Men zigzagged through the trees, their eyes glued to the ground, leading their horses behind themselves as they searched for any trace of the eldest Cartwright son. The sun was beginning to fade once again and torches were ordered to be lit. The eerie flickering of the flames created a red glow that sent a chill through Ben's body as he halted Buck and shifted in the saddle to ease his aching muscles. He crossed his right arm over the pommel of his saddle and sighed. All of last night and during the hours of day, he and the entire ranch had searched for Adam but the young man seemed to have disappeared. There had been a few strange hoofprints found but that had led nowhere as the tracks had led into the high country, filled with rocks and brush. Feeling more than discouraged, Ben reached into his vest pocket and pulled the note forth. Smoothing the paper on his thigh, he reread it for the hundredth time and shook his head, conflicted and irritated. He crushed the paper in his fist and threw it away, a frustrated growl accompanying the action.

"Pa! We found Sport, he's over here," Joe called, dismounting to gather the horse's broken reins as his father arrived.

Ben dismounted slowly, his face pale and strained as he limped over to place a hand on Sport's shoulder. The sorrel was sweat-stained and covered with burrs. Upon seeing the sorry state of his son's beloved horse, Ben's heart broke to think of what Adam would say to see his friend now. He felt a hand grip each of his shoulders and he turned to find Joe and Hoss hovering near, his worry mirrored in their faces.

"Let's call it a night, Pa," Hoss sighed, pulling the collar of his coat closer about his neck. The night was getting colder, the wind bitter against his ears. "Maybe there is another note waiting at home like that 'A' person promised."

"Perhaps. At any rate, it's getting too cold to continue and the horses need to be fed. The men are tired and we all need some sleep. Let's go back," Ben replied quietly, turning to mount Buck and pull Sport alongside.

Returning home, the Cartwrights worked side by side to care for their horses and then all three men converged on Sport. Ben took the knots out of the red mane while Hoss brushed out the dull coat until it shone and Joe cleaned out the dirty hooves. In silence, they finished and began walking to the house, each trapped in his own thoughts. There wasn't any note on the door and their hearts were heavy as they entered and were immediately fussed over by Hop Sing. Dinner was brought to the table but no one had much appetite. All of them turned in afterwards but before entering their own rooms, Ben stopped his sons in the hallway.

He smiled encouragingly and put a hand on each one's neck. "We'll get him back, boys, keep the faith. If 'A' is worth his salt, he will return your brother soon. That is the hope that we must keep. Sleep well, I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Pa," Joe replied, his shoulders drooped as he closed the door of his room.

Hoss sighed and patted Ben's arm. "'Night, Pa. Don't you be up half the night, hear?"

"I won't, Hoss. I'm sure I will be asleep before my head hits the pillow."

But, the night passed slowly and to Ben, the hours were torture. Sometime after midnight, as his bedroom clock read, he heard a faint knocking coming from downstairs and bolted upright in bed. Grabbing for a robe, he was careful to not awaken his sleeping sons as he padded down the hall to the stairs. Striking a match, he lit a lamp and carried it to the door. There was no one there again but another note fluttered in the cold night breeze. His heart in his throat, he took the envelope down and shut the door. Ripping open the flap, he devoured the words therein...

Dear Mr Cartwright, sons and Hop Sing,

Adam is doing well and recovering at an acceptable pace. I believe him to be out of danger and he should be able to return within a day's time. I know that you have still been out looking for him and please stop. He is safe. You needn't worry yourselves further. This will be the last note and on the eve of the morrow, Adam will be delivered home to you. He will need more rest but should make a full recovery. This is all for now and may God go with your household.

