The Road That Will Lead Me Home

Chapter 2

"Miss, Miss, are you alright?"

Alissa could hear a voice but it seemed as if it was very far away. She felt herself being lightly shaken and when she finally opened her eyes, she looked up at a young man with a very worried look on his face staring down at her.

"Are you alright? Do I need to get you a doctor?"

Alissa started to speak but the inside of her mouth was very dry, so it took her a moment to even form words to answer his question.

"I think I am okay. Just a little groggy and my mouth is very dry," Alissa answered, almost in a whisper as she sat up and looked around at her surroundings.

"Where am I anyway?"

"Well, you are in the back room of our gift shop. I just came in to put some things away before closing and found you on the floor. You know customers aren't suppose to be back here. It is against the rules. So just how did you get here anyway?"

Alissa sat up straighter as she glanced around the room. The lighting wasn't the brightest and her eyesight wasn't at its best just yet, so she had to squint slightly to see where she was. To her left were shelves with boxes and merchandise on them, and big boxes that looked like they had not been opened yet lined the wall to her right. It was obvious that she was in a storeroom, but what storeroom and where?

"So how did I get here?"

Looking rather perturb the clerk answered as he reached over to help her to her feet.

"Well I certainly can't tell you. But you really need to go back out to the front now. It is past closing and I want to go home! It has been a simply awful day for me, with rude customers and an impatient boss nagging me all the time to keep the shelves stocked with all you crazy tourists wanting western merchandise…especially anything to do with Bonanza."

Suddenly when he said the word Bonanza, memories started coming back to Alissa.

"Oh yeah, I went on the tour of the Ponderosa and then came here to buy some things to take back to my friends…I remember now. I was standing in line with a postcard when I saw another door at the back of the shop that I hadn't gone through and thought it might have more things to buy. So I went through the door, but how did I end up on the floor?"

The clerk frowned as he straightened his vest and peered over his black horned rim glasses. "Well I certainly can't tell you. I should really call my boss and have them search you to see if you stole anything."

Alissa was starting to feel better now and this skinny, rude clerk was starting to get on her nerves.

"Listen, buster, you don't have to be so rude. I certainly didn't steal any of your stupid merchandise. Besides, where would I put it?" Alissa asked angrily, as she looked down at her tight jeans.

"And I sure didn't put anything in my purse either. Wait, where is my purse anyway?" Alissa realized she didn't have her purse and started looking around on the floor but didn't see her purse at all.

"Oh that's just great! It looks like I have been robbed! Here you are accusing me of theft and it looks like I am the one who has been robbed!" Alissa declared furiously, as she poked her finger in the clerk's skinny chest.

"Oh dear, oh dear. Maybe you have been robbed. What should I do? I am the only one left here and I don't know what to do."

"Okay, okay, now look this is what we are going to do…just what is your name anyway?"

"My name is Percy."

"Your name is Percy?" Who would name their poor kid Percy she thought, trying to keep from grinning as she looked him up and down. He really was a sight in his brown corduroy trousers, plaid shirt and black knit vest. And his red hair was rather unruly as it curled every which way around his head. The name certainly suited him, but he really did look like he definitely had a bad day if his appearance had anything to do with it. Taking pity on him as she watched him ring his hands with worry, Alissa decided to take charge of the situation.

"Now then, Percy, let's first look around the whole area to see if maybe my purse is under something. Then we will go from there, okay?"

"Yes, that sounds like a plan. What does your purse look like?"

"It is brown leather with a shoulder strap and a gold buckle on the front. It probably is the only purse in the room," she said sarcastically, as she started walking around the room looking for it.

A few minutes later Percy came running up to her. "Is this yours?" he asked, slightly out of breath as he handed her a blue wallet.

"Yes, that is my wallet. Where did you find it?"

"It was over by the back wall."

Alissa walked to the back of the room where Percy was pointing.

"That's odd, how did it get way over here? Did you find anything else?" Ali wondered out loud as she started going through her wallet.

"No, that is all and I have looked over the whole entire room."

"Me too and no purse or cell phone to be found. Do you think they just took my purse and cell phone and left my wallet? That is rather odd as all my money and credit cards are still here. You would think if they wanted to rob me they would have taken my wallet."

"Well maybe you weren't robbed," Percy said frowning, as he leaned against one of the counters with his arms crossed over his chest. He was running out of patience, and really just wanted this girl to go away so he could go home and have some popcorn and a diet soda as he watched Dancing With the Stars.

