Adam and Ruth – The Darker Side of the Moon

Adam walked cheerfully thought the main street of town to the jewelry store. There in the window, gleaming like a bright star in the noon sunlight it was. It was the most beautiful ring in the store, and also the most expensive. That being the only reason Adam had yet to walk in and even inquire his interest. He had money, just not ‘that kind’ of money. Everyone assumed that he did because he was Ben Cartwright’s son but what they didn’t realize was that it was his father who owned the land, had the money. He didn’t have land that was his and his alone yet and would not until he was married and the only money he had was from odd jobs helping his father and his neighbors.

He had gone though this ritual of stopping at the jewelry store for weeks now, ever since that particular ring had come in. He wanted it so badly he couldn’t stand it. He had been courting Ruth for a month now, ever since she had come to Virginia City, and he was starting to get anxious. Mainly because of how all the other men looked at her. And why wouldn’t they? She was beautiful and she had everything any man would want, especially this man. He loved her more than any one of them could ever even come close to and he wanted the best for her. He knew that the ring wouldn’t matter to her but it was the principal of the thing to Adam.

That day, he had planned a picnic with Ruth and he was in town to pick her up but he found himself more occupied with his habit of staring into that jewelry store window and was running a bit late. He was shaken out of his trance by the sound of someone walking up behind him.

“It’s a beautiful ring, that’s for sure. It costs a pretty penny though! I sure wish I could have afforded one like that for my wife when I got married.”

The voice was coming from Ross Marquette, Adam’s oldest and closest friend.

“Oh, sorry skinny, I guess I didn’t see ya walk up. What are you doin’ in town today?” Adam said, turning to shake his friend’s hand.

“Oh, I just happened to be here lookin’ to buy Delphine something for our nine year wedding anniversary. I just wish I knew what she wanted.”

Adam smiled as the thought of Ross and Dell having been married for nine years already crossed his mind. He remembered being there for the wedding and thinking to himself how he wanted to be that happy some day.

“Well why don’t you go into the store and look instead of standing outside looking through the window like you’re getting ready to rob the place.” Adam jokingly suggested.

“Well why not? You’re doing it.” Ross commented.

Adam put his arm around his friend and walked him toward the door.

“Well that’s the difference between you and me, my friend. I’m a well-known and quite respected citizen in these parts and you’re just…well-known.”

“Ok, Mr. well-known and respected citizen, how about finally gettin’ enough courage up and takin’ a look at that ring from the inside of the building?”

When the men walked in, the jeweler who had right away noticed that he had a Cartwright as a customer came over to them promptly.

“Good morning, gentlemen! Is there something I can be of help to you with?”

“Well, my friend here is looking for an anniversary gift for his wife. They’ve been married for nine years and he wants to get her something special.” Adam said.

The jeweler looked Ross up and down and crinkled his nose a bit before turning back to Adam.

“And what can I do for you, Mr. Cartwright?”

“Well there’s really nothing for m-

“He’s lookin’ to buy and engagement ring!” Ross interrupted.

Adam glared at his friend.

“No, no I’m not.” Adam chuckled subtlety at the jeweler.

“Yes he is! He’s been here prêt near everyday lookin’ at that same ol’ ring. This one right over here!” Ross walked over to the ring, to the jeweler’s wide-eyed dismay.

“Please, sir, don’t touch that! It’s the most expensive engagement ring in our store! ”

“Well it ain’t like I was gonna steal it! I was just showin’ ya what Adam was gonna buy.”

“My, isn’t that a little expensive, even for a Cartwright boy to buy?”

The three men turned around to the voice of Henry Shoupe, a wealthy man with a matching attitude who had more money than anyone within miles if Virginia City through the inheritance his successful father had left him. It was a common fact in town that Adam Cartwright and Henry Shoupe were like fire and ice. This man had been known to rub Adam the wrong way, most of the time on purpose, in every way he could. Like many other rich men, Mr. Shoupe had a habit of boasting about his holdings at every opportunity especially to those less fortunate than he, which seemed to be most everyone.

