Chapter Four
The rest of February passed quietly for the people in and around Virginia City. Heavy snowfall kept everyone home most of the time, but Adam and Josie frequently ventured over to the O'Connells' farm to visit Fionn and Molly – when the latter pair weren't traipsing over to the Ponderosa. Adam was anxious to start building his and Molly's house, but there was nothing he could do until the weather broke, so he passed the time helping Molly with wedding plans. It took both him and Little Joe to hold Fionn still long enough for Molly to measure him for a new suit for the event, though Josie very gallantly offered up her bottle of chloroform. Adam had hoped to have the wedding right there on the Ponderosa, but as he and Molly created their guest list, it quickly became apparent that they needed a bigger venue. The front yard would do fine for a reception, but they would have had to borrow chairs from every family in Virginia City to have enough seating for the ceremony.
"Looks like I better speak to Reverend Lovejoy about using the church," Adam said one afternoon as they counted up their guests again. They were up to one hundred, and it seemed that every day one or the other of them – if not Ben – thought of another name to add.
"Do you think he'll be all right with it?" Molly asked.
"Why wouldn't he be?"
"Only time I've been in the church here was Hoss's weddin'."
"Oh, he won't care about that. Besides, the Lovejoys are family now."
"Yes, but I'm Irish."
Adam grinned mischievously. "You don't say!"
Molly smiled, but there was no sparkle in her green eyes.
"Means I'm Catholic, doesn't it?" she said.
"Are you?" Adam was genuinely surprised. In the ten months he'd known Molly, the topic of religion had never once come up. And the closest thing to religious iconography in the O'Connells' home was the late Patrick O'Connell's shillelagh over the mantel. Though he supposed he should have made the connection. It wasn't exactly a secret that most Irish were Catholic.
"Fionn and I were both baptized Catholic. Only went to Mass a handful of times as children in Ireland, and not at all since we came here, but that's a handful too many times for most Americans' comfort." Molly's voice dropped nearly to a whisper. "That was one more strike against Fionn in San Francisco."
Adam took Molly's hand. "I've known the Lovejoys since I was sixteen years old," he said. "The Reverend won't refuse to perform my wedding."
"I'm sure he won't. But that doesn't mean the people of Virginia City will be happy about him performin' it in their church."
"If they don't like it, they don't have to attend."
"All right," Molly agreed. But Adam could tell she wasn't entirely convinced.
Adam made a cold ride into town the next day to speak with Reverend Lovejoy. He tried the Lovejoys' house first, but Mrs. Lovejoy directed him to the church. As Adam mounted the church's front steps, he smiled as the notes of "Amazing Grace" wafted out from the sanctuary. Though Widow Hawkins supplied most of the church's piano playing, Reverend Lovejoy was an expert pianist himself. He was known slip away to the church to play, especially when he was trying to work out the following week's sermon. Adam made a production of stomping the snow off his boots before heading inside in the hopes that he wouldn't startle the minister right out of his skin.
The piano cut off as Adam stepped into the sanctuary. Reverend Lovejoy stood up from the piano bench and greeted Adam with a warm handshake.
"What can I do for you this afternoon, Adam?"
Adam explained his and Molly's situation with their guest list. "And Molly's concerned that she won't be allowed to be married in the church because she was baptized Catholic," he finished.
"Who was baptized Catholic?!" a shrill voice echoed from behind them. Both men jumped. Adam turned around, and his heart sank as recognized the petite form of Mrs. Laurel Bailey striding down the aisle toward them. He hadn't entirely forgiven her for giving Josie such a cold reception when she'd arrived in Virginia City almost three years ago.
"No one in particular, Mrs. Bailey," Reverend Lovejoy replied, clasping her hand in greeting. "You know Adam and me. We get together, and the academics in us just come sailing out. You never know which way the conversation may turn!"
Mrs. Bailey narrowed her eyes. One slightly crooked index finger jabbed itself in Adam's direction. "It's that Irish girl you're marrying, isn't it? Idol worshipers, the lot of them!" She turned on the minister. "Reverend, please tell me you're not planning to perform that ceremony!"
Adam raised an eyebrow and waited for Reverend Lovejoy's response.
"Actually, Mrs. Bailey, I was. I've known the Cartwrights for the better part of twenty years, and I'm not about to deny one of them a church wedding."
