{"id":50535,"date":"2025-02-05T18:06:12","date_gmt":"2025-02-05T23:06:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=50535"},"modified":"2026-05-14T13:25:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T17:25:16","slug":"as-ye-so-or-minor-adjustments-by-patd-in-pa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=50535","title":{"rendered":"As Ye Sow, or Minor Adjustments (by Pat D in PA)"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><em><strong>Summary:<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 In this AU tale of the Cartwrights of the Ponderosa, evidence from a very painful part of Adam\u2019s past turns up to forever change his present and that of his family.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong><em> Warning:<\/em> <\/strong>as I saw on someone else&#8217;s summary, I have broken the cardinal rule of fanfiction: none of our boys show up in the first chapters. But fear not&#8230; our four main Cartwrights are most assuredly present within. \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><em><strong>Rating:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em> T <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mature language and themes are present throughout this story.\u00a0 (122,875 words)<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><!--more--><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Warnings: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Several chapters reference or depict corporal punishment of a minor.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Dedicated to Vicki Christian, who encouraged me to take a leap of faith and write this story. Apologies in advance for its weaknesses&#8230; &lt;grin!&gt;\u00a0 It was my very first, almost thirty years ago.<br \/>\nAlso, to my 2025 beta reader extraordinaire\u2026 you know who you are!<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>AS YE SOW, or MINOR ADJUSTMENTS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER ONE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hell&#8217;s Kitchen, New York City, New York<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">July 9, 1871<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Heat sizzled off the street in the neighborhood of Hester Street on this hot, humid Sunday afternoon. Dirty, barefooted children skipped, more from the heat on the soles of their feet than in alacrity, as they dodged horses&#8217; hooves and pedestrians&#8217; boots in their play. Working mothers visited on tenement steps and street corners, enjoying a chance to gossip with their peers without looking over their shoulder for either the shift foreman, or the landlord. It was about the most peace a good portion of the poverty-stricken residents of this rough-and-ready neck of New York City were likely to get.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">But the July heat was oppressive, and most people were too lethargic to bother cooling tempers about minor irritations and trials. Arguments broke out over small things, men disappearing into the saloons to drink away their frustrations. Street vendors tried vainly to hawk their wares, but this time of year was notorious for there being little spending money to be had in the neighborhood, and the mugginess kept most folks in what shade they could find in tenement alleys or under awnings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">On the shady side of the street, the smaller mothers and fathers of the poor &#8211; in other words, the slightly elder siblings &#8211; tended to the babies and toddlers; poor hot, sweaty little things who, to quiet their fretfulness, got jostled up and down on the knees of their elders&#8230;who themselves were all of perhaps ten years old. The ones able to sleep were usually tucked in on dirty rags in shady corners of the streets and alleys, covered only with prickly heat and dirty shifts while dozing as their caretakers played jacks and hopscotch, if the pavement wasn&#8217;t too hot to burn their feet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">One small bastion of the neighborhood&#8217;s population managed to find fun, regardless of the weather, and that was a passel of twelve to fourteen-year-old boys who swaggered through the neighborhood like the Irish kings from whom they believed themselves descended. There were eight or ten of them, mostly redheads, some darker, a few blonds, all ragged and dirty, but one. This king of kings clearly stood out from the crowd; tall, lean, and black-haired, with bright blue eyes that shone from a handsome young olive-skinned face even the dirt of the city couldn&#8217;t hide. At a glance, anyone observing the group could see this was their leader and from all appearances had decided he&#8217;d live up to the job. He carried himself with a natural pride that caused people to turn their heads and wonder from where he could have sprung.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">At the moment, the gang of youngsters was contemplating harassing the fruit vendor.\u00a0 Currently under discussion there was a plan to have half the group distract him.\u00a0 Then, the others could lift an apple or two each before pelting down the street to avoid capture and then barreling toward their next adventure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Hey, Pat!&#8221; grinned one of the boys to the black-haired prince of thieves as he perched on a hogshead outside the &#8216;Witches&#8217; Broth&#8217; saloon and thought through the best way to pursue their afternoon snack. &#8220;Why don&#8217;tcha just walk up to Levinson and ask?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The crowd roared with laughter. The one named Pat grinned sheepishly at the inside joke. A few weeks back, he&#8217;d decided to throw the street vendors off guard and had actually walked up to one of them and simply asked for a piece of fruit&#8230;after buttering the old man up about how beautiful his wife was, how smart his son was in school (as if this one would know, never in his life having set a foot inside a schoolroom!), and the general superiority of the man&#8217;s fruit above that of the other vendors. It had worked! And Patrick had carved his niche forever more in boyhood legend.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;G&#8217;wan wi&#8217; ya, Seamus,&#8221; he grinned. &#8220;I get one every aftanoon, right outta the palm of &#8216;is hand!&#8221; The crowd cackled with laughter and resumed their cooking up of a plan until another small, agitated boy burst into their midst and ran for Pat, grabbing him by the shirt.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick! Patrick!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Jaysis, what ails ya, Rory?&#8221; grinned Pat, jumping to his feet. This was his &#8220;crier,&#8221; a younger boy who was working hard to make himself worthy enough to be invited into their midst; one of his jobs was scouting the surrounding streets. You never knew when the gang a few blocks up was going to need attending to, or when you&#8217;d need a sentry to watch for the cops.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It&#8217;s Su Chang, Pat!&#8221; he panted, pointing off up the street. &#8220;O&#8217;Leary&#8217;s gang is beatin&#8217; him up somethin&#8217; awful!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The laughter dissolved from Pat&#8217;s face and turned to grim fury. &#8220;Where?&#8221; he demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Corner&#8230;9th and Battle Row,&#8221; panted the boy, sinking to his knees in exhaustion from his run.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Without a word, Patrick pelted off down the street with his gang right behind him. He slowed just enough to allow his lieutenant, a sandy-haired, quiet, intense boy, to run up alongside then they sprinted together side by side. &#8220;Jack, take half around the alley between Shaughnessy&#8217;s and the Fish Market,&#8221; panted Pat, his arms and legs pumping like pistons. &#8220;I&#8217;ll take the other half straight on and we&#8217;ll corner &#8217;em. GO!&#8221; and without a word, Jack sectioned off his troops and followed their general&#8217;s orders.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">As they rounded the corner in front of the tailor&#8217;s, they saw another sentry\u2014 not theirs\u2014stationed in front of an alley. Pat&#8217;s hot, livid blue eyes met this boy&#8217;s, which widened in fear as he ducked back into the alley. Pat poured on the steam and managed to get to the mouth of the alley, his troops right behind him, before the other gang could escape, effectively blocking them in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Slumped on the filthy pavement, his nose bleeding and his face bruised, was a small Chinese boy who looked younger than his fourteen years. His clothes were ruined from the filth of the alley&#8217;s cobblestones, and his pigtail was still clenched in the hands of one of the other gang members.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His eyes narrowed; Patrick slowly advanced. &#8220;Turn him loose, O&#8217;Leary,&#8221; he growled. The other boy glanced at the scanty numbers of his own gang and licked his lips. He was severely outnumbered, here, especially against this particular boy and his fellows; Jack and his forces had joined them now as well. But etiquette precluded Tim O&#8217;Leary giving in too quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Who&#8217;s gonna make me, Riordan? You and what army?&#8221; he demanded belligerently, yanking tighter on the Chinese boy&#8217;s pigtail, making the Chinese boy wince but not cry out. Su Chang&#8217;s eyes opened again and he stared at Riordan, willing him to stand down, sending a message in his eyes to not engage in violence. A message Patrick Riordan saw and promptly ignored.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Why, Tim,&#8221; said Pat with an insolent, lazy smile that came nowhere near the sapphire blue eyes, &#8220;I won&#8217;t be needin\u2019 an army&#8230;not against a wee amad\u00e1n like you. Now, turn&#8230; him&#8230; loose.&#8221; Their eyes locked, and it was no contest; Tim O&#8217;Leary simply couldn&#8217;t withstand the intensity of those blue eyes burning into him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">O&#8217;Leary released the Chinese boy&#8217;s hair, and stood back, balancing on the balls of his feet, ready for battle. Su Chang rose with dignity and limped to Patrick, clutching his side.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Go on, Su Chang,&#8221; Pat nodded toward the alley&#8217;s entrance, without taking his eyes off the other group.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It is over, my friend,&#8221; said the Chinese boy quietly, wiping at the blood on his face with one hand, and wincing as he moved the hand protecting his ribs to grip his friend&#8217;s forearm. &#8220;Do not do this.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8217;ll catch up w&#8217;ya tonight,&#8221; insisted Pat. Finally, irritated, he glared at Su Chang. &#8220;I mean it! I&#8217;ll catch up wi&#8217; ya later!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Sighing, Su Chang left the alley.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">And the battle commenced.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Fists flew, yelps and grunts of pain echoed in the alleyway, and bloody noses spurted until it was difficult to tell who was on which side. The warfare ended as abruptly as it began, however, when the time-honored outcry of &#8220;Cheese it! The cops!&#8221; rang through the alley by the &#8220;criers&#8221; from both gangs. Unfortunately, the two primary gladiators were at the very back of the passageway and weren&#8217;t able to escape before the alley entrance was filled with the huge body of a member of New York&#8217;s finest. Pat&#8217;s heart sank as he recognized the cop as Tom Ryan, a family friend. He was in for it now.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;All roight, all roight!&#8221; the beefy cop bellowed striding to the pair and gathering a collar full of cloth from both, dragging them both, still scuffling and protesting, out onto Battle Row, where a small crowd was gathering. &#8220;Enough, now!&#8221; He shook them both, hard.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He looked them up and down with a glance that would wither a grown man. &#8220;And it&#8217;s a sorry looking pair ye are,&#8221; he grumbled. O&#8217;Leary&#8217;s nose and the corner of his lip were bleeding, and Pat&#8217;s right eye was rapidly swelling and reddening from a well-placed poke. Both boys had skinned knuckles. Ryan kept a tight hold on Pat&#8217;s collar but turned O&#8217;Leary loose with a quick push and a firm kick to the behind. &#8220;Go on wi\u2019 ye, and don&#8217;t be gettin&#8217; into trouble no more today! I ain&#8217;t got the patience!&#8221; Tim took off at a dead run, grinning evilly back at his captured opponent, now seething with anger.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ryan, lemme go!&#8221; he demanded, fighting to get loose.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A solid shake lifted him off his feet, and then a jarring\u00a0<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">whump!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0back to the pavement rattled the boy&#8217;s teeth, making him gasp.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Enough of yer nonsense, Patrick! I&#8217;m takin ye home, where yer mother can deal w&#8217;ye!&#8221; snarled the policeman, dragging the boy down the street. Pat shut his mouth, allowing himself to be dragged, while he worked to compose some explanation of his condition for his mother. He wasn&#8217;t looking forward to this conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\">*****<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ah, Patrick, what am I t&#8217;do with ye!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat sat at the table in the larger of the two rooms of the tenement flat he and his mother shared, nervously keeping a wary eye on his mother as she paced. He knew only too well what a quick and rock-hard hand she had and wanted to have warning if a clip on the ear was coming his way. Besides, he was having a hard time seeing out of his right eye, which was now swollen nearly shut and darkening with a nasty bruise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Siobhan Riordan paced the room, hands on her slim, shapely hips. Few people would guess that Siobhan was old enough to even have a son Patrick&#8217;s age, as her spirit had not yet been broken by poverty, brutally hard work, and degradation. She was still an intensely beautiful woman, tall and slender, her waist length black hair bound up on her head; her dress, though shabby, was clean and neat. She was ready to go to work, as a barmaid at the &#8220;Witches Broth.&#8221; She whirled on her son, and he shrank a little as his blue eyes met a pair so much like his own&#8230;only a helluva lot angrier.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;How many times have I told ye, if ye lie down with dogs ye&#8217;ll rise with fleas!&#8221; she snapped furiously.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat swallowed. &#8220;But, Ma, if you&#8217;d just listen &#8211; &#8220;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ah, sure! Listen, he says!&#8221; she stormed. &#8220;I talk Jimmy O&#8217;Halloran into giving ye a day off just so&#8217;s ye can be hauled home by the civil patrolmen, is it?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;But I had to help Su Chang, Ma!&#8221; he protested. &#8220;They was beatin&#8217; up on him, and &#8211; &#8220;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, aye! And ye had to step in and prove yerself to be no better!&#8221; she snapped in return.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat angrily clamped his mouth shut, scowling at the top of the kitchen table.\u00a0 Clearly, his mother was in too much of a rage to listen, so why bother trying to defend himself?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Getting control of herself with difficulty, Siobhan shook her head and turned to the doorway, where Tom Ryan was still standing, his bowler in his hand and an uncomfortable look on his face.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It&#8217;s thankin&#8217; ye I am for bringing him home, Tom,&#8221; she said quietly, turning back to glare at her son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Not at&#8217;all, Siobhan, not at&#8217;all,&#8221; Tom said, shifting his feet uncomfortably. He sighed and clapped his bowler on his head, and touching its brim, left the flat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat watched him go and barely managed to hide a grin at the cop&#8217;s discomfort. Tom Ryan had been in love with Siobhan Riordan ever since they&#8217;d met, fourteen years earlier, when she\u2019d arrived on Hester Street, broke, pregnant and alone. All through Pat&#8217;s life, he&#8217;d had a surrogate father in the beefy, hot-tempered Irishman, sometimes turning to him for help in getting out of some scrape or other, knowing his mother would have killed him. While growing up, he&#8217;d often wondered why his ma had never married Tom. He knew they were dear friends, and now that he was older and a lot wiser, suspected they might have been more than friends at one time. But he also knew that no man could hold Siobhan Riordan&#8217;s heart; other men had tried. His own father hadn&#8217;t been able to do it, and he knew his mother had loved him more dearly than any man she&#8217;d ever known. When she&#8217;d left his father behind, she&#8217;d locked the door to her heart as well, tossing the key to the wind.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat knew little more of his father than his name and a face. His ma had a picture of them together which she kept on her bedside table. He would occasionally, even now, find her staring at it when she was depressed or weary. As a small boy, he&#8217;d asked about his father, wondering why he didn&#8217;t have one. She informed him he did indeed have a father, and a fine man he was. A student at a university in Boston he&#8217;d been, his mother told him. Earnest and young, handsome as the very devil and able to take her heart in his hands. But he had unknowingly committed a mortal sin; he&#8217;d been born of English blood.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Siobhan Riordan had been shipped off to America after her involvement in a Fenian uprising in her home village of Ballylynch, County Armagh sixteen years before. Her uncles, her father, and his father before him, had long been enemies of the Crown, fighting underground for the freedom of Home Rule for their people. In 1855, county elections were being held in Ballylynch, their tiny village. Padhraig Riordan brought his family out of hiding to vote in that election, gathering every croppy for miles around to do the same&#8230;and were hanged for insurrection the following day. The riot that hanging had incited burned half the homes of the wealthy landowners and resulted in the deaths of three Orangemen. Siobhan had joined in the battle, her own insurrectionist heart fueled as volatilely as that of the men in her family. But the magistrate had taken pity on her; instead of hanging, she was flogged in the square and unceremoniously dumped on a boat headed first for Liverpool, and then for America.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat thumped back to earth from his reveries as his mother slammed the door and turned to her son, hands on her hips. He swallowed hard and dropped his eyes\u2026 well,\u00a0<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">eye<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, anyway\u2026 to his lap.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Siobhan shook her head as she studied him.\u00a0<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dear God, but he&#8217;s the image of his da,<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0she thought to herself. More and more lately she&#8217;d thought of that young man, wishing to God things had been different. She could have used his help in raising this youngster. Pat wasn&#8217;t a bad boy, but he was wild and rapidly growing out of control. She didn&#8217;t seem to have the time to spend with him, to guide him. Speaking of time&#8230; she shook herself and narrowed her eyes.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Get yerself washed up. Yer coming to the &#8216;Broth&#8217; wi\u2019 me tonight, where I can keep me eye on ye,&#8221; she said tightly, crossing her arms over her chest.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat&#8217;s head snapped up in dismay. &#8220;But, Ma &#8211; !&#8221; he protested.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick, if ye canna be trusted in the daylight, what am I to assume ye&#8217;ll try in the cloak o&#8217;night?!&#8221; she cried. &#8220;Now do as I tell ye and hurry up about it!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Muttering to himself, Patrick went to the washstand and began cleaning up. There was absolutely no point in arguing with her when she was in this frame of mind. He&#8217;d simply have to figure out some way to meet up with Su Chang after he got to the saloon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER TWO<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Later that day<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Siobhan!\u00a0 Another pint over here, lass!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Keep yer shirt on, Kevin!&#8221; \u00a0 Laughter met this cheerful retort as Siobhan gracefully swayed through the crowded barroom, a heavy tray of beer mugs raised high over their heads.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Ah, lass, yer a foin figure of a woman&#8230;&#8217;specially with that ale in yer hands!&#8221; crowed Kevin Shaugnessy, the self-confirmed <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">shanachie<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, or story-teller, of the bar.\u00a0 &#8220;Hurry it up, lass, it&#8217;s dyin&#8217; we are for a cool draft.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Aye, here&#8217;s your draft, ye old reprobate,&#8221; she smiled, setting his drink before him.\u00a0 &#8220;An\u2019 if it twas dyin&#8217; you were, you&#8217;d ha&#8217; been dead long before this.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ah, t&#8217;is the truth yer speaking, Siobhaneen,&#8221; the old man sighed.\u00a0 &#8220;Drink is the curse of the land&#8230;it makes ye fight w&#8217; yer neighbor, it makes ye shoot at yer landlord\u2026 and it makes ye miss him!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The room howled with laughter as Siobhan grimly smiled and, collecting her pennies, returned to the bar.\u00a0 Pat came around from the storeroom at that point lugging a keg.\u00a0 His mother had sternly informed him that she would help to keep him out of trouble by keeping him busy tonight and she\u2019d kept her word.\u00a0 He hadn&#8217;t had more than five minutes to sit and breathe since they&#8217;d arrived five hours earlier.\u00a0 He wearily set the keg down behind the bar and wiped the sweat from his forehead with his arm.\u00a0 His black eye was pretty pronounced now, deepening his look of vulnerability.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ma, can&#8217;t I please take a break?&#8221; he begged, slumping against the wall, exhausted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She eyed him sternly and decided that he&#8217;d probably learned his lesson.\u00a0 &#8220;Fifteen minutes, Pat, no more, understood?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yes, ma&#8217;am,&#8221; he nodded with a devilish grin, suddenly full of energy and scooting out the door.\u00a0 Siobhan gasped in surprise, but he was too quick to catch.\u00a0 Seething, she slammed two empty mugs on the bar, making Liam, the bartender jump.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Siobhan, ye&#8217;ll break them!&#8221; he howled in dismay, examining the glasses.\u00a0 She silently started filling them with beer.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Liam sighed.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;s just a lad, Siobhan, have a heart,&#8221; he said gently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;A heart?!&#8221; she spat.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;ll be turnin&#8217; into a wild Indian, he will!\u00a0 I wish to God I could get him to school&#8230;per&#8217;aps that would straighten him out.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick Riordan, cooped up in a schoolroom?&#8221; scoffed Liam.\u00a0 &#8220;This I gotta see!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, t&#8217;is nay more\u2019n a dream,&#8221; she muttered, a frown crossing her face..\u00a0 &#8220;I couldn&#8217;t afford it anyhow.\u00a0 We need the bread he earns.&#8221;\u00a0 She glanced around the room and saw that things were pretty well cared for at the moment and glanced toward the steps leading to the upstairs back room. &#8220;Is Himself up there, then?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Aye,&#8221; nodded Liam, glancing up as well.\u00a0 &#8220;If ye want to go up, I&#8217;ll keep a look see down here.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She smiled and squeezed his arm.\u00a0 &#8220;Thank ye, Liam,&#8221; she said warmly, gesturing toward one of the tables in the room. \u201cThese two pints are for Donnie and MacKay, aye?\u00a0 They\u2019ve paid,\u201d and hurried up the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">In the dingy hallway above, she heard the rumbling of male voices and the giggles of prostitutes as they worked their wonders in order to earn the week&#8217;s rent or tonight&#8217;s meal.\u00a0 She continued down the hallway to the door at the very end of the hall, and after a short, two-tap then four separate, spaced out knocks on the door, she entered the room.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Seated around the large table were six men, Irishmen all.\u00a0 They all looked up as she came in and most smiled.\u00a0 There was one seat empty, and she slipped into it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Sorry for the delay, gentlemen,&#8221; she smiled tightly, then looked to the large, burly man on her right, Jimmy O&#8217;Halloran, the pub&#8217;s owner.\u00a0 &#8220;\u2018Tis a full crowd ye have down there tonight, Jimmy.&#8221;\u00a0 She glanced around the table and settled herself.\u00a0 &#8220;So, are we ready for Wednesday?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Aye, lass,&#8221; responded the white-haired man across from her.\u00a0 Michael O&#8217;Hara and Siobhan shared rank as the heads of the local group of Sinn Fein, or Fenians, as they were known to the Yanks.\u00a0 Sons and daughters of the auld sod they were, with their hearts and purses still tied to Ireland.\u00a0 It was through fundraising efforts they initiated that guns were being run into the old country on as regular a basis as possible, as well as money for food and medicines for the old, the women and the children.\u00a0 As poverty-stricken as the Irish of Hell&#8217;s Kitchen were, there was usually a copper tossed in for the families they&#8217;d left behind.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Keiron has already mustered dozens from the Tenderloin to stand with us,&#8221; added Jimmy.<\/span><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Siobhan nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;The Orangemen won&#8217;t find as docile a herd of sheep as they were confronted with last year,&#8221; she said with dark satisfaction.\u00a0 July 12th marked the commemoration of 1690s crossing of the River Boyne in which the army of Roman Catholic King James II of England was defeated by that of his Protestant successor, William the Orange.\u00a0 Last year, New York City\u2019s Orangemen, or Irish Protestants, planned their annual celebration and parade in Hell&#8217;s Kitchen to mark the anniversary of the Battle.\u00a0 The Fenians had been violently opposed to celebration of this anniversary, being as determined to rid the local neighborhood of Orangemen as they were to help Ireland gain Home Rule.\u00a0 The protests had been violent, but on a very small scale.\u00a0 This year, however, Sinn Fein refused to allow a replay of the previous year&#8217;s events.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;We&#8217;re already hearing from McShea and Tulane that the coppers will be out in full force,&#8221; said one man from the corner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Aye,&#8221; sighed Siobhan, nodding.\u00a0 &#8220;Tom Ryan speaks the same.\u00a0 Says the 18th precinct is mustering 800 strong, as well as calling in the State militia.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Just like back in Armagh,&#8221; grinned one younger man.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Aye, like in Armagh!&#8221; snapped Siobhan.\u00a0 &#8220;And how many of Hell&#8217;s Kitchen&#8217;s women and children will go without a husband or father after Wednesday?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">This silenced many, and she gathered them all with her eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;Our protests must be heard, but we should, under no circumstances, start the violence.\u00a0 Let that rest on the heads of the Orangemen!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Lass, we&#8217;ll do what we have to do,&#8221; said another man, sullenly studying his beer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">One man at the table had, to this point, said nothing.\u00a0 He was easily the finest dressed of the bunch and carried himself with great pride.\u00a0 His name was Ray Connelly, the only first-generation American at the table.\u00a0 His father had arrived in America forty years before and found himself prospering as a saloon-keeper in the Tenderloin district.\u00a0 He prospered so well that his son was able to attend college, earning himself a degree in the law.\u00a0 Ray and Siobhan had met and become involved about ten years earlier and, while their love affair was brief and stormy, their surviving friendship was as solid and enduring as time itself.\u00a0 Like Tom Ryan before him, Ray Connelly knew that no man could hold on to Siobhan Riordan&#8217;s heart but the father of her son, and even he had been unable to keep her.\u00a0 So, Ray stayed close, with a thriving law practice in the city. One so successful that he was able to take on <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">pro bono<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> cases as well, representing the oppressed in the Kitchen and keeping himself available to help Siobhan and her boy when he could&#8230;and when she&#8217;d let him, which wasn&#8217;t often.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He rose to his feet and walked to the sideboard to draw himself a beer from the keg and then turned back to the others in the room, leaning his hip comfortably against the sideboard. \u00a0 Ray Connelly held the respect of every man in that room, and all were quiet when he began to speak. \u00a0 &#8220;Siobhan may occasionally give us reason to wish her on a slow tug down the East River,&#8221; he said dryly to the chuckles of the men around him and a sly tilt of Siobhan&#8217;s lips, &#8220;but in this case I do agree.\u00a0 We must do everything we can to be sure that we do not initiate any hostility.\u00a0 It <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">must<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> all come from them.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;How do we keep that from happenin&#8217;, man?!&#8221; snorted another.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s daft y\u2019are!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;By keeping yer tempers, ye stupid amad<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00e1<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">ns!&#8221; snapped Siobhan.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;And here&#8217;s the pot callin&#8217; the kettle black!&#8221; laughed Jimmy Halloran, as the rest of the table joined in.\u00a0 Siobhan sighed and sat back until the laughter died uncomfortably.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ye&#8217;ll be laughing out of the other sides of your mouths,&#8221; she said sadly, &#8220;when &#8217;tis the bodies of our own lads ye&#8217;ll be burying come Thursday.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat tore down the street, dodging carts and horses, and the curses of pedestrians as he headed for Death Row.\u00a0 He carefully eyed the railroad track up one side and down, then crossed it, running to a tiny shack at the end of the row.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">There was lamplight coming from the front room, and he tentatively knocked at the door.\u00a0 He waited impatiently until the door opened just a crack, and a tiny Chinese woman peeped through.\u00a0 When she saw who it was, she beamed and opened the door wide enough for him to slip in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Good evening, Mrs. Lee,&#8221; he said politely in perfect Cantonese.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Welcome, Patrick,&#8221; she responded quietly, gesturing him in.\u00a0 Seated on a settee, wrapped in blankets, was Su Chang, the bruises on his face now discolored and swollen.\u00a0 Worried, Pat walked to him and dropped to his haunches.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, Su&#8230;.&#8221; he sighed, his hand going to his friend&#8217;s arm.\u00a0 Lee Su Chang opened his eyes wearily and when he saw who it was smiled weakly.\u00a0 &#8220;They nailed you good, huh?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;That they did,&#8221; murmured his friend.\u00a0 &#8220;You are hurt as well?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">When Pat appeared bewildered, Su Chang carefully raised a hand to his own eye, and Pat grinned sheepishly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It ain&#8217;t nothin&#8217;,&#8221; he reassured him.\u00a0 Su Chang smiled and relaxed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Su Chang and Pat had become fast friends when they both were little shavers and Pat had defended him against a gang of bullies, not that much unlike the boys he now led.\u00a0 It had been almost comical to see the two six-year-olds back to back in the alleyway ready to take on the older boys; luckily, Tom Ryan had intervened before things got out of hand.\u00a0 Pat had been raised to believe the English and their allies were his enemies but had developed no particular distrust of anyone else.\u00a0 He was able to charm just about anyone he met, often to his mother&#8217;s dismay, and he and Su Chang had become pals against all odds.\u00a0 In gratitude for Patrick&#8217;s acceptance and friendship, Su Chang taught him how to fight with the grace and harnessed power of the Chinese and their martial arts, as well to speak passable Cantonese.\u00a0 It hadn&#8217;t taken long for Su&#8217;s parents to accept the Irish boy as well, practically adopting him as a second son.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You bring us great honor by visiting us, Patrick,&#8221; said a voice from the hall.\u00a0 Pat looked up and saw Lee Ming Ho entering, a book in his hand.\u00a0 Su Chang&#8217;s father had been a scholar in his country, and though he&#8217;d been reduced to nothing more than a launderer here, had maintained his dignity.\u00a0 &#8220;My son tells me it is thanks to you he was not hurt any worse than bruises and cracked ribs.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Cracked ribs!&#8221; breathed Pat, looking down at Su. &#8220;Wha &#8211; should I get the doctor?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;No, my son,&#8221; answered Mr. Lee, patting his shoulder.\u00a0 Though four months shy of his fourteenth birthday, Pat was already as tall as the tiny Oriental, and they were able to look eye to eye.\u00a0 &#8220;I have bound his chest.\u00a0 He will recover.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Su, I\u2019m so sorry,&#8221; Pat sighed sadly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Sorry?\u00a0 For saving my life?&#8221; smiled the other boy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat looked helplessly at the Lees. &#8220;I wish I coulda got there faster,&#8221; he said humbly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;We are most grateful you got there at all, Patrick,&#8221; replied Mr. Lee, solemnly.\u00a0 &#8220;My son is indeed lucky to be able to claim such a young man as his friend.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Will you stay and dine with us?&#8221; asked Mrs. Lee.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;My great thanks, Mrs. Lee.\u00a0 I wish I could,&#8221; he replied, carefully sticking to the formalities of the household, &#8220;but I&#8217;m only on a break from work.\u00a0 I better get back.\u00a0 I just wanted to be sure Su Chang was all right.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yes, my son, he is,&#8221; said the older man, looking down at his son, then back at the taller boy.\u00a0 &#8220;Thanks to you.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat patted his friend&#8217;s shoulder and promised he&#8217;d visit the next day, took leave of Su&#8217;s parents and headed back toward Hester Street.\u00a0 He walked slowly at first, thinking about Su Chang and his family, then suddenly remembered his mother had said fifteen minutes, and groaned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Oh, dammit all to <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">hell!&#8221;<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> he hissed, and started back for the saloon at a dead run.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER THREE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">July 10, 1871<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat walked along the street beside his mother, taking in the less humid air of the night and the sounds of the sleeping city.\u00a0 The streets were cooler on his bare feet than earlier, and he sighed, contented.\u00a0 He heard a baby&#8217;s cry, and a rumble of manly laughter, but mostly he heard the night, as much a part of his blood as the woman at his side.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He glanced over at her.\u00a0 It had been a long hard night at the saloon, and Siobhan was weary to the bone; he could sense it in her walk and the way her shoulders drooped a little.\u00a0 But he wondered if it was more than just tiredness.\u00a0 When he&#8217;d gotten back to the saloon, worried that she&#8217;d be angry he was late, he found that she hadn&#8217;t come downstairs yet.\u00a0 He knew about the back-room meetings; hell, he&#8217;d been brought up in them.\u00a0 Fenian insurrection was nothing new to him.\u00a0 But this air about his mother&#8230;this <\/span><b><i>was<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> new, and it worried him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Hey, Ma?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Hmm?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You okay?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She glanced over at her son, startled.\u00a0 &#8220;And why do you ask?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Confused, he looked down at the street as they walked. &#8220;I dunno, you look kinda &#8230; worried, maybe.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She sighed and allowed her shoulder to gently bump into his.\u00a0 &#8220;Worried&#8230;.aye.\u00a0 And me mind is crowded with memories tonight, Patrick.&#8221;\u00a0 She shook herself and managed a smile for him. &#8220;Goose on me grave, I expect. Nothing more.&#8221;\u00a0 She eyed her son.\u00a0 &#8220;And you, lad?\u00a0 What is it that&#8217;s haunting ye tonight?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat squirmed uncomfortably.\u00a0 Why did she always do that, turning his concern for her over onto himself?\u00a0 &#8220;Nothin&#8217;.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ah, sure,&#8221; she said dryly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Now, Ma &#8211; &#8221; he grinned at her.\u00a0 She draped an arm around his shoulders, and they walked home in a companionable silence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">But her mood returned once they were back in the oppressive heat of their flat.\u00a0 Siobhan wearily trudged into her bedroom and tossed her reticule on the bureau, looking at herself in the mirror.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sure, you\u2019re but a young woman yet!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 her heart cried out.\u00a0 Her hand reached up and touched her cheek, still youthful at 32 years.\u00a0 In the mirror she saw the bed and closed her eyes.\u00a0 Empty.\u00a0 She had been sleeping in an empty bed for so long now.\u00a0 Wearily she crossed to the night table and stared at the daguerreotype portrait that sat in state.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">She&#8217;d been so young, then!\u00a0 And so had he.\u00a0 Too young to have his future abruptly ended for him.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She picked it up with trembling hands, and traced the outline of his hard, lean cheek&#8230;the waves of his dark hair.\u00a0 She could remember the feel of that hair, thick, brown-black and wavy, in her fingers.\u00a0 Closing her eyes, Siobhan allowed her mind to drift back more than fourteen years&#8230;.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">His fingers ran sensuously over her neck, tracing the line of her collarbone&#8230;..<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Oh, darlin&#8217;,&#8221; she moaned as his hot lips played over her eyes, her face, her hair&#8230;.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Siobhan&#8230;.&#8221; he whispered.\u00a0 &#8220;Oh, God, how I love you&#8230;..&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Their love-making had been amazing&#8230;astounding&#8230;she could never have imagined anything could be that powerful.\u00a0 He was so tender, so gentle, and yet the passion and fire in him matched anything she could have hoped for, and his skill at pleasing her&#8230;she had never hoped to experience that kind of ecstasy, either&#8230;.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">And their time together was so much more than just physical.\u00a0 Oh, the discussions they had!\u00a0 He had a sharp, incisive mind that stimulated her own, and their arguments as well as their quieter talks served to make her feel more alive than she had even known she could feel.\u00a0 They were so right for each other&#8230;.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It had nearly killed her to run from him&#8230;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reality came back to Siobhan with a thump as she heard her son bumping around in the other room.\u00a0 Her son&#8230;. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">their<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> son.\u00a0 Her eyes were drawn again to the photograph.\u00a0 Once again, her fingers traced the outlines of his face, and as she looked deeply into his dark eyes, her own eyes welled and tears spilled down her cheeks.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat had reluctantly started the fire in the stove, despite the almost smothering heat of the flat, desperately needing a cup of coffee before bed.\u00a0 He padded into his mother\u2019s room to ask if she\u2019d like one as well, and stopped, his heart constricted.\u00a0 There she was again, holding that damned picture, and weeping!\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Crying for that rotten\u2026!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 Pat\u2019s jaw tightened, and he dropped his head, closing his eyes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhy, Ma?\u201d he muttered.\u00a0 \u201cWhy do you do this ta yerself every single time?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Startled, Siobhan came out of her memories and looked up at her son.\u00a0 She winced as she saw him this time; he looked so much like his father, it almost hurt.\u00a0 She turned away, shaking her head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat sat beside her on the bed and took the daguerreotype from her hands, studying it.\u00a0 He saw his mother, so young, just past seventeen, and so happy.\u00a0 The man who looked back at him was undeniably handsome, but Patrick couldn\u2019t bring himself to feel anything other than anger.\u00a0 He learned long before that the angry feelings kept at bay the other feelings\u2026 the feelings of resentment and of abandonment.\u00a0 Emotion boiled over in him, and in a sudden rage, he hurled the photograph at the wall, clambering to his feet amid the sound of shattered glass.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">With a guttural cry Siobhan dove for the picture frame.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Pat!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He grabbed her arms and pulled her up to face him, away from the photograph.\u00a0 \u201cMa, for God\u2019s sake, look at what he\u2019s done to you!\u201d he cried in anguish.\u00a0 \u201cFor years now I\u2019ve watched ya stare at that damn picture and cry your eyes out!\u00a0 You\u2019ve thrown away every chance for happiness all for a &#8230; because of a&#8230;.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cDon\u2019t say it, Patrick!\u201d she warned, weeping.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cA stinkin\u2019 Orangeman!\u201d he shouted.\u00a0 She wrenched free of her son\u2019s strong hands and slapped him fiercely, rocking him on his heels and snapping his head back.\u00a0 She turned back to the floor where the shards of glass and the broken frame rested.\u00a0 Carefully, she shook the photograph free from the splintered glass and picked it up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">She looked up at her son and saw the white imprint of her hand clearly marking his cheek, contrasting starkly with the purpling bruise around his right eye.\u00a0 His eyes were shining with stubbornly unshed tears.\u00a0 The fire was back in her own eyes as she stared at her son.\u00a0 &#8220;This man, he&#8217;s yer da, Patrick,&#8221; she declared, rising again to her feet and trembling as she gestured to the lad using the picture in her hands. &#8220;A good, kind man, he was, no older than a boy himself, when we fell in love. Only five or six years older than yerself, like! Back then, passion was all that mattered to us, politics and the Troubles, they seemed miles away. But he had a future, all planned out for him, and I had no part in it! He had a family waitin&#8217; for him, way across the world it seemed! Them times in Boston, they were just little bits of his life, but he wouldn&#8217;t see that! I saw it, even if he wouldn&#8217;t. Can&#8217;t ye <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">try<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to understand?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBut, Ma,\u201d groaned Pat sinking to the bed and burying his face in his hands, \u201cif he really loved ya\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAye!\u00a0 Love!\u00a0 \u2018Twas because of me love for him that I refused to ruin his chances at a good life!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;What about <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">your<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> chances?\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">future?!&#8221; he cried, glaring at her.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;There &#8230; was &#8230;no &#8230;future for us!&#8221; she cried, emphatically.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Passion filled her, making her color high and her eyes flame.\u00a0 In their struggle her hair had shaken loose and Pat looked up at her, his heart breaking at her beauty.\u00a0 So much love she could have shared with someone, and instead she was here, alone, slinging beer in a saloon by night, and plotting insurrection by day.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What a goddamned waste.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She regained control of herself and, sighing, sat beside Pat on the bed.\u00a0 \u201cPat, whatever can I say to get through to ye?\u00a0 How do I help to rid ye of the hate ye feel for him?\u201d she asked wearily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He stared at her and laughed harshly.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019d sooner have ta tell me ta forget everything ya taught me from the time I nicked my first apple off a cart!\u00a0 Everything ya fought for, everything ya were run out of Ireland for&#8230;it&#8217;s all there in his picture, Ma!\u00a0 He&#8217;s one of &#8217;em, dammit!\u201d he gestured furiously at the photograph.\u00a0 \u201cHow in God\u2019s name can you forget that pain?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHe caused none of it,\u201d she responded dully.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAhh&#8230;.\u201d sputtered Pat, waving his hand in disgust, and jumping to his feet stormed to the door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhere are you going?!\u2019 she cried.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOut!\u201d was his curt reply as the door slammed shut behind him.\u00a0 Siobhan stared at the door for a few moments, then down at the photograph in her hands.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOh, lad&#8230;\u201d she whispered, her blue eyes welling with tears as she gazed at the handsome young man in the image.\u00a0 \u201cYour son needs ye so badly\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019ll see your three, and raise you two more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat fingered his cards, leaning back in his chair and studied his opponent.\u00a0 The downstairs back room at the \u2018Witches Broth\u2019 had long been the site of poker games, and Pat had cut his teeth on the cards.\u00a0 While he couldn\u2019t spell to write his name, his agile mind had an innate grasp of mathematics and numbers and he\u2019d figured out the concepts of odds quickly and thoroughly, with no help.\u00a0 He also, for some reason unknown to anyone but God, had the best poker face in Hell\u2019s Kitchen.\u00a0 All of his life, Pat had a knack of guessing the state of mind of the people he played against, and knowing whom he could bluff and whom he couldn\u2019t.\u00a0 It had actually become something of a lark for the toffs to come to the saloon to see this little kid bluffing the pants off experienced poker players twenty and thirty years his senior. \u00a0 For years now, Pat had subsidized the extra pieces of meat on their table with his poker winnings; Siobhan wasn\u2019t happy about it, but could do very little to stop him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tonight, Pat was on a major winning streak.\u00a0 There was almost twenty dollars in the pot.\u00a0 Four other players had dropped out, and Pat was now left with Joe McNamara, a small, skinny railroad laborer not known for being a good loser\u2026 or canny at cards, either.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat was playing as though the devil himself were dealing the cards; he\u2019d been dealt incredible hands all night long, and Joe figured the boy couldn\u2019t continue on this kind of a winning streak.\u00a0 The man held three kings and was sure he had the better hand.\u00a0 But he was nervous&#8230; the rent was sitting in that pot, and his wife was expecting their third child.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t afford to lose it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Patrick was filled with pure cussedness after the fight with his mother, and was determined to win, at any cost.\u00a0 He\u2019d been lucky earlier, but that luck eluded him this hand.\u00a0 He gauged Joe\u2019s psychological situation: \u00a0 Joe was a little nervous and unsure.\u00a0 Pat threw caution to the winds and decided to play it out, devil take the hindmost.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He reached into his pile of money and tossed five dollars into the pot.\u00a0 Joe relaxed with an almost imperceptible smile as it appeared the boy would only call, then his heart stopped as he saw Pat\u2019s hand reach again into his pile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, let\u2019s see, McNamara,\u201d he said quietly, eyeing the smaller pot in front of his opponent.\u00a0 His blue eyes cold as ice, Pat saw in McNamara\u2019s face that he\u2019d correctly judged the situation.\u00a0 \u201cWhat you got left there?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe reddened.\u00a0 \u201cYe can\u2019t have another hand, it ain&#8217;t possible,\u201d he growled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat gave nothing away, simply stared into the eyes of the older man.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll see your five,\u201d he said quietly, then pushed everything he had left into the pot, \u201cand raise you twelve more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">McNamara licked his lips and stared at the boy.\u00a0 &#8220;Yer bluffin&#8217;.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Think so? Then call.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI ain&#8217;t got that much!\u201d cried McNamara.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cTough luck,\u201d said Pat softly.\u00a0 \u201cBorrow it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Over by the door, Jimmy O\u2019Halloran frowned.\u00a0 He had never seen Pat this ruthless before.\u00a0 He\u2019d watched this kid grow up and knew his skill at poker, but something else was driving him tonight, a real desire to hurt someone else, and it appeared poor McNamara would be the target of his wrath.\u00a0 With a publican\u2019s uncanny sense of impending trouble, Jimmy grasped a ten-pin he kept handy near the door and softly moved around the crowd to within arm\u2019s reach of McNamara.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Desperately, Joe looked around him, but no one met his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cSure, and somebody here\u2019ll lend me the money to teach this bastard brat a lesson!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s eyes burned at the epithet, but his face still gave nothing away.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cKevin!\u201d\u00a0 Joe desperately begged the old man.\u00a0 Shaughnessy looked away, shaking his head.\u00a0 Joe whirled back around, facing the cold, aloof boy in front of him.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s the rent in that pot, damn you!\u201d he screamed at Pat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cShouldn\u2019t bet what you can\u2019t lose,\u201d the boy replied flatly, his heavy-lidded blue eyes cold as ice and almost empty.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhy you rotten little\u2014\u201d Joe started to lunge, but O\u2019Halloran\u2019s muscular arms shoved him back down in his chair.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cMeet the bet or end the game!\u201d he barked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou know I ain\u2019t got it, Jimmy!\u201d cried Joe piteously.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThen fold and get out.\u00a0 The kid is right; don\u2019t bet what ye can\u2019t lose.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe looked around him, saw he had no quarter, and furiously threw his cards at Patrick, leaning over the table nearly mad with fury.\u00a0 \u201cYe miserable little whelp!\u00a0 Son of a Boston whore!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe never saw what hit him.\u00a0 Pat bounded out of his chair and threw a colossal punch directly at the man\u2019s solar plexus, dropping him like a poleaxed steer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">O\u2019Halloran shoved Pat back into his chair and nailed him with his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cPick up your money and go home, Patrick!\u201d\u00a0 He was furious; this had been no gentleman\u2019s game.\u00a0 Pat had been driven to hurt, and he\u2019d accomplished his goal in spades.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat held his gaze for a moment, then dropped his eyes.\u00a0 He was spent.\u00a0 His anger was spent, too, and now all he felt was shame and disgust with himself.\u00a0 He glanced at Shaughnessy, who also eyed him with disdain.\u00a0 Sighing, he got to his feet and counted his money.\u00a0 He looked down at McNamara, just now groaning and beginning to move.\u00a0 He stared at the wad of money in his hand, then dropped it on the floor beside the older man, and walked out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The following afternoon, Siobhan arrived early at the saloon, unable to bear the thought of another fight with Patrick.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t gotten home until nearly dawn, and in the morning had been uncommunicative, despite her scolding.\u00a0 No matter what she threatened him with, she couldn\u2019t worm out of him where he\u2019d been.\u00a0 Sick of her badgering, he\u2019d stormed out again, leaving her frustrated nearly to tears.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He was getting beyond her ability to control, and she didn\u2019t know how to reclaim him.\u00a0 He needed a man\u2019s firm hand, and a good man, one he could look up to, she\u2019d sighed to herself as she walked to work.\u00a0 God knew Tom Ryan and Ray Connelly had done their best over the years to give him a male figure to look up to, but she knew it wasn\u2019t the same.\u00a0 She couldn&#8217;t help but thinking his own father would have better luck in guiding his strong-willed son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The saloon was deserted when she arrived, except for Liam polishing the top of the bar.\u00a0 He glanced up when she walked in but reddened as he realized who it was and went back to polishing as though his life depended on it.\u00a0 Siobhan sighed.\u00a0 So, this was where Pat had been.\u00a0 Playing poker, no doubt.\u00a0 She&#8217;d have a stern word or two for him when he arrived tonight for his shift!\u00a0 Sighing, she walked to the stairs and went up to the back room.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Michael was there, and Ray, discussing their plans for the protest day after tomorrow.\u00a0 Ray looked up when she came in and smiled at her automatically, then noticed her worried expression.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat is it, lass?\u201d he asked in concern.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNothing more than me scapegrace son,\u201d she sighed, waving it off as she sank wearily into a chair across from the two men.\u00a0 Michael sensed that Siobhan needed to talk and decided to leave them to it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cRay, I\u2019ll go down to the Tenderloin and see if all is in readiness there,\u201d he said, meaningfully, as he walked to the door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAye, Michael.\u00a0 Let me know if there\u2019s anything you need from me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The older man stopped beside her and rested a hand on her shoulder, then leaned over and kissed the top of her hair.\u00a0 \u201cBe easy, Siobhan,\u201d he said gently, and left.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray eyed her quietly for a moment, then rose to his feet and slipped into a chair beside her.\u00a0 \u201cDarlin\u2019, what is it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s running wild, Ray,\u201d she sighed.\u00a0 \u201cHe takes off for hours without telling me where he\u2019s going; he\u2019s suddenly filled with such anger, and no place to be safely lettin\u2019 it go.\u00a0 I\u2019m watchin\u2019 him turn as closed-mouthed as a convict, I am, right before me eyes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAre you sure it isn\u2019t just normal rebellion?\u201d he asked gently.\u00a0 \u201cI seem to remember giving me father fits at his age.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cAye, giving your <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">father<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> fits!\u201d she exclaimed, rising to her feet and walking to the window, clasping her arms around her middle as if she hurt.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t help but feel none o\u2019 this would be happening if he had his da.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray sighed and hung his head.\u00a0 He drew in a deep breath. \u00a0 \u201cI tried to offer a substitute, but his mam didn\u2019t think I could fill the man\u2019s shoes,\u201d he smiled wryly.\u00a0 She glanced back at him and offered a fond smile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAnd I was grateful to ye, lad.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNot grateful enough to say yes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cDon\u2019t let&#8217;s be goin\u2019 through this again, Ray,\u201d she begged, turning to the dingy window and staring out blindly.\u00a0 Ray got to his feet and walked to her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he sighed. He tipped his head to the side and studied her.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u201cSure, an\u2019 \u2018tisn\u2019t merely Patrick bothering you, then, is it, lass?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cIt is not.\u00a0 Actually, it\u2019s glad I am that ye\u2019re here..\u201d\u00a0 She turned and looked at him.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a dear friend ye are, Ray Connelly.\u00a0 I\u2019d be beholden to ye if ye\u2019d give me a bit of help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cName it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019d like to make me will.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Startled, Ray searched her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cYer <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">will<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, did ye say?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAye.\u201d\u00a0 She walked back to the table and sat down, looking up at him.\u00a0 He stared at her, then sat beside her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cIf something happens to me, Ray, I want Pat sent to his father.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray stared at her as if she\u2019d grown a second head.\u00a0 He started to laugh nervously.\u00a0 \u201cOh, aye, and pigs will fly next St. Patrick\u2019s Day!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019m serious.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSo\u2019m I!\u201d he declared.\u00a0 \u201cAn\u2019 does your sainted son know of this plan o\u2019 yours, then?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She shook her head, toying with the tablecloth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cUh huh,\u201d Ray sighed.\u00a0 \u201cAnd, unless something has changed since the last time we spoke of it, Himself has no idea he\u2019s even <\/span><b><i>got<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> a son, is that not correct?\u201d\u00a0 He got no response and rose to his feet in frustration.\u00a0 \u201cSiobhan, what makes you think the man will even acknowledge him?!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBecause I know him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cNo, lass,\u201d he said harshly.\u00a0 \u201cYe <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">knew<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> him!\u00a0 You knew a twenty-year-old college boy mad with love for an Irish barmaid!\u00a0 Ye don\u2019t even know if he\u2019s dead or alive out there!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019d know if he were dead, Ray.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHow?!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI just would!\u201d she cried.\u00a0 She turned on him.\u00a0 \u201cYe said you\u2019d help me!\u00a0 Name it, ye said!\u00a0 Well, did ye mean it, then, or not?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Helplessly, Ray raised his hands.\u00a0 \u201cAh, Christ, Siobhan&#8230;.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She beseeched him with her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cWill ye do it?\u00a0 Draft it today?\u00a0 I want it signed tomorrow night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">That brought him down to earth.\u00a0 \u201cTomorrow?!\u201d\u00a0 Then the tumblers fell into place, and he stared at her.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re worried about the parade.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She got to her feet and walked again to the window, not saying a word.\u00a0 He got up and came behind her, putting his arms around her.\u00a0 Wearily she leaned back in his arms.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve seen too many lads die for Ireland, Ray,\u201d she said, her voice catching.\u00a0 \u201cMe own brothers, Tim only three years older than Paddy is now.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want Patrick to be one of them.\u00a0 If he stays here, that\u2019s exactly what will happen to him, and he\u2019s too young for that.\u00a0 He needs his da, and I know his father will love him and raise him well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBut &#8211; \u201c\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She turned around and grasped his shoulders, looking directly into his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPromise me if anything happens to me, ye\u2019ll find Pat\u2019s father and take the lad to him?\u00a0 Promise me, Ray?\u201d\u00a0 He looked away, frustrated.\u00a0 \u201cPlease, Ray, if ye\u2019ve truly ever loved me, promise you\u2019ll do this for me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Shaking his head, he sighed.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, Siobhan.\u00a0 I promise.\u00a0 But ye\u2019ll have to break the news to that spalpeen o\u2019 yours.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Closing her eyes, she nodded, thinking of the scene last night.\u00a0 \u201cI know,\u201d she said sadly.\u00a0 \u201cAnd may the blessed Mother help me find a way to make him understand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER FOUR<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">July 12, 1871<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Wednesday dawned muggy and miserable over New York City and Hell&#8217;s Kitchen was hotter than usual.\u00a0 Siobhan dragged herself out of her damp, uncomfortable bed and slipped a light wrapper around herself as she went into the other room to start a pot of coffee&#8230;and talk to her son.\u00a0 Ray had done as she asked; the will was written and she had shakily signed her name as Pat&#8217;s father had taught her all those years ago.\u00a0 Then Ray reminded her again that there was no way on God&#8217;s earth he would be the one to break the news to young Master Riordan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Patrick was still asleep, sprawled over the settee half-naked.\u00a0 Smiling she looked down on her son; asleep, the hard expression was gone from his face and he finally looked like the thirteen-year-old he was.\u00a0 His face was relaxed, and the scowl he&#8217;d been wearing for days was erased.\u00a0 Even the shiner he sported couldn&#8217;t take away the youthful handsome innocence from his face.\u00a0 She studied him again, trying to see where she was represented in him.\u00a0 The eyes were obvious, but with them closed he looked more like his father than ever: the tall, powerful body, broad shoulders, the snubbed nose, the cupid&#8217;s bow mouth, the thick black brows and eyelashes, and high forehead. Even his hands, Siobhan sighed silently.\u00a0 Pat&#8217;s hands were his father&#8217;s too, large but sensitive, with long dexterous fingers&#8230;that had been put to work most lately in fist fights and poker games.\u00a0 Sighing she reached down and stroked his cheek.\u00a0 He stirred in his sleep and yawned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Hmmmmm?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Time to get up, darlin&#8217;,&#8221; she said softly.\u00a0 His heavy-lidded eyes fluttered open, and their intense blue made her smile.\u00a0 Her own Da&#8217;s eyes, that&#8217;s what they shared.\u00a0 Padhraig Riordan of County Armagh had given her those eyes, and now his grandson and namesake shared them.\u00a0 Siobhan felt a shiver as she realized that he might look like his English-bred father, but an Irishman&#8217;s soul fired his spirit and an Irishman&#8217;s blood coursed through his veins.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Totally unaware of the philosophical discourse taking place in his mother&#8217;s mind, Patrick nodded sleepily and hauled himself up to a sitting position, wincing slightly.\u00a0 Siobhan raised a knowing eyebrow and moved off to start the kitchen fire.\u00a0 He tottered over to the washstand and splashed the tepid water on his face, shaking his head to loosen the cobwebs from his brain.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Oohhhhh,&#8221; he groaned, stretching.\u00a0 That settee was starting to get a little short for him.\u00a0 He wondered what he&#8217;d do if he continued to grow the way he&#8217;d done lately?\u00a0 He already towered over almost all the boys his own age that he knew.\u00a0 He tried to imagine what it must be like to be really tall and see over the heads of most men.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ahh, phhftt!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 he snorted, wiping his face.\u00a0 He was too tired to bother with philosophizin\u2019 this morning.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He shot a wary glance at Siobhan and was grateful his mother was smiling to herself this morning.\u00a0 She&#8217;d been hopping mad at him yesterday.\u00a0 His disobedience and running off had earned him an unpleasant dose of strap oil, his first in a very long time.\u00a0 Guilt had made his conscience easily as sore as his backside as he realized his behavior had pushed her to the point that she was angry enough to punish him.\u00a0 He didn&#8217;t know what was wrong with him lately!\u00a0 He just seemed to have so much energy and so much anger and no place to use it! He knew the heat of the city and the tensions of today&#8217;s parade and protest were telling on her, and it bothered him that he couldn&#8217;t seem to curtail his disobedience long enough to give her some peace.\u00a0 As he had stretched out uncomfortably on his side last night on the too-short settee he vowed to do his best to improve his behavior and do what she expected of him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He glanced over at her again as she put the coffee on to boil and saw her staring pensively into the stove&#8217;s fire.\u00a0 He dressed quietly and came up behind her.\u00a0 He was startled when she addressed him; he&#8217;d thought her far away in her thoughts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick, sit ye down, it\u2019s needin\u2019 t talk we are.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Embarrassed, figuring this was phase two of his punishment from the day before, Pat sighed and obeyed her reluctantly, finding himself needing to shift a bit uncomfortably.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Good Christ, but that woman\u2019s got\u00a0 an arm on \u2018er!\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Eyeing him seriously, she sat down across from him. &#8220;Patrick, I need ye to promise me ye\u2019ll sit still and listen to me,&#8221; she said firmly, looking him directly in the eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;I have some serious things to discuss with ye and I cannae have ye boltin&#8217; out o&#8217;here in a fury, not today.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yes, Ma,&#8221; he replied softly, his cheeks reddening.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She drew in a deep breath and prayed to God to give her the words to unlock her son&#8217;s stubborn heart.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat, ye know what&#8217;s happening today?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Startled, he nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;Yeah,&#8221; he said, wondering where this was going.\u00a0 &#8220;I heard ya and O&#8217;Hara talkin&#8217; about the parade.\u00a0 D&#8217;ya think there&#8217;s gonna be trouble?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It&#8217;s likely,&#8221; she admitted. &#8220;It&#8217;s for this reason I need ye to be quiet and listen.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Chastened, he shut his mouth and dropped his head a little, looking up at her from under those thick, black lashes.\u00a0 She felt a stab of pain in her heart at his expression; lately, it seemed every time she looked at the boy she saw the father, who used to peer at her just that way when he felt embarrassed about somethin\u2019.\u00a0 She felt more sure than ever of her decision, as though guided to it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhile the Fenians have sworn off startin&#8217; the scrap, &#8217;tis likely it&#8217;ll come to it. I want, first of all, yer solemn promise ye&#8217;ll stay clear o&#8217; the bother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat started in dismay; he and the boys had planned to very much be right\u00a0 in the very middle of it!\u00a0 Every Irish boy in the neighborhood knew what today was and what was planned!\u00a0 &#8220;Aw, Ma!&#8221; he protested.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Jaysus, Patrick Riordan!&#8221; she snapped.\u00a0 &#8220;Yer promise is gone quicker than a fart in the wind! I need yer word, and I need it now, so!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat opened his mouth to retort, then thought better of it.\u00a0 Reddening, he dropped his eyes, and nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Right, so, here&#8217;s the next bit&#8230;and this is somethin&#8217; we haven&#8217;t chatted about before. \u2018Tis not going to be easy for ye to hear, but hear it ye must.&#8221;\u00a0 She drew in a deep breath.\u00a0 &#8220;I won&#8217;t be around forever, Pat. I&#8217;ve been givin&#8217; it some thought, what needs done if somethin&#8217; happens to me.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Alarmed, Pat raised his head and stared at his mother.\u00a0 It took every bit of discipline he had not to interject, but he could see how serious she was.\u00a0 She saw his concern but plunged on.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve spoken with Ray and have made me will.&#8221;\u00a0 She chuckled to herself, shaking her head.\u00a0 &#8220;God knows, I&#8217;ve nothing of importance to leave, lad.\u00a0 Except for you.\u00a0 Ye are and have always been me most precious possession.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat was confused.\u00a0 What was she getting at?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Eyeing him seriously, Siobhan took his strong, brown hand in hers and clasped it.\u00a0 &#8220;If anything happens to me, lad, I have given Ray instructions to take ye to your father.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat stared at her, shocked.\u00a0 Then anger hit him and he snatched his hand away as though her touch burned him.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;What?!&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She said nothing but held his gaze.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ya can&#8217;t\u2026 ya can\u2019t mean that, Ma!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, I mean it very seriously, Patrick.\u00a0 Your da is a good man, with a strong family behind him, and he&#8217;ll be able to provide everything for ye that I haven&#8217;t, includin\u2019 an education.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Wait a minute,&#8221; spluttered Patrick, rising to his feet and putting his hands out as if to literally push the horrible words away from him.\u00a0 Shaking his head, he stared at his mother.\u00a0 &#8220;What about me?\u00a0 Don&#8217;t I got nothin&#8217; to say about it?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She&#8217;d expected this, and shook her head in negation.\u00a0 \u201cNo, not this time, Pat. Ye&#8217;re only thirteen, lad, not a man yet, no matter how much ye think ye are. Ye&#8217;ve a power of growin&#8217; up still to do, and if I can&#8217;t be here to guide ye, then I want ye wi&#8217; yer da.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What makes ya think somethin&#8217;s gonna happen to ya?&#8221; he cried, his heart pounding and his palms sweating.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick, today could be a major turning point for the Irish in this city,&#8221; she said, her eyes growing cold.\u00a0 In dismay and fear, Patrick began to lose his temper.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I don&#8217;t care about the Irish!&#8221; he spat at her, stubbornly setting his jaw. &#8220;I care about you&#8230;and about me! And no matter what happens, I ain&#8217;t goin&#8217;!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She rose to her feet in one swift motion, grasping his upper arms in a grip so fierce it hurt.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick, in this ye must obey me,&#8221; she said fiercely.\u00a0 Her intensity startled him.\u00a0 &#8220;I will tolerate no nonsense in this!\u00a0 I want yer word ye\u2019ll do as I tell ye!\u00a0 Ye&#8217;ll stay away from the parade today, and God forbid, if something happens, ye&#8217;ll go to your father!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He tried to wrench away but winced in pain as her fingers dug into him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Promise me! and God alone will know what will happen if you break your word to me!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hesitating, his mind reeling, Pat thought wildly.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Go to his father?!\u00a0 Dear God, why would she want to punish him so severely?!\u00a0 Go to the other side of the world to be under the authority of a&#8230; a damned Orangeman!\u00a0 Leave the only life he&#8217;d ever known to be stuck in the boondocks someplace?\u00a0 Never!<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8230; can&#8217;t, Ma,&#8221; he whispered brokenly, helplessly.\u00a0 Furious, she shook him till his teeth rattled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Patrick!\u00a0 By all that&#8217;s holy, and for every sacrifice I&#8217;ve made for ye all your life, you <\/span><b><i>will<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> obey me!&#8221; she stormed.\u00a0 He tried to look away, but she shook him hard again and forced him to meet her eyes. Sullenly, he clamped his mouth shut\u2026 his memory of last night was still fresh enough, after all.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Rolling her eyes heavenward, Siobhan called on her sainted father\u2019s gift o\u2019 gab to find the words to shift\u00a0 her stubborn son\u2019s belligerence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She sighed, hands on her hips and her eyes downcast.\u00a0 \u201cPat\u2026 when me da and me brothers, may they rest in peace, were hanged by Prods, I remember him sayin\u2019 t\u2019me just before they marched him out to the gallows.\u00a0 He said t\u2019only t\u2019ing tha t\u2019was on his heart was that he\u2019d not made preparations for me.\u00a0 Aye, for me,\u201d she nodded, at her son\u2019s narrowing eyes.\u00a0 \u201cHow he wished he\u2019d tied me down t\u2019home with me mam so that I\u2019d nay ha\u2019 followed Tim, and Conor and Liam!\u00a0 But he did not.\u00a0 And that meant he couldn\u2019a stop me sufferin\u2019 as well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat eyes, troubled now, gazed into hers. He had a sneaking suspicion where she was going with this, and wasn\u2019t sure he could hold up against it\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPatrick, I can at least do that much for ye, somethin\u2019 me own blessed da couldna do for me.\u00a0 Paddy\u2026 I\u2019m askin\u2019 ye, please\u2026 please, lad.\u00a0 Don\u2019t be makin\u2019 everyin\u2019 I gave up to make your future possible all a waste and a lie.\u00a0 Please, lad, I\u2019m beggin\u2019 ye.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Her eyes both pleaded with him, and also remained proud.\u00a0 And it was that combination, ultimately,\u00a0 that he could no longer fight.\u00a0 Tears welled in his own as he miserably nodded in defeat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Slowly, the anger left her and she gently reached a hand to his cheek.\u00a0 &#8220;Pat, I know this isn&#8217;t easy for ye.\u00a0 I wish I knew what caused ye to hate him so much, but if ye&#8217;ll just give him a chance&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Angrily, he shook his head, trying to turn away.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNever have I spoken ill o\u2019 him to ye!\u2019 she cried.\u00a0 \u201cNever have I said he mistreated me, or was cruel! Why?\u00a0 What is it, Patrick, what story have ye woven in yer own mind to make him the villain!?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He snapped his head up then, and she was taken aback by the pain in those eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;I said I&#8217;d go,&#8221; he said tightly, sniffing back his tears and his jaw setting into a stubborn line.\u00a0 &#8220;I didn&#8217;t say I&#8217;d like it!&#8221;\u00a0 With that he wrenched free from her and stomped out the door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">1500 Orangemen had registered to march in the parade today.\u00a0 But when gathering time arrived, only about 160 showed up on 8th Avenue, decked out in their orange sashes.\u00a0 Numerous threats from both sides had severely dwindled their numbers.\u00a0 But the numbers that had not dwindled were the 6500 New York City policemen and five regiments of National Guardsmen\u00a0 who arrived to defend these men.\u00a0 Hundreds of Irish Catholics, and Irish Protestants with their German neighbors and other sympathizers, were gathering their forces in Hell&#8217;s Kitchen and Hibernia Hall.\u00a0 A mob of 800 or so began to storm over to 29th Street and 8th Avenue through Chelsea and Hell&#8217;s Kitchen, bringing along anyone they could find along the way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Siobhan and Ray were on the periphery, trying to gauge the situation. Ray had tried his best to get Siobhan to stay in a place of safety, but her Celtic blood was roused as it hadn&#8217;t been since leaving Armagh.\u00a0 They were stationed at the junction of 24th Street and 8th Avenue and watched as many more protesters joined the crowd.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It&#8217;s going to be bloody, Siobhan,&#8221; said Ray, his eyes darting nervously back and forth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Aye.\u00a0 Thanks be to God Patrick swore he&#8217;d stay away,&#8221; she breathed, though she knew her own blood ran in his veins as well\u2026 how, then, could she ha\u2019 been so surprised he\u2019d felt the call of it himself t\u2019be here?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray looked at her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You talked to him?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Aye.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;How&#8217;d he take it?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;And how would ye expect, then?&#8221; she demanded impatiently.\u00a0 &#8220;Let&#8217;s be keepin\u2019 our minds on the business at hand!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Dear God&#8230;&#8221; breathed Ray as he looked down 8th Avenue.\u00a0 Siobhan glanced at him, then whirled, looking in the same direction as he, and gasped.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat ducked behind a storefront, making very sure he couldn&#8217;t be seen by Ma and Ray.\u00a0 If she knew he&#8217;d disobeyed her\u00a0 she&#8217;d kill him, he thought with a grim smile.\u00a0 He&#8217;d manage to stay behind the worst of it, but he was damned if he was going to miss this!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He watched the marchers, the Orangemen, look around themselves in fear and trepidation, cowering a bit behind the thousands of protective guns.\u00a0 Something stirred in Pat, some ancient Celtic call to freedom, maybe.\u00a0 He shook himself with a grin, noting with irony his poetic Irish soul. Or, maybe it was just hunger; he\u2019d bolted from their flat without having eaten breakfast that morning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat leaned against the storefront&#8217;s door jamb and watched Ray suddenly turn east down 8th Avenue, and his mother&#8217;s head turn to follow his stare with a look of horror on her face.\u00a0 Curious, Pat turned too, and what he saw stopped his blood cold.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The crowds were boiling out over the street like lava from a volcano, and policemen and militiamen were scared, warily moving their guns back and forth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Days afterwards, Ray wondered if what the militia had claimed was true.\u00a0 They said they heard shots first, though Ray was sure he&#8217;d heard nothing but the cat calls, jeers and screams being tossed back and forth by the two factions.\u00a0 A mob mentality had totally overtaken the heavily charged air of 8th Avenue. But no gunshots.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Until, suddenly, the militia opened fire and the tension erupted into a full-fledged riot.\u00a0 Women screamed and dragged their children indoors; many being trampled as they tried to flee.\u00a0 Men screamed and dropped as bullets flew through the crowd, fathers dropping to protect their sons, sons screaming as they dragged their wounded uncles and friends out of the path of the hordes as they charged down the Avenue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">In terror, Pat turned back to his mother and saw her and Ray running toward the crowds, Ray holding her hand tightly.\u00a0 Screaming his mother\u2019s name, he pelted after them, but found himself fighting a wave of human bodies, reeking of terror.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat had nearly caught up with them, when he watched the wave of humanity literally rip Siobhan and Ray apart, tossing her roughly to the side of the street, and gathering Ray up and carrying him with it.\u00a0 Siobhan quickly regained her feet, and scanned the crowd, fear and determination illuminating her face.\u00a0 A very shocked Pat watched as though seeing a play, amazingly detached and observant.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He was no more than fifteen feet away from Siobhan when he watched her desperately trying to drag a hurt child from being trampled under the mob; she frantically plucked up the screaming child and literally tossed him out of the way, turned back and suddenly her mouth opened wide in shock and surprise as the echo of a shot rang out.\u00a0 Instantly his detachment disappeared and Pat&#8217;s eyes widened in horror as he watched her move her hands awkwardly to her midsection and crumple in on herself, falling to the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Mama, NO!&#8221; he shrieked, heedless of the danger and running to her, dropping to her side and repeating her name over and over.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Her eyes, filled with shock and pain registered his presence and she nearly wailed a keen of frustration.\u00a0 &#8220;Oh, Pat, ye promised&#8230;&#8221; she groaned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Mama, no! Don&#8217;t die, Ma, please!&#8221; he wept, ripping off his shirt and pressing it to the wound.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Within ten minutes, most of the crowds had fled.\u00a0 The police and the militia stood, wild-eyed but ready.\u00a0 And more than one hundred people lay dead or wounded in the street.\u00a0 Terrified, the 160 marching Orangemen stared at each other as they continued on their way.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The parade continued without further incident.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom Ryan desperately plowed through the crowds now back on the streets, trying to save those either still alive or keening over their dead.\u00a0 He couldn&#8217;t believe it.\u00a0 He&#8217;d abandoned his post.\u00a0 He&#8217;d never done anything like that before in his eighteen years on the police force.\u00a0 But just the thought of Siobhan out there, possibly hurt, had dragged every bit of discipline from him and he broke ranks and ran back to 24th Street.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ripping off his uniform jacket as he ran, Tom searched through the dozens of bodies and those standing in shock but could not find Siobhan.\u00a0 He saw neighbors, friends, some dead, some dying, but could not stop his search.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Then he stopped dead in the road, and a silent scream exploded in him as he saw a woman, her long black hair swirled and matted in the dirt, crumpled at the side of the street.\u00a0 Kneeling beside her, trying desperately to stop the bleeding from a serious wound in her lower chest, was Pat, tears streaming down his cheeks unheeded as he struggled to staunch the flow of blood with his shirt.\u00a0 Tom staggered to them and dropped down, shouldering the boy out of the way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Tom, she&#8217;s hurt so bad!&#8221; sobbed Pat, frightened out of his wits.\u00a0 &#8220;Tom, you gotta help her!&#8221; he begged, as the big man quickly took in the situation.\u00a0 Tom sagged. A chest wound&#8230;God, the lungs?\u00a0 Stomach?\u00a0 He desperately blinked back the tears in his eyes.\u00a0 He turned to Pat.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Go find Connelly!&#8221; he barked, scooping Siobhan in his arms.\u00a0 The gut-wrenching moan she gave as he lifted her made Pat squeeze his eyes shut.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;ll be able to bring a doctor.\u00a0 Hurry, Pat!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Take her to the hospital!&#8221; cried Pat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;They won&#8217;t let her in without money, Pat!&#8221; Tom shouted.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ll take her home, and you get Connelly!\u00a0 He&#8217;ll be able to cough up enough cash to get her some help.\u00a0 Do it, lad!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Desperately torn between not wanting to leave his mother&#8217;s side and obeying Tom, Pat\u2019s mind was reeling and he was unable to move.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick, do as I say!&#8221; roared Tom, gathering Siobhan in his arms and hurrying off down the street.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tears streaming down his cheeks, and groaning in an agony of fear, Pat pelted off in the opposite direction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Biding his time, Pat studied the crowd outside the theatre.\u00a0 His stomach was in knots as he plotted to find the right mark, one that looked like he&#8217;d have enough money on him that afternoon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Despite the intense heat, he shivered and hunched his shoulders.\u00a0 Pat closed his eyes, tormented with self-recrimination at what he planned to do.\u00a0 He&#8217;d never stolen or robbed like this before; petty pilfering had been the extent of his sins.\u00a0 Lifting apples from the fruit vendors&#8217; wagons, stealing a beer or two from the saloon after his work was finished, that&#8217;s all.\u00a0 Interfering with his concentration tonight was his conscience.\u00a0 Nagging at him were his mother&#8217;s teachings of right and wrong, and honesty.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom had sent him to find Ray, but the lawyer had been nowhere to be found.\u00a0 Pat was unable to find any of his mother&#8217;s Brotherhood friends, either, angrily figuring they were all holed up in secret licking their wounds and trying to plan their retaliation, no doubt.\u00a0 But Tom said without money he&#8217;d get no help for his mother.\u00a0 Without the opportunity of a poker game, Pat desperately turned to the only thing left to him. He&#8217;d stolen a shirt off a clothesline to make himself less conspicuous and started hunting for an easy mark.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ultimately, it was the memory of his mother, struck down in the street during the riot of that morning, that steeled his resolve and, setting his jaw in a stubborn line, Patrick scanned the crowd again.\u00a0 By God, he&#8217;d get enough money to get her to a hospital or die trying himself.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">There!\u00a0 His blue eyes narrowed and he glanced around him, then looked back.\u00a0 That was the one, the older guy standing alone, with the pale blue waistcoat and gray suit, looking for a hack.\u00a0 Quietly, Pat stalked the man following a few feet behind.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Unsuccessful at finding a ride, the man sighed and begin to walk uptown.\u00a0 Pat couldn&#8217;t believe his luck!\u00a0 A rich fool on foot!\u00a0 This was going to be easy&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He was so intent on his mark that Patrick made the fatal mistake of unsuccessful thieves&#8230; he forgot to watch his back.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Out of nowhere, he felt a huge, meaty hand clamp itself over his mouth and another land on the scruff of his neck, hauling him back into the alleyway he&#8217;d just passed.\u00a0 Eyes wide and kicking violently, Patrick fought to free himself, but the strength in those hands were too much for the thirteen-year-old.\u00a0 Terrified, Pat was wheeled around and damn near had a heart attack.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Jesus Christ almighty, Ryan!&#8221; he panted, his eyes closed in relief. \u00a0 &#8220;Ya scared the bejeesus out of me!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I ought to whip ye within an inch of yer miserable life!&#8221; growled the huge man, once again getting a solid grip on the boy&#8217;s collar, and dragging him back down the street<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ryan, lemme go!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;I sent you to find Ray, damn yer hide!&#8221; stormed Ryan, slamming Pat against the brick building hard enough to knock the wind out of him.\u00a0 Pat wheezed, struggling to get his breath, and shook his head to clear the stars that danced in front of his eyes when the back of his head connected with the brick wall.\u00a0 He tried to recoil as Ryan stuck his face within inches of Patrick&#8217;s, but he had nowhere to go.\u00a0 &#8220;Yer ma is breathin&#8217; her last up in yer flat, and you&#8217;re down here tryin&#8217; your damnedest to get yourself a room at the lockup!\u00a0 How <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">could<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> ye, Pat!\u00a0 Why couldn&#8217;t ye do as I told ye!&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat shouted, &#8220;I couldn&#8217;t find him, Ryan!\u00a0 I looked and I looked, but I couldn&#8217;t find him anywhere!&#8221;\u00a0 His eyes were wild with fear and pain. &#8220;She&#8217;s gonna die if I don&#8217;t get some money!\u00a0 I had to try, Ryan, I had to!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ryan saw the desperation in the boy&#8217;s eyes, and miserably, rested his head against his forearm, propped against the wall.\u00a0 His forced himself to calm down and slow his breathing.\u00a0 Swallowing hard, he gently gripped the boy&#8217;s shoulder.\u00a0 &#8220;O&#8217;Hara&#8217;s with her, lad, and he&#8217;s called the doctor,&#8221; he said gruffly, &#8220;C&#8217;mon.\u00a0 We&#8217;ve got to get you home, fast.&#8221;\u00a0 And he gently pushed Pat back up the street, a hand on his shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Siobhan&#8217;s breathing was much worse, and Michael O&#8217;Hara gently tried to ease her up to help her haul in air.\u00a0 The outer door to the flat slammed open and Patrick ran into the bedroom his eyes wild as he sought his mother.\u00a0 Ryan stopped at the doorway, catching his breath as he looked down on Siobhan, struggling, but still alive.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Thanks be t\u2019 God,<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> he thought, sagging against the door frame.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I\u2019m not too late, then.\u00a0 I brought the lad in time\u2026<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">O&#8217;Hara swiftly rose and stopped Pat at the door, forcing the boy to look at him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Easy, lad,&#8221; soothed Michael, his strong hands holding his shoulders.\u00a0 &#8220;Go easy, she&#8217;s in great pain.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;But&#8230;she&#8217;s worse?&#8221; he whispered, staring wide-eyed at the suffering woman.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Lad&#8230;she&#8217;s dyin&#8217;,&#8221; the older man said very gently.\u00a0 Patrick frantically sought the truth in O&#8217;Hara&#8217;s gentle face and found it.\u00a0 Pat moaned, shaking his head side to side in denial.\u00a0 &#8220;The doctor&#8217;s on his way, but I\u2019m fearin\u2019 it&#8217;ll be too late.&#8221;\u00a0 Michael released him, with a gentle squeeze.\u00a0 Patrick turned back to the bed and slowly approached.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tears streamed down his cheeks as he knelt beside her and took his mother&#8217;s hand in his own.\u00a0 It was so cold, and so still.\u00a0 His heart felt like someone had wrapped it in ice, and the chill made him shake.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Mama?&#8221; he whispered.\u00a0 She responded to his voice when she hadn&#8217;t to his touch, and turned her deathly white, pain-wracked face to her son.\u00a0 Her eyes, burning hot blue, sought him out.\u00a0 When she saw him, her boy, her reason for staying alive, she winced and tried to turn toward him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick,&#8221; she breathed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yeah, Ma, I&#8217;m here,&#8221; he said as evenly as he could, massaging her hand, trying to infuse his life into her.\u00a0 His lips trembled, but he tried hard to be calm for her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick, listen to me,&#8221; she panted.\u00a0 &#8220;We don&#8217;t have much time&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Mama, no&#8230;&#8221; he whimpered, stroking her icy cheek.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick,\u201d she whispered as silent tears spilled down his cheeks.\u00a0 &#8220;Patrick, love, ye must listen!&#8221;\u00a0 She let her hand fall to the side of the bed where she retrieved the photograph of her and his father.\u00a0 &#8220;Patrick, yer da&#8230;I told ye&#8230;I want you to be a good boy and go to yer da.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;No, Ma,&#8221; he sobbed, his hard-won adult veneer cracking and crumbling as he desperately hung on to her hand, willing her to live.\u00a0 &#8220;Please, Ma, don&#8217;t go, don\u2019t leave me&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick!&#8221; she choked, her fury almost superseding her pain.\u00a0 &#8220;Ye broke one promise to me today, don&#8217;t be doin\u2019 it again!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat groaned, hanging his head, his eyes squeezed shut. &#8220;I can&#8217;t!\u00a0 I can&#8217;t leave you!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, laddie&#8230;. \u2018tis me who\u2019s leavin&#8217; you,&#8221; she said gently, tears in her eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;And when I&#8217;m gone, you must go to him.&#8221;\u00a0 Pa raised his head and shook it violently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;I won&#8217;t go!\u00a0 I hate him!&#8221; Pat cried.\u00a0 Tom Ryan seethed with fury.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Why can&#8217;t the stubborn spalpeen just agree and give Siobhan some peace?! \u00a0 <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He nearly stepped forward, but O&#8217;Hara&#8217;s arm stayed him.\u00a0 He met the old Fenian&#8217;s eyes; O&#8217;Hara shook his head.\u00a0 Tom nearly groaned in his frustration.\u00a0 Right now, Siobhan&#8217;s son was the only one who could ease her passing, and he wasn&#8217;t at all sure the boy was willing to do it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat, I canna bear this,&#8221; she moaned.\u00a0 &#8220;Promise me!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ma &#8211; &#8221; he breathed, tears streaming.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Promise me!\u00a0 Ray will\u2026 bring you to him\u2026 Ray will find him\u2026 and ye&#8217;ll have a father.\u00a0 Remember this, Pat, &#8217;twas I who left him.<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> I<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> left <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">him<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0 He knew \u2026 nothing o\u2019 ye or \u2026 he&#8217;d have taken care o\u2019 ye.\u00a0 I should have sent ye to him years ago \u2026 but I couldn&#8217;t bear to watch ye go.&#8221;\u00a0 The effort to speak was costing her badly, but she was desperate to wrest the promise from him.\u00a0 She knew exactly how obstinate her son could be.\u00a0 He was, after all, just like his father, and she remembered how stubborn and difficult to convince of things he could be.\u00a0 Siobhan had to have her son&#8217;s promise. Desperately, she gripped his hands, her efforts making him stare at her tearfully.\u00a0 &#8220;Patrick, I mean it.\u00a0 Swear to me, lad, here on me deathbed, that you&#8217;ll go with Ray to find your father, and that you&#8217;ll be a good boy to him for my sake.\u00a0 Swear it!&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, Ma &#8211; &#8221; Pat groaned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Patrick!&#8221;<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> she begged desperately, coughing.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Catching his breath, he could see it meant everything to her.\u00a0 He simply could not deny her.\u00a0 &#8220;Okay, Ma,&#8221; he murmured dully, wiping away his tears with a grimy hand.\u00a0 &#8220;I promise.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Say it, Patrick!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hauling in a shaky breath, Pat capitulated.\u00a0 &#8220;I promise I&#8217;ll go with Ray and I&#8217;ll go to my father.&#8221;\u00a0 In weary defeat, he laid his forehead on her breast.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat, he&#8217;s a good man,&#8221; she repeated gently, stroking her son&#8217;s black head.\u00a0 &#8220;He has an understandin&#8217; heart an&#8217; he&#8217;ll raise ye to be a fine man, a man I could be proud to call me son.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I can take care of myself, Ma &#8211; &#8221; Pat tried to protest.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ah, Patrick, ye could try the patience of a saint!&#8221; she scolded, weakly.\u00a0 The effort cost her, bringing on another terrible coughing fit.\u00a0 Michael and Tom hurried to her side; Tom eased her head up a little and Michael held a handkerchief to her mouth.\u00a0 The blood speckling the handkerchief terrified Pat, and frightened, he reared around.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Where&#8217;s that doctor, damn his soul!&#8221; he howled in anguish.\u00a0 Michael&#8217;s eyes were filled with pity and he couldn&#8217;t stand it.\u00a0 Pat looked to Ryan, who couldn&#8217;t meet his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick\u2014&#8221; his mother wheezed.\u00a0 The boy whirled back around to her and dropped beside her once more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yes, Ma.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick, you promised me&#8230; to be a good boy &#8230; and behave yerself&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I will, Ma, I promise,&#8221; he sobbed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Let go o\u2019 yer hate, lad.\u00a0 He&#8217;ll love ye&#8230;just as much as I do&#8230;&#8221; whispered Siobhan.\u00a0 She reached out a weak hand to his face, lifted his chin and met her son&#8217;s blue eyes, as blue as her own.\u00a0 &#8220;Give him the chance to love ye, Pat.&#8221;\u00a0 Her hand dropped back to the bed in exhaustion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">And as he watched, the essence that made Siobhan Riordan his mother faded from her eyes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ma?&#8221;\u00a0 he whispered.\u00a0 His hand shook as he reached to touch her face.\u00a0 &#8220;Ma?&#8221;\u00a0 His eyes wide and panic-filled, he touched her mouth and felt no breath.\u00a0 The chest no longer rose and fell.\u00a0 The eyes were empty.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She was gone.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, Mama&#8230;&#8221; he breathed, closing his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He was all alone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray Connelly wearily sat at the table in the flat, his head in his hands.\u00a0 Tom straightened up from arranging Patrick on the settee and came over to sit beside him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The doctor had arrived within moments after Siobhan died, to find a nearly comatose boy, and two silently weeping men.\u00a0 He could do nothing for the woman but, with the help of the beefy cop, forced a spoonful of laudanum down the boy&#8217;s throat and got him to lie down to rest.\u00a0 The youngster was in shock and needed sleep desperately.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray Connelly had pelted in the door, his clothing in tatters and a nasty gash untreated over his eye.\u00a0 After he and Siobhan had been separated in the riot he was carried along until knocked unconscious in an alleyway and left there.\u00a0 Despite feeling terribly ill and shaky, all Ray could think of was Siobhan and he hunted the streets desperately to find her.\u00a0 It was finally one or two of the boys who ran with Patrick who informed him of Siobhan&#8217;s being shot, and he ran off to find her, but had been too late.\u00a0 The doctor had patched him up as well, then left Pat in Tom and Ray&#8217;s hands, going with Michael to see what comfort he could offer elsewhere in the neighborhood.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Now, Tom and Ray sat together, each occasionally glancing at the woman now, finally, at peace in the other room.\u00a0 Ray knew he would have to make the arrangements for her funeral and sighed.\u00a0 He picked up his head and looked sadly at Ryan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;So&#8230;&#8221; said Tom, dully.\u00a0 &#8220;What do we do now?&#8221; he asked, nodding his head at Pat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;She&#8217;s made what arrangements she could, Tom,&#8221; he answered, rubbing his hands over his face, trying desperately to rub the exhaustion out his very bones.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Arrangements?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Aye.\u00a0 She had me draft her will the other day.&#8221;\u00a0 Ray looked over at the sleeping boy, dead to the world and out of pain for the moment.\u00a0 &#8220;She wants him sent to his father.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tom&#8217;s eyes widened and he sat back in shock. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">So that\u2019s what the lass had been wrenchin\u2019 out of Patrick at the end.\u00a0 <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;All the way out there?&#8221; he breathed.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray looked sharply at him.\u00a0 &#8220;You know the story, too, then?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I do,&#8221; nodded Tom, uncomfortably.\u00a0 &#8220;Twas his father that kept her from finding happiness with me, I think.\u00a0 At least I hope that&#8217;s all it was,&#8221; he said, trying for a little levity, and grimacing as it fell flat.\u00a0 \u00a0 &#8220;My God, I&#8217;ve never known a woman to love a man the way she loved him.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray nodded and rose to his feet.\u00a0 He walked into Siobhan&#8217;s bedroom, and trying not to look at her, went to the bedside table.\u00a0 He frowned, surprised to see the photograph lying on the table, without its frame.\u00a0 He quietly opened the drawer of the table and drew out a small bundle, wrapped in a man&#8217;s handkerchief and brought it out to the kitchen table, where Tom still sat, exhausted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What&#8217;s that?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Siobhan Riordan&#8217;s earthly possessions,&#8221; sighed the other man, as he unwrapped it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">There wasn&#8217;t much.\u00a0 A signet ring, with the initials AC&#8230; a tattered program from a concert of the music of Beethoven held in Boston in 1857&#8230; a dried and nearly crushed rose&#8230;. Patrick&#8217;s birth record, with his parents\u2019 names listed&#8230;and a yellowed, much-handled letter.\u00a0 Frowning, Ray opened it and drew out the sheet of stationery.\u00a0 It held the bold writing of a man; the ink, though faded a bit didn\u2019t detract from the bold lines of that handwriting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What is it?&#8221; asked Tom, looking over his shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;A letter&#8230;from Himself,&#8221; answered Ray, glancing at the words.\u00a0 He looked up at Tom.\u00a0 &#8220;She couldn&#8217;t read&#8230;I wonder if she ever got anyone to read it to her, or if she just kept it because it was his?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom shook his head, and shrugged.\u00a0 &#8220;What&#8217;s it say?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray swallowed hard, and, drawing in a deep breath, began to read aloud&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">March, 1857<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">My Darling Siobhan,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I so very much hope you were able to find someone to read this to you.\u00a0 Since you wouldn\u2019t let me talk to you, I made Aileen promise to get this to you, and to have someone tell you what it says.\u00a0 You\u2019re a stubborn one, Siobhan Riordan!\u00a0 It\u2019s a very good thing I love you so much..<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As I sit here, trying my best to concentrate on Professor Maitland&#8217;s mathematics assignment, all I can think of is you.\u00a0 I&#8217;d much rather think about the angles of you than of these blasted mathematics problems!<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Siobhan, the more I wrestle with this, the more I am sure that you&#8217;re wrong&#8230;I love you, you stubborn witch!\u00a0 I really don\u2019t know what it is you fear in coming back with me to Nevada&#8230;.my father will adore you and my little brothers will fight over you!\u00a0 With the love you and I share, there&#8217;s nothing we can&#8217;t overcome, not really.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Out there, maybe you can finally be free of the Ireland that torments you, and instead simply recall the Ireland you love.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Please Siobhan, change your mind and say you&#8217;ll marry me?\u00a0 Consent to be my wife?\u00a0 When I&#8217;m finished here at college, I&#8217;ll bring you home with me, proud of having on my arm the most beautiful, the strongest and most desirable woman any man could have.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Be my wife, Siobhan.\u00a0 We&#8217;ll start a dynasty all our own.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Love,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Adam<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom buried his face in his hands.\u00a0 &#8220;Oh, God, Ray,&#8221; he groaned.\u00a0 &#8220;Do ye think she ever knew he wanted her?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;She knew, lad,&#8221; his friend answered.\u00a0 &#8220;She knew, but she couldn&#8217;t go.&#8221;\u00a0 He glanced back at the boy.\u00a0 &#8220;Tom, I&#8217;m going to need some help in the next few days.\u00a0 I&#8217;ve got a telegram to send to Nevada, and arrangements for Herself to make.\u00a0 Will you&#8230;could you possibly keep an eye on the lad?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom sighed, running his hand through his short cropped dark hair.\u00a0 &#8220;Aye, I&#8217;ve screwed meself royally anyway&#8230;probably bounced off the force by now, having&#8217; left me post.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray studied him.\u00a0 &#8220;Is it that bad, then?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Getting him out west isn&#8217;t going to be easy.&#8221;\u00a0 Ray looked at Tom, and raised a blond eyebrow.\u00a0 Ryan looked back up at Connelly and laughed, ruefully.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;That it isn&#8217;t.\u00a0 I&#8217;m thinkin&#8217; ye&#8217;ll be needing some help, eh?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Want to hire on as a babysitter?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Both men smiled wanly, then grew pensive as they each visited the past, reliving memories of a woman they both had loved\u2026 and who had loved without question the gangling, exhausted boy on the settee.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">~-oo0oo-~<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Author\u2019s Note:\u00a0 \u201cscrewed myself\u201d is actually not an anachronism, believe it or not.\u00a0 Its usage dates back to the mid-19<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> century<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER FIVE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">July 15, 1871<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Virginia City, Nevada\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Frank Preston lazily flapped a limp hand at the fly buzzing around his ears and yawned.\u00a0 He was too slow, of course&#8230;the fly had been gone and back three times before his hand came close to making contact.\u00a0 Frank stretched, got up from his station behind the telegraph and walked to the window, rubbing his lower back.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What a boring day<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">! the young man thought, shaking himself awake.\u00a0 The heat was enough to knock you out cold&#8230;then he giggled at the mixed metaphor.\u00a0 He gazed out over Virginia City that hot afternoon, wishing something exciting would happen, anything.\u00a0 &#8216;Course, Frank was known to wish that thought, on average, three and four times a day, whether something happened or not.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Outside on the street that hot afternoon most activity had pretty much come to a halt.\u00a0 He had a clear view of the Mercantile, and the Silver Dollar saloon, lawyer Dodson&#8217;s office&#8230;nuthin&#8217;.\u00a0 No, wait&#8230;there was Cochise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Frank grinned as he saw his buddy&#8217;s horse tied up in front of the Silver Dollar.\u00a0 Joe Cartwright and he had been friends for years, ever since Frank&#8217;s family had moved into the territory.\u00a0 In their younger days they&#8217;d had marvelous adventures together (the only one with an imagination more fertile than Frank was Joe!), gotten themselves into trouble together, had tried glorious schemes together and failed, gloriously, together.\u00a0 Now that they were older, they vied good-naturedly for the same women, drank together and played poker together. \u00a0 Hmm&#8230;if Joe was in town in the middle of the week (on an afternoon, too!) maybe it boded well for some excitement!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Frank had to stop his reveries however when the telegraph kicked up.\u00a0 Hurrying back to his station, Frank started translating the bits of tapping code even before sitting down with pencil in hand. He started making notes then, startled, actually shook his head to clear it.\u00a0 Had he heard that right?!\u00a0 He stared at the telegraph machine as he finished catching what he could, then sent the signal to the telegrapher at the other end to repeat the message.\u00a0 Licking his lips, Frank&#8217;s eyes widened. Jumpin\u2019 Moses, he HAD heard right!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, lordy&#8230;.&#8221; he breathed, sitting back in his chair staring into space.\u00a0 Suddenly he kicked into motion, rearing up and running around the telegraph counter and out the door, only to run back and flip the &#8220;CLOSED&#8221; sign on the door, before heading for the Silver Dollar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Little Joe Cartwright leaned over the bar, gratefully sipping his ice-cold beer.\u00a0 Man, but it was hot out!\u00a0 He had abandoned his green jacket outside, leaving it tied to his saddle, and now swiped the sweat off his forehead with the sleeve of his shirt.\u00a0 The worst heat couldn&#8217;t loosen the curls of his brown hair; if anything, they tightened as they clung damply to his forehead.\u00a0 His bright green eyes closed in bliss as he allowed the cold draft to snake its way down his throat.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Hot, Little Joe?&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe opened those eyes and smiled at Vera, one of the saloon girls with whom he visited on a regular basis.\u00a0 All the saloon girls liked Joe; who wouldn&#8217;t? \u00a0 He was a handsome youngster of twenty-three, youngest son of one of the wealthiest men in the territory, rich in land, mining and lumber interests.\u00a0 The Cartwright&#8217;s spread, the Ponderosa, clung to 1000 square miles of the Nevada Territory, and as many phrased it, few people knew where &#8220;the Ponderosa stopped and the rest of the world began!&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Vera, you could fry an egg on the rocks out there,&#8221; he sighed.\u00a0 She smiled and leaned in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I ain&#8217;t seen you lately, sugar.\u00a0 Where you been?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Workin&#8217;,&#8221; smiled Joe.\u00a0 &#8220;We&#8217;ve had a lot of work to do getting the north field harvested and laid in for winter.\u00a0 Brother Adam and I just finished it up today.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">At the mention of his oldest brother Adam&#8217;s name, the barmaid made a face.\u00a0 Joe grinned, knowing that Vera and Adam had, at one time, been involved, though Vera had hoped for something a little more substantial than Adam had planned.\u00a0 The way Joe saw it, his oldest brother was a bit of a rake with women, at least those like Vera.\u00a0 He was always discreet about it and usually left the young lady feeling at least as good as when he arrived, but a rake none the less.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It&#8217;s a wonder Mr. High and Mighty allows himself to sweat,&#8221; she scoffed, sipping her whiskey.\u00a0 Joe laughed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Now, Vera,&#8221; he warned charmingly, &#8220;you know what they say about a woman scorned.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Vera grinned despite herself.\u00a0 She often had wondered how three men as different as Little Joe, Adam and their middle brother, Hoss, had ever managed to sprout from the same family.\u00a0 Blood was a strange thing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe looked up in surprise as Frank Preston pelted in the door, looking around nervously.\u00a0 Joe caught his friend&#8217;s eye and waved him over.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Joe!&#8221;\u00a0 Frank grabbed his arm.\u00a0 &#8220;Drink it and come on!&#8221; he insisted, pulling his buddy&#8217;s arm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Geez, Frank!\u00a0 What ails you?&#8221; demanded Joe, as he shook spilled beer off his left hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Will you just come on?!&#8221; hissed Frank, dragging him out the door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Once outside, Joe shook himself free and dug in his boot heels, making Frank stop.\u00a0 He stood staring at Frank with his hands on his hips.\u00a0 &#8220;What the heck is going on?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Over at my office!&#8221; insisted Frank, hurrying ahead of him.\u00a0 Joe tossed his hands up in resignation and followed his friend to the telegrapher&#8217;s.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Once inside, Joe noticed Frank didn&#8217;t turn the &#8220;CLOSED&#8221; sign back around and stared at his friend in consternation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What in hell is wrong with you?!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It ain&#8217;t what&#8217;s wrong with me,&#8221; insisted Frank.\u00a0 He glanced around the empty office to be sure of their privacy, and sighed.\u00a0 &#8220;I just got a telegram in for your brother, Adam.