A NEIGHBOURLY ACT<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
PROLOGUE<\/p>\n
No-one minded too much when old Ira Leavy upped and died in the hovel that passed for his home at the back of the livery stables in Virginia City. He earned his keep helping out in the stables themselves, but when he was already two hours late and not hard at it, mucking out and changing straw by nine o\u2019clock one June morning, his boss was hammering on his door and shouting at him to move his \u201cdrunken butt\u201d if he still expected to have a job come noon.<\/p>\n
There was a limit to what Wade Thacker would put up with and Leavy had been pushing at those limits just once too often. Fond of the whiskey of a night-time in the nearest saloon, he had often reneged on his responsibility to be up at dawn or shortly after, in order to care for any horses that were currently being stabled there. Thacker was fast drawing the conclusion that he had been seen as a soft touch when he agreed to take on the old man for whom he had felt a certain sympathy when he could no longer find any other form of employment. With no family, no roof over his head, few belongings and even less money to show for a lifetime of hard graft on a number of spreads throughout the region, Leavy had been happy to settle for anything. So, in a moment of weakness that he was rapidly coming to regret, Thacker offered him the shack out back of the stables and a few dollars to eke out his seemingly miserable existence just that little bit longer.<\/p>\n
Personal hygiene was not high on his agenda and he appeared to have only one change of clothes, when he deigned to change them, and Thacker had often found himself preferring the odour of horses than to stand down wind of Leavy on a hot day. Still, it could not be denied that, when sober, he did his job well, but of late, those periods of sobriety had been less, and several times in recent days, Leavy had stayed in his bunk, sick to his stomach and blaming bad beer.<\/p>\n
Another hour passed and there was still no sign or sound of Leavy. Thacker had had enough. Throwing down the tool that he had been using to fork fresh straw into a stall, he strode over to the small, one-roomed building that had been home to Ira Leavy for eighteen months. Ignoring the niceties of knocking and waiting until being invited to enter, Thacker threw open the door and stepped inside. His senses were immediately assaulted by a rank stench that had him gagging before he knew what had hit him.<\/p>\n
Stumbling back into the open, he gulped deep breaths of fresh air before pulling the bandana from around his neck. Holding it over his nose and mouth, he stood on the threshold, trying to let his eyes adjust from the bright sunlight of the outside to the dimness within the shack. Eventually, he could make out the still form of Leavy on the low bunk and he knew immediately that the man was dead. Still, he crossed the room to make sure. Flies rose from the corpse, buzzing and circling round Thacker so that he was forced to swat them away in revulsion.<\/p>\n
Leavy had been alive and well early the previous evening, because Thacker had seen him in the saloon, downing a beer and loudly announcing that he had unexpected plans for the evening. He had even made an attempt to smarten himself up a little, damp hair indicating that he might have introduced himself to some water. What his plans were, he refused to say, but it had given a few minutes of amusement and bawdy comment to a group of cowhands from one of the outlying ranches who were making the most of an early start to the evening\u2019s relaxation.<\/p>\n
Now Leavy was dead. To all appearances, he had had a skinful of alcohol and, in a drunken stupor, had choked on his own vomit. From the smell, he had also fouled himself with excreta. There was nothing for Thacker to do except head for Doc Martin\u2019s office and get him to confirm death before the undertaker was called.<\/p>\n
The city had a charity that paid for the burial of paupers and strangers within its limits but, in a moment of sadness at the passing of an apparently pointless and fruitless life, Thacker made the decision to pay for the arrangements himself. He hoped that he never hit rock bottom like Leavy had done. Few had taken any notice of him in life, except to throw him an extra coin for a well-groomed horse, and even fewer would mark his passing. Thacker sighed with regret and left the shack, shutting the door on its grim contents.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
CHAPTER ONE<\/p>\n
Down the dry and dusty street one week later, a decrepit buckboard was stationary outside the main store, its owner within, purchasing much needed supplies. The door to the store stood partially open to allow some ventilation as the heat of the day steadily climbed, but it was not so wide that the gritty dust could be blown inside by the occasional gusts of wind. It was bad enough that so much was walked in anyway by the store\u2019s customers and, at closing time, its proprietor spent ages sweeping out what seemed like a mini desert.<\/p>\n
The door flew open as a woman backed out, dragging a sack of flour in her wake; the store\u2019s owner clucking behind her, concerned that she was trying to move the weight all on her own.<\/p>\n
\u201cStop fussing and bring the next one,\u201d she said tersely. \u201cI can manage this just fine.\u201d She pulled the sack to the buckboard and propped it against the wheel, straightening up and taking a deep breath as she readied herself for the next stage of the proceedings. She bent her knees and put both arms round the sack, preparing to lift.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me get that for you, Ma\u2019am,\u201d offered a rich baritone by her side.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can get it,\u201d she reiterated.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t doubt that, Ma\u2019am, but my pa would be none too impressed if I just stood by and let a lady handle such weights. You don\u2019t really want me to get into trouble with him now, do you? He\u2019s always kinda prided himself in bringing up his boys right.\u201d<\/p>\n
She looked across the sack at the man who bent opposite her, his own hands clutching the top of the sack, letting her know that he would not take no for an answer. Nodding affirmatively, she stepped back and let him do the work, silently relieved that she would not have to struggle.<\/p>\n
She cast a quick eye over her helper: about thirty years old and over six feet tall even without his heeled boots. He was clad entirely in black, a sombre colour that added an intriguing air of mystery to him. She watched as he easily lifted the sack and tossed it over the side of the buckboard, positioning it so that it left room for more merchandise. He was slim but broad-shouldered, the muscles straining against the cloth.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you,\u201d she said briefly.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2018s no trouble, Ma\u2019am,\u201d he turned to face her, a finger touching the brim of his black stetson in deference. \u201cAdam Cartwright.\u201d That was all he said by way of introduction, courtesy dictating that he announce himself and inviting her to do the same.<\/p>\n
\u201cEliza Rawlins,\u201d she responded.<\/p>\n
\u201cPleased to make your acquaintance. You got some more stuff to load?\u201d Adam asked, tilting his head towards the store. At that moment, the door opened again and Ike Morrison, the store\u2019s owner, appeared, breathing hard and making heavy work of pulling another sack out into the open. Adam grinned to himself. Mrs Rawlins, whoever she was, had managed a lot better than the proprietor. He stepped forward and silently took the new sack, throwing it in by its mate.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy thank you, Adam,\u201d Morrison smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy don\u2019t you concentrate on the serving and I\u2019ll do the loading,\u201d Adam suggested and the little balding man who barely reached Adam\u2019s shoulder needed no further encouragement.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to be taking you out of your way or from your business,\u201d Eliza Rawlins said, little warmth in her voice or in her eyes as she scrutinised him warily. Adam noted her distrust and wondered at what had made her so careful and unfriendly.<\/p>\n
\u201cLike I said, it\u2019s no trouble. I was headed to the store myself anyways. I\u2019ve got a long list for Ike that he can start filling whilst I help you,\u201d and he held the door open for her, gesturing her in with a sweep of his arm.<\/p>\n
She stood to one side, ever watchful as he handed Morrison his list. Her only movement was to indicate the pile of goods that she had just purchased.<\/p>\n
\u201cCartwright; I\u2019ve heard the name. Big landowner to the south. That you?\u201d she asked as he picked up the last box and she followed him out to the buckboard.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Adam stowed the box. \u201cWell, my pa, Ben Cartwright, does the owning. Then there\u2019s me and my two younger brothers, Hoss and Little Joe. What about you, Mrs Rawlins, I don\u2019t recall seeing you in town before. You new around here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI bought the Bates place to the east about two months ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam suddenly remembered that he had heard something about the purchase weeks ago; he also noted that she said \u2018I\u2019 instead of \u2018we\u2019. He decided to push it a little further.<\/p>\n
\u201cWill Mr Rawlins be around to help unload this lot when you get back?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no Mr Rawlins,\u201d she said curtly. \u201cHe died six months back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry to hear that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no need; you didn\u2019t know him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam was taken aback by her brusqueness, but he was busily thinking about the Bates place. It had gone on the market several months before following the death of Jeremiah Bates, the last of his family and in such poor health in his final years that the spread had fallen into serious disrepair. Now this strange, aloof woman, widowed and apparently alone, had moved in. Diminutive in size and big in attitude, she still had her work cut out for her and he could not help wondering how she was going to manage.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam!\u201d the voice cut through the bustle of main street and both Adam and the Widow Rawlins turned to see who had called. She shielded her eyes against the sun\u2019s glare with a hand whilst Adam merely pulled down the brim of his hat, casting a shadow over his dark eyes.<\/p>\n
A large man ran towards them across the street, his speed belying his size. He breathed deeply as he shared his important news.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Adam, you\u2019ll never guess,\u201d he began.<\/p>\n
\u201cMa\u2019am, this is my younger brother, Hoss,\u201d Adam cut in. \u201cHoss, this is Mrs Rawlins. She\u2019s bought the Bates place.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMa\u2019am,\u201d Hoss puffed, extending a giant hand and shaking hers with an unexpected gentleness. He stood an easy two inches taller than his older brother, a height that was exacerbated by the ten gallon hat that he favoured. He gave a broad, toothy grin and, on releasing her hand, removed his hat with one hand and scratched at his forehead. He revealed a shock of fine, receding, sandy-coloured hair and looked nothing like the dark, tanned, older Cartwright. She found it hard to believe that they were related, even remotely. \u201cPlease excuse my manners.\u201d He turned again to Adam. \u201cYou\u2019re never gonna believe this, but ol\u2019 Ira Leavy\u2019s gone and died.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo that\u2019s why he\u2019s not been out to do his chores,\u201d Mrs Rawlins muttered.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was doing some work for you?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome. He was fixing some fencing and repairing the barn. Goodness knows when the job\u2019ll get done now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell there\u2019ll be plenty round here who\u2019ll be more than happy to help,\u201d Adam explained.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI pay my way. I\u2019m prepared to hire work out to those who want to earn some extra money. I may be widowed, but I\u2019m no charity case, Mr Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNobody was thinking that you were, Ma\u2019am. All the same, you need something heavy doing, you let me know and if I can\u2019t get there myself, I\u2019ll make sure there\u2019s someone who can,\u201d Adam offered.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll bear it in mind. Good day, Mr Cartwright,\u201d and climbing up into the buckboard, reluctantly allowing Hoss to take her elbow and assist, she took the reins and clucked the horses into motion. Adam and Hoss watched her go.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell ain\u2019t she the prickly one?\u201d Hoss observed.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not kidding,\u201d Adam grinned. \u201cEven the Cartwright charm couldn\u2019t get a smile out of that one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss looked at his older brother in horror. \u201cDon\u2019t tell me you were trying to charm her!\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam suddenly realised that Hoss had misunderstood his well-meaning intentions for romantic ideas. He thought briefly of the woman in her rough grey woollen skirt and grey checked shirt; the straight mousy brown hair tinged with grey and drawn back into an austere bun. No, he definitely had no romantic inclinations in that direction. The woman must have been a good twenty years older than him anyway! He watched the trail of dust behind the disappearing buckboard.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I wasn\u2019t charming her like that. I just feel a bit sorry for her that\u2019s all. She\u2019s not long lost her husband and now she\u2019s moved here, buying up the Bates place which is going to take an awful lot of hard work if she\u2019s going to make it pay. I\u2019m just wondering if she\u2019s bitten off a mite more that she can chew. C\u2019mon, let\u2019s see how Mr Morrison is getting on with that order and then maybe, just maybe, I\u2019ll buy you a drink,\u201d and he slapped Hoss on the back as the two brothers entered the store together.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
CHAPTER TWO<\/p>\n
It was later that evening, as the Cartwright men sat around the dining table in their ranch house on the Ponderosa, that Hoss returned to the subject of Ira Leavy.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeems like Doc Martin says he had too much to drink and died as a result. Thacker found him, right mess he says,\u201d Hoss announced reaching across for another freshly baked biscuit and dipping it in the gravy that drowned his beef.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen did they bury him?\u201d Ben Cartwright enquired. A man in his late fifties and with a shock of greying hair, he was a handsome, imposing figure.<\/p>\n
\u201cSame day, so Roy says,\u201d Hoss replied, referring to the local sheriff and long-standing friend of the family, especially their father.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey didn\u2019t waste much time,\u201d Joe, the youngest of the three brothers, commented as he forked up a mouthful of mashed potato.<\/p>\n
\u201cDidn\u2019t want him hanging around, not in this heat. Anyways, there was no one really to miss him and it was death by natural causes, so they say, so why wait?\u201d Hoss said matter-of-factly.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you know the Bates place had been sold?\u201d Adam asked his father, changing the subject as he laid his fork on his empty plate, wiped his mouth on the napkin and set it on the table.<\/p>\n
Ben thought for a moment. \u201cI think I recall Roy mentioning it some time ago. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis Widow Rawlins has bought it up. I get the feeling that she\u2019s trying to work it on her own and I\u2019m wondering how she\u2019ll manage,\u201d Adam said casually.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, if she\u2019s the money, she\u2019ll take on a limited crew,\u201d Ben observed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s this widow woman like?\u201d Joe wanted to know, a smirk on his face.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you be getting any ideas!\u201d Hoss exclaimed. \u201cAdam must be plum loco if he\u2019s thoughts in that direction. She\u2019s old, short and ugly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss, that\u2019s not very polite,\u201d Ben reprimanded gently.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s as mebbe, Pa, but it\u2019s the truth. Adam was his usual perlite self and she near enough chewed his head off,\u201d Hoss was on the defensive.<\/p>\n
Ben dabbed his napkin to his lips and looked at Adam who had not risen to the bait set by his younger brothers. \u201cYou thinking of offering your services?\u201d He knew what Adam was like.<\/p>\n
\u201cPerhaps,\u201d Adam answered. \u201cIt depends on what needs doing and how much. At the moment, by the time I\u2019ve finished with work here, there\u2019s not much daylight left for anything extra.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, just don\u2019t rush into things,\u201d Ben advised. \u201cYou\u2019ve already got a heavy workload here at the moment; you don\u2019t want to be overdoing it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy, Pa, you\u2019re making Adam sound like an old man that needs taking care of,\u201d Joe laughed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not what I meant and your brother knows that,\u201d Ben objected. \u201cWe\u2019ve got that timber contract deadline coming up at the end of next week and Adam\u2018s working flat out; I don\u2019t want him taking on anything unnecessary.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish folks wouldn\u2019t talk about me as if I\u2019m not here,\u201d Adam interjected, with a mock scowl. Whilst he did not want Joe to \u2018score\u2019 points at his expense, he appreciated his father\u2019s concern. Already the day\u2019s work was taking considerably longer; he was up before dawn to ride out to the logging camp to supervise the cutting. He would often set a good example to his workforce by doffing his jacket and dirtying his hands, working alongside the men. Problems had arisen when a couple of them had proved a little work shy and had subsequently left before he had to sack them, but it did leave him with a time-costly journey to Virginia City to seek replacements. Returning to the Ponderosa each evening, he would then work for several more hours to keep the paperwork up to date. Despite his father\u2019s protestations, he would only leave the figures long enough to join his family at the dinner table.<\/p>\n
Hoss was still thinking about the Widow Rawlins. \u201cMy, she was an \u2018ornery character. I don\u2019t imagine her being mightily grateful for any help she might get.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s new in the area, probably hasn\u2019t made too many friends yet,\u201d Adam defended her.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not surprisin\u2019, given her friendly nature,\u201d Hoss laughed. Joe joined in and they launched into some gentle, ribald teasing of their older brother. Ben listened to the banter between his three sons, enjoying the moment as he sipped at his coffee. If he knew Adam, he would find a way to help the community\u2019s newest neighbour.<\/p>\n
CHAPTER THREE<\/p>\n
It was the turn of Joe and Hoss to head into town for supplies and the mail on the Thursday of the following week. The intervening days on the Ponderosa had been exceedingly busy and this was their first opportunity to leave the ranch. Adam had spent several days and nights up at the logging camp to ensure that the men were on schedule. He had only returned that afternoon and, after a long soak in a hot bath prepared by Hop Sing, he was pouring over timber figures with his father when the two youngest Cartwrights returned, lively, noisy and full of gossip. Ben managed to persuade them to save the news until they had washed up for the evening meal that the little Chinese cook was about to set out on the dinner table. Meanwhile, Ben and Adam sorted through the pile of letters that had been awaiting them.<\/p>\n
Hop Sing was serving the steaming stew when Hoss recounted the news that Wes Farrell, porter at the town\u2019s main hotel, had suddenly died two days beforehand. Stricken by a seriously upset stomach and cramps, he had eventually summoned the Doctor who had been helpless to alleviate the severe symptoms. Within three more hours, Farrell was dead. Paul Martin, the town\u2019s doctor, had begun enquiries about what Farrell had eaten during the day, fearing that there might be some imminent outbreak of food poisoning, but he had not eaten anything out of the ordinary and there were no other reported incidents. Death was eventually attributed to food poisoning, but whatever had caused it had been eaten and no evidence remained.<\/p>\n
\u201cI check food with care,\u201d Hop Sing announced, listening to the account and fearing that some of the produce brought home to refill his shelves might be contaminated in some way.<\/p>\n
\u201cHop Sing, I doubt if the salt is gonna have a little sign that says \u2018don\u2019t eat me, I\u2019m bad\u2019,\u201d Joe teased.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, how\u2019re you gonna tell?\u201d Hoss added. Suddenly, his eyes bulged and he gripped at his throat, making horrendous choking noises as he slid from his chair under the table.<\/p>\n
Pandemonium broke out as he landed with a thud, Joe roared with laughter and the little Chinaman shrieked in alarm. Ben\u2019s voice rose above it all.<\/p>\n
\u201cStop it, boys! Joseph, quieten down; Hoss, get back in your seat and stop messing about. Hop Sing, calm down. Hoss is perfectly okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aggrieved, the little cook shot a withering look in Hoss\u2019s direction and then returned to his kitchen to put away the food, muttering all the time in a stream of unintelligible Chinese.<\/p>\n
Joe and Hoss succeeded in stifling their laughter until he had left the room and then they clutched each other, almost weeping in merriment.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, Hoss, you keep teasing him like that and he\u2019ll up and leave one day,\u201d Adam warned nonchalantly as he broke off a chunk of bread from a freshly baked loaf.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I won\u2019t be hiring a replacement,\u201d Ben added. \u201cThe kitchen chores will fall to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss and Joe gave themselves the luxury of one more shared glance and then they concentrated on the task in hand – eating. Ben smiled to himself as he watched Hoss tucking in, savouring every mouthful, and guessed that the prospect of food poisoning would never cross his big son\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa, now that the timber contract is all but filled and we\u2019re inside the deadline, I was thinking that maybe I\u2019d head out to Mrs Rawlins\u2019 place tomorrow. I want to go and see what needs doing, check if she\u2019s got any help and perhaps give her some advice on getting a hired hand,\u201d Adam said, taking the cup of coffee his father had poured out for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood idea, son. It\u2019s the neighbourly thing to do and it\u2019ll show her that folks round here haven\u2019t forgotten about her. It must be pretty difficult moving to a new place entirely on your own.\u201d Ben raised his own cup to his lips and took a sip, watching his eldest son all the while before smiling. \u201cAt least I never had that problem.\u201d<\/p>\n
