Lunch went smoothly enough. Mr. Cartwright had been good company, but Adrien was almost afraid to speak. She was informed of the plan to keep her at the hotel. She did not like it, but there was not much she could do about it. She went to sleep that night praying that she would not have to go home.

She woke up the next morning with a knock at the door.

"Miss Cooper, are you awake? May I come in?" the voice on the other side asked. It was a familiar voice, but being slightly drowsy from being so quickly awakened, she could not place it.

"Just a minute please," she called through the door as she grabbed the blue dress from the chair where it had been discarded the night before.

That's not Mr. Cartwright. She thought as she unbraided her hair and brushed it. She started to braid it back, but realized she didn't have that kind of time. She quickly poured some water from the pitcher into the basin and washed her face. I wonder who that could be.

She quickly opened the door.

"I'm sorry, I came so …oh my God!" the voice said.

The sunlight streaming through the window had suddenly hit her face. It could not be, he was seeing things, but those sapphire eyes, the perfect dancer's figure, and her extensive raven locks couldn't be anyone else. He was not just wishing and hoping when Pa had said her name.

"Adrien?" He had to be sure.

She was standing dumbstruck. She knew who that voice belonged to, but how could it be? Last she heard he was… that couldn't be, he was right here in front of her…but why wasn't he… she'd thought he would at least be… but after all this time, no, she had to be imagining. But who else could that voice belong to?

She stepped closer to him. He took his hat from his head. This can't be real, she thought. His skin was well tanned from the Nevada sun, his hair was still as dark as hers and his liquid brown eyes that she had so often found herself lost in. She'd never seen such eyes before she met him. She reached up and touched his face.

"I don't believe it," she whispered, "they told me you were…" She could not finish; the tears choked her voice back.

"Told you I was what?" he asked, concern and frustration entering his voice.

"Please come in," she led him into her room, and shut the door.

"Adrien, who told you what about me?" he asked, frustration starting to tarnish the joy in his voice.

"Adam, they told me you'd been killed." she answered.

"When?" he asked confused.

"The day you were supposed to leave." A glint of a tear appeared in her eyes again.

"So that's why you never came to the station that day, I knew I should have come for you." Anger permeated his voice.

"Then, why didn't you?" she asked.

"I waited, and don't you remember the night before that? I don't think I'd ever seen you that mad," he laughed slightly remembering the fiery temper he once loved. "When you didn't come, I figured you still needed time to cool off, or you weren't coming. I was hurt, but I thought that was what you wanted."

"It doesn't matter now, just forget it. Forget all of it." She looked away him and wiped the tear away.

"I want to, but to think of what I lost because of it. I can't forget, not even if I wanted too." He came up behind her and whispered in her ear.

"You really don't want to forget any of it?" she asked curious and losing apprehension.

"I guess, a lot of things have changed for the both of us. I got a wedding invitation from you about 6 months ago," he stated, hoping to change to a lighter subject, but this one now perplexed him.

"I didn't send it. I thought you were dead," she said, surprised.

"I don't know who did, but I guessed that was why you didn't meet me that day."

"No, that was never the reason."

"I know that now." He held her in a firm embrace, the strangeness between them suddenly changed.

Oh, the smell of his skin is amazing! Its so distinctly him. I have missed this so much. She wanted to stay there in his arms and just take him in, but she resisted. It hurts too much. I can't go there.

"So, whatever happened to your wedding?"

"Don't ask."

"Long story?" Adam gave a knowing chuckle.

"Too long." Adrien answered with a slight smile. That chuckle was something she remembered often and had missed.

"Maybe one of these days you'll fill me in?" he asked, hoping to open her up.

"Adam," Adrien started with annoyance, "do you ever quit asking questions?"

"No. I must admit I'm in the dark right now though, Adrien, especially when you think about our last conversation before everything apparently fell apart. What about Re…. "

"Maybe someday, Adam, someday," she interrupted, "I'll be able to get through it all with you. I just can't right now. I thought I had a plan, but apparently the job I thought I had isn't going to be, so I probably won't be here very long."

They hugged again, and Adrien took a quick breathe to breath his smell in.

Quit it! She thought again. Get control of yourself.

"Why don't I treat you to breakfast and we will talk about that?" he asked, suddenly exuberant. His smile looked forced, like he didn't know what to do next.

"As long as you don't cook it, I'd be glad to," she answered rather matter-of-factly.

"Well, I see our sense of humor made the trip from Boston."

"You know, if you look at this place right, it is kind of …charming." Adrien stated with a light laugh. They had found a table at a charming little café off a side street.

"Charming. That's the only adjective you have for this place?"

"You always said I talked too much," she laughed.

"That was just during things that should be silent," Adam quipped.

"Now, Adam, that was never silent, and you know it."

"That wasn't completely my fault."

"Well, it wasn't all mine." Adrien breathlessly giggled. Her smile was something that Adam had especially missed.

