A Battle of Wills – # 7 (by Robin)

Summary:  Part seven of A Battle of Wills

Word Count:  113,898

A Battle of Wills

Fear and the Will to Survive

“To survive there, you need the ambition of a Latin American revolutionary, the ego of a grand opera tenor and the physical stamina of a cow pony.” Billie Burke

 

Chapter 1

Boston Hospital

1870

Light streamed into Joe’s hospital room, as he fought to awaken. He had been there for several days and had slept through most of them. The physical and emotional strain of the surgery, had weighed heavily on him and his body demanded sleep. He surrendered to the need for rest, as he slept in a dreamless slumber for many hours. The nurses, especially Mrs. Shelly checked on him often. His family took turns spending time sitting in his room, feeling the need to keep him company. They all seemed to know Joe would not want to wake to an empty room and took turns making sure he was well attended. Meals were brought to him on a tray and he needed assistance simply to eat. He would fall back into sleep quickly after eating, sometimes even falling asleep before he was done. The reassurance Joe received at waking to a familiar face was the least they could do for him.

Joe reluctantly opened his eyes and for a few moments forgot where he was. He wasn’t even sure what day it was. Had the room not been brightly lit by sunshine he might not even be sure if it was day or night. He was on his back propped up on a few pillows; his shoulder and chest were wrapped in bandages. His hand was in a plaster cast wedged between some more pillows. The pain that hit him reminded him of what he had endured and that he was in the hospital in Boston, not in his own bed at home.

Joe licked his dry chapped lips and realized how thirsty he was. He swallowed and remembered there was a white enameled pitcher of water on the night stand but there was no way he could reach it with out ripping out some stitches or doing something else that was painful. Then he realized he really had to pee too. “ Isn’t that just grand.” Joe thought disgustedly. I’m trapped in a hospital bed, I’m going to die of thirst and piss myself at the same time. Isn’t life grand for Joe Cartwright?

Joe tried to sit up and groaned aloud as his body fully woke and told him of its displeasure. His hand and shoulder hurt terribly. And his bladder was very full.

He began thinking of how he was going to manage to sit up in bed when he heard someone coming down the hall. He looked towards the door, as Emily O’Mara looked around the corner to check on him. “Hello there, Joe. Heard you groaning. Are you all right?”

“Yeah, just hurts just to move much. What are you doing here? I thought you had some sort of meeting in the morning. I didn’t think you would be here until after lunch. My father said last night. Did it get cancelled?”

Emily laughed. “Lunch was an hour ago. We didn’t want to disturb you. We knew you needed the sleep. Do you want something to drink? Some ice water or a nice cup of tea? Some coffee? Lemonade.” She started listing all sorts of drinks, which just added to his distress. Why didn’t she just tell him about the waves in the ocean and Niagara Falls and Lake Tahoe and bobbing for apples in a big wash tub and swimming in Cherry Creek.”

“And I’ll find out from the nurses if they can scrounge up some food for you,” she added.

”Umm could you get one of the orderlies, I really need some help. Now. Please” He pleaded. He bit his lip.

”I’ll help you. What do you want me to do? “ She offered sincerely. Her gray eyes flashed.

“Em, Uh umm. Just do me a favor and get the orderly. Now, please. “ Sweat broke out on his upper lip from his uncomfortable situation. He didn’t want to be in this awkward situation himself but didn’t want Emily to be embarrassed either.

”There all pretty busy, Joe. I’ll be more than happy.” she started.

“Oh, no she wouldn’t,” Joe thought.

”Miss O’Mara.” Joe interrupted abruptly turning red and squeezing his eyes shut. “Please, just get me an orderly or I won’t be able to be the gentleman that I’m trying to be here with you.”

With that remark, Miss Emily suddenly realized what was going on and turned redder than Joe and raced out of the room to get what he requested.

Chapter 2

Boston 1865

“I understand he has lunch every day at his club, the University Club. Dennis leaned his bulk on Adam’s drafting table. Dennis had walked into his office and interrupted his partner’s concentration.

“Don’t jiggle the table. The ink is wet,” Adam looked up from his drafting board. “Who eats lunch at the University Club?

”Mr. Wilkes Harrison Smith.” He spit out. Adam’s partner Dennis O’Mara was still fuming about the married man who had trifled with his sister’s affections. Wilkes Smith had been calling on Emily without telling her he was a married man. Poor Emily was crying herself to sleep every night and there was no way Dennis was going to let this scoundrel get away with this dastardly behavior.

“ I think you and I should go down there and give that son of a bitch a talking to, Cowboy.” Dennis leaned over Adams drawing table again. Adam stood up and stretched. He had been working too long on the plan for the railroad trestle and his back was aching as a result. It would be good to get up and move around a bit.

Adam nodded. “Sounds like a mighty fine idea, Dennis. We think we can make sure Wilkes Smith leaves Emily alone. I thought we might invite him for a drink at the Golden Shamrock and borrow that club your Uncle Sean keeps under the bar. His wife won’t recognize him when we are done.”

“No, I think this might work much better.” Dennis answered.

“The proper bastions of the elite University Club? What do you propose, my friend? I suspect Amanda would like this one better too.” He laughed. Adam sat back on his chair and tapped his fingertips together. “Tell me what your plan is my friend.”

The two partners were both large, muscular, intimidating men. Sandy haired Dennis was taller and had always been even huskier than Adam. Over the years, he had, as Adam teased him, become thinner on top and thicker around the middle. Dennis would just remind Cartwright that those were just the emblems of a truly prosperous man in Boston. Even so, on more than one occasion the two friends had squared off, shoulder to shoulder against an adversary. Not six year earlier, Dennis had slugged the captain of one of their ships who was stealing Stoddard and Bruce cargo and claiming it had washed over board. Then the captain would make an insurance claim and also sell the cargo. Dennis and Adam confronted him and wound up tossing the man over the rail into the harbor when he and some of his crew came after them.

Amanda knew her husband was furious at this Wilkes Smith for his deception and could easily lose his self-control. She made Adam Cartwright swear he would not allow her husband to kill the man.” If Dennis decides he needs to thrash him or even break a limb, I suppose I can pretend that I don’t know anything about what goes on between gentlemen. But I can’t permit Dennis to kill anyone. It would not be appropriate here in Boston to have Dennis do that even though I know you people out west might resolve this situation in a different fashion. Adam, I draw the line at murder, darling.”
Adam assured her he would keep a tight reign on her husband’s behavior and bring him home for dinner with out fail.

“By six PM Adam.” Amanda directed him. “We are having the Jansens and the Prestons here and I am serving a wonderful roast of beef in your honor. Even though Mr. Preston is our attorney I certainly don’t want the two of you arrested and have to send Laurence Preston round to the jail to get you both out.”

Adam laughed to himself remembering her orders. Be sure to protect the honor of the O’Mara women. Don’t wind up in jail and tarnish the reputations of the Bruce, O’ Mara or even the Cartwright family. And most importantly, make sure my husband is done beating up the man who broke Emily’s heart in time for dinner.

“Dear Amanda Bruce O’Mara certainly kept her priorities straight.” Adam laughed to himself.

Chapter 3

The University Club

Boston 1865

“I find this amusing to the point of absurdity,” Wilkes Smith said. He rose to leave the table. Dennis grabbed his arm firmly and yanked him back into his seat.

“Do you now? This is absurd, Mr. Smith? Are you telling me that your dallying with my young innocent sister is absurd?”

“ That’ll be the day,” Adam growled threateningly from the other side of the table.

“Well to tell you the truth,” Smith started, He was starting to trip over his own tongue.
”Yes, tell us the truth, Mr. Smith. My friend Mr. Cartwright and I want to hear the truth.” Dennis leaned forward and put his face close to Smith’s. He narrowed his gray eyes and Adam knew he was itching for a fight.

“I think I am telling the truth. As I know it in this regard, Mr. O’Mara.”

