Synopsis:<\/b>\u00a0A message out of the past could change Adam’s life forever.
\nRating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 (11,675 words)<\/p>\n
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Always and Forever<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear Mr. Cartwright:<\/span><\/p>\n I am deeply sorry to inform you of the deaths of your nephew, Mr. Will Cartwright and his wife, Laura Dayton Cartwright, who were killed together in a wagon accident. Their daughter, Peggy Dayton, survived with minor injuries. Mr. And Mrs. Cartwright left no wills, so their estates, according to the laws of California, will go to their nearest relatives, which would be, as far as we have been able to ascertain, Benjamin Cartwright and Peggy Dayton.<\/span><\/p>\n Laura Dayton Cartwright’s aunt, Lillian Manford, died late last year and left Laura and Peggy with no other next of kin as best we have been able to determine to this point in time. As you may be aware, Mrs. Manford was a wealthy woman due to her late husband’s mine holdings and left her estate to her niece, Laura Dayton.<\/span><\/p>\n Peggy Dayton is now staying with the Reverend Mark Bishop and his wife, Clarice. Again, according to the laws of California, unless next of kin willing to take her in can be found, she will be placed in the Santa Cruz Orphanage until she reaches the age of majority, at which time she will inherit one-half of Will and Laura’s ranch or the value thereof; the other half of their joint estate goes to you upon close of probate in six months from the date of their death. At majority, Peggy Dayton will then also receive the full amount of Laura’s inheritance from Lillian Manford.<\/span><\/p>\n Again, I am sorry to be the bearer of this news to you Mr. Cartwright. I wonder if I could have some word from you as to whether or not you wish to come here and look into the matter of your nephew’s estate.<\/span><\/p>\n Cordially,<\/span><\/p>\n William James, Esq.<\/span> Ben Cartwright slowly placed the letter on his desk and looked over at Adam, who was sitting next to him and had brought the mail in from town. Adam was reading a letter from the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, but upon hearing a deep sigh from his father looked up to see the stricken look in his father’s eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n “What’s wrong, Pa?” Adam had not taken time to go through the mail before he brought it out to the ranch and had not realized there was a letter postmarked Santa Cruz.<\/span><\/p>\n Ben handed the letter over to his son, knowing the pain this was going to cause him. Indeed, Ben was feeling very shaken over this news himself. Though he had not gotten to know his nephew, Will, for very long, Will was family and it was hurtful to him to receive this news. He had always been fond of Laura, even though he had long felt she was not the woman for Adam when they were courting. He was especially fond of Peggy and felt deep sympathy for this child now left alone in life.<\/span><\/p>\n He watched Adam read the letter and as Adam handed the letter back to him, he saw the pain in his son’s eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n “Oh my God, Pa. This is terrible. I mean it’s so unbelievable, both Will and Laura gone and now Peggy alone. I just can’t believe it.”<\/span><\/p>\n “I know what you mean, son. I haven’t really taken it in myself yet.” First my brother John gone and now his son, Will, and poor Peggy left with no one now.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Well, Pa, as far as I’m concerned, she is not left with ‘no one’. If you will remember, I was once going to be her father. She and I have kept in contact these past two years, you know.”<\/span><\/p>\n “I do know that son.” Ben was aware that Peggy and Adam wrote back and forth from time to time. Peggy and Adam had become very attached during the time that Laura and Adam were courting and engaged to be married. It had been a very sudden turn of events that lead to their breakup and the subsequent marriage of Will and Laura. Both Adam and Laura had come to the realization that they did not really love each other enough to marry about the same time that she and Will realized they were falling in love.<\/span><\/p>\n “Adam, I think I better go down to Santa Cruz and see to things there. Are you coming with me?”<\/span><\/p>\n “Yeah, Pa, I am. I’m worried about Peggy and if there is no one else for her, I intend to bring her back here to stay with us. You wouldn’t mind that would you?”<\/span><\/p>\n Ben was actually taken aback by this, all of this being so sudden. “Well, no son, I wouldn’t mind, but I wonder if this is the right place for her – I mean a house with four bachelors hardly seems the place to bring a 10-year-old little girl.