Jenkins-the somewhat elderly but resourceful man who kidnapped Evangeline in "Smoke Rings In The Dark" but who treated her well and even possessed a small affection for his captive before allowing her to escape. Only she knows what he looks like.
Miles away from the bloody scene, the sheriff's camp was awakened at the crack of dawn by the bright sun spilling through the trees above. The men roused, putting away their bedrolls and the animals were fed with all due haste. Then all six present sat down around their campfire in order to eat breakfast and discuss the day's events. Joe remained quiet for the most part, deep in his own thoughts and worries. The sheriff on the other hand was more than energetic as he withdrew a map from his saddlebags and began discussing the day's route, one that would take them along several back roads and trails before coming out on the main road to Virginia City. For the most part, Joe agreed with the plans but one part concerned him enough to argue with. He refrained from speaking however until he could get Henderson alone later as the two were saddling their horses.
"Sheriff, I think we should alter our path a few miles to the west today."
Henderson turned from cinching his saddle girth and looked thoughtfully at the young man. "I assume you have a good reason."
"Call me paranoid but I have a gut feeling that we'll be ambushed if we continue on the same way. What if someone overheard any part of our plan back in Carson City beside the people who were meant to? Wouldn't it be prudent to shake up the works a little bit?"
Henderson shrugged, reaching for the stirrup slung across his saddle. "You couldn't have brought up this up before now?"
"Sorry, didn't mean to put you out," Joe snipped as he turned his back and yanked on his own cinch, "But, like I said, I don't have any solid fact to go off of here. I simply think we need to be flexible and it wouldn't hurt to change course a little bit, would it?"
Rolling his eyes, the sheriff scratched the back of his neck, staring at the ground. "I guess not. Fine, we'll do it your way, after all you did come to me in the first place for help. But try to remember who has the final say around here? I'm getting a little tired of your constant opinions."
The younger man simply sniffed at the last statement as he mounted up on his horse and rode away towards the wagon, his back stiff and straight. Henderson watched him go with a frown. "Can't understand that boy. As flighty as a colt in springtime," he mused. Still, over the past two days, young Cartwright had shown himself to be adept at strategy and the sheriff found himself kind of liking him although he still got under his skin for some reason that couldn't be figured out. Though the life in the whippersnapper was refreshing, it still made the older man a little melancholy over the fact that he didn't have a son to teach and bring along in the world. The life of a lawman never gave enough time to have a wife or a family or any kind of savings for old age. Either a man in that line of work would toil until his dying breath or he could quit but with no provision for the future. He wondered why he ever had gotten himself into a no-win situation like this; barely enough money to survive from day to day, the threat of being murdered very real each waking moment and no hope for the future. At least, that was the opinion that he had built up over ten years of service. Shrugging again to rid himself of nagging regrets, Henderson grabbed the bridle from his saddle horn and started putting the leather apparatus onto his reluctant horse's head.
Still stewing over what had been said but not wanting to let that sour his mood, Joe halted Cochise next to the wagon and dismounted, tying his reins onto the back. The driver, seated up on the seat, looked back as he was joined but made no effort to acknowledge the young man's presence. Resting his rifle on his thigh with the barrel pointed towards the sky, Joe grinned and stuck out his hand.
"My name's Joe Cartwright. I don't believe we've formally met."
The old man warily accepted the gesture. "Jenkins. Not sure why'd ya care."
Joe shrugged. "Never said I did. Just trying to be neighborly."
"Let's move out, men!" Henderson's voice drifted back from his position at the front.
Jenkins gathered the reins and clucked to the team of mules, their ears flopping back as they strained into the harness, beginning the day's journey with a will. Silence closed around the ranks of the six men, their nerves being on high alert with only the jangle of harness and the clip-clop of hooves to disturb the quiet of early morning. An hour passed then another before the caravan came upon a split in the trail, one leading to the west and one veering off more to the south. Henderson raised a hand to halt, reining in his horse to pour over the map taken from his saddlebags. He nodded to himself and motioned down the left trail to the west which was laden with rain puddles and rocks, making for some hard going. Still, Joe was satisfied. His word had been heeded, the wagon bouncing down the alternative track to the main road after all. None of the hired men questioned the change of direction either. As long as they were paid, they didn't care where they went. Jenkins, on the other hand, grew more apprehensive with each passing yard. With each mile, he could feel the noose tightening around his neck a little more. He tried to conceal his agitation but it was soon noticed by the man riding shotgun beside him. The old man's fidgeting got the attention of Joe but nothing was said. Finally, the driver ventured conversation.
