To Be Thankful
For
by
Janice Sagraves
ONE
The sun was just peeping through the front windows of the cabin as the lanky teenager slipped into the coat that had once belonged to his father, and it hung loose on him. His brothers and sisters were still asleep in the big bed in the sole bedroom. His mother brought him the cloth bag that contained the food she had packed to see him through. Her lips turned in a tender smile as he put on the battered old hat and tugged it low in front. Without words, she kissed him on the cheek then watched as her oldest son picked up his shotgun and went out the door. Tomorrow was Thanksgiving, and if he didn’t bring something back there wouldn’t be much of a feast.
*******
“Son, I really wish you’d let somebody go with you,” Ben Cartwright said as he watched his oldest son putting on his coat. “I don’t like the idea of you being out there in this by yourself.”
Adam Cartwright kept his attention on what he was doing as his fingers deftly worked the buttons through the holes. “Pa, it’s only a foot and it isn’t all that cold for this time of year. And it isn’t like I haven’t gone hunting on my own before.”
“I know, but it’s just…”
“It’s just that you still don’t like letting me out of your sight,” Adam said as his head came up, “when I’m alone. But sometimes a man has to be off by himself. Besides, I promised Hop Sing that I’d bring ‘im back a turkey for Thanksgiving. There’s a big tom out there I’ve been keeping my eyes on, and I thought I’d give ‘im a try.”
“Well, can’t you at least take one of the hands with you?”
“I think I can manage by myself.” He took his hat from the rack on the wall then turned back to his father. “And just because there’s nobody with me doesn’t mean that anything’s gonna happen, so don’t worry so much. All right?”
Ben just looked at him, and his dark eyes were filled with anxiety and uncertainty.
“All right?” Adam repeated as he rested a hand on his father’s shoulder.
“All right,” Ben said, insecurity ringing in his voice. “But at least take Old Pie for a pack animal. He knows his way home better than any of the others.”
“If it’ll make you happy,” Adam said as he put his hat on. He turned back to the bureau and picked up his shotgun. “I should be home by supper; maybe even before that if the hunting’s good. Now don’t worry, I’ve had a very good teacher, and I know the Ponderosa as well as you do.” He gave Ben one of his well-known winks then went out and closed the door behind him.
“Be careful, son,” Ben said softly. “And you’d better be home by supper.” A rough breath ran though him as he continued to stare at the door. “You’d better.”
*******
The snow crunched under the big bay’s feet as he was led down an embankment, his halter lead held tightly in a black gloved hand. The horse had been brought along to carry home the game, and if the bird weighed as much as Adam thought he did, he was going to need the animal.
Adam’s boot heel slid on a slick spot, and he grabbed at a low hanging branch to keep from falling. It was enough to prevent him from ending up on an embarrassing part of his anatomy and making an idiot of himself.
They continued on through the pure white landscape, their breath making misty billows in the cold, crisp air. The sunlight – so bright when it first peaked over the horizon – had now faded to a pale facsimile of its former self. The clouds that hadn’t been there earlier now hung overhead like gray-bottomed cotton.
Adam kept one eye on his surroundings and the other to the sky. He didn’t want to get caught in a snowstorm but – if push came to shove – he could always climb onto Old Pie and head home. He hoped it didn’t come to that, though, because going back empty-handed would be nearly as bad as being buried in a drift. Hop Sing wanted a turkey, the biggest he could find, and returning without one would be tantamount to committing murder.
His mouth turned up, and his dark hazel eyes sparkled in the dull light as he could almost hear the torrent of irate Chinese that would be hurled at him. Hop Sing could be as formidable as a summer cyclone when aroused. The house and most especially the kitchen were in his charge, and he didn’t take his duties lightly.
“If Hop Sing wants a turkey, then I’ll get ‘im a turkey,” Adam said half to himself. “Right, Pie?” He gave the horse a pat on the jowl, and the animal responded by nodding his head as if to say yes. “I thought you’d agree.”
They went on through the meadow where he’d first seen the bird back in August. He’d been out here digging post holes with Hoss when the big tom was flushed from some nearby overgrowth. Adam had seen turkeys around here since he was a child, but this was the biggest one he could ever remember seeing. If he could get that one for Hop Sing he would be in the little cook’s good graces for the rest of his life.
The small pond had frozen over, and the wind had brushed the snow away, for which he was grateful. He couldn’t count how many stories he’d heard about men and animasl breaking though hidden ice, and judging by the clearness of the surface, this wasn’t too thick. One step, maybe two, and man or horse would crash through. He crouched at its edge, the shotgun still in the crook of his left arm. With the butt of the weapon he broke the ice then removed his right glove and dipped his hand into the cold water. It was pure and sweet and chilled the inside of his mouth and refreshed his throat.
He stood and let the horse drink while he dried his hand and put his glove back on. His eyes studied the territory around him, and his ears were finely tuned to the silence. He listened and looked but so far as he could tell he and Old Pie seemed to be the only ones there. He could imagine feral, beady eyes watching him from under and behind bushes and perched high in trees
“All right, son, let’s go get Hop Sing’s turkey.”
With a pat on the horse’s neck, he took the lead and they resumed their search.
They continued out toward the newly set fence line that he and his brother had been working on in the summer. Images of him and Hoss toiling in the sun and heat came back and made him smile. Not the work but being with his brother doing what he had long taken for granted: simply being together. But his eyes had been brutally opened for him when it was very nearly too late, and now every second of life he treasured. Every day had become a golden gift not to be shrugged away lightly.
As he walked alongside a clump of tall, snow-shrouded brush he heard a snapping sound that froze him in his tracks. His eyes darted, and his breath was coming in rapid jerks. He’d just heard something or someone step on a twig, and this time he wasn’t going to be taken by surprise. His coattail was pushed back out of the way to reveal his holster and the glove was pulled from his hand with his teeth then hastily stuffed in a pocket. The loop was slipped off the hammer and the pistol checked for play. His hand rested on the smooth walnut stock, and he became as still as the silence. As he watched and listened everything that he’d learned from his close association with the Paiute people kicked in.
The big horse was as motionless as the man with him. Old Pie – a name he acquired from raiding a piece of apple pie from a man’s dinner when he was a colt – was a calm, trustworthy creature. More surefooted than the other pack animals on the Ponderosa and with the homing sense of spawning salmon, he was a reliable partner who could always be counted on. For that reason Ben had insisted his son take the bay.
As they waited, Adam became acutely aware of a crunching swish as feet moved through the snow. Whoever it was trying to be quiet, but to the finely tuned, Indian trained senses of the eldest Cartwright son he was as noticeable as a red dress on a milk cow.
Adam’s rapid breathing had slowed and was more controlled so that it became less visible in the clear air. That he could manage but the rapid beating of his heart was beyond his capabilities. As he listened he could tell that the approaching entity walked on two legs, judging by the sound. As he waited, he decided that if he wasn’t seen he would simply let the stranger pass then go on his way, but stay on the alert for the chance that their paths could cross again.