"You can't be serious!" the woman snapped. "It's bad enough they let those heathens into our country, but for you to allow them into our church is an outrage! The Virginia City Ladies' Guild won't stand for it, Reverend, you can be assured of that." She reached into her handbag and pulled out a small wad of bills. "Here is forty-five dollars we raised for the church over the past few months. You would do well to remember the wishes of the women who donated it." She crammed the money into the minister's hand and then turned on Adam. "And you, young man, would do well to pay attention to the sort of riffraff your dear cousin is chasing around with. Did you know that your fiancée's brother was put on trial for murder in San Francisco? Or did she conveniently forget to tell you about that? Though I suppose a girl like Josephine can't expect to do much better, what with her insistence on running around playing at medicine like she was a man."
Adam puffed up like an angry cat, but Reverend Lovejoy stepped between him and Mrs. Bailey.
"First of all," the Reverend said, his tone low and even, "Fionn O'Connell defended his sister from an attack that very well could have cost her life. It was prejudice like yours that unfairly put him on trial for attempted murder. Second, he was acquitted. And third, while the ladies of Virginia City may contribute to the financial needs of this church and, yes, even my own salary, that does not give any of you the right to spew hatred in this House of God. Adam Cartwright and Molly O'Connell will be married in this church, and that is the end of it." He stuffed the forty-five dollars into Laurel Bailey's still open handbag and then showed her his back. "Oh, and one more thing," he said, turning to her again. "Dr. Cartwright may not be a lady in your narrow conception of the term, but she is truly a virtuous woman, and as the Good Book says, 'her price is far above rubies.' Good day." He turned away from Mrs. Bailey again and did not turn back around. Adam watched as the woman's jaw worked up and down a few times. With a loud "Hmph!" she stormed out of the church, slamming the door behind her.
Adam turned his attention to the reverend and was surprised to see the older man's shoulders shaking with rage.
"I appreciate what you just did, Reverend, but you didn't need to bring on that sort of trouble on my behalf."
"Yes, I did," Reverend Lovejoy growled. "Laurel Bailey and the Ladies' Guild have been trying to use their donations for their own political ends for far too long. This was the last straw."
"Even so, Molly and I can find another place for the wedding."
"No, you won't. You and Miss O'Connell will be married right here." There was a finality in his tone that warned Adam not to argue.
"So we shall," he agreed. "And the church can expect a generous donation for your trouble." He turned to leave, but the Reverend grabbed his elbow.
"Just tell me one thing, Adam. The O'Connells aren't practicing Catholics, are they?"
"No. Molly said they hardly ever went to church in Ireland and haven't gone at all since they came to America, and that was nearly ten years ago."
The minister wiped his brow. "All right. It doesn't matter to me, but this gives me a leg to stand on with anyone else who might complain. But I baptize your children, you understand?"
Adam grinned. "Agreed. Thank you, Reverend. For everything." He shook the minister's hand and left the church.
Mid-March brought good news all around. Hannah and Rachel had written to say they would arrive in early June, about three weeks before Adam's wedding, to help with the final preparations. Having no reason to hurry back to Boston, they planned to stay at least through the end of July, if not into August. Sheriff Coffee and Clementine Hawkins were the only ones excited by the prospect of seven or more weeks with Rachel, but everyone was glad to have Hannah for such a long visit.
Much to Adam's delight, the winter weather broke a week earlier than he'd predicted. He wanted to get right to work on Fionn's washroom, but Fionn insisted he work on the new house for Molly first.
"Besides," Fionn had said when Adam tried to argue that he intended to keep his promise of the washroom. "I've got some lambs to pick up from a fellow outside Carson City before I start plowing for me crops."
Adam shook his head. "I still don't understand why you want sheep. They'll tear up your pastures, you know."
"Let me ask you somethin', Adam. Can cattle tear up pastures?"
"Well, sure. That's why we rotate them around the land."
"There you go."
Adam grinned. "Point taken. Enjoy your sheep, Fionn. We'll work on that washroom once the house is built."
Over the next weeks, Adam, his brothers, and the ranch hands rushed to complete the spring roundup and branding so they could get to the construction of Adam's house. Ben had granted his request for the meadow on the shores of Lake Tahoe, and like Hoss, Adam had insisted Ben not split the land off from the rest of the Ponderosa. He drove Molly out alone to the spot one morning, and tears streamed from her eyes as Adam handed her a shovel to break the first ground. Adam had shown her his blueprints for the house, but he couldn't resist running around the house's future footprint and explaining where each room would be.
"The kitchen will be here, with the dining room adjacent. We'll have a nice big great room like Pa has, and the bedrooms will be upstairs. I've planned five." He stood in the middle of what would be the living room and pointed up at the sky. "Our bedroom will be right about there."
"Our bedroom," Molly echoed wistfully.
Adam grinned at her and looped an arm around her waist. "Our bedroom," he repeated. "With a gigantic new bed I've ordered from San Francisco. Lots of room to roll around." He nipped playfully at her neck, and Molly squealed with laughter. He pulled her into a tight hug. "I can't wait, sweetheart. I can't wait to spend every single night together. No more sneaking around. No more 'supplies.'" Molly sighed and leaned into him. Adam kissed her forehead. "I want a baby, Molly," he whispered.
