Synopsis:<\/b>\u00a0In this sequel to Decisions, Decisions, Cousin Jennifer arrives with a letter from Elizabeth written before Adam’s birth. The message contains a startling revelation.
\nRating:\u00a0 PG
\nWords:\u00a0 19,090<\/p>\n
Decisions Series:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The Brandsters acknowledge that the authors are the owners of their stories.\u00a0 Should an author included in the project reach out to us and indicate they do not wish their work to be archived in the Bonanza Brand Fanfiction Library, we will remove their stories.\u00a0 We would also be happy to change the e:mail address for any authors who wish to continue to have their stories archived in the Library.<\/p>\n
Bad Relations<\/strong><\/p>\n Treetops danced back and forth in the sky as the wind picked up in intensity, a sure sign of an impending storm. Adam Cartwright looked to the west, noting with irritation the position of the quickly disappearing sun, trying to think up some excuse for returning home from school late once again.\u00a0At least this time it isn\u2019t my fault<\/i>, he thought with satisfaction.<\/p>\n “C\u2019mon, Hoss!” He called over his shoulder. “Pa\u2019s gonna be mad enough \u2018bout your arithmetic test without us bein\u2019 late on top of it.”<\/p>\n Slumped in his saddle, his younger brother looked up for probably the first time since the pair left the schoolhouse, noticing the darkening sky. “Ya think it\u2019s gonna rain real bad?” His voice sounded hopeful. “Maybe there won\u2019t be no school tomorrow.”<\/p>\n “Any school,” Adam corrected automatically. “And no, I don\u2019t think it\u2019s gonna rain that bad, but we better get a move on. I sure don\u2019t feel like gettin\u2019 caught in any storm.” He pointed to the dark storm clouds forming overhead. With that, thirteen-year-old Adam pressed his stirrups into his horse and urged him on.<\/p>\n Hoss\u2019s face was drawn in a frown as he called after his brother, “But Adam, I mean if Pa don\u2019t ask, maybe we don\u2019t hafta tell him \u2018bout that test. Right?” Hoss turned unsure blue eyes toward Adam\u2019s all knowing hazel ones.<\/p>\n Guiding his horse alongside Hoss\u2019s mount, Adam tried to look stern and said in his most grown up voice, “Ya mean you\u2019re not gonna tell Pa about the test? Or Mr. Bucknell keepin\u2019 ya after school?”<\/p>\n “Would you?” Hoss asked quietly.<\/p>\n Momentarily forsaking his role of big brother, Adam smiled devilishly. “Nope,” he replied, giving Hoss a wink. “I mean, what if ya lost that test while ya were ridin\u2019 home? And once ya got busy doin\u2019 your chores and all, a little thing like an arithmetic test would probably go clear outta your head, wouldn\u2019t ya say?”<\/p>\n A slow smile spread across the eight-year-old\u2019s face as he reached into his pocket and held the failed test in his hand. Staring at it, his conscience pricked and his grin faded. “Adam, I don\u2019t think I can do that.”<\/p>\n “Oh, just give it to me.” Exasperated, Adam grabbed the test from Hoss\u2019s hand and ripped it in half, letting the wind carry the pieces away. “There. Ya lost it, understand?”<\/p>\n Scratching his head, Hoss simply nodded.<\/p>\n “And tonight I\u2019m gonna help ya work on those subtraction problems so ya\u2019ll get it right tomorrow, okay?” Not waiting for Hoss\u2019s answer, Adam headed toward the Ponderosa, trying to outrun the clouds.<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n Adam was already off his horse and making his way over to an unfamiliar buggy in the yard when Hoss arrived. His guilt over the \u2018lost\u2019 test forgotten for the moment, the younger boy motioned to the carriage and said, “Who do ya think that belongs to?”<\/p>\n Shrugging, Adam took a closer look. “It\u2019s from the livery. Don\u2019t think Pa or Marie was expectin\u2019 anybody.” Walking around to the back of the buggy, Adam came to a standstill. There were four bags, two of which he recognized immediately. Looking around to make sure no one other than Hoss was watching, he scanned the other bags for identification. The leather was dusty but new, without any markings. Adam fingered the handles, flipping them over and finding what he was searching for. Engraved on a small brass plate embedded in the handles were the initials \u2018JC\u2019 – initials that made Adam blink twice to make sure he wasn\u2019t mistaken.<\/p>\n “Hey,” Hoss called, “Don\u2019t them bags belong to James?”<\/p>\n Adam raked his hand through his wavy hair, trying to understand why his cousin, James Cavanaugh, had returned. Four weeks ago James left the Ponderosa to return to New York City after his offer to have Adam come live with him and his mother was rejected. Although his father had finally explained about his mother\u2019s cousin wanting to raise him since infancy, Adam felt there was something he wasn\u2019t being told. With school starting and his duties on the ranch, he pushed the mystery into the recesses of his mind. But now, staring at the bags in the buggy, he couldn\u2019t help but wonder what else his Pa had hidden from him and how he could get to the bottom of things.<\/p>\n A few drops of water fell from the sky, reminding the boys of the threatening storm.<\/p>\n “Best get the horses bedded down,” Adam said absently, unable to tear his eyes from the brass plate. At that moment, the door to the house swung open and Ben Cartwright strode purposefully outside, deep in thought.<\/p>\n Startled to see his two oldest sons, he visibly jumped. “Adam, Hoss, I didn\u2019t know you were home.” He smiled a smile that reached nowhere near his eyes and a perceptive Adam felt his heart thump a little faster. Ben put his arm around Hoss\u2019s broad shoulders yet never took his gaze from Adam\u2019s face. “Hoss, would you please bring these bags into the house for me? Adam and I will tend to the horses.”<\/p>\n “Sure, Pa,” Hoss replied, glad that his father was distracted enough not to notice they were late in getting home. He easily hoisted up the bags and carried them all into the house in one trip.<\/p>\n Silently, Ben and Adam led the horses to the barn and into their respective stalls. Adam uncinched his saddle and carried it to the shelf, looking up every now and then to gauge his father\u2019s mood. Ben kept throwing glances Adam\u2019s way. Once or twice he began to say something, seemed to think better of it, and closed his mouth.<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s mind wandered back to earlier that afternoon. He had ridden in from the southern pasture after making sure the herd made it there safely. Tired and wanting nothing more than a hot bath and a slab of Hop Sing\u2019s apple pie, he was not pleased to see a rented carriage in the yard. Gratefully handing the reins over to Charlie to see to his horse, Ben sighed deeply, squared his shoulders and flung open the door, fully prepared to politely excuse himself and leave the company to his wife, Marie. It was not to be.<\/p>\n Marie jumped to her feet, her eyes wide and expressive as she tried to silently relay a message. Ben\u2019s dark eyes focused on the figure behind her and his jaw dropped in astonishment. It wasn\u2019t the figure of young James Cavanaugh that rendered him immobile; it was the sight of James\u2019s mother, sitting ensconced in the blue velvet chair near the fireplace that stopped Ben dead in his tracks. Dressed entirely in widow\u2019s black, Jennifer Cavanaugh patted a brown curl into place and gazed at him through disturbingly familiar hazel eyes.<\/p>\n From across the room and through weary eyes, Ben stared at an amazing likeness of his first wife, Liz, and swallowed the lump that rose to his throat. For a moment, a very brief moment, the clock turned back thirteen years and he was back in Boston sharing a life with his first love. The pain of losing two wives and the arduous journey west forgotten, the memory of his and Liz\u2019s time together swept over him in a tidal wave of emotion.<\/p>\n “Ben?” Marie was at his side, fingers digging into his wrist, abruptly pulling him back to the present. He shook his head as if to clear it, and ignoring James came to stand before Jennifer, still unable to speak.<\/p>\n “Benjamin,” Jennifer spoke softly, holding out her hand, but he made no attempt to take it. Her eyes settled on his, and suddenly any resemblance she may have had to his beloved Elizabeth dissolved into frightful reality.<\/p>\n “Why are you here?” Ben asked bluntly.<\/p>\n “Ben,” Marie repeated, her tone now one of mild disapproval.<\/p>\n Jennifer\u2019s lips curled into a mirthless smile. “Don\u2019t worry, Marie. Benjamin and I understand each other, don\u2019t we?”<\/p>\n Coming back to life, Ben replied, “We understand one another all right. Which is why I\u2019m sure you didn\u2019t come all this distance for a social call.”<\/p>\n At those words, Jennifer tilted her head back and laughed. “I see your manners haven\u2019t improved over the years.” She gestured with her hand that he sit, but he shook his head stubbornly and remained standing. Jennifer shrugged. “Have it your way.” She smoothed an imaginary wrinkle in her black skirt. “I had been staying in San Francisco while James was visiting you…”<\/p>\n “James never mentioned that,” Marie interjected defensively. She linked her arm through Ben\u2019s, instinctively knowing her husband needed the physical contact.<\/p>\n “He didn\u2019t?” Jennifer asked innocently. “Well, no matter. When James left your ranch, he and I met up in San Francisco. Of course I was disappointed to hear that Adam wouldn\u2019t be returning to New York with us \u2013 James spoke so highly of the child. In any event, after hearing James\u2019s account of the lovely ranch you have here and your charming family, I decided to surprise you\u2026”<\/p>\n “You surprised me all right,” Ben muttered.<\/p>\n “Good,” Jennifer responded triumphantly. “Now, when do I get to meet\u00a0Elizabeth\u2019s<\/i>\u00a0son?” She looked from Ben to Marie, emphasizing the word \u2018Elizabeth\u2019.<\/p>\n Taking a deep breath, Ben just barely held his temper. “My\u00a0<\/i>sons are at school.” He glanced at the tall grandfather clock over his shoulder. “They should be home shortly.”<\/p>\n “Wonderful.” Jennifer stood. “Now if you\u2019ll excuse me, perhaps there is some place I could freshen up?”<\/p>\n “Of course,” Marie answered. “James, why don\u2019t you take your mother to the guest room \u2013 you remember where it is.”<\/p>\n When James and Jennifer were finally upstairs and out of sight, Ben turned to his wife. “Don\u2019t tell me you invited them to stay here?” Marie was silent. “After what happened? How could you?”<\/p>\n Nearly a head shorter than her husband, Marie was undaunted by her husband\u2019s harsh tone. Her green eyes flashed and she retorted angrily, “And what would you have me do? They waltzed in here as if they owned the place and told me the hotel in Virginia City is full. Should I have called them both liars and shown them the door? Or perhaps you would have them sleep in the bunkhouse?”<\/p>\n Ben rubbed his eyes wearily. “I apologize. It\u2019s just that no one gets under my skin like that woman does. And when I think of Adam \u2013 well, I hope once he meets her he doesn\u2019t change his mind about going to New York.”<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n As Ben brushed the dust from Hoss\u2019s mare, he wondered what was going through Adam\u2019s mind. Surely he\u2019d recognized James\u2019s bags, yet he never even expressed any curiosity as to why he returned. Then again, Ben reasoned, sometimes it took a wizard to read Adam\u2019s thoughts and over the past thirteen years, Ben had a bit of practice being that wizard. Ben cleared his throat \u2013 he couldn\u2019t stall any longer.<\/p>\n “Adam,” he began, and his oldest son raised his head. “Adam, your cousin James is in the house. He\u2026um\u2026he brought his mother to meet you.” Ben waited for a reaction.<\/p>\n “How come? I thought she was in New York.” Adam placed the curry brush in the tack box and walked to his father, his expression unreadable.<\/p>\n “No, she was in San Francisco. As to why she\u2019s here, well, she says she wanted to meet you, get to know you.” Ben tried to keep the worry out of his voice, but Adam was too attuned to his father\u2019s feelings to miss it.<\/p>\n “She wants me to come back to New York with her,” he observed matter of factly.<\/p>\n For the first time that afternoon, Ben found something to chuckle about. Even after thirteen years, sometimes Adam still surprised him with his intuitiveness. “You may be right, but let\u2019s not put the cart before the horse. Why don\u2019t we go inside and see?”<\/p>\n Adam shrugged. He thrust his hands in his pockets and stared at the hay-strewn floor, his silence telling his father more than his words ever could.<\/p>\n Ben silently cursed Jennifer and James. Grasping Adam\u2019s chin gently and tilting his head upwards, Ben\u2019s expression softened at the uncharacteristic confusion on the boy\u2019s face. “Sometimes you look just like your mother.” With those words, he wrapped his arms around the child, lightly stroking the hair that curled over his collar.<\/p>\n “You need a haircut,” Ben commented inanely and he could feel Adam\u2019s head nodding in agreement against his chest.<\/p>\n “Pa?”<\/p>\n “Yes son?”<\/p>\n “Will ya\u2026will ya stay with\u2026I mean, when we go inside\u2026” Adam stumbled over his words, not wanting his father to think he was a baby and afraid to face his cousin. But he couldn\u2019t ignore the bad feeling brewing deep in his belly and wanted \u2013 no, needed \u2013 his father with him when he finally met Cousin Jennifer.<\/p>\n Ben understood his son\u2019s discomfort immediately and gave him a little squeeze. “How about we go in together and talk with her? She and I really didn\u2019t get much of a chance to catch up before.” He added the last part so Adam could save face and was rewarded with a relieved smile.<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n “Adam!” shouted the youngest Cartwright, three-year-old Joseph, as he jumped off his mother\u2019s lap and ran full speed into Adam\u2019s legs.<\/p>\n “Hey, pest!” Adam said with affection. He grabbed his baby brother under the arms and twirled him around and around, his little feet barely missing his father and various pieces of furniture.<\/p>\n Adam set him on his feet and a dizzy Joe teetered, squealing nonetheless, “Do it again! Do it again!”<\/p>\n “I think that\u2019s enough for now,” Ben said firmly. Little Joe started to protest but Adam quickly gave him a warning shake of his head and the boy wisely kept quiet.