Chapter 4
After a night of "apologizing" and demonstrating their love for each other, Adam and Emily laid wrapped in each other's arms until the sun was well up in the sky. They finally made it downstairs for a leisurely breakfast, then Adam took Emily into Virginia City so she could spend some time with Hiram and work out her schedule. Hiram promised that she would only need to come in a couple of days a week. The rest of the time she could work at home with the papers he would send with her. That suited Adam and Emily just fine.
While Emily was with Hiram, Adam ran some errands to pick up some tools and harnesses they needed for the upcoming cattle drive. After he picked her up from Hiram's, they went to go see Paul Martin. It had been a few weeks since the last visit so both thought it would be a good time to make sure mother and baby were still doing fine.
After a short time, Paul came out to speak with Adam while Emily dressed. Adam stood in Paul's office, twisting his hat in his hands.
"Well Paul, is she okay?"
"Adam, have a seat. Emily's fine and so is the baby. She'll be out in just a few minutes, then I'd like to speak to both of you about some things I want her to do."
A shadow of concern crossed Adam's face.
"Don't worry, Adam. With the baby due around the end of August, she's entering into her last two months or so. It's a simple list of some things to do and some not to do as she nears her time. I've already talked with Emily about this and she understands everything." Paul paused before continuing, "Adam, I know you and Emily haven't agreed recently about her work. I can assure you everything is fine with her and the baby. I don't see any reason for her not to continue working for the next month or so. At this time, keeping her calm and away from stressful situations would be the most important thing to consider." Adam ducked his head as Paul looked pointedly at him, a smile playing around his blue eyes. "By the end of July she'll need to be staying at home more and you need to be somewhere on the ranch. I understand you have a cattle drive coming up?"
"Yes, but I'm not going on it. I'm only helping with roundup and branding. Hoss and Joe will be handling the drive."
"Good, I'm glad you're thinking that way." Paul and Adam stood when Emily joined them. Paul went over the list and answered all their questions.
Emily glanced toward Adam before looking directly at Paul. "Paul, are you saying it's okay for me to keep working for Hiram for a little while longer?"
"Yes, Emily." Paul paused as he took in Adam and Emily with his eyes. "Adam and I have already spoken about that. By the end of July, I think it's best you reduce your trips to town." Emily nodded.
Satisfied with their visit with Paul, Adam and Emily headed out to the buggy, planning to eat a late lunch in town then head home.
As they neared the buggy Adam saw a slip of paper wedged into the frame near the brake. He pulled it out and then helped Emily in. Moving to the front to check the harness on the horse he took a moment to look at the note.
You took something very precious from me. You will pay dearly.
"Adam is everything alright?"
Adam shoved the note into his pants pocket. He walked back to the buggy and climbed in. "Everything's fine. Just needed to check the harness. Ready for lunch?"
"Yes, I'm famished."
Adam flicked the reins and headed toward the center of town. His thoughts were on the note as he scanned the people moving about wondering who left it and what it meant. He considered showing it to Roy but he couldn't do that without Emily finding out. Paul's recent comments about keeping Emily calm raced through his mind. He chose to keep it to himself for a while but would keep a vigilant watch. Jake would need to keep a closer eye on the house while Adam was away during the day.
"Adam, we just passed the restaurant. Are you okay? You look worried about something."
Adam pulled the buggy to a stop and got out to tie the rein to the post. He helped Emily down and took her arm in his as they walked back toward the restaurant.
"I'm sorry sweetheart. I'm fine. I suddenly have a lot on my mind. I guess I just realized that we're only a few months away from becoming parents."
"Oh, Adam. That has crossed my mind too. I'm excited and scared that it's so close." She looked into Adam's eyes and felt secure knowing he felt the same way. She leaned in and whispered. "We'll get through this together, my love."
Adam gave Emily a gentle hug and smile as they continued toward the restaurant.
Their lunch proved to be very relaxing and they were on their way home in plenty of time for Emily to rest before preparing dinner.
Across the street, a plainly dressed woman had watched the couple's every move. It sickened her to see the not quite invisible romantic touches and looks. Her cold heart turned more icy as she returned to her room to prepare for her next move.
