The Return Home
by
Janice Sagraves

This is for Lillian, who likes stories with the whole family.

ONE

As the big man drove the lumbering wagon through the pass the crash of stone against stone filled his ears, and he looked around to see them tumbling down in his direction. With a loud voice and a jerk of his arms, he whipped the team faster with the reins. The animals surged forward, taking their heavy burden with them, but it slowed them. The rocks continued on, picking up headway and others as they went. With another shout the animals labored to get out of the way but their effort was in vain. The largest boulder slammed into the side of the wagon and spun its rear end from the road. The tongue was wrenched loose with a violent twist and the horses ran on but the man was left at the mercy of the slide. He jumped free just as everything pitched over the side and landed in a heap, knocking the breath from his lungs. As he started to get up one glanced off his back, and he fell flat then several more rolled over his legs, and he cried out in pain but there was no one there to hear him. The pain was blinding but he stayed lucid enough to know what he needed to do so he flung his arms over his head to protect it. Then the tumult receded down the way and everything went silent again and dust settled as he lay there breathing hard, unable to get up, and wondering when he would be found.

*******

The last remaining rays of the September sun tinted the sky pink as the approach of darkness rode the declining red sphere as it gradually sunk below the line of the trees. All day gunmetal gray clouds had hinted at the threat of inclement weather and now howling winds ran through the boughs of the ancient Ponderosas. But as the messenger bore into the approaching night he knew he couldn’t stop, he had an urgent wire, and he had to get it to the Angel.

The big white house – nestled in a clearing wreathed in by majestic pines – was the showplace of the eight-hundred-and-fifty-seven acres of the Angel Ranch, named for the boss’ lady. The large two-story dwelling stood as testament to one man’s tenacity, a woman’s enduring love and the neighbors who thought so highly of and owed so much to him. The entire upper half consisted of six good-sized bedrooms for guests and the many children planned for the future. The long porch encompassed the entire front and made a cool retreat for warm days and gentle evenings when the work was through. It was home to Adam and Angelica Cartwright and was built to last many lifetimes.

Supper was just completed and Adam Cartwright was helping to clear the table when a horse came into the yard.

“Now I wonder who that could be at this hour,” Angelica Cartwright said as she picked up an empty bowl.

“Well, now there’s only one way I know of to find out.”

Her fine dark brows lowered, and she watched as he went into the parlor side of the large ell-shaped room. Parting the garnet red draperies on the front window he looked out into the approaching dusk.

“It’s Tyler Sedkins from town,” he said as he glanced at her.

“Doesn’t he work at the telegraph office?”

“Yes, he does.”

He was just about to go outside when a frantic rapping sounded about them.

Adam opened the door to reveal a spare young man of eighteen or so, and it would have been impossible to miss the urgency in his face.

“Evening, Tyler. What brings you out this way so late?”

“Evenin’, Mr. Cartwright, Mrs. Cartwright,” and he tipped his hat to her. “Mr. Wellman took a message and told me to get it out here to you pronto.”

“Do you know what it’s about?”

“No, sir, he didn’t tell me, and it wasn’t my place to ask.”

“All right.” Adam took the envelope from him and scrounged in one of his britches pockets. “Here you go, son,” he said as he held his hand out.

“Thank you, Mr. Cartwright, and I hope it’s not bad news.”

“Thank you, and goodnight, Tyler.”

“Goodnight, Mr. Cartwright, Ma’am.” He tipped his hat again then rushed down the steps to his horse then rode out like a war party was after him.

Angelica stood, still holding the bowl, watching her husband as he opened the envelope and took out the folded piece of paper. As his hazel eyes followed the lines on it she saw the color drain from his dark face and his fingers knot on the sheet. Putting the bowl down with a thump, she rushed to him.

“Adam, what is it? Who’s it from?” She took hold of his arm. “Adam.” His eyes rose to her, and she could see the pain so evident. “Adam, who’s it from?”

“It’s from…, Pa…. There’s been… an accident.”

Her hands flew to her mouth and stifled a tiny moan. “Not one of your brothers.”

“It’s Hoss,” he said with a nod.

“Oh no, not that big, sweet man,” she said as tears filmed her violet eyes. “What happened?”

“He was caught in a rock slide in Dead Man’s Pass.”

“Does he say how bad it is?”

“He’s all broken up, Angelica. He’s all…” he choked for a second, “broken up.” His eyes went back to the page. “Dead Man’s Pass. Why couldn’t they’ve called it something else?”

“Adam, I am so sorry.”

“I havta go home.” Slowly, his eyes came back to her. “I havta go back to the Ponderosa.”

“Of course we do.”

He looked at her but all he saw was his brother.

“He’s my family too now.”

“We’ll leave first thing in the morning. We’ll go into town and catch the stage, and we’ll tell your mother. She’ll wantta know and probably go with us.”

“I’m sure she will. She adores your brothers, and I know she’ll want to be there.”

He looked back to the words scribbled across the paper and felt it all well up inside him, the sadness, the helpless rage and the fear, most of all the fear. He couldn’t imagine life without that big oaf in it, and he didn’t want to. Hoss was going to be an uncle, and the way he loved children it would be too cruel for him not to live to see his first niece or nephew.

A gentle finger under his chin raised his head, and he found himself looking into his wife’s loving face.

“We’re going to get through this, sweetheart, and we’re going to see Hoss through it. We can’t do any less.” A tender, reassuring smile turned the corners of her mouth and the lamplight shone in her understanding eyes.

Without another word he flung his arms around her and crushed her to him. She was there for him as he knew she would always be, and her nearness consoled the ache in his chest. His brother had to live – he simply had to live, for there would be a hole in his life if he didn’t.

TWO

Fifteen-year-old Fiona Cadence was just setting the table for breakfast when a knock came at the front door. Laying the cutlery down she went into the entryway of the small house her mother had bought there in Bantree. Parting the curtains on the door glass, her face lit up, and her mouth spread into a wide smile as she opened it.

“Angelica,” she said as she threw her arms around her sister. “Hello, Adam. This is the first time you two have been here since you moved into your house.”

“Where’s Mother?” Angelica asked as she and Adam came inside.

“She’s in the kitchen finishing up breakfast, but she sure didn’t expect to have company.”

“Would you go get her?” Angelica asked as she removed her dark wine hooded cloak.

Fiona looked first at her sister then Adam with questioning gray eyes but said nothing then went to get their mother.

“Angelica,” Mrs. Cadence said as she came to her daughter and hugged her. “And my Adam.” She put her arms around him, and he held her tight as she kissed his cheek. “It’s so good to have you back in this house. Fiona, set two more plates.”

“Mother,” Angelica said gravely.

“Angelica, what is it, dear?” Then she looked to him. “Adam.”

“Mother, we’re going back to the Ponderosa. We’ll leave on the morning stage.”

“Back to the Ponderosa. But why? What’s wrong?” Her pale gray eyes took in her daughter.

Angelica dabbed at the tears that broke and ran down her face. “We got a wire last night from Mr. Cartwright.... There’s been… Oh, Adam, I can’t.” She turned to him and hid her face against his broad chest as his arms enfolded her.

“Adam, what on Earth is wrong?”

“It’s Hoss, Mrs. Cadence. He was caught in a rock slide, and he’s pretty badly hurt.”

“Oh, my Lord, no, not our Erik.” Her hand went to her mouth, and she began to weep.

Adam reached out to her, and she went to him, and he held her close.

Poor little Fiona simply stood there, her eyes brimming and the morning light glistening in them. She didn’t know Hoss Cartwright all that well but for the time she had been on the Ponderosa he had made her feel welcome. His gentle ways and kind and often wise words had a way to soothe a girl so far from the only home she had ever known. Silently, Adam nodded her over, and she went to him and got between her mother and sister, and his long arms encircled the three of them as they cried.

*******

The women were packing for their trip in one of the bedrooms when someone came to the front door, and Adam went to answer it. As he opened it back he found Siddon Banning and Steve Balasco standing before him.

“Morning, Sid, Steve. Come on in,” Adam said as he sidestepped, and they did as bade, and he pushed the door shut. “I don’t havta ask why you’re here. You know what’s happened, don’t you?”

“Cy Wellman came straight to me after he took the message and sent young Sedkins off with it then I sent him down to tell Steve. But I told him not to tell Mrs. Cadence and her daughter. I knew you and Angelica would want to do that.”

“Thank you for that, Sid.”

“I hope you don’t mind that he came to tell me first.”

“Of course I don’t, Sid.”

“Everybody around here knows how close my family is to yours.”

“They ought to by this time,” Adam said with half a grin.

“Cy wasn’t able to tell us a whole lot, just that he’s pretty badly banged up and how it happened,” Steve said and took a deep breath.

“Then you know as much as I do. We’re leaving on the morning stage, and I don’t know when we’ll get back.”

“Well, you don’t have to worry about a thing; you just go to your family and stay as long as you need to. We’ll keep an eye on things here while you’re gone.”

“Thanks, Sid. Thank you both. When something like this comes along it’s always good to have friends, and you’re two of the best. Now why don’t we go into the kitchen and have a cup of coffee and talk while the women finish up? We went ahead and ate breakfast since it’s a ways until we will again, but I could probably scrounge up something.”

His friends graciously declined since they had both already eaten.

“But I did bring a little something for the coffee,” Steve said as he slipped a flat sided bottle of whiskey from his inside coat pocket, his charcoal eyes glinting roguishly. “This is my best Irish from my own private stock.”

“I think that’s the best idea anybody’s had all day,” Adam said as he eyed the amber liquid in its clear glass prison. “I don’t usually drink this early in the day, but I think this time I need it. I think we all can use a good jolt.”

