Chapter 16

Ihave made up the time the train journey took. Tried finding out some info. of the surrounding area of Denver. Used names I found, but how they actually relate to Denver is another matter. Just read as if I know everything. Many thanks to you all for following my story.

They were both glad to be off the stage and resting on the train station bench, even hard as it was. The stage ride had been particularly bumpy.

"We have about a half hour wait. Are you feeling a bit better now we're off the stage?" Adam asked.

"Yes, thanks. I'm not sure my backside will ever recover." Adam smiled at that.

"But surely you are used to it." Julie stated. "You must have travelled stage journeys many times."

"Yes, over the years, but we do a lot of business in Carson City, that we usually ride or drive a wagon if we've gone for supplies. So you see, my backside isn't that used to the stage, just like yours. But I should say that journey was particularly bumpy. The driver must have found all the ruts in the road, just for us." They both laughed.

"Good to hear you laugh, Julie. You don't do it often enough."

"There's never been much to laugh about, I guess."

'Yes,' Adam thought.

The train arrived and they boarded, found seats and got themselves settled.

"Well, this should be more comfortable that the stage, I hope," Julie joked.

Adam laughed. "It should be," he said, as he lifted their bags up onto the rack above their seats and sat in the aisle seat, affording Julie the best views through the window.

The train journey was fairly lengthy, during which Adam offered Julie some sandwiches, prepared by Hop Sing, and water from the canteen. "We'll have a decent breakfast in Denver as soon as we arrive. It's going to be tomorrow morning when we arrive, so these sandwiches will have to suffice for now."

"These sandwiches will be enough for me today, as I'm too nervous to eat."

"Not good," he stated. "You'll feel worse on an empty stomach."

"We'll see." She looked out of the window and suddenly thought. "Adam, did you bring anything to read?"

"Just one book." He stood up and reached for his bag and took out his book and a newspaper. One of my favourites. Do you like Dickens?"

"I have only read one, A Christmas Carol. Had to be careful with it in case it was taken away from me. So it was well hid, and only got it out when I knew no one was around. He'd have confiscated it otherwise."

"Attwell, you mean?"

"Please…don't mention his name. It sends chills through me." She took a deep breath to control herself.

"I apologise."

I've read it many times," she said, reverting the conversation back to the book.

"My book is David Copperfield. Would you care to read it?"

"What's it about?"

Adam handed her the book. "It is a work of autobiographical fiction. I think you'll enjoy it."

"I'll eat a sandwich and then get stuck in. Thanks, Adam."

Adam sensed Julie needed to relax, so he told her of Charles Dickens' visit to Virginia City. How he was involved in some trouble, and was put in jail but continued his writing whilst there. "He stayed a little while at the Ponderosa and he read to the people of Virginia City from his novel, Oliver Twist."

"Do you have that book too?"

"Yes, I do. And since you'll now be staying with us, with me, that is, you'll have plenty of time to read up on all of my books, if that interests you."

"It would be nice as it's been so long since I've read anything. Thank you, Adam."

"My pleasure."

Julie finished up her sandwich and began reading. Adam hoped she was coming to terms with what he had planned for them and that it was not causing her too much stress. But it had to be done, he thought, so she can move on with her life, free from Attwell. And he is well aware of the danger in which he's put himself. He watched her finishing her sandwich and open the book. Adam relaxed and started reading his paper.

The train journey continued with reading, talking, and sleeping, which repeated until they reached their destination.

Adam helped Julie off the train and offered to carry her bag.

"I'm not helpless, I can carry my own bag, thank you." She was still fighting Adam.

"What have I said about accepting what is offered."

"Don't treat me like a child."

"Then don't start having a tantrum, and I won't. Calm down, Julie, please."

He could see a tear roll down her cheek and reached out and wiped it away with his thumb.

"Oh, Adam, I'm so scared about all this." Her voice shaking now. "I apologise."

"Accepted, sweetheart. It's going to be okay." He paused. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course I trust you. I wouldn't be here if I didn't."

"Then allow me to treat you as my future wife." She handed her bag over to Adam. "We need to let people know we are a couple, or at least, going to be a couple." …..

They arrived at the Denver Grand Hotel.

"I telegraphed ahead to arrange our accommodation," Adam told Julie, as they entered the lobby.

"You think of everything, don't you?"

"Sarcasm at this stage of the game?"

"So it's all a game to you, is it?"

"You know it's not," Adam whispered, and can we please not have an argument in the lobby with everyone looking at us. We're supposed to show us as a loving couple. We don't want anyone suspecting otherwise." He said no more and made his way across to the reception desk to register, with their bags. Julie followed behind, silently.

"Adam Cartwright," he announced to the clerk.

"Yes, Sir, Mr Cartwright. Your rooms are ready."

"Thank you. We'd like to have breakfast first, then go up to our rooms."

"Yes, Sir. You go ahead and we'll have your bags taken up to your rooms."

"Thank you." And they made their way to the dining lounge. …..

As they finished their breakfast, in almost complete silence, Adam suggested Julie might like a bath before they venture out.

"That sounds good. I'd like to wash the grime of the journey away.

As they walked out of the dining lounge and across the lobby, the hotel manager, Mr Harvey, approached them and asked if everything was to their satisfaction.

"All is fine, Mr Harvey. We're about to go up to our rooms having just had breakfast."

"I hope the accommodations will be satisfactory, and the change in arrangements are all in hand," Harvey said.

