All recognizable characters, setting, etc. are the property of their respective owners. All original characters and plots are the property of the author. No copyright infringement is intended.

This is the 5th story in the series. If this is the first story you are reading, I recommend that you read the other 4 to see how these two got together and how Alissa came to the Ponderosa.

When you put one modern gal with one old fashioned guy…sparks will fly…or at least dishes will!

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The Dinner Guest

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Alissa pulled the lace curtain back as she looked out the window at the beautiful landscape of the Ponderosa. She watched as the sun slowly set, leaving a warm glow to the evening sky. She noticed the barn door open as Adam came walking out brushing the day's dust off of his chaps with his hat. She couldn't help but admire his muscular arms and chest as he continued to clean off his chaps before he bent down and started to remove them.

"That man just puts the 'm' in masculinity," she sighed, as she watched him straighten up and head for the house.

She closed the lace curtain and went over and sat in front of the mirror at her dressing table. Picking up her hairbrush, she began to brush her hair while thinking of Adam. I am so in love with that man, but I don't know if he loves me back. He has never told me so. Oh, he kisses me and holds me in his arms, but as to actually saying those words, he hasn't done that yet. I told him that I loved him, but of course he was riding off, so I doubt he heard me. Maybe it is time to let him know how I feel.

Enough daydreaming she thought, as she went over to her armoire to pick out an outfit for this evening's event. Alissa wanted to look her best tonight because Ben was having a very important business associate of his join them for dinner. So she took a little extra time getting dressed in a white blouse with delicate lace around the neck and cuffs and a light, blue skirt. He would be arriving any minute now, so Alissa decided she better quit daydreaming and get ready.

A few minutes later Alissa sat down at her dressing table one last time to check out her appearance. I look rather nice she decided, as she looked into the mirror for a final check before going down stairs. I don't think I will ever get use to looking in the mirror and seeing an old fashioned girl looking back at me she smiled. Then she stood up and went out the door to go down to join the others. I wonder what Ben's guest looks like she wondered as she headed down the stairs.

Meanwhile, Adam was getting ready in his room at the other end of the hall. He was running late because he had stopped to check out the lumber site and had stayed longer than he had intended. As he took off the dark green shirt he had worn that day, he looked at the color and thought how it reminded him of Alissa's beautiful eyes.

"She has the most unusual deep, green eyes," he muttered, as he shook his head trying to clear his mind.

All I do lately is think about Alissa he thought, as he grabbed a clean white shirt from his armoire. I think about her so much, you would think I was falling in love with her. Then as he was buttoning up his shirt, a slow easy smile came to his lips as he finally realized—I am falling in love—in love with a beautiful and exasperating girl by the name of Alissa!

Adam softly chuckled as he started to put on his tie while looking in the mirror. Oh, I know she infuriates me at times with all her impulsive behaviors he thought, as he tied his tie. She is headstrong, opinionated and way too outspoken. But all she has to do is turn on that saucy grin… and I melt.

If I don't see her in the morning before I go out to do chores, then I can't wait to see her that evening. She really is becoming an important part of my life and my life would definitely be empty if she ever decided to leave. Leave—I never even thought about her wanting to leave here. I suppose it could happen. Well, I just won't let her Adam decided, as he left his room and went to join the family.

Ben saw Alissa coming down the stairs and smiled. She is such a beautiful girl and so full of life he thought, as he went over to meet her. As she reached the bottom landing, Ben put his hand out and brought her to stand beside him.

"And this beautiful young lady is my ward, Alissa Anderson." Ben said proudly, as he introduced her to his guest of the evening.

"Alissa, this is our dinner guest… Mr. James Collins."

A very tall, good-looking man dressed in evening clothes approached Ali. What a beautiful girl indeed he thought to himself, but out loud he greeted her warmly.

"How do you do, Miss Anderson… it is a pleasure to meet you."

Mr. Collins took her hand in his and brought it to his lips as he kissed it gently.

"It's a pleasure to meet you also, Mr. Collins," Alissa answered, as she smiled slightly after he kissed her hand.

How gallant she thought, as she watched Adam come down the stairs to join them. He was in a good mood until he witnessed James kissing Alissa's hand. Now a small scowl appeared on his handsome face as he slowly came to the bottom of the stairs.

"Shall we all go into dinner now," suggested Ben, as he led the way to the dinning room table.

"Hoss is away on business, so he won't be joining us tonight," Ben added, as he continued towards the table.

