The stage was coming in today, and Virginia City was surprised to see both Cartwright boys come thundering into town, each with a wagon. Little Joe was first through, and parked near the livery stable, his brother Hoss pulling along side of him, "Well, we're here. Now where's that stage?" Hoss looked around, then got down out of the wagon. "It'll be here, now come on." Little Joe hopped down next to him, and straightened his jacket. They were both looking down that street, where they could just hear the incoming sounds of the stagecoach, a great jingle of leather, metal, wooden wheels and horse hooves. They hurried over to the stage office, reaching it just before the coach pulled in front of it.
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Vanessa leaned back against the rocking motions of the coach, her eyes glued to the countryside. Adam was seated next to her, his hand on her knee and the other across her shoulders, "Well now, what's got your tongue tied?" he asked, watching her face. She smiled, "Look at it, Adam. I'd almost forgotten how wonderful it all was." she chuckled under her breath, and turned to look at him, "How much further do we need to go?" he grinned and pulled her head closer, kissing her hair. "Not far...not far at all." Vanessa had changed at the last stage house, and was now wearing a navy skirt with a black button up shirt. Her hair was half up, braided against her head leaving a fair amount down around her shoulders.
Elizabeth sat across from Vanessa, with Ben next to her, and watched the whole thing. "Oh you two..." Vanessa laughed, and grabbed the edge of the open window, her face lighting up as the outer houses of Virginia City began to roll past. "What is it Lizzie, you worried you're going to be ignored when we reach the Ponderosa?" Vanessa raised an eyebrow at her cousin, a teasing glint in her eye. Elizabeth flushed and glared out the window, "Vanessa, I swear the things you say..." Adam laughed and hugged his bride that much tighter, "I warned you Elizabeth, you'd be shocked by some of the things that Vanessa says." Elizabeth glowered at him, "Whether I was warned or not, she shouldn't have said it." Vanessa just went back to looking out the window, then nearly jumped out of her seat, "There!" She turned back to Adam and kissed him soundly, "We're home!"
The stagecoach came to a halt in front of the office, and Ben was the first to disembark. Little Joe and Hoss pounced on him, "Well, what's she like?" Ben raised an eyebrow at his youngest, "She?" Hoss grinned, "Yeah, that little ol' gal that Adam dun an got himself married too!" Ben turned and helped Elizabeth down from the carriage, "Boys, this is Miss Elizabeth Jacobs. She'll be staying with us for a while before she continues on her journey." Adam came next, his face bright with a grin as he looked at his two confused brothers. "Well if this isn't the best welcoming committee I've ever seen." He said, letting Hoss lift him into a great bear hug. Little Joe was slapping him on the back as soon as his feet hit the ground, "Well it's about time, you old varmit. Now where is she?" Adam laughed, "Who?" Hoss rolled his eyes, "That little filly you got married to!"
"I think I can answer that." Vanessa said, stepping on the stool and waiting for Adam to take her hand. Both of the younger Cartwrights jaws dropped as they looked at their new sister. "Hello Hoss...Little Joe." she sounded scared, and she stepped into Adam's shoulder. Ben watched his two sons, then spoke, "Well boys? Aren't you going to say hello to your sister in law?"
Hoss moved first, stepping up to Vanessa and looking down his great barrel chest at her, "You mean to tell me that you two finally got hitched?" She nodded, smiling tentatively. Hoss's gentle face broke into a great smile and he bent, lifting Vanessa around the waist and spinning her in a few circles. "Well now, it's about time!" he said, hugging her tight to him before setting her on her feet again and letting Little Joe come forward. The youngest Cartwright looked carefully into her face, and put a hand under her chin, "May I kiss the bride?" Adam howled and put a hand on his younger brothers shoulder, "No. I'll be the one her kissing from now on." Vanessa giggled, "Now boys, please." She took Little Joe by the shoulders and kissed his cheek, "There. You satisfied?" Little Joe smiled, "Welcome to the family, Vanessa." Vanessa smiled, and hugged him.
