Hello, my friends! I know that it has been some time but I hope that the final part of this story will delight and thrill all who read it! I am back with more adventures involving Adam, his family, his lovely fiancée, her father Frank, Abel Stoddard, a troublesome cousin of Adam's, Jody and several unsavory characters, the latter who will get their dues in due course! Along the way, all of the family find ways to cope with the ghosts of the past and move forward into a brighter future as they power toward the wedding of the century between Adam Cartwright and the lovely Evangeline Williams! Each character has demons that need to be laid to rest and none more than Adam as he comes to terms with himself and finds peace in the arms of "His Lady". He learns the true meaning of family and how every person deserves a chance to fly free of the past and find happiness. I hope this story brings peace to a few of you along the way who wrestle with your own pain that goes unseen by the world around you. My fondest wishes for your happiness, my dear readers, and thank you for taking the time to join me in my little universe! I would advise that those new to my story or others who might want to refresh your memories read the first two parts but I have also included the last chapter of Part 2 so that should help. Happy reading!
The OC Characters-
Evangeline Williams-With the face of Catherine Zeta-Jones and the sweet spirit of a sensitive 27-year-old, she served as a nurse during the Civil War and now runs a restaurant/homeless shelter in Virginia City called "The Helping Hand". She lives in town with her father, Frank Williams.
Frank Williams-The father of Evangeline and is a wealthy businessman from back East. He recently moved out with his daughter to get away from the old memories of his wife's death, three years before. Originally, he didn't care for Adam but now has a soft spot for the younger man.
Katherine Stanton-A young woman of early twenties who has accompanied Abel Stoddard, Adam's grandfather, out to Nevada for Adam's wedding. She is considered to be Adam's cousin although Abel hasn't adopted her legally. Katherine is very close to Adam and holds a desperate love for him that has sheltered her heart from reliving the horrific death of her family in a house fire. Abel rescued her off the street at the tender age of ten and she has been under his care ever since.
Jody Grant-From the episode, "The Jacknife", both of his parents were killed by an epidemic and he made his way alone to the Ponderosa where Adam immediately took him under his wing. The boy is a joy in Adam's life but is also a challenge, considering that Jody's parents have only been dead for a month or so, Jody has trouble with horrid memories.
Silas Anderson and his two thugs-They hold a deep hatred for the Cartwrights and are planning to steal a "pot" of gold that belongs to Jody Grant by right of will from his dead parents. The three are nothing but trouble and loom like a dark cloud behind the scenes, providing danger on the horizon.
A final note-Adam has a recurring back problem, consisting of spontaneous back spasms that tear through him and leave him thoroughly exhausted. This aftershock problem dates back to his injury in "The Triangle". I thought that such a severe injury, he wouldn't suddenly be "just fine" so I did extensive research and have included this plotline as a way to not only keep a realistic feel but also to slow him down so he has to trust his family more to take care of him.
The morning dawned with an air of hope and promise, the rising sun's rays spilling through its soft prison of clouds onto the mountains below. Horse whinnies floating on the cold breeze brought a feeling of contentment to the man's heart as he paused in his chores with a pitchfork in his hand. He smiled upon going to the barn door and seeing Jupiter prancing around his small band of mares out in the pasture. The stallion's black tail was held high in an arc as his slender legs flashed in a prideful high-step. Two of the mares looked up in interest but then appeared to be unimpressed so returned to their earnest grazing. Jupiter seemed unaffected as he raised up in a graceful rear, his front legs pumping the air, he rejoicing in his strength and good fortune of that morning.
Adam chuckled and returned to his duties. The family was still asleep, he having sneaked out early to do what he had been denied because of physical complications of late. His back muscles felt much better but had left him with a residual hitching limp as their soreness was still prevalent at times. Warm in his new black coat though, he was enjoying the solitude of the barn, the animals peaceful as they munched on the grain and hay he was giving them.
Coal whinnied in a high pitch from his stall, bringing Adam's attention to the little horse. "Alright, alright, little guy...I'm coming."
Adam retrieved the bucket of cow's milk by the stall and chuckled again as the foal plunged his head into the liquid almost up to his eyes. Loud slurping followed and another gentle smile showed Adam's ease as he sighed, thinking on if he was going to be able to do anything with the colt now that Jody had become so attached to it. The boy had hardly left the barn and had been choosing to spend most of his free time with his new friend. Raising the foal for his intended purpose didn't seem to be logical now. Adam shrugged to himself, knowing without debating it what he would do.