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yeah? So?&#8221; sighed Joe, waiting for the other shoe to drop.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It&#8217;s&#8230;aw, Joe&#8230;&#8221; Frank ran his fingers through his tow hair in frustration.\u00a0 Joe eyed him carefully.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Frank,&#8221; he said seriously, leaning over the counter and studying his friend.\u00a0 &#8220;C&#8217;mon, what&#8217;s wrong?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, you know I ain&#8217;t supposed to show anybody else the contents of a telegram, but&#8230;&#8221;\u00a0 He hesitated, then he shook his head, walking to the desk and grabbing an envelope.\u00a0 As he spoke, he folded a sheet of telegraph paper and slipped the message into the envelope, sealing it.\u00a0 &#8220;I can&#8217;t, Joe. \u00a0 But you gotta get this to Adam, fast as you can.\u00a0 The sender is waiting for a response.&#8221;\u00a0 And with that he handed the envelope to Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe stared at him, then down at the envelope, and then back up at his friend.\u00a0 &#8220;Are you nuts?&#8221; he demanded.\u00a0 &#8220;You can&#8217;t leave me in suspense like this, Frank!\u00a0 What&#8217;s happened?!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Stubbornly Frank turned from his friend and sank into his chair, as if exhausted.\u00a0 &#8220;I can&#8217;t Joe, I wish to God I could tell ya, but I can&#8217;t.\u00a0 He&#8217;s gonna have to tell ya.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe walked around the counter and eyed his buddy.\u00a0 He considered calling in some old debts with Frank, playing on their friendship, but he could see Frank was really upset, and trying his best to do his job.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s really bad, Frank?&#8221; he asked slowly, quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Frank looked up at him helplessly.\u00a0 &#8220;I ain&#8217;t sure, Joe.\u00a0 Some men might be thrilled, but Adam&#8230; \u00a0 Aw Joe, don&#8217;t push me.\u00a0 I can&#8217;t say no more!\u00a0 You know it&#8217;s against the rules.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe gave up, and nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;All right.&#8221; He toyed with the envelope, then stuck it into his pants pocket.\u00a0 &#8220;Sender wants a response, huh?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Right away.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe thought.\u00a0 He and Adam had finished up in the north field just before midday.\u00a0 Adam would likely be home by now, probably soaking in a hot bath. \u00a0 He\u2019d turned down Joe\u2019s suggestion of them coming together into town in search of a cold beer, saying he wanted to clean up and get back to a new book he\u2019d just started.\u00a0 No accounting for some people, Joe thought.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8217;ll get it out to him right now.\u00a0 He should be back by nightfall with an answer.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe gave one more searching look at his friend, who refused to meet his eye, then left the telegrapher&#8217;s office.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss Cartwright slipped off his leather apron and gently patted the muzzle of the horse he&#8217;d just shod.\u00a0 &#8220;Good girl,&#8221; he soothed.\u00a0 The mare responded to his gentleness and nuzzled him back, making him chuckle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss was a huge man, six feet and four inches, close to two hundred and sixty pounds, but as gentle as a lamb with four-legged creatures, and two-legged ones that were smaller and helpless.\u00a0 His size had often made him feel out of place and awkward around people, but the animals he loved accepted him without question, and there was no one on the Ponderosa better at tending them. \u00a0 Many underestimated Hoss, figuring he was as slow as he was big.\u00a0 Hoss&#8217; gentle, easy-going demeanor hid a good mind, but one that leaned toward other knowledge than that found in books.\u00a0 He was a true man of the territory, knowing it like the back of his hand, and cherishing the simpler gifts life in Nevada had to offer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss tossed the apron behind the smithy&#8217;s forge and led the mare out to the corral.\u00a0 Hearing pounding hoof beats, he turned and saw his little brother galloping in from Virginia City way.\u00a0 Hoss shook his head at the speed with which Joe was tearing into the yard.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Little Joe, how many times\u2019s Pa told you not to ride that pony like that?!&#8221; he demanded, angry at his baby brother&#8217;s often breakneck speed with which he raced through life.\u00a0 Normally, Joe would have had one of two responses to that kind of greeting: an irritated &#8220;Lay off!&#8221; or a scapegrace grin.\u00a0 Today, however, Joe ignored the comment as he sprang off Cochise and tossed Hoss her reins.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Where&#8217;s Adam?&#8221; he demanded.\u00a0 Hoss&#8217; eyes narrowed.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Uh oh.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Why?\u00a0 What&#8217;re you so wound up about?&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Just tell me where he is, Hoss!&#8221; snapped Joe in frustration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss shook his head.\u00a0 There was no point arguing with Little Joe when he was in that kind of a mood.\u00a0 &#8220;In the house.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Is Pa home?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Nope.\u00a0 Joe, what&#8217;s wrong?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe glanced toward the big ranch house and shifted his feet.\u00a0 &#8220;Adam got a telegram,&#8221; he said quietly, pulling it out of his pants pocket.\u00a0 &#8220;Frank was real upset about it, wouldn&#8217;t tell me what it was, but it sure sounded like somethin&#8217; bad.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss&#8217; eyes widened.\u00a0 He saw one of the hands crossing from the bunkhouse to the barn, and called him over.\u00a0 &#8220;Hey, Lou, take care of Joe&#8217;s horse, willya?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Sure thing, Hoss,&#8221; the hand smiled amiably.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">As the hand walked off, Joe started toward the house.\u00a0 &#8220;Hey, Joe, wait a minute.&#8221;\u00a0 Hoss caught up and they stopped at the porch.\u00a0 &#8220;Frank didn&#8217;t give ya no idea at all?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Nope, &#8221; sighed Joe, turning the envelope over.\u00a0 &#8220;Just that the sender wants an immediate reply.&#8221;\u00a0 Shrugging, he entered the house with the bigger man at his heels.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Inside, the main room was quiet and empty.\u00a0 The main ranch house was a huge, beautiful piece of architecture that the boys tended to take for granted. \u00a0 The main room housed a large living room, with a staircase leading to the bedrooms on the second floor, a large office area and the dining room, which could seat ten in a pinch.\u00a0 It was beautifully appointed with art from both the east, where Pa had come from, and from local artists, and weavings and pottery from the local Indian tribes Pa\u2019d got on trading trips.\u00a0 Half of the large back wall was made up of a huge stone fireplace, with a large hearth.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The brothers could hear their Chinese cook, Hop Sing, singing to himself in Chinese as he prepared the evening meal.\u00a0 The table was set for supper and the house was neat as a pin.\u00a0 The boys hung up their hats, set their gun belts on the side table near the door and looked at each other.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hop Sing came around the corner into the dining room at that point, still singing softly and smiled as he saw the two youngest members of the Cartwright clan.\u00a0 Hop Sing had been with the family since the arrival of Joe&#8217;s mother, Marie, long ago.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Hey, Hop Sing,&#8221; called Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Dinner no leady yet!&#8221; answered Hop Sing.\u00a0 Joe giggled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Dadburn it, Hop Sing, I ain&#8217;t askin&#8217; about dinner!&#8221; snapped Hoss, who stopped a minute in thought.\u00a0 &#8220;What&#8217;re we havin&#8217;?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Loast pig!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss smacked his lips, forgetting temporarily the problem at hand.\u00a0 Joe rolled his eyes, and glared at his older brother.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Hey, where&#8217;s Adam?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;In his loom&#8230;too interested in book!,&#8221; replied the little Chinese.\u00a0 &#8220;Him no eat lunch!\u00a0 Velly bad!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Thanks, Hop Sing.&#8221;\u00a0 The brothers nodded at each other and headed up the stairs.\u00a0 Of the eight bedrooms upstairs, Adam&#8217;s&#8217; room was furthest down the hall; right at the top of the stairs was Hoss&#8217; room, then Joe&#8217;s and next Pa&#8217;s big bedroom, across the hall. \u00a0 All the bedrooms were good-sized and roomy and to peek into each one was to get a glimpse of the men that inhabited them.\u00a0 All the doors were open, and the boys quietly walked down the hallway to Adam&#8217;s.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Their oldest brother was sprawled on his back on his bed, sound asleep with his book splayed open on his chest.\u00a0 At thirty-four, Adam was what the women in town called a &#8220;fine figure of a man.&#8221;\u00a0 He was tall, more than six feet, broad-shouldered and slim-hipped with a chest like a bull.\u00a0 He was the darkest of the three brothers, with very dark brown-black hair, olive skin and dark eyes, like their father.\u00a0 Now, asleep, he actually looked a little younger than usual since his normally serious expression was replaced with a slack-jawed, relaxed one.\u00a0 He was even snoring softly.\u00a0 Joe had guessed correctly; Adam had apparently bathed off the dirt and sweat of their job that morning and was now in clean clothes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe looked at Hoss and came up toward the bed slowly.\u00a0 It was never wise to jostle Adam awake quickly, unless you were ready to duck.\u00a0 Usually, he slept as though on a coiled spring, and both boys could remember, when they were younger, durn near getting decked when sent up to awaken him by their father.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Adam,&#8221; Joe said softly.\u00a0 Nothing.\u00a0 Sighing, Joe went a little closer. &#8220;Hey, Adam.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His brother stirred slightly in his sleep.\u00a0 Joe glanced at Hoss, who called from the door. &#8220;Hey, Adam!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe ducked as two hundred pounds of brother came heaving up out of sleep, fists cocked and wild-eyed, dark hair standing on end.\u00a0 Joe couldn&#8217;t help it; he started guffawing, with Hoss not far behind.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What&#8217;s the matter!&#8221; demanded Adam, wild-eyed.\u00a0 He saw his brothers laughing and relaxed a little, scowling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;We&#8217;re sorry, Adam,&#8221; laughed Hoss, sitting on the end of the bed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam ran a hand over his face and tried to shake the cobwebs out of his brain. &#8220;What in hell&#8217;s the matter with you two?&#8221; he demanded crossly, glaring at his younger brothers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">That brought Joe back to earth with a thump and he sobered quickly.\u00a0 &#8220;Frank got a telegram for you.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam eyed his youngest brother.\u00a0 &#8220;Yeah?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yeah.&#8221;\u00a0 Joe gingerly handed it over, as though afraid it would explode in his hand.\u00a0 &#8220;He looked kinda upset, Adam&#8230;like it&#8217;s bad news.&#8221;\u00a0 Adam studied him and saw his little brother was serious.\u00a0 He glanced up at Hoss who was watching him as well.\u00a0 He opened the envelope with his finger, removed the sheet of paper and read.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss and Joe watched his face grow very pale, and his brown eyes widen.\u00a0 Worriedly, Joe leaned a little closer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What&#8217;s wrong, Adam?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yeah, what is it?&#8221; chimed in Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam said nothing, but reread the message again, stunned, as though he couldn&#8217;t believe it the first time through.\u00a0 He glanced at his brother, intensely.\u00a0 &#8220;Joe, did you read this?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;No, of course not!&#8221; protested Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam slowly folded the message, slipped it back in the envelope and stared into space for a moment. Uneasily, Hoss and Joe looked at each other.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Adam&#8230;is there some kind of trouble?&#8221; asked Hoss quietly, concerned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam, jolted out of his reverie, smiled without humor.\u00a0 &#8220;Oh, yeah&#8230;.&#8221;\u00a0 Shaking himself like a wet dog, Adam swung his long legs off the bed and reached for his boots.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Uh, Frank said the sender wants an immediate reply,&#8221; said Joe, tentatively.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam said nothing as he jammed his feet into his boots and stood.\u00a0 Still silent, he brushed past his younger brothers and out the door.\u00a0 Hoss and Joe looked at each other worriedly and followed him out.\u00a0 Adam was striding downstairs, heading for the front door by the time they got to the top of the stairs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Adam, come on, what&#8217;s wrong!&#8221; protested Hoss.\u00a0 He had seen this mood in his older brother a few times before, and it worried him.\u00a0 Adam never had been one to show his feelings much, but when his black brows knit together and his jaw was stubbornly set like it was now, it was never good.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam had buckled his gun belt on and smacked his black hat on his head by the time his brothers got to the door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Impulsively, Hoss shot out a hand and grasped his brother&#8217;s strong arm. &#8220;Adam, wait a minute!&#8221; he insisted.\u00a0 Adam glanced up at him, his eyes filled with &#8230;. Hoss couldn&#8217;t even identify it: shock, pain, worry, loss, terror?\u00a0 That look unsettled Hoss more than any words his brother could have uttered.\u00a0 Without a sound, Adam wheeled around and strode out the door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben Cartwright always loved this last approach to the house.\u00a0 He breathed in the fresh, clean smell of pine in the summertime and even the intense heat couldn&#8217;t shake his good mood.\u00a0 His meeting with the Cattlemen&#8217;s Association had gone well and he was hungry for his supper.\u00a0 He pulled up Buck for a moment and looked over his domain.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben had arrived in this valley more than twenty-five years before, with nothing more than a covered wagon and two small sons.\u00a0 From those inauspicious beginnings he had built an empire.\u00a0 Cattle, timber, mines&#8230;and land. \u00a0 The Ponderosa was one of the largest spreads in the country, and he was proud of what he and his sons had accomplished.\u00a0 It had been difficult at times, with tragedy interspersed with glory. \u00a0 Three wives he&#8217;d buried, two of them out here in the West.\u00a0 Adam&#8217;s mother, Elizabeth, had always supported his dream to come west, but had died, shortly after Adam&#8217;s birth in Boston, unable to join him.\u00a0 On the way out he met Inger, a warm, loving and caring Swedish woman, who married him, been a loving mother to five-year-old Adam and joyfully gave him his son Erik, or &#8220;Hoss&#8221;.\u00a0 But she had died in an Indian attack in Utah, not long after their son\u2019s birth.\u00a0 Ben, Adam and little Hoss had continued on alone.\u00a0 A business trip to New Orleans, to speak to Marie De Marigny, the widow of his partner and foreman, to inform of his death in an accident.\u00a0 He had promptly fallen in love with her, prompting his third and final marriage. It was she whom he brought home to this country; she who helped design the beautiful ranch house, with Ben\u2019s and Adam\u2019s input and ideas. And it was she who gave birth to the Ponderosa&#8217;s youngest heir, Joseph.\u00a0 She had died, too, in a riding accident when Joe was five, leaving the boys again without a mother and Ben, for a while, without a reason for living.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">But together they had survived, and Ben was intensely proud of the accomplishments of his three sons.\u00a0 Tragedy had brought them closer together and bound them in an intricate pattern of family that nothing to this point had been able to put asunder, not the threat of war, not hardship, not even Adam leaving for college.\u00a0 He had come home after finishing his studies, something Ben had worried he might not do.\u00a0 Adam was his right-hand man; Ben couldn&#8217;t imagine life on the ranch without the blessing of his oldest son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben smiled and gently kicked Buck into advancing toward the house.\u00a0 Surprised, Ben saw said oldest blessing galloping off from the yard toward the lake and saw Hoss and Joe standing in the yard watching him go.\u00a0 Frowning, Ben urged Buck on faster.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss and Joe turned toward him as they heard hoof beats approaching, and Ben was concerned to see the worried look that passed between them. They silently stood by as he dismounted and held Buck&#8217;s reins in his hand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What&#8217;s wrong?&#8221; he demanded, looking again at the rapidly disappearing form of his oldest son. &#8220;Where&#8217;s Adam going?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;We don&#8217;t know, Pa,&#8221; said Hoss quietly.\u00a0 He glanced at Joe and nodded for him to tell his father the news.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Adam got a telegram, Pa,&#8221; said Joe, uneasily.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8230; well, it looked like bad news.\u00a0 He was pretty upset.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;But what happened?&#8221; demanded Ben, again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;We don&#8217;t know, Pa, that&#8217;s just it,&#8221; said Hoss unhappily.\u00a0 &#8220;He was as close-mouthed as a clam, wouldn&#8217;t say nothin&#8217;!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben studied his sons and saw that they were just as concerned as he was, and he looked again.\u00a0 Adam was no more than a speck in the distance now.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;He&#8217;s headed for the lake, I think,&#8221; said Joe softly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss nodded.\u00a0 Whenever Adam was upset or depressed, he always rode up to the beautiful area of the Ponderosa just referred to between the four of them as &#8220;the lake.&#8221;\u00a0 It was the first thing Ben had seen in this big, bold country and which had made him decide to stay.\u00a0 It was the first place eight-year-old Adam and two-year-old Hoss had played when they arrived.\u00a0 And it was where Marie was buried.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe set his mouth in a stubborn line and started toward the barn.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Joseph.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe stopped and looked down angrily at the dirt at his boots, hands on his hips, not responding\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Just where do you think you&#8217;re going?&#8221; asked Ben evenly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Angered, Joe turned. &#8220;He&#8217;s real upset, Pa!&#8221; Joe said irritably. &#8220;I&#8217;m gonna go talk to him!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben shook his head.\u00a0 &#8220;You know your brother as well as I do, young man.\u00a0 He won&#8217;t talk until he&#8217;s ready, and if he took off without saying a word then I think he probably needs some time to himself.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;But, Pa &#8211; &#8221; protested Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Joe, Pa&#8217;s right,&#8221; nodded Hoss, looking off into the distance in the direction his older brother had disappeared.\u00a0 &#8220;Adam&#8217;ll tell us what&#8217;s botherin&#8217; him when he&#8217;s ready.\u00a0 Not before.\u00a0 You&#8217;ll just get him mad, and he&#8217;ll say things he won&#8217;t mean.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss turned back to his little brother and squared his shoulders. \u201cJust let him be for a while.\u00a0 He&#8217;ll be back and we can talk to him then.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe sighed and walked over to his father.\u00a0 Ben could see the concern on Joe&#8217;s face and gave the young man\u2019s shoulder a firm squeeze.\u00a0 &#8220;Patience, Joseph,\u201d he said with a small smile.\u00a0 &#8220;Hoss is right.\u00a0 You know full well you won\u2019t get anything out of your older brother until he\u2019s ready to give it.\u00a0 So, we\u2019re just gonna have to wait until he&#8217;s ready to let us help.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The three men stood for a moment watching the distance, then moved off into the house.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam&#8217;s mind was a turmoil of thoughts, feelings, fears and memories.\u00a0 He couldn&#8217;t concentrate and he couldn&#8217;t sort them out.\u00a0 His chest felt tight and it seemed so hard to breathe.\u00a0 He pressed Sport hard at a gallop, as if wishing the wind whipping around him would blow the confusion out of his mind.\u00a0 Finally, tired, he slowed his horse down to a walk and let him rest easy.\u00a0 Adam rubbed his eyes with his right hand, willing himself back under control.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He reached the lake nearly without realizing it, and when he noticed his surroundings, wearily slid down from Sport&#8217;s back and loosely tethered him on a bush.\u00a0 He walked slowly over to the headstone that stood on a knoll overlooking the beautiful lake that had been part of his memories, good and bad, for twenty-five years, and sank down onto his haunches.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Marie\u2019s resting place had been the anchor for all of them over these last years.\u00a0 &#8220;Oh, Marie&#8230;.&#8221; he breathed, shakily.\u00a0 &#8220;Boy, am I in a mess this time&#8230;&#8221;\u00a0 In the eighteen years since her death, he had come here many times, having mental conversations with his stepmother, seeking her advice, or just gaining peace.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He searched for answers and peace now but couldn&#8217;t seem to find any.\u00a0 Instead of comfort, disturbing images of a beautiful young girl, with hair black as night and eyes bluer than the sky, pounded at him.\u00a0 Images of her laughing&#8230; weeping&#8230; playful\u2026 in ecstasy in his bed&#8230; teasing him&#8230; ranting at him&#8230; loving him&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">In an effort to stop them from playing over and over again in his mind, he closed his eyes tightly and reached out to the headstone, gripping it hard.\u00a0 Suddenly, unbidden and uncontrolled, he felt those emotions boil, bubble, and shoot to the surface threatening to choke him with the violence of their bursting free.\u00a0 Sitting down hard, he drew his knees up to his chin and wrapped his arms around them, resting his head on his forearms.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">And for the first time in almost fifteen years, he began to cry, sobbing as though his heart was breaking itself in two.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER SIX<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">July 16, 1871<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The ranch house was quiet and dark, save the small lamp at the table beside Ben&#8217;s chair.\u00a0 He&#8217;d given up reading about two hours ago, and that had been an hour after he&#8217;d finally chased Hoss and Joe to bed.\u00a0 Hoss had been brooding since supper, and Joe was frankly comatose as they sat waiting stubbornly for their brother to come home.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben glanced at his watch.\u00a0 Three in the morning.\u00a0 Ben sighed and got to his feet, telling himself over and over again that Adam was a big boy; he didn&#8217;t have to wait up for him as he had when he was first spreading his independent wings and trying his father&#8217;s patience to the limit.\u00a0 Ben shook his head and smiled as he remembered the few times Adam had driven him to distraction&#8230;there hadn&#8217;t been many, making them easy to recall.\u00a0 But the few that existed had been pretty spectacular&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben picked his head up as he heard hoof beats in the yard, and then the squeal of the barn door being opened.\u00a0 He got to his feet and went to the kitchen, bringing out a tray of coffee and two cups.\u00a0 As he set the tray down on the table before the fireplace, Adam opened the front door, his head down, and came in, looking tired to death.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben sat down in his leather chair and poured himself a cup of coffee, quietly studying his son.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam saw his father\u2014<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">he still waits up for us!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2014and sighed as he hung up his hat, fumbling tiredly with his gun belt.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben surreptitiously sniffed the air, and breathed a little easier when he noted he couldn&#8217;t smell alcohol.\u00a0 He hadn&#8217;t admitted it to the boys, but Ben had worried that whatever it was that was bothering Adam would drive him to the saloons.\u00a0 Adam slowly walked into the living room and wearily dropped into the blue velvet chair opposite his father, his legs stretched out straight.\u00a0 Ben sipped his coffee and bided his time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Want some coffee?&#8221; Ben asked quietly.\u00a0 Adam silently nodded, still studying the toes of his boots.\u00a0 Ben poured it and handed him the cup.\u00a0 Adam&#8217;s hand shook a little as he accepted it and as he leaned closer Ben could see his eyes and nose were red, as though he&#8217;d been crying.\u00a0 Ben sighed; he couldn&#8217;t stand this.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Where&#8217;ve you been?&#8221; he asked gently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Up at the lake,&#8221; the younger man answered quietly.\u00a0 &#8220;I had a lot of thinking to do.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Adam, what is it, son?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sipped his coffee and leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes wearily.\u00a0 &#8220;There&#8217;s no easy way to break this to you, Pa,&#8221; he said, very quietly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben swallowed hard and set his cup down.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I suppose you heard I got a telegram today.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;Hoss and Joe were very worried.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam sighed and set down his own cup.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8230;I&#8217;m sorry about that.\u00a0 I was just so&#8230; stunned&#8230;&#8221;\u00a0 He raised his head finally and looked at his father. Ben was dismayed by the pain and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026 what? what else?&#8230;<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> he saw in those dark eyes, but didn\u2019t allow that to show on his face as he calmly waited.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;The telegram was from a lawyer in New York City who claimed he was the executor of the estate of a Miss Siobhan Riordan.\u00a0 It seems she&#8217;s left me&#8230;a bequest,&#8221; he said with a wry, sad smile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The name was itching at the back of Ben&#8217;s memory from long ago, but tired as he was, he couldn&#8217;t place it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Someone you knew?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam pursed his lips.\u00a0 &#8220;When I was in college, my first year.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Suddenly the memory came to Ben.\u00a0 &#8220;Siobhan Riordan&#8230;the girl you\u2014&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;The girl I proposed to,&#8221; nodded Adam, stroking his lip.\u00a0 &#8220;I wanted to marry her, Pa.\u00a0 She was&#8230; amazing&#8230; incredible&#8230;. she intrigued me more than anyone I&#8217;d ever met.\u00a0 When she disappeared, I spent weeks looking for her, even to the point of risking my scholarship.&#8221;\u00a0 He drew in a shuddering breath, and emitted a humorless laugh.\u00a0 &#8220;But, brother, she did a good job.\u00a0 I never saw her, never heard from her again.\u201d\u00a0 He winced again, making Ben want to reach over and gently touch his shoulder, but the older man remained still, letting the boy get this out in his own way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI loved her so much, and it hurt so bad, Pa&#8230;.&#8221;\u00a0 Adam\u2019s voice broke, and he covered his mouth, closing his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">This was so totally alien to the serious, calm, sardonically humorous and stubborn son he was used to that Ben feared even moving slightly might break the mood.\u00a0 But he was determined that both he and Adam needed to see this through. So, risking everything, Ben rose to his feet and moved to seat himself on the oak table beside Adam&#8217;s chair, and leaned forward, gently squeezing his son&#8217;s knee.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8217;m so sorry, Adam,&#8221; he said gently.\u00a0 &#8220;I knew you were hurt at the time, but you stopped referring to her in your letters and I thought you must have gotten over her.\u00a0 I&#8217;m so sorry I didn&#8217;t see beyond\u2014&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam waved his hand, shaking his head.\u00a0 He forced himself back under control.\u00a0 &#8220;Pa, I was three thousand miles away&#8230;there&#8217;s no way you could have known or done anything.\u00a0 Actually, after a few months, I thought I <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">had<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> gotten over her.\u00a0 Tonight, I don&#8217;t know any more.\u00a0 But, whatever her reasons, the relationship ended.\u00a0 As I said, despite my efforts, I never heard from her or about her again.\u00a0 Until today.&#8221;\u00a0 Adam swallowed a little hard.\u00a0 &#8220;The bequest will be arriving in about three weeks.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;But&#8230;what is it, son?&#8221; asked Ben, still bewildered and shaken.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam drew in a deep breath and looked at his father, with apology and a hundred other emotions shining from his eyes.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I\u2019m sorry, Pa.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 &#8220;A 13-year-old named Patrick Riordan Cartwright,&#8221; he said softly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben was awfully glad he was sitting down.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hours later, Ben wandered through the main room of the house, lost, confused.\u00a0 He\u2019d had a hell of a shock.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He simply couldn\u2019t believe it at first.\u00a0 It had to be some kind of a mistake.\u00a0 Of all people, the last person he\u2019d have figured on something like this happening to was Adam!\u00a0 So serious, so careful, so\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Then Ben realized he was thinking of Adam <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">now<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, the man.\u00a0 Closing his eyes, he remembered back fifteen years to the nineteen-year-old boy that had left Nevada for a whole new adventure in Boston.\u00a0 He\u2019d been passionate, feisty\u2026and so young.\u00a0 So very young and vulnerable, just recovering from the pain of an unhappy first love.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben closed his eyes, shaking his head.\u00a0 This was so far afield from what he\u2019d hoped for as he\u2019d raised Adam, watched him grow into a bright, reserved, wry youngster.\u00a0 He\u2019d wanted the boy to fall in love, marry, and present him with grandchildren, according to plan, so to speak.\u00a0 But as usual, Adam had surprised him; he\u2019d done it his way, though even he hadn\u2019t realized it until today.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben fought down a feeling of disappointment; it would serve no purpose now.\u00a0 His tired mind winced as he thought of the reaction their friends and neighbors would have.\u00a0 Ben sank into his desk chair, lost in thought, imagining the embarrassment and harassment Adam, and this boy, would be subjected to.\u00a0 In misery, Ben covered his eyes with a shaky hand; no one wished pain on their children, even when they\u2019d made a mistake.\u00a0 \u201cOh, Adam\u2026.\u201d he sighed sadly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Blinking back wetness in his eyes, Ben sighed and brought down his hand, sadly.\u00a0 And his eye caught a portrait resting on his desk.\u00a0 She was nestled there, centered between Inger and Marie, as she\u2019d been on this desk for nearly eighteen years.\u00a0 Elizabeth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOh, Liz,\u201d he groaned.\u00a0 \u201cHow do I help him?\u00a0 What do I tell him?\u00a0 He\u2019s a grown man, Liz, but he\u2019s as lost and confused as a child.\u00a0 I haven\u2019t seen him hurting this badly in years.\u00a0 And, what\u2019s more, how do I help our grandchild?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He gazed at the portrait, and reached out to pick it up, fingering the frame.\u00a0 \u201cWhat would you tell him, my love?\u201d he asked softly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Her placid, beautiful face shone back at him, and her beautiful eyes smiled at him.\u00a0 Closing his eyes, he could hear her, all those years ago\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cOh, Ben!\u00a0 I can\u2019t wait to hold our son!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cHow do you know it will be a boy?\u201d he\u2019d smiled.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cA man like you?\u00a0 It would have to be a boy\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cPromise me, Ben, that when he\u2019s naughty you won\u2019t be too hard on him?\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cGood Lord, Liz, he isn\u2019t even born yet!\u201d he\u2019d laughed. \u201cWhat makes you think he\u2019s going to be difficult?\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI don\u2019t know, Ben\u2026I believe he\u2019s going to be a different sort of child\u2026I think he\u2019ll be very sensitive and be hurt so easily.\u00a0 I have a feeling he\u2019s going to need your love and patience and understanding very, very much.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cOur love, sweetheart.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cYes\u2026of course\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben sighed.\u00a0 She\u2019d been right; Adam had always needed extra understanding and had occasionally tried his father\u2019s patience to the limit.\u00a0 He was a loner; he didn\u2019t talk about his feelings much, all through his life.\u00a0 Ben had always prayed he\u2019d fall in love with someone who\u2019d understand him and be able to give him enough support and caring to feel like he could share all those deep feelings he harbored in his sensitive heart.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">From their discussion tonight, it appeared he had.\u00a0 This young woman, this Irish girl Siobhan &#8211; the mother of his <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">grandchild!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> &#8211;\u00a0 had done just that.\u00a0 She had loved Adam.\u00a0 Despite all of the pain, despite her disappearance, everything Adam had described to him about their short but passionate time together seemed to show a girl in love with the bright, funny and intense boy Adam had been.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben sat back again in his chair, still holding the portrait.\u00a0 He glanced down at Liz\u2019s smiling face again and traced the outline of her face with a callused, work-worn\u00a0 finger.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, my love.\u00a0 I won\u2019t be too hard on him. I promise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss stretched and yawned as he left his room the next morning.\u00a0 Joe was trudging down the hallway, trying to rub the sleep out of his own eyes.\u00a0 They met side by side in the hallway, and both stopped outside Adam&#8217;s door.\u00a0 They looked at each other and leaned a little toward the door to listen.\u00a0 Nothing.\u00a0 Joe looked at Hoss, who shrugged.\u00a0 Tentatively, Joe knocked on the door.\u00a0 Still nothing.\u00a0 Joe quietly opened the door, and they saw that the bed was rumpled, left just as it had been yesterday.\u00a0 Hoss sighed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;He ain&#8217;t been home,&#8221; he said sadly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe nodded and they continued on downstairs.\u00a0 Ben was seated at the table, sipping a cup of coffee and staring into space.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Adam ain&#8217;t been home, has he, Pa?&#8221; asked Hoss morosely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben slowly looked up and his younger sons were alarmed.\u00a0 He looked terrible.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Boys, I want you to sit down,&#8221; said Ben seriously.\u00a0 &#8220;I have something to tell you.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Is Adam all right?&#8221; asked Joe worriedly as he sat down.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Adam&#8217;s fine.\u00a0 Well, as fine as&#8230;never mind,&#8221; Ben frowned, waving his hand.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;s on his way into town to respond to that telegram.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;But &#8211; &#8221; began Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Joseph, please, it&#8217;s been a long night.\u00a0 I just waited until you both woke so I could speak to you before I went to bed myself.\u00a0 Now, please, be quiet and let me talk.&#8221;\u00a0 He leaned toward the kitchen.\u00a0 &#8220;Hop Sing!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The major domo poked his head around the corner.\u00a0 &#8216;Yes, Boss?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Come in here and sit down.\u00a0 I have something important to tell all of you.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss and Joe were really worried now.\u00a0 Hop Sing knew that Ben had been up all night and didn&#8217;t offer the expected argument but seated himself uncomfortably in Adam&#8217;s chair.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;As you know, Adam received a telegram yesterday,&#8221; said Ben, toying with his spoon.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;s gone into town this morning to reply, as I mentioned, and asked me if I&#8217;d share with you the contents.\u00a0 To quote your brother&#8217;s words, there&#8217;s no easy way to break this to you, so I&#8217;ll just speak plain.\u00a0 When your brother was a freshman in college, you might remember him mentioning a young lady named Siobhan Riordan.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe\u2019s face was blank, but Hoss&#8217; eyes widened.\u00a0 &#8220;Lordy, I ain&#8217;t heard that name in&#8230; must be fourteen years!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Who is she?&#8221; wondered Joe, looking between his father and brother.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;C&#8217;mon, Joe, don&#8217;t you remember all those letters he wrote from college telling us about that beautiful Irish girl he fell in love with?\u00a0 The one he wanted to marry?&#8221; reminded Hoss.\u00a0 &#8220;He was sure hurt when she took off on him.\u00a0 This have something to do with her, Pa?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;She died a few days back.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, lordy&#8230;&#8221; sighed Hoss.\u00a0 &#8220;No wonder he was upset.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, that isn&#8217;t all,&#8221; sighed Ben.\u00a0 He drew in a deep breath and looked at his younger sons, and then at Hop Sing.\u00a0 &#8220;We&#8217;re going to have to get the best spare bedroom set up.\u00a0 We&#8217;re going to be having a &#8230; a&#8230;.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;A guest, Boss?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;No, Hop Sing, not a guest,&#8221; said Ben definitely, getting to his feet and staring out the window.\u00a0 Hoss and Joe looked at each other, confused.\u00a0 Ben ran a hand through his hair and turned back.\u00a0 Steeling himself, he drew in a deep breath and took the plunge. \u00a0 &#8220;Hoss, Joseph&#8230;your nephew, Patrick, will be joining us in about three weeks.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hoss&#8217; mouth dropped open and Joe simply stared.\u00a0 Hop Sing&#8217;s eyes widened, then a huge grin split his face. \u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The family would continue!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 Hop Sing had begun to worry about Adam and Hoss <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">ever<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> marrying and having sons.\u00a0 He assumed that eventually Joe would settle down, but he was reluctant to leave the responsibility of continuing the dynasty to just one of the three Cartwright boys.\u00a0 &#8220;Numbah one son have numbah one son, Boss?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yes, Hop Sing,&#8221; smiled Ben wanly.\u00a0 &#8220;It appears to be so.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Both Joe and Hoss smiled in wonder.\u00a0 &#8220;But&#8230;how&#8230;&#8221; Hoss sputtered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, Hoss, if you don&#8217;t know &#8211; &#8221; chortled Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;That&#8217;s enough, Joseph!&#8221; snapped Ben. &#8220;There&#8217;s no need to be vulgar. Your brother is upset enough about this.&#8221;\u00a0 Joe had the grace to look abashed and sat back, shutting up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Now, wait a minute.\u00a0 Pa&#8230;You mean, there&#8217;s been a &#8230;well, I mean&#8230;.uh&#8230;.well, dadburn it, Adam&#8217;s been a father all these years and didn&#8217;t even know about it?!&#8221; asked Hoss, confused and stricken.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Apparently,&#8221; sighed Ben, leaning back in his chair.\u00a0 &#8220;He was pretty shaken by the whole thing.\u00a0 Frankly, I didn&#8217;t realize\u2026 well, I\u2019m ashamed to say I didn\u2019t realize how badly hurt he&#8217;d been when she ran off on him all those years ago.\u00a0 I knew he cared about her, but young as he was he apparently cared very, very deeply.\u00a0 He told me last night that losing her and then his efforts to track her \u2026 well, he&#8217;d practically risked his scholarship trying to find her.&#8221;\u00a0 Ben frowned, realizing now how much of an effect losing Siobhan had had on Adam, likely part of his having remained single for so long.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe looked thoughtfully at his father.\u00a0 &#8220;Boy&#8230;Adam, a father.\u00a0 This is a little hard to take in,&#8221; said Joe, ruefully.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben frowned and nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;I know what you mean.\u00a0 It&#8217;ll be hard to imagine in town, too,\u201d he said seriously, eyeing his sons.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The reality and complexity of situation hit Adam&#8217;s younger brothers and they glanced at each other uncomfortably.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I didn&#8217;t think about that, Pa,&#8221; said Hoss, worriedly.\u00a0 &#8220;You think the folks in town&#8217;ll give Adam a hard time?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Some will,&#8221; admitted Ben, frowning.\u00a0 &#8220;I also think they&#8217;ll give the boy a hard time.\u00a0 We&#8217;re going to have to be ready for this, as a family, united and ready to defend both your brother and your nephew.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hop Sing said nothing but fully understood the concern.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, what if people ask?\u00a0 What do we tell &#8217;em?&#8221; asked Hoss with discomfort.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben drew in a deep breath and raised his eyebrows.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;The truth, Hoss,\u201d answered Ben, with a sad smile.\u00a0 \u201cThat Patrick is Adam&#8217;s son&#8230;a son he never knew he had.\u00a0 Some will believe it; some won&#8217;t.\u00a0 Some will choose to use this as a way to take your brother to task, or &#8216;down a peg or two.&#8217; &#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The big man frowned at that; he knew well enough that Adam&#8217;s aloof, stubborn demeanor had caused him some friction in town, and that many viewed him as the &#8220;High and Mighty Cartwright;\u201d Hoss\u2019 sensitive heart ached to think about the nastiness that his brother would likely have to face from certain stupid, ignorant and cruel people.\u00a0 He set his own jaw in a stubborn line and was determined that he was going to greet his nephew with every semblance of delight and help him in any way he could.\u00a0 As he imagined his taciturn older brother trying to deal with a child, his face formed a silly, happy grin.\u00a0 Maybe having a child around would be good for Adam, let <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">him<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> be young again, too.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe was lost in his own thoughts and idly drew an invisible circle on the table with his finger.\u00a0 Trying to imagine what his own reaction to news like this would be was beyond his comprehension. &#8220;Pa&#8230; How does Adam feel about all this?&#8221; he asked, quietly, a troubled look on his face.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben sighed and shook his head.\u00a0 He spread his hands in bemusement as he said, &#8220;Shaken&#8230;worried&#8230;a bit scared, I think.\u00a0 It&#8217;s too new a concept for him to take in yet.\u00a0 He was embarrassed and upset to talk about it with me.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Upset!&#8221; crowed Hoss. &#8220;But, Pa, this is gonna be great!\u00a0 Ain&#8217;t been a young&#8217;un in this house in way too long!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben sighed. &#8220;Hoss, this isn&#8217;t going to be that easy.\u00a0 It isn&#8217;t as though this boy is a new baby, without any previous life.\u00a0 He&#8217;s thirteen, after all.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Thirteen!&#8221; Hoss stared, surprised.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe made a face.\u00a0 &#8220;Think about it, Hoss,&#8221; he said dryly.\u00a0 Ben glared at him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hoss sheepishly reddened&#8230;<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">of course, the boy would have to be about that age.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;The point is, we&#8217;ve got some changes to make around here, and your brother is going to need your support&#8230;not your stupid jokes.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yes, sir,&#8221; Joe nodded, blushing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss still had a silly grin on his face. &#8220;Adam, a father&#8230;. Lordy!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam finished writing his message and pushed it across the desk.\u00a0 Uncomfortably, Frank took the message and started over to the telegraph.\u00a0 \u201cHow much do I owe you, Frank?&#8221; he asked softly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Uh&#8230;four bits, Adam,&#8221; answered Frank, still unable to look at him. \u00a0 He heard the coins hit the counter, and the door shut.\u00a0 Letting his breath out, Frank turned around toward the window to watch him go&#8230;and blushed furiously when he saw Adam standing at the door with a sardonic grin on his face.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Now, Frank,&#8221; he said gently.\u00a0 &#8220;Here you were the first to know, and I haven&#8217;t even had a new father&#8217;s congratulations from you yet.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Frank swallowed, stared at Adam&#8217;s sad but warm smile, and returned it, giggling nervously as he shook his head.\u00a0 Leaning against the counter he relaxed, feeling a lot better than he had all day. He\u2019d always thought a lot of Joe\u2019s oldest brother.\u00a0 The man had pulled their bacon out of a lot of fires in their younger days.\u00a0 Sometimes, he hadn\u2019t even told their pas about some of the stupid scrapes they\u2019d gotten into, for which Frank had been both surprised and grateful.\u00a0 Frank studied Adam now, noting the dark circles under his eyes; the man looked totally exhausted. \u00a0 &#8220;You okay about all this, Adam?&#8221; he asked seriously, his compassion plain.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam drew in a deep breath, and then blew it out, shrugging.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ll let you know when he gets here&#8230; but for the moment, yeah, I guess I am,&#8221; he smiled.\u00a0 &#8220;Thanks for letting Joe know how important that telegram was.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8217;m sorry about your&#8230;your&#8230;&#8221; Frank started, and stopped, uneasily. \u00a0 Adam just dropped his eyes and nodded.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Thanks, Frank.\u00a0 I&#8217;ll be in town for a while, just let me know if there&#8217;s a response, all right?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Sure, thing, Adam.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam nodded, put on his hat, and walked out into the sunshine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER SEVEN<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">August, 1871<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben sipped his after-supper coffee, studying his three sons.\u00a0 Hoss and Joe were playing checkers; it appeared Hoss was getting the better of Joe for a change and enjoying every minute of it, while Joe was frustrated and trying to find a way to wiggle out of the situation.\u00a0 Ben looked over at Adam and sighed.\u00a0 He was, as usual these days, staring into the fire.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">After that wild night two weeks ago, Adam had been a lot quieter, more introspective and preoccupied.\u00a0 He&#8217;d gotten all the wheels into motion for his son&#8217;s arrival; supervised setting up the boy&#8217;s room and set up a savings account for him at the bank.\u00a0 And had shut up like a clam.\u00a0 Ben was beginning to truly be concerned.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss and Joe had found it difficult to talk to him, since his usual reply was a snap or a disinterested sigh.\u00a0 He hadn&#8217;t opened up to any of Ben&#8217;s offers to talk, either.\u00a0 Ben knew he was going to have to sit him down and have a serious talk with him, or there&#8217;d be real trouble once young Patrick arrived.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben had been surprised to find himself more than a little tickled about having a grandson, once the initial shock of the situation wore off.\u00a0 To say the least, he&#8217;d been disturbed and upset the first night, mostly worrying about Adam and how he was reacting to the whole thing, as well as concerned about reactions of their friends and neighbors.\u00a0 It had been hard to accept that instead of becoming a grandfather in the usual way, Ben was presented with an illegitimate grandson.\u00a0 But as the days went by, Ben found himself trying to imagine what his young grandson might look like. He wondered what kinds of the things the boy liked to do.\u00a0 Coming from the big city, the Ponderosa was going to be a huge adjustment for him.\u00a0 Ben was now thrilled to be thinking about being a grandfather.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben noticed Hoss and Joe glancing back at Adam, uneasily, while looking at each other helplessly. Ben set his lips in a firm expression.\u00a0 This had gone on long enough.\u00a0 It was time to take a firm line with his often-difficult oldest son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Adam,&#8221; he said, leaning over to refill his coffee, &#8220;I think I can speak for your brothers in this instance.&#8221; \u00a0 This opening gambit brought a start of surprise from Hoss and Little Joe.\u00a0 Adam merely turned his head away from the fire and toward his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What instance?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I think it&#8217;s time you opened up a little and gave us an idea how you feel about all this.\u00a0 After all, a thirteen-year-old boy is going to be arriving on this ranch in a week or two, ostensibly to become a part of this family.\u00a0 The rest of us would like to have some idea on how you feel.\u00a0 We none of us have felt as though we were even permitted to talk about him.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam reddened a little and glanced at his younger brothers, who were shifting a little uncomfortably in their seats.\u00a0 Pa was exactly right, but they&#8217;d been trying to spare Adam&#8217;s feelings.\u00a0 Ben had no recourse; if Adam didn&#8217;t get his head on straight and figure out how to communicate about this issue, and soon, how on earth would he ever be able to cope with the frustrations and responsibilities of fatherhood?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows on his knees. &#8220;I&#8217;m sorry,&#8221; he said softly.\u00a0 &#8220;I guess I have been keeping to myself.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8217;ll say,&#8221; grinned Joe, trying to lighten the mood.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It&#8217;s all just so confusing!&#8221; Adam stated irritably, getting to his feet and walking to the fire.\u00a0 &#8220;I mean, it isn&#8217;t as though I&#8217;ve just been presented with a small child to raise. There&#8217;s a kid less than five years away from adulthood who&#8217;s going to be part of my life!\u00a0 It&#8217;s&#8230; well, it&#8217;s disconcerting, to say the least.\u201d His brothers and father noted more than a little bit of disconcertion in that deep voice\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;But what&#8217;s botherin&#8217; you, big brother?&#8221; asked Hoss, innocently.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;s just a kid, that&#8217;s all.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Hoss, how many thirteen-year-olds do you know?&#8221; demanded Adam.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss squirmed a little.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;I don&#8217;t know anything about him, what he likes, what he doesn&#8217;t like, how he&#8217;s been raised, other than to know it was in Hell&#8217;s Kitchen, which isn&#8217;t exactly the garden spot of New York, believe me!&#8221;\u00a0 Adam began to pace in his frustration.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ve seen that part of town, and it&#8217;s a rotten, filthy, nasty den of poverty and corruption.\u00a0 What on earth will he be like, after being dragged up in a place like that?\u00a0 There&#8217;s no telling <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">what<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> kind of mischief he can get into here!\u00a0 And can you imagine what he must be feeling?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam turned to his two brothers and his father, his pent-up emotions churning and bubbling.\u00a0 &#8220;This boy&#8217;s mother has just died, in a terrible way.\u00a0 You saw that last telegram from Connelly, the lawyer, all about how Siobhan&#8230;&#8221; Adam&#8217;s voice caught in his throat, and he closed his eyes for a moment, getting himself under control.\u00a0 &#8220;&#8230;How his mother died.\u00a0 The kid was in the middle of that godawful riot in New York and literally held his mother in his arms as she died as the result of gunshot wounds!\u00a0 I don&#8217;t even want to think about what&#8217;s going through his mind!\u00a0 I don&#8217;t even know what kind of a kid he is!\u00a0 What&#8217;s he done in these last thirteen years?\u00a0 What has he had to do to survive in that place?\u00a0 Hell, he could be &#8230;. anything!\u00a0 And here he is, being dragged out here, doesn&#8217;t know me from&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;From Adam?&#8221;\u00a0 Joe couldn&#8217;t help it, he giggled, earning him a glare from his father and frustrated sigh from his eldest brother.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I mean, I can&#8217;t imagine Siobhan would have spoken badly of me&#8230;she wasn&#8217;t that kind of woman, but even so, I can imagine the resentment and frustration he must have felt being raised without a father.\u00a0 And Siobhan never married, so his&#8230;status&#8230; must have been pretty clear to everybody he knew.&#8221;\u00a0 Adam sank back into his chair.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yeah, but, Adam, that ain&#8217;t the boy&#8217;s fault,&#8221; offered Hoss tentatively.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Of course it isn&#8217;t, Hoss, but when has that ever stopped people from saying things that are cruel and hurtful?&#8221; demanded Adam.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m already starting to hear some buzzing in town about Adam Cartwright&#8217;s bastard son!&#8221;\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe and Hoss shifted their feet uncomfortably; they too had been hearing the rumblings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben nodded, glad that his son was seeing some of the difficulties that lay ahead. But he was more than a little disturbed that he couldn&#8217;t see any of the potential joys coming.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Adam, I grant you, things will likely be a little hard to get used to, for all of us,&#8221; he said gently.\u00a0 Adam snorted and leaned back.\u00a0 &#8220;At least he&#8217;ll have a strong family here to support him and help him.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;If he&#8217;ll accept it, Pa,&#8221; said Adam apprehensively.\u00a0 &#8220;Think about it,&#8221; he said to his two brothers.\u00a0 &#8220;If you&#8217;d been thrown into this situation, out of your control and with no say in the matter, dragged away from everything you&#8217;d ever known and thrust into a strange environment, how quickly would you respond to the authority of a man you didn&#8217;t know?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Why are you starting right off with whether or not you&#8217;ll be able to control him?&#8221; demanded Joe, getting irritated.\u00a0 &#8220;I mean, the kid ain&#8217;t even here yet and you&#8217;re already figuring out how to make him take orders!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Look, Joe,&#8221; started his brother angrily, eyebrows knitting together in a scowl, trying to keep his temper.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Well, I guess the kid <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">does<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> have something to worry about!&#8221; Joe snapped back, hands on his hips.\u00a0 Adam rose, a hot retort on his lips.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Boys, that&#8217;s enough,&#8221; said Ben, before war broke out.\u00a0 Adam and Joe glared at each other and then turned away.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss squirmed uncomfortably.\u00a0 He felt very concerned; was he the only one looking forward to Patrick&#8217;s arrival?\u00a0 &#8220;Adam, you&#8217;re just gonna have to give him a lot of love and some time, that&#8217;s all.\u00a0 He&#8217;s got a lot to get used to.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;We all do,&#8221; retorted his older brother, over his shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hoss scowled. &#8220;Adam, you been meaner&#8217;n a coiled snake these last few weeks, ever since you found out about him, and Joe&#8217;s right.\u00a0 If you ain&#8217;t gonna change your attitude a little we&#8217;re bound to have some major problems comin&#8217;!&#8221;\u00a0 Hoss rose to his feet and walked to his brother.\u00a0 &#8220;Ain&#8217;t you excited at all?\u00a0 You&#8217;ve got a <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">son<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, boy!\u00a0 Your own flesh and blood, from a woman you told me you loved more than anything or anybody in the world!&#8221;\u00a0 Hoss&#8217; gentle blue eyes held his older brother&#8217;s troubled brown ones. &#8220;There was somethin&#8217; special between you and Siobhan, and that somethin&#8217; produced a son, a young&#8217;un to live on as proof that you two loved each other.\u00a0 I don&#8217;t know about you, but I&#8217;m more tickled&#8217;n a hog in springtime and I can&#8217;t wait to meet him!&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam, confused and bewildered, sank down into his chair again.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8230;I am excited, Hoss, but I&#8217;m scared, too.\u00a0 This is an awful responsibility.\u00a0 I just&#8230;I just don&#8217;t know if I&#8217;m going to be any good as a father,&#8221; he finished softly, worried, finally voicing the fear Ben had suspected was there all along.\u00a0 Ben had figured his serious, hard-headed son was worried about being a good parent to this troubled child and had figured that this worry would be shoving aside all his potential gladness at being a father.\u00a0 Ben rose and came around behind his oldest son, placing his hands on his son&#8217;s shoulders and massaging them gently.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Son, you&#8217;ll learn the way all fathers do&#8230;one day at a time&#8221; he reassured him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yeah, but he&#8217;s got quite a few days&#8217; head start on me,&#8221; replied Adam, ruefully.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8217;ll grant you, fatherhood can be frustrating at times,&#8221; Ben smiled at his three sons, &#8220;but there are so many wonderful aspects of being a father, things balance out.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;But, Pa,&#8221; protested Adam, &#8220;I&#8217;ve got to learn how to do this right and learn it awfully fast!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Aw, come on, Adam,&#8221; protested Joe, perching on the side of the settee, &#8220;you helped to raise Hoss and me.\u00a0 And we turned out okay!&#8221; he said with a cocky grin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Helped<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to raise you, that&#8217;s just it,&#8221; reminded Adam running his fingers through his black hair in frustration.\u00a0 &#8220;Pa was always there, it was never just me.&#8221;\u00a0 He got to his feet and walked slowly to the fireplace, hands jammed in his pockets.\u00a0 &#8220;Patrick is my son&#8230;and that makes me responsible for him, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">me<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">!&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;That&#8217;s true,&#8221; said Ben gently.\u00a0 &#8220;But you&#8217;re not completely alone, any more than I was.\u00a0 You were a tremendous help to me with your brothers.\u00a0 Patrick will have his uncles, and his grandfather, and he&#8217;ll have Hop Sing.\u00a0 You&#8217;re not alone, son.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam tried to smile, tried to accept it, but his worries were awfully strong.\u00a0 He&#8217;d been a big brother for a long time&#8230;a father, never.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hop Sing had been silently gathering cups and observing his family as they worked their way through this problem.\u00a0 He decided that Mister Adam needed to be reassured and reminded of his value to the family.\u00a0 Slowly, he walked into the main room and stood before Numbah One Son, very serious.\u00a0 Surprised, Adam looked up at him; the others did so as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Mistah Adam, I remembah time when was just you be fatha to Little Joe&#8230;be fatha to Missa Hoss.\u00a0 Dat time, Mistah Adam run ranch, too, and run timber camp, be Bull o\u2019 Woods.\u00a0 He make hands obey like big boss, all by self.\u00a0 Missa Ben, no can <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">be<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> big boss, then, no can be fatha&#8230;too full of grief&#8230; when Missy Cahtlight die, only Mistah Adam keep family togetha,&#8221; said Hop Sing with great tenderness, his sincerity reaching the worried man.\u00a0 Hop Sing looked at him fondly.\u00a0 &#8220;Family make it then because of seventeen-yeah-old boy name Adam Cahtlight.\u00a0 Family, with new numbah one son, make it again for same reason, only that boy now man.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss sniffled and grinned with damp eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;Who was it taught me how to swim in that there lake?&#8221; reminded Hoss gently, leaning over and tapping his older brother on the knee.\u00a0 &#8220;And how to skip stones?\u00a0 Who helped me with my homework when I was fit to chuck my books into the nearest duck pond?\u00a0 Who taught me &#8216;most everthin\u2019 I know about camping and huntin&#8217;?&#8221;\u00a0 He smiled.\u00a0 &#8220;I seem to remember you were the one who taught me how to use a gun the first time too, Adam.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe was more somber, remembering that awful time when his mother had died.\u00a0 Hop Sing was right.\u00a0 What Joe remembered from that time was Adam reading him stories at night, Adam tucking him into bed.\u00a0 Adam making sure he ate his supper and washed behind his ears.\u00a0 Adam scolding him when he was naughty and cuddling him and protecting him when he was frightened or forlorn. And comforting him when he wept for his mother.\u00a0 It reminded Joe of just how much he owed his oldest brother.\u00a0 &#8220;You&#8217;re not gonna be alone in this, big brother,&#8221; Joe chimed in softly.\u00a0 &#8220;You and Patrick will always have us here to help you.&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben&#8217;s heart swelled with pride and love as he watched his younger sons bolster and strengthen their worried older brother, and felt that with this kind of family, no matter what, they&#8217;d make it.\u00a0 He&#8217;d been upset and worried; frankly, being presented with a grandson without any hope of a wedding hadn&#8217;t thrilled him at first.\u00a0 But families were all about getting through the good times and the bad times together.\u00a0 That&#8217;s just what this family would do, too.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam had trouble keeping his lips from trembling and he looked away, blinking hard to keep the tears welling in his eyes from spilling.\u00a0 He sank back into the blue velvet chair with a sigh, and smiling, Ben squeezed his shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Okay, knock it off, all of you,&#8221; Adam said gruffly, with a small smile.\u00a0 &#8220;You&#8217;re gonna have me bawling in a minute.&#8221;\u00a0 He gave Hop Sing a special smile of gratitude.\u00a0 With a quiet smile of his own, the Chinese man nodded, bowed in respect to Adam and returned to the kitchen with the dirty cups and saucers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe, ever irrepressible, was the one to break the mood by coming over and perching on the table across from his oldest brother with a big grin, making Adam look at him.\u00a0 &#8220;Look, older brother, why don&#8217;t you try to stop worrying so much and just relax!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yeah, let&#8217;s just enjoy him!&#8221; grinned Hoss.\u00a0 &#8220;We&#8217;ll get through the rough times like we always do, as a family.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam looked up at his brothers and father with a wry smile.\u00a0 &#8220;Well, I suppose it&#8217;s true that even if I do screw up with him, he&#8217;ll have you three to turn to&#8230;and Hop Sing.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, that is something we need to talk about,&#8221; said Ben seriously, looking at his younger sons.\u00a0 &#8220;Adam is Patrick&#8217;s father, not you two.\u00a0 And when Adam makes a decision on how to raise the boy, we&#8217;re all going to have to back off and let them handle it.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;But, Pa, young Patrick&#8217;s gonna need to have two uncles around to protect him against his mean, miserable father, to be a &#8230;. a neutral nation,&#8221; grinned Joe.\u00a0 Adam groaned and cover his face with a hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Let&#8217;s just hope he ain&#8217;t as stubborn as his pa!&#8221; grinned Hoss.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">August, 1871<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rail line between Buffalo, NY and Chicago, IL<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom Ryan sank into the train seat beside Ray, who was trying to do some paperwork as the train jounced along.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Is he settled for the night?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Aye,&#8221; sighed Tom.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m worried about him, Ray. He ain&#8217;t said a word all day.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Nor yesterday, nor the day before that,&#8221; nodded Ray, setting his work aside.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom rubbed his hands over his eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;He ain&#8217;t said nothin&#8217; since the funeral.\u00a0 He eats when I put grub in front of him, he sleeps when I tell him to go to bed, but he won&#8217;t talk to me.\u00a0 It ain&#8217;t like him, Ray.\u00a0 I thought he&#8217;d be a bit brighter by now.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Connelly nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;I know.\u00a0 I really think he&#8217;s still kind of in a state of shock,&#8221; Ray mused, and got to his feet.\u00a0 &#8220;Is he asleep yet, do you think?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I doubt it, he just got wound down.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8217;m going to go talk to him.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Good luck to ye, lad.\u00a0 I&#8217;ll give ye an hour.\u00a0 Then I&#8217;ll come back and pick up the pieces,&#8221; said Tom dryly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray had commissioned a full railroad car for the three of them, complete with a sitting area and sleeping compartments.\u00a0 He walked back to Pat&#8217;s area and peeped in the curtains.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Patrick was staring at the ceiling of the compartment, not moving, pale.\u00a0 \u00a0 It was a lower berth, and Ray gingerly sat on the edge of the bunk.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat, I&#8217;d like to talk with ye,&#8221; he said gently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">There was no response.\u00a0 The boy continued to stare up at the ceiling, not moving a muscle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat, lad,&#8221; he said gently, &#8220;ye canna go on like this.\u00a0 Ye&#8217;ll be making yerself ill.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Patrick&#8217;s eyes blinked once, but he didn&#8217;t move or make a sound.\u00a0 Ray sighed.\u00a0 &#8220;Siobhan would not be pleased wi&#8217;ye, lad.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">At the sound of his mother&#8217;s name, Pat winced as though he&#8217;d been slapped.\u00a0 Ray bit his lip, not wanting to hurt the boy, but figuring he&#8217;d have to take some drastic measures to get through to him.\u00a0 &#8220;The last thing in the world she wanted was for ye to carry on so.\u00a0 Tell me now, lad, what would she be sayin\u2019 if she knew you were behavin&#8217; like this?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat stubbornly refused to answer, refused to move.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;All right, lad, I&#8217;ll tell ye,&#8221; he said inexorably.\u00a0 &#8220;She&#8217;d say you were a stubborn spalpeen, who needed a taste o&#8217; the stick to wake ye up.\u00a0 She&#8217;d be rantin\u2019 and ravin\u2019 and sayin\u2019 you were an inconsiderate whelp puttin\u2019 Tom and meself through so much worry.\u00a0 She&#8217;d say she was ashamed o&#8217; ye, and wonder how ye could be sullyin\u2019 the good name o&#8217; the Riordans with your carryin\u2019 on.&#8221;\u00a0 Ray felt awful, but he saw a glimmer of life coming to the boy at last and risked continuing.\u00a0 &#8220;She&#8217;d say it was a good thing your grandda Riordan never met ye, it&#8217;s that disappointed he&#8217;d be.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The boy\u2019s face became awfully pale.\u00a0 His voice dry and raspy from lack of use, Pat continued to stare at the ceiling, but whispered, &#8220;Lemme alone.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray pressed on. &#8220;She&#8217;d say &#8221;twas a good thing she was dead so she wouldn&#8217;t have to be seein\u2019 it.&#8221;\u00a0 This brought another flinch of pain, and Pat&#8217;s face worked, his lips trembling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray gently put a hand on the boy&#8217;s shoulder.\u00a0 &#8220;And she&#8217;d say she loved ye too much to watch you kill yerself this way,&#8221; the man said softly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tears welled in the boy&#8217;s eyes, and slid down his cheek.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ray, please&#8230;just let me be,&#8221; he whispered, the salt tears sliding into his mouth, around his snubbed nose, dampening the pillow beneath him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I can\u2019t, lad,&#8221; he said fiercely.\u00a0 &#8220;Your mother, she saw the sun rise and moon set in you, and I can\u2019t watch you destroy yourself.\u00a0 She&#8217;s gone, Pat.\u00a0 She&#8217;s dead an\u2019 buried but the spirit that made her Siobhan, it\u2019s not.&#8221;\u00a0 Pat was crying now, small shuddering sobs erupting in his chest.\u00a0 Ray gathered the boy&#8217;s hands and squeezed.\u00a0 &#8220;Don&#8217;t ye ever think she&#8217;s gone entirely from ye, lad.&#8221;\u00a0 He placed Pat&#8217;s cold hands on his chest and pressed. &#8220;She&#8217;s there, boy,&#8221; he said gently.\u00a0 &#8220;She&#8217;s there in yer heart, where she always was, and where she\u2019ll always be.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The dam broke then, and the tears that Pat had kept locked inside for weeks finally burst through.\u00a0 With a soft wail of insurmountable pain, Pat sobbed his heart out, and Ray gathered him in his arms, rocking him gently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It hurts, Ray,&#8221; he moaned, his face buried in his friend&#8217;s vest.\u00a0 &#8220;It hurts so bad, I can&#8217;t stand it!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I know, lad,&#8221; Ray crooned, stroking the boy&#8217;s black hair.\u00a0 &#8220;Ye can&#8217;t keep that much pain bottled up inside, it&#8217;ll kill ye, son.\u00a0 Let it go.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI just\u2026 I just wanna go home,\u201d the boy sobbed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray held him closely and let him cry.\u00a0 It took a long time for the storm to pass, but there is a limit to just how much a human being can weep.\u00a0 When Ray felt the tears were slowing down, and Pat was starting to calm a little, he gently patted the boy&#8217;s shoulder, and hugged him again.\u00a0 \u201cAh, Paddy\u2026\u00a0 yer ma, she&#8217;ll always be with ye, no matter where ye are, no matter how old ye get. Don&#8217;t ye be worryin&#8217; about that, lad,\u201d he said softly. \u201cAn&#8217; as fer home&#8230;well, ye&#8217;re goin&#8217; home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat shook his head, the awful wracking sobs reduced to shuddering after-sobs. &#8220;Ray, that ain&#8217;t home&#8230;that&#8217;s the middle of nowhere!\u00a0 Home is Hester Street, an\u2019 the \u2018Broth\u2019, and my pals, an&#8217; &#8230; an&#8217; &#8230;..&#8221; he shook his head, miserably.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat, you&#8217;ve got your whole life ahead of you, an\u2019 chances are ye\u2019d be goin\u2019 anywhere yer feet wanted ye to be headin\u2019 as ye grew older,&#8221; said Ray gently.\u00a0 &#8220;Your mother worked like a navvy to raise you right, and I know she did a fine job.\u00a0 Now, ye\u2019ve got a chance t\u2019meet the man yer ma loved, yer own flesh and blood, and have an adventure out in the wild west!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s doubtful look told him his efforts to appeal to a sense of adventure were either too soon after the loss of his mother or were entirely misplaced for a boy having his whole life ripped apart.\u00a0 The man sighed, and leaned against the sleeping compartment wall, patting the boy\u2019s shoulder. \u201cDon\u2019t be fearin\u2019 the man, Pat.\u00a0 He loved yer ma, and she him.\u00a0 D\u2019ye think she\u2019d send ye, the person she loved most in all the earth, to a man who\u2019d treat ye ill?\u00a0 You&#8217;re a son any man would be proud to call his own.\u00a0 God knows I tried to,&#8221; he said gently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Why can&#8217;t I just go back home with you?&#8221; the boy begged.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Because ye can&#8217;t, lad.\u00a0 You <\/span><b><i>do<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> have a father, and now that he knows you exist, he\u2019s waiting anxiously to meet ye.\u00a0 I&#8217;ve read ye his telegrams; there was nothin\u2019 but, &#8216;when will me son be here?&#8217;\u00a0 He&#8217;s looking forward to it!\u00a0 And besides your own father, you&#8217;ve got a grandfather and two uncles to care about ye.\u00a0 Siobhan told me many times about how yer father would talk about his family.\u00a0 It sounds like they&#8217;re a very close and carin\u2019 lot.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat swallowed hard, pulling back and wiping his tears away with the sleeve of his nightshirt.\u00a0 He looked down, and drew in a deep breath. &#8220;I&#8217;m scared, Ray,&#8221; he said softly.\u00a0 &#8220;I ain&#8217;t never been scared o&#8217;nothin&#8217; worse&#8217;n I&#8217;m scared o&#8217;this.\u00a0 Hell, I been in knife fights that ain&#8217;t scared me this bad.&#8221;\u00a0 He looked up at the kind man sitting beside him, and Ray smiled down at the young face.\u00a0 He was a handsome kid, there was no doubt about it, even with his eyes and nose red and his face blotchy from crying.\u00a0 &#8220;How could she do this t\u2019me, Ray?\u00a0 I don&#8217;t know nothin&#8217; about the place I&#8217;m goin&#8217;.\u00a0 I ain&#8217;t never sat on a horse in my whole damn life.\u00a0 I ain&#8217;t never been rich nor had no schoolin\u2019&#8230;aw, Ray, I ain&#8217;t never gonna fit in there. I wanna go home!&#8221;\u00a0 Miserably, he hung his head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Jaysus, give yourself a bit o\u2019 time, lad.\u00a0 Yer father&#8217;ll be teachin\u2019 ye all ye need to know&#8230;that&#8217;s what bein&#8217; a da is all about, is it not? Teachin&#8217; yer sons the lessons they need to get on in life.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I don&#8217;t need no stinkin&#8217; Orangeman to teach me nothin&#8217;!&#8221; flared Pat, more like his old self than Ray had seen in weeks.\u00a0 While he was grateful to see some spirit in him again, his words worried the lawyer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Now, Patrick, simmer down,&#8221; he warned.\u00a0 &#8220;You don&#8217;t even know the man, don&#8217;t be paintin\u2019 him with an Orange brush.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;He&#8217;s an Orangeman, ain&#8217;t he?\u00a0 Let&#8217;s call a spade a spade!&#8221; retorted the boy, obstinately crossing his arms over his chest, head down in anger.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;He was the man yer mother loved more than her life, and he&#8217;s the man that made it possible for you to draw yer breath!&#8221; declared Ray, nose to nose with this stubborn wee amad<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00e1<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">n.\u00a0 &#8220;An\u2019 I\u2019ll be remindin\u2019 ye, you promised yer mother ye&#8217;d obey her and go to him.\u00a0 And go to him ye shall, hog-tied and gagged if necessary!&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Stubbornly, Pat shut his mouth and sulked.\u00a0 Frustrated, Ray didn&#8217;t know which way he&#8217;d rather have him, damn near comatose with grief or spitting mad.\u00a0 Closing his eyes, he sighed.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Siobhan,<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> he thought, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">however did I let you talk me into this?!<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER EIGHT<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">August 19, 1871<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam paced in front of the stage office, trying desperately to contain his apprehension.\u00a0 Back near the buckboard, Ben, Hoss and Joe did their own fidgeting and nervous waiting.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Patrick Riordan Cartwright, thirteen years old, late of Hell&#8217;s Kitchen, New York City was due to arrive on the two o&#8217;clock stage, and it was now 2:10 p.m.\u00a0 Word had flown through town that the boy was arriving and it seemed that half of Virginia City suddenly had some kind of business in the general vicinity of the stage office that afternoon.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Never had Ben seen a crowd this size surround the office, not since they had waved off Sam Clemens&#8230;er, &#8220;Mark Twain&#8221;&#8230; after his, years ago, stint of journalistic endeavors in the town.\u00a0 Ben glanced around, trying to keep his temper, but making it very clear that he resented the ogling being done by people that had been his neighbors for years.\u00a0 In order to distract himself, he looked over at Hoss and Little Joe standing by the buckboard with their horses, eyeing the crowd in a similar state of mind.\u00a0 He could see that Joe was a simmering powder keg, ready to fly at the first person who opened his mouth.\u00a0 Hoss glanced at his father, glanced at Joe, and sent him a silent signal, reassuring him that he&#8217;d keep an eye on his younger brother.\u00a0 Ben sighed, nodded, and turned his attention back to the expectant father.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Despite their talk last week, Adam had been increasingly introspective, and now was clearly a mass of nerves.\u00a0 Ben had never known him to pace like this; it made him chuckle, remembering his own pacing while waiting for the arrival of his own sons&#8230;in a slightly different fashion than via stage coach!\u00a0 He wondered what was going through his son&#8217;s mind as he waited.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He couldn&#8217;t possibly have imagined; Adam was remembering a disagreeable chat he&#8217;d overheard in the saloon two days earlier.\u00a0 Adam had come into town to check the mail, determined to stand tall in the face of any rumors flying around.\u00a0 While sipping a beer, a <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">sotto voce<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> discussion behind him easily drifted toward him\u2026<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;That&#8217;s right, girls,&#8221; he overheard Vera say in a decidedly nasty tone of voice, loud enough for him to hear, &#8220;there&#8217;s going to be a bouncing baby boy arriving in Virginia City on Wednesday.\u00a0 Mr. Genius, Adam Cartwright, has figured out how to have a child without the benefit of a wife!&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The tittering behind him made him sigh, but he forced himself to continue sipping his beer.\u00a0 Charlie, behind the bar, uncomfortably came around the side of the bar and stalked over to the table of saloon girls.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Vera, that&#8217;s enough.\u00a0 Either you straighten up or find another place to work!&#8221; he hissed.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Why, Charlie, what do you mean?&#8221; she asked with exaggerated innocence.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;You know exactly what I mean,&#8221; he warned.\u00a0 &#8220;Now if you ain&#8217;t got enough work to do, maybe I need one less girl workin&#8217; here!&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vera flounced off her chair and sauntered over to a table of drinkers who&#8217;d been grinning and watching the show.\u00a0 She whispered something to one of the men, causing the table to erupt in laughter as she walked on by and up the stairs to the second floor of the saloon.\u00a0 The other girls dispersed also talking quietly among themselves and giggling.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Exasperated, Charlie shook his head and slowly walked back to the bar, carefully trying to judge Adam&#8217;s reaction.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Adam, I&#8217;m real sorry about this,&#8221; he apologized gruffly.\u00a0 &#8220;I don&#8217;t -&#8220;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Charlie,&#8221; said Adam, holding up a hand as he straightened up, &#8220;don&#8217;t worry about it.&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;It ain&#8217;t right, Adam.\u00a0 It&#8217;ll stop soon, I swear to ya,&#8221; said Charlie earnestly.\u00a0 &#8220;Lemme get you another beer, on the house.&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam shook his head and tossed a coin on the bar.\u00a0 &#8220;Thanks, but no thanks, Charlie. I gotta get going.\u00a0 I&#8217;ll see ya.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He walked out, careful to carry himself tall, his temper simmering as he passed the table of gawkers who stared at him as he walked by, then started laughing after he passed.\u00a0 He felt rage building up and he stopped, just two feet away from the nearest seated heckler.\u00a0 The table abruptly stopped laughing, knowing just how hot-headed Adam Cartwright could be when riled.\u00a0 But somehow, Adam had managed to keep his temper and after slowly turning and casting a very cold eye on the table of men he&#8217;d drunk with and played poker with, he spun on his heel and walked out.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sighed as he remembered the incident, just one of many since word about his son had spread.\u00a0 He glanced again at his watch and fumed.\u00a0 It figured that on a day like today the damned stage would be late.\u00a0 Roy Coffee sauntered over, in his quiet way assessing the situation, and approaching Adam, shook his head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Afternoon, Adam,&#8221; he smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Roy,&#8221; greeted Adam, his voice taut, as taut at the set of his shoulders.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Quite a welcome committee turnin&#8217; out to greet your boy,&#8221; he smiled, offering the dry remark.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam harrumphed and glanced at the crowd.\u00a0 &#8220;Yes, isn&#8217;t there,&#8221; he answered just as dryly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Would you like me to scatter &#8217;em a little?&#8221; asked Ray mildly, watching his young friend closely for a reaction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam glanced at Roy and smiled sadly.\u00a0 &#8220;No, Roy, don&#8217;t bother.\u00a0 We&#8217;re just going to have to ride this out for a bit.\u00a0 Causing a problem now won&#8217;t help the boy later.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Roy smiled and nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;Glad to hear you being so sensible about it.\u00a0 Things&#8217;ll work out, you&#8217;ll see.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam nodded and glanced again at his watch.\u00a0 2:20. Snapping it shut angrily, he shoved it into his pocket.\u00a0 &#8220;Where in tarnation is that stage?&#8221; he fumed.\u00a0 As if in answer, he heard the approach of a team, and as if their heads were attached to a large, connected string, the crowd all turned their heads toward the approaching stage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Swallowing hard, Adam drew in a deep breath and stood straight, not realizing that his hard, serious expression would scare the bejeesus out of any kid who contemplated it.\u00a0 The stage pulled up, stopped and the driver, Tom Wilkins, swung down.\u00a0 He glanced around, a little bewildered, and walked up to Roy and Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What&#8217;s goin&#8217; on?&#8221; he asked the Sheriff, confused.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;We&#8217;re just waiting for one of your passengers,&#8221; replied Coffee, as Adam peered into the stage.\u00a0 He saw Mrs. Lockhart and her daughter, Mr. Robbins, the jeweler&#8230;and no one else.\u00a0 Concerned, Adam opened the stage door and helped Mrs. Lockhart disembark and lifted little Amy out.\u00a0 Except for Robbins, there was no one else in the stage.\u00a0 He turned to the driver.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Where are your other passengers?&#8221; he demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;There ain&#8217;t no other passengers, Mr. Cartwright,&#8221; said Tom, bewildered.\u00a0 As if prodded he suddenly smacked his forehead.\u00a0 &#8220;Judas Priest, I &#8216;most forgot.&#8221;\u00a0 He dug around in his pockets and came up with an envelope.\u00a0 &#8220;Stage office at Ludgrove Springs passed this on for ya, Mr. Cartwright.&#8221;\u00a0 He handed over the envelope with Adam&#8217;s name on it.\u00a0 Staring at Tom, Adam slit the envelope then dropped his eyes to the letter he removed from it.\u00a0 His eyes widened and he glanced at the driver again.\u00a0 Heaving a sigh, setting his jaw angrily, he nodded and stalked off toward his father and brothers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss and Joe climbed down from the buckboard and waited, concerned.\u00a0 Ben stood by the team watching his son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It would seem they&#8217;re going to be delayed,&#8221; said Adam tightly, climbing nto the wagon seat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What happened?&#8221; asked Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8217;ll tell you on the way home.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;But\u2014&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8217;ll tell you on the way home!&#8221; snapped Adam, his face pale but his eyes glittering.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss and Joe exchanged surprised glances, and Ben slowly walked to his son&#8217;s side, looking up at him.\u00a0 Adam looked fit to be tied.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Adam?&#8221; he prompted sternly, clearly not willing to wait.\u00a0 Adam&#8217;s mouth was set tighter, and he stared straight ahead.\u00a0 Ben felt his own temper simmering, but knew Adam wouldn&#8217;t say a word until they were out of the glare of the crowd.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Annoyed, Ben swung himself up into the wagon seat and after Joe and Hoss were mounted, flicked the reins and got the team going.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He waited a grand total of five minutes after clearing the town, then stopped the horses, wound the reins around the brake very deliberately, then turned\u00a0 expectantly to his oldest son without a word, arms crossed over his chest.\u00a0 Hoss and Joe tentatively pulled up beside them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam hadn\u2019t taken his eyes off the floorboard since they\u2019d left town, but he <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">had<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> stopped being pale and was now red-faced and spitting mad.\u00a0 He raised up his head and looked directly into his father&#8217;s eyes.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;It seems my <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">son<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> has evaded his escorts,&#8221; he said tightly, handing the letter to his father.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What?!&#8221; demanded Joe, shocked, exchanging glances with Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ben read the letter and sighed.\u00a0 He glanced up at his\u00a0 younger sons. \u00a0 &#8220;According to Mr. Connelly, Patrick got himself &#8230;uh&#8230;.<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">lost<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in Budrow&#8217;s Wells for two days, and they&#8217;re going to be a little late.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss stared at his father and back at his older brother.\u00a0 &#8220;You mean&#8230;you mean he ran off?&#8221; he said incredulously.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;That&#8217;s precisely what he means!&#8221; snapped Adam.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Two days?!\u201d\u00a0 asked Joe, incredulous.\u00a0 &#8220;I mean, Budrow&#8217;s Wells isn&#8217;t big enough to get lost in, for pity&#8217;s sake!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">It went without saying that all of them realized young Patrick had been specifically trying to outsmart his escorts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;This Mr. Connelly says they&#8217;ve gotten their hands on him, but&#8230;&#8221; and Ben sighed, frowning as he handed the letter back to Adam, &#8221; but the stage company refuses to allow them to travel on the line and they&#8217;ve got to come on their own.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam closed his eyes, shaking his head.\u00a0 Hoss and Joe looked at each other helplessly for a moment, then Joe couldn&#8217;t help it; he started giggling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Just what is so funny, young man?&#8221; yelled his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, c&#8217;mon Pa,&#8221; grinned Joe.\u00a0 &#8220;I know it&#8217;s a little surprising, but you gotta give the kid credit.\u00a0 He&#8217;s got guts.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam set his mouth and stared straight ahead.\u00a0 &#8220;We might as well get on home.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Helplessly, Ben picked up the reins and got the horses moving again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Twelve miles outside<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">of Virginia City<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Lemme go!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Sit in that seat and shut yer gob!&#8221; roared Tom Ryan, angry enough to make even Patrick Riordan Cartwright shrink a little.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ve had all I&#8217;m gonna be takin\u2019 from you!&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat tried to stare him down, but lost, and glared at the toes of his hated shoes.\u00a0 Ryan roughly released his arm, and Pat, sitting down on the wagon seat, rubbed his bicep where Ryan had gripped him.\u00a0 Pat crossed his arms over his chest and scowled at the baseboard of the wagon.\u00a0 Ray slowly turned and swung a finger under the boy&#8217;s nose.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick, I&#8217;m gonna say this once, and that&#8217;s all,&#8221; he said furiously.\u00a0 &#8220;If ye give me one more moment of trouble, one more word of yer smart-ass mouth, I&#8217;ll tie ye, gag ye and dump ye in the back of this wagon.\u00a0 Your behavior has been atrocious!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, I&#8217;m shakin&#8217;,&#8221; muttered Pat rudely.\u00a0 Tom closed his eyes and shook his head, facing front.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ah, Christ, I&#8217;m gonna kill him,&#8221; grated Ryan, flicking the reins and getting the horses going.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">They traveled in silence.\u00a0 The last week had been hell for Ray Connelly and Tom Ryan.\u00a0 After his total withdrawal, Pat had finally come alive, acting out with every bit of venom,\u00a0 cussedness and frustration in his system.\u00a0 It had taken thirty-six hours to find him again in Budrow&#8217;s Wells; they had finally tracked him down as he was trying to con some food out of woman on the outskirts of town.\u00a0 Ray had to calm Tom down enough not to wallop the kid, right there in the middle of the road; when they got him back to the hotel, Ray read the boy the riot act.\u00a0 He&#8217;d behaved himself for a few hours.\u00a0 But once on the stage Pat made such a nuisance of himself with the other passengers that at the next stage stop they&#8217;d been put off.\u00a0 This time, Ray didn&#8217;t even bother to calm down Tom.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Luckily the paths to follow to Virginia City were clear and there was no problem in them hiring a rig and making the rest of the trip on their own, making excellent time.\u00a0 They&#8217;d just be a few hours late.\u00a0 They got directions and suggestions from the stage stop conductor and timed out their trip so that they had a town to stop in each night.\u00a0 It had been a hard trip, and all three were dog-tired, irritable and wishing they&#8217;d never embarked on this odyssey.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">After the hiding he&#8217;d gotten, Pat was a little more subdued and didn&#8217;t try to elude them again, but he was hardly cooperative.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Look, we&#8217;ll be in Virginia City in just a few hours,&#8221; said Ray, trying to be calm. &#8220;Can&#8217;t we please make the rest of this trip a little pleasant?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Nothing but stubborn silence from the boy beside him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Tom, stop the damn horses!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Surprised, Tom glanced over at Ray but did as he was bid.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick, we&#8217;re gonna be talkin\u2019 about this, and we&#8217;re gonna be talkin\u2019 right now,&#8221; declared Ray grimly, climbing down off the wagon and literally yanking the boy down off the seat, his fist full of the boy\u2019s shirt collar.\u00a0 Flailing his arms for balance, wild-eyed, Pat had no choice but to follow.\u00a0 Ray marched him to the side of the road and stood over him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat, spit it out! I want to know what&#8217;s botherin&#8217; you,&#8221; he said sternly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat scowled at the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Answer me!&#8221;\u00a0 Startled, Pat snapped his head up and looked at Connelly.\u00a0 Ray fought not to wilt at the anger, sadness and God knew what else shining out of Patrick&#8217;s blue eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I don&#8217;t wanna be here,&#8221; snapped Pat.\u00a0 &#8220;I never wanted to come here!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat, we&#8217;ve been through this over and over again!&#8221; cried Ray in exasperation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I promised my mother I&#8217;d go.\u00a0 I didn&#8217;t say I&#8217;d go along like a damn sheep!&#8221; shouted Patrick angrily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You promised her you&#8217;d behave!&#8221; shouted back Ray.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;I said I&#8217;d behave for <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">him<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, not <\/span><b><i>you<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">!&#8221; Pat hollered, losing his temper.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Throwing his hands in the air in abject frustration, Ray stomped back to the wagon and got on.\u00a0 He reached back into the wagon bed, picked up the single carpet bag that belonged to Pat and hurled it out onto the ground.\u00a0 He stood on the foot board, feet planted apart, with Tom staring at him and Pat gaping.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;There y&#8217;are, lad,&#8221; he said, his color rising, his blond hair spiked from running his hands through it.\u00a0 &#8220;You want to be on your own?\u00a0 Right, then!\u00a0 You&#8217;re on your own!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Breathing hard and staring in shock, Pat wildly looked from the carpet bag dumped on the ground and then up at the two men.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Here&#8217;s yer choice, lad,&#8221; said Ray.\u00a0 &#8220;Do we leave ye here, or do ye come along?\u00a0 God save me, yer mother&#8217;ll be hauntin\u2019 me for the rest of me days, but I&#8217;ve had enough!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Licking his lips, Pat swallowed hard and looked again at Ray.\u00a0 A lump formed in his throat and he fought back his tears.\u00a0 Looking down, his black hair disheveled, his face pale, his new clothes mussed up, Pat silently, slowly walked to the bag.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray prayed to God he wouldn&#8217;t have to act, prayed that for once Pat&#8217;s sharpness at spotting a bluff would be momentarily sidetracked by his fear of being left stranded alone in this wild country.\u00a0 Pat picked up the bag, stood for a moment staring at the ground, and then sighing, tossed it up into the wagon.\u00a0 He walked slowly to the front of the rig and stood in front of Ray.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Sorry,&#8221; he muttered, a catch in his voice.\u00a0 Ray relaxed, and Tom let out the breath he&#8217;d been holding for the last few moments.\u00a0 Ray nodded, and adjusted his position to allow Pat to climb up into the wagon seat.\u00a0 Ray settled himself down on the seat, glanced at Pat, sitting stiffly and staring at the floorboard of the wagon, then nodded to Tom, gesturing him to have the horses walk on.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">They\u2019d been on their way about five minutes when Ray silently put an arm around Pat&#8217;s shoulders.\u00a0 Another moment or two went by, and Pat&#8217;s shoulders sagged totally in defeat..\u00a0 In silence, the three rode into Virginia City.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">10:30 p.m. that night<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Ponderosa<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben wearily got to his feet and decided that it was time to get to bed.\u00a0 It had been an awful day; Adam had spent the afternoon out riding, God only knew where, while Joe and Hoss had done all the chores and ranch work themselves.\u00a0 Hop Sing had prepared a beautiful dinner that went uneaten, except by Hoss and Joe.\u00a0 Neither Adam nor Ben had felt hungry enough to eat supper.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss and Joe had just gone up, and Adam was in the kitchen fixing a pot of coffee.\u00a0 Obviously, he wasn&#8217;t ready for bed yet.\u00a0 Ben didn&#8217;t know whether it was best to stay up and give Adam company or leave him to himself.\u00a0 Ben understood Adam&#8217;s embarrassment and discomfort at the news they&#8217;d gotten today; he just hoped that this wasn&#8217;t going to seriously taint his grandson&#8217;s and his son&#8217;s future relationship.\u00a0 He hoped Adam would try to understand how difficult this all must be for the youngster.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam came out with one cup of coffee, surprised to see his father.\u00a0 &#8220;I thought you\u2019d gone up to bed,&#8221; he said apologetically raising the cup.\u00a0 &#8220;Want some?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;No, I think I <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">will<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> head up,&#8221; said Ben, shaking his head.\u00a0 &#8220;You all right?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam actually smiled and nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;Yeah, I&#8217;m all right.&#8221;\u00a0 He chuckled.\u00a0 &#8220;What a day,\u201d he sighed, seemingly a little more resigned to the situation and actually beginning to see a little of the humor in it.\u00a0 Suddenly both picked up their heads as they heard hoof beats in the yard. It was clear there were several horses and a wagon pulling up outside.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Looking at each in surprise, Ben glanced at the clock.\u00a0 &#8220;Who in the world\u2014?&#8221; he muttered heading for the front door.\u00a0 Adam set down his cup and followed him out to the porch.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">A gorgeous full moon&#8217;s light made the single horse and the wagon and team clearly visible.\u00a0 Ben and Adam stepped forward as they saw Roy Coffee sitting his horse with a dark-haired boy in the saddle in front of him&#8230; hands tied to the saddle horn.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben&#8217;s heart skipped a beat.\u00a0 Dear God&#8230;.he breathed.\u00a0 Was this his grandson?\u00a0 Bewildered, Ben looked from the wagon, which contained two very tired looking men\u2014 one very large and burly, and the other tall but slim, both looking as though they&#8217;d been through the war\u2014 back to Roy, looking both smug and a bit peeved. And finally, back to the boy, his face shadowed by Roy&#8217;s body, but his physical demeanor sullen and downcast.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Evenin&#8217;, Ben, Adam,&#8221; said Roy easily, still astride his horse.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Slowly Adam walked toward the Sheriff ,staring at the boy.\u00a0 &#8220;Evening, Roy,&#8221; he said calmly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben heard footsteps behind him and glanced back to see Hoss and Joe coming out, gun belts on and wary, until they saw who the lead rider was.\u00a0 And his passenger.\u00a0 Both Hoss and Joe stared wide-eyed, then Hoss&#8217; face split into a happy grin.\u00a0 Until he noticed the ropes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Mr. Cartwright?\u00a0 Mr. Adam Cartwright?&#8221; came a weary Irish voice from the tall, slim man as he got down off the wagon.\u00a0 Adam turned to him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yes, I&#8217;m Adam Cartwright,&#8221; he said.\u00a0 The man held out a hand, and Adam clasped it, surprised at the firm grip considering the exhaustion present on the man&#8217;s face.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Raymond Connelly,&#8221; he said.\u00a0 Sighing, he glanced up at the boy, and tiredly waved a hand toward him.\u00a0 &#8220;May I be presentin\u2019 your son, Patrick.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s heart was hammering so hard, he was sure everyone could hear it, and he swallowed hard, his mouth utterly dry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The youngster didn&#8217;t budge; Adam walked to the front of Ray&#8217;s chestnut mare, and holding her bridle, turned the horse into the moonlight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The boy still refused to meet his gaze, but still, Adam drew in a shocked breath as he saw his own face\u2014younger, to be sure, but his own\u2014above him.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Roy, what in tarnation you got him tied to your saddle for?&#8221; demanded Hoss, striding forward.\u00a0 Startled, Pat flinched a little as the huge man, even bigger than Ryan, started to pick at the knots at his wrist.\u00a0 He was surprised when the big man looked up at him with a gentle smile of wonder.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Who&#8217;re you?&#8221; he asked, warily.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ben winced again, his mind violently shoved back twenty years in time&#8230;<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam&#8217;s<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> deep, rich adolescent voice, though strained, to be sure, and with a thick New York City accent.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, Patrick,&#8221; said Hoss as he untied him, &#8220;I&#8217;m your Uncle Hoss. I&#8217;m your father&#8217;s next younger brother.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat studied him in silence as he rubbed his newly-freed wrists.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You ain&#8217;t answered my question, Roy,&#8221; said Hoss, scowling at the Sheriff.\u00a0 &#8220;What you got him tied up for?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Because I didn&#8217;t want to lose him between Virginia City and here,&#8221; replied Coffee dryly.\u00a0 &#8220;And because I didn&#8217;t want the rest of the town dismantled in another brawl.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What?!&#8221; Joe&#8217;s eyes widened in shock, coming down off the porch to join the others surrounding Roy Coffee\u2019s mount.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben stared at the sheriff in consternation. &#8220;Roy, I\u2014&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Now, Ben,&#8221; said Coffee, holding up a hand to waylay the sputtering and remonstrating he knew were coming as he dismounted, &#8220;I sure hope you ain&#8217;t gonna try to tell me how to do my job.\u00a0 This youngster here caused a riot in the town the like o&#8217;which I ain&#8217;t seen since last Independence Day, and I was gonna be goldurned if I&#8217;d let him do it again.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;But what happened?&#8221; demanded Ben in a roar.\u00a0 Pat flinched again at the angry sound of the older man&#8217;s voice and then glanced warily again at the man who was his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His father.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">It was so strange seeing a living, breathing human being wearing the face in the picture that had sat by his mother&#8217;s bed for all these years.\u00a0 It was an older face, of course, but there was no mistaking him.\u00a0 He was a lot bigger than Pat had expected; uncomfortably bigger, in fact. \u00a0 Pat&#8217;s stomach fought nervous butterflies.\u00a0 He instinctively clutched his knees to the horse&#8217;s flanks, feeling a little bit better in his elevated position, but was bitterly aware of the fact that this man held the head of the horse he&#8217;d hung onto for dear life all the way out here from town.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Wal,&#8221; drawled Roy, &#8220;these fellers arrived in Virginia City about three hours ago, proceeded to lose the young&#8217;un, and when we found him another hour later, he&#8217;d been playin&#8217; poker at the Bucket O&#8217; Blood and accused Jeff Bonner of cheatin&#8217; him.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam closed his eyes and shook his head<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0 Oh, my God&#8230;.Jeff, of all people&#8230;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe giggled in disbelief, earning him a furious glare from his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;I don&#8217;t know where he learned to fight, but I&#8217;ll tell you, he cleaned Jeff&#8217;s clock for him,&#8221; chuckled Roy.\u00a0 &#8220;After he decked Jeff with a sucker punch, Jeff&#8217;s brother Rick joined in and in a few minutes the whole bar was wrecked and the fight spread out to \u201cC\u201d Street.&#8221;\u00a0 Roy wore a knowing look, a little bit of a smile, but also a clearly warning glance: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">don\u2019t be givin\u2019 me a hard time, <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">it said, as plainly as if the words had been spoken.\u00a0 &#8220;Adam, I sure do apologize for havin&#8217; to deliver him to you this way, but I really didn&#8217;t want to go chasin&#8217; him half the night.\u00a0 You understand.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam nodded and looked up again at his son.\u00a0 Pat was pale, now, and worried at what this father of his would do or say but tried to hide it with a scowl.\u00a0 Adam almost laughed; the kid looked so much like him it was scary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You look pretty worn out,&#8221; he said calmly.\u00a0 &#8220;Need some help getting down off that horse?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat was more than a little daunted by the distance down to the ground but saw in his peripheral vision his father&#8217;s hand go out to help him down.\u00a0 Setting his mouth in a stubborn scowl, he swung his long right leg up and over the horse&#8217;s neck, making Adam have to duck, very quickly, to avoid getting smacked in the head.\u00a0 In a smooth motion, Pat slid to the ground, and for the first time, stared up defiantly at this man who was his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam&#8217;s breath caught painfully in his chest. \u00a0 Those eyes&#8230; those startling, incredibly light, bright blue eyes&#8230; <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Siobhan&#8217;s eyes!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Fourteen years ago, those eyes had laughed&#8230; spit fire&#8230; gazed at him longingly.\u00a0 God, he&#8217;d drowned himself in them long enough to recognize them, even after fourteen years.\u00a0 Any question he might have had was gone; this defiant, stubborn little pain in the ass was, without a doubt, his and Siobhan&#8217;s son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI don\u2019t need yer help,\u201d growled the boy, his deep voice filled with scorn.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">It was a face off, the tall, dark man with his hands on his hips, glaring at the adolescent mirror of himself, matching his stance and expression.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben gazed from father to son, marveling.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss and Joe exchanged worried glances.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Roy Coffee grinned, liking the boy&#8217;s sand.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">And Ray Connelly just looked up at the stars, seeming to be cursing them somehow.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">As for Tom Ryan, still seated in the wagon, he just groaned and put his head in his hands.\u00a0 It was gonna be a long night.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER NINE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">August 20, 1871<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What the\u2014?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat bolted upright in bed, momentarily bewildered and frightened by his unfamiliar surroundings.\u00a0 His heart pounding, Pat closed his eyes and sank back on the pillows, breathing deeply.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">And remembered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He gave himself a few moments to get his breathing back under control, then glanced at the window.\u00a0 It wasn&#8217;t quite dawn, it couldn\u2019t be more than about 4:30.\u00a0 Yawning, the boy stretched; the bed had been comfortable, more than those beds all along the way on this trip&#8230;and far more so than the settee at home.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Home.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat closed his eyes sadly for a moment, then set his jaw in a scowl and shook himself.\u00a0 He swung his long legs out of bed and nearly tripped over the nightshirt.\u00a0 His scowl deepened as he stripped the bulky thing off, pitching it angrily into a corner of the room.\u00a0 He swore he would <\/span><b>never<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> wear one of those stupid things again!\u00a0 He quietly hauled his carpet bag out from under the bed and pulled out a pair of pants and a shirt.\u00a0 He couldn&#8217;t deny that these here other new clothes Ray had bought him felt good; hell, they fit!\u00a0 That was a distinct improvement over his previous attire.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">But this morning he refused to stick his feet into those awful shoes again.\u00a0 Pat had been used to going barefoot for nearly eight months of the year; he figured he could return to his comfortable ways now that they had arrived.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He sat on the bed as he buttoned his shirt and thought back over the events of last night.\u00a0 What a strange feeling, looking at a face that he was used to seeing in a photograph; even worse was the sensation that he was looking at an older version of himself.\u00a0 It was terribly unsettling, like lookin&#8217; in one of those weird mirrors at Coney Island. *\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Looking around the room, he was awestruck by the splendor and comfort.\u00a0 This one room was nearly the size of the whole flat back on Hester Street.\u00a0 The fireplace had wood stacked by it, though in this summer heat he couldn&#8217;t imagine using it.\u00a0 The bed was big and comfortable; he could stretch out his full length and relax.\u00a0 He got up off the bed and walked over toward the bookshelf.\u00a0 He ran his hands over the bindings, feeling the texture of the rich leather and smooth canvas and sighed.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Wonder what my college boy father\u2019d say if he knew he\u2019s got a son who couldn&#8217;t read or write his name? <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">he thought dully. Another reason to be considered \u201cless than\u201d\u2026<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat shook himself again and moved back to the bureau.\u00a0 He watched himself in the mirror as he rolled up his shirtsleeves and stuck his shirt tail into his pants.\u00a0 The blue eyes that looked back at him made a lump come to his throat.\u00a0 He slowly turned toward the carpet bag peeping out from under the bed, and pulled out the bundle of his mother\u2019s personal items.\u00a0 Ray had given it to him after the funeral, saying that she had willed everything she had to him.\u00a0 He remembered thinking how sad it was that someone like his mother had nothing more than this lot to show for her life.\u00a0 A letter, a ring, other personal items.\u00a0 And the daguerreotype.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He studied this younger version of his mother, not many years older than he was now.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Sighing sadly, he propped the portrait of his parents\u00a0 up against the lamp and contemplated her.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell\u2026 I\u2019m here,\u201d he muttered, rolling his eyes. \u201cWe\u2019ll just haveta see what happens next.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0He shook his head and padded quietly to the door.\u00a0 Listening carefully, he heard nothing, not a sound.\u00a0 Very softly, he opened the door and peered up and down the hallway.\u00a0 No one.\u00a0 Nodding in satisfaction, he silently crept down the hallway to the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Stepping close to the sides of the staircase to avoid any potentially squeaky runners, Pat quietly went down the steps.\u00a0 The main room of the house was incredibly large.\u00a0 Pat stared high above his head at the rafters, and took in the solid construction, the beauty of the design.