Adam Cartwright leaned back on the stacked bags of grain outside the Virginia City General Store. He was waiting for his brother, Hoss, to return so he didn't have to complete the backbreaking chore of loading sacks into the buckboard on his own. If he played his cards right, he might not even have to load them at all. Hoss could be manipulated on occasion if Adam was cunning enough. Then, there was the problem of Little Joe who was, at this very minute, running riot in the store spending the two bits Adam had given him to keep him occupied. At twelve years old, Joe was a handful for any one of them, especially in town.

Adam leaned back, lazily wondering how much longer Hoss could possibly be at the barber. It wasn't as if Hoss had a big date Saturday night. He was so shy around women Adam sometimes doubted if they indeed had the same blood in their veins.

It was already apparent that Little Joe was going to be a ladies man though. He'd recently been caught trying to kiss two of the girls in his class at school. Adam hadn't been pleased when his father made him go down and talk to Miss Jones about Joe's conduct. Adam was successful in getting Joe off the hook, but found himself high-tailing it out of there to avoid the school mistress's advances. He had a strong suspicion Little Joe would get a whole lot worse in the coming few years.

Adam watched the streets as he waited. Nothing much happened in Virginia City. At least nothing that interested Adam. The noise from the mines echoed through the town. The streets were full of miners, ranchers and settlers coming through. There was nothing of any cultural value that held the young academic's attention.

He'd been home from college for almost three months, and he was only just starting to adjust back to his old life. He'd gotten used to the mentally challenging life in Boston, his circle of learned friends, the political debates and the busy social calendar.

Today, Virginia City ran a very poor second in Adam's opinion. He sighed again, very melodramatically, and looked at his pocket watch. Little Joe had been far too long in the store, so he supposed he'd better go look for him.

'Morning, Adam.' He turned around to see who was calling him, and his mouth creased into a smile as he recognized Sally Cass from the general store. She was an old friend.

'Morning, Sally.' Adam stood up and walked to the end of the boardwalk as she approached. His interest was keenly sharpened as he saw another young lady walking along with her.

A new girl in town?

Had to be as she was dressed in refined eastern clothes, and had a certain air about her that Adam recognized as city bred. As the girls approached him he removed his hat and smiled confidently at them both, especially at the stranger.

'Adam, It's so good to see you,'began Sally. 'We've only spoken briefly since you got back. I'd love for you to come over one afternoon and tell me all about your adventures.'

Sally smiled, but realized Adam was looking past her to her friend. 'Adam, I'd like you to meet Megan Simms. She's from back east.'

'Pleasure to meet you, Miss Simms.' Adam smoothly took up her hand and gently kissed the back of it. A technique to impress the young ladies that he'd learned at college.

'Mr. Cartwright.' Megan didn't go all giggly at his action, as most of the local girls did. She was definitely city bred. She remained serenely cool.

'May I ask where you are from, Miss Simms?' Adam took in her lovely oval face and creamy skin. She had pale blonde hair, swept back from her face with elaborately decorated combs. Her eyes were deep blue, and her body, fine and delicate. Her day dress, though simple, reflected wealth and good taste. Adam liked the look of her very much.

'I'm from Boston originally, but Daddy and I have lived the last few years in New York. He runs a large company there.' Adam's smile widened. Her accent was North Eastern, with a slight English inflection, no doubt due to the social circles in which she moved.

'And may I ask what brings you to Virginia City?'

'Daddy has business with the mines here for a couple of months. I thought it droll to have to come with him. Fortunately, Sally and I attended the same finishing school two years ago. We've been catching up, haven't we Sally?'

'Megan and her father are staying with us for a few weeks, Adam. I'm afraid it isn't what she's used to, though. Virginia City is in the middle of nowhere.'

Adam got the feeling Sally was having trouble keeping her friend entertained.

'Megan, you would enjoy talking with Adam. He just completed four years at Harvard in Boston. He graduated with honors, isn't that right, Adam?' She sent him a look that begged him to engage her friend with some interesting conversation.

Adam smiled at Sally, quite pleased that she'd brought up the subject of his studies. He was still rather tickled himself that he'd done so well, and Hoss had even described him as being quite swelled-headed about it.

'That's true.'

Megan's eyes lit up and she moved closer with interest. She was obviously impressed. Adam's chest swelled slightly and he stood more erect.

'A Harvard man in this backwater. Who would have guessed? Tell me, Adam, what did you major in?'

'Engineering and architecture.'

'Oh, that sounds so complicated. Many of my friends have attended college there. But I'm afraid I don't know much about either subject you excelled at.' Megan looked disappointed.

'Oh, but he also studied literature, didn't you Adam?' Sally half nodded at him, alerting him to the fact that Megan would be more interested in that.

'Why yes, I did.'

'Oh, really? How exciting! And I thought there was no culture here.' Megan, taking a whole new look at the young man in front of her, swivelled slightly and took his arm. 'Adam, you simply must come to tea tomorrow and tell me all about your studies. Why, we could even start a little literary group. It would make the next few weeks so much more bearable.'

