Summary:\u00a0 The Cartwrights welcome the daughter of a good friend back from college after her father dies. She studied for seven years and became a successful singer back east and comes home to her father\u2019s ranch and horse business which is held in trust with Adam and Ben as the trustees. She shares some unpleasant history with Adam. This is the first part of a series.<\/p>\n
Rating:\u00a0 T \u00a0WC 63,000<\/p>\n
To Everything, There is a Season Series:<\/strong><\/p>\n Reacquaintance <\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Reacquaintance<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted\u2026\u201d \u2013 The Holy Bible<\/em><\/p>\n Chapter One<\/strong><\/p>\n Ben Cartwright walked down the stairs and made his way to the breakfast table where all of his sons were waiting for him.\u00a0 He took his place at the head of the table, looking around at all the faces present.\u00a0 \u201cThis is a pleasant surprise,\u201d he remarked, following with a bowed head and grace.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s surprising?\u201d asked Adam, sitting across from his father at the other end of the table.<\/p>\n Ben looked up from his coffee cup as he was taking a sip, and answered as he sat the cup in its accompanying saucer.\u00a0 \u201cNot that you\u2019re part of the surprise, Adam, but your brothers here aren\u2019t very punctual when it comes to breakfast.\u00a0 It\u2019s nice to see everyone on time for a change.\u201d As he prepared his plate, he continued, \u201cShiloh Whitney is coming home today on the stagecoach.\u00a0 Adam is as involved with the Flying W business as I am, and he\u2019s kept up with what she\u2019s been doing through their mutual friend, Mr. Booth, so he\u2019ll be going with me to meet her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a shame she had to come home under these circumstances,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n Ben moved his eggs around on his plate. \u201cUnfortunately, when you live that far away, it\u2019s hard to get back when things turn bad.\u00a0\u00a0 She just didn\u2019t have enough time to get here before her father passed.\u201d\u00a0 He raised his head looking at nothing in particular.\u00a0 \u201cAmos sure was proud of her.\u00a0 I just hope he was able to tell her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe had reason to be,\u201d said Joe.\u00a0 She\u2019s one of very few girls from Virginia City to go to college and on top of that, she\u2019s made the newspaper. I would never have thought that she\u2019d be a singer, though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know why you\u2019d think that, Joe,\u201d said Hoss in between bites of bacon. \u201cShe always had a pretty voice.\u00a0 Don\u2019t you remember her singin\u2019 in church?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I remember. But a singer on stage\u2026that\u2019s different than singing in church.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean by that?\u201d asked Adam defensively.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Adam, you know singers. They\u2019re not\u2026well, they\u2019re\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Joe saw the look on Adam\u2019s face and decided not to finish. He smiled nervously and moved his attention back to his eggs.<\/p>\n Adam scowled, pointing his fork at Joe like he was ready to spear him.\u00a0 \u201cShe has been scrutinized by a public that can be very gracious or very judgmental, and she\u2019s managed to stay on the gracious side. She\u2019s seen as a charming, polite, talented young woman, and there\u2019s no reason to think anything less of her.\u00a0 Edwin Booth would never have allowed her to be seen distastefully.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBoys, Shiloh\u2019s reputation is not up for debate,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, forget her reputation for a minute.\u00a0 What about her temper?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n Adam rolled his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI can remember a time or two when you deserved a good tongue-lashing from her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I remember when she lit into you a couple of times, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe didn\u2019t light into me.\u00a0 We both had strong opposing opinions,\u201d he said, glaring at Joe, who snickered.\u00a0 \u201cAnd those kinds of discussions taught her how to think critically.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s enough\u2026both of you,\u201d ordered Ben.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh will be here this evening, and you will all behave as gentlemen.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben and Adam arrived in town just as the stagecoach pulled to a stop.\u00a0 They waited on the boardwalk while the stage office clerk placed the step underneath the stagecoach door.\u00a0 A gentleman emerged from the coach first, turning and extending a hand to a woman, helping her out and down.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Whitney, it has been a great pleasure travelling with you.\u00a0 I\u2019ve enjoyed our conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Miller, the pleasure has been mine.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr. Miller took Shiloh\u2019s gloved hand and bowed.\u00a0 \u201cI bid you farewell.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh turned to see Ben standing in front of her.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMr. Cartwright, it\u2019s so good to see you.\u201d\u00a0 Ben bent to hug her, and she tiptoed into the warm, comforting embrace she remembered, thinking once again after so many years how alike Ben and her father were.<\/p>\n \u201cMy goodness, you\u2019ve changed quite a bit from the sixteen year old we said goodbye to.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t seem that long ago.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam stepped up beside them and removed his hat.\u00a0 \u201cEdwin warned us that we might not recognize you.\u00a0 It\u2019s good to have you back,\u201d he said, smiling. Shiloh responded with only a polite nod.<\/p>\n Adam studied her. She had grown just a little taller and was still slender, but had filled out in all those places that women do.\u00a0 Her face was less plump, having lost its baby fat, and though she wasn\u2019t the most beautiful woman Adam had ever seen, she had become quite handsome, her carriage elegant and graceful, making the whole vision of her one that could easily turn heads.\u00a0 The one difference that struck him most was her ability to look him, almost fiercely, in the eye.<\/p>\n Ben took her hand and escorted her onto the boardwalk where her bags were being lowered from the stagecoach.\u00a0 While Adam loaded them onto the back of the buggy, Ben helped her up into the seat.\u00a0 \u201cI thought you might enjoy dinner tonight at the Ponderosa, and perhaps, stay the night.\u00a0 That way, you can be rested from your trip before you go back to the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright, that\u2019s very kind of you.\u00a0\u00a0 I remember Hop Sing\u2019s cooking as being the best around\u2026and very comforting.\u00a0 Is the Sierra as breathtaking as I remember, or is that just an embellished memory?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh no.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure home will prove to be just as beautiful as you remember it,\u201d answered Ben, smiling.<\/p>\n Adam had finished loading her bags and trunk, and climbed into the back seat.\u00a0 Ben reined the horses in the direction of the Ponderosa, and they were on their way with Shiloh looking all around her, taking in the beauty, the smells and the ruggedness of the Sierra she had remained homesick for during her seven years away.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Two<\/b><\/p>\n When Shiloh and the Cartwrights arrived at the Ponderosa, they were greeted by Hoss and Joe, who had just come out of the barn after bedding down their horses.\u00a0\u00a0 Shiloh stood, and when Hoss took her by the waist to help her down, she felt like she was floating as if she were as light as a feather, rather than slowly dropping to the ground. Hoss removed his hat and lowered his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cMiss Shiloh, it sure is good to have you home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, I didn\u2019t think it possible, but you\u2019ve gotten\u2026taller.\u201d\u00a0 She quickly looked back at Adam who was busy untying her bags on the back of the buggy.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve actually outgrown your older brother.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss blushed, smiled and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYes Ma\u2019am.\u00a0 I reckon so.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe took her hand, bringing it up to his lips.\u00a0 \u201cMiss Shiloh, welcome home,\u201d he said, looking into her eyes then kissing her hand.<\/p>\n Shiloh raised her other hand to her mouth to cover a quiet laugh.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s just that . . . well, you were only thirteen when I left.\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s just quite different to see the charming young man you\u2019ve become.\u201d\u00a0 Her eyes were laughing.\u00a0 \u201cAnd handsome, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Ma\u2019am . . . I think,\u201d he said, smiling impishly.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you go Ma\u2019aming me,\u201d she said, swinging around to glance at Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cEither one of you.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019m not of an age that I need or want to be Ma\u2019am\u2019d,\u201d she said, winking quickly at Joe.<\/p>\n While the boys took her bags and trunk to her room, Ben guided her to the great room, motioning for her to be seated.\u00a0 \u201cWould you like something to drink, maybe some coffee?\u201d he offered.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright, I remember how refreshing your spring water tasted, if that wouldn\u2019t be too much trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo trouble at all.\u201d\u00a0 Hop Sing had already come into the room with the coffee service and a pitcher of water.\u00a0 He had a knack for being right there at the moment he was needed, as if he could smell a request come wafting into his kitchen.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Hop Sing,\u201d said Ben while Hop Sing placed the tray on the big table in the center of the room.<\/p>\n Before he left, he turned.\u00a0 \u201cMissy Shiloh, it good to have you home again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Hop Sing.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s good to be home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell young lady, how was the trip?\u201d asked Ben, crossing his legs, settling into his leather chair with his cup of coffee.<\/p>\n Shiloh leaned back contentedly on the settee.\u00a0 \u201cIt was probably longer than it needed to be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s the circumstance that brought me home, but mostly because the coach is not especially comfortable for me.\u00a0\u00a0 I have a slight problem in confined spaces, and unless I can sit on the side instead of the middle, I\u2019m afraid I get a bit tense.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI never realized I had that problem until I had to ride for a while in a stagecoach.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ve never been in a confined space that small anywhere else.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She sipped her water and returned the glass to the table.\u00a0 \u201cI have the same problem in tight crowds, but it\u2019s tolerable for the most part.\u201d<\/p>\n As she was speaking, Adam came down the stairs, making his way to the leather chair next to the fireplace.\u00a0 He was content to sit and listen for a while.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright, would you tell me about Daddy?\u00a0 He never mentioned in any of his letters that he was ill.\u00a0 I had no idea until I received your telegram.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sat his cup in the saucer he steadied in his lap with his other hand.\u00a0 \u201cHe hid it well.\u00a0 He had a cough for a while, but he said he had seen Dr. Martin and dismissed it.\u00a0 By the time we realized it was more than a cough, he was already bedridden and weak.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t last much longer.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He paused as he watched the blue of her eyes slowly begin to stand out prominently against the red that was taking over.\u00a0 She sniffled, took a deep breath and seemed to regain her composure.\u00a0 \u201cWe had the service on the hill.\u00a0 He\u2019s buried next to your mother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh, your father left a letter for you, and there\u2019s some other business we need to discuss,\u201d said Adam quietly. \u201cWe can talk about everything later.\u00a0 Perhaps, you\u2019d like to rest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, that would be nice,\u201d she answered quickly, fighting a need for tears.\u00a0 Crying in front of Ben, the closest thing she had to a father now, was one thing, but showing any weakness in front of Adam would be unconscionable.\u00a0 She already knew, based on how much her father admired him by how he spoke of him in his letters, that any hopes she had of being left alone to run the ranch depended on what Adam Cartwright felt she could handle.<\/p>\n After she rose and excused herself, Adam showed her to her room, opening her door and closing it behind her after she afforded him a slight smile.\u00a0 He stood outside her door, listening for the sobs he expected would break out, but after hearing nothing for a long moment, he turned and left.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Three<\/b><\/p>\n Ben gently rapped on Shiloh\u2019s bedroom door.\u00a0\u00a0 She opened it only enough to show her face and just a little of the robe she was wearing.\u00a0 \u201cHow was your rest?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI must have really needed it.\u00a0 I only woke up just before you knocked.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to give you time to dress.\u00a0 Dinner will be ready within the hour.\u201d<\/p>\n She smiled.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be down soon.\u201d<\/p>\n When Shiloh appeared at the top of the stairs, all the Cartwrights had gathered in the great room waiting for Hop Sing to call them to dinner.\u00a0 They all stood as she descended the stairs looking rested and relaxed in a softly colored skirt and blouse, quite a departure from the dark traveling clothes she wore when she arrived.\u00a0 Instead of being swept severely up beneath a black hat, her auburn hair was pulled back in a long pony tail that curled gracefully down her back, making her look younger; more like the twenty-three years she actually was than the older woman she first appeared.<\/p>\n By the time she reached the bottom of the stairs, Hop Sing emerged from the kitchen and announced that dinner was ready.\u00a0 Adam walked forward and offered his arm to her.\u00a0\u00a0 She hesitated only for a moment then accepted with a pinched smile.\u00a0 He led her to the seat at the dining room table to Ben\u2019s right then took the seat next to her.\u00a0 After grace was said and the food was served, Ben asked if she had still been taking instruction before she left Boston.<\/p>\n \u201cMy studies were extended because of my time at the Peabody Institute.\u00a0 I spent my first two years in New York at Vassar College, then two years at Peabody in Baltimore.\u00a0 After that, I went back to New York to finish my academic studies.\u00a0 Since then, I\u2019ve been in Boston studying at the Boston Academy of Music.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour father mentioned that you would be attending Peabody,\u201d said Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI thought Vassar had a music curriculum.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey do, but Miss Anderson, the headmistress at Vassar, along with input from Edwin\u2026oh, my apologies,\u201d she said, looking at Joe and Hoss seated across the table, \u201cMr. Booth thought I would benefit more from the instruction at Peabody.\u00a0 I was able to work with some established singers, musicians and conductors who contribute their time there.\u00a0 For the last year, I\u2019ve continued instruction in Boston because Mr. Booth invited me to perform with his company there to have some experience on stage.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat seems to have been a good choice.\u00a0 Our newspaper here has published several articles about your performances,\u201d said Ben.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve certainly become known as a promising singer.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh blushed.\u00a0 \u201cWell, even so, I don\u2019t think I will be pursuing that any longer.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been invited to go to Europe, and if Daddy were still with us, I might have.\u201d She held her napkin to her lips before she continued.\u00a0 \u201cI asked Daddy not to tell anyone about my singing.\u00a0 I really don\u2019t want anyone here in Virginia City to know.\u00a0 The reason I wanted to go to college was to learn to run a successful business, that being the ranch.\u201d\u00a0 Adam took a quick, tentative glance at his father.\u00a0 \u201cIt was quite nice of Adam to arrange college for me, and I owe you a debt of gratitude,\u201d she said, turning to him.<\/p>\n He smiled somewhat, concerned about the rest of the conversation they would have to have regarding the ranch.\u00a0 \u201cYou did the work.\u00a0 I only sent a few telegrams.\u00a0\u00a0 But, why wouldn\u2019t you want anyone to know about your singing?\u201d<\/p>\n She put her fork down on her plate, leaned back and bowed her head.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, you know as well as I do that a certain reputation follows a singer around.\u00a0 That may occur less now that America has discovered opera, but it is, nevertheless, a concern of mine.\u00a0 I already have a bit of a reputation here from my school days, and I just don\u2019t want to add anything to it.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam hesitated, wanting to pursue that topic, but decided it should wait.\u00a0 \u201cWell, though Isabella Whitney has been mentioned in the newspapers, I don\u2019t think anyone has associated her with you.\u00a0 So, for the time being, I think you\u2019re safe,\u201d he said, smiling, but taking particular notice of her eyes.\u00a0 He saw pronounced relief.\u00a0 \u201cWhat other academic subjects were you able to take?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVassar is a progressive school, and I was able to take courses that normally wouldn\u2019t have been offered to a woman; higher mathematics, geology, astronomy.\u00a0 There were others that weren\u2019t offered as part of the regular curriculum, but Headmistress Anderson was able to find tutors for those subjects I wanted to take.\u00a0 I was also introduced to Lucy Stone and Susan Anthony.\u00a0 I attended many of their lectures,\u201d she said, watching for their reactions.<\/p>\n Ben looked up from his dinner and shot a quick look toward Adam, who sat up straight and returned his father\u2019s surprised glance.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat extra courses did you take,\u201d repeated Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cBusiness courses.\u00a0 Oh, and extra music courses.\u00a0\u00a0 I had no problem with anything but the math, at first.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam turned in his seat to face her. \u201cWhy is that?\u201d he asked tersely.<\/p>\n She took a slow, deep breath, put her fork down and clenched her hands briefly, then forced a smile.\u00a0 \u201cYou already know I remember what I read, so literature, science, philosophy, all those courses that involved the written word was fairly easy for me.\u00a0 Math however, was another story.\u00a0 I remembered all the formulas, but each problem was different because the numbers were different, and I struggled with that at first.\u00a0 At least until I realized I didn\u2019t need to know anymore than basic math, along with the formulas, in order to do the most complex of problems.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t get it,\u201d said Joe.\u00a0 I know basic math, and I can\u2019t do what Adam does.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s because you don\u2019t know the formulas to which you would apply the basic math,\u201d said Shiloh.\u00a0 \u201cYou see, my problem is that I learn from memorization\u2026I remember what I read.\u00a0 But, in math, I couldn\u2019t use memorization because every math problem was different.\u00a0\u00a0 I just had to learn it in a different way than I was accustomed.\u201d\u00a0 She looked at Adam shamefully.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m afraid I avoided the math books you brought to the house after I left school because of that.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cSo that\u2019s why you changed the subject every time I asked about math.\u201d<\/p>\n During their conversation, Hop Sing had cleared the dinner plates and served dessert.\u00a0 \u201cMissy Shiloh, I make just for you; your mama\u2019s recipe,\u201d said Hop Sing, grinning from ear to ear.<\/p>\n She looked down at the bowl sitting in front of her and drew in a breath, opening her mouth wide into a delighted smile; a smile that caused everyone at the table to grin.\u00a0 \u201cHop Sing!\u00a0 You made me a blackberry cobbler.\u00a0 Thank you.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Hop Sing watched her take her first bite, and after seeing her close her eyes and savor it, he bowed as he backed away, disappearing around the corner.<\/p>\n After dessert, Hoss and Joe excused themselves.\u00a0 Ben invited Shiloh to have coffee with him in the great room, and Adam followed them there.\u00a0 As Ben settled into his chair, he asked, \u201cShiloh, is the ranch the only reason you decided against going to Europe?\u201d<\/p>\n She took a sip of her coffee.\u00a0 \u201cIt was the bigger part of my decision, but no, I have other reasons.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEdwin said you\u2019d do well in Europe, and that you could complete your voice training there.\u201d\u00a0 Adam leaned forward with his elbows on his thighs, resting his chin on his clasped hands.<\/p>\n Shiloh breathed deeply, keeping her speech calm and even as she did in any uncomfortable conversation.\u00a0 \u201cDespite the fact that I\u2019m a soprano and my style is operatic, I don\u2019t really want to do opera.\u00a0 I\u2019m not an actress, and you have to do both for opera. So, I don\u2019t see a need to go to Europe.\u201d\u00a0 She looked at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cThough Edwin disagrees with me.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She noticed that Adam had that expression he got when he wasn\u2019t looking forward to something.\u00a0 She looked back at Ben, who was staring into his coffee cup.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve known both of you all my life, and I know those looks.\u00a0 What is it you don\u2019t want to talk about? Is something wrong with the ranch?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben leaned up and reached out to place his coffee cup and saucer on the coffee table then sat back in his chair.\u00a0 \u201cNo, there\u2019s nothing wrong.\u00a0 Your father just thought you might want to sell the ranch and stay in Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Flying W has been my home all my life.\u00a0 Daddy, Mama and Micah all put their hard work and sweat into that ranch.\u00a0 I can\u2019t just sell it.\u00a0 I won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam took a deep breath and lowered his head, looking up at her.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, running a ranch is hard enough, but for a young woman\u2026well, it\u2019s harder.\u201d<\/p>\n She glowered at him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll manage fine, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sat up and looked straight at her.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think you know what goes into running a ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know perfectly well what goes into running a ranch,\u201d she spat.<\/p>\n Ben straightened up in his chair.\u00a0 \u201cAlright.\u00a0 Stop right there, you two.\u00a0 This isn\u2019t going to turn into a quarrel.\u201d<\/p>\n They both deflated and sat back in their seats, Shiloh crossing her arms.\u00a0 Adam cocked his head recognizing her defensive posture.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t mean anything by it, I just\u2026well, I\u2019m just a little concerned about you being there by yourself trying to run the ranch, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIsn\u2019t Hank still there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Hank\u2019s still the foreman.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell then, don\u2019t be concerned.\u00a0 My father taught me how to do the books and payroll.\u00a0 He taught me all about the schedules.\u00a0 He taught me everything; even how to train the horses.\u00a0 And he had several years to do it after I was kicked…\u201c she stopped herself and exhaled, \u201cafter I left school.\u201d\u00a0 She rubbed her forehead.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Adam.\u00a0 I know you didn\u2019t kick me out of school.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She clasped her hands and looked away.\u00a0 \u201cIf Hank is there directing the work, I shouldn\u2019t have a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone sat silently for a moment waiting for the heaviness in the air to clear.<\/p>\n \u201cWe still have some ranch business to discuss, but why don\u2019t we wait until tomorrow?\u00a0 Adam and I will take you over to the ranch and make sure you get settled in,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n She smiled at Ben, apologizing and thanking him with her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind, I\u2019d like to take a walk before I retire for the evening,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Ben stood and took her hands as she rose from the settee.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t go far,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Shiloh saw the same tenderness she used to see in her father\u2019s eyes, making the need to escape even more urgent.\u00a0 \u201cI really just want to get some air.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be right outside.\u201d\u00a0 She turned and walked out to the porch.<\/p>\n Ben turned to Adam, who was now standing.\u00a0 \u201cPa, this isn\u2019t gonna be easy.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ben nodded, but said nothing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Four<\/b><\/p>\n Shiloh walked around the corner of the house where she remembered there had been a bench among the roses that Marie Cartwright had planted.\u00a0 She found it and sat down.\u00a0 Thinking of Marie reminded her of her own mother, Belle, who died only a short time before Marie\u2019s fatal accident.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t long after that Micah had been killed.\u00a0 And soon after that, at the age of twelve, her father had taken her out of school at the request of the substitute teacher, Adam.\u00a0\u00a0 That had been a hard year, made even worse by the misunderstanding of the reason she left school that turned her into a pariah in Virginia City.\u00a0 Adam found out about the untruth that had spread all over town and tried to right the wrong.\u00a0 Still, she never felt welcome in Virginia City, by the adults or the children, so she stayed on the ranch reading the books that Adam brought by to \u2018move forward\u2019 as he had put it, and taking an interest in what her father did, especially in his horses.\u00a0 Most evenings were spent at her mother\u2019s piano playing and singing, while her father sat in the parlor listening.\u00a0 Sometimes she would turn, ever so slightly, to look at him.\u00a0 He wept.\u00a0 He wept because the music reminded him of Belle.<\/p>\n The sound of an owl brought her back from her memories, and she took in a deep breath of the smell of the Sierra, a scent she had sorely missed, of pine, vanilla and the earthy scents of nature growing in the fertile soil.\u00a0 Even the odor of the distant livestock was comforting.\u00a0 It was remarkably refreshing air and felt cool as it filled her lungs.\u00a0 Her admiration of the clear, star-filled sky was interrupted when Adam walked around the corner.<\/p>\n \u201cThere you are.\u00a0 It\u2019s getting late, you know,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess my nap undermined my bedtime, though I really haven\u2019t had one in years,\u201d she answered.<\/p>\n Adam leaned on the rose covered fence in front of her.\u00a0 \u201cHow does it feel to be home?\u201d<\/p>\n Her answer was short. \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0 I\u2019m not home yet, am I?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think Pa would like you to think of the Ponderosa as one of your homes.\u00a0 You know you\u2019re always welcome here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf it were just Ben…never mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh, I was hoping that…maybe…I could try explaining what happened with Micah.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou explained that to me when I was fourteen, then again at fifteen and before I left at sixteen.\u00a0 Even my father took up your cause.\u00a0 Let\u2019s see, how did he put that; \u2018the etiquette of gun fighting and the pride of men killed Micah\u2019?\u201d she snapped, scowling.<\/p>\n Adam answered quietly. \u201cOnce a man has been called out by another, it\u2019s between those two men.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, so you\u2019ve said.\u00a0 You also told me there are no written rules for gun fighting, and that it\u2019s perfectly legal and why.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the way it is, Shiloh.\u00a0 Why do you still have a problem with it?\u201d<\/p>\n She stood in front of him, almost touching his body with hers, glaring up into his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cBecause, Adam, you valued your pride and Micah\u2019s pride more than you valued his life.\u00a0\u00a0 There\u2019s nothing right or acceptable about it.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She walked away from him, but turned back.\u00a0 \u201cIf he was really your best friend, you should\u2019ve saved him,\u201d she yelled, after which she stormed into the house, up the stairs and into her bedroom, closing the door with a loud thump.<\/p>\n Adam walked slowly back into the house and stood in the entry way, hands on hips, a pained expression on his face as he looked to the top of the stairs.<\/p>\n Ben looked up from his newspaper, holding his pipe away from his mouth.\u00a0 \u201cWhat was that about?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMicah,\u201d said Adam quietly as he lowered his head and made his way to the stairs wearing the same wounded expression.\u00a0 \u201cGoodnight, Pa.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Five<\/b><\/p>\n Shiloh enjoyed her morning in the soft bed. Weeks sleeping, or rather not sleeping, on whatever was available at the way stations during her trip from St. Louis had worn her out. Even the occasional hotel hadn\u2019t helped.\u00a0 She could see the sunrise from her window and remembered as a young girl rising in the morning and running up the hill to watch the sunrise with her mother.\u00a0 Today, she dreaded going up the hill now laden with three graves.<\/p>\n She dressed, repacked her bags and made her way down the stairs and to the breakfast table.\u00a0 When breakfast was finished, Hoss and Joe loaded her trunk and bags in the back of the buggy, and she, Ben and Adam were on their way to the Flying W.\u00a0 The closer she got to home, the more dread she felt.\u00a0 She tried not to think of what conditions she would find left for her after her father\u2019s illness, so she sat in silence watching the countryside she loved so much pass by.<\/p>\n When Ben stopped the buggy in front of the house, she sat for a moment and looked around.\u00a0 At first glance, nothing looked any different than she remembered. Ben had gotten out of the buggy and offered to help her down, but she didn\u2019t hear him.\u00a0 She was seven years back, remembering the house and yard when she left.<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh?\u201d Ben asked again.<\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u00a0 Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry, I was…somewhere else.\u201d\u00a0 Ben smiled and offered his hand, helping her down.\u00a0 They entered the house together while Adam pulled her bags from the buggy and followed behind them.\u00a0 She walked through the entry, dragging her hand over the table just inside the door.\u00a0 Then she went into the parlor, looked, and walked back out.\u00a0 Next was her father\u2019s study.\u00a0 \u201cIt hasn\u2019t changed at all.\u00a0 Just a little dusty.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI had the kitchen stocked for you, so you have plenty of supplies,\u201d said Ben.\u00a0 \u201cAnd here are the ledgers.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know what shape they\u2019re in.\u00a0 Amos said he hadn\u2019t been able to update them for several weeks,\u201d he said, handing her the books. \u201cAdam and I will bring your trunk in.\u00a0 Where would you like it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 Upstairs.\u00a0 First door on the right.\u201d\u00a0 While the men were moving her trunk and bags into her bedroom, she wandered back into the parlor where her mother\u2019s piano sat covered.\u00a0 She pulled the sheet down, sat on the bench and began to play, first picking out a tune with one finger then moving both hands to the keys.\u00a0 Realizing the piano had been recently tuned, she leaned her head back, closed her eyes and began to play.<\/p>\n Ben and Adam heard the music from upstairs.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s a very haunting piece,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cBeethoven.\u00a0 <i>Moonlight Sonata<\/i>,\u201d whispered Adam.\u00a0 They came down from the bedroom and stood silently in the door of the parlor, listening.<\/p>\n She finished the piece then leaned her elbows on the front of the piano, covering her face with her hands.\u00a0 Ben cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cOh,\u201d she said, wiping her face.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t know you were there.\u201d\u00a0 Ben and Adam stood with apologetic looks.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPlease come in,\u201d she said motioning to the sofa.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Cartwright, the piano has been tuned?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam answered. \u201cI thought you might want to play, and it takes a little while to get someone out, so I went ahead and had it tuned.\u201d\u00a0 He noticed the quiver of her chin when she nodded her thanks, turning away and slowly walking to a chair across from the sofa where she turned and sat down.<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh, we should talk about the ranch, but maybe you\u2019d like to get reacquainted with the place today instead,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n She inhaled deeply. \u201cTomorrow, then?\u00a0 I\u2019ll come by the Ponderosa.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBefore we go\u2026\u201d Adam handed her an envelope with her name written on it in her father\u2019s handwriting.\u00a0 \u201cYour father asked me to give this to you when you got home.\u201d<\/p>\n She took the envelope from him, and bowed her head.\u00a0 \u201cThank you both for your help.\u00a0 I appreciate all you\u2019ve done for me.\u201d<\/p>\n After the Cartwrights left, Shiloh walked up the hill where her family lay, forever watching those sunsets.\u00a0 She sat down in the grass and opened the letter her father left for her.\u00a0 She read it then held it to her breasts, lay down, and wept.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Six<\/b><\/p>\n More than an hour passed before Shiloh sat up.\u00a0 She wiped her face with the back of her hand and looked at her father\u2019s letter.\u00a0 She looked more at the writing than the words themselves, brushing her hand over it, picturing her father writing it.\u00a0\u00a0 Then she read the words again.<\/p>\n <i>My dearest Shiloh,<\/i><\/p>\n <i>If Adam has given you this letter, you have come home to the ranch.\u00a0 Whether you choose to stay or choose to pursue your music, let it be your decision and that of no one else.\u00a0 Whichever you choose, I know you will do well.\u00a0 You have always been able to do whatever you set your mind to doing.\u00a0 I have only one last bit of advice for you.\u00a0 You are strong, but my darling, you must be strong enough to accept help when it is offered.\u00a0 The strongest of us require it, including myself.\u00a0 Ben and Adam both know the business of ranching.\u00a0 Listen to them.\u00a0 Trust them as your mother, your brother and I have trusted them.<\/p>\n As for Micah, he would not want you to blame Adam for his passing, nor do I.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam did what I would have done had I been there in his stead.\u00a0 My hope is that you will come to know they both did what they had to do.\u00a0 There is no blame to place.<\/p>\n Please remember, I have always loved you from the day you came to your mother and me, so small, so delicate.\u00a0 Even though I am not here with you, you are not alone.\u00a0 The Cartwrights have been part of our family from the beginning of our new life here.\u00a0\u00a0 You are still a part of them.<\/p>\n You are so much like your mother in so many ways.\u00a0 I know she would be proud of you.\u00a0 I am more proud than words can say.<\/p>\n Be happy in any path you take.<\/p>\n With all the love in my heart,<\/p>\n Your father<\/p>\n Amos Abraham Weiss Whitney<\/i><\/p>\n Shiloh sniffled and kissed the words, carefully refolded the letter and gently slid it back in the envelope.\u00a0 She walked back down the hill and past the corral where her father worked with his horses.\u00a0 Hearing someone ride into the yard, she peeked around the side of the barn then she stepped out.\u00a0 \u201cHank!\u201d<\/p>\n As she trotted towards him, he jumped down from his horse, landing with his arms open wide by the time she reached him.\u00a0 She remembered his hug as one of those that could crack your back, and though it sounded ghastly, it felt so good.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Shiloh, when did you get back?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDidn\u2019t Mr. Cartwright tell you I was on the way?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been away from the ranch house so much he probably couldn\u2019t find me to tell me.\u00a0 Let me take a look at you,\u201d he said as he took a step back.\u00a0 \u201cAll grown up, aren\u2019t ya?\u201d he laughed, pulling her into another hug.\u00a0 \u201cBilly and I have been tryin\u2019 to keep the cattle together and the fences mended, but there\u2019s just the two of us now.\u00a0 Everyone else left after your father passed away.\u00a0 They all figured you\u2019d be sellin\u2019 this place when you got back.\u201d<\/p>\n She invited Hank to sit on the front porch.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAre all of my father\u2019s horses still here?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd the cattle, do we still have the whole herd?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMore or less.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t have a roundup this spring.\u00a0 Adam thought we should wait to see if the ranch would be sold then count the cattle for the sale.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, the ranch isn\u2019t being sold, so we need a roundup.\u00a0\u00a0 Do you know if our old hands are still around?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMost of \u2018em.\u00a0 Some of \u2018em are workin\u2019 for the Cartwrights.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, hire them back.\u00a0 Tell them we\u2019re in business.\u201d\u00a0 She reached for Hank\u2019s hand.\u00a0 \u201cHank, can we get the ranch back to where Micah had it?\u00a0 Be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n He beamed.\u00a0 \u201cMiss Shiloh, I don\u2019t see why not if we can get the hands back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright then.\u00a0 You work on the hands.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be going to the Ponderosa tomorrow to talk about the ranch with Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 After that, we should be well on our way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d said Hank as he rose from his chair toward his horse.\u00a0 He climbed into his saddle and turned.\u00a0 \u201cMiss Shiloh\u2026it sure is good to have you back.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh spent the rest of the afternoon going through her father\u2019s papers.\u00a0 The ranch ledger hadn\u2019t been updated for months.\u00a0 The ledger he kept for his horses hadn\u2019t been updated either, but there was a list of horses he had before he stopped keeping the books up.\u00a0 She needed the bank account balances before she could start updating them, so she busied herself going over past expenses to estimate what would be needed for food, supplies, repairs and payroll.\u00a0 By the time she looked up from the desk, it was almost dark outside.\u00a0 She put the books away and pulled out her father\u2019s letter, looking at her name meticulously written on the envelope.\u00a0 She laid it gently right in the middle of the desktop, carefully positioning it in line with the corners of the desk.\u00a0 Then she went to her piano and played until she could no longer hold her eyes open.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Seven<\/b><\/p>\n The next morning, Shiloh walked out to the barn wearing riding clothes.\u00a0 She had no idea what was available to ride, but she was sure Hank would be able to find her something.\u00a0 When she walked through the door, he was already there, grooming a gray Arabian mare.<\/p>\n \u201cHank, she\u2019s beautiful,\u201d said Shiloh, running her hand up the neck.\u00a0 She\u2019s very white.\u00a0 There\u2019s no mottling at all.\u00a0 How old is she?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSpirit\u2019s a five year old; the last one your daddy trained.\u201d\u00a0 Hank threw the brush in a bucket and picked up a blanket, placing it on the horse\u2019s back.\u00a0 \u201cHe trained her for you.\u00a0 I reckon he knew how sick he was and thought you might be comin\u2019 home.\u201d<\/p>\n When he reached for the saddle, Shiloh interrupted him.\u00a0 \u201cMay I?\u00a0\u00a0 I haven\u2019t saddled a horse since I left.\u00a0 I should find out if I remember how.\u201d<\/p>\n Hank stepped back and watched as Shiloh lifted the saddle, placing it on the blanket on the horse\u2019s back.\u00a0 She felt the withers underneath the horn and adjusted the saddle up, folded the stirrup up and hung it on the horn, then started the cinch.\u00a0 When she had the strap through the ring, she stopped and watched the horse breathe, waiting for an inhale then pulling it tight.<\/p>\n She stepped back and looked at Hank.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019d I do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like you never left.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll need some saddle bags.\u00a0 I\u2019m taking the books with me.\u201d<\/p>\n Once she had the books in the saddle bags, she mounted and rode to the Ponderosa.\u00a0 When she arrived, Adam was sitting on the front porch with his coffee, reading.<\/p>\n He walked over to the rail where she was tying Spirit. \u201cShe\u2019s a beauty.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think we\u2019ve met.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is Spirit.\u00a0 Hank said my father trained her for me,\u201d she said, pulling the saddle bags down.\u00a0 \u201cI brought the books back.\u00a0 They haven\u2019t been updated for months.\u00a0 I need to know what\u2019s in the ranch accounts before I can do that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa said he\u2019d be out in a few minutes. Would you like some coffee?\u201d Adam asked, motioning to the table on the front porch.\u00a0 Shiloh walked to the porch and sat down holding the saddle bags in her lap.<\/p>\n Adam sat and picked up the coffee pot.\u00a0 \u201cCoffee?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow was your ride over?\u201d<\/p>\n She took a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I didn\u2019t come over for small talk.\u00a0 I\u2019d really just like to get this over with.\u00a0 There\u2019s apparently quite a bit to do at the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, like what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell for starters, there are no hands other than Hank and Billy.\u00a0 I asked Hank to hire them back.\u00a0 Then there\u2019s the spring roundup that wasn\u2019t done.\u201d\u00a0 She opened the saddlebags, laid the books on the table and dropped the bags to the floor.\u00a0 \u201cThen, there\u2019s this.\u201d\u00a0 She opened both books.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt will take me days to catch these up.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam reached across the table and closed the books.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s plenty of time to catch these up.\u00a0 You should take a break for a while…to enjoy being home.\u201d\u00a0 He poured her a cup of coffee and placed it on the table in front of her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy can\u2019t you just tell me what you need to tell me so I can be on my way?\u201d<\/p>\n He opened his mouth to answer, but Ben beat him to it.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBecause, we both want to talk to you,\u201d he said as he made his way to the table, bending down to kiss the top of her head.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019d you sleep last night?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery well, thank you, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0\u00a0 I seem to have a lot to do at the ranch.\u00a0 I was hoping we could do this quickly.\u00a0 I need to go into town and look at the ranch accounts today.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam poured his father a cup of coffee.\u00a0 Ben took a sip, leaning back in his chair.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, I don\u2019t know how to tell you this gently, so I\u2019ll just say it.\u00a0 Amos put the ranch and the ranch accounts in a trust.\u201d<\/p>\n She stiffened in her chair, breathing deeply to control her temper, remembering Miss Anderson\u2019s words.\u00a0 <i>No one will take you seriously unless you can control your temper.<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA trust?\u00a0 Why did Daddy feel the need to draw up a trust?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI suggested it,\u201d answered Adam.<\/p>\n She jerked her head toward Adam, but kept her voice even.\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben answered this time.\u00a0 \u201cAmos waited too late to tell anyone he was dying.\u00a0 Shortly after I sent the first telegram, he went unconscious and never came to.\u00a0\u00a0 His intention was to let you make the decision about the ranch while you were in Boston.\u00a0 If you had chosen to sell the ranch, we could have handled that for you without you coming back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019m back.\u00a0 I\u2019m not selling the ranch.\u00a0 Close the trust.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not that easy,\u201d said Ben.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhen Adam suggested the trust, Amos decided to put some stipulations in it.\u00a0 We have to abide by those.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh propped her elbows on the table, raised her hands to her head and rubbed her temples.\u00a0 \u201cWho is the trustee and what are the stipulations?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa and I are the trustees. The trust will be closed when we feel you can run the ranch on your own or when you marry.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam watched the muscles of her jaw move while she clenched her teeth.\u00a0 She stood up, walking a few steps away from the table with her back to them.\u00a0 \u201cCan we go on to town and get the account information?\u00a0 I\u2019d like to get back to the ranch and get the books done.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam walked up behind her touching her arms.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not as bad as it sounds.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not standing in my boots,\u201d she said, stepping out of his hands.<\/p>\n \u201cI tried to tell you before; running the ranch isn\u2019t going to be easy.\u00a0 You don\u2019t have any experience.\u201d<\/p>\n She turned and glared at him.\u00a0 \u201cAre you just dismissing that I went to college?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, but there\u2019s a big difference between theoretical school work and practical experience,\u201d he said, his voice slightly elevated.<\/p>\n \u201cI have more experience than you\u2019re giving me credit for,\u201d she said, matching his tone.<\/p>\n He answered curtly. \u201cWe\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n She clenched her fists at her side. \u201cAdam Cartwright, you are a stubborn, mule-headed…know-it-all!\u201d<\/p>\n He leaned forward and answered brusquely.\u00a0 \u201cWould you like to be the pot or the kettle?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stood beside them, watching them exchange angry stares, placing his hands on their shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, Adam will take charge of the trust.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, that might not be such a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve both been to college.\u00a0 Now apply all that education and work together,\u201d said Ben sternly, walking away, shaking his head while Shiloh and Adam both looked exasperated as they watched him leave.