\u00a0 He ran his hand over the smooth wood of the stair railing, marveling at its beauty and simplicity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Once down the stairs, Pat padded quietly around the huge great room, taking everything in.\u00a0 The huge gun cabinet&#8230; the impressive mahogany desk across the room&#8230; the slightly worn chair, covered in some soft blue fabric, by the massive stone hearth and fireplace, and the reddish leather one across from it.\u00a0 The woven blanet with a pattern Pat had never seen before hanging over the rail at the half-landing of the staircase.\u00a0 The art on the walls.\u00a0 Patrick&#8217;s eyes stopped short and, admiringly, took in the beautiful oil painting above the sideboard near the door, and walked closer to it.\u00a0 The sunlight was just creeping into the room, casting a warm glow over the painting, giving it an aura that made Pat lose himself in it.\u00a0 But not so much that he lost his street smarts.\u00a0 He heard the footsteps behind him, and whirled, fists ready.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hop Sing started in shock.\u00a0 He hadn&#8217;t seen the boy from around the corner from the dining room alcove, and had been startled as much as Pat had been.\u00a0 Eyes wide, Hop Sing stayed stock still.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">They had met very briefly the night before, when Hop Sing had prepared some food for the boy and his two companions, but beyond a nod of greeting had said nothing more.\u00a0 Hop Sing had tried to take his measure of the boy, but beyond his incredible likeness to Mister Adam especially when he\u2019d first met the family when Missy Cahtlight still alive, Hop Sing had not been able to judge.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Patrick had been too tired and overwhelmed last night to put much effort into making his acquaintance.\u00a0 Trying to assess the situation with his father, his grandfather and uncles had taken too much of his depleted energy.\u00a0 This morning however, was a different story.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Warily, Pat tried to remember everything about Chinese manners taught him by Su Chang and his family.\u00a0 Slowly, he bowed deeply to Hop Sing and brought himself back upright.\u00a0 Surprised, and pleased, Hop Sing smiled and returned the honorable gesture.\u00a0 The surprise widened his eyes further when Pat spoke to him in Chinese.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;I hope you can understand me,&#8221; he said softly in halting, but accurate Cantonese. \u201cYou are \u2026. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">maybe<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> you are from Canton?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I am,&#8221; affirmed Hop Sing in delight.\u00a0 &#8220;How come you to speak my language so well?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;It was my \u2026\u201d\u00a0 Pat\u2019s brow wrinkled as he searched his memory for the right word, \u201cmy honor to have a Chinese good\u2026 no, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">best<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> friend,&#8221; replied Patrick, carefully.\u00a0 As he heard the Chinese words again, his eyes shone; it felt like a little bit of home.\u00a0 Then Pat remembered again&#8230;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Home<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His smile faded and was replaced with a scowl, his black brows knitting together.\u00a0 Hop Sing was startled; how many times he had seen that same expression flit across Mister Adam&#8217;s face as a youngster!\u00a0 Even now, that same look occasionally found itself on Mister Adam&#8217;s countenance when he was frustrated or angry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Something troubles you,&#8221; said Hop Sing quietly.\u00a0 &#8220;It is very early, could you not rest?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;No,&#8221; said Pat shortly.\u00a0 He turned away from Hop Sing and walked toward the front door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Where are you going?&#8221; demanded Hop Sing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Out!&#8221; snapped Patrick over his shoulder, in English this time, as he strode out the door.\u00a0 Hop Sing sighed and shook his head.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Trouble ahead, for sure!<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam stirred in his sleep, and he bolted up as he heard the front door slam.\u00a0 Shaking the sleep from his brain, he swung his long legs out of bed and grabbed his clothes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Downstairs, Hop Sing was setting the table for breakfast, and he looked up in surprise to see Adam hurrying down the stairs, his boots in his hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Who was that going out?&#8221; he demanded, tottering on one leg as he jammed his foot into a boot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Missa Patlick,&#8221; answered Hop Sing, carefully placing plates on the table.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, where&#8217;d he go?&#8221; demanded Adam, struggling now with the other boot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Him say&#8230;&#8217;out!&#8217; &#8221; replied Hop Sing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Why didn&#8217;t you stop him?&#8221; complained Adam as he headed for the door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hop Sign stopped a moment, and turned to look at the oldest of the Cartwright sons. &#8220;Not know Ponderosa was prison,&#8221; replied the Oriental quietly.\u00a0 Adam stopped short and turned back, surprised.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Now, what&#8217;s <\/span><b><i>that<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> supposed to mean?&#8221; he demanded, hands on his hips.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hop Sing shrugged and headed back to his kitchen.\u00a0 Muttering under his breath, Adam opened the door and stepped outside, scanning the yard.\u00a0 It didn&#8217;t take long to find him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat was sitting up on the corral fence, staring out at the mountains in the distance, and chewing a piece of long grass.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Quietly, Adam composed himself; Hop Sing was right.\u00a0 What on earth had he been afraid of?\u00a0 Then he grunted a laugh to himself.\u00a0 One talk with Roy Coffee could have answered that question.\u00a0 Sighing, Adam strolled out to the corral.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">As with Hop Sing, Pat heard him coming, but this time he didn&#8217;t jump.\u00a0 He sat on the corral fence, continuing to stare out at the beautiful sunrise, something he&#8217;d never seen like this before.\u00a0 His bare feet were resting on the fence post below him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You&#8217;re up early,&#8221; Adam said carefully, his voice neutral.\u00a0 After the face off last night, Adam had decided to tread warily with this son of his\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Luckily, it was Pa who had intervened at that point, suggesting that Pat must be tired and hungry after the long ride and had gently but firmly herded him into the house.\u00a0 Adam saw the slight look of relief on the boy&#8217;s face as Pa had offered a way for them both to keep their pride without incident.\u00a0 Without another word, the boy had turned and walked off to the house with Ben.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">All of the travelers had been very tired, and the Cartwrights had initiated very little conversation, knowing everything could wait until morning.\u00a0 They got Patrick settled up in his new room, which awed him, and his companions into guest rooms, where they fell into their beds almost asleep before they hit the pillows.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat slowly turned his head back and looked at his father: a stubble of beard covered his chin and he looked like he hadn&#8217;t rested enough. &#8220;Couldn&#8217;t sleep,&#8221; the youngster replied, looking back toward the sunrise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Hm&#8230;&#8221;\u00a0 Adam rested his forearms on the fence, not too close to Patrick, and contemplated the same sight.\u00a0 &#8220;I can remember having a hard time sleeping when I came home from Boston.\u00a0 It was too quiet.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat sighed; it was obvious he wasn&#8217;t going to be allowed to enjoy the sunrise in peace so he might as well go back into the house.\u00a0 Careful this time to swing his long legs away from his father&#8217;s head, Pat did a neat pivot on the fence and slid down to his feet.\u00a0 He said nothing as he walked away.\u00a0 Adam watched him go, irritated.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Boy, you sure aren\u2019t going to make this easy.\u00a0 <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Shaking his head, Adam followed the youngster into the house.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">At the breakfast table, Tom and Ray were invited to stay a few days at the Ponderosa both to rest and prepare for the trip home, and also to provide a certain amount of transition for Pat.\u00a0 While there was companionable chatter during the meal, all at the table were thinking their own thoughts, worrying the situation as a dog does a bone, trying to come up with a solution.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For his part, Pat ate silently, spoke only when spoken to and was fulfilling his promise to himself to be here, behave, and be hateful.\u00a0 Everything was alien to him, except, he thought with a snort of irony, Hop Sing.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Don\u2019t it just make sense I gotta find the only familiar thing about this damn place is a Cantonese cook?!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 But even that thought he thrust from his mind as his melancholy became deeper. It hurt too much to remember Su Chang and realize he&#8217;d probably never see him again, or anything or anyone else from his life in Hell&#8217;s Kitchen.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben could see the nervous, scared kid underneath the bravado; again, Ben marveled at the way blood worked.\u00a0 It didn&#8217;t take him long to note that Patrick reacted to strangeness and being overwhelmed in exactly the same way his father had; in fact, as he still did.\u00a0 He withdrew and studied the situation.\u00a0 Ben hoped the boy would relax and open up soon, or he&#8217;d be miserable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss&#8217; heart went out to the troubled boy. He, too, could recognize the concern and worry running through the youngster, and wished he could figure out a way to help him settle down and trust them.\u00a0 It was a hard thing to lose your ma, and Pat had lost his in a far more traumatic way than most.\u00a0 Hoss was determined to help the boy, and to be a friend.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Little Joe, on the other hand, was getting a little irritated at Pat&#8217;s stubbornness and rude coldness.\u00a0 He understood that the kid had been through some hard times, but Joe was growing more and more concerned about the withdrawal, the rudeness to Adam, and the general tension filling the room whenever Pat was in it. \u00a0 He had to keep reminding himself of his own feelings when his mother had died, and how this boy, though much older, was having more than just the loss of a parent to deal with\u2026 the loss of a home, friends, and everything he\u2019d ever known.\u00a0 Even so, Joe knew there was gonna come a time we he and Pat were gonna lock horns\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam sipped his coffee and studied his son as unobtrusively as possible.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How do I reach him? What is it that&#8217;s troubling him the most, and how in God&#8217;s name do I get it out of him if he won&#8217;t talk to me<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">?\u00a0 And his thoughts were also filled with Siobhan.\u00a0 Apparently, he was wrong; he hadn&#8217;t gotten her out of his system all those years ago.\u00a0 And every time Pat looked up, he saw her eyes; he wondered what Siobhan had become, what she&#8217;d been like.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray chatted easily with these four men, calling on his charm and social skills as a successful lawyer.\u00a0 It was important to him that he get to know these men, because he wasn&#8217;t about to leave Pat with anyone he didn&#8217;t trust.\u00a0 As much trouble as the boy had been all the way out here, Ray cared deeply for him, had helped to raise him, and he wasn&#8217;t about to leave Siobhan&#8217;s son to a man who didn&#8217;t see through that shell to the good, caring kid underneath.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom was more reserved.\u00a0 Except with the big one, the one called Hoss, he found it often difficult to chat.\u00a0 Small talk wasn&#8217;t his nature.\u00a0 That&#8217;s what he&#8217;d always liked about Siobhan, and why they&#8217;d been friends for the many long years after their affair.\u00a0 Siobhan spoke with her eyes and her heart.\u00a0 Oh, to be sure, she could waggle a tongue with the best of them when angry or roused, but she wasn&#8217;t one to bend a man&#8217;s ear with silly woman&#8217;s chatter.\u00a0 It was with Hoss that Tom figured he could determine if this family was good enough to leave Patrick with.\u00a0 He had absolutely no intention of abandoning the boy here to people that wouldn&#8217;t love him, even if the boy was doing his best to make sure that was exactly what happened\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;So, Mr. Cartwright,&#8221; said Ray, leaning back with his coffee cup in his hand.\u00a0 &#8220;How large is this Ponderosa of yours?\u00a0 It&#8217;s certainly beautiful.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Thank you,&#8221; smiled Ben.\u00a0 &#8220;We have roughly 1,000 square miles.\u00a0 We have cattle, mining interests and a logging camp up in the mountains.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom&#8217;s eyes widened. &#8220;A thousand square miles!&#8221; he breathed.\u00a0 &#8220;And me da and I worked 50 acres in Ireland, believin&#8217; ourselves rich as kings!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam leaned back as well, trying to relax. &#8220;Well, when my father, Hoss and I came out here, there was nothing but Indians, so we built it up ourselves, slowly.\u00a0 Believe me, it wasn&#8217;t easy,&#8221; he smiled thoughtfully.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;And you, Joe?&#8221; asked Ray with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe grinned back.\u00a0 &#8220;I was the only one born here on the Ponderosa.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Joseph&#8217;s mother was from New Orleans, I met her there on a business trip.\u00a0 I brought her back here, and it was she who helped to design this house.\u00a0 Our cabin, the first house I built here for the boys and me, was hardly this big,&#8221; smiled Ben as he rested his elbows on the table thoughtfully.\u00a0 &#8220;No, the boys and I put in an awful lot of hard work to get the Ponderosa to where it is today.\u00a0 I couldn&#8217;t have done it without them.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Speaking of doing without,&#8221; said Hoss, rising to his feet, &#8220;I better get them chores started or Hop Sing&#8217;ll see I do without lunch, and I ain&#8217;t gonna risk that!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The men all laughed, and Tom saw a chance to escape.\u00a0 &#8220;Need any help, lad?&#8221; he asked hopefully.\u00a0 Hoss recognized a kindred spirit in the big, burly Irishman and grinned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;How&#8217;re you with a hammer?\u00a0 I got me some repairs to do on the corral fence today.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I can drive a nail straight as an arrow with a single strike,&#8221; laughed Tom, getting to his feet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pa, we got us a new hand!&#8221; grinned Hoss, and the two men walked out, talking.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yeah, I&#8217;d better get out to those broncs,&#8221; sighed Joe.\u00a0 &#8220;They aren&#8217;t&#8217; going to break themselves.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat was eating, eyes down, but gathering in every word.\u00a0 This last statement intrigued him.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Break themselves?<\/span><\/i> <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What the devil was the fella goin\u2019 on about?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 He raised his head and eyed Joe questioningly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Break?&#8221; he asked.\u00a0 His deep voice was heard for the first time that meal, and all at the table glanced at him, making him the center of attention.\u00a0 He didn&#8217;t like it.\u00a0 He flushed, scowled and sent his eyes back down to his plate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Breaking horses,&#8221; explained Joe, as he rested his napkin beside his plate.\u00a0 &#8220;Wild mustangs have to be broken, or gentled, to ready them for a saddle and bridle.\u00a0 Want to watch?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat struggled; he really did want to, this sounded fascinating, but he was reluctant to show it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Why don&#8217;t you go ahead, Patrick?&#8221; encouraged Adam.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;ll give you a chance to look the horses over and see which one you might like to have.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Despite himself, Pat picked his head up in shocked surprise.\u00a0 &#8220;A horse?\u00a0 For me?&#8221; he asked, incredulous.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Everyone&#8217;s gotta have a horse here, Patrick,&#8221; grinned Joe.\u00a0 &#8220;There&#8217;s not much of any other way to get around.\u00a0 You ever been on a horse?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat swallowed, hating to admit he was less than adequate.\u00a0 Flushing, he shook his head no, not meeting his uncle&#8217;s eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;No problem.\u00a0 We&#8217;ll have you up in a saddle in no time, feelin&#8217; like you were born on a horse,&#8221; grinned Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I wasn&#8217;t born on a horse,&#8221; muttered Pat.\u00a0 &#8220;I was born in Hell&#8217;s Kitchen.&#8221;\u00a0 He regretted the sullen words as soon as they were out of his mouth but was too proud to try to take them back.\u00a0 An uncomfortable silence fell over the table for a moment, then Joe sighed and got to his feet.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, I&#8217;ll be out at the corral if and when you want to come out,&#8221; said Joe quietly, as he left the table.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray shook his head silently.\u00a0 &#8220;There wasn&#8217;t any need for that, lad,&#8221; he said gently to the boy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Stubbornly, Pat continued to stare at his plate, pushing the food around with his fork, but Ben and Adam could see he&#8217;d accepted the rebuke and was sorry, even if he&#8217;d never admit it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben rose to his feet.\u00a0 &#8220;Well, gentlemen, I&#8217;m going to leave you to it,&#8221; he said, setting his napkin beside his plate.\u00a0 &#8220;Adam, I&#8217;m going to go up to the timber camp; Jake said he wanted some clearance on which trees to mark for cutting.\u00a0 I should be back by lunch time.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;All right, Pa,&#8221; nodded Adam, also rising. \u201cYou\u2019ll find I put my notes on the cutting plan in your saddlebags for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThank you, son,\u201d Ben nodded, wishing the rest of the table a good morning and heading out himself\u2026 praying that things would be less tense by the time he returned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Are you finished with your breakfasts?&#8221; Adam asked, careful not to single out Pat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, aye,&#8221; nodded Ray, rising too.\u00a0 &#8220;From the way you&#8217;re pushing your food around there I&#8217;d say you&#8217;re finished too, eh, lad?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat nodded and got to his feet.\u00a0 &#8220;I guess I\u2019ll go out to the\u2026 the corral,&#8221; he said to no one in particular, hoping the corral was that fence he was sitting on earlier.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He stopped short at his father&#8217;s voice.\u00a0 &#8220;Pat, wait a minute.&#8221;\u00a0 The boy turned back and looked at Adam.\u00a0 &#8220;You&#8217;d better get something on your feet.\u00a0 The brambles and rocks out there will cut &#8217;em to ribbons.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat pulled himself up to all of his five feet and seven inches and stared coldly at Adam. &#8220;I been barefoot all my life.\u00a0 If the cobblestones and filth linin&#8217; Hell&#8217;s Kitchen ain&#8217;t hurt me, I don&#8217;t figure nuthin&#8217; here will,&#8221; he stated tightly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam studied him.\u00a0 &#8220;Suit yourself,&#8221; he nodded, &#8220;but when you&#8217;ve got cuts all over your feet and I&#8217;ve got to clean them out, it&#8217;s going to sting.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Reddening, Pat turned on his heel and strode out the door, with Ray and Adam watching him go.\u00a0 Ray sighed, shaking his head, and walked to the fireplace.\u00a0 There was no fire; the hot August sun was warming the air plenty without it, but it offered a focal point for the lawyer\u2019s troubled mind.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;He&#8217;s certainly independent, isn&#8217;t he?&#8221; said Adam wryly, following Ray into the sitting area.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Try not to think too badly of him, Mr. Cartwright,&#8221; said Ray softly.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;s been through a terrible time.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I don&#8217;t, Ray, and please call me Adam,&#8221; he smiled.\u00a0 &#8220;I just wish he could relax a little.\u00a0 He&#8217;s making this a lot harder on himself than he has to.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Depends on your point of view,&#8221; said Ray seriously.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;s scared, he&#8217;s homesick and he&#8217;s lonesome.\u00a0 He also misses his mother terribly.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;I can understand that feeling,&#8221; he said softly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Can ye, now?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam drew in a deep breath as he sat in the leather chair across from the hearth.\u00a0 &#8220;I never knew my own mother, she died when I was born.\u00a0 But when my father married Inger, Hoss\u2019 mother, I was five, and I loved her very much.\u00a0 She was killed in an Indian attack before we got this far west, when Hoss was less than a year old.\u00a0 And Marie, Joe&#8217;s mother, was a very special woman.\u00a0 She died when I was only a little older than Patrick.\u00a0 Believe me, I understand very well what it&#8217;s like to lose a mother.&#8221;\u00a0 Adam studied the tips of his boots for a moment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray nodded thoughtfully.\u00a0 \u201cSiobhan never mentioned that\u2026\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s that sorry I am, man.\u00a0 But\u2026 well, then, it allows ye to understand the lad\u2019s feelings, does it not?\u00a0 And that\u2019s somethin\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam nodded. \u201cYes,\u201d he said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cI guess it is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">They were quiet for a few moments, each in their own thoughts.\u00a0 So far, Ray liked what he saw.\u00a0 A man couldn&#8217;t be a successful lawyer for long without developing a certain ability to judge other men, and quickly.\u00a0 Thus far, he&#8217;d been pleased with these Cartwrights.\u00a0 He also knew that Siobhan had loved this man beyond reason, and she didn&#8217;t give her affection and respect easily.\u00a0 He&#8217;d seen affection in this family, and a caring for each other that, if extended to Pat, would be exactly what the boy needed to heal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Adam, it&#8217;s blunt I&#8217;ll be w&#8217;ye,&#8221; said Ray.\u00a0 &#8220;Pat didn&#8217;t want to come out here.\u00a0 All of his life he&#8217;s built a shell around himself when it comes to you.\u00a0 Siobhan, God love her, never ever spoke ill of ye, but Pat got it into his head that you were evil incarnate, the Orangeman that destroyed his mother&#8217;s life.\u00a0 It&#8217;s going to take some doing to dismantle that shell.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Orangeman?&#8221;\u00a0 asked Adam, frowning.\u00a0 &#8220;I haven\u2019t heard that term in \u2026 well, since Siobhan\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray nodded. &#8220;A Protestant, a supporter of the crown, to put it in its simplest terms. We Irish Catholics have been fighting the Orangemen in our own country, and now here, for centuries.\u00a0 The antagonism is in our blood.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;And Pat sees me that way?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray sat down in the blue velvet chair. &#8220;It&#8217;s what he&#8217;s been taught all of his short life.\u00a0 Siobhan explained to him when he was very young why she left Boston.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I wish she&#8217;d explained it to me,&#8221; said Adam, a little bitterly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ah, use yer head, lad!&#8221; declared Ray.\u00a0 &#8220;A land-holding Englishman?\u00a0 And she a daughter of the old sod, whose own father and brothers were hanged by the like?\u00a0 She told me she hated herself for lovin&#8217; ye, felt she had betrayed all her family and people stood for.\u00a0 When she learned she was carryin&#8217; the lad, she had to leave.\u00a0 She couldn&#8217;t bear the thought of what love ye had dyin&#8217; after the years, and bein&#8217; replaced by her hatred of ye.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam stared at him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray stopped, shaking his head.\u00a0 \u201cI apologize,\u201d he said more quietly.\u00a0 \u201cTo be honest wi\u2019 ye, I don\u2019t really think that was her reason, though I\u2019ve no knowin\u2019 o\u2019 what the full truth might be.\u00a0 I think she managed to create a good tale for herself wi\u2019 that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sighed; he&#8217;d thought it might be something like that.\u00a0 Most of their discussions had found themselves revolving around the Irish question of Home Rule. &#8220;I tried to make her understand it wasn&#8217;t like that out here,&#8221; he said softly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;It wouldn&#8217;t have mattered, it was her heart that troubled her,&#8221; replied Ray, crossing his legs.\u00a0 &#8220;Here, in Boston, in New York, in <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ireland<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026\u00a0 it wouldn&#8217;t ha\u2019 mattered.\u00a0 The pair o\u2019 ye were doomed before ye began.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam stared at the empty hearth, depressed.\u00a0 This was going to be even harder than he&#8217;d expected.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;As for Patrick,&#8221; sighed Ray, &#8220;he&#8217;s stubborn as a mule and once he gets an idea into his head, it&#8217;ll take a four-horse team to drag it out of him.\u00a0 But he&#8217;s a good lad, a hard worker.\u00a0 He&#8217;s been working, in fact, for the same pub Siobhan worked at, as an errand boy and pot boy since he was nine.\u00a0 Lately, as tall as he&#8217;s grown, has been doing a man&#8217;s work. Trust me, loading kegs from the waterfront and luggin\u2019 em into the storeroom, and keepin\u2019 a woodpile stocked for a three-story pub and gamin\u2019 house is no joke.&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Siobhan must have hated that,&#8221; Adam whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;She did, that.\u00a0 But her pride kept her from lettin&#8217; me help them.\u00a0 I had to do what I could from the side, as much without her knowin&#8217; as possible.\u00a0 Jaysus, but that woman had a temper!&#8221;\u00a0 grinned Ray.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam smiled too. &#8220;I remember,&#8221; he said ruefully.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray leaned back again.\u00a0 &#8220;What plans do ye have for the boy?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Plans?&#8221; repeated Adam.\u00a0 He shrugged, frowning. &#8220;I can\u2019t say I have any at the moment.\u00a0 The only plan I have right now is to give him time to get to know me and me to know him.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Might I be offerin\u2019 a word of advice?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam gestured to the other man as if to say,<em> &#8220;Please do.&#8221;<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray thought for a moment, then leaned forward, steepling his fingers as he rested his forearms on his thighs.\u00a0 &#8220;Ye&#8217;ll never be forcin\u2019 Pat into doin\u2019 something he doesn&#8217;t want to do.\u00a0 Trust me, if ye try, ye&#8217;ll regret it.\u00a0 Yer best method of dealing with him will be wi\u2019 patience and understanding; he&#8217;s a very bright lad, and once he sees the sense of a situation he&#8217;ll take advantage of it. \u00a0 But there\u2019s gonna come a time when you two\u2019ll reach a donnybrook and one o\u2019 ye\u2019ll have to give in.&#8221;\u00a0 Ray eyed him.\u00a0 &#8220;Sure, it&#8217;ll be a challenge to do it without breakin\u2019 him, but ye&#8217;ll have to be the one to hold strong.\u00a0 Pat respects nothin\u2019 more than he does strength, and if ye&#8217;ll be even-handed, he&#8217;ll accept any discipline ye hand down.\u00a0 But, be unfair and ye&#8217;ll hear about it.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam smiled.\u00a0 Connelly could have been talking about a young Adam Cartwright at that age.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Don&#8217;t push him too hard to explain his feelings,&#8221; advised Ray.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;d rather face an army of Orangemen than open up sometimes.\u00a0 He keeps his feelings deep inside.\u00a0 And he can a ruthless little amad<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00e1<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">n, that lad.\u00a0 That tongue o&#8217; his can cut like a saber\u2026 rather like his sainted mother, there,\u201d Ray smiled, apologetically.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam chuckled, nodding to himself, remembering&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAt first glance,\u201d Ray said thoughtfully, \u201cye might think he\u2019s one who acts first and thinks later.\u00a0 But I\u2019d say t\u2019would be more accurate to say he calculates the odds and decides whether the risk o\u2019 any consequences is worth the return on investment,\u201d he said dryly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam laughed aloud at that one.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray smiled, sadly, then.\u00a0 \u201cBe patient with him.\u00a0 He\u2019s been through a lot.\u201d\u00a0 Connelly chuckled.\u00a0 &#8220;Listen to me, now, talking about the lad as though I had any better idea than you how to be a da!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Da?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray smiled and shrugged. \u201cJust what we Irish use for father, similar to your \u2018Pa&#8217;,&#8221; explained the man.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam raised his brows; now, there was something he hadn&#8217;t thought about.\u00a0 What would Pat call him?<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The morning passed quickly, and Pat drank in the sights and sounds of the ranch by following Little Joe around, and then Hoss and Tom.\u00a0 His quick mind picked up cues and new words and phrases previously unknown in his vocabulary.\u00a0 After lunch, the hot sun climbed high in the sky and Hoss walked him around the ranch yard pointing out the different buildings and areas.\u00a0 Pat found himself feeling most comfortable with this uncle, simply because of the easy manner.\u00a0 There wasn&#8217;t the feeling of having to be always on his toes as there was with his Uncle Joe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He thought he was going to like his grandfather.\u00a0 When he wasn\u2019t yelling, like that first night, Pat felt as though he was a gentle, caring man.\u00a0 But Pat had the feeling you didn\u2019t want to take crossing this man lightly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">But his father&#8230;God, he didn&#8217;t know what to make of that one.\u00a0 He didn&#8217;t even <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">want<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to examine how he felt.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">In the afternoon, he was out behind the kitchen chatting amiably with Hop Sing, when Adam came out the back door, walking toward them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The boy looked up, warily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;We might as well get you started into a routine,&#8221; Adam said quietly, easily.\u00a0 &#8220;Everyone here has jobs they have to do in order to keep the ranch running.\u00a0 Since your experience doesn&#8217;t run to breaking broncs, I thought we&#8217;d keep your chores simple to start with.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat&#8217;s eyes narrowed.\u00a0 &#8220;Chores?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;As I said, everyone has jobs to do; we all work together here.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What do I have to do?&#8221; he asked sullenly.\u00a0 Adam gestured behind him. Pat turned, to find a woodpile, and a stump with an ax embedded in it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I think for a while we can count on you to get the kitchen and house wood and kindling cut, split and stacked.\u00a0 It was Joe&#8217;s job for today, but he&#8217;s got his hands full with those horses.&#8221;\u00a0 Adam waited quietly for a reaction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I just got here!&#8221; the boy protested.\u00a0 &#8220;You&#8217;re making me a hired&#8230;hand, is it? Already?&#8221; Hop Sing sighed and shook his head, heading for the kitchen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;No, you&#8217;re not a hired hand,&#8221; answered Adam patiently.\u00a0 &#8220;You&#8217;re a member of the family and as such you have responsibilities.\u00a0 We&#8217;re keeping them light to start with.\u00a0 Spending an hour or so a day getting the kitchen and house firewood stocked shouldn&#8217;t be that great a hardship.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat bristled.\u00a0 Well, o\u2019 course it wasn&#8217;t!\u00a0 He&#8217;d handled the woodpile at the &#8220;Witches Broth&#8221; by himself for the last five years, a lot harder work than this.\u00a0 He just had his dander up, and now having plunged down the path, didn&#8217;t know how to turn around and come back.\u00a0 &#8220;And if I don&#8217;t?&#8221; he asked insolently, his chin up, belligerent, refusing to back down.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Then you won&#8217;t eat,&#8221; replied Adam calmly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Startled, Pat frowned and studied him, realizing this was no bluff.\u00a0 Scowling, the boy marched over to the stump and wrenched the axe from it with one strong pull, wielding it with familiarity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam nodded to himself; Connelly hadn\u2019t been weaving a tale.\u00a0 The boy knew how to handle an axe.\u00a0 He stepped back as the chips began to fly and smiled quietly on his way back into the house.\u00a0 He could remember working out a lot of his own frustrations and angry feelings on that woodpile and figured the physical work and sweat would do the boy some good.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat did his chore for the day, and, sliding the axe handle so that one hand gripped it at the end and the other near the head, he slowly arched his back and stretched out his back and arm muscles, sighing with pleasure as he could feel little pops along his spine in release.\u00a0 Stuck on that train, and in the coaches and wagons between New York and here, Pat had got next to nothing for exercise.\u00a0 While he\u2019d never admit it, working up a sweat made him feel less jittery and antsy and went a long way to settling him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">But he\u2019d been up very early after many nights of poor sleep, and all of the heartache and the heavy emotional load of these last weeks made for a very weary boy who sank into his seat that night for supper.\u00a0 Talk was light and relaxed at the table that evening, but Pat was so tired his head was spinning and his eyes kept closing despite his best efforts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The others talked about the weather, the political climate here in the West, and it wasn&#8217;t until nearly halfway through the meal that Adam glanced over at Pat, and smiled to see him out cold, his head resting on his fist and his fork still in his other hand.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Poor kid,&#8221; grinned Hoss, &#8220;he&#8217;s plumb tuckered out.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben and Adam both rose to go to him, and Ben sheepishly sat down.\u00a0 It was going to be a bit harder than he&#8217;d thought to turn off his paternal instincts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat,&#8221; said Adam gently, not wanting to startle him.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The eyes fluttered open sleepily.\u00a0 Then, embarrassed, Pat sat up straight in surprise.\u00a0 He reddened as he saw the smiles on the faces around him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Just closed my eyes for a second!&#8221; he said crossly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam smiled, remembering all too well the confusion and embarrassment of being made the unwanted center of attention.\u00a0 &#8220;Maybe you&#8217;d better think about turning in.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat was too tired to argue.\u00a0 Irritably, he shoved back his chair and trudged up the stairs.\u00a0 At the center landing, his father&#8217;s voice stopped him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The boy turned back wearily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;In this house, we observe common courtesy,&#8221; said Adam quietly.\u00a0 &#8220;It wouldn&#8217;t hurt you to say a simple, polite &#8216;Goodnight&#8217; to your grandfather and the others.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Blushing, Pat stared at him.\u00a0 Another face off.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam waited patiently, while the others shifted uncomfortably.\u00a0 Ben watched carefully, hoping this wouldn&#8217;t turn into an unnecessary battle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Exhaustion won.\u00a0 &#8220;Good night,&#8221; the boy muttered, and continued on upstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">snick!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of Pat\u2019s door closing was heard, Adam exhaled, shaking his head.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom Ryan grinned and nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;Round one to you, lad,&#8221; he said softly.\u00a0 &#8220;Well done.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">~-oo0oo-~<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Author\u2019s Note: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">* I\u2019m jumping a little ahead in time here with this one\u2026 Coney Island, as an amusement center, didn\u2019t open until 1914, though amusement parks had been present in Europe for more than 100 years.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER TEN<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">August 21, 1871<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, tarnation!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ben slammed down his pen and leaned back in his chair, stretching out his shoulders.\u00a0 That marked the third time he&#8217;d added up that column of figures and it was yet a third sum!\u00a0 Sighing, he felt the sunlight on the back of his neck from the window behind him, beckoning him outside.\u00a0 It was a gorgeous day, and here he was, cooped up at his desk, doing the ranch accounts, a task he hated worse than anything.\u00a0 Rubbing his eyes, Ben squared his jaw stubbornly and got to his feet. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I need a break!<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben poured himself a cup of coffee and decided to just get a few breaths of fresh air, then he&#8217;d come back in and finish.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben stood on the porch, sipping his coffee and looking over the yard.\u00a0 Tom Ryan and Hoss had gone for a ride around the ranch with Hoss giving a guided tour, as had been arranged at breakfast. \u00a0 Ray had gone into town, checking for any correspondence from his office in New York.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben knew Adam was planning to get Pat started learning to ride today, and sighed, wondering how that little lesson was going.\u00a0 Pat had trailed after his father scuffing his feet in a pair of Joe&#8217;s old boots and scowling all the way out the door.\u00a0 Ben chuckled as he recalled Pat&#8217;s mutterings: &#8220;If God a&#8217; wanted people to ride horses he&#8217;d a given us built-in saddles.&#8221;\u00a0 Ben decided that he&#8217;d take a walk down to the corral and see how the lesson was progressing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The scowl hadn&#8217;t budged.\u00a0 Patrick stood back from Blackie, an older, smaller pony, eyeing the animal warily.\u00a0 Adam had finished explaining the different parts of the horse&#8217;s gear, from saddle and bridle to bit, noticing Pat wasn&#8217;t taking his eyes off the horse.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;All right,&#8221; he finished, after tightening the cinch, gathering the reins and turning to his young son.\u00a0 &#8220;Up you go.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat swallowed hard and slowly approached, his heart hammering.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Always mount a horse from the left side,&#8221; Adam was saying, guiding Pat around to the side of the animal.\u00a0 &#8220;Put your left foot in the stirrup&#8230;that&#8217;s it.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat was grateful for his long legs; he could feel the muscles in the back of his left thigh stretch as he got a leg up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Now, bounce a little and spring up.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat looked back at his father askance. &#8220;Right,&#8221; he muttered, shaking his head.\u00a0 Setting his jaw, he gave an awkward bounce&#8230;and barely managed to get halfway up, landing back on his other leg with a shuddering jar.\u00a0 &#8220;Shit!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Watch your language,&#8221; said Adam calmly.\u00a0 &#8220;Now, try it again and I&#8217;ll boost you-&#8220;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I can do it without your help!&#8221; grunted Pat, his face red.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sighed and stepped back holding Blackie&#8217;s head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat focused and mentally calculated how to disperse his body weight, and with a combination of a bounce, a spring and then a hearty tug on the saddle horn, swung himself up into the saddle with a grunt.\u00a0 Once up there, he awkwardly tried to fit his right foot into the other stirrup, nearly losing his balance and toppling off, except for his father shooting out an arm to steady him.\u00a0 Pat firmly shook off the hand and sat himself up straight, but tense and rigid as a ramrod.\u00a0 Adam drew in a deep breath, holding on to his temper, and sighed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Good,&#8221; he said, coming around the side, handing the reins up to the boy and taking Blackie by the bridle. \u00a0 &#8220;Now, just relax.\u00a0 The horse&#8217;ll be able to tell if you&#8217;re nervous.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Great&#8230;so how do I tell if <\/span><b><i>he&#8217;s<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> nervous?&#8221; muttered Pat.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Just relax,&#8221; repeated Adam with a smile.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ll walk him around and I want you to just get used to the feel of being in the saddle, all right?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat swallowed hard and picked up the reins awkwardly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Try to sense how the horse is moving,&#8221; instructed Adam as he led the pony around the corral.\u00a0 &#8220;Let your hips and legs move with him, don&#8217;t fight it.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Don&#8217;t fight it&#8230; sure&#8230;&#8221; muttered Pat, mentally cursing his mother for ever having been to Boston and leaning over a little to look down.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Sit up straight,&#8221; admonished his father, &#8220;or you&#8217;ll fall off.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat abruptly sat up straight, suddenly wobbling, throwing out an arm to steady himself.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t help, as Pat swerved one way and Blackie the other.\u00a0 Pat nervously tried to overcompensate, but Blackie stopped abruptly, confused by the foolish human sitting on top of him, and Pat promptly toppled off, landing on his side in the dirt.\u00a0 Adam had lunged for him but wasn&#8217;t fast enough.\u00a0 Worriedly, he hurried around Blackie and leaned down to his son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat slowly got his gangly legs untangled, and managed, wincing, to sit up, knees bent, looking up at Adam with a black eyebrow cocked, and a disgusted glare.\u00a0 Adam fought not to smile and offered a hand.\u00a0 Patrick looked at the hand with disdain, and maneuvered to his feet under his own power.\u00a0 Wincing and rubbing his hip, the boy turned to walk away.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Hold it, Pat,&#8221; said Adam firmly.\u00a0 The tone got Pat&#8217;s attention, and he looked back over his shoulder, scowling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;When you fall off, you just turn around and get right back on.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat stared at him for a moment.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam stared right back, and patiently waited.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">It became clear to Pat his father was going to brook no nonsense about this.\u00a0 Pat glanced at the horse, absently rubbing his bruised hip. Then he glared again at Adam and, exhaling in exasperation, stalked to the left side of the horse, and slipping his left boot into the stirrup, sprang up onto the horse perfectly, his right foot naturally slipping into position in the opposite stirrup.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Good!&#8221; praised Adam, a little surprised, and they began their walk again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ben had paused on the porch, his heart in his throat as he watched Pat fall off, and then the tense little interchange between father and son.\u00a0 After Pat had mounted again, Ben breathed a little easier and strolled down to the corral, resting his arms on the fence, a smile on his face, watching his grandson&#8217;s first experience alone on a horse.\u00a0 Actually, the boy wasn&#8217;t doing too badly, the tumble notwithstanding.\u00a0 He was sitting upright, a little stiff but not too bad, and seemed to have a natural center of balance.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Not bad at all,<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Ben nodded, pleased.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Use your thighs and knees to grip the horse,&#8221; instructed Adam. &#8220;Don&#8217;t tug on the reins, remember they&#8217;re connected to a nasty piece of metal that horses aren&#8217;t particularly fond of.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat&#8217;s face was a mask of serious concentration as he worked to get used to this.\u00a0 He heard the last bit of attempted humor and grumbled, &#8220;I just said I ain&#8217;t never <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">rode<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> a horse, not that I ain\u2019t never driven one&#8230;I know what a stinkin&#8217; bit is!&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sighed.\u00a0 &#8220;You know, this would be a lot easier if you&#8217;d stop being so difficult.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Easier for you, or easier for me?&#8221; glowered Patrick, shifting again for position in the saddle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Easier for both of us,&#8221; snapped Adam, beginning to lose patience.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The attitudes were becoming a little charged in the corral, and Ben noticed the tension mounting&#8230; so did Blackie.\u00a0 The little pony started stomping a bit, moving around.\u00a0 Ben watched Pat and was surprised to note that the boy seemed so preoccupied by being angry at Adam that he was unconsciously allowing his body to naturally guide the pony, his legs and knees gripping its flanks while he glared down at his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Keep your head up and look straight ahead,&#8221; barked Adam, his temper simmering.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat&#8217;s own temper was reaching a boiling point, too, but he obeyed, glaring straight ahead of him.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Uneasy, Ben could see trouble coming; it appeared his equally pigheaded son and grandson were determined to best each other, a real recipe for disaster.\u00a0 Ben had just about decided to intervene when Adam barked at Pat about leaning forward again, and Pat lost his temper.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Damn it!&#8221; he shouted, unconsciously yanking on the reins.\u00a0 The sudden movement and yell startled Blackie, who pranced a bit, causing Adam to jump back in order to not get a foot trampled., Pat, alarmed, made the mistake of digging in his heels, trying to get a better control of the animal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam was trying to regain his hold on Blackie&#8217;s bridle, but the horse was unusually alarmed, and Pat was holding, for dear life, onto the reins, mane and anything else he could get his hands on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Whoa!&#8221; he shouted, with little result.\u00a0 &#8220;Whoa, you son of a bitch!!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s bootheels jammed into the little horse, and with a single whinnying scream, Blackie bolted for the gate\u2026 just as Ben was in the process of slipping the securing rope over the post.\u00a0 He barely leapt out of the frantic horse\u2019s path before getting trampled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, my God&#8230;&#8221; groaned Adam, running for the barn.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ten minutes later, Adam found them in a field.\u00a0 With relief, he saw that Pat was on his feet, so he obviously hadn&#8217;t broken his neck.\u00a0 Pat was standing in front of the horse, talking to it, hands on his hips&#8230; Adam chuckled to note that Blackie was seemingly doing his level best to appear to be listening.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam decided to wait a bit and see what progressed.\u00a0 Guiding Sport quietly, Adam chose a vantage point behind a tree, and watched his son come around the left side of the horse, still talking to the animal, gather the reins in his left hand, slip his foot into the stirrup and spring into the saddle in one smooth motion.\u00a0 Adam stared in pleased surprise, feeling an idiotic pride in the quick study Patrick had turned out to be.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He watched as Pat seemed more relaxed in the saddle, gently guiding the horse first to the left, then to the right.\u00a0 Adam could see how much more comfortable Pat seemed with the learning process when he, Adam, wasn&#8217;t around; to be honest, it hurt a bit.\u00a0 He wished he could figure out how to get through to the boy, and break through his mule-stubborn shell.\u00a0 He sighed, then, shaking his head.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Maybe it isn\u2019t him\u2026<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Adam could remember how he had learned best without something pestering him, breaking his concentration, \u2018pokin\u2019 the bear\u2019, as Hoss used to say.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How on earth do you teach someone when they won\u2019t <\/span><\/i><b><i>let<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> you?! <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Frustrated, Adam forced himself to settle.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He dismounted, and relaxed behind the tree, watching Pat ride, tumble and get back on, over and over again, getting to a point where he could trot some and canter a little bit, all done with a very determined look on his face.\u00a0 Adam had no way of knowing that the boy\u2019s expression was exactly the one he adopted when absolutely bound and determined to do something.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">After an hour and a half, Adam decided Pat had had enough, or he wouldn&#8217;t be able to walk tomorrow.\u00a0 He walked Sport up beside him as Pat reached down and patted Blackie&#8217;s neck.\u00a0 Pat looked up, saw his father, and his usual black scowl returned to his handsome face.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Good job,&#8221; Adam commented.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat patted the horse, and eyed his father, wondering what else he was going to say.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Studying him, Adam leaned back. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Careful, Cartwright\u2026<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 &#8220;May I make a suggestion, without getting you upset?&#8221; he asked, calmly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat shrugged.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I think you&#8217;ve had enough for your first day.\u00a0 You&#8217;re going to be pretty sore tomorrow as it is, hurting in muscles you never knew you had.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I can handle it,&#8221; replied Pat, glowering, his chin up, pugnacious.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Uh huh,&#8221; nodded Adam, dryly.\u00a0 Without another word, they headed toward home, walking the horses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The noon sun was warm, but not oppressively so as Hoss and Tom made the circuit of the Ponderosa within a few hours&#8217; riding distance.\u00a0 These two men had fallen into an easy camaraderie and found it uncomplicated to talk with each other.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss let the animals drink at the lake and he and Tom strolled along the shore.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;If it ain&#8217;t too personal,&#8221; began Hoss slowly, &#8220;would you tell me some about the girl?\u00a0 Siobhan?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom&#8217;s face grew quiet.\u00a0 &#8220;What do ye want to know?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, I dunno&#8230;what was she like, the things that were important to her.\u00a0 I know my brother loved her so much, and I know he&#8217;s never really got over her,&#8221; replied Hoss.\u00a0 &#8220;We were pretty close before he went to college, and there were some things Adam didn&#8217;t write Pa about.\u00a0 But he did write to me about Siobhan, telling me how beautiful she was, and how smart.\u00a0 Said I&#8217;d love her when he brought her home, that he wanted to marry her. Then, there weren&#8217;t nothing more.\u00a0 &#8216;Fact, it was several months before he wrote at all&#8230;to me anyway.\u00a0 He&#8217;d write to Pa, and tell him the usual boring stuff about college, but nothing about him, nothin&#8217; about his feelings.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom sighed. &#8220;She could do that to a man, fer sure.\u00a0 Siobhan was&#8230;well, she was one of a kind, to me.\u00a0 She was tall, and slim as a reed; black hair down to her waist, she had, and blue eyes&#8230; well, look at Pat&#8217;s eyes and you&#8217;ll see his mother&#8217;s.\u00a0 But the thing that stood out w&#8217; that lass was her spirit.\u00a0 She was amazin&#8217;.\u00a0 Nothin&#8217; got her down.\u00a0 Not bein&#8217; poor, and lad, she was that!\u00a0 Not havin&#8217; to sweat as a barmaid through lousy weather and worse patrons.\u00a0 Not even raisin&#8217; her lad wi&#8217;out a father.\u00a0 Siobhan was&#8230;I don&#8217;t know&#8230;driven to get the job done.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss smiled to himself.\u00a0 &#8220;Sounds a lot like Adam.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Aye,&#8221; nodded Tom.\u00a0 &#8220;She said often they were too much alike to have been good for each other.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;She talked about him?&#8221; Hoss asked, in surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Talked about him?&#8221; sighed Tom wryly.\u00a0 &#8220;Lad, when I wanted her to marry me, all she <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">could<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> talk about was him.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">They walked on in silence for a while.\u00a0 Then Hoss said, &#8220;It sounded pretty bad, Tom, the way she died, I mean.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Aye, Hoss, it was that.\u00a0 Poor lad&#8230;he was in a state for weeks after she died.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss stared at his boot tips. &#8220;Adam said he watched it happen.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;He did,&#8221; nodded Tom.\u00a0 &#8220;And held her in his arms, he did, after she\u2019d been shot\u2026saw it happen.\u00a0 He held her, bleedin\u2019 she was, right there on 8<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Avenue..\u00a0 No child should have to see or experience that.&#8221;\u00a0 Tom angrily shook his head.\u00a0 &#8220;No better than Ireland, it wasn&#8217;t, no better a&#8217;tall!&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You from Ireland too?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;County Clare,&#8221; nodded Tom, his lips tight.\u00a0 &#8220;Me da and I hoped to find a better life for Ma and the girls, me sisters, but it weren&#8217;t meant to be for them.\u00a0 Ma, Bridget and Kathleen all died on the way out, boat fever.\u00a0 Just me da and I got to America.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss shook his head.\u00a0 So much death.\u00a0 &#8220;Why&#8217;d you leave?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;The famine, lad!&#8221; answered Tom, surprised Hoss didn&#8217;t know.\u00a0 &#8220;We was potato farmers and it was the crop wilt that killed many a lad and lass from Ireland, not just the trip out.\u00a0 We tried for a year to keep goin&#8217;, but there just wasn&#8217;t enough food.\u00a0 So, we came to America.\u00a0 Da works for a farmer in the north, and I became a cop.&#8221;\u00a0 Tom sighed.\u00a0 &#8220;Even that&#8217;s over now.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He explained to Hoss what had happened the day of the riot; Hoss was horrified at the thought of the women and children, innocently killed as the gunfire started.\u00a0 He shook his head, finding it all difficult to comprehend.\u00a0 He felt bad about Tom losing his job, too, all because he went back to check on the people he loved.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, I ain&#8217;t gonna say I\u2019m completely sorry,&#8221; said Hoss with a sigh.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m real glad you were there to help with Pat.\u00a0 I got a feelin&#8217; he needed you and Ray a lot on this trip out.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;That he did,&#8221; said Tom with a grin.\u00a0 &#8220;Oh, what a spalpeen he can be!&#8221;\u00a0 Tom glanced at Hoss and decided to take the plunge. &#8220;Hoss, lad&#8230;tell me about yer brother.\u00a0 What I mean is, what does he think of all this?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss contemplated a moment.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;s worried he ain&#8217;t gonna be the best father for Pat he can be, which&#8217;ll make him work even harder at it,&#8221; he said slowly.\u00a0 &#8220;Adam ain&#8217;t never done nothin&#8217; halfway.\u00a0 We was talkin&#8217; a bit about it a few days ago, before Pat came, and he was sayin&#8217; he wished he&#8217;d known about him.\u00a0 He missed out on Pat bein&#8217; a little shaver.\u00a0 But he&#8217;s gonna do the best he can to make him feel loved and at home here.\u00a0 Adam ain&#8217;t stupid, he knows it ain&#8217;t gonna be easy, but he wants to do his best.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;He seems like a fine man.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, he is, Tom, believe me,&#8221; said Hoss earnestly, stopping and looking at the other man.\u00a0 &#8220;You gotta understand, Adam&#8217;s pretty soft-hearted once ya break through that hard head o&#8217; his.\u00a0 When Little Joe and me were growin&#8217; up, he pretty much raised us near as much as Pa did, since Pa had to work so hard.\u00a0 Lots o&#8217; times, it was just Adam there for us. Ya see, it was kinda like he never had no childhood.\u00a0 It was just him and Pa when his ma died and they was travelin&#8217;.\u00a0 An&#8217; when my ma died, he was only six.\u00a0 By the time Joe came along, he was much older.\u00a0 And when Joe&#8217;s ma, Marie, died, Adam really kinda had to take over for a while&#8230;Pa took her death real hard.\u00a0 Adam was only seventeen, and he was runnin&#8217; the ranch, raisin&#8217; us, and doin&#8217; it all, while tryin&#8217; to bring Pa around, too.\u00a0 Adam ain&#8217;t never had things easy.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom thoughtfully stared out at the sunset.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;s a man who&#8217;s known a lot of loss.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;I got a lot of respect for my brother Adam.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;And a lot of love?&#8221; smiled Tom gently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yep,&#8221; said Hoss, a bit embarrassed.\u00a0 &#8220;That, too.\u00a0 And he&#8217;s got a lot of love for us.\u00a0 I think that&#8217;s what brought him back from the east after he finished college.\u00a0 Sometimes, I know, he gets fiddle-footed and wishes he was someplace more excitin&#8217;, but he sticks it out because he knows Pa needs him here.\u00a0 He ain&#8217;t never gonna let anyone down that he cares about.\u00a0 He cares about Patrick, too.&#8221;\u00a0 Hoss looked at the other man; many people underestimated Hoss, thinking him as slow as he was big.\u00a0 But he knew exactly what this man was fishing for.\u00a0 &#8220;Tom, you ain&#8217;t got nuthin&#8217; to worry about.\u00a0 Adam&#8217;s gonna be a real good father to young Patrick.\u00a0 They&#8217;ve just gotta take some time and find some even footin&#8217;, ya might say.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom smiled at the other man and nodded.\u00a0 They walked back to the horses, to make the return trip to the ranch, with Tom feeling much better.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">After lunch, and a gentle reminder from Adam, Pat went out to the woodpile to do his daily chore, working up a good sweat and loosening up some of the frustration and anger he\u2019d developed after his riding lesson, allowing his mind to rant a bit, and try to mentally work through the morning\u2019s experience\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How anyone could expect a body to remember everything that\u2019s bein\u2019 spit at ya while you\u2019re sittin\u2019 ceilin\u2019-high on some huge beast was beyond him!\u00a0 Pat needed quiet to take things in and figure \u2018em out, settling \u2018em to make \u2018em part of his understanding.\u00a0 Havin\u2019 this fella yap at him without ceasing had unnerved him and made him even more nervous and tense.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once he got out in the field, alone with the damn thing, he and horse had a meetin\u2019 o\u2019 the minds.\u00a0 He promised the animal he wouldn\u2019t kick him, if Blackie promise not to separate him from the saddle a\u2019purpose. While he had a few tumbles, he could tell the horse wasn\u2019t makin\u2019 it personal-like.\u00a0 And they got on fine&#8230;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Chopping wood could be hard work, but it was work Pat knew like the back of his hand.\u00a0 He never handled an axe without paying attention to what he was doing, but it didn\u2019t require an exhausting amount of concentration.\u00a0 Once in a rhythm, Pat found himself able to let the tension leach out of him, seeing the steady accumulation of split wood provide a concrete proof of accomplishment, something he badly needed after feeling so much like a fish out of water.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">By the time he was finished, he was tired but felt a bit better as he slipped his shirt back on.\u00a0 He noticed that the axe was dulling and thought he&#8217;d better sharpen it, so he walked\u00a0 off toward the barn figuring that the tools he&#8217;d need would likely be there.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Inside, he found his Uncle Joe mucking out stalls and talking affectionately to the horses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cGettin&#8217; any answers?&#8221; he asked dryly, as he walked in.\u00a0 Joe turned and grinned.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Not yet,&#8221; he said.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ll let you know.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat shook his head, trying not to smile, and lifted up the axe.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s gettin&#8217; dull.\u00a0 You got a whetstone?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Over by the harness rack,&#8221; nodded Joe in the general direction.\u00a0 Pat followed his nod, and saw a work shelf and table, and noted the whetstone.\u00a0 He picked it up and kicked up a leg on a nearby haybale to rest the axe on his knee while sharpening it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Your pa wanted me to show you how to do the barn chores,&#8221; said Joe as he tossed the currying brush onto the tack table.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Why?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Because they&#8217;re part of the everyday chores,&#8221; responded Joe, &#8220;and when you ride, you&#8217;ve got to learn how to take care of the animal when you&#8217;re finished.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat harrumphed and turned his attention back to the axe.\u00a0 Joe studied him; like everyone else in the family, the resemblance to his brother startled him.\u00a0 Joe&#8217;s earliest memories of Adam were as a youth\u00a0just a little older than Patrick, and the likeness made him feel as though he&#8217;d slipped back in time.\u00a0 He noted that Pat seemed to know what he was doing with the axe; the boy sharpened the edge of the tool with clean, sharp strokes and eyed it carefully.\u00a0 When he was finished, Joe noted he had replaced the whetstone in its proper place, and watched Pat grip the axe again, heading for the barn door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Hey, hold it!&#8221; Joe called.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat stopped, and turned back, surprised. &#8220;What?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I told you; I&#8217;m supposed to teach you how to do the barn chores.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat brows knit in a scowl. &#8220;What, now?!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;No better time than the present,&#8221; replied Joe firmly.\u00a0 Sighing in pained resignation, Pat carefully laid the ax down on the worktable and walked over to his uncle.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;First thing, we get the horses out &#8216;cos it&#8217;s easier to work without them in here,&#8221; said Joe, matter-of-factly slipping halters over Buck and Cochise&#8217;s heads.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Whose are they?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;This is Buck, Pa&#8217;s horse,&#8221; answered Joe, rubbing Buck&#8217;s ears.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;s an old fella, but he and Pa are a real team, just like all of us and our horses.\u00a0 We work together, see, cutting cattle, or riding the herd during round-up.&#8221;\u00a0 He handed Buck&#8217;s halter to Pat, who startled, took it, wondering if he was just supposed to hold on to \u2018em or do something else.\u00a0 &#8220;This one&#8217;s mine, Cochise.\u00a0 Adam got her for me,&#8221; he said, glancing at Pat.\u00a0 &#8220;When I was twelve, I saw her in a herd of wild horses and wanted her so bad.\u00a0 I tried for weeks to capture her, but I didn&#8217;t have any luck, and then the Paiutes got her first.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Paiutes?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Indians up in the hills,&#8221; explained Joe.\u00a0 &#8220;Adam went up and traded a lot of things for her, including his brand-new rifle.\u00a0 And had to explain it to Pa and risk getting his head bitten off,&#8221; Joe shook his head with a grin.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat looked at him questioningly.\u00a0 Joe laughed.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;d had a rough summer&#8230;had gotten into a lot of trouble at school that year, so summer didn&#8217;t start off so well.\u00a0 Adam had just gotten back from college then, too, and he and I were lockin&#8217; horns on a regular basis.\u00a0 I was pretty rough on him &#8230;.,&#8221; Joe blushed as he remembered his escapades of that summer.\u00a0 &#8220;Pa didn&#8217;t think I deserved her and was really mad at your father for trading for her.\u00a0 But ol&#8217; Adam&#8230;he just dug in his heels and finally talked Pa into letting me keep her.\u00a0 She&#8217;s been the best mare I could have hoped for, haven&#8217;t you, girl?&#8221; he grinned, letting the mare nuzzle his hands.\u00a0 He laughed. &#8220;No sugar today, Cooch.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">But Pat wasn&#8217;t thinking about the camaraderie between his uncle and his horse, he was thinking about this new information about his father.\u00a0 His face open and relaxed for the first time, Pat wondered if his father might not be as distant and aloof as he looked.\u00a0 Then he frowned. No, maybe he wasn&#8217;t with his younger brother, but he&#8217;d never warm up to him that way.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe had been paying attention to Cochise and hadn&#8217;t seen the change in expression on his nephew&#8217;s face, he just saw the scowl.\u00a0 Frowning himself, he handed the halter to Pat.\u00a0 &#8220;This one&#8217;s Chub\u2019s stall.\u00a0 He&#8217;s Hoss&#8217;.\u00a0 And that&#8217;s your father&#8217;s horse, Sport.\u00a0 He&#8217;s gettin&#8217; old now, Adam&#8217;s had him for almost twenty years, but he loves him; he&#8217;ll ride other horses to give Sport a rest now and again, but Sport&#8217;s always been his favorite.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Joe took Sport&#8217;s halter and walked him out of the barn.\u00a0 Pat figured he was supposed to follow with Buck and Cochise, and they released the animals into the corral, to join Blackie.\u00a0 Joe gestured to Pat and they returned to the barn.\u00a0 Joe, businesslike now in his irritation with Pat&#8217;s reluctance to loosen up and try to accept the situation, started drilling him through the steps of barn chores.\u00a0 Instead of showing him, the drill began to sound like orders to Pat, and he started to bristle with irritation himself, feeling like he was back in the frustration of this past morning.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Were they all like this? Barkin\u2019 our orders and just figurin\u2019 a body\u2019d go along like a sheep?!<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Between his annoyance at his uncle and his remembered discomfort from the morning,\u00a0 by the time they were almost finished, Pat had worked himself into a thoroughly bad mood, and his uncle wasn&#8217;t far behind.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lugging hay bales evoked such a powerful memory &#8211; and a wave of homesickness &#8211;\u00a0 in Pat of unloading beer kegs from the barges on the waterfront and transferring them into the beer wagon for the \u2018Broth\u2019.\u00a0 The memory hit him like a ton of bricks, and he knew if he didn\u2019t stop, he was going to start to cry.\u00a0 And he would never, <\/span><strong><i>never<\/i><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, give this man the satisfaction of crying in front of him, not if he died for it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve had enough,&#8221; he said crossly, dropping a hay bale and sitting on, to regain his composure.\u00a0 &#8220;If your brother wants it done, let him do it himself!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe turned in shock.\u00a0 &#8220;You&#8217;d just better get up off your butt and do your share!&#8221; he snapped.\u00a0 &#8220;Your father said I was to show you the ropes and that&#8217;s just what I&#8217;m gonna do!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, you have fun with that,&#8221; snorted Pat, hauling himself to his feet, and walking toward the door, &#8220;I&#8217;m goin\u2019 in.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He was snapped around by his uncle, with a firm grip on his upper arm, to face Joe, an angry expression on his face. &#8220;Hold it right there, Pat,&#8221; he said warningly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Without even thinking about it, Pat instinctively brought his wrists together and rammed his arms upwards, breaking a surprised Joe\u2019s hold on him.\u00a0 He danced back on the balls of his feet, cocking his fists ready to fight back, a furious glower on his face.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Battle was arrested, however, when both of them heard the terse sound of Adam&#8217;s voice from the barn door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What&#8217;s going on in here?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Joe and Pat angrily glanced at each other.\u00a0 &#8220;Nothin&#8217;,&#8221; retorted Pat, nastily.\u00a0 &#8220;Just gettin&#8217; my <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">orders<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8217;m just doin&#8217; what you asked me to do, Adam,&#8221; snapped back Joe.\u00a0 &#8220;But he&#8217;s being a royal pain in the &#8211; &#8220;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat, go on into the house and get washed up for supper,&#8221; interrupted Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe was steamed and turned around, returning to the job at hand.\u00a0 Pat glared at Joe\u2019s back, then did as he was told, glowering at the ground as he stalked by his father.\u00a0 Adam watched him go for a moment, then walked towards his younger brother and, using a pair of hay hooks, picked up the bale Pat had been sitting on and lugged it over to Joe to break up and put in the manger.\u00a0 He didn&#8217;t mention he&#8217;d been observing the interchange for several minutes before intervening.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Finally, work finished, Joe decided he was going to say something, whether Adam liked it or not. \u00a0 Joe turned to his brother, and said forcefully, &#8220;You know, if you keep letting him get away with that he&#8217;s gonna be a spoiled brat.&#8221;\u00a0 Then he shook his head in exasperation, continuing, &#8220;Forget it, it&#8217;s too late.\u00a0 He&#8217;s a brat to begin with.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, I don&#8217;t know,&#8221; said Adam with a small smile.\u00a0 &#8220;He just sounds like someone else I know who doesn&#8217;t like taking orders.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe stopped and looked at his older brother, a sour expression on his handsome face.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Joe, I know he&#8217;s being difficult, but weren&#8217;t you the one who told me to relax with him?&#8221; Adam asked innocently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe started to reply, then stopped, narrowing his eyes, and thinking about how he hadn\u2019t heard the barn door squeal before Adam spoke earlier.\u00a0 A slow, wry smile grew on his face.\u00a0 &#8220;Just how long were you standing there?&#8221; he inquired, grinning, his hands on his hips.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Long enough to know that he&#8217;s enough like me to get your dander up,&#8221; Adam answered, an eyebrow raised.\u00a0 &#8220;Don\u2019t you remember what it felt like when you were his age and I was trying to teach you things, and you felt like I was being bossy?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Yeah, well, you <\/span><b><i>were<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> bossy!&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I guess some of it rubbed off on you,&#8221; smiled his older brother.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ll talk to him after supper.\u00a0 But I&#8217;d be willing to bet part of his bad mood is a result of being tuckered out and frustrated.\u00a0 I&#8217;ll bet you didn&#8217;t know that gave him his first riding lesson this morning, and he spent a lot of time tumbling out of the saddle.&#8221; He raised an eyebrow at his little brother. \u201cI doubt that did a whole lot for his confidence in himself.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe looked at his older brother, and sighed, shaking his head.\u00a0 &#8220;No\u2026 No, I didn&#8217;t. Why didn&#8217;t he just say so?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam adopted a comically pained expression, looking at his brother as though he truly was too dim for words.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe chuckled and waved a hand.\u00a0 &#8220;Okay, okay,&#8221; he sighed, &#8220;I get the message.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam clapped him on the shoulder and pushed him good-naturedly toward the door. &#8220;C&#8217;mon little brother.\u00a0 Time to get washed up for supper, like a good boy.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Laughing, they left the barn and walked toward the house.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER ELEVEN<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">August 22, 1871<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Everyone was already at the breakfast table when Patrick stiffly hobbled his way down the hall and to the stairs the next morning.\u00a0 Adam gave Joe a stern glance, as if to forestall any comments or joking, and it was reinforced with an equally stern look from Ben.\u00a0 Joe managed to look pained, while Hoss grinned at him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat was in pain, there was no doubt about it.\u00a0 He slowly, stiffly eased himself into his chair, wincing as his thigh and back muscles complained bitterly when he stretched them to sit down.\u00a0 To Adam\u2019s surprise\u2014and earning him Adam\u2019s grudging respect\u2014the boy didn\u2019t utter a whimper and forced himself to appear as composed as possible.\u00a0 After all, he had stubbornly refused his father&#8217;s suggestion of a hot bath last night to soak out the soreness and was bound and determined not to show him that he regretted it this morning.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hop Sing placed his breakfast in front of him, and he unthinkingly raised an arm to pick up his coffee cup; that was a set of muscles he hadn\u2019t dallied with yet this morning, and the discomfort that effort generated made him wince and catch his breath. Hop Sing narrowed his eyes at him, then nodded, firmly, and headed to his back room where his medicinal herbs lay.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom Ryan didn&#8217;t have the forbearance Adam had; he grinned at the boy.\u00a0 &#8220;A bit tender this mornin&#8217;, lad?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8217;m fine,&#8221; muttered Pat, forcing that arm forward despite the pain experienced to reach his cup.\u00a0 Tom chortled, making Pat glare.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ryan, so help me\u2014&#8221; he started, his brows knit together in a black scowl, pointing at Tom with his fork.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick,&#8221; broke in Adam, mildly, &#8220;would you be good enough to pass the sugar?&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The diversion worked, for the moment.\u00a0 Pat snorted, and carefully handed the sugar bowl off to Hoss, beside him, and put his attention back to his breakfast.\u00a0 Ryan chuckled, and Ray decided to change the subject, although he wasn&#8217;t sure how this one would be accepted either by Master Patrick.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Breakfast conversation continued while Patrick pushed his breakfast around his plate, too uncomfortable to want much to eat, until Hop Sing came back to the table with a small, beautiful cup filled with something that had a weird, medicinal smell to it.\u00a0 He set it in front of Patrick and stood there, sternly speaking to him in Chinese, and then remained solidly still, crossed his arms, and waited.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat, surprised, started to argue, but the Chinese man lit up one side of him and down the other until the boy finally replied\u2026 something\u2026 to the man, picked up the cup and tossed it into his mouth, then made a horrific face, and leaned suddenly toward his plate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hop Sing further scolded him in Chinese, apparently warning something dire, because the boy stopped just short of spitting out the mouthful of liquid. Glaring back at the man, his face still twisted with disgust, he forced it down, shuddering.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hop Sing finally nodded smugly and took the cup back into the kitchen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam, Joe and Hoss all chuckled to themselves remembering having been dosed by Hop Sing in the past.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSmartest decision y\u2019ever made, Squirt,\u201d Hoss assured Patrick. \u201cAin\u2019t nobody ever won fightin\u2019 against Hop Sing when he\u2019s doctorin\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Glowering, the boy put his attention back to his breakfast.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Mr. Cartwright, Tom and I will be going into Virginia City today to make our arrangements to return to New York,&#8221; said Ray calmly, avoiding looking at the boy at the other end of the table.\u00a0 But he could feel the blue eyes come up off his plate and stare at him.\u00a0 Tom glanced at Pat and back at Ray, then frowned and buttered his toast.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Would you like some company?&#8221; asked Adam, as he stirred his coffee.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m taking Patrick into town to get some clothes and a haircut.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;A haircut?!&#8221; choked Pat, his fork clattering to the plate.\u00a0 &#8220;What for?! I don&#8217;t need no haircut!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam cocked an eyebrow. &#8220;Have you looked in the mirror lately?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe and Hoss exchanged amused glances; Ben sighed.\u00a0 &#8220;I guess no youngster appreciates looking like a gentleman,&#8221; he grinned, looking pointedly at Joe. &#8220;Patrick, your Uncle Joe used to give me fits about getting his hair cut.\u00a0 He preferred going around all the time looking like a riverboat gambler.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The laughter diffused the tension for a moment, but Adam could see that Pat was still going to balk.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;In answer to yer question, Adam, we&#8217;d be appreciatin\u2019 your company,&#8221; smiled Ray.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, suppose we get started,&#8221; Adam said, dropping his napkin beside his plate.\u00a0 Pat looked up, annoyed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I just sat down!&#8221; he protested.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;No hurry,&#8221; nodded Adam.\u00a0 &#8220;By the time I hitch up the team you should be finished and we can go.\u00a0 We&#8217;ve got a lot to do.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Aw, Je\u2014&#8221; began Pat in frustration, throwing his napkin down in a temper.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Don&#8217;t finish that, young man,&#8221; warned Adam coolly, &#8220;unless you want to find out what it&#8217;s like to have your mouth washed out with soap.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">A pair of calm but firm brown eyes met a pair of hot, angry blue ones, and locked.\u00a0 Pat drew in a deep breath, and exhaled slowly, working very hard to keep his temper.\u00a0 Forgetting his discomfort, he pushed his seat back and got to his feet.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Can I be excused?&#8221; he asked through his teeth.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m ain&#8217;t hungry anymore.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Suit yourself,&#8221; replied Adam, nodding.\u00a0 &#8220;Go get your boots on.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Without another word, Pat left the table and stomped back upstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray drew in a noisy breath through his nose, and very deliberately turned to Tom, one blond eyebrow arched, and his mouth twisted in disgust..\u00a0 &#8220;Sure, and a fine help you are,&#8221; he declared, annoyed, to Tom.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ah, he was in a right mood before he got out o&#8217; bed,&#8221; protested Tom, feeling a little sheepish about the role he played in starting Pat off on the wrong foot this morning.\u00a0 Uncomfortable, he got to his feet. &#8220;Can I be helpin&#8217; ye with the team?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam glanced back at the embarrassed Irishman and sighed.\u00a0 &#8220;Sure, why not,&#8221; he muttered and stalked past him out the door.\u00a0 Ben sighed and rubbed his temples.\u00a0 It was promising to be a long day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;So, we&#8217;ll be meetin\u2019 ye back here at noon?&#8221; smiled Ray, as he glanced up at the International House&#8217;s sign.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;That should be about right, &#8221; nodded Adam, sitting up on the buckboard with Pat beside him.\u00a0 Pat was drinking in the sights of the town, and wondering how in the name of God people survived in a backwater like this&#8230;\u00a0 &#8220;We&#8217;ve got some errands to run, shopping to do, but by lunch time we should be finished.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;See you then,&#8221; nodded Ray, heading down the street toward the stage office.\u00a0 Adam flicked the reins and got the horses going.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat hadn&#8217;t said much on the way in, preferring instead to keep his own counsel and study the scenery.\u00a0 Not only had he gotten over his snit from the morning, but whatever medicinal qualities had been in that godawful concoction Hop Sing had forced down his gullet actually had eased a lot of his discomfort.\u00a0 Besides that, Pat found he was seeing his mother\u2019s image in his mind more and more lately and guiltily remembered his promise to behave.\u00a0 And, finally, he decided he&#8217;d best work harder at eliminating the cussing (learned at the feet of the longshoreman on the waterfront), because he actually knew <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">exactly<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> what it was like to get his mouth washed out with soap; it was one of Siobhan&#8217;s nastier punishments for his foul mouth, and he didn&#8217;t like it, not at all.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam surreptitiously glanced down at the boy beside him and smiled.\u00a0 The scowl was missing, and there was an intelligent &#8220;information gathering&#8221; look in its place; inquisitive, studying, serious, with an occasional small smile at something that tickled the boy\u2019s fancy as they rode by.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam stopped the wagon in front of Paul Martin&#8217;s office and stepped down.\u00a0 &#8216;First stop,&#8221; he announced, and Pat got down behind him.\u00a0 His father had said something about a haircut, and some shopping.\u00a0 He focused his attention on the building in front of him and stopped dead in his tracks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;No!\u00a0 I ain&#8217;t sick!&#8221; he protested, stopping short as he saw the apothecary symbol and the somewhat recognizable squiggles on the sign.\u00a0 He didn&#8217;t know what the names of the letters were, nor what they spelled, but he sure as hell remembered what they represented from his own painful experience years ago in Hell&#8217;s Kitchen.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat hated doctors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The only time he&#8217;d ever been forced to visit one was at the age of five when he&#8217;d cut himself rather badly on some broken glass in the alley behind the &#8220;Witches&#8217; Broth&#8221; and had to have almost two dozen frightening, painful stitches in his hand.\u00a0 It had been the only time he\u2019d ever felt abandoned and unprotected by his mother, the only time he\u2019d felt betrayed by her, and that emotion had stuck with him with a vengeance when around any member of the healing profession\u2026 even Hop Sing, this morning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Even now, just seeing the shape of those markings on the sign made Pat&#8217;s heart pound in terror; pure reflex made him turn tail to run.\u00a0 This time, though, a strong hand latched onto his arm and hauled him up, short.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Whoa!\u00a0 Take it easy!&#8221; protested Adam, turning him around as gently as he could.\u00a0 The apprehension in Pat&#8217;s eyes startled Adam, and he rested his hands firmly on Pat&#8217;s shoulders, as much to reassure the boy as simply to hang onto him.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s all right, Pat,&#8221; he said gently, squeezing his shoulders in comfort.\u00a0 &#8220;I just want him to check you out, to make sure you&#8217;re healthy.\u00a0 He&#8217;s not going to do anything else.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat swallowed hard and looked at the door of the building, then back to his father.\u00a0 For the first time, Pat saw genuine concern and caring in his father&#8217;s face.\u00a0 It made him feel a little calmer, a little more reassured&#8230; but not enough to make him willing to go in that awful place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He swallowed hard, pulling back toward the wagon.\u00a0 &#8220;But why?! I feel fine! <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Why<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> do I have to?!&#8221; he asked shakily, his nerves shooting his voice an octave higher, strained.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It&#8217;s just an exam, Pat, I promise,&#8221; reassured Adam, gently but firmly ushering him up the steps in front of him, the boy resisting slightly all the way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam made the introductions, trying to ease Pat\u2019s fears by mentioning how Dr. Martin was a very old friend of their family and helped them all through various illnesses or injuries.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t matter a damn to the boy, who swallowed hard, and kept looking anxiously toward the door for a way to escape.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Paul Martin knew a scared kid when he saw one, and he did his best to make him feel at ease.\u00a0 Paul made the examination as quick as possible.\u00a0 He made sure Pat was told exactly what he was doing at all times, and his honesty and forthright manner eased Pat&#8217;s jitters a bit.\u00a0 The boy ended up submitting nervously with a certain amount of grace to being poked and prodded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, young man, you&#8217;re in fine shape considering the trip you&#8217;ve just had,&#8221; pronounced Paul to Pat, easing Adam&#8217;s mind, as Pat quickly buttoned his shirt up again.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I toldja I was okay,&#8221; muttered Pat as he jammed his shirttail into his pants, antsy to leave as soon as they could.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, he&#8217;s tall for his age, Adam, and a bit underweight, but a few weeks of Hop Sing&#8217;s cooking, lots of exercise out in the fresh air and plenty of sleep will fill him right out,&#8221; said Paul to Adam.\u00a0 &#8220;Otherwise, lungs are in good shape, heart&#8217;s sound as a dollar. Ears look good.\u00a0 By the way, what are those bruises from?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat just started riding yesterday,&#8221; answered Adam, smiling at Paul.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, I see,&#8221; laughed Paul.\u00a0 &#8220;Well, son, you might want to take a soak in a hot salt bath tonight to ease the soreness.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat reddened and glared down at his swinging legs while Adam looked innocently at Paul.\u00a0 &#8220;A hot bath?\u00a0 Think it&#8217;d help?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Adam, what&#8217;s the matter with you?&#8221; answered Paul, looking at Adam in surprise. &#8220;Haven&#8217;t you taken enough spills off a bronc to answer that?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">To forestall any further discussion, Pat scowled and hopped off the examination table, impatiently turning back at the door.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Can we go now?&#8221; he demanded, trying hard to cover his anxiety with impatience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yup,&#8221; nodded Adam.\u00a0 &#8220;Next stop, the barbershop.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, goody,&#8221; muttered Pat as he preceded his father out the door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">It was a busy day at the mercantile. \u00a0 Bill Jenkins, his two sons, his wife and his daughter were all working with customers, filling orders, lugging supplies out to wagons, helping choose dress patterns and fabrics, measuring out sugar and coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Community conversation was always central at the general store and today was no exception.\u00a0 The major topic today, however, seemed to the be the Cartwrights and their latest arrival.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Mary, do you know what I heard?&#8221; hissed Martha Grant.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;That he&#8217;s the son of a saloon girl!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;No!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It happened while he was in college!&#8221; nodded Martha, earnestly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Horrified, the other ladies in the group crowded around Mary Robison, anxious for the gossip.\u00a0 Mr. Jenkins wearily glanced in their direction shaking his head.\u00a0 He sure hoped this nonsense would die down soon.\u00a0 The Cartwrights were friends of his, and the fervor with which the townspeople were coming down on Adam was disturbing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, that doesn&#8217;t surprise me,&#8221; sniffed Jane Trent, shaking her head.\u00a0 &#8220;I can remember when young Adam Cartwright was an impossible youngster, getting himself into all kinds of trouble.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What do you mean, Jane?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, my land, Thelma! Don&#8217;t you remember when young Cartwright was arrested for the murder of that miner, years ago?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cMurder!&#8221; squealed two or three of the ladies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;He was acquitted of that charge,&#8221; said Jenkins sternly on his way by, carrying a box of canned peaches to the window.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Mrs. Trent sniffed again.\u00a0 &#8220;Well, there&#8217;s no smoke without fire&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;And I heard from Alice Marquette years ago that Adam and her boy Ross had been involved with those awful saloon girls that used to work at Dutch Pete&#8217;s, remember?&#8221; nodded Julia Trimble, nodding her head vigorously.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Poor Ben Cartwright must be dying a thousand deaths!&#8221; declared Mrs. Trent. &#8220;Imagine, having to house an illegitimate child in your home from origins like that!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Poor Ben Cartwright, my eye!&#8221; scorned Mrs. Robison.\u00a0 &#8220;He let that oldest boy run wild, and he&#8217;s doing the same with young Joseph!\u00a0 &#8216;As ye sow, so shall ye reap,&#8217; I always say!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The ladies all clucked their tongues and shook their heads, relishing every word of gossip being shared.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The big double doors to the mercantile opened and the subjects of so much discussion walked in.\u00a0 Adam glanced at Pat, now freshly trimmed and looking a lot more presentable, as he wandered toward the candy area.\u00a0 Smiling to himself, Adam walked to the main counter and grinned at Bill Jenkins.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Hi, Bill.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Hey, there, Adam,&#8221; smiled Bill.\u00a0 This might not be the most auspicious time for Adam to arrive, but Bill wanted to make him feel welcome and make it clear which side of the fence the Jenkins family stood on.\u00a0 He glanced with a smile toward the confections counter.\u00a0 &#8220;So that&#8217;s young Patrick, is it?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;That&#8217;s him,&#8221; smiled Adam with a sigh.\u00a0 &#8220;Listen, we need to get him fully outfitted, Bill&#8230;some work pants, some shirts, socks, the works.\u00a0 I&#8217;d like to get him fitted for a suit, and a couple of dress shirts, too.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;How about boots?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;He&#8217;s wearing an old pair of Joe&#8217;s right now that seem to fit him well. They&#8217;ll do until the ones we just ordered from Lone Star Leather are finished next week,&#8221; nodded Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, let&#8217;s take a look and see what size he is,&#8221; replied Bill, pulling out a pad of paper.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat looked up from the mouth-watering candy display when he heard his name, and reluctantly walked over to join his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat, this is Mr. Jenkins,&#8221; introduced Adam. &#8220;He and his family have been good friends of ours for many years.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat stuck a hand out over the counter in a frank, open gesture of politeness as his mother had taught him.\u00a0 &#8220;Nice t\u2019 meet you, Mr. Jenkins,&#8221; he said soberly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Nice to meet you, Patrick,&#8221; nodded Bill with a smile.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lord, the resemblance is amazing! <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">he thought to himself.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam was aware that just about everyone in the store was focusing very hard on what they were doing and studiously avoiding even looking his way&#8230;while he was watching them.\u00a0 He was sure the moment his back was turned they paid a lot closer attention to the interchange between him and Bill.\u00a0 Adam found himself growing a bit irritated.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When was this nonsense going to die down?<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;He&#8217;s going to be rough to fit easily, Adam,&#8221; said Bill, scrutinizing the youngster; Pat squirmed under his intent gaze.\u00a0 &#8220;Tall, real slim.\u00a0 Hmmm&#8230;&#8221;\u00a0 Finally, he shook his head. &#8220;Nope, we&#8217;re going to have to do measurements for the suit anyway, so let&#8217;s just get &#8217;em and I&#8217;ll get the rest of the clothes taken care of from there.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Whaddo I need all these clothes for?&#8221; asked Pat, irritably, as Bill measured him while he stood on a large box\u00a0 in front of the triple mirror in the men&#8217;s clothes area of the store.\u00a0 &#8220;I got plenty.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Somewhere along the line, you&#8217;re going to need them to be washed,&#8221; answered Adam dryly.\u00a0 &#8220;The weather&#8217;s going to be kind of cold in a month or two to be going around without &#8217;em.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat turned and made a face at him, causing the shopkeeper to exhale in exasperation. &#8220;Stand up straight and stop your fidgeting, young&#8217;un, or I&#8217;ll have one arm longer than the other!&#8221; complained Bill.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Heaving a huge sigh, as though feeling simply too hard done by for words to express, Patrick glowered at the mirror while the shopkeeper moved the measuring tape around.\u00a0 &#8220;Pretty tall for your age, ain&#8217;t ya?&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I guess.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;How tall <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">are<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> ya?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Dunno,&#8221; Pat muttered.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam eyed him. &#8220;I&#8217;d guess around five feet seven inches, Bill.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, then,\u201d said Bill, putting one end of the tape measure into the boy\u2019s hand, and raising it up to the top of his head, \u201chold that right there.\u201d\u00a0 He then proceeded to lower the tape to the top of the boy\u2019s bootheel.\u00a0 He glanced up at Adam with a grin. \u201cFive feet, seven and 3\/16ths.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat swallowed hard for a moment; he understood some of the numbers, but not the context in which they were used, and he frowned.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Hmm.. how old is he, Adam?\u00a0 Fourteen?\u00a0 Fifteen?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Fourteen,&#8221; grunted Pat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;In three months,&#8221; added Adam, with a small smile, earning him another exasperated sigh from his son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAll right, son, you\u2019re all set,\u201d smiled Bill, patting the boy\u2019s arm, letting him climb down and slipping his measuring tape around his neck.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Did you hear about the new arrival?&#8221; Adam heard clearly stated behind him.\u00a0 Closing his eyes, Adam tried to stay calm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;No, where?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;At the Langtons!\u00a0 The most beautiful baby boy!&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, how wonderful!&#8221; &#8220;Isn&#8217;t that nice?&#8221; &#8220;Oh, that&#8217;s good news&#8221; crowed all the ladies in the store.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yes, isn&#8217;t it?&#8221; continued Mrs. Robison, her voice cutting Adam\u2019s nerves like a buzz saw. &#8220;Such a nice family&#8230;never any hint of scandal&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat hadn&#8217;t missed a word, either.\u00a0 He glanced at his father, trying to gauge his reaction.\u00a0 It wasn&#8217;t hard to figure out.\u00a0 Adam&#8217;s face had closed as tight as though shutters had been slammed over it, his lips flattening into a hard line.\u00a0 Pat sighed.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">So\u2026 the old man\u2019s got some stuff to learn ta get used to, apparently.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam heard the sigh, and glanced at his son, worried that the comment had upset him.\u00a0 To his surprise, when his eyes met Pat&#8217;s, he found the boy\u2019s filled with pity.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For him?! <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0But the boy moved off, back toward the candy again before he could be sure.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam leaned over to Bill, who was gathering jeans, other pants, shirts and socks together based on Pat&#8217;s sizes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve given him a little room to grow in the sizes of these clothes, Adam,&#8221; said Bill as he sorted through the items.\u00a0 &#8220;If anything&#8217;s really too big, just send &#8217;em back and we&#8217;ll exchange &#8217;em.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Sure thing, Bill.\u00a0 Listen, would you do me a favor?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Sure, Adam.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Fill up a bag with about two bits&#8217; worth of candy, would you?\u00a0 Peppermint sticks, gum drops, jelly beans&#8230;you know,&#8221; he said quietly.\u00a0 Bill glanced over at the candy counter, seeing Pat still staring, his mouth watering, and grinned, nodding.\u00a0 &#8220;Sure thing.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat sighed and turned away from the candy.\u00a0 It would have to wait until he had a little pocket money of his own.\u00a0 He wondered if there were some jobs around the Ponderosa he could do to earn some spending money?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Patrick turned at the sound of his name, and saw his father standing quite close to him, holding something.\u00a0 He looked down and his eyes widened.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">It was the most beautiful, dove gray Stetson hat, studded with silver bits.\u00a0 Pat stared for a moment, then looked up at his father, his jaw dropped.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;For me?&#8221; he asked softly, surprised.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Gotta have a hat,&#8221; shrugged Adam, smiling.\u00a0 &#8220;Try it on.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat took the beautiful hat in his hands, and turning back toward the mirror, slowly set it on his head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam nodded and smiled.\u00a0 He knew the style would look well on the boy; it was the same gambler\u2019s style he always chose for himself, and the dove gray would suit Pat\u2019s coloring and eyes.\u00a0 And that etched pattern on the studs was quite unique; he\u2019d never seen the like, and it intrigued Adam, making that hat something he felt sure no one else would have.\u00a0 He wanted his boy to have something that was unique and totally his own.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He&#8217;d accurately gauged the difference in their sizes, too; it wasn&#8217;t much.\u00a0 It wouldn&#8217;t be long before Pat would be wearing his hand-me-downs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Then Adam&#8217;s heart soared as Pat turned to him, his face split in the first truly happy grin he&#8217;d seen yet.\u00a0 Those blue eyes lit up like stars, and Pat&#8217;s whole face was transformed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Do you like it?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yeah!&#8221; the boy nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You could go look at the others and see if you like something else better, you know,&#8221; he grinned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat shrugged and walked toward the men&#8217;s hats, but Adam noticed he didn&#8217;t remove the gray Stetson.\u00a0 Adam smiled as he leaned against the counter.\u00a0 He felt something tap his arm, and looked at Bill, grinning as he handed him the bag of candy.\u00a0 Adam stuck it into his pocket and settled the bill.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">By the time they had loaded their purchases into the buckboard, Adam glanced at the big clock over the bank.\u00a0 &#8220;11:30. We&#8217;ve made good time today,&#8221; he smiled down at Pat.\u00a0 &#8220;Let&#8217;s go over and see if Tom and Ray are back from the stage office yet.&#8221;\u00a0 Adam climbed up into the wagon seat, and Pat followed him up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam glanced at his son and pulled from his pocket the bag of candy, pulling out a peppermint stick and popped it into his mouth, gripping it with his teeth as though it were a cigar.\u00a0 Pat&#8217;s mouth dropped open as he stared at his father in shocked surprise.\u00a0 Grinning, Adam popped another into his son&#8217;s gaping mouth, making the boy laugh.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You crazy or what?&#8221; asked Pat, chuckling, shaking his head with an amused smiled, as he licked the sweet, delicious treat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam said nothing, but grinned as he urged the horses on to the hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">But Connelly and Ryan were nowhere to be seen at the International House, and Jim, the desk clerk, stated he hadn&#8217;t seen them.\u00a0 Adam made a reservation for lunch since it looked like a busy day, and he and Pat stepped out onto the sidewalk again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Hmm&#8230;.I wonder where they might be?&#8221; mused Adam, looking back and forth up the street.\u00a0 Surely it couldn&#8217;t take this long to finish their business.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;The saloon,&#8221; Pat said dryly, gesturing at the Silver Dollar\u2019s batwing doors, and started to walk across the street.\u00a0 Adam smiled and caught up with him, and they walked across the street together.\u00a0 When they reached the sidewalk in front of the swinging doors, Adam put out a hand and gently held Pat back.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You stay right here.\u00a0 I&#8217;ll be out in a minute.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0 Surprised, Pat looked at him.\u00a0 &#8220;Why?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Because you have no business being in a saloon at your age,&#8221; replied Adam, raising an eyebrow.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat barked with laughter and rolled his eyes. Then he realized his father wasn\u2019t kidding. \u00a0 &#8220;Aw, c&#8217;mon!\u201d he protested. \u201cI bin workin\u2019 in a saloon for the past five years years! I was <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">raised<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in a saloon, for Pete\u2019s sake!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Not anymore.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What, you expect me ta just sit out here, twiddling my thumbs?!\u00a0 That\u2019s\u2014&#8221; Pat protested angrily.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam turned back to him and eyed him sternly. <\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;That\u2019s exactly right, I expect you to \u2018just sit out here\u2019 and wait for me. Twiddling your thumbs is optional. \u00a0 I won&#8217;t be long.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat fumed. \u201cOf all the stupid\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick?\u00a0 Did you hear me?&#8221;&#8216;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yeah, I heard ya,&#8221; he grumbled, leaning a shoulder against the supporting column.\u00a0 Adam started forward through the doors, then hesitated, and turned back.\u00a0 &#8220;Stay put, clear?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Without meeting his father&#8217;s eyes, Pat nodded with little grace, pulling the brim of his hat lower over his face, crossing his arms in an angry stance, and sulked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam pushed open the swinging doors and entered the Silver Dollar, scanning the room for Tom and Ray.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Mornin&#8217;, Adam.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He sighed, raising his eyes heavenward, and finally turned around.\u00a0 Vera was seated at a table behind him, alone, with a bottle of whiskey and two glasses, one half full in her hand, the other empty and on the table.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Vera,&#8221; he nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;So, how&#8217;s it feel to be a daddy?&#8221; she asked, coyly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Fine, thanks,&#8221; he said tightly, and walked on into the room, seething.\u00a0 He was rapidly getting tired of this.\u00a0 Why couldn&#8217;t these fools just leave him and his family alone?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He spotted Ray and Tom at a table near the back, looking over some papers while they enjoyed a beer.\u00a0 Ray glanced up and saw him coming and smiled, waving him over.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Booked our stage,&#8221; he smiled, waving the tickets.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;When do you leave?&#8221; asked Adam, slipping into the empty chair between them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Saturday morning,&#8221; answered Tom, glumly.\u00a0 &#8216;Otherwise it&#8217;d be another week to make the connection we need.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Saturday,&#8221; repeated Adam quietly, exhaling in surprise.\u00a0 &#8220;That&#8217;s going to be rough on Pat.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray&#8217;s smile faded a bit, and Tom took a huge slug of beer.\u00a0 &#8220;Everything up ta now&#8217;s been rough on Pat,&#8221; grunted Tom.\u00a0 &#8220;Guess he\u2019ll just haveta handle that, too.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray looked at his friend. &#8220;Tom&#8230;&#8221; he chided.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ah, phffftt!&#8217; the man snorted, sitting back in his chair.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Charlie dropped off a beer in front of Adam then, and when he reached into his pocket for a coin, Charlie patted his shoulder.\u00a0 &#8220;This is that one on the house, remember?&#8221;\u00a0 he smiled and walked back to the bar.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;And how was your shopping expedition this mornin&#8217;?&#8221; smiled Ray, trying to be pragmatic about it all.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, his hair is trimmed, he&#8217;s got a pair of boots ordered, a suit\u2019s been fitted, and several pairs of pants, shirts, socks, what have you are out in the buckboard.\u00a0 And,&#8221; Adam smiled, &#8220;a new gray Stetson.&#8221; Adam took a good swallow of beer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom laughed.\u00a0 &#8220;A hat!\u00a0 Saints be praised; he&#8217;s wanted one for the last two years!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Earned me the first smile he&#8217;s coughed up since he&#8217;s been here,&#8221; admitted Adam with a grin.\u00a0 The grin faded a little as he thought of the nonsense in the store.\u00a0 &#8220;He also got to meet some of Virginia City&#8217;s fine, upstanding citizens.&#8221;\u00a0 Adam took another swig of his beer, frowning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom and Ray glanced at each other.\u00a0 &#8220;Trouble?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam shrugged.\u00a0 &#8220;Annoyance.\u00a0 It just bothers me he&#8217;s got to put up with it.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Lad, don&#8217;t you be frettin&#8217;,&#8221; said Tom gently.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;s used to it.\u00a0 Been dealin&#8217; with it all his life.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, he shouldn&#8217;t have to,&#8221; snapped Adam, resting his elbows on the table as he sipped his beer.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s not as if he had any choice in the matter.&#8221;\u00a0 He looked up suddenly, remembering the visit to Paul.\u00a0 &#8220;Hey, maybe you two can help me with something.\u00a0 Why is he scared to death of doctors?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray and Tom glanced at each other in concerned surprise.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What on earth did he see a doctor for?&#8221; asked Ray, concerned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I wanted our family physician to check him out, make sure he&#8217;s okay, and he nearly took off on me like a scalded cat when we showed up at Paul&#8217;s office.\u00a0 He was terrified.&#8221;\u00a0 Adam looked at Ray questioningly, who was nodding with a grim smile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ah, Jaysus, &#8217;twas a terrible cut he got, the poor lad. Only a wee shaver, he was, five or six at the most, and he sliced his left hand somethin&#8217; fierce. Right into the muscle it went, a deep gash it was that needed a pile of stitches. Siobhan needed me to help her drag him down there to the doctor, the little fella kickin&#8217; and screamin&#8217; the whole way. &#8216;Twas agony, I tell ya, and the poor bairn was hysterical for hours. Siobhan had the divil&#8217;s own job calm&#8217;n him down, and he wouldn&#8217;t look at her for three days, so upset with her he was.\u00a0 He\u2019s still got the scar.\u00a0 To this day, the sight of a doctor sends shivers down his spine, poor lad,\u201d Ray said softly.\u00a0 He remembered the day Siobhan died, and the fight Pat started to put up before taking the sedative Dr. O&#8217;Meara prescribed.\u00a0 It had been difficult, but he was too spent to fuss for long.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Poor kid<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, Adam thought, sadly.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It&#8217;s always been a fight for you, hasn&#8217;t it?<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom and Ray glanced at each other.\u00a0 &#8220;Adam,&#8221; began Ray, a little uneasily.\u00a0 &#8220;I think you probably have been able to figure out the kind of &#8230; relationship both Tom and I have had with Siobhan.\u00a0 We wanted ye to know&#8230;.&#8221;\u00a0 Ray faltered, a little embarrassed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam looked up, surprised at the change in the conversation.\u00a0 He had figured early along that both Tom and Ray had been very close to Siobhan&#8230;how could he not recognize the signs?<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Uncharacteristically, Tom drew in a deep breath and fixed his eye on Adam.\u00a0 &#8220;That lad means a great deal to both o&#8217; us.\u00a0 We were prepared to accept him as our own when we each asked his mother to wed.\u00a0 We had to be sure you were goin&#8217; to do right by the boy, that&#8217;s why we both came out here wi&#8217; him.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam nodded and waited, nervously.\u00a0 He could gauge nothing by their faces.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;As hard as it&#8217;s going to be to leave him behind,&#8221; said Ray quietly, &#8220;we know you&#8217;re going to be a good father to the lad.\u00a0 Give him some time, and he&#8217;ll know it, too.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam looked at both men, feeling terribly humbled.\u00a0 They were trusting him with Siobhan&#8217;s boy.