The California State Cattlemen's Association convention had brought Ben Cartwright to San Francisco for a week as it had each year in the fall for more years than he cared to count. Though it was considered by most to be the best season to visit the bay city, there never seemed to be much time to enjoy it as he was occupied with numerous meetings and contract negotiations. However, his friends Thomas and Edith Cole met him midweek for lunch and offered an invitation to a ball they were hosting on Friday, the day before he was scheduled to leave for home. At first he had declined just hoping to enjoy an evening to do as he pleased, but their persistence finally made him give in. Fortunately, Ben had packed along his best suit for some of the more formal convention events. Friday afternoon, he even managed to squeeze in a quick trip to the barber for a trim and a shave. He was an impressive sight when he entered the main hall in the Cole home that evening. Heads turned his way and many of the lady guests began speculating who this handsome, silver-haired man might be. Though engaged with other guests, the Coles had been keeping an eye out for Ben and moved to greet him when they saw him standing in the archway. After a few pleasantries, Edith introduced him almost immediately to a very attractive, middle-aged woman who was standing next to her. It seemed like only moments before the Coles excused themselves and moved toward the entrance of the hall to greet more guests that had just arrived.

Ben cleared his throat a bit uncomfortably. "Mrs. Dameron, I am getting the distinct feeling that we are part of a plan?"

"Yes, I was just thinking the same thing, Mr. Cartwright."

"As Tom mentioned, I am here in the city on business and I guess Edith thought I shouldn't be sitting alone in my hotel room this evening."

Barbara Dameron smiled politely. "That sounds like Edith, ever the hostess. So, how long have you known the Coles?"

"Well, let me, think…I would guess about five years now. My oldest son Adam contracted their shipping company to deliver timber from our ranch in Nevada. And you?"

"Oh goodness. It's been quite a long while. My husband served as legal counsel for Cole and Nagle Shipping for many years until his death last spring."

"I'm very sorry for your loss, Mrs. Dameron."

"Thank you. Yes, it has been a difficult past few months, as you might presume. Fortunately my husband, James, had two very dedicated and caring partners who have helped me with the financial aspects of his estate. Not sure what I would have done without them…."

"I am glad to know that you have had help resolving business matters. Losing someone can be… challenging.…"

"Am I correct in sensing that you have also experienced loss?"

"Yes, I am a widower…have been for many years… So, you live here in San Francisco?"

"Yes, actually not far from here. It's a lovely place, but much too quiet these days. We used to hold wonderful social events like this, and now I'm afraid that my heart just will not allow it without James…I'm sorry. That was probably more than you were hoping for."

"Not at all. You obviously cared deeply for your husband. It sounds as though you have many wonderful memories to hold on to."

"Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Cartwright."

"Please call me Ben, Mrs. Dameron."

"Yes, thank you, Ben. Then you must call me Barbara.

"Barbara it is. Ahhh, the music has begun. Would you consider it too forward of me to ask a lovely lady out onto the dance floor."

"A distinguished, silver-tongued rancher who dances. Now I am intrigued."

Ben gave a slight bow. "Why thank you, ma'am. I do occasionally get out of the pasture." He smiled warmly and motioned toward the other dancers. "Shall we?"

The evening sped by. Ben and Barbara danced and conversed as though they were long time friends. The San Francisco socialite had planned to make an early exit from the ball, but as it turned out, she and Ben were the last guests to bid Tom and Edith Cole goodnight. Ben escorted Barbara to her private coach. The driver stood holding the door for her as they approached.

Ben gently took Barbara's gloved hand. "I have thoroughly enjoyed the pleasure of your company this evening, Barbara." Raising her hand, he leaned and kissed it, and then looked directly into her eyes as he whispered. "Until we meet again."

The dim light concealed the blush that was overtaking her countenance. "Thank you, Ben. It was indeed a most pleasant evening. May you have safe travels back to Virginia City. Goodnight." She turned and the driver helped her up into the expensive coach.

Ben stood and watched Barbara's coach move down the street until the fog closed in around it. He turned back toward the house when he heard footsteps. "Tom, what are you doing out here in the cool, damp air with no overcoat?"

"She's quite a woman, isn't she?"

The smile on Ben's face said that he concurred, but it faded quickly. "So just what are you and Edith up to, Tom? First you wouldn't take no for an answer about my coming this evening and now you're out here checking up on me?"