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She'd done the math; she'd been between flows when she and Adam had made love in the cave, and in the two weeks while they were waiting for Adam's shoulder to heal was when she was supposed to have had it...but it hadn't come. She had thought about it then, but had decided to wait until she missed a second to be sure. After all, stress had made her skip a time before. But that second was supposed to have come just after their arrival at the Ponderosa, and when it didn't she'd gone running to Elizabeth.
"Lizzie!" she hollered, finding the girl in the nearest corral with a yearling Hoss was showing her. Vanessa stopped in her tracks, "Oh...Mornin' Hoss."She walked over to them, trying to keep her walk steady as always, but it was proving difficult. Her new brother raised an eyebrow at her, "Mornin', Vanessa. What's got you so riled up?" Vanessa swallowed, "Oh, nothing. I just need to talk to Lizzie is all...and it's kind of important." She held out her hand to her cousin, and nearly dragged the girl out of earshot of the barn and corral. "Nessa, what..." Vanessa put a hand over her mouth and whispered excitedly, "Lizzie, I think I'm pregnant." Elizabeth's eyes widened, but before she could react Vanessa grabbed her arm with her other hand, "Shush! I only said I think I am, I need to see the doctor to be sure. Now I know you can't really keep a secret, but please...just this once keep your mouth shut!"
Little Joe came out of the barn then, leading the wagon team. She saw him, and left Elizabeth standing in elated anger to run over to him, "Joe! Joe, are you heading into town?" Joe looked at her, "Yeah, I've got a few errands Hop Sing wants done..." she nodded, "Would you mind terribly if I tagged along with you?" Joe looked at her strangely, "Well, no I wouldn't mind...but I'm only going in to get the mail and pick up a few things." She waved it off, "That's fine, that's all I'm doing myself. I sent a telegram to my friend Faith about Elizabeth, and I just want to see if she's replied back yet." Joe shrugged, "All right, come along." Vanessa glanced over her shoulder at Hoss, then walked over to him, "Hoss, can you keep an eye on Lizzie for me? I'm picking up a few things for Adam's wedding present and I...well, I don't want her spilling the beans just yet." Hoss nodded, "Sure thing. Don't you worry about her." Hoss grinned, winked and returned to brushing the yearlings coat. Vanessa smiled and let Joe help her into the wagon, "Come on, let's get going."
It was a good ride, one that Vanessa knew that she needed, and she and Joe had a good chance to talk through a lot. Memories of their childhood summers together, the pranks they would play on Adam, and occasionally Hoss. The trouble they would get into with Hop Sing's kitchen, and with his mother...before she died. Then with Jennifer Warrick, before Adam went away to school and the Warricks stopped coming to the Ponderosa. "Why did you stop?" he asked as they approached the city outskirts. Vanessa adjusted in her seat, "I don't really know for sure. I do know that my father wasn't really keen on taking that trip with just me, especially when I was so young." Joe sniffed, "Young? You were elven years old." Vanessa smirked, "Eleven might seem not all that young for a boy, but with a girl...things are different..." She trailed off as they approached the general store, "Joe, is that Sport...there?" she pointed to the chestnut gelding tied off near the saloon. Joe nodded, "Sure looks like him...why?" She shook her head, "I thought he and Ben were off looking for strays..."
Joe smirked, he knew why Adam was here. His oldest brother had told him about Vanessa's talent with the piano, and how he was arranging to have one sent from New York for her. "It'll be great!" he'd told him as he'd saddled Sport up this morning, "But you be sure to keep it quiet." Joe intended to do just that, and now it seemed as though his brothers secret might be told without him having to open his mouth. "Hmm, maybe they came through for a drink then are gonna continue on, it's only eleven in the morning, Vanessa." Vanessa slid over to him, and let him lift her down, "Maybe...but if that's the case then where's Buck?" Joe swallowed, right. If his story was to hold any water, Pa needed to come down the street right now. Then Vanessa spoke again, "Hm, oh well. Maybe Ben's still out somewhere." Joe smiled, "You need any help with your stuff?" She shook her head, "No. I'll make out alright. Are you going to be around the store in, say, thirty to forty minutes?" Joe went over his mental list and shrugged, "I'll meet you there if I'm not."