“Are you telling me that Emily lied? My sister lied to me? Is that what you are saying.” Dennis started to get up from his seat and Adam put his hand on his friend’s shoulder and pushed him down. The two of them were not finished talking to Smith yet. Dennis could wait to beat him up, if indeed he was going to hit the man at all. Adam had promised Amanda to make sure Dennis didn’t kill anyone or wind up getting arrested.

“The truth is something that comes back at you,” Adam said without taking his eyes off of Smith’s nervous face. The elegantly dressed man was falling apart right in front of their eyes.

No furious, burly older brother had come after him before with an angry, dark intimidating associate. He decided then and there to rearrange his future extramarital affairs with a different sort of woman, maybe one who is also married and could keep things more secretive and in perspective. No need to have some foolish young lady think he was serious about her and would be a future husband.

“I suppose I would rather confuse the facts just a bit.” He smiled a thin lipped smile.
”Unconfuse them.” Dennis spit out.

“I suppose you gentlemen know what is like when you meet an attractive young lady.”
”Not when you are married.” Adam commented.”

“And not when the attractive young lady is my little sister, sir.”

Adam nodded and leaned back in his chair. His suit jacket fell back revealing the pearl handled Army Colt he was wearing in his holster. The white pearl handle shined brightly against his black vest. It wasn’t Adam’s habit to walk around Boston armed. This wasn’t Virginia City, Nevada, but Dennis felt it would lend just the right air of intimidation to their luncheon meeting.

Wilkes Smith stared at the two men, his heart pounded in his chest. He knew he was in deep trouble and should keep his mouth shut if he wanted to get away from these two.

“Let me introduce my, friend and business partner. Mr. Adam Cartwright. Mr. Cartwright is from out west, from Nevada and has a ranch out there. Did you know that cowboys carry pistols to shoot snakes?”

”And other varmints.” Adam added.

“Mr. Smith, did you know where Mr. Cartwright was raised it is not unusual to shoot a man who confuses the facts? Just like a snake or a varmint. Blow there heads off, I have been told. Matter of fact it isn’t uncommon in the least for them to shoot a man that trifles with the attentions of a young lady. Especially married men who think such behavior is. What was the word you just used? Absurd.”
Wilkes blanched and started to stand up.

“Sit down Mr. Smith.” Adam’s dark brown eyes glowed menacingly. His hand rested on the handle of his gun.

“You haven’t finished your drink yet, Wilkes.” Dennis leaned back in his chair and crossed his beefy arms across his chest.” Finish your drink. It may be the last one you ever have.”

Wilkes sat down again. Here he was in the most elite men’s club in Boston and he was about to die. A minute ago he was just sitting having a round of drinks with two men who had asked to see him and now he was going to die. How unseemly.

“I trust you know you are buying much more trouble than you can handle, Mr. O’Mara, Mr. Cartwright. We are sitting in the dining room of the University Club. And you are threatening my life.”

Cartwright and O’Mara looked at each other. Dennis shrugged and took a swallow of his drink.

”Are we, Mr. Smith?” Dennis sneered at him. “Mr. Cartwright did you threaten my friend Wilkes here?” He patted Wilkes on the shoulder and the philanderer flinched. Smith feared that the next time husky, angry O’Mara touched him it would not be a friendly pat on the shoulder.

Adam shifted in his chair and reached for his brandy. “Do you think we are threatening you, my friend? He unbuttoned his jacket and let it swing open so that Smith got a second good view of his pistol. He took a sip of his drink. Adam started to spin more of the fearsome tale of intimidation. “I don’t think Mr. Smith feels too nervous around us, Dennis. Not like that guy I shot a while back. He was very nervous and he cried and pleaded and begged before he died. The undertaker said he peed in his boots. New boots they were too. But Wilkes here is made from much stronger stuff. I am sure his wife will be proud to hear what a man he was at the end.” Adam was really playing the role to the hilt. If he wasn’t so sad about Emily’s broken heart, he would be enjoying this little drama more than any thing he had done recently.

Smith licked his lips and looked around nervously. All around the wood paneled dining room, gentlemen were chatting and eating their lunch oblivious to what was going on at the corner table. The white-coated waiter, standing near a potted palm noticed Smith looking about nervously and assumed that the three gentlemen at the corner table were ready to order their meal.

”Gentlemen may I take your order now?”

Dennis looked across the table at Wilkes stewing in his own juices. “I assume Mr. Smith has understood what his options are in this matter and will be dining with his wife from now on. Am I not correct? “

Wilkes nodded nervously. Adam folded his arms across his chest and leaned back on his dining chair. He stared at Wilkes. “I am sure we won’t be needing to discuss this matter any further, Mr. Smith. Ever.” He stood and picked up Smith ’s hand as if to shake it. Cartwright squeezed as hard as he could and he had a very firm grip.
Wilkes nodded. Perspiration beaded his pale forehead.

Dennis and Adam stood up. “I don’t think we will be having lunch today. We have to leave.” Dennis said to the waiter.

”Give him the bill for the drinks,” Adam added pointing at Wilkes as the two partners walked out of the dining room leaving Wilkes to himself.

“I liked that part about peeing in the new boots, Cowboy,” Dennis whispered in his partner’s ear as they walked out of the elegant room.

“Sir?” the waiter asked politely. “Can I bring you anything, sir?”

”A double bourbon,” Wilkes Smith answered with a shaky voice. “ Make that two double bourbons.”

Chapter 4

Boston Hospital

1870

“Fear is a very strong emotion, Kate,” Ben Cartwright said softly. “ It can hold you back or push you forward to do things you never would have thought yourself capable of at any other time.” They sat in the solarium at the end of the hall waiting for Doctor Meyer to finish examining Joe. The room was totally empty except for the two of them.

Kate shivered for an instant thinking of how she shot Al Striker to protect Adam. Ben squeezed her hand as if he read her mind.

“Joe would never have come to Boston and willingly gone through this ordeal if he wasn’t more afraid of the alternative. My son would never have gone for surgery if he weren’t more afraid of using the use of his arm. I doubt if I ever would have come back to Boston after all these years either.” He looked at his pocket watch and looked up at the pendulum clock behind the nurse’s desk. The doctor had been in with Joe a long time.

“Do you think Dr Meyer is going to be taking much longer?”

”I think he said something about removing some stitches and changing the cast. Joe said he would rather be alone with the nurses helping. They’ll come out when we can see take him home.”

”Ben, but what about Emily? She clearly is fond of Little Joe and I know she is attracted to him. I see how she looks at him when she thinks no one is watching.”

Ben smiled, “I noticed that too. Joe is certainly watching his manners around her also.”

”Then why won’t she give him a chance? The poor guy is miserable enough without her pushing him away each time he tries to get her attention.”

”She’s afraid.” Her father in law responded.

“Afraid of Joe Cartwright? Ben, he doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. He might have been a bit hot tempered at times when he was a kid but especially in the shape he’s in now, she could knock him over with a pinky.”

“She is afraid to get her heart broken again. Like Bonnie Newkirk was afraid to stay in a place where her man could get hurt again and she would have her heart broken again.” Ben remarked. He took out his watch again and checked the time. He wanted to go check on his son but Joe had been so insistent that he was fed up with his father’s hovering.

”Like you Ben, Kate thought to herself but could never have the nerve to hurt her dear father in law by saying that to him. Why hadn’t Ben Cartwright remarried after Little Joe’s mother was killed? He always claimed he was busy building the ranch and raising his boys and that the right woman never came along, but Kate knew there was a certain amount of fear he had too. It was a shame that Ben and her Aunt Mim hadn’t wound up together.

Once, Kate had asked Mim about Ben. Mim smiled and told her “I can’t imagine myself with anyone besides your uncle, Foster, even Benjamin Cartwright. He’s a wonderful man, but I know he never stopped loving Marie. Anyway Ben and I have too good a friendship to mess it up by getting married. You just keep your nose out of my business unless I ask for your advice.”

“ I told Joe he had to just take it slow and let Emily come to him. But patience was never my youngest boy’s strongest trait.” Ben rested his chin on his hand and looked at Kate. It had been a long day and Ben would be glad to hear what the doctor had to say about Joe’s progress. He greatly appreciated Kate keeping him company. They all were blessed that Adam had made her his wife. She really had become the daughter he never had.