Adam’s instinctive response to Henry’s voice was to roll his eyes and snort like an angry stallion. The problem with that was Henry seemed to feed on a response like that especially from his arch nemesis. Knowing this, Adam tried to avoid speaking to Henry at every expense. Ross, on the other hand, didn’t take so well to the idea.

“And just what’s it to ya? Are you afraid that he might buy it before you get a chance to? Nah, sure you ain’t! Who’d wanna marry you anyway?”

Adam pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger for a brief moment, and then tapped Ross’ shoulder.

Henry let out a hardy laugh. “Well now aren’t we bold. My friend, if I wanted to I could buy that ring right now and hand it to any woman I please,” He looked over at Adam, “Even Miss Halverson.”

Adam shot Henry the angriest look he could muster.

“Now you can’t do that! She’s Adam’s gal!” Ross said sharply.

“Oh? I’m afraid I failed to see the ring on her finger. That’s right; there is no ring on her finger! Isn’t that what he’s looking to buy here?”

“Mr. Shoupe, would you like to buy this ring? I assure you it’s a bargain! You won’t be dissatisfied!” The jeweler jumped at the chance to make a sale.

“Now hang on a minute! Ross is right. I was going to buy this ring. I don’t have the money right now but I will.” Adam announced.

“I’ll offer you twice the amount and I can pay you in full, sir” Henry said.

“I’m afraid, Mr. Cartwright, when given the choice between a down payment of not even half the asking price and double the asking price in full right now, I’d have to accept Mr. Shoupe’s offer.”

Adam felt his heart sink and his pride being stepped on. There was no way he could afford to match Henry’s offer and Henry knew it.

Henry walked over to Adam and put his arm around his shoulder.

“I’ll tell you what I’ll do, even thought I don’t particularly care for you all that much I’m willing to give you a chance. I’m in no hurry to purchase this ring so I’ll give you a month to come up with enough money to match my deal, which was twice the asking price. I must caution you, at the end of this time, I do fully intend on coming back here and buying this ring to use for whatever I so chose.”

Adam immediately pushed himself away from Henry’s arm.

“And what’s to keep someone else from buying it in the meantime?” He asked.

Henry pulled out his wallet.

“Here’s three-hundred dollars. I’m going to pay this to you along with the trust that one of us will be purchasing the ring at double the asking price at the end of the month, as long as you hang on to it until then.”

The jeweler took the money with greedy, trembling hands and agreed to the terms.

Adam and Ross walked out of the store with hanging heads.

“Now see what you’ve done!?  You just had to drag me into that store and cause Henry Shoupe to find something to gain by taking that ring away from me!” Adam snapped.

“I’m sorry, Adam, I really didn’t mean to cause all that.”

Adam took a deep breath.”

“I’m sorry, Ross, I didn’t mean that. It’s not your fault. I should have known he had his eye on Ruth! He always wants what he knows I want! There’s just one thingI can do, get the money before he does!”

“How in the world are ya gonna do that?”

“I don’t know yet, Marquette, but I do know that I want that ring!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When he got home, Adam decided he would hold off on telling his father about his problem. He rode up to see a little basket with a checkered blanket on the top of it sitting on the porch. His eyes widened as he realized what he’d done.”

“Oh no, the picnic!!”

He ran up to the porch, grabbed the basket, and flew into the house to tell his father that he was leaving.

“Pa, I’m heading out to the hotel! I totally forgot about the picnic! I’m so late! I…”

“He stopped mid sentence to see his father at his desk and Ruth sitting next to him.

“Son, what was that about being very late for something?” Ben grinned.

Adam pulled his hat off.

“I am so sorry! I was in town taking care of something and the picnic,” He lowered his voice, “totally slipped my mind.”

Ruth stood up and put her hands and her sides.

“I had a feeling that’s what happened! I was beginning to worry that it was something a little more serious though so I decided to have Tom Madigan drive me in to see what the matter was. When I got here, your father was kind enough to send Tom back to the hotel and he said he’d wait here for you with me.”

