I had a lot of thinking time while I was stuck in Thanksgiving traffic, and have changed a couple details in this first chapter. I feel MUCH happier with the direction that this is now going and will be updating very shortly. Thank you for your interest in this story! The character was stuck in my head for a while, and I wanted to experiment with some different things in this story. So I thank you in advance for your ongoing interest and support, and I look forward to writing for you!
From New York, With Love
The constant rocking of the coach should have been comforting, and in fact, two of the passengers were fast asleep, but Laura couldn't manage to close her eyes. They had been traveling from San Francisco for days, and she could not keep her eyes off of the landscape that now surrounded them. It seemed that ever since she had stepped from the boat that had carried them from New York to San Francisco, she had stepped into a new world. The chaotic streets of San Francisco had slowly given way to vast and open land, and ample green slowly faded to brown. Every now and again, she would see the jagged mountains that she had read about, reaching up as if to pierce the gentle blue of the sky. It certainly wasn't anything she had seen at home. The gentle rolling hills of New York did nothing to compare with what she now saw. Laura smiled and looked down at her letter, it seemed like only yesterday the well-worn piece of paper had made it into her hands.
The air was thick with smoke and laughter, as it had been for several days. It was the start of summer, just after the chill of spring had finally faded away. On a night when the house wasn't full of guests, the frogs and crickets would drown out even the thoughts in your head. Tonight, however, the great house was filled to the brim with revelers happy to be rid of the harsh New York winter. The party had been going for several hours already, food and drink was pouring out thanks to the rather affluent hosts. The beginning of the summer was always marked with such parties. It was the first time for many to dress in their finest and show their face among the wealthiest in the state. Anyone who was anyone, or better yet, those who wanted to be someone put on their Sunday best and came to dance the night away. And for the most part, that is what everyone was doing. Save one.
A lone figure stood outside the open doors of the great house. Her dress was deep blue silk, cut in the latest fashion. Normally the young woman would be amused by this fact. She was not above recognizing a skilled seamstress' work, and the young girl she once was had certainly been excited by the prospect of putting on her finest to dance the night away. The piece of paper in her hand, however, was making her more excited than any dress or the dancing going on behind her.
"Laura?" a voice called out.
Laura turned quickly and smiled at the gentleman joining her on the great landing.
"Good evening father."
George Whitmore was an imposing figure. Athletic in his youth, her father maintained the boyish, boundless energy he had when he was a child. His constant smile however was not to be taken lightly. Laura had seen her father ruthlessly put to shame dishonest and cruel people. Among the scheming upper class of the New York elite, George Whitmore seemed to stand alone sometimes against his peers.
"I thought I would catch you out here," he said, quietly filling his pipe, "I do believe you may have gotten your hands on something there."
Laura smiled, "You didn't exactly hide it, father. Is it true?"
George was quiet for a moment, as he regarded the young woman before him. She looked every bit the gentle and refined woman her status demanded, but George knew better. Before him stood a beautiful young lady, who was just as sharp as any man her age, and if he were honest, many men past her age as well. And as much as he didn't wish to admit it, he could sense the restlessness within her, she was stifled here.
"Did Henry have anything good to say?" he smirked, knowing exactly what was in the letter.
Laura's smile grew, "You know exactly what he said, father. 'The land is fertile and the live-stock is prospering more than you could ever imagine. The green of the trees stretch as far as the eye can see until the mountains scrape the sky. Within the past two years, the land has seen such bounty, it would take pages to write it all down. With the completion of the railroad, the trade of livestock back east will surely be an investment worth undertaking,' I won't bore you with the rest of the details I'm sure you've already read, I will skip only to my favorite part."
George smiled around his pipe as Laura continued.
"'Give my best to Laura, I am sure she has truly blossomed into a remarkable young woman. If she is still as adventurous now as she was when I remember the young troublemaker'," Laura paused, "I normally would take offense to that, it's as if he doesn't remember me at all!"
George scoffed, "I think he has painted a rather accurate picture of you, my dear,"
Laura glared at her father, "If ever she wished, I believe the west would have a lot to offer to even my dear Laura."
George nodded, "Sounds as if your brother is having quite the adventure."
Laura nodded, looking over the carefully kept grounds. A loud burst of laughter wafted through the doors as the music started up yet again.
"I don't suppose it would even be worth me asking," she said softly.
