PART TWO

(Written February 7-22, 2003)

     "Adam's so lost in dreamland we could hit 'im with the broadside of a beam and he wouldn't notice!"
     Joe laughed, wiping sweat off his brow.  "Ya know, I think you're right!"  He grinned, holding up the beam in his hand and leaning towards Hoss conspiratorially.  "Why don't we try it?"
     Hoss raised an eyebrow and scowled.  "Now, Joe . . . I don't think that's so funny."
     Joe shrugged, holding his hands up innocently.  "Just a nudge, Hoss—that's all I meant."
     Hoss looked over to Adam again, who was slowly painting the door, his eyes shining.  "Well . . . all right."  He smiled and took the board from Joe.
     "Hey, I was gonna do it," Joe protested.
     "You said 'we,' didn't you?  We can both carry it over there—but just be quiet."
     "Sure, I'll be quiet," Joe whispered as he wielded the front part of the board and held a finger to his mouth, tiptoeing ahead of Hoss.
     Hoss rolled his eyes.  "Of all the brothers in this world, he is the dang silliest . . ." he muttered, smiling.
     When they were right behind Adam, Joe let go of the board and Hoss swung it towards Adam's back.
     Adam cried out as he lost his balance and banged into the door.  He swiveled and glared at them.
     Joe and Hoss broke out in hysterical laughter.  Joe held his stomach and pointed toward Adam.  "You—I think you put a little too much makeup on this morning!"
     Adam's nose and left cheek were covered with white paint.
     Adam frowned and swiped Joe's face with his paintbrush, then Hoss's face.
     "Hey!" Hoss protested, picking up another paintbrush and battling Adam's brush.
     Joe used his hand to pick up paint, and slapped Adam's neck.  Soon they were splattered all over in white paint.
     "What's going on?" Ben's voice rang out.  The boys ignored him.  "Stop it right now!" Ben pushed them apart, only to be whacked in the face with a brush.
     "Oops," Joe said, smiling nervously behind white lips.
     Ben, standing still in the middle of them, glared at Joe.  "Jo-seph!  Did you have anything to do with starting this?"
     He shrugged.  "Uh—uh, yes, sir—b-but we only wanted to have a little fun."  He smiled timidly.
     "A little fun," Ben repeated, nodding his head.  "I thought you were all over this the time you were fighting in the mud before Mr. Milbanks arrived.  And it's not even springtime!"
     Adam lowered his eyes and cleared his throat.  "Uh, sorry, Pa, but I was really the one who started the fight.  Hoss knocked me off balance with that board, and I got paint on my face, so—"
     Ben shook his head up and down.  "So you decided to get paint on their faces."  He sighed.  "Well, I hope this washes off or we'll be in no shape for a wedding tomorrow!"
     Joe chuckled, hiding his mouth behind his hand.
     Ben glared at him.
     Joe tried to stop laughing.  "Sorry, Pa.  It's just a funny picture—a white-haired man marrying a pretty young lady."
     Adam pursed his lips.  "Well, at least you called her young and pretty this time.  I guess you learned your lesson."
     "I guess so," Joe said, winking.
     Adam wiped his hands on a towel, trying to get any of the still wet paint off.  "Unfortunately, Pa, I think we'll have to use turpentine to get this paint off."
     "And lots of soap so we don't smell like turpentine," Ben added.
     "You go ahead.  I want to finish up this door.  Since I was pushed onto it, it needs some touching up.  And I wouldn't trust these two to get near it," Adam said with one eyebrow raised.
     "Hoss said we could hit you with the broadside of a beam an' you wouldn't notice," Joe remarked.  "So there was only one way to find out if he was right. . . . I guess he wasn't, but I bet I coulda done it gentler so you wouldn't have noticed.  It's all your fault, Hoss!"
     Hoss shook his head.  "There's no reasoning with you."
     "That's because you know I'm right!"  Joe smiled triumphantly.
     "See what I mean?  That's not what I said."  Hoss and Joe headed off behind Ben toward the ranch, laughing and arguing all the way.

~~~~
(Written February 22, 2003)

     Sarah couldn't get herself to move as she stared up into the stubbly face of her ex-husband.
     "Sarah . . . where you been, honey?" he leered, lifting a beer bottle to his lips.
     "It's where you've been that disturbs me," Sarah said stonily.  "And don't treat me like your wife, because I'm not, anymore!"
     "Yeah, an' I'm glad.  Though I mus' say—you've aged well . . ."  He reached forward and put his arm around her.
     "Get your dirty hands off me!"  She tried to break free, but his arm tightened.
     "You was my wife—my wife!" he shouted.
     She slapped him and ran away, tears clouding her eyes.