Adam looked at the ground and fiddled with the brim of his hat.

“Well I’ll thank Tom next time I see him.”

Ruth saw the sadness in Adam’s face and walked over to him. She put her hand under his lowered chin and gently lifted his face up to look at her.

“I was worried. I’m not disappointed about the picnic. We can do that anytime. I just was worried something was wrong.”

Adam’s hazel eyes glistened with small tears. In the small moment that preceded that comment, he had been worried that he would never get the chance to give her that ring even if he somehow could afford it. He had neglected her and the thought of losing her to that killed him. Hearing her words though, he looked up with both surprise and relief. He then cleared his throat to speak.

“Alright, lady we have a picnic to get to! See ya later, Pa!”

Ben watched them go and a smile crossed his face.

“Those two are gonna be alright.” He said to himself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Will ya tell me what  it is now?” Joe said impatiently as he lay in the grass watching Amy draw something in her book.

“Not yet, it isn’t done. Now will you please stop trying to look up at it?” She said.

“Well I can’t see what it is upside down anyhow. From here it looks like you’re drawing a three-headed duck!”

Amy shook her head. “Ok, it’s finished! You may look now.”

Joe jumped up and walked over to the stump Amy was sitting on and sat next to her. He looked down at the paper to see a drawing of the creek and surrounding trees. The sight came to life right off the paper.

“Well what do you think…And be honest!”

“It’s….it is absolutely beautiful!”

“Do you really think so?!” Amy asked excitedly.

“Now would I lie to you?” Joe grinned.

“To get me to kiss you, you would!” Amy winked.

“Well alright, maybe in that case I would but I mean it! This is amazing!”

“Well thank you!”

Joe’s expression turned.

“Why, what on earth’s the matter?”

“You didn’t kiss me!” He said in a boyish tone.

“Oh, well seeing as how you were telling the truth and not just saying it to get me to kiss you I thought you weren’t expecting one.” She said, sheepishly.

“Well alright then, you must not want your present!”

“Present? What present?” She perked up.

“Hold your horses, I have to go and get it out of my saddlebag. I’ll be right back.” He hurried off toward Cochise.

Amy rolled on to her belly in the grass and looked at her picture upside down.

“A three-headed duck! Humph!”

When Joe got over to where his horse was tied, he proceeded to take the small vase with a flower in it out of the saddlebag when he heard a noise behind him. He turned around sharply, gun in hand.

“Alright whoever’s out there come out where I can see ya!” He yelled.

Amy came running when she heard him.

“What’s wrong, Joe?”

“Stay back! I think someone else is out here!”

Amy shook her head. “Don’t you recall the last time you did that? It was me you almost up and shot!” She scolded.

“Well this time it’s not you and I do hear something! Just do as I tell ya and stay behind me!”

Amy did what she was told and hid behind Joe’s back.

“Now I’m gonna say it one last time! Come on out of there!” Joe demanded.

Suddenly, from out of the weeds came the sound of cynical laughter. Amy immediately recognized the voice.

“It’s Jessup!” She said rolling her eyes.

Joe kept his gun drawn as Jessup came from out of the weeds and walked up to them with an evil grin across his face.

“What do you want?” Joe asked.

“I just came to do my job, sonny boy. Mr. Bishop tells me to keep an eye on her and that’s what I do. It ain’t the hardest job either.” He said, looking Amy up and down like a piece of meat.

“Pa knows that I’m here with Joe! I know it’s hard for you to accept but he’s fine with our being together now! He likes Joe and he trusts us!”

“For now maybe.”

“What’s that supposed to me?” Joe inquired.

“It means, sunny boy, that he’s gonna get to know the real you soon enough and won’t let Amy anywhere near you.”

“The real him? What do you mean?” Amy asked.

“Your Pa’s gonna find out that he’s his father’s son and that he only wanted to use you as a tactic to hurt your Pa.”

“Joe isn’t using me to hurt Pa!”

