Building

by

Agnieszka Marie (AMG)

“I may stay in the city overnight,” Adam said, “so Hop Sing can count me out of supper.”

Ben looked at him thoughtfully.

“We both know how far I am from questioning you, but as last night you stayed in the city, it wasn’t in the hotel...”

“Mrs Thompson invited me for supper and then asked me to stay overnight," explained Adam with a slight smile. "She says she feels safer if she's not alone in the whole house. Well, there is the old gardener and his wife, but they live in the back of the house. I'd like to visit her again, today, as she has some interesting suggestions for a new schoolhouse.”

“Would you build it?” Ben always felt pride in such moments, pride in his son’s hard work, talent and achievements.

“I might.”

Adam put the jacket on and picked up the hat. “Anything to tell Miss Emily?” he grinned. The three brothers were already betting on what the next movement of their father would be towards her.

“Well, uhm... why not ask her for dinner tomorrow?” Ben hesitated, seeing the opportunity to invite Miss Emily to the ranch again. “Yes, ask her that. If you can, that is.”

“Sure thing, boss.” Adam had noticed Ben’s dislike for the ‘sir’ in his son’s – THIS son’s lips, and ‘Pa’ he himself found too personal for everyday conversation. He used it less than occasionally. ‘Boss’ was neutral enough.

“See you tomorrow.”

“And give our regards to Miss Emily and Mrs Thompson, too,” grinned Hoss broadly. “They’re such nice women.”

“And to Kitty,” Joe sent Adam a wink. “If you happen to meet her, of course.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Adam laughed. “And to every other lady in the city, eventually. I’ll take the liberty to give our regards to Roy , too, although he’s hardly a good match, is he, Joe?”

Laughing, he left to the city. So that was... Roy, bank, Miss Emily – or maybe first Miss Emily and then the bank – then Roy, the post office and Mrs Thompson. So the rest of the day was planned.

***

Knock, knock.

The door opened, revealing a womanly figure in a light peach dress.

“Oh, Adam, hello! Please, come in.”

The man smiled politely. “I won’t take up much of your time, Ma’am.”

The woman gestured him inside. “I believe you can at least sit down, can’t you? It would be impolite of me to leave you standing on the porch, Adam.”

“Ma’am,” Adam complied, stepping inside. “You look blooming today, Ma’am,” he smiled to her.

“Thank you, Adam,” she led him to the sofa. “Will you drink something?”

“No, Ma’am, thank you. I’m not intending to take much of your time, as I have said.” They sat down, and Adam continued. “Our father and we would be honoured if you joined us for dinner tomorrow.”

She blushed slightly and hid her eyes behind the eyelids. “It’s an honour to me.”

“The honour is all ours,” Adam protested politely. “So, can we count on your presence?”

“Certainly, Adam, you know I’d hate to disappoint you. Or miss Hop Sing’s cooking.” They laughed. “What time should I appear?” she asked.

“We will come for you around three.”

“I don’t want to put you on,” she began protesting, but he shushed her with twinkling eyes, “We invited you, Ma’am, and we intend to see to it that you come.”

They laughed again.

After the man had left, she hastily flew to her room and opened the wardrobe, thinking how she should dress to look appropriately. Ben would definitely like her in a light dress, maybe the green one... but she wasn’t so familiar with his sons, maybe she should choose something more formal. They were actually just polite to her. Yet nothing too formal, she decided, Ben wouldn’t like that. She felt good in his company; she wanted to spend more time with him and wanted him to be pleased. The dark velvet one... too formal. They said, Adam was the most aloof of the three, and yet he seemed to like her – at least a bit. She shouldn’t cool the atmosphere at dinner by a formal rather than friendly appearance. Ben should be pleased, and hopefully his sons would be, too.

***

Emily smiled in response to Ben’s compliment and asked Adam curiously, “How long will it take to build the schoolhouse? I heard someone say that the old one’s roof was leaking, and that you would have to hurry.”

“The roof is to be repaired,” answered Adam with a grateful smile. Her interest seemed genuine to him. “The building will be used for other purposes after we finish the new school.”

“What purposes?” asked Joe curiously. Hoss’ eyes were also questioning.

“The mayor is to decide,” answered Adam. “When I last met him at the party a week ago, he didn’t know yet.”

“I believe Max Thorkwell had brought you to that party,” Ben turned to Emily, who nodded after a second.

“Yes, I think so. Don’t think I forget my companions so quickly,” she added hastily. “He had just brought me there out of neighbourly kindness, and left me there. I do remember that you brought me home after the party.”

“And I remember you were afraid for your reputation...” murmured Ben.

“I told you I didn’t usually walk out with a man,” she blushed. “And I said I was almost afraid...”

Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, Adam folded the napkin and looked questioningly at his brothers. “Keep an eye on things, will you? People seem nice and friendly, but I’m an awful suspicious bad kind of character and just want to make sure.”

“Sure, Adam. You expect trouble?”

“Not really, but people like to add my jail history to my record and – ” he hid his mouth behind a cup of coffee, shrugging his shoulders. “I just don’t want trouble. If the men don’t want to shake my hand, they don’t have to. But only as long as it doesn’t turn into hostility and sabotage. The mayor will do only as much as come once a week and see how the work is going. I’m counting on you, guys,” he murmured, to which he got equally murmured answers of reassurance.

“Sure, Adam.”

“Sure thing.”

The brothers quickly raised their heads and glasses as Ben began the toast.

“To the most beautiful...”

The night has stolen onto Virginia City, just as James Thompson also stole into his own house. His mother wasn't asleep yet, however, and he would have greeted her aloud, out of some remnant of politeness, but stopped as he saw a dark head reclining on his mother's shoulder. The man had clearly fallen asleep over some work, some papers – plans – were strewed over the table.

