The noon stage arrived and pulled to a stop outside the stage depot in main street, Virginia City. A tall fair haired man stepped down from the stage and turned to wait for the driver to pass his cases down from the luggage rack.
"Alistair McCrawley is that really you?" came from behind him.
The man turned and smiled, "Adam Cartwright. My you haven't changed all that much have you?" he replied.
Adam stepped down from the boardwalk and walked over to his old friend," How the hell are you? You son of an old sea dog!"
"Look who's talking, Cartwright!" laughed the man called Alistair. As the two men wrapped their arms around each other in a manly hug and patted each other heartily on the back.
"Oof, hey watch it, Adam."
"Oops! Sorry Alistair, I forgot my own strength there, but then you always were a bit of a weakling," chuckled Adam.
"Hey, that's not fair, I was skinny not a weakling. Adam you big brute!" said Alistair as he waited for his lungs to recover. "OK so you have changed Adam, it looks like you certainly bulked up a bit," coughed Alistair.
"Can't help it old friend. Working on the ranch is hard physical work. But, hey, look at you, dressed all fancy in your best clothes. What are you up to these days, a salesman of some sort?"
"No Adam, I'm a lawyer. A junior partner actually, in San Francisco. The firm is called Lancer and Proctor, ever heard of them?"
"Yes, a smallish firm but with a good reputation I believe. Pa has used them for small contracts on occasion over the years. Well, well a lawyer eh? Who would have thought? You never mentioned this in your last letter."
"Sorry Adam, but that was over a year ago. I've been working at the firm for over a year now. And I've had a few things keeping me busy. I had to go home to Scotland a few months back, as my mother died."
"Oh, I am sorry to hear that Alistair, she was a good woman."
"Yes she was, but she was poorly and had been for some time. It was pneumonia. Pa wrote me that she was sick and wanted to see me and then telegrammed to say that she had died when I was on my way back. I'd actually reached Boston and was about to board the boat the next day when I received the message. It took 5 weeks to get back home and I'd missed the funeral of course." Alistair wiped at a stray tear. "I'm sorry for that I thought that I was coping better."
"I understand old friend, grieving takes time, let yourself grieve properly Alistair. It doesn't bring your loved one back but it helps." Said Adam putting his arm around his old friend to offer some comfort.
Alistair sniffed, withdrew his handkerchief and wiped his eyes and blew his nose, "I'm OK now, Adam but thank you for your understanding." Alistair paused, sighed and then continued, "Anyway, I stayed with Pa and offered to resign and get a job in a local law firm, but Pa wouldn't hear of it. You know him, Adam. He told me that I had to lead my own life and that you should never give up on anything. Anyway, he said that I should return for a few years at least, to repay the firm for funding my bar exam and then I could return to Scotland if I still wanted. He is fit and well and runs a wholesaler's now, in Edinburgh, stocking the finest cloths from all across the world.
So now I am on my way back to the firm, but I have a little something to drop off to a customer of my fathers in Virginia City and I thought that I would use the opportunity to catch up with an old friend."
"Well Alistair I am sure glad to see you."
"And I you, Adam. Hey now, why don't we go and get some lunch and then we can catch up, I'm dying to find out more about what has been happening around here. I miss the area you know."
"Lunch would be mighty fine, Alistair, but first I'd like you to meet another good friend of mine. Jake, come and meet Alistair," said Adam, beckoning Jake to them.
"Alistair, this is Jake Morgan, he works on the Ponderosa with me as a ranch hand. I've been telling him a little about you and the youthful exploits that we used to get up to. And he wanted to meet you. "Jake, this is my good friend from school, Alistair McCrawley, he's originally from Scotland."
"Howdy Alistair, it's good to finally meet you, Adam talks fondly of you," said Jake extending his hand.
Alistair gripped the hand with one of his own and the two men shook hands warmly. "Good to meet you too, Jake. I think Adam might have mentioned you in one of his old letters. Would you like to join us for lunch? We were going to catch up on old times."
"That's right nice of you, Alistair, but I wouldn't want to impose. I have some errands to run in town but we could meet for a drink in the Bucket of Blood saloon later, if you'd like," said Jake.
"Hmm, isn't that a bit rowdy? At least it used to be years ago. What about having a drink in the International Hotel instead, around 3?"