<\/p>\n \u201cTown?\u201d she asked impatiently, turning back to Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be ready in a few minutes,\u201d grumbled Adam on his way to the barn.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Eight<\/b><\/p>\n Shiloh and Adam rode in silence the first hour of their trip into Virginia City.\u00a0 Adam finally made an attempt at conversation.<\/p>\n \u201cI know this is difficult for you, but it\u2019ll get easier.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s supposed to be easier?\u00a0 And don\u2019t you dare say running the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam breathed deeply and looked away, raising his eyebrows.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s try something else.\u00a0\u00a0 How about friends?\u00a0\u00a0 Any good friends back east?\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh stared ahead of them, wishing she could just get the ride over with, but came to the conclusion that, perhaps, the nicer she seemed the less he would dig for something to talk about.\u00a0 \u201cMy roommate, Annie; Annie Walters.\u00a0\u00a0 She became more like a sister.\u00a0 The first two years, we did everything together.\u00a0 When I went to Baltimore, we made a point to stay in touch and got together at least once a month.\u00a0 She was finishing her academic studies while I was in Baltimore, so when I went back to New York, she had moved on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did she move on to?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMedicine.\u00a0 She wants to be a doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam whistled.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s quite an undertaking for a young lady.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe last three years, she\u2019s been working with a doctor in Boston in preparation for Geneva Medical College.\u00a0 So this past year, we were able to spend quite a bit of time together.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid she attend women\u2019s rights lectures with you?\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh tensed and turned away, wincing.\u00a0 \u201cYes, she did.\u00a0 And she was encouraged to go in the direction she chose, as was I.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought that was your choice.\u00a0 Why would you need encouragement?\u201d<\/p>\n She exhaled, looking incredulously at him.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou know as well as I do that it\u2019s difficult for a woman to get medical training.\u00a0 The men who run those institutions would rather eat dirt than allow a woman into a medical practice.\u00a0 As far as my choice, while male singers and actors receive acclaim and respect, the women are seen only as pretty faces and voices, and that\u2019s because all those men want their women in their kitchens and their beds.\u201d\u00a0 Her voice slowly elevated as she spoke, and when she finished, she closed her eyes and calmed herself, then continued in a composed voice.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know what you and my father expected from me when I came back from college, but I didn\u2019t go to college to come back to cook and clean and bear children for some man.\u00a0 I came back to run the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re father expected good things from you.\u00a0 He was very proud of you.\u00a0 He also wanted you to be happy.\u00a0\u00a0 You\u2019re the only one that can figure that part out.\u201d\u00a0 Shiloh\u2019s silence told Adam his words brought back her grief, but he knew she needed to hear them because she had spent the majority of her short time home needlessly defending herself.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think it mattered to him whether you chose the ranch or chose to sing.\u00a0 Either way, he would have been proud of you.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked away to hide the tears she was trying desperately to hold back and remained silent for the rest of the trip into to town.\u00a0 When they arrived, they rode straight to the bank, where Adam introduced her to the banker, Mr. Sawyer.\u00a0\u00a0 They got the account information she needed, and while Adam stayed and spoke to Mr. Sawyer about Ponderosa business, Shiloh busied herself at the various supply stores, checking the Flying W accounts to ensure they were still open and that the balances had been paid.\u00a0 She also picked up the mail and was standing next to her horse going through it when Adam emerged from the bank.<\/p>\n \u201cWould you like to have lunch in town?\u201d asked Adam.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s almost one o\u2019clock.\u00a0 By the time we get back to the ranch, it won\u2019t be long before dinnertime.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh nervously looked around her.\u00a0 \u201cAlright,\u201d she said quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t have to be afraid to be seen in town,\u201d said Adam as he walked beside her on the boardwalk toward the International House.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s been over seven years.\u00a0\u00a0 They won\u2019t remember.\u201d He glanced at her, seeing she wasn\u2019t buying it.\u00a0 \u201cEven if any of them do remember, we can correct them.\u201d<\/p>\n She stopped, taking a deep, settling breath.\u00a0 \u201c<i>We<\/i> don\u2019t need to do anything.\u00a0 I\u2019m not twelve years old anymore, Adam, and it\u2019s time you stopped thinking of me that way.\u00a0\u00a0 I can take care of myself.\u00a0 If I were a man, you wouldn\u2019t be…hovering over me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI would have made the same promises to your father regardless.\u00a0\u00a0 I intend to keep them.\u201d<\/p>\n When they arrived at the International House restaurant, they were immediately seated, and shared an awkwardly quiet few minutes before their drinks were served.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy the ranch?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me?\u00a0 I don\u2019t know what you mean.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy did you choose the ranch over life in Boston?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI had always planned to come back to the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, but you had a start to a promising career in Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh thought for a moment then relaxed in her chair, thinking if she could make him understand, he wouldn\u2019t be so adamant about knowing every little thing.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t really remember Mama singing and playing, but my father always talked about how well she played and how pretty her voice was.\u00a0 I started lessons for him; he seemed to miss the music so.\u00a0\u00a0 But, once I started, I found I enjoyed it.\u00a0 When I played for Edwin, and he suggested Peabody, I was excited at first, but after a very short while, I realized that I was being prepared for something I didn\u2019t want.\u00a0 I guess I just didn\u2019t voice my desires as loudly as I should have.\u201d She paused when their food was delivered.\u00a0 Before she began to eat, she looked across the table at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI never had any other plans but to come home to the ranch.\u00a0 It was Edwin that kept pushing me toward the stage.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEdwin seems to think you could be more successful than Eliza Biscaccianti; that whenever you perform or interview, you come alive, as he puts it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe smiling, the mingling, the interviews; it\u2019s all part of the performance.\u00a0 Isabella isn\u2019t me.\u00a0 She\u2019s just a part I play.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure I would agree with you.\u00a0 I\u2019ve heard you play the piano.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think you\u2019ve ever met Mary, Edwin\u2019s wife, but she told me that whenever Edwin finds a prot\u00e9g\u00e9 he gets so enthusiastic, he forgets to ask what they want.\u00a0 He never asked me, and I never told him.\u201d\u00a0 She lowered her head.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t want to hurt him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe said you enjoyed it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI did; very much so.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam put his fork down, wiped his mouth then returned his napkin to his lap.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t understand.\u00a0 If you enjoy it, why not continue?\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh sipped her tea then looked away.\u00a0 \u201cI made up my mind before I left that the ranch would always be more important to me than anything. It\u2019s not just the ranch.\u00a0 It\u2019s the Sierra.\u00a0 If I had stayed in Boston, I would still be living in and surrounded by cold brick buildings.\u00a0 I\u2019d be walking on cobblestone streets, and I\u2019d be breathing soot-filled air.\u00a0 I would be allowed to ride\u2026,\u201d she raised an eyebrow, \u201csidesaddle.\u00a0 I\u2019d never be able to work with horses like my father did.\u00a0 I\u2019d wake up every morning to the metallic bell of an alarm clock instead of a rooster.\u00a0 I\u2019d never get to watch the calves or kids or foals kicking up their hind legs, playing.\u00a0 I\u2019d be living out of hotel rooms and spending most of my time traveling with no roots…no home.\u201d\u00a0 She stopped.\u00a0 Adam watched her eyes changing, her demeanor saddening.\u00a0 \u201cSomeone else would be looking at those graves on the hill…,\u201d a tear rolled down her cheek, \u201cwithout caring anything about them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you saying you came home for them?\u201d he asked softly.<\/p>\n She wiped her mouth with her napkin then laid it on the table.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d she said quietly, trying to keep her composure.\u00a0 \u201cWould you please excuse me?\u201d\u00a0 She turned towards the exit, never meeting his eyes, not waiting for an answer, and walked quickly to her horse outside without looking back.<\/p>\n Adam stood, motioning to the waiter as she left.\u00a0 He laid some cash on the table and followed her out, but instead of going after her, he watched her from the front porch of the hotel, deciding to let her ride home alone with her thoughts, as unsure as she appeared to be of why she had come home.\u00a0 He suspected that the disposition of the ranch might yet change.<\/p>\n When Shiloh arrived at the Flying W, she went into the house to get her father\u2019s letter then climbed the hill and settled on the ground, leaning against the tree.\u00a0 She looked at her father\u2019s handwriting on the envelope.\u00a0 <i>Is this the reason I came home?<\/i>\u00a0 She opened and reread the letter, folding it and putting it back in the envelope when she was done.\u00a0 She spoke out loud, choking back tears, \u201cDaddy, what am I supposed to do?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Nine<\/b><\/p>\n Adam arrived at the Flying W expecting to see Shiloh at the top of the hill by the house.\u00a0\u00a0 Instead, he found the front door open.\u00a0 When he stepped in and called her name, her answer was short and sharp.<\/p>\n \u201cStudy.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked up from the desk, seeing Adam standing with his weight on his left leg, his hands crossed in front of him, the picture of calm.\u00a0 She looked back down and continued to write in the ledgers. She had started with the account balances from the bank then transferred all the ranch balances from the old ledger.\u00a0 \u201cHow do I access the money in the trust?\u201d she asked, still writing in the ledger.<\/p>\n \u201cWe estimate your monthly expenses, and then you get a monthly allowance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if it\u2019s not enough?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll review your books, and we\u2019ll adjust if we need to.\u201d<\/p>\n She finished writing in her monthly estimates then turned the ledger around and pushed it to the outside edge of the desk.\u00a0 \u201cFine.\u00a0 Review.\u00a0 The only balance I don\u2019t have is the cattle count, and I won\u2019t have that until after the roundup.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam picked up the ledger and the papers from the bank and sat on the edge of the desk, going over each column of numbers.\u00a0 \u201cHow did you come up with these estimates?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI used the average of the last three complete months when the Flying W had a full payroll.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam closed the ledger.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about the other ledger?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean the horse ledger?\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t remember anything in the trust paperwork I saw at the bank that said anything about my father\u2019s horses.\u00a0 It only referred to the ranch property, the ranch account and the cattle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh, the horses are part of the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI disagree.\u00a0 The cattle were listed separately.\u00a0\u00a0 The horses weren\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not going to argue with you about it.\u00a0 When you\u2019ve had time to see what horses are here that your father either bred or imported to train and sell, I want to see that ledger.\u00a0 In the meantime, I\u2019ll have the bank release some money to you to get you through your first month.\u00a0 But, once the roundup is done, I want to see both ledgers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll have Hank drop the ranch ledger off at the Ponderosa after the roundup.\u00a0 You can\u2019t have the horse ledger, and if you disagree with that…,\u201d she stood up from the desk and leaned over it, looking him square in the eyes, \u201ctake me to court.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s nostrils flared, but he maintained an even tone of voice, even though the air was thick enough to cut with a knife.\u00a0 \u201cWhy are you making this harder than it needs to be?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid you find anything wrong with the ranch ledger?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, but…\u201d<\/p>\n She interrupted.\u00a0 \u201cI already told you my father taught me how to do the books.\u00a0 I did the books for months before I left.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s more to running this ranch than keeping the books up to date.\u00a0 What are you going to do the first time you have a dispute between your ranch hands?\u00a0 Do you even know when your taxes are due?\u00a0 And has anyone done an inspection of your fences and outbuildings?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHank has always handled the ranch hands, and if it\u2019s something he can\u2019t, I\u2019m prepared to.\u00a0 I can find everything I need to know about my taxes from the assessor\u2019s office, and Hank can do an inspection after the roundup is done.\u00a0 Now, I\u2019d appreciate it if you would release my <i>allowance<\/i> so I can get on with it.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam exhaled and cocked his head to one side, lowering his voice.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just trying to help you get on your feet.\u00a0 You have some feelings you need to deal with before anyone expects you to take on this ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n She closed her eyes remembering her father\u2019s letter. <i>You are strong, but my darling, you must be strong enough to accept help when it is offered.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As for Micah, he would not want you to blame Adam for his passing, nor do I.<\/i>\u00a0\u00a0 She sat back down, rubbing her forehead.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, it\u2019s not that I don\u2019t appreciate what you\u2019re trying to do, but I don\u2019t need\u2026\u201d\u00a0 She stopped and breathed deeply.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not one who can sit and do nothing.\u00a0 I have to be busy. The ledgers, the horses, the supplies, the cattle\u2026all that helps.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam walked around the desk, standing beside her, touching her shoulder. \u201cI\u2019ll be back in a few days to see how you\u2019re doing.\u201d\u00a0 He picked up his hat and walked toward the front door.\u00a0 \u201cThe Ponderosa and the Flying W used to do roundups together.\u00a0 If you think Hank could use the help, we\u2019d be happy to.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh walked Adam to the front door.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll talk to Hank and let you know.\u00a0 It will be up to him.\u201d<\/p>\n After Adam left, Shiloh saddled Spirit and rode to the pasture where her father kept the horses he would train.\u00a0 She pulled the horse ledger from her saddlebags, climbed over the fence and began to mark off the horses on her father\u2019s list.<\/p>\n Amos Whitney had been a successful horse breeder and trainer on his plantation in the Deep South.\u00a0 When he left because of the unrest growing in the South, he brought some of his stock with him to Nevada where he began to build his horse business in the West.\u00a0 By the time Shiloh left for college, Amos was well known for his horses, and it was the horse business that paid for her education.\u00a0 When someone wanted more than an ordinary animal, more times than not, it was Amos Whitney who was recommended.<\/p>\n \u201cMaximilian, hey there fella,\u201d Shiloh said as she approached the big black stallion that had been her father\u2019s favorite.\u00a0\u00a0 She reached into her pocket and pulled out a piece of carrot.\u00a0\u00a0 Max immediately buried his snout in her hand, eating the carrot as she stroked his nose.\u00a0\u00a0 In the fading light, she walked around the pasture, observing each horse, guessing which ones had been started.\u00a0 There were a number of mares with foals as well as what looked like several two and three year olds.\u00a0 She walked back to Spirit, taking the halter she had draped over her saddle horn then whistling the way her father taught her to call Max.\u00a0 He came right to her.\u00a0 She haltered him, led him back to the barn and bedded down both horses.\u00a0 Tomorrow, she would start working with the others.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Ten<\/b><\/p>\n While Shiloh sipped her morning coffee, she finished going through the mail she had picked up in Virginia City the day before.\u00a0 There was a letter from Annie advising that her mother had passed away.\u00a0 Shiloh thought sadly that Annie was now left with no family of her own, other than Shiloh herself; they thought of each other more as sisters than just friends.\u00a0 Annie was still waiting to hear from her application to medical school.<\/p>\n There was also a letter from Will Stewart; Senator William Stewart.\u00a0 Edwin had introduced her to Will after one of her Boston performances, and Will began to court her.\u00a0 She began traveling with him to political functions and parties.\u00a0 Several months before she left for home, he had proposed.\u00a0 She had considered accepting, but in the end, she declined.\u00a0 She knew she had hurt him terribly, but thought the hurt would be worse if she had married him, and the marriage turned sour.\u00a0 Her longing for home would have destroyed it.\u00a0 Her involvement in women\u2019s rights certainly would have hurt him politically.<\/p>\n Will wrote that he would be coming through Virginia City on his way to San Francisco, where he would be staying for several months as a liaison between the United States government and the State of California.\u00a0 He asked to see her.<\/p>\n She propped her elbows on the desk, clasping her hands and resting her chin on top of them.\u00a0 <i>I don\u2019t want him to get the impression that anything has changed, but it would be rude if I didn\u2019t, at least, see him.\u00a0 I\u2019ll just have to make it clear.<\/i>\u00a0 She dismissed it for the time being.\u00a0 He would not arrive in Virginia City for several weeks.<\/p>\n Shiloh\u2019s mornings were spent with Hank, checking the progress of the roundup, and riding along for the inspections of the fences and outbuildings.\u00a0 She had created quite a list of repairs that would be required and would need extra cash to purchase the necessary supplies and materials. She spent her afternoons working with each of her father\u2019s horses, determining where he had gotten in their training.\u00a0 She found that while some had not been started at all, there were several at each stage.<\/p>\n She was working with a mare named Spec when Adam came by to check her progress.\u00a0 He tied Sport and walked to the corral where she was working, being careful not to cause any distraction for the horse.\u00a0 He leaned on the corral fence, and watched as Shiloh used a buggy whip, touching the horse\u2019s front legs gently coaxing the mare\u2019s feet together.\u00a0 She stood in front of the horse, and raised her hands stepping closer and closer until the horse backed up and didn\u2019t stop until Shiloh did.\u00a0 Next, she attached a lead rope to Spec\u2019s halter and walked with the mare at her side around the corral, correcting Spec\u2019s distance with her hand until the horse maintained it, walking into Shiloh\u2019s left then away from her right.\u00a0 For the last test she performed, Shiloh walked the horse in a circle requiring the mare to rotate with her back feet in place.\u00a0 She corrected the mare several times before she was successful, after which Spec was rewarded with a head scratch and a carrot.\u00a0 Shiloh detached the lead rope, and looked out, noticing Adam at the fence for the first time.<\/p>\n Adam could almost feel her disappointment at the sight of him when she stopped, let out a heavy sigh, then put on a disingenuous smile and walked toward him.\u00a0 As she approached Adam, Spec came up behind her, pushing her nose into Shiloh\u2019s back hard enough that Shiloh stumbled and fell.<\/p>\n Adam jumped over the corral fence.\u00a0 \u201cAre you alright?\u201d he said anxiously, helping her to her feet.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d she barked, brushing dirt from her britches, red from embarrassment.\u00a0 Adam pulled his hands away from her with a pinched look, not wanting to start their afternoon off on the wrong foot.\u00a0 \u201cThat horse has been a perfect lady all day.\u201d\u00a0 Shiloh turned toward the horse, meeting her eyes.\u00a0 Spec whinnied as if she were laughing, turned and kicked her hind legs out, then trotted around Shiloh and up behind Adam, gently nuzzling his arm.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, girl.\u00a0 What\u2019s her name?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n Shiloh looked at the horse dubiously, furrowing her brow and twisting her mouth.\u00a0 \u201cSpec.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe seems friendly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSpsh!\u201d said Shiloh as she climbed over the fence, making her way to the house.<\/p>\n Adam chuckled at the sound she made; like she had sprung a leak.\u00a0 He followed her over the fence and to the house.<\/p>\n She left the front door open, but when Adam got there he hesitated, sticking his head in first.\u00a0\u00a0 When she reached the desk, she turned to see if he had followed.\u00a0 \u201cWell, come on.\u00a0 I want to get this over with.\u201d\u00a0 He walked to the study, and she handed him the ledger.\u00a0 \u201cThe cattle counts are there.\u00a0 So is a list of repairs that are needed for the outbuildings and the fences, and behind that is a list of materials I need.\u00a0 I need more money than you\u2019ve allowed.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam opened the ledger.\u00a0 \u201cMay I?\u201d he asked, motioning to the chair at the desk.\u00a0 She nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cWould you like some coffee?\u201d she asked, attempting to be hospitable.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, that would be nice,\u201d he answered without looking up from the ledger.\u00a0 He was already engrossed in her lists and figures.\u00a0 When she left the room, he opened the horse ledger sitting on the side of the desk.\u00a0 She had confirmed all but the stallions and had noted each horse\u2019s level of training.\u00a0 He heard her approaching, closed the ledger and moved it back to the edge of the desk.\u00a0 As she poured his coffee, he thanked her and continued checking her figures while she sat on the side of the desk with her own coffee, waiting patiently.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere did you get these material prices?\u00a0 They\u2019re a little high.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDaddy had a price list in the old ledger. I used those and added twenty percent.\u00a0 If they\u2019re too high, I\u2019ll adjust them afterwards.\u201d<\/p>\n He closed the ledger.\u00a0 \u201cI see only one problem here.\u201d<\/p>\n She got up from the desk and stood beside him.\u00a0 \u201cWhere?\u00a0 Show me.\u201d<\/p>\n He smiled.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not your figures.\u00a0 It\u2019s your expectations.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d she asked, leaning on the desk.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t need all these materials now.\u00a0 You need to estimate how long the work will take, get it scheduled and then order the materials as you need them based on the schedule.\u00a0 If you order them all at once, you\u2019ll have to store them.\u201d She looked away.\u00a0 Adam leaned back in the desk chair, turning it to catch the corner of her eye.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve never done that, have you?\u201d<\/p>\n She sighed.\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTell you what.\u00a0 I\u2019ll come back tomorrow morning and help you estimate the time.\u00a0 Then you can come up with the schedule and figure what materials you\u2019ll need and when.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t tomorrow.\u00a0 I\u2019m meeting someone coming in on the noon stage.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn the next few days then.\u201d\u00a0 Adam stood and made his way to the door.\u00a0 \u201cFriend from back east?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnnie?\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh opened the door, handing him his hat.\u00a0 \u201cGoodbye,\u201d she said, smiling.<\/p>\n She spent this evening…she spent every evening…at the piano. It offered her escape and respite after a day of running a ranch.\u00a0 It had become her best friend, whispering to her, soothing her, caressing her with each note.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Eleven<\/b><\/p>\n Discussion at the Cartwright dinner table usually concerned the events of the day; what work had been done and what work was left.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam had gotten back late with only enough time to help move the last of the wagon load of hay into the barn.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s time to go into town for supplies,\u201d said Ben.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, you and Hoss take care of that tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, Adam\u2019s been puttin\u2019 in half days all week,\u201d complained Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s your point, Joseph?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMe and Hoss have been doing all the work around here lately.\u00a0\u00a0 Maybe our big brother should stay tomorrow and do his share,\u201d said Joe, smiling sarcastically at Adam. \u201cWe have to bring in a couple more loads of hay.\u00a0 Then there\u2019s the fences that need to be checked, and the line shacks need to be stocked for winter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have other responsibilities, Joe.\u00a0 And besides that, I have a timber bid to price out tonight, so I\u2019ll be staying up late.\u00a0 Pa, I need to go into town tomorrow anyway.\u00a0 I need to see Mr. Murdock and let him know the Flying W account will run high this month.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWon\u2019t Shiloh pay that account down every month?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, yeah, she will, but she and Hank have done an inspection of the ranch and have quite a repair list.\u00a0 I thought I\u2019d speak with Mr. Murdock\u2026sort of guarantee her account since it\u2019s gonna be higher than normal.\u00a0 I also need to arrange for Mr. Sawyer to release the extra cash she\u2019ll need.\u00a0 She\u2019ll have to get some of that work done before winter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess you were over there today, then.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to go over her ledgers again.\u00a0 She\u2019s got everything updated.\u00a0 The only thing she\u2019ll need help with is estimating the time for the repairs.\u00a0 She\u2019s even got the horse ledger updated except for the stallions.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stopped eating and looked up at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cHow is she?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam glanced up, looking back at his father, sighing.\u00a0 He leaned back in his chair, wiping his mouth with his napkin.\u00a0 \u201cI really don\u2019t know, Pa.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been there several times over the last few weeks to check her ledger, and the most I can get out of her is related to the ranch.\u00a0 She seems fine.\u00a0 She\u2019s still angry with me.\u00a0 She tries to be nice, but it\u2019s obvious she doesn\u2019t want me there.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded and took a sip of coffee.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe I should pay her a visit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if we invite her to dinner?\u201d suggested Adam.\u00a0 \u201cOther than an occasional trip to town, I don\u2019t think she\u2019s been off the ranch.\u00a0 There have been two dances since she\u2019s been back, and she didn\u2019t go to either of them.\u201d\u00a0 He leaned forward, propping his elbows on the table.\u00a0 \u201cShe was working with one of the horses today wearing britches.\u00a0 She looked a little skinny if you ask me.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben exhaled heavily.\u00a0 \u201cI wonder if she\u2019s eating.\u00a0 She\u2019s alone in that big house.\u00a0 I can imagine that she might not prepare a meal for herself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019ll be in town tomorrow.\u00a0 I\u2019ll invite her to dinner tomorrow evening,\u201d said Adam. \u201cOh, she\u2019ll have a guest with her.\u201d\u00a0 He excused himself from the table and made his way over to the desk to begin working on the timber bid.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Twelve<\/b><\/p>\n Adam and Hoss left for town a little later than they would have liked.\u00a0 Adam had stayed up until the early morning hours working on the timber bid and moved rather slowly this morning.\u00a0 He sat back in the seat of the buckboard and dozed as much as he could through the bumps and jars of the road while Hoss drove.<\/p>\n Hoss stopped the buckboard in front of Mr. Cass\u2019s store, and while he went inside and placed their order, Adam walked to the post office for the mail.\u00a0 By the time Hoss came back to the buckboard, Adam was leaning against it, reading a telegram intently.<\/p>\n \u201cWhacha reading there?\u201d asked Hoss, walking up beside him.<\/p>\n Without looking up, Adam answered, \u201cIt\u2019s a telegram from Edwin Booth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou get telegrams from him all the time.\u00a0 They don\u2019t generally hold your interest like that one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, well, this one is a little disturbing.\u00a0 Did you see Shiloh come into town?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u00a0 She was already here.\u00a0 I saw her comin\u2019 out of the tax assessor\u2019s office a few minutes ago.\u00a0 Then she met a feller gettin\u2019 off the noon stage.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhich way\u2019d they go?\u201d asked Adam, stuffing the telegram in his back pocket.<\/p>\n \u201cThey headed over toward the International House.\u00a0 Hey, you ain\u2019t gonna follow her, are ya?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, as a matter of fact I am,\u201d answered Adam, walking away with an uneasy look on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cWill, how long are you staying in Virginia City?\u201d Shiloh asked while they were being shown to a table in the hotel restaurant.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be on the noon stage tomorrow for San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see.\u201d<\/p>\n After the waiter brought drinks and took their orders, Will lifted Shiloh\u2019s hand to his lips.\u00a0 \u201cIsabella, I know you\u2019ve only been home for a few weeks, but I\u2019ve missed you terribly.\u201d<\/p>\n She smiled warily, taking her hand from him. \u201cPlease, don\u2019t call me Isabella here.\u00a0 These people only know me as Shiloh.\u201d\u00a0 She took a drink. \u201cYou need to get past this, Will.\u00a0 I\u2019m not going back to Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n He took her hand again.\u00a0 \u201cI had to see you.\u00a0 I have to try to convince you that Boston won\u2019t be as bad as you think.\u201d\u00a0 Her smile was gone. \u201cIsabella, we can make this work.\u00a0 Anything you need, anything you want, you\u2019ll have.\u201d Shiloh tried to take her hand away, but he held it firmly.<\/p>\n Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Adam enter the restaurant, coming toward their table.\u00a0 She looked up at him expectantly, and just as she opened her mouth to speak, Adam held his hand out to Will.<\/p>\n \u201cWill?\u00a0 Will Stewart.\u201d<\/p>\n Will released her hand and stood.\u00a0 \u201cAdam Cartwright, how are you?\u00a0 I knew you were near Virginia City, but I never expected you\u2019d be here while I was passing through.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh bowed her head, lightly rubbing her temple.<\/p>\n \u201cWon\u2019t you join us?\u201d asked Will.<\/p>\n \u201cSure, if the lady doesn\u2019t mind,\u201d he said, smiling at Shiloh.<\/p>\n She returned a sardonic smile and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI had no idea you two knew each other.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWill and I were classmates at college,\u201d answered Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd how do both of you know each other?\u201d asked Will.<\/p>\n Adam answered, \u201cFunny thing.\u00a0 I\u2019ve known Shiloh since she was two.\u00a0 How do you know her, Will?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI spent most of the last year trying to convince her to be my wife.\u201d\u00a0 Shiloh paled.<\/p>\n \u201cYour wife?\u201d\u00a0 Adam turned to Shiloh, noticing her discomfort.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you never told me?\u201d<\/p>\n She managed a sickly smile.\u00a0 <i>How could he have found out?\u00a0 Edwin.\u00a0 It had to be Edwin.<\/i><\/p>\n \u201cSo tell me, Adam,\u201d Will began.\u00a0 \u201cIs that ranch of yours\u2026what was it, the Ponderosa…still taking up all your time?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a big ranch, so yes, I stay busy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d enjoy seeing it, but I\u2019ll be on the noon stage tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve still got time to see it.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t both of you come to the house for dinner tonight?\u201d Shiloh sat with her elbow propped on the table, her chin in her hand, staring icily at Adam as he spoke. \u201cMy brother and I are here to pick up supplies, but I\u2019m sure by the time you\u2019ve finished your lunch, we\u2019ll be ready to go.\u00a0 We can take some time to go by the lake and show you some of the Ponderosa before we get to the house.\u00a0 Will, you can stay the night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s marvelous, Adam.\u00a0 I think I\u2019d enjoy that.\u00a0 I\u2019ll arrange for the hotel to keep my bags.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam rose, extending his hand to Will.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s settled then.\u00a0 When you\u2019re finished here, meet me at Cass\u2019s store.\u201d\u00a0 He turned back to Shiloh, smiling knowingly at her irritation.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh knows where it is.\u201d\u00a0 He tipped his hat to her.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh.\u201d<\/p>\n She sat, stewing.\u00a0\u00a0 <i>Great.\u00a0 Just great.\u00a0 Now, he\u2019s going to be even nosier.<\/i><\/p>\n \u201cWell, fancy that.\u00a0 So, do you know Adam well?\u201d asked Will.<\/p>\n \u201cHm?\u00a0 Oh, yes, I guess you could say that.\u201d\u00a0 She paused while their lunch was delivered. \u201cI\u2019ve known all the Cartwrights most of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, Adam in particular?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe arranged for my college education.\u00a0 He knew my father well.\u00a0 His father and my father were close friends, and he was my brother\u2019s\u2026friend,\u201d she said, choking the last word out.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to be in San Francisco for quite some time.\u00a0 I wish you could arrange a visit,\u201d said Will.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll have to wait and see.\u00a0 My ranch keeps me busy.\u00a0 We still have to prepare for winter, and as for travel, winter travel is not very easy in the Sierra.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, it is done, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n She hesitated, but only for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cYes, it is done, though it usually takes longer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe Edwin has been planning a trip out with his repertoire company.\u00a0 He mentioned stopping in Virginia City to see you.\u00a0 Perhaps you could come to San Francisco with him.\u201d<\/p>\n Her interest piqued, she answered simply, \u201cPerhaps.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Thirteen<\/b><\/p>\n After a scenic trip around the Ponderosa culminating with a breathtaking view of the lake, the buggy came to a stop in front of the house.\u00a0 Hoss had already gotten home with the buckboard and advised everyone their guests would be arriving shortly, telling Hop Sing there would be two more for dinner.\u00a0 Adam escorted Shiloh and Will inside.<\/p>\n Ben greeted them in the entry way, taking Shiloh\u2019s hands.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, it\u2019s always good to see you.\u00a0 Senator Stewart, it\u2019s an honor to have you in our home,\u201d he said, offering his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 Adam has always spoken so fondly of the Ponderosa I thought I\u2019d take the opportunity to see it while I\u2019m out.\u00a0 It is indeed a sight to behold.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, thank you.\u00a0 We are proud of it.\u00a0 Please, come in,\u201d said Ben, motioning toward the sitting area.\u00a0 \u201cCan I offer you a drink, perhaps a brandy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, thank you,\u201d said Will distractedly as he watched Adam direct Shiloh to a chair then sit on the arm next to her.<\/p>\n \u201cWill, what brings you out west?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cQuite simply, the war.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben harrumphed.\u00a0 \u201cSenator, we try to remain neutral here.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want the war brought into our home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUnderstandable, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 Fortunately, I\u2019m not here to fight the war.\u00a0 My job is liaison to the President in matters of incarceration and the protection of San Francisco Bay.\u00a0 As you probably know, Fort Alcatraz is now housing war prisoners.\u00a0 Fort Point has just mounted the last of its cannons and the Presidio has been equipped with defenses as well.\u00a0 My job is to report the readiness of the area against attacks, some of which have already begun in the bay.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe attacks on some of the vessels carrying arms have made the newspaper here in Virginia City,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cArms and gold, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n Hop Sing announced dinner, and everyone made their way to the dining room table.\u00a0 Shiloh and Will sat on either side of Ben with Adam next to Shiloh.<\/p>\n \u201cSenator. . .\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright, my friends call me Will.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWhat brings you through Virginia City?\u201d<\/p>\n Will smiled warmly at Shiloh.\u00a0 \u201cA lovely young woman.\u201d\u00a0 Shiloh\u2019s chewing slowed to a stop.\u00a0 She smiled guardedly back.<\/p>\n \u201cYou two know each other then?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, we do.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been trying to convince Isabella to come back to Boston with me as my wife.\u201d\u00a0 Shiloh\u2019s eyes widened as she briefly looked away, bringing her napkin up to her lips.\u00a0 All the Cartwrights stopped chewing, darting glances around the table.\u00a0 \u201cSadly for me, I haven\u2019t been convincing enough.\u00a0 Though, after seeing this part of the country, I can understand why she loves it so much.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben glanced at Shiloh and changed the subject.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, how long has it been since you\u2019ve seen the Senator?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam had been watching Shiloh then looked back at Will, narrowing his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cWe haven\u2019t seen each other since college, though we have exchanged letters.\u00a0 I knew he was interested in someone back east, but he never mentioned who.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam would have done well if he had stayed in Boston.\u00a0 There are many opportunities for good architects back east.\u201d\u00a0 Will inhaled deeply.\u00a0 \u201cBut, he was always the one who enjoyed the rugged challenges in life.\u00a0 Take target shooting.\u00a0 One of our competitions involved a running course where each participant had to stop at given points and shoot their rifle at a target.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI do believe Adam went undefeated.\u00a0 Tell me Adam, I noticed you wear a gun.\u00a0 Have you had to use it out here?\u201d<\/p>\n The corner of Adam\u2019s mouth turned up.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam had always been the one at college who preached that the practice of wearing guns had no place in civilized society.\u00a0\u00a0 Will had been the one who needed to outdo Adam at every turn, mostly unsuccessfully.\u00a0 \u201cUnfortunately, wearing a gun is a fact of life in the uncivilized West.\u00a0 Perhaps one day the West will be as civil as Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh had been watching the two men as they spoke, hoping that Will wouldn\u2019t extend their obvious competitiveness to her, even though it was unfounded from both sides.\u00a0 She had been so engrossed in her own thoughts she didn\u2019t hear Ben speak to her.<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh?\u201d asked Ben, covering her hand with his.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 What did you say?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI asked how you met Will?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWill and Edwin Booth are friends.\u00a0 Edwin introduced us after one of my performances.\u201d She placed her napkin on the table next to her plate.\u00a0 \u201cIt appears that Adam and I have the same circle of friends in Boston,\u201d she said, giving Adam a stony look.<\/p>\n Hop Sing brought in the coffee service, setting it on the coffee table in the great room.\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Hop Sing,\u201d said Ben.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t we have some coffee,\u201d he said, rising from the table.\u00a0 He offered Shiloh his arm, and everyone followed them into the great room.<\/p>\n Not long afterwards, Shiloh made her apologies.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s late, and I really should get home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHoss, why don\u2019t you drive Shiloh home,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright, that\u2019s not necessary,\u201d objected Shiloh.<\/p>\n Ben took her hands, giving her a fatherly look of concern.\u00a0 \u201cIt may not be necessary for you, but it will make me feel better.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled sweetly up at him and surrendered the argument.<\/p>\n Will stood and walked her to the door.\u00a0 \u201cI hope you will consider coming to San Francisco.\u00a0 It would be my pleasure to show you the city.\u201d\u00a0 She looked up at him contritely.\u00a0 \u201cWill I see you tomorrow before I leave?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I\u2019ll ride into town to see you off.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery well, then.\u00a0 Goodnight,\u201d said Will, bowing.<\/p>\n Both Adam and Hoss walked Shiloh out to the buggy.\u00a0 \u201cI hope this wasn\u2019t too unpleasant for you,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy would you think it was unpleasant?\u201d<\/p>\n He smiled.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll talk tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh raised an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cDo we need to talk tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n He answered while helping her into the buggy.\u00a0 \u201cI think we do.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Fourteen<\/b><\/p>\n After Will retired for the evening, Ben pulled Adam over to the fireplace to prevent their voices from carrying up the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s troubling you, Son?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam looked down at his hands and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI was trying not to show it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think you were probably successful where everyone else was concerned.\u00a0 Except maybe Shiloh.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh just thinks I\u2019m meddling.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s bothering you?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam pulled the telegram from Edwin out of his back pocket and handed it to his father.\u00a0 \u201cThat came in this morning.\u00a0 Until I read it, I had no idea Will would be arriving today.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben read the telegram, then whistled and sat down to read it again. \u201cAdam, I don\u2019t like this.\u00a0 You were right to bring them here.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think Shiloh should be left alone with him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I thought, but he seemed respectful enough of her.\u00a0\u00a0 He was certainly never forward with any women at college.\u00a0 But, if he\u2019s as obsessed with her as Edwin believes, I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll find a way to see her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t think he\u2019d try to force her back to Boston, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, Pa.\u00a0 Edwin\u2019s been around him much longer than I was.\u00a0 Will was always ambitious.\u00a0 When he saw something he wanted, he went after it, woe be to the man that got in his way.\u00a0\u00a0 I get the distinct impression he thinks I\u2019m in his way.\u00a0 Edwin made it clear that when Shiloh rejected Will\u2019s proposal, Will was more than angry, though he never let her see that.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben sat nodding.\u00a0 \u201cSo, she has no idea.\u00a0 Are you going to tell her?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know that I should,\u201d he said, sitting on the hearth.\u00a0 \u201cShe still hasn\u2019t completely dealt with Micah or her father\u2019s death, and on top of that, she\u2019s bent on proving she can run that ranch.\u00a0 I just wish I could convince her to take a break.\u00a0 The ranch will still be there if she wants it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I was hoping to speak with her tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam stood, taking the telegram from his father.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll talk to her tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you going to tell her?\u201d Ben asked, repeating the question.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t see any reason to right now.\u00a0\u00a0 She\u2019s got enough to deal with at the moment, and he\u2019s leaving for San Francisco tomorrow.\u00a0\u00a0 I have to admit, though, I\u2019d feel more comfortable if he was in Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n The next morning, Adam and Senator Stewart left for town right after breakfast.\u00a0\u00a0 They were quiet most of the way until Will asked, \u201cAdam, how is she, really?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do you ask?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe was always so alive in Boston, smiling, laughing.\u00a0 She seems very withdrawn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe has quite a bit on her mind, coming home because her father died, taking on the ranch by herself, deciding what she wants to do.\u00a0\u00a0 She just needs time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI hope you\u2019re right.\u00a0 You will watch out for her, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI told her father I would.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam pulled the buggy in front of the International House so that Will could make arrangements for his bags to be taken to the stage office.\u00a0 He and Adam walked back and stood on the boardwalk waiting for the stagecoach to arrive.<\/p>\n Shiloh arrived just before Will\u2019s bags were delivered in front of the office.