Adam could not help but notice Maggie's uneasiness. She had seemed that way this morning and now even more so this afternoon. He was not the only one, the girls had noticed a difference in her as well. Cassie seemed uncomfortable with her mother's behavior and was somewhat grumpy herself. The sudden change worried Adam, though he hated to admit it, he had come to care about this woman and her daughter. I am not falling in love with her. He told himself as he lay in his bed that night. Then why do you care? He argued with himself. She is taking care of my daughters, I have to care about what happens to her. I could never love her. I love Sarah. These thoughts kept nagging at him as he drifted off to sleep.

The next morning when he said goodbye to her before work, he could not ignore the sudden attraction he felt toward her. He pushed it away. She hates me. I love Sarah. Simple as that.

Maggie was finding it hard to perform her daily tasks properly. The words in the telegram kept ringing in her thoughts. I want you to come back. She could not help but wonder how much he truly wanted her, to require such a price from her, he was not that desperate. I need you. Maybe he was desperate for her, he had obviously gone through a lot to find her location. She knew was he required was necessary and practical, but it was impossible. Under the same conditions. Yes, it proved even with her disappearing he was not going to budge on the matter. He did not want Cassie.

The turmoil inside her was impossible to hide from the three girls she took care of, one being her own, who knew more than she realized. Adam came back a little early that evening with a picnic basket, packed and ready to go.

"So who's ready for a picnic." He smiled at the surprised faces, particularly Maggie, who he hoped the picnic would help. He got shouts of agreement from the two of the three girls and they each took off in different directions to get ready to go.

"I'm not much in the mood for a picnic today. I think I will stay but you may take Cassie. I know she will love it." Maggie said never lifting her eyes to meet his.

"Maybe a picnic will help lift your mood, besides some fresh air will do you good. I'll hitch up the wagon you and the girls can meet me outside when your ready." Adam walked away, not leaving time for her to argue. He felt flushed when he closed the door behind him, knowing he would have been disappointed if she did not come. The last phrase he had said hit him though, he could remember time after time saying that to Sarah.

"Emily, what's wrong?" Cassie asked as she waited for her to get ready, she was taking longer than necessary.

"Nothing." She said tying her hair into a very short loose pony tail at the base of her neck.

"Yes, there is. Your taking forever!" Cassie said irritated because she could not wait to go.

"Maybe if I take forever than we won't be able to go." Emily shot back at her snobbishly. Cassie was a little taken aback, Emily and her had been getting along so well lately, she did not understand the sudden change.

"Please, Emmy. My mother says we won't be here much longer and I want to spend as much time with you and your family as possible." Cassie hoped to get sympathy from her. It worked.

"I guess it will be fine since you'll be leaving, but just this once." Emily told her as though she had total control over it.

"Good," She smiled grabbing Emmy's hand and pulling her out of the room. "Let's get Kates and go, I want to have plenty of time." Emily could not help but laugh at her excitement and she wondered if Cassie had ever gone on a picnic before.

"I thought you would never be ready." Adam feigned impatience when the others joined him outside. Adam lifted Katie and then Cassie into the back of the wagon and then turned to Emily.

"Daddy, can I sit up front with you?" She asked quietly hoping Maggie would not hear.

"Not this time, there isn't room." Adam said and lifted her into the wagon with the others. Emily watched as her father took Maggie's hand and helped her climb into the front of the wagon. Cassie and Katie talked and laughed the whole way, but Emily just sat quietly trying to listen in on the adult's conversation.

"It is beautiful in its own way." Maggie smiled at Adam.

"Yes, it will grow on you the longer your here without you even knowing it. Someday, if you leave you will remember the brilliant sunsets, the peaceful sound of only nature surrounding you, and the quiet ease of country life." Adam spoke in a soft tone sharing the very things he had missed while he was in the city.

"And the people." Maggie said before catching herself. "I mean most of the people seem a little rough around the edges but once you get to know them..." She let the sentence fade out, not really knowing where she had been going with it.

"Their fine people." Adam finished smiling at her apparent embarrassment. She half-smiled and continued watching the scenery. She could not help but notice that Adam had said "if you leave", how she wanted it to be an "if". How she wanted to stay in this paradise, but she had to return to her responsibilities and to Richard. Her eyes fell to her hands at the thought, she did care for Richard, she had thought she loved him, then Adam came along. The kind of man he was, made it hard to even like a man like Richard, but as her father said it was not a matter of feelings, it's business and profitable for both.