\u00a0 It didn&#8217;t matter that biologically he was Pat&#8217;s father; for the past thirteen years one or the other of these men had helped to raise him.\u00a0 Adam swallowed hard, seeing the gravity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I want you to know how grateful I am to both of you,&#8221; he said softly.\u00a0 &#8220;Not just for Pat&#8217;s welfare, which I know you two have looked out for all these years, but also for&#8230;&#8221; and he faltered, then drew in a breath and went on.\u00a0 &#8220;For Siobhan.\u00a0 I want you both to know, I loved her.\u00a0 I loved her desperately, and I wish to God I could have made her believe that.&#8221;\u00a0 His voice cracked a bit and he stared down into his beer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;She knew, lad,&#8221; said Ray, softly, resting a hand on Adam&#8217;s arm.\u00a0 &#8220;Believe me, she knew.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The three men were quiet for a moment, then Tom suddenly looked up, startled. &#8220;Hey&#8230; where <\/span><b><i>is<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> the lad, anyhow?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam shook himself out of his reverie, remembering. &#8220;I asked him to wait outside while I came in to find you.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom and Ray stared at each in dismay.\u00a0 &#8220;Yer kiddin&#8217;, right?&#8221; demanded Tom in exasperation, bounding to his feet and heading for the door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Christ, man!\u00a0 If ye think he&#8217;s sittin&#8217; there patiently waitin&#8217; for ye, yer barmy!&#8221; snapped Ray over his shoulder, following at Tom&#8217;s heels.\u00a0 Alarmed, Adam got to his feet and followed as well.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Sure enough. The wooden sidewalk in front of the Silver Dollar was empty.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat had waited a grand total of about five minutes when he decided this was daft.\u00a0 He was going to walk around a bit and explore.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He strolled down the sidewalk, tipping his new hat at ladies he passed, and trying to assimilate the nuances of the town.\u00a0 As a street kid, he quickly assessed Virginia City\u2019s layout and was able to mentally place the streets in his head.\u00a0 As a non-reader, Pat had developed many different coping skills, including memorization and visualization; as a consequence, he\u2019d learned very quickly how to associate places and landmarks to find his way.\u00a0 For example, he would always remember that the bank stood on this particular corner, and the livery stable was over that way.\u00a0 For nearly fifteen minutes he wandered the town, looking, studying and drinking it in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He was beginning to get pretty hungry, and decided he&#8217;d probably better get back to the saloon before Adam missed him, and turned back up the street.\u00a0 He noticed a group of boys about his age hanging around the entrance of a side street, a group that hadn&#8217;t been there five minutes earlier when he&#8217;d passed.\u00a0 The hairs on the back of his neck quivered.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat had not just arrived in this Western backwater via the latest turnip wagon; he could tell by their stance, by their deliberate lack of curiosity, that they&#8217;d been following him.\u00a0 He drew in a deep breath and began to walk, careful to angle himself away and across the main street.\u00a0 Sure enough, they followed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Hey, ain\u2019t that a Cartwright?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat&#8217;s lips tightened and he kept on walking.\u00a0 He was severely outnumbered here, and didn&#8217;t know the territory. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Keep walkin\u2019, lad, they cannae hurt ye with words!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> his mother always said. He rarely heeded her, but still\u2026<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yeah, one of the high and mighty Cartwrights!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat continued to put one foot in front of the other, heading back toward the saloon, trying to use his peripheral vision to gain some hold on the area, to figure out his best vantage point.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Oh, no\u2026\u00a0 but it <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">can\u2019t<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> be a Cartwright&#8230;they&#8217;re all fine, upstandin\u2019 members of the community,&#8221; jeered another.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ain&#8217;t none of em&#8230;a bastard!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat stopped and closed his eyes, balling his fists.\u00a0 He struggled to keep his temper, remembering his mother&#8217;s admonishments through the years: they were just words, words couldn&#8217;t hurt him.\u00a0 Unfortunately, today had already been a difficult morass of emotions and he found his temper hadn\u2019t just begun to fray; it was already unraveling and rollin\u2019 down the street.\u00a0 His mind whirled; if he broke and ran, he&#8217;d be forever branded as a coward.\u00a0 If he turned and fought, with the odds at such a disadvantage, he&#8217;d get the daylights kicked out of him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">But it really didn&#8217;t take much wrangling to make a decision. Pat had been spoiling for a fight since he\u2019d arrived here.\u00a0 Hauling in a deep breath and willing his mind to stay clear and alert, he turned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam, Tom and Ray broke up and started hunting.\u00a0 Adam was furious.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I told that kid to stay outside the saloon!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 He was going to have a little word with Master Patrick, that was for sure.\u00a0 Hurrying down the street, he ignored the surprised and annoyed looks of passers-by he pushed past and peered down streets and alleyways&#8230;wait!\u00a0 There! Down &#8220;B&#8221; Street.\u00a0 Oh, bloody <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">hell&#8230;.!<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Seven boys, none of them younger and several considerably older than Patrick, were positioned strategically.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Great odds you fellas pick,&#8221; Pat said dryly, drawing on his toughest New York accent and stance.\u00a0 &#8220;Seven ta one.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The one in the center of the group stepped forward, grinning insolently.\u00a0 &#8220;Don&#8217;t need seven of us&#8230;just me.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What&#8217;s your problem, anyway?&#8221; asked Pat coolly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Don&#8217;t want your kind in our town,&#8221; he responded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;You don&#8217;t even know me,&#8221; bit back Pat.\u00a0 &#8220;How d&#8217;ya know what my&#8230;<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">kind<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8230;is?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Don&#8217;t take much to see what you are&#8230;a two-bit bastard son of a saloon whore!&#8221; snapped back the boy in the lead.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The boy dropped back in surprise as Pat launched all one hundred and twenty pounds at him, a vicious kick landing squarely in the boy&#8217;s breadbasket, dropping him with a grunt of pain.\u00a0 Pat had a feral grin on his face as he recognized that these here boots his father forced him to wear just might be of some use, after all\u2026\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His fists were cocked as he circled the rest of the group.\u00a0 Snarling, two others launched themselves at him; while he managed to neatly dodge a blow to stomach from one, the other landed a solid punch to his jaw, knocking him sprawling.\u00a0 In no time, however, Pat had rolled to his feet and was about to fly at two more coming at him when his lunge forward was abruptly halted by a hand clamped on his collar, and he was yanked in the opposite direction.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Still seeing red, and with his blood roaring in his ears, he barely heard a deep voice barking, &#8220;Break it up!\u00a0 That&#8217;s enough!&#8221;\u00a0 He didn\u2019t register the owner, and so he continued to fight back and kick, until the hand holding him so tightly shook him hard.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I said, that&#8217;s enough!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam towered over the crowd of boys who suddenly turned tail and scattered to the four winds,\u00a0 laughing and jeering.\u00a0 Breathing hard, and rubbing his aching jaw, Pat slowly stood back up straight again, and the red haze began to slowly recede from in front of his eyes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam watched them run, then turned back to his son.\u00a0 He tipped the boy&#8217;s chin up and gently touched the rapidly reddening mark on his chin, and Pat flinched and pulled back, wincing in pain.\u00a0 Adam sighed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Are you all right?&#8221; he asked tightly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat angrily nodded, looking around on the ground.\u00a0 He leaned over and picked up his new hat, slapping the dust off it.\u00a0 At that point, Ray and Tom rounded the corner, having seen the other boys running off and figuring where trouble was, Pat would be.\u00a0 They stopped short, watching the drama unfold.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What happened?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat sullenly refused to look at him or answer him.\u00a0 Adam tried another route.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I thought I told you to stay in front of the saloon,&#8221; he demanded, hands on his hips.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Well, I didn&#8217;t! Big surprise!&#8221; barked Pat, his frayed nerves finally coming undone, his feelings as sore and raw as his jaw and knuckles. Truth to tell, all he wanted, right now, <\/span><b><i>all<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> he wanted, was to hop a train back to New York and never have to look at anybody here ever, ever again!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Without another word, Adam gripped his son&#8217;s bicep and marched him back up the street.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Lemme go!&#8221; seethed Pat, trying to yank himself free.\u00a0 Adam ignored him, his hand clamped around the boy\u2019s arm as tight as the iron hoops around a beer keg as he continued to drag him up toward the buckboard in front of the hotel., fighting all the way.\u00a0 Tom and Ray worriedly looked at each other and followed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat kept up the struggle, trying to jam his bootheels into the dirt, until Adam stopped and shook him, hard enough to make his teeth rattle. Then he bent forward, forcing the boy to look at him, nose to nose.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick, you settle down right now and stop fighting me, or so help me God, I&#8217;ll bend you over and tan your hide, right here in the middle of the street!&#8221;\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat fumed but stopped fighting.\u00a0 Adam spun him around and pushed him toward the wagon, with Tom and Ray straggling behind.\u00a0 &#8220;Now, cool off!&#8221; Adam ordered, roughly boosting him into the wagon.\u00a0 &#8220;Get up there while you&#8217;re still able to sit!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">They had drawn quite a crowd by this time, but Adam was frankly too furious to care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ray sighed, watching the exchange between Adam and Patrick, and rolled his eyes, thinking of Siobhan.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lass, lookin&#8217; at them two, it&#8217;s impossible for the lad not to be his son. Stubborn as mules, the pair of &#8217;em, with tempers shorter than me beard. With them two, the fruit doesn&#8217;t just not fall far from the tree, it&#8217;s still attached to the bleedin&#8217; branch!<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom and Ray scrambled into their buggy tied up behind them as Adam angrily flicked the reins and got the team going.\u00a0 Pat sat beside him, slumped in his seat, his arms crossed angrily over his chest, red-faced and blinking hard.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER TWELVE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Saturday, August 25, 1871<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Ponderosa<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Patrick leaned his forearms, his hands clasped, against the rails of the corral, staring out at the meadow beyond the yard, but not really seeing it.\u00a0 In a very short time, Tom Ryan and Ray Connelly, friends he&#8217;d known all his life, his last connections to his mother, would be leaving to catch the stage, returning them ultimately to New York.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The thought of being left behind here, alone in this wild place, made Pat\u2019s mind spin in tighter and tighter circles, and his stomach ached as he tried to contemplate life without these men.\u00a0 Who would be left on his side? Who would even try to understand him?\u00a0 He had no one\u2026no one!\u00a0 Who would be there to talk to him when it felt like his feelings were going to overtake him completely?\u00a0 Ma could see it coming, and somehow, she was always able to give him something else to think about, to put his mind to, so that his nerves could have a moment to calm down.\u00a0 Somehow, Tom could always find a way to help him keep his temper from fully boiling over and hurting himself or someone else.\u00a0 It was Ray who had taught him the value of arguing from a position of knowledge, to think things through as much as he could rather than just reacting from fear or anger.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">But soon, they would all be gone from him.\u00a0 Pat felt like his throat closing on him, making it hard to breathe.\u00a0 Until suddenly he could hear his mother once again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cGive him a chance to love ye as much as I do.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">And suddenly, an image of his father popped unbidden into his mind, and he drew in a shaky breath, remembering yesterday\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When they&#8217;d returned to the ranch from Virginia City, Adam had ordered Pat to his room, and after hauling in their purchases, had followed him up.\u00a0 Pat was sitting in an easy chair by the window, his bare feet propped up on the sill, staring outside blindly.\u00a0 He never moved when his father came in the door.\u00a0 Adam walked over to Pat&#8217;s bed and sat down.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;So, are you going to tell me what happened in town today?&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat continued to stare out the window.\u00a0 &#8220;If you&#8217;re gonna hit me, just get it over with,&#8221; he said dully.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam sighed.\u00a0 &#8220;I don&#8217;t want to punish you, Patrick. I don&#8217;t want to hit you, and I don&#8217;t want to yell at you.\u00a0 I just want to know what happened.&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat slowly turned his head and looked at his father.\u00a0 He drew in a deep breath.\u00a0 &#8220;You can probably guess,&#8221; he said tersely.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;I supposed there must have been some name-calling,&#8221; Adam nodded, patiently.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Yeah, well, there was,&#8221; said Pat wearily, shrugging.\u00a0 &#8220;I dunno.\u00a0 Ma always told me to forget it, that words couldn&#8217;t hurt me, but &#8211; &#8221; his voice trailed off.\u00a0 He heard his father sigh again.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Pat, I&#8217;m sorry.\u00a0 I wish things didn&#8217;t have to be this way.&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;It ain&#8217;t nothin&#8217; new, believe me,&#8221; Pat said bitterly.\u00a0 &#8220;At least not for me.\u00a0 Hell, I been a bastard all my life&#8230;you only had to be the father of one for a few weeks.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam winced.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Immediately after uttering the words, Pat&#8217;s heart ached, and he regretted it.\u00a0 He looked ashamed of himself.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m sorry. I\u2026 I shouldn&#8217;t a&#8217; said that.&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There was silence for a moment.\u00a0 Then Pat wearily dropped his feet and leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees.\u00a0 He swallowed hard.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;I was okay till they said things about&#8230;about her.&#8221;\u00a0 Pat said softly.\u00a0 He picked his head up defiantly and looked at his father.\u00a0 &#8220;My mother was a lotta things, but she wasn&#8217;t no whore.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He saw Adam flinch, and hang his head for a moment.\u00a0 <\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Well, I suppose I should be a good father and scold you for fighting,&#8221; the man said finally.\u00a0 &#8220;But under the circumstances, I think I&#8217;ll just suggest two things: learn to control your temper, and check the odds before you start swinging.&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Despite his unhappiness, Pat managed a small smile at that.\u00a0 He picked his head up and studied his father.\u00a0 &#8220;Did you love her?&#8221; he demanded, staring hard at him.\u00a0 He had to know. <\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;More than anyone I&#8217;ve ever loved in my life,&#8221; Adam answered softly, meeting his eyes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat said nothing, but the tension in the room seemed to ease a little.\u00a0 Adam got to his feet, and came over to his son, tipping up his chin.\u00a0 He studied the bruise forming on Pat&#8217;s jaw.\u00a0 &#8220;C&#8217;mon,&#8221; he said with a tired smile.\u00a0 &#8220;Let&#8217;s go get something to put on that bruise.&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat felt more confused than ever after that.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nothing<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> was in its right place anymore!\u00a0 And even the hatred and anger he&#8217;d always felt when thinking of Adam Cartwright was shifting and changing, now, too. He didn\u2019t understand who he was anymore, and had no idea at all who it was he was going to become.\u00a0 And that frightened him. To be honest, it terrified him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam watched from the front porch, his heart aching for his son.\u00a0 He knew how much this had to hurt his boy, saying goodbye to the last two vestiges of the only life he&#8217;d ever known.\u00a0 Adam seriously wondered how much more the boy could take.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The buckboard was in the front yard, loaded with men\u2019s bags.\u00a0 Adam turned as he heard the door open.\u00a0 Ray and Tom were walking out talking with Hoss and Ben. Joe trailed behind, listening.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, it&#8217;s been a great pleasure having you here,&#8221; smiled Ben.\u00a0 &#8220;I hope you&#8217;ll come back and visit Patrick.\u00a0 He&#8217;d enjoy seeing you both again, I know.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Now that&#8217;s an idea, it is, Mr. Cartwright,&#8221; nodded Ray, trying to smile.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom glanced around the yard.\u00a0 &#8220;Where&#8217;s the lad?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam nodded toward the corral.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;How is he?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Upset,&#8221; replied Adam, quietly.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;s going to miss you.\u00a0 But he says he doesn&#8217;t want to ride into town.\u00a0 He wants to say his goodbyes here.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ray nodded, and Tom tightened his mouth, shaking his head as he tried to keep control of his emotions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam turned to the corral again.\u00a0 &#8220;Pat!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat raised his head as he heard his name.\u00a0 He drew in a shaky breath and turned, walking slowly toward the big ranch house.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tom&#8217;s eyes were damp as he watched the boy walking toward them.\u00a0 His face was pale, and the purple bruise on his chin simply emphasized his pallor. But he still came forward, one foot in front of the other, determined.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Has his mother\u2019s courage, all right, that one does,<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Tom thought. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Poor wee lad.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You behave yourself, y&#8217;hear?&#8221; smiled Ray shakily, resting his hands on the youngster&#8217;s shoulders.\u00a0 Dumbly, Pat nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ll write ye and let ye know all the news of Hell&#8217;s Kitchen.\u00a0 Would ye like that?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Sure,&#8221; Pat nodded, his eyes welling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;All right, then,&#8221; nodded Ray, putting a gentle hand around the back of the boy&#8217;s neck.\u00a0 Words failed them both, and Pat buried himself in Ray&#8217;s arms.\u00a0 The older man squeezed his eyes shut and hugged the boy close to him. &#8220;I love ye, lad,&#8221; he whispered, drawing back and trying to smile at him. He gazed into Siobhan\u2019s eyes, and winced; it yielded a palpable pain, and his hand wiped his face, and then squeezed the boy\u2019s shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat nodded again, and drawing in another deep breath turned to Tom.\u00a0 But with this one, the boy couldn\u2019t control himself.\u00a0 He burst into silent tears, and Tom gathered the boy to him in a hug, muttering soft Irish nonsense noises as he rocked back and forth with him.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss and Joe uncomfortably shifted around, embarrassed by the deep emotion charging the air around the yard.\u00a0 Ben felt his own throat close up, and his eyes watering.\u00a0 Ben glanced at Adam and saw how the naked emotions were upsetting Adam, too.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Finally, the storm seemed to pass.\u00a0 &#8220;You be a good lad, now,&#8221; said Tom shakily, gently setting the boy back to stand on his own two feet, squeezing his shoulders as though to impart strength.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Scrubbing at his tears with his shirt sleeve, Pat sniffled and nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Remember, Pat,&#8221; said Tom very softly, very gently, just loud enough for the lad to hear, and gazed into his eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;Remember what yer mother told ye.\u00a0 Give the fella a chance to love ye.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat&#8217;s lips trembled, and he nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ll try,&#8221; he whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tom ruffled his hair, and turned away, wiping his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat drew in a deep breath and looked at the two men who had been the closest thing to fathers he&#8217;d ever known.\u00a0 &#8220;I got chores to do,&#8221; he choked out, gruffly.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ll seeya.&#8221;\u00a0 And with that, he turned and hurried off to the barn, head down.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam watched him go and then helplessly turned back to the two men.\u00a0 &#8220;Maybe I should stay and let Hoss drive you in,&#8221; he said, worriedly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben stepped forward. &#8220;No, Adam, you go on.\u00a0 Pat needs some time to himself,&#8221; he said firmly.\u00a0 &#8220;This has been too hard on him to make him talk about it this soon.&#8221;\u00a0 He patted his son&#8217;s shoulder.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ll check on him in a little bit and see how he&#8217;s doing.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam hesitated, then nodded reluctantly and got up into the buckboard.\u00a0 Ben, Hoss and Joe waved good-bye and watched the buckboard leave the yard and disappear around the corner of the barn.\u00a0 Hoss and Joe worriedly glanced at the barn.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Now, boys, haven&#8217;t you got work to do?&#8221; Ben said, clapping their shoulders, trying to smile.\u00a0 When neither of them smiled back, Ben gently rubbed their necks.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;ll be all right.\u00a0 He&#8217;ll be unhappy for a few days, but he&#8217;s young.\u00a0 He&#8217;ll bounce back.\u00a0 We&#8217;ve just got to be here to support him, that&#8217;s all, and be patient.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It just ain&#8217;t fair, Pa,&#8221; said Hoss quietly.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s too much for a young&#8217;un to take.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I know it sure seems that way, son,&#8221; agreed Ben, looking at the barn door.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">An hour later, Pat had finished mucking out the stalls and was finishing up spreading fresh straw.\u00a0 He&#8217;d lost himself in his work, pushing all thoughts from his head and simply going through the motions.\u00a0 He\u2019d learned long ago that if he worked hard enough, focusing on each step of each task, he wouldn&#8217;t be able to think, and then he wouldn&#8217;t hurt so badly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He heard the barn door open behind him as he finished up, and he rubbed his tired lower back as he turned around.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben looked around the barn.\u00a0 &#8220;Hey, you&#8217;ve done a fine job, young man,&#8221; he smiled.\u00a0 &#8220;You learn fast.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat managed a small smile, and sighed.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m finished in here.\u00a0 I&#8217;ll go start on the woodpile,&#8221; he said quietly, starting to walk past his grandfather.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben put out an arm, and caught Pat&#8217;s shoulder.\u00a0 &#8220;That can wait,&#8221; he said quietly.\u00a0 Gently, he turned his grandson around to face him, and tipped up his chin, careful not to bump his bruise.\u00a0 The beautiful blue eyes were so sad, and seeing those sad eyes in Adam&#8217;s face was terribly hard for Ben.\u00a0 &#8220;I\u2019m more interested to hear how you\u2019re holding up, son.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">At first, Pat thought he could shrug it off; and he probably could have if he hadn&#8217;t looked into his grandfather&#8217;s eyes.\u00a0 But those warm, gentle dark eyes were filled with concern, and with love, and it just undid him.\u00a0 Ben watched the boy&#8217;s eyes well with tears and Pat&#8217;s lips tremble. Tenderly, Ben brushed a big, broad hand through his dark hair and at his touch, the boy\u2019s face, and his resolve, crumpled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, Granddad,&#8221; he groaned, burying his face in his grandfather&#8217;s chest.\u00a0 Ben put his strong arms around him and gently held him close.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It&#8217;s all right, Pat, go ahead and cry,&#8221; he consoled softly, rubbing gentle circles on the boy\u2019s back as he wept.\u00a0 &#8220;Sometimes things just hurt too much.\u00a0 It&#8217;s gonna be all right.\u00a0 It&#8217;s gonna be all right.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">For a long time, they simply stood there together.\u00a0 Ben waited until he felt the boy&#8217;s sobs beginning to slow down and then he drew out his handkerchief, offering it to him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Here,&#8221; he said with a gentle smile.\u00a0 Shakily, Pat took it and Ben drew him over to one of the hay bales to sit down.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Blow your nose.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat did as he was told and wiped his eyes.\u00a0 He heaved a mighty sigh and leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes wearily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Feel a little better?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;No,&#8221; Pat answered, wryly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben chuckled, and put a hand reassuringly on his grandson&#8217;s knee.\u00a0 &#8220;I know it&#8217;s hard, Pat.\u00a0 Good-byes are always difficult.\u00a0 I&#8217;m not trying to make this seem like less than it is, but just give yourself a little time.\u00a0 Soon, it&#8217;ll hurt a lot less.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat winced.\u00a0 &#8220;Ma used to say that,&#8221; he said softly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You know, I wish I&#8217;d gotten to meet your mother.\u00a0 She sounds like she was a very special woman.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat nodded, shuddering in a breath.\u00a0 &#8220;Yeah, she was.\u00a0 Real special.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;If you feel like you can, would you tell me about her?&#8221; encouraged Ben gently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">For more than an hour, Pat talked, sharing the joys and the sadness, the laughter and the dreams, the tendernesses&#8230; all the things he remembered about Siobhan. What she looked like, tall and slim, strong and straight, with her waist-length mane of thick blue-black hair.\u00a0 How he&#8217;d inherited her eyes, and she&#8217;d said they were the same as her father&#8217;s, for whom he was named. Her stories of Ireland, the little town of Ballylynch where her family&#8217;s cottage had been. About growing up with her three big brothers, Liam, Tim and Conor. About the music and the dancing when there were weddings and marriages. And he told his grandfather about Hell&#8217;s Kitchen. Not the horrors that most people would have mentioned, but the things that were important to Pat.\u00a0 He talked about his friends, his &#8216;troops&#8217;, about all of the different kinds of people that populated that postage-stamp sized part of New York City that had been his home. And how Siobhan Riordan had been at the center of it all for him&#8230; how she had been his everything.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben listened, laughed, asked questions, and shared a little about Adam, how it had been just the two of them for the first five years of his eldest&#8217;s life. But mostly, he gave Pat an outlet for the feelings that had built up in him, and let him talk about the woman he mourned so deeply.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Tiredly, Pat leaned back against the wall again, this time with a small smile on his face. He chuckled to himself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What?&#8221;&#8216; smiled Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I can&#8217;t believe I talked for that long,&#8221; the boy replied, looking up at his grandfather.\u00a0 &#8220;If I ever talked that much before, someone was sure to tell me to button my lip.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Talking helps,&#8221; said Ben, simply.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s a lesson your father still hasn&#8217;t learned.\u00a0 He always tries to keep things to himself.\u00a0 I figured you were enough like him that you were likely to do the same.\u00a0 I can&#8217;t tell you how many times I&#8217;ve had to sit him down and coax him into telling me what was bothering him.\u00a0 Thanks for trusting me enough to talk.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat nodded and studied his grandfather.\u00a0 Then, troubled, he looked down at his hands.\u00a0 &#8220;I ain&#8217;t been real&#8230; friendly to you.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You&#8217;ve been through a rough time, Pat,&#8221; said his grandfather gently.\u00a0 &#8220;We understand.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat shook his head.\u00a0 &#8220;I don&#8217;t get it.\u00a0 You don&#8217;t even know me,&#8221; he said in wonder, looking at him again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You\u2019re a member of this family.\u00a0 We love you,&#8221; said Ben, smiling.\u00a0 &#8220;What more do we need to know?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat looked up at his grandfather, trying to sniff out any lack of genuineness, and finding none.\u00a0 He nodded to himself, then pulled in a deep breath.\u00a0 &#8220;Is it okay if I call you Granddad?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Seems to me you already did,\u201d smiled Ben, ruffling his hair. &#8220;And I have to say\u2026 it felt real good.\u00a0 I\u2019d be proud if you kept calling me that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat managed a smile then, not a broad one, but a real one, and Ben put an arm around his shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cBy the way\u2026 Nice haircut.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat rolled his eyes, and Ben laughed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sunday morning<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">August 26, 1871<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Boys!\u00a0 If you don&#8217;t get a move on we&#8217;re going to be late for church!&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben stood at the bottom of the stairs, angrily glancing at his pocket watch.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">En masse, four pairs of boots clattered down the stairs; first Hoss, shrugging into his suit jacket, then Joe, running a comb through his hair, and finally Adam, meticulously dressed, and Pat, grimacing as his father tried to tie his string tie while they walked down the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yer chokin&#8217; me!&#8221; protested Pat, twisting uneasily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Hold still, will you?!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Can&#8217;t walk and hold still at the same time!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Sorry, Pa,&#8221; apologized Hoss, as he led the group out the door and into the buggy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yeah,&#8221; grumbled Ben, &#8221; &#8216;Sorry, Pa&#8217;.\u00a0 Get moving!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The long ride to town was quiet, as Joe yawned, still sleepy; Hoss frankly dozed, until his father jostled him. &#8216;Hoss, if you fall asleep again during the sermon, so help me &#8211; &#8221; he warned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I won&#8217;t, Pa, I promise,&#8221; answered Hoss sheepishly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam glanced down at Pat, fidgeting uncomfortably, running a finger down between his neck and his tight collar.\u00a0 He smiled fondly.\u00a0 &#8220;We&#8217;ll talk to the priest at Saint Mary\u2019s this week and find out about what time Mass is on Sundays.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat sighed, sheepishly.\u00a0 &#8220;Don&#8217;t matter.\u00a0 I ain&#8217;t bin in a church in years.&#8221;\u00a0 He didn\u2019t say that he could remember long talks about religion with his mother.\u00a0 She told him that she\u2019d had him baptized when he was born, but that she hadn\u2019t yet found a way to forgive God for what happened back in Ballylynch.\u00a0 How she could not manage to find any peace or belief in a God that could allow such a thing to destroy a whole family.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, we&#8217;ll just have to do something about that,&#8221; observed Adam, \u201cwon\u2019t we?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">It was a beautiful sunny day, and even though he wasn&#8217;t wearing a suit like his father, uncles and grandfather, Pat was hot with his cuffs buttoned and his collar fastened.\u00a0 But what truly made him most uncomfortable was the service he was about to attend.\u00a0 He hadn&#8217;t wanted to rock the boat last night when Granddad had mentioned church this morning, but he wasn&#8217;t at all sure God wouldn&#8217;t strike him dead for even setting foot in an Orangeman&#8217;s church, much less attending their worship service.\u00a0 He kept his worries to himself, though, finally trusting that the God the other Irish in the Kitchen believed in would understand, even if the one his Ma had a relationship with might not.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When they arrived, people were streaming into the church building.\u00a0 Swallowing hard, Pat mentally said a quick <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ave Maria<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> as he mounted the steps and followed his family in the door.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat was irritable and unhappy by the time the service was wrapping up.\u00a0 At first he&#8217;d tried hard to listen to the pastor as he preached, but he kept waiting for the rising, the kneeling, the Latin prayers he remembered from years ago.\u00a0 It was getting hotter, and he was itchy under the collar.\u00a0 He&#8217;d already gotten two looks of warning from his father for fidgeting uncomfortably in the pew, and he&#8217;d sighed, feeling put upon.\u00a0 He looked up with alacrity when he saw the rest of the congregation rising for what the pastor said was \u2013 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Thank you, Jaysus!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> &#8211;\u00a0 the final hymn.\u00a0 His father handed him a hymnal, and Pat worriedly looked at him.\u00a0 <em>Uh oh<\/em>, he thought.\u00a0 <em>Ray didn&#8217;t tell him. <\/em><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><em>O<\/em>h, hell.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 Desperately he glanced down at the book and hoped to God he was holding it right side up.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">And then he guiltily glanced up at the stained glass window, ashamed that he&#8217;d even thought a cussword in church.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Finally, people began filing out, and Pat offered a silent <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nomine Patre<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of thanksgiving of his own.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Outside, while good friends of the Cartwrights gathered around Ben, Adam, Joe, and Hoss looking forward to being introduced to the new member of the family, other members of the community made a showy effort of avoiding the Cartwrights, some boldly glaring in disdain.\u00a0 Pat squirmed under the scrutiny of so many people, but did his best to be polite as his mother had taught him.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben noted with distaste the poor behavior of some of his neighbors and turned instead to his friends, including George and Mary Devlin.\u00a0 George&#8217;s older sons, Mitch, Cal and Danny, had been a friends of his own sons&#8217; for years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Our youngest, Micah, is about your age, Patrick,&#8221; smiled George Devlin.\u00a0 &#8220;Maybe you two will get to know each other in school this fall.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat nodded with a weak smile, his stomach sinking a bit. \u00a0<em>Well, now\u2026 <\/em><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><em>This<\/em> is for sure gonna be a problem\u2026<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Finally, Pat was able to slip away a little bit, just to get some breathing space.\u00a0 He walked around the back of the church, thinking hard about how he was going to get around this school thing.\u00a0 Suddenly, he felt the back hairs of his neck rising again, and his shoulders sagged&#8230; <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">aw, hell, not again!<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Slowly he turned around and saw three of his antagonists from yesterday staring at him, mean smiles on their spotty faces.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Wal, now, look at this, willya.\u00a0 Don&#8217;t he clean up purty?&#8221; teased one of the boys.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Rolling his eyes, Pat sighed and tried to step around the three, but they shifted, blocking his path.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;C&#8217;mon, guys,&#8221; he said tiredly, &#8220;this is getting a little stupid, don&#8217;t you think?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Think you&#8217;re pretty smart, dontya, with them fancy clothes,&#8221; jeered one of the others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Patrick said to himself over and over again, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">don&#8217;t lose your temper, don&#8217;t lose your temper, <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">as he tried to figure a way out of this.\u00a0 Of course, he could simply yell, and somebody would come over.\u00a0 But that wasn&#8217;t exactly the most courageous way out.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">One of the boys glanced around, saw no adult, and gave Patrick a hard shove.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Leave me alone!\u00a0 You don&#8217;t want to mess with me!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">They stared at him in surprise and then burst out laughing.\u00a0 &#8220;Listen to him, willya!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat&#8217;s blue eyes smoldered.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Big tough guy from New York City\u2026 tough guy like that, he must be used to fightin\u2019 all the time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYa know, I heard his ma worked in a brothel!\u00a0 Maybe he did too?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Their sniggers were vicious as they circled him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Take it back,&#8221; Pat warned, dangerously quiet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Stinkin&#8217; New York City slut!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I said, take it back!&#8221; he shouted, fists cocked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Make me,&#8221; scorned one boy, and they all began to laugh at him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Despite everything his father had tried to tell him, just yesterday, Pat lost his temper and launched his attack, driving the first punch directly into the nose of the closest taunter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">That left an opening for one of the others, and Pat suffered a mighty blow to the stomach, knocking the breath out of him and driving him back.\u00a0 Drawing on reserves of strength and tactics he&#8217;d learned years before, Pat hauled in enough breath to maneuver himself out of the way of a fist that came flying at his face, and grabbed the wrist, wrenching it around and flipping the owner, who screamed in pain as he dropped to the ground. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Thank you, Su Chang! <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">he thought.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Still wheezing and blinking tears of pain out of his eyes, Pat whirled and readied himself for the next attack.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Several of the church going families heard the ruckus and had come quickly around the side of the church.\u00a0 When they saw who was involved&#8230; they simply stood and stared.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat easily sidestepped a clumsy right hook to his chin, and countered while the guard was down, driving a right cross to the jaw of one of the boys, allowing his eyes to leave him for a moment, giving him the other two to contend with.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pa! Pa!&#8221; hollered little Daisy Canfield as she ran around the front of the church.\u00a0 Taylor Canfield, owner of the Lucky 7 mine, and an old friend of Ben&#8217;s and Adam&#8217;s, wheeled around at the alarm in his daughter&#8217;s voice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What&#8217;s wrong?&#8217;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;They&#8217;re beatin&#8217; up somebody back there!&#8221; she cried, tearfully.\u00a0 Alarmed, Adam glanced around for Pat, then took off at a dead run with Hoss and Joe behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat circled slowly, keeping his three opponents in clear view.\u00a0 A few of their punches had landed, and Pat&#8217;s face was covered in blood from a blow to his nose and a cut over his eye, but he was determined to finish this.\u00a0 Drawing on every dirty trick he&#8217;d ever learned fighting on the Battery waterfront, Pat dove for the one furthest away from the other two and while down, scissored his legs, upending him.\u00a0 When he hit hard on his back, whooshing the breath out of him, Pat landed a vicious punch to his stomach; he struggled to haul in enough to air to allow himself to stand once more as he saw the other two charge him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Wobbling to his feet, Pat watched in woozy amazement as his two attackers seemed to be plucked out of thin air, then he saw his father with one boy on the end of each arm.\u00a0 This was simply too difficult to comprehend, so he bent over, hands on his knees, his breathing labored.\u00a0 He heard yelps of pain from the boys, and protests from adults.\u00a0 Then, a large, dark shape was rushing at him, but the blood running into his eye from the cut on his forehead had momentarily blinded him; he put up an arm to protect himself and ducked his head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He looked up warily and saw that the dark shape was his father.\u00a0 He closed his eyes, weakly starting to topple.\u00a0 Adam eased him down to the ground carefully, then whirled on the crowd, staring in shock.\u00a0 &#8220;What\u2019s wrong with your people!\u201d\u00a0 he shouted.\u00a0 &#8220;We&#8217;ve just come out of Sunday worship, and you can just stand here and watch three boys beat up on one?!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What&#8217;re you complainin&#8217; about, Cartwright!&#8221; yelled one of the men.\u00a0 &#8220;Your brat threw the first punch!\u00a0 I saw him!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam looked down at Pat, who had heard the accusation and, shamefaced, turn away.\u00a0 Adam closed his eyes in frustration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Why don&#8217;t you take your whelp and go home?&#8221; snapped a woman in a shrill voice.\u00a0 &#8220;We don&#8217;t want your sinful ways in our church!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The crowd started to bubble and foment.\u00a0 Hoss, Ben and Joe looked around them in amazement.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Now wait just a minute!&#8221; cried Adam, furiously looking around him.\u00a0 &#8220;You&#8217;re our neighbors, our friends!\u00a0 What in God&#8217;s name is wrong with this town!?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It&#8217; ain&#8217;t what&#8217;s wrong with us, Adam Cartwright!&#8221; jeered a townsman.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Ain&#8217;t you got no shame, parading your sin in the house of God, before decent people!&#8221; shrieked a woman.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Sinner!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Fornicator!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam looked down, clenching his fists in a desperate effort to hang onto what thread of control he still held.\u00a0 Nodding his head slowly, his eyes downcast, Adam set his mouth in a firm, angry line.\u00a0 Scenting victory, the crowd pressed a little closer, the yelling, jeering and howling increasing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Well, it&#8217;s clear where you all stand,&#8221; said Adam coldly, eyes down.\u00a0 Then he raised his head and his burning brown eyes seared out on the crowd, causing many to flinch as though the heat they radiated was tangible. &#8220;But if you&#8217;ve got a problem, you&#8217;ve got it with <\/span><b><i>me<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, not him!&#8221; declared Adam, his black brows knit together in fury pointing at the bleeding boy at his feet, now struggling to stand.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m the one who&#8217;s committed this sin you find so horrible, so grievous!&#8221; he snapped.\u00a0 He pointed at Pat again.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;s just a boy!&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8221; &#8216;The sins of the father are visited upon the sons!&#8217; &#8221; shouted back another townsman.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam trembled with anger, then flung the finger that had just been pointing at Pat out into the crowd in fury, as though impaling each and every one of them, as well as punctuating his next words.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8221; &#8216;Let him who is without sin among you cast the first stone!&#8217; &#8221; he declared, slowly, furiously, allowing that incriminating finger and those burning eyes to land on as many of the mob as possible.\u00a0 Suddenly, the crowd began to look at each other, confused.\u00a0 They looked back at Adam, who stood, feet apart, blocking Pat from them, unconsciously protecting his son, and glaring fiercely at the crowd.\u00a0 As suddenly as it grew, the mob slowly, shamefully, began to disperse.\u00a0 As the crowd disappeared, Adam sagged and then turned quickly to his son.\u00a0 He hauled out his handkerchief, dabbing at the cuts on Pat&#8217;s face.\u00a0 When he touched the one bleeding away merrily over Pat&#8217;s eye, the boy flinched, emitting a small groan of pain.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Shhh, easy,&#8221; Adam said quietly, as he continued to clean him up.\u00a0 Sighing, Adam put a supporting arm around his son&#8217;s shoulders and walked him back to the buggy.\u00a0 In silence, Ben, Hoss and Little Joe followed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ow!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 That stings!&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Sit still,&#8221; ordered Adam as he dabbed witch hazel at the cut over Pat&#8217;s eye.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat was seated on a chair in the kitchen, soaking his bruised knuckles in a bowl of ice water while Adam doctored his cuts and bruises.\u00a0 Luckily, aside from some small cuts, Pat had looked more of a battered mess than he actually was.\u00a0 \u00a0 Once the blood was wiped away, his nose looked all right\u2014it wasn\u2019t broken and looked like it wouldn\u2019t even swell\u2014although it was still pretty sore.\u00a0 The cut over his eye was small and wouldn&#8217;t require stitches.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat felt so strange; his body was sore from his battles yesterday and today, but his spirit was balmed.\u00a0 For the first time in his short life, Pat knew what it felt like for a man to protect him, shield him.\u00a0 Never before had any man placed himself between Patrick and trouble like this.\u00a0 Oh, Tom and Ray had always tried to help, but they were a bit removed; it wasn&#8217;t possible for them to try to turn anger, hostility and hate away from Pat and onto themselves; his shame had always been his own, and that of his mother.\u00a0 And yet&#8230;that&#8217;s exactly what Adam, what his father, had done today in that churchyard.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat would never forget the feeling he&#8217;d experienced when his father had stood between him and crowd, throwing their sanctimonious words back in their faces.\u00a0 He couldn&#8217;t describe it, he just knew it felt good.\u00a0 On the other hand, he sobered as he realized he wouldn\u2019t soon forget the look of disappointment in his father&#8217;s eyes, either, when he learned Pat had indeed been the one to escalate the violence.\u00a0 That had <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">not<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> felt so good.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick, is it true you threw the first punch?&#8221; asked Adam quietly as he inspected Pat&#8217;s knuckles.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;They were saying things about &#8211; &#8221; he started uneasily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Is it true?&#8221; interrupted Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, yeah, but &#8211; &#8220;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam waved his hand, cutting him off.\u00a0 &#8220;I thought, just day before yesterday, I told you that you had to learn to control your temper?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat shut his mouth and sulked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sighed as he dropped the towel he was working with.\u00a0 &#8220;Patrick, I understand how you feel, and I&#8217;m not saying there aren&#8217;t times when a man has to fight when provoked.\u00a0 But you&#8217;re falling back on violence far too often.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I ain&#8217;t gonna stand there and let them insult my mother!&#8221; the boy said, stubbornly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Then walk away!&#8221; his father insisted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I ain&#8217;t no coward!&#8221; he shouted back, indignantly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;No, but you <em>are<\/em> a stubborn fool,&#8221; his father retorted.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Steaming, Pat glowered at the floor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Look at me when I&#8217;m talking to you!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Startled, and reddening, Pat raised his eyes. <em>Well, that tone&#8217;s new&#8230; and sound a helluva lot like Ma&#8230;<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Violence is not the way to turn around the opinion of these idiots in town!\u00a0 All that does is confirm their worst ideas about you!&#8221; Adam declared.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I don&#8217;t care what they think about me!&#8221; Pat snapped, sulking.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Well, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">care what they think of you!&#8221; declared Adam grimly.\u00a0 &#8220;You&#8217;re a fine young man, as fine a son as any man could want, when you aren\u2019t trying to settle your arguments with your fists!\u00a0 And I&#8217;d just as soon you survived the next few months without getting your fool head knocked off in some stupid fight!&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat looked up at his father, surprised.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Now you listen to me, young man,&#8221; said Adam sternly, a long pointer finger under his son&#8217;s sore nose.\u00a0 &#8220;Since you can&#8217;t seem to control your temper on your own, I&#8217;m going to give you a little help.\u00a0 You&#8217;re confined to the house and yard for the next two weeks.\u00a0 If you can&#8217;t manage to keep yourself out of trouble in town, then I&#8217;ll just keep you out of town, period, until you&#8217;re able to demonstrate you\u2019ve learned some self-control!\u00a0 Is that clear?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat stared at his father, trying to wrap his mind around all the confusing emotions he was feeling.\u00a0 He could see anger in his father, no doubt about that. And Pat knew that he was being punished; he recognized that, too, from his father\u2019s words.\u00a0 But how was it then, could he also feel \u2026 what, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">relieved?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It made no sense!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Then he remembered the words his father had just said\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cYou&#8217;re a fine young man, as fine a son as any man could want\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Could the man be that angry with him and yet still care?\u00a0 Confused, Pat tried to think back to his mother\u2026 yeah, for sure, Ma could be royally perturbed with him, but he never doubted she\u2019d loved him and cared.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I asked, is that clear?!&#8221; repeated Adam severely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat flinched, then took a deep breath and looked up, and nodded.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yes,\u201d he said softly, \u201c&#8230; sir.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER THIRTEEN<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Late August, 1871<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Ponderosa<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Patrick wearily dropped the whitewash brush into the bucket and stepped back to survey his work.\u00a0 Thanks be t\u2019God, it was finished.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Finally. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This chore had taken nearly all day!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPat, I declare, I think you got more o\u2019that there whitewash on you than on the storeroom!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Startled, Pat turned to see his uncle Hoss, grinning, walking toward him from the house.\u00a0 Pat looked down at himself in dismay and grimaced.\u00a0 It had been so miserably hot that Pat decided that he might as well strip down as far as was decent to get this chore finished, and so was clad only in a now-ruined pair of work pants and the old boots Uncle Joe had given him.\u00a0 What skin was showing was now liberally smeared with whitewash.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNow, I know what you and Adam are gonna look like when you\u2019re old and gray!\u201d Hoss guffawed as Pat ran a whitewash-messy hand through his hair.\u00a0 The boy realized that during the course of the day, he\u2019d done the same thing many times, getting enough whitewash in his hair to age him prematurely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The humor escaped him.\u00a0 In fact, this last week the boy had found damned little to be funny, least of all the seemingly never-ending list of chores that greeted him each day.\u00a0 \u201cOh, lemme alone!\u201d he growled, leaning over angrily and picking up the whitewashing materials and stalking toward the barn to put them away.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss stopped laughing as he saw real anger in his nephew as he strode past. \u201cHey, wait a minute, Pat,\u201d he said, concerned, \u201cC\u2019mon, I was just funnin\u2019 with ya.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat just glowered and shook his head, continuing his angry stalk to the barn.\u00a0 Sighing, Hoss hooked his thumbs into his belt and followed him, thoughtful.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Inside, Pat was neatly cleaning up the whitewash supplies, but it was clear the boy was pretty upset.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAw, Pat, c\u2019mon,\u201d Hoss tried again to cajole him. To his surprise, a hot, sweaty, tired and thoroughly frustrated Patrick swung back around and glared at him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cFunnin\u2019, huh?\u00a0 Yeah, joke o\u2019 the year! I guess I figured out real quick why I\u2019m here!\u201d he snapped.\u00a0 \u201cGotta have somebody around to do the dirtiest, worst jobs, huh?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHey, now,\u201d said Hoss a little uneasily, \u201cyou just settle down.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI will <\/span><b><i>not<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> settle down!\u00a0 Whitewashin\u2019\u2026 scrubbin\u2019\u2026 polishin\u2019\u2026weedin\u2019\u2026 hell, I thought Lincoln already freed them slaves!\u201d Pat snarled at him, stalking by him with the whitewash brush in hand.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss scratched his head.\u00a0 He\u2019d been afraid of this.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">When Adam set down Patrick\u2019s punishment for fighting in the churchyard a little over a week ago, making him stay close to the house for two solid weeks, a couple of days later he\u2019d also reasoned (in his \u201cinfinite wisdom\u201d as Joe had proclaimed, sardonically) that the ranch\u2019s yard chores would be the most obvious ones for the boy to be responsible for.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cPa, I\u2019m tellin\u2019 ya,\u201d said Hoss, worriedly one morning before lunch as he and Ben were watching, through the kitchen window, as Pat wearily tugged out weeds from Hop Sing\u2019s vegetable garden, \u201cthis ain\u2019t gonna end well.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ben sighed, and sipped his coffee, knowing that his wise middle son could see the trouble that was brewing as clearly as he, himself, did.\u00a0 \u201cI know Hoss, but Adam made it clear, and so did I,\u201d he answered uneasily. \u201cHe is Patrick\u2019s father, and how he deals with him is his decision.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cBut, Pa,\u201d protested Hoss, watching the boy straighten up, wincing, and stretch out his lower back then use his shirttail to wipe the sweat from his face and neck, \u201cthe worst scuffles Adam and me ever got into when we was kids was when you put one or both of us on yard chores.\u00a0 Worse\u2019n a lickin\u2019, and you know it.\u00a0 Adam should\u2019a known it, too.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ben\u2019s eyebrows had raised and he sighed, a little sadly. \u00a0\u201cWell, maybe that was Adam\u2019s intention.\u00a0 To make sure Pat keeps his fists to himself in the future and avoids having to go through this again.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss had shrugged at the time, but it still didn\u2019t set right.\u00a0 But then, he thought fairly, Pa did send Adam to Reno a few days back to work out that railroad deal.\u00a0 His brother couldn\u2019t fix a situation he didn\u2019t know was happenin\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">As he watched the boy angrily clean up the tools from whitewashing, Hoss also made himself remember that the incessant teasing that the three Cartwright brothers were accustomed to inflicting on each other wasn\u2019t something that Patrick was used to.\u00a0 Adam, Hoss and Joe had always teased each other out of bad moods; sometimes, Adam would deliberately rouse a reaction in a tense and angry Joe in order to give the young\u2019un a chance to safely blow off some steam at him, kinda like a safety valve up t\u2019the mines.\u00a0 Then Joe\u2019d be able to get through the rest of whatever he was doin\u2019 without the extra strain of tryin\u2019 to keep his temper.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">But Patrick was an only child.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t have brothers to either devil him, <em>or<\/em> to lean on.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, now, nephew, I\u2019m sorry for teasin\u2019 ya, that wasn\u2019t fair,\u201d said Hoss softly, \u201cBut you gotta know what you said ain\u2019t so.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOh, it ain\u2019t, ain\u2019t it?\u201d demanded Patrick, thrusting the brush violently into a bucket of wash and turpentine, raising a spray.\u00a0 \u201cAll I know is that for the past ten days I been stuck here in this damn yard, workin\u2019 my ass off while the rest of ya are out doin\u2019 whatever you want!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The heat was taking its toll and Pat\u2019s temper, already frayed by frustration, was rapidly unraveling still further.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss stood there and firmly shook his head in negation.\u00a0 \u201cWe all work on this ranch, from your grandpa down to you, Patrick, and you know that fine,\u201d said Hoss seriously. \u201cAll of us work hard.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOh, yeah, my heart bleeds for ya!\u201d sneered Pat, gesturing toward the cool greens of the meadows and fields.\u00a0 \u201cSuffering through the heat with a cool breeze blowin\u2019 at yer back when you\u2019re riding, taking a quick swim in the lake, when diggin\u2019 post holes gets a little too much for ya!\u201d\u00a0 Pat stalked over to the trough and pointed at it, dramatically&#8230; unconsciously evoking a young, outraged Adam Cartwright for Hoss. \u201cI suppose I\u2019ve always got this!\u201d Unfortunately, the effect the boy was shooting for was marred somewhat by the comical image of his whole body smeared liberally with whitewash.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss thought for a moment, then lowered his head, pushing his hat a little further back on his head as he walked over to the boy.\u00a0 \u201cPatrick, you bought yourself the position you\u2019re in, boy, and you know it,\u201d he said more gently, but very seriously.\u00a0 \u201cYou know the reason you\u2019re \u2018stuck here\u2019 as well as I do. An\u2019 I\u2019m right sorry \u2018bout you bein\u2019 saddled with the yard chores. But, y\u2019know what?\u00a0 Neither me, nor your grandpa, nor your Uncle Joe were the ones that got themselves into this fix. Treatin\u2019 ever\u2019body like you\u2019re doin\u2019 ain\u2019t doin\u2019 you any good.\u00a0 It\u2019s just getting\u2019 yourself feelin\u2019 more fractious.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s jaw worked in annoyance as he listened, then he snorted in derision and angrily waved a dismissive hand at his uncle as he stormed toward the house.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben precariously balanced his coffee cup on the arm of his leather chair as he folded his newspaper and settled back to read.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">SLAM!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben jumped, almost spilling his coffee all over himself and his paper.\u00a0 In exasperation he looked up in surprise to see Pat, a furiously black scowl on his face, stomp through the living room toward the stairs\u2026 completely covered in whitewash.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cJust a minute, there, young man!\u201d Ben barked, setting his coffee cup down on the oak table before him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat, who&#8217;d made it to the half landing, closed his eyes in frustration, drew in a deep breath, clenched his fists and struggled not to snap.\u00a0 Slowly, he turned back around to his grandfather, clamping his mouth shut with everything he had.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d asked Ben, trying for calmness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNothin\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ben frowned at the tone of voice.\u00a0 \u201cAll right.\u00a0 Then would you be kind enough to <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">shut<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> the door next time, instead of slamming it?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, whatever,\u201d Pat muttered rudely, turning to continue upstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat was that?!\u201d demanded Ben, bounding to his feet in outrage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat sighed and turned around once again, more slowly this time. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dammit\u2026.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u201cSorry,\u201d he muttered, far more quietly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThat\u2019s better,\u201d growled his grandfather.\u00a0 He gestured at Pat. \u201cNow, just where do think you\u2019re going, looking like that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cTo get changed,\u201d replied Pat tightly, not saying but clearly implying that the rest of that statement should be, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">you eejit!<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, just turn yourself right around and come on back down.\u00a0 Hop Sing will get you some clothes,\u201d said Ben, sternly gesturing outside.\u00a0 \u201cYou go right back outside, go into the washhouse and get a bath before you track whitewash all over the house.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBut &#8211; \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOUT!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Grumbling to himself, Pat stomped back toward the door as Ben settled back to his paper once again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">SLAM!!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">This time, Ben missed catching the coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Slowly, Pat eased his tense body into the hot, steamy water, exhaling contentedly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cGod, that feels good!\u201d he moaned with pleasure.\u00a0 For a few minutes he simply lay there, letting the tension soak out of his muscles and allowing his mind to wander and relax.\u00a0 He\u2019d felt wound up tight as a clock the last couple of days, and knew he\u2019d been increasingly difficult to live with, but he just couldn\u2019t help it.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t help but feel hard done by.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Here he\u2019d been thinking it wouldn\u2019t be so bad, livin\u2019 out here, gettin\u2019 to know this new family of his, and then his old man up and turns into some kinda prison warden!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat had accepted his punishment at first, reluctantly admitting to himself he should have found a better way than fighting to deal with those kids at the church. But he honestly hadn\u2019t had any idea just how difficult this was going to be.\u00a0 Two weeks!?\u00a0 Two weeks of house, barn and yard, not one step further.\u00a0 It was torture, plain an\u2019 simple!\u00a0 He\u2019d practiced his riding in the corral, but was unable to really open up to try to gallop; woods, meadows and fields beckoned him, taunted him, but he was forbidden to go anywhere near them.\u00a0 And sure as heck, <em>nowhere<\/em> near the town!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Everything in him yearned to get into Virginia City and figure out the layout, get to understand how things worked here.\u00a0 Back home, when he wasn\u2019t working, Pat had explored the extent of Hell\u2019s Kitchen that was in reasonable reach of their flat &#8212; and sometimes, unreasonable reach to his mother&#8217;s dismay.\u00a0 He spent time learning different routes home and enjoying the smells of different cultures\u2019 cooking, seeing the bright colors of some of the clothes hanging on the lines strung between the buildings, listening to the lilts or guttural sounds of different languages.\u00a0 Cities made sense to Pat; this place didn\u2019t yet.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t yet been able to get a handle on how the hierarchy of a vast and wild territory like this could work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s mother had schooled him extensively in understanding the concepts of neighborhood politics.\u00a0 Siobhan had trained him by example.\u00a0 She knew all the shopkeepers in a four- or five-block radius, which of them held the opinions that were sought out most, and which were avoided.\u00a0 Who, among the vendors, seemed to be kinder than others to those less fortunate, and should be cultivated for any time their help was needed. Because in a relatively small community like Hell\u2019s Kitchen, what little strength they had as a neighborhood rested in supporting each other. She knew which of the women had a gift with healing, or an understanding how to deal with a colicky bairn.\u00a0 Who knew how to stretch a joint of meat to its fullest extent and fill the bellies of their families and could teach it to others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He remembered her telling him how his grandparents, Paddy and Maggie Riordan, were the family everyone looked up to in Ballylynch, and how folks would come to \u2018speak a word to Himself\u2019 of a Sunday after Mass, to get advice on some situation or other with a landlord or even a fellow villager. She\u2019d even chuckled to share that the parish priest had found it offensive, believing that the Church should serve that role, not some illiterate, turf-cutting croppy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat had found himself starting to do that kind of assessment here on the ranch: figuring out who was responsible for what, getting to know the hands and Jake Weber, the ranch foreman.\u00a0 He was a crusty old geezer, Pat had at first been irritated to note. But the boy also realized that the man had known these Cartwrights for the last twenty-some years.\u00a0 While Pat worked in the barn one afternoon when a hot summer wind whipped up eye-smarting billows of dirt and sand outside, and Jake decided to do some assessment of the tack, Jake had given him some good pointers on easier ways to handle some of his work, and shared stories of Adam, Hoss and Little Joe as they\u2019d grown up.\u00a0 Pat realized that Jake\u2019s bark was worse than his bite, and if he was respectful to the old man, he got respect in return.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat sank lower into the washtub of hot water, breathing deep and slow, feeling his mind begin to calm down.\u00a0 Then, his jaw tightened again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">But then there were the chores<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8230;<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat scowled and laced his fingers behind his head as he leaned back.\u00a0 About a day and a half into his \u201cprison sentence,\u201d his father had informed him that since he was confined to the yard anyway, he would be handed the yard chores to do.\u00a0 At first that didn\u2019t mean much to him, even though he was slightly uneasy to see the glance of surprise and then worry that passed between Uncle Joe and Uncle Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">After two or three days he understood, clear as glass, the reasoning behind that exchange of glances.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He spent his mornings weeding Hop Sing\u2019s garden, repairing loose boards in the fence by the outhouse, waxing and polishing the furniture and the staircase banister, sweeping and raking out the chicken coop, hanging out laundry, washing windows\u2026yecch!\u00a0 And that was in addition to his <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">regular<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> chores of caring for Blackie, his share of the morning and evening barn chores, and keeping the woodpile stocked.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">And his afternoons were even worse; for at those times there was, quite simply, nothing to do.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t go anywhere.\u00a0 His father had advised him to \u201cgo read a book.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Now <\/span><\/i><b><i>there\u2019s<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> a suggestion,<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> he thought glumly.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">And that thought brought him around again to the biggest secret he was keeping from this man\u2026 that it appeared Adam Cartwright had no idea that his son was an uneducated Mick who couldn\u2019t even <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">spell<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2018Mick.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Despite his bad temper, he could feel the hot water working its magic, helping him to unwind.\u00a0 He frowned guiltily as he recalled the arguments, first with his uncle Hoss, and then with his grandfather.\u00a0 He was actually grateful that his father was in Reno for these last several days.\u00a0 There had been a lot of tension between them, too, before he left.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Why does it have to be so hard to get along with people?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 he wondered, a little sadly.\u00a0 He missed his friends.\u00a0 He missed Tom and Ray.\u00a0 God forgive him, he even missed his old boss, Jimmy O\u2019Halloran.\u00a0 And, more than anyone else, he missed his Ma.\u00a0 So many times, over the last week he\u2019d seen something that had made him laugh and think how funny she\u2019d find it. But he\u2019d never be able to tell her now.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Sadly, Pat drew in a shaky breath, then shook himself a little, and reached down deep for his old trick of putting his mind to something else, anything else, than what was upsetting him\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Closing his eyes Patrick let the hot water lap around him, and he began to hum<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8230;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Little Joe rode into the yard, glad it was nearly suppertime.\u00a0 He was ravenously hungry.\u00a0 He\u2019d spent the day out in the meadow, haymaking.\u00a0 He and Adam were supposed to have been working together today, but Pa had sent Adam to Reno\u00a0to negotiate a timber deal with one of the newer mines, and that meant Joe was stuck doing the job alone.\u00a0 He was filthy and exhausted, desperately ready for a bath, supper and bed<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8230;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">for once he wasn\u2019t champing at the bit to ride into Virginia City tonight to raise hell.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">After getting Cochise settled in the barn, he walked toward the wash house, figuring he could yell to Hop Sing to grab him some clean clothes, when he stopped in his tracks, listening.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cAh de do, ah de do da day,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ah de do ah de day de,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0He whistled and he sang \u2018til the green woods rang,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">And he won the heart of a lady.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Someone was singing.\u00a0 He figured at first it must be Adam, but his older brother must have made one heck of a ride to get back from Reno this early!\u00a0 He listened harder, and while the quality and timbre of the voice was similar to Adam\u2019s, it wasn\u2019t quite right<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8230;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">it was a slightly higher voice, rich and full, but the pronunciation was wrong.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cGypsy rover come over the hill,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">down through the valley so shady,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0He whistled and he sang til the green woods rang<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">And he won the heart of a lady.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe\u2019s eyes widened in surprise.\u00a0 It was Patrick!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe quietly came up on the porch and listened.\u00a0 The sweet, haunting melody was beautiful, and Pat\u2019s voice was really very good, with a strong brogue injected in the lyrics.\u00a0 Joe closed his eyes wearily and just leaned against the porch upright, enjoying the sound.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cHer father saddled up his fastest steed,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">roamed these valleys all over,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0Sought his daughter at great speed,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">and her whistling gypsy rover.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pensively, Joe thought of how many of his earliest memories involved Adam singing lullabies to him; he sighed softly, realizing how much Patrick had missed out on, not having Adam as his father while he was a little fellow.\u00a0 Joe and Adam might not always see eye to eye, it was true, but he\u2019d been a wonderful big brother, caregiver and mentor. Joe regretted that Pat hadn\u2019t been able to experience any of that.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe heard quiet footsteps behind him and saw Pa, his forehead wrinkled in confusion and listening intently, coming up quietly.\u00a0 Joe smiled and nodded toward the wash house.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s Pat,\u201d he whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben\u2019s eyes widened in surprise.\u00a0 \u201cI thought it might be Adam,\u201d he said softly, cocking his head to listen.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s good,\u201d Ben smiled, eyes wide.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, he is.\u00a0 Wait\u2019ll Adam hears,\u201d grinned Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cHe is no gypsy, my father, she said,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">But lord of these lands all over,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0And I will stay till my dyin\u2019 day,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With my whistlin\u2019 gypsy rover.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam slouched in his seat at the saloon in Reno, nursing a beer and brooding.\u00a0 He had another couple of hours before he had to meet the two Virginia and Truckee Railroad executives to whom he\u2019d presented his lumber proposal. He had a feeling the answer would be yes, but he had time to kill before finding out for sure. They\u2019d been talking through projected lumber needs and hammering out details for the last four days, now, and Adam felt pretty confident he\u2019d sealed the deal for the Ponderosa\u2019s lumber interests to provide timber for railway ties.\u00a0 It had required a lot of thinking, calculating and juggling, but Adam had always found this part of the ranch operations to be the most fun. He wasn\u2019t afraid of physical work, but having his mind pushed hard to solve problems was far more satisfying to him.\u00a0 It also had the benefit of giving his mind a bit of a break from worrying about other challenges\u2026 like the one presented by his adolescent son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Last week\u2019s scene at the church had been so much more intense and upsetting than anything he\u2019d ever expected; Adam hated scenes, and, brother, that one had been a doozy.\u00a0 Maybe the town figured he and Pat were targets only when they were silent and accepting, he thought wryly. Fight back and they can\u2019t handle it.\u00a0 But it sure was a dreadfully uncomfortable way to live.\u00a0 It bothered him that he\u2019d begun to avoid regular trips to town.\u00a0 It bothered him even more that Pa had begun to notice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam rubbed his forehead.\u00a0 He was awfully glad when the letter from Douglas Brazier and Bennett Hutchinson, two of the V&amp;T\u2019s purchasing agents, had asked for a few days of meetings in Reno to discuss how the Ponderosa, long a supplier of timber for the mines in the Comstock Lode, might find supplying the railroad with lumber for the proposed connection between Virginia City and Reno to their advantage.\u00a0 The tension at the ranch the last few days had been thick enough to cut with a knife.\u00a0 This extended trip gave him a very welcome breather.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He sighed, sipping his beer again, wondering if all fathers went through this feeling of being thrown in a well, dragged back up, and dumped in again?\u00a0 He was struggling, feeling unable to keep up with Pat\u2019s mood swings; one minute the boy was cheerful, the next morose.\u00a0 He\u2019d help you out with a task one second, then disappear, avoiding his regular chores in the next.\u00a0 By the time he\u2019d left the Ponderosa, Adam had been ready to confine Pat to his room just so he wouldn\u2019t have to look at him!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">That first morning together at the mercantile he\u2019d thought that there might be a light at the end of the tunnel; they\u2019d laughed together and had shared a few moments of comfortable camaraderie.\u00a0 Even after that awful scene at the church, Pat had been subdued but calm and had seemed to quietly accept the discipline that Adam had handed down.\u00a0 But then, a day or two later he was impossible again!\u00a0 Sullen and unresponsive, fresh and ornery, and Adam was at a loss to understand why.\u00a0 The man sighed, rubbing at his forehead. He was making a real botch of this fatherhood experiment, he thought uncomfortably.\u00a0 He and his son still had such a long way to go.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Friday morning was much cooler, making the tempers on the Ponderosa a lot smoother.\u00a0 Ben had noticed that Pat had finished all of his yard chores, and done them well, and decided that in Adam\u2019s absence he\u2019d step in and give him a break.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben had nearly had to bite his tongue when he heard Adam lay down the list of chores for Pat.\u00a0 Ben had been a father too long not to realize what grief would lie ahead for his unsuspecting son.\u00a0 He had always made sure the boys were never stuck on yard chores for more than a few days at a time, even when they\u2019d been very naughty or disobedient, for the simple reason that they always drove the boys into moods that made them impossible to live with.\u00a0 It soon became clear that Pat was no exception.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He also worried that Adam had been too rough on the boy; in essence, assigning all those chores in addition to restricting him to the ranch house and yard was akin to punishing him twice, and he was sure that was the way Pat viewed it, though the youngster wasn\u2019t saying a word.\u00a0 To his father, anyway.\u00a0 Hoss had confided in Ben the argument they\u2019d had in the barn yesterday, concerned about the boy.\u00a0 With Adam away in Reno, his oldest son hadn\u2019t been able to see the effect the situation was having on his boy, and therefore was unable to make adjustments accordingly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat had just finished bringing in the wood for the kitchen and was quietly contemplating what he had to do next when Ben met him in the kitchen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cMorning!\u201d his grandfather smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cMornin\u2019,\u201d Pat answered, quietly.\u00a0 He\u2019d done some thinking after his spat with his uncle Hoss and made some decisions in the last day or so. Uncle Hoss was right. He knew that it wasn\u2019t Granddad\u2019s or the uncles\u2019 faults that he was in the mess he was in, so he\u2019d decided he wasn\u2019t going to inflict his moods on them any further, but it was still hard to be cheerful when he felt so danged put out.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben poured himself a cup of coffee, and then waggled the pot at Pat.\u00a0 \u201cWant some?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat looked up from his brooding, glanced at his grandfather and nodded. \u201cYeah, that sounds good.\u00a0 Thanks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben poured another for Pat, half-full, and handed it to him. &#8220;Put a good bit of milk in that,&#8221; Ben said firmly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat resisted rolling his eyes and did as his grandfather directed. The two stood together in silence for a moment. \u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou\u2019ve done a fine job whitewashing that storeroom, young man,\u201d Ben smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThank you,\u201d Pat muttered, sipping his coffee.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben almost snorted to see the boy&#8217;s eyebrows raise in pleased surprise; he could see Pat liked the flavor of <em>caf\u00e9 au lait.\u00a0 <\/em>Shaking his head, Ben smiled. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\"><em>Dear Lord, but it was just like trying to pry conversation out of a youthful, sulking Adam again.<\/em>\u00a0 He was going to have to brush up on his skills for talking with a boy who refused to communicate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI think you\u2019ve earned a day off,\u201d he said firmly.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat sipped, then his eyes widened in surprise, and he looked up at his grandfather.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cA day off?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYep,\u201d nodded Ben emphatically.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve finished the list of chores your father left you two days ahead of time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s brow wrinkled, and he thought for a moment.\u00a0 He\u2019d listened hard when his father lifted a piece of paper that outlined the chores on the list trying to commit them to memory (\u201cI can\u2019t look at it right now, my hands are full.\u00a0 Can ya read it off to me?\u201d), but thought he might have missed something.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, all but a quick inventory of the storeroom, but that shouldn\u2019t take longer than an hour.\u201d\u00a0 Ben put out a hand and massaged his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t you do that tomorrow, and take today off?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u201cWhat\u2019ll <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">he<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> say?\u201d asked Pat, seriously.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben smiled gently.\u00a0 \u201c\u2018He\u2019 has a name you know.\u00a0 Don\u2019t you think it\u2019s about time you started addressing him as your father?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat shrugged, uncomfortable.\u00a0 Ben allowed the seed to settle and let the rest pass.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019ll talk to him, tell him how hard you\u2019ve been working,\u201d said Ben, eyeing the boy carefully.\u00a0 Pat studied his grandfather; he\u2019d been a poker player too long not to recognize that his granddad was holding back. Could it possibly be that Granddad wasn\u2019t planning to say anything to Adam about his rotten attitude and his bad temper?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben blandly looked back at the boy.\u00a0 Despite himself, Pat found himself smiling wryly, shaking his head, and Ben grinned at him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSo, what are you going to do today?\u201d asked Ben, putting an arm around his shoulders.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat sighed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNothin.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t nothin\u2019 <em>to<\/em> do,\u201d he muttered dejectedly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cA bit bored?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat nodded, sipping his coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cWell, part of that is understandable,\u201d said Ben seriously.\u00a0 He reached out a hand and gently tipped up Pat\u2019s chin, making him look at him.\u00a0 \u201cYou <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">are<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> being punished, after all.\u00a0 It\u2019s not supposed to be altogether pleasant.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat flushed and when Ben released his chin, looked down at the kitchen floor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cLook, Pat,\u201d said Ben quietly.\u00a0 \u201cI know this has been hard on you.\u00a0 You\u2019re not one to easily stay put in one place.\u00a0 But try to think of it this way.\u00a0 You\u2019ve only got today and tomorrow left to go, and it\u2019ll be over.\u00a0 You\u2019ve had a difficult lesson to learn these past two weeks and I\u2019d be heartily surprised if you planned to put yourself through an ordeal like this again real soon, am I right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll say,\u201d he sighed, with feeling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAll right, then.\u00a0 Don\u2019t you think the wisest route to take would be to accept the rest of your punishment without a fuss, and prove to your father that you\u2019ve indeed taken onboard the lesson he wanted you to learn?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat still looked downward and chewed on his lower lip in a gesture so much like Adam that Ben\u2019s heart tugged at him.\u00a0 And, also like Adam, instead of answering the question, the boy countered with a question of his own.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou gonna tell him about yesterday?\u201d he asked, a little worriedly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYesterday?\u201d asked Ben, his eyes wide and innocent.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about yesterday?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat shook his head again, smiling.\u00a0 Well, if his grandfather was willing to go to bat for him, then maybe he\u2019d better heed his advice.\u00a0 \u201cAll right,\u201d he sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll try.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cGood boy,\u201d smiled Ben, clapping his young grandson on the shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cNow, let\u2019s see if we can\u2019t think up something to keep you occupied.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think I can live through another day like the last few!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">It had been hard, but Pat behaved himself for the rest of the day and tried his best not to inflict his bad mood on everyone around him.\u00a0 Ben had come up with three or four interesting things for Pat to do that had kept him pleasantly occupied for a few hours, but the long afternoon loomed before him like a life sentence.\u00a0 And even worse was the prospect of having to figure out how in the world to accomplish an inventory of that damned storeroom tomorrow.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat sat on the corral fence, looking out over the fields, the toes of his boots hooked around the next lower rail.\u00a0 Chewing on a length of straw, Pat thought hard about how to get himself out of this situation.\u00a0 He wondered if he might be able to talk one of his uncles into helping him; maybe if he counted off the items they could record \u2018em?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He heard hoof beats behind him, and turned to see who was coming in.\u00a0 He started to smile as he saw his father riding in, then the smile dipped into a frown.\u00a0 He\u2019d forgotten for a moment that he was mad at him.\u00a0 Then he remembered the talk he and his grandfather had and the promise he made and sighed, forcing himself to at least look less resentful.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHi!\u201d smiled Adam, swinging off Sport.\u00a0 His smile faded as he saw Pat slip down off the corral fence and walk toward him, his face closed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHow was your trip?\u201d Pat asked quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNot bad! Sealed the deal with the V&amp;T,\u201d replied his father leading Sport into the barn.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019ve you been?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAll right,\u201d Pat shrugged.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam continued into the barn, and turned to talk to his son again, stopping as he saw Pat not following him, but instead on the porch of the house, walking in, his head down.\u00a0 Adam exhaled, closed his eyes and shook his head.\u00a0 Apparently, not much had changed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat stared at the inventory sheet in front of him, and then at the shelves.\u00a0 There were some things marked there, but Pat couldn\u2019t make head nor tail of it.\u00a0 His stomach ached as he struggled to figure a way out of this mess.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He\u2019d tried coaxing Uncle Hoss and Uncle Joe into helping him, but they were too busy with the stock this morning, preparing for the fall roundup.\u00a0 There was a lot of work ahead of them, and Granddad needed them elsewhere.\u00a0 Uncle Joe had suggested he ask his father, but Pat\u2019s immediate negative reaction stopped that in its tracks.\u00a0 Besides, Adam and Ben had to go to a Cattleman\u2019s Association meeting in town.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">So Pat was stuck.\u00a0 The storeroom was hot and stuffy, which didn\u2019t improve his mood.\u00a0 Drawing in a deep breath he tried again, concentrating instead on trying to match up the squiggled markings on the items that were labeled on the shelves with the item names on the sheet.\u00a0 The hardest problem was that not everything was labeled\u2026 and, though he didn\u2019t realize it, different handwriting was involved, making it impossible for him to make things match up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Three hours later, he was discouraged to note he wasn\u2019t even a quarter of the way through and threw the list down in defeat.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I just can\u2019t do it!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> He sank down on a bench, putting his head in his hands.\u00a0 Upset, he finally slapped his thighs in frustration and got to his feet.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t take it anymore.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Angrily, he stalked out of the storeroom, out into the sunshine and strode to the barn, fetching a bridle; he strode next into the corral and slipped it onto Blackie, then led him into the barn.\u00a0 Once there he tossed a saddle blanket onto Blackie\u2019s back and hauled his saddle off the stall side wall, resting it on the horse\u2019s back.\u00a0 In no time, he\u2019d saddled the horse and led him out into the yard.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He was gonna be in trouble for not finishing the inventory, anyway; he might as well go whole hog and break his restriction as well.\u00a0 He mounted Blackie and took off out of the yard.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hop Sing was in a dither.\u00a0 He\u2019d looked all over the house, the yard, the barn, even a reasonable distance away from the house, but couldn\u2019t find young Patrick anywhere.\u00a0 Oh, Mister Adam was going to be furious.\u00a0 He went ahead and prepared supper, trying to think of a way to deflect the attention off from Patrick until the boy turned up again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While he was mashing potatoes, he heard horses approaching and peered out the kitchen window to the lane leading up to the house, and his heart sank.\u00a0 It was the Boss and Mister Adam.\u00a0 Hop Sing shook his head worriedly. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0Trouble!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam gathered the reins of both Sport and Buck.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll put up the horses, Pa. You look pretty tired,\u201d he offered, with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOh, I do, do I?\u201d smiled Ben, wearily stretching out his back.\u00a0 \u201cWell, son, I\u2019ll have to agree with you there.\u00a0 Thanks.\u201d\u00a0 He turned toward the house and saw the storeroom door open.\u00a0 \u201cWonder how young Patrick fared with the inventory?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ben stood in the center of the room, surprised.\u00a0 The inventory list had been thrown to the floor, the shelves were a mess.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s face settled into a frown; he truly hadn\u2019t expected the boy to be disobedient, and was disappointed in him\u2026 and then, his brow furrowed in thought.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Something isn\u2019t right here\u2026<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam came into the storeroom, and Ben could see he was angry.\u00a0 Silently, he took in the scene around him and nodded.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBlackie\u2019s gone,\u201d said Adam tightly, his hands on his hips.\u00a0 \u201cAnd so, it appears, is Pat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben glanced at Adam, remembering the family\u2019s promise to let Adam raise his boy in his own way, but\u2026 \u201cAdam,\u201d he began, scratching an ear.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPa, stop trying to cover up for him!\u201d Adam snapped.\u00a0 \u201cHe outright disobeyed me!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cNow just hold on a second, Adam, you don\u2019t know <\/span><b><i>what<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> happened,\u201d said Ben reasonably, holding up a hand to slow down his son\u2019s angry words.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t we talk to Hop Sing and see if he knows anything, before you fly off the handle?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His mouth set in an angry line, Adam stalked out of the storeroom.\u00a0 Hoss and Joe were riding in at that point and watched as Adam strode into the house.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat\u2019s with him?\u201d asked Hoss of Ben, as he dismounted and patted old Chub\u2019s flank.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m afraid Patrick\u2019s earned himself a whole lot of trouble.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u2018Trouble\u2019s his middle name,\u201d scoffed Joe, dismounting and flipping the reins around the hitching rail.\u00a0 \u2018What\u2019s he done now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cIt appears he\u2019s taken off,\u201d answered Ben, thinking hard about the conversations he\u2019d had with the boy over the last few days, and the efforts he\u2019d seen the youngster put in.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss shook his head, astonished.\u00a0 \u201cBut he only had until tonight,\u201d he said in frustration.\u00a0 \u201cWhat in blazes is wrong with that kid?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam stalked out of the house, furious.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing doesn\u2019t know where he is, but says he\u2019s been gone since before lunch.\u00a0 That\u2019s when he came out to let Pat know it was time to eat, and couldn\u2019t find him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI just can\u2019t believe it,\u201d muttered Ben, frowning as he shook his head. \u201cSomething\u2019s wrong, here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou bet there\u2019s something wrong,\u201d retorted Adam grimly.\u00a0 \u201cOr there will be when I get my hands on him.\u201d\u00a0 He strode into the barn, leaving his brothers and father looking worriedly at each other.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cMan, I wouldn\u2019t want to be in Pat\u2019s boots when older brother gets hold of him,\u201d said Joe, raising his eyebrows and shaking his head.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s gonna be one very sorry boy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam came back out with Sport, still saddled, and mounted up.\u00a0 \u201cYou go on ahead with supper.\u00a0 I\u2019ll find him and eat later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAdam!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">At the sound of command in his father\u2019s voice, Adam pulled up short and looked, still angry, at Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI know you\u2019re upset and angry, but I want you to promise me something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat, Pa?\u201d he asked, shrugging his shoulders impatiently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPromise me you\u2019ll listen to him.\u201d\u00a0 Ben walked up to him, his face thoughtful and serious.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m telling you, there\u2019s something wrong, and I\u2019ll be willing to bet he just doesn\u2019t know how to tell you what it is.\u00a0 Try to be a little patient with him.\u00a0 If he did, indeed, simply disobey, then you can deal with it.\u00a0 But listen to him.\u00a0 Hear his side first, before you come down on him like a duck on a June bug.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam stared at his father for a moment, simmering, then he sighed and, looking down, nodded.\u00a0 Then he wheeled Sport around and headed out at a good trot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat had ridden for hours, with no clear direction in mind.\u00a0 He found himself up by the lake that he\u2019d heard his uncles and grandfather talk about.\u00a0 Tiredly, he dismounted, loosely tying Blackie to a thicket near the sandy shore, and sank down, cross-legged, overlooking the water.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He stared out for a few moments, trying to figure out what to do, how to somehow solve all of these problems he found his life mired in, and swallowed hard.\u00a0 The boy drew his knees up to his chin, crossing his arms and resting them on his knees.\u00a0 No matter how he worked at it, there was just no way out of this mess he\u2019d gotten himself into.\u00a0 He closed his eyes wearily and rested his forehead on his arms, feeling defeated and dreadfully alone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Oh, Ma, what am I gonna do?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> he thought, fighting back tears.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I\u2019ve tried, Ma, really I have, but it just ain\u2019t gonna work. Everything was easier in the Kitchen\u2026 everythin\u2019 made sense.\u00a0 I knew what I had to do and everythin\u2019 was something I knew how to do well.\u00a0 Here\u2026 here, I just keep makin\u2019 mistakes. It\u2019s like I can\u2019t do nothin\u2019 right\u2026<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Images of his mother flooded his mind, buffeted him like waves, and he squeezed his eyes shut tightly to try to block them.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">It hadn\u2019t been hard to follow Pat\u2019s tracks, but it had been time consuming.\u00a0 Adam could see that he was wandering aimlessly, with no clear direction in mind.\u00a0 He was grateful to notice that at no time did the tracks lead into town.\u00a0 At least Patrick hadn\u2019t disobeyed him about that!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He found himself following the tracks up to the lake.\u00a0 It was beginning to be early evening. Adam was sure the boy was hungry and tired; Hop Sing said he\u2019d been gone since before lunch.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As he\u2019d ridden, he\u2019d expected to get angrier and angrier with the boy, but instead Pa\u2019s words were echoing in his mind.\u00a0 <\/span><b><i>Was<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> there something wrong, something he hadn\u2019t picked up on?<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Finally, he heard a pony nickering nearby and pulled up Sport.\u00a0 Walking his horse quietly, Adam followed the sound and came to a clearing on the east side of the lake.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Blackie was tied, and he saw Pat sitting quietly by the lake, knees drawn up with his arms wrapped around them, his head down; a total picture of defeat and sadness. Adam dismounted and tethered Sport, walking over to him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat heard footsteps, and spun, startled; he was on his feet in a heartbeat.\u00a0 Adam put his hands out, reassuring.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cIt\u2019s all right, it\u2019s just me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat drew in a hitching breath. \u201cThat\u2019s supposed to make me feel better, right?\u201d he said shakily, with an attempt at his usual sarcastic humor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam studied him and saw that he\u2019d been crying.\u00a0 Under his father\u2019s scrutiny, Pat turned away and looked out over the lake.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSo.\u201d\u00a0 Adam walked up behind his son, trying hard to do as his father suggested.\u00a0 \u201cI think you know that I\u2019m pretty upset with you.\u201d The words might have been stern, but his tone was calm, gentler.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat said nothing but continued to stare out at the beautiful, still water.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHowever, I\u2019m willing to listen if you\u2019ve got something to say for yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat drew in a shaky breath.\u00a0 Pat slowly leaned down and bent to pick up a stone.\u00a0 He hefted it, then turned and threw it, expertly skipping it three\u2026 four\u2026 five times across the water.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry about the storeroom.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His voice had been so soft, Adam had to really strain to hear him.\u00a0 He took a few steps closer to the boy until he was just behind him on his left side, then stopped, and waited.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you finish the job?\u201d asked Adam quietly, standing behind his son as he stared out over the water.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat listened to the tone; no judgement, no scolding.\u00a0 Like he was honestly asking, same as if he\u2019d asked Hop Sing what was for dessert.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s lips trembled and he closed his eyes.\u00a0 Siobhan\u2019s gentle face filled his mind again and he squeezed his eyes tighter, his head down.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tell him\u2026 tell him the truth\u2026<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2026I couldn\u2019t do it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat do you mean, you couldn\u2019t do it?\u201d demanded Adam, his hands on his hips.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat raised his head and stared out at the lake, winced and took the plunge.\u00a0 He drew in a deep breath and swallowed hard.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t read,\u201d he said very slowly and very softly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam\u2019s jaw dropped; he felt as though he\u2019d been poleaxed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat misread the silence behind him and his heart broke.\u00a0 He spun around, his fists clenched and glared at him, eyes glittering with unshed tears. \u201cGo ahead, laugh!\u201d he shouted, upset, and turned his back on his father, wishing he\u2019d just got on that damn horse and kept ridin\u2019\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019m not laughing at you, Pat, truly I\u2019m not,\u201d said Adam quietly, shaking his head, coming up right beside him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, son, I didn\u2019t know.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The man sighed<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. No wonder<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, he thought giving himself a mental kick.\u00a0 Adam winced, shaking his head as he now saw some of the boy\u2019s behavior and responses in these last weeks in a totally different light: why he\u2019d touch the bindings of the books on the bookshelves, but never take one down.\u00a0 Why he\u2019d pay such close attention to spoken instructions, and had a prodigious memory.\u00a0 Why he would focus so much on the colors, shapes and contours of things. Why he\u2019d do sketches, but Adam never saw any words on a page.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">God, the sheer exhaustion this poor kid must feel, working so hard to keep this fact away from us, from <\/span><\/i><b><i>me<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 And no wonder he\u2019d got overwhelmed by trying, desperately, to fulfill the job he\u2019d been given, to do an inventory of a storeroom when he had no way of recording the contents!\u00a0 It was no surprise he\u2019d finally just given up and bolted!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cWhy didn\u2019t you just <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">tell<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> me?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The boy sniffed hard, and tried to gauge the reaction, the emotions underneath the words.\u00a0 He just grunted, shrugged and turned his back a little more to his father, staring at the lake\u2026 away from any disappointment he might detect in his father\u2019s face or voice\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAll right,\u201d said Adam, drawing in a deep breath. \u201cWell\u2026 so, we\u2019ll deal with it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2018<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Deal<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> with it? How?\u201d asked Pat, over his shoulder, dejectedly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, Pat, it\u2019s not that hard, you can learn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019m too old,\u201d he sniffed, shaking his head, uneasily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNonsense,\u201d countered Adam, smiling and walking up beside his son, his voice gentle.\u00a0 \u201cNo one is too old to learn how to read.\u00a0 And you\u2019re pretty bright, you\u2019ll pick it up fairly easily, I should think.\u00a0 Now, school will be starting again in a week or two and &#8211; \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat whirled, fists clenched, and he backed off, his eyes wide. \u201cNo!\u00a0 I ain\u2019t goin\u2019 to no school!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNow, Pat, wait a minute\u2014\u201c<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cNo!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter with you?\u201d demanded Adam.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">want<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to learn?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI ain\u2019t never thought about it much,\u201d he lied, backing further away, his boots splashing in the lake&#8217;s edge, \u201cbut<strong><em> I<\/em> <\/strong>&#8211;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong><em> ain\u2019t<\/em><\/strong> &#8211; <strong><em>goin\u2019!\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOh, come on, Pat, it isn\u2019t that bad,\u201d smiled Adam. \u201cYou\u2019ll make friends, you\u2019ll\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cLike my friends in the church yard?\u201d declared the boy, glaring back at his father.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThere are other kids in town besides those three,\u201d insisted Adam.\u00a0 \u201cC\u2019mon, Pat, give it a chance!\u00a0 You might even find it fun.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cFun!?\u201d cried the boy.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re daft!\u00a0 I seen them kids getting out every afternoon in New York, lookin\u2019 like they\u2019d been released from jail!\u00a0 And I seen \u2018em goin\u2019 back in the mornin\u2019 again, like they was walkin\u2019 the last mile!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam almost chuckled, able to clearly visualize the scene from Pat\u2019s colorful description.\u00a0 \u201cNow, Pat\u2014\u201c<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAnd if you think I\u2019m gonna go in there and sit with a bunch o\u2019 little kids that don\u2019t even come up to my knee, readin\u2019 an\u2019 spellin\u2019 better\u2019n me, you\u2019re barmy!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam was taken aback.\u00a0 Pat stood there, red faced and heaving like a racehorse, fists balled, every inch of his wiry frame armed for bear,his shattered pride on the line.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou can drag me there, but I ain\u2019t stayin\u2019!\u00a0 I\u2019ll run away every single time, I don\u2019t care what you say and I don\u2019t care what you do!\u201d the boy insisted, becoming more agitated by the second.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOkay, okay, settle down,\u201d said Adam, patting the air to calm his son.\u00a0 He thought about it for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll make a deal with you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Warily, Pat eyed his father.\u00a0 \u201cWhat kinda deal?\u201d he asked, suspiciously.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI won\u2019t make you go to school this year on one condition.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat waited, worrying.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam studied him.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat sighed in resignation.\u00a0 \u201cSo, what\u2019s the condition?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThat you\u2019ll behave and let me teach you at home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s eyes popped open wide in disbelief.\u00a0 He stared at Adam for a moment, then laughed derisively, hiccupping a little. \u201cYou\u2019re \u2026 you\u2019re daft!\u201d he declared.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam cocked an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cWell, it&#8217;s that, or the alternative.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Again, silence, until in frustration, Pat waved a hand, irritably, and demanded, \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019ll march you into school every single day and sit there with you to make sure you behave yourself and do the work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s eyes widened again, in dismay this time.\u00a0 With Granddad, he could tell when the old man meant what he said, or when Pat might be able to wheedle him around.\u00a0 This man wasn\u2019t as easy to read.\u00a0 But Patrick had a strong suspicion that this time, if his father said he\u2019d do it, he\u2019d do it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat frowned, feeling helpless as he struggled with organizing the thoughts that plunged through his mind.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam waited patiently, letting him assimilate the idea.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Studying his father for about twenty seconds, the boy then uneasily turned away and stared out again at the lake.\u00a0 He was thinking so hard Adam thought he could literally watch the gears turn in his boy\u2019s head.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">After a bit, Adam crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cSo, what\u2019s it going to be?\u00a0 Study at home?\u00a0 Or at school?\u00a0 One way or another, Pat, you <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">are<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> going to learn how to read and do arithmetic.\u00a0 It\u2019s up to you where you learn&#8230; for the moment, anyway.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat eyed him, frustrated.\u00a0 Then that damn image of his mother scooted into his consciousness again, and he turned away, sighing.\u00a0 He remembered her saying that an education was one of the advantages his father could give him that she couldn\u2019t.\u00a0 He closed his eyes in defeat. \u201cAt home,\u201d he said morosely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cGood,\u201d nodded Adam, walking up to him.\u00a0 He took a chance and put an arm around his son\u2019s shoulders, grateful that it wasn\u2019t shrugged off.\u00a0 \u201cC\u2019mon, Pat, it won\u2019t be that bad,\u201d he smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cBut\u2026 but what if I can\u2019t?\u201d Pat muttered, worried, unable to shake his fears.\u00a0 \u201cWhat if I\u2019m too stup\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Grimly, the boy closed his eyes in frustration, and looked up, angrily defensive. \u201cWhat if I really <\/span><b><i>am<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> too old to learn? Then what? You still ain\u2019t <strong><em>never<\/em><\/strong> gonna get me inside no school!\u201d\u00a0 He spit the last word out as though referring to a Dickensian workhouse.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI really don\u2019t believe that will be the case, but suppose we take it one step at a time, and not cross that bridge yet?\u201d\u00a0 Adam suggested, gently, giving him a comforting squeeze.\u00a0 \u201cHave some faith, Pat.\u00a0 And who knows?