“He knows that, Amy. He’s just thinks he’s going to make your Pa believe it.”

“I’ll tell Pa all about it first!” Amy threatened.

“You really think he’s going to believe you?”

“Why wouldn’t he? She’s his daughter.” Joe said.

“She’s love-stuck. She’ll believe anything you tell her.”

Joe’s face turned from annoyed to livid in a matter of seconds. He slowly turned toward Jessup and threw his fist at Jessup’s lip.

“You won’t ruin everything we’ve worked so hard for!”

Jessup stood up and put his hand to his bloody lip.

“This just makes my point even more, sonny.”

With that he put his hat back on and rode off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When they were finished eating, Ruth packed the dishes into the basket.

“You’ve been awfully quiet during this picnic.” She noted.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart; I just have a lot on my mind is all.”

Ruth turned up her nose. “The same lot that was on your mind when you forgot about the picnic in the first place?”

Adam looked up at her, realizing how his words had sounded and that his actions had reinforced that negative message.

“I didn’t mean it that way. Oh, why do I keep saying things the wrong way? I guess it’s because I love you so much that I just want to say things perfectly. So much so that I end up saying them totally wrong.”

Ruth put her hand on Adam’s shoulder. “You don’t have to strive to be perfect. You are already as perfect as I need you to be.”

“I just want to give you all the things you’ve never had, all the things you deserve.”

“Well does what I want have anything to do with that?”

“Of course it does!” Adam said, startled.

“Well then I’m getting exactly what I deserve now because it’s what I want.”

“Do you know something? You just helped me make a decision that’s been eating away at me for weeks now!” He said. He then kissed her cheek and jumped up. “Now c’mon, let’s get back to town!”

“Oh alright then. Let’s get back to town.” She said while allowing him to help her up.

Adam drove Ruth back to the hotel and made his stay shorter than usual. He then left there and went straight to the jewelry store. This time, instead of standing outside of the store window, he proudly walked right in and up to the jeweler.

“Oh, Mr. Cartwright, I didn’t expect to see you back here so soon. You have the money already?”

“No, sir, I don’t have the money. I’m here because I changed my mind about the whole thing. I realized that in my pursuit of making the woman I love happy and giving her all the best things in life, I am neglecting to give her all those things that are most important and that she truly deserves.”

“I’m afraid I don’t quite follow you, sir.”

“What I’m saying is, I would like to buy another ring. This one right here would be perfect!” He said walking over to a smaller, yet just as beautiful ring.

“Well this ring is just as lovely and probably more suited to your needs. Would you like me to hold it for you?”

“Yes, but just until tomorrow! I will be here first thing in the morning to pick it up!”

With that, Adam rushed out and headed for home. After he had ridden off, Henry Shoupe walked out from the back room of the jewelry store.

“So he’s changed his mind about the ring, huh?”

“It appears that way, Mr. Shoupe.”

“That’s even better for me. I want that ring now. I have the money, of course. It’s double as I promised.”

“So, you want the original ring, correct sir?” The jeweler asked.

“Yes, you dimwit! I want the ring that Adam Cartwright decided not to buy!”

“Yes sir, right away!” The frightened jeweler said.

“I’ll take care of Adam Cartwright once and for all!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later that night, all four Cartwrights sat in the Great Room by the fireplace drinking their coffee after just having finished Supper.

“Ya know Pa; I reckon I ain’t never seen my brother’s this quiet before.” Hoss said.

“Hoss, I do believe you’re right. Alright, what’s the matter with you fellas?” Ben asked.

Both Adam and Joe were silent.

“Joseph?” Ben pressed.

“It’s nothing, Pa. It’s just Jessup again as usual.”

“What’d he do this time?” Adam asked.

“He threatened to ruin everything with Luther I’ve worked so hard for that’s what!”

Ben looked up.

“How does he intend to go about that?”

“By telling Luther that I’m just playing Amy and using her to get to him. He’s going to try to paint me out to look like something I’m not.”

