Read and review! Thanks again. I hope that this is not too much of a let down for anyone but I just needed to end it where I did.

Chapter 6

"You said you can get me ten good men?" Jason Koch asked the man standing in the alley behind the saloon.

"Course I can. They'll be good men and good shots." Will Farmer stated adjusting his hat on his head. "You did say you wanted good shots, right." The man asked rubbing his dirty hand overtop of his soiled white shirt and tattered vest.

Koch wrinkled his forehead as he watched the man run his dirty fingers over himself.

"Yes, I did, Mr. Farmer. Mr. Albright specifically asked for good shots and good reliable men." Jason jerked his head looking nervously over his right shoulder. "Do not talk to anyone about this. Confidentiality is important. I don't want this getting out. We are heading for Virginia City at the end of the week. I need them all on time at eight a.m. There will be bonuses paid for the work they do provided the work they do is done well." Koch brushed his fingers over his black vest pulling his pocket watch out and checking the time.

"Mr. Koch, you have my word. They will be the best at what they do." Farmer reassured the man.

Jason Koch nodded his head. He looked at the man in front of him and suddenly realized he was shabbily dressed and smelled bad. Both were qualities Claude Albright would not tolerate from him or anyone else. He silently pulled two twenty dollar gold coins from his trouser pocket. He looked over his shoulder again half expecting someone to be standing behind him. His dark, salt and pepper hair peaked from underneath his black Homburg hat. His green eyes commanded respect as they were piercing and bold. He was tall and well built. The man had been in the service of Claude Albright for sometime. He was a sharp dresser and an even sharper whit; traits taught to him by the man he served.

"This is for your time. There will be more of that later." Koch slid the coins into Farmer's hand and continued. "Assemble your men. We'll meet you Friday in the morning."

Will Farmer took the coins and looked at them glinting in the afternoon sunlight. He felt the weight of the gold and almost couldn't believe what he was looking at. He looked up at the well built body guard in front of him and nodded his head. His brunet locks blowing in the breeze beneath his brown derby hat.

Will licked his lips as he opened his mouth. "We'll be ready to leave at eight sharp." He smiled.

"Good. Be sure that the men are presentable. Mr. Albright expects this of his employees." Koch demanded brushing his fingers across his thick black mustache.

"Yes, sir." Will tucked the coins into his pocket as he watched Koch turn and walk to the waiting black carriage.

"It's taken care of sir." Jason stated as he closed the door behind him.

"Excellent." Claude responded looking out the window to his left as the carriage jolted and began to move forward. They were a day's ride from Virginia City. There was only one day between him and full control of the shipyard. Money would never again be an issue one the will was destroyed. If she couldn't produce the documents, he would retain control. She was so ignorant that she hadn't even been aware of the detectives he had watching her every move for quite some time.

--

Nicholas St. Clair walked slowly towards the barn on the Ponderosa. He wasn't sure what he should do. At this point he had struck out twice. His heart was completely crushed as he trudged along. He walked past the barn and towards the wooden gates securing the breeding livestock in their pens. He slowly removed his coat and hung it over the fence letting the wind blow over his perspiration soaked white shirt and vest. He could feel the current of air as it rippled across the lightweight material of his shirt. The sunlight beat down over him as he reached his arms out across the fence and laid his chin over his forearms. His face was tanned from the days he had spent getting his new home cleaned up and ready to receive company should that opportunity present itself. He had spent hours painting the outside of the schoolhouse and pulling weeds that had made their homes in the walking path. He closed his green eyes as the wind continued to whip around him.

"It's beautiful country out here." Adam's voice cut into Nicholas's thoughts.

"Oui it tis…" Nicholas straightened up and looked forward as he responded coldly.

"What happened back there?" Adam asked.

Nicholas smirked. The question was almost a joke to him at this point. He reached up and ran his hand over top of the cleft in his chin as he turned and looked at Adam. He noted the all black attire. It made him think of a bank robber at first glance. Of course he wasn't a bank robber, he was a thief though. Adam had stolen his Melanie from him. He had taken advantage of a situation and had lifted her from his fingers.

