Til Death Do Us Part

by MissjudyK

This story has four sections and follows Adam as he begins a new life in Boston. He is engaged, working as an engineer and singing in a prestigious choir. Wedding plans move quickly when Ben sends news that he will be stopping for a visit. Nothing goes easy for the Cartwrights and this is no different. Adam and Ben still make a great team as they face new trials

3. Til Death Do Us Part - Part 3

Part 3

'Til Death Do Us Part

One

Rewriting Shelley

Scuffling and loud voices in the hallway made Melinda lay down her book and stiffen with fear as she listened to what was being said. She heard Georgie's Italian-inflected voice shouting, "We have too many men needing service to let a room go unused."

Maxi's voice spat back, "You don't know what you're doing, Georgie. Think about it. This woman is worth money from the ransom, but she won't be worth anything if you do this! She's never been with a man as far as I can tell. These men don't want…beginners…and you will face Luis's wrath for hurting her."

The man laughed loudly. "Senza macchia! I can charge more for that! She seems too old to be untouched, but she's a good-looker, and will bring in a fine price for the first time. As for Luis…I haven't heard from him other than his wanting that note from her. I know what we do with those we kidnap. This woman won't be here after today anyway, so I might as well get something for her room and board before she's shipped away."

Her voice was frantic as Maxi tried to reason. "This woman ain't like the others we've had in here. Even you can see that. You need to think on this longer before you do something you might regret. I think she's got connections out in the world. You hurt her and this place is gonna be shut down and you'll go to jail."

"Will you shut up! I can't think with you spitting all those words at me."

Melinda was trembling but breathed more easily when she heard heavy footsteps walking away. The key turned and Maxi stood in the doorway, wide-eyed with worry.

"I've done what I can, Melinda, but I think he's gone to get someone for you. I'll try to turn him away if he comes, but I'm scared too. This ain't much of a life, but it's all I got." She began to close the door again. "I have to get back now, but I'll try to come back and open the lock if Georgie puts a guy in here with you. All I'm saying is that if you see a chance to run, go for it. You got that?"

"Yes!" Melinda shouted, her teeth chattering with fear as she began to understand what was going to happen. Regaining control, she added, "Thank you, Maxine. I know you've done all you could. When I get out of here, I'm coming back for you. You got that?"

Before Maxi could answer, the door was sent flying back on its hinges as George tried to enter. There was another man behind him who could barely stand upright and held onto Maxi's shoulder, boosting himself high enough to see into the room. "Hey there, pretty lady," he slurred as he caught himself on the door jamb when he began to tip backwards. "I'm going to give you something to remember for the rest'a yer life. I might be short, but most women don't complain about the length of other things I got." He began to giggle as he held more tightly to the jamb. "I think I'm pretty good at doing what I'm about to, so don't you look so dang scared. I'll be gentle with ya."

Maxi screamed at Georgie, "You can't do this! Please, I beg of you. I'll hurry and do twice as many men to make up for it."

"It's not your business, Maxi," Georgie said as he slapped her hard across the face. "I already took $50 from this man so that he could have first chance at this one."

Maxi recovered enough to push at the drunk, sending him to the floor. But as she turned to look again at Melinda, Georgie's big arm caught her at shoulder level, lifting her off her feet and sending her flying into the hall where she crumpled in a heap.

Georgie pinned Melinda with a deadly glare. "You do what this man wants of you or I'll do it myself. And I won't be gentle." He assisted the drunk to his feet and gave him a nudge into the room. "She's all yours, mister."

She could see Maxi on the floor outside the door as it was pulled shut and locked. Melinda looked at the drunken sailor who'd gone to sit on the bed, then at the locked door again. Finally she turned to the window. The panes of glass were thin, and large enough that she would fit easily through the bottom section without hitting the sturdier frame. She'd taken a good look outside earlier to see that there were a number of heavy branches just beyond the glass that she could grab onto…if everything went just right. Her parents had always called her a tomboy when she was young because she climbed trees fearlessly, and she was about to find out if her skills were still intact. She glanced again at the greasy-looking lump sitting on the bed leering at her, and knew what she had to do.

After waiting so long to be Adam's bride, she was not about to let that be taken from her. Adam would say that it made no difference—that the only thing that counted was that she was alive. It would make a difference to him though; he just wouldn't be able to tell her the truth. Adam would never be able to look at her without feeling his own guilt festering in his soul. He would blame himself for not getting to her in time, and for not being able to save her from this act of violence. It wouldn't matter because of anything she'd done; only that he hadn't done enough. Melinda made the decision that she couldn't allow these people to take away her soul—because if they had that, her life wouldn't be worth living anyway.

She considered the man on her bed a final time. When he'd first entered, she thought he was so drunk that he might pass out. However he'd begun to focus on what he was about to do, and he now looked awake and eager. He was small as well as drunk and she wondered if she could fight him off…but then what? Georgie would come back and make good on his threat. There was only one way out of this room, so she prayed for a miracle. Please, dear Lord, send your angels to protect me. You allowed Adam to survive a fall through a tree and I ask that you might be inclined to do the same for me.

She looked around the room to find something to protect herself from the breaking glass. There was nothing, not even a blanket on the bed. She'd thought about using this method of exit earlier, and had come to some conclusions that were again confirmed. The man in her room was drunk yet he would still be able to pull her back inside if she lingered in her task. Further, the breaking glass would alert Georgie who could return quickly enough to thwart her effort if it wasn't accomplished in haste. It was clear that she couldn't break the glass first and work her way out to a sturdy branch. She would have to accomplish the escape in one fluid chain of action. Her last thoughts before committing to her plan were of the man she loved. Please understand, Adam. If I don't make it, it is only because I don't want to live without you. A grin crossed her face as she thought; this would be so much easier if I could just open the window. Raising her eyes to heaven, she prayed, Father, please protect me.

Angling her torso forward, she took her first step, but then hesitated as she heard movement outside the door. The key turned quietly followed by the sound of footsteps hurrying away. "Maxi," she mouthed silently. Her friend had recovered enough to unlock the door as she had promised. Melinda was suddenly presented with a way out that didn't involve flight and acrobatics. She had no idea what lay on the other side of that door, where the hallways led to, or how she'd find her way out of the house. This escape route could prove to be as perilous as the window, yet it was a chance she would take.

She walked over to the bed and asked the sailor to stand. Placing a trembling hand on his shoulder she said, "Why don't you get those boots off while I get undressed."

A large smile replaced the leer as he said, "Well ain't you eager. You musta been waiting for this for a long time!"

Melinda quietly muttered, "I have been waiting a long time, but you're not the one I've been waiting for," as she removed the six-inch hatpin that she'd woven into her skirt the evening before. She raised her arm above her head and then drove the needle into the man's shoulder as he bent over to pull off his boot. A wave of nausea swirled her stomach as the point snagged on the cloth of his shirt and then hit something hard. She kept applying pressure until the man dropped to the floor screaming, and clawing at his arm. Wasting no time, she made for the door, opened it and ran.

The man's howling brought others to stand in their doorways, curious to know what was going on. Melinda pointed back toward the room she'd come from and shouted, "That man needs help. He's having some sort of fit." She continued on to the end of the hall where she saw steps leading down. Her heart soared as she thought of sailing down the stairs and out the front door.

The escape came to an abrupt halt when Georgie walked out of the room at the head of the stairs and grabbed at her arm. By then, the drunk had made it into the hall, screaming that he'd been stabbed. Amid the noise and confusion, Melinda spat in George's face, kicked at anything she could connect with, and dug her nails into his skin. He released his hold when she bit him, giving her a chance to run again. She'd made it halfway down the stairs when a shot rang out from above. Melinda dropped. Momentum continued to propel her forward as she tumbled down the remaining steps, her lifeless body coming to a stop at the feet of Luis Castelletti as he entered the front door.

Castelletti shooed away the curious customers that had filled the doorway of the parlor. "Go back inside. There's been an accident, but everything is fine. Have a drink on the house while you wait." When they were gone, he spoke to Georgie through clenched teeth. "What have you done, you fool?"

"She was trying to get away! I had no choice," he replied while remaining at the top of the stairs. "Why am I suddenly a fool for doing what we have always done with those we hold?"

"This woman is connected to one of the most powerful people in this city. I had no idea that Samuels knew anyone important." He bent down to roll Melinda over and gasped as he saw the blood on her dress and his hand. "You shot her…in the back? I heard a gunshot as I came to the door, but hoped I was mistaken."

"I told you, she was running. The customer she was with came out howling that she'd stabbed him. I had to stop her somehow."

"Did she stab him? How?"

One of the brothel women came to the head of the stairs while Georgie blocked her view of the scene below. "I just checked out the guy in that room. There was a hatpin in his arm. I yanked it out and he seems fine."

Georgie pushed her away. "Go make sure he leaves happy."

Castelletti shook his head as he wiped the blood from his hand on Melinda's dress. "A hatpin… You killed her for a hatpin!" His face reddened and he shook his head as his rage built, "Stupido! This is madness! Get her down below. Arrange for the body to get out to a ship tonight. They can toss it overboard once they're out to sea." He waited for Georgie to come down the steps and slapped him hard across the face. "You've ruined us here. I must now figure out a way to stall Cartwright and Wadsworth until we can clear our houses and get out of town. We'll head back to New York and stay out of sight for a while."

Georgie wiped the blood from his lip with the back of his hand and probed the cut with his tongue. "You haven't let something like this stop you before. I never thought I'd see the day when Luis Castelletti would run away with his tail between his legs. Vigliacco! Who are these men to make you shake like a dog?"

Castelletti slipped a small revolver from his vest pocket and shoved it into Georgie's ribs. "I should kill you for calling me a coward!" After the outburst, he replaced the gun in his vest and said, "I still may kill you later, but right now I need you. Take this body away and then get the customers out of here. Have the women ready to travel in two hours. I'll go make arrangements for transportation and send carriages and extra men to make sure they all get to the train. You don't need to bring anything other than your ledgers and the women. I'll send word to clear out the rest of the places I own as well. Those Cartwrights and Wadsworth won't stop until they've shut down everything I own once they find out the woman is dead."

Castelletti bent down again to look at Melinda. "She was a beautiful woman, was she not? Mr. Cartwright will be…disappointed."

Ben joined Frank in his office and they talked about ranch life and business while eating lunch. Everything was done for the time being. They didn't expect any news from Castelletti for a bit and the money had already arrived. There were no plans to use it, however. It had been brought for the sole purpose of convincing anyone who might be watching that they were going ahead with the payment.

The real plan had been to follow whoever the Sicilian sent to get the note from Melinda. Once there was proof of where she was being held, they were going to storm the house long before it was time to meet for the ransom exchange.

A knock on Frank's door startled the two men, and a small, wiry man handed a folded note to Ben. After looking it over, he told Frank, "It's from Abel. He's got passage booked for both men to leave early tomorrow. Lloyd sails for San Francisco while Grifasi will go to Spain. He can get to where he wants to go from there. Apparently Abel knows both captains and they are willing stow their cargo with no one being the wiser."

"Excellent. Abel seems to be a very efficient man." Frank drained his water glass. "How's Adam holding up, Ben? He didn't look good when we got back here."

"He wanted to be alone, but I'll go check on him now. He'll want to hear of Abel's news and I suspect we could get the note from Melinda soon."

Adam was sitting on the floor of his office, his head on his knees with his arms tightly grasped around his bent legs. The pain in his gut was constant now and this was the only position that offered any relief. He raised his head when his father entered, and saw that Ben was carrying a plate with a sandwich. Clapping a hand over his mouth, Adam breathed deeply, swallowed the bile that had risen and waited until he could speak. "Take that out of here, please, Pa."

After setting the plate on a desk outside the door, Ben reentered and went to help Adam stand up. "You haven't eaten a thing since I've been here son, and Abel told me you were sick for two days before that. Are you sure you're up to going with us? Maybe you should go see a doctor."

"Would you have gone to see a doctor if someone had taken one of us?" He shuddered as another wave of pain tore through his abdomen.

"Do you have any idea what's wrong with you?"

"None, but it doesn't matter. All that's important is finding Melinda."

"Do you think you can at least rest a little before we go? I'll come get you when something happens."

"I've tried to rest, but I can't, Pa. I think I drifted off a few times last night and that will have to suffice." There was silence as Adam tried to decide how to tell his father what he needed to say. "You know that I'll keep pushing myself until…I can't anymore." He looked pleadingly at his father. "If I can't finish this, promise me that you'll keep going until Melinda is found."

Ben tried to sound optimistic. "You'll be fine, Adam."

"Maybe, but promise me, Pa."

"I promise."

Frank and Les appeared at Adam's doorway with an envelope as Ben's assurance was being given. Frank said quietly, "It's here, Adam. The note from Melinda is here."

Adam took the paper and unfolded it, carefully scanning the message as a smile briefly replaced the look of pain that had become the norm.

"Is it from her?" Les questioned.

"Yes. It's a poem. No one else would know its meaning." Adam felt a moment of hope again as he asked, "Were your men able to follow Castelletti's people, Les?"

Les sighed heavily before answering, "They did. But there's a problem."

"A problem?" Ben asked. "What kind of problem?"

"Castelletti might be new in town, but he's not new to crime. He's cautious and sent each of the men that were with him this morning to different places. Our men followed them, and each came out with an envelope that was taken back to Castelletti's main gambling house. The person who brought the note to us is not one of those who went out at first, so I'm sure he doesn't know where the note originated. Castelletti figured that we'd question the guy. He can't tell us what he doesn't know."

Frank was unfazed by the admission. "So, we go to all of these places at the same time! Where's the problem?"

"That would make sense, but we only have enough men to hit maybe two or three at the same time, Boss. You have a good-sized team and I could enlist more…but there's not enough time for me to organize such a huge endeavor in the hour or so that we have to make our move."

The four men sat in silence as the truth once again dimmed the hopes of finding Melinda.

Ben broke the quiet. "What do we do?"

Les shrugged and sucked air through his teeth, making a whistling noise as he thought it through. "We pick out the two places she's most likely to be at and go to those. I can alert the police to look at some others, but... We have to pray that we hit the right place with our first assault."

Adam looked again at Melinda's note and began to smile. "Are any of these places perhaps a brothel near the harbor?"

Les sat forward with interest. "Yes, there's an old boarding house just up the hill from the docks. Why do you ask?"

"It's this note. I think Melinda is telling us where she is. What a clever woman! At first I didn't even see it. I thought that she might have simply forgotten the words of the poem in her duress, but now it makes perfect sense."

"How so, Adam?" Ben asked.

"It's a poem by Shelley. The first stanza she wrote is correct.

The fountains mingle with the river,
And the rivers with the ocean;
The winds of heaven mix forever
With a sweet emotion;

Nothing in the world is single;
All things by a law divine
In another's being mingle-
Why not I with thine?

Frank nodded. "I'm familiar with it. Love's Philosophy, isn't it?"

Les gave his boss a sidelong look, and tried not to smile. "I never thought of you as being the poem reading type, Boss."

"Well of course I read poetry…" Frank said as he winked, "when Marian makes me. But go on, Adam. What are the clues to where she's at?"

"There's a second stanza, and that's what's off. I'll say it as it actually goes so that you can hear the difference in what she wrote today. It should read,

See the mountains kiss high Heaven
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister-flower would be forgiven
If it disdained its brother;

And the sunlight clasps the earth
And the moonbeams kiss the sea:
What are all these kissings worth
If thou kiss not me?"

Adam stood and began pacing. "But here's what Melinda wrote,

Harbor bells kiss clouds in heaven

Joined by gulls in lonesome cries

Beyond where love not freely given

Branches kiss the azure skies

Bound in knots I cling to earth

Near where moonbeams kiss the sea

What are all these kissings worth

If thou kiss not me?

She says she's near the sea, where harbor bells ring, the gulls cry and she even says that she's tied up in a brothel with a tree outside!"

Frank shook his head. "I understand the bells and gulls but where do you get the brothel from?"

"It's written so well; I don't know how she did it so quickly. In the fourth line she says she's in a place where love isn't freely given…a brothel!"

Ben stood behind Adam's chair reading the words over his shoulder. "It does sound like she was sending you a map. Are you sure about this, son?"

"Absolutely!"

Les rose, saying, "Then we go to the brothel. We'll leave in one hour."

Two

Head 'Em Up, Move 'Em Out

Adam sent word back with Castelletti's man saying that the note was valid and promised that they would meet as planned for the exchange. Meanwhile Frank and Ben finalized plans to get Lloyd and Lorenzo Grifasi to Abel's house to await their departures.

Les went on ahead to speak with the local police force after assuring himself that he wasn't being followed. He knew that Castelletti probably paid the street cops to turn a blind eye to his operations, but he knew the men in charge would want to take the lead when the brothel where Melinda was being kept was raided. There was constant pressure from the city to shut these places down and it would be a feather in their cap to do so.

Georgie Salvatore grunted as he carried Melinda's body down the steps to the root cellar. There was a door in the dirt enclosure that opened onto a path leading directly to the harbor. He wished he had more time and could just bury her, saving himself the trouble of having to pay someone from a ship to pick her up later.

Once she was stowed away, he went back upstairs and began knocking on doors, telling the occupants to hurry it up and clear out. He hadn't counted on the unwillingness of the sailors who hadn't seen a woman in months to rush, and those who had already paid and were still waiting, refused to leave without satisfaction. Georgie's request was met with angry curses and threats as the men promised violence if not allowed to do what they'd come for. It was well over an hour before Georgie was escorting the last of them out the door and shouting at the women to hurry with their packing.

