Chapter 6

A few weeks had passed since the barn dance and Adam and his family were happily settling into their new home. The arrangements Ben and Adam had made between them were proving happy. Sundays, after church, was spent with the whole family, either at the Ponderosa or at Adam's home, named The Pines. Thanksgiving preparations were being made for the celebration at the Ponderosa, to which Roy Coffee and Paul Martin were invited, as they were considered great friends and part of their family.

That morning Adam and Grace took the children to school as usual; Cathy was going to visit with Alice after school. Alice had been unwell for the past few days and Cathy thought a visit to her best friend would be just the ticket to cheer her up. Davy had palled up with Gerald Downs, since his earlier fiasco with Andy and Joey and had kept a wide birth from them since. He and Jerry were getting along famously.

As they approached the school, Adam told them, "I'll be back an hour later than normal to give Cathy time with Alice."

"And Davy and I will keep each other company, maybe doing our homework, eh Davy?" Grace stated, the teacher voice appearing.

"I suppose so. I don't like homework. The school day is enough. Why should we do more when we get home?"

"That's to see that you understood what was taught that day." Grace told him. I'll be there to help you if you get stuck."

"I suppose." Davy said, unconvinced at this homework lark. He much preferred helping his Pa on the ranch.

"Okay, everyone," Adam announced. "We're here. Have a good day." The children jumped down and ran to the other children outside of the school house.

"Bye, my love. See you this afternoon." Grace said, kissing Adam goodbye.

Adam jumped from the wagon and helped Grace down. "You sure you're okay to keep up this teaching schedule?" He asked, concerned Grace may be covering up a problem.

"Yes, Adam, I'm sure. The minute I feel I should stop, I will, I promise. I don't want anything going wrong with this baby. He's too precious to risk losing."

"Oh, a 'he' is it? And how do you know this?"

"Of course I don't know, but I only think it's a 'he' I would like, but I won't be disappointed if it's a girl."

"Well, whichever it is, I want both you and the baby to be safe and well."

"I'll probably won't be teaching after the New Year anyway. I'll be as big as an elephant and won't want to do much, encumbered as I'll be."

"Good. I can pamper you well then and as much as I can right now." He kissed her. "I must be off. I'll see you later. Be good!" He jokingly warned.

"Yes, Sir." Grace gave him a salute. He playfully slapped her bottom as she turned toward the school house. She automatically reached back to rub the spot.

"Bye, sweetheart."

"Bye, my love." …..

School lunch break and Davy made his way to the outhouse. He'd held out 'til then as he didn't want to have to ask in front of the class. He made it with seconds to spare. As he came out he was grabbed, unable to shout as a hand came crashing down across his mouth to muffle any sound. A cloth then came across his nose and mouth and suddenly there was darkness. He knew no more. …

When school resumed Mrs Myers asked Gerald Downs where Davy was. Cathy raised her head on hearing the question. She looked across the room to see if Andy and Joey were there. They were. She sighed in relief.

"He went to the outhouse and didn't come back," Gerald said. "We were going to play catch when he got back. He had the ball. But he didn't."

"Didn't what?" Abigail asked.

"Didn't come back. Thought he must be ill and went to his Ma in the other classroom."

Cathy was up and out of her seat immediately. "Can I go to see my Ma, please, Mrs Myers?"

"Yes, of course, Cathy."

She raced across to the other classroom, bursting in, shouting, "Ma, is Davy in here with you?"

"No, Cathy. I haven't seen him."

"He didn't come back to class this afternoon."

"What, oh no. I hope he hasn't wandered off again. Your father will blow his top if he has."

"Can we go home and let someone know, please?"

"I could hire a buggy, but I'll have to get these children into the main school. Hope Mrs Myers won't mind."

There was no objection from Abigail. …

Grace and Cathy made their way home as fast as Grace dared. They arrived home to find Adam chopping wood in preparation for the winter stock.

"Adam!" Grace yelled.

"What's wrong, Grace?" Adam asked, as he struck the axe into the chopping block and hurried over to the buggy.

"Pa, Davy wasn't in school this afternoon."

"What!"

"He didn't return after going to the outhouse at lunch time."

"If he's gone off again without permission, he's in for a lot of strife."

"But what if something happened to him?" Grace stated, touching Adam's hand, trying to stem his anger.

"Okay, okay." He said, calming down. "I want you two at the Ponderosa." Adam ordered. He saddled Sport and they all made their way over to his father's home.

As they arrived Hoss was just coming out of the barn. "Hi, Adam, Grace, Cathy. What you all doin' here?"

"Davy's gone missing. I need your help Hoss."

"Sure, let me saddle Chubb and I'll be right with you." With that Hoss returned to the barn.

Meanwhile Adam escorted Grace and Cathy into the house. Ben was at his desk working, but stopped the minute the door opened and Adam and the others walked in.

"Hello, did we gave an arrangement for dinner this evening?" Ben queried, looking confused.

"No, Pa. Davy is missing. He might have gone off on his own, but we don't know that for sure."

"He wouldn't do that again, surely, not after the last time." Grace added. She felt heartache at the thought that Davy might be in trouble for one reason or another.

"Missing? Any clues?" Ben asked.

"Nothing so far." Adam informed him.

"You need Hoss. Joe's in Sacramento on business." And then as a second thought, "I hope he isn't sidetracked by any ladies."

"I've already got Hoss with me. Will it be okay to take him away from the Ponderosa with Joe away?"

"Of course. Davy is far more important. Go, go." Ben urged him. Adam left. "Grace, you and Cathy will stay here with me and help Hop Sing."

"Thanks, Grandpa."

"Staying here is probably safer for us. Thanks Pa." ….

Adam and Hoss arrived at the school house. Abigail was still there. The children had all gone home. She stepped out when she heard horses arrive.

"Any news, Adam?" She asked.

"No, nothing yet. We are starting our seach from here, where Davy was last seen." Hoss had already started for the outhouse.

"Adam," he called.

"Thanks for asking Abigail. Bye."

With a quick 'Goodbye, Adam' she returned to the school house.

"What you find, Hoss?"

"This ball. He must have had it with him and dropped it and there was a lot of scuffling around here. I'm sorry Adam, but I think he's been abducted."

"How do you know that, Hoss?"

"There are definitely large and small footprints around the outhouse. And see here, this is where a horse was hidden, behind this tree. And now there are only large footprints. Looks like Davy was carried off."

"Hoss, I'm going to need your tracking skills."

"Yeah, it looks like it. I'll be with you all the way."

"Thanks Hoss. What would I do without you?" …..

Davy opened his eyes and immediately threw up. He was in a dark place. Couldn't really see anything, but he could hear voices. A man and a woman, but he couldn't make out what they were saying. At least he wasn't tied up. He still felt queasy, and he was now crying and scared.

But in the next room, "Take this and leave it at The Pines." She ordered.

"How much have you asked for?"

"$50,000. Now go. The quicker you get there, the quicker we'll get the money. Just make sure you're not seen."

"Yes, Boss."