“We can drink to Hoss,” Siddon and stroked his dark chin, “and his quick recovery.”

“That sounds even better,” Adam said.

Siddon and Steve got on either side of him like guardians, and they started toward the kitchen. The house became silent again and stayed that way for almost a minute then warm, masculine voices wafted their way out into the dining room, and added life to where there had only been sorrow before.

*******

Adam came along the boardwalk to where Angelica, Mrs. Cadence and Fiona stood in front of the Overland Stage Lines depot as the luggage was being loaded in to the big red coach’s boot.

“I sent the wire to let Pa know we’re coming,” he said as he came to stand next to his wife.

“Good,” Mrs. Cadence said as she took her youngest daughter’s hand. “The dear man’s got enough grief, and I would hate to go in on him unannounced. Though it’s not like he isn’t expecting us.”

“I know,” Angelica said with a glance at Adam. “Nothing could keep us from coming.”

“All right, folks,” the driver said as he came around to them. “You’d best get on board so’s we can get goin’ if we’re gonna keep to the schedule.”

As the man climbed up onto the seat next to the shotgun rider, Adam helped the women into the coach then got in and slammed the door shut. They settled back for the journey, and Adam held his wife’s hand for reassurance.

It was nine o’clock sharp as the vehicle rolled out of Bantree on its way to Virginia City with Adam and Angelica Cartwright and Verina and Fiona Cadence as its only passengers. In three days time, barring incident, they would be back at the Ponderosa, back with family.

THREE

Sheriff Roy Coffee made his way across the street and toward the stagecoach where the driver was helping Adam Cartwright load the luggage into the back of the rig he had rented. The ladies stood nearby, and he could see the haggard lines about their faces as he drew closer.

“Mornin, Adam,” he said as he came around the back of the big conveyance. “Can I help?”

“No, Roy, we’ve just about got it,” Adam said as he put an ocher leather valise into the back of the buckboard.

“Mornin’, ladies,” Roy said as he doffed his hat to them. “I hope the trip weren’t too hard and dusty.”

“It wasn’t, sheriff, and thank you for asking,” Mrs. Cadence said with a worn smile.

A small blue carpet bag was loaded and they were finished. Adam thanked the driver then turned to Roy and shook the man’s hand. “I wish we could’ve gotten here sooner but this is the best we could do. How is he, Roy? Have you heard?”

“Last I was told, nothin’s changed from yesterday which ain’t hardly different from when it happened. The doc’s out there now.”

“Roy, do you know anything about what happened? Pa’s wire was sketchy. What was he doing in Dead Man’s Pass?”

“Takin’ some supplies to the mine at Gunsight. Things ain’t been goin’ so well up there and they was low on food so your pa sent ‘em some. Hoss was just comin’ through the bad part o’ the pass when the rocks just come tumblin’ right down on ‘im. The team got away but your brother just weren’t so lucky.” Roy read the look on his face and knew what he was thinking. “Now don’t you go blamin’ yourself for not bein’ here. You gotta have a life o’ your own, and your family understands that. Your pa’s even talked to me about it, and he’s real proud o’ you. And now that there’s gonna be a grandbaby, he’s spread it all over town and in Carson City too. An’ he just gittin’ started.” He gave him a pat. “Now you best git goin’ on. I know they’re lookin’ for you.”

“Thanks, Roy.”

“Don’t mention it, son.”

They exchanged another handshake then the ladies were helped into the buckboard. Adam got into the front seat next to his wife then gave the reins a snap, and they started out of town. Roy stepped into the middle of the street and watched them go. He hoped they weren’t too late, and that things worked out for the better. Hoss Cartwright was a big, robust man but even he couldn’t stand up to the onslaught of nature. In his private thoughts Roy said a prayer for them all then started off for his office.

*******

Joe Cartwright was in the barn brushing his horse when he heard someone drive into the yard. Since Hoss had been hurt four days earlier he hadn’t gone far from the house.

“I’ll be back, Cooch,” he said and laid the stiff bristled brush aside and gave the paint a healthy pat on the neck. “So don’t you go away.” As he came into the open doorway he stopped and felt the tears sting his emerald eyes.

The buckboard came to a halt near the front of the house, and Joe rushed over to it as Adam got out. As the brothers came face-to-face for several seconds they simply stood and looked at each other.

“Well, aren’t you gonna say anything?”

“Welcome home, brother,” Joe said as his hands bunched at his sides.

“It’s good to be home.”

Joe’s eyes traced the features he knew so well. “I just start getting used to the idea of you with a mustache and you go and shave it off.”

“I knew you didn’t like it,” Adam said with a cocky tilt of his head.

Then Joe’s face pinched, and he flung his arms around his brother.

“It’s all right, buddy,” Adam said and gave him a pat on the back. He closed his eyes and squeezed out the tears then savagely wiped them away as he stepped back. “How’re you holding up?”

“I’m doin’ not so bad, but it isn’t me I’m worried about.”

“Pa.”

“You know how he gets when something happens to one of us.”

Adam turned and helped Angelica down, then Mrs. Cadence and Fiona.

“Hello, sister-in-law.”

“You can still call me Angelica.”

“It just felt good to say that. It’s past time somebody snagged him, and he couldn’t’ve done better.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that,” she said with a saddened smile.

“I do,” Joe said.

They hugged each other then he turned to Mrs. Cadence.

“Joseph,” she said and closed her arms around him before he could say anything.

“I’m glad you and Fiona came.”

“We couldn’t do any less, Joseph.” She put her hand against his cheek. “You and Erik are my sons now too.”

Then Joe turned to Fiona. “Welcome home, little sister.”

“Thank you,” she said timidly, and he hugged her.

“Is Pa upstairs?”

“He was when I came out here,” Joe said as he moved to the back of the buckboard and picked up the little carpet bag. “Why don’t you all just go on in, and I’ll get one of the men to help me unload.”

Adam thanked him then – with the women in tow – he started inside.

The big room hadn’t changed in the two months he had been gone. Everything was to its place and nothing had been added or taken away, with the exception of his favorite blue which now sat in the parlor of his own home, a wedding gift from Pa, just one of many.

They were just moving deeper inside when Hop Sing bustled out from the kitchen, drying his hands on his apron. “Mista Adam,” he almost squealed. “Missy Angelica. It good you all come.”

“Where’s Pa?”

“Him upstairs. I go get. Him want see you chop-chop.”

“Thank you, Hop Sing.”

The little man hustled up the stairs as Adam was taking his wife’s cloak.

“Why don’t you all sit down? I know you’re tired from that trip, and especially you,” Adam said as he ran a thumb along Angelica’s jaw.

Ben Cartwright froze on the top landing as his gaze lit upon his eldest son. He hadn’t seen Adam since he had left for Bantree with his new family in late July. Ben had wanted to go up there so badly and so many times, but he had wanted to let Adam get settled into his new life without his father meddling in, and he had expressed the same thing to his other sons. But now he was home, though the circumstances for his return were less than desirable. He rubbed at his coffee eyes and did his best to mask the anguish that lay beneath the surface.

Ben had no sooner started down when Adam turned around, the ladies’ outer garments draped over his arm. He gave them a sling over the back of the settee then met his father halfway.

Ben just looked at him, as tall and straight and handsome as ever. “Married life agrees with you.” He touched his son’s smooth upper lip. “I’m so glad you’re here, son.”

“So am I, Pa.”

Then the urge to hold his oldest became too overpowering to resist any longer. He grasped Adam and held him close as if he hadn’t seen him in a hundred years. Until this very moment Ben hadn’t realized how much he truly missed him, even though he was not so awful far away. Then he stood back, blinking the moisture from his eyes, and looked to Angelica as she stood from the red leather chair. He went to her and took her hands in his.

“Father,” she said and touched her cheek to his then looked into his face.

He turned to Mrs. Cadence and her youngest. “I’m so glad that you came with them. It just wouldn’t seem right without you. You’ll always be welcome, both of you.”

“I had to come… for my Erik.”

“Pa, how bad is it? I know he has some cracked ribs and that both his legs are broken, but that’s about all you told me, and Roy couldn’t or wouldn’t tell me much more.”

“That’s true.” Then Ben took a deep breath, and his eyes clouded with concern. “A bone broke through the skin of his right leg and a rock stuck him in the back but thank the Good Lord it doesn’t seem to have done any permanent damage. He does still have feeling in his legs.”

A collective breath was released.

“Well, that’s something,” Angelica said.

“Pa, is it all right if we go up to see him?”

“He’s been asking for you, and I think he’d be disappointed if you didn’t come right up.”

“Adam, why don’t you go on alone?” Angelica said. “We can come later. It should be just you and him first.”

“Angelica’s right,” Mrs. Cadence said. “We’ll be along later.”

The dark hazel eyes roamed to the head of the stairs then he started toward them. His legs drug as he slowly took a step at a time then lethargically down the hall. He wasn’t eager to see his brother in the kind of shape he knew he was in, but he had to be with him and most of all now. Hesitantly, he took the knob and eased the door open. Hop Sing saw him and got up from the wing chair by the bed as he came into the room.

“Can I be alone with him for a few minutes?” Adam whispered.

With a nod and a glance back, the little cook went out and softly closed the door.

Adam’s breath caught as he stepped to the head of the bed and looked down at his brother. His face was bruised and bathed with sweat, and his left eye blackened. He raised one of the large hands and held it in both of his, and as he did the blue eyes fluttered open.

“Just look at you,” Adam said with a forced titter. “I leave you alone and look what you go and get yourself into.”

“I knew you’d… come,” Hoss said weakly.

“Of course I came, you big lummox. Somebody has to help Pa and Joe and Hop Sing with you, and I brought reinforcements.”