Maxi ran for Melinda's room when she was finally done. She'd heard the commotion and shot earlier and had assumed the worst, yet hoped she was wrong. The room was empty. Maxi went inside and took Melinda's hat from the dresser. There was no time to grieve properly, but there was enough time for Maxi to make up her mind about her own future. A shadow falling across the floor made her look up to see Georgie's hulking frame filling the doorway. She looked at him with contempt. "I don't suppose she got away, did she. Did you shoot her?"

He snarled, "What difference does it make what I did? What was she to you anyway? I never saw you get so attached to anyone before."

She walked to him and looked up into his eyes. "What she was, was a good person, Georgie. You can't even understand what that is." She grinned malevolently and added, "But with all this rushing around, packing and clearing out, I assume that what I warned you about is coming to pass. Melinda's man is coming for you and you're afraid, Georgie. I can smell it on you." He slapped her hard again, but she laughed. "Well thanks for that. At least now I match. How would it look if I only had a bruise on one side of my face?" Her next words insured her fate, but she didn't care anymore. Another good woman had died at the hands of this man and his cohorts and she couldn't go on thinking that her fate would be any different. She would be worked until she got sick and died just like the others she'd seen come and go. "I'm not going with you, Georgie," she said with conviction.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Just what I said. I'm done. You can shoot me if you need to, but I'm walking out that front door. I can't pretend that this life is anything but a living hell. I'd rather be dead."

He grabbed Maxi by the hair, stuck a gun in her back and dragged her down the hall. "Walk down the steps. I already hurt my back carrying a corpse. You're at least gonna help me out a little before I kill you."

Maxi took the first step, still hanging onto Melinda's hat as she began to cry. "I don't want to die, Georgie. It's just that the living is too hard."

Three

Confessions and Absolution

William brought a cup of tea outside to his wife. She'd gone out shortly after Abel had left and hadn't come back in. He could tell that she had been very upset at the exchange between them and wondered how she had come to deal with it. Handing her the cup, he urged, "Why don't you drink some tea, dear. You missed lunch and could use a little something."

She took the cup, giving him a brief smile. "Thank you. I didn't feel much like eating. I've had a lot of thinking to do."

"I suppose you have." He sat on the bench next to her.

Balancing the saucer and cup on her knee, she turned to face him directly. "It must be close to two already. Didn't the note say that they would know what has befallen Melinda by mid-afternoon?"

"Yes, but even if something is going on, we won't hear about it until a little later, Margaret."

"The waiting is hard, isn't it?" Her face screwed into a sob as the cup and saucer slid to the ground, shattering on impact. "William, I never meant it to sound as though I didn't care what happened to our daughter. I was so afraid that I didn't want to think about what she might be going through. Such ugly things came out of my mouth. I didn't mean any of it."

He pulled her close. "I think I knew that, dear. Perhaps our emotions caused us both to say some hurtful things." After letting her cry for a few minutes, William pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. "I do believe the right people are out there to give Melinda the best chance at being found. I wouldn't have known where to start in figuring this all out. Adam and his father seem to be doers, whereas I'm a watcher. They know whom to go to for help and how to get things done."

Margaret patted her husband's hand. "I don't think we know what we're capable of doing until we have to do it. You would have done the best you could. That's all anyone can do."

"Thank you, Margaret."

"William?" The tears began again. "When did I become such a shrew? I've been thinking about Mr. Stoddard saying that I have a sharp-edged tongue that I use to hurt people. Have I always done that?"

"One of the things that I loved about you when we first met was your quick wit. You said things that were insightful and often left jaws dropping, but only because of your way with words, not because they were unkind. We've been married for 36 years. I can't rightly say when you switched from being witty to being harsh, but it's been some time now. You allow your words to come out without considering the harm they may inflict. I often still see the woman I fell in love with, but if I'm being truthful, there are many occasions now when your words leave me wincing and dismayed instead of impressed as I once was."

Margaret nodded and then asked, "I've been a horrible wife and mother too."

"That's not true, Margaret. Our girls love you and so do I."

"One of our girls doesn't love me, William. One of our girls thinks very little of me."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Melinda doesn't love me. She loved Lynne. She modeled her life after Lynne, not me, and hates anything that I suggest."

William thought about this for a moment. "I don't think that's true. But I can see where it seemed that way at times. The fact is, in thinking back, your harshness seemed to begin with Melinda and Lynne."

"You may be right about that. Melinda and I always seemed at odds, but when she'd come home from stays with your sister, we got along better…at least at the beginning. Before I knew it, Melinda was a young woman and I couldn't say anything to her without starting an argument. I began to resent Lynne's influence and found that Melinda had ideas that were foreign to me. When I'd try to tell her how I felt, she'd laugh at me and call me old-fashioned. I dug in then William. I dug in hard and determined that I was going to make her see the error of her ways. Maybe that attitude began to infect everything I said."

"That's very insightful, Margaret. I wish you had told me back then how you felt. I might have helped."

"I was afraid, William. I felt like a failure and it hurt so badly. I think I was jealous too. Melinda didn't seem to need me at all. She was making her own life, doing what she wanted, and then went off to school, began traveling and was recognized for her talent and ideas. I was intentionally hurtful at first. I thought that if Melinda saw how unhappy I was, she might at least try to see my point of view."

Margaret dabbed at her tears. "In the end, Lynne won her heart while I became a blowhard stranger. We have nothing in common. Yet I know that I was the one who pushed Melinda away from me with my ugly words. Mr. Stoddard was right. I do often feel like I'm suffocating—in my own unhappiness. I think I lash out at everyone because I felt such guilt for failing my daughter, and figured that I was failing everyone else as well. It became a vicious cycle."

She took a deep breath. "At first I thought Melinda's was being willful in refusing to show interest in anyone I introduced her to. I thought she was refusing to marry to hurt me, rather than because she loved Adam so much."

"You know differently now?"

"Yes. I knew it from the moment they walked into the room at Miranda's house. The way he looks at Melinda, and she at him: they are obviously in love and finally together. He's a good man; he's kind, gentle and honest. And instead of welcoming him, I said such awful things. It was as though I couldn't stop myself, just as I couldn't stop myself today. You and Mr. Stoddard shocked me into taking a look at what I'm doing."

"That's a good thing then, I presume."

"Yes, it's a good thing." She smiled even as the tears rolled down her cheeks. "I'm sorry for it all and now realize that I may not have the chance to make things right." The sobs wracked her body as she fell into her husband's arms again.

William spoke gently. "You think that you and Melinda are not alike, Margaret?" He chuckled. "Where do you think she gets her intelligence and spunk? Lynne always said that Melinda was much like you. You two had trouble getting along, not because you had nothing in common, but because you were so much alike. You both want things done your way and both ways make sense, so you grate on each other like a rasp on wood. It is the same qualities that have blossomed in Melinda that drew me to you and keep me at your side. Honey, you got off course, but you can find your way back."

The tears stopped as she asked, "You think that I can?"

"Absolutely." William kissed her cheek.

"I didn't encourage Melinda to marry someone just because I thought she would be an old maid, William. I honestly thought she would find out one day that Adam had gone away and hadn't given her a second thought. And then she was so unhappy when she came back from Sacramento that I became very worried for her. I should have told her that instead of harping at her about marrying someone else." Margaret smiled and sighed. "It seems that she will have her happy ending after all." Margaret's happy words were crushed as she thought of her daughter in danger and she clung to Williams arm. "We have to believe this will have a happy ending, don't we?"

"Yes, Margaret."

She bent to pick up the shards of the china from the grass as she said, "I'm going over to the Stoddard house. I owe Abel an apology, and then I'm going to tend to Miranda."

Margaret took a few steps and looked back at her husband. "I have always loved you William. Do you remember when we used to look at each other like Adam and Melinda do? Is there a chance that we might see each other that way again?"

William walked to her and touched her face. "I don't see why not."

Four

A Mist That Vanisheth

Georgie was struggling to get Maxi down the steps while trying to disguise the fact that he had a gun in her back. Women from the house were squeezing past them trying to get up the steps while asking questions about the rapid evacuation.

One of the younger girls sniped as she passed by, "I still don't understand why we have to move. I hope the place we go to will be better than this rattrap."

Georgie hollered at her to "shut up and get moving."

Another woman called down the stairs that she needed help with a case. "I hope you don't expect me to carry this heavy thing by myself. It's full of your notebooks, Georgie. There ain't no way I can lift it."

When Georgie turned back to tell the woman to leave it at the top of the stairs, Maxi jerked away, losing a handful of hair in the process. She had nearly made it to the last step when she heard the big man shout, "Stop running Maxi, or I'll shoot. I always liked you some, but that don't mean a thing right now. I got the feeling that this whole mess started because you opened the door to that room. How else did that woman get loose?"

She stopped and said without turning, "You gonna shoot me in the back, Georgie? Is that how you shot Melinda too?"

Maxi heard Georgie draw the hammer back on his revolver just as the front door burst open and two men ran in with their guns drawn. Two older men entered behind them followed by police officers.

The house had already been in a commotion, and seeing several men entering with drawn weapons did nothing to ease that. The women shrieked and ran like ants leaving a disturbed nest, yet Adam didn't seem aware of any of it as his eyes focused on Maxi's hands.

Ben hollered for everyone to stop where they were. The depth and strength of his voice calmed the chaos immediately. "We're here to help, ladies, so if you'll all please move to that room over there—," he indicated the parlor and pointed at one of the policemen as he continued, "this officer will explain what's going on and tell you what he needs you to do."

Once the entryway was cleared, Adam demanded of Maxi, "Where's the woman who owns the hat you're holding?"

She'd forgotten that she still had it, and held it out to him as though offering him a precious gift. She said softly, "You must be Adam. She knew you'd come."

Adam holstered his gun and took the straw bonnet from her hands. "Where's Melinda," he asked again. "You must know her if you could deduce who I am."

She nodded slightly. "I watched over her while she was here. She was a lovely woman and told me about you."

Ben asked gently, "Who are you, miss? And why do you say that she 'was' a lovely woman?"

"They call me Maxi, but Melinda called me Maxine. If felt good to be called by my real name." She breathed deeply as she used her thumb to point back to Georgie, who'd lowered his gun and had remained standing like a pillar of stone throughout the bedlam. "You need to ask him what became of Melinda. I wasn't here when it happened, but I have a pretty good idea."

Georgie's voice was a threatening snarl, "You be quiet, Maxi. Don't you be telling these men anything if you know what's good for you."

Maxi laughed as she hiccupped in a sob and turned toward the ogre standing behind her on the steps. "What are you gonna do to me, Georgie?" She offered an aside to the group below, "Imagine an old oaf like him wantin' to be called Georgie, like a little boy. It makes me gag every time I say it."

"Shut up Maxi," the ogre threatened again.

She didn't. "He brought Melinda here yesterday in the late-afternoon. I talked with her while helpin' her out, and got to likin' her a lot. I even managed to keep her safe until an hour ago when this coward decided he'd put her to work."

Adam gasped, but Maxi reached out to touch his arm. "Don't you worry none about that part of it, Adam. Melinda got away, but I think Georgie decided he couldn't let her go and…"

Georgie hissed as he raised his gun again, aiming it at Maxi's back. He yelled, "You stupid whore. I told you to shut up," as he pulled the trigger.

Two shots rang in near unison. The slug from the police officer's gun being first to leave the barrel, hit Georgie in the chest, knocking him backwards onto the steps and sending his shot high as he pulled his trigger. Georgie's bullet grazed Maxi's temple and lodged in the door frame between Frank and Ben.

Adam squatted on the step below where Maxi had collapsed, as the others ran past them to check on George Salvatore. The big Sicilian was soon declared dead.

The officer headed upstairs to check the rooms while Ben, Frank and Les stood over Maxi as Adam examined her wound. "It's not serious, but I've had a similar one to this, so I know that your ears are ringing and it hurts like the devil."

Frank passed Adam a white handkerchief to use as a bandage as he urged, "Ask her what happened to Melinda."

His head was spinning, causing Adam to stand up again and lean on the stair rail as he let Ben tie his neckerchief around Maxi's head to hold the fabric in place. He wasn't sure whether it was his illness, or the thought of what they were about to hear concerning Melinda that was causing his distress but he took a deep breath and continued. "Are you able to talk now?"

Maxi chuckled as she looked up at Adam and said, "Melinda told me that you leaned on stuff. Now I see what she meant."

Adam smiled and agreed, "People have been telling me to stand up straight my whole life and it never worked. It seems like you and Melinda talked a lot while you helped her. Maybe you can finish helping her by telling us what you think George did to her?"

Maxi took Adam's hand in a vice-like grip. "I heard running and then a shot. By the time I could look, Melinda was gone."

Frank asked, "Do you think he killed her?"

Maxi shrugged. "I don't know nothin' for sure. But whatever happened spooked Georgie. He was clearin' out this house. I figure he was waitin' for his partner, a guy named Luis Castelletti, to show up. He let Georgie run this place, but Castelletti was the one in charge."

Ben sat next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "That makes a lot of sense. It was Castelletti who said he had Melinda, but he must have had this man do the dirty work. Do you know where Melinda might be now? We need to find her."

"I refused to go when Georgie said we were leaving." She looked at Adam and then to Ben. "I thought I could live this way, but after knowing Melinda for even a little while, I wanted better for myself and told him I wasn't going. He didn't like that and said he would shoot me, but that I had to walk downstairs so he didn't hurt his back again carrying me down."

Les asked, "What'd he mean by that?"

Maxi started to cry as she said, "There's a room of sorts under the house. It's below the outside steps and a long way to carry a body. A path connects from there to the harbor and I think Georgie puts stuff in there that he wants picked up and taken to the boats."

Adam didn't wait to hear more, he was already moving toward the back of the house while the others followed. He flew down the outer steps and looked for a door. It was Les who spotted the wood that was hidden by an overgrowth of weeds and vines. An arc carved in the dirt indicated that it had been used recently. Les yanked the door open.

Ben caught up and barred Frank and Les from entering before his son. "Please," he said, "I think Adam needs to go first."

Adam stooped to clear the lintel and entered the musky-smelling root cellar. He heard no sounds and at first despaired at not seeing anything but a few barrels and wooden crates. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light filtering in from the door, he saw a mound lying by the back wall.

Ben followed his son after lighting a lamp he'd found, and the two of them approached the form.

Adam recognized the dress immediately. "Melinda," he said softly, as he knelt, "we're here to take you home." There was no movement and he was disheartened by the coolness of her skin as he touched her cheek.

Father and son gently turned Melinda onto her back. Her arm rolled off her body as they did so, lifelessly hitting the dirt with a thud. Ben kept his reaction to a minimum as he held his breath and reached to open one of her eyelids. It was hard to tell anything in the shadows, but there was no mistaking the dark stains that covered her dress from shoulder to waist, and the iron-laden smell of drying blood.

Adam moaned as he laid his hand on her ribcage and felt no movement. He felt no pulse either, and shivered as he took her cold hand into his.

Ben watched his son's face collapse in agony. Frank and Les had made their way inside, but stood a few steps away, remaining quietly respectful of the scene.

He had held on until now, but Adam finally let his pain take him away, hoping that whatever had been making him sick would allow him to join Melinda. He sat in the dirt, leaned against the earthen wall and thought, For what is life? It is a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away3*

Adam could hear shouting, but couldn't grasp the words. The pain he'd contended with over several days was twining through his body like fiery fingers—both excruciating and exhilarating as it touched each nerve ending like a hot coal. He could make out his father's voice saying, "Adam," and it seemed the man was trying to tell him something important. But he couldn't concentrate on anything as he let his mind hover in a state of nothingness to combat the pain. All he could feel was his own heart as the rhythm slowed and weakened. The rush of air in and out of his lungs was the only sound he could hear clearly…until he heard nothing.

Activity around the two bodies in the cellar became frenzied. Ben continued to shout at Adam, shaking his shoulders to rouse him, while Les went to get the men who were guarding the house to help carry Adam and Melinda to the coach that was waiting at the curb.

Frank exited the cellar with Ben. They walked shoulder-to-shoulder supporting each other as they made their way to the street. Once at the curb, Frank hollered, "Take us to Massachusetts General!" as he began to climb in.

Ben turned to Les before following Frank. "Go find that young woman who helped us. She needs to go to the hospital too."

Les found Maxi leaning against the stair rail in a daze.

She looked up at him and asked, "Did they find her?"

Les nodded. "She was right where you thought she'd be. Thank you."

"How is she?" she asked as Les lifted her to carry her to the coach. His silent shrug carried no encouragement and she buried her head in his shoulder and wept.

After turning Maxi over to Ben's care, Les remained behind to talk with the police. The security chief was dealing with his own guilt for waiting the extra hour before leaving for the rescue and had the sick feeling that if they'd gone immediately after receiving the note, they would have found Melinda unharmed. Yet in that time, the police had been able to send information to the other precincts noting the houses where Castelletti had sent his minions earlier.

Castelletti was arrested when he returned with the carriages. The women of the house gave brief statements to the police, all of them confirming that they'd been sold into service or taken as repayments for loans. Les suggested that they be taken to a mission run by the nuns of the Holy Cross Cathedral of the Boston Diocese, where they could receive medical assistance and a place to stay.

What amazed him as he watched the exodus was that while many of the women seemed excited and spoke of freedom, others looked lost.

After the women were gone, Les saw to it that there would be no further questions from the police.

The story he gave them was vague, but no one questioned it. With the Wadsworth name involved, no one quibbled with issues, only outcomes. He'd floated terms such as mistaken identity, unforeseen circumstances and unsolicited information. None of it really made much sense, but it gave the police words to put on their reports.