Adam glanced at her while she scanned the landscape and played with her hands. She seemed so different from the rich snob he had first met in Virginia City. Maybe people in the West were not the only ones that had a rough exterior, sometimes it was just some people's way of not getting close, so they would not get hurt. Maggie would not let her guard down, except on the one incident with swimming, she seemed to afraid to let loose and enjoy life. And who are you to talk? When was the last time, you just enjoyed life? Adam reasoned with himself. Today, I am enjoying today. He smiled realizing how much he appreciated the company, her company.

"Are we there yet?" Adam's thoughts were interrupted by Katie's whine. He glanced around, he had not been paying attention.
"Just about." He answered spotting the grassy area beside the creek that he had chosen. He enjoyed the sound of the flowing water, and this way the girls could wade in it. The grass was brown and withered from the long hot summer with little rain but the trees around them had been kept well supplied by the creek and were still green and full. Adam grabbed the blanket to lay out and Maggie grabbed the picnic basket. Emily watched her, That's my job, I'm supposed to take care of my family now not her. She hopped out of the wagon, deciding that she was NOT going to have fun.

Emily followed them to the area where her father spread the blanket. Katie immediately ran off towards the creek with Cassie. "Don't go in yet, wait till after lunch." Adam called after the girls, Maggie looked at him somewhat shocked. "What you don't feel like swimming today?" Adam teased.

"Well, I..." Maggie turned beet red. "No." She turned her attention back to the picnic basket. When she glanced back up, she caught the gleam in Adam's eye, something she had never seen before. Maggie relaxed. "Umm, Emily would you help me?" She stumbled over the question trying to pry her eyes away from Adam. It was improper to stare like that. But something was different about him.

"I can do it." Emily said smugly. "And I don't need help." She said leveling her gaze with Maggie. Maggie got the message, Emily had noticed the difference also. She had to keep her promise, nothing could change between them.

"I'm sure you can, I will go gather the girls." She said and quickly moved away.

"That was disrespectful, Emily." Adam said turning his attention to his daughter.

"I'm sorry, Daddy, but this is my job, not hers." Emmy explained.

"Still there is never any cause to speak to an adult in that tone, and if I remember right, from the time you were little we taught you how to share." Adam looked at her pointedly. They were interrupted as Katie plowed into her father, who easily fell over backwards. Adam kept hold of Katie, she squirmed but could not free herself, so she pleaded for help. Cassie joined in to her mother's dismay, she hopped on his back so he could not grab her. It did not work, he easily flipped her around and caught her around the waist. Maggie and Emily watched neither willing to join in on the action, one for propriety's sake and the other because she was determined not to have fun. The girls squirmed and giggled trying to escape, Katie managed to pry herself loose. He hopped up still holding Cassie but as he went to grab Katie, he caught a hold of Maggie's skirt tearing it from the waistband, he flew onto the ground, Cassie landed on top of him along with her mother's skirt. Emily's burst into laughter at the look on Maggie's face, when she realized she was standing their in only her pantaloons. Maggie grabbed the first thing in reach, the picnic blanket, as she pulled it up around her, the food Emily had set out scattered everywhere.

Everything stopped. No one moved or said a word for a moment, Maggie was horrified, the girls were trying not to laugh and Adam did not seem to know how to react to the situation. Suddenly, he erupted into a fit of laughter, Emily stared at him for a second, trying to remember the last time he had laughed like that, she couldn't. The girls could not stand it any longer and laughed as well, Maggie went from embarrassed to angry in a flash. "You, you big oaf!" She fumed tears springing to her eyes. "How dare you laugh and after what you just did." Her mouth hung open for a moment searching for more words to say but nothing came. Instead, she walked away in a huff.

Adam tried hopelessly to control himself, but every time he came close the look on Maggie's face came back and he started up again. Emily was the first to stop laughing, so she walked over to the wagon where Maggie had disappeared. She had sat down on the other side and was leaning against the front wheel, Emily joined her. "Don't be mad at Daddy, it was an accident." She said softly.

"I know that but he should not have laughed." Maggie said wiping away tears, she felt like a foolish child.

