Scene 10

Joe's relation and More

"Yes, Ma'am, we finally found a relation." JD spoke over the cell phone's speaker. All the Cartwrights and females which had moved in at the same time as Caroline could hear him talking.

"How far does she live?" Caroline asked hoping a long time was not going to in order.

"Would you believe just twenty miles south of Gold Hills." The voice continued on. "However, it will be to his wife you'll talking to, not BJ." Caroline's own friend bit her mouth to keep from laughing over the initials being the same as hers; as did the rest of the group.

"Praise be, no long drive." Caroline pointed a finger when Shaylene mouthed 'Hope she's not another Amelia.' It was only when she hung up that their own BJ suggested she -and other girls go to town.

"Eric's got Candy, Joe, Hoss , George, and others helping him out and the work up here is done for now, how about going to town for the fun of it?" Shaylene and Gina took her up on the offer; Caroline did not; and no matter what, the girls could not talk her into it.

"Why didn't you go?" Ben asked slowly not wanting Caroline to flee at the sound of his voice.

"Because I wanted to talk to the two of you before heading out to see this other BJ about her inheritance." Caroline rubbed the side of her forehead convinced she was crazy for thinking what she was thinking, but knowing she had to say it anyway. Standing up she rounded the desk and leaned against it as she looked at both men. "I've been thinking a lot about ….us." Both Ben and Adam kept quiet as it was clear she really did need the space. "Please come outside with me, Ben." She looked at Adam, "When we're done, you come out?"

"Okay." Adam wasn't sure if his father going first was in his own favor, or not, but he'd vowed to back off if that's what she wanted, and he'd be danged if he'd back out of that promise.

Spring was slowly leaving, but was still allowing it's fresh air to linger around the main house as Caroline leaned against the hitching post. Ben stood by her side and used it as support. Caroline laid her hand over his and started speaking.

"I can't marry you Ben - even if I find a way back. We'd be fine for awhile, but I have to face facts. I wouldn't be marrying you because it was the right thing to do, but because you represent safety." Caroline hoped he'd not be too upset and found the man sighing.

"Truth?" Ben laid his other hand over hers. "I've been thinking real hard and -while I wouldn't mind remarrying - as far as we are concerned? I was courting you out of fear I'd not get another chance."

"Trust me, plenty of chances will come your way. In fact…" Caroline leaned in and whispered her gut feeling into his ear. The smile that spread on his face was well worth it.

"You really think so?" Ben couldn't stop from smiling.

"I'm positive." Caroline's grin faded to a slight smile and she sighed. "Do you mind sending Adam out?"

"Sure." Ben went inside -within minutes Adam was outside not knowing if he was going to be told to take a hike, or if he still had a chance.

The sun may not have been at it's summer high, but still Adam's shirt was only partially buttoned -a fact quickly fixed as he could tell Caroline was fidgeting. "Sorry."

"It's okay." Caroline turned to face Adam. Looking into his eyes she lifted her hands and placed them on his chest. "Adam, I… you.." Taking a deep breath she hurried on before she chickened out. "You said once we had a bond few ever got. That there was the physical attraction, but that it was more than that. Do you still think that?"

"Yes, I do." Adam wanted to hold her waist but didn't dare move out of concern she'd bolt.

"I'm scared, Adam." Caroline scanned his eyes. "What if you're wrong?"

"What if I'm right?" Adam went ahead and risked putting his hands on her hips. "I'm not saying we wouldn't have hard times - or problems- but if are committed we can make things work even when …" He smiled and lifted his hand to stroke the side of her face. "…when the physical pull dies down and only comes now and then."

"I'm not promising anything, Adam, but if you can be …less aggressive, I'd be willing to give a courtship another try." Caroline slid her hands back down and interlocked her fingers with his.

"Deal." Adam grinned and lifted her hands to his lips. "I'll do my best." It was only then that Caroline headed for BJ's and Roseanne's place.

The house on the outskirts of Gold Hills was small, but adequate for the needs of two people. It's white and green color was not to Caroline's taste, but nonetheless was well done. The lawns surrounding it was only green due to the regular watering the owners did. Walking up to the small home Caroline walked and knocked on the door.

"Yes?" Roseanne spoke as she answered the door.

Rosanne was a short -petite - blonde and her soft smile shouted she was of a shy nature, but still able to deal with the public. "May I help you?"

"Name's Caroline, Caroline Connor. I came to talk to you about your husband's inheritance." Rosanne's visitor stuck out her hand when the door opened wider.

"Go ahead and sit down, want something to drink? Water, or punch? Even have some pop if you want it." Roseanne asked as she shut the door.

"Water would be fine." Carol sat her hat next to her on the couch and waited for the lady to be seated herself before handing her the envelope.

"My husband's going to love these pictures." Roseanne smiled. "He's always researching stuff on his Grandfather."

'Grandfather? Are you all a little young to be Joseph Cartwright's grandchildren?" Caroline raised an eyebrow only to be with an infectious laugh from Roseanne.

"Honey, I am, but BJ ain't. He's twenty-five plus years older than me, that and he was the child of his father's old age." Roseanne laughed even harder at Caroline's shocked face and quick apology for reacting so -especially after who she had let court her even if it hadn't worked out.

"How long you two been married?" Caroline asked once Roseanne said her reaction was no big deal.

"Sixteen years. About gave my parents heart failure too." Roseanne then pulled out the thousand dollars. "Praise be, I can pay off our last loan from the bank. That manager's been a pain in the…..neck." It didn't take long - or much- for Caroline to pull Marie's ring and offer it to Roseanne.

"Oh, man, I'd love to take that darling, I really would. But I wouldn't know what to do with it and I haven't been able to have children. Why not give it to Casey? She's BJ's niece and that little lady would be thrilled to get it, plus she has a couple of daughters she could hand it down to."

"I guess I could, but why don't you want to wear it yourself?" Caroline was curious.

"I'm allergic to gold, and that ring you're wanting to hand me would drive my skin ballistic." Roseanne told her where Casey lived and the talk turned to BJ - mostly of the fact he was having health issues due to injuries he'd sustained in World War 1.

"He's not going to be around much longer." Roseanne sighed. "I'd have loved to have children by him, but -maybe- with his age and all, it's a good thing that didn't happen." The talk didn't last much longer as the woman needed to make a run to the hospital to visit Joe's grandson.