Les knew it would be a very good day for the Boston police and politicians, and that Frank would be pleased with the outcome. Still his thoughts turned toward the Cartwright family and he wondered how they would remember this day

Once he'd finished giving his statement, Les rushed to the hospital to find out how things had turned out there. He found himself wondering greatly about the beautiful Maxine. The woman had shown a great deal of courage and he wanted to find out more about her.

Four

Things May Be Unfolding as They Should, But Try Convincing Adam of That

After an initial examination, Adam was admitted to the hospital and taken to a private suite in a wing that had been paid for by Frank's father. There was no question as to which room he would occupy.

Adam awoke briefly as they transferred him into the bed, and he grabbed his father's arm. "I need to be with Melinda!" he whispered through the fog of pain. "Please help me, Pa. I don't want her to be alone."

Ben patted his son's shoulder as he reassured, "Her parents and Miranda are here, son. Don't worry now. You rest."

"Everyone out!" the nurse in charge commanded of the entourage as she walked into the room carrying a tray with a glass syringe. "We need to get Mr. Cartwright settled. The doctor will speak to the family in his office."

"Which is where?" Frank asked in the same tone used by the nurse.

"Take a left when you leave this room, then it's the third door on your right."

Ben's, "Thank you," went unacknowledged as the group left while nurses bustled around his son.

Frank headed toward the doctor's office while the charge nurse ran to catch up. She laid a hand on his arm and suggested, "The patient's immediate family should speak with the doctor. They can tell you what they find out."

Frank gave Ben a sheepish look as he and Abel caught up. "That would be best. I'll be in the sunroom at the end of the hall when you have news."

Ben could hear Frank grumbling while he walked away, but at that moment he couldn't worry about hurting anyone's feeling. He rapped sharply on the door bearing the name Samuel Abbott Green, M.D. While waiting for an answer he looked over at Abel. The older man had arrived at the hospital with the Hayworth family just as Adam was being taken to his room and he looked shaken. "I know this is a lot to take in, Abel," Ben soothed, "but we'll know what's wrong with Adam in a minute."

After receiving a call to enter, the two men walked in to find the man of near Adam's age sitting behind the desk, paging through the sheets of a medical file. They'd seen him down in the admitting area when everyone had arrived, but he had sent everyone out as he had examined the patients. He stood to welcome them, shook Ben and Abel's hands as they introduced themselves, and then motioned for them to sit.

"Do you know what's wrong with my son, Dr. Green?" Ben asked straightaway.

"I have a pretty good idea, Mr. Cartwright, but I have a few questions. It says in the admitting notes that your son moved to Boston from Virginia City, Nevada about six months back? Did he ever live here before this?"

Ben nodded. "Yes he did. He was born in Boston, and was here about twelve years ago for college. The rest of the time he's lived in Nevada" Ben waited a moment to see if there would be a follow-up question. "Is there significance in where's he's lived to what's wrong with him now?"

The young doctor laughed gently. "No. I'm sorry, Mr. Cartwright and Mr. Stoddard. I'm just trying to figure something out. I knew a man named Adam Cartwright when I was at Harvard. We both sang in the choir and while your son looks familiar, I wasn't certain that he was the same man. Now I know for sure."

"I see." Ben said and asked a question of his own. "I heard Frank Wadsworth ask for you downstairs. Do you know him well?"

"I know him well professionally, not personally. I got to know Frank when I was at Harvard. He was on boards at the college, and at this hospital. Medical students had to make appearances before those boards each time we finished a clinic rotation. After completing school, I worked for a few years, and then volunteered in the war effort. Frank had always been interested in my career even when I was a student, and he was aware of my service to the army. When I came back to Boston, he made sure I found a good position here. When he requested me today, he told me only enough about what happened so that I could treat the admissions, and he trusts that I'll be discreet about anything else I might discover."

Ben was again amazed at Frank's ability to control a situation, but now he just wanted to know what was wrong with his son. "So, do you have any other questions…about Adam?"

"Just one: Do you know if he ate at a seafood restaurant on Saturday?"

Abel spoke up. "Yes, he did. He met other members of a choir there to celebrate the director's birthday." Turning toward Ben, he added, "Adam suspected his illness might have been from something he ate."

"Aha!" Dr. Green exclaimed triumphantly. "That settles it. I heard you mention in admitting that Adam's state of ill health was not a result of the experience he'd just been through, and after I examined your son, I thought his condition seemed familiar. We've had several members of that choir, and other patrons from that restaurant in here since early Sunday morning, although none of them were this seriously ill. Why didn't Adam come in sooner?" He thought about the information Frank had shared with him and added, "Never mind answering that. I imagine he had other things to worry about."

Ben caught Abel's questioning look and said quietly, "I'll explain everything as soon as we're done here." Looking back at the physician, Ben inquired, "So how is eating at a restaurant making him this ill, and what are you going to do?"

"You're probably aware that seafood must be used quickly or it spoils."

Both men nodded, while Abel said, "Are you saying that Adam was served spoiled fish at that restaurant?"

"In a way, yes, although I'm sure it was not done intentionally. As some shellfish begin to age, they release a type of poison that can cause stomach upset and even more serious maladies. Cooking it can't remove that poison and unfortunately there's no indication when it's present. More experienced chefs might pick up on it in other ways, but the restaurant admitted that their regular chef was out and this was put together by someone not as knowledgeable. Whatever contained this poison was added to the chowder and the results were varied. Some of those who ate it barely got sick, while others became very ill."

Ben interjected, "Why would that be?"

Dr. Green threw his hands up as he sighed. "I'm not sure. It's probably just how much of the infected product was in the serving each person received. I'm assuming that your son was unlucky enough to get a good amount of it."

Abel's complexion had paled. "If it's a poison and he got a large dose…what does that mean? Poison would seem to be a very bad thing."

"Yes it is," the doctor agreed, "but this kind is seldom fatal. Everyone who came in with symptoms has been released. The effects ease without further complications."

Ben rose and began to pace. "You said that these other people who were poisoned are already better. Why is it different for Adam?"

Dr. Green paused and looked pointedly at each man. "Whatever was in Adam's dish was so potent that its assault was more devastating. Add into the mix that Adam continued to push himself past the point of exhaustion, and the result was that his system began to wage war on itself. I noted extreme tenderness and swelling as I palpated his abdominal area. That would indicate that his entire intestinal tract is inflamed. His oral mucosa, that's the inside of his mouth, is extremely red and friable, so I'm assuming that's pretty much what the rest of his insides looks like too. With the inflammation so widespread, any further trauma could cause a tearing of his stomach, esophagus or intestines."

Ben had stopped pacing and faced the doctor. "What kind of trauma are you talking about?"

"Put it this way, we should be thankful that there were no fistfights involved in whatever happened today. Had Adam received a jab to his gut…well I think you understand what I'm saying." Dr. Green smiled encouragingly. "But he's safe now and here's what we'll do. The treatment for this is rest. Adam still seems agitated so we're going to force his body and mind to do that. I'm going to keep him sedated with morphine."

Seeing Ben's eyes widen, Dr. Green quickly added, "That's not as awful as it sounds, Mr. Cartwright. Morphine is a good drug in this case and we're able to give it through an injection now rather than making him swallow a powder. I know you've probably heard the stories about people becoming addicted to morphine, but research suggests that it isn't addictive when using the injectable form.4 The morphine will keep him sleeping and in less pain, and it pretty much stops the intestinal tract. That's a real plus since it will give it a chance to heal. We'll discontinue the drug as soon as we can, and then introduce foods slowly to get his system going again. There should be no long-term effects from the drug or the poison if this works as I expect it to. However, Adam is very ill and only time will tell if I'm correct."

Ben hadn't known what to expect, and found that he was both relieved and concerned. "I'll trust that you know what's best for him, doctor. What I can't imagine is how Adam managed to keep going with what was happening inside him."

Dr. Green walked over to Ben and grasped his shoulder. "I've been wondering the same thing. I imagine that Adam had a lot to lose if he didn't push on, and yet most men would have succumbed to the pain soon after it started. Your son must have some special Western grit that we frailer, eastern men do not." He chuckled at his thought and then added, "I remember what else I was going to ask you. I knew a man who went into medicine a little later in life. I helped mentor him at Harvard and later he went to Virginia City. I think he got there around '61 and stayed for a couple years. His name was Thomas Pinkerton. Might you know him?"

Ben smiled as he replied, "Our family uses Paul Martin as our physician, but I did know Dr. Pinkerton while he was there. He had a medical contract with the city and was kept very busy with that. Tom was a guest at our home several times and we did a lot of reminiscing about Boston."

"It seems such a great distance from one side of this country to the other and yet it gets smaller all the time." Abel speculated. "I imagine that someday we'll be able to cross the expanse of states in a day or two instead of weeks…or months, as it did when Ben first headed out there."

"I'd be happy if the mail would just get from one side to the other efficiently." Ben grinned at Abel, "I suppose we best let Frank know what's going on before he breaks down the door. I guarantee that by this time, he's out there waiting."

Frank was standing outside Dr. Green's office when Ben and Abel stepped back into the hall. "Well?" he asked. "What's going on?"

Before they'd left the brothel for the hospital, Frank had sent a messenger to Abel and the Hayworths, and another to Marian to meet them at Massachusetts General. Marian was the last to arrive and showed up as the three men were standing in the hallway talking outside Dr. Green's office. After getting a brief update on Adam's health, she assured them that she'd stay with him and find them if he needed anything. Ben and Frank set off with Abel to find Melinda's family so they could explain to everyone what had happened during the day.

Marian found Adam tucked into the starched, white sheets sleeping soundly. She laid her hand against his cheek and kissed his forehead. The nurse who had left as Marian walked in advised her that he would be unresponsive, so she wasn't surprised when he didn't stir. The nurse had also issued a terse warning that only one person was to visit at a time, and to that end there was only one chair was in the room. Marian pulled it next to the bed and sat, gently taking Adam's hand as she leaned to his ear and whispered. "You've been through a lot again, haven't you, sweetheart? You rest now and I'll be here if you need me."

Marian watched the rhythmic rise and fall of Adam's chest and thought back to when she'd met him the first time when he was still a teenager. She had found him to be a fine young man, but had noticed that he'd often looked sad. The expression would disappear when he laughed or was participating in an activity, but she would see it return when he thought he wasn't being observed. At first she'd thought it was homesickness, but over time she'd heard snippets of information that had made her suspect that there might be much more to it than simply missing his family. She had never tried to pry more details from him, figuring it had been his story to tell or withhold.

She'd watched him grow from a rangy teen to a wonderfully handsome man back then, and was thrilled when he returned to Boston and became engaged. Now he seemed driven with purpose and appeared at ease and happy. But she wondered if this unfortunate situation would mean that the sorrow would be there again when he opened his eyes. She couldn't bear the thought of seeing that pain again.

She brought his hand to her cheek and said, "When I found out that your mother had died, I took you into my heart as my own child, Adam. I don't think I ever told you that in words, dear, but I think that you know it. You get better now or you'll have me to deal with, and I'm a lot tougher than Frank."

Adam awoke for brief intervals over the next several days. At those times he took sips of water, was tended to and questioned about his pain before being given another morphine injection to make him sleep again.

Ben remained at his son's bedside, leaving only when others forced him to. In the days since the admission, there had been times when Adam had seemed aware of others being around him, but even then he hadn't spoken other than to answer questions from the hospital staff or to nod in acknowledgement of something that had been said directly to him.

The only conversation Ben had had with him was when Adam had said, "Have Melinda's arrangements been taken care of?" as his son was drifting back into a morphine-induced sleep during his first night in the hospital. Ben had assured him that she was in good hands, and had wondered what Adam had meant when his voice had trailed off to a whisper as he'd said, "I should have known it would end this way."

Once word of Adam's hospitalization spread, others began arriving to take turns sitting with him. In fact there was usually a line of people waiting to spend time at his side, and Ben had to use his parental privilege to cut back in when he'd return after a trip to Abel's for a quick nap and change of clothing. The congestion in the hall eased when Dr. Green allowed more than one person at a time in the room. It seemed that no amount of commotion stirred Adam from his sleep, and it became the norm for a group of people to be sitting at the foot of the bed in quiet conversation while he slept.

Ben had stayed with Adam through the night from the beginning, and even though his son was now resting more easily during the day, it seemed that darkness allowed whatever demons were at work in his mind full reign, resulting in periods of extreme agitation.

Visiting hours had ended at eight, and the last of the Adam's callers had departed, leaving Ben alone with his sleeping son. The hallways had cleared and quieted as evening rounds were completed and the lamps were dimmed, settling the ward for the night. Ben tried to focus on his newspaper but his head began to bob, causing a few neck-snaps as he fought to stay awake. The war of wakefulness and sleep was finally decided when his chin remained resting on his chest; the only sound in the room being the rhythmic breathing of its two occupants.

Ben jumped, sending his paper sliding to the floor when he felt a touch on his shoulder. He blinked repeatedly to focus and saw that Frank Wadsworth was standing in front of him.

"You're exhausted, Ben. Go home and get some sleep."

Ben wasn't surprised that Frank had made it past the gauntlet of nurses to pay an after-hours visit. "I am tired, Frank, but Adam still has terrible nightmares and I don't want him to be alone if he should wake in a panic."

Frank laughed. "He won't be. I'll stay; you go. Marian mentioned during dinner that since I'm up most of the night anyway, I could stay awake here instead of at home. Made perfect sense so I gathered up some things," he pointed at the stack of papers he'd set on the table before waking Ben, "and came right over."

"I can't ask you to do this, Frank."

"You didn't ask me, Ben," Frank looked around as though he were checking for someone listening at the door, and smiled as he continued, "Marian commanded it. And when Marian gets an idea I don't talk back." Frank's sly look became serious. "Our dear Marian said you looked worn out and is worried as much for you as for Adam at this point. I don't know why I didn't think of this myself a day or so ago. Adam's recovered enough that I can fill in for you, and I really do spend most of the night up brooding about business matters." Frank waited as Ben thought through his offer, and then added. "You know that I think of Adam as a son, Ben, so I won't let anything happen to him."

Ben looked directly at Frank. "I know you think highly of Adam, and I appreciate all you've done for him."

"Done for him?" Frank pulled up chair and sat. "I think I need to tell you a few things. Adam has done far more for me than I can ever give back."

Puzzlement turned the corner of Ben's mouth into a frown. "I don't know what you mean, Frank. Adam enjoyed spending time with your family. He said that being at your place reminded him of home, without the dust, and cattle bawling in the distance." Ben chuckled with that remembrance. "But he never mentioned doing anything out of the ordinary for your family."

Frank steepled his fingers in front of his face as he considered how to tell his story. "You remember Professor Metz, don't you?"

"Of course. He tutored Adam in Nevada and took him to Boston after completing those botanical studies out West. What does Adolph have to do with you staying with Adam tonight?"**

"I was one of the people who funded that endeavor for the university and was invited to a party when Adolph returned. During that evening, he kept talking about a family he'd met on his trip, and said that he'd brought the eldest son back with him. Adolph told us how he had met this boy, Adam out in the field one day and how the young man had asked him for help once he realized the older man's credentials. Adam had spoken of his dream to attend college back East but he had also realized that he didn't have the education needed to pass the admissions tests. Adolph said he had taken Adam on as his student and he had worked hard and learned amazingly fast. In fact the boy was prepared to sit for entrance exams when they arrived here. But Adolph's stories didn't stop there. He went on about Adam's bravery, the price he'd paid for it, and of his devotion to his family. When I found out that this young man had been accepted into the same class at Harvard as my son, I contacted the college and 'asked' that Adam Cartwright be paired with Frankie in the dorms. I hadn't met Adam before making that request, and yet it had struck me solidly that my son would do well with him as a roommate."

Frank took a moment to let Ben fully understand that Adam's pairing with Frankie had not been random. "After school started, Frankie came home talking nonstop about this kid he shared his room with and we encouraged him to bring Adam home. Once I met Adam, I began to understand what all the fuss was about. We're not the bluebloods we're accused of being, and while Adam was raised in a different part of the country and under different circumstances, I could see that he was imbued with the same standards and values that we have. It was his quiet determination and kind nature that impressed both Marian and me, and over the next five years Adam became one of our own."

"Adam wrote me about Frankie," Ben offered. "I think they took to each other from the moment they met, and I'm most grateful that you pulled a few strings. Adam was fortunate to have your family around him."

"There's more to this, Ben," Frank sighed. "My Frankie is smart enough, but he always took the easy way if he could. He used his intelligence, but also his good looks, guile and likable personality to get through preparatory school. He was dumfounded when those traits didn't work on the professors at Harvard. As you know, Frankie is running the company in San Francisco, and I will say he's doing a fine job. I always assumed that his talents rested in management and I was right. Those other "skills" I mentioned make him very successful in securing projects and wooing those in charge. Yet I wanted him to train as an engineer so he'd know the business from the ground up. I never had such training and while I've picked up a sense of that part of our business, I still have to rely on the word of my employees that they're doing it correctly."

Ben nodded, "I know the feeling, Frank. It's hard to have to learn how to do something when you need to already know how to do it. I've often felt like I'm a step behind before I ever get started."

"That's it exactly!" Frank slapped his knee. "I hoped that Frankie would have an easier time than I've had if he'd know the basics, but I began to wonder if it was such a grand idea when he started to pull failing grades in his first semester of the engineering program. Adam saw what was happening too and stepped in." Frank looked up at Ben, his eyes sparkling with admiration. "Your son taught mine how to study. He tutored him and kept him focused, and he did it in such a way that Frankie didn't become frustrated or think he was missing out on the fun parts of college life. In time my son became a decent student. He wasn't at the top of the class like Adam, but he made it through and truly understands the principles he works with every day. I know in my heart that Frankie wouldn't be the man he is today if it weren't for Adam. The truth is that having your son in town again feels like one of our own children has come home."

