NB: Once again a great big thank you for all of your reviews. I hope to keep you stumped for a while yet. Perhaps some of you are making guesses of your own. Well, let's get on with Chapter 8.

Chapter 8

Knowing they would never wish to try and find her and take her back, because of her treatment of them, she made her way along in the dark, through trees and brush, keeping well away from the roads. Her plan was to keep walking along until she found a small town, where she could possibly stay a couple of days and find herself some work. A little money is now what was required for food. Lodgings were under a tree, inside a barn, a hayloft. She didn't much care which.

…

Hoss and Joe quickly made their way downstairs for breakfast the following morning with Adam close behind them, but at a much slower pace, his thoughts keeping him occupied. Hop Sing was reporting to Ben, already seated at the table, of what he had found in the kitchen that morning.

"Waste of good food." Hop Sing was saying.

"What food," said Hoss, never wanting to miss out on talk of food.

"A uneaten sandwich and a glass of milk I found in the kitchen this morning."

"Mary probably made it for herself but felt so quilty she couldn't face it, I wouldn't wonder." Adam remarked lightly, defending her, as he sat down in his usual seat at the end of the table, facing his Pa.

"She goin' to keep us waiting again this morning?" Joe complained.

"No" said Adam. "This time I'll see that she doesn't."

He rose from his chair and went up the stairs, and along the landing to her room. Knocked and called her name. No reply.

"If you don't answer me, I'll come in." Silence. "Ok, you asked for it."

Adam opened the door, found the room empty and the bed not slept in. Mary's carpet bag was gone. He looked in the wardrobe and found the yellow dress hanging there. He was back downstairs immediately and reported that Mary had gone.

"Well, that's good news." Joe said happily. "She's been so unappreciative the whole time she was here, I'm glad she's gone."

"Joseph." Ben admonished. "That's enough. I agree she behaved very badly, but I don't like to think of her out there travelling all on her own. Shouldn't we try to track her down?"

"I agree with you, Pa" Hoss said, reluctantly showing his own concern.

"Very well," Adam announced. "I'll do it, as I brought this…. this…. girl here in the first place. I am going to eat my breakfast, then prepare a packed lunch and be on my way."

"Very good, Adam." Ben endorsed.

…..

Several days had now passed and dark-haired Mary Pearce found herself in a little town called Woodville, where she was able to find a job, serving table and washing dishes. She also saw that the eating house had a piano, of sorts, and asked the owner, Mr Bryant, if she could play it to entertain the diners for a little extra money. Mr Bryant was unsure about this request, but eventually agreed. The pieces that Mary played seemed to soothe the digestion of the customers and the owner soon found that this innovation brought in more business and was thriving because of it.

After the week was out, Mary received a wage which surprised her as it was more than had been agreed. Thanking Mr Bryant, she set off in search of a clothes store. As she had only the one worn dress, Mary decided she could afford another one and maybe some boots. Mary slept in an upstairs room over the eating house, which went with the job.

For another week Mary continued with all her jobs and received another good wage at the end of it. Mr Bryant tried to persuade her to stay another week. Regrettably, Mary thanked him for the offer but had to refuse. She wished Mr Bryant well, thanking him for his generosity and saying she had to leave as she had business elsewhere.

…..

Adam slumped in his chair deflated. Time had gone on and no sign of Mary.

"I can't believe she left no trace. She must be either lucky or a very clever girl to have outwitted me. Three weeks, Pa. What can I do?"

"Maybe there is nothing you can do. Mary obviously doesn't want to be found and could be anywhere by now. I don't think she would have come to any harm. She is a strong-willed girl and will manage well enough, I believe."

"That's where you're wrong, Pa. I think Mary is not quite as strong-willed as you think, that it has all been an act, which I was going to get to the bottom of one way or another. And now I can't find her."

"What makes you think that?" Ben asked.

"Oh, little things that gave me cause to doubt. I just don't think anyone could be as obnoxious as Mary was." Adam expressed. "I know that doesn't excuse the way she behaved."

"Well, I think you should stop worrying about her now and turn your mind to the ranch. There are outstanding jobs that need doing." Ben stated.

"Yes, I suppose so. I should try turning my mind to other things, at least for the time being. Thanks Pa."

…

Mary had passed through several towns now, each enabling her to find work of some kind, even to cleaning up a livery stable and brushing down horses in a place called Kilve. She had changed her name to Tom Rider. Her disguise seemed to be working. Mary had earned money, little as it was, and saved it only to buy food. She always found somewhere to sleep. When it came to colder weather she would have to pay for a room and would have to start saving a little of any money she managed to earn.

She had been travelling now for five weeks and was beginning to feel weary indeed when she arrived in Wolf Creek, another small town. Mary walked around, looking for notices of work. She was lucky once again. The owner of a general store was looking for an assistant and said he never wanted any good looking women to work for him, serving customers, especially the kind with long blonde hair, as this would put the male population off 'buying'. But, he said, she would do nicely with her dark hair in a bun, eyeglasses and worn out clothes. Nobody would be bothered looking at you. Board and lodge were thrown in. So Mary started work straight away. She told Mr Simons her name was Grace Thomas.

…

Joe rode in with the mail, dismounted, tied Cochise to the hitching rail and walked into the house. Ben was sitting at his desk as Joe handed him the mail.

"Anything important?" Joe asked.

"I don't think so. A couple of bills and a letter for me, oh and a letter for Adam. That's it."

"Well, I'll get Cooch into the barn and sorted then." Joe said as he left his father with the mail.

A little later all three brothers had arrived in the house, waiting for supper.

"This came for you today, but it doesn't say from where." Ben said as he handed over the letter to Adam.

"Thanks, Pa. I'll read it after supper."

Hop Sing had made Hoss' favourite dish, his famous roast pork dish which he knew they all liked very much.

"How did your day go, Hoss" Ben asked.

"Oh just fine, Pa. I got the north pasture fence fixed. It was stubborn, but in the end I won through. Just as well, another month and the weather will turn and trekking out there would have really been a chore."

"And you Joe?"

"Yeah, Pa."

"You're not listening. How was your day?" Ben repeated.

"Oh, I finished all I had to do, Pa. And had myself a beer in the Silver Dollar, then came home." Joe reported, and smiled to himself. There was more but decided not to tell his father of it. Safer that way.

"Adam, how about you?"

"Just like Hoss and Joe, Pa. I too finished my work. I managed to finally break in that black horse. Took a while, but I got there."

"Good, good, a hard day's work done by all." Ben said, by way of a 'thank you'.

After supper they were all in the usual places next to the fire, Ben with the newspaper and Adam with his letter. Hoss and Joe with the checkers board.

Adam's mind was in turmoil not knowing what to do. A new experience for him. He just couldn't get Mary Kelly out of his mind. Concerned for her, wondering where she was and what she was up to and if she was alright. And now this letter.