The footfalls steadily drew closer, and Adam continued to fervently hope that he would hear them veer off in another direction away from him. But the closer the person got, the slimmer the chances of that happening became. His eyes stayed locked ahead of him, and he stood as unmoving as an aged oak. Then the feet stopped and Adam’s breathing hitched. The waiting for whoever it was to start up was interminable and seemed to drag for ages but was actually no more than a couple seconds before he was moving again. He was holding to his course and Adam knew that the man would pass directly in front of him. His index finger eased through the trigger guard as his hand tightened on the grip, and he waited, but he didn’t wait long.
TWO
To the boy’s direct left was a high thicket and without much thought behind it he reached out and scooped some of the snow from its top with a mittened hand and brought to his mouth. As he cleared it his head shot around and air whistled in through his teeth. A tall, dark man stood before him so close that if he fired his shotgun at this range the spread of buckshot would most likely hit him as well, resulting in probably two deaths instead of one. The stranger’s hand was on the stock of his pistol and the light that shone in his dark hazel eyes said that he was ready to use it.
Neither moved for a frozen second then the corners of the man’s lips turned slightly, but his gun hand didn’t relax. The teenager backed away, the two never breaking eye contact. He knew that with the slightest overt move from him this man would shoot him, and he wasn’t out there to get six feet of daylight blown through him. Keeping his shotgun in a non-threatening position, he kept backing until he reached the trees and disappeared into them.
Adam continued to stand in the direction the kid had gone with his attention focused where he had merged into the thick stand of pines. He heard rapid feet beating a hasty retreat through the woods and for a solid minute as they faded into the distance he didn’t budge. He listened for the least hint that the boy hadn’t gone or had returned, and his gut told him that he was once again alone.
A ragged breath shuddered through him, and his racing heart began beating toward a more normal rhythm. His fingers still gripped the .44, and the shotgun hung from his left arm. He sensed that the young intruder had retreated to a less threatening venue, and he thought he should do the same.
Giving a tug on the lead, the horse obediently followed as he went cautiously – his eyes continually watching – through the meadow. He wanted to pick up the bird’s trail, get what he came for and go home. The old Adam would have struck up a conversation with the gangly boy, but this new one had remained wary and guarded. Looking back on it now he guessed that the youngster was as startled and frightened as he was, maybe more so, but he hadn’t been willing to take the chance. He’d taken a chance once before, and it had very nearly gotten him killed, and he wasn’t about to make the same mistake twice.
*******
Ben sat at his substantial mahogany desk in his study tallying the books for the first half of this month, or at least trying to. His mind wasn’t wholly on what he was doing, and he found himself making an awful lot of errors. He’d gone to a pencil since it was easier to correct, and he would make it permanent with ink later when he was more settled. A curse came under his breath, and he grabbed the eraser from the blotter and began rubbing it furiously over his current gaffe as if to tear a hole in the paper.
Joe was perched on the low table with his back to the hearth – the flames warming him – as he was cleaning his pistol. The gun didn’t really need it, but it was an excuse for staying in the house and keeping an eye on Pa. He and his brother’s always knew their father was upset when he cussed, something Pa just didn’t do, and didn’t permit his sons to do. Of course, that didn’t apply when they were away from him. What Pa didn’t know wouldn’t get them seriously chastised or at least scowled at.
Hoss was out in the barn tending to chores while he stayed inside to make sure Pa got through this all right. After what had happened to their older brother they had noticed the not so subtle changes in their father. Since Adam’s return home Pa had become anxious, nervous one might even say, where his oldest son was concerned and some of it even spread to his other sons. If Adam was out of his sight for any length of time without someone being with him Ben Cartwright lost control. Granted, it wasn’t as bad as it had been in the beginning, but it still held him in its grasping fingers and wouldn’t let go. And in the last three months Adam had taken to climbing onto Sport and just taking off, never telling anyone where he was going and always alone. This really sent Pa into fits of anxiety and led to some decidedly heated arguments once his wayfaring eldest son rounded back in.
“Ah, son of a…” but the words quickly died as the coffee eyes rose in Joe’s direction “Joseph, why don’t you go see what Hoss is doing?”
“I know what Hoss is doing, well, maybe not exactly what he’s doing, but I know…”
“Joseph,” Ben said with annoyance. “Can’t you find something more productive to do, and preferably outside?”
“I thought my gun needed cleaning.”
“Just like it always does when your oldest brother goes off by himself, whether it needs it or not. I know what you and Hoss are up to, and I’m all right, really. I don’t need watching after anymore now than I did all the other times.”
Joe laid everything down and walked over to the desk. “He’ll be all right, Pa. It’s not like he hasn’t gone off by himself before.” He reached out and placed a reassuring hand on his father’s wrist. “And he does have a shotgun and Old Pie with ‘im. So try not to worry so much.”
A tired smile warmed Ben’s face, and he placed his other hand over his son’s. “Thank you, Joe. Now why don’t you go on out and help your brother? I don’t need a nursemaid.”
“Are you sure, Pa?”
“Yes, son, I’m sure. No go on.”
“All right, Pa, but we’ll be right outside if…”
“Joseph.”
With a nod Joe pulled his hand away then went to the bureau and stuck his hat on his head. He grabbed his coat and was slipping into it as he went out. As he closed the door behind him he stood buttoning up as his mind tried to figure out what to do next. Then a light came on in his head, and he snapped his fingers. With a purposeful stride that emulated his oldest brother’s, though the legs weren’t quite as long, he went around to the side of the house and snuck in through the kitchen door. It was toasty and the cacophony of smells made one hungry by association. Hop Sing was bent over the heavy cast iron stove adding carrots to what would be that day’s dinner.
“Hop Sing,” he whispered.
The little cook turned – wiping his hands on his apron – and went to Joe as he was motioned over. “Yes, Mista Joe,” he said softly.
“Me and Hoss’ve been trying to watch Pa but he run me out of the house. Somebody oughtta keep an eye on ‘im, and since you’re right here, and he can’t chase you off…”
“All light, Mista Joe, I watch father. You no have to wolly. Now you go before you get caught.”
“Thanks, Hop Sing,” Joe said and gave him a pat on the shoulder then went out.
Hop Sing scurried to the doorway leading into the dining room and peered around the corner into the parlor, careful not to be seen. Then he ducked back into his domain and went about making a cup of tea just the way Mista Ben liked it and got some cookies from the pottery jar on the breakfront. He placed then on the saucer around the cup then went off on his assignment.
As he scuttled in Ben was still frantically working on the books and still having problems.
“It time you take blake,” he said as he placed the cup and saucer on the desk. “You work too hard, and you need to take lest.”
“Ah, Hop Sing, not you too. This isn’t necessary.”
“It necesselly for you to have something to eat,” and he pulled the leather bound ledger away and started to close it. “You work too hard and forget.”
“Hop Sing,” Ben growled as he tried taking the book away from him. “Will you stop that?”
But Hop Sing persisted and wouldn’t be daunted. “You not have anything since blekfast.”
“Which was only two hours ago.”
“But you work hard all morning and need stop and take bleather,” and he continued tugging on the book.
“Hop Sing!” Ben roared.
“You not eat, and I tell Mista Adam when he get back.”
Ben slumped back in the tufted green leather chair and finally relented and let the little man have his way. “All right, Hop Sing, if it’ll make you happy.”
