A/N Be forewarned, I am getting the sense of at least one death, if not a couple. Only problem is...I'm not 100% sure where it's coming from. I don't think it's a Barkley; however, I've been wrong before. So, all I can say, is read at your own risk.
Chapter One
The noise in the newest cafe in Stockton was at an all time high as Nick and Heath sat down at the only empty table. Nick made sure he was facing the door as he and his brother awaited the arrival of a former Lieutenant in the unit Nick had served in for a short period of time. He'd been surprised to receive a letter from the gentleman saying he was coming to Stockton and needed to talk to the famous Stockton rancher. A telegram had also arrived the day before-just in case the letter had gotten lost. Adam had not been in the country for some time, having moved to Australia shortly after the war ended. That being the case, the news was he was back in the country and wanted to talk to Nick. Naturally, this made the impatient rancher as curious as he could be. Only when the waitress approached them, did Nick stop thinking about the former lieutenant's impending arrival.
"Good morning, Mandy." Nick and Heath both said simultaneously, making the young woman chuckle. The two men smiled as they took the menus she offered them.
"Didn't think you worked today." Heath started looking over the list of various foods that were available.
"Not supposed to," Mandy smiled back. "Elizabeth Blanchard is sick though, so Mr. Lamb asked me to cover her shift for her. May I get you something to drink?"
"Just coffee," They each told her.
Nick couldn't help but keep his eye on the friendly black- haired waitress ash she turned and walked away from the table. The woman stood no more than five feet three inches. Her hair was done in a bun on top of her head, and her eyes were hazel. Many had commented how beautiful she was, and he agreed. He'd tried to get Mandy Hamill to go out with him from the moment she'd arrived in Stockton, and for once failed. Oh sure, she'd visit with him when he and Heath ate at the cafe and, if they saw each other on the street or in church, but that was it.
"She's not going to change her mind, you know that. Word has it Reverend Stacy's son is courting her-and she's letting him." Heath chuckled as his brother turned his face back towards the table while Nick simply shot him a glare-though there was laughter in his eyes.
"So I heard," Nick shrugged his shoulders and gave Heath an 'I don't really care' look. "Doesn't mean I can't keep looking. She's not engaged yet." He then asked Heath about Brydie Hanrihan. The young Irish woman and her father had wound up moving to Stockton, and his blonde haired brother was courting her. "Seems like things are getting rather serious with you two." The fact that he hoped things were indeed that way was something he failed to keep out of the tone in his voice.
Heath's crooked smile appeared-though, he simply replied, "They might be." He might have said more only Nick had sat straight up..
"Adam has arrived." Nick told Heath as Adam entered the cafe. The famous rancher might not have recognized his friend only the man's letter had included an updated picture of himself.
Heath turned his head slightly. Sure enough he could see Mr. Cartwright heading their way. Before long Nick's former comrade was pulling a chair away from the table-just far enough to make it so he could sit down. "Hello, been a little while, how is your family?" Nick asked, remembering all the stories Adam Cartwright had shared with him in the past.
"Just a little is putting it mildly," Adam chuckled as he replied, "I dare say it's been a good ten years since we saw each other last. When it comes to my family, my father and brothers are fine. Hoss married shortly after the war and has a home on the ranch; he and his wife had three sons, a daughter and another one on the way. Joe, his wife and two children are living with Pa. My wife and four children are visiting the family while I am out here."
"And just why are you here? What did you need to see me for? Not that I mind seeing you only I got the feeling this was to be more than a simple meeting of two former comrades."
"I'm killing two birds with one stone, as it were." Adam replied just as Mandy walked up with Nick and Heath's and then, once she'd give them their drinks, asked Adam if she could get him anything.
"Coffee and your special of the day, whatever it is." Adam told her. She left to get him his order, and he turned his attention back to Stockton. "I have some business in Modesto, only stopping in Stockton long enough to talk to you."
"About what?" Nick asked, all of a sudden feeling as if he needed to keep his eyes wide open.
Adam didn't answer at first-as Mandy was walking up with his drink.
"Your food will be a few minutes." The waitress handed him his coffee and then walked way.
Adam sipped on his coffee and then sent shock waves through Nick and Heath when he looked at Nick and said, "When I went with a friend to a church social in Carson City and mentioned I would be traveling to Modesto on business, your wife approached me. She asked me to stop here in Stockton and tell you she was in Carson City. Don't ask me why she didn't just wire you or allow me to; it would have been a lot faster." The shocked looks on the two brothers' faces didn't surprise Adam only hearing "His what?" from Heath and "My what!" from Nick did. Actually, Nick's words had every head in the cafe turning in their direction.
Nick quickly lowered his voice and asked his question again.
"You're not married?" Adam looked concerned. The brown haired woman had seemed sincere in her request, now he wondered.
"Not that I know of, tell me everything-from the beginning." Nick leaned forward slightly.