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Then, we’ll bring in a housekeeper or a governess or something. I’m not going to let Peggy go into an orphanage. She must be miserable as it is without that. At least she knows us, she knows me – she wrote in her letters that she wished her mother and I had married, that I had become her father. I’m afraid she and Will didn’t ever really get on very well and Peggy and her mother were at odds over that.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Peggy wrote you this, son? You never mentioned it before.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Well, I didn’t see the need to, Pa. There wasn’t anything anybody could do about the situation. I guess Peggy just didn’t take to Will. I know Will was a good man, but you know how children can be sometimes with a stepparent,” Adam looked rather sheepishly at his father as he related this.<\/span><\/p>\n Ben knew Adam was referring to his own prickly relationship with Marie that went on until Little Joe was born. At that time, things changed between them and Adam was more accepting of Marie and after that grew to love her very much.<\/span><\/p>\n “You know, Pa, maybe with more time, things would have changed, but even in her last letters to me she talked about the problems she and Will were having. Something she said made me think maybe Laura and Will weren’t getting on the best either – I don’t know if it was because Peggy wasn’t happy about things or just what was going on. Hard to say. She’s only 10. She was a bit angry with her mother, according to what she wrote in the letters. I’m a little afraid she may be feeling some guilt over their deaths now – you know how kids can do sometimes.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Pa, I just think she needs us, unless there is someone else in Santa Cruz that she has come to know better and who would be willing to take her in, maybe the minister and his wife where she’s staying. I mean unless something like that has happened, there isn’t anyone else with Lil gone. She’s even stayed here in this house before when Laura came to help take care of me after the accident. She got on okay with everyone then.”<\/span><\/p>\n “I remember son. She’s a sweet child.” Ben was remembering back to Adam’s accident, which for a time they thought might leave him unable to walk again. Laura had just been going to tell Adam that she had changed her mind about marrying him when the accident occurred. She then had moved into the Ponderosa with Peggy so that she could help with Adam’s care. It was during that time that Adam came to realize that he really didn’t love Laura enough to marry her, and that Laura finally confessed to him her love for his cousin, Will.<\/span><\/p>\n They had swept Peggy up, sold Laura’s ranch, married quickly, and left for Santa Cruz where they bought another ranch together.<\/span><\/p>\n Ben and Adam decided to take the next day’s stage out to Sacramento on the first leg of their trip.<\/span><\/p>\n As Adam was packing his things to go that night, he opened the drawer where he had kept two years’ worth of letters from Peggy. He had answered every one of them, but had first written to Laura and Will asking if they had any objection. They hadn’t objected, for which Adam was grateful. Interestingly enough, it hadn’t been that hard to let Laura go out of his life, but it had been pretty heart wrenching for him to lose little Peggy and he was grateful that they allowed him to retain contact.<\/span><\/p>\n He picked up the most recent letter and re-read it.<\/span><\/p>\n Dear Adam,<\/span><\/p>\n Hi. How are you and your father and brothers, Adam? Everything is okay here. I got an A on my last reading test and an A on my book report. I knew that would make you happy to know. I did the report on the book you told me would be a good one to read Oliver Twist, and see you were right and I got an A.<\/span><\/p>\n Traveler is doing good, but I think I’m probably going to have to get a bigger horse to ride someday. Mommy says my legs will get too long for him and I guess she’s right. She wants Will to pick one for me. Mommy thinks I should sell Traveler if I can’t ride him anymore, but I don’t want to because you gave him to me. I want to keep him always even if I can’t ride him anymore.<\/span><\/p>\n I wish I could see the puppies Hoss’ dog had. I bet they are cute. Mommy won’t let me have a dog right now. She says we have enough animals around here now. Will always sides with Mommy about things that I want, but sometimes they fight about other things. It kind of scares me Adam.. Sometimes it makes me remember back when Mommy and Daddy were together and they would fight. I didn’t like it when they would fight and I don’t like it when Will and Mommy fight. I mean they don’t really fight. They just yell at each other once in a while. I’m not sure exactly what it is they’re yelling about because it’s usually late at night and I hear them in their room.