“I need some money,” said James quietly, not wanting to wake his mother's guest and having to explain things.

She looked up, surprised at his entrance, startled at his words. “Are you all right, son? Are you well?” she asked immediately with motherly concern, trying to ease the dark head gently from her shoulder to be able to hug her son.

James shot another look at the sleeping man. “Don't... Just sit there, I'll take what I need. I'm fine. Father's dead.”

He saw his mother's eyes cloud, then moved to the drawers. “Didn't want to wake you. I won't be staying.”

"You didn't wake me,” she said softly. The ensuing awkward silence revealed both James' unease and his mother's pain, the emotions trembling in the tense atmosphere like butterflies caught in a little boy's net.

Mrs Thompson felt some movement, and put her hand soothingly on the dark head of the sleeping man in an instinctive gesture.“Father’s been dead for some time now,” she heard her son speak up behind her back. “And so you are free. Uhm... I took as much as I’d need, but I left some.” The bills shuffled.

The young man looked at his mother, who absent-mindedly stroked the dark head. He hadn’t seen her ever since he went away with his father as a teenager. He wanted to go on with such life as he had led with his father.

“Sorry, if you wanted something else of me, but I’ve got my life set that way and I’m not going to change it,” he added, putting the rest of the money in his pocket, and rose to his full height. “Maybe I’ll write some day.”

The sleeping form stirred, and suddenly James Thompson felt two piercing eyes on him.

“Uhm... Adam, this is my son James,” explained Mrs Thompson quietly. The man sat up now, deep crimson rising upon his cheeks. “James, this is... Adam.”

“I took your place,” noticed the dark haired man calmly, although his blush betrayed the embarrassment. “Please accept my apologies, sir.”

“I’m no ‘sir’,” James gazed curiously at the handsome guest of his mother. His place, he said... “I guess mothers shouldn’t be alone.”

“Neither should children,” Adam smiled non-committally, rising. “Pleased to meet you.”

“Same way here,” James shook the offered hand.

“Jimmy... James said my husband was dead,” said Mrs Thompson.

“So sorry, Ma... Ma’am,” reacted Adam sympathetically. “Anything I can do to make you feel better?”

“Just be there,” she sighed.

“That’s to make ME feel better,” he gave her a dazzling smile of assurance and turned to James.

“You came and are going to leave tonight, as I understand?” he asked politely, taking in James’ dusty jacket, which he hadn’t taken off.

“Yeah, I… have some business to attend to,” answered James vaguely. He had nothing to attend to, just wanted to roam about.

“Can’t you stay a few days?” offered Adam. “Your mother has given interesting suggestions concerning building the new schoolhouse, wouldn’t you like to get acquainted with them? Unless you can’t afford the time…” he appeared to withdraw. “Business is business.”

“A… few days won’t make such a difference,” James hesitated. “Is mom building the schoolhouse?” he joked.

“No, actually I am,” Adam laughed and introduced himself, “Adam Cartwright, I’m the architect.”

The man was a couple of years older than him, James estimated, and that somehow felt intimidating.

“James Thompson. Pleased to meet you.”

They smiled at each other politely. Mrs Thompson rose from the settee and steered them towards the table.

“A light snack before going to bed?” she suggested. Adam shook his head, “I’m full.”

James, however, nodded. “I’d like some, I’ve actually had no supper.”

“How can that be?” she wrung her hands and hurried to the kitchen. “Adam, you really won’t eat anything?”

“I’ll make myself some coffee,” he gave in a bit.

“Oh, I’ll make it,” she shooed him back to the table. “I’m the hostess here, after all.”

“Yes, M-Ma’am,” he complied and sat down.

“Is it difficult to build a house?” inquired James with interest.

“I… don’t know,” Adam laughed at his own awkward statement. “I guess it requires some skill, some education, and the will to do it. I have never thought of it; I simply like it.”

“When do you begin?”

“We have already begun, in fact. Would you like to join us?”

“Uhm,” James laughed somewhat nervously, “you mean like building?”

“Yes, why not,” Adam smiled in answer. “It’s actually the city members, and yes, some ranchers that build it. We don’t hire any workers, it’s our own project, I mean the city’s.”

“I might do just that,” decided James, quite unexpectedly for himself. “Join in, that is.”

“How splendid,” Adam’s eyes flashed with a smile. James forgot at that moment any thoughts of regretting his decision. Oh, shucks, a few days here might even be interesting.

***

Mr John Trent was a respected citizen of Virginia City . Strong-willed, he intended to remain respected.

“I will not work for a jailbird! No, definitely not!”

“Mr Trent,” Adam gave him his most polite smile. “I simply happen to be the architect engaged by Mrs Thompson. You work for the city, I work for her and the city. I do not see how you could possibly be in any way at my disposal. As you are a respected citizen and represent the city, I actually work for you, as it were.”

Trent snorted but digested that.

“How come you give orders here, Cartwright, if you work for us, huh?” he found another doubt.

“I work as – an extension of the plan Mrs Thompson had suggested,” Adam was smiling inadvertently. “I am only her voice and hand, and dare not order. I only suggest…”

“Well, I’ll work for neither a jailbird nor a woman!” Mr Trent yelled and turned to leave.

Adam decided further argument might do more harm than good, and so kept respectfully quiet. He imagined what he might just do with Mr Trent, and his smile became more genuine.

“I do hope you gentlemen won’t mind following Mrs Thompson’s modest suggestions,” he turned quietly to the crowded city dwellers. No one could resist the gentlest expression, the almost submissive tone and the treacherous personality of the question. They came back to work, humming the well-known melody of own opinions and comments.