”And I think he is using up all his patience getting well following doctor’s orders here in Boston. I don’t think it leaves very much patience left for Emily to tip toe over to him.”

”I’m not sure Katie. This last year changed Joe. I think maybe he is learning to take things slower and maybe he does have that patience when he puts his mind to it.”

”I hope so, Ben. She is awfully nice. And Joe is so lonely for someone.”

”Well you and Adam just keep track of him until I come back at the end of the summer. I don’t want him to be less than a gentleman to Miss O’Mara and I certainly don’t want him doing anything that will get him hurt again. And most of all I want to be here to see this grandchild of mine.”

Kate threw her arms around his neck. “Don’t worry Ben. We all will be here waiting for you. And maybe I’ll learn a bit of patience too. “

”Have you and Adam decided on any names yet?”

”Just a girl’s name. We still need to decide on one for a boy. I think Adam is leaning towards Lulu Licorice or one of those silly ones on Sammy’s list. Joe is still trying to convince him to go for Cochise Firecracker. But I’m holding out Elizabeth Miriam, for Adam’s mother and my aunt Mim.”

”I’d like that Kate, very much. They were two very fine women. And no matter what. I am going to be back here to see that baby when it is born and help you on the way home.”

Ben was still heartbroken about his missing grandchild. Kate hated to ask but knew she had to inquire. “Ben, did Mr. Victor find out any more about Andrea and Hoss’s baby? Anything at all.

Ben shook his head. “All he could find out was they are not in Elm Grove. And no one on the Massey ranch will say any thing else. They are all very devoted to Andrea’s request.”
”I’m sorry.” Kate squeezed his hand. Ben held on to her hand appreciatively.

“Maybe if I go up to Elm Grove myself when I get home, I can convince Andrea’s foreman to at least give me the name of the Boston attorneys they are using keep in touch with her. Then, perhaps I can write to her and try to explain we mean her no harm. I just want to know about that baby, my son’s child.”

“I hope so. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they were back in Elm Grove and you found them both?”

Chapter 5

Joe made a realization early in his recovery. The medication kept him too groggy and unaware of what was going on. He felt he was either sleeping or spending time in a fog.

By late in June he realized he had been in Boston for weeks and hadn’t done anything but be sick or sleep. Sam was complaining continually that Uncle Joe hadn’t done anything with him for months and the boy was beginning to avoid him. Some times, Joe would speak and realize he was having trouble making his lips say what was on his mind. He wondered if other people thought he was stupid or crazy. He felt like Rip Van Winkle he told Kate.

“I’m think I am going to wake up one morning with a white beard down to my knees and not know what happened for the last twenty years. Sam will be older than I am now. Does that make any sense to you? Or do I sound foolish and drunk?”

“No, you make perfect sense. Do you have to take all that medicine?” she asked. “All the time?”

He smiled at her.” That makes sense to me. The doctor said that I should take the medicine when I needed it. When I was hurting, not all the time.” Joe always had done things his own way and this was just going to be one of those times.

He soon was enduring his body’s protests by sheer will power, as he preferred pain and alertness to the medication. It became a challenge to Joe to see how long he could avoid any of the painkillers even if it meant being uncomfortable. “I’d rather be uncomfortable than sleeping all the time,” he confided to Katie.

“Joe just don’t try to be such a hero that you make yourself sick again.”

Chapter 6

“How weird and awkward today has been,” Kate Cartwright thought as she sat in the green guest room of the O’Mara house. Laura Dayton Cartwright had met with Adam and the attorney, Laurence Preston in regard to Will Cartwright’s murder charges and then she was invited to tea with Kate and Emily in the O’Mara parlor.

Kate had tea in with her husband’s former fiancée in the parlor of the woman he had been in love with during college. One woman had married his cousin and the other his best friend. The two beautiful women, one very dark with violet eyes, the second very blonde were sophisticated and chicly dressed in the latest fashion. Their hair was freshly coiffed, their manners just so.

Kate, on the other hand felt like a huge pregnant mare fresh off the range. She was used to the matter of fact discussions of cowboys and ranchers on cattle prices and being included in the political debates and other civic issues in her role as the publisher of the Enterprise. All the shallow tea party discussions of dresses and fancy dinner menus was foreign to her.

Slowly Kate changed out of her clothes and sat heavily on the bed, brushing out her straight brown hair. She idly wondered what would happen when she told Adam how upset she was. What would he say? Would he just tell her that she was being foolish?

If Emily was not been there at tea chatting like a bird about Little Joe and how wonderful Sam was and how Sam loved Adam and how wonderful and clever Kate was, she would really feel terrible.

Kate felt fat and very pregnant and so unsophisticated. Not since she was a girl of fourteen and had moved to San Francisco from Virginia City did she feel as awkward and uncomfortable and alone. She felt like everything about her was like a rural hayseed next to the other women’s worldly style.

Lost in her own thoughts, she didn’t realize her husband had even come into the room until he dropped a light kiss on her head. “Thought you’d be asleep by now,” Adam said.

Kate managed a weak smile. Sleep was far from her mind tonight, no matter how many times she yawned.

“Are you all right? You are not ill are you? “Adam questioned her nervously. No matter how often she told him not to worry, Adam was terribly anxious about her health all during her pregnancy. She had to remind him continually that women had babies every day and she was really like any other woman who was expecting a baby.

“I am fine. I just had an awkward time having tea with Amanda and Laura. They are both women from your past.”

“They are from the past and stay there, Katie. You are my present and my future. Don’t you realize that, you silly thing?” He took off his jacket and hung it in the wardrobe.
” And I feel so dumpy by comparison. Amanda is so stylish and voluptuous and Laura is so slim and blonde and …”

“Whiney?” Adam summed her up in one word.

”And I m so round. “ Kate looked at her reflection in the mirror on the other side of the room. She saw her round pregnant self with straight brown hair sitting in her plain white cotton nightgown with her dark, tall handsome husband sitting next to her.

“I love you just the way you are Kate… round. You are my own round little wife and soon we will have our own little baby. You won’t always be round but Laura will always be whiney and manipulative and Amanda will always be full of herself. “ He took the brush from her hand and started brushing her hair.

“Katie, You know fond I am of Dennis. He is my oldest and best friend and my business partner. And Amanda is a wonderful woman.” He paused. “She is wonderful in her own way. I love them both but admit it Kate. All the woman knows is spending money on things.” Adam smiled thinking how awful his life would have been had he married Amanda. Young love is so foolish. He stood up and put the brush back on top of the dresser. He finished getting undressed and climbed under the covers.

“I hope you’re right,” she said under her breath. She got into bed and immediately cuddled as close as she could, wrapping her arms around him. “I sure hope you’re right.”

“Don’t you know by now I am always right? “ he teased her.

She laughed, “Yes sir, Mr. Cartwright.”

“They don’t hold a candle to you, Darlin’. Amanda is very pretty but certainly not my type, not now.” Adam was trying to be very cautious with the words he used.

“She is a good mother Adam, Look how sweet she is with all those children. Eight children one after another.”

“That she is,” Adam agreed. He sat up a little against the pillows. “But don’t for get that gives that many more people to have to buy things for… Pony carts, hair bows, charming silver porridge bowls, rattles, little adorable velvet knickers, and darling teeny weenie tiny nighties. Why do you think she loved helping to get all those wonderful new shirts for dear Joe that fit so adorably over his poor bulky plaster cast and all those awful tedious bandages?” Adam dramatically imitated Amanda’s shopping list and tone of voice perfectly. And Kate laughed.

“Shhh, Adam some one will hear you imitating her.”

“I don’t want voluptuous and stylish or blond and whiney.” He hugged Kate closer to him “I want you Katie Cartwright, my child bride.” He kissed her.” Forever. Some one I can count on.” He kissed her again.” Someone who is smart and clever and beautiful and round. And getting even rounder as I watch. And will have my own little daughter Cochise Lulu or my son Monkeyshines Licorice Cartwright. Or was that Firecracker Tomato Soup? I want only you, Katie.” He pulled her closer.