<\/span><\/p>\n I wish I could see you again Adam. I love so much to get your letters, but it’s been so long since I’ve seen you. I miss you and I miss everything back there. I remember how Hoss would take me around to see all his little animals and Joe would tell me funny stories and your Pa was always so nice to me, but mostly I miss you Adam. I miss you a lot..<\/span><\/p>\n I have to go now so Mommy will take this letter to town with her. I love you Adam..<\/span><\/p>\n Love,<\/span> Ben and Adam reached Santa Cruz and first went to Lawyer James’ office to check in with him. They had wired ahead to both him and to the Bishops, telling them of their planned visit. Mr. James and Ben discussed Will and Laura’s estate for a bit and then Adam asked about Peggy’s situation. Mr. James reported that according to their state law, a notice had to be posted in major newspapers about Laura’s death and to ask any relatives to step forward on Peggy’s behalf. These notices would run for six months. If, at the end of that time, no relatives could be found willing to take her in, then she would become a ward of the state and would be put into the state orphanage. He also reported that Mr. and Mrs. Bishop had been friends with Will and Laura, but they were quite elderly and not really able to take a child as young as Peggy into their home on a permanent basis. Mr. Bishop was in failing health and though they were very willing to take her in for the present, it would not work permanently.<\/span><\/p>\n “Mr. James,” Adam inquired, “Laura and I were once engaged to be married. Will was my cousin. My father here is his uncle. At one time Peggy thought I would be her stepfather. She and I had become very close and have still maintained contact through letters for these past two years. I can’t let her go into an orphanage. I just can’t let that happen. Is there any law that says we couldn’t take her back to our home in Nevada and keep her there with us until and if a relative is found willing to take her, and if that doesn’t happen, then to stay with us on a permanent basis? I would be willing to adopt her. I’m not married, but we can hire a housekeeper or governess for her, and I’m sure we could get many people to vouch for our family. “<\/span><\/p>\n “Well, Mr. Cartwright, it would certainly have been easier if they had left a will and named you as guardian in the event of their deaths, but unfortunately they left no will at all. There would have to be a hearing in this state and a judge would have to make that determination, then I’m sure the state of Nevada would also require a hearing into your fitness to adopt. I don’t think there would be a problem here with letting you take her back to Nevada to your home as a stopgap measure while waiting for any relatives to show up. Probably the largest obstacle to overcome would be Nevada granting you permission, as an unmarried male, to adopt a 10-year-old girl. I’m not saying it couldn’t be done, just saying it might prove difficult. However, I do know the reputation of the Cartwright family, so it mightn’t prove as difficult as it could be under other circumstances. I will look into matters here on this end for you and contact you in a couple of days, if you wish me to.”<\/span><\/p>\n “That would be fine, Mr. James. My son and I appreciate that very much. Now we would like to visit Peggy.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Yes, Mr. Cartwright, the Bishops knew of your planned arrival today and are hoping that you will come and spend some time with Peggy there this afternoon and stay to dinner. They asked me to extend that invitation to you. As I understand it, Peggy is looking forward to seeing you. They tell me she has taken this very hard, as would be expected, so they are hoping that seeing old friends will do her some good.<\/span><\/p>\n Ben and Adam stepped down from their hired carriage and walked up to the front door of the Bishops’ small home. Adam knocked on the door and it was immediately opened by a white-haired elderly lady with a smile and a kind face.<\/span><\/p>\n “Good afternoon gentlemen, you must be the Cartwrights. I’m Clarice Bishop and I’m very happy to meet you and to have you here.”<\/span><\/p>\n Ben and Adam returned her gracious greeting and they stepped into the house. Her husband was waiting behind her to meet them. He also was a kind-appearing man and greeted them warmly. Both Cartwrights could see the man was fighting obvious pain, but making every effort to extend himself for their benefit. They saw now what the lawyer had meant. It was obvious that Mrs. Bishop would be having enough on her hands taking care of her husband without the added burden of a young child. Adam felt himself doubly grateful that they had taken on the care of Peggy, albeit temporarily.<\/span><\/p>\n “Mr. Cartwright and Adam, Mrs. Bishop stated,” Peggy is waiting in her room. She has been anxiously awaiting your arrival, but has also been a little shy about it. I think she would be very happy if you stepped in there to see her and it would afford you more privacy for your first meeting in such a long time.”