“It make Hop Sing plenty happy,” and Hop Sing scooted the tea in front of him. “Now you drink and eat.”
Ben did as he’d pretty much been ordered to and found himself glad for the respite. Between fussing over the records and worrying about Adam he had to admit – only to himself, of course – that he was worn out. He knew he was being silly and acting like a grasping parent, but he just couldn’t help himself. This was his son and after believing he’d lost him without even being granted the small solace of seeing the peace in that handsome face he couldn’t seem to get away from the awful loss he’d experienced. He’d tried convincing himself that his oldest was all right, but it just wasn’t working and hadn’t since July.
*******
Adam crouched and ran his fingers over the indentions in the snow. Turkey tracks, of that he had no doubt, and from their depth he could tell that it was a pretty good sized bird. The toms generally ran around eighteen pounds, but the one he’d seen that day he guessed to be more like twenty or so. And if this was the same one then Hop Sing would have a meal that could satisfy even Hoss.
As he stood he balanced the shotgun in the crook of his arm and took his watch from its own special pocket and checked the time. It was quarter after eleven o’clock. He’d been out here for a little over four hours and still hadn’t caught sight of what he sought. With a quick glance to the sky he stuffed the watch back into his britches, but as he did the weapon began to slip. He made a quick grab for it and caught his foot on a rock buried in the snow, and he started to pitch backward. The shotgun hit the ground before he did and the air was suddenly ripped with a tremendous explosion.
THREE
Adam cracked open the shotgun as he stood facing the horse and removed the spent shells and put them in his pocket lest he leave too much of a trail. He took two fresh rounds from the other pocket and pushed them – one at a time – into the barrels with a hollow, metallic slooping sound.
“You keep this up, boy, and you’re the one that’s gonna go back to the house hanging from Old Pie,” he said disgustedly as he snapped the gun shut.
He stepped to the horse and took a strip of jerky out of a cloth bag that hung from the wooden rig on the animal’s back. Putting it between his teeth he gave a tear. He’d rather have some of Hop Sing’s biscuits with sausage gravy spooned over them, but for now this would have to do.
As he stood there still facing the big bay, Old Pie gave a restless snort and tossed his head.
“I know he’s there,” Adam said under his breath.
After the incident with the shotgun, as he’d picked himself up from the ground, he became aware of someone watching him from the safe haven of the thick stand of pines. He had no way of knowing for sure who it was, for he’d only caught a fleeting glimpse of movement, and he sensed more than anything that he was there. He was positive, however, that it was human and not one of the local residents of the woods. The .44 was kept exposed and unhindered by the coat, just in case. The idea of turning his back on whoever it was didn’t exactly set well, but for now he didn’t want his unwelcome visitor to know he’d been detected.
He jerked off another bite then took up the halter lead and headed off again in the general direction the tracks went. This day was becoming a bit more complicated than he’d planned on, and he just wanted to complete his mission and head back. He enjoyed being alone, especially these days, but sometimes even solitude had its down side and right at this time it did.
As they kept moving along the edge of a small stream, Adam glanced up at the sky, and he didn’t need his watch to tell him that it was going down the other side of noon. He also didn’t need it to tell him that he was being held pace with by the stranger back in the trees. As obscurely as possible he kept track of his shadow, letting it appear as if he was yet oblivious to his presence. There could be a lot of different reasons why he was being followed and while some of them were innocuous others filled him with apprehension and dread. Granted, he had no money with him, but he did have a shotgun, his pistol, some food and Old Pie and men had been killed for a lot less.
His eyes went to the ground, and he stopped and crouched: more turkey tracks. He was definitely heading in the right direction and from the looks of these they were fairly fresh. It appeared that he may be steadily closing in on his game, if it was the right turkey, and, at this point, he didn’t much care if it was or not.
He stood, taking special care with the shotgun. If he dropped it again he maybe wouldn’t be so lucky next time. And even if it didn’t kill him it could put him at the mercy of his follower.
With another look around – letting his eyes casually sweep to his left – he headed off, staying close to the edge of the water. His trailer was still there, just as he expected him to be. He would let this go on a little while longer then he would find out what his appeal was one way or the other.
*******
“Joe.”
“Yeah, Hoss,” Joe said as he poured oats into the feeding trough at the front of Cochise’s stall.
“Do you think he’s all right? I mean, you don’t think nothin’s happened to ‘im, do you?”
“Hoss, our older brother was hunting when you weren’t much bigger than a weed and before I was even born. And he knows the Ponderosa as well as any one of us. He knows what he’s doing, so try not to worry so much.”
“Ain’t you worried?”
Joe froze just as he opened the oat bin. He’d tried to remain calm and keep his head together for the sake of his family, but truth was that he hadn’t. He was as worried as Hoss, and no one was as bad as Pa. He’d tried to convince himself that Adam could take care of himself when he was off alone, they all had, but it hadn’t worked with any one of them. It wasn’t that they didn’t trust in his abilities, but some situations even the best couldn’t handle, and they were afraid of it happening again. He dropped the scoop inside and let the lid fall then turned around, putting on his best unconcerned face. “Hoss, he’s a grown man. Of course, I’m not worried, not any more than I usually am when it’s you or Pa.”
But the light is Hoss’ eyes and the expression he wore let Joe know that he wasn’t believed. “If’n you say so.”
“Now let’s get finished out here so we can go back in the house,” Joe said with authority. “I don’t know about you, but I’m cold and could use a cup of hot coffee.”
“And besides, you wantta go see how Pa’s doin’.”
Joe’s warming smile reached his sympathetic green eyes. “Yeah.”
With a nod from Hoss they went back about their chores.
*******
It had been an hour since Adam had become aware that he was being followed, and it was wearing on his nerves. He wanted to know what this person’s motives were, and he was tired of playing around. There were several large oaks standing out to themselves close enough to keep his weapon within effective range. And they would make the perfect cover for him and Old Pie. They would also make a good vantage point from which to challenge this as yet unseen man that was tracking him.
He pointed himself in their direction and kept at his steady pace, neither speeding up nor slowing down. He didn’t want his watcher to know that he suspected a thing. As long as Mr. Whosits didn’t know that he’d been discovered Adam felt he was fairly safe, but he had no idea for how long.
Nonchalantly, he walked around behind the oaks, putting them between him and Old Pie and the woods. He wrapped the lead securely around a limb then rested the business end of his shotgun in the fork of one of the trees and cocked the monster. The moment of truth was upon him.
“You back in the trees!” he shouted. “I’ve got a double-barreled shotgun pointed right at you! And right now I can see you a lot better than you can me! Now maybe all this buckshot won’t hit you, but enough will to maybe do some serious damage! So unless you want me to powder you good you’ll step out here where I can see you! And keep your hands in plain sight!” But several seconds passed and nothing happened, and he could see the figure standing stone still in the shadows. “You’ve got till the count of five and then I open up! And if you try to run I’ll open up!”
The man remained perfectly motionless and made no move to leave the cover of the protective pines.
“All right, you’ve had fair warning! One… two… three… four…!”
Just as he opened his mouth to say five the voice of a boy shouted back, “Don’t shoot! I’m comin’ out!”
