Chapter 3

"Sacramento, ten minutes." The conductor made the announcement as he moved from car to car. Adam stood and carefully stretched his long legs and back. He then reached up to retrieve his bag from the overhead rack. The train rolled to a stop at the station and Adam stepped off into the throng of departing passengers. He hailed a cab to take him to his hotel. Once there he freshened up and went in search of dinner. After that, Adam planned to review the timber offer and layout the next day's activities.

Over the next three days, Adam looked at architectural plans, buildings near the site, and city documents on the water way. His head was spinning with all the information and he couldn't have been happier.

Adam sat at an outdoor café near his hotel eating lunch. The weather was quite warm for the beginning of July so he had loosened his tie and removed his jacket as he sat re-reading the timber offer for the hundredth time. He was going to meet with the development firm in the morning to go over the terms so he could assist his father in preparing the bid. He was pleased with what he'd learned and knew it would be a good business opportunity for the Ponderosa.

A shadow suddenly darkened the paper he was reading. He looked up and found himself gazing into the most strikingly beautiful face he could imagine. Her hair was dark brown and curled softly against her porcelain skin. Her eyes were blue/gray, almost as clear as Hoss' Tahoe blue eyes.

Regaining his manners, Adam stood immediately and welcomed her. "Is there something I can do for you, uh, Miss?" Adam had quickly glanced at her left hand.

"Actually, yes there is. You can invite me to sit with you. I saw you reading something very intensely and I was curious what had captured your attention." Emily knew it was a weak excuse but she had to start somewhere.

Adam was taken aback by her forwardness but he quickly recovered. He pulled out the chair opposite his and helped her set her dishes down. She had brought her lunch plates with her. Once he was settled again, he gathered the papers and put them back in the envelope. He then turned his attention to his lunch and his new dining companion.

"I'm Adam Cartwright."

"I'm Emily Carter." She extended her hand for him to take. Adam held it for a moment then released it, surprised at the warm sensation it gave him.

"I know it is very forward of me to ask to join you for lunch but there really are no other places to sit and I feel like there is a man following me." She glanced over his shoulder and sure enough the man she had seen throughout her morning was still there.

Adam's senses were immediately heightened. He found a way to look around discreetly and saw someone looking their way. He looked back at Emily. "Is he the one in the brown shirt and gray pants?'

She nodded then took a bite of food.

"We'll continue to eat, then I'll escort you to wherever you wish to go. Perhaps you can tell me more about what's going on." Adam was concerned for her safety but he was also very intrigued about this young lady who shared his table.

For the next hour they chatted amicably. She told Adam she was a legal assistant at a law firm and she had been running errands for them all morning. After her second stop she noticed someone watching her and he continued to follow her from place to place. He never approached her; he was just there, in the shadows, watching.

"I don't know why anyone would want to follow me but it was making me very nervous. When I saw you sitting here looking over some papers, I determined you had to be safer than sitting by myself. I don't mean to burden you with my problems. I just needed a secure place to eat. I'll be heading back to my office now." She started to rise.

Adam gently touched her hand. "Why don't you stay just a few more minutes? Tell me a little more about yourself, Miss Carter." His lopsided smile won her over. She smiled back and took her seat again.

"Well, I came from New York over a year ago to work for a law firm in San Francisco. Several weeks ago I decided to move here. A friend of mine helped me get a job at another law firm. I've been in Sacramento only a few of weeks." She smiled demurely at Adam, then picked up her tea cup and took a sip. "Why don't you tell me about yourself, Mr. Cartwright?"

Adam cleared his throat. He'd been lost in her words and almost missed her request for his story. "I'm from Nevada. I'm a rancher, among other things. I'm here on business assessing a timber contract for my father to bid on. I'll be returning to Nevada in a couple of days."

Emily suddenly felt sad. She didn't know why but she was hoping this gentleman in front of her lived here. She wanted to spend more time with him. "Oh, I thought with all the papers you were looking at, that perhaps you were an attorney or a business man here in Sacramento. Nevada is so far away." She looked down at her teacup.