Nicholas licked his generous lips as he turned back to face the pasture. He squinted his eyes as he watched the calves playing in the grass. They looked like children playing tag as their mother's grazed carelessly near by. He bit his lip as he looked down at the dust gathering on the top of his once shinny black boots. He was starting to fit in with the people of the west… his boots were always dusty now. As he continued to look at the ground he caught sight of a small flower. The purple wild flower was peaking up from beneath a patch of grass that looked as though it was choking the dainty flower out. The flower was still finding a way to push through the opposition. It was a shame he just could not find the same strength to fight through the same adversity.

"I can't compete against you, Mr. Cartwright." Nicholas replied, his voice trailing off in the distance.

"Who's asking for you to compete against anyone, Mr. St. Clair?" Adam responded almost accusingly. He wrinkled his brow as he watched the Creole take off his hat and run his fingers through his well groomed mane.

Nicholas placed his hat back atop his head and looked over at Adam. "Take care of her, sir. She's an amazing woman. I-I only wish… I hope you're happy together."

Nicholas picked his jacket up and started to walk away. Adam continued to watch the man as he slowly made his way down the road. He would never make it back to Virginia City before dark. He also knew that Roy Coffee would be leaving soon and would likely pick the man up on his way. Adam ran his left hand over his face as the man's words sank in. He was truly in love with Melanie Albright. He remembered the handkerchief. He also remembered the man handing it to Melanie when she had been splattered by mud her first day in Virginia City. Nicholas had watched her so intently as she made her way to the carriage his care. He thought about how she had carried the white cloth around with her for so long. She must have felt the same way but was just too afraid to do anything about it. He started to think about what she meant to him. She was amazing, but did he love her the way that Nicholas loved her? He wondered if he truly felt the same way about her.

--

"Wow!" Adam sounded off as he watched her walk down the stairs. Every inch of her shimmered and glistened.

Melanie was dazzling in her modern but elegant ball gown. She was probably dressed up a bit more than the other women would be but he didn't mind. She was dressed as a woman from Boston would be when she was going to a ball. Her gown gleamed with deep shades of amethyst coupled with ivory taffeta and united with cream colored lace. The gown was full on the bottom and came off of her shoulders at the top revealing her long arms and alluring shoulders. This would give the man who would escort her a glimpse of the delicate cream colored skin which she often kept covered. The material was smooth against her svelte body right down to her narrow waist. Her hair was pulled up on the sides and draped delicately down her long neck and over her left shoulder in soft cascading ringlets. She had graceful lace gloves over her hands that left her long fingers exposed. On her neck she wore a modest string of pearls. They matched the ones dangling gently from her ears.

Adam swallowed hard as she rounded the landing and walked down the last steps. His black suit jacket and plum colored shirt looked marvelous coupled with his string tie. She smiled as she caught a wink from the attractive dark haired man. She stopped on the last step as Ben stepped between her and Adam.

"Perhaps you would rather accompany a man with some honest to goodness charm." He chuckled at the expense of his eldest son.

Melanie bit her lip as she grinned. She leaned over and kissed the older man on the cheek.

"You look so much like your mother. She would stop my heart every time." Ben smiled taking the young woman's hand in his. "Your father would have been so proud of you."

"Thank you, Ben." Melanie sighed.

"You two have fun and be careful. Your brothers are probably already in town. They took off hours ago for the festivities. Hoss said something about Mrs. Winston's fried chicken." Ben winked as he turned and walked away leaving the two alone.

Adam grinned and tugged on his jacket nervously as he walked over to where his father had been standing. He took a deep breath as he stopped next to the young woman. His memory was suddenly flooded with the reminders of how she had been a little girl on that same step not so long ago. She had worn a pink dress and carried a small china doll she had been given by his father. She was so pretty then, but now she was a breath taking beauty. Melanie was still standing on the last step when she fidgeted slightly tugging at the bodice of her gown. With each movement he noticed the gentle whips of roses in the air. She smelled of the pleasingly perfumed flowers. He wanted to spend the rest of the night reliving how amazing she looked and smelled being next to him.

"You look… amazing." Adam stammered.

"It's not too much, is it?" She asked softly.

"No, no… you're perfect." He took her hand in his looking at her fingers. They were long and thin. He gently touched his lips to the surface of the lacy gloved hand. The scent of roses was even more apparent to him. "Are you ready?"

"Yes." She smiled tucking her left hand into the crook of his right arm and allowing him to escort her to the wagon.