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Just a note: $5,000 in the 1800's is the equivalent of approximately $120,000 today.

III

Cutting across open land, Adam headed to the Ponderosa, riding almost parallel to the road until he could head out across a section that was bordered by thick trees. About two miles out, he noticed dust raised by a buggy heading toward town, a horse tied to the back. Adam slowed down, having recognized the driver; the hat alone gave away his identity. Adam turned his horse to cut off the buggy, pulling up sharply to wait in the road.

Hoss slowed down to a stop. "What you doin' headin' back so early. Ain't but about 4:00."

"When you're your own boss, you make your own hours. What are you doing with that?" Adam nodded toward the buggy which had Givens' Livery stenciled on the sides.

"Returnin' it for Pa. He rented it to take Sibella home but brought 'er out to the Ponderosa 'stead for a little visit. I was 'bout to head back out for spring brandin' but since she was there, I had an excuse to relax for the afternoon and practice my charm."

"Did you charm her?" Adam asked.

"Why'n't you ask 'er when you see 'er?" Hoss grinned.

"Yeah, I'll do that. Is she home now?"

"Sure is, safe and sound. I delivered 'er home, had a nice piece of Mrs. George's sponge cake, and now I'm returnin' this back to the livery. Oh, heard you tossed Sibella outta your office on her sweet ass." Hoss grinned. He enjoyed teasing Adam about his wife who, according to their father, had Adam wrapped about her little finger. "But," Hoss had added, "that's cause she's got those legs wrapped 'bout his waist." Ben had frowned but Joe enjoyed it, practically falling off the settee, he laughed so hard.

"Not quite, although I considered it." Adam held back his eager horse.

"Just sayin what she told me. You stoppin' in to see Pa afore you head home?"

"Yeah. Told him I would."

"Well, good luck. He doesn't seem too happy with you. What's the problem?"

Adam backed up his horse and turned its head. "None of your business." He kicked his horse and headed again for the Ponderosa. Hoss watched him for a few seconds, shrugged, and then snapped the reins and the buggy went on its way.

~ 0 ~

"Adam, I wasn't checking on you! It's just that, well, when Murray mentioned that you had been in withdrawing money, a lot of money, just a short time before me, I thought…well…that something mut be wrong, that's all. I didn't even know you'd be in the office today or even in town until he told me!"

"Wait a minute," Adam said fiercely. "First, since when do I have to keep you informed of my comings and goings? And are you saying I have to clear it with you before I can withdraw money?"

"No, of course not! But if there's an issue…"

"Pa," Adam interrupted, "the money was from my personal account, not the business account, and what I do with my own money is my business. Now, I'd appreciate it if you would stay out of it." Adam headed toward the door. Despite Hop Sing's earlier offer of fresh coffee and almond cookies, Adam had declined to sit, pacing back and forth instead, his hat in his hands, while he set his father straight.

"Adam," Ben said, his voice dropping. "If you're in any trouble, if there's a woman or a gambling debt…"

Adam snorted with disgust. "That's all the faith you have in me?"

"No, but if you have to withdraw $5,000 cash…is it something with Sibella? Has she bought something or is someone blackmailing her for a past indiscretion… Adam, all I want is to help but you make it so hard! You always reject my efforts. Even as a child, you'd insist on doing things yourself, pushing my hand aside and saying, 'I can do it myself.' You seem to think it's a weakness to ask for help but that's what family's for." Ben stared at his son and suddenly, he saw a man who was practically a stranger, not his "boy" that he thought he knew so well.

Adam dropped into a red leather chair with a heavy sigh "Think I could have some of that coffee?"

Ben stepped toward the kitchen. "Hop Sing! Would you bring out some coffee for Adam and me?"

"Almond cookies too?" the cook called back.

"Adam?" Ben asked.

"Why not?" Adam answered, tossing his hat on the low table that held a bowl of russet apples.

~ 0 ~

"And so," Adam added, putting the empty cup on the saucer, "this morning, Jess signed over his mining shares to me and I gave him the five thousand cash."

"Are they worth that much?" Ben asked, sitting back in the chair.

"Not yet and they may never be. I worked the numbers last night and with the geologist's report, that site may not be worth excavating but it was either that or he turned over their homestead to me and I couldn't let him do that, more for Meg's sake than his." Adam sighed and stood up, putting his jacket back on. "I better get home. It'll be dark soon."

Ben walked to the door with Adam. "You know, that's a great deal of money for you to risk. Let me transfer $2,500 to your account from the business account."

"Thanks, Pa, but this is a private matter. I made the decision. I realize I may never get the money back but hopefully it'll save Meg. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to her because I refused to loan Jess the ransom money."

Ben stood with his hands on his hips, his brow furrowed. "I still think he should go to Roy."

"I said the same thing but he showed me the letter. It said if they see a lawman, they're backing out, and that even if they decide to return Meg, she wouldn't be worth having after they were through with her."