“Well Amy can tell him that it ain’t true can’t she?” Hoss asked.

“Sure she can and she will but Jessup said he’s going to tell Luther that she’s blinded by her love for me or something like that.”

“It seems to me that you need to go have a talk with Luther tomorrow and make him see your side of it before Jessup even has a chance to tell his.” Ben advised.

“That’s just what I plan to do, Pa. I just hope I get to him in time.”

“Don’t lose sleep over it, son. You’ll get there in plenty of time.

“Thanks, Pa.”

“Alright, now on to you.” Ben said looking at Adam.

“There’s nothing really to talk about with me, Pa.”

“Then why are you so quiet?”

“I’ve just got a lot on my mind that’s all. None of it is bad.”

“You seem to have a lot on your mind often these days. You even forgot about going on that picnic with Ruth. That’s not like you.”

Pa’s right, Adam, it ain’t like you to forget about spending time with Ruth. You and that girl have been inseparable since she got here.” Hoss said.

“I know,” Adam began, “And it’s about time I did something about it.”

The other three men looked at each other and then back at him.

“Tomorrow morning, I’m going to the jewelry store in town to buy a ring that I have decided on. In a few days, when the time is right, and when I get up enough nerve, I am going to ask Ruth to marry me.”

There was a brief few seconds of silence. Then all at once the other men rose. Hoss and Joe began to yelp and holler loudly while they roughly shook Adam’s arm nearly out of the socket.

“Adam, you ol’ cuss, congratulations!” Hoss said

“Yeah, what he said! It sure took ya long enough!” Joe grinned.

“Well thank you, gentlemen but you must remember something.” Adam interrupted.

Hoss and Joe looked at each other.

“She still has yet to be asked and to say yes. There’s nothing to congratulate me for just yet.”

The boys once again looked at each other; this time laughing in a matter of seconds.

“Adam if that’s your only problem, there ain’t nothin’ to worry about!” Hoss said.

“Son, just when were you thinking about asking her?”

“Well, I hadn’t picked a definite day yet.”

“Why don’t we ask her to Supper one night this week and you can ask her then?” Ben suggested.

Adam thought about it for a moment, then looked around at the other men standing around him in anticipation.

“Pa, I don’t know. I was sort of thinking or doing it somewhere a little more private.” He said, thinking of what it would be like to propose in a room full of men gaping the same way they were now.

“Oh, well if you’re worried about us bothering you, why don’t you do it after supper away from us? Like outside on that swing right there on the porch! That’s perfect!” Joe suggested.

“Well, I suppose that might work. I’ll go to town tomorrow and by the time I see Ruth, I’ll have made up my mind.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning, Adam was up and finished with his chores early and went into town to see Ruth. Before he went to the hotel, he stopped by the flower shop and bought Ruth her favorite flower, a Tiger Lily.

When he rode up to the hotel, he saw a familiar buggy in front of it; Henry Shoupe’s. He felt his heart sink with the thought of what he knew Henry was there for.

Without thinking about it, Adam dashed into the hotel lobby and up to Tom’s desk.

“Oh Mornin’, Adam!” He greeted.

“Tom, what’s Henry Shoupe doing here?” Adam said urgently.

“Oh that, yeah he came here to see Ruth. He’s up there right now.” Tom said dreadfully.

Adam didn’t say another word. He dashed up the stairs toward Ruth’s room. Tom shouted to him but didn’t reach him in time.

“Adam you can’t just- Oh well.”

Once he got in front of the door, he stopped and listened to see what he could hear of the conversation. He heard Henry’s voice alright, but he could not make out what he was saying. Within a couple of minutes, Henry walked out of the room and headed down the stairs. Adam hid around a corner until he was gone and a couple minutes after so as to not make his having been there obvious. When it seemed that enough time had gone by, Adam walked up to Ruth’s door and knocked. It only took her seconds to come to the door and Adam noticed the pale expression on her face right away.

“What’s the matter, Ruth? You look white. Are you sick?” He asked, concerned and still hiding what he knew.

