Chapter 3

Katy Prince looked sceptical.

"He's seventeen, you're only fourteen, why on earth would he want to come to your party."

Mildred threw her eyes to heaven. "I've already explained this, he is coming on the premise of bringing his younger brother to the party. We have to be careful. People will talk."

Mildred ran a brush slowly through her hair fully aware of the gaping looks of her friends.

"So how long has this been going on," Katie asked, rather indignant.

"And why is this the first we've heard of it," Margaret joined in.

Mildred heaved a sigh of long suffering patience. "Did I not just say we have to be careful. If my father knew that I was being wooed by a seventeen year old he'd surely take me over his knee."

"And he'd demand satisfaction from Adam in a dual to the death," Prudence told them, her eyes wide at the prospect.

All assembled nodded in earnest. Katie Prince gave a little derisive sniff.

Mildred was delighted. This had gone better than expected. She had invited them over to inform them Adam Cartwright had declared his love for her but the couple would have to make it look as though she was courting Hoss until she was old enough to marry. Yes, they had many questions but nothing she couldn't handle.

"Best not mention any of this to either Adam or Hoss, I'm not supposed to tell anyone. Adam tells me our amour must remain a secret until I am old enough and he can confront my father."

"This is poppycock," Katie suddenly exploded.

"You're trying to tell us that out of every woman in Virginia City Adam Cartwright chose you?"

"He has a lock of my hair," Mildred told her pointedly.

They all gasped. She was instantly sorry she had said that.

"Mildred Campbell, for shame," Prudence put a hand to her chest. "why you're practically engaged."

~0~

Sport was groomed to a healthy shine, Adams guitar was also suspiciously shiny and when he came in from work that evening he found his favourite book by his favourite chair and a beef and salad sandwich as only Hoss knew how to make.

"Alright little brother, out with it," He frowned as he took his seat

Hoss smiled all over his freckled, pudgy face.

"Aw Adam, can't a man show appreciation for another man."

"Yes," Adam grinned. "When that man IS actually a man and not a suspiciously over caring twelve year old boy. Now come on, I'm tired. What do ye want."

"Adam, this party, there'll be cake and pie and..."

"Aw, not this again, no Hoss forget it."

"Adam please."

"No, that's it, end of discussion. No." Adam told him firmly.

"Please Adam."

"Hoss."

"Aw Adam, you have to."

"No, I don't think I do," Adam laughed slightly at Hoss's negotiation skills.

There was silence between them then, Adam picked up his book leafing through it to find where he left off.

"Please Adam."

Adam pretended not to hear.

"I'll be your best friend."

"I have enough friends." Adam turned the page.

"He only wants to go because Mildred Campbell asked him," Joe piped up from across the room.

"You be quiet Joe," Hoss yelled.

But there was hush as Ben looked up from his drink.

"She asked you Hoss, a girl." Ben gave a little chuckle. A rare sound.

Adam noted the slight flash of pride in his father's bristled face.

"Alright Hoss, we'll go." He conceded.

"Adam," the boy was overcome with joy.

"Aw, get off Hoss, your scrunching my book."

But Hoss couldn't help himself and hugged Adam tighter practically cutting off his oxygen.

~0~

The look on his father's face was not lost on Adam, just for a moment he was back with them sharing in their joys instead of staring into the fire in a world of his own. With that in mind Adam put on his best white shirt and string tie and even ran a bath for Hoss. Joe followed at their heels as they got ready making very sure they knew they were wrong to leave him behind. He was soon placated with the promise of birthday cake and pastries.

Adam slowed his horse as he reached the Campbell residence.

"Would ye look at that," He muttered, gaping at the spectacle.

The front of the house was like something out of a circus. Still with eyes fixed Adam reached behind and pulled Hoss down from the horse they were riding. He got down himself and his horse Sport was instantly taken. Adam stared after him as a ranch hand took his new horse off to be stabled.

~0~

Hoss stared in dismay as the large man with no shirt stuck a wand of fire into his mouth. He moved a little closer to Adam, not quite sure if he liked the spectacle.

"He's not really eating fire Hoss, it's a trick," Adam grinned.

Everywhere you turned there were strange and wonderful sights to be seen. Men rode about balancing on one wheel, as they juggled sticks of fire. There was a puppet show for the smaller children and a band stand where a band played out folk tunes and waltzes. A wooden platform had been set up just beside the refreshment stand and a lively square dance was in full swing. Adam and Hoss walked among the throngs of guests, some of them children, some of them business associates of Mr Campbell, some of them members of Mrs Campbell sewing circle.

"Come on Hoss, the buffet table is over there," Adam steered his younger brother in that direction.

"I ain't hungry Adam,"

Adam looked down at him. Hoss was looking all around him.

"Where's the girl who invited us Adam, where's Miss Mildred. "

~0~

Mr Campbell suddenly called for hush, lightly tapping his glass with a spoon. Calls for silence went up and down the ranks until everyone was turned expectantly to face him.

"Thank you," He smiled.

"Fourteen years ago I became the luckiest man alive with the birth of my beautiful daughter Mildred. Now fourteen years later I still consider myself to be the luckiest man alive. "

"Did somebody write that speech for him," Hoss scowled.

Adam discreetly covered his brothers mouth and smiled at the two women who had turned to look at them. Mr Campbell continued.