"Cartwright's the name, huh?"
"What I said." Joe glanced to his left at his companion and returned his gaze to the landscape, searching for any unwanted company.
"Any relation to a man by the name of Adam Cartwright?"
Intrigued, Joe nodded. "He's my older brother. You a friend of his?"
Jenkins gulped, giving a shake of his gray head, his ancient hat dropping lower on his wrinkled forehead. "No."
A man of few words, that's for sure. Like getting water from a rock, thought Joe, sitting back on the seat and remaining silent. His eyes scanned the rising hills but found not one thing of interest except to return to the man by his side.
"I, uh...heard you mention a woman last night," Jenkins commented further, trying to keep a waver out of his voice.
Joe frowned, shifting to study the other man's face. "What woman?"
"Evangeline, I thought I heard."
"Yeah...so what? She's Adam's girl, what concern is that of yours?" Joe demanded, his collar feeling hot upon hearing his brother's name spoken in such a probing manner.
His suspicions confirmed, Jenkins backed off as fast as he could. "None...none at all. Jest thought it was a purty name is all...not very common 'round these parts."
"Cartwright!" the sheriff's voice carried back from up the trail. "Get up here!"
Giving Jenkins one last penetrating stare, Joe bounded into the back of the wagon and then into his pinto's saddle. Kicking the horse forward up the trail, the wagon was soon left in a cloud of dust and the old man was left with his thoughts; memories but mostly regrets. Something that had been eating at him for the past weeks. Every day had been torture, the nights restless. Now, at least he knew that she was alive but the revelation that he was riding with Adam Cartwright's brother was a little too close for comfort. If he hadn't needed money so bad he never would have gone on this trip and he regretted it now. The thought of coming face to face with the elder Cartwright brother was enough to send a shakiness right to the knees.
Up ahead, Joe pulled his horse to a stop next to Henderson who thumbed in the direction behind them. "We should be in Virginia City tonight instead of the morning. I'm sending you on ahead. To inform Coffee of our arrival." He received no response only a frown. "Got another problem?"
Joe took a deep breath to hold his tongue. "Are you sure you want a gun to leave? I think it would be better if I stayed."
"I'm not asking, am I?"
"What's with you anyway?" Joe couldn't hold his irritation at bay any more. "Is everything I say a source of contention to you? My god, you sound like my brother, Adam, when he's in one of his moods!"
"I'm done arguing. Get going or I can turn my men around right now!"
Joe couldn't believe his ears as he reined Cochise to a sudden halt, the horse flinging his head in protest. "You are seriously threatening me now! Fine. If it means that much to you, I'm gone!"
At that last retort, Joe put his heel to Cochise and the two lunged into a gallop up the trail towards Virginia City. With a small grin lighting his lips, Henderson nudged his own horse back into a spirited trot. The morning was bright and still young, a little danger on the horizon; he felt like he'd gained those ten years back after all this time.
The sun, rising into a blue sky amid blazing reds and pinks, sent its rays gently beaming through the window of Adam's room, the light creeping across the hardwood floor until it touched his face with warm caresses. He squinted in his sleep, unconsciously rolling his head on the pillow to try and coax himself back into the peace but failed, already feeling himself spiraling into the jaws of reality. He opened his eyes and for a moment was confused as to where he was. The light blinded him until his pupils dilated and he could make out the familiar structures in his room. A smile teased the corner of his mouth as he laid his head back and relaxed, a sigh escaping him. Something moved against him and he started, glancing to his left.
Surprise melted into love as Evangeline's sleeping face met his gaze, a smile drifting over her beautiful features. The light illuminated her tousled brown hair, making her appear more of an angel than a woman. He was enraptured, riveted to each change, to each shadow of movement that crossed her face as she yawned, a soft coo escaping. She snuggled closer to the heat that was him. Her head returned to his chest, her arm coming to drape across his waist and her hand hugging him tight. Then a sigh came from her and he realized that she was still deep in slumber, unknowing of her actions. He knew that he should be getting up and seeing if Jody was awake but then he noticed yet another person in his room.
