Roy Coffee read Laura's notes, and sighed. "She doesn't come right out and say that she pushed Peggy over the cliff, but it sure does sound like she did something bad to the child." He looked up at Will and Paul. "I know what you're thinking - that she might harm herself, but she could just mean that she's leaving Peggy and you, Will. Since she's been here in Virginia City, she's told me and the Cartwrights and Paul here that she's divorced."

Will sighed. "I know, but, Roy, that's just part of her sickness. She's not herself, and hasn't been for almost a year. Tell him, Paul." He sounded so sad, and both Paul and Roy felt sorry for him.

"I delivered Peggy, Roy, and even though I could tell that Frank and Laura weren't getting along, there was never any question in my mind that she didn't adore that little girl. If she lost a baby last year, it could have a bad effect on her mind, and it sounds like it did."

"We'd better find her soon," Roy said. "Do you have any idea where she might go?"

"She's been obsessed with Adam Cartwright and the Ponderosa," Paul said, "and there's the cliff where she took Peggy on the picnic."

"Adam used to take her and Peggy out to Lake Tahoe on Sunday picnic after church when they were engaged," Will remembered. "And there was the house that Adam was building for them when he fell off the roof."

"How about the Running D?" Roy asked. "That was her home - would she go there?"

Will shook his head. "I don't know, Roy. There are so many places that have special meaning for her."

"Will, why don't you ride out to the Ponderosa - see if she's there. Even if she isn't, Ben and the boys might be willing to help you look for her," Roy suggested. "I'll try the Running D and Lake Tahoe."

Their plans made, Roy and Will mounted their horses and left in search of Laura.

...

Laura gave Miss Betsy a light kick to urge her to move faster than a trot, but it was no use. The big old horse acted as if Laura's kick had no more weight than a fly landing on her side. Unwilling to use a crop or kick harder, Laura had to accept that they were moving at Miss Betsy's own sweet will. She sighed in frustration. It would take forever to reach the cliff at this rate. She had to laugh at herself - there was no reason for her to hurry.

...

Adam and Hoss were on their way to town when they saw a familiar figure in the distance. Hoss frowned. "Does that look like cousin Will to you, Adam?"

Adam watched as the rider drew closer. "I believe it is. I wonder what he wants?" They rode to meet him.

...

Slowly Miss Betsy made her way up to the top of the cliff. Laura sat on her back, deep in thought, and it wasn't until the horse came to a stop that she realized she'd reached her destination. She slid down, walked over to the cliff's edge, and looked down. It was steep and rough, and Laura realized how close she'd come to causing Peggy permanent harm. For a second she considered throwing herself over, but something held her back. She dropped to her knees and began to cry. Her sobs were deep and loud and ugly, very different from the tears she'd used with Will, Adam, and Roy. They racked her body and she doubled over as if she were in pain. With her face buried in her arms, she began to rock back and forth. Dear God, she prayed, show me what to do, where to go, how to live. I've lost everything and I know it's my fault. I have no business coming to you now asking for help, but I don't know what else to do. I don't know what to do.

Will, Adam, and Hoss saw Miss Betsy grazing at the top of the cliff as they rode up. A cold chill ran down Will's spine as he began to look around for his wife. Fearing the worst, he moved towards the cliff. Then he saw her, nearly curled into a ball. Adam and Hoss moved back down to give them privacy.

Will approached Laura cautiously. He could see her back heaving and knew she was alive. Breathing a silent prayer of thanks, he knelt beside her and placed a gentle hand on her back. "Laura?" his voice was soft and low.

She looked up at him. "Will?" Her eyes were red and swollen, her cheeks blotched and tear-stained. "Will, I've been so horrible. Peggy's afraid of me, and I told everyone we're divorced, and-"

Will put his arms around her, and pulled her close. "Shhh," he whispered as he soothed her. "Laura, it's going to be all right. I'm here to take you and Peggy home to San Francisco. I've talked to Dr. Martin, and he's given me the name of someone for you to see in San Francisco. You're going to be all right - we're going to be all right - Peggy, you, and me."

He stood up with her in his arms and carried her over to his horse. After putting her in the saddle, he climbed up behind her and they began their way down. Adam and Hoss watched them pass, and then Hoss moved forward to take Miss Betsy's reins and lead her down behind them.

Epilogue

Ben, Joe, and Adam were gathered around the supper table when Hoss came in. "Mmmm, Hop Sing's biscuits," he grinned in anticipation. "I could smell them a mile down the road." He sat down in his chair and tucked his napkin into his collar. Ben stared at him in disapproval.

"Hoss, do you remember why you went to town?"

Hoss looked up from the platter of fried chicken he was contemplating. "Yeah, Pa, I went to get the mail. Aren't you going to ask the blessing?"

Ben continued to stare at him. "Hoss, was there any mail?"

"Oh, yeah, here, Pa." Hoss reached in his vest's inside pocket and handed his father a bundle of letters. Ben put them aside for the moment, and, bowing his head, asked the blessing. Hoss and Joe immediately stuck their forks into the same piece of chicken and began to argue over who saw it first. In the ensuing chaos, Ben forgot about the mail.

That evening after Joe and Hoss had gone up to bed, Ben sat in his favorite leather chair in front of the fire, reading a letter. Adam watched his father's face. "Bad news, Pa?"

Ben looked up at him. "It's from your cousin, Will.

"Is it Laura?"

Ben nodded. "Will says they consulted Dr. Blalock, the specialist Paul suggested to him, but his treatment plan didn't work. Then they tried some herbal remedies, but... Laura just gave up. Will had gone to work, and Lil had taken Peggy to school when she took an overdose of laudanum. Lil didn't find her until it was too late."

Adam shook his head and stood up. He stared into the fire for a moment as Ben watched him. "I'm sorry, son."

Ben stood behind him and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. Adam didn't turn to face him, but he asked, "What will Will and Peggy do now?"

Ben sighed. "Well, they have each other - and they have us. I thought I might invite them to come to the Ponderosa for a visit - give them a chance to heal."

Adam looked around at his father. "I think that's a good idea, Pa."

Ben banked the fire, and Adam checked the bolt on the door. Then father and son clmbed the steps to bed.