Chapter 8

Once again many thank you for your support in the reviews you post. I apologize for keeping you in suspense as to Julie's story, but I can't let it out at once, now can I. You'll know soon enough.

Julie had a much needed rest, with not much of a sleep because she was organizing her mind as to what to do next. She was trying to make plans about how to leave the Ponderosa with the least fuss. But knowing how the Cartwright's are, she felt they would not let her leave without a definite plan to follow. There's only one way to leave and that's to sneak away when everyone was occupied or asleep, she thought.

So, as she took her seat at the dinner table, Ben immediately asked her if she was okay.

"Yes, I'm fine," she replied. "Had a good rest after a lovely drive with Adam."

"I'm glad to hear it."

"I should be quite well enough to attend church with you all next week." Julie mentioned this, thinking it would ease Adam's mind to assume she was relaxed enough to consider staying. But of course, she didn't realize how suspicious Adam could be.

"How was church this morning?" Julie asked, changing the subject.

Hoss was keen to tell her. "Actually, there was a lot of people asking after you and how they were anxious to meet the new lady of the Ponderosa."

"Mrs Shaughnessy has been telling of you to some of the ladies," Joe added.

"I hope you told them I was not the 'lady of the Ponderosa' and just a visitor."

"Oh, we tried to tell them that," Joe spoke up. "But they wouldn't take our answer as the truth." Joe and Hoss started to giggle.

"What's so funny, boys?" Ben asked.

"Nothin' Pa," Hoss answered.

"I don't think it's nothing. Tell us what's going on. I didn't bring my sons up to have them show bad manners," he chastised.

"Sorry, Pa," came from both Joe and Hoss.

"Well, I'm not sure Julie will like this, but Mrs S. has, I think, been telling certain ladies that we had Julie staying with us, but no details. Now everybody is thinking she is here to snag one of us into marriage," Hoss told them.

"Oh my goodness," Julie cried. "I knew it was wrong for me to have stayed to long."

"You needed time to recover," Adam spoke up at last.

"Yes, I know and I thank you all for that. But I have been well for a little while now and should have had the courtesy to have left by now."

"Well let's not talk of leaving just yet and finish our dinner," Ben instructed everyone.

So peace reigned as they finished their meal and then settled themselves around the big fireplace, where ranch work was discussed. Julie remained quiet but listened intently in case an opportunity came up that would give her a chance to leave. And it came unexpectedly when Ben raised the question of who was to go to Carson City to organize the transporting of timber there the following week. Adam volunteered, much to Hoss and Joe's surprise.

"Are you feeling all right, Adam?" Joe asked. "You usually have to be badgered into going on a two day trip."

"Since you've been doing more than your share lately, I thought I'd offer and give you both a rest."

Julie's mind was in a whirl. Then next week would be her chance to leave.

"Adam, would you mind if I come along with you?" Ben asked. "I need to settle some financial matters with Jim Stanfield."

"I could do that for you, Pa," Adam stated.

"No thanks, son. I could do with the break."

"Oh, I was hoping to take Julie along, so she could see more of the country."

"Oh no, Adam," Julie quickly jumped in. "A two-day outing sounds a bit too much for me right now, but thank you for thinking of me." But now Julie was thinking that with her two main adversaries out of the way, slipping away would now be a whole lot easier.

And that night as she lay in bed she started making her plans. …

The following Sunday Julie went with the family to church and was practically attacked by several of the ladies of Virginia City. 'Was she enjoying her stay at the Ponderosa'. 'Were all the men behaving themselves'. And one woman actually asked "have you fallen for any of the sons." "That's a highly personal question, which I won't dignify with a response. But perhaps you could spread this gossip, that I'm not planning on taking advantage from any female in town who has her eye firmly fixed on any of the Cartwright sons. Even Ben has to watch himself, I'm told. Thank you for your concern." And with that Julie turned away, leaving the ladies a little stunned, toward the carriage that would take her home.

Word got through to Hoss that Julie was very outspoken and he thought that description could apply to many of the gossips of Virginia City and he approached Julie about the matter.

"Take no notice of those busybodies and gossips, Julie. They're all full of air," Hoss told her when they were relaxing together on the sofa after dinner that evening.

"I wasn't concerned what they said about me. I was more concerned with the family's reputation and how it would affect you all."

"Not to worry about us," Joe joined in. "We've heard much worse over the years and most of the time we ignore it."

"Until you feel the need to punch someone to make a point," came from Hoss.

"Enough, boys," Ben butted in. "Julie doesn't need to hear about these things. I apologize, Julie."

"No need. I've heard worse too."

Then Adam changed the subject to the trip to Carson City.

"Would mid week suit you, Pa," he asked.

"Tuesday to Wednesday or Wednesday to Thursday?" Ben asked.

"Tuesday sounds good. We can set out after breakfast on Tuesday. But if the weather turns bad we might not get home 'til Thursday morning, mid day."

"Yeah," Ben agreed. "So don't worry if we're not home by Wednesday evening."

"Oh we won't," Joe said, with a glimpse of mischief in his eyes.

"Hoss, you'll be in charge," Ben announced.

"Oh, that's right," Joe moaned. "Always Hoss, never Joe."

That comment made them all laugh.

"Don't they trust you, Joe?" Julie laughingly questioned.

"You'd feel the same about Joe if you'd lived with him long enough," Adam said. "I could tell you stories…"

"Thank you, Adam," Joe sarcastically said.

"I'm sure Joe would do very well being in charge, if given the chance," Julie stated, standing up for Joe.

"Thanks, Julie," he said, smiling at her.

"How would anyone know how good you would be…" Julie eyed the others, "… if not given the chance."

"Alright, alright," Ben said. "Julie's right of course. Perhaps Joe should have the responsibility of being in charge."

"Pa?" Adam questioned.

"Sorry, Hoss, maybe it's time for Joe to take responsibility this time, instead of you, Hoss." Ben knew he wouldn't get an argument where Hoss was concerned.

"Okay, Pa." Already Hoss was nervous at this decision, wondering what jobs Joe would have him do.

"So it's settled. You'll do a grand job, Joe. I know it," Julie said. "Well with the business settled, I'm off to bed. It's been a long and interesting day."

"Goodnight, Julie. Sleep well," Adam said as he rose from his chair to help Julie up from the sofa. "We won't be that long before we all go to bed." …..

As Julie undressed for bed, she began hating herself for what she was about to do. How they will hate me for doing it, she thought. How ungrateful I will seem to them, but as much as I hate to leave them, I have to take the danger away from them.