"Alright. I'll see you then." she said, then glanced around the street, "Oh, um, Joe?" he stopped walking away from her, and looked over his shoulder, "Yes?" she hurried over to him, and whispered in his ear, "Which way to the doctor?" Joe turned back to her and crossed his arms, "Now what do you want to know that for?" He was searching for something, she knew it. She had to make up something, Joe was just about as bad as Lizzie when it came to secrets. "Joe, I'm new in town and thought I'd get acquainted with him. Besides, I've helped with enough medical procedures that I'm sure he'd welcome the help occasionally." Joe nodded, and told her where to find him. Vanessa thanked him and was about to move out of the shadow of the wagon when Joe grabbed her arm and pulled her back, "Wait." he said, looking over the wagon to where Adam was now exiting the saloon. "I've got a brain too you know, Vanessa. I get the feeling that your not going to see Doc Martin about helping out."
Adam's voice came over the wagon seat, "Well, well, if this isn't interesting." Vanessa looked up at him, a bright smile on her face, "Hello Adam. What are you doing in town, I thought you and your father were out looking for strays." He fidgeted a little at her jab then replied, "Well Pa had something he needed done and I volunteered." Vanessa raised an eyebrow and put her hands on her hips, but Adam just made a face at her, then spoke with Joe, "What's brought you into the sunlight this early?" Joe chuckled, "Hop Sing had a few things he wanted and Vanessa said she'd help me out." Adam nodded, "Uh-huh, like what?" Vanessa spoke up, "I'm teaching him a new dessert recipe and the pantry just doesn't have what I need to make it." Adam's eyebrows raised, "Really? He's letting you teach him something?"
To be honest, Adam was surprised that Hop Sing had let Vanessa into his kitchen at all, but two days after their return he'd found Vanessa making breakfast instead of the oriental. Vanessa smiled, "Adam, don't you worry about me and Hop Sing, we've talked it over and he's realized that with me being here, he can take that many more vacations to San Francisco to see his family. Besides, It'll be that much easier to cook enough for Hoss." The two brothers laughed and Adam tipped his hat to his wife, "Okay, don't be too long." She grinned, "I won't be." The two of them watched Adam ride away, and when he was a far amount off Vanessa turned back to Joe, "Thanks Joe. You won't tell him why I'm really here, will you?" Joe shook his head, "Nah, you just get goin' to that doctor 'fore he heads home."
Paul Martin was a good man, a smart man and a good friend of the Cartwrights. It took a lot to rattle the man, and when Vanessa Warrick showed up in his town office he was as cool as a cucumber. But when she filled him in on the details of her situation, his eyebrows rose, just a bit. "You mean to tell me that you married Adam Cartwright, and I wasn't invited?" Vanessa smiled, she'd met Paul Martin several times before, when he'd come to the ranch to help with injuries the boys had incurred over the years. "Yes, but I don't think you would have wanted to make the trip to New Orleans." Paul shook his head, "No I don't think I would have." He waved her into his exam room, just off the main office, "Vanessa, you're the daughter of one of my closest friends. If you think you're carrying Adam Cartwright's child, I'd better make danged sure for you." As Vanessa lay back on the raised bed, she had to ask, "Paul...there's something that's been bothering me."
"Oh? And what's that?" She bit her lip, "My mother told me that when you made love for the first time...it was supposed to hurt, but only for a bit."