“Angelica?”

“And her mother and sister.” His long, tapered fingers tightened on the beloved hand.

“The baby…. Tell me about… the baby.”

“I will, but right now you need to get your rest. So you go back to sleep, and I don’t want you arguing with your big brother.”

One side of Hoss’ mouth turned, and his eyelids lowered.

Adam’s felt as if his heart would come in two. He didn’t want to let himself imagine his life without Hoss in it. “Just sleep,” he said softly. His bowed his raven head, and the sorrow threatened to crush him. His brother could die, and he knew it, though he didn’t want to admit it to himself, but the evidence was lying there before him, and he couldn’t deny it no matter how hard he tried.

FOUR

Angelica was in Adam’s old bedroom unpacking when her husband came in. Instantly, she could see what it had done to him to see his brother like that. She watched him as he sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes hollow and desolate. She hung the dress in the wardrobe then went around and sat next to him.

Her sight never left his face, but she said nothing. She would let him speak in his own time and of his own choosing.

“He could die, Angelica. He could die, and we all know it,” he said without looking at her. “I’ve seen what can happen when a bone breaks the skin like that, and so have Pa and Joe…. It can go bad so fast. He already has a fever, and it can get even worse…. So what good am I when Paul Martin can’t do a thing for him…? I’m afraid he’s beyond my reach this time.”

“No,” she said firmly and took his face in her hands. “Love can be one of the strongest medicines there is, and I’ve seen what you and your father and brothers have for each other.” She smiled and the light twinkled in her eyes, and she brushed back the characteristic black wisp that had fallen over his forehead. “Like the Paiutes would say, “It’s good medicine.”…. Don’t give up on him.”

“I haven’t given up; I’ll always be there for him.” He gave a snort and shook his head. “Goodness knows he’s done it enough for me. I was once forced into a situation where I had to kill my best friend, and Hoss knew just the right thing to say to help me get through it.” His heavy brows drew down. “But I may not be able to do the same for him this time.”

“You just be there for him and let him do the rest.”

He twisted around to her and let his eyes rove over that splendid face. “How did I get through all those years without you?” he said as he cupped her chin in his hand.

“Who says you were without me? I think we were guiding each other even before we knew the other existed.” A puckish spark glittered in the deep violet. “I think that’s why you never got married. I wouldn’t allow it.”

“Maybe, but everyday I say a prayer of thanks for your being sent to me. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t been with me the other night when that wire came.”

“You would’ve carried on like you’ve always done.”

“I’m just glad I didn’t have to.” He kissed her luscious lips tenderly then put his arms around her and squeezed her close. “Now if only my prayers for my brother will be answered,” he thought then closed his eyes.

*******

Ben was sitting in the chair in Hoss’ room reading the Bible when Adam eased soundlessly into the room. Motion at the periphery of his vision made him look up as his oldest came around next to him. Closing the precious book, Ben rested it in his lap.

“How’s he doin’?”

“The fever is still very high,” Ben said as his eyes went to his second-born. “Fortunately, he’s getting his much needed sleep.”

Adam sat beside his brother and began washing the perspiration from his face. “Were you able to get any of Paul’s medicine inside him?” His nose wrinkled as he glanced at the little amber bottle sitting next to the basin.

“Yes, and with no trouble at all, I might add. He isn’t like his older brother.”

Adam winced as he rewet the cloth. “Sorry about that, Pa, but that stuff gives me the most hellacious nightmares.”

“And you’ve always been so adamant about it and sometimes not so polite, I might add.”

“Sorry about that too.”

Crossing his arms, Ben watched as Adam attended his seriously ill and injured brother. His sons had always been so close and there for each other, and that was one of the things that instilled such pride in him. His boys were brothers in the truest sense of the word. Though for a time once, when Adam had returned from college, he had feared that his youngest and oldest had drawn irreparably apart, but the solid sense of family had not been to be denied.

“One of the reasons I came up was to tell you that supper’s ready. I’ll sit with him while you go eat.”

“Have you eaten yet?”

“I will later.”

“I know how you will.”

“I promise that I’ll eat something, so you go ahead. We’ll be all right.”

“Very well, son. I won’t be long,” Ben said then placed the Bible on the dresser and reluctantly left the room.

“Well, we’re by ourselves again, brother. You know, I wouldn’t put this past you just to get me back here. Even though you didn’t say anything, I could tell you didn’t want me to go. Pa and Joe didn’t hide the fact that they didn’t want me to, and Hop Sing was just as bad, but I could tell you didn’t like the idea, no matter how much you tried to act like you backed me on it.” He sighed and ran his hand back over his heavy hair. “That didn’t come out just exactly the way I meant for it to. Of course, you backed me on it, you always have just like Pa and Joe…. I guess what I’m trying to say is, that…, well, dadblameit, you just didn’t want your brother to leave.” He dropped his head and rubbed at the growing ache in his temples. “Maybe I should’ve stayed and built my house on the Ponderosa like I originally planned, but I wanted something that was truly my own, mine and Angelica’s. And after all, Bantree isn’t that far away, and you can come for a visit any time you can get away.” He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Please, don’t leave us, Hoss. Please don’t go.”

*******

Angelica was exhausted and hadn’t felt such overwhelming grief since her father had passed from them. The hours of darkness brought with them gloom and oppression that the light of day had been able to disguise and now weighed on her shoulders like an onerous stone.

She sat in the chair in their room and let the fatigue accrued from the long trip from Bantree gradually begin to lessen some. Her fingers dug into the upholstered arms, and she tried wiggling her toes still held captive in the black high-button shoes but the leather held them firm.

Taking a deep breath, she leaned her head back and stared at the ceiling. By way of marriage to his brother, Hoss Cartwright had become family. She didn’t know him all that well from being around him, but Adam had told her a lot about him. Of his gentleness with animals and children, his innocent wonder at the ways of nature, and his sage advice and words to those who needed them in time of trouble.

When she had first come there he and his younger brother had tried making time with her but she hadn’t been susceptible to it. She had been so dead set on marrying Hazleton Greenwood that she hadn’t been susceptible to anything until their brother came and swept her off her feet. Amusement tickled the inside her mind as she thought of the day when Hoss had tried so hard. She had been doing embroidery at the time, and he had tried making small talk about it. He wondered if she could teach him to do it but she had brusquely brushed him off. She conjured an image of him trying to do delicate needlework and it made her laugh, and she almost wished she had given him a lesson or two. But then the laughter turned to tears and brought with it torment as she thought that maybe it was too late to try.

Leaning forward, she put a hand to her face and a small whimper left her. “Don’t think that way,” she said to herself. “You told Adam not to give up on him so don’t you do it.”

As she straightened, she rubbed at the tension in her back and sighed. The night wasn’t even half over, and her family needed her so she pulled herself sluggishly from the chair and left the room.

FIVE

It wasn’t long after breakfast the next morning when Paul Martin came to the house as he had every day since the accident. The rest of the family waited in the parlor while he and Ben were upstairs in Hoss’ room. The women sat sedately on the settee but Adam and Joe were pacing back-and-forth near the foot of the stairs, going opposite directions to each other.

“Adam, why don’t you sit down, sweetheart? This isn’t helping anything,” Angelica said and pictured herself doing the same thing a month ago when Adam had fallen from over exhaustion and they had waited to hear of his condition. And for that she knew what he was feeling.

But she got no answer as he and his brother continued to pace, their hands held behind their backs. With a glance at her mother, she got up and went to Adam.

“Adam,” she said and took hold of his arms and stopped him, “this isn’t helping and you’re only wearing yourself out, both of you. Now when the doctor is finished he’ll tell us.” He just looked at her, and she could see the anxiety in those dark hazel eyes.

Hop Sing scuttled in with a tray loaded with tea things and a steaming pot and put on the low table before the hearth. “This help make wait easier.”

“I’ll help you,” Mrs. Cadence said as she came to her feet.

“Hop Sing can do. You guest.”

“I know you can, but I need to. And I’m family.”

Hop Sing’s smile made words unnecessary and they proceeded.

Mrs. Cadence came to Adam and Angelica with a cup for each of them then she took Joe by the arm and stopped his incessant pacing. “Enough of this. I want you to come and sit on the settee with me and Fiona.”

“But I…”

“Not buts, young man,” and she began tugging on him.

Once everyone was settled with a cup things did seem to relax a bit but very little tea was sipped as eyes kept going to the stairs.

Another fifteen or so minutes passed in silence, and no one had even finished their first cup. The ponderous ticking of the big grandfather clock seemed to echo through the room and the crackle of the fire added its two cents worth.

“Adam.”

Adam looked around at the sound of his brother’s voice. Paul Martin was descending alone with his battered medical bag clutched in his hand. Cups and saucers clinked as they were put down and everyone stood before he left the last step.

The others gathered around Adam as the doctor came to stand in front of them.

“How is he, Paul?” Adam asked solemnly.

Paul’s blue-gray eyes darted to each one of them. “He’s not out of the woods yet, but Hop Sing’s good broth and the medicine I left will hopefully help.”

Adam let out a long breath like squeezing the air from a bellows. “But will all that enough?”

Paul ruffled his thick mouse brown hair and looked straight at him. “It can’t hurt, but a lot of this is up to Hoss. Like every Cartwright I know, he’s a fighter. He doesn’t know the meaning of ‘quit’, but he can’t do it alone; we have to help in everyway we know to.”

“Oh, we will,” Mrs. Cadence said unwaveringly.

“Paul, how badly were his legs broken, I mean, other than the obvious?”

