Chapter 9

Adam was not a very good patient. He was grouchy, complaining, irritable, nothing was right. He was driving Rebecca nuts in so many ways. It was to the point where she was afraid to go to their room to check on him. He had been in that bed for three days now. Even Ben, Hoss and Joe were not to anxious to go in and see him when they came in for supper. It seemed that the only one who could and would go into Adam's room was Hop Sing. And Hop Sing wouldn't take any guff from number one son.

"You eat-you drink-take medicine-no give Missy Rebecca trouble-she nice lady-you not nice."

"Hop Sing, what the devil have I done to Rebecca?"

"You make cry-you yell."

"I didn't yell at her. I simply- Well, maybe I raised my voice a little. I certainly didn't mean for her to cry. Where is she any way?"

"She no want see you. She go to town with father."

"Oh man."

"You rest now. Maybe be better mood when Missy get home."

"Ya alright."

Adam slept for almost three hours after Hop Sing yet again put his medicine in his coffee.

Rebecca and Pa arrived home shortly after and carried their parcels in the house. Rebecca bought a new shirt for Adam and Pa told her to get some thing nice for herself. So she picked out a Sunday dress with lace on the collar and sleeves and a ruffled hem line. She didn't know weather to show it to Adam or not. Not knowing what kind of mood he would be in. She was going to talk to Hop Sing.

~0~

"Hop Sing, may I talk to you for a moment?'

"Yes Missy Rebecca."

"How doe's Adam seem to you today?"

"Hard tell. I talk to him, tell him not yell no more, be nice to you."

"Oh well, thank you for that Hop Sing. I was just wondering if it was safe to go in and see him or not."

"He your husband. You go see."

"I know Hop Sing. I should just go in and see him. I miss him."

"He love you, you love him."

"Yes Hop Sing, you're right on both counts."

~0~

Rebecca took her new dress and Adam's new shirt and ventured into the guest room where Adam and Rebecca were still staying.

"Well hello there. You're a welcome sight."

"Really?"

"Rebecca, of course you are. Sweetheart, come here please."

"Alright Adam. I got you something."

"Oh, what is it?"

"A new shirt. Do you like it?"

"Very nice. Thank you sweetheart."

"And Pa told me to get something nice for myself. So I picked out this to wear to Church on Sunday."

"Rebecca, that's beautiful. I really like it. Hopefully I'll be able to go with you on Sunday and I'll wear my new shirt."

"That would be wonderful Adam. How do you feel now?"

"I'm feeling much better. My head doesn't hurt any longer when I move it. My ribs seem to be better, as for my leg, I think it's doing pretty good also."

"That's wonderful Adam. Maybe Paul will let you start to get up for a while to try to walk."

"Oh that would be so nice."

"Yes it would, for all of us."

"Rebecca, Hop Sing said I made you cry. I'm so sorry I did that. I certainly didn't mean to."

"Adam, you just have been so difficult lately. I never know what to expect from you."

"And for that, I'm very sorry also. I'm a very bad patient."

"Yes you are."

"So, am I forgiven?'

"Of course you are Adam."

"Can I have a kiss?"

"Of course you can." Rebecca put her arms around his neck and gave him a deep passionate kiss

"Oh thank you sweetheart. I plan on being upstairs in our room by Sunday and resuming our intimate part of our marriage."

"Oh Adam, I have so missed that."

"So have I darling. So have I."

~0~

The rest of the week went good for Adam. Dr. Martin gave permission for Adam to get out of bed and start walking using a cane but not to overdue it and no riding yet. Adam and Rebecca had moved back to Adam's room and on Sunday they all went to Church together as a family.

"You look beautiful in your new dress Rebecca."

"Thank you Adam. And you look so handsome in your new shirt."

"Well, are we ready to go now?"

"I am."

"Let's go then."

~0~

The Cartwrights made their way into the Church and took up the first two benches in the front.

Hoss had found a new Lady friend and had met up with her at Church. Joe had his eye on a Lady friend now for a couple of months and this Sunday she agreed to sit with him and his family. Ben was quite proud of his sons now that they all had a Lady by their side.

After the service was over Ben had asked his son's to invite their new Lady friends to dinner with the family at the International House dinning room as it was Hop Sing's day off to spend with his family.

When they all came outside Roy caught up with Ben and Adam.

"Ben, Adam, can I talk ta ya a minute?"

"Yes Roy, what is it?"

"Well, now that Adam is up and around the judge wants to get that trial underway with those three rustlers."

"That's fine Roy. When?"

"Well Adam, when ever you say."

"The sooner the better. We'd like to get along with our lives."

"Alright then, I'll let him know. Probably be this week sometime."

"Just let us know."

"OK, well, have a good day now."

The family continued on to the International.

~0~

"Hoss, Joe, would you like to introduce your Ladies to us?"

"Oh ya right Pa. This is Margie. Margie, my Pa, and my other brother Adam and his wife Rebecca and my younger brother Joe."

"And this is Angie."

"Well, welcome Margie, Angie. Come on in and lets have some dinner shall we."

~0~