ONE MORE CHANCE
By: Deborah S.
 
 
Adam Cartwright sat under The Ponderosa Pine near the lake. He picked up 
some pine needles and threw them aside. He felt he could think here. Make 
things clearer. He didn’t know how to deal with his feelings for Rebecca. 
He didn’t know why he couldn’t get her off his mind. Maybe because of his 
son. Maybe finding out they had had a son together made all the feelings he 
had for her come back to the surface.
 
Adam turned his head when he heard a horse ride up. He knew who it was 
before he even looked. His brother Hoss. He didn’t know how Hoss always 
knew when he was troubled but he did.
 
Hoss tied Chubb to a branch and walked over to where Adam was sitting. Adam 
looked ahead. Hoss sat down next to him. “Older brother I have the feeling 
you need to talk,” he said.
 
“About what?” Adam asked.
 
“About what’s eating you lately. Adam you ain’t been yourself since Barbara 
left. That’s been awhile now. What’s eating at you older brother? You 
miss her?” Hoss asked.
 
“No. I don’t know,” Adam replied.
 
“Adam what happened between you and Barbara? I mean I thought maybe there 
was a chance for the two of you,” he asked.
 
“It wasn’t meant to be Hoss,” Adam replied.
 
“Wasn’t meant to be Hoss. In other words Hoss mind your own business 
right?” he asked.
 
“You know me too well don’t you big brother?” Adam asked looking at his 
brother then quickly turning his head straight ahead again.
 
“Adam I’m going to guess and say you and Barbara were very close,” Hoss 
stated.
 
“Yes,” Adam replied.
 
“I take it you two took the necessary precautions otherwise I’d be getting 
another nephew or a niece soon,” Hoss said.
 
“Yes,” Adam replied. Hoss nodded his head. “Adam what happened? Why did 
Barbara leave town so soon?” Hoss asked.
 
“Oh Hoss,” Adam said putting his head back. “We were making love and I 
called her Rebecca,” he said.
 
Hoss whistled. “Not a good thing Adam,” he replied.
 
“No it wasn’t. It just came out. I felt terrible about it. Once I said it 
though I couldn’t take it back. I just can’t get Rebecca off my mind,” 
Adam said.
 
“Well looking at your son each day doesn’t help I’m sure. When you look at 
him I’m sure you see Rebecca and the life you could have had together,” Hoss 
stated.
 
“If only I had known she was expecting,” Adam said.
 
“From what I understand of her father you’d be six feet under right now if 
you had stayed,” Hoss said.
 
“I guess you’re right,” Adam replied. He heard another horse ride up. It 
was his father. “Oh I’m going to have to get a new secret place. This 
one’s too well known,” Adam said running his hands through his hair. Hoss 
smiled. Ben walked up to his two sons. “Hoss would you mind if I spoke to 
Adam alone?” Ben asked.
 
Hoss stood. “Sure Pa I have some things I need to do anyway,” he replied 
before leaving.
 
Ben sat down next to Adam. “Adam I want you to go to San Francisco for me,” 
he said.
 
“San Francisco?” Adam asked.
 
“I just came from town. I had a wire asking me or one of my sons to go 
there to talk to a Mr. Chastings about a timber contract,” he said.
 
“Mr. Chastings? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of him before,” Adam replied.
 
“No neither have I but from what he says he wants our timber to ship 
overseas. Says he has a market for our lumber there. This would be an 
opportunity to expand,” Ben said.
 
“I don’t know Pa. I have Adam to think about. I need to be here for him,” 
Adam replied. Ben put his hand on Adam’s shoulder. “Son you don’t realize 
it but you haven’t really been here for him lately. He notices something’s 
wrong. I think he thinks it has to do with Barbara’s leaving. I don’t 
think that’s it. I think it’s more your having to deal with you son’s 
mother. Am I right?” Ben asked. Adam closed his eyes and smiled a closed 
smile. “Yes you’re right. What’s wrong with me Pa? I can’t get Rebecca 
off my mind. She’s dead and it’s like my heart and my mind just won’t 
accept it,” Adam replied.
 
“Son maybe it’s because of the circumstances behind all this. The 
injustice,” Ben answered.
 
“I don’t know. I really don’t know,” Adam replied.
 
“Adam go to San Francisco. Take some extra time there and just clear your 
mind. Your son will be just fine. We’ll watch him closely and I promise not 
to spoil him too much,” Ben said smiling.
 