“No nothings’, well yes there is something wrong. I suppose it’s best just to come right out and tell you.” She said, moving away from the door so he could walk in.

Adam came in and sat down ready to listen. Ruth closed the door and walked over to where Adam was sitting.

“Henry Shoupe was just here. He invited me to Supper at his estate tomorrow night.” She explained.

Adam took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a brief moment.

“I see. Well I suppose he had the right to ask and you had the right to agree to it seeing as how I haven’t got any certain option on your time.” He said bluntly.

Ruth’s tone took a very serious turn and she looked him in the eye.

“Adam, I turned him down.”

Adam’s gaze sharply turned to her in surprise. “You did?”

“Yes, I did. The truth is I didn’t think it would be right. I know, I know, you don’t have an option on my time since there is no ring on my finger but that still gives me the right to chose who I want to keep company with. I didn’t feel it would be right to go to Supper with him or any other man.”

Adam’s shock soon turned into a half-hearted, sly smile.

“Was he absolutely crushed?” He asked sheepishly.

“He wasn’t too happy, that’s for sure.” She said, starting to return his grin.

At that moment, they shared a chuckle at the vision of Henry’s dismay.

“In that case, Miss Halverson, would you do me the honor of having Supper with me tomorrow night?” He asked, not giving anymore thought to not being ready to ask what he’d need to that night.

“Mr. Cartwright, it would be an honor.” Ruth replied, giving him a small curtsy.

“Alright, I will be here at Seven o’clock to pick you up. Oh, one more thing.” He had almost forgotten to give her the flower her had brought for her. He pulled it out and handed it to her.

“It’s beautiful! It’s the most beautiful one I have ever seen!” She said with a small tear in the corner of her eye.

“I’m glad you like it. I’ll see you tomorrow night!” He kissed her cheek quickly before making his leave out the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, Joe had ridden out early that morning too. He was following his father’s advice and attempting to get to Luther before Jessup did. He had another reason for coming though. In all the excitement of the other day, he hadn’t given Amy her gift that he had for her. He tied his horse to the post outside the house and walked up to the door. Right away, Amy saw him out the window and ran up to answer the door.

“Well, good morning miss! Say, there wouldn’t happen to be a beautiful girl who forgot her gift at the creek yesterday here would there?”

Amy gave him a grin and shook her head.

“Well I admit I felt like I was forgetting something when we parted yesterday. Then again, we did part rather quickly.” She said rolling her eyes at the last part.

Joe pulled his arm out from behind his back. In his hand was a purple rose in a small vase.

“Oh my, this is lovely! How did you ever get something like this?”

“Well, I know your favorite color is purple and that your favorite flower is a rose so I just went in town to do some searching.”

“Thank you so much, Joe!” She said just before reaching in to kiss him. Just then, Luther was heard in the background.

“Amy, who is it?”

Amy turned around quickly to answer.

“It’s Joe, Pa.”

“Hi, Mr. Bishop! I actually came over to talk to ya if now’s a good time.” Joe called.

“Alright, boy, come on in.” Luther said.

Joe walked in the door and up to Luther where he shook the older man’s hand.

“How are you, Sir?” Joe asked.

“I’m doing alright, can’t complain too much. So, what is it that you want to talk to me about?”

“Well, sir, the truth is that it’s about your foreman, Jessup.” Joe said, feeling the nervous lump clotting his throat.

Luther turned up and eyebrow. “Jessup? What’s going on with Jessup?”

“Pa, he’s been causing trouble for Joe and me.” Amy intervened.

“Just what is it that he’s been doing? I have told him in the past to keep an eye on Amy.”

“I’m afraid it’s gone way beyond that, Mr. Bishop.”

Luther’s expression turned serious and attentive.

“Pa, yesterday he threatened Joe.” Amy said.

“Threatened you? How?” Luther asked, turning his attention to Joe and letting Amy know that it was between the two men.