<\/p>\n Placing his hand in the middle of Adam\u2019s back, Ben propelled him toward the great room to their guests.<\/p>\n “You must be Adam!” Jennifer exclaimed, smiling brightly. “Come give your cousin a hug.”<\/p>\n “Yes, ma\u2019am,” he replied and walked stiffly into her waiting arms. He found himself enveloped by a woman whose very presence made goose bumps appear on his flesh. He could feel the unstated tension between her and his father, so thick he could cut it with a knife. Although sometimes they butted heads, for the most part Adam respected his father\u2019s opinions and usually found them to have merit. His logical nature warned him to be wary of this woman, but his heart yearned to accept her as a link to his own mother.<\/p>\n Adam squirmed a bit, not enough to be impolite but just enough to let her know he wanted to break free. She stepped back and held him at arm\u2019s length. Staring at her face, he prayed no one could see his heart pounding through his shirt. He had seen a photograph of her before but even that did not prepare him for Jennifer\u2019s astonishing likeness to his mother\u2019s portrait. Jennifer seemed to sense his upset and placed a light kiss on his forehead.<\/p>\n “Adam, you do your mother proud,” she stated and it tore at Ben\u2019s heart to see the flash of longing in Adam\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n “Mama\u2019s pwoud of me too!” Little Joe asserted, unused to not being the center of attention. His innocent words broke the tension and everyone laughed. Jennifer held out her arm for Adam and he led her to the dining room table, politely pulling out her chair.<\/p>\n “So Adam, how\u2019s school going?” James inquired as he helped himself to some roast beef.<\/p>\n Hoss fidgeted in his seat, suddenly remembering the failed arithmetic test. Adam nudged him with his foot and replied, “It\u2019s okay.”<\/p>\n “Yes, James tells me you\u2019re quite the scholar. Your mother was at the top of her class in school – always had her nose buried in a book.” Jennifer daintily sipped her wine.<\/p>\n “Mama likes books. She weads to me all the time,” Little Joe declared.<\/p>\n Ben looked up and shook his head. “No, Joseph, not your mama. Mrs. Cavanaugh is speaking about her cousin, Adam\u2019s mother.” After he uttered the words, Ben wished he could call them back as he saw his wife wince.<\/p>\n “That\u2019s right,” Jennifer agreed. “We\u2019re speaking about Elizabeth Stoddard, Adam\u2019s\u00a0real<\/i><\/p>\n mother.”<\/p>\n “Elizabeth\u00a0Cartwright<\/i>,” Ben muttered fiercely, oblivious to the confused look on Little Joe\u2019s face. Marie quickly shoveled a spoonful of mashed potatoes into the small mouth, forestalling any questions.<\/p>\n “Yes, my dear cousin. Did your father tell you how close your mother and I were?”<\/p>\n Adam shook his head slightly, pushing the food around on his plate.<\/p>\n “We did everything together as children, even though I was a bit older than she. We lived only a few houses from one another and shared just about everything \u2013 clothes, books, dreams \u2013 even gentlemen callers.” Jennifer looked pointedly at Ben before continuing. “Did you know she was very talented with a pencil and paper? Used to drag me down to the harbor so she could sketch the ships and water and the shops. People would pass by and beg to buy her work, but she had such a big heart that she\u2019d just give her drawings away.”<\/p>\n “Really?” Adam\u2019s mouth dropped open. His father had once told him his mother liked to draw, but hearing it from Jennifer somehow made it more real to him.<\/p>\n “Adam draws real good too,” Hoss boasted.<\/p>\n “Well, that doesn\u2019t surprise me,” Jennifer said. “Elizabeth always dreamed of having an intelligent, handsome son, one that would attend the finest schools, travel the world, have the best of everything. She would have seen to that \u2013 after all, she usually got what she wanted.”<\/p>\n Ben shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Marie\u2019s expressive eyes shot out small angry sparks. Jennifer ignored them both and continued speaking. “I have so many mementos of your mother back home, I\u2019d love to share them with you someday.”<\/p>\n Ben gritted his teeth and balled his hands into tight fists at her words. Adam glanced at him and gave him the slightest of smiles.<\/p>\n “Someday, ma\u2019am,” Adam responded and Ben didn\u2019t bother to hold back a long relieved sigh.<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n Head aching and unable to sleep, Ben lay on his side facing away from Marie and listened to the rhythmic sound of the rain pelting the window. Normally he found the noise of a downpour soothing, but there was precious little he found soothing that night. After dinner, they\u2019d passed the time making small talk, listening to James and Jennifer\u2019s tales of New York and Europe. She\u2019d alluded several times to Elizabeth, always hinting to Adam that there was so much information about his mother waiting at her home back east. Ben rubbed at the painful spot in the center of his forehead when a soft sound interrupted the night. He lay still. Again, he heard a low “Pa” followed by a slightly louder whimper. Flinging back the covers, Ben threw on his robe and hurried barefoot into the hall, his father\u2019s sixth sense spurring him toward Adam\u2019s room. He shoved open the door to find the boy kicking free of the confining sheets, tossing his head in the obvious throes of a nightmare.<\/p>\n “Adam! Adam!” Ben sat on the side of the bed and shook him.<\/p>\n “Pa!” Adam came awake slowly, calling his father\u2019s name. A fine sheen of perspiration covered his smooth forehead. “The Indians\u2026they\u2026” Adam scanned the room, still not entirely released from his nightmare. “Mama\u2026she was bleedin\u2019.”<\/p>\n Lovingly, Ben brushed the dark hair back from his son\u2019s face and reached for the glass of water Adam kept by his bedside. “Here. Drink this.” Adam sipped some water, blushing as he realized he\u2019d cried out \u2013 he hadn\u2019t done that in a while. “It was only a nightmare, son. Everything\u2019s all right.”<\/p>\n Adam squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn\u2019t remember the last time that particular nightmare invaded his sleep and tonight it had been so vivid, so terrifyingly real, that he instinctively called out for his father. Ben took the glass from him and straightened the bedclothes. “How about if I sit here for a while till you go back to sleep?” Ben suggested.<\/p>\n Thirteen year old pride prickling, Adam replied, “It\u2019s okay, ya don\u2019t hafta.”<\/p>\n Ben nodded knowingly. “I know I don\u2019t have to. I want to.” Adam smiled sleepily, calmed by his father\u2019s presence, and no more than two minutes passed and his breath became even and regular in a peaceful slumber. Ben rose carefully, placed a kiss on the top of Adam\u2019s head, and left the room. He was surprised to find Jennifer standing in the hallway.<\/p>\n “Is something wrong?” Ben asked, trying to keep his tone civil.<\/p>\n She shook her head and Ben noticed how long her unpinned hair was, just like\u2026.No, he forced himself back to the present.<\/p>\n “I don\u2019t think either of us is getting much sleep tonight,” she whispered. “Do you think we could talk?”<\/p>\n Ben nodded, cautious but curious. He followed her downstairs, lit a lantern and reached for the decanter of brandy. Handing her a glass, he waited for her to speak, his eyes carefully avoiding what her dressing gown failed to cover.<\/p>\n “Ben, we\u2019ve had a lot of history, you and I\u2026”<\/p>\n “Yes we have,” he replied, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. He noticed that the brandy was the same color as Adam\u2019s eyes. He shook himself and turned toward Jennifer.<\/p>\n “And although you may not believe it, this is very difficult for me,” she hesitated, clearly ill at ease.<\/p>\n Now Ben was suspicious and he quickly downed the contents of his glass and poured another. “Why don\u2019t you just come out and say what you\u2019ve come here to say?”<\/p>\n Jennifer drew a breath. “Does Adam have nightmares often?”<\/p>\n Ben narrowed his eyes and answered slowly and earnestly. “Not so much now but as a child, yes. I\u2019m sure that\u2019s not what you came all the way out here to talk about, is it?”<\/p>\n Ignoring his question, Jennifer observed, “He\u2019s had a rather unorthodox childhood, has he not? I mean, practically walking across a continent, very little schooling, three mothers\u2026”<\/p>\n Ben couldn\u2019t keep the growl from his voice. “Just say it, Jennifer. Why are you here?”<\/p>\n “I am here to offer Adam a better life \u2013 one in New York with me \u2013 and James, of course,” she stared him straight in the eye, trying to weigh his reaction.<\/p>\n Ben felt some of the tension leave his body. “We\u2019ve been through all this with James. I offered to have Adam come visit you, even encouraged it against my better judgment. But I left the decision up to him and he refused.” He let those words sink in. “Do you understand?\u00a0Adam\u00a0<\/i>refused.”<\/p>\n Jennifer glanced down at her hands then looked back up. “And what if he had no choice?”<\/p>\n The blood drained from Ben\u2019s face. “What the devil\u2019s that supposed to mean?”<\/p>\n Placing her glass on the table, Jennifer unconsciously took a step back. “It means I have a letter written by my cousin saying if anything ever happened to her, she wanted\u00a0me<\/i>\u00a0to look after her child.”<\/p>\n “Liz wrote no such letter,” Ben\u2019s whisper was a shout.<\/p>\n Jennifer\u2019s silence spoke volumes.<\/p>\n “Show it to me,” he hissed.<\/p>\n “I can\u2019t,” she answered.<\/p>\n “Because there is no letter,” Ben declared.<\/p>\n “Because it is with a Federal Judge at the moment.” The room suddenly began to spin and Ben gripped the edge of the table with his left hand to steady himself. “He is examining it and will be here tomorrow to let us know his decision.”<\/p>\n “His decision?” Ben repeated, grabbing her forearm. “There is no decision. Adam is\u00a0my<\/i>\u00a0son.\u00a0I\u00a0<\/i>am his father, do you understand? No one will take my son from me \u2013 not you, not some judge, no one!” His words ended in a shout. He released her roughly and strode up the stairs. Jennifer stood for a long time alone. She placed her fingers on her arm exactly where Ben had clutched her and squeezed with all her might.<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n The next day dawned dry but dark and dismal, much like Ben\u2019s mood. He\u2019d shared Jennifer\u2019s threat with Marie and she was outraged, ready to throw both James and Jennifer off the Ponderosa. After she became rational, Ben told his wife he would accompany the boys to school and then see if his attorney, Lawrence Whitcomb, had returned from his trip to California.<\/p>\n “Do you really think this letter exists?” Marie asked, incredulous.<\/p>\n “I can\u2019t believe Liz would have ever written such a thing, but we can\u2019t take anything for granted at this point. I wouldn\u2019t put it past Jennifer she\u2019s so hell bent on revenge!”<\/p>\n “Just because you raised your hand to her?” The whole situation was incomprehensible to Marie. “To me, she sounded almost\u2026almost jealous of Elizabeth.”<\/p>\n “I don\u2019t understand it any more than you do,” Ben replied, massaging his throbbing forehead. “All I know is that Jennifer is very used to having her own way \u2013 not many people crossed her like I did.” He reached for his gun belt and strapped it on. “But if she thinks she\u2019s taking my son, she\u2019s got another thing coming to her!”<\/p>\n “And Adam?” Marie\u2019s eyes filled. “What are you going to tell him? That his mother\u2019s cousin only wants him because of some vengeful game she\u2019s playing, or that his own mother preferred her cousin over his father? Already he senses something is wrong \u2013 when is the last time he called out for you in the night?”<\/p>\n Ben dragged a heavy hand over his face. “I don\u2019t know. I just don\u2019t know.”<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n The air was rife with tension late that afternoon at the Ponderosa. After the boys arrived home from school, Marie sent Hoss and Little Joe upstairs to play with strict instructions not to come down for any reason. Now she sat in the red leather chair, knitting. “Damn!” She muttered, unable to concentrate and dropping another stitch. James and Jennifer did not even glance her way they were so engrossed in their chess game. Ben seemed not to notice either as he paced back and forth before the huge stone fireplace.<\/p>\n Adam came in through the kitchen from his chores and hesitantly approached his father. “Pa, Charlie said ya wanted to see me?”.<\/p>\n Placing his hand on the boy\u2019s shoulder, Ben nodded. “Yes, son. I need to speak to you.” Ben bit his lip, uncertain exactly how to explain what Jennifer had told him. He\u2019d rehearsed what he was going to say several times that day, but suddenly it all went out of his mind, leaving only the bare and painful truth to be told.<\/p>\n “Adam, your mother\u2019s cousin claims to have a letter from your mother\u2026”<\/p>\n Three sharp raps at the door interrupted his speech and Ben looked helplessly to Marie.<\/p>\n “Ah, that should be Judge Sanders,” Jennifer proclaimed almost gleefully as she rose to open the door, James close behind her.<\/p>\n “No. The boy needs to hear it from me first!” Ben shouted.<\/p>\n At that moment, Jennifer opened the door and a tall, gray haired gentleman entered, removing his top hat, followed by two younger men dressed in dusty working clothes.<\/p>\n “Mrs. Cavanaugh,” he spoke in a deep, gravelly voice. He shook her hand first, then reached out to clasp James\u2019s. “Mr. Cavanaugh.”<\/p>\n “Judge, we\u2019re so glad you could come,” Jennifer said as she led him into the room. “This is Marie and Benjamin Cartwright and my cousin\u2019s son, Adam.”<\/p>\n Ignoring the way she introduced Adam, Ben shook the Judge\u2019s hand politely, as did Marie. Turning to the men with him, Saunders explained, “This is Marshall Jack Foster and his deputy, Reese Cutler.” The men nodded.<\/p>\n “May I get anyone a drink?” Marie asked.<\/p>\n “No, thank you.” The judge answered for them all. He then turned to Adam and said, “So, you\u2019re Adam.”<\/p>\n Amos Sanders was a tall man, well over six feet, and Adam had to crane his neck to look him in the eye as his father had taught him. “Yes, sir.” Then, unable to contain himself, Adam asked, “Why are ya here?”