A deep breath puffed Ben's chest. "It would be like Adam to notice that Frankie was having trouble. His brothers appreciated his guiding hand as well, although they probably thought he was just being bossy at the time. I'll admit that there were some very tough years as we got the Ponderosa going, and Adam was always there, willing to do whatever needed doing. He usually knew that I was having trouble even before I did. I miss him greatly, but I can see that he has a good life here."

"After Frankie visited your spread, he wrote that it was 'nice' but I assume he told me that so I wouldn't be jealous." Both men chuckled as Ben admitted that Adam had said much the same about the Wadsworth estate. "I'd like to see your place one day, Ben. I often wonder what it's like to really build something. I'm more the caretaker of our place. I've built the business into a powerhouse, but the rest was a gift. So I envy what you've done. If Adam was there every step of the way, I can see why he's the man he is."

Silence ensued as both men thought about their legacies. Ben finally yawned and stretched. "I think I'll take you up on your offer, Frank. I won't be good to anyone if I don't get a good night's sleep."

"I concur. Before you leave, I'll tell you quickly why I hired Les 15 years ago. This is something that even Adam doesn't know…"

Dr. Green greeted a well-rested Ben as he returned in the morning and took him to his office to review Adam's progress. "We've reduced the morphine to the point where we can now eliminate it, Mr. Cartwright, so there will be no further injections unless Adam's pain level increases again. He's been tolerating broth, so we'll begin adding soft foods to his diet."

"If the morphine has been reduced, then why is Adam still sleeping so much?" Ben said with a concerned scowl. "I assumed he would be more alert when he wasn't being medicated, but he barely..." His voice trailed off and he ended with a sigh. "I guess I thought that he'd be more active or at least talking to us."

Dr. Green smiled. "What you're seeing is normal, Mr. Cartwright. We're not making him sleep any longer, but his body is still healing and that requires rest. He has been through a lot, but I can assure that he's going to be fine. He'll perk up more quickly now that he's eating again and the nurses will be getting him up at intervals. We might have to push him a little so he doesn't get too comfortable." The doctor laughed as he suggested. "I don't think he can say no to you, so why don't you get him up and moving as well. A walk with you now and then would be good for him."

"Could we move him to his grandfather's house?" Ben asked hopefully. "I think people always do better when they get back to their own bed and surroundings."

"You're probably right about that, and I know you're anxious. Give us a day and if all goes well, I'll kick him out of here."

The doctor's words buoyed Ben's spirits and he was humming as he met Marian Wadsworth coming out of Adam's door. She smiled as she extended her hand in greeting. "You look happy, Ben. I came by to bring breakfast to Frank before he headed for the office. Did I see you coming out of Dr. Green's office?"

"You did. He said that Adam seems to be doing quite well now." Ben voice held a note of uncertainty as he asked, "How does he look to you, Marian?"

She led Ben away from the door to speak privately. "Seems is a good word, Ben," she said as a frown replaced her smile. "Adam seems better. He's awake, and even ate when the nurse forced him. But he's not acting like the man I know. He acknowledged that I was there and told me that there was no reason to stay, and then stared resolutely at the ceiling while saying nothing more. I wouldn't say that he was being rude. It's more like he doesn't have the will to participate." She saw Ben's grimace. "I'm so sorry. I've turned your good news into questions."

Ben patted her hand. "Don't feel badly, Marian, I've noticed the same things you've described."

"I know that Adam is very hard on himself." Marian hesitated before continuing, "I remember finding that out when he first started coming to the house with Frankie. They were freshmen then and I asked him how he was doing with his classes. Adam confided that he was doing fine except that he was upset over the loss of six points on his first history essay."

Ben chuckled. "That sounds like Adam."

"It truly bothered him, and since there were no detailed remarks on the paper, he made an appointment and asked the professor to explain where he had 'failed to fulfill the requirements of the assignment.'"

"What did he find out?"

Marian shook her head as she grinned. "Ben, I still remember that day so well. Adam stared at me in complete bafflement as he explained that the professor had said there was nothing wrong with the paper. It was just that he never gave perfect grades because there was always room to improve. Then your son asked me how he could possibly improve if he wasn't given logical criticism."

"Now that really sounds like Adam." Ben laughed as he asked, "What did you tell him, Marian?"

"I told him that we can't control what others might feel about what we say or do, and that all he could do was to keep trying. I soon began to understand that Adam was tougher on himself, and held himself to higher standards than anyone else ever would." She sighed as her frown returned. "I don't know what his thoughts are about what happened last week, but I'm afraid it's tormenting him. He couldn't control what happened to Melinda but he'll presume that there was more he could have done. He'll blame himself and see this as his failure even while having handled it as perfectly as he could have." She looked deeply into Ben's eyes, voicing her concern. "Help him, Ben."

"I will try." He took her hand, bringing it to his lips. "Thank you for taking such good care of my son…years ago…and now."

After bidding Marian goodbye, Ben stuck his head in the room, and seeing that Adam was sleeping, decided to see if William and Margaret Hayworth were visiting on the women's wing as they did each morning. He'd met them on the day they'd arrived at the hospital with Abel, and he had been impressed with both of them. Adam had implied that Margaret was hard to tolerate, but Ben had found her to be interested, attentive and caring. She'd been extremely cordial to him and kind to Maxine after finding out how much she'd assisted her daughter. It left Ben wondering if Adam might have gotten off on the wrong foot with her.

Maxine was in her room, and told him that the Hayworths had been there already, but had gone for coffee. Returning to Adam's room, Ben got comfortable in a chair near the window to read the newspaper he'd abandoned the night before. After scanning a few articles, he lowered the paper enough to observe his son. Something wasn't right, and a sly smile crept over the father's face as he figured it out.

"Open your eyes, Adam. I know you're awake. I can tell by the way you're breathing. You haven't pulled this ruse since you were a kid and didn't want to do your chores early in the morning."

Adam chuckled humorlessly as he opened his eyes. "Sorry, Pa. I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I don't feel like being sociable either. How are you?"

"I'm doing well, thank you…and you?"

"I don't care how I am."

Ben was at his son's side in three strides, and spoke strongly. "What is that supposed to mean? How can you not care? If God grants your health, then you should be singing praises, not lying there playing possum." His voice dropped into a softer tone. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have shouted."

Adam turned away. "I don't blame you for shouting. I've been yelling at myself over the same thoughts, but it doesn't make any difference. I still wish I had died."

"Why would you say that?"

He directed a wounded look at his father. "Oh, please, Pa, don't tell me that you haven't felt like this a few times in your life! I know you profess the philosophy of getting back up when life knocks you down, but remember that I was with you when Inger and Marie died in your arms…and the months that followed. I know how you struggled each time something precious was taken from you. I've not only lived through all your sorrows, now I get to add in my own personal hell!"

Adam calmed himself with a few deep breaths and added, "The women who love me die, Pa. My mother died just to bring me into this world. Then there was Inger and Marie…and now when I finally re-found the woman who would love me forever…well...it would have better if I'd died too." He raised his forearms to the sides of his head and pressed tightly. "Please, just leave me alone for a while, Pa. I can't talk about this now!"

Ben tipped his head as the right side of his face rose in a puzzled grimace. What the boy had said made sense to a point, but he felt as he had a few minutes ago: something was amiss. Instead of leaving, Ben sat on the bed and thought about what needed to be said. Like son—like father. Ben didn't like speaking of feelings, but knew he had to do this.

"You've heard a lot of wonderful stories about your mother, Adam. But I never spoke much about her death. And since it came at such a hard time in Abel's life, I doubt that he's said much about it either. The day you were born was the happiest day of her life. It wasn't her choice to leave you, but she wouldn't have changed a thing even if she had known how it would end. And you're right, I wondered why I couldn't die in her stead, but I couldn't. In the end, I came to realize that your mother didn't really die that day, Adam. She lives on in you."

Adam remained silent, but the clench in his jaw and fists eased.

"There's something I need to know." Ben saw Adam's guarded look but continued anyway, "What's the last thing you remember about the day we found Melinda?"

"I don't want to talk about it!"

"Answer me. It's important."

Adam's eyes flashed again. "I found her dead! Is that what you want to hear, Pa?" Adam had pulled himself to a sitting position and faced his father at eye level. "I found her too late. She was shot, and bled to death in a cold, filthy cellar while I spent time planning her rescue." Spent by the outburst, he fell back to the pillow. "Every time I close my eyes I see her lying there covered in blood. I dream of her calling to me, but something is always holding me back and I can't get to her no matter how hard I try. But it's worse when I keep my eyes open."

Ben stood and commanded, "C'mon. Dr. Green said you should go for a walk. Where I want to go is too far to make on your own power just yet, so if you walk to the hall, we'll find a wheelchair to get you the rest of the way."

"No," Adam replied sullenly.

"You know better than to talk back to me."

Ben disappeared and returned with a wheelchair that he left outside Adam's room. He found the robe that Abel had brought from home, made Adam put it on and bent down to slide slippers on his feet. "There. Now stand up."

He was wobbly at first but his equilibrium returned as he stood longer. "I don't want to do this, Pa."

"Be quiet and walk." The two made it to the chair and Adam collapsed into it. "I didn't ever think I'd be in one of these things again," he snarled. "I burned the one back home, didn't I?"

"You wanted to, but I gave it to Old Man Harper. And as much as we dislike things, sometimes they're necessary. This is one of them." Ben began to grin as he pushed his son toward the women's ward.

"You seem almost giddy," Adam spoke over his shoulder. "Does humiliating me give you a sense of elation?"

"Of course not. We're just going to visit some people on this ward."

"Is this the Ben Cartwright, pull yourself up by your bootstraps lesson? You're going to show me someone in worse condition than I am so I won't be able to feel sorry for myself?"

"Don't sound so sarcastic, son. There's much to be said for my philosophies."

They arrived at Maxine's room. "Where's your roommate, Maxi?" Ben asked.

The young woman laughed. "She's where she usually is all morning, upstairs reading to the children." Maxi realized who was in the wheelchair and chirped, "Adam. It's so good to see you! Do you remember me?"

"Of course. Thank you for helping us." He forced himself to smile. "How are you feeling? As I remember you were grazed by a bullet?"

Maxi pulled her hair back to reveal the healing area on her temple. "It stung like crazy and I couldn't stand without falling over from dizziness at first, but I'm fine now. I'm leaving the hospital as soon as Miranda gets here."

"That's good." Adam smiled again, but his lips sank quickly to a scowl. Turning to his father, he suggested sourly, "We should go back to my room. Maxine probably needs to get ready."

"I hope I'll see you again before I head back home, Maxine. Take care of yourself." Ben shook Maxi's hand before turning Adam's chair and heading out of the room.

Once in the hall, Adam hissed at his father. "Please hurry, Pa. I don't want to be around if Miranda comes through. I'm not sure why Maxi is waiting for her, but I'm not up to speaking to any of the Hayworth's just yet."

Ben retraced their route back down the hall until he came to the elevator. The hospital had received one of the first vertical conveyances from the Wadsworth Foundation. Ben pushed the chair into the car, and even though Adam had grumbled about the detour from his room, he watched with an engineer's fascination as the operator adjusted the mechanisms that took them upwards. Once on the second floor, Ben headed toward the sunroom, stopping just short of the entrance.

Adam's eyes widened as he heard a familiar voice reading from The Princess and the Pea. He turned to look at his father. "What's going on?" he whispered as he leaned forward and finally stood to see into the room. "Is it really her? I thought…"

Ben pulled Adam into a nearby empty ward to speak privately. "I didn't realize until this morning that you hadn't heard what I was yelling at you that day. You must have passed out. We had just discovered Melinda wasn't dead. That gunshot hit the fleshy part of her upper arm, and although it bled a lot, it did little damage. The doctor said that she was knocked out when she fell down the steps and it was the blow to her head and the cold cellar that nearly killed her and made her breathe so shallowly that we had a hard time noting it. By the time we arrived at the hospital Melinda was awake and more concerned about you than herself."

Adam was silent.

"What's wrong with you, son? You should be dancing, and there you sit, still looking like there was a death in the family."

"There was," he said as he breathed more rapidly. "Do you suppose that Melinda will ever look at me the same again? Do you think she'll trust me? She'll say that everything is fine, but the doubt will begin to eat away at her and she'll come to realize that…I don't deserve her. I failed her, Pa."

Ben laughed as he spoke a quiet, "Bravo! You should have been an actor, Adam. That was splendidly done!" He became more serious to add, "Only a fool would believe that Melinda's feelings would change over this. What happened was not your fault and you did the best anyone could. We found her, Adam. That never would have happened if you had failed. You've never been a fool before, so don't start now."

The look was scathing. "I may have been overly dramatic, but it won't be the same. She hasn't even come to see me, so her doubt has already begun to show up. In fact, I doubt anyone but you and Abel cared whether I lived or died."

Ben laughed again. "You've been sleeping a lot, Adam. Melinda had to be shooed back to her room every day to make sure she got enough rest. I'm also betting that you don't know who all has been visiting you the last several days. There's me and Abel, Marian and Frank, William and Margaret, Sadie, people from your office, and several members of a choir who kept asking the doctor to perform a little surgery while you were asleep to ensure that you can sing the high tenor notes in some performance that's coming up. So you're right; no one cares about you, least of all Melinda."

"So? A few people came to pay their respects."

"Relax Adam. I won't hound you about this, but take a deep breath and think things through a little better before you make any further conclusions. You'll figure it out in time, but let's let Melinda know that you're here. It's high-time for a reunion."

"No."

"What do you mean, 'no'?"

"Not yet, Pa. Not while I'm sitting in this chair."

The two men quieted as they heard voices nearing the room they were in. Melinda and her mother walked past, hand in hand.

Adam grabbed at his father's arm as he tried to step toward the door, and whispered, "Please, Pa. Not like this."

Ben saw his son's anguish and thought back to Adam sitting in a wheelchair once before. Instead of leaving the room, he pulled a chair next to his son. They would need to stay put to give Melinda and Margaret time to leave the floor before they could head back to Adam's room, and Ben decided to use it wisely.

"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Adam commented softly. "With that robe and sling, she looks like a Greek goddess." He listened as he heard laughter and the person with Melinda say, "You are so good with children, dear. I hope you and Adam have a house full of them someday," prompting Adam to ask of Ben, "Was that Margaret with her?"

"Yes it was. She's very nice and has been concerned for you."

Adam sent his father a questioning look. "Are we talking about the same woman? Margaret would hardly be concerned for me. I'd suspect more that she'd be rooting for me to leave this earth so that Melinda would be free to marry someone more…suitable."

Ben chuckled. "I think a lot has happened, son. We have a time before we can make a graceful exit, so let me tell you about some of it." He spent the next several minutes telling Adam about the arrest of Luis Castelletti and the raids on the gambling houses and brothels he owned. "The police shut down all of them in a few hours."

"That's impressive. Les must have done much in that hour after we got the note."

"That's true, but he's not the only one who can get things done in a hurry." Ben recounted the story of Abel's swift dispatching of Grifasi and Lloyd.

"Grandfather is a force to be reckoned with," Adam replied in admiration. "Did Miranda forgive Lloyd?"

"She's still thinking about it. She spoke to him before he left, but wouldn't sail with him. In the meantime, William and Margaret are going to move in with her and help pay the mortgage. As I understand, Maxine is going to stay there too until she feels able to go it alone."

Adam's eyes shot open. "And Margaret isn't having a fit about that? I'm surprised she isn't worried about what the neighbors will say."

"I'm not sure what Margaret was like before, but William did tell me that she had a 'discussion' with Abel about her behavior and has made some adjustments. It was her idea for Maxine to move in."

"I guess I have missed a lot! I would have liked to see Abel take her on, but all that matters is that it helped. What else did I miss?"

"Hmm. The police took women from several brothels to a mission run by nuns. Miranda, Margaret, Melinda and Maxine have been making plans for them."

"What kind of plans?"

"Melinda started teaching Maxine how to use a reading program so she can try using it with those women as soon as she's out of here. Maxine is hopeful that if they learn to read and write, they'll stay away from the type of work they've been doing. She says that most of the women were forced into those jobs, but that it's hard for them to live differently. They don't think much of themselves and are afraid to meet others who might find out what they once did."

"Sounds reasonable. There's something about Maxine. You just know she's capable."

"Melinda will help out more once she's out of the hospital and you two are married." Ben waited to see if Adam would respond to the part about the wedding. When he remained silent, Ben went on, "Here's the part that I think will surprise you. Margaret and Miranda have already made arrangements with the mission to work there with the women. Miranda is teaching them how to prepare food so they might find work as cooks with families or in cafes, and Margaret wants to help them with other things. She's talked to Marian about asking her friends to donate nice used clothing and have people come to show them stylish ways to fix their hair and teach social etiquette. It's amazing what those women have accomplished."

Adam grinned. "Nothing rallies women more than a good cause."

Ben agreed and changed the subject. "Do you remember your doctor? He says he knew you back at school."

Adam nodded and said dryly, "I recognized him right away, but we didn't really know each other back then, other than as members of the choir, and we haven't talked about the past. He's usually ordering me to do something."

"He knows Frank too. Frank asked for Dr. Green when you were brought here."

"Well, that makes sense. I asked him why he was giving me such personal attention after he'd come in several times yesterday. He said he had his 'reasons.' Now I know what he meant."

"Did he explain why you were so ill?"

"Some sort of poison in the chowder. He says the worst is over now, but that I'll feel like a rag doll for a few days until my strength returns."