\u00a0 You just might enjoy yourself.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHuh!\u201d scoffed Pat, scowling at the tips of his boots.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cLook, I don\u2019t know about you, but I\u2019m hungry.\u00a0 Hop Sing\u2019ll be ready to slit our throats if supper\u2019s spoiled.\u00a0 What do you say we get on home?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat sighed and nodded.\u00a0 He <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">was<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> hungry as well as worn out with worrying and fighting and struggling all the time.\u00a0 At least\u2026 well, at least he didn\u2019t have the weight of this secret hanging over his head anymore, ready to land on him like a hod of bricks when he least expected it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Together, they walked back to their horses, Adam wearily thanking God for seeming to have survived another crisis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>~-oo0oo-~<\/p>\n<p>Author&#8217;s note; Please forgive the anachronism.\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 While Irish songwrter Leo Maguire did write &#8220;The Gypsy Rover&#8221; (aka, &#8220;The Whistling Gypsy&#8221;) in the 50s, it was the 1950s not the 1850s.\u00a0 However, it was a song I sang my own son, Adam, to sleep with and it just seemed right for Siobhan to sing to ayoung, rambunctious Patrick.\u00a0 Thank you for your forbearance.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER FOURTEEN<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">September 1871<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The autumn afternoons flew by for Patrick in a whirl of things to do, discover, and experience.\u00a0 Once the boy was freed of the confines of the house, yard and barn, Adam sweated out the days when Pat rode off on his own, exploring, usually with any of his father\u2019s warnings of being careful impatiently nodded at and then promptly ignored.\u00a0 He climbed trees and hills, he learned how to swim in the lake and pond, and poked his snubbed nose into mines, fascinated with the process and romance of seeing simple, ugly rocks and sticky blue-gray residue turn into someone\u2019s silver bonanza.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He snitched apples from the neighbor\u2019s trees, drove the hands crazy riding the cows and playing toreador with the bulls (though a frantic scramble for safety after one charge made him decide he\u2019d probably better abandon that prospect as a career). He scared the wits out of his grandfather one afternoon walking the ridgepole of the bunk house, and he swung from the hayloft on the big pulley that was used to haul up hay, although he couldn\u2019t quite figure out why Uncle Joe couldn\u2019t manage to keep a straight face while scolding him.\u00a0 His uncle just kept insisting that if he didn\u2019t want his father or grandfather to kill him, he\u2019d better stop.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He learned how wonderful it felt to have the wind whip through his black hair as he galloped through the fields and meadows on Blackie, the incredible feeling of freedom represented in the thousand wide-open square miles of the Ponderosa.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His Uncle Hoss taught him how to care for the animals on the ranch and managed to infuse in him a love of the land that he never thought he\u2019d experience.\u00a0 Hoss\u2019 kindness and gentleness smoothed many of the rough edges off his temper and he found himself with an easy-going companion, who was almost always sympathetic and friendly, answering his never-ending questions and laughing at his practical jokes\u2026unless they were aimed at him, as they often were.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">His relationship with Joe was a complex one, at times fiery and combative, and at others warm and conspiratorial.\u00a0 The rest of the family was always on the lookout for a fistfight brewing between the two youngest Cartwrights and grinned indulgently at their high jinks.\u00a0 Joe soon found that Pat was easily as gifted as he was in the realm of practical jokes, and it began to be a contest between the two, one trying to best the other.\u00a0 It was Joe who taught Pat how to fish, and the joy of stretching out on your back on a grassy bank, bare feet sometimes dipping into the water, lazily waiting for the fish to nibble at your line.\u00a0 It was also Joe who taught him, surreptitiously of course, how to handle a pistol; if Adam had known, he\u2019d have had a fit.\u00a0 It was that great fun and excitement of putting something over on dad\/oldest brother that ultimately brought these two together and offered each a grudging respect of the other\u2019s abilities.\u00a0 And to Joe\u2019s surprise, it was Pat who taught him how to <\/span><b><i>really <\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">play poker.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat, in a very short time, found himself adoring his grandfather.\u00a0 He soon learned when the older man\u2019s bark was worse than his bite; it didn\u2019t take him long to figure out just when he could get away with something and when there wasn\u2019t a snowball\u2019s chance in hell.\u00a0 Granddad was like the mountains out there, steadfast and sure, always there for you, and Pat loved him unequivocally.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hop Sing became a silent ally.\u00a0 Pat had continued to work on his Cantonese, and learned how to cook, to a certain degree.\u00a0 He\u2019d learned more about his family from this man; and his deep respect for Hop Sing\u2019s people which had begun in Hell\u2019s Kitchen with Su Chang and his family, was continued on the Ponderosa as he learned a great deal more Chinese history from Hop Sing.\u00a0 Little Joe would always be Hop Sing\u2019s baby, but rapidly, Patrick was earning his own spot in Hop Sing\u2019s heart, even if the Chinese man was the one to scold Pat more severely than any other member of the family. For every ear-blistering lecture, there was always a baked or cooked treat to ease the sting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">But his relationship with his father remained as confusing and challenging as ever.\u00a0 At times they found a rare symbiosis, their similar temperaments and thinking allowing them to talk seriously about subjects that Pat had never thought about before but was now consumed by\u2026 conversations about social justice, geography, and current events were gently introduced to the boy, in ways that were age appropriate.\u00a0 Adam discovered in his son a kindred spirit with a sharp, logical mind, a wry, biting, and sarcastic sense of humor that could cut a body to ribbons, and a deep curiosity for the world around him.\u00a0 Despite his youth, Pat thoroughly enjoyed discussions of politics, philosophy, and history.\u00a0 During these talks, the sullen, unresponsive youngster was replaced with a fireball of energy, a quick mind desperate to learn everything he could just as fast as possible. Adam loved those times.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The first few hours of struggling through school lessons had been painful for both teacher and student, until dawn broke and, as suddenly as a thunderclap, Pat unlocked the mystery of reading.\u00a0 Once Patrick realized that those individual letters, when put together in combinations, made words, and the words opened up his mind to thoughts, <em>other<\/em> people\u2019s thoughts, Pat was insatiable.\u00a0 Adam couldn\u2019t keep up with his thirst for books.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat was frustrated to discover that he couldn\u2019t learn everything in a day. His natural impatience was whetted further with the prospect of so many new and amazing things out there, just waiting for him to soak them up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He was frustrated with his father having only primary school readers for him that were babyish, that both bored and insulted him, and didn\u2019t give him any of the answers he sought.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">And he was frustrated with himself&#8230; frustrated that he couldn\u2019t learn everything immediately in order to be able to access books for older children or adults. It was these times when his short temper would cause him the most problems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">But numbers\u2026 now,<strong><em> there<\/em><\/strong> he found his feet!\u00a0 He had been able to count for years, and Ray, seeing his quick mind, had taught him addition and subtraction using anything he had to hand, from dried beans in his mother&#8217;s kitchen to shot glasses behind the Witch&#8217;s Broth&#8217;s bar. Mathematics fascinated him, and Adam was delighted to discover just how bright the boy actually was.\u00a0 It was exciting for Pat to realize that there were real names for the mathematical and practical ideas he\u2019d run across in his short thirteen years; poker playing and figuring out the odds was just something called \u201cprobability and statistics.\u201d\u00a0 Figuring out how much push was needed to lift something with a pulley in the barn or a lever while repairing a broken wagon wheel was called \u201cphysics,\u201d as well as the fact that there were actual scientific laws &#8211; wrote down some two hundred years earlier by some English fella named Newton &#8211; that explained what Pat already knew: things like how, once a beer barrel slid off the keg stands and started rolling it would eventually slow down due to things like the slope of the saloon\u2019s storeroom floor, or how much beer was left in the barrel.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Within one or two short weeks, Pat\u2019s mornings turned from drudgery into excitement, and Adam was hard pressed to continue to find things to keep him busy.\u00a0 The boring elements of schoolwork, the studying and practice of mastering skills, were necessary but painful roadblocks to the boy, and Adam soon realized, drolly, that his son would probably never learn how to spell properly.\u00a0 Pat spelled words the way they sounded, and any time he was forced to sit and practice anything in a drill, it was usually those dreaded spelling words.\u00a0 Being forced to sit down and try to write essays was almost as bad, not yet having the vocabulary he needed to write what he truly thought or handwriting legible enough to be easily read.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam would usually come away from a morning of lessons exhausted but exhilarated.\u00a0 He was proud to acknowledge the intelligence represented in those blue eyes and was pleased with the boy\u2019s progress.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">But between them still hung a difficult, wary observance of each other.\u00a0 Pat was still careful to remain a little distant and aloof in order to avoid abandoning completely the safe, hard shell of obstinacy he\u2019d nurtured all his life.\u00a0 Pat was usually respectful, but the worst arguments he got into were still with his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">His father\u2026. Pat had spent a good deal of time thinking over his grandfather\u2019s suggestion that it was time he started addressing his father properly.\u00a0 To this point, he\u2019d managed to avoid calling him anything.\u00a0 But Granddad was right; he\u2019d have to figure out what to call him soon.\u00a0 He thought of just calling him \u2018Adam,\u2019 refusing to acknowledge his status.\u00a0 He could just imagine how well <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">that<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> would go over.\u00a0 He just couldn\u2019t force himself to call him \u2018Pa\u2019, which seemed to be common in these parts; it was just too cornfed!\u00a0 Da?\u00a0 It was Irish, after all, but would sound totally foreign out here.\u00a0 Dad.\u00a0 Hmm\u2026that was a thought.\u00a0 But Pat just wasn\u2019t yet ready for that big a step in their relationship.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In these weeks Pat also discovered Virginia City.\u00a0 After a few sessions of arguing, cajoling, wheedling and promising to keep his hands to himself, his father finally allowed him, occasionally, to ride into Virginia City on his own, and he learned the town like the back of his hand.\u00a0 Pat\u2019s prowess as a fighter had spread through the town like wildfire and for the most part the boys respected him and left him alone.\u00a0 The ones that didn\u2019t, Pat learned quickly to avoid, since he did <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">not<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> want to spend another two weeks staring at the boundaries of the house and yard.\u00a0 Pat would have liked some pals; he missed Jack and Seamus and the rest of the guys on Hester Street; but if he had to go it alone he would.\u00a0 Mr. Jenkins at the Mercantile was always kind to him, usually tossing him a gumdrop on his way out the door.\u00a0 He made friends with Frank at the telegraph office, Charlie and Tom at the stagecoach office.\u00a0 The only really serious scolding from his father he\u2019d had to squirm through during that time was for playing poker with Lafe at the livery stable. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Somethin\u2019 about a horse\u2026<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Just as Paul Martin had predicted, with plenty of sunshine, fresh air, as well as hard work,\u00a0 hard play, and Hop Sing doing his best to fill the bottomless pit of Pat\u2019s stomach, his tall, strong body filled out.\u00a0 He slept at night like a dead man, harnessing in his sleep the energy he\u2019d need to barrel through each successive day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Yep.\u00a0 Pat was beginning to like Nevada.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPatrick!\u00a0 PATRICK!\u00a0 Dadburn your ornery hide, git yourself out here, NOW!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben raised his head up from the books, startled.\u00a0 Then he heard Patrick giggling and grinned to himself.\u00a0 Pat must have perpetrated another practical joke, with Hoss as the target.\u00a0 He shook his head, smiling.\u00a0 Ben was finding it increasingly difficult to imagine life on the Ponderosa without his scapegrace grandson, and knew his sons were feeling the same way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPATRICK!!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben sighed, and figured he\u2019d better go and moderate, since Adam was working up on the range with Joe, riding fences to evaluate how much work was ahead of them all to secure things for winter.\u00a0 Ben pushed himself up from the desk, and met Hop Sing coming out of the kitchen, also scurrying to the door.\u00a0 Ben grinned at the major domo.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cDon\u2019t worry Hop Sing,\u201d he laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll make sure his uncle doesn\u2019t kill him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHop Sing tired of all the time yell!\u201d the Chinese man stated emphatically.\u00a0 \u201cMissa Patlick velly bad boy!\u00a0 Make Missa Hoss mad, all the time!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNow, Uncle Hoss, don\u2019t get yourself in a tizzy!\u201d came the giggling voice of Master Pat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cA tizzy!\u00a0 I\u2019ll \u2018tizzy\u2019 you, you dadblasted little &#8211; \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019ll have a talk with him,\u201d promised Ben, struggling not to grin.\u00a0 Hop Sing yammered away angrily in Chinese all the way back to the kitchen, and Ben sighed, rolled his eyes heavenward, then hurried outside.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNo!\u00a0 Aw, c\u2019mon!\u201d\u00a0 Pat was shouting, a little more worriedly at this point.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben\u2019s eyes widened a bit to see Hoss was soaked to the skin and had Pat tucked under one arm marching across the yard.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI reckon we could <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">both<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> use a bath, Nephew!\u201d snapped Hoss, as he strode toward the horse trough.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019m sorry!\u00a0 Honest!\u201d yelped Pat, realizing he was probably in for a dunk.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">And before Ben could remonstrate, a mighty SPLASH! found Pat sitting up to his chin in the tepid water, and Hoss howling with laughter over him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cJust what exactly is going on here?\u201d demanded Ben, hands on his hips, as he tried hard to keep from chuckling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThis ornery little cayute propped a bucket o\u2019 water over the barn door, Pa, that\u2019s what\u2019s goin\u2019 on here!\u201d countered Hoss, shaking himself like a wet dog.\u00a0 Pat cackled with laughter as he tried to extricate himself from the water, until Hoss reached out and with a firm hand on his wet black head, dunked him in again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat reared up sputtering.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHow\u2019s the water, young\u2019un?\u201d demanded Hoss, with an evil grin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">At the sound of hoof beats, all three turned to see Joe and Adam riding in, looking weary and glad to be home.\u00a0 Joe giggled at the sight of his brother and nephew, while Adam merely cocked an eyebrow.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWouldn\u2019t the pond be a little better for a swim?\u201d he asked dryly, but with a smirk, as he dismounted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cToo far to walk,\u201d replied Pat, flashing his father a rare grin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam laughed and slapped the reins around the hitching post.\u00a0 Tiredly he and Joe walked over to the trough.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHow\u2019d it go today?\u201d asked Ben, while Hoss cheerfully helped Pat out of the trough.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBetter than we expected,\u201d replied Adam, rubbing his lower back.\u00a0 \u201cWe got a tremendous amount done, and if all goes well, we should be finished tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWonderful!\u201d smiled Ben.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, the fencing doesn\u2019t look anywhere near as bad as we\u2019d expected it to,\u201d nodded Joe.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019re no more than about \u2026 what, Adam\u2026 six miles you think that might needs some work?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam screwed up his face in thought and then nodded. \u201cYeah, that sounds like a good estimate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The front door opened and Hop Sing came out on the porch.\u00a0 \u201cSupper leady!\u00a0 You all come eat now!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cDadburn it, Hop Sing, that\u2019s the best news I\u2019ve had all day!\u201d crowed Hoss, starting to head for the house, waylaid a moment by his father.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cIt\u2019ll hold until you and Master Pat here get yourselves into dry clothes\u2026I guess I don\u2019t have to tell you to wash for supper,\u201d said Ben with mock severity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Laughing, all five walked into the house.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Everyone was hungry that night, and there was only good-natured bantering while they decimated Hop Sing\u2019s steak, snap beans and fried potatoes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cJeez, Pat, you\u2019re startin\u2019 to eat as much as Hoss,\u201d complained Little Joe as Pat reached for his third helping of beans and potatoes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cLike Granddad keeps sayin\u2019, I\u2019m a growin\u2019 boy,\u201d retorted Pat, spooning the food liberally onto his plate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou\u2019re growin\u2019 all right,\u201d grunted Joe, goodnaturedly.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll be growin\u2019 right into Hoss\u2019 clothes if you ain\u2019t careful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">A knock on the door forestalled another comeback from Pat.\u00a0 Adam, Hoss and Joe all looked at their plates with great interest, making their father roll his eyes.\u00a0 Pat looked from one to the other and sighed, throwing down his napkin in disgust as he rose to his feet.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHow come I\u2019m the one who always has to get up?\u201d he grumbled as he stomped barefooted to the door, while Joe giggled, and the rest of the family chuckled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBoy, that\u2019s one good reason he\u2019s here, if just that!\u2019 laughed Joe. \u201cI\u2019m not the one who\u2019s gotta get up to answer the door all the time!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat opened the heavy oaken door and was surprised to see Sheriff Coffee there. The boy grinned.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cEvenin\u2019, Sheriff!\u201d he smiled at his grandfather\u2019s old friend.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cEvenin\u2019, Pat,\u201d smiled back the older man.\u00a0 \u201cYour grandfather and your pa at home?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, come on in, we\u2019re just finishin\u2019 supper,\u201d Pat invited, stepping back and letting the Sheriff enter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cEvenin\u2019, Roy!\u201d smiled Ben.\u00a0 \u201cHad your supper?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYep, thanks, Ben.\u00a0 I could do with a cup o\u2019 coffee, though.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou got it.\u00a0 Hop Sing!\u00a0 Another cup!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat brings you out this way, Roy?\u201d asked Adam, finished eating and heading into the living room with his coffee.\u00a0 Ben and Little Joe joined them while Hoss and Pat sat back down to finish their meals.\u00a0 Ben seated himself in his leather chair by the fireplace and waited.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThere\u2019s been some goin\u2019s on that I wanted to talk to you folks about,\u201d he said easily, having a seat in the blue velvet chair. Joe perched himself on the side of the settee, his boots resting on the oaken table, and Adam stood by the fire.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cJoseph, will you please <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">sit <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">in that settee?\u00a0 And get your feet off the furniture!\u201d scolded Ben.\u00a0 Sheepishly, Joe slid down and put his feet on the floor. Sighing in exasperation, Ben turned his attention back to Roy.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s the problem?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWal, there\u2019s been some robberies in town, Ben, and some of the ranchers around here are sayin\u2019 they\u2019ve been missin\u2019 things, too,\u201d said Roy, leaning back and sipping the coffee Hop Sing handed him.\u00a0 Hoss and Pat perked up their ears and rapidly finished eating to join the others.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t nothin\u2019 really serious, apparently, but it\u2019s an annoyance.\u00a0 The Widow Morgan has reported that some o\u2019 them circus posters o\u2019 hers went missin\u2019 this mornin\u2019 while she was at the bank.\u00a0 Bill Jenkins is reportin\u2019 little things missin\u2019 from the store.\u00a0 Nuisance things, Ben.\u00a0 I was wonderin\u2019 if you folks out here had had any problems.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben, bemused, looked at his sons.\u00a0 \u201cYou boys notice anything missing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNope,\u201d replied Hoss, standing beside the settee, sipping his own coffee.\u00a0 \u201cNothin\u2019 gone from the barn or stockroom; I just done a check th\u2019other day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat had found a spot on the stairs to sit and listen, wary, his face a closed book.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam glanced his way and was a little disturbed at the closed expression, wondering&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019m kinda thinkin\u2019 it might be kids horsin\u2019 around,\u201d said Roy, carefully avoiding looking at Patrick.\u00a0 \u201cAnd some folks in town are inclined to agree with me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben studied his friend.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019re you trying to say, Roy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Roy looked away from Ben and turned to Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI was wonderin\u2019 if I might have a couple words with young Pat, there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">After a moment of closing his eyes, almost angrily, those blue eyes opened, narrowed and the boy sat up straighter in tense defiance. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Same ol\u2019 story, I guess\u2026nothin\u2019 changes\u2026<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam studied Roy.\u00a0 \u201cWhat for?\u201d he asked quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Roy held Adam\u2019s gaze.\u00a0 \u201cWal, there\u2019s some in town wonderin\u2019 if Pat might know somethin\u2019 about it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNow, just a minute, Roy,\u201d began Ben, angrily starting to rise. But he stopped when Adam put out a hand to his father and turned to Pat.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPat, do you know anything about what the Sheriff\u2019s talking about?\u201d asked Adam mildly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNo,\u201d snapped Pat, his face flushed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNow, I ain\u2019t accusin\u2019 you, Pat,\u201d said Roy easily.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just askin\u2019 if you know anythin\u2019 about it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI said, no.\u201d\u00a0 Pat got to his feet and spun on his heel to go upstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cJust a minute, Pat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He stopped short at the Sherriff\u2019s voice, and half-turned, obviously angry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhere were you this mornin\u2019?\u00a0 \u2018Round eleven?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI was right here!\u201d ground out Pat, turning fully, hands on his hips.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cDoin\u2019 what?\u00a0 Anybody with ya?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cRoy, this is ridiculous!\u201d bit out Adam, angrily.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019re not accusing him, why are you questioning him this way?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAdam, I\u2019m just tryin\u2019 to establish the facts,\u201d said Roy seriously.\u00a0 \u201cIf his actions are accounted for this mornin\u2019 there\u2019s nothing to worry about and we can nip these rumors right in the bud.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam turned to his son and walked over to him.\u00a0 Pat, misunderstanding, took an involuntary step back, worried. \u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t do anything!\u201d he protested.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI didn\u2019t say you did,\u201d nodded Adam, putting an arm up to gently clasp Pat\u2019s tight, tense arm.\u00a0 \u201cWhat were you doing at eleven this morning?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI don\u2019t know!\u201d cried Pat. \u201cI wasn\u2019t watchin\u2019 a clock!\u201d <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">And couldn\u2019t tell ya what time it was if I was, anyhow\u2026<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cJust take it easy,\u201d Adam said calmly. He thought a moment, and frowned, tipping his head.\u00a0 An uneasy thought came to him.\u00a0 \u201cYou were supposed to be studying. I left you with fifteen spelling and vocabulary words to learn.\u00a0 Did you do it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat shifted uncomfortably.\u00a0 Dammit, it figured the one morning he\u2019d played hooky would be a day he\u2019d need corroboration on his movements.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sighed, in irritation.\u00a0 \u201cI take it the answer is no,\u201d he said coldly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, I was gonna do it,\u201d Pat said uneasily, \u201cbut \u2026 \u201c\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam lips flattened in frustration. \u201cI wish to God you\u2019d learn to do as you\u2019re told!\u201d he fumed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cDammit, I didn\u2019t <\/span><b><i>do<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> anything!\u201d Pat shouted, stung.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">First time!\u00a0 First time I didn\u2019t do it and it\u2019s like I ain\u2019t to be trusted!<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou mind your language, young man!\u201d bellowed Adam, glaring, his hands on his hips.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cAll, right<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, both<\/span><\/i> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">of you calm down,\u201d ordered Ben sternly.\u00a0 \u201cRoy, you don\u2019t seriously believe Patrick had something to do with all this, do you?!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNow, Ben, all I\u2019m doin\u2019 is gatherin\u2019 information,\u201d said Roy placidly.\u00a0 \u201cIf the boy ain\u2019t done nothin\u2019 wrong, he\u2019s got nothin\u2019 to worry about.\u00a0 I\u2019m askin\u2019 the whereabouts of several young\u2019uns in the area, it ain\u2019t just Pat.\u201d\u00a0 Roy tipped his head back and studied Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI think you\u2019d realize it\u2019s in the boy\u2019s best interest to get it settled once and for all that he ain\u2019t the one I\u2019m lookin\u2019 for, wouldn\u2019t you?\u201d he said dryly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Steaming, Adam studied the floor.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I suppose the alternative is true?\u00a0 If he can\u2019t verify his whereabouts he\u2019s automatically the culprit?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNow, you know that ain\u2019t so, Adam,\u201d said Roy, with a small smile.\u00a0 \u201cI think you\u2019re lettin\u2019 your emotions get the better o\u2019 you, here.\u00a0 I\u2019m just tryin\u2019 to clear young Pat here, so that some o\u2019 the heat on him in town eases up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat had retreated once more behind his sullen mask.\u00a0 Adam glanced at him.\u00a0 \u201cPat, I want you to tell me the truth. Do you know anything about this?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The mask fell away, Pat&#8217;s blue eyes filled with hurt. \u201cI <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">been<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> telling you the truth!\u201d he declared hotly. \u201cI was here, I didn\u2019t steal nothin, an\u2019 I ain\u2019t no liar!\u201d\u00a0 And with that, he spun on his heel and stormed upstairs.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPatrick, wait a minute!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The only answer Adam got was the loud slam of Pat\u2019s bedroom door.\u00a0 Little Joe and Hoss drew together a bit, looking worriedly at each other.\u00a0 Neither could honestly believe that Pat was involved, they just couldn\u2019t.\u00a0 But they could understand why some in town would wonder.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cLook, Roy, you might have no verification of his whereabouts, but neither do you have a single bit of evidence connecting him to the thefts, at least nothing concrete you\u2019ve mentioned,\u201d said Adam angrily.\u00a0 \u201cWho started this rumor anyway?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThat ain\u2019t important\u2014\u201c began Roy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI want to know who\u2019s accusing my son!\u201d shouted Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAdam, you settle down right now!\u201d snapped back Roy.\u00a0 Adam fumed in silence, and Roy tried again.\u00a0 \u201cNow, look.\u00a0 I don\u2019t really think Pat had anything to do with this.\u00a0 But he has been around Virginia City on his own lately, and he can\u2019t verify where he was this mornin\u2019 around the time the Widow Morgan\u2019s house was broken into.\u00a0 So, it might be in everyone\u2019s best interests if you kept an eye on him and kept him close to home until we get this straightened out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019m not going to punish him for something he didn\u2019t do!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThen keep him home so I don\u2019t have to punish him, either!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben rose to his feet; this had gone on long enough.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, Roy, we\u2019ll keep an eye on him.\u201d\u00a0 His tone was clearly indicating this interview was over.\u00a0 But Roy shook his head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBen, I\u2019m sorry to upset you but I got my job to do.\u00a0 Now, when was the last time you could account for the boy?\u201d said Roy inexorably.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hop Sing had been hovering at that point, listening with dismay.\u00a0 \u201cI see him at ten o\u2019clock, Sheliff.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Everyone turned to Hop Sing at that point, surprised.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHe in yard.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cDoin\u2019 what?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter, Hop Sing saw him in the yard!\u201d snapped Joe, angrily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cJoseph,\u201d said his father sternly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBut, Pa, this is ridiculous!\u00a0 Pat\u2019s no thief!\u201d stormed Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cTen o\u2019clock\u2026you sure you ain\u2019t seen him no later than that, Hop Sing?\u201d asked Roy, frowning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The Chinese man shook his head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWal, it\u2019d be quite a ride to make it in to the Widow Morgan\u2019s by 11:00,\u201d mused Roy.\u00a0 \u201cBut it\u2019s possible.\u201d\u00a0 He sighed.\u00a0 \u201cNow, Adam, don\u2019t get yourself in an uproar over this.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure it\u2019s just a misunderstandin\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOh, I\u2019m sure,\u201d retorted Adam coldly, white-faced with anger.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWal, I\u2019m sorry to have disturbed you folks this way, but as I say, I got my job to do.\u00a0 Now you keep an eye on the boy, and hopefully this\u2019ll be cleared up real soon.\u00a0 G\u2019night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The four Cartwrights silently stared at the floor, until finally Joe got to his feet and started toward the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cJoseph, where are you going?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cTo talk to Pat,\u201d answered Joe angrily, turning at the bottom of the steps and glaring at his older brother.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s gotta be feeling pretty upset.\u00a0 And it looks like the person who should be up there with him ain\u2019t gonna go!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam turned furiously on his younger brother. \u201cI\u2019ll thank you to let me raise my son in my way!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss quickly intervened between his two brothers, pushing them roughly apart. \u201cNow both o\u2019ya cool off!\u00a0 You ain\u2019t doing\u2019 Pat no good like this!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ben got to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cHoss is right!\u201d he stormed.\u00a0 \u201cI think it\u2019s time both of you stopped fighting amongst yourselves and started thinking about the youngster caught in the middle of all this!\u201d\u00a0 He pointed up the stairs and stared directly at his eldest son.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, there\u2019 a boy upstairs who\u2019s terribly hurt and upset.\u00a0 No matter what you think, and whether he was involved in this or not, he needs his father right now.\u00a0 And he needs him calm!\u201d\u00a0 He swung around to Joe.\u00a0 \u201cAnd <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">your<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> carrying on isn\u2019t helping!\u201d\u00a0 Joe stubbornly stared down at the floor.\u00a0 \u201cHe needs all of us to be adult about all this, not running off half-cocked.\u00a0 He needs examples to follow, and your current behavior isn\u2019t impressing me as the kind of example that should be set!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben\u2019s angry words settled uncomfortably in the air, and both Adam and Joe guiltily glanced at each other.\u00a0 Silence reigned for a moment, then Adam drew in a deep breath, squeezed his younger brother\u2019s shoulder and trudged heavily up the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat stood at his window, staring out, the hard shutters closing in his face again.\u00a0 He should have known better.\u00a0 He should\u2019ve known he couldn\u2019t shake off thirteen years in Hell\u2019s Kitchen, the label of bastard and having been dragged up in the slums by a mother who worked as a barmaid, no matter how good a person she was.\u00a0 How could he have ever believed these people would be able to accept him?\u00a0 His mother had been wrong; this wasn\u2019t going to work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">There was a knock on his door.\u00a0 He ignored it.\u00a0 The door opened and he heard measured footsteps coming up behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPat, turn around,\u201d came his father\u2019s voice.\u00a0 \u2018I want to talk to you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Stubbornly, Pat crossed his arms and remained staring out the window.\u00a0 He was startled when his father took him firmly by the shoulders and turned him around.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI said, I want to talk to you,\u201d said Adam quietly.\u00a0 Pa was right, Adam noted.\u00a0 The boy was very hurt.\u00a0 Adam drew in a deep breath and rested his hands on his son\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cI want you to know I don\u2019t believe it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat continued to stare at him, then closed his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t care what you believe,\u201d Pat muttered, turning away, the slight break in his voice belying the sullen words.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam forced him back, facing front.\u00a0 \u201cPatrick, listen to me,\u201d he said sternly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhy?\u201d demanded Pat, his eyes accusing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBecause you need to understand why Sheriff Coffee is asking these questions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI know why\u2026 blame it all on the bastard from Hell\u2019s Kitchen,\u201d Pat muttered, crossing his arms stubbornly over his chest and glaring at the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cOh, knock it off!\u201d snapped Adam, startling Pat.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve just about had it with you!\u00a0 No one in this family is accusing you of anything, so stop playing the wounded hero!\u201d \u00a0 With his hands firmly on the boy\u2019s shoulders, he slammed Pat down hard on the chair next to his desk, making him wince when his backside connected with the hard wood, and leaned in close.\u00a0 \u201cRoy Coffee was trying to <\/span><b><i>help you<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, you stubborn idiot!\u00a0 He figured, rightly, that if we could get your whereabouts nailed down for around eleven this morning, you could be cleared of all of this nonsense!\u00a0 So, I want you to tell me, right now, where the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">hell<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> were you!?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His eyes wide, Pat sputtered a moment. \u201cI\u2026 uh\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhere?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat licked his lips, and swallowed hard.\u00a0 \u201cWell\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam\u2019s patience snapped.\u00a0 \u201cThe\u2026TRUTH!\u201d he roared, making the boy jump.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2026I was in the barn,\u201d Pat said, scared.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cDoing what?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat swallowed hard, remembering his Uncle Joe\u2019s scolding.\u00a0 \u201cUh\u2026I was in the hayloft.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cDoing\u2026..<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">what?!\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> demanded his father, biting out each word.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSwingin\u2019 on the pulley,\u201d Pat whispered.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam stared at him, his eyes slowly widening.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSwinging\u2026on the pulley\u2026.\u201d Adam repeated.\u00a0 He closed his eyes and sank down on the bed opposite Pat, putting his head in his hands.\u00a0 He was exhausted.\u00a0 He raised his head up, and saw that Pat was still worriedly looking at him.\u00a0 \u201cDo you have any idea how dangerous that is?\u201d asked Adam with a tired smile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat was a bit confused, but figured if his father was kinda smiling, he might not be in as much trouble as he thought.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0He shrugged slightly. \u201cYeah\u2026Uncle Joe said\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cUncle Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat flushed and slumped a little in his chair.\u00a0 \u201cHe caught me at it a few weeks back,\u201d Pat admitted shamefacedly.\u00a0 \u201cTold me you\u2019d kill me.\u00a0 But he was still tryin\u2019 hard not to smile\u2026 kinda like you are now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam closed his eyes and shook his head.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t help it; he started to laugh, hard.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat looked at him warily, beginning to wonder if his old man had lost his mind.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam wiped the tears from his eyes and drew in a deep breath. &#8220;Oh, God\u2026.&#8221; he sighed, chuckling. He shook his head and looked seriously at his son. &#8220;Nineteen years ago, swinging on that pulley darned near cracked your Uncle Joe&#8217;s skull open,&#8221; he explained with a small smile, &#8220;and almost bought me an unpleasant session with my Pa&#8217;s horse whip.&#8221;\u00a0 At Pat&#8217;s bewildered expression, Adam smiled and leaned forward, matching his son&#8217;s position. He drew in a deep breath and looked seriously at the boy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Might as well let him know he&#8217;s not the only Cartwright boy to get into mischief!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0&#8220;I was supposed to have been watching him but swinging on that thing looked like so much fun&#8230;I was fifteen and Joe was three. I thought it&#8217;d be safe enough if I held onto him. But the rope slipped, and we both fell. I got banged up a bit, but Joe ended up being knocked out cold. I was scared to death I&#8217;d killed my little brother.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat gaped, then shook his head, and grinned.\u00a0 But then the present situation reared itself, and he sobered, the gravity of the whole mess making his stomach ache.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t steal anything, I swear I didn\u2019t,\u201d Pat muttered softly, almost pleading.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI know you didn\u2019t,\u201d reassured Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI thought \u2026 \u201cThe boy swallowed hard, unable to look his father in the face.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2026 thought you didn\u2019t believe me,\u201d said Pat softly, staring at his feet.\u00a0 Adam leaned forward, resting his hands on his son\u2019s knees.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPatrick, I don\u2019t know what I have to say to you to make you trust me.\u00a0 You\u2019re my son, and although you could try the patience of a saint, I love you and I don\u2019t believe you\u2019re a thief.\u00a0 We\u2019ll get this straightened out, and everything will be back to normal.\u00a0 All right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The boy stared searchingly at his father for a few more moments, then sighed and nodded.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Then Adam drew in a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and began the unpleasant chore of telling his son that except for those times when he was stuck to one of the family like he\u2019d been glued in place, he was going to have to be remain on the ranch again for a while\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER FIFTEEN<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Early October, 1871<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Trying briefly to be cheerful about the situation (and failing abysmally), Pat moped around the house and yard for a few days.\u00a0 He had protested long and loud when his father first tried to explain why he had to stay close to home again for a while.\u00a0 Finally, Adam was able to convince him of the good sense of doing as the Sheriff had requested and that he, Adam, had asked, and Pat finally gave in, but hardly with good grace.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s orneriness escalated on a grand scale, driving everyone in the family to distraction.\u00a0 Everyone tried to think up things to keep him busy, but there was always the knowledge that he was restricted hanging over his head, and he was miserable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBut I won\u2019t go to town.\u00a0 I just want to go for a ride.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPat, I said no.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019ll ride close to home, I won\u2019t go farther than the east meadow, I promise!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI said no, and I meant no!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou ain\u2019t bein\u2019 fair!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ben glanced up from his desk, watching the uncomfortable scene in the living room.\u00a0 Pat was standing tall <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(Good Lord, had he grown again?) <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">and facing his father with an open look of defiance on his face.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou\u2019d best tread lightly, boy, or you\u2019ll find yourself in a major peck of trouble,\u201d warned Adam quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat knew that voice, and clenching his jaw, scowled at his boots.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNow, if you\u2019re in such an all-fired rush to go for a ride, why don\u2019t you take Blackie up along the paddock fence line and check on those rails you conveniently forgot to repair yesterday?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat\u2019s head snapped up in outrage. \u201cI <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">didn\u2019t<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> forget!\u201d he retorted, stung.\u00a0 \u201cIt got too late!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, thenyou\u2019ve got all morning to accomplish it today,\u201d said Adam firmly.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s your choice.\u00a0 Either you get your work done, or you\u2019ll spend the day in your room. Which is it going to be?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Growling under his breath, Pat angrily jammed his hat on his head and stalked to the door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPatrick!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The command in his father\u2019s voice stopped him, reluctantly.\u00a0 \u201cWhat?\u201d he demanded insolently over his shoulder.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">In a heartbeat, Adam was on him like white on rice, and spun him around roughly, glaring.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou keep a civil tongue in your head, young man!\u201d\u00a0 Adam barked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat tried to stare him down but couldn\u2019t take the intensity of those brown eyes; his dropped first.\u00a0 \u201cSorry,\u201d he muttered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cDamned right, \u2018sorry!\u2019 You\u2019d better be!\u201d Adam warned.\u00a0 \u201cI know you\u2019re frustrated, but so help me, Pat, you go any further than that fence line, and you\u2019re going to be in big trouble, do you understand me?\u201d he said severely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat nodded, struggling to keep his temper.\u00a0 \u201cCan I go now?\u201d he asked, trying to keep some of his pent-up anger out of his voice.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cMay I.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben winced, feeling as though he could all but see the steam coming out of Pat\u2019s ears.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">May<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> I go now?\u201d he seethed, rolling his eyes.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou may.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">And Pat walked out, a little more sedately.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sighed, shoulders sagged.\u00a0 Ben slowly walked over to him and studied him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cTry to understand how he\u2019s feeling, Adam,\u201d said Ben quietly.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s pretty frustrated himself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI know that, Pa,\u201d said Adam, irritably.\u00a0 \u201cBut I\u2019m worried about him.\u00a0 At one point or another, he\u2019s going to disobey me and go into town and God knows what mess he\u2019ll get himself into.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben nodded and put a hand on his son\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 He smiled.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not easy, is it?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam smiled despite his own frustration.\u00a0 \u201cThat it isn\u2019t,\u201d he agreed.\u00a0 He looked at his father wryly.\u00a0 \u201cHow in God\u2019s name did you get through raising three of us without losing your mind?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben laughed, and put an arm around his exasperated son\u2019s shoulders, giving him a hug.\u00a0 \u201cI tried not to think about it too much,\u201d he assured him with a grin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat galloped out to the fence line, steaming mad.\u00a0 He was sick of this!\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t done anything wrong, and he was still being cooped up like a convict!\u00a0 It just wasn\u2019t fair!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He arrived at the fence, and groaned to see it was perfectly intact.\u00a0 Somebody must have covered for him and repaired it yesterday.\u00a0 Must have been Uncle Hoss.\u00a0 While he was grateful for the cover, he was frustrated that he had no reason now to stay out here working.\u00a0 He supposed he should go back home.\u00a0 He looked back the way he\u2019d come, and his temper boiled a little hotter, his pride wounded and his self-control right out the window.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Obstinately, Pat wheeled his horse toward Virginia City.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To hell with it!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> he thought angrily and kicked Blackie into a gallop. Years later, he\u2019d remember this moment and wish to God he\u2019d not lost all sense of reason just then\u2026<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat arrived in town and glanced around, checking the lay of the land.\u00a0 He knew he wanted to avoid Roy Coffee at all costs, but other than that, his cussedness had totally taken hold now, and divvil take the hindmost, as Siobhan used to say. The lamp in his brain that normally shone a light on his usual good sense had got snuffed out somehow. He rode up to the Silver Dollar, and tethering Blackie in a side street, went inside.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He\u2019d brought some pocket money from home, not much, but enough to get himself into a poker game.\u00a0 Since it was Saturday afternoon, there were several cowboys from neighboring ranches enjoying their afternoon off and were indeed involved in several games at tables around the large room.\u00a0 Charlie, the bartender\/owner, saw Pat come in, and worriedly stalked up to him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNow, young\u2019un, you got no business in here,\u201d Charlie started in.\u00a0 Pat raised a hand to placate him and pasted an innocent look on his face.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019m just waitin\u2019 here for my father, honest,\u201d he said, eyes wide and an angelic smile on his face.\u00a0 The lie didn\u2019t bother him too much.\u00a0 Hopefully, he\u2019d get back home before anyone would realize he was gone in the first place.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Charlie peered at him suspiciously.\u00a0 \u201cAdam wanted you to wait <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for him?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYes, sir!\u201d grinned Pat, hooking his thumbs in his belt, and rocking on the balls of his feet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Charlie made a face and sighed.\u00a0 \u201cWell, all right, but you behave yourself or I\u2019ll whale you!\u00a0 I don\u2019t want no more ruckus in my saloon, I don\u2019t care whose son you are!\u00a0 You understand me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYes, sir,\u201d repeated Pat, respectfully.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Charlie waved his hand in disgust and went back to the bar where several men were waiting for drinks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat exhaled in relief and glanced around the room again.\u00a0 There was a table with an empty seat.\u00a0 Circling, he strolled over and watched quietly, unobtrusively.\u00a0 After about fifteen minutes he realized he could easily take some of these guys; they were casual players, rarely bluffing, and usually betting on long odds.\u00a0 With a silent smile, Pat innocently asked if he could join in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cGo home and play, little boy,\u201d sniggered one of the men.\u00a0 Pat cocked an eyebrow and grinned.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat\u2019sa matter?\u201d he asked, deliberately turning his New York accent on full tilt.\u00a0 \u201cMy money ain\u2019t as good as yours?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">As he\u2019d planned, the accent had irritated several of the players.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSonny, I told you to go home!\u00a0 Your pa know you\u2019re in a saloon?\u201d snapped one man.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cGit out o\u2019 here before you get yourself spanked, boy!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat grinned.\u00a0 \u201cBut ye see, I\u2019m waitin\u2019 for my old man\u2026sort of holdin\u2019 his place at the table, ya might say.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHey,\u201d said another, really looking at him.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re Adam Cartwright\u2019s kid, ain\u2019t ya?\u00a0 The \u2014\u201c and he bit off his words, suddenly embarrassed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, that\u2019s me,\u201d replied Pat airily.\u00a0 \u201cSo, whaddya say?\u00a0 Afraid a kid might beat ya?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He had played his hand perfectly, and the men grudgingly slid aside to allow him in.\u00a0 Pat carefully played modestly for the first half an hour, winning and losing, keeping his pot relatively stable, and lulling the other players into underestimating him.\u00a0 After a while, they forgot he was a boy of nearly fourteen and just played the game.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Then Pat really went to work.\u00a0 He coaxed the pot up, coldly thought through the odds on every hand and slowly, carefully built his stake.\u00a0 After about an hour and half, he started working seriously, and the rest of the players began to notice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He sat back, eyeing his opponents through his father\u2019s hooded eyes, holding three kings with an ace kicker, judging the hands they held.\u00a0 He was having more fun than he\u2019d had in ages; it had been months since he\u2019d really exercised these skills and he felt a little rusty, though his luck and his ability had held thus far.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Suddenly, one of the men jolted forward in his seat looking in alarm at the chips in front of the boy. \u201cHey!\u00a0 You noticed the size o\u2019 that kid\u2019s pot lately?\u201d he squealed, indignantly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat looked at the man with a small smile on his face.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYep,\u201d he said softly.\u00a0 \u201cBeen growin\u2019 and growin\u2019, ain\u2019t it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou little-\u201d\u00a0 began another angrily, the one on whom the table waited to declare his next move.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou gonna call or what?\u201d Pat asked quietly, not taking his eyes off the man.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, Bob!\u201d laughed several of the onlookers; quite a crowd had gathered by this time.\u00a0 \u201cPlay the game!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Now, it got serious.\u00a0 Pat used every trick he\u2019d ever learned, every ounce of intuition about people he\u2019d ever developed, and played.\u00a0 After nearly three hours, it was down to him and this drifter, Bob.\u00a0 And Pat was cleaning his clock.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Charlie had started to become worried about an hour earlier.\u00a0 This Bob character had been around for a couple of weeks and Charlie knew exactly what he was capable of. \u00a0 He was a mean one.\u00a0 Now, as it became clearer that Adam Cartwright was nowhere in sight and likely wasn\u2019t gonna be, Charlie whispered softly to one of his bouncers; the man looked at him, nodded and slipped out through the swinging doors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019ll see your ten, and raise you ten more,\u201d stated Pat calmly, pushing the money into the pot and keeping his eyes, their blue ice cold, on his opponent.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Bob stared at him.\u00a0 He honestly couldn\u2019t tell if the kid was bluffing or not.\u00a0 But he knew that nearly every penny he had was in that pot, and he wasn\u2019t about to walk out of the saloon without it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cKid, I wouldn\u2019t push it\u2026 not if you want to live to grow a beard,\u201d he said, seriously. \u00a0 \u201cPull that raise out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBet\u2019s been made.\u00a0 Raise, call or fold,\u201d said Pat coldly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou impudent little &#8211; you\u2019re lookin\u2019 for a hiding, boy,\u201d snapped Bob venomously.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat leaned forward, an evil little smile on his face.\u00a0 \u201cWhat I\u2019m lookin\u2019 for is a raise\u2026 a call\u2026 or a fold,\u201d he said slowly, distinctly.\u00a0 The onlookers were amazed at the boy\u2019s cool, poised demeanor, and it reminded all of them of his father: stubborn, implacable, immutable as rock.\u00a0 He was rattling the drifter, and they all were enjoying the show.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His mouth a thin line, the drifter glared at the youngster, and glanced down at his paltry bankroll. Slowly, Bob reached into his pile and pulled out his last piece of paper money, a single ten-dollar bill, leaving him only coins.\u00a0 \u201cCall,\u201d he said quietly, carefully eyeing the boy in front of him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s face betrayed nothing for a good thirty seconds.\u00a0 Then a very slow, small smile lifted the corners of his mouth as he carefully laid his cards down, one at a time.\u00a0 \u201cQueens full o\u2019 deuces,\u201d he said softly, splaying out\u00a0 the full house.\u00a0 Bob\u2019s eyes widened and he stared in shock.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI don\u2019t believe it,\u201d the man breathed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cEyesight failin\u2019?\u201d asked Pat softly with a cocky grin.\u00a0 He reached out to pick up his pot and froze; a pistol was pointed at his chest, the drifter\u2019s thumb cocked on the hammer.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The crowd gasped and scattered in alarm, leaving the drifter and the youth alone facing each other across the table.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThere\u2019s no way you could have won that without cheating,\u201d the drifter said angrily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s eyes widened and his throat constricted.\u00a0 He swallowed and licked his lips.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t no cheat,\u201d he said carefully, trying not to let his voice shake, making no sudden moves and keeping his hands where the man could see them.\u00a0 \u201cA better card player, maybe, but no cheat.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">If that comment was designed to soothe Bob\u2019s ruffled feathers, he\u2019d miscalculated.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cTouch that pot, and I\u2019ll put a hole clear through ya,\u201d warned Bob.\u00a0 Pat hesitated, beginning to become frightened.\u00a0 He\u2019d faced down knife fights before, but guns were new to him.\u00a0 He knew couldn\u2019t get out of the way of a bullet.\u00a0 If he survived this, he was sure his father would skin him alive.\u00a0 Even knowing that with absolute certainty, he surely wished his father was here now, belt and all\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cPull that trigger and I\u2019ll blow <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">you<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> all the way to Kingdom Come,\u201d came a cold voice behind Bob.\u00a0 Now it was Bob who froze, recognizing the voice of Sheriff Roy Coffee.\u00a0 \u201cNow, nice and slow, put down that pistol.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Bob saw that he had no choice and did as he was told.\u00a0 Once the gun was on the table, Roy kept the rifle focused on the drifter but spoke to Patrick.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u201cGet yourself outta that chair and come with me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Without a word, Pat obeyed, slowly rising and reaching for his pot.\u00a0 \u201cLeave it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBut\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cLeave it!\u201d snapped the Sheriff.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHe won it fair and square, Roy,\u201d protested one of the crowd.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHe\u2019s a thirteen-year-old who\u2019s got no business bein\u2019 in here a\u2019t\u2019all!\u201d snapped Roy.\u00a0 \u201cNow stay out of this, all o\u2019 ye!\u201d\u00a0 He turned absolutely cold eyes on the boy.\u00a0 \u201cGit outside, now! And you wait for me on the walk, or you\u2019ll regret it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Silent but steaming, Pat set his mouth stubbornly and stalked to the door, slapping the palms of his hands angrily on the swinging doors on his way out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Roy hadn\u2019t taken his eyes off Bob. \u00a0 He sidled to the table and picked up the pistol, knocking the cartridges out and pocketing them.\u00a0 He then handed the pistol, butt forward, to the drifter.\u00a0 \u201cGit on yer horse and get out of town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The drifter took his gun, furious.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t believe you\u2019d defend a rotten little bastard, and a thief!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAccording to this bunch, he won fair and square.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI ain\u2019t talking about the game!\u201d snapped Bob angrily.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m talking about all these thefts you\u2019re supposed to be investigatin\u2019!\u00a0 Everybody knows\u2014\u201c<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNobody knows nuthin\u2019,\u201d said Roy, coldly.\u00a0 \u201cAll I know is that you pulled a gun on a child\u2026don\u2019t speak much for you, stranger.\u00a0 Now do as I tell ya and get out. And ride.\u00a0 I don\u2019t wanna see your face in this town again.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Roy followed him out the door, careful to keep himself between Bob and Pat once outside on the porch.\u00a0 He kept the rifle on the drifter until he\u2019d mounted his horse and rode furiously out of town.\u00a0 Then Ray lowered the rifle, and turned angrily on Pat.\u00a0 The boy stepped back involuntarily, startled by the fury in the Sheriff\u2019s eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou march your sorry bee-hind over to the jail, right now!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat for?!\u201d he protested.\u00a0 Without another word, Roy\u2019s hand shot out and spun the boy around, pushing him roughly up the street.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cMarch!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat sat uncomfortably in the chair in front of Roy\u2019s desk while Roy put his rifle back in the rack behind his desk.\u00a0 Nervously, he fingered the brim of his Stetson.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOf all the dang fool things\u2026\u201d Roy sputtered coming around the front of the desk and standing over the boy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat peered up at him from under his long, dark lashes.\u00a0 Roy almost choked with laughter remembering having this boy\u2019s father in front of him twenty-some-odd years ago, in trouble over some fool nonsense or other and doing the exact same thing. Getting his expression back under control, the Sheriff crossed his arms over his chest.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou\u2019re supposed to be stayin\u2019 put at the Ponderosa!\u201d Roy said sternly.\u00a0 When he got nothing but silence in response, he snapped, \u201cWell, ain\u2019t ya?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat jumped. \u201cYes, sir,\u201d he murmured.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSo, your pa don\u2019t know you\u2019re here, is that right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat lowered his eyes, shamefaced, and shook his head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cYou know, young fella, I\u2019m gettin\u2019 mighty sick and tired of breakin\u2019 up saloon brawls involvin\u2019 you!\u201d Roy snapped.\u00a0 \u201cYou damn near got yourself killed in there, boy!\u00a0 What in all of glory\u2019s the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">matter<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> with you?!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat swallowed hard, trembling a little now as he realized just how close to getting shot he\u2019d come.\u00a0 He shrugged, forlornly.\u00a0 \u201cI dunno,\u201d he answered, shakily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Roy shook his head in exasperation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou gonna tell my old man?\u201d Pat whispered, not looking up.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Roy leaned down and firmly lifted the boy\u2019s chin. \u201cNo.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> are,\u201d he said sternly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s eyes widened.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll kill me!\u201d he protested, panicking, as Coffee straightened once more as he sternly gazed at the youngster.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cSomeone else almost did that job for him!\u201d declared Coffee.\u00a0 \u201cNow I\u2019m tellin\u2019 you for the last time, young\u2019un!\u00a0 You\u2019re to stay out of town until this robbery mess is cleared up!\u00a0 And, you\u2019re gonna get on your horse, and go home and tell your pa what happened.\u00a0 Or I <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">will<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> be tellin\u2019 him and if I know anything about Adam Cartwright, it\u2019ll go worse for you if he has to hear it from me.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It appeared that Coffee was finished with him.\u00a0 Pat miserably got to his feet. But as he reached the door, Coffee had one final salvo to fire. \u201cAnd I hope to God he whips your tail so hard you won\u2019t be able to sit that horse for a month!\u00a0 I could use the rest!\u00a0 Now <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">git<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat rode home slowly, dreading the conversation he had coming.\u00a0 He knew the Sheriff would tell his father if he didn\u2019t, and he also knew Coffee had been right: it would go far worse for him if Adam had to hear about this from anyone but Pat.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He took a different way home, trying to lengthen his ride, thinking hard and trying to figure a way out of this new mess he\u2019d gotten himself into.\u00a0 He was riding by the stream when he came around a wooded curve and was startled by someone walking along the path.\u00a0 It was a girl, not much older than him, but pretty as a picture.\u00a0 He stopped Blackie and stared as she continued walking towards him, lugging a heavy basket.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s eyes widened as he took in her long, white-blonde hair, her green eyes and her pretty face.\u00a0 She was just about the prettiest thing he\u2019d ever seen\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She giggled up at him.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019sa matter?\u00a0 Cat got your tongue?\u201d she teased.\u00a0 \u201cBetter close your mouth before you catch flies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Shutting his mouth abruptly, Pat blushed and fiddled with the lacing on his saddle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSorry.\u00a0 I just\u2026 uh, I ain\u2019t seen you around here before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She frowned a little, cocking her head to one side.\u00a0 \u201cYou ain\u2019t from around here, either, are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat blushed again and looked down.\u00a0 \u201cNope.\u00a0 I\u2019m from back east.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI heard people talk like you where my ma and I lived before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhere was that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSt. Joe,\u201d she answered.\u00a0 She smiled up at him.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPat Rior\u2014uh, Pat Cartwright,\u201d he answered, swinging down off Blackie, and with the reins gathered in his hand, walked over to her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She was tiny, he noted.\u00a0 He towered over her.\u00a0 In guilty realization, he remembered his manners and removed his hat, holding it awkwardly in his hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">She gazed up at the boy beside her, smiling.\u00a0 He sure was handsome, she thought to herself.\u00a0 So tall, and such dark, dark hair contrasted by those beautiful big blue eyes.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">My land,<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> she sighed inwardly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat\u2019s yours?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHm?\u201d she asked, preoccupied.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat\u2019s your name?\u201d he asked, with a grin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOh!\u201d\u00a0 Now it was her turn to blush.\u00a0 \u201cCassie.\u00a0 Cassie Yates.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPretty name,\u201d he said, taking the heavy basket from her.\u00a0 \u201cThis looks kind of heavy.\u00a0 Where you headed?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHome.\u00a0 On the edge of town.\u00a0 I just got these things from Mrs. Shaughnessy,\u201d the girl answered, with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I\u2019d better be getting on, or Ma\u2019ll be worried.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cCan I give you a ride?\u201d he asked with smile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cIt\u2019ll take too long for you to get back home,\u201d she said.\u00a0 Her reminder of home made him uncomfortable.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah,\u201d he said, soberly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m late already.\u00a0 I guess I\u2019d better get back.\u201d\u00a0 He handed her back the basket.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, it was nice meeting you, Pat Cartwright,\u201d she smiled at him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNice meeting you, Cassie Yates,\u201d he grinned back at her.\u00a0 He tipped his hat, and continued riding on back to the Ponderosa.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She watched him go and then smiling to herself, continued on to town.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His stomach was in knots as he trotted into the yard, looking around nervously for his family.\u00a0 The yard was empty, but he heard movement from inside the barn.\u00a0 He dismounted and tried to still his jitters as he walked Blackie into the barn.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Little Joe was in there, doing chores.\u00a0 When Joe turned around, he narrowed his eyes angrily.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s about time you got home!\u201d he snapped.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not about to do your chores, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019ll do \u2018em,\u201d he said quietly.\u00a0 Joe was a little surprised not to get a snarl in return, and studied his nephew while he hauled the saddle off Blackie and lugged it to the side wall.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhere you been?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAround.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cUh huh,\u201d said Joe sarcastically.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I hope you\u2019ve got a story figured out because Adam\u2019s fit to be tied.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhy don\u2019t you lay off me?\u201d snapped Pat, over his shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cI said I\u2019d do my chores, so just leave me alone!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe could see something was bothering him but decided to let it be.\u00a0 They finished their work in silence and were just ready to leave the barn when Adam came in, a very angry look on his face.\u00a0 Pat swallowed hard and nervously jammed his hands in his pockets.\u00a0 Adam had learned over the past couple of months that usually meant he was hiding something.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhere have you been?\u201d he demanded.\u00a0 \u201cYou should have been back hours ago. I\u2019ve been all over this place looking for you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI went for a ride,\u201d Pat answered, softly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cDown by the stream,\u201d the boy answered, grateful he wasn\u2019t blushing.\u00a0 He just couldn\u2019t tell his father the truth.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t.\u00a0 He\u2019d be so disappointed in him.\u00a0 At least it was true he had been by the stream, so he wasn\u2019t really lying\u2026well, not <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">really<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSeven hours\u2026riding by the stream?\u201d asked Adam acerbically.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI wanted to be alone for a while,\u201d he answered, quietly.\u00a0 He sincerely hoped his father would drop it there.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam studied him, unsure of where to go from here.\u00a0 Pat had never responded to a scolding this quietly before.\u00a0 He was pretty sure that Pat was hiding something from him, but he also knew the last few days of being cooped up on the ranch had been rough on the kid, and this morning\u2019s argument hadn\u2019t helped.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sure if he was doing the right thing, but he decided to let it ride for now.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAll right,\u201d he said sternly, \u201csince it appears I\u2019m not going to get a decent answer out of you, go on into the house and get washed up for supper.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u2018Yes, sir,\u201d Pat nodded, and walked past him, downcast, and out the barn door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam studied his retreating back, then glanced at Joe. \u201cHe say anything to you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe shook his head.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sighed and scratched his head.\u00a0 Then he shrugged his shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cWell, if we don\u2019t want Hop Sing on the warpath, we\u2019d better get in and eat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Supper was an awfully quiet meal.\u00a0 A pall seemed to settle over the table, making every effort at conversation fall flat.\u00a0 Pat sat quietly, not really eating so much as pushing the food around on his plate.\u00a0 For a boy for whom second helpings had become matter of course, this was definitely not normal behavior.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter, Pat?\u201d asked Ben.\u00a0 \u201cAren\u2019t you feeling well?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat started to reply that he was fine, when he realized that might be the out he\u2019d been looking for in order to escape the scrutiny of the family.\u00a0 \u201cUh\u2026no, Granddad, I guess I\u2019m not,\u201d he said uncomfortably.\u00a0 \u201cMy stomach\u2019s kinda sick.\u00a0 Can I\u2014\u201c he started, then glanced uneasily at his father, then back at his grandfather.\u00a0 \u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">May<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> I leave the table?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">At first there was silence as Ben and Adam looked at each other.\u00a0 \u201cPlease?\u201d Pat said softly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOf course, if you\u2019re not feeling well\u2014\u201c began Ben, but Pat didn\u2019t wait and turned to hurry upstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam turned to watch him go, then sighed and put down his napkin, rising to his feet.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cExcuse me,\u201d he said tiredly and trudged up the stairs after his son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat stood at his window, staring out with an unhappy look on his face.\u00a0 His stomach really did hurt, but he knew it had nothing to do with illness and everything to do with his conscience.\u00a0 He quailed at the prospect of having to tell his father the truth before Sheriff Coffee did.\u00a0 He heard the footsteps along the hallway and exhaled in frustration.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What did he have to do to get these people to leave him alone?<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">At the knock on the door, he hastened to his bed pulling off his boots. \u201cCome in,\u201d he answered, unbuttoning his shirt.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Out of his peripheral vision he could see black pants and shirt enter the room, but he didn\u2019t look up; he continued to unbutton his shirt.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cJust your stomach bothering you?\u201d asked Adam quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah,\u201d answered Pat, rising to his feet and walking to the pegs on the wall to hang up his shirt.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">When he turned back, he started in surprise to find his father right behind him.\u00a0 Adam put a hand to Pat\u2019s forehead, making the boy squirm uncomfortably.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t seem to have a fever,\u201d said Adam thoughtfully.\u00a0 \u201cBut you are pretty pale.\u00a0 When did this come on?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI dunno,\u201d the boy answered, looking down.\u00a0 \u201cSometime this afternoon, I guess.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam continued to study him, making Pat shift his feet uneasily.\u00a0 \u201cUh\u2026can I please finish undressing?\u00a0 Without havin\u2019 t\u2019sell tickets?\u201d he asked, managing a small smile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">After a long moment, Adam shook his head and pointed to the bed.\u00a0 Sighing, Pat trudged over and sat down.\u00a0 Adam sat in the chair opposite, crossing his legs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPat, what\u2019s troubling you?\u201d he asked gently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNothin\u2019,\u201d the boy muttered, crossing his arms over his chest.\u00a0 \u201cMy stomach aches, is all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sighed, recognizing his own stubbornness in his son; he knew he wasn\u2019t going to learn anything further tonight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, then, if you\u2019re that ill, I guess you\u2019d better get right to bed,\u201d he said, his hands pushing against his thighs as he rose.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be up in a little while to see how you\u2019re doing.\u00a0 If you\u2019re still uncomfortable, I\u2019ll see what we\u2019ve got in the medicine chest to help you feel better.\u201d\u00a0 Pat nodded but continued to stare at the pattern in the rug at his feet.\u00a0 Adam was just about out the door when he turned back.\u00a0 \u201cCan I just remind you of something?\u201d he asked quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSure,\u201d said Pat, trying to be respectful, and rubbing his aching stomach.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cIf you want to talk, I\u2019m here.\u00a0 Just come on down, all right?\u201d he said gently.\u00a0 Pat nodded, troubled, and looked down.\u00a0 He heard the door close and he sat still for a moment.\u00a0 Then sighing he lay back on his bed, lacing his fingers behind his head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What\u2019s wrong with me?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> he wondered unhappily.\u00a0 But he knew the answer.\u00a0 In the last weeks, he had begun to realize that despite his best efforts to keep the angry shell he\u2019d built for thirteen long years in place, it was crumbling.\u00a0 He found it mattered very much what this man thought of him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His stomach clenched again, and he winced.\u00a0 Unhappy, he rolled over onto his side, pulling his knees up in discomfort.\u00a0 He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to shut out the world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER SIXTEEN<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The next day<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The following morning Pat forced himself to eat his breakfast even though he really wasn&#8217;t feeling much better; he did <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">not<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> want a repeat of last night.\u00a0 His father had stopped in about two hours after Pat went to bed, as promised.\u00a0 Finding Pat still awake and hurting, he had forced him to swallow down a dose of something that damn near made the boy gag.\u00a0 If Pat hadn&#8217;t felt sick before, he sure did after that.\u00a0 The last thing he wanted was another dose of castor oil.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">No, that wasn&#8217;t true.\u00a0 The last thing he wanted was to tell his father the truth, though he knew he&#8217;d have to do it, and pretty soon.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">This morning, Ben and Adam were talking over the plans for the lumber delivery that had to be made later today, and Joe was absorbed in a newspaper article.\u00a0 Pat was so wrapped up in his own worries that the knock at the front door didn&#8217;t register at first. Then Pat realized that he was probably supposed to get up to answer it. \u00a0 To Ben and Adam&#8217;s surprise, Pat quietly started to get up, without a murmur.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8217;ll get it, Pa,&#8221; said Hoss, clattering his way downstairs.\u00a0 Pat put his attention back to his breakfast until he heard his uncle bellow, &#8220;Roy!\u00a0 What brings you out here so early in the morning!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat nearly choked on his bite of bacon, and both Adam and Ben turned to him in alarm.\u00a0 The boy was white as a sheet.\u00a0 Ben sprang to his feet and pounded the boy on the back. \u00a0 The boy recovered and coughed.\u00a0 &#8220;Uh&#8230;&#8221; Pat stammered, scrambling to his feet.\u00a0 &#8220;Uh\u2026 I&#8217;ll go get some more hotcakes,&#8221; he said hurriedly.\u00a0 He almost made his escape but, quick as a snake, Adam shot out a strong hand, latching onto the waistband of his pants.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Hold it,&#8221; said Adam coolly, pulling Patrick back to stand beside him.\u00a0 &#8220;Hop Sing can bring them out if you&#8217;re still hungry.&#8221;\u00a0 He eyed his worried son suspiciously, and leaned back as Roy came into the dining room, keeping a solid grip on his son&#8217;s trousers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Mornin&#8217;, Roy.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Roy glanced at Pat and saw the boy looking downright green.\u00a0 Roy sighed and shook his head.\u00a0 The kid didn&#8217;t have to say a word; it was patently obvious he hadn&#8217;t owned up to his daddy yet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, Adam, I&#8217;m real sorry to have to come back out again so soon, &#8221; said Roy grimly, giving Pat a stern glance, &#8220;but it appears that there&#8217;s been another robbery, and Pat was spotted in town at the time of the crime.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat hung his head, miserably.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">That&#8217;s it.\u00a0 Dead man walkin\u2019\u2026.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam slowly craned his neck around from Roy to his son, his eyes smoldering. Pat swallowed hard but just couldn&#8217;t meet his father&#8217;s eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;What happened, Roy?&#8221;\u00a0 Adam asked very quietly, not taking his eyes off his son\u2019s face.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Wal, Jeff Martin at the Wells Fargo office reports about $15 stolen yesterday afternoon,&#8221; said Roy, eyeing the boy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;And Pat was in town?&#8221; asked Adam, still staring at his son sternly.\u00a0 Pat glanced tentatively at his father, then hastily shot his eyes back to the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yes, sir,&#8221; nodded Roy.\u00a0 &#8220;But, \u2018pears we have an alibi for him.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Startled, Adam finally turned to the Sheriff.\u00a0 &#8220;Which is?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Roy glanced at the boy, giving him a last chance to be the one to tell his father the truth.\u00a0 Pat cleared his throat self-consciously.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Which is?&#8221; Adam repeated, this time eyeing his son balefully.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;A poker game,&#8221; said Pat softly.\u00a0 &#8220;I was in a poker game.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam&#8217;s eyes widened.\u00a0 &#8220;Where?\u00a0 With Lafe?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat shook his head.\u00a0 &#8220;The Silver Dollar,&#8221; his son said quietly.\u00a0 He raised his eyes, shamefaced.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam studied him and then looked back at Roy.\u00a0 &#8220;That isn&#8217;t all of it, is it?&#8221; he asked tightly.\u00a0 Once again, Roy looked at Pat; but this time, Pat dropped his eyes and stared miserably at the floor unable to continue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNope, it ain&#8217;t,&#8221; said Roy inexorably.\u00a0 He didn&#8217;t like to see a kid in trouble, but this one needed to have his wings clipped before he got himself killed. &#8220;I&#8217;m afraid your boy got himself into a bit of trouble with a drifter he was playin&#8217; cards with. They had somethin\u2019 of a disagreement over the last hand it seems, and Patrick, here, damn near got himself gut shot.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben shot to his feet, alarmed. &#8220;What?!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe and Hoss both stared at each other in shock, then stared at Pat, and finally nervously at their brother, whose dark eyes were wide as saucers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Luckily, Charlie\u2019d already sent one of his fellas over to the jail for me and I got there before your boy took a bullet in the brisket,&#8221; said Roy, sternly.\u00a0 &#8220;Now Adam, you&#8217;re gonna have to do something about this boy o&#8217; yours.\u00a0 I got too much to do to traipse after him every time I turn around!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Don&#8217;t worry, Roy,&#8221; said Adam, darkly.\u00a0 &#8220;Believe me, something is going to be done.&#8221;\u00a0 Pat blushed, his eyes fixed on the floor.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Wal, as I say, it&#8217;s pretty sure he&#8217;s got an alibi for this robbery, since it\u2019s been corroborated that he was at the saloon from right around quarter past eleven until close to two-thirty.\u00a0 And then with me until around two-forty.\u00a0 Unfortunately, Jeff can&#8217;t place the robbery any closer than between 11:00 and 1:00.&#8221;\u00a0 He glanced at Adam.\u00a0 &#8220;But, he also says he doesn&#8217;t remember seeing Pat at the office at all yesterday.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The boy\u2019s head shot up at that.\u00a0 &#8220;I wasn&#8217;t there,&#8221; said Pat desperately, &#8220;honest.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The \u201chonest\u201d seemed to fall a little flat on his audience, however\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8217;m going to finish up interviewing the folks at the Silver Dollar, and we should have a solid report by the end of the day.\u00a0 Now, Adam, will you please tie your boy down for a while, until I get this straightened out?&#8221; sighed Roy, plaintively.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam nodded, unable to speak.\u00a0 He still held the waistband of Pat&#8217;s trousers in a killer grip.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Roy, got to his feet, a bit relieved.\u00a0 &#8220;Wal, I&#8217;ll keep you posted on any developments.\u00a0 G&#8217;mornin&#8217;,&#8221; said Roy.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ll find my way out.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The dining room became very quiet very quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam slowly shook his head and again craned his neck up at his son.\u00a0 Pat, despite his fear of reprisal, actually thought he felt a little better.\u00a0 At least it was all out in the open now.\u00a0 If his father didn&#8217;t murder him, he&#8217;d be able to move on.\u00a0 He hoped so, anyway.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m\u2026 I\u2019m really, really sorry,\u201d he said softly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019ll just bet you are,\u201d Adam agreed, darkly.\u00a0 He rose to his feet and transferred his grip from Pat&#8217;s waistband to his shirt collar.\u00a0 He marched the boy into the living room and stood him in front of the fireplace, looming huge above him.\u00a0 The rest of the Cartwrights grouped around them, Ben in his leather chair, Joe perched on the left arm of his father&#8217;s chair and Hoss, standing in front of the settee, forming a circle around them, almost as if preparing a block for an escape.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Well, you <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">have<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> been a busy boy, haven&#8217;t you,&#8221; Adam said sarcastically.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I said I was sorry!&#8221; said Pat unhappily.\u00a0 &#8220;I didn&#8217;t know he had a gun!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Are you outta your mind?&#8221; exclaimed Joe.\u00a0 &#8220;Every man that walks <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">into<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> the place wears a gun!&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Joseph,&#8221; warned his father, a hand on his youngest son&#8217;s arm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Let\u2019s just see if I\u2019ve got this straight, shall we?&#8221; Adam\u2019s voice remained ominously quiet but took on a darkly sarcastic tone as he continued to stare at his son.\u00a0 &#8220;You disobeyed me yesterday morning when I sent you to check out the fencing you hadn\u2019t finished the day before, and instead you deliberately rode into Virginia City, which you\u2019ve been forbidden to do.\u00a0 While you were there, you went into the saloon, which you know is off limits for you, and proceeded to get yourself into a poker game, another forbidden activity.&#8221;\u00a0 Adam&#8217;s voice was becoming harder and colder by the moment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0Pat nervously began to wonder about the previously pondered murdering.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Are we on the same path thus far?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat gulped and nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Next, you manage to get yourself involved in a situation involving a gunman, requiring a rescue from Virginia City\u2019s Sheriff in order to keep yourself from being shot,&#8221; continued Adam, every word clipped and nailing Pat to the stone hearth with his eyes.\u00a0 Pat started to protest, then decided he&#8217;d be better off to just shut up and take the lecture.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Finally, somewhere between two-forty and six o&#8217;clock, you managed to find your way home.&#8221;\u00a0 Adam stared at him furiously.\u00a0 &#8220;Just where the hell were you in those three hours?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat gulped again, and glanced at his grandfather for support, but found there just as stern and angry an expression as his father wore.\u00a0 &#8220;I\u2026 I was riding home by the stream, just like I told ya yesterday\u2026&#8221; he started nervously.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, yes, of course, I forgot to add lying to me to the list of offenses!&#8221; snapped Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;But I <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">didn&#8217;t<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> lie!\u00a0 I <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">did<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> go up to the fence line and I <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">was<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> by the stream!&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You neglected to mention your visit to town in between!&#8221; shouted Adam.\u00a0 &#8220;In case you&#8217;re unaware of it, my young friend, that&#8217;s called a lie by omission!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat flinched.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;So, you were by the stream doing what?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat squirmed uncomfortably.\u00a0 &#8220;Honest, it was nothin&#8217;,&#8221; he protested weakly, wishing he could crawl up the chimney behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Out with it!&#8221; exploded his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The boy said something so softly that no one could hear him, and his cheeks began to get very hot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cA little louder, mister, I didn&#8217;t hear you!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I met a girl!&#8221; he blurted nervously.\u00a0 It was not a phrase designed to calm his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">All four men stared at him in amazement, then Joe got to his feet and started laughing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;You <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">what?!&#8221;<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Adam gaped.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Boy, you really do a job when you screw up!&#8221; Joe grinned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Joe &#8211; &#8221; began Ben in exasperation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe&#8217;s picking proved to be the last straw that broke Patrick&#8217;s control of his temper.\u00a0 &#8220;Lay off me!\u00a0 I\u2019m sick o\u2019you always shovin\u2019 your nose in where it don\u2019t belong!\u201d shouted Pat furiously, skirting the table quick as lightning, advancing on Joe with his fists cocked.\u00a0 He was upset and worried, not to mention embarrassed, and his uncle&#8217;s needling provied to be just too much for him to take.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, look at this, wouldja!&#8221; jeered Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">No one really saw how fast everything happened, but the next thing Joe knew, he was sprawled on his backside on the rug, a hand to his right eye and cheek and a surprised expression on his face.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat stood over him, looking in shock from his uncle on the floor to his cocked fist, radiating the pain of having connected with a cheekbone.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2026 I\u2026\u201d\u00a0 The youngster was so surprised, his mouth just kept opening and closing, with nothing of any real sense coming out of it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His grandfather barreled to his feet, and glaring at Pat, hurried to crouch beside his youngest son.\u00a0 &#8220;Joe!&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Whoa,&#8221; breathed Joe, shaking his head for a minute to clear it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8217;m so sorry!&#8221; Pat breathed, trembling, wanting to go his uncle\u2019s side, but unable to move.\u00a0 &#8220;I swear, I didn&#8217;t mean to hit ya\u2026 I&#8217;m so sorry!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Suddenly, a painfully hard grip had him by the scruff of the neck, marching him toward the staircase. Pat winced as he was propelled forward.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8217;m all right, Pa,&#8221; scorned Joe, pushing Ben\u2019s hands away as his father fussed over him, but allowing Hoss to help him to his feet.\u00a0 &#8220;Adam, c\u2019mon, wait a minute &#8211; &#8220;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Upstairs,&#8221; growled Adam, shoving the boy, making him stumble and painfully bark his shins on the steps.\u00a0 &#8220;You go to your room and don&#8217;t so much as stick your nose out of it until I tell you, is that clear?!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat turned back, his face a picture of pain and shame.\u00a0 Helplessly, without a word, he turned and sped up the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Adam, it was my fault, I was pickin&#8217; on him,&#8221; began Joe, wincing as Ben gently probed his eye.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Joe, so help me\u2014&#8221; warned Adam, desperately close to completely losing his own temper.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAw, c&#8217;mon, Adam,&#8221; implored Hoss, &#8220;all Joe&#8217;s tryin to say is the three of us fought like that when we was kids.\u00a0 It&#8217;s ain&#8217;t that serious. Don&#8217;t be too mad at \u2018im.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Adam,&#8221; began Ben, then stopped as he worriedly watched his son&#8217;s face get redder by the moment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I ain&#8217;t hurt, Adam,&#8221; assured Joe, as his eye reddened and swelled, right there in front of them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0Adam stared at the three men in the room, then looked in desperation up the stairs, and throwing his hands in the air, swore a blue streak and stomped out the front door.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">From his room, Pat heard hoof beats and rushed to the window, leaning an arm against the casement and peering out. \u00a0 He saw his father gallop away from the house.\u00a0 Pat stared after him for a long time, his mind a crazy jumble of thoughts.\u00a0 He heard rumbling in the hills; thunder.\u00a0 The youngster closed his eyes and rested his forehead against his arm, his eyes squeezed shut.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat felt numb, almost detached from his body, as though somehow floating above it and watching the whole scene.\u00a0 His brain was working very clearly; he could vividly remember every single stupid thing he&#8217;d done since he got here, capped by the prize: landing a right cross on Uncle Joe.\u00a0 How could he possibly make amends for this?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He flopped miserably on his bed, thinking over his crimes.\u00a0 For what seemed like hours, his thoughts churning harder and harder, tighter and tighter. Hop Sing delivered him some lunch, sternly ordering him to eat, but he couldn&#8217;t touch it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Late in the afternoon, Pat found himself sniffling, close to tears.\u00a0 Every time he tried to think, he came up with the same conclusion: they would always hate him, they&#8217;d never forgive him.\u00a0 And, with a typical 13-year-old\u2019s flawed logic, decided to leave of his own accord before being kicked off the ranch.\u00a0 Swiping an angry sleeve across his damp eyes, he set his mouth in a stubborn scowl, yanked some clothes out of his bureau and started bundling them into a large bandanna.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He paused for a moment, seeing the daguerreotype on his bedside table.\u00a0 He drew in a shaky breath and dug his hand under his mattress, pulling out the handkerchief wrapped personal items of his mother\u2019s.\u00a0 Sniffling again, he tucked them into his bundle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">A few minutes later, while thunder rolled around the hills, Pat carefully slid the sash of his window up, wincing at the squeak it made.\u00a0 He waited, scared, but heard nothing coming down the hallway.\u00a0 Taking a deep breath, he tied his bundle to his belt and boosted himself out of the window and onto the shed roof.\u00a0 As he&#8217;d done so many times in the last few weeks, he carefully walked the roof\u2019s slant and swung himself down from the little porch that overhung the kitchen entrance.\u00a0 He dropped like a cat to the ground, and sneaked to the corral to fetch Blackie.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His breath hitched in his chest to see that Sport\u2019s stall was still empty.\u00a0 Swallowing hard, he firmed his lips and began saddling Blackie.\u00a0 The boy figured once he was gone aways, he&#8217;d think of some way to send the little horse back to the Ponderosa, before they accused him of horse-thievin&#8217; on top of everything else.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He stood by the barn door for a moment, watching and listening, but there appeared to be no activity at all from the house, and the twilight made it dim enough to slip out unseen.\u00a0 He quietly walked the horse around the back of the barn and mounted up.\u00a0 He wheeled Blackie around and started walking him down the road, then stopped a moment, hunching his shoulders.\u00a0 He slowly turned around and looked back at the house.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He gazed for a long moment, then shook his head, biting his lower lip, and kicked Blackie into a trot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">It was fully dark by the time Adam slowly trotted back into the yard, looking totally worn out, and cold.\u00a0 He hadn&#8217;t grabbed a jacket when he took off earlier, and the wind was biting.\u00a0 Granted, his temper had kept him warm for the first hour or so, but once the wind began to blow around him, it also seemed to blow the cobwebs out of his brain, and his temper cooled as quickly as the air surrounding him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The front door opened as he slapped the reins around the hitching rail, hunching against the cold.\u00a0 He looked up and saw his father walking toward him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Hi, Pa,&#8221; he said wryly.\u00a0 Ben smiled back at him.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Hi, son.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;How&#8217;s Joe?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Fine.\u00a0 On his way to Virginia City.\u00a0 Said he deserved a night off,&#8221; grinned his father.\u00a0 He clapped an arm around his oldest son&#8217;s shoulders.\u00a0 &#8220;Hey, you&#8217;re cold!\u00a0 Come on in and get warm by the fire.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Once inside, Adam tossed his hat on the sideboard, and unbuckled his gunbelt, dropping it there.\u00a0 He walked slowly to the fire and held his cold hands out to the flame, shivering.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben shut the front door behind him and slowly walked over to his oldest son.\u00a0 He didn&#8217;t say anything just put a hand on his shoulder.\u00a0 He was relieved when Adam looked back at him and smiled wanly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;So, his eye&#8217;s okay?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;He&#8217;s gonna have a beaut of a shiner, but yeah, he&#8217;s fine,&#8221; Ben smiled.\u00a0 &#8220;Pat poked him a good one.\u00a0 Hoss was right, you know. \u00a0 You three fought worse than that when you were children.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sighed and sank tiredly onto the hearth.\u00a0 Ben seated himself in his leather chair and studied his son.\u00a0 &#8220;You feeling a little better?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, I don&#8217;t know, Pa,&#8221; he muttered.\u00a0 &#8220;I suppose so.\u00a0 I was so mad at him, if I hadn&#8217;t left I was afraid I&#8217;d kill him.&#8221;\u00a0 He closed his eyes, and shook his head.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ve really done a bang up job at this father endeavor, haven&#8217;t I?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben chuckled.\u00a0 &#8220;Why?\u00a0 For caring about him?\u00a0 Worrying about him?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pa, &#8221; protested Adam, shaking his head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Adam, you&#8217;re doing fine,&#8221; reassured his father.\u00a0 &#8220;Don&#8217;t you remember the scrapes you got into?\u00a0 How about the time you lost Little Joe because you were out seeing a girl and left him with Hoss?\u00a0 Or the time you and Ross accidentally set fire to the schoolhouse, trying that fool experiment?\u00a0 And the time you were arrested for the murder of that miner?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cOkay, okay!&#8221; chuckled Adam.\u00a0 &#8220;So, he&#8217;s a chip off the old block.&#8221;\u00a0 The smile died on his lips, and he leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees, restlessly stroking the black hairs on his forearm<\/span><b>. \u00a0 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;But that wasn&#8217;t what I meant.\u00a0 While I was out there, I had some time to think and I realized that I&#8217;ve given him a home, food to eat, clothes to wear but I haven&#8217;t given him what he needs to trust me and come to me when he&#8217;s gotten himself into trouble.\u00a0 I don&#8217;t know whether he&#8217;s afraid of me, or just doesn&#8217;t like me, or what.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAdam,&#8221; chided his father, shaking his head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;No, I mean it, Pa.\u00a0 Sure, I&#8217;ve pulled some stupid stunts in my time, made some really questionable decisions&#8230; and to be sure none of us looked forward to a session with your belt,&#8221; he admitted. &#8220;Still, no matter what I&#8217;d done, I don&#8217;t ever remember a time that I was so afraid of you that I couldn&#8217;t come to you and tell you my troubles.\u00a0 No matter what, even when I knew you&#8217;d come down hard on me, I still could come to you, and you&#8217;d make everything okay\u2026 or help <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">me<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> make them okay myself.&#8221;\u00a0 He hung his head.\u00a0 &#8220;My son can&#8217;t make that statement, can he?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Adam, dadburn it, the boy ain\u2019t known ya for but two months!&#8221; admonished Hoss, coming in from the kitchen with a plate full of apple pie in his hand.\u00a0 &#8220;Give him a chance!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben smiled up at his middle son, nodding.\u00a0 &#8220;And give yourself a chance,&#8221; suggested Ben, warmly. &#8220;By the way, your memory is a bit faulty.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam, startled, glanced up at his father, who was smiling at him tenderly.\u00a0 &#8220;I usually had to pry your problems out of you, boy.\u00a0 Just&#8230; like&#8230; Pat.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam shook his head.\u00a0 &#8220;Well, I guess I&#8217;d better go up and have a talk with him,&#8221; he sighed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What are you going to do, son?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pa, I haven&#8217;t the foggiest.\u00a0 I guess we&#8217;ll play it as it goes,&#8221; smiled Adam wanly.\u00a0 And he headed up to Pat\u2019s room.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pa, I swear, I don&#8217;t know which one of &#8217;em&#8217;s more mixed up, Pat or Adam,&#8221; murmured Hoss, shaking his head as he watched his brother wearily turn the corner at the top of the stairs and head down the hall.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yeah, I know what you mean, Hoss,&#8221; sighed Ben.\u00a0 Both were surreptitiously listening, to make sure things were going smoothly, when they jumped in surprise at the sound of a door slamming, and boot heels beating a furious tattoo as they cannoned back down the hall to the staircase, making Ben bound to his feet in alarm<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Muttering under his breath, Adam stormed back down the steps.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What&#8217;s the matter?&#8221; demanded Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What&#8217;s the matter?\u00a0 I&#8217;ll tell you what&#8217;s the matter!&#8221;\u00a0 Adam reached the bottom step, hands on his hips.\u00a0 &#8220;That little\u2026 He&#8217;s gone!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Gone?!&#8221; chorused Hoss and Ben in amazement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;G &#8211; O &#8211; N &#8211; E, gone!&#8221;\u00a0 nodded Adam furiously.\u00a0 &#8220;Packed a few things and climbed out the window!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pore little feller,&#8221; sighed Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What?!&#8221;<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Dadgum it, Adam, cain&#8217;t you tell he was scared?&#8221; snapped Hoss.\u00a0 &#8220;You looked mad enough to rip off his arm and beat &#8216;im over the head with it earlier!\u00a0 I&#8217;d a&#8217; run off, too!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Beating him over the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">head<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> isn&#8217;t my intention!&#8221; declared Adam furiously.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, he can&#8217;t have gotten far,&#8221; interceded Ben, worriedly looking at his oldest son.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s just getting dark now.\u00a0 Why don&#8217;t we get out and look for him?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam shook his head, angrily. &#8220;No, Pa, you stay here, in case he comes back. Hoss, you willing?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You bet, older brother,&#8221; nodded Hoss emphatically, not saying out loud that he sure hoped he was the one to find Pat first, or there&#8217;d be hell to pay.\u00a0 The two brothers donned their gun belts, hats and coats and went out to saddle the horses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat shivered in his light jacket, wishing he&#8217;d brought the heavy sheepskin coat that his Uncle Joe had just handed down to him.\u00a0 He was so angry with himself; he couldn&#8217;t even make a decent job of running away from home!\u00a0 He&#8217;d circled for a while, avoiding the roads to town, and a couple of hours later finally ended up at the lake.\u00a0 This was a different part of the area, a place he&#8217;d never been before.\u00a0 He noticed something strange sticking up out of the ground from a beautiful knoll overlooking the placid body of water, and slowly urged Blackie forward.\u00a0 As he got closer, he realized it was a tombstone.\u00a0 It was getting darker, and he had some trouble reading the stone in the twilight.\u00a0 He dismounted and walked Blackie closer, peering at the stone-cut lettering.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cMarie D. M. Cartwright. Beloved wife and mother,&#8221; he read, bemused.\u00a0 Then he realized this must be Little Joe&#8217;s mother, the one who&#8217;d died in a riding accident on the Ponderosa.\u00a0 It suddenly occurred to him that had it not been for his father, he wouldn&#8217;t have had any idea what the stone had said.\u00a0 Just as his mother had wanted, Pat was learning to read and getting an education.\u00a0 Pat sighed, and squatted, sitting on his heels.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;I don&#8217;t know about you,&#8221; he said gruffly, to the tombstone, &#8220;but I&#8217;m sure sorry to have to leave this place.&#8221;\u00a0 Shaking his head, Pat felt a bit silly.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Talking to a tombstone!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 He remembered his grandfather saying, however, that he often came up here to talk to Marie, especially whenever he was worried or troubled.\u00a0 Apparently, this Marie was a source of strength to him, even now.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat lifted his sad blue eyes to the lettering on the stone.\u00a0 &#8220;I sure wish you was here to talk to,&#8221; he said softly.\u00a0 &#8220;Everybody seems to have loved you an awful lot.\u00a0 Uncle Joe sure did, and Uncle Hoss.\u00a0 And Granddad.\u00a0 Boy, he ain&#8217;t never stopped. Even\u2026&#8221; and his throat closed up, making him battle to keep the tears back.\u00a0 &#8220;They said you came here from a big city, too, New Orleans&#8230;\u00a0 I wonder, did you find it strange at first, like me?&#8221;\u00a0 Pat sank down and sat cross-legged in the grass beside the grave.\u00a0 &#8220;Well, maybe you can hear me, anyhow.\u00a0 I guess I made a real mess of things,&#8221; he said soberly.\u00a0 &#8220;I don&#8217;t know what to do about, I really don&#8217;t.\u00a0 I don&#8217;t <em>want<\/em> to leave, but I don&#8217;t see how I can stay.\u00a0 I ain\u2019t bin nothin\u2019 but a problem for my dad.&#8221;\u00a0 He raised his head and looked up at the stars beginning to wink in the sky, peeking through the heavy clouds.\u00a0 &#8220;Hey, maybe you know my Ma? Siobhan Riordan? She died about two months back . . . she oughta be up there with you by now.&#8221;\u00a0 Pat swiped at his nose and sniffled.\u00a0 &#8220;Will ya tell her somethin&#8217; for me?\u00a0 Please\u2026 please tell her I tried.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He shivered as lightning flashed; his superstitious Irish soul shook, as though his mother herself was scolding him, and he hung his head.\u00a0 The sky opened, and the downpour was like a bucket full of water was being emptied.\u00a0 Gathering his jacket closer around him, Pat shivered and set his hat further forward on his head, to keep the rain off his face.\u00a0 &#8220;Oh, Ma, I did try, I promise,&#8221; he trembled, pulling his knees up to his chin and burying his face in his arms. &#8220;I really don&#8217;t want to go\u2026 It was just lookin&#8217; like things might work out, but now\u2026 now, nothin&#8217;s the same and they&#8217;ll never let me stay.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The rain continued, and thunder rolled around him, high up on the butte.\u00a0 &#8220;Help me, Ma, please?\u00a0 Please? What should I do now?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The rain was soaking Adam and Hoss to the skin, even through their heavy mackinaws, and both were seriously beginning to worry about Patrick.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Look, Hoss,&#8221; said Adam, glancing around him, &#8220;I think it might be better if we split up and tried to cover more area.\u00a0 He&#8217;s gonna catch pneumonia if he&#8217;s out in this for long.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, well, we&#8217;d better plan to meet up someplace,&#8221; said Hoss, seriously.\u00a0 &#8220;Tell you what; we&#8217;ll look for about two hours and meet up back at home.\u00a0 If he ain&#8217;t back yet, we&#8217;ll change clothes, get fresh horses and go back out again.\u00a0 Whaddya say?&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam hated the idea of losing any time by returning to the ranch, but sighed, bowing to the good sense of Hoss&#8217; suggestion.\u00a0 &#8220;All right. Two hours.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yep,&#8221; nodded Hoss.\u00a0 He wheeled Chub around and sidled up beside his brother, stretching out an arm.\u00a0 Catching hold of his brother&#8217;s arm, he looked Adam in the eye.\u00a0 &#8220;We&#8217;ll find him, Adam, don&#8217;t fret.\u00a0 We&#8217;ll get everything straightened out.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sadly, Adam stared down at his hands.\u00a0 &#8220;I don&#8217;t know, Hoss.\u00a0 I just don&#8217;t know.&#8221;<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He looked up at his younger brother.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m afraid for him, Hoss.\u00a0 He doesn&#8217;t know this area well enough; he could be anywhere.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Keep the faith, older brother,&#8221; reassured Hoss.\u00a0 &#8220;Pat ain&#8217;t nobody&#8217;s fool.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam smiled wryly.\u00a0 &#8220;Do you hear what you&#8217;re saying?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss chuckled.\u00a0 &#8220;You go on south, I&#8217;ll go north and we&#8217;ll meet up at the house. Hey, Adam, how much you want to bet we&#8217;ll get home, both of us sick with head colds, and Pat&#8217;ll be warm and dry by the fire once we get there?