Summary: Part 6 of The Cherry Tree Saga
Word Count: 6400
The Cherry Tree Saga
Part 6
Chapter 1
It was six weeks since Al had walked out of their flat and not returned. Initially, he had told Katie that he needed to go to Sacramento on business for a few weeks.
Things had been tense between them for months and she was secretly relieved to have him away from her for a while. He was always snapping at their three-year-old son, Sam and yelling at her every time she questioned him about money or all the gambling he was doing on the Barberry Coast.
Al would smoke his cigar and give her a foul look anytime she questioned him about his moodiness or business dealings or how he never kept promises he had made to her.
Dinner times were impossible. Al was either late and complained about the dried out food that Kate had kept warm or he was annoyed with their son for not being quiet enough. Money would be tight for weeks and suddenly Al would show up, all smiles and fancy gifts for Kate and the baby claiming he had “closed a lucrative deal” or someone had paid him back a loan.
Two weeks after he left San Francisco, Kate’s husband wired her saying he was delayed and would need a few more days. Finally one night he showed up unexpectedly after she had put Sam to bed. Al quickly packed up some of his things and told his wife that he may never come back. It was all her fault and he needed to be free. “Perhaps,” he said, he would change his mind and come back but maybe he would not. He stood and looked at Sam sleeping in his crib for a minute and then slammed out of the flat leaving Kate crying hysterically and wondering what had just happened.
Kate did not know what to do. She missed him dreadfully and was so upset she couldn’t think clearly. Two weeks later a letter arrived from Auntie Mim inviting her to visit her in Virginia City.
Mim wrote that it had been over a year since she had seen Kate and little Sam and she missed them. She would come to San Francisco but there was no way she could pick up and spend that much time away from Virginia City and the Enterprise. Mim then extended an invitation for her to come for a month or however long Kate wanted or needed. She was particularly worried about her as she hadn’t received a letter from Kate in over a month. Kate normally wrote to her at least once a week and Mim knew something was dreadfully wrong when the letters became sporadic.
Kate decided that she would take her Aunt up on her invitation for a visit to her little house in Virginia City. There was really nothing keeping her in San Francisco and the lease on her little flat expired at the end of the month. With Al nowhere to be found this would be the best option. Go home to Virginia City and visit with her Auntie until she decided what to do next.
Uncomfortable with the unsettled nature of her life, Kate had told her Aunt that Al Striker was traveling on business and would join her and their son in Virginia City when he was finished. Mim nodded but she knew there was much more to Kate’s situation than she was letting on to her.
One night about a week after arriving, when Kate was tucking Sam into bed for the night, he asked “Mama, how many more days until my Daddy comes here? You said he would be here in a few weeks. Is it a few weeks yet?”
“Not quite, Sammy.”
”How many more days Mama ? I miss him.”
”A few more days. Now go to sleep, Honey.” She smoothed the covers up over him and kissed his cheek. He looked so small covered over in the big white iron bed.
She walked out of the little bedroom into the upstairs hallway. Mim had just come up the narrow staircase to get ready for bed herself and had overheard the exchange. She took her niece’s hands in hers and squeezed it.
Mim looked straight into her eyes. “Kate, as hard as it may be you better tell Sam the truth. Can’t have that boy waiting around for a hound that has run off and won’t be coming back home. “
Kate was shocked. Mim knew. She had seen through her brave front and all the excuses she had made for Al. Mim was one of the only people who could always see through Kate’s bravado.
“He wrote to me you know. Twice. The first time a few months ago. He asked me to loan him money. When I wrote him back for more details, he never wrote back. “
“Then the day before I invited you here, Al wrote andtold me he left you and hoped I would understand. ” Mim paused and waited for Kate to answer.
Kate was flabbergasted. Al wrote to Mim ? That was too strange for her to comprehend. Why would he ask her for a loan and not tell her why ?
“At first I had pity on your husband “ Mim started “but my pity is wasted on someone who makes their own troubles. Kate, the truth will come out .You know that. That boy will find out what really happened. He is a very clever child Katie. Much like you were at his age.”
”Mim, I can’t do it. “
”Sam will hate you more for the lies you told than hate that dirty dog of a father who ran off on the two of you.”
Kate knew her Aunt was right and nodded.