Once more your sincere servant,

A

Ben read and reread the note countless times before moving to his red chair and sinking into the soft comfort slowly. His mind was troubled as he contemplated what direction that he should take and what orders that he should give. The search had proven fruitless for the past two days and he wanted desperately to trust this "A" person but every instinct in his being was screaming that he could never quit searching. Also, if they did find where "A" was keeping his son, what would he say to this mystery person who had saved Adam? That would be an insult and poor repayment for everything that had been done for the Cartwright family, IF Adam was returned unscathed that is. There was a very good possibility that this "A" could also be keeping him as a hostage and was simply toying with the family until such time as a ransom note might arrive.

Ben sighed, rubbing his forehead in slow circles. After weighing both paths, to wait or to act when there was slim hope of finding Adam, he decided that the first was what he must do for the sake of his other two sons. He couldn't keep dragging Hoss and Joe out into the cold to search for a brother who was hidden away and would be near impossible to find. No, he couldn't do that. Ranch life would go on as normal although each minute would be riddled with worried agony until the promised time when Adam should be returned. There wasn't room in the father's heart to contemplate the alternative...

I* * * * *I

The hours of night were lonely ones for Adam as he lay awake, his fingers laced behind his head, unable to catch a wink of sleep. He felt strangely energized and full of vigor, not feeling the need to succumb for a time. He couldn't understand why his body had healed so quickly but there was no denying that her care had worked wonders and he didn't really care how that had come about. He could finally breathe without a million nails piercing his chest and his head no longer hurt when he tried to sit up. His thoughts turned to his family and wished that there was some way to contact them and send assurances of his well-being.

From what he had seen of the cottage's location in the middle of a dark wood, there wasn't any civilization for miles around so that wish was not to be granted, it would appear. Reda Smith seemed to prefer solitary life and her isolated abode spoke of that fact. His musings took another turn, to the exquisitely beautiful woman who had not only saved his life but had captured his full attention in the last two days.

Over the hours of evening, after a late meal of delicious vegetable stew sopped up with moist cornbread, Adam found himself to be quite entranced by Reda Smith as he had nothing better to do than watch as she went about her work. He had tried to strike up a conversation with her on more than one occasion but all to no avail. He ended up speaking more to himself and she continued to ignore the attempts at engaging her. After she had done the few dishes that they had used, she had gone out into the night to presumably go for a ride because he heard receding hoofbeats shortly thereafter. He hadn't seen a horse but there was a shed behind the cottage so perhaps a mount was stabled out there.

He had gotten the impression that she thought him to be a great burden but everything about her movements around him and the depth of her eyes spoke otherwise. He would catch her staring at him, only to have her look away quickly. The blush that would come to her cheeks was most becoming. There was a gentleness and depth of feeling about her that fascinated him and since there wasn't anything else to think of, he indulged himself and begin putting together what he knew of Reda Smith.

Reading was a favorite pastime of hers, judging from the four long bookshelves of titles in the corner that ranged from biographies to novels to classic plays, the latter being of particular interest to him. She also disliked going outside. When she did, she paused in the doorway to look out, as if making sure that there wasn't any danger close by. Reda Smith struck him as being a very sad young woman who had known more than one sorrow in her young life. A tragedy, for a beauty like her should know only fun, parties and life at its fullest.

A wave of compassion for her plight washed over him and he bit his lip, contemplating how he could be of help to her. He knew better than to suggest moving to town because she needed room to roam and enjoy her life. Perhaps there was a way to allow her some more freedom while repaying her for what she had done for him. Craning his neck, he looked around the tiny room that housed the life of its lonely inhabitant and an idea sprung up in his mind's eye. His fingers itched to have paper to draw on but there was nothing close at hand.

Swinging his lower half over the side of the bed, he rose slowly, taking care to give his legs time to stop shaking. He moved cautiously toward the desk and found paper and pencils in the left-hand drawer. Taking one of each in hand, he managed to make it back across the room before collapsing on the bed. The trip had exhausted him but he felt satisfied with himself. Maneuvering a pillow behind his back, he began to sketch for the next hour until fatigue got the better of him. Slipping his tools under the bed's mattress, he pulled a blanket up to his neck and drifted off, a smile lingering on his face.