When Ben had left Boston and struck out west after the death of his first wife, Elizabeth, he had had for company a baby boy who had gone on to grow into the intense, committed man on his right whom he loved dearly. No, Ben had never been totally on his own. He may have been left alone three times following the deaths of his wives, but Adam had always been there, joined first by Hoss and then by Joe. When Adam had gone east to college, they were dark days for Ben. He had known his son would come back home eventually, but he had still missed him desperately and the years had seemed interminably long.<\/p>\n
He was suddenly aware that Adam was watching him, one eyebrow raised quizzically, his head slightly tilted and a half smile playing on his lips as if he were reading his father\u2019s thoughts. Ben\u2019s heart missed a beat. All those little mannerisms! They were what he had loved in Elizabeth, Adam\u2019s mother, and here they were, replicated in her son – their son.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, you never had that problem, Pa,\u201d Adam agreed softly, \u201cthough I bet with these two around. you\u2019d welcome the peace and quiet on occasions.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh I don\u2019t know; after five minutes, I\u2019d probably be screaming at the silence. Anyway, we can\u2019t blame it just on your brothers, you\u2019re more than capable of raising a noise when you want,\u201d Ben reminded him.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, usually when you\u2019re playin\u2019 that darned guitar and singin\u2019,\u201d Joe cut in and then ducked to miss his oldest brother\u2019s swipe across the table. The men laughed, the atmosphere relaxed and content. Then Adam yawned.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hate to break up the party, but if no-one has any objections, I\u2019m going to take my coffee upstairs with me. I\u2019ve a mighty tired body that knows there\u2019s a bed up there somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou go ahead, son, and sleep well; you\u2019ve deserved it,\u201d Ben said. He waited until Adam had bid his brothers goodnight and had reached the bottom of the stairs before stopping him.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam?\u201d His son paused, hand on the banisters. \u201cWell done on the timber contract. You\u2019ve done a great job … again.\u201d Ben was rewarded by a slight smile and a glint of dark eyes before Adam\u2019s head dipped and he made his way wearily up the stairs. Ben knew that open praise embarrassed his eldest, but held to the belief that praise should be given where praise was due. Besides, he always wanted to let Adam know that he was appreciated, that nothing was taken for granted where the family and the Ponderosa were concerned.<\/p>\n
CHAPTER FOUR<\/p>\n
Adam rode up to the Rawlins\u2019 place late on the Friday afternoon. He reined in Sport in front of the ranch house and studied the small building. It was a little pretentious to refer to it as a ranch house as, from the outside, it looked little more than a two-roomed cabin, smaller than the first cabin Adam and his father had erected when they first arrived on the Ponderosa. Sport snorted and tossed his head, the reins jangling softly in the hot silence. The horse stamped his foot impatiently; he wanted a drink after the long run.<\/p>\n
\u201cEasy, boy,\u201d Adam patted his neck to sooth him. \u201cYou can have some water in a minute.\u201d He stood in the stirrups and twisted his head round, surveying the place as he looked for signs of life and called out, \u201cMrs Rawlins? Mrs Rawlins, are you there?\u201d He sat back in the saddle and waited.<\/p>\n
Eventually, the door to the cabin opened slowly and the widow Rawlins emerged from the darkness within, wiping her flour-covered hands on her apron. Shielding her eyes with a hand from the sun\u2019s glare, she looked up at the dark-clad rider.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood afternoon, Mrs Rawlins. Remember me?\u201d Adam touched the brim of his stetson in greeting.<\/p>\n
She paused, no flicker of welcome in her eyes at all. Adam fleetingly wondered why he had come and then chided himself. For a woman living alone, she had every right to be wary.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember you, Mr Cartwright. What can I do for you?\u201d Still there was the sharp edge to her voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust doing what I said, Mrs Rawlins. I\u2019ve come to offer my help, if you\u2019re still needing it, and to see what needs doing.\u201d He remained in the saddle, leaning easily on the pommel and waiting, as custom required, until he was invited to dismount.<\/p>\n
Eliza Rawlins considered the offer. \u201cI\u2019ve a list of my own but you can take a look around here and then come on inside. We\u2019ll compare lists. I\u2019ve coffee on the stove or I\u2019ve made fresh lemonade; whichever you\u2019re wantin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam felt his shirt sticking to his back and wiped away a bead of sweat as it trickled down the side of his face. \u201cThe lemonade sounds good, but I\u2018d like to water my horse before I get started.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFine. You come on in when you\u2019re ready,\u201c she ordered, her eyes holding his, almost in a challenge. Then she turned and was gone, back into the cool darkness of the cabin. Adam took that as his cue to get down from Sport and led the large sorrel over to the watering trough. He watched as the animal drank his fill and then looped his reins over a bar of the corral fence. He retrieved a small pad of paper and a pencil from his chest pocket – something he always carried in readiness – and decided to begin over at the barn.<\/p>\n
It was half an hour later that he paused briefly to dry his freshly washed hands on the seat of his black pants and tentatively tapped at the door of the cabin.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on in, it\u2019s open,\u201d came the short reply.<\/p>\n
Pushing open the door, he crossed the threshold, pulling off his hat and holding it before him. He let his eyes grow accustomed to the gloom of the interior after the brilliant sunshine of outside. It was a deceptively large room, the large oak table taking precedence in the centre. Eliza Rawlins was aggressively rolling out pastry but nodded towards the unused far end of the table and a chair that stood beside it.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can set yourself there,\u201d she instructed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Adam said politely, laying his hat on a shelf inside the door and sitting where he was told. Thirty years old yet this woman had the ability to make him feel like an awkward teenager again! Why did he find her so intimidating? There had to be a crack somewhere in that hard veneer. As she disappeared to the far side of the room to pour out the lemonade, he let his eyes wander round the room. Sparsely furnished with plain, serviceable furniture, he saw none of the trappings he expected of a woman making a home.<\/p>\n
The room seemed cold, like its owner. There were no pictures on the walls, cushions on the chairs, no quilt thrown casually over a seat, no little ornaments to remind her of times past and none of the fripperies like lace at the windows. In fact, the curtains were dull coloured and mismatched. He thought of the ranch house on the Ponderosa and immediately appreciated its size and comforts. Even though it was housed by men, it had warmth and it was home. This was no home; this was somewhere Eliza Rawlins laid her head of a night.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you settling in here okay?\u201d he asked by way of making polite conversation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll do for now,\u201d she replied, standing in front of him, glass of lemonade in her hand. \u201cI had to spend a lot of time doing repairs, make it liveable. That\u2019s why I\u2019ve not done much to the other buildings.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can understand that,\u201d Adam smiled encouragingly. Perhaps she had not got round to unpacking fully yet. She had had to prioritise her tasks and setting out a few ornaments were not a necessity to her. \u201cThere\u2019s a fair bit that needs doing. Old Bates really let the place run down in his last years. I\u2019ve got a bit more time on my hands now but I can\u2019t do everything, not if you\u2019re going to get the place really working before the fall. If you want me to, I could put out some feelers in town for hired help.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll see,\u201d she said, placing the drink in front of him and sitting round the table to his left. \u201cWhat do you see as needing to be done first?\u201d She watched as he raised the glass to his lips and drank. He gave a sharp intake of breath. \u201cWhat is it? What\u2019s wrong? Is it not to your liking?\u201d she suddenly demanded.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, it\u2019s fine. Honestly,\u201d he reassured her. \u201cIt\u2019s sharp, that\u2019s all, but it\u2019s how I like it. Some folks put too much sugar in. This is good,\u201d and he drank deeply. She waited silently until he had drained the glass and set it back on the table. So she was not one for the pleasantries, he noted. He laid his notebook out and perused the page.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are some rotten poles in the corral fence that need replacing and some of the posts aren\u2019t secure in the ground. You keep the horses in there much longer without that work being done and they\u2019ve only got to lean on it and they\u2019ll be away. Timbers need replacing in the walls and roof of the barn and the flooring up in the hayloft isn\u2019t very safe. I wouldn\u2019t go up there if I were you until that work\u2019s done …\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou thinkin\u2019 I can\u2019t cope with a rotten floor on my own?\u201d she interrupted, immediately on the defensive.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. It\u2019s just that if anything happens to me while I\u2019m up there, you\u2019re here to help. You go up there when you\u2019re on your own and fall through, it could be a while before anyone finds you.\u201d<\/p>\n
She reflected on his concern and nodded in reluctant acceptance. What he had said made sense.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe flooring needs to be done before you can store any hay up there for winter feed. The stalls aren\u2019t good either and you need a new barn door hanging. Your wood pile\u2019s nearly all gone so it\u2019s time to lay that in. I see you\u2019ve got a goat and a couple of pigs tethered out there. They\u2019ll need a permanent shelter before the weather turns and it might be a good idea to think of where you want to fence them in. They break free and they\u2019ll be straight in your vegetable patch. You might want to section that off too as there\u2019re enough things running wild that could be tempted by fresh growing stuff. I can see where you\u2019ve done work on the cabin but all the shutters are going to need replacing if you\u2019re to keep out the winter chills.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a little more than I figured but I\u2019m not surprised,\u201d Mrs Rawlins sighed.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, that\u2019s just round here. When that\u2019s sorted, we\u2019ll have to think further afield about the rest of the place. Have you made your plans for what you\u2019re intending to do with the spread?\u201d Adam asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome, but I want to think it through a little more,\u201d her answer was guarded. It was as if she was not prepared to share anything with him yet, as if she did not trust him. He checked himself. Here he was, infuriated by this woman\u2019s refusal to confide in him about her plans for her own land when his own family were forever walking on eggshells or chiding him when he was unprepared to open up. He smiled to himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomething funny?\u201d she demanded.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Oh no, sorry. I was just thinking about my Pa and my brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re all pretty close then?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, we are. We may not always see eye to eye; leastways my youngest brother, Joe, and I may clash from time to time, but we\u2019re there for each other. As a family, we\u2019ve been through a lot but we\u2019re proud of what we\u2019ve achieved in the Ponderosa and we\u2019re proud of each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about your ma?\u201d Mrs Rawlins asked abruptly.<\/p>\n
Adam\u2019s face clouded over. \u201cMy ma died when I was born. Then Pa remarried; Inger, her name was. Hoss was just a few months old when Indians killed her. A few years later, Pa married Marie, Joe\u2019s ma, but she was killed in a horse riding accident.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was wondering why you and Hoss don\u2019t look like each other,\u201d she remarked. \u201cYour pa\u2019s been through it, losing three wives like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe sure has, but that\u2019s what\u2019s made us all the closer, more supportive of each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about you?\u201d her question surprised him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve been through it too; you lost three ma\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her forthrightness made him uncomfortable and he avoided her watchful gaze. \u201cLike you said, I\u2018ve been through it but I made it out the other side. I had to, for Pa\u2019s sake. He was hurting so bad; he needed time. Now we\u2019re all okay, we\u2019ve got each other.\u201d He realised that, without even trying, she had forced him onto the defensive and he wanted to escape.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, you\u2019ve got each other,\u201d there was a strange, far away look in her eyes as she spoke and he felt an inexplicable cold chill run down his spine.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be back tomorrow afternoon and I\u2019ll make a start on the corral fencing. I\u2019d best go now.\u201d He rose to his feet and moved towards the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you … Adam,\u201d she said hesitantly.<\/p>\n
He picked up his hat, nodded in her direction, slid the stetson on his head and left.<\/p>\n
She stood in the doorway and watched in silence as he untethered Sport, mounted and swung the horse round to face home. He raised a hand in farewell and spurred the horse into a gallop. She continued to look until he had passed from sight and went back into the cabin. There was a little lemonade left in the pitcher and she picked it up. It felt warm to the touch. Tutting to herself at the waste, she went to the open doorway again and threw the remains of the drink out into the dust before shutting the door on Adam Cartwright and the rest of the world.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
CHAPTER FIVE<\/p>\n
Ben was in town that same day for a bank visit; payday was looming and the Ponderosa crew would be looking for their money. The month had been good with a new timber contract and prompt payment from the army for a string of horses. Content with life, Ben was even toying with the idea of giving out some bonuses.<\/p>\n
Throwing his horse\u2019s reins around the hitching rail, he was about to set off along the covered boardwalk when a carriage pulled up level with him.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen, haven\u2019t see you in a while,\u201d greeted the Doctor.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood to see you too, Paul. Got time for a coffee?\u201d Ben asked, It had been weeks since the two men, friends for years, had had the chance to pause in their hectic lives and swap news.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2019Fraid not. Got a message to swing by Ty Norris\u2019s place. Seems he took sick all of a sudden.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry to hear that. Give him my regards when you see him, will you? I hope he\u2019s back on his feet soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWill do. How about a rain-check on that coffee?\u201d Martin asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can do better than that. If you\u2019ve nothing else planned, how about coming out to the Ponderosa tomorrow for supper?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe next couple of days are a bit difficult. How about next Saturday?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSounds good to me,\u201d Ben said, \u201cSee you around seven.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paul Martin nodded and twitched the reins to encourage the horse to walk on.<\/p>\n
His business concluded at the bank and other errands completed, Ben returned to the ranch in time for dinner. He found Hoss and Joe caring for their mounts in the stable and, for a while, the three men worked in companionable silence, unsaddling, grooming, feeding and watering their horses.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow did you get on today?\u201d Ben asked casually.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cleared round that waterhole out in the far north pasture; took us near on three hours, and then we checked on the rest between there and here,\u201d Joe explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019d been a rock-fall out at the stream coming through Leaning Tree ravine so we set about clearing as much of the blockage as possible but it\u2019s going to take best part of tomorrow morning as well,\u201d Hoss added.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, we\u2019ll make that your agenda. Is Adam around?\u201d Ben enquired.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot yet. He passed us over an hour ago. Said he\u2019d done the timber orders and was going to see how that Widow Rawlins was makin\u2019 out. He figured he might not be back in time for dinner,\u201d Hoss explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll get Hop Sing to set aside something cold. He\u2019s going to be hungry after that ride,\u201d Ben noted as they headed to the house.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
CHAPTER SIX<\/p>\n
Hoss was savouring the cool evening air as he sat on the veranda, drink in hand and looking up at the clear night sky. He listened to the crickets gently calling to each other. The cooler the evening, the slower the sound of their legs rubbing together and he somehow found tonight\u2019s noise very relaxing. He was reflecting quietly on the day\u2019s work and the tasks ahead when his elder brother rode into view and, not noticing him, headed into the barn with his mount.<\/p>\n
Deciding that he would find out the latest developments at the Rawlins\u2019 place, Hoss languidly pulled himself to his feet and headed off in the direction of the barn to gossip with Adam as he tended to Sport. He was a little surprised to see Adam standing, hands on front and back of the saddle, his forehead resting against the warm leather.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, Adam, how\u2019re things?\u201d Hoss greeted warmly. Adam did not immediately answer but turned slowly. Hoss could see immediately that all was not well. Adam was pale, his features drawn; whether in pain or something else, Hoss could not quite determine. His broad grin instantly transformed itself into an anxious frown. \u201cAdam, you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve felt better,\u201d Adam muttered and turned back to remove the saddle but his strength seemed to have left him and instead he groaned and leaned in against the horse again.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me get that,\u201d Hoss offered, seeing the struggle. He made light of the task, removing the saddle and slinging it across a wooden bar dividing the stalls. He looked across at Adam who stood, seemingly distracted and breathing hard as he ran a hand wearily over his face.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Hoss persisted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know; must be something I ate. I was fine when I was out at the Rawlins\u2019 place but as I rode back here, I started feeling really bad. Then I got sick to the stomach,\u201d Adam explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not like you,\u201d Hoss commented, trying to think of any time when Adam had been ill. Despite whatever hit the rest of the family, he always managed to escape and was the quiet, reassuring carer; rarely the patient. Hoss could barely remember the few times when Adam had succumbed to the usual childhood ailments. The small school that they had attended would be decimated and Hoss himself would have taken to his bed, but rarely Adam. Over the years, Adam had had accidents for the work was hard and the weather extremes uncooperative ; he had also had his fair share of injuries in occasional fights, as well as collecting the odd bullet, but Hoss could count on the fingers of one hand those times when Adam had actually been ill. When he had, it was usually serious. Hoss tried to shrug off the bad feeling that he had. Maybe Adam was right; he had just eaten something that did not agree with him.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou get on inside the house and I\u2019ll look after Sport. I guess you\u2019ll not be wanting the supper Hop Sing kept for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam grimaced. \u201cNo, I won\u2019t. I just want to crawl into bed and sleep this off. Do me a favour, don\u2019t say anything to Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan\u2019t promise you that one,\u201d Hoss grinned. They both knew that their father missed nothing; it seemed impossible to keep much from him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks for taking care of Sport, Hoss.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou bet,\u201d and Hoss watched, concerned, as Adam patted Sport\u2019s neck and headed on into the house, his whole gait slow and tired.<\/p>\n
It was a good half hour later when Hoss had finished giving the horse a rough grooming, ridding the animal\u2019s coat of the worst of the trail dust. He would get his usual thorough grooming from his owner the next day, always supposing he was in a fit enough state. Hoss had also fed and watered the large animal. As he entered the house, Joe was sprawled in a chair reading a catalogue and his father was coming from the kitchen; he had probably been seeing Hop Sing on a household matter.<\/p>\n
Hoss locked the door for the night and eased his huge frame down onto the sofa. His father glanced across at him from his own chair by the fire.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam not come in with you?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s already in,\u201d Joe quipped, not even looking up from the page.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, he must be washing up then; I\u2019ll tell Hop Sing to lay out his food,\u201d and Ben made to rise.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo need, he said he was going straight to bed,\u201d Joe added, eyes still firmly fixed on the text.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? But he must be hungry,\u201d Ben objected. Joe just shrugged. Ben refused to be deterred. \u201cDid he seem all right?\u201d When Joe didn\u2019t answer, Ben turned his attention on Hoss who realised, with a sinking heart, that he would have to tell all.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was tired, Pa, and he got sick on the way back home,\u201d Hoss explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cSick? What do you mean sick?\u201d Ben knew as well as Hoss had done that Adam rarely \u2018got sick\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s thinking maybe he ate something bad,\u201d Hoss added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell me?\u201d Ben demanded, his eyes narrowing at his middle son\u2019s oversight.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut, Pa, I only jest came in and I\u2019ve told you,\u201d Hoss objected, trying to<\/p>\n