“Adam, you were wonderful,” James eyes him admiringly.

“Wasn’t I,” Adam glanced towards his plans, and lit up at the sight of Mrs Thompson. “I think somebody wants to talk to us.”

“I would have hit him, or at least yelled his head off,” continued James.

“Conflicts are a nuisance,” Adam’s shoulders shrugged indifferently.

“Don’t you sometimes want to let some steam off?” wondered James.

“You just don’t know how much steam you need to smile at times, Jimmy.”

“Adam, wait for us!”

Adam steeled himself for a pat from Hoss, then nodded towards Mrs Thompson.

“My employer appears to ask for my presence.”

“Adam,” Joe prodded him gently. “I haven’t finished with my part of the wall... may I do it later?”

“So I’ve noticed,” acknowledged Adam. “Jimmy’s finished it for you, as far as I could see.”

“Uhm...” Joe looked surprised. “Er... thanks, James. Adam... you’ve noticed and haven’t told me to go to work?”

“Your first reaction would have been to protect your independence as a man, I believe,” Adam grinned at him. “Jane is a fine lady, truthfully, and I myself would feel mighty bad if someone had treated me like that.” There was no mistaking the treatment Joe would get at Adam’s hands.

“Uh... er... so?...”

“So, conflict is the last thing I need right now right here. And could you please be somewhat more articulate?”

“That doesn’t mean I can get away with unfinished chores, does it?” asked Joe pitifully, but they recognised the attempt to lighten the mood. Though Adam didn’t seem any upset.

“No, that doesn’t mean anything of the sort,” the eldest smiled kindly at him. “And don’t you think I really, truly didn’t desire to order you back to work.”

“Yeah, that sounds like you,” agreed Joe.

“Oh, mama!”

Hoss’ eager delight and hungry looks betrayed the hopes he was putting in the huge basket Mrs Thompson held.

“Hello, boys,” she lit up with a smile. “I thought you needed some rest; it’s nearly lunchtime.”

She glanced meaningfully at her basket. “I didn’t suppose Ben Cartwright might have prepared a picnic for you, so I expect to have lunch with four handsome men here.”

Hoss ‘mmm’-ed loud; whether for the food or compliment, you couldn’t tell.

“You heard her, she called me handsome,” he boasted immediately to his brothers, commonly taken for more attractive.

“Why, how else, my dear,” she scolded him gently. “Aren’t you? Adam, when do you take a break?”

“In a couple of minutes, Madam,” he glanced back. “Let us finish with the wall there. Joe, Jimmy, don’t you just stand there, Mrs Thompson shouldn’t be carrying such a big basket, what are you there for? Hoss, I’ve noticed Bessy Lou coming – she seems to have a problem with another big basket; be a gentleman, go and help her. I’ll be right back, as soon as the work’s there finished.”

“I thought you dared not order,” mumbled James. Adam’s smile made him squirm.

“Help your mother, Jimmy.”

With the added lunch from Hop Sing, all four felt as though they could work until the next day non-stop. As soon as they were able to roll to their feet, anyway. Other men seemed well-nourished, too, and the building went smoothly.

After some time, someone brought news about Mr Trent; he had had an accident, and was at the doctor’s office. Nothing serious, some bruises, and he swore rather in a healthy manner, they said.

“One thing’s good about it,” mumbled Hoss. “He won’t be coming here to yell at Adam.”

Coming from the gentlest of men, the comment seemed striking. Joe looked up at his mountain of a brother with something close to compassion. Gentle as he was, Hoss didn’t like anyone to criticise his big brother Adam that way. It hurt the more when Adam just took it with an inadvertent smile.

“Shh, ol’ Adam won’t like it,” Joe hushed his brother. “He’ll tell you you can’t be happy with the other’s misfortune.”

“Hey, I’m upset he got hurt,” Hoss backed, ashamed at his previous words. “But you know, you have to find good sides to everything.”

The wild explosion of laughter from Joe drew all pairs of eyes to them, even a cursory glance from Adam from over the plans, where he seemed to matter-of-factly ignore the presence of a hairy mountain of a man beside him. Had he ever been to Africa , he would have compared the man to a gorilla. Then again, the gorilla might have felt offended.

“If I get connected to that, I’ll make sure you’re in for the rest of your life.” Adam didn’t as much as glance at the huge man beside. “Any more accidents, and I’ll break your sturdy neck myself.”

“I thought the Trent was a nuisance,” the man shifted his weight closer to Adam. “And my neck’s harder than yours.”

“Necks that can bow are harder to break,” Adam made a small correction in the plans and studied the building site carefully. “One can’t be happy with the other’s misfortune.”

The man whistled unpleasantly. If it wasn’t for the forest of hair on his face, one could have sworn he wore a smirk.

“Words of wisdom, huh? And from heaven itself. Where did you get the one about necks, Angelboy?”

“You taught me,” Adam’s eyes narrowed. The sun was shining in his face now, as he gazed at the working people.

“You didn’t quite bow your head with the tattoo.”

“It’s rather hard when five men pin you down to the floor.” This time, Adam shot a straight look at him. It wasn’t outrightly hostile, but neither was it very friendly.

“Tell me you like it,” the man smirked again.

“I hate it.”

“It doesn’t hurt now, Angelboy,” the man cooed derisively.

“It hurt enough.” Adam made a conscious effort not to fold his hands in fists. “It itches; often. Must have got infected. Maybe some day I won’t be able to use the hand. I don’t know.”

He raised his head, his face a mask of calm. “Either work, or get away from here.”

