AN: Thank you to all my readers for continuing to read my story and special mention to "Kirsten whom I can't thank personally: really appreciate your feedback!

Tanith

Chapter 4

The next morning Griff was up earlier than necessary. He took a little extra time to wash up and brush his mussed up wavy hair before preparing the cart. For reasons that were still new to him, he wanted to look and feel presentable when he chaperoned Mrs. Walters' pretty niece. He didn't, however, care about Mr. Mortimer and the thought of him accompanying them was like a dark rain cloud hovering over him.

Griff arrived at the hotel on time and saw Ella and Mr. Mortimer walking out of the front entrance. He hopped down from the cart and greeted the couple before offering Ella a hand to climb up to the passenger seat while Mr. Mortimer boarded from the other side.

"Tell me, Mr. King, how long have you been under Mr. Cartwright's employ?" Mortimer enquired conversationally as the cart rolled out of town.

"Not long. A few months," Griff answered vaguely.

"And before that? What did you do?"

"I was, a...a ranch hand in Billings, Montana," Griff supplied, deliberately leaving out where he really was between the time he lived in Billings to his arrival at the Ponderosa. There was no sense in telling the truth to a stranger, he thought. Especially when it would just taint his image in front of Ella. At that moment he suddenly realized he couldn't bear the thought of her crystal blue eyes looking at him like a monster.

"I see. Well then, what brought you all the way here? I mean, you're doing the same job really, aren't you? Same money, right?" Mortimer pressed.

Griff ground his teeth and gripped the reins tighter. "I grew tired of the scenery."

"Interesting. How old are you, boy, if you don't mind me asking?" Mortimer questioned.

Call me a boy one more time…

Griff drew a deep breath and tried his best to retain his patience and manners, but he feared he was going to fail if Mortimer continued to treat him like a child. "Nineteen. Going on twenty next month."

"Really? And do you have your own spread?"

"No, I don't, but someday I will," Griff replied, turning around and making brief eye contact with Ella.

"Of course, you will, Griff," Ella said with an encouraging smile.

Mortimer frowned in disapproval at the casual exchange between his wife and the ranch hand. He made a mental note to have a private word with her later when they returned to the hotel on what constituted as proper behaviour for a young married lady. For now, he was curious about this young man. There was something about Mr. King that bothered him though, but he couldn't quite place a finger on what it was. "What does your pa do?"

Griff returned his gaze to the road and took a moment to formulate an answer to a question that brought back memories from his dark past that he wished he could erase. "He was a rancher."

"In Billings?"

"Yes. And what is it that you do, Mr. Mortimer?" Griff decided it was time to take the attention off himself. His hands were beginning to shake and he forced himself to relax his grip on the reins.

"I'm a lawyer. I have my own firm in New York. My job is to bring justice and prosecute the guilty and I always win. Sometimes, I also handle estate matters when there's a need for my services," Mortimer flaunted. "I suppose you could say I'm a businessman and a successful one."

Griff remained awkwardly silent.

"Have I impressed you into silence, Mr. King or has a cat got your tongue?" Mortimer laughed at his own sarcastic remark.

Feeling a little uncomfortable by her husband's outspokenness, Ella gave his arm a light squeeze and whispered, "Oh, Owen, please don't gloat. We talked about this. You know how I feel."

Mortimer turned to face Ella and placed his hand over hers. "The boy was curious. I'm just answering his question, my dear."

A burning sensation crept up Griff's collar and he spun around to face his passenger. "It's Mr. King or Griff. I'm no boy, Mr. Mortimer!" he hastily and firmly corrected.

"Please forgive him, Mr. King. He meant no disrespect," Ella quickly responded to restore peace between the two men.

"My apologies, Mr. King," Mortimer said in a voice devoid of emotion.

Griff noted there was no sincerity behind Mortimer's words but Candy's voice of reason rang in his head. Let it go. Just let it go. With great difficulty, the young ranch hand bit his tongue before replying, "No offense was taken, Mr. Mortimer."

Relaxing back into their seats, Ella and Mortimer spent the remainder of the journey commenting on the scenery.

When the trio arrived at the main house, they were greeted warmly by Ben Cartwright and his eldest son, Adam.

