Chapter 12
"We'll really have to stop meeting like this," Adam said with a laugh."
"People are going to talk," Julie laughingly added.
"So, are you ready to return to the Ponderosa?" He asked. "We'll just about arrive in time for supper."
"No, Adam. I'm sorry."
"No?" Adam stared at her in disbelief. "You're not going to start another argument, are you?"
"I'm not going back with you," Julie told him. "My goal right now is to get to the coast, as I planned."
"You're not going anywhere alone. That's non-negotiable. And if that means further persuasion on my part, then so be it."
"You can't do that to me. I'm not your responsibility."
"I'm making you my responsibility, and yes, I will," he pointed out.
"But…" Julie started.
"There are no 'buts'. It's a yes or no answer here. Now what's it to be?"
"It seems yet again I'll have to do what you suggest," she sarcastically replied.
"Good. Alright then. We'll have to ride double again. I hope you won't object to that."
"Why should I, I've done it before."
"Right, but you weren't too conscious for most of the ride."
"True."
"Come on then, let's go," he said as he gathered his belongings and made his way outside to saddle Sport.
"Come on, you can help me saddle Sport."
"I don't know how to do….." she hesitated.
"What? Something wrong?" He asked.
"Yes. something's very wrong."
Adam stopped walked and turned around, looking worriedly at her.
"Oh, and what's that?"
"Does your promise to not tell anyone what I've been imparting to you, still stand?" She asked, looking him square in the eyes.
"Yes, of course. It all stays between us."
"Then I have I have a confession to make and only to you. I'll tell you no more lies but I can't say it will be the same for others."
"That's the best way, although what to tell my family is another matter altogether."
"We can think of something on our way back home."
'Our way back home'. Those words had Adam's insides tingle. Then he asked, "so what is it you're trying to tell me about no more lies?"
"I do know how to saddle a horse and ride one. My father and then Mr Harper taught me a great deal about horses and how to take care of them, everything. He and Mrs McDonald taught me all that I know today."
"So you really had a full education," Adam said.
"Oh yes. I had tutors until my mother died. Altogether, I learned much. The tutors rammed so much into my brain and I felt that maybe they felt their time with me was limited," Julie told him. "I wasn't wrong."
"Maybe there is more you can learn. One need never stop learning, if that's what you want. Education is precious," Adam knowingly said.
"You're right, but my chance of that has long gone."
"Never say never." …..
By the time they had Sport ready to travel, Julie was determined to do what Adam asked of her, for now. And so with Julie once more sitting in front of Adam, they were off. They continued on with approximately an hour and a half to go to get to the main house. And although they were talking to each other, Adam's mind was working all the time about how to help Julie with her problem, and by the time they had nearly reached home, he had a fairly reasonable idea around all this, but would Julie approve.
The ranch house came into view and Adam pulled Sport up to a stop.
"Before we go in, we have to come up with a story, one that is as truthful as possible," he began.
"Oh, so now you're happy for me telling lies," came Julie's sarcastic reply.
"Be very careful, Julie, what you say to me. But in this case, yes, unless you want my whole family knowing your life history."
"Maybe one day. I think they deserve to know the truth, but not right now. I don't want to put them in any danger."
"Right then. Then that's what we tell them."
"Tell them what?"
"That you felt you have overstayed your welcome and…"
"But that's what I told them in my letter to them."
"You wrote to them too?"
"Yes. It was the right thing to do."
"Right. Now we'll go with that. The rest we'll work out together.
"What do you mean, together. You are not getting involved with my problems, it's not fair to you."
"Have you finished. I'm already involved, or hadn't you noticed. I won't allow you do this on your own."
"ALLOW, ALLOW! You're not my anything that you can 'allow' me," she shouted.
"I repeat, you are not doing this on your own. We'll work something out, he said calmly, but then his lack of patience came out. "Let me warn you right now. If you run off again and I find you, and find you I will, I promise you you will suffer at my hand and you won't be able to sit down for a week. And I always keep my promises. Do I make myself clear?"
No reply from Julie.
"Do I make myself clear?" Adam repeated in a sterner tone.
"Yes," came the whispered reply.
"Okay. Let's get ourselves home.
'Home. If only', Julie thought. …
Julie could tell from the look on Ben's face that he was angry, once they were all seated around the table for dinner.
"I know you're all angry with me and I don't blame you, and I apologise for the way I left. I felt I'd outstayed my welcome and didn't wish to intrude any longer, but Adam persuaded me to return, and so here I am." Hoss and Joe looked at each other, knowing what that 'persuasion' probably meant.
"Let's not discuss your leaving again," Ben stated. "But, I'll just say this. I was not pleased with the way you left us, but grateful you returned to us."
"Hear, hear," Hoss said in agreement.
"Me too," Joe added.
Hop Sing then brought in the dinner. "Happy you are returned, Missy Julie."
"Thank you, Hop Sing. This dinner looks delicious."
"I hope you like." Hop Sing bowed and left to return to his kitchen.
"Why does Hop Sing not eat with you at the table?" Julie asked.
Hoss answered. "He's been asked many times but has always refused."
"We always treat him like one of the family," Joe said.
"Well, mostly," Adam added, with a chuckle. Then he offered the meat dish to Julie and then the vegetables. "That's not very much, Julie."
"It's plenty for me, thank you, Adam."
"At least you should leave room for dessert," Ben suggested.
"Yes, if I can," she replied.
Nothing more was said about Julie's flight and a wonderful dinner was had by all, including a small piece of apple pie and cream. And laughter was had, at Hoss's expense, as he finished off the last of the pie with his third helping. Coffee and brandy was later had as everyone sat around the fire, feeling the generous warmth. Autumn nights could be extremely cold. Whilst they were relaxing, Adam thought it time to voice some of what was happening with Julie.
"I think it only fair to relate to you that Julie here has some problems that she's going to need help with."
Julie raised her head and stared straight at Adam with a look that said, 'you promised'.
"Something we can help with," Ben offered.
"Actually, no, Pa. This is something I've already offered to help her with and me alone. I made a promise not to divulge anything until matters were cleared up. So with that in mind, we'd be grateful if you'd not ask any questions," Adam asked of them.
A great sigh escaped Julie's lips. "The less anyone else knows, the better," Julie told them. "Believe me when I tell you
it's for your own safety."
"Julie and I will be travelling and may be away for some time," Adam informed them.
"How much time?" Ben asked.
"A week, maybe two," Adam answered. "I know it's not a good time to be away, but this cannot wait."
"It's serious then?" Hoss stated.
No replies came from Julie or Adam, which of course answered the question.
"Right," Ben said. "We'll not enquire further, but you know if you need us we're right here."
"I know that, Pa," Adam thanked him.
"And I thank you for being you. All of you," Julie added. "And now I'm ready for sleep."
"Of course," Adam said, rising from his chair and walked Julie to the door of her bedroom. "We'll make some plans tomorrow," he said, as he cupped his hand to her left cheek. "And bring those two letters with you." She opened her mouth to protest but Adam spoke, "No arguments, I'll expect you to bring them."
"Yes, alright, bossy pants. Goodnight." And with that Julie closed her bedroom door, leaving Adam with a grin on his face. Now he had to face his family. But now she knew he would not disclose any of her history. It things really worked out and she prayed they would, she promised to reveal all to the rest of the Cartwright family as a curtesy.