“You let me work here, Angelboy?”

“I’ll hold you responsible for any accident here, don’t you worry.” He smiled amiably, seeing Mrs Thompson approach from the corner of his eye. “And I’m Mr Cartwright for you. Leave here, Hank,” his gentle tone was coming dangerously close to a growl.

“I’d like to suggest something, Adam, if it’s not too late,” Mrs Thompson took his arm, glancing at the plans.

“A couple of corrections are still possible,” unknown to many, even Adam’s matter-of-fact self could smile nicely. “Don’t we owe you for the picnic?”

“Oh, Adam, Hop Sing’s a better cook than me.”

“A point for discussion,” he noted. Her pleasure didn’t go unnoticed by him. “It’s actually difficult to judge right now, for the company much excelled and therefore eclipsed the food.”

“Adam, I came here in business, you ladies’ man,” she hit his arm with her small fist. “Listen to me now.”

Obligingly, he invited her to inspect the plans.

***

“Thank you, Adam,” Miss Emily smiled at the man helping her down from the buggy. He flashed his teeth politely and offered her his arm. Just then, Ben appeared at the porch, and she brightened at his smile.

He thought she looked gorgeous. The afternoon sun glistened on her fair hair, making into a crown. Her eyes gleamed with joy, turning into the clearest, bluest diamonds with a warm fire entwined in the dancing twinkles of sun and smile. Her wise, calm beauty, enriched by the experience and values of age, evolved into a royal air around her flowing silhouette; each dignified step led her to a king’s throne in Ben’s eyes.

Her dress was flowing around her like a breath of green mist around a forest goddess, her body all mystery but the white, slender arms and shapely head blossoming out of the calyx of her silky dress, flower-like, Venus-like, water-green foam of flounce bulging playfully around her feet with each step. And each of the dignified steps brought her closer to Ben.

“You are welcome at the Ponderosa, Your Royal Highness,” he bowed to her delicate, and delicately scented, white hand.

Her laughter, devoid of the girlish giggle, had the same beauty, wisdom, and calmness as her face; and eyes; and lips.

“Truly, to be invited by a king, I must be a queen.” Her voice flowed softly, soothingly, enveloped him and his senses, and he barely noticed the food about the taste and looks of which he had so worriedly inquired of Hop Sing hundreds of times in the last half an hour.

Adam, Hoss and Joe exchanged glances, and each of them smiled. While Emily occasionally turned the dialogue towards them, Ben had eyes only for her. They chatted pleasantly throughout the dinner, then Adam remembered something that required the brothers’ attention. Emily sent a smile after them; Ben never noticed them leave.

Once outside, Adam began calmly undoing the buckboard wheel, whistling a melody to himself. Hoss scratched his head worriedly, placing himself so that he shaded Adam’s actions. Joe massaged the back of his neck, watching them, and pursed his lips in thought. “I don’t think this can be repaired till evening, can it, Adam?”

His eldest brother shook his head, studying the wheel pensively. “You know, with all the chores we have to do, and the repair of the barn roof, I don’t think we’ll manage before late evening,” he said. “I guess we have to tell Hop Sing that our guest stays for supper. I would hate to let anyone drive that thing until we are sure it’s safe.”

“Yeah.” This time, Hoss scratched his nose. “I’ll tell Charlie I’ll take care of it once I’m free.”

“First you have to help us with the roof,” Adam reminded him matter-of-factly. “I’m going to town today, so I’d like to have this one behind me.”

“You’re going to town again?” Joe was clearly annoyed. “It’s the middle of the week! I want to go, too!”

“Mrs Thompson invited me to come,” explained Adam patiently. “It’s about the schoolhouse, I don’t think you’d be extremely interested. I won’t be going to a saloon for a beer, Joe.”

“Will you be back tonight?” asked Hoss, noticing the sour look on Joe’s face that could lead to an outburst.

“I don’t know,” Adam smiled apologetically to Joe, following Hoss’ line of thought. “It depends on the number of Mrs Thompson’s suggestions, and of course on James.”

Realising Adam wouldn’t be seeing any young ladies or any male friends of his (but James, obviously), Joe soon lost the sour look and patted his brother on the shoulder.

“And we’re staying as chaperons, right?”

Hoss chuckled. “Yeah, sort of, brother. Sort of.”

***

“Looks like it’s almost done,” noticed Mr Gilroy’s cousin. He had just come to the city to visit his family, and was accompanying Mr Gilroy to the building site.

“It will take a couple of days yet,” answered Gilroy , eyeing the building with pleasure. He had his part in it, too. “You must meet the architect, Mr Cartwright. He plans to make it the best school building in the area, better than in Carson City and others.”

“ Carson City has a much bigger school,” doubted the cousin. “Yours will have to go some ways to excel it.”

“That we are planning,” answered him a voice from behind. A tall, dark-haired man approached them and offered his hand. “Adam Cartwright. How do you like the school so far?”

“Donald Benson,” the man shook the offered hand almost enthusiastically, which elicited a small smile from Adam. “It looks nice, but it’s rather small – in comparison to the one in Carson , for example.”

“We don’t have as many school children yet,” said Adam. “It’s not about size, it’s about style. I was hoping to make it the nicest school in the area, so that kids like going there.” He smiled again. “Though I’m aware that it does not depend on the building itself.”

They all laughed.

“Excuse me,” Adam noticed someone waving him over. Benson shook his hand again vigorously.

“It was nice meeting you, Mr Cartwright. I hope I can be of use, too.”