Charlotte DuBois Landry quietly closed the room door and laid the key on the table. She leaned against the door and sighed. Scanning the room her eyes landed on a plain box sitting on the nightstand. She went over and sat on the bed, taking the box into her lap. Glancing inside she saw all the letters her younger brother Jason had written to her after he left New Orleans to seek his fortune. He had promised it was his turn to take care of his older sister. She laid her hand on the stack recalling what he said in each one. She had them all memorized.
I'm in San Francisco and a man here has told me I'd make a great fighter. He's teaching me everything and promises I'll be in the ring in no time making lots of money.
I found a girl, Sis. Her name is Emily and she is something else; and we're engaged. But she's getting letters from some man. I can't have that. She claims they're from her father. I've told her to stay away from other men since she's mine now. I think she's got the idea.
She's gone, Sis! Emily's gone! I don't know where she is. I'm heading to Sacramento for some fighting engagements. I've got friends looking out for Emily. I'll find her and then we'll get married.
I don't know what to do, Charl. Emily's seeing some other man in Sacramento. I heard he's a cowboy but he doesn't look it by the fancy way he dresses. I'd guess he's got money. I'm getting ready to head East to fight. I caught up with Emily before leaving. I showed her good what it means to lie to me. No man will want her now. I'll get her when I get back, if she's still alive by then.
I hate Chicago. The fights aren't going well, my manager says we're losing money 'cause I'm too rough in the ring. I can't help it, Sis. I just want to be back in San Francisco. I just found out that Emily survived and is going to marry that cowboy. He lives some place in Nevada. I'm heading there just as soon as I can give my manager the slip. I can't take it any longer! She's going to pay for this betrayal, and that cowboy too!
Charlotte slowly curled her fingers into a white-knuckled fist before she grabbed the box and threw it across the room shattering it and sending the letters flying everywhere. That was the last letter she had received from Jason and it had taken her this long to track him down. She took several deep breaths to calm the raging torrent of fury coursing through her body.
Charlotte recalled how hard it had been to track Jason down and even more difficult to find enough money to fund her expenses. After their father was killed the police confiscated all the money in his bank accounts, claiming it was gained illegally. Charlotte knew her father kept some of his earnings in secret stashes around the house and the city. She found some of them but others had already been raided. She and Jason had had enough to live on for a couple of years if they lived frugally. That's when Jason decided to head to San Francisco to get a good job so he could take care of his sister. Charlotte recalled his excitement over the new job as a fighter and was pleased with how much he was able to send to her. But once his letters stopped coming, and subsequently the money, she had become concerned and started out on her own to learn what had become of her baby brother. It had been a long, difficult journey following Jason's trail.
The man in Chicago was useless except to only "guess" that Jason had gone back to San Francisco. He claimed that was all Jason talked about - returning to San Francisco and his girl. When she arrived in San Francisco she found out Jason had once been wanted by the police for attacking a girl and the man at the arena only said that his manager was somewhere in Nevada in jail.
Charlotte smiled wickedly as she relished the need to shoot both men. They were useless scum to her and besides she didn't want anyone knowing she was looking for Jason.
By the time she arrived in Carson City, Nevada, she found she was too late to help her brother. The stories people told were that Jason was on trial for kidnapping a girl. He tried to escape and was killed by some rich rancher, and that a man had been in the Nevada State Prison for over a year for helping him escape. Charlotte was not to be deterred. She worked up a good story of being a close relative so she could get in to see this man in the prison. The weak man was more than willing to tell her everything. The more she heard about Emily and Adam Cartwright the colder her insides became. After she learned all she needed to know, she slipped a bit of poisoned meat to the starving man since she couldn't shoot him like she did the others. Several hours later a prison guard found him dead when he didn't show up for a meal call.
Charlotte was pleased. Now she had Adam Cartwright in her sights. She was going to make him squirm a bit, play with him like a cat with a mouse before killing him. But kill him she would and his pregnant wife too. Which would be first was undecided but she would relish watching both pay with their lives for what they had done to her baby brother.