“I won’t if you don’t! Now come on!”
The minute he stepped out into the open Adam recognized the red-haired, aqua-eyed youth from earlier that morning. He held his shotgun over his head and Adam could see the fear in his young face.
“Keep comin’ and stop when I tell you!”
The boy kept walking toward the group of trees where Adam was.
“All right, that’s far enough. Now lay the shotgun on the ground and take three steps back. And keep you hands where I can see ‘em.”
The lad did as he was told.
“You alone?” Adam asked from the relative safety of the heavy trunk.
“Yes, sir.”
“You wouldn’t lie to me?”
“Oh no, sir. Mam’d skin me alive if she found out.”
Adam hid a grin behind the stock of his shotgun. “You mind if I ask what you’re doing out here on a day like this?”
“I’m hunting a turkey for Thanksgiving, but then bein’ from around here you probably wouldn’t know much about that.”
Adam hid another grin. “It might surprise you to know that I’m out here for the same reason.” He stepped out into the clear but kept his weapon at the ready. “What’s your name, son?”
“Jake Madden. I live with my mother and brothers and sisters back over that way,” he said and gestured off to his left.
“You wouldn’t happen to be related to Raul Madden by any chance, would you?” Adam asked as he picked up the boy’s scatter gun.
“I sure would, I’m his oldest son. Did you know my dad?”
“Yes, I did. Not well, but well enough to know that he was a good man. It’s a shame what happened.”
“Yeah, Mam never did like him workin’ in that mine anyway.”
“I can understand that. So how many brothers and sisters do you have?”
“Three sisters and two brothers.”
“Really, I have two brothers myself. My name’s Adam Cartwright.”
Jake’s mouth went agape and Adam couldn’t miss the awe in his face.
“You’re Ben Cartwright’s son?”
“His oldest.”
“I’ve heard about you and your whole family.”
“Well, you ought to, seein’ that you’ve been living on the Ponderosa for the past five years.” Adam handed him back his shotgun. “Here. Instinct tells me that I can trust you with this.”
“Thanks.”
“So why’ve you been following me? I can understand why you stayed back in the woods, but why trail me in the first place?”
“After what happened this morning I wanted to make sure you didn’t double back on me.”
Adam’s lone eyebrow rose with disbelief. “Then why not just beat it back in the opposite direction as fast as your feet would carry you. That’s what I would’ve done? Now why don’t you give me the real reason?”
The boy’s shoulders slumped, and his eyes went to the ground. “Well, I figured you’d probably be a better tracker ‘n me,” he looked up, “what with you being older…”
“And you thought I might lead you to a nice fat gobbler or maybe a pheasant. Am I right?”
“Well,” Jake said, and his head dropped again.
“I tell you what, since we’re after the same thing,” Adam started as he finally un-cocked his shotgun, “and since I’d rather have you with me than behind me, why don’t we stay together? I think it’d make both our parents happy to know that we aren’t out here by ourselves. So whadaya say? I think it’ll benefit both of us.”
Jake’s head shot up, and eagerness filled his face.
“I’ve got the skills as a tracker and the pack horse,” Adam went on, “and I have to admit that it was getting a little lonely out here. And two minds and two pairs of eyes are better than one.”
“All right, Mr. Cartwright, if you really want me to.”
“I do. Now we’d better get to moving,” Adam said as he glanced up at the sky. “We don’t have all that much daylight left, and if we’re gonna get us a bird we don’t have time to waste.”
Adam undid the halter lead from the limb and they started off. Their voices carried in the stillness as they got acquainted. As much as Adam enjoyed his solitude it was always good to have someone to talk to, and this youngster was like being with his own brothers so many years ago.
FOUR
“I didn’t know that people out here knew all that much about Thanksgiving,” Jake said as he gave his traveling companion his undivided attention. “We’ve been doing it for years back in New England, and then last year President Lincoln made it a holiday, but a lot that I meet out here don’t even know about it.”
“Well, your family isn’t the only one from New England,” Adam said as his eyes kept to the ground. “My father was born and raised in Boston, and was once first mate on a sailing vessel. My mother was his captain’s daughter, and I was born there.”
“No kiddin’. We came here from New Hampshire when I was eight. Dad wanted to get in on the gold out this way and then the silver after we got here. Mam didn’t like it but she didn’t say no to Dad much. So we packed up and came.”
Adam went quiet and stopped and the boy did the same.
“More tracks?”
Adam stooped and lightly brushed his fingers over the surface of the snow. “Yeah, but these aren’t turkey. Pheasant I guess it, and a pretty good sized one. Maybe one of use should try for it.”
“I promised that if I brought back anything it’d be a turkey.”
“And Hop Sing’d have my scalp,” Adam said as he stood.
“Who’s Hop Sing?”
“Our cook, and he’s pretty handy with a cleaver, so we try not to cross ‘im.”
Jake’s face fell. “You mean he’d come after you.”
“He usually does and threatens to go back to China lot, but his words are the sharpest thing he uses on us.” Adam looked around at the large area they found themselves in. “I think maybe we should spread out a little. We’ll stand a better chance of finding something if we’re both looking in different places. We’re still gonna miss a lot of ground, but this should narrow it down some.”
The boy agreed and they put about three feet between them and kept their eyes scanning the ground. If that turkey had continued on this way they were determined to find it.
They walked on in total silence for fifteen or so minutes and then, “I’ve got something.”
Adam went over to where Jake stood, leading Old Pie. He handed the rope to the boy then crouched and examined the prints in the snow.
“More pheasant, and not as big as the other. It looks to be more than one, hens maybe.” Adam’s eyes drifted over the terrain for as far as he could see. “If our tom came this way I don’t see any sign.”
Jake’s jaw dropped. “You mean we may’ve lost ‘im?”
“I’m afraid that’s a good possibility. But if we should happen to come across one, even if it’s not ours, one of us should take a shot. Besides, one turkey can’t be cut in half out here, so it’s gonna take two. Well, since we’re not interested in pheasant we’d better move on.”
They gathered themselves up and forged on, keeping the space between them. The sun continued its gradual descent in the western part of the sky and they both knew that maybe they wouldn’t go home with the prize they were after and would have to settle for something else. Of course, there was always the possibility that they wouldn’t get anything.
*******
Ben had decided to busy himself outside. The house had become claustrophobic, and he needed the fresh air. Plus, he had to get away from Hop Sing, who had been about to drive him mad for a good part of the morning. And then Joe and Hoss had ventured inside and couldn’t seem to take their eyes off of him. He’d finally thrown up his hands and roared out the front door after putting on his coat and hat. He knew they meant well, but the constant scrutiny and fawning had him ready to climb the walls, and he needed to distance himself from it before he lashed out and bit someone. One corner of his mouth turned at the thought of his biting one of his sons or their diminutive cook.
The tool shed didn’t really need straightening up all that much but it was a convenient excuse for escape. And it had the added attraction of keeping his hands busy and therefore his mind.