<\/p>\n “Adam,” Ben automatically chastised, although there was no heat in his words.<\/p>\n Sanders motioned for everyone to sit, then chose the blue chair for himself. The Marshall and his deputy remained standing. Jennifer sat in the chair opposite the judge, with James perched awkwardly on the arm of her chair. Ben and Marie chose the settee, with Adam wedged between them. “Adam, as an Officer of the Federal Court, I am obliged to make decisions \u2013 decisions that often affect people\u2019s lives. The government of the United States has entrusted me with this duty to see that justice, no matter how painful, is served. Do you understand what I\u2019m saying?”<\/p>\n “I\u2026I guess so,” Adam replied, his right hand unconsciously moving to his father\u2019s knee.<\/p>\n Judge Sanders continued, “I am here because before she died, Elizabeth Stoddard wrote a letter to her cousin, Jennifer Stoddard Cavanaugh.” He paused for a breath and Adam turned round eyes to his father. Ben placed his arm around his son\u2019s slender shoulders.<\/p>\n “I\u2019ll tell him,” Ben said, wanting Adam to hear it from him. “Jennifer claims to have a letter written by your mother. Supposedly it says that if something happened to your mother, then Jennifer\u2026Jennifer was to raise any children your mother had.” The color left Adam\u2019s face and he fought hard to control the churning in his stomach.<\/p>\n “But\u2026but you\u2019re my Pa,” he said, his voice trembling. “Why would my mother write a letter like that?”<\/p>\n “We don\u2019t even know there is such a letter!” Marie cried, unable to remain silent.<\/p>\n The judge pulled a yellowed envelope from his breast pocket. “I can assure you, Mrs. Cartwright, there is such a letter.”<\/p>\n “May I see it?” Ben held out his hand and Sanders handed it to him. Ben opened it gingerly. It was a torn piece of paper, containing only a few lines, but there was no mistaking the clear, slanted script, nor what remained of the broken wax seal flecking the envelope\u2019s flap. It was dated six months before Adam\u2019s birth.<\/p>\n “Ben?” Marie\u2019s voice was weak. She didn\u2019t really need him to speak to know it was authentic \u2013 the look on his face was answer enough.<\/p>\n Adam strained his eyes to read what was written. It was the first time he had ever seen anything penned in his mother\u2019s hand<\/span>\u00a0and the words fairly jumped off the page<\/span><\/p>\n “\u2026If anything were to happen to me, dear Cousin Jennifer, I know you would raise my child as your own\u2026”<\/span><\/p>\n Ben threw the letter to the floor in disgust, momentarily unable to speak.<\/p>\n “Pa?” There was panic in Adam\u2019s voice now and that one word spurred Ben into life.<\/p>\n “This is ludicrous!” Ben boomed, jumping to his feet. “I don\u2019t know why this letter was written, but obviously it\u2019s worthless. The boy has a father\u2026”<\/p>\n “Yes, I am aware that you\u2019re his father,” Judge Sanders interrupted. “However, this letter is still considered legal and binding, an informal last will and testament, one might say.”<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s face was almost purple as he bellowed, “I am his father. He belongs with me, no one else.”<\/p>\n “Mr. Cartwright, sit down,” Marshall Foster spoke for the first time, his hand on his pistol.<\/p>\n “Don\u2019t threaten me in my own house!” Ben made a move toward him and Foster drew his gun.<\/p>\n “Ben, please!” Marie sprang up. She put her hand to her husband\u2019s chest to calm him and led him back to the settee.<\/p>\n “Mr. Cartwright, let me explain something,” the Judge spoke firmly. “Under normal circumstances, you\u2019re right \u2013 a child would remain with the living parent. However, there have been cases when the living parent has been proven\u2026let\u2019s say, unfit\u2026”<\/p>\n Ben was on his feet again. “What the hell are you talking about?” His smoldering eyes fell on Jennifer. “You!<\/i>\u00a0What lies has she told you?”<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s cloudy hazel eyes went from one adult to the next. His heart was slapping against his chest so loud that it echoed in his ears and he was sure everyone in the room could hear it. Adam wanted to yell at everyone to stop but no words could get past the ball of fear in his throat.<\/p>\n “Mr. Cartwright!” Foster shouted. “This is the last time I\u2019m tellin\u2019 ya ta sit down! Or do I need ta cuff ya?”<\/p>\n Sanders continued, “I have a statement here signed by several witnesses that says back in Boston about thirteen years ago, you struck Jennifer Stoddard Cartwright.”<\/p>\n “That\u2019s a lie!” Ben protested vehemently.<\/p>\n The judge shrugged. “Your word against hers and that of these witnesses.”<\/p>\n Ben slumped against the back of the settee. “I need to consult with my lawyer, put an end to these ridiculous charges.”<\/p>\n “As is your right. But at the moment, my concern is for the welfare of the boy, and expediency is of the utmost importance. I believe your lawyer is in California, so let me ask you a few questions and perhaps we can settle this once and for all.”<\/p>\n Ben nodded brusquely. He looked down at Adam and could see the bewildered terror written on his face. “My son, does he need to be present for this?” He rubbed the back of the boy\u2019s neck, trying to calm his fears.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m afraid so. I may need to ask him some questions as well.” The judge then asked slowly and methodically, as if reciting by rote, “Now, Mr. Cartwright, is it true that you took Adam as a motherless infant on a trek across untamed country, when Mrs. Cavanaugh offered him a stable family life in civilized New York?\u2019<\/p>\n “Yes. Liz and I had a dream\u2026I promised her I\u2019d take\u2026”<\/p>\n “A simple yes or no will do,” the judge barked.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m not on trial here!” Ben objected.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m afraid in a way, you are. I will ask the questions and you will answer them, is that understood?” Sanders asked coolly. Marshall Foster drew his gun to underscore the judge\u2019s meaning.<\/p>\n “This is a sham! Do you think you can strong-arm me into relinquishing my son to this..this\u2026” Ben sputtered.<\/p>\n “Don\u2019t you see?” Jennifer cried. “Don\u2019t you see that he still has violent tendencies?” She stood and rolled up her sleeve to reveal several bruises on her forearm. “He did this to me just last night!” Tears rolled down her cheeks as she continued, “I came downstairs to talk to him, tell him about the letter and he\u2026he grabbed my arm. I told him he was hurting me, begged him to stop\u2026”<\/p>\n “She\u2019s lying!” Marie didn\u2019t for a moment believe a word of Jennifer\u2019s story.<\/p>\n “Is she?” Sanders said calmly. “Did you place your hand on Mrs. Cavanaugh\u2019s arm?”<\/p>\n A vein on Ben\u2019s forehead pulsated as he confessed, “Yes, I placed my hand on her arm but I never squeezed so tightly as to bruise her.”<\/p>\n She held up her arm as proof and Ben looked at her in bewilderment. “Jennifer, if I hurt you in any way, I certainly didn\u2019t mean it. I would never\u2026”<\/p>\n Conspicuously silent up to this point, James\u2019s voice was expressionless as he stated, “And I know for a fact he took a belt to Adam just a couple weeks ago.”<\/p>\n Adam looked up, incredulous that his cousin would even bring that episode up. “Pa tanned me \u2018cause I disobeyed him. I\u2026I deserved to be punished.”<\/p>\n “With a belt?” Jennifer whispered. “Elizabeth would never have chosen such a cruel and vicious punishment for a mere child \u2013 her child. Perhaps she knew of your father\u2019s temper and that is why she entrusted you to me.” She reached out to touch his leg but Adam drew back as if scalded.<\/p>\n “Has your father ever beaten you before, boy?” Judge Sanders leaned in to ask.<\/p>\n “Beaten me?” Adam repeated. He looked to his father, whose dark eyes encouraged him, as always, to tell the truth. “My Pa punishes us when we do somethin\u2019 wrong. That\u2019s his job \u2013 to make us into decent men, and\u2026and if he\u2019s gotta take his belt to us now and then to do that, well\u2026that\u2019s what a good father does.”<\/p>\n “Um hmm.” The judge seemed to be considering his answer. Ben reached and took one of Adam\u2019s hands in his own and squeezed, but he knew that no matter how hard the boy defended him, he was already condemned \u2013 Jennifer had seen to that. Ben\u2019s mind raced, knowing that the solution did not lie here.<\/p>\n “Judge Sanders,” Ben spoke with barely concealed anger. “My attorney should be back by week\u2019s end. I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll be able to straighten all this out. And in the mean time, we can telegraph Judge Samuel Horton in Sacramento. Perhaps you know him?” Ben referred to another Federal Judge who not only was a close personal friend of his, but also had more tenure on the bench than any of his constituents.<\/p>\n “Yes, of course I know him.” Sanders failed to keep the agitation from his tone. “However, as I said, expediency is of the utmost importance here. We are speaking of the welfare of a child\u2026”<\/p>\n “I don\u2019t wanna go with her,” Adam whined. “I wanna stay here with my Ma and Pa.”<\/p>\n The word \u2018Ma\u2019 flowed so naturally from his lips that only Marie jerked her head around to stare at her stepson. It was the first time he had called her that and she wished it could have been under different circumstances. But before she could speak, Jennifer pointed a long, accusatory finger to Marie.<\/p>\n “She is\u00a0not<\/i>\u00a0your mother!” Jennifer shouted. “My cousin, Elizabeth, was your mother, and don\u2019t you ever forget that!”<\/p>\n “Jennifer!” Ben barked.<\/p>\n The words shot from Jennifer\u2019s mouth like venom from a snake. “This woman \u2013 Marie de Marigny \u2013 is not fit to be a mother. Why her indiscretions in New Orleans are well known\u2026”<\/p>\n “Now wait just a minute!” Ben roared. “My wife is above reproach, both as a lady and as a mother! I\u2019ll not have any more of your slanderous comments\u2026”<\/p>\n Ben moved menacingly toward Jennifer, unable to control his rage. The Marshall stepped between them and physically restrained Ben.<\/p>\n “He is a dangerous man!” The widow cried. “Neither are fit to raise the boy!”<\/p>\n Marie regained her senses first and pulled at Ben\u2019s sleeve, but he was immovable. Judge Sanders nodded and stood, proclaiming, “I\u2019m afraid I must agree with Mrs. Cavanaugh. It is in the best interest of the child to remove him from this home immediately.”<\/p>\n “NO!” Adam shouted. He bolted to his feet, tears of confusion and fear welling in his eyes.<\/p>\n Marie pulled him into her arms, cradling his head to her shoulder. The judge rose to his full height, reached out a long arm and roughly pulled the boy from his stepmother\u2019s arms. The abrupt release caused Marie to fall backwards onto the settee as Adam struggled against Sanders\u2019 grasp. Furious at the way this supposed man of the courts manhandled his family, Ben broke loose and his fist flew into the judge\u2019s jaw, sending him sprawling to the floor. Foster and Cutler swiftly pinned back Ben\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n “You\u2019ll rot in jail for that, Cartwright!” Sanders spat as he held his jaw. Foster\u2019s knee came up and savagely pounded Ben\u2019s ribs. Ben doubled over, gasping, and Foster cuffed him.<\/p>\n Adam ran to his father and threw his arms around him, heedless of the tears streaming down his face. “NO! Don\u2019t hurt my Pa!”<\/p>\n Ben surveyed the room through pain filled eyes and seeing the futility of any more struggle, pleaded to the judge, “Please, do what you want with me, but don\u2019t take my son from his home and his family.”<\/p>\n The room was silent except for Adam\u2019s breathless hiccups. Jennifer broke the silence, “He belongs to me now. It\u2019s over.”<\/p>\n “Take him away,” ordered the judge. Foster pushed Ben towards the door. Ben made one last attempt break free, but the Marshall blocked his way, hitting him with a hard left to his head and a right to his stomach.<\/p>\n “Wait!” Adam shouted as he fought for control. “Wait.” He turned to Jennifer. “I\u2019ll\u2026I\u2019ll go with ya\u2026”<\/p>\n “Adam!” Ben gasped, but his son ignored him. Ben then lost consciousness and a strange look came over Adam\u2019s face \u2013 his tears subsided and his eyes became chillingly vacant.<\/p>\n “I\u2019ll go with ya but ya gotta promise me nuthin\u2019 happens to my Pa.”<\/p>\n “He assaulted a judge, boy. Your pa\u2019s goin\u2019 ta jail,” Foster sneered, his yellowed teeth prominent in his weather beaten face.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m not goin\u2019 anywhere till ya promise me my Pa isn\u2019t goin\u2019 to jail.” Adam directed his words to the judge. “Ya might be able to force me to go, but I\u2019ll put up such a fuss ya\u2019ll wish ya\u2019d left me behind.” He could see the judge\u2019s eyes flicker. “Just tryin\u2019 to make your life easier, Judge. Let my Pa go, that\u2019s all ya hafta do.”<\/b><\/p>\n Now kneeling beside her husband, a tearful Marie stared at Adam, astonished. His poise and demeanor were well beyond a thirteen-year-old boy\u2019s and although Marie wanted to shout at him, order him to keep quiet, something in his manner stunned her into silence.<\/p>\n “Well, I suppose I could forget about the charges. It\u2019s not like he hurt me with that punch of his anyhow,” Sanders conceded. “But Cutler will stay here and guard Cartwright, at least until Mrs. Cavanaugh has a chance to get the boy away. Understand?” He aimed his decision at Adam instead of the adults.<\/p>\n Adam took a moment to mull it over. He didn\u2019t dare look at his father; he was afraid his resolve would crumble and any hope of protecting his father would be gone. Then he recalled something he\u2019d heard his father say often whenever Adam accompanied him on business.<\/p>\n “I want that in writing.”<\/p>\n “What?” The Judge laughed out loud. “What are you, a lawyer?”<\/p>\n “I want it in writing,” Adam repeated, setting his jaw stubbornly. He stared at the judge, unblinking, arms folded across his chest. “I\u2019m sure I could trust ya, ya bein\u2019 a man of the law and all, but I\u2019m not goin\u2019 anywhere till\u2026”<\/p>\n “I know, I know. Till I put it in writing.” Judge Sanders was at the end of his patience now, anxious to put as much distance between himself and this family as possible. The deputy stepped over to Ben\u2019s desk, opened the top drawer and pulled out a piece of paper. Dipping the quill in the inkwell, he couldn\u2019t suppress a smile.