<\/span><\/p>\n Ben turned to his son, “Adam, why don’t you see her first. I think that would be best. I can stay here and visit with the Bishops while you talk with her.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Okay, Pa,” Adam agreed, “You may be right.” Mr. Bishop pointed to the door of the room where Peggy was staying and Adam knocked lightly and heard a soft, “Come in.”<\/span><\/p>\n Peggy had been waiting in her room since early morning in anticipation of Adam and Mr. Cartwright’s arrival. She was so surprised when she heard the news that they were coming. She had been so dreadfully lonely since …… the accident. She could hardly stand to think about that. She pushed it out of her mind.<\/span><\/p>\n Instead she thought about Adam. He had always been so nice to her and answered every letter she wrote to him. He sent her things, too. Books, pictures, some pretties for her hair. He never missed her birthday or Christmas. She remembered back to when she thought he would be her new daddy, only before she knew what was happening, it wasn’t Adam, it was Will. Truthfully, she had never really forgiven her mother for that. She loved her mother with all her heart, but her mother kept changing her mind about things – one minute it was one thing, the next it was another. She sighed. She would give anything to have her mother back, though. But deep within her, she resolved to never be like that. She was determined that when she made a decision about something, she would stick to it.<\/span><\/p>\n She had hoped Adam might come, but she had gotten so used to bad things happening anymore, she couldn’t bring herself to really believe that he might really come. First her daddy had died, then she was so disappointed that her mother and Adam had not married, and now this – her mother and father both gone forever, Aunt Lil gone, and now there was no one.<\/span><\/p>\n But even if Adam came to visit her, she thought to herself, what did that really mean? She couldn’t hope that he would take her back home with them. When she had hinted at this to Mrs. Bishop, she could tell that Mrs. Bishop didn’t think that was likely to happen. Peggy had been told what may be happening to her. They had been truthful with her about that. She shuddered to think about it. She had heard about orphanages, places where children went to live when they had no family anymore, and it scared her – very much.<\/span><\/p>\n Well, even if Adam couldn’t take her back with him, it still made her happy that she would be able to see him again, even it if were only for a short visit.<\/span><\/p>\n He opened the door and saw Peggy sitting in a rocking chair with a rag doll clutched in her arms, the very same doll Adam had given her before she left Virginia City. She looked up at him. He could see deep sadness in the little girl’s eyes. He closed the door behind him and walked to her, lowering himself onto one knee.<\/span><\/p>\n He saw tears form in her eyes and she reached out to him. He gathered her into his arms, picked her up, then switched places with her on the chair, holding her in his lap as she softly cried against his shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n “Oh, Adam, I’m so glad to see you. I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again ever.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Sweetheart, I wouldn’t let that happen. You and I are always going to be good friends. I’m so sorry, darling, about your mother and Will. How are you doing? I understand that you were hurt, too.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Oh, just hurt my head a little bit. I got thrown out before the wagon crashed down the hill.” She started to cry freely and Adam pulled her closer and stroked her pretty blonde hair.<\/span><\/p>\n “Adam, I miss my mommy so much. I don’t know what to do. I didn’t want her to leave me, and I feel bad about Will, too. He really tried to be nice to me.”<\/span><\/p>\n “I know he did, Peggy, and I’m sure he knew how you really felt ,sweetie.”<\/span><\/p>\n “But I wasn’t very nice to him, Adam,” she cried.<\/span><\/p>\n “Well those things take time, honey. You remember that Joe’s mother wasn’t my real mother, don’t you?”<\/span><\/p>\n She nodded. “Well, I wasn’t very nice to her at first either. It just took time and then we became very close. That would have happened to you and Will eventually, sweetheart, I’m sure.”<\/span><\/p>\n Peggy wasn’t so sure about that, but she accepted Adam’s words. It felt so good to have him hold her and rock her in the chair. No one had ever rocked her but her mother. Even her daddy hadn’t ever rocked her that she could remember, but then he hadn’t ever been home very much, now that she thought about it.<\/span><\/p>\n Adam continued to rock her and stroke her hair. She snuggled up to him and the sobbing started to fade, finally leaving her with just a small hiccup now and then.