"Sure, I'll be there. Enjoy your lunch gentlemen," said Jake smiling at them both, before he turned tail and walked away.
Just then the stagecoach driver put Alistair's cases down at his feet. "Thank you driver. Here please accept this for your troubles," said Alistair passing over a five dollar note.
The driver bowed, "Thank you very much. Sir," replied the driver.
Adam bent down and lifted the cases up. "Let me carry your cases for you Ally, the journey must have tired you out," said Adam slipping back into the name the boys used when they were children.
"OK, if you insist. Where is the best place to eat around here?"
"In the fine clothes that you are wearing, ...the International Hotel. That is where you are staying anyway isn't it?"
"Yes."
"You could have stayed at the Ponderosa, my friend, you had only to telegram."
"Thank you Adam, but I didn't want to impose. I would like to visit whilst I am in town though. How are your father and brothers these days?"
"Father is very well, Ally. And the boys have grown, Joe's 8 now and you've never seen him have you? Would you like to come out to lunch or supper tomorrow night, or you can even come back with me tonight, you can cancel your hotel and stay with us."
"Thank you Adam, but I have already booked the hotel for 3 days. I will however accept supper tomorrow night. Where is this Hotel?" Alistair asked looking up and down the street.
"It's just down the street, down that way," said Adam pointing, "Don't worry you can't miss it, it's the largest, grandest building in town."
"And what about the Mercantile store? I have a package to deliver."
"A package, what are you now a courier as well?" asked Adam laughing.
"Yes sort of. Mrs Carter ordered a bolt of the finest tartan from my father and he asked me to deliver it on my way through. Apparently Mrs Carter's great grandfather was a good friend of my great grandfather. It's a small world huh?"
"Yes, it is a small world," agreed Adam. "Come on then, let's go to the Mercantile and drop off your package, it's up the street to your left. We'll probably catch up with Jake there, he's supposed to be collecting a list of things for Hop Sing but he's kind of sweet on the new young assistant there so he's volunteering to go to the store at every opportunity."
"Oh my god, Hop Sing still works at the Ponderosa?" asked Alistair in disbelief.
"Yes, he still threatens to go back to China, several times a week, but he's still there," laughed Adam.
"You are extremely lucky Adam, he is a wonderful cook. And what about this new assistant Jake is so sweet on, is she pretty?"
"Yes, but kind of young for Jake, but you can see for yourself." Replied Adam, as he turned around and headed off up the street towards the Mercantile, Alistair trailing in his wake.
"Hold up Adam, not everyone has your long legs," puffed Alistair as he tried to keep up with Adam.
Adam stopped for a moment to allow his friend to catch up with him. "What do you mean long legs, we're the same height. And, I'm carrying two heavy cases. Your trouble my friend, is that you are unfit, you've had too much soft living," laughed Adam teasingly.
"Maybe," agreed Alistair as he clutched at his tight chest. "But there's not much call for physical work as a lawyer. The most I get to carry is a couple of heaving files from the firm to the courthouse. OK…. Now will you walk a little slower please?" he asked Adam.
"Alright, I'll slow down so that you can keep up," agreed Adam and the two men walked down the street side by side.
Nearing the Mercantile store, Adam noticed Jake outside standing off the porch, watching the young lady sweeping the porch.
"Are you sure that I can't do that for you Miss Theresa?" Adam heard Jake ask.
"No thank you. Mr. Jake. It's part of my chores and I don't think that Uncle Sam would appreciate you doing my work for me," replied the young girl politely.
"But Miss Theresa, pretty young ladies like yourself, shouldn't be doing work like that, you'll get all dusty and dirty!"
The young girl laughed, "And if I don't, I will be in trouble and not get my allowance. So I'll take getting dirty. It's only dust Mr. Jake, it'll brush off."
"I suppose so," agreed Jake. He shuffled around in the dirt with his feet for a moment, feeling nervous usually for him, "Uhm, Miss Theresa…. if you don't have any plans for after church on Sunday, would you like to go to Lake Tahoe with me for a picnic?"
The young girl stopped her sweeping for a moment and looked down at the ranch hand standing just off the porch." I'm sorry Mr. Jake but I do have plans this Sunday." She said shaking her head.
"OH. Another time then?" Jake asked hopefully.