<\/p>\n “You find something amusing, Cutler?” The judge asked, grabbing the items from Reese Cutler\u2019s hand and hastily scribbling something.<\/p>\n “Well, Judge, looks like ya met yer match in that youngin\u2019,” he answered and gave the boy what he hoped was a reassuring wink. Cutler whispered so that only Adam could hear, “Don\u2019t worry none, yer Pa\u2019s gonna be okay.”<\/p>\n “Here,” Sanders thrust the paper in Adam\u2019s face. “Let\u2019s go.”<\/p>\n Adam took it and read it carefully, nodding his acceptance. He then turned and walked to the safe his father kept behind his desk. With his back to everyone, Adam was sure no one had seen him slip his mother\u2019s letter into his pocket.<\/p>\n “Adam!” Marie called weakly, torn between her injured husband and her stepson.<\/p>\n “Don\u2019t worry about me, Ma,” Adam told her as he opened the safe, placed the paper inside, then locked the door securely. “Tell Pa I know what I\u2019m doin\u2019.”<\/p>\n Adam worked hard not to think about why his mother had written that letter, nor why Jennifer would want him when he so obviously did not want her. He fought the mounting fear in his heart and prayed no one could see his struggle to keep his emotions in check.<\/p>\n James hurried down the stairs with his and Jennifer\u2019s bags, which miraculously were already packed.<\/p>\n “Come, Adam,” Jennifer ordered, and he gave her a cold, hard look, one that sent a shiver down her spine.\u00a0Nonsense<\/i>, she thought erroneously,\u00a0he\u2019s just a child, incapable of such hatred.<\/i><\/p>\n “I\u2019m goin\u2019 upstairs to say good\u2026good bye to my brothers.” Adam\u2019s voice was soft but his expression was steely, daring anyone to stop him.<\/p>\n “We really don\u2019t have time\u2026” Jennifer began, but her own son interrupted her.<\/p>\n “Oh, let him go. What\u2019s a few minutes going to hurt? They\u2019re his brothers, for God sakes.” Marie heard the annoyance in James\u2019s tone and wondered if perhaps he did not approve of his mother\u2019s plan.<\/p>\n Adam climbed the stairs two at a time. At the top of the stairs stood Hoss, tears streaming down his face. Adam pulled him into the furthest bedroom and shut the door behind them.<\/p>\n “Adam, are ya really goin\u2019 with James and his ma?” Hoss\u2019s chin quivered.<\/p>\n “For now, but ya gotta do somethin\u2019 for me, understand?” Hoss nodded, swiping the back of his hand across his eyes. “Now listen good, because I need your help so Pa doesn\u2019t get in any trouble. Ya know that cave where we saw that baby cub and it\u2019s mother?” Hoss nodded again, tears still spilling. “I want ya to meet me there tonight at midnight. And ya need to bring me a horse \u2013 not Sport or Beauty or any of the horses I usually ride.”<\/p>\n “Which one then?”<\/p>\n “Lucifer.” Adam said decisively and Hoss looked horrified.<\/p>\n “But Pa says we ain\u2019t allowed to ride him.”<\/p>\n “Don\u2019t worry about that. There\u2019s no horse faster than Lucifer, so just bring him to me. Can ya do that?”<\/p>\n “Sure, but what are ya gonna do?” Hoss asked. Adam chewed his lip, wanting to confide in his best friend, his brother, but wasn\u2019t sure if he should. As if reading Adam\u2019s mind, Hoss surmised, “You\u2019re runnin\u2019 away, ain\u2019t ya?”<\/p>\n “Uh huh, but ya can\u2019t tell anyone \u2013 not even Pa,” Adam whispered urgently. “I\u2019m gonna go find Mr. Whitcomb and maybe even that Judge Horton Pa knows.”<\/p>\n “I\u2019ll do it, Adam. Ya can count on me.”<\/p>\n Adam drew Hoss into a quick embrace. “I know \u2013 I trust ya more than anyone in the world, brother.” Adam left the room quickly, as the tears he was determined to hide welled in his eyes. Glancing down the stairs, he made a quick stop in Joe\u2019s room, where the toddler lay on his bed fast asleep. Adam placed a gentle kiss on the soft curls. “I love ya, Joe.”<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s face muscles ached from keeping his jaw tense, his stony expression never wavering once on the carriage ride into town. He sat mute next to James, who also made no effort to disguise his own bad mood. Jennifer chattered on and on, until Judge Sanders pleaded a headache and courtesy demanded she keep quiet.<\/p>\n As Marshall Foster helped her down from the wagon, he smiled evilly. “I like a lady who gets what she wants.” He cast a glance over his shoulder at Adam. “Though I ain\u2019t quite sure why ya\u2019d want\u00a0him<\/i>.”<\/p>\n Jennifer grinned and whispered, “Marshall Foster, it has been my experience that nothing is quite as sweet as the taste of revenge.”<\/p>\n He cocked a bushy brow. “Who ya gettin\u2019 revenge on here \u2013 the old man or the kid?”<\/p>\n “Both, and my cousin as well. Good evening, Marshall.” With that, she gathered up her skirts and made her way to the entrance of the hotel. As if suddenly remembering that she was not alone, she turned to Adam. “We\u2019ll be staying here for the night. Tomorrow we shall start out for New York and your new life, the one your mother would have wanted for you.”<\/p>\n Unable to let that remark pass, Adam didn\u2019t bother to mask the loathing in his voice. “My mother\u2019s dead. It\u2019s too bad ya didn\u2019t die along with her.”<\/p>\n Instinctively, Jennifer raised her hand and slapped his left cheek. Adam didn\u2019t flinch and she tried not to show how much that unnerved her. “Don\u2019t you ever speak to me that way again,” she commanded. “You are coming to New York with me, as you should have thirteen years ago. You will live under my roof and be brought up properly, and that means you will give me the respect I deserve!”<\/p>\n Adam smirked at that. “Ma\u2019am, I just gave ya\u00a0all<\/i>\u00a0the respect ya deserve.” He entered the hotel, leaving her speechless, mouth agape.<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n <\/dir><\/dir>Sneaking out of the hotel room he shared with James was no problem. Adam was sure the soft snores coming from James\u2019s bed were the result of the metal flask he drank from all evening. Leaping from the second story window to the ground below proved a little more difficult for the boy. Once he found himself dangling from the window ledge, he had no choice but to drop. He landed with a thud and a few bruises that were quickly forgotten in his quest to find a horse. Careful to stay in the buildings\u2019 shadows, he made his way to the livery, where he led out an old gray mare. Adam rationalized that he wasn\u2019t really stealing, it was more like borrowing. Rolling a barrel over to where she stood, Adam climbed up and swung a leg over, then took off as if fire licked at his boots.<\/p>\n A million thoughts flew through his mind as he raced in the dark of night. What if Hoss wasn\u2019t there? What if the Deputy was wrong and his father didn\u2019t recover from the beating he\u2019d taken? What if they came after him and caught him before he could get to Judge Horton and Mr. Whitcomb? And perhaps the most disturbing thought of all – why didn\u2019t his mother trust his father to raise him? For the entire ride, those same questions whirled through his head with mind-numbing intensity. He was so determined to reach his destination that Adam didn\u2019t take the time to stop when his stomach rebelled. He merely turned his head and vomited, wishing he could empty his mind as easily as he emptied his belly.<\/p>\n He slowed the horse as he approached the cave and one of his worries was promptly put to rest. There on a log sat Hoss, nervously chewing his nails. Lucifer and another horse Adam didn\u2019t recognize were tethered close behind him. Hoss jumped up as Adam neared and the look of relief on the younger boy\u2019s face was so evident that Adam vaulted off the horse and ran to him, drawing him into a quick hug.<\/p>\n “I knew ya\u2019d come!” Adam said, casting aside his earlier doubts. Pulling away from Hoss, he asked, “How\u2019s Pa?”<\/p>\n “He still ain\u2019t awake. Ma sent for Doc Martin but I don\u2019t know if he came.” Hoss\u2019s blue eyes were round and full as he added, “Ma\u2019s cryin\u2019 an awful lot, Adam.”<\/p>\n Adam nodded, then turned his attention to the horses. “Ya brought Lucifer like I told ya.”<\/p>\n Hoss brightened somewhat. “Yup. And I brung food and bedrolls and your huntin\u2019 rifle too.”<\/p>\n Smiling, Adam clapped him on the back. “Good thinkin\u2019.” He walked over to the horse who snorted mightily as he approached him. “Whoa, boy. You and me are gonna take a little trip. Easy now.” Adam patted the horse\u2019s massive neck. He turned to Hoss and said reluctantly, “Listen, ya\u2019d better go back now before they miss ya. Thanks for bringin\u2019\u2026”<\/p>\n “I ain\u2019t goin\u2019 home,” Hoss interrupted.<\/p>\n Pulling his head back, Adam answered with authority, “Oh yes ya are.”<\/p>\n Hoss shook his head and declared with conviction, “Nope. I\u2019m goin\u2019 with ya.”<\/p>\n Adam felt his heart would burst in his chest at Hoss\u2019s statement. He slowly walked over to Hoss, trying to find the right words. As much as he wanted his younger brother with him, as much as he needed him with him, the responsibility to protect him was always foremost in his thoughts. “Listen, Hoss, I\u2019d love for ya to come with me, but it\u2019s too dangerous\u2026”<\/p>\n “It won\u2019t be so dangerous if there\u2019s two of us,” Hoss reasoned.<\/p>\n “Maybe,” Adam answered carefully, then tried a different tactic. “But\u2026but what about Pa and Marie? And Joe? They all need ya and\u2026” Adam couldn\u2019t finish his sentence \u2013 the idea of being taken away from his family was too painful and talking about them made it downright unbearable.<\/p>\n “The way I see it,” Hoss spoke sincerely, “is, well, Pa and Ma and Little Joe, they all got each other. But you and me is special. We ain\u2019t been apart more\u2019n a day in our life\u2026” Hoss hesitated, struggling to say what he meant. “We\u2019re brothers and brothers always stick together, ain\u2019t that what ya always tell me?”<\/p>\n Adam nodded, letting the tears slip from his eyes.<\/p>\n “And Joe, he\u2019s too little to help, so he\u2019s gotta stay back.” Hoss gulped. “I ain\u2019t gonna let<\/p>\n \u2018em take ya to New York. Just ain\u2019t no way.”<\/p>\n Adam threw his arms around his brother and didn\u2019t let go for a good long while. When he finally composed himself, Adam murmured hoarsely, “Hoss, nobody could ask for a better brother than you.”<\/p>\n Hoss smiled widely and asked, “So when do we leave?”<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n Thump, thump, thump. James pulled the pillow over his head to drown out the pounding, but it didn\u2019t help. For a moment, he thought the noise was coming from inside his head, but then he heard a few more thumps and realized his mother was at the door.<\/p>\n “Adam, answer that door before she breaks it down,” James instructed his cousin, unaware he was alone in the room. The knocks became more insistent and James peered out through slitted eyes. “Adam?” He sat up slowly, wincing at the pain in his head. Noticing Adam\u2019s bed was rumpled and his clothes were gone, his eyes slid to the open window and a small smile tugged at his lips. “Good for you, Cuz,” he murmured under his breath as he rose and opened the door, not bothering to don a robe.<\/p>\n “You\u2019re not dressed yet?” Jennifer cried incredulously. “The stage will be here in less than thirty minutes.” She looked around the room. “Where\u2019s Adam?”<\/p>\n James shrugged. “Thought he was with you.” He reached for his trousers. “Think I could have a little privacy?”<\/p>\n Ignoring her son, she made her way to the window and spun on her heel. “You had one thing to do \u2013 keep an eye on your cousin and you couldn\u2019t even do\u00a0that<\/i>\u00a0right!” She angrily slammed the window shut. “He\u2019s probably home by now and his father and that woman have already hidden him away somewhere.” She picked up James\u2019s flask, opened it, sniffed and threw it at him. He ducked and it missed.<\/p>\n “You know, Mother, I\u2019m glad he got away. I\u2019m glad he\u2019s back with his father and mother and brothers and all the people who really love him!” His eyes, although sparking with anger, were also unmistakably sad.<\/p>\n Jennifer was before him in a few quick steps and she raised her hand, but he caught her wrist. “Let him be.\u00a0I\u2019m<\/i>\u00a0your son, not Adam.”<\/p>\n “You don\u2019t understand!” she cried.<\/p>\n “Then make me understand,” he countered. “Tell me why you need to take him away from his family. Is it because Ben raised his hand to you so many years ago?” She looked down at the floor. “I was there, Mother. He never touched you.”<\/p>\n Jennifer\u2019s chin snapped up as she met his gaze defiantly. “Then why didn\u2019t you tell Judge Sanders that?”<\/p>\n It was James\u2019s turn to look down. “Be\u2026because I couldn\u2019t,” he murmured softly.<\/p>\n “It was because you are weak, just as your father was weak.” She regained the upper hand and pointed to James\u2019s clothes. “Get dressed. You\u2019ve spent enough time in this God forsaken place. Do you think you\u2019re man enough to find that boy?”<\/p>\n Without waiting for an answer, she flounced out of the room.<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n “Ben? Ben?” Marie whispered as her husband\u2019s eyelashes fluttered on his bruised cheeks early the next morning. He raised his hand slightly. She took his in her own and squeezed gently, trying to infuse some of her strength into him.<\/p>\n “Marie?” he replied, blinking a few times until she came into focus.<\/p>\n “Oh darling, the doctor said you will be fine, you just need to rest,” she told him as she reached for a cool cloth and wiped his forehead and eyes.<\/p>\n He looked around, confused. “What\u2026what happened?”<\/p>\n Her eyes grew in alarm. “You don\u2019t know?”<\/p>\n Ben wrinkled his brow, trying to clear some of the fog from his mind and remember. He knew it was something important \u2013 something he had to do \u2013 something that cast a chill over his heart that was now beating a bit too fast.<\/p>\n An alarm went off in his head. “Adam!” He cried, and struggled to rise from the bed. Marie placed two hands on his chest and pushed him back despite her own exhaustion.<\/p>\n “No. You must listen to me! You have two cracked ribs and a slight concussion \u2013 the doctor said you must stay in bed.”<\/p>\n “But Adam\u2026” There was panic in his voice.<\/p>\n “I sent Charlie and Jake into town as soon as they left to get Sheriff Coffee.”