<\/span><\/p>\n “Peggy, my father is here with me too. He’s in the front room with Mr. and Mrs. Bishop. Wouldn’t you like to go out and see him? I know he wants to see you.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Okay, Adam. I want to see him, too. I remember when mommy and I lived at your house for a while. He was so nice.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Yes, honey, he is nice and he’s been very worried about you, too, and wanted to come down and see you just like I did. Let’s get up and go out there, okay?” He put her gently on the floor, stood up and taking her hand in his, they opened her door.<\/span><\/p>\n As they came into the living room, Ben stood up, walked over to them, then knelt down to look her in the eyes and took hold of her shoulders. “Hello, Peggy, darling. I’m so glad to see you.” Ben took her into his arms in a hug and she responded, “Hello Mr. Cartwright. Thank you for coming to visit me. I’m awfully glad to see you and Adam.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Well, thank you young lady,” Ben said as he got to his feet again. “Why don’t you come over and sit here on the settee with me.”<\/span><\/p>\n Ben and Adam sat there with Peggy in between as they visited with her and with the Bishops. Mrs. Bishop was in and out of the kitchen with her dinner preparations.<\/span><\/p>\n Ben watched Peggy as she sat there with Adam’s arm around her. He could see the sadness in her blue eyes and had a very good idea of how she was feeling and sensed her fears. He couldn’t bring himself to think of her in an orphanage either and began to understand more fully Adam’s feelings about the matter. He just prayed it would all work out for Adam and for Peggy’s sakes. He certainly had no objection to taking this child into their home, and from the short talk he had had with Joe and Hoss before they left, he knew that they would not object either – especially Hoss who loved all children.<\/span><\/p>\n They visited with Peggy for many hours over the next two days until they got word from Lawyer James that a judge had decided, on the basis of his own knowledge of the Cartwright family’s reputation, to allow them to take her home with them at least until the six-month waiting period was over. They would need to have their family lawyer in Virginia City look into making more permanent legal arrangements.<\/span><\/p>\n Adam had not broached this subject to Peggy until he was sure that they would be able to take her home. Now that he was sure, he proceeded to the Bishops to give this news to all of them. He wasn’t totally sure how Peggy would feel, but he had a fairly good idea. Ben decided it would be better for him to handle it alone this time.<\/span><\/p>\n When he reached the Bishops, Peggy was in her room, so he first gave the news to Mr. and Mrs. Bishop.<\/span><\/p>\n “Adam, it’s been pretty obvious to us, Mrs. Bishop said, “that Peggy cares very much for you and your family. I think this is a good decision for her and I know she will be happy to hear it. She’s a lovely, sweet child, Adam. She’s been through a lot and she needs some stability, finally. I had many talks with Laura and I don’t think that child has had a real stable life for quite some time.”<\/span><\/p>\n Adam was relieved to hear their feelings on the matter. He knocked on Peggy’s door and entered. She was sitting in the rocker again. He thought to himself that they would have to fix up a nice room for her back home, decorated as prettily as could be for a little girl, and to be sure to remember to have a rocking chair in it.<\/span><\/p>\n She gave him a big smile and welcomed him back again. Adam picked her up out of the chair, and sat in it again, holding her in his lap once more.<\/span><\/p>\n “Peggy, darling, Pa and I just got some good news from your mother’s lawyer today. I hope you think it is good news, too.”<\/span><\/p>\n “What is it, Adam? What news?”<\/span><\/p>\n “Well, how would you feel about coming back home with us to the Ponderosa? I know that Mr. James has told you that they have to advertise in the newspapers for six months to see if you have any relatives at all that may come forward to care for you. Well, for that six months a judge has said that you can stay with us, and then, Peggy, if there are no relatives to come forward, then Pa and I and my brothers would like you to stay with us always. How would you feel about that, Peggy?”<\/span><\/p>\n Peggy’s blue eyes looked up into Adam’s warm brown ones, then she threw her arms around his neck and shouted, “Yes, oh, yes, Adam, I want to go home with you. I’ve been so scared. I thought I was going to have to go to that children’s home and I didn’t want to. Are you sure about this? I can really go with you? I can stay there forever and ever?”<\/span><\/p>\n “Yes, Peggy, I’m sure. But you need to remember, sweetheart, there is always a possibility within the next, well not quite six months now, that there may be some member of your family that you never knew about who might read about this and want to take care of you, too.”