"Adam, why did you show up at the hotel this morning?" she asked as they waited for the dishes to be cleared from the table.

"I wanted to show you something," he answered.

"You didn't even know I was here," Adrien said suspiciously.

"I wasn't sure," he explained, "but if it was you, I wanted to show you something."

"What is it, Adam?"

"You'll have to come with me."

"Well, I still have no idea how long I will be here, so let's go now!" She said putting her napkin on the table and getting up to leave.

"Easy, girl. We'll go, just go check out of that hotel first," Adam got up to leave.

"Why do I need to check out? Or do you know the decision that your father has made about the teaching job."

"No, I don't know that yet. I'm on the school board and we need to meet. You aren't leaving until then, but you aren't staying in the hotel in the meantime."

"Where am I going to stay then?"

"You'll see."

He laid the payment for breakfast on the table and they left.

"So, where are we going?" Adrien asked. They had headed down a road that went outside of town. The sun was bright, and it was a beautiful day.

"Well, I remembered how much you hated living in town, so I thought maybe you'd like this little place I have."

"Do you live there?" she asked with a worried tone.

"No, I almost did," he answered, "but plans changed. I'll have to warn you, this place isn't completely done, but it's done enough to live in."

"How 'not done' are we talking about?" she asked, this was not like him.

"There's some painting to do, flooring to finish upstairs, and some doors to hang. It's nothing really, I wouldn't have you stay there, but I know if you knew it was that close to being done then you'd shoot me for not letting you help and for making you stay in town."

"You know me all too well," she marveled at his ability to still pinpoint her personality perfectly.

"So, Adrien, you won't tell me what happened," he sighed quickly, and he went on, "I have to know. Why did you quit dancing?"

"It wasn't worth it anymore."

"But you loved it, Adrien. You loved it enough to stay there, and you had so many ideas and ways to expand your horizons. You are so talented."

"I know. I used to love it, but there was no one to take care of Rebecca while I was in rehearsals and performing. The off season was treacherous, I had to waitress to keep things going. Jess and I started singing and dancing in the cafes a bit too with John."

"Did you have enough income from your family's ranch?" Adam asked, concerned.

"Yes, and no," she answered "We had a few hiccups that I needed money for right away. I needed the extra as a distraction anyway."

"Wasn't Rebecca enough to distract you?" Adam asked.

"She wasn't someone I wanted to be around at that time, and I think you understand why."

"I do and I don't, but it's a shame. You are so talented, and you were dazzling on stage."

"Adam, you never had a negative thing to say about my dancing."

"Well, you were the only ballerina I ever knew showed personality instead of acting like a little idol to be worshipped. Your ballet mistress agreed with me as well."

"Of course, she did. She never saw anything I did as wrong…. until I stopped."

"Then maybe you shouldn't have," Adam replied and then paused, "I know there's a lot to all of this, but I had taken solace in the act that Rebecca was with you. Where is she now?"

"I was a mess. A very big mess. She went to Virginia with me at first, but when I tried to go back, I let her stay behind. I sent for her before I left and took her to Colorado. That's where she is now. If Catherine decides to go stay with her mother's family in San Francisco, then she will go with her. I figured it was time for her to know he rest of her family."

"Thank you. I couldn't help but wonder."

"Don't worry, I've made sure that she's taken care of." Adrien paused for a moment, "So when are we going to get to wherever we're going?" she asked still intrigued by this mystery.

"Actually, we're here," Adam announced as he turned the buggy in to a driveway, which seemed to lead to a wall of pine trees.

As they crossed the wall of trees, a quaint little cottage came into view. They crossed a footbridge to clear a small stream, which flowed in front of the house. It was beautiful enough to take Adrien's breath away. Adam helped her out of the buggy, and led her into the front room, then gave her a moment to look around.

"So…. what do you think?" Adam asked, hopeful.

"It's perfect," she answered, "It's a little bigger than I need. Are you sure you want me to live here?"

"Of course, I do," he answered.

"If you have this, then why aren't you staying here?" Adrien asked as she stepped on the porch and looked out at the view.

"I live at the Ponderosa, Adrien."

"How could you when you have a house with a view like this?"

"Well, I had a plan, and that plan changed."

"That happens." Adrien answered. Her voice was distant. "What plan was that?"

"Adrien, you will have your secrets, and I have mine. Let's not do this today. Today is just too…..too….." His words trailed off as he gazed at the view beside Adrien.

"Much?" Adrien finished. Adam nodded.

"Yes, too much is the perfect phrase," he said as he stepped toward the stairs, "Shall we have a look at the rest?"

The next day, Adam took her to get a horse from the Ponderosa. Adrien picked a coal black Arabian mare with a white star on her head. She named her Beauty

Adam watched her ride Beauty in the round pen.

No matter where she is or what she does, she's graceful, beautiful; and at one time she was mine, he thought. Oh, Lord, make her mine again. I promise, I won't let her go again, not ever again.