Chapter 9

Late July 1867

Adam bolted upright in bed, drenched with sweat. He looked wildly around the darkened room while trying to calm his ragged breathing. The fear from the nightmare finally cleared his head and he realized he was in his own bed with Emily still sleeping soundly beside him. Adam pushed the twisted covers back and attempted to stand. Balancing on his right leg he slowly eased his weight onto his left leg. It still had the habit of cramping up on him from time to time, especially first thing in the morning.

Confident that his leg would support him, Adam made his way to the washroom. Shakily he washed the sweat away and hopefully the raw emotions of the dream as well. He put on his pants and shirt and, carrying his boots, he slipped out of the room.

Too familiar with the pattern of the nightmares over the last few weeks, Adam knew sleep would allude him for the rest of the night. He sought refuge in the cool predawn air as he stretched out on the front porch. After the images faded away, Adam was left with the need to re-analyze last month's horrific ordeal with Charlotte. What could he have done differently? How could he have stopped Charlotte and kept Emily safe? Each time he came up with no new answers but he knew it was his fault that Charlotte had gotten as far as she did and that Emily had almost lost the baby and her own life. He'd failed to keep his wife, his soulmate safe. With tormenting thoughts swirling in his mind, Adam drifted into a light sleep just as the sun broke over the mountains.

A couple of hours later, Elsa found Adam resting on the front porch, chair tilted back, feet on a small table.. She called to him to say that breakfast was ready and Emily was already at the table. Easing himself into a sitting position Adam acknowledged Elsa.

Inside he solemnly took his place at the table. The couple ate quietly. Emily studied Adam, wondering what was going through his mind. He'd been so quiet lately and even irritable. Many times he would be gone from their bed when she awoke in the mornings. Now he seemed to be off somewhere else. Emily finally broke the silence.

"Adam? Is something troubling you?"

"No, I'm fine."

Emily had learned early in their marriage not to trust that answer. "Adam, I can see that you're not 'fine'. Please talk to me, tell me what's bothering you."

Adam glared at her for a moment as if he was working hard to contain his anger. When he spoke it was with a calm he didn't feel, "I said I'm fine. Please don't ask again."

Emily looked down at her plate and moved the food around with her fork. She put on a more cheerful face as she changed the subject.

"I'm looking forward to dinner tonight at your father's house. It'll be nice to be out of the house and around the family for a change. I bet Hoss and Joe will have plenty of stories to tell about the cattle drive. Adam do you know what Joe's surprise could be?"

Adam took a few seconds to respond. When he did his voice was flat and distant. "No Emily, I don't. Listen, you know what Paul said. You've only been off bed rest for a few days. We'll have dinner tonight and visit for a short time, then we'll head home. No arguments."

Emily didn't want to but she agreed. "All right, Adam. I'm sure everything will be okay, though."

They finished their breakfast in silence, then Adam headed out to the barn to handle some chores. Emily sighed as she moved to the living room to rest and work on her knitting for the baby. She truly hoped the dinner that night would help to improve Adam's mood.

The evening meal at Ben's house turned out to be one of Hop Sing's finest. Everyone was praising his talents with beef, pork and vegetables, not to mention three kinds of pies for dessert. As the family sat around the fireplace enjoying some brandy for the men and tea for the ladies, Hoss and Joe recounted some of the many stories they had from the cattle drive. Elsa hung onto Hoss' arm and his every word. They were so happy to see each other that Hoss immediately asked Adam if she could have the next day off to spend with him. Adam quietly agreed then moved to sit by the fire.

As the evening was winding down, Joe finally managed to get Adam outside to look at a horse in the corral. He leaned on the railing and eagerly waited for Adam's response. Adam watched the stallion parading around the circle. He was nearly as tall as Sport and had a great stride. The muscles rippling under his dark brown coat hinted at the speed he was capable of. He held his head in a graceful and proud arch.

Joe waited excitedly and watched his brother's face for any reaction. Finally, Adam pushed away from the rail and began to make his way back to the house with saying a word. Astonished, Joe caught up with him and stood in his path.

"Adam? Where are you going? This is the finest breeding stallion this side of the Mississippi and you have nothing to say? I don't get it."

"He's a fine piece of horse flesh, Joe. He'll improve the stock nicely. I'm sure Pa's pleased."

Joe grabbed Adam by his arms and nearly shouted at him. "What's wrong with you, Adam? 'A nice piece of horse flesh'? He's prime breeding stock, Adam. And what's more, I didn't buy him for Pa's stock." Knowing his voice was rising higher, Joe took a deep breath trying to calm down. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I want us, you and me, to start our own horse breeding business. I want to breed that stallion with some of the mustangs you have. We'll get some of the strongest, fastest horses anywhere in these parts. What do you say?"

Adam was stunned. This was an idea he had proposed to Joe over two years ago but Joe didn't think it would be a good idea for them to work together. "When I originally suggested this you said we could never work together. What makes you think we can now?"

"I've been thinking about it for a long time. Last year Hoss showed me how to get along with you by the way he explained our relationship. You see, Adam, you and I are a lot alike; we just look at things differently. I think we can each work the part of the business that we're good at and share the other parts."

"And what parts would those be, little brother?"

"Well, we'd have to work that out. Look, I don't expect an answer tonight. We need to talk more about it. I know your thoughts are on Emily right now so there's no rush. Just think about it and we'll talk some more in a few days. Okay? Just promise me you'll think about it."

Joe looked so hopeful, Adam found it difficult to refuse. He had his doubts about he and Joe actually running a business together but he had to admit the stallion was going to produce some good stock. Feeling very tired all of a sudden, Adam relented just to be done with the conversation for the evening.

"Okay. I'll think about it. But I don't promise anything else."

Completely missing Adam's disgruntled expression, Joe whooped and hollered so loudly that everyone else came out to see what the excitement was all about. When Joe told them about their discussion Adam was taken aback with everyone wanting to congratulate the two brothers. It appeared to Adam that Joe had told everyone else and he was the last to know. If this was to be a partnership between the two of them he expected to be the first to know, not the last. As everyone chatted with Joe about the horse, Adam angrily made his way back to the house to get his hat and coat. Emily followed, not understanding his reaction.

"Adam, what's wrong? Why aren't you pleased about this? I think it's a wonderful idea."

Adam turned on her. "You too? Did you know about this like everyone else? If I'm to be Joe's partner, why am I the last to know! He could at least do me the courtesy to make sure I want to do it before he tells everyone else. I guess asking me was just a formality. Besides, I only told him I'd think about it. I didn't agree to anything else. Now get your wrap. We're going home. I've had enough celebrating for one night!"

When Adam turned around he was facing the stunned faces of his family, especially Joe's. Adam knew he'd hurt his brother's feelings but it was the truth. He pushed passed the group and called to Emily to join him. She just looked apologetically at them and followed her husband out to the buggy.

Joe ran after them. "Adam wait. You misunderstood. I didn't tell…"

Adam glared at Joe then slapped the reins and drove off. When Adam and Emily were gone, Joe turned to his father and asked, "What's eating him? Pa, he's not the same as when Hoss and I left. What's happened?"

Ben just shook his head. "You're right Joe, he's changed. He looks tired, angers more easily, and might even be losing weight. Something's bothering him but he won't talk to me about it, and I am worried." He headed into the house followed by Hoss and Elsa.

Joe looked after his brother and knew he had to clear things up. No one knew about the business Idea. He didn't even know how Adam got that idea. Something had changed about his brother and he resolved to sort it out the next day.