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The Kidnapping

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Whether it is when they are locked in each other's arms sharing a romantic moment, or having an argument about Alissa conforming to society's rules, the sparks always fly between this exciting couple. Then you put a couple of bungling kidnappers in the mix and you have this new story in the series. Hope you enjoy it.

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Chapter 1

The sunlight was barely peeking in through the dinning room window as Adam and Alissa finished their breakfast. The rest of the family had decided to give them some private time and had left the two alone as they headed out to work early. Adam was enjoying his last cup of coffee as he leaned back in his chair watching Alissa finish her breakfast.

Alissa looked up from her breakfast as she gave Adam a flirty smile, "I sure do love you cowboy!"

As a lazy smile slowly appeared on his handsome face, Adam gazed across the table at his beautiful bride to be. When the two love birds looked into each other's eyes, Alissa grinned and gave Adam a saucy wink. Then she returned to eating her breakfast as Adam continued watching her, ever so thankful that she had come into this life.

From her radiant, long flowing hair to the stubborn set of her chin when she was angry, everything about Alissa fasinated him. And even though she wasn't very big, she would stand toe to toe with anyone when she felt she was in the right. This was one trait that he found admirable most of the time, even though he was the one she was standing toe to toe with on many occasions with her green eyes flashing as she made her point.

But Adam never tired of looking at those incredible, dark green eyes, and he often wondered if even a poet would have trouble describing the beauty of her eyes. They fascinated him with the way they would change color with her moods. When she was angry or upset, they would become a dark shade of emerald green as her fiery temper took over and she would let her displeasure be known. And those same flashing eyes could easily change into a softer shade of green when she was looking at him lovingly as she was doing this morning.

Alissa was everything any man could want in a woman, and this beautiful woman had consented to become his wife. Adam let out a contented sigh as he slowly got up and went over to Alissa's chair. Leaning down by her shoulder, he reached for a few locks of her hair and brought it to his nose as he inhaled its lovely fragrance.

"Your hair always smells of lavender and sunshine, my love."

Then he slowly moved her hair off to the side of her neck as he bent down and started leaving a trail of gentle kisses that started behind her ear and continued down her neck. When Adam felt her body begin to shiver slightly from his touch, he gently turned her face so he could easily capture her parted lips in a sensuous kiss. As the kiss deepened, Adam's hand moved to cradle the back of her neck as his mouth pressed harder against her sweet lips. Alissa moaned lightly as she reached up and laced her fingers through his dark hair feeling her body start to tingle from his touch. Finally, Adam reluctantly pulled away and stood upright still looking at her with his dark smoldering eyes as he flashed his dimpled grin.

"I think we better stop before I won't be able to stop. You do things to me, Alissa, that make it hard for me to ever want to stop kissing you. And all I really want to do right now is sweep you up into my arms and carry you upstairs and lock the door," he declared boldly, as he looked down into her upturned face.

Gently caressing a lock of her hair between his fingers, Adam said softly, "Even though I know that is not possible, I can still have my daydreams. I can't wait until we are married my love, then I will show you just how much I love you."

Giving Alissa a wink that promised of things to come, Adam quickly kissed Alissa's forehead and went back to his seat. Trying to get her own composure under control, Alissa sat there for a moment as she felt her heart pounding in her chest. No one had ever kissed her the way this man could, and he left her breathless every time.

She raised her chin slightly as her eyes sparkled, "I think you are right my handsome cowboy. We definitely needed to stop."

Shaking slightly from Adam's kiss, Alissa reached for the coffee pot and poured Adam a cup. She couldn't help but smile when she thought of what Adam has just said as she brought her own cup to her lips and sipped it slowly. This man could certainly make a girl swoon she thought. Although she was not the swooning type, he sure could maker her toes curl with his kisses and sweet words. And oh the places that her mind went with thoughts of their wedding night. Okay, Ali, time to change the subject she laughed to herself as she felt a blush coming on.

The next several minutes were spent discussing what Adam was going to do for the day until Alissa announced she needed to clear the table and also get started on her day. When she stood up to start clearing the dishes, Adam noticed that she was wearing pants again today. It definitely seemed to him that every time Alissa wore them they became a little tighter on her, accentuating her lovely backside. Adam frowned as he decided this was as good a time as any to let her know how he felt about her wearing pants. He really hated to break the lovely mood they both were in, but this was something he felt strongly about so he might as well tell her how he felt.

Leaning forward casually, Adam smiled and said, "Sweetheart, I don't like it when you wear those men's pants around the ranch, and I would really prefer it if you wouldn't wear them anymore."

Ali looked up from the plates she had stacked in her hands and smiled mischievously.

"Oh really? Well then, do you just want me to wear them in town or save them for church only?"

Adam quirked his brow and frowned briefly at her snide remark.

"Of course not. I don't want you to wear them anywhere! Or at least as much as you do. It really is not very lady like, and I don't like the way the ranch hands stare at you when you are around them in those britches!"

