Chapter Thirty-Eight

Shiloh didn't let the subject of Prescott drop. She continued to make her varied points while they dressed for dinner. Adam listened, silently pleased that she was almost passionately stating her case; another sign that she was improving, but he was also concerned that in her present state, with her lack of confidence, someone could and eventually would take advantage of her.

"Adam, I don't need a nursemaid. If I had cowered at every difficult situation that came my way, I wouldn't be singing or training horses. I probably wouldn't even be married to you, if you think about it." Adam remained silent all through her rant. "You've been shoring me up long enough. It's time I started standing on my own two feet again, especially with the horses, if they're still mine."

Adam had dressed in black slacks and was just putting on a white shirt. "The horses will always be yours. They aren't at issue here. But just an hour ago, you were in tears because you were afraid of what Prescott will say to you."

"Don't you do things even though you're afraid?"

"This is different. A man like Prescott will use your feelings against you, and right now, Sweetheart, your feelings are raw." He looked over at her while he pulled on his waistcoat. She had finished all the layers of under garments and had slipped her corset on. Moving behind her, he pulled the cord and tied it. "Shiloh, I have no doubt that under normal circumstances, you would chew a man like Prescott up and spit him out in little pieces and probably have him smiling while you do it." He turned her around and held her arms. "But you are not ready."

She didn't sulk or pout. She just looked defeated. "I'll never be able to stand on my own two feet again if you never let me."

"You're not ready."

"So what if I fail? What if I let him get to me? I've always been able to pick myself back up. It's just taking a little longer this time."

At that moment, he was quite proud of her, and even happier her passion was back in her eyes. He sighed. "I'm going with you."

"What if you're at the courthouse site when he wants to meet?"

"Then Micah can go with you. I don't want you to go alone." She twisted her mouth angrily, and he quickly drew her into him. With a libidinous smile, he said, "Have I ever told you how beautiful you are when you're angry?" He didn't wait for an answer. He held her tightly against him and kissed her, and though she struggled in anger, she soon gave in, moving her hands under his arms and up to his shoulders. "That was nice," he said, giving her another quick kiss. "Now, can we forget about this for the evening and enjoy dinner?" He turned her toward the closet. "Finish getting dressed. We're late."

xxxxxxxx

"I feel bad about leaving Micah behind," said Shiloh, moving the curtain in the coach window aside to look out.

"He's a big boy. He can find something to do. You know as well as I that bringing him would not only have been impolite, but awkward for him and the Slaters. He has nothing to do with Slater, Cartwright and Slater."

"I do know that, Adam. I still feel bad."

"I hope you don't expect him to be around all the time. He is a grown man, and he'll want to make a life for himself."

"Then why isn't he?"

Adam snorted and smiled. "Do I really need to explain that?"

Drawing the corner of her mouth in, she replied, "No."

The coach came to a stop, and in another minute, the coach door opened. Adam stepped out and turned for Shiloh's hand. She reached up for his shoulder with her left hand which prompted him to hold her and lower her down gently on her injured ankle. He also noticed that her hand wasn't bandaged. He held it and glared down at her. "I didn't think it would hurt tonight. I'm not really doing anything but eating. I just didn't want to draw attention to it."

He raised his eyebrows, shook his head, and put her hand over his arm. "Shall we?" Escorting her up the steps to the front door, he raised his hand to knock, and before he rapped his knuckles, the door opened.

"Adam, Shiloh, please come in," said Robert. He led them to the parlor where Evelyn greeted them in a dress with an empire waistline.

Shiloh smiled warmly at Evelyn and took her hands. "I think all you needed to do was talk about it," she whispered, making Evelyn giggle. "You're obviously quite happy." After exchanging greetings, the women drifted to two chairs away from the men, but before they could talk, Robert delivered two glasses of champagne, and then excused himself.

Handing a glass to Adam, Robert looked back over at the women. "How's Shiloh doing, Adam?"

"Still recovering, but she's getting better every day."

"I don't know if you've been reading the San Francisco newspapers, but I'm afraid that lately, they've not had kind things to say. The powerful in this city liked Stewart. He got things done."

"Is that causing repercussions for the firm?"

"No. They seem to separate you from the incident in Virginia City. I understand, though, that you were shot."

"Yes, but it had nothing to do with Stewart. It seems there's someone else who would like to see me dead."

