Chapter 7

Bargains

Whether Adam had 'shown her' or not, no one could tell when Juliet and he emerged from the house about an hour later to join the rest of the family, which in the meantime had enjoyed Hop Sing's fabulous apple pie on the front porch. Despite the raised voices that had been heard at some time during their conference both contractants now wore satisfied expressions. Juliet offered Adam her hand.

"It was a pleasure to do business with you, Adam. When you deliver Niobe on Tuesday, make sure to have time for another talk, would you?"

For a moment it seemed as if Adam was considering giving her a kiss on the hand but then thought better of it. He shook her hand firmly. "The pleasure was all mine, Juliet. I'll make some time on Tuesday. And I'd like to take you out for lunch then, if that suits you."

"I'd love that!"

Ben joined them. "So I take it you two came to an agreement?"

"Yes, Mr. Cartwright, we did indeed. I hope you don't mind me transferring the negotiations from you to your son."

"No, no, I don't mind at all. Adam does most of the horse selling anyway." Ben nodded at his son approvingly.

"Well, after all is said and done, I think it is time for me to head back to town. I still have to do some work for tomorrow's issue, and I just had a most wonderful inspiration." The way she said it she must have struck gold that very minute.

"I'll drive you home, Juliet," Adam offered.

"Oh, absolutely not, Adam," she replied. "I couldn't possibly impose on you with that. Not after you just have ridden the whole way from Carson."

"You are not imposing on me. I'd gladly drive you."

"But you must really be over it, Adam. It would be very incommensurate to ask that from you."

"I insist, Juliet."

"Adam, I really can't—"

"Hoss will drive you home, Miss Heatherstone," Ben stopped their debate. He threw an irritated glance at his eldest and gestured Juliet to the still-harnessed buggy where Hoss, at a sign from his father, had already taken seat. "He was prepared to do so, anyway."

After they had made their good-byes and Adam had gallantly helped Juliet into the buggy, they watched the carriage slowly make its way on the road to Virginia City. Joe let out a breath he seemed to have been holding for the last few hours. Ben heaved a deep sigh and turned to Adam.

"How much did you make her pay?"

"How much did I 'make her pay'? You think it was that easy? Oh no, sir, this lady's got guts," Adam replied with a chuckle. He didn't need to tell them that the negotiations had been difficult not only because of Juliet's refusal to 'pay more for a horse than for a house' but also because of the distracting effect her eyes had on him. "She gave me a hard time but in the end we settled on $200."

Ben gasped. "Adam, you can't do that. That's far too much for that horse! The Ponderosa doesn't make racketeer business, and I don't want anybody in town think we do!"

"Yeah, Adam, you can't pull the lady over the barrel," Joe gave in his two cents. "Niobe isn't even fully trained!"

"That's exactly the point," Adam said camly. "$200 is not only for the horse. It includes me training Niobe for side saddle and dressage on every Sunday for the next three months. And helping Juliet polish her rusty riding skills, too." He smirked at Joe, who started to laugh uncontrollably.

"Oh big brother, it just looks as if you were the one who was pulled over the barrel," Joe got out between giggles. "You sold yourself real cheap!"

Ben barely suppressed an amused smile. "Really, son, don't you think you gave her a bit much of your time for so little money? She got the far better end of this deal!"

Adam gaze wandered between his father and his brother. He cocked an eyebrow and pursed his lips. "Well, I'm surprised you don't see the, um, beneficial feature in it: I have fixed appointments with a very interesting and handsome lady for the next quarter of a year. I for my part can't think of a better way to spend my Sunday lunchtime." He gave them one of his famous crooked half-smiles, turned and made his way back into the house.

Joe stared at his elder brother's back in admiration. "How comes that at the end you're always the victor?" he called after him. "Seems just like you still pulled one over on her!"