“You know as well as I do that any break is serious, but when the bone pierces the skin as it did with Hoss’ right leg… the potential for problems increases. Now, I’ve done everything I can up to this point, and his fever being so high has me worried. If the medicine doesn’t do anything we’ll take it from there.”

Adam ran his hand back over his hair. “When will you know anything for sure?”

“I can’t say with any certainty, it’s different with different patients. It’s been my experience that some react more quickly than others. We’ll just have to let Hoss tell us. Now I need to get back into town. I’ll be out in the morning, as usual, unless you need me before then.”

“Thank you, Paul,” Adam said. “I don’t know if we could’ve made it this far without you.”

“I haven’t really done much.”

“You’ve been a friend,” Adam said and took the doctor’s hand and shook it.

It was apparent that this touched Paul, and he couldn’t keep it from his eyes.

“I’ll see you out.”

“Thank you, Joe.”

As Joe went out with the doctor the others took their seats again and waited for Ben to let them know if they could see him. This time, however, the tea was completely forgotten as they sat in total silence.

*******

Adam was coming out of his room when Hop Sing came up the stairs with a tray.

“That for, Hoss?”

“Yes,” the little cook said with a nod, “you fatha ask me to bling it.”

“I’ll take it in since I was going in there anyway.”

“Yes, Mista Adam,” Hop Sing said as he handed over the tray.

Adam took it and turned for Hoss’ room then turned back as a thought struck him. “Oh, by-the-way, have you seen my wife?”

“She bling sandwich and coffee to fatha not long ago but Hop Sing not see her since.”

“All right, Hop Sing, thanks,” then he went into the room as Hop Sing went back downstairs.

He eased into the room and found Angelica sitting on the side of the bed washing his brother’s face. Her soft, low voice filled the room, though he couldn’t make out what she was saying. Hoss’ weary eyes were set right on her face though he didn’t move.

“Where’s Pa?” Adam said as he came and sat the tray on the bed table.

“I brought him something to eat then I threatened him into trying to get some sleep. He was so thoroughly exhausted.”

“You threatened Pa? I didn’t know I’d married such a brave woman.”

“It wasn’t all that hard when he finally saw that I was right. I just convinced him that killing himself wouldn’t help us. Isn’t that right?” she said as she wiped back the thinning fine brown hair with the damp cloth.

The corners of Hoss’ eyes crinkled but he didn’t try to talk.

“Hop Sing sent up some broth.”

“Wonderful.” She put the cloth into the basin then took the napkin from the tray and spread over Hoss’ chest.

Adam watched as she took up the bowl and dipped the spoon into the hot yellow liquid. Hoss barely opened his mouth, and she ladled it in carefully but still managed to spill some and it ran down his chin. With a compassionate smile she wiped it away and fed him another spoonful.

Adam put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed then her gentle fingers wrapped around his, and she leaned into his hold then filled the spoon again. Adam had been blessed in so many ways but now one of his blessings could be taken from him and the thought clutched his heart like a clammy fist. No one needed perfect eyesight to see how sick his brother was, and no one needed superior intellect to know that it could worsen and what the outcome could be.

SIX

That night the bottom fell out of everything as Hoss’ fever grew in intensity. He had become deathly still and his breathing more labored. They fought it with the icy water from the pump but he had lapsed into unconsciousness so there was no further chance of getting him to take anymore of the medicine. Adam and Joe almost had to force their father at gunpoint to go eat but it was Mrs. Cadence’s calm reasoning that he needed all his strength for the fight that had won out.

Mrs. Cadence was sitting with her Erik, reading from Ben’s Bible when there came a light rapping, and she told them to come in. The door opened with a whisper and Fiona entered the room with silent feet and went to where her mother sat.

“Are you finished eating already, dear?”

“I wasn’t very hungry. This has all kind of taken my appetite away.”

“It’s taken everyone’s appetite away, but we eat because we need to keep up our strength for him.”

“And now you need to, so I thought I could sit with him while you do.”

“All right, dear,” Mrs. Cadence said as she came out of the chair. “The medicine is there by the washbasin if he should awaken.”

Fiona assured her that she knew what to do and after her mother left she sat down beside him. She watched as the big man fought for every breath and wished she could do more. Taking the cloth from the water, she wrung the excess from it and began wiping the perspiration from his face and neck.

Suddenly, she found her wrist caught in a steel grip, and she looked into feverish blue eyes. They looked at her but she felt as if they didn’t really see her.

“It’s all right,” she said as she pried at his fingers. “Everything is going to be all right.” She tried to keep any hint of fear from her face and her voice. A gentle smile turned the Cadence mouth, and she began running her fingers through his hair with her free hand. “I won’t leave you.”

Slowly, his grasp loosened, and she pulled his hand away and lay against his chest.

“That’s better. Now you go back to sleep.” She never looked from him as his eyelids wafted down and continued running her fingers through his hair. “That’s it.”

Her heart was breaking for him and his family. She had seen the closeness and the endearing love they had for one another and it tore at her to think that it could all be shattered. Closing her eyes, she let her head drop, and her lips began moving in silent supplication.

Behind her the door soundlessly pulled together.

As Adam left the top landing he saw Angelica standing at Hoss’ room with one hand clutched at her throat and tears falling in rivulets.

“Angelica,” he said softly and tenderly took her hand. Then his eyes flicked to the door and fear sparked in them. “Angelica, what’s wrong?”

She slowly looked up at him. “It’s all right. He’s still here and Fiona’s with him.” Then she leaned her head forward and their foreheads touched. “I’ll tell you about it later.”

“All right,” he said with uncertainty then opened the door and they went in.

*******

The moon traced a silvery path across the sky until the dawn light replaced it with hues of bittersweet and mauve. Oaks and poplars had begun donning their autumn finery, and the mornings had become more chilled than the summer months. Jack Frost had started his nightly rounds to leave his touch of artistry on windows and blades of grass. Early day in the Sierras was a magical time in any of the seasons but those in the big roughhewn log house couldn’t appreciate this one.

Hop Sing, always the first to rise, stirred in the kitchen as he made preparation to begin his daily duties. Joe, who had spent ninety percent of the night rambling around unable to settle, was poking up the banked fire in the big stone hearth when his oldest brother’s long legs wound him down the staircase, his boots in his right hand.

“Mornin’, brother.”

“Mornin’ Adam,” Joe said as he continued jabbing away the ashes. “Did you sleep any?”

“I may’ve closed my eyes once or twice, but Angelica was in Hoss’ room at the time so it wasn’t very sound. I won’t ask about you because I already know the answer.”

“Have you looked in on him yet this morning?”

“Right before I came down. He seemed a little restless but I guess that’s to be expected.” He sat down on the settee and began putting his boots on. “Hopefully Paul can give us some good news when he gets here.”

Joe finished and just stood staring into the growing flames as they flirted with each other. “I can’t help but think that if somebody had found him sooner it would’ve helped. Three hours, for three hours he lay out there bleeding into the dirt.”

“Well, before you start taking the blame for it, it wasn’t you fault anymore than it was mine. We had no way of knowing.”

“I know, but that doesn’t make me feel any better, and if I know you the way I think I do you’re blaming yourself for not being here.”

“Guilty.”

They looked toward the stairs as a swishing sound caught their attention, and Angelica brushed down in her robe carrying a pitcher.

“He’s delirious,” she said as she made her way toward the kitchen.

Joe dropped the poker and it hit against the stone with a metallic clatter. He and Adam made a dash for the stairs, taking two steps at a time, and then bolted for Hoss’ room. When they burst in they found their father trying to control their thrashing brother. Fiona stood by the window as if afraid to get too close, and her mother was trying desperately to wash Hoss’ face and talking calmly to him.

Adam and Joe rushed forward to help their father as Angelica came in with the water. They got onto the bed and Adam grabbed his arms whole Joe held his legs as carefully as he could lest he injure them any further. Hoss had always been immensely strong, and now, in a fever driven frenzy, it was multiplied.

“Hoss!” Adam shouted as he struggled with strength thrice his own.

Hoss gave a fierce jerk of one of his legs and Joe went off into the floor just as Angelica was coming to fill the basin. He bumped into her, and she dropped the pitcher and it broke against the floor, sending water in all directions. But he recovered quickly and swiftly reestablished his hold.

Just then Paul Martin came into the room and his face fell at the sight before him. In the tussle no one had heard his buggy drive into the yard. He ran forward to give a hand and sat his black leather medical bag on the bed table.

“Paul!” Ben blurted as he saw him. “We didn’t expect you this soon! I was just about to send somebody for you!”

“Edna Jivers had her baby early this morning, and I was there all night,” he said as he fought alongside the others, “and I thought I’d just stop by on my way back into town.”

“It’s a good thing,” Joe said as he leaned hard against his brother’s legs.

“We’ve got to get him quieted down before he really hurts himself, and so I can examine him.”

Adam shot a look at the doctor then leaned back. “Hoss, I’m sorry,” he said then drew back and hit him hard in the face but when that didn’t work it took a second shot.

“Adam!”

But the thrashing instantly stopped and the big man went slack.

“I’m sorry Pa, but it was the only way.”

“That doesn’t matter now,” Paul said as he took a pair of thin bladed scissors from his bag. “What does is that I get a look at that leg.”

Ben got out of the way as the doctor cut the sheeting that bound the splint to Hoss’ right calf.

“Adam, carefully hold his leg up.”

Adam did as told and Paul deftly removed the fabric and wooden splints then peeled away the dressing.

“Oh, my Lord,” Mrs. Cadence said as a hand went to her mouth.

The wound was inflamed and festering, and the skin had pulled taunt around it.

“I was afraid of that,” Paul said with a wince.

“What can you do?” Ben asked as he eased closer.

