{"id":7702,"date":"2013-05-09T14:05:05","date_gmt":"2013-05-09T18:05:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7702"},"modified":"2024-04-15T21:19:44","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T01:19:44","slug":"the-message","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/?p=7702","title":{"rendered":"The Message (by DJK)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0<\/span>In London, Adam receives a message from Hoss that will change his view of many things. This story was written in answer to the Michael Landon Birthday Challenge.<\/p>\n

Rated:<\/span>\u00a0T\u00a0\u00a0 Word count:\u00a0<\/span>1444<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Message<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t believe she speaks to the dead.\u201d<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

She chewed the corner of her lip prettily. \u201cWell, no, not really. Most people who go don\u2019t. It\u2019s an amusement, Adam, something different to pass the evening. Agatha asked to go. She\u2019s my sister. It\u2019s not proper for us to go without an escort. You\u2019ll take us; won\u2019t you?\u201d She gazed up at him through her lashes. \u201cI\u2019ll be very grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam Cartwright leaned down and whispered. \u201cVery, very grateful?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She gazed up into his eyes. \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ACACACAC<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam looked around and counted those present. He studied and categorized. The large woman in the chartreuse dress and feathers was a true believer. The young man in the scarlet vest wanted to be convinced. The older gentleman with the gray hair, well, he was grieving and hoped it might be true. Thirty-one guests turned as Mademoiselle Celeste entered the salon in her flowing silver robes. Adam took his seat and crossed his arms over his chest. The older gentleman received his message from his departed daughter. That was not too surprising as he looked quite wealthy. Then the young woman who stood before them closed her eyes and spoke more softly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIs there an Adam here? I have a message for Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He heard Agatha\u2019s gasp and felt Charlotte stir beside him. He took a long breath before he answered. \u201cMy name is Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The medium\u2019s gaze turned toward him; their eyes locked. \u201cYour brother sends you a message.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMy brother\u2026\u201d He felt Charlotte\u2019s finger tighten around his wrist, cut his eyes sideways to see the slight shake of her head, and then cleared his throat. \u201cMy brother sends me a message. What message?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe says not to. You should not.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam\u2019s eyebrow rose. \u201cI should not what?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you are considering. Your brother advises you that you should not.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI see.\u201d Adam\u2019s tone was dry and brittle. He settled back and crossed his arms. Then suddenly he spoke again. \u201cWhich brother tells me I should not?\u201d Adam saw a movement from the man who had escorted the medium into the room and fastened his gaze on the man\u2019s face. A look of consternation had settled there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Celeste\u2019s head tilted as if she listened to someone whisper into her ear. \u201cIt is Hh\u2026” Her nose wrinkled. \u201cIt is Eric. Eric says you should not, elder brother.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam stiffened. Mademoiselle Celeste turned toward the woman in the chartreuse dress who burst into tears when a message came through from her father.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ACACACAC<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Agatha, we tried to tell you it\u2019s but an amusement.\u201d A frown wrinkled Charlotte\u2019s brow. \u201cNeither of Adam\u2019s brothers is named Eric; you know they are Hoss and Joe. More importantly both are alive and well on that ranch of his. He had letter from his father last week. Isn\u2019t that so?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes. He said they were all well.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Agatha flounced on the carriage seat. \u201cPerhaps things were unclear; perhaps it was a cousin or friend who is as close as a brother. Did you have a cousin named Eric?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I suppose you\u2019re right; she\u2019s a fraud, but those others who received messages.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cShe had better research on them evidently, and most of those messages\u2026 well, look at what she told me. I shouldn\u2019t do whatever it is I\u2019m considering. That could apply to anything. Later if there is a problem with anything I do or might have done- the train I would have used on a trip it barely crossed my mind to take has an accident, for example- well, then I think the warning was true and from the other side. If I were looking for confirmation, sooner or later I would find it.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s true too, I suppose. It was an interesting evening though.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, interesting.\u201d His tone caused Charlotte to study Adam\u2019s face, but her sister turned her attention with a question. It was much later when Adam and she were alone that Charlotte asked if there were anything special that Adam had been considering.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNothing, nothing that either of my brothers would be against.\u201d He had been dismissive and then reached out to take her in his arms. His kiss had driven all thoughts of messages, mediums, and decisions from her head.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ACACACAC<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam heard the church bell ring three times, rose from the bed on which he had been reclining but not sleeping, and went to the window. He stared out at the London Street below. Walking back to the dresser, he lifted a small velvet covered box and opened it. The diamonds surrounding the sapphire solitaire caught the faint moonlight.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Would you tell me not to marry Charlotte, Hoss?<\/em>\u00a0Adam closed the box with a click. Hoss didn\u2019t even know that Charlotte existed; he most certainly didn\u2019t know that Adam was considering a marriage proposal. If he did, he would slap him on the back and wish him happiness. He had done that enough times when Little Joe announced his intention to marry. Of course, he would take a declaration from Adam far more seriously than one of Joe\u2019s, but his reaction would be the same. Adam set the box back on the dresser and returned to his bed. He heard the church bells chime both four and five. The knock on the door came while he was dressing.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cA telegram for you, sir.\u201d The young man extended an envelope. Adam took it and reached into his pocket for a coin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d He closed the door and for the first time he could recall his hand trembled enough to set the paper in it shaking. He walked over to his side table and poured a measure of brandy before he sat down and broke the seal. The paper dropped from his hand as a moan rose that seemed to come from his soul.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