“We were together on the strip yesterday when Jessup showed up. It started with him just taunting me and trying to make me mad but then he eventually decided to share with us his ideas on how to get rid of me and maybe even promote fighting between you and Pa all over again.”

“That’s just not the Pete Jessup I know.” Luther said, showing how troubled he was in his voice.

“With all due respect sir, and it is a lot of respect, the Jessup you know and the Jessup we know are two totally different men.” Joe said.

Luther stood up and began to pace while rubbing his chin.

“What exactly did he threaten to do to get rid of you, as you say?”

Joe stood up and walked toward Luther.

“He said he was going to tell you lies about me, lies about my intentions with your daughter. He said he’d make you believe that I’m only doing what Pa wants and using Amy.”

Luther then looked at Amy.

“I know my daughter. She does use her heart a little more that her head sometimes.”

He paused, which led Joe to hang his head, feeling that he had already lost the battle he had worked so hard to win.

“But,” Luther continued, “When you first came here to talk to me, I saw something in your eyes. I saw love for my daughter. Ben and I have never seen eye-to-eye but I think we are starting to come toward an understanding, if anything for our kids. Jessup has always been bitter. Every since his brother was killed fighting the war between me and your father. He’s never forgotten that. Therefore, if he comes to me with any of these such ideas, I will dismiss them promptly.” He stopped and put a hand on Joe’s shoulder. “You did the right thing in coming to me. I appreciate that.”

“Thank you, Sir. I appreciate you taking the time to hear me out about this. I know you have had Jessup working for you for a long time and it might have been hard to trust me over him.” Joe said.

“It would have been, had I not established such a trust in you before now. Now, enough of this talk. How about you stay and have lunch with us?” Luther offered.

“I’d love to!” Joe said.

“You two just get comfortable and I’ll fix it.” Amy said just before getting up and heading to the kitchen.

Half-way through their lunch, Jessup walked in the front door, apparently startled to see Joe sitting there with them.

“What’s he doing here?”

“He came by to talk to me and I asked him to say for lunch since he was here. Not that I owe you any explanations as to why I do what I do.” Luther snapped.

“He really has you buffaloed don’t he?!”

“Jessup, before you go any further, these two have already talked to me about the events of yesterday.”

“Oh have they? Did he tell you that he hit me?”

Luther looked at Joe in surprise. Joe hung his head slightly.

“Yes, sir I did and I know I shouldn’t have but he was threatening to spread lies about me and it made me mad.”

“I see. Amy, is that how it happened? Tell me the truth now, child.”

“Yes, Pa, that’s exactly how it happened.” Amy told him.

Jessup smiled at Joe in satisfaction, thinking surely that now Luther would be forced to change his mind. Luther took a deep breath and thought some more about the situation. Soon he spoke.

“Did you deliberately try and make him hit you?” He asked Jessup.

“It didn’t take much! I’m tellin’ you, Luther, that boy has a temper! All I did was threaten to expose him for what he is and he lost it!”

Joe stood up and faced Jessup.

“You threatened to lie about me to break up Amy and me! Don’t you try to lie about it!”

“You see, Luther, he’s getting in my face again! Is that the kind if man you want with your daughter?!”

“Alright settle down, the both of you!” Luther said, getting between the two.

Amy bit her lip and prayed silently to herself that this wasn’t going to end in tragedy. Luther noticed the worry in his daughter right away.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Bishop. I don’t want to cause a problem but unfortunately, it’s like I said earlier, there’s a whole other side to him than the one you see.” Joe said.

“All I know is that Jessup has worked for me for a long time. I know him pretty well, in spite of what you might think. I do know he has a temper sometimes. It’s not hard to figure that out. I also know that you have not done anything yet that tells me that you are any danger to my daughter but that doesn’t mean I should be willing to take the chance.”

“Pa, I just have to speak up now! I’ve held my tongue long enough! When Joe tells you that there is another side to Jessup, he’s telling the truth! I have seen it and that was way before I met Joe! I’ve just always been too afraid to tell you. I know I’m young and can be wrong about people but I don’t think I am about Joe! I love him, Pa, and the fact is that you were really starting to open up and get to know him before Jessup started messing with everything!”