Footsteps entered the barn and Adam deciphered their author's identity without having to turn to see who it was. "Up a little early for you, aren't you, little brother?"
Joe chuckled at his brother's perceptiveness but proceeded in saddling his pinto without saying a word. Adam finished feeding Coal and moved to Joe's side. He said nothing as he leaned on the stall post and crossed his arms. Joe felt the dark eyes boring into his back and turned with a questioning look on his face as well.
"What's up? Don't ya have anything better to do than sneaking around and making a fellow feel jittery?"
Adam drew his head back with an eyebrow arcing. "That's what I was going to ask you. Why are you leaving before you thought any of us were up?"
Caught in his plan for subterfuge, Joe still didn't feel free to disclose what he was planning. But his oldest brother staring him down had never been a delightful prospect nor was it at this time either. Joe avoided the other man's knowing eyes and continued with gathering what he would need for the next few days. Cochise was saddled, his saddlebags checked and a bedroll tied on. Before Joe could lead his horse out of the stall though, Adam put out a hand and took hold of the pinto's reins.
"Joe, you're not going anywhere until I know one thing..."
Waiting for the rest of the ultimatum, Joe rolled his eyes at Adam's dramatic pause. "Hurry up and finish, will ya? I've got to be somewhere important but you're holding me up as usual. What do you want to know?"
"Does Pa know where you're going?"
Chewing his lip, Joe thought about disclosing the whole truth but settled on it being halved. "Yeah, Pa knows where I'm goin'. Anything else you want to know, Older Brother, or do we stand around all day like a couple of lazy cowhands while things need to be done?"
"When will you be back?"
"Before the pre-wedding party on Thursday, don't worry about that."
Adam's hand slipped from Cochise's reins to be draped on his other crossed arm. "Be careful..."
Joe nodded at the hidden affection and led his horse out into the morning sun. Adam remained where he was, listening to the sound of his brother disappearing down the trail. He then had a sudden urge to follow at a distance. He shook his head to quell that old habit to protect his youngest sibling and instead he stepped out of the barn, closed the door securely and returned to the house to help Hop Sing with breakfast before the other Cartwrights and Jody were up.
On the trail, Joe maneuvered his horse behind a jagged outcropping of rock and remained there for the next hour. Listening and looking for any signs of being followed for all of that time, he witnessed none and soon was satisfied. The way his brother had looked hadn't given Joe a reason to trust the fact that he wouldn't be tailed. His plan depended on the fact that no one knew where he was going except a select few. He had spun a half-truth for his pa's benefit and had thought it better not to say anything to Hoss about where he was going. The middle Cartwright wasn't known for being good at keeping secrets. That thought made Joe smile as he turned Cochise's head in the direction of Carson City. Not to find a few well-bred horses as a present for Adam's wedding, as had been told to Ben, but to secure the oldest Cartwright brother's safe future. Joe only hoped that he could do it with help from a few friends.
I* * * * *I
Evangeline awoke with a feeling of complete contentment following her into consciousness. She at once started, thinking that she needed to be at work just now but then she remembered that today, The Helping Hand was closed. She transitioned over onto her back in bed, her hair tousled as she glanced around the room. Sunshine was spilling through her bedroom window and the cold breeze fluttered the sheer drapes. Birds were singing in the trees and the faint sounds outside added to the quiet buzz of sound that was typical of a house located in town.
She stretched with abandon, her body enjoying its freedom of movement. Her thoughts went back to the events of the day before and she smiled, her stomach fluttering. Her hand moved to caress the open spot next to herself on the rumpled sheets that would soon be filled in less than one week's time. She turned her head to gaze at the picture frame on her side table and the face within that frame. She took the wooden object in hand and held it high, allowing the light to play on the sketch. A blissful smile touched her face as she put it down on the empty spot.
She lay back on her pillow, closing her eyes and remembering the whimsical upturn of his cupid-bow mouth those months ago that she had tried to capture. He had been fishing in a stream they had stopped at, the pole held loosely between his hands as he had glanced over at her drawing under a tree, although he hadn't known it was him that had been her subject. She had smiled back, as pleased to be alive then as she felt now on this beautiful morning.