Molly smiled into the front of Adam's coat. "So do I," she whispered back. They were quiet for a time, just staying wrapped up in each other's arms. "We'll be married soon enough, you know."
Adam took a little step back and studied her face. "What are you suggesting?" He raised one eyebrow.
"I'm suggestin' that that sort of thing can take a little while anyway, so if we just stopped bein' so careful, what difference would it make?"
The corners of Adam's mouth twitched. "And what if it doesn't take a little while?"
"Then we tell everyone the baby was early."
"An explanation that will satisfy everyone except a young lady who bears an uncanny resemblance to me."
Molly giggled. "A young lady who also shares your ability to keep your mouth shut."
"That's true. Her discretion is laudable." He smiled. "All right then. Let's throw caution to the wind, shall we?" He pulled her close again and held her fast.
"Come on, Adam," Molly said. "Let's go back to my house and warm up. Fionn's out to Carson City today picking up those lambs he's been on about." She gave him a cheeky wink.
"Miss O'Connell, are you trying to seduce me?"
"Not exactly hard to do, is it?"
With a final kiss, Adam led Molly back to the wagon, and then they drove off for the O'Connells' farm.
The house construction went smoothly for the first two weeks until a shipment of nails and shingles Adam had ordered got held up in Carson City.
"I should have known something would happen," he grumbled one morning at breakfast. "Things were going too well."
"It's just to Carson City, son," Ben said, pouring another cup of coffee. "Why don't you take the buckboard and pick them up?"
"Because I'm supposed to ride down to Genoa today to pick up that mare I bought for Molly."
Noticing that Molly and Fionn shared the dapple gray mare, Adam had purchased a small red mare for Molly as an early wedding gift. The mare was a beautiful little horse. An Appaloosa, like Josie's Scout, only copper-colored. She hadn't developed the typical Appaloosa speckling – just one little white patch at the top of her left foreleg and a white coronet marking on her left hind leg – but she was a sound, sturdy animal who would give Molly years of service. Not to mention a few beautiful foals if Adam bred her to his dapple-gray stallion, Ruckus.
"I'll go get the building supplies for you, Adam," Joe offered. "I've been itching for a trip to Carson City anyway."
Adam and Ben exchanged a skeptical glance. Little Joe had a tendency to get into trouble in Carson City, usually in the saloon. Sending him to Carson City unsupervised was unwise.
"Hey, I'll come with you!" Josie said. "I wouldn't mind a trip to Carson City, either. Dr. Martin said a new apothecary opened up there, and I'd love to check it out."
Ben and Adam's shared glance turned from skeptical to alarmed. Adam was remembering Josie's tale of her and Little Joe's canoeing trip. Ben was remembering the night of the hard cider. He knew he had to play his cards just right.
"Wonderful idea!" he said, leaning back in his chair. "I have some financial business that needs to be transacted in Carson City. You two won't mind taking care of that for me, would you?"
Little Joe's lip curled. "Financial business, Pa? What sort of financial business?"
"Oh, stocks and bonds, things like that. Shouldn't take you more than three or four hours."
"Three or four hours?" Josie asked, her nose wrinkling. She glanced at Joe.
"You know, Pa, I think Adam would be better suited for that job, being the good businessman he is and all," Joe said.
"Yeah, Uncle Ben," Josie added. "I'd hate to mess up something that important."
"Well, I have great faith in the two of you, but if that's how you really feel, maybe Adam should be the one to go," Ben replied.
"Could you go, Pa?" Adam asked. "Then I could still go get the horse."
"Unfortunately, son, I've got to help Hoss and some of the men with the last of the branding today. We came across a few stragglers the other day, and we need to get them marked and mixed in with the rest of the herd. I'm sorry, but it really can't wait. There have been rumors of rustlers in the area. Can't you wire the seller in Genoa and let him know you'll be a few days later than you thought?"
Adam sighed and scrubbed his hands through his hair. "Only problem is I didn't put a deposit down on that animal. Didn't have the cash on me when I saw her. Seller's been holding her for me in good faith. If I don't show up today, he may sell her to someone else."
"I may not know much about stocks and bonds, but I sure do know a few things about horses," Joe said, cheerful again. "How about Josie and me go down to Genoa for you and get the horse?"
Adam chewed on his lower lip. This idea wasn't a whole lot better than sending Josie and Little Joe to Carson City, but he didn't see any other solution if he was to get that mare for Molly. "All right," he conceded. "I'll get you the money."