“Oh yeah. I have the feeling when I get back my son is going to be the 
biggest spoiled brat ever,” Adam replied laughing.
 
“It’s good to hear you laugh again son. It’s been awhile,” Ben said.
 
“When do I leave?” Adam asked.
 
“I’d like you to leave on the 3:00 stage. I have your passage all booked. 
I knew either you or I would be making the trip. I was hoping it would be 
you,” Ben said.
 
A few hours later Adam was ready to leave. He walked over to his son who 
was standing by the fireplace. “Well young man I will miss you. You be 
good and mind your grandfather and uncles and Hop Sing,” Adam said before 
giving his son a hug good-bye.
 
 
When Adam arrived in San Francisco he got his hotel room. He was tired from 
his long journey and laid down on the bed. He couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t 
remember the last time he’d slept well. After an hour of trying he got up 
and decided to look Mr. Chastings up at his hotel room.
 
When Adam arrived at Mr. Chastings suite he knocked. A man at least ten 
years older then his father answered the door. He had grey hair and green 
eyes. He was extremely overweight. Around five foot ten Adam figured. The 
man looked at Adam at first in a way that sent shivers down Adam’s spine. 
“Mr. Chastings?” Adam asked.
 
“Yes I’m Mr. Chastings. You must be Adam Cartwright. Your father wired me 
you were coming,” he said shaking Adam’s hand. Adam walked into the suite 
and took it in. The suite was very expensively decorated and very expensive 
price wise. Mr. Chastings must have a great deal of money. “Sit down Adam 
over here,” Mr. Chastings motioned Adam to one of the dark green velvet 
chairs. Adam sat.  Mr. Chastings sat down on the burgundy velvet sofa in 
front of him.
 
The two men talked about timber for awhile. “I didn’t catch your first name 
Mr. Chastings?” Adam asked after not being offered it. “Let’s just say 
Adam that I prefer to conduct business as Mr. Chastings. What my first name 
is, is my business and not yours,” he replied.
 
“That’s a very unusual way of thinking sir,” Adam replied.
 
“It’s how I do business young man. You aren’t here to become my friend. 
You are here strictly to conduct business with me. Is that clear?” 
Chastings asked. From that moment on Adam didn’t like this man. Something 
about him bothered him. “It’s clear,” Adam replied hesitantly.
 
After much talk Chastings ordered dinner for the two of them to be sent up. 
When Chastings left the room Adam walked over to look out the window. 
Something was bothering Adam. Something he couldn’t put his finger on and 
that bothered him more. Chastings face reminded him of someone. Not 
completely but some. The expressions and the eyes.
 
Mr. Chastings ordered dinner for them to be served in his suite. Adam ate 
but felt uncomfortable. He wished now his father had come instead of him. 
“You don’t like me do you Adam?” Chastings asked as he ate his pheasant. 
“Why do you ask that?” Adam asked.
 
“Just something I’m picking up. No matter if you like me or not because you 
see Adam I positively hate you,” Chastings said. Adam’s expression changed. 
 “You hate me?” he asked.
 
“I have for seventeen years now,” Chastings replied. Adam pushed his chair 
back. His instincts told him to get out. He hadn’t brought his gun with 
him and now wished he had. “Don’t move young man. You see I have a gun 
pointed at you under this table aimed right where no man wants to get shot,” 
Chastings said coldly.
 
“Who are you?” Adam asked breathing hard. Chastings laughed a short laugh. 
 “I am John Richards,” he replied. Adam’s face showed shock. “Yes my boy 
I’m Rebecca’s father. Thought I was dead didn’t you? Well as you can see 
I’m very much alive,” he said coldly.
 
“You killed Rebecca you bastard,” Adam said trying to stand. “No no, no, 
no, no Mr. Cartwright. You see you stand and I shoot. Sit back down,” John 
ordered. Adam did as he was told. He sat there breathing hard. “You hate 
me don’t you Adam? If you could you’d kill me right now wouldn’t you. I’m 
guessing you would with your bare hands if I gave you the chance,” John 
said. Adam didn’t reply. He was so full of anger he couldn’t speak. “Oh 
by the way Adam I didn’t kill my daughter. No you see I was going to kill 
you and your family. See I finally got the code in my grandson’s name. My 
daughter thought she was so smart but she forgot I was smarter. It took me 
awhile but I got it. She pleaded with me that she’d do anything to spare 
your families life as well as yours. She agreed to stay with me and never 
mention your name again. She pleaded with me to allow you to have your son. 
 I agreed. You see Adam I think all men who are about to die should at 
least know they have a son. He looks just like you doesn’t he?” John 
asked.
 