“The only thing I know to do and pray it works. I want every pillow from every bed so we can prop his leg then I’m going to cut into it so it can drain. And I want everyone to leave the room before I do, but I’ll need someone to stay and help me.”

“I’ll stay,” Angelica spoke up decisively.

“And so will I,” Mrs. Cadence said with equal resolve.

“Good. Now lets get to it, Hoss doesn’t have time for us to waste.”

SEVEN

Time moved ever so slowly as the doctor endeavored to save Hoss’ life and his leg. The men waited restlessly in the parlor while Fiona helped Hop Sing fix sandwiches and tea instead of a full blown breakfast.

It didn’t take long for the confinement to get to Joe, and he went out onto the porch. It was chilly and a cutting breeze blew through the trees and whistled around the barn. The bright sun that had graced the sky with its first rays had ducked behind gray clouds that raced angrily across the heavens as if trying to escape some pursuer.

Joe rubbed his hands along his arms as a nippy gust caught him fair and penetrated his shirt. It rifled the unruly dark brown curls and touched his cheeks with wintry fingers.

“Cold this morning.”

Joe looked around at the sound of the rich baritone. “Hoss would probably say there’s snow in the air.”

“He probably would,” Adam said with a nod. “I brought you a sandwich.”

“I’m not really hungry.”

“None of us are, but that doesn’t change the fact that you still need to eat.”

Joe took the plate and stared glumly at what it held then his cunning emerald eyes rose to his brother’s face. “Have you had one?”

“Not yet.”

“Well, you go get one, and we’ll eat together.”

“Don’t you trust me?” Adam asked as one eyebrow rose.

“Not about this.”

“Then I’ll be right back.”

Joe waited, in no big hurry, until his brother came back with a sandwich of his own.

“You go first,” Adam said with twinkling eyes.

“You’re the oldest.”

“It always comes down to that.” His forehead drew into a scowl, and his nose wrinkled as he bit the side from his sandwich. “It’s not bad,” he said around a full mouth. “Now it’s your turn, and this time I must insist.”

Joe reluctantly did the same and, as he suspected, it had about as much taste as sawdust. It wasn’t that the food was bad – he loved ham and egg sandwiches – it was simply that he didn’t want it.

For nearly a minute they ate without a word. They stood side-by-side with their sight locked ahead toward the barn but seeing past it.

“I wish we’d hear something,” Joe said without looking around.

“We will. You just havta be patient.”

Another second passed and there was only their chewing.

“He was so excited when he found out about the baby.” Joe tittered. “He started trying to think of something special to get for him.”

“Or her.”

“You know,” Joe finally looked around, “I think he secretly hopes it is a girl. He was telling me about this blue dress he found when he went to buy supplies last week and how much he’d like to buy it for your little girl.” His shoulders slumped, and he glared at the remains of his sandwich and his top lip curled. “I don’t think I can eat the rest of this.” He thumped it back onto the plate.

“It’s all right, buddy,” Adam said as he squeezed his brother’s shoulder. “We’ll make it, and we’ll see that Hoss does too.”

The silence that had closed in around them was abruptly broken when the front door opened and Fiona tripped outside.

“The doctor,” she said then ran back into the house.

The brothers’ eyes met with fear and anticipation then they followed after the girl.

Paul was standing with Ben – who had his arm around Fiona’s shoulders – at the fireplace as Joe and Adam came in.

“Paul,” Adam said as they came forward.

“I was just telling your father that everything went well, and he didn’t wake up the whole time so he didn’t feel anything. The leg is draining as I hoped it would and only time will tell if this going to help.” A weary smile spread over his face and didn’t quite reach his fatigued blue-gray eyes. “Now I know you’re all eager to see him, and I don’t think a minute or two is going to hurt anything, but don’t disturb him. I don’t think he’s ever needed rest more than he does right now.”

They promised not to then all followed him back upstairs.

Hoss lay perfectly still with his leg propped on the pillows and elevated well above his head. Towels and sheets had been packed under it for it to drain into. A thick greenish-yellow liquid tinged pink with blood ran from the open wound and into the material. His eyes were closed, and his skin was more the color of parchment, but he seemed to be resting comfortably.

Mrs. Cadence was sitting in the chair, and Angelica stood at the window, her arms crossed in front of her. The faces of both women bore the evidence of the wear and strain the ordeal had put on them.

Father and brothers stepped to the bedside and looked down at him so wan and unmoving. Ben reached down and brushed back his son’s soft, fine hair and Hoss didn’t wake or budge.

“Hoss,” Ben said hardly above a whisper. “My son.” Then he felt someone take his hand, and he looked around into Mrs. Cadence’s consoling gray eyes. The two of them stood in stony silence and simply watched Hoss breathe.

Adam and Joe stayed near the foot of the bed doing the same thing. Angelica came to her husband, and he held her as she rested her head against the side of his neck. Fiona came to stand by Joe, her eyes swimming in tears, and he put his arm around her and pulled her close to him. Paul remained by the door to let the family visit.

Hoss had come through it so far, but it was anyone’s guess how much more he could take.

*******

Angelica had just left the outhouse for the third time in probably the last half hour, a situation which made travel less than comfortable. While she helped the doctor with her brother-in-law earlier she hadn’t been able to heed the call when necessary and as a result she had to change clothes once she got back to her and Adam’s room.

She got as far as the end of the house near the kitchen and stopped. She couldn’t remember ever being so exhausted, and, not only that, her stomach was protesting vehemently and rolling around inside. Being an expectant mother had its unpleasant aspects, to be sure, but the thought of the new life growing inside her canceled them out. Her maternal instincts warmed her and filled her with feelings she had never before experienced. This was her child. She looked down at her belly and placed her hand flat against it. This was Adam’s child, and that alone was enough to send her spirit’s soaring.

But then her eyes rose to the second story of the big house, and she had to fight off the thought of impending defeat. Another life, a dear life, hung in a delicate balance. The doctor was fighting valiantly to save it, but she couldn’t help but wonder if his efforts would be in vain.

With a heavy breath she started around to the front. She had thought to go through the kitchen but being in such close proximity to cooking smells wouldn’t do her nausea any good so she opted to go through the parlor.

The big room was vacant. Everyone, she assumed, was with Hoss and Hop Sing in his kitchen so she was completely alone. Her eyes scanned about her and landed on the settee and the piece of furniture beckoned.

“A few minutes won’t do any harm,” she said under her breath then started on into the room.

She sat down on the settee and it felt so good to take the load off her feet and just let the morning’s events slide into the background. The crackle of the fire and its undulating flames nibbled at the edge of her growing drowsiness, and her hand went to a yawn as her eyelids grew heavier.

Adam closed the door to his brother’s room as he stepped out into the hall. As he did it dawned on him that he hadn’t seen his wife in a bit. She had looked so worn and drawn and carrying their baby he knew was putting a strain on her and this only added to it.

He went to their room and peeked inside but no one was there so he turned for the stairs. The second he got to the top landing the sides of his mouth turned, and he went on down and crossed to the settee where she laid full length. Reaching out to her, he pushed back the dark brown strand that had fallen against her forward, but it didn’t disturb her. Carefully, he gathered her into his arms and went toward the staircase. As he started up her eyes opened and rose to his face.

“Did I go to sleep?”

“Just a little, but I don’t think it’s gonna hurt anything.”

He took her to their room and deposited her onto the bed. She turned onto her side and brought her legs up and drifted right back to sleep. The temptation was too great, and he lay down next to her and curled around her with his head resting against hers. He closed his eyes and his thoughts went back to his brother fighting for his life and it tore at his heart like a rabid animal. Tears escaped past his dense black lashes as his arms tightened around her and ran into her silky hair.

Joe started toward his own room, and as he did he noticed that the door to Adam and Angelica’s bedroom was ajar. Stealthily opening it back and sticking his head inside the sight of his brother and sister-in-law curled up together and both apparently asleep made him smile. It was so good to have Adam back in the house and Angelica’s presence, along with her mother and sister, brought a much needed feminine presence. Gingerly, he backed out and left them to their well earned sleep then changed his mind and went on downstairs in search of something to take his mind away for a short while.

EIGHT

The heavy pelting of an autumn rain struck the house and resounded within its walls. Temperatures had risen from morning only to fall again with the coming of dusk and the advent of the downpour. Day’s last remnants of sunlight had long since faded from the sky and night had clad everything in a dark coat. The wind had picked up again and drove the large drops before it into everything in their grasp.

The whole family – with the exception of Angelica, who had volunteered to sit with Hoss again – had gone to the supper table. Paul, who had been urged to stay and eat before heading back, sat in her place. Hop Sing made the most delectable stew any one of them had ever tasted but this night no one had any real desire for it.

The little cook stood in the doorway to the kitchen watching his family eat mechanically. It hurt to see them this way and to know why. He heaved a deep sigh, and then a glint filled his obsidian eyes, and he ducked back into his domain. When he came out again he had a piping bowl of stew with a slice of bread and a glass of milk on a tray.

“Hop Sing,” Ben said as his silver head rose, “where’re you going?”

“I take Missy Angelica her supper. She kelly baby and she need it.”

“All right, Hop Sing. That’s a very good idea.”

With a dip of his head the little man took the food up to the sick room. Mista Hoss lay very still with his eyes closed, his leg draped with a cloth and without the splint.

“I bling Missy her supper,” Hop Sing said softly. “She and baby need it.”

She grinned ironically. “I guess I can’t argue with that, so I won’t even try.”

She scooted forward in the big chair, and he placed the whole thing in her lap. He stood with his hands clasped in front of him with rapt attention as she took her first bite.

“This is very good, thank you. I guess I’m a touch hungrier than I realized.” She took another bite.

