Parting Song
by
Janice Sagraves

Many of the characters and some of the situations are not mine, and no infringement is intended. It is simply for the enjoyment of Bonanza fans.

1

Sally Cass ran her fingers along the top edge of the simple wooden cross. Had it really been a week since that terrible Saturday night? She daubed the linen handkerchief at her warm brown eyes, and swallowed down the lump in her throat. Her hand drifted down, and she plucked at the strings of the guitar that had been propped there. His guitar and she felt the pain in her heart that she doubted even the passage of time could ease. She stooped and placed the small bouquet of flowers on the grave like she had every day since the funeral.

“These aren’t as pretty as the others, but they were all that I could find. Maybe I can do better tomorrow.” She stood and smoothed the skirt of her soft blue dress. “Good-by, Ed, I’ll be back in the morning.”

Then she turned with a swish of her hems over the dry ground and started back to her buggy. She had to get back into town. There were still a few more things to do before she left for St. Louis.

It had set into early afternoon as Adam Cartwright stepped down from the heavy wagon in front of Wesson’s Mercantile. In the last week the Cartwright’s had turned their patronage from Cass’ store. Not because some believed him to be instrumental in the death of Ed Payson so much, but because his concern for his business and his customers had all but vanished. And they weren’t the only ones whose patronage he had lost.

Adam had just crossed the boardwalk and started inside when someone called his name. He looked around and registered a smile of genuine pleasure. “Sally, I certainly didn’t expect to see you in town this time of day.”

“I didn’t stay as long today, but Ed understood.”

Adam’s lone eyebrow arched. “I really don’t think it’s healthy for you to go out there every day.”

“Maybe it isn’t, but after the way he was treated when he came home…” Her head dropped for a second. “I don’t know, I guess I’m just trying to make up for things now that it’s too late.”

He reached out and took one of her hands. “It’s never too late to show kindness, and I know he would appreciate it. I didn’t know him as well as I would’ve liked, but any man would appreciate the attention of a kind and compassionate woman.”

She smiled and it reeked of sadness. “I’m nothing so special.”

“I think you are, and so did Ed. He did love you.”

“Yes, and it got him killed. If it hadn’t been for me Pa wouldn’t have had a tool to use against him, and Billy wouldn’t have gone gunning for him.”

“Your father was wrong to use you that way, and Billy has no claim on you, no man does. Ed once told me that he found himself in a similar situation with another young man who thought Ed was paying way too much attention to his girl. He called Ed out and Ed was forced to kill him. So you see it’s the man’s play, not the woman’s.” Adam could see that now something new seemed to bother her. “There’s something else.”

“I knew, or I suspected that I wasn’t the only woman in Ed’s life.”

“That’s true, but you were that special one. He told me so himself.” His grasp tightened on her hand. “That very night, in fact, he told me that if loving you should cost him his life that it was well worth the risk.”

“That doesn’t help.”

“I know, but the fact that he thought you worth it should.”

“Maybe someday it will be, but not now.”

“Miss Sally! Miss Sally!”

Adam and Sally looked around as Jamie Higgins – a notorious troublemaker, and a friend of Billy Buckley’s –dodged a freight wagon and dashed toward them. He bounded up onto the boardwalk, quite out of breath. “Boy am I ever glad I found you. Your pa’s looking for you, and he’s mad as a wet cat.”

The color in Sally’s face flushed then drained. “I don’t suppose he said what he wanted.”

“He didn’t talk to me. I just heard him yellin’ and thought I’d better tell you.”

“Thank you, Jamie.”

After he received a burning look from Adam, he decided it best not to linger and ran back across the street.

“Well I suppose I had better go. These days Pa is in such a state so much of the time.”

“I don’t wonder. I imagine that his conscience has a lot to do with it.”

“Maybe that’s it, and sometimes I find myself hoping that it is, that he can be guilt stricken over what he has brought about. And no matter what he’s done, he is still my father. Though I don’t think I will be able to forgive him for a long time. If I ever can.”

“You will. Unlike some people, you’re not the vindictive type.” Adam brought her arm over his. “Now I think I’ll just see you home. My business here isn’t so important that it can’t wait a little while.”

“Oh, Adam, I really don’t think…”

“Nonsense, it would be my pleasure.” His expression went somber. “But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t worry about you. I don’t think I’ve ever seen as much change come over one man as Will Cass. And frankly, I worry about you being alone with him so much.”

“He’s angry with me, yes, but he would never do me a harm.”

“Not intentionally, maybe, but you, better than anybody, should know how his temper has gotten, and men in a temper don’t always act with a rational head. Now I’d better get you back before he really blows up.”

He gave her hand a pat, and they started along the boardwalk toward the opposite end of town.

It took them about five or six minutes to walk to the Cass store. A bell tinkled over the door as they went inside, but it was left open to let in the air. Sally looked about them, but they were quite alone.

“He doesn’t seem to be here. I wonder where Jamie…”

“There you are.” The door slammed behind them so hard that it almost tore the bell loose.

The disposition of Will Cass wasn’t the only change that Adam had noticed. Never what one would call robust, but not unhealthy by any means, he now resembled a cadaver that forgot to lie down. His gray eyes seemed sunk back in hollow sockets and lines were etched deep in his face. If Adam had to guess, he would say that this man hadn’t had a decent night’s sleep or meal since Ed Payson had hit town. The man didn’t even seem to notice Adam.

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you. One would think you’d stay and help me with the store more than you do.”

“Will, I really don’t think…”

“You stay out of this, Cartwright. If it weren’t for you befriending that murdering gunfighter none of this would’ve happened.” He gave Adam a shove.

“Pa, Adam has done nothing, and I don’t think…”

The flat of Cass’ hand caught his daughter across the cheek. “Don’t you backtalk me. You’ve done enough.”

Adam put gentle hands on Sally’s shoulders and eased her back then put himself between her and Cass. “Will, I know you’ve been having it rough, but that doesn’t give you the right to take it out on her.”

“I’m her father, and that gives me the right.”

“Nothing gives the right to treat her the way you have been, and I’m not the only one who’s noticed.”

“I don’t care what you or anybody else knows or think you know. Now I told you to stay out of this.”

“Not this time, Will. I won’t stand around and watch you brutalize your own daughter because you believe she disgraced you by falling in love with what you consider to be the wrong man.” Adam flicked a glance at the girl. “Sally, go pack some of your things, and I’ll take you to a hotel. You can stay there until you’re ready to leave for St. Louis.”

“Girl, don’t you move.”

Sally brought her hand down from her reddened cheek. “All right, Adam, it won’t take me but a few minutes.” Then she darted out of the store.

“Sally!”

Cass started after her, but Adam stopped him.

“No, Will, this time I think it’s just best you left well enough alone. And before I leave town I’ll make sure that Roy Coffee knows to keep an eye on Sally. So I recommend that you just stay away from her and cool down.”

Cass’ eyes narrowed and his face burned red. “You’re the cause of all this trouble.”

“No, Will, that’s where you’re dead wrong.” Adam stepped closer and towered over the man. “You are.” Then he backed out of the store and went after Sally.

2

It was well after five o’clock when Adam rounded back home. It had taken him longer than he had wanted, but after the ugly episode with Will Cass, he hadn’t felt right just going off and leaving Sally.

Adam had just lowered the wagon’s tailgate when his father limped out of the house with the help of a cane. The corners of his mouth turned as Ben came toward him. “You seem to be getting around better than when I left.”

Ben Cartwright stopped beside his son, and his coffee eyes snapped indignant fire. “I don’t doubt that. I could’ve completely recovered from being stepped on by thirty horses in the time you’ve been gone.”

Adam rolled his eyes at the exaggeration but was careful not to let his father see him.

“You should’ve been back at least an hour ago.”

Adam had been down this road before, so he knew he had better explain fast. “I ran into Sally Cass just as I was starting into Wesson’s.” He took a keg of nails and sat on the ground. “We talked a little and then I walked her back to the store.”

“Well that shouldn’t have taken four hours.” Ben’s eyes went to slits. “Unless…”

“That’s right.” He stacked another nail keg on top of the first. “Will came in just as we got there. He was angry with her, and not glad to see me. I’ve already been worried about her, like I think a lot of people have been, and then I had another reason for my concern.” Adam stopped with the third keg in his hands. “Will slapped her, and I didn’t feel right leaving her alone with him. I got her settled at the International House, and alerted Roy to what was going on.”

“I can’t believe that Will would do harm to his own daughter.”

“Used to be I wouldn’t have either, but after what happened with Ed Payson I can’t be so sure any more.” He put the keg down. “He’s not the same man. Revenge twisted him into somebody unrecognizable as the person we once knew. He used Sally to goad Billy into killing Ed, and I think it’s eating him alive. At least, I like to think that’s what’s behind his behavior.”