"Well my stuff didn't just walk away!" Alissa stood with her hands on her hips glaring at Percy. "And why was I unconscious when you found me?"

"I am sure I don't know! You were that way when I found you. But look, why don't we just file a report about your missing things and maybe they will show up. It is too late to catch the bus back to town now, but we have a quaint little bed and breakfast that you could stay in until tomorrow when the bus comes back. Then you could come back in the morning and check with me to see if your missing things show up." Percy smiled half-heartedly hoping she would agree to his plan.

Letting out a slow breath Alissa pondered what to do. "I just want to know what happened to me after I came through that door. It just is all so strange that I can't remember, don't you think?"

"I suppose so, but you know if you would have just stayed in the store and not gone snooping then maybe this wouldn't have happened." Percy smirked as he reached for her arm to hurry her out of the storage room.

"Now if you would just come along I will get you some water from the break room and then I really need to close up."

Alissa slapped his hand away as she glared. "Don't get your knickers in a twist, buster, I'm going. And kindly keep your hands off of me!"

Percy pulled back his hand and stared at Alissa wide eyed in surprise. He for sure didn't have the faintest idea what to do with this annoying, and at the moment very angry customer yelling at him.

"What are kickers?"

Rolling her eyes Alissa tried not to laugh. "You work in an shop that sells old-fashioned items and are around everything that is from the past and you don't know what knickers are?"

Shaking his head Percy answered softly. "No. What are they?"

"Your underwear."

Turning three shades of red Percy almost choked. "Oh dear me, why are you referring to my underwear?"

"It is just an expression, Percy."

"Oh, well listen, Miss, I just really want to go home now. So beings you have your money and credit cards, why don't you just go to the bed and breakfast down the street and get a good night's sleep, and then maybe in the morning you will remember what happened. Are you feeling well enough to do that?"

Sighing heavily Ali nodded in agreement. "I suppose I am okay now and I do have all my money and credit cards. So let's go," she agreed, as she followed Percy out of the storage room.

Percy made a short stop on the way to the front of the store and went into the break room to get Alissa a bottle of water. She just leaned against the doorway watching him retrieve the water.

"Here, I hope this will help with your thirst," Percy said smiling, as he handed her the bottle.

After taking a large drink, Alissa couldn't help but grin as she looked at this tall, gangly clerk standing in front of her. I am sure I am a little feistier than most girls he has ever dealt with she thought, as she took another drink.

"So how old are you, Percy?"

"I am nineteen."

"A little older than the Percy I know," she pointed out, before suddenly frowning. "Wait, I don't know anyone named Percy. Why did I just say that?"

"Well I am sure I wouldn't know, but could you just think about that bit of trivia some place else?"

"You are rude just like him too."

Shaking her head Ali put the lid back on the water bottle. "There I go again…what is going on with my brain?"

"As I said, I just think you need some food and a good night's sleep and all this will probably make sense."

"Maybe so. Do you have somewhere I can get something to eat?"

"Yes, we have a café, drugstore, and three gift shops along with the bed and breakfast close by the Ponderosa site for anyone who wants to stay the night. So I am sure you will find all that you need."

A few minutes later after signing a paper about her missing items, Alissa said goodbye to Percy and agreed to see him in the morning. As she stood outside the door of the gift shop, she heard Percy lock the door and walk to the back of the store before she took a deep breath and looked up at the night sky.

"The night sky here in Nevada is so incredible with all the stars twinkling like diamonds. Just look at that moon. It is so clear and bright tonight that it seems as if I could reach up and touch it," she whispered, as she put her hand up towards the sky. I love you all the way to the moon and back.

Ali wrinkled her brow as she kept looking up at the moon. "Now why on earth did I just think that? I have never said those words before or had anyone say them to me. Surely I would remember that as it is such a touching and lovely saying."

Shaking her head Ali let out a long frustrated sigh. Maybe a good night sleep is what I need to clear my head and figure out why I keep having these odd things pop into my head she thought, before pulling her lightweight jacket tighter around her as she headed for the bed and breakfast up the street.

(The Ponderosa 1800's)

"Adam, let Joe go! He ain't to blame and punching him ain't gonna bring Ali home any sooner." Hoss quickly situated himself between the two brothers just as Adam was getting ready to punch Joe.

Alissa had been missing for two days and Adam had not slept at all since Bill had ridden out to find him and tell him what had happened. His patience was wearing very thin now since there had been no trace of Alissa except her hat in those two long days. Ben had ordered the hands to search every inch of the Ponderosa, but so far nothing had turned up.