“How him do?” he asked with a glance to the bed’s occupant.

“About the same. He simply lies there, and I continue to fight the fever, and everything goes on the same as before.”

He couldn’t help but catch the hint of defeat in her voice and see it in the slump of her shoulders. “Missy not give up.”

“I haven’t, but I don’t know how much more of this he can go through. He’s been battered and broken and cut on and bled and I…” Her head fell and her lashes batted furiously. “I was so hateful to him when I first came here. I was hateful and detestable to everyone.”

“Missy not want come. Mista Hoss understand. Whole family understand.”

“That’s no excuse for my boorish attitude. He and Joe and their father hadn’t done anything except try to make me feel welcome, and I was rude and obnoxious.”

“That old Missy, this new Missy. This Missy Mista Adam make.”

She looked at him with puzzlement. “What make’s you say that?”

“I see how Missy behave when Mista Adam first come. It like night and day.”

She giggled lightly and went back to her stew.

“If Missy not need Hop Sing now I go back to kitchen.”

“Go ahead, I’m just fine. And thank you, Hop Sing. I really needed this…. And I don’t just mean the food either.”

“Missy velly welcome.”

She focused her attention on her bowl again as the spoon dipped into it.

“Missy…. Missy.”

“What is it, Hop…” but his expression froze the words in her throat. “Hop Sing?”

But he just stood and stared. She followed his wide-eyed gaze and swallowed a breath.

“Hop Sing, go get the others. And put this on the dresser.”

“Yes, Missy.” He took the tray and did as she asked and flew from the room.

She went to the bedside from where a pair of extremely tired blue eyes followed her every move. Placing a hand against his forehead, her relief was evident. “Welcome back.”

“Mista Cartlight!” Hop Sing said as he came down the stairs in a flustered bundle. “Mista Cartlight!”

“What is it, Hop Sing?” Ben said as he bolted to his feet.

“You come upstairs! It Mista Hoss! You all come light now!”

With the scrape of chairs there was a mad break from the table and everyone took after the little man as he shot back upstairs. When they came into the bedroom Angelica was sitting on the side of the bed, blocking their view from the door.

“Pa,” came in a raspy voice as they drew into the room.

Ben came around to Angelica, and she looked at him beaming like the sun.

“The fever’s broken.”

Ben touched his son’s face, and his lungs filled. Sure enough it was cooler to the touch though still slightly warm.

Paul raised the cloth and thoroughly checked the wound. “Things look pretty good here too,”

“Where’s… Adam?”

“I’m right here, brother,” Adam said as he came to stand next to his father.

“I thought… I dreamed you.”

“I’m no dream, and I’m not going anywhere until I’m sure you’re gonna stick around for a while.”

Hoss managed to hold up his hand and Adam gripped it. It appeared as if the worst was over, now they only hoped for it to hold.

*******

Fiona was sitting on the foot of the bed, already in her nightgown, deep in thought when her mother came in. The concerned young eyes came up as the door closed.

“Is he still all right?”

“Yes, dear, so far it seems so,” Mrs. Cadence said as she began undressing for the night. “He’s sleeping and his father is with him.”

“Where are Adam and Angelica?”

“Ben made them go to bed with the promise that he would wake them if Erik got bad again.”

“Do you think he will?”

Mrs. Cadence finished taking off her shoes and put them by the side of the chair then looked to her daughter. The girl’s face was sullen and long, and her soft gray eyes seemed stormy. Mrs. Cadence got up and sat next to her. “Are you all right, dear?” she asked as she took her daughter’s hand.

“That first night when I sat with him, when we thought… He was so quiet and all of a sudden… he looked at me and grabbed my arm so tight.” She held out her arm and pulled back the sleeve to reveal the bruises on her wrist. “I was frightened but I think it was more for him than for me. He was so sick and his eyes seemed to be asking for help,” and her voice cracked, and tears sparkled in her eyes. “I wanted to do something to…”

“You did. Your sister saw you, and she told me.” She touched her daughter’s face. “You were there when he needed someone, and you calmed his fear and let him know that you cared and that you wouldn’t leave him. That counted for more than I think you understand. And it pleases your mother so much to know that you’ve grown into such a woman.” She kissed her on the tip of the nose “Now why don’t you climb into bed and try to get some sleep? I think tomorrow is going to be another long, trying day.”

The girl agreed to try, then kissed her mother and nestled down under the covers on her side of the bed. Mrs. Cadence sat there for a few seconds just watching her and marveling at the child her Hiram had given her then returned to her undressing.

*******

Joe was in the process of banking the fire for the night when Mrs. Cadence came out of the guest room, tying the belt around her robe.

“I think everyone’s going to be able to sleep a little better tonight,” she said as she came around the big red leather chair. “Even though no one’s going to be completely at ease until Dr. Martin comes back tomorrow and makes absolutely certain that it’s all right to be.”

“I know,” he said as he finished his job and leaned the poker against the hearth’s stone face. “Where’s Fiona?”

“Would you believe she’s already asleep? She’s been so very worried, and it’s simply worn her out.”

“And she doesn’t even know Hoss that well. She doesn’t know any of us that well with the exception of Adam.”

“I don’t think anyone can really know Adam that well, I think there are too many sides to him.”

He tittered. “I’ve known him for twenty-three years, and he still bumfuzzles me. It seems like just when I think I’ve got him figured he turns around and shows me I’m wrong.”

“You’re part of a wonderful family, Joseph,” she said as she took his arm. “But all too often we seem to take that for granted until something like this comes along and opens our eyes for us…. But as soon as things settle again we go right back to taking for granted.”

“I know,” he said softly. “I know.”

NINE

As had been anticipated, the doctor came and confirmed what everyone already pretty much knew. Through the night any traces of Hoss’ fever had disappeared, and he was definitely on the mend. The leg had pinked up even more overnight and the signs of the infection had diminished closer to nonexistence, but they knew that total recovery was going to be a long, drawn-out process.

Life in the big house had swung back toward a more normal routine though still far from it. But today everyone believed was the beginning of the end of Hoss’ illness.

For the first time, Adam felt like it would be safe for him to go beyond the heavy log walls. So, while everyone else went on about their business he decided to go to the barn and see what had fallen into disrepair in his absence. He grinned at the thought of his being indispensable.

In drawing closer to the structure he became aware of the most frantic noises of utter chaos coming from inside. Entering through the big doorway, he saw his youngest brother digging around and tossing things out of his way.

“Joe, what in the name of common sense are you doing?” Adam said as his hands went to his hips.

“I’m looking for that wheelchair,” Joe said as he tossed aside a crate. “I know it’s in here, but I can’t seem…” but the words vaporized as he looked up and caught sight of his brother’s face.

Had it been so awfully long when Adam had been confined to the contraption with the prospect of being imprisoned in it for the rest of his life? In his eagerness to find it for Hoss, Joe had grown careless and blurted it out without any thought to Adam’s feelings.

“Adam, I’m sorry. I didn’t think…”

“That’s all right,” Adam said as he went to him. “That was a long time ago. Now, do you remember when was the last time you saw it and where?”

“It was right around here but I guess somebody moved it.”

Adam’s forehead creased as his eyebrows rose. “Something just came to me.”

“What’s that?”

“Even if we do find it he’ll only be able to navigate the upstairs in it. There won’t be any way to get him down the steps, and it’s for sure we can’t carry him.”

Joe’s face plummeted, and his mouth fell agape. “I hadn’t even thought of that. I’d just as soon try to carry Cooch.”

They shared a laugh for the first time in a long while.

“We’ll go ahead and find it anyway and get it cleaned up,” Adam said as his eyes began darting to possible hiding places. “And even if he can’t come downstairs it’ll keep him from being bedfast.”

“That sounds good to me.”

“All right. Have you looked in the loft?”

“No.”

“Okay, I’ll do it and you can finish up down here.”

With that the search recommenced with even more fervor as Adam headed for the loft ladder and Joe’s digging resumed.

*******

Ben had just left the kitchen with two cups of coffee when grunts and puffs and general carping touched his hearing. His dark eyes rose to the stairs as his sons were trying to get a wheelchair past the first landing.

“Do I even dare to ask?”

Adam and Joe stopped and looked around at their father who was standing at the bottom step.

“Oh, hi, Pa,” Joe said and grinned sheepishly then glanced down at the wheeled contrivance. “We found it out in the barn and got it all cleaned up for Hoss.”

“Don’t you think you’re rushing things just a little?”

“Well, sure he doesn’t need it right now,” Adam picked up, “but it’ll be there when he does.”

“And are you planning on wheeling him down the stairs?”

“Oh, no, that’s silly,” Joe said with a nervous chortle. “But he’ll be able to get around upstairs like everything.”

“And where will he go?”

Adam and Joe looked at each other then started talking at once until a shake of their father’s head hushed them.

“Never mind. If I haven’t figured you three out by this time I never will. Now would you just go where you’re going with that so I can go up to your brother’s room before this gets cold?”

“Oh, sure, Pa. Joe, give ‘er a pull.”

Ben started up behind them as they horsed the thing upstairs. Once they reached the top landing – Adam and Joe obviously pleased with their accomplishment – their father just eyed them then walked off shaking his head.

Mrs. Cadence was sitting in the chair watching Hoss sleep.

“Miraculously this is still hot,” Ben said as he handed her a cup. “Life with those boys of mine has certainly never been dull.”

“Is that what I heard?” she asked and took a sip.

“If it was bumping and quarreling and a few blue words, yes. They found the wheelchair out in the barn and brought it in for their brother. It was my misfortune to get behind them as they were bringing it up the stairs.”

“How in the world did they get a hold of a wheelchair?”