<\/p>\n “What did he say? Did he bring Adam back?” Ben fired the questions at her, but she couldn\u2019t meet his anxious stare.<\/p>\n “No.” Two tears trickled down her cheeks. “He said\u2026he said he spoke to Judge Sanders and there is nothing he can do. We have to wait for Mr. Whitcomb.”<\/p>\n “The hell I will!” At that, Ben threw the covers off and holding his side, rose shakily to his feet. “No one is taking my son from me \u2013 judge or no judge!”<\/p>\n At that moment, the door burst open and Little Joe dashed into the room. He threw himself at his father, nearly knocking him off his feet.<\/p>\n “Papa! Papa!”<\/p>\n Ben sat on the edge of the bed and held the little boy tightly, his love for all three sons wrapped up in that one hug.<\/p>\n “Joseph, I want you to be a big boy now. Papa has to go away for a few days and I want you to be extra good for your Mama, do you understand?”<\/p>\n The little boy nodded solemnly, curls bouncing. “Are ya gonna go get Adam and Hoss? I miss \u2018em.”<\/p>\n It took a few seconds for his words to register with his parents. “Adam\u00a0and<\/i>\u00a0Hoss?” Ben repeated. He looked up at Marie, but she was just as baffled as he was. “Where\u2019s Hoss?”<\/p>\n “Dunno,” Joe shrugged.<\/p>\n “He went after Adam,” Ben assumed wearily, running his hand through his already mussed hair. “I\u2019ve got to go.” He handed Joe to Marie, but not before he gave him another long hug and a kiss.<\/p>\n “Can I go too?” Joe piped from his mother\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n “Absolutely not!” Ben covered his face with both hands, as if that simple gesture would hold back all the anger, resentment and terror he was feeling. “I need to know that at least one of my sons is safe.”<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n “You\u2019re\u00a0sure<\/i>\u00a0this is the way to California?” Hoss asked for the third time that morning as the two boys made their way over some rough terrain. They were careful to stay close to the road but not directly on it, just in case Marshall Foster came after them.<\/p>\n Adam squinted up at the sky. His father first taught him how to use the stars and placement of the sun to judge time and direction when he was very young, living out of a wagon and on the trail constantly. Removing his hat and wiping the sweat from his forehead, Adam reached for his canteen and took a long drink. Hoss imitated his big brother\u2019s every move.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m sure \u2013 pretty sure anyway. Besides, this is the way the stagecoach went that time Pa took me to San Francisco with him.”<\/p>\n Hoss wrinkled his nose. “But ain\u2019t Mr. Whitcomb in Sac\u2026Sac\u2026”<\/p>\n “Sacramento.” Adam finished for him. “Yeah, but I figure they\u2019ll take the stage to San Francisco first and head to Virginia City from there.” Adam spoke with more confidence than he felt.<\/p>\n “We gonna eat soon?” Hoss moaned.<\/p>\n “We gotta keep movin\u2019,” Adam told him as he reached into his saddlebag. He pulled out a stale biscuit and handed it to his brother. “Here. This oughtta hold ya for a while.”<\/p>\n Hoss eyed the biscuit dubiously, knowing that the snack wouldn\u2019t hold him for another twenty feet, but sensibly kept that to himself.<\/p>\n The boys rode hard, stopping only to water the horses. Adam kept glancing at Hoss, afraid he would tire and need to rest, but Hoss never complained once about the ride \u2013 only the lack of food. Their backsides were sore when dusk fell upon them and they decided to make camp. Hoss gathered some wood for a fire while Adam\u2019s snares ensured them two fair sized rabbits for dinner.<\/p>\n “Adam, ya think that mean guy is comin\u2019 after us? I see the way ya keep lookin\u2019 back,” Hoss said, licking what was left of his dinner from his fingers. He reached for more but Adam stopped him.<\/p>\n Ignoring the question, Adam instructed, “Hoss, we gotta save some for tomorrow.”<\/p>\n Hoss heaved a disappointed sigh and Adam handed him what was left of his own meal. “Here, I\u2019m not hungry.” Indeed he wasn\u2019t; his stomach was jumpy and his head was spinning. Adam knew that someone was on their trail \u2013 he could sense it more than anything. He also knew that, given the chance, Lucifer could outrun any horse, but Hoss\u2019s mount had nowhere near the power and speed. Angry at himself for putting Hoss in danger, Adam wished not for the first time that day that he\u2019d insisted his brother return home instead of selfishly allowing him to come along. He had to think of something, some other way of protecting his brother from whoever was after them, as well as protecting himself from Cousin Jennifer. His hand unconsciously patted his mother\u2019s letter in his pocket.<\/p>\n “Hey, Hoss,” Adam said, an idea forming in mind. “Remember when we set that trap to catch Ronnie Pickens?”<\/p>\n “Yeah,” Hoss grinned. “And we caught Mr. Pickens instead.”<\/p>\n Adam frowned \u2013 that was part of the story he\u2019d like to forget \u2013 that and the trip to the barn when his father found out what happened. “Well, at first light, I think we\u2019re gonna rig that up near the road, just in case someone\u2019s followin\u2019 us.”<\/p>\n Hoss laughed outright. “Can we stay and watch what happens?”<\/p>\n Adam gave him a poke in the ribs and told him to get some sleep. They snuggled in their bedrolls, Hoss between Adam and the fire, Adam\u2019s loaded rifle between Adam and the rest of the world.<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n Ben knelt a bit unsteadily, letting the loose dirt sift through his fingers.<\/p>\n “Well?” Reese Cutler asked from atop his horse.<\/p>\n “They were here all right. There were three horses \u2013 one headed back to town and the other two went that way.” Ben straightened up and pointed northwest. He glanced warily at his companion, still a bit suspicious of the deputy\u2019s intentions.<\/p>\n Picking up on Ben\u2019s ambivalent feelings, Cutler assured him, “Look, I\u2019m gonna help ya find yer boys and bring \u2018em back. That lady\u2026well, she\u2019s just pure evil and the Marshall, he\u2019ll do anythin\u2019 for a buck.”<\/p>\n “And Judge Sanders?” Ben queried as he climbed back on his horse.<\/p>\n “Well, I ain\u2019t got that part figured out yet. I know them two came in on the stage together\u2026real friendly like.”<\/p>\n Ben raised his eyebrows at that. “They know each other pretty well, don\u2019t they?”<\/p>\n “Yep.” Reese spat on the ground. “Seem mighty close.”<\/p>\n Filing that information away in his somewhat muddled mind, Ben prodded his horse in the direction Adam and Hoss had gone, silently trying to puzzle out the situation.<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n “Can\u2019t ya go any faster? Damn city slicker, shoulda left ya behind with yer mama,” Marshall Foster complained about James as the two of them tried to pick up the Cartwright boys\u2019 trail. “Ya sure ya know these parts?”<\/p>\n “Oh yes,” James smiled engagingly. “I spent some time here not too long ago.”<\/p>\n Tired and cranky after riding all night, Foster eyed him doubtfully. “I don\u2019t know \u2018bout that. Seems like ya could barely find yer way off the Ponderosa yesterday mornin\u2019.”<\/p>\n James cleared his throat. “Yes\u2026um\u2026well, I just got a bit turned around, that\u2019s all. Now I\u2019m fine.” He hoped he was convincing the Marshall, at least long enough to give Adam and Hoss a healthy head start. The two of them had ridden out to the Ponderosa to see if Adam had gone there, only to find Hoss missing and Ben and the deputy gone as well. James marveled at the situation \u2013 Hoss, young as he was, obviously trying to help his brother, and Ben, injured as he was, trying to find both sons. James slumped in the saddle a fraction. He wondered how it would feel to have so many people care so much they\u2019d risk their own lives. “I\u2019m sure Adam would\u2019ve gone into the mountains \u2013 he knows them like the back of his hand. Lots of places to hide.”<\/p>\n “Ya don\u2019t fool me for a second, boy. Them kids headed this way. Let\u2019s go.” He guided his horse in the opposite direction of the mountains and James followed in silence.<\/p>\n When the sun was at its highest point, Marshall Foster noticed some broken branches to the left of the dusty road. Hopping down from his horse, he crouched and studied the ground intently, a smile lighting his face. “Looks like them kids ain\u2019t so smart after all. Musta stopped here not too long ago \u2013 them tracks are fresh.” Leading his horse, he walked forward, laughing out loud at his discovery, certain he was going to surprise his prey and take them back kicking and screaming to Virginia City.<\/p>\n “C\u2019mon!” He called over his shoulder to James. “They\u2019re here somewhere. I can smell \u2018em.”<\/p>\n He spied some rocks and burnt out kindling and he laughed again. That is, he laughed until he walked into a pile of leaves to get a closer look. “Now where the hell\u2026”<\/p>\n Marshall Foster never got to finish his thought as he was suddenly flung upwards and hung upside down, secured by a thick rope tied around his ankles. This time it was James\u2019s turn to laugh \u2013 he laughed so hard he nearly fell off his horse. Hoss and Adam were sure giving the Marshall a run for his money, he thought with glee.<\/p>\n “What\u2019re ya cacklin\u2019 about? Get me down from here!” bellowed Foster.<\/p>\n James held his stomach, trying unsuccessfully to keep a straight face. “Do you need some help there, Marshall?”<\/p>\n ” \u2018Course I need help!” he retorted angrily. “Now get over here and cut me down!”<\/p>\n “Hmm, yes, even a city slicker like me can see you\u2019re in quite a predicament,” James tone mocked him. “I think I\u2019d better run back and get my mama \u2013 she\u2019ll know what to do.” With that, he clicked the reins and took off down the road to try to find Adam.<\/p>\n Foster\u2019s words faded the further he rode. “I\u2019ll get ya for this, ya\u2026.”<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n “Adam, are we gonna stop for lunch soon?” Hoss called out as the horses picked their way through the brush. As usual, Adam was in the lead with one eye always on the partially obscured road.<\/p>\n Although he didn\u2019t want to, Adam stopped his horse and motioned to his brother to dismount, remembering Hoss was only eight and unused to such long days in the saddle. Hoss grinned with relief as he tore into his bag and shoved a piece of last night\u2019s dinner into his mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n “Ya know, this rabbit tastes even better today than it did yesterday,” Hoss declared as he plopped to the ground. Adam stretched out beside him, pulling his hat over his face, rifle tucked safely under his arm.<\/p>\n “Ya think Pa\u2019s gonna find us soon?” Hoss asked worriedly.<\/p>\n “Sure,” Adam lied, not really sure at all. As much as he wanted his father to find them, he didn\u2019t even know if his father had recovered from Marshall Foster\u2019s beating. Adam\u2019s logical mind also knew that if his father could find them, so could Foster, and that would spell certain disaster.<\/p>\n “Wonder what Little Joe is doin\u2019\u2026”<\/p>\n Sitting bold upright, Adam put his hand over Hoss\u2019s mouth. The younger boy\u2019s eyes grew round as Adam mouthed the word “listen” and pointed to the nearby road. Their eyes met as they heard the clopping of a single horse not far from where they were hidden. Heart quickening, Adam turned and painstakingly picked up the rifle, ready to defend his brother and himself, yet not ready to shoot another human being. He prayed it wouldn\u2019t come to that.<\/p>\n In the seconds he wrestled with those emotions, Hoss sprang to his feet and cried, “Pa!” Adam grabbed his arm but in his excitement, Hoss broke free and sprinted toward the road. Adam was close on his heels, blood pumping through his veins so hard he could hear it in his ears.<\/p>\n “Hoss! Hoss!” he called to no avail. Adam overtook him as they came within a few yards of the road where they both pulled up short.<\/p>\n Tears of frustration and disappointment filled Hoss\u2019s eyes as he bawled, “He ain\u2019t Pa!”<\/p>\n Adam leveled the rifle at the rider, willing his hands not to shake. “Ya can just turn around and go back now. We\u2019re not goin\u2019 with ya.”<\/p>\n “Put the gun down, Adam. I\u2019m here to help.”<\/p>\n “Yeah, right,” Adam answered cynically, never lowering the weapon.<\/p>\n The rider got off his horse, rubbing the small of his back and spoke, “Listen, Cuz, I swear to you, I\u2019m on your side. I even left that Marshall hanging upside down from a tree a ways back.” He held up both hands. “I\u2019m alone and\u2026and I\u2019m sorry.”<\/p>\n At his last words, Adam finally lowered the rifle and studied James\u2019s face. “Why should I believe you? It was you and your ma that started this whole thing.”<\/p>\n “You\u2019re half right. It was my mother that started it and I\u2026I got caught up in her scheme. But not anymore.” He sank to the ground, his long legs crossed at the ankles, his head in his hands. “You\u2019ve got to understand. She\u2019s my mother, and no matter how much I didn\u2019t agree with her plans, I just couldn\u2019t say no to her. I was wrong. I was weak.” He laughed ruefully, recalling his mother\u2019s words about his father. “I can see that now. And the only way I can make that up to you\u2026and myself\u2026is to help you straighten this whole thing out.”<\/p>\n Adam stared at him through narrowed eyes. He could hear the sincerity of James\u2019s words, as well as an underlying current of despondency, and he sat as a gesture of acceptance. James let out a relieved sigh, his conscience quieted for the moment.<\/p>\n “My Pa\u2026” Adam began.<\/p>\n “He\u2019s fine. Marie said he and that deputy are out looking for you two.”<\/p>\n Hoss slapped Adam on the back. “I knew he\u2019d be lookin\u2019 for us!”<\/p>\n Adam smiled faintly. Another worry gone. He fingered the envelope in his pocket. “Hoss, why don\u2019t ya water our horses so we can get goin\u2019? And no more runnin\u2019 off, ya hear?”<\/p>\n “Sure.” Glad for something to do, Hoss scampered off to do his chore.<\/p>\n James reached out, touched Adam\u2019s leg and said, “You want to know about that letter, don\u2019t you?”<\/p>\n Brows furrowed, Adam simply nodded.<\/p>\n “When I traveled to Boston a few years ago, I had a long talk with Great Uncle Abel\u2026”<\/p>\n “My grandfather,” Adam said in wonder.