Evangeline stood with tears stinging her own eyes as she looked on, watching her fiancé being embraced by the old gentleman and the girl younger than herself. She thought back to the names that Adam had mentioned in the past and the name of his grandfather came to mind along with an adopted girl but her name couldn't be remembered. Judging from Adam's emotional and joyful response to their arrival, his visitors were undeniably special. A tear escaped down Evangeline's cheek as she smiled and approached the huddle.

Upon feeling her hand on his shoulder, Adam turned with more joy in his face that she had ever seen. He drew her to his side and kissed her forehead as he directed her attention to being introduced.

"Angie...this is my grandfather, Abel Stoddard, and my cousin, Katherine Stanton Stoddard," he gazed at his love with pride as he continued, "Grandfather...Katherine, this is my betrothed, Evangeline Williams."

Abel found his voice at last, stepping forward and taking her hands in his own. "An honor and a privilege, Miss Williams. You're as beautiful as Adam wrote in his letters."

"Believe me, the pleasure is all mine, Captain Stoddard."

Adam's arm tightened around her waist and she smiled at his grandfather who she immediately fell in love with. His aged face was kind and open but in his eyes was held a hurtful past, one of hardship and heartache. It struck her where she had seen similar eyes before; Adam truly bore a family resemblance. She turned to Katherine but didn't get the same feeling from the sullen redhead at all. The girl seemed withdrawn and yet held a hardness within her face that disconcerted. Adam noticed the cold way Katherine was looking at his fiancée and he frowned.

At that moment, the front door opened and Ben's voice rang out with shock. All thoughts of a problem fled as Ben was reunited with his first wife's father. That night was spent in much needed evaluation of the past among the five and when Hoss arrived home from working, he too was struck speechless upon meeting the visitors. He could see how animated his father and brother were and felt both glad wishes and envy. He knew that his maternal grandfather was long since passed but a small part of him couldn't help but feel jealous. He also felt rather left out as conversation buzzed about and around events that had happened without himself being present.

After dinner, he was unusually quiet and as if sensing his brother's need for companionship, Adam excused himself from Evangeline's side in order to accompany Hoss out to the barn for chores. They worked in silence for quite some time before Hoss broke it. "Bet you never thought you'd see them here in a million years, did ya?"

Adam shook his head as he leaned on the pitchfork he was using to fork hay to the horses. "They never gave any indication in their letters that they were coming. I wonder what brought Abel out here now after all these years."

"The wedding most likely, just like he done told you."

"I don't know...Katherine acted so strange earlier too. I haven't been able to talk to her in private yet but it's obvious that Abel has suffered a recent illness. A bad one. His face looks drawn and thin and he hardly ate a thing at dinner."

Hoss came to sit next to his brother when Adam sank down on a hay bale while nervously running his fingers through his dark locks. "I'm sure he'll be fine. Jest needs some time to recover from the trip west is all. That Katherine's a pretty little thing, she's done good at looking after him."

Adam smiled and nodded in affection for the girl. "Yes, she has. Now seeing the condition he's in though...I can't help but think that I should have done more to help her. I've let her down and that was my last intention."

A soft chuckle came from Hoss as he slapped his brother's back but with gentle pressure. "Leave it to you to come up with something that makes his ailing your fault. Sometimes stuff just happens and worrying about it ain't goin' to help one bit."

"Yeah...Angie's been working on me about doing that all of the time." Adam smiled wanly, a melancholy trying to steal his peace of mind. He felt to blame for not doing a lot of things of late but he also knew that there was no way of him knowing about most of it. He couldn't have done anything to help Jody's parents nor could he have known about his grandfather's fragile state. He sighed, indeed there were some things that he just couldn't control and there was no sense trying to either.

Hoss could sense the struggle going on and smiled, gripping his brother's good shoulder. "Are you looking forward to the wedding?"

A smile grew on Adam's face that shook away the dismal thoughts. "Yeah...yeah, I sure am." He fought back a slight shiver, thoughts about the event pulling his attention away from the conversation. He remembered the feeling of soft kisses upon his back only a couple of days before...the passion ignited between a man and a woman was special but when true love was involved, that passion had the potential to have an even greater power. He marveled still at how gently she could act one minute and then so fervent the next. After their bedroom discussion, he had come to possess an even greater respect for her than before. He couldn't wait to pay her back for the tenderness shown him with he showing her his love in return...for the rest of their lives. He had a few plans for their wedding night and he shivered again with excitement.