She scrutinized Ben closely as his eyes darkened and a shadow cast itself over his face. No one had to tell her that he was experiencing a painful memory.

“We had it here for Adam,” he said as he stared into his cup. “Three years back he almost got married.”

“To the Dayton woman.” She found herself the object of his haunted eyes. “Angelica told me.”

He nodded and looked back into his coffee. “He was building their house. One day he was working alone… and fell off the ladder…. The doctor wasn’t sure if he would ever walk again…. But I refused to believe that he wouldn’t.”

A light touch on his wrist brought those pained eyes up again. Sometimes the love he held for his sons and the grief he had endured made her want to cry. He was a fine man, and she was glad to know him.

“You couldn’t have done any less. I remember when we lost our Jason; I couldn’t believe he was gone. I actually tried willing him back to life. I sat all that night holding him in my lap and rocking him in the chair I had rocked him in when he was a baby.” She forgot about her coffee as tears welled in her eyes. “Nothing ever hurts like the loss of someone you love so much.”

Ben took the cup from her and put it, along with his, on the bed table then came back to her and, gently grasping her arms, brought her to her feet. “We have so much in common, you and me. The same pain, the same loss, the same grief.” Then – as he looked down on her – a feeling he hadn’t known with a woman for a while grew inside him. His head ducked toward the longing in her eyes but then stopped, and he simply pulled her closer and held her, and he wondered if he had the right.

TEN

At first he became aware of gurgles chasing each other around the inside of his empty stomach. He couldn’t remember the last time he had been this hungry. What he wouldn’t give for a steak, two steaks, the whole steer, including the moo. Then other sensations grew more noticeable as his blood and brain steadily awakened. He tried moving his legs but felt like someone was sitting on them then his arms and they felt pinioned to his body. His head drummed like the hooves of a running horse, and the inside of his lips stuck to his teeth. He tried smacking his mouth and opening his eyes at the same time which, as ideas went, wasn’t one of his best. The light that filled the room stabbed into his eyeballs like rods of ice and made the pounding contained in his skull worse and elicited a groan.

“Good afternoon, brother. We were beginning to think you were gonna sleep the rest of the month away.”

Hoss fought to keep his eyes open and finally found himself looking up into the familiar dark hazel. “Adam,” he rasped. “How long… you …” he swallowed and had to work up the strength to finish, “…been here?”

“Since four days after you got hurt? Don’t you remember?”

Hoss shook his head. Another bad idea. He tried seeing his feet. “Legs?”

“They’re still there. And they work quite well too. You can just ask Joe.”

“Well, I see the sleepyhead finally decided to wake up,” said a cheerful female voice.

Hoss let his gaze drift past his brother to the dark haired beauty that came to stand next to him. “Steak.”

“Not yet,” she said. “Your stomach’s not quite ready for solid food. I’ll have Hop Sing cook up some more broth. Maybe for breakfast in the morning you can have some porridge.”

His nose bunched and the corner of his mouth sneered.

“I know,” she said and patted him on the back of the hand then swept from the room.

He watched her go then looked back to his brother. “Angelica?”

“That’s right. The mother of my child.”

At the mention of the baby a warm light rose into the tired blue eyes. He had been too busy just trying to stay alive to think of anything else, but now a little voice told him that his thoughts could focus on other things. “Baby?”

“And when he gets here he’s gonna get to know his Uncle Hoss.”

Uncle Hoss. What a wonderful thought. He had to stick around for a while so as not to disappoint his brother.

*******

Angelica had put in the order for the broth and now stood on the front porch looking out into the last vestiges of the day. Her life had been hectic since coming to Nevada but most aspects of it she wouldn’t change even if she could. She had married the most wonderful man in the world and inherited his strong family, and she loved them as much as her own father and brothers.

She heard the door open and close behind her but she didn’t look around even at the sound of boots coming toward her.

“Aren’t you chilly?”

“A little I suppose.” She inhaled deeply of autumn’s tang and hugged herself against the suddenly noticed coolness.

“Well, I think I can fix that.”

Adam moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her, and his nearness comforted but it also seemed to augment the intense feelings raging inside her. She let her head fall back against him and allowed herself to be overwhelmed by his strength and the sanctuary of his arms.

As he held her she began to tremble, and he didn’t have to see to know she was crying. He rested his cheek against the side of her head, and his hold tightened her closer to him. No one had to tell him what the problem was. “He’s gonna be all right.” .

“I know, but we came so close to losing him.”

“But we didn’t, and you heard what the doctor told Pa. He’s getting better, and in a while he’ll be the same old Hoss again, it’s just gonna take time, is all.” A ragged breath shuddered through her, and he turned her to him, and he knew immediately that there was more to it. “But that’s not all of it, is it?” His eyes roved over her troubled face, and he knew. “You imagined that it was me.” Her eyes lowered. “Look at me.” He found himself looking into distressed violet again, and his pulse raced. “We don’t know that it won’t be someday, but right now I feel fine, and I’m here with you.”

“You talk as if I’m going to lose you.”

“Well, life is pretty uncertain, and we never know what’s just beyond the horizon. We don’t always like it when it gets here and sometimes there’s nothing we can do about it except give it the best we have in our ability to do all we can.” He took her hands in his. “But whatever comes we’ll go through it together, and we’ll take it whatever it is.” He pulled her closer to him. “Angelica, you’re my life, and all I have to give is yours, and know that no matter what happens I’ll always be by your side, regardless of where I am in this life or the next.”

The idea of losing him drove her to near madness, and she knew that when the time came, however long that would be, she hoped she would go first. She couldn’t stand the thought of going through the rest of her days without him, and she would rather die than have to do that. She jerked her hands from his and threw her arms around him and put her ear over his heart, and she could hear it beating. With each rhythmic thump her fear began to subside for it was loud and healthy. Then she felt him lift her face to him, and she was looking into the countenance of the purest love she had ever known.

“I love you, Angelica, and I don’t plan on going anywhere for a long, long time.”

Then his head lowered, and she found herself blissfully lost in his ardent kiss and swallowed up by the only man that could ever be for her. She brought her hands up and ruffled the heavy black hair at the back of his head and sank even deeper into the very essence of him. Then through her mind ran a prayer for many more years with him and the promise to take whatever they brought.

ELEVEN

A week had passed since Hoss’ fever had broken, and he had started down the road to complete recovery. With both legs broken and in splints it was impossible for him to get around without the aid of the wheelchair which pretty much restricted him to the second floor.

Life in the big ranch house was no longer in the turmoil it had been and things were running as smoothly as they could. The family was kept pretty busy seeing to the needs of an incapacitated man, and though Hoss wasn’t the demanding kind, that is until it came to food, he did have certain needs that required outside assistance to take care of.

“Look out, here he comes again!” Joe shouted and hugged the wall near his bedroom door, being careful to pull his feet in.

Adam did the same across from him as their brother sped toward them in the wheelchair.

Hoss stopped between them, missing Adam’s left foot by less than an inch. “I was hopin’ to catch you two before you went downstairs.”

“You almost did,” Joe grumbled. “You know, I can’t figure out how you can move so fast in that thing.”

“It ain’t so hard if’n you got good strong arms.”

“Then we’re doomed,” Adam said as he eased away from his perch of safety.

“Well, at least you haven’t gotten your toes crunched under those metal-rimmed wheels yet,” Joe said as his face registered painful remembrance.

“Ah, Joe, if’n you’d got outta my way fasternuff it wouldn’t o’ happened.”

“I didn’t expect to get ambushed by my own brother.”

“What was it you wanted to see us about?” Adam intervened.

“I been smellin’ Hop Sing’s bakin’ all mornin’ an’ I know he’s got doughnuts down there. If’n one o’ you wouldn’t mind I sure could us a dozen for starters.”

Adam’s shrewd eyes went past Hoss to the staircase. “I’m afraid you’re a little bit behind in your thinking, brother.”

Joe and Hoss followed his line of sight to where Angelica was coming up the stairs with a plate heaped with the tender golden, nutmeg laced morsels and a tall glass of milk.

Hoss smacked his lips, and his eyes virtually glowed with expectation.

“Now if you’ll excuse us, me and Joe have work to attend to. We can’t afford the luxury of sitting on our back ends all day like some of us.”

Adam gave Angelica a quick peck on the cheek then whispered something into her ear, and she nodded.

“Something goin’ on between you two I should know about?” Joe said with a wicked smirk as he and Adam started down.

“Nothing you won’t find out about in a few months,” and he gave his brother one of his devious winks.

Ben was sitting at his desk attending to some much neglected paperwork. Since Hoss’ accident much had suffered on the ranch and this was only one of the casualties.

“You go on Joe; I’ll catch up with you. I need to talk to Pa for a few minutes.”

“All right,” then he gave his older brother a slap on the back and went on.

Adam stepped to the front of the desk and simply stood watching his father until he was noticed.

The silver head rose and Ben could see that there was something on his son’s mind. “I can always tell when something’s bothering you.”

“Not bothering me exactly, but something has been on my mind. Hoss is getting better day-by-day as anybody can see, and, well, when you can cut us loose we need to get back home. Siddon and Steve said they’d take care of things while we were gone but there’s still so much that needs to be done, like hire more men, which isn’t so easy this time of year as you well know, find a foreman and build up my herd.”

“I would’ve thought all that would’ve been taken care of.”

Adam ducked his head with a half embarrassed smirk. “I guess being married has, well…”

“I understand,” Ben said with a knowing leer.

“The truth of the matter is that I haven’t found any breeding stock that suits me at the price I want to pay and with winter coming on I thought it would be better to just wait until spring anyway.”

“That’s a sound idea. But why didn’t you come to me for breeding stock?”