"Not as far as you may think." When she looked up he was smiling at her.

A distant clock chimed the hour. Suddenly, Emily stood and gathered her bag. "Oh dear, I have to go. My boss has a meeting in few minutes and I have to get some papers to him."

Adam stood and picked up his satchel, jacket and hat. "May I walk you to your office, Miss Carter?" He nonchalantly indicated the man watching them.

Emily looked fearful for a moment as she was reminded of why she was talking to Adam in the first place. "Yes, of course. That would be appreciated, Mr. Cartwright."

Together they walked up the street. Their 'shadow' smiled and followed them. He was going to have a lot to tell his boss at the end of the day.

Emily's office was only two blocks away. Adam escorted her to the steps. They looked at each other, neither sure of what to do next.

Emily held out her hand to him. "Thank you, Mr. Cartwright, for being a delightful luncheon companion and for escorting me back to my work. I hope I haven't caused you to be late for an appointment."

Adam took her hand in his and kissed the back of it gently. "My work is finished for the day. It has been my pleasure to be at your service, Miss Carter. My hotel is not far from here. Is there a chance I might see you at the café tomorrow for lunch?"

Emily found herself lost in his golden hazel eyes. "Yes, I believe that is a strong possibility, Mr. Cartwright. I usually take my break about eleven thirty." She lowered her eyes and smiled sweetly at him.

Adam kissed her hand again and looked into her blue eyes. "Well, perhaps I shall see you there. Good afternoon, Miss Carter."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Cartwright." Emily turned quickly to go inside, lest she decide to follow him back to his hotel. She glanced out the window and saw him saunter across the street. Emily sighed; the next twenty-four hours were going to be so long.

After leaving Emily, Adam was aware of being watched. He spotted the man walking away but keeping to the shadows of the buildings. Using the tracking techniques he learned while hunting with the Paiutes as a boy, he stealthily followed the man to a hotel a few blocks away. Inside, he saw the man meet with another, well-dressed man. They talked for a while then the man received some money and headed into the attached saloon. The second man slowly walked upstairs.

Adam went to the front desk. He laid his hand on the counter with some money just visible beneath it. The clerk looked down at the money then back at Adam with raised eyebrows.

"Would you be so kind to tell me who that man is that's going up the stairs? I've seen him before but I can't place him."

The clerk looked towards the stairs then back at Adam. "That's Mr. Jason Landry. He's a professional fighter. He has some engagements in town, and then he'll return to San Francisco where he lives."

"Of course. I've seen his face on the posters downtown. Thank you my good man." Adam removed his hand, leaving the money on the counter.

Adam returned to his hotel. He pondered this mystery for the rest of the day. Why would a professional fighter have someone following Emily Carter? By the next day he had a plan to find out, but it would have to wait until after his meeting with the developer.

Chapter 4

"Emily, come quick!" Carla whispered to her co-worker. Emily turned and walked to Carla's desk.

"What is it, Carla. Mr. Watkins will be out any minute and I have to make sure he receives these papers."

"Look out the window. Isn't he the most handsome man you've ever seen?" Carla stared out the window of the front door and let out a long sigh.

Emily looked and gasped. What was Adam Cartwright doing at her office? She was going to meet him at the café in just a few minutes. He seemed to be leaning against a lamp post waiting for her.

Just then, Mr. Watkins came out of the conference room. "Miss Carter, do you have those contracts for me to sign?"

Emily turned her back to the door. "Oh yes, Mr. Watkins. Right here."

Mr. Watkins took the papers and walked down the hall to his office. He looked at Emily just before he opened his door. "Miss Carter, you may go to lunch now. And it seems someone is waiting for you outside." He winked at her then entered his office.

Carla giggled. Emily let out a huff and gathered her hat and cape from her desk. "Not a word from you, Carla."