“And you, my girl, it is ok for you to cry, you sure have earned it. You cry and let me hold you Honey.” She put her arms around her niece and hugged her to her.
“And when you’ve cried enough you pick up and get on with it. You have that dear little boy depending on you and you won’t have time to feel sorry for yourself for too long.” Mim said matter of factly.
Mim patted her shoulders “When your uncle Foster was killed, I truly wanted to crawl into that grave right next to him but I knew the paper had to go on. You have something more important than that paper with your precious little son. Just remember, what doesn’t kill us makes us strong.”
”Aunt Mim, I am either going to be very dead or damn strong by the time this is all over.” She sobbed as her Aunt held her in a tight hug.
A few minutes later Kate collected herself and pulled a hankie from her pocket and wiped her eyed.
“Thanks for the shoulder Auntie. Just don’t go any where, I may need the other one.”
Mim gave her one last hug. “Now you come down stairs and we’ll have a nice cup of tea and you can help me write that editorial I need for tomorrow.”
Chapter 2
“And where is your husband now Katherine ?” Mrs. Fischer asked from he chair on the porch. Kate was helping Mim with the tea trays in the kitchen.
“We can’t hear you, dear. We will be back in a minute. I want you to have some of my special butter cookies. “ Mim lied to the woman outside.“Kate what do you want to do about this ? There is no need to share your private business with anyone if you have no desire.”
“Stupid old biddy, “ Kate thought aloud. “She should mind her own business. But on the other hand, I can’t keep up this façade forever. If I am going to come back here to Virginia City to stay, now is as good a time as any to let the truth be known. Unless you want to make it the headline story in the Enterprise Auntie.Philip Bartlett could set it in 20 point type.”
Mim laughed . She advised her niece “Just remember, once you tell these gossips, there is no going back and regaining your privacy. Divorce in Virginia City is certainly a scandalous situation, no matter if you had no choice in the matter,” Aunt Mim reminded her.
She placed some round butter cookies on porcelain plate decorated with pink cherry blossoms. Kate had painted the plate for her as a Christmas gift the last year she lived in Virginia City. “Margaret Butler and Mary Fisher are the biggest gossips in Nevada Territory. On a hot day you can get a breeze from the wagging of their tongues. Your uncle once said they got the news out faster than we could print it.”
Mim rearranged the teacups and added “ I have no patience for shallow women.”
Mim looked at the pile of golden cookies on the plate and thought twice. “No need to let them have so many of these. They are too delicious for the likes them.” She removed half of them and put them aside for Sam to have after school. “Are there any of those stale old ginger snaps left in the pantry?”
Kate smiled. No one would ever call Mim Wallace subtle.
“Auntie, I think this might just be the time to tell the town that I am here to stay.” She picked up the tray of tea fixings and carried into the porch. She set it on the table and turned to Mrs. Fischer.” And what was it you were asking me before?”
”Tea?” Mim interrupted, She picked up the teapot and started to pour. She wanted to give her niece another few seconds to make her decision firm as once she said something there was no taking back her words.
“Yes dear, Lemon and sugar. I was just asking Katherine here where her husband was these days.”
Kate picked up her teacup and took a sip and jumped right in. “We are no longer married Mrs. Fischer. He left me and Sam last fall . We are now getting divorced. Levi Victor is filing the papers.”
”My goodness. How tragic !” Mrs Butler responded.
“I guess that makes your little Sam the man of the house now, said Mrs. Butler to Kate as she put her bone china tea cup down in the saucer. She looked side ways at Kate, a disdainful look in her eyes.
”No” Kate snapped. ”Sam is a six year old child and he is the boy of the house. There is no “man of the house” in this house”.
They looked up to see Joe Cartwright ride up on the back of Cochise. Seated on the saddle in front of him was Sam. “ Look at me Ma Ma ! I got a ride home from school ! “ he shouted gleefully as Joe lowered him down to the ground. Joe dismounted and smiled.
“He offered me some of Mim’s cookies for a ride and I let him twist my arm, Just don’t let Hop Sing know I like your baking better than his.” Joe grinned at Mim.
Noticing the ladies arrayed on the porch sipping tea, he tipped his hat and smiled sweetly “Afternoon ladies.”
”Do join us, Little Joe. Can I offer you some tea or something cold?” Kate relieved to have him show up and take some of the attention from her last announcement.
