Adam Cartwright leaned forward in his saddle and looked at his father, "You think she got it?" Ben grinned and looked at his son, "If she didn't then we've got a lot of explaining to do." Adam threw back his head and laughed, "I'm afraid we've got that to do anyway." Adam instantly sobered,, and watched the grand house off in the distance. After Laura had left him for his cousin, he had a lot of time to think things over, things concerning Vanessa and him, and how he had let something wonderful slip through his fingers. Almost a week afterwards, he'd gone back to the Summerset, intent on rekindling anything that Vanessa may still feel about him. Oh how shocked he had been when he'd learned that she'd given the Summerset to her ranch hand and his new bride.

Solomon had nearly shot him dead when he'd found out who Adam was, but thanks to some fast talking from his wife, Faith, Adam was still healthy and untouched...although he would have welcomed a good fist fight after learning how Vanessa had reacted to his engagement. And he'd thought Vanessa had been done with tears when they'd dealt with Ethan Lamb, but apparently he'd been wrong. But then, Adam had been wrong about a lot of things when Vanessa was concerned. He'd underestimated her strength of will when they'd been held by Ethan...he'd supposed that when she'd returned home that she would return to him with open arms, although that one was a close call. He should have known that the call of her home was stronger than any claim he may have thought that the Ponderosa could have had. He was just hoping to make amends now. Somehow show her that he wasn't a crass and unfeeling as she'd though he was.

That book was only the start. He had a whole treasure trove of gifts he wanted to shower her with, but if she rejected this first one, then it was all shot to hell. The two women that he and his father were watching started back up a small hill behind the house, and he strained his eyes, trying to see if one of them was Vanessa, but the pudgier older woman was blocking his view. They'd crested the hill when a voice cried out for one of them, and there she was. Even dressed in the plain skirt and blouse, she was beautiful. Her hair was loosely braided down her back, and he could just bet himself that there were a few strands wisping about her shoulders. Her hair was a cinnamon brown that showed tints of red and blonde when the sun hit it just right, and he remembered how it used to catch his breath. She normally wore it free and hanging to her small waist...her waist. The thought sent shivers shooting down his spine. When he'd last seen her, she still had the look of a girl untouched, with hips flaring out slightly from a waist that he could wrap his hands around and touch fingertips.

He felt himself heat at the memory of her held to him against the corral railings...It had been the night that Ethan Lamb had finally died, and taken all her nightmares with her. She'd gone outside the main house to wait for the doctor, and he'd gone to her. He'd found her crying over her slain horse, and he'd kissed her for the first time in all the twenty six years that he'd known her. Kissed her...Adam shook his head to focus on what was happening across the way. The newcomer had handed Vanessa a small object, and Vanessa tore into it. Adam glanced at his father, and nodded, "She's got it!" Ben smirked and turned his horse around. When his son had proposed this little trip, at first Ben at had been against it. "It's foolishness!" he'd thundered, "She's given you up, can't you just accept that?" Adam had shaken his head, "Pa, you didn't see their faces when I'd told them who I was. Damn it! Solomon nearly blasted my head off with that shotgun of his!" He'd blustered a little more, then stopped and Ben had watched all the sir exit his sons sails, "Pa...I've cut her deep. She's been hurt so often by other people, I can't live with thinking that I've added to any pain she still carries." Adam had turned to him, arms folded protectively across his chest, "When she heard about Laura and me it nearly killed her..."

Ben had nodded, "And now that you're free, you want to show her that you love her still?" Adam's voice had failed him, so Ben spoke instead, "You've always loved her, haven't you?" Adam stared at the floor, ashamed that his innermost thoughts could be read so easily. Ben chuckled, "I'll just bet." Adam's head had snapped up then and his eyes glowed dangerously, "Yes, I've loved her...for how long I don't think I'll ever know." Ben chuckled again and put a hand on his sons shoulder, "I'm going with you. Knowing how you two get along, instead of letting her know how you feel you're likely to rip her head off." Adam had shaken his head, as he had just moments ago. Ben knew that look, it was one his son had worn many times while he'd been growing up, being tormented by the child Vanessa Warrick had been. Ben had to admit that Vanessa had grown into a beautiful woman, and he couldn't blame his son for trying just one last time to reclaim her.

They rode away from the house, but Adam's mind wasn't on the ride away. Three days from now, Nessa's aunt was throwing a grand ball in one of the church halls around town, a masked ball. Adam had all intentions of surprising Nessa, and then claiming every dance on her card that evening. It chafed, but he would have to wait until then to hold her again in his arms...and maybe get her to give him on of those earth shaking kisses of hers.

Vanessa looked at her aunt in shock, "look at this." she whispered, showing the inscription to her. Sarah took the book, and smiled broadly, "Well then, I should think that he's still thinking of you." Vanessa shot her a look and shook her head, "I don't want him thinking about me..." she trailed off as Elizabeth let out a cry. "What? Are you crazy? Oh Vanessa, you have no idea what you're throwing away!" She put her hands on her hips and stared at her cousin, "It was Adam Cartwright that brought that book to you in the first place, and I must say...." Vanessa's eyes widened, "He's here? In New Orleans?" Elizabeth looked real nervous, wringing her hands and walking backwards into the house, "Well...um, that's what he said his name was." Vanessa stalked closer to her, reaching out to grab her shoulders, "He was in the house?" Elizabeth's eyes closed and she stopped moving, "No. I didn't let him inside, he just stood outside and waited for me to take the blasted package." She turned her face away, ashamed for swearing. Vanessa relaxed and looked at the book in her hands. Only Adam would have known the exact book that would send her reeling like this, and only Adam would be bold enough to deliver it in person...sort of. Taking a deep breath she looked back at her aunt, "He's here fro that ball your throwing, if I know him...and you had to make it a masked affair!" Vanessa grabbed her skirts in her other hand and marched into the house, furious with the world...but why?