CHAPTER 2
Ben and Adam were the only two left at the table when Alissa came downstairs. Both men stood as Alissa approached the table and Adam helped her with her chair.
As Adam leaned down he gave her a quick kiss on her cheek. "Did you sleep well, my love?"
"Mmm…never better, thank you."
"What are your plans for the day, Alissa?" Ben asked, as he set down his coffee cup.
"Oh, I thought I would go into town and see about some new material at the dressmaker's shop. I hear they got some lovely new fabrics in last week."
Alissa smiled nervously knowing that she was telling a small lie to cover looking for a job. She really was going to look at the fabric along with looking for a job, so it wasn't a total lie. But she also knew how Adam felt about lying, even if it was a small one. Ali grimaced as she remembered their discussion the last time he caught her in a lie, and that didn't bode well for her backside. Oh well, I will just put that little incident out of my mind she decided as she sipped her coffee.
"That's nice, Alissa. Hop Sing and one of the ranch hands are going to town for supplies today, so you can ride with them because you know how we feel about you riding alone," Ben commented casually, as he folded his napkin and placed it on the table now that he had finished his breakfast.
Adam slowly leaned over the table and looked over at Alissa with his eyebrow arched. "That means you don't even think about going alone, Alissa. Do I make myself clear?"
"Don't you cock your eyebrow at me, Adam Cartwright," Ali declared indignantly, as she tipped her chin slightly and frowned.
"Well I just know how your mind works, young lady. And if you can get away with going to town alone and not waiting for Hop Sing and the ranch hand…then I know you will try it because you love taking off on your own."
Trying to look interested in what Adam was saying Alissa rested her elbow on the table with her chin pressed up against her hand and did her best to not roll her eyes at him.
"Virginia City is still a little wild at times and it just isn't safe for a woman to go to there by herself, Alissa. The women living in town have their fathers, brothers or husbands close by to watch out for them. But if you go by yourself, we are miles away and can offer little help if you find yourself in trouble…which by the way is something you do tend to do. We only want to keep you safe, sweetheart."
This time Ali couldn't help herself as she rolled her eyes and let out a long sigh. Her look didn't go unnoticed by Adam as he added with a tight frown.
"I am warning you right now, you better do as I ask and not defy me on this or I will be very displeased. And you really don't want to deal with me when I am angry, Alissa."
Standing up from the table Alissa picked up her dishes and gave Adam an impudent grin. Then she went to his side and bent down and kissed him on his cheek. But just before going into the kitchen she made a face at Adam and stuck out her tongue then said playfully, "Oh no, we certainly wouldn't want to make Mr. Adam Cartwright angry, would we?"
She tried to stifle her laugh but to no avail as she started to turn to go into the kitchen. But just before she made it to the safety of the kitchen, Adam reached out and gave her bottom a sharp swat right before she could get out of his reach, and Alissa's eyes widened in disbelief as she grabbed her backside.
"Hey, watch it, buster!"
Adam scowled as he said sternly, "I am serious, Alissa! We don't want you going alone."
"Very well, Adam. I will go with Hop Sing…happy now?"
Then she turned and hurried into the kitchen after making her last comment just in case she was close enough for Adam to reach her again.
Ben couldn't hold in his laughter any longer as he looked at his eldest son.
"Your life with Alissa is never going to be dull, son. She is certainly a handful and I don't envy you trying to keep her safe from all the things she tends to get into."
Adam smiled as he touched his hair. "You're telling me. I have already started to get gray hairs and I know she is to blame for each and every one of them!"
Three hours later Hop Sing, a ranch hand and Alissa rode up in front of the mercantile store. Hop Sing helped Alissa down from the buckboard and started to go into the mercantile when he realized Alissa wasn't going with him.
"Isn't Missy going with us in store?"
"No, you go on ahead, Hop Sing. I have things to do over at the newspaper office and then check on some new material."
Hop Sing just shook his head as he mumbled, "Very well, Missy," and went on into the store.
An hour later Ali emerged from the Virginia City Gazette. That went well she smiled proudly, and now I am the first woman reporter for the Gazette. I will get paid $3.00 for my first story about the women's sewing bee coming up on Friday. So now all I have to do is convince Adam and Ben to let me keep the job she thought as she stepped into the street.
