Chapter 7

A week later on the Ponderosa, Joe raced in from town with the mail. He dismounted Cochise and ran to the house. "Pa! Hey Pa, we got some things from Adam. Where are you?"

Ben came down the stairs with a book in his hand. He heard Joe ride in and wondered himself if their package had arrived. "Let me see it." He took the large envelope from Joe and opened it. A letter fell out as Ben removed the papers. Joe picked it up. Ben took it and began reading. A frown on his forehead became deeper as he read. Joe was concerned. "Pa, what is it? Not bad news I hope. Are we bidding on the offer? Is Adam okay?" He tried his best to look at the letter over his father's shoulder.

"Hmm? Oh Adam's fine and it seems he left detailed instructions about the bid. No, it's just that he's not coming home until the end of the month, after the bidding is over. He does want us there for that though."

"What do you mean he's not coming home? I'm counting on him to help with those mustangs and we've got to work on the timber issues. What is so important that he has to stay there?"

"Now Joseph, calm down. He says something has come up that needs his attention. He can't leave until it's resolved."

Joe grabbed the letter from Ben and scanned it. "He doesn't say what it is. Well, isn't that just like my brother to mess up our plans and not even say why!" Joe threw the letter onto the desk.

"Joseph, get yourself under control. You know Adam wouldn't change plans unless it was important. And I know for a fact that you have everything under control with those horses and the timber camp. Why don't you calm down and tell me what this is really about?" Ben sat on the corner of his desk and waited for his youngest son to compose himself. He had an idea what was upsetting Joe but he wanted Joe to say it.

Joe stood with his back to his father, hands clenched at his side, trying to calm down. He took a few steps away and spoke in a quieter voice. "I don't know Pa. I guess it's just… " Joe spun around and threw his hand into the air. "Okay, I miss him. Is that what you wanted to hear? I was looking forward to working those horses with him and spending some time at the camp with him. I know he's been gone only a few weeks but the way he's been since last year I feel like he's been gone longer. I just want to spend some time with my brother. And now he's messed that up too." Joe paced around the room and finally came to stand near the blue chair.

Ben walked over and rested his hand on Joe's shoulder. "We'll see him in a couple of weeks and find out then what this is all about. Will that work for you, son?" Joe looked at his father. Ben's dark eyes told Joe he truly sympathized with him.

Joe took a deep breath. "Okay, Pa. But it better have been as important as he says." Joe suddenly turned and headed toward the door. "I gotta go take care of Cochise."

Ben looked after him for a moment then walked back to his desk to look over the bid. He truly hoped Adam would be able to sort things out soon. It was getting difficult to keep the family peace with his oldest present in body but not spirit or mind.

The next two weeks were full for Adam and Emily. They settled into a pattern of spending three evenings a week together and one weekend day. Emily loved the time she and Adam had together but she needed the free time to do some extra work for her boss. They had spent a couple of evenings with Theodore Watkins as well. Adam kept busy during the daytime with odd jobs from an architectural firm that he contracted with in the city.

About a week before the timber bids were due, Adam received a telegram stating that his father and brothers were coming to make the bid. They would arrive on the twenty-ninth of the month. He had only a few days to get ready. Adam was pleased with the news and promptly made arrangements for their rooms.

He told Emily that evening at dinner. She had her own distressing news. "Adam, I'm pleased that your family will be here and I do hope you win that contract. But I'm afraid I won't be here. I have to travel to San Francisco with Theodore on the 28th to help negotiate some contracts with a business client. I'll be gone for a week. Oh, please don't look that way. I just found out today. I hate this as much as you do, but I have no choice." She was worried since he had a dejected look on his face and he had gone silent.

"Please Adam, tell me what you are thinking. We promised to be honest with each other." She looked hopefully at him as she reached for his arm.

Adam finally smiled. He couldn't resist that look from her. "I'm disappointed. But I understand. I had hoped to have you meet my family and they you. I guess it will have to be another time. I'll stay in town until you return so we can say good-bye properly."