defend himself against his father\u2019s wrath.<\/p>\n
Ben turned on his youngest, \u201cJoseph?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe never said to me he was sick; just that he was goin\u2019 on up to bed,\u201d Joe said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to check in on him,\u201d Ben announced, heading up the stairs even as he spoke. He tapped gently on the door to Adam\u2019s room but, hearing nothing, opened it carefully, pausing only to pick up the lighted lamp from the table in the hallway before he crept in silently.<\/p>\n
Adam was already asleep,. Lying on his back, his left arm was crossed lightly over his stomach, his right arm bent upwards on the pillow, framing his head. Long, black lashes brushed the defined cheekbones. He looked peaceful, his chest rising and falling in deep, regular breaths and all would have seemed well, had it not been for the clammy pallor of his skin and the fact that he had taken the precaution to put his wash bowl on the floor by the bed before he had retired. He still felt nauseous then.<\/p>\n
Ben stole closer and took the opportunity to look down on his sleeping eldest son. Adam had been his strength for so many years. When his mother, Elizabeth, had died at his birth, it was his very existence that finally spurred his father to go on living after days of inconsolable grief. The tiny dark-haired scrap with the loud, demanding cry had clung to his father\u2019s finger, awakening in him the deep love that he had believed buried in the coffin with his dead Elizabeth. This boy was her legacy; her passion for music and books lived on in him, and so Ben had taken the child and headed west.<\/p>\n
At seven years old, the child had become a man. With the harshness and danger of life on the trail, there had come the added responsibility of another child, Eric – later to be known as Hoss by the family. In another tragedy, Ben\u2019s second wife, Inger, had been cut down by an Indian arrow, months after giving birth. Drowning in grief again, Ben had left the primary care of the young infant to a small boy who had now lost a second mother. In his late-teens, Adam was subjected to the devastating heartache of losing mother number three, Maria, but he had suppressed his own pain, once again shouldering the responsibility of a distraught father and the running of the Ponderosa in its early days, whilst looking after Hoss and the even younger Little Joe, both reeling with shock and grief.<\/p>\n
Ben often felt pangs of guilt at what he had taken for granted from Adam and that his son had never had a real childhood, but the boy had rarely complained. Instead, the experiences had fashioned a man who was strong both physically and emotionally, trustworthy, a devoted brother and son, and a man who was known in the community for his integrity. There were those who did not like him for it, but the greater majority admired and respected him as a result.<\/p>\n
Ben had let him go back east to his grandfather and college and the education had been an asset as the Ponderosa had grown and prospered, but Adam had undergone a change. He had returned more serious, more fiercely independent than before and very protective of his privacy. Intense and quiet, he guarded his feelings and Ben sometimes wondered if the seeds of damage had been planted in childhood; that he had suppressed emotions to be strong for his father and he had just got used to it. Both Hoss and Joe were much more open, easily sharing their emotions, and Ben worried that he could not readily reach Adam. He cherished those evenings when the other two would retire and he and Adam would share precious time, drinking a last brandy each and talking about a wide variety of topics, nothing to do with the ranch.<\/p>\n
Ben perched on the side of the bed and watched his sleeping son, wondering why such thoughts had flooded back. Perhaps it was because he looked so vulnerable whilst asleep, so like his mother. He had inherited her colouring in his skin tone and black hair. He had her eyes, so dark and penetrating, seeing all and understanding all. He was handsome as she had been beautiful and, in sleep, he had her delicacy. Apparently too hot when he climbed into bed, he had not bothered with his nightshirt and now, without waking, he shivered involuntarily. Ben pulled the bedding up around his bare shoulders and tenderly brushed a stray tendril of black hair from Adam\u2019s forehead. His skin was hot to the touch and waxen in the early stages of a fever. Ben frowned, hoping that it would not worsen and decided that he would sit with him a while longer.<\/p>\n
It was some time later that the door behind him opened quietly and Ben turned to find Hoss standing, framed by the lintel, a cup of coffee in his hand. The senior Cartwright held him back with a raised hand and, glancing once more at the sleeping form, rose and moved to the door. Pulling it closed behind him, he met Hoss in the hallway and relieved him of the coffee.<\/p>\n
\u201cWasn\u2019t sure if you hadn\u2019t turned in,\u201d Hoss whispered loudly. \u201cYou were gone so long.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI just thought I\u2019d sit with Adam for a while,\u201d Ben explained, sipping at the strong black liquid. \u201cMmm, that\u2019s good; thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow\u2019s he doin?\u201d Hoss inquired, indicating the closed door with his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh he\u2019s sound asleep. He had the makings of a fever; I wanted to make sure that it wouldn\u2019t get worse, but he seems okay now. We\u2019ll have to see how he is in the morning. For now, I\u2019m going to bed; good night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNight, Pa. Sleep well.\u201d<\/p>\n
The next morning, when Ben went down to breakfast, Adam was already sitting at the table, refilling his cup with scalding coffee from the pot.<\/p>\n
\u201cMorning, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMorning, son. How are you feeling today?\u201d Ben took his seat and spread a chequered napkin across his lap as Hop Sing materialised from the kitchen with a plate of ham and eggs and set it before him. \u201cThanks, Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam paused, the coffee cup to his lips as he watched his father over the rim. \u201cHoss told you,\u201d he said simply.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course he did, but don\u2019t worry, once inside the house, he held out for all of two minutes,\u201d Ben stated matter-of-factly, reaching for a freshly made biscuit.<\/p>\n
Adam grinned suddenly, \u201cAnd I\u2019ll bet you gave him a hard time for all of those two minutes.\u201d Ben merely shrugged and broke into a brief smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are feeling better today?\u201d he pressed.<\/p>\n
\u201cMuch, thanks. I slept really well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I noticed,\u201d Ben said. Adam raised an eyebrow quizzically. \u201cYou had no idea I sat with you for over an hour last night?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d Adam was genuinely surprised. The two men concentrated on their food; Ben with his eggs and ham, Adam with fresh bread and butter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat all you\u2019re eating?\u201d Ben inquired eventually.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor now. Things are still a little delicate.\u201d They ate again. \u201cPa?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, son.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
CHAPTER SEVEN<\/p>\n
Late Saturday afternoon still retained enough heat for the sweat to trickle down Adam\u2019s back, causing the dark red shirt to stick uncomfortably to him. He relished the thought of soaking in a hot bath before dinner. He had put in a lot of hours recently besides taking on the responsibility of helping the Widow Rawlins. He smiled at the memory of his conversation with the woman earlier that afternoon; she did, at last, appear to be thawing. As he spent time working for her, her more human side began to emerge. Give her time and she would be a welcome member of the community around Virginia City. Thirsty, he reached for the canteen and undid the stopper. He drank long of the cool water and smiled again. She had filled it for him before he left. Eliza Rawlins wasn\u2019t so bad after all. He returned the canteen to its hook from the saddle and spurred Sport into a gallop, hoping that he could shave off some of the time left for the ride home.<\/p>\n
He had ridden for a little less than half an hour when he began to feel uncomfortable. His stomach rumbled and it was not with hunger; twinges of pain stabbed at him but he tried to shake off the feeling, along with the waves of dizziness. The queasy sensation was worsening by the minute and he broke out in a sweat that had nothing to do with the dying heat of the day. With a growing sense of unease, he recognised similar symptoms to the previous day. It could not be happening again, surely! Why was this happening to him?<\/p>\n
He reined in his horse and sat for a moment on the trail, head bowed as he breathed hard and fought to control the turmoil of his insides. Groaning, he gave up the struggle and slipped from the saddle. Collapsing to his knees, he lost his limited stomach contents, the lot spilling into the dust. He continued to dry retch for several minutes, shaking with the effort. Eventually, he hauled himself to his feet and reached for his canteen again, rinsing his mouth and spitting the stream of water onto the ground. Suddenly exhausted and limp from the bilious attack, he hauled himself into the saddle and encouraged Sport to walk on, believing that his stomach could not cope with anything faster.<\/p>\n
Hoss was tidying up his tools at the entrance to the barn after an afternoon of shoeing horses when Sport came into view. He watched as Adam slowly dismounted and looped the reins over Sport\u2019s head, ready to lead him into his stall. Everything about Adam was sluggish, weary, and Hoss studied his face carefully. At the back of his mind, something was telling him that they had been here before.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowdy,\u201d he tried, cheerfully, but Adam merely raised a hand in mute greeting as he led his mount past Hoss and into the barn. Hoss frowned and followed.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou sick again?\u201d he asked, as Adam unbuckled Sport\u2019s saddle and pulled it towards him. It was a struggle and Hoss moved forward to help as he had done the previous evening, but this time, Adam shrugged off his assistance and walked off to stow the saddle.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll be okay,\u201d he announced, sounding as if he were talking through gritted teeth. He picked up an empty bucket and went out to fill it from the trough. Hoss watched as he brought it back as far as the entrance to the barn and then set it down abruptly, breathing hard. It was a weight he had never had problems with before. Sighing, Hoss moved with surprising swiftness and snatched up the bucket.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you are sick again,\u201d he repeated, this time making it a statement rather than a question. He did not look back at his brother as he set the bucket down for Sport and patted the animal\u2019s neck. There was a long pause, the silence broken only by Sport snorting into the bucket as he drank.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, I\u2019m sick again,\u201d Adam conceded quietly, picking up a brush and starting to groom his mount. Hoss could see it was an effort.<\/p>\n
\u201cGive that to me,\u201d he insisted.<\/p>\n
\u201cNope, you did it yesterday. You can\u2019t keep doing my chores.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd neither can you when you\u2019re sick,\u201d Hoss challenged. Adam ignored him and continued to brush the flank of the large animal but it was clear that his heart was not in his task.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen do you git over being so mule-headed? Give it to me,\u201d Hoss ordered, snatching the brush from his older brother\u2019s hand and pushing him gently aside. \u201cAfter all the hard work you make this poor animal do, least he can get at the end of the day is a decent rub down and his food at a reasonable time. Way you\u2019re goin\u2019 at it, the poor ol\u2019 fella will get fed at midnight.\u201d He watched out of the corner of his eye as Adam sank thankfully onto a couple of bales of hay and leaned back against a wooden upright, his eyes closed. He took slow, deep breaths.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa said this mornin\u2019 that you was feelin\u2019 better,\u201d Hoss began, conversationally.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was this morning,\u201d Adam agreed softly, \u201cand most of the day. I was fine all the time I was at the Rawlins place. I finished repairing the corral fencing, even dug a couple of fresh post holes and you know as well as I do that that\u2019s no job when you\u2019re feeling lousy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c She actually seemed pleased with the work I\u2019d done today. She smiled…\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe what?\u201d Hoss interrupted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI tell you, she smiled and thanked me. I was feeling quite good about things as I headed for home. I was thinking that maybe she was beginning to thaw out a little. You, know, when she smiles, she doesn\u2019t look quite the ogre she does the rest of the time. Anyway, one minute I\u2019m riding along quite happily and the next, I can hardly get off Sport fast enough. All I know is I\u2019m on my hands and knees in the dirt, throwing up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo how do you feel now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll survive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019d best go in and get cleaned up. Hop Sing\u2019ll have dinner ready soon,\u201d Hoss reminded him.<\/p>\n
Adam groaned and pushed himself up from his makeshift seat, \u201cFood\u2019s the last thing on my mind right now but I suppose I\u2018d better make an effort.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou better had. You know Pa\u2019ll be watching you like a hawk.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam headed for the doorway. \u201cThanks, brother.\u201d He paused. \u201cYou won\u2019t mention my being ill to Pa, will you? I\u2018m sure it\u2018s nothing, it\u2018ll pass.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss straightened from brushing Sport\u2019s belly. \u201cI tried not mentioning it yesterday and it didn\u2019t work. You know what Pa\u2019s like. Tell you what, you manage to get through the evening without arousin\u2019 his suspicions an\u2019 I\u2019ll try not to mention anything.\u201d Adam smiled and disappeared in the direction of the house.<\/p>\n
Ben, Joe and Hoss were already seated at the table when Adam, washed and changed, slipped into his seat. Hop Sing appeared carrying a plate.<\/p>\n
\u201cI serve yours. No eat yesterday, not much today. You need food; I give you food,\u201d and he set the plate before Adam, piled high with enough food that even Hoss, with his infamous appetite, would have been hard pressed to clear. Hop Sing hummed to himself as he disappeared back into the kitchen, pleased that he had taken care of number one son. Adam did not have much colour when he sat down at the table and Hoss saw him blanch at the mountain of food.<\/p>\n
\u201cHop Sing must think you\u2019re starving,\u201d Ben chuckled.<\/p>\n
\u201cEither that or he\u2019s mistaken one big brother for the other big brother,\u201d put in Joe. Adam gave a weak smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cWant some help there?\u201d Hoss asked, for once not joking about food but seeing that Adam was genuinely uncomfortable with what sat before him. He nodded. Hoss reached across and picked up the plate, scraping a good portion of it onto his own.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, leave some for your brother,\u201d Ben warned.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s okay, Pa. That\u2019s more than enough for me,\u201d Adam hastily said. He forked up some beans and chewed slowly, listening as the others round the table recounted the events of the day.<\/p>\n
They had finished their meal and adjourned to easier chairs where they were drinking coffee when Adam rose quietly and headed for the front door, the disquieting, familiar feelings of nausea having returned.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam?\u201d his father queried, looking over the top of his book.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust checking on Sport,\u201d he said over his shoulder and quickly went out.<\/p>\n
Hoss\u2019s eyes narrowed and he stood up.<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just checking on Sport too, Pa,\u201d and he walked out as well. Curious, Joe went to rise.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd where do you think you\u2019re going?\u201d his father demanded, eyes still focused on his book.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought I\u2019d check on Sport as well,\u201d Joe tried.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou stay where you are,\u201d Ben ordered. Joe sat.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou think they\u2019re up to something, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout a doubt,\u201d Ben answered, \u201cbut what we don\u2019t get out of Adam, Hoss will explain.\u201d He tried to sound unconcerned but he had seen his eldest son\u2019s pallor since he returned home. Adam had been quiet all evening and had only eaten a fraction of the food served. Ben was worried that Adam, never one to complain, was not as well as he tried to make out but there was some comfort in the knowledge that Hoss was with him and would call if needed.<\/p>\n
Outside, Hoss heard Adam before he saw him. He went to the water pump and filled a metal cup before he followed his big brother round the side of the barn. Adam was doubled over, retching repeatedly. Hoss waited patiently, a big hand rubbing his brother\u2019s back, until the spasm of sickness passed and then he handed him the water to rinse his mouth. Turning to lean against the side of the barn, Adam slid down the wall until he was sitting on the ground, head bowed. Hoss waited a moment and then sat beside him.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, yesterday you ate something bad. How\u2019re you gonna explain it now?\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam raised his head to look at Hoss, \u201cDon\u2019t tell Hop Sing; he\u2019ll take it personally.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t if you won\u2019t.\u201d He glanced sideways at Adam sipping carefully at the cool, refreshing water. \u201cI mean it, Adam. You can\u2019t have eaten something bad today as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam rested his wrists on his drawn-up knees and revolved the cup in his hands. \u201cI know. Maybe I picked up some kind of infection.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere from? You ain\u2019t been into town recently. Joe and I have but there\u2018s no talk of any infection, \u2018cepting Wes Farrell and Ty Norris. We\u2019re fine. Only place you\u2019ve been is up at the logging camp four days back. Anyone sick there?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what have you been eating?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe usual. I ate exactly the same as you at lunch and it was prepared by Hop Sing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you eat anything at the Widow\u2019s place?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I had nothing to eat there yesterday or today,\u201d Adam insisted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about drink?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYesterday she\u2019d made some fresh lemonade; it was good.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have any today?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAgain, no. It was hot work, I just had water.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s it then,\u201d Hoss slapped his thigh having solved the problem. \u201cYou drank some bad water.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss, I finished up what was in my canteen which I\u2019d filled here. Then she refilled it, from her own well. That\u2019s her main water supply and there\u2019s nothing wrong with her. Whatever old man Bates died from months back, it sure wasn\u2019t the water,\u201d Adam reasoned.<\/p>\n
Hoss frowned, disappointed that his theory would not be correct. \u201cWell I don\u2019t know what to think then.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNeither do I. C\u2019mon, we\u2019d better head back indoors else Pa\u2019ll be wondering what\u2019s up. Hopefully whatever this is will be gone by tomorrow,\u201d and Adam started to walk towards the house.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what you said yesterday,\u201d Hoss mumbled quietly to himself. He shook his head and followed his older brother.<\/p>\n
Adam had already said goodnight and gone upstairs to bed when Hoss finished pouring himself a fresh cup of coffee and sank into an armchair. He suddenly was aware that his father was watching him closely.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell what?\u201d Hoss asked, feigning innocence.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s with the interest in Sport all of a sudden?\u201d Joe inquired.<\/p>\n
His father ignored him. \u201cIs Adam all right?\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss squirmed under his father\u2019s scrutiny. He was torn: Adam did not want to worry his father, but his father was already worried and, if the truth be told, so was Hoss. He rapidly weighed up the alternatives. He could deal with Adam\u2019s moods but could not face his father\u2019s wrath. He took a deep breath.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, Pa, he ain\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
CHAPTER EIGHT<\/p>\n
Sunday night, Ben stirred in the darkness. wondering what had disturbed his slumber. He lay awake, listening carefully for any adverse noises. Perhaps it was Hoss going down for one of his nocturnal snacks or maybe there was an intruder. Ben dismissed that idea, the Ponderosa ranch house having been built like a fortress. It would take considerably more noise than what had evidently disturbed him for someone to break into the house. No, it had to have been something else.<\/p>\n
Then he heard it again, the unmistakable sound of someone somewhere being very sick and he did not have to make many guesses as to the identity of the sufferer. Rising quickly, he drew on slippers and a dressing gown and headed along the hallway to Adam\u2019s room next door.<\/p>\n
Slipping into his son\u2019s room, he discovered Adam sitting on the side of his bed, retching miserably into the basin he had seized from his wash stand. Sitting beside him, Ben rubbed his back, feeling the heat dampening the cotton nightshirt that clung to his shuddering frame.<\/p>\n
The sickness passed, and Adam stared in mute embarrassment into the bowl, breathing hard to control his body\u2019s violent reaction.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay now?\u201d Ben asked quietly. Adam merely nodded. \u201cI\u2019ll get rid of this. You okay till I come back?\u201d Again Adam nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry for waking you, Pa,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t apologise. You\u00a0should\u00a0<\/i>have wakened me,\u201d Ben insisted. Standing, he took the offending bowl from Adam\u2019s hands and left the room.<\/p>\n