His wife smiled.

She is beginning to realize how ridiculous this whole discussion is getting, as ridiculous as Sam and Little Joe’s foolish list of silly baby names. How could she have doubted her place in Adam’s heart?

“I love you. I said I love you before I married you and after I married you and I’ll say it every single day and that’s forever and will never stop. Don’t you realize that every thing I do I do for you? Do you realize what all I gave up when we got married, wife?” He hugged her to his chest. “ I could be a single man gallivanting around the wide world, dancing in the moonlight with naked South Sea native girls or dining in London with the Queen! I gave up all that for you, Mrs. Cartwright. For you Katie-bird.”

Kate smiled but was still unsure.

“You do know she asked me for dinner at her castle next week, Kate. The queen did. She is still trying to win me away from you.” Adam kept getting more and more melodramatic and grandiose. He was gesturing dramatically and being sillier and more foolish with each sentence. The bed was jiggling and Kate was starting to bounce about.

“And when will you finally realize that I am always right. Joe is finally accepting that. What is taking you so long, Mrs. Cartwright?”

Kate smiled and rested her face on his chest. Then she pulled away from him and looked into his dark eyes.

“Adam, Did you love them? Did you love Amanda or Laura Dayton?” She was still not totally sure. She was still uncomfortably jealous.

”In a way but not like I love you. Did you love Striker?”

Kate was silent. She didn’t answer for so long that Adam regretted having even mentioned the name of Sam’s father.

“I thought I did but I was very wrong about him. Very wrong,” she whispered. “Did you love Amanda or Laura? I need to know Adam.”

He finally realized what a hard time his pregnant wife was having with this whole thing. Kate had just spent the hot summer afternoon having tea with two elegant, attractive women who had been her husband’s girl friends. She didn’t know all the details nor would she ever. That was not Adam’s nature. Kate had a vivid imagination and was probably creating a better fiction that the reality of Adam’s romantic history with either of them.

“ With Amanda it was lust and my grandfather’s plotting and with Laura it was just sheer stupidity. Katie, I love you.”

Kate finally smiled and melted into him.

Chapter 7

June 1870

Boston

Sam ran up the street in front of his family. As he came to the first shop window he stopped to stare. “Look, Mama, Pa. Look at this Uncle Joe!” the boy hollered excitedly. There was a big display of flags and patriotic pictures honoring Independence Day. A poster announced “Fireworks Display. Boston Harbor. July Fourth” ”Pa can we go?” Sam looked up at Adam as he and Kate strolled up behind him.

Joe stood next to his nephew and read the poster with him.” That’s not even two weeks away, Doc.” Joe put his left arm around his nephew’s narrow shoulders. His other arm was still in a plaster cast supported by a blue cloth sling. He thought about how he would be celebrating back on the Ponderosa.

As much as Joe Cartwright loved to see noisy loud fireworks, the idea of being in the middle of a jostling crowd in the middle of the city was not at all appealing to him. This wasn’t Virginia City. It was almost frightening, but he was not going to admit it to his nephew. Trying to protect his injured shoulder and squeeze through a jostling and shoving crowd watching the fireworks was a daunting prospect.

Joe Cartwright felt he needed to keep up the brave front. He didn’t want to spoil everyone else’s good time and he was embarrassed to admit how much difficulty he was having getting comfortable in Boston. Adam was so happy showing off the sites to all of them and Kate and Sam seemed to be having such a grand time. Meanwhile Joe was just growing more and more miserable as the hot days wore on. He felt like he would choke to death before he would get back to the Ponderosa at the end of the summer. The cast was heavy and the sling dug into his neck, the stitches on his shoulder itched as they heeled. He couldn’t even shave himself without help. Not if he didn’t want to cut his throat with the straight razor.

“Could we go see the fireworks?” Sam repeated.

“I think that could be arranged but we have a better viewing stand than that. We can see the entire thing from the O’Mara front porch. Did you realize that?”

Joe breathed a sigh of relief. No need to even mention his discomfort with the crowds if he didn’t even have to go.

”Really Adam? Right from the porch?” Kate smiled. “What a treat.”

Adam nodded. “Glad you like the idea, Kate.” Adam remembered viewing the fireworks from that house when it still belonged to Amanda’s father, Charles Bruce. The last place he wanted to bring his pregnant wife and battered brother was into the middle of an excited holiday crowd surging around the harbor on a hot July night. But if he told Kate that, she would just argue that he was being over protective. Between his brother and his wife, Adam was being told that he was too protective at least twice each day.

“Amanda and most of the children will have left for Europe by then and it will be just us and Dennis and a few others. Much quieter. Emily thought Sam would enjoy it. She said they usually crank ice cream all day and serve it after the pyrotechnic display.”

Joe thought for a minute and realized that the roof of the porch was right outside his room. By sitting on his perch at the window, he would have the same view. The roof was almost flat at that point. Maybe he should see what it was like to climb out on the roof and get a pair of private “box seats”.

As the Cartwrights walked down the hot street, the noise and confusion increased. What was routine to Adam and intriguing to Kate and Sam was increasingly disconcerting to Joe.

He stopped at the corner and looked around at the crowds of people and the horse drawn wagons filling the narrow cobble stone streets. The sidewalks were crammed with people rushing about. There were even unharnessed wagons lining the dirty gutters. Dennis had told him that derelicts and “ladies of the night” sometimes lived in the empty wagons and plied their trade in the adjacent alley ways.

The damp heat made the piles of rotting garbage and unswept horse manure stink more than Joe could imagine possible. Flies buzzed around a dead horse lying nearby.

“Are you all right Joe?” Adam put his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “The lawyer’s office is only a few more blocks. Mr. Preston will meet us there with Laura.”

” Are you tired It’s only your third day out of the hospital?” Kate added.

”No, I’m fine. I just can’t get over how much noisy traffic there is here in Boston.” Joe stared up and down the street.

Adam looked at Kate and tried to see if the prospect of spending the afternoon with his former fiancé was still bothering her. She was smiling and seemed more interested in watching the fashions on the ladies in the crowd than anything else. Unlike Joe, she seemed to be having a terrific time. Their conversation the night before must have worked.

“Look Adam. Isn’t that lovely? “ She pulled her husband’s arm and called his attention to a small carved mahogany table in a nearby window. As they stood and looked at the display, Joe and Sam walked on past the building housing the offices of Stoddard and Bruce.

“I can’t believe your father likes all this open sewer and noise and all the crowds.” Joe felt so penned in by the high brick buildings on either side of them. He felt the air being squeezed out of his lungs.

A drunken sailor stood leaning against side of the warehouse drinking from a brown glass bottle. Adam held Kate’s arm protectively as they walked past. “Sam!” Kate called to her son as he ran ahead of the family. “Stay near us, Sam.”

The drunk threw the bottle at the side of a freight wagon that was at the curb. The glass shattered on the wooden panel with loud crash. Pieces of glass struck the horses. Just as Sam stepped off the sidewalk, one of the team reared and Joe instinctively leaped up and grabbed the dray horse’s bridle with his left hand before Sam could get hurt.

“Whoa! Take it easy.” he pulled on the horse. The horse snorted and pawed the dirty cobblestones but settled down.

Joe patted the nose of the skittish horse. “Looks like you don’t like things here any more than I do.”

Chapter 8

When Emily arrived at the law offices of Preston, Preston, Mason and Associates, she knew she was early so just went into the waiting room with her stack of packages and sat down to wait. She heard a baby crying somewhere in the suite of offices and a few minutes later the door of Laurence Junior’s office opened. A tall attractive woman holding an infant walked out followed by a slender neatly attired young man. Laurence Preston Junior escorted them to the outer office and stood bidding farewell to his clients as Emily observed quietly from the waiting room.

Both the man and woman had red hair. Was the young man her son? No he was too old and she was too young. Maybe they were sister and brother or aunt and nephew. Emily would have her nieces and nephews out and about and Dennis Junior was almost a grown man,” Emily thought to herself. Seeing that she would probably never marry and have children of her own, Emily accepted her role as the favorite old maid aunt. No she was the mother of the baby. So she must be married. The young man was probably her brother. They seemed so devoted to each other. She must be the young fellow’s older sister.

