Disclaimer: I don't own them, I just play with them.
Authors Note: This is my only my second fan fiction story, comments welcome but be constructive if possible please. Feel free to pm me if you have any advice on a better writing technique.
It had been a long few days at the ranch. Adam was mentally tired from trying to keep a watchful eye on his younger brothers particularly Little Joe who was ornery due to Ben's absence and he had accused Adam of being unfair with regard to his decisions on everything from chores to bedtime over the last few days.
Adam was sitting in the great room by the fire after supper when there was a rap on the door and the ranch foreman stuck his head inside. "Hi Adam". "Hi Bill, what can I do for you?" "Well, Adam it is actually what I can do for you why I am here. The hands are heading into Virginia city and I see that the boys are having their bath supervised by Hop Sing and I thought it might do you good to have a break from the ranch. I am not feeling up to a trip into town so if you wanted to go with the hands I can keep an eye on the boys for you."
Adam sat quietly for a few moments and then smiled he could do with letting off a bit of steam. "Sure Bill, I could do with a beer and a ride into town, are you sure you don;t mind?". "Adam I wouldn't have suggested it if I minded and you are a young man who has a lot of responsibility to be sure but it is OK to take a break every now and then. Sides it;s a while since I beat someone at checkers" Laughed Bill.
Adam laughed too, "Watch out for Little Joe though Bill, sometimes he cheats a bit and thinks that no one ever notices". "Can you tell the hands I'll be a few minutes getting changed." "Sure Adam, shall I get someone to saddle Sport?". "Thanks but Sport can be a bit skittish around others when being saddled, I'll do it, please take a seat Bill the boys should be done soon." With that Adam disappeared up the stairs to get changed.
By the time Adam returned downstairs 10 minutes later Hoss and Joe had finished their bathing and were engaged in a checkers match with each other. Adam heard Bill offer to play the winner on his way downstairs. Hop Sing came into the room with fresh coffee for Bill. "have good evening master Adam, not worry Hop Sing and Mr Curtis will watch brothers."
"Thanks Hop Sing, Bill I won't be too late back, boys please behave for Hop Sing and Mr Curtis." "okay Adam" was the reply from both boys who were intent on their checkers game.
Adam left the house and went into the barn to saddle Sport on the way he saw 5 of the hands waiting looking ready to ride out. "Be a few minutes boys" "Sure Adam we are ready when you are" said Jake. Jake was the newest and youngest ranch hand being only a year old than Adam and he and Adam had become good friends.
Adam quickly saddled Sport and led him out of the barn he swung himself up into the saddle. "Okay boys lets get into town then." The group left ranch and rode hard into Virginia City.
Leaving their rides at the livery they made their way to the "Bucket of Blood".
Adam wasn't looking for anything other than a beer and time to relax but Jake thought that Adam needed more than that and after seeing Adam buy all the hands a beer, Jake approached one of the 'dancing girls' and told her that his friend needed her services.
'Annie' approached Adam who gently spurned her advances stating that he was only in for a beer. Annie pouted and looked up at Jake who smiles and mouthed 'he like you really he just needs to relax'. Annie smile and signalled that she understood and moved away from Adam and left to go sit with another man who had entered the saloon. But she decided that Adam was so handsome that she would try and catch his attention when he was more relaxed later.
Jake and the other hands managed to get themselves included in a poker game and asked Adam if he wanted to join them but he declined. Adam finished his beer and went up to the bar to order another beer. After buying his beer he returned to the table and was approached by a man enquiring as to whether or not he was a Cartwright. Adam said that he was an asked the stranger why. "Mr Cartwright, my name is Matt Williams, I own a small holding outside of Carson City and I was wondering if I could speak about buying a young calf to take back with me and the bartender said that I should talk to you as your family had the biggest herd hereabouts".
Adam spent the next hour talking with Matt Williams about the difficulty of running a ranch compared to a small holding and Mr Williams was good company having Adam laughing at his children's exploits to try and get out of doing their chores. Adam explained that although he was too young to have children he did have too younger brothers to deal with and that the youngest being only 6 he understood as Joe would say anything to get out of completing his chores. Mr Williams brought each of them a beer and they agreed on a price for calf.
"Well then young Mr Cartwright I must take my leave tonight, may I come by tomorrow afternoon for the calf?" "Yes of course Mr Williams" replied Adam. "I have enjoyed our conversation sir would you like to join us at the ranch for lunch?" "thank you Adam but I must be heading home, I have some supplies to collect from the general store in the morning so if you could give me directions to your ranch I will come by in the afternoon as we agreed. It was nice talking to you young man your father should be proud of how well you conduct yourself.".