"I'm sure they will be. But now, if you'll excuse us, we both are needing to bathe to wash the dust off from our journey."

"Of course, Sir, Madam. I'll inconvenience you no longer."

And with that both he and Julie made their way upstairs and to their long awaited baths.

An hour later both were ready to take the air. As they walked out of the hotel, Julie couldn't hold it in any longer and stopped.

"So what are the arrangements you've made at this hotel?"

"All will be revealed in time."

"I don't like not knowing."

"You told me that you trust me, right. Then please trust me in this." He took her arm and placed it through his own.

"What are you…?"

"Julie, please remember we are a couple and in love. As I've mentioned before, we need for people to see that."

Then reluctantly, she said, "Right. You're right, of course. Sorry."

"No need to apologise. Now let me show you around Denver. We have all day."

They started walking away from the hotel, arm in arm, just like a couple that Adam was trying to portray.

"You've been here before then?"

"Twice, but each time was involved with ranch business and meetings."

"A bit like now, isn't it?"

"Sort of, but this time it's of a personal nature, and we can sightsee."

"Yes, I suppose so."

"Come, let's just enjoy the day." …..

Julie was savouring these moments with Adam, knowing that in time she would be leaving him, finally. A quick marriage, sort the Will out and then an annulment. But she promised herself not to linger too long on the Ponderosa, still not wanting to be the cause of any danger they may come their way.

They stopped for lunch in a small café and ordered sandwiches, coffee and cake.

"How about I hire a buggy for this afternoon and drive out of Denver and look at the scenery."

"That sounds very nice, thank you, Adam. My feet would very much appreciate it."

"I've walked you around too far. I'm sorry," he said. "You should have told me you had had enough walking. Always let me know these things. So a buggy ride it is. Now, if you'll just wait here while I pay the bill."

"Of course."

Adam returned a little later with a thick paper bag.

"Adam, what have you got there?"

"I thought a bottle of wine for when we stop and rest."

"Sounds wonderful. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now, let's get out of here and into the fresh air.

With his hand on Julie's lower back he guided her out of the café.

"I think we should have dinner fairly early, don't you?" Adam suggested.

"Whatever you say, Adam. I am here to do your bidding."

"I only suggested it because of all day yesterday travelling and today walking. I thought you'd be tired and needing an early night in readiness for tomorrow."

"Sorry, Adam. I'm just very nervous about all this and when I'm nervous all the wrong things come out of my mouth. Sorry."

"Come on, let's get a buggy and be off," he said as he took her arm in his.

Adam was able to hire a buggy fairly easily and they made their way out of the centre of Denver.

"We won't go too far, just a few miles where we can view the magnificent mountains and river.

After an hour of so, Adam found a good spot with a beautiful panoramic view, tethered the horse and then helped Julie down. They sat and viewed the mountains and the river in the distance.

"I never had time for sightseeing when I came before, both times with my father. Now, shall we have some wine?"

"Oh, yes please. I'm rather dry right now."

"Me too." Adam opened up the wine and took out two glasses.

"They gave you wine glasses as well?"

"Yep. I'll return them some time. We'll probably eat there again while we're here. Let's just enjoy the view."

"It's really beautiful."

"Yes. This area was an early stopping place for Arapaho Indians, fur trappers and traders. Denver is named for James W. Denver, Governor of the Kansas Territory of which the city was then a part."

"Is there anything you don't know. I'm impressed though. It's always good to learn more."

I'm glad you think so, I like reading about the history of our country. Why I always seem to retain what I read is a mystery to me. But I guess when you want to learn more about something you're interested in, it stays in your brain."

"Go on, Adam, what else do you know of Denver?"

"Well, if you're sure."

"Yes, please."

"The most prominent mountains close to Denver are Pikes Peak, northwest, Mount Evans directly to the west and Longs Peak southwest of the city. In the early eighteen hundreds, there were exploration parties, sent out by President Thomas Jefferson. One such party was led by Zebulon Pike. He and his party discovered the mountain, and referred to it as Grand Peak. It was called 'Sun Mountain' before, for the morning light reflection on the high granite face. The river is called the Colorado River

"When was it named Pikes Peak?"

"Around 1859, I read, but I think that's enough of a history lesson for today, don't you, Miss Alexandra Bridgeman?"

"Adam, should you be calling me that?"

"Well, for tomorrow, yes. I will revert to Julie afterwards. I will not commit perjury in a court of law, and neither will you. This marriage will be legal until we decide to end it."

"Yes, I understand. How long are we staying?"

"How long is a honeymoon?"

Then following a gulp, Julie said, "We really shouldn't be away too long. You'll be needed at home."

Adam smiled, sensing her nervousness. "Let's do what we came here to do first and give us a few days to get us used to our change in circumstances and make plans for when we get home."

"Oh, Adam, are we really doing the right thing?"

"We are. You need to get your life in order and I can help you with that. Then you can plan ahead without the threat of At…" he hesitated, knowing how much she abhorred the name, "…him. We will make it known we are married and that I married an heiress….."

"But Adam, we don't know that."

"I don't see otherwise. Why would your father be so devious about his finances, and you did say his business was very lucrative."

"It maybe so."

"And once we find out the exact amount willed to you, we can make an announcement of how you gave it all to charity."

"You think that will work, and drive him away."

"We'll never know if we don't try it." Adam stood and retrieved the bottle and glasses, put them back in the bag, helped Julie up off the ground and into the buggy, got in himself and began the journey back into Denver.