\u00a0 \u201cGood, I\u2019m not late.\u00a0 I had a little trouble at the ranch this morning,\u201d she said, joining the two men on the boardwalk.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, what kind of trouble?\u201d Adam asked, furrowing his brow.<\/p>\n \u201cI fired Sam King, but I\u2019m sure Will doesn\u2019t want to hear about that,\u201d she said, looking up at Adam.<\/p>\n She turned back to Will. \u201cI don\u2019t think I asked how long you\u2019ll be in San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know yet.\u00a0 I would imagine until the President feels confident enough that everything in San Francisco is up to his standards.\u00a0 There\u2019s a good bit of unrest between southern and northern California, and we believe that some of the insurgents are coming from Los Angeles.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI expect you\u2019ll be very busy,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Will gently touched her face.\u00a0 \u201cNever too busy for you.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh looked at him apologetically, but before she could say anything, the stagecoach arrived behind schedule.\u00a0 The passengers staying in Virginia City were rushed out of the coach and a quick call was made for new passengers.\u00a0 \u201cGoodbye, Will,\u201d said Shiloh.<\/p>\n Will took her hand, kissing it.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll stay in touch.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam, good to see you again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWill,\u201d said Adam, shaking his hand.<\/p>\n As soon as Senator Stewart was in the coach, the driver released the brake and flicked the reins. The stagecoach moved quickly away.<\/p>\n Adam looked down at Shiloh standing beside him.\u00a0 \u201cYou wanna tell me about Sam King?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked up, bristling, but decided he would wait for the story of Sam King\u2019s firing. \u201cWould you ride back to the ranch with me?\u00a0 I\u2019d like to talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked down, kicking the dirt.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m concerned about Will,\u201d he said, crossing his arms.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t need to be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cConvince me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine.\u201d\u00a0 They walked back to the buggy, tied Spirit to the back and left town.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, Will proposed?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, but I told him no.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI gathered.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t look like he took no for an answer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, I really don\u2019t see how this is any of your business.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI promised your father I\u2019d look out for you and knowing Will, I\u2019m not sure he has your best interests at heart.\u201d\u00a0 When she crossed her arms, Adam thought he had lost her.<\/p>\n After a few minutes, she said, \u201cWill would never hurt me.\u00a0 He loves me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure you know Will enough to know that.\u00a0 The minute you told him no, you became a challenge to him.\u00a0 He has a huge ego.\u00a0 He\u2019s not the kind that takes no for an answer.\u201d\u00a0 She said nothing.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, he already makes you uncomfortable.\u00a0 The more he pushes the worse it will get.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat would you have me do?\u00a0 I\u2019ve already told him no.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou need to stay away from him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t understand,\u201d she said angrily. \u201cWill is the way he is because…\u201d she looked down at her hands.\u00a0 \u201cI told him I\u2019d think about it, so he thought I\u2019d say yes.\u00a0 I got his hopes up.\u00a0 By the time I told him no, he was already so sure I\u2019d say yes…I not only hurt him deeply, I embarrassed him.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam stopped the buggy, turned and took her hands in his.\u00a0 \u201cYou told him no.\u00a0 You are not responsible for him.\u00a0 You don\u2019t owe him anything.\u201d<\/p>\n She jerked her hands away and climbed out of the buggy.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat else did Edwin tell you?\u00a0\u00a0 Will Stewart has never been anything less than a gentleman to me, and I\u2019m not gonna sit here and listen to you talk about something you know nothing about.\u201d\u00a0 She untied Spirit, mounted and turned to Adam.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t follow me,\u201d she barked, then rode away.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Fifteen<\/b><\/p>\n Even though she tossed and turned all night thinking about her entanglement with Will Stewart and how Adam Cartwright nosed his way right into that situation, Shiloh was up at her usual time, meeting with Hank over coffee at the kitchen table to go over the day\u2019s work.<\/p>\n \u201cHank, I\u2019m pretty sure Adam will be here this morning to look over the repairs that need to be done before it snows.\u00a0 He\u2019s going to help me estimate the time it will take to fix things before I buy the material.\u00a0 So, before he gets here, I need to know what work you have scheduled.\u201d<\/p>\n Hank opened the property map that showed the major structures and fences.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re gonna start moving half the cattle to these bottom pastures,\u201d he said, pointing to an area on the map.\u00a0 \u201cThese fences here just need minor repairs, and we can take care of those now.\u00a0 But, we can\u2019t use this area here, until the posts are replaced…that was the bad area we were looking at during the inspection.\u00a0 It\u2019s gonna need new wire, too.\u00a0 The sheds down there need some roof repairs, but the boys can go ahead and start cleanin\u2019 out the troughs.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ll have some of the boys bring some hay up here to the barn, but the rest has to go in the hay sheds down there.\u00a0 We\u2019ll have to wait for those repairs.\u00a0 \u201cSo, we\u2019ll start repairing these fences, clean out the troughs, and move some hay into the barn today.\u00a0 Then we can start moving some of the cattle tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll want a few of the horses to stay up here,\u201d said Shiloh. \u201cI\u2019ll give you a list.\u00a0 Then I\u2019ll want the rest moved down as well.\u00a0 They need to stay in the same groups they\u2019re in.\u00a0 Daddy had separated the stallions into their family groups, and that\u2019s fine, but I want the mares with new foals together in a separate corral.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll have the men get right on it, Miss Shiloh.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, Hank; the line shacks.\u00a0 We\u2019ll need to get those stocked as well.\u00a0 Can you get me a supply list tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d he said, tipping his hat as he left.<\/p>\n After Hank left, Shiloh began looking up at the roof of the front porch where she had seen a shadow reminiscent of water damage.\u00a0 She went to the barn for a ladder, stopping to greet the horses.\u00a0 \u201cSpec, girl.\u00a0\u00a0 Are you gonna behave today?\u201d she asked, stroking Spec\u2019s nose.\u00a0 \u201cCome on.\u00a0\u00a0 You can have some fresh air this morning,\u201d said Shiloh as she haltered Spec and led her to the hitching rail.\u00a0\u00a0 Shiloh went back to the barn and brought the ladder to the front porch where she propped it on the side of the gable, climbing up to check the roof.<\/p>\n While she was up on the ladder, Adam came into the yard.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you doing up there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think there\u2019s a leak.\u00a0 I thought I\u2019d see if any shingles are missing.\u201d<\/p>\n As Adam dismounted and tied Sport, Spec pulled her tie loose and walked over to the ladder.\u00a0 She whinnied loudly, pushing the ladder over with her nose.\u00a0 \u201cSpec, no!\u201d shouted Shiloh just before she lost her balance and fell to the ground, landing on her back with a loud grunt.\u00a0 Spec trotted back into the barn, turned around and stood in the door as if she was waiting to see if she was in trouble.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t move,\u201d said Adam, kneeling next to her.\u00a0 \u201cYou might\u2019ve broken something.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStop squeezing my arms.\u00a0 There\u2019s nothing wrong,\u201d she snapped, trying to sit up.\u00a0 Adam took her hand and arm and pulled her to her feet.\u00a0 She swung around looking for Spec, who was still standing in the door of the barn, looking innocent.\u00a0 Shiloh took a step and stopped, holding her hand against her back.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not alright.\u00a0 Come over here and sit down,\u201d he ordered as he helped her to a chair on the front porch.\u00a0 \u201cStay here,\u201d he said then walked to Spec.\u00a0 The mare gently nuzzled Adam\u2019s arm when he reached her.\u00a0 Adam looked at Shiloh on the porch, shrugged, and then led the horse back into a stall in the barn.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy are you still working with that horse?\u201d he asked when he arrived back at the porch. \u201cThat\u2019s the second time she\u2019s put you in the dirt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t get it.\u00a0 She\u2019s normally a very gentle horse.\u00a0 The two times you saw are the only times she\u2019s done anything like that.\u00a0 She\u2019s under saddle now.\u00a0 I thought I\u2019d ride her today, but I think I\u2019ll wait.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not riding today,\u201d said Adam vehemently, raising an eyebrow.<\/p>\n Shiloh stood and walked stiffly into the house.\u00a0 \u201cCome on.\u00a0 We need to look at the map before we leave.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He followed, glaring at her.\u00a0 \u201cStop burning a hole in my back, will ya?\u201d she said angrily without turning around.<\/p>\n She spread the map over the kitchen table, showing Adam the areas she and Hank thought needed to be done first.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think you need to see the fences, but you may want to look at the sheds.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think they had any repairs at all last year, so they\u2019re due.\u00a0 That will take care of what I need in the bottom pastures for the winter.\u00a0 Then before we move the cattle back up in the spring, we can work on the rest.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam looked at the map with her then stood up straight, crossing his arms as he watched her try to straighten up.\u00a0 \u201cYou know sitting a saddle is only going to make it hurt worse.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHogwash.\u00a0 I feel better already,\u201d she said, heading for the door.<\/p>\n By the time they had looked at the sheds and were back at the ranch house, Shiloh\u2019s back had seized up to the point that she couldn\u2019t swing her leg over Spirit\u2019s back to dismount.\u00a0 Adam dismounted and stood next to her horse.\u00a0 \u201cAre you gonna let me help you down?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can…get…down,\u201d she grunted, ending with a whimper.\u00a0 She lay forward with her head against Spirit\u2019s neck.\u00a0 \u201cAlright, I can\u2019t get down,\u201d she moaned.<\/p>\n \u201cRoll to your left.\u00a0 I\u2019ll catch you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t drop me,\u201d she muttered.<\/p>\n Adam chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cRoll.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She leaned left until she felt his hands grab her and pull her into his arms.\u00a0 \u201cDo you think you can walk?\u201d<\/p>\n She answered snidely, \u201cPut my feet on the ground, and we\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, for someone who needs help you ought to be nicer to me,\u201d teased Adam as he lowered her feet.<\/p>\n \u201cSee, I\u2019m standing,\u201d she said as she started for the front door bent over.<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh, you need a doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u00a0 Just…ow…get me inside.\u00a0\u00a0 I think if I soak in a hot bath and then just go to bed, I\u2019ll be alright tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam guided her inside to the sofa.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll start boiling some water for you.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you just lay back and relax?\u201d\u00a0 She didn\u2019t argue.\u00a0 He helped her lay down and disappeared into the kitchen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Sixteen<\/b><\/p>\n Adam waited until Shiloh came out of the back room in her robe then watched her hobble up the stairs, one step at time.\u00a0 \u201cYou didn\u2019t eat any dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not hungry,\u201d she said feebly. \u201cI\u2019m just gonna go to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re not any better tomorrow, I\u2019m sending for Dr. Martin.\u201d<\/p>\n She stopped midway up the stairs, but didn\u2019t turn around.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t afford not to be better tomorrow.\u00a0 I have to get those estimates done so I can buy the materials.\u00a0 If I wait, the work won\u2019t be done before it starts snowing.\u201d\u00a0 She grunted as she began to climb the stairs again.<\/p>\n \u201cI can do that for you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d\u00a0 she snapped.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s my responsibility.\u00a0 I\u2019m doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh, you…\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEnough!\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019m having a hard enough time getting up the stairs,\u201d she whined. \u201cI just want to go to bed.\u00a0 We can talk tomorrow.\u201d\u00a0 She stopped again and listened in the heavy quietness to his breathing.\u00a0 \u201cPlease,\u201d she said, acquiescing to his obvious concern.\u00a0 \u201cI really need to get to bed.\u201d\u00a0 Adam watched her climb to the top of the stairs and walk towards her bedroom.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m fine, Adam.\u00a0 I\u2019m here.\u00a0 You don\u2019t need to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be back first thing in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure you will,\u201d she said, her words tapering off as she entered the bedroom and closed the door.<\/p>\n Adam came in late for dinner, shedding his gun and hat then making his way to the table.\u00a0 \u201cSorry I\u2019m late.\u00a0 Shiloh had an accident, and I wanted to make sure she was comfortable before I left.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben stopped in mid-bite.\u00a0 \u201cAn accident?\u00a0 Is she alright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, she\u2019s not alright, but she\u2019s so stubborn she wouldn\u2019t let me send for the doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy\u2019d you let that stop you?\u201d asked Ben, glaring at Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t want to push it.\u00a0 She was being obstinate, and it was obvious she was in pain.\u00a0 She said she\u2019d see the doctor tomorrow if she wasn\u2019t any better.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happened?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cShe fell off a ladder.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben put his fork down, looking at Adam in consternation. \u201cWhat was she doing on a ladder?\u201d<\/p>\n Aggravated by all the questions, Adam told the whole story, knowing his father would have to hear it anyway.\u00a0 Ben opened his mouth to speak, but Adam held up a finger.\u00a0 \u201cShe said she was alright and insisted on riding down to the bottom land to inspect the feeding and hay sheds.\u00a0 By the time we got back, she couldn\u2019t get off her horse.\u00a0 She took a hot bath and went to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDidn\u2019t you try to stop her from riding?\u201d Ben asked angrily.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, do you really want to hear the details of the argument?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben drew back.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I guess not.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnyway, I\u2019m going back tomorrow morning to see how she\u2019s doing.\u201d\u00a0 He looked up and answered the question written on his father\u2019s face.\u00a0 \u201cAnd if she\u2019s not any better, I\u2019ll send for Doc Martin.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben thought to himself for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll go with you.\u00a0 If she won\u2019t listen to you, she\u2019ll have to listen to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey Adam, was it the same mare you said pushed her down?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cYep.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy in tarnation would she still be workin\u2019 with her?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe said Spec is usually well-behaved.\u00a0 She\u2019s even had a saddle on her.\u00a0 But the only two times I\u2019ve seen her she was misbehaving.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSpec?\u00a0 What kind of name is that for a horse?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d have to see the horse, Joe.\u00a0\u00a0 She has spots all over her hindquarters.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo, why not call her Spot?\u201d laughed Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cI can answer that, Little Brother,\u201d chuckled Hoss.\u00a0 \u201cBecause she ain\u2019t a dog.\u201d<\/p>\n Later that evening, Ben sat staring into the fire.\u00a0 Adam was sitting in the blue chair across from him reading a book, and looking up from his book, he watched his father stare for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cPa, she\u2019s alright.\u00a0 She climbed the stairs on her own.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure she is.\u00a0 She\u2019s young…resilient.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf she were to have a serious accident…one where she couldn\u2019t help herself, there\u2019d be no one around to help her.\u00a0 I\u2019m starting to feel a little uneasy about her being there by herself.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know what the argument\u2019s gonna be if you try to tell her that, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben grunted.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I want you to talk to Hank.\u00a0 Tell him to look in on her…make sure she\u2019s in for the night before he goes home every day.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Seventeen<\/b><\/p>\n When Adam and Ben arrived at the Flying W, Hank\u2019s horse was tied to the hitching rail in the yard, indicating he was already inside talking to Shiloh.\u00a0\u00a0 Ben knocked on the door and was about to knock again when Shiloh answered.\u00a0 \u201cSorry, it\u2019s taking me a little longer to get around.\u00a0 Mr. Cartwright, what brings you out here this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou do,\u201d he said, stepping in the door after Shiloh motioned them in.\u00a0 \u201cAdam told me about your accident yesterday.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam worries too much.\u00a0 I told him all I needed was a hot bath and rest.\u00a0 Come on in the kitchen.\u00a0 I was just going over today\u2019s work with Hank.\u201d<\/p>\n When they entered the kitchen, Hank stood, shook their hands and offered them a seat.\u00a0 Shiloh moved toward the hutch, but Hank stopped her.\u00a0 \u201cMiss Shiloh, please sit down.\u00a0 You look like an old lady walking around hunched over like that.\u00a0 I\u2019ll get the coffee cups.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not hunched over,\u201d she said, furrowing her brows at Hank, and then slightly nodding toward the Cartwrights.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s no use trying to hide it, Miss Shiloh.\u00a0 They ain\u2019t blind.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam pulled her chair out for her, looking at her from underneath raised eyebrows. She cocked her head and pinched her lips into a tight line.<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh, what harm would it be to take it easy for a few days?\u201d asked Ben, coaxing her toward the chair. She dropped her head, then slowly, deliberately, made her way to the chair, easing herself down.<\/p>\n Adam retrieved the coffee pot from the stove.\u00a0 \u201cI still think you should let Doc Martin take a look at you,\u201d he said as he poured a round of coffee.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m better this morning.\u00a0 I don\u2019t need a doctor.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 The men all looked at her doubtfully, and she glared back.\u00a0 \u201cMy kitchen, my house, my rules.\u201d\u00a0 When they all looked away shaking their heads, she picked up the ledger and smacked it down on the table in front of Adam.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think I need to do a schedule for this work.\u00a0 It all needs to be done before winter, so storing the materials is moot.\u00a0 Here\u2019s the list of materials I need, here\u2019s the estimate of the extra money I\u2019ll need, and here\u2019s a list of supplies I need.\u00a0 I\u2019m ready to send someone into town if you\u2019ll <i>approve<\/i> it.\u201d\u00a0 Adam took the pencil lying on the table, glanced up at his father then started going over her lists and figures.<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh, Adam tells me you had to fire Sam King,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n She rolled her eyes and glared at the side of Adam\u2019s head. \u201cHoss said he caught Sam sleeping when he was supposed to be mending fences.\u00a0 He said it was late in the afternoon, and it didn\u2019t look like Sam had done anything.\u00a0\u00a0 Hank had already warned him about sleeping on the job, so when I confronted him…\u201d she took a breath, narrowing her eyes, \u201che said I \u2018ought\u2019n worry my pretty little head about it\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I fired him on the spot.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2019d that go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe said he\u2019d leave when he spoke to Adam…that he\u2019s the man in charge,\u201d she said, glancing at Adam angrily.\u00a0 Adam looked up from the ledger, snorted, and continued reviewing her lists.<\/p>\n \u201cGo on,\u201d said Ben calmly.<\/p>\n \u201cI paid him his wages and told Hank to get him off my ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd did he?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, but Sam said he\u2019d be back.\u00a0 I told him if I caught him on the ranch again, I\u2019d fill his backside with buckshot.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019d he say?\u201d<\/p>\n She slumped then jerked from the pain in her back. \u201cHe laughed.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam looked up from the lists, joining the conversation.\u00a0 \u201cYour first mistake was to say anything after you told Hank to send him packing.\u00a0 You should have let it end there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know that,\u201d she said indignantly.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, your temper.\u201d<\/p>\n Her nostrils flared.\u00a0 \u201cHave you said anything to my ranch hands?\u201d she asked, accusingly.<\/p>\n Adam looked at her, confused.\u00a0 \u201cWhy would I have done that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, but I have a problem with my ranch hands thinking you\u2019re their boss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSam was just trying to rile you up,\u201d Adam said dismissively.\u00a0 \u201cIt looks like he succeeded.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t like it,\u201d said Ben.\u00a0 \u201cSam\u2019s a hothead.\u00a0 He holds grudges.\u201d Turning to Shiloh, he said, \u201cYou should have some of your hands watch the horses and the house until we find out where Sam\u2019s gone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWould you do that at the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, but there are four of us at the house.\u00a0 And we don\u2019t have the kind of horse flesh you have.\u00a0 Your father had quite an investment in those horses.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh nodded to Hank.\u00a0 \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d he answered.<\/p>\n \u201cThese numbers look reasonable,\u201d said Adam, looking up from the lists.\u00a0 Hank, you\u2019re gonna need two buckboards to carry all the supplies and materials.\u00a0 I\u2019ll go into town with you and take care of the bills.\u201d<\/p>\n When Hank excused himself to hitch the buckboards, Shiloh turned to object, but Adam stopped her with a word, \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t said anything yet,\u201d she glowered.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you shouldn\u2019t.\u00a0 Pa, I\u2019ll get the mail while I\u2019m in town.\u00a0 Do you need me to pick up anything else?\u201d<\/p>\n Ben shook his head as he slightly smiled at Shiloh\u2019s discomfiture.\u00a0 It seemed Adam had her feistiness well in hand.\u00a0 Adam took the lists and left, leaving Shiloh alone with Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t we go into the parlor,\u201d Ben said as he stood up, offering Shiloh his hand.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019ll be more comfortable on the sofa.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh was in a foul mood, disliking the feeling of helplessness, and feeling even more strongly about Adam taking over, but she couldn\u2019t be angry at Ben.\u00a0 He had always treated her like one of his children, with both love and discipline.\u00a0\u00a0 She smiled up at him as he supported her while she slowly rose from the chair.<\/p>\n \u201cYoung lady, if you\u2019re not significantly better in the next few days, I\u2019m sending Paul over to take a look at you.\u201d\u00a0 He saw a little fire in her eyes when she glanced up at him, but quickly put it out.\u00a0 \u201cThis is not up for discussion.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to ask Shaunessy to stay with you for a few days.\u201d\u00a0 He walked her into the parlor and helped her ease down on the sofa.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll go get our coffee,\u201d he said, turning and walking back to the kitchen.\u00a0 While he was there, he looked in her icebox, then in her pantry.\u00a0 He opened the wood chamber in the stove and looked in before he collected the coffee cups and went back to the parlor.\u00a0 He placed her coffee cup on the side table then sat next to her.\u00a0 \u201cYour icebox is empty except for milk, and your pantry looks almost the same as it did when I had it stocked.\u00a0 You haven\u2019t been eating.\u201d<\/p>\n She sighed.\u00a0 There was no point in arguing with him.\u00a0 He had made a statement of fact, rather than asking a question, completely sure of his position…so typically Ben Cartwright.<\/p>\n He watched her eyes fill with tears; watched her struggle to control them.\u00a0 \u201cYou have been so focused on proving you can run this ranch, that you\u2019ve missed the most important part of all.\u00a0 You have to take care of yourself first.\u201d\u00a0 He took her hand.\u00a0 \u201cYou need to let yourself grieve…for all of them.\u201d<\/p>\n When he put his arm around her shoulders, the flood gates opened.\u00a0 \u201cI should…have been…here,\u201d she said between heavy sobs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Eighteen<\/b><\/p>\n Shaunessy had been a friend of the Cartwrights for many years.\u00a0 She was a single woman who earned a living by caring for the elderly or infirm.\u00a0 With Shaunessy in the house, Shiloh wasn\u2019t allowed to do much more than sit, eat and sleep, though she insisted on meeting with Hank each morning to discuss the progress of the repairs and preparations for winter.<\/p>\n \u201cHank, did you drive any cattle to market last spring? I haven\u2019t found any entries of cattle sales in the old ledger.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo Ma\u2019am, we didn\u2019t.\u00a0 Your father was pretty sick, and I didn\u2019t wanna leave him.\u00a0 The Cartwrights already had a big cattle drive to San Francisco, so we missed that opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo we have steers fat enough to sell?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, yeah, they\u2019ve had some good grazing all summer, but it\u2019s too late now.\u00a0 We\u2019ve only got three or four more weeks of good weather.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if we drove some…maybe a hundred head…into Sacramento?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Shiloh, why are you even thinkin\u2019 about a cattle drive?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause, we haven\u2019t had any money coming in since I got home.\u201d\u00a0 Hank sat up straight, ill at ease.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not that bad, Hank.\u00a0\u00a0 I would just like to keep a good balance in the account, just in case we need it.\u00a0\u00a0 I figure if we can get at least twenty dollars a head, that\u2019ll give us a little cushion.\u00a0 If I can sell a horse or two that would help, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll probably take at least three weeks,\u201d said Hank.<\/p>\n \u201cI know, but you\u2019ll have them in the valley by the third week, so that means you only have to worry about snow the first two weeks.\u00a0\u00a0 And I\u2019ll bet we can find a buyer.\u00a0\u00a0 The city grocers are always fussing about not being able to get good beef in the winter.\u201d She pushed several pieces of paper across the table.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve already looked up some of Daddy\u2019s contacts.\u00a0\u00a0 Ask Billy to go into town and send these telegrams then send him back every morning to see if we have any answers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure the Cartwrights could help you find a buyer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHank, not a word of this to Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, Miss Shiloh…\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want Adam to know until after it\u2019s done.\u00a0 I have to convince him I can take care of this ranch before he\u2019ll close the trust.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, your daddy always relied on being able to work things through with Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 There\u2019s no shame in it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t mind talking to Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 But he\u2019s put Adam in charge of the trust, and that pretty much puts him in charge of the ranch.\u00a0 He\u2019ll say no.\u00a0 He\u2019ll say if something comes up financially, he\u2019ll be here to help.\u00a0 But Hank, if I keep having to rely on him for help, he\u2019s never gonna close the trust.\u201d\u00a0 She absent-mindedly flipped through the stack of notes on the table.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I need to make this work on my own.\u201d<\/p>\n It was only another week until Shaunessy felt Shiloh would be alright on her own even though she spent much of her time fussing at Shiloh for not eating enough.\u00a0 Before Shaunessy left, she filled the icebox with food and vowed to tell Adam to make sure Shiloh was eating, leaving Shiloh horrified that Adam would have one more reason to pick on her.<\/p>\n Then again, the matter of eating seemed quite insignificant compared to what she feared would be the subject when he knocked on the door and stomped in without waiting to be invited, carrying a telegram in his hand.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh!\u201d<\/p>\n She stood up at the desk and answered quietly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m right here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Hank?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do you want Hank?\u201d<\/p>\n By this time, Adam was glaring at her from the other side of the desk.\u00a0 \u201cDid you send Hank to Sacramento with a hundred head of beef?\u201d<\/p>\n She realized there was no point in denying it, and refusing to cower, she stood up straight, sticking her chin out.\u00a0 \u201cYes, I did.\u00a0 I found a buyer who was willing to pay twenty-five dollars a head for fresh beef for the winter.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam turned his back to her, putting his hands on his hips, rolling from heel to toe and back as he looked up at the ceiling.\u00a0 She grimaced, recognizing this stance from the last time she witnessed an argument between him and his father.<\/p>\n He finally turned back around, sounding calmer, but the strain was still apparent on his face.\u00a0 \u201cWhere exactly do you expect Hank to find water after he gets past the Truckee?\u00a0 It\u2019s late in the year, and all the feeder streams are dry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t send them across the Truckee,\u201d she said obstinately.\u00a0 \u201cI sent them down by the American.\u00a0 They\u2019ll have water all the way into Sacramento.\u00a0 Plus, once they get over the summit, it\u2019s downhill all the way.\u00a0 The cattle should be in excellent shape when they arrive.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s mouth dropped open in disbelief.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, there\u2019s no way Hank\u2019s gonna be able to drive those cattle down by Johnson\u2019s Cutoff.\u00a0 He has to get them over the summit first, and then that trail is narrow all the way down.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why I only sent a hundred head.\u00a0 He\u2019ll be driving them down the road, and Hank said there are meadows along the route he can use for grazing.\u00a0 How do you know about this anyway?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s beside the point…\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, Hank sent word with the stage driver that they\u2019ve already gotten to the meadow above Strawberry.\u00a0 They\u2019ve made it over the summit.\u00a0\u00a0 He said everything is fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey still have to make it all the way down.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you think I know that?\u00a0\u00a0 He\u2019s probably already at Slippery Ford.\u00a0 They\u2019ll cross the river at Moore\u2019s Station.\u00a0 The water will be slow since it\u2019s the end of summer.\u00a0 After that, they\u2019re only three or four days from Placerville and after Placerville another three or four days from Sacramento.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou realize no one\u2019s ever done this before.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s because you always drive five hundred or more head of cattle, and I agree, Johnson\u2019s Cutoff wouldn\u2019t work.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t have a cattle drive this year, and I needed to sell some of those steers to have a cushion in my account.\u201d\u00a0 She could tell he was still angry. His nostrils were flared, and he had that expressionless look he got when he was mad.\u00a0 She continued, quietly and calmly.\u00a0 \u201cI still have enough men here to finish the work on the fences and the sheds, and if it snows before Hank and the men get back, they\u2019ll just follow the stagecoach.\u00a0 If the stagecoach has to stop, they\u2019ll stop, too, until the road is cleared.\u201d\u00a0 She stopped, standing with her hands folded in front of her waiting for his reaction, hoping he wasn\u2019t too furious to listen, but understanding his anger.\u00a0 She had done an end run around him.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t want to think about what he would have done if this hadn\u2019t worked.<\/p>\n He exhaled, walked a few steps away then turned back around to face her.\u00a0 \u201cWhy didn\u2019t you tell me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you would have said no.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you had explained all this to me beforehand, I would have listened.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you would still have said no because it was something you hadn\u2019t done and known that it would work.\u00a0\u00a0 You wouldn\u2019t have been willing to take the risk with someone else\u2019s cattle.\u00a0 I was willing to take the risk for myself.\u201d\u00a0 They stood looking at each other for a moment until Shiloh asked, \u201cHow did you find out?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne of our buyers in Sacramento is questioning why we\u2019ve never had a late drive.\u00a0 He said they\u2019d appreciate fresh beef for the winter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo when this works, you have a way to sell more beef later in the year.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t have to be reckless to sell beef.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh steamed.\u00a0 \u201cYou just can\u2019t admit that I had a good idea, can you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou had a reckless idea.\u201d\u00a0 He threw the telegram on the desk.\u00a0 \u201cThis is not the way to convince me that you can handle this ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh\u2019s eyes grew wide.\u00a0 \u201cOh, you\u2019re angry with me for taking a risk and making it work?\u00a0 You\u2019re just mad because you didn\u2019t figure this out yourself.\u00a0 Talk about egos,\u201d she yelled.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you have the nerve to tell me that Will has a huge ego.\u00a0 Have you looked at yours in the mirror lately?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe difference between Will and me is that he\u2019s only interested in what he wants.\u00a0 I\u2019m trying to look out for you.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh stormed to the front door, swinging it open, causing the door knob to hit the far wall with a loud thunk.\u00a0 \u201cFine.\u00a0 Look out for me from a distance.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Nineteen<\/b><\/p>\n After Adam left, Shiloh went back to the study, sat down propping her elbows on the desk and buried her face in her hands.\u00a0 Miss Anderson\u2019s words haunted her; <i>No one will take you seriously…<\/i>\u00a0 She had gotten so good at keeping her temper at bay while she was away. Now, just the thought of Adam could ruin her day if she let it.\u00a0 She pulled her father\u2019s letter out of the lap drawer of the desk, removed it carefully from the envelope and read it again.\u00a0\u00a0 <i> …Ben and Adam both know the business of ranching.\u00a0 Listen to them.\u00a0 Trust them as your mother, your brother and I have trusted them.\u00a0 As for Micah\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n She walked out to the front porch, leaned against a post and looked at the top of the hill where she could see all three headstones of cold, white granite reflecting the ghostly light of the cold, dead moon. <i>Mama, Micah and you, Daddy; how do you expect me to trust him? <\/i><\/p>\n Adam didn\u2019t say a word at dinner and now, sitting on the front porch, staring out into the blackness of the night, he had gotten nowhere with his thoughts.\u00a0 She had been right.\u00a0 He wouldn\u2019t have allowed her to send Hank with those cattle to Sacramento this late in the year.\u00a0 They were his responsibility.\u00a0 But had it been his own idea for the Ponderosa, would he have done it?\u00a0 She had done her due diligence, making sure there was water, making sure there was grazing, and being fairly sure that Hank could get those cattle low enough to avoid any early snows.\u00a0 Why was he so angry with her?<\/p>\n Ben walked out to the porch and leaned against the post beside the table where Adam was sitting without Adam taking notice.\u00a0 When Ben spoke, Adam jerked his head toward him in surprise. \u201cFrom your mood, I gather your conversation with Shiloh didn\u2019t go well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAside from the fact that she practically threw me out of house, we both stated our points quite well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe stood up to you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s never had a problem standing up to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, in the past, you were usually teaching her a lesson.\u00a0 Why do I have the feeling that this time, she might be teaching you one?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat lesson would that be?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat she\u2019s perfectly capable of taking care of that ranch.\u201d\u00a0 Ben took a breath.\u00a0 \u201cSon, if you were in her position…without a ranch trustee, but if you needed to move some cattle, or maybe needed to increase your balance to a minimum you were comfortable with and had no one else to answer to…if the idea came to you, or was presented to you and you came up with all the ways it would work that Shiloh has…would you do it?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam winced, looking up into the night sky, chewing restlessly on a match stick.\u00a0 \u201cProbably.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo what\u2019s really bothering you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe should have talked to me about it first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy would she?\u00a0 You wouldn\u2019t have allowed it.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam leaned back in his chair, stretched his legs out and crossed them at the ankles while he clasped his hands behind his head.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe doesn\u2019t trust me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u00a0 Is this something new?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam scratched behind his ear. \u201cNo.\u00a0 She hasn\u2019t trusted me since she left school…and it got worse when Micah died.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeems to me you ought to be working on that instead of going over her books,\u201d said Ben as he squeezed Adam\u2019s shoulder and walked back inside the house.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Twenty<\/b><\/p>\n Adam stood leaning against a tree with Sport quietly grazing behind him, watching while Shiloh worked with another horse. This one was a young black horse, like Max, with a long, luxurious mane, tail and feathers.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She had put this horse in the pen that her father had rounded with tall, pine posts in each of the corners.<\/p>\n She stood in the middle of the pen, first making eye contact, and then throwing out the rope she was holding, causing the horse to move away from her around the circle created by the pine posts.\u00a0 He resisted at first, rearing.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam had seen her father do this when he first started training a horse.\u00a0 She had done the same thing for almost an hour, when the young stallion stopped and faced her, head bowed, and slowly walked toward her, stopping in front of her.\u00a0 Shiloh scratched his nose.\u00a0 She dropped her eyes to the ground and waved the horse back to the fence, making eye contact again, but this time instead of the rope she used a carriage whip, trailing it behind him until he was walking around the pen without resistance.\u00a0\u00a0 She dropped the whip behind her, holding his eyes, and whistled.\u00a0 The horse did nothing, so Shiloh picked up the rope and tossed it behind him.\u00a0 The horse took several steps away, then faced her, lowering his head again and walking to her.\u00a0 Shiloh whistled as he approached her, gave the horse a scratch on the snout and a carrot, then turned to leave the pen. The horse followed her to the gate and whickered as she walked away to the house.<\/p>\n Adam collected Sport and walked into the yard.\u00a0 When he knocked on the door, he heard Shiloh call, \u201cCome in.\u201d<\/p>\n He stepped in, laid his hat on the entry table next to the door and walked to the study where Shiloh was writing in what looked like a journal.\u00a0 Without looking up, she said, \u201cHello, Adam.\u00a0 How long were you out there watching me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt least I was watching from a distance,\u201d he said, smiling hopefully. \u201cFrom the beginning.\u00a0 Looks like you\u2019re father\u2019s training technique is going well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot quite.\u00a0 Eli is the fourth horse I\u2019ve tried.\u00a0 Even though Daddy taught me how to do this, it was over seven years ago, and it\u2019s not written down.\u00a0 So, I\u2019m struggling to remember every detail.\u00a0 This time, though, I\u2019m writing it down as I go.\u201d\u00a0 She finished writing, closed the journal, and looked up.\u00a0 \u201cI should apologize for losing my temper the last time you were here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t need to apologize.\u00a0\u00a0 After thinking about it, you were right.\u00a0 I would have taken the same risk you did had the tables been turned.\u00a0 So, I\u2019d like to make it up to you by taking you into town for lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n Narrowing her eyes, she studied his face, allowing a slow smile.\u00a0 \u201cI do have to go into town today, but would you mind if we took the buggy?\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ve only ridden close to the ranch, and sometimes by the end of the day my back is still sore.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want to push it with a long ride.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam grinned.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll go put Sport in the barn and hitch the buggy.\u201d<\/p>\n She stood up and walked around the desk.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll go change out of these britches.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be down shortly.\u201d By the time Shiloh appeared on the front porch in a skirt and long-sleeved blouse, Adam had settled Sport in the barn and was just finished hitching the buggy.<\/p>\n Her cape was draped over her arm, and when Adam approached her, he took the cape and draped it over her shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s time for one of these isn\u2019t it?\u00a0 There\u2019s a definite nip in the air.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He helped her into the buggy, and as he reined the horses out of the yard, she covered her head with the hood of the cape.<\/p>\n \u201cIt feels like the temperature is dropping today.\u201d\u00a0 She looked up at the sky, turning around and looking behind them.\u00a0 \u201cDo we have time to go to town and back before that gets here?\u201d she asked, pointing at the roiling clouds off in the distance behind them.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been watching that all morning.\u00a0 It\u2019s moving slow, but it\u2019s probably going to be our first storm.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think it will be here for another day.\u201d\u00a0 He looked over, wondering how to proceed with a conversation that wouldn\u2019t set her off.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat will you be doing in town today?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have to go by the assessor\u2019s office and pay the property taxes.\u00a0 Daddy missed a tax payment when he was sick, but Mr. Bailey, the assessor, didn\u2019t do anything knowing that he was sick, thinking that the ranch might be sold.\u00a0 I\u2019d like to take him one of Sallie Byrnes\u2019 pies as a thank you.\u00a0 I know he didn\u2019t have to do that.\u00a0 Then I need to go by the bank and make a deposit, and I need to check the mail.\u00a0 I\u2019m expecting Hank back from Sacramento any day now…\u201d she turned and looked back at the sky again, \u201cunless that storm has caught him.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam thought he misheard her about making a deposit, wondering how she could be making a deposit if Hank wasn\u2019t back.\u00a0 \u201cA deposit?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I sold some horses to three gentlemen who came from San Francisco.\u00a0 I hope they missed that storm.\u201d\u00a0 Adam furrowed his brow.\u00a0 \u201cI have some horses that Daddy already had trained, so I went through his contacts and sent some telegrams.\u00a0 I\u2019ve received several answers back from people anxious to get their hands on an Amos Whitney trained horse, including these three men.\u00a0 They purchased a gelding, same breed as Max, and a black mare, sired from Max and a black Arabian dam.\u00a0 I won\u2019t sell any of the black stallions or mares.\u00a0 Daddy went to a great deal of trouble and expense to import those horses and then breed them.\u00a0 If someone wants one, they have to come to me, but they won\u2019t get a pure bred stallion or mare.\u00a0 They also took two of the palominos.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam realized his father was right.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t need him to show her how to run the ranch.\u00a0 And whether he wanted to admit it out loud or not, she had a good head for business.\u00a0 She was comfortable with taking a risk, but would do the necessary research to make it worthwhile.<\/p>\n After Shiloh had completed her errands and picked up her mail, Adam escorted her to the International House restaurant.\u00a0 She noticed that whenever she was there with Adam, the host would immediately seat them. But then, she knew being a Cartwright had its advantages.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, I don\u2019t mean to be rude, but I\u2019d really like to know where Hank is.\u00a0 Would you mind if I open my mail?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly if you won\u2019t find it rude if I open mine?\u201d<\/p>\n She snickered.\u00a0 \u201cWould you like to be the pot or the kettle?\u201d\u00a0 Adam laughed, remembering their first disagreement after she had gotten home.<\/p>\n \u201cEdwin!\u201d they said in unison.