"And?" she swallowed, "Well, when Adam and I..." he chuckled and looked up at her, "Vanessa Cartwright, I've seen the horses you ride. And I've seen how you ride. I wouldn't be surprised if you'd already worn yourself through." Vanessa nodded, "I guess that makes sense." he smiled and let her sit up. "You guess?" he went to wash his hands and spoke to her through the mirror, "Well Vanessa, I suggest you tell Little Joe to take it real easy with that wagon taking you home today. You were right, you're about eight weeks along." He turned back to her, "Have you been feeling sick in the mornings at all, more tired than usual during the day, not able to eat anything?" She shook her head, "No...but then again, I know that not every woman gets that." Paul nodded, "You're mother told me once about some of those herbs that could help the stomach upset, if you get to feeling that way, you tell one of those Cartwrights to help you. What else have you been feeling?" she thought about it, "I've been getting these really bad headaches lately, and a little dizzy, both nothing more than that." He nodded, "Alright then, you keep up with your natural remedies. Talk it over with Hop Sing, he's sure to know some things you might not." Vanessa nodded, and grabbed up her small purse. "How much do I owe you..." Paul put his hand over hers, "If you're willing to teach me some of those herbal remedies your mother taught you, and help out around town when I need you, I'll call it good." Vanessa smiled, "I'll even throw in an invitation to the wedding celebration Ben's having next week." Paul smiled broadly, and walked her out the door, "I think that's fair."
The ride home was quieter, with Joe grinning like a fool and Vanessa leaning back against the seat. "I can't believe it." Joe muttered after they were well on their way. Vanessa looked at him, raising an eyebrow, "What's so hard to believe about it?" Joe chuckled, "I've seen the way Adam woos, Vanessa. I'd think he'd spend more time talking poems and singing songs than...kissing and making love to you." Vanessa threw back her head and laughed, "Joseph Cartwright, you are the biggest tease I know!" Joe laughed also, "No, I'm not the biggest. That's a job I'll leave to Hoss." they laughed again, then Vanessa looked over at Joe, suddenly serious. "Joe, how many times have I told you to call me Nessa?" Joe smirked, "More times than I can count." She looked at him, "Well, why don't you?" He fidgeted in his seat, "Well, you see...." they were pulling into the main yard of the house, and she gripped Joe's arm and leaned in to his ear, "Don't say a thing." Joe winked at her, "I won't...but you know stuff like this isn't going to stay secret for long." She smirked and moved to get down, "You just keep quiet for a while, at least until I have a chance to tell Adam." Joe shook his head, "I don't know, Pa's had us three boys, you think he won't be able to notice the signs?" Vanessa winked at him, "Could you just do as I asked, please?" Joe got that Cartwright thinking look on his face, then grinned, "Alright, I won't tell a soul." Vanessa's eyes twinkled.
It was a four day trek from the furthest west edge of the Ponderosa to the town of Johnston, California, and another good half days ride from there to the Summerset. And those numbers were ones set down by Nicholas Warrick on his fastest horse, alone. But Solomon Jackson was driving a wagon, with a pregnant wife and with what felt like the slowest horse team he could have found. "Sol, I swear, can't you get these animals to go any faster?" Solomon looked at Faith with a sour face, "Faith, honey, you want these horses to go fast you get down out of this wagon and give them a push." Faith glowered at him, "Solomon Jackson, if you give me any more of your lip I'm going to tell Vanessa when we get to the Ponderosa." Solomon just chuckled and slapped the reins against the horses' backs. "Alright, darlin, hang on."
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Vanessa brought out a tray of glasses as Hop Sing followed with the pitcher of lemonade. It had been a long hot day on the trail, and now all four Cartwrights were seated on the porch. Adam had his guitar out, Hoss and Joe were playing a game of checkers and Ben was waiting to play the winner. She set the tray down and was about to pour the drinks when Joe gave her a look, "Aw, sit down Nessa. Hop Sing can get the drinks around." she glared at him, then Adam's strumming stopped and his hand grabbed her waist, "For once I agree with my little brother." he pulled her gently into the seat next to him, and went back to playing. She looked up at Hop Sing and the cook shrugged, "It okay, Ms Nessa. You sit, been on feet all day." she smirked and gave a soft chuckle. "Alright then, alright. I know when I've been overruled." she leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes, fighting a wave of nausea.