The shook hands all around and Laurence Preston Junior walked the family to the door. He turned and realized his wife’s sister was sitting in his waiting room.

“Emily darling! I didn’t see you sitting there. Peggy didn’t tell me you were coming by.

Sad case that one. A widow. A least she is financially well situated.”

“What a shame.”

”The husband was murdered in a bank robbery just before the baby was born. Enough about that sad tale. Were you sitting here long, Emily?”

”Not long. I am meeting Joseph Cartwright. We are going to lunch and I was finished with my errands early.”

Laurence saw all the packages stacked on the leather chair next to Emily. “You and Peg sure learned the way to shop from Amanda.

Emily laughed softly. “Oh no these are shirts for Joe. Amanda ordered them from that lovely store near the park. He just got out of the hospital and none of his shirts fit over the cast and the bandages and all. And trousers for Robert Charles. He ripped out the knees in all the of his. And gloves for me for the awards dinner. Will you and Peg will be there?”

Laurence nodded. “Of course. We must see your brother and Adam Cartwright get the silver plaque or loving cup or whatever they are getting. Dennis and Adam have been my father’s clients for years.”

“How much longer do you think Mr. Cartwright will be?” She was concerned that Joe was going to be worn out. And she also missed his company.

“They are still with my father discussing William’s Cartwright’s defense. Will’s wife, Laura is there too. “

“How is it going? Adam told me that it is a difficult situation.”

”Can’t tell Emily. It is a capital murder case. They are charging him with first-degree murder. That William Cartwright has been sitting in jail for months now. His wife is fortunate that Adam is helping out. I hate to say anything bad about another attorney, but his wife had hired a really inexperienced young fellow. Guess that was the best she could afford. He wasn’t going to get much of a defense. Good thing his family came forward to help or he would surely be convicted. My father is the best defense attorney in the city. At least the man has a chance not to get hung. Maybe only life in prison.”

“Are you sure?”

”No, but Will Cartwright is being charged with breaking into a house and murdering a woman in cold blood. He didn’t even know this woman or even have a connection to her. William claims his wife wrote him a note asking him to meet her there. He claims that he heard Laura calling for help and was knocked unconscious. He woke up on the floor next to the deceased and the police hauled him in. Laura denies any part of it but she can’t be called to testify against her husband so he is lucky on that account. No one can find this note he talks about.”

”If they had the note it would prove his story.” Emily commented. “He would be free.”

“It would but no one seems to know where it went. If it does exist” Laurence had his doubts. “He has a pretty checkered past. Guess he is the black sheep of the Cartwright family.”

“And you want to hear one more frightening thing Emily? The house where the murder took place? It’s the old Stoddard house. Only a few blocks from where you O’Maras live, a murder took place.”

”The Stoddard house? Laurence, Captain Stoddard was Adam Cartwright’s grandfather. He and Mr. Bruce were the original partners in Stoddard and Bruce.”

”Will’s grandfather’s house?”

”No, Adam’s mother’s family. Not the Cartwrights.”

”Hope my father can do something for him. Will Cartwright seems like a decent sort. Hate to think of the poor fellow hanging.” Laurence shook his head grimly

Emily shivered thinking of a man being executed.

Chapter 9

Time dragged on endlessly for Joe Cartwright. He felt like a prisoner. His family and friends made every attempt to keep him cheerful and occupied but he was quickly running out of patience with being away from the Ponderosa and all the things he loved to do. Ben wrote him long letters about the work on the ranch. Joe who usually avoided writing found himself writing detailed responses and lists of instructions and questions for Ben to pass on to the foreman and the hands about moving cattle and breeding horses and conditions of pastures and water and timber cutting.

Joe ran out of stories to tell Sam and new names for the baby list. As the summer went on and his uncle got crankier, Sam decided to spend his afternoons with Robert O’Mara learning how to sail on the Charles River. He would come upstairs to see his uncle with Adam at night. Sam would listen to the men talking and fall asleep across the foot of Joe’s bed until Adam carried the boy slung over his shoulder back to his own bed.

Kate and Emily visited him faithfully in between and he was especially appreciative of their loyalty and support. Even the butler wound up playing chess with him one afternoon.

All in all Joe was totally miserable, hot and uncomfortable. He was living up to the new nickname that Robert, in his rudeness had given him, Uncle Cranky.

Doctor Meyer was extremely pleased with how the first round of surgery had healed and had scheduled the second and final surgery a week earlier than he originally had proposed.

“Looks like your family is doing a good job of keeping you still, Mr. Cartwright”

” Looks like I’ll have good practice for when I’m dead,” Joe countered dejectedly. “Doc can’t you do something about that medicine? I sleep more than I am awake.”

”Let me see if I can. I’ll have the pharmacist send something else around to you.”

Joe was so miserable. Between the constant pain and the imposed inactivity and boredom the young rancher was taking out his discontent on everyone around him. Adam wished he could do something to cheer him up. After all, Adam was having a grand time in Boston. He forgot how much satisfaction he got from working side by side with Dennis. They had tried to work out a system of doing projects for Stoddard and Bruce by corresponding and sending wires or dividing up things so Adam could remain in Virginia City with Kate but so much more was getting done with them working in the same office in Boston.

Adam was delighted to show the city to Kate and Sammy. His son loved the museums and the zoo. He insisted on visiting the monkey house time and again. Each time he brought the boy to a show or concert, he was rapt with attention and asked Adam if he could attend another performance as soon as possible.

All of Adam’s Boston friends were so impressed with Kate and she with them. They often dined out or were invited as a couple to parties at their homes. Adam was bursting with pride to have her on his arm. Despite her misgivings about visiting Boston for such an extended amount of time and insistence that her husband swear they would return home as soon as the baby could travel, Kate was having a fine time also. She was writing dispatches and pieces for the Enterprise and shipping them to Virginia City as well as writing for the Boston paper.

At one of the dinner parties that Amanda had given in their honor, Kate had been introduced to Turner Whipple, editor in chief of the Globe and a friend of Phil Bartlett. He was so impressed with her wit and charm that he asked to see a sample of her writing. Sam, not realizing, he was being forward and impertinent told the editor “My mama writes almost the whole Enterprise, even the obituaries. And I sweep and help set type when they are busy.” Before Kate or Adam could stop him, the boy scurried upstairs and brought back a stack of “Mama’s Papers” to show the man.

A few days later, Whipple asked Kate if she would be interested in writing a series about her life as a “Frontier Wife” for his paper and he would even be interested in running them side by side with her Enterprise columns about her Boston experiences.

Chapter 10

The Rusty Bucket Saloon,

Virginia City

1868

“Heard your brother Adam is coming back to town to get married to Kate Wallace,” Nate Bonner said as he looked over the hand of cards that Jack Fischer dealt to him.

“Yup,” Joe Cartwright answered leaning back in his seat. He had just drawn his second ten and was ready to pick up the last card dealt to him. “The wedding is in less than three weeks. Adam will be getting into town in a couple of days.” He picked up his beer and took a sip.

“Kate’s quite a lady.” Jack Fischer said. “ A looker too.” He took a long swallow of his drink.

Hoss gave Jack a warning glance not to say any more that he might regret regarding Kate. Joe already had a quarrel with Jack’s mother for the groundless rude comment she had made about Sam, Kate’s little boy resembling Joe Cartwright.

Hoss’s cards were not worth horse sweat and he put his cards down on the table. “I’m out.” Hoss pushed his chair back from the table and put both elbows on the arms of the wooden chair to watch the rest of the players.

“Good thing your brother didn’t marry that Laura Dayton gal years ago” Vern Bonner sneered with a gorilla like grin. He tipped his chair back on two legs.

His brother smacked him on the shoulder and almost fell over backward. The two of them laughed. He took a long swallow of his beer and called the barmaid over to bring another round.

