Later on that night as they ate dinner there was a noise outside. Allie jumped up and ran to the window.

"Oops." she said.

"Allie, what's the matter?" Ben questioned.

"I must have forgotten to close my stall door. Angel's loose."

"I'll take care of her for you Allie." Hoss said, already up from the table.

"That's okay Uncle Hoss. She's my responsibility. I can do it."

"Alright but be careful." he said, once Adam told him it was alright.

Hoss sat down at the table.

"Don't worry. I will go check on her in a minute." Adam promised.

Meanwhile, Allie made her way to her pony. It was a beautiful pony. She was all white. When she grabbed the horse's reins a man scooped her up onto his horse.

After about five minutes went by Adam came out the door to a sight he would never forget. Allie was being held on a horse with her mouth held shut and a gun to her head by her Grandfather.

"Don't move Cartwright." he said quietly yet aggressively.

"Sweetheart, are you alright?" he asked.

She nodded her head yes to him.

Adam tried moving closer to her when the Old Man shot his gun off. A shrill scream went through the air. Adam jumped back and slammed his eyes shut.

By the time Adam opened his eyes his father and brothers were behind him.

"Stop right there," he yelled, "or I'll kill 'er."

Adam looked at his daughter. Tears were flowing down her face.

She cried, "Daddy."

Her right hand was stretched out toward him. Adam couldn't stand it. He had no idea what to do. Then the Old Man grabbed her hand and twisted it. Allie screamed once again.

"Stop it!" Adam hollered as he ran toward them.

He dropped her hand and shot at Adam's feet.

"I want my money now!" he pressed the barrel even harder against her head.

Adam didn't take his eyes off his daughter for even a second.

"Give me my daughter." Adam said taking a step toward her.

"No. Not until I get my money. Only now, I want ten thousand."

"We don't have that much in the house." Ben stated.

The man cocked the gun. Adam ran to the horse pushing Allie off.

"Get her in the house Joe!"

Joe scooped up his niece and ran her inside. While Adam wrestled for the gun. They fought on the ground. Dust clouded the area.

Making it difficult for Ben and Hoss to see.

BANG!

"Adam!" Ben screamed.

Adam slowly stood up looking at his brother and father.

The front door creaked open. Joe walked out with Allie behind him. It was dark and all Joe could see was a body lying on the ground. So, he stopped Allie from going any farther.

When Adam saw Allie standing next to her uncle he took off slowly toward her but, ended up running.
He knelt down in front of her and peered into her eyes. There were none more beautiful on all the Earth. He picked her up and held her in his arms.

"I love you, Sweetheart. You won't have to worry about anyone taking you from here again. This time I promise."

That night once everybody settled down, Adam took his daughter upstairs, to tuck her in.

"Are you ready for your party tomorrow?" he asked.

"Yes...I just wish my mother could be there. She always talked about us one day meeting."

"You miss her a lot, don't you?"

"Yeah," she hesitated, "Do you?"

"Yes. I do."

She loved him so much. And he was very loving with her. There was just one thing she didn't understand.

"Why didn't you stay with Ma and me?"

Adam sighed.

"Allie, I loved your mother. We were going to be married when your Grandfather sent her away. I had no idea where she was or that you

were even born. If I did I would have found you long before now." he explained.

He kissed her on the forehead and then whispered in her ear.

"I love you, Allie."

"I love you too, Dad."

He sat there in her chair beside her bed. Her eyes began to flicker open and closed until she fell asleep.

He had been up there for so long Ben came up to check on him. He stood in the doorway. Watching over his son as his son watched

over his daughter.

"You alright?" he asked him.

"Yeah." he answered

"Adam, you can't go on worrying or thinking something bad is going to happen to her. She's okay now. No one will ever come and take her from you."

"I know, Pa. It's just that... I love her so much. I don't know how I could ever live without her."

"That's something every parent feels. I don't know what I'd do without you and your brothers.

Ben started to head back downstairs.

"Pa."

"Yeah."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome, Son."

The party had finally arrived. Allie spent most of her time dancing with her family. When she wasn't dancing they were taking her around introducing her to people. Then everybody froze.

"I'd like to say something if I may." Ben proudly stated, "I'd like to introduce you all to the newest member of the Cartwright family. My grand-daughter, Adam's daughter, Allie Elizabeth Cartwright."