Hey, there. Sorry for the delay. Work is going really well, and I'm finding time to do some writing almost every day after work! College starts on Monday, so exciting stuff! And to answer your question, Aurea, I was in the Agatha Christie play 'Appointment wih Death'. I don't know if you know it, but it's a murder mystery. I played Ginevra Boynton, neither murdered party or culprit, but I was a suspect (and it was a very challenging role as she is on the verge of a nervous breakdown and basically a little crazy!). I also got to do an American accent, which was so much fun! Best accent ever!

Anyway, enough about my show - here's the next chapter at last. Thanks for the reviews so far, folks! :-)

Chapter 2 – The Announcement

Louise braided her hair before she went to sleep. It had been a long day at school, but a rewarding one. She had won the spelling bee in her grade's group, and Ben was very proud of her. She was very smart, like Adam, and although she didn't enjoy studying quite as much as her older brother, she liked it a lot more than Joe did.

Sliding under the covers on her bed, Louise leaned against her pillows, staring at the miniature of her mother that she held in her hands.

Marie Cartwright.

A true lady!

Louise found her mind wandering back to Alice Corby's visit last week, and as she remembered that day, she felt a pang of pain as a thought struck her. Would Marie be disappointed in her as she looked and acted? Was she a disappointment to her Pa and brothers? Was she a disgrace to the Cartwright name?

Why did she have to sew and wear dresses just because she was a female? It was quite fun to dress up if an occasion called for such – but Louise did prefer to wear pants and shirts like her brothers. It was more practical for a girl on a working ranch. Besides, she had to wear dresses for school and church, so of course she wanted to spend the rest of her time in the freeing garb of pants and shirt.

Perhaps it would be better if she acted more ladylike. She knew that her Pa wanted her to be a lady, but her brothers accepted her as she was. They admired her spunk – so surely they admired who she was. For Louise Marie Cartwright was spunky!

Then why did she feel so confused? Why was this subject – which had been brought up a few days ago and then dropped just as suddenly as it had been broached – bugging her mind so much?

Why?

The door to Louise's bedroom opened, and she looked up to see Adam standing in the doorway.

"Not asleep?" he asked.

"Do I look it?" Louise sassed teasingly with a twinkle in her eye.

Adam shook his head at her, but stopped when he saw what was in her hands.

"What are you doing? Thinking?"

Louise shrugged her shoulders and placed the miniature back where it belonged on her bedside table. "I guess."

"What's wrong, Louise? You've been quiet for the past few days. That's not like you."

Louise felt her cheeks burning as she realized that Adam was studying her face. He was trying to read her mind again – and she hated it when he did that. Especially when she didn't want him to know what was there.

"No, I guess it's not. I was just wondering if … and if you would only tell me …" she died away.

"Tell you what?" Adam asked curiously, perching on the side of her bed.

"Tell me if I should learn to sew; if I should ride side saddle; if I should wear frills and lace and …"

"Whoa, little sister! Steady on there – you don't need to dramatically change your life. Yes, it's good to be able to sew and a young lady should wear dresses – but she can wear practical clothes for a working ranch, too. All you need to do is balance your ideals for your life with the right way for a lady to act. I don't see the problem in you riding astride, and Pa has never complained – so why change to side saddle now? If you don't like lace and frills, then choose dresses that suit your style, whilst at the same time being attractive. You don't have to be exactly the same as every girl or woman you see. You don't have to dress and act and talk like Miss Alice."

"How did you know that she had anything to do with this? Oh, yes, of course – I forgot who I was speaking to. The all-knowing mind reader!" Louise laughed.

Adam smiled, "Louise, you are your own person – and there should never be a set pattern for a woman to be that can't be shaped and moulded for each person. Be yourself – but only if that falls in line with Pa's rules. If he doesn't lecture you for what you do, you can't be doing anything wrong. Agreed?"

Louise grinned, "Agreed."

"Good," Adam said, standing up. He bent over to tuck her in and plant a kiss on her cheek. "Now how about you get some sleep, my lady tomboy?"

Louise smiled, "Sure. Goodnight!"

Adam turned to leave.

"Adam," Louise's voice caused Adam to look back to his sister.

"Yes, Lou?"