“I still can’t believe that the man I have known for so long would do such a thing.”

“Well when a person hates that much nothing they do should come as a surprise.”

“I still find it hard to comprehend of Will Cass.”

Adam climbed into the back of the wagon and began to unload rolls of fence wire. “Try getting Jamie Higgins drunk sometime, he’ll tell you anything you wantta know. You know as well as I do, Pa, that too much whiskey has a way of loosening a man’s tongue.”

“Oh, Adam, you didn’t.”

“No, I didn’t get him drunk. I just happened to be in the Silver Dollar when he did it to himself, and I took advantage of the situation.”

“That’s as bad.”

“Well I found out what I wanted to know.” Adam unloaded the last roll and jumped down. “And while Jamie didn’t come right out and use the word ‘goad’, it wasn’t necessary. A man as filled with hate for somebody as Will Cass was for Ed Payson is capable if anything to exact vengeance. And that’s exactly what he did.”

“I don’t care what Jamie thinks he knows. It’s only an assumption.”

“Pa, take your blinders off.” Adam rested his hands on the side of the wagon and leaned closer to his father. “Even Sally believes the same thing and she’s a bit closer to Will than we are. And you weren’t in that street when Billy tried to face Ed down right then.”

“But you decided to face him instead, and after you told me that you wouldn’t get into the middle of it.”

“I was in the middle of it from the day I befriended Ed Payson, and I wasn’t about to back down because everybody else thought I should.” Adam gathered up two of the kegs and stomped into the barn.

When his son returned, Ben couldn’t miss that black expression. Adam wouldn’t back down, but neither would he. “Adam, that part of it is behind us, and I don’t want to quarrel about it.”

Adam’s dark hazel eyes grew sharp. “Well that’s easy for you and Joe and Hoss, and the people in Virginia City, with a few stark exceptions.” His ferocity intensified. “Ed only wanted to make a life here in his father’s house, and leave behind a wasted and useless life, but nobody was interested in letting him do that. Sally and I were the only ones who saw the man and not the gunfighter.”

“Adam, I…” Ben reached out, but Adam grabbed the other keg and trounced into the barn with it.

When Adam came back out his father waited for him at the rear of the wagon. His innards tangled but not from fear or anxiety but from anger. He wasn’t mad at Pa, per se, but on a whole with all that had happened. “Whether anybody wants to admit it or not, this whole messy situation could’ve been avoided. Lives wouldn’t be shattered, a daughter wouldn’t be about to leave her father with the possibility that she may never see him again, Billy wouldn’t have to live with what he did, and…”

“A man wouldn’t be dead.”

Adam’s dark coloring blanched and his mouth set into a hard line. “It goes something like that.” He took hold of his father’s arm and some of his antagonism softened. “Pa, it’s always easy to prejudge somebody, but it’s not so easy to overcome bias, and that’s what happened here. But as far as you go, I know that it was more out of concern for me, and I’d be a fool and an ingrate to be mad at you for that.”

Ben’s face eased into a grin. “Well it’s good to know that you aren’t mad at me for caring what happened to you.” This time Adam didn’t pull away when Ben reached out to him. “In looking back I see that I was wrong about some things, and maybe I should’ve tried what you did, but I’m not sorry for fearing for my son’s life.”

Now Adam allowed himself a grin. “I know that, Pa, and I know you would’ve done the same if it had been Joe or Hoss. But still it makes me feel kinda special.” He snapped himself out of his sentimental mood and grabbed up one of the rolls of wire and rested it on his shoulder. “Now I’d better get all this wire put away. I still have a ton of work that needs to be done, and not enough day left to do it in.” He gave his father a wink then started off toward the work shed.

Ben watched him go, and the light caught in his eyes. “You are special, son.”

That night after supper, Adam packed a clean change of clothes into his saddle bags, and rode into town. This was the first time he had done this since Ed had been shot, and he knew it wouldn’t be the last until Sally left.

When Adam came into Virginia City’s main street, the annual Saturday night festivities had already begun to heat up. Every saloon in town had been worked into a life of its own, and the music, the laughter and the gaiety ran from one end of this wild hamlet to the other. And as much as it always gave him a lift, this time it caused a pang as well.

After Sport had been bedded at the livery, Adam went to the International House to get a room. So by the time he entered the lobby, and slapped his saddlebags down on the admissions desk it was pushing in on eight-thirty.

“Evening, Griss.”

Hal Grissom stuffed a note into one of the boxes reserved for each room then turned his lean frame. His steel blue eyes glistened in the light from the chandelier as a wide grin touched them. “Evening, Adam.”

“Griss, I need a room for the night.”

“Sure thing.” Hal twisted at the waist, and took a key from one of the hooks on the back wall. He laid it down on the desk as Adam signed his name into the register. “It’s the one right across from Miss Cass. I suppose I’m right in guessing that’s why you’re here.”

Adam’s eyes rose as he stuck the pen back into its holder. He snickered. “There has never been a whole gets by you, Griss.”

“Well you being here wasn’t so hard to figure after you told us to keep an eye on her.”

Adam laughed, but it held no real mirth. His gaze flicked toward the stairs as his mood became more somber. “I hope she’s doing all right.”

“Other than being more quiet than usual these days, she seems to be. And we’re making sure that she has a good stay. She had just retired back to her room after eating when you came in.”

“That’s good to hear. I’m glad to know that she still has an appetite.” Adam draped the saddlebags over his arm and snapped up the key. “I’ll probably look in on her before I turn in, just to let her know I’m here in case she should need me. Thanks, Griss.” Then he started toward the stairs.

“She really did love that fella Payson, didn’t she?”

Adam’s feet seized the ground, and he was slow to turn back around. And when he did his eyes were like black marbles. “Yeah, Griss, she loved him. It’s just too bad that nobody was willing to let her.” Then he started on upstairs.

It didn’t take long for Adam to deposit his saddlebags on the bed before he headed back out. He had a few things to take care of, and he wanted to get it done before it got dark and some of the usual rowdies took to the streets.

As he stepped from his room his eyes lit on the polished brass number twenty-six on the door across from his. Maybe he should just let Sally know that he was there instead of later. He moved closer and raised his fist to knock but – after a moment’s pause – he changed his mind and started off down the hall.

He had just put a foot on the top tread when a familiar feminine voice called his name, and he looked around. Sally stood in her doorway, her long, wavy blonde hair around her shoulders, and a pale pink dressing gown concealed all but the collar of her nightgown. Without any hesitation, he went to her.

“I heard the boots in the hall, and something told me that it might be you, so I decided to look.” Her mouth turned up at the corners, and it softened the delicate beauty of her face even further. “I’m glad I did.”

“Hal at the front desk told me that you’d already had supper.”

“Yes, and I ate quite a bit more than I thought I wanted. I’ve never been able to resist apple pie, and the ones here are just about the best I’ve ever eaten.” The tremble in her hand wasn’t so slight that he didn’t notice as she reached out and took hold of his wrist. “Adam, I know why you came, and I’m not ashamed to say that I’m glad you did. I don’t think it was necessary, but that doesn’t mean I’m not happy that you’re here.”

“Well I just felt more comfortable if I stayed the night. In the morning after church I’ll head back home with my father and brothers. But tonight I’ll be in the room right across the hall in case you should need anything.”

“You’re thoughtfulness is just one of the reasons I’ve always liked you, and it was the same with Ed. He once told me that you were one of the few people he’d ever met that didn’t treat him like a rattlesnake.”

Adam grinned. “He told me the same thing. Now I don’t want to keep you from going to bed.”

“You’re not.”

“Just the same, I’m going to go. I have some things I need to attend to before I hit the hay, and you need your sleep.” He leaned forward and gave her a peck on the cheek. “Good-night, sweetheart, and try not to worry. Things will get better.” He started away from her but only got as far as the head of the stairs when he turned back around. “I just had what I think is a splendid idea. After breakfast, why don’t you go to church with us? Pa and the boys haven’t seen you since the…” He stopped himself before he used the word ‘funeral’. “And afterward you could come out to the Ponderosa and spend the day.”

“I would like that very much.”

“Good, then that settles it. And maybe we’ll even go riding and just talk.”

“That sounds even better.”

He gave her a nod, and tipped his hat then almost bounced down the steps. She watched until he left her sight, and the sound of his footfalls was swallowed up by the clamor downstairs. All at once a sense of security enveloped her just from the knowledge that he would be close. One hand covered a yawn, and she went back into her room and closed the door. She looked forward to tomorrow like she hadn’t anything in way too long.