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam smiled, if a bit wanly.\u00a0 He was grateful for the support his brother was giving him.\u00a0 &#8220;See you in two hours.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">They split up and began their hunt again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Twenty minutes later, Hoss closed his eyes and said a simple prayer as he let Chub have his head.\u00a0 &#8220;Lord, help me find him.\u00a0 He&#8217;s gotta be cold, and wet, and real scared.\u00a0 Please help me find him,&#8221; he prayed.\u00a0 He was surprised to feel a sudden calm, and then started as a flash of lightning lit the butte ahead of him.\u00a0 It was up by the lake.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Disbelieving for a moment, Hoss studied the lay of the land.\u00a0 Then he decided he had nothing left to lose and headed for the area near the lake that he and his brothers and father had come to use often as a place of rest and respite.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The thunder and lightning were growing stronger as he headed up to the area of the lake where Marie was buried.\u00a0 As he approached, another flash of lightning lit the clearing where Marie&#8217;s tombstone was as though it were midday, and Hoss saw a horse near the gravesite.\u00a0 His heart in his throat, Hoss urged Chubby on.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat was sitting in the pouring rain beside Marie&#8217;s resting place, his head in his arms, shivering.\u00a0 Hoss quickly dismounted, grabbing his bedroll.\u00a0 Pat never saw him coming, and jumped, startled when he finally heard the heavy footsteps hurrying over to him.\u00a0 He started to scoot away, afraid, until he saw who it was.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat, it&#8217;s all right!\u00a0 It&#8217;s just me, son, just your ol&#8217; Uncle Hoss.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat&#8217;s lips trembled, but he stayed still.\u00a0 Hoss came around the side of his and wrapped him in a blanket.\u00a0 &#8220;C&#8217;mon, boy, let&#8217;s get out of the rain.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Under the trees?\u00a0 Granddad said n-never to go under the trees in lightnin\u2019,&#8221; sniffled Pat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWal, I guess you&#8217;re right there, young&#8217;un,&#8221; smiled Hoss gently, &#8220;we&#8217;ll just get a bit out of the way, all right?&#8221;\u00a0 He pulled Pat up to his feet and led him toward his horse.\u00a0 Pat balked suddenly and shook his head.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I can&#8217;t go back, Uncle Hoss, I can&#8217;t!&#8221; he pleaded.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Why not, Pat?&#8221; he asked gently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Uncle Joe&#8217;ll never forgive me for hittin&#8217; &#8216;im, and Granddad hates me, an\u2019 &#8211; &#8221; the boy faltered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Now, just stop your silliness,&#8221; chided Hoss, gently.\u00a0 &#8220;Little Joe&#8217;s already forgiven you, squirt.\u00a0 Granddad don\u2019t hate you!\u00a0 And if you&#8217;re worried about your pa &#8211; &#8220;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat turned away, unable to look at his uncle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat, your pa&#8217;s out here, same as me, huntin&#8217; for ya.\u00a0 He&#8217;s worried to death about ya!&#8221;\u00a0 insisted Hoss. \u00a0 &#8220;You shoulda seen him when he found out you was gone, with the storm&#8217;n&#8217;all.\u00a0 Now you git on that horse and come on, afore you catch your death.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Stubbornly, Pat stepped back.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Now Pat, you&#8217;re startin&#8217; to git me mad,&#8221; said Hoss, narrowing his eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;In case you ain&#8217;t noticed, it&#8217;s pourin&#8217; rain out here, and I&#8217;m cold, wet and tired.\u00a0 Let&#8217;s git home!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Is he real mad at me?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Who?&#8221;\u00a0 Then Hoss sighed. &#8220;Oh, Adam.\u00a0 Well, he ain&#8217;t pleased, that&#8217;s for durn sure.\u00a0 What&#8217;d you expect?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;How can I go back, Uncle Hoss? Nobody\u2019ll want me around \u2018em ever again, a\u2019&#8217; I guess I don\u2019t blame \u2018em.\u00a0 You know things\u2019ll never be okay again,&#8221; Pat stated, wearily. \u201cIt\u2019s best if I just move on. Otherwise, my father\u2019ll \u2026\u201d he choked.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t even imagine what he\u2019ll do to me, he\u2019s so mad.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Now, Patrick, you just shut your mouth and listen to me,&#8221; said Hoss sternly. &#8220;It&#8217;s a fact yer pa is mighty upset with you, but he ain&#8217;t gonna kill ya.\u00a0 What the heck do you take him for?&#8221;\u00a0 Hoss sighed.\u00a0 &#8220;Pat, if he&#8217;s mad at ya, it&#8217;s your own durn fault and you know it full well.\u00a0 Dadburn, I&#8217;m gittin&#8217; mad at ya myself!\u00a0 Whatever he does it&#8217;ll be no more&#8217;n you deserve!\u00a0 What&#8217;s got into you, anyhow?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Startled, Pat looked back up at him.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick, I ain&#8217;t gonna stand here arguin&#8217; with ya.\u00a0 Either you git back on that pony on yer own, or I&#8217;ll hogtie ya and dump ya over my saddle! Now you behave yourself!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat looked down at the soggy ground, shaking his head.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hoss sighed.\u00a0 He, Adam and Joe had all had to face things like this in their lives, but they\u2019d had the absolutely, unvarnished knowledge that no matter <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">what<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> they did, what mischief they got up to, their father loved them and would always forgive them.\u00a0 Oh, to be sure, Pa\u2019d make \u2018em face up to what they done, and pay for their mistakes.\u00a0 But he\u2019d also always be there to help \u2018em pick up the pieces, and make things right.\u00a0 This young\u2019un didn\u2019t have that rock solid assurance. Not yet, anyhow.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The big man softened his expression and came over to the boy, setting his hands on Pat\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0 &#8220;Pat, I don&#8217;t know what we have to do ta convince ya that yer a part of this family.\u00a0 We love ya, ya ornery little cuss.\u00a0 But yer pa can&#8217;t let yer behavior continue. You&#8217;re gonna get hurt, or into some real serious trouble.\u00a0 Dadburn it, Pat, he loves you so much!\u00a0 Can&#8217;t you understand that?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat stared at his uncle for a moment, wanting desperately to believe him. &#8220;He loves me?&#8221; he whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201c\u2019Course he does.\u201d Hoss teasingly pulled the front brim of his hat down, and grinned.\u00a0 &#8220;If he didn&#8217;t love ya, d&#8217;ya think he&#8217;d get so dadblasted angry at ya, ya durn fool kid?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat stood thinking a moment, then, shaking his head, set his mouth in a hard and stubborn line.\u00a0 He&#8217;d made up his mind.\u00a0 Hoss worried as he watched the boy walk to his horse, wondering if he was going to have to chase after him some more.\u00a0 He hurried himself to his own horse, ready to pursue the boy if he did indeed take off.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat mounted up, glaring at his uncle.\u00a0 &#8220;Well, come on,&#8221; he snapped crossly.\u00a0 &#8220;Let&#8217;s go home and get this over with!\u00a0 I&#8217;m cold.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam stared worriedly into the crackling fire, trying not to think of the harsh, driving wind and rain&#8230;or of Pat, out in it, cold and wet.\u00a0 The two hours had been up for nearly thirty minutes, but he was reluctant to go back out until his brother returned, with or without Pat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam remembered the times, years ago, when he, too, had been upset with his father and had stormed out of the house in a temper. But the difference was that he\u2019d been a lot older, had known every inch of the Ponderosa, and was wise to the dangers this beautiful but wild land presented. \u00a0 Patrick had courage, there was no doubt of that, but he was streetwise&#8230;what did <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">he<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> know of mountain lions and rattlesnakes?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben peeped at his oldest son from over the top of his book, and smiled.\u00a0 How many times he&#8217;d been in the same position, angry with one of his sons, and yet worried about his safety and welfare at the same time!\u00a0 Ben cocked his head to one side and decided to try drawing Adam out.\u00a0 He quietly closed his book and leaned forward to pour a cup of coffee from the tray; Adam started slightly at the movement and turned to his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Coffee?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yes, thanks.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">They stirred their coffee in silence for a moment, then Ben drew in a breath and took the plunge.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You know, Adam, if there&#8217;s one thing I&#8217;ve learned in raising you three it&#8217;s never to assume my job is finished,&#8221; smiled Ben, leaning back with his coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What do you mean, Pa?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I mean that fatherhood is a learning process for both father and son.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sighed and sipped his coffee, turning back to the fire.\u00a0 &#8220;I think I&#8217;ve begun to learn something about the frustration,&#8221; he said ruefully.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI seem to remember another youngster who had a similar problem with authority,&#8221; Ben said with a smile. Adam glanced at his father, a sheepish look on his face.\u00a0 &#8220;I also remember a boy who had a hard time with apologies.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pa &#8230; &#8221; warned Adam, with a grin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Adam, the hardest thing you&#8217;re going to have to deal with is learning not to lose your temper over his mistakes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Despite his worry, at his father\u2019s words Adam\u2019s mouth twisted in a wry grin and he raised his eyebrows at his father.\u00a0 \u201cPot\u2026. Kettle\u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ben harrumphed a little, but the corners of his mouth lifted a bit.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, as I said it\u2019s a learning process,\u201d he agreed, earning himself a snort of amusement from his son.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Good, at least I lightened up the mood just a little bit.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 \u201cAdam, you\u2019ve got to expect him to make mistakes.\u00a0 He&#8217;s a boy&#8230; that\u2019s how he\u2019s going to learn.\u00a0 You&#8217;ll be pleased and proud when he takes two steps forward, and you think he&#8217;s finally gotten out of whatever difficult stage he&#8217;s been struggling through, then you&#8217;ll be angry and frustrated when he takes three steps back, seeming to have forgotten every lesson you&#8217;ve taught him.\u00a0 But as you two get to know each other better you&#8217;ll learn how to be ready for those mistakes.\u00a0 I usually knew when you were in trouble, even when you hadn&#8217;t even done the deed yet.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Startled, Adam looked at his father in surprise.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben smiled.\u00a0 &#8220;When you were behaving yourself, you were a very frank, open, forthright boy.\u00a0 When you were contemplating some kind of mischief you&#8217;d find it hard to look me in the eye.\u00a0 So, I&#8217;d know I&#8217;d have to watch you a little more carefully and see if you were able to talk yourself out of whatever you were planning, or if I&#8217;d have to step in and intervene.&#8221;\u00a0 Ben sipped at his coffee and studied his son, once again staring into the fire.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;How do I do it, Pa?&#8221; asked Adam softly.\u00a0 &#8220;How do I make him understand that I care about him, that I&#8217;m not being tough on him just to make him angry and miserable?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ben sighed and crossed his legs.\u00a0 &#8220;Adam, that&#8217;s one of the painful parts of being a father.\u00a0 There are going to be times when you&#8217;ll have to mete out the discipline he needs, to make him face up to himself. \u00a0 At those times you are not going to be his favorite person.\u00a0 He isn&#8217;t going to like it, and neither are you, but it&#8217;s your responsibility as his father to teach him right from wrong, and sometimes, to correct him when he makes his mistakes.\u00a0 If you truly believe you&#8217;re right and the correction is necessary, you have to be steadfast, even in the face of his resentment, until he <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">does<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> realize it.\u00a0 Ultimately, if you&#8217;ve done your job well, he&#8217;ll understand that you&#8217;re only doing it for his own good.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;But&#8230;how do I know if I&#8217;m right?&#8221; asked Adam, worriedly.\u00a0 &#8220;I mean, how do I know the best way to handle a problem?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I wish I had some magic formula for you, son, but there just isn&#8217;t one,&#8221; said Ben calmly.\u00a0 &#8220;You have to take the time to understand him, and judge how best to reach him.\u00a0 In dealing with the three of you I had to be pretty creative sometimes.\u00a0 I made mistakes,&#8221; he said, looking at his oldest son, who returned a small smile, &#8220;but I tried to learn from my mistakes, too.\u00a0 Like I say&#8230;it&#8217;s a learning process.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam silently nodded.\u00a0 He picked up his head and stared into the fire again.\u00a0 &#8220;Pa, I\u2019ve been going over this and over this in my head.\u00a0 Most of the nonsense he pulled\u2026 well, I don\u2019t say I\u2019d just let it pass, but I can understand it. God knows <\/span><b><i>I\u2019ve<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> smacked Joe a few times,\u201d he said with a small smile.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I\u2019ve bolted once or twice in anger, too.\u00a0 For those things, I think I can think of positive ways to help him understand how to make right what he\u2019s done.\u201d\u00a0 He sighed and rested his forearms on his thighs, thinking. \u201cWhat I just can\u2019t condone is him lying to me.\u00a0 I\u2019ve tried\u2026 I\u2019ve tried to think through any other way, but that\u2019s something I just can\u2019t let pass.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben nodded to himself and leaned back. \u201cWhatever it is you\u2019re planning as a consequence for lying\u2026 Do you believe it&#8217;s the right thing to do?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam winced a little, but drew a deep breath.\u00a0 And nodded. \u201cYes.\u00a0 Yes, I do.\u00a0 He needs to understand the consequences of deceit, and the sooner he learns it here, in a relatively safe environment, the better.\u00a0 Better here, than making an even deeper hole for himself outside the family.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Then it sounds like you have your answer, son.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam nodded, his mouth in a firm line.\u00a0 Ben had a feeling this upcoming session was going to be harder on Adam than on Pat.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The sound of approaching hoof beats in the yard startled both out their reverie and Adam turned starting to hurry to the door.\u00a0 Then he stopped, drew in a deep breath and stood his ground.\u00a0 Ben smiled, shook his head, and walked toward the front door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Before he could get there, it opened and Hoss came in, soaked to the skin, with Patrick coming in behind him.\u00a0 Adam studied his son, trying to gauge his expression, but it was hard to see; Pat was hanging his head and shuffling in the door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben glanced at Hoss, who gave his father a small smile and a slight nod.\u00a0 Closing his eyes for a moment in thanks, Ben relaxed and stepped back to allow Adam to handle the situation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Patrick, come here.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Swallowing hard, the youngster forced himself to walk over to stand, respectfully, in front of his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAre you all right?\u201d asked Adam, quietly.\u00a0 He got a shamefaced nod as his reply.\u00a0 Adam sighed in relief, then his anger took over, and he placed his hands on his hips, standing over his son with a scowl on his face.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Where have you been?&#8221; asked Adam sternly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Up by the lake,&#8221; Pat replied softly.\u00a0 Finally, he picked up his head tentatively and looked to see if he could tell how mad his father was.\u00a0 Pat winced to see his face.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Listen, Adam\u2014&#8221; started Hoss, sympathetically looking at the discomfort his nephew was in, and trying to intervene for him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It&#8217;s okay, Uncle Hoss,&#8221; murmured Pat, shaking his head and tossing his hat on the side table, and standing tall.\u00a0 He knew he was in for it, and he was ready to face whatever he had coming to him.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m sorry.\u00a0 I know I shouldn&#8217;t have taken off like that, and&#8230;and I know I was wrong to lie to you.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;I think you&#8217;d better go on up to your room.\u00a0 Get out of those wet clothes and get ready for bed.\u00a0 I&#8217;ll be up in a minute to talk to you.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yes, sir,&#8221; Pat murmured, hanging up his coat and trudging up the stairs.\u00a0 The three men watched him go, and Adam drew in a deep breath, preparing himself to follow.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Adam, wait a minute,&#8221; implored Hoss, putting a hand on his older brother&#8217;s arm.\u00a0 &#8220;I found him up at the lake, cryin&#8217; his eyes out.\u00a0 He&#8217;s real upset, Adam.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;I know that, Hoss,&#8221; sighed Adam.\u00a0 &#8220;But he&#8217;s got to learn lying has consequences.\u00a0 Without trust, we\u2019ve got <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">nothing<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> between us.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;All I&#8217;m sayin&#8217; is tread real careful with him,&#8221; insisted Hoss.\u00a0 &#8220;I think he just about talked himself into comin\u2019 back t\u2019 face you, but he was scared.\u00a0 He knows he\u2019s done wrong. But you gotta realize\u2026 he thinks he already ruined any chance of havin\u2019 anythin\u2019 between ya, anyway.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam looked at his younger brother in frustration.\u00a0 &#8220;Well, what would you have me do, Hoss?&#8221; he demanded, frustrated.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ve got to follow through on this!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I know it, and he knows it,&#8221; agreed Hoss.\u00a0 &#8220;But try to get him to talk to ya.\u00a0 He&#8217;s feelin&#8217; awful alone right now.\u00a0 He&#8217;s not so sure you really care about him, Adam.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam closed his eyes, his shoulders drooping a little.\u00a0 Then he sighed, drew in a deep breath, shook himself up straight, and walked upstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat sat on a chair and pulled off his boots, stripped off his soaked clothes and hung them to dry on the hooks on the wall, and pulled a hated nightshirt out of his bureau.\u00a0 Nervously, he fingered the thin material and contemplated getting dressed again; a stout pair of jeans would offer a bit better protection than this!\u00a0 But his father had told him to get ready for bed, and he didn&#8217;t want to anger him any further.\u00a0 In resignation, he slipped on the nightshirt and sat on the edge of his bed, waiting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">While he waited, his mind was in a turmoil of self-recrimination and concern.\u00a0 His talk with Uncle Hoss had gone a long way to helping him get his nerves settled and his mind straight, but he still had a very healthy worry of what his father might do and say. Grimly, Pat firmly shook his head.<em> If ye cannot even be honest with yourself, lad, there&#8217;s no hope for it.\u00a0<\/em> God, how many times Ma had said that to him!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Sighing, Pat swallowed hard, knowing he deserved whatever he had coming to him (and he had a pretty good idea of what that was going to be).\u00a0 It was more the disappointment he&#8217;d seen in his father&#8217;s eyes that upset him.\u00a0 That, and the knowledge that his mother would have been disappointed, too.\u00a0 Here he had promised her, on her deathbed, that he&#8217;d go to his father and behave himself, and now where was he?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He heard footsteps on the stairs and coming toward his room, and he firmed his mouth, willing himself to control the butterflies in his stomach.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His father opened his door and came in, his face unreadable.\u00a0 Adam slowly shut the door behind him, went over to the bureau and leaned against it, folding his arms across his chest, and looked at his son, sitting miserably on his bed.\u00a0 In a fresh, snowy nightshirt, his dark head wet and his face pale, Patrick look less like a young street tough from New York City, and more like a scared, small boy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well?\u00a0 What do you have to say for yourself?&#8221; he asked quietly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat flinched; he&#8217;d been braced for his father to yell and rant and rave, not this.\u00a0 In the short time he&#8217;d been here he&#8217;d learned pretty quickly that that quiet voice was the one to really be worried about.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Like I said,&#8221; he whispered, &#8220;I&#8217;m sorry.\u00a0 I shouldn&#8217;t &#8216;a hit Uncle Joe.\u00a0 I shouldn&#8217;t &#8216;a lied to ya.\u00a0 An&#8217; I&#8217;m sorry for runnin&#8217; off, I just&#8230;just&#8230;.&#8221;\u00a0 He gave up, shrugging and helplessly hanging his head.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam studied his son, sighed and slowly walked over to the bed, his hands in his pockets, a thoughtful expression on his face.\u00a0 \u201cWell, your Uncle Joe wanted you to know he apologizes for having goaded you the way he did.\u00a0 He knows that didn\u2019t help, since you were already pretty upset.\u00a0 I wish you had been able to find a different way to deal with it, but I can understand how you felt. And as for running off\u2026\u201d Adam reached out a long arm, pulling Pat\u2019s desk chair over and seating himself in front of the boy, trying to achieve a more even, eye to eye stance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He nodded. \u201cWell, I suppose even that makes sense to me, given how upset <\/span><b><i>I<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> was. I&#8217;m sorry I didn&#8217;t wait to calm down before lighting into you. Still, running off like that was wrong of you, because of how badly you worried everyone.\u00a0 I want you, tomorrow morning, to apologize to your grandfather and especially your Uncle Hoss for having caused them such trouble tonight.\u00a0 We\u2019ll talk it over with them and see how you might make amends for that bad choice.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat swallowed, knowing this wasn\u2019t over yet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam frowned, looking at his hands.\u00a0 \u201cBut, Patrick\u2026 the worst of the bunch?\u201d\u00a0 The man raised his eyes and waited until, deeply ashamed, Pat looked at him. \u201cYou lied to me.\u00a0 You didn\u2019t just disobey.\u00a0 You disobeyed and then you lied to cover it up, and son, I can\u2019t let that pass.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat nodded, and swallowed hard.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Patrick winced.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How on earth to explain, when he didn\u2019t understand all of it himself?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 \u201cI dunno,\u201d he choked out, helplessly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam shook his head. \u201cTry,\u201d he said gently. \u201cI\u2019ll listen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat felt like his heart and lungs were caught in that vise-thing his father had out in the tack room\u2026 squeezed, almost to the point of suffocation.\u00a0 He drew in a deep, shuddering breath and leaned forward, like his father, leaning on his forearms.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t do this and look at his old man at the same time, he just couldn\u2019t and hope the man would understand that.\u00a0 \u201cEver\u2026 ever since I got here, I keep feelin\u2019 like a part o\u2019 me gets lost, every day,\u201d the boy whispered. \u201cAll the rules is different\u2026 it\u2019s like\u2026 like tryin\u2019 t\u2019find yer way without havin\u2019 no directions ta follow.\u201d\u00a0 He breathed again.\u00a0 \u201cI keep tryin\u2019 and tryin\u2019, and sometimes it feels like I get so close, an\u2019 the next thing I know I\u2019ve bollixed everything up again.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Don\u2019t let me cry, not now!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> he thought fiercely.\u00a0 He took a moment and worked to steady himself again. \u201cLike\u2026like poker.\u201d\u00a0 He raised his eyes then and looked beseechingly at his father.\u00a0 \u201cAll my life, I knew there was things I\u2019d never be no good at, but I was good at figurin\u2019 out the odds, since I been a little shaver.\u00a0 An\u2019\u2026 an\u2019 everybody oughta have somethin\u2019 they\u2019re good at, that they can feel pr\u2026proud of.\u201d\u00a0 Pat\u2019s breath hitched. \u201cBut you took that away from me, too.\u00a0 You won\u2019t let me play, and I don\u2019t understand why!\u201d\u00a0 Those beautiful eyes welled despite the boy\u2019s best efforts. \u201cI\u2019m <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">good<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">! When I\u2019m playin\u2019\u2026 it\u2019s like I got a chance o\u2019 bein\u2019 on the same level with them other fellas.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam smiled gently, realizing this was going to take some time and Pat probably needing to spew out everything that had bothered him since his arrival before the answer to the question actually was addressed. He reached into his pocket for his handkerchief to forestall Pat using his nightshirt\u2019s sleeve to wipe his nose and handed it to him. \u201cI know you\u2019re good, son, I do. In fact, I happen to know you&#8217;re good at quite a number of different things. I&#8217;m sure as time goes on, you&#8217;re going to find more things that you&#8217;re real good at, things you can be proud of.&#8221; <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat sniffed, unconvinced, wiping his nose, downcast.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;And I agree, you&#8217;re very good at poker. But I want you to really think about what happened the other day.\u00a0 If Sheriff Coffee hadn\u2019t intervened in the nick of time, you could have been badly hurt, or worse.\u00a0 Playing poker with grown men is a dangerous business, Pat. You could always play here at home with me and the uncles for smaller stakes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat\u2019s shoulders sagged.\u00a0 It just wasn\u2019t the same, and he just couldn\u2019t seem to find the words to explain how he felt.\u00a0 How could he possibly make this man understand the exhilaration, the sheer excitement of taking next to nothing for cash and then, only through skill, cold calculation and the ability to read another, turn it into healthy-sized pot?!\u00a0 His father couldn&#8217;t ever understand! It seemed to Patrick that just about everything the smart and capable Adam Cartwright did was something to be proud of&#8230;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\">Drawing in a breath, Pat tried another tack.\u00a0 \u201cI <em>got<\/em> to do my lessons, I get no say at all in it\u2026 I<em> got<\/em> to do my share o\u2019 chores, and I get that, I do.\u00a0 It\u2019s just\u2026\u201d\u00a0 He rubbed the back of his neck, in frustration, then both hands splayed out the sides as he implored his father.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t just be <b><i>me<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> anymore!\u00a0 I gotta keep changin\u2019 to fit in with all o\u2019 you!\u00a0 Don\u2019t\u2019cha see? Ever since I came out here, I don\u2019t even know who I am anymore!\u201d\u00a0 He swallowed.\u00a0 \u201cIt just\u2026 it just got t\u2019be more\u2019n I could take,\u201d he whispered.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam nodded, deciding it was time to direct the conversation a bit more.\u00a0 \u201cThat explains the disobedience, and even the running off, to a certain extent.\u00a0 But right now, we\u2019re talking about the lie, Patrick.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat squirmed uncomfortably. \u201cI guess\u2026 I guess I was\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam waited; Pat had to get this out of his system, or they were never going to get anywhere.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Irritably, Pat started to rise, but his father firmly put a hand on his leg, holding him in place.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI was scared!\u201d Pat ground out, red as a beet.\u00a0 \u201cThere, ya happy?!\u00a0 After poppin\u2019 Uncle Joe, I didn\u2019t think you\u2019d ever \u2026\u201d he choked and couldn\u2019t finish, though Adam heard it: <em>\u2026ever forgive me.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam nodded, and reached up, smoothing back the damp black hair from his boy\u2019s forehead, surprising the boy with the gentleness of the touch.\u00a0 \u00a0He sighed a moment, searching for words, and suddenly a long-ago memory of something he&#8217;d heard his father say bubbled to the surface of his mind.\u00a0 Pursing his lips for a moment, he tipped his head, and prayed: <em>What Pa said\u00a0got through <strong>my<\/strong> thick skull&#8230; maybe Pat&#8217;s enough like me, it&#8217;ll get through his as well&#8230;<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\"> &#8220;Pat, I&#8217;m going to say something to you, and I want you to listen to me,&#8221; Adam said seriously.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat looked at him, swallowing hard.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;There are going to be a few scrapes you&#8217;ll get into in your life, and I&#8217;ll always be there to help and guide you. And I\u2019ll always forgive you. Now, that doesn&#8217;t mean that I won&#8217;t be angry with you or punish you when you deserve it.\u00a0 But I will always be there to support you and help you figure out how to try to make things right again. I can&#8217;t do that if I don&#8217;t have all the facts.\u00a0 Or if you&#8217;ve doctored the facts to reflect what you&#8217;d <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">like<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> the truth to be.\u00a0 As hard as telling the truth can sometimes be when you&#8217;re in trouble, that&#8217;s the only basis on which I can build my trust in you.\u00a0 And, son, I want you to take it from me\u2026 the pain you feel when you have to own up to something, as tough as that truth-telling might be?&#8221;\u00a0 He tipped his head to the side, waiting for Pat to shame-facedly meet his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019ll still hurt a lot less than the pain of <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">not<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> telling the truth.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat squirmed uncomfortably; his father was saying things that he&#8217;d heard in some form or another in the past from his mother.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam watched until he was sure Patrick had gotten his point, then reached out and, with a hand on his son&#8217;s chin, tipped it up to force Patrick&#8217;s blue eyes to connect with his own.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Look, Pat, I&#8217;ll help and defend you as far as necessary to get a problem straightened out, but I have to know that what I&#8217;m defending is the truth.\u00a0 If you lie to me, I&#8217;m licked before we even get started.\u00a0 And it&#8217;d make trusting you afterwards awfully hard.\u00a0 Do you understand what I&#8217;m telling you, son?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat felt small and ashamed.\u00a0 He drew in a shaky breath and nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Good.&#8221;\u00a0 Adam examined himself once more and nodding grimly to himself, decided to follow through.\u00a0 &#8220;Well, then. At the risk of creating a situation in which I\u2019m asking the fox to guard the hen house, I want your honest opinion as to what <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">you<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> think you deserve as punishment for your dishonesty.\u00a0 I know what my father would have done.\u00a0 What about your mother?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat swallowed hard.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s easy.\u00a0 She\u2019d\u2019a taken a strap to me,\u201d he answered softly.\u00a0 \u201cDidn\u2019t happen often, but when it did\u2026well, ya didn\u2019t make <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">that<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> mistake again in a hurry, I\u2019ll tell ya.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam nodded. \u201cThat\u2019s what Granddad would have done, too.\u201d\u00a0 Adam mused and then glanced at the boy.\u00a0 \u201cEarlier you said how upset you were that you had all your choices taken from you when you had to come out here after your mother died.\u00a0 And you know, I can understand that.\u00a0 This has been a big adjustment for you; bigger than I sometimes remember.\u00a0 So, I\u2019m sure my father is going to think I\u2019ve lost my mind, but I\u2019ll give you back a chance to make your own decisions. There is no doubt that you\u2019ll be punished, Pat, but I think you know that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The boy nodded, sadly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019m going to leave the choice up to you.\u00a0 Either you accept another two weeks confined to the house and yard, or we end it tonight with a tanning, and we start fresh tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat\u2019s brow wrinkled as he contemplated this.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A choice?! Well, that\u2019s different,<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> he thought a little wildly. Pat weighed the pros and cons of both options and sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI think I\u2019d rather just get it over with\u2026 if that\u2019s okay with you,\u201d he admitted, looking at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s been a really rough few weeks.\u00a0 It\u2019d sure be nice to feel like I can finally start\u00a0 t\u2019morrow with a clean slate.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The house was dark save for the lamp next to Adam&#8217;s chair. He had a book in his lap but had abandoned reading it hours ago. The fire crackled and held his gaze, his mind far off. It was awfully late as Ben came downstairs, tying the belt of his robe around him. He halted on the landing, smiling at his son, staring off into space. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He quietly continued down the steps and was nearly at Adam&#8217;s side before the young man even noticed his father was there and jumped.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Sorry for startling you,&#8221; smiled Ben, looking down at him.\u00a0 &#8220;I thought you might have fallen asleep down here.\u00a0 It&#8217;s almost two in the morning, son.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sighed, and shut his book, setting it on the table.\u00a0 &#8220;I guess I lost track of the time.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Couldn&#8217;t sleep?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam turned his face back to the fire and shook his head.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Sighing, Ben perched himself on the table and patted his son on the knee.\u00a0 &#8220;Adam, he&#8217;ll get over it.&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sighed. &#8220;He might, but I&#8217;m not sure I will.&#8221; He turned to look at his father. &#8220;You know, I always hated it when I had to punish Joe\u2026 those times when you weren&#8217;t around?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, that feeling hasn&#8217;t changed.&#8221; He lowered his head, resuming his gaze into the fire.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben sighed.\u00a0 &#8220;No one ever said being a father was easy.\u00a0 How did he take it?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Without a squeak,&#8221; Adam answered with a rueful smile.\u00a0 &#8220;I don&#8217;t know whether or not I was glad not to have to listen to him yell, or if I wished he would just let go and let himself bawl.&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben nodded and chuckled to himself, sliding his hands into the pockets of his robe. &#8220;You were exactly the same way at his age, you know,&#8221; Ben smiled, remembering. &#8220;Oh, there were often some tears &#8211; you couldn&#8217;t help that &#8211; but you&#8217;d nearly bite through your lip before letting me hear a sound out of you. So, that pig-headed pride of his? Pat comes by it honestly.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sighed, rubbing a big hand over his face. &#8220;Yeah, I suppose so.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;There&#8217;s an old phrase that I&#8217;ve come to understand on several occasions with you and your brothers.\u00a0 &#8216;This is going to hurt me more than it&#8217;ll hurt you, &#8221; observed Ben, with a sad smile. &#8220;I think I remember saying that to you once&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam glanced up, questioning, seeing the distant look in his father&#8217;s eyes and the sad smile. Ben shook his head and then looked knowingly at his firstborn, a black eyebrow raised and a rueful smile on his face. &#8220;You informed me afterward &#8211; quite emphatically, in fact, and while angrily wiping your eyes &#8211; that you begged to differ with me.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam chuckled, suddenly vividly remembering that occasion.\u00a0 Pa was right; Pat&#8217;s reaction tonight had been very much the same to his own in years past.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Son, why don&#8217;t you get some sleep?\u00a0 You&#8217;ll feel better in the morning,&#8221; assured Ben, clapping him on the shoulder.\u00a0 Sighing, Adam nodded and got to his feet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yeah, I guess I&#8217;ll turn in.\u00a0 Good night, Pa.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Good night, son.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam stretched on his way down the hallway to his room, feeling as though he had never, ever spent such a long, hard, miserable day.\u00a0 He hesitated outside of Pat&#8217;s door and decided to look in on him. He noiselessly turned the handle and pushed opened the door, entering.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat was sprawled on his bed, not surprisingly on his stomach, sound asleep. He&#8217;d obviously been restless and had kicked off his covers.\u00a0 Adam smiled, shaking his head, and carefully drew the quilt up over his boy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat stirred and frowned, sleepily opened his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Whatsa matter?&#8221; he yawned, propping himself up on his elbows.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Shhh,&#8221; soothed Adam, smoothing the quilt and tucking him in.\u00a0 &#8220;Everything&#8217;s all right.\u00a0 You kicked off your quilt; I was just covering you up.\u00a0 Go on back to sleep.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh&#8230;&#8217;Kay&#8230;. G&#8217;night, Dad,&#8221; murmured Pat with a drowsy smile, yawning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Startled, Adam stared down at him, then smiled.\u00a0 &#8220;Good night, son,&#8221; he said warmly.\u00a0 Adam tenderly pushed a lock of black hair off his son&#8217;s forehead.\u00a0 Pat sighed, contentedly, and snuggled deeper under the covers.\u00a0 Adam gazed at him for a moment longer, rubbing his back as he watched him fall back into a doze.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam walked to the door, looked back at his peacefully sleeping son, and smiled as he quietly shut the door behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER SEVENTEEN<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The next day<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam stretched and yawned as he trudged down the hallway to the stairs, feeling more tired than when he\u2019d fallen into bed last night\u2026or, rather, this morning.\u00a0 He\u2019d ended up staring at the ceiling in his room, thinking, until perhaps an hour before dawn.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben was seated at the table, sipping his morning coffee and reading some mail.\u00a0 He glanced up at his oldest son as he yawned again; Ben noted the circles under his eyes and tried not to smile.\u00a0 He cleared his throat and put his eyes back to the letter he was reading.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cMornin\u2019, Pa&#8230;&#8221; said Adam, his jaw aching with another yawn.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cGood morning, son,\u201d smiled Ben surreptitiously.\u00a0 \u201cSleep well?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHa\u2026ha\u2026..\u201d returned Adam, frowning.\u00a0 Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cAm I the last up?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYes,\u201d smiled his father. \u201cThe boys are all out doing their chores.\u00a0 They said they\u2019d let you sleep late, and do your chores for you.\u00a0 They seemed to think you\u2019d be a bit overtired this morning.\u201d\u00a0 Ben eyed him innocently.\u00a0 Adam eyed him in return.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPa, if you\u2019re looking to bait me, forget it,\u201d he said, wearily.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just too tired to rise to the occasion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hop Sing came in then and poured Adam a cup of coffee.\u00a0 \u201cMorning, Missa Adam,\u201d smiled the Chinese man.\u00a0 \u201cLook velly tired.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, well\u2026\u201d Adam yawned again.\u00a0 Ben shook his head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYoung man, I think you\u2019d better go back to bed,\u201d said Ben, unable to keep from laughing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNo, I\u2019m all right,\u201d insisted Adam, \u201cI just need some coffee to wake me up.\u201d\u00a0 The front door opened, then banged closed again and Ben heard his two younger sons\u2019 voices laughing as they walked in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou know, that little mare o\u2019 Thunder\u2019s is gonna be a great cow pony, Joe.\u00a0 You sure were right about her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYep, if I do say so myself, that stallion was one heck of a good investment. We\u2019ve gotten a real good string from him, and it\u2019ll only get better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The boys came around the dining room alcove corner and, offering morning greetings to their brother and father, sat down at their places for breakfast, enjoying their banter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam glanced behind them, his sleepy eyes narrowed.\u00a0 \u2018Where\u2019s Pat?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe and Hoss grinned at each other, and chuckled.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHe\u2019s comin\u2019, Adam,\u201d giggled Joe, flicking open his napkin and laying it on his lap. Adam winced a little at the shiner he was sporting, but sighed and let it go, since it didn&#8217;t seem to be bothering his baby brother any. <em>Pat really does have a good right cross&#8230;<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, he\u2019s movin\u2019 a little slow this mornin\u2019,\u201d Hoss chortled, tucking his napkin into his shirt.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Suddenly dawn broke for Adam, and he frowned, sternly. \u201cLook, you two,\u201d he declared ominously, punctuating his comments with an egg-laden fork, \u201cI seem to remember two brothers in similar states in their lifetimes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI seem to remember three,\u201d said Ben, thoughtfully, not picking his head up from his letter. \u201cAnd on a couple of rather memorable occasions, all three of you at once.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0Adam shot him an annoyed look, while his younger brothers howled with laughter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The front door banged again and Pat walked in, a bit more subdued than usual.\u00a0 Not yet looking up, but murmuring a blanket \u201cG\u2019mornin\u2019,\u201d to the table at large, he pulled out his chair\u2026 and stopped dead finding a large, soft cushion resting on it.\u00a0 Lips parted in a surprise, he glanced up first at Ben, who shook his head with eyebrows raised, then at his father, who wore a small, comforting smile.\u00a0 Pat\u2019s cheeks flushed, but he nodded his thanks, and then eased himself, very slowly, down onto the chair and winced.\u00a0 He shifted uncomfortably, and finally scooted forward a little, resting his weight more on his thighs.\u00a0 Joe and Hoss were struggling, making gargantuan efforts not to laugh, but lost it when Pat managed a weak, hapless grin, with Ben and Adam joining in with chuckles of their own.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While the three younger family members worked on loading up their plates and passing platters to each other, Ben leaned slightly over to Adam, his eyes warm, and asked, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">sotto voce<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, \u201cThe pillow&#8230;last night? While you were down here alone?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam smiled at his father and winked, nodding.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">After they all got through the first round of food, they\u2019d settled down to plan the day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou know, Pa, I really think something\u2019s gotta be done about these thefts in town,\u201d said Joe seriously, gesturing with a biscuit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, I agree with you, there, son,\u201d nodded Ben, laying aside his fork and knife, \u201cbut what do you propose?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, maybe I can ask around town\u2014\u201cbegan Joe, excitedly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cJoseph, last time I heard, Roy Coffee had won the election for sheriff,\u201d said Ben dryly.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you were on the payroll of the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBut, Pa,\u201d protested Joe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThere\u2019ll be no buts, young man.\u00a0 You leave the sheriffin\u2019 to Roy, is that clear?\u201d his father said sternly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat grinned, his blue eyes twinkling over the rim of his glass of milk.\u00a0 Boy, it felt good for someone else to be in trouble for a change!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe caught the expression and made a sour face at his nephew.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cJoe, Pa\u2019s right,\u201d said Adam seriously.\u00a0 \u201cLet Roy do his job.\u00a0 Perhaps without Patrick in town bollixing up the works, Roy\u2019s investigation can learn something.\u201d\u00a0 He looked pointedly at the boy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Now it was Pat\u2019s turn to look sour.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">After breakfast, Pat stood out on the front porch, leaning up against one of the porch uprights, sipping his coffee.\u00a0 He\u2019d got up very early and had finished his own chores long before breakfast, giving him some time to relax before getting started on his lessons.\u00a0 Currently he was wading through memorizing his multiplication tables and practicing long division.\u00a0 And his father also wanted him to practice his penmanship.\u00a0 The thought of sitting at his desk was a sobering one; his hind end was still radiating a bit too much heat to make the thought a welcome prospect.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam came out to the porch, his own coffee in his hand, and drew in a deep breath of the crisp air.\u00a0 Sipping from his cup he came up to stand a bit away from Pat, but close enough to look at him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou okay this morning?\u201d he asked, staring out over the fields.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat glanced at him and swung his eyes out to the fields as well, a smile on his face.\u00a0 \u201cYeah.\u00a0 I\u2019m fine.\u201d\u00a0 He tipped his head to one side and looked drolly at his father.\u00a0 \u201cHow \u2018bout you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam glanced at his son, noted the grin, and flushed, turning his attention back to his coffee cup.\u00a0 \u201cWhy do you ask?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cBecause from the looks of ya, I don\u2019t know which one of us got the whippin\u2019 last night.\u201d\u00a0 Adam blushed redder and sighed.\u00a0 \u201cLook\u2026it might interest ya to know Ma was a pretty mean hand with a strap herself.\u00a0 Last night\u2019s \u2026well, let\u2019s just say she wouldn\u2019t\u2019a broke a sweat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam drew in a deep breath and glanced at his son.\u00a0 There was arrogance in the eyes and voice, but a warm smile on his face.\u00a0 He shook his head, amused, as he realized his son was trying to comfort him!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI promise to try to do better next time,\u201d he teased.\u00a0 He was rewarded with a slightly alarmed look on his son\u2019s face.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNo, that\u2019s okay.\u00a0 I\u2019d just as soon we didn\u2019t practice again anytime soon, if it\u2019s all the same to you.\u201d\u00a0 Pat assured him, ruefully.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam laughed and ruffled his son\u2019s hair.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The rain held off all day, but by suppertime, thunder was rolling again in the mountains.\u00a0 By the time the meal was finished, lightning flashed around the house once more and the Cartwrights settled in for a night at home.\u00a0 Joe was a bit disappointed that he wouldn\u2019t be able to ride into town.\u00a0 He\u2019d met a real nice girl at the Silver Dollar, new in town, and had hoped to spend some more time with her.\u00a0 But he resigned himself to a quiet evening at home.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHey, Hoss, how about a game of chess?\u201d Joe asked as his father poured after-dinner brandies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou reckon you can hold your own, little brother?\u201d smiled Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAw, Hoss, c\u2019mon!\u201d protested Joe as he pulled the wooden box of chess pieces down from the bookcase in Ben\u2019s office.\u00a0 \u201cYou know I almost always beat you!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben smiled and handed Adam a brandy.\u00a0 Adam accepted it, and settled into the blue chair by the fireplace, enjoying the warmth from the flames, the gentle crackling soothing his nerves and letting him relax.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat prowled the room restlessly, still too sore to want to sit, and too wide awake to want to go to bed.\u00a0 Ben eyed the boy with sympathy, and then glanced at his oldest son, who was sitting back, his eyes closed, resting.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s eye then fell on Adam\u2019s guitar, propped against the side of the hearth.\u00a0 Ben glanced again at Pat, now leaning over the back of Hoss\u2019 chair, concentrating on the game between his uncles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAdam, it\u2019s been ages since I\u2019ve heard you play,\u201d he said softly. \u201cWould you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss and Joe looked up from their game smiling.\u00a0 Joe and Ben shared a quick glance at Pat, and Joe grinned at Ben.\u00a0 He knew just what his father was up to.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam opened his tired eyes, and looked at his father, smiling.\u00a0 \u201cSure, Pa.\u00a0 What would you like to hear?\u201d\u00a0 He leaned toward the hearth and picked up his guitar, sitting a bit forward to give the neck of the instrument clearance.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAnything,\u201d sighed Ben, closing his eyes and leaning back.\u00a0 Adam thought for a moment while his fingers, a little rusty, danced over the strings.\u00a0 Pat\u2019s eyes shone as he watched his father\u2019s sensitive hands make the instrument sing.\u00a0 He continued to lean on the back of Hoss\u2019 chair, but he turned himself toward the hearth and the music.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam played and sang a beautiful, sad song about longing, and pine trees, and lost love that Joe\u2019s mother had loved, and which his youngest brother usually asked him to play.\u00a0 Joe leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes and letting himself drift a bit along with the music.\u00a0 Hoss, too, allowed his mind to wander, as he always did when his brother allowed the sensitivity in his heart to come through the music he played.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThat was real nice, Adam,\u201d said Joe softly, his eyes sparkling a bit; as a child, he\u2019d always asked his big brother to \u201csing that song, Adam,\u201d whenever he was feeling sad or lonesome for his mother.\u00a0 As he grew older, that tune always managed to settle his restless spirit and give him peace.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam smiled at his youngest brother and strummed a little.\u00a0 Ben glanced at Pat, who had stepped back a bit and was resting his chin on his folded arms, still crossed atop the back of Hoss\u2019 chair.\u00a0 His eyes gazed into the fire, and Ben was disturbed to notice their sad expression.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cKnow any songs, Pat?\u201d Ben prompted, trying to dispel the mood.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Startled, Pat thumped back to earth. \u201cOh, I can\u2019t, Granddad.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know how to play that thing,\u201d he stammered, gesturing at the guitar.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHow about a song anyway?\u00a0 You can sing, can\u2019t you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam studied his son, seeing his discomfort.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, yeah, but\u2014\u201c Pat squirmed a bit, scratching his ear.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHey, how about that song you was singin\u2019 the other day?\u00a0 Something about a gypsy?\u201d Joe asked.\u00a0 \u201cIt sounded real good even without a guitar.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat\u2019s eyes widened.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">They\u2019d heard!?\u00a0 Oh, Jaysus\u2026<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam glanced at his father and Joe, puzzled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell\u2026\u201d Pat said slowly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cGo ahead, Pat!\u201d encouraged Hoss, turning around and settling in to listen.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Shrugging his shoulders, Pat thought for a moment and settled his jitters.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath, then began the beautiful, romantic Irish love song, and Adam gaped, then smiled in pleasure.\u00a0 The boy was good!\u00a0 He was young yet, but his voice promised to be a deep baritone when it changed.\u00a0 Right now, it was a low tenor, but as sweet and clear and true as a church bell.\u00a0 Adam listened hard and realized with a start that he remembered the tune\u2026 he recalled Siobhan singing it to him, all those years ago.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">After a few very soft false starts, he concentrated and began to accompany his son, his fingers finding the memory of the melody.\u00a0 Pat\u2019s eyes opened in surprise, but he kept on singing, smiling as his father played.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">By the third chorus, Adam was singing along with him; by the last, Pat shifted to an upper harmony, allowing his father to carry the melody, to the complete delight of the rest of the family.\u00a0 The chess game was left abandoned while Hoss, smiling, hung on every note and Joe shared a knowing glance with Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">As the last note rang into silence, father and son singing together, the lightning and thunder crashed again, startling them both out of the spell woven by the music.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPat\u2026that was beautiful,\u201d said Adam softly.\u00a0 \u201cYour mother used to sing that to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">In surprise, Pat looked at his father.\u00a0 Adam rarely mentioned Siobhan.\u00a0 \u201cShe sang me to sleep with that more times\u2019n I can remember,\u201d he agreed quietly.\u00a0 Adam noticed the sad look that entered the boy\u2019s eyes and watched him shake it off.\u00a0 \u201cDid she teach ya any others?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam leaned back a moment and allowed himself, for the first time in years, to think back to that time.\u00a0 He had wrapped that part of his memory in thick, dark swaddling, trying to keep back the hurt of losing the incredible black-haired witch that had stolen his twenty-year-old heart. But\u2026 this was his son who\u2019d asked him.\u00a0 He found he couldn\u2019t refuse him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cWell, I remember a couple of Brotherhood songs,\u201d he said, with a wry smile.\u00a0 Frowning in concentration, his fingers found the chords and started the introduction to a tune.\u00a0 Grinning in delight, Pat immediately recognized<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u201cThe Risin\u2019 o\u2019 the Moon\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and nodding, started singing.\u00a0 Adam fumbled a bit with the words but followed Pat as closely as possible.\u00a0 He remembered more of \u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye\u201d, \u201cThe Wild Colonial Boy,\u201d \u201cA Nation Once Again\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and grinned his way through <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cBrennan on the Moor,\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> enjoying the personality Pat infused into the Irish ballad of a brash young highwayman.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cOne day upon the highway,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">as Willie, he went down,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He met the mayor of Cashel,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a mile outside the town,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The mayor, he knew his features,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0and he said, \u2018Young Man,\u2019 said he,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2018Your name is Willie Brennan<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">you must come along with me!\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Oh it\u2019s Brennan on the moor,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Brennan on the moor,<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bold, brave and undaunted was young<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Brennan on the moor<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hearing the brogue enter the boy\u2019s deep, expressive voice, and seeing the fire and passion in his eyes as he sang the songs of Irish rebellion, brought back bittersweet memories of the boy\u2019s mother to Adam, and he sighed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat, too, found the evening a mixture of memories.\u00a0 But he decided that it hurt much less than he\u2019d expected it to.\u00a0 When Pat\u2019s face split in a jaw-cracking yawn, Adam glanced at the clock and noticed it was an hour past Pat\u2019s usual bedtime.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cTime for you to be heading upstairs, young man,\u201d he said with a smile.\u00a0 Pat sighed and nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, I guess,\u201d he said, stretching a bit.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m pretty tired.\u00a0 See ya in the morning, everybody.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cGoodnight, Pat,\u201d smiled Ben, contentedly sipping another brandy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201c\u2019Night, squirt,\u201d grinned Hoss.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSee ya in the morning, Pat,\u201d called Joe, turning his attention back to the game.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cGoodnight, son,\u201d Adam smiled, all the way to his eyes.\u00a0 Pat turned back at the half-landing and smile,d too, if tiredly, at his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201c\u2019Night, Dad,\u201d he nodded, continuing on up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben, Hoss and Joe all looked up in surprise at the retreating back of the boy and then at Adam, who was studiously tuning his guitar.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cWell,\u201d said Ben in pleased surprise, after hearing the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">snick!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> of Patrick\u2019s door closing upstairs.\u00a0 \u201cWhen did <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">that<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> start?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam continued to play with the tuning pegs, but his mouth twisted into a grin.\u00a0 \u201cAfter about six swats,\u201d he replied, eyebrows raised, and with that he got to his feet, set his guitar back in its place and walked upstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss and Joe stared at each other in surprise, and Ben just laughed, shaking his head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">A few days later, Adam hitched up the buckboard to head to town for some supplies to get ready for the fall round up, now just a few days away.\u00a0 Pat was hovering around the barn, not wanting to ask, but desperately hoping his father would let him come to town.\u00a0 He was bored and lonesome stuck in the yard all day.\u00a0 But he also knew that his father was right; if something happened in town while he was home, he\u2019d be cleared, and they\u2019d be a long way toward solving this nonsense in town.\u00a0 So, he silently helped his father with the gear and kept his hopes to himself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam wasn\u2019t blind; he knew Pat wanted to come.\u00a0 But he decided to let the boy wonder a little bit longer.\u00a0 As Adam fetched his coat and gun belt, he glanced at Pat ingenuously.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat looked up, questioning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAren\u2019t you going to get your coat?\u201d his father smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat, confused, stared at his father for a moment, then he grinned and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir!\u201d he exclaimed, running for the house.\u00a0 He was back in a flash, his sheepskin coat over his arm and his hat on his head.\u00a0 He clambered into the seat beside his father, who promptly handed him the reins.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Clicking his tongue, Pat happily urged the team on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">At the mercantile, Adam and Pat filled the order of food supplies, ammunition and other gear needed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cLand sakes, Adam!\u201d smiled Nancy Jenkins, \u201cthat boy\u2019s near as tall as you are!\u00a0 Won\u2019t be long before he\u2019s taller than his pa!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat shifted uncomfortably, wishing he could sink into the ground. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0Jeez, why did people always do that? <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">he wondered crossly.\u00a0 At least he was too big for the women to pinch his cheeks and call him \u201ccute!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, he\u2019s growing all right,\u201d nodded Adam, with a smile.\u00a0 He saw his son\u2019s discomfort and decided to offer him an out.\u00a0 \u201cPat, why don\u2019t you get that stuff loaded while I check for the mail and stop in at the bank?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOkay,\u201d he nodded, grateful for the escape route.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He hauled the supplies out to the wagon, and started loading, concentrating and estimating how to fit it all in.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, hello there!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He picked his head up in surprise and gaped.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Her green eyes teased him.\u00a0 \u201cThere you go again,\u201d she giggled.\u00a0 \u201cCatchin\u2019 flies!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He laughed, and pushed his hat a little further back his head. \u201cHi, Cassie,\u201d he grinned.\u00a0 A woman walked up behind Cassie, a tiny, sweet looking woman with tired, sad eyes.\u00a0 Cassie glanced back and smiled at her.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cMa, this is the boy I was telling you about.\u00a0 Pat Cartwright,\u201d she smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHello, Pat,\u201d smiled the woman.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHow do ya do, ma\u2019am?\u201d he smiled, removing his hat politely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPat?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He turned and saw his father coming out of the mercantile, looking in surprise at his son and the young girl and the woman.\u00a0 \u201cDad, this is Cassie Yates, the girl I \u2026 uh, the girl I met the other day,\u201d he said, blushing a little.\u00a0 \u201cOh, and this is her mother, Mrs. Yates.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOh, I see,\u201d smiled Adam.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a pleasure, ma\u2019am, Cassie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHow do you do, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d smiled Julie Yates.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cDad, you\u2019re goin\u2019 to the bank, right?\u201d\u00a0 asked Pat, staring at Cassie.\u00a0 Adam studied his son and smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYes\u2026so?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWould it be okay if Cassie and I went for a walk while you finished up over there?\u201d asked Pat, finally turning to his father. \u201cWe won\u2019t be long.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNow, Pat,\u201d began Adam, uneasily glancing at Mrs. Yates.\u00a0 The woman smiled indulgently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cCassandra, I was hoping you\u2019d help me with the marketing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWe wouldn\u2019t be long, Ma, honest!\u201d the girl assured her, her eyes shining.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThanks!\u201d grinned Pat, and the two walked off, Pat\u2019s hands still gripping his hat and Cassie\u2019s clasped behind her.\u00a0 The adults watched them go and then glanced at each other a little in embarrassment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Mrs. Yates,\u201d Adam apologized, \u201cI\u2019m afraid he\u2019s a little impulsive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Cartwright, aren\u2019t most young men?\u00a0 It was a pleasure meeting you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAnd you, ma\u2019am,\u201d he smiled, touching his hat brim, as the woman continued into the store.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam sighed, and glanced down the street, watching his son and the young girl, and shook his head<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0 God, wasn\u2019t it ever gonna let up?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> he thought to himself.\u00a0 Life with Pat was one surprise after another! And then a disturbing thought occurred to him.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I wonder just how much he knows?!<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Shaking his head, Adam went on down the street to the bank.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI was hopin\u2019 I\u2019d see ya again,\u201d Pat said, strolling along, careful his long legs didn\u2019t make her stride uncomfortably fast.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cMe, too,\u201d she said shyly.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve become pretty famous in this town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat glanced at her in surprise.\u00a0 \u201cWhaddya mean?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She giggled.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s see\u2026poker player\u2026fighter\u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat groaned and put his hat on his head, the brim low on his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t believe everythin\u2019 ya hear,\u201d he said, reddening.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI believe what I see, Pat Cartwright,\u201d she said merrily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat else have ya heard?\u201d he asked quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThat you\u2019ve just come out from New York City.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou know why?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI know your Ma died, and you were sent to live with your father,\u201d she said carefully.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s lips thinned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSo ya know,\u201d he said, gruffly.\u00a0 She glanced at him, feeling sorry for him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cIt don\u2019t matter, Pat,\u201d she said gently.\u00a0 He looked at her.\u00a0 \u201cMa says that we should get to know people for who they are, not what they were.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, then your ma\u2019s one in a million, let me tell ya,\u201d he said, breathing a little more easily.\u00a0 \u201cHow about you?\u00a0 You said you and your Ma lived in St. Joe\u2026Missouri?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYup!\u201d she nodded, soberly. \u201cMy Pa died and Ma didn\u2019t know what to do.\u201d\u00a0 Pat wondered at the suddenly shuttered look on her face, a cold mask as she mentioned her father.\u00a0 It passed quickly as she continued.\u00a0 \u201cSo, we came out here to live with her sister, but Aunt Margie had died of the fever while we was only halfway out.\u00a0 She left Ma the house, but that was it.\u00a0 Ma\u2019s doin\u2019 seamstress work now.\u00a0 We\u2019re doin\u2019 all right.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The girl lifted her head proudly, tossing her white-blonde curls.\u00a0 Pat was enchanted.\u00a0 Suddenly he realized that they were quite a ways outside of town, and glanced back.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019d better be gettin\u2019 back, Cassie.\u00a0 Dad\u2019ll be finished at the bank by now, and he\u2019ll be waitin\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cMa\u2019ll need me to help her, too,\u201d she sighed.\u00a0 She smiled.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll have to do this again sometime!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, we will,\u201d he nodded, losing himself in her green eyes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">They chatted as they walked back to the buckboard, where Adam was waiting, a foot propped up on the mud board.\u00a0 As the children came up alongside the wagon, Mrs. Yates came out to look for her daughter and she smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019m pleased you did as you said you would, dear,\u201d she smiled.\u00a0 \u201cNow, I\u2019m afraid you must come along, Cassie.\u00a0 We have a lot of packages to carry home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYes, Ma,\u201d Cassie nodded.\u00a0 \u201cBye, Pat.\u00a0 It was good to see you again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He removed his hat again, deviltry lilting in his Irish eyes.\u00a0 Adam rolled his own eyes and sighed. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">God help me\u2026<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cIt was a great pleasure, ma\u2019am,\u201d Pat said gallantly.\u00a0 She giggled and tripped up the steps, following her mother into the mercantile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat remained standing there, staring after her long after she\u2019d gone through the mercantile\u2019s doors.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s mouth twisted in a wry grin as he studied him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cShould I start watering you?\u201d his father asked dryly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat continued to watch, then, startled, looked back at his father questioningly. \u201cHunh?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI thought roots might have taken hold right there in the street,\u201d his father continued, his face serious but his eyes snapping with mischief.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Blushing furiously, Pat clapped his hat back on his head and climbed into the wagon, staring at his boots.\u00a0 Chuckling, Adam flicked the reins and started the team on the ride home.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER EIGHTEEN<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">October 18, 1871<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe Cartwright galloped into Virginia City, grateful for the freedom of an evening in town.\u00a0 He and his brothers had just spent two long weeks on the trail, rounding up the cattle and moving them to their winter grazing.\u00a0 It was the first time in ages that Joe had been able to get into town for an evening of poker, a few beers, and a chance to visit with a lady friend or two.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe dismounted Cochise and slapped the reins around the hitching post outside the Silver Dollar Saloon, grinning at the fellows gathered around the water trough, sharing tales.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHow\u2019d the round-up go, Little Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWent real well, Mr. McDonough,\u201d nodded Joe, with a broad grin.\u00a0 \u201cTook about three days less than we expected.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHey, that is real fine!\u201d approved the man.\u00a0 Jefferson McDonough was the owner of the Triple M Ranch, one of the smaller spreads to the West of town.\u00a0 Mr. McDonough and his family had been friends with the Cartwrights for nearly twenty years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat\u2019s been going on here in town?\u201d Joe asked, pausing on his way into the saloon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAh, nuthin\u2019,\u201d waved off McDonough with a small grunt.\u00a0 \u201cDull as dust.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNo more robberies, huh?\u201d Joe asked casually.\u00a0 At that, the other members of the group glanced at each other, and dissembled a bit.\u00a0 Joe glanced around him at the other men.\u00a0 \u201cWell, were there any?\u201d he asked reasonably.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, there was one,\u201d said one of them, a teller at the bank.\u00a0 \u201cI heard tell Bill Jenkins lost some pocket knives from his display at the Mercantile.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhen?\u201d asked Joe, interested.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSometime last week.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe thought a moment.\u00a0 Pat was in the clear!\u00a0 He\u2019d been home with Hop Sing, much to the kid\u2019s dismay.\u00a0 He\u2019d wheedled, argued, cajoled and done everything short of throwing a doozy of a temper tantrum trying to convince Adam to let him go along on the round-up.\u00a0 But Adam had been firm; Pat was to stay home with Hop Sing, continue his studying and do the chores around the yard.\u00a0 He\u2019d sulked for two days before they left, making Adam\u2019s life a hell, and not being particularly pleasant to the rest of the family, either.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSo\u2026that nephew of yours go on the drive with you, Joe?\u201d asked one of the other men, unable to look Joe in the eye.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNo.\u00a0 He stayed home with Hop Sing,\u201d said Joe, seeing the way the wind was blowing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou sure o\u2019 that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe\u2019s temper was simmering.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I\u2019m sure,\u201d he replied in a hard voice.\u00a0 Joe kept his temper and turned to McDonouogh.\u00a0 \u201cGood to see you, sir.\u00a0 I\u2019ll tell Pa I ran into you,\u201d he said quietly, and went into the saloon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cJoe!\u00a0 Why, I ain\u2019t seen you in a month o\u2019 Sundays!\u201d crowed Charlie, waving at Joe from behind the bar.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHi, Charlie!\u201d grinned Joe, shaking off his bad mood.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhy, Little Joe Cartwright!\u201d called a female voice.\u00a0 Joe turned and smiled.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHey, Betty!\u00a0 How\u2019s the prettiest girl in Virginia City?\u201d he asked, leaning against the bar, picking up the beer Charlie had poured for him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPinin\u2019 away for the handsomest man in the territory,\u201d she grinned back, putting her hand out for a shot of whiskey.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cGot a minute to talk, Betty?\u201d Joe asked seriously.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She glanced at Charlie, and the barkeep grinned.\u00a0 \u201cGo ahead, girl.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">They walked to a table in the corner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSo, Miss Betty, how\u2019s life been in Virginia City?\u201d he asked, grinning at her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cQuiet,\u201d she admitted, \u201cmostly because you\u2019ve been gone.\u00a0 You and every other good-looking man in the territory!\u201d\u00a0 She sipped her whiskey.\u00a0 \u201cNo new\u2026no, wait!\u00a0 That ain\u2019t true.\u00a0 I hear tell there\u2019s gonna be a barn raisin\u2019 on Saturday.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBarn raising?\u201d Joe grinned.\u00a0 \u201cWhose?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cTom and Mary Fleming,\u201d she said with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re good people.\u00a0 When their barn burned two weeks ago &#8211; \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat?!\u201d Joe exclaimed.\u00a0 The Flemings\u2019 small ranch was on the north side of the Ponderosa near Washoe Lake, and not that far from the ranch house.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, strange fire, started from nothing they said.\u00a0 Thought it might be lightning, but no one could say for sure.\u201d\u00a0 Joe stared into space for a moment, frowning.\u00a0 \u201cAnyway, there\u2019s a barn raising during the day and dance there that night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cA dance!\u00a0 We haven\u2019t had a dance around here in ages!\u201d Joe crowed, thinking of all the fun.\u00a0 Then he was able to push the thoughts of swirling dresses and dancing eyes out of his thoughts and got back to his planned task.\u00a0 He took a sip of beer.\u00a0 \u201cNothing new on those robberies?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, Bill Jenkins says he thinks that two or three pocketknives were stolen from his display case last Thursday, but other than that no.\u00a0 And Bill himself says he might have just lost track of \u2018em.\u00a0 They\u2019d had a pretty busy time as all the ranches were coming in for provisions for the trail drives,\u201d she said, seriously.\u00a0 She gazed at him.\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOh\u2026no reason.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSure,\u201d she said with a grimace.\u00a0 She, like many in town, was having trouble with the presence of a fifth Cartwright.\u00a0 Here at the Silver Dollar, Vera had been working hard to turn people against Adam and his son.\u00a0 Betty knew it was mostly sour grapes, but it was worrisome, just the same.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, now what\u2019s that supposed to mean?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNothin\u2019,\u201d she said glumly.\u00a0 She got to her feet. \u201cI better get back to work, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Bewildered, Joe watched her go.\u00a0 Scratching his head, he leaned back in his chair, sipping his beer and thinking.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, Little Joe, good to see you around again!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe looked up, startled and smiled to see Roy Coffee.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHey, Roy!\u00a0 How are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cJust fine, Joe, just fine,\u201d nodded Roy.\u00a0 \u201cTell me, Little Joe,\u201d he asked, sliding into the seat next to him.\u00a0 \u201cHow long you been in Virginia City?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe looked at him, his smile frozen.\u00a0 \u201cAbout ten minutes, why?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBecause I hear tell you\u2019re already askin\u2019 around about them robberies,\u201d said Roy, eyeing the younger man.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe\u2019s smile completely faded at this point.\u00a0 He glanced down at his beer.\u00a0 He knew full well that his father had told Roy he\u2019d forbidden Joe to involve himself in the investigation of the robberies.\u00a0 Roy smiled fondly, seeing the frustration and confusion on the young man\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cListen, Joe, I know you\u2019re wishin\u2019 there was somethin\u2019 you could do\u2014\u201c he began.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cThere\u2019s <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">got<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to be somethin\u2019 we can do, Roy!\u201d he snapped, angrily.\u00a0 \u201cEven when Pat\u2019s been home behaving himself, half this stupid town is still blaming him!\u00a0 I\u2019m beginning to think even if the Reverend Parkins vouched for an alibi for him, they\u2019d find fault!\u00a0 When are they going to realize that the words \u2018bastard\u2019 and \u2018thief\u2019 aren\u2019t interchangeable?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe angrily swallowed a gulp of beer, and he hunched over his glass.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Roy eyed him.\u00a0 \u201cYou really want to help?\u201d\u00a0 he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe rolled his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d rather keep my ears from bein\u2019 shorn off, thanks,\u201d he said sourly.\u00a0 \u201cPa\u2019d have kittens.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWal, there might be something you could do,\u201d said Roy seriously.\u00a0 \u201can\u2019 it wouldn\u2019t have to put you at odds with yer Pa. You could get a feelin\u2019 from the folks in town, who\u2019s thinkin\u2019 what, who believes what.\u00a0 That in itself might help me figger out where these rumors are startin\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, how could that help?\u201d asked Joe, confused.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cIf I knew around where the rumors were startin\u2019, I might have an idea <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">what<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> started \u2018em,\u201d said Roy, thoughtfully.\u00a0 Joe concentrated on that and nodded.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, I see what you mean,\u201d he said quietly. The friends of the Cartwrights might say something to young Joe Cartwright that they\u2019d be less likely to say to the Sheriff. \u00a0 \u201cYou serious? You want me to help?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Roy looked at him and pointed a stern finger at him.\u00a0 \u201cOnly if you promise to keep that hot head of yours under control.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe sheepishly shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cAw, Roy\u2014\u201c<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI mean it, Little Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAll right, I promise,\u201d Joe said with a grin. \u201cBut\u2026\u201d he frowned a moment, scratching an ear.\u00a0 \u201cRoy\u2026 would you be willin\u2019 to talk to Pa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Roy grinned.\u00a0 \u201cYou think he won\u2019t believe ya?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe sighed.\u00a0 \u201cOh, not really, but if you asked him, the chance of him not goin\u2019 off like a Roman Candle might be better,\u201d Joe admitted, wryly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAll right then, I\u2019ll head out to the ranch this afternoon and talk to \u2018im.\u00a0 But the \u2018sharin\u2019 stops with yer Pa.\u00a0 Not your brothers, and for sure not that hooligan of a nephew o\u2019 yours,\u201d he grinned, nodding.\u00a0 \u201cNow, here\u2019s what I want ya to do\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSo, what\u2019s all the news from town, little brother?\u201d asked Hoss the following morning at breakfast.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNothing much,\u201d said Joe, studying his plate.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben glanced at him, a bit surprised.\u00a0 \u201cDidn\u2019t you have a good time last night, son?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe, startled, picked his head up and looked around the table.\u00a0 \u201cSure.\u00a0 Why?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou seem a little pre-occupied this morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe had been thinking about his talk with Roy last night and the plans they\u2019d made.\u00a0 Joe glanced at his father, thinking fast..\u00a0 \u201cUh\u2026I am, Pa!\u201d he covered quickly.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s a barn raising on Saturday at the Flemings, and there\u2019s gonna be a dance afterwards.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been trying to figure out who I\u2019m gonna take.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ben narrowed his eyes a bit.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Joe really was the world\u2019s worst liar\u2026I\u2019ll have to let him know Roy stopped by last night, before he truly puts his foot in it\u2026<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat raised his head at his uncle\u2019s words, and Hoss caught the look of confusion on the youngster\u2019s face.\u00a0 He could see the wheels turning as Pat tried to take the literal translation of the words and turn them into something that made sense.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cGuess out there in the big city you ain\u2019t never been to a barn-raisin\u2019, huh Pat!\u201d laughed Hoss.<\/span><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNot many,\u201d Pat agreed dryly, a forkful of ham halfway to his mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cUsually, building a good-sized barn takes a while,\u201d said Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cSo, we neighbors all get together and the menfolk bring their tools, and the womenfolk cook to beat all, I\u2019ll tell you\u2026fried chicken\u2026corn on the cob\u2026. ham\u2026mmmmm!\u00a0 Then, when the barn frame\u2019s up, and we\u2019ve at least got the roof in place, we take a little break, get into our good duds, and have a dance!\u00a0 Right there in the frame o\u2019 the new barn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat studied his uncle, figuring he was pulling his leg, then glanced over at his father for corroboration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThat\u2019s how it works, Pat,\u201d nodded Adam, as he liberally poured maple syrup over his hot cakes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI heard from the hands about the fire at the Flemings\u2019,\u201d nodded Ben, sipping his coffee.\u00a0 \u201cJake seems to feel that several people are concerned it was arson.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cArson!\u201d exclaimed Adam, sitting back.\u00a0 \u201cWas it that suspicious?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, you know Tom Fleming\u2026nobody more inclined to dot every \u201ci\u201d and cross every \u201ct\u201d\u2026I can\u2019t imagine him leaving a lit lantern near the hay, now, can you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam thoughtfully nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWell, that\u2019s true enough.\u00a0 But I can\u2019t imagine why anyone would want to hurt Tom Fleming.\u00a0 There isn\u2019t a better neighbor in the area.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">With all the conversation of the upcoming dance and the fire, no one seemed to notice that Pat had grown very quiet.\u00a0 He returned his attention to his breakfast, and frowned, deep in thought.\u00a0 As conversation wound down, Adam glanced over at Pat, staring into space and twirling his fork in the remains of his breakfast.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPat?\u201d\u00a0 It took two mentions of his name to bring Pat back from his reveries.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSorry,\u201d he said, shaking himself a little.\u00a0 \u201cGot lost a little there\u2026 What\u2019d ya say?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI asked if you were planning to finish eating that or if you were just playing with it?\u201d smiled his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat stared at him blankly for a moment, uncomprehending, then glanced down at his plate.\u00a0 He chuckled sheepishly.\u00a0 \u201cOh.\u00a0 Nah, I guess I\u2019m finished.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam could see something was on his mind, but decided to talk to him about it later, without an audience.\u00a0 \u201cI need to go into Carson City today, so we\u2019ll take a day off from schoolwork.\u00a0 How does that sound?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s eyes brightened.\u00a0 \u201cI ain\u2019t complainin\u2019,\u201d he grinned.\u00a0 \u201cMy head\u2019s about to burst with muliplyin\u2019 tables.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cMultiplication tables.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, whatever.\u201d\u00a0 Pat drank down a swallow of his milk. \u201cAre we still gonna be able to talk about that book I was readin\u2019?\u00a0 There\u2019s a couple\u2019a things that don\u2019t make no sense to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam stifled a smile.\u00a0 Grammar was going to be a challenge, but he wanted to be sure Pat was solidly into reading words themselves before he started making major efforts to correct his speech.\u00a0 Adam had a sense that much of his speech patterns were upbringing, too, and he wanted to tread very carefully, there.\u00a0 The last thing he needed was for Pat to perceive in his father a bias against pure <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">New Yorkese.<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSure.\u00a0 I should be back from Carson early this afternoon.\u00a0 We can do that after supper tonight, all right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYep.\u201d\u00a0 Pat drank down his milk and swiped a sleeve across his mouth, stopped by a stern glance from his father; sheepishly, he picked up his napkin.\u00a0 \u201cSorry.\u201d\u00a0 He finished the job he started with the sleeve and leaned forward towards Joe. \u201cWhat kinds\u2019a things you do at these barn things?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhaddya mean?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, it\u2019s a dance, ya said.\u00a0 What kind?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, how many different kinds are there?\u201d asked Joe, sarcastically.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat gave him a smug look.\u00a0 \u201cQuite a few, Joe.\u201d \u00a0 The deliberate omission of the \u201cuncle\u201d irritated Joe, and he scowled at Pat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAh ah\u2014\u201c warned Adam, not looking up stirring his coffee, but his meaning clear to his son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cSorry&#8230;<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Uncle<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Joe,\u201d said Pat airily.\u00a0 With a devilish grin and very deliberately, he adopted his father\u2019s \u201cexpository\u201d style, subjecting Joe to a schoolmasterly, if painfully ungrammatical, lecture on ethnic cultures and dancing.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cIn New York, there was these fancy balls uptown where they did waltzes and reels and polkas &#8216;n\u2019stuff.\u00a0 Then, there was the block parties where whole streets got closed off and they\u00a0 was dancing in the streets.\u00a0 What type o\u2019 dancin\u2019 depends on the neighborhood.\u00a0 Where all the Italians got together, they did these really com\u2026 com\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Pat frowned a moment trying to remember the word he wanted.\u00a0 It was one his father had just taught him this week and it meant exactly what he wanted to say\u2026 Suddenly he brightened. \u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Complex<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, that\u2019s it!\u00a0 Complex folk dances.\u00a0 Then, over in the Jewish part o\u2019 town, only the men danced&#8230;some religious thing, I\u2019m guessin\u2019, since even at their churches the men and women ain\u2019t even sittin\u2019 in the same place.\u00a0 Now, in <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">my<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> neck of the woods, in the Irish part o\u2019 Hell\u2019s Kitchen, there was jiggin\u2019 contests.\u00a0 In the &#8211; \u201c<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss, Adam and Ben surreptitiously hid their grins as Joe\u2019s face grew redder while his young nephew pointed out his ignorance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI get the picture, Professor Cartwright,\u201d snapped Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat smirked.\u00a0 \u201cSo?\u00a0 What kinda dancin\u2019?\u201d he repeated coolly, staring his uncle in the eye.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u201cWell&#8230;<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">dancin\u2019<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, you know!\u201d\u00a0 sputtered Joe, turning to Adam for help, as Hoss guffawed at his younger brother\u2019s obvious irritation.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cUsually it\u2019s a square dance, Pat,\u201d chuckled Adam, setting aside his napkin and sipping his coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cA who?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cA square dance.\u00a0 Four couples form a square, called a \u2018tip\u2019.\u00a0 There\u2019s a caller who is up with the musicians literally calling the steps everyone dances to.\u00a0 Usually, the dancing remains within the tip and can get pretty intricate sometimes.\u00a0 With reels, it\u2019s more of a line of eight to ten people, and again, the steps are often very intricate.\u00a0 Then, there\u2019s perhaps a couple of waltzes and two-steps thrown in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOh.\u201d Pat sat there a moment thinking, then got to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I guess I better get out there and get that wood cut.\u00a0 Hop Sing was askin\u2019 after it this mornin\u2019.\u00a0 May I be excused?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam\u2019s hand, holding his cup of coffee, stopped halfway to his mouth in shock as he stared at his son.\u00a0 Then, recovering quickly, he replied, \u201cYes, you may,\u201d pleasantly surprised.\u00a0 Adam smiled as the boys sauntered off for his coat.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cMay I\u201d\u2026 <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0and he hadn\u2019t even had to prompt him!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Out in the barn that afternoon, Hoss, Joe and Pat had been put to work cleaning and mending harness used on the drive.\u00a0 Pat perched cross-legged on top of an old trunk, working with a rag wet with saddle soap used to scrub harness, while Joe stood in front of a post, with one end of his braided leather tied to the post and using the tension of pulling against it to precipitate a good tight braid.\u00a0 Hoss was rubbing soap into the leather of the saddles.\u00a0 In companionable silence the younger Cartwrights worked, with Pat occasionally looking up as though he wanted to ask something and then backing off before being noticed.\u00a0 Finally, he figured the mood was right; he\u2019d have to find this out or suffer for it on Saturday.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cUncle Joe?\u201d he asked quietly, careful to remember the title, since he wanted something out of him this time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cUh&#8230;about this square dancin\u2019&#8230;\u201d he mused, deliberately casual.\u00a0 \u201cIt ain\u2019t hard to learn, is it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe and Hoss glanced at each other, slow grins coming to their faces.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat scowled.\u00a0 \u201cHey, I just asked.\u00a0 No need to start in,\u201d he said crossly, unwinding his long legs and getting up to hang the piece of harness he\u2019d just finished cleaning and reaching for another.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhoa, boy!\u00a0 Nobody\u2019s startin\u2019 in,\u201d protested Hoss, grinning as he rubbed harder on the saddle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNo, it isn\u2019t hard to learn,\u201d reassured Joe.\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat glanced at him, then rolled his eyes and \u2018made a face\u2019 in exasperation.\u00a0 \u201cSo\u2019s I can go back to New York and show \u2018em how Virginia City high society paints the town,\u201d he said sarcastically.\u00a0 \u201cWhy do ya think, ya moron?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe refused to be baited; in fact, he was enjoying that he was getting Pat\u2019s goat a little.\u00a0 \u201cJust wonderin\u2019&#8230;think there might be somebody there ya want to dance with?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat blushed furiously and focused his attention on the harness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHow \u2018bout that little gal you met up with at the stream t\u2019other day?\u201d asked Hoss, grinning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat felt his cheeks flaming.\u00a0 \u201cWell&#8230;yeah,\u201d he grudgingly admitted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWho is she?\u201d asked Joe, deciding to ease off a little.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want another poke in the eye, after all. His kid nephew had a pretty impressive right cross\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHer name\u2019s Cassie, Cassie Yates,\u201d said Pat, pulling hard on the leather thongs to make sure the leather cleaner had reached all the nooks and crannies.\u00a0 \u201cHer ma\u2019s does sewin\u2019, I think she said, lives just outside o\u2019town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWho\u2019s her pa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cDied, back in St. Joe,\u201d replied Pat, scrutinizing his work and nodding as if pleased with it.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s just Cassie and her mother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cSo, what you\u2019ve been working so hard to avoid askin<\/span><b>\u2019,\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> said Joe dryly, \u201cis that you want me to teach you how to dance?\u201d\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">know<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> how to dance!\u201d Pat said scornfully.\u00a0 \u201cI can waltz with the best of \u2018em, and I can do a jig that\u2019d make your eyes pop.\u00a0 But&#8230; well, I never heard of nothin\u2019 called square dancin\u2019 before.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe eyed his nephew, glanced at Hoss, and shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, let\u2019s see what we got to work with here.\u201d\u00a0 He strode over to his nephew and hauled him to his feet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">For the next half hour, Joe and Hoss walked him through the most common of the square dance calls.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cDo si do, Pat, do si do!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">am<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2018do si do\u2019in\u2019, all right?!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cAllemande left, you dummy!\u00a0 Your <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">other<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> left!!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOh, for Chrissake, this is the stupidest &#8211; \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNow, c\u2019mon, squirt! Ain\u2019t that little gal worth it?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat sank down onto a bench, his head in his hands.\u00a0 \u201cI am <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">never<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> gonna get this straight!\u201d he moaned.\u00a0 \u201cI just can\u2019t go, that\u2019s all there is to it.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe and Hoss looked at each other uneasily.\u00a0 \u201cAw, c\u2019mon Pat, it ain\u2019t that hard, really, and once you get in there and get started, you\u2019ll see what everybody else is doin\u2019 an\u2019 you\u2019ll &#8211; \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cMake a jackass outta myself!\u201d snapped Pat, lifting his head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Helplessly, Joe and Hoss sort of shrugged and scuffed at the straw on the floor of the barn.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWould you two idiots step aside, please?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">All three jerked their heads around and looked in surprise at the barn door.\u00a0 Adam stood there, a superior smile on his face, leaning against the door casing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cHow long have <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">you<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> been there?\u201d demanded Pat, flushing to the roots of his black hair.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cLong enough to see these two fools will never make dancing teachers,\u201d said his father dryly.\u00a0 He straightened up and walked into the barn.\u00a0 \u201cYou two are going about this all wrong.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOh, really?\u201d returned Joe, snidely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cReally,\u201d answered his older brother, eyebrow raised.\u00a0 He swung around to his son.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a math problem, Pat.\u00a0 A simple math problem.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Startled, Pat straightened up, staring at him.\u00a0 \u201cRight,\u201d he sighed, doubtfully shaking his head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">And in five minutes, Adam mapped out the steps in the guise of a mathematics formula, drawing the patterns on the barn floor; suddenly, Pat could <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">see<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> the intricate steps in his mind, one following the other naturally.\u00a0 Adam made Pat shadow his movements and put Joe to work as the \u201cgirl,\u201d much to his dismay, but Pat quickly picked up the steps, and once he relaxed, found many of the movements easy and intuitive.\u00a0 He still miss-stepped occasionally, but he had the idea.\u00a0 By the end of half an hour, he was actually having fun and thought he just might be able to pull this off on Saturday.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBoys.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">At the dry-as-the-desert tone of voice, all four slowly turned to the barn door, noting the raised eyebrow and sardonic look on Ben\u2019s face as he stood there, feet planted wide, and arms crossed over the barrel chest.\u00a0 \u201cAre we going to get any work done today, or will Cartwright\u2019s Dance Salon be open for the rest of the working day?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Sheepishly, all four hastily got back to work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben drove the buckboard, containing all the tools, while Adam, Hoss, Joe and Pat rode over to the Flemings\u2019. \u00a0 Chores had been done that morning in record time, and they were on their way by seven in the morning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat was excited.\u00a0 This was the first time he\u2019d ever been to something like this.\u00a0 The city boy in him grinned with indulgent delight at the concept of all the neighbors getting together to build a barn and then proceed to get drunk and have a dance in it.\u00a0 He tried to imagine what the equivalent would be in Hell\u2019s Kitchen and the best he could come up with was building a small outhouse in which to hold a good Irish wake.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">When they arrived, there were already several families there, and work had begun. The Devlins and the Marquettes were already there.\u00a0 Mitch Devlin teamed up with his best friend, Joe; Cal Devlin, Ross Marquette and Adam worked together, and young Micah, a friendly, bright sandy-haired fourteen-year-old, walked up to Pat and stuck out a hand.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m Mike Devlin; you must be Pat. Ya look too much like Adam to be anybody else.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, so I&#8217;m told,\u201d nodded Pat, quietly, but shaking his hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The boy smiled and nodded, gesturing over to Joe and Mitch.\u00a0 \u201cMy big brother, Mitch, and Little Joe have been friends forever.\u00a0 Cal\u2019s known yer Pa for donkey\u2019s years, too.\u00a0 It\u2019s real nice t\u2019meet ya.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat was still nervously apprehensive, though he did his best to smile and not appear standoffish; his Ma always warned him that when he was meetin\u2019 someone new his nerves always made him look more forbidding than a parish priest walkin\u2019 into a brothel, and it would rub folks the wrong way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou ever done somethin\u2019 like this before?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNope.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cGreat!\u00a0 Me neither!\u201d grinned Mike.\u00a0 Pat couldn\u2019t help it; that grin was infectious and he, too smiled, shaking his head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">More than thirty families joined the group, and the construction of the wall frames went quickly.\u00a0 Ben, George Devlin and Tom Fleming were job bosses, Ben handling the roof poles, George and Tom bossing the wall frame crews.\u00a0 By midday, the frames were ready to haul up on ropes and nail into place.\u00a0 They broke briefly for lunch, then the younger, more athletic men swarmed like monkeys over the frame, moving the roof poles into place and hammering on shingles.\u00a0 Everything went smooth as silk, and by supper time, they were nearly ready to close off the roof.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam was careful to note the reactions of the rest of the crowd to Pat and himself.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want a repeat of the nonsense in the churchyard, but thus far, nothing seemed to indicate that would be.\u00a0 Pat was working well with young Micah Devlin, and the boys seemed to be enjoying themselves.\u00a0 Adam would look over occasionally and see Pat\u2019s face deeply set in concentration, listening to Mike\u2019s suggestions on how to accomplish the job they\u2019d been set to.\u00a0 They joked and laughed together, and did a good job of their work.\u00a0 It made Adam feel good to see Pat enjoying himself with someone around his own age; the boy\u2019s isolation with adults had been bothering his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He himself had noted some very cool looks and cold shoulders, but he shrugged it off; he was a big boy, he could handle it.\u00a0 Cal and Ross were the same as ever, and they had always worked well together.\u00a0 Friends for nearly twenty years, he relaxed into an easy, companionable work mode with them and forgot his worries.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Everyone cheered as the last shingle was hammered into place and the barn stood.\u00a0 Tom and Mary Fleming were so pleased; Mary was teary-eyed as she urged all the men out to dinner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">A picnic supper had been laid out, and luckily the weather had held.\u00a0 It was cool, but not uncomfortably so, and everyone enjoyed their fried chicken, ham, biscuits, corn, tomatoes and an outstanding assortment of pies and cakes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">At the picnic, Adam noticed that Pat was sitting with a group of youngsters, including the little girl he\u2019d met in Virginia City\u2026Cassie?\u00a0 Was that her name?\u00a0 Ross came over, and followed his gaze.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cSo, Daddy, how\u2019s it goin\u2019?\u201d he asked with a grin.\u00a0 Adam turned back to Ross, smiling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cGreat, Ross,\u201d he said honestly.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t say it\u2019s been all champagne and bubbles, but I think it\u2019s all going to work out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cWell, he seems like a great kid,\u201d said Ross seriously.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cHe is, Ross,\u201d said Adam, smiling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">They watched the group of youngsters laughing, Pat\u2019s face alight with humor, his tousled hair shining blue-black in the late afternoon sun; and even at twenty-five feet, Ross could see the blue of his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cWhat was she like, Adam?\u201d he asked quietly.\u00a0 Ross could remember Adam\u2019s letters to him about Siobhan Riordan.\u00a0 He remembered Adam enthusiastically writing him about how he planned to build his own house about three miles from the Ponderosa main house, and bring Siobhan home to it.\u00a0 Then the letters stopped for awhile, and when they resumed, almost six months later, there was not another mention of her.\u00a0 After Adam got back from college, he tried once to bring the girl up, but the pain in Adam\u2019s eyes had stopped him.\u00a0 Now, nearly fourteen years later, was the first time Ross mentioned it again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sighed, staring at his son.\u00a0 \u201cShe was \u2026 she was amazing, Ross,\u201d he said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cLike a human flame, full of passion and fire, yet tender and gentle, too.\u00a0 She was bright, and funny, and talented.\u00a0 And God, she was beautiful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cHe\u2019s got her eyes?\u201d Ross asked gently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam nodded and turned back to his best friend.\u00a0 \u201cRoss, whenever I look at those eyes, I see her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ross chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cWhenever I look at him, I see the same kid I used to get into major trouble with!\u00a0 Hope he\u2019s not a chip off the old block!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cGod help me!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">By the time supper was cleared, the men had changed out of their working clothes and the ladies out of their aprons and the dance got underway.\u00a0 Pat hovered on the sidelines for a while, studying the dancing, and mentally mapping out the moves in his head. \u00a0 His father was right, it was pretty much like a math problem, with each step representing a proper numeral in a formula.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He kept glancing at Cassie, sitting across the new barn with her mother; once or twice, their eyes had met, and embarrassed he looked down immediately, flushing in confusion.\u00a0 What was the matter with him?!\u00a0 He\u2019d never had trouble talking to girls in Hell\u2019s Kitchen!\u00a0 Once he\u2019d figured out, at about age twelve, that girls were really all right, he\u2019d been one of the few boys in his neighborhood to enjoy \u2018em.\u00a0 He\u2019d stolen a few kisses on rooftops, and this past spring one older lady had nearly taught him everything he\u2019d ever want to know about women, but his Irish conscience, terror of the unknown and an honest worry about what his mother would do to him had stopped him.\u00a0 Why was he such a wreck about this girl?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">While he studied the dirt floor after one occasion of meeting eyes, he felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up at his father in surprise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHaving a good time?\u201d Adam asked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cUh, yeah\u2026sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cCoulda fooled me,\u201d he said, an eyebrow raised.\u00a0 \u2018I haven\u2019t seen you out there on the floor yet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat blushed again and looked down, uncomfortably.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m gonna!\u201d he insisted, crossly.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t push me!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOkay, okay, don\u2019t bite my head off,\u201d his father said lightly.\u00a0 Adam glanced across the room and grinned.\u00a0 He glanced back at Little Joe, standing ready with a young lady, and Hoss beside him similarly outfitted.\u00a0 The caller had just finished one dance and was preparing for another.\u00a0 Adam smiled and nodded and Joe and Hoss grinned, talking earnestly to their ladies.\u00a0 Adam looked down at his son.\u00a0 \u201cHey, do you think Mrs. Yates would honor me with a dance?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s head snapped up so hard Adam worried the kid had hurt his neck.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, she\u2019s sitting there all alone and I thought she might like to dance.\u00a0 C\u2019mon, you can ask Cassie and I\u2019ll ask her mother,\u201d he said, taking Pat\u2019s arm and nearly dragging him across the barn.\u00a0 In an agony of embarrassment, Pat swallowed hard as he was hauled up in front of the ladies in question, unable to meet Cassie\u2019s eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cMrs. Yates, would you care to dance?\u201d asked Adam, with a smile.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0She looked up, surprised and a bit uncomfortable, glancing around the big barn as though looking for someone.\u00a0 Then she exhaled and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI would be most honored, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam kept smiling at Mrs. Yates and elbowed Pat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cUh\u2026\u201d Pat licked his lips, nervously, \u201cwanna dance, Cassie?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019d love to, Pat!\u201d the girl beamed, bouncing to her feet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The four couples met in the center of the barn floor, Adam smiling at his younger brothers.\u00a0 The caller began and Pat soon forgot his nervousness as he made it through most of the dance without incident.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben stood on the sidelines with Paul Marquette, sipping punch and watching his sons and grandson with an indulgent smile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI just can\u2019t get over how much he looks like Adam, Ben,\u201d sighed Paul, shaking his head as he sipped his own punch.\u00a0 \u201cLookin\u2019 at that boy makes me feel like it\u2019s twenty years ago when Adam and Ross were running around together, getting into trouble.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI know, Paul.\u00a0 It\u2019s really uncanny.\u00a0 He\u2019s a lot like him in other ways, too.\u00a0 Stubborn as a mule,\u201d said Ben, with a smile and a sigh.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Paul chuckled.\u00a0 Then he sobered a bit.\u00a0 \u201cHas Roy gotten anywhere with that investigation?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben shook his head soberly.\u00a0 \u201cNot yet, Paul.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The other man frowned and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cPoor kid.\u00a0 I hope Roy gets this sorted out pretty soon so\u2019s the boy can settle in here.\u00a0 It\u2019s gotta be hard on Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben nodded. \u201cIt is, Paul, it sure is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Their conversation was interrupted by the wobbling arrival of a large, drunk man weaving his way to the punch bowl.\u00a0 In distaste, both Ben and Paul stepped back allowing him room.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cExcuse me, Carl,\u201d said Ben dryly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Carl Rhodes, a miner at the Lucky Stiff, glared at Ben and Paul.\u00a0 \u201cOutta my way, Cartwright!\u201d he growled.\u00a0 Ben shook his head and returned to his conversation with Paul.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The man ladled himself a cup of punch, liberally spilling it all over his sleeve and turned back to watch the dancing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">After the square dance finished, Pat was flushed with the exercise and having a great time.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t stepped on Cassie\u2019s foot once, and he\u2019d messed up the steps only twice, neither time seriously breaking down the tip since either his father or one of his uncles shot out an arm and got him rapidly back on track.