Thomas Cole's neatly trimmed gray mustache twitched with amusement. "Edith and I just did not want to see a grand opportunity for two of our dearest friends to pass by. You did seem to be enjoying yourself unless I've become a horrible judge at such things. And Barbara, too, I might add."

"So you are a sneaky host as well as a perceptive one."

Tom chuckled. "Well you've caught me there. Ben, Edith feels as though we owe you a few days of San Francisco hospitality since you indulged us this evening. You've been tied up in meetings all week. What do you say?"

"Oh..I don't know Tom. It's not that I don't appreciate your invitation, but I'm due back at the ranch on Sunday."

"Oh now surely those boys of yours...Boys! I can't even believe I'm saying that. Surely those grown sons can take care of things for a few more days. I do believe at this stage of your life you have earned the right to some time away from the ranch."

Ben sighed. A few days just to relax and enjoy the sights did sound appealing to him. "Oh, alright then, Tom! You've talked me into it."

"Excellent! That's exactly what I was hoping to hear. How about we pick you and your luggage up tomorrow morning around nine. Edith already has some plans in the works."

"I can see that the two of you are quite confident in your persuasive abilities, aren't you?"

Tom gave him a satisfied smile. "You can stay here with us just long as you think you can bear to be away from your precious Ponderosa!"

"I will overlook your attempt at sarcasm and expect to return the favor of your hospitality at some point in the future. Thank you, Tom! This does sound marvelous!" Ben offered his hand to his host. "See you in the morning!"

Ben entered the hired cab that had been waiting to take him back to the hotel. As the rig rolled along, the evening replayed in his mind. He could not help wanting to see Barbara again, but thought he really should not plan to stay more than a couple of days. Additionally, he knew that she still needed time to recover from the loss of her husband despite an attraction that he was fairly certain was mutual. A smile crept across his lips at the memory of moving her gracefully around the ballroom. Feelings were beginning to emerge in Ben that he had not felt in some time. He was no inexperienced young buck who relished the flirtations of a woman, but Barbara Dameron had managed to capture his interest and desire with no apparent effort on her part. He guessed her to be about his age, maybe a few years younger, but she had a beautiful, youthful smile that had lit up the ballroom several times during the evening. Ben admired the ease at which she navigated a conversation certain that she was indeed capable of hosting a social event such as the one this evening. She had a knack for feeding the male ego without appearing vulnerable or needy, a rare commodity among the fairer sex.

During her brief ride home, Barbara was also struggling with her emotions. Ben had assessed correctly that she had loved her James greatly. Though quite taken with the handsome rancher, she did not want to betray that love by entertaining thoughts of another man after so many happy years of marriage. Ben Cartwright was as far from the image of a Nevada rancher as she would have imagined. His masculine presence along with his velvety smooth, deep voice seemed to fill a room, and on top of it all, he was a marvelous dancer. It had taken tremendous concentration not to let her thoughts stray where she knew they should not go while they were dancing. To Barbara there was something exhilarating about being in the arms of a man that knew how to lead a woman in dance.

There was a quiet knock at the front door of the Dameron mansion. Harrison, the butler, had been expecting the bell from the coachman announcing the arrival of the mistress of the house long before this. However, it was not the coach; so he responded quickly, certain that he knew who had come calling at this late hour.

"What do you want, Morgan?", the butler asked flatly.

A man in a dark wool coat and hat that was pulled low over his eyes spoke in hushed tones. "You have something for me, I'm sure. The lady of the house should be in her room for the evening by now."

Harrison spoke out in full voice. "Well you have guessed wrong and need to leave immediately. Mrs. Dameron had a social event this evening and will be here at any moment. I have nothing for you."

"You know that Canfield and Russell aren't going to like this. You're getting paid good money to pilfer old man Dameron's stuff. You said yourself the Mrs. hasn't been in his study since the day Dameron died!"

"Yes, but who knows when she will change her mind and decide to go in there. She is going to notice immediately that there are things missing."

"Well, like I told you before, you need to make it look like someone has broken into the house. Next time she goes out, break a window or something. Otherwise, you're going to be the prime suspect. Got it?"

"Yes, I've 'got it.' Now get out of here!"

The man in the dark overcoat strode away with purpose and disappeared into the mist.