After leaving the Gold Hill bank in a rather smug mood, Adam made a quick stop at the local jewelers for a couple of special gifts before joining Johnny for the short ride to Virginia City. At the Virginia City Bank, the needed money was transferred to Johnny's account and then, at the land office, The Running J's deed was transferred over to Adam's name. Standing outside on the boardwalk, Adam stared down at the formal paper with the name, Adam Stoddard Cartwight, scrolled across the top in ornate script. He could not believe that he was the owner of a ranch and it was turning his insides to jelly, he felt hot, cold, frozen and melted all at the same time.

Johnny slapped his friend on the back and offered to treat them both to some drinks at the saloon for a private celebration. They met up accidentally with Hoss, out buying ranch supplies, and invited him along. After a cool beer, the three split up; Johnny stayed to talk with other friends, Hoss headed to the general store and Adam rode on his way to his next destination.

Those drinks coupled with the residual excitement from the paper resting in his coat pocket made for a man that was relaxed and whistling while riding to The Helping Hand. Adam couldn't wait to tell his fiancée about everything that had happened during the last few days and especially about the newly-acquired ranch. Per an idea given by Johnny earlier, Adam thought he had just the right place to break the happy news to her. He grinned at the thought. Dismounting outside of Evangeline's restaurant, he then frowned though at seeing no other horses tethered to the hitching posts.

I* * * * *I

Elvira Clery shuffled to the door and peeked through the red-checkered curtains. Sighing, she turned to her employer and friend sitting at one of the many empty tables in the dining room of The Helping Hand. Evangeline rose and went to the big kitchen for a wet cloth. When she returned, the young woman worked at cleaning the already spotless tabletops and straightening the unused table settings. Her hands shook slightly and the elderly widow noticed this.

Elvira shuffled over to her and gently took the rag from her trembling hands. "Ya better sit back down, Ma'am. Let Ellie finish this up for ya."

Evangeline sat heavily in a chair and rested her head in her right hand. As much as she tried to fight it, tears pushed their way to the surface of her eyes and trickled down her cheeks. The aging widow came over from her tasks to hug the girl. "There, there...now, Ma'am, ya can't let it get ya down. It's been a good day and you've done right fine by yerself."

Evangeline sniffled and smiled through her tears. "You're right, Ellie. I'm just being silly..."

"No, no, Ma'am, you're disappointed, is all. Would ya like a cup o' tea?"

Evangeline smiled tearfully and nodded. "Might as well, Ellie. Seems not much else is going to be made in that kitchen today."

Elvira disappeared through a swinging door into the next room while Evangeline collected herself. Another tear escaped down her right cheek which she impatiently brushed aside. The front door opened in the main part of the house and a deep voice called, "Hello, is anyone here? Evangeline?"

Evangeline jumped up in surprise and hastily wiped her eyes and under her nose with her apron. She bravely put her shoulders back and walked quickly through the two adjoining rooms to the source of the voice. A grin lit her fiancé's face upon seeing her and he stepped forward.

"Oh, woman, I missed ya!"

In one motion, he sent his hat to land in a stuffed chair and swept her into his arms. Her troubles were temporarily drowned in his loving embrace as he kissed her as a man would who had been starved of her presence. Adam lifted her by the waist and spun around, bringing her with him, her skirt rustled as her feet left the floor in a gentle arc. She gasped in her throat as he chuckled, the kiss was not broken although her arms stole around his neck for support.

When Adam set Evangeline back on her feet, she swatted his arm playfully. "Adam Cartwright, you're impossible! Anyone could walk in on us for all you know."

"Do you want me to do it again?"

Grinning, Adam moved to lift her up again but she laughed and shrieked, "Put me down, you rascal!"

He laughed and disengaged his arms from around her. He winked and apologized, "Sorry, sweetheart, I guess I got carried away."

Evangeline giggled and put her arms around his neck again. "I should say you did, but, I didn't mind...not really...I missed you too, my love..."

