First off I'd like to start this chapter with an apology. I chose the name Sam because it's easily changeable from Sam to Samantha. It keeps things simple. I completely forgot that writer Peejy wrote a very successful series coupling Adam with a girl called Sam. Sorry Peejy, hope I'm not stepping on your toes too much.

I also want to thank everyone, members and guests for taking the trouble to read and review my story. You've all been very kind and I do appreciate it. I hope you enjoy the rest of my story.

Chapter 6

Sam was in the field just behind the house feeding the calfs when she heard her name being called. She frowned remembering she had forgotten to fill the barn stalls with fresh hay. Adam didn't sound too pleased but then, when did he ever.

~o~

When he caught sight of her he stormed over. Sam's eyes grew wide with alarm. He looked like he wanted to kill her. What was wrong.

Without a word he took hold of the lapels of her jacket and pulled her over the wooden fence.

"Adam, what...".

"Why, why did you do it" he yelled shaking her roughly.

"I needed the money" she shrieked, thinking that this was about her working on the Ponderosa under false pretences.

"You needed the money" Adam repeated angrily. "If you weren't so young I'd thrash you myself, as it is I'm handing you over to Sherif Coffee".

Adam marched her up towards the house. Such was her fright Sam could say nothing. She whimpered as he dragged her over to where Sport was saddled.

"Put your hands together" he told her.

"What?".

He pulled her hands roughly together and found a length of rope in the saddlebag.

"You needn't look so shocked. You were happy enough to get the jump on my brother. What do you expect" he told her as he tied her hands.

"Adam what are you talking about" she cried.

Ben came out when he heard the commotion.

"What's all this" he asked.

"Pa I didn't want to say anything before but he's been flirting with Annie since he got here. You know how Joe gets pa, they must have had an argument and that's when he pulled a knife and stabbed Joe".

"Are you sure you got the right man son" Ben asked.

"I'm sure Pa, they weren't too good at hiding it. Hop Sing tells me this pup was here with Annie most evenings".

Sam dared not say anything. She looked from one man to the other feeling slightly sick.

"I was about to bring him in, hand him over to the sherif" Adam told him.

"That can wait son. I need you here. Joes got a raging fever" Ben looked very worried and needed Adam for support.

They headed into the house.

~o~

Adam pulled Sam with him but left her to stand in the centre of the room as he went to Joes side. Annie was there crying, obviously upset but Adam paid her no heed. He brushed matted curls from Joes forehead feeling the terrible heat there.

"Ben, l should probably go" Haggard suggested.

No one was listening to him as Annie suddenly caught sight of Sam's tied hands.

"Wait, what's going on?" she asked.

"It's well you might ask" Adam muttered.

"Who tied Sam up" she asked looking straight at Adam.

Adam lost patience.

"Should you not be more concerned with your husbands health rather than caring for the person who has put him in this state" he snapped looking directly at her.

"Sam didn't hurt Joe" she told him "She was with me all afternoon collecting berries for the pie I was making for supper".

"Yeah well, you would say that wouldn't..." Adam stopped a minute.

"Did you say SHE was with you all afternoon?".

Adam glanced over at the poor creature standing stiffly with her hands tied in front of her. He crossed the room and took the hat from her head. A long, thick blond braid spilled over and down her back.

Adam smiled as realisation dawned and he breathed a tiny sigh of relief to himself.

"It's a girl" he exclaimed.

"Wonderful, we'll break out the cigars, Adam go into the kitchen and see what's taking Hop Sing so long with that herb poultice" Ben growled impatiently.

Ben was right of course. Explanations could wait till later, Joe was the priority now.

~o~

"Pa" Joe whispered, hearing his fathers raised voice.

Ben bent low to listen as Joe tried to get the words out.

He couldn't. He just hadn't the strength.

But it was enough for Marshal Haggard. He had to leave, and now.

"Alright, nobody move" he said pulling a gun.

Adam immediately pulled Sam off to one side.