3

Billy Buckley stood just inside the batwing doors of one of the myriad saloons in town, one hand clamped around the handle of a beer mug. He took a drink and foam covered his upper lip, but he didn’t even seem to be aware of any of it. His eyes were set on the front of the church as people came out after services, and his grip tightened. Sally, flanked on either side by Cartwright men, was as bright as he had seen her in days, and it wasn’t reserved for him. And after what he had done to keep her. He took a hard slug.

A leggy chestnut and a spry little mahogany bay moved at a crisp trot past a small herd of cattle that found the grass far more interesting. A calf dashed away from their approach to find security with its mother.

Sally glanced over at her riding companion. “Adam, I haven’t felt this alive in so long, and I feel indecent.”

“Don’t. I know that Ed would be glad that you’ve started to live your life again.”

“I don’t know if I can ever do that, but this is a nice feeling just the same.”

She urged the mare faster, and Adam gave Sport his heels and took off after her.

They rode on through the dark green summer landscape for fifteen or so minutes until they came to a small stream that ran over rocks and burbled its way past a copse of several oaks. Sally reached it first and dismounted. Adam reined in Sport behind her and stepped down.

She looked up at the crystal sky and a dreamy quality filled her eyes. “What a perfect place your Ponderosa is.” A deep breath swelled her bosom, and her fingers clenched on the reins. “As many times as I’ve been out here before, today it seems to be more, oh, I don’t know,” her gaze lowered to him, “magical, I guess.”

He chuckled as they led the horses to the stream to drink. He gave Sport a pat on the neck as the animal lowered its head. “I think that’s a perfect word for it. And I thought you could use a good dose of its magic.”

She stroked the mare’s neck with an absentmindedness that had become more a part of her nature in recent time. “I don’t know if even that can help.” She raised her head, and her eyes bore such sadness that it made Adam ache. “So much has changed since that night. Pa has become like a stranger that frightens me sometimes. Many times I’ve tried to talk to him, and he doesn’t even seem to hear. And every night when I start to bed I can hear him walled up in his room, crying. The other day I caught him doing it over Dave’s picture, and he blew up and slammed the door in my face.” A ragged inhalation of breath made her shudder. “He hasn’t forgiven me for falling in love the man that killed ‘my own brother’, and I don’t think he ever will.” Her soft, fine brows lowered. “Adam, please say you don’t think I did wrong.”

“Of course I don’t. Sally, you’re not your father. You had it in your heart to forgive where your father didn’t, and now he has to live with all that hatred and what it caused. Never be ashamed of the fact that you fell in love with Ed Payson. Like me, you were willing to look for the good that was in him, and allow him to try to change.”

She turned away from him and clamped her eyes shut. With tender hands, he turned her back to him and saw that tears ran down her cheeks. He pulled her to him, and she rested her head against his chest as his arms enclosed her.

“There are so many things we wish we could undo, so many things we wish we could change, but it’s always an exercise in futility.” He raised her face to him and looked deep into those tear-filmed eyes. “Maybe someday when this is many years in the past we’ll be able look at it with clearer vision, and see that we didn’t bring this about, the callousness and animosity of others did.”

“I think I know that now, but I still feel guilty, not because I loved Ed or that he loved me, but because I was here for my father to use against him. Oh, I know he did. I know that he used me to enflame Billy to the point that he would want to kill, and kill he did.” Her chin quivered and for a second her teeth bit down on her lower lip in an attempt to stifle it. “I don’t understand how Billy was able to do that. I know that he didn’t, that he couldn’t have beaten Ed to the draw. The only thing I can believe is that Ed allowed him to. You were there, Adam, please tell me what happened, I need to know. Please, Adam.”

“Ed did beat him to the draw. Billy hadn’t even cleared leather when Ed drew a dead bead on him. After that I’m not really clear on what did happen it all occurred so fast.”

“You think that Ed allowed himself to be shot.”

“I believe he did. He was so tired. He thought that he’d at last found a place where he could finally settle down and stop running from himself. Sadly enough, he was wrong.”

“I should have gone to him and we should have left together, but I guess I just couldn’t let myself believe that Pa would take it so far. And I have known Billy since we were children and he never struck me as the kind who wanted to kill anybody.” Her eyes closed again to squeeze out more tears. “It was jealousy over me.”

Adam pressed her against his chest and began to stroke the back of her head. “Yes, and that was his failing, not yours. When a man lets that take a hold of him to the point where he’ll kill, well, you’ll be better off away from him. I’ll be glad when you’re safely in St. Louis with your cousin and his family.” He kissed her on the forehead. “But this isn’t to say that I won’t miss you.”

“And I’ll miss you terribly.” Her sobs grew in intensity. “Oh, Adam, it all went you wrong, and it hurts so bad.”

He rested his cheek against the side of her head. “I know, sweetheart, but you have my promise that it will get better. You have my solemn word for that. I will get better.”

It was early in the evening when the buckboard pulled up in front of the International House. Adam seemed to have more of a spring to his step than he had had in the last couple weeks as he went around and helped Sally down.

“Adam, this has been the most wonderful day, even in spite of a bad spot or two.”

“I think it’s been good for both of us, and needless to say we both needed it. Even the bad spots helped us to heal.”

“And I think it did, if only a little.”

He draped her arm over his, and they were about to start up the steps when a sharp, slurred voice accosted them from behind. “Boy, howdy, it didn’t take you long to move on to the next one.”

Sally paled and it only enhanced the darkness of her eyes. “Billy.”

Adam’s hold tightened on her wrist. “You’re drunk again, or you wouldn’t say that.”

The young man came right up to Adam with a tottering swagger. “That’s right, Cartwright, and I’ll keep getting drunk until you stay away from my girl”

Now Sally flared. “I’m not your girl. I never have been, and most certainly am not now.”

Billy’s demeanor softened and the sharp corners of his mouth turned in an inebriated facsimile of a smile. “You know I love you, Sally. I didn’t mean what I said.” He took Sally’s face in his hands and tried to kiss her only to be shoved away by a forceful hand.

“I think you oughtta find yourself a bed and sleep it off.”

“You stay outta this, Cartwright. You’ve done enough meddling already.” Billy’s face softened once more as his attention returned to the girl. “This is between me and Sally.” Again he started toward her.

As Billy reached out to her, this time Adam gave him an even fiercer push. Billy staggered backward and landed with a dull thud in the dusty street. In the bat of an eyelid, his right hand came up with his pistol and took dead aim at the man who now stood in his way. In one flashing movement, Adam released Sally’s arm and kicked the gun from Billy’s hand. The weapon skittered away over the dry, rutted ground as Adam grabbed the lapels of Billy’s vest and tugged him to his feet. He jerked the kid closer until their faces were mere inches apart, and his burned with furious passion.

“She doesn’t want any further part of you, and most especially when you’re like this.” Adam released his grip and heaved Billy away from him. “Now go sleep this off before somebody gets hurts.”

Billy snapped up his pistol and stuck it back into the holster then he just stood there and seethed. His dark, bloodshot eyes went to the girl. “I’ll see you later, Sally.”

“No, you won’t.”

Billy just glared at Adam, his hands in hard, knotted fists at his sides. “You’d better grow eyes in the back of your head, Cartwright. I got rid of one troublemaker – it won’t be any problem for me to get rid of another one.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that.” Adam’s eyes narrowed almost to the point of being closed, and his right hand dropped to the big .44 on his hip. “I’m not Ed Payson.”

Billy’s gaze dropped to Adam’s gun hand, and the gesture wasn’t lost on him.

“Now get going before I forget that I am a Cartwright.”

Billy just stood there, and his fingers seemed to twitch.

“I’d do like he says, son, before you get a hole put through your shirt pocket high.” Sheriff Roy Coffee stopped beside Billy and yanked the gun from the kid’s holster. “You can have this back when I think you’re ready for it. And just to put you on notice, if anything should happen to Adam here, and you’d better hope it don’t, I’ll know where to come lookin’.” Roy’s weathered, lined face hardened. “I don’t take too kind to threats against folks in my town, and you best just remember that.” He glanced at the girl and tipped his hat. Evenin’, Miss Sally.”

Sally, however, appeared to be too frozen by fear to even speak or move.

Billy was drunk, but he wasn’t so drunk as to be stupid. He would have needed to be blind or a week dead or both to not to see how much trouble he was about to get himself into, maybe even the kind he couldn’t escape from. He stood there for several seconds as his eyes ran from Roy to Adam and back to Roy. He gave Adam one last cutting look then spun back toward the other side of the street. He almost fell over, but he righted himself and kept going.

Roy stepped up onto the boardwalk beside Adam, and they watched the kid until he vanished into another saloon.

“All right, folks, the show’s over, you can go on back about your business.”

In a faint murmur of voices the crowd that had formed began to breakup.

“Thanks, Roy. I didn’t really wantta havta shoot him.”