Soon a cunning smile came to her lips as she started thinking about plans to investigate the burglaries. I will let them think I am covering the sewing bee but I really will be looking into the recent thefts that have been going on she decided.
Ali adjusted her hat as she headed towards the mercantile store to meet Hop Sing and the ranch hand. As she walked across the street she began thinking about how she really couldn't do this next undertaking alone. I definitely need a partner in crime to help me with my investigation, and I know just the gal to do it… Jessica. My friend Jessica was one of the gals that helped me last year with the march to vote, so I know she will be up for this exciting adventure. That is if she can get away from home. Her father was none to pleased with me after the last mess I got his daughter into. He had a few choice words for me when he bailed her out of jail. But I know, Jessica, she is up for anything no matter what the consequences!
Finally getting all the plans straight in her mind, Ali grinned as she saw Hop Sing and walked towards the buckboard thoroughly excited about her new job.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Later that evening while the family was gathered around the table for dessert, Alissa decided to share the news of her recent employment. She smiled cheerfully as she placed her napkin on her lap.
"Well everyone, I have the best news to share with you all. I got a job on the newspaper today!"
At the sound of her news Ben choked on his coffee and hurriedly put down his coffee cup. After he regained his composure he exclaimed, "You did WHAT?"
"I got a job on the newspaper today," Ali answered simply, as she looked across the table at a frowning Ben.
Joe just let out his infectious laugh and commented; "I think that is just great, Ali. What will you be doing?"
"I will be their very first woman reporter and my first assignment is going to be reporting on the sewing bee contest. Of course I will want to get into more serious news as soon as I can because the possibilities are just so exciting!"
"Why, Ali gal, that sounds plumb wonderful," Hoss added between mouthfuls of food as he delved into Hop Sing's apple pie with his usual enthusiasm.
Ali slowly glanced over the table to see what kind of look Adam had on his face and was met with a dark scowl.
"You can't be serious, Alissa… this will never do. I can't spare one of the hands to go to town with you while you are working in town. And none of the family can go that often either. It just isn't a good idea. Adam, just what do you think of your fiancée getting a job?" Ben finally asked, furrowing his brow as he looked down the table at his eldest son.
All eyes were on Adam as he frowned slightly and cleared his throat. Then he stood up and dropped his napkin on the table.
"Alissa, outside now please. I would like a word with you in private."
Joe grimaced remembering his private talks with his brother and whispered under his breath, "Oh, oh, poor Ali."
Adam turned on his heels and went to the front door and opened it. He stood by the door waiting for Alissa to join him, but she just continued to sit at the table eating her dessert.
"Now, Alissa!"
"Oh, don't get your knickers in a twist, Adam."
"What did you say?" Adam asked, as he felt his patience wearing thin.
"Nothing, sweetheart… I'm coming."
Ali smiled then placed her napkin on the table and stood up as she let out an exasperated sigh. As she walked to the front door a devilish twinkle appeared in her eyes.
"Round one," she muttered, as she went out the door ahead of a very upset fiancé.
After they walked outside and stood for a moment, they eventually went over by the porch. Ali sat down in one of the wooden chairs but Adam was too upset to sit and started pacing back and forth in front of Alissa.
"You have done some outlandish things since you have been here, woman, but this beats them all! Just what do you think you are doing, Alissa? Women aren't supposed to work on a newspaper. That is a job for men! Not to mention the fact that no fiancée of mine is going to get a job! People would think I wasn't capable of supporting you, and that certainly isn't the case."
By now Adam's temper was starting to rise along with his blood pressure as he stood in front of Alissa with a dark scowl on his face waiting for her to answer. But just as she was about to answer him, Adam started in on lecturing her again.
"Furthermore, it could be a dangerous job with you in town by yourself. There are a lot of wayward cowhands that come into town from time to time and I can't be away from the ranch all those times to protect you!"
Adam suddenly turned and glared at Alissa as it dawned on him what she had said about more serious news.
"What did you mean in the house when you said you would get into reporting on more serious news? Just how serious and dangerous would that be?"
Alissa shrugged her shoulders and gave Adam a deliberately cheeky grin. "Oh, I don't know yet, but I am very good at finding exciting stories."