Joe picked up Sam and put him on his shoulders and walked up the path. Sam snatched Joe’s hat from his head and put it on top of his own curly hair. “Look ! I’m Joe Cartwright on Cochise ! “ Joe galloped up the steps to the porch. “Giddyap horsie !” Sam whooped pulling on Joe’s collar.
Mary Fischer stared at the two curly heads and the impish smiles of Kate’s son and Joe Cartwright and exclaimed “ My, my Mim , If I didn’t know better I would say Joseph and Sam here certainly have a remarkable resemblance.”
Kate choked on her tea. Even Mim was speechless at the spiteful comment.
“My, my Mrs. Fischer you really should know better. Kate and I hadn’t even SPOKEN in the three years before Sam was born so it would be very nice if you kept your nasty remarks to your nasty self and paid attention to your own family’s nasty behavior.” Joe snapped at her abruptly. Most of Virginia City knew both her husband and her son Jack were philanderers of the highest order and lacked a moral compass when it came to their liaisons with women.
Mary Fischer gasped at Little Joe’s boldness. She and Mrs. Butler immediately put down their tea cups and gathered up their things in a rush to leave Mim’s porch.
”Well I never!” Mrs. Butler abruptly turned to Aunt Mim.
“Well maybe that is the problem,” Mim said.
“I must be going Mim. It is clear you have your handsful here,”
Chapter 3
What do you want Striker?” Ben shouted before the rider he had a chance to dismount .
Sensing impending danger, Sam slipped behind his mother and scurried into the house. Little Joe was sitting at the kitchen table finishing up his pie. “Joe! Joe, my father is here again.”
Joe quickly got up and strapped on his gun belt and walked out the back door. “Sammy you stay right here” Joe quietly walked around the house to the front where Al was sitting astride a horse.
The little boy went back to the front room and stood just inside the door where he could keep an eye on things. Sam was terribly ambivalent. Part of him wanted to talk to his father but most of him was scared. His mother had to told him no matter what, to stay in the house if Striker returned and he was doing as she had ordered.
“You know what I want Cartwright, I want my family.” Al Striker said. He was still seated on a spirited black horse he had rented from the livery. Striker pushed back his coat to show he had a pearl handled revolver in his gunbelt. He was smiling but put his hand threateningly on the handle of his pistol.
“Now, Katherine, you tell my boy to get out here and say hello to me.”
“Get out of here Al.” Kate said fimly. “Get off my property ! There is no place for you here.” She put her hands on her hips and stood her ground. Aunt Mim planted herself near the door blocking Sam from view.
“Gee, Katherine. You sound awfully mad. What are you hollering at me for? He knew she hated it when he called her Katherine.” I just want to have a little visit with you and my boy.” Striker smiled his phony grin at her. His eyes looked like shiny coal as he looked down at her. He reached into his vest pocket and took out a cigar and put it in his mouth. With a flick of a finger nail he lit a match and ignited the cigar.
“See what I had to put up with, Mr. Cartwright? Look what a temper she has. All I want is to see my son. Don’t I deserve that?” He puffed out a cloud of acrid smoke.
”Al get out of here,” Kate said. Her voice was low and calm. Her calmness irritated Al and he became agitated. “You’re on your own now so I suggest you hit the trail and make it as far away from this territory as that nasty black horse can carry you. “
“Gee did you see that face,? That look would clear cochroaches from a flop house. And that reminds me of most of the places that I’ve been staying in . Not like here. “ he said as he looked around at Mim’s neat little yellow house.
“Get out of here Al “ Kate said again firmly.
“I’ll leave when I am good and ready. Where is my boy?”
”He’s not here.” She lied. Get out!”
Striker began to swing his leg up off his horse, his hand still on the gun, when Ben’s warning stopped him ” Striker you move another inch and my son will blow you right out of your saddle”
Striker looked behind him and caught sight of Joe Cartwright sighting his pistol right at him, he settled himself back in the saddle. “Mr. Striker, we can do this the hard way or the easy way.”
“And if you ever come back on my place again you may have to be carried off across the back of your horse, now move on” Kate added.
“You can’t do this Kate, you got no right” he barked again.“And you Cartwrights better stay out of my business or I’ll..”
”Or you’ll do what Striker ? “ Joe pulled back the hammer of his pistol. “I suggest you listen to what Kate has told you and get off her property.”
