Winter turned to spring all too quickly. This time, Adrien and Adam attended the Sweetheart's dance as a couple. It was wonderful, but Adrien could not help but look over her shoulder. The telegrams she had begun to receive a few days after that did not help.

Adrien, STOP

Ethan Cooper was seen in San FranciscoSTOP

I've made contact with your sisterSTOP

I'm still getting informationSTOP

I'm trying to close inSTOP

Sheriff Michael Cooper

Colorado Springs, CO

It caught her off guard. She had not thought about him in quite awhile. It's just like him to catch me off guard, and now he's in San Francisco. Rebecca was there with Catherine and Gabrielle. He knew she was there. He wouldn't hurt her. How could he hurt her? She's so innocent. How could anyone hurt her? No, he'd never hurt her, or would he?

But she had to remember whom she was dealing with. People like that do not give in to innocence, much less logic.

"Oh, Lord, please, please, watch over my Becca." She prayed.

Adrien, STOP

A definite ID in San Francisco STOP

I've arranged for the girls to come homeSTOP

I think they'd be safer at homeSTOP

Sheriff Michael Cooper

Colorado Springs, CO

My guardian angel, she thought.

Maybe he still doesn't know where I am, but what if he's following Rebecca, waiting for me to show up. Smart move, but you can't outsmart your own daughter. No matter how much I loathe you, I'm a part of you. I know your mind. You'll never be too clever for me.

Adam sensed the tension, but he left well enough alone, he knew how Adrien was when she was stressed and trying to help would just make it worse. Of course, Adrien had not said anything about the messages. He hoped it was just something that was going on with her college bound students.

Adrien, STOP

He's been seen hereSTOP

I fear for Rebecca's safetySTOP

So, I decided to send her to youSTOP

Emma's accompanying herSTOP

She'll be there in about five daysSTOP

Sheriff Michael Cooper

Colorado Springs, CO

"Adrien, what is it? I'm in the middle of something important and you shouldn't be here." Adam irately whispered as he led her away from the table at the Silver Dollar. He couldn't believe that she had dared to step foot in there.

"Read this."

He jerked the paper from her hand. As he read, his face fell.

"Adam, what do we do?" she asked, desperately.

"This isn't the conversation to have in the middle of a saloon."

They stepped outside on to the walk.

"What do you mean 'what do we do'? Everyone thinks that she's…" He looked rather shocked.

"No, everyone here thinks that. My brothers know. He surely knows.

"You mean that everyone in Colorado…"

"I never worried about it. I haven't been there so no one can ask questions."

"Does she …"

"Of course, she does. I wouldn't lie to my own…"

"I know, but it could have waited."

" I can't do that."

"I know, but it would be more convenient if you had. Why can't you tell Michael not to send her?"

"Here," she answered as she pulled the other telegrams out of her purse for Adam to read.

"Adrien, what were you thinking? Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't think he'd follow them. It's me that he wants. Still, what do we do?"

"Is it actually best to have everyone all together?"

"I think so. I want her with me."

"Well, we'll just play it by ear for a while." He turned to go back into the bar.

"Adam" she said pretentiously.

"What."

"There's another question."

"What is it?"

"What are we going to do while I'm at school?"

"I'll take care of her," he said without hesitation.

"Alright. Thanks Adam."

"I've got to go." He went back in the door and came back out.

"Hey, Adrien."

"Yes."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"It's going to be ok."

Rebecca arrived a few days later. The stage came during school hours so Adrien was not able to meet it, but Adam was there. Michael's wife, Emma, came with her, but she returned with the stage back to Colorado.

Adam and Rebecca connected almost immediately. It was like they belonged together.

"She's grown so much since I saw her last time. I've missed so much," Adam declared

"Are you kidding, she's grown since I saw her in August." Adrien stated.

"She's so adorable. You both have the same eyes."

"I wonder why" she said coyly.

"Really, she is a beautiful child."

"She is, isn't she?"

"I love you, Adrien."

"I love you too, Adam." He wrapped his arms around her.

"And now, I have to ruin the moment. I got this today."

She handed him another telegraph from Matthew.

Adrien,STOP

I have Ethan Cooper in custodySTOP

Charges have been filedSTOP

Send Rebecca home whenever you likeSTOP

Just send for Emma to pick her upSTOP

We'd all like to see her home

The end is nearSTOP

I'll keep you postedSTOP

Sheriff Michael Cooper

Colorado Springs, Colorado

"I hope he's right, Adrien." Adam said handing it back.