George looked at his daughter carefully, she seemed deep in thought.
"I mean, it would truly be ridiculous! Traveling all the way across the country to live in the uncivilized West."
"Certainly!" her father agreed.
"And it would be dangerous! I mean you and mother couldn't leave now, not with your livelihood here. I might have no chaperone."
"Now that is a bit of a worry, you would have to see if -"
"And at the beginning of the season, everyone would think I was crazy!"
George nodded, "It would indeed be a bit different, your mother would be disappointed."
"Oh but father," Laura turned, facing her father for the first time, "I can't last one more season. Men parading around like peacocks, trying to win over my hand by outdoing the man that asked the day before. I can't breathe here. I can't believe that my entire life is going to be waiting for a man to make an offer that doesn't-"
George placed his hands on his daughter's shoulders and kissed her gently on the head.
"My darling girl," George started, "I think despite your mother's best intentions, you have managed to scare away every suitable man in the state of New York, and for that I am most proud. And if I could hold you here, and keep you here where I knew, at every moment you were safe, I'm afraid I would see you wither away to nothing."
"Oh Papa," Laura said.
"Laura," George paused, "I feel as if I forbid you to go, you would still find a way."
Laura smiled sadly, "If you truly didn't want me to go father I would stay."
George nodded, smiling, patting his daughter on the shoulder.
"It's a good thing I've already telegrammed your brother," he chuckled, leaving a rather bewildered daughter behind him.
"I hope it doesn't take you too long to pack, he's expecting us at the end of the month."
Laura spun around to face her father, "Us?"
"Oh yes," George smirked around his pipe, "As you said, you need a chaperone, and I think it's high time to see what your brother has gotten himself into."
Laura grinned.
A sudden shout from above the carriage shook Laura from her memories. Her mother had been upset initially, and to this day, Laura was not quite sure how exactly her father managed to convince her mother, but she was glad that her mother had been convinced in the end. It was bitter-sweet saying goodbye to her mother, but as she thought back to that day, all that Laura could feel was the exhilaration at the adventure that lay before her. That feeling hadn't faded in the weeks it had taken her and her father to reach Virginia City. Well, perhaps if she was more honest, at the moment, she was feeling a little stiff. This was the longest she had spent on a train in her entire life. She longed to stretch her legs.
George looked up from his reading, happy to see that they had finally made their destination. If anything, traveling this far in a horse-drawn coach had solidified his urge to connect the East and West by railroad. The second the door to the coach was opened, Laura was practically ready to leap out.
"Ma'am," the driver of the carriage offered, reaching a hand to help her step down.
Laura couldn't help but pause. Calling what lay before her a City, was perhaps a little generous when she thought back to the city of New York, but even the small scattering of buildings around her seemed beautiful. The city center was filled with bustling people, carriages, and horses. People were loading wagons, unloading wagons, and everywhere seemed to be something new.
"Not quite New York is it my dear?" George asked, stepping beside his daughter.
He looked amused at the world around him, but even he couldn't deny that though it seemed primitive, the air was clean, and the land surrounding them was beautiful. It was no wonder his son had found a home here.
A soft whinny took Laura's attention away from the landscape and instead to the back of the carriage. There tied up, and rather impatient, was a rather large horse. Although as big as the horse was, it admittedly looked slightly out of place in the wild land around them. Laura reached up and gently pulled her horse's nose toward her.
"We're a long way from home aren't we my dear," she crooned.
"It's beautiful isn't it Papa?" Laura asked.
George smiled, Laura was always a cheerful woman, but for many years, it seemed her smiles were merely a presentation. For the first time, in a very long time, George Whitemore saw his daughter actually smile.
"It is certainly something magnificent."
Adam groaned as he lifted another heavy sack of grain into the wagon. Little Joe was supposed to be loading these, not him. But of course, as it was every time they came into town, Little Joe had probably found something… or rather someone to better occupy his time. Adam stretched, looking around the bustling Virginia City. It seemed every time they visited the city had expanded. He could barely keep up with it.
"Dag burnit," Hoss grumbled, "where in tarnation is our little brother? He promised he would be here to help us load up all our supplies!"
Adam just rolled his eyes, "More than likely our little brother is catching up on the latest gossip to come off the train."
Hoss shook his head, "Or looking to see if any pretty ladies have decided to step off."