“You already know the answer to that,” Adam replied.
 
“You know Adam my daughter was blinded by love. She should have known me 
better then that. Should have known I would never give up my grandson. 
Most of Rebecca’s letter to you was true. The only thing made up was her 
being injured and her killing me and then her dying. Pretty climatic 
wouldn’t you say? I thought that up myself. Rebecca would do anything to 
keep you alive. I hoped in time her love for you would cease but it didn’t. 
 I even had a secondary plan. You see you never were divorced from my 
daughter,” John said enjoying the expression that came to Adam’s face.
 
“Oh no my boy. I saw to it that that was my way of getting you. I waited 
for you to remarry and then I’d have you imprisoned on bigamy charges. Once 
inside the prison an unfortunate accident would have occurred. A fatal one 
or did I need to mention that?” he asked. Adam clenched his jaw. “I 
thought I had you with that Laura Dayton woman. Yes I knew about her. I 
had my specialists watching your every move. The little witch up and 
married your cousin instead. I was so mad at her I almost killed both she 
and your cousin. I didn’t only because of the little girl. I believe her 
name was Peggy. See I’m not as bad a person as you thought. I couldn’t 
take a mother from a little girl,” John said.
 
“But you took me away from my son?” Adam replied. John laughed. “No he’s 
not your son. He’s my son. You see I feel my daughter and you gave him to 
me to be my son,” John said. Before these words Adam had wondered if this 
man were insane or just cruel. Now he knew for sure this man was insane. 
Neither Adam or Rebecca would have ever given their son to him.
 
“I have promised my daughter no more specialists. Because of that I have to 
kill you myself. One job I will enjoy immensely. Walk over to that wall 
over there,” John instructed Adam holding the gun on him. Adam walked over 
to the wall. The man was smart having him stand against this wall. There 
was nothing Adam could toss at him from here. Nothing Adam could do at all. 
 He knew right then he was going to die and there would be nothing he could 
do about it.
 
“Where’s Rebecca?” Adam asked.
 
“Oh she’s at the theatre. She’s attending an opera. Should go on for a 
couple more hours. I didn’t know when you’d show up so I planned for her to 
attend a different opera or play each night with friends,” John replied 
standing far enough away from Adam that he could get a shot out before Adam 
could reach him. “How are you going to explain your killing me?” Adam 
asked.
 
“Oh that’s quite simple. You see Adam you saw me earlier. Put two and two 
together. Came into my suite and threatened me. Being you are much younger 
and a big man, I had no alternative but to shoot and kill you. In 
self-defense of course,” John said.
 
“Of course,” Adam replied. Adam thought of his son. Of his father and 
brothers and Rebecca. Of never seeing any of them again.
 
“Oh it will be a sad day indeed in Virginia City when they bring back the 
body of Adam Cartwright for burial. Tell me Adam will you be buried in town 
or will your father have you buried on The Ponderosa? I’d assume he’d bury 
you on The Ponderosa. Maybe under that favorite tree of yours by the lake,” 
John said. Adam looked at him. “I told you before Adam I knew your every 
move. I don’t take chances,” John said.
 
Adam looked down. “Oh I’ve waited for this moment for so long I am enjoying 
savoring it. Like eating one’s favorite meal wouldn‘t you say?. Enjoying 
every single bite. You know you are going to die and there’s nothing you 
can do about it. You won’t ever see your father or your brothers again. 
Never see Rebecca or your son again. Don’t worry Adam I’ll make sure my son 
turns out just like me,” John said laughing an insane man’s laugh. He then 
took aim. The only thing that brought Adam comfort at that moment was the 
fact he would finally see his mother. John pulled the hammer back on the 
pistol. Adam looked down waiting. He braced his body waiting for the 
impact of the bullet. He heard a noise and looked up. John Richards made 
some noises and went down to the floor.  Adam rushed over and took the gun 
from his hand. Adam listened at to his chest. He was dead.
 