<\/p>\n “Yes. He told me some things\u2026did you know that after your parents had been married awhile, your father got into trouble with some of the dock workers?” Adam shook his head. “Well, you do know that your father didn\u2019t sail anymore once he married your mother, right?”<\/p>\n “Uh huh. He worked in my Grandfather\u2019s Chandlery Shop.”<\/p>\n “That\u2019s right. And because of that, he had a lot of dealings with sailors and the men who loaded the supplies\u2026lots of pretty rough and tumble characters.” James explained. He could see the wharf area so clearly in his mind and felt badly that Adam could only imagine what Boston Harbor looked like. He truly would have loved to shown his young cousin his birthplace but knew now that he couldn\u2019t do it, at least not the way his mother had planned.<\/p>\n “Go on,” Adam encouraged, always anxious to hear about Boston and his parents\u2019 short time together.<\/p>\n “One day, some of the men refused to load\u2026or unload\u2026I don\u2019t exactly remember the whole story\u2026just that there was trouble and your father was somehow in the middle of it. He was gone for a couple of weeks.”<\/p>\n “Where\u2019d he go?” Adam asked softly, wondering why his father had never told him, wondering if James was being totally honest with him. He wasn\u2019t sure who he could trust at this point.<\/p>\n “He was kidnapped.”<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s amber irises nearly popped out of his head. “Kidnapped?”<\/p>\n “Adam! James!” Hoss was at their sides, gasping for breath. “Somebody\u2019s comin\u2019. I seen \u2018em from the creek!”<\/p>\n “Foster must\u2019ve gotten loose,” James deduced, jumping to his feet. “We\u2019ve got to hide you two.”<\/p>\n The three ran deep into the woods, so intent on getting away from the Marshall that none of them remembered to cover their trail. Lying on their bellies, horses concealed by brush, James, Adam and Hoss waited, scarcely breathing. The crunch of the leaves told them that their hideout would soon be discovered. Once again, Adam cocked his rifle while James drew the small silver revolver he pulled from his boot.<\/p>\n “Adam! Hoss!” The voice was familiar and incredibly welcome.<\/p>\n “PA!” They both yelled and scrambled into his arms.<\/p>\n “Thank God, are you all right?” He pushed them both away slightly, examining first Hoss then Adam. Ben\u2019s fingers lightly stroked the bruise on Adam\u2019s face where Jennifer had struck him. “Thank God,” he repeated, and embraced them once again. He raised his eyes and caught sight of James, his expression changing from one of relief to one of rage in a split second.<\/p>\n “What the hell are you doing here?” He roared and James involuntarily took a step back.<\/p>\n “I\u2026I\u2026” he stammered.<\/p>\n “He\u2019s helpin\u2019 us,” Hoss explained, but that didn\u2019t erase the thunder from Ben\u2019s expression.<\/p>\n “Helping you what? Helping your brother right back into Jennifer\u2019s arms?”<\/p>\n “No, sir. I\u2019m\u2026I was\u2026” James wrinkled his face, his usually unflappable demeanor shaken. “I mean, I can\u2019t do what my mother asked. It\u2019s not right.”<\/p>\n “And exactly what is it your mother asked you to do?” Ben growled, his arms still around his sons.<\/p>\n Dropping his gaze to his feet, James swallowed hard. Deep in his heart, he wholly disagreed with his mother, knew what she was doing was cruel and vindictive. Yet, some small part of him struggled with the loyalty a son feels for his mother, even a grown son. Ben saw the emotions play across James\u2019s face and blew out some of his anger in a deep breath.<\/p>\n “James,” he said, fighting to keep his voice even. “You and I both know that your mother hates me and that is her right. But we can\u2019t let her take that hatred out on Adam. Taking him away from his home and family isn\u2019t going to solve anything.” James lashes fluttered, but he still did not raise his head.<\/p>\n “Ya wouldn\u2019t like it if somebody took ya away from your family,” Adam proclaimed.<\/p>\n James\u2019s head snapped up. “I\u2019m not sure how I\u2019d feel.”<\/p>\n Hoss and Adam looked at him quizzically, but Ben merely nodded in understanding.<\/p>\n “You don\u2019t know how lucky you are, Adam,” James told him. “You\u2019ve got a father who loves you and two brothers who idolize you. You even had three mothers who all cared about you. Lord,” he laughed, “even the cook loves you. I really don\u2019t think my mother would care if I stayed or went.”<\/p>\n “What about yer Pa?” Hoss asked quietly. “I mean when he was alive.”<\/p>\n “Yeah, I guess he loved me, but he was afraid\u2026” James gulped and looked up, unwilling to continue. “That doesn\u2019t matter now. What does matter is that we find your lawyer and that Judge Horton so they can straighten this whole mess out.”<\/p>\n “Well, that ain\u2019t gonna happen,” sneered Marshall Foster from behind them. They all swiveled to see him standing there, gun barrel pressed up against Reese Cutler\u2019s forehead. “Drop them guns now, or I\u2019ll blow Cutler\u2019s brains all over ya,” he commanded, and Ben quickly threw down his sidearm. Adam kicked the rifle away from his foot and looked at James, who had not relinquished his pistol.<\/p>\n “Should\u2019ve shot you while you were hanging in that tree,” James commented, shaking his head.<\/p>\n The Marshall threw back his head and laughed. “Ya ain\u2019t got the guts, boy. Now toss that sissy gun over here now.”<\/p>\n Cutler\u2019s face was red with both embarrassment at being caught and pain from the hold Foster had on his arm. “Sorry, Ben.”<\/p>\n “Not your fault,” Ben assured him brusquely.<\/p>\n With the gun still pointed at Cutler\u2019s head, Foster motioned with his chin to Adam. “Come here.”<\/p>\n “Leave him be,” Ben said, trying to keep the alarm from his voice.<\/p>\n “Get over here now, boy, or this deputy\u2019s gonna get it.”<\/p>\n Adam walked as slowly as humanly possible toward Foster. When he got close enough, Foster released Cutler, pushing him to the ground, then grabbed Adam. Roughly twisting Adam\u2019s arm back, he thrust the barrel of the gun up against his ear and cocked the trigger.<\/p>\n “No!” Ben hollered, desperately fighting the nausea that welled up into his throat. Hoss pressed up against his father\u2019s leg, afraid for Adam, afraid for them all.<\/p>\n “Now the rest of ya get up on your horses, nice and easy like, understand? \u2018Cos I\u2019d hate for anythin\u2019 to happen to this kid \u2013 that\u2019d be a cryin\u2019 shame.”<\/p>\n James\u2019s eyes slid to Ben\u2019s and he could see the unveiled fear there. “We\u2019d better do what he says,” James advised. “There\u2019s no telling what he\u2019ll do.”<\/p>\n “That\u2019s right. Ya\u2019d better listen to the mama\u2019s boy.” He wrenched Adam\u2019s arm tighter and Adam cried out in pain. He hazel eyes locked with his father\u2019s dark brown ones, drawing the courage and assurance he so needed.<\/p>\n “Foster,” Ben\u2019s voice was tight, “if anything happens to my son, there\u2019ll be no place you can hide – I\u2019ll follow you to hell and back.” With that, he helped Hoss onto his horse and mounted his own, raising his eyebrows slightly when he spotted Lucifer.<\/p>\n Jack Foster\u2019s eyes followed Ben\u2019s and grinned widely when he saw the magnificent horse. “Cutler, ya can lead my horse back to Virginia City. The boy and me\u2019ll be ridin\u2019 this one.” He pushed Adam toward the animal, gun still trained at his head. Thrusting one foot into a stirrup, Foster swung into the saddle with practiced ease, and then motioned for Adam to mount in front of him. Adam obeyed reluctantly, knowing none of them had a chance without a weapon. The Marshall pulled a pair of rusty handcuffs from his pocket and cuffed Adam\u2019s hands together in front of him. Foster then directed Cutler and James to lead them to the road, with Ben and Hoss next, and he and Adam last. Ben kept turning in his saddle, praying he\u2019d catch Foster with his guard down, but every time he glanced back, Foster sneered and pressed the gun harder into the boy\u2019s skull.<\/p>\n The ride seemed interminable as the day dragged on, until Hoss was first to hear the thunder of hooves approaching from the west.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s the stagecoach!” he shouted, believing they would be saved.<\/p>\n “Get back into the brush,” Foster commanded, brows knit in anticipation. “Now!” He cocked the trigger to underscore the urgency, and the others turned their horses where they would remain hidden.<\/p>\n “But, Pa,” Hoss groaned. “That there\u2019s the stage with Mr. Whitcomb and that judge fella\u2026”<\/p>\n Ben turned smoldering eyes to their captor. “He\u2019s right, you know. And once they get to Virginia City, Sheriff Coffee will hold them there along with Jennifer. It\u2019s over, Foster. Put the gun down.”<\/p>\n Jack Foster chuckled and used the tip of the gun\u2019s barrel to flick Adam\u2019s earlobe. “Yer wrong, Cartwright. Ya see, it ain\u2019t over till I collect my money from Mrs. Cavanaugh.”<\/p>\n “But\u2026but\u2026” James stuttered. “She\u2019s in Virginia City and\u2026”<\/p>\n “Seems like yer mama didn\u2019t tell ya her whole plan, sonny. Once she spots that stage comin\u2019 in and we still ain\u2019t back, she\u2019s headin\u2019 over to Placerville to meet up with us. They\u2019ll be on their way to New York and,” he pointed to Ben with his free hand, “ya\u2019ll be in jail for assaultin\u2019 a judge. The kid here was pretty smart havin\u2019 the Judge write on that paper how he wasn\u2019t gonna press charges, but that paper\u2019s all the way back on the Ponderosa. Straightenin\u2019 all that out\u2019s gonna take some time, I imagine.”<\/p>\n Ben sat, dumbfounded. He could hear Hoss sniffling next to him and could see Adam trembling from atop Lucifer. Never before had he felt so helpless as a father. “But why? I don\u2019t understand,” Ben half mumbled to himself.<\/p>\n “Ben, don\u2019t you see? Don\u2019t you know how my mother hates you for\u2026”<\/p>\n James never got to finish his sentence. They were all so engrossed in the explanation that everyone, Foster included, paid little attention to the stage that rolled by. Although he longed to hear what James had to say, Adam felt Foster\u2019s body slacken slightly behind him and knew now might be the only opportunity he\u2019d have to free himself of not only Foster, but of Cousin Jennifer also. Hating to hurt the horse but seeing no other way, Adam kicked the toe of his boot brutally into the horse, wrapping his bound hands in Lucifer\u2019s wild mane. Unused to such harsh treatment, the horse reared back on its hind legs, unseating Jack Foster who landed with a thud on his backside. Adam leaned low and urged the horse forward in pursuit of the stage, horse and boy becoming one in graceful flight.<\/p>\n Momentarily startled, Ben jumped from his mount to pounce on Foster, but not before the Marshall got off two shots from the rifle that tumbled to the ground in the fall as well.<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n “Driver! Stop this coach immediately!” Judge Samuel Horton leaned out the stage\u2019s window to call up to the man atop the rig. Turning to his companion, he added in admiration, “Would you look at that kid ride?”<\/p>\n Lawrence Whitcomb peered out the window as well. Something about that rider was familiar and he adjusted his spectacles to get a better look.<\/p>\n “Why, that can\u2019t be\u2026”<\/p>\n His words caught in his mouth as the boy\u2019s body jerked forward and tumbled to the ground.<\/p>\n “Good God!” Whitcomb shouted. “That\u2019s Ben Cartwright\u2019s boy!”<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n Determined eyes fixed on the dusty stage still one hundred yards away, Adam rode with everything in him. The reins flapped wildly as he urged the horse away from Foster and toward freedom. A gun fired once, twice. A sharp burning sensation stung just below his shoulder, thrusting his slim frame forward in the saddle. Something warm and sticky oozed down his arm and he fought in vain to restrain Lucifer. Adam tried to press his legs into the saddle, tried to hold on, tried not to fall but the world spun out of control and suddenly the road rose up to meet him.<\/p>\n There were so many noises\u2013 horses and running feet and shouting and even crying. Adam thought someone called his name from far away but just as he tried to open his mouth to answer, the ground swallowed him up whole and he heard nothing more.<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2026Adam, son\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n \u2026Pa, I can\u2019t move\u2026 can\u2019t open my eyes\u2026<\/p>\n \u2026went right through\u2026missed the bone\u2026<\/p>\n \u2026Mama, wake up\u2026please wake up\u2026<\/p>\n \u2026nasty bump on his head\u2026could be fractured\u2026<\/p>\n \u2026where\u2019s Hoss? Joe?\u2026<\/p>\n \u2026not now, can\u2019t you see he\u2019s still unconscious\u2026<\/p>\n \u2026don\u2019t wanna go\u2026don\u2019t make me go\u2026<\/p>\n \u2026keep him quiet, don\u2019t upset him\u2026<\/p>\n \u2026the Indians\u2026Marshall Foster\u2026<\/p>\n \u2026keep her out of this room and away from my son\u2026<\/p>\n \u2026Marie\u2026Ma \u2026<\/p>\n \u2026Cuz, you\u2019ve got to wake up\u2026<\/p>\n \u2026gotta stop the stage\u2026before\u2026before\u2026<\/p>\n \u2026Ben, you must get some rest\u2026<\/p>\n \u2026Pa\u2026Pa\u2026<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n The dull ache in Adam\u2019s arm was nothing compared to the pain radiating through his entire head. He tried to raise his hands to his head to keep it from exploding, but for some reason they wouldn\u2019t obey him. Struggling to open his eyes, Adam\u2019s eyelids slid open then quickly closed again. The lamp was much too bright and he could still see the orange glow through his lids even when they were shut.<\/p>\n “Adam,” his father whispered, his face inches from Adam\u2019s.<\/p>\n The boy licked his dry lips and cautiously glanced around the room. Even that slight movement sent knives through his skull and prompted his stomach to rebel. Ben was ready with the basin and placed it under Adam\u2019s chin. When he was done, his father gently wiped his face clean and ordered quietly, “No moving around for a while\u2026”<\/p>\n “But Pa,” Adam replied softly, “I had this awful dream.” Although his voice was low, his words were rushed, as if saying them aloud would purge the scene from his mind.