Josie and Little Joe beamed at each other before scampering away from the table to get some gear together.
"Gonna be a long day, riding all the way to Genoa and back," Josie shouted down the hallway as she spread the contents of her medical bag across her bed to make sure she was well supplied.
"We're not doin' this in one day," Joe called back. "Bring a dress! We'll stay at the hotel tonight, and I'll take you to dinner."
Josie cheered and snatched a simple calico dress out of her wardrobe. It would get a little wrinkled all rolled up and tied to her saddle, but it wouldn't matter. Genoa was no fancier than Virginia City.
In minutes, the two youngest Cartwrights were packed up and ready to go. Josie and Little Joe raced each other down the stairs and nearly crashed into Ben, who was standing at the bottom.
"Easy there, you two," he chastised gently. Don't go getting yourselves into trouble already."
"Aw, we won't get into any trouble at any time, Pa," Joe protested. "Believe it or not, me and Josie know how to be responsible adults."
Ben grunted a reply and turned his head as he heard the front door open.
"Joe, you'll have to get Cochise ready, but I've got Betsy all saddled up for you, Josie!" Adam said as he stepped inside. Pip trotted in behind him.
"Betsy?" Josie's stomach gave a little lurch and she started for the door. "Scout's not sick, is she?!"
"Scout's fine," Adam assured her. "But she came into season yesterday. Figured I'd put her in the corral with Ruckus later today. If we're still in agreement about that, of course."
"We are! I just, I mean, are you sure she is?"
Ben took her elbow. "If Adam says she is, then she is," he said.
"I do pride myself on knowing a thing or two about women," Adam said, puffing out his chest.
Little Joe rolled his eyes.
"Besides," Adam continued, "I led Ruckus past her stall yesterday, and both of them went half crazy."
Josie's shoulders sagged. "I thought you said she wouldn't come into season until at least late April."
"Usually, mares around here don't," Adam replied. "Apparently Scout has other plans." He put a hand on Josie's shoulder. "It's ok to change your mind. Or we can wait for her next cycle. I just thought it would be better to get started right away. Increase the chances of success."
"No, let's start now. Just surprised me is all. I'm sure Betsy and I will get along just fine."
Adam smiled. "You will. And even if Ruckus does his job properly this first time around, you'll still get to ride Scout through the summer. You'll have to ride her a little easier, but you don't really have to come off a healthy pregnant mare until the last three months or so. And if you promise to be real careful, you can ride the new horse home from Genoa. You know, test her out. Make sure Molly will like her."
Josie grinned. "Thanks, Adam."
"Any time, kid. Now you two should get going. The money for the horse is in your saddlebag along with a letter from me to the seller. Man named Don Webster. He runs the livery stable in town, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding him."
"You got it!" Josie hugged Adam and Ben. Then she grabbed Little Joe's hand and dragged him toward the door.
"Wire us if you need anything!" Ben called.
"We will, Pa!" Joe chirped as he zipped out the door behind Josie.
Adam and Ben were left standing in the living room and shaking their heads.
"I have to admit, I'm a little jealous," Ben said.
"A trip to Genoa does sound like a lot more fun than branding cattle."
"True. But I was thinking more along the lines of those two's enthusiasm for just about everything."
Adam chuckled in agreement. Then he turned serious. "So what about those cattle rustlers you mentioned at breakfast? Think we need to hire some extra men to protect the herd?"
Ben sighed. "Not yet. It's still just rumors. Peter Croft mentioned it to me the other day. Apparently Bud Johnson lost a few cattle, and he found tracks leading off his property."
"Doesn't mean rustlers. Those cattle could have wandered off."
"Could have. But there are several new faces wandering around town. Men with no real background. That's certainly not unusual for Virginia City, but I'd rather be on my guard than lose cattle."
"I'm with you there," Adam agreed. "I'll mention it to Ross next time I'm out there. The more people we have keeping an eye out, the better."
"Agreed. How's the baby, by the way?"
"Growing like a weed. Pretty agreeable little thing, too. Doesn't scream nearly as much as Little Joe did."
"Adam, no child before or since will ever scream as much as Little Joe did. Ever notice how Marie and I didn't have another one after him?"
Adam laughed. "Good point, Pa. Still, I've never seen Ross and Dell so happy."
"Good for them." Ben smiled sadly. "I wish Ross's father were still here. He would have been thrilled to death with a little granddaughter."
Adam smiled, too, as fond memories of Jasper Marquette came back to him. "He sure would have."
"Hurry up, Hoss," Ben muttered.
Laughing again, Adam bid his father goodbye and headed outside to introduce Scout and Ruckus before hitching up the wagon to drive to Carson City.