~~~~

     Miss Penelope Jenks squinted in the afternoon sun as she hid behind a post.  Her mouth dropped open when she saw the young lady—that hussy of a Sarah!—locked in an embrace from a drunken man.  She caught the last words he loudly said.
     "His wife!"  Her eyes widened.  "Well, it doesn't surprise me—not one bit!"  She watched as Sarah slapped the man and fled.  "Poor Adam!  I must warn him."  Armed with a purpose, Penelope hustled toward her wagon.

~~~~

     Adam had finished cleaning the paint off himself and scrubbing with soap.  He dried his hair off with a towel, then combed it.
     Ben opened the door.  "Adam—there's a woman downstairs who wants to see you.  A Miss Penelope Jenks.  She seems awfully impatient."
     Adam raised his eyebrow.  "Penelope Jenks—isn't she that busybody spinster we saw in town last week?"
     "I wouldn't know," Ben said.  "But I wouldn't doubt it."
     Adam sighed and set his comb down.  "Coming, Pa.  Though I wish I didn't have to."
     As Adam stepped down the stairs, Penelope rushed forward.
     "Oh, thank goodness you're here!" she cried, clasping her hands together.  "I have some very important news.  News concerning your—fiancée."
     Adam blinked languidly.  "Yes?"
     "I saw her in the street—in the arms of a drunken man.  And he called her his wife!  She is a married woman, and I had to tell you before it was too late!"
     Adam raised an eyebrow unbelievingly, repressing a smile.  "You must have been mistaken."
     "No, I certainly wasn't!  I heard it plain as day!"
     Adam cleared his throat.  "Well, the man was a drunk, so there's no use believing him.  Good day, Miss Jenks."
     "B-but—you must believe it!  For your own good!"  Penelope wrung her hands, staring wide-eyed up at Adam. "Wouldn't it be better to find out now, rather than later?"
     "There's nothing to find out, I assure you, Miss Jenks.  Good day," Adam said, trying to sound polite.
     She looked crestfallen.  "Good day, Adam.  You'll be sorry you didn't listen to me!"
     Adam rolled his eyes as he shut the door after her.  Then, upon reflection, he put on his gun belt and hat.  I must go to Sarah. There may be something to the story. She could be in trouble if a drunk is after her.