Hop Sing inclined his head with a smile from his perch on the bedside chair. "Master Jody doing fine," he said in a whisper, pointing to the bed. "Woke two hours ago, asked for you. I showed him you sleeping and he was happy to go back to sleep too."
"Did he say anything about who attacked him?" Adam asked, duty replacing, what he deemed was the selfish pleasure he had indulged in by falling asleep. He looked down at Evangeline who was still undisturbed and he met Hop Sing's eyes again to which the other man shook his head.
"No, he didn't. Very groggy, he was. He wanted to know that you were there."
Adam nodded and a grin dissolved the worry on his face. "Thank you, Hop Sing...what would I do without you?"
Touched and a little embarrassed, the little man averted his eyes and stood. "Go get breakfast for you and Missy. Brothers and father already up but Mr. Ben tell you to take time. Sheriff not coming for hours, he said. No hurry."
Adam watched his friend go with hazel eyes that were full of gratitude, their brown hues capturing the light and turning golden. Lazy branches brushing against the glass, the sunny window took his attention once again and he realized with a pain that this was the first lovely morning that hadn't instantly reminded him of another fateful day. Of the sun kissing his wet skin upon exiting a certain bathhouse where his youngest brother still was endeavoring to scrub months of trail dust from his own skin. The memory, most poignant, plagued Adam's brain as it had on many other instances but this time, it was not so threatening somehow...
With a laugh at Joe's expense, Adam stepped from under the low beam of the doorway and into the welcoming sunshine. The rough wood of the handle tickling the calluses on his hand, he closed the door while raising his upturned face to the heat. The intensity from the rays created a most pleasant feeling as leftover moisture from his body evaporated, leaving behind only steamed warmth. Goosebumps rippled his flesh as a shiver seized him suddenly and he flexed his shoulders to ward it off. The black Stetson dangling from his right hand was brought up to rest deftly on his clean hair, the studded band teasing his fingertips as they pulled away. Adam took a deep breath and grinned to himself, feeling quite the young buck. He walked to his horse and tied the saddle roll on the back of his saddle. He vaulted onto Sport's back with one jump, mimicking the habit of his youngest brother. Nudging the chestnut into a rolling canter, he couldn't help noticing the glances and giggles directed his way by several young ladies walking across the street. One of them even dared enough to smile and wink at him to which she was promptly poked in the ribs by a jealous companion. The girls had obviously been watching him the entire time since his departure from the bathhouse and he was in the mood for a little teasing so he pulled Sport to a walk in front of the group.
"Good day, ladies, lovely day, isn't it?" he said as he removed his hat, then replaced it while giving the one young woman a wink back. She just stared and he chuckled loud enough for them to hear, kicking his horse away and out of town. The wind hit him once he had reached the rise overlooking Eastgate and he paused again, enjoying the fresh air without a hint of manure, sweat or filth. Yes, he was feeling fine and ready for a relaxing trip home...
Why was that day filled with so much fun and then it took such a horrid turn? Adam wondered intensely as he had many times before. I was so full of myself that day...maybe I had it coming. I had to have done something after all to deserve such treatment by the powers that be. Why did I have to be robbed that day? Why did I not be smarter and keep a better look-out for bandits instead of joy riding my way through?...Why didn't I leave when I noticed something going wrong with him? I should have known he wouldn't live up to the bargain...I don't get it...I just don't understand...
"Good morning..." a woman's voice penetrated and stopped the loop Adam was finding himself in.
He returned to the present at the simple greeting and smiled at his love sleepily gazing up at him from under her long eyelashes. "How did you sleep?" he replied, kissing her forehead wistfully.
Evangeline yawned again and stretched languidly. "Well enough...how is our sweet patient?"
"Still sleeping upon last report. Hop Sing was here when I woke up."
"I just love that man, he is like an angel, always hovering near. Does he ever sleep?"
Adam chuckled warmly as he brushed the hair from her eyes. "Sometimes, I wonder. Pa, nor us boys for that matter, would have survived without him after Marie's death."