When her eyes opened, she found herself being watched carefully by not only Ben, but Little Joe as well. "What?" she asked, reaching for the special glass of lemonade that she'd made for herself and sipped it slowly. Ben smiled, "Oh it's nothing I guess. It's just that you haven't taken any good rides lately." Her eyes flicked to Little Joe, who was curiously engrossed in his checkers game. She tried to smile it away, "Oh, you've notice that have you?" Adam strummed the guitar a little bit louder, "It wasn't hard not to. There used to not be one hour you couldn't be without a horse, or riding one." She glanced back at him, "And do you not remember one of the last rides I took on the Ponderosa?" Hoss ducked his head as Elizabeth spoke up. She was seated next to Little Joe, watching the game carefully, "What are you talking about?" Vanessa poked Hoss in the ribs and chuckled, "The last time I went for a ride of any sort on Ponderosa land I got lost. Had to be rescued from a thunderstorm." Adam stopped playing and dropped down next to her, "If I remember right, it was me that ended up finding you and Jupiter in a cave." she giggled as his breath caressed her ear in a whisper, "Seems my luck with caves held up." She pushed at his chest playfully, then froze as a wagon came into the yard.
On the seat was a tall slender man and a woman with hair so fair it glittered in the setting sun. "Well now, who's this?" Ben asked no one, rising from his seat. Vanessa waited only a second for her body to catch up with her mind, and the horses to stop, before she screamed with delight and practically flew from the porch, "FAITH!" The woman on the wagon jumped down form her perch, ignoring the shout from her husband and flung her arms around Vanessa when she reached her. The girls held each other for another moment, then stepped back to look the other over, their voices melding together in a stream of words and giggles that not even Elizabeth could decipher. Solomon hopped down from the wagon and shook his head at Adam, "I should have known they'd be like this." Adam chuckled, "Like what?" Solomon waved to the girls, who were now talking about Faith's baby, and how Elizabeth would ride back with them to help her.
"They're like school girls all over again." Solomon chuckled and nodded to the other Cartwrights. Adam made the introductions, "Pa, Hoss, Little Joe, this is Solomon Jackson. Sol, this is Nessa's family." Sol smiled congenially and tilted his head to the girls, "That's my wife, Faith. I'm sure Nessa'll introduce you proper once she's caught up with her." Ben smiled, "it's alright. I think we all can figure out who she is by Nessa's reaction." The group laughed, and finally Vanessa looked behind her to them. "Oh, Faith where are my manners." she grabbed the woman's hand and led her over to them, "Faith Jackson, this is my father in law Ben, and my new brothers Hoss, and Little Joe." Faith raised an eyebrow at Joe and said, out of the corner of her mouth, "Little? Nessa, he's as big as that church steeple back home." Nessa rolled her eyes, "There's a whole story that goes with that, I'll tell you inside. Come on, I'll show you to your room." the girls put their arms around each others waist and walked inside, giggling the whole way.
Vanessa sat on Faith's bed, watching her move around the room, getting acquainted with where things were. It was beginning to be obvious that Faith was carrying a child, her belly was a little bit fuller, and her dress was cut a bit wider. "So tell me Faith. Are you happy on the Summerset." Faith straightened from putting away her clothes and stared at her friend, "Happy? Am I happy? Nessa darling, what in all the world makes you think I'm just happy there?" Vanessa raised her hands in defeat, and slid further back on the bed, crossing her legs as she'd seen the Paiute do so many times. "Okay then, tell me how you feel about living there." Faith's face brightened, and she smiled. "Oh Nessa, you know what it's like there. The orchards just coming out of blossom and the petals are all over the ground. The last winter was thick with snow, and we're still dealing with a lot more water than the cisterns can take..." as she continued to talk, Vanessa laid back on the bed, putting a hand beneath her head to prop herself up.
Faith stopped suddenly, and put a hand over her belly, "Whoa, there little one. You've still got time." Vanessa smiled, and sat back up as her friend joined her on the bed, "It's really dancing around on you, huh." Faith nodded, then looked carefully at her friend. "Are you okay, Nessa? You look different." Vanessa smiled, and looked away, "You always did have a way about reading minds, Faith. She started playing with the quilt and swallowed. "I haven't taken a good ride for a long time...I was just thinking that I won't be able to for a while." Faith smiled and said, "You get me a horse, and I'll go along with you. I wonder if we can't get those boys of ours chasing after us. Solomon hasn't let me on a horse since I got this way." Vanessa giggled, "I can understand why. Your mother had a hard time with you." Faith shrugged, "I am not my mother." Vanessa giggled some more, and sighed, "Oh Faith, it's good to see you again. I'm beginning to think I shouldn't have run off to New Orleans." Faith giggled herself, "Ah, but if you hadn't, Solomon wouldn't have moved us into the big bedroom and maybe you wouldn't be married now."
