Upon hearing his friend's outburst, Adam didn't understand what had just transpired but Hop Sing seemed upset so he shrugged and kept silent. He felt too tired and antsy to do any reasoning at the moment and settled for resting his head in his right hand.
Hop Sing's muttering grew louder as he worked, banging pots and pans which only served to cause a headache to stab into Adam's temples. His stomach churned and he took deep breathes to quell the unpleasant urge. As much as he hated to admit this, he was still feeling the affects of his illness and head injury. A breaking cough wracked his chest as he raised a hand to press against his throbbing forehead. The tirade stopped immediately, shuffling footsteps pierced through his haze and a cup of coffee was placed by his elbow.
"You up too early, Mr Adam. Need rest and sleep to heal body. You...you okay, Number One Son?"
The gentle voice of his friend made Adam raise his head and look into Hop Sing's concerned face. But he wasn't inclined to talk so he reached for the cup and took a sip of the bittersweet liquid. "That tastes good. Thank you, Hop Sing."
Never to be outwitted, Hop Sing sat down and clasped his hands in his lap. Adam knew that the man wasn't going away anytime soon so he resigned himself to the coming conversation. "To tell you the truth I don't know how I'm doing. When I came home two days ago, I felt better. I was hopeful for the first time since...well, it doesn't matter."
"Since desert devil put light out of your eyes. Am right, yes?" Hop Sing smiled, a sadness in his voice.
Adam shook his head slowly, sucking in his bottom lip while running his fingers through his hair. He couldn't bear to lock eyes with one of his closest friends. "That doesn't matter. I don't matter right now. I have had a terrible feeling that Reda is in danger but, the idiot I am, I waited to keep Pa placated. I told him that I wouldn't go until this morning. I wanted to show that I respected his wishes but I fear I made the wrong choice. Ever since I came home, I have been dodged by nightmares. In them, she is being tortured and I can't help her. I am worried that something happened to her while I've been lazing around."
Hop Sing extended a hand and settled it on Adam's left wrist. "You matter and no say different. You velly special boy. You do what's right by honoring father. You honored whole family when you worked so hard and fell sick. Must slow down, enjoy life. Dreams disappear."
"I'm hardly a boy anymore, Hop Sing," Adam chuckled dryly. "The ache in my bones when it rains tells me that."
"No change subject! Hop Sing understands you. It rough for past four years. You had long road but you here now. You beat demons and you alive. Take heart, Mr Adam, life is bright and calling to you. Now must go to pretty lady and bring her back to Ponderosa. Maybe she bring light back into Number One Son's eyes again, yes?"
Adam had trouble speaking past the lump in his throat. "You always did know what I was really thinking even when I didn't know myself. I am not going to push her though. I only want to see her, to make sure that she is okay."
Hop Sing nodded, a genuine smile making deep dimples in his rosy cheeks. "Never mind. Chance will smile on you, Mr Adam, Hop Sing is sure. I will get food together for you and Mr Hoss. Perhaps a bit extra for big brother, no?"
That brought a chuckle from Adam as he sat and watched thoughtfully as his friend bustled around the kitchen. So often had he sat from this same viewpoint, observing the activities of the cook and spending many pleasant hours in conversation. The familiar comradery made him relax and lean back into his chair, sipping on his coffee until breakfast was ready. Hoss came in and joined his brother to eat quickly then the twosome thanked their benefactor and carried the provisions out to the wagon, which was loaded down with scrap lumber, tools, gloves and nails. Adam mounted up on Sport and Hoss climbed up on the wagonseat. They raised a hand to Hop Sing, leaving him to stand and wave as they disappeared out of the yard.
I* * * * *I
Her eyes closed and her face lifted to the wind, Angelina stood still on a high slope, her ears tuned to the distant sounds of a wagon rumbling up the mountain. To her perception, the wheels were turning at a slow pace, about a mile away, perhaps two. She opened her eyes, looking out over the sprawling view and down in the green valley. Above the hills carpeted by lush forests, mountains rose high, their stiff, white peaks reaching for the blue sky. But the view was not what she was admiring.
Her senses were on the highest alert, zeroing down onto the heartbeat of her loved one and the stranger's heartbeat with him. A distrust niggled at her but she shrugged off the feeling. She was trying hard to set aside her long-held paranoid tendencies in favor of a new life with Adam Cartwright but her resolve could only go so far. The fear that had kept her safe for decades tried to worm itself closer but she held off the advances. She had already decided that there was nothing to lose in completely trusting him. Willing her panic to dissipate, she smiled and listened to his heartbeat again. How strong the sound was and how vital. A shiver of desire went through her, a lust building for him.
Closing her eyes to listen again, she decided that he was close enough at last that she could ready herself and make her appearance more pleasing for him. He had come through on his promise to return and she chose to become excited about that hope.
Wanting to make herself as attractive as possible for him AND his guest, she made the decision to return to the cabin. She whistled for Cole, who was grazing in the meadow nearby, and vaulted onto his bare back. The majestic black steed tossed his head and nickered, making his mistress laugh. Pressing her knees into his withers, she eased her beloved horse into a brisk canter. His hooves pounded through the long grass, the muted sound echoing into the silence. The breeze whipped at the stallion's long mane, tail and her hair, causing each set of tresses to stream behind them. The freedom that overcame her brought a whoop from her throat, a joyous sound that excited her friend. The horse also threw his head up high, a loud whinny echoing off the mountainside.