"Damn." Ben shook his head. "No wonder he's determined to follow their instructions to the letter. Just thinking about what they might do, how terrified Meg must be…poor Jess."

"I asked him if he wanted me to go along to deliver the ransom. I'd stay out of sight but he's afraid they might see both of us; they could be on any ridge or rise watching. I told Jess that handing over the money ensures nothing, but he's desperate and won't take any chances, just wants to carry out their orders. I can't say I blame him. The thought of Meg…" Adam almost shuddered. "And then my fear is that if this kidnapping scheme doesn't pan out or especially if it does, these people might snatch Sibella next. That's why I want her to stay at home and not go out riding or into town but, well, I may have to ask Roy to lock her up for a few days until this is all over."

Ben smiled but then his brow furrowed again. "Adam, you said 'people' instead of 'men'. Any reason for that?"

"I don't know who's involved. I mean, it is possible there's a female who's scouting for potential victims. Who would know, suspect anything? It wouldn't even have to be anyone new in town; could be someone who's been in Virginia City for years."

"Hmmm," ben said, pulling on an ear in thought. "I hadn't considered that. When does Jess meet with them?"

"He doesn't know. He's waiting for another note that will tell him when and where."

Ben shook his head. "And Jess' father wouldn't help? I know he didn't come for the wedding but I can't imagine a father not helping his son when his wife is in this predicament."

"Jess didn't explain why he needed the money, just asked his father for a loan. Apparently, his father's wire was a blunt 'no'. So much for being the son of a wealthy man. But Jess had told me years ago that he came out west to get out from under his father's authority. He sounds like a domineering patriarch, wanting to control Jess' life." Adam paused before he said, "Imagine a father being like that, Pa. Wanting to control everything."

Ben looked up, unsure if Adam was referring to him or not. "Now, Adam, it's hard for a father when his son is doing something that might very well lead to problems. You just wait until you're a father!"

Adam laughed. "Don't get defensive; I didn't mean you." Adam put on his hat. "Oh, and Pa, I hired two men away from Brannigan to finish the house. I want Mrs. George's room completed so she can be with Sibella when I'm late or away on business. Don't expect him to be any too happy when you go to sell those milled planks; he may not offer you top dollar for a while until the men return."

Ben made a sound of disgust. "Always something with Brannigan. Oh, although I just saw her, give Sibella a kiss for me. We had a nice visit. And just so you know, she asked me a lot of questions about Meg and you."

"What did you tell her?" Adam asked.

"As little as I could."

~ 0 ~

The horse loped, following what to it, was a familiar path to its barn and Adam was lost in thought. If things had gone differently, he considered, it could very well be Meg to whom he was heading, Meg's arms waiting to embrace him and she, whom he bedded at night.

"Adam, I'll wait for you," Meg swore between sobs.

He held Meg close, comforting her, inhaling the scent of rosewater cologne. Saying his farewells to his brothers and father had been emotional enough. When he realized his father was fighting back tears, Adam had quickly mounted the horse, one of the regular cowponies he could sell to a livery stable once he reached St. Joseph. From there he would take the train to join up with the 1st Nevada Infantry Battalion in Pennsylvania. But this, saying goodbye to Meg was heart-wrenching.

"Meg, I may not even return. Don't wait for me. Grab any future you can." Adam said the words but he didn't mean them. He and Meg had discussed marrying before he left, Meg wanting to but something had stopped him. Adam convinced himself it was for Meg's sake—she was far too young, too beautiful to be widowed.

She turned her face up to him, her eyes glistening, her checks wet with shed tears. "Don't say such things—don't even think them! You'll come back to me! You have to! I'll pray you do! Oh, Adam! I don't think I can bear you being gone, not seeing you, kissing you, touching you!"

"Meg…"

"No, Adam. I've been waiting for you it seems, my whole life. Ever since that day you showed up at school, such a serious boy with wavy dark hair, so shy, so appealing. I've loved you ever since. But I had to wait until you noticed me and decided to love me back. Oh, Adam…why couldn't you have loved me sooner?"

"Meg, please don't make this harder for me. I can't…" Adam stopped speaking as the words seemed to choke him. Instead, he kissed Meg with a desperation he couldn't otherwise express. She went limp in his arms. He was afraid she had fainted but when he gingerly released her, she pulled herself straight, as if she were snapping to attention. Adam stepped toward his horse, releasing its reins from her family's hitching post.

"Goodbye, Meg." Adam mounted up and looked down at the woman he loved. She was tall and elegant, beautiful and intelligent, and he too wondered why it had taken him so long to really see Meg and recognize her love and desire for him. What a fool he had been.

Adam turned his horse but Meg called to him and ran toward him. "Here," she said, pulling out the blue satin ribbon that had held back her blonde hair. "Keep this with you…please. I want you to know I'm always with you, that you're always in my heart! Always."

