Once they were alone at last, Adam turned his head to Evangeline with the grin still firmly on his face, as if it would be a permanent fixture from then on. Suddenly feeling shy, she didn't say a word but averted her eyes as she gathered up a dry towel and moved behind him. With the greatest of care, she removed the excess oil from his skin, careful not to press too hard. Waiting for the right moment, Adam let her do this and also refrained from speaking until she finished. He seized his chance. Capturing one of her hands, he pulled her into his arms suddenly when she tried to walk away. She struggled at first, overwhelmed by being pressed against his bare chest and having his dark eyes make tracks over her face, as if he was trying to memorize every detail of her features.
"Adam, we mustn't, it isn't proper and you know it," she whispered half-heartedly but was ignored, her protests becoming muffled in his mouth. Giving up, she allowed herself to be carried away on a cloud of bliss, lost in him and his loving grip. Her hands ran over his shoulders, moving to clasp behind his neck, her head tilting to meet his kiss at a fresh angle. A moan broke from her lungs and she tickled her fingers down his chest slowly, feeling the coarse hair and smiling when he shivered. Breaking apart at last, she kept her eyes closed as Adam's touch left. She felt a soft caress on her chin and opened them in time to see him kissing the skin just below her bottom lip. Then he glanced up slowly and the love shining from his hazel orbs made her legs go weak. As his lips found her ear, she leaned her head back and sighed, her fingers lightly caressing his elbows.
"Oh, Adam, what would have become of me if I hadn't found you?"
He chuckled, his hot breath at her throat causing her to be the one to shiver. "You never have to imagine such a life because I'm here...I'm here...I'm here...I am...here."
Each repetition was punctuated by feathery kisses that traveled across her cheeks, her nose, to her forehead and back down to her mouth. His name left her lips in a whisper as Adam leaned close for one more kiss. When he did drop his arms to rest back against the table, his grin had returned. Quite flushed, Evangeline leaned against him for a short time, happy to be given his full attention once again after so many other concerns had stolen it for the last two days. She drew back in time and he cupped her face within large but infinitely gentle hands.
"I've missed you, Angie...oh, God, but I wish I could marry you right now, this very second, this same breath. I am tired of holding you and being called improper. My love for you is pure. I am sick of waiting."
Her eyes narrowing in thought, Evangeline found the courage to say what she had wanted to earlier. She enveloped him in a hug, cuddling close and resting her forehead in the crook of his neck. "Why do we have to wait, my darling? Tell me because I see no good reason to remain apart. I want to get married today."
Adam's eyes widened from over her shoulder. He drew back, looking square into her honest, innocent eyes. "What are you suggesting? We can't...can we? No, it's impossible. What about the guests? And the ceremony at our special spot on the cliff? And your dress that you were so excited about...and your father..."
"No, darling, no, now listen, listen. We don't need to have a wedding right now, just Pastor Hogan to officiate. In time, when you are healed and we are settled at the Running J then we could have a proper ceremony with the party and all the trimmings. I will still wear my dress, of course, for the vows and Poppa can give me away. The guests...well, most of them are local so we can let them know in a hurry. The few out-of-towners may have to settle for sampling local color before returning home."
"You have an answer for everything, don't you?" Adam chuckled, his head dipping to kiss her quickly. With careful movements, he stood on shaky legs. Instead of addressing the former conversation, he focused on walking. "Could you help me behind the changing screen? I really should get totally decent before we continue discussing this."
A little confused and put out at his diverting tactics, Evangeline nevertheless assisted him in his wishes. After Adam was settled in an armchair, she collected his clothes and handed them to him though she kept the black shirt for herself so as to hold the garment while he shrugged it on. He buttoned the fabric together. Without a word, she left him to his dressing and stepped outside, casting a silhouette on the screen as she waited anxiously. Adam paused in his task and studied the feminine shadow, his uncertainty pulling his resolve to and fro. While elated at the thought of being a husband before nightfall, he also had been looking forward to giving her a beautiful day she would never forget. The fight was strong in him but he soon made his decision. His mind made up, he struggled into his jeans and did up his belt. Then he sat perplexed, staring at his boots and having no worldly idea how to put them on. A few minutes passing in silence, his fiancée soon grew irritable.