Evangline smiled softly, enjoying the wave of gentleness that came to her beloved's face. "I noticed you were thinking of something just now. I had to speak twice before you heard me. "
"Just memories. You know, all of the silly trifles...the questions that make up each human beings' consciousness."
"Coming from you, nothing you think is ever a trifle, my love."
"I'm glad you think so but I don't hold that opinion myself. There a great many things that I should let go but can't seem to. Anyway, memories are just water under the bridge and hardly worth mentioning now," Adam commented, evading any more probes into his most private troubles.
Evangeline traced his lips with a finger, rising onto an elbow to lean in close. "Care to make another memory, handsome?"
"Depends. What did you have in mind?"
"Something along these lines..." She intoned as she kissed his neck, traveling up his chin to his mouth, her hands intertwining in his soft, black locks. He couldn't hold the moan that escaped from his throat while he surrendered briefly to her will.
He returned her ardor but, being a man who liked control, he soon grew tired of being on the bottom of the kiss. He took her in his arms and rolled over, wresting her upper body under his chest. Then it was his turn to make her moan as he placed kisses close together, moving from her left ear to her right. She pushed him back and they both giggled quietly at their antics as she tried to go up against his powerful strength without success, only ending up on her back again, his right hand having captured both of her slim wrists. In any other man, his advantage would have terrified her but not from him...no, not Adam Cartwright. His iron grip on her arms softened instantly, fingertips brushing her cheek and lips subtly parting as he lowered his head for one more kiss, long and deep this time. Her hands moved to cup his shoulder blades, rubbing his back. At last, the couple parted, their eyes opening and meeting in mutual happiness.
"Do you know how much I love you, woman?" he growled, a feline grin twisting his lips.
"I doubt that it is more than I love you," she whispered back, touching the tip of his nose in a playful gesture.
Adam sighed and grimaced upon reading the clock hanging on his wall. Two minutes past five-thirty. "Time to get moving, my dear," he quipped, pecking her on the lips before untangling himself from the blanket, rising to his feet and gallantly helping her up as well. He moved to the other side of the bed to check on Jody while she briskly folded the blankets, putting them and the pillow back into Adam's closet. She then joined him, sneaking under his arm and wrapping her arms around his waist. They stared down upon the little boy, as his real parents might have had they been still alive. Evangeline smiled to herself and decided that now was the perfect time to speak of a decision she had made recently.
"Adam?"
"Mmmm..." Adam grunted, lightly massaging her shoulder as he was lost in his own thoughts while observing the child that had wormed his way deep into his heart.
She continued, "I've been thinking very much about what we talked about that night on your birthday. In the garden? About Jody? I know we will have many challenges as man and wife but...I would be honored to accept this little child as my own."
Shocked, Adam stared into her face, at first not sure that he had heard right. "Are you serious?"
She laughed gently. "Of course, silly, I would never make light of such an important subject. Hmm, Evangeline and Jody Cartwright...how does that sound to you?"
Adam's eyes fairly glowed with life. "Good...oh, so very good. Are you sure though? You're not just doing this for me?"
"No...I love you but I wouldn't take on a child if I wasn't sure. You'll have to know that quirk about me right now. But I still want you alone for the first few days. A week is all I ask. I want to be able to be your wife without worrying about anything else."
Adam couldn't hold himself back any longer and kissed her then and there, cutting off whatever else she might say. His dream was coming true and he could honestly say that he had never felt this full and happy before in his life. Emotion choked him as he tried to tell her through actions how much he adored her. The kiss ended but he fairly clung to her, stroking her hair and inhaling its fragrance.
"Adam..." a small voice interrupted.
Adam snapped back from the hug and dropped on his knees by the bed. "I'm here, buddy, how are you feeling?"
Jody blinked as he searched the man's face and then the face of the pretty lady above him. "A man hit me, Adam, why did he hit me?"
"I don't know, Jody, but I promise you that I will be finding out. Do you remember anything that could help me?"
Jody looked scared to think of that but a smile from Adam calmed him. "He was tall...big...his face was kind of like yours."
Adam was puzzled until he raised a hand to his cheek and felt the stubble. Smiling still, he nodded and patted Jody's shoulder to encourage more description. "What else can you tell me?"
