The breeze lifted Joe's hair from his forehead.  Across from him was his opponent, a man dressed in black.  Joe shifted the weapon in his hand, aiming it directly at the smirking man.
     The man in black also held a weapon.  Long, pointed, and dangerous.
     Joe tightened Cochise's reins—the horse was anxious to get started.  So was Joe.  "Now!" he shouted, urging his horse forward.
     The hooves of the horses pounded out a beat and kicked up clouds of dust.
     Joe whooped as the black hat was knocked off from his opponent's head.  They reined in their horses, hopped off, and faced each other up close.  Joe couldn't help laughing hysterically.  "Adam, you shoulda seen your face when that hat flew up into the air!"  He slapped his knees and continued, choking on laughter, "And your hair's stickin' up like you're scared or somethin'!"
     Adam flicked Joe's hat off with his stick.  "I'll show you scared, or something," Adam growled, pasting on a menacing frown and putting the tip of his stick to Joe's throat.
     "Oooh, I'm shakin' in my boots!" Joe said, grinning and backing away.  "Are you gonna come after me or are we even, now?"
     "We're even," Adam sighed.  "But wait until next time."
     Joe chuckled and wiped his damp forehead.  Then he stooped down to pick up his hat.  It was a mistake.
     Adam was on top of Joe before he could blink an eye.  Adam tickled Joe, and Joe choked again with laughter.  "Stop it, Adam! Please—I—won't tease you anymore!"
     "You better not," Adam warned, still keeping Joe pinned to the ground.
     "Let me up, will ya?" Joe panted.
     "Only if you promise."
     Joe rolled his eyes. "I promise."
     Adam slowly let Joe up.
     "The old widow's gonna be missin' you if you don't get there before her bedtime," Joe said, singsong.
     Adam pinned Joe down against the ground again and tickled him for all he was worth.
     "I—didn't say—what I—promised," Joe said, crying tears of laughter and trying to squirm out of Adam's grasp.
     "All right," Adam said, keeping hold of Joe's shirt.  "Unless you want another joust, you'd better stop your teasing.  You know that Sarah is a lovely young lady, and that you're just jealous.  Admit it."
     "Fine," Joe grinned.  "She's a lovely young lady and I'm jealous.  Of her cat, that is."
     "She doesn't—have a—cat," Adam said, realizing what Joe meant.
     "Exactly," Joe grinned.
     Adam let Joe go and stalked away. "You're not worth the trouble," he murmured, smiling slightly.

~~~~

(Colored pencil drawing copyright 2003
by Melissa M.  Do not copy.)

     Adam’s pulse raced as he knocked on Sarah Everett’s door.  He hid blue and yellow wildflowers behind his back.
     He wasn’t prepared for the vision that met him.  A young man was holding Sarah’s hand as she opened the door.  Adam’s heart dropped, suddenly questioning the weeks he had spent seeing Sarah.
     “Hello, Adam!  I had unexpected company.  This is my second cousin, Mr. Canaday.  Everyone calls him Candy.  Candy, this is my good friend, Adam Cartwright."
     “Hello,” Adam said evenly.
     “Good to meet you, Mr. Cartwright," Candy grinned.  "I can see you're want to be alone with Sarah, so I'll just go back to the boarding house in town.  Have a good evening," he said, tipping his hat to his second cousin.  "Bye, Sarah."
     “Bye, Candy.  I’ll see you later, I hope!”
     “Sure will,” Candy said and waved, ducking out the door.
     Adam cleared his throat, taking in the loveliness of Sarah’s glowing cheeks and small form.  She was dressed in a lavender and green checked dress, with lace accents at the throat and sleeves.  Her dark brown hair was twisted back, with a cute little bob hanging down her neck.  “Come in and sit down, Adam,” Sarah said softly.
     Adam, gathering his thoughts, produced the wildflowers from behind his back.  “These are for you, Sarah.  They may be a little wilted by now, but I know you love these colors.”
     “Oh, yes, how lovely!  Thank you so much, Adam.”  She smiled warmly, taking the little flowers and sniffing in their faint scent.  She went to the kitchen and put them in a water-filled vase.
     Coming back, she looked up at him, smiling and raising her brow inquiringly.  “You want to know if I really love you, don’t you?”
     Adam stared, amazed at her ability to read his mind.
     “Candy is one of my few relatives, and he is very dear to me,” she said simply, taking his hand.  “I love you as I can love no one else.”
     Adam, heart thumping, took Sarah in his arms.  “I needed to hear that.  I love you so much.”  Slowly he lowered his head and kissed her.
     Sarah pulled back a little.  “Adam, I—”
     Adam’s brows lowered.  “What is it?”
     “It's just that—I think those things should be kept for after marriage.”  She hesitated, as if saying the word “marriage” was presumptuous.
     Adam smiled a little.  She seemed very innocent, but self-prepossessing.  “I understand.”  Adam had not said anything about marriage yet.  “I will wait then.  But, Sarah, I can't wait long.”  He pulled out a small box.  “Will you marry me?”  He lowered himself onto one knee and pulled out a shining golden band.
     She gasped slightly.  She flung her arms around his neck.  “Yes, oh yes, Adam!”