Adam explained how to get to the Pondersoa and the two men took their leave.
Adam was feeling very relaxed and a little light headed as he had consumed 3 beers by now and he had never drunk more that one a night prior to now. He thought to himself that it would be a good time to take his leave and seeing that the hands were still involved in the poker game he decided to ride home on his own.
Annie saw Adam rise from his seat slightly unsteadily and realising he might be much more relaxed now she approached him. "Hi handsome, you want some company?""Ah no ma'am not right now I was fixing to leave." "What now, the night is young, surely a handsome young man like yourself has more stamina than that and besides most others your age like a little female company now and then, not scared of me are ya?" Adam blushed but then realised that it might make him look immature in front of his men if he walked away so he sat back down.
Annie immediately sat in his lap and started stroking his think hair "hey that's better handsome now why don't you have an other drink and tell me all about yourself. "Sam, two brandy please" she called out. Sam the bartender smiled, he looked up and saw Annie in Adam Cartwright lap. He never thought he'd see Adam sitting there with a 'dance hall woman' in his lap at his age but he figured that he was old enough to be in the saloon and drink and young men needed to "sow their oats" at some point who was he to interfere. Sam brought the drinks over to the table and Adam paid for them.
Adam didn't usually drink Brandy as he didn't really care for the taste and even when he was allowed to join his father at the ranch he only had one small one. Sam had it seemed poured double the size he was used to. Annie grabbed her glass and passed the other to Adam, "here's mud in your eye" she said and clinked glasses with Adam before she took a huge swallow. Seeing Annie take a huge gulp Adam tried to do the same, the liquid burned his throat and made his eyes water ,he managed to stop himself from choking but did give a cough and put his glass down. Annie giggled, "not used to brandy then?" she enquired. Adam coughed again and said "no, I prefer beer myself".
Annie caressed Adam's face "ah poor baby I didn't know I'm sorry". And that's when the saloon erupted. Jake had just won a large pot at the poker table and one of the other gamblers wasn't happy.
"You bloody young cheat, I'll kill you, where did you get them 3 aces from eh, up your sleeve?" exclaimed the man. Jake stood up, "Hell no, I'm no cheat, the cards just landed like that". The losing gambler stretched across the table trying to grab Jake and the other hands tried to stop him then the gamblers friends joined in a a fight started. Adam tried to get up but what with Annie on his lap and the brandy on top of the beer causing his head to spin he was unable too. Sam called out to Luke the man just inside the door of the saloon"get the Sheriff Luke" Luke hurried off to get Sheriff Coffee.
Adam felt dizzy and a little sick but could hear the me-lee around him and tried again to get to his feet without any luck. When Sheriff Coffee arrived a few minutes later with a couple of deputies he couldn't believe what we saw. There was a fight in the back of the saloon with about 10 men involved he and the two deputies and well as another couple of townsmen went to the back and started to break up the fighting.
Roy Coffee grabbed two men shouted out "OK that;s enough break it up". The deputise did exactly the same and the fighting was stopped pretty quickly. Roy had hold of Jake and recognising him he said "Right young man tell me what the hell happened here?" "Hi Sheriff, well I won and that stinking loser over there accused me of cheating" Jake said pointing and the bad loser across the table. "Is that right?" asked Roy. "Yeah Sheriff it is" answered one of the other hands, the gambler who had accused Jake had a blackening eye but re refused to answer. Roy. The sheriff asked Sam to come over and asked him what he saw but Sam said he wasn't able to tell him anything about it as he was engaged watching Adam Cartwright. Roy scanned the saloon and his couldn't believe his eyes. Adam Cartwright, responsible,usually well behaved Adam Cartwright, eldest son of his friend Ben was sitting looking completely out of it with a 'dance hall girl' on his lap and knowing Ben was away Roy thought how can Adam be here when he should be at home with his brothers, of all the irresponsible, immature things the could do...Roy was incensed. "Adam Stoddard Cartwright, what the hell are you doing?" Adam heard the shouting but was unable to place where is was coming from.
Roy gave the deputies and the assisting townsmen orders to take all of the fighting men to the jail and he would join them shortly to sort out who was going to spend the night locked up and then he stormed over to Adam. "Annie, get of him and leave us." Annie not wanting any trouble stood up and walked quickly away. "Adam Stoddard Cartwright, I cannot believe your behaviour what the hell are you doing here boy?" Adam looked up into Roy' angry face and just groaned he knew that hew was in trouble but he felt so light headed and sick he could not do any more. Roy pulled Adam to his feet and realising that Adam was unable to stand he ordered another townsman to help him get Adam over to the Jail.