His way was suddenly barred by the looming figure of Hoss. \u201cPa, is Adam okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot really, son.\u201d He glanced towards the bowl he carried.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me take care of that,\u201d Hoss offered. \u201cYou get back to Adam. Anything else you\u2019re needin\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, some fresh water. I want him to drink a little; he can\u2019t afford to get dehydrated. Bring some other water and cloths too, I want to freshen him up, make him feel a little more comfortable so maybe he\u2019ll settle and get some sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure thing, Pa. I\u2019ll clean this out and bring it back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben watched Hoss head for the stairs and then turned back to enter the sick room.<\/p>\n
Adam was still sitting where he had been left, shivering now in the cool night air in the aftermath of his sickness.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou think you could lay down now?\u201d Ben suggested. Still Adam could not bring himself to speak but just shook his head affirmatively. Ben took his shoulders and eased him back down onto the pillows before swinging his legs up onto the bed. Pulling up the blankets around Adam to still his shaking, he stroked back the damp, black hair.<\/p>\n
Uncharacteristically, Adam turned his head away from his father and would not meet the concerned, paternal gaze. Instead, he shielded his eyes from further scrutiny with his forearm and it was a couple of moments before Ben realised the shaking was not from the current chill but from suppressed tears. If he had not been worried before, this sudden turn of events caused him to be; Adam was usually very controlled and had, from early teens into adulthood, become very adept at concealing his emotions, even after the most traumatic situations.<\/p>\n
Ben decided to take charge. \u201cFirst thing in the morning, I\u2019m sending for the doctor. That is if you don\u2019t want me to send for him now.\u201d He spoke softly and awaited an answer.<\/p>\n
Adam shook his head and sought to get his voice in check. \u201cTomorrow\u2019s fine if I\u2018m not feeling any better,\u201d he said. There was another pause and then, barely audibly so that Ben had to strain to hear him, Adam confessed, \u201cI\u2019m scared, Pa. What\u2019s wrong with me? I can\u2019t recall ever feeling this bad for so long.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben did not know how to reassure him and was alarmed, as Adam lowered his arm, to see the expression of raw fear in his son\u2019s eyes. \u201cTalk to me, son. Besides the sickness, tell me how you\u2019re feeling, really feeling. What other symptoms do you have?\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam collected his thoughts. \u201cI\u2019m so tired; I have no energy. All I want to do is sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe this is your body telling you that you\u2019ve been overdoing things. You had that big lumber contract and now you\u2019re working out at the Widow Rawlins\u2019 place. It was gone nine this evening when you got back; I hope she fed you. You\u2018ve not exactly been eating normally these past few days.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI had some stew she\u2019d made, but that didn\u2019t stay down, did it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNever mind, son. Are you feeling any better now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA bit, but my hands hurt, and my feet.\u201d Adam winced and shifted his position, desperate to be more comfortable.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow do you mean they hurt?\u201d Ben was puzzled. As they spoke, the door opened slowly and Hoss struggled in, his arms full.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like pins and needles, only much worse. Sometimes it\u2019s in my face too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you have it all the time?\u201d Ben asked as he began to sponge Adam down.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt comes and goes.\u201d Adam lay there quietly, passively, as his father worked and then towelled him dry. Hoss raised him a little and put a glass of water to his lips.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust take a sip,\u201d he advised. Adam complied and sighed in relief as Hoss lay him down again. The effort to drink was too much and his eyes closed as a wave of weariness washed over him. He was almost asleep before his brother and father had even left the room. Ben watched him briefly, before extinguishing the lantern he carried and shutting the door; he sighed heavily.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis ain\u2019t natural, Pa,\u201d Hoss whispered as they stood outside their respective bedroom doors.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right there, son,\u201d Ben answered, his tone sombre.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
CHAPTER NINE<\/p>\n
Ben and Hoss were already at breakfast early on the Monday morning when Adam joined them.<\/p>\n
\u201cMorning, Pa,\u201d he greeted, pouring himself a coffee and reaching for the bread basket.<\/p>\n
\u201cMorning, son. How are you feeling?\u201d Ben kept his voice light but his keen eyes were studying his eldest son carefully. He had already spotted the paleness, the dark-ringed eyes, the apparent tiredness.<\/p>\n
\u201cBetter,\u201d Adam bit into the fresh bread roll he had just buttered. Although he did not relish the thought of food, he could not deny the fact that he was hungry, but when Hop Sing appeared, carrying two plates filled with eggs, ham, beans and pancakes for Hoss and Ben, Adam shook his head. \u201cJust a couple of pancakes for me,\u201d he requested.<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss, I want you and Joseph to go up to the summer pasture and repair the corral up there. We\u2019re going to be rounding up those horses for the army\u2019s next order before too long and we\u2019ll need to hold them there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFine, I\u2019ll get on it.\u201d He opened his mouth to a huge forkful of ham and eggs, and Adam had to still his rebellious stomach at the sight.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about me, Pa?\u201d he asked, forcing himself to concentrate on something else.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want you to stay here with me today. We need to think about the next round of tree planting and putting a bid together for the Robinson mines\u2019 timber contract.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam frowned as neither task was pressing and did not have to be done immediately. He knew exactly what his father was doing when he was so determined to keep Adam close to home.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m okay, Pa. Let me go out with Hoss,\u201d he insisted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think you ought to, Adam. I want you to stay around here and take things a little easy today. It won\u2019t hurt you. Anyway, I\u2018d said that you ought to see Paul Martin today.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPa, there\u2019s no need to bother Paul. I feel much better but I could do with the fresh air. I won\u2019t be on my own, Hoss\u2019ll be there,\u201d Adam\u2019s stubborn streak was emerging.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll think about it over breakfast,\u201d Ben replied and Adam knew that his father would be watching to see if he ate anything and how much. It was not too much of a problem; his hunger won and, when Hop Sing produced a plate of pancakes, he readily tucked into them.<\/p>\n
Although Adam did not clear his plate, his father was satisfied that he had eaten enough and, as he pushed his own empty plate from him and sipped at a cup of scalding black coffee, Ben made his decision. \u201cOkay, Adam; you go with Hoss and work on the repairs.\u201d Adam smiled, satisfied.<\/p>\n
A clatter of footsteps on the stairs heralded the arrival of Joe, tousled, late, breathless and starving. He slid into his place with a mumbled apology; it had been just that bit too hard to drag himself from the comfort of his bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoseph, I have an interesting list of chores for you today that should keep you out of trouble. You have five minutes for your breakfast,\u201d Ben announced quietly, rising from the table with his other two sons. Joe groaned and attacked the plate of food the second Hop Sing put it before him.<\/p>\n
CHAPTER TEN<\/p>\n
Ben had been out checking on a section of the herd during the early afternoon and was in the barn stabling his mount when he heard horses\u2019 hooves. He was not expecting any visitors, and the boys and the hands were all out working, so he was curious. Emerging from the barn, he did not anticipate seeing Sport and Chubb at the hitching rail outside the house; something had to be wrong. Adam and Hoss had had more than enough work to keep them occupied until late afternoon.<\/p>\n
Concerned, he strode towards the house and entered in time to see Adam disappear at the top of the stairs whilst Hoss stood, foot on the bottom tread and calling up, \u201cAdam! Adam, you\u2019ve got it all wrong. Adam, that\u2019s not what I meant. Adam!\u201d Out of sight, a door slammed shut in anger.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Hoss? What\u2019s going on? What\u2019s wrong?\u201d Ben demanded, coming up behind his middle son.<\/p>\n
Hoss turned to face him and sighed loudly, running a hand through his sandy-coloured hair. \u201cHave we ever thought of Adam as not pulling his weight?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? What are you talking about?\u201d Ben did not follow his line of reasoning.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam. Has there ever been a time when we thought he wasn\u2019t doing his fair share of the work?\u201d<\/p>\n
It was such a preposterous notion that Ben was speechless. Adam was always a hard worker; there was never any question that he was committed to the Ponderosa and his family, often putting in far more hours than any of the others, Ben included.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell,\u201d Hoss spluttered, not even waiting for his father to respond, \u201che thinks that\u00a0I\u00a0<\/i>think he\u2019s not doing his fare share of the work. I never said anything of the kind, Pa. All I said was maybe he oughta come home and get some rest as he was finding the work kinda difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben winced at the thought. He could imagine that suggestion not being very well received. \u201cWhat made you say that in the first place?\u201d he asked carefully.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe got out to the corral, Pa, and started the digging but he just found it too hard. Within a few minutes, he was almost on his knees. So he began knocking new posts in. I\u2019d put in four while he\u2019d made his first one just about stable. I got him to hold the posts while I knocked them in. Later we had something to eat; Hop Sing had packed it up for us. He didn\u2019t eat much and, within half an hour, he threw up. Pa, he had no energy or strength left, so we had a row, \u2018cos I insisted that he oughta come back and get a rest. He ain\u2019t right, Pa; that\u2019s clear for anyone to see, but he thinks I think he\u2019s shirking. I ain\u2019t never thought that, Pa. Never.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Hoss. None of us have ever thought that about him. He obviously feels bad that he can\u2019t seem to do his share of the work at the moment. We know he\u2019s ill and he must be very frustrated, wondering what\u2019s wrong, but we\u2019ve just got to be patient,\u201d Ben said gently, patting Hoss reassuringly on the shoulder. \u201cMaybe we\u2019d better look in on him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Together, father and son ascended the stairs and, for the third time in as many days, found themselves outside the door of the eldest Cartwright sibling. Opening the door, Ben surveyed the scene and said, grimly, \u201cHelp me make him more comfortable, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam lay in a foetal position across the bed, sound asleep, fully clothed and still wearing his boots. Ben and Hoss wrestled with his boots but did not even attempt to uncurl the limbs or put a pillow beneath his head. Hoss disappeared briefly and returned with a blanket with which he covered his sleeping brother.<\/p>\n
\u201cP\u2019raps he\u2019ll feel better when he\u2019s had a good sleep. He musta been awake half of last night,\u201d Hoss said optimistically.<\/p>\n
\u201cPerhaps,\u201d Ben responded, unconvinced as they both headed downstairs again.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it\u2019s okay by you, Pa, I\u2019ll finish that corral work tomorrow and work on cleaning saddles and tack for the rest of the afternoon,\u201d Hoss volunteered. Ben nodded silently and sat at his desk, papers spread before him, their contents unread.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
CHAPTER ELEVEN<\/p>\n
Tuesday and Wednesday, Ben had his own way and Adam was confined to the ranch house where his father could keep a close eye on him. They had clashed about Ben\u2019s desire to send for the doctor and, on this occasion, Adam had the victory. He claimed that he was feeling better and indeed, as the days passed and Adam was not allowed to exert himself too much – other than to assist his father with the never-ending paperwork – he seemed almost like his old self. He still balked at eating much but Ben found solace in the fact that he was at least eating something and it was staying put!<\/p>\n
The relief was short-lived, however. On the Thursday, Adam\u2019s stubborn streak was strong. Reluctant to stick around the house any longer than necessary when so much needed doing on the Ponderosa, and feeling more than a little guilty at seemingly abandoning Mrs Rawlins\u2019 barn repairs, he announced that he was going to undertake work as normal. Ben\u2019s objections fell on deaf ears and he was left to watch all three sons head off after breakfast to their respective duties.<\/p>\n
Adam was last back and Ben only had to take one look at him to realise, with a sinking heart, that all was not well. He washed up and changed for dinner, sat at table but ate sparingly and Ben was hardly surprised when, a little later, Adam rose from his seat and said that he was going for a walk. Hoss shot a worried look in his father\u2019s direction after Adam had gone but both knew that, for some reason, Adam\u2019s illness must have returned; if it had ever gone away.<\/p>\n
Friday followed the same pattern: a disagreement over breakfast about whether or not Doctor Martin should be summoned, followed by work on the Ponderosa and then a ride out to the Rawlins\u2019 place for more chores. Later that evening, it was not Hoss but Ben who followed his eldest son outside and found him hanging on grimly to a corral post as he heaved his stomach contents into the dust yet again.<\/p>\n
\u201cEnough is enough,\u201d Ben announced in consternation. \u201cI\u2019m sending one of the hands for Paul.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d objected Adam, pulling his neckerchief off and wiping his mouth with it. He closed his eyes and breathed hard before speaking again. \u201cHe\u2019s comin\u2019 to dinner tomorrow night; I\u2019ll have a word with him then.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut supposing whatever this is worsens?\u201d Ben demanded.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been the same for a week now, Pa. I throw up, sleep, feel better and then it all begins again. I reckon I\u2019ll survive another day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben was unconvinced. \u201cYou weren\u2019t so casual about it the other night,\u201d he reminded him.<\/p>\n
Adam shrugged, not wanting to recall his weakness. \u201cI was sick, tired and wondering what was going on.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo now you\u2019re telling me that you\u2019re not wondering any more why you should be ill like this?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s not what I\u2019m saying, Pa,\u201d Adam sighed as his father seemed to twist his words.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell that\u2019s what it sounds like. You and I both know that this is not normal; there is something wrong, son, and we ought to be making the effort to find out what it is,\u201d Ben insisted.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut this could be the end of it. I could wake up tomorrow morning and all this could be over,\u201d Adam argued, but his father was having none of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what you\u2019ve been saying every day, and you\u2019ve felt fine for a little while but then it has not been over. I\u2019ll do as you want – for now. But whether you feel fine tomorrow or not, when Paul\u2019s here, we raise this with him and get him to check you out.\u201d Adam opened his mouth to object. \u201cNo \u2018buts\u2019, Adam. Paul examines you tomorrow and that\u2019s final.\u201d<\/p>\n
CHAPTER TWELVE<\/p>\n
Ben welcomed Paul Martin warmly and gestured to a seat. \u201cWhiskey?\u201d he offered. Martin nodded his assent. As Ben handed him a small glass of the amber liquid, the front door burst open and Joe and Hoss entered, laughing at some shared joke.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi, Pa. Hi, Doc,\u201d called Joe, divesting himself of jacket, hat and gunbelt inside the door before approaching the two elder men.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood to see you, Joe,\u201d the Doctor acknowledged him with the raised glass.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi, Doc,\u201d Hoss joined the group. \u201cPa, we\u2019ll wash up as quickly as we can.\u201d He headed for the stairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll send Hop Sing up with some hot water. Hoss, can you give Adam a call, let him know dinner will be ready soon?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cSure thing, Pa.\u201d Hoss turned and looked back over the banisters.<\/p>\n
Paul Martin sipped patiently at his drink whilst Ben gave instructions to Hop Sing and settled in his chair. There was an air of distractedness about the rancher that Martin could not quite place; perhaps it had been a hectic week. Mind you, on a spread the size of the Ponderosa with its diverse interests, there could hardly be a week when things were\u00a0not\u00a0<\/i>hectic.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Ben?\u201d he asked quietly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy do you ask?\u201d Ben countered. Paul noted that he denied nothing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2018m not sure, but you and I have known each other a long time and I just sense something\u2018s not as it should be,\u201d was his simple answer.<\/p>\n
Ben sighed and took another mouthful of the burning liquid before going on. \u201cDon\u2019t get me wrong, Paul. I haven\u2019t got you here under false pretences. Your dinner invitation was before all this started.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat started?\u201d<\/p>\n
The sound of footsteps on the stairs drew the attention of both men. \u201cLater,\u201d Ben muttered as Adam came into view and rose to meet him at the foot of the staircase. \u201cOkay?\u201d he asked quietly, seemingly casually, but Paul heard it and did not miss the fatherly concern in his eyes or the hand fleetingly resting on the son\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n
Adam nodded, \u201cFine. Thanks, Pa.\u201d The moment was gone. Seeing Paul on the sofa, Adam stepped forward flashing a grin, his hand outstretched in greeting. \u201cEvening, Doctor. We don\u2019t seem to have seen you in ages.\u201d<\/p>\n
Martin took the extended hand and shook it warmly, barely concealing his surprise as Adam seemed to wince in pain. Perhaps he had just imagined it. \u201cHi, Adam. I guess our paths haven\u2019t crossed lately \u2019cause you boys haven\u2019t gotten yourselves into any trouble that warrants my being here in a professional capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n
He smiled as he said it; an innocent comment, a mere jest in a lighter moment, but a reference to the more serious occasions when he had had to set bones, remove a bullet, sort a dislocated shoulder, bandage fractured ribs and work on breaking a fever. Ranch life was hard and fraught with dangers and the four Cartwright men -father included – had had their fair share of mishaps. Now, though, Adam\u2019s face darkened and, behind him in the room, Ben cleared his throat.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhiskey, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo thanks, Pa. Maybe after dinner,\u201d and he lowered himself carefully into a chair. Tall and long-limbed, every movement Adam made was usually economical and graceful. Now he slumped tiredly in his seat and, Paul Martin was convinced this time, a flicker of discomfort briefly contorted his features.<\/p>\n
Ben and the Doctor chatted on about folks and life in the area with occasional contributions from Adam but it was not long before Hoss and Joe clattered down the stairs to join them. Dressed in clean shirts and pants, and with damp hair, their faces glowed from their recent scrubbing. A waft of cologne surrounded both of them. Hop Sing had silently begun to put steaming serving dishes on the table and retreated to fetch still more.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, dinner\u2019s ready. Good job too, I\u2019m starving,\u201d Hoss complained, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrother, what\u2019s new?\u201d Joe slapped him on the back. \u201cI\u2019ll be more surprised the day you say you\u2019re not hungry.\u201d Together they headed for their places and stood behind their seats but the other three men hung back.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam?\u201d Ben prompted, indicating that he wanted his son to precede him and his guest to the dinner table. Adam seemed to hesitate but, head bowed, moved past his father and joined his brothers. Ben moved towards Paul and lowered his voice so that the Doctor initially had difficulty hearing what was said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo something for me; watch Adam at dinner tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWatch him? I don\u2019t understand.\u201d Paul was bewildered but it confirmed his mounting worry that all was not well with the eldest Cartwright boy and that it went beyond a strain from riding or heavier manual work.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust watch him and we\u2019ll talk afterwards.\u201d<\/p>\n
They joined the others at the table and the atmosphere was largely relaxed. Hoss and Joe were in fine form and kept the gathering entertained with stories and jokes. Hop Sing had surpassed himself as usual and the food was excellent, as was the wine that Ben had selected. The patriarch of the Cartwright household sat in his usual place at the head of the table, his guest on his immediate right, usurping the place of the eldest son who now sat opposite. Hoss and Joe had quite happily moved down a place to accommodate their visitor and, as they laughed at the memory of another shared escapade, Paul Martin took the opportunity to glance at the other two men as he reached for his wine glass.<\/p>\n