<\/p>\n \u201cYou got one, too?\u201d asked Shiloh.<\/p>\n \u201cHe says he\u2019ll be coming to Virginia City in a few weeks,\u201d said Adam.\u00a0 \u201cDoesn\u2019t he know the travel will be bad?\u201d\u00a0 Adam read on and didn\u2019t tell Shiloh that Edwin was coming specifically to see her.<\/p>\n \u201cMine says he\u2019s preparing for a spring opening in San Francisco and going through the summer.\u00a0 He must be bringing Mary and his daughter, Edwina, with him.\u201d She looked up from her telegram.\u00a0 \u201cWhy in the world would he be coming to Virginia City?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She laughed.\u00a0 \u201cDoes he miss me?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam just smiled.\u00a0 \u201cProbably.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis one\u2019s from Hank.\u00a0 He says they should be back over the summit on Thursday.\u201d\u00a0 She looked up anxiously.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s today.\u00a0 That could put him at odds with this storm.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam reached for her hand, and when he covered it with his, Shiloh sucked in a quiet breath at the unexpected touch and warmth of his hand.\u00a0 \u201cHank won\u2019t push on if he doesn\u2019t feel comfortable.\u00a0 They\u2019ll stay at Lapham\u2019s down by the lake.\u00a0 That\u2019ll put him about a half day\u2019s ride away.\u00a0 You shouldn\u2019t worry,\u201d assured Adam.<\/p>\n The two had a pleasant lunch, a departure from their prior meals together.\u00a0 Adam thought this would be their first civil day since she had returned home until they left the hotel on the way to the buggy.\u00a0 Adam left Shiloh on the boardwalk while he retrieved it, but before he returned, Shiloh saw Tommy Baker come out of the saloon two doors down, look up and down the street, then walk toward her.\u00a0 She looked down, hoping he wouldn\u2019t remember her from school.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, if it isn\u2019t Miss Shiloh \u2018Troublemaker\u2019 Whitney come home from exile.\u201d\u00a0 Shiloh took a deep breath, looking flatly at Tommy without remark.\u00a0 Tommy walked around her, poring over her.\u00a0 \u201cAll grown up.\u00a0 I wonder if you\u2019re as much trouble now as you were back then.\u201d<\/p>\n She knew she should ignore him, but she couldn\u2019t resist. \u201cI guess they still call you Tommy because you\u2019re still a sniveling little boy.\u201d\u00a0 Tommy grabbed her arm, pulling her close to his face, but before he could say anything else, they both heard Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cTom, let her go.\u201d<\/p>\n Tommy turned to leer at Adam.\u00a0 He pushed Shiloh away then stood in the street facing Adam.\u00a0 \u201cWhy do you care?\u00a0 You started all of this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t start it, Tom.\u00a0 You\u2019re the one that spread a malicious rumor.\u00a0 I finished it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, and now not one respectable outfit is willing to hire me.\u201d\u00a0 Tommy removed the leather strap holding his gun in its holster.<\/p>\n \u201cYou did that to yourself.\u00a0 Spreading rumors as a kid is one thing.\u00a0 But as an adult, Tom, it\u2019s just plain stupid.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDraw, Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you drunk?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDrunk enough not to be scared.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTom, don\u2019t.\u00a0 Let us just be on our way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you a coward, Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just don\u2019t wanna hurt you.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh objected loudly, \u201cBoth of you stop!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Her plea fell on deaf ears; neither man took his eyes off the other.<\/p>\n Tommy went for his gun.\u00a0 Shiloh sucked in a breath and felt a sickening feeling lurch in her gut.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Twenty-One<\/b><\/p>\n Shiloh stood on the boardwalk with her hands in front of her face.\u00a0 It had happened so fast, she wasn\u2019t sure she had even seen Adam draw his gun, but he was standing there with his gun pointing at Tommy, Tommy\u2019s gun not halfway out of its holster.<\/p>\n Tommy\u2019s eyes were full of fury, but there was nothing he could do or would do that looked in any way menacing while looking down the barrel of Adam Cartwright\u2019s gun.\u00a0 He dropped his gun back in its holster and slowly backed away without saying another word, knowing full well he was still alive because it had been Adam Cartwright that he called out.\u00a0 Another man would have pulled the trigger.<\/p>\n Shiloh watched as Tommy Baker disappeared on the other side of the street, and when Adam came up to her, taking her hands, she was still shaking, looking at him with horror in her eyes.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam felt sure he knew what she was thinking; that her repulsion had nothing to do with what she just witnessed, but rather everything to do with Micah.<\/p>\n He felt how tense she was as he led her to the buggy, almost picking her up and placing her in the seat.\u00a0 He climbed in on the other side and headed back to the Flying W.\u00a0\u00a0 As he drove, the headwind got stronger and stronger, until Adam had to remove his hat to prevent it from blowing away.\u00a0 The horses had become skittish giving him no measure to pay attention to Shiloh.\u00a0 He kept a tight rein on them, fighting to keep them moving toward the ranch.<\/p>\n When they arrived, he got out of the buggy still holding the reins, opened the doors of the barn, and pulled the horses and buggy inside, closing the doors behind them.\u00a0 Once inside, he was able to calm the horses.\u00a0 Then he went back to Shiloh.<\/p>\n She turned and stared at him, meeting his eyes, breathing heavily, but evenly.\u00a0 Finally, she spoke.\u00a0 \u201cWere you that fast twelve years ago?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t have mattered.\u00a0 Micah was always faster.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh started out of the buggy, but when Adam held out his hand, she pulled back.\u00a0 \u201cI think you\u2019d better go,\u201d she said, walking toward the barn door.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll just unhitch the horses, and then be on my way,\u201d answered Adam stoically.\u00a0\u00a0 He had already known that once she saw a gunfight, and he knew she eventually would, all her anger about Micah would come rushing back.\u00a0\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t counted on it being him in the gunfight, and that just made it worse for her.\u00a0 He knew all he could do was leave and start again from square one another day.\u00a0 He stood in the barn door watching her fight the wind as she made her way to the house.<\/p>\n As he was unhitching the horses, a gust of wind rattled the barn.\u00a0 Then he heard a loud crack, like a shot gun blast, followed by a loud boom.\u00a0\u00a0 Hurrying to the barn door, he opened it and looked out, then quickly closed it behind him and ran to the house.\u00a0\u00a0 The huge ponderosa pine that stood next to the house had fallen over the chimney, collapsing it along with most of the side wall and roof over the parlor.<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh!\u201d he shouted, standing in the entry way.\u00a0 He got no response.\u00a0 He rushed into the parlor, lit a lamp, and started looking for her.\u00a0 The tree had sent rocks and mortar from the fireplace, pieces of wood and glass showering over the room.\u00a0 The piano had collapsed under the full weight of the tree and splintered into pieces.\u00a0 When he found Shiloh lying under rubble tangled in the limbs of the tree, he carefully pulled her out of the parlor, then dashed outside, throwing the doors of the barn open.\u00a0 After re-hitching the horses and slowly backing them out of the barn, trying to keep them calm in the gale, he tied Sport to the back, went back into the house, and came back out with Shiloh in his arms, gently placing her in the seat.<\/p>\n When Adam ran into the Ponderosa house with her in his arms, Ben, Hoss and Joe all ran to meet him. \u201cWhat happened?\u201d asked Ben anxiously.<\/p>\n \u201cShe was in the parlor when a tree fell on the house,\u201d answered Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, ride into town and get the doctor,\u201d said Ben.\u00a0 \u201cHoss, get some hot water started.\u201d\u00a0 Ben collected bottles and bandages and followed Adam up the stairs.\u00a0 By the time Joe arrived with Dr. Martin, Shiloh was in the bed with Ben dabbing a wet cloth on the cuts on her arms and head.<\/p>\n \u201cBoys, you\u2019ll need to leave while I take a look at her.\u00a0 Ben, I\u2019d like you to stay and help, please.\u00a0 What did she tangle with?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA tree\u2026and a house.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t wait to hear that one, but later.\u00a0 Do you have a nightshirt she can wear?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll find something,\u201d Ben said as he left the room.<\/p>\n Dr. Martin began to remove her clothing, examining her as he went.\u00a0 Ben was back in only a few minutes with one of Joe\u2019s nightshirts. \u201cIt\u2019s a little big for her, but it should do.\u201d\u00a0 He helped the doctor get her changed and settled in the bed.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, Ben.\u00a0 Why don\u2019t you go on downstairs?\u00a0 I\u2019ll be down in a few minutes,\u201d said Dr. Martin as he began to bandage her head.<\/p>\n Ben sat in the leather chair leaning forward with his hands clasped together.\u00a0 All the other Cartwrights were pacing somewhere; in the living area, in front of the desk, and in the entry way when Dr. Martin came down the stairs.\u00a0 They all rushed over encircling him.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, gentlemen,\u201d he started.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure she has a concussion. She has some cuts and bruises, but the worst of those is a bad gash on her scalp.\u00a0 I\u2019ve cleaned it and bandaged it.\u00a0\u00a0 Her breathing and pulse are normal so that\u2019s a good sign.\u00a0 I think she\u2019ll sleep for a while, but I\u2019d like someone to sit with her around the clock.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPaul, is she gonna be alright?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cWith a head injury, you never know.\u00a0 She could be unconscious for a few hours, but then she might not wake up for a long time.\u00a0 We just don\u2019t know enough about the human brain to know what to expect.\u00a0 That\u2019s why I want you to watch her.\u00a0 I need to know as soon as she wakes up.\u201d\u00a0 As Ben walked the doctor to the front door, the doctor gave him instructions to change her bandage.<\/p>\n When Ben was back in the house, Adam began to explain what had happened in detail.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re going to have to get the house covered somehow.\u00a0 The whole side wall is collapsed, and snow and rain are gonna pour in,\u201d finished Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not gonna do anything \u2018til this storm blows over,\u201d said Hoss, looking out the window.<\/p>\n Ben and his sons took turns sitting with Shiloh as she slept peacefully while a storm raged outside.\u00a0 She slept for four days before she began to stir.\u00a0 Adam was with her when she moved her head from side to side, groaning.\u00a0 He went to the door of the bedroom and yelled for Joe.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, she\u2019s coming to.\u00a0 Ride into town for the doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOn my way!\u201d Joe said, bolting to the coat rack for his gear.\u00a0 A few seconds later, the heavy door slammed behind him.<\/p>\n Ben came upstairs and found Adam sitting on the edge of the bed wiping her forehead with a damp cloth.\u00a0 She raised her hand and pushed his away.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t open her eyes; she just groaned and placed her hand on her head.<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh?\u201d\u00a0 Adam asked, holding his breath.<\/p>\n \u201cHm.\u201d<\/p>\n He let the breath back out and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBack from where?\u201d she mumbled.\u00a0 \u201cIf feel like my head\u2019s about to split open.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou got hit on the head.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo kidding.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDr. Martin is on his way to take a look at you.\u00a0 Maybe he can give you something for your headache.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat would be nice,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n Dr. Martin left a bottle of medicine to help relieve Shiloh\u2019s headache and prescribed complete rest.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want her up and about until he was sure she was ready.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIf she feels well enough to sit down stairs that\u2019s fine, but she\u2019s not to handle those stairs by herself.\u201d\u00a0 When Dr. Martin left, Adam went back to her room.\u00a0 She was asleep again and would probably sleep for a while.\u00a0 He closed the door and went back downstairs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Twenty-Two<\/b><\/p>\n Adam came into the Shiloh\u2019s room with a tray of breakfast.\u00a0 \u201cHow are you feeling this morning?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBetter, I think.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t wake up with a headache.\u00a0 Adam, in all the confusion, I never asked if Hank got back alright.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey had to stay at Lapham\u2019s like I thought.\u00a0 They were back the day after the storm broke.\u00a0 He came to see you.\u00a0 Don\u2019t you remember?\u201d<\/p>\n She thought, creasing her eyebrows.\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u00a0 I don\u2019t remember.\u00a0 I don\u2019t even remember you bringing my clothes,\u201d she said, looking down at her own nightgown.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry about it.\u00a0 Paul said you might forget some things right after you woke up.\u00a0 You weren\u2019t completely with us for a few days.\u201d<\/p>\n I\u2019d really like to get out of this bed before I go mad.\u00a0 I could use some sunshine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEat your breakfast.\u00a0 Then we\u2019ll talk about it.\u201d Adam turned to leave.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be back up in a little while.\u00a0 I\u2019ve got some paperwork to do.\u201d<\/p>\n When Adam came back to retrieve her tray, he brought her a book to read.\u00a0 \u201cI thought you might like to try this, though I don\u2019t know if you\u2019re ready.\u00a0 Paul said your vision might be blurry for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n She thanked him and waited until he had closed the door, then threw her blanket off and swung her feet off the bed.\u00a0 She sat for a few minutes waiting for the dizziness to pass, then, with book in hand, slowly stood, making her way to the chair sitting next to the window.\u00a0 She opened the book and quickly put it away, unable to bring any of the words, even the title, into focus.\u00a0 She resigned herself to watching the world outside her window, beckoning her to come out and play.<\/p>\n Later that afternoon, when she\u2019d had enough of sitting and staring out the window, she decided she would venture out, making her way down the stairs on her own.\u00a0 She stood at the top of the stairs looking down while waves of dizziness almost took over.\u00a0 She waited for the lightheadedness to pass and, leaning on the banister, she took one step at a time, making her way down.<\/p>\n Adam was walking in from the kitchen and saw her on the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d he said as he went up the steps to her.\u00a0\u00a0 He picked her up and brought her down into the living area, setting her in the blue chair. \u201cYou\u2019re not supposed to take those stairs by yourself,\u201d he scolded.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m tired of being an invalid.\u00a0 I need to start doing things for myself,\u201d Shiloh answered.<\/p>\n \u201cHow would you like to eat dinner at the table tonight then?\u00a0 It\u2019s almost ready.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh rubbed her forehead and smiled.\u00a0 She was beginning to feel a familiar dull thud. \u201cI think I\u2019ll just sit here and see if this headache goes away.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben, Joe and Hoss came in the front door stomping the snow off their boots.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHey, look who\u2019s out of the bed,\u201d said Ben.\u00a0 \u201cHow do you feel?\u201d he asked, reaching down to take her hand.<\/p>\n \u201cA little woozy, but it feels good to be up,\u201d she said, smiling.<\/p>\n Hop Sing announced dinner, and they all gathered in the dining room.\u00a0 Ben took Shiloh\u2019s arm escorting her in while Adam pulled her chair out for her.\u00a0 Her headache was gone for the moment.\u00a0 After grace, Ben asked the boys about their work for the day.\u00a0 It included the normal problems that come with winter; cows that had to be pulled out of the muck and fences that were downed by snowdrifts.<\/p>\n \u201cHas anyone spoken to Hank?\u201d Shiloh asked. \u201cI\u2019d like to find out how the Flying W is doing.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss answered, \u201cI spoke to Hank yesterday.\u00a0 He says there\u2019s a couple of problems, but nothin\u2019 unusual and nothin\u2019 he can\u2019t take care of.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about my house?\u00a0 No one\u2019s told me anything about my house.\u201d<\/p>\n The Cartwrights exchanged solemn glances.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam spoke first.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, the chimney came down with the wall and roof.\u201d He paused.\u00a0 \u201cWe put up a temporary wall and patched the roof.\u00a0 That\u2019ll last until spring when we can rebuild it.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh put her fork down and held her hands in her lap, her head bowed.\u00a0 \u201cMy mother\u2019s piano?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam remembered how he felt he had intruded when she played that first day back home.\u00a0 He knew the piano was an important part of her.\u00a0 He put his fork down and turned in his chair to face her with his hand on the back of her chair.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, the tree landed on the piano,\u201d he said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cIt was splintered into pieces.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n She sat silently thinking about what she would do without the piano.\u00a0 It was her mother\u2019s piano; the last thing she had of her.\u00a0 It had been Belle\u2019s when she was a little girl, and it was the one piece of furniture that her parents brought with them from Alabama.\u00a0 It had saved her during times of pain and loneliness.\u00a0 Her lip and chin began to quiver as she fought back the tears.<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh,\u201d Adam continued.\u00a0 \u201cWe can get you another piano.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh stumbled through her words.\u00a0 \u201cYou can never replace that piano.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Tears started to fall to her lap, and she held herself together just long enough to excuse herself from the table.\u00a0 She walked into the entry way and looked around her, then went out the front door to the porch.\u00a0 It was cold outside, but she didn\u2019t feel it.<\/p>\n All of them started to stand.\u00a0 \u201cShe can\u2019t stay out there,\u201d Ben said.<\/p>\n Adam left the table and walked to the front door, taking his and his father’s coat from the coat rack then walking outside.\u00a0 Shiloh was standing with her arms folded around her, sobbing and swaying, grabbing at a post to keep from falling over.\u00a0 Adam walked up behind her and put Ben\u2019s coat over her shoulders.\u00a0 He let her cry for a moment before he spoke.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, I\u2019m sorry about the piano.\u00a0 But you need to come inside.\u00a0 It\u2019s too cold for you out here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t tell me you\u2019re sorry.\u00a0 You don\u2019t have any idea what that piano was to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do have an idea,\u201d Adam said sadly.<\/p>\n \u201cI used to play that piano for Daddy; he missed my mother so terribly.\u00a0 Then after Micah died, I played it to forget.\u00a0 And when I came home, I played it to remember.\u201d\u00a0 Adam reached out for her, but she stepped away. \u201cNo, don\u2019t touch me,\u201d she cried.\u00a0 \u201cIf it hadn\u2019t been for you, I could at least have said goodbye.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam opened his mouth and furrowed his brow.\u00a0 He knew how she felt about Micah\u2019s death, but this was something more. \u201cShiloh, I don\u2019t understand.\u201d He reached for her again, following as she stepped away, catching her when she began to collapse, then carrying her into the house. He set her down on the settee, and sat beside her.\u00a0 Ben walked over from the dinner table and sat on the other side of her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve been holding something back since you came home.\u00a0 Tell me, please,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n Ben handed her a handkerchief, and she blew her nose, sitting between them in tears.\u00a0 \u201cWhen my mother died, I remember you holding me in your lap in the parlor.\u00a0 I begged you to let me down so I could go see her.\u00a0 Then you just stood there when Micah was shot.\u00a0 I remember listening to you tell Daddy what happened when you came to get him that night, and then you drew your gun so fast in town against Tommy Baker.\u201d\u00a0 She stood up and turned to face him, speaking between her sobs. \u201cYou sent me to college when my father could have taught me everything I needed to know about running the ranch.\u00a0 I could have had seven more years with him.\u00a0 I could have been here to say\u2026\u201d she stopped, her sobs taking over, \u201cgoodbye,\u201d she whispered as she sank to the coffee table, wrapping her arms around herself.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026I never saw it that way.\u201d Adam glanced up at his father then lowered his head, having no idea what to say to give her any comfort.\u00a0 Everything she said was true.\u00a0 He had been involved with all of them in some way that prevented her from saying goodbye to any of them.\u00a0 Now all she had were their graves and her father\u2019s letter.\u00a0 She had asked him to get it out of her desk drawer and bring it over when he brought her ledgers.\u00a0 Now, she pulled it out of the pocket of her robe and held it.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been trying to do what Daddy asked.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know if I can,\u201d she said, still crying, handing Adam the letter.\u00a0 He took it out of the envelope and read it, then folded it and put it back.<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh,\u201d began Ben.\u00a0 \u201cYour mother didn\u2019t want you to see her the way she was when she died.\u00a0 She wanted you to remember her before she was ill.\u00a0 Even if you had gotten away from Adam, your father wouldn\u2019t have allowed you in the bedroom.\u00a0 Your father said the same thing.\u00a0 He was relieved that you wouldn\u2019t see him as he was when he was ill.\u00a0 And Micah and Adam both did what they were taught to do as men, what we all would do.\u00a0 I know it may seem barbaric, but it\u2019s the way civilized men live in an uncivilized world when the law just isn\u2019t far reaching enough.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh took her father\u2019s letter and put it back in her pocket then took Adam\u2019s hand. He placed his other hand over hers.\u00a0 \u201cAll I can do is try,\u201d she said through quiet tears.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Twenty-Three<\/b><\/p>\n It only took a few more weeks for Shiloh to improve to the point that she could venture outside alone. The dizzy spells had disappeared, and she was almost back to normal.\u00a0\u00a0 The snow in the lower elevations was melting, and the ground was still muddy where there was no snow.\u00a0 Spirit had been brought over to the Ponderosa so Shiloh could ride to the Flying W to check in with Hank, make sure the herd was in good shape, and any damages from the winter snows were being repaired.\u00a0\u00a0 She began working with her horses again as well.<\/p>\n Her house was still not ready, though Adam had ordered all the materials.\u00a0 Shiloh had told him that she hated that the room was so dark, that it felt gloomy after Micah\u2019s death, so Adam ordered two additional windows and drew plans to make the room larger.<\/p>\n This afternoon, Shiloh rode into the yard of the Ponderosa on one of the black stallions.\u00a0 Adam came out of the house, hearing her ride in.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re riding Max these days?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n Shiloh smiled.\u00a0 \u201cThis isn\u2019t Max.\u00a0 It\u2019s Eli.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re kidding.\u00a0 The last time I saw you with Eli, you had just started him.\u00a0 You hadn\u2019t even had a halter on him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, once you get them past that first part, the rest goes pretty quickly.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ve been working on Eli\u2019s gait today.\u00a0 We went into town and got the mail,\u201d she said as she turned toward her saddlebag, reached in and pulled out a handful of envelopes.\u00a0 \u201cI picked up the Ponderosa mail while I was there.\u00a0 I hope that was alright.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh handed Adam all the mail, then swung her leg over Eli\u2019s back, standing with one foot in the stirrup.\u00a0 She grabbed the horn and back of the saddle, took her foot out of the stirrup, and slid down the side until she was close enough to the ground to gently drop.<\/p>\n Adam stood with one arm crossed and the other up with his hand over his mouth hiding his grin, trying not to laugh out loud at the sight of her less than graceful dismount.<\/p>\n When she turned, she looked up at him.\u00a0 Though he was hiding his grin well, his eyes gave him away. \u201cDon\u2019t laugh.\u00a0 He\u2019s a big horse.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you get up?\u201d he asked, finally just letting his laugh happen.<\/p>\n \u201cI have to stand on something.\u00a0 Before I get down, I look around to make sure there\u2019s something I can stand on close by.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam looked around the yard.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I\u2019m sure we can find something around here for you to stand on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll do,\u201d she said, taking the mail from him, heading to the table on the front porch, and smiling mischievously without looking back.\u00a0 She separated the Ponderosa mail from the Flying W mail then patted the table where she laid his, summoning him over.<\/p>\n Both of them picked up a telegram and said together, \u201cEdwin!\u201d\u00a0 They looked at each other, both thinking how familiar that particular chorus had become.<\/p>\n \u201cEdwin\u2019s on his way,\u201d said Shiloh.\u00a0 And he\u2019s bringing Annie with him.\u201d\u00a0 Her mouth twisted and her brow furrowed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u00a0 Don\u2019t you want to see Annie?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, but I don\u2019t have a place for her to stay.\u00a0\u00a0 The house isn\u2019t livable right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled.\u00a0 \u201cShe can stay here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t think your father would mind, do you?\u201d\u00a0 She laughed as Adam rolled his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I suppose he wouldn\u2019t, would he?\u00a0 What does yours say?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot much other than he\u2019ll be leaving San Francisco for Virginia City after he gets his family settled in.\u201d\u00a0 Adam thought it better not tell her the reason Edwin was coming to Virginia City, his motives being suspicious having stated it twice now in his letters and saying nothing in hers.\u00a0 At first, Adam feared Edwin would leave Virginia City sorely disappointed when he couldn\u2019t convince Shiloh to sing, but then, he thought Edwin must know she might not.\u00a0 \u201cWhat does yours say?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe says he\u2019s coming to audition some potential new talent for his plays, and he wants to make sure Annie arrives safely.\u00a0 They\u2019ll be arriving on the Friday stagecoach.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben walked out of the house to the porch.\u00a0 \u201cI was hoping you\u2019d be back,\u201d he said, touching Shiloh\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cLunch is almost ready.\u201d<\/p>\n While at lunch, Joe brought up the dance being held Friday.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, I know you haven\u2019t been to a dance since you got back.\u00a0 It\u2019d be my pleasure to take you,\u201d said Joe, winking.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam shot him a piqued look.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe,\u201d she answered, surprised.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0 Annie Walters and Edwin Booth, my friends from Boston, are coming in on the Friday stage.\u00a0 I think it will depend on whether they\u2019d like to go.\u00a0 It would be rude of me to leave them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf they\u2019re not too tired, why don\u2019t we all go?\u201d suggested Hoss.<\/p>\n Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s a good idea.\u00a0 I think Edwin would like it.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to Shiloh, \u201cDo you suppose Annie will be up for it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProbably,\u201d she answered reservedly.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam noted her hesitation.<\/p>\n After lunch, Shiloh quickly excused herself saying she needed to get Eli back to the Flying W and work with another horse.\u00a0 Adam and Joe left to look at the dam on the pond in the eastern most pasture.\u00a0 One of hands had reported that the pond was overfilling, and that he had tried to close the gate, but it was stuck.\u00a0 The pond was on the border shared by the Flying W.<\/p>\n When Shiloh had Eli back in his paddock, she saddled Spec.\u00a0 She had been riding Spec for the last week with no problems, so she decided to work on her gait today, riding toward the eastern bottom land where there had been no snow.<\/p>\n Adam and Joe were already at the pond climbing over the dam, reaching down into the murky water trying to release the gate.\u00a0 They stopped and watched Shiloh off in the distance working with the horse.\u00a0 She walked the horse, and just as she began to trot, Shiloh leaned back in the saddle, pulling back on the reins.\u00a0 This slowed the horse down, but then Shiloh released the reins so the mare would start walking faster.\u00a0 Then again, if she started a trot, Shiloh reined her in.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s she doing to that horse?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cI read some of her notes,\u201d said Adam.\u00a0 \u201cSeems she has to work with them like that to strengthen their hind and top muscles in order for them to use the correct gait.\u00a0 She said their power is in their hind legs, and if they\u2019re balanced and using their hind and top muscles, their gait is much smoother.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow would she know if her gait is right if she\u2019s riding her?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBy the way her head moves; up and down, instead of side to side.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe looked over at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cSo, when are you gonna start training horses?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam raised his hands level with his shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just repeatin\u2019 what I read in Shiloh\u2019s journals.\u00a0 I\u2019ve never ridden one of her horses, so I don\u2019t know that it even makes a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh walked Spec over to the pond for a drink, but when they got closer, Spec broke into a full run.\u00a0 \u201cWhoa!\u201d yelled Shiloh as she dug in her knees and pulled back on the reins.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t matter what she did, Spec ran\u2026toward Adam.\u00a0 Joe and Adam were standing in calf deep water behind the gate, wide-eyed, watching the horse charge them.\u00a0 When the horse hit the water, she didn\u2019t slow down\u2026until she was at the dam, where she stopped dead, sending Shiloh over her head, over the dam, and into the water between Joe and Adam.<\/p>\n Shiloh jumped to her feet, soaked from head to toe, spitting muddy water out of her mouth and glaring at Spec.\u00a0 \u201cThat does it!\u00a0 If you wanna be a cow pony, so be it!\u201d<\/p>\n Both Adam and Joe turned to take Shiloh\u2019s arms, and as she was waving them off, she fell backwards into the water again.\u00a0 She glared up at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s you!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s me?\u201d he asked, helping her to her feet.<\/p>\n \u201cShe doesn\u2019t do this unless you\u2019re around.\u00a0 It\u2019s you!\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled nervously.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not saying she does that because of me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I am,\u201d said Shiloh, out of breath.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s showing off for you, and she\u2019s trying to make a fool out of me.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam tried to stifle his laugh, and Joe was already walking away, holding his sides.\u00a0 \u201cSo, you\u2019re saying\u2026\u201d he laughed, but tried to stop, \u201c\u2026that the horse is in love with me, is that it?\u201d By this time, Adam and Joe were both in all out laughter.\u00a0\u00a0 Shiloh\u2019s face was twisted in fury.\u00a0 She climbed over the dam, took Spec\u2019s reins, and slogged out of the water, walking away, mumbling.\u00a0 By the time Adam and Joe stood up straight, Shiloh had almost gotten to the hill in the distance, walking the horse.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, you better go make sure she gets home alright with the horse,\u201d said Joe, snickering.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, it\u2019ll be safer if you go.\u00a0\u00a0 The horse isn\u2019t interested in you,\u201d he said, laughing again.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Twenty-Four<\/b><\/p>\n Shiloh sat quietly at dinner listening to the Cartwrights talk about their work day.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t look up from her plate, not wanting to meet Joe or Adam\u2019s eyes after they witnessed Spec at her finest.<\/p>\n Ben had seen her ride in with Joe, soaked from head to toe and covered in mud, and while Joe took care of her horse, she went straight to the bath house.\u00a0 She had asked Hop Sing to bring down her clothes, and when she came out one would never have known that she had taken a mud bath.<\/p>\n She thought she was going to get out of the evening unscathed by the events of the day, until Joe opened his mouth.\u00a0 \u201cYou know, Adam, I think Shiloh\u2019s right about that horse. Spec was very well behaved on the way home,\u201d he said, smiling at Shiloh.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Little Brother, that\u2019s only because I was nowhere in sight,\u201d Adam chuckled, glancing over at Shiloh.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t look up, but rather sat biting the inside of her cheek, smoldering.<\/p>\n Ben looked up from his plate, glancing first at Joe, then at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s this about?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam looked over at Shiloh, his eyes twinkling, as if asking permission to tell the story.\u00a0 She wiped her mouth and placed her napkin next to her relatively untouched plate.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019ll excuse me, I don\u2019t care to relive the afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n As she started to rise from her chair, Adam looked up at her remorsefully.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, we don\u2019t have to talk about it.\u00a0 You should finish your dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n She glanced back without meeting anyone\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not really hungry,\u201d she said as she hurried into the sitting area.<\/p>\n Adam went after her.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, we didn\u2019t mean anything by it.\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s just that the thought of\u2026\u201d\u00a0 He stopped when her saw her glare, warning him that she didn\u2019t want to hear it again.<\/p>\n Rather than it ending, Joe spoke up, feigning innocence.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, you have to admit, it is kinda funny they way that horse seems to act when Adam\u2019s around.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are we talking about?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we were out looking at the gate over in the east pasture pond, Shiloh was working with one of her horses.\u201d\u00a0 He stopped, looked at Shiloh, then back at his father with a wide grin.\u00a0 \u201cThe horse took off, ran straight into the pond without slowing down, and ran right up to Adam, then stopped.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStopped from a run?\u201d asked Ben alarmed.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Pa, but it was alright.\u00a0 Shiloh landed in the water.\u201d Shiloh had turned away, and Adam was standing a few feet behind her, frowning guiltily.\u00a0 \u201cShe said it was Adam\u2019s fault because\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Joe started to lose his composure and was trying to breathe to finish his sentence.\u00a0 \u201cBecause the horse is in love with Adam,\u201d finished Joe, howling in laughter.<\/p>\n Hoss hadn\u2019t said anything yet, but his head was bowed as he tried to hide his amusement.<\/p>\n \u201cShe didn\u2019t say that, Joe. I did,\u201d said Adam, twisting his mouth to keep from smiling at the thought.<\/p>\n Shiloh\u2019s body had started shaking as though she was crying.\u00a0 Ben got up from the table, admonishing Joe as he went to her.\u00a0 \u201cAn accident like that is nothing to laugh about.\u201d\u00a0 When he reached Shiloh, he took her by the arms and started to apologize for the boys\u2019 behavior, but his face changed from concern to a relieved smile when he saw her.\u00a0 He turned her around so Adam could see her laughing, and a slow grin took over Adam\u2019s face.<\/p>\n She looked up at him.\u00a0 \u201cI swear, it\u2019s true.\u00a0\u00a0 I can prove it.\u201d\u00a0 She walked to the door and turned around.\u00a0 \u201cWell, come on.\u201d\u00a0 Everyone walked outside and stood in the yard while she went to the barn to retrieve Spec.\u00a0 She unfastened the lead rope then walked up to Adam, standing close and facing him.\u00a0 Spec walked around, coming at Shiloh from the side, bowed her head and leaned against Shiloh\u2019s arm then shoved Shiloh away.\u00a0 Once Shiloh was out of the way, Spec stood quietly in front of Adam.\u00a0 Shiloh turned around to face everyone.\u00a0 \u201cSee?\u201d<\/p>\n Hoss walked to the horse, scratching her nose.\u00a0 \u201cWell, horses do attach themselves to people, but why she\u2019d pick Adam, I\u2019ll never understand,\u201d he chuckled, leading the horse back to the barn.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you going to do with her?\u201d asked Ben, chuckling.<\/p>\n \u201cI can either finish her training\u2026away from Adam\u2026and sell her, or\u2026\u201d she turned to Adam, \u201cI can give her to Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam circled his mouth into an O and raised his eyebrows. \u201cI\u2026uh\u2026I\u2019m not sure it would be good to have a horse that interested in me,\u201d he said, smiling nervously. \u201cBesides, she\u2019s not a working horse\u2026and I have Sport.\u00a0\u00a0 He might get jealous,\u201d he said, looking amused.<\/p>\n Shiloh walked back to him, tiptoeing into his face as she walked by.\u00a0 \u201cThen if you see me working with her, go\u2026away.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Twenty-Five<\/b><\/p>\n Shiloh rushed Adam out the door Friday morning, anxious to get to town to meet the noon stage.\u00a0 \u201cThe stagecoach won\u2019t be there any earlier just because we are,\u201d laughed Adam.<\/p>\n She looked up at him with big, round, blue eyes, reminding him of the little girl he used to gently tease.\u00a0 \u201cI know, I know, but can we just go?\u00a0 Please?\u201d<\/p>\n When they arrived in Virginia City, the stagecoach wasn\u2019t due for another half hour, but to Shiloh\u2019s delight, it arrived early.\u00a0 \u201cLook, it\u2019s here,\u201d she said excitedly, grabbing Adam\u2019s arm and shaking him awake.\u00a0 He had leaned back, propped his feet up on the front of the buggy and dozed off.<\/p>\n He jumped, looking back at her with one eyebrow raised.\u00a0 \u201cAlright, I\u2019m awake.\u201d\u00a0 He exited the buggy, went around to help her down, and by the time they walked over to the stage office, the stagecoach had stopped, and the step had been put down under the door.<\/p>\n The first passenger out was Edwin Booth.\u00a0\u00a0 Shiloh rushed forward to greet him with a hug, while Adam helped Annie out of the stagecoach.\u00a0 \u201cYou must be Miss Walters.\u201d<\/p>\n Before she could do much more than acknowledge him, Shiloh turned, and the two women embraced as if it had been years since they\u2019d seen each other instead of months.<\/p>\n Adam and Edwin stood facing each other, talking over the girl\u2019s heads.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow was the trip?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ve ever been on a more harrowing ride,\u201d answered Edwin.\u00a0 \u201cThat road was\u2026well, let\u2019s just say it\u2019s questionable whether it should even be called a road.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI know it well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, this is Annie Walters, my roommate from college.\u00a0 Annie, Adam Cartwright,\u201d said Shiloh.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright,\u201d she said nodding.<\/p>\n Adam felt as if she was shooting daggers at him with her eyes.\u00a0 Why, he had no idea.\u00a0 \u201cMiss Walters,\u201d he said, tipping his hat.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s a long ride back to the ranch.\u00a0 I thought we could have lunch in town.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSplendid,\u201d said Edwin.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m famished.\u201d<\/p>\n The two women walked arm in arm toward the International House in front of Edwin and Adam, speaking in low voices so they wouldn\u2019t be heard.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, I don\u2019t know how you expect me to be civil to him,\u201d said Annie. \u201cI don\u2019t know how you tolerate him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s very easy, Annie.\u00a0 He\u2019s in charge of the trust my father put the ranch in.\u00a0 I have no choice but to put up with him.\u00a0 Besides, we reached\u2026an understanding, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam didn\u2019t kill Micah.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t pull the trigger.\u00a0 Raymond Horton did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you said Adam could have prevented it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom my perspective he should have.\u00a0 But from a man\u2019s point of view, he was bound by what he was taught.\u00a0 How can I fault him for behaving like a man?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you saying you\u2019ve forgiven him?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure it\u2019s exactly that.\u00a0 I have stopped dwelling on it\u2026for the most part.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEdwin, why didn\u2019t you tell Shiloh you wanted her to go to San Francisco with you?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know how much you know about Isabella\u2019s contemplative habits, but I didn\u2019t want to give her enough time to talk herself out of it once you talk her into it.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam stopped walking.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you mean once <i>I<\/i> talk her into it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, she\u2019s very comfortable telling me no.\u00a0\u00a0 As far as her performing, she has no experience sparring with you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe has lots of experience <i>sparring<\/i> with me about other things.\u00a0 I don\u2019t see how performing will be any different.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019ll have fresher arguments than my tired old approach.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou snake,\u201d said Adam irritably.<\/p>\n \u201cSome things never change, my good man.\u201d<\/p>\n When they reached the International House, the men escorted Shiloh and Annie inside.\u00a0 Because it was Friday, the restaurant was crowded. Still, they waited only a few minutes for a seat at a window.\u00a0 Once their drinks were served, they talked while waiting for their food.<\/p>\n \u201cAnnie, what brings you to San Francisco?\u201d Shiloh asked.\u00a0 \u201cI thought you were waiting to hear from Geneva.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt seems Geneva isn\u2019t accepting any more women than they currently have.\u00a0 There\u2019s a two year waiting list.\u00a0 And since Mother passed, I thought I\u2019d come out West.\u201d\u00a0 Annie held her hand out to Shiloh.\u00a0 \u201cAt least, I could be close to you.\u00a0\u00a0 Through Lucy\u2019s contacts, I\u2019ll be working with a doctor in San Francisco until I can find another medical school that will accept me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLucy?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 Lucy Stone, a friend of ours from Boston,\u201d said Annie.<\/p>\n Adam took a deep breath then let it out quietly.\u00a0 He had thought that he may have dodged a women\u2019s rights bullet with Shiloh, but the subject seemed to keep coming up.\u00a0 He pinched his lips, nodded and looked at Edwin.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s a dance in town tonight if you and Annie are up to it.\u00a0 It won\u2019t be like anything you saw in Boston, but you\u2019ll get to see and hear a little local color.\u00a0 When we get to the Ponderosa, you both can rest for a while before we leave.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Adam, but I won\u2019t be staying at the Ponderosa.\u00a0 I need to be in town for auditions.\u00a0 But, it sounds wonderful,\u201d said Edwin. \u201cHow about it, Annie?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I suppose it might be interesting.\u00a0 But, what kind of dancing is it?\u00a0 I may not have brought an appropriate dress with me.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam and Shiloh looked at each other and laughed, and Shiloh patted her hand.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll be fine.\u00a0 It\u2019s not that kind of a dance.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Twenty-Six<\/b><\/p>\n After Annie was settled and resting at the Ponderosa, Shiloh began working on her ledgers at the dining room table while Adam sat in the living area reading a book.\u00a0 When Joe walked out of the kitchen, Shiloh stopped him.<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, do you have a minute?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSure,\u201d said Joe, pulling out the chair across from her and sitting down.<\/p>\n \u201cI had every intention of accepting your offer to escort me to the dance tonight.\u00a0 I\u2019d like that if the offer is still good.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe grinned. \u201dOh yeah, the offer\u2019s still good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, this may be a little awkward.\u00a0 I need to stay close to Annie, so we\u2019ll need to ride together to the dance. But other than making sure that Annie and Edwin have a good time, I promise, you\u2019ll have my undivided attention.\u201d<\/p>\n Later that afternoon, the Cartwrights were waiting in the living area for the girls to come downstairs.\u00a0 When they appeared, Adam excused himself to go hitch the buggy.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, you don\u2019t need to do that.\u00a0 It\u2019s taken care of,\u201d said Joe, smiling innocently.<\/p>\n Adam stopped, crooking his jaw and creasing his eyebrows, perplexed.\u00a0 \u201cYou hitched the buggy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMm hm.\u00a0 Yeah,\u201d Joe said, wrinkling his nose.\u00a0 \u201cOh, don\u2019t you remember\u2026the other night at the dinner table\u2026I asked Shiloh to the dance?\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ll be taking her and Annie.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh, noticing his confusion, slightly smiled at Adam\u2019s raised eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s true.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure Joe wouldn\u2019t mind if you \u2018d like to ride with us,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Joe pinched his smile, looking disappointed that he had just missed an opportunity to best his big brother.\u00a0 \u201cNo, not at all.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh danced the first dance with Edwin.\u00a0 \u201cIsabella, you really didn\u2019t have to afford me the first dance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEdwin, please don\u2019t call me Isabella.