Hours later Adam’s looked out the window. “Adam?” Rebecca said tears 
falling down her face. Adam turned and smiled. “Rebecca?” They ran into 
each others arms and kissed. “Oh my Adam. My Adam. Oh my dear, dear Adam,” 
she said.
 
“My Rebecca,” Adam replied. After kissing for awhile Adam took a good look 
at Rebecca. “You’re just as beautiful as ever,” he replied.
 
“And you’re as handsome as ever. You’ve filled out. I like it,” Rebecca 
replied. She looked at the top of Adam’s chest. He had undone his tie and 
two top buttons. “You have hair on your chest. You didn’t have any the last 
time I saw you,” she stated.
 
“Got that when I was twenty,” he replied.
 
“I like that too,” she said.
 
“Rebecca about your father,” Adam said.
 
“I know Adam. He died of a heart attack. I don’t understand why you are 
here though,” she said.
 
“Your father lured me her saying he was a Mr. Chastings and wanted to talk 
about a timber contract. About sending out lumber overseas. I had never 
seen your father before but something about his eyes were familiar. Now I 
know. You have his eyes. Anyway he concocted this whole scenario to kill 
me once and for all. He aimed the pistol at me and I knew I was going to 
die. Before he could pull the trigger he dropped to the floor from a heart 
attack. I ran over to him but he died almost instantly,” Adam replied.
 
Rebecca turned. “Oh Adam I’m so sorry,” she said. Adam turned her around 
to look at him. “Rebecca you have nothing to be sorry for. He was a very 
sick man,” he replied.
 
“Our son Adam. How is he? I’ve missed him so much. I had to send him to 
you. I couldn’t let my father have him,” Rebecca stated.
 
“Adam?” a man’s voice asked. Adam turned around from the window. Their 
San Francisco attorney, Robert Stiles was standing there. He could tell 
Adam was close to tears. “The doctor has declared Mr. Richard’s died from a 
heart attack. As for his daughter Rebecca I should have word on her 
tomorrow afternoon whether she is actually dead or not. Why don’t you come 
to my office around three,” Robert said.
 
“Fine. He said she was alive. That she was here in San Francisco with 
him,” Adam stated.
 
“Adam according to the hotel staff there has been nobody with him.” Robert 
said.
 
“I know they told me that as well,” Adam replied.
 
“As you yourself said he was probably insane,” Robert stated. Adam turned 
to look out the window again. The tears came. Mr. Stiles walked up to him. 
 “Son why don’t you come to my house and stay with my wife and myself. I 
don’t think you should be alone,” he said.
 
“No I need to be alone right now. Thank you anyway,” Adam replied.
 
Adam didn’t sleep that night and the next day went by extremely slow. Each 
minute felt like an hour to him. It was three after two. Only fifty-seven 
more minutes until he would hopefully know the truth. Could Rebecca still 
be alive? At three he was seated before Mr. Stiles. He didn’t have to say 
the words because Adam knew what they were by his face. “I’m sorry Adam. I 
got word back from a good friend of mine who is an attorney in New York 
City. He did some checking and Rebecca Richards Cartwright is indeed dead. 
I’m so sorry,” he said.
 
Adam hung his head low. His body felt cold. “Adam if I may offer you some 
advice. You have a son that Rebecca gave to you. You have to think of that 
young man now Adam. He needs you as much as you need him. It’s up to you 
if you want to mention any of this to him or not,” Stiles said.
 
“I can’t let him think that his mother killed her father. I always thought 
that was so unlike Rebecca. She was afraid of guns and she couldn‘t kill 
anybody,” Adam said.
 
“Adam please come and stay at my house for a few days. You’re too fragile 
right now to travel,” he pleaded.
 
“Thank you. I think I will take you up on that,” he replied.
 
Adam stayed at The Stile’s house for over a week. He rarely left his room. 
One day there was a knock on his door. “Come in” he said. In walked his 
father. Adam got up from the bed. “Oh Pa,” he said and then sobbed. Ben 
held his son. “Adam I’m so sorry son. I’m so sorry,” Ben said.
 
“I’m so glad you’re here Pa,” Adam said after he‘d stopped crying.
 
“Well I didn’t come alone you know,” Ben said opening the door. In walked 
Hoss, Joe and Little Adam. Adam smiled. He walked over to his son and held 
him. Both of them cried. Ben placed his hand on Adam’s shoulder. “Robert 
informed us about what had happened and thought I should come for you. Your 
brothers and your son insisted on coming with me,” Ben said.
 