"Thanks – for talking. You always set my mind at ease." She sighed happily before adding, "Love you."

"I love you, too," Adam said, leaving the room and shutting the door behind him.

Louise snuggled down under the covers happily, and sank against her pillows satisfactorily. Yes, Adam had put her mind at rest – and now she could sleep.

The next day, being a Saturday, Louise was thrilled to be able to ride and fish and swim to her heart's content. Lake Tahoe was the perfect spot for swimming in this hot weather, so Louise was only too pleased to race Joe from the Ponderosa Pine to the lake and then cool off in the refreshing waters.

Salt and Cochise grazed by the water's edge where the grass was the sweetest, twitching their ears at the noise coming from the two youngest Cartwrights, and peevishly flicking their tails at insolent flies.

It was a glorious mid-September's day, but the best of it all was the fact that there was no school to be borne, no lessons to be learnt, and no stuffy schoolhouse to be stuck in. Today could not be bettered.

Actually, maybe it could. Louise wanted to stay by Lake Tahoe all day, but they had to be back in time to get changed and ready for company that night.

Alice Corby was coming to tea, and her father with her. Her father rarely came, although he was always invited. He was a friendly man, but rather hermitic in his way of living – choosing his pen and paper as his closest and dearest friends, next to his daughter. His wife's death had driven him away from his old life in New England, and he had quickly settled into writing a newspaper for the town of Virginia City. James Corby spent his afternoons writing articles, and his evenings setting the press, and his early mornings printing. The ink would always dry in time for opening hours when people from in and out of town would stop by to purchase and read the latest news. Even Alice wrote a daily article for women on some fashion statement or some latest gossip that she had been assured by someone who had been assured by someone else who had been assured by some other party that it was fact. And thus the Virginia City Journal grasped the attention of men and women alike, and made its way into the lives and homes of many of the surrounding folk.

The time passed all too quickly for Louise and Joe, and before they knew it, it was time to mount up and head for home, allowing the hot sun to dry them as they went. They performed their usual race to the Ponderosa Pine, and then allowed their horses to walk from there to the yard.

They had enough time to wash and change into some smarter clothes and help Hop Sing to get the table set before Alice arrived.

Ben seemed very pleased to see her when she arrived, and Louise couldn't help but wonder why he was smiling so broadly. He kept wiping his forehead with a handkerchief, the very action making Louise feel strangely uncomfortable. Alice kept looking at Ben and then blushingly turning away each time their eyes met. It made Louise feel very uncomfortable – and confused.

And why was Mr. Corby here? He was always too busy sorting out his newspaper – so why did he come tonight?

Truth be told, Louise had noticed the fact that Ben had been acting differently ever since the time that he had rode out into town with a bouquet of wild flowers just to ask Alice over to tea.

What was the reason behind all of this mysteriousness? Was it all mysterious, or was she just being blind?

The seven of them sat down to a delicious meal prepared by Hop Sing. Supper seemed a quiet affair, though people did talk. But Adam was quiet and watchful, and Louise was silent, and Alice only blushed through the whole meal, making Louise just want to retch.

Finally, after the meal, Ben asked Adam to get out his guitar and play some songs for them. Louise sighed with relief at this opportunity to lighten her mood, and soon they were all singing. They all made one choice, which everyone then sang together. Louise chose her favourite, 'Beautiful Dreamer', which she was able to accompany with her harmonica. Joe, Hoss, Adam, and Mr. Corby all chose lively songs that brought smiles to everyone's faces, and Alice requested 'Oh Shenandoah', as she said it was so beautiful it always made her want to cry.

Ben's request came last. He turned warm eyes on Alice and said, "Adam, play 'Sweetly She Sleeps My Alice Fair'."

Louise's smiled vanished as she saw the look in Ben's eyes. It was a look she had never seen before. She did not notice when Adam started playing the song. She didn't join in. All she did was watch Ben and Alice as they sang, sitting and staring at each other.

"Sweetly she sleeps, my Alice fair,

Her cheek on the pillow pressed,

Sweetly she sleeps, while her Saxon hair,

Like sunlight, streams o'er her breast."

The song finished, and in the blur of bewilderment, Louise saw Ben stand up and gently help Alice up from her seat.

