Chapter 3
The following morning, Ben sat at the table eating breakfast. He was mulling over what he would say to Adam that he hadn't already said concerning Emily's need to work. Hoss came lumbering down the stairs and took his place at the table. He cheerfully greeted his father. Diving into the eggs, ham and biscuits, he hadn't noticed his father's somber mood. After several bites Hoss realized his father was awfully quiet. He chanced a glance at him and saw a familiar expression.
"Ya gonna talk ta Adam again, Pa?"
"Yes, I'll leave in a few minutes. I just don't know what else I can say to him." Ben looked askance at his middle son. "Do you have any ideas how to talk some sense into your brother?"
Hoss shook his head as he chewed. "Sorry Pa, this is your can o' worms. Me and Joe don't want nothin' ta do with it."
"You're no help." Ben grumbled and drank his coffee as Hoss let a small smile creep out.
"Uh Pa, afore ya go see Adam, I need ta get those contracts from ya. Ya know, the ones Candy brought in from Reno. My stage fer Sacramento leaves this afternoon."
"Hmm? Oh, yes. They're in the large envelope on my desk. I should be back before you leave but if not have a good trip, son. Just make sure you get those contracts turned in before you go see Elsa." Ben gave Hoss a knowing smile.
Hoss blushed but reassured Ben, "I will Pa. Don't ya worry none. I'll head straight to the attorney's office when I get there tomorrow morning. I won't be seein' Elsa till lunch time."
Ben couldn't help but smile inside whenever Hoss mentioned Elsa. She was a good friend of Emily's and helped Emily to escape from her former, abusive fiancé, Jason Landry. She and Emily's other friend, Carla, spent some time at the Ponderosa when Adam and Emily were married on New Year's Day a year and a half ago. Joe and Hoss became official escorts for the young ladies during that time. While Joe and Carla remained friends, Hoss and Elsa had found a deeper connection. Over the last year Hoss had found more and more reasons to go to Sacramento, where Elsa now lived after she left San Francisco. The entire family felt some kind of announcement would come from Hoss after this trip, although Hoss kept denying it.
When Ben realized his coffee cup was empty he stood and headed for the door. "Guess I better get this over with. Don't forget to tell Joe to pick up those branding tools after he drops you off at the stage depot."
"Okay, Pa. See ya fer lunch ifn Adam don't let his temper loose on ya." Hoss smirked and wrinkled his nose as Ben headed out the door. "Shore glad that ain't me goin' ta talk ta Adam." He emptied the rest of the food onto his plate since he knew Joe was already out with the hands working the calf tally for the roundup. As he ate his thoughts began to drift to his trip to Sacramento and seeing Elsa again.
Ben let Buck slowly walk into Adam's yard. He listened for sounds that might indicate where his oldest son might be. As he dismounted, he heard loud thumps coming from the barn. Taking a deep breath, he patted Buck on the neck after tying the rein to the rail and headed in the direction of the noises.
Carefully opening the barn door Ben found Adam cleaning out the stalls with a vengeance. Ben put his gloves on and grabbed a pitchfork so he could help with the straw.
"Mornin', son. Want some help with the stalls?"
Adam stopped working and turned to see his father stroll in with a pitchfork in hand.
"Suit yourself, Pa. I'm almost finished cleaning this one. You can put straw in those if you like."
Both men worked together silently for about a half hour. When the stalls were done Ben rested on a storage box while Adam put the tools away.
"You seem to be a bit agitated this morning."
"Yeah, I guess I am."
The silence was deafening. Adam couldn't take it any longer.
"Listen, Pa." Adam paced in front of his father. "I have to apologize for Emily putting you in the middle of our disagreement. It's not fair to you. I know that's why you're here now. She asked you for a third time to talk to me. Am I right?"
Ben reached for his son's arm and pulled him over to sit beside him. "Yes son. But know this. I don't mind helping out any way I can. I'm only doing what she has asked of me – to speak with you and ask you to consider her situation. Listen to her son. You two are both strong-minded. You have to listen to each other in order to find a resolution. Much like you and I have learned to do." Ben put his hand on Adam's knee and squeezed it for emphasis.
Adam dropped his head and sighed. "I know Pa. I have listened to her, believe me I have. While her arguments are perfectly sound they just don't bring me any comfort. I'm too worried she'll overwork herself and lose the baby." A thought hit Ben, So that's his problem. Ben knew exactly what Adam was feeling. He'd felt the same way when Elizabeth was carrying Adam and wanted to work in the Chandler's shop.