“Everyone is invited,” Adam accepted the offer graciously, then smiled almost apologetically. “I don’t suppose you have been told yet, but someone may want to fill you in on that, so I’d better do it myself. I have been to prison, Mr Benson, and some men do not shake hands with me so eagerly as you have. You are free to reconsider your offer of co-operation. I won’t hold you to that if you decide you don’t want to work under my instructions. Have a nice day, Mr Benson, Mr Gilroy.”

Benson watched after the man in stunned surprise, then turned mutely to Gilroy , who shrugged his shoulders. “I guess they’d tell you that with a few adornments, and he wanted to prevent that. He had been cleared of the charges, though not after some time in jail. He’s as decent a guy as few are.”

Behind them, a hairy shadow smirked, shaking his head. They had figured the man’s innocence at once – what took so-called justice so long? He was such a decent guy – that’s why they had called him Angel – that he had stuck to the letter of the law even in jail. Hank grinned to himself. As much as he hated to admit it aloud, he’d grown to like this guy in some strange way; whatever the situation, he could rely on Angel to help if help was needed. Yeah, that was what he liked about the guy, he nodded to himself and lifted the box to bring it over to the other workers.

Adam took a last look at the finished part and sighed. It wasn’t that it was bad, there was just so much to do yet. The youngsters beside him misunderstood the sigh, however, and hurried to learn what was to be improved.

“What is it, Mr Cartwright?”

“Is the board crooked, Mr Cartwright? I tried to get it as straight as possible, really, Mr Cartwright.”

“Is it set in the wrong order, Mr Cartwright?”

“Is it very bad, Mr Cartwright?”

“How can we fix it, Mr Cartwright?”

Adam sighed again, this time smiling at the youngsters’ anxiety to do everything right. It was very important to them to be trusted with a responsible job and do it accordingly. He put a reassuring arm around young Trent, who happened to be closest, and shook his head. “Everything is fine. You did a splendid job on that. I was just thinking about how much is left to do. Would you like to help some more?”

“Sure, Mr Cartwright!” they chorused in happy unison. Adam smiled at the title again, silently glad that he had acquired some respect amongst the youngsters after all.

“What would I do without you?”

With those words, he clearly bought them for good. Now, they shone with their own light.

“It seems that Jimmy Thompson has just been deserted by his helpers – I’m sure he’d be extremely grateful if you went over and helped in your usual reliable way.” He smiled warmly. Then his smile, though his lips hadn’t moved, grew increasingly colder. “I’ll be off to get the deserters this time. Excuse me, guys.”

The boys didn’t miss the fact that he hadn’t called them ‘boys’ but ‘guys’, raising them to a standing equal to his own, nor the word ‘reliable’, and they seemed very adult to themselves all of a sudden. They sniggered boyishly, though, at the thought of what Mr Cartwright may do with those two ‘deserters’ named Joe and Hoss, and they hastened to help James. Apart from Mrs Thompson, only Mr Cartwright called him Jimmy; to the youngsters, it only proved Mr Cartwright was a very important person, whatever they may say about him. AND it was them who he chose to help – they thrust their chests forward with pride at the thought. “We can help you, Mr Thompson,” they circled James with eager anticipation. “What is there to be done?”

***

Ben breathed in the breath-taking landscape as though he were seeing it for the first time. Maybe it was because Emily was, and he felt young, and everything felt new and undiscovered.

“Here would be a nice place for a little house where some couple could spend a lovely honeymoon,” he whispered seductively into Emily’s little ear, making her blush – not so much at the words as at the way he said them.

“Love makes every place good for that,” she retorted slyly, making his deeply dark eyes gleam in a way that fascinated her.

“Ben,” she called him in a cosily hushed voice.

“Yes?” he growled in a low voice in that special way that made her heart skip a beat.

“We have a basket of food to finish,” she said in the same husky voice, waiting for his reaction.

When the words sunk in, he looked surprised for a moment – or rather like one suddenly awakened – and then he started laughing. “Yes, my dear, a true feast it is.”

They ate in silence for a while; at some point, however, Ben turned his eyes back to behold the sight, and sighed with contentment.

“Isn’t the Ponderosa all the paradise one needs?”

Emily sighed as well; she was overcome by the beauty of the landscape, but she was also thinking of the letter she had received the previous day. She was very glad that she could come today to the Ponderosa, see its beauty and talk to Ben. Not about the letter, of course, but so as to reassure herself of her true feelings towards the offer of her aunt. She needed to make a decision soon.

***

James Thompson sighed contentedly, lying on the couch. He had long lost the desire to roam about all alone who knows where. He actually began feeling good at home. He could see that he had taken his mother for granted once and only now did he come to appreciate her qualities. His father hadn’t, and that might have been the reason for James’ blindness to the fact that his mother was the best ever. It was clearly to be seen in the way she interacted with the Cartwright brothers. Pity they didn’t have a mother. Pity he didn’t have a brother. Heck, even a sister would do.

“Mom?” he inquired from his comfortable position. “Why didn’t I have any brother or sister?”

“You did,” came the answer from the kitchen, and seconds later his mother’s figure emerged from there. “Why are you asking?”

“I did?” marveled James, sitting up to look at his mother.

“Charlie was still-born,” she explained softly, sitting down at his side. “And Roseanne wasn’t even two when she fell ill.”

James blinked in surprise. “I’m sorry, mom,” he said with sincerity.

“I know such things happen,” said Mrs Thompson with a bittersweet smile. “At least I have you.”

“I want to stay home, mom,” he said on impulse. “I... kinda... I... love you, mom.”

Caroline Thompson held her breath for a second, then gently, slowly pulled James’ head to her chest.

“You are the best mom ever, you know, and I wish dad hadn’t left,” he added from somewhere between the folds of her blouse. “I’m... I’m glad I’m back.”