Ben was surreptitiously watching Adam who, for most of the time at least, seemed oblivious to the presence of the others. Although he appreciated a good wine like his father, he had drunk barely half a glass of the fine red before him. He was very pale and drawn, his eyes heavy-lidded with an uncharacteristic sleepiness. Whereas the other men had refilled their plates from Hop Sing\u2019s sumptuous fare, Adam had not cleared his plate a first time, eating little and pushing the rest around with his fork, displacing it so that it looked as if he had eaten more than he actually had. He hardly said anything to anybody throughout the meal and this was the man with the college education, articulate on a whole range of subjects and usually very good company – but not this night. Something was definitely wrong. Beads of perspiration stood out on his forehead and he rose.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me,\u201d he muttered, not looking at anyone in particular. \u201cI need some fresh air,\u201d and he was gone. Ben started to get up but Hoss was on his feet first.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll go, Pa. You\u2019ve got a guest,\u201d and he followed his older brother out through the front door into the night air.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa was saying that Ty Norris had taken ill,\u201d Joe\u2019s voice was directed at Paul Martin as he started up another conversation. \u201cHow\u2019s he doin?\u201d<\/p>\n
The doctor looked up in surprise. \u201cYou haven\u2019t heard then?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNone of us has been in town since then. Heard what?\u201d Ben asked, refilling Paul\u2019s wine glass and then his own. He made to top up Adam\u2019s half empty glass but checked himself and put the bottle down again.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe passed away last night. There was nothing I could do,\u201d Martin sighed.<\/p>\n
\u201cTy Norris as well? Counting Leavy and Farrell, that\u2019s three men in a little over two weeks,\u201d Joe commented, a little surprised. \u201cWhat did he die from?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would seem that it was the same as Farrell and from what I\u2019ve heard over the past week about Leavy, we may have done him a great disservice. It\u2019s looking more and more like he did not die from an excess of alcohol but that his symptoms were the same as the other two.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat symptoms? We heard as how you thought Farrell was down to food poisoning,\u201d Joe pointed out.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell that\u2019s how it looked at the time. I know it\u2019s not a dinner table subject, but it looks like we\u2019ve all finished. He had these bouts of vomiting over a period of several days. If it had been food poisoning, he\u2019d have gotten sick for a few hours, maybe a day or so, and then he would have started to pick up. This was strange though. He\u2019d get sick, seem to recover, get back to work and get sick again. The same with Norris. Now I hear that Leavy had been complaining about not feeling too hot for several days before he eventually died.\u201d Paul became aware that, as he described the symptoms, Ben had moved forward on his chair hanging on his every word.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny other symptoms?\u201d he demanded.<\/p>\n
Paul exhaled heavily as he got his thoughts in order. \u201cSpasmodic fever and diarrhoea. Oh yes, something really odd. Neither Farrell or Norris had stomach cramps or anything like that, but they did both complain of incredible pain in their fingers and face. It seemed like their extremities were really being hit so that …\u201d His voice trailed off. \u201cBen, what\u2019s the matter?\u201d<\/p>\n
The rancher had gone white. \u201cDear God,\u201d he whispered, lowering his glass to the table.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa, what is it?\u201d Joe insisted, alarmed at the sudden change in his father\u2019s demeanour and moving quickly round the table to sit in Adam\u2019s place so that he was physically nearer his father in his sudden distress.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what\u2019s happening to Adam?\u201d he gasped.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Joe knew that his brother had not been well lately but Ben had not made him privy to all the details.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Paul pressed.<\/p>\n
Ben ignored him. \u201cDid you do like I asked? Did you watch him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I did.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEven without your reaction, I\u2019d already decided that he must be ill. He\u2019s not yet thirty-one, fit and strong, doing a gruelling, strenuous job but he hadn\u2019t been working this afternoon, had he? He didn\u2019t come down having just freshened up. He was up there, resting. He\u2019s pale; I can see that he\u2019s lost weight and in a short space of time too. He only ate a little and said even less. You wanted me to watch him and it all adds up to something being wrong. Tell me, Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe started vomiting just over a week ago. He can\u2019t keep anything down, and although I know he\u2019s hungry, he seems to be afraid to eat. Even Hop Sing can\u2019t tempt him, you saw that for yourself tonight, although he\u2019s just eaten more than he\u2019s done for the last two or three days.\u201d Ben had Paul\u2019s total attention. \u201cHe\u2019s told me about the pain in his fingers, feet and face and says it gets unbearable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIs it there all the time?\u201d Paul asked, thinking back to Adam\u2019s evident discomfort earlier when they had shaken hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cApparently not, although he did say the periods are getting longer and worse.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has to be a link,\u201d Paul thought out loud.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou think it\u2019s the same as Leavy, Norris and Farrell?\u201d Joe asked, his voice quiet.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has to be,\u201d Paul stated.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut they\u2019re dead,\u201d Joe\u2019s voice cracked. The three men looked at each other in alarm. Just then the door opened and Hoss entered, his face serious.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa, I think you\u2019d better get the Doc to take a look at Adam now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy, son?\u201d Ben asked, already knowing in his heart what the answer would be.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe just lost his dinner again,\u201d Hoss announced, matter-of-factly.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
CHAPTER THIRTEEN<\/p>\n
Paul Martin had finished his examination of Adam, and rejoined the other three Cartwrights who sat in the lounge, anxiously sipping at brandy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell?\u201d Ben asked worriedly, pouring a drink for the doctor and handing it to him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no doubt about it, it\u2019s the same symptoms as the other men,\u201d Paul announced.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut what is it?\u201d Joe demanded, an edge of anger in his voice. At that moment, he was angry with everyone and everything: angry at the doctor for being unable to give them a precise diagnosis; angry at Adam for not letting on how bad he was, angry at his father and older brother for not telling him that Adam had been so ill for several days and, even more to the point, angry with himself for not being observant enough to have realised that something was wrong.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe, but I have absolutely no idea. There has to be a link in this that we\u2019re just not seeing,\u201d Paul answered.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we have to find that link – now. Like I said, those other men are dead,\u201d Joe was on his feet, punching the air in frustration as he punctuated his words.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow jest sit and calm yerself,\u201d Hoss insisted. \u201cAin\u2019t gonna do anyone any good if you get excited.\u201d Joe merely continued to pace.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to think about this logically,\u201d Ben said thoughtfully. \u201cWe\u2019ll have to see if we can go through every move Adam has made. There has to be a tie-in with those other men. Joseph, get some paper and a pencil from my desk.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe sprang into action, relieved at last that they were doing something constructive. Hoss cleared the coffee table of coffee cups and glasses and the four men gathered close. Ben positioned himself on the sofa and acted as scribe as, between him and his sons, they attempted to recreate Adam\u2019s every move for the preceding week as best they could. Then the doctor added what he knew about each of the three dead men.<\/p>\n
An hour later, they sat back as Hop Sing brought a fresh tray of coffee and they surveyed the sheets of paper strewn over the table, their disappointment plain. All they had managed to show was where there was\u00a0no\u00a0<\/i>link between the deceased and the eldest Cartwright son.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo,\u201d Ben began, as he attempted to summarise their efforts, \u201calthough the other three men were all in Virginia City at the same time, the only occasion Adam was there recently was days\u00a0after\u00a0<\/i>Leavy had died and before Farrell became ill. He never saw Farrell that day and he certainly has not been anywhere near Ty Norris\u2019 place so he had no contact there. When Adam and Hoss went in that day, they did not stop to eat anywhere so there\u2019s no link in eating places. Besides, Paul, you already ruled out food poisoning after Farrell, because there were no other incidences.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can eliminate foodstuffs bought from the store because none of the men bought supplies there on the same days, yet other folks did, and none of them took sick,\u201d Paul explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I buy food there, I cook and no-one else get sick in house here,\u201d Hop Sing insisted as he looked around the Cartwright men for affirmation.<\/p>\n
Hoss came to his support. \u201cWe\u2019ve all eaten the same things, even when Hop Sing packs us up something at lunch times.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat rules out Hop Sing\u2019s cooking then,\u201d Joe announced, flashing the little Chinaman a wicked grin. The cook \u2018harrumped\u2019 loudly in disgust and stood there, arms folded.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about when Adam\u2019s been working off on his own on the Ponderosa? Any chance something might have affected him there?\u201d Paul wanted to know.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been with one of us most of the time over the past few days,\u201d Ben answered. \u201cHe was up at the lumber camp the first half of last week.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam an\u2019 I have already discussed that,\u201d Hoss put in. \u201cHe ate the same as the men and got his water from the same place. None of them were sick then and we sure haven\u2019t heard anything since. Something as bad as this going round and somebody would have been squealing for the Doc afore now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss\u2019s right,\u201d Paul conceded. Ben nodded, accepting the line of reasoning.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about watering holes? Has he stopped to use any others on the ranch? Could it be one of them has got contaminated?\u201d Paul pressed.<\/p>\n
\u201cRule that one out,\u201d Joe interceded.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow can you be so sure?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStands to reason. If we\u2019ve got a contaminated water hole, we\u2019d have sick or dying cattle. We\u2019ve had hands out all over this ranch in the past couple of days and not one of them has reported a problem. Even if they had, it wouldn\u2019t link in Leavy and the others; they haven\u2019t been out to the Ponderosa at all,\u201d Joe explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood point,\u201d agreed Ben, and Paul was forced to concur.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyway, Adam always starts off the day with a full canteen from the supply to the house. Only time he\u2019s refilled elsewhere recently is out at the Widow Rawlins place,\u201d Hoss commented.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen was that?\u201d Paul asked, curiosity aroused.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t get excited. I thought that was the answer second day Adam took ill, but he said the water was from her well. She uses it for herself and her little bit of livestock, so that sure ain\u2019t contaminated,\u201d Hoss sighed. This was getting them nowhere. The men lapsed into silence.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis Widow Rawlins; she the one who bought up the Bates\u2019 place?\u201d Paul inquired.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, why, you know her?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust\u00a0of\u00a0<\/i>her; I haven\u2019t seen her yet so I wouldn\u2019t know who she was if she passed me in the street.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh believe me,\u201d Hoss snorted, \u201conce you\u2019ve seen her; you\u2019d know it was her straight off. She\u2019s mighty stern, though Adam reckons she\u2019s thawed out a little recently. He\u2019s been doin\u2019 some jobs for her when he\u2019s finished here; he\u2019s gone and mended fences and started repairing the barn.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why I thought he\u2019d been overdoing things,\u201d Ben remonstrated with himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow long\u2019s he been doin\u2019 that job then?\u201d Paul asked.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2019Bout the same time as he\u2019s been ill,\u201d Hoss said in all innocence. Suddenly the importance of his words registered with all of them and they all leaned in towards him as he went through events in his head. \u201cFirst day he went out there, he was sick on the way home. Same thing happened the next day and others.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut there have been days when he\u2018s been ill and not been out to the Widow\u2019s place, like today,\u201d Joe added quietly. Hoss\u2019s argument appeared to fall apart.<\/p>\n
\u201cI get the feeling we\u2019re so close, only we can\u2019t find that all important link,\u201d Ben said, his frustration clear.<\/p>\n
Paul got to his feet, \u201cWell, it\u2019s getting too late and we\u2019re all too tired to think straight. Maybe things will be more obvious in the morning. I have to get going, Ben. Thanks for your hospitality and I\u2019m sorry about Adam. I hope he\u2019s feeling better in the morning, but if not, don\u2018t hesitate to call me in.\u201d He extended a hand to the rancher in farewell.<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks for taking a look at him, Paul,\u201d Ben took the proffered hand and shook it warmly. \u201cI promise that, next time, we won\u2019t make you work for your dinner.\u201d All the men laughed briefly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll hold you to that,\u201d the Doctor countered as he disappeared out into the night, accompanied by Hoss. Ben and Joe watched their guest\u2019s departure and then, as Hoss secured the barn doors, they turned back inside the house.<\/p>\n
Ben laid a hand on Joe\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI\u2019m going up to check on Adam and then I\u2019m going to turn in. Sleep well, Joseph, and say goodnight to Hoss for me, will you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure thing, Pa. You have a good night too.\u201d Joe watched, his brow creased with anxiety as his father trudged wearily up the stairs, his tread heavy, his head bowed and his shoulders slumped. Concern for his eldest was taking its toll.<\/p>\n
CHAPTER FOURTEEN<\/p>\n
A couple of days later, Paul Martin strode along the covered boardwalk in the direction of the mercantile store mulling, as he did so, about events out at the Ponderosa and replaying the conversation with the Cartwrights in his head. He was desperately seeking a link between the four men that might shed some light as to the cause of death of three of them and what was ailing the fourth. That link had to be found, and soon, otherwise the risk to Adam was only too real.<\/p>\n
In the store, someone was already being served by Morrison, and Martin browsed among the shelves, his mind elsewhere and not really seeing the stock, but gradually the conversation between the store owner and the customer permeated his thoughts.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that all you\u2019ve got?\u201d the customer was asking, her voice clipped with displeasure.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the last of it, Ma\u2019am, until new supplies come in,\u201d Ike Morrison was explaining.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen\u2019s that likely to be?\u201d she persisted.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometime in the next few days; can\u2019t say for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what am I supposed to do when this bit has gone?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I\u2019m sorry, Ma\u2019am. but you\u2019ve had all the arsenic I carry. Don\u2019t get much call for it, until now,\u201d Morrison apologised. \u201cSurely you should have got rid of them pests by now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what I keep thinking, Mr Morrison, and yet they keep coming back. I suppose this\u2019ll have to do for now, but I\u2019d appreciate you putting some to one side for me when it comes in.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWill do, Ma\u2019am. Now, are you settling up now or do you want this adding to your account?\u201d<\/p>\n
Paul Martin did not hear the rest of the exchange; his mind was racing and it was some moments before he realised that he was being addressed by the store owner.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was that?\u201d Martin asked, drawn from his reverie.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to know what you were needing, Doc. Everything okay? You looked like you was far away right then,\u201d Ike observed.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry. Say, Ike, who was that woman buying the arsenic?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGuess she hasn\u2019t had to see you in an official capacity yet, huh? That\u2019s Mrs Rawlins; bought up the Bates place a while back. Sure is having one mighty big problem with rats in the barn though. She\u2019s been buying up my entire stock of arsenic over the weeks but the rats must be getting the flavour of it now.. Hey, Doc, you never said what you were wanting ….\u201d This last he called after the doctor who had suddenly walked out, leaving the door swinging slowly shut in his wake.<\/p>\n
Back in his office, the doctor sat at his desk and pulled out the bottom drawer to retrieve a pile of medical journals that were sent to him from the east every six to eight weeks. He remembered reading a particular article and he needed to find it now; it could be vitally important and he had to refresh his memory.<\/p>\n
***********<\/p>\n
Ben was sitting at his desk writing letters in an atmosphere of calm and quiet that had fallen on the house. Periodically he would be disturbed by the soft sound of footsteps on the flooring as Hop Sing emerged from the kitchen, wiping his hands on his apron. He would look in the direction of the sofa, nod in satisfied contentment, and then disappear back into the kitchen again. Ben smiled in silent appreciation of the little Chinaman\u2019s concern and watchfulness. Hadn\u2019t he himself occasionally left his desk to cross to the back of the sofa and glance down on his sleeping son?<\/p>\n
Adam had put up little resistance to Ben\u2019s insistence that he stay at home today and there had been even less of an argument when Ben had delegated Adam\u2019s usual chores in the vicinity of the house to his brothers. Necessary paperwork had held his attention for only an hour or so before he had sat down on the sofa and, in minutes, was sound asleep. Ben and Hop Sing had removed his boots and, between them, laid him down, a cushion beneath his head, a rug spread over his lower limbs. He had not even stirred.<\/p>\n
This had been enough to cause Ben some anxiety. Adam was a notoriously light sleeper and had been since infancy. Many was the time that Ben had rocked him to sleep and had been about to return the child to his crib when he had reawakened with the slight movement. Nothing short of an explosion would move Hoss once he was in a deep sleep and, although restless, Joe was also a sound sleeper but Adam would be wide awake and alert at the slightest noise. Now, Ben and Hop Sing had struggled with his close-fitting boots, laid him down and swung his legs up onto the sofa and his eyes had not even flickered.<\/p>\n
It had been a couple of days since Paul had dined with the Cartwrights and although Ben had continued to wrack his brains, he still could not see any pattern to Adam\u2019s illness. It was now three days since Adam had last left the Ponderosa and this was the first day when the sickness had not struck although, Ben acknowledged reluctantly, there was still time. Maybe he ought to contact Paul again.<\/p>\n
At that moment, there was a loud knock at the door. Ben looked up as Hop Sing passed him to open it, and still Adam did not move.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome in, come in,\u201d Hop Sing said quietly, and took the Doctor\u2019s hat for him as Paul Martin was ushered into the great room.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi, Paul,\u201d Ben greeted softly, grasping the other man\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen,\u201d Paul nodded in response. \u201cHow\u2019s he doing?\u201d he asked, standing beside the elder Cartwright to look down on the son.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo better. You saved me from having to send for you. Come on through to the kitchen and we\u2019ll have some of Hop Sing\u2019s coffee while I fill you in,\u201d and Ben guided his visitor through to the heart of the house.<\/p>\n
They settled themselves at the kitchen table and waited until Hop Sing had put two steaming cups of strong, black coffee in front of them before either of them spoke.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf anything,\u201d Ben began, \u201cAdam\u2019s getting worse. After you\u2019d gone Saturday evening, he slept through until gone ten yesterday morning – can\u2019t remember the last time he did that – and he\u2019s slept most of today.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHas he had the sickness again?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot yet today, but he was bad late yesterday afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThink, Ben. We have to find a pattern here. What\u2019s he eaten and done?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben ran a hand through his hair as he thought. \u201cHe ate a little breakfast yesterday, some of Hop Sing\u2019s fresh bread and later he had some chicken soup. Last night he had some fish – we all did – caught in the afternoon by Joe and Hoss. Today he\u2019s had more fresh bread and beef soup. Everything was made by Hop Sing and we\u2019ve all eaten the same. Both days he\u2019s stayed here, too lethargic and weak to leave the house, so he\u2019s not done anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut there has to be something, Ben. Anything out of the ordinary?\u201d Paul persisted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe lady come,\u201d Hop Sing intervened.<\/p>\n