The muscle in Adam's jaw twitched ever so slightly till he finally declared, "That's it, my mind is made up and you will NOT be getting a job that could possibly put you in harms way and that is final, Alissa!"
The whole time Adam was pacing and lecturing Alissa she had a slight smile on her lips.
"And just what may I ask is so damn funny, young lady?" Adam asked, as he stood in front of Alissa with his hands on his hips.
Alissa grinned as she answered, "You, Adam. You are just so damn funny when you get angry and start pacing. I thought you were going to have steam coming out of your ears at any moment!"
Ali had to cover her mouth as she started to giggle. Adam sucked in his breath when he heard her comment as he leaned in towards Alissa and frowned.
"Don't swear, Alissa!"
A slight smile came to her lips as she smirked, "Why not…you do when you are angry, so why can't I?"
"Because…because you are a woman and proper women aren't supposed to swear! I thought we covered this before, but I guess I didn't give you enough incentive to make a lasting impression."
Ali stood up and came over to stand in front of Adam. Of course she only came to the middle of his chest and wished she was taller so they could face each other instead of her facing the top button on his shirt. But she raised her chin in pure defiance as she prepared to do battle with her stubborn, bossy man!
"Just like women aren't supposed to work on a newspaper, right? You men in the 1800's are all such chauvinists, and you are right up there at the top, Adam Cartwright! Just what am I suppose to do with all the free time I have if I can't get a job? Besides, a woman reporter can do just as good a job as a male reporter on the paper, so there!"
Alissa stomped her foot and crossed her arms in front of her to emphasize her point of view, although that did seem rather childish. But she didn't care as she let her fiery temper quickly surface.
Adam suddenly looked puzzled, "What do you mean… men in the 1800's?"
Alissa shrugged her shoulders and waved her hands as if dismissing what she had said, "Oh nothing…I just meant men in general."
Feeling a major headache coming on Adam rubbed his temples as his eyes narrowed at Ali pinning her with a firm glare.
"Well, you better find something else to do because you are definitely not getting a job and that is final! This discussion is over! And if you think about defying me on this, Alissa Marie, you will find sitting comfortably a thing of the past as the discussion we have next time will definitely make a lasting impression!"
"Don't you go threatening me again, Adam Cartwright!" Alissa declared, as her green eyes flashed her anger.
"Oh that is not a threat, Alissa. That is a promise, so don't put me to the test…because you will loose!" Adam curtly replied, as one of his dark eyebrows rose threateningly.
"Oh that makes so much sense, Adam Cartwright. You would injure my backside because you don't want me to put myself in situations where I could get injured!" Ali taunted, glaring back at him with as much insolence as she could muster.
"Besides, I have already told you that I am too old for that kind of thing," Ali argued, crossing her arms firmly across her chest.
"Obviously you and I have a difference of opinion on that little matter, young lady," Adam noted dryly.
Alissa just scowled at Adam as she leaned in slightly and shouted, "WE CERTAINLY DO!"
Suddenly it was very quiet as she and Adam stood glaring at each other waiting for the other one to start yelling again. Finally Adam decided he needed to cool off before he ended up following through with that threat right now, and he turned on his heal and headed for the barn to brush down Sport. One thing about it, Sport's coat was certainly looking very well groomed lately because every time Adam and Ali had a disagreement, Adam would head to the barn to take out his frustrations by brushing Sport.
Ali watched him storm off as she walked over and kicked at the woodpile to let off some of her own anger.
"Oh go suck a lemon, you arrogant, bossy man!" Ali grumbled, as she watched some of the logs roll down onto the ground.
When one of the smaller logs rolled and bumped her foot she bent down and picked it up and was getting ready to throw it. Then she remembered the broken window incident and decided that probably wouldn't be the smartest thing to do with her great aim. Ben wouldn't be so understanding this time she decided as she laid it back down on the ground.
"You may think that this is over, Adam Cartwright, but it is just beginning. I will keep my job on the newspaper and furthermore I will find out who the robbers are and bring them to justice! I will just have to figure out a way to do all this without you finding out, and that may take a little more thought on my part."
Ali grinned confidently as she headed for the front door to go up to her room and make plans for her latest venture.
TBC
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I want to thank all the memebers and guests that have reviewed...I appreciate you All!