“So am I, sweetheart,” she stroked his head. He chuckled.

“What is it?” she enquired with a surprised smile. He raised his head to look at her.

“I wanted you to do that ever since I saw you do that with Adam,” he confessed. ”Gosh, now I think I’ve been jealous,” he chuckled. “Jealous of a friend. Silly, isn’t it?”

“Of course it’s silly,” she shook her head in wonder. “Where do those men get their ideas from, I ask?”

“From the head?” suggested James innocently. She feigned impatience and gave him a mock thwack on the head.

“You better be respectful towards your mother, young man.”

After a long period of companionable silence James asked, “Mom, do you think Adam, Hoss or Joe will mind if I ask to be their brother?”

In the far corner of the saloon, Adam was sprawled across the table in laughter, and Joe was on the floor; James was trying to catch some air, while Hoss chuckled with tears in his eyes. It wasn’t that the comment was that funny; although Adam had a point when he said Pa should at least know they were adopting themselves a new brother. They were just in such a good mood, and not at all thanks to the bottle on the table, which was more of a requisite in their little party on the occasion of the family having ‘grown’.

Adam caught his breath with a moan, trying to wipe the still flowing tears from his eyes. “Am I drunk already?” he asked with a confused expression. “I... didn’t think I’d had anything to drink today... maybe I just don’t remember... even worse...” He took a deep breath, trying to regain control of himself. “Someone tell Joe to stop that,” he demanded with disgust, in a tone typical for drunks. “He knows his giggling is infectious.”

The three of them who were still sitting looked at Joe howling in laughter on the floor, exchanged glances and burst into laughter again.

“No... please... not again... someone stop it...” moaned Adam painfully in-between fits of laughter. “My stomach hurts already...”

“Lack of practice, Adam,” giggled Joe, clutching his stomach in exactly the same way as Adam was. James took a desperately deep breath and helplessly burst into another fit of laughter.

Adam was the first one to more or less recover, and he reached for the bottle. “You know, we haven’t drank the brotherhood thing yet – I think they call it Bruderschaft somewhere in Europe ...” He drew a long steadying breath. “Someone gag Joe and come here, you all. Gimme your glasses. And no one dare laugh.” He swallowed with effort as his muscles were still constricting and he controlled them with greatest difficulty.

Chests heaving hard, they drained their glasses. They looked at each other and quickly looked away so as not to burst into laughter again.

“I think we’d better go home,” offered Adam in audibly hardly controlled voice. “Just look at us, we are behaving like old drunkards.”

They all nodded and rose carefully, so as not to lose control over themselves, leaving the bottle behind. Sam, the bartender, noticed that and hurried to remind his customers and friends of taking what they have purchased, but Hoss shook his head and added a gesture of refusal. “I... don’t think we’ll be needing it,” he managed and quickly left with the others. Giggling helplessly and thus uncomfortably doubled over, the Cartwright brothers left town to begin the ride home that was to be the longest ever.

Sam took the bottle in his hand, tested the weight, slashed the contents around in it and looked after the men in stunned surprise. Surely they didn’t get drunk with one glass? They seemed sober when they came in... Strange. He scratched his head, shrugged his shoulders and took the bottle to the bar. It was good whisky and it couldn’t get wasted. No one ever enquired, anyway, whether he opened a new bottle for each customer or not.

Tonight, James came home to infect his mother with the laughter bacillus, and Ben Cartwright was very surprised to find all his sons in bed, deeply asleep, slightly red-eyed and clearly completely spent, after he got home from the Barclays in the evening.

***

The moon was shining its round face down on the pair on the porch. They barely noticed.

“It is a beautiful evening,” spoke the man in a deep, mellow voice, gazing long at the woman by his side.

“Yes, it is,” she agreed. They were silent for a while.

“Emily?” “Ben?” They spoke up simultaneously. She sank her eyes, waiting for him to speak first.

“Ladies first,” he smiled at her.

“Ben… I’ve been thinking,” she answered without a corresponding smile. “We feel good with each other, don’t we?”

“Yes, we do,” his voice crept on a yet lower tone, and his eyes swept over her face. He seemed to have expected the subject.

“You have wonderful sons. Those things people say...” she looked at him and shrugged her shoulders in a gentle motion, “that Hoss isn’t clever, that Joe is careless, that Adam is aloof… this is all wrong. They are all intelligent and deeply caring young men.”

“I know.” He liked her flowing, calm, cosily muted voice. He wanted her to talk on.

“You have such a wonderful friend in Hop Sing,” she went on, as though never interrupted. She seemed to talk to herself, or to the night.

“There is so much you have, Ben, and so much you can give. A woman that marries you will be the richest one in the whole world.”

His eyes flashed strangely in the shadows and he leaned towards her. Her hand suddenly halted him, resting firmly on his chest.

“Don’t ask me, Ben.” Her eyes were serious. “Don’t ask me until I have finished telling you… please.”

She looked at the yard again.

“Ben… there is so much… like I said… so much you can give. I don’t want it to go to waste…” She stopped his words , putting her fingers on his lips. “Ben, we still have a long future ahead. I’m not… as sure as I’d like to be… whether we should spend all of this future together. I’m not sure… I’d like to be certain, Ben.”

She looked square in his eyes.

“I am going to visit some family. It may take time – they live in England . We’ll see what the time and the distance say about us. So please, don’t ask me, Ben. Not tonight. Not now. Not yet.”

He looked stricken, and didn’t speak for a longer moment. He had already built a future for them in his mind; her words hurt him.

“I like you, Ben. I like you sincerely. But I don’t know if I love you.”