The tense look on his brother's face didn't go unnoticed by Joe as he stood up from the chair he had been sitting in waiting for everyone to arrive. A playful grin appeared on his face as he watched the little scene start to unfold in front of him. This ought to be good he laughed to himself when saw the way Mr. Collins was looking at Alissa. Mr. Collins may just give my older brother a run for his money where Ali is concerned.

Adam started to put his arm out for Alissa to take, but Mr. Collins quickly outmaneuvered him, and Alissa had no choice but to take his arm. Alissa decided it might be fun to make Adam a little jealous when she saw how he had frowned at Ben's dinner guest. So she smiled her most delightful smile as she looked up at James and walked into dinner with him as a very unhappy Adam followed close behind.

They all walked over to the dinning table with Mr. Collins pulling out the chair for Alissa to sit down. The way Mr. Collins was smiling at Alissa didn't go unnoticed by Adam. He was starting to get a little annoyed, but he also noticed how Alissa smiled up at Mr. Collins when he pushed in her chair. Adam did not like where this evening was starting to go he decided, as he eventually sat down on the other side of Alissa.

Dinner went smoothly with the men talking mostly about the price of beef and lumber. Alissa was getting rather bored, when Mr. Collins turned to her and said something that would definitely make this night a memorable one for everyone.

"Miss Anderson, What do you think about this part of the country?"

"Oh please, call me Alissa or Ali. Miss Anderson is too formal for me," she replied sweetly, as she turned and gave him a saucy smile.

He definitely can give Adam a run for his money in the good looks department Ali thought, as she looked at his roughish good looks. He really is a man's man, all tall and rugged looking. I like his curly light blonde hair and blue eyes too, although I much prefer Adam's sensual, brooding look with his dark hair and hazel eyes.

"Then you must call me, James. So what do you think of this part of the country, Ali?" He asked again, as he turned in his chair to give her his full attention and waited for her answer.

"Well, James, it definitely is the Wild West, isn't it?"

Ali rearranged her napkin on her lap as she gave him another warm smile.

"We have laws and a sheriff to make sure they are followed, so I don't think it is too terribly wild," offered Adam frowning, as he set his coffee cup down.

Adam couldn't help but notice how Alissa was smiling way too much for his liking at their dinner guest, and he could feel his temper start to simmer a bit. He definitely didn't like another man flirting with his girl. Hmm… his girl, I guess I really am in love Adam decided, as he continued to watch Mr. Collins talking to Alissa.

"Speaking of sheriff, the election for sheriff is coming up," Ben said casually, as he took a drink of his after dinner brandy.

"I wonder if Roy will win again?"

"I don't know why not. He is a good sheriff, and I don't know if anyone could really beat him," Little Joe commented, as he poured Ali a glass of brandy.

"Who is running against him?" questioned Ali, as she took a sip of her brandy.

Why this is good she thought, as she took another rather large sip. This is my first drink of alcohol, and it tingles all the way down she smiled as she set her glass on the table.

"Don't worry your pretty, little head about those things, Ali," insisted James, as he smiled at her and patted her hand.

"What did you just say?" Ali asked, as she stared at him and drank a little more brandy.

"I said, things like election of sheriff and laws shouldn't be any of your concern because women don't vote on things like that anyway."

He smiled at Ali and sat back in his chair as he took a sip of his brandy. He had a look of satisfaction on his face that this subject was closed.

Well, he might as well have had a red cape and Ali was the bull—because all she saw was red! My first debate she simmered as she took another sip of her brandy. Why this arrogant jerk, I guess it is time he learns what a modern day woman thinks of that kind of thinking!

Ali turned and looked at Mr. Collins with her sweetest smile on the outside, but inside she was starting to steam.

"Then you don't think women can be smart enough to check out a candidate or read about new laws to vote, James?" she challenged, with a hint of sarcasm.

"I just don't think women have the over all intelligence to really get involved in politics," he answered, as he sipped his brandy with a smug look on his face.

Ali was starting to feel the brandy, and the more he talked the madder she became.

"Then let me get this straight, Mr. Collins. You think men are smarter than women?"

This time she had a little more venom in her voice as she tried to keep her temper under control. If he hadn't been a guest of Bens, she would have already put him in his place. But for now, she was doing her best to keep from dumping her glass of brandy all over his smug head.

"Why yes, in some things most definitely."

Well that was all Ali could take of this stuffed shirt, even if he was a guest of Bens. She had to grab the table to keep from going over and socking this opinionated jerk right in the eye! But that didn't stop her from telling him what she thought.

