Enter Grace Thomas
After thinking about one review in particular, I have changed my mind yet again and have reverted back to the children calling Adam Pa. Sorry it's such a mess. Many thanks for your continued support.
Chapter 12
The next morning at breakfast, everyone was sitting at the table, one uncomfortably. Davy stood to give his apologies.
"I want to say sorry for yesterday and to Cathy special. Sorry Cathy."
There was a chorus of 'thank yous', 'appreciate it', Just as Hop Sing brought in a second pot of coffee and placed it on the table.
"Another wonderful breakfast, Hop Sing. You spoil us so." Ben praised.
"You welcome, Mr Cartlight." With a bow Hop Sing made his usual hasty exit.
"You've all got your work planned for today, yes?" All nodded there yesses. "Good. I think one last cup of coffee then we should all get started." Ben announced.
"Yes, Pa." Adam answered. "But before we all leave, I need to inform you that I won't be available tomorrow as I have to take Grace to Carson City to complete a business matter." At this Cathy's eyes opened wide and stared at her father.
"Can't she go on her own?" She asked, loudly.
"No, Cathy, and I would appreciate you not raising your voice. I've told you before to speak with respect when speaking of Grace," Adam said, as he gave her the raised eyebrow, that said, 'I won't tell you again'.
Cathy suddenly found her plate fascinating, but managed a murmured "Yes, Sir."
Ben was sensing Cathy's disapproval at Adam's interest in Grace, and started to worry about the problems that this may cause.
"I think that perhaps this is the moment to mention that I have invited Grace, along with Clementine, to dine with us after Church on Sunday." Adam looked at his father's face, and seeing a grimace, he continued on. "I could hardly ask Grace to dine with us alone without a chaperone and besides Clementine was in the room when I invited her."
Joe and Hoss couldn't wipe the grins off their faces, knowing all too well how their Pa felt about the Widow Hawkins.
"Very well, Adam. I understand." Ben said, sighing.
"Thanks, Pa."
"Okay everyone, let's get going." Hoss immediately rose from the table, grabbed his coat and made his way outside to get the wagon ready. "Cathy, you ready for Uncle Hoss to take you to school?"
"Yes, Grandpa." She said, unhappily and went to put on her coat. She slowly made her way outside waiting for Hoss to lift her up onto the wagon. He had supplies to pick up from town.
"Come on, slowcoach." Hoss said trying to hurry her. Cathy walked up to him and he lifted her up, got on himself, clicked the reins and off they went.
Cathy had asked if it would be all right to go to Alice's house after school for a short visit. Hoss agreed, but said that either her Pa or Uncle Joe would pick her up, as he was going to be home late that evening. He was having to go to the north range to inspect the area for any problems. …..
A secret meeting was taking place in Alice's bedroom above the mercantile.
"I'll meet you for lunch in the café," Cathy told Alice. "There we will put my plan into operation. So I'll see you around 12.30 tomorrow then?"
"Yes, that'll be fine. Who's bringing you into town and will Davy be coming. He could spoil things."
"No, Davy's being punished and can't leave the ranch, except for church, so it'll be all right for us tomorrow."
"Are you sure we have to do this, Cathy? It seems wrong."
"Are you my friend or not? Friends help each other out."
"Yes, I'm your friend. Okay then, I'll do it."
"Good. My Pa likes her, but she's no good for him, I can tell. Why she ever came here, I'll never know. I don't want her here."
"Maybe you'll change your mind once you…" Alice never got to finish her sentence as they both sense a presence in the doorway.
"Hi you two. Ready to go home Cathy? Your father told me to come on up, Alice." Both girls looked up in surprise, hoping Adam hadn't heard them talking.
"Sure, Pa. See you soon Alice." Cathy said, as she followed Adam out of the room. ….
"Did you have a good day?" Adam asked, as they drove home.
"Not bad. Alice and me is meeting up tomorrow. We're goin' to buy new dresses."
"Alice and I are, Cathy." Adam corrected.
"Oh, did I say it wrong again? I'll never do it right."
"Yes you will. It's just going to take a little time, that's all. Don't worry about it."
And on they travelled towards home. …..
The following morning Adam was up early, had breakfast and was gone on his way into town just as the others were waking up and making their way downstairs.
"Adam gone already, Hop Sing?" Ben asked as he took his usual seat at the head of the table.
"Yes, Mr Cartlight. He go half hour ago." Hop Sing rushed out to get the last of the breakfast food when he saw the rest of the family coming down the stairs.
"Morning children, Joe, Hoss."
"Morning Pa." From Hoss and Joe.
"Morning Grandpa, from Cathy and Davy.