Roy removed his hat and ran his hand back over his sweaty balding head. “He never had that much use for liquor before, and now he lives at the bottom of a bottle. I guess he’s findin’ out that he don’t have what it takes to be a killer of men.”

“It goes a bit deeper than that, Roy.”

Roy’s nut brown eyes darted to the girl. “Yeah, I guess maybe it does, so you watch your back.”

“I will, but I don’t think Billy’s the kind to ambush me from a dark alley.”

“Don’t let those be famous last words.” Roy put his hat back on and stepped down into the street. “Well, I’ll be on my way and let you two get settled down for the night.” He glanced to the sky. “Sunday night’s aren’t as quiet as I wish they were.” Again he tipped his hat to the girl. “Good-night, Miss Sally. And when you see your pa, Adam, you tell ‘im I said howdy.”

“I’ll do that, Roy.”

After the sheriff had gone Adam turned back to Sally, and the light of earnest conviction burned in his eyes. “Well that does it. You’re coming back to the Ponderosa with me and right tonight.”

“Oh, Adam, there’s no need for that, and it would be so much trouble for you and your family. And besides that, Billy would never hurt me. He was only drunk.”

“And if I had a dollar for every drunken man who’d ever killed somebody and regretted it after he sobered up, I’d have a lot more money than I do now. Now, you’re coming back with me, and that’s all there is to it.”

“My but you’re stubborn.”

“So I’ve been told on more than one occasion. Now you go on up and pack your things and I’ll wait right out here on the porch.”

“Adam, I really, don’t…”

“I promise that I’ll get you back in time to catch Thursday’s stage.” He took her by the arm and started up the steps with her. “And if I know my brothers they’ll be delighted to have you.” He eased her into the lobby then turned and sat down on the railing and crossed his hands in his lap.

As he sat there a notion came to him, and he rose to his feet. If he knew his women, it would take Sally at least thirty minutes to get ready. That should give him plenty of time to run a quick errand, and come right back. His long legs took him down the steps, and he headed for the other end of town.

4

Adam gave the reins a flick and the horse picked up speed. “I apologize for frightening you, but I thought I’d have plenty of time to get to the doctor’s house and back before you came down.”

“I know I’m being silly, but when I came out and you were gone, and after you said you would wait for me. Well, I guess that after all that has happened and after Billy pulled that gun on you I just panicked. I’m sorry.”

He shook his head. “It’s my fault, I should’ve stayed put or at least left word at the desk. I just didn’t think. I’m the one who’s sorry.”

“No, don’t be, I just let my head run away with me is all.” Sally pulled her fringed shawl tighter around her shoulders against the dusky chill. “I imagined the worst, and after you told me that you had gone to see Dr. Martin. I hope that nothing is wrong. You aren’t sick, are you?”

“No, it’s nothing like that. A few weeks back I found a man wandering the street. He’d gotten off the noon stage. I could see at once that he was sick so I took him to Paul. He wouldn’t say why he was here, and it agitated him when we pushed so we let him keep his secret. We could only get that his name is Harper. He’s been staying with Paul since, and is leaving on the same stage as you are. Like you, he has family in St. Louis.”

“At first I hoped that I would be the only passenger, but now I think it will be nice the have a traveling companion. It isn’t good to be alone too much.”

He reached out and patted the back of her hand. “That’s my, girl.”

By the time they reached the big, roughhewn log house on the Ponderosa, darkness had set in. A full moon – bright and round as a new silver dollar – had begun its assent through the sapphire sky. It lit the land with soft, gray light, and made its own halo. Sally found herself greeted and welcomed with the warmth and compassion that had been missing from her relationship with her father since the night Ed Payson had died.

Sally had begun the process of unpacking a few things when someone knocked at the door. Some might have not welcomed the interruption, but she did. A rosy glow filled her face when she saw who it was. “Adam.” Her eyes lowered to the tray balanced on one of his arms. “I suppose that’s for me.”

“It’s only a sandwich and a glass of milk, but I thought you might be hungry.”

“I am, actually.”

She stepped aside, and he came in, but the door remained open.

“I thought I would get some things unpacked before I went to bed.”

“That’s a good idea.” He put the tray on the bed table. “But I think it can wait long enough for you to eat.” He took her by the hands and led her over to the side of the bed, and she sat down. “The sandwich is made of some of the cold roast pork we had left over from supper.” He handed her the plate. He snickered. “And with Hoss in the house, you’re lucky to get this.”

“You have the most wonderful family. They make me feel so welcome, and like somebody really cares about me.”

“You are welcome, and we do care about you.” He sat down beside her. “And here you’ll find no one who holds it against you because to fell in love with Ed Payson.”

“I only wish Pa would be as understanding about it, but he simply refuses to listen to anything I have to say. He won’t even let me mention Ed’s name in our house.” Her eyes began to float in tears. “He even called me a Jezebel, and that hurt far worse than the slap. I know that he never got over Dave being killed, but in these past two weeks he has become a stranger that I don’t know, and what’s more, I don’t want to. I was delighted when Cousin Harris said that I could stay with him and Julia and the children until I get settled in St. Louis.” Her eyes lowered to the sandwich. “I don’t think I am so hungry now.”

“Hey, I smell food.”

Adam and Sally looked around as the bulk of Hoss Cartwright filled the doorway.

Adam’s lone eyebrow rose. “I think you could smell food eighty miles away in a blizzard.”

“Ah, Adam, you know better ‘n that. I cain’t smell in no blizzard.”

“You can have this, if you’d like.”

“Oh, no, Miss Sally. I ain’t taken your food. It just reminded me that I’m hungry is all. Adam, Pa’s lookin’ for you, an’ no he didn’t say why. Now I’ll just go down an’ see what Hop Sing has squirreled away in the kitchen. Night, Miss Sally.” Then he ducked his head and was gone.

“Hoss is nice.”

“Yeah, but it’s like trying to fill Coyote Canyon.” He chortled then stood. “Now you eat while I go see what Pa wants. I’ll come back and say good-night before you turn in,” his expression took on mock sternness as he gestured to the plate, “and that had better be gone.” Then he kissed her on the side out of the head and went out and closed the door.

Sally blinked to free her eyes from the mist, and looked down at the sandwich. She hadn’t lied when she said she no longer had an appetite, but she knew that if it wasn’t gone that she would be scolded when Adam came back. And it made her smile to think of it.

The family and their guest had just gotten up from the breakfast table when there sounded a knock at the front door.

“I’ll get it.” Joe Cartwright went to answer it, exchanged a few low words with whoever was outside then returned. His face had taken on the pallor of chalk and it accentuated his emerald eyes and heightened the dark brown of his buoyant hair. “That was Jed. Billy Buckley just rode in and wants to see Sally. And he isn’t drunk.”

Ben leaned against his cane and put a gentle hand on her arm. “You don’t have to talk to him if you don’t want to. As long as you’re here nothing will be forced on you.”

Sally’s gaze went from one Cartwright to the next to return to Ben. “Thank you, but I think I should. This needs to be straightened out and settled once and for all.”

Ben eyes flicked to his sons. “And she doesn’t need an audience.”

“Thank you, Mr. Cartwright.” She gathered her skirt into one hand and went out.

This time the brothers got the silent language of the finger then Ben went to his study.

Sally felt a slight flutter in her chest as she saw Billy. She wasn’t at all sure now that she could go through with this, or even is she wanted to. She stepped into the yard, and stopped as he looked around at her. She was sure now that she didn’t want to do this, but now she knew more than ever that she had to.

“Hello, Sally.” Billy ran his reins through his fist then flipped at them as one would and errant fly.

As the young couple exchanged pleasantries, Adam was the first to drift outside. He brought one arm over his head and rested it against the porch post then put the other hand on his hip. Hoss came next to stand beside Adam. His arms crossed over his broad chest, and his blue eyes caught the morning sunlight. Joe was last. He crouched down between his brothers and propped his arms on his knees to let his hands dangle between his legs. And three intense gazes never left Billy and Sally.

Billy seemed to become even more agitated, and the reins started to get a real workout. He shot a cutting glance at the brothers. “They don’t havta be here.”

Sally fostered a furtive smile. “They’re just watching out for me.”

“I would never hurt you.”

“After the way you have become they can’t be sure of that.”

“And you?”

“I thought I did, but now I don’t know.”

By this time all the unwanted attention really got to Billy’s nerves, and he dropped the reins with a jerk. “I can’t say what I want to with them watching us like that. Let’s go into the barn where we can talk in private.”

“If we do they will just come after us, so whatever you have to say to me you’ll have to say right here.” She could see that he didn’t care for the notion. “It’s here or not at all.” For a long moment he said nothing. “I can go right back into the house, and nothing will be accomplished.”

Billy reached out and took her arm. “No, don’t do that.”