<\/span><\/p>\n “I hope not, Adam,” she said and then blushed…..”Uh… I’d rather stay with you, if you really want me too.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Well, I really want you to, Peggy, but I just want you to understand that could happen, okay?”<\/span><\/p>\n “Okay, Adam, I understand. I’m just so happy that I can go with you for now. I won’t ask for anything else.”<\/span><\/p>\n At that Adam thought to himself, “This poor baby, always something more to worry about. Hope this next six months goes by fast so we can just settle it finally.”<\/span><\/p>\n After a few weeks, Peggy was settled in completely at the Ponderosa and the men of the Ponderosa wondered what life had been like before she came. Adam hired widowed Frances MacPherson, known affectionately to everyone as “Mrs. Mac” as a “housekeeper” to look after Peggy. Mrs. Mac had fluffy white hair, a merry face, and was as wide as she was tall. Adam had known Mrs. Mac most of his life. Her husband had once worked for Ben, but had died of a heart attack about five years before. She had then worked out of a small house in Virginia City as a seamstress. She had raised two daughters of her own to their teenage years, but they had both died of the fever a long time ago. She loved children and was more than happy to come out to the ranch and watch over Peggy. There was a small battle at the beginning as regards her place in the household vs. Hop Sing’s, but her good nature got through even to him and they worked out a truce and a separation of duties that was acceptable to both.<\/span><\/p>\n Adam had fixed up a beautiful room for Peggy to the point that Ben had to give him a warning teasingly about spoiling her. There was indeed a rocking chair in her room and many a night, Adam would hold Peggy on his lap, rocking her and either reading to her, telling her stories or singing old lullabies that he remembered Marie singing to Little Joe. Peggy loved it when he sang to her and some of the most happy times the family had were when he would get his guitar out in the evening before they went to bed, and he would either play and sing for them or have them all join in with him.<\/span><\/p>\n Those outside the family and even Mrs. Mac seemed surprised at Adam’s fatherly instincts, but Ben knew Adam’s heart and had all his life, and he was very proud of his oldest son. It was no surprise to Hoss and Little Joe either. Both remembered very well after Marie died who they had turned to when Ben had sank into a depression for a few months after her death. Those same lullabies that Adam now sang to Peggy, he had once sung to Little Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n None of the family believed that there were any relatives existing to come forth and announce themselves, so they pretty much went on preparing for Adam to legally adopt Peggy when the six months were up. John Duncan, their Virginia City lawyer, had already had the legal papers drawn up and had dozens of sworn affidavits attesting to the moral integrity of the Cartwright family, including one from the Governor of the Nevada Territory. He was certain that, unless a relative showed up, there would be no obstacle to Adam’s adoption of Peggy.<\/span><\/p>\n One evening just prior to Peggy going to bed, as she and Adam rocked in the chair, she asked him how much longer before the six months would be up.<\/span><\/p>\n “Well, sweetie, the time will be up in just about five weeks from now. That’s really not very long at all. I’m really looking forward to the day that happens, Peggy. Then you will legally be my daughter.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Adam, will my name be Cartwright then, too?”<\/span><\/p>\n “Well, Peggy it will be if you want it to be. What would you think about that? You could be Peggy Dayton Cartwright if you would like to. I’d like to give you my name if you would like to have it, honey.”<\/span><\/p>\n “I think I’d like that, Adam, then you will really be my daddy always and forever, right?”<\/span><\/p>\n Adam hugged the little girl closer and answered, “Always and forever, Peggy, that’s exactly right.”<\/span><\/p>\n “So then your Pa would be my Grandpa, right?”<\/span><\/p>\n “That’s right, Peg.”<\/span><\/p>\n “And so Little Joe and Hoss will be my uncles?”<\/span><\/p>\n “That’s right, too, sweetheart. How about that, Uncle Joe and Uncle Hoss. Sounds good, huh?”<\/span><\/p>\n “Adam, do you think your Pa would mind if I called him Grandpa? I’ve never had a Grandpa before.”<\/span><\/p>\n Adam bent down and kissed the top of her head as he answered, “Sweetie, I think my Pa would absolutely love for you to call him Grandpa. I have no doubt about that at all. He loves you very much, you know. We all do, Peggy.”