\u00a0 I\u2019m known as Shiloh here.\u00a0 And, I did have to have the first dance with you because I know you\u2019ll be sitting for the remainder of the evening.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy Shiloh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not Isabella?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want anyone here to know, that\u2019s all.\u00a0 It\u2019s a privacy issue.\u201d\u00a0 Satisfied as much as he could be with her reason, Edwin found a table after their dance, and sat sipping a glass of champagne.\u00a0 Adam was occupying Annie\u2019s time, though Annie was bit reserved, and Shiloh danced the next four with Joe then asked to take a break.\u00a0 They joined Adam and Annie at Edwin\u2019s table.<\/p>\n \u201cAnnie, what do you think about the dancing here?\u201d asked Shiloh, teasing.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s more like hopping around on the correct foot,\u201d she answered, garnering a laugh from both Shiloh and Adam.<\/p>\n Adam stood, offering his hand to Shiloh.\u00a0 \u201cMay I have the pleasure of the next dance\u2026that is if it\u2019s alright with Joe,\u201d he said, menacingly eyeing Joe.<\/p>\n Shiloh looked over at Joe who rolled his eyes, then asked Annie to dance.\u00a0 The four of them excused themselves from the table.<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh, why aren\u2019t you paying attention to Edwin?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEdwin\u2019s perfectly happy right where he is.\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t dance.\u00a0 He sits and watches and listens for mannerisms, speech inflections and accents.\u00a0 Then he applies them to some of the characters in his plays to make them feel more authentic.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam mouthed the word Oh.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do you think he\u2019s such a good actor?\u201d\u00a0 Acting is nothing more than the imitation of life.\u00a0\u00a0 The more of life you observe and can apply, the more real the acting will be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think I completely agree with that, but that\u2019s a discussion for another time.\u201d Adam took her hand and placed his other hand at her waist.\u00a0 She blushed at the feeling of his hand on hers, noticing the warmth and strength of it.\u00a0\u00a0 Even though she couldn\u2019t actually feel the warmth of his hand at her waist, it still felt\u2026commanding\u2026as he led her across the dance floor.\u00a0 She even noticed his scent, aware for the first time of how comforting\u2026and how edgy it made her feel.<\/p>\n When the music ended, she took a step back.\u00a0 \u201cI think I\u2019d like something to drink,\u201d she said, smiling, but avoiding his eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat can I get for you?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cEdwin has champagne and glasses at the table.\u201d\u00a0 Adam held her arm at the elbow, guiding her through the crowd back to the table where Joe stood and poured her a glass of champagne.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Joe.\u00a0 You read my mind,\u201d she said, sitting next to Annie.\u00a0 \u201cAre you having a good time, Annie?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a departure from what I\u2019m used to, but I have to admit it is more relaxed.\u00a0 The people here don\u2019t seem as stuffy as those that frequent dances in Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThese people work hard all day, every day to eke out a living from the dirt.\u00a0 They work hard\u2026they enjoy the times they aren\u2019t working\u2026something many of the people of Boston don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh leaned forward to see Edwin. \u201cEdwin, are you learning anything?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cActually, I\u2019ve learned quite a bit just by watching you,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n Shiloh\u2019s eyes widened, looking at Edwin, then her eyes moved away self-consciously.\u00a0 \u201cJoe,\u201d she said without looking at him, \u201cshall we dance.\u201d\u00a0 She stood, walking around the table to him, taking his arm, and walking to the dance floor.<\/p>\n Shiloh and Joe danced most of the evening, taking a break here and there to speak to Annie and Edwin, who were both perfectly content to sit and watch, sipping champagne.\u00a0 Adam sat\u2026for a time.\u00a0\u00a0 Then he moved to different places around the dance floor, talking to friends, watching Joe and Shiloh, talking to friends, but ultimately watching Joe and Shiloh.<\/p>\n Edwin said his goodbyes early and returned to the hotel, and when the evening was over, Annie and Shiloh sat in the back seat of the buggy quietly talking while Joe and Adam sat in the front with Adam driving, both silent.\u00a0 When they arrived at the Ponderosa, Annie excused herself to change her dress.\u00a0\u00a0 Joe took Shiloh\u2019s hand leading her to the front porch, leaving Adam standing alone in the living area.<\/p>\n He loosened his tie and sat on the hearth, wondering to himself why he was in a bad mood.\u00a0 It had been a pleasant evening with good company.\u00a0\u00a0 Edwin was always interesting, and Annie was intelligent and charming, certainly able to carry on a lively conversation.\u00a0 For some reason, he was bothered by Joe and Shiloh dancing the evening away, and now out on the front porch.\u00a0 She was charming, laughing\u2026alive as Edwin had put it, while she danced with Joe.\u00a0\u00a0 He wondered if she was performing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Twenty-Seven<\/b><\/p>\n On the front porch, Joe stood with his arms around Shiloh\u2019s waist, stealing a kiss.\u00a0 Shiloh looked at him, smiling considerately.\u00a0 \u201cJoe, did that feel right to you?\u201d<\/p>\n He smiled.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I guess not.\u00a0 Shiloh, I had a good time tonight, but we didn\u2019t even talk.\u00a0 Every time we tried, it was awkward.\u00a0 I guess you\u2019re too much like family already.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I am older than you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat wasn\u2019t it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n They heard the front door open, and in another minute, Adam walked around the corner, stopping when he saw Joe\u2019s arms around Shiloh.\u00a0 \u201cExcuse me.\u00a0\u00a0 I didn\u2019t mean to interrupt.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not interrupting.\u00a0 I was just going inside,\u201d said Joe.\u00a0 He kissed Shiloh\u2019s cheek.\u00a0 \u201cGood night.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNight, Joe,\u201d she answered, holding his hand until he was out of reach.<\/p>\n Adam slowly ambled to the porch table with his hands in his pockets.\u00a0 \u201cDid you enjoy the dance tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I did.\u00a0 I really worried that someone would recognize me from before, especially after Tommy Baker did, but Joe kept me busy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf this none of my business, just say so, but I got the feeling the evening didn\u2019t end well for Joe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s none of your business.\u201d\u00a0 Adam nodded and looked out over the yard.\u00a0 \u201cBut, it was never going to be what Joe might have hoped for.\u00a0 I accepted simply because he asked, but I never had any intentions for it to be more than friendly.\u00a0 I mean, I love Joe, and I know he\u2019d do anything for me.\u00a0 The same is true for Hoss.\u00a0 But Joe and I have nothing in common.\u00a0 I was afraid we wouldn\u2019t have anything to talk about\u2026and we didn\u2019t\u2026and it was awkward.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam stayed at the edge of the porch facing the yard.\u00a0 \u201cOn another subject, if Edwin asked you to go to San Francisco with him, would you?\u201d Shiloh backed up and leaned against the house wall, but remained silent.\u00a0 Adam turned to face her.\u00a0 \u201cWhy the hesitation?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDid Edwin put you up to this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if he did?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t matter.\u00a0 Edwin knows the answer to that question already.\u00a0 Besides, I have the ranch to run, the house to rebuild and the horses to take care of.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHank can take care of the ranch, I can take care of the house and the horses can wait.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Again, she said nothing. \u201cYou told me you enjoyed it.\u00a0 Besides that, you should consider it an honor to be working with Edwin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSan Francisco is too close for comfort.\u00a0 There could very well be people from Virginia City there.\u00a0 You know as well as I do there\u2019s a certain reputation that goes with performing.\u00a0\u00a0 I don\u2019t want to deal with that here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou should trust Edwin\u2019s judgment. He would never allow your virtue to be compromised. He adores you.\u00a0 Besides, opera and theater have come a long way out here since Maguire\u2019s has been open.\u00a0 Tom\u2019s opening another opera house in Virginia City.\u00a0 He\u2019d be thrilled to know that you\u2019re a resident.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know him?\u201d\u00a0 Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t you dare tell him.\u201d\u00a0 Shiloh looked away lost in thought.\u00a0 If I don\u2019t do this now, will there ever be another chance if I change my mind?\u00a0 Still looking away she said, \u201cAdam, it\u2019s getting chilly, and it\u2019s late.\u00a0 I\u2019m going inside.\u201d<\/p>\n They found Annie sitting with Ben in the living area talking about her medical training and hopes.\u00a0 Shiloh sat next to Annie on the settee while Adam stood with one foot propped up on the hearth, listening.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t take other courses like Shiloh.\u00a0 My focus was medicine,\u201d said Annie.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought your focus was music,\u201d said Adam, looking at Shiloh.<\/p>\n Shiloh inhaled deeply and narrowed her eyes suspiciously.\u00a0 \u201cIt was.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure I said this before, but I also took some business courses\u2026and accounting so that I would be prepared to run the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat must be exciting for you, being able to do both,\u201d said Ben, smiling.<\/p>\n Shiloh lightly furrowed her brow in dismay that Ben unknowingly stepped into a sensitive subject.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t plan to do both, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think there\u2019s room for both.\u00a0\u00a0 There\u2019s barely room for the ranch and the horses.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe day to day work on the ranch pretty much runs itself with Hank there.\u00a0 Of course, you need to be involved in any decisions and payroll, but even payroll can be taken care of at the bank\u2026or Adam or I could do that for you if you were away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright, have you been speaking with Edwin?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, why?\u201d<\/p>\n She crossed her arms and glared at Adam.\u00a0 \u201cIt seems Edwin has Adam campaigning for him to get me to go to San Francisco and perform.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s a wonderful idea.\u00a0 We\u2019d all have the chance to hear you sing.\u201d<\/p>\n She rested her forehead in her hand.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Mr. Cartwright, but I have no intentions of performing in San Francisco or anywhere else for that matter.\u00a0 If you\u2019ll excuse me, I\u2019m tired, and I would like to go to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll go up with you.\u00a0 All that hopping around tonight exhausted me,\u201d said Annie.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGood night, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam,\u201d she said, nodding her head once.\u00a0\u00a0 Ben and Adam watched as the two girls climbed the stairs.<\/p>\n \u201cI take it you two had a conversation about her performing in San Francisco,\u201d said Ben, glancing at Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t understand her, Pa.\u00a0 She spent three years concentrating on singing, playing, and composing.\u00a0 She performed in Boston.\u00a0 Edwin said she was very good and that she enjoyed it\u2026she even said she enjoyed it.\u00a0 Now, it\u2019s as if she just wants to forget about all that hard work.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben picked up a pipe and began to fill the bowl with tobacco.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s her decision.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sat on the hearth, looking at his hands.\u00a0 \u201cAre you familiar with Eliza Biscaccianti?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, she\u2019s an American singer\u2026from Boston, if I remember correctly, who had some success in Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEdwin says Shiloh\u2019s as talented as Signora Biscaccianti was before she went to Europe.\u00a0\u00a0 If that\u2019s true, I think if she performs in San Francisco and gets good reviews, she\u2019ll want to keep singing.\u00a0 How could she turn down an opportunity to go to Europe?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe already has.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOnly because of her father\u2019s death.\u00a0 Pa, she\u2019s not here just because of the ranch.\u00a0 She\u2019s here for them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThem?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHer family.\u00a0 She said something at lunch the other day in town\u2026that no one would care about those graves on the hill.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSon, she\u2019s grieving, not just for her father, but for all of them.\u00a0 I imagine life can be very lonely for her with everyone gone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNone of them would have wanted her to stay here just to keep the ranch going for them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, they wouldn\u2019t have.\u201d\u00a0 Ben rested the pipe in his hand and studied Adam.\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think she should go.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think she should make a decision to walk away without performing one more time, now that she\u2019s come home and seen what it will mean to stay with the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you can\u2019t make her go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, but I can keep trying to talk her into it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIsn\u2019t Signora Biscaccianti in San Francisco?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, she is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if Shiloh had the opportunity to speak with her?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam narrowed his eyes and smiled at his father, then said good night.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Twenty-Eight<\/b><\/p>\n Adam was up with first light as usual, but when he came to the breakfast table, Shiloh and Annie were nowhere in sight.\u00a0 Only their napkins, laid neatly next to their plates, gave evidence that they had eaten and gone.\u00a0 Looking at his father, he nodded to the two empty seats.\u00a0 \u201cWhere were they off to today?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh wanted to show Annie the horses and the ranch\u2026mostly the horses.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded. \u201cI should go over there to check on the house.\u00a0 Hank was supposed to have some of the ranch hands start cleaning out the debris.\u201d<\/p>\n When Adam arrived, he found Shiloh and Annie inside the house looking through the ruins of what had been the parlor for pictures and knick knacks\u2026anything that could be salvaged.\u00a0 \u201cGood morning, ladies.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, what brings you over here?\u201d asked Shiloh.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to see if Hank had started the men cleaning this out.\u00a0 It won\u2019t be long before the windows are here.\u00a0 We can start rebuilding as soon as it\u2019s cleared out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI asked him to wait until I had a chance to look through it.\u00a0 There were some pictures\u2026and a music box\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Shiloh turned away for a moment, collecting herself, then continued to pick through the rubble.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s still too much debris here.\u00a0 I\u2019ll just ask Hank to watch out for anything that seems worth saving.\u201d\u00a0 She turned to face Adam, clasping her hands in front of her.\u00a0 \u201cI was about to pick out a horse for Annie.\u00a0 She\u2019s ridden sidesaddle, but since she\u2019ll be staying West, I thought I\u2019d teach her how we ride out here.\u00a0\u00a0 Before I can do that, we need to go into town and get her some riding clothes, and Edwin asked me to drop by during his auditions. So, we were about to head into town.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you mind if I ride along with you?\u00a0 I need to check on the new windows we ordered for the parlor.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh looked aloofly at Annie who looked back at Shiloh wryly.\u00a0 When she first arrived and met Adam Cartwright, Annie was certain that she wouldn\u2019t find any redeeming qualities in the man after hearing at college Shiloh\u2019s rage at his culpability in the death of her brother.\u00a0 Obviously, things had changed somewhat for Shiloh, and Adam seemed genuinely concerned for her well-being.\u00a0\u00a0 From Shiloh\u2019s demeanor while she danced with Adam the night before, Annie knew as well as Edwin had that Shiloh was unwittingly fighting very hard to rebuff invisible tendrils of fondness toward Adam that seemed to be creeping ever so slowly over her.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I think that\u2019s a wonderful idea,\u201d said Annie.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t suppose you\u2019d have time for lunch again, do you?\u00a0 I\u2019m sure Edwin would enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh shot a discomfited glance toward Annie who she knew obviously misunderstood her prior impassive look.\u00a0 \u201cAdam\u2019s a very busy man, Annie.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure he doesn\u2019t have time for us.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam watched the looks passing between the two girls.\u00a0 \u201cActually, I\u2019d be delighted if Edwin can fit us in his schedule,\u201d he answered, hiding his amusement.<\/p>\n \u201cWonderful,\u201d said Shiloh flatly as she made her way through the front door and to the buggy, taking Annie\u2019s arm as she passed.<\/p>\n The three went straight to the hall where Edwin was holding auditions.\u00a0 When Edwin saw them step inside, he pointed to Shiloh and motioned her to him, trying not to interrupt the current audition.\u00a0 Annie and Adam took a seat at the back of the hall.\u00a0 When Shiloh reached Edwin, she sat next to him, and Edwin whispered in her ear while looking at the young woman who was singing.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, you know much more about the technical aspects of these songs.\u00a0 I like the tone of her voice, but something isn\u2019t quite right.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh cocked her head and listened, realizing that the woman\u2019s notes were, at times, slightly flat, though not even by as much as a half-step.\u00a0 Shiloh watched the young woman, noticing that as she stood to the left of the piano, her head was turned slightly to her right toward the piano.\u00a0 \u201cDo you mind, Edwin?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot at all.\u00a0 Go right ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cStop, please,\u201d said Shiloh loud enough to be heard over the piano and the singing.\u00a0 \u201cHave you had some sort of injury to your hearing?\u201d she asked the woman.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I was a young girl, I was very near an explosion.\u00a0 Afterwards, I heard ringing in my right ear for some time, though I haven\u2019t had a problem in several years.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWould you mind moving to the other side of the piano?\u201d\u00a0 Once the woman was in place, Shiloh asked the pianist to start the music from the beginning.<\/p>\n After only a few bars, Edwin turned and smiled at Shiloh.\u00a0 \u201cYou see, it\u2019s in your blood.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh smirked.\u00a0 \u201cIt has nothing to do with my blood, but rather everything to do with observation.\u00a0 You realize that she won\u2019t be able to move around effectively on stage and stay in tune.\u00a0\u00a0 She\u2019ll only be able to stay on key while stationary.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a pity, though if all goes as well as I hope, I won\u2019t have a need for another soloist.\u201d\u00a0 Edwin excused the young woman, saying he would be in touch.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m ready for a break.\u00a0\u00a0 I hope you all made time for lunch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course,\u201d said Shiloh, wrapping her hand around the arm Edwin offered.<\/p>\n Again, they settled into a table at the International House and ordered their drinks and food.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, I know this isn\u2019t your favorite subject, but I have to try once more,\u201d said Edwin.\u00a0 \u201cI believe you owe it to yourself\u2026to all the hard work you put into your music\u2026to give it at least one more chance.\u201d<\/p>\n Before Shiloh could respond, Annie spoke up as if the conversation had been rehearsed.\u00a0 \u201cI agree with Edwin.\u00a0 I watched how hard you worked on your performances to make them flawless.\u00a0\u00a0 I watched how you interacted with the audiences with such emotion.\u00a0 I watched you sit at a piano until all hours of the night writing, erasing and writing again trying to make a new song perfect.\u00a0 I can\u2019t believe you would just walk away from that.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh sat back in her chair looking from Edwin, to Annie, and finally to Adam.\u00a0 \u201cDo you have a part in this play?\u201d she asked irritably.<\/p>\n Adam took a deep breath, looking her squarely in the eye.\u00a0 He knew with Edwin and Annie there, this would be the best chance he had of reasoning with her, even though he knew she wouldn\u2019t want to hear what he had to say.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re among people who care about you, so I\u2019m just going to be blunt.\u00a0 You came home for the wrong reason.\u00a0 You stay on the ranch for the wrong reason.\u201d\u00a0 Shiloh shook her head, looking up at the ceiling.\u00a0 Without looking back down, she took the napkin from her lap and purposefully placed it on the table, moving to get up.\u00a0 Before she could stand, Adam took her hand, holding it firmly on top of her napkin.\u00a0 She looked at her hand, holding her breath, denying the warmth she felt passing from him to her. She tried to pull way, and when he held it there, she shot him a defiant look that everyone recognized as quiet fury.\u00a0 Adam held her fierce gaze as he spoke, \u201cAnnie, Edwin would you excuse us for a moment, please?\u201d Without waiting for an answer, Adam rose maintaining his hold on Shiloh\u2019s hand.\u00a0 He made his way over to her, taking her arm, bringing her up out of her chair and leading her to a private sitting room off the lobby of the hotel where he pulled the curtain closed.\u00a0 They stood in silence for a moment, glaring at each other.<\/p>\n Adam sighed, inwardly calming himself.\u00a0 He had allowed her to anger him with only a look, her stubbornness getting the best of him yet again.\u00a0 As he stood looking into her fiery eyes, he smiled slightly, realizing she was a lot like him, setting her mind to something, and requiring heaven and earth be moved to change it.\u00a0\u00a0 Today was his day to move heaven and earth.\u00a0 \u201cYou came home for your family, Shiloh, but your family isn\u2019t there on that ranch.\u00a0 They aren\u2019t on top of that hill.\u201d\u00a0 She turned her back to him.\u00a0 \u201cYou need to start thinking with your head instead of your heart.\u00a0 Edwin and Annie are right.\u00a0 You worked too hard on your music to just let it go without being sure that\u2019s what you want to do.\u201d\u00a0 Her shoulders slumped almost imperceptibly, but he noticed.\u00a0 He hoped that meant he had put a chink in her armor.\u00a0 \u201cThe ranch and the horses will be here.\u201d\u00a0 He took her arms and turned her around, and when she wouldn\u2019t look up at him, he bent down to see her eyes, though she still looked away.\u00a0 \u201cYou owe it to yourself to know for sure.\u00a0 You may not get another chance.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked into his eyes wondering how he could have possibly known what had been her own fear. Furrowing her brow, she let out a breath.\u00a0 Adam saw uncertainty take her over.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh,\u201d he said, holding her arms, bringing her up to her full height to face him, \u201cyou\u2019ve got nothing to lose by going.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not true.\u00a0 It was one thing to be known as a singer in Boston.\u00a0 Boston wasn\u2019t my home and was never going to be.\u00a0 But, Adam, this is my home.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want people to look at me and whisper all sorts of things.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want people to think of me as a\u2026\u201d\u00a0 She wilted in his hands.<\/p>\n \u201cA what?\u201d he asked gently.<\/p>\n She tried to wriggle from his grip, but when he held her and her gaze, she shrank away, answering brashly through gritted teeth.\u00a0 \u201cA harlot.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam looked down at her from underneath his eyebrows.\u00a0 \u201cYou can\u2019t possibly still believe that.\u201d\u00a0 When she didn\u2019t answer he continued.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, you\u2019re not a dance hall girl.\u00a0 By Edwin\u2019s account, you\u2019re an accomplished singer.\u00a0 You\u2019ve already won over the hearts of the upper crust in Boston.\u00a0 The newspapers have had only complimentary reviews about you.\u00a0 Besides, I want to hear you sing.\u00a0 Pa wants to hear you sing.\u201d\u00a0 He turned her face back toward his with his finger underneath her chin.\u00a0 \u201cYour father would want to hear you sing if he were still here.\u00a0 He told you he was proud of you no matter what you decided to do.\u201d<\/p>\n She closed her eyes and answered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll think about it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve been thinking about it.\u00a0 It\u2019s time to stop thinking and sing.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked up at him, trying to do what her father had said\u2026trying to trust him.\u00a0 \u201cAlright,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n The rest of the day Shiloh was quiet, but each time she began to mentally second guess herself, Adam was right there, watching the cogs turn in her head, meeting her eyes, and refusing to let her change her mind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Twenty-Nine<\/b><\/p>\n Shiloh and Annie finished breakfast and left early in the morning again so that Shiloh could teach Annie how to ride.\u00a0 When Adam came to the breakfast table, he hesitated, looking at the two empty seats.\u00a0 Before he sat down, he looked at his father with raised eyebrows, nodding toward the empty chairs.<\/p>\n \u201cAnnie is learning to ride this morning,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just as well,\u201d said Adam, sitting down and placing his napkin in his lap.\u00a0 \u201cDid Shiloh tell you she\u2019s going with Edwin to San Francisco?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, she didn\u2019t mention it.\u00a0\u00a0 You talked her into it?\u201d asked Ben, looking intensely at Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cPa, I didn\u2019t force her to say yes, if that\u2019s what you\u2019re getting at.\u00a0 I just reasoned with her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs she comfortable with her decision?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u00a0 I don\u2019t expect her to be comfortable until after she performs and realizes what she\u2019s missing\u2026or that it\u2019s really not important to her, but I don\u2019t see that happening.\u201d\u00a0 Adam had loaded his plate with eggs, bacon and flapjacks.\u00a0 As he poured maple syrup over his pancakes, he continued.\u00a0 \u201cPa, the bid for that land to the north we\u2019ve been looking at is coming up.\u00a0 The attorney is in San Francisco.\u201d\u00a0 Adam looked up at his father, who was watching him over his cup of coffee.\u00a0 \u201cI thought I could go tender the bid in person and see some of Edwin\u2019s and Shiloh\u2019s performances.\u00a0 That\u2019ll give me time to try and speak with Signora Biscaccianti.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen would you leave?\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cThe end of this week,\u201d he answered, chewing a mouthful of flapjack.<\/p>\n Shiloh and Annie spent the majority of the rest of their week packing Shiloh\u2019s trunk. The clothes she wore in Boston during her performances there were made specifically for her, so she kept them.\u00a0\u00a0 Annie would be going back to San Francisco to begin her job as a doctor\u2019s assistant until she could locate a medical school that would accept her as a student.\u00a0 She chose to work, keeping her knowledge up to date and her skills honed for school, though she didn\u2019t have to work since she had received an inheritance from her mother that would allow her to live comfortably for the rest of her life.\u00a0 The ability to help people who were ill or in pain was a passion for her, something that made it easy to understand the things that drove\u00a0 Shiloh\u2026loyalty, high personal standards, the commitment to see things through.\u00a0 The last part was the reason Annie knew that deep down, Shiloh wanted to sing and write. Because she had split her focus in college, perhaps she now felt she had to choose between them.\u00a0 Annie had hoped she\u2019d be able to find a happy medium between her ranch, her horses and her music.\u00a0 Even though her opinion of Adam had been quite low in the beginning, Annie realized that Adam had slowly, and probably very painfully, become the person that could reason with her the most.\u00a0 After all, he knew her better than Edwin or herself.\u00a0 There was probably no one else, other than Adam\u2019s father, who knew her better.<\/p>\n Shiloh\u2019s trunks and bags had been moved to the Ponderosa from the Flying W the night before they were leaving for San Francisco.\u00a0 Once the buckboard was loaded the next morning, Shiloh and Annie rode in the buggy with Ben and Adam with Hoss driving the buckboard.\u00a0 Adam had purchased the tickets several days before, including the tickets they would need for the steamer from Sacramento to San Francisco.\u00a0 He allowed three days to reach Sacramento, planning one extra day in case the stagecoach was delayed.\u00a0 They met Edwin at the stagecoach office ready to board along with one other passenger.\u00a0 When they were seated, Edwin and the extra passenger were seated on one side.\u00a0 Shiloh ended up in the middle with Adam and Annie on either side, but remembering her conversation with his father her first evening home Adam had her move to the outside next to a window, taking the middle seat between her and Annie.\u00a0 She smiled shyly at him for the favor, and remained quiet most of the trip.\u00a0 Adam watched the muscles in her jaw flex, her hands clasped into tight fists leaving her knuckles white.\u00a0 When the stagecoach stopped to rest the horses, he watched her raise her hand to her neck rubbing the knotted muscles there.\u00a0 He watched her drink water from the ladle at the water pump, trying with a hand that was shaking so much she had to use both hands to drink.<\/p>\n \u201cHow are you?\u201d he asked quietly.<\/p>\n She avoided his eyes, but managed a slight smile.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m fine, thank you.\u00a0 The window seat helps.\u201d\u00a0 She flexed her fingers, trying to ease the aching caused by clenching her fists.\u00a0 When they boarded the stagecoach to continue, Adam took her hands, unclenching them and laying her left hand flat in her lap, holding her right hand for the duration of the trip.<\/p>\n Once in Sacramento, Adam was able to secure berths for them on a steamer a day early, so they were immediately able to board.\u00a0 Annie and Shiloh shared quarters lavishly adorned with plate-glass mirrors, marble-topped tables, red plush upholstery, brass lamps and opulent woodwork.\u00a0 While Edwin and Annie opted to remain in their quarters for the trip, Shiloh accepted an invitation from Adam for dinner, joining him in a dining room appointed as extravagantly as their quarters.<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh, not that I\u2019m trying to discourage you\u2026it took too much to get you to do this, but you were right when you said performing in San Francisco would eventually get back to Virginia City.\u00a0 You need to be prepared for that.\u00a0 If Tom Maguire happens to be in San Francisco and sees you, he\u2019ll know.\u201d\u00a0 The lobster Adam had ordered for them for dinner was delivered to their table.\u00a0 Shiloh sat back in her chair with her hands in her lap staring at her plate.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam watched her, knowing she was processing the thought of Virginia City discovering that she was Isabella Whitney.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, you were right.\u00a0 I\u2019ve had second thoughts about singing since I\u2019ve been home, and I worried this might be my last chance.\u00a0 Even if this goes well, I don\u2019t know how I\u2019m going to fit it in.\u00a0 And I have no idea what will happen when Virginia City finds out.\u00a0 Whether it\u2019s good or bad, it\u2019s still something I\u2019ll have to deal with.\u201d\u00a0 She glanced quickly up at him, then back down to her hands in her lap.\u00a0 \u201cThe truth is I\u2019m terrified.\u201d\u00a0 She tilted her head to the right.\u00a0 \u201cNot about the singing\u2026about what happens after it\u2019s over.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled warmly.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, whatever happens, you won\u2019t have to deal with it alone.\u00a0 And I think you\u2019re underestimating the time you have to fit this in.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, there\u2019s a lot that I want to do with the ranch\u2026things Daddy wasn\u2019t interested in doing.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam cracked his lobster.\u00a0 \u201cLike what?\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh already had the meat out of her lobster tail.\u00a0 \u201cLike timber and mining.\u00a0 I was thinking about bidding on the land just to the north of the ranch. It\u2019s for sale, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam laughed and teasingly pointed his fork at her.\u00a0 \u201cYou can\u2019t do that.\u00a0 We\u2019re bidding on that land.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo?\u00a0 Why should that make a difference?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam stopped in mid-chew, raising an eyebrow, looking across the table at her.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re serious, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDead serious,\u201d she replied.\u00a0 \u201cThat land is covered with trees.\u00a0 A lot of them are pines, but there are big stands of hardwoods there, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I know,\u201d he answered as he finished chewing.\u00a0 He washed his food down and stopped eating again. \u201cYou\u2019ve never bid on land before.\u00a0 Don\u2019t you think this is something you should have discussed with me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m discussing it with you now,\u201d she said as she cracked a claw.\u00a0 \u201cAnyway, I said I was thinking about it,\u201d she said haughtily.\u00a0 \u201cBut you\u2019re right\u2026I\u2019ve never done anything like this. If the ranch is going to succeed and grow, I need to learn\u2026not just buying land, but bidding timber contracts.\u00a0 I don\u2019t really expect to win, but it would be a good experience for me, don\u2019t you think?\u201d she asked, looking up from her lobster.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you even know how to prepare for a bid like this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve done some homework,\u201d she said coyly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about mining?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I haven\u2019t really thought as much about mining as I have timber, but Daddy always said we were sitting on a mountain of silver. I think I\u2019d like to pursue that and see.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt takes a lot of time to supervise mining operations. Timber is seasonal, but mining goes on all year.\u00a0 Are you sure you want to take that on?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI realize I\u2019d have to hire someone to oversee it.\u00a0 I have no desire to be that involved with the day to day workings of a mine.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam chuckled while he finished his last bite and placed his dinner napkin on the table. \u201cCan we talk about this when you get back home? You have something else to occupy your time right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s true, but I have to have the bid for the land in by next week, and the seller is in San Francisco. But then, you knew that,\u201d she said cynically, taking a drink. \u201cJust think Adam. We\u2019re competitors.\u201d<\/p>\n He didn\u2019t care. Her eyes were sparkling at him, and she seemed happy and relaxed at the moment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Thirty<\/b><\/p>\n Shiloh and Annie walked into their hotel room late in the evening, deciding they would go right to bed.\u00a0 Edwin had already said his goodbyes, hurrying off to see his wife and child.\u00a0 The hotel was right next to the opera hall where Edwin and Shiloh would be performing, and Adam had been fortunate enough to acquire a room in the same hotel.\u00a0 After saying goodnight to the girls at their door, he went back down to the saloon, purchased a bottle of brandy and made his way back to his room, sitting and sipping a drink before he turned in himself.<\/p>\n His thoughts turned to the conversation he had with Shiloh on the steamer regarding her desire to place a land bid.\u00a0 She should have already told him, and he wondered if she would have told him at all if it hadn\u2019t come up in the conversation.\u00a0 He was still the trustee of the ranch, and he knew she could get into some financial trouble if her bid was more than she could really afford, and she won.\u00a0\u00a0 He knew the bids tendered for the land would be more about the worth of the timber\u2026something that would have to be an integral part of her bid and something of which she had no knowledge.\u00a0 The question he was struggling with was whether he should approach her or wait to see if she asked for help.\u00a0 Then again, helping her could cause a problem.\u00a0 After all, he was bidding on that land, too.<\/p>\n The next morning he found Shiloh in the restaurant with Edwin and two others whom Adam assumed were Edwin\u2019s wife and infant daughter.\u00a0 Edwin saw Adam enter the restaurant and called him over.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, please join us.\u00a0 This is my wife, Mary.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam took Mary\u2019s hand and slightly bowed.\u00a0 \u201cA pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Booth.\u00a0 And this must be Edwina,\u201d he said, gently touching the child\u2019s hand.\u00a0\u00a0 He seated himself next to Shiloh then asked, \u201cAnnie isn\u2019t joining us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe stayed up a little late talking, so I decided not to wake her.\u00a0 I left her a note to come over to the opera hall,\u201d said Shiloh.\u00a0 \u201cEdwin, has your company already begun rehearsals?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIndividual rehearsing, yes, but I haven\u2019t had everyone together as yet.\u00a0 I wanted to wait and see if you would be joining us.\u00a0 Some of them will remember you from Boston.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure the others know of you.\u00a0 You made quite an impression among my associates while you were there.\u201d\u00a0 Shiloh smiled warily.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll have introductions this morning then begin rehearsals after lunch.\u00a0 Our first performance is in three weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThree weeks?\u00a0 That\u2019s cutting it a little short isn\u2019t it?\u00a0\u00a0 Don\u2019t you have a full orchestra here?\u00a0 And what about your sets?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot to worry, my dear.\u00a0 It\u2019s well in hand.\u00a0 The company as well as Maguire\u2019s musicians have been given the first draft of all the parts, so what we have left is to work out any changes.\u00a0 And as I said before, we were waiting to see who would be our soloist.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo I have an understudy?\u201d<\/p>\n Edwin hesitated, knowing the reaction he was about to get.\u00a0 \u201cNo, we\u2019re still working on that.\u201d\u00a0 She looked at him incredulously.\u00a0 \u201cThe conductor is also new.\u00a0 He won\u2019t arrive until tomorrow.\u00a0 I will be relying on you to go over your music very carefully with him.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh smirked.\u00a0 \u201cEdwin, what would you have done if I hadn\u2019t agreed to come?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTruthfully?\u00a0\u00a0 I would have panicked.\u00a0 My soloist in Boston didn\u2019t want to come out west, so I was left in a bit of a quandary.\u00a0 I\u2019m just glad Adam was able to talk you into it,\u201d said Edwin, nodding at Adam, who winked, realizing that Edwin had held auditions in Virginia City in hopes of finding a backup if Shiloh hadn\u2019t agreed to sing for him.<\/p>\n \u201cI see I have a lot of work to do\u2026as usual,\u201d said Shiloh, sipping her coffee.<\/p>\n Adam joined them at the opera hall after breakfast for the introductions.\u00a0 He watched as Shiloh mingled with the musicians, singers and actors, smiling, laughing, charming them all, setting them at ease\u2026the same way she was at the dance with Joe\u2026as if she were performing.\u00a0 On her ranch, she had either been very business-like or angry, and other than at the dance, he had never seen her seemingly enjoying herself around people.\u00a0\u00a0 She even moved differently, gliding, he thought as he watched her walk toward him.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, this must be very boring for you.\u00a0 You don\u2019t have to stay.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure there are many other things more interesting in San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, I wouldn\u2019t say that.\u00a0 I\u2019m content to watch what you do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSuit yourself, but there won\u2019t be that much to watch today.\u00a0 We have no conductor, so I\u2019m not sure any of the music will even be brought up.\u00a0 Tomorrow, I\u2019ll be spending most of the day with the conductor and after that, I\u2019ll be running between this hall and the room where the singers will be rehearsing.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh was right.\u00a0 Edwin dismissed the musicians from the hall, asking that they practice their parts on their own in preparation for working with the conductor.\u00a0 However, he asked the pianist, the lead singers for each play and the actors to stay and that included Shiloh.\u00a0 He also asked the principle cellist to stay.\u00a0 Shiloh went back to the front of the hall, sitting with the other singers while Edwin handed out packets of sheet music and parts to everyone.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will rehearse these numbers in the order they will be performed with the acts,\u201d said Edwin.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh will be opening each evening for us for the first ten weeks after which we will perform the first act.\u00a0 For this first series, it will be a comedy.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sat watching as Edwin directed his actors.\u00a0 He used Shiloh to coach the singers with the new music, where occasionally she sang a bar showing the performer how it should be sung.\u00a0 The comedy required that she play the violin in a piece opposing the cello.\u00a0 She was charming and funny as she worked, frequently having the entire group of performers laughing.\u00a0 Even so, Adam felt he hadn\u2019t seen her working anywhere close to what he imagined was her full potential.\u00a0 Though he could see why Edwin wanted her help given her ability to lighten moods, her musical work was\u2026ordinary, certainly not worthy of the praise in the article he read in the Territorial Enterprise back home.\u00a0 But then, she was singing and playing only parts, and those were parts belonging to others.<\/p>\n At the end of the day, after everyone else\u2019s work was done, Edwin asked Shiloh to sing the opening song.\u00a0\u00a0 As she sang with piano accompaniment, Adam slowly moved to the edge of his seat.\u00a0 He had certainly heard her sing before, but never had he heard her sing like this. When she sang a high note, singing it fortissimo with such power and holding it, he held his breath with her, and when he had to breathe again, she was still holding that note.\u00a0 At the end, she sang the same note, but this time she sang it softly, holding it yet again.\u00a0 Still, he sensed she was holding back.\u00a0 He could only imagine how she would sound with the support of a full orchestra.<\/p>\n When she ended the last note, the singers and actors all stood and applauded, appreciating that besides Edwin Booth, they would all be associated with a singer who had been successful back east and who would attract a crowd curious as to whether she was as good as had been reported.<\/p>\n Edwin released everyone for the evening, asking Shiloh to remain, going over his written notes of the music and singers, comparing them to hers, making changes, and sometimes arguing out their points.\u00a0 Adam watched them feed off each other, the consummate actor and the accomplished singer at odds, making the resulting rendition of a piece more exciting, more hilarious or more sorrowful.<\/p>\n After a particularly heated argument, they took a break and approached Adam.\u00a0 Shiloh apologized, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Adam.\u00a0 We\u2019re going to be at this for some time yet.\u00a0 Perhaps you\u2019d like to get something for dinner.\u00a0 I\u2019m afraid we\u2019re going to be very late.\u201d<\/p>\n Concerned at the tension he felt in the room, Adam suggested, \u201cWhy don\u2019t you both take a break and join me.\u00a0 You can always come back to it,\u201d suggested Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be better if we do this while our thoughts are still fresh,\u201d explained Edwin. \u201cWe must have any changes settled before tomorrow so the company will have their completed parts ready to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh laid her hand on Adam\u2019s arm. \u201cThis is normal for us.\u00a0 Edwin\u2019s an actor, not a musician and I\u2019m a musician, not an actress.\u00a0 Even though the process seems strained, we both can attest that the final outcome is better.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam took a deep breath, raised and dropped his hands, acquiescing to the commitment of the two artists standing in front of him.\u00a0 He left them to their work after saying good night.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Thirty-One<\/b><\/p>\n Adam knocked on the girl\u2019s suite door.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, what a nice surprise,\u201d said Annie.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought we might see you at the opera hall tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe first rehearsal is always boring,\u201d she said guiltily.<\/p>\n Adam chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cMost of it was I have to admit.\u00a0 If you haven\u2019t had dinner yet, would you like to join me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d be delighted,\u201d she said, closing the door and taking his arm as he led her down the hall to the stairway. \u201cAfter she meets with the conductor, it will get interesting I\u2019m sure.\u00a0 But, I would suggest that if you\u2019ve never seen her perform, you shouldn\u2019t watch her rehearse.\u00a0 You should see her for the first time in a full performance.\u00a0 You won\u2019t be sorry, I promise you.\u201d<\/p>\n The restaurant was almost empty at this time of night, but the kitchen was still open.\u00a0 Adam thought it just as well, hoping he could get more insight into Shiloh\u2019s reluctance at anyone knowing who she was.<\/p>\n \u201cAnnie, do you have any idea, when Shiloh was so successful in Boston and, according to Edwin was so happy, why she would consider completely throwing this part of her education away?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, you do get right to the point, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 It\u2019s just that she wasn\u2019t very close to what Edwin described today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cVery close?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe seemed to be holding back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, as I said, the first day of rehearsal is always boring.\u00a0 Edwin is just a little out of his area of expertise when it comes to orchestras and opera singers.