Hoss grinned as he saw his brother's eyes glaze over in thought. Ever the smart one, Hoss observed, "Especially afterwards?"

Caught in his anticipation by his attentive brother, Adam turned bright red, causing Hoss to bust out laughing at his stoic sibling's embarrassment. "Don't worry, I won't tell nobody about them particular ideas ya got. Not even Joe."

"You better not or I might have to thrash you." Adam grinned and nudged Hoss' shoulder hard with his own. "At any rate, I'm also really looking forward to going back East and showing her off in Boston and Philadelphia on our honeymoon. It gives me even more pleasure to know that I'll be the envy of every man who sees my beautiful wife." Becoming mischievous, Adam quirked an eyebrow and leveled his gaze which only made his brother chuckle harder. Hoss bumped Adam's shoulder with his own in understanding.

"I know I do...by the way, has Johnny told you when the mine will be sold?"

"He came by yesterday, Sharon has purchased it and has plans to expand on it but with still a large percentage of the ore going to John, of course. Strange how that worked out but there it is. Anne won't be coming around anymore though since they will be moving out within the week."

"Too bad, I'll miss her."

"Yeah, Jody will too. He's gotten kind of attached to her lately. Maybe because his mother had the same name..."

Hoss scratched the back of his neck as a thought came to him that he had discussed with his father and Joe recently. "Where are you planning on going right after the weddin'? You leaving right away for the East, are ya?"

"Angie and I have talked extensively about that. We had thought of going immediately but we've discussed it and decided to postpone it for a few months at least until we're settled. The ranch needs a guiding hand and then there's Jody. I can't very well leave him behind so we will be most likely taking him with us when the trip does happen."

"Seems a shame for all of your plans to go down the drain now." Hoss chewed his lip as he reached down and grabbed a piece of hay to twiddle between his fingers."I've been thinkin' and I talked to Pa and Joe too. What would you think about lettin' us fix up your ranch up for ya?"

Surprise registered on Adam's face. "What do mean, 'fix it up for me'?

Hoss shrugged. "Joe, Pa and me were a thinkin' that you might like to...you know, go there after the wedding. If it was okay with you, we were going to move in whatever you and Miss Evangeline wanted and, well, just get it all readied up for you both livin' there."

"I would like that, Hoss. I would like that very much..." The asking tone of his brother's voice made Adam smile. He felt moved beyond words, his family's kindly offer solidifying his resolve of late to stay here, where he belonged. He had already thought of what Hoss had suggested but minus their help, not wanting to cause anymore bother than he felt he had to.

Adam's smile deepened but he refrained from saying a word, the knowledge of his family's consideration being enough. Hoss understood, there being no need for further conversation as the two men rose and continued with their duties, Adam tossing hay over the stall sides and Hoss watering the horses. Soon their efficient teamwork had the barn peaceful and quiet for the night. Adam stood next to Sport while softly stroking the chestnut's sleek neck rippling with pleasure as the good, dry stems were consumed. Hoss dumped the last bit of unused water outside and set the bucket down inside the door before standing back to back with his brother. Chubb nuzzled his beloved master, begging Hoss to give him the craved attention. Adam heard his brother's croons to the loyal bay and he sighed, feeling more peaceful than he had felt in a long time...despite the problems that plagued, but what life is ever completely without problems and challenges? he thought.

Soon, the brothers were strolling on their way back to the house. Adam slowed and moved to lean on the pasture fence to observe his herd of thoroughbreds. Hoss joined him as Adam's piercing whistle sounded and a black head snapped up from among the obscured animals in the shadows. The thunder of a sole horse's hooves approached and Jupiter slid to a halt in front of his owner who chuckled at the stallion's playful snorts. Hoss shook his head in wonder as his brother exploited the sensitive areas under Jupiter's chin and made the horse nudge him hard.

"That dadburn horse gave Joe and me the run around when we were driving your herd down and yet here he is suckin' up to ya like an old pal!"

"He is an old pal. A might headstrong and more than a little difficult but a pal nonetheless... kind of like our younger brother."

Adam grinned and Hoss couldn't help but laugh along with him. Everything felt right that night, a bond of brotherhood, of hope that was radiating from the full moon above them. All of the sudden, Adam couldn't wait to return to the house and to the rest of his family inside. Except for Joe, of course.

"I wonder what Joe's up to..."

Hoss looked at his eldest brother as they neared the house. "Don't know...I've got a feeling that we'll hear all about it when he gets back."