Chapter Twenty-Five

Shiloh rushed Adam out the door Friday morning, anxious to get to town to meet the noon stage. "The stagecoach won't be there any earlier just because we are," laughed Adam.

She looked up at him with big, round, blue eyes, reminding him of the little girl he used to gently tease. "I know, I know, but can we just go? Please?"

When they arrived in Virginia City, the stagecoach wasn't due for another half hour, but to Shiloh's delight, it arrived early. "Look, it's here," she said excitedly, grabbing Adam's arm and shaking him awake. He had leaned back, propped his feet up on the front of the buggy and dozed off.

He jumped, looking back at her with one eyebrow raised. "All right, I'm awake." He exited the buggy, went around to help her down, and by the time they walked over to the stage office, the stagecoach had stopped, and the step had been put down under the door.

The first passenger out was Edwin Booth. Shiloh rushed forward to greet him with a hug, while Adam helped Annie out of the stagecoach. "You must be Miss Walters."

Before she could do much more than acknowledge him, Shiloh turned, and the two women embraced as if it had been years since they'd seen each other instead of months.

Adam and Edwin stood facing each other, talking over the girl's heads. "How was the trip?" asked Adam.

"I don't think I've ever been on a more harrowing ride," answered Edwin. "That road was…well, let's just say it's questionable whether it should even be called a road."

Adam laughed. "I know it well."

"Adam, this is Annie Walters, my roommate from college. Annie, Adam Cartwright," said Shiloh.

"Mr. Cartwright," she said nodding.

Adam felt as if she was shooting daggers at him with her eyes. Why, he had no idea. "Miss Walters," he said, tipping his hat. "It's a long ride back to the ranch. I thought we could have lunch in town."

"Splendid," said Edwin. "I'm famished."

The two women walked arm in arm toward the International House in front of Edwin and Adam, speaking in low voices so they wouldn't be heard. "Shiloh, I don't know how you expect me to be civil to him," said Annie. "I don't know how you tolerate him."

"It's very easy, Annie. He's in charge of the trust my father put the ranch in. I have no choice but to put up with him. Besides, we reached…an understanding, I think."

"How do you mean?"

"Adam didn't kill Micah. He didn't pull the trigger. Raymond Horton did."

"But you said Adam could have prevented it."

"From my perspective he should have. But from a man's point of view, he was bound by what he was taught. How can I fault him for behaving like a man?"

"Are you saying you've forgiven him?"

"I'm not sure it's exactly that. I have stopped dwelling on it…for the most part."

"Edwin, why didn't you tell Shiloh you wanted her to go to San Francisco with you?" asked Adam.

"I don't know how much you know about Isabella's contemplative habits, but I didn't want to give her enough time to talk herself out of it once you talk her into it."

Adam stopped walking. "What do you mean once I talk her into it?"

"Well, she's very comfortable telling me no. As far as her performing, she has no experience sparring with you."

"She has lots of experience sparring with me about other things. I don't see how performing will be any different."

"I'm sure you'll have fresher arguments than my tired old approach."

"You snake," said Adam irritably.

"Some things never change, my good man."

When they reached the International House, the men escorted Shiloh and Annie inside. Because it was Friday, the restaurant was crowded. Still, they waited only a few minutes for a seat at a window. Once their drinks were served, they talked while waiting for their food.

"Annie, what brings you to San Francisco?" Shiloh asked. "I thought you were waiting to hear from Geneva."

"It seems Geneva isn't accepting any more women than they currently have. There's a two year waiting list. And since Mother passed, I thought I'd come out West." Annie held her hand out to Shiloh. "At least, I could be close to you. Through Lucy's contacts, I'll be working with a doctor in San Francisco until I can find another medical school that will accept me."

"Lucy?" asked Adam.

"I'm sorry. Lucy Stone, a friend of ours from Boston," said Annie.

Adam took a deep breath then let it out quietly. He had thought that he may have dodged a women's rights bullet with Shiloh, but the subject seemed to keep coming up. He drew his lips into a thin line, nodded and looked at Edwin. "There's a dance in town tonight if you and Annie are up for it. It won't be like anything you saw in Boston, but you'll get to see and hear a little local color. When we get to the Ponderosa, you both can rest for a while before we leave."

"Thank you, Adam, but I won't be staying at the Ponderosa. I need to be in town for auditions. But it sounds wonderful," said Edwin. "How about it, Annie?"

"Oh, I suppose it might be interesting. But what kind of dancing is it? I may not have brought an appropriate dress with me."

Adam and Shiloh looked at each other and laughed, and Shiloh patted her hand. "You'll be fine. It's not that kind of a dance."