“I’m glad,” Adam replied looking at his brothers. “Thanks,” he said.
 
“Hey you know me older brother. I’ll do anything for a trip to San 
Francisco. They have some beautiful women here,” Joe replied.
 
“Yeah and you know me older brother. I came just for the great food they 
serve in this town,” Hoss replied. Adam smiled.
 
The next week they went to Carmel and Monterey. Adam and his son took long 
walks on the beaches. “Father there’s something I don’t understand. If we 
got all this money from grandfather then what was he living on?” Little 
Adam asked.
 
“My guess is he had this all planned so carefully that he had money stashed 
away somewhere,” Adam replied.
 
“Father if he wanted to kill you why didn’t he do it in New York when you 
were there?” Little Adam asked.
 
“I think because he couldn’t let there be any suspicions that he could be 
alive. Who knows. The man had problems son,” Adam replied.
 
“Father I feel sorry for him,” Little Adam said.
 
“How so?” Adam asked looking at his son. The sun going down in the 
background.
 
“If he had let you and mother stayed married I think he would have been 
happier. He could have come over for Sunday dinners and spent the holidays 
with us. We could have all been a family. Maybe his needing to control so 
much caused his insanity,” Little Adam said.
 
“We have to put the past behind us now Adam. We can’t go on thinking of the 
what could have beens forever or we won’t live. We have to go on and live. 
Your mother would have wanted that for us,” Adam said.
 
“I agree she would have. She was a special woman wasn’t she father?” he 
asked.
 
“Yes she was. She was a very special woman,” Adam replied.
 
Once home life went back to normal. Little Adam ran out of the house into 
the front yard. Hoss and Joe were going to round up some cows. He wanted 
to go as well. He ran into the barn to saddle up Sugar. “Oh oh,” he said 
as his father walked in the barn. “You done your school work yet young 
man?” Adam asked. All Little Adam’s enthusiasm left him. “No sir,” he 
said walking back towards the barn door. “Where you going? Aren’t you going 
to saddle up Sugar so you can go help round up those cows?” Adam asked.
 
“Really father I can go?” Little Adam asked excitedly.
 
“As long as you promise to finish up your school work after dinner. I 
understand you can’t round up cows too well at night,” Adam replied.
 
“Thanks pa,” Little Adam said rushing to get Sugar ready to ride. Adam 
smiled then walked out front with his brothers.
 
“Hey Adam that was nice of you. In fact I was thinking after we round up 
those cows I’d take Little Adam with me on my date with Sue,” Joe said.
 
“Oh no you won’t,” Adam replied.
 
“Why not?” Joe asked.
 
“You’re not going to teach my son to be a wolf. No, no, NO! You bring him 
right back after you round up those cows you understand?” Adam stated.
 
When they rode off Adam waved and smiled. It felt good to see his son so 
happy. It felt good to be happy again. He was about to walk towards the 
house when he heard a buggy riding up. “Hello Adam,” a feminine voice 
called.
 
“Hello Barbara. I thought you had left for good,” Adam replied helping her 
down.
 
“Well I got to thinking and I thought I would give you one more chance,” she 
said.
 
“One more chance?” he asked.
 
“Yeah. See I figured a great guy like you is worth one more chance,” she 
said smiling. Adam extended his hand to her. “Young lady would you like to 
go for a ride with me?” he asked.
 
“I am pleased to accept,” she replied. They both laughed. “You know Adam I 
could still use that teaching job.”
 
“It’s yours. I’m glad you’re back Barbara,” Adam said.
 
“I’m glad as well. I was real mad at you but I got to thinking that you 
weren’t the kind of man who would do something like that intentionally. You 
must have been haunted by her in a way of what could have been,” she said.
 
“That’s a good way to put it. Now that that is said and done we can go from 
here Sally,” Adam said.
 
“Sally? Who’s Sally?” Barbara asked. Adam laughed. “Adam Cartwright I’m 
going to get you,” Barbara said chasing after him. Ben walked outside to 
see Barbara trying to catch his oldest son. He put his hands on his waist 
and laughed. “Hey Adam if I were you I’d let catch me,” Ben said. Adam 
stopped abruptly and caught Barbara. She was out of breath. Adam looked at 
her then kissed her. “Thank you Roy,” she said.
 
“Roy?” Adam asked then chased her.
 
THE END

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