Ben smiled wryly at his son. "It's good to hear you talk about the future. Are you feeling better about still being around?"

"It seems that I'll recover. I won't do anything to impede that."

"Let me ask you something. Do you love Melinda, Adam?"

"Of course I do!" he snapped. "If anything, I love her more than before. The way she handled herself; that note she wrote to help us find her; trying to get free…I always thought she was strong, and now I realize that she's an even stronger woman than I gave her credit for being. She's…inspiring, Pa."

"So, what's the problem?"

"The problem…is that I'm not. Margaret recognized that when we were at Miranda's for dinner. She might be harsh in the way she says things, but she saw what I was and said that Melinda wouldn't be happy with me."

Ben rose, returned the chair to its original spot and moved behind the wheelchair, laying his hands on Adam's shoulders. "I think inspiring is a pretty good adjective for you as well. You have always done what was right and made believers out of those who might doubt you. Sometimes it worked out perfectly, but more often you had to face that things didn't line up as you would have hoped. It takes time to figure out why that happens, but you always do. What makes this harder to sort out is that it involved danger to the woman you love instead of you. But you'll figure this out too, if you allow yourself to do so." Ben sighed deeply. "I wish Hoss was here. He always seemed to help you put things in perspective."

"He did. Hoss has a way of seeing what others can't."

The pair made their way to the elevator in silence. As they waited, Adam turned to his father, "I've been thinking, Pa. With Abel doing so well now, maybe it's time I head home."

The comment surprised Ben and he had to control his urge to encourage something that he might want more than what would be best for his son. "You're always welcome to return, but do it for the right reasons, Adam. The Ponderosa is a refuge, but you can't hide there. You tried that after your fall and it didn't work. You made the right decision to leave, and look at how far you've come in six months. You have a good job, good friends and a woman who wants to marry you here in Boston. Come home if you want to...just don't run away from what's bothering you here."

Five

A Hoss Named Margaret

An angry looking nurse met Ben as he wheeled Adam back into his room. "It's about time you two showed up," she barked as her foot tapped, making the glass syringe vibrate on the porcelain tray she carried it in. "Dr. Green said Mr. Cartwright could go for a walk…not an excursion."

Ben's reply was sheepish even as he held his grin at bay. "I'm sorry. We were delayed in returning."

She set her tray on the table next to the bed, bent forward and grabbed Adam under his arm, hoisting him to a standing position in one strong, fluid movement. "You must be exhausted," she tsked as she swung him around to sit on the edge of the bed and pulled his robe from his shoulders. "I asked the doctor to order a small dose of morphine to make you rest for a bit. I suspect you're in some pain by this time."

Adam hadn't realized how much pain he was in until the nurse mentioned it. His head was pounding and his gut had that old branding-iron feeling again. "I am," he said softly as he curled under the fresh sheets. He managed to mutter, "Ouch," as the needle slid into his shoulder, and was soon drifting away to a place where he didn't have to think about failure, going home, or loving a woman he was overjoyed to find was alive, but couldn't face.

Melinda flew into the room a few minutes later, but stopped abruptly when she saw Adam sound asleep again. "I came as soon as I could," she told Ben with a deep sigh. "Maxi told me that you two had been up to visit, but I waited until she left. She's on her way to Miranda's house now."

Ben explained. "I had him out too long. He was exhausted and in pain by the time we returned. I managed to fill him in on some of what he's missed, though."

"What did he think? Was he excited to hear about how everything worked out?"

"I didn't tell him your side of the story, but he said that you're a wonder and feels horribly about you being hurt." Ben thought about how much he should share. "Do you remember hearing that we thought that you were…um, weren't alive when we first found you?"

"Of course, Mr. Cartwright. The only thing I remember about that root cellar was that I was cold and my head hurt so badly that I didn't want to move, even when I heard Adam's voice telling me that everything was fine. I thought it was another dream like those I'd had during the night and was afraid to open my eyes and find myself alone in that room again. But as I felt the warmth of his hand and his breath, I took a chance and forced myself to wake up." She shook off the remembrance. "Why do you ask?"

"I thought Adam heard me saying that you were still alive, but he didn't. I found out this morning that he's been struggling through this illness, thinking that you were gone."

"Oh dear!" she exclaimed as her hands flew to her face. "He knows better now."

Ben nodded.

"He didn't know that I was here with him?"

"He wasn't aware of anyone being here. That medicine they're giving him is pretty potent."

"He must be so relieved to know the truth."

Ben drew her close. "He's very glad about that." He paused as he lifted her chin to see her face. "It's what he feels about himself that's a little mixed up."

She pulled away looking confused. "What does that mean?"

"I'm quite sure he thinks that the only successful conclusion to your kidnapping would have been for him to have found you before anything bad happened. Because it didn't happen that way, he feels that he failed you completely. You and I know that's not so, but it seems very true to him."

"What should I do to help?"

"Just be here for him, Melinda. He'll figure things out. His brothers called him a granite-headed Yankee, and they knew what they were talking about. However, under that solid rock he is a logical man and reason will eventually prevail."

Margaret sat by the window, using the midday sun to work on a complicated needlepoint project. Adam's room had been crowded when she and her husband had stopped to visit. Abel had arrived about that time as they had, and Ben had given them all an update on Adam's improving health. Since the patient was still sleeping she'd sent Ben, Abel and William out for lunch, and persuaded Melinda to go back to her room to rest. Margaret had been working for over an hour as Adam slept making her wonder if Ben might have misunderstood the doctor's assessment.

Melinda stuck her head in the door and smiled as she saw Margaret stitching. Noting that Adam was still asleep, she made her way to her mother and whispered, "I have great news. Dr. Green came by and said I can go home today. I hate the thought of leaving before Adam can, but I do want to get out of here."

"That's wonderful news, dear." Margaret replied as she set her work aside and took her daughter's hand. "You'll rest better at home and I'll stay with you until you're completely recovered. We can come back and visit Adam until he's released. Her brow wrinkled as she asked. "Has Adam ever been awake when you've been with him?"

"No." Melinda frowned as she looked back at the bed. "Whenever I've been here he's been asleep and as soon as he'd begin to rouse, the nurses would send me out so they could take care of him. By the time they'd let me back in, he'd be asleep again." She frowned. "And then I missed him when he and his father came by to see me earlier today."

"That's what I thought, dear." Margaret stood and gathered her etui and canvas. "The others haven't returned from lunch yet, and Adam's been sleeping for a while already, so it shouldn't hurt to wake him up." She smiled at her daughter. "I think you two have a lot of catching up to do. I'll stay outside the door and divert any visitors."

She waited until her mother exited before going to the bedside and kissing Adam gently on the lips. His eyes fluttered open as a smile formed at the corners of his mouth. "Hello, sleepyhead," she said softly, "I've always known that a handsome prince can wake a sleeping princess with a kiss, but have often wondered if it would work the other way around."

He reached to touch her face. "I doubt that I qualify as a handsome prince, but I do appreciate your research in the matter."

"Hmm. You are a bit dark-haired and manly to be one of those delicate princes in the fairytales. Maybe we can forget that we aren't royalty and skip to the part of the story where we live happily ever after."

Adam's smile turned to a scowl as he looked away. "I wish I could offer you that kind of life, Melinda, but I can't. I dropped the word happy from my vocabulary a long time ago."

Melinda's eyes widened in surprise. "I…I thought we were happy. I thought you loved me and you were happy that we were together. I thought…" She sat on the edge of the bed looking stunned. "Are you telling me that I don't make you happy?"

He sat up and pulled her to him. "In these last six months, I felt what I thought was happiness for the first time in so long. I allowed myself to think that I'd outrun the things that kept me from feeling that way and lowered my guard. And then this happened and reminded me that darkness is always hovering nearby."

"I don't understand, Adam. Undoubtedly this was a dark event, but we made it through pretty much in one piece. Isn't that what life is about? Maybe we need to redefine what the word happy means for us. It isn't going to mean life without struggle, but rather knowing that we are capable of learning from every opportunity, and coming out stronger for each experience. I'm angry about what Lloyd did to us. I still have to fully forgive him for putting us in danger, but I'm thinking this was a test for us."

Adam looked away again. "You're right about that. It was a test you passed and I failed. You may not see it that way now, but what about in a while from now when you think it through. Will you be happy then? I repeat what I said the other day: I'm sorry that I'm not the man you hoped I'd be."

She rose from the bed and glared at him. "I know that you've been very ill and haven't had a chance to think this through. I also heard that you didn't know I was alive until today and that must have caused some awful thoughts to play in your mind. But I don't want your apologies for failing because you didn't." Melinda paced to the window and back. "Remember how I told you that I'd never considered that you might have been in danger or could have died while we were apart? I also told you that I was thankful that something inside of you kept fighting to stay alive."

Her path was retraced, ending at his side again. "I had no idea how you found the strength to get through all that must have happened to you, and my fear was that someday you'd be disappointed that I'm not as strong as you are. But then this happened and I found out that I'm stronger than I thought—but only because of one thing. Throughout those hours, I kept asking myself what you would do if facing the same struggle. You once told me that a Cartwright doesn't give up. I used your strength to bolster mine, Adam. I drew my courage from you. But I also found out that being courageous is hard, and I don't want to make it through something like this alone. I want to be strong with you, not apart from you."

He took her hand and kissed it. "I'm sure that everything you said makes perfect sense, Melinda, but right now my mind is foggy and not a lot makes sense to me. Please bear with me and give me a little time to sort things through."

"How much time?"

"I don't know. My father seems to think I should be elated that things turned out the way they did, and you make great points about the positive parts of this experience. But right now I honestly don't know how I feel about…anything. I don't even know what day it is."

"It's Monday, Adam. A week since this all started." Melinda's voice was terse and filled with pain. "When you say you don't know how you feel about anything, does that mean us too?" Her tone was rising as her words came faster. "We're supposed to married in five days. Are you saying you need more time than that?"

He sighed. "I don't mean to upset you, but I can't give you an exact time frame. Please don't make this harder than it already is. I'll figure it out, but not if there's deadlines or I feel that I'm failing you more by asking for a little patience to get my head working again."

Melinda's mouth hung slack while her eyes widened as she listened. When she could finally speak, she said, "I've heard that morphine has side effects. Maybe that's why you feel foggy. Yet I don't see how that could make you feel differently about me and you. That should be firmly settled in your mind and heart by this time. You are all I want or need and you told me that was true for you as well. I'll be under the pine tree in Abel's yard on Saturday. I'll give you until then to figure things out. If you love me and can navigate past the doubts or whatever is bothering you right now, I'll see you there. If you can't, I guess I'll be standing there alone."

He tried to speak, but his words were cut short as a perky young nurse entered the room carrying a tray.

"I saw that you were up, Mr. Cartwright. Dr. Green wanted you to eat as soon as you awoke."

Adam ignored her, speaking to Melinda. "Please stay a little longer."

"I have to go." She smiled reticently as she pulled her hand free of his grasp.

"Why?"

"Don't you need time to think?" she replied in a voice laden with sarcasm. Her face and voice softened as she continued, "and I've been released from the hospital so I have to get ready to leave. Mother will stay with me for a bit. A week ago that would have put me in a cold sweat, but something has changed about my mother and I enjoy having her around. We've spoken more this week than in many years." Her lip trembled as she concluded, "I have gained so much recently. I met Maxine and made a friend in the worst of circumstances, I helped close down an ugly place that enslaved women, my sister has become my ally in doing something for those who need so much, and I've found my mother again. Yet...I'm left with the uneasiness that I might lose the one thing I need more than anything else." Melinda stopped at the door and turned back. "Adam, please figure this out."

He ran his hands through his hair as he released his breath in a loud hiss. Why doesn't anything make sense? Why couldn't I tell Melinda that I love her? He'd sat there like a stone, unable to fathom what to do. This wasn't the first time he'd felt this way. His mind drifted back to the lost feeling he'd had after he'd shot Ross Marquette when his friend had turned into a maniacal stranger. That time he thought he'd failed both Ross and Delphine because he couldn't figure out what was happening soon enough to save either of them. What was different then was that Hoss had helped him sort it out. There was no Hoss this time.

Adam looked down at the tray of food in front of him with irritation. He picked up the bowl filled with some unidentifiable white goo, threw it across the room, and watched as the shattered porcelain stuck to the wall with the strength of the pasty cereal.

Margaret had been holding sentry duty outside Adam's room, and couldn't help overhearing parts of the conversation between the young couple. She tried to stop her daughter as she left Adam's room, but Melinda walked past, saying that she didn't want to talk right then and asked to be left alone while she prepared to leave.

Having nothing to do while she waited, Margaret had just made up her mind to take a walk when she heard a loud crash from Adam's room. "What happened? Are you all right?" she asked as she ran inside and made a visual sweep of the room. She couldn't help laughing when she spotted the mess that was slowly sliding down the wall, and inquired, "Now how did that get there?"

Adam laughed too. It felt so good that he continued to laugh as he raised his hand and avowed, "I swear, it slipped out of my hand…with some velocity."

Margaret looked over the other gray and brown liquids still on the tray and teased, "Maybe the rest of this should 'slip' out of your hand as well. You know, Adam, I'm thinking you have far better taste in food than I gave you credit for at Miranda's dinner."

Her comments made Adam laugh harder until he had to stop to catch his breath. "Thanks for that, Margaret. I think laughing has been the best medicine I've had so far." He chuckled again as he told her to sniff the contents of the other dishes on the tray.

After doing as he suggested she roared again. Wiping her eyes with her handkerchief, she asked, "How do they expect you to get better by feeding you paste and things that smell like cigar ashes and dirty water?"

"That's a great question, Margaret. I think you're just the one to put it to the kitchen staff."

She pushed back a strand of hair that had fallen onto Adam's forehead as he'd laughed. "I'm so relieved to see that you're doing better."

"I'm surprised to hear you say that." He was suddenly serious. "You didn't seem to have a very good opinion of me the last time we were together."

Margaret smiled gently. "Between your grandfather and my husband, I had to face that I'd become a very nasty woman. It was hard to admit that they were right, but they were, and I don't want to be that way. I still have 'moments' when I can skin a cat with my words, but I am working to re-find the person I once was."

Adam returned a half-smile. "I've already heard some positive reports. Good for you, Margaret."

"I need to apologize for my ugliness at Miranda's. You didn't deserve that. Melinda may have waited a long time for you, but she was right. You were worth waiting for."

He flinched. "Are you sure of that? I nearly let her die."

Margaret closed the door to a crack, moved a chair next to Adam and took his hand as she began to speak. "I know I'm probably the last person in the world you want to take advice from, but I think we're two of a kind in some respects."

His eyes narrowed. "How so?"

"First of all, I heard some of what was said between you and Melinda—and I apologize for listening. But that helps me understand what's happening a little better. I think when you…and I…feel guilty that we've 'failed' someone, we push them away. I started to do that to Melinda many years ago when I thought I had nothing to offer her. She was so intelligent and sure of herself that I assumed I didn't measure up to her standards. I felt so much guilt at not being the kind of mother she could admire that I pushed her away instead of talking to her about how I felt. My guilt and heartache grew unabated while I turned into the harpy you got to know. The worst part, as I have found out, is that all my guilt was based on false conjecture."

Adam's look was admiring. "Seems like you've done some careful thinking about this."

"Melinda and I have talked a great deal since she was brought to the hospital. I told her what had been bothering me and we came to understand how both of our actions contributed to what had been going on. She admitted that she can be very…very…"

"Stubborn?" Adam suggested.

"That fits nicely. I think you know my daughter well," she chuckled. "It was such a relief to hear Melinda agree that our estrangement wasn't all my doing. It turns out that she had also made assumptions instead of talking to me. I can finally breathe again without that nagging hurt in my heart. During this week I also did a lot of listening instead of talking, and have come to a few other conclusions."

Adam's, "You have?" sounded doubtful.

"Yes I have. Don't look so nervous, you may actually see some value in what I have to say." She patted his arm. "Melinda told me that something happened recently that gave her reason to think that she might not deserve you. She gave no details but said that you had fought harder to make it back to her while all she did was wait. But the kidnapping has proved to her that she is strong and can face adversity. On the other hand, I don't think that you ever saw her as lacking anything, and now that she's demonstrated how much strength she has, you're beginning to think you don't deserve her! Is that about right?"

He mumbled, "Something like that."

"Maybe, like me, you're afraid that Melinda was disappointed because you weren't there when you feel she needed you most. In some odd way, you think you're doing her a favor by pushing her away so she won't have to come to that conclusion on her own later. Shall I continue?"

"Perhaps you should." His smile was wry. "I'm not sure I'm going to like hearing what more you have to say, but you're doing pretty well so far."

"I think that right now, each of you sees only your own role in what happened. It leaves you discouraged and Melinda can't understand that because she's so excited. As I see it, Lloyd and those thugs who took my daughter are the only ones who did anything wrong in any of this. I doubt that this was just about Melinda being kidnapped and you finding her either. It was about something wonderful happening from something ugly. In a way, I think God used very capable people in some horrible circumstances to do remarkable things."

Adam gave her a sidelong look. "Now you've lost me. To be honest, I'm having a hard time understanding anything that happened. I've pretty much lost my sense of time passing. Pa says that several people have visited but I have no memory of anyone being here. When I have been awake, I've been surrounded by nurses and doctors asking the same things over and over. I think I stopped listening to anything and spent my time figuring out how the structural and bearing walls had to be placed to support the floors above this one, or working through other mathematical equations just so I wouldn't think about what happened. Engineering uses facts that always hold true. You control the outcome simply by assuring that your information is correct. I deal well with facts, Margaret. My conclusions are sound and I trust them because I have control over the variables. I know exactly what to expect."