Adam dropped his arms, Joe came to his feet, Hoss left the porch, and Billy released her right now.

“Sally, I…” He took his hat off and began to run his fingers around the brim. “I guess I really came for two reasons. First off to apologize for the way I acted. I was lit like a candle. But that didn’t give me any right to say to you what I did.” His head lowered for a second. “And the other is to tell you that I don’t want you to leave. It just won’t be the same without you. Stay here and marry me.”

“I can’t do that and most especially not now. You and my father have made my staying here impossible.” The somberness that crept over her face gave her a childlike quality. “I don’t love you that way, Billy, I never did. I know you have always wanted me to, but you have never been anything more than a friend. If I led you on that was never my intention.”

Flame flared in Billy’s dark eyes, and his fingers dug into the soft felt of the hat. “But you did love him.” Without thought to the action and those who watched him, he grasped her arm. “A common gunfighter you decide you want over me.”

Sally clawed at his fingers. “Billy, you’re hurting me.”

In an instant Billy found himself surrounded by three menacing Cartwrights. A steel grip wrapped around his wrist.

“You’d best turn the lady loose before I snap it.”

Billy looked up into those frosty blue eyes and saw broken bones there – his. He let go.

Adam eased her back and stepped in front of her. “I think it would be a good idea if you just got back on your horse and went back to town. You’re finished here.”

Billy stuck his hat back on and rubbed his wrist. “I didn’t say everything I came to.”

Joe stepped until the toes of his boots touched Billy’s, and his eyes glittered with malice. “If Adam says you’re finished then I’d take his word for it.”

Hoss handed the reins to Billy then the brothers parted to give him a clear avenue to his horse. He looked at them. With no further prodding, he slipped his foot into the stirrup and rose into the saddle.

“We’re not through talking, Sally. I’ll be back.”

“No, you won’t.” Everyone looked around to see Ben standing on the porch. His cane leaned against the side of the house, and he held a rifle with the barrel pointed down. No explanation was required. “You’re business with Miss Cass is finished.”

A spark of crafty glee lit Adam’s face. “We learned a long time ago how far we could go with our father. Well, I’d say you’ve reached that point. So unless you want to run the risk of being shot, I suggest you head back the way you came.” Adam took hold of the animal’s bit, and some of the guile left his expression. “Billy, let it go.” He darted a look at Sally. “Let her go. If you love her, as you say you do, you’ll be man enough to release her.”

Those common sense words seemed to deflate Billy, and some of the starch left his backbone. His shoulders dropped, and the fire in his eyes extinguished itself. His sight turned to Sally and the frail shadow of a smile touched his lips though it didn’t reach his eyes. With a jerk of the reins and a kick, he turned his horse and went out past the barn.

Ben took up his cane and the rifle hung in the crook of his arm. He joined his sons and gave each one an imperious glare. “I thought I told you boys to stay out of this.”

An elfin twinkle took life in Adam’s eyes. “It’s nice to see that you took your own advice.”

As happened many times, Adam’s quick wit rendered his father mute.

5

Another beautiful day in the Sierras had taken shape as the buckboard and riders moved along the road that led off the Ponderosa. But even the buttery light that filtered through the trees couldn’t erase the dark brooding from Adam Cartwright’s face.

Adam gave the reins a flick. “I wish you had let me do this. There’s no need for you to go back into that house.”

“I have seen how you men pack. You just throw everything into a valise in one lump to be done with it. And besides that you wouldn’t know what to put in.” Sally’s eyes went from Hoss on the one side to Joe on the other then returned to Adam. “And with the three of you along I don’t think Pa will say anything to me. And it isn’t like he’s going to hurt me. Granted he has changed, and he isn’t the man I once loved so much, but whatever he has become, he is still my father.”

“I guess we just don’t want you gittin’ slapped again. Yeah, Adam told us.”

“Yes, Hoss, he slapped me, but he…”

“Oh, Sally, don’t make more excuses for him.” Adam’s fingers tightened on the reins. “What he did, the way he used you to get at a man he hated would be unconscionable in any case, but it’s below reprehensible when a father does it to his own daughter.”

She laid a hand on his arm. “I’m not making excuses. I can see that what he did was vile as well as anybody. And for as long as either of use lives, after I leave Virginia City, even when someday I do forgive him, I think it will be for the best if I never have to see or talk to him again. But I know how much he loved Dave.”

“He should love you just as much.”

“Joe’s right. A pa shouldn’t make a difference, an’ he shouldn’t do down to one over the other.”

“I couldn’t agree with my brothers more. But all that aside, I’m wondering if maybe some guilt hasn’t come into it.”

Hoss’ brow creased. “I’d be gooder’nuff for ‘im if’n it has.”

Sally grew more sullen. “I you’re all just trying to put yourselves between me and any more pain. And while I can’t say that I despise him, I believe that I no longer love him, it’s turned to pity. And I guess that I’m just trying too hard to understand what he did and why.”

Adam eased the reins into one hand, and reached out and squeezed her fingers. “I would be surprised if you didn’t feel that way, after all, like you said, he is still your father. But that gives him no excuse for treating you the way he has.” He gave her a pat, and his mood brightened. “Now let’s enjoy the rest of the ride and this beautiful day. And a good way to do that is to change the topic of conversation to something more pleasant.”

“Like food.”

Joe giggled. “Hoss’ favorite subject.”

By the time they got into town it was straight up noon so they decided to go to the dining room of the International House for dinner. It was an enjoyable experience for the four young people, and watching Hoss go through three steaks only added to it. Afterward they went to the Cass house, and Adam entered first just in case Will was at home. He wasn’t, so they went straight to Sally’s room to help her complete her packing.

“I ain’t never seen nobody that can have as much stuff as a woman.” Hoss laid the small stack of books in the bottom of the trunk on top of a folded quilt.

Sally managed a tiny laugh, something she hadn’t had the heart to do in days. “And I need every bit of it.”

“Yes, ma’am, I’m sure you do, an’ I ain’t sayin’ you don’t. It’s just that when you go to packin’ it always seems like you have a whole heap more ‘n you thought.”

Joe took the small oil portrait in the oval frame that Sally handed him. “You’re mother was a beautiful woman.”

Sally stopped and a towel dangled from her fingers. “Yes, she was. And from what I remember, a warm and wonderful person. But I was only five and Dave just three when she passed away so I don’t remember as much as I wish I could. Still, it’s a blessing that she didn’t live to see what has become of this family.” She handed the towel to Joe.

Joe wrapped the towel tight around the picture and nestled it in snug with the books.

“Well, well, well, I didn’t know you kept a diary.” Adam’s eyes danced with wickedness. “Maybe I should just read a few pages.”

“Adam Cartwright, don’t you dare.” Sally dashed forward and snapped the little green cloth covered book away from him, and pressed it to her bosom. “This isn’t for a man’s eyes.”

“Well, I don’t think…” Joe reached for the diary.

“Joseph Cartwright, you stop.” Sally backed up and right into Hoss, who grasped her shoulders with gentle hands.

“It’s all right, Miss Sally, I’ll protect you an’ your little book from these two.”

But the horseplay came to a sudden halt when the front door opened and closed hard.

“Pa,” rose on a gasp.

Everything in the room seemed to become frozen as they waited to see what would come from this. Faint sound came from the parlor then harsh steps started down the hall. Sally’s knuckles whitened as her fingers dug into the book’s cover, and Hoss’ large hands closed more on her shoulders. Then Will Cass – glassy eyed and wan – came to a dead stop before the doorway of his daughter’s room. He took in each face, and something unforgiving and inexorable burned in his eyes when he came to Adam. No one seemed to want to shatter the vacuum with words. Then Will went on and in a second a door gave a vengeful slam.

Hoss felt the girl slump against him, and his hold stayed secure. He could also feel a slight tremble in her lithe body, and noticed that her muscles had tensed.

“He must have closed the store.” A ragged breath gave Sally a shudder. “Everyday he closes it earlier than the day before. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t close it for good before another week passes.”

Joe shook his head and riffled his fingers in his thick hair. “That doesn’t sound like the Will Cass I know. He’s always taken pride in his business.”

Sally pulled away from Hoss. “He isn’t the man any of us know any more.”

“Maybe I should go talk to him.”

Sally went colorless as she bolted forward. “Oh, no, Adam, please don’t.” She took his arm and turned dark, pleading eyes on him. “Nobody can talk to him, and certainly not you. You he hates above anybody because he blames you even more for this than he does me.”

“Adam ain’t done nothin’.”

“He spoiled Pa’s chance to get rid of Ed by paying the tax lien on Ed’s property before Pa could.”

Adam’s eyes narrowed. “And he told me that I would be sorry for it.”