~~~~

     Sarah wept, her head in her hands.  Why?  Why now?  Why did her ex-husband have to show up the day before her wedding?  He might ruin it if he found out.
     She heard three knocks on the door.  What if it were her ex-husband?
     She rose off the couch and made her way to the door.  She peeked out the front window timidly.  It was Adam.
     She opened the door and flung her arms around him.  "Oh, Adam—oh, Adam!" Her tears rained down her cheeks, wetting his shirt.
     He lowered her to the couch and held her.  "Shh—shhh." He smoothed her soft hair, then rested his cheek on her head.  "You're okay, now.  You're safe with me, Sarah. . . . Can you tell me what happened?"
     She bit her lip, remaining still under Adam's protecting arms.  "Promise to listen—to understand."
     "I will.  I promise."  He loosened his arms a bit so she could face him.
     "Adam . . . I was wrong for not telling you this before.  I shouldn't have kept any secrets from you, but—I was afraid you wouldn't understand."  She sniffed and blinked back tears.  "I think you will understand, now."  She looked down momentarily and took a deep breath.  "I was—married once, as you know.  But I told you I was a widow.  I led everyone to believe that, because I was ashamed."  She swallowed.  "I know it was wrong."  She looked up.  "He's still alive.  My husband, Jake Everett.—My ex-husband.  We divorced seven years ago.  He—he started spending a lot of time with other women—drinking, gambling.  He said he didn't love me anymore, and didn't want to stay with me."  Her lips trembled as she looked down.  She regained her composure and continued,  "I—I read in the Bible that there was an exception to the rule against divorce.  If—if someone—committed adultery, then divorce is allowed."  She looked up into Adam's glistening eyes.  "So we were divorced."
     Adam pulled Sarah into a hug.  "Dear Sarah.  I love you so much."
     Bittersweet tears ran down her cheeks.  "I love you so much, too, Adam.  But it's not over. . . . Jake was in town today."
     "I know.  A gossip told me, warning me not to marry you.  I didn't believe her story," Adam murmured.  "It will be fine, my love.  Don't worry."
     "He was drunk and said I was his wife.  I slapped him and ran."
     "Good for you," Adam smiled.
     Sarah's mouth wobbled in a half-smile.  "I just hope he doesn't want revenge."
     "He won't.  Not with me around," Adam reassured.

~~~~
(Written February 22-26, 2003)

     Something was wrong.  Candy heard whispers coming from the table in the corner.  A couple sat there, looking out the window.  Screaming filtered through the window.
     Candy tipped the waitress and hurried outside.  A young woman was gripped by a wobbling, babbling man, and she was screaming.  A few people had gathered around them, wondering what to do.
     "I'm not your wife.  Let go of me!  Someone help me!" the woman screamed as the man shook her in his arms.
     Candy wasted no time.  He pushed through the gawking people and grabbed the man by the arm.  Candy froze.  The man looked like Sarah's dead husband, but of course he couldn't be. . . . Shaking away his thoughts, Candy tried to pull the man away from the woman.
     "No!" he yelled.  "She's mine! My wife. She d-deserted me, but now she's goin'ta come back to me!"
     There was no mistaking his voice.  It was Jake.  Candy clenched his jaw and commanded, "Let go of her or I'll punch you in the nose!"
     "Try it an' s-see you can't.  I'm too quick."  He laughed and bobbed backwards.
     In an instant, Candy's fist flew out and knocked Jake on the nose.  He fell backwards, and the woman ran from him. 
     Candy pulled the man to his feet.  "I'm taking you to jail, where you belong!"
     "I didn't do anything!  Take your hands offa me!"
     Candy dragged him down the street.  "Your drunken behavior is enough to put you in jail, but holding an innocent woman against her will is the worst kind of crime I know!"
     "She's my wife.  My wife.  I have evr'y right to—"
     "Be quiet," Candy ordered sternly.  He jerked the man into the jailhouse and shut the door behind them as Jake babbled on.
     Sheriff Coffee sprang up from his chair.  "What in tarnation—?  You're the new man in town, ain't you?  An' what's this man goin' on about?"
     Candy pushed Jake down into a chair and went forward to the sheriff's desk.  "Yeah, I'm new in town, and so's this man.  I found him in the street harassing a young lady and drunkenly calling her his wife."
     "An' you know for positive that she ain't his wife?" the sheriff demanded, looking up at Candy.
     "Well, not proof positive, but I heard the lady screaming that she wasn't, and I believe her."
     "Can you bring her in?  I might know her."
     "No!" Jake shrieked.
     Candy turned, just in time to see a revolver slip from Jake's holster.  Candy drew his gun and shot.
     Jake's hand went limp and his gun clattered to the floor.  His eyes were wide and unseeing.  Candy went to his side and felt his pulse.  "Jake?"  There was no pulse.  "He's dead," Candy whispered.
     Sheriff Coffee walked over and looked down at Jake for a moment.  "It was clearly self defense.  You're free to go.  I'll take care of the body and find out who he was."
     Candy looked up from the body.  "I know who he was.  Jake Everett."
     "You knew him?"  He studied Candy.  "Well, you can go, now.  I don't expect you want to take the body to the mortuary since you weren't close with him."
     "Thank you, Sheriff, but I'll do it if you want."
     The sheriff looked at Candy with new respect.  "We can take him together, since he must be pretty heavy."
     "All right," Candy said, taking Jake's arms as the sheriff took the legs.
     "It would save time to put him on a horse, if you have one."
     "Yeah, he's over at the restaurant."
     "That's closer, so why don't we go there first?"
     They made their way to the restaurant, where Candy's horse sat swishing his tail as he stood tied next to the hitching post.
     "I can handle it from here," Candy assured.
     "Thanks for your help," Sheriff Coffee said.
     "No problem," Candy said with a nod, waving as the sheriff walked away.
     Candy turned his horse around.  Then he saw the young woman of the earlier conflict.  She was leaning against the restaurant, her eyes wide and her arms crossed protectively.
     "Ma'am," Candy said, tipping his hat.  "Are you all right?"
     She appeared not to have heard.  "He—he's dead," she breathed, staring at Jake draped over the horse.
     Candy sobered.  "Yeah.  He—he tried to shoot me, but I shot him first."
     She looked at Candy, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.  "Thank you—for helping me earlier."
     "You're welcome.  Are you all right, now?" Candy asked.
     "Yes.  Thank you."  Her mouth tipped in a wobbly smile.  "I—I don't know who he was."
     "No need to worry about that now," Candy said softly.  "Uh, I—I didn't get your name."
     "Elizabeth Andrews," she said. "What's yours?"
     "Canaday.  Candy for short."
     "Candy—how unusual.  But I—I think it suits you."  She smiled softly.  "Thank you again, Candy."
     He nodded, tipped his hat, and said, "Goodbye, ma'am."