Vanessa laid her head on the bed, and took a deep slow breath, "Faith, you remember that hot spring at the Summerset we found that one year?" Faith nodded, laying down next to her, "Yes, I remember. Your mother nearly tore the hide from your back when she discovered where you went." Vanessa smiled briefly, and waved her hand to her face as though she was warm. Faith put her hand on her friends forehead, but let the matter drop. Vanessa shuffled herself off the bed, and went to the door, "You get some sleep, Faith. I know that ride's a hard one. We'll talk more in the morning." Faith smiled, and stood to change into her nightdress, "Send Solomon in here would you?" Vanessa smiled, and waved good-night to her friend.
Vanessa closed the door on her and Adam's room, and leaned against the door. He was just shrugging out of his shirt when she entered, and smiled over his shoulder at her. "You're in rather late, aren't you?" she smirked, "I've had two years worth of catching up to do." she moved away from the door. She sat on the bed and reached behind herself to undo the dresses ties when his hands met hers. "Here, let me." he whispered, pulling her against him and kissing her exposed neck. She smiled and wriggled against him, "Adam..." He smiled against her skin and laid her down, "I told you, you're late."
The next morning found Vanessa not wanting to get up. She put a hand over her eyes and rolled onto her back, 'Vanessa Cartwright, you had to say it. You had to say you weren't feeling sick.' Adam had woken up earlier, kissed her awake and then gone downstairs for breakfast. 'breakfast...' the thought made her stomach flip and she rolled back onto her side, curling her arm around her middle. She lay there for another moment, then forced herself to get up... slowly. Once on her feet, she wrapped her robe around herself, and splashed some water on her face.
It was cold, and made her gasp. "Oh boy." she whispered and braced herself against the stand as a wave of dizziness hit her. Taking a deep breath, she dried her face off and went about getting dressed. She chose a shirt of a soft blue silk that had sleeves that tightened at her wrists, along with her favorite black riding skirt. She was running a brush through her hair when the door opened again, and Elizabeth walked in. "Well?" she asked, closing the door behind her. Vanessa turned to her and saw the apple in her hand, "Well what?" Her cousins eyes widened, "Nessa! You know what I'm talking about....tell me!" she crossed the room quickly, handed Vanessa the apple then put her hands on her hips, "Well?" Vanessa rolled her eyes and bit into the apple. Elizabeth began braiding her hair, "And if I am?" Elizabeth's cheeks swelled slightly, "Are you?" Vanessa stood, calmly went to the door and checked that they were alone, then turned back to her cousin, nodding excitedly. Elizabeth jumped up and down, but was careful to not let out the squeal that Vanessa knew was just below the surface. Vanessa shook her head, and looked at herself in the mirror, "Well now that you're happy, I was going to skip breakfast, but thanks for the apple. Now I'm going to take that ride Adam was teasing me about last night." Elizabeth stopped dancing around and stared at her, "Vanessa!" her voice was louder than she intended and put a hand over her mouth.
Vanessa looked back at her cousin, and grinned, "Relax. It's me!" she walked out of the room, grabbing her riding gloves from the nightstand as she left. Elizabeth grabbed up her skirts and followed after her. "Vanessa!" they were just short of the stairs when she finally reached her, and turned her around by her arm. "Vanessa," she hissed through her teeth, glancing at the stairs, "You can't get on that beast of yours. Not..." Vanessa grinned, released her arm from her grip and tossed the apple core at her, "Relax. Lizzie. I'll take Faith with me." Elizabeth hooted, "Oh really!" Vanessa wiggled her eyebrows at her cousin, then tore off down the stairs with Elizabeth shouting after her. "VANESSA! VANESSA CARTWRIGHT YOU GET BACK HERE!"