"Yes, that would be lovely. I've heard about the country around here being very beautiful and I would very much like to see the lake."
OK, so she does want to spend some time with me then. I wander where she is going on Sunday and with whom, thought Jake becoming suddenly jealous.
"Jake, did you remember to get everything on Hop Sing's list?" asked Adam as he and Alistair reached the store.
Startled, Jake turned away from Theresa and faced the two men, "Hi, uhm... I thought that you were both going for lunch." He said nervously.
"We were. Alistair just had to make a delivery for his father. So Jake, did you get everything on the list," asked Adam
"Uh" Jake said coughing lightly, "No not yet, I was just… I've been…..."
"I know what you have been doing Jake," interrupted Adam, as he placed Alistair's cases down. "A word in private please, Jake. Excuse us Alistair, Miss," said Adam taking Jake's arm and gently but firmly, guiding him away from the store.
Deciding that the nearby alley was far enough away for privacy, Adam pulled Jake down there. "Jake, I understand that you are infatuated with this girl, but you should know that works comes first. Did we not discuss this only yesterday?" asked Adam sternly.
Jake nodded his head and looked down at his feet, "Yeah we did, sorry Adam."
"Jake, please look at me," Adam asked and waited for the other man to comply. "I shouldn't have to repeat myself Jake," scolded Adam in a quiet but stern tone.
Jake bit his lip and stared into his friends eyes, " Yes, sir, I understand, it won't happen again."
"See that it doesn't, please Jake. I might be lenient and forgiving, but my father would not be so tolerant and I will not allow our friendship to prevent me from doing my job. "
Jake swallowed the bile pooling in his throat, "I understand Adam, really, I do. It won't happen again."
"Good man. Now why don't you go and collect the items for Hop Sing and go and do the other errands you have, so that you can meet Alistair and I for that drink," said Adam patting his friend on the back and they turned and walked back to the store.
By the time Adam and Jake returned to the store, Alistair had unpacked the case with the bolt of material in and had given it to Lucy Carter. Lucy and Alistair were sitting outside the store on a bench happily chatting about Scotland. Theresa was nowhere to be seen so Adam assumed that she had gone back to working inside. Jake, when you go in the store, please just do your job and don't get sucked into flirting with the young lady.
Adam tipped his hat when he walked up on the boardwalk, "Good afternoon, ma'am," Adam said to Lucy.
"Good afternoon, Adam. How are you this fine day?" Lucy asked.
"I'm very well thank you, ma'am."
"That's good to hear. Alistair tells me that you were friends when you were younger and that you have a lunch arrangement. I am sorry if you have been delayed just to deliver my bolt of cloth."
"It's not a problem ma'am. Alistair said that he had a delivery that he wanted to make prior to our luncheon. We still have plenty of time to catch up."
"Still, it wasn't urgent and I'd hate to think that you were diverted because of me. I am so grateful that Alistair was able to bring it with him as I've not spoken about the old country to anyone in years. The material is a special order for one of our dear customers and she will be so surprised that it has arrived earlier than I expected," Lucy said before she turned back to face Alistair. "Just how long are you in town for Alistair? Samuel and I would love to have you stay for supper before you leave."
"I'm expecting to stay in town for 3 days ma'am. I would be glad to accept your offer of supper whenever is convenient. However if you wouldn't mind excusing us, I promised Adam lunch and I would like to wash up first."
"Yes, yes of course. Would you like to come to supper tonight Alistair? If so, would around 6.30 suit you?"
"I would love to join you tonight, thank you. 6.30 it is then ma'am."
"Excellent, I'll see if I can rustle up something my grandmother used to make to remind us both of our Scottish heritage. Samuel will love to try something different I'm sure and, my niece can learn a new recipe. The house is just around the back of the store. I look forwards to your company. Good day gentlemen, enjoy your lunch."
"Thank you ma'am, I look forward to it. Come Adam, let's go find somewhere we can get us a fine steak with all of the trimmings, I am suddenly feeling famished."
Adam grinned, Mmm, a good steak and a glass of red wine would go down just perfectly, now that Alistair has mentioned it. Adam tipped his hat, ""Good day ma'am," he said as he picked up Alistair's cases.
Lucy smiled at the two men and then turned on her heels and went into the store.