Ben gave Joe a glance and hoped he would not loose his temper and shoot Striker. He knew all too well that Joe’s hair trigger temper could get them all in trouble.
“My, my, my. Well, look at the riff raff that you associate with now, Katherine. Pulling guns on an innocent visitor who just came into town to see his boy.”
Ben didn’t bother to answer him, he just stood his ground and glared at the man until Striker sharply turned his snorting horse and galloped off. “I’m not finished with you!” he shouted over his shoulder.
Mim slipped inside to check on her little nephew.
“Are you all right Kate?” Joe asked.
She nodded silently. Her heart was pounding. All she could thing “Was he going to come back for Sam ?”
“He’s gone.” Ben said, watching the yellow dust settle in the road.
Joe holstered his gun and walked around the back of the house to the barn.
”Mr. Cartwright, all of you can’t stay here forever, and Al will be back, and he’ll continue to come back until he gets what he wants You don’t know him. He wants his son and there is no way that I am going to let him have Sam Not for a minute.”
“And he doesn’t know me or my boys. He’s not only out matched by determination but he’s also out numbered. Kate, Al Striker is just a bully and blow hard. Eventually he is just going to tire out and move on somewhere else. By then the judge will rule on the papers Levi Victor filed for you.”
“I hope you are right, Ben.” Kate swallowed hard. She suddenly realized how much danger she had faced with her bravado and anger. Her hands started to shake. Ben moved to her side and put his arm around her and pulled her against him.
“Katie, I know you most of your life and your father and Uncle were two of my closest friends. You are like my family. Do you think we would let anything happen to you ?.“
Kate shook her head. “No, ” She wasn’t very sure but hoped Ben Cartwright was right.
“Kate he may indeed try again and again, but sooner or later he’ll wear down and move on, I promise you that. Hoss went down to tell Clem Foster about all this business. Let the law handle Striker. Judge Kane will rule soon and you can put this all to rest.”
Kate’s mind was in a turmoil, she was afraid for herself but much more frightened for her son. She didn’t know what to do and she trembled.
” You’re safe here, you’re both safe. I promise you he will never hurt you again as long as I’m alive” Ben promised her and Kate nodded.
Chapter 4
Sam was picking black berries and his bucket was almost filled. “Mama would be very happy with all these. Maybe she would even make some muffins for him.” Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder.
“Hey Sportie, remember me?” Striker snarled tightening his grip on Sam’s red plaid shirt collar.
Sam dropped the bucket of berries and felt his stomach drop with them, His eyes went in the direction of the road. There was no one around.
“Don’t even think about yelling out kid, or I’ll silence you for good, got it” He puffed cigar smoke into the boy’s face.
Sam didn’t bother to answer him, but he flinched from the man’s voice. Don’t you remember your own father ?”
“Relax kid, I don’t want to kill you, I just want to visit with you and have you to deliver a message to your mom for me.” Striker reached up and lifted the boy onto the saddle of a big black horse and climbed up in front of him. “Let’s go Sam.” He kicked his heels into the side of the black and rode off towards the lake with the boy.
“No, I gotta go home.” Sam squirmed.” Lemme go ! I gotta go back home.” The horse galloped up the slope faster and faster.
“Let me go!” Sam hollered punching at Al’s back with his small fists.
Striker twisted around in the saddle and held the six year old with his left hand and the reigns of the spirited black stallion with his right as he carried him off. “You quit hollering or I’ll give you something to holler about.” He threatened.
As the horses galloped up the hill towards the lake, Al let go of the boy for an instant and Sam slid back wards and fell off the rear of the horse. He put out his arm to break his fall and hit the ground with a thud. Sam felt something snap in his arm but he knew he had to get away quickly before Al got him again.
The boy scrambled to his feet and ran as fast as his short legs could carry him. One of his shoes fell off but he kept running. Before his father could turn the horse around, Sam quickly escaped into the thick underbrush. He ran like a rabbit and crawled under some bramble bushes. Rolling underneath the brush, he burrowed down into some dry leaves and hid himself. His arm hurt very badly but he knew he had to be totally silent.
”Get back here, Sam !” Striker bellowed ferociously. He pulled the black horse to an abrupt halt and leapt off to hunt for the boy. He had no idea how his son had escaped so quickly and stood in the middle of the trail looking around.
