Chapter 25
Life began again as the newly married couple living on the Ponderosa. As they were walking around the garden area, Adam told Julie that he had spoken with his Pa regarding building his own house.
"What did you do that for?" Julie was angry now.
"Because it would be expected. And don't shout," Adam told her. "You wanted this to look like a natural marriage, well that's what I'm doing."
"But you can't do that. I'm not planning on staying, you know that," her voice was quieter now, but still angry.
"We'll choose a spot, but it won't get started now until the spring. That should give you time to work out what you plan to do with the money."
"Oh, right. That should be enough time then," she said. "Sorry for shouting. I thought…well you know what I thought."
"Yes, I know what you thought. Let's go back and have some lunch. I must get on with some ranch work this afternoon. Perhaps you could help Hop Sing. Would you do that?"
"Yes, of course, if he'll let me." She smiled, knowing Hop Sing didn't like anyone in his kitchen.
A little while following lunch, Adam saddled Sport and rode out to join Hoss and Joe to help with the new fencing. Hop Sing had asked Julie to go and pick some apples for a pie for dessert at supper.
After managing to complete her task of filling her basket with apples, at Hop Sing's request she stood up and started back to the house. 'Home she thought, wouldn't that be just grand'. But she knew it could never be and hoped that soon the problem of her father's inheritance would be complete and she would be on her way to wherever she wanted. Free at last. She was quietly walking back towards the house when suddenly a hand with a cloth was placed over her mouth and within seconds she was unconscious.
When, eventually, Julie opened her eyes, she felt hard ground beneath her and a blazing fire burning in front of her. She looked around and saw Attwell sitting the other side of the fire drinking what smelt like coffee and staring at her.
"Oh, good evening Alex, sleep well," he sneered.
Alex could not respond as her mouth was covered with a scarf, his, no doubt, as she could taste him on it.
"Now, if you behave, I'll remove the scarf and you can have a drink," he told her. Julie nodded. Attwell stepped across the fire and removed the scarf and held his cup to her mouth. She spat it out.
"I'd prefer water."
"Let me warn you not to scream or try to run away. It won't do you any good. No boots, see!" He laughed and was now crouched right down in front of her. "We're miles from anywhere and no one around to help you." He then untied her hands and feet. "Here," he handed her the canteen and told her to sip it.
Alex was feeling dizzy from a knock on her head that she discovered as she felt her head for injury. There was a definite lump there and gently touched the spot to see if there was any blood. There was not. She was thankful, at least, for that.
"Where are we Simon?" she asked.
"Somewhere well away from the Ponderosa. And when we get where we're going we will be married and you will be mine."
"Oh then you don't know," she said.
"Know what?"
"I'm married now, to Adam Cartwright."
"So that's what you were up to in Denver."
"How….how did you know we were in Denver?"
"My man told me he saw you there."
"So you've had me followed?"
"Yep, but it took a long very time to trace you, Alex. I've had a couple of men travelling around searching for you and well, here you are."
"What are you planning on doing?" Alex anxiously asked.
"Well, we need to rid you of your husband and then the way is clear for you and me."
"I'll never marry you, I'd die first."
"Oh no, that will come later." ….
The three brothers arrived home a little later than expected, having decided to complete the fence today, rather then trudge out there again tomorrow.
"I'm so ready for food," Hoss declared.
"When are you not?" Joe said.
As they were unsaddling their horses in the barn, ready to feed and groom them, they heard Ben calling for them.
"In the barn, Pa," Adam shouted.
Ben entered the barn and they could see concern written all over his face.
"What is it, Pa?" Hoss asked.
"It's Julie," he said.
"What about Julie, Pa?" Adam asked, worrying what had happened.
"Hop Sing asked Julie to fetch some apples for a pie for supper but never came back." He took a deep breath. "We found her fallen basket, in the woods behind the barn, and there were signs of a carriage parked nearby."
"Oh, God," Adam cried. "She's been abducted. I didn't expect anything to happen so soon. I'll need a fresh horse. Can I take Buck, Pa?"
"Of course, but where are you going?"
"I don't have time to explain right now, but I will as soon as I find Julie," Adam told them as he was now saddling Buck.
Hoss quickly offered to accompany Adam and raced to saddle one of their other good horses, then rushed in the house for a few supplies.
"We've got to get Roy in on this. You can't go against the law, Adam," Ben cautioned.
Adam turned his head to look at his father, and Ben realized the futility of arguing further from the set of his son's jaw.
"All right. Here's what we'll do. Joe and I will ride into Virginia City and alert Roy. We'll get a posse together, and we'll be behind you as soon as we can."
Adam nodded. "All right."
"Be careful you two," Ben cautioned.
Adam and Hoss touched fingers to the brims of their hats in answer, and started their horses in the direction of the carriage tracks while Ben and Joe headed toward Virginia City. …
Adam and Hoss rode silently along the road that crossed the valley, as Hoss carefully tracked the progress of the carriage. When they neared the beginning of the first incline that led up to Virginia City, he paused and retraced briefly. He frowned and returned to Adam.
"It looks like he double backed. He wasn't headed up to Virginia City."
Adam's face was grim. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure." Hoss gestured in the direction of Carson City. "He turned that way."
"Carson City?"
"Maybe. Or a point beyond. What do you want to do, Adam? We should wait for Roy."
Adam swore under his breath. "If we do that, we lose more time. He'll get that much ahead of us, and we've already lost hours. And if the weather should turn bad, we'll lose the tracks. But Roy can call up a posse, and the more men on this, the better." Hoss shifted in his saddle. Before he could speak, they heard the sound of hoofbeats along the road toward them, and both men turned to see Ben and Joe riding up.
"Well?" Adam asked tersely.
"Roy was out on another case, but we spoke with Clem who is getting a posse together and by that time, hopefully, Roy will be back and will catch up with us," Ben informed them.
"Well, we won't be waiting on them," Adam told Ben. "Time is of the essence. He won't be waiting around for us or anybody to catch up with him."
"What's going on, Adam," Joe asked.
"Yeah, I think it's about time you tell us what's really going on here," Hoss almost demanded.
"They're right, Adam. Who is the he you mentioned?" Ben questioned.
"Right now isn't the time to discuss this, but I promise to tell you all soon. Julie is in danger right now and that is my first priority," Adam answered.
"Just tell me, son. Are you even fond of Julie?" Ben asked.
"More than she knows. Now no more questions, we need to get going." Adam then turned to Hoss. "What are you thinking, Hoss?"
"I'm not sure yet. Are you actually married to Julie?"
"Let's not think about that now. I need you to focus on the job in hand." Adam was getting riled up at the delay in finding Julie. "But I will tell you this, her name is Alexandra and will be known from now on as Alex and yes we are really married."
"I think I should wait for Clem," Joe told them. "I can tell him where you're headed and join you as soon as we can. Okay?"
"Good idea, Joe," Hoss said.
"Now let's get going," Adam urged.
They left Joe and continued on.