He still didn’t speak up. She waited for some minutes, then went on quietly. “If they ask me to stay in England – I don’t know what I might say. And I should be certain that I can’t, because of you all, and the Ponderosa. If I stay there – it would mean any place or person could possibly drive me away from you. This wouldn’t be fair towards you.”

He gazed now at the yard, as she had before. Silence lengthened.

“If I asked you to leave the Ponderosa and come to England with me to live there – would you?” She took his hand gently and held it. “Think of it, Ben. Would you unconditionally agree?”

Now, he looked at her. She smiled at him sadly.

“I thought if I told you all this, it would be better than if you made me answer any serious questions… It would hurt even more then. Think of the question I asked and answer it honestly to yourself.”

He slowly opened his mouth to say something, closed it, and thoughtfully nodded.

“I will,” he said quietly. Without another word, they rose from their seats and went into the house.

***

“Pa,” Adam sat down quietly on the porch beside his father. Ben acknowledged him with a nod.

“Pa, I have invited Mrs Thompson and James for supper tonight,” said Adam gently. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“Nice of you to at least inform me,” answered Ben tersely. He didn’t really mean to sound off like that, he was just in a foul mood. Emily was already on her way to England . He hoped she was having a good journey.

“I thought it would be kind of me to tell you,” agreed Adam evenly. Ben looked up at such insolence; it was the first time he actually looked at Adam. He was taken aback by the sudden change – Adam’s hair was cut short. His eldest son smirked and waited.

“I would think so,” agreed Ben eventually, deciding to turn it into a harmless joke. “Am I to take it that I’m invited as well?”

Adam tapped at his chin with his finger, then replied with reluctance, “In a way, yes…” He raised his eyes to his father. “We were planning you for the main course…”

Ben gaped at him for a few seconds, then boomed out with laughter.

“Oh, goodness, Adam, you’re awesome,” he managed eventually, wiping the tears of laughter.

“So they say,” agreed Adam modestly. This sent Ben off into gales of laughter again. Hoss and Joe, drawn to the porch by the commotion, exchanged looks with Adam and waited.

Ben seemed to be winning over his self-control, eventually, and looked up to see three patient, almost indulgent faces. Adam was clearly thinking over some new comment, deciding: to say, or not to say. Ben almost convulsively tensed the laughter muscles. At last, Adam spoke.

“So nice to hear you laugh again, Pa,” he said warmly. The muscles relaxed and Ben spontaneously reached out to his son; yet Adam was already pulling away, reminding them all of the soon-to-be-served dinner. Some things never changed, thought Ben.

***

“It’s wonderful to hear that,” Ben answered Mrs Thompson. “I believe that the schoolhouse will serve the children well, with all the improvements…”

“With all due respect, Mr Cartwright,” Mrs Thompson gazed at him levelly, “would you shut up.”

Adam suddenly gagged on something he was swallowing, James started coughing, and Hoss and Joe seemed to have something stuck in their throats as well. Ben’s jaw simply dropped.

“You talk like a politician,” shecontinued with dismay. “I haven’t seen you once on the building site, what do you really know about the schoolhouse?”

Ben recovered just enough to deliver a feeble retort, “I do know my son’s talent, Ma’am…”

“Nonsense,” she dismissed him calmly. Ben, almost seething, quickly cast a glance at the other dinner participants. Only James seemed properly ashamed; hard as they tried to hide it, his three sons literally grinned into their plates.

“I’m sorry, Mr Cartwright,” Mrs Thompson cleared her throat and blushed apologetically. “I just got so used to your sons that I felt as though I had known you for ages. I shouldn’t have been so bold… I’m sorry.”

Ben sized Adam up warily, then asked her, “Do you really treat them in such a familiar way, Ma’am?”

“I do,” she confessed. She was clearly apologetic now. “I’m really sorry, Mr Cartwright.”

Ben pursed his lips, then took her hand and said with perversity, “Ben. It’s ‘Ben’ for you. I’m not about to be bested by my sons.”

She looked surprised, then a charming little smile appeared. “Only if you call me Carol.”

“Most certainly, Carol.” He kissed her hand courteously. “I promise to go to Virginia City and take a good look at the new schoolhouse at the earliest opportunity.”

“That would be called for, Ben.” She gazed at the quietly snickering quartet down the table. “Would you behave, young men. This is the least bit of appropriateness you can afford.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” they chorused. However, Joe dove in his plate just a wee bit too quickly for her eye, Hoss somehow shifted to be able to turn his head away while eating, James covered his lips with his hand in a pensive pose, and Adam hid his mouth behind a glass of wine.

“I can see your dimples, Adam Cartwright,” she dismissed his efforts ruthlessly. “And don’t you go snickering into your food, Joseph. You don’t sit with your back to a lady, Hoss. And you, James, don’t make a thinker out of yourself when you aren’t one.”

She cast a suspicious glance at Ben. “And what are you laughing at? It’s not funny to have to teach the basic manners to mature men.”

“Mrs Thompson wanted to visit the spot with the view to the lake,” inserted Adam smoothly, keeping a straight face with a heroic effort. “I thought we could make a picnic some weekend. What do you think, Pa?”

“A wonderful idea.” Ben managed not to let his great relief show. His laughter muscles would have gone into a spasm shortly. “Have you ever been there, Ma’am? I mean… Carol,” he corrected himself quickly.

“No, not yet,” she smiled. “But Hoss described it so beautifully that I thought I had to see it. I might have mentioned something to the boys… I hope it’s not too much trouble, Ben.”

“It’s definitely not, Carol,” Ben assured her. “We’ll be glad to share the beauty of the Ponderosa with you.”

