Chapter Twelve
A full sleigh pulled into the yard and right up to the front porch at the main house of the Ponderosa. Ben had some of the hands there to help the ladies out of their sleighs, to take the sleighs somewhere out of the way and provide grain sacks for the horses.
"That's all right, Nells, I'll help the Mrs. out," said Adam as he stepped out of the sleigh. Shiloh passed him the baby, then took his hand as she gingerly stepped down.
Micah also stepped down, helped Etta out first, and then Rachel, and holding out a hand to Rachel as his arm bent for Etta, Micah escorted them into the house followed by the Slaters with Adam and Shiloh bringing up the rear.
They were a little early just in case there were last minute details that required help, and in fact, there were. The candles on the tree still weren't lit, and the furniture was still being arranged and rearranged to make room for the musicians. It was all the ladies could do to stay out of the way as the men rushed about.
"Pa," said Shiloh, grabbing Ben's arm as he rushed by. "Where's Annie?"
Bending to kiss her cheek, Ben smiled warmly. "I'm glad you all decided to come. And I've spoken with Joe," he said, turning to Etta, "so there won't be any trouble. Annie's in the kitchen helping Hop Sing."
As Ben rushed away, Shiloh said, "Oh. She shouldn't be doing that. She's not been feeling well."
"Evelyn, Etta, please, make yourselves at home. I'll go see if I can drag Annie out of the kitchen," said Shiloh. On the way to kitchen, Ben pulled her aside.
"You are going to sing tonight?" he asked.
"Well, I hadn't planned to," Shiloh said. "I didn't bring my violin or any music."
"Ah, well, Jim and boys can pick up pretty much anything if you just give them the key," said Ben. "Please, Shiloh. We don't get to hear you often enough, and I'm sure our guests would enjoy it."
"I'll think of something, Pa. But right now, I'm going to check on Annie. If she's been sick, why in the world is she in the kitchen?"
Ben had started to say something, but instead he shook his head as Shiloh scurried away to the kitchen. His next stop was at Adam's back, looking at Abel over Adam's shoulder. "Is he still awake?"
Turning, Adam smiled and turned the child around so his grandfather could take him. "He seems to be in the mood for a party, but I'm afraid his eyelids are going to win. See him while you can, because when he goes, you won't be able to wake him until he's ready."
Shiloh stood at the kitchen door with her arms crossed watching as Annie fussed over trays of food to be taken to the dining table when it was in its final position. She cleared her throat, and both Hop Sing and Annie looked.
"Hop Sing, how are you tonight?" asked Shiloh.
Nodding, Hop Sing simply smiled and continued his work.
Shiloh turned her gaze to Annie as she continued to speak to Hop Sing. "And how long has Annie been on her feet in here?"
Hop Sing frowned at Annie. "Too long. Much too long. Hop Sing tell go, but she not go."
"If you don't come with me now, Annie, I'm going to find your husband and have him carry you out of here," said Shiloh without changing her stance, her arms still crossed.
Annie twisted her mouth and narrowed her eyes. "I feel fine."
Turning, Shiloh said, "You asked for it," as she quickly left the room.
"Wait!" yelled Annie, but too late. "Thanks, Hop Sing," she bit.
"We alleady have baby ploblem on Chlistmas," said Hop Sing, shaking his head furiously. "Don't need again."
It seemed the cards were stacked against her, so Annie stormed out of the kitchen. Just as she turned the corner into the dining room, she ran headlong into Hoss who caught her by her arms. "What's all this I hear about you bein' on your feet so long?" Annie rolled her eyes and took a deep breath, but Hoss would have nothing of it. "You see that blue chair over there next to the fireplace?" asked Hoss, pointing. "I'm gonna keep my eyes on you, and if I see you get outta that chair for more than a short trip to the table, I'll carry you back over there."
"And what if I have to go to the outhouse?" said Annie with an angry pout.
"You just let me know. I'll go with you." Hoss had never furrowed his brow or frowned at her like he was doing now. It was the same look he gave Joe when Joe had managed to get Hoss into trouble.
"Why are you angry with me?" she asked.
His face transformed when he smiled at her. "I'm not angry. I just know how stubborn you can be, and I don't want a repeat of last Christmas."
"Shiloh!" Annie yelled.
Appearing at Annie's side, Shiloh smiled. "Yes?"
"This is all your fault!" said Annie with a furious glare.
"What's all my fault?" Shiloh said, feigning ignorance.
"You just had to collapse on Christmas Eve, didn't you?"
"Annie, I had Dr. Martin's blessing to be up. None of us knew I'd have pains. But considering how bad it got, don't you think taking a few precautions is a good idea? You don't want to put the baby in danger, do you?"
Closing her eyes, Annie clenched her teeth, but slowly calmed down. "You're right. You're right. I don't want to take any chances." Smiling at Hoss only half-heartedly, she said, "I'll sit…and watch everyone else have a good time."
Hoss and Shiloh watched her turn and go to the chair. She looked at it with disdain before she sat down and got comfortable. "Hey, Shiloh? You don't supposed we're bein' a mite too hard on her, do you?" asked Hoss.