Sally’s eyes went wide and round. “I didn’t know that. He didn’t tell me that.” Her hands tightened on the diary. “Oh, Adam, surely he wouldn’t…” One hand went to her mouth and smothered further words.

“This has gone far enough. It’s well past time that I have this out once and for all.”

“Adam, I really wish you wouldn’t.”

Adam put a hand against her cheek and smiled. “I’m just gonna talk to him. You stay here with Hoss and Joe.” His eyes flitted to his brothers then he went out. Will Cass, a man that he had known for a good part of his life, who he had admired, he now saw was lost to him, but still he needed to try.

Adam stopped at the end of the hall, raised his fist and knocked at the other bedroom door. “Will, it’s Adam.” Silence. “We need to talk.” Still nothing. “Will, I know you’re in there, and I’m not going anywhere until you answer me.” Again he knocked but with more authority. “Will!”

“Go away, Cartwright,” came from the other side of the door. “We have nothing to talk about.”

“Will, we’ve been friends for a long time; let’s not end it this way.” He knocked once more.

With a sudden suck of air the door jerked open. The man that stood before Adam was even more of a stranger. A fire burned in his flushed face and piercing eyes. Adam detected no smell of alcohol, and wondered when and if it would come to that.

“I didn’t invite you into my house, and you have no right to come in here and throw your weight around. To me you’re just another meddler.”

“I came here to help Sally finish with her packing.”

“Then go do it and leave me alone.”

“Will, I only want to…”

But before Adam could finish the door slammed in his face. He stood there a couple seconds then started to knock again but changed his mind. With a shake of his head, he walked away.

When Adam returned, Sally and his brothers seemed to release their breath at once. It was easy to see that they hadn’t packed one item since he had walked out, and Sally still clung to the diary as if a lifeline.

“He wouldn’t talk to me. Maybe I didn’t try as hard as I could have.”

Sally stepped forward and took his hand. “Believe me, Adam, I have tried, too, but he won’t talk to me either. He doesn’t seem to want to talk to anybody.”

Her warming smile seemed to act as a release valve for his sense of failure. Will blamed him for this mess, and it wouldn’t help a thing for him to do the same. He gave her hand a squeeze. “I’m all right.” Some of his somber mood fell away, and he returned the smile. “Now let’s finish with this packing and get this trunk over to the stage depot so we can head back to the Ponderosa. I happen to know that Hop Sing is having duck with sage-rice stuffing for supper.”

“It sounds delightful.”

“You just wait’ll you taste it, Miss Sally.” Hoss smacked his mouth.

Joe just gave his head a shake. “There you go, thinking about food again.”

“It ain’t so much me as my stomach.”

“Well it has a one track mind. Here.” Joe handed him a small wooden chest. “Concentrate on packing this so it won’t break. That should give it something else to think about.”

Hoss’ face crumpled, and with that they went back about their chore.

Sally stopped in the process of emptying the bed table drawer and just watched them. She knew that they were doing their level best to cheer her with their endless banter, and she loved them all the more for it. The thought of leaving this house, Virginia City, even her own father didn’t sadden her as the thought that maybe she would never see Adam Cartwright and his brothers again. She daubed at her right eye and went back to the task at hand.

6

Thursday morning came on a gray note with a slight coral blush to the sky that portended the chance of rain. It had been dry as – as Hoss liked to put it – a salt cracker, and they needed it. But they hoped that it would at least hold off until Sally got started on her way with a proper send off.

It was close to an hour after breakfast when Sally came down the stairs. She looked smart in her chocolate brown traveling suit. She wore a yellow straw hat adorned with a pink tulle ribbon tied in a bow in back and sprinkled with white artificial flowers. In one hand she held her valise, and in the other her skirt.

“Well, now, don’t you look mighty purty. You make me think of a spring day when all the flowers are abloom.”

She left the last step. “Thank you, Hoss, that was a sweet thing to say.”

“I speak the truth, ma’am, I just speak the truth. Here, I’ll take that.” He took the valise from her.

Sally looked around her. “I don’t see you’re father and brothers.”

“Why they’re already awaitin’ outside. I said I’d be your escort.” He gave her his arm, and she took it.

“You’re ever the gentleman, Hoss.”

“With you, Miss Sally, it comes easy as fallin’ off a log. An’ Pa’d kill me if’n I weren’t. Now we’d best git to movin’. We don’t wantta miss that stage.”

She squeezed his arm and they went outside.

Ben and his other two sons waited at the buckboard. Sport and Cochise stood close by, all saddled and ready to go. Hoss felt a hesitation in the girl’s step, but she kept going. She was a game little gal, and he knew she would carry out her plan no matter how difficult.

Ben took her hand as his coffee eyes ran the length of her. “You look absolutely lovely, my dear.”

“Hoss said I remind him of a spring day.”

Joe’s eyes glistened with ardent sincerity. “Breathtaking is more like it.”

Adam reached out and took her other hand. “I would even say stunning.”

“I have very discerning sons, and they know a beautiful, alluring woman when they see one. And they don’t hesitate to say so.” He gave the back of her hand a pat.

Hoss came around the back of the buckboard swiping his hands together. “All right, Pa, everything’s all loaded up.”

“Allow me.” Ben relied on his cane for support and helped her onto the seat then got in beside her.

Hoss got in next to Sally and took up the reins as his brothers got mounted. But right off Adam could see that something bothered her, and it didn’t take much guesswork to figure out what. With a jerk of the big man’s arms and a loud command the team came around and started out past the barn. Side-by-side, Adam and Joe fell in behind at a walk. At last they were on their way and in all too short a while the stage would be taking Sally away, maybe never to return.

Sally hadn’t been to the lonely grave behind the Payson house in a few days, and it wrenched in a way she hadn’t anticipated. She stooped and plucked at the new shoot of an errant weed that had found its way to the mound. In a very short while she would go away from here with no desire to return. This would become a part of her past that she didn’t want to rekindle. She reached out and pressed her hand against the guitar, and could almost sense the vibration of the strings as they were strummed. Her eyes closed, and she let herself hear his wonderful voice once more. Why did this have to hurt so badly? Then she started as a gentle hand rested on her shoulder.

“If you’re going to make that stage we need to go.”

With one last look at the wooden cross at the head of the grave, she collected herself with ladylike grace and stood. She took Adam’s arm and they walked back around front where the others waited with the buckboard.

As the Cartwright buckboard came down the street the big faded red Overland coach waited in front of the stage depot. Its six horses stood like resolute stones in their harnesses. Now and then one would move enough to cause a squeak of leather or a jingle of bit or traces.

Hoss pulled the buckboard up alongside the boardwalk. “Looks like we got here none too soon.” He got out and took the valise from the back. “Here’s somethin’ else for you, Wade.” He swung up the piece of luggage to the driver. “You can just snug it down on top. No sense openin’ up the boot again.”

“Sure thing, Hoss.” The driver nestled the valise into a corner of the metal rail around the top then climbed down. “You’ve still got plenty of time to say your good-bys. I’m waiting on another passenger. Ma’am.” He tipped his hat to the lady then went into the depot.

They stepped up onto the boardwalk, and Ben got a small amount of help from Hoss. Sally looked at the huge conveyance that would soon take her from the place that she had known for so long, and it brought a flood of tears. She took a dainty lace-edged handkerchief from her balloon purse and dabbed at the overflow.

“I didn’t think it would be this hard after all that has happened. I thought I could just get on that stagecoach and ride away without ever looking back, but I will look back, and I will miss this.”

“Of course you will, my dear.” Ben gave her his most comforting smile. “This has been your home for too long not to. And many good things have come to you here.”

She turned to Ben and his sons. “But I will miss all of you more than anybody or anything. In these past two weeks you have become like family, and I am going to miss you so that I can’t put into words. There are none adequate enough to say how I feel, and how much I appreciate what you have done for me.”

“Your father has done a lot for you over time, too. You should go see him, give him one last chance to say good-by before you leave maybe never to see each other again.”

“He doesn’t want to see me; if he did he would be here. When I first told him about my intentions to go the look on his face frightened me, and then he exploded.” Pain tracked over her delicate face. “I tried to talk sense, but he simply wouldn’t listen to anything I had to say. And the idea of why I was leaving only seemed to intensify his rage. No, in this time we have become strangers who only share a name. He knows that I will go today, and if he wanted to, he would be here.”

“Sally! Sally!”

They all looked around to see Billy Buckley as he ran across the street toward them. And – needless to say – every Cartwright visage darkened, most of all Adam’s. They closed ranks behind her as Billy bounded breathless up onto the boardwalk. He shot them a wary look, but he didn’t let it deter him.

