Okay I am SOOOO SORRY for not updating for so long. I have been trying to get ready for college I start back in a few weeks so I'm afraid that it probably won't get any better. But I promise to do my best. I know I said this would be a 2 part story ,but it is turning into a 3 or more part. Thank ya'll for being so supportive and such great fans and readers. Please review and I hope ya'll enjoy this.

Isabelle's mouth dropped, and her breath caught. Did he really just say what I think he did? Isabelle shook her head it couldn't be," Adam wants us to get her jewelry?"

"Some of the words are smudged, but the words I can make out are 'Go to jewelers, he pick out … I can't make out anymore." Hoss was struggling to make out Adam's words; he knew he should have been more careful crossing that creek.

"Adam wants to propose to Kathleen. "

"Now Isabelle we don't know that for sure-"

"Hoss you just told me he likes her, and you've caught them kissing. It's obvious this is what he meant."

"Wouldn't Adam want to pick out an engagement ring himself?"

"He probably planned to, but we did give him the task of 'distracting' Kathleen all day."

"Well either way we better go find out what all this is about, and pick something out." Hoss smiles and takes Isabelle's hand and leads her out, they walk hand in hand to the shop," Hoss what do you suppose they have been up to all this time?"

Adam and Kathleen raced across the Ponderosa to the edge of Lake Tahoe. Kathleen won, but Adam had insisted that he let her win (pshhhh he's just a sore loser). Adam led Kathleen to a beautiful meadow at the edge of the lake. It was down a hill of spring green grass about knee height, a huge weeping willow tree covered the opening to the meadow. As they approached Kathleen slowed down to take in the beauty, she felt like she was in a fairytale. Adam looked back to find Kathleen looking around the meadow. The sun was shining just so that it gave her a soft glow, as her dark brown hair shimmered in the soft morning sunlight.

"It's beautiful isn't it?"

Kathleen turned to Adam and nodded. It was one the most beautiful places she had ever seen. She followed him in and was in awe of the secret meadow.

"Adam this place is astounding, how did you ever find it?"

"Joe and I discovered it when we were kids; it's always been a special spot."

"Adam hopped off his horse and walked over to help Kathleen off; just as she lifted her leg over the horse her foot got hung in the stirrup. Kathleen wiggled her foot to try and get it free, but all she managed to do was loose her balance and topple off the horse. Adam saw her struggling and started off toward her. He didn't think anything of it till he saw her falling. He could feel his heart jump to his throat as he darted over to catch her. He dove for the ground underneath her and reached his arms out. Kathleen landed with a thud on Adam's lap. When the dust had settled Kathleen was in Adam's lap he had one hand under her legs and the other around her back. Her face was inches away from his as they both began just stared at each other unable to look away. No one knew who began to lean in first, but before either could do anything they found the other's face inching closer till their lips brushed against each other and their eyes closed. Just as the kiss began Sport whinnied and stomped his hoof into the ground breaking the spell. Kathleen jerked back embarrassed as she looked away.

"Are you okay?" Adam said breathlessly, he ran his hands up and down Kathleen's body to check for any sign of injury. Kathleen eyed him as he did this; she noticed she was holding her breath as Adam's hands continued their trek along her body. The touch was electric, but just as she found her body responding to him, she brushed his hands off of her," I'm fine. Thank you for catching me."

Adam grabbed her right hand that was nervously dusting off her dress. He could tell she was nervous and uncomfortable being in his lap. Adam was still trying to sort out his own feelings in his jumbled brain. He knew what his body was telling him to do, wrap her up in his arms and kiss her with every ounce of passion he was and had been feeling for the past few weeks. Act on his deepest desires out here miles away from anyone with the woman that had been driving him crazy. Adam shook his head at the thoughts. He was better than that; had been raised better than that. Kathleen had gotten up off his lap and was now sitting beside him adjusting her boots. God she was so beautiful, he ached for the soft touch of her lips on his, and the sensation of their embrace. Just like the night they first met. They had come so far in 2 months. Although they hadn't kissed since that night, they had come pretty close many times. Today would be different though, he was going to kiss her again, and find out if they could be something more. Just try it out, they didn't need to rush. It wasn't like she was going anywhere, but he just had know. He cared about this girl; she wasn't like any other girl he had ever known.

Kathleen gathered her composure; she was out here alone with Adam. A boy she had felt uncontrollable attraction to since she first laid eyes on him. She had to keep everything calm and natural, but maybe she could just test the waters. Kathleen looked over to Adam who was staring off into space deep in thought. His face was relaxed and his hazel eyes were warm and soft as he smiled unknowingly. He looked so adorable when he smiled, especially with those dimples of his. Well she wasn't about to have this day go to waste it was her birthday after all.

"Adam are we going to just sit here or actually enjoy ourselves?" She looked to Adam with a smile, who looked up in question. He looked over with a smile and said," Of course we are, here let me help you up." Adam reached out his hand for Kathleen to take and help her up off the ground. Kathleen bowed her head as she let Adam pull her up off the ground and dusted off her dress. Adam walked over and took of the picnic basket and blanket and led her over under a grotto of trees and laid out the blanket. They had a perfect view of the lake which glimmered in the sunlight. Kathleen sat down and looked out over the lake and sighed.

"It's beautiful Adam; I've never seen anything like it."

"Well do you want to eat now or later?"

"Later why don't we swim?" Kathleen was looking to Adam like a child on Christmas morning. She grabbed the bag she had brought and pulled out a dress.

"See I came prepared." She held the dress up and rocked side to side patiently waiting for an answer, Adam looked to her and chuckled he had never seen Kathleen act this way, she was always so reserved and mature. Getting her alone she was able to let her guard down and just be herself. Besides how could he say no to those big eyes?