"Are you out of your ever lovin mind, Mr. Collins?" she exclaimed angrily, as she glared at him with her eyes blazing.

Oh brother, thought Little Joe. I think our Mr. Collins is in for an exciting evening tonight…I think we all are! I sure hope he can defend himself against our little, Ali. He smiled to himself and just sat back in his chair preparing to enjoy the show.

"Alissa!" Ben yelled, as he turned his most intimidating frown on her.

It was the kind of frown that would have made his boys sit up and take notice had he turned it on them. But Alissa was starting to feel the brandy and hadn't even noticed Ben getting angry. Besides, she had never had to deal with an angry Ben and didn't know what she might be in for if she didn't straighten up and soon. So the more brandy she drank, the bolder she became!

Joe however, noticed how angry Ben was getting even if Alissa didn't.

"No more brandy for you," he said, as he reached over and grabbed her glass away. She tried to grab it back, but he was too fast for her. He took her glass and quickly set it on the other side of him out of her reach.

By now Ben was starting to lose his patience with Alissa and her rudeness to his guest.

"Mr. Collins is our guest, Alissa, and I will not have you being rude to him!" Ben declared, in a voice that meant business.

"You will apologize to him at once, please!"

Ali looked at Ben like he had just grown two heads and protested, "Apologize to him for what? He can't help it if he is an idiot for thinking the way he does. So I don't think apologizing to him is going to make him any smarter!"

Alissa then gave Mr. Collins a cheeky grin as she added, "You know, Mr. Collins, a fool is born every minute."

Ali just sat there with a smirk on her face as she continued to stare at Mr. Collins waiting for his response. But poor Mr. Collins had never met a woman like Alissa and just sat there with his mouth open.

Adam knew what a spitfire Alissa could be, having been on the receiving end of her temper on more than one occasion. But he couldn't believe she would defy his father like she was doing now. This isn't going to end well he thought, as he saw how angry his father was starting to look.

Joe on the other hand was really enjoying this whole conversation and was content to just sit back and watch the fireworks. That was until he heard what Ali had just said about James being an idiot—then all hell broke loose!

Little Joe had just taken a drink of his coffee when he heard Ali's last comment and started to laugh at Ali's remark. But he quickly started choking and ended up spraying his coffee all over the table and poor Adam! Adam jumped back trying to avoid the coffee and in the process backed into Hop Sing and knocked him over onto the floor.

Hop Sing had been clearing the dishes from the table and had a big tray of dishes in his hands. When Adam backed into him to avoid the coffee, dishes and food went everywhere. Hop-Sing immediately started yelling something in Chinese that no one could understand as he tried unsuccessfully to get up on his feet.

It started to look like a three ring circus with Adam wiping off his pants while yelling at Joe that he should watch what he was doing. Joe wiping up the spilled coffee while trying not to laugh too loudly at the mess he had just caused. And poor James using his napkin to try and clean off the mashed potatoes that had landed in his lap when Hop Sing had dropped the tray of food.

Finally Ben just threw up his hands and came over to help Hop Sing with the dishes. After helping Hop Sing clean up the dishes, Ben eventually stood up with a look of utter exasperation as to what had just happened to his quiet dinner party.

The whole time all of this was happening around her, Ali just sat there with a lopsided smirk on her face. She had drunk way too much brandy, and it was definitely getting to her. She finally decided it was time to leave the table and tried to stand up. But when she tried to stand, she got a little dizzy and quickly fell back onto her chair. Unfortunately when she did, the chair moved slightly and she ended up landing on her backside on the floor in front of her chair.

"Whoops—I think I missed my chair," she slurred her words, as she started giggling.

James stood up and quickly went over to try and help Alissa up. But while he was starting towards her, he slipped on some of the mashed potatoes he had recently wiped off of his lap, and he landed in a heap on his backside right beside Ali. James looked over at Ali and started laughing when he realized how this whole thing was turning out.

"Ali, may I help you up?" he asked, as he got to his feet and offered her his hand.

"No thank you, sir! I can do it myself," she huffed, as she swatted his hand away and tried to stand without much success.

"I'm not letting this arrogant jerk help me," she muttered to herself, as she tried to stand one more time.

Unfortunately, every time she tried to get up, she kept stepping on her skirt and down she would go again. Finally, getting tired of falling down every time she tried to get up, she started to slowly crawl out from under the table. She crawled over to the first chair she could find and used it to help her up.