Evangeline sighed, her eyes found the clock's face on the wall and she pulled herself from the comforts of her bed and her daydreams. After getting dressed in a beige riding habit, she ate a hurried breakfast that was still being enjoyed by Frank when she left. She then ordered her red-bay mare saddled by the stable boy who tended the horses kept by the Williams' family. Collecting her favorite horse, she was soon mounted and on her way, turning many heads of the townspeople at seeing Frank Williams' elegant daughter riding side-saddle out of Virginia City towards the Ponderosa.
About halfway to her destination, however, Evangeline came upon a buggy in the middle of the road by an intersection. There were no signs at this particular crossing so she rightly surmised that the occupants were attempting to figure out the correct way for them to travel. She directed her mare to come to an abrupt halt instead of continuing on.
At the sound of approaching hoofbeats, Katherine and Abel turned from their conversation over a hand-drawn map and looked up. A lady, dressed in a classy riding habit and looking very prim and proper on her beautiful mount, made Katherine have a double-take. Adam had sent a sketch that he had done of his fiancée to his adopted little sister and this woman appeared to bear a striking resemblance to his handiwork. Abel was now conversing with the lady who introduced herself as Evangeline Williams; the name solidified the suspicions of the younger woman in the buggy. That same name slipped by Abel though who was thinking of more frustrating matters.
"Do you need any help?" Evangeline asked with a smile.
Abel nodded, relieved and feeling tired, he not knowing much about land nor wanting to at the moment either. "We're trying to get to the Ponderosa but this monster of a map is useless. Could you be kind enough to tell us which way to go, young lady?"
"I'll do better than that. I'm heading to there myself, why don't you follow along?"
Thanks given her, Evangeline nudged her mare into a slow trot. She was more than curious about the future visitors of Adam's home. She glanced back, taking stock of whom she was helping. The older man driving appeared to be a sailor of some kind and the girl beside him was very pretty, possessing a head of deep-red locks that spilled over her shoulders and made her look very fresh and young. She, however, seemed to be reticent and silent, having been unwilling to meet her, Evangeline's, eyes from the moment they met. Evangeline shrugged to herself and pressured her horse into a faster pace.
In the buggy, Abel felt as nervous as a new sailor on his first trip around Cape Horn. The prospect of seeing his grandson again had him shaking slightly as he drove on. Katherine beside him was struggling with her feelings though. She had waited so long to see Adam Cartwright again but in her haste for hope, she had forgotten the reason for which that she had journeyed so far. To be at his wedding, the joining between him and the graceful woman riding ahead. Katherine felt like shriveling up and slipping into a hole, what a fool she felt she had been. Evangeline Williams was obviously the superior match to Adam but Katherine was also stubborn and she set her jaw in defiance of the facts.
Soon the Ponderosa ranch house was coming into view and Abel took an intake of breath. A magnificent empire is what Ben Cartwright had built over the years and the old seaman was thunderstruck. The landscape was the most beautiful that he had seen, even during all of his many travels, and this house was a work of art. Its lines were clean and rustic but somehow it gave off an air of being a palace in the middle of this unequaled countryside.
A man of tall strength was striding from the barn, a tangle of leather in his hand that he appeared to be sorting out. He glanced up when the visitors appeared but no recognition registered yet as they were too far away. He turned to move away, over to the fence where he placed the untangled bridle. He reached for the black coat slung over the top board and shrugged into it.
Katherine couldn't be sure of who the man was until he half-turned and the morning light played on his handsome face. A longing filled her and she cried out his name as she struggled out of the halting buggy. He whipped around and upon seeing her, he began to run although a limp hampered his progress. She stumbled and fell but kept going until she was caught up and spun around by his strong arms. Both were crying as he set her down and they clung to each other, drawing strength from being together.
Abel felt a tear prick his own eye at seeing his two grandchildren together at long last. A hand touched his arm and he glanced to see the young lady, her name escaped him, offering her hand to help him out of the buggy. He did so and limped around to approach the man who would always be a day-year-old babe to him. He reached out a tentative hand and dropped it on the shoulder of the black coat. His grandson turned from greeting Katherine to see who had touched him.
Adam's face registered speechless shock upon seeing his beloved grandfather. Too choked up for words, Abel touched his hands to the sides of his grandson's face. He then pulled the young man close in his embrace, feeling the strong and muscled body in his arms once more after so many years apart. Joyful sobs came from all three being reunited, Katherine wrapping her arms as far as she could reach around both men as they hugged amid shameless tears.