Adam was breathing faster and color had risen in his cheeks as he attempted to explain. "What I don't deal well with is being placed in situations where I have no control. My father and others have tried to tell me that I can't predict or control how others will act; that all I can do is adjust as the course varies and live with the outcomes. But that makes no sense to me and I fight those times with all I'm worth. This time, my adjustments didn't come quickly enough to save Melinda from harm. When I think about last week, all I remember is your daughter in that cellar and feel overwhelming frustration and failure. I'm relieved to know that Melinda is safe, and she and Pa both seem to think that I should just let my feelings go and move on. But I can't..."

Margaret rose and kissed the top of his head. "And so you push them away, so you don't have to." She became thoughtful before adding, "Perhaps a first step forward could be assisted by setting a different image of Melinda in your mind—one of her as she looks now."

Receiving Adam's nod of agreement, she continued, "Yet you are not as well-recovered as she is, and while I love her, I think she was very abrupt with you a few minutes ago. Melinda's had time to think and has already determined what she wants to do about her experience. Frankly I'm surprised that she wasn't more affected by the kidnapping, but she says that she had Maxi with her and she knew you would come for her, so she made it through without a lot of residual fears. I can see how she has difficulty understanding that you aren't in the same frame of mind as she is. I also wonder if your trouble figuring things out may stem from having those unanswered questions about what happened."

Adam nodded again. "You speak eloquently, Margaret. I see where Melinda gets her way with words. And you're right, all I know about that day is what I was a party to."

Margaret poked his chest. "None of this will make more sense until you do one thing."

"What's that?"

"Talk to Melinda. You two can put the story together from your perspectives. It is an exciting tale."

Adam chuckled softly. "I'll do just that if she'll talk to me." He shifted to his side, resting on his elbow as he also shifted the conversation. "Thank you, Margaret. You've given me a lot to think about."

"I'm not quite finished." She watched as his eyebrows rose. "I've had the opportunity to talk with your Father. He's an interesting man with wonderful stories of life in the West. What rings clear in all of them is that you and your family rely on one other. I would also bet that the Cartwrights are the people others go to for help. Am I right?"

"I guess that's true." Adam's brows knit in question. "How does that pertain to this?"

"It must have been very hard for you to realize that you couldn't handle the kidnapping on your own. Still you thought it through and sought help from those most likely to give it. How painful was it to share Melinda's fate with Mr. Wadsworth and Les?"

"Excruciating," Adam admitted.

"You had to wait until they thought it was time to move ahead. It's not easy to think about it now, but you've learned that you can't always do everything alone even when you want to, and when you have good people around you, all you can do is trust them."

"It wasn't easy to wait, yet I guess that extra hour proved valuable."

"It did." She hesitated, but continued, "You know that my daughter has always done things on her own too. She is a self-reliant, stubborn woman who had to trust someone she had never met before. Her captivity would have gone far differently without Maxine's kindness. After you hear the story, Adam, you may come to realize that it wasn't your job to save Melinda. Maxine saved her by pretending to be knocked out so that she could unlock the door to Melinda's room. That action could have meant Maxine's death and the day would have ended far differently had she not intervened."

Margaret stopped to let those thoughts register before continuing, "Maxine learned to trust again too. She told me that after hearing about you and Melinda, she began to believe that there was more to life than betrayal and ugliness. In many ways, I think Maxine had to save Melinda to save herself."

"I guess I really do need to hear what went on in that house." Adam sighed and then smiled at Margaret.

She grinned back. "It's nice that you agree with me." Her mood became serious. "I've heard how strong you were throughout the ordeal. Frank and Les have not ceased to sing your praises in handling those toads, Lloyd and Castelletti, and for putting the pieces together when the clues were finally there. I think that you're still unsettled at this moment, but you must come to realize that you can trust yourself and your decisions, Adam. Your efforts to rescue Melinda helped close several gambling houses, rescued 30 women, put one criminal in the grave and another behind bars, and saved the lives of my cowardly son-in-law and another innocent bystander.""

Adam turned away. "Margaret, my father, grandfather, Frank and Les are the heroes of this story, not me."

"You did go to some mighty fine people for help, Adam."

"You're right about that" He turned back toward Margaret wearing a hint of a smile. "They were a force that accomplished a lot in a short time. But as for me…" His voice drifted away as his smile faded.

Margaret picked up his thought, "As for you…you figured out what most men would have given up on as soon as they hit the first snag. You acted with honor, skill, and fortitude. And you found my daughter when the odds against accomplishing that were against you. That's what you did."

There was mutual silence after Adam voiced his thanks again. He finally broke into their thoughts, "Pa said that Les might be sweet on Maxine. Do you think that's true?"

"Absolutely!" She lowered her voice to a near whisper. "In fact I think we'll be seeing a lot of Les around dinner time at Miranda's."

"Pa also told me that you and William are moving in with Miranda, and mentioned the work you and she are doing with the ladies that were rescued. I'm truly impressed."

"Miranda was deeply hurt by what Lloyd did, but having something good come from it has helped ease that pain." Margaret grinned widely, "And you'll never guess what Melinda wants me to do."

"What?" He asked with a re-growing smile of his own.

"She wants me to talk to the women from the brothel and find out how they ended up where they did. Then she wants to work with me on telling their stories in a book. Maxine feels that what's happening is a form of slavery, but people don't seem to care much because they've already judged these women as unworthy. If we do this right, we can shine some light into that darkness." Margaret patted Adam's hand. "I'm so excited. I have my daughter back, my humor back and I have a new purpose in life."

"It seems you've had a profitable week." Adam touched her cheek. "I like this Margaret very much."

Margaret hesitated, "Adam, there's one thing from our Sunday dinner that haunts me. I am most ashamed for trying to bully you into calling me, mother. I rather like having you call me, Margaret."

"I'm glad. Is William reeling a little from all the activity and changes?"

"He is. But I've never seen him happier. The manager of his firm is retiring soon and they've asked William to step into that position. It means better pay and more responsibility, and he can't wait."

"I'm sure he'll do a good job." Adam pointed at the dresser. "Will you please see if my clothes are in there, Margaret?"

She found a stack of neatly folded items and lifted it out for him to see.

"Good! Now if you'll wait outside for a minute, I'll get dressed and we'll go find Melinda. I need to see her before she leaves."

"You stay put. First I'm going to find that nurse and tell her to bring you something decent and hot to eat, and then I'll send Melinda back here."

She was gone before he could object. Adam donned pants and shirt, leaving it un-tucked and deciding against strapping a belt around his still tender stomach. He opted for his slippers instead of the boots he saw under the bed, and brushed his hair into place the best he could. Checking his reflection, he noted that his cheeks seemed a little thinner and he had dark circles under his eyes, but otherwise he was the same. Being out of hospital garb lifted his spirits, even though the activity left him winded. He'd barely sat down in the most comfortable looking chair in his room when Frank, Dr. Green, his father and Abel walked into the room and lined up in front of him.

Frank handed Adam a rolled-up drawing. He wasted little time with greetings. "Good to see you up, son. Guess Dr. Green was right. He thought you would be doing much better today." Indicating Ben and Abel with his thumb, Frank said, "I found these two miscreants loitering in the hospital lobby with Melinda's father, and brought them along with me. And Dr. Green has some news that we'll get to in a minute."

Dr. Green looked curiously at Adam's black shirt and pants and made some remark about hospital policy not allowing personal clothing on the wards, but Frank and Ben both gave him wilting looks that silenced him.

Ben tried to offer his thoughts on how much improved his son looked in just a few hours, but was forced to silence as Frank opened the roll of papers on Adam's lap and began talking. "I need your opinion on something, Adam. Look at the specifications for this harbor wall and tell me what you think."

Adam paged through the prints and said, "Ah," as he found the name of the building he was looking at. "These are for the warehouse a few lots away from the McCarty site. Aren't you about ready to start this project?"

Frank replied, "Look at the plans first and then we'll talk. We had a guy with us about two years ago who drew these. He had credentials showing that he'd done harbor work before, so I trusted him. But he took some shortcuts on a different project and I let him go. I didn't give Sid another thought until I remembered that he'd done the work on this one."

"Bring that table over here and get me something to write with," Adam ordered as he quickly scanned the drawing he needed. "The plan was to have ships dock laterally to this wall and then be unloaded with revolving hoists mounted on tracks between the dock and the building?"

"That's right," Frank confirmed. "We need that submerged wall to hold up to the pressure from the ships, and the weight from equipment moving atop the earth adjacent to it."

Adam began jotting down numbers, trying to come up with the same results that were in the specifications. After several minutes, he said, "Well, the figures are textbook, I'll say that."

"Then they're right?" Frank asked hopefully.

"I didn't say that, Frank. I said they were according to the norms for a standard piling wall. But you don't have a standard situation; this is the inner harbor. This guy allowed for the movement of tides, but there's no factoring for the currents from the Mystic and Charles rivers that empty into that area. Nor is there any calculation that adequately accounts for the downward pressure from the heavy equipment pushing at it from the land side. It won't be hard to redo these, but it will involve more lumber and support systems than you factored into your price. It has to be reinforced with dead-men ties anchored into the dirt under the tracks to withstand the actions of weight, percussion, tide and current. I know you can't go back to the owners and say that there was a mistake and now you need more money to do it right, so I suspect you'll be paying for the enhancements out of your profits. And my biggest warning, Frank, is that I'd fear a collapse of the edge as you remove the existing lumber as this proposes." Adam saw his boss pale. "What happened, Frank? Did it already collapse?"

"We got an early start on construction and were removing boards when water started rushing in behind the existing wall and the edge collapsed as you surmised. Thankfully no one was seriously hurt. It could have been so much worse."

Adam closed his eyes and sighed. "I can get this figured out correctly, but I'll need the tonnage of the proposed equipment, information on the currents in the two rivers, tide charts and the size of the largest ships expected to offload. I'll be able to use some of the same information for the McCarty project so that will save some cost. But I'll be honest; the expense to do this right is going to be considerable." He looked up at Frank. "Has the accident brought you any trouble?"

"Some wariness from the owners, but I told them that I would find out what happened and make it right. What's so frustrating is that Wadsworth Engineering doesn't make mistakes like this. I hire only the best people and take pride in knowing that what we do is correct. I accept that accidents can happen in construction, but not because our math is wrong. I'll have to pull every project that idiot worked on and have you go over them. I don't want any other mistakes. Our good name gives us credibility, and I'm counting on you to make sure it stays that way."

"It will, Frank. I promise you that."

"I knew I could count on you, Adam. I already talked to Dr. Green and he feels that we can take you out of the hospital tomorrow morning."

Dr. Green added loudly, "That's if he does well the rest of today and then only with restrictions, Frank. Don't forget that part."

Frank grumbled, "Yes, yes…with some restrictions. Our good doctor will send a nurse along to monitor your recovery and make sure you get enough rest. I reserved a suite in the hotel a block away from the harbor and set up our headquarters there after the accident. The doc wants you to stay there so the nurse can keep an eye on you and do all the things that he's ordered. I'll take her over there today so she can set things up to her satisfaction."

Dr. Green looked directly at Frank. "I've ordered my nurse to give Adam, you, or both of you an injection of morphine if Adam doesn't rest when she tells him to." He turned his attention to Adam. "I figure as long as Frank keeps coming up with something for you to do, you'll do it, to your own detriment. Nurse Anne will follow only my orders." He smiled as he saw the astonished looks on the two men's faces. "And don't think she won't, Frank. She worked with me during the war so she's dealt with the likes of you two before. And you are not to go to the site until I say so, Adam. You can work in the hotel, but need to take frequent rest periods and eat on schedule or you'll end up in the same shape you were in a week ago. I'll stop by to make sure you're doing as I say, and will haul you back to the hospital if I see any backsliding."

"Don't worry, Sam," Frank took the young doctor by the shoulders. "When have I ever not followed your orders?"

"I'm assuming that was a rhetorical question, Frank, or do you really want me to make a list?" Turning again to Adam, he added, "You're beginning to look good for a man who was nearly dead a week ago. Don't let that good work go to waste." He shook Adam's hand saying he'd see him first thing in the morning to check if he was ready for discharge. Dr. Green headed for the door but stopped as he saw the broken bowl of porridge lying on the floor with its telltale journey down the wall etched in drying pabulum. "What happened here?"

"It slipped," Adam replied.

Dr. Green looked back at his patient, and laughed, "I'm sure it did." He pointed at Ben, Frank and Abel. "I have no doubt that these men will make sure the food you have is better than anything we serve here. But until then," he gave Adam a stern look, "you will eat what they bring you."

Frank took over the conversation again as soon as the doctor left. "Ben, I know you're planning to head to Nevada soon, but until you do, could I convince you to give me a hand?"

Ben eyed him curiously. "What do you have in mind?"

"I'm taking seriously what Dr. Green advised about Adam. While I need his help, his recovery is the only thing that's important, so he'll stay put at the hotel. I need him working on the specifications for this job and checking everything else that Sid produced, so I'd ask you to be Adam's eyes and ears. You can go to the sites, talk to the people, take measurements or whatever he needs. He'll be able to trust that the information he's getting is correct if you're the one getting it for him."

"I could do that, Frank. I'm not planning to leave until the middle of next week and Adam should be able to do his own legwork long before that."

Frank wasn't finished. "How about you, Abel? I need someone to help Adam get the documents and information he needs. You seem to know your way around the harbor and those associated with it. Would you want to put in a few days of work for me as well?"

Abel was beaming. "I think I'd enjoy that very much."

"Then it's settled! We all worked together so well last week that I'm looking forward to continuing the association. I'll invite you both to stay at the hotel with Adam and me. I don't like disruption so I booked all the rooms near the suite where we're working so there's plenty of places to bunk. I'd also like to get to know you better and we'd have some time to do that in the evenings." Frank slapped Adam on the back. "You about ready to get out of here, son?"

"I'd say I'm more than ready."

Melinda walked in at that moment, stopping short as she saw the men talking. "Oh, I didn't mean to disturb you. Mother said that Adam wanted to see me."

"Come right in, Melinda," Ben invited, "we're leaving." He went to Adam and sat facing him on the arm of his chair. Speaking so that others couldn't hear, he said, "I'm assuming something happened while I was gone? You look like a new man, son."

He met his father's gaze and replied in an equally quiet voice. "I took a few steps forward and learned again that first impressions of people can be wrong. I'll tell you about it later. I'm anxious to talk to Melinda now."

Father and son rose as Ben said, "We'll be by for you first thing in the morning, Adam. Until then, do as the doctor says." Ben gave his son a final nod, and took Abel and Frank by the elbows, leading them from the room, while saying, "Let's go find this nurse and see if she's as tough as Dr. Green says she is."

"What are those three up to?" Melinda asked as she watched them walk down the hall.

"There's trouble at one of Frank's construction sites. He needs our help to figure out what went wrong."

"But this is the first day you've been up. Can't he wait a bit before he puts you back to work?"

Adam went to her and pulled her into an embrace. "After the way I acted earlier, I'm surprised you still care what happens to me." He shushed her protest. "I'm just teasing. I know you're concerned. But honestly, I'm looking forward to getting into those plans. It will be good to have something specific to concentrate on."

"I'd have thought you'd have a few other things to concentrate on before getting back to work," she said peevishly as she pulled from his arms. "But maybe thinking about work is more satisfying than figuring out how you feel about…" Her thoughts stalled as her face collapsed into mask of pain. "Mother implied that you were anxious to see me…that you had something you needed to tell me, and I thought that perhaps you had..." She sighed deeply. "If work is what makes you feel better, Adam, then I'm happy for you. Will you be working on the plans here at the hospital?"

"I'll be relocating to a hotel near the jobsite tomorrow. Dr. Green is sending a nurse along to make sure I behave, but in between I'll be able to work. Frank even enlisted my father and grandfather to help out."

She replied curtly, "Well, it sounds like it's all figured out then. I'd best be getting back to Mother so we can head home. I plan to stop at the publishing house tomorrow to prove that I'm still alive, and pick up some manuscripts to go over at home. Maybe it is best if we both just get back to work and forget about those other things." Her eyes narrowed as she nearly whispered her last thought. "Although…it seems I've spent a lifetime trying to do that, and it hasn't happened yet."

Adam intercepted her as she moved toward the door. Pointing to the bed, he ordered. "Sit down, Melinda." She flashed an angry look, but complied as he placed the "No Entrance" placard on the outside of the door, and shoved a chair up against the inside handle to ensure privacy.

He stood in front of her as he lifted her chin to look at him. "Now, about those other things." He leaned down to kiss her.

She resisted at first but stood to wrap her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply in return. "Are things making more sense for you now?" She asked as she took a breath.

"Yes," he breathed as he kissed her again and drew her tightly against him. "You still taste the same as I remember," he said with a wink.

She parried with, "Maxine showed me how to use bacon grease as a lip balm. I hear it's supposed to be very enticing to any man who kisses me."

"Let me sample that again." This time he gently drew her bottom lip between his teeth and moved his tongue against it. "You are tasty." They both began to giggle.

"You're a tease, Adam Cartwright, but I love you anyway." She concluded her statement by playfully swatting his stomach and watched in horror when Adam grimaced. She walked with him to the chairs he and Frank had vacated a few minutes earlier and asked, "Did I hurt you?"

"I'm all right, Melinda. Just a little tender yet, but nothing to worry about. I'll be fine by the weekend."

She regained her humor once she knew she hadn't done any damage. "Is there something going on this weekend?"

"Nothing much that I can think of. Someone told me that I'm supposed to be under Abel's pine tree. I think we're going to prune it or something."