“Sally, I was afraid I wouldn’t get here in time.” He smiled and sadness tinged it. “I wanted to see you for what could be the last time.” He turned his attention to Ben, and his dark brown eyes were pleading. “Mr. Cartwright, if you and you sons don’t mind, I like to talk to Sally,” he hesitated, “alone.”

Ben only nodded his consent.

Adam moved closer to the girl. “We’ll be right over here, Sally, if you need us.” He shot Billy a warning look then joined his family over by the depot door.

Billy stood tongue-tied for several seconds, and his eyes explored every dusty inch of the toes of his boots. “Sally, I...” He seemed close to physical pain, and his fingers worked over a small box he held in both hands.

“You can look at me. I won’t be insulted.”

It took him another couple seconds to work up the guts to raise his eyes to her face. “I guess what I want most to say is, that I love you, Sally, and I always will. But from the moment I killed Ed Payson, and after what Cartwright said to me I knew I’d made a mistake I couldn’t walk away from.” His mouth worked down into a hard knot. “And I guess I knew that I had killed any chance that I might have with you.”

“But you didn’t stop trying.”

“And I slipped into the bottle and made the bigger fool of myself. Sally, I know I’ve lost you for good this time, but, if it’s not too much to ask, I hope that some day you can forgive me.”

She put a compassionate lace-gloved hand on his arm, and smiled in that charming way of hers. “I can right now. You were jealous, and my father used that against both of us.” His eyes lowered again, and she kissed him on the cheek. “I wish I could love you the way you want me to, but I just can’t. However, I wouldn’t mind if you wrote to me now and then.”

Something akin to wonder sparkled in the dark recesses of his wounded eyes. “I’d like that a whole lot, and I guess it’s better ‘n I thought I’d ever get for what I done.” His attention returned to the tiny box he held. “I had some money saved up, and I wanted to get you something sort of as a going away present.” He thrust the box at her. “It ain’t as much as I wish it could be, but I hope you like it.”

“You didn’t need to do that.”

“I know I didn’t, I just wanted to.”

She took it and removed the lid. Inside she found a petite golden locket on a fine chain. She took it out and let it dangle from her slim fingers. “Oh, Billy, this will always be special to me.” She held it out to him. “Please put it on. I want to wear it.”

Billy’s hands trembled as he put it around her slender neck, and his fingers fumbled with the clasp. When he at last got it fastened, she turned to him, pleased with her new treasure. “I will cherish this always.”

The big burly driver stomped out of the depot, the shotgun rider right behind him. “All right, folks, those that’s goin’ best get aboard. I see the doc comin’.” He climbed up onto the seat, and the other man got up next to him.”

“Good-by, Sally. I don’t wantta see you go, so I’ll be on my way.”

Sally gave his hand a squeeze and placed another kiss on his cheek. “Good-by, Billy.”

With a quick glance at the Cartwrights, he jerked around and was gone.

Dr. Paul Martin came up onto the boardwalk. He assisted a man who seemed to sag in his hold. The man wore a long dark coat, its collar pulled up around his ears, and a brown hat was pulled down so that if concealed his face. He trembled as if he were shivering in the summer heat. His steps dragged, and he held tight onto Paul’s arm. Anyone could see that he wasn’t well.

“Here, Paul, let me give you a hand.” Adam got on the other side of the man, and together he and the doctor got him into the coach.

Paul came to Sally and wished her a safe trip then his expression grew more serious. “Miss Cass, I have advised Mr. Harper against travel, but he insists that he must get back to St. Louis. If you wouldn’t mind, I would feel better if you would kind keep an eye on him; maybe give him some assistance when he needs it.”

“I wouldn’t mind at all, Doctor.”

Paul thanked her, looked in on his patient one last time then stepped back by Ben.

“All right, young lady, in you go.” Adam’s eyes darted to the driver. “We don’t wantta hold Wade up any longer.”
He helped her inside and once she was seated he took a folded white envelope from his back britches pocket and handed it to her. “Sally, when you’ve been on the road for about an hour, I want you to read this.”

“Adam, I…”

“Just wait an hour.”

“All right, if it’s that important.”

“It is. Good-by, sweetheart, and the next time I’m in St. Louis I’ll look you up.”

“You see that you do.”

Adam gave her a mischievous, one-sided grin. “You might change your mind about that.”

“Never in a million years.”

He gave her hand a pat, said a farewell to Mr. Harper, though he got only a faint nod in return, then backed out and closed the door.

Adam thumped his hand on the side of the coach. “All right, Wade, she’s all yours.”

From a secreted spot at the corner of one of the buildings on the other side of the street, Will Cass watched as the big coach pulled away from the depot. His eyes never left it until it rounded a curve and disappeared from view. As soon as it had he ducked out of sight and leaned back against the wall. Tears ran from the corners of his eyes as he cast his gaze toward the sky. He had driven his daughter away, and though he wasn’t sure he forgave her for what she had done, it still pained to know that she was gone. With a shuddering inhalation, he pushed away from the wall and started off for the house. It was no longer home.

7

Ben sat in his favorite red leather chair before the now dormant fireplace. It had been a long morning and his foot – which rested on a plump pillow in the floor – throbbed. He massaged the calf of his leg in the hope that it would mitigate some of the ache.

Adam came in from outside and hung his hat on the rack by the door. “Leg hurt, Pa?”

“Some, but not as bad as it has been.”

“I got the buckboard and team put away.” Adam started toward his father. “Joe and Hoss have gone out to the East range to help with the fence mending.” He sat down on the low table. “I promised to catch up with them, but first I need to talk to you about something.”

“Well I hope it’s not as bad as you look.”

“I’ll let you be the judge of that.”

The Overland stage rocked as it plowed along the road in a cloud of dust. The horses’ hooves pounded the ground like a chorus of sledgehammers. Chains rattled and wood and leather creaked, as the wind that blew through the trees stirred up the heat.

It was quite obvious that Mr. Harper – in spite of the motion – had dozed off to sleep. His head had fallen forward on his chest and bobbed with the sway of the stage.

Sally watched as the scenery unfurled past the window. The colors of summer blurred and melded into a patchwork much like a quilt. Before long she would be far away from those that she had known for so many years. And, though she thought it should unnerve her and maybe frighten her a little, the thought of a new life so far away gave her a sense of thrill. Oh, it would be so much better if Ed was here to share it with her, but that was something beyond her control.

The stage gave a hard lurch, and she had to hold on lest she be pitched into the floor. Her gaze went to Mr. Harper, but she saw that the poor man hadn’t even been roused. Then a thought hit her like being struck with a sharp splinter if ice. “Adam’s letter.”

She opened her purse and took out the folded envelope. She couldn’t be sure if it had been an hour, but it didn’t really matter. As she took out the paper and opened it, she moved closer to the window to better catch the light.

My dearest Sally,

Well, you’re at last on your way. I know that the past two weeks have been hard, but soon you will have a fresh, new start, and St. Louis is a wonderful place to do just that. As soon as you are settled I would like very much to hear from you, and to know how you are getting on. But I’m not worried. You will be just fine.
There is so much that I want to tell you that it is difficult to know just where to start, but here goes. That last night, before Billy came to call Ed out, he and I talked about quite a bit. You occupied a good deal of the conversation, and how he had never felt that way about any woman. He even confessed to the thought of asking you to marry him, though he knew that it could never be. We also talked about how good it would be if he could just walk away, to go where nobody would know him, and to start afresh, as you are now. It’s strange the things that run through a man’s mind, even when all hope seems to have failed him.
Sally, I hope that in the months and years that lie ahead that you can forgive me. If there had been any other way I would have taken it, but I couldn’t take the risk. And in a little time, it is my fervent hope that you will come to understand that. But, if I should never hear from you again, I will know that my hopes have been in vain.
Now, as you venture into your bright new future, take the greatest care and know that I will always love you as I would a sister.

With sincerest wishes and I hope still your friendship,
Adam

Sally didn’t know when she had been so perplexed. Instead of explaining anything, Adam’s letter had only confused her. She couldn’t understand why or of what she couldn’t forgive him.

“Hello, Sally.”

The sound of another voice startled her, but more because of the voice itself. Her head shot up, and her eyes searched around her in an effort to see where it had come from. She must be losing her mind. Then her gaze set across from her. Her heart began to hammer against her ribs as Mr. Harper raised his head enough so that he could peer at her from beneath the brim of his hat. She still couldn’t see all of his face, but she knew those eyes, those splendid, wonderful eyes.

Her hand tightened on the letter and the paper crinkled. She tried to speak, but her voice refused to obey. She thought she would suffocate as she continued to try to say something. Then, at last, it came in the form of one, stammering word. “Ed.”

Mr. Harper raised his head and pulled down the coat collar, and Ed Payson came to full life before. He smiled that way of his that could reach into her like nothing else. Though paler and his handsome face more drawn than last she saw him, she knew without doubt that it was him. And she knew that she wasn’t imagining him.