Ben had gotten so that he worried and fretted over his oldest son more than he had since he was a child, maybe even a little more. Still, it hadn’t been this bad in the last couple months, but today he brought new meaning to the words crazy person. A deep rooted anxiety had gotten hold of him, and he couldn’t shake it. He knew that Adam was perfectly capable of handling himself and was up to any challenge. Ben had never seen better with a gun and his intellectual mind was sharp and quick, and it was still unfathomable how he was caught so completely by surprise by Vince Decker.
It didn’t take long for Ben to run out of things to do so he sat down on a small table in one of the back corners. Dim light came in through the one small window and kept it from being so dark. Even with the door closed it was still plenty chilly, but it didn’t matter, he simply couldn’t go back inside to three sets of intent eyes.
As he stared at the wall across from him he saw a small dark bundle with a cap of black hair. Even as an infant there was something commanding about his first born son that wormed its way into a father’s soul and wouldn’t let go. Then the image leapt ahead to a vibrant, precocious child driving the wagon with his father at his side as they headed west when he was no more than five. It moved ahead again to a tall, strong young man boarding a stagecoach at Eagle Station that would take him that much closer to the education he craved. Adam had always had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and when Marie had seen the boy’s potential she had encouraged it. No one knew that she wouldn’t live to see the day that her stepson would head east toward that goal. Then, in the blink of an eye, he saw the man lying dead in the back of that wagon that he’d thought was his oldest son.
He closed his eyes against it and his hands wadded into hard balls. As long as he lived he knew that he would never get away from that, and it was useless to try. Joe and Hoss and even Adam seemed to be moving on with their lives, so why couldn’t he?
“Because you’re a father,” he said softly into the stillness, “and he’s your son.”
*******
Adam offered a strip of jerky to Jake as they continued to trudge through the snow. The boy took one of his mother’s biscuits from his knapsack and gave in return.
“This just may be the best biscuit I’ve ever eaten,” Adam said as he chewed. “I bet you mother’s a fine cook.”
“It’s magic what she can do with so little, and with six mouths to feed, not counting her own, she’s had a lot of practice.”
“Things have been hard since your father died, haven’t they?”
“Some. I work little jobs whenever I can, and once I thought I’d go to work in the mines.” Jake whistled and his face pinched. “I thought Mam was gonna bounce off the moon. I don’t think I’ve ever seen ‘er so mad.”
“I figure she was probably more frightened than angry. After all, she’d lost her husband in a mine cave-in; she didn’t want to run the risk of the same thing happening to her oldest son.”
“I guess, but I do wish she’d let me grow up. I am, after all, fifteen.”
“Well, you’re acting pretty grown up right now. A man hunts to put food on the table to keep his family fed, a child can’t handle a shotgun.”
“I never really thought of it that way.”
Just then Adam froze to the ground and cocked his head to one side.
“What is it?”
Adam held his hand up for quiet. He continued to listen, but the only sound was the silence.
“I thought I heard the beating of wings.”
“I didn’t hear anything.”
“When I was a boy I learned to listen with both ears. I heard you but I could also hear what was around me.”
“Where’d you learn to do that?”
“The Paiutes taught me. I grew up pretty close to them. Pa and Chief Winnemucca are friends, and I was blood brothers with his son, Young Wolf.” A melancholy aura radiated from his eyes, and he forgot about his hunger. “They taught me a lot.”
“Is that where you learned to track?”
“Most of it, but some of it I learned from my pa.”
“Well, is it all right if I try something I learned from mine?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
Adam watched as Jake cupped one hand around his mouth and began to gobble like a turkey. He sounded for the entire world like a tom, and if he didn’t know better, Adam would have thought he was. Jake kept it up for several seconds then stopped and they waited. When they got nothing in response he repeated the process and this time he got an answer. He gobbled again and once more was answered.
“Keep it up, Jake,” Adam whispered.
This went on for quite a few minutes but their patience was finally rewarded when a big tom came into sight. As he landed Adam could see that he was very possibly the biggest turkey he’d ever seen. If this was the same one he’d seen in August, and he believed it was, he’d gotten even larger and probably now weighed in at a whopping twenty-two or -three pounds. From their position behind Old Pie – who made a less threatening blind – they watched as the bird took in his surroundings. He was wary and the slightest unchecked move or sound could send him back into the sky. He seemed to be unaware of them and continued to draw closer.
Jake couldn’t remember when he had been this excited or even if he ever had. Here before him was the biggest gobbler he’d ever seen, and he had the chance to take it home to his family. If he could do that he would truly be the man of the family, and they would have a feast not to be forgotten. Then he got a nudge against his arm, and he looked around into dark hazel eyes. Adam Cartwright nodded in the direction of the turkey and lightly tapped his own shotgun, and Jake knew he was getting first chance to shoot.
His heart beat more rapidly than ever and a broad grin spread from ear to ear. Adam held his weapon for him as he removed his mittens and put in a pocket. Then he took back the gun and stealthily moved around in front of the horse – quietly cocking it – but his last step crunched loudly and the turkey took wing. Jake fired hastily but the bird kept going, and his heart sank. “Darn,” was all he could say. Then he felt a reassuring hand on his back.
“It’s all right, Jake, it happens to the best of us.”
“But I missed.”
Without a word Adam took a couple steps forward then crouched, cradling his shotgun. “Who says you missed? Look at this.”
As he came up behind Adam he could see plainly several dark feathers and a splattering of crimson against the white.
“You clipped ‘im, and it looks like pretty good, but we won’t know until we find ‘im again.”
“If we find ‘im again.”
“Well, we’ve got a couple hours daylight left, and you can cover a lot of ground in that amount of time,” Adam said as he stood and cast his eyes briefly to the sky. “Plus, he’s bleeding and that should leave us a pretty good trail to follow. So let’s get to moving.”
Adam went back to Old Pie. “It looks like you’ve got your work cut out for you if we get this one,” he said as he patted the horse’s neck.
They picked up the search again. Time was most definitely not on their side so they had to move quickly, but they had to stay alert. At this point they couldn’t afford to miss anything or their quarry was gone.
FIVE
Adam and Jake were walking apart again in the general direction the wounded bird had flown, eyes constantly scanning the ground. They felt they were closing in and they didn’t want to lose a second chance.
But suddenly Adam went dead still and his head shot up. He made a telltale sound by blowing through his teeth and Jake went motionless and looked around. Bringing the horse with him, Adam hurried over to the boy.
Without words, Adam motioned toward the pines. Jake’s heart nearly skipped a beat, and he looked around him with wild eyes. He knew that his companion had picked up on something he’d missed and from the expression facing him it wasn’t good. Adam held up four then five fingers and made a sign at the back of his head to indicate feathers, and Jake knew he was talking about birds.
Picking up their pace but staying as quiet as possible they melded in among the pines, watching from behind trunks and boughs. It wasn’t anytime that a party of five braves came into the open leading a pony. They stopped and began examining the ground.
“Tree Stands Tall,” Adam whispered. “Stay here, Jake.”
With his shotgun held in his arms like a baby he left the safety of the trees and started toward the five men. He spoke but Jake didn’t understand the language. The warriors turned quickly, but almost immediately their faces brightened as Adam approached. Jake watched – a lump in his throat and his mouth dry as paper – as they talked and laughed and gestured. It took no more than a couple minutes before Adam returned and the braves went on their way.