Sally winced a little, and Adam knew she felt inadequate.

Adam found himself agreeing to both tea and the idea of a group before the next minute was out.

Just as he was about to continue the conversation, Hoss returned from his trip to the barber.

'Mornin' Sally.' Hoss grinned in his friendly, toothy way.

'Good morning, Hoss.' Adam noticed Megan's miffed reaction to Hoss's intrusion. Perhaps she liked him?

'Hey Adam, where's Little Joe at?' Hoss stood along side his brother, and only then noticed the other girl.

'Hoss, I would like you to meet Miss Megan Simms.' Adam politely introduced them and watched as his brother floundered with a reply.

'Oh, er, howdy, Ma'am.' Hoss wiped his hand on his trouser leg and offered it to her. She took it and he shook it vigorously. Megan squeaked with pain.

'Hoss!' Adam knew his brother's strength. He could easily crush such a delicate woman's fine hand.

'Oh, sorry, Ma'am. I'm terrible sorry. Don't know my own strength sometimes.' Hoss snatched his hand back and hid it behind his back, very embarrassed at his own carelessness.

'Adam, I'd better go find Little Joe. He could be any place by now.' Hoss retreated quickly, tipping his hat to both ladies, and turning red when he looked at Megan.

'What an oaf!' Megan was clearly displeased as she rubbed her hand. Adam, annoyed by her remark, quickly came to Hoss's defence.

'Hoss is my brother, Miss Simms. I know he's a little rough around the edges but a more sincere man you won't find.'

'Oh, your brother?' Megan raised her eyebrows. 'I take it he hasn't been to Harvard.' She dismissed any further talk of Hoss by turning back to Sally.

'I can feel this dry heat burning my delicate skin, Sally. I think we'd better retire to the International House for lunch.' She turned fluttering lashes in Adam's direction. 'Would you like to escort us to lunch, Adam?'

The rising anger he'd felt after her comment about Hoss was swept away by her beguiling looks. Sorely tempted, Adam had to remember that he was only in town to pick up supplies. If he wanted time the following afternoon to take tea with them, he couldn't possibly stay now.

'Sorry, Miss Megan, I have to be getting back to the Ponderosa.'

'The Ponderosa?'

'Yes, Megan. Adam's family owns the largest ranch this side of the Rockies. It's called the Ponderosa.' Sally said it with pride trying to defend her home town.

'Really, how quaint.' Megan, not in the least impressed, opened her lacy cream parasol.'See you tomorrow, Adam. At four precisely. We shall discuss Boston and the classics.'

With that, she dismissed him with a favorable smile. The two young women strolled off, and Adam let out a puff of air. She was a little stuck up but boy she was cultured. He placed his hat back on his head and tipped it forward. He could do with a little culture round about now.

Adam, we're in big trouble. I can't find Little Joe anywhere. Pa told us not to lose him again. Remember what happened last week?' Hoss wiped his brow and looked up and down the street in frustration.

'He can't be far. He just spent a small fortune on candy. You go up that way, and I'll look down here. Meet you back here in ten minutes, okay?'

Adam was annoyed at Joe's antics. He wanted to get home and plan what to say to get to spend the afternoon with Megan. He had to smooth things over with his father as they were very busy at the moment with summer haying. He wouldn't be easy to sway.

Adam hadn't been able to discuss any college subjects since returning to Nevada. None of his friends had been back east. Hoss was not at all interested in books.

At eighteen years old, Hoss had been relieved to finally finish his formal schooling and work full time on the ranch. Ben, of course, enjoyed having the occasional absorbing conversation with Adam, but he was always so busy with the ranch that those opportunities rarely occurred.

Little Joe was too young. Not that he liked school any better than Hoss had done. Adam proceeded to look for Little Joe, all the while, getting angrier.

Joe couldn't believe that he'd managed to sneak away from Adam's watchful eye. Ever since his big brother had returned home, Joe felt resentful and hard done by. Suddenly all the freedom he'd enjoyed under Hoss's easygoing supervision was gone.

While Adam was away, Joe had run a little wild. Ben, although strict, had a large ranch to run and expand so he often passed on the responsibility to Hoss to watch Joe.

With Hoss, Joe could get away with practically anything. He had him wrapped around his little finger. Sure, when Pa got really mad, he dished out the punishment severely. But Joe was smart and cunning, so his father rarely caught him out.

It had been a kind of boy heaven, doing as he pleased, playing practical jokes, being late home from school and playing hooky from school. Not that he was a bad boy, just mischievous and fun loving.

Unfortunately, when Adam came home, all his fun came to an abrupt halt. Adam picked up his older brother, surrogate father role just where he'd left off when Joe was eight. He'd been appalled at the way Joe had been left to his own devices and took it upon himself to put him back on the straight and narrow. That included behaving in school, doing homework, chores and being strictly supervised twenty-four hours a day! At least if felt like it to the budding teenager.