\u00a0 As he heard the strains of the beautiful ballad, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cLorena,\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> coming down from the make-shift stage, he beamed and turned to Cassie.\u00a0 Now, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">this<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> he could do!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWanta do another, Cassie?\u201d he asked, his confidence returned.\u00a0 She smiled and put out her hand.\u00a0 Adam stepped back a moment and watched in wonder as his son gracefully guided the young lady into the step patterns of a two-step.\u00a0 Effortlessly, Pat led her through the smooth turns and circular movements of the dance, her eyes smiling and his own confident.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, he said he could dance, didn\u2019t he,\u201d said Hoss, in admiration.\u00a0 Joe was surprised, too, and decided he and his young lady would compete.\u00a0 Hoss joined in, and Adam turned to Mrs. Yates.\u00a0 \u201cOne more?\u201d he smiled.\u00a0 She nodded, laughing, and they took the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben and Paul had gone back to their chatting and didn\u2019t notice the change in Rhodes\u2019 stance as he looked out onto the dance floor.\u00a0 The music had changed to a waltz, and through his drunken haze he spotted something he obviously didn\u2019t like.\u00a0 Unnoticed by the men beside him, the man watched in mounting fury as Adam Cartwright danced Julie Yates around the floor.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t until Rhodes threw his punch glass to the ground behind him in a fury, hitting Ben in the leg, that they looked up and saw him charging onto the dance floor, straight at Adam and Mrs. Yates.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam had just danced Mrs. Yates around and his back was facing Rhodes as the man charged him, landing his meaty powerful hands on Adam\u2019s shoulder and wrenching him away from Julie, throwing him hard to the ground.\u00a0 Several screams surfaced and the circle of dancers scattered.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat and Cassie had been on the other side of the dance floor and couldn\u2019t really see what was going on.\u00a0 Pat turned and tried to see, interested, of course, in any fight; but as the crowd rapidly retreated, his eyes widened to see his father on the ground and a huge, obviously drunken man over him, legs placed wide apart.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cKeep your filthy hands off her, Cartwright!\u201d Rhodes bellowed, his right hand gripping Julie Yates\u2019 arm painfully.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cCarl, please!\u201d she begged.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou stay outta this!\u201d he roared, and turned back to Adam, who had recovered and was on his feet, his hair mussed and his eyes on fire.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAw, shit,\u201d Pat muttered under his breath, moving in.\u00a0 He was met in the middle by his uncles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBack off, Carl,\u201d his father was warning.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPat, just let your pa handle this,\u201d insisted Hoss, a firm hand latched on Pat\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cListen, you stinkin\u2019 trash, you touch her again and I\u2019ll kill you!\u201d roared Rhodes, wobbling a little.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cCarl, it was just a dance!\u201d insisted Mrs. Yates, now rubbing the arm Rhodes had released.\u00a0 Cassie had hurried to her side and was staring at Rhodes and back at Pat\u2019s father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cAnd you better watch who your little girl dances with, Julie!\u201d he roared, wheeling on the woman.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you care she\u2019s out there bein<\/span><b>\u2019 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">pawed over by a &#8211; \u201c<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cDon\u2019t say it, Rhodes,\u201d warned Adam, his voice tight and his eyes ice cold.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s eyes narrowed and shook off Hoss\u2019 grip to walk up beside his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cDon\u2019t say what?\u201d leered Rhodes.\u00a0 \u201cBastard!\u00a0 That\u2019s the word!\u00a0 That\u2019s what he is!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat was shocked as his father\u2019s fist shot out and clipped the drunk hard on the chin, knocking him to the dirt floor. \u00a0 Pat was about to join in, when he was roughly shoved aside by someone charging up from the back of the crowd, pushing him off balance and tottering him into Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThat\u2019s enough!\u201d bellowed Ben Cartwright, one strong hand against his son\u2019s chest, pushing him back, and facing Rhodes, a finger pointing at him.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019ll be no drunken brawling here, Rhodes!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cIt weren\u2019t me, Cartwright!\u201d sneered Rhodes, getting unsteadily to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cIn case you didn\u2019t notice, it was your bed-hopping boy over there\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam saw red and lunged.\u00a0 \u201cAdam!\u00a0 I said that\u2019s enough!\u201d\u00a0 Ben roughly shoved him back, tottering him almost off his feet.\u00a0 He pointed a finger at him.\u00a0 \u201cCool off!\u201d warned Ben.\u00a0 He glanced at Hoss and Joe.\u00a0 \u201cTake your brother outside and see that he calms down,\u201d he said sternly, his hard stare at his oldest son brooking no nonsense.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019m not going to stand here-\u201d began Adam in a furiously quiet voice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThat\u2019s right, you\u2019re not.\u00a0 Outside, now!\u201d ordered his father.\u00a0 Their eyes locked for a moment, then Adam, flushed with anger, looked down and stalked off with Hoss and Joe behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat watched him go and turned his wary eyes again on the drunk.\u00a0 Then he looked at Cassie and her mother, and saw Mrs. Yates was shaking her head, in tears; Cassie just looked scared.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Rhodes glared blearily down at the boy.\u00a0 \u201cYou keep your stinkin\u2019, filthy hands off her, you hear?\u00a0 And you tell your rotten father to do the same.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s eyes narrowed, and his shoulders squared.\u00a0 \u201cTake a look at yourself, buddy,\u201d he retorted, his deep voice cold.\u00a0 \u201cPretty easy to tell which one of you two looks like stinkin\u2019 filth!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPatrick!\u201d warned his grandfather.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">But Pat ignored Ben, raising his head proudly and glaring at the drunk.\u00a0 \u201cMy old man didn\u2019t come in here reekin\u2019 o\u2019 booze and breakin\u2019 up the place,\u201d continued Pat, his legs apart and his hands clenched at his sides, <em>\u201cyou<\/em> did!\u00a0 It\u2019s pretty obvious to me and everyone here who\u2019s the better man!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Faster than Pat would have thought possible under the circumstances, the man lunged for him.\u00a0 But the boy neatly sidestepped him, keeping his hands to himself, and watched the big man fall on his face on the dirt floor.\u00a0 With a wail of misery, Mrs. Yates grabbed Cassie and ran for the barn door.\u00a0 Pat was ready, fists cocked, for the next attack, but several other men grabbed Rhodes by that point, and then Ben had a firm grip on his grandson\u2019s arm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou Cartwrights think you own everything you see, even women!\u201d spat Rhodes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cTime to go home and sleep it off, Carl,\u201d warned one of the men hanging on to him.\u00a0 Rhodes shook himself free, too drunk to really want to continue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou tell that son of yours to stay away from Julie Yates, Cartwright,\u201d hissed Rhodes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cMy son is a grown man, Rhodes,\u201d said Ben ominously.\u00a0 \u201cAs Mrs. Yates is a grown woman.\u00a0 She can dance with whom she pleases.\u00a0 I wasn\u2019t aware you had any claim on her, or her daughter.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">They stared at each other for a moment, then Rhodes leaned down and picked up his hat.\u00a0 Glaring at Pat, then at Ben, he shouldered his way through the crowd and out.\u00a0 Ben relaxed a moment, then turned on his grandson.\u00a0 \u201cYoung man, when I tell you to back off, I mean back off!\u201d he scolded.\u00a0 Pat stubbornly glared at the ground but nodded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe came back in at that point, walking over to his father.\u00a0 \u201cHoss and Adam headed for home,\u201d he sighed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cGood.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to have a word or two to say to that oldest brother of yours,\u201d nodded Ben grimly.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019d better gather our things and go ahead ourselves.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe nodded.\u00a0 \u201cC\u2019mon, Pat, let\u2019s go get the tools into the buckboard.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben watched them go as the others at the dance milled around.\u00a0 It appeared the dance was over, unfortunately.\u00a0 Ben was uncomfortably surprised to note a certain amount of hostility aimed at him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPity we can\u2019t get together in this town anymore without an argument or a fight,\u201d said one man, pointedly.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s eyes snapped up at him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYes,\u201d he said coldly.\u00a0 \u201cIsn\u2019t it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">And with that, Ben stalked out of the barn.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">~-oo0oo-~<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Author\u2019s Note:\u00a0 Simply because I wanted Adam to have an old friend with whom he\u2019d have written while at college and involved with Siobhan, I made the decision to ignore canon provided by the episode \u201cThe Dark Gate,\u201d Season 2: Episode 24, with the incomparable James Coburn as Ross Marquette.\u00a0 I hope folks are able to enjoy a willing suspension of disbelief accordingly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER NINETEEN<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">later that same evening<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">It had been a silent ride home for Little Joe, Pat and Ben.\u00a0 Pat would steal glances at his grandfather in the buckboard periodically and worry about how angry he looked.\u00a0 He and Joe dropped back a bit with their horses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Boy, he sure is mad,&#8221; whispered Pat, uneasily.\u00a0 &#8220;I can almost see the steam comin&#8217; outta his ears!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yeah, Adam&#8217;s really gonna catch it this time,&#8221; sighed Joe.\u00a0 A few years ago that would be have been a cause for a wicked grin on Joe&#8217;s part; it seemed to him Adam never got into trouble with Pa.\u00a0 Now he just felt badly for his older brother, since he had considered taking the same action against Rhodes himself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yer kidding!&#8221; whispered Pat, aghast.\u00a0 The concept of his father taking a dressing-down was more than a little unnerving.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe glanced at his nephew and grinned. &#8220;Trust me, if Pa sees fit to yell, he yells.\u00a0 Doesn&#8217;t matter if it&#8217;s Adam or Hoss, me or you.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">They arrived in the yard and saw a light on in the barn.\u00a0 Hoss was in there finishing putting up Chub and Sport for the night.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;So, he couldn&#8217;t even be bothered to take care of his own mount?!&#8221; demanded Ben, glowering, his hands on his hips.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Now, Pa, that ain&#8217;t it at all,&#8221; said Hoss uneasily.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s just he was real upset, so I told him I&#8217;d handle it.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben harrumphed and stalked toward the door. When he reached it, he stopped and turned back to his sons and grandson.\u00a0 &#8220;Joe, you and Pat unload the buckboard and then help Hoss put the horses up.&#8221;\u00a0 And with that he continued into the house.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His eyes wide, Pat looked at his uncles for a read on the situation.\u00a0 Joe and Hoss were exchanging troubled looks as they sighed and got to work. \u00a0 &#8220;C&#8217;mon, squirt, let&#8217;s get the buckboard unloaded,&#8221; sighed Hoss. &#8220;It appears Pa wants some time alone with Adam.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben opened the front door, standing there for a moment looking around the large great room.\u00a0 Adam was standing in front of the fireplace, weight primarily on his left leg and his arms crossed over his chest, staring into the flames.\u00a0 Setting his mouth, Ben hung up his hat and coat, and unbuckled his gunbelt, setting it on the sideboard.\u00a0 Adam hadn&#8217;t moved.\u00a0 Drawing in a deep breath, Ben walked around the settee and chairs and stood beside his oldest son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well?&#8221; he demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam slowly turned and looked at his father; Ben could see that the anger was still there, though under a bit more control.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, what?&#8221; asked Adam, coldly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8216;You have anything to say for turning that dance into a riot?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam, annoyed, turned away.\u00a0 &#8220;Oh, Pa, please&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat hauled the food baskets into the kitchen through the back door and set them on the table.\u00a0 He heard the loud voices arguing in the living room, and despite knowing that it was bad manners to eavesdrop, he tiptoed to the entrance to the dining room and listened.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8217;m not a child, Pa!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;No, but less than two weeks ago you punished a child pretty severely for exhibiting the same kind of behavior!\u00a0 Unfortunately, you&#8217;re a little too big for a tanning or to be confined to the ranch!\u00a0 Don&#8217;t think I didn&#8217;t consider it!&#8221; snapped Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Don&#8217;t be ridiculous!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, then, young man, how do you justify your performance tonight?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It wasn&#8217;t the same thing at all!&#8221; retorted Adam<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Oh?\u00a0 Just how was it different, hm?&#8221; demanded Ben.\u00a0 &#8220;Patrick got himself into a fistfight over some name-calling.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> got into a fistfight over some name-calling.\u00a0 Have I missed something, here?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I wasn&#8217;t about to stand there and let a fool like Rhodes decimate my son!&#8221; shouted Adam.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat had no idea what the word \u2018decimate\u2019 meant but the context was clear.\u00a0 He sighed and hung his head.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ain\u2019t this never gonna end?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 It seemed like since birth, his status had been a cause of pain\u2026 for himself, for his mother, and now for his father.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam was hanging onto his temper by a thin thread.\u00a0 &#8220;Good night,&#8221; he bit out, nearly pushing past his father, but Ben grabbed his arm and held him fast.\u00a0 When he tried to pull free, his father just gripped him harder, making him wince.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Adam, it&#8217;s not just you, now!&#8221; Ben declared firmly.\u00a0 &#8220;You&#8217;ve <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">got<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to realize that every move you make, every word you say, is an example to that boy!\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You&#8217;re<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> the one he looks up to!&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam seethed, unwilling to meet his father&#8217;s eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You&#8217;re telling him not to behave in a certain way, enforcing it with discipline, and then you turn around and do the same thing!\u00a0 You&#8217;re confusing the boy!&#8221; shouted Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam lifted his eyes at that one and glared at his father.\u00a0 &#8220;Pa, I don&#8217;t want to be rude, but &#8211; &#8220;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;And by the way,&#8221; interrupted Ben coldly, &#8220;your young son managed to display far more self-control than you did!\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">And<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> defended you, to boot!&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Defended<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> me?!&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;That&#8217;s right,&#8221; nodded Ben emphatically.\u00a0 &#8220;Never cocked a fist but managed to rip Rhodes apart with that smart mouth he inherited from <\/span><b><i>you<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">So, you can at least be pleased he learned his lesson, even if you didn&#8217;t!&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben released his arm, then, and without another word, Adam stalked to the stairs, stomping his way up.\u00a0 Ben sighed as he heard Adam&#8217;s bedroom door slam shut.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Troubled, Pat slowly walked back to the barn.\u00a0 Joe and Hoss were just finishing untacking the animals, and trying to decide when it would be safe to go in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It&#8217;s okay,&#8221; said Pat quietly, &#8220;the fireworks are over.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe glanced at his older brother.\u00a0 &#8220;Adam okay?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;No, he&#8217;s not,&#8221; said Pat worriedly.\u00a0 &#8220;Granddad was pretty rough on him.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss came around to his nephew and put a reassuring arm around his shoulders.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s gonna be all right, Pat.\u00a0 Adam&#8217;ll cool off.\u00a0 Trust me, he and Pa have had these go-&#8217;rounds before, and they&#8217;ve survived.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I never seen him like that, Uncle Hoss,&#8221; said Pat, sadly.\u00a0 He\u2019d seen his father angry, he\u2019d seen him devilish with mischief. He\u2019d seen him pensive and thoughtful after reading something that made him think, and preoccupied when puzzling out a contract for the ranch.\u00a0 But Pat had never seen him\u2026 hurt?\u00a0 Was that it?\u00a0 Pat couldn\u2019t settle it in his mind, and that worried him. &#8220;You think I should go talk to him?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I dunno, squirt,&#8221; said Hoss shaking his head, and glancing at Joe.\u00a0 &#8220;Most times, ol\u2019 Adam wants to be alone when he&#8217;s in a mood like this.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Give him some time, Pat,&#8221; suggested Joe, handing him a brush.\u00a0 &#8220;Let&#8217;s put the horses up.\u00a0 By the time we\u2019re done, it\u2019s likely both he and Pa will have calmed down.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Sighing, Pat accepted the brush and set to work brushing down Blackie, feeling thoughtful and wondering what, if anything, he could say to his father&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam lay on his back on his bed, staring at the ceiling, the lamp on his desk turned low.\u00a0 It had taken awhile, but he had now calmed down enough to feel guilty and upset with himself.\u00a0 It had been a long time since Pa had felt it necessary to give him that severe a talking to.\u00a0 He managed a small smile.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sure set a good example for my son, haven&#8217;t I?<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">When a quiet knock came at his door, he sighed again.\u00a0 Apparently Pa hadn&#8217;t finished yelling at him yet.\u00a0 &#8220;Come in,&#8221; he said quietly in resignation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">To his surprise, Pat sauntered into the room, a cocky grin on his face.\u00a0 \u201cYou cooled off yet, or should I wait another day or two?&#8221; he asked sardonically.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sighed and closed his eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;Yeah, I&#8217;m all right.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Good, &#8216;cos I just got two things to say to you.&#8221;\u00a0 Pat stood over him, and Adam opened his eyes again and looked at him, questioning.\u00a0 &#8221; &#8216;Next time, learn to control your temper,&#8221; he said with a grin, &#8220;and check the odds before you start swinging.'&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Surprised, Adam stared at him, then started to laugh.\u00a0 Pat grinned and sat down on the bed beside him, bring his long legs up and sitting cross-legged.\u00a0 &#8220;Granddad\u2019s royally hot at you, ain&#8217; he?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yeah.&#8221;\u00a0 Adam laced his fingers behind his head.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m pretty hot at me, too.&#8221;\u00a0 He eyed the boots meaningfully, then raised an eyebrow at his boy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat flushed a little, but grinned and simply pulled the boots off, set them on the floor, and once again wrapped his long legs under himself.\u00a0 Adam chuckled, shook his head and lay back, drawing in a deep, sad breath.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat studied him a moment, frowning, trying to think of what he could say.\u00a0 It bothered him, bothered him a lot, that all of this \u2026 his dad\u2019s argument with Granddad, and the breakup of what had been a fun gathering\u2026 all of his had been because of him.\u00a0 Oh, he knew it wasn\u2019t his fault Carl Rhodes was a drunken eejit, nor was it his fault that Adam Cartwright turned out to have as short a fuse on certain subjects as his Uncle Joe\u2026 or he, Pat, himself.\u00a0 But the weight of responsibility for the situation overall rested heavy on the boy\u2019s shoulders, and he felt determined to try to fix what he could.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Look, Dad,&#8221; said Pat, exhaling, and fiddling with a hole starting in the toe of one sock, &#8220;you gotta stop letting this bastard thing bother you so much.&#8221;\u00a0 When he was met with silence, he glanced up at his father.\u00a0 &#8220;Really, it ain&#8217;t worth it.\u00a0 Beatin&#8217; the crap outta whoever says the word isn&#8217;t going to change the situation a bit.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam studied his son.\u00a0 &#8220;Your mother and I really let you in on a wonderful life didn&#8217;t we?&#8221; he asked grimly, closing his eyes.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m sorry, Pat.\u00a0 I wish things could have been different.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;But they aren&#8217;t,&#8221; the youngster said seriously, and something in his tone made Adam study him.\u00a0 It wasn&#8217;t anger, it was absolute rationality.\u00a0 &#8220;Ma used to tell me that I deserved better, too.\u00a0 Well, I seen a lot o&#8217; things in Hell&#8217;s Kitchen.\u00a0 Including some animals that the law called &#8216;fathers.&#8217;\u00a0 Now, in my humble opinion, some of &#8217;em were a hell of a lot worse bastards than I was.&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0Adam smiled sadly and looked back at the ceiling, as Pat continued.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;When it come t\u2019fathers, , I got lucky.\u00a0 I had Ray, and I had Tom&#8230;and I got you.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam looked back at his son, finding his throat closing a little and his eyes burning.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8221; I guess what I mean is \u2026 well,\u00a0 it just don&#8217;t matter what some eejit calls me.\u00a0 I know what I am.\u201d\u00a0 Pat drew in a deep breath and the fiercely independent way he unconsciously squared his shoulders almost broke Adam\u2019s heart.\u00a0 \u201cLife deals ya a hand.\u00a0 Sometimes it&#8217;s pat, sometimes it ain&#8217;t.\u00a0 You gotta play the best ya can with what ya got.\u00a0 Me, I&#8217;m one hell of a poker player.\u00a0 So don&#8217;t worry you about me.\u00a0 I&#8217;ll be okay.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">In silence, Adam stared at him, then sat up.\u00a0 He put out a hand to his son&#8217;s shoulder.\u00a0 &#8220;I hope you know how proud of you I am,&#8221; he said brokenly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat blinked a couple of time and flashed his cocky grin, albeit a trifle damp.\u00a0 &#8220;You oughta be!&#8221; he countered.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam ruffled his hair then abruptly gathered him into his arms, giving him a hug. \u00a0 And he was gratified to feel the intensity with which it was returned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Just do me a favor, okay?\u00a0 I don&#8217;t wanna be an orphan, so don&#8217;t get into any more fights.&#8221;\u00a0 Pat sniffed a little, pushing himself back upright and managing a small grin.\u00a0 &#8220;I was kinda worried Granddad was gonna kill ya.&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam gazed at the boy and remembered something.\u00a0 &#8220;Hey, you.\u00a0 Pa said you defended me in there.\u00a0 Thanks.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat blushed, caught.\u00a0 He honestly hadn&#8217;t known why he had stood there in the middle of this crowd of people and did that, and the confusing waterfall of thoughts and feelings that little tirade of his had brought on during the ride home had surprised him.\u00a0 It was another thing that was gonna take some ponderin\u2019.\u00a0 Pat got to his feet and walked to the door, then turned back to his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yeah&#8230;well&#8230;. Let&#8217;s not make it a habit,&#8221; he said gruffly, and left the room, leaving his father with a sad smile on his face.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The next day found Pat hunkered down inside his suit jacket, shivering a little in the cold dampness of the church, letting the soothing sound of the rain pelting the building\u2019s roof lull him into a kind of semi-alert doze.\u00a0 He\u2019d seen his grandfather nudge Uncle Hoss more\u2019n once for starting to snore through the Reverend\u2019s sermon (for which the boy had great sympathy, if he was honest\u2026 that man could put a colicky baby to sleep with his drone\u2026), and didn\u2019t want to have that attention come his way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat daydreamed about how at one time his father had said they\u2019d find out when Mass was held at St. Mary\u2019s in the Mountains, just down the street from Jenkins Mercantile\u2026 a beautiful church with a big white bell tower.\u00a0 But since Patrick\u2019s churchyard scuffle and the nastiness that had ensued, Adam hadn\u2019t been to church of a Sunday with the family at all, much to Granddad\u2019s chagrin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Everyone in the building was startled when a sudden gust of wind blew open the church doors, and all the congregation turned.\u00a0 Tommy Sanders was sitting in the back row with his family, and his father nudged him to go shut them again.\u00a0 Once Tommy rose (visibly annoyed at his father\u2019s request) and did as he was bid with bad grace, everyone once again turned back around, striving to pay attention to the clergyman at the pulpit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">After what had felt like hours, the last song was sung, the last prayer uttered, and everyone began to file toward the cloakroom near the backdoor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Frowning in annoyance, Pat hurried to the hooks where ladies hung their damp cloaks, and men their hats and gunbelts before entering the sanctuary, seeing his beloved hat half-flattened on the floor.\u00a0 It even looked like somebody had stepped on it!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI must have blown off the hook when that gust of wind came through,\u201d observed Ben, reaching for his own hat and gunbelt.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cBut\u2026\u201d Pat sadly looked at his battered hat.\u00a0 \u201cLook!\u00a0 There\u2019s one\u2026 no, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">three<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> o\u2019 the studs missin\u2019!\u201d\u00a0 he showed his grandfather angrily.\u00a0 \u201cAnd it looks like he-\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cDon\u2019t,\u201d warned Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201c\u2026 heck,\u201d the boy finished, pouting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben fought to keep the smile off his face.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing will be able to brush it and spruce it up, you\u2019ll see.\u00a0 You\u2019ll never notice the difference.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBut what about the studs?\u201d demanded Patrick as they headed out the door, Joe and Hoss following, talking together.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI don\u2019t\u2019 know, but we\u2019ll figure something out,\u201d reassured his grandfather.\u00a0 \u201cIn the meantime, put that hat on.\u00a0 Three missing silver pieces aren\u2019t going to stop that hat from keeping you dry on the way home.\u00a0 C\u2019mon, now, let\u2019s get going.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Things calmed down for a few days after the barn raising and all of the Cartwrights got to work readying the ranch for winter. They worked at getting salt licks out to the pastures; making sure winter snow fencing was in place; doing the final haying and laying in the storage for the cold months; stocking the line shacks with supplies.\u00a0 There were many long hours put in those crisp days of October.\u00a0 Pat found himself getting up at dawn, working hard all day after doing his lessons, dragging himself home to supper and falling into bed exhausted at night, but happier than he&#8217;d been in years.\u00a0 The only dark moments came either when nightmares of that horrible day in July would crowd his dreams, or the days when the image of his mother filled his mind and found himself feeling crushed with sudden grief.\u00a0 Those didn&#8217;t happen as often as they used to but happened enough.\u00a0 He missed her.\u00a0 He missed their talks, he missed her humor, how she could make him laugh.\u00a0 He missed talking about Ireland.\u00a0 He just plain missed his mother.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Getting used to the quiet and open spaces had been difficult at first for the city-bred boy, used to looking over his shoulder at the least unexpected or out-of-the-ordinary sound, but he acclimated quickly to his new environment, and found himself loving it.\u00a0 He obeyed his father and stayed away from lone trips to Virginia City, instead riding to the Devlin\u2019s to visit with Mike, going for long rides by the stream and up to the lake, and traveled to town only with his father, grandfather or one of his uncles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He also found time to meet Cassie in the fields when she was able to get away from helping her mother with the dressmaking that kept them afloat.\u00a0 Cassie worked hard, stitching button holes, basting and the easier preliminary work that made the finished work go more quickly. \u00a0 Pat found himself drawn to her openness and friendliness, and her easy, open nature allowed him to share with her many of his quietest thoughts and feelings.\u00a0 The loss of her father and his mother gave them common ground, and allowed both to help each other over the hurdles of facing life without a parent.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">After a few meetings, Pat tentatively broached the subject of Carl Rhodes.\u00a0 &#8220;I guess I&#8217;m kinda wonderin&#8217; why your Ma would want to have someone like that around,&#8221; he said gently.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;s a pretty violent guy.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Only when he&#8217;s drinking!&#8221; she assured him, though clearly uneasy.\u00a0 For the first time in their conversations, Pat found a subject other than her father that Cassie wasn&#8217;t comfortable talking about.\u00a0 And it reminded Pat about some of the other odd ways Cassie referred to her father, or didn\u2019t refer to him at all.\u00a0 Pat had spent nearly fourteen years in Hell&#8217;s Kitchen, five of them working in a saloon.\u00a0 As a consequence, he&#8217;d learned much in his short life about men, particularly men who drink to excess, and he worried about what usually happened to the people around them; in this case, what it could mean for Cassie and her mother.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Old memories from the Kitchen nudged at him, reminding him of similar conversations with friends.\u00a0 He remembered Dermot O\u2019Hara, a boy a bit older than himself, who worked like a navvy to make sure his mother and three younger sisters had food on the table and a roof over their heads while his drunk of a father made little to no contribution a\u2019tall.\u00a0 And little Jenny MacNamara, a sweet girl who lived in the same tenement Pat and his mother did, who had learned the enviable trick of literally fading into the background when her father became violent and beat her mother and older brother.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat began to wonder just what exactly had killed Mr. Yates, and just what exactly he\u2019d done to his wife and daughter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Does your mother like the guy?&#8221; he asked seriously, as he and Cassie walked along the stream, Pat walking along with Blackie following.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Cassie shrugged uncomfortably.\u00a0 &#8220;I don&#8217;t know, Pat.&#8221;\u00a0 She looked down as she walked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Look, Cassie, maybe I&#8217;m outta line, but I gotta tell ya, I seen guys like him before.\u00a0 I dunno if you really oughta\u2014&#8221;\u00a0 Pat started.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat, don&#8217;t!&#8221; she said, holding up her hand.\u00a0 Her eyes were sad.\u00a0 &#8220;Ma&#8217;s gonna do what she wants, and I don&#8217;t think it&#8217;ll matter what I say.\u00a0 When he&#8217;s sober, Carl&#8217;s real nice to us.\u00a0 Ma just figures she&#8217;s doin&#8217; something wrong and that his drinkin&#8217; is her fault.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Oh, man&#8230;.&#8221; sighed Pat, shaking his head.\u00a0 This was worse than he&#8217;d thought.\u00a0 &#8220;Cass, don&#8217;t you see that that&#8217;s just what he <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">wants<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> her to believe?\u00a0 Somewhere along the line he figured out she was somebody who would take the blame on herself for his behavior!\u00a0 Drunks are like that.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You don&#8217;t know him, Pat!&#8221; she said hotly, turning away.\u00a0 &#8220;He&#8217;s real nice&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;When he&#8217;s sober,&#8221; he finished off for her dryly.\u00a0 She stopped walking abruptly, and looked at him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;If Carl&#8217;s all you&#8217;re gonna talk about, then I think I&#8217;d better go home,&#8221; she said, her voice trembling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Sighing, he shrugged. &#8220;Okay, Cassie, I won&#8217;t push ya.\u00a0 But&#8230;please, be careful?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She couldn&#8217;t meet his eyes, but nodded.\u00a0 They walked on along the stream in silence.\u00a0 Though he didn&#8217;t say it, Pat decided that it was time for someone to keep a close eye on the Yates household.\u00a0 He wasn&#8217;t quite sure how he was going to manage it, but manage it he would. Cassie was one of the few friends he had\u2026 he wasn\u2019t going to let anything happen to her if he was able in any way to protect her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAdam!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam was heading toward the barn, hunched in his coat to keep the wind from whistling around his neck and down his back, and turned back to see his father trotting toward him, holding the small leather folio they used for the ranch\u2019s bank transactions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYes, Pa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAny chance you might be able to get into the bank to get this deposited today?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam exhaled with frustration.\u00a0 \u201cPa, why can\u2019t Joe take care of that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben inhaled carefully, choosing his words.\u00a0 \u201cBecause\u2026 well, because he\u2019s not around and you are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Angrily, Adam shook his head. \u201cPa, what exactly is going on with him?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d asked Ben, careful to keep his voice neutral.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHe\u2019s never around when he\u2019s needed!\u201d barked his oldest son, angrily.\u00a0 \u201cOh, he gets the work done that he\u2019s assigned, but if anything comes up, he\u2019s like dust in the wind!\u00a0 When is he going to learn some responsibility?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ben struggled to keep a grin off his face and studied the grain of the leather folio in his hand. \u201cAdam\u2026 when you first got back from college, and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">you<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> were twenty-three\u2026 just how \u2018accessible\u2019 were you?\u201d he asked innocently.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam flushed a little as he remembered that first year of freedom after the heavy responsibilities of working hard to finish his degree, placing in the top three of his class.\u00a0 Like Joe, he\u2019d done his work, but blew off a lot of steam with Ross Marquette and Cal Devlin, raising hell in the rapidly growing mining town of Virginia City, or the newly-minted Carson City, formerly a trading post known as Eagle Station.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben smiled at him, hoping fervently he\u2019d deflected Adam\u2019s sharp mind from trying to suss out what Joe was up to.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s young, Adam, just like you were.\u00a0 As long as he\u2019s getting his work done, I\u2019m content to let him safely sow a few wild oats.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam shook his head and exhaled in exasperation. \u201cWell, he\u2019s your son, not mine.\u00a0 And speaking of mine\u2026. PAT!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben grinned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;I&#8217;m going to head out with Pat to check that last stretch of snow fencing.\u00a0 We&#8217;ll be back by suppertime.\u00a0 All right?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;All right.\u00a0 And thanks for making the deposit for me, I appreciate it.!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Will do.\u00a0 Patrick!\u00a0 Let&#8217;s go!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat hurried out, buttoning his coat and carrying the saddlebags holding lunch Hop Sing had prepared for himself and his father.\u00a0 &#8220;Sorry, Hop Sing was tellin&#8217; me about something,&#8221; he said with a naughty grin on his face.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Both Ben and Adam glanced at him, then at each other. &#8220;What something might that be?&#8221; asked Adam, curiously.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Oh, just something about you takin&#8217; off with a girl and leavin&#8217; Uncle Hoss to babysit Uncle Joe and him endin&#8217; up in a duck pond,&#8221; grinned Pat, taking off for the barn.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;ll saddle the horses!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam groaned. Two reminders in one five-minute stretch that Joe and he weren\u2019t <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">that<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> much different. \u00a0 &#8220;I see I&#8217;m going to need to have a little chat with Hop Sing&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben chuckled.\u00a0 &#8220;I challenge you to keep those two from talking.\u00a0 After all, Hop Sing can tell him all about you in Chinese and you wouldn&#8217;t have a clue!\u00a0 Not to mention the fact that when your son is determined to do something, it&#8217;s pretty hard to deter him.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben laughed and clapped his son on the shoulder, while Adam merely looked worriedly out at the retreating figure of his son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The ride together was quiet and the silence that accompanied it was uneasy.\u00a0 Adam wanted to talk seriously with Pat about something and was surprised to note the amount of discomfort he was feeling.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Good Lord, but this was ridiculous.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam gazed over at his son in wonder, this handsome, cocky youngster who was two steps away from being a man.\u00a0 And he thought again, for perhaps the three hundredth time, about the way he had looked at that young girl dancing in his arms at the barn dance.\u00a0 Adam steeled his resolve and drew in a deep breath.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;So, it looked like you and Cassie had a good time the other evening.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Startled, Pat&#8217;s eyes came off the fencing he was studying for defects and swung around on his father.\u00a0 Bemused, he nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;Yeah, we did.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Have you seen her since?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat blushed a little.\u00a0 &#8220;Couple\u2019a times&#8230;why?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;No special reason.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Yeah, right<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, thought Pat, in mild disbelief.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Buddy, you don&#8217;t do or say nothin&#8217; without a special reason!\u00a0 I&#8217;ve never known anybody more calculatin&#8217; in all my life!<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">It was quiet again for a moment, then Adam was grateful to see a stretch of fencing that needed some refitting, with a pile of replacement rails beside it.\u00a0 He gestured to it and he and Pat drew up their horses and swung down the tool belts and nails.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While hammering and refitting, Adam went over his thoughts in his mind.\u00a0 Pat noticed his preoccupation and left him alone but grew increasingly uneasy. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What the hell\u2019s on his mind, anyhow?<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat, you&#8217;re going to be fourteen years old in a few weeks,&#8221; began Adam, his voice a little quiet.\u00a0 &#8220;I think it&#8217;s time we had a little talk.&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat paused in his hammering and looked up at his father.\u00a0 &#8220;Yeah?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;It&#8217;s obvious that you&#8217;ve grown up enough to discover that young ladies are something a little more pleasant than you might have thought before&#8230;&#8221; said Adam, studiously examining the last nail he drove in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat, surprised, stared at him for a moment, then a small smile touched the corners of his mouth.\u00a0 Inside, he was roaring with laughter!\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Now<\/span><\/i><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> I know what this is all about!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> he crowed to himself.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Oh, Jaysus&#8230;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Yeah, girls are all right,&#8221; he said in a very normal voice.\u00a0 His evil sense of humor decided to have as much fun with this ridiculous situation as possible.\u00a0 &#8220;Don&#8217;t know what changed my mind though,&#8221; he said thoughtfully, holding the hammer in his hand.\u00a0 &#8220;I mean, just a couple years ago I thought most girls was pretty useless&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam shifted his feet and sighed.\u00a0 This was worse than he thought.\u00a0 &#8220;Well, there are things happening to you that makes your&#8230;well, your reactions&#8230;a little different.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What kinda things?&#8221; asked Pat innocently.\u00a0 It was a good thing his father couldn&#8217;t manage to meet his son&#8217;s eyes, or he&#8217;d have seen the evil laughter in those blue beacons.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Uncomfortably, Adam hammered in a nail to gather his thoughts.\u00a0 &#8220;When you started noticing girls were okay, did you notice other things about yourself changing?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Like what?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Aw, c&#8217;mon, God, help me out here, would you please?! <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0Adam groaned to himself.\u00a0 &#8220;Like, getting taller, and your voice getting a little deeper, other \u2026um\u2026 body changes&#8230;things like that.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, jeez, I been gettin&#8217; taller all my life&#8230;&#8221; said Pat slowly, feigning thoughtfulness.\u00a0 &#8220;What other things?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;The way you feel about things, for one thing.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Huh?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">In mounting discomfort, Adam hit a nail he&#8217;d already pounded below the wood line a bit harder.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat, when a boy starts maturing, starts growing up, his mind tells him so, and his body, too,&#8221; said Adam quietly.\u00a0 &#8220;As you get older you&#8217;ll start to notice your body&#8230;changing&#8230;&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8220;Y&#8217;mean, like I&#8217;ll start havin&#8217; t&#8217;shave?&#8221; asked Pat. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0I really oughta let him off the hook soon, but this is way too much fun&#8230;<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, that&#8217;s one manifestation, yes,&#8221; said Adam, beginning to blush to the tips of his ears.\u00a0 &#8220;Others will come along, too.\u00a0 Your shoulders will get a bit broader, you&#8217;ll start noticing hair on your upper lip and chin, and.. .and&#8230;.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat eyed him innocently.\u00a0 &#8220;&#8230;And&#8230;?&#8221; he encouraged.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam shook his head, frustrated.\u00a0 &#8220;Well, we can talk about that later.\u00a0 The important thing is that your feelings are going to be changing, too.\u00a0 You&#8217;re going to start feeling differently about girls.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;But I already do.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;So how do you feel?&#8221; pounced Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat glanced up at him, and grinned.\u00a0 &#8220;They&#8217;re pretty special.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Apprehensively, Adam took the plunge.\u00a0 &#8220;I can only go on my own experience, here, Pat.\u00a0 I know that when I was about your age, I started feeling very differently.\u00a0 Inside.\u00a0 The way I looked at girls changed&#8230;I started noticing things like perfume&#8230;the way they wore their hair&#8230;the clothes they wore&#8230;the way they looked at me.\u00a0 Those things suddenly started to matter.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat looked at him thoughtfully.\u00a0 &#8220;Yeah, I know what you mean,&#8221; he said quietly, thinking seriously about his father\u2019s words.\u00a0 Cassie&#8217;s white-blonde hair had been haunting him now for weeks, and the way her green eyes snapped when she laughed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam felt like a desperate drowning man suddenly thrown a lifeline.\u00a0 &#8220;So, you&#8217;re beginning to notice things like that?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat nodded, getting his shoulder under another rail, and hammering it into place.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You&#8217;ll also start to notice your temper&#8217;ll get a bit shorter,&#8221; his father said slowly, &#8220;and there&#8217;ll be &#8230; uh&#8230;. urges you&#8217;ll start to experience.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat was grateful he was turned away; he couldn&#8217;t help silently chuckling.\u00a0 &#8220;Urges?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Pat, look,&#8221; said Adam finally, blushing to the tips of his ears. &#8220;This is hard for me talk about.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Why?&#8221;\u00a0 grinned Pat suddenly, driving a final nail into the rail he was stabilizing, and turning around.\u00a0 &#8220;I&#8217;m livin&#8217; proof you know all the moves.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Startled, Adam whirled around and stared at his son, leaning against the fence upright, and grinning from ear to ear.\u00a0 &#8220;Why, you little &#8211; &#8220;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;C&#8217;mon Dad!&#8221; laughed Pat, shaking his head and straightening up, &#8220;what d\u2019ya take me for?!\u00a0 I couldn&#8217;t let a chance like that go by!&#8221;\u00a0 He tossed his father a bag of long nails, which Adam caught awkwardly.\u00a0 &#8220;Let me cut this short, &#8216;kay?\u00a0 I&#8217;m beyond the point of wonderin&#8217;, believe me.\u00a0 I know exactly how it feels to kiss a girl, and short of actually doin&#8217; the deed, I know exactly how it feels to&#8230;. Let&#8217;s see, how do I say this?&#8221; he mused, staring into space.\u00a0 &#8220;Well, the Church calls it &#8216;consummatin&#8217; &#8216;.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;What do you mean?!&#8221; demanded Adam, alarmed.\u00a0 &#8220;You&#8217;re only thirteen!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Well, jeez, you&#8217;re the one who told me I was&#8230;uh&#8230;what was it you said&#8230;. oh, yeah.\u00a0 Precocious.&#8221;\u00a0 Pat cocked an eyebrow and grinned.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam&#8217;s eyes narrowed.\u00a0 &#8220;You little&#8230;you let me go on and on like this and all the time you&#8230; you&#8230;!&#8221; he sputtered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat laughed merrily, getting back to work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam shook his head and sighed.\u00a0 &#8220;Pat, wait a minute.\u00a0 I want you to look at me.&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Caught by the serious tone in his father&#8217;s voice, Pat stopped and turned around.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;You&#8217;ve said that you haven&#8217;t completely discovered women, is that correct?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat blushed a little and looked down.\u00a0 &#8220;Yeah,&#8221; he nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;I had the chance to find out this past spring, but&#8230; well&#8230;.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam waited patiently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat sighed again, giving his father a wry smile.\u00a0 &#8220;Let&#8217;s just say Ma was real good at makin\u2019 sure I had a conscience.\u201d\u00a0 His brow wrinkled a little as he sought the words he wanted to explain how he\u2019d felt.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Becky was one of the chippies that worked the upper floors of the \u2018Witches Broth,\u2019 the youngest of the group, maybe a year or two older than Pat himself.\u00a0 And one rainy afternoon in April, she\u2019d innocently asked Patrick to come upstairs to help her with moving a heavy trunk.\u00a0 It became obvious within minutes that Becky was looking for some enjoyable diversion on a boring day rather than the brute strength needed to shift a heavy trunk.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Siobhan had forbidden the boy to place so much as toe on the floor where the prostitutes worked, threatening to skin him alive if he disobeyed her.\u00a0 But Ma was in with the Fenians, it was pourin\u2019 rain and nobody was downstairs in the bar, an\u2019\u2026 well, and there was Becky in her pink ribbon-trimmed corset, and lookin\u2019 so\u2026 so\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cIt was \u2026 fun, and it felt\u2026well, it felt good, but Ma&#8217;s face kept swimmin&#8217; in front of my eyes, and I kept thinkin\u2019 about what she\u2019d do to me if she found out.\u00a0 I guess I just wasn\u2019t ready.\u201d<\/span><b>\u00a0 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He flushed deeply, then turned away and picked up the other satchel of nails.\u00a0 &#8220;So, you can relax.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Yeah, sure,<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> sighed Adam.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Relax!\u00a0 The boy had to be kidding<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">!\u00a0 &#8220;Did you and your mother talk about it?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat swung on him in shock.\u00a0 &#8220;Is it daft y\u2019are?!&#8221; he exclaimed.\u00a0 &#8220;It ain&#8217;t exactly somethin&#8217; you&#8217;d talk to your ma about, would ya?!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam felt a sharp ache at that one.\u00a0 Pat was right.\u00a0 It was something you&#8217;d talk about to your father&#8230;and he hadn&#8217;t been there.\u00a0 &#8220;Do you want to talk about it now?&#8221; he asked gently.\u00a0 &#8220;It must have been a bit confusing for you.\u00a0 I know it was for me, the first time.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Suddenly the tables were turned, and Pat was the one feeling uncomfortable.\u00a0 He was quiet a moment, thinking. As always, instead of answering, the boy countered with a question of his own. &#8220;How old were you?&#8221; he asked quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Older than you,&#8221; said Adam dryly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat nodded, with a small smile.\u00a0 &#8220;Confusing?\u00a0 Yeah.\u00a0 I&#8217;d never felt anything like that before<\/span><b>. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I thought it was somethin\u2019 I wanted more than anythin\u2019 in the world, but I was scared, too.<\/span><b>\u00a0 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I dunno&#8230;it was more than I wanted to deal with at the time, I guess.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam nodded.\u00a0 He hesitated a moment, then decided there was no time like the present to make it clear to his son that he was willing to talk about anything with him.\u00a0 Anything.\u00a0 Including the circumstances of the boy\u2019s own existence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPat\u2026\u201d he said quietly, turning to him and leaning on the rail.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re old enough now to start thinking about consequences.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat\u2019s brow wrinkled and he glanced at his father. He, too, stopped working and leaned against the fence himself, looking up at his dad.\u00a0 \u201cI just <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">said<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> I did\u2026 I toldja I thought about what Ma would do t\u2019me,\u201d he protested.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI wasn\u2019t referring to protecting your own hide,\u201d he said gently.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019re old enough to start think about having relations with a girl\u2026 you\u2019re old enough to realize that <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">she<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> could end up with child. Not just consequences that you have to live with, but that <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">she<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> would as well.\u00a0 And the child.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat straightened a moment, and he opened his mouth to reply, but stopped, thinking, then looked up at his father, a new expression, a new awareness on his face and in his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cPat, understand me,\u201d said Adam seriously. \u201cI will never, ever regret that you\u2019re here, that the love your mother and I felt for each other made it possible for you to be here. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Never<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s intense blue eyes gazed into his father\u2019s, looking for any lack of honesty, any dissembling, and found none.\u00a0 Only truth, and love.\u00a0 He swallowed, and nodded, starting to look away, until Adam reached out and put a hand on his arm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBut what I do regret was not exercising more self-control.\u00a0 I was young, but I knew I could have stopped what was going on,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cWhen you\u2019re sixteen\u2026 eighteen\u2026 twenty\u2026 well, those \u2018urges\u2019 I was talking about can get pretty strong, and \u2026\u201d\u00a0 Adam shook his head, not knowing exactly what else to say.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s mouth firmed a little, and he frowned.\u00a0 Here was Adam Cartwright putting to voice exactly one of the accusations, of the angry recriminations Patrick had had with him ever since he was old enough to understand exactly what sexual relations were, how \u2018babies were made.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou wasn\u2019t the only one in that bed,\u201d the boy grunted, staring down at the dirt at his feet.\u00a0 \u201cMa wasn\u2019t one to mince words. She could\u2019a said no.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cShe could have.\u00a0 But she loved me as much as I loved her. And according to her, girls get those urges just as strongly as we do.\u201d\u00a0 Adam sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.\u00a0 \u201cStill, as the man, I had the responsibility to protect her and I didn\u2019t, and for that, I <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">am<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> sorry.\u201d\u00a0 Adam could see the troubled expression on his son\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cYour mother, and you, learned the hard way what one moment of giving in to temptation can yield, son.\u00a0 I honestly don\u2019t think she ever regretted having you, Pat, either\u2026 not from everything Ray and Tom said.\u201d\u00a0 Adam smiled tenderly.\u00a0 \u201cTom said \u2026 well, the way he put it, you and your mother were a team, an unbreakable bond between you.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat flinched at that, remembering, and a flash of pain crossed his handsome, young face.\u00a0 He nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYeah\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI just wish we could have had you in a way that would have caused her, you\u2026 and me, too, less pain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat frowned, then looked up at his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPat, all I\u2019m saying is, think about not just your own life and how it can be impacted by the choices you make, but also of others who might be involved.\u2019\u00a0 He reached out and gently squeezed the boy\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cAnd anyone who might \u2018come along\u2019 as a result of them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat drew in a deep breath.\u00a0 This little conversation had gone way afield of what he\u2019d planned on and he was feeling a bit overwhelmed.\u00a0 He shifted his body a little, needing to move.\u00a0 He looked up at his dad, glad to know that they could talk about anything, even something as uncomfortable and awful as this, and still be all right..\u00a0 &#8220;Can we put off any more o\u2019 this conversation for a while?&#8221; he asked, gruffly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam smiled sadly at him and nodded.\u00a0 &#8220;Yeah, that sounds like a good idea to me.\u00a0 Maybe about ten years.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;God forbid!&#8221; Pat said, honestly shocked.\u00a0 Adam shook his head, chuckling, and they got back to mending fences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER TWENTY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">October 28, 1871<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Little Joe guided the buckboard around the corner of \u201cC\u201d Street and Taylor, lining up with Jenkins\u2019 store, and wrapped the reins around the handbrake.\u00a0 He grinned at Pat, who\u2019d already leapt down off the wagon excited to be in town once again.\u00a0 Joe had taken pity on the bored youngster this morning, moping around the barn and corral, and asked Adam for permission to bring the boy with him into town to fetch needed supplies.\u00a0 Joe also needed to check in with the Sheriff to share what information he\u2019d been able to garner after talking to several families.\u00a0 As they\u2019d expected, several of the men had been more forthcoming to Joe than they had been to Roy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">On the way into town Joe and Pat talked about a lot of things\u2026 some of Pat\u2019s memories of riding beside the head barman of the \u2018Broth\u2019 as they headed to the waterfront to pick up kegs of beer and cases of whiskey.\u00a0 Pat\u2019s descriptions of the tough longshoremen and the street toughs that were part of his daily life from the age of about eleven made Joe feel sad for the boy\u2019s missed youth.\u00a0 There were no tales of playing hooky from school, or getting into fairly innocent mischief, things that were the stories of his own boyhood, and Joe felt both amazing lucky at how Pa and his older brothers had made sure his childhood had been as happy as possible.\u00a0 And yet, he was heartened by the fact that Pat wasn\u2019t embittered by it.\u00a0 In fact, Joe was a little humbled by the equanimity in his nephew, wishing he possessed some of it himself\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Once they arrived in town, Little Joe wrangled an excuse to get over to the jail, though having to dance some pretty quick steps to keep Pat unaware of his activities; he put him to work under Bill Jenkins\u2019 watchful eye loading supplies while he went over to touch base with Roy about their plans.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The ride into Virginia City with his Uncle Joe had yielded Pat a little time to come home in freedom, although he wasn\u2019t sure he was looking forward to it.\u00a0 He\u2019d already done most of the errands himself, and his \u201cfreedom\u201d ended up being the freedom to the do the rest of it himself, too.\u00a0 Pat had no idea what his uncle was planning to do, hadn\u2019t even had an idea what he\u2019d been doing earlier in the day; The boy just knew he was beginning to resent the absences and the offloading of chores.\u00a0 Sighing, Pat resigned himself to his new status as \u201cyoungest Cartwright,\u201d and finished gathering the mail and supplies while being closely watched by Jenkins, and that rankled.\u00a0 The easy relationship Pat thought he\u2019d started to build with the store owner felt sullied with suspicion.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The boy had no idea that Roy Coffee had spoken to Bill, requesting that he do his best to account for Pat\u2019s times at the store in order to make sure they could clear him of future issues. Jenkins had readily agreed.\u00a0 For Bill Jenkins liked the boy; Bill felt Adam\u2019s boy was a good kid who\u2019d been hard done by all of his life, and for whatever reason, Bill didn\u2019t feel the youngster was at the bottom of these thefts.\u00a0 Young Pat Cartwright might be a bit wild, might not be the kind of kid the good mamas of Virginia City wanted around their precious little princes and princesses, but Bill sensed in the boy a code\u2026 a sense of ethics and honor that he felt sure the boy wouldn\u2019t cross when pushed.\u00a0 But\u2026 Patrick didn\u2019t know that.\u00a0 All Pat knew was that he was being watched like a hawk while he was in the store and loading supplies\u2026 watched like a convict freshly sprung from prison and under suspicion of falling back into bad acts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe and Roy had narrowed their list of suspects to one\u2026the drifter, Bob Wade, with whom Pat had tangled in the poker game not long after arriving.\u00a0 Though Roy had ridden him out of town, he\u2019d been spotted several times since then, not making trouble, but obviously not riding off either.\u00a0 He&#8217;d even been seen in the vicinity of the Flemings\u2019 ranch around the time the fire was started in their barn.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">As much as they wished it to be true, they really had no evidence to link Wade directly to the robberies or the fire, though slowly but surely they were getting to a point where they might be able to pull him in for questioning.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSo, what do you want me to do next, Roy?\u201d Joe asked, glancing out the window of the jail to watch Pat lug the supplies over and into the wagon.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cTime to start thinkin\u2019 about how we\u2019re gonna lay for this fella, Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He turned back to the Sheriff, his green eyes gleaming.\u00a0 \u201cA trap?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Coffee nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m thinkin\u2019 on it.\u00a0 Should have something by tomorrow or next day, maybe.\u00a0 In the meantime, the Marquettes and the Devlins are the only ones I ain\u2019t talked to, or you neither.\u00a0 Any chance you could get out to their spreads and see what they know?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou bet,\u201d Joe nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI could send Pat on home and go from there.\u00a0 He\u2019ll have the wagon so he won\u2019t take off too far, especially if I tell him to go straight home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Roy smiled.\u00a0 \u201cBoy\u2019s come around a lot, ain\u2019t he Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Joe nodded with a grin.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s a real good kid, Roy.\u00a0 He\u2019s just so much like Adam I forget sometimes, and I feel like it\u2019s twenty years ago and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I\u2019m<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> the little kid.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Coffee laughed.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I guess.\u00a0 Pat\u2019s a good few years younger than Adam was when I first met \u2018im\u2026still, ol\u2019 Adam was gettin\u2019 into plenty enough scrapes of his own!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe laughed, remembering only some of that time just before his oldest brother left for college, but Hoss had filled him in.\u00a0 Adam had been hanging around with a couple of guys that weren\u2019t individuals Pa considered good companions and had gotten himself into a lot of trouble that spring; being arrested for murder certainly hadn\u2019t been the least of them!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">And so, Joe had done just as he and Roy discussed, and at the crossroads between home and the Devlin place, had told Pat he had some other errands to run.\u00a0 \u201cListen, I need to go see Mr. and Mrs. Marquette about something.\u00a0 You go on back to the house with the supplies, okay?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat eyed his uncle, irritated, and shook his head, sighing. \u201cYeah, fine.\u00a0 Whatever,\u201d he grumbled.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe raised an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter with you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat first shrugged, then allowed his annoyance at the situation to shine through.\u00a0 \u201cI woulda liked a little help unloadin\u2019 all this stuff, since I loaded it all by myself!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe sighed, realizing that he\u2019d been a bit unfair about that part of it all.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, Kid, can\u2019t be helped.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s eyes flashed.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t call me kid.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cHate to tell ya, \u2018Kid\u2019,\u201d teased Joe with a grin, wheeling Cochise around toward the Marquettes\u2019.\u00a0 \u201cBut to me, you\u2019ll <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">always<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> be the kid!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat snorted and flicked the reins in irritation, urging the team on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">As Pat guided the team onto the west road leading to the Ponderosa, he was surprised to see a shine of white-blonde hair a little distant in the field.\u00a0 Squinting, he made out that it was someone sitting on a fallen log, head down.\u00a0 Worried that it was Cassie and something was wrong, he urged the horses as far across the rocky field as he dared, then got down and sprinted over to her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Sure enough, it was Cassie, and long before he got to her, he could hear her weeping.\u00a0 Alarmed, he ran faster until he startled her with the sound of his approach.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She leaped up and started to run away, despite his calls to her.\u00a0 She was no match for his long legs, however, and he caught up with her, grabbing her arm and turning her around.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cCassie!\u201d he gasped, his eyes widening as he saw the ugly bruise on her cheek and eye.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cDon\u2019t!\u201d she begged, turning away.\u00a0 Determined, he gripped her arms and turned her to face him.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWho did this?\u201d he demanded, studying her bruises.\u00a0 When she didn\u2019t answer, he shook her but very gently, repeating the question.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cCarl,\u201d she groaned, weeping.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat shook his head angrily, knowing he should have done something about this situation long ago, and eased his grip on her arm, then, feeling a little awkward, he drew the girl into his arms and held her close as she cried.\u00a0 \u201cCassie, it\u2019s okay\u2026 it\u2019ll be okay\u2026\u201d he murmured, comforting her.\u00a0 Then an awful thought occurred to him, and he tried to surreptitiously see the condition of her clothes.\u00a0 \u201cCassie\u2026 Cassie, did he\u2026did he hurt you besides the shiner?\u201d\u00a0 he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">There was a frightening moment of no response.\u00a0 Then, her face still buried in his shirt, Cassie shook her head, \u2018no.\u2019\u00a0 He closed his eyes in thanks, then hugged her again.\u00a0 \u201cCassie, you gotta tell somebody about this.\u00a0 Your ma know?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI don\u2019t wanna talk about this any more!\u201d she cried, pushing back and planting both palms firmly on his chest. \u201cYou gotta promise you won\u2019t tell no one!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His eyes widened.\u00a0 \u201cCassie, for God\u2019s sake!\u201d he breathed.\u00a0 \u201cYou been hurt!\u00a0 He hit ya hard enough ta leave a black eye!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">She shook her head again.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2026he was drunk.\u00a0 Told me to do somethin\u2019.\u00a0 I.,.I guess I didn\u2019t do it fast enough,\u201d she said brokenly, brushing her tears away.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSon of a\u2014\u201cswore Pat furiously.\u00a0 He drew in a deep, steadying breath and looked down again at the girl.\u00a0 \u201cCass, you gotta tell somebody.\u00a0 This can\u2019t keep happenin\u2019!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNo, Pat, please, promise me you won\u2019t say anything!\u201d she cried.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhy the hell not?!\u201d he demanded, his hands on his hips.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBecause&#8230;because&#8230;\u201d she turned away miserably.\u00a0 \u201cBecause he\u2019ll hurt me and Ma if you do,\u201d she said, very softly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat closed his eyes in frustration and shook his head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cPat, I\u2019ll deny everything if you tell!\u00a0 I\u2019ll tell everybody I fell down!\u00a0 I\u2019ll swear I bumped into a door!\u00a0 I\u2019ll &#8211; I\u2019ll &#8211; I\u2019ll say <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">you <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">did it!\u201d she cried hysterically, stepping back from him.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cCassie &#8211; \u201che began, alarmed, reaching out to her.\u00a0 In her hysteria she slapped his hands away.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI mean it!\u00a0 Everyone in town hates you anyway!\u00a0 They\u2019d believe me in a minute!\u201d she shouted, her eyes wide.\u00a0 \u201cYou can\u2019t tell, you can\u2019t!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat was enough aware of her state of mind to know most of what she was saying was her terror talking, but it still hurt.\u00a0 \u201cCassie, cool down,\u201d he snapped firmly, his blue eyes staring her down.\u00a0 When it appeared her nerves were so shot that she couldn\u2019t calm herself, he sighed and grabbed her arms, drawing her slowly, fighting, into his strong arms and hugging her close.\u00a0 After a few moments of fighting him and crying hysterically<\/span><b>,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> she sagged against him and just sobbed.\u00a0 And Pat let her, his eyes squeezed shut in pain for her, because he understood what she was going through\u2026\u00a0 because he\u2019d had to do this before.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Back in Hell\u2019s Kitchen, the miserable reality of drunks and beatings were a very real companion.\u00a0 Sometimes it got better, usually it got worse. He had always considered himself amazingly lucky that Siobhan, Ray and Tom had been so good to him.\u00a0 His understanding of \u201cfathers\u201d had been pretty tainted by his acquaintanceship with parents of his friends in the Kitchen.\u00a0 He had considered himself lucky and grateful more than once that he hadn\u2019t been born a girl; horrible things, worse than beatings, had happened to young girls he knew, only to be swept under rugs and lied about and conveniently forgotten in order to hide the truth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He remembered a young girl\u2014a dear friend whose family lived in the same tenement as he and his mother\u2014who had finally died after nothing was done about her situation for several months.\u00a0 His face hardened in white-hot fury as he remembered how everyone had comforted the \u201cbereaved\u201d parents at her funeral. \u00a0 Right now, Cassie had that same terrified, lost, and helpless look in her eyes that this young girl had had just before her death. And with that realization, Pat understood\u2026 Cassie and her mother had lived through this before.\u00a0 That was why they wouldn\u2019t go to Roy Coffee; when it had been Cassie\u2019s pa, everyone had blamed it all on Mrs. Yates.\u00a0 God knows he\u2019d seen enough of it growing up, \u00a0 \u201cBlamin\u2019 the victim,\u201d his mother would say grimly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cCassie,\u201d he said firmly, looking her in the eye, \u201cthis has gotta stop.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBut, Pat\u2014\u201cshe whimpered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cCassie, Sheriff Coffee isn\u2019t\u2014\u201d he began.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNO!\u201d she screamed, pushing away from him.\u00a0 She tried to run but he grabbed her again.\u00a0 She fought like a wildcat, and he had to struggle to keep hold of her.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOkay, okay! I won\u2019t tell!\u201d he shouted to reach her.\u00a0 \u201cNow, <strong><em>will<\/em><\/strong> you calm down!?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">She hiccuped as she studied his face to see if he meant what he said.\u00a0 When he nodded again, she relaxed.\u00a0 Her crying was softer as she crept into his arms.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">God, what am I gonna do?<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> he thought wildly.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Name o\u2019 God, how do I keep her safe without tellin\u2019 nobody?<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Whish, THUMP!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Whish, WHUMP!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Whish, CRRRAACK!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Thunk!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat leaned over and picked up the split logs, piling them into his strong arms and walking them to the woodpile.\u00a0 He stacked them neatly in the checkerboard pattern his Uncle Hoss had taught him and walked back to the woodpile, hefting another good-sized log onto the block, and withdrew the ax from the stump.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Whish, THUMP!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Whish, WHUMP!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Whish, CRRRAACK!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Thunk!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam watched Pat from the kitchen window, worrying.\u00a0 Pat had been working hard at that woodpile for nearly two hours now, and hadn\u2019t whistled a tune, hadn\u2019t sung a note as he usually did.\u00a0 For the past three or four days, Pat had been very preoccupied, as though something was bothering him.\u00a0 In true Patrick form, he\u2019d simply slammed down the window sashes and locked the shutters of his face, effectively shutting out everyone around him.\u00a0 Adam had been surprised by the change; when pushed even a little, Pat would become as ornery and difficult as he had been back in August.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Lately he seemed overtired, too; he had dark circles under his eyes, and his temper was short.\u00a0 The energy with which he had bounced through his days was depleted; he dragged himself through his chores and barely managed to perform up to his capabilities in his schoolwork.\u00a0 And any attempt on Adam\u2019s part to try to coax the reasons out of the boy were met with an impenetrable brick wall.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">His boy was completely shutting him out.\u00a0 It had been hard for Adam to accept; he\u2019d thought they had progressed far enough in their relationship for Pat to trust him.\u00a0 It hurt him to realize they really weren\u2019t there yet, and Adam wondered how many other things would still be out of his grasp with his unpredictable son.\u00a0 Adam sighed and sipped his coffee, then set it to the side.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat\u2026 <\/span><\/i><b><i>talk<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to me\u2026<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat, himself, was totally unaware he was the source of Adam\u2019s disquiet that morning.\u00a0 He had enough of his own worries to be concerned about.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As he mechanically plowed through the stack of wood to be split and stacked before the winter snows set in, Pat allowed his mind to work overtime on the problem at hand.\u00a0 There really was no other way; tired as he was, he\u2019d have to continue sneaking out at night to keep watch over Cassie and her mother. Carl Rhodes had appeared at their house on the outer edge of Virginia City around 10 o\u2019clock each night after getting thrown out of the Silver Dollar, or the Bucket o\u2019 Blood or one of the other saloons.\u00a0 He\u2019d stand there, yelling up at Mrs. Yates\u2019 window, banging on the doors, and finally wobble his way back down toward the tiny \u201cD\u201d Street cabins where miners lived and some of the whores plied their trade.\u00a0 Pat would observe, perched high up in the big tree next to their house, keeping a weather eye on the situation, ready to shin down the tree and intervene if he had to. \u00a0 So far there had been no need; Rhodes would always leave not long after arriving, since he had to be up for the early shift at the Lucky 7 the following morning.\u00a0 But Patrick was taking no chances. He was bound and determined that he wouldn\u2019t leave Cassie and her mother unprotected. \u00a0 Hopefully he\u2019d soon be able to think of some way around this mess, somehow without breaking his word to Cassie, but also without putting her into further danger by <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">not<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> breaking it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam pushed aside the paperwork that had been keeping him occupied all evening; he\u2019d made his preliminary reports on the most recent timber deal for his father and their potential buyers, now he had to draft them into solid numbers.\u00a0 Normally, this was meat and potatoes for Adam; he loved crafting the numbers into a solid picture that told the story of a potential deal.\u00a0 Even Ben had, in the last six or seven years, realized that Adam was far better at this than he himself was, and what\u2019s more, enjoyed it.\u00a0 After the first few weeks of feeling old and as though control of the Ponderosa was slipping from him, Ben had taken himself in hand, scolding himself for a stubborn old fool.\u00a0 Ultimately, he realized that he was losing nothing.\u00a0 Instead, he was gaining the business acumen of a bright, educated son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Unlike other nights, Adam had found it difficult to concentrate on his work this evening. He\u2019d had a difficult discussion with his young son earlier that had gotten neither of them anywhere beyond irritated with each other.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat had refused to say what was troubling him.\u00a0 At first, he tried hard not to be sullen about it, and had made an effort to say as respectfully as he could but clearly that what was bothering him was quite frankly none of his father\u2019s business.\u00a0 Unfortunately, Adam didn\u2019t heed the potential warning and had pushed Pat into recalcitrant stubbornness that threatened to escalate into a shouting match.\u00a0 It was a chance entrance by Hop Sing that kept the argument from getting out of hand.\u00a0 Pat had jammed his hat onto his head and stalked out to the barn to get to work on his chores, leaving his father behind, steaming.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat had eaten in silence, not participating in any of the supper table discussion, and had been fairly preoccupied in the early part of the evening.\u00a0 Far earlier than usual, Patrick had said his goodnights and gone to bed.\u00a0 Now, Adam glanced at the clock and, seeing it was after midnight, decided it was long past time to turn in himself.\u00a0 He\u2019d stop by Pat\u2019s room, on his way by, and make sure he was all right.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam yawned as he walked around the great room of the ranch, blowing out lamps and tidying the room.\u00a0 Joe\u2019s boots were still by the settee, where he\u2019d pulled them off to stretch out after supper; Hoss had left a length of braided halter draped over the blue chair when he and Joe had gotten into a checkers game.\u00a0 Adam smiled as he placed a worn bookmark in the book his father had been reading when he dozed off in his leather chair by the fireplace.\u00a0 As he made a last-minute sweep with his eyes, he suddenly froze, listening.\u00a0 His sharp ears picked up the quiet whine of the barn door\u2019s hinges. \u00a0 Normally those doors squealed like mad; he\u2019d been after Pat last week to oil them.\u00a0 Adam realized, somewhat surprised, that he hadn\u2019t heard that door squeal in\u2026 what, it must be three or four days now.\u00a0 Frowning, in the room\u2019s half-light he slipped toward the window behind his father\u2019s desk, getting there just in time to see a figure walking gingerly toward the house.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam was reasonably shaded from sight, swathed in the darkness at this end of the room, and was able to clearly see the figure of his son practically tiptoeing toward the porch, stopping to look at the house, assessing the situation, shaking his head and tiptoeing around the back of the house.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam shook his own head, seething, and did some hurried tiptoeing of his own up the stairs and into Patrick\u2019s room.\u00a0 His mouth was set in an angry line to see what must have been a mound of clothes artfully arranged to represent a body sleeping in Pat\u2019s bed.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The little monster\u2026 he planned this pretty well.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s room was big and had a small alcove in the corner where he had moved his desk.\u00a0 Pat had found quickly that keeping his desk in front of the window had spoiled his concentration too easily when trying to do his lessons and had moved it to keep the beautiful outdoors from distracting him while studying, \u201cor it\u2019d take hours to get them spellin\u2019 words learned!\u201d\u00a0 Adam silently set the desk chair further back into the shadows and sat down to wait.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">It didn\u2019t take long.\u00a0 Adam heard the quiet scuffling up the trellis at the side of the house, and then the catlike scurrying over the roof to the window.\u00a0 He watched as slowly, quietly, Pat\u2019s window sash slide up and one long leg come through followed by the other and the rest of Pat\u2019s lean, tall body.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The boy sat on the windowsill, pulling off his boots to make his re-entry even quieter and slipped to the floor.\u00a0 He silently set his boots against the wall under his clothes hooks and hung up his coat.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s eyes had grown accustomed to the darkness quickly and he watched the utter exhaustion in Pat\u2019s face as he turned around, unbuttoning his shirt.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat was so sleepy his usual acuity betrayed him; he didn\u2019t sense the other presence in his room.\u00a0 Until a cough brought his heart right up into his throat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The boy\u2019s eyes were already acclimated to darkness, and he saw a figure in the shadows near his desk.\u00a0 Pat gulped and nearly groaned.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cPatrick, when people enter the house from outside<\/span><b>,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> they usually enter through the door.\u00a0 Unless, of course, they\u2019re trying to hide something.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat silently watched his father rise to his feet and walk slowly toward him.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It was times like these he wished his father wasn\u2019t such a big man. Adam stopped just before his young son, and his height and size intimidated Pat into looking up a little nervously at him.\u00a0 Pat wouldn\u2019t be a bit surprised if he was given a beating for this little escapade; frankly, he\u2019d take it without a word if accepting it would keep him from having to explain where he\u2019d been, but Pat wasn\u2019t too hopeful on <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">that<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> score.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, what have you got to say for yourself this time?\u201d Adam asked coldly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat gulped again and looked down.\u00a0 \u201cNothing, sir,\u201d he said softly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2026 I mean\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Tiredly, the boy just shook his head, spreading his hands slightly.\u00a0 \u201c\u2026I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou\u2019re going to be even sorrier tomorrow.\u00a0 It\u2019s twelve-thirty and I have a long day ahead of me.\u00a0 We will discuss this in the morning.\u201d\u00a0 Adam continued to the door, opened it, then stopped on the threshold.\u00a0 He turned back to his unhappy son.\u00a0 \u201cSuppose you tell me now if you\u2019re planning to take off again to escape punishment?\u00a0 If so, I\u2019ll go ahead and nail that window sash shut.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Stung, Pat blushed but remained calm.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not gonna run,\u201d he said, his voice filled with a hurt, but quiet, dignity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, thank God for that, anyway.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The door shut.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat sank to his bed and put his head in his hands<\/span><b>.\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cThings will look better in the morning.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Wasn\u2019t that what everyone always said?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat couldn\u2019t honestly say he agreed.\u00a0 He dragged himself out of bed, still awfully tired, when Hop Sing came up, threatening to pull him out forcibly.\u00a0 Not surprisingly, sleep hadn\u2019t come easily to Pat after his father left, and he\u2019d gotten no more than an hour or two of shuteye.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">This morning looked just as bleak.\u00a0 No matter how hard he tried, Pat simply couldn\u2019t think of a decent explanation that would satisfy his father.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t tell him the truth without betraying his promise to Cassie; even if he did tell the truth, his father wouldn\u2019t be happy with him, either.\u00a0 He\u2019d been sneaking out for three nights in a row, now; getting out again would be much harder.\u00a0 He sat down on his bed, yanking on his boots, using a little more force than was necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s dilemma over whether to hurry up dressing and get downstairs to get it over with or dress slowly and put it off as long as possible was solved for him as his father came into his room.\u00a0 Adam shut the door firmly behind him and walked over to his son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat gulped and tried to avoid looking at the brown leather belt around his father\u2019s waist.\u00a0 The memory of his last encounter with that belt flashed into his mind unbidden, making him squirm a little on the bed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, young man?\u201d asked Adam sternly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat swallowed hard and, as he\u2019d been taught to do here when an adult entered the room, he rose to his feet and forced himself to look at his father respectfully.\u00a0 He decided he\u2019d be as positive about this as possible and just take what came.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat do you have to say this morning?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNothing, sir,\u201d he said quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam studied him. \u201cNothing.\u201d\u00a0 It was a flat statement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat remained silent, struggling to keep eye contact.\u00a0 He watched the steam rise in his father\u2019s eyes and braced himself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPatrick, how many times this last week have you sneaked out of your room?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s eyes faltered, and he looked down uncomfortably.\u00a0 \u201cUh\u2026a few.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHow many?\u201d The words weren\u2019t yelled, but the sternness in them compelled Pat to pick his head up again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThe last three,\u201d he answered softly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhere are you going every night?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2026 I\u2019m sorry, Dad, but I can\u2019t tell you that,\u201d he said quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam stared at him in shock.\u00a0 \u201cCan\u2019t? You mean won\u2019t!\u201d snapped Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhatever ya want to call it, I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam was flabbergasted.\u00a0 The boy wasn\u2019t rude in his tone, not at all, but \u2026 \u00a0 He walked over closer to his son, standing over him with his hands on his hips.\u00a0 \u201cPatrick, I\u2019m not playing games.\u00a0 I want the truth!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019m not lying to ya, Dad, I just ain\u2019t saying where I was,\u201d said Pat quietly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPatrick\u2014\u201d warned Adam, finger raised and pointing at his son\u2019s nose.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat snapped his head up, his own eyes hot and angry. \u201cLook, I made a promise!\u00a0 I ain\u2019t goin\u2019 back on my word!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYoung man, I want an answer and I want it now!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat remained silent, looking down at the floor, thinking, then raised his eyes to his father\u2019s.\u00a0 He tried so hard, he made sure his expression wasn\u2019t angry or rude or disrespectful.\u00a0 \u201cDad\u2026 I gave my word,\u201d he said sorrowfully, steeling himself to face the anger he saw there.\u00a0 \u201cI know you\u2019re angry, and I\u2019m real sorry about that, truly I am.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Frustrated, Adam paced a moment, then forced himself to calm down.\u00a0 Sighing he sank down on the bed, gesturing to Pat to sit down beside him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI swear to ya, I ain\u2019t done nothing wrong,\u201d said Pat earnestly as he did as he was told.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThat\u2019s not good enough, Pat,\u201d said Adam seriously.\u00a0 \u201cI want to know where you were.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The boy sighed, his shoulders sagging. They were getting\u2019 nowhere awful fast\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cDon\u2019t make me beat it out of you, Pat,\u201d said his father quietly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Shocked, Pat slowly raised his eyes to look up at his father, in total disbelief.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhatever promise you made, whoever swore you to secrecy\u2026Patrick, I can\u2019t allow this to continue.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat bounded to his feet, and turned angrily on his father.\u00a0 \u201cYou Cartwrights are always spoutin\u2019 off about truth and honor!\u201d he declared.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t it honor to keep your word to somebody?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNot when you put yourself into danger to do it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cBut I ain\u2019t <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">in<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> no danger!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHow can I know that since you won\u2019t tell me where you were!\u201d demanded Adam, rising to his feet himself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cYou know it \u2018cos I\u2019m <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">tellin\u2019<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> you I ain\u2019t!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAh, Pat,\u201d chided Adam, raising his hands in frustration.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cWhy don\u2019t <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">my<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> honor count as much as anyone else\u2019s in this family?\u201d cried Pat, beseeching, his own hands out, pleading.\u00a0 \u201cIf it was Joe or Hoss that was tellin\u2019 you this, you\u2019d respect it and let them handle it wouldn\u2019t\u2019cha?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNeither Joe nor Hoss are thirteen years old!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSince when does honor have an age attached to it?!\u201d demanded Pat, realizing he was pushing his father but desperate to try to make him understand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019m not going to argue with you!\u201d snapped his father.\u00a0 \u201cYou have until tonight to make up your mind.\u00a0 Either you tell me where you were on your own, or I\u2019ll see to it you do, one way or another!\u201d\u00a0 Adam stalked to the door.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve got until supper to make up your mind.\u00a0 In the meantime, you\u2019re not to set foot out of this room, understood?\u00a0 And that window stays closed!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBut\u2014\u201d protested Pat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cEnough!\u201d roared Adam.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Both were startled when a knock came at the door, and Joe poked his head around the edge of the door, apologetically.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cJoe, I\u2019m talking to Pat right now,\u201d began Adam angrily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI know, Adam, and I\u2019m sorry, but Roy\u2019s here,\u201d he said worriedly.\u00a0 \u201cHe wants to talk to you and Pat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat looked at Joe in alarm.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe shrugged but looked concerned.\u00a0 Adam sighed and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cDid you get into trouble on your little nightly sashays?\u201d he demanded, turning angrily on his son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNo!\u201d insisted Pat, \u201cI toldja I didn\u2019t do nothin\u2019 wrong!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam studied him, then pointed toward the door gesturing his son in front of him, nodding grimly.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s go on downstairs and find out what\u2019s happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Roy sat at the dining room table, a small cloth bag sitting on the table beside him and, oddly, Pat\u2019s dove gray hat beside it, talking seriously with Ben.\u00a0 Adam followed Patrick downstairs, right behind him, as though he were afraid the boy would take off.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Roy started in immediately, no preamble.\u00a0 Just right to the point.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAdam, I seem to be sayin\u2019 this a lot, but I\u2019m sorry to have to be out here again,\u201d he said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s been another robbery.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam reflected his style.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s in the bag?\u201d he asked tightly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cEvidence,\u201d replied Roy.\u00a0 \u201cFound at the scene of the crime.\u201d\u00a0 He reached over and drew out three distinctive bits of silver, all polished to a gleam and embossed with a starburst pattern.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam closed his eyes and shook his head.\u00a0 Pat\u2019s eyes widened, as he stared in amazement at the pieces of silver in the Sheriff\u2019s hands.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">As everyone watched, Roy deliberately picked up Patrick\u2019s hat and held one of the little bits of silver to an empty spot on the buckle set of the hat\u2026 one of the three empty spots Pat had noticed after that Sunday in church when his hat had, everyone thought, just been blown to the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cBut&#8230;but&#8230;\u201d he sputtered, absolutely confounded.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How could those pieces have got anywhere near a robbery?!<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSure looks like one o\u2019those bits go on your hat, don\u2019t it, Pat?\u201d asked Roy quietly.\u00a0 He looked at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI did some askin\u2019 around town, and Billy Jenkins remembered \u2018em.\u00a0 Said he\u2019d only ever had two hats with etched studs just like these, a black and a gray, that he carried in the store.\u00a0 The black hat was still there on the shelf, and he said he sold the gray to you back in August\u2026 for young Patrick there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cWell, they <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">look<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> like it, that\u2019s fer sure, but I didn\u2019t steal nothin\u2019! I swear I didn\u2019t!\u201d Pat said, fearfully looking up at his father and the Sheriff. \u201cYou gotta believe me!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI do believe ya, Pat,\u201d nodded Roy.\u00a0 \u201cI did find these at the scene of the crime, but I also know it ain\u2019t possible for you to have committed this robbery.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat closed his eyes and sank onto the settee, exhausted.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Jaysus&#8230;\u201d he muttered, putting his head in his hands. He felt his heart slowly start to move back down into his chest where it belonged \u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat\u2019s going on here, Roy?\u201d demanded Adam angrily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSomebody tried again at the Widow Morgan\u2019s, Adam, three days ago.\u00a0 The day Pat and Joe were in town getting supplies.\u00a0 Thankfully, too.\u00a0 Because it\u2019s absolutely beyond doubt that robbery happened between 11:00 and 11:30 in the morning.\u00a0 Pat was busy loading the wagon under the watchful eye of Bill Jenkins that whole time.\u00a0 He\u2019s in the clear on this one.\u00a0 And when I found these at the Widow\u2019s, real strategically placed,\u201d said Roy, dryly, lifting up the small studs from Pat\u2019s hat, \u201cI knew we could turn off the heat on young Pat here; someone\u2019s been setting him up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam\u2019s eyes burned with anger.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you\u2019re just now figuring this out?!\u201d he snapped.\u00a0 Roy studied Adam and nodded; this Cartwright was even smarter than he\u2019d thought.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hoss, puzzled, looked from Roy to Adam in confusion.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you mean?\u00a0 Ya mean you <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">knew<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> that Pat was bein\u2019 framed?\u201d he demanded of his brother, who nodded emphatically, his mouth in a tight line.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cThink about it, Hoss,\u201d said Roy seriously.\u00a0 \u201cEvery single robbery happened at a time when we haven\u2019t been able to nail down Pat\u2019s whereabouts or when he\u2019s been spotted in town.\u00a0 There\u2019ve been major efforts made by whoever\u2019s behind this t\u2019be sure that Pat\u2019s name is mentioned right after the robbery occurs, indicatin\u2019 they\u2019re tryin\u2019 to pin the robbery on him and some folks in town are willin\u2019 to believe it.\u00a0 Even now, even though I told folks I got me proof that it ain\u2019t Patrick, that there\u2019s no way it <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">could<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> be him, they\u2019re still circulatin\u2019 rumors that he\u2019s to blame for this one, too.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam dropped his head, his temper beginning to boil again.\u00a0 He turned around and lost control, slamming a hand down hard on the top of the newel post of the staircase.\u00a0 \u201cWhat in the name of God do we have to do to clear him, Roy?\u201d demanded Adam, whirling on the sheriff furiously.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cCatch the thief,\u201d answered Roy calmly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat looked up, following the conversation silently.\u00a0 His grandfather had quietly come around and sat down on the settee beside him, a gentle arm reassuringly around his shoulders. He glanced up at his grandfather and managed a wan smile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI got me an idea how to accomplish it, Adam,\u201d said Roy quietly.\u00a0 \u201cI should be able to get this under control by the end of the week, but that\u2019s all I\u2019m gonna say, so don\u2019t push me,\u201d he said, shaking his head as Adam started to speak.\u00a0 \u201cJust wanted to reassure you that as far as I\u2019m concerned, young Patrick here is totally in the clear.\u00a0 He\u2019s behaved himself this month,\u201d said Roy, unaware of Adam\u2019s mouth settling into a frown and an eyebrow raised, making Pat squirm a little on the settee, \u201cand I know he ain\u2019t the one I\u2019m lookin\u2019 for.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBut the town doesn\u2019t agree,\u201d said Adam darkly, turning toward the hearth.\u00a0 Ben sighed; this label of \u201cpariah\u201d the \u201cgood people\u201d of Virginia City were thrusting on Patrick was obviously beginning to sour his oldest son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNow, Adam, you just keep ahold on your temper for another few days and I\u2019ll have this all cleared up,\u201d reassured Roy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cUntil the next incident,\u201d snapped Adam, whirling back on Roy.\u00a0 \u201cAnd after that, they\u2019ll figure out something else to blame on him!\u00a0 Another name to smack onto him, besides \u2018bastard\u2019!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAdam,\u201d chided Ben, squeezing Pat\u2019s shoulders.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPa, I\u2019m sick to death of it!\u201d growled Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI think it\u2019s time Pat and I thought about moving on.\u00a0 Maybe back east.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben narrowed his eyes, angrily.\u00a0 He\u2019d seen this coming for weeks.\u00a0 Adam had avoided trips to town like the plague since the incident at the church.\u00a0 He and Hoss had been commenting on the subject just last night.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe and Hoss looked at each other in alarm, but Pat\u2019s head snapped up in shocked surprise.\u00a0 This, he thought, his blue eyes narrowing dangerously, was news to him!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Uncomfortably, Roy got to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I guess I\u2019d best be going, Ben.\u00a0 I\u2019ll talk to you all soon.\u201d\u00a0 He started for the door and turned back.\u00a0 \u201cAdam\u2026don\u2019t be hasty.\u00a0 Think long and hard before you make any big decisions.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben got to his feet and walked to Adam, hoping to calm him down enough to think rationally.\u00a0 \u201cAdam,\u201d he began.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">As the door shut behind Roy, Adam turned on his father, his eyes still burning with fury.\u00a0 \u201cI mean it, Pa.\u00a0 I\u2019ve had it.\u00a0 It\u2019s clear that neither Pat nor I will ever be able to build a life here.\u00a0 Maybe in San Francisco, or back east we\u2019d have a chance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, you have yourself a great trip.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">All the Cartwrights turned in surprise at the bitterly cold tone of those words coming from Patrick.\u00a0 The boy had walked over to the hearth, hands on his hips in a remarkably familiar stance. The fire crackling behind him matched the heat in the boy\u2019s angry eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cPat,\u201d warned Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cOh, no.\u00a0 Nothin\u2019 doin!\u00a0 I ain\u2019t goin\u2019 anywhere!\u201d spat the boy.\u00a0 \u201cI am sick and tired of having everybody else makin\u2019 decisions about where I go, what I do and where I stay!\u00a0 Well, no more!\u00a0 Not this time! <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> one\u2019s up to me!!\u00a0 And I ain\u2019t goin\u2019 no place!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cPatrick, listen to me,\u201d began Adam, coming toward his son, struggling to keep his temper under control. And to the surprise of everyone in the room, the boy strode to meet him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cNo, you listen to <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">me<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">!\u201d snapped Pat, poking his father in the chest with a blunt finger, startling him.\u00a0 \u201cIt ain\u2019t just your name involved here, buddy!\u00a0 It\u2019s mine too!\u00a0 And my name <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">ain\u2019t just Cartwright<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">!\u00a0 Padhraig Riordan was called everything under the sun, but no one ever ran him out of Ireland!\u00a0 They had to <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">hang<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> him to get rid of him!\u00a0 There ain\u2019t never been a Riordan yet that backed down from a fight, and I ain\u2019t gonna be the first just because <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">you\u2019re<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> developin\u2019 a yella streak!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWatch it!\u201d warned Adam, furiously, gripping his son\u2019s arm.\u00a0 He was shocked when Pat violently wrenched free and backed up, his fists cocked.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss started forward, but his father grabbed his arm.\u00a0 Hoss looked back in amazement at Ben, who shook his head, without taking his eyes off his young, fiery grandson.\u00a0 Ben wanted nothing to stop this.\u00a0 It appeared Pat was the only one who might be able to reach Adam, making him think the situation through.\u00a0 It was clear his stubborn oldest son wouldn\u2019t listen to him, or to his brothers, but he just might listen to this youngster.\u00a0 Ben had never felt prouder of his young grandson than he did at this moment, as he angrily went toe to toe with his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, you go right ahead!\u00a0 Turn tail and run if you want!\u201d the boy shouted, his voice breaking and angry, hurt tears welling in his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cBut if I leave now, everyone will always call me a thief!\u00a0 I already got one rotten name, one I had nothin\u2019 to do with, one you and my mother managed to dump on me!\u00a0 I\u2019ve had to live with that damn label for almost fourteen years!\u00a0 I ain\u2019t gonna pull on another one I didn\u2019t earn, just because you ain\u2019t willin\u2019 to stick it out!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam\u2019s eyes widened as Pat\u2019s words hit him like a slap in the face.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cCoffee says by the weekend he thinks he\u2019ll have this robbery thing solved.\u00a0 I won\u2019t ever be free until he does.\u00a0 So, you can go to San Francisco, you can go back east, you can go to <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">hell <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">for all I care, but I ain\u2019t budging!\u00a0 I didn\u2019t have a say about comin\u2019 here, I was <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">forced<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to come here.\u00a0 But now that I <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">am<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> here, this is my home, and here I stay. I\u2019ll be damned if you or anybody else is gonna force me to leave!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam regarded his tall young son with both outrage and pride.\u00a0 Pat was trembling with emotion, but his head was proudly high, his shoulders back and squared.\u00a0 Adam glared at his boy, then found himself running a hand over his face hard in weary amusement.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Surprised, Hoss swallowed hard and glanced at Ben, worried.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">That young\u2019un\u2019s got a death wish, <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">he thought.\u00a0 But Hoss noted that Pa\u2019s own mouth had a smile tucked in the corner.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, mister,\u201d Adam finally sighed, shaking his head, \u201cyou do beat all.\u00a0 And I suppose you\u2019re right.\u00a0 Giving in now would be a mistake.\u00a0 All right, then, we\u2019re in this together, you and me.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes in relief.\u00a0 Then his mouth flattened again stubbornly, and he raised hard eyes once more.\u00a0 \u201cAm I still stuck in my room for the day?\u201d he demanded, crossly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam started with bewildered surprise, then frowned, remembering.\u00a0 He looked down for a moment, then raised his head, a stubborn expression of his own on his face.\u00a0 \u201cYes, you are.\u00a0 The same conditions apply.\u00a0 You have until supper to tell me the truth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou can wait until spring, I ain\u2019t gonna tell you nothin\u2019.\u00a0 See you after supper,\u201d retorted the boy, rudely, as he stalked past his father and his grandfather and hurried up the stairs to his room.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat the heck was all that about?\u201d demanded Hoss, upset by the scene that had just transpired.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His only answer was his older brother stalking out the front door, leaving the front door wide open in his wake.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Later that evening<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">It was another silent meal in the Cartwright home.\u00a0 Hop Sing fussed around the table, wringing his hands and scolding that no one was eating his fine dinner.\u00a0 Well, no one but Hoss.\u00a0 Otherwise, it was true:\u00a0 Adam merely pushed his food around his plate. Joe was distracted, picking at his supper more than eating it, and Ben was frankly too upset to lift his fork.\u00a0 Haunting them all was Pat\u2019s empty place at the table.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">All day, Pat stubbornly sat in his room, just staring out the window, waiting.\u00a0 Joe had gone up, tried to coax him into telling him what was going on, but his efforts were met with a stone wall.\u00a0 Hoss brought a sandwich and glass of milk up to him which he tried to eat but almost vomited back up.\u00a0 The boy stalled out any attempt by his dearest Uncle to open up and talk to him, either.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The worst time he had was in the late afternoon, lying on his bed on his back, his stomach growling and aching uncomfortably with hunger: It had been months since he\u2019d gone without food this long.\u00a0 Back in the Kitchen, it happened once in a while, but that had been long ago and he wasn\u2019t used to having to cope with it any longer.\u00a0 Worse, he was unable to find something to do to distract himself.\u00a0 As the sun began to go down, his stomachache was heightened by nerves about what surely lay ahead.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t doubt in the least his father meant what he said.\u00a0 He\u2019d beat the truth out of him if he had to\u2026 or he\u2019d try.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He crossed his arms over his eyes, miserable.\u00a0 A quiet knock came at his door, and he sighed.\u00a0 \u201cCome in,\u201d he said softly.\u00a0 To his surprise the door opened to his grandfather.\u00a0 Pat started to respectfully get to his feet, but Ben shook his head, waving him back and walked slowly over to the bed, sitting down beside him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPat, don\u2019t you think this has gone on long enough?\u201d he asked gently.\u00a0 Pat looked at his grandfather sadly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cGranddad, I made a promise.\u00a0 I can\u2019t go back now,\u201d he said brokenly.\u00a0 \u201cI wish I could, but I can\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBut, son, no, Pat, listen to me,\u201d insisted Ben as Pat started to fuss.\u00a0 Pat looked at his grandfather and frowned, his arms crossed over his chest.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u201cPatrick, you\u2019re risking a great deal with this stubbornness of yours.\u00a0 I understand you\u2019re feeling a need to keep a promise.\u00a0 But a promise like the one you\u2019ve made is dangerous, son.\u00a0 You\u2019re a boy, still, and until you\u2019ve grown your father is responsible for you and your actions.\u00a0 Deliberately keeping him in the dark about your midnight visits to wherever it is you\u2019ve been going is not only wrong, but foolhardy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cGranddad, I swear to ya, I wasn\u2019t doin\u2019 nothin\u2019 wrong,\u201d said Pat softly, imploring his grandfather to believe him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cThat\u2019s not the point, son,\u201d sighed Ben, shaking his head in frustration, running a hand through his white hair.\u00a0 \u201cDear <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">God<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, but you\u2019re just like your father!!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThen he oughta be able to understand,\u201d said Pat unhappily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHe does understand, Pat,\u201d said his grandfather tiredly.\u00a0 \u201cUnderstanding isn\u2019t the problem.\u00a0 He\u2019s worried, and he\u2019s scared and you\u2019re giving him no choice.\u00a0 He\u2019s your father, Pat.\u00a0 And he\u2019ll do what he has to do.\u00a0 You know that, don\u2019t you?\u00a0 Don\u2019t imagine he\u2019s bluffing, son, because he\u2019s not.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat winced, and drew in a shaky breath, nodding. \u00a0 \u201c\u2026I know,\u201d Pat whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThen can\u2019t you tell me what\u2019s going on?\u00a0 Can\u2019t we work together to straighten this out?\u201d pleaded Ben.\u00a0 Pat\u2019s lower lip trembled, and it looked like he might capitulate.