~~~~

     "I'm getting married to Sarah."
     "What?"  Ben stopped his writing.  The pencil clattered onto the desk.  "Well, congratulations, Adam!"  He leapt up and slapped Adam on the back.
     Adam grinned.  "I don't think I'll be able go to sleep tonight!"
     Ben laughed.  "I can understand.  I've been married three times, and each time I was as excited as a newborn pup!"
     Hoss and Joe bounded down the staircase.  "Did I hear you're gettin' married?  To the old widow?" Joe asked.
     "To the young widow," Adam said, narrowing his eyes.
     "You're just joshin', ain't you, Adam?" Hoss said.
     "No, I ain't just joshin'!" Adam said, pulling down Hoss's hat low.
     "Well, whaddya know!  Big brother's really gettin' married!" Hoss exclaimed, correcting his hat and patting Adam's back.  "Whooee, you're gettin' married!"
     "It's about time," Ben said, eyes wide, and smiling.
     Joe laughed.  "Thought you would be a bachelor for good!  Guess you're getting desperate since you're marrying a widow."
     Adam scowled, refusing to answer.  He easily saw beneath Joe's jesting, but liked to play along.
     "Congratulations, big brother," Joe added more seriously.
     "Thanks," Adam said, smiling wryly.

~~~~

     Candy ate the last bite of his blueberry pie, tipped the waitress, and headed out the door.  He wanted to see Sarah again and tell her his good news.  He had just gotten his first paycheck from the lumber company he was working for and it was well beyond what he had expected.
     He also hoped to ask Sarah more about Adam Cartwright, as he had heard and could see there was a growing relationship there.  He knew the Cartwrights were very wealthy, but besides that, Adam seemed like a nice man and Candy was glad for Sarah's sake.  Sarah had been mighty lonely in the past few years after her husband had died in an oil well accident.  Sarah's only living relatives were himself and an uncle, and she deserved the most happiness life could give.
     It was a short walk to Sarah's house, which was a small cream building with ruffled blue curtains and an herb garden out front.  Her flower garden had died in the cold months, and now she kept herbs to spice up her food.  And delicious food it is, Candy thought, smiling.  I'll have to come over more often.  She said I must.
     Sarah welcomed him inside with almost bursting excitement.  "Candy, guess what?  Adam proposed to me last night!  I'm going to be Mrs. Adam Cartwright!"
     Candy grinned and swept her into a hug.  "Well, congratulations!"
     "Thank you.  Oh, Candy, he's the most wonderful man!"
     "Good," Candy said, smiling and kissing her lightly on the cheek.  "For you're the most wonderful woman."
     "Candy, stop that," she said, rolling her eyes and laughing.  "I'm not.  I'm sure you won't think so when you meet the right woman to marry."
     Candy tilted his head in denial.  "I doubt it—and the way I'm going, I don't know if I'll ever get married!"
     "You're only twenty-nine, Candy," she chided.  "You'll get married."  She hugged him again.  Then she held up her hand and the gold ring sparkled.  "Isn't it gorgeous?" she said softly.
     "It sure is," Candy smiled.