“What are you talking about?” Joe Cartwright looked up at the Bonners. He had drawn a third ten and he folded the cards into a neat stack and tapped the edges on the table. Joe casually put them face down on the table. Looks like he may have the winning hand, he thought. Joe threw some bills into the pot.

“I fold, “ Jack Fisher said. He grinned at the Bonners across the round table.” Tell the Cartwrights what they claims they never knew.”

”Laura Dayton sure warn’t given much to your brother. She was doing both me and my brother. Both of us.”

Hoss looked at Joe with the shocked look of a calf that was hit by lightning.

“Why do you think we were giving Adam such a hard time and razzing him while she was trying to get him to marry her. She acted so prim and so dang proper but that warn’t what she did after your brother set off for home. Just like a gentleman she would say. That Adam Cartwright is such a fine gent.’ He matched Joe’s bet and added some more money to the growing pot in the middle of the table.

“So respectful Adam was.” Vern Bonner slapped the table and waggled his tongue at his brother. “She warn’t so prim and proper with me and my brother when we both came a calling after dark.” He laughed like a braying mule. “We warn’t rich enough for a gold digger like Laura Dayton.”

Joe felt sick to his stomach picturing blonde prissy Laura Dayton and both of the crude Bonner brothers. Whiney Laura Dayton who kissed his brother with her lips tight closed was fooling with the Bonners? Couldn’t be. The Bonners were lying.

Joe squinted his eyes at Nate Bonner. “You’re trying to tell me you were messing with Laura Dayton? While she was engaged to my brother Adam?”

Hoss looked at the men at the table, “You’re funning Vern.”

“Why do you think she got hurt that time? When she run under the hooves of our horses when we were riding out of Virginia City. Just before she got your brother to propose to her. Grant you, me and Nate was drinkin’ a might. But we said to her we was gonna tell old Adam what had been goin’ on with us and her.”

”That’s right,” Vern agreed, “We said to her that Adam Cartwright had once been our friend way back when we were boys and we was gonna tell him about her. She came running after us yapping at our heels like a bitch dog in heat. Just as we was riding out of town. That Aunt of hers told us to keep our mouths shut or she would make sure Adam shot us for running her niece down. For running her down with our horses not for diddling with her.” He made an obscene gesture with his fingers.

“Your brother’s pretty blonde Laura Dayton was the round heels gal of Virginia City,” added Jack Fischer. “Everyone knew but you boys and your brother. Why do you think old Frank Dayton drank?”

“Are you saying you…how well did you know Laura Dayton Jack?” growled Hoss

“I’m not saying anything Hoss, Joe, but your brother got out of marrying, shall we say not the finest woman in town.” Jack grinned smugly and grabbed the bar maids rear end as she brought the round of beers to the table.

“Oh she was pretty fine to me!” Nate Bonner bragged.

Both Hoss and Joe were still amazed at what they were hearing.

”Too bad your cousin got stuck with her. Will seemed like a nice fellow.” Jack added.

Joe threw his cards on the table.

What’s’ the matter? Game too rich for you, Cartwright? Vern Bonner asked.

“No the stakes are fine but the company stinks like a dead horse in the manure pile.

With that comment, Joe put on his hat and stomped out of the saloon.

Hoss followed a few steps behind him. He was pleasantly surprised that Joe hadn’t hauled off and punched anyone in the jaw at that poker table. Either Joe was settling down or he had no need to tear up the Bonners and Jack Fischer for the honor of Laura Dayton. She was long gone.

The sun was bright so they squinted for a minute until their eyes readjusted from the dim interior of the Silver Dollar. Neither brother had anything to say. They had said it all when they walked away from the poker table. Hoss and Joe stood side by side on the wooden sidewalk silently staring off into space.

“Well Hoss, last time I looked we had a ranch to run. I better get going.”

“I’ll see you at home for dinner,” Hoss said quietly and headed down the street to finish his business at the feed store. He remembered a conversation he had with Miss Barbara of the Altamont Saloon the night he and Joe had taken Adam in to celebrate his engagement to Laura Dayton. Miss B. had looked a bit uncomfortable with the announcement and told their older brother “Adam, my friend, there is a Paiute phrase for a woman like that, Koorvah Drek.” She had been called away from their table before they could get a translation. Hoss always wondered what that saying meant.

Joe walked back to the hitching rail and untied Cochise, and leaped on without using the stirrups. He galloped towards home.

Joe was disgusted about what he had learned about Laura Dayton and all the men who claimed they had shared her. He had never been comfortable with Adam marrying her but he never imagined anything like what was ever going on. Not in his wildest imagination would he have thought that Laura Dayton was doing what he was just told.

In contrast, Joe remembered thinking what a icy cold fish Laura Dayton was when he observed his brother kiss her and she responded with a closed mouth, dry, passionless kiss. He hated to think that at some time his oldest brother had been the punch line of joke and obscene bar room gossip. But Joe was thankful that Adam had never married Laura and now was going to marry Katie Wallace. Things really did work out well for both Kate and Adam.

But probably not so for Cousin Will.

Chapter 11

A few days out of the hospital staying at the O’Mara’s, Joe was back in his bed in the second floor, resting. Most afternoons, Kate sat with him and kept him company. He was often in too much pain and too weak to do more than doze. He had trouble sleeping at night from being uncomfortable or having nightmares. A few times he woke in a cold sweat from a nightmare of the Carson City Gang beating him in the dining room of the Ponderosa or being thrown from a horse onto his arm. Hoping not to disturb the rest of the household in the middle of the night, Joe would move over to the open front window and prop himself up on the window seat. In the middle of the night, there was little noise except the occasional clip clop of a passing milk wagon .The cool night breeze coming up from the harbor made him feel better as he would sit and watch the stars and the moon from high above the trees. If he tried hard enough, Joe could imagine he was on a cliff, or leaning against his up turned saddle sitting by a campfire back on the Ponderosa.

If he had a really uncomfortable night, Joe would wind up napping the next day. That in turn gave him insomnia at night. Kate would sit quietly at his bedside and work on her latest column for the Enterprise about her Boston experiences or the “Frontier Wife” series for the Boston Globe.

Kate looked up from her page and saw he was awake. She put down her pencil and rearranged his pillows so he could sit up a bit. Kate offered him some cold water and poured him a glass from the cut glass carafe on the nightstand.

“I think Dennis’s son is making Sam help him with Latin too. Sam is picking it up faster than young Mr. O’Mara and Robert took the same class three or four times. Dennis thinks he is just a lost cause and is going to teach him to dig ditches or unload things at the dock.”

“He’ll probably drop things into the harbor or get thrown in by someone he insults. Robert is pretty snotty. Is he that stupid too? He makes me want to hit him with a board.”

“I don’t really know. Emily is very fond of him so he can’t be so terrible. Sammy likes him too. Sam said he would come by tonight to see you and read to you. We got some mail from your father.” She handed Joe the envelopes.

“That boy is just too serious Katie. My brother Adam is an extremely bad influence on him.” Joe teased.” Don’t forget what we planned last year for him.” He put the letters aside for later when he had no company to amuse him.

”Last year?” For a moment, Kate forgot what she and Joe had been joking about. She had been so busy recently she didn’t remember what she spoke about last week, no less, last year. A few times she confided to Emily that she thought all her brains were going into her baby. So much had happened in the last few months to distract Kate from a conversation she and Joe had a year earlier. Unfortunately, Joe had more than enough time on his hands to think as he lay in bed hour after excruciatingly boring hour.

Last year, the entire family had suffered after the Carson City Gang had killed Hoss. Joe and Kate still secretly had hopes that once Sam got settled in school and more comfortable his mood would lighten. He was becoming a serious child more like his stepfather Adam Cartwright each day.

One night, late in the previous summer, sitting on the porch of the ranch house, Kate and Joe were joking around and decided that Sam had gone too much in the direction of being serious and they would have to spark his silly streak. Just as they had grown up being more fun loving than Adam, Joe and Kate plotted together for the transformation of Sam to be more like his prank playing mother and uncle.

“There is time enough in life to be serious.” Kate decided.