Adam let go of Joe's shirtfront and backed away from his brother as he ran his hand through his hair in frustration.

"I told you to take care of her, Joe. Why didn't you take better care of her?"

"I'm so sorry, Adam. She said she had something to show me in the barn and that it was important. But I was busy at the time and asked her to wait for me to finish with the new horse. She sat on the corral for a few minutes, but you know Ali, she was impatient and then stormed off towards the barn. It was only about ten or fifteen more minutes until I went to the barn looking for her, and that is when I found her hat but no trace of her anywhere. Bill and Hop Sing helped me look all around the ranch. And I swear, Adam, it is like she disappeared into thin air because there were no footprints or hoof prints anywhere to tell us where she might have gone. I just wish I would have gone as soon as she asked me, but honestly, Adam, I didn't think she was in any danger or you know I would have."

Joe felt the tears well up in his eyes as he watched his brother. "I am just so sorry, Adam."

"I know. Do you think those two idiots that she cares about took her again?"

Ben stood up and walked over to his son and put his arm around his shoulder.

"I suppose it is possible, but Sheriff Coffee and as many men as we can get will keep looking until we find her. You just need to eat something, Adam, and get some rest. Or you won't be any good to her when we do find her if you're too weak to take her in your arms." Ben smiled faintly trying to lighten the mood in the room.

"You know, Pa, remember when she first came here. She just sort of appeared in front of us. Maybe…maybe she just left the same way."

"Oh now, Adam, that is foolishness. You are just tired and need to get some sleep. People don't just vanish for no reason."

Adam reached out and angrily grabbed his father. "Then you tell me where she is! Because if we can't find her, then what other explanation is there…you tell me that!"

Ben shook his head, "I don't know, son, but we will find her."

Letting go of his father Adam tenderly touched his shoulder. "I am so sorry Pa that I yelled at you. It is just that I am so worried and frustrated that we can't find any trace of her. It makes no sense to me. But I do know one thing, I will never give up looking for her no matter how long it takes!"

All the emotions of the last two days appeared on his face as he turned and wearily went up the stairs to his room to try and get some rest.

(Present Day)

The sound of Alissa's heels clicking on the pavement as she walked along at a brisk pace was practically the only sound on the street in the early evening. There weren't many people around now that most of the tourists had left, but Alissa felt very safe as she hurriedly approached the bed and breakfast at the end of the street.

It was a large two-story house and she couldn't help but appreciate how unique it was standing all by itself. It really was quite lovely with its gingerbread trim on the porch and the eaves on the second story roof. It certainly looked liked something out of the past with its light blue color and white trim. The screen door was also painted white with a very intricate design and Alissa couldn't help but smile when she saw two rocking chairs on the front porch.

"They sure have gone all out to make this bed and breakfast look old-fashioned. I can't wait to see the inside," she whispered to herself, as she opened the screen door and walked inside.

A short stout woman dressed in old-fashioned clothing looked up from the counter and smiled pleasantly.

"Good evening, Miss, how may I help you?"

"Wow, you sure do take this serious, don't you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, this old-fashioned house and the way you are dressed certainly makes you feel like you have gone back in time to the old west."

The woman smiled warmly. "Yes, well we like to have you feel just like you would if you visited Virginia City during the time of the imaginary Ponderosa. So we have everything as it would have been then."

"But the Ponderosa isn't imaginary," Alissa muttered.

"Oh but of course it is. It was built for a TV show called Bonanza. And after the show ended with so many fans wanting to see the ranch house, it was turned into a tourist attraction. Eventually the shops here and the bed and breakfast were built to accommodate the tourists. Have you gone on the tour yet?"

Shaking her head as if to clear her mind Alissa smiled. "Uh yes, I went today. Of course I know it isn't real. I guess I just got caught up in these surroundings."

"Well that is understandable, dear. Now I would like to welcome you to our little bed and breakfast. My name is Mrs. Travis and what is your name?"

Still a little unsure about why she keeps saying these odd things Alissa answered softly, "Uh, my name is Alissa Anderson."

"Well, please to meet you Miss Anderson. You are single I presume, beings you are alone and there is no ring on your finger."

"Yes, I am single," Alissa answered simply, as she slowly looked around the room at all the furnishings.

"Very well. How many nights would you like to stay?"

"Oh, uh, I just need to stay tonight."

"Alright then, I will have the boy take your luggage up to your room. I am giving you room number ten. It has the best view and gets lovely sunshine in the morning. Just where is your luggage?"