As they all took their seats, Joe asked, "How's your….er…..how are you feeling this morning Davy?"
Without squirming, Davy answered, "Better, just aching from all the extra chores I've had to do." He was trying to hide the truth about his sore bottom.
Hoss smiled. "Just today and tomorrow to do and Sunday chores are less than the rest of the week, then you're done. You were lucky your Pa went easy on you."
"Easy on me! He spanked me hard." And he squirmed in his seat. Truth was out.
"Trust me Davy," Joe added, "just don't do anything you shouldn't again, or you will soon realise how easy he went on you, I know."
"Good advice." As each started filling their plates, Ben smiled inwardly, knowing how right Joe was, having experienced Adam's tannings first hand.
There followed silence as everyone was eating. Ben broke the silence.
"Is everyone sorted for the day?"
"Yes, Pa. Joe and me are ready to finish off the repairs and supplies for the last line cabin. It shouldn't take too long." Cathy smiled, wondering if her Pa would have corrected Uncle Hoss, if he was here.
"We should be back mid afternoon." Joe added.
"Good" Ben said. "It sounds like we'll all be back this afternoon. Cathy, are you ready for the trip into town, so you and Alice can buy new dresses?"
"Yes, Grandpa, we need to get going."
"Right," Ben said, swallowing the last of his coffee and stood, "let's go. Hop Sing will be looking after you Davy, okay?"
Pouting, Davy replied. "Yes, Sir."
Everyone rose from the table, all heading for gun belts, hats and coats.
"Have a good day you two." Hoss said as he fixed on his gun belt and hat. Joe did the same. "See you later." They both left.
"Come on Cathy, let's make ready and go."
"Right, Grandpa."
"You get yourself ready darlin' while I get the wagon ready. ….
Adam and Grace arrived in Carson City on time, as planned and made straight for Mason's office.
"Adam, are you sure about this?" Grace asked, still not comfortable with the idea of Adam paying off her loan.
"Of course I'm sure. Now let's not get into another argument about it," he said, as he helped her down from the buggy and in through the office door.
"Good morning," Adam addressed Mason himself. "We're here to make good on Miss Thomas' loan."
"Very well. Please sit down while I get the file and see what's what."
Within a few minutes Mason was back with a file. "Here we are." Mason said, as he sat behind his desk. "The amount
still owing is $92.50, which includes the extra interest accrued due to the small amounts paid and time taken in repayment."
"Well, we're here now to pay the amount due in full." Adam said, as he reached his inside jacket pocket for his wallet, pulled out $100 and handed it over to Mason. "And I'd like the loan agreement duly signed as paid in full." He held out his hand to Grace who produced her loan agreement and passed it over to Mason. Grace could see that Adam was making sure there would be no comeback and that Mason wasn't too happy with the deal. Adam was not the type of man he could cheat. She smiled at that thought.
Mason signed the paperwork and opened a drawer, retrieved his cash box and produced the change required and handed it and the signed paper over to Adam, who promptly put in his jacket pocket. Mason then held out of right hand toward Adam, who reciprocated and shook hands with Mason.
"Thank you Mason for your time." He then helped Grace out of the chair and toward the door and outside. …
"I think a light lunch is in order, what say you?"
"Yes, I could do with something, especially a drink, my mouth is terribly dry. I think he knew you were an astute man and not to be messed with. I was happy to see how calm and courteous you were throughout."
"Didn't want any problems, so tried to remain as calm as possible. I don't think he's totally honest in his business dealings so I didn't want to be drawn into anything. I just wanted to be in and out without any fuss. Now we can put the whole thing behind us."
They made the way to the local restaurant where they ate and drank their fill. As they finished, Adam reached into his jacket pocket and produced the signed loan agreement.
"For you." He said. "Keep it somewhere safe."
"I will, Adam, I will. Thank you so much for all your help. We must make up a paper to make everything legal and above board, to cover my repaying you the money/"
"No rush. We'll sort something out later, once we get back. Okay, now we're in agreement, I think it's time we made a move back to Virginia City.
"Yes, I have my last day's duties at the café to carry out."
As they left, Adam placed money on the table to pay for the lunches. They made their way back to the buggy, but he had one last stop he wanted to make. He took Grace to the cemetery where she picked some wild flowers and placed them on little Sam's grave. Adam moved away, giving her a private moment.
"Thank you Adam for being so thoughtful, bringing me here."
"I would want to do the same, if it were me. But the grave I would wish to visit is many miles away from here." That gave Adam a moment's pause to think of his mother.
"Now it's really time we were heading back." He said as he reached down to help Grace up off her knees.
"Yes Adam, and thank you again."
"My pleasure."