“Ed, you’re…” She gulped. “I thought…” Her hands tightened even further on the letter. “Ed, you’re alive.”

His smiled deepened, and it rose to fill his dark eyes. “Yes, Sally, alive and headed to St. Louis.”

Sally looked at the crumpled paper in her hands. “So that’s what Adam was afraid I wouldn’t forgive him of. And that’s why he wouldn’t let me get too close to you that night.” Her head rose, and her gaze met with his. “He was afraid that I would see that you were still alive.”

“He hated the necessity of having to deceive you like that, we both did, but it was the only way.”

The threat of a fire filled her eyes. “He should have told me. I would have found a way to come to you.”

“And that, my dear, is just one of the reasons why he didn’t. He knew that nothing would be able to stop you, and he also knew that somebody could discover our secret, maybe even your father and Buckley.”

Sally’s eyes softened and the danger of conflagration left them. They lowered back to the letter. “Poor Adam, that must have torn him.”

“It did, and in a way that even you couldn’t understand. I watched him every time he came becoming more and more dissatisfied with himself, and deceiving you and his family.”

“But, Ed, I saw Adam take you in to the undertaker.”

He nodded. “With Adam’s help they got me out through the back and into a wagon. And then while Adam took you home, this man that I didn’t know slipped me off to the doctor’s house, where I was taken care of.” He reached out and took Sally’s hand. “Because of three good men, I’m at least free of Ed Payson and here with you.”

With a gasp, she pulled her hand away and capped it to her mouth. “You let Billy shoot you.”

“Yes, I did. I knew I was taking an awful chance, but I also knew which ever way it went that I’d be free. And that was a gamble I was willing to take. I could see that Buckley was rattled, and I wagered that it would affect his aim. It did,” he winced and pressed one hand to his side, “just not enough for him to miss me altogether.”

“And Adam knew what you were doing?”

“No, not right at first, but it didn’t take him long to catch on. A very sharp, quick man, that one, he played his part to the hilt. And then you, my dear, came along and very nearly spoiled it. I could hear you, and I wanted to let you know right then that I wasn’t dead, but I passed out before I could. And that was a blessing in disguise.” He held his hand out to her again. “Come sit with me.”

Sally turned her attention back to the letter. With tender hands, she smoothed it out, put it back into its envelope then returned it to her purse. Bless you, Adam, she thought. She took Ed’s hand and let him pull her onto the seat beside him.

Ed took her chin in his fingers and turned her face up to him. With a frantic flutter of heart, he drank in every flawless feature as a man dying of thirst would gulp water. His thumb ran over those sweet lips, and he thrilled at the touch of that alabaster skin. “I never dreamed that I could ever have a chance with a woman like you, and much less that she would want me. Sally, when we reach St. Louis, I want to know if I have that chance.”

“Just ask me.”

“Miss Sally Cass, I would be pleased and honored if you would consent to marry me. I couldn’t give you much at first other more love than I have ever given anybody. I would make you the best husband I have it in my power to be, and I would protect you even with my life.”

For a long second she just looked at him then she placed her hand against his cheek. “Yes, Ed, I will marry you, and I will love you always. And it will grow stronger with each passing day.”

For one moment they sat in silence then he took her face in his hands and kissed her. It was as magical as it had been that first time. He leaned back and pressed her head against his chest as his arms encircled her. Ed Payson was dead and Edward Harper lived in his place. And he would make this woman, his Sally, happy if it killed him.

Sally could hear the beat of his heart beneath her ear, and it roused in her a feeling that was like none before it. The grand emotions of love, happiness, joy, passion, swelled in her breast to roil like breaking waves upon some distant shore. But as a fleeting thought of her father came into her mind – guilt tainted and marred it until she pushed it away. Her hold tightened on him, and her eyes closed as she said a silent prayer of thanks for the love that she had believed she had lost forever.

It had been two days since Sally’s departure when the Cartwright brothers rode into town. This had been one heck of a week, and they needed to blow of some steam. They tied up in front of the Silver Dollar saloon, and looked around at the bustle and activity that was Virginia City on a Saturday, which would only escalate as night came on.

Hoss rested one arm across Chubb’s saddle. “Dang, this is gonna feel good. I’m gonna cut loose an’ howl at the moon like a locoed wolf.”

Joe ducked under the hitch rail and stepped up onto the boardwalk. “More like a bull moose calling for a mate.”

Hoss’ eyes shot to Joe, and they dazzled with blue fire. “Dadburn you, Joe.” He made a wild grab over the rail, but Joe darted back out of the way with a giggle.

Adam stepped next to his little brother. “Things are just starting to heat up, so I’d save some of that pent up energy if I were you.”

“Evenin’, boys.”

Hoss joined his brothers as Roy Coffee strode toward them.

“I see you’ve come for the Saturday night shoot ‘em up.”

The whoops that emanated from the saloon grew more piercing, and they couldn’t help but look in that direction.

“An’ it looks like we got here at just the right time.”

“Well I’d say this time things are gonna prove a bit more lively than most. The Rayburn’s blew in long about noon along with their crew off that long cattle drive to Abilene. Their pockets are bulging an’ they got that wild look that always spells trouble. Before the night’s out I figure that my cells are gonna be packed to the bars. ”

Joe swung a congenial arm over the sheriff’s shoulders. “And if you need any help we’ll be more ‘n obliged.”

Roy’s brow fell into a frown. “You just be careful, or you’re liable to be in there with ‘em.”

Before the conversation could go any further, a gunshot punctuated the revelry to fade into the approaching dusk. Four heads swiveled around but no one else seemed to notice.

“Gittin’ a little early start, ain’t they?”

Adam stepped to the edge of the boardwalk, his somber gaze directed across the street. “No, that came from Will Cass’ store.”

Looks were exchanged then they bounded off.

Joe got there first. He cupped his hands around his eyes and peered in through the door glass. “I don’t see anything unusual.” He tried the knob but without affect. “It’s locked.”

“An’ that sure is odd; Saturday night’s always been one o’ Will’s best times.”

“Ol’ Will’s been doin’ a lotta thing’s odd lately.” Roy gave the knob a rattle, and his face darkened. “Bust it in, Hoss, and don’t be gentle about it. If need be we can square it with Will later.”

With one good slam from his shoulder the doors banged open, and they were in. Their eyes scanned about them, and Joe’s stopped first. “Behind the counter.”

Adam rushed around and stooped while Roy and his brothers stood behind him. Will Cass lay face down, a gun still clutched in his right hand. A neat hole penetrated the powder stippled skin of his temple. Blood ran down his face and had begun to pool on the floor. Adam touched his wrist, but it wasn’t necessary. “He’s dead.” Then he pried the crumpled piece of paper loose from the left hand. Its crinkle seemed to echo in the silence of the room.

Joe leaned one hand on the countertop. “What’s it say?”

“There’re only two words and one name on it.”

A hint of annoyance filled Roy’s face. “Well what’s it say?”

Adam held it closer to the window and his darkening eyes flicked up. “I’m sorry, Sally.”

This seemed to suck all the air out of the room, and for a moment no one seemed to be able to move or speak.

“Poor ol’ Will, he ain’t been right since that Payson feller come to town.” Hoss’ massive chest swelled with an intake of breath.

Adam eyes rose in a flare of temper. “And he had no one to blame for that but himself. Payson only wanted to live here in peace and put his past in the past, but Will couldn’t do that. He drove Billy Buckley to kill, he drove his own daughter away, and he drove himself to the coward’s way out.” His face softened as he looked back to the dead man. “Oh, Will, if you’d only been willing to forgive like Sally did.”

Roy took his hat off and smoothed back his thinning hair then put it back on. “Well, I suppose somebody best go for the undertaker.” He turned to the door where a small crowd had started to form. With a heavy sigh, he went out. “All right, folks they ain’t nothin’ more for you to see.” A myriad of questions began to bombard him. “Go on home, you can read about it tomorrow in the Enterprise.”

“I s’pose somebody oughtta send a wire to Sally.”

Adam glanced up at Hoss. “I’ll do it.” He took his hat off and shook his head. “What a way to start a new life.”

It was a bright sunshiny afternoon when the train pulled into the station in St. Louis. Amid great clouds of steam the passengers began to disembark. Among two of the first were a tall, slim man in black coat and brown hat, and a petite young woman with soft blonde hair. He reached down and took one of her hands and gave it a squeeze.

“It’s a new life, Sally.”

She smiled at him. “Yes, Ed, for both of us.”

He held her hand to his chest, and the love that spoke from his gaze needed no words. She gave him a single nod, and then they turned and disappeared into a fog of steam. The world had seen the last of Ed Payson.

THE END

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