<\/p>\n “Take it easy,” Ben said as he placed his hand on Adam\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n “I dreamt that\u2026that Cousin Jennifer was tryin\u2019 to take me away and\u2026and that my mother wrote a letter and\u2026”<\/p>\n Ben listened intently and for a moment was sorely tempted to let Adam believe that it had all been only a dream. But the bump on Adam\u2019s head and the hole in his arm attested to the disagreeable reality of the situation. Besides, Ben Cartwright had never lied to his sons and wasn\u2019t about to start now.<\/p>\n “Adam, I want you to listen to me. It wasn\u2019t a dream \u2013 Jennifer did try to take you back to New York, but you\u2019re safe now.” Ben purposely left out the fact that Adam had nearly been killed in the process \u2013 as a father it had been horrifying to live through and he had no desire to speak of it. “When you\u2019re feeling better, it will all be settled.”<\/p>\n “But\u2026” Adam interrupted.<\/p>\n “No buts. Right now the only thing you have to do is rest and get well, do you understand?”<\/p>\n Adam started to nod, thought better of it, and muttered a reluctant, “Yes, sir.”<\/p>\n <\/dir><\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n The following evening when the pain wasn\u2019t quite as intense, Marie tried to spoon a little beef broth into Adam\u2019s mouth.<\/p>\n “I can feed myself,” he protested weakly.<\/p>\n The look on her face told him she didn\u2019t believe him at all. “Well, humor me and let me do my job.” She winked as she offered another spoonful.<\/p>\n He took it hesitantly, then gave her a small smile. “I guess that\u2019s what mothers are supposed to do.”<\/p>\n She nodded, her face bright and beautiful. “And I can do a lot more, if you just let me.”<\/p>\n Ben\u2019s tall frame entered the room as he took in the scene before him. “He\u2019s finally eating?” Dropping into the chair next to the bed, he took the bowl and spoon from Marie. “I think Hop Sing needs you \u2013 Joseph is insisting on helping him wash dishes.”<\/p>\n She rose and placed a kiss above the wide bandage on Adam\u2019s head. “Make sure he finishes that,” she instructed her husband.<\/p>\n “Uh\u2026” Adam cleared his throat.<\/p>\n “Yes?” Marie tilted her head slightly toward him.<\/p>\n “Umm\u2026thanks, Ma,” he said shyly.<\/p>\n Ben looked up in surprise but Marie continued as if she were used to hearing that term of address by Adam all the time.<\/p>\n “You\u2019re welcome, son,” she answered, then left the room and practically skipped down the stairs.<\/p>\n “Pa, do ya think it\u2019s all right if I call Marie Ma?” Adam asked tentatively.<\/p>\n Trying to keep his face bland, Ben concentrated on stirring the soup. “I think she\u2019d like that.” He ladled another mouthful between Adam\u2019s lips.<\/p>\n “I don\u2019t think Mama\u2026I mean, Inger, would mind, right?”<\/p>\n “No, she wouldn\u2019t mind,” Ben replied truthfully.<\/p>\n “What about my mother?” Adam\u2019s eyes, huge and sunken, searched his father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n Ben placed the bowl on the table beside the bed. “Your mother would be very happy that you have Marie taking care of you.” He placed a large hand on Adam\u2019s uninjured arm. “But I don\u2019t think that\u2019s what you\u2019re talking about, is it?”<\/p>\n Quiet for a moment, Adam finally ventured, “Why did she write that letter?”<\/p>\n Ben looked away, not wanting the hurt he felt to influence Adam\u2019s feelings toward the mother he\u2019d never known. “I\u2019m not sure, son.” Drawing a deep breath, he continued, “What I am sure of is that your mother and I loved each other from the moment we laid eyes on one another – and that love didn\u2019t end with her death.”<\/p>\n “But the letter said\u2026”<\/p>\n “I know what the letter said,” Ben declared. “And I also know that no one even heard of this letter until Jennifer got it in her head to take you from me.” Gazing at his son, Ben wondered if the anguish he saw in that young face mirrored his own. But the anguish Ben experienced wasn\u2019t only due to Liz\u2019s seeming betrayal \u2013 it had more to do with Adam. Every time Ben closed his eyes, the picture of Adam bleeding on the ground, near lifeless, sprang to mind and it chilled him to the bone. If only he\u2019d let Jennifer take the boy without a fight, if only he had waited for his lawyer and Judge Horton, then perhaps Adam would have been spared injury. Ben losing Adam to Jennifer or Adam losing his life fleeing Jennifer \u2013 it was no contest.<\/p>\n “Pa?” Adam whispered, releasing Ben from his morbid thoughts.<\/p>\n Ben smiled and stroked Adam\u2019s cheek with his hand. “Don\u2019t you worry. Now that I know you\u2019re better, Judge Horton and I will take care of everything. It\u2019s time for you to rest now.”<\/p>\n “No,” Adam proclaimed firmly. “I deserve to know and I wanna hear what the Judge has to say.” Adam knew his voice was whiny and petulant, but he didn\u2019t care. “I wanna see this thing through \u2013 it\u2019s\u00a0my<\/i>\u00a0life everybody\u2019s talkin\u2019 about! Why does everyone else get to decide but me? Cousin Jennifer and those judges and you \u2013 even my mother, and she\u2019s been dead thirteen years!” His volume rose with his temper and he fought the tears of frustration that filled his exhausted eyes.<\/p>\n “Adam,” Ben\u2019s voice held a warning, but it wasn\u2019t for the display of temper. He could understand that \u2013 he even felt like shouting himself. He knew Adam had every right to yell and scream but wanted him to keep calm in order to heal properly.<\/p>\n “Please, Pa.” Adam let the tears fall then and his voice was a whisper as he added, “Ya understand, don\u2019t ya?”<\/p>\n Ben nodded his head slowly and drew the covers back to examine the bandage on Adam\u2019s arm. Satisfied, he pulled the blanket up and tucked it in beneath his son\u2019s chin before he answered. “Yes, I do understand. Tell you what \u2013 if you\u2019re feeling up to it tomorrow morning, we\u2019ll clear this all up.” He brushed Adam\u2019s tears away with his thumb. “But for now\u2026”<\/p>\n “I know,” Adam grinned sleepily, “get some rest.”<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n Still practically flat on his back, Adam tried to eat breakfast that morning while Hoss brought in some chairs and arranged them around his brother\u2019s bed.<\/p>\n “I sure don\u2019t know how Joe uses his left hand to eat,” Adam observed grumpily as he carefully placed a bit of scrambled egg on a piece of toast. As he brought it to his mouth, it fell from his hand back onto the tray. “I give up,” he muttered in disgust. His stomach was too jittery to eat anyway as he eyed the chairs.<\/p>\n Hoss looked at him dubiously. “Ya know Ma\u2019s gonna come in here and feed ya if ya don\u2019t finish.”<\/p>\n Adam pulled a face. “Here,\u00a0you<\/i>\u00a0eat it.” He held it out to his brother, who was happy to oblige and finish what was on the plate.<\/p>\n Soon after, Marie swept in and removed the tray. “You\u2019re managing better with your left hand, I see,” she remarked and both boys avoided her eyes. “Tomorrow, I will have Hop Sing make you a cheese omelet \u2013 how does that sound?”<\/p>\n Hoss\u2019s sky blue eyes darted nervously to Adam\u2019s. Everyone knew cheese was the one food Hoss detested and Adam realized Marie was onto their scheme. She smiled innocently at them both however and motioned for Hoss to follow her downstairs.<\/p>\n “I\u2019ll be up later to feed you your lunch, Adam,” she promised over her shoulder and he wondered briefly how parents knew everything.<\/p>\n Shortly after, Ben entered Adam\u2019s bedroom followed by Judge Horton, Judge Sanders, Mr. Whitcomb, Jennifer, James and Doctor Paul Martin. Adam was confused when he saw the doctor, who laid an experienced hand on the top of Adam\u2019s head.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m here to make sure you don\u2019t get overexcited and move around too much,” Doc Martin explained.<\/p>\n Adam wrinkled his face. “I\u2019m fine.”<\/p>\n “Uh hmm,” Paul murmured. “Fine as anyone could be after getting shot and cracking his skull \u2013 of course it\u2019s lucky you have that hard Cartwright head \u2013 just ask your father.” The doctor shot a meaningful look at Ben who ignored him completely.<\/p>\n Judge Horton looked at Adam kindly. “Now, son, if you feel tired or want to have this meeting another time, you just let me know, okay?”<\/p>\n “Yes, sir,” Adam replied meekly, suddenly overwhelmed.<\/p>\n “We\u2019ve all waited to make sure you\u2019re on the mend before we discussed this\u2026this matter. You should know, Adam, that Marshall Foster is being held in the jail for shooting you. He\u2019ll face trial next week. And pending today\u2019s conversation,” Judge Horton paused, trying to find simpler words a boy might understand.<\/p>\n “I know what \u2018pending\u2019 means, sir,” Adam offered indignantly.<\/p>\n To cover his amusement, Judge Horton pretended to stroke his white moustache.<\/p>\n “Yes, well, I see you\u2019re a very bright young man.\u00a0Pending<\/i>\u00a0today\u2019s conversation, I will decide on Reese Cutler\u2019s fate.” He glanced around the room and asked, “Does everyone understand?”<\/p>\n They all nodded their assent.<\/p>\n “I have reviewed the evidence Mrs. Cavanaugh presented to Judge Sanders and frankly disagree with his finding. Amos,” he turned to his fellow judge, “surely you don\u2019t mean to take this boy from his father?”<\/p>\n “Let\u2019s not forget he\u2019s whipped the child on several occasions\u2026” Amos Sanders began.<\/p>\n “Oh come now,” Horton muttered incredulously. “You can\u2019t mean to tell me that you never were on the receiving end of a belt when you were a child? I know my own father rarely spared the rod with my brothers and me.”<\/p>\n “I\u2026um\u2026I\u2026” Sanders stammered, unable to disagree without putting himself in an unfavorable light. He decided to try a different approach. “Well\u2026you see\u2026based on the bruises Mr. Cartwright inflicted on Jen\u2026Mrs. Cavanaugh, plus the eyewitnesses\u2019 accounts of his striking her in Boston years ago, his violent tendencies made me\u2026um\u2026fear for the boy.”<\/p>\n James fidgeted in his chair, nervously clasping and unclasping his hands.<\/p>\n “Do you have something to add?” Judge Horton asked him.<\/p>\n His mother answered for him, “Of course not. He has nothing to say.”<\/p>\n Ben replayed the scene in Boston that took place so long ago. James had been there \u2013 to be sure, he had just been a youngster, but something made Ben speak up, “James, you were there. Do you remember seeing me strike your mother?”<\/p>\n Again, Jennifer answered, “Don\u2019t be ridiculous. He was just a baby.”<\/p>\n “I was six,” James mumbled in a strangled voice. “I was six and I saw.”<\/p>\n Jennifer paled slightly, uncertain of her own son\u2019s loyalties. James paled as well and kept his eyes downcast, unwilling to meet anyone\u2019s gaze.<\/p>\n “James,” Adam spoke his cousin\u2019s name softly. “I don\u2019t understand \u2013 if ya saw what happened, why don\u2019t ya just tell the truth?”<\/p>\n The struggle with his conscience was obvious on James\u2019s face, but one glance at his young cousin\u2019s face, nearly the same color as the white bandages that bound his head and arm, made honestly win out. James hissed between clenched teeth, “He never hit her.”<\/p>\n Everyone heard Jennifer\u2019s sharp intake of breath.<\/p>\n “Adam\u2019s father never struck my mother, Judge, and he never bruised her that night at the Ponderosa either. It was all her doing.”<\/p>\n “James!” Jennifer cried. “How dare you betray me after I\u2019ve dedicated my life to you!”<\/p>\n “Ha!” James laughed mirthlessly. He stood and paced the room, stopping at the head of Adam\u2019s bed. “You never dedicated yourself to me or to Father \u2013 only to yourself and your bizarre obsession with Ben Cartwright.”<\/p>\n “That\u2019s enough!” Jennifer\u2019s face flushed and unladylike sweat rimmed her upper lip. She rose and stood before her son, slapping him soundly across the face.<\/p>\n “Does that make you feel better, Mother? Why don\u2019t you tell them how jealous you were of your Cousin Elizabeth \u2013 how she was smarter, prettier, more talented \u2013 why don\u2019t you tell them that? Then you can tell them how angry you were when Ben started courting your cousin, even though you were married to a man who adored you.”<\/p>\n James swung around to face Ben. “Didn\u2019t you know how much she wanted you for herself?” Ben sat slack-jawed, dumfounded. “I don\u2019t think a day went by in my Father\u2019s life when she didn\u2019t remind him of how wonderful you were and how weak he was in comparison.”<\/p>\n “I\u2026I had no idea,” Ben stuttered. Thinking back, Ben recalled several occasions when Jennifer\u2019s actions might have been considered flirtatious, but he\u2019d been so enamored with Liz that he\u2019d never seen the signs \u2013 until now. “I promise you, I never encouraged her.”<\/p>\n Taking a few gulps of air, James tried to calm down. He felt a hand on his wrist and looked down to see his cousin\u2019s small smile of what? \u2013 encouragement, strength, love?<\/p>\n “Of course you didn\u2019t, I know that.” James hesitated, trying to find the inner strength to continue. “Mother thought that by taking Adam, somehow she\u2019d get something that Cousin Elizabeth never got to have \u2013 her son. And maybe she\u2019d get you too in the process.”<\/p>\n Jennifer sobbed noisily. “James, how could you? Haven\u2019t I shown you my love by always letting you do as you pleased, giving you whatever you\u2019ve wanted\u2026”<\/p>\n “That\u2019s not love,” Adam corrected her. “My Pa\u2026and my Ma too\u2026care \u2018bout what I do \u2018cause they love me. And givin\u2019 things isn\u2019t the same as givin\u2019 love.” Still grasping James\u2019s arm, Adam looked at his father, whose look of pride was obvious to all in the room.<\/p>\n “Mother,” James didn\u2019t bother to wipe the tears that streaked his face, nor quell the tremors that shook his body. “I saw more love in the short time I spent with Adam and his family than I did in nineteen years with you. I do love you, but\u2026but I can\u2019t let you do this to them.\u00a0I<\/i>\u00a0can\u2019t do this to them.” Embarrassed and upset, he fled the room.<\/p>\n The room was silent except for Jennifer\u2019s whimpers. Not knowing what else to do, Judge Sanders muddled forward, “There\u2019s still the letter, of course, written by the boy\u2019s own mother, stating Jennifer here\u2026I mean Mrs. Cavanaugh\u2026should raise him if something were to happen to her.”<\/p>\n Judge Horton glared at Sanders through narrowed eyes.