~~~~
(Written February 27, 2003)

     The church doors opened at nine o'clock in the morning.  The bride-to-be, nervous but excited, briskly informed people where to put the flowers and how to hang the ribbons, and lent a hand herself.
     "Martin, you stand to my right, and Elizabeth and Rachel, to my left.  I mean the left of the church.  Oh, goodness, I don't know what I mean!"  She laughed, and put a hand to her stomach, which felt as full of butterflies as a flowery meadow.
     "I know what you mean," Rachel said, smiling.
     "Just come to the back room so we can help you dress or you'll never be ready in time!" Elizabeth said.
     Sarah smiled and followed Elizabeth to the back room.
     "Oh, this dress is lovely!" Elizabeth exclaimed, touching the silky fabric.
     "Yes, and I could never have afforded it.  Mrs. Dowland gave it to me."
     "Oh, how sweet!"
     "It certainly was.  I would have paid you to make the dress, but we didn't have time."
     "Oh, that's fine—this is prettier than anything I could make."
     "I doubt it," smiled Sarah.  Elizabeth's beautiful clothes and embroidery were famous in Virginia City.
     "Well, maybe I could make something as pretty—if I had a year or two and the money to do it."
     Sarah smiled.  Elizabeth slipped the dress over Sarah's underclothes and began buttoning the long row of tiny white buttons.
     Sarah let out a deep breath.  "Oh, I don't know if I'll last through the ceremony, I'm so nervous!"
     "You'll be fine," Elizabeth reassured.  "You're both very blessed to have each other."
     Sarah smiled.  "I know.  I thank God every day."
     "There," Elizabeth said, turning Sarah around.  "You look perfect."
     Sarah laughed.  "I'm twenty-eight and far from perfect."
     "Well, you could have fooled me," Elizabeth said with a giggle.  "Would you like me to do anything different with your hair?"
     "You're saying it's not perfect?" Sarah said, her mouth dropping open in pretend shock.
     Elizabeth laughed.  "I didn't say that.  But it could maybe be even more special for a day like this."
     "All right," Sarah conceded.  "Could you put it in a fancy bun?  I've never quite gotten the hang of that."
     "I'll do my best."  Elizabeth worked on Sarah's hair for almost fifteen minutes, and finally she announced that it was done, flowers and all.
     Sarah studied it in the mirror and smiled happily.  It was braided at either side and twisted back into an elegant chignon, with three small cream flowers tucked into one side.  "It's beautiful.  Thank you!"
     "Now you really look perfect, if I do say so myself," Elizabeth said, grinning.

~~~~
(Written February 27 & 28, 2003)

     Candy arrived fifteen minutes early to church, wielding a present for his second cousin and her future groom.  He set it in the vestibule on a table with other presents and took off his hat and dusted his feet off before going into the auditorium.  A few families had gathered and were sitting and whispering while the organist played a few hymns.
     He went to the back hall to look for Sarah, and almost ran into the girl he had rescued the day before.
     "Uh—hello, Miss—Miss Andrews," Candy said.  He couldn't help staring at her.  She was wearing a light lavender dress, which was embroidered with flowers and leaves and trimmed with simple lace.  Some of her hair was in a small bun, the rest of her hair gracefully hanging down.
     Elizabeth looked up at him.  "Why, hello, Mr.—Candy. You—you must know Sarah Everett or Adam Cartwright, since you're here."
     "Yes.  Sarah is my second cousin, and I met Adam the other day," Candy answered.
     "Sarah is my best friend," Elizabeth said.  "I'm her maid of honor."
     "Well—that's great," Candy said, smiling broadly.  "And how are you doing today?"
     "Fine," Elizabeth answered, smiling shyly.  "Happy for Sarah, of course."
     Candy nodded.  "I was just coming back here to see how Sarah's doing."
     "Oh, she's looking wonderful," she enthused.
     "Good. . . . You're looking beautiful.  The dress is lovely," Candy complimented.
     "Thank you," she replied, looking down with a bashful smile.  "I made it."
     "You made it?  It's just wonderful!  The embroidery is so intricate," Candy's excitement made Sarah smile even wider.
     "Thank you.  It's how I earn a living."
     Candy nodded.  "I can see why," he said in admiration.
     Elizabeth lowered her gaze and tried to think of what to say.  "Excuse me, I—I was coming to get her veil.  The wedding's going to start before long."
     "All right.  Maybe I'll talk to you later," Candy said, his eyes shining.
     Elizabeth smiled and said softly, "That would be nice."
     Candy watched her get the veil from a chair in the hall and retreat into the back room.

