Chapter 5

That evening, Adam sat in the parlor of Emily's small apartment. She had prepared a meal for them and now they sat by her fireplace sipping some wine. Both were lost in thought but they were also comfortable in each other's presence. Adam had noticed the change in Emily. She seemed more open to his comments and suggestions about the man following her. She still tensed up at the mention of Jason's name but he knew that story had yet to be told.

"This is excellent wine Emily. My father has a case of it at home. Did you purchase it here in Sacramento?"

"No, I brought it from San Francisco when I moved. My father taught me all about wines back in New York and I found a reputable seller here on the West coast. I'm glad you like it."

Adam quietly sipped his wine as he listened to the mantel clock ticking. Emily still had not offered to tell her story about Jason Landry. Adam knew he would have to be the one to get the conversation going. He finally broke the silence.

"Emily, I'm glad you agreed to meet with me tonight. I'd like to hear more about your relationship with Jason Landry when you're ready to tell me. I have noticed you are more relaxed around me. Can you tell me what has changed about that?"

Emily looked a bit embarrassed at his question but decided to be honest with him. "Jason was my first romance and after I discovered that he is not a proper man to be involved with, I found I was afraid to trust any man. I wanted to trust you, Adam. Something in your tone and demeanor told me I could, but my heart and mind told me not to. I truly believed all men were like Jason."

"What changed your mind about me?"

"My boss, Theodore Watkins, is also a good friend and like a grandfather to me. He knew of the Cartwright family through a friend of his, and told me a few things about you and your family." Okay, now she was truly embarrassed. His look was one of whimsical delight with a touch of concern.

"Oh dear, it seems I have offended you, Adam. I am truly sorry."

He laughed heartily then. She found the sound intoxicating. "Oh no, not at all. I'm used to all the people who 'know' about my family. Obviously your boss, and friend, knew the right things to tell you. You did end up asking me here tonight, right? Why don't you tell me a little of what he said and let me see if I need to correct any of it." There was a hint of challenge as well as humor in his eyes. Emily felt more relaxed now and could see what Theodore spoke about. This man was indeed complex and quite fascinating.

For the next couple of hours Emily and Adam talked. She told him what Theodore had said about the Cartwright family and Adam in particular. Adam was surprised and impressed that Emily's friend had gotten so much correct. She also told Adam all about Jason. She had met him several months ago through a friend. He was nice enough at first but when he and Emily became more serious, he became more possessive of her. He wanted to spend so much time with her and wanted to know all she had done when they were apart. When Emily resisted he would become agitated and sometimes aggressive. After they became engaged he became physically aggressive. That's when she broke off the engagement and moved to Sacramento. She didn't even know Jason was in town until Adam had mentioned the meeting two days ago at the hotel.

"So you tried to tell the police in San Francisco and they didn't want to do anything about Landry?"

"That's right. They said I needed to press charges against him for hurting my wrist, but if I did that he would be able to find me. I wanted to report him but I also wanted to just get away. Oh, Adam, it's such a mess. How can I get away from him for good?"

"I don't know yet, Emily. Would you mind if I spoke to my attorney to see what can be done in this situation?"

"Of course. Please do all you can. I'll do whatever you need me to do. I want my life back Adam. I want Jason Landry out of my life for good." She rubbed her neck and tried to stretch the tense muscles.

Adam put down his wine glass and moved to sit beside Emily on her sofa. He reached for her glass and set it down as well. He leaned into the corner of the sofa and pulled Emily back to lean against him. "Right now I want you to relax. Close your eyes and just let all this serious talk dissipate from your mind." He slowly massaged her temples and stroked her hair. Adam could feel her body relaxing and her breathing slowing down. As she leaned against Adam Emily could feel his heart beating against her back. As he caressed her she found she was able to release all the tension of the last few hours.

Just as she felt herself about to drift off, her mantel clock chimed ten o'clock. Suddenly she sat up and looked at Adam. He was calm and patiently waited for her to say something.

"I had no idea it had gotten so late. I have to be at work at seven tomorrow. I'm sorry Adam. I don't know where the time has gone."

Adam stood and picked up his jacket. "Emily, please accept my apologies for staying so late. I'll be available for lunch tomorrow if you'd like join me. Tomorrow morning I have to send some information to my father about the timber contract and let him know I'll be staying here for a while longer."

"Adam, I don't want this problem with Jason to keep you from doing work for your father. I mean…" Adam put a finger to her lips to quiet her.

"Don't worry about that. I'm finished with the work I have to do for the Ponderosa. The time I spend here is now my own. I have no set time to be back home. If my family needs me they know where to find me. Emily, you are my only priority. I want to help you get rid of Jason Landry." Adam paused and gently brushed a brown curl away from her cheek. "And, Miss Emily Carter, I also want to get to know you. I would like to take you places and spend as much time as I can with you. Would you like that as well?"

He searched her eyes and face for an answer. He waited, his heart hoping for the only answer it needed to hear.

"Adam." Emily looked into his warm hazel eyes. "I would like that as well. I'll look forward to lunch with you tomorrow. I don't have to be at work for the afternoon. Mr. Watkins usually closes the office at noon on Fridays."

Adam's heart sang. He smiled so broadly, his dimples went deep toward his eyes. "Then it's a date. Lunch and an afternoon carriage ride through the city."