Adam smirked.
"Come on here Hoss, if we hurry up we can get this loaded and be back at the Ponderosa by supper time even without the help of Little Joe."
Hoss grumbled under his breath but grabbed the last few crates that had to be loaded into the wagon, just as the large coach came to a stop in the center of the city. Hoss let out a low whistle.
"Now isn't that a fine filly," he breathed.
Adam turned around, not surprised to see a horse, but at a closer look, he had to agree with Hoss.. He had seen many thoroughbreds during his time in Boston, but they weren't exactly the most common horse to have on a ranch this far west.
"Now who would bring such a fine animal all this way?" Adam wondered.
"I can tell you big brother if you want to know."
Adam immediately turned around, his expression harsh, "Finally decided to grace us with your presence this morning Little Joe?" Adam didn't bother to cover his frustration.
"Aw come on now Adam, you and Hoss had this thing loaded up in no time. Besides, I have news that you might find exciting."
Adam crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow in disbelief. Little Joe better have something good, or he was making him walk the rest of the way home.
"You see that horse there on the carriage?" Adam nodded, waiting for Joe to reveal what kept him for so long.
"Go on Little Joe, half the city has seen it, what about it?" Hoss interrupted, impatient.
"Well, it belongs to a Whitmore," Little Joe added.
"Henry Whitmore?" Hoss asked. "He's the one not three days' ride from the Ponderosa?"
Adam nodded, "It's the only Whitmore I know. Though I don't know what use he would have for a horse like that."
"Ah," Little Joe continued, "see that's where you're mistaken. The horse belongs to a Whitmore, just not Henry."
"Oh spit it out Little Joe," Hoss begged.
"It belongs to a Ms. Laura Whitmore," Little Joe said smugly.
"His wife?" Hoss asked.
"Nope, his sister. Word is she and her father came all this way from New York to live on her brother's ranch for a while. Get a taste of life out here."
"Well I'll be," Hoss exclaimed.
Adam rolled his eyes at his brothers. It wasn't every day that women visited Virginia City. Fine upstanding women of society that were related to the various mine owners around the territory, looking for some fresh air, or husbands to get away from the city life. Some of them stayed, but most left. The wild west wasn't always as grand in reality as people often thought it would be.
He turned around to look back at the coach. A young woman had just disembarked, and looked in the direction of the Cartwrights, her eyes locked with Adam's for just a moment. Adam felt his world stop. He stared into the greenest eyes he had ever seen. They almost seemed to glow surrounded by the dust and grime of the street. Her face seemed so delicately crafted, as if God had taken care to make sure that each detail was perfect. And to Adam, every detail of the woman was perfect. She was tall and slim, and she held herself with the same grace and poise of the fine young women of the town. She smiled in Adam's direction, and the young man tipped his hat towards her. Adam couldn't explain what it was, but there was something very different about the young woman before him. Her gaze didn't leave him for some time, and it felt as if those bright green eyes could see straight through him, as if his very soul was being examined.
"Adam!" Hoss called, breaking the hold the woman had on him.
Adam reluctantly turned his attention back to his brothers, "Yes?"
Hoss smiled, "You seemed to be in a different world there brother," he teased gently.
"Boy, she is pretty," Little Joe commented.
Adam looked back over to the carriage to see a rather enthusiastic Henry Whitmore run over and pick his sister up, spinning her round and round before setting her down. Laura was laughing, her smile wide, and Adam almost couldn't help the small smile that started to work its way onto his face. Pretty indeed. Laura Whitmore was beautiful. He sighed and shook his head.
"Taking in the sights there big brother?" Little Joe asked, laughing at the focus Adam had towards the territory's newest visitor.
"And what sights were you so involved in you forgot to help us load supplies for the Ponderosa hmm?" Adam asked, pulling himself into the wagon.
It wasn't often that they rode into town on the wagon, but about once a month they had to make the journey to collect supplices. With a quick click of his tongue and a sharp snap of the reins, the wagon carrying the Cartwright brothers made its way out of Virginia City.
Adam stole a quick glance back towards the carriage and the two Whitmores, but Laura was nowhere to be seen. It was probably for the better. Adam turned back to the road ahead of him, hoping that with each passing mile, the mysterious woman from New York would fade from his mind. It was impossible to know then, how very wrong Adam would be.