Laura stood fidgeting on the front porch. The late afternoon sun was lighting up the fields beautifully, and the birds were singing their evening song. The ranch was settling in for the night. At least, parts of it. Laura smoothed the front of her dress yet again, wanting to make sure there was not a wrinkle out of place. She had hoped to escape these kinds of events out here, but it seemed even in this "uncivilized" place, certain standards were to be upheld.

"Laura," he brother called, bounding up the steps, "Danny'll bring the wagon around in just a minute."

Henry looked around the porch, "Father not down yet?"

Laura smiled, "He said he'd be down in a moment. He wanted to make sure he picked the right coat."

Henry rolled his eyes. Their father was not above staying up to date with the latest fashion.

"You look beautiful Laura," Henry said, looking his sister over carefully.

It had been a while since the two had seen each other, and day by day Henry was reminded that his sister was now a beautiful young woman. Though, she had always been beautiful, much to the delight of their mother, and the dismay of their father. Henry took it upon himself to intimidate any possible suitors. One look from his sister and Henry sent the young man on his way. This was not to the delight of their mother, but this was a well practiced routine of the siblings. After what happened the last time Henry had relaxed from this role, well, he'd rather not think about it.

Laura looked to her brother, "You know, I didn't think dances like this would be so highly attended out here."

At this Henry laughed.

"Oh," he chuckled, "I think you may need to adjust your expectations a bit. It's more of a party, the dancing you're used to well…may be a little different out here. It is a fun night though. Ranchers, miners, anyone who is anyone shows up, lots of rubbing of elbows and all that."

Laura's bored look did not go unnoticed by her brother.

"You'll have a good time, I promise."

Laura sighed as Danny came round with the wagon.

"Ma'am" Danny smiled, tipping his hat. He jumped from the wagon to help her up the steps.

"Why Danny don't you look dapper." Laura smiled, careful her skirts were well looked after as she settled on the bench.

"Why thank you ma'am," Danny smiled, "It's not often we have events like this, I couldn't miss out."

Henry grinned, jumping up to sit beside Danny, "See Laura, this is going to be fun!"

"Just don't you leave my side Henry Whitmore you hear me?" She all but growled as her father finally came out from the house.

"Why Laura aren't you a vision this evening!" Her father exclaimed.

He settled onto the bench across from his daughter, a wide smile on his face as Danny ushered the horses forward.

Laura settled in, knowing the ride was going to be a while. Normally, when they were traveling to any social event, the coachmen brought the coach around, and they were all tucked safely away inside while the drivers brought them wherever they needed to go. She almost couldn't help the small smile that came over her as the wind gently teased her hair. Oh what her mother would think of her, riding in an open carriage across the open fields, not another building in sight.

"You look rather happy this evening my dear," George said, bringing Laura out of her daydream.

Laura nodded, "Of course!" She assured him, "How could you not be?"

George nodded in agreement.

"Henry was explaining to me earlier that the Ponderosa is a lovely sight to behold."

Laura smiled, "I am sure it is."

Henry turned around, "Adam Cartwright designed the Ponderosa as well, Pa. He's the one who did the plans up for the house."

George smiled, "Well then it must be pretty impressive indeed! I have met Ben Cartwright several times in Virginia City, he speaks very highly of his boys."

"Boys?" Laura asked cautiously, had it been her mother speaking she knew what phrase would come next.

"Ben has three if I'm not mistaken."

Henry nodded, "Three of the most different people on the planet, isn't that right Danny?"

Danny chuckled, he had been in a few scraps with the Cartwright boys and knew them well. They had been the ones to introduce him to Henry Whitmore when he first made his appearance in Virginia City.

"Three very different men that's an understatement for sure. All very respectable boys though." Danny offered.

Laura smiled, "Father, I know what's coming next…"

George smirked, "My darling, I expect nothing more from you this evening than to enjoy yourself."

Laura raised an eyebrow.

George held up his hands, "I'm just making conversation! Besides, I haven't met these men myself, though it seems every person in Virginia City seems to know them quite well."

Laura took a moment to survey the land passing her by. She never could have imagined the space that existed out here. You could ride for miles and never see another human, just more mountains, trees. She took a deep breath, even the air felt bigger, if that were a possibility.

"Henry," her father called, "You'll look after your sister won't you?"

"Of course, Pa, she will not leave my sight once!" Henry assured him

Laura felt the relief wash over her. George leaned forward and took his daughter's hand. It seemed only yesterday that her tiny fingers wrapped around his for the first time, and yet the beauty that was before him was no longer a child.

"Laura dear," he sighed, "It has been a long time since I have seen you with a genuine smile on your face, I won't see anything take that from you again."

Laura took a deep breath, "Papa…"

"Come now," he kissed her hand, "We are going to have a fun time, I have been told these gatherings are quite the event!"

"A dance, a gathering, a party," Laura smirked, "I'm not quite sure what to expect."

Danny took a moment to interject, "If the Cartwrights are putting it on ma'am, it's gonna be a good time."

George smiled.

Laura chuckled and turned back to the greenery around her. Tonight would be something that's for sure.

Adam slowly sipped the last of his punch. He had just returned from a rather long cattle drive and had it not been for the fact that his father was hosting this particular gathering, he would most likely already be in bed. As it was, he was doing his best to rally to some level of energy to make it through the night. Not that it was overly difficult. Little Joe and Hoss were almost constantly dancing, Hoss with the same young woman for a bit now. Little Joe, as seemed to frequently be the case, had a full dance card with half of the young women in town. His father had been out of sight for a while now, no doubt chatting with his friends. Nights like these were rare, and the Cartwright family certainly took advantage of the festivities. Adam smiled and clapped along with the dancers when the band finished playing their last tune.