"Are you decent yet?" Evangeline's impatient voice drifted through to his ears.
"Yes, but I can't seem to be able to reach my boots. A little help?"
Rolling her eyes, she popped around into sight, an amused smile replacing the frown upon viewing Adam's bare feet and embarrassed expression. Shaking her head and laughing softly, she knelt in front of him and took his left foot into her gentle grasp. "I declare you are as bad as a newborn babe at times," she teased, enjoying the blush that tinted his cheeks as she rolled on his sock followed by the offending boot. Finishing with the other set, she returned his second leg to rest on the floor and looked up when his hand touched her hair.
Adam smiled and pulled her up. "Come here."
Once she was nestled on his lap, he laid her head on his shoulder and begin softly, "I am touched that you would be so willing to give up the wedding on my account and I am sorely tempted. The thought of having you as my wife before the night is out drives me crazy. I want to say yes but..."
"But? But what? What is there to talk about? I want to be your wife. I don't understand why you are being so stubborn about my wishes."
Her voice was sullen and she made to stand up but he held her fast, raising her chin so that her eyes were focused on his. "But, from now on, you are my first priority and that responsibility starts with a proper wedding. I feel I have been a sorry protector and that changes from this minute forward. Our wedding will not be a slipshod affair and not containing any sacrifice from you. Look at me," he commanded in a whisper. She obeyed and met his gaze again. His fingers caressed her cheek and she found herself mesmerized; frozen and aching to hear his voice again. He continued, "I want a day in which you fully realize how much I cherish you...how much I adore you and the extent to which you can put your full trust in me. You have done so much and gone through so much over the last month, most you shouldn't have had to endure. Allow me the pleasure of taking the lead for your well-being. I have told you that I trust you completely and I need to show you now that you can feel the same towards me. Please? Will you let me treasure you, angel?"
Tears coursed down Evangeline's cheeks, sobs overtaking her and she collapsed against his chest. Confused and guilty, Adam could only kiss away the droplets as they appeared and then vanished under his tenderness. When she calmed and was still, he didn't know what to say so remained silent, holding her tight against himself and resting the side of her head upon hers. At length, she moved only enough to send her fingers in search of his nearest hand. Upon finding it, she brought it between them and kissed each knuckle slowly, the last of her tears falling on his palm as she turned his hand over. Looking up into his eyes, she used both her small hands to close his fingers into a fist. He kept her gaze on her face, unsure of what was happening. Smiling through the misty haze, she pressed her cheek against the fist.
"You have always had my trust and my heart. Is there anything more to be said, dearest one?"
Adam looked mystified until a beautiful smile grew, his dimples appearing to greet her. "Can I kiss you now, woman?"
"I thought you would never ask..." Evangeline giggled through her tears as she was enveloped by the power of his love. Something in the kiss felt different this time, better and even more fulfilling, if that was indeed possible. Neither partner was keen to return to the real world but the time soon came when there was a knock on the door.
"Adam?" Ben's voice sifted through, "Hoss and Joe are here with the wagon. You ready for me to help you outside?"
Still gazing into Evangeline's eyes, Adam sighed and she nodded in resignation. He couldn't resist one last kiss, then she left his lap and helped him to his feet. Steadying himself on her arm, he stood straight and turned to the closed door. "Sure, Pa, come on in. We were only talking while we waited."
Ben entered and a snarky grin appeared when he noticed Evangeline's reddened cheeks as she stood by his son's side. "I am sure that 'talking' was all you were doing, boy. Adam, after being married three times, do you think I don't know what a woman who has been kissed looks like?"