<\/span><\/p>\n Peggy’s eyes were beginning to droop, but she said, “I love all of you, too, Adam, but I have one more question, okay?”<\/span><\/p>\n “Okay, Peg, but then it’s into bed with you. You’re just about asleep right now. What’s the question?”<\/span><\/p>\n “Well, ……if your Pa will be my Grandpa, and Joe and Hoss will be my uncles, and you will be my daddy…um……do you think I could call you Daddy?<\/span><\/p>\n Adam drew a sharp breath and felt moisture in his eyes, “Honey, that would make me the happiest and proudest man in this whole territory if you wanted to call me Daddy. I was hoping you would want to, Peggy, but I didn’t know how you would feel about that ’cause I know how much you loved your real daddy.”<\/span><\/p>\n Peggy turned her face up to look at him and reached her hand up to his cheek where she saw a tear. Adam reached up for her hand and kissed the palm. “Adam, I did love my real daddy, but I hardly ever saw him my whole life really. He was gone an awful lot of the time.”<\/span><\/p>\n She snuggled closer to Adam and thought about how good he always smelled to her. She could separate out the scent of the soap he always used, the bay rum he used after shaving and the slight scent of the of the starch Hop Sing used in all their shirts. She remembered her daddy smelled of cigar smoke and whisky all the time. She knew it was whisky because her mother used to get angry with him for drinking it so much and she heard what her mother called it. She loved him with all her heart, but she loved Adam too and she felt safe with him, probably the first time in her whole life that she felt completely safe and happy. He didn’t drink all that whisky like her real daddy had and act all funny like he used to after he had been drinking. Adam never acted that way. She knew Adam loved her, too. He told her many times that he did and she loved it when he rocked her like this. It always made her feel so good. Sometimes it reminded her of when her mother used to rock her, but she never felt this safe even with her mother.<\/span><\/p>\n “Would it be okay if I started right now….uh, Daddy?”<\/span><\/p>\n Adam drew her up into his arms with her head on his shoulder and hugged her just as tight as he could, “You certainly can, Miss Peggy Cartwright, always and forever.”<\/span><\/p>\n He picked her up, turned back the covers of her bed, helped her take her robe off and tucked her in tightly, leaving the lamp turned down low. “Good night, darling. I love you very much.”<\/span><\/p>\n “I love you, too, Daddy.”<\/span><\/p>\n When he went back downstairs, he found Hoss and Joe still engaged in their never-ending checkers game and Ben reading the newspaper.<\/span><\/p>\n He sat down on the table and gazed into the fire. “Uh, Pa, Joe, Hoss…I’ve got something to tell you.”<\/span><\/p>\n Ben put the paper down, “What is it, son? Is something wrong?” Joe and Hoss were both looking at him questioningly, also.<\/span><\/p>\n He smiled, “No nothing’s wrong at all. Just wanted to warn you all that Peggy is probably going to start calling you all a little something different starting tomorrow.”<\/span><\/p>\n “Whaddya mean, Adam?” Hoss inquired.<\/span><\/p>\n “Well, she just asked me if it would be okay to call you two Uncle Joe and Uncle Hoss, and, Pa, if she could start calling you Grandpa.”<\/span><\/p>\n Ben smiled, “Son, that would please me very, very much, it surely would. It’s certainly taken you fellas long enough to make me into a Grandpa and I really like the sound of that.”<\/span><\/p>\n Adam grinned at Ben and said, “Thanks, Pa.”<\/span><\/p>\n It was now just three weeks before the big day. They had arranged for the adoption to be formalized on the day after the six-month waiting period. Ben and the boys were planning a big party to introduce the new member of their family to the Virginia City community, although all their friends were already well aware of the situation and were happy for the family. Many thought it was about time there was a woman’s touch in that household, even if it only consisted of a housekeeper and a young child.<\/span><\/p>\n Hoss had just returned from escorting Peggy to school that morning. Each of the Cartwright men were trading off taking her to school and back each day. Hoss met up with Adam and Joe at the branding corral to start the day’s work.<\/span><\/p>\n Hank, one of their hands, came riding out to the corral mid-morning that day and told Adam, Joe and Hoss that their father wanted them to return right away to the ranch. They were surprised, but rode back. They saw an unfamiliar buggy sitting by the front porch.<\/span><\/p>\n Upon entering, they saw John Duncan talking with Ben by the fire. “Well, hello John, Adam smiled, what brings you out here, got some more paperwork for me to sign?” He pulled up short when he saw the serious looks on John and Ben’s faces.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n170 Bell Street<\/span>
\nSanta Cruz<\/span>
\nCalifornia<\/span><\/p>\n
\nPeggy<\/span><\/p>\n