"He wasn't laughing at you like that, I mean it was really funny especially the look on your face. My daddy hasn't laughed like that in a really long time." Emily explained, Maggie looked at the little girl, she had not seen this side of her all day.

"I guess I just got all tied up in my Boston ways again." Maggie sighed.

"Nope," Emily giggled. "That's not proper even in Nevada." She laughed.

"Oh you." Maggie reached out and pulled her into a hug. "You know, I really like this sweet girl more than the ornery one, I've seen all day." She said her arms wrapped around Emily with her facing away, she leaned her cheek on the girls head. Emily enjoyed the affection, and her resolve to not have fun quickly faded away.

"I'm sorry, for the way I acted earlier. I guess it's just hard to get used to sharing again." She said moving her head enough to see Maggie's face, she was smiling down at her.

"I understand, but you know Emily, I would like to be your friend, if you would let me?" Maggie asked sweetly.

"I think I'd like that," Emily smiled then turned to face her more. "but you're gonna have to learn to loosen up more." She giggled and jumped out of her reach before she could tickle her.

"I guess I kind of ruined the picnic didn't I?" Maggie asked sheepishly.

"No, I think you made it better. But we need to get you in some clothes." With that Emily climbed into the back of the wagon and pulled a board off the floor, underneath was a small compartment. "Mama kept us all a change of clothes in here just in case, she said you never know what could happen. I guess she was right." Emily pulled out her mother's pile and hopped out of the wagon. "I know you don't wear pants but I think this time it's better than that."

"I think your right about that." Maggie sighed. Emily sat on the edge of wagon and held up the blanket for a changing room, while Maggie changed. When they walked back to the others, they had gathered up all the food and were waiting. They were completely shocked when they looked up, Margaret McCoy was wearing a maroon flannel shirt that was to big on her small frame, and a pair of Sarah's old britches. Adam was the first to recover this time.

"Well, I must say this is a change." He said his lips curving into a half-smile, and humor dancing in his eyes.

"I told her you could help her roll up the sleeves, your good at that." Emily said to her father and then started to spread the blanket out again. Adam did as Emily said, Maggie seemed like such a different person out of her fancy clothes.

"She's right you did a very nice job." Maggie smiled unsure of what to say.

"It takes a lot of practice to get that good." Adam winked and Maggie's heart fluttered.

"We should eat." She said walking away and taking a seat by Cassie. Adam joined them sitting between his two girls, they passed out the sandwiches and began to eat.

"We couldn't save the pie." Katie announced as they were nearly finished with lunch, this time Maggie was the first to giggle. She glanced at the the others worried that they did not find it funny, the smiles on their faces assured her they did and she laughed. Katie had a mischievous look on her face and reached out, tagging Emily. Emily in turn quickly tagged Cassie and the girls scurried away, Cassie knew she could not catch them so she tagged Adam. Maggie just watched until she saw that same look as Katie had on her face on Adam's.

"Everyone has to play." Adam reached out and tagged her also. He was not sure if she would join in or not, it took a moment for her to decide but soon she was after them. They played for some time, Maggie and Cassie both kept getting tagged because they were slower than the others. Maggie had gotten tagged and was exhausted, so she walked around until she got close enough and then made a mad dash for that person, her strategy was not working. She saw Adam out of the corner of her eye, and took off after him determined to catch him before she collapsed from exhaustion. Adam easily kept ahead of her, he saw an opportunity and turned towards the creek. He slowed down just before he got there and let her get close enough to almost tag him. A couple steps backwards and he was now in the water, Maggie charged at him not realizing he was in the creek. As her feet hit the slime covered rocks, she lost her balance and plunged forward, Adam caught her, then with a mischievous smile dropped her into the creek.

"Ahhhh!" She screamed. "You, you, I cannot believe you." Maggie fumed sitting in the cool water, but when she saw the sparkle in his eyes and heard his hearty laugh. She could not help but smile also, then in one quick movement she tackled his legs and sent him into the water with a splash. The girls had come over to watch the scene, they were all surprised at Maggie's actions, as was she. They charged in after the adults, laughing and splashing.

Maggie and Adam lay drying on the shore while the girls continued to play. "I had a wonderful day Adam, thank you for taking us." She smiled staring up at the clear blue sky.