"We have an announcement to make," Ben said.

Above Ben's voice, Louise's heart hammered in her chest.

"We, Alice and I, have something to tell you all. Well, James already knows. We wouldn't be here telling you all without his consent."

Alice clasped Ben's hands and looked at his face as he continued to address his family.

"I have asked Alice to be my wife, and she has accepted. We're to be married!"

A sudden knife thrust into Louise could not have pained her as much as those words did. A dizzying tremble thundered round her head, but she shook it away.

Forcing herself to her feet she spoke above all the voices of stunned congratulation and surprise, "What do you mean?"

Ben turned to look at his daughter and smiled, "Louise. You're going to have a mother!" He reached out to stroke her arm, but she jerked it away.

"No!" she cried. "You're wrong! She will never be my mother!"

And then she turned and ran out of the house, slamming the door behind her.

Ben's shock soon turned to anger. "I'm sorry, Alice, I didn't expect that. She knows better … I …"

"Ben, you don't need to explain to me. She's shocked, she needs to get used to the idea, but once she does, she will be fine."

Adam stepped up to Ben. "Why didn't you warn her? Why didn't you give any inkling towards this? Why did you spring it upon her? Can you blame her for running off?"

"Adam?" Ben asked incredulously.

Adam's eyes sparked with fire. "I knew that things were heading this way – but I thought you would have spoken to us before you made the final announcement." He shook his head slowly as if he couldn't comprehend what had happened, "I'm very pleased for you both – and I wish you every happiness! But right now I can't help but feel sorry for Louise."

Before Ben could reply the sound of a horse's hooves galloping out of the yard met their ears.

Ben started forward.

"Pa – right now, I think she wants to be alone. Let me find her, but you stay here with Alice. Don't let this spoil yours and Alice's evening. Alice needs you, and I want to speak to Louise before she sees anyone else!"

Ben frowned.

"Please, Pa! I'll know where to find her."

Ben nodded his head reluctantly, "Alright, Adam. Go and get her and bring her back. If I handled the situation wrongly …"

"Pa, don't blame yourself! Please! And Pa, Alice – I'm pleased for you both." Adam smiled warmly at Ben to show him that he was with him all the way. Then he walked out to the barn, tacked up Sport, and rode away.

She was just where he had expected to find her. Knelt in front of Marie's grave, old tears still glistening on her cheeks.

Adam dismounted and tied Sport up loosely on a shrub.

"Louise," he said, breaking the peaceful stillness of the night.

Louise looked up quickly before throwing her eyes down to her clasped hands. "Why don't you leave me alone?"

"Louise, I know it's hard, but Pa loves her and …"

Louise's head snapped up to look at Adam, and fresh tears spilled from her eyes. "But what about Ma?"

"Pa loves Marie still, little sister, and that will never change!"

"He can't love two women at once, Adam. And what about your mother? And Hoss'? What about his love for them?

Adam paused, not sure how to answer Louise's questions.

"You see," Louise said, excited by his hesitation. "You know that it's true! He can't love four women at the same time. Well, just you wait and see. I won't accept her. She can't just butt into our lives! I won't let her! I think she's mean for even trying!"

"Louise!" Adam said warningly.

"Well, I do!" Louise said. "She'll change everything, and I hate her for it! She'll come into our home, ruin my family and destroy my life!"

"Louise, it's not going to be like that," Adam tried.

"Isn't it? I think it is! She doesn't belong in this family, Adam, and I'm going to make sure she understands that!"

"You do anything to offend or spite her, and you know very well that you'll end up across Pa's knee. If you push things, then you might even make your way across mine!"

"Are you threatening me, Adam?"

"I'm warning you. Look, Louise – I came out here because I understood how you felt. Not because I feel that way, but because I once did. I never knew my mother, so Inger was the first mother I ever knew. When I was sick, she gave me food and medicine to make me better. She married Pa and then gave me a baby brother, which was what I wanted more than anything. Then she was killed. Some years later, Pa decided to marry again. He fell in love with Marie – but I hated her. Not because she wasn't lovely – because she was. But I hated her because she was taking Inger's place, and I would not stand for that. So I pulled against it as much as I could, kicking and screaming, you might say. I was blatantly rude to her and Pa, and my backside suffered for it, I can tell you. But once I stopped resisting her, I realized that I hadn't questioned the fact that Pa had married Inger after my mother had died, so why should I question his love for Inger now that he had married Marie. I also realized that, although it is a different type of love, I never thought that Pa could only love me or Hoss, and not both of us. Love is a wonderful thing if you have a heart full of it – enough to share with lots of people."