By this time some of the chaos that had happened was starting to get under control. Hop-Sing had picked up all the dishes, placed them on the tray and had headed back into the kitchen mumbling all the way. Adam had successfully cleaned off his pants, and Joe had wiped up all the coffee that he had spilled on the table.

When Mr. Collins realized Alissa wasn't about to let him help her, he went over and took a seat on the settee. He still was smiling as he watched Ali sway back and forth trying to keep her balance as she held tightly onto the chair.

Too bad Ben wasn't smiling! He looked like he had just swallowed a lemon covered in salt Ali thought, as she looked around the room at everyone until her eyes had connected with Bens. He doesn't look too happy Ali decided nervously as she swayed grabbing the chair more tightly.

"Wow, this room is sure starting to spin a lot," she frowned.

"Mr. Collins, are you all right?" asked Ben, as he hurried over and stood in front of him looking him up and down.

"Yes, I am quite fine," he laughed.

"This has been a very exciting evening to say the least!"

"Yes, well we have had a lot of exciting times ever since Alissa arrived," commented Adam, in his usual droll way as he walked over and sat down in the chair across from Alissa.

"You just never know what is going to happen where she is concerned," he laughed, while he waited to see what she would say next.

Ben just looked around the room and shook his head.

"Alissa, I can't believe I witnessed what just happened. But then again, I'm not really sure I know what just happened," muttered Ben, as he shook his head again in disbelief.

"Never the less, you still owe Mr. Collins an apology and I expect it now! He is a guest in this house and as such should be treated accordingly."

Ben turned his angry scowl in Alissa's direction as he stood with his hands on his hips waiting for her to comply with his demands.

"No, quite the opposite, Ben. I think I owe Ali an apology for my comment this evening. Obviously it offended her and for that I am truly sorry," James suggested quickly, as he stood and came over to stand in front of Ali.

"Would you accept my apology, Miss Anderson?" enquired James, as he extended his hand to her.

He hoped that he could make amends with her. She is even more beautiful when she is angry he thought, as he gave her his most gracious smile while standing there waiting for Ali's answer.

Ali swayed a little as she looked him up and down and finally said, "It all depends on what you are apologizing for Mr. Collinsss..."

She still was slurring her words as she let out a hiccup.

She raised one hand to cover her mouth and muttered, "Pardon me," as she started to sway a little to the left.

Keeping only one hand on the chair almost caused her to fall, so she quickly put both hands back on the chair.

"Damn this chair—It won't hold still!" Ali complained, as she grabbed the chair a little tighter to keep from falling.

"Alissa!" Ben and Adam shouted at the same time.

"Watch your language young lady!" demanded Ben, as he shook his head wondering if this evening could get any worse.

"I am apologizing for thinking you were just another pretty girl without much spunk. But now after this evening, I realize I was wrong. You definitely are a force to be reckoned with, Miss Anderson!" exclaimed James, as he waited for her to accept his apology.

Ali eyed him warily as she finally asked, "Then you aren't apologizing for saying men are smarter than women where politics are concerned?"

"Why, No. I still think men are smarter than women where politics are concerned," James answered, as he stood in front of her smiling.

"Then Mr. Collins," Ali exclaimed furiously, as she put her hand up in front of her with the palm side facing Mr. Collins.

"You can talk to the hand! Because I'm NOT talking to you anymore!"

Ali turned and with all the grace she could muster—which wasn't much—proceeded to wobble to the stairs and slowly went up each stair and down the hall to her room.

Adam watched her go up the stairs as he smiled to himself. Oh Alissa, you never cease to amaze me with what you say he chuckled, as he took a big drink of his brandy.

"What just happened here?" asked Mr. Collins, as he sat down in the chair looking totally confused.

He looked like all the air had just been let out of him.

"It's called tornado, Ali, Mr. Collins," laughed Little Joe, as he picked up his brandy and came over to join them in the great room.

"What does she mean…talk to the hand?" James inquired, as he watched Little Joe.

"Aw, don't try to figure out what she said. Half the time we don't know what she is talking about either," laughed Joe, as he leaned against the mantle.

After Ali got upstairs, she quickly fell onto the bed to keep from falling over.

"I think I drank too much brandy tonight," she moaned, as she held onto the bed trying to keep it from throwing her to the floor?

Eventually, sleep took over and she fell into a fitful night's sleep.

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TBC

I think our little women's rights gal is in for quite the headache come morning! And on top of that, she has to deal with an angry Ben!