Jody squinted, concentrating hard. "He limped, I think. The shadow, it...it moved really far to the left. Then everything was black and I can't remember anything else."
Adam's eyes darkened with anger upon thinking of the coward who would do such a thing. He felt pressure on his neck and knew that Evangeline was offering her support. He steadied his breath and reached out to gently ruffle Jody's hair. "Thank you, buddy, you've done more than well. Now, would you like anything to eat or drink?"
Jody glanced at Evangeline and then back to the man by his side. "I think I just want to go back to sleep, Adam. But...did you really mean that?"
"What are you talking about?" Adam asked, puzzled as to why Jody would be asking such a question about breakfast.
"Do you mean it that you and Miss Evangeline are going to look after me?" Jody replied, glancing blankly at one and then the other of the adults.
Adam whistled low as he looked at Evangeline whose stunned expression turned into a sheepish smile and she delicately shrugged. He took her hand in his as he rose and brought her close. With his free hand, he took Jody's nearest "We were meaning to tell you when you were better but, yes...we would be honored to have you live with us but only if you want to. I still have to see if you have any responsible relatives to take you in."
Jody shook his head hard. "I don't want anyone else, Adam! I want to stay with you...only..." the boy's eyes watered with tears and he turned his head away, fear strong in him, "Do I have to call you...Pa? Do I have to call Miss Evangeline...Mama?"
A pain stabbed at Adam's heart for he had never thought of this problem popping up but of course the fear made sense. It would just take some time for him to get used to not be addressed as a father. He used two fingers to turn back the boy's head to look at himself. "My boy, I would never force you into anything at all. For now, just call me Adam and you can call my wife, Aunt Evangeline, when we marry. Eventually, maybe we all can decide on different names but not today or anytime soon. Don't worry about it, alright?"
Evangeline felt her own tears as Jody gave a small cry of delight and wrapped his arms around Adam's neck tightly as if he never wanted to let go. For the first time that she had seen, the boy's face was radiant with happiness and all because he knew he was wanted. What beautiful, sweet creatures, children are, she observed. By and by, Adam extricated himself from the little arms and lay Jody back down carefully, covering the small body with the covers. Jody yawned, his eyes growing sleepy again.
"I love you...Adam..." came a childish whisper as Jody drifted off into another land where things made sense all of the time.
"Sleep well, son...sweet dreams..." Adam whispered, stroking the dark hair of the head that filled his large hand. The responsibility of caring for this innocent soul hit him broadside and he felt overwhelmed by it for an instant. But only until the soft fingers on his neck moved to both of his shoulders, squeezing firmly to let him know that she was there, sharing this precious moment of a family forming into one for the very first time. He rose and turned to her, ushering her out and closing the door quietly. His eyes met hers as she stood looking at him with a quiet appraisal.
"What?" His eyebrows raised in a questioning manner.
She smiled, placing her hands squarely on his chest, feeling the strength in the deep muscles, the beat of his strong heart. "Seeing you in there just now...I realized that I not only love you but I am so very proud of you...and humbled that you would choose me to stand by you. You will make a wonderful father, my wild one. He will grow up as brave as you and just as kind but with all the spirit of your black stallion."
"Now you make me blush, my lady," Adam chuckled, "And you haven't called me that name in awhile...I rather like it. It makes me feel more grand than I really am. You do know how to flatter my ego. Just one more reason why I adore you, isn't it?"
Evangeline giggled, teasing by repeatedly trying out the pet name as she closed in for another kiss. He silenced her with his own before offering his arm to escort her to her room where he bid her to refresh herself before joining him for breakfast downstairs. She went in and closed the door, leaning against the wood and listened to his firm footsteps striding down the hall to the stairs. Suddenly, she felt a surge of giddiness and ran across the room, landing on the soft bed with a plop and a squeal. She told herself that she shouldn't be acting like a schoolgirl after her first date. After all, she was going to be a wife and a mother more than soon. But she then reasoned that it wasn't her fault entirely...her fiancé could make every waking moment seem as if it was a first date with him. Collecting her happy heart, she rushed to go through her ablutions so that she could join him once again.