~~~~
(Written February 28, 2003)

     Adam retied his black bowtie for the third time and studied himself in the mirror.  He supposed he looked good enough.  His black suit was freshly laundered and pressed, and his white shirt fairly glowed in brilliance.
     He ran a hand over his six times combed hair and took a deep breath.  He started down the stairs and was greeted by his family.
     "There you are, Big Brother!" Joe said with a grin.  "We thought you had chickened out!"
     "Not a chance, Little Buddy," Adam said, smiling suavely.
     "Ya sure this wedding ain't a joke?" Hoss teased.
     "Yeah!  I never in my life expected to see any of my sons getting married," Ben said, his eyes wide in playfulness.
     "Jest all you like, but it's the truth," Adam insisted, raising an eyebrow in mock haughtiness.
     "We believe you.  Now come on, or we'll be late," Ben said, laughing and putting a hand on Adam's shoulder.

~~~~

     Adam stood at the front of the church in front of the preacher.  Adam clasped his hands in front of him tightly, unable to move he was so nervous.  He had a small smile on his face, and his eyes were glowing with excitement as the moment approached.
     First up the aisle came the best man, Candy, and Martin, a friend of Adam's.
     After a short hush, the organist played the first chords of "Here Comes the Bride," and the door opened again.  Stepping towards him slowly, radiant and serene, was Sarah.  Trailing behind her were her two best friends, Elizabeth and Rachel, but Adam didn't notice them.  His eyes were only on his bride.
     He turned to face Sarah as she took her place beside him, mirroring her brilliant smile.
     "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and of man . . ." the preacher began.
     Adam could not concentrate on the preacher's words when such a lovely woman was standing next to him.  The woman who was shortly to become his wife.  His eyes gleamed the words "I love you" and she answered with the same silent words.
     Adam heard the preacher's words just in time to repeat what he had intoned.
     "For better or for worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer—till death do us part," Adam murmured fervently.
     Sarah repeated the words, ever looking into his eyes.
     " . . . I now pronounce you husband and wife.  You may kiss the bride."
     Adam smiled and leaned over to kiss Sarah, who responded willingly.
     The crowd erupted into clapping and cheering and the recessional piece was played.  Adam and Sarah rushed down the aisle, smiling and ducking from the rice that was flung their way.
     "I can't believe it.  One of my sons is finally married," Ben whispered, shaking his head and smiling.
     "Come on, Pa; you'll miss the dinner!" Hoss said.
     Ben chuckled and followed behind an eager Hoss.
     Outside, Adam and Sarah hopped into their buggy and started to the place the picnic reception was to be held.
     "I love you," Sarah said, looking up at Adam and holding his arm.
     He stooped to kiss her, and whispered, "I love you."

THE END

I hope you have enjoyed this story!  I'm sorry for any inconsistencies to the TV series or any historical blunders.  Send comments or critiques to: MissHoneyBee@myrealbox.com