Faith was waiting outside riding side saddle on a shorter gelding, holding Jupiter's reins as Vanessa tore from the house, pulling on her gloves and gracefully jumping astride the saddle. "Vanessa!" Elizabeth pulled back as Jupiter reared back when Vanessa pulled on his reins and the two old friends took off from the main yard at a full gallop.
Solomon looked up from the horse breaking corral as Elizabeth's voice carried to them, "VANESSA!" she shouted again, her hands flying to her hips. She spun around, trying to find someone when Ben came running over to her, "Miss Elizabeth, what's wrong?" She fanned her face, trying to calm herself, reminding herself that Vanessa hadn't told anyone else that she was pregnant, "It's....It's..."
Solomon nudged Adam's shoulder, and pointed back at the house as Ben leaned in to listen to the frightened girl, "She was just screaming after Nessa as though...." his eyes scanned the yard, "Where's Faith?" Adam stood on the rail and looked around himself, "I don't see her." The two men looked at each other, then over to Ben, who was now striding purposefully over to them. Solomon swallowed, "Adam, I have a bad feeling about this." Ben reached them, and said, "Solomon, I think you two better get some horses saddled." Solomon lowered his head into his palm, "They went for a ride didn't they? Ben nodded, and glanced back at Elizabeth, "And that's not all..." he looked at his son, a worried look on his face.
The wind flew past the two girls as they led their horses easily across the open range, jumping exposed rocks and circling trees until their cheeks were red from the snap of the air and their horses were breathing heavily. Vanessa reined Jupiter in just short of the butte, holding out her hand for Faith to do the same. The girls glanced at each other, then burst into a fit of giggles. Vanessa talked first, "I'd be surprised if it takes them an hour to find us." Faith nodded, a new gleam in her eyes, "It's been a long time, Nessa. I'd forgotten that you're the better rider." Nessa tossed her head, her braid having come undone earlier, "No, Faith. I just get the better horses." Faith let out a great belly laugh, "Come on, Nessa. I want a closer look at that lake." Vanessa smiled, "Alright, there's a path over this way...if I remember right."
They picked their way down the hill, and soon were watching the waves lap against their horses hooves. Jupiter lowered his head and drank greedily. "Well, there it is. One of the most beautiful sights on this whole ranch." she said, looking over at Faith. The other woman nodded, "You were right, Nessa. This place is close to heaven." the new Cartwright smiled, and patted Jupiter's neck. The great gelding reared his head back, and flicked his ears. He only did that when he heard someone approaching, and Nessa pointed it out to Faith, "I think we got company." Faith looked down to the right then left, "I don't see anything."
There was a sound behind them, and both girls looked back up the hill to see two very angry husbands at the top of the hill. "They've still got a few minutes to reach us." Nessa said, an evil glint coming to her eye, "What do you think?" Faith glanced to her.
Adam brought a hand to his mouth and shouted, "NESSA! NESSA YOU GET UP HERE!" his wife didn't answer him, didn't even look at him. Adam glanced over to Solomon, who set his jaw and shouted himself, "FAITH!"
The girls had heard them, there was no way not to. Faith raised an eyebrow at her friend, then grinned mischievously. "Why not. This'll be the last I'm on a horse for a while anyway." Vanessa smiled broadly, then kicked Jupiter into another rear and the girls took off again.
Adam swore roundly and kicked Sport forward, "Come on, Sol. Those girls are set on killing themselves." Sol grinned in agreement, and followed Adam closely before they reached the shore and let their mounts loose.
Vanessa had been right when she'd said it would take them time to reach the beach, and once their horses hooves hit the hard packed sand, the girls were a fair ways ahead of them. Vanessa risked a glanced to her side at Faith and said, "I'm going to let him loose, Faith. I'll see you back at the ranch." Faith waved to her, and Vanessa urged Jupiter forward, letting the great beast open his stride and felt a rush of joy. It had been so long since she'd really run a horse, even back in New Orleans, where the fields had simply begged for a good ride, she hadn't been able to move. Aunt Sarah would have insisted on her riding side saddle, and Vanessa couldn't give the horse a proper rein that way. It felt off, in some way, she just couldn't get that same feel of oneness with a horse that she could astride. The wind whipped at her face, her hair started to tangle behind her head, but she had never felt more free in her life.