<\/p>\n “Amos, perhaps I could speak to you outside? I\u2019d like to discuss a few things \u2013 your personal relationship with Mrs. Cavanaugh being at the top of the list.” His tone left no room for argument and both men got up to leave. Jennifer rushed past them and down the stairs.<\/p>\n “We\u2019re done here,” Horton stated.<\/p>\n “Then I get to stay with my Pa?” Adam asked cautiously, trying to sort out what had just happened. His head was throbbing and he was still confused about his mother\u2019s letter, but for now he was only concerned about one thing, and the Judge finally put that concern to rest.<\/p>\n “Yes, son, you\u2019re staying right here where you belong.”<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n Doc Martin measured some white powder into a glass of water and made Adam drink the mixture down. The question of his mother\u2019s letter still bothered him, but when he opened his mouth to ask his father about it, Ben shushed the boy firmly but gently. He drew the shades, promising they\u2019d talk later. The pain in Adam\u2019s head gradually subsided and he fell into a deep, sleep, free of the nightmares that had plagued him since Jennifer\u2019s arrival.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n It was almost noon the following day when Adam awoke to find his cousin sitting in his room, Bible in hand. It still hurt when he smiled but he did anyway \u2013 it seemed so absurd that James of all people would be reading the Good Book.<\/p>\n “Whatcha readin\u2019?” Adam asked hoarsely.<\/p>\n Visibly jumping, James smiled at him. “What\u2019s the matter? Hard to believe that even\u00a0I\u00a0<\/i>read Scripture?” James closed the book and placed it on the night table.<\/p>\n “Well, yeah,” Adam replied honestly. “I mean, it just doesn\u2019t seem like the kinda book you\u2019d read.”<\/p>\n “Now Adam,” Ben called from the doorway, “that\u2019s not a very nice thing to say to your cousin.” Ben entered the room with Hoss close on his heels.<\/p>\n “I didn\u2019t mean to\u2026”<\/p>\n James patted Adam\u2019s leg. “Don\u2019t worry about it \u2013 you\u2019re right. Guess dragging me to those services while I was staying here must\u2019ve rubbed off.”<\/p>\n Picking up the book, Ben opened it to where the velvet marker was placed. He scanned the page and found the quote he was looking for. “\u2019Let he who hath no sins cast the first stone\u2026\u2019”<\/p>\n “I\u2019ve got to go back \u2013 she\u2019s all alone,” James explained, trying to sound convincing. “I\u2019m going to put a little time between us, let her get to New York ahead of me, then\u2026then\u2026I\u2019ll take it from there, I guess.”<\/p>\n “Why can\u2019t ya stay here?” whined Hoss. “Ya could live with us!”<\/p>\n James reached out and grabbed the child, rumpling his hair. “I think your father has enough boys around here to take care of,” he joked. “Besides, I don\u2019t think the West is for me. I\u2019ve never seen anyone get shot before and believe me,” he shook his head vigorously, “I don\u2019t\u00a0ever<\/i>\u00a0want to see that again.”<\/p>\n “Yeah, ya did turn kinda green when Adam was bleedin\u2019 and all,” Hoss stated honestly and everyone laughed.<\/p>\n James cleared his throat. “So I\u2019m saying good bye.”<\/p>\n “No!” Adam cried. “Not yet!”<\/p>\n “It\u2019s time. I\u2019ve caused you and your family enough pain already. I\u2019m truly sorry for everything.”<\/p>\n Ben placed his hand on James\u2019s shoulder. “James, you are always welcome in our home, for however long you want to stay. I admire your loyalty to your mother and hope everything works out for you. You\u2019re a good man.”<\/p>\n James stared at him for a moment or two before responding. “No one\u2019s ever told me that before,” he said in wonder. Embarrassed, he pulled Hoss into a quick hug and shook Ben\u2019s hand. He knelt by Adam\u2019s bed and teased with tears in his eyes, “Now Cuz, I hope you learn to stay out of trouble. No smoking or drinking or\u2026” he glanced over at Hoss and finished, “\u2026or you know.” Adam knew James was referring to Miss Maddie\u2019s, but unfortunately, so did Ben, who coughed meaningfully.<\/p>\n “I\u2019ll be good \u2013 at least till the next time ya visit,” Adam grinned, avoiding his father\u2019s eyes. “Will ya write to me?”<\/p>\n Not trusting his voice, James nodded. Pulling a paper from his breast pocket, he pressed it into Adam\u2019s left hand. “That\u2019s for you and your father.”<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n When James left and Hoss was shooed out of the room, Adam handed the paper to his father, who opened it with care. It was torn at the top and Ben\u2019s eyes misted over as he realized what it was.<\/p>\n “Pa? It\u2019s the rest of that letter, isn\u2019t it?” Adam guessed, but his father didn\u2019t answer him. He was lost in a world thirteen years prior, transported by the yellowed paper held in his trembling hands. Unbidden tears streamed down Ben Cartwright\u2019s face and Adam wasn\u2019t sure what to say or do.<\/p>\n “Pa?” He reached his hand out and Ben took it in his own.<\/p>\n Remembering something James had told him, Adam sensed it had something to do with this letter and asked, “Pa? Is it true you were kidnapped?”<\/p>\n Ben looked up then, surprise plain on his face.<\/p>\n “James started to tell me, but he never finished the story,” Adam explained.<\/p>\n “Yes. There was some trouble on the docks \u2013 the men were demanding more money and of course, the shipping companies refused to pay. We\u2026your grandfather and I\u2026had just received word that a rather large order had arrived from Europe for us. I went to the waterfront to make sure it had been unloaded \u2013 otherwise it might have been stolen or even tossed overboard. It was chaos that day.” Ben paused, unpleasant memories furrowing his brow. “To make a long story short, I was hit over the head and when I woke up, I found myself bound and gagged in the belly of a ship.”<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s eyes couldn\u2019t have been wider. “What did ya do?”<\/p>\n Ben smiled ruefully. “Well, there wasn\u2019t much I could do, was there? All I could think of was your mother and the baby she was carrying \u2013\u00a0you<\/i>\u00a0\u2013 and those thoughts were all that got me through those two weeks.”<\/p>\n “How did ya finally escape? Did ya cut through the ropes and kill the bad guys with a sword?” The boy couldn\u2019t keep the excitement from his voice.<\/p>\n Ben covered his face with both hands and laughed. “Nothing so dramatic as that. The authorities got wind of what had happened, boarded the vessel and we were freed.”<\/p>\n “Oh,” Adam murmured, a little disappointed.<\/p>\n “Upset that your Pa wasn\u2019t a hero?” Ben asked, and Adam blushed.<\/p>\n “No, sir.”<\/p>\n “Hmmm,” Ben cocked his right eyebrow and Adam knew his father saw through his lie. “Anyway, when I arrived home, I found your mother in bed, worried sick. She almost didn\u2019t believe it was me when I walked through that door. Scared the bejesus out of her.” He chuckled, picturing the look of shock on his wife\u2019s face so long ago.<\/p>\n “What\u2019s all that got to do with the letter?” Adam asked, still puzzled.<\/p>\n “This is the rest of that letter Jennifer had \u2013 the part that explained I was missing and how worried your mother was. Her first thought was for your welfare\u2026”<\/p>\n “But I wasn\u2019t even born yet,” interrupted Adam.<\/p>\n Smiling, Ben laid his hand over Adam\u2019s heart. “You were first in her thoughts from the moment you were conceived.”<\/p>\n Adam was oddly comforted by those words.<\/p>\n “Would you like to read the rest of the letter, son?” Without waiting for an answer, he gave it to him.<\/p>\n Holding it with his left hand, Adam tried to read the words, but the crease of pain between his eyes told his father that reading was too painful. Gently, Ben pulled it from the boy\u2019s grasp and began to read aloud.<\/p>\n “\u2026I will never give up hope that my beloved Benjamin will return, but I must think of my unborn child. Although my father would certainly love and take care of his grandson (yes, I know this babe is a boy), he will certainly need a woman\u2019s hand in raising him. You are closer to me than any sister ever could be, dear Jennifer, and I entrust my son\u2019s care to you should Benjamin and I be unable to see him to manhood. Until my dear husband returns, I shall pray night and day for his safety, and ask you to do the same.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n With love,<\/p>\n Your cousin, Elizabeth<\/p>\n P.S. As I reread what I have written, I realize my husband would tell me I am being overly dramatic and pessimistic. Hopefully by the time this reaches you, I will be in my husband\u2019s arms. I know that Benjamin and I will enjoy a long, wonderful life together, and we will give our adored firstborn many brothers and sisters.”<\/p>\n Silence filled the room. Ben stared at the written words, the dreams of his youth never to be realized with his first love. He\u2019d given up questioning his Maker long ago, stopped shaking his fist toward the sky in anger and disillusionment. He had no answers \u2013 but he did have his three sons and the love of three women, so special in their own way, in his lifetime.\u00a0How many men are that lucky<\/i>, he rationalized.<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s throat was dry and his eyes were wet as he stared into nothingness. His heart literally ached with each word his father read, not quite understanding how he could so love someone he\u2019d never known. Despite his youth, he was well acquainted with death and the emptiness it leaves behind, and like his father, no longer asked why. It just was. Adam coped by not opening his heart easily \u2013 the pain was too great to live any other way.<\/p>\n “Papa! Papa!” cried Little Joe as he pushed open Adam\u2019s door and raced into the room.<\/p>\n “What did I tell you about knocking, young man?” Ben tried to sound stern, but couldn\u2019t help smiling at the ball of energy climbing onto his lap. He quickly put Liz\u2019s letter in his pocket. “And how did you get so dirty?”<\/p>\n Disregarding his father\u2019s questions, the little boy used the flat of his hands to wipe away the tears from his father\u2019s face, leaving a streak of dirt on each cheek. “Why you sad, Papa?”<\/p>\n Ben held the child close, peeking over his head to his oldest son, wishing he could take Adam in his lap too and comfort him. Still holding Joe, Ben rose, then rested on the edge of the bed, running his hand up and down Adam\u2019s arm.<\/p>\n “Adam\u2019s boo boo huwt?” Joe asked, reaching out to pat his big brother.<\/p>\n “Yeah, a little,” Adam answered as he stroked the baby\u2019s unruly curls.<\/p>\n Never one to sit still for long, Joe squirmed a bit, felt something stiff in his father\u2019s shirt pocket and made a grab for it. His father was too fast for him and snatched his hand.<\/p>\n “What\u2019s that?” Joe asked.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s a letter, and it belongs to your brother, not you.” Ben answered. He caught Adam\u2019s eye and gave a slight nod. Adam smiled then \u2013 he could add that keepsake of his mother to the music box and her picture \u2013 somehow it made him feel closer to her.<\/p>\n “I gots a letta too,” Joe declared importantly, and this time both Ben and Adam grinned. Little Joe had a way of brightening everyone\u2019s day and the two of them were glad to have something to smile about.<\/p>\n “Yeah, where is it?” Adam teased.<\/p>\n “Wight in my pocket,” he answered seriously, thrusting his tiny hand into his pants and pulling out a torn, filthy piece of paper.<\/p>\n “See?” He held it up proudly. “The wind blowed it and I catched it.”<\/p>\n “Well, are you going to read it to us?” Ben inquired, marveling at just how dirty his youngest son could get.<\/p>\n “It says\u2026uh\u2026Joe is a good boy.” Joe pretended to read.<\/p>\n Ben and Adam burst out laughing, knowing Joe was seldom a \u2018good\u2019 boy.<\/p>\n Insulted, he slid off his father\u2019s lap. “I\u2019m tellin\u2019 Mama!” He announced and ran from the room.<\/p>\n Ben bent down to pick up the scrap of paper Joe dropped in his haste. “I\u2019d better save this. Don\u2019t think I\u2019ll be getting too many letters when he goes to school saying he\u2019s a good boy.”<\/p>\n “I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll be gettin\u2019\u00a0any\u00a0<\/i>letters sayin\u2019 that,” Adam added, grinning. His grin began to fade, however, as his father\u2019s expression went from amusement to confusion to displeasure.<\/p>\n “What is it?” He was curious and tried to rise to see.<\/p>\n Ben pushed him back gently. “You\u2019re supposed to be still.” He scanned the paper once again, then frowned. “Looks like an arithmetic test.”<\/p>\n Adam sunk lower into the bed, praying it wasn\u2019t the half of Hoss\u2019s test with the big fat red “F” on it.<\/p>\n “A\u00a0failed<\/i>\u00a0arithmetic test,” Ben continued.<\/p>\n “Oh,” Adam mumbled.<\/p>\n “With your brother\u2019s name on it.”<\/p>\n “Oh,” Adam repeated.<\/p>\n “Did you know about this or perhaps how it came to be ripped in half?”<\/p>\n “Ya know, Pa, my head\u2019s really hurtin\u2019 and Doc Martin said I need lots of rest,” Adam hedged the question, hoping to evoke some sympathy.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m sure,” Ben replied, unimpressed. He stood and straightened the blankets. “You take a nap now. There\u2019ll be plenty of time to talk about this when you\u2019re up and around. Give you something to think about while your laying there.”<\/p>\n Adam gulped.<\/p>\n “And don\u2019t think I\u2019ve forgotten the fact that you ran away, stole Lucifer – a horse you\u2019ve been forbidden to ride – and allowed your younger brother to be put in danger,” Ben rattled off Adam\u2019s offenses.<\/p>\n “Gee,” Adam defended himself, “I got that Judge not to press charges against ya \u2013 doesn\u2019t that count for anything?” Not waiting for an answer, Adam pushed his point. “Besides, ya always say that fightin\u2019 is no way to settle things, and hittin\u2019 a judge\u2026”<\/p>\n Ben held up his hands in surrender and laughed. “All right. I get the point. I think Sanders was right \u2013 maybe you should be a lawyer.”<\/p>\n “Maybe I will, this way I could keep ya outta jail.”<\/p>\n Trying to look stern, Ben wagged a finger at his son. “Don\u2019t press your luck. You might be laid up for a while, but remember, I have a very long memory.”<\/p>\n “Yes, Pa,” Adam tried to sound contrite, but failed miserably.<\/p>\n The End<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n