Carla put her index finger across her lips, which spread into a wide smile. "But he is devilishly handsome, Emily!" Emily tried to glare at her friend, but she couldn't keep the twinkle out of her eyes.

Once the door was closed, she grabbed Adam's arm and moved away from the windows. "What are you doing here? I thought we were going to meet at the café."

Adam looked sheepishly at her. "Sorry about the change but I thought it might be safer if I escorted you there. Your 'shadow' is back." He indicated a spot across the street.

Adam heard Emily gasp and decided immediately on a different venue for lunch. He took her to a restaurant where the man could not get inside – The Cattleman's Club. It was for members of the Cattleman's Association and their guests.

Emily was surprised by the new location but Adam assured her it would be safe and they could talk in private. As soon as they entered, the receptionist escorted them to a private table. Emily noted they seemed to bypass the others waiting in line.

Emily looked around, not believing the atmosphere of the dining room – elegant, yet casual. Men wore suits as well as ranch attire. Adam was dressed in all black except for a light blue jacket. Emily found she couldn't take her eyes off him. She forced her eyes to look at the menu.

"I highly recommend the steaks here, if you like steaks. Our ranch supplies the beef." Adam suggested with a cheeky grin.

Once lunch was served, steaks for both of them, Adam began to direct the conversation.

"Miss Carter, I hope you don't mind but yesterday I followed that man who was following you. He met with a man in a hotel several blocks from your office. The other man's name is Jason Landry. He's a …" Adam didn't get to finish. Emily had gone ghostly white and dropped her fork onto her plate. "Miss Carter, Emily, are you alright?" Adam took her hand to keep her from falling out of her chair.

"Oh no. It can't be. I can't believe he's found me." She looked up at Adam with such fear in her eyes he didn't quite know how to react.

"Emily. May I call you that?" She nodded. "Emily, please tell me what is going on."

Emily looked around the room then back at Adam. "Not here. We need to go somewhere private, where no one can listen. But I have to go back to work. Oh, I don't know what to do Mr. Cartwright."

Adam took both her hands in his. "Emily, why don't we meet tonight for dinner? Afterwards, you can tell me what all this is about. You can trust me. I only want to help you and keep you safe. Oh and please call me Adam." He smiled softly at her.

Emily was calming down listening to Adam's soft voice and encouraging words. But Jason used to talk that way to her and look where that got her. How could she be sure she could trust this man? She was in such conflict.

Adam saw her face contort as she tried to sort things out. "Emily, why don't you think about it this afternoon and send a note to me by dinner time letting me know if you want to meet and talk about this. If this Jason Landry makes you so afraid I really think you need to tell someone what's going on. I'm willing to help in any way I can. You can trust me to keep you safe."

Emily could see the sincerity in his face but she just couldn't make the decision now. "Mr. Cart…Adam, thank you for your generous offer. I will think about it and let you know by dinner time. Now I really must get back to work. Thank you for a very nice lunch."

Adam quickly wrote down his hotel information and gave it Emily. She watched him also sign the check at the table, and then they left.

Back at her desk, Emily tried hard to focus on her work and not let on that she was quite upset with what happened at lunch. They had one more client coming in about four o'clock. Until then she just worked on some contracts for the next day. Mr. Watkins appeared at her desk and asked her to bring the papers in for the afternoon client.

Once she was seated across from her boss, he looked straight at her through steepled fingers. He was studying her tormented face. Theodore Watkins had taken this young lady under his wing. She was a good employee but he had come to see her as a surrogate granddaughter. He had seen Emily through many a circumstance since her arrival in Sacramento. They had a close relationship and only let it turn personal outside of the office. But he felt this situation warranted a change in protocol. Now he took on the role of grandfather, instead of boss.

"Emily, something has upset you since your return from lunch. Does it have anything to do with the young man who met you here? He hasn't harmed you has he?"

Emily was staring at the floor until that last question. Her head snapped up and she quickly replied, "Oh no, Adam has been a perfect gentleman. I just received some distressing news and he wants to help me deal with it. I just don't know if I trust him enough to let him. I only just met him yesterday. Theodore, I am so confused I don't know what to do." Her eyes began to turn misty.