"Adam, son, look at me." Ben waited as Adam finally turned his eyes up to meet his father's. "You can't live with fears like that. You know as well as I do that good things happen and bad things happen. You have to live your life freely, not in fear. You can't keep Emily in a protective cocoon. It's not fair to her and can cause more stress on her than letting her work for Hiram. Show her you love her by letting her do this. Choose your battles carefully, son. You'll learn this as time goes on. Some things just aren't worth the arguments and the hurt feelings. You'll learn to trust your wife's instincts as well as your own. After a while, you'll both find a way to work out your differences. I hope this makes sense."
Adam was silent for a time as he considered his father's words but finally nodded his agreement. "Yeah I guess it does. This is the first big disagreement we've had. You're both right. She'll be much happier if she's busy. I'll talk to her tonight." At his father's askance expression, he added, "Jake's taken her into town to pick up some new dresses she ordered."
Ben sensed that Adam had not been invited to take her. "Son, you need to settle this before it gets any worse."
"I know Pa. I promise. I'll take care of it tonight. Thanks for all the help. You can rest easy now, knowing this will be the last visit of this kind you'll have to make." Adam half smiled at his father. "Can you stay awhile? I've still got coffee inside."
"Sounds good. Do you have any of Emily's cookies, too?"
Both men laughed at that as they headed to the house. Emily's cookies and pastries had become legend after that first Christmas with the Cartwrights. Even Hop Sing learned some new techniques from her.
That evening after dinner, Emily went out to stand by the corral while Adam cleared the dishes. She stared up at the sky, lost in all the stars she could see. She hated this rift between her and Adam. It tore at her heart. He seemed to be trying to make things up with her at dinner but he still hadn't apologized. All she wanted was for him to listen to her side so they could discuss it.
"Mmm, nice evening." Emily had been so lost in her thoughts she hadn't heard Adam approach.
"Yes, I guess it is. There seem to be more stars out tonight."
"It's the lack of a moon."
"Oh, I suppose so."
Adam took a deep breath and moved forward. "Um, Emily, can we talk?"
"I'm listening." She continued looking at the stars.
"I'm sorry for the way I've been acting lately. I worry about you, and the baby. I just don't want anything to happen like it did with my mother…"
A pang of regret filled Emily's heart. Why hadn't she realized that Adam could be more worried after what had happened at his birth? Emily turned to look at her husband, compassion filling her eyes. "Adam, I understand why you're concerned for me. I know I can't say nothing's going to happen but right now I'm fine. The baby's fine. Doctor Martin has said so. Can we just focus on enjoying these last few months? Please?"
"You're right, of course. I'll try." Adam propped his elbows on the rail resting his chin on his laced fingers and looked out over the dark pasture. Emily copied her husband.
"So are you going to be okay with me working for Hiram for a little while longer?"
Adam cocked his head and rolled his eyes sideways to glance at his wife who was looking straight ahead. "I said I'd stop worrying. If you do that I'll start again."
Emily pushed away from the fence and faced Adam with her hands on her hips.
"Adam Cartwright! I can't take this anymore. I have to be busy. I can't just sit around and wait for the baby to get here. I'm going nuts! And the doctor says that's not good for me either!"
Adam turned and took her hands in his. "Emie, Emie, I'm sorry, I was only kidding. I see we have some ground to make up. Of course you can work for Hiram. I'll take you to town whenever you need to go and bring you home. How's that?"
"Better." She rolled her eyes up to look at Adam like a lost puppy.
"Only 'better'? Mmm?" Adam pulled Emily close to him and wrapped his arms around her, then began to kiss the top of her head, running little kisses down the side of her face to her cheek, and finally to her lips.
"Adam, oh, I like that. But not here, someone will see."
"There's just you and me and the stars. The hands have all gone home, remember? Besides, it's only a kiss."
Wrapping her arms around Adam's neck Emily began giving kisses back. "Only a … mmm….well maybe...we...could...mmm….."
"Shh...it is a nice night….for a true apology. Mmm?" Adam tipped Emily's chin up so they could look into each other's eyes.
"I think so." Emily took Adam's hand and led him toward the house. "Come on….you can finish your apology inside."
"Now that makes for a nice evening. Let's go woman!"