\u201cLady? What lady?\u201d Paul wanted to know.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I\u2019d forgotten,\u201d Ben gasped. \u201cMrs Rawlins came to visit briefly yesterday afternoon. She didn\u2019t stay long. She knew that Adam had been ill last week and again he\u2019d not shown at her place to carry on doing any work so she thought she\u2019d ride on over and see how he was doing. It was neighbourly of her. She stayed for some refreshments and to leave Adam some cookies and then she went.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paul tried to suppress his mounting horror. \u201cDid he eat the cookies?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben was surprised at Paul\u2019s interest in an edible gift. \u201cOf course. There weren\u2019t many and she said she\u2019d baked them especially for him. Adam was quite touched; maybe he\u2019s getting through to this woman after all. It was hard keeping Hoss away from the cookies but once Adam had convinced him that they weren\u2019t as good as Hop Sing\u2019s, he didn\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre there any of these cookies left?\u201d demanded Paul.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo; like I said, there weren\u2019t many.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then Adam got sick. How soon?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I don\u2019t rightly recall. An hour later, I suppose, maybe a little less. Why? Where are you going with this, Paul? Surely you don\u2019t think it was the cookies? That Mrs Rawlins …\u201d Ben\u2019s voice trailed off in disbelief.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know for sure, Ben, but humour me. We need to wake up Adam. I want a clip of his hair and a sample of his urine. Oh, and I\u2018d like to take his usual water canteen with me as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat on earth for?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m following up an idea but I don\u2019t know if it is going to work. Has he drunk enough today?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPossibly. Whenever he\u2019s awake we try to get him to drink water; I\u2019m worried he\u2019s going to get dehydrated.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was a little under an hour later when Ben watched the Doctor ride off into the distance, apparently satisfied with a cutting of Adam\u2019s hair, a curl from behind his right ear. That had been the easy part. Producing the water sample had been more problematic as they had roused him from a deep sleep. He was groggy, grouchy and embarrassed as the Doctor and his father awaited results. It was soon obvious that he had not been drinking enough and so they had had to ply him with several glasses full before there had been any positive effect.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was that all about?\u201d Adam growled as his father came back into the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cPaul\u2019s got an idea and he has to do a few tests to work out what\u2019s wrong with you,\u201d Ben explained, tying to sound more light-hearted than he was actually feeling as he plumped up the cushions and folded the rug. \u201cYou feel like eating anything?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNope, but you\u2019ll make me anyway,\u201d Adam replied. Ben was pleased to see his serious features break into a wry smile and he grinned back.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, if you think you can stagger into the kitchen with me and Hop Sing, maybe we\u2019ll find something that\u2019ll interest you,\u201d and he reached out a hand to help his son to his feet.<\/p>\n
Adam took it and allowed his father to put a steadying arm round his waist when he swayed slightly. \u201cOh it all interests me, Pa,\u201d he reluctantly conceded as they moved slowly towards the kitchen and he realised he was hungry. \u201cI just want it to stay put when I\u2018ve eaten it.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
CHAPTER FIFTEEN<\/p>\n
Ben was back at his desk next day when the knock came.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou no move, I get it,\u201d Hop Sing said from the bottom of the stairs. He had just been about to head up them, arms full of fresh linen. Now he turned and deposited his load on the nearest chair before seeing who the visitors were. He admitted Paul Martin and Roy Coffee.<\/p>\n
Ben rose to meet them, a smile on his face in greeting but the smile faded when he noted their serious expressions.<\/p>\n
\u201cRoy, Paul,\u201d he shook each of them by the hand and indicated a chair. They mumbled their greeting and sat, the sheriff looking uncomfortable as his fingers circled the brim of his hat in his hands. \u201cWhat brings you both here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI get coffee,\u201d Hop Sing announced and bustled out, leaving the men to talk. Paul Martin broke the silence.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou remember I took a clip of Adam\u2019s hair yesterday and a urine sample,\u201d he began.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. Have you found something?\u201d Ben hardly gave him time to answer and the doctor raised a hand to stem the tide of questions.<\/p>\n
\u201cBack in 1836, an English chemist called James Marsh developed a test. It was pure chance that I was reading a report about it recently. Anyway, it wasn\u2019t easy but I reproduced the test as best I could. The results might not be totally accurate but the Marsh test is unbelievably sensitive and can give us a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat does this test do?\u201d Ben was worried now.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt detects the presence of arsenic in body tissue and fluids,\u201d Paul explained quietly.<\/p>\n
Ben stared at him in horror as the words registered. \u201cWhat are you saying? That Adam has got arsenic in him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn small enough doses, arsenic does not have to be fatal. Indeed, I\u2019ve read that there are some who swear by its medicinal value but I haven\u2019t met any of those people myself. Anyway, it can be administered over a period of time. It causes severe stomach upsets, debilitating tiredness, dehydration, diarrhoea and extreme pins and needles, in particular in the hands and feet. Norris, Tyler and Adam have all complained of this. Don\u2019t you see, it fits. They received a dose, got sick, recovered slightly, received another dose, got sick again and the cycle went on. All the time, with Norris, Tyler and, so we now believe, Leavy, the level of arsenic in their bodies was increasing until they had an extreme reaction. The level was too high and they died. It\u2019s arsenic poisoning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo Adam\u2019s got arsenic in him and it\u2019s getting more all the time?\u201d Ben was trying to get the idea straight in his head. \u201cBut how\u2019s it getting there?\u201d The two other men looked at each other before Roy answered.<\/p>\n
\u201cEliza Rawlins has been dosing him up with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEliza Rawlins?\u201d Ben stared at them in disbelief. \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe gave it to him in drinks and food when he was out working for her and she put it in his canteen; there were traces there,\u201d Paul explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut she came here a couple of days ago to see how Adam was doing when she heard he got sick!\u201d Ben objected.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, and what did she bring with her?\u201d Roy asked quietly.<\/p>\n
The horror of the situation hit Ben hard. \u201cThe cookies! She brought him a plate of cookies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExactly. We made some more inquiries and found that Leavy, Norris and Tyler had all been out to her ranch making deliveries or offering to help her around the place. It\u2019s the only thing that ties them all together.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I saw her at the mercantile store earlier yesterday morning. She was buying arsenic; claims she has rats in the barn,\u201c Paul added. \u201cThat\u2019s when I put the pieces together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Roy took up the story again. \u201cEach time they went out to her place, she gave them some of the poison. In a small quantity, it\u2019s tasteless. They would never have known. She gave Adam coffee, filled his canteen for him on more than one occasion, and baked the cookies by her own admission. All gave her ample opportunity to dose him with the arsenic.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce he\u2019d got enough in his system, it didn\u2019t matter if he did not go and see her every day. As soon as he ate anything substantial, he got sick to his stomach,\u201d Paul added.<\/p>\n
Ben looked at Roy, an expression of disgust and rage distorting his features. \u201cAre you trying to tell me that woman has deliberately been poisoning my son?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt looks like it,\u201d Paul agreed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere is Adam now?\u201d Roy asked. \u201cWe need to go ask him some questions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben paled as realisation dawned. His answer was barely a whisper as fear coursed through him. \u201cHe\u2019s there, at the Rawlins\u2019 place. He felt he was letting her down and, as he was feeling more like himself today, he\u2019s gone to help her some more. I didn\u2018t want him to go; I felt he ought to give himself some more time, but you know what he\u2018s like.\u201d He appealed to the other two men and they nodded in sympathetic agreement; they had learned over the years that once the eldest Cartwright son had set his mind to something, he was virtually immovable.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019d best get over there as quickly as we can,\u201d Roy said, somewhat unnecessarily as the three men headed for the door. Hop Sing was just appearing from the kitchen with the freshly made coffee when he saw the men leaving.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t want coffee?\u201c he asked, wondering at their haste. Ben paused as he picked up his gunbelt from the dresser by the door and buckled it round his waist. Reaching for his hat, he issued rapid instructions.<\/p>\n
\u201cTell Hoss and Little Joe we\u2019ve gone over to the Rawlins place. We have to get to Adam and quickly. He\u2019s in danger,\u201c and the door slammed shut.<\/p>\n
\u201cDanger? What you mean danger? How Mistah Adam in danger? Where I find Mistah Hoss and Mistah Joe?\u201d He stood bewildered in the empty room, his words falling in the silence, the tray of coffee and cups still in his hands.<\/p>\n
The three men had swiftly mounted and headed northwards. They rode in silence, each lost in their own thoughts and filled with trepidation. All Ben could think of was that Adam had been worsening as the days passed. His rate of recuperation following each bout was slower or incomplete and now he may have been even further at risk.<\/p>\n
If what they surmised about the Widow Rawlins was true, Roy found it difficult to conceive that a woman could commit such a heinous act. In all his years as a lawman, he had never seen the like. There were probably at least three men dead at the hands of this woman and now, the eldest son of one of his closest friends looked set to be her next victim. Roy shook his head in disbelief. Adam was a serious, intense young man, considerate when it came to the welfare of others and concerned that right was always done. Here he was, giving time after an already demanding day on the Ponderosa to a woman who was apparently in need; yet her method of repayment was to steadily dose him with poison.<\/p>\n
Paul Martin had been describing to him how ill the eldest Cartwright boy was looking when he had checked him over at Ben\u2019s request. The Doctor had also listed the symptoms that poor Adam had experienced over a period of time; all deliberately inflicted and to what purpose? What had the Widow Rawlins hoped to achieve by this? Lawyers were looking into the estates of the dead men but Adam was in no position to sign anything over to her. Everything to do with the Ponderosa was still firmly in Ben\u2019s name; none of the boys was able to take sole responsibility, even in the event of Ben\u2019s demise.<\/p>\n
So what had she wanted? Adam could not have suspected anything himself. No-one willingly wanted to be that ill and certainly no-one with an ounce of intelligence was prepared to deliberately run the apparent risk he would be taking by his repeated visits to the Widow had he known.<\/p>\n
Roy could only see two uncomfortable alternatives. Either Eliza Rawlins had lost her grip on her sanity or she derived a cold, sadistic delight in the suffering she was inflicting.<\/p>\n
Despite being pleased that he had read the report on the Marsh test and had, in part, reproduced it with some success, Paul could not disguise his irrational feeling of guilt that he had not identified things earlier. Why had he not questioned before now the suspicious deaths of Leavy, Farrell, and Norris? Why had he not looked at the similarities in the symptoms and their rapid deterioration with more care? Supposing they failed to find Adam in time? If Widow Rawlins had been systematically poisoning him over several days, she might have been steadily increasing the doses. If she was in the process of poisoning him even now, as they rode to intervene, who could say if this was not a larger dose, or even the potentially fatal one? He breathed deeply, a cold fear gripping his heart. He could not even begin to conceive what this would do to the Cartwright family.<\/p>\n
Ben suddenly reined in as he saw a rider approaching them in the distance. Shielding his eyes against the sun, he squinted as he sought to recognise the animal. He was sure it was Sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s Adam,\u201d he cried in relief and spurred his horse on to meet the other rider. The distant sorrel ground to a halt and for a moment, its rider swayed in the saddle. To Ben\u2019s horror, the man slid sideways and pitched head first onto the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam!\u201d he yelled. \u201cAdam!\u201d He leaped from his own horse and ran the last few steps across the ground to where Adam lay, still and silent. Rolling him over onto his back, Ben gasped at the sight of his son.<\/p>\n
Adam was a deathly white, his eyes darkly ringed. His breathing was laboured, his skin sheened with sweat and his black shirt front stained with fresh vomit.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam,\u201d Ben pulled him up into his arms as the sheriff and the doctor arrived alongside and dismounted to join the father and son.<\/p>\n
\u201cBen, let me take a look at him,\u201d Paul offered. Quickly and silently, he examined the semi-conscious young man but, in this wide open space, there was little he could do other than force a little water through the dry lips. It was no good; seconds after swallowing, Adam jerked in his father\u2019s arms and retched noisily. Ben patiently held him as his shoulders heaved and more vomit puddled into the dust at his side.<\/p>\n
Paul tried to keep his voice steady as he stared at the evidence tinged with the dark red flecks of blood. \u201cWe need to get him back to the Ponderosa as quickly as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Together, they hauled Adam up and guided his left foot into the stirrup. Working as a team, they pushed him up into the saddle and Ben mounted rapidly behind him, his arms wrapped round him to keep him on the horse. They had not been riding for long when he felt the limp form sag heavily against him; Adam had totally lost consciousness now.<\/p>\n
Hoss met them as they pulled up outside the house.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa, what\u2019s going on? Hop Sing said Adam was in danger,\u201d demanded Hoss, concerned by the arrival of the Sheriff and the Doctor with his father, but then he saw his sick brother. \u201cIs Adam real bad?\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben ignored his question. \u201cGive me a hand, Hoss. We have to get him into the house.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss stepped forward to assist as his father lowered his brother into his arms. He could not prevent himself from instinctively wrinkling his nose in disgust as his nostrils picked up the unmistakable odour of vomit and something else.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa?\u201d he began, shifting his hold on Adam so that he could slip one arm round his brother\u2019s shoulders and the other under his knees in order to pick him up with remarkable ease. At nearly six feet two and strong in build, Adam was no lightweight but he could have been a mere baby in the way Hoss gathered him up. Ben dismounted, silencing his middle son with a glance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to get him cleaned up as soon as possible and make him comfortable.\u201d He made no other reference to the fact that Adam had completely lost bowel and bladder control as they had ridden up to the ranch house.<\/p>\n
In Adam\u2019s room, Hoss stood to one side, effortlessly carrying his brother whilst the other men and Hop Sing made preparations. Unbidden, the little Chinaman came and went with bowls of hot water and cloths and two empty bowls. Paul Martin searched through his medical bag whilst Roy and Ben stripped down the bed covers and laid out clean towels to protect the sheeted mattress. Hoss relinquished his precious burden, remaining on hand to help manipulate the unresponsive limbs as his father and Roy Coffee peeled off the layers of soiled, stinking clothing.<\/p>\n
Just as silently, Hop Sing gathered up the discarded shirt, black pants and underclothing and removed them from the room as Ben and Paul soaked cloths and gently wiped clean the naked form that lay between them on the bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere\u2019s Joseph?\u201d Ben asked distractedly, never pausing in his task and throwing a dirty cloth into an empty basin on the floor. Reaching for a clean towel Hop Sing had put in a pile at the foot of the bed, he began to dry Adam\u2019s legs He knew he was probably being irrational, but at that moment, he wanted his three sons where he could see them.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019d gone out to check the herd in the lower pastures. I sent Charlie to go get him.\u201d Hoss felt helpless, standing by and watching as his father and the doctor frantically worked. \u201cWhat\u2019s goin\u2019 on, Pa? What\u2019s wrong with Adam? Why\u2019d you say he was in danger?\u201d<\/p>\n
Roy, feeling equally at a loss, crossed the room to join him. \u201cYour brother\u2019s been poisoned with arsenic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss turned frightened eyes on him. All he had picked up on was \u2018poisoned\u2019 and \u2018arsenic\u2019; two words that were guaranteed to conjure up fear. \u201cWho\u2019d want to poison Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the Widow Rawlins,\u201d Roy explained.<\/p>\n
Hoss was just as amazed as his father. \u201cWhat? Why? I mean how can you …\u201d his words trailed off in disbelief.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what we intend to find out,\u201d Roy assured him. \u201cDoc, any chance that Adam can tell us anything soon?\u201d<\/p>\n
Paul straightened up from where he had been taking Adam\u2019s pulse and leaving Ben to cover him with a cotton sheet. \u201cI doubt it, Roy. He\u2019s not been properly conscious since we got him back home. He doesn\u2019t look as if he\u2019s going to come round fully any time soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll wait a bit though,\u201d Roy said, \u201cif no-one minds, that is.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re welcome, Roy; you know that,\u201d Hoss answered when his father failed to answer.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
CHAPTER SIXTEEN<\/p>\n
Hoss was still standing inside the door when Joe slipped in some time later and stood beside him. Together they watched proceedings. Roy Coffee had headed back into town, realising that there was no way Adam would be in a fit enough state to answer any questions that night. As he laid a reassuring hand of farewell on Joe\u2019s arm before he vacated the room, Roy cast one long backward glance and desperately hoped that there would be a time when Adam could speak for himself. Right now, the situation was not looking good. Ben was sitting on the bed, his back against the carved bedhead. Adam half lay, half sat against him, eyes closed where he remained semi-conscious, his skin clammy and beaded with sweat. Every so often, he moved in obvious discomfort, his brow furrowing and a low moan escaping him, almost akin to a stifled sob.<\/p>\n
Joe nudged Hoss and whispered worriedly, \u201cHow\u2019s he doing?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot too good. They\u2019ve given up trying to get any water into him; he can\u2019t keep anything down and when he\u2019s not throwing up, he\u2019s messin\u2019 hisself. They\u2019ve changed the bed and cleaned him up twice now,\u201d Hoss explained.<\/p>\n
Joe registered shock. Knowing his brother, Joe realised that he would be more than mortified by his lack of bodily control. He listened, his horror mounting, as Hoss explained what was actually wrong with Adam and Mrs Rawlins\u2019 supposed part in events.<\/p>\n
Joe had witnessed ranching accidents and gunshot wounds, but this deliberate poisoning was something beyond his experience and he could not understand the callousness of such an act, especially when Adam had tried so hard to help this woman. He felt so helpless in that he could do absolutely nothing to alleviate his brother\u2019s suffering.<\/p>\n
Movement from the bed broke into his reverie. Adam was restless, his father muttering softly in reassurance as the ritual began again. Paul stepped forward with the bowl and Ben held Adam\u2019s head as the agonised retching tore through him once more. Joe winced at the painful sound and turned towards Hoss, who had not failed to notice the exchange of alarmed expressions between his father and the doctor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is it, Pa?\u201d he asked urgently, unfolding his arms and pushing himself up and away from the wall to approach the bed. Adam was spitting bile into the bowl, his stomach long since empty.<\/p>\n
\u201cBlood,\u201d Ben replied simply, wiping Adam\u2019s mouth and settling back against the pillows with him before turning worried eyes in Paul\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n
\u201cBlood!\u201d Joe exclaimed, moving to unconsciously grip the foot of the bed, his knuckles white and a stark contrast to the darkened wood.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s okay,\u201d Paul reassured them as he finished his inspection of the bowl\u2019s meagre contents and handed it with a nod to Hop Sing for cleaning yet again. \u201cHe\u2019s not got a serious internal bleed such as from the stomach; there\u2019s not enough there. It\u2019s more likely that with all this retching, he\u2019s busted some blood vessels in his throat. It\u2019ll add to his discomfort but it\u2019s nothing to worry about.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou sure?\u201d Hoss insisted.<\/p>\n
\u201cPositive,\u201d Paul smiled in an attempt to reassure father and younger brothers. He hoped he looked more confident than he felt. Three men had died of arsenic poisoning in the last two weeks and two of them had been despite his own futile ministrations. He was working in the dark here, knowing only what he had read, never having encountered other cases like these before. The slightest change in Adam\u2019s condition over the past few hours and he was doing a mental comparison with similar symptoms in Farrell and Norris.<\/p>\n