Louise shook her head, "I don't understand."

"Neither did I – and I'm not sure if I always understand fully even now. But maybe one day, when you get married, you'll see how it feels to love someone in that way."

"I don't want to get married, Adam, not ever!"

"Why?"

Louise's eyes clouded with fear and pain. "I don't know."

Adam sat down next to Louise and pulled her close against his chest. "You say that now, but when the time is right, you may fall in love. But that's irrelevant to now. Pa is in love with Alice, and you must respect his feelings and choices for his life."

"No! No, I don't have to do anything. I won't!"

"Louise!"

"No, Adam! And not you – not anybody – can make me!"

Adam pinched the bridge of his nose, "Louise, I want to comfort you, tell you that everything's alright, that everything will be normal, that nothing will change. But I can't promise that. Things will change – but they will be for the better, not for worse. You will have someone to talk to about things that women need to talk about. You will be able to know a mother's love – something that Hoss, Joe and I have all known. Something that you knew for a few weeks of your life, but that you can't remember."

"Yes, she'll be there to 'mother' me. To make me sew and knit and crochet, and dress like her and talk like her and act like her. I bet she'll correct my speech, and the way I sit at the table, how I hold my cups, and how I ride, and how I do everything. She'll drive me crazy!"

"You don't know that."

"Yes, I do!"

"Louise, please listen to me."

"I've already heard you out, Adam. You may be smart, you may be able to read minds, you may have been to college. But you don't have a degree in having all of the answers, and I don't care what you say or think, but you can't change how I feel."

"I appreciate that …"

"Do you? Do you really? Then leave me alone!"

"Pa wants you back at the house. You offended him and Alice, and …"

"Oh, I offended them? It doesn't matter how I feel then. Oh, sure, hurt Louise's feelings, but not Pa's and Miss Alice's."

"Louise, just calm down."

"How am I supposed to calm down when I've just found out that my Pa's going to remarry? It's turning my world upside-down!"

"Things will be different for a while, that's true."

"For a while? Forever, you mean! Forever, and ever and ever!"

A sob stopped her from saying anything else.

"Come on," Adam said, standing up and pulling her to her feet. "Let's go home."

"You go on. Go without me. I want to stay with Ma tonight."

"Louise …"

"Go, Adam!" Louise cried forcefully.

"No!" Adam rejoined as stubbornly as her. "I told Pa I'd take you home. Now you can either ride by my side, or I can sit you in front of me on Sport and make you go home with me. Now which way is it going to be?"

Louise scowled at Adam, "I hate you."

Adam's heart twisted at those words. "Louise, you don't mean that!"

Louise burst into tears and threw her arms around Adam.

"Why, Adam? Why does everything have to change? Why?"

Adam fondled her hair lovingly. "I don't know, Little Lou. Like you said, I don't have all the answers." He squatted in front of Louise and wiped her eyes dry. "Louise, I love you."

Louise sniffed, "I love you, too. I don't hate you, Adam. I was just all mixed up, that's all."

"I understand. I remember saying words like that to Pa when I was in your situation – and I didn't mean it. Sometimes we say things – strong, hateful words – that we don't mean."

"And I didn't mean it. Honest!"

"I know – now, come on."

Adam held Salt still for Louise as she mounted, and then mounted Sport.

"Adam," Louise said before they kicked their mounts forwards. "She may marry Pa – but that doesn't make her my mother. Pa may be happy to forget Ma, but I'm not. There's no way I'll call Miss Alice 'ma' or 'mother'. I just won't!"

And she kicked Salt on, and cantered towards the house.

Ta dah! What do you think? Please let me know all of your thoughts - I love to hear from you all. What do you think is going to happen next? I will update as soon as possible. Please do leave me a review! Thanks for reading! :-)