\u00a0 Then his resolve kicked into gear once again and he shook his head.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben studied him for a moment, then asked him sternly, \u201cWho are you protecting, Patrick?\u00a0 I can\u2019t believe you\u2019d let yourself in for this much misery without a good reason. And I\u2019m also guessing you\u2019d do this less for yourself than for someone else.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat flushed, looking away.\u00a0 \u201cI thought so,\u201d Ben said severely as he nodded in grim satisfaction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat rolled to his side, facing his grandfather, raising himself up on an elbow and looking at Ben with a kind of desperate pleading.\u00a0 \u201cGranddad, if I tell, someone\u2019s gonna get hurt.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAnd if you don\u2019t?\u201d demanded Ben.\u00a0 \u201cAre you so sure that they won\u2019t be hurt anyway?\u00a0 Son, this sounds like a serious problem, one that\u2019s too big for you to handle alone!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat shook his head, miserably.\u00a0 \u201cThat may be\u2026 but I gave my word.\u00a0 An\u2019\u2026 well, it\u2019s about all I got left that\u2019s mine,\u201d he said softly, nearly breaking Ben\u2019s heart.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cTalk about it, to me, or your father, anyone!\u201d said Ben, gently, putting a hand to his grandson\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat struggled for a moment, then sagged, closing his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t.\u00a0 I just can\u2019t. I gave my word.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sighing, Ben nodded.\u00a0 His assessment had been right; the boy <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">was<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> just like his father.\u00a0 When he believed he was in the right or if the situation involved a matter of honor, nothing would make Adam back down, not threats of punishment as a boy, nor threats of being ostracized by friends and neighbors as a grown man. \u00a0 \u201cThen I\u2019m afraid you\u2019re in for a long, painful evening, son,\u201d he observed sadly, tenderly stroking a lock of black hair off the boy\u2019s forehead.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben sadly nodded, and rose to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cI hope this friend of yours is worth it, Patrick.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat said nothing and closed his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He heard supper being served, smelled the delicious food, making his stomach growl even worse, and heard it being cleared away.\u00a0 He listened hard, apprehensively, and his heart stopped momentarily as he heard boots on the stairs\u2026coming down the hallway\u2026stopping momentarily in front of his room.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The door opened.\u00a0 Slowly, his father came into the room, his eyes downcast.\u00a0 Nervously, Pat sat up and respectfully rose, reviewing in his mind again the pros and cons of telling the truth.\u00a0 He licked his lips and looked up at his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPat,\u201d said his father softly, \u201cI\u2019m begging you, don\u2019t make me do this.\u00a0 Tell me where you\u2019ve been the last three nights.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s lower lip trembled, as he shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t, Dad,\u201d he whispered sadly.\u00a0 \u201cI just can\u2019t break my word.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam shook his head, sighing.\u00a0 \u201cNeither can I,\u201d he said sorrowfully.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat lay stretched out on his bed, face down, his face screwed up in discomfort as he valiantly tried to squelch his tears.\u00a0 Sharp throbbing alternated with a vicious, burning sting as his tail felt as hot as a fresh-brewed cup of coffee.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His father had really whipped him good this time, especially when he continued to refuse to tell him the truth about his late-night travels.\u00a0 As hard as he\u2019d tried, he hadn\u2019t been able to stop himself from crying.\u00a0 But he hadn\u2019t spilled the beans, either; he\u2019d kept his word.\u00a0 At the moment, that knowledge gave him precious little comfort, though.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Down the hall, Adam lay stretched out on his own bed, his stomach in knots. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What was he going to do<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">?!\u00a0 Pat had refused to tell him where he\u2019d been, despite a pretty harsh thrashing, and the threat that he\u2019d stay in his room until he did tell. \u00a0 Adam had never felt so ineffectual and beaten.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">How in God\u2019s name do I get through to him? What the hell am I going to do?!<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019m going into town,\u201d said Joe abruptly, getting to his feet.\u00a0 \u201cI need to get out of here for a while.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cJoseph,\u201d sighed Ben wearily.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPa, I won\u2019t be late, I promise.\u00a0 I just need to get out for a bit,\u201d he said quietly, strapping on his gun and shrugging into his warm coat.\u00a0 \u201cG\u2019night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben watched Joe trudge out of the house and shook his head.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss rose to his feet and sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m gonna go out and bed down the stock for the night.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben walked over to his sensitive middle son, and gripped his arm.\u00a0 \u201cHoss\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPa, I\u2019d never\u2019ve believed Adam could be so cruel,\u201d Hoss muttered, unable to look at him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cCruel?\u201d echoed Ben, with a very sad look.\u00a0 \u201cPat stubbornly refuses to tell Adam where he\u2019s been for the last three nights, out until after midnight, without permission.\u00a0 Adam has no idea where he\u2019s been, what he\u2019s been up to, or who he\u2019s been with.\u00a0 No way to know if he\u2019s in any kind of really serious trouble.\u00a0 Tell me, son\u2026what would I have done if any of you had pulled this at the age of thirteen?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cAw, Pa,\u201d sighed Hoss, looking back into the hearth\u2019s flames, reluctant to admit his father was correct.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pa would have skinned us alive if we\u2019d pulled a stunt like this.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHoss, try not to let this upset you too much.\u00a0 We\u2019ll get through this,\u201d murmured Ben, though his expression didn\u2019t quite match his words.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI sure hope so, Pa, \u2018cause this nonsense is tearin\u2019 us apart,\u201d said Hoss, dully.\u00a0 He pulled on his own coat and left the house for the barn.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Around eight o\u2019clock, Pat mustered what little courage and resolve he had left, and pushed himself, wincing, to his feet and looked out the window once again.\u00a0 Moving hurt, hurt really bad, even just that little bit, making him hiss in breath through clenched teeth.\u00a0 His resolve faltered as he thought of what could result from this; he sure didn\u2019t want to be punished again, but he had no choice. He had to get to Cassie\u2019s, and soon.\u00a0 Rhodes would be leaving the Silver Dollar, drunk as usual, in just a couple of hours.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">At least his coat was still here in his room on the hooks, where he\u2019d hung it up last night.\u00a0 He pulled it on and listened intently for noise from downstairs.\u00a0 Nothing.\u00a0 Luckily his father\u2019s room was on the other side of the house, so his tiptoeing around on the roof wouldn\u2019t be heard, at least not by Dad. He hoped. Fervently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He noiselessly eased up the window sash, and prepared to climb out, then stopped.\u00a0 A hard look covered his face as he quietly turned once more and limped over to his bureau.\u00a0 He pulled out a bone-handled knife in a worn sheath with a leather calf strap from one of the drawers.\u00a0 It was sharp as hell, one of the few things he\u2019d brought with him from Hell\u2019s Kitchen.\u00a0 He carefully secured the strap around his right calf, letting the little 4-inch knife rest comfortably inside his boot. It was a familiar feel, and Pat felt steadier just sensing it there. The boy remembered a year back when Old Bob Trahern, a teamster that often worked the wagon for the \u2018Broth\u2019, had given it to him, after a scuffle with some roughnecks on the waterfront.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cDon\u2019t ye be comin\u2019 t\u2019the wharf wi\u2019out a blade, lad.\u00a0 And be keepin\u2019 yer head about ye, aye?!\u201d the old longshoreman had warned him, sternly.\u00a0 \u201cYou pay attention! Or yer ma\u2019ll be buryin\u2019 a bairn, so she will!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Then he legged it out the window, nearly yelping out loud as his buttocks connected with the sill.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is gonna be a long ride<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, he thought unhappily, groaning softly as he climbed out and lowered the sash once more.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe and Roy sat in the jail, making their plans.\u00a0 Joe had been grateful to learn that Roy had begun setting things for their trap into motion.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSo, I\u2019ve already carefully planted word around town that I\u2019d heard tell from some o\u2019 the young\u2019uns that Pat was comin\u2019 into Virginia City tonight to play poker, puttin\u2019 one over on Adam,\u201d said Roy quietly, polishing his rifle.\u00a0 \u201cI also had Doc Martin agree to let us use him and his office.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cDoc?\u201d asked Joe, raising his eyebrows.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHe likes the boy, too, and wants to see this over with,\u201d nodded Roy, seriously, as he thoughtfully twirled the gray Stetson he\u2019d had to keep as evidence.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s gone around tellin\u2019 everyone he knows\u2019ll talk that he\u2019s got a hundred dollars sittin\u2019 in his office desk waitin\u2019 til the bank opens tomorra.\u00a0 Also, that he\u2019s gotta go to Mrs. Canfield\u2019s \u2018cos she\u2019s havin\u2019 a baby. She is havin\u2019 a baby, mind you, but she don\u2019t know she\u2019s havin\u2019 it tonight,\u201d he grinned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou think Wade\u2019ll bite?\u201d asked Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cDon\u2019t know if it\u2019s Wade,\u201d mused Roy.\u00a0 \u201cThis last little theft\u2026he just don\u2019t seem right to me, somehow.\u00a0 Well, hopefully we\u2019ll know soon.\u201d\u00a0 He glanced at Joe.\u00a0 \u201cAdam cooled off yet?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe made a face and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cHe gave Pat one hell of a hiding tonight; the kid wouldn\u2019t tell him where he\u2019s been the last few nights.\u00a0 Sneakin\u2019 out, you know.\u00a0 Cooled off isn\u2019t exactly the mood I\u2019d use to describe my older brother right now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Truer words were never spoken.\u00a0 Adam was fit to be tied.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He\u2019d risen from his bed around ten, determined to go to Pat and apologize.\u00a0 Adam was wracked with self-recrimination and shame.\u00a0 If Pat felt so strongly that he had to keep his promise, he should have trusted him and tried to help.\u00a0 Instead, he\u2019d allowed his own anger and worry to take over, punishing the boy far more severely than necessary.\u00a0 He\u2019d also come to the conclusion that just because Pa would have worn <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">him<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> out with his belt for pulling a stunt like this, Adam didn\u2019t have to make that the way he handled Patrick.\u00a0 Adam wasn\u2019t his father, and Pat sure as hell wasn\u2019t Adam!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Steeling his resolve, Adam marched to Pat\u2019s door and knocked.\u00a0 No answer.\u00a0 Wondering if the boy might have fallen asleep, Adam opened the door quietly and looked in.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The room was empty.\u00a0 The bed was mussed; obviously the boy had stretched out there for a while, but there wasn\u2019t even a faked body in there this time.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s eyes swept the room and noted the coat was gone from the hooks<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">as well.\u00a0 The window was shut, but Adam knew that it must have been Pat\u2019s escape route.\u00a0 His heart pounding, Adam entered the room and glanced through the boy\u2019s bureau, then closed his eyes in relief<\/span><b>. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0As far as he knew, nothing was missing.<\/span><b>\u00a0 <\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He hasn\u2019t run off for good, then.<\/span><\/i> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As he looked around one more time before heading out to find him, his eyes fell on a daguerreotype on Pat\u2019s bedside table, propped against the lamp.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t recall having seen that before in the boy\u2019s room\u2026<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Curious, he walked over to it, and his heart caught painfully.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">My God,<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> he thought, shocked\u2026 It was the picture he and Siobhan had had taken just three weeks before she left Boston.\u00a0 His breath caught in his chest as he picked up the picture and looked again at the beautiful young girl he\u2019d loved so desperately.\u00a0 Even in the darkened daguerreotype, he felt as though he could see the blue-black gleam of her hair, smell the lavender and rosemary soap she used on her hair, and see the shine of her light sapphire eyes.\u00a0 And himself!\u00a0 God, had he ever been that young?!\u00a0 This picture felt like a bridge between himself and Patrick; what Pat might look like in six or seven years \u2026 and who he himself had been all those years ago.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOh, Siobhan,\u201d he whispered, squeezing shut his eyes in pain.\u00a0 \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell me?!\u00a0 Why couldn\u2019t you let me help?\u00a0 You can\u2019t have believed I wouldn\u2019t have helped you and our child!\u00a0 Why couldn\u2019t you have just let me love you?\u00a0 Together we could have been there for him! And\u2026 and I don\u2019t think I can do this alone\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His hand shaking, Adam replaced the picture on the table and drew in a wavering breath. Steely resolve kicked in. He had to find his boy. He had to find out what was going on and do whatever he could to help.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Downstairs, Hoss had just come in from the barn, ready for bed; he was mentally and physically exhausted.\u00a0 He was just about to tell Ben that it looked like the leg of one of the mares was ulcerating when Adam pounded down the stairs, stalking toward the doorway.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat\u2019s the matter now?\u201d demanded Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHe\u2019s gone,\u201d said Adam darkly, reaching for his gun belt and strapping it on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOh, Lordy, not again!\u201d sighed Hoss. \u201cI didn\u2019t even notice Blackie wasn\u2019t in the corral with the others!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAdam, take it easy. If you find him in this mood &#8211; \u201cbegan Ben, worried.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPa, I\u2019m angry at myself, not him,\u201d snapped Adam, his dark eyes flashing.\u00a0 \u201cIf I\u2019d been more sensitive to what was going on, none of this would have happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou don\u2019t know that!\u201d countered Ben, sternly.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam ignored him and reached for his coat.\u00a0 Hoss set his lips and did the same.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAdam, listen to me!\u201d Ben insisted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPa, I know, but I\u2019ve got to find him.\u00a0 Hoss?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019m with you, brother,\u201d replied the big man, a serious look on his face.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, I know,\u201d grumbled Ben, jamming his hands into his pockets, annoyed.\u00a0 \u201cWait here in case he comes back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019ll find him Pa, and I\u2019ll bring him home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cC\u2019mon, Adam, let\u2019s go,\u201d urged Hoss, uneasily.\u00a0 \u201cI got me a bad feeling.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat was perched in a tree beside the Yates place, yawning.\u00a0 He\u2019d tethered Blackie back in the fields and was half-kneeling in the tree.\u00a0 He was right; it <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">had<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> been an awfully long ride.\u00a0 His legs were dead tired from standing in his saddle nearly all the way into Virginia City.\u00a0 He guessed it must be close to ten o\u2019clock.\u00a0 Carl Rhodes would be here soon, for sure, drunk and mean and God only knew what else\u2026<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He had thought back hard over the events of the day and could honestly say he wasn\u2019t even mad at his old man.\u00a0 He knew full well his own behavior had pushed Adam to the limit.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to think about what would be waiting for him when he got home tonight.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Maybe he wouldn\u2019t go home.\u00a0 Maybe Granddad was right. The heat and the wicked sting still radiating strongly from his backside made Patrick realize this situation had gone on long enough. Way past, really.\u00a0 This was more than he could handle alone. This time, he\u2019d stay until morning and force Cassie to tell her mother and her mother in turn to tell the Sheriff.\u00a0 Then he\u2019d present himself to his father for whatever else was coming his way.\u00a0 It was the best he could do, and if Cassie was mad, then she\u2019d just have to be mad.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">While Patrick struggled with these thoughts, Carl Rhodes was thrown out of the Silver Dollar, drunk and mean.\u00a0 He\u2019d lost nearly everything he had in a poker game and was ready for a fight. With somebody. Anybody.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He staggered down the street toward Julie Yates\u2019 house.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAdam, what about the lake?\u00a0 That\u2019s where I found him the last time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNo, Hoss, I don\u2019t think so.\u00a0 He\u2019s protecting somebody, and they wouldn\u2019t be at the lake.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cDadburn it, Adam, it\u2019s cold out here!\u00a0 Is he dressed warm enough?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHe brought his coat with him, the sheepskin-lined one Joe passed down.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Silence<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAdam, what about that little gal?\u00a0 Cassie somethin\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat about her?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cShe\u2019s about the only one besides Micah Devlin that Pat\u2019s been friends with.\u00a0 Think it could have somethin\u2019 to do with her?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Silence<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s possible\u2026and if it does\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat, Adam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThen it might have something to do with Carl Rhodes, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cAw, Lordy\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cC\u2019mon!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Rhodes tottered his way up the street, muttering to himself.\u00a0 Pat heard him coming and leaned both hands on the tree limbs, alert, ready to act if needed.\u00a0 Drunk, for sure, he thought, seeing him stumble his way toward the little clapboard house.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cJulie!\u00a0 Julie Yates!\u00a0 Open the damn door!\u201d\u00a0 The voice was slurred by whiskey and mad as a hornet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat tensed, watching closely.\u00a0 He saw lamp light appear in an upper bedroom and prayed hard that Mrs. Yates would keep that damned door shut and locked.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cCarl?\u201d A frightened voice, the words laced with disbelief and dread.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cJulie, let me in!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cCarl, you\u2019re drunk!\u00a0 Dear God, let us <\/span><b><i>be<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">!\u201d came the whimpering cry of Cassie\u2019s mother, sounding like she was near the end of her rope.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Rhodes stared at the door, and suddenly erupted, kicking in the wood frame.\u00a0 Pat jumped, startled, and then grimly sped down the tree, his own discomfort making him hiss in pain, but not slowing him down an iota.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Mrs. Yates screamed and Pat could hear doors slamming.\u00a0 He could hear Cassie\u2019s voice crying out, \u2018Ma! Ma!\u201d and he pelted off around the front of the house.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">By the time he raced in the shattered front door, the scene had rapidly escalated: Cassie was crumpled on the floor in the corner where a backhanded slap from Rhodes had thrown her, her cheek reddened from the blow.\u00a0 Now, the big man was manhandling Mrs. Yates who was fighting back but losing.\u00a0 It was almost as though she simply didn\u2019t have the strength left to even try fighting him off any longer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Without thinking, Pat lowered his head and charged, knocking the man off Mrs. Yates, who tumbled away from the recoil.\u00a0 Pat was on his feet in a heartbeat, his sharp eyes watching the drunken man carefully as he slowly lumbered, wobbling, to his feet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cYou!\u201d barked the man, incredulously.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, me!\u201d snarled Pat.\u00a0 He rapidly glanced around and saw that Cassie was moving and mewling weakly.\u00a0 Mrs. Yates looked, too, and started to fly between Pat and Rhodes to get to her daughter, but the man slapped her away as well, slamming her into a wall painfully.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Rhodes then charged at Pat, startling him and making him wait a split second too long.\u00a0 The boy and man tumbled over the back of the settee, clinched together in a grip.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat knew he didn\u2019t have a prayer wrestling with this man; he had to have distance in order to move.\u00a0 He groaned as the drunk squeezed his chest tightly, and Pat fought desperately to get loose.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll kill you, you little bastard!\u201d hissed Rhodes, squeezing viciously.\u00a0 Pat gasped in pain as his ribs protested, and frantically brought his hands up, gouging at Rhodes\u2019 eyes.\u00a0 The drunk screamed and released him immediately, allowing Pat to roll away. Heaving in breath that made his chest ache, Pat tried to scramble to his feet, shying away from the fist he saw coming, but wasn\u2019t fast enough to avoid it completely.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Blood spurted from Pat\u2019s mouth as Rhodes landed a vicious punch, knocking him flying backward into the wall, smacking the back of his head and his shoulders hard enough against the plaster to make his head swim.\u00a0 Pat ducked more from instinct than actual sight as the fist came at his face again, and this time Rhodes\u2019 hand connected with the wall, making him howl.\u00a0 Quickly Pat landed an uppercut to the drunk\u2019s gut.\u00a0 But he was weakened by the previous attack and the punch did little more than irritate the big man.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Legs\u2026I gotta use my legs<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, Pat panted to himself as he circled the man, trying desperately to keep himself between Rhodes and the women.\u00a0 Mrs. Yates had made it to Cassie\u2019s side; both were terrified and huddled together in the corner.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat watched Rhodes carefully, and neatly sidestepped him as he charged again, but this time gripped his hands together and viciously hammered the man in the kidneys on his way by.\u00a0 Once the man was down, Pat threw himself to the floor and scissored his legs around his neck in a choke hold.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cCassie!\u201d Pat panted, scrunching his face in effort to choke the man.\u00a0 \u201cCassie! Get help!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Terrified, the girl clung tighter to her mother.\u00a0 Frustrated, Pat took his eyes away from the maniac caught between his strong legs for just a split second to try to make eye contact with the girl; it was a mistake.\u00a0 Drunk as he was, Rhodes caught the shift in Pat\u2019s stance, and worked it to his advantage, slamming his fist into Pat\u2019s thigh, making the boy\u2019s leg muscle scream and spasm in protest.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat howled, rolling away, grabbing his leg in agony.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Rhodes hauled himself over and viciously began pounding the boy.\u00a0 Pat\u2019s face was a bloody mess, his ribs aching where several hard punches had caught him, places Rhodes had already damaged when wrestling the boy.\u00a0 Finally, Pat managed to land a hard knee to Rhodes\u2019 face, buying him a moment of time.\u00a0 Desperately, he reached down and pulled the bone-handled knife from his boot sheath, and the two began to circle again, Pat limping but leading them away from the women.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Cassie stared in horror at the knife\u2019s blade glinting in the moonlight shining through the window, and her brain finally kicked into gear.\u00a0 She jumped to her feet, pelting out the destroyed front door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss and Adam had ridden hard, neither able to shake the feeling that there wasn\u2019t much time, that something was terribly wrong.\u00a0 As they reached the outskirts of Virginia City they saw a white-blonde wraith running, screaming \u201cHelp!\u201d at the top of her lungs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam kicked Sport into a gallop, with Hoss close behind.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cCassie!\u00a0 Cassie!\u201d\u00a0 The girl stopped abruptly, nearly getting herself run down by the horses.\u00a0 Adam threw himself off of Sport and grabbed the hysterical girl in his arms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOh, God, Mr. Cartwright!\u201d she cried.\u00a0 \u201cCome quick!\u00a0 Rhodes is gonna kill him!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWho!?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cCarl came after me and my ma, and now he\u2019s gonna kill Pat!\u00a0 Hurry!\u201d she screamed again, grabbing Adam\u2019s hand and dragging him down the street.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat tried, he tried desperately to keep away from the crazed man, but he was too depleted from his already painful injuries.\u00a0 One mighty slap both knocked the boy nearly senseless and the knife out of his hand.\u00a0 Rhodes scrambled for it and, scooping it up, his eyes gleamed and his mouth twisted into a feral grin as he advanced on the boy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cCarl, no!\u201d\u00a0 Julie Yates gasped, rushing him.\u00a0 He slashed at her, cutting her arm badly.\u00a0 She cried out, then went white as a sheet, and slumped bleeding to the floor in a faint.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat saw him coming and rolled once more, moaning in agony as his injured ribs protested the movement.\u00a0 Rhodes was on him in a minute, but Pat had quickly brought up a knee between them; his hands gripped Rhodes\u2019 wrists, especially the one with the knife, and his trapped leg, while feeling as though it was going to break from the strain, kept enough distance between them to keep the knife at bay.\u00a0 With the last bit of effort he had, his leg almost numb, Pat gave a mighty shove and pushed the man off him, and the knife went flying.\u00a0 He struggled to his feet, trying to find something to use to protect himself as Rhodes charged again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Suddenly from behind him he heard feet pounding and furniture overturning as someone rushed in, and he was aware of someone huge stepping between him and Rhodes, landing a mighty haymaker to the animal\u2019s jaw, dropping him like a felled tree.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He felt himself gathered gently into someone else\u2019s arms and shook his head to clear it.\u00a0 His knees buckled and whoever was holding him supported him around his chest, making him cry out in pain from the pressure on his ribs.\u00a0 He opened his eyes\u2014 well, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">one<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> eye, anyway\u2014and blearily noted it was his father, white-faced, terrified. \u00a0 Pat hitched in a painful breath to speak.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAw, hell\u2026I coulda taken \u2018im!\u201d he mumbled, crossly, through his bloodied and smashed mouth. And promptly passed out in his father\u2019s arms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">November 3, 1871<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Paul Martin\u2019s office was dark and silent as Roy and Joe waited in a storefront across the street.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t know, Roy,\u201d Joe was saying softly.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s nearly 11 o\u2019clock.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t you say all the robberies happened in the daytime?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, but we spread the word that Pat would be in town tonight,\u201d said Roy, pensively.\u00a0 \u201cIt may not work, Little Joe, but\u2014-\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSh!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">A curtain in the window of the office had stirred.\u00a0 \u201cYou sure Doc\u2019s out at the Canfields\u2019?\u201d whispered Joe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYep,\u201d nodded Coffee, his eyes gleaming. \u201cI think we got \u2018em, Joe.\u00a0 C\u2019mon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Silently, the two men circled the building, Coffee gesturing to Joe to go around the back while he took the front.\u00a0 Joe was grateful Doc was careful to be sure his hinges were oiled as he slowly opened the back door leading into the kitchen.\u00a0 Softly, Joe inched his way into the house; he heard talking in the office area, where Doc\u2019s desk stood.\u00a0 More than two by the sound of the whispering.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Out front, Roy carefully brought his head around to peek in the window of the office and nodded his head in satisfaction.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Just as I suspected!<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> he thought to himself, drawing his gun and silently entering through the front door.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Three figures were in the office, one standing near the door to the kitchen, and the other two ransacking the desk as quietly as they could.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNothin\u2019!\u00a0 There ain\u2019t nothin\u2019 here!\u201d one hissed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThere\u2019s gotta be!\u00a0 You just ain\u2019t lookin\u2019 good enough!\u201d snapped back one of his partners.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cActually, he\u2019s right; there <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">ain\u2019t<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> nothin\u2019 there,\u201d said Roy, grimly, as he stepped into the office.\u00a0 \u201cHold it right there, fellas!\u00a0 Hands up!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Two did as they were told but the third, by the kitchen door, attempting to make his escape and tumbled right into Joe Cartwright\u2019s path.\u00a0 Joe stared hard at the thieves, his pistol trained on the one trying to run, who now saw the sense in standing still, putting his hands up, his eyes wide and scared.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Surprised by their identity, Joe looked in shock from the thieves to Roy, who was grinning from ear to ear.\u00a0 \u201cJust the way I figgered it, Little Joe!\u00a0 Just exactly the way the I figgered it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam paced downstairs in front of the fireplace, his face a black thundercloud.\u00a0 Ben sat quietly in his leather chair, and Hoss leaned against the back of the blue one, waiting as well for Doc Martin to come downstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAdam, you\u2019re going to wear out a path in front of that fireplace,\u201d said Ben gently.\u00a0 \u201cCome sit down.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI can\u2019t sit down!\u201d snapped Adam, continuing his pacing.\u00a0 He stopped a moment, and drew in a shaky breath.\u00a0 Then, exhausted, he walked to the blue chair and sank into it, defeated, covering his eyes with a hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cStop beating yourself up, big brother,\u201d consoled Hoss, patting his older brother\u2019s shoulder over the back of the chair.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI certainly did a good job beating up my kid, didn\u2019t I?\u201d he muttered, shaking his head.\u00a0 \u2018If I had just listened to him\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBut Adam, he wouldn\u2019t talk to ya!\u201d reasoned Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cYou can\u2019t have a conversation with a body that ain\u2019t talkin\u2019 back with ya!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cAdam, you had no way of knowing<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">what was going on in his mind,\u201d said Ben quietly.\u00a0 \u201cPat made it all a lot harder than it had to be, though for an honorable cause.\u201d\u00a0 He drew in a deep breath and sighed. \u201cSo\u2026 it was Cassie Yates that Pat made his promise to?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYes, sir,\u201d nodded Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cThere was a lot goin\u2019 on after Adam and me got there and put that trash down, but while Adam was getting\u2019 Pat settled into Billy\u2019s wagon t\u2019come on back here, Cassie managed to tell me that that Rhodes has been comin\u2019 night after night to the Yates place, drunk and yellin\u2019.\u00a0 Cassie said that when Miz Yates first told him she didn\u2019t want nothin\u2019 more to do with him after the dust-up at the Flemings\u2019, he smacked her around pretty good.\u00a0 The little\u2019un, too.\u00a0 When Pat found out about that\u2026.\u201d\u00a0 Hoss shrugged.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHe turned into Sir Lancelot,\u201d smiled Ben, sadly, thinking of the pressure the boy had been putting himself under, trying to both protect a friend, and remain true to his word.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss offered a sad smile. \u201cI guess so.\u00a0 Anyhow, up until tonight, it was just yellin\u2019 and swearin\u2019 to let him in, but he never broke nothin\u2019 or tried anythin\u2019 more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben shook his head, thinking about the greater tragedies that could have occurred tonight. He glanced at Adam, who\u2019d been silent through Hoss\u2019 story.\u00a0 \u201cAdam\u2026Just remember, he\u2019s still so young\u2026 he hasn\u2019t had enough life experience yet to put two and two together and really understand all that can happen in situations like this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">His eldest son sighed and glanced at him. \u201cI know, Pa.\u00a0 His sense of honor is strong, but his sense of self-preservation needs a little assistance,\u201d he said with a weary smile.\u00a0 \u201cI just hope he\u2026\u201d\u00a0 but the man couldn\u2019t finish, and he swallowed hard, glancing toward the stairs again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHe\u2019s young, and he\u2019s strong,\u201d said Ben, firmly, willing his belief to become reality.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll pull through this, Adam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Silence fell on the room as the three men waited, on tenterhooks, listening for movement from the boy\u2019s room upstairs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss and Adam remembered the craziness of the scene immediately after Pat lost consciousness in Julie Yates\u2019 front room\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">People at that end of town had heard Cassie\u2019s screams for help and were running toward the Yates place.\u00a0 Bill Jenkins was first, and saw Adam cradling Pat in his arms, the boy a bloodied mess, and his father a nervous wreck.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u201cSomebody get the doctor!\u201d yelled Adam, easing his boy onto the floor.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u201cDoc\u2019s out at the Canfield place!\u201d someone called.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll go!\u201d shouted someone else.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u201cWhat the hell happened here?\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u201cMrs. Yates! You\u2019re hurt, bleeding!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Confusion reigned for a few minutes while things got sorted out.\u00a0 Weeping in terror, Cassie explained what happened, that Carl Rhodes had come in drunk, trying to rape her mother, and that Pat had barreled in like a knight in shining armor to stop him.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cCarl kept beatin\u2019 on \u2018im, and beatin\u2019 on\u2019him,\u201d Cassie sobbed, \u201cbut Pat just wouldn\u2019t give up, and kept Carl away from Ma and me!\u00a0 Then when the knife came out, Pat had him far enough away from us that I could run for help.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The townspeople were shocked, more at the courageous behavior of the youngster still unconscious in his father\u2019s arms than the attack on the woman.\u00a0 Bill Jenkins came over to Adam and gently touched his shoulder.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI got my buckboard out front, fitted with a mattress and blankets.\u00a0 I sent my boy Billy out to the Canfields to get Paul.\u00a0 He\u2019ll be at his office soon.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cNo!\u201d snapped Adam, tenderly gathering his boy in his arms, \u201cI want Pat home, where I can take care of him.\u00a0 Send Paul out to the Ponderosa as fast as he can.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cBut, Adam, if he\u2019s hurt\u2014<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI said I want him home!\u201d Adam stubbornly insisted.\u00a0 He glared at the crowd, which parted to let him through.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sighing, Hoss turned to Jenkins, shrugging his shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cBilly, could you send word to Paul?\u00a0 Adam ain\u2019t gonna change his mind.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">By the time Hoss got outside, Adam had settled Pat in as comfortably as possible, covering him warmly with blankets.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cIt\u2019s all right, son,\u201d he said quietly to his unconscious boy.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m taking you home.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cAdam, what if he\u2019s hurt bad, y\u2019know, inside&#8230;wouldn\u2019t it be better to have the Doc see him here?\u201d asked Hoss gently.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI checked his ribs&#8230;they\u2019re bruised or maybe cracked, not broken,\u201d said Adam, his face closed.\u00a0 \u201cAnd as far as being unconscious&#8230;it won\u2019t matter if he\u2019s here or at the ranch.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI know, Adam, but-\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Losing control, Adam swung on his brother, his dark eyes flashing.\u00a0 \u201cDammit, Hoss! Pat\u2019s scared to death of doctors, and I want to be with him when Paul\u2019s there!\u00a0 And I want him to be in his own room, to know he&#8217;s safe and in his own bed! Stop arguing with me!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cAll right, Adam, all right,\u201d sighed his younger brother, shaking his head.\u00a0 Adam closed his eyes and shook his head, put out a hand to his brother\u2019s arm, in apology.\u00a0 Hoss tenderly put his own hand over his brother\u2019s, and said softly, \u201cC\u2019mon. Let\u2019s take your boy home.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">They got Pat back to the ranch without him waking and Adam once again lifted him and carried his son upstairs to his room.\u00a0 Pat didn\u2019t start to stir until Ben and Hoss had him undressed and Adam was tenderly cleaning him up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The boy groaned, stirring as his father wiped his battered face as gently as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cShhhh<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.easy<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u201d soothed Adam, restraining the boy\u2019s hand from going up to his face.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s heart ached as he saw the rapidly blackening eye, nearly swollen shut, the split lip, the bruises<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">his boy, his baby, so badly hurt.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat\u2019s good eye fluttered open, his forehead creased in pain.\u00a0 \u201cHurts<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">t&#8217; breathe<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201d he mumbled around his swollen lip, shifting uneasily in bed.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI know, son,\u201d said Adam softly, using the warm water to blot off the caked blood from his face.\u00a0 \u201cTry to stay still.\u00a0 The doctor\u2019ll be here soon and he\u2019ll get you fixed up good as new.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNo&#8230;doctor&#8230;,\u201d protested Pat weakly.\u00a0 Adam smiled sadly and sat down beside him in a chair, taking his hand.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cJust take it easy, Pat,\u201d he said gently.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re going to be all right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI\u2019m<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">sorry I \u2026 couldn\u2019t\u2026 tell ya, Dad,\u201d the boy sighed, closing his eyes again in discomfort.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam shut his eyes tightly and grit his teeth in self-recrimination.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s nothing to be sorry about, son.\u00a0 It\u2019s all right.\u00a0 Now, don\u2019t try to talk.\u00a0 Just stay still and rest. It won\u2019t hurt as much if you lie still.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hop Sing came in at that point. \u201cBoss\u2026 coffee downstairs on table.\u00a0 I do this, you go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Helplessly, Ben glanced at the Chinese man who stalwartly nodded, his medicine chest under his arm.\u00a0 Ben tapped Hoss\u2019 shoulder and then turned to Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hop Sing, however, forestalled him, shaking his head. \u201cFatha need be near boy, need to know boy be all right\u2026just until doctah come.\u00a0 I be here.\u00a0 You go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">At that point, they all heard the front door open and then steps coming upstairs.\u00a0 It was Paul.\u00a0 He\u2019d been up here so many times in the last fifteen years, he needed no direction or invitation.\u00a0 His experienced eye took in the situation, and latched onto Hop Sing; they locked eyes and the Chinese man nodded.\u00a0 Paul nodded, as well, setting his mouth in a grim line.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He stepped to Adam\u2019s side and gently disengaged him from Pat\u2019s bedside.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t need to be tripping over you while I check him out, Adam,\u201d Paul said sternly, herding the younger man toward the rest of the family by the door. \u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll call you if I need you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019m not going anywhere, Paul,\u201d said Adam fiercely, digging in his heels.\u00a0 \u201cYou know how frightened he is of doctors!\u00a0 You think there\u2019s any way I could leave him now?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAdam, Pat and I handled that just fine before, we\u2019ll handle it fine again.\u00a0 He might even be better off without you in here.\u00a0 Who\u2019s the doctor here, anyway, you or me?\u201d said Paul severely.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBut, Paul &#8211; \u201cprotested Adam.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Out,\u201d he said firmly, turning Adam around and pushing him gently toward the door, not unkindly. \u201cHop Sing and I will take good care of him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss took his older brother\u2019s arm and gently pulled him toward the door.\u00a0 Reluctantly, Adam took a last glance at the small, battered figure of his young son, then turned abruptly and left the room.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben poured himself a cup of coffee and glanced at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, thanks Pa,\u201d nodded Hoss.\u00a0 He poked his older brother.\u00a0 \u201cHow about some coffee, Adam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam silently shook his head \u2018no,\u2019 his hand still over his eyes. \u00a0 Minutes seemed like hours as the three men waited downstairs in awkward silence for some word from upstairs.\u00a0 All three jumped when they finally heard Pat\u2019s bedroom door close and Doc came to the top of the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam was on his feet in a heartbeat and at the bottom of the steps, and he actually felt a little faint to see a broad smile on Doc\u2019s face as he rolled down his shirtsleeves on his way down.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cRelax, Daddy, he\u2019s going to be fine,\u201d Paul said easily.\u00a0 \u201cTwo bruised ribs, one that might be cracked, a very mild concussion, a few cuts and some other pretty deep bruises<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">but nothing that won\u2019t heal.\u00a0 Trust me, Adam\u2026 it all looked much worse than it actually is.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam tried to push by him and continue up the stairs, but Paul latched on tight. \u201cHang on, there, Adam,\u201d he said calmly, but firmly.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing\u2019s getting him cleaned up and into bed.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you sit for a minute and let me fill you on the rest of his condition while that\u2019s going on, hm?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Anxiously, Adam\u2019s eyes went back up the stairs, but he finally nodded, and walked wearily back to his chair, sinking into it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cCoffee, Paul?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYes, please, Ben,\u201d nodded the doctor, accepting the cup and coming to sit on the settee.\u00a0 \u201cNow, that\u2019s not to say Pat\u2019s going to want to be bouncing up and around any time real soon.\u00a0 He\u2019s going to need bed rest for at least a week.\u00a0 Trust me, he isn\u2019t going to want to do much more than that for the first day or two, anyway.\u00a0 The hard part\u2019ll come on day three or four when he wants to get up; don\u2019t let him.\u201d\u00a0 Paul sipped his cup and sighed with tired pleasure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben smiled to himself, thinking of times he\u2019d had to enforce ordered bed rest for all three of his boys over their lifetimes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Paul opened his eyes again and looked between Ben and Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve given him a pretty good dose of laudanum to help him sleep tonight.\u00a0 As you saw, he\u2019s hurting quite a bit, and sleep is going to be the best thing for him right now.\u00a0 I\u2019ve left the bottle up on his bureau.\u00a0 You may give him a dose, a good spoonful, every six hours or so tomorrow while the pain\u2019s bad.\u00a0 But only tomorrow,\u201d he warned. \u201cHe should feel a lot better in two or three days.\u00a0 He\u2019s likely to run a low fever from the shock to his body, but that shouldn\u2019t be a major problem. It\u2019s not unusual, and nothing to worry about.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhat can we do for him, Paul?\u201d asked Adam, under control once again.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, he could use a little mothering, Adam, but I suppose fathering will do,\u201d smiled Paul, gently.\u00a0 He grew serious.\u00a0 \u201cI won\u2019t kid you, Adam.\u00a0 He\u2019s going to be a very uncomfortable boy in the morning; those are some deep bruises he\u2019s got, and they\u2019re going to hurt like the very devil.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam winced; he\u2019d had bruised ribs, more than once.\u00a0 He remembered that feeling and wished with everything he had there was a way he could shoulder his boy\u2019s pain.\u00a0 But he knew there wasn\u2019t.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNow, ice\u2019ll help.\u00a0 Also, ice packs for the black eye and swollen lip.\u00a0 He\u2019s also likely to have one hell of a headache when he wakes up.\u00a0 Thank God there\u2019s nothing more hardheaded than you Cartwrights.\u00a0 The concussion is mild.\u00a0 Cold compresses if that fever I was talking about does develop.\u00a0 Make him keep sipping liquids. Water is best, it won\u2019t be so tough on his stomach. Between the concussion and the amount of blood he swallowed, I\u2019ll bet he\u2019s going to feel pretty sick.\u00a0 Keep him as quiet, and as comfortable as you can.\u00a0 Oh, thank you, Hoss,\u201d nodded Paul, relieved, as he picked up the plate with a slice of pie the big man rested next to him on the oak table.\u00a0 \u201cFirst thing I\u2019ve eaten since lunch.\u201d\u00a0 He took a bite, eyes closing in bliss, and the taste of the pie reminded him.\u00a0 \u201cOh, and don\u2019t fuss at him if he isn\u2019t very hungry but try to get him to eat something by late on tomorrow\u2026 keep it soft and bland.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t lose any teeth, thank God, but the inside of his mouth is pretty badly cut up; it\u2019s gonna be damned sore for quite a few days.\u00a0 Some of Hop Sing\u2019s custard or some scrambled eggs\u2026 good food that\u2019ll help him build his strength back up without having to chew and without it hurting his mouth.\u201d\u00a0 Paul studied the worried father before him, struggling to commit to memory all of these instructions, and smiled gently, setting down his pie and leaning forward, arms on his thighs, hands clasped.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAdam\u2026 truly, he\u2019s going to be all right.\u00a0 He\u2019ll have a rough few days, but he\u2019s young and he\u2019s strong.\u00a0 He\u2019ll recover.\u00a0 Hop Sing knows what to do, believe me.\u00a0 And trust me\u2026 I wouldn\u2019t be a bit surprised if by this time next week you\u2019ll be yelling at him again for doing some fool thing, I promise you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam nodded, his mouth compressed, and walked toward the stairs, then stopped, turning back.\u00a0 \u201cThanks, Paul,\u201d he said, meaningfully, and continued up to his son.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019ll go out to the ice house and fix up them compresses,\u201d offered Hoss, itching to do something, anything.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben watched him go, and turned to look after Adam, turning at the landing and heading down the hall to Pat\u2019s room.\u00a0 He sighed.\u00a0 \u201cThank God, the boy\u2019s going to be all right,\u201d he said quietly, still gazing after his son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Paul also watched Adam go, and said quietly, \u201cThat\u2019s quite a grandson you\u2019ve got there.\u00a0 Billy Jenkins told me what he did for Julie Yates.\u00a0 You should be very proud of him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben nodded quietly, humbled.\u00a0 \u201cWe are, Paul.\u00a0 We are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sat by his son\u2019s side all night, a book in his hands.\u00a0 Pat stirred and moaned in his sleep several times but didn\u2019t wake.\u00a0 As dawn began to seep through the curtains, Pat finally opened his eyes and promptly winced, hurting all over.\u00a0 His head was pounding mercilessly and he muttered.\u00a0 Adam jerked awake, and glanced down, leaning closer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cHey, buddy,\u201d he said softly, stroking a lock of black hair off his son\u2019s forehead.\u00a0 \u201cHow do you feel?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u201c\u2026Like a mule\u2026 kicked me,\u201d came the slurred, groggy response.\u00a0 \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">my head\u2026 aches<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cSomewhere along the line, you banged the back of your head pretty bad.\u00a0 You have a mild concussion,\u201d said Adam gently, reaching around behind him for a glass of water.\u00a0 \u201cHere, son, sip this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat groaned as his father slipped a strong, gentle arm behind him and eased him up a little but drank the water thirstily.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSlow down\u2026 you don\u2019t want to bring it right back up again,\u201d said Adam gently.\u00a0 \u201cThose ribs won\u2019t thank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Exhausted, Pat sank back on his pillows and sighed.\u00a0 Adam put the glass back. \u201cHungry?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cNo,\u201d whispered the boy, tiredly, wincing; trying to speak really hurt.\u00a0 \u201cDad<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cassie\u2026 okay?\u00a0 And her ma?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cThanks to you, yes.\u00a0 Mrs. Yates got a cut on her arm, but I heard it wasn\u2019t too serious, just a few stitches needed.\u201d\u00a0 Adam swallowed hard and patted his son\u2019s arm.\u00a0 \u201cPatrick, I<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I\u2019m so proud of you.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat managed a small smile, but it didn\u2019t last. \u00a0 A spasm in his chest made him flinch and moan again, and Adam placed an ice pack against the sorest spots.\u00a0 Pat shivered a moment, then tried to lay back and relax.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cTry to lie as still as you can, Pat,\u201d said Adam quietly, covering him up warmly.\u00a0 \u201cYour ribs\u2019ll hurt less that way.\u00a0 I know, I\u2019ve been there.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you close those eyes and try to sleep some more, all right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Patrick nodded quietly but was unable to settle. The youngster said nothing, but he was acutely aware that yesterday&#8217;s tanning was still fresh enough to make having to lie on his back damned uncomfortable; unfortunately, his ribs wouldn&#8217;t allow him to do anything else. He closed his eyes unhappily, shifting to try to find a position that didn&#8217;t make him want to bust out cryin&#8217;.\u00a0 Finally, Adam took his hand, and gently suggested, \u201cJust squeeze when it hurts, Pat.\u201d\u00a0 Almost instantaneously, Adam felt the strength of his boy as he gripped, surprisingly hard, and hissed in air.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Remembering something Pat had said, Adam started softly humming the melody of <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cThe Whistling Gypsy\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> which seemed to soothe him.\u00a0 Adam watched over his boy tenderly as Pat drifted back into an uneasy sleep.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Near two in the morning, Joe had come home, full of the news of what had happened to Pat as well as what he and Roy had accomplished.\u00a0 He barreled in the door while Ben was still downstairs, brewing a pot of coffee, unable to sleep.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhoa, take it easy!\u201d admonished Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPat!\u201d Joe panted.\u00a0 \u201cIs he all right?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cHe\u2019s pretty banged up.\u00a0 Doc\u2019ll be back in the morning to check on him again,\u201d reassured Ben.\u00a0 \u201cWhere the devil have <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">you<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> been all night?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe sighed and flopped unceremoniously into a kitchen chair.\u00a0 \u201cWe got \u2018em, Pa!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The coffee cup in Ben\u2019s hand clattered to the floor, smashing.\u00a0 Startled both Joe and Ben glanced down; sheepishly, Ben carefully picked up the pieces. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I\u2019m getting too damned old for this\u2026<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 \u201cWhat, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">tonight?!\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> he demanded.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah.\u00a0 Roy and I were out at Doc\u2019s, where the Sheriff laid a trap\u2026 and since Doc\u2019s place is clear on the other side of Virginia City we didn\u2019t hear anything about the hullabaloo at the Yates place until Adam was already on the way home with Pat.\u201d\u00a0 Joe went to the cupboard where Hop Sing kept a broom and dustpan and fetched them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell?\u00a0 How long are you going to keep me in suspense?\u201d Ben demanded, irritably, his eyes on the largest shards he was gathering together.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cRemember those three hooligans that beat up Pat in the churchyard?\u201d grinned Joe.\u00a0 Ben\u2019s head snapped up in shock.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u201cWhat<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">&#8230; \u039a<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">en Shepherd\u2019s boy?\u00a0 And Tommy Sanders?\u00a0 And, what\u2019s his name, Norbert\u2019s youngster?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYep,\u201d nodded Joe, sweeping up the remaining shards.\u00a0 \u201cThey were pretty upset with Pat for holding his own against them the way he did and decided to get him into trouble.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben shook his head wearily.\u00a0 \u201cAll of this trouble, all of this heartache\u2026 because of some naughty, spoiled little boys\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYes, sir,\u201d said Joe.\u00a0 As Ben settled at the kitchen table with a fresh cup, Joe looked at him more closely.\u00a0 \u201cPa\u2026 Doc says Pat\u2019s gonna be all right, though?\u201d he asked worriedly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ben sighed and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYeah.\u00a0 He\u2019s going to be fine.\u00a0 He\u2019ll be hurting pretty bad for several days, but by next week he should be up and around again.\u00a0 Like I said, Paul said he\u2019d stop by later today to check on him.\u00a0 After he delivers Mrs. Canfield\u2019s baby.\u00a0 It appears she actually <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">did<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> go into labor tonight.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Joe\u2019s machine-gun giggle rippled through the kitchen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Paul had been right; Pat recovered beautifully.\u00a0 He did have two very difficult, painful days, where the only things that seemed to keep him calm and quiet were the laudanum Paul had left behind and his father, either singing or playing his guitar to soothe him.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Paul had also been right in that, by the third day, Pat was beginning to feel a bit better.\u00a0 As the days progressed, and Pat\u2019s pain eased enough for him to be alert enough, Adam found reading to him relaxed him as well.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201c \u2018 The World was all before them, where to choose\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Thir place of rest, and Providence thir guide:\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0They hand in hand with wandring steps and slow,\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Through EDEN took thir solitarie way.\u2019 <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201c\u2018Their solitary way\u2019,\u201d Pat repeated softly, a little drowsy.\u00a0 \u201cI feel like that\u2019s what I always walked.\u00a0 What\u2019s that from?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201c\u2018Paradise Lost,\u2019 John Milton,\u201d replied Adam, slipping a bookmark into the worn, slim volume.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cI seen that\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u201cI <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">saw<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> that,\u201d prompted his father with a smile.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat sighed, unable to roll his eyes without the swollen one hurting.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, I <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">saw<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> that book before.\u00a0 It\u2019s old, ain\u2019t <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam nodded, looking at the book in his hands.\u00a0 \u201cIt was your grandmother\u2019s.\u00a0 Pa said he used to read from it to my mother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat studied his father.\u00a0 \u201cYou never knew her,\u201d he said softly, a statement rather than a question.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam shook his head, sighing and set the book on the bedside table. \u201cNope.\u00a0 She died when I was born.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHow\u2019d you feel about that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cGuilty.\u00a0 For a long time when I was very small, I felt like I\u2019d killed her.\u00a0 It took a lot of talking for my father to make me understand it wasn\u2019t my fault.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat frowned a little, glanced slightly at Adam, then bit his lip.\u00a0 \u201cDad\u2026 were you ever\u2026 ever mad at her\u2026 for dyin\u2019 on ya?\u201d Pat eyes were focused on the quilt under his left hand.\u00a0 His right was too sore to use, with his knuckles bruised and split.\u00a0 His left hand, however, picked at the stitching of the quilt\u2026 and Adam, smiled sadly to see that there were several places where this was the case.\u00a0 Places where, obviously, Pat had worried the stitching as deeply as his thoughts worried his young mind.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam tilted his head to the side.\u00a0 \u201cYes\u2026 those thoughts pretty much sat side by side with the guilty ones I\u2019d carried, thinking that because she died when I was born it was my fault she died at all,\u201d he admitted, studying his son\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u00a0 You feeling a bit of anger at your mother?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat shrugged slightly, then hissed in air between clenched teeth.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Well, now, <\/span><\/i><b><i>that<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> was a damn fool thing to do! <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">he winced to himself, irritably.\u00a0 He carefully lay his aching head back on the pillows. \u201cI been goin\u2019 over it and over it in my mind this last day or two,\u201d he said softly. \u201cI been so, so angry at her\u2026 I broke\u2026 well, I broke one o\u2019 the last promises I made to \u2018er.\u00a0 She made me promise not to go the street where the parade was happenin\u2026\u00a0 you know, back in New York,\u201d he said quietly, looking up at Adam to see if he understood.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">When his father nodded, Pat sighed.\u00a0 \u201cBut my friends and me\u2026 I mean, every boy in Hell\u2019s Kitchen was gonna be there!\u00a0 This was the biggest thing to happen in our part o\u2019 town in ages.\u00a0 And there was all kinda talk about the Catholics fightin\u2019 back. For sure we wanted to be there!\u201d Pat said grimly, a certain amount of stubborn pride in that young voice and his blue eyes cold as ice.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam felt a frisson of something\u2026 what Joe\u2019s Ma, Marie, used to call <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2026 that sense of seeing again something you\u2019d lived through or seen before.\u00a0 Hearing Patrick\u2019s voice and seeing that coldness in his blue eyes made Adam\u2019s mouth go dry for he could hear the boy\u2019s mother, see her as she bitterly recounted the tale of her family\u2019s fate at the hands of the Crown back in 1855.\u00a0 Adam had no time to assimilate these thoughts, however, as Patrick continued.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBut later,\u201d Pat faltered, wincing and laying his head back again, \u201clater, all I could think about was\u2026 was how if she\u2019d\u2019a just stayed away like she wanted me to do, she\u2019d still be\u2026 \u201d \u00a0 His voice gave out and the boy hauled in a shuddering breath, shaking his head.\u00a0 Adam leaned in a little and put a gentle hand on his son\u2019s leg.\u00a0 He could see thoughts and emotions that Patrick had buried for four months were bubbling to the surface, and it was likely going to be rough sailing.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s face grew red with the effort not to cry. \u201cIf it was so damn dangerous for me, then it was dangerous for her, too!\u00a0 She was all I had!\u00a0 How could she?\u00a0 How could she DO that to me?!\u201d he demanded of his father pounding his fist on his own leg in emphasis, his young face twisted in pain and betrayal.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam wanted to gather him in close but forced himself to give Pat room\u2026 give the boy the choice of when to accept comfort.\u00a0 He\u2019d been given so little self-rule; young as he was, Adam knew the last thing Pat needed was to have that right taken away from him yet again.\u00a0 No, right now, the boy needed to get this out, to lance the boil and let the infection of these feelings drain.\u00a0 Not to mention, right now any hug Adam offered would likely hurt like the very devil.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPat, I don\u2019t know the answer to that, other than that I know how much the Irish troubles were at the center of who she was, even long back when I knew her.\u00a0 I think you and I have something in common\u2026 as much as we loved her, we\u2019re both pretty angry at her right now, too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat drew in a shallow breath and glanced through tear-dampened lashes at his father.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cSon, I loved Siobhan with everything I was and everything I had, but right now\u2026 right now I\u2019m so angry at her I can barely stand it.\u00a0 I am so, so angry that she never told me \u2026 about you.\u00a0 That she denied me my son\u2026.<\/span><b><i>my son!\u201d\u00a0 <\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam\u2019s lips trembled slightly as he shook his head. \u201cShe knew how to get in touch with me\u2026 you being here is proof of that!\u00a0 But she never did, not until she couldn\u2019t stand between us any longer!\u00a0 She let both of us, you and I, believe whatever suited her to keep us apart, and I\u2019m having a damned hard time forgiving her for that. When I learned about you, all I wanted to do was shake her until her teeth rattled, until she told me <\/span><b><i>WHY.\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat stared at his father, torn so badly between wanting to defend his ma, and feeling just as angry as Adam did, and for the same reasons.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBut son, that\u2019s the one question you and I will probably never get the answer to,\u201d Adam shrugged sadly. \u201cBecause it sounds like she\u2019s the only one who knows, and she can\u2019t tell us now.\u00a0 So, we\u2019re going to have to work at it, Pat&#8230; we\u2019re going to have to work hard, both of us, at forgiving her so that we can keep the other memories alive.\u00a0 The good ones.\u00a0 The one you have of your Ma singing you to sleep\u2026 mine of her walking with me through a Boston snowfall, catching snowflakes on her tongue\u2026\u201d He winced at the vividness of the memory, and the pain of her loss that it evoked.\u00a0 Adam drew in his own shallow, shuddering breath, and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cPat, she loved you so much, I know she did.\u00a0 I know it because of how she raised you,\u201d he said, shrugging his shoulder, and reaching out a gentle hand to stroke his son\u2019s lean cheek in one of few places that wasn\u2019t discolored or bruised.\u00a0 \u201cI never knew my mother.\u00a0 But you did, and \u2026 and I\u2019m glad of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat sniffed and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYeah\u2026 I guess I am lucky, really.\u00a0 At least I had thirteen years with mine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam smiled at his son.\u00a0 \u201cYes, you did.\u00a0 I wish I\u2019d had that long with your mother\u2014and mine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat leaned back against his pillows, grimacing a little as his sore ribs informed him in no uncertain terms he should lie still.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam patted his son\u2019s leg, gently\u2026 it was a start.\u00a0 He knew they\u2019d need to revisit this subject many times over the next months until they\u2019d helped each other get everything into proper perspective, but for now, he was grateful Pat had been willing to share what he did tonight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat sighed a little. \u201cYou know, you ain\u2019t never told me what it was like between you two.\u00a0 I mean, I knew her as my ma<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">you knew her as something else.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam quietly leaned back in his chair and crossed his legs, allowing his mind to drift back in time.\u00a0 \u201cYes, something else entirely.\u201d\u00a0 He glanced at his son, who was in turn studying him.\u00a0 He smiled, wryly.\u00a0 \u201cDid she ever tell you how we met?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat shook his head, very slightly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI was at am Irish saloon in Boston with a bunch of my college friends, drunk.\u00a0 Too drunk to get home by myself without falling into the Charles River,\u201d he said, with a self-effacing smile.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat stared at him and sniggered.\u00a0 \u201cYer joshin\u2019,\u201d he snorted.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOh, you\u2019d better believe it,\u201d Adam replied grimly.\u00a0 \u201cI was young, wild and stupid once, too, you know.\u00a0 You want to hear the rest of this, or not?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSorry,\u201d grinned Pat, settling into the pillows to enjoy the story.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYour mother was a barmaid there.\u00a0 It was November, and bitter cold.\u00a0 Believe it or not, they\u2019d taken me out for my birthday, promptly forgot me and wobbled themselves home, leaving me there, dead drunk.\u00a0 She knew I couldn\u2019t get home, since she\u2019d heard us talking about my grandfather\u2019s house being all the way on the other side of town, so she had the bartender and one of the bouncers drag me upstairs to one of the back rooms.\u00a0 She could have lost her job, but she did it anyway.\u00a0 I was sick as a dog the next morning and had to sit there and endure one of the worst chewing-outs I\u2019d ever suffered through.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat chuckled, trying not to laugh hard; it hurt too much.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you fell in love with a shrew,\u201d he smiled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam smiled in return, grateful to see his son\u2019s natural resilience seemed to be giving him a little peace and ability to recover.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNo, that came a day or two later, when I came back to thank her, and we went for a walk around the college.\u00a0 In about fifteen minutes I realized that she was the one for me.\u201d\u00a0 He looked off into space remembering.\u00a0 \u201cShe was so beautiful. I took her to concerts, read to her. We talked about everything under the sun. She would come to my rooms that I shared occasionally with a good friend, and while I studied she would brew tea, and sing softly.\u00a0 My buddy threatened to fall in love with her himself if I didn\u2019t declare myself pretty soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cDid ya?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI tried to.\u00a0 All the way through that winter, I told her about the Ponderosa, and about your grandfather and your uncles, and how I wanted to take her home with me.\u00a0 She in turn told me about Ireland, about the awful tragedy of her father and her brothers being hanged.\u00a0 I knew she felt my English heritage also hung there between us, and I couldn\u2019t seem to break through that.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cIt was an awfully cold March, and we spent a lot of time indoors, either at the library, or at the music conservatory<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">or<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201d and Adam blushed, but Pat grinned.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah, I guess you did,\u201d he said cheekily.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam warned him with a glance but tried to hide his own grin.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThe last night we saw each other, your mother and I had a terrible fight.\u00a0 I\u2019d proposed to her again a few days earlier, and she turned me down.\u00a0 I ranted, I raved, I pleaded, I argued.\u00a0 But nothing would change her mind.\u00a0 She\u2019d been awfully preoccupied all week, and this snapped it.\u00a0 When she left that night, angry, it was the last time I ever saw her.\u00a0 I even tried to write to her, giving the letter to another of the barmaids, a friend of your mother\u2019s and of mine, asking her to find someone to read it to Siobhan, but I heard nothing more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat nodded, soberly, thinking.\u00a0 \u201cThe one time she told me that you asked her to marry ya, she told me that she decided that night to leave for New York.\u00a0 She\u2019d just found out she was carryin\u2019 me.\u00a0 She said\u2026\u201d he swallowed hard, remembering that argument in their flat just days before the riot.\u00a0 \u201cShe said she loved ya too much to ruin your chance at a good life.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sighed.\u00a0 \u201cPat, I don\u2019t know if I can make you believe me, but you have to know I would never have abandoned her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat made a face, raised a hand and waved it as though to push away his father\u2019s statement.\u00a0 \u201c\u2018Course I do.\u00a0 I know that.\u201d\u00a0 He sighed.\u00a0 \u201cYou know she never really loved anybody but you?\u201d he stated seriously, looking at his dad.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI wondered why she never married,\u201d Adam mused quietly.\u00a0 \u201cI mean, I knew <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">loved her, but when she took off<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201d he couldn\u2019t finish, and had to swallow hard.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about Tom Ryan and Ray Connelly?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cShe was real fond o\u2019them,\u201d said Pat, remembering.\u00a0 \u201cTom, especially.\u00a0 I think Ray reminded her of you, but Tom was real good to her, as well as awful good to me.\u201d\u00a0 The boy sniffled a little.\u00a0 \u201cI really miss \u2018em. Both of \u2018em.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhy don\u2019t you write them?\u201d asked his father with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019d be a great surprise for them, wouldn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat winced, and turned away, two fat tears slipping down the boy\u2019s cheeks, alarming his father. \u201cWhat is it, Pat? Has the pain got bad again?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat shook his head and sighed.\u00a0 \u201cMa always dreamed of me learnin&#8217; to read and write, somethin&#8217; she was never able t&#8217;do,\u201d he choked out. \u201cWe could never afford it.\u00a0 Ray offered to pay for what I\u2019d lose in wages, but she wouldn\u2019t hear of it.\u201d\u00a0 He raised his head up and his blue eyes shone.\u00a0 \u201cThanks for letting her dream come true.\u00a0 I sure wish she coulda known.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam\u2019s hazel\u00a0eyes welled at that one and he reached out a hand to wipe away his son\u2019s tears.\u00a0 \u201cShe knows, Pat.\u00a0 Believe me, she knows.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">As Pat eased back onto his pillows, he thought of something.\u00a0 \u201cWait\u2026 You say you wrote to her?\u201d he asked, his forehead creased in thought.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah.\u00a0 Why?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI wonder&#8230;\u201d Pat thought, trying to sit up, and grimacing in discomfort.\u00a0 <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cOw!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWhoa, young man, stay still,\u201d admonished Adam, gently pushing him back to his pillows.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat sighed, frustrated. \u201cUnder my mattress, there\u2019s a bundle of stuff,\u201d he said softly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam eyed him curiously and reached underneath.\u00a0 His eyes widened as his hands touched something soft, made of linen.\u00a0 He drew it out, and stared in surprise, then handed it to his son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cThis was all she had when she died,\u201d he said quietly, fumbling with the knot.\u00a0 Adam\u2019s eyes studied his son, then looked down at the opened bundle on the boy\u2019s lap.\u00a0 His breath caught painfully in his chest as he saw the program, the dried rose, the ring&#8230;and the letter.\u00a0 His and Siobhan\u2019s past together, wrapped up in one of his old handkerchiefs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat picked up the worn envelope and turned it over, seeing the handwriting and wincing, recognizing his father\u2019s penmanship. \u201cIs this it?\u201d he asked softly, eyeing his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Unable to speak, Adam nodded, a lump in his throat.\u00a0 Pat silently handed it to his father, but Adam shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cRead it,\u201d he choked, gesturing at the envelope in his boy\u2019s bruised hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat was troubled, but opened the worn envelope and withdrew the yellowed, much-handled stationery.\u00a0 Pat still was at the stage of moving his lips as he read and found the handwriting and some of the words a bit of a struggle, but by the end of the letter, tears were streaming down his face.\u00a0 \u201cYou did love her,\u201d he whispered, hiccupping and unable to look at his father.\u00a0 \u201cYou really did.\u00a0 You really, really wanted to marry her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOh, yes,\u201d nodded Adam, blinking back his own tears.\u00a0 \u201cI wanted her more than anything in the world, Pat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat sighed and folded the sheet up again sliding it awkwardly, one-handed, back into the battered envelope, and leaned back again on his pillows.\u00a0 The entire brick wall he\u2019d worked hard to build for thirteen years had completely crumbled. In its place was a surrounding sense of protection and caring that felt fresh and new, unfamiliar and yet welcome. He was also surprised to note that not since she\u2019d died had his mother felt so close by as she did right now, almost as if she were there with the two men she\u2019d loved most in her short life.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam reached out and squeezed his son\u2019s less-battered left hand gently. When Pat finally opened his eyes and gazed back at him with the beautiful blue eyes of his lost love, it almost felt as though all three were together, sitting on that bed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201c\u2018Memories and dreams are precious things,\u2019\u201d Adam said brokenly, remembering something his father had once told him.\u00a0 \u201c\u2018They\u2019re always there when you need them most.\u2019\u201d *<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">By the end of the week, Pat was well enough to be allowed out of bed for short periods of time.\u00a0 His lip was healing nicely, his black eye now merely discolored, with the swelling reduced greatly; even his ribs weren\u2019t quite as sore.\u00a0 But Doc still insisted that Pat must rest for much of the day because of the head injury.\u00a0 Protesting, Pat was forced to remain quietly on the settee in front of a roaring fire.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cPat, either you sit still here, or it\u2019s back to bed,\u201d said his father calmly, with a smile, supporting Pat as he helped him walk slowly downstairs.\u00a0 \u201cWhich is it going to be?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat glanced at the settee and scowled.\u00a0 Gingerly, still protecting his ribs, he eased down onto it, sulking.\u00a0 Smiling, Adam tucked a blanket around him.\u00a0 Pat wouldn\u2019t look at him, making his father chuckle, and ruffle his hair.\u00a0 Both looked up as they heard a knock on the door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hop Sing trotted to the door and opened it.\u00a0 Snow swirled in around the open door and he backed away to allow a woman and a young girl to come in.\u00a0 Pat\u2019s face split in a happy smile, one that he dampened slightly as the split lip protested.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cCassie!\u00a0 Mrs. Yates!\u201d he grinned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The woman, her arm in a sling, came into the great room, a smile on her face.\u00a0 Cassie, too, was beaming.\u00a0 \u201cI hope we\u2019re not intruding,\u201d said Mrs. Yates, softly.\u00a0 \u201cDr. Martin said Pat would probably feel up to having visitors today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI think he could use it.\u00a0 He\u2019s suffering from a bit of cabin fever,\u201d grinned Adam.\u00a0 Cassie came around and sat on the oak table beside the settee, smiling at her friend.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Mrs. Yates smiled at Adam, then came around beside her daughter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cPatrick, I don\u2019t know what to say to make you realize how grateful we are to you.\u00a0 If you hadn\u2019t been there when you were<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201d she stopped, overcome.\u00a0 She looked down and sighed.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI\u2019m just glad I was,\u201d said Pat with a blush.\u00a0 \u201cRhodes in jail?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Mrs. Yates nodded.\u00a0 \u201cSheriff Coffee locked him up and the circuit judge will be through next week,\u201d she said, relieved.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThe sheriff hopes you\u2019ll be well enough to testify,\u201d said Cassie seriously.\u00a0 \u201cSays that would nail the case shut.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cCassie!\u201d chided her mother.\u00a0 \u201cPat may not feel up to it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOh, no, ma\u2019am, you bet I\u2019ll be there,\u201d said Pat firmly, nodding, making Adam smile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou\u2019re a real hero in town, you know that?\u201d grinned Cassie.\u00a0 Surprised, Pat glanced at his father and Mrs. Yates, then back at Cassie.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYou\u2019re kiddin\u2019!\u201d he said, confused.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNope!\u00a0 A real, silver-lined hero!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cMan, this town is the strangest place,\u201d he sighed, shaking his head.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cDon\u2019t worry, Pat, I\u2019m sure they\u2019ll find something to pin on you in a few weeks when you\u2019re back to your old self,\u201d grinned Adam, leaning against the blue velvet chair.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">They chatted and visited for a while, then Mrs. Yates noticed Pat\u2019s eyes beginning to droop a little with weariness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cWell, we won\u2019t keep you, I know Patrick probably needs a nap,\u201d said Mrs. Yates, smiling, \u201cand Cassie and I have some errands to do.\u00a0 Mrs. Devlin needs some dressmaking done for her daughter\u2019s wedding.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cAw, not yet!\u201d protested Pat, wincing as he sat up too quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cThere, you see?\u201d said Mrs. Yates, firmly, kissing his cheek, and making him blush.\u00a0 \u201cYou <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">do<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> need to rest.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be up and around soon, and we can visit again.\u00a0 Good-bye, dear, and thank you.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cYes, Pat,\u201d said Cassie shyly.\u00a0 \u201cThank you.\u201d\u00a0 And she leaned over and kissed his cheek as well.\u00a0 Pat\u2019s face grew as red as a tomato, and he shifted uncomfortably, though sort of enjoying it as well.\u00a0 If Adam had harbored any worries about his son\u2019s innocence, they were forgotten.\u00a0 For at least a short time longer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Cassie and Mrs. Yates were the first of a steady stream of visitors from Virginia City to beat a path to the Ponderosa\u2019s door.\u00a0 Women laden with pies, cookies and cakes, little children wanting to hang on every word of the magnificent tale of Pat\u2019s swashbuckling derring-do, men shamefacedly offering their apologies to father and son alike.\u00a0 Pat was uncomfortable through the whole process, wishing they\u2019d all just go home and leave him alone.\u00a0 But he manfully swallowed his embarrassment and endured, trying hard not to get surly.\u00a0 He was unspeakably grateful, though, when a full week had gone by and things began to return to normal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">He fussed and fumed about having to rest, until the family was at their wits\u2019 end, but Adam grinned, knowing that with each tantrum Pat was feeling better and returning to his old self.\u00a0 When Doc allowed him to resume, with good sense stressed, most of his usual routine (\u201cNo riding <\/span><b><i>yet<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, clear?!\u201d), Pat happily started to get back to life as usual on the ranch.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He even managed to hint a bit at a momentous occasion soon to be occurring.\u00a0 One evening at supper, he cleared his throat and glanced at his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cY\u2019know, you told me your birthday is this month, too,\u201d with emphasis on the final word.\u00a0 \u201cWhen is it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam smiled; eyebrow cocked.\u00a0 \u201cIt should be easy for you to remember.\u00a0 It\u2019s the same day as yours.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat\u2019s eyes widened.\u00a0 \u201cThe fourteenth?!\u201d he breathed.\u00a0 \u201cYer kiddin\u2019!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cNope.\u00a0 November fourteenth.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat did some mental calculations.\u00a0 \u201cThen this\u2019ll be your thirty-fifth, right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYep.\u00a0 Don\u2019t add any years to that, all right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBut that\u2019s a special one, ain\u2019t it?\u201d grinned Pat at his grandfather and uncles.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re gonna throw him a party, ain\u2019t ya?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ben chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cYou think a birthday party is needed?\u00a0 After all, when folks get to be as \u2018old\u2019 as your father, we tend to stop thinking about birthdays<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHey!\u201d protested Adam, with a grin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Hoss innocently reached for more fried chicken.\u00a0 \u201cYep, we just tend to forget about it, Pat.\u00a0 Ain\u2019t a good idea to remind old folks like your pa of how close they are to their Maker.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cYeah,\u201d sighed Joe, his eyes twinkling.\u00a0 \u201cAt his age, we just treat it like any other day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Ben smiled but became a little sad as well.\u00a0 It had always been difficult for him to celebrate Adam\u2019s birthday.\u00a0 Not that he didn\u2019t dearly love his son, but celebrating his birth also reminded him of the loss of his first love, his beautiful Elizabeth.\u00a0 Now, perhaps, Liz had sent him a reminder that life goes on.\u00a0 A new reason to celebrate the day, in the birth of their grandson.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0\u201cA party<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201d mused Ben, smiling at his oldest son.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know\u2026 maybe it\u2019s long past time for one, Adam.\u201d\u00a0 His eyes widened solemnly.\u00a0 \u201cAfter all, at your advanced age, we don\u2019t know how many you may have left.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The table erupted in laughter as the five Cartwrights made their plans for a double birthday party at the end of week.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">~-oo0oo-~<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Author\u2019s note: * From <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bonanza<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, Season 2: Episode 22, \u201cElizabeth, My Love\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><strong>CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">November 14, 1871<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cMissa Patlick!\u00a0 Missa Patlick, fatha say you get up <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">now<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> or no bleakfast!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat yawned and rolled over in bed, cussing under his breath.\u00a0 \u201cOkay, Hop Sing,\u201d he grumbled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m gettin\u2019 up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat shivered a bit and swung his long legs out of bed, hastily reaching for his clothes on the chair beside his bed.\u00a0 As the nights grew colder, he\u2019d learned quickly to leave his clothes for the next day by his bed, grab \u2018em the next morning and pull \u2018em on while still in bed where it was warm.\u00a0 The fact that he presented a slightly rumpled appearance each morning didn\u2019t bother him in the least!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Sleepily, he yanked on his boots and walked to his bureau to run a quick brush through his hair to make himself presentable for the table.\u00a0 As he raised his eyes to see where the brush was going, Pat suddenly remembered, and a happy grin split his face.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">It was his birthday!\u00a0 He was fourteen years old!\u00a0 Quickly, Pat brushed his hair and made sure he was ready, then hurried out the door and down the stairs to breakfast.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Everyone was already there and were halfway through their meal.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cMornin\u2019!\u201d he grinned, sliding into his seat.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He was greeted warmly by the rest of the family, but his father cocked an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cYou almost missed breakfast altogether, buster,\u201d he said good-naturedly.\u00a0 \u201cKeep that nonsense up and you\u2019re going to be as bad about getting out of bed as your Uncle Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat waited a little expectantly, but nothing was forthcoming about his special day, so he simply dug into his breakfast and demolished it.\u00a0 Adam surreptitiously glanced at his son with a small smile, happy to note that his appetite was certainly back to normal!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam was grateful for the speed with which Pat seemed to be recovering from his injuries; Doc Martin had proclaimed him nearly good as new and had simply warned the boy that his still-healing ribs would let him know, in no uncertain terms, when he was doing too much too fast.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">By the end of breakfast, Pat was a little miffed.\u00a0 No one had said anything.\u00a0 Maybe they\u2019d forgotten? he thought.\u00a0 But it was his father\u2019s birthday, too!\u00a0 And there was going to be that big party tonight!\u00a0 Frowning a little, Pat set down his fork and decided to move things along.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cUh\u2026Happy Birthday, Dad!\u201d\u00a0 he said tentatively, with a smile.\u00a0 At the reactions he received, mock looks of surprise, Pat grinned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cOh, is that today?\u201d\u00a0 asked his grandfather, innocently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The pretense didn\u2019t last long, however.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cRight after breakfast, I think we\u2019ll let him open his gifts from us, boys, what do you say?\u201d smiled Granddad.\u00a0 Hoss and Joe grinned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat gulped down his milk, to finish up with the rest of them, and looked so patiently expectant that his family laughed and decided not to make him wait any further.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Uncle Joe had started things off by presenting him with his first rifle, and the promise to take him hunting and teach him how to use it properly.\u00a0 Excited, Pat examined the magnificent weapon and crowed over it gratefully.\u00a0 Granddad pointed to its place of honor in the gun rack, right beside his own beautifully inlaid Winchester.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Granddad had made him close his eyes and walked him outside in the wind to see his gift to him.\u00a0 Pat was puzzled as he was walked to the front door and onto the porch, shivering in the cold.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat opened his eyes and they continued widening until Adam laughed, thinking they were going to pop out of his head.\u00a0 There, on a halter held by Uncle Joe, was the beautiful black horse Pat had seen in the corral in September.\u00a0 He\u2019d thought the horse had been marked for sale to the Army, but Ben and the boys had kept the secret all these months.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ll teach you how to break him to saddle and bit, and how to make him your partner,\u201d grinned Joe.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019ll be as much a part of the family as Cochise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cYeah, well I draw the line at lettin\u2019 \u2018im drink from my coffee cup!\u201d laughed Pat, then turning to and hugging Ben.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s beautiful, Granddad.\u00a0 Thanks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cCain\u2019t ride without one o\u2019these,\u201d said Hoss shyly, hauling out from under the porch table a beautifully hand-tooled saddle.\u00a0 Pat\u2019s eyes shone as his hand ran over the intricate leather work.\u00a0 He looked up at his uncle, thrilled.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s wonderful, Uncle Hoss,\u201d he said softly.\u00a0 \u201cI love it, thank you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pat was overwhelmed<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">never in all his life had he had birthday gifts like these.\u00a0 He turned to his father with a huge smile.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t it all great?\u201d he asked, gleefully.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cYes, it is,\u201d smiled Adam, leaning against the door jamb.\u00a0 \u201cBut I don\u2019t know about you<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2026 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I\u2019m freezing!\u201d\u00a0 And with a smile, Adam returned to the house.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat, after grabbing his jacket, had gone with Joe and Hoss to the barn, getting his horse, whom he promptly named Black Jack, settled into his stall.\u00a0 Pat buried his face in the horse\u2019s mane and sighed.\u00a0 It was almost too much to take in. \u00a0 Pat gave his saddle another gentle swipe of his hand, once again studying the craftsmanship and excitedly pointing out its merits to his uncles as they watched, fondly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">An hour later, he walked back to the house, a wide smile on his face and a bounce in his step.\u00a0 His father and grandfather were seated in front of the fire, reading.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cUp to your room,\u201d Adam said in mock severity.\u00a0 Startled, wondering what he could have done wrong between breakfast and now, Pat looked worriedly at his father until he saw the sly smile on his face as he continued to stare down at his book.\u00a0 Grinning, Pat pelted up the stairs, hearing his father and grandfather laughing behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">On his bed was a huge box with a big ribbon on it.\u00a0 Pat ripped off the ribbon and tore open the box, his eyes widening in delight: it was filled with dozens of beautiful books!\u00a0 In wonder, he drew them out, one by one, examining the titles and the bindings:\u00a0 Kipling, Forester, Twain, Dickens, filled with stories bound to fire a boy\u2019s imagination.\u00a0 His eyes shone with tears as he realized he could read the titles, he could understand the words on the pages.\u00a0 That had truly been the real gift.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The party that night had been wonderful; all their dearest friends had been invited and shared in the fun of a double-birthday party at the Ponderosa.\u00a0 The youngsters invited enjoyed the hot chocolate and cake.\u00a0 The adults warmed themselves up on Ben\u2019s now-famous punch.\u00a0 There had been singing and dancing, and a wonderful time was had by all, even Adam who normally shunned these kinds of things; parties held in his honor tended to embarrass him, but being able to share the event with Pat made it fun.\u00a0 He\u2019d even pulled out his guitar and he and Pat led the singing, with Pat teaching the guests some of the Irish songs he\u2019d grown up with.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat and Cassie, and Mike and a few other kids their age spent a good amount of time together, sitting by the hearth, laughing and talking and planning winter escapades together.\u00a0 Adam was able, occasionally, to shirk his hosting duties to just simply stand to the side and enjoy watching his son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">What a difference from the sullen, angry, and defiant brat that had arrived here in August! he thought to himself with a smile.\u00a0 Instead of the skinny, sharp-featured street-tough, there by the hearth sat a tanned, healthy, vibrant youngster, his handsome face shining with a big smile, full of the promise of the man he\u2019d become in just a few short years.\u00a0 Adam sighed a little wistfully at that.\u00a0 His boy wouldn\u2019t be a boy much longer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He started slightly as he felt someone come up beside him, and smiled warmly as he saw it was his father, following his gaze and smiling at the boy who had become so much an integral part of the family.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cHappy birthday, Adam,\u201d said his father, eyeing his son with unusual tenderness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThanks, Pa,\u201d he said softly.\u00a0 Ben put a gentle hand on his son\u2019s shoulder.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cSo, what do you think of fatherhood so far, son?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sighed, with a smile.\u00a0 \u201c\u2018It\u2019s a learning process,\u2019\u201d he quoted lightly, making his father chuckle.\u00a0 \u201cBut I\u2019m grateful it\u2019s a lesson I was given to learn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat had been sorry to see it end; he\u2019d had such a good time!\u00a0 The warmth and friendship extended to him was everything he could have dreamed of, and certainly more than he\u2019d ever expected after his first couple of months here in Nevada.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Now, all the guests had gone, leaving just the Cartwrights relaxing in front of the fire and Hop Sing, patiently straightening up and clearing away.\u00a0 It was way past Patrick\u2019s bedtime, but his father allowed him to stay up a little longer to relax and unwind with the family.\u00a0 With the party finished, and everyone slowly coming down off the excitement of the evening, Adam walked to the bookcase and removed a small package, wrapped in paper.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI wanted this to be the last gift,\u201d he said softly, as he walked to his son.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cBut you already gave me my present,\u201d said Pat in wonder.\u00a0 How could there possibly be more?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cThis one\u2019s kind of special.\u00a0 I\u2019d like to think it\u2019s from both your mother and me,\u201d said Adam gently, as he handed it over.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat studied his father and accepted the package, slowly turning it over and feeling it\u2019s heft.\u00a0 His fingers deftly undid the string and opened the package, and his eyes welled with tears.\u00a0 He stared at the precious gift in his hand and then slowly looked up at his father.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Thank you,&#8221; he said brokenly.\u00a0 &#8220;It&#8217;s beautiful.&#8221;\u00a0 He couldn&#8217;t speak, and just buried himself in his father&#8217;s arms, hugging him tightly, while his grandfather and his uncles looked on fondly. Pat broke away first and shyly retreated to the gun rack.\u00a0 He opened a lower cupboard door, pulling out a small beautifully wrapped box and an envelope.\u00a0 He slowly walked to his father and handed them to him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Happy Birthday, Dad,&#8221; he said softly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam looked at him in surprise.\u00a0 Pat had a gift for him?\u00a0 When on earth&#8230;?\u00a0 He&#8217;d been home recuperating since the incident at the Yates\u2019, and hadn&#8217;t been to town&#8230;\u00a0 He stared at his son as he accepted the box and the envelope.\u00a0 He smiled slightly.\u00a0 &#8220;Which first?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Don&#8217;t&#8230;.doesn&#8217;t matter,&#8221; Pat replied, correcting himself and beginning to blush.\u00a0 Adam walked to the settee and sat down. He set the envelope and box on the oak table before him and began unwrapping the box.\u00a0 &#8220;Hop Sing helped me wrap it up&#8230;used some special Chinese folding,&#8221; continued Pat, chattering in his nervousness, as he glanced at the Chinese man, now hovering nearby, fussing with the silver coffee service and waiting to see Mister Adam&#8217;s reaction to his son&#8217;s birthday gift.\u00a0 Hop Sing was the only one Pat had shared this secret with, and he had approved whole-heartedly.\u00a0 Hop Sing beamed at Patrick, nodding his head.\u00a0 The rest of the family was looking on, bemused.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam grinned and undid the flimsy tissue inside and looked.\u00a0 His face paled a little, and he glanced at his son earnestly, then withdrew the handkerchief wrapped bundle of Siobhan&#8217;s possessions. \u00a0 &#8220;Oh, Pat, no,&#8221; he said softly, gently.\u00a0 &#8220;Son, these are yours.\u00a0 Your mother left them to you.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">&#8220;Just read the letter, okay?&#8221; said Pat, irritation covering his emotion, as he blinked hard and retreated to his Uncle Hoss&#8217; side.\u00a0 Hoss was beaming and draped an arm around the boy&#8217;s shoulders.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam set the bundle down carefully on the table beside the box and slowly opened the letter.\u00a0 He frowned as he opened the sheet of paper then smiled, glancing over at his son.\u00a0 Pat couldn&#8217;t look at him, he was blushing furiously.\u00a0 Adam&#8217;s eyes went back down to the letter, full of Pat&#8217;s typical misspellings and inkblots.\u00a0 But the words on the page warmed his heart.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam drew in a shaky breath and sighed as he allowed his hands to play over the items.\u00a0 The program from the first concert they attended, when Siobhan had first been introduced to the magic of Beethoven\u2026 he vividly remembered the shine in her eyes, and the wonder as she found she could feel the music in her heart as well as hear it in her ears\u2026the rose, which he had gallantly presented to her after snitching it from a flower vendor; he remembered her first scolding him for swiping it, then kissing him warmly\u2026the letter, the last letter he\u2019d written to her\u2026and Patrick\u2019s birth record.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam smiled as he picked up the ring.\u00a0 His grandfather had given him that for his twentieth birthday, his first in Boston, and he\u2019d given it to Siobhan as a sort of engagement ring.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Adam sniffled a little, trying to keep his emotions in check, and glanced over at his son, sitting nervously.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Pat.\u00a0 I can\u2019t think of a better gift.\u00a0 But\u2026\u201d\u00a0 he rose to his feet and walked over to his son.\u00a0 He put out a hand and gently pulled his puzzled son to his feet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cMy grandfather gave me this for my twentieth birthday many years ago,\u201d he said quietly, taking the ring.\u00a0 \u201cI know the initials are wrong for you, but I\u2019d like you to have it.\u00a0 I gave it to your mother, hoping she\u2019d always wear it.\u00a0 She kept it, and gave it to you, so I\u2019d like you to keep it.\u00a0 I think your great-grandfather would have liked it that way.\u201d\u00a0 He gently pressed the ring into his son\u2019s hand and watched him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Pat slowly turned the signet ring over in his hand.\u00a0 He silently glanced up at his father in gratitude and tried to slip it on his finger.\u00a0 He chuckled as it swam on him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u201cI guess I\u2019ll have to wait until I\u2019m a little older to wear it,\u201d he said with a grin; then his eyes sobered a bit. \u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019ll be a long while before I\u2019m man enough to wear this,\u201d he said softly, looking at his father with love and admiration, paying Adam the sweetest, gentlest tribute.\u00a0 Adam closed his eyes, and shook his head, struggling against the tears that were working awfully hard to surface.\u00a0 Hoss frankly sniffled and Joe grinned through his own damp eyes.\u00a0 Ben smiled proudly and sent a little message of thanks to Liz from his heart for her good advice all those months ago.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Drawing in a deep, shaking breath, Adam stretched out a hand and squeezed his son\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll be man enough, Pat, believe me.\u00a0 More man than you have any idea.\u00a0 Your mother would be awfully proud of you.\u00a0 I know I am.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">That night, as Pat climbed wearily but happily into bed, he set his precious gift on his bedside table and gazed at it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">The daguerreotype of his parents now rested in state in a beautifully crafted gold frame, similar to the ones that held the portraits of his grandmother and his uncles\u2019 mothers down on Granddad\u2019s desk.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He lay there quietly, looking at the portrait, and remembering.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Ma, for sending me here,\u201d he whispered.\u00a0 \u201cI guess you were right after all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Downstairs, on the front porch, Adam stood watching as the unseasonal, unexpected snow silently fell against the backdrop of the pines.\u00a0 It was so quiet he felt as though he could almost hear the soft flakes collecting on the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">There were no stars to see tonight, but he still felt they were there and watching over him.\u00a0 He remembered what his stepmother, Marie, had always told him: that when you looked at the sky and the stars it brought you a bit closer to those who were either far away or no longer with you.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Sighing, he pulled Pat\u2019s letter out of his pocket and read it again, smiling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Dear Dad,<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">I aint too good with this riting yet, so dont be mad if I spell things rong.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t think of nothing to give you for your birthday that you wanted or needed that I cud aford.\u00a0 So, I hope you like this.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">I decided that Ma and you shared theese things together all those years ago.\u00a0 You were the ones that went to that music show. You gave her the flower and the ring.\u00a0 And you wrote the letter.\u00a0 So I want to give them back to you for your birthday.\u00a0 She reely loved you a lot, and I know now that you reely loved her. I think you miss her almost as much as I do. \u00a0 I hope having theese things helps.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Happy Birthday Dad.\u00a0 I love you.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Your son<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Patrick<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">Now, away from his family, away from his son, he allowed his feelings to surface and the tears to slip down.\u00a0 He tenderly refolded the letter and set it back in his pocket.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">He drew in a deep, shaking breath and shivered a little, hunching inside his suit jacket, using the heels of his hands to wipe away the tears.\u00a0 The cold reminded him of his days with Siobhan, walking together around the college quad, laughing like children as they had snowball fights, taking long walks through Boston on her days off, kissing as snowflakes touched their hair, their noses\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">\u00a0\u201cI know \u2026 well, I know Pat and I are going to have do a lot of talking to figure out our feelings, but I do want you to know how \u2026. how grateful I am,\u201d he whispered to the night sky and seeing a beautiful, black haired Irish girl he\u2019d loved so very, very much.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve had a lot of special birthday gifts in my life, but you\u2019ve given me the greatest of all.\u00a0 Thank you, Siobhan.\u00a0 Thank you for my son.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">THE END<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">First penned 1997<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;font-size: 14pt\">2nd edition, February 2025<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_50535\" class=\"pvc_stats all  \" data-element-id=\"50535\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path d=\"M2375 1950 c-198 -44 -350 -190 -395 -379 -18 -76 -8 -221 19 -290 114 -284 457 -406 731 -260 98 52 188 154 231 260 27 69 37 214 19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif?resize=16%2C16&#038;ssl=1\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summary:\u00a0 In this AU tale of the Cartwrights of the Ponderosa, evidence from a very painful part of Adam\u2019s past turns up to forever change his present and that of his family.<br \/>\nRating:\u00a0 T Mature language and themes are present throughout this story.\u00a0 (122,275 words)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12518,"featured_media":23171,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-full-width-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1005,7,23,1008],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50535","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adam-cartwright","category-a-u","category-drama","category-family","wpcat-1005-id","wpcat-7-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-1008-id"],"a3_pvc":{"activated":true,"total_views":2160,"today_views":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/002-Adam-klein.jpg?fit=160%2C123&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":49984,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49984","url_meta":{"origin":50535,"position":0},"title":"The Brightest Gift (by wx4rmk)","author":"wx4rmk","date":"December 25, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: Adam finds an old miner\u2019s lamp and shares the history with his family. Rating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 265 words Written for the 2024 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Poetry&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Poetry","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/Christmas-Traditions.jpg?fit=639%2C480&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12750,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=12750","url_meta":{"origin":50535,"position":1},"title":"A Modern Cartwrights Story #3 &#8211; A Quarter\u2019s Worth of Glory:  Joe in the Infernal Machine (by Robin)","author":"profrobinw","date":"January 23, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 Headlines ripped from the daily newspaper in this modern era tale of the Cartwrights. Rating:\u00a0 K+\u00a0 (775 word) A Modern Cartwright Story Series, links to stories within the series are included.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Alternate Universe&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Alternate Universe","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=7"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":14355,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14355","url_meta":{"origin":50535,"position":2},"title":"Cartwrights Forever (by JC)","author":"JC","date":"June 2, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary: A tribute in rhyme for everyone who loves the Cartwrights, especially those who love to write about them. Rating: \u00a0G \u00a0(560 words)","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Family&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Family","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1008"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/four.jpg?fit=298%2C300&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":49892,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=49892","url_meta":{"origin":50535,"position":3},"title":"The Savage (WHN) (by Katie)","author":"Preserving Their Legacy Author","date":"August 6, 2003","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 An alternate ending to the episode, The Savage Rating:\u00a0 Teen\u00a0 (775\u00a0 Words)","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Adam Cartwright&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Adam Cartwright","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=1005"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Preserving-Their-Legacy.png?fit=732%2C477&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14379,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14379","url_meta":{"origin":50535,"position":4},"title":"Watching &#8216;Ponderosa&#8217; (by Robin)","author":"profrobinw","date":"January 1, 2000","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0 It couldn't beat the original, but sure was good for a REALLY Lost Episode. Rating: \u00a0T \u00a0(1,110 words)","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Crossover&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Crossover","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=24"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/ARLE-e1497282889671.png?fit=570%2C416&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14013,"url":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=14013","url_meta":{"origin":50535,"position":5},"title":"Black and Gold (by AC1830)","author":"AC1830","date":"April 10, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Summary:\u00a0\u00a0Rumors and sightings are flying around town about a dark creature roaming the hills of the Ponderosa. \u00a0Will the Cartwrights find out what it is? \u00a0What is Adam\u2019s connection to the creature? Rating K\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WC = 1323","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Mystery&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Mystery","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?cat=32"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Adam-and-Panther.jpg?fit=638%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Adam-and-Panther.jpg?fit=638%2C475&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Adam-and-Panther.jpg?fit=638%2C475&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50535","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/12518"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=50535"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50535\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/23171"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=50535"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=50535"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=50535"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}