Silently Martin prayed that they had reached Adam before he had received a potentially fatal dose; the signs were good. He had lasted longer than the other men once the doctor had been summoned. Maybe he had not ingested as much poison as the others. Maybe, because he was undoubtedly younger, fitter and stronger than the first victims, he stood a better chance of fighting the effects. Maybe, Martin thought grimly, those were the very reasons why this was being drawn out so long. Maybe Adam had had the lethal dose but was just taking longer to die. Martin shrugged himself free of the desperation: too many maybes and unknown quantities.<\/p>\n
He looked at Ben, cradling his eldest son tenderly in his arms, rocking him slightly as he attempted to sooth the low whimpers of pain and stroked the long fingers, held claw-like in excruciating agony.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan\u2019t you give him anything for the pain?\u201d Joe asked, having heard about the inflammation of the nerve endings from Hoss.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish I could, Joe,\u201d the doctor patiently explained, \u201cBut he wouldn\u2019t keep anything down long enough for it to start working. Besides, I wouldn\u2019t want to give him anything that might react with the arsenic. I\u2019m sorry, but I\u2019m treading on unknown ground here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that, Paul. We know you\u2019re doing your best,\u201d Ben said quietly, never ceasing the gentle rocking.<\/p>\n
Paul watched as Hoss dampened a cloth and lightly started to bathe his brother\u2019s face. Joe seated himself on the side of the bed and carefully took one of Adam\u2019s listless hands in his own as if it were so fragile, his thumb softly rubbing the fingertips in a vain attempt to ease the suffering.<\/p>\n
Adam had something the other victims had never had. One had died entirely alone, another one had had only the doctor vainly trying to do his job. The last had at least had the support of a couple of neighbours. Adam, on the other hand, had a father and two brothers who loved him and who were willing him to live with every fibre of their being. Silently, yet united, they were urging him to fight and not give up. He\u00a0must<\/i>\u00a0respond.<\/p>\n
The evening wore on into night and in the subdued atmosphere of Adam\u2019s bedroom, the struggle for life continued. The bouts of vomiting subsided, but they had taken their toll and he was severely weakened, his breath coming in deep ragged gasps, fever eating away at him as he slipped in and out of consciousness, his fingers still clawing in agony at sweat-soaked sheets. As his father held him gently, his brothers, the doctor and Hop Sing took turns to sponge him down with tepid water in a vain attempt to break the fever and wet his dry lips, fearful of letting him swallow any liquid in case it triggered the noisy, agonised retching once more.<\/p>\n
About three o\u2019clock in the morning, as Hoss and Joe dozed fitfully in a corner of the room and Hop Sing went to get fresh water and heat up more coffee, Ben turned exhausted eyes on his doctor friend.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow much more can he take? How much worse can this get?<\/p>\n
Paul took a deep breath. He had known Ben Cartwright too long to withhold the truth, such as he knew it, or attempt to ease the pain of the situation with well-meaning platitudes. \u201cI don\u2019t know, Ben. I never saw this in the other men.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben held his gaze as the words sank in. \u201cYou mean they were all dead before this?\u201d<\/p>\n
Paul nodded. \u201cThere are things in Adam\u2019s favour. He\u2019s much younger than any of them and he\u2019s strong …\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot at the moment,\u201d Ben interrupted bitterly. \u201cHis strength\u2019s all but gone. This has been building up for days.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut he\u2019s still with us, Ben; he\u2019s a fighter. He\u2019s been a fighter all his life, which is more than can be said for the other men….\u201d He stopped himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat woman did this deliberately. If I ever get my hands on her ….,\u201d he let his threat tail off as Adam moaned softly in his arms. His anger immediately dissipated as his attention was diverted and he looked down, all the while stroking Adam\u2019s sweat-soaked hair from his burning forehead. Ben kissed the top of his head. \u201cShe went out of her way to harm my son. She even had the audacity to come to this house to visit, pretending to be concerned, and all the while she was taking the opportunity to feed him more of her ….poison. And I let her, Paul; I\u2019ll never forgive myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou weren\u2019t to know, Ben. How could you?\u201d Paul objected in a harsh whisper, trying not to awaken the sleeping brothers; Hoss snored gently.<\/p>\n
\u201cI welcomed her into this house. I let her have access to him; this woman whom he had been helping. She sat and chatted with him, Hop Sing gave her coffee and all the while, she\u2019d brought those cookies. I even heard her say she\u2019d specially baked them for him and that she didn\u2019t want him to share them. Why didn\u2019t I question that? Why didn\u2019t the alarm bells ring in my head?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy should they have done, Ben? I wouldn\u2019t have stopped to consider a neighbourly act. You said yourself he was helping her on her spread. Folks in town have been commenting on just what a proud woman she is; it\u2019s understandable to make a mistake and think the cookies were the only way she felt she could repay him without being mightily embarrassed. You have to stop beating yourself up about this. He already had the arsenic in his system.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then he had more and I could have stopped it,\u201d Ben remonstrated with himself, voice taut with grief. \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t have come to this.\u201d<\/p>\n
The crisis came before the next hour was up. Hop Sing shook Joe and Hoss awake and the three of them gathered at the foot of the bed, looking on with white, fearful faces. Joe swiped angrily at a stray tear and Hoss slipped an arm comfortingly around him.<\/p>\n
The only sound in the room was Adam\u2019s laboured, ragged breathing. His heels scrabbled briefly at the crumpled sheet until Paul\u2019s hands reached out to still him, and his fingers clutched desperately at his father\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n
Ben held him tight, rocking him, willing his own strength to pass into his dying son. \u201cFight it, Adam. Fight it, you must,\u201d he whispered fiercely, his mouth close to Adam\u2019s ear but his voice just loud enough that the others could hear. Joe gave up on trying to stem the tears as he witnessed his father\u2019s desperation. This couldn\u2019t be it. They couldn\u2019t give up on Adam like this.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoc,\u201d he begged.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe. I can\u2019t do any more.\u201d Paul\u2019s heart was heavy. He had helped this family through so much, nursed so many bullet wounds and broken bones, but he could do nothing in this instance. He had never felt so helpless.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam,\u201d Joe\u2019s voice was beseeching. His brother had to hear him. \u201cAdam, don\u2019t you dare give up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou hear him? You hear your brother? Don\u2019t you dare give up, son. Don\u2019t do this to me. You\u2019ve always been a fighter; you\u2019ve always come through. Do it this time. Please, son, for me. Your brothers need you. I need you. I need your strength. You\u2019re always there, always have been. Don\u2019t you leave me. I won\u2019t let you, you hear. You keep fighting, you hear me. Keep fighting. I love you, son. Stay with me, please.\u201d Ben kept up his frantic pleading, tears trickling down his cheeks, his frame shaking with suppressed sobs and his hold on Adam tightening as if the sheer ferocity of his embrace could prevent what he feared was inevitable. As the hours had passed, he had been increasingly aware of the change in Adam, of his deterioration and growing weakness. It was as if Ben could feel the very life slipping away from Adam and he clung to it now, not willing to let go.<\/p>\n
The rasping breathing slowed. Adam shuddered in his father\u2019s arms and went still. Ben\u2019s eyes widened in horror.<\/p>\n
\u201cNoooooooo!\u201d His denial was an animal-like wail as he bent, burying his face in Adam\u2019s neck. Joe gasped and turned into Hoss\u2019s waiting arms as they wept together.<\/p>\n
Paul stood, head bowed, a hand resting on the shoulder of his grief-stricken friend. It was Hop sing who, through his own tears, thought he saw the movement, albeit very slight, but he was sure the fingers of the limp hand draped on the sheet flexed a little. He moved forward and tenderly took the hand in his; it was, as expected, still warm. He stroked the palm very gently, his touch feather-like and tickling. The fingers jerked slightly.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoctor Paul,\u201d he said softly, not wanting to interrupt the family\u2019s grief before he was absolutely sure. \u201cDoctor Paul.\u201d Paul glanced in his direction and Hop Sing repeated his action. The fingers moved again. Paul glanced quickly at the grieving Cartwrights, oblivious to anything but their shared pain. He took Adam\u2019s hand from Hop Sing and felt for a pulse. His eyes lit up and the flicker of a smile crossed his face as he looked at Hop Sing. The Chinaman nodded sagely, his relief evident.<\/p>\n
Paul needed to check Adam more thoroughly but he was enveloped in his father\u2019s arms. \u201cBen. please. I need to see.\u201d Gradually, Ben eased his hold and raised his head. He watched resigned as Paul felt Adam\u2019s brow and cheeks and felt the side of his neck to double check the pulse. Without a word, he used his stethoscope to listen for a heart beat; it was there, thready and weak but it was definitely there.<\/p>\n
Paul straightened up, his own eyes filling with unshed tears. \u201cHe\u2019s okay, Ben. The fever\u2019s broken.\u201d Ben\u2019s jaw dropped open in disbelief. He looked first at the doctor and then down at the limp form of his son, a dead weight in his arms. \u201cHe\u2019s made it, Ben. He\u2019s come through. He\u2019s asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben gave a shaky laugh and stroked Adam\u2019s face. It was true, he was cooler to the touch and his breathing, so frighteningly rasping for much of the night, was now quiet and regular. His features, tortured with pain and sickness for so long, had softened; ebony lashes a startling contrast to his ashen cheeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa?\u201d Hoss dare not believe that everything was fine until his father confirmed it.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s all right, Hoss,\u201d Ben smiled through his tears and held his precious son close. He had genuinely thought that he had lost him and now his desperate prayers had been heard and answered. \u201cThank you, good Lord. Thank you for giving him back to me,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n
Joe and Hoss stirred into action with relief and joy. Paul watched, his face breaking into a wide grin as Hoss moved to one side of the bed, one arm engulfing his father, the other reaching to gently enfold his stricken brother whilst Joe clambered onto the other side of the bed, his left hand reaching for his father whilst he cupped Adam\u2019s face in the other and kissed him fervently on the forehead, something he would never have contemplated – or risked – had his brother been well or at least awake.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN<\/p>\n
It was nearing mid-day when Sheriff Roy Coffee rode up to the Ponderosa ranch house, dismounting just as Hoss came out of the barn.<\/p>\n
\u201cBack again, Roy?\u201d Hoss asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cGot some news for your Pa. He around?\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss chuckled, \u201cNo prizes for guessing where. He hasn\u2019t left Adam\u2019s side since you brought him home yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow is Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Doc says he\u2019s through the worst but it\u2019ll be a while yet before we know whether all the arsenic has worked its way through his system.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut he\u2019s going to be okay?\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoss grinned in unmistakable relief. \u201cYeah, he\u2019s gonna be okay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m glad. Maybe my news\u2019ll help things along too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGo on in, Roy. You know where they\u2019ll be,\u201d and Hoss indicated the house. Roy nodded and went inside.<\/p>\n
He tapped lightly on Adam\u2019s door before opening it and paused, taking in the peaceful scene, a contrast to the frenzied nursing of the night before. Adam lay sleeping, curled up on his left side and facing his father, who sat at the bedside. Ben held Adam\u2019s right hand in one of his own, his other hand gently stroking Adam\u2019s forehead and hair.<\/p>\n
\u201cHoss tells me he\u2019s gonna be okay,\u201d Roy whispered softy, not wanting to startle the father or awaken the son.<\/p>\n
Ben turned at the sound of his voice and gave him a tired smile. \u201cWelcome back, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou need to look after yourself and get some rest , Ben.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m resting right now, resting in the knowledge that he\u2019s out of danger,\u201d Ben replied.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought you\u2019d want to know; we\u2019ve brought her in. She\u2019s in the jail.\u201d He referred to his earlier arrest of Eliza Rawlins.<\/p>\n
Ben\u2019s jaw muscles tightened and, glancing back at his sleeping son whilst continuing to stroke his dark hair, he asked, \u201cAnd what did she have to say for herself?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing. She didn\u2019t even deny the charges.\u201d<\/p>\n
At this, Ben swung round in barely concealed anger. \u201cShe wouldn\u2019t dare. Last night I came this close,\u201d and here he held thumb and index finger near each other, \u201cto losing my son, and for what? I want to see her, Roy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy? What do you hope to achieve?\u201d Roy was worried. Ben was too emotionally involved in all this to confront the accused.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to hear from her why she did this. We live in violent times, Roy. Men live by the gun and die by it, but this? Poison? And for the person responsible being a woman defies belief! What was she thinking of? What did she hope to get out of it? Adam was helping her, for for goodness\u2019 sake. He\u2019d do it for anybody, man or woman; that\u2019s what he\u2019s like. He sees someone in need and, if he can, he\u2019ll help.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that,\u201d Roy assured him, but Ben did not even pause in his tirade.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd she repays him by trying to kill him! Why? Why did she kill those other men? What had they ever done for her except try to help too? If we hadn\u2019t pieced this together when we did, how much more suffering would Adam have gone through? How long before he …\u201d Ben could not put the awful thought into words. \u201cI don\u2019t understand it, Roy. How could she?\u201d His voice broke and he gripped Adam\u2018s hand a little harder. \u201cI just feel so helpless, and I don\u2019t like feeling like that. I have to do something, Roy, and if that\u2019s going to see her in jail and just asking her why she did it, then that\u2019s what I\u2019ll do.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cBen, I don\u2019t think that\u2019s a good idea,\u201d Roy spoke softly, appreciating the grief and suppressed anger in his friend, yet keen to dissuade him from a situation which could be far from successful.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to make her see what she\u2019s done. Look at him. Look at what she did to him. He didn\u2018t deserve this, Roy,\u201d and he turned pain-filled eyes towards the sheriff. \u201cI have to see her.\u201d<\/p>\n
A low groan from the bed attracted his attention. Adam stretched slightly and opened his eyes slowly. They were heavy with sleep and he had difficulty keeping them open and focusing.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa,\u201d it came out more as a croak and he tried to lick his dry lips but there was no moisture in his mouth, only a stale taste. He frowned and tried to move.<\/p>\n
\u201cHold on, Adam. Take it easy and I\u2019ll get you some water,\u201d Ben said soothingly.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou stay there; I\u2019m on it,\u201d Roy intervened, crossing the room and pouring a fresh glass of water from the jug on the dresser. He handed it to Ben who had slid a hand under Adam\u2019s head and raised him slightly.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust take a sip, not too much now. You can always have more later.\u201d Knowing that Adam must be badly dehydrated and desperate for water, Ben was keen that he did not drink too much in case he still could not keep anything down. Adam sipped slowly, savouring the coolness in his mouth for as long as possible before he reluctantly swallowed. He attempted again to lick his parched lips. The effort proved too much and he sank back into the pillows, his eyes closing again so that Ben thought he had drifted off to sleep once more.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened?\u201d Adam whispered, struggling to open his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve been very ill, but you\u2019re okay now. It\u2019s going to take time but you\u2019ll be fine. You\u2019ll start eating and get your strength up and we\u2019ll have you back on your feet in no time,\u201d Ben rushed cheerfully. He did not want Adam to know the truth just yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cIll?\u201d He frowned as he tried to make sense of it all. He moved his head and suddenly Roy Coffee came into his line of sight. His frown deepened. \u201cWhy\u2019s the Sheriff here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRoy came to see how you were getting on,\u201d Ben explained. In his mind, he convinced himself that he was not lying; he was telling a part truth. Roy\u00a0had\u00a0<\/i>been concerned.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy\u2019d I get ill?\u201d Adam pressed. His chest and stomach were hurting and some unpleasant memories were beginning to surface.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t need to worry about that now. Just concentrate on getting well,\u201d Ben insisted.<\/p>\n
Adam closed his eyes and took a deep breath. \u201cI\u2019m hungry,\u201d he announced.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN<\/p>\n
The next day, Little Joe slipped back into the house, having abandoned his chores, and made his way upstairs to his brother\u2019s room. The window was open, curtains moving slightly as the gentle breeze took them. The whole atmosphere of the room had changed in less than thirty-six hours. Gone was the tension and fear associated with serious illness. Instead, his brother lay sleeping, his face relaxed. whilst his father sat reading in his customary chair. Had Joe not known better, he would have thought that Ben had not moved since the awful moment Adam had been brought home. Joe stood at the foot of the bed, just looking; the nightmare all too real of how close they had come to losing Adam.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t expect to see you, Joseph,\u201d Ben commented softly, closing the book and raising his eyes to look on his youngest boy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought I\u2019d come back for some lunch,\u201d Joe answered casually.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd to check on your brother?\u201d Ben added, understanding why Joe had done what he had. After all, was it not for exactly the same reason that he still took his seat by the bed? It was not two days since the crisis and he could not trust himself to leave his eldest son alone, not yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat too,\u201d Joe conceded. He moved round the bed for a closer inspection of his brother. \u201cHe looks a lot better, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou reckon so?\u201d Ben set his book down on the end of the bed as he leaned forward in his chair, a hand resting lightly on Adam\u2019s covered legs, relishing the contact. \u201cI was wondering if it was my wishful thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, he\u2019s got more colour today – and he smells sweeter. You\u2019ve been busy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, he was out of it most of yesterday,\u201d Ben began, a smile playing on his lips as he remembered how hard he and Hop Sing had worked. They had tried to air the room but the lingering stale odour of sweat and sickness had been with Adam himself. \u201cIt didn\u2019t seem fair to start pulling him about when he was finally resting from that fever, but this morning, when he woke up, Hop Sing and I gave him a bed bath, washed his hair and I shaved him. Then we changed the bed linen again so he felt fresher and more comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe looked round the room, his eyes resting on the opened window. \u201cIsn\u2019t he cold without a night shirt on?<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, he did not want one. I wasn\u2019t prepared to fight with him about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the window\u2019s open,\u201d Joe objected. \u201cHe might catch a chill on top …\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJoseph?\u201d Ben interrupted.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Pa?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStop fussing,\u201d Ben admonished gently.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry, Pa,\u201d Joe grinned. \u201cIt\u2019s just that….\u201d He left what he wanted to say unspoken. His heart was too full of what might have happened and how Adam, always the strong one, had been brought so low, was no longer invincible and seemed particularly frail right now. He desperately wanted to be the one to protect his older brother for once. Having failed to save him from the danger presented by the Widow Rawlins; he would do his utmost to keep him safe from now onwards.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know, son,\u201d Ben understood the conflicting emotions doing battle in his youngest son\u2019s green eyes. \u201cSince you\u2019re here, you can do something for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d Joe\u2019s curiosity piqued.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can watch your brother for me. I don\u2019t want him waking up alone at the moment.\u201d Ben stood up, arching his back to relieve the tension in the muscles.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy? Where are you going?\u201d Adam might be on the mend but it was still early days and there had to be a very pressing reason that would take Ben from his son\u2019s side even now.<\/p>\n
\u201cInto town,\u201d was Ben\u2019s simple answer.<\/p>\n