~~~~

     Adam backed away from the window slowly.  He had just seen Sarah hugging Candy.  The hat in his hand felt heavy, for some reason.  Adam swallowed and moved to the side of the house, leaning against the siding.  He was probably making way too much of it.  They were cousins, after all—second cousins.  But hadn't it been a cousin who had taken away Laura Dayton, the woman he had once been engaged to?  He felt much more strongly about Sarah than he had about Laura or any other woman.  Could he bear it if something happened to take Sarah from him?  No.  But nothing would take her away; it couldn't.  She had said she loved him, and he trusted her honesty more than anything.  But things could change, couldn't they?  What if Sarah fell in love with Candy?  Adam clenched his jaw, willing the thoughts away.  He had had more than enough tragedy in his life, already.

~~~~
(Jan. 21, 2003)

     I'll ask her.  Adam combed his hair and pulled his jacket on.  But she may think I'm being too suspicious.  He put his hat on.  I'm sure I am, but I have to ask her, just to get it out of the way.
     He headed for the front door.
     Ben looked up from his newspaper.  "You're up early and heading out already.  Breakfast takes second place to love, I suppose." He chuckled.
     "Yep," Adam said.
     "Have a good time!" Ben said and looked back down at his paper.
     "Thanks, Pa," Adam murmured and hitched up the team.
     At the house, Adam knocked on the door.  No one answered.  He knocked again.
     Finally, he heard shuffling footsteps and Sarah opened the door, robe wrapped around her and hair still tangled.
     "Oh, I'm sorry—I woke you.  I know I'm here earlier than normal, but you usually get up early."
     Sarah smiled sleepily.  "It's all right, Adam.  I stayed up late last night reading Sense and Sensibility.  It's a good book, but I liked Pride and Prejudice better."
     Adam smiled wryly.  "The romance of Jane Austen.  Not a terrible writer."
     "You've read her books?" Sarah asked.
     "Only one," Adam admitted.  "Sense and Sensibility, actually, and it's not at all sensible."
     Sarah laughed.  "I guess it's not, really, but I like it, anyway."
     "Could you—make a mistake like Marianne did by falling in love with the wrong man?"
     "Not a chance, at least not here.  There's nothing wrong about you, only right and wonderful."  She looked up at him with her sparkling brown eyes, smiling.  "Except if you count the time you stepped on my foot when we were dancing," she whispered.
     Adam raised an eyebrow.  "You had to bring that up, didn't you?  I was convinced I was perfect."
     She pursed her lips in an attempt not to smile.  "No, I can't say you're perfect, but close enough for me."
     "I really want to kiss you," Adam murmured, "but that would only add to my blunders."
     "I wish you could, too, but I'm an old-fashioned girl.  Even if I don't have a trousseau to offer."  Her eyelashes lowered for a moment.  "Could we be married in a week?  Or a day?  How's that for old-fashioned!"  She laughed.  "Only if it's all right with you," she added.
     Adam's heartbeat quickened.  "Why couldn't we?  If you don't need a big wedding with fancy clothes—why don't we get married tomorrow?"
     "Yes, why don't we!"  Sarah laughed in happiness and gave in to Adam's embrace.

~~~~
(Jan. 21-24, 2003)