“What’d they want?”
“Hunting party. They’re after deer. And they’ve seen our turkey, but, like us, they’re running out of daylight and that’s not what they’re after so they let ‘im alone.”
“Where was he?”
“The flat piece of land just beyond Little Bit Creek.”
“Well, how’d you know it was our turkey?”
“Trees Stands Tall said he had some tail feathers missing, and he didn’t act exactly right. Now you bring Pie and let’s get going.”
Jake came out with the horse and followed after Adam. This was the most exciting day he’d had in a long time, and he felt so alive he thought he would burst. What had started out as a simple hunt was turning into something that he could someday relate to his children and grandchildren. And it all started when he’d first run across Adam Cartwright and thought he was going to get shot. He could hardly wait to tell his mother and brothers and sisters about it and see what was going to come next. They continued on, and he had to almost run to keep pace with those long legs.
*******
Hoss stood behind Hop Sing watching as he spooned the golden doughnuts from the hot fat one at a time and placed on a piece of towel to drain and cool. Hoss loved doughnuts, in fact, Hoss loved food, and these light and airy gems – heavily laced with nutmeg that mixed with the other smells that perfumed the kitchen – were one of his favorites. He wanted to snag one right now even if it burnt his fingers, but he didn’t feel like being chased through the house with a broom.
“You think this is gonna help?”
“Mista Ben like doughnuts with coffee and food always good to help calm nerves. Anyway, Mista Hoss’ nerves.”
“If we can git ‘im in the house longernuff to eat.”
“Well, if him not come in, somebody just have to take out to him.”
“I’ll do it,” Hoss said as he reached out to the tender morsels, his blue eyes twinkling eagerly.
“Not you,” Hop Sing said as he slapped his hand away. “You eat up from evlybody and nobody else get any.”
“Ah, Hop Sing.”
Joe had thought his father was in the tool shed but he wasn’t there. He wasn’t in the barn or behind the house either, and he was running short on places to look. He walked around the corral and to the back of the barn and stopped at the corner of it. His father was standing there silently looking beyond the pines that ringed in the clearing of the home place. He knew Pa couldn’t see that far away, but he knew what he was looking for.
“I think the weather’s turning colder,” Joe said casually as he went to stand next to him. “We’ll probably get some more snow in a few days if it keeps dropping.”
But Ben just continued to gaze ahead, his mind far off with his oldest son. “He’s all right, Pa. You always told me that Adam’s one of the best hunters and trackers you’ve ever met and he learned well how to survive out there from you and the Paiutes. If I was alone and lost and could only have a gun, a knife or Adam, I’d pick Adam. I figure my chances’d be better that way. Now why don’t you stop worrying so much and come back in the house where it’s warm.”
“I can’t, Joe, it’s just too close in there.”
“Well, now you can’t stay out here until he gets home. There’s maybe an hour of daylight left, and he may not get back until after dark.”
Ben’s troubled coffee eyes flashed around and set on Joe. “He said he’d be home by supper if he didn’t get here before.” He placed a hand on his son’s shoulder and smiled. “Now why don’t you go on back inside? I’ll come in with Adam.”
“Pa.”
“Go on, Joe.”
Joe crossed his arms over his chest as Adam had many times and stood his ground. “We’ll wait together.”
Ben knew it was useless to argue with him and, anyway, he was glad for the company. His sons had grown into fine, independent men, and he was proud of all three of them. He put his arm around Joe’s shoulders and got those green eyes and a comforting smile then they both looked out across the land.
*******
“Little Bit Creek’s just beyond this line of trees,” Adam said, keeping his voice low. “From here on we need to be as quiet as we can, just in case he’s still there.”
Jake nodded and they moved on through the approaching dusk. As they entered the trees Adam motioned for Jake to tie the horse and leave him there. Once that was done they crept like two phantoms flirting with the headstones of an ancient cemetery.
They quietly stepped from the shelter and instantly stopped. There – not more than a foot in front of them – was their turkey. Adam gestured for Jake to take the shot but he didn’t want to, he’d missed once before, and he didn’t want to run the risk of doing it again. He pointed to Adam who gave a slight duck of his head. Carefully, he cocked his shotgun then whirled and brought the barrels around. The bird caught it a second too late and thought to take flight just as a blast destroyed the serenity and the turkey plummeted to earth, felled with a clean shot to the head.
Jake dashed to where it lay, closely followed by Adam. The boy dropped onto his knees next to it and looked over his companion’s handiwork and whistled through his teeth. “That was some shot.”
“You could’ve done that same thing.”
“No, I couldn’t’ve. You’re just about the best I’ve ever seen.”
Adam looked up to the darkness closing in around them. “By the time I get home it’s gonna be black as the inside of an ink bottle.”
“Well, my house isn’t too far from here,” Jake said as he came to his feet. “You could stay the night with us. I’m sure Mam wouldn’t mind.”
“Well, I don’t want to barge in on her unannounced.”
“She got used to that when Dad was alive. He had a lot of friends and they were always coming over.”
“That may just be a good idea. All I need is to get twisted around in the dark. All right, you’ve got yourself a house guest for the night.”
“Great!”
Adam couldn’t miss the enthusiasm go out of the boy’s mood. “What’s wrong Jake?”
“I didn’t get a bird for our Thanksgiving.”
“We’ll talk about that on the way. Now you go get Pie.”
“All right,” Jake said as some of his zeal returned, and he darted off after the animal.
Adam grinned and shook his head with a snort. Jake Madden reminded him so much of Joe at that age. Filled with eager anticipation and fervor and a zest for life and the adventures it held. No wonder he found himself drawn to the youngster. He grinned and shook his head and stooped next to his trophy as Jake brought the horse up.
SIX
Suzanne Madden opened the door and looked out into the night for the umpteenth time since the setting of the sun. It was against her better judgment that she let her son go out alone in weather like this into territory that he wasn’t all that familiar with. She pushed back a silver streaked red strand from her forehead as her eyes probed the dark fruitlessly.
Three sets of aqua eyes and two of fawn brown watched her from the rickety table as hot potato soup was spooned into mouths. They knew their mother was upset and they knew why, and even the youngest sensed that something was wrong.
She heaved a sigh and closed the door and returned to the table but her mind wasn’t on food, and she stared off into space. Her oldest child was out there alone, and she had no way of knowing where or if he had been injured or worse. Maybe he had been taken by the Indians. “Oh, Dear Lord, please not my boy,” she thought.
Five-year-old Libby got down from her chair and climbed up into her mother’s lap and looked into the troubled face. “Mama, Jake all right,” she said sweetly and placed a tiny hand tenderly against her mother’s cheek.
Suzanne looked into the precious, angelic little face and all her fears burst forth. With a tremulous cry she flung her arms around the baby and fought against the weeping that waited impatiently behind her pale blue-green eyes.
But then they became aware of the crunching of snow beneath feet outside and a mother’s heart soared with fervent hope. She stood with Libby still in her arms, but before anyone could do anything the door burst open.
“Jake!”
“Hi, Mam.”
His brothers and sisters scrambled up from the table.
“Did you get a turkey?”