"I will, Meg. Always." He leaned down and they kissed again. Meg stepped back and Adam kicked his horse and as he rode away, Meg called out after him that she would write him, for him to look for her letters no matter where he was. He turned and gave a final wave.

Adam thought over the letters Meg had written him, first addressed to Private Adam Cartwright, then to Lieutenant A. Cartwright. After 10 months, when Captain Dorsey fell on the battlefield, Adam received the brevet rank of captain for his heroism in taking command but Meg never knew of it in time to address her letters with that rank. Every so often, Adam would receive a pack of letters that included a few from his father with added notes by Hoss and Joe, but there would also be up to a dozen letters from Meg as sometimes, she wrote him twice a week, telling him of all matters that might serve as a distraction and remind him of home and her; she always emphasized that she was waiting for his return, begging him to return to her. He would write back but he never told her or his family about the horrors of war; what good would it do except cause his loved ones to worry more than they already were. Then letters from Meg became fewer and fewer but it was wartime, Adam reasoned. Then Adam received a letter from his father informing him that Meg and Jess Starling had married; he had gifted them a cut crystal water pitcher. Sadly, Jess' parents had declined to attend, only sending a gift, but it was understandable since with so many rails destroyed and trains commandeered, travel was risky. That night Adam opened his foot locker and lifted out the pack of letters tied with the blue satin ribbon. Opening the front of the small camp stove, he paused. He had arranged the packet of Meg's letters by their dates. He slipped out the first one; that letter with its poetic expressions of love and hope, he wanted to keep as a memento to lost love. He tossed in the rest, watching as the flames began to curl about the edges of the stack like a flaming hand, and then the delicate paper sent out little fragments that floated for a second before they too were consumed. But, Adam reminded himself, hadn't he told Meg not to wait? Yes. But he had hoped she would.

It was almost dark when Adam reached home and Moss was waiting on a bench outside the barn. He quickly stood and shifted from foot to foot. Adam handed him the reins.

Moss, looking contrite, said, "I'm sorry. Mr. Cartwright, 'bout takin' your wife into town and all. I told her what you said but she…she's a determined woman." He looked up and was surprised to see his boss smiling.

"It's all right, Moss. I set you to a Herculean task."

"A what, sir?"

"An impossible task. Is Mrs. George still here?"

"Yessir. I'm just waiting for her to say she's ready to go. I've already been fed, and it's a good dinner tonight, a rare roast and sliced potatoes fried in butter. I tell you, the gravy is so good, I wanted to drink it 'stead of the coffee."

"Well, glad you have a full belly. Would you see my horse gets a good scoop of oats tonight."

"Yes sir, I will. C'mon, boy." Adam turned and with fresh eyes, saw the house with its elegant design. He felt a sense of accomplishment. The house was solid with clean lines, nothing overly ornate, no faҫade. A hundred years from now, it would still be standing. The front door opened and light knifed out. Sibella stood in the doorway, not sure what to expect from Adam.

Adam couldn't help but grin. He strode meaningfully and when he reached her, Sibella started to speak, to explain, apologize, but he never gave her a chance, just put one arm about her waist and kissed her with rising passion. Yes, this felt right. This was what his soul needed. His wife, Sibella.

"Oh…my," Sibella said, catching her breath. "I was afraid you'd be angry with me but I guess you aren't."

"No, Sibella, I'm not. You are who you are and I've never been happier to see your sweet, kitten face." Adam grinned broadly. "Can dinner wait?" he asked as they went inside.

"Dinner? I don't…" She gasped as Adam swept her up in his arms. She slipped an arm about his neck. "Adam? What are you…?"

"Let's go upstairs and work up an appetite." He smiled down at Sibella and headed for the stairs.

"Is that the Mister?" Mrs. George called as she came out of the kitchen. "Dinner's ready…oh, I didn't…I mean, oh, dear. Seems I've intruded…excuse me." Blushing deeply, Mrs. George headed back to the kitchen. The Mister was not shy about his expressions of affection for his wife, but this was the first time she had been witness to such wantonness; it made her wonder if agreeing to be live-in help had been the right thing. Would the two of them keep her awake with their rambunctious activities right over her room? What then? But a small bit of envy wound its way through her thoughts; Ah! To be so desired!

"Mrs. George," Sibella called out. Mrs. George turned. "Put me down, Adam." He set Sibella back on her feet and she smoothed her skirts and hair, attempting to regain her dignity. "Um…if dinner's ready, we'll eat. I'm sure you would like to get home."

"Yes, ma'am. I'll go set out the food." Mrs. George scurried away.

"I guess you'll have to be dessert instead," Adam said, giving her posterior a pat.

"Adam!" Sibella's mouth opened in surprise while Adam merely laughed and went in to dinner.