\u00a0 He\u2019s solid when it comes to acting, especially his own acting, but when he\u2019s charged with directing a show with a variety of entertainment he has to rely on advice sometimes.\u00a0 Shiloh knows her way around an orchestra and opera, though she\u2019s been adamant about not doing any opera.\u00a0 Her time at Peabody exposed her to some very well known people.\u00a0 Peabody prides itself in using visiting talent, especially talent from Europe, to teach their students.\u00a0 Anyway, he\u2019s relied on Isabella exclusively for several years now, and I have to say, they\u2019re a good match.\u00a0\u00a0 Even so, I don\u2019t know why she would have held anything back\u2026unless it was you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy would she hold back because of me?\u201d<\/p>\n Annie looked at Adam, studying his face for a moment, deciding whether to take the conversation any further.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I know you know about Will Stewart.\u00a0 Edwin told me.\u00a0 She did have feelings for Will in the beginning.\u00a0 He was a lot like you…handsome, charming, confident.\u00a0 The rest of us saw him becoming possessive.\u00a0 Shiloh never believed it, even when I told her.\u00a0 She just refused to see it.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t turn his proposal down because of what we saw.\u00a0 She really just wanted to come home to the ranch.\u00a0 She talked about the ranch from the very beginning.\u00a0 Will was never going to be able to get her back here\u2026his career was in Massachusetts, and when she realized her desire to go home was stronger than her feelings for him, she knew she would break it off.\u00a0 Well, that and the realization that her life would be completely different as a politician\u2019s wife.\u201d\u00a0 Annie stopped to take a sip of wine.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019d be surprised how much I know about you and Shiloh before college.\u00a0 She told me everything\u2026how you sent her home from school, how the town thought you had kicked her out of school for bad behavior, how you fought to make that right, and how you prepared her for college.\u00a0 She also talked about Micah\u2019s death and your two families\u2019 history.\u00a0 I was pretty shocked at first when she was civil to you that first day I was in Virginia City, but she said the two of you reached an understanding.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNone of that explains why she would be holding back her performance now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m getting to that.\u00a0 She came home to a handsome, charming, confident man who she seems to know her very well; a man who lives where she wants to be.\u00a0 But, a man she has to answer to, and a man she blamed for her brother\u2019s death.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam, she\u2019s been getting her way for a long time while she\u2019s been away.\u00a0 Then she came home and still had to answer to you.\u00a0\u00a0 She said you made her feel like she\u2019s still a little girl; like she has to prove herself to you after she accomplished so much back east.\u00a0 She was never going to start singing again.\u00a0 Her focus was the ranch.\u00a0 Honestly, Edwin and I both believed that no one could have possibly convinced her to sing here, even though she loves performing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI still don\u2019t see what that has to do with her holding back tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe was afraid you wouldn\u2019t approve of her being a singer.\u00a0 That\u2019s why she split her time between business courses and music.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam, your approval is important to her.\u00a0 Besides her father, you are the only person who has ever pushed her to do more.\u00a0 You are the only person who took an interest in her education.\u00a0 Now here comes the uncomfortable part.\u00a0 She\u2019s a grown woman now.\u00a0 She has struggled because of what happened with Micah, but in reality, she\u2019s still trying to prove herself\u2026to you.\u00a0 Will reminded her of you, but without the involvement with Micah.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam opened his mouth to speak, but instead looked skeptically back at her.<\/p>\n \u201cShe won\u2019t admit to that.\u00a0 She tries to deny it all the time, but Adam, I know her.\u00a0 I also know she\u2019s very stubborn.\u00a0 She may never admit that.\u201d\u00a0 Annie chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cShe might not even know that about herself.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sat back swirling his wine in the glass.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t consciously thought about Shiloh being an available woman.\u00a0 Shiloh was right\u2026he still thought about her as someone who needed guidance\u2026like a child.\u00a0 But now that he was focused on it, he had to admit to himself that while he watched her work on her books, he had been charmed by the way she blew a fallen wisp of hair out of her face, how she moved and gently spoke when she worked with a horse, the look of her eyes when they were set afire in anger\u2026her blue eyes\u2026the sound of her laugh, her loveliness, her intelligence.<\/p>\n Annie touched his hand, bringing him out of his reverie.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry, Adam.\u00a0 When she\u2019s performing, she won\u2019t hold anything back.\u00a0 She can\u2019t help but do her best.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo, Annie\u2026medicine?\u201d<\/p>\n She smiled.\u00a0 \u201cMy father was a doctor and my mother assisted him in his practice.\u00a0 I always admired the way he helped people.\u00a0 I saw how hard he was on himself when his best efforts weren\u2019t enough.\u00a0 When I was a teenager, my parents let me help at his office, so I was exposed to many of the medical procedures he performed.\u00a0 I think they would never have let me go back to the office if they had known that I watched some of his surgeries, but I found it intriguing, being able to cut someone open, fix them and then sew them back up.\u00a0 It was as if he had a special gift from God.\u00a0 I would never have chosen medicine if Lucy Stone and Susan Anthony hadn\u2019t encouraged me.\u00a0 They told both of us that we shouldn\u2019t be excluded from any employment just because we are women.\u00a0 They told Shiloh she shouldn\u2019t be ashamed of performing, that the only conscience she had to satisfy was her own.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that certainly explains a lot,\u201d said Adam just before Edwin and Shiloh walked into the restaurant talking animatedly enough that Adam got the impression they were still arguing.<\/p>\n \u201cHello,\u201d said Shiloh, immediately continuing her conversation with Edwin as she sat down at their table.\u00a0 \u201cThere\u2019s no reason for a woman to play a man\u2019s role in this play.\u00a0 You have a man who is perfectly capable of playing that part.\u00a0 You just need to coach him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s played the part before.\u00a0 He hasn\u2019t,\u201d objected Edwin.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, don\u2019t you think it\u2019s time he learned?\u201d\u00a0 Shiloh took his hand.\u00a0 \u201cThink of it this way.\u00a0 Would you rather he be learning in Boston where they really know you?\u201d<\/p>\n Edwin had been looking down, but jerked his head up when she said that, allowing a grin to slowly form.\u00a0 \u201cI suppose not,\u201d he said, laughing.\u00a0 \u201cVery well, then.\u00a0 The part is his, and I shall coach him.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh turned to Annie and Adam.\u00a0 \u201cHow was dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEnlightening,\u201d said Adam.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I have no complaints about the company,\u201d he said, smiling at Annie.<\/p>\n Shiloh shot Annie a sideways glance that made Annie look away guiltily.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t wait to hear about your evening,\u201d she said suspiciously.\u00a0 \u201cHowever, I do have an early morning, so I shall be going to bed.<\/p>\n \u201cAren\u2019t you going to eat dinner?\u201d Adam asked, almost scolding.<\/p>\n Shiloh was in a playful mood, feeling giddy relief that she and Edwin had worked out all the changes.\u00a0 \u201cWhy Pa, me \u2018n Edwin here already had vittles while we was a arguin\u2019,\u201d she said in her best southern twang.<\/p>\n Edwin, Adam and Annie looked up at each other in disbelief then burst out in laughter.\u00a0 \u201cAnd she says she\u2019s not an actress,\u201d laughed Edwin.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Thanks to joyadamson who verified my French.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Chapter Thirty-Two<\/strong><\/p>\n The next morning, Shiloh and Edwin were up early to meet the new conductor, Monsieur Philippe Rousset.\u00a0\u00a0 When Adam came into the opera hall, he joined Edwin at the back, watching as Shiloh and Monsieur Rousset began to look over the scores at the piano.\u00a0 Shiloh had also brought her violin.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, has she ever played her violin for you?\u201d asked Edwin.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, she hasn\u2019t.\u00a0 I\u2019ve only heard her play the piano once.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen this should be a treat for you.\u00a0 I\u2019ve never worked with this particular conductor\u2026not that I work closely with the conductors, but I have no idea if this one will be easy to work with.\u00a0 Shiloh has strong opinions about how some of this music should be played, especially her own pieces.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe composed some of your music?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, as a matter of fact, she\u2019ll be singing several she wrote\u2026the opening number you\u2019ve already heard\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe wrote that?\u201d interrupted Adam, surprised.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, and you won\u2019t believe the full orchestra version.\u00a0 She also wrote one about her father and another about memories.\u00a0 And, her closing number was written specifically for her.\u201d<\/p>\n Both men settled into seats, listening to the quiet conversation taking place on the stage.\u00a0 It was evident that Monsieur Rousset had a very heavy French accent, but Shiloh didn\u2019t seem to have any trouble following him, nor he her.\u00a0 Once they had discussed a piece of music, Shiloh played it on the piano, stopping and starting as each one made their points.\u00a0 Then she played the violin part.\u00a0\u00a0 As Shiloh played, Monsieur Rousset closed his eyes, directing what he heard.\u00a0 When his direction didn\u2019t follow what she played, he stopped her, she explained her interpretation, he explained his, and they made an agreement.\u00a0 To Adam, it seemed to be a very pleasant process\u2026until they apparently reached an impasse on one of Shiloh\u2019s compositions.<\/p>\n Monsieur Rousset puffed up and became very condescending as he fell into his native French. \u201cMademoiselle, je suis s\u00fbr, que le compositeur voulait dire fortissimo. Le personnage est debordant d’amour, il veut le crier au monde.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMr Rousset, le personnage veut crier son amour au monde, mais a la fin, chuchote de sorte que l’objet de son affection ne peut pas l’entendre.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re arguing about how loud to sing the last note?\u201d asked Adam, whispering to Edwin.<\/p>\n Edwin nodded.\u00a0 \u201cBasically, yes, but more about the interpretation of that last note.\u00a0 You took French, didn\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, yes, but it\u2019s been a while,\u201d answered Adam.<\/p>\n Monsieur Rousset paused, accepting that she would have understood him, but surprised that she would answer him in his own language with such confidence.\u00a0 \u201cJ’ai fait cela depuis beaucoup plus longtemps que vous. Vous ne pouvez pas savoir ce que le compositeur cherche \u00e0 depeindre.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh crossed her arms and glared at him.\u00a0 \u201cI claim to know what the composer wanted to portray because I am the composer.\u201d<\/p>\n The conductor raised his hand to his cheek.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMon Dieu!, je travaille avec une prima donna!\u201d<\/p>\n As Shiloh gasped, Edwin sprang out of his seat and hurried to the stage.\u00a0 \u201cWhy don\u2019t we take a break?\u00a0 I think both of you could use some nice, cold water.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh\u2019s nostrils flared. \u201cJe ne chante pas d’op\u00e9ra,\u201d she growled, walking off the stage to the water table where Adam was waiting with a poured glass of water, eyebrows raised.<\/p>\n \u201cSpsh!\u201d said Shiloh, taking the glass, looking at him indignantly as she stomped to the nearest seat and plopped down.<\/p>\n Monsieur Rousset threw his hands in the air and walked to the water table quietly speaking with Edwin.<\/p>\n Adam recognized the leaking sound from her first run in with Spec and sat down next to a stewing Shiloh, trying to hide his amusement.\u00a0 \u201cDo you want to talk about it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou should speak to him in Italian.\u00a0\u00a0 That would really confuse him.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh couldn\u2019t help but smile.\u00a0 \u201cUnfortunately, I only know enough Italian to sing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you alright?\u00a0 Be honest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course I am.\u00a0 Conductors and I always have clashes.\u00a0 We get through them, and Edwin is always here to make sure we don\u2019t kill each other,\u201d she said flippantly, turning to face him. \u201cWhy wouldn\u2019t I be alright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just wanted to be sure before I leave.\u00a0 I have some errands to run.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh,what errands?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust business,\u201d he answered, taking her hand and kissing it.\u00a0 I\u2019ll catch up with you this evening.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Thirty-Three<\/b><\/p>\n Adam hired a carriage and went by the other three opera houses in San Francisco, but Eliza Biscaccianti wasn\u2019t booked at any of them.\u00a0 He finally fell back on his last resort\u2026Tom Maguire.\u00a0 He had hoped for Shiloh\u2019s sake that Tom wouldn\u2019t be in the city while she was there.\u00a0 After all, he was getting ready to open a new opera house in Virginia City, and Adam thought he might be too busy there to spend any time in San Francisco.\u00a0\u00a0 Even as he had tried to reassure Shiloh, he knew in the back of his mind that Tom would never miss the opportunity to meet the newest sensation from Boston, especially when she was appearing for the first time on the West coast in his own establishment. He paid the carriage driver and walked into the office of Maguire\u2019s Opera House, hearing the continuing battle between Shiloh and Monsieur Rousset spilling out of the main hall.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam Cartwright,\u201d said Tom, coming from behind his desk with his hand held out.\u00a0 \u201cWhat business of the Ponderosa brings you to San Francisco this time?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow are you, Tom?\u201d Adam asked, shaking his hand. \u201cI do have business, but that\u2019s not the main reason I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u00a0 Pleasure, then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m here with Shi\u2026\u201d\u00a0 He cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cIsabella Whitney.\u201d<\/p>\n Tom\u2019s eyes widened.\u00a0 \u201cYou came with her?\u00a0 Why I haven\u2019t even had the opportunity to meet her yet.\u00a0 Mr. Booth seems to keep her prisoner in the main hall.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam chuckled at the thought of Edwin making Shiloh do anything.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll have to introduce you.\u00a0 But, before I do, I\u2019d\u2026ah\u2026like to have a word with you, if you have some time.\u201d<\/p>\n Maguire motioned to a chair at his desk, sitting on the other side as Adam took the seat in front of him.\u00a0 \u201cSo, you haven\u2019t seen her yet?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, no.\u00a0 I try not to go into the main hall when they\u2019re working, and she gets out of there so quickly in the evening, I\u2019ve not had the chance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTom, you already know her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh?\u201d said Maguire, puzzled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sure I would have known if I had met her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou would if she always went by Isabella.\u00a0 She doesn\u2019t.\u00a0 You know her as Shiloh Whitney.\u201d<\/p>\n Tom harrumphed in disbelief.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I heard her sing last night.\u00a0 You can\u2019t be telling me that the woman I heard singing was Shiloh Whitney\u2026Amos Whitney\u2019s daughter?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded.<\/p>\n Maguire leaned his chair back, looking away, letting the revelation sink in.\u00a0\u00a0 A slow smile took over his face.\u00a0 \u201cI have Isabella Whitney in my backyard in Virginia City.\u00a0 Do you have any idea what that means for the new opera house?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam raised his hands waving Tom down.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t get excited just yet.\u00a0 I had a heck of a time getting her to perform here.\u00a0 She hasn\u2019t made up her mind about making singing a career.\u00a0 That\u2019s one reason I wanted to talk to you.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 It was obvious to Adam that he had Tom\u2019s full attention when Tom sat up in his chair, boring a skeptical hole into him with his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI need you to promise me you won\u2019t tell anyone in Virginia City who she is.\u00a0 She doesn\u2019t want anyone there to know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy in the world would she want that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause she has the ranch and the horses, and she doesn\u2019t want to mix the two.\u00a0 She has her reasons.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, do you know what it would mean for the Virginia City opera house if Isabella Whitney sang for opening night?\u00a0 How am I supposed to let that go?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you pressure her you\u2019ll pretty much guarantee that she\u2019ll never sing for you again.\u201d<\/p>\n Maguire was silent for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cWell, if she does as well here as she apparently did in Boston, I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll be able to prevent Virginia City from finding out\u2026without any help from me.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam took a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cI know.\u201d\u00a0 He sat up, propping his arms on the desk.\u00a0 \u201cI also wanted to talk to you about Eliza Biscaccianti.\u00a0 I understood she was here in San Francisco, but I haven\u2019t been able to find her booked at any of the other opera houses.\u00a0 Do you know where she might be?\u201d<\/p>\n Maguire\u2019s expression turned grim.\u00a0 \u201cYou won\u2019t find her booked at all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not?\u201d asked Adam, surprised.<\/p>\n \u201cSan Francisco is full of opera singers.\u00a0 Signora Biscaccianti did very well here for a time after she returned from Europe, but as more opera houses were built and newer, younger talent arrived, she found her bookings dwindled until she just wasn\u2019t in demand any longer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI understand she\u2019s a remarkable singer.\u00a0 How could she be passed over?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThink about it, Adam.\u00a0 If you had already heard Signora Biscaccianti perform and had the opportunity to hear for the first time a new singer who was wildly popular in Europe or back east, who would you choose?\u00a0 They will certainly come to see Booth perform, but on his off days, they\u2019ll be just as anxious to hear Isabella Whitney for the first time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo, how do I find her?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy would you want to?\u201d Adam raised an eyebrow, looking at Tom impatiently.\u00a0 Maguire sat up at his desk, pulling a piece of paper out of a drawer then writing down an address.\u00a0 He slid the paper across to Adam, who picked it up, reading the address.<\/p>\n \u201cIsn\u2019t this a saloon?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe sings for drinks now.\u201d\u00a0 Adam\u2019s jaw dropped.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t look so shocked.\u00a0 We live fast in this city.\u00a0 No one stays on top for very long.\u00a0 Your Isabella has an advantage.\u00a0 She doesn\u2019t live here.\u00a0 The people of San Francisco won\u2019t have time to become bored with her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Tom,\u201d said Adam, rising from his chair, offering Maguire his hand, then leaving the opera house in search of Signora Biscaccianti.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Thirty-Four<\/b><\/p>\n Adam walked into the Cannery Row Gentlemen\u2019s Club, looking around first then making his way to the bar.\u00a0 He ordered a beer, and when the bartender returned, Adam said, \u201cI\u2019m looking for Eliza Biscaccianti.\u00a0 I\u2019d like to buy her a drink.\u201d<\/p>\n The bartender studied him then looked around him nodding at a well-dressed man sitting at a back table.\u00a0 \u201cHis name\u2019s Grainger,\u201d said the bartender.<\/p>\n Adam turned around, looking where the bartender had, picked up his beer and made his way over to the table.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Grainger?\u00a0\u00a0 Adam Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr. Grainger motioned for him to sit down.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you want, Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like to buy Signora Biscaccianti a drink.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do I get the feeling that\u2019s not all you want?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor the moment, that\u2019s it,\u201d said Adam, taking a long drink of his beer, looking back at Mr. Grainger with his best poker-face.<\/p>\n Grainger thought for a moment while searching for any break in Adam\u2019s comportment.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t see one.\u00a0 \u201cGo to the back table in the alcove\u2026behind the beaded curtain.\u00a0 Eliza will join you in a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam thought to himself.\u00a0 <i>Eliza\u2026he\u2019s more than familiar with her.<\/i>\u00a0 He knew he\u2019d have to watch Grainger and be careful not to look threatening or forward toward the lady.\u00a0 He waited for almost a half hour before she finally appeared, conservatively dressed with every hair in place, but obviously on the verge of drunkenness, if not there already.\u00a0 Adam stood when she brushed past the beads and offered her a chair, which the good lady practically fell into.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t sure talking to her in this state would be worth his time.\u00a0 He had no idea before his conversation with Maguire that Miss Biscaccianti had fallen out of favor with the San Francisco elite, and to see her in this state was saddening.<\/p>\n \u201cSignora Biscaccianti, my name is Adam Cartwright.\u201d\u00a0 She looked at him as if expecting something and lowered her eyes when the bartender came into the alcove right on cue.\u00a0 \u201cOh yes.\u00a0\u00a0 A bottle of your finest champagne for the lady.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked back up at him, with a half smile.\u00a0 \u201cI usually don\u2019t draw the attention of a man who can afford champagne.\u00a0 What would you like to hear?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam took notice of her voice, light, lilting\u2026young.\u00a0 Studying her face, he felt she couldn\u2019t be much older than he, the only feature that really showed age was her eyes though he was sure they were swollen from a lack of any meaningful sleep.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t come to hear you sing, though I think I would like to someday.\u201d<\/p>\n She harrumphed.\u00a0 \u201cThen we have nothing to discuss,\u201d she said as she began to rise from the chair at the same time the bottle of champagne arrived.<\/p>\n Adam quickly took the opened bottle.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d hate to have to drink this entire bottle alone,\u201d he said, pouring a glass.\u00a0\u00a0 After he filled his glass, he held the bottle hovering over the second glass, watching her watch the liquid stop.\u00a0 She looked up at him, licked her lips and nodded.\u00a0\u00a0 He poured the second glass.<\/p>\n \u201cSignora Biscaccianti, do you keep current with your profession.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMore or less,\u201d she said as she nursed her champagne, looking as if she hadn\u2019t tasted the quality of more a refined beverage in quite some time.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you know of Isabella Whitney?\u201d<\/p>\n She stopped drinking, putting the glass on the table in front of her, turning it round and round.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Cartwright, is it your purpose to torment me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know what you mean.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis Isabella Whitney and those like her are the very reason I am unable to obtain any bookings in this city.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Whitney has no idea what has happened to you, and I would be willing to bet that none of the newer singers know.\u00a0 I just found out myself earlier today.\u00a0 Miss Whitney and my friend, Edwin Booth, would be troubled by your plight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou know Edwin Booth?\u201d she asked, sitting up, meeting his eyes for the first time.\u00a0 Adam nodded.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you want from me, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Whitney\u2019s happiness is important to me.\u00a0 I\u2019ve known her since she was a child.\u00a0 She\u2019s very talented.\u201d\u00a0 He took a sip of champagne, looking up at her from underneath his brows.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s been compared to you,\u201d he said, waiting to see her reaction.<\/p>\n She raised her eyebrows.\u00a0\u00a0 She had heard many things about many new singers, but never had she heard that any of them had been compared to her.<\/p>\n Adam continued.\u00a0 \u201cMiss Whitney owns a ranch near Virginia City.\u00a0 She breeds and trains fine horses.\u00a0\u00a0 She\u2019s not sure she wants to perform, but is here mostly as a favor to Mr. Booth.\u00a0 She\u2019s also here to decide whether she wants to continue her singing career or be done with it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy are you telling me this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI would hate for her to make the decision to walk away from what looks like a promising career, and then regret it later.\u00a0 I think if she knew what to expect, how far her talent could take her, the decision would be much easier for her.\u201d<\/p>\n She laughed.\u00a0 \u201cLook around you, Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0\u00a0 This is where my career has left me.\u00a0 Is this want you want for her?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think this is the end of your career.\u00a0 I think you just need to pull yourself together.\u00a0 There are still people interested in hearing you sing.\u00a0 Me, for one.\u00a0 You don\u2019t have to stay in San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n Signora Biscaccianti looked away.\u00a0 Perhaps he was right.\u00a0 Perhaps, if she left San Francisco, she could revive her career.\u00a0 \u201cWhat would you have me do, Mr. Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cListen to her.\u00a0 Tell her if she is really as talented as has been said.\u00a0 Tell her what such a career would mean.\u00a0 She\u2019s been asked to go to Europe.\u00a0 Offer her some encouragement.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSurely you could tell her that if you know her so well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe doesn\u2019t trust me enough to listen to me.\u201d\u00a0 He bowed his head, looking at his drink.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve not heard her perform yet.\u00a0 I am relying on the word of Mr. Booth.\u201d<\/p>\n She sat up straight from the slump Adam assumed had become her standard posture in her seemingly constant inebriated state.\u00a0 Her eyes suddenly became clear and her speech crisp and certain.\u00a0 \u201cMr. Cartwright, if she\u2019s as good as I\u2019ve heard, I\u2019m afraid I can\u2019t tell her that Europe is the place for her to be.\u00a0 Europe has been saturated with opera for many, many years.\u00a0 It\u2019s very difficult for a singer, especially an American singer, to stand out in Europe.\u00a0 The only reason I can see that an American singer would go to Europe would be to continue her education, and I\u2019m afraid that a singer of Miss Whitney\u2019s purported talent would be wasting her time there.\u00a0 I understand she\u2019s trained under some of Europe\u2019s finest singers at Peabody.\u201d She shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, if she wants a truly outstanding career, she should stay in America where most cities are starving for good opera.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam sat back in his chair.\u00a0 That was not what he expected to hear.\u00a0 He thought that Shiloh walking away from a chance to sing in Europe would be unthinkable, and now this woman is telling him she most likely doesn\u2019t need to go.\u00a0 But, would she want to go for the experience?\u00a0 He had some thinking to do, and he had some time to do it before her tenure in San Francisco came to an end.\u00a0 He thanked Signora Biscaccianti for her time, left her the bottle of champagne, and excused himself.<\/p>\n She watched him leave, wondering if she would ever see him again\u2026wondering if she should go see Miss Whitney perform after all.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Thirty-Five<\/b><\/p>\n Then next morning, Adam met Edwin in the back of the opera hall again, while Shiloh sat at the front of the hall.\u00a0 The orchestra members were finding their places in the pit while Monsieur Rousset shuffled papers on his music stand.<\/p>\n \u201cHow did it end yesterday\u2026did you have to break them up?\u201d<\/p>\n Edwin laughed.\u00a0 \u201cIt did get a bit tense, but in the end, I think they mostly agreed.\u00a0 It will be interesting to see how things get played and how things get sung.\u00a0 Today, she\u2019s just taking notes.\u00a0 She won\u2019t discuss anything with him unless he specifically calls on her.\u00a0 She\u2019ll give him her thoughts after the orchestra has been dismissed for the evening.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen does she sing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMonsieur Rousset will ask her to sing when he believes the orchestra is playing a piece well enough to support her.\u00a0 Once he puts them together, the final adjustments will be made.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want to hear her rehearse.\u00a0 According to Annie, I should wait until a full performance to hear her for the first time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy good man, she\u2019s probably right.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think there\u2019s any danger of you hearing her practice with the orchestra today.\u00a0 But, you might be interested in her work with the singers for the plays.\u00a0 They\u2019ll be rehearsing in the other hall.\u201d\u00a0 Edwin excused himself and walked up to the front, whispering in Shiloh\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n She turned and smiled, getting up and walking to the back where she sat next to Adam. \u201cAdam, you really don\u2019t need to stay here all week. My week will be spent running from hall to hall.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do have business here, you know. Besides, I\u2019m enjoying watching you. I\u2019ve never seen this side of you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s because you\u2019ve never met Isabella,\u201d she teased. \u201cCome on, then. To the other hall.\u201d<\/p>\n When Adam and Shiloh entered the other hall, the singers were already gathering along with three pianists. Some of the singers were actors as well. Edwin would be in charge of them, but for anything regarding the music, they would be led by Shiloh. Edwin introduced her and motioned for her to speak.<\/p>\n When she had everyone\u2019s attention, she began. \u201cThe first thing we will discuss is our schedule. I believe all of you have seen one by now. You know how challenging it is. Therefore, you must be here on time, every time. If you aren\u2019t, you will likely be replaced with someone who can be on time. Now, does everyone have their sheet music?\u00a0 You should have scores for the entire first performance.\u201d<\/p>\n Edwin walked to the back of the hall and sat with Adam. \u201cEdwin, who is that stern woman on stage, and what have you done with Shiloh?\u201d<\/p>\n Edwin laughed. \u201cThat woman is Isabella, Adam, and she\u2019s showing them who\u2019s in charge. Most of those singers are older than her. And, she\u2019s right; we are on a tight schedule. They have to toe her line while learning their musical parts or she will send them away. Keep watching and you\u2019ll understand why I need her so desperately.\u201d<\/p>\n She waited until the noise from the shuffling of paper subsided, then continued. \u201cAlright.\u00a0 We are going to work on several plays at once, the best we can.\u00a0 I\u2019ve gone over the list of plays and the corresponding performers.\u00a0 When you hear your play, go where I indicate.\u201d\u00a0 She read the list of plays and pointed to various areas on the stage. Once everyone was in their assigned group, she continued.\u00a0 \u201cI have selected a lead for each of the plays. Will all of you step forward, please?\u00a0 If you have any questions about your parts, you will ask your play leader. I\u2019ve worked with these people before in Boston. They know most of the music you have in front of you and they know the sound I\u2019m looking for. We don\u2019t have any time to waste, so don\u2019t be giving them any trouble.\u00a0 There are three pianists, one for each set of plays.\u00a0 I want you to break up into groups please.\u201d\u00a0 She stepped up to the group that would be remaining on stage.\u00a0 \u201cEveryone else, go to opposite sides of the hall.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam turned to Edwin. \u201cSo, you\u2019re telling me you needed a drill sergeant?\u201d<\/p>\n Edwin smiled and patted Adam on the arm. \u201cKeep watching.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh began to go over the first piece with a group in the first play.\u00a0 She signaled the pianist to play and corrected the singers as they went through the number with her the first time, letting them sing on their own the second time. \u201cPlease remember to read the notations.\u00a0 Do you all read music?\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Everyone nodded.\u00a0 She signaled the pianist again and stepped back to listen. Before it was over, she had made any number of faces and hand gestures at the singers as she walked among them.\u00a0 By the time the singers had gotten to the last chorus, they were all laughing so hard they couldn\u2019t finish. Everyone in the hall had stopped to watch and joined in the laughter. Shiloh turned and stood in the center of the stage. \u201cI hope I have demonstrated the seriousness of our work. We have only three weeks before the first performance, and we will be learning through the second performance.\u00a0\u00a0 That means we have to learn the songs for twelve different plays, and you people who are also actors will be splitting your time between your acting and singing.\u00a0 Having said that, we would have no players if theatre was always so strict, so please, I\u2019m not going to be\u2026\u201c she raised her voice, glancing over at Adam, \u201da drill sergeant\u2026if you continue to work hard. We need you to be dedicated to this series. Everyone will stay and work until I come back to hear each group and release you for the evening.\u00a0 Tomorrow you\u2019ll have your acting schedule from Mr. Booth.\u201d\u00a0 She motioned for the play leaders to take over.<\/p>\n Adam leaned over toward Edwin and laughed. \u201cI see.\u201d<\/p>\n Edwin laughed. \u201cAnd she says she\u2019s not an actress.\u201d<\/p>\n The company again applauded when she left the stage making her way to the back of the opera hall where Edwin and Adam were seated.\u00a0 \u201cAre you ready to follow me around?\u201d she asked, looking at Adam.<\/p>\n He looked at Edwin with raised eyebrows.\u00a0 \u201cBelieve me, it will be insightful,\u201d said Edwin.<\/p>\n Adam accompanied Shiloh from one hall to the next for the duration of her work day, sitting in the back listening and watching.\u00a0 She was quiet and thoughtful with the orchestra, speaking only when spoken to, but with the singers, he was amazed at the transformation she made, from soft and sincere to hard and unmoving to funny and back as she worked with them. He enjoyed having the chance to listen to her play or sing the parts and appreciated the feeling that she put into each one.\u00a0 Shiloh at home would have never shown such behavior; she and Isabella were two very different personalities.\u00a0 When she had finished her final discussion with Monsieur Rousset and was making her final rounds to all the play groups, Edwin came in and sat with Adam in the back of the singer\u2019s hall. \u201cSo, what do you think about our Isabella, Adam?\u201d Edwin asked.<\/p>\n \u201cI think she\u2019s doing what she loves, Edwin. It\u2019s easy to see how passionate she is about it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, I think you will find that she is passionate about everything she does. Don\u2019t you see that in her ranching?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled, \u201cYes, I suppose I do.\u201d<\/p>\n When Shiloh sent the last group home, she walked over to Adam and Edwin. \u201cEdwin, I\u2019m done for the day.\u00a0 And I\u2019m hungry.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t leave for a while, Isabella. I\u2019m still dealing with sets. You two go ahead. I\u2019ll get something later at the hotel with Mary and Edwina.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs Mary feeling any better, Edwin?\u201d asked Shiloh.<\/p>\n \u201cShe says she\u2019s just tired.\u00a0 She\u2019s never travelled well.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure she\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGive her my love, won\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n Edwin and Adam rose, and Edwin kissed Shiloh\u2019s cheek and shook Adam\u2019s hand. He headed backstage, and Adam and Shiloh left for the hotel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Thirty-Six<\/b><\/p>\n \u201cAdam, I\u2019d like to change clothes before dinner. I\u2019ve been in this dress all day. I\u2019m a mess.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam walked her to her door. He moved a lock of hair out of her face and smiled. \u201cOh, I don\u2019t know. You\u2019re not so bad.\u201d He took the key from her, but the door was already unlocked.\u00a0 Pulling Shiloh behind him, he pushed the door open. There in the sitting room was Senator William Stewart.<\/p>\n Shiloh\u2019s jaw dropped. \u201cHow did you get in here?\u201d she said as she stepped into the room.<\/p>\n Adam followed her. \u201cWill?\u201d he said uneasily.<\/p>\n Will stood and held his hand out to Adam, who crossed his arms and glared.\u00a0 Will dropped his hand.\u00a0 \u201cThe door was unlocked, so I thought I would wait.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll have to make sure the door stays locked from now on,\u201d Adam said with annoyance.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, come now, Adam.\u00a0 I am still hoping Isabella will consent to be my wife,\u201d said Will, looking down at Shiloh.\u00a0 He stepped to her, pulled her close and bent to kiss her, but she turned her head and pushed away.<\/p>\n Adam cleared his throat. \u201cWill, that\u2019s enough.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam\u2026no, don\u2019t tell me. You\u2019ve taken up with her now,\u201d said Will, smiling.\u00a0 He let Shiloh go, and Adam pulled her back behind him.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you drunk?\u201d asked Adam, flaring his nostrils.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, maybe I have had a few more than I should have.\u00a0 But when a woman steals your heart\u2026and I mean [i]steals[\/i] your heart, well\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh walked away from the two men and stood by the fireplace rubbing her forehead. \u201cWill, I\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 I can\u2019t be what you want me to be.\u201d<\/p>\n He started toward her, and Adam stepped in front of him placing his hand on Will\u2019s chest. \u201cWhere are you staying, Will?\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cNot far.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen maybe I should walk you back to your hotel.\u201d<\/p>\n Will held his arms out to his sides in surrender. Adam placed a hand on his back and led him to the door.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, I\u2019ll be back in a few minutes. Lock the door behind me.\u201d\u00a0 She nodded as they left the room, walked to the door, locked it, and stared at the closed door, the feelings of guilt for breaking Will\u2019s heart rushing back.\u00a0 She slowly went into her room and began changing for dinner wondering if there was anything she could do to make it right.\u00a0 He could be ruining his career, and she felt responsible.<\/p>\n When Adam returned he knocked, and she opened the door. He stepped in, looking sternly at her. \u201cShiloh, do not open that door to anyone before you ask who it is,\u201d he scolded, creasing his eyebrows, making Shiloh draw back. \u201cMaybe someone should stay with you. I don\u2019t like the idea of you being here alone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have no intentions of becoming a prisoner in my hotel room. Besides, that was so unlike Will. I don\u2019t want you to think that he\u2019s that way. He\u2019s not. It\u2019s just the liquor talking.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t get a chance to find out. His staff was looking for him and took him away before I could talk to him.\u201d<\/p>\n After an awkward moment of silence, Shiloh smiled. \u201cI\u2019m still hungry.\u00a0 Can we just have a nice quiet dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled back and relaxed. \u201cI know the perfect restaurant.\u201d<\/p>\n The hotel bellman called a carriage, and Adam and Shiloh climbed in. \u201cDriver, Powell Street, please,\u201d directed Adam as he pulled the carriage blanket up and over their laps.<\/p>\n As they rode through the city, Adam pointed out all the sites and the architectural detail of the buildings. He watched her as she traced the lines and curves of their facades in the air. When they arrived at Powell Street Adam asked the driver to drop them at the corner of Greenwich. He helped Shiloh out of the carriage, wrapped her arm over his and walked her down the street to the restaurant. \u201cMr. Cartwright, it is good to see you again,\u201d said the Maitre d\u2019. \u201cTable for two?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOcean side, please,\u201d Adam requested. When they were seated at the table, he ordered for them both.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, they know you here.\u00a0 You must come here often.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is my favorite restaurant in San Francisco. I come here whenever I\u2019m in town.\u201d He nodded toward the window.\u00a0 \u201cIt has one of the best views in the city.\u201d\u00a0 From their table they could see the ships in the harbor and beyond the ships orange and yellow from the setting sun danced across the ripples of the ocean water.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is different. I\u2019ve never seen you like this before.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d he asked as he poured a glass of wine for her.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve only seen you on a horse cutting cattle or mending fences or breaking horses in your boots and your chaps and your gun belt. You actually fit in the city quite well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLook who\u2019s talking,\u201d he laughed. \u201cI haven\u2019t seen you in anything but a dress since you\u2019ve been here.<\/p>\n You\u2019re among people, besides Cartwrights and ranch hands, and you\u2019re enjoying yourself.\u00a0\u00a0 Talk about a completely different side.\u201d\u00a0 He looked up at her from under his eyebrows. \u201cIsabella.\u00a0 Who came up with Isabella?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201dOh, that was Miss Anderson. She said that Shiloh was too frontier for New York society.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe didn\u2019t really say that, did she?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot in so many words. What she said was\u2026\u201d she straightened and spoke in a matronly falsetto, \u201cShiloh is neither memorable nor impressive.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam laughed with wide eyes at her imitation of Miss Anderson. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t exactly say that,\u201d he said through his laughter.\u00a0 \u201cSo, where did she get Isabella?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201dIsabella is my middle name.\u00a0 Shiloh Isabella Whitney.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, so it\u2019s not something someone just made up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u00a0 And I really can\u2019t complain about her choosing it.\u00a0 It does afford me a bit of privacy, however fleeting that might be.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 She looked up at him.\u00a0 \u201cDid you know my father\u2019s family is Jewish?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHis name was Amos Abraham Weiss.\u00a0 He changed it to Whitney a short time before he married my mother, who was not Jewish.\u00a0 He adopted Christian beliefs, and his family\u2026well, let\u2019s just say they were estranged.\u00a0 Anyway, my mother named us Shiloh and Micah to keep some of his traditions.\u00a0 Both names are Hebrew.\u00a0 My middle name came from Mama\u2019s side of the family\u2026the first born girls were always named some form of Isabella, my mother being Belle, and her mother, Bella.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam watched her for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t imagine why you didn\u2019t want to do this.\u00a0 You\u2019re very good at it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not so much the occasional work that I dislike, but I don\u2019t want to do this all the time.\u00a0 I love the ranch and the freedom I have there\u2026at least when you\u2019re not picking on me.\u201d<\/p>\n The waiter delivered dinner to their table.\u00a0 Shiloh looked at her plate, then back at Adam. \u201cThis looks\u2026uh\u2026interesting.\u00a0 What is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t ask; just try it,\u201d he said, watching her, anticipating her reaction.<\/p>\n She glanced at him as she studied her plate. \u201cIf I weren\u2019t such a daring soul, I might starve tonight.\u201d\u00a0 She took a bite, and her whole face lit up.<\/p>\n \u201cThere now, just enjoy it,\u201d he laughed.\u00a0 He watched her for another moment, smiling at the delight he saw on her face.<\/p>\n She looked up and quickly looked away when she caught him watching her.\u00a0 Feeling the weight of his stare, she stopped eating, took a drink and cleared her throat.\u00a0 \u201cWhy do you pick on me?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam leaned back in his chair, sipping his wine, answering calmly, \u201cI don\u2019t pick on you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you call it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not going to fight, are we?\u201d he asked, slightly creasing his brow.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not trying to pick a fight.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam stopped eating. \u201cI made promises.\u00a0 I\u2019m only doing what I promised your father I would.\u00a0 He loved you. He was concerned about leaving you alone.\u201d\u00a0 Shiloh\u2019s face saddened, and she looked out the window.\u00a0 He reached across the table and held her hand. \u201cHey,\u201d he said softly. Why don\u2019t we talk about something else?\u201d They ate in silence for a few minutes.<\/p>\n Shiloh looked down at her plate pushing her food around with her fork and said quietly, \u201cWhen are you going back to the Ponderosa?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be here through the end of next week. I have to drop that bid off before I leave. I\u2019ll be back for your final performance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAbout that bid; I\u2019ve decided to enter one of my own. I\u2019ll have to prepare it, and Edwin wants me to write another song for one of the plays in the second set of performances, so I\u2019ll be working late for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you want some help?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the score?\u201d she asked, feigning innocence.<\/p>\n \u201cUh, no. With the bid.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh laughed. \u201cWouldn\u2019t that be a conflict of interest?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cProbably, but I can, at least, tell you what to expect when you go in to present it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d do that? I mean, I am the competition.