That thought almost brought a tear to Emily's eyes. They had already discussed Adam's return home at the end of the month but it was still so hard to know he would be so far away. Adam saw her reaction and took her hand.

"Emily, I know it will be hard to say good-bye but we agreed to write and I will see you as often as I can. It's not the best situation but I think we can make it work for a short time, like we discussed."

Emily nodded. "I know Adam. I'll be strong. I'm willing to make it work. Let's talk about your family. What are your plans while they are here?"

The rest of the evening was spent with Adam telling Emily about his father and brothers, and what they would do over the next few days. By the time Adam left, Emily felt she had known each one of the Cartwrights for years.

As Adam waited on the platform for his family's train to arrive he thought back to yesterday when he'd said good-bye to Emily. Emily had persuaded Adam that they should say goodbye before she left for San Francisco. That way he could return home with his family. It was hard on both of them but each knew it would only be a short time to be apart. Adam promised he'd find some way to come back at the end of the month.

Adam was sure he had found his soulmate but he needed to be sure Emily felt the same. She was educated, well-read in the classics, and had a keen mind. She also had a sweet innocence about her. She saw beauty and fun in life, something Adam had not realized was missing from his life until he'd met Emily. He was working hard not to rush this but after last year's problems he wondered if he was moving too slowly. Adam sighed. He resolved to see how August went then talk to Emily when next they met.

A loud train whistle broke through his thoughts. Adam cleared his mind and prepared to greet his family.

After greeting his family at the train station, Adam took them to the hotel to unpack and change for lunch. They ate at a new Italian restaurant he and Emily had discovered, then Adam drove his family to see the construction site involved in the timber bid. They spent a couple of hours looking over the area and Adam answered each of Ben's and Joe's questions. Everyone was satisfied that it would be good business for the Ponderosa if they won the bid.

On the way back to the hotel, Adam became more sullen. Ben had noticed that Adam wasn't as cheerful as he had expected him to be after a month away from the ranch. At dinner Joe tried to get Adam to reveal what had kept him in Sacramento, but quickly dropped the subject after an icy look from his older brother. Even Hoss couldn't get his big brother to talk.

After Hoss and Joe had turned in for the night, Ben knocked on Adam's door.

"Come in, Pa."

"I figured you might like a night cap." Ben handed a glass of brandy to Adam who was dressed in a robe and pajama pants and sitting by his window reading.

"Thanks. Have a seat." Adam closed his book and turned toward his father. He wasn't surprised by the next question. His father wasn't always subtle when he wanted to know something about one of his sons.

"Are you okay, Adam? I feel something is weighing heavy on your mind. We've all noticed it."

Adam stared at his brandy for a moment as he thought about how much to tell his father. He decided not to tell him anything, for now.

"There is a problem I'm trying to handle. It's for a friend, someone I met here. It's a private matter for them and I'd prefer to keep it that way for now. It's not been resolved yet so the less anyone else knows the better. Can you accept that?"

"I can respect your friend's privacy. Is that why you seem so moody? I was hoping this trip would give you a respite from last year and put you in a better mood."

Adam smirked, "You really don't mince words, do you Pa? I'm sorry for being 'moody', as you say." Adam tried to smile to reassure his father. "I had to deal with something yesterday that was quite difficult but I promise to be better company for you, Hoss and Joe tomorrow."

After years with Adam Ben knew when to leave him alone. He'd talk about it eventually.

"Just be yourself, Adam. Moods aside, we still missed you and I'm sure we'll have a good time over the next few days." Ben stood up and lifted his glass to his son.

"Goodnight and rest well." Adam nodded as Ben left and pulled the door closed behind him.

Adam stood and walked over to his bed. He picked up a small picture that was on the nightstand. He raised his glass in toast to the couple in the picture. "Good night Emily. I miss you dearly."