Mrs. Travis started to hand Alissa the key but tapped the bell on the counter first to summon the boy to help with her luggage.

"Oh I don't have any luggage. I missed the bus going back to town so I ended up having to stay the night."

"Well that will be just fine. I will show you where your room is myself then. Please follow me and be careful on the stairs, they are old and rather narrow."

Keeping the room key Mrs. Travis headed up the stairs. As Alissa followed her she couldn't help but feel very comfortable in these surroundings, which seemed strange to her because she never did like antiques. She was more of a modern kind of girl and all this antique stuff usually made her uncomfortable. But for some reason tonight she felt right at home.

Mrs. Travis led her down a hallway until they stopped in front of room number ten. She unlocked the door and walked in and turned on the bedside lamp.

"Here you are, dear, all the comforts of home. Breakfast will be served at seven in the dinning room. I will send up a pot of tea for you tonight if you like?"

"Yes, well I haven't eaten much today and I would like to go to the café and get something to eat. Also I don't have any night clothes so do you think I might find something at the drugstore?"

"I am sure you might find a large t-shirt there that might work. And the café is open until nine. Now if you don't need anything else, I will be going. Here is the key to your room."

Taking the large key from Mrs. Travis, Alissa shook her head. "No, I think I am fine and thank you, Mrs. Travis. You have been so kind."

"Oh no trouble at all, my dear. See you in the morning." Mrs. Travis smiled and walked out the door closing it softly behind her.

Alissa looked around her room before walking over and plopping down on the bed. "What is going on with me? I keep saying the oddest things. I know the Ponderosa isn't real so why did I just say that? It seems like ever since I woke up with that Percy dude looking over me I have been saying unusual things as if they were real memories."

Jumping up from her bed Alissa tucked the key in her pocket. "Well I don't know what is going on in my head, but my stomach is growling because I am starving! So off to the café and drugstore I go."

As Alissa looked over the menu at the café she was a little disheartened at what was offered. She wanted something light like a chicken salad. But it seemed all they offered where very heavy foods, like fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy with corn on the cob, or chicken fried steak with fried potatoes. All the things she just never ate.

Oh well, it won't be too bad to try the chicken. I can just eat a little of it so it won't be too bad for my waistline she decided, as she sat down the menu and took a sip of her water.

Thirty minutes later as she took the last bite of mashed potatoes Alissa finally pushed her plate away. She had eaten almost everything on her plate and enjoyed every bite. She had always been a light eater and really quite picky, so devouring all this heavy food seemed really out of place for her. But as she paid the check she couldn't help but smile at how good she felt after this wonderful home cooked meal.

Walking back to the bed and breakfast with a bag tucked under her arm, Alissa took a deep breath as she felt the cool air fill her lungs. The air here was so fresh and clear and even though it was getting chilly, the cool night air felt really good and didn't bother her at all. She had purchased a large t-shirt at the drugstore with a picture of all the Cartwrights on the front of the shirt. With everything that had happened today Alissa realized she hadn't even got a souvenir yet, so this purchase was something special. She decided when she went back to see Percy in the morning she was definitely going to buy some more items to take home.

Later that night after showering and putting on the new shirt and panties she had purchased at the drugstore, Alissa stood in front of her mirror admiring the shirt. Of course it fit her like a nightgown and came down to her knees. But that was okay because she was going to use it as a nightgown anyway.

"This shirt is so awesome. I am really glad I picked this one because it is so soft and comfortable I am sure I will sleep really well tonight."

As she looked in the mirror the smiling face of Adam caught her eye. Those dimples that barely showed, and those full lips promising kisses that took her breath away is all that Alissa could think about, as she ran her fingers over her mouth remembering the feel of his lips on hers.

"What! Oh get a grip, Ali. You have never kissed Adam Cartwright… for heaven sakes he was just a character on a TV show and not a real person. I know he is your favorite and it would be fantastic to really kiss him, but this is taking it over the top. I really do need some sleep," Alissa grumbled, as she went over and pulled back the quilt on the bed.

Slowly climbing into her bed Alissa suddenly felt very tired. The events of the day and all these thoughts and memories that kept coming to her had certainly taken their toll. So when her eyes slowly closed she fell into a deep but troubled sleep.

TBC

Thank you for all the reviews on the first chapter of this new story. I am so happy that you are ready to come along as Alissa finds her way back to Adam. If you enjoyed this chapter, please don't hesitate to let me know cause I love hearing from you! ~ Sierra