"You are no doubt wondering what has become of our birthday girl. Why is she so late. Well ladies and gentlemen, wait no longer, my beautiful daughter as arrived."

All heads turned as a small dot appeared on the horizon. As it came closer the crowd gasped to witness what looked like a floating ball in the sky. And there was Mildred waving from a basket beneath it. Finally she touched down with many hands securing ropes, tethering the strange flying machine to the ground. She was helped out of the basket to rapturous applause from all assembled. Adam took out his pocket watch and glanced at the time, he'd only been here an hour.

~0~

Once Mildred had engaged in a long speech and displayed her beautiful new outfit to all assembled the guests headed to the buffet tables to get some food. Adam went to check on Sport who wasn't long broken and could be skittish at times.

Adam saw too late that Clive Campbell was there with his friends.

"She didn't know what hit her I'm telling ye, Bessie Milligan has been talkin about me ever since."

Clive suddenly caught sight of Adam who was turning to leave.

"Cartwright, come ere. Have you been in Madam Charlotte's Parlour yet."

Adam shook his head.

"I'm there every other week. You see that Bessie Milligan, once she had this she couldn't get enough." He grabbed his crotch as he spoke.

"You've got quite an inflated opinion of your dick there Clive, I hope it lives up to all the hype." Adam told him.

Clive friends must have been sick of his bragging stories because they roared laughing at Adams joke. Adam would be the first to admit it wasn't that funny.

Clive laughed too but the mirth didn't quite reach his eyes. This youngin had embarrassed him. Adam exited the stable trying to recall why he had come here in the first place.

~0~

Hoss held two plates out as Mildred loaded them up with food.

"Now bring them to Prudence and Katie over there and then come back for their drinks."

Hoss nodded, starting to feel a little hungry himself.

Adam too was making his way to the buffet table when he was waylaid by Mr Campbell.

"Young master Cartwright, you're enjoying our little get together?"

He pushed a brandy into the boys hand, Adam hadn't eaten yet but sipped it to be polite.

"Yes sir it's very impressive, I loved Mildred's entrance on that big flying thing," Adam pointed.

"I sell the special heat resistant materials that went into making that Adam. What are your plans young man. I hope a smart boy like yourself isn't planning on milking cows all your life."

"I'm going to college next year to study engineering."

"Just so, just so. It's important to progress in life. Your father chose farming and that's alright for him but get away from here Adam, you need to get your own life."

Mr Campbell went on and on about how a man should forge his own destiny. The conversation was stabbing a little at Adams heart.

For Adam, his trip to college next year depended a lot on how his father would rally in the next couple of months and it wasn't looking good. It's very easy for people to say 'get your own life', but it's not always that simple.

Adam was too young to realise that Clive Campbell Seniors conversation was actually based on jealousy. Mr Campbell had inherited his money from his disgruntled father. Failed business ventures and a gambling debt had halved the fortune already.

He remembered when Ben Cartwright had first arrived, a tattered wagon, a screaming baby and a skinny boy with a large patch sewn into the arse of his trousers. They cut a humble sight. Now Ben was one of the most respected men in the territory with three lovely boys who obviously adored him.

"Yes Adam get your own life, get away from this dead end place where everything falls on the price of a good breeding cow." Mr Campbell patted his shoulder.

"Father, you're boring my guest," Mildred smiled as she took Adams arm.

"Come Adam, I want my friends to meet you. "

Adam would have asked why, but he was too tired now. Not to mention starving.

Hoss picked at the leftovers scattered on the buffet table . The guests had descended on the feast like a pack of vultures and there was naught but bread rolls, apples and salad left. As he ate he noted how Mildred smiled up at his older brother as they talked. The girls had gathered in a circle around him chatting and laughing, each trying to out charm the other. Adam stood with his back to him but Hoss felt he was enjoying every minute of this attention, after all who wouldn't enjoy the lovely Mildred's attentions. Hoss frowned as he scraped meat from a spare rib bone and put it to his mouth.

~0~

The big moment had arrived. All assembled gasped as a horse drawn carriage pulled up into the drive. Most people wouldn't afford this massive carriage in a life time but this was a present for a fourteen year old girl. It was black, shined to perfection with gold leaves hand painted delicately into its exterior. Hoss stared with wonder, Adam sat near the buffet table pulling chunks from a dry bread roll and dreaming of Hop Sings stew.

Gregory sat in the back waving at the crowd at it pulled up. Mildred suddenly shrieked, and burst into tears. Her father ran to comfort her.

"Why is he in the back," She screeched. "He ruined everything."

He went to put his arms around her but she pulled away roughly and going to her new carriage she pulled open the back door and threw her brother to the ground.

"You're ruin everything, I hate you." She screamed. She then turned towards the house and ran sobbing uncontrollably. Her father ran after calling for her to come back.

"Right, come on. We're heading home." Adam took hold of Hoss and steered him towards the stables.

Hoss pulled from Adams grasp and eyed him with disdain.

"I can get there myself, " he muttered.

Adam didn't know what that was about but he was too tired to argue. He let Hoss walk on ahead, glad to finally be getting out of here. But he did turn for a moment to gaze on the wonderful carriage.

He shook his head in wonder at how anyone could run crying to the house when they had just been given that wonderful thing. If Adam had gotten that for his birthday he would camp out in it.