“Where on Earth have you been? I’ve been worried sick.”
But then all questions ceased as a tall, dark man wearing a yellow coat and black hat stepped behind Jake. He was a stranger to them and Suzanne’s hold tightened on her daughter.
Jake glanced behind him and could see right off that they were frightened. He knew better but they had no way of knowing what he did. “Oh, it’s all right Mam, there’s nothin’ to be afraid of. This is Adam Cartwright, and we’ve been together most of the day. He kept me from gettin’ caught by Indians.”
“Indians?” Suzanne said as her hold tightened even more on the little girl.
“Mama, you mashing me,” Libby said as she squirmed in her mother’s arms.
Suzanne handed the child over to one of her big sisters.
“That’s not altogether true, Mrs. Madden,” Adam said as he removed his hat. “I just happened to know them.”
“I said it’d be all right if he stayed the night since he lives farther away than we do.”
“But only if it’s all right with you, Mrs. Madden.”
Suzanne’s delicate eyebrows drew down. “Cartwright. You’re Ben Cartwright’s son, aren’t you?”
“That’s right, and I sure would appreciate a place to stay just for tonight, even if it’s in the barn.”
“Of course, you can stay, after what you did for Jake, and if you’d like I can fix you something to eat.”
“That won’t be necessary, but if I could put my horse in your barn.”
“Certainly, but you’ll certainly not sleep out there.”
“Thank you, I deeply appreciate it. Now, Jake, why don’t you help me put away my horse and we can talk some more. And thank you, Mrs. Madden.”
“You’re more than welcome, Mr. Cartwright.”
As Adam and Jake went back out the children rushed to go after them.
“No, you don’t. You sit right back down and finish your supper.”
There were protests but one stern look from their mother silenced them and they did as they were told.
*******
Ben Cartwright stood in the doorway looking out into the deep night for his wayward son. He’d been coerced into going back inside some time earlier but his restlessness had only heightened. It was as if the walls and ceiling closed in on him and only agitated his tension.
Joe and Hoss sat on the settee watching their father as he stood like a tree, one hand resting on the doorjamb. This reminded them of the time Adam was out in the storm with Mrs. Cadence when he had been home for only a short time. Ben had been about the go out into the howling storm, and now as then they knew that if they didn’t keep an eye on him he would this time.
Another thing that hadn’t changed was that they understood keenly what he was feeling for they were feeling it too. They were acutely aware of the anxiety this separation was bringing to him for it was brought to them as well. Adam was still out there, they didn’t know where or what condition he might be in and it brought dire images stampeding back. They wanted to go looking for him but commonsense told them that it would be a useless endeavor unless blind luck intervened and they stumbled over him. And what if he came home while they were gone? No, the best thing was to stay where they were until morning and head out then if he still hadn’t come home.
Ben’s head hung, and he prayed for the safe return of his oldest son. Tomorrow was Thanksgiving but without Adam there would be no joy to it. Without his firstborn it would be empty, thankless.
*******
Adam sat at the table with a cup of coffee and listened as Jake regaled his brothers and sisters with his adventures in the wilderness: his brush with Indians, almost getting shot – twice – and the trailing of the great, elusive turkey. Adam couldn’t miss their rapt attention as they hung on their big brother’s every word. He looked up, and his eyes met with those of a proud mother, and they exchanged smiles as he sipped from his cup.
It was soon time to turn in, but that also met with resistance as the children wanted to hear some more about their brother’s daring exploits but they were overrode. They were trundled off to bed and Jake went out to check on Pie and the turkey one more time.
“I hate for you to have to sleep on the floor, Mr. Cartwright,” Suzanne said as she handed him his bedding.
“I don’t mind,” he said as he took it from her, “as long as I’ve got a roof over my head. I’ve slept in a lot worse places. And Jake wasn’t exaggerating when he said you could work magic with hardly anything. The food was delicious, and I thank you.”
“It’s the least I could do after what you did for my son. My children are all I have left after what happened to their father,” she said as she sat down in a chair that settled onto its one leg that was shorter than the others.
“Jake told me that times’ve been hard.”
“That they have, and Jake helps as much as he can, but it never seems to be enough. But we manage.”
“I’ve been thinking about that,” Adam said as he began spreading up his bed. “Do you think maybe he’d like to work for us? I haven’t talked to my father about it yet, of course, but I’m sure he’d be willing to give ‘im a try. The pay wouldn’t be so much at first while he learned the ropes, but it’d be more than you have now and it’d be steady. And if you wouldn’t mind leaving this place we could build you a house closer to his work so he wouldn’t have so far to go.”
Adam couldn’t miss the tears glistening in her soft eyes as she bit down on her quivering lower lip.
“Oh, I think he would jump at the chance, and I don’t mind leaving here at all,” and her eyes roved around her, “if it’s for something better for my children. But why are you offering it?”
“I won’t lie,” he said as he brought up his legs in front of him and wrapped his arms around them. “I know you need the money, and we can always use the help, and I kinda like the boy.” One corner of his mouth turned up mischievously.
Just then Jake came blustering in and a cold blast came with him before he could get the door shut. “Everything’s all right in the barn and just like we left it,” he said breathlessly as he peeled off his mittens. “Pie was eating and the turkey was just fine.”
“Good,” Adam said.
“Then you’d better ask him,” Suzanne said as she looked from her son to Adam, and a sprightly twinkle danced in her eyes.
“Oh, I fully intend to, right tonight.”
“Ask me what?” Jake said with a frown as he pulled his hat off.
Without any explanation she went to her son and kissed him on the cheek and wished them a goodnight then went into the bedroom and closed the door.
“Ask me what?” Jake asked again as he began shucking out of his coat.
“If you’d like to come work for the Cartwright’s.”
Jake’s coat, hat and mittens landed in a heap at his feet.
Suzanne had just gotten the children settled in bed for the night when a loud whoop rent the outer room and they all sat straight up. “What was that?” came from all of them as once voice.
“That was your brother,” Suzanne said as she casually continued unbuttoning the front of her dress. “Now go to sleep, and he’ll tell you all about it in the morning.”
SEVEN
The sun had just begun to peek over the horizon as Ben Cartwright and his two sons were getting ready to ride out in search of Adam. The atmosphere in the big house was grim to say the least and it was silent as a tomb. Hop Sing had tried valiantly to get them to eat a little something before heading out but to no avail. There had been no sleep all night long from the sheer worry and ruts had practically been left in the floor from all the pacing and stalking about.
Gun belts and coats were being put on when a wagon rumbled into the yard. Questioning looks were exchanged and disquiet mingled with them. Adam had left on foot leading Old Pie and they had no idea who this could be on Thanksgiving, and it boded ill.
Joe opened the door and what met him brightened his sullen face. “Pa,” he said as he glanced back, “you’d better see this.”
Panic seized Ben to the point where he didn’t even notice Joe’s broad smile. His heart beat violently as he bolted forward, followed by Hoss and what greeted them was a sight indeed.
Adam was driving and a red-haired woman sat on the seat next to him. In the back were six children ranging in age from fifteen to five, and four had hair like her while the two remaining were ashy blonds. And tied on behind was Old Pie.