\u201d<\/p>\n He smiled as he placed his napkin on the table. \u201cYes, I would do that.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam motioned for the Maitre d\u2019. \u201cLet me take care of this, and we\u2019ll be on our way.\u201d\u00a0 He whispered something to the host and placed folded money in his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright, thank you. It has been a pleasure to serve you and your lovely lady.\u201d Shiloh looked at Adam wide-eyed.\u00a0 He grinned and winked at her.<\/p>\n Taking her hand, he led her through the restaurant back to the sidewalk. Once again, he wrapped her arm over his, holding her hand, and they walked back toward Greenwich and beyond. \u201cThere\u2019s one more place I want to take you.\u201d<\/p>\n He opened the door to a small confectionery shop and guided her in. She stopped just inside, closed her eyes and took a deep breath then turned to look at him.\u00a0 He thought the gleam in her eyes would light up the entire room. \u201cChocolate!\u201d she exclaimed.<\/p>\n \u201cThat smile just made my evening,\u201d he laughed as he purchased a box of confections for her. He called a carriage and told the driver to take the long way back to their hotel so that Shiloh could see more of San Francisco. When they arrived, Annie was back at the suite, so Adam followed Shiloh in.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re back,\u201d said Shiloh.\u00a0 \u201cI missed you today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been arranging for a permanent apartment.\u00a0 Where have you two been all evening?\u201d asked Annie.<\/p>\n \u201cDinner.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDinner? For four hours? Really?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, stop it. He showed me around the city, we had dinner and then\u2026\u201d\u00a0 She showed Annie the box of chocolates.\u00a0 \u201cHe indulged my sweet tooth.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLadies, I don\u2019t think I can handle the two of you talking about our evening, so I will say good night.\u201d He went to the door, waved good night and left, then immediately reopened the door, looking in with raised eyebrows. \u201cLock it,\u201d he said, disappearing for the night.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Thirty-Seven<\/b><\/p>\n The next week remained as hectic for Shiloh as the first day. The company started early, worked through the weekend and sometimes ended very late. Adam took some time to show Annie the city and then helped her move into her new apartment.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t gotten much more than a passing \u201cHello\u201d from Shiloh the entire week.<\/p>\n The night before the land bid was due Shiloh ended rehearsals early, ordered dinner in her room and settled in to work on her bid. She was interrupted by a knock at the door. \u201cWho is it?\u201d she called.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam.\u201d<\/p>\n She unlocked the door. \u201cAdam, hello.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs your bid ready?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot yet,\u201d she said twisting her lips, opening the door wide and pointing to the wads of paper in the floor.<\/p>\n \u201cShall we talk?\u201d he asked, smirking.<\/p>\n \u201cCome in.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s stance became rigid as he cocked his head to one side.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, we should do this somewhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n She stepped into the hall, looked around, then grabbed his arm and pulled him in. \u201cNo one will ever know.\u201d\u00a0 Closing the door, she cringed, seeing his disapproving frown.\u00a0 \u201cBesides, I really don\u2019t feel like going out tonight.\u00a0 Have you had dinner?\u201d she asked, hoping he wouldn\u2019t find it too awkward to stay.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. I thought we might be discussing this over dinner,\u201d he said, looking at her from underneath his eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a very good idea. I ordered enough food for an army,\u201d she said as she removed the covers from the serving dishes on the round table in the middle of the room. I thought it would be a long night, and I wasn\u2019t sure what I wanted, so\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Adam walked over to the table, smiling when he saw all the different dishes. \u201cDo you do this very often?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI used to do this back east, but I don\u2019t seem to do it much here.\u00a0 Maybe it\u2019s the schedule I keep while getting ready for a performance.\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ve also been known to do this when I\u2019m working on something I\u2019m not looking forward to.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam poured himself a cup of coffee, picked up a fried chicken leg and took a bite. \u201cIf you\u2019re not looking forward to it, why bother?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I want the land.\u00a0 It would double the size of the Flying W.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh, why do you want to expand the Flying W? You have the horses. I would have thought you would be expanding that, not increasing your land holdings.\u201d<\/p>\n Breathing deeply, she answered, \u201cBecause at some point, I\u2019d like to get married and have children.\u00a0 That\u2019s if I can find a man who\u2019s willing to put up with me,\u201d she said, biting her lip.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI do hope that one day I will.\u00a0 And I\u2019d like to leave something for my children and grandchildren.\u201d\u00a0 As she spoke, she took the chicken leg away from him, handing him a napkin, placing the chicken on a plate, and then handing him the plate.\u00a0 \u201cLike your father leaving the Ponderosa to you and Joe and Hoss one day.\u201d\u00a0 She prepared a plate of peppered beef, carrots, and potatoes, took a napkin from the table, and walked to the sofa, sitting down with her leg folded underneath her.\u00a0 Adam cocked his head and raised one eyebrow, causing her to huff and roll her eyes as she moved her leg out from under her. \u201cI know\u2026it\u2019s not very lady-like.\u201d\u00a0 She settled in with her dinner, and patted the sofa cushion next to her, beckoning him to join her. Adam finished preparing his plate and complied.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat part of the process are you having trouble with?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019ve estimated the amount of timber and split that between soft and hard woods. And I tried to do some homework several weeks ago. I tried to find what the surrounding property sold for, and I found as much information as I could on any recent timber contracts.\u201d She glanced sideways at him. \u201cThere wasn\u2019t much public information about that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone that\u2019s bidding on this land will do the same research you\u2019re doing. Your problem is that everyone that\u2019s bidding has timber history of their own. They\u2019re looking at their own records; which bids won and which bids didn\u2019t. The other thing that\u2019s going against you is that you have no reputation in the timber business. You\u2019re an unknown. So, the likelihood that you\u2019re going to get any contracts soon is small. The seller knows that the land is timber rich.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen why wouldn\u2019t the seller just sell the timber?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause the owner is a speculator or an estate. The property was either purchased to make a profit on the sale of it at a later date or it\u2019s part of a deceased person\u2019s estate. A speculator\u2019s not in the timber business and doesn\u2019t want to be.\u00a0 An estate wants to liquidate as quickly as possible. You\u2019re a small ranch compared to those that are bidding. You can\u2019t match the larger ranches.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut if I\u2019m the highest bidder\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Adam interrupted her. \u201cShiloh, it\u2019s not just the bid. It\u2019s the deal. In order to win the bid, you don\u2019t necessarily have to have the highest initial bid. You have to offer the better deal with the timber. How\u2019s your peppered beef?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s very good.\u00a0 You should try it.\u201d\u00a0 They both got up and went to the table.\u00a0 \u201cDo you want to try the veal?\u201d she asked, moving the serving dish next to his plate.<\/p>\n After they were seated again on the sofa, Shiloh returned to the bid conversation.\u00a0 \u201cAlright, so it\u2019s the deal. You\u2019re saying that making a deal with me is more risky for the buyer because it would involve selling the timber, and that would be harder for me because I have no reputation in the timber business.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, that\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo, I need to offer a better deal\u2026and I need an advantage because I have no experience.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam had taken a bite of an apple dumpling. \u201cThis is good. You should try this.\u201d<\/p>\n She took a bite from her plate.\u00a0 \u201cMm. That is good\u2026brandy sauce,\u201d she said, licking her lips.\u00a0 Then she laid her head back on the back of the sofa. Adam watched her talk to herself, her eyes moving to different spots on the ceiling. He could only imagine what was going on in that head of hers. \u201cAlright,\u201d she said raising her head. \u201cI know what I\u2019m going to do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow, tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy would I tell you?\u00a0 You\u2019re my competition.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m also the ranch trustee, and I have to make sure you don\u2019t get the ranch in financial trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at him doubtfully.\u00a0 \u201cDo you honestly think I have any chance of winning this bid?\u201d<\/p>\n He smiled apologetically. \u201cHonestly, no,\u201d he said, letting the subject drop.\u00a0 He stood up and placed his empty plate on the table. \u201cGlad I could help, though.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh walked him to the door, leaned against the side of it and smiled, \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re welcome,\u201d he said, smiling back. \u201cGood night.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to leave, and then turned back and winked at her. \u201cLock the door.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Thirty-Eight<\/b><\/p>\n The next morning, Shiloh started the rehearsal, then left Edwin and her principles in charge while she went to place her bid.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t feel she had to spend time with the orchestra. She had heard everything multiple times and Monsieur Rousset had asked her to be prepared to sing the following day. She rushed back to her hotel room and began going through her closet looking for the perfect dress. She had thought she would need a more business-like ensemble, but after her session with Adam last night, she decided that her femininity would be her edge. She picked out a light yellow, frilly dress decorated with small purple and white flowers. The neckline was tastefully low, and the matching hat was understated when sitting on top of the dark, auburn curls she had swept up on her head. She had just pinched her cheeks when Adam knocked at the door. \u201cAdam, I\u2019m almost ready. I just have to get my portfolio.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam watched her as she ran around the sitting room looking for the portfolio, and a slow smile crept over his lips. When she returned to the door, he stood smiling at her, making her blush. \u201cWhat?\u201d she asked timidly.<\/p>\n \u201cYou look so\u2026sweet,\u201d he answered. What he wanted to say was that she was the image of an angel, with her rosy cheeks, her radiant smile and her innocent air. He remembered how comfortable he felt with her last evening, and now, standing in front of her again looking like she did, he began to question what he was really feeling.<\/p>\n They shared a carriage to the sellers\u2019 attorney\u2019s office, having appointments close together. Adam was called into the office first and stayed for a half hour. He was followed by another waiting gentleman, who only stayed a few minutes.\u00a0 Shiloh\u2019s name was called next. When she entered the office, she was guided into another office where she was introduced to the land owner\u2019s representative, a Mr. Frederick Stanton, who got directly down to business.<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Whitney, I have to tell you that I almost cancelled your appointment for this bid. I really don\u2019t see you winning it and thought this would be a waste of time for both of us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat changed your mind, Mr. Stanton?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s just say I was intrigued.\u00a0\u00a0 You are representing the Flying W ranch.\u00a0 Are you the daughter of Amos Whitney?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, as a matter of fact, I am.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I\u2019ve purchased several horses from your father. Fine animals. You have my sincerest sympathy, my dear.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Mr. Stanton. The Flying W continues to breed and train in the same tradition as my father.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour father mentioned he had a daughter back east in college.\u00a0 So, you\u2019ve come home to continue your father\u2019s business?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201dI remember a specific horse; a tall, black stallion Amos was training.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat would be Maximilian.\u00a0 Max is still there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBeautiful animal,\u201d he said, studying her for a moment. \u201cYou look familiar, young lady. Have we met?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, sir, I don\u2019t believe we have.\u201d<\/p>\n He continued to study her and stood up. \u201cI believe I have been introduced to you\u2026on a stage in Boston.\u201d Shiloh stiffened in her chair, but said nothing. \u201cYou\u2019re not in San Francisco just for this bid, are you Miss Whitney?\u201d She looked down at her hands. Mr. Stanton seated himself again. \u201cWell, I never imagined that I would ever have the opportunity to have a conversation with Isabella Whitney.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Stanton, I\u2019m not here as Isabella Whitney. I\u2019m here as a ranch owner who is interested in purchasing land.\u201d She handed him her portfolio. \u201cI\u2019m too young to have much practical business experience, however, Miss Anderson, the Headmistress at Vassar and my mentor, ensured that my business education was as thorough as any man\u2019s, if not more so because I am a woman. If you\u2019ll look at my proposal, the introduction shows how I determined those figures.\u201d Shiloh rose and went to the desk, leaning toward him as she went through the bid. \u201cSo, Mr. Stanton, my initial bid is lower. However, with the seller receiving fifty percent of the first five timber contracts minus the cost to cut and move it, he will more than make up for the lower initial bid.\u00a0 As for the risks, I\u2019m a quick study, and I have the resources to find whatever help I\u2019ll need. That should outweigh the normal ten to twenty-five percent you would receive on fewer timber contracts in any of the other bids. The only difference that remains is whether you decide to trust me.\u201d She leaned back away from him, giving him her sweetest smile.<\/p>\n Mr. Stanton leaned back in his chair, removing his glasses and holding the end of one sidearm in his mouth. \u201cMiss Whitney, I\u2019m impressed. You\u2019ve obviously done your homework.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Mr. Stanton,\u201d she said, smiling.<\/p>\n Standing, Mr. Stanton said, \u201cI believe I have everything I need. If I have any questions, where may I contact you?\u201d\u00a0 Shiloh stood with him and told him where she was staying as she made her way to the door.<\/p>\n \u201cOh, and Mr. Stanton, I would like to invite you to my closing performance at Maguire\u2019s. I\u2019ll have a pair of tickets waiting for you at the opera hall.\u201d Not wanting this to sound like a bribe, she added, \u201cWhether I win this bid or not.\u201d<\/p>\n When Shiloh left Mr. Stanton\u2019s office, she and Adam took a carriage back to the hotel. \u201cIt\u2019s almost lunch time. Would you like to have lunch with me?\u201d asked Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cI really need to get back to rehearsal.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam took her hand and guided her toward the restaurant at the hotel. \u201cWhat you need is to eat. You can\u2019t keep up that pace if you don\u2019t eat.\u201d<\/p>\n She stopped and crossed her arms. \u201cAdam, I don\u2019t need a nursemaid.\u201d<\/p>\n He stood in front of her, looking into her eyes, imploring her, \u201cPlease,\u201d he said, smiling slightly. When Shiloh saw the look in his eyes her tenacity left her. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.\u00a0 Adam smiled warmly and gestured for her hand. She complied, and he led her into the restaurant.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I\u2019ll just have a sandwich\u2026with some potato salad,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll order two.\u201d<\/p>\n When their food arrived, Shiloh immediately bit into the sandwich. \u201cAdam, I don\u2019t want to appear rude, but I do need to get back to rehearsal.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI understand.\u201d He watched her for a moment. \u201cYou stayed in Mr. Stanton\u2019s office a long time.\u00a0 How\u2019d it go?\u201d Shiloh ignored the question hoping he\u2019d move on and took another bite. \u201cShiloh, the bid; how\u2019d it go?\u201d<\/p>\n She paused and took a drink.\u00a0 \u201cI think it went fine. He knew my father. He had purchased horses from him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou talked about horses?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSome.\u00a0 But, I went through my proposal with him line by line.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019d he say?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAren\u2019t you going to eat?\u201d she asked, looking down at his untouched sandwich then back up at him. \u201cHe said he was impressed, that he thought that I had done my homework and that he\u2019d be in touch.\u00a0 What did he say to you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, he knew the Cartwright name and the Ponderosa, and he knew that we have experience with timber. It seemed like he was hinting that the land was ours.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d she asked, smiling.<\/p>\n With lunch finished they went their separate ways. Shiloh changed and went to rehearsal. Adam went to the telegraph office.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Thirty-Nine<\/b><\/p>\n When Adam returned to the hotel, the clerk told him that Senator Stewart was waiting for him in the saloon. Adam walked in, spotted the Senator, and walked over to his table. \u201cWill, are you feeling better this evening?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, thank you for seeing me,\u201d said Will, standing and offering his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy wouldn\u2019t I see you?\u201d Adam said as they shook hands firmly.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause of my improper behavior in Isabella\u2019s room.\u00a0 I know you found it\u2026disrespectful.\u201d Will busied himself pouring Adam a drink.<\/p>\n \u201cI can assure you she felt worse than I did,\u201d Adam replied, raising the glass in thanks before he took a sip.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope to rectify that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure she\u2019d appreciate that, though I think you need to give up on the possibility that she\u2019ll leave the ranch.\u00a0 She loves it there.\u00a0 It\u2019s her home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSpeaking of the ranch, how\u2019s ranching really treating you?\u00a0 I would have thought by now that we would have heard about all the wonderful buildings you\u2019ve designed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you know how long you\u2019ll be in San Francisco?\u201d<\/p>\n Will studied him for a long moment. \u201cProbably only a few more weeks if things continue to go well at Fort Alcatraz.\u00a0 We\u2019ve been able to stop some of the arms thefts.\u201d\u00a0 He took a drink of whiskey. \u201cI was hoping you could do me a favor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat depends,\u201d said Adam flatly.<\/p>\n \u201cI would like to apologize to Isabella, but she\u2019s either sequestered at the opera hall or she\u2019s locked in her room. I guess she told Edwin about my visit.\u00a0 He has someone escorting her between the opera hall and the hotel now.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam creased his eyebrows. \u201cWhat do you want me to do?\u201d he asked guardedly.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d like you to chaperone a meeting so that I can properly apologize without anyone questioning her integrity.\u00a0 I feel like such an idiot, and I do want her to know that I would never intentionally embarrass her like that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll have to find out what her schedule is and how late she\u2019s working. Edwin\u2019s been keeping her busy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m staying at the Fairmont,\u201d said Will as he finished his drink. \u201cJust let me know when.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs tonight too soon?\u201d asked Adam, looking past Will toward the entrance to the saloon.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, but it\u2019s already evening, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe just walked by going toward her room. I\u2019ll go catch her and ask. Wait here,\u201d he said, hoping to get this over with as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n Adam strode quickly out of the saloon and caught Shiloh half way up the stairs with her escort. \u201cShiloh, excuse me.\u201d<\/p>\n When the escort moved between them, Shiloh put a hand on his arm. \u201cIt\u2019s alright, Daniel. This is Mr. Cartwright,\u201d she said, looking curiously at Adam. The escort nodded to Adam and stepped aside.<\/p>\n \u201cWill\u2019s in the saloon. He\u2019d like to apologize to you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs he sober?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, he\u2019s himself again. He asked me to chaperone. Seems he\u2019s trying to protect your virtue,\u201d he said, smiling.<\/p>\n Shiloh pursed her lips. She was tired, but she hadn\u2019t had supper yet, and she needed to do some apologizing of her own. \u201cAdam, can you get us a private table in the restaurant and wait for me there? I\u2019d like to freshen up a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n Still smiling, Adam bowed. \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d\u00a0 She giggled as she turned to go up the stairs.<\/p>\n When Shiloh came back down, Adam suggested he replace Daniel as Shiloh\u2019s escort for the evening.\u00a0 Without waiting for an answer, Adam offered her his arm and led her toward the restaurant.<\/p>\n When they reached Senator Stewart\u2019s table, Will stood up with a smile. \u201cIsabella\u2026\u201d He took her hand, raised it to his lips and waited until Adam seated her before taking the chair on her right. Adam settled into the chair on her left.<\/p>\n \u201cGentlemen, I\u2019m too tired to be formal, so, can we order first and then talk?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n Will requested a bottle of wine, and when it arrived at the table, he poured three glasses. He lifted his glass. \u201cA toast\u2026to understanding friends.\u201d<\/p>\n Smiling wearily, Shiloh touched his glass. \u201cWill, Adam told me you wanted to apologize, but I\u2019d actually like to apologize to you first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIsabella, you don\u2019t\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease\u2026wait,\u201d she interrupted.\u00a0 \u201cYes, I do. I never meant to hurt you, Will.\u00a0 I just don\u2019t think I was prepared for all the changes\u2026I got swept up in a fairy tale and you were right in the middle of it. I had never intended to marry that soon or stay in Boston, and when you proposed, I\u2026well, at least part of me knew I would say no. I shouldn\u2019t have allowed you to get your hopes up. For that, I\u2019m very sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n Will took her hand. \u201cIsabella, it\u2019s not your fault. I knew what was happening to you. I should have known so much so soon would have been too much. You were just so\u2026alive. I wanted your spark in my otherwise mundane world of politics. It is I who should be apologizing to you.\u00a0 And I do.\u00a0 And for my unforgivable behavior in your suite.\u201d\u00a0 He leaned over and kissed her cheek.<\/p>\n She smiled, looking into his eyes. \u201cCan we put this behind us now, once and for all?\u201d<\/p>\n Their dinner was served, and the three spent the evening talking about their college years, most of which, Adam and Will hinted at and refused to discuss. \u201cBut Adam, there was one girl, Professor Woodward\u2019s daughter I believe,\u201d began Will.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t you start that one,\u201d Adam laughed, shifting uncomfortably in his chair.<\/p>\n Shiloh leaned forward. \u201cOh, come now. This just isn\u2019t fair. Will, you have been sitting there telling Adam about my escapades all evening. I should be allowed to hear at least one of yours, Adam,\u201d she complained.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright, I\u2019ll tell you,\u201d answered Will, smiling mischievously.<\/p>\n Adam sat up straight in his chair.\u00a0 \u201cWill, she doesn\u2019t need to hear this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam here had snuck into Lilly Woodward\u2019s bedroom by climbing the trellis.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh was now looking at Adam with her bottom lip sucked in and expectation in her eyes.<\/p>\n Adam cut his eyes toward her, straight-faced. <i>I threw a pebble at her window, and she came down and unlocked the front door.<\/i><\/p>\n Will continued, \u201cWhat Adam didn\u2019t know was that Professor Woodward was already aware that he\u2019d been sneaking in to see Lilly and had her swap rooms with one of the maids.\u00a0 It was dark when he got to her bedroom, and he didn\u2019t know the switch had been made until the maid got a bit amorous.\u201d<\/p>\n <i>The maid caught Lilly and me kissing in the study.<\/i><\/p>\n Shiloh was already laughing.<\/p>\n \u201cHe panicked somewhat, running into the hall, and a chase ensued through the entire house. It was finally the maid in an embarrassing state of undress who brought him down five feet from the front door.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam\u2019s nostrils flared.\u00a0 <i>In my rush to get to the door, I accidently stepped on the hem of her skirt, tearing her dress and tripping her.<\/i><\/p>\n \u201cThen Professor Woodward came in with his dogs, and when he opened the door, Adam flew out with the dogs nipping at his heels. I hear tell Adam looked completely mortified.\u201d<\/p>\n By now, Adam\u2019s teeth were clenched, working the muscles in his jaw.\u00a0 <i>When Professor Woodward came in from walking the dogs, one of the dogs started tugging at the bottom of my trousers and tripped me.\u00a0 I ended up on the floor with the maid.<\/i><\/p>\n Shiloh, noticing Adam\u2019s expression, covered her mouth with her hand trying unsuccessfully to hide her laughter.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe Professor Woodward\u2019s was the only unsatisfactory grade you received that semester,\u201d Will concluded, laughing.<\/p>\n Snorting softly, Adam took a sip of his coffee.\u00a0 <i>I didn\u2019t have any unsatisfactory grades\u2026ever. Professor Woodward and I reached\u2026an understanding.<\/i><\/p>\n Shiloh tried to contain herself, but one more quiet snicker escaped.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I\u2019m sorry.\u00a0 You\u2019re secret is safe with me,\u201d she said, patting his hand.<\/p>\n Adam frowned at her briefly before turning to glare at Will.\u00a0 “Miss Whitney had no business having to listen to such hearsay.\u201d\u00a0 <i>You think I\u2019m in your way.<\/i> \u201cAnd you\u2026Isabella\u2026you know quite well that a lady should not have encouraged him,\u201d he added in a matter-of-fact tone.\u201d\u00a0 <i>You have more problems with Will than you know.<\/i><\/p>\n Her mouth dropped open slightly at the word \u2018hearsay\u2019. Perhaps Will\u2019s version had been handed down too many times.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I have an early morning, so I will say good night,\u201d she said quietly, unable to look Adam in the eye.\u00a0 They stood, and as Will hugged her, she asked halfheartedly, \u201cWill you be at my last performance, Will?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t miss it,\u201d he smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, it\u2019s been good to see you,\u201d he said, reaching for Adam\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n Adam placed his hand on the back of Shiloh\u2019s chair as she rose. \u201cIt\u2019s been\u2026interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n As they walked toward Shiloh\u2019s room, she said, \u201cAdam, I want to thank you. Even in your aggravated state, you had the presence of mind to call me Isabella.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh, that conversation was not suitable for a young lady\u2019s ears.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone has embarrassing stories from their past.\u201d\u00a0 She stepped toward him, drawing her index finger and thumb down the crease of his jacket lapel.\u00a0 \u201cBesides, I have no doubt that story was embellished.\u00a0 I don\u2019t remember you ever being that reckless as a young man.\u00a0 Will probably thinks he has something at stake.\u201d<\/p>\n He changed the subject, unwilling to continue the discussion. \u201cI\u2019m heading back to the Ponderosa tomorrow. I\u2019ll be on the morning steamer to Sacramento.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPlease, come by when you\u2019re ready to leave. I\u2019d like to see you off,\u201d said Shiloh, allowing him to let the conversation drop.<\/p>\n Adam unlocked her door.\u00a0 \u201cGood night.\u00a0 Lock the door behind you.\u201d She stepped in, and before he pulled the door closed, she said, \u201cAdam, I would never repeat that story to anyone.\u201d\u00a0 After he closed the door, Shiloh stood on the other side tempted to go back out in the hall and say something to him\u2026but what?\u00a0 She let it go and went to bed.<\/p>\n The following morning as they walked silently together to Adam\u2019s carriage, Shiloh ventured, \u201cAdam, are you still angry with me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was never angry with you, Shiloh.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut, you don\u2019t approve of my <i>unladylike<\/i> behavior last night, as you call it.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked over her head then looked back down at her, slightly cocking his head as he spoke. \u201cNo, I don\u2019t,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n She looked up at him as straight-faced as she ever had, speaking in a quiet but firm voice. \u201cI don\u2019t appreciate that sort of attitude.\u00a0 Who defined what appropriate behavior should be for a woman? Who decided that women are too fragile to handle things that men do or that education would drive them insane?\u00a0 Who decided that a decent woman couldn\u2019t go into a saloon and have a cold beer on a hot day? The answer is a man, Adam. When will women be allowed to start speaking and thinking for themselves?\u201d<\/p>\n He simply bent down and kissed her forehead, his face expressionless. \u201cI\u2019ll see you in a few weeks,\u201d he said as he stepped up into the carriage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Forty<\/b><\/p>\n When Adam arrived in Sacramento, he boarded the next stagecoach to Virginia City.\u00a0 After a bumpy four day ride, he got home just in time for dinner.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, anything interesting happen this trip?\u201d Ben asked.<\/p>\n Adam glanced up at his father. \u201cDid you get my wire?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, you said it looks like we\u2019re going to win the land bid.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Stanton seemed to be favorable to us,\u201d said Adam, taking a sip of coffee.<\/p>\n \u201cHow \u2018s Shiloh doing?\u201d asked Joe.<\/p>\n Adam huffed. \u201cShe\u2019s fine Joe. But, she\u2019s not the Shiloh you know. She\u2019s Isabella\u2026quite a different woman.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, Adam. She can\u2019t be that different.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoe, I watched her organize a whole group of singers, terrify them, and then put them at ease all in the space of a few minutes. She played, she sang, and she told everyone else how to play and sing, and she had them laughing and enjoying it all the while.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHm.\u00a0 She\u2019s never been that sociable here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, she hasn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, is something bothering you?\u201d asked Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, nothing\u2019s bothering me,\u201d he said, shifting in his chair. He stopped mid-bite slightly waving his fork. \u201cShe gave me a lot to think about, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat does she have you thinkin\u2019 about, Older Brother?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/p>\n \u201cWomen,\u201d he answered.<\/p>\n Joe giggled. \u201cThat\u2019s not such a terrible thing to be thinking about.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam cocked his head and shot a quick glance at Joe. \u201cI\u2019ll rephrase that for you, Joe. Women\u2019s rights.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben looked up from his plate. \u201cOh no. That\u2019s not gotten out here has it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, Shiloh and Annie are walking, talking, women\u2019s rights activists.\u00a0 Lucy Stone actually helped Annie get a job in San Francisco.\u00a0 And Will Stewart is one of their advocates back east.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben grunted, but said nothing.<\/p>\n The following week, a telegram arrived in Virginia City for Adam. Hoss picked it up, and took it home. At the same time, a note was delivered to Shiloh during rehearsals at the opera hall in San Francisco.<\/p>\n Adam was in the living room reading the newspaper when Hoss came in with the telegram. \u201cAdam, this was at the telegraph office for ya,\u201d said Hoss, handing Adam an envelope.<\/p>\n He opened the envelope, and unfolded the piece of paper. \u201cIt\u2019s from Mr. Stanton about the land bid.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben was sitting in the leather chair beside the hearth of the fireplace. \u201cWell, Son, read it.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam began to read. \u201cMr. Cartwright, thank you for your bid, however, we have decided to accept another offer. Regards, Mr. Frederick Stanton.\u201d\u00a0 Adam looked puzzled. \u201cI was sure we had it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell,\u201d Ben chuckled. \u201cI guess someone made a better offer.\u201d He sat for a moment, shaking his head before he went back to his newspaper.<\/p>\n Back in San Francisco, Shiloh took a break to open the note she received. After she read it, she folded it, placed it in the bodice of her dress, and went back to work.\u00a0 Shiloh had been depositing any money coming in from horse sales into a new account in her name at the bank.\u00a0 The day after she received the note, she met Mr. Stanton at the bank, and made arrangements to transfer the funds for the land.<\/p>\n Shiloh had been preparing a song for San Francisco\u2019s Concert at the Presidio where singers and musicians from the area\u2019s opera houses would be performing on the parade grounds.\u00a0 The event was free to the public and was hosted by all the opera house owners as an opening peek at their respective summer seasons.<\/p>\n Shiloh and Edwin deliberated long and hard about which song she would sing.\u00a0 Edwin felt she should sing one of her new pieces because every other singer would probably be singing their tried and true numbers to avoid any embarrassing mistakes.\u00a0 They finally agreed upon a number she wrote for one of Edwin\u2019s new plays, Genevieve, the story of a young couple who fall in love, then find that the heroine, Genevieve, has only a short time to live. They both agreed they could promote not only the music performed at Maguire\u2019s, but the plays as well.<\/p>\n After Shiloh\u2019s performance, Tom Maguire had to hire Pinkertons to stand guard at the opera house and escort the players to and from their hotel because of the number of opportunists trying to sneak into the building to hear them rehearse.<\/p>\n Back on the Ponderosa, Ben read the newspaper, relaxing in the great room after dinner with his sons.\u00a0 When he had finished, he sat up and tossed the paper over to Adam, who was playing a game of checkers with Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt appears that Maguire\u2019s is the place to go for entertainment this summer.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam looked up at his father then snatched up the newspaper, reading the article aloud.\u00a0 \u201cAfter a long morning of listening to old favorites from last year\u2019s gathering of vocalists, a refreshing wind literally blew onto the parade grounds of the Presidio today at the annual free concert hosted by the leading opera houses in San Francisco.\u00a0 The pared down orchestra of Tom Maguire\u2019s Opera House took their places and tuned their instruments as regular patrons took their seats and the not-so-regular crowd milled about, expecting more of the same ordinary fare.<\/p>\n However, once the orchestra began to play, it was apparent to all that this would be no traditional offering.\u00a0 Miss Isabella Whitney, a newcomer to San Francisco, but certainly not an unknown, made a last minute strategic move of standing behind the conductor rather than on the raised stage behind the orchestra, walking right up to the front row of seated spectators to thrill them with song as if she were a songbird perched in an open window.\u00a0 This proved to be a spectacular move on her part as her peers before her could not easily be heard over their accompanying orchestras.<\/p>\n Instead of the traditional lavish gown of an opera singer, Miss Whitney wore the flowing costume of the heroine in Mr. Edwin Booth\u2019s original play, Genevieve, singing words written specifically for the play.\u00a0 As if the wind were a player right on cue, and as Miss Whitney began to sing, a breeze danced in the folds of her dress while her youthful, delicate voice captured the attention of the audience.\u00a0 Her timbre was crisp, pure and elegant as she glided into their midst, drawing the attention of those tarrying in the outskirts until the entire assembly on the parade ground was mesmerized.<\/p>\n The supporting music fell softly and rose boldly without overcoming Miss Whitney\u2019s voice, even as the music built to its climax with Miss Whitney walking to the front of the spectators again and turning.\u00a0 Once again, with perfect timing, the breeze became a stronger wind, blowing hats and scarves across the parade ground, though not a soul ran to collect them.<\/p>\n Miss Whitney stood before them, the cape of her dress attached at her wrists slowly rising with her outstretched arms and floating in the wind as the music rose with her saintly voice perfectly pitched and controlled, the voice and image of an angel taking wing.<\/p>\n Certainly the ovation Miss Whitney received signified that Maguire\u2019s would be the place to see and hear the finest artistry of the summer, but if there are any doubts, ticket sales tell the story. At the time of this writing, Maguire\u2019s had completely sold out its available seating for the season.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s hard to believe she resisted this,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n Adam sat quietly for a moment.\u00a0 \u201cI still wonder what she\u2019ll do after this is over.\u00a0 She\u2019ll be faced with a decision again to perform in Europe, I\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy does that bother you, Son?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf what she says she wants is true, she could have it all right here.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Forty-One<\/b><\/p>\n All summer, Adam had busied himself rebuilding the parlor of Shiloh\u2019s house, anxious to finish it before she returned home.\u00a0 He hoped she\u2019d be pleased with the new extension\u2026adding windows had indeed brightened the room.<\/p>\n Ben and Adam had to fit their trip to San Francisco in before roundup and the long, arduous cattle drive that would follow. They arrived in San Francisco the afternoon of Shiloh\u2019s last performance, giving them time to rest in the hotel suite Adam had reserved.<\/p>\n The men dressed formally for the evening and made their way to the opera house. When they arrived, Edwin escorted them through a clamorous rush of excited patrons to their box seats next to the stage.<\/p>\n Edwin leaned over to Adam, his voice just loud enough to overcome the crowd.\u00a0 \u201cWill came by to see her before he left for Boston.\u00a0 Isabella was adamant about not seeing him, so I sent him away.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t\u2026shall we say\u2026happy.\u201d\u00a0 Adam narrowed his eyes and creased his brow, and Edwin attempted to calm him. \u201cAt least he\u2019s back in Boston.\u00a0 He can\u2019t trouble her from there.\u201d<\/p>\n A messenger entered the back of the Cartwright\u2019s box, handing Adam a note.\u00a0 \u201cPa, excuse me, I\u2019ll be right back.\u201d\u00a0 He went down the back stairs to the entrance of the opera house and stepped out onto the sidewalk, looking for someone.\u00a0 \u201cSignora Biscaccianti,\u201d he said as he took her arm by the elbow and guided her through the door into a side hall.\u00a0 He was surprised to see that she was completely sober and dressed appropriately for the evening.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Cartwright, I don\u2019t mean to inconvenience you, but I thought you could help me speak with Miss Whitney.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs that really necessary, Signora?\u00a0 After her success here, I think she needs to decide whether she wants to go to Europe on her own.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not here to talk to her about Europe one way or another.\u00a0 I saw her performance at the Presidio.\u00a0 She has a gift.\u00a0 I want to encourage her to continue.\u00a0 Even if she chooses Europe, she will eventually come back.\u00a0 With her talent, she must continue.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam led her up the back stairs and into the box, introducing her to his father.\u00a0 \u201cSignora Biscaccianti, I\u2019m honored,\u201d said Ben.\u00a0 Before he could offer her a seat, a hush fell over the auditorium as the patrons noticed her in the box.\u00a0 It was unheard for an unretired opera singer to attend the performance of another, and even though Isabella had never sung opera, the public considered her one.<\/p>\n Shiloh was standing in the wings with Edwin going over the program when they noticed the sudden quiet and looked out.\u00a0 \u201cWho is she?\u201d asked Shiloh.<\/p>\n \u201cSignora Eliza Biscaccianti,\u201d answered Edwin.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t believe she\u2019s here.\u201d\u00a0 Shiloh stood with her mouth gaping open.\u00a0 \u201cAre you alright?\u00a0 You can\u2019t let this affect your performance tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s with Adam and Mr. Cartwright.\u00a0 I don\u2019t understand,\u201d said Shiloh.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll find out all about it after tonight\u2019s performance.\u00a0 In the meantime, you must stay focused.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh quickly shook her head as if clearing her thoughts.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll be fine, Edwin.\u201d<\/p>\n Soon the air was buzzing again with heightened excitement.\u00a0 Isabella had been a large part of the performances that had taken place over the last two months except for the nights Edwin performed Shakespeare, but for this show, she would be the featured performer.\u00a0 Besides singing, she would be playing the part of Genevieve alongside Edwin tonight.<\/p>\n Finally, Edwin stood at center stage demanding everyone\u2019s attention, introducing Isabella.\u00a0 The audience applauded when she appeared on stage, eager to see if this performance would be as spectacular as her performance at the Presidio.\u00a0 Her first song was an introduction to her music, written and sung to evoke feelings of splendor and darkness, laughter and tears, sensation and fantasy. Her soprano voice flowed gracefully from low and quiet up to high and powerful and everywhere in between. Adam knew instantly that what separated her from other singers he had seen and heard was the depth of sorrow or the pinnacle of excitement she portrayed with her voice, on her face and hands, and in her movements.<\/p>\n The song concluded on a high note sung softly, continuing and slowly fading until the orchestra released the final chord.\u00a0 Looking out over the rows of seats on his side of the opera hall, Adam saw enchantment on the audiences\u2019 faces.\u00a0 She had captured their attention for the evening, giving them what they had hoped for\u2026an extension of her stunning performance at the Presidio.<\/p>\n Throughout the evening, she took them on a journey from depths of sorrow to uproarious laughter.\u00a0 She sang traditional operatic pieces in French and Italian, pieces telling of love or loss, in a voice sometimes youthfully pure, sometimes the full-bodied tone of a seasoned opera singer. She would reach a high note that seemed as high as anyone could go, then surpass it, holding the note seemingly endlessly, her pitch flawless.\u00a0 Adam was amazed at how she could quietly, gently sing those high notes as if she were whispering them.<\/p>\n Next, she and Edwin performed <i>Genevieve<\/i>, enchanting the audience with the tragedy of a young man and woman, meeting and falling in love only to find that the heroine is dying.\u00a0 In the last scene of the play, Shiloh sang the song she had performed at the Presidio to Lucian, the hero played by Edwin. Her voice carried the essence of a young woman saying goodbye, telling Lucian she was ready to die, releasing him.\u00a0 Lucian, however, unprepared to let her go, held her as she reasoned with him in song.\u00a0 Softly touching his face, she pushed away even as he fought to hold her.\u00a0 She stepped away from him, holding him at arm\u2019s length with her hand on his chest, but he slowly pulled her to him, taking her face in his hands, kissing her tears, picking her up against him and holding her there, turning as her cape gently drifted around them.\u00a0 At the end of the song he gradually lowered her.\u00a0 She backed away, turning and slowly walking out of the scene toward a bright light in the wings of the stage with her arms outstretched, her cape floating behind her. The orchestra played the last measure, ending on an ominous note, leaving Lucian alone, kneeling and weeping on a dimly lit stage.\u00a0 Applause thundered through the opera hall, causing Isabella to wait for her next number even after she had changed her dress.<\/p>\n Adam sat quietly in his seat with his lips parted, crossing his arms and bringing his hand up over his mouth, the fine hairs on the back of his neck standing as they had done throughout the evening.\u00a0 Ben sat in silence, looking sorrowfully at the figure on the stage, remembering his own loss.\u00a0 Signora Biscaccianti was in tears as were most of the women, gently patting their eyes.<\/p>\n As Isabella reappeared for her last number, the applause slowly died.\u00a0 She wore a basque top, cut low and tight, hugging her figure, with a long skirt made of a light weight material with slits cut all the way up her thigh on both sides. Both pieces were bright red with black trim along the edges that sparkled in the light of the lamps. Before the music began, she glanced over at Adam, who was glaring at her with furrowed brows.<\/p>\n The music began with Isabella singing about a cat taking on a human persona.\u00a0 She strutted across the stage, bending to the audience, pointing and telling the story to individual patrons.\u00a0 Adam followed her with his eyes as she moved back and forth across the stage, watching as her long, shapely legs moved in and out of the slits in her skirt. The story she was singing was amusing and with each look at the audience, she had groups of them laughing depending on where she was looking.\u00a0 She paraded over to the box where the Cartwrights were seated, leaned in toward Adam, and spoke a line as if in secret, but loud enough to be heard over the hall, making the entire hall howl in laughter.\u00a0 What began as an apparently risqu\u00e9 piece, became a lesson in storytelling, her voice steady and strong as she sang and moved across the stage, her words crisp and clear, her carriage tastefully elegant.\u00a0 Adam smiled, understanding the reason for Edwin\u2019s excitement when he spoke of Isabella\u2019s performances.\u00a0 She was captivating and entertained her audience in a very personal way. At the end of the piece, everyone, including the Cartwrights, jumped to their feet in applause, yelling and begging for more. She looked again at Adam as she left the stage. His face had been taken over with a wide grin.