Jupiter leapt over a pile of rocks, and she absorbed the landing like a pro. There was a thunder of hooves behind her, a different cadence than Jupiter's, and she knew her time was almost up. Chewing on her lip, she let her hold on the rein slacken and Jupiter slowed. Adam came up even with her, and grabbed the reins from her loose grip, pulling both Sport and Jupiter up short of a great wall of rock and dirt. Once he'd stopped her, he dismounted then grabbed her by the waist quickly and pulled her from Jupiter's back, "What were you thinking!" he shouted, keeping his hands firmly on her waist and staring angrily into her eyes. She let the corner of her mouth lift, then drop at his fierce look. "Adam. I've been riding horses ever since I was..." his hands tightened on her waist and pulled her to him, "I don't like the idea of my wife riding out like a mad woman, especially when she's pregnant with my child." She couldn't stop herself, "So it would be okay if I was carrying someone elses baby?" Adam growled and lifted her onto Sports back, "We'll discuss this later." He grabbed her leg as she was about to throw it over the other side, "And you're riding side all the way home." her eyes widened, "Adam that's not fair!"
Adam swallowed his shout and glared at her as he tied off Jupiter's reins to follow them, "Vanessa, you go riding off at a full gallop across the Ponderosa, knowing full well that you're pregnant and my making you ride side saddle isn't fair?" She raised an eyebrow, "Well if you wanted to tag a long all you had to do was ask." His eyes were dangerous, and she closed her mouth. Vanessa sighed, "Adam, I was trying to tell you that I've been riding horses since before I could even get astride a pony. My mother rode horses every day she was carrying me and I'm here ain't I?" He threw his leg up behind her and gripped her tight around her waist, sliding as close as he could to her, "But you're not your mother, and that's my child you've got in your belly."
Vanessa bit her lip and hung her head, getting into a verbal battle unprepared with Adam was a foolish thing to do, and now he was angry!
"It's my child too, in case you've forgotten, and if I say I'm okay to go riding then I'm going to." she was being stubborn, but there was no way she was going to let this drop easily. She felt Adam take a deep breath, steadying himself against his temper, "Vanessa, you're lucky I don't make you walk back." She shifted just enough to look him in the face, "Adam, you stop this horse." He didn't, "Now!" she grabbed the reins herself, and Sport skittered. Adam calmed him down, then stared down at her.
"What."
She lifted herself up on her hands, twisting in the saddle and letting her right knee rest over his thigh. It was a rather intimate way to sit, and she could see his eyes were softening, "Adam, ever since you got here, all you've done is yell my ears off about my going for a ride with an old friend." He raised an eyebrow at her, "And?" she crossed her arms, her balance completely dependent on his arm behind her, "And I'm just curious how you found out about this child."
"Elizabeth told Pa, and he told me." she nodded, "Uh-huh. Well then, is that all you have to say to me?" he just looked at her, "About what?" She couldn't stop the smile that curled her lips, and she took his face in her hands, her eyes glittering, "Adam...I'm pregnant." His eyes flashed and he smiled, his dimples showing. She traced his smile with her fingers, "There now, that's better." Adam raised an eyebrow again, and that evil gleam returned to his eye, "Better? I'll show you what's better." His arm behind her tightened, and she was crushed to him in a heavy kiss.
They drew even with Solomon and Faith; Faith was still atop her borrowed horse, but Solomon had a tight grip on her reins. "Mornin, Nessa." he said, tipping his hat to her. Vanessa made a face at him, and Sol let out a chuckle, "Well Adam, I should have warned you. You got yourself a real spitfire there." his eyes twinkled as his wife said, "I'm just glad you took her off my hands." Adam's own chuckle rumbled against Vanessa's back, and she leaned against her husband. "I know about her temper, Sol. Don't worry about me, I can handle her." his arm around her waist tightened momentarily and he kissed the top of her head. "Come on, let's get these two back home."