"Adam!" Little Joe called, making his way toward his older brother. Adam raised his brow with a bemused smile toward his younger sibling.

"Have you ever seen such a fine group of ladies in your life?" Joe asked breathlessly, not daring to take his eyes off the group in front of him.

"You know Adam," Hoss said, joining his brothers by the punchbowl, "It's not often that Little Joe is right, but tonight might be one of those times. How come you're not dancin' big brother?"

"Oh don't tell me no one here strikes your fancy?" Little Joe teased.

Adam rolled his eyes with a sigh, "You certainly seem to be enjoying yourself."

"Aw come on Adam," Hoss chided, "You have to dance at least once. There's a lot of pretty ladies here."

Adam was about to respond when an outburst behind the three of them halted any more conversation on that track.

"Boys!" Their father called out, "Just who I've been looking for."

The three young Cartwrights turned to see their father standing beside a rather distinguished looking man.

"Boys," Ben waved the three closer, "I'd like you to meet Mr. George Whitmore."

Adam, well practiced in the art of greeting his father's colleagues and clients, reached out his hand, "How do you do sir."

"My oldest, Adam," Ben said proudly, "Hoss, and Joseph."

Each of the boys respectively, reached to shake the hand of their father's guest, smiling and nodding as they were introduced.

"Adam is it?" George asked, "My son tells me that we have you to thank for the work you've done with the house."

Adam smiled, "Ah, yes sir, Henry and I worked pretty hard on that property."

George smiled. To Adam, it seemed as if it would be a rather rare event that the man didn't smile.

"You have a very talented son here Ben."

Adam could see his father swell with pride, "Why thank you George, we're mighty proud of him ourselves. Adam here designed the Ponderosa as well!"

"It's a fine house Adam!" George complimented.

Hoss cleared his throat, "Sir, you mentioned Henry?"

"Oh yes!"

George looked around the room, "Ah! Henry my boy!"

"I believe Ben you've met my son Henry, but may I introduce my daughter Laura."

Adam's head shot to the woman being escorted by Henry. He could feel his heart in his throat. If Laura Whitmore had been a sight when she stepped off the coach, the woman standing before him now was a vision. The group around him was speaking, but Adam couldn't make out a single word. His whole world seemed to stop for a moment, all was quiet except for the incessant beating of his heart as his eyes locked with Laura Whitmore. Her hair was carefully styled, her dress a deep emerald green that he could only assume was in the latest fashion. But none of that truly mattered. He was bewitched by the young woman in front of him, her deep green eyes locked to his, and her smile… why, her smile…

"Adam?" Ben's voice cut through his fog.

"Apologies," Adam forced himself to smile, trying desperately to recover, "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Ms. Whitmore."

"Adam studied at Harvard," Henry boasted for him. It was all Adam could do not to roll his eyes. He'd had enough of people sharing his accolades for one evening.

"Oh?" Laura asked, turning her attention back to him, "How very lucky!"

Adam smiled, "I certainly enjoyed my time there."

"I should hope so," Laura continued, "Though I found the professors there rather…drab."

Henry chuckled, "Laura applied to study there herself."

Adam looked at the young woman before him now with renewed curiosity.

"Henry," Laura chided her brother, "Now is not the time for such talk."

"How are you liking Virginia City Ms. Whitmore?" Adam asked, doing his best to steer the conversation away from Laura's past. Something the woman seemed rather grateful for.

"It is a breath of fresh air from New York, that is for sure. Henry has been showing me around, though I have to say, I cannot get used to the saddles out here."

"You ride?" Adam asked.

"Oh as much as I can," Laura answered.

"My dear sister went so far as to bring her horse all the way from New York."

Adam was about to question further when the musicians began to play again.

"Care to dance Ms. Whitmore?" Adam asked, doing his best to ignore the cheeky grins he was sure were stretching their way across his brothers' faces.

He didn't notice Henry tense as he offered his hand to his sister. No, the only thing that Adam Cartwright saw, was the smile that seemed directed only to him, as Laura gently nodded and took his hand.

Hoss and Little Joe quickly made their way back to the dance floor leaving Ben, Henry, and George standing on the side. Henry watched as Adam led Laura to the middle of the dancing, and the two began to join in on the dance. George and Ben were clapping along to the music beside him, but Henry was distracted. He watched as Adam led his sister around the dance floor. It wasn't the first time that he had watched this scene, Laura loved dancing, and men loved to ask for Laura's hand. There was something different about this however. He saw the smile that Laura had as she was twirled around by the Cartwright. And Henry saw the smile Adam had for his sister. He and Adam were friendly enough for him to know that Adam didn't take relationships too seriously, and though he courted several women, he was not known for looking to settle down. Henry sighed.

George clapped his son on his shoulder.

"Rather good night don't you think?" George asked.

Henry nodded, still watching his sister closely. George followed his son's line of sight and sighed.

"You worry too much, Henry."

Henry took another sip of his punch, "And you sometimes don't worry enough."

George nodded his head, "That may be so, but I haven't seen your sister with a smile like that in a very long time."

Henry nodded, not wanting to fully admit that his father might be right. What an interesting night it turned out to be.