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Summary:\u00a0<\/span>Adam doesn’t want anyone to know he’s picking a bouquet.<\/span><\/p>\n Rated:<\/span>\u00a0K+\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Word count:\u00a0<\/span>1118<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Spring Flowers<\/strong><\/p>\n Adam stood in the open doorway of the barn and scanned the yard. Seeing no one about, he took a step forward, stopped, and chewed on his bottom lip. He studied the door to the house as if he might be able to predict its opening if he scrutinized it with enough intensity. He lifted his eyes to the upper window and rubbed his hands up and down his pants\u2019 legs. Then he suddenly strode forward into the shade of the house itself and came to a standstill next to the flowers planted along the foundation. With fluid movements he slipped his knife from his pocket and sliced quickly through the stems of four blooms. Putting the knife away, he took a strip of damp cloth he had held in his left hand and wrapped it around the stems of the flowers. His teeth sunk into his lower lip. His stepmother had planted these flowers, and she took great pride in their early-blooming beauty. Everyone on the Ponderosa referred to them as Marie\u2019s flowers. Then again they were on the Ponderosa, and the Ponderosa was as much his as hers. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and shifted uneasily, and then straightened his back. After all, he had taken only four blossoms; surely the remaining flowers were sufficient. He examined the flower bed, decided there were no obvious gaps in the profusion, and then froze as he heard his named called. Turning quickly, he made sure to keep the small bouquet concealed behind his back. Facing his stepmother, he swallowed the lump that rose in his throat. \u201cYes, ma\u2019am. Is there something you wanted?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie opened her mouth to speak but hesitated as she studied the face and then the stance of her eldest. \u201cWhat is it you\u2019re holding,\u00a0mon fils<\/i>?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHolding? Why, my breath; you startled me.\u201d Adam kept his arm still with the bouquet held against his back and gave Marie a forced smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She had been his mother long enough to notice the evasion. \u201cAdam, what are you holding behind your back?\u201d Marie\u2019s tone was clearly chiding.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n His eyes, which had not yet met hers, dropped to the ground. \u201cNothing.\u201d He could feel the sweat coat his palms and pressed his free hand against the cloth of his pants.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n She had heard the same tone in his voice when he faced his father expecting Ben\u2019s anger. Marie shook her head slowly and placed her fingers beneath his chin. Raising his eyes to hers, she said softly, \u201cNothing?\u201d I would see this nothing, Adam.\u201d Several seconds passed. \u201cNow.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam capitulated and brought his hand from behind his back. Marie\u2019s eyes widened when she beheld the nosegay.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMy flowers? You cut them?\u201d The flaring of her temper sharpened her voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI, I should have asked; I\u2019m sorry.\u201d He shifted under her stare, and his arms slipped across his middle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd why did you not ask the permission?\u201d Her voice had softened but still held an edge.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam\u2019s chin dropped, and he shrugged. \u201cI\u2026I should have.\u201d His voice sounded young enough to be Joseph\u2019s.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie drew in a slow breath; then her brow furrowed. \u201cThey are for someone. A young lady perhaps?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam felt the heat of embarrassment rise in his cheeks and snapped, \u201cWell, I\u2019d hardly be giving them to a man, now, would I?\u201d The words were barely out of his mouth before he bit his tongue and wished them back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n His stepmother\u2019s own temper flashed in her eyes. \u201c\u00a0Observez votre langue!\u00a0<\/i>\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam had learned that bit of French years ago. He swallowed and replied softly, \u201cYes, ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNow, you will answer me civilly and with truth,\u00a0n’est pas cette droite<\/i>. You cut the flowers to take to a young lady, is that not so?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, ma\u2019am.\u201d The color on his cheekbones deepened, and he kept his head angled so that his dark lashes concealed the emotion in his eyes.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid you think I would not give the permission?\u201d The thought that he might see her as so selfish cut her.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo. I knew you would. I just. . . I didn\u2019t want anybody. . .\u201d She could barely hear the words he managed to force past his lips.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie\u2019s finger rose to her chin and tapped it repeatedly. \u201cIs this girl someone of whom your papa would not approve?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d Adam\u2019s chin lifted with a jerk, and his eyes widened in surprise. \u201cNo, no, Pa\u2019s got nothing against the Mcleans; he thinks they\u2019re fine folk.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie\u2019s finger tapped her chin again. \u201cIt is to Alice McLean then that you would give these?\u201d All traces of irritation had left her voice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes, ma\u2019am.\u201d Adam\u2019s reply was nearly lost in a deep sigh.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Marie\u2019s features softened, and a smile danced on her lips. \u201cShe is a lucky girl. To have a handsome boy bring the first flowers of spring, this makes a young girl\u2019s heart sing with joy.\u201d Adam stared into her face but saw no trace of mockery. \u201cNow, I have just the thing inside, a pretty pink ribbon; we shall tie them together with a bow, shall we not,\u00a0mon garcon<\/i>.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut. . .\u201d Adam hesitated.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reaching out and placing her hand against his cheek, Marie spoke tenderly, \u201cYou will soon be fifteen, Adam, so there are many springs coming when you will bring flowers to pretty girls.\u201d She patted the cheek beneath her hand. \u201cNext time, you will not worry to ask the permission?\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, no, I won\u2019t, but, well, it\u2019s just. . .\u201d His chin dipped again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI shall not keep unnecessary secrets from your papa, Adam, but do not worry; I think my Benjamin brought the spring flowers to pretty girls even when he was young.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Smiling sheepishly, Adam agreed. \u201cI suppose, but Hoss. . .\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWill someday understand; until then I shall see there is no teasing even if I must use the hairbrush.\u201d Marie nodded her head decisively.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want Hoss in trouble,\u201d Adam interjected quickly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI do not think he will be. Our Hoss is not one to tease when he knows it would hurt the heart.\u201d Marie\u2019s smile was her most charming. \u201cYou need not sneak about to enjoy the spring, Adam. No, no, spring is for openness and sunshine and making pretty girls happy.\u201d She laughed warmly and was rewarded with a dimpled smile. She would have mowed down her whole garden for that smile.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n