Adam cocked his head to one side and the look in those dark hazel eyes told Ben all he needed to know. His son’s pride and stubborn independence wouldn’t let him.

“But there’s still plenty that needs to be done to get ready for all those months of being snowed in.”

“I see. Well, you can go anytime. We can manage, and, like you said, Hoss is improving daily.”

“All right, I tell you what, Pa. I’ll give you three more days then we simply havta to go home.”

“That’s fine, son.”

Adam gave his father one of those winks that Ben had come to expect from him then went out after his youngest brother. He went to the window and watched as his son’s long legged stride took him toward the barn. He had known this day would come and Adam would have to go back to his own home and take Angelica and her mother and sister with him. He had always dreaded the time when one of his sons would leave the nest for good. Still, he was proud of his oldest for putting together what had the makings of a first-class spread from all he had been told. He smiled as his boy went from his sight to get his horse then he returned to his desk and sat in the tufted green leather chair. Staring at the ledger book open before him he doubted that he could get back at it now but he picked up the pencil and made a stab at it anyway.

*******

That night Adam was the last one to turn in. As he had promised his father he would he made sure everything downstairs was locked up, banked the fire and put out all the lights then headed to where Angelica waited, warm and inviting.

When he got to the top landing he immediately saw that Hoss was sitting partially inside his own room.

“I thought you’d already gone to bed,” Adam said lowly as he drew closer, a lamp in hand.

“I wanted to talk to you first.”

“All right, let’s go into your room where we won’t disturb anybody.”

Once inside, Adam closed the door and put the lamp on the dresser then took a seat in the wingchair, which had been moved back by the window, and his brother wheeled around in front of him.

“All right, brother, what seems to be the problem?”

Hoss leaned forward and tented his hands in front of him. “Ain’t a problem really…. Pa told me you’re plannin’ on leavin’ in a few days.”

“That’s right. You know as well as anybody how much it takes to keep a working ranch going, but I wouldn’t leave until I was sure you were okay and Pa didn’t need me anymore. Well, now I have, and it’s time for me to get back to the Angel.”

“I’ve always thought that was the purtiest name an’ I don’t havta ask where you got the idea for it.”

“Well, if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have it so I think it’s only fitting.”

“More’n fittin’. She’s a good woman an’ you couldn’t o’ done better.”

“So I’ve been told, but I still don’t think that’s what you waylaid me to talk about.”

“You always was purty good at knowin’ my mind.” Hoss’ eyes flitted to his hands. “It’s just that it’s been so good havin’ you home again an’ havin’ the women folk. I guess what I’m tryin’ to say is…”

“I know what you’re trying to say, and I couldn’t’ve done any less. You’re my brother and part of my job is to watch after you and Joe and be there when you need me. Now maybe there’ll be times when that just isn’t possible but my heart will always be with you no matter what. You do know that, don’t you?”

“Course I do. So does Joe.”

They sat quietly for several seconds, Adam’s eyes never leaving his brother’s face.

“Hoss,” Adam said and put a hand on his knee, “would you’ve done any differently if it’d been me?”

“Nope.”

“I didn’t think so. Now, is there anything else?”

“When you first come you promised to tell me about the baby, an’ you ain’t done it yet.”

“Tonight? Don’t you think it can wait?” But Adam could see by his brother’s expression caught in the soft radiance of the lamp that his mind was firmly set. “There isn’t that much to tell except that she’s definitely gonna have one, but then that you already know.”

“Ain’t you even picked out any names yet?”

“We’ve pretty much decided on Adam if it’s a boy and Elizabeth if it goes the other way.”

“Elizabeth, after your ma. I like that.”

“I kinda thought you would. Now it’s getting later than late and we both need to get some rest. It takes a lot to wheel that thing around, take it from one who knows.” Adam got up to go. “Do you need any help getting into bed?”

“Nah, it ain’t so hard.”

“Then I guess this is ‘goodnight’. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“All right, brother.”

Hoss closed his eyes and listened to his brother’s footfalls on the hardwood then to the door opening and closing behind him. When he opened them again the room was dark with only a scant bit of moonlight coming in through the partially shaded window. He took a heavy breath in the stillness of his room and felt the loneliness close in around him. He hadn’t been able to really enjoy his brother’s visit, owing to the reason he had come, but it had been so good having him there again.

“Good night, Adam.” he whispered. “I wish you could stay but I know why you cain’t.”

He wheeled himself closer to the window and raised the shade more so that he could see out into the night. The chair creaked as he leaned back in it and put his arms on the rests. He would go to bed in a little while, but for right now he just wanted to think and remember.

TWELVE

Joe handed Fiona’s little blue carpet bag to Adam, and he put it in the back of the rented buckboard with the rest of the luggage while his father stood nearby.

“Well, that takes care of that,” Adam said as he slapped his hands together.

“I wish you could stay a little while longer, son.”

“So do I, Pa, but we may’ve overstayed our welcome as it is,” Adam said as he looked up to the threatening sky.

“You could never do that.”

Adam’s mouth curved, and he gave his father a pat on the arm. “I know that, Pa. Now where are those women? We need to get started if we’re gonna catch the noon stage for Bantree.”

“I never saw a woman yet who knew the meaning of the word ‘hurry’,” Ben said with a mischievous twinkle to his coffee eyes.

“Well, I suppose I’d better…” Adam started but didn’t get to finish as the female part of his family bustled out of the house. “I was just about to come after you.”

“Well, now, you can’t just go off without proper ‘good-byes’,” Mrs. Cadence said as she pulled on her tan kid gloves. “We couldn’t forget Hop Sing, and poor Erik being confined to the upstairs like that, well, we simply couldn’t just go off and leave him.”

“Of course you couldn’t,” Adam said as he glanced at his father. “Now we’d better get going. Another few minutes and we’ll be running behind.”

“Tsk, tsk, Adam,” she said as she put a hand to his cheek. “I haven’t’ met a man yet who isn’t always in a rush to get somewhere.”

They men exchanged looks and suspected that Ben’s remark had been heard.

Hugs were exchanged and the usual good-byes and the ladies were helped into the buckboard, with Mrs. Cadence and Fiona riding in the second seat.

“Well, son, you be careful, and I hope your next visit won’t be out of such a necessity.”

“So do I Pa. And when you can break away you havta come for a stay. You haven’t even been to our house yet. I might get to thinking that I’m being snubbed.”

“I think you know better than that. At least, you’d better. I just didn’t want to rush in on you too quickly before you got good and settled.”

“Well, now we are, and you have no excuse not to.”

“I’ll remember that…. It’s been so good having you all, and I don’t like to think about it if you hadn’t been able to come. And I think Hoss would’ve been inconsolable if his big brother hadn’t been here.”

“He wouldn’t’ve been the only one,” Adam said as he scratched the side of his neck.

“Take care of yourself, brother,” Joe said as he gave Adam a final embrace.

“I will.” He gave Joe a brotherly whack then got into the seat next to his wife. As he did his eyes rose to the lone front window of the second story, which happened to be Joe’s room. Hoss was sitting before the window watching as they prepared to leave. Adam’s heart turned, and he wished he could run back upstairs and not have to say good-bye this time. Then the warming smile, the one that his family knew so well, brightened his face, and he waved and got a wave in return then he snapped the reins against the horses’ backs and they started off past the barn.

Joe stepped next to his father as the buckboard drove from sight. “There’s always Christmas and Thanksgiving,” he said as he put a comforting arm around his father’s shoulders.

“That’s right, son, there is. Now let’s go see how Hoss is doing.”

Then turned and went back into the house. But at the upstairs window a pair of blue eyes continued to watch, though the roof of the barn blocked their view of the road. A single tear ran down his cheek and he wheeled himself back into the room.

*******

Though just as bone jarring, the trip back to Bantree hadn’t been so dusty, due to the rain dampened road. While Angelica had helped her mother and sister unpack, Adam had gone to see Siddon Banning to tell him about Hoss and see what, if anything, had transpired while he was away. The visit had been transitory at best since he had been eager to get back to the Angel.

The Cartwright rig, which had been left at the livery in town in their absence, pulled up in front of the big white house. Adam stepped down first then helped Angelica to alight and they just stood and looked at their home.

“It is so good to be back. The Ponderosa is wonderful but this is home”

“Yes, it is,” he said as his arm stole around her waist. “It was good to see Pa and Joe and Hoss and Hop Sing, though I don’t think I’ll ever get over seeing my brother so helpless.”

“I know, sweetheart. It hurt us all, but now he’s on his way to getting better, and soon he’ll be able to come see our house and even stay with us.”

“I was thinking we could invite him after the baby comes. If I know Hoss, he’ll have all manner of gifts.”

“I’d like that very much.”

They went up the steps onto the porch, and he took the key from his coat pocket and unlocked the front door and pushed it open. Then, without a single word of warning, he scooped her into his arms.

“Adam Cartwright, what are you doing?”

“I’m gonna carry my wife over the threshold.”

“You did that when we first moved in.”

“I know, but I feel like doing it again.”

“May I ask why?”

“Because I love my wife, and as far as I’m concerned, I can never show it enough.”

He kissed her, and she kissed him back as hard as she could. In his arms, she had never felt any safer or more loved, and she wished she could stay there forever. Then next thing she knew, she found herself looking into those sensuous eyes that never failed to kindle a fire inside her. She brushed her fingertips over his dark cheek and smiled then rested her head against his shoulder.

He looked down at the whole world resting in his arms and knew that he had so much to be grateful for. His brother would recover with the help of time and the family that loved him, and his own life had taken a turn toward a bright new future. Stepping into the house, he pushed the door shut with his foot. He was home with the one he adored and the luggage could wait.

THE END

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