"I...uh...well, I..." Adam stammered and looked at Evangeline, their guilty eyes meeting.
"Hurry up, you two," Ben demanded though his eyes twinkled merrily, "You have the rest of your lives for cooing over each other."
"Yes, sir," Adam laughed, a joyful sound that filled the room with emotional light.
"Put your arm around me, son...that's it, take you time. We have all day if need be. Don't rush now."
Step by tentative step, Adam was assisted by his father out the door, Evangeline staying close and fretting the whole way. His brothers were waiting by the wagon and Joe lit up upon seeing his eldest brother. Hoss hung back, a small smile on his face but more reserved than he should have been. Ben noticed but didn't comment just yet, having his hands full already. He decided to wait and try to speak to his middle boy on the way home.
On the other hand, Joe was thrilled to be innocently in the moment, happy to have his family together again. He jumped down from the wagon seat and took Adam's free arm. "I see you're still in one piece, older brother. Should have known you are too dang pig-headed to be kept down for long!"
Adam cast his eyes over Joe's body, his troubled gaze settling on the purple bruises adorning the younger man's face and neck. His hand reached out to turn Joe's head for a clearer view and the ugly sight turned his stomach. His hand moved to settle on his brother's slim shoulder.
"I'm sorry about that, Joe. I should have predicted how treacherous the gang was and not have let you go off by yourself."
Joe blinked, surprised at the tender tone of his brother's words. Adam wasn't one to allow his true emotions to surface often but he seemed to be becoming more prone to doing just that of late. This was new and a little disconcerting. Growing uncomfortable, Joe merely mumbled a dismissal and wrapped Adam's arm around his shoulders to help him to the back of the wagon. Scores of pillows and blankets had been arranged on the wooden bed for comfort and Adam was soon nestled atop the soft mess. Evangeline climbed in next to him, sitting against the side so she could hold his hand in her lap. Smiles and whispers were exchanged, fingers entwining and touching discreetly.
While Frank and Joe took their places at the foot of the wagon so they could rest and Hoss made ready to drive home with Ben seated next to him on the wagon seat, Paul peered in at his patient. The kind doctor smiled. "Adam, I see you are in possession of the best medicine a man could have so I leave you in her care. Evangeline? Do you think you can keep him in hand?"
Evangeline glanced down at Adam and squeezed his fingers. "I don't think that he will be much more trouble. Will you?"
Adam chuckled and nodded at Paul. "I'll be the picture of obedience, Doc. Thank you for all you did. We all thank you."
"As always, it wasn't a pleasure to treat you but I am glad that I could be of some help. I'll be out tomorrow to check on your progress."
Nurse Midler came up to say goodbye and Evangeline smiled warmly. "Thank you, Mindy, I would love to get together some time for tea. You helped me keep a level head in there and I am very appreciative. If there is anything I can ever do for you, please let me know."
The young woman blushed prettily and nodded, shaking Evangeline's hand tentatively, rather awed by the grace and kindness of her peer. Her eyes drifted to Adam Cartwright and she felt a wave of envy but fought to banish it because a respect for Miss Williams had sprouted in her heart. A man like the eldest Cartwright son was exactly the right match for the strong, beautiful daughter of a rich businessman. Mindy only hoped that one day, she would find a man who looked at her in such a manner, as if he couldn't live a moment without her. Sighing with a dreamy smile, the nurse returned to the office and watched from a window as the wagon rumbled down the street and with a final look, she returned to her duties. A song came to her mind and before she knew it, she was humming to herself. Engrossed in her daydreams, she quietly went about changing the mussed sheets on the bed which had belonged to Adam when she found a beautiful white bonnet under it. She gasped as she drew it out, admiring the fluttering pink silk attachment. Immediately, she knew who the owner was. Folding it neatly, she put it to the side and resolved to visit the Ponderosa later that day, after her shift was over. A ride through fresh air and beautiful countryside might be just the thing to clear her head of all these lonely thoughts.