Adam sat on the front porch gently strumming a tune on his guitar. The night air was crisp and fresh with a hint of the coming season. He loved this time of year when the days were warm and the evenings cool. It had been a tiring day on the ranch and he was glad to have this time to unwind. Several minutes later he saw Evelyn exit the kitchen door with two cups of coffee in her hands. Lately, meeting on the porch in the evenings had become somewhat of a ritual for the couple. They were free to discuss the day's events without the fear of young ears hearing something they ought not. It also gave them an opportunity to reconnect as a couple.

Carefully placing his guitar on the table, Adam reached out and took the mug offered to him by his wife. "Are all the children asleep?" he asked her before taking a sip of his camomile tea.

"Well they're in bed and all is quiet for now. As for being asleep, I have no idea and frankly I'm too tired to care," replied Evelyn as she plunked herself down into the seat next to her husband.

Putting his arm around her shoulders Adam chuckled softly. "Yes, I suppose the Saturday night bath routine can tire a person out."

"I think I would have rather branded cattle with you and the other men today."

Evelyn's statement made him burst out laughing

"I had no idea I was so amusing," she remarked dryly.

"Oh, but you are my dear," he remarked in between laughs.

Evelyn was puzzled by Adam's sudden enjoyment with what she had said. Her curiosity, however, then turned to irritation when his laughing did not cease. "For heaven's sake Adam, What is so blasted funny?" she snapped.

Adam stopped laughing, cleared his throat then turned to face his irate wife. "Do you remember the last time you helped brand cattle?"

Evelyn thought for a moment. Her face flushed slightly as she recalled the time Adam spoke of. "I haven't thought of that for ages," she giggled. "I change my mind; I'd rather do the bath routine."

"I thought you might," grinned Adam.

Rising from her seat, Evelyn strolled to the edge of the porch. Leaning against one of the posts, she folded her arms across her chest and gazed skyward. "You sure didn't have a view of the stars like this in the city," she recalled. "I never imagined I would end up loving this place more than Boston, but I honestly do."

"That makes two of us"

"Yes, I suppose the Cartwright men love the Ponderosa more than anyone."

"That's not what I meant," chuckled Adam.

With a baffled look, Evelyn turned to face him. "What did you mean then?"

"I never thought you would love Nevada either, especially after the first few days you were here."

"I have no idea what you are referring to; I have always loved living here," she said nonchalantly.

"Don't play coy with me Evelyn Louise Cartwright, you know exactly what I am referring to," he mockingly scolded.

"Yes I know, and I do not need to be reminded," Evelyn huffed. "You know Adam in my defence it was very difficult to leave my family and move thousands of miles away."

Standing up, Adam walked over to Evelyn and put his arms around her. Holding her close he said "I know it was Hon and I'm glad you feel at home here. I'm sorry to tease but it was so funny Evvy."

"You call that an apology?" Evelyn barked breaking free from his embrace and stomping to the far end of the porch.

"Come on Evvy, don't be like that. You know I mean well." Adam waited for a moment for her to respond. He figured the line had been crossed when he heard what sounded like sniffling coming from Evelyn. Great, he thought, now's she's crying. You really fouled this one up Cartwright. Adam approached Evelyn and soon came to realize she wasn't crying at all. "Are you laughing?" he questioned with a scowl.

Trying to muffle her laugh, Evelyn turned to see her husband glaring at her. With hands on his hips and a raised eyebrow he exclaimed "Why you little minx, you are laughing!"

"I couldn't help it," she chortled, "I just remembered the look on all of your faces when I came down the stairs that morning."

The sour expression on Adam's face disappeared and was replaced by grin. "You did give us quite a shock," he said.

Taking Evelyn by the hand, Adam lead her back to the wooden loveseat and the two of them sat in silence as they breathed in the good night air. After a minute or two Evelyn looked over to see Adam deep in contemplation. "Penny for your thoughts?" she coaxed.

"Do you have any regrets about marrying me and coming to the Ponderosa?" he asked in a serious tone.

"Marrying you, never; coming here, just one."

"Which is?"

"The first impression I gave to your father and brothers was less than ideal. I regret my behaviour back then, I was raised better," she told him then paused a while before speaking again. "Though, sometimes I wonder how altered our circumstances would be if we had stayed in Boston. It was certainly a different way of life."