AN: As always, thank you to all my readers who continue reading this story and for those who had a chance to leave me reviews, appreciate your feedback. To my "Guest" reviewer, I'm happy to hear that my story has prompted you to re-watch episodes of Bonanza featuring Griff - hope you enjoy the rest of my tale.

Tanith

Chapter 5

Ben Cartwright studied the legal instructions on the documents then looked up and explained the situation to his guest, "Well, everything seems to be in order. Once Ella signs the last page, the land will be rightfully hers to do as she pleases."

"Ella?" Mortimer questioned, raising his eyebrows. "As her husband couldn't I sign on her behalf?"

"Mr. Mortimer, Ella's father left very specific instructions and I must abide by them," Ben countered.

"Of course. I am happy to take these documents for her to sign at the hotel and deliver them back here tomorrow," offered Mr. Mortimer.

"Unfortunately, as I am to bear witness, Ella needs to sign it here in my presence.," Ben replied, beginning to see a side of Mr. Mortimer that he didn't care for.

"But I'm her lawyer, Mr. Cartwright. I am legally permitted to bear witness to Ella signing!" Mr. Mortimer persisted.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Mortimer but these are the conditions outlined and legally bound by her father as his final wishes. He was very specific with his instructions and I cannot dishonour it," Ben said apologetically but firmly. He would not be swayed to go against the wishes of an old friend and especially not for a pretentious lawyer from New York who didn't seem to be looking after the best interest of his wife.

"This is absurd!" Mortimer scoffed incredulously.

"It's the law. I don't mean any disrespect but you, above all people, should understand that," Ben chastised, losing his patience.

"Alright, I'll have Ella sign it as soon as your cow hand returns with her," Mortimer agreed, clearly unhappy with the proceedings of the meeting.

"I suspect they'll be back within the hour. "In the meantime, would you care to join Adam and me for lunch?" Ben invited, not wanting to let their disagreement over-rule his hospitality.

"I guess I have no choice but to accept," Mortimer replied without any attempt to hide his displeasure and impatience.

Within the first hour of lessons, Griff found Ella to be a fast learner, much to his relief and respect. They were enjoying each other's company so much that neither of them paid much heed to the fact they had travelled further from the main house than they had intended. The gentle breeze started to pick up speed but neither of them cared.

"You learn fast for a...uh," Griff stopped in his tracks, realizing he was about to say something that might offend his companion.

"A woman?" Ella raised her eyebrows then her face broke into a smile, letting her teacher know she wasn't offended.

"No, no, er...I meant…an Easterner," Griff quickly recovered and felt himself relax. He let out a small laugh out of relief.

Ella shook her head and grinned. "You are not a very good liar, Mr. King! But you are a remarkable teacher."

Griff suddenly felt a warm and fuzzy sensation creeping up his neck and to his face and knew he must be blushing. The awkward silence that followed didn't help matters.

"Griff, did I say something to offend you?" Ella asked after the stillness dragged on for too long and she noted the ranch hand had stopped grinning and averted her gaze.

Griff looked up nervously and met Ella's scrutiny. "No, not at all."

The two riders had been so immersed in each other's company and the lesson they shared that neither noticed the sun had disappeared behind the thick clouds that had rolled in. It wasn't until the raindrops began to fall that they raised their heads to the Heavens and saw the sky had darkened and was looking rather ominous.

"I, uh, I think we should be heading back," Griff decided, worriedly. He was beginning to regret venturing this far away from the main house.

Ella sighed, keeping her disappointment concealed with another smile. "Yes, of course."

Although Griff wanted to ride back to the house as quickly as possible, he didn't feel Ella had the confidence to keep up without falling from her saddle, being it was her first time on a horse. They would just have to proceed at a comfortable pace and hope that the storm would hold off long enough for them to reach their destination.

For a good distance, the duo covered more ground than Griff had expected but the distant rumbling of thunder grew louder and drew closer and the rain began to fall in earnest.

Ella tried her best to keep control of Rosie and pushed her onward a little harder to keep up with Griff who had started to place a good distance between them. "Griff!" She called out as the rain obscured her vision.

Griff turned his head and realized that Ella was falling behind. Cursing under his breath, he slowed his pace when a deafening clap of thunder sounded, and a brilliant bolt of lightning zig zagged across the sky ahead of them.

The horses became fearful and both riders fought to keep them under control. Another bolt of lightning illuminated the sky and this time it found its mark, hitting a tree ahead of them to their left, shattering a thick branch and bringing it down in Griff's direct path.

The ranch hand reigned in his gelding and steered him clear of the dangerous obstacle, however, Ella fared worse as Rosie reared up on her hind legs in fright. Had it been a more experienced rider sitting in the saddle, the mare could have been better handled but Ella was far from experienced and she pulled hard at the reins while digging her heels into the mare's flank, causing Rosie to panic even more.

Ella cried out as she lost her grip on the reigns and felt herself thrown from the saddle.

Griff tried in vain to reach Ella before she met the ground, but Rosie's lethal hooves kept him at bay and he watched wide-eyed, helplessly, as the young woman left her saddle and fell hard onto the earth. "ELLA!"