"Marshal, what's this" Ben was incredulous. He thought for a minute his old friend was joking.

Suddenly realisation dawned.

"No, please don't tell me it was you" he frowned.

"Please don't tell me you stabbed my son".

Sam was distracted for a moment as she felt her hands being untied by Adam as he stood behind her.

"I never wanted this to happen Ben, you know that. We go back a long way me and you".

"That ends today Haggard, that ends now!" Ben told him.

"I need to get away Ben, make a fresh start. I'll take whatever you have in your safe and leave you in peace".

Ben moved towards the safe.

"No Pa" Adam said "give him nothing".

Ben opened the safe and handed the money over to him.

"Take it, take all of it. It's cheap at the price to see the back of you" Ben told him, raw hurt cutting an edge to his voice.

"Go now and don't ever darken my door again".

~o~

Having pocketed the money Haggard shuffled awkwardly towards the door. He took one last look around. Ben, his friend stood by the open safe. Bens oldest son stood with his arms protectively around a young girl, Bens youngest son gravely ill, his wife weeping by his side. Another household he would never be welcome in again. Haggard tipped his hat to them and was gone.

~o~

Hoss rode in, minutes later with Doctor Martin. Joe was moved to his old bedroom upstairs. Doctor Martin wasn't happy with him. The bed was stripped down and the windows thrown wide open but still Joes temperature continued to climb despite the medicines and poultice applied to the wound. He twitched muttering incoherently, sweat glistening on his boyish face. Annie and Sam said nothing as they passed each other on the landing bringing fresh bandages and water and more ice. Adam sat at Joes back holding his arms firmly to his chest as Dr Martin stitched the wound. Joe jumped occasionally with the pain he felt even in his delirious state.

Afterwards Dr Martin spoke gravely to Ben.

"The infection has taken a very aggressive hold on him Ben. I've done all I can it's up to Joe now".

"He's come through worse" Ben said, his eyes desperate for some reassurance.

Doctor Martin put a hand to his shoulder.

"We'll see Ben" he said "I'll stay in the bunk house tonight. Call me if there is any change. I'm just going to get a couple hours sleep".

"Of course" Ben nodded.

~o~

Sam grabbed five minutes to sip coffee out on the porch. The door behind creaked open and she thought Annie had come to join her but it was Adam.

He stepped on to the porch a few feet away from her and stared out into the blackness, his dark eyes deeply troubled.

"Some night" he frowned.

She nodded.

"I wanted to say I'm sorry. I never willingly hurt any woman in my life Sam" he told her.

"You thought I was a boy, you thought I had hurt your brother" Sam reasoned.

"Yeah but I have to stop being so rough with people, I'm too rough" he said looking down at his hands.

"Do you know I once shot Joe" he said.

She looked over at him then.

"It was an accident" he continued. "I was trying to shoot a wolf but I shot too soon and hit Joe".

"It was an accident" she told him.

"But I should have, I should ..." Adam couldn't continue.

He turned to leave then hiding his face from her but she went to him and pulled him into a hug.

'He's going to be ok" she told him, her voice soft and reassuring. She reached up and stroked his dark hair as he sobbed quietly into her shoulder.

~o~

Hoss sat staring forlornly at Joes pale complexion. Joe had stopped trashing and muttering a while back but he still looked very ill.

Annie, her face grubby and tear stained was asleep on his lap covered in a wool blanket. She was like a lost soul without Joe, it broke Hoss's heart. Adam came in leaving a jug of ice water and cloths down on the dresser.

"You two head down" he told Hoss "Sam's making coffee and sandwiches for you"

Hoss wasn't hungry but after a moment he nodded and gently patted Annie's face."Come on darlin, time to wake now"

Adam helped her to her feet and gave her a reassuring hug.

"Are you hungry Hun" he asked trying to be cheerful "what sandwich would you like?"

"Cheese and pickle" came the unmistakable voice from the bed.

Adam locked eyes with his little brother.

"Hoss, get Doc Martin and Pa up here" He said with a very relieved smile.