Chapter 6

Mary went straight to her room and sat on the edge of the bed to think. 'What in the world is happening to me. I can't stay here much longer.'

While no-one was aboutshe tiptoed into the hallway and in through one of the other doors. This was Adam's room she knew as she could smell his masculine aroma there and closing her eyes, drank it in. She looked around the room, seeing all the books that were there and saw a delightful box with roses on it. She picked it up and opened the lid. It started to play a delightful little tune but she shut it immediately as she didn't want anyone to hear. She walked over to the wardrobe wanting to view his clothes there.

She heard the door downstairs open and close and swiftly made her way back to her own room.

…

Supper time again and once more Mary kept them waiting, but this time she was clean and looking much better in her new dress.

"Well, everyone, how do you think Mary looks," Adam said, admiring his handywork. 'At least she was still wearing it. Perhaps this was a good sign?'

Ben came across to Mary and offered his arm to escort her to the table. "May I escort you to the table, Mary?" She just stared at him as though he had said something rude, walked straight passed him toward the table and sat down. The men looked at each other with raised eyebrows, astounded at the rebuff, and heard the warning sign at Ben's intake of breath. Adam's lips were pressed hard together, trying to stem his anger once again at her insolence and Hoss and Joe were frowning, wondering why Adam had not taken a firm hand by now.

Once they were all seated Ben asked Mary if she would like to give the Blessing.

"No, I will not, never have and never likely to," Mary answered. "You do it if you must."

Ben held his temper and gave the blessing. Then they all set about filling their plates, that is except for Mary.

"You're not eating?" asked Ben.

"Already eaten today in Virginia City and I must say it was an improvement on the fare here. I don't need to suffer it again." Mary said with feeling.

Ben looked across at Adam voicing, with his eyes, that something should be done about her unbelievable behaviour. And if Adam didn't, then he would. Joe and Hoss kept their heads down and started eating.

"That's enough." Adam told her, very sternly. "Just sit there then and be quiet while the rest of us eat."

Barely able to control his anger Adam started eating his food.

….

About an hour later everyone was trying to relax by the fire. Ben in his red leather chair, reading the newspaper, Adam in the blue chair, reading his new book and Hoss and Joe on the settee and low table, respectively, playing checkers near their Pa's side. They had left Mary by herself still sitting at the table.

Adam called Mary over. "Why don't you come and sit by the fire.

"What for?"

"Thought you might like to join us and not be left by yourself over there."

She stood up and dragging her feet made her way over to the other end of the settee and sat, staring into the fire.

Ben put his paper down and decided to draw Mary into a conversation. He told Mary something of the family how Adam went away to college and studied architecture and drew up the plans for this ranch house.

Mary looked up surprise but said "Well at least he's good for something."

Adam kept a restraint on himself at this barb.

She listened but looked disinterested. In fact Mary listened and took in everything they all said, but they were not to know this. So Ben then asked Mary to tell them about herself. Where she was from and family. She knew this moment would come and how she had dreaded it.

With a deep sighed she began to relate her life. "It's not a very nice story, but well, I lived with me grandfather who owned a poor furniture store back in Willow Creek but all went bad, he owed rent and we had to leave. We travelled in a westerly direction and met many folk along the way. Unfortunately, grandfather liked his game of cards and didn't do very well at all. Indeed he lost us all the money we had."

"But luck was on our side though for we met a travelling show, which boasted models of historical characters, good and bad, hoping to educate people along the way. The owner, Mrs Harley, a widow lady, offered us some food and drink. She also offered us both board and lodging as well as work. Grandfather did some odd jobs while I worked on sewing and announcing our presence, of the show that is, to the crowds who followed us."

Mary paused for breath and looked over at Adam who was leaning on the arm of the chair with his hand across his mouth, index finger tapping and eyes listening intently to what she was saying, but had a look of disbelief in them.

"We had been travelling with the show for just a little while when I noticed me Grandfather eyeing the moneybox kept by Mrs Harley. It was time to move on. We stole away during the night."

Mary looked around at the others. Only Ben and Adam seemed to be listening to her. Hoss and Joe were concentrating on the game of checkers.

"By now we'd spent what little money we had. We were destitute. Also the weather turned bad. We slept under trees along the way and then me grandfather took sick and coughed a lot. We managed to find a 'retreat' who offered to look after him but his health took a turn for the worse and he died. The people there buried him for me and I said my goodbyes. Now I was alone but decided to continue travelling west, ever onward toward the coast, where I hope to find work."

"That's an amazing story" said Ben, "and you're travelling all on your own. You know that's not safe, don't you?"

"I suppose so, but I have to do it. It's what me grandfather wanted us to do. So I'm goin' to do it."

"Well I'm glad that you told us, Mary" Ben said and returned to his paper.

"Yes," Agreed Adam. A very interesting story indeed."

Ben and Adam were silent after listening to Mary's story. The other two were still busy with their checkers, now on their third game.

"I could read you some of my book, if you like. Adam suggested, "I'm nearing the end though."

"As long as it's not boring" Mary said, showing her contempt intensely.

"It's a 'Charles Dickens' novel, he stressed, 'A Tale of Two Cities' and it's about London and Paris during the French revolution."

Adam went on to describe, briefly, the story to her so Mary could understand what was going on.

He was reaching the end of the story, when Mary yawned.

"Tiring you out am I" Adam said sarcastically.

"Yes you are. It is the most boring story I've ever heard, hopefully not much more to go, is there? I want you to finish it though, so I can tell folk I listened right to the end of the most boring book that was ever written." She said proudly.

"Alright I will, so you can say just that." Adam agreed, smiling. His tolerance level was beginning to rise again.

Adam read on and finished the book with the words. "It's a far, far better thing I do than I have ever done; It's a far, far better rest I go to than I have ever known."

"Done at last. Thank the Lord. What a monotonous voice you have. It's driven me to sleep. I hope there are no others that you want to read to me." she said, showing her displeasure.

Adam shook his head. "No."

"Good." Mary said gladly. Then stood and marched to the stairs. Turned and said "Goodnight".

"Goodnight" came the reply from Adam and Ben.

Neither Adam nor Ben said one word. They just sat staring at one another, each knowing exactly what was going through their minds.

"It's your problem son" Ben said. "One that you need to solve right now."

"I'll deal with it in the morning, I'm too angry right now. I need to calm down before I tackle the problem. And with that in mind I too will say goodnight."