The train from San Francisco had just pulled into the station in Sacramento. Ben and Kate exited the car knowing they had at least thirty minutes while the train took on water, wood, and new passengers. They walked about for a time, stretching their cramped legs. Ben eyed a quiet spot and led Kate out of the passenger traffic, shielding her from prying eyes.

"I just had to have you to myself for a few moments." He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her tenderly. "I don't know what I'll do when I actually have to be away from you for a few days. I think I may go crazy."

"I'm sure you will survive." Kate smoothed down the lapels of his jacket. "But it's still nice to know you will be thinking about me." She gave him a coy little peck on the lips.

"I will be more than just thinking about you, Kate, you occupy almost all my waking thoughts." He kissed her again. "Do you have any idea how happy you've made me?"

"Oh, I think I have a little idea….you do a pretty good job of showing me." Kate fingered the pearl necklace Ben had given her for her birthday and slipped a teasing finger between the buttons of his shirt.

"With a sultry growl, Ben spoke into her ear and thought back with pleasure to the evening of Kate's birthday. "I love it when you wear the pearls…just the pearls.

"Well I just might be able to manage that again sometime." She gave her husband a seductive look. "As much as I would love to continue this conversation, we really should get back to the train."

"Alas, you are right, my love. It won't be long now to Reno, then tomorrow we'll be home."

Kate sighed. "San Francisco was wonderful, but I must confess that I am ready to get back to the ranch. I guess I'm just not much of a big city gal." Regardless of her feelings, Kate looked quite stylish in her dark green traveling suit and hat that sported three rust colored feathers that matched her auburn hair.

"I thought you managed marvelously." Ben helped Kate up the steps into their passenger car.

Soon the conductor shouted "All Aboard", and the train pulled out of the station; they would reach Reno in about four and half hours.

An older couple who looked to be in their sixties were now in the seats across from Ben and Kate.

Ben took the initiative to make introductions. "Good day, my name is Ben Cartwright and this is my wife, Katherine."

"Hello, I am Thomas Perkins and this is my wife Dorothy. Very pleased to meet you." The older gentleman offered Ben his hand. "Where are you headed?"

"Back home to Virginia City. We just spent two weeks in San Francisco. How about you?"

"We are on our way to Denver to visit our daughter and her family for a few weeks." Mr. Perkins responded.

"I hope you have a wonderful visit."

"Thank you, and have a safe trip home."

Ben and Kate nodded their thanks. Kate pulled a book from her purse and started to read, but the rocking and swaying of the train soon made her drowsy, her head fell toward Ben's shoulder. He put his arm around her helping to make her as comfortable as possible, then gently pushed a stray lock of hair off her cheek. About an hour into the trip Ben shifted slightly in his seat and Kate woke.

"Sorry, I'm not much company." Kate offered sleepily.

"That's ok, I took the opportunity to snooze a bit myself. Would you mind if I step into the smoking car and get something to drink?"

"That's fine. Now I might actually be able to stay awake and read.

After Ben excused himself and left the car, Mrs. Perkins gave Kate a knowing smile. "Have you been married very long, Mrs. Cartwright?"

Kate blushed. "I'm sorry. Is it that obvious? We been married about two months. We were on our honeymoon."

"Any woman that has a man who looks at her the way your husband looks at you, has absolutely nothing to be sorry for."

"I am very fortunate."

"Indeed." Mrs. Perkins glanced at her husband snoring softly in the seat next to her.

When they arrived in Reno, Ben purchased the stagecoach tickets for the next day, and hired a rig to take them to the hotel for the evening. After freshening up, they enjoyed a pleasant dinner in the hotel dining room, and then strolled up and down the boardwalk stretching their limbs after being cooped up on the train for so many hours. This was their final night of total freedom before returning home. Unbeknownst to Kate, Ben had slipped the hotel maitre'd twenty dollars to have a bottle of champagne waiting for them in their room.

Kate unwrapped the bottle from the towel. "Ben how lovely. You are spoiling me terribly. Her green eyes flashed at him. "And just what is it that you have in mind?"

"Oh nothing much….Just maybe a little of this…." He kissed her just below her left ear. "And a little of that….." Ben ran his finger under her chin. He fingered her pearl necklace, and kissed her below her right ear.

Kate wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him fully. After a moment, Ben loosened her hold and turned to the table where the champagne was sitting. He popped the cork and poured two glasses.

Ben handed her a glass. "Here's to the wonderful night to come."

They clinked their glasses and took a few sips, but soon their desire took over. Hour passed and the morning light found their bodies wrapped together in the usual fashion.

Kate ran her hand over Ben's chest. She loved the feel of the salt and pepper hair passing through her fingers. "Good morning sleepy head."

"Hmmm...that feels nice. I think you wore me out last night. A man needs some rest after a night like that." Ben eyes glinted with his tease. He stretched his arms wide above them and then hugged her tightly.

"Not to worry. It's unlikely that we'll have an evening like that again for a very long time, or the boys will send us to the barn." Kate giggled at the thought.

Ben chuckled and kissed her forehead. "Unfortunately you are correct."

They lingered in each other's arms as long as possible. With mixed feelings, Ben and Kate prepared for their trip home.

By late afternoon, their stage was pulling into Virginia City. Hoss and Joe were waiting for them with the surrey.

Ben greeted the boys with handshakes. "Hoss, Joseph, it's good to be back."

"Good to have you home, Pa...Kate." Both Hoss and Joe kissed her cheek, however their faces were unable to conceal the bad news they were about to share.

Ben noticed immediately that something was not right. "Is everything alright, boys?"

Joe handed Kate a telegram. "I'm afraid it's not good news. I'm sorry, Kate."

Kate read the message and burst into tears, burying her face into Ben's chest.

"Kate, what is it?" Ben reached for the telegram. After reading the note, he hugged her tightly and stroked her hair. "Oh, Kate, I'm so sorry."

The telegram related that her younger sister Molly and her husband Jim Calhoun had died in a house fire at Kate's family's homestead about a week ago. Miraculously, their two daughters, Mary age four, and Hannah age two, were saved and staying with Jim's sister's family nearby in Indiana.

"Oh, Ben, I know we just got back, but I really must make sure Molly's girls are ok. You do understand, don't you?" Kate pleaded through her tears.

"Of course, I do. I would not expect otherwise. Joe would you mind getting tickets back to Reno for tomorrow." Ben handed Joe some money. "We'll take the train east from there."

Hoss looked at Kate with sadness. "I'm real sorry, Kate. Let me get your trunks, Pa."

The ride back to the ranch was more quiet than usual. Hoss and Joe asked about their time in San Francisco, but Kate's mind was totally absorbed with her nieces. Her heart was breaking for Mary and Hannah and how lost they must feel without their parents. It had been almost three years since she had seen Molly, Jim, and Mary. Ben kept his loving arm around her, trying comfort her obvious suffering.

After dinner, Kate was repacking her trunk for the trip to Indiana.

"Ben, how long do you think it will take to get to Decatur. It took John and I months to come west by wagon."

Ben was sorting through his clothing. "That was before the railroad was completed across the country. I would say it will take about ten days since most of the trip will be by train. I believe it takes about six days to get from Reno to Chicago, but we'll have a better idea once we book our fare in Reno."

"We'll be gone from the ranch the better part of a month. I am sorry to do this to you. Three months ago, Indiana is probably the last place in the world you would have thought you would be going."

"Kate, the boys are fully capable of taking care of things." He came up to her and slipped his arms around her waist. "It is only right that I am by your side while you are going through this difficult time." He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"Thank you, Ben. I can't imagine doing this alone." She leaned against his chest, relishing the comfort of his arms.