2019s Ma,\u201d Joe continued. “You\u2019re so mean to her, Adam. I\u2019ve overheard Pa and my Ma talking about it. He\u2019s wanted to tan you good, but my Ma always stops him.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nAdam felt a sudden burning anger. He didn\u2019t need Marie to protect him.<\/em><\/p>\nBut his anger was tempered by shame. He knew how poorly he had treated her\u2014right from the beginning. He promised himself that from now on he would show her respect.<\/em><\/p>\nNo matter how he disapproved of her.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cYou\u2019re right Joe. I haven\u2019t\u2014well, I haven\u2019t been kind to your Ma. I\u2019ll try to behave better from now on.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cI wish you would like her,\u201d Joe said simply. \u201cShe likes you. She\u2019s always saying how smart you are and how hard you work here. And she thinks you\u2019re going to be real handsome.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nAdam managed to smile at that. \u201cI need to go talk with your Ma,\u201d he said as he set Joe back on the floor. \u201cYou get those soldiers set up.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nJoe nodded and set about gathering the figures that were strewn throughout the room. Adam got up and walked out. He shut the door behind him and then made his way downstairs.<\/em><\/p>\nMarie was curled up on the settee, staring into the fireplace. The flames cast a glow on her face.<\/em><\/p>\nAdam paused on the landing just to stare at her. Her hair was spilling over her shoulders and her face was glowing in the firelight. He could see the curve of her breasts through the silk of her robe and chemise.<\/em><\/p>\nHe felt something catch in his throat. He had wanted her for as long as he had understood what it meant to want a woman. And all the harsh words he spoke to her and the cold treatment he subjected her to were just his clumsy attempts at fighting the attraction.<\/em><\/p>\nHe forced himself to continue down the stairs and walk over to her. She didn\u2019t look up at him as he sat down on the table across from her.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he said at length. \u201cThat will never happen again. I won\u2019t lay a finger on you, I promise.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nShe didn\u2019t answer him.<\/em><\/p>\nHe sighed. \u201cLook, Marie. I don\u2019t need you to protect me from Pa. I\u2019ve been brutal to you\u2014I know that. If Pa wants to take me in hand over it he\u2019s got every right to.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nShe still didn\u2019t look up at him\u2014but at least she smiled. \u201cI\u2019m not about to say a word to him\u2014not while I still need the loan from you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cYou can have it,\u201d Adam said at once. \u201cI won\u2019t ask you any questions about it either.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cYou don\u2019t need to,\u201d she informed him, finally meeting his eyes. \u201cI\u2019m going to tell you the whole story. But cheri, I want you to promise to keep it to yourself. You cannot tell even your father.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nHe shook his head. \u201cI\u2019m not going to make that promise. If you\u2019re in some sort of trouble, Marie, there\u2019s no one better than my father to get you out of it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nShe sighed. \u201cVery well. I\u2019ll tell you and then you\u2019ll understand.\u201d She paused and took a deep breath. \u201cI\u2019m a quadroon, Adam.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nAdam stared at her. \u2018Quadroon\u2019 was a common term in her native New Orleans\u2014it meant someone who was one-quarter black.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cMy mother was a mulatto,\u201d she continued. \u201cBut she was a free black\u2014one of the gens de couleur. She was the mistress of a wealthy French Creole\u2014a white man, of course. When I was born my father knew that I would be light enough to pass. And so he arranged for me to be brought up in the white world without anyone knowing my ancestry.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nIt took Adam a moment to assimilate her story. Marie took hold of his hand as he came to terms with the information.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cYou\u2019re father doesn\u2019t know,\u201d she told him.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cHe wouldn\u2019t care if he did,\u201d Adam said at last. \u201cYou must know that.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nShe shook her head. \u201cNonetheless, cheri, I\u2019m not going to tell him. And I don\u2019t want you to tell him either.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cWhy should it be a secret?\u201d he asked.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cBecause of Joseph,\u201d she explained. \u201cYou have no idea how difficult his life would be if people knew.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nAdam took his time about answering. \u201cIt\u2019s nothing to be ashamed of, Marie. Little Joe should be told. It\u2019s his heritage, after all. He deserves to know his ancestry.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nShe smiled at him. \u201cYou\u2019re growing up to be a good man, Adam\u2014just like your father. And you\u2019re an idealist, which I admire. But it\u2019s easy to afford your ideals when you\u2019re white.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nHe looked away from her and thought that over. He was adult enough to realize that there was truth in her words.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cI won\u2019t say anything to them,\u201d he said. \u201cNot now. But I won\u2019t promise to keep quiet when Joe\u2019s grown.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cThank you, cheri,\u201d she said, giving his hand a light squeeze. \u201cThat gives me time to bring you to your senses.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cWhat does all this have to do with the two thousand dollars?\u201d Adam demanded.<\/em><\/p>\nMarie looked away from him. \u201cOne of my brothers came here today while you were out on the range. He needed it. And no, you may not meet him. He\u2019s well on his way to San Francisco by now.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cWas this charity on your part, Marie, or did he blackmail you?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nShe smiled. \u201cA bit of both. I send money to my mother when I can. My father was generous while he lived, you see, but he has been gone for some time. My brother is worthless, and my other brothers died of fever. But I have sisters as well. They\u2019re all darker than I am\u2014none of them could pass. One is married, but the rest still live with my mother.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nShe paused and looked back at Adam. \u201cI\u2014I would like to know that they\u2019ll always be looked after,\u201d she continued. \u201cIn case anything should happen to me, perhaps you would be kind enough to send them funds from time to time? Nothing elaborate of course\u2014I just send my pin money when I can.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nAdam nodded. \u201cAll right,\u201d he said. \u201cGive me their information. But Marie, if this brother of yours comes knocking at our door again, I expect you to tell me. I won\u2019t have him coercing you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cDon\u2019t worry, cheri, he won\u2019t be back. I made that plain to him.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nAdam had his doubts on that score\u2014if her brother had gotten money from her this time, why shouldn\u2019t he try again?<\/em><\/p>\nAnd if she would just tell Pa the truth, she would be immune to his blackmail. But he didn\u2019t point that out to her. He could tell that she meant to be stubborn on this issue.<\/em><\/p>\nBut he was stubborn too. Someday he would tell Joe the whole story.<\/em><\/p>\nShe released his hand and sighed. \u201cThe picture of Inger is fine\u2014although I will have to replace the frame.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cWe\u2019ll tell Pa that it was an accident,\u201d Adam said.<\/em><\/p>\nShe gave him a light, teasing grin. \u201cAdam,\u201d she said, \u201cI know I\u2019m a trial to you. I\u2019m so very different from Inger. I don\u2019t do all this tending the sick and fighting off Indian attacks. I\u2019m sure if she were here she could run the Ponderosa by herself\u2014but unfortunately you are stuck with me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cWell, Inger might be an impossible standard,\u201d he admitted.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cShe is,\u201d she assured him. \u201cBut you are correct\u2014she would not have taken that money from the safe. But then, she was also sensible enough to be born of two white parents.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\nAdam laughed. \u201cDon\u2019t worry about the money\u2014I said I\u2019ll take care of it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cI\u2019ll pay you back, cheri. With interest.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cThere\u2019s no rush,\u201d he said.<\/em><\/p>\n