"I hope so too. When should we send her home?" she asked.

"Let's wait a little while. We've missed a lot." He hugged her tightly.

"Does that mean what I think it does?" Adrien asked.

"Yes, it does, but do we need to tell her?"

"She's brighter than most children her age. I think that she knows."

"I've noticed that she's bright, but should we confirm what she thinks?" Adam replied.

"I don't know. She's only four," Adrien replied, "There's only so much that her little mind can handle."

"I really like this feeling. This is what it should have been all along."

"You really love her, don't you?" Adrien asked.

"I did the minute she was born. I've just missed her so much."

"I love you, Adam."

"I love you too."

There was silence for a few moments while they watched Rebecca play with her dolls on the floor.

"How would you feel about not sending her home?" he asked.

"I don't know. I think Michael and Emma would have my hide if I didn't let her go back for a visit, but I don't see why we all couldn't go together."

"I like that idea." Adam added.

"I'm so glad this is over."

"Me too, Adrien, me too."

It had been a long day at school, Adrien missed Rebecca. It'd been a couple weeks since she arrived, and even though she was as close as the Ponderosa, she missed her. It was heart breaking for her to be so close to her and be away from her, but she had felt like she had to check and see if Michael had sent anything. She saw something familiar through the window. Adrien stopped dead in her tracks. No, that couldn't have been who I thought it was, she thought. She looked again. He wasn't there. She began to shiver.

"Miss Cooper, are you alright?" Adrien looked up to find Mr. Welch in front of her.

Oh, my God, he's here, he's here. He found me. What am I going to do?

"Yes, I'm fine, thank you, Mr. Welch," she answered trying to stay calm.

"You, sure ma'm, you's as white as a sheet?"

"Well, maybe it wouldn't hurt to sit down." He grabbed he arm and helped her to a nearby bench.

"Do you need a drink or something, Miss?"

"No, just give me a minute." She took a minute to breathe. "Mr. Welch, have seen Adam Cartwright in town by chance today."

"Yes'm, I did see Mr. Adam at the bank this mornin'"

"Do you think he'd still be in town?"

"I don't know, Miss Cooper, but I'll go look if you want me to."

"Yes, I'd like you to, tell him to meet me in the hotel lobby."

"I will, Miss, I'll look in the Silver Dollar first. He always stops there for a beer."

"Oh, Adam, I'm so glad Welch found you." she exclaimed. She could tell by Adam's face he was worried.

"Adrien, what is it? What's wrong?"

Welch wasn't lying, he thought, she looks like a ghost.

"Where's Becca?" she asked. Her panic was obvious.

"She's with Leita. I took her to get a dress made for the doll I bought her last week."

"Who's with her?"

"Hoss is. What's going on?"

"He's here." Adrian answered.

"Adrien, who? Who's here?" He sounded urgent.

"My father. I want Becca. I want her with me. I don't want her out of my sight. Adam, I'm so scared." She burst into tears.

"It's alright. I'm not going to let anything happen to you or her," he said as he held her close.

"Did you message Michael?" he asked.

"No, I was going to, but I guess I froze. Welch was in the office too."

"I'm going to go send Michael a message and see what's going on."

"No, Adam, don't leave me. I'm scared."

"Actually, I have a better idea."

"What?"

"I'm going to have Roy come out to the house. We're going to talk to him, and see what can be done."

"Do we really have to do that?"

"Adrien, I think it's in your best interest, and I think Roy would want you to know if there was a wanted criminal around."

"God, just when I thought this was over."

"It'll be alright, Adrien. I'm going to talk to Roy. You go to Leita's. I'll watch and make sure you get there alright. You'll be with Hoss, so you'll be fine. Go with him to get Beauty. The three of you go to the Ponderosa and wait for me. I'm going to send a telegram to Michael and get Roy."

"What would I do without you?"

"Don't think like that. You'll always have me." They went out the door. Adam nudged her to go across the street.

"It's alright. I won't let anything happen to you." She started to go.

"Adrien." She looked back. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"It will be fine."

"Why wasn't I informed of this before?" Sheriff Coffee was livid. "I need to know when dangerous folk like this are headed this way." The four of them, Ben, Coffee, Adam, and Adrien, sat at Ben's desk. Adrien had unburdened as much as she could about her father and the complicated history of her family's

"He didn't know where Adrien was, and he was captured a few weeks ago. We thought it was over," Adam explained.