She touched his face, outlining his features with her fingers. "Does your teasing mood really mean you've resolved your uncertainties?"

Adam took her hands. "I want to get something straight. I was never uncertain about the way I feel for you. It was not that my feelings had changed or that I questioned my love for you. It was more that I was at odds with myself.It was your mother who helped me move gently through the mystery of what it was all about."

"She mentioned that you two had spoken, but didn't tell me what was said."

"The first thing she did was make me laugh. That single act relieved a lot of tension and allowed me to listen and think better."

Melinda eyed him suspiciously. "Why do I get the impression that neither you nor Mother are going to tell me what you talked about? That's fine though; I'm glad that she could help. I left your room earlier in fear that there was a continent separating us again even though we stood only inches apart."

"I will tell you about it one day. One thing Margaret said was that I need to hear the story of the kidnapping from your perspective. It seems obvious that I would have to do that, but until she mentioned it, it hadn't even occurred to me." He became thoughtful before adding, "When I talked to you earlier, it really did feel as though there was a continent separating my mind from my body. Nothing made sense. But I'm more focused now, so, my dear, please begin with Lloyd coming to get you at work. It's important that you don't hold back any of the details. I need to know it all."

They spent the next hour going through the events of the previous Monday and Tuesday, comparing what they were doing during the same timeframes. Melinda was the first to offer her conclusions when the story was complete. "Mother was right! Our actions were complementing each other even though we couldn't know it at the time. It is a little miraculous."

"It does appear that way." He stood and pulled her up to hold her again.

She took his face in her hands and said, "The part I find most breathtaking is that you were out searching the star-filled skies at the same time I was viewing my own piece of the heavens in that room. It makes me wonder if there were times in the years we were apart that we might have done the same thing."

They held onto each other in silence, until they were startled by a knock on the door and heard the nurse demand, "What's going on in there, Mr. Cartwright? I've checked, and none of the hospital staff is with you, so open this door immediately or I'll have the hinges removed.

Adam looked sheepishly at Melinda and they both began laughing. He removed the chair and let the angry nurse into the room. "I'm sorry," he vowed as he ushered her through the door. "We needed some time to plan our wedding without interruption."

"Oh," the nurse replied as she eyed them with a softer look. "I suppose that was a good enough reason, but you could have simply told us you needed privacy. You were to have eaten an hour ago and we had to send it back to the kitchen to stay warm. I'll go get it now." She swirled around, and exited in a rustle of starched petticoats.

Adam shoved the door shut again with his foot and drew Melinda close.

She laid her hands against his chest. "I felt your heart beating in my dreams, you know." Laying her head on his shoulder she asked, "So what exactly did we decide about our wedding?"

"I'm pretty sure we agreed that you are much better at planning these things than I am, so I'll leave it to you. Your mother will help, and Sadie McIntyre will be glad to lend a hand. I think it will just be your family and mine as well as the Wadsworths. I'll remind Frank of the time, have Grandfather finalize arrangements with Seth, and contact a couple of my fellow choir members who volunteered to sing."

"I want to invite a couple of people I work with, and of course, Maxine and Les. That's about it. I don't think that planning the reception will take much time." Melinda thought a moment before broaching the next topic. "Adam, I know you'll be busy and won't be able to get to this before Saturday, so I think we should tell Seth that there won't be a ring. We can pick one out together later."

Adam remained serious looking as he held back a grin. "Don't worry, my love, I've already purchased a ring."

Melinda's head snapped up as she took a step back. "You have? But…"

"But what?" He asked, still serious. "Don't you want to wear my ring?"

"Of course I do. It's just…in Sacramento…" She struggled to find a way to explain but finally said nothing more.

He fought to keep a straight face. "Let's leave it at this. We'll use the one I bought for Saturday, but if you don't like it, we'll return it and you can pick out something you like better."

She nodded as the nurse began pounding on the door again. "I have your dinner, Mr. Cartwright. You must open this door."

Adam ignored the knocking as he kissed Melinda and vowed, "I'm anxious to prune that tree on Saturday."

"I've waited a long time for this, Mr. Cartwright. I certainly hope you're better at it now than you were 12 years ago."

Adam shouted, "I'll be right there," when the nurse demanded again that he let her in, and he leaned against the door to keep her from entering. Pulling Melinda near he said quietly, "No need to worry, darlin', my skills have improved. He leaned in for a kiss, but as his lips met hers, he started to chuckle. "I must be hungrier than I thought. I want to kiss you but after your comment about your lip balm, all I can think of is having a strip or two of bacon."

Melinda huffed, "Well that's a fine how-do-you-do," before she started to giggle as well. "I was only kidding about the balm you know."

"I know, but why did you have to bring up smoked pork?"

"I hope you don't think about that every time you want to kiss me."

"Nah. I don't think it'll be a problem once I have something in my stomach."

"Maybe I can take your mind off eating for a few seconds and leave you with something to think about until Saturday."

"Oh? What might that be?" he asked as the nurse knocked again.

Melinda whispered in his ear, "This."

Adam's hazel eyes widened to the size of silver dollars while a grin of boyish excitement exploded on his face as Melinda finished her thought with action.

The last thing the nurse heard before going in search of the custodian to remove the door was Adam calling out, "Oh yeah!"

Six

With This Ring and a Few Other Surprises

Working through the issues that had plagued Adam's mind allowed his physical health to return quickly. Being confined to the hotel, he began walking the halls and stairs to regain his strength. Nurse Anne locked her evil eye on him after he snuck out shortly after getting settled in his room on Tuesday and was gone for over an hour. When she reminded him of his boundaries, he smiled disarmingly and said, "Dr. Green said I had to stay in the hotel, not in this room. I never left the hotel."

Frank remained true to his word. When Nurse Anne said it was time for Adam to eat, Frank ate with him, and when she declared it rest time, Frank cleared the room and put his feet up on the couch to take a snooze as well.

It helped that while Nurse Anne had a lovely face, she was also six-foot-two, and had broad shoulders and a booming voice. Her appearance had prompted Adam to tell his father, "Anne looks a little like Bessie Sue from back home, so I'm not messin' with her. I suspect Frank thinks that if he doesn't follow her instructions, she'll toss him out the window."

Abel managed to gather most of the information Adam needed for his recalculations by Tuesday afternoon. At dinner, he expressed his desire to head home after he finished work the next day rather than continuing to stay at the hotel, prompting Adam to pull his father aside and ask, "Do you think Abel is ill? I'm surprised he doesn't want to stay here until we're finished."

Ben replied, "I wouldn't worry, Adam. He looks good and seems to be very well."

They found out why Abel was anxious to leave as they sat around talking after dinner.

Frank presented each of his compatriots with a fine cigar when they returned to the suite after their evening meal. Once tendrils of smoke were rising, he grabbed a bottle from the cabinet. "I know you're a brandy man, Ben, so I brought some along." He shot a conspiratorial look toward Adam. "Since Anne is in her room for the night, I'll pour you a glass too…for medicinal purposes."

The four men sat in comfortable quiet, sipping and puffing, until Ben asked, "I haven't thought about this before, Adam, but are you and Melinda going to live in her house after the wedding?"

"We will for a time, Pa. I think we'll find or build a different place eventually, but this will be fine for now."

Ben then turned his attention to his father-in-law. "I suppose your house will seem empty again once Adam moves next door. I remember you wrote me that it was unbearably quiet when Adam left after he graduated."

Abel smiled at Adam as he answered, "It will, but since Melinda admits that she doesn't cook, and I've eaten what Adam made a couple of times—and paid the price in indigestion—I imagine I'll see the two of them most nights for dinner."

Adam choked on his brandy as Abel offered his thoughts. When he caught his breath, he quipped, "I guess that's true. However, I don't think of it as seeking a good, home-cooked meal so much as spending time with my aging, lonely grandfather."

"You may think of it in any way wish, Adam, but I'll know the truth." Abel leaned over to pat his grandson on the knee. "You and Melinda are always welcome, whether it's to visit or to mooch a meal." He sat back as a wicked smile crossed his face. "And I don't think I'll be lonely. I've asked Sadie to move in after Adam leaves."

Ben nodded approvingly. "That makes sense, Abel. You have that storeroom next to the kitchen. I'm sure Adam can do some work in there to make it into a nice bedroom for her."

Adam chimed in, "Of course I'd be happy to help. I'd add a window in there, but otherwise it would just need fresh paint and some sprucing up."

Abel's smile got wider. "That won't be necessary, Adam. You see, I didn't ask Sadie to move in as my housekeeper…" He stalled as he watched the other three men lean forward, anticipating what he was about to say. "I asked her to be my wife."

The suite echoed with silence as Abel's words stunned the occupants.

Ben finally shot to his feet and came to shake Abel's hand, saying, "You old sea devil. I guess there's a few surprises left in you after all!" He winked at Adam as he added, "Did she say yes?"

Abel rolled his eyes. "Who could resist such a catch? We wanted to tell everyone that first night when you arrived, Ben, but then with the kidnapping and Adam's illness, I thought it best to wait until the timing was better."

Adam moved closer on the couch and hung his arm around Abel's shoulder and gave him a squeeze. "I'm happy for you, Grandfather. I like Sadie very much and can see how you two will make a good couple."

Ben inquired, "Any idea when you two might tie the knot?"

"I was hoping sometime next week."

"I'll be here 'til midweek and could push things back a day or two if it works out." Ben shook his head. "You sure surprised me, but I'm very happy for you."

Frank had remained quiet other than to offer his congratulations, but spoke up as the Cartwright family's exuberance tapered. "That is great news, Abel." Turning toward Ben, he continued. "I don't suppose that if I had some upcoming event, I could ask you to delay your departure even more…perhaps permanently?" He laughed at Ben's stunned look. "I know that won't happen. You have a legacy to complete. It's just that I do enjoy your company and knowledge. You and Adam work well together, even though you are continually grousing at one another while you do it, and I think that the four of us could accomplish some great things, maybe even start a new business venture."

"Thank you, Frank. I've enjoyed working with you as well, but I think the delay for Abel's wedding is about the last one I can make. I'm pretty anxious to return home."

Dr. Green released Adam from his care on Wednesday evening and took Anne with him when he left. "Be careful as you add more food to your diet and take it easy," he cautioned his patient before going. "I'll see you at your wedding on Saturday, and I expect that you'll be completely well."

Ben and Adam decided to continue working together even though Adam was free to go to the sites. There were so many plans to recalculate that Adam found it prudent to have his father remain as the liaison at the harbor site. Everything went faster with two people contributing and Frank was overjoyed when he saw how much work the father and son were accomplishing in a short amount of time.

After consulting with Melinda, Marian sent word to her husband and the Cartwrights, as well as Abel, Sadie and the Hayworths that she was throwing a pre-wedding dinner at their estate on Thursday evening. Frank knew the importance of such a summons and made sure that work at the hotel stopped early enough for the three men to spruce up before leaving.

Margaret's eyes bugged and her mouth gaped when their coach turned into the Wadsworth drive. "I had no idea it would be this grand! How do I behave in such a place?"

Melinda touched her mother's knee from across the coach. "Be yourself, Mother. You and Marian chatted away like old friends at the hospital, so why would it be any different here?"

"I suppose you're right, dear. I fear I owe Adam another apology. I pretty much called him a hayseed at that Sunday dinner. Who knew he had such important friends with a home like this?"

William laughed, "Who knew, Margaret? Apparently everyone but you, dear."

Margaret slapped her husband's arm lightly as she shook her head. "I know that the Wadsworths are an important family, William. It just didn't occur to me that they were…this important."

"Does it make a difference in how you view Adam?" Miranda questioned.

"Not at all. I'm just glad that others recognize his fine qualities as much as I do." Margaret observed the doubtful looks of her family and started to laugh. "I know I might not have always given the impression that I thought he was such a quality person, but I've admitted that I was very wrong about that. I have found much to admire about Melinda's beau. He's a fine man…who has some fine friends." She blushed, "When I see this house and then I think back to what I said about him not knowing the finer things in life—well I guess I'm extremely lucky that Adam has a good sense of humor."

Abel arrived a few minutes later with Sadie and received the congratulations of the group. As those assembled mingled in conversation while enjoying champagne, Adam excused himself to walk outside. He felt fine, but after being cooped up indoors for many days, he needed to breathe fresh air and see the night sky. Evening stars were already visible in the darkening east, while the western sky was still emblazoned with a streak of orange left by the setting sun.

The last time he'd looked up to the heavens his world had been crashing down around him, and he'd asked one thing of his creator. He didn't know all the answers yet, but he'd come to accept much of what Margaret had helped him sort through. He had learned lessons of trust and cooperation, and knew that other lessons derived from the situation weren't meant for him at all. It was true that what he and Melinda had endured had saved many others. Adam wasn't sure why they'd been chosen as the two people to accomplish that task, but he'd come to terms with knowing that maybe such things were never explained in life.

His thoughts were interrupted as he heard the door open and Melinda call, "Adam, It's time for dinner." He turned to see her standing on the porch and realized that she was his future, and how impatient he was for it to begin. Their wedding would be exactly what they'd wanted: a gathering of those who loved them. He waved and called, "I'll be right there." As he began walking toward the house, he lifted his eyes skyward and saluted as he mouthed, "Thank you."

As dinner concluded, Marian said, "Rather than the men sneaking off to Frank's study, I think we should all stay together and go over the plans for Saturday."

Frank replied, "Yes, dear. That sounds like a good idea." But as she looked away, he rolled his eyes at the other men, pointed to the clock and held up five fingers, and then gave the universal thumb sign meaning "we'll take our leave."

Marian turned to him with eyes twinkling. "Did you just give a signal that you gentlemen would make your exit in five minutes, Frank? Shame on you. This is important."

Frank led the way to the salon as he grumbled to Ben, "I swear that woman has eyes in the back of her head."

Ben laughed, "They all do, Frank; they all do."

Melinda gave a brief explanation of the plans she, her mother and Sadie had made and then gave directives to the men regarding what time they needed to be present. Marian remarked that it seemed like everything was nicely in place and that it would be a fine day. The men said nothing as they gazed on with wide eyes and blank stares.

Marian looked at them and then back at Melinda as she concluded, "I doubt these men heard a thing you said. All they are thinking about is that fine bottle of scotch that Frank has hidden in his study." The women laughed while the men blushed. "Perhaps we'll need to pin a reminder on their coats before they leave tonight telling them the time they need to show up on Saturday."

The men forgot to make their escape as spirited conversation ensued and everyone was surprised when Frank announced that it was nearly eleven and suggested that they should call it a night and resume the festivities on Saturday. As the others shared their farewells, Adam took Melinda into the abandoned dining room to offer a goodbye befitting a soon-to-be-married couple.

"I'll see you the day after tomorrow," he whispered after kissing her "and then we won't ever go home separately again."

"Don't you dare be late for our wedding, Adam," Melinda said sternly after another kiss. "I don't want to wait an extra minute to say I do."

Frank stopped at the harbor site on Saturday to inspect the progress on the wall reconstruction. He found Ben sorting through a timber delivery and Adam chest deep in water showing the crew how to drill holes for the lateral beams to support the wall and stabilize the dirt pack for dock tracks and machinery. Waiting until Adam had climbed out of the construction pit, Frank remarked, "It's no wonder four Cartwrights can run the 600,000 acres on the Ponderosa. I haven't met Hoss and Joe, but I doubt they can be in your family without a lot expected of them."

"We do have some help, Frank," Ben laughed as he joined the other two men. "A lot of the land takes care of itself, and there are several ranch hands for the rest of it. We don't do everything ourselves."

"But you don't sit around waiting for others to do your work for you either. My guess is you all come in tired every night. I've seen Adam work through a long, hard day without one complaint and be willing to keep going when the others are whining about leaving. That kind of determination might be an inherent quality, but it has to be strengthened and trained too. I suspect you have always been the example your sons have followed."

"He sure is," Adam commented as he wrung out his shirt tails. "There were times when my brothers and I were close to declaring a mutiny and heading for town, but we could never really do it Pa because was working just as hard as we were. I remember one time when we thought we'd give Pa a break and told him to stay home while we went to see if we could figure out how several head of cattle had gone missing. The three of us got pinned down by rustlers in a box canyon and Pa had to come save us!"

They were still laughing as the formal Wadsworth coach pulled into the work area. "Oh, oh," Frank said quietly, "it's Marian. I must be in trouble or she wouldn't be here."

Frank hurried to open the door and helped his wife step out, but then returned to stand with Ben and Adam.

"You look lovely Marian," Ben said appreciatively.

Adam added, "That is a beautiful dress. To what do we owe the honor of your visit?"

The beaded reticule suspended form Marian's wrist swung wildly as she threw her arm out and pointed at them. She locked her gaze on Adam, giving him a wilting look as she noted his muddy face and wet clothing. "Did you fall into the river, or do you mean to look like a wet dog?" Not waiting for his reply she attacked again, including all of them this time. "Do any of you fine gentlemen know what time it is?" She answered her own question, "I didn't think so. I stopped at the hotel and they said you had all left around 8 this morning and hadn't yet returned. I had the feeling that you were still here and had my driver check. I'm glad I did!"

"Why are you so concerned with the time, darling?" Frank asked in complete cluelessness.

"It's nearly 2:15 P.M., Frank," she signed as she shook her finger at them again. "Do any of you remember what's supposed to happen at three today?"