ACACACAC<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI wish to speak with Mademoiselle Celeste.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you are?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAdam Cartwright. I\u2019ll pay her for her time.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Her voice came from behind the man at the door. \u201cLet him in, Robert.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The door opened wider as Robert stepped back. Adam walked through. Mademoiselle Celeste motioned toward a settee with her hand, and Adam took a seat.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYou wished to speak with me, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d Adam studied her face. She was not as young as he had first thought, but he was sure she had yet to reach her thirtieth birthday.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow did you know?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHow did I know what?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThat my brother had died.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rose Canterbury\u2019s fingers twisted the bangle on her wrist. \u201cHe spoke to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adam rose and stared down at her. \u201cI want the truth.\u201d He took a step toward her; Robert took two toward him. \u201cI\u2019ll have the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Rose motioned with her hand. \u201cYou can leave us, Robert.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Cartwright and I shall be fine. Please.\u201d Rose motioned again, and Robert departed. Rose turned toward the man glaring at her. \u201cI\u2019ll admit that most of it, well, a girl has to support herself, but rather you can believe it or not, there are times. That night was one of them. Your brother Eric, there was another name first, a family name perhaps, so odd it was. H..os that was it. He wanted you to know that you shouldn\u2019t do it. He did not say what that was.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe called me elder brother?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d She studied his face. \u201cYou did not know that he had passed over.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI received the telegram the next morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

She fingered the bangle at her wrist again. \u201cMy condolences on your loss, Mr. Cartwright. There is really no more I can tell you.\u201d She bit her lipped and turned her back to him. \u201cWas there something important you were trying to decide?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cI had decided.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cHe gave no reason?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe did not chat. As I told you, he simply said you should not.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the dead know all?\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, but I think your brother knew you.\u201d She turned toward him once more. \u201cDo as you will; I learned long ago I can but pass on the message. You may let yourself out.\u201d She moved swiftly; Adam rose slowly.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

He left for Paris three days later. The only time he saw Charlotte again was to say goodbye.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/div>\n
Disclaimer:<\/span>\u00a0All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Summary: \u00a0In London, Adam receives a message from Hoss that will change his view of many things. This story was written in answer to the Michael Landon Birthday Challenge.<\/p>\n

Rated:\u00a0T\u00a0\u00a0 Word count:\u00a01444<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":143,"featured_media":3216,"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_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1090,23,29,40],"tags":[14,408],"class_list":["post-7702","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adam-hoss","category-drama","category-halloween","category-challenges","tag-adam-cartwright","tag-mlblc","wpcat-1090-id","wpcat-23-id","wpcat-29-id","wpcat-40-id"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/WoF-37Edengirl.jpg?fit=768%2C576&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7702","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\/143"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7702"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7702\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3216"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7702"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7702"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bonanzabrand.info\/library\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7702"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}