CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

CURIOSITY, part one

"So," Candy said, shifting in his saddle, already grinning at the outcome of his lengthy story, "she walked over to the table, and when old man Archer looked up, she said . . ."

"Something's wrong!" Joe interrupted, the sight of the familiar buggy sitting in the middle of the yard knotting his stomach.

"Hey!" Candy shouted. It's my story!"

"Something is wrong!" Joe yelled, pointing down the road. "At the house!"

"Huh?" Candy stood in the stirrups. "Isn't that the doc's buggy?"

"Yeah, that's what I mean!" Joe cried. "And Sport's in the yard. Adam's back!"

Joe and Candy urged Cochise and Scout to a gallop as they covered the ground between the knoll and the yard in front of the house.

Hearing the pounding of hoofs, Adam and Clint stepped out of the barn just in time to see the riders approach.

"ADAM!" Joe yelled.

Knowing that Joe was thinking exactly what he'd thought earlier, Adam ran to Cochise to calm his brother's fears. When he got closer, he saw the worried look on Candy's face as well. "It's alright, Pa's fine," Adam assured. He waited for Joe and Candy to dismount and thanked Clint when he agreed to take care of the horses yet again.

"Adam?" Joe asked impatiently as Candy stood behind him, eager for an answer as well.

Adam calmly repeated what he knew, his version taking a third of the time of Clint's. When he'd finished the story, they went inside to find Ben seated in his burgundy chair, wringing his hands as he fretted over the condition of the woman in his guest room.

Adam glanced at the closed door. "Paul hasn't come out yet?"

Ben shook his head. "He's been in there for more than an hour now. I know the girl fainted, but she seemed fine otherwise. It's such a warm day, I assumed she'd forgotten to have some water and was overcome by the heat. She was about to have a bite to eat when Paul arrived. But with him being in there so long . . . something must be wrong."

"Pa," Adam said, leaning against the stone of the hearth, "what does Mrs. Findley look like?"

Ben thought for a moment, wondering if his sons or Candy might know the woman. "She's quite attractive . . . long, light brown hair, slender, large blue eyes . . . maybe twenty-five years old."

"Then it is her!" Candy said, watching for Adam's reaction.

"Who?" Joe asked.

"The woman from the stage," Candy replied, his eyes still fixed on Adam. "The one Adam and I told you about."

"Pa's description does fit the woman we saw," Adam agreed. "Pa, did you know that she didn't just 'happen' to be riding on the Ponderosa?" Adam asked.

Ben shook his head, his eyes darkening with concern.

"The lady asked Clint to bring her to the ranch. She asked him to bring her to the house," Adam continued. "And when they got to the knoll, Clint says she jumped from the buggy while it was still rolling, ran closer to the knoll, and stared at the lake for awhile before she fainted. He said it was almost as if she'd been looking forward to the view."

"You think she's been here before, don't you Adam?" Joe asked. "Pa, did you recognize her?"

"No, Joe," Ben replied. "I didn't."

"Well, she must know someone here at the ranch," Candy said, "or why else would she ask Clint to bring her to the house?"

"Joe, are you sure you don't know a woman that fits the description?" Adam asked. "Someone from San Francisco?"

"No, Adam, I don't," Joe replied, "and if you're thinking she's a lady friend of mine, I certainly don't make it a habit to know married women!"

"Now, let's simmer down here," Ben said. "You're all ready to make this into some sort of sinister mystery when I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable explanation as to Mrs. Findley's visit to the Ponderosa. And when Paul comes out of there, maybe we'll get some answers."

Inside the guest room, Paul saw Amanda's lips tremble and felt her legs wobble as she leaned against his arm. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" Paul asked. Although he'd assured her that she was in perfect health, he'd also cautioned her, strongly, that unnecessary tension and worry were to be avoided – two things that he knew, in light of the situation, were unavoidable now that she was in the Cartwright home.

Amanda straightened, nodded, and exhaled sharply. "Doctor Martin, I know you're against what I've asked you to help me do, but . . ."

"Amanda," Paul said, "I'm not in agreement with your decision to place yourself under such stress after what happened this afternoon. But, I do agree that they deserve to hear the entire story, from beginning to end."

The jiggling sound of the doorknob caught the attention of everyone in the living room. The guest room door opened and, arm in arm, Amanda and Paul stepped into the room.

Ben jumped immediately to his feet and paled at the sight of Paul's serious expression as he and Amanda, holding fast to Paul's arm, walked slowly to the settee.

Candy and Adam exchanged glances, their suspicions confirmed. Joe's mouth hung open a bit as the beautiful woman gingerly seated herself, with Paul's help, on the settee. Joe looked at Candy and Adam and knew from their expressions that she was indeed the woman from town.

"Paul, I'm no doctor," Ben said, "but do you think Mrs. Findley should be up and around?"

Paul sat next to Amanda. "She's fine, Ben. She'll need to take it easy for awhile, but, for now, she's all right. Everyone, please, take a seat," he added, seemingly concerned with Ben and the others in the room as well as his patient. "Amanda has something to say."

As everyone took a seat, Ben saw that Joe didn't recognize the woman, and that Candy and Adam obviously did. The tension of the unknown saturated the room as fleeting, questioning glances darted between Ben, Adam, Joe, and Candy.

Amanda's eyes locked on Candy and the man next to him. Is that . . . It's Adam! He's home! Oh, my God! And Candy! I saw them in town yesterday! If I'd even let myself think, I would have known it was them! They're exactly as I pictured them to be!

Paul saw the tears building in Amanda's eyes. He took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. If this isn't real, Amanda Findley, if that is her name, is the best actress I've ever seen!

Amanda tore her gaze from Adam and Candy. The smallest hint of a smile crossed her lips when she looked at Joe, the stories she'd heard flooding her memory. That boyish face is just as I thought! So young, but with an inner strength behind those eyes that he may not even realize exists! Her smile slowly faded and her tears trickled onto her cheeks. I have to do this, have to give us this chance. I hope that they forgive me . . . forgive us. Bringing humiliation to this family was the last thing we wanted, but, now . . . everything has changed, and I know what I must do. Amanda clung tightly to the treasure in her palm. Here goes.

"Mr. Cartwright," she said softly, her eyes meeting Ben's, "my name is Amanda Findley. And I . . . I was in love with your son, Hoss."