“I think your husband was born serious,” Joe complained. “You were supposed to perk my brother up, Katie bird, not have Adam inflict his sense of gloom on you and Sam. Quit being so responsible.” He stood up from the wooden chair and walked across the porch to stand opposite Kate.

”I can’t help it Joe. I’m a married woman. I have a little boy and the Enterprise and a house and.”

”A granite headed husband.” Joe added.

”And a brother in law who is a bigger kid than my little boy is.” Kate countered.
She stood up and gave Joe a hug. “But you are right Joe. We really need to make Sam a little less…”

”Adam-like?”

Kate giggled “And more Little Joe-like?”

“I wouldn’t say just that. Did I put a skunk in the out house or let a flock of geese into church?” Joe asked her.

”No sweetie pie but you did convince a few people that horse liniment was hair tonic and put dead fish in Sheriff Coffee’s desk that time. Nancy said the poor man couldn’t eat trout for years. “

”And what about that first day of school flag you had, Katie? “

”Oh my, Joe! My father almost froze that winter until I confessed and got his long johns back from the school board.”

Together, they found an old set of Hoss’s over sized long johns and set them aside for the first day of school, a flag for the next year. Joe knew his brother Hoss would have been extremely honored by the continued tradition. Kate had Joe hide it in a brown paper wrapped package high on the shelves in the Enterprise office.

“No need to have Adam stumble onto this plan.” Kate decided. Joe always kept her secrets while they were growing up and it was once again fun to share a prank with him even if it meant keeping a secret from her husband.

Now that Kate and Joe were in Boston, the idea of the long john flag took on even greater importance. Joe desperately needed to insure that they all would be home on the Ponderosa when the summer was over.

“Kate, we need to head back home in time for Sam to start up school?”

”Great idea Joe. I’m sure we’ll be there. It’ s a long time until then. And if he misses a few weeks, we can tutor him here or he can go to school with the O’Mara kids. One of them is in his grade. Maybe Sam can go on home with Adam or your father for a few weeks.”

”He really needs to start school in September and we all need to be home,” Joe repeated.

“All of us together Katie. Not just Sammy.”

”Home sick Little Joe?” Kate was one of the few people who could call Joe by his childhood nickname and get away with it. She stood up and stood next to his bed. Put her hand on his cheek and could see his eyes welling up with tears.

Joe looked down at his bare toes sticking out under the sheets, and twisted the battered sling on his right arm. He looked up at Kate’s face.” Very much.’ He whispered hoarsely. He wiped his left hand across the corner of his eyes; embarrassed that even Kate should see him so forlorn.

“I want to be home. If I could leave tomorrow I would. I want to be on the fall roundup and even if I have to ride drag and eat dust… I wouldn’t even care if I was riding that old sway back nag of Roy’s. What was her name? Daisy? Even Daisy dead and I had to carry her on my own back.’” Joe sighed. “Katie, I just wish I was back home on the Ponderosa.

Chapter 12

Adam, Kate and Dennis sadly watched what was occurring. Day by day, Joe was becoming more sullen and withdrawn. Even Sam didn’t want to spend any time with him. The boy avoided Joe and spent more of his time with young Robert Charles O’Mara learning how to sail or studying Latin with him while Emily tutored her nephew. Robert didn’t get along with Joe or Joe with him. Dennis’s disgruntled son nicknamed him Uncle Cranky and Joe told Dennis that his son was the nastiest boy he ever met.
”Joe, even Amanda and I don’t like him. He is stupider than stupid and we have no idea what to do with him. The only person who can stand him is Emily. And now Adam’s boy.”

Within a few weeks even Sam became more facile than Robert Charles O’Mara with Latin conjugations. The older boy offered to let Sam take his place at Deerfield Academy “I hate it there, Sammy. I sure wish I didn’t have to go there and hear how stupid I am and what an embarrassment I am. My grandfather went there and my uncle and my brothers.”

 

Chapter 13

The previous evening after Joe had dozed off in the back parlor, they discussed the need to get Joe outside and back into life. They agreed to try to get him out into Boston and see some of the sights.

“Take him to see the monkeys at the zoo,” Sam suggested as he raced out of the room to follow Robert.

“I would say take him to one of the museums but I am sure he would just make all the other visitors miserable unless it was a horse museum. Or maybe the circus side show. Too bad you can’ let him go riding.” Kate commented.

Emily suggested that she would have taken Joe to the opera, or the ballet but they did not perform during the summer.

Adam and Dennis laughed so hard at her suggestion that she blushed with embarrassment.

“Em, honey, I doubt if Joe would have gone anyway. And if he did he would have complained even more than he has been doing already. Joe is a cowboy not an opera lover.” Kate said giving Adam a dirty look for making Emily feel badly. She could not imagine her brother in law sitting respectfully in a stiff collar and enjoying himself listening to the beautiful music as Adam did.

“Or ballet either,” Adam shook his head smiling at that idea. Adam thought about the type of dancing show that his brother would have enjoyed. Discussing that kind of entertainment would have been totally inappropriate for a fine lady like Emily O’Mara to even know about, no less attend.

Dennis smiled, “I only saw Joe enjoy one dancing show in my experience. That was years and years ago in San Francisco at the Palace…Joe really kept his eyes on those young ladies. I think he talked about it for days. Especially the so called costumes.” He and Adam were convulsed by his comment as the ladies looked at the two of them as if they were daft. Then Kate realized what they were talking about and smiled.

“I’ll explain later,” she whispered in Emily’s ear.

Adam thought of where Joe found happiness. His brother loved galloping a good horse across the range, laughing with his friends over a poker game, a brawl in a saloon, and a night on the town with a pretty girl. Was that it? What could they do with Joe to cheer him up? Can’t put him on a horse on the open range of Boston Commons and expect him to be cheered up.

“I know Dennis, let’s shanghai him and take him to the Golden Shamrock for an evening. I am sure a few rounds of liquid refreshment with your Uncle Sean could put a smile on that boy’s face.”

” Just don’t let him get in any brawls and mess up that hand again.” Kate reminded them. Emily had told her how rowdy Sean’s water front bar could get.

“Maybe that’s not the best option for Joseph,” Emily shook her head.” He is doing so well. How about asking Joe to escort me to the awards dance at the University Club? You all are going to get the charity award for Stoddard and Bruce’s donation to the orphanage and all we need is one more ticket for Joe and to fit him out with the right formal suit.”
Before her husband and Dennis could make a joke or a foolish comment Kate agreed and told Adam to make sure Joe was dressed appropriately.

The decision was made so fast that Adam and Dennis didn’t know what hit them until about a week later when Adam decided that Kate and Emily had rehearsed the whole plan and blind sided all the men.

Chapter 14

“I really like her Adam but every time I think we are going to get together Emily turns tail and runs.”

”She’s been through a lot Joe. She’s not one of your dizzy dopey blondes that are bamboozled by Joe Cartwright’s smiles. She is not going to be melted by your winks either. “

Joe didn’t know what to make of that. He had never had any gal he was interested not melt eventually by his good looks and charm.

“Some times you push too hard little brother and come on too hard and fast. Emily likes you. I know she does. Just sit still for once and let her come to you.

Joe took the last swallow from his glass and looked at his brother.

”Joe, take it slow with her. If you don’t she is going to head for the hills so fast you won’t even see the dust. You have nothing to loose and everything to gain.”

Chapter 15

There was something about how she looked that night that took Adam’s breath away. Kate Cartwright was dressed in the black chiffon gown that Amanda’s seamstress had made up for her. None of her other gowns fit her expanding figure. The dress was low cut and beaded and her shoulders were bare. It camouflaged all of what Kate did not want to show and highlighted all her assets. Kate was wearing the diamond earrings that Adam had given her as a wedding gift. She had never looked more beautiful.

Adam laughed to himself that she had worried about her husband still having eyes for the former Laura Dayton or even Amanda Bruce O’Mara.

“Well my child bride, you look more beautiful tonight than I have ever seen you before.”
”Really Adam?” Kate said looking up at him as he walked closer. He was dressed in his black formal suit and looked quite dashing. His top hat waited downstairs on the hallway table.

