Chapter 35

Having difficulties again with forwarding a legible chapter. Will keep trying.

A month had passed and the new store and restaurant building were completed and Mr Reynolds had moved in. And thanks to Alex, Hoss had approached Amy who agreed to go out with him, and both seemed to be enjoying each other's company. Alex was smiling most of the time, so happy for Hoss and Amy, hoping to see them as a couple and hoping the restaurant idea would work for Amy, which of course could change should they become a serious couple.

Adam continued to use the building workers for their next project, the building of the hospital. He'd found them to be passionate about their work and told them perhaps they should consider forming themselves into a company as they worked well together. Paul had worked everything out for the floor plan and the equipment that would be required. There were also signs that the railroad would be making it's way from Carson City towards Virginia City and that items ordered would be easily transported right to town, or near enough.

Adam would wait until the hospital was half way completed before ordering the furnishings required as it would take approximately one to two months to arrive. But all in all everything seemed to be going well in the direction of Alex's plans. But Alex was getting restless and with everything going so well, it was time to make her own plans.

As Adam and Alex drove into Virginia City they could see activity at the hospital site.

"It looks like the old building is down and cleared," Adam told Alex, pleased with the progress.

"Adam, I need a few things. Can I leave you here? You can talk with Mr Denning and make plans."

"Yes, of course." Adam said, agreeing with Alex.

"I'll come back in say an hour and if you're still busy I'll visit with Paul, if he's here. You can pick me up there."

"Fine. Okay. Enjoy your shopping." Adam leant down and kissed her on the cheek.

Alex tried to ignore the kiss. "Okay, bye for now." Turned and walked away leaving Adam to talk with Mr Denning.

Alex made a stop at the bank then went across to the general store and bought some writing paper and envelopes and a few other items she needed all nicely parceled up. Then she went over to the International Hotel for a coffee and sandwich as she still had plenty of time before meeting up with Adam. She used the time writing. When she arrived back, Adam was still preoccupied, walking around the site, deep in conversation with Mr Denning. So she went over to the surgery to see if Paul was there. He was.

"Hello, Paul," she said as she entered the room. "Is it alright for me to join you for a little while. Adam is still busy on the hospital site, but will pick me up here."

"Of course. It's always good to see you," Paul said, rising from his chair. "Can I get you something, coffee, something to eat?"

"Actually, I've just come from having a little lunch at the International, so I'm good, thank you, Paul."

"I realize time is moving on, but I'm still looking through some of my old medical journals."

"I hope you've come up with a list. This is where we need your input."

"Oh yes, I know that and I do have a list started but I'm not sure how much I should think of ordering. The cost, you know."

"Paul, you don't have to worry about that, we'll certainly let you know if we can't afford it."

And just as that was said, they both turned at the sound of the door opening to see who had entered, when Adam walked in through the door.

"Sorry if I kept you waiting. Are you ready to go?"

"Yes, almost," Alex said, turning back to Paul. "Just to let you know Adam has written up an advertisement regarding the extra doctor or doctors and nurses that will be required. When it's all sorted he'll show you what he's written for your approval."

"That's just fine," Paul replied. "Bye for now, you two. Have a good evening."

Adam and Alex left the surgery and travelled back to the Ponderosa. ….

With everything going according to plan, Alex knew it was time to move on. It saddened her greatly but she knew she couldn't carry on living off the family's generosity waiting for Adam to fulfil their agreement. He'd continued to avoid talking about the annulment. So she felt it was up to her to end this arrangement. She could no longer carry on living as they were and still having not told the family their story. She felt it was wrong of Adam not to have done so by now, having agreed to do so. So her plan to leave on Friday was put into operation. She had mentally made a list. Money, stage ticket, small bag of essentials and a little food and her letters. She hadn't planned on taking anything that Adam had bought her, except one small necklace. Something to remember him by, as if she actually needed something tangible, when she knew he would never leave her mind or her heart. All she had to do now was wait out the week as normally as possible.

"What's happening with you two today," Ben asked of Adam and Alex at breakfast the next morning.

"As things are going well in town, I think I need to start earning my keep around the Ponderosa," Adam told him.

"Are you sure your shoulder is back to normal?" Ben asked.

"Yep, Paul said it was all healed up fine and I could return to normal activity."

"Yes, and I can do the same. Help Hop Sing, that is," Alex added.

"There is something you can do for me, Adam," Ben said.

"And what's that, Pa."

"I need someone to go up to the lumber mill to check on our newest order. I'll give you the paperwork to look over. Can you do that for me?"

"Of course. I would enjoy a ride. Haven't had one in a while now."

"Probably do you good, Adam," Alex told him, "and it'll be good for us all to get back to normal."

"I'll go and get Sport organized for the trip. May have to stay over one night if things take too long, but I'll certainly be back tomorrow." Adam rose from the table and made his way across to the barn.

"So," Alex began, "do you think Hoss and Joe will be back today."

"Probably, but if not, definitely tomorrow. They've had the week to get round the Ponderosa searching for strays and getting them back. There's always some that escape. Also they would be looking for signs of rustling. We've been lucky this last year having no trouble of that sort."

"Well, at least they've had better weather to do it."

"True, true. Anyway chores to do. I think we'd better get started," Ben said.

"Of course." Alex immediately stood up and started to collect plates to take to the kitchen for washing. …

Adam did not return that day but returned the next afternoon. He was in discussion with his father when Alex came in with a tray with coffee and cups.

"Here you go, you two. With much to discuss, I'm sure your throats will get dry."

"Thanks, Alex," Adam said, smiling.

"Thinks of everything," Ben added. "What would we do without you?"