Striker saw a wagon and a rider approaching and decided he would be better off galloping away then drawing attention to himself. Right now no one knew he was in the area and he had no desire to have the sheriff or any of Kate’s friends in Virginia City be on the alert for Al Striker.
”To hell with this. Let Kate find Sam.” He thought angrily. He climbed back on the horse and rode off towards Carson City.
Chapter 5
“Joe where can he be? Mim and I looked all over. You and Hoss looked all over. How far can a little boy get in an hour?” Kate asked Joe Cartwright franticly. “Do you think he fell in the creek?”
” We found the berry bucket and that shoe, so we know he was over thata way, no where near the creek.” Hoss said. “ He couldn’t go very far. We’ll find him.” The Cartwrights had dropped in to see Kate and Mim on their way home from Virginia City and found that Sam had just disappeared.
“Where can he be ? It’s going to be dark soon.” Kate was very frightened realizing the sun was beginning to set. How would her son manage in the dark and the cold?
Kate no sooner got the words out when they heard the sound of a horse approaching the house. Mim stood up to look out the window. “Who’s that?” she said walking out on the porch to get a better look at the approaching dust cloud. Kate and the two Cartwright brothers followed closely at her heels. They all tried to get a better look at the rider entering the property from the west. Joe suddenly leaped from the porch towards the rider shouting, ” It’s Pa and Sam! “
“Is it him?” Kate asked anxiously. “Does he have Sammy ?” She shaded her eyes with her hand against the glare of the setting sun.
“Yeah it’s him ,” Hoss smiled. “Pa found him.”
Ben rode up holding Sam in front of him on Buck. His arms were wrapped around the little boy. Sam had been trying to be very brave up until that time but as soon as he saw his mother, he burst into tears.
Kate ran out and Ben lowered the boy into his grateful mother’s arms. Kate hugged him close. The boy was filthy and his face and arms scratched up from the bramble bushes.
“Hoss go get Doc Martin. Looks like his arm is broken.”
Chapter 6
Sam’s tiny room was at the top of the stairs. Years before, Kate had slept in this very room in the same iron framed bed. Her Aunt Mim and Uncle Foster, who owned the house, had slept in the larger room across the hall and her parents had used the down stairs bedroom off the dining room. All the upstairs room had low slanting ceilings and small dormered windows.
The Ben Cartwright ducked his head as he walked through the low doorframe into the boy’s bedroom.
He chuckled silently at the memory of a little curly haired boy of his own as it flashed across his mind. Only a pale moonlight glow from the far window lit the room, but it was enough for Ben to see Sam. He lifted the rumpled bedcovers from the floor and smoothed them back over the sprawled shape on the bed. Sam stirred and pulled the yellow quilt under his chin, grateful for the warmth. Doctor Martin had splinted his broken arm and Sam was having a hard time finding a comfortable place for himself.
”Mr. Cartwright ? Could you stay here awhile?” There was some special affection Sam had for Ben ever since they met in San Francisco the first time when Sam was only about three years old.
“I’m honored to have the invitation Sam.” ”You can sit over there” the boy pointed with his uninjured hand to a white painted chair next to his bed. ”Do you have any little boys?”
“I did but they are all grown up now. “
“Was Joe and Hoss your little boys ?” Sam asked trying to sort out who belonged to whom in Virgina City. He was having a difficult time understanding that grown men could be someone’s child.
“That’s right, and I have another son, Adam.” Ben added. “He is in South American building a bridge right now. You met him once a long time ago.”
“Mr. Cartwright, thanks for bring me home. I was scared that I couldn’t find my Mama.”
”I’m glad I could help you Sam. You were a pretty brave feller today. Why don’t you close your eyes now and go to sleep.”
”Could you stay here a bit more? Please.”
”Sure.” Ben sat down in the moonlight and watched over the boy until he fell back to sleep.
Chapter 7
Sam was finally sound asleep. Ben walked quietly down the narrow staircase and out onto the porch.A rectangle of golden lamp light fell across the wide painted boards, as the door drifted closed. Ben strolled calmly onto the porch. He took a long breath then glanced aside at his sons sitting protectively on either side of Kate. Hoss was seated on one of the heavy ladder back kitchen chairs that had been pulled outside. He had the chair tipped back on two legs, his boots up on the porch railing. Joe was seated next to Kate on the white wicker settee with his arm slung protectively over her shoulders.