A few minutes later, the cabin came into view and she slipped off Cole's broad back, leading him into the shed. After a quick brush-down, she poured a ration of grain into a bucket and placed it on the ground. The stallion began to devour the kernels, munching away happily as his mistress closed and bolted the shed door. Humming an equally-happy tune, she walked down the path towards the cabin. She paused on the porch, taking in a deep breath of the pure mountain air. The wafting breeze was crisp and rich, prompting her to leave the door propped open so as to enjoy the scent of fresh pine.
The small wardrobe in the corner captured her attention and drew her near. She flung open the doors with a determined exhale. Methodically, she took each dress out of the wardrobe and then put it back. No matter how much she tried to decide, none of the garments proved worthy to appear in before her Adam. Then she remembered one set of robes, a kaftan from her native Morocco, that may be good enough. Rushing to the cot, she reached under it and pulled a small, dusty box from the darkness.
Her fingers brushed away the dust and undid the latch, raising the lid to reveal a pure-white kaftan, its exquisite, embroidered collar on display. She touched the gold threads with a reverent caress, feeling the fibers tickle her skin. A tear slid down her cheek as she remembered when her mother had given this ceremonial wedding garment to her, a century-and-a-half ago on a moonlit desert night.
She pulled the dress from the box and brought the soft silk to her cheek, the single tear soaking into the purity of white. In her opinion, the flowing garment was no longer in style and would not even be appropriate for a nineteenth-century wedding but she felt that her mother would want her to wear it to meet Adam for the first time as lovers. At any rate, when he returned to her, she wanted him to see her dressed in this symbol of her past. She wanted him to see that her heart was willing to move on from the black memories. Her fondest wish used to be that death could come swiftly but that hope had changed to a desperate need to feel him close by.
Sinking back on her heels, she stared at a knot in the cabin wall and allowed her mind to capture the beauty that was her beloved. Her eyes closed and she imagined him to be behind her at that moment. Carefully, she put each of his features into its proper place until she was satisfied. His stance would be relaxed and his face softened into a sweet smile, whimsical and teasing, with a hint of his white teeth peeking out at her. Then he would speak and the rich tones of his baritone would send chills down her spine and warm her shadowed soul. For when he spoke, she always felt safe and warm. Oh, to be kissed by those cupid-bow lips and held by those steeled muscles...tilting her head to the side with a sigh, she could almost feel the moisture of his breath upon her neck...
A foreign noise startled her out of the daydream and she froze. A floorboard creaked and at first she thought that Adam had arrived sooner than expected but the heartbeat was not his nor any human's. The rhythm was much faster and more frantic. As she bolted to her feet and spun around, a mountain lion, having snuck in through the open door, sprang from his predatory position and attacked her. The sheer force of the cat's weight made her fall backwards and crack her head upon the fireplace hearth. Momentarily dazed, she struggled against the slashing claws. She tried to gain a strong grip in order to snap the animal's neck but her injury slowed her reflexes. Despite her considerable strength, she couldn't stave off the frenzied jaws. To and fro, the powerful pair fought, crashing into each corner of the cabin and ripping its contents to shreds.
At last, the cat began to triumph. It was able to throw her to the ground and sink its fangs into her right side, gnashing its teeth and tearing her black robes asunder. A agonized scream was ripped from her throat and pain blinded her of all sense. As her strength begin to fail, she made a final attempt to survive. Giving a mighty heave, she picked up the snarling animal and propelled it against the opposite wall. The force was so great that the wooden slabs collapsed and the wall was pushed outward, crashing into a pile of splintered wood. The mountain lion lay still amid the debris, its mouth agape in death.
Standing in the middle of her wrecked home, Angelina stared wide-eyed at the scene. Her eyes caught the sight of the white kaftan strewn across the floor, the white silk lying smudged and torn. Her feet barely lifting off the floor, she shuffled over and stooped to pick up the ruined dress. Twisting her fingers into the soft cloth, she clutched it against her chest and looked up to the cabin's rafters. A primal scream erupted from her lungs before she bowed her head, tears falling freely. The pain in her gashed side had gone numb and she knew that her time was short for this wasn't the first time that a death sentence had beckoned. But then a truly horrifying thought raced through her shocked mind...Adam was due to arrive in mere moments and would have to witness her death. After what would happen next, there wouldn't be any escape from the truth and she would have to reveal her identity. The game, characterized by her careful precautions and the distrust that had led her to create a fake name, was coming to an end.
I* * * * *I
"Did you hear that?" Adam asked suddenly, pulling Sport to a swift halt. "I could have sworn I heard a scream!"
Hoss pulled the wagon team to a stop and sat quietly, cocking his head to listen. One of the horses shuffled uneasily, its ears nervously swiveling to and fro. Now that he thought about it, the birds had stopped singing in the treetops. All three horses seemed uneasy, even Sport was being held in check by Adam's tight rein. Hoss was about to speak when a woman's scream again cut through the silence like a hot knife through butter. The hairs on his arms were instantly at attention, so chilling was the sound.
"Hoss! Stay here, I'll go first!" Adam yelled, drawing his gun and putting his heels into his skittish mount's red sides.
Horse and rider plunged as one up the trail, around the bend and out of sight. The hoofbeats retreated and the mountain grew quiet again. But, the birds remained silent, as if mourning the anguish that had been heard. Frustrated that he didn't have Chubb at his disposal, Hoss jumped off the wagon and ran to the team's heads to soothe them. After unhitching the nervous animals, he led them to a strong tree and cast the tie rope around its thick trunk. He paused to peer through the trees, his belly tightening with uncertainty. Removing his hat, he wiped his brow on his arm and scratched the back of his head. Silence continued to reign without any gunshots or shouts being heard and any other unsavory events occurring. Making a decision, he drew his gun and started up the trail, moving as quietly and quickly as he could through the trees.