Dearly Beloved

Chapter 3

Adam's arrival at the ranch was a boisterous affair, thanks to Ethan and Jake who yelled their hellos from their bedroom window on the top floor of the ranch house. Soon Adam was enveloped by his parents and siblings who all hugged him and started firing questions at him so all he could do was laugh and say how much he'd missed them all. Once they'd finally gotten inside and Adam had detached his two youngest brothers from his legs (who were already asking about presents he might have brought them), he sat down in the parlor with a happy smile plastered on his face. He was finally home.

"You look tired," Lou commented, handing him some lemonade and sitting beside him.

"I'm fine, Ma," replied Adam patiently.

"You're not workin' too hard, are you?"

"He's fine, Mama," Charlie interrupted from her place on Adam's other side. "Did you see my sorrel in the corral? That's Skydancer."

Before Adam could open his mouth to respond, his father spoke. "How's St. Louis? And the college?"

"Busy," Adam said with a sigh. "Truth is I'm glad to be home, even if it's only for a couple of weeks."

"I knew it, you have been workin' too hard," said Lou.

"What did you bring us?" Jake asked as he started unstrapping Adam's trunk, Ethan providing instructions on how to undo the clasps.

"What makes you think I brought anything for you two?" Adam grinned as he got up to join them.

"Aw, Adam you always do!"

"All right, let's take a look." Adam knelt down in front of the trunk and dug around inside for a few moments. Then he withdrew a couple of leather bound books which he presented to Jake and Ethan.

The boys accepted the items with some disappointment.

"This is The Swiss Family Robinson, and this one is brand new: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. They should suit your adventurous yearnings," Adam said.

"Thanks," Ethan replied half-heartedly. Both boys preferred the dime novels their Uncle Cody sent them regularly – ones that usually featured Cody himself and that he'd autographed for the boys. Long, boring books were another matter entirely.

"Here you go, don't forget these too." Adam grinned as the boys cheered when they saw the bags of candy he had also brought them – city-bought, fancy candy you couldn't get in Sweetwater. Both boys raced upstairs to explore their loot, shouting their thanks to Adam as they did so.

For Charlie he had brought a large mortar and pestle.

"Thought you could use this for the poultices you make for the horses," he explained. "They're the same ones we use at college."

"I love it," Charlie gasped at the handsome gift.

Adam finished handing out gifts to the rest of the family, not forgetting Mrs. Greig, their housekeeper. She rewarded Adam with a kiss on the cheek and the promise of his favorite dessert for supper.

"Are you hungry? Or would you prefer to rest a little?" Lou asked, still fussing over him.

"Actually, I'd just like to sit here a while and enjoy being home," said Adam as he took his seat on the couch once more.

In the corner of the room, Jamie finished his glass of lemonade and fixed his brother with a mischievous grin, dimples appearing on his cheeks.

"Why don't you tell them your news, doc?"

Adam immediately blushed.

"What news?" Lou asked eagerly. She was hoping perhaps he'd decided to finish his medical studies with Dr. Browne, the town doctor, which meant he would be home a year earlier from college than originally planned.

"I wanted to tell you later, over supper," Adam said hesitantly, shooting his brother a 'thanks for nothing' glare. "I've brought some friends from St. Louis with me. They wanted to meet you all and see Sweetwater."

"Where are they?"

"In town, at the hotel, but if it's all right with you, Ma, I'd like to bring them home for supper tonight."

"Of course it is," Lou replied as she refilled his glass from the pitcher of lemonade. "Who are these friends of yours?"

"Do you remember my friend from medical school, Rudy Betts?"

"You've mentioned him in a few letters. He's the one whose family you stayed with over the holidays?"

"That's right," Adam continued, increasingly embarrassed. "In fact, I've been spending a lot of time with the family. Rudy and his sister, especially."

"It's good to have friends in the city," Kid commented.

Lou's eyes suddenly narrowed at the mention of a sister. Adam had not included any reference to her in his letters home.

"Rudy has a sister?" she asked.

"Yes, Elizabeth. Beth." Adam smiled nervously. "She and Rudy both came on the train with me."

Lou just raised an eyebrow in response.

"The thing is, Beth and I are engaged to be married."

"What?" Lou cried, drawing her breath in sharply.

"Married?" Charlie asked in surprise.

"That's right." Adam glanced between his sister and mother who seemed shocked at the news. Jamie just grinned from his chair in the corner. It was his father who broke the awkward silence.

"Congratulations, son!" Kid pulled Adam from his seat and hugged him tightly. Charlie reluctantly followed suit. Lou, however, remained on the sofa.

"Isn't it excitin' news, Lou?" Kid asked her pointedly when she still had not spoken.

"When are you plannin' to get married?" she inquired instead.

"Not until next year, after I graduate."

"That's a good idea," Kid nodded. "Isn't it, Lou? And we'll meet her this evenin'?"

"I'll fetch them both from town a little later on, after they've had a chance to freshen up." Adam glanced down at Lou, all too aware that she still hadn't responded. "If you're sure it's all right, Ma."

Lou tried to smile but her expression was hardly joyous. "Of course it is."

"Thank you."

Lou finally stood and straightened Adam's collar. "Congratulations," she said as cheerfully as she could. "This is certainly big news."

"I know, I didn't mean to surprise you all. But you'll love Beth, you'll see."

Lou's lips twitched again but no smile was forthcoming this time. It was hard to believe that Adam – her gentle, shy Adam – had gone and gotten engaged. It was the last thing she'd expected and couldn't help but be disappointed that the welcome home family dinner she'd been planning for weeks would now include two strangers… one of whom was going to be her daughter-in-law. Lou suddenly realized she had better check in with Mrs. Greig to ensure everything was in readiness. It was as good an excuse as any to remove herself from the room.

"I'll just go and see to dinner… We'll need to set a couple of extra places."

"Thanks, Ma." Adam kissed her cheek, wanting her to be okay with his decision.

As Lou left the room, Adam was faced with a grumpy looking Charlie who was also not entirely pleased that her brother's attention was to be diverted during his visit home.

"What do you want to go and get married for?" she asked with disdain all too evident in her voice.

Adam just sighed.