"I'm surprised Michael didn't let us know that he escaped," Adrien commented, she stood up and began to pace the room.

"He escaped after he was transferred over to the territorial prison," Adam assured her, "Michael didn't know until I wired him."

"Well, what do we do?" this time Adam's question was directed at Coffee, "we can't just wait until he does something to Adrien or Rebecca to catch him."

"I know," Coffee answered in deep thought.

"Why don't you and Rebecca stay here?" Ben suggested.

"That's not a bad idea. Miss Cooper, you'll do that," Coffee ordered.

"And I don't want you in town, so as chairman of the school board, I'm suspending you until further notice," Ben added.

"So, I'm being forced out of my own home and losing my job!" she exclaimed, "I can't believe this is happening." She fell back down into her chair. Adam went quickly to her side. "Why does this always become a mess?"

"Adrien, it's fine." Adam's voice was soft and low. He held her close to him.

"It's for your own protection, Miss Cooper." Coffee assured her. "As soon as we find him, this will be over."

"Well, since I'm not teaching, what are we going to do about the school?" Adrien asked.

"We'll have to close it." Ben answered.

"No, we can't close early. They'll just be behind next year," Adrien answered.

"She's right, Pa," Adam said to back her up, "And if he knows that she's teaching, he might look for her there first and find someone else."

"Well, what will we do?" Ben was clueless.

"We could get a substitute," Adam suggested.

"That's a good idea, Adam!" Adrien supported.

"But who would we get to teach?" Ben asked, knowing the education that most of the townspeople had.

"Why not the only person who's been to college in this town?" Adrien suggested. "Adam, couldn't you take over for a little while?"

"Adrien, I'd rather be helping to find your father."

She gave him a look of disappointment.

"But if you want me to," he continued, "I'll think about it."

"Well, Ben, I better get a posse together." Coffee said, picking up his hat, "Miss Cooper, don't worry, we'll find him before anything happens. But do you have a picture of him? We have a description, but a picture helps."

"Yes, I do. There's a picture of him and his last wife at their wedding in the top drawer of my dresser, but I apparently can't go home," she answered.

"I'll go get it and anything that you and Rebecca need," Adam answered, "you can stay here."

"Adam, I'll go with you and get that picture from you if you don't mind the company." Coffee chimed in, "You probably shouldn't go up there alone."

"Thank you, Sheriff," Adrien answered.

"Ben, Hoss." He shook their hands and left the house with Adam.

"Adrien, I want you to sleep in one of the guest rooms upstairs." Adam declared after returning to the house.

"But why not the one downstairs that's usually used?" his father asked.

"Because it has a door that goes outside the house, you can go in and out without anyone inside knowing that you are. If Cooper's after her, I don't want to help him any."

"That's a good idea. Why don't you two go upstairs and get two rooms ready." Ben suggested.

They headed upstairs. Adam went into the room across the hall from his.

"I think you can stay in here," he decided aloud.

"But, Adam," Adrien realized, " this is so close to your room. Are you sure this is wise?"

"I want you close so I can hear anyone going in or out. Rebecca will stay in the room down by the hall. She naps there during the day so there's no point in moving her."

"Alright, Adam." Adrien agreed.

Adam pulled her close to him.

"Adrien, it's all right. He'll never hurt you. I promised, didn't I?" he asked.

"Adam, I don't want to think about it right now," she pulled away. "I have something else on my mind."

"What is it dear?" he asked, the concern showing in his face.

"I want to keep teaching, Adam, if I stay here and do nothing I'll…I'll…I'll go insane."

Adam smiled and tried to keep from laughing. She was adorable when she was angry, but he knew just how serious she was.

"Adrien, I can't let you stay in town alone. There's no telling what would happen there."

"Well, maybe if I at least knew what was going on it wouldn't be so bad," she reasoned, "If you took over for me…"

"No, Adrien, I need to help the rest of the men…"

"Adam, please," she begged, "I need you here with me too." She looked out the window, into the sunset. Suddenly, she turned as white as a sheet, whiter than she had that afternoon. "Oh, my god!" Her words sent a chill up Adam's spine.

"What is it?"

"I have the most horrible feeling. This isn't going to end well."