Kate looked up wearily “Thanks for taking care of him Ben. I just couldn’t get up there one more time..” She sagged visibly and yawned.
“There is still some pie and coffee left inside, Ben. Should I get you some?” Mim started to get up from her seat.
Ben shook his head and raised his hand indicating she should stay in her seat.
“That’s quite a boy you have there Katie. It’s been a long time since I tucked a little boy in for the night. Thanks for sharing him with me.”
“Its… been a long day and I just couldn’t face him one more time and … I’m just glad you all were here. I don’t know how I would have found him if you hadn’t been around. “
“You’re doing a fine job with him. I know it hasn’t been easy.”Thanks,” her lips trembled and tears started to well up in her eyes. “I can’t believe his father would try to steal him away.”
Joe turned to his friend and pulled her close. He held her for a few minutes until she pulled away from him and then he turned to his father.
“Pa, I think we should stay here tonight.” Joe decided.
Hoss added ” We can’t leave them here alone. What if that skunk decides to come back ?“
“I was thinking the same thing. I’ll ride back to the Ponderosa and you and Joe can keep Kate and Mim company tonight.”
“Thanks “ Kate whispered. Mim nodded tiredly in agreement. She knew she had Foster’s rifle hanging on the dining room wall and both she and Katie knew how to use it, but having the Cartwrights around was far more reassuring.
“No need to thank us Katie Darlin” Joe gave her a hug and pushed her brown hair off her forehead. “Anyway Hoss figures his snoring will scare any troublemakers away.”
Chapter 8
“ No!” Sam sat up with a jerk from his nightmare, heart thundering against his chest, breath rasping through his lungs. In his dream, his father was chasing him on a flaming black horse with blood red eyes. Acrid smoke surrounded him like the sulfer smoke of hell. No matter how much he struggled his feet were stuck in sucking mud and thorny vines pulled at his flesh. Sam could not get away.
The little boy tried to sit up in his bed. The room was filled with daylight so it must be morning. Sam moaned from the pain spread from his broken arm as he leaned on it in the tangle of bed covers. His yellow checked quilt was twisted around his neck and shoulders. Groaning, he folded an arm over his belly and bent double “Mama ?” he called out.
The room was empty, though there was evidence Kate had spent the night in the chair. A rumpled quilt from her bed plus a writing pad and pencil on the bedside table indicated his mom had probably only recently left looking for breakfast or checking the chickens.
He heard the clatter of pots and pans and voices from downstairs and tried to figure out who it was. He could clearly identify his mother’s voice but could not here what she was saying. There were men’s voices too. Could it be Al Striker? Sam shivered for a second but then realized it was Hoss and Joe and smiled knowing that he and Kate were safe with the Cartwrights in the house.
He quickly climbed out of bed and went down the narrow stairs feeling better than he did the night before.
Chapter 9
“Adam, when are you going back ?” Phil Bartlett asked leaning back in his dining room chair.
“Well, I’m not going back to San Francisco for about another two weeks, maybe three. From there I am heading out to Portland to examine some ship yards that are for sale.”
“So I can count on seeing you for Sunday dinner, Adam ?” Mim asked.
I wouldn’t miss it for the world, ” Adam smiled looking sideways at Kate.
“I really can’t stay for dessert, Ben. I need to be getting back to Virginia City, “ Phil Bartlett said. He pulled out his hankerchief and wiped his glasses carefully and put them back on his nose. “I want to check on the last press run for tomorrow.”
“How was the new press working ? “Mim asked her right hand man.
“Perfectly ! We should be able to keep up with the build up in circulation with no problem,” he answered getting up from the dining room table. “Thanks for a fine dinner.”
”Why don’t you borrow a horse and I’ll take every one else back to town in Mim’s carriage later on and come back home on that horse ?” Adam quickly suggested.
Joe smiled to himself. Ben Cartwright sure didn’t have any slow witted sons when it came to quick thinking around a pretty woman. Adam didn’t want Kate to leave just yet. “Hoss do me a favor and saddle up a horse for Phil, here.”
“What a good idea !” Kate smiled at Adam ”I’m sure Sam is dying for some dessert.”
They all turned to look at young Sam who was sitting half asleep in Ben’s lap. He was leaning back on Ben’s chest and struggling to keep his eyes open. Certainly he was not missing his pie as much as Kate was clearly hoping to spend more time at the Ponderosa with Adam.
