Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bonanza nor any of the orignial Cartwright characters. Only thing I can lay claim to is the story line and the 'extra characters'
I also want to thank my online friend for all the help she's given me when it comes to Australia.
To Dance Again
Chapter Eight
Scene Fifteen
Little Jacob stopped his horse and did his best to be polite about interrupting his father, "Pa, what about ma?" The fact that he was a bit bent out of shape could be seen in his frustrated eyes.
Adam was confused, "What do you mean?"
His son let out a 'I can't believe it' sigh, "One minute you say you finally got the nerve to kiss her, next you're in the churchyard in and then you're moving to the shack by the mine. What happened in between! I mean, what kind of things did you do together? Did Grandpa Kelly always approve? You said he was overprotective, who's..."
"Okay, okay," Adam stopped his son before he could throw out a whole list of questions. He gave in as he admitted maybe he had been moving too fast for Little Jacob, "You win! I guess I can back track a bit."
"How far?" Little Jacob asked as he kept his eyes on his father's face.
"Don't worry. It will be far enough back as far as I'm concerned." Adam answered as he dismounted his horse and knelt to look at the worn out post.
000
Miss Emily was whistling as she worked in the kitchen and Carolyn was mending some of her father's shirts when he and Adam walked in the door. "Grandmother will be glad to you're home. Supper will be ready soon and you know how she is when anyone is late."
Mr. Kelly chuckled, "I know better than any of you how much she hates it. When you're done with that shirt how about looking at Adam's?" He pointed to Adam's left sleeve.
Looking at the tear in the sleeve Carolyn's eyes widened, "What on earth did you do?"
"Forgot how many steps there were leading from the office down to the ground?" Adam smiled, "Don't worry about it. It can wait."
"Just go changing right now," Carolyn pointed in the direction of his room, "I'm almost done with this shirt I might as well mend yours."
Adam didn't see what the urgency was but Carolyn had a habit of having 'her father's tone of voice' at times and during those times? Adam had learned not to argue with her. Oh well, he couldn't help but grin inwardly. If she was being serious then he had only Justin to worry about for the night.
Mr. Kelly waited until Adam was almost to his bedroom before stopping him. After all, he didn't need his daughter overhearing the things he was going to say to this gentleman.
"Mr. Cartwright, I'd like a word with you." the overly serious tone the man was using made Adam a bit nervous. What had he done wrong?
"Sure, how may I help you?" Adam asked politely; after all the last thing he wished to do was upset the man.
"I have noticed you have taken an interest in my daughter. I want to know what your intentions are." He spoke sharply and without any sign of emotion; he also kept his eyes on Adam for any sign of awkwardness or body language that sent any kind of negative message. He got none.
"I thought that was as plain as day. I am courting her." Adam answered straight forward and bluntly. If the man was going to back him up in a corner per say he'd not have him thinking he could get him to run off because he was afraid of him. He wasn't.
For a moment the man said nothing then starting grinning from ear to ear, "You know you are the first person not to high tail it out of here when I asked them in the way I just asked you? You just might get her yet." Jordan was still grinning as he walked away.
Adam couldn't help but smile 'Wonder what he'd do if he knew we'd already kissed each other? Mmmm No, I guess we had best keep that one to ourselves for now."
Scene Sixteen
Adam was sitting behind the office desk when he heard someone approaching the door. As soon as they began knocking Adam rose and opened it. He was pleasantly surprised to see Carolyn standing there with a picnic basket in her hand.
"You've been working too hard and too long of days. I thought, maybe, I could talk you into going on a short picnic," Carolyn lifted the basket slightly, "I promise, I didn't poison any of the food." Neither one of them could stop themselves from laughing. Due to some remark he'd made the week before he'd sat down at the supper table only to find that she and Justin had put something awful tasting in his food. Instead of getting mad he'd jokingly teased them they were trying to poison him.
"I am hungry," Adam shut the door and followed to the buggy she'd brought out to the mine, "only I thought you'd be at the school."
Carolyn shrugged her shoulders, 'I told them yesterday I needed the day off. It's not like I go missing classes on a regular basis just...don't tell father. He's out of town and he'd have heart failure."
Adam's eyebrows turned down, "You're twenty-two years old-almost twenty-three. Why should you have to answer to your father for what you do?"
Carolyn didn't answer for a moment then quietly answered, "He didn't used to be so overprotective and demanding. He didn't get that way until after mother died. He's a good man Adam-he's gotten so involved in work and having to raise us children by himself he's forgotten how to dance."
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Adam stopped talking as the words Carolyn had spoken that day came back to him. He'd sworn up an down that day he'd never make that mistake only...he had.
"Don't stop talking, pa," Little Jacob tugged on his sleeve, "what did you two have for lucnh? Sandwiches or mama's delicious chicken?"
"If it matters," Adam smiled at his son, "It was her chicken."
000000
"This is a good spot," Carolyn and Adam had walked quiet a good two miles before reaching a place fit to have a picnic. They sat down and she started taking the food out.
"How long have you been teaching school?" Adam admired her devotion to the young ladies and seeing that they got as much education as they wanted.
"As an actual teacher? Four and a half years. I was actually tutoring some of the girls when I was only fourteen." Carolyn blushed a bit as Adam stared. She hadn't meant to shock him or anything. It was just a fact; besides, he'd asked, "Your brothers? How well do you get along?" she asked in hopes of changing the subject.
"We're close. I admit, I kind of hated leaving but pa always said one should follow their dreams only," he laid his hand on top of hers, "I didn't know the dream held anything like you in it."
"Food's going to get cold if we keep talking." Carolyn mouth reprimanded him but her eyes were sparkling.