"Swim? Seriously isn't that for children?" Adam hadn't been swimming since he was 17. Kathleen looked at him shocked. Swimming was something she and her sisters did all the time for entertainment. "You don't like to swim? Why me and the girls go swimming all the time."

Adam realized he had forgotten that Kathleen was but a child herself she was only 24 barely old enough to be an adult. It could be fun he guessed. To just let go for a day and just enjoy life. What could it hurt, and no had to know.

"Okay I guess it could be fun. There is a swimming hole just down the creek that feeds the lake." Kathleen smiled and started off toward some brush Adam looked after her not sure exactly what she was doing. Kathleen got to the edge of the woods and turned around as she started to take her dress off and noticed Adam staring," We are not going to do this again, now turn around so I can change." She looked at him with serious eyes and spoke in a stern voice, but Adam could see a hint of playfulness in her eyes and just the hint of a smile on her lips. He reluctantly turned away and went to stand by the lake shore.

Adam looked out over the lake when a something small caught his eye, he bent down to pick it up to see it was a pearl. It reminded him of the task he had gave Hoss to do for him.

"I wonder how they are coming along with that."

Hoss and Isabelle were standing outside of the jewelry store, neither one knew what to say or how to react at the moment. Hoss turned to Isabelle and took her hand as they entered.

"Hoss I don't know about this I mean this is like a big deal what if he doesn't like it?" Isabelle looked to Hoss with big eyes and a worried voice. Hoss gave a reassuring smiles as he said," Oh now dontcha go on a worryin' Isabelle. Everything is gonna be fine as frogs hair just you wait an see."

Isabelle and Hoss began searching the store. Isabelle picked out a few rings, but Hoss just didn't think they looked right. Isabelle noticed a one in the window. It was very simple, but elegant it looked to be quite old.

"Hey Hoss come over here I found one." Isabelle couldn't take her eyes off the ring it was just gorgeous. Hoss hurried over seeing her transfixed on the ring. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arm around her waist as he peered over her shoulder. Isabelle giggled and placed her hand on top of his and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

"Ain't it just the prettiest thing Hoss?"

Hoss was transfixed on Isabelle's face as he replied back," Yeah it sure is purty Belle."

"Can I help you two?" They jumped at the sound of a man's voice behind them and turned to see an older man of around 60. He had kind eyes that peered at them from thick glasses.

Hoss stepped forward, his arm was still around Isabelle," I think you just might be able to sir, see my oldest brother sent us here to pick out an engagement ring for his girl, which just happens to be her sister." Isabelle smiled at the man as Hoss spoke.

"Well it is unusual to have the family pick out a ring, but we can make it work does he have any specifications?" the man went behind the counter and pulled out a few rings and set them out on the table. Hoss and Isabelle looked down at the rings as the man being talking about each one. Hoss whispered to Isabelle," Hey do you know what he is talking about?"

"No I thought you did?"

"No, what do we do?"

"I dunno let's just pick out something pretty and be done with this."

Isabelle cleared her throat which stopped the man from talking," Excuse me sir, but may we try some of these on?"

"Of course ma'am." The man left them alone to mull over the rings.

Isabelle eyes the rings one by one, she loved to look at jewelry and this was right up her ally. She didn't know all the fancy stuff, but when it came down to the basics she could pick out something she knew Kathleen would love.

Hoss on the other hand stood off to the side completely dumbfounded by all this. He watched her inspect each one and of course she showed him the ones she liked and talked on and on about this and that. Hoss smiled and nodded every once and awhile and let her talk away. Isabelle picked out an antique silver marquise diamond ring," Hey Hoss what about this one?"

Hoss picked up the ring and twirled it in his overgrown fingers. It was a tiny silver ring with a small diamond, nothing fancy but just so pretty in its simplicity.

"Well how about you try it on to see if it would fit?"

Isabelle smiled and held out her hand," You put it on me the right way, please."

"Hoss smiled and got down on one knee in the store he smiled up at her and took her hand in his monster one and slid the ring on her finger. Isabelle's face lit up as she smiled at the ring. Hoss got up and couldn't believe how natural this felt. He bent down and brought Isabelle over to him, he bent down and kissed her. Isabelle was surprised but she soon kissed him back, her arms wrapped around his neck as Hoss gently lifted her up and twirled her around.

Ben had just come back from his friend Walters he had been sorted out his birthday present for Kathleen and getting guests. He saw his old friend Roy outside the sheriff's office and had to stop by to say hello. Roy greeted Ben with a smile and offered him some coffee which Ben took.

"Hey Roy how have things been around town?"

"Not bad Ben, I saw Hoss out with a new girl though, you know her?"

Ben chuckled Roy was always one to keep Ben updated. "Yeah Roy that is one of the girls that have been staying with us."

"Well you won't believe where I saw them going earlier." Roy sat back against the wall eyeing Ben.

Ben shuffled his feet as his face pursed he could only imagine what his middle boy and Isabelle had been doing. "Do I even want to know Roy?"

"They went into the jewelry shop together."

"They what?!" Ben almost choked on his coffee.

Roy roared out a laugh as Ben took off in that direction," Good luck Ben, let me know when the wedding is."

Ben walked, or more ran to the shop and looked in the window. The first thing he saw was Hoss getting down on one knee. Ben could feel his heart stop, and then he saw the Hoss kiss Isabelle and his heart stopped again. Good lord I can't leave any of my children alone for 5 minutes.

Ben Barged through the door," WHAT IS GOING ON IN HERE?!"

2 words Poor Ben.