Adam blanched. "It can't be that late. I just checked and it wasn't even noon yet!" He looked down at his soggy clothing and back at Marian. "It can take 20 minutes just to get back to Abel's house from here and I still have to get cleaned up." His face sagged as the seriousness of his situation hit home. "Melinda's going to kill me if I'm late. I've kept her waiting long enough as it is." He considered his options and decided, "I guess I'll just have to get married covered in mud and stinking like the river." He laughed sadly. "Don't the wedding vows say for better or worse? I guess if I show up like this, Melinda will have to prove she's up to the worse part of it right away."

Marian shook her head and sighed. "There are two intelligent, capable fathers standing here, and neither one of you can figure out how to get this drowned rat to his wedding on time?" She straightened her spine, giving them an authoritative look and took charge. "This is what we'll do. Frank, you get Adam back to the hotel and cleaned up. Ben and I will go to Abel's house and explain the delay." Looking at Adam she asked, "Where are your clothes for the wedding?"

Adam responded as he would to a commanding officer. "At the house, ma'am. The gray pants and a white shirt hung off to the side in the armoire. The tie is with the shirt."

"And which jacket?" Marian questioned.

"None, ma'am, unless you really want to see me sweating when I say I do. It's warm today." Adam relaxed as he saw the hint of a smile cross Marian's face. "Thank you, Marian. Um…may I ask what reason are you going to give Melinda for my being late?"

"I should tell her that you were too engrossed in work to remember your wedding. But I guess that wouldn't have happened if my husband wasn't such a driven man who expected you to work today. I'll tell Melinda that you fell into the river when you stopped at the worksite on the way to Abel's."

"Just tell her the truth, Marian. I don't want to start our marriage with a lie. I honestly didn't realize it had gotten so late. I had planned to stop at noon."

Marian motioned to Ben and said, "C'mon, Pa. We have a wedding to stall." As they headed for the coach, she looked back at the soggy groom, "Good for you, Adam. You might have lost track of time, but not of your senses. You should never lie to your wife. Oh, and by the way, scrub hard in that bath. I can smell you way over here."

Ben was expecting a very uncomfortable ride on the way to Abel's but was relieved to find Marian in good humor.

He was put at ease when she confessed, "I had the feeling that Frank would ask you and Adam to put in a few hours of work today. He told me that he was having a crew work through the weekend and said, 'those two Cartwrights have made so much progress that we stand a chance of still making a profit on this job by finishing on time.' I had an inkling that you'd get lost in your efforts and I left early enough to swing past here on the way to the wedding."

"I'm glad you did that, Marian. I think Melinda can absorb a few minute delay without much to-do, but I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't come by. We always know what time it is on the ranch by using the sun's position and shadows. Work swallows time just as easily back home, but at least we have a better perception of it going by."

As they neared Abel's house, Ben suggested, "I'll tell Abel and Sadie of the delay and get cleaned up. I'll also get Adam's clothes laid out and have a few words with the gentleman who's doing the ceremony. Adam told me something that Seth needs to be aware of."

Marian made her way to Melinda's home and walked into a house bustling with pre-wedding activity. She found the bride and Margaret, and asked them to come into the parlor where it was quieter.

"I bring news from the groom," she began tentatively.

Melinda chuckled. "Don't worry, Marian, I already know what you're going to say. I haven't seen any sign of him next door, so I'm sure he's going to be late."

"You're not upset?" Marian asked with relief.

"If you know Adam, you know he's always going to try to do more than any sane man can fit into a limited timeframe."

"He's a lucky man," Marian replied. "When last seen, he was dripping wet and smelled like the Charles River. It's going to take some time to scrub that smell off, but I don't think he'll be too late."

Margaret made a face and laughed. "Maybe we'll need to shower them with lilac water instead of rice."

The women were joined by Miranda and Maxine who were wondering if something had gone wrong. Melinda explained the delay and smiled as she said, "You all know that I've waited a long time for the dashing Mr. Cartwright, and how we met unexpectedly two years ago in Sacramento. But there's a part of that story I've never told because I didn't want my parents to worry about me traveling."

"What happened, dear?" her mother asked.

"I've told you how Adam was inside a jewelry store at the same time I was outside admiring the display. Neither of knew the other was there and we wouldn't have met if I hadn't been bothered by two men outside that store." She hurried to put her mother at ease when she heard her gasp. "Nothing happened, Mother. Adam saw them and came out to send them away. It was only then that we recognized each other. The jeweler was so upset about me being harassed by those men that he offered to discount any piece of jewelry I'd buy. Adam and I walked past the store later that day and he suggested that I take the owner up on his offer. I pointed to a bracelet in the window display that had an emerald in the center and a starburst of small diamonds shooting out from that stone. It was exquisite but I told Adam that while I loved it, I couldn't have it right then. I added that this was fine with me because the best was always worth waiting for."

"You meant that about him, didn't you?" Maxine offered with a shy smile.

"I sure did. I've told Adam that he was worth waiting for since then, but I doubt that he remembers the first time. I remain of that opinion, so I won't worry about waiting a few minutes more."

Adam jumped from Frank's carriage after an adrenalin-pumping, seven-minute trip through the Boston streets that normally took three times as long. He ran into Abel's house and didn't stop until he was in his room. Everything he needed was set out for him, and quickly donned the fresh shirt and pants. His cleanup at the hotel had been accomplished in record time as well and he glanced at the clock while pulling on his boots, relieved to see that it was only 3:20.

As he reached up to straighten his collar, he got a whiff of his hand and groaned. Having Frank as an ally was an amazing asset…most of the time. Frank could get things done rapidly as he had proven again when he strode into the hotel and ordered that a bath be prepared immediately. Adam had been immersed in a hot tub of water within five minutes of arrival. However, Frank's mannerisms could also scare people who weren't familiar with his booming voice and "get me what I want…NOW!" bearing. After Frank bellowed at an attendant to make sure Adam would come out smelling unlike the river he'd been standing in, the shaking man had dumped nearly half a bottle of Bay Rum cologne into the bathwater. The fragrance had permeated the room, and Adam hadn't been sure at the time if his skin had absorbed the smell, but now he knew the truth. Even after rubbing hard as he'd toweled off, and cooling off some on the ride, he could still smell the strong scent of Bay Rum on his hands. He was about to be married smelling like a dandy heading out for a night on the town.

He remembered to grab the ring box from the top drawer of his dresser, and while doing so, caught his reflection in the mirror. Everything looked fine, except for the mass of curly wet hair gracing his head. He grabbed a brush and pulled hard through the ringlets, only to have the curls spring back into place when the brush was removed. Melinda had never seen him without his hair tamed by pomade and he grinned at his reflection as he admit that the unruly hairdo made him look younger...a lot younger…much as he'd looked when he was a five-year-old. He could have kept brushing until his hair was dryer and then added the wax, but thought instead, better to get married looking like a little boy than to make my bride wait any longer.

Adam exited the back door onto the porch and smiled broadly at the scene before him. Abel and Ben were waiting for him there and Adam handed his father the ring as he asked, "You and Seth know what to do when you handle this, right?" Ben assured him that it was all worked out. Adam then turned to the older man. "What happened to the fence between the two yards, Grandfather?"

"I hired a crew to remove it. Seems like your 'small' wedding got a little larger than expected and my yard, by Sadie's estimation, was too cramped to hold enough tables and chairs for the dinner. As she explained it to me, it would have been unseemly to make people pass through that fence to get to some of the tables—almost as though some of the guests were barred from joining in with the other. And I figure it will make getting back and forth between the two places a little easier afterwards too, especially once there's a passel of little Cartwrights playing out here." Abel elbowed his grandson. "Hope I'm not being too presumptuous in calling for a passel, but I expect to see at least a few great grandchildren before I pass from this world."

"You'll outlive all of us, Abel," Adam commented as he took in the other sights in the yard. There were tables filled with food, and a group of people seated near the tree he'd "bodily" pruned twelve years earlier when he'd snapped off branches as he fell. Members of the Symphonic Choir were singing to entertain the waiting guests, and Abel's friend, Seth, was standing near a flower-covered, lattice archway. Adam hadn't ever envisioned exactly what his wedding would look like, but he knew that this was perfect. He'd spent so many years of his life in open spaces that this just seemed the most appropriate way to start the next part of his journey.

Abel and Ben walked with Adam to the front of the group where he greeted those gathered. "Sorry for the delay, folks, but if my bride is still willing to marry me after making her wait, I'm eager to get started."

The crowd was still chuckling as William walked Melinda over from the house next door. Adam could see that she wasn't wearing a traditional, flouncy wedding dress, and was overwhelmed with how simple and lovely she looked. Melinda's creamy yellow sundress had a deeply scooped neckline, short, capped sleeves and a full skirt flowing from a wide, white sash. Her long hair was pinned up and adorned with white daisies, and the only jewelry she wore was the locket that Adam had given her—newly repaired after being ripped from her neck during her kidnapping.

When she made it to Adam's side, he smiled and leaned forward to whisper, "You look perfectly beautiful."

Melinda's eyes rose from Adam's face to his hair as her smile changed to a grin. She winked at him and whispered back, "Those curls are mighty cute, Mr. Cartwright. I'm glad I waited for you instead of running off as others suggested I should when you were late."

The words of commitment were soon offered, the "I do's" repeated and it was time to seal the marriage with a ring. Since Ben was Adam's Best Man, Seth asked him for the wedding band.

Melinda tried to get a look at the ring as it was passed, but Ben handed it to Seth with a closed hand, and Seth continued to hold it with his hand cupped around it as he spoke a blessing. Her curiosity became more heightened when instead of handing the ring to Adam, Seth put his hand out so that Adam withdrew the band, still keeping it out of sight. She thought she understood the reason as Adam took her left hand into his and slid the ring onto the tip of her finger.

She smiled at her husband after glancing down at the ring, and reached out with her right hand to touch his face, saying softy, "Don't worry about the ring, Adam. It's perfect."

It was a plain, wide, golden band, much like the one Adam had picked out for Laura. Yet while she had thought that she would hate anything similar to that ring, she realized now that it didn't matter. She refocused her attention on Adam's face as he began to speak.

"I give this ring as a symbol of my love and fidelity." He slid the band down her finger, but didn't release her hand. Instead, he slowly turned the ring on her finger as he said, "I also give it as a reminder that love is truly worth the wait."

Melinda looked back down at their hands and began to cry as she saw what the ring really looked like now that it was right-side-up. It was a wide gold band; however, a green emerald rose from prongs at the center and was surrounded by a starburst of perfect small diamonds set into the band itself. It was a miniature of the bracelet they'd seen on display in Sacramento.

Seth proclaimed, "With the power invested in me by the state of Massachusetts, and as a minister of the Church of Christ, commissioned by the Maritime Authority, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

The couple didn't wait for permission. They each took one step closer and locked in an embrace that ended with a kiss. The assembled guests cheered as Ben came forward to shake his son's hand and kiss his new daughter-in-law.

Marian, Margaret and Maxine were sitting in the front row, and had given each other odd looks as they saw Melinda crying. Miranda ran to them. "He remembered," she said breathlessly. "The ring—just look at it!"

Maxine ran to check Melinda's hand and turned to the others. "He remembered," Maxine called to them. "I just knew he would."

Seven

Oh, The Foibles of a Tired Mind

The wedding party went on for hours with the darkness illuminated by strings of Chinese lanterns much as the Cartwrights had always done on the Ponderosa. Ben found his son staring up at the display and put his arm around his shoulders. "Reminds you of home, doesn't it?"

Adam nodded. "Not having Joe and Hoss here is the only part of this day I would wish different. Well… that, and maybe that I'd get here on time."

Margaret came to ask Ben if he'd go ask Maxine to dance with him. She told him that the young woman wanted to ask him but was too shy. Once Ben left, she took Adam's face and kissed his cheek, saying, "You have made my daughter very happy today. I remember back to when she first came home giddy about a young man she'd met at the house next to Lynne's. Welcome to our family, Adam. I know we've had some 'interesting' moments already, and you still haven't even met Marie and her husband. I think you'll like them though, and since Lucas is a tailor, I don't think we'll have to worry about him getting you into any trouble."

Melinda came over as Adam and Margaret were speaking, and nestled herself under her husband's arm as she held his hand. "Is this woman bothering you?" she asked.

"Not at all. She was telling me that unless your sister Marie's husband hems someone's pants really badly and the man exacts revenge on us for it, you and I should be safe from any further family kidnappings."

"That's good…I think." She shook her head at the two of them. "I can't say I ever thought that you two would be getting along so well, but I'm eternally happy that you are." She reached for her mother's hand. "Papa says he'd like to leave soon, and the musicians say they're too tired to go on, so the next song will be their last."

As the music ended, the guests began stopping by the newlyweds to say goodbye. Les and Maxine walked up arm and arm to offer their congratulations and thanks for being invited.

Adam grasped Les's hand. "I think we're the ones who are thankful. Without your assistance…"

Les broke in, "I know, Adam. Let's keep only happy thoughts today. It has been my pleasure to get to know you and Melinda in spite of the circumstances in which we were brought together." He grinned as he took Maxine's hand. "And I have something to be very grateful for what came out of it. Maxine is a wonderful woman."

Maxine blushed and broke the handhold long enough to hug Melinda, while whispering, "Enjoy tonight, Melvin. Heaven knows you deserve it." Speaking to the couple, she added shyly, "It was a beautiful wedding." Turning briefly to look at Les and smile, she added, "Thank you both for helpin' me believe in love again."

Frank and Marian were the last of the guests to stop and wish the couple years of happiness. Receiving a reminding poke from his wife, Frank extended an invitation for the following Saturday. "I met Henry for lunch a few weeks ago, Adam, and he was happy to hear that you were back in town, and of your approaching wedding. He's very anxious to see you again and said he could make it out to our house next weekend. Hopefully you and Melinda can make it as well. I know that he's looking forward to meeting your wife, and hearing about your years out West, especially the story of you taking a slug at Sam Clemens." He looked toward his wife to say, "You'll send a note to Melinda with the specifics, Marian?" Receiving her nod, Frank then handed Adam an envelope as he said, "Here's a little something from us to help get your marriage off to a sound start." As he and Marian began to walk away, he turned around and added, "By the way, Adam, I won't expect you in the office until Monday afternoon."

Marian punched her husband in the arm as she looked over her shoulder and said, "What Frank means is that he doesn't expect you in until a week from Monday, don't you Frank?"

Frank's, "Of course that's what I meant, darling," was given as he turned back and showed Adams three fingers and mouthed, "Three days."

Adam and Melinda could hear Marian reproaching her husband as they walked away, "Did you just say he had to be back in three days, Frank? Shame on you!"

"Who's this Henry who wants to meet me?" Melinda asked once the couple was getting in their carriage.

"I think Frank told me once that he and Henry are cousins on his father's side. Frank also says that he doesn't understand all the hoopla made about the man nowadays since he remembers Henry as just a shy kid who didn't want to learn to ride, hunt or jump the fine Wadsworth horses. Frank simply couldn't understand why his older cousin preferred to sit around writing things all day, yet the two of them were close and remain so. They continued to get together after they had children of their own, and I got to know him during my college years when I was at the estate while Henry was there. You know him too, Melinda," Adam said while grinning like a cat with canary feathers stuck to his whiskers.

Melinda puzzled it out a bit and finally gave up. "I don't think I've ever heard of a Henry Wadsworth, Adam."

"It was Henry's mother, not his father, who was a Wadsworth, and she married into the Longfellow family."

"Henry Wadsworth…Longfellow?" Melinda asked. "You're acquainted with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and I'm going to meet him?"

"Yup. Frank said that Henry's life has experienced some tragedy. His second wife, Fanny, died a few years ago, and he hasn't gotten over it."

Melinda gulped as she whispered to no one in particular, "I'm going to spend the day with one of America's most beloved poets. What's next, dinner with the president?"

Adam bid his new in-laws goodbye and told Melinda, "I'll finish putting some things away and head over to your house. You've done enough today, so go ahead and put your feet up after your parents leave and relax. I won't be long." The few things took longer than he had planned and he was exhausted by the time he entered Abel's house. Sadie was in the kitchen and he thanked her again for helping to throw a wonderful party, before making his way into the parlor to find Abel and Ben sitting at the table having coffee.

"I didn't realize that you were still outside, Adam. You look tired," Ben opined.

"I am, Pa. Guess the last couple of weeks caught up to me. I'm going to bed."

Ben and Abel watched him start up the steps and shared a puzzled look. "Where are you going, Adam?" Ben asked his son.

"To bed, Pa, like I said."

"You forgetting something?" Abel asked, barely keeping a straight face.

Adam stopped his ascent. "Not that I can think of. Everything is put away outside, and you two can lock up after you get Sadie home, can't you?"

Now they were laughing so hard that Ben could hardly speak, but managed to squeak out, "Hey, Abel, he really must be tired if he can forget that he's married to that beautiful woman next door. Won't she be surprised when he doesn't show up there tonight!"

Abel was wheezing with laughter as Adam's face went from pale to crimson. He came back down the steps and pointed at the men who were now pounding on the table as they hooted. "Listen you two!" He waited until they calmed themselves enough to hear him. "Neither of you is going to say a word about this to Melinda. No one will tell her about my…my…my lapse of memory, or neither one of you will ever get to see any grandchildren that this marriage might produce."

Abel slapped his knee as he began laughing again. "I don't think your father and I have to worry about that threat if you sleep here and she sleeps next door." He looked at his son-in-law and asked as tears ran down his cheeks, "Didn't you have a talk with Adam about these things when he was younger, Ben? He seems to be a little unclear as to how children are created."

The door slammed behind Adam after he hollered his thanks for the wedding over the pair's howling. He could still hear them hooting when he made it to Melinda's porch. As he reached for the knob, the humor of the situation hit him too and he chuckled before pushing the door open and stepping into his life as a married man.