“Katie, you know I am always right. Always. Why would it change now?” he said smugly and pulled her into his arms. She could smell his bay rum cologne as she turned her face to his for a kiss. How could she ever have thought he found any other woman on the earth the least bit attractive?

“Joe needs help with his tie and I told him you would go in. He is too embarrassed to ask for a hand and I think he was about to do summersaults and hang himself off the bedpost trying to get it done one handed.’

Adam held her in his arms for a minute and said “ Send Sam up. I’m busy kissing you.”
Kate laughed and said “Sammy needs you to help him too. Go Adam or we will never get to the dinner party on time. Emily is nervous enough without us being late.” She pulled away from her husband and smoothed her hand through his dark hair.

“She really is nervous? Then let’s help her out. Can’t have Miss Emily nervous the first night Mr. Joseph Cartwright, Nevada gentleman, the Prince of the Ponderosa, gets to take her out on the town.”

Chapter 16

“You are always sleeping or laying around here Uncle Joe” Sam complained. He was sitting on the edge of his uncle’s bed and trying to get Joe to get up and take him to the fair that was being held in the nearby park.

“Seems that’s all I’ve done for a while. Hey, could you maybe help me get up and dressed? I think I’d like to look at something other than this room. I got to see lots of it over the last few weeks makes me feel like I’m a kid again.

“Like a kid Uncle Joe? This isn’t a kid’s room.” Sam observed. He looked around the O’Mara’s blue guest room. There were lace curtains at the large bay window and pictures of vases of blue flowers on the walls. The furniture was highly polished, ornately carved mahogany. Sam walked over to the wardrobe to get his uncle’s clothes. “Which shirt?”

”Surprise me, Sam.” Did it matter what shirt if he wasn’t going anywhere. All the shirts he had were loose enough to fit over his bandaged shoulder and the cast on his right arm. Amanda had seen to that on one of the shopping trips she made with Katie and Emily.

Looking on the top shelf of the wardrobe, Sam could see Joe’s gun belt coiled up, the pistol was in the holster. Even cowboys didn’t wear guns in Boston and Uncle Joe had stowed his in the cabinet when he came to the O’Mara’s from the hospital. Sam knew that he should not touch any guns with out permission and when he was home his father and grandfather were teaching him how to shoot a rifle. Uncle Joe said when he was older he would show him how to shoot a pistol.

Leaning on the bedpost Joe Cartwright was awkwardly managing to get into his trousers “Sam, how about that shirt? And give me a hand with the socks too. Please. This makes me feel like Grandpa’s mad, and he’s sent me to my room again, Doc.”

Sam laughed. “How about your boots Uncle Joe?”

”Don’t need boots to go downstairs and sit in the back parlor, Sam.” Joe winced as Sam helped him put his arm back in the sling. Joe adjusted it on his shoulder. He looked at his fingers sticking out of the cast and wiggled them back and forth. The tips were pink, just like they were supposed to be. Under the cast his arm itched. He hadn’t slept well the night before and was aching all over.

“But you said you would take us to the fair, Uncle Joe. Robert and me. And get us firecrackers too. Your said you would weeks ago.”

Adam came down the hallway and stood silently leaning on the doorframe watching his son help his brother. Maybe the night out at the formal dinner had been too much for his brother. No, he knew it hadn’t. Joe needed to get out a bit and he was just having a bad day. At least he had started getting out.

Adam knew how hard this must be for Joe to allow the little boy to help him. And now Sam was complaining again about Joe not taking him places or playing games with him. Adam wasn’t sure who was having a harder time with this long convalescence. Was it Sam, who was missing the fun he used to have with his energetic uncle or Joe, who loved to play with the boy like he and Sam were the same age?

“Uncle Joe, take us to the fair.” Sam demanded again.

“No, I can’t.” Joe shook his head.

“Come on Uncle Joe, you’ll have fun. You promised to get us fire crackers too.”

”No Sam I can’t. I’m not up to it. Not today. I just can’t.” Joe was getting annoyed with this pestering.

Adam took a step into the room.

“You promised Uncle Joe. You haven’t done anything with me that you promised since we got to Boston. “Sam started yelling. He kicked at his uncle’s boots and knocked one under the bed.

“Cut it out Sam. I can’t do it!” Joe finally lost his temper “Quit being a brat. I can’t do it! Don’t you understand? I’ m sick,” he shouted at the boy.

”You stink Uncle Joe. You broke your promise and you said you would never break a promise. You said a Cartwright’s word is his bond.” Sam hollered back.

Adam stepped into the room and grabbed his son by the shoulder. Adam had been angry before; now he was livid. He did not tolerate back talk and he could see how painful this exchange was to Joe. His poor brother didn’t deserve how the boy was talking to him.

“Sam! You quit this right now. You better apologize to your uncle and get out of here right now or you won’t be going anywhere for a long time. Or even sitting down.”

Sam froze. He had never seen Adam so mad at him. “No sir, I won’t apologize. Uncle Joe lied to me and he promised. He should apologize for lying.”

Adam fixed an icy stare on his son. “Let me tell you something, Mister Samuel Cartwright,” his voice had gone very quiet, but was almost shaking with fury. “If I ever hear you talking to my brother like that again or any other adult…. so help me you won’t be doing much talking to anyone for a long time.”

”Oh yeah!” Sam stuck out his jaw angrily.

”Quit it Sam. Get out of here. Now and get into your room and I’ll be in to talk to you. Now.” Adam bellowed at the boy. His angry voice was so loud that the medicine bottles on the dresser rattled.

Sam dashed out of the room and turned and shouted at Joe “I hate you. You are not my Uncle Joe anymore you are Uncle Cranky!” Adam stood up to grab his son and the boy slipped free dashed up the stairs. Joe sank white faced to the edge of the bed. He was too sad and worn out to say a word.

”Let me give you a hand before I go up deal with my son. I’m sorry for how he acted, Joe. Really I am.” Adam frowned grimly. He straightened Joe’s collar and finished putting on his socks.

“Never realized you needed two hands to put on a pair of socks before this,” Joe whispered grimly.

After Joe was dressed, the two made their way downstairs. Adam had to help Joe’s every movement, so they traveled slowly. The more he was up and around, the more pain Joe felt. He had been avoiding taking any of the pain medication but maybe he had no choice today. By the time he reached the downstairs sofa, he was exhausted and hurting badly. As Joe sat down, Adam could see movement had been painful.

Joe lay back on the sofa with his head resting back on the curved upholstered arm waiting for his body relax, and the pain to move away. The day was damp and cloudy and Joe could tell a storm was on the way by the way his hand throbbed and his stitches ached.

“I better go deal with Sam. I’m truly sorry Joe.” Adam repeated.

Joe nodded. He was too upset to say anything else.

“Can I get you anything when I come back down?”

Joe hesitated for a minute and nodded. ”Bring me some of that new medicine the pharmacy sent over. It is on my dresser in one of those brown bottles.”

By the time Adam came down with the bottle of medicine Joe, had fallen asleep on the sofa and Adam didn’t want to disturb him. Adam was even more angry about his son’s disrespectful behavior when he looked at how sick Joe looked sleeping on the sofa. He was still very thin despite everyone’s attempts to get him to eat. He had his injured arm out of the sling and propped up on the back of the sofa and his left arm was tossed across his forehead. He was pale and the constant pain he had been in had traced black circles under his eyes.

Adam stood and looked at his brother for a few minutes. He covered him over with the small quilt that was over the arm of the easy chair.

In regard to Sam, Adam tried to picture what his father would have done in the same circumstances. Times like this he wished he was home in Virginia City and ask Ben for advise. He remembered on more than one occasion Ben taking one of the boys for a long “talk” in the barn. Probably sitting in fearful anticipation for Pa to come upstairs for a lecture was more of a punishment than the meeting with a belt in the barn could ever be. He had decided that Sam would have to apologize to Joe after dinner and he and Kate would sit down with Sam and have a long talk with him. Meanwhile he would let Sam cool his heels and worry for a while until he walked upstairs.

Continue on to the Battle of Wills Part 8

Return to Robin’s home page