If truth be told, Alissa had noticed some of the hands looking at her a little too long the other day when she had gone outside to the corral in her jeans, but she had just dismissed it. It really wasn't her fault they were a little tight. Adam and Ben had refused to buy her a pair of her own, so she had resorted to using Joe's pants from when he was younger. Of course she wasn't going to share any of this information with Adam to help him justify his concern.

Ali shrugged slightly, "Sorry sweetheart, they are just too comfortable to do chores in for me to want to wear a skirt or dress all the time… and I like wearing pants! You know, Adam, I thought you were progressive in your thinking. Now I can see you are just as old fashioned as the rest of the men around here in your thinking about how a woman should dress."

Putting her hands on her hips, Ali looked down at Adam as a frown was slowly starting to settle on his face.

"Besides, you don't have to worry about other men, Adam. Now that we are engaged you know I only have eyes for you."

Ali came over and put her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. Then she continued to clear away the breakfast dishes.

"I don't think I am any different than any other man when it comes to how I think a woman should dress…especially my woman. Now that we are engaged I feel I should have more of a say in what you wear. And I just don't want you to wear pants as often as you do! I have made up my mind on this subject, Alissa, and I don't want to have this discussion anymore. So just go and change… please."

Adam sat back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest ready for the battle that he knew was ahead of him.

And it wasn't long in coming as Ali slammed down the dishes as she glared at Adam and loudly declared, "Well, I'm not done with this discussion yet, Mr. Cartwright! I am not a child that needs someone telling them what they can and can't wear! And I can certainly decide what I want to wear for myself! Besides, where I come from women wearing pants is no big deal."

Ali thrust up her chin defiantly as her bright, green eyes flashed as she stood there throwing him a challenging look!

"And furthermore, don't call me your woman! I am my own woman with my own thoughts I will have you know, Mr. Cartwright!"

Here we go again thought Adam as he shook his head—there go those flashing eyes. And when Alissa puts her hands on her hips, I know a good argument will soon follow. Adam cleared his throat as he glared back at Alissa with a challenging look of his own as he continued stating his point of view on this subject.

"Well, it is a big deal in this part of the country, young lady. Men just don't want their wives or future wives to show off their figures to other men. And when you wear those tight britches, you do just that! I don't want men ogling my fiancée when she dresses inappropriately."

Adam frowned slightly as he said dryly, "You know, Alissa, I wish you could remember where you came from. I don't know of any place that encourages proper women to dress like men! You always talk about how progressive the place was that you lived in before you came here, but then you never can remember its name. I would certainly like to know where this place is."

Adam let out a long frustrated sigh, "This is one argument that I'm not going to give in on, Alissa, so you might just as well go up and change."

Adam continued sitting there with his arms crossed in front of him waiting for her to do as he asked.

Ali paused long enough to roll her eyes in annoyance, "Very well, Adam, I can see you have made up your mind on this issue."

Then she gave Adam a sly smile and reached over to collect the pitcher of cream as if she was still clearing the dishes from the table. When she walked behind Adam, a devilish grin came to her lips as she carefully lifted the pitcher above him and proceeded to pour the entire contents over his head!

"Here's what I think of your orders, Mr. Cartwright!"

Ali slammed the pitcher on the table and smiled smugly as she crossed her arms in front of her mimicking Adam and waited for his reaction.

Adam just sat there totally taken by surprise as the cream began to run down his face and onto his red flannel shirt. He continued sitting there for a moment longer as the cream slowly dripped off his chin until he eventually reached for his napkin and carefully proceeded to wipe the cream off his face. Then ever so slowly, he meticulously folded the napkin and placed it back on the table beside his plate. Narrowing his eyes as he glared at Alissa, he pushed back his chair and slowly stood up as he towered over her small frame.

Alissa's eyes widened when she saw the look on Adam's face as he started advancing on her. She had seen Adam's look when he had lost his patience with her before on several occasions, but this look was definitely different. He looked way to calm for her liking and maybe this time she had pushed Adam just a little too far! Deciding what her options might be, she quickly decided running was the best option and this would probably be a good time to start!

Letting out a small squeak, Ali took off running across the great room heading for the front door and safety until she ran smack into Joe!

Poor Joe was just coming in the front door when Ali ran full speed right into the middle of him. After the two collided Joe tried to help her get her balance, but she quickly put out her hand and abruptly pushed him aside as she ordered, "Get out of my way!"

"Ali, where are you going in such a hurry?" Joe asked curiously, as he watched her quickly run out the front door.

He barely started to turn around when he felt a hard shove to his chest as Adam came charging by and also pushed him out of the way.

"Move!" Adam demanded, as he ran out the door fast on Alissa's trail.

"What's got into you two?" Joe muttered.

Then he looked around the room to see if anyone else was going to push him aside before finally turning and walking back to the front door. As he leaned against the doorframe, he grinned as he watched the action that was going on out in the yard in front of the house.

When Ali saw Adam come charging out of the house she knew her safety was short lived, so she immediately started looking around trying to figure out which way to run. She knew he wasn't very happy with her little cream incident and when she saw the scowl on his face, she quickly decided she needed to put something between them. Deciding on the horse trough, Ali strategically positioned herself on the other side of the trough as she and Adam slowly began circling the water trough.