Emily stepped closer to him. Adam looked down into her clear blue eyes. He leaned in and lightly touched her warm lips with his. She moved closer. Wrapping their arms around each other, they held the kiss for a while. Finally, Adam pulled away. When he spoke his voice was husky, "I'll pick you up at your office at noon. If you'd like to come back here to change first that will be fine. I better go. I'll see you tomorrow, Emily."

He turned and left. She closed the door after he disappeared into the shadows of the night. Emily leaned against the door and sighed. Smiling, she thought to herself, oh what power he holds over me, and this power I don't mind a bit. She finally went to turn down the lamps and practically floated up to bed. She knew she would sleep very well this night.

Chapter 6

The next morning Adam was going in many directions. After breakfast he mailed the timber packet and a letter to his father, and sent a telegram letting him know it was coming. He also made an appointment to meet with his attorney on Monday to discuss the problems with Landry. He hadn't seen the man following them for a couple of days which made him wonder about that. Finally, he checked out of the hotel and moved into a boarding house that was closer to Emily's apartment. After all that he still had an hour before meeting Emily. That gave Adam time to think.

He pondered the letter he had sent to his father. He'd referenced all the information about the bid but he also told his father that he was not coming home for a while. That part made him nervous. What would Ben think when he read that Adam had found something that interested him and wanted time to pursue it? Adam had quickly added a note that he would come home at the end of the month after the winning bid was announced. He hoped his family would come at that time and they could all travel home together.

But what if things got really serious with Emily? Could he leave her, could he stay? Adam shook his head and began pace the room. He finally grabbed his hat and gun belt and left. He had to walk this off. He had to convince himself to focus on getting Landry out of Emily's life and just take the time with her moment by moment. He would not let himself think of the future. Just today. And for today he needed to rent a carriage so that's where he went. By the time the carriage was ready, it was time to pick Emily up from work. Adam smiled to himself. It would be just the two of them for the rest of the day. That was something he looked forward to very much.

The afternoon Adam and Emily spent together turned into dinner and a concert. After touring around Sacramento and having time to talk they discovered they both enjoyed Classical music. Adam knew of a concert that night so they decided to make an evening of it, having dinner together as well.

After the concert, Adam and Emily stood just outside her door. Neither wanted to say good night but knew they should.

Adam held Emily's hands in his as he took in her beauty. She had an innocence about her but she was educated and highly intelligent. He reflected on their conversation about many authors and poets during the afternoon. She also laughed at the antics of some squirrels they observed in the park. Adam found she loved life and took in every moment. She had opened his eyes to many wonders he had quit noticing years ago.

Emily smiled as she studied Adam's face and eyes in the lamplight. He could be so serious about life but she was delighted when he laughed at the squirrels chasing each other. He seemed to relax a lot in her presence. She knew few people with whom she could discuss music or poetry. She found Adam to be a worthy partner in the Classics.

Emily finally broke the silence between them. "I've had a wonderful day and evening with you Adam. I enjoyed all we did today." She lowered her eyes and smiled shyly.

Adam squeezed her hands. "You made the day a special one for me. I saw Sacramento in a whole new way with you along." He paused for a moment as a thought occurred to him. "Do you know how to ride a horse, Emily?"

Emily looked up at him with a surprised look. "I've never had a chance to learn. Can you teach me? Is there a place near here where we can ride?"

Adam's smile reached his eyes. "I can teach you. How about tomorrow around ten? I'll pick you up and we'll spend the day teaching you to ride a horse."

"Tomorrow? Oh, Adam I want to but I have some contracts to go over before Monday. I'm so sorry. I wish I could. Would you like to join me for church on Sunday, and then perhaps we can spend the afternoon teaching me to ride. Would that be okay?"

Adam was disappointed but he realized she had other obligations. "Of course, Sunday would be fine. What time should I pick you up for church?"

"Be here around nine o'clock. The church isn't far. I'll pack a picnic lunch and we can spend the afternoon riding." She smiled as she gazed into his eyes.

Adam took her face in his hands and whispered, "I'll miss you tomorrow but I look forward to Sunday." Then he kissed her gently. "Good night, Emily."

"Good night, Adam." She turned and entered her apartment. She gazed at Adam once more before closing the door.

Adam took the carriage back to the livery and settled in for the night in his new room. His mind was so full of thoughts, it was a long time before he finally fell asleep.

The weather changed the plans for Sunday. Adam picked Emily up for church but after the services it had started to rain. Instead of a picnic and riding, they had their picnic in her apartment and watched the rain run down the windows.

The following Monday Adam had checked Landry's hotel and discovered that he had returned to San Francisco. He was relieved about that but it didn't get Landry out of Emily's life for good. Adam's attorney couldn't offer much more help. The laws were vague about attacks on women and especially if they weren't married to the attacker. They could only do something if she was actually assaulted, then she could press charges. Adam was exasperated with that conclusion but the intellectual in him understood it. It was the way the laws worked. That evening he broke the news to Emily. She wasn't pleased either but at least Jason was gone from the city. She and Adam had planned to just enjoy all the time they had together.

Adam and Emily weren't the only ones not happy about the situation. Jason was furious that Emily was seeing another man, but he couldn't do anything about it. As soon as his fights were over in Sacramento, his manager had booked some new ones in San Francisco and they had to leave immediately. He was still going to take care of this man Emily was seeing but it seemed it would take a little more time. Jason settled for finding out as much as he could about Emily's new friend, and find a way to use that against both of them. He was determined that if he couldn't have her, no one would.