TURNING BACK

MAYHEM

CHAPTER 12

Everyone seemed to be in reasonably good spirits the next morning, even Andrew, who had been run ragged by his mother and father for the past week.

This morning after everybody had been fed Adam had unpacked Abby's Olympia music box and everyone had eventually congregated in the front yard to watch Aaron and Adelaide learn how to dance the waltz.

When the music started, Adam bowed and Abby curtsied, then they were off, sweeping around and around the front yard to "Mariage D'amour" by Paul de Senneville.

They had circled the yard four times before sweeping to a stop when the music box ran out. They both bowed to what looked like a standing ovation, then Adam offered her his arm and he escorted her over to the music box.

Aaron looked a little dubious at what seemed like a complicated dance, but his father re-assured him that the steps were basic with only slight variations.

Adelaide, however, didn't seem intimidated at all.

Motioning the two teens out into the yard, they were quick to mimic the dance positions as they had seen their parents do, then Adam came to put his hands on Aaron's shoulders and pulled him back as Abby did the same with Adelaide.

"Now," Adam said to Aaron, "Let's get the steps down first."

By squeezing the boy's shoulders he directed him into the forward half box followed by a backward half box. Abby directed Adelaide to do the same in reverse.

"The count is 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3" he instructed then both, then went on to Aaron with, "Step forward with the left foot, right foot step sideways to the right, bring your left foot next to your right foot, step back with the right foot, step back sideways with the left foot, bring your right foot next to your left foot. And that is the box step and how you dance a waltz."

By that time Andrew had the Olympia wound up and ready to play. He started the music when his father nodded at him.

Adam and Abby did the steps with their hands still on Aaron's and Adelaide's shoulders for the first circle around the yard, then let go and stepped away as the two teens gained more confidence.

When the music ran out this time the applause was even louder than before, and they both blushed a little at the whole-hearted appreciation.

Abby herded the children inside as Adam came to put the cover on the music box and took a seat next to his father.

"What do you think Pa?"

"They did very well.." Ben answered nodding his head, then Adam chuckled.

"I don't know about you, but I feel old," he said ruefully and his father shook his head.

"YOU feel old!" Ben joked and the two men laughed together.

"So," Adam said when he could breathe again, "How do you think Andrew is doing?"

"I'm amazed," his father answered seriously, "With all the work you two have him doing I don't think he's had a second to think of ways to get in trouble." Adam nodded his head in agreement. "And I'm the most impressed with how he has been with helping to care for Hop Sing."

Still nodding Adam said, "That reminds me, we're getting Hop Sing up on crutches today!" He stood and held a hand out to his father.

"So come, revered, ancient one..."

Ben chuckled, took Adam's hand and stood, then kicked his eldest son in the shin.

"Always remember, we don't make it to old age by being stupid!" He picked up the music box and started inside.

Limping and laughing, Adam followed closely, but not within kicking range.

After the noon meal, Adam and Abby went to Hop Sing's room. She sat in the chair near the head of the bed and Adam chose to stand on the right side.

Abby spoke first. "We need to have a little talk," she said to the man in the bed and his expression instantly fell. Adam reached down to pat him on the shoulder saying, "Don't worry," with a smile.

Leaning forward in her chair she looked their patient in the eye and assumed a stern expression.

"I agree with Adam, I think the reason you were sleep-walking the night you fell off the roof is because of how anxious you were about this army of strangers descending on you without warning and then taking over your house!" She shook a finger at him and he just had to smile when she added, "Shame on you!"

Adam started laughing and Hop Sing joined in when her mock angry expression changed into a wide smile.

"Now, you have to let us help you, we're used to pulling our own weight." She paused for a moment when he nodded and grinned at her.

"You also have to let us know when the children bother you," Adam added. "We hope Andrew has been a real help to you, and that you don't mind the twins attaching themselves to you so firmly."

Hop Sing quickly sat up, "They are good boys," he said nodding emphatically,.

"Good," Adam said, "Glad to hear it." He exchanged a significant look with Abby, then reached down to pull the bed covers to the bottom of the bed.

Abby stood, "I will be watching you this week," she said to Hop Sing. "If I see you overdoing it or exhausting yourself you will go right back to bed rest." She gave him a firm look and stepped to the doorway. "You can practice using the crutches in your room for the rest of today,"

"I'm going to gather up laundry for tomorrow, and then the children and I will start dinner," turning away she put a hand to her mouth to muffle a laugh as Adam and Hop Sing just looked at each other for a moment. Then Adam grinned.

"Don't worry," he patted the other man's shoulder again. "She scares me sometimes too."

The dreaded showdown didn't happen until two days later when Adam's father and brothers weren't home. No doubt on purpose.

Mr. Henry rode into the front yard alone, every taut muscle in his body displaying his anger.

"Cartwright!" he shouted, his voice echoing around the empty space.

Adam opened the front door and stepped out into the yard calmly.

"I'm assuming you are looking for me," he said and the other man's hands started to shake with rage.

"You killed my daughter, damn you!"

Adam shook his head while giving the other man a sympathetic look.

"No Mr. Murphy," he tipped his head to the side, "I don't want to sound insensitive to your loss, but your daughter was already gone when I got there."

The older man kept shaking his head in negation, refusing to listen.

"It's true," Adam continued quietly. "I have to assume your daughter was already dead for at least two hours before your son-in-law came to get me."

Still shaking his head, Mr. Murphy spoke through clenched teeth. "Now why would Jerry do that?"

Adam sighed. "I think that's a question YOU should be asking HIM, not me."

Henry ground his teeth in frustration, his face flushed a dark red.

"So, are we going to discuss this like civilized people, or will my wife have to blow your head off to get you to stand down?" Adam nodded at the barn door behind the other man.

Henry's head whipped around in that direction as Abby clicked the safety off on the shotgun she held aimed at his head.

The older man's head whipped back around when he heard two more clicks coming from behind Adam.

Andrew was at the upper window, a rifle pointed at Henry, while Aaron was peering around the corner of the house, a revolver in his hand.

The older man's gaze met the younger man's in surprise.

"What can I say," Adam said shrugging his shoulders, "they like me."

"There's no accounting for taste," Henry said seeming to relax a tiny bit.

"Exactly!" Adam answered, then stacked his hands behind his back. "So what will it be Mr. Murphy? Talk or bloodshed?"

"I think you've told me everything I needed to know," the older man answered, then his hands tightened on the reins as he turned his horse and rode away.

Abby clicked the safety back on and broke the shotgun to drape over her arm, then hurried up to her husband. Aaron came out and walked far enough into the yard to look up at Andrew.

"Show's over Andrew!" he called, "put that safety back on before you shoot yourself in the foot."

Surprisingly, Andrew took this with good humor, then closed the window. He did not shoot himself or anyone else.

Abby leaned into her husband and kissed him. He laughed looking down at the shotgun saying, "That's the first time you've ever kissed me with cold iron between us."

She choked on a giggle and his face flushed red as he rolled his eyes.

"Get your mind out of the gutter Lady," he said, his tone colored with laughter, but she kept giggling as he took her by the hand and led her into the house.