     "Tomorrow!"
     "Are you joking?"
     "You're joshin' us, now."
     "No, I am not," Adam said firmly.
     Joe snickered.  "Our cautious, scared big brother, getting married after one day of engagement!"
     Adam narrowed his eyes.  "Care to have another duel to take back that statement?"
     Joe held his hands up in retreat.  "No, no. I had enough ticklin' to last me a lifetime!"
     Adam chuckled.
     After some of the excitement had died down and Hoss and Joe had gone back to work, Adam sat on the fireplace next to Ben.  "Pa, I know this means moving into the old cabin sooner.  It's not totally fixed up, yet, but I was wondering if you'd let me have the day off to do that."
     Ben nodded.  "Certainly! I'll even get Hoss and Joe to help you if you want. I can lend a hand, too, if you don't think I'll be a hinder."
     Adam smiled. "Never, Pa. I'd appreciate all the help I can get."

~~~~
(Written Jan. 31, 2003)

     Sarah's house was running down, since she had little time to tend to it while she baked for a living.  Adam had helped her repair various things over the weeks, but she shook her head at the siding that needed painting.  She loved the little house, with its sweet picket fence, tall oak tree in the back yard, and, most of all, the room where her mother and father had slept.
     Now, as Sarah got into the wagon to go to town, she resigned herself to leaving the place permanently.  Adam had told her he had a house picked out to live on the Ponderosa.  It would be finer than this house, perhaps, but it would still be hard to leave this one.  She would really be happy living anywhere with Adam, so she would not complain.  How could she, with such a dear man for her own?  I'll take some of Mama's and Papa's belongings with me, anyway.  Mama's dear quilt and dresser, Papa's pocket watch and cane.  Her parents would be happy for her.  They probably knew of it in heaven, and were smiling down at her, now.  She smiled, joy filling her to the brim.
     As she stopped her wagon in town and went into the clothing shop, she heard whispering coming from behind a dress rack.
     "If it isn't poor little Miss Everett, wearing a glimmering diamond!"
     "I heard she's gone and engaged herself to Adam Cartwright!"
     "Tsk, tsk, tsk.  The shame of it—her chasing after a rich man, just to get out of her discolored house and shabby clothes!"
     Sarah's cheeks burned.  How could they say such things!  She swallowed and moved to the back of the store, determined not to let it bother her.  She found tears forming in her eyes, however, as she bent to look at a pair of shoes.
     One lady bumped into her.  "Oh, I'm sorry," she crooned mockingly.  "I wouldn't want to hurt the little princess!"  She giggled.  "Do you really think you'll be able to afford that veil—oh, yes, I forgot!  Adam's money does come in handy, doesn't it?"
     Sarah clenched her jaw, swallowing and blinking back tears.  She turned away from the young lady and pretended that she had heard nothing.
     "So it's true, isn't it?  You're marrying Adam for his money!  You can't deny it."
     Sarah turned suddenly to face the woman, mustering all her courage.  "There's no need to deny it, because it's an utterly absurd and jealous comment!"  She steered away from the woman, refusing to cry in front of her.  She picked up a plain white veil and looked through the dresses for something elegant but simple to wear to the wedding.  She would have asked her friend to make the dress if there were more time, but she would be as happy wearing sackcloth as she would silk.  She did want to look lovely for Adam, of course, so she sorted through the dresses in search of the perfect gown.
     One of the earlier whispering ladies stopped by her, encouraged by the other woman's barbs.  "You shall have your punishment one day, you hussy!"  The woman clomped out of the store, banging the door behind her.
     "If I shall, it shall not be for greed," Sarah whispered to herself, sniffing back tears and continuing to examine the dresses.  There were bright blues and pinks, soft peaches and lavenders.  Many pretty dresses.  Just then she pulled out a soft cream dress, trimmed with butter-colored ribbons and white lace, with tiny buttons trailing down the back.  The neckline was square and lace-lined, and the skirt was full and flowing.  She felt its softness longingly.  She looked at the tag, her eyes widening.  Nine dollars! She could never afford that!  With drooping head, she put the dress back and started looking again.
     "Miss Everett?"
     Sarah looked up, surprised to see the store manager, Mrs. Dowland, walking her way.  "Yes?"
     The woman, gray-haired and gentle, looked into her eyes sympathetically.  "I overheard some of the rude remarks those women made.  Take no mind of them.  You spoke the truth when you replied to them, and I admire your bravery."  She smiled and placed her hands on Sarah's shoulders.  "I've seen you here a few times before, and I always liked you.  I know you're a sweet girl.  You remind me of my daughter, who lives in the East, now."  She paused and looked at the dress rack.  "I saw you looking at that cream gown, and—I want you to have it."
     Sarah frowned, sure she had heard wrong.  "What?"
     "Consider it a wedding present," Mrs. Dowland said with a smile.
     "But—but—it's so much.  Too much," Sarah protested.
     "Nonsense!"
     "At least let me pay what I can for it!" Sarah said, opening her purse.
     "No, my dear.  It is my pleasure to give it to you.  You don't want to take my pleasure away, do you?"  Her eyes twinkled.
     Sarah smiled.  "I can't thank you enough."
     "You have, already, just by your smile.  But—I would love to come to your wedding tomorrow, if it's all right with you and your fiancé."
     "Oh, of course!  I'm sure he won't mind, and I'd be happy to have you!"  Sarah wiped tears from her eyes.  "My own mother died four years ago."
     "I know, and I'm very sorry," Mrs. Dowland said softly.  She patted Sarah on the back.  "Someone's looking for me, so I must go.  Don't forget to hold your chin up despite what anyone says!"
     Sarah smiled.  "Yes, I will.  Thank you!"

~~~~
(Written February 7, 2003)

     Sarah crossed the street to the cobbler, where she hoped to find a pair of white shoes for her wedding.
     She remembered her first wedding, when she had worn a lovely but simple pale dress her mother had bought for her.  It seemed ages ago, and yet-the memory was still alive . . . and painful.
     She quickened her steps, looking down at the ground, counting her steps out of habit.  She had gone temporarily blind one time and had often learned the number of steps it took to get from place to place.
     She felt her head hit into something.
     "Why don't you watch where you're—"
     She looked up—and blanched.  It couldn't be him—it couldn't!  But it was.  Her ex-husband.

Part Two

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Graphics and content copyright 2003 by Melissa M.