Moving her eyes to Hoss's, Shiloh answered, "No, Hoss. I remember how frightened I was that I'd lose Abel. I don't care how upset Annie gets with me. She was an only child. Her mother lost two babies before Annie was born and two more after. We have no way of knowing if it runs in the family."
Hoss nodded definitively. He knew Annie's mother had lost a child, but he hadn't know there had been so many. He'd make sure Annie took it easy whether she got mad at him or not.
The first guests arrived at the same time Adam and Ben moved the dining table over one more time to give the musicians just a little more room. "Well, Pa, this is it," said Adam. "And it's fine the way it is. As a matter of fact, it was fine the way it was half an hour ago. What's got you so nervous?"
"Nervous? I'm not nervous," said Ben, shrugging.
Adam raised his brows slightly and stuck his tongue in his cheek. "Uh huh," he said before he turned to find Shiloh. He spotted her across the room taking Abel from Robert and heading up the stairs with Evelyn. "Robert, sorry about all the confusion. All this is usually ready long before now," said Adam. "Are they putting the boys down?"
"Shiloh said they'll be a few minutes," said Robert. "She has to feed Abel before she puts him to bed. He was already asleep, but she said he'd be awake soon if she didn't feed him."
"That's true," said Adam, standing in front of the fire place with his hands clasped in front of him watching the door. "He'll sleep until it's time to leave with a full belly. Without missing a beat, he said, "Now who is that?"
Robert looked toward the door. "You don't know her?"
"Nope, I don't. But evidently Pa does," said Adam, narrowing his eyes at the familiarity they shared.
"She's lovely," said Robert.
"Uh huh," said Adam. When Hoss walked by, Adam grabbed his arm and nodded toward the front door. "Who is she?"
Turning, Hoss squinted. "That's the lady who bought the music store from Mrs. Riley when she retired."
"Mrs. Riley retired?" asked Adam.
"Yeah, 'bout a month ago," said Hoss. "Shiloh didn't tell you?"
"I don't think she knows." Adam looked at the top of the stairs, then back toward his father who was escorting the woman toward them.
"Boys," said Ben with a wide grin. "I'd like you to meet Miss LaRue. These are two of my sons, Adam," he said, nodding toward Adam.
Slightly bowing, Adam took Miss LaRue's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss LaRue."
"And my son, Hoss," said Ben.
"Miss LaRue," said Hoss with a nod.
"And this is Adam's business partner, Robert Slater, from San Francisco," said Ben.
"Oh, what kind of business are you in?" she asked, looking first at Robert, then at Adam.
"Architecture and engineering," offered Robert. "Adam here is our star architect."
Looking back at Ben, she said, "Oh, Ben. You must be very proud."
"I am," said Ben, nodding. Noticing Shiloh and Evelyn on their way down the stairs, he introduced them. "Adelaid LaRue, this is Mrs. Slater, Robert's wife. And you probably know this young lady as Isabella Whitney."
"Well, I don't know her. Only of her. Forgive me, but you seem too small to have such a big voice," said Miss LaRue.
Maintaining her smile, Shiloh glanced uncomfortably over at Ben who explained, "Miss LaRue bought out Mrs. Riley."
Shiloh's eyes widened. "I didn't know Mrs. Riley sold the music store."
"She said she was getting too old to run it all by herself," said Miss LaRue. "It seemed the perfect opportunity rather than starting a new business. I hadn't planned on selling instruments and such, but the sales from that sort of thing will help."
"What were you planning to do if not sell musical equipment and supplies?" asked Shiloh.
"I teach music and voice lessons," Miss LaRue answered.
"Oh," said Shiloh politely. "Well, good luck."
Shiloh began to walk away, when Miss LaRue spoke. "Miss Whitney, I was hoping to speak with you about…well, about referrals."
Bowing her head, Shiloh folded her lips before she spoke. Looking up, she smiled, "It's Mrs. Cartwright."
Miss LaRue's face turned to surprise. "Mrs. Cartwright? Ben, I assumed…"
"No, Adelaid. You misunderstand," chuckled Ben. "Shiloh is Adam's wife…my daughter-in-law."
Fanning herself, Adelaid turned slightly red. "Oh, please forgive me. All of you. Shiloh?"
"There's nothing to forgive. And yes, Shiloh…Shiloh Isabella Whitney…Cartwright," said Adam with a wide grin as he took Shiloh's hand and placed it on his forearm.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to help much with referrals," said Shiloh. "I don't teach, and I really don't know anyone at the moment who's looking for lessons. But I did purchase score sheets from Mrs. Riley, so I will be able to give you some business. "Perhaps I can drop by the shop the next time I'm in town."
"Oh, I'd appreciate hearing you sing," said Adelaid. "I'm afraid I've never been able to see any of your performances, but I did hear you at the Presidio…from a distance. That's why I mentioned your voice. I heard you from quite a distance."
Ben patted her hand. "You'll get to hear her tonight. Isn't that right, Shiloh?"
Shiloh's nostrils flared for just a split second, leaving her hoping Ben hadn't noticed. "Yes, of course."