"Your welcome, it was a much needed break." Adam rolled on his side to look at her, something inside him began to ache for Sarah, he felt like he was betraying her. No, this is just a picnic, it doesn't mean anything. He pushed the thoughts into the back of his mind.

"You must think I am absolutely ridiculous, lying here soaking wet in men's clothing. My father would never approve." She shook her head.

"I am partly to blame for the attire and for the bath." Adam chuckled slightly.

"Partly? I would say it is completely and totally your fault." Maggie raised her eyebrows at him and smiled.

"Alright, I'll take the blame. Does your father live in Boston also?" He asked hoping to learn more about her.

"Uh, no, actually he died a few years back." She sat up watching the girls play so as not to have to look at him.

"I'm sorry,"Adam sympathized. "tell me about him."

"There isn't much to tell, he was a big-shot lawyer, he had everything a man could ever want and he was consumed in it. Mother left us when I was twelve, said she could not stand him anymore but that I would be better off with him. But my father cared about me as much as he did his horse." Maggie explained still watching the girls.

"You know it surprises me that a man like that would be alright with his daughter marrying Will." Adam stated.

"Well, to be honest. Father never approved of Will, he wanted me to marry a young lawyer in his firm Rich...um, rich and hard-working, was what he said. Not to mention how it would help both of their businesses. Marrying Will was more of an act of rebellion, don't get me wrong, I did love him very much." She said realizing that she was beginning to share way to much.

"I have no doubt. Did your father ever come to terms with it?" He asked hoping he was not prying.

"No, he died never meeting his granddaughter. Cassie has only ever heard of relatives, the only family she has now is me." She shook her head again, her heart ached for her daughter.

"Well, she is lucky. It is obvious that you love her very much." Adam consoled, Maggie fell silent lost in thought.

"Come on, girls, it's time to get dried off and head home." Adam called to the three.

"Do we have to go home already?" Katie whined.

"We've been out here for almost three hours." Adam tussled her wet hair.

"Can Cassie stay for dinner?" Katie asked.

"Not tonight, I don't want them to have to ride home in the dark." Adam started to walk back to the wagon. Maggie walked back with Cassie and Emily on either side.

"Then could Cassie spend the night?" Katie continued.

"You just spent all day with her, don't you think that is enough?" Adam asked humored by his daughter's persistence.

"No." She said seriously. Adam glanced at Maggie to see if it would be alright.

"Ahh, not tonight, Katie. Maybe when we've planned it out, so she will have a change of clothes." Maggie carefully declined.

"Soon?" She pleaded with big eyes.

"Yes, soon." Maggie laughed.


"I had fun, didn't you mother?" Cassie smiled as they walked into their room. Maggie was distracted by the letter in her hand. "Mother?"

"What?" Maggie looked up, she hadn't heard a word.

"Did you have fun?" Cassie asked again.

"Oh, yes." She smiled at her daughter.

"So, maybe we could stay?" She asked hopefully.

"We'll talk about it, go get ready for bed." Maggie said distractedly. When Cassie was gone she unfolded the piece of paper, another telegram from Richard.

Maggie. If I do not hear from you in a week, I will come for you. This is what your father wanted. Please come back. Love, Richard.

Maggie covered her face with her hands. Richard would come here for her. Could he truly love her that much? I must contact him, otherwise he will come here and that would mess everything up. What about Adam? She looked up surprised. Why had Adam entered her thoughts? Because I like Adam. She answered herself, then put her hands in her head again, this was getting more and more complicated.

"Was it from Richard?" Cassie asked, surprising her mother.

"It's uhh, don't, don't worry about it." She stumbled. "Come on climb into bed."
"Mother, I really, really, like it here. I like Emily, Katie, and Mr. Cartwright. Please can we stay forever?" She asked sleepily.

"Goodnight, sweetheart." Maggie kissed her daughter's forehead.

"Goodnight." Cassie yawned and fell asleep.

My brother is coming to visit and I haven't seen him for almost three years, so I probably wont have another chapter up for about a week. Sorry. This chapter was meant to be a little more light-hearted, but with tid bits of the past and a little look at the future. In the next chapter, Adam's world will be turned upside down again, I'll leave it at that so that your all wondering what is going to happen. Thank you again for your reviews.