"Any idea who?"

"Nothing definite, but I have a feeling it might have to do with gold and silver we found on the ranch property. Apparently someone had it assayed and was planning to mine it out from under us. While we're here, I'll be meeting with George Hearst. His company owns the land right next to our north boundary where the vein is located. What have you heard about the courthouse?"

"Our courthouse is a source of pride for the city, and you're name still gets mentioned at the drop of a hat. There's been absolutely no trouble with the foundation, and the city is holding its collective breath to hear the results of your inspection."

"Shiloh's supposed to go to Maguire's tomorrow to practice while I'm at the construction site. Is there something I need to be aware of before I leave her there?"

"The city is split. Those that respected Stewart are mostly the prominent businessmen while those claiming he got what he deserved are their wives. You each made an impression while you were here in March. It would appear that Shiloh's attack has caused a rift in more than one marriage here. There will be those who have some unkind things to say."

"Did any of those articles get it right?"

"By right, I assume you mean that Shiloh was kidnapped and attacked, and while Stewart was in the process of beating her to death, someone shot him. That article was written by your friend, Mark Twain. He's the only one. The rest are milking it."

"Do you know anything about Terrance Prescott?"

"I do. Why?"

"He inquired about horses. Shiloh brought some to show him."

"He will be brutal to her. He and Stewart were friends. I might even suggest that he's more interested in humiliating her than buying her horses." Adam puckered his mouth and steamed. "What about Tom Maguire?"

"I'm not worried about Tom. He's fond of her. I don't think he'll allow any of his people to show any disrespect."

"Well, maybe spending the next two days at Maguire's isn't a bad idea then. But if I were you, I wouldn't leave her alone anywhere in the city."

"Good evening everyone," said Daniel cheerfully as he walked into the parlor. I hope I'm not too terribly late." The women looked up, and he bowed to them before walking over to Adam and Robert. "Adam, I see you're alive and well. I understand you were shot."

"Yes, but as you said, I'm alive and well."

"Excuse me, Sir, but dinner is served," said the Slater's butler.

"Well, shall we?" said Robert as he and Adam approached the women and escorted them to the dining room.

Once everyone was served, the conversation turned to Shiloh. "Shiloh, I understand you'll be practicing for some upcoming performances while you're here," said Robert.

"Yes, I will. My first performance is in Sacramento in August, but I've not had a chance to exercise my voice since our wedding. Though I do practice at home, I don't really exercise my full range unless I sing with an orchestra. It forces me to project my voice."

Evelyn replaced her glass of wine and dabbed her mouth with her napkin. "I apologize for being forward, but I would dearly love to watch you practice."

Shiloh smiled. "I'll leave word with Tom Maguire that you'll be there. You won't have any trouble getting in." Adam had been watching Shiloh with Evelyn all evening. She seemed to enjoy Evelyn's company and appeared to be more at ease now than he had seen her in weeks.

"Robert, did you make any corrections to the last set of drawings I sent for the commercial building in Jackson Square?" asked Adam.

"No, as a matter of fact, I've already sent them in and gotten an answer. They'll be clearing the whole block and want some accompanying drawings for two additional buildings. Once they get those, they'll send them back East to their owner, and if he approves them we'll get the block. But with the Salt Lake project, can you handle two more sets of plans?"

"I'll manage," said Adam, grinning. "If you have the specifications, I'll take them with me."

"You are a busy man, I must say," said Daniel. "A toast to our newest partner, who because of his courthouse has brought an increasing amount of work our way."

Everyone raised their glass. Shiloh caught Adam's eyes and smiled adoringly. When he narrowed his eyes, looking back at her with a slight upturn of his lips, Evelyn winked at Robert and nodded inconspicuously toward Adam, and then at Shiloh.

Before the evening was over, Adam had his new specifications, Robert and Adam agreed to ride to the courthouse site together, Evelyn and Shiloh had caught up on Evelyn's plans for the Slater's newest family member who would be arriving in about four months, and most importantly, Daniel behaved himself, offering only praise for Adam's involvement with the firm and compliments to Shiloh.

Daniel left soon after the Cartwrights said their goodbyes, and Robert and Evelyn stood considering each other. "Do you have any idea what Daniel is up to?" asked Evelyn.

"No, my dear, but we both know it can't be anything good. I'll have to keep an eye on him."