She kissed him softly and then he drew back with a twinkle in his beautiful eyes. "Aren't you still worried about witnesses?"

"Ellie is the only one around right now...," she sighed and moved away to stand with her back to him.

Worried, Adam put his hands on her shoulders and spoke kindly, "What is it, Angie? Aren't you feeling well?"

Evangeline bit her lip until she was sure she tasted blood."Oh, no...nothing's wrong like that...it's just that..."

Her resolve failing, Evangeline turned to be held in his arms as she sobbed. He was forming an idea now about what was amiss based on the calm in the house. Sniffling after a few minutes, she quieted and relished being close to him. His shirt smelled of trail dust, sweat and a little whiff of men's cologne mixed in; a mixture of smells that delighted and soothed. Smiling through her tears, she looked up into his handsome and concerned face. Adam kissed her forehead and dried the wetness on her cheeks with a clean handkerchief.

"Now, what is the matter?"

"I'm embarrassed to admit it but...there has been not one customer all day. I put an advertisement in the newspaper a week ago, even told a few people at church but no one has come. What shall I do if I can't earn money from the restaurant? I don't want to run this place on Poppa's charity."

His lips pouting somewhat, Adam's face then dawned with an idea. "Wait right here, Angie, and don't go anywhere. I'll be right back."

Adam retrieved his hat but Evangeline's voice stopped his exit out the door,"Where do you think you're going? You haven't answered my question, Adam!"

"Don't worry, just be patient," he pecked her on the lips and then was gone. Irritation hovering close to the surface from the whole morning's fruitlessness, Evangeline threw her hands in the air. Elvira came out of the kitchen and was just in time to hear, "Men! Exasperating, the whole lot of them!"

Ellie fought a smile but her motherly side came through as she came to pat the other woman's arm."Now, honey, that's not true all the time and ya know it. That's some man ya got there and he wouldn't have left without a mighty good reason. Do as he says."

Sufficiently chastised by her friend, Evangeline told herself to calm down, that Ellie was right, but as the empty minutes ticked by and ten minutes stretched into a half hour, the younger woman was becoming more and more incensed. Not just at Adam but at the whole world, she was so sick of doing her best and it not paying off that she considered giving up but that made her more irritated so she banished that idea. She was about to comment distastefully when the dining room door's bell was sent nearly ringing off its hook. The two women hurried out and their astonished eyes were met by almost a dozen men entering, led by a grinning Adam and his bigger brother.

The men except for the Cartwright brothers all took seats and filled two-thirds of the dining area. Hoss approached the flabbergasted Evangeline with a huge grin on his face. "Miss Evangeline, we're powerful hungry! I hear tell that this is the best joint in town for what ails us."

Evangeline let out a joyous laugh and clapped her hands together. "Of course, Hoss! Ellie, come on, we've got some orders to fill!"

The two women returned to the kitchen in haste. Elvira began taking cooking supplies from the cupboards and stoking stove fires while Evangeline opened a drawer filled with her supply of small sheets of paper and pencils. She was surprised when Adam came up behind her and took a set of writing material as well. Evangeline protested his help but he smiled and winked.

"Told you not to worry. Let me help."

"Oh, Adam, you beautiful man, I'm so sorry for being angry with you..."

Not caring if the busy cook saw them or not, Evangeline hugged her fiancé with fervor. He smiled at her again and tied a white apron around himself. They all three got busy getting orders, preparing food and waiting on the tables. Several more customers came in over the course of the next three hours and kept the toilers hopping with work as order after order was completed.

Over the course of the afternoon, Evangeline watched with fond love as her man supported her dreams by working right along beside her in doing "woman's work". He received a few ridicules and rousing laughter from some mischievous male customers but he continued on for her sake and it choked her throat with tears to watch him do it. Seeing her handsome betrothed balancing trays of plates and drinks, she knew that she didn't deserve him but she also knew that she had been chosen by him. Adam's face dimpled discreetly at her from across the room at that moment and the word "blessed" was the only thought that could pass through her mind.