“Phil, let me get you a horse,” Joe quickly jumped up. He was going to do everything he could to help Kate and his brother spend as much time together as possible. “Hoss give me a hand.”
Hoss looked at him curiously. Why would Joe need his help to saddle a horse? Then he smiled broadly as he realized what his little brother was arranging and got up from the table.” Just don’t let Sam eat my dessert, Pa.”
“And Adam, why don’t you show Kate that whatchemacallit that you wanted to show her out back ?’Joe urged.
Adam offered Kate his arm and she smiled up at him as they walked away from the dining room table and out into the moon light to check out the “whatchmacallit’ alone.
Sam was clearly fast asleep on Ben’s lap and totally oblivious to dessert or horses or anything else that was going on in the dining room of the Ponderosa. And Ben Cartwright was a close second in the contest.
Ben looked up at his youngest son and raised his eye brow. What in the world was Joe talking about ? What was a “whatchemacallit”. He would have to ask his son when he got back from the barn.
“Ben, did I tell you about the new presses ?” Mim engaged him in conversation while all the others left the table. She smiled to herself. It had been many years since she had admired a “whatchemacallit” in the moonlight with a handsome young man.
Two hours later, all the Cartwrights walked their guests out to the yard.
”Good night Ben, thanks for a lovely evening. “ Mim said. “And Joseph, you think about what we discussed. Looks fade but smarts don’t. It’s about time you had your fill of all those feather brained blonde dunder heads and start looking for a woman who has her feet on the ground.“
”Gee Mim, if you were only twenty years younger.” Joe teased. He gave her a hand as she climbed into the rear seat of the buggy.
“I’ll take them back home don’t worry, Pa. “ Adam said. Ben nodded in agreement.
Ben carried the sleeping boy out to to the buggy. He gently placed him in Mim’s lap in the rear seat as Adam took Kate’s hand and helped her climb into the front seat of the buggy. Without letting go of her hand, Adam sat next to her and picked up the reigns.
“No Joseph, if you were only thirty years older “ She teased back. Joe leaned over and gave her hug and a kiss on her cheek. “Now take good care of Katie for me, Mim.”
“You flirt !” she laughed and swatted him playfully on his cheek. “Adam let’s go and don’t hit any bumps, I have Sammy back here sleeping and he doesn’t take kindly to being awakened.”
“Yes M,am !” Adam flicked the reigns and the team trotted off into the night.
Ben and his two younger sons stood for a minute and watched them until they were lost in the shadows.
“I’ll be inside in a few minutes boys, I want to check on the stock before I turn in” Ben started toward the barn.
As Joe and Hoss walked back towards the house. Joe asked, “Hoss, do you reckon he is sweet on her?
“Pa and Mim?”
Joe laughed “No, you big Moose. Adam and Kate. He sure lights up everytime she is around.”
Hoss stopped and held Joe’s arm slightly. With a half smile he said, “I don’t know Joe, but you know Adam, he does things slower and quieter than you do. He won’t talk much about what he is thinking about.”
Joe grinned wide and said “It certainly would be nice to see the two of them together. Maybe our older brother would be coming home to stay if he did Katie deserves someone to be good to her this time..”
Chapter 10
Mim died unexpectedly two months after the dinner at the Ponderosa. She had commented to Kate how she was not feeling as well as she usually did. When Kate tried to get her to see Doctor Martin, Mim pooh poohed at her concern and refused. “Kate, I am far to busy to have time to be sick. Any way I am just not as young as I used to be.”
Phil had found Mim resting face down at her desk when he returned from lunch. She had been polishing her latest editorial on the need for the citizens of to vote in favor of a bond issue to support the expansion of the Virginia City public schools She died with her pen in her hand.
Kate directed the staff to run the editorial centered on the front page of the Enterprise as memorial to Mim Douglas. She had started the paper with her husband George and kept it running for over two decades despite threats, blizzards, droughts, broken presses, financial problems and the murder of her beloved husband.
A month after Mim’s funeral, Adam wrote Kate that he was coming back home for an extended visit.
Dearest Kate,
You’ll never know how much I miss you. I think of you all the time.
Love, Adam
Continue on to The Cherry Tree Saga Part 7
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