Joe grimaced as he remembered the tanning Adam had given him only the week before, after the kissing incident. He guessed he shouldn't have taken it one step further, by calling Adam an old goat and telling him to get lost with a swear word he'd overheard in the saloon a few days earlier. That was another thing. If Adam found out he'd been hiding in the saloon, he'd have faired far worse.

Joe sure hated the fact that Adam was back. He was a spoilsport and a right pain in the rear end. But he was good to spy on. Just now he'd seen him chatting to the ladies in the street and suavely kissing the new girl's hand. Joe decided to go find his own girlfriend. He wanted to try out the hand kissing technique for himself.

Adam finally found Joe hiding up an alley, talking to Hallie Shannon, his girlfriend from school. The same one he'd been caught kissing the week before!

'Little Joe, you get back to that wagon right this minute.' Joe turned and gave his big brother a sour glare.

'I'm talkin' to Hallie.'

Adam crossed his arms and his dark eyes glinted with controlled anger. 'You can just say good-bye to Hallie. We're late leaving because of you.'

'Oh? What about you talkin' to that fancy woman out in the street? Kissin' her hand and everythin'.' Joe mocked Adam by taking Hallie's hand and kissing the back of it. She giggled and turned red.

'Joe, get back to the buckboard this instant. Hallie, you better get back to your house right now before I tell you mother where you've been.'

Hallie looked genuinely scared of Adam, even though Little Joe reassured her that he could take care of his big brother.

'Don't you worry, Hallie. He's nothing but a big old bag of wind.'

'Joe.' Adam said his name calmly and slowly. Joe knew he'd pushed him as far as he could, so he said goodbye to Hallie and smugly sauntered back to the wagon. Adam curtailed his temper and made sure Hallie returned safely to her house across the street before he went back to Hoss.

On their way home, Joe slouched in the back of the buck board, pleased with his little rebellious act. He steadily chomped his way through the candy he'd bought.

Adam was grateful that he was being so quiet, but glanced at Hoss several times with concern. He usually chattered away with good nature. Instead, Hoss seemed sullen and distracted. After half an hour of silence, Adam spoke up.

'Anything wrong, Hoss?'

'Huh?'

'I said, anything wrong?'

'No. Aw heck, I don't know.'

Adam sighed, knowing that Hoss did indeed have a problem. 'What is it?'

Hoss looked down at his boots, not knowing what to say. 'Aw, you wouldn't understand, Adam.'

'Try me.' Adam noticed they'd lost a little of the easy camaraderie they'd enjoyed from before his college days. He regretted that and wanted it back.

'Just thinkin' about that pretty little gal back in town. How clumsy I was with her. Could'a broke her in two.' Hoss kicked at the sideboard with annoyance.

'I don't know about that Hoss.'

'Well, I do. I just ain't no good 'round women. They plumb scare me.'

Hoss turned red and Adam tried to think of something positive to say. It was true. Hoss had real trouble talking to girls. Adam figured it was because of his size.

When Hoss had first gone to school, the other children had unmercifully taunted him. He'd been so much bigger than all the other kids had. It hadn't been easy for Hoss to fit in, although he was such a wonderful boy with a kind nature.

In the end, he'd formed strong friendships, but not with many girls. They'd still teased and taunted him until recently. Sally had been one of the few he'd been able to talk to. The truth was, there were lots of girls in town now who would like to go out with Hoss, but he was just too shy to oblige.

'Truth be, brother, they kinda scare me too.' Adam looked at Hoss with open honesty.

'Aw, Adam, I don't believe that.' Hoss chuckled and brightened.

'Sure they do. Thing is, I don't let them get the better of me. If it's one thing a pretty girl wants, it's flattery, attention and pleasing words. She also wants a man who doesn't fawn over her. Women are like horses,' Adam continued, trying to put it into Hoss's terms. 'They like to know who's boss. They like us to be a little strong, but at the same time they like to think they're in control. Then-'

'-Hold up there, Adam. I don't follow you. You know all that?'

"Sure, and more."

'I don't want to learn all that, I just wanna be able to say hi to a gal without trippn' over my boots, you know.'

'All right." Adam thought hard. "You talk fine to Sally, don't you?'

'Sure, but well, Sally's a friend. It's not like she's a girl.'

Adam raised his eyebrows at Hoss's fuzzy logic. 'I don't know when you last looked, but she sure looks like one to me.'

'You know what I mean, Adam. Like that Megan. I wouldn't have a chance with someone like that and you know it.'

Adam thought on that for some time. How could he increase Hoss's confidence with women? It was true. Hoss had no chance with someone like Megan, but then again, why not? If Hoss knew the right words, or the right moves, Megan would be impressed.

Adam now knew she loved the classics. If Hoss took an interest in them, it stood to reason she would like him.

'Hoss, how would you like to join a literary group?'

'A litter what?'

Adam smiled. With Megan as bait, he might just succeed in teaching Hoss how to woo women. It could turn out to be a very interesting week after all.