Once at the Jail, Adam was lowered into a chair and Roy went to into the back to try and sort out the mess from the saloon. After questioning everyone he decided that the only person at fault was the losing gambler but that he was probably acting so badly because of the amount he has had to drink. Apparently he was a had a another nearby ranch who normally had a good temper, so accepting his friends explanations he decided to let everyone go and he would stay the night to sleep it off, if the gambler accepted responsibility and paid a fine the next day he would be released. Roy made it clear to everyone though that he did not allow fighting in his town and that this was a one time let off. "Now get out of my jail and don't let me see you here again do you hear me!" There we choruses of "yes sir sheriff and everyone made to leave.
Jake saw Adam sitting in the chair at the front of the jail and said "Sheriff can we take Adam back to the Ponderosa with us?" No, I need to speak with Adam, don't worry he will be back at the ranch tomorrow."
"Adam,,,, Adam" Roy shouted, Adam lifted his head and looked at Roy but his eyes were all glassy, suddenly he lurched forward and vomited all over Sheriff Coffee's boots. Roy tried to step back but it wasn't far enough, he huffed "Damn Adam what have you been drinking?" Roy rubbed Adam's back until he finished vomiting and then stepped over to the desk and got Adam a drink of water from the jug and a towel from the dresser to clean him up with. Adam then passed out. Leaving Adam for a minute he shouted to a deputy to get a broom and a bucket of water to clean the floor with.
Seeing that Adam was in no condition to be on his own Roy and a deputy put Adam in one of the free cells, putting him on the bunk turning him onto his side and propping him up slightly to stop him swallowing anything if he vomited again. Leaving the cell door open they retreated into the front office where they decided who was going to sleep and who would stay on watch to guard the gambler and keep an eye on Adam.
6 O'clock the next morning.
"Sit up Adam" deputy Peters said gently. Adam opened his eyes and groaned, his head felt like a herd of cattle had stampeded over it, he sat up slowly. The deputy handed Adam a mug of fresh, strong black coffee Adam muttered his thanks and the deputy returned to the front office to wake Roy the same way.
Leaving it until he had finished his first cup of coffee Roy asked Deputy Peters how Adam and the prisoner were. "The prisoner is still asleep Roy but I took young Cartwright a mug of coffee and he is sitting up with it at present, he looks a little worse for wear still but I think he should be able to ride OK". 'Yeah" thought Roy until his father finds out that he has been up to the I think he won't be riding for about a week.
Roy poured himself another mug of coffee, offered another to deputy peters who declined so he took the coffee pot into the back with him to offer Adam another. Roy offered up the coffee pot and Adam gratefully nodded his head. The coffee was helping him feel better physically but unfortunately it was also helping him think and he was remembering parts of last night and his memories weren't pleasant.
After Letting Adam finish his second cup of coffee Roy asked Adam if he felt he could eat something, Adam didn't seem convinced he could but the sheriff told him that he should eat something as it would help him feel better. Adam eventually agreed and Roy helped him up and outside of the jail. Roy and Adam made their way over to the International Hotel and Roy ordered them both scrambled egg, ham and biscuits with coffee. Adam picked at his food but did start to feel much better once it hit his stomach. Roy ate his breakfast slowly watching Adam carefully, all the while thinking what to say to the young man. When they had both finished eating Roy paid the bill and he and Adam headed towards the livery.
Adam paid his overnight bill and saddled Sport. After seeing that Adam was able to put the saddle on properly and it seemed that he would be able to ride back to the Ponderosa safely on his own. Roy took Adam's arm and led him and Sport outside of the Livery and away from the building so he could talk to Adam without being overheard.
"Now listen to me young man part of being a grown up is taking full responsibility for your actions, I know that your father doesn't like you drinking in town but as far as the law is concerned you are of legal age so I cannot stop you doing that but I never for one minute thought that you would get into the state your were in and as to being with that 'dance hall girl' I don;t think that you want to get involved with that sort of thing ate your age. Now, you will go straight back to the ranch and when your father returns in a few days you will tell him exactly what happened last night, all of it. Tell Ben I will be by in a few days and if you haven't told him by then I will do you understand me.?" Adam blushed a little but said "yes sir I will." Believing him Roy let Adam climb into the saddle and ride off.
Adam rode home slowly whilst going over in his mind just what happened last night, he groaned as he remembered more and more. He vowed to himself not to drink that much ever again. Before he knew it the ranch came into view. Feeling a little delicate still he thought how grateful he was that Ben was away as he really didn't want to have to explain himself to his father in the state he was in, knowing Ben's roar would make his head feel much worse. Adam rode into the courtyard and dismounted from Sport, he took the reins and led Sport into the Barn to take care of him.