"Now, Adam, you got what you deserved by ordering me like you did! You just make me so mad when you get all arrogant and bossy. Besides, I think you look good in cream."

Ali couldn't help but giggle after her last remark, but she still made sure she kept out of Adam's reach as they continued to circle around the trough.

Suddenly Adam let out a growl as he lunged for Ali but missed her, and she took off running across the yard towards the barn. It didn't take Adam long to catch up to her and as he did, he quickly turned her around so she was facing him and then leaned down and easily hoisted her over his shoulder. Adjusting her on his shoulder, Adam turned and set off for the water trough.

When Ali realized where he was heading she started pounding on his back, but he continued walking towards the trough—determined in his mission! Ali's little show of force did nothing to deter Adam as she kept pounding on his back until he finally reached up and gave her three hard swats to her backside. Then he pulled her down and around into his arms!

"Ouch! That hurt!" Ali exclaimed angrily, as she kicked and squirmed trying to get out of Adam's arms.

"Good!"

"Now, Adam, you let me go this instant!"

But all her struggles did nothing to stop Adam from his destination!

"I think it is time you had some cooling off my little trouble maker! And the trough here looks like just the right thing to give you a refreshing soak and help cool that little temper of yours!"

Adam stood over the trough and acted like he was going to drop Alissa, but then he would suddenly bring her back up to his chest and hold her precariously over the trough and grin mischievously.

"Adam Cartwright, don't you dare drop me in this water trough! Put me down this instant!"

Adam's eyebrow raised as a smirk appeared on his face, but he continued to hold her over the trough.

"I mean it, Adam…PUT ME DOWN!"

Finally with a glint in his eye he declared, "Of course, my love, your wish is my command!"

Then he raised her up one last time, and with much flair he easily let her drop into the water trough.

Alissa came up sputtering and gasping for air after she hit the cool water. When she eventually caught her breath, she started slapping the water with her hands as Adam stood over her with his hands on his hips.

Shrugging he simply said, "Now you definitely will need to go and change those wet pants, Alissa."

Then he turned on his heel and walked to the barn whistling a lively tune.

Ali kept splashing the water as she yelled furiously after him, "You jerk, you know this is the only pair of pants I have! Oh you arrogant jackass… I will get you for this!"

Adam just continued to walk into the barn grinning, "I know, sweetheart, I know!"

Alissa eventually got out of the trough and slowly walked to the house leaving a water trail behind her. All the way there she was swearing under her breath and thinking of all the terrible things she wanted to do to Adam till she got to where Joe was standing. Unfortunately for Joe, he was going to get the brunt of her anger.

She stood in front of him and poked his chest with her finger as she angrily declared, "That brother of yours has no sense of humor!"

Joe was laughing so hard he had to hold on to his sides as he looked down at the angry dripping mess standing before him.

"It's not funny," Ali complained, as she turned and walked to the stairs dripping and mumbling all the way.

When she got to the door to her bedroom, she could still hear the sound of Joe laughing until she slammed her bedroom door as hard as she could to drown out his laughter.

Standing over by the corral watching all this excitement were two new ranch hands. Ben had hired them a week ago to help with the upcoming cattle drive. They were a pair of goofy looking characters, especially the one who wore a patch over his right eye. He was over six feet tall and had long disheveled hair that never stayed in place, and he had to constantly keep moving a wayward strand out of his eyes when it fell forward on his forehead. The other hand was rather short with mousy red hair and had a couple of missing teeth when he smiled. He had a habit of laughing all the time—even when something wasn't funny. It was a nervous habit of his that would wear on his friend until he would hit him in the back of the head and tell him to stop.

They were quite the pair to look at, and at first glance one might think they could never be any good at ranching. But Ben never judged a man by his looks, and so far they had done the work that was given them without any problem.

Only the one with the patch could write, so when he signed on he introduced the two of them to Ben. He said his name was Zeke Evans and his sidekick's name was Billy Brown.

"She sure is a feisty one, ain't she?" laughed Billy, as he spat out some tobacco he had been chewing on. The dark slimy mess almost landed on Zeke's boot.

"Watch what you're doin,' you damn fool!"

Zeke reached over and slapped Billy on the back of the head as he spoke.

"Ouch! What did you do that fer?" whined Billy.

"Cause yer stupid, that's why. Yer right tho, that gal is sure feisty. And she sure is nice to look at in those wet britches too!"

A sly smile came to his lips as he dug his boot in the dirt at his feet.

"That one Cartwright sure is sweet on her. I heard they was engaged. I bet he wouldn't like it if she was to suddenly disappear one day. I bet he would pay a lot of money to git her back too!"

"What in blazes are you talkin' about? I swear, Zeke, half the time I don't know what you is talkin' about."

A crooked smile crept over Zeke's face as he slapped Billy on the shoulder and said, "Aw nothin'… let's just git to work."

The two hands walked over to their horses as Zeke began forming his plan to make them both a lot of money real soon.

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TBC