<\/p>\n The crowd yelled for an encore and Isabella obliged. She entered the stage in an elegant white gown of lace and satin. The opera hall became quiet as the music began. Shiloh sang in Italian, walking the stage, stopping and meeting the eyes of those in the audience, making them feel as though she was intimately speaking to each person. The end of the song swelled to a climax with Isabella singing the last lofty note powerfully with ease, holding it for what seemed like an eternity, but ending suddenly, sending chills down Adam\u2019s spine.\u00a0 There was silence, but only for a moment.\u00a0 The audience erupted into a resounding ovation, yelling and chanting for more.<\/p>\n Edwin appeared on stage, kissed and held her hand while they were showered with roses and bouquets of flowers. Isabella stepped back and motioned for the musicians and conductor to take their bows.<\/p>\n While Isabella was saying her goodbyes to her audience, Signora Biscaccianti took the red rose Adam had been holding and stepped to the edge of the box in front of him, holding the rose out toward Isabella, who stopped when she saw her, confused\u2026afraid, then walked to her.\u00a0 Signora Biscaccianti gave her the rose, kissing her on each check then whispering in her ear, \u201cThis is what you are meant to do.\u00a0\u00a0 Don\u2019t ignore this gift.\u201d\u00a0 Isabella stood stunned with tears flowing down her cheeks while Signora Biscaccianti looked at Adam one last time and left the box. Adam pulled his handkerchief out, handing it to Isabella. She wiped her face and went back to stand next to Edwin. Annie had gone to stand in the audience, allowing herself to experience the excitement of the cheering and applause after spending her time during the performance assisting Shiloh with her wardrobe changes.<\/p>\n When Isabella finally left the stage, Adam was waiting with a dimpled smile and his eyes glimmering.\u00a0 She went to him, and he pulled her into a hug, lifting her feet off the floor.\u00a0 She laughed and wrapped her arms around him.\u00a0 \u201cI had no idea,\u201d he whispered in her ear.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m very proud of you.\u201d<\/p>\n He put her down, and she looked up at him with smiling eyes. \u201cCome on,\u201d she said, grabbing his hand and leading him back to her dressing room. \u201cI need to get out of this dress.\u201d<\/p>\n Isabella\u2019s dressing room was made up of two rooms, a changing room and a sitting room.\u00a0 She left Adam in the sitting room while she changed.\u00a0 When she returned, she was wearing a dress appropriate for her closing party that would be held in the smaller hall after the building had been cleared of the night\u2019s attendees.<\/p>\n Adam stood in front of her, taking her arms in his hands.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t imagine that you would never consider performing again.\u00a0 I saw the work you put into this.\u00a0 The performance you gave tonight was amazing.\u201d\u00a0 Suddenly, she was mesmerized by his lovely, hazel eyes smiling down at her.\u00a0 He wore a slight smile, and his eyes showed an intensity she had never seen before.\u00a0 Looking from her eyes to her lips and back, he slowly bent his head, and just before his lips touched hers, she turned her head, startled by a knock at the door.<\/p>\n Stepping back and looking away, she cleared her throat.\u00a0 \u201cCome in.\u201d<\/p>\n Ben had been talking backstage with Edwin, and came to Isabella\u2019s dressing room with Annie.\u00a0 They entered the room, watching Adam and Isabella, who stood looking at each other awkwardly.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry if we interrupted,\u201d said Ben.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no, you\u2019re not interrupting,\u201d Shiloh insisted.<\/p>\n Ben hugged her tightly then looked down at her, smiling.\u00a0 \u201cYou were magnificent.\u201d\u00a0 He hugged her again, whispering in her ear.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re father would be so proud of you.\u00a0 I am, too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Mr. Cartwright,\u201d she replied, blushing.\u00a0 \u201cIf you\u2019ll excuse Annie and me for a moment, we have a few more things to pack before we go to the party.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Forty-Two<\/b><\/p>\n After the closing party, the laughter, the goodbyes and the tears, Shiloh was escorted to her hotel room by Ben and Adam with Pinkertons in close proximity. Crowds were still gathered outside the opera hall waiting to get a glimpse of Edwin and Isabella.\u00a0 Adam walked with his arm around her waist, holding her hand while the throng pressed against them.\u00a0 As they walked across the street to the hotel, he was surprised by the vise-like grip with which she held his hand as she walked, smiling and nodding to the crowd.\u00a0 Once they were in her room, Adam guided her to the sofa. Ben poured a glass of water, and kneeling in front of her, Adam waited while she drank.<\/p>\n She looked up, smiling.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u00a0 You don\u2019t have to worry over me,\u201d she said, handing the glass back to him with shaky hands.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not alright. What\u2019s wrong?\u201d he asked as he sat on the sofa next to her, holding her hands.<\/p>\n Looking down at their hands, she struggled to find the right words. \u201cI\u2026I don\u2019t know how to explain this.\u201d\u00a0 She looked away from him collecting her thoughts. \u201cI don\u2019t mind performing with Edwin, but with these solo performances, it\u2019s just me. I\u2019m the only one out there almost the entire time, and there\u2019s no one to cover if I mess up.\u00a0 Plus, I\u2019ve never acted in a play before. Doing Genevieve was Edwin\u2019s idea.\u00a0 I can just imagine what the reviews will be.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam looked bewildered.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, you were the picture of perfection on that stage. You exuded confidence.\u00a0 How could you possibly be nervous afterwards, knowing how well you\u2019ve already done?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI told you I didn\u2019t know how to explain it. I guess maybe, after all is said and done, I\u2019m left alone with my thoughts, and I start going through the performance over and over again, picking it apart.\u00a0 I can give you a whole list of things I did wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled warmly.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I can\u2019t tell you one thing you did wrong. I\u2019d be willing to bet the Ponderosa that no one else in that crowd could.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll see when the reviews come out,\u201d she smiled, though weakly.<\/p>\n Adam squeezed her hands.\u00a0 \u201cYou need to turn in.\u00a0 We have an early morning.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled reassuringly and headed for the door with his father.<\/p>\n After Ben had stepped into the hall, and just before Adam was through the door, she stopped him.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, why was Signora Biscaccianti in your box?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought it would make your decision about whether or not you want to sing easier if you had a review from an established singer.\u201d\u00a0 She nodded, and he turned to leave.<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, thank you,\u201d she said, walking to the door.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you thanking me for?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor being proud of me,\u201d she said, her eyes becoming misty.<\/p>\n Adam brushed a fallen lock of hair away from her face and looked back into her eyes. \u201cYour family would be proud of you, too.\u00a0\u00a0 Good night.\u201d<\/p>\n The next morning Annie came to Shiloh\u2019s room to help her finish her last minute packing and say a very tearful goodbye.\u00a0 Sniffling, Annie said, \u201cDon\u2019t worry, we\u2019re not a whole country apart anymore.\u00a0 I can come see you\u2026and you can come to San Francisco.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam came into the room with a porter to move Shiloh\u2019s bags to the coach that would take them to the steamer.\u00a0 When he saw the two women crying their eyes out, he stopped the porter in the hall, then stepped in, walking to them, putting his arms around their shoulders.\u00a0 \u201cYou two need to stop this.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ll see each other again\u2026and often, I\u2019m sure.\u201d<\/p>\n They stepped apart, collecting themselves.\u00a0 \u201cHow would you know?\u201d mumbled Shiloh as she wiped tears from her eyes.<\/p>\n *** When they arrived home, Adam accompanied Shiloh to the Flying W. \u201cLet\u2019s go inside,\u201d he said, putting his hand on her back. \u201cI want to show you the parlor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI forgot all about that. Is it finished?\u201d she asked excitedly.<\/p>\n He smiled. \u201cWell, let\u2019s go see.\u201d<\/p>\n She stepped into the parlor, walked to the middle and looked around. The room had been emptied and cleaned. It was noticeably bigger. The fireplace was larger, and was now flanked by windows that let the sunlight in, brightening the room. \u201cAdam, I love it. It feels so much less closed in and dark. I used to hate this room, but the piano was here so I ended up spending a lot of time here. Now, I just need to furnish it.\u201d She turned around to face Adam, who had been watching her. She spread her arms out, touching the open space he had created for her. \u201cI owe you another thanks,\u201d she said timidly.<\/p>\n Shiloh was silent for a moment, the shift from the excitement of San Francisco to her reality at home finally sinking in.\u00a0 San Francisco and everything that happened there suddenly seemed illusory. \u201cI think I\u2019ll just relax, take a long bath, and turn in early,\u201d said Shiloh. \u201cI hope Hank has been getting ready for the roundup.\u00a0 I\u2019ll come up tomorrow to see how it\u2019s going.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have something for you before I go,\u201d said Adam. \u201cI\u2019ll be right back.\u201d\u00a0 Adam went outside to Sport and pulled a newspaper out of his saddlebags, bringing it into the house.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t think you would get anything out of this on the trip back home.\u00a0 I picked up the newspaper on the way out of San Francisco.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 He handed it to Shiloh then took her hand, kissing it.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll see you tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n When he turned to leave, she spoke again.\u00a0 \u201cSo\u2026you\u2019re doing the Ponderosa first\u2026and then the Flying W.\u00a0 Just like Micah?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYep,\u201d answered Adam, smiling as he disappeared out the front door.<\/p>\n Shiloh looked at the newspaper in her hand.\u00a0 She was more nervous than usual about this review; this latest performance being the first time she acted in one of Edwin\u2019s plays.\u00a0 She slowly unfolded it.\u00a0 The article in the center of the front page was entitled Sold Out and Spilling into the Streets.\u00a0 She refolded the paper and laid it on the desk for later.\u00a0\u00a0 Then she went to the parlor, sat on the hearth, and stared at the empty space where her piano had been.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Forty-Three<\/b><\/p>\n Shiloh saddled Spirit and left for the branding corral on the Ponderosa where her hands had joined the Cartwright men to begin the roundup.\u00a0 She took her time, enjoying the feel of sitting a saddle again after fourteen weeks of dresses and petticoats and chemises and corsets and all those things one had to properly wear when in a big city. Closing her eyes, she breathed in deeply, taking in all that was the Sierra.\u00a0 She opened them, pulling Spirit to a stop when she heard a horse coming up behind her.\u00a0 Turning, she squinted in the sunlight and realized too late that the rider was Sam King, the man she had fired.\u00a0 By the time she had Spirit turned back toward the branding corral Sam had overcome her and taken her reins.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, Miss Shiloh.\u00a0 I never expected to see you today, but it\u2019s just as well.\u00a0 I was gonna pay you a visit, but it looks like you saved me some trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d she said through clenched teeth, pulling on her reins.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy, only what\u2019s due me,\u201d he said, taking hold of her arm, pulling her toward him. Before he could pull her off her horse, she pulled out the riding crop she always had with her and began to whip him until he let go of her reins.\u00a0 She leaned forward in her saddle, smacking Spirit in the hindquarters with the crop, sending the horse in an all out gallop.\u00a0 Sam\u2019s horse was bigger, but Spirit was an Arabian, both surefooted and fast, carrying a lighter rider.\u00a0 Shiloh looked back once, still saw Sam coming after her, and let Spirit run, not daring to look back again.<\/p>\n Riding fast into the branding area, she went past the fire where Hoss was holding the next calf and Adam was heating the iron.\u00a0 She sat back in the saddle, squeezing with her knees and pulling back on the reins, bringing Spirit to a sliding stop.\u00a0 Then she quickly turned the horse back around to look for Sam.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s gotten into you?\u201d shouted Adam angrily.<\/p>\n \u201cSam King\u2019s gotten into me,\u201d she answered just as loud.<\/p>\n Adam looked in the direction from where she came.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, stay here.\u00a0 Joe, let\u2019s go,\u201d he barked, running to Sport, mounting and taking off after Sam.<\/p>\n Hoss took Spirit\u2019s reins while Shiloh dismounted, still holding the riding crop.\u00a0 \u201cYou use that on the horse or Sam?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cBoth,\u201d she said, looking back regretfully at Spirit.\u00a0 \u201cOn her rump, just to get her going, but I let Sam have it.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll have some marks.\u201d<\/p>\n Hank had been roping the calves and pulling them over to Hoss, but when he saw Shiloh ride in, he dropped his rope and came over.\u00a0 \u201cMiss Shiloh, are you alright?\u201d he asked, taking her by the arms, looking her up and down.<\/p>\n She managed a smile for him.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m fine, Hank.\u00a0 I think Sam got the worst end of this,\u201d she said, holding up her crop.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, that\u2019s it.\u00a0 As long as Sam King\u2019s around, you\u2019re not going anywhere by yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh started to object, but Adam and Joe rode back in.\u00a0 \u201cAnything?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam dismounted and tied Sport to the corral fence.\u00a0 \u201cWe lost him.\u00a0 Joe, ride into town and let Roy know Sam King\u2019s back, and he\u2019s giving Shiloh trouble.\u201d\u00a0 Joe nodded and rode away. \u201cShiloh, I don\u2019t want you to ride anywhere alone until we find him.\u201d\u00a0 Adam watched her look at Hank, then turn to him with the same displeased expression.\u00a0 \u201cNot a word,\u201d he ordered, pointing his finger at her.\u00a0 She twisted her mouth and huffed.\u00a0 \u201cBilly can stay with you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, not Billy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, Billy\u2019s not the sharpest tool in the shed,\u201d explained Hank.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want him to get hurt,\u201d said Shiloh adamantly.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll send someone else back to the ranch with her, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam looked up at the sun.\u00a0 \u201cWe might as well take a break,\u201d he said, taking her arm and walking her over to the chuck wagon.\u00a0 Adam squatted down by the fire, dishing up a plate of beans, handing them to Shiloh.\u00a0 She accepted it and sat down on a log at the perimeter of the clearing.\u00a0 Adam soon joined her with his own plate.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you know how to use a gun?\u201d he asked, then put a bite of beans in his mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cDaddy showed me how to use a rifle, but I\u2019ve never used a pistol.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUntil you do, I don\u2019t want you riding out alone.\u00a0 At least until we find Sam.\u201d<\/p>\n She dropped her spoon in her plate, making a loud clatter.\u00a0 \u201cI go riding somewhere every day while I\u2019m working with a horse, Adam.\u00a0\u00a0 There are times when I need to be alone\u2026that\u2019s an important part of the training.\u201d<\/p>\n He continued eating. \u201cThen someone can watch you from a distance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy won\u2019t a rifle do?\u201d<\/p>\n He stopped chewing and looked at her. \u201cBecause if Sam comes back after you, you need to be able to get to a gun quickly.\u00a0 It takes too much time to pull a rifle out of a scabbard.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow am I gonna learn how to shoot a pistol?\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled and continued eating. \u201cI\u2019ll teach you.\u201d\u00a0 Shiloh steamed.\u00a0 \u201cOr Joe can teach you.\u201d<\/p>\n She cut her eyes toward him, but didn\u2019t move her head.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn all my years riding all over the ranch, I\u2019ve never needed a gun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you probably won\u2019t after we find Sam.\u00a0\u00a0 But, I\u2019d feel better, and I\u2019m sure Pa and Hank would feel better if you were able to protect yourself.\u00a0 There\u2019s a lot of other reasons to carry a gun on the ranch besides Sam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cName one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRattlesnakes.\u201d<\/p>\n After scowling at him for a minute as he ignored her, she finally took another bite.\u00a0 \u201cHow\u2019s the roundup going?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know yet.\u00a0 It\u2019s too early.\u00a0 But, I\u2019m afraid the count will be short.\u00a0 There\u2019s been some rustling.\u00a0 As a matter of fact, there\u2019s a Cattlemen\u2019s Association meeting the end of this week to discuss it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a member of the Association.\u00a0 How come I didn\u2019t know about that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh, there are no women in the Association.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy membership papers do not say Amos Whitney.\u00a0 They say ‘The Owner of the Flying W Ranch’.\u00a0 That would be me.\u00a0 I have no intention of being excluded from something that the Flying W had to pay to join just because I\u2019m a woman,\u201d she said obstinately.<\/p>\n Adam looked sideways at her, but let it go.\u00a0 The clearing at the chuck wagon where all the men were eating was not the place to argue.<\/p>\n She calmed down. \u201cActually, Adam, I do need to talk to you.\u00a0 But not here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about?\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh\u2019s eyes narrowed, and she stumbled over her words.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2026well\u2026it\u2019s about\u2026\u201d\u00a0 She looked toward him, but not at him.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s about the future of the Flying W,\u201d she said, getting up and walking to the wash bucket.<\/p>\n Adam followed her. \u201cYou didn\u2019t get the extra land, so you want to talk about mining, is that it?\u201d<\/p>\n She screwed her mouth up. \u201cWell\u2026no\u2026not exactly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat then?\u201d<\/p>\n She turned and headed toward her horse.\u00a0 \u201cLater.\u00a0 I have to go.\u00a0 Bye.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam turned to follow her, but she had trotted to her horse and was already riding away. \u201cHank, send someone with her.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Forty-Four<\/b><\/p>\n The roundup for the Ponderosa had been complete, and the men had begun the roundup for the Flying W.\u00a0\u00a0 Adam had his cattle counts, and as he had thought, cattle were missing.\u00a0 Just before the Cattlemen\u2019s Association meeting began, Shiloh approached the door of the office with her membership papers in hand.\u00a0 She was stopped at the door.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry Miss Whitney, you can\u2019t go in there,\u201d said Harry Meade, who the association had hired to keep everyone but members out.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not, Harry?\u00a0 I\u2019m a member.\u00a0 Here\u2019s my membership papers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Whitney, your father was a member.\u00a0 That don\u2019t make you one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI suggest you read.\u00a0 Those papers say the owner of the Flying W Ranch.\u00a0 That\u2019s me.\u00a0 They do not say Amos Whitney.\u201d<\/p>\n Meade excused himself and took her membership papers into Mr. Simmons, the President of the association.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t care what these papers say, she\u2019s not a member.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSimmons, unless you want her to sue the association, I suggest you let her in and deal with her membership later,\u201d said Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s a woman.\u00a0 She can\u2019t sue the association.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe has a trust.\u00a0 The trust can sue the association.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSimmons, Adam has a point,\u201d said Mr. Jamison.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re the trustee of that trust, aren\u2019t you, Cartwright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am.\u00a0 And if she wants the trust to sue, that\u2019s what the trust will do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMeade, let her in,\u201d said Simmons, looking disgustedly at Adam.<\/p>\n When Shiloh walked into the room, Simmons did a double take.\u00a0 He almost didn\u2019t recognize her dressed in a deep green dress and jacket with black trim with her hair swept strictly up underneath a matching hat.\u00a0 She looked\u2026mature.<\/p>\n Adam gave her his chair, and pulled another one to the table.\u00a0 While the men discussed the problem with rustling and Simmons\u2019 solution, Shiloh remained quiet, becoming more and more agitated at how the large ranchers were trying to run the small ranchers out of the territory.\u00a0 She glared severely at Simmons when he called them \u2018greasy sackers\u2019.\u00a0 He glared back, but she didn\u2019t back down.\u00a0 The discussion culminated in a vote to hire a range detective, and the only one arguing against it was Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me,\u201d she said.\u00a0 All the men looked at her like she was a leper.\u00a0 \u201cIf you hire a range detective, and he steps one foot on the Flying W, I\u2019ll fill him with buckshot before he knows what hit him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Whitney, as one of the smallest ranches in the association, you don\u2019t carry much weight here,\u201d said Mr. Simmons.<\/p>\n \u201cMr. Simmons, based on acreage, I am now the third largest ranch in the association.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam slowly turned his head and fixed his stare on her.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not saying you\u2019d commit murder, are you?\u201d asked Simmons.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course not, Mr. Simmons.\u00a0 As his employer, you will be responsible for his actions.\u00a0 I am advising this association that your range detective will be trespassing on Flying W property and as such, I have a right to defend my property by any means necessary, including by the use of a shotgun, without any further warning.\u00a0 It is your responsibility to warn him.\u201d<\/p>\n Simmons looked at Adam, who caught Simmon\u2019s movement out of the corner of his eye while he continued staring at Shiloh.\u00a0 He was no longer paying attention to the discussion, knowing full well that he would be outvoted.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t look at me.\u00a0 I\u2019m sure she\u2019s within her rights.\u00a0 She studied business law in college.\u201d<\/p>\n She jerked her head toward him, flaring her nostrils.<\/p>\n \u201cEnough posturing,\u201d said Simmons.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s vote.\u00a0 Those in favor say \u2018aye\u2019.\u201d\u00a0 Six men responded.\u00a0 \u201cThose opposed say \u2018no.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Adam and Shiloh kept glaring at each other and said \u201cNo\u201d in unison.<\/p>\n \u201cThe \u2018ayes\u2019 have it.\u201d<\/p>\n Both Adam and Shiloh rose to leave the office.\u00a0 Shiloh walked to her buggy and wasn\u2019t aware that Adam had untied Sport and was walking behind her.\u00a0 She leaned into the buggy to put her papers under the seat and noticed Adam walking past her, watching while he tied Sport to the back of the buggy.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n He walked over to her, took her arm and forced her up into the buggy, climbing in behind her.\u00a0 She looked at him angrily, crossed her arms, and turned her body away from him.\u00a0 They rode in silence until they were out of town.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen were you going to tell me you won that bid?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy are you checking up on me?\u201d<\/p>\n They began to talk over each other, ranting on their respective topics, going on for several minutes before they each concluded they were getting nowhere.\u00a0 Shiloh turned away and crossed her arms again.\u00a0 Adam breathed.<\/p>\n \u201cYour father asked me to keep up with your progress.\u00a0\u00a0 I corresponded with Miss Henderson while you were away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt was obvious you were avoiding the question of your extra studies.\u00a0 Then you understood the trust paperwork enough to threaten me with court on the point of the horses.\u00a0 And in San Francisco, you didn\u2019t ask about bid procedures at all.\u00a0 The only problem you had was understanding the worth of the land.\u00a0 So, I asked.\u00a0 What I don\u2019t understand is why you felt the need to hide it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey were courses that aren\u2019t even considered for women.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t want to hear the criticism, but if you must know, I took two courses. One was basic business law so I could understand my rights as a ranch owner, and the other was contracting so I could understand the legal documents.\u00a0 I have proven that I can run the ranch.\u00a0 I don\u2019t need a nursemaid, and I don\u2019t appreciate you prying.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI might have agreed with you if you hadn\u2019t won that bid.\u00a0 But you\u2019re in way over your head.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re acting like I did that on purpose.\u00a0 You said yourself I didn\u2019t have a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf I had known that you knew anything about legal documents or contracting, I wouldn\u2019t have said that.\u00a0 Why didn\u2019t you tell me when you won?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was in the middle of a rehearsal.\u00a0 It was frightening when I received the note, but I didn\u2019t have the luxury to dwell on it.\u00a0 I told you I needed to talk to you the day Sam King chased after me, but you haven\u2019t had the time.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam softened. \u201cYou wanted to talk to me about the bid?\u201d<\/p>\n Her chin quivered almost imperceptibly.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u00a0 I think the bid was a good bid, but\u2026I\u2019m in way over my head,\u201d she answered quietly, looking down at her hands.<\/p>\n He looked over at her and took her hand.\u00a0 \u201cDo you have it with you?\u201d\u00a0 She nodded.\u00a0 Adam took her to the Ponderosa and began looking at the contract and her bid portfolio.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Forty-Five<\/b><\/p>\n Adam sat in the leather chair next to the fireplace with his feet propped up on the coffee table reading Shiloh\u2019s bid while she paced the floor.\u00a0 He laid the portfolio and contract in his lap, lay his head back on the back of the chair and closed his eyes. After a few minutes, he leaned up in the chair and dropped the bid material on the table, then propped his arms on his legs, letting his hands hang between them, exhaling loudly.<\/p>\n Shiloh turned when she heard him, looking at him expectantly.<\/p>\n He glanced up at her, wanting her to see his chagrin.\u00a0 \u201cYou know this bid could have cost you the ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n She bit her bottom lip.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, I know it\u2019s a good bid. I didn\u2019t think Mr. Stanton would trust me enough to give it to me though.\u201d\u00a0 Then, she lowered her head.\u00a0 \u201cI also understood the risk\u2026but, that was one thing I wanted to talk to you about.\u00a0 I was going to ask you\u2026to teach me about timber.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow did you pay him?\u201d<\/p>\n Suddenly, her muscles were so tight they hurt.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2026I\u2019ve been putting the money I get for the horses in a new account\u2026in my name,\u201d she said, turning away, wincing.<\/p>\n Adam stood up abruptly and walked to the other side of the coffee table, turning and glowering at her.\u00a0 \u201cI guess I\u2019ll have to start going over your books again\u2026including the horse ledger.\u201d\u00a0 He watched her, expecting a remark, but instead she just looked at him, then looked away again.\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe didn\u2019t have to trust you.\u00a0 He couldn\u2019t lose.\u00a0\u00a0 Either you deliver, and he makes more money for his client, or you don\u2019t deliver, and his client not only gets his land back, but he comes after your ranch for breach of contract.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh shrank back.\u00a0 \u201cI was confident that you\u2019d teach me about timber when I put that bid together, Adam.\u00a0 I was taught that when you\u2019re just getting started you should be prepared to take bigger risks\u2026that being the only way you\u2019d make any gains.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat would you have done if I didn\u2019t have the time to help you, and you couldn\u2019t find anyone else to help you, and you lost the ranch?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSing?\u201d she answered in a tiny voice, smiling nervously.<\/p>\n Adam closed his eyes, breathing deeply.\u00a0 \u201cShiloh, the bid is a good bid.\u00a0 You went in with a lower initial investment, which was smart considering you were a smaller ranch, and you offered him more on the back end ensuring that the investment produced the rest\u2026another smart move.\u00a0 But, you took a huge risk having no knowledge of the timber business.\u00a0 The ranch is your home, the only one you\u2019ve ever known.\u201d<\/p>\n She clasped her hands in front of her.\u00a0 \u201cI know,\u201d she replied.\u00a0 \u201cIf you don\u2019t want to help me, I understand.\u00a0 I\u2019m prepared to pay someone to handle the timber for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam cocked his head and looked away, exasperated.\u00a0 \u201cThe ranch is my responsibility, Shiloh.\u00a0 We\u2019ll manage.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t have to be your responsibility if you don\u2019t want it.\u00a0 I\u2019m perfectly capable of running it by myself.\u00a0 You can always close the trust.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHo\u2026o\u2026o\u2026oh.\u00a0 Don\u2019t start,\u201d he said, crooking his lower jaw.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll discuss this with Pa tonight, and we\u2019ll figure something out.\u00a0 But right now, I need to get to your branding corral.\u00a0 I\u2019ll take you by the house first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can find my way home,\u201d she said belligerently, walking to the door.<\/p>\n \u201cWhere\u2019s Johnny?\u00a0 Isn\u2019t he supposed to be with you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI told him I didn\u2019t need him today.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam took his hat and gun from the cabinet at the front door.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll speak to Johnny myself then.\u00a0 Let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh sat quietly in the seat of the buggy.\u00a0 She knew he was angry, but he also seemed\u2026disappointed.\u00a0 When had she gotten so afraid of disappointing anyone?\u00a0 Maybe after the embarrassment of leaving school.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t want to disappoint Adam.\u00a0 She wanted him to be proud of her.\u00a0 Wait\u2026when did she start caring about what Adam really thought of her?\u00a0 All she had wanted was for him to see she could run the ranch. Slumping somewhere in the middle of her thoughts, she quickly sat up straight, gathering her resolve around her.\u00a0 What difference did it make whether Adam was proud of her or not?\u00a0 She didn\u2019t need Adam to run the ranch.\u00a0 She had never needed Adam to run the ranch.\u00a0 Her nostrils flared, and as he drove the buggy into the yard of the Flying W, she felt strong enough to stand her ground.<\/p>\n Adam helped her out of the buggy, then smiled at her and bent down to kiss her forehead.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat was that for?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThe effort.\u201d<\/p>\n Her resolve slipped away.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Forty-Six<\/b><\/p>\n The Cartwright and Flying W hands finished the Flying W roundup and both ranches began to get ready for a cattle drive into San Francisco.\u00a0 They would take four weeks to drive fifteen hundred cattle to the coast. While the men were celebrating the end of the roundup in town for the evening, the Cartwrights stayed home, resting for the long, arduous drive.<\/p>\n Ben sat down in the leather chair, reached over and picked up the stack of papers on the coffee table. \u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c<i>That<\/i> is Shiloh\u2019s bid for the land up north,\u201d answered Adam.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy do we have it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLook closer, Pa.\u00a0 You\u2019ll find a sales contract in there.\u201d\u00a0 Ben shot him a skeptical look.\u00a0 Adam answered with raised eyebrows, nodding.<\/p>\n Sitting back in the chair, Ben began to read.\u00a0 Adam watched his father as he creased his eyebrows, then a minute later he raised them, following that with a circled mouth, and finally, when he laid the paperwork in his lap, a slow smile crossed his face, and he chuckled.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat could you possibly find amusing in that?\u201d asked Adam, perplexed.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you remember those first years when we were building the Ponderosa?\u201d\u00a0 Adam nodded.\u00a0 What you may not remember because you weren\u2019t directly involved\u2026you were just a young boy\u2026is the number of times I put the Ponderosa at risk so it could grow.\u00a0 Of course, I\u2019d never do that now, it\u2019s much too big.\u00a0 But, in more recent years, we put up acreage as collateral for a number of risky investments.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPa, that\u2019s her home.\u00a0 Her family is buried there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAdam, the Ponderosa is our home.\u00a0 It\u2019s the only home you three boys have ever known.\u201d He scoffed at Adam\u2019s agitation.\u00a0 \u201cYou have to be impressed by this.\u00a0 She has a good head for business.\u00a0 Any businessman knows you have to take risks. The difference between who wins and who loses is who\u2019s willing to take the bigger risk.\u00a0 And from where I\u2019m sitting, it looks like she did her research, and she evaluated what it would take to learn timber.\u00a0 She knew you would teach her.\u00a0 So, the risk appears to be acceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam puckered his lips, thinking he\u2019d done it again\u2026judged her based on his inability to control every situation rather than on the merits of her actions.\u00a0 He raised his eyebrows and shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cWell, in that case, I need to stay home this time, so I can teach her about timber,\u201d he said, trying to sound burdened.<\/p>\n \u201cOh no you don\u2019t,\u201d piped Joe, running down the stairs.\u00a0 \u201cYou stayed home the last cattle drive.\u00a0 It\u2019s your turn to go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph, not this time,\u201d said Ben calmly.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s taken on the responsibility of the Flying W.\u00a0 He has business to attend to.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam hurriedly gathered up all the paperwork and went to the door. \u201cI\u2019m heading over to Shiloh\u2019s to talk to her about this,\u201d he said as he took his hat and gun belt and quickly exited.\u00a0 Once Sport was saddled and he was on his way, he took his time.\u00a0 He was certainly happy he didn\u2019t have to go on this cattle drive, but he wasn\u2019t in a hurry to see Shiloh.\u00a0 He was still perturbed with her.<\/p>\n When he arrived at the Flying W, Clegg, the range detective hired by the Cattlemen\u2019s Association was there, watering his horse.\u00a0 \u201cDidn\u2019t Simmons tell you not to come here?\u201d asked Adam, as he dismounted and tied Sport.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, he told me, Cartwright.\u00a0 I have job to do.\u00a0\u00a0 If Miss Whitney thinks she can run me off with a shotgun, she\u2019s welcome to try.\u201d<\/p>\n They both stopped when they heard the unmistakable click of a shotgun barrel locking.\u00a0 When they turned around, they were looking down the barrels of Shiloh\u2019s shotgun.\u00a0 \u201cAdam, get out of the way,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Adam stepped next to her, crossed his hands in front of him and smiled at Clegg, who looked at him in disbelief.\u00a0 \u201cCartwright, now you wouldn\u2019t let the lady shoot me with that thing, would you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou were warned, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMiss Whitney, that\u2019s not very neighborly.\u00a0 I\u2019m just waterin\u2019 my horse.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re not my neighbor.\u00a0 Leave.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019ve got nothin\u2019 to hide, you\u2019ve got nothin\u2019 to worry about.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cClegg, I\u2019ve got nothing to hide. I just don\u2019t approve of your ways, and I\u2019m not going to bend to the association\u2019s misguided methods.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDoes she know how to shoot it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it is a shotgun. Just point and shoot, and she\u2019s liable to hit something, especially if she pulls both triggers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you\u2019re not gonna do anything to stop her?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNope.\u201d<\/p>\n Clegg turned to mount his horse.\u00a0 \u201cMiss Whitney, how do you think you\u2019re gonna keep me off your property with all your men leaving on a cattle drive?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll of my men aren\u2019t leaving, and they\u2019re certainly not taking my shotgun with them.\u00a0 Next time I see you here, I won\u2019t be having a conversation with you.\u201d\u00a0 Clegg tipped his hat and slowly walked his horse out of the yard.<\/p>\n Adam put his hand on the barrel of the gun, lowering it.\u00a0 \u201cDo you know anything about recoil?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThought so.\u00a0 You need to let me teach you how to shoot.\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh turned to the house.\u00a0 \u201cWhat brings you out here this late, Adam?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI spoke to Pa about your land.\u00a0 I won\u2019t be going on this drive so I can teach you about timber.\u00a0 I\u2019m also going to teach you how to shoot, and your first lesson will be with this shotgun,\u201d he said, quickly grabbing the barrel and pulling the gun out of her hands.<\/p>\n She spun around angrily, facing him.\u00a0 \u201cAs you said, you just point and shoot.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAlright,\u201d he said, giving her the gun back. \u201cSee that log over there?\u00a0 Shoot it.\u00a0 Both barrels.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <b>Chapter Forty-Seven<\/b><\/p>\n The next day, Shiloh drove the buckboard to the Ponderosa\u2019s west corral where Hank and the men were driving the Flying W herd. She went to the chuck wagon and began to unload her share of the supplies that would be needed to feed her men. The Cartwrights were moving their cattle to the same corral. She had arrived about the same time they were taking a break.<\/p>\n Ben rode up and stepped down from Buck. \u201cShiloh, let the boys do that.\u201d Adam, Hoss and Joe started moving supplies from her buckboard as Ben took Shiloh\u2019s arm, pulling her away. He looked down at her, asking quietly, \u201cHow\u2019s your shoulder today?\u201d<\/p>\n Shiloh glanced up at him, and then looked away suddenly ashamed, realizing that Adam had told him about the shotgun butt that had slammed into her shoulder and knocked her flat on her backside. \u201cI\u2019m fine, Mr. Cartwright.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam walked over to stand next to her and pulled a gun out of the back of his belt. She stood glaring at him while he studied it, spinning the cylinder. \u201cWhat are you doing with my father\u2019s gun?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI took it home last night to clean it before you learn to use it.\u201d Adam put the gun back in his belt. She closed her eyes for a moment, remembering Miss Henderson\u2019s words.<\/p>\n The Cartwrights finished loading the chuck wagon and said their goodbyes. Ben gave Adam a knowing glance and waved. Everyone but Adam and Shiloh mounted up and started driving cattle while Adam tied Sport to the back of Shiloh\u2019s buckboard and climbed onto the seat.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d Shiloh asked warily.<\/p>\n Adam scratched his neck. \u201cI\u2019m taking you home to teach you how to use this gun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t want you to teach me how to use that gun,\u201d she said edgily. She started walking toward the Flying W.<\/p>\n Adam took a deep breath and sat straight up, cocking his head and looking up at the sky. \u201cShiloh, you have a choice.\u201d He looked back at her. \u201cYou can either get up here on your own or I\u2019ll put you up here. It doesn\u2019t matter to me one way or another.\u201d<\/p>\n She stopped and hung her head, but didn\u2019t turn around. \u201cAdam, this can only end one way and that\u2019s badly. Why do you want to push this?\u201d she asked, flaring her nostrils, feeling her guts winding into a knot.<\/p>\n He pressed his lips together and took a deep breath. \u201cBecause if you are going to stay on the ranch and ride all over it alone, you need to learn how to protect yourself. The best and easiest way for you to do that is with a gun.\u201d He started down out of the seat, but she clenched her fists and trudged toward him. If she had to sit in the seat, she was not going to be placed there. The two sat silently while Adam drove the buckboard back to the Flying W. When they arrived, he climbed down and offered his hand to her. She got down on the other side, keeping the buckboard between them. \u201cI\u2019m not even going to considering closing the trust until you can protect yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n Her mouth dropped open. \u201cOh, that is just not fair. I don\u2019t need to know how to shoot a gun to run this ranch.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam crossed his arms, unmoving. Shiloh turned away, so frustrated she was about to cry. She jumped when Adam put his hands on her shoulders. \u201cWhy is this so hard for you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMicah,\u201d she whispered, struggling to hold back her tears. \u201cHis gun didn\u2019t save him. Neither did yours.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned her to face him. \u201cMost of us don\u2019t want to point a gun at a man, but we know there is always a possibility we\u2019ll have to defend ourselves. There\u2019s a huge responsibility that goes with wearing a gun.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think I could shoot a person, Adam, even if that person was threatening me.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam smiled. \u201cYou pointed a gun at Clegg.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI had no intention of pulling the trigger.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere are other reasons to carry a gun\u2026rattlesnakes\u2026remember?\u201d He turned her face up toward his. \u201cI don\u2019t expect you to carry a gun everywhere you go. I just want you to wear it while you\u2019re out by yourself. This is a big ranch, and it just got bigger.\u201d She looked up at him with moist, round, blue eyes. Adam met them, looking into them for a moment. \u201cCome on. Let\u2019s go inside.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t expect me to shoot it inside, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d he chuckled. \u201cWhy don\u2019t I just show you how to clean and load it today? I\u2019ll teach you how to shoot it tomorrow.\u201d She took the hand he offered and walked toward the house.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d asked Adam, bending to pick up a bunch of dead flowers.<\/p>\n \u201cThey were lying in front of the door this morning; just a bunch of dead roses wrapped in a ribbon.\u201d Adam furrowed his brow as he looked down at her. \u201cI thought the same thing, Adam. Sam.\u201d<\/p>\n For the next four weeks, both ranches were quiet. Both Adam and Shiloh went about their normal daily business, and several days each week, Adam taught Shiloh how to shoot the gun. They had gone into Virginia City and purchased a gun belt for her and now, when they practiced, she wore the belt.<\/p>\n Today, he had her practice taking the gun out of the holster, pointing the gun toward a target and shooting.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m never going to hit anything like this, Adam.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRemember, a man is big target. Most of the time you won\u2019t be aiming like you did at the bottles. You need to get the gun out of your holster fast enough to bring it up before a man gets to you, otherwise it won\u2019t do you any good. Here, I\u2019ll show you.\u201d He held out his hand. \u201cEmpty the gun.\u201d She flipped the cylinder out and turned the gun up, letting the bullets fall into Adam\u2019s hand. \u201cNow, I\u2019m going to come at you,\u201d he said, backing away from her. \u201cWhen I say \u2018go\u2019, I want you to pull the gun out of your holster and point it at me.\u201d She nodded and squared her feet.<\/p>\n \u201cReady? Go.\u201d Shiloh grabbed the grip of the gun, but before she had it all the way out of the holster, Adam had already run to her and wrapped his arms around her. \u201cThere, you see. You need to practice that.\u201d He stood holding her, looking from her eyes to her lips as he slowly bent closer. When he kissed her, she couldn\u2019t think of anything but how his arms felt around her, how soft his lips felt on hers, and what was that warmth she felt start in her gut and move through her? When the kiss was over, she stepped away from him, unable to look him in the eye.<\/p>\n Adam took the bullets out of his pocket and held them out to Shiloh. When she reached to take them, he noticed that her hand was trembling. Instead of pouring the bullets into her open hand, he put them back in his pocket, then took her hand in his. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to upset you.\u201d<\/p>\n She managed a slight smile and opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s enough shooting lessons today. I need to get back to the Ponderosa,\u201d he said, making his way over to Sport. Before he got there, he turned back. \u201cDon\u2019t forget, there will be a party at the Ponderosa after everyone gets back from the cattle drive. When Micah was here, all the Flying W hands came. I think we need to get back to that tradition.\u201d<\/p>\n Looking down at her hands, she said, \u201cI\u2019m sure your father will let them know that on the way back, but I\u2019ll make sure to tell them anyway.<\/p>\n \u201cShiloh, that includes you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t really do anything for the cattle drive.\u201d<\/p>\n He laughed. \u201cHow can you say that? You supplied half the men, cattle and supplies.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not what I meant.\u201d<\/p>\n He took a few steps toward her, stopping when she stepped back. \u201cShiloh, as the owner of the Flying W that\u2019s as it should be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll think about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Adam nodded, understanding he wasn\u2019t going to get much more out of her. He turned to mount Sport, and when he turned back, the front door of the house was just closing behind her.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/a>Falling
\n<\/a>Togetherness
\n<\/a>Growing Pains
\n<\/a>Family Ties
\n<\/a><\/em>Life\u2019s Demands<\/a><\/p>\n
\nAdam watched her during the trip home, noticing how quiet she had become, speaking only when spoken to.\u00a0 He suspected she was undecided again about her future and wondered, only for a moment, if he should have left her to the decision she had already made\u2026to walk away from singing.\u00a0 Then he remembered her performance.\u00a0 <i>How could she walk away from that?<\/i><\/p>\n