"My dear, tell me what has happened. Perhaps I can guide you in some way."

Emily looked at him and, in a quiet, shaky voice told him about being followed, meeting Adam, and how he had discovered the man seemed to be working for Jason Landry.

Knowing Emily's past with Mr. Landry, Theodore was quite concerned. He thought carefully about his next words. "Emily, why do you find it so hard to trust Adam Cartwright?"

Emily was stunned at the question. She tried to find an answer but could not. "Theodore, I don't know. He's been very kind to me, very patient. He seems sincere in wanting to help me but I really don't know anything about him. How can he help protect me from Jason?"

Theodore chuckled softly at that question. He moved to sit beside Emily and took her hand in his. "My dear, tell me if he is anything like Jason was when you met him."

Emily looked at him with a puzzled look. But she thought about it and suddenly it was like the fog in her mind had cleared. "He's nothing like Jason was. They both talk very sweetly and kindly, but Jason always pressured me to do things his way. He never took 'no' for an answer. Adam is patient and he's letting me make the decision about whether to talk to him, to let him help. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

"My dear that is what I wanted you to realize. I could tell Mr. Cartwright is very different from Mr. Landry, but you needed to see it for yourself." He turned her face toward his and gently patted her cheeks dry. "Allow me to tell you a little about Mr. Adam Cartwright. After you hear what I have to tell you, it might help you make your decision about letting him help."

Emily was befuddled. How could her boss and friend know anything about a man who lived in Nevada and was only here on business? She simply nodded and waited.

Theodore took a deep breath and began. "What I am about to tell you comes from one of my colleagues in law. He is one of the Cartwrights' attorneys here in town, and my good friend, David Carrollton. I've not had any personal or professional dealings with the Cartwright family, but David has worked closely with each one of them over the last several years.

"Adam's father, Ben Cartwright, owns the largest cattle ranch in Nevada, near Virginia City. They also have dealings in timber, horses and silver mines. The family is known throughout the business districts in San Francisco and Sacramento." Theodore paused to see how Emily was taking the information.

"Well, that explains the timber contracts he was looking at yesterday although he said he was a rancher, and how we were treated at the Cattleman's Club at lunch today. As soon as we entered we were shown to a private table. Other men were waiting in line and had to show an identification card to enter. And Adam just signed the check to pay for lunch."

Theodore smirked. Emily understood perfectly. "Yes, my dear. That is what it's like being a Cartwright. Adam is the eldest of three sons. He is his father's right hand man. He helped his father build the Ponderosa into the empire it is today. In his own right, he was born in Boston, but his father brought him out west to find a new life. Years later Adam returned to Boston for college and graduated from Harvard. He is an architect and an engineer, but also an excellent rancher and business man.

"The entire family is well respected. I've only met Ben Cartwright once and I'll never forget it. David introduced us at a business luncheon in San Francisco. He was the warmest, most sincere man I have ever met, and quite a business man, too. If Adam is even half like his father, you have found yourself a wonderful man, my Emily." Theodore patted her hand then returned to sit behind his desk.

"Now tell me. Do you know how you will answer Mr. Cartwright's offer to help?"

Emily looked at him and a smile slowly crept across her face. "Yes. I'll let him help. I need to get word to him now. May I use one of our couriers?"

"Of course you may. I'm pleased to see some of the turmoil has left your face. Now you appear as cheerful as you were before your lunch. One more thing, Emily. You know I will help you in any way possible. Please don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything at all. I mean that with the utmost sincerity, my dear."

At the look Emily saw in his eyes, she knew she had another ally. She wasn't going to be alone in dealing with this problem with Jason. "Thank you, Theodore. I know and I do appreciate it. Now if you'll excuse me I have a note to send off and I need to get back to work."

As she left his office, Theodore smiled wistfully. She would be fine but she had a difficult path to follow before it all turned out for the best.