The silence before Joe spoke seemed to go on for ever but at last he found his voice. \u201cYou\u2019re going to see her, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Ben moved towards the door. Joe darted past him and barred the way.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s a good idea, Pa. What do you hope to gain?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c I don\u2019t know whether I can make you understand, Joseph, but I hope for answers. I need them, and I know your brother will too. I have to know what drove her to hurt him like this. Now please move out of the way. I\u2019ll tell Hop Sing you\u2019re here and ask him to bring some food up for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe hesitated and his eyes locked with his father\u2019s but, when he saw the older man\u2019s steely determination, he nodded briefly and stepped aside. He was sitting by his brother when he heard the bedroom door open, knew from the pause that his father was watching both of them carefully and then the door closed. Joe shut his eyes, hastily offering up a garbled prayer that his father would find the answers he wanted. He would not necessarily like what he heard but he needed closure and, right now, he probably needed it more than Adam did.<\/p>\n
It was over an hour later that Adam stirred to find his youngest brother sitting by his side.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi there, sleepy head,\u201d Joe shot him a broad grin.<\/p>\n
\u201cHi, yourself,\u201d Adam answered, managing a wan smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere, you need to drink. Pa said I\u2019d got to get as much water in you as possible,\u201d Joe insisted, reaching for the full glass.<\/p>\n
Adam moaned, \u201cThat\u2019s what he and Hop Sing have been doing every time I open my eyes. I\u2019ve swallowed so much water, I\u2019m surprised I don\u2019t float away.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe slid a hand beneath Adam\u2019s head and raised him slightly as he put the glass to his lips. \u201cYou\u2019re really dehydrated, Adam. We\u2019ve got to change that. Now, take a sip. You can always have more later.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam did as he was told and then, to Joe\u2019s pleasure, lifted an eyebrow in mock reproof, a sign that he was feeling more like his old self. \u201cYou bossing me about?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, I suppose I am. Gee, that makes a change.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell don\u2019t get used to the idea!\u201d Adam\u2019s eyes searched the room for the familiar figure he knew had always been with him through the crisis. \u201cWhere is Pa anyway? You finally persuaded him to go and get some rest?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s not resting. He\u2019s gone into town,\u201d Joe\u2019s words spilled out quickly.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo town?\u201d Adam could not conceal his surprise that his father was not merely in his adjoining room but had actually left him. An irrational feeling of disappointment welled up in him. \u201cWhat\u2019s so important in town?\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe\u2019s features darkened as he struggled to find a suitable explanation to placate his big brother but he hesitated just that little bit too long.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you not telling me, Joe?\u201d<\/p>\n
At that moment, the door opened quietly to reveal Hoss and Joe\u2019s face broke into a smile of relief. \u201cHey, Hoss, look who\u2019s back with us?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure is good to see you wide awake and looking better,\u201d Hoss beamed as he stood at the foot of the bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy\u2019s Pa gone into town?\u201d Adam fired at him. Hoss glanced hurriedly towards Joe. He had not actually known that his father had gone into town but he could guess the reason and he was fully aware that Ben had wanted to break the news to Adam himself about the Widow Rawlins and her murderous inclinations.<\/p>\n
\u201cEr, we forgot some supplies,\u201d he said hastily, his guilty expression vivid evidence of the lie he was telling.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, that\u2019s what we did, we forgot supplies,\u201d Joe warmed to the tale, \u201cand Pa thought it would be a good idea if he went to get them. He\u2019s been sitting here with you for a couple of days now and needed some fresh air.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re both lousy liars. Neither of you is leaving this room until you tell me what\u2019s going on,\u201d Adam ordered, struggling to pull himself and swing his legs over the side of the bed but he had moved too quickly and, in his present state, the room revolved violently. He groaned in frustration as his body refused to respond. Both Joe and Hoss rushed forward with restraining hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow where in tarnation do you reckon you\u2019re going?\u201d demanded Hoss.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot sure yet, but I\u2019m going somewhere if you don\u2019t tell me the truth,\u201d Adam argued. He fought off their hands and they exchanged worried glances over his head. Joe shrugged in submission and Hoss nodded nervously.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay. Just get back into bed and lie still. You and me both know you\u2019re not going anywhere \u2018cause you\u2019re weaker\u2019n a kitten,\u201d Joe pushed his brother back down into the pillows, \u201cbut you stay there and we\u2019ll tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
CHAPTER NINETEEN<\/p>\n
Ben waited in silence, staring hard at the woman, as Roy unlocked the cell door and stood to one side to let the rancher enter.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to stay, Roy,\u201d Ben said coldly, his eyes never leaving the subject of his scrutiny.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not goin\u2019 anywhere,\u201d Roy declared quietly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter? Don\u2019t trust me all of a sudden?\u201d<\/p>\n
Roy had his doubts but was not going to admit to them. \u201cNo, I just want to be here in case she says anything important \u2018cause I sure haven\u2019t got anything out of her yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eliza Rawlins did not move. She sat on the bunk, staring up at Ben. \u201cI didn\u2019t expect to see you, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d she opened, as if they were pleasantly passing the time of day.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I don\u2019t expect you did,\u201d Ben\u2019s voice was vitriolic.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow\u2019s Adam?\u201d she inquired, her eyes fixed on him, her face expressionless.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs if you care!\u201d Ben spat the words, amazed that this woman had the effrontery to ask.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, I care,\u201d she declared, never flinching in the face of his violent passion.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s going to be okay – no thanks to you.\u201d Ben had spent the ride into town considering what he was going to say to this devilish woman and trying to control his conflicting emotions. This confrontation was already not going the way he had planned and he paced the small cell like a caged animal, confused by this woman\u2019s apparent calmness. Had she no idea as to the implications of what she had done?<\/p>\n
She passively watched his impatient pacing. \u201cWhy\u2019d ya come, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n
It was the opening he wanted; it focused his mind and he wheeled round on her. \u201cTo ask you one question and I want an honest answer. Why? Why did you hurt my son?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t understand,\u201d she said announced simply, looking at her clasped hands in her lap as though they belonged to someone else.<\/p>\n
\u201cToo damn right I wouldn\u2019t, but try me anyway,\u201d Ben could conceal his anger no longer. \u201cLet me hear your excuse, because that\u2019s all it is. Nothing can justify what you did to Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n
She sighed and when she spoke again, her voice was soft, even, unaffected by the horrors she revealed. She might have been passing on a recipe for an apple pie. \u201cMy husband was a cruel man, Mr Cartwright, very cruel. I knowed that as soon as I married him thirty-five years ago. I tried to do something about it. I told the preacher, and the sheriff, and the woman who was supposed to be my best friend. But you see, you\u2019re not supposed to be telling folks things like that, going round and making accusations. They don\u2019t believe you, especially when they see the charming considerate man who would go out of his way to please folks but, inside our home with the door shut, he was the devil himself. Folks turned against me and they told him what I\u2019d said. He just became more cruel. In the end, I couldn\u2019t take no more so I gave him the arsenic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her admission was so matter-of-fact, so calmly delivered. Roy and Ben shot incredulous glances at each other but then Ben pressed for more information. \u201cWhat has this to do with Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThose other men, all helpful and smiling,\u201d she went on, as if she had not heard him. This was her story and, once she had begun, she was going to tell it her way. \u201cThey were just like Clayton on the outside. When they came to the ranch, I could see them sizing things up. Here was a widow with money, all on her own and needing a man to do the work. Well I wasn\u2019t going to have them take over. It\u2019s my place and I gave up a lot to get it – gave up thirty-five years of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut Adam wasn\u2019t after your ranch. All he wanted was to genuinely help someone he saw who needed it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh I know that, Mr Cartwright,\u201d she reassured him.<\/p>\n
Ben was perplexed. \u201cThen I don\u2019t …\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUnderstand?\u201d she interrupted. \u201cI said you wouldn\u2019t.\u201d She stopped,a s if that were the end of her tale.<\/p>\n
Ben tried a different tack. \u201cMrs Rawlins, do you have any children?\u201d<\/p>\n
There was no hesitation before her answer. \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Roy Coffee passed a stool through the open cell doorway. Taking it, Ben nodded his thanks, put it down in front of Eliza Rawlins but beyond arm\u2019s reach, and sat down. He took a deep breath and tried to still his racing heart. This was his moment when he tried to make\u00a0her\u00a0<\/i>understand what she had done to him and his family.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter how old they are, they are always your children; a gift from God. You try hard to do your best by them, raise them right, give them a good chance, and you\u2019d do everything in your power to protect them. They\u2019re so precious and they\u2019re your children. Yes, Adam\u2019s a man in years, but to me he\u2019s still my child, and it was my child that I held in my arms the night before last as he struggled for breath. It was my child burning up with fever and crying \u201cWhy me?\u201c as I wiped away his tears and cleaned him of his vomit and body waste.\u00a0My\u00a0<\/i>child, Mrs Rawlins, and you tried to take him away from me.\u201d His voice caught and he fought to maintain his composure. \u201cThere were those long moments when I thought he\u2019d actually died in my arms. You will never understand how I felt then nor how I feel about you now.\u201d His anger again surfaced.<\/p>\n
Her eyes had been on him impassively the whole time he was speaking and she never looked away as she continued her confession. \u201cOh but I do, Mr Cartwright. I understand only too well. You see, I didn\u2019t tell the whole truth when you asked me if I have children. I don\u2019t now, but I did – I had a son, Joshua. He\u2019d be about your Adam\u2019s age. Well, six months ago, I held him in my arms too, but the difference between you and me is that Joshua was really dead. I cut him down from the barn rafters where he\u2019d hung himself. Pushed that little bit too far, once too often by his pa. See, he wasn\u2019t strong like your Adam, but he was a good boy. He tried so hard, but nothing he ever did pleased his pa. He was always riding him for summat, beating him black and blue as a child when he hadn\u2019t done something quite right. I said my husband was cruel, Mr Cartwright, but really he was worse than any beast, whether he had the whiskey inside him or no. I shoulda done something definite years ago but I was too scairt. My Joshua\u2019s life was a misery until six months ago when he couldn\u2019t take no more and he killed hisself. So I killed Clayton. All that boy wanted was a kind word from his pa, and he never got one, not from the day he was born.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first time I saw Adam, he stopped to help me load stores from the mercantile. His eyes shone as he told me how his pa had raised him right and he weren\u2019t to let no lady lift heavy things or else he\u2019d get in trouble with his pa. I didn\u2019t want him to get in no trouble with you, not like poor Joshua would have done. But then I seed that it weren\u2019t fear in Adam\u2019s eyes but love and respect. Joshua never had that. All those times when Adam came out to my place, he\u2019d tell me all about you and his brothers and the Ponderosa. Yours is a house of love, Mr Cartwright. I could see that. Your boy shone with love and pride for his family and what you\u2019ve achieved. I never had any of that for thirty-five years.<\/p>\n
\u201cJoshua was weak, it wasn\u2019t his fault, but he was a constant disappointment to his pa. I couldn\u2019t see Adam ever being a disappointment to you but I had to make sure. If he were sickly and couldn\u2019t work no more, would you still be proud of him? Would you still want him? If not, I\u2019d have taken care of him, same as I did my Joshua. Then, when I came to your house that day, an\u2019 saw you fussin\u2019 over him, I knew you would never stop loving him, an\u2019 I could never have him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her explanation ended, she resumed her scrutiny of her hands and absent-mindedly picked at a thread on her skirt. Ben watched her, his throat constricting as he endeavoured to make sense of what she had said, to clarify her motives.<\/p>\n
His face was dark, his eyes black and threatening when at last he trusted himself to speak again. His voice was deep and menacing. \u201cYou poisoned my own son to test my love for him and then you carried on poisoning him so that he would die and I couldn\u2019t have Adam either.\u201d<\/p>\n
At his pronouncement, to Ben\u2019s horror, Eliza Rawlins merely raised her head so that her eyes met his …. and she smiled.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
EPILOGUE<\/p>\n
It was late afternoon two days later and Adam was seated on the veranda in an easy chair, his eyes closed and his head tilted upwards as he appreciated the warmth of the sun. It was the first day that he had left his bed, Hoss helping him downstairs with a steadying arm and remaining attentive until he was safely ensconced on the sofa in the great room. He was still very weak and his appetite had not fully returned but once he had eaten a little lunch, carefully prepared by Hop Sing, it had only been a matter of time before he had persuaded his father to let him sit outside, the lure of the fresh air and the sun\u2019s rays being too much for him to ignore.<\/p>\n
The sound of the door opening and footsteps on the wooden flooring roused him. He lazily opened his eyes and turned his head just as his father reached his side and shook open a rug, spreading it over his legs and tucking it round him.<\/p>\n
\u201cPa,\u201d he said in gentle reproof.<\/p>\n
Ben knew that Adam generally hated being fussed over and his mild objection was a reassuring sign that he was on the road to recovery. Pulling up another chair, Ben sat beside his beloved son and grinned appealingly, \u201cJust indulge me a little longer, son, please.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOne more day,\u201d Adam conceded.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne more day,\u201d Ben agreed. Hop Sing materialised with a loaded tray and put it down on a small table by Ben\u2019s side, and just as silently disappeared.<\/p>\n
Adam leaned forward so that he could see past his father and raised an eyebrow questioningly at the tray\u2019s contents. \u201cMilk and cookies?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh Hop Sing thought you might like to have a snack,\u201d Ben said cheerfully, passing a full glass to Adam.<\/p>\n
\u201cHop Sing seems to think I might like a snack every hour,\u201d he commented.<\/p>\n
\u201cMilk to line your stomach and cookies to help fatten you up a little,\u201d Ben commented, biting into a freshly baked cookie and surveying the view. \u201cYou do realise this is his main aim in life now, don\u2019t you, to get some meat back on you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Adam glanced down at his jeans and choice of shirt. He had abandoned his usual black in favour of blue pants and a stone-coloured shirt, knowing that his preferred colour would have emphasised his pallor and caused his father additional concern. \u201cYeah, well even I have to admit that I didn\u2019t think I\u2019d manage to lose so much weight in such a short time. My clothes don\u2019t fit any more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben had tried not to notice the clothes hanging loosely where not so long ago they used to be close-fitting over well-toned muscles. \u201cNo matter. We\u2019ll soon remedy that when you start eating normally again.\u201d<\/p>\n
They fell into companionable silence but Ben could not help glancing<\/p>\n
sideways at his son. He would never get over how close he was to losing his first-born and watched him surreptitiously, counting his blessings at every conceivable moment that his son was still alive and breathing.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re watching me again,\u201d Adam\u2019s voice was soft and teasing. He sipped at the milk.<\/p>\n
Ben laughed guiltily. \u201cSorry, son. Guess you caught me out.\u201d He instantly became serious, \u201cbut I can\u2019t help it, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suddenly Adam turned his intense, dark brown eyes on his father, a low huskiness in his voice that spoke volumes. \u201cI know, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n
They lapsed into silence once more, a certain awkwardness in the air. Ben knew that Adam was hurting and had been since the afternoon he had returned from the jail, still trying to assimilate what he had heard from Eliza Rawlins. Joe and Hoss had been waiting for him and admitted that they had told their brother everything that had happened. When Ben had entered Adam\u2019s room, he had found him lying quietly, unmoving, staring at the ceiling.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo what did she tell you?\u201d Adam had said eventually, his voice tight and cold. This was always a sign that he was battling to keep his emotions in check, something at which he normally succeeded. \u201cI know you\u2019ve seen her.\u201d His eyes challenged his father to tell him all there was to know; there was to be no holding back.<\/p>\n
And so Ben told him. Quietly, he related all that she had said about her<\/p>\n
unhappy marriage; her cruel, abusive husband; her weak, victimised son who ultimately killed himself, and the way she had murdered Clayton Rawlins. Ben tried, as gently as possible, to explain her twisted justification for her fatal attacks on the three men of Virginia City and her subsequent poisoning of Adam. Despite attempting to get Adam to talk, Ben could only sit and watch as he fell silent, absorbed the information and withdrew into himself. As Adam had turned his head away from his father, Ben knew, with a sinking heart, that there would be no discussion on the subject unless Adam initiated it and that would only be in his own time and on his terms.<\/p>\n
Ben had given him two days and he took advantage of this period when the two of them were relaxed, drinking milk and sharing the cookies. \u201cI\u2019m not pressing you, son. I just want you to know that when you\u2019re ready, and you want to talk about what\u2019s happened, I\u2019m here and I\u2019m ready to listen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know you are, Pa, and thanks.\u201d Adam went to take a bite of the cookie in his hand and then suddenly stopped, looking at it as horrific memories rushed in of another day, another plate of cookies.<\/p>\n
Ben saw his expression and the way he reacted, and knew what had flashed through his mind. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, Adam, Hop Sing made them fresh after lunch. I saw him do them myself,\u201d he spoke softly, reassuringly. They had a long way to go before this particular battle was won.<\/p>\n
Adam smiled sheepishly and took another small bite.<\/p>\n
\u201cRoy came to see me this morning,\u201d Ben said carefully. He felt rather than saw Adam go still and wait, wondering what was coming next. \u201cYou were asleep and I didn\u2019t want to disturb you. The circuit judge has made a decision. He maintains Eliza Rawlins isn\u2019t fit enough to stand trial. Paul Martin has had the chance to examine her and at least one other doctor will do the same but it seems she\u2019s gone out of her mind. They\u2019re moving her to an asylum up north.\u201d<\/p>\n
He waited for a reaction from his son but Adam merely nodded and slipped the remaining piece of cookie into his mouth. As he chewed, he appeared thoughtful. \u201cI can\u2019t understand a man my age fearing his pa so much that he can\u2019t or won\u2019t stand up to him and kills himself instead.\u201d There was pained disbelief in his tone.<\/p>\n
His father had disciplined him and his brothers when they were younger but it had always been deserved and had been accompanied by reasoned explanation for the punishment. More importantly, they had always known that their father loved them unconditionally. He never held back from telling them so, or that he was proud of them, and although in recent years Adam found such open displays of affection difficult, it warmed him to know how his father felt.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t understand a man who can\u2019t feel anything for his son and is so cruel that he drives him to kill himself.\u201d Ben was genuine in his lack of understanding. The arrival of each of his sons into the world had been a tremendous blessing, despite the loss of Elizabeth at Adam\u2019s birth. His sons had been a constant source of pleasure and comfort to him, even when they were driving him to distraction. He always fondly believed that they had turned him prematurely grey. They had grown and learned all together and he would not have changed any of it for the world. No, he could never understand the likes of Clayton Rawlins.<\/p>\n
Adam sneaked a look at his father and shot him a dimpled grin. Ben\u2019s heart leaped; this was the Adam of old. \u201cGuess I did all right getting you for a pa.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ben returned the grin. \u201cGuess I did all right getting you for a son.\u201d<\/p>\n
Laughing together, they reached for the last cookie on the plate at the same time. Adam\u2019s fingers closed on it first.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know I don\u2019t say it very often, but I do love you, son,\u201d Ben said softly, his eyes and voice filled with suppressed emotion.<\/p>\n
Adam fixed him with his dark, intense stare, his head slightly tilted to the right. At length he spoke; his rich baritone gentle and tender. \u201cI know, Pa, and I guess I don\u2019t always say it enough either but I love you too.\u201d He paused and then his face broke into an infectious, handsome smile as he opened his hand and held out the last cookie to his father.<\/p>\n
THE END<\/p>\n
24\/07\/2003<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Summary: When a widow moves to a small spread near Virginia City, Adam tries to be neighbourly. Meanwhile, Doctor Martin is trying to solve a medical problem.