“Since Hoss claims it to be the most beautiful place on Earth, I can’t say ‘no’ to such an offer.” She had a warm, understanding smile. Not as beautiful as Emily, he thought, but she was pleasant company.

“Well, then,” he took on his usual fatherly tone. “Since tomorrow is Sunday, I suggest a picnic after church, and then we shall… or shall we make it at the lake?” he looked inquiringly at his sons and his guests.

“I think it’s a splendid idea,” Adam smiled at him with appreciation.

“Sure,” agreed Hoss.

“Yeah, that’s splendid!” Joe chimed in.

James grinned at them. “Can’t say ‘no’ to that.”

“Carol?” Ben leaned towards his guest. She smiled again with a slight blush.

“I would very much like that,” she admitted softly, raising her eyes to his face. “If it’s not too much trouble, that is.”

“A visit from a friend is never ‘trouble’,” Ben tried to appear offended. “It’s settled, then.”

His sons seemed pleased with that; they chatted with James familiarly and laughed together at some good-natured teasing. They had clearly befriended one another quickly; also, every time they came from the building site, there was the continual “James this, James that.” Only Adam called him Jimmy; James didn’t seem to mind. Carol was a naturally family-oriented woman, a kind of godmother for his boys. Maybe they needed that. He hadn’t been able to give them a real mother for a long time; it was good for them to have a good auntie like Mrs… like Carol. The lack of a womanly hand was sometimes felt. That’s why both man and woman had been created; Ben realised the hardships and lacks of lonesome parentship. Even one and a half fathers didn’t make up for having no mother, he thought. Adam couldn’t ever be a substitute. Yes, a good womanly heart was very much needed.

Wonder where Emily is now.

***

Ben went through the shop’s door again, checking the list of supplies.

“That would be it, Sam. Count it up.”

The bell at the door rang again and there was a shuffle of a skirt.

“Ben, there was a letter for you,” Carol smiled at him casually, handing him the envelope. “Adam is by the wagon, helping Hoss,” she added. Adam was supposed to collect the mail.

“Sam, I have a list here,” she turned to the shop-keeper. “James will collect the things.”

“Surely, Ma’am.”

Ben turned the letter in his hands, From Emily. England . He was almost afraid to open it. When he eventually did, he was seated in his favourite armchair by the fire.

“Dear Ben,

I have arrived here a little more than a week ago. I knew you would impatiently wait for any news, so I hasten to inform you of the most important things. Other issues can wait for a longer letter, written in a calm manner rather than in haste. In this way, your patience will not be tried as much.

I have arrived safely; I have had a good journey. My family welcomed me very warmly and took great care that I rest properly and have a pleasant time. On one of the social meetings – similar to our parties, yet different – I have met a far cousin of mine who is showing me around the country. The lands here are beautiful, the people genial, the customs genteel. I have been honest towards you when leaving, and I will be honest now, Ben – we have made the right decision.

“Dinner!” announced Hop Sing, glancing worriedly at Ben, who hadn’t moved from his armchair. Adam shook his head at Hop Sing, stopping any comments, and they quietly sat down to the table. “He’ll be late, Hop Sing.”

“I know that my words hurt you then and that they hurt you now, but I would never love the Ponderosa as you do. I am already thinking of staying in England or travelling across the Continent – to Paris or Rome . Think of how grave our pain could have been if we had married and I would then want to go. You are and will always be my dear, dear friend, and I will always have a place for you in my heart, although it might not be the place. I hope you can forgive me for raising your hopes for a closer relationship, as I had thought along the same lines as you. It just happened that I discovered a seed of doubt about my feelings and myself. Although painful for both of us, believe me that it was good to do so.

The less important issues can wait for the next letter. I hope you will read it as one written by a good friend, however little it may mean to you at the very moment. I’m sorry to write so briefly now, but I cannot make you wait any longer; it would take time to write down everything that has been happening, and the postman is waiting already.

Give my love to the boys. Has Adam cut his hair short yet?

I love you, my friend.

Yours,

Emily”

Adam started a bit when he felt a hand on his shoulder, then looked up and relaxed.

“The dinner is getting cold, sir... uhm, Pa,” he said softly.

Ben smiled briefly at him and touched the back of Adam’s neck. “Emily asks whether you have cut your hair yet.” He eyed his son absently. “Did you say anything to her?”

“Er… I probably said I might,” recalled Adam. “Is there something wrong with that?”

“No, son, certainly not,” Ben moved to his seat. “I just thought you’d decided later, as you hadn’t mentioned anything to me. By the way, what happened to the hair?”

“I didn’t bring it home,” answered Adam laconically, not voicing his thoughts of where had Ben had his ears when the subject was mentioned. “Potatoes?”

“No, thank you.”

Ben had, however, noticed a quick exchange of looks between Adam and Carol, then Carol blushed slightly, and Adam became very interested in his food.

“How long have you had long hair, Adam?” inquired James.

“Long enough, I decided,” explained the questioned one. “What do you say we make a picnic on Sunday?”

“I say, strange it took you so long to mention it,” answered James. It had become a habit to have a picnic together every Sunday, just like having every other dinner at the Cartwright’s house.

Emily wouldn’t come back. They wouldn’t ever come together. There would be no together.

“James, you promised to go fishing with me and Hoss!” protested Joe. “You can’t go back on it now!”

“Sorry, Jimmy,” Adam held up the palms of his hands in surrender, when James looked at him. “A promise is a promise. You have to go fishing.”

“You know, you could support me a bit,” complained James, though with little energy. “What kind of brother are you?”

“A reasonable one,” Adam nodded towards Hoss. “I can take Joe on, and you cope with the rest, how’s that?”

THE END (for now)

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