“Morning, Pa,” Adam said as he reined in the team and put on the brake. “Sorry I’m late, but it was almost dark when I got ready to come home,” he climbed to the ground and helped the lady down, “and Jake invited me to stay the night with him, but here I am. And I brought some company to share supper with us, I hope you don’t mind.”
“Who’s Jake?” was all Ben could get out.
“Oh, this is Raul Madden’s family,” Adam said as he helped Jake get the children out of the back. “Jake is the oldest. We kinda run into each other yesterday,” he gave Jake a sly wink, “and we hunted together, and they shared their house and food with me so I thought I’d return the favor. This is Suzanne Madden, his mother.”
“Ma’am,” Ben said as he courteously ducked his head.
Hoss looked down as he felt a tugging on his britches leg into the face of a doll.
“Are you Adam’s brover?” Libby asked unabashedly.
“I sure am, sweetheart,” he said and smiled as he gently scooped the little girl into his massive arms.
Her vivid aqua eyes widened as she looked down then to her family. “I’m up high.”
This elicited laughter and all foreboding and trepidation were erased.
Ben went to Adam and clapped a hand on his back. “It’s good to have you home son, but I thought you went after a turkey,” he said as a single eyebrow rose. “Wasn’t your luck so good?”
“Wait ‘til you see my luck. All right, Jake.”
Jake bent over the side of the wagon and came out with the biggest turkey any of them had ever seen, minus some tail feathers, of course.
“He must be twenty pounds,” Joe said with apparent awe.
“Closer to twenty-two, I’d say, and he led us a merry chase. Now Jake, why don’t take ‘im on in to Hop Sing?”
“I’ll show you where the kitchen is,” Joe said and led the way as the boy followed.
“Why don’t we all go into the house? I’m sure you’re well chilled after your ride, and I think there may be some doughnuts for the children,” Ben said as his dark eyes snapped. “I’m glad you came Mrs. Madden. It’ll be a pleasure having you and your family.”
“Thank you, Mr. Cartwright. This means so much and more for my children than myself.” Then with a warm smile she followed after Hoss and the children.
Ben and Adam brought up the rear and paused as the others went on inside.
“Don’t you ever do that to your father again, I don’t think I can handle it. I’m not as young as I used to be.”
“You’ll never be old, Pa, not even if you outlive me,” Adam said with a broad grin then went on ahead.
“I hope that never happens, because I couldn’t handle it a second time.” Ben said under his breath then went in.
The Madden’s were awestruck by the immensity and grandeur of the Cartwright’s house. Their cabin could be deposited in the parlor with room to spare. They were made to feel welcome by the warmth and hospitality that all guests to this home experienced. Hoss seemed to hold a special appeal to the youngest children and the two oldest daughters tended to gravitate toward Joe.
Ben sat in his red leather chair and Suzanne Madden on the settee sharing coffee in front of a roaring fire.
“You have a fine family, Mrs. Madden. Three beautiful daughters and three handsome sons, and I’m sure you’re very proud of them.”
“As you are yours, Mr. Cartwright. Your Adam is a wonderful man, and I’m so grateful he was out there when Jake was.” She took a demure sip. “It frightens me to think of what could’ve happened if he hadn’t been. It was against my better judgment that I let the boy go.”
“Well, we have to let them grow up some time, as much as we hate to. And sometimes we have to go against our better judgment to keep our family safe and fed.” He glanced up at Adam and Jake as his oldest son taught her oldest the finer points of chess. “But no matter how old they get to be, they still are and always will be our children, though we have to remember not to treat them as such, as I am constantly reminded.”
She laughed lightly. “I know that only too well. Jake and Sarah are always letting me know that they’re not babies anymore.”
“Ah, they do grow up so fast,” Ben said and they settled into sipping their coffee.
“Adam,” Jake asked as he momentarily lost interest in the game.
“Yeah, Jake,” Adam said, his attention on the board.
“Why did you offer me the job? Did you feel sorry for me?”
“No,” he said as he moved one of his bishops. “It’s your move.”
“Then why did you when you don’t really know me that well?”
“Well, it wasn’t pity,” and the dark hazel eyes rose, “and it wasn’t charity either. I could see that you needed the job, and we can always use another hand. Your mother may still see you as a boy, but there was a man with me yesterday out to put food on his family’s table. Plus, sometimes we need help and there’s no shame in taking it, but like I said, it isn’t charity. You’ll work and you’ll work hard and you’ll take home a fair wage. Your mother’ll be proud of you for doing it and you’ll feel good about yourself. Now it’s your move.”
Jake’s lips turned up and the firelight caught in his eyes then he went back to the game.
“Supper leady,” Hop Sing announced from the dining room.
Everyone gathered around the table and took their places. It was more than a little crowded but no one seemed to mind. The children were mesmerized by all that awaited them: candied sweet potatoes, green beans and chestnuts, mashed parsnips, and plenty of fresh baked bread. The smells alone were enough to drive a starving man into frenzy. But the centerpiece – the thing everyone waited for – hadn’t been brought in yet and the eager expectancy was most evident in the youngsters but not confined to them.
Then Hop Sing made his grand entrance holding before him on a silver platter – its skin roasted to a delectable golden hue – the turkey. Its enticing aroma preceded it and mouths watered in anticipation. With Ben’s help he placed it on the end of the table then, after being thanked, he went back into the kitchen. Then Ben sat back down and it was time to say grace and heads bowed.
“We thank thee, oh Heavenly Father, for this thy bounty that has been so graciously placed before us. We also thank thee for the other gifts that have been bestowed upon us; family, home and the love that surrounds us as we gather here at this table. We have much to be thankful for, some of us for the beginning of a new life, and some for the return of a precious life.” He couldn’t help it that his eyes darted across the table to his oldest son. “And may we not forget the love we have here today and live in its glow throughout the days ahead. Amen.”
“Amen,” sounded around him and then it was time for dishing up and for Ben – as head of the household – to carve. He picked up the large knife and the sharpening steel and began running the blade over it, first one side then the other, back-and-forth. Little Libby couldn’t contain her excitement as she bounced in her mother’s lap.
Breaths were held as Ben masterfully made the first incision. “I think to the hunters should go the first pieces,” he said as he raised a succulent slice, its juices running along the blade of the knife, “because without them we wouldn’t be having this.”
There was a round of complete agreement, and he placed it on Jake’s plate and the next one went to Adam then everyone else got some. As bowls were dipped into and bread passed, Ben filled a plate and took into the kitchen, if not for Hop Sing’s culinary talents they wouldn’t be having such a grand meal, and he deserved to share in it. No one started to eat until he returned and took his seat at the head of the table.
Before starting on his own Ben sat in pure contentment and watched his boys and the children. It was wonderful having young ones in the house again and watching them enjoying themselves so thoroughly and to have all his sons with him. Once upon a time he never thought he would ever know such happiness again. But the light came through the darkness and his Joseph brought his Adam back and his Hoss stood with him. Yes, they all had much to be thankful for, and the holidays would be brighter for what was a father’s greatest gift; his children. He smiled as he picked up his knife and fork then looked across the table again and felt his heart swell; Adam was home and the family was once again complete.
THE END