That comment made Alex hesitate for a second as she was pouring out the coffee.

"Oh, I'm sure you'd manage with Hop Sing always around."

"Maybe, but not with such a happy face," Ben said, chuckling.

"Well, I'll not interrupt you any longer. I'm needed back in the kitchen." And off she went feeling nervous now, thinking of the coming Thursday night's departure. …

By Thursday, Alex had managed to organize her belongings and hid them away in the barn and was especially pleased she'd been able to sew a pocket into her petticoat to house the money she taken out of the bank, just a little something to help on her way. She had always intended to find work and earn her own money once she was settled somewhere. Her nerves were on edge as the day came to a close.

"Goodnight all," she said, rising from the sofa. "I feel rather tired tonight. Goodnight again."

Once Alex was out of sight, Joe couldn't resist.

"Anything we should know about?" He teased Adam.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know. Alex being tired so early."

"Joe, if there was anything to tell us, they would have by now," Ben scolded. "Besides, it's none of our business."

"Sorry, but there's nothing to report," Adam informed them, knowing full well to what they were referring. Chance would be a fine thing, he thought. …

Later that night at approximately 3am, Alex slipped out of bed, placed Adam's letter on the pillow, and looked at the sleeping Adam, "Goodbye, my love," she mouthed and quietly left the room. Then having placed Ben's letter on his desk, she silently made her way out of the house and across to the barn, where she finished dressing, having worn her underclothes to bed that night and left her dress and shoes hidden in the barn with the rest of her goods.

She then saddled Sport and walked him quietly out of the barn and out of sight of the house. "Come on, Sport. Let's have just one last moment together before I leave you in town for Adam to pick you up sometime."

She had a ticket for the early stage to leave Virginia City, and had planned on catching it for San Francisco. …..

At around 4.30am Adam turned in bed and his arm stretched out and felt nothing at his side. He opened his eyes to see no Alex there. For a moment he thought she had been taken short, so just relaxed back on the bed. Two seconds later he thought it was unusual for Alex to not last through the night. It hadn't happened before, so he sat himself up and turned to see an envelope on Alex's pillow.

"My God, she's gone and done it again," he said out loud.

He immediately got out of bed and dressed, picked up the letter and put it in his pant's pocket. When he got downstairs he hastily wrote a note and left it on the desk where he'd noticed another letter to his father. From Alex, no doubt, he guessed. But when he got to the barn he could see Sport was missing. He sighed and shook his head. Transgression number two! He saddled Buck and took off at a rush on the road to Virginia City. ….

By the time Adam reached town, the stage was waiting for the off time and last minute passengers. He road quickly over to the stage, dismounted and tethered Buck to the nearest rail and walked over to the stage.

"You're in early," Stu the driver said.

"Morning, Stu. Yes, I am. Got you a passenger I need a word with," he said walking straight passed him. Stu could tell this wasn't a request so let him be just as Adam stopped to face the open door of the stage.

"Okay, Madam! You can come out of there right now and we'll go and talk somewhere private. OR, if I have to come in there and drag you out, I'll put you across my knee right here in the street for all to see. Your choice."

A very nervous Alex advanced to the doorway and looked down and straight at Adam's angry face.

"Wise choice," he said, holding his hand up to help her down from the stage. "Do you have luggage?"

"No, only what's in my hand," she timidly answered.

He took hold of her hand and pulled her to him. "Thanks Stu, you can leave now as this young lady will not be travelling today."

"Right you are, Adam." And with that Stu closed the stage door, climbed up to his seat and took off down the street.

"We'll go over to the International Hotel and take a room and talk this through once and for all."

After taking Alex's carpet bag out of her hands, Adam practically dragged her across the street to the hotel where he took a room and ordered breakfast for an hour later. He unlocked the door to the room and threw her inside, turned and locked the door again. He threw the carpet bag and his hat onto a chair and then took off his jacket which ended on the same chair and rolled up his sleeves. He then turned his attention to Alex who was cowering by the bottom of the bed.

"Perhaps now you will tell me what you think you've been doing. For in truth, I'm itching to give you the hiding of your life. So start." …..

Back at the Ponderosa, Joe was wondering, with a grin, why Adam and Alex were not at breakfast with them. "Perhaps I'd better go up and wake them up," he said.

"Alright," Ben agreed, as it was getting rather late.

Hoss was over by his father's desk and saw Adam's note. "Hang on, Joe. There's a note here from Adam."

Ben now walked across. "What's going on," he said, taking the note from Hoss. "Gone into town, Alex left. Adam."

"Look, Pa, there's an envelope for you too."

Ben immediately opened the envelope and read out loud:

Dear Ben,

I'm so very sorry to be leaving like this but I think it's best. Order Adam to tell you the whole story about me and what has been happening between us. He keeps refusing to let me tell you, so I hope you will understand my need to leave once he has told you our agreed arrangement.

I will never forget you all at the Ponderosa, including Hop Sing who welcomed me so warmly and who taught me many things.

With my warmest regards – Alex.

"What'd she leave for? I thought she liked it here," Hoss was obviously saddened by this news.

"I don't know, Hoss," Ben said. "I think there are things not been told to us and when I get ahold of Adam he'd better start telling us what exactly has been going on."

Joe suddenly came up with, "Do you suppose they're not actually married?

"Joe!" Ben admonished. "Adam…they…would never have behaved as they have if they were not married."

"I agree, but we'll have wait until he gets back," Hoss said. "He might have to be gone a while if he's chasing after her. Don't know how much of a start she got on him."

"Let's hope it's not long as I'm anxious to know this 'whole story'," Joe said, giggling.