Adam was still currycombing Sport when there was a gentle cough behind him, turning towards the sound he looked up and saw Bill standing there. "Adam", "Bill". "How are you Adam? Jake told me what happened at the Saloon when he returned last night with the rest of the hands, but he wasn't quite sure exactly what happened to you. Why didn't you return with them last night?"
"Sheriff Coffee made me stay in town Bill, was everything OK here, did Hoss and Joe behave?"
"Yes Adam, everything was OK, little Joe tried to stay up a bit longer but when I offered to treat him like his father would of for arguing with me he suddenly decided that he was actually tired." Bill chuckled. "Now you didn't answer my question young man, what happened to you last night to make Roy keep you in town?"
Adam turned away to finish combing out Sport. "I drunk too much Bill that's all". Bill looked at Adam "hmm, are you sure that is all Adam because you know that I have worked this ranch for years and I've seen you grown up and you never have been that good at lying you know. Now please look at me and tell me what happened" Bill's voice was quiet but firm and Adam finished combing Sport and he turned and walked over to a hay bale, gesturing to Bill to join him.
Adam looked down at the floor of the barn but made short work of explaining everything that happened the night before as far as he remembered it, including Roy's orders for him to tell his pa. Bill listened carefully and then he spoke to Adam. "Well son, I know I said that you needed to relax but it sounds like you took it too far, you have to be wary of those 'dance hall girls'. Also you are not used to drinking alcohol and it sounds like you need to take it much easier with the amount you drink. You know your pa will not be impressed to hear of you exploits but it will easier on you if he hears it from you rather than Roy". "Yeah Bill I know, but I'm 18, I'm not a kid any-more, he leaves me to run the ranch whilst he's away so he needs to let me grow up in other ways too! Ah my head hurts still I think I'll go and ask Hop Sing for one of his powders, are the boys up and about yet?"
"Yes Adam, Hoss has done his chores and was going to keep Little Joe amused by a game of hide and seek. I told them not to go too far and the hands are up at the north pasture, I am going to head up there now too." Bill patted Adams thigh, "Son your pa has raised a responsible young man but, you are still a young man and young man who is growing into a fine adult but you are not there yet. Now you sort yourself out today and try to be a good example to your brothers until your pa gets back. Have a good a day". With that Bill got up and walked out of the barn leaving Adam reflecting on their conversation.
Sighing Adam got up and walked out of the barn and towards the house. Just as he approached the door Hoss and Joe rounded the side of the house. "Adam" they both cried out. "Hi Hoss, Little Joe, have you been good whilst I was in town. "Course I have Adam" said Little Joe "Can we going fishing today with you? Hoss said you might let us." "hey Adam" said Hoss "why didn't you come back last night?"
"Yes you can go finishing Joe but it's going to have to wait until later as I have a man coming to the ranch this afternoon to collect a calf and I need to sort that out this morning." "Hoss, I had business in town last night and it was too dangerous to ride back in the dark". Said Adam not looking at his brother. "did you both behave for Bill?"
Little Joe looked a bit sheepish "um I did want to stay up Adam, but Bill wouldn't let me and I didn't argue honest" "Hmm, that's not what I heard Joe, but Bill did say that you did go to bed so I am not going to punish you, but next time no arguing clear" "Yes sir Adam" said Little Joe. "Hoss?" "yes Adam, Bill and I played checkers for a while and then he told me a few stories of his life when he was my age. I did all of my chores and Little Joe's this morning, do you want me to help you pick out a calf?" "Sure Hoss, but I need some coffee and I want to see Hop sing first, can you occupy Joe for a while?". Grinning Hoss looked at Joe, "sure big brother, come on Joe lets go dig up some worms for this afternoon."
|Adam walked into the house. "Master Adam home now, you want coffee Master Adam?". "Yes please Hop Sing and one of your powders too please.". Hop Sing looked carefully at Adam. "Master Adam need special tea, you have bad head?" Nodding Adam said "yes Hop Sing" suddenly feeling hungry Adam asked "do you have any biscuits left over from breakfast Hop Sing?" "yes Master Adam I bring you some with special tea."
After drinking the tea and eating a few of the biscuits Hop sing had brought him, Adam went upstairs to have a wash up and get changed. He shaved and dressed, feeling much more himself he headed downstairs and grabbed his gun belt. "Hop Sing, I am taking the boys to sort out a calf for a Mr Williams who will be here this afternoon. We will be back for lunch, if Mr Williams arrives before I return, can you make him welcome until I return please?" "yes Master Adam, Hop Sing look after guest, you go pick out good calf for sale."