"Pleasure to meet you, Owen. I have heard many great things about your father," Adam greeted. "Tell me, is he still practicing?"

"No, he's retired now but he's still considered the best district attorney in the east!" Mortimer replied proudly.

Adam laughed good naturedly. "I don't doubt that. I guess you have stiff competition."

"That I do but I'm not a district attorney yet," Mortimer said.

Adam then turned his attention to the young woman. "And you must be Mrs. Ella Mortimer. You're definitely more beautiful than the pictures I've seen from your aunt."

Ella let out a laugh, "And you are more handsome than how my aunt has described you, Adam!"

Adam grinned broadly and complimented Mortimer on his luck.

"Yes, I do feel rather fortunate," Mortimer replied, not bothering to hide the pride he felt. "Would you object to allowing Mr. King in accompanying Ella on a tour of the Ponderosa while your father and I take care of business matters? It's been a tiresome trip and with all the complexities around her father's Will in New York, this is all just a little too much," Mortimer requested.

"I couldn't agree more, Mr. Mortimer," Ben replied approvingly. "Griff, would you mind taking Ella around the Ponderosa?"

Griff rubbed the sweat from the palms of his hands nervously on his pants. "Alright." As much as he desired Ella's company, the idea also made him uneasy, but he wasn't in the position to refuse.

"Maybe give us a couple of hours," Ben proposed.

Griff nodded and waited until Mr. Cartwright and Adam guided Mr. Mortimer into the house. "Mrs. Mortimer, shall we?" He held out his hand to help the young woman back up onto they cart.

"Just Ella," the newest guest of the Ponderosa corrected with a smile. "And, I'd really like to go riding. Horseback riding."

"Uh," Griff hesitated at first and without looking too obvious his eyes roamed over Ella's clothing to ensure she was wearing something appropriate for riding. It seemed young Ella had expected to go out riding that morning. She wore the kind of skirts that was fit for the occasion as well as riding boots. "Alright. I'll need to saddle the horses. Wait here," the young ranch hand complied a little nervously. He jogged to the stables and quickly prepared two horses – his own gelding and a gentle mare called Rosie who once belonged to Jamie.

Griff walked the two horses out of the stables and was met by Lucas who looked like he had just arrived from his trip to Reno.

"Morning, Griff! Whatch'ya got there?" Lucas greeted tiredly.

"Oh, I'm takin' Mrs. Mortimer out riding," Griff replied. He nodded toward where the young woman was standing, waiting for him.

Lucas gave the girl a wave and a toothy grin. "She's mighty pretty. Mrs, huh? Shame on that, ain't it?"

Griff ignored Lucas's last comment and asked, "Listen, would ya mind taking care of the cart? I don't have a lot of time."

Lucas gave Griff a wink. "Sure, go on, I'll take care of it." Then in a more serious tone, he added, "Oh, and you oughta keep close. Don't go out so far, alright? I heard from a couple of riders on my way there's a storm brewing and it's headed straight for Virginia City. Probably hit us late in the afternoon."

"Thanks, and don't worry, we'll be back in time for lunch," Griff nodded in appreciation then continued on his way back to where he had left Ella.

He offered Ella a hand to climb up the stirrups which she accepted and with the young man's help, mounted the mare somewhat awkwardly.

Griff then mounted his own horse and clicked his tongue. To his surprise when he checked over his shoulder, Ella and Rosie had not moved an inch. "Something wrong?"

"I ain't never ridden a horse before," Ella revealed.

"What?" Griff asked in surprise. "Then what are you doing up there?"

"I'd like to learn, Griff," Ella replied.

Griff sighed heavily. This was not what he had in mind. He had never taught anyone how to ride before and now here he was, being asked to teach a girl! No, a lady, he corrected himself.

"Will you teach me?" Ella asked, cocking her head to the side and stroking the mare's neck as she did.

Griff was speechless. He really did not feel that he was the right person to fulfill Ella's request.

"My aunt tells me you are very good with horses and I would very much like to learn how to ride one," Ella pleaded.

"Alright, but it's going to take more than one lesson to learn. It takes practice and I just...well, I don't rightly know when I'll get another chance to teach you is all," Griff relented.

Ella smiled in appreciation. "I understand, Griff."

Griff drew a deep breath and braced himself. What am I doing?