After speaking, she sat back and took a deep, jagged breath. Amy Bishop had never in her life spoken out of turn to anyone, especially her father and the prospect of the possible upcoming effects scared her to death. On top of it all, she was frightened of Jessup and worried what he might do in the wake of her speaking out against him. Joe looked at her half in shock at her sudden outburst and the other half proud of her for it.

Luther, of course, was just as surprised by her actions enough so that he was able to finally see the truth of the situation. He realized that it may have been he who had been wrong for many years.

“Amy, why have you never come to me if you’ve felt this way for so long?”

Amy began to feel her short burst of courage falling out from under her until she felt Joe’s hand on her shoulder.

“Go ahead and tell him, Amy. Jessup, let’s you and me go take a walk. Amy and her father have some talking to do, privately.” Joe said, walking out the door and grabbing Jessup on the way out. Jessup resisted at first until Luther shot him a look that he took seriously.

“Now, talk to me, Amy, and don’t leave anything out.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, Joe and Jessup stood outside. Joe tried to avoid contact with Jessup but he knew better than to think Jessup would do the same. He wanted to keep from fighting anymore until he was sure Jessup couldn’t turn it around to make it seem like it was Joe’s fault.

“I hope for her sake that she doesn’t think to open her mouth too much.” Jessup started.

Joe quickly turned around and shot him a glare. “If you do anything to hurt Amy you’ll have to answer to me!”

“Is that supposed to frighten me? You’re nothing but a kid. Sure, you can draw faster than I can but there are ways other than a gun fight to take care of you,” He paused. “And of Amy.”

Just then, the door opened and Luther walked out, his face solemn and hard. He walked directly up to Jessup and stared his angry gaze right into his eyes.

“Pack your gear and clear out, Pete. I don’t want to see you on Concho land or near my daughter ever again!”

“Now Luther, you’re makin’ a big mistake firin’ me. That Cartwright kid’s got you all mixed up.” Jessup retaliated.

“No, Pete, for the first time in a long while I’m not mixed up. Maybe if I’d done this a little sooner, Ben Cartwright and I would have reached an understanding a long time ago.”

Joe and Amy smiled at each other as they watched Jessup storm away in anger. Luther looked over to them with remorse in his eyes.

“I owe the both of you an apology. I meant what I said to Pete. If I’d done this a long time ago, maybe your father and I wouldn’t have taken such a long time to come to an understanding.”

“It’s alright, Mr. Bishop. As long as it’s all settled now, that’s all that matters.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day came and the time for Adam to pick up Ruth was fast approaching. He’d had the ring in the pocket of his dress coat since he had put it on. The trebling of his hands was obvious even from far away and Ben was the first to notice. He was sitting in his chair when he saw Adam start to pace.

“Adam, son, take it easy! You’re gonna wear out my floor!” he said, getting up and putting a hand on his eldest’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry Pa; I guess I can’t help it. I just wanna do this right! She’s” He paused to take a deep breath. “She’s everything to me and I don’t want to mess this up.”

“Is that why you worked so hard to get a ring that was far too expensive?” Ben asked.

Adam looked at Ben quickly. “You know about that?”

Ben nodded. “Ross Marquette told me. He also told me that you’ve been having trouble with Henry Shoupe lately.”

“Ross and his big mouth are gonna be the death of me!” Adam muttered.

“No, Adam don’t blame him. He was concerned. First I’ll say I’m glad you realized that the expensive ring wasn’t worth it. Second, I’ll say that you know better than to let the likes of Henry Shoupe bother you.”

“Yes I learned my lesson about the ring. I just wanted to give her the best in life and I guess I lost sight of what that really was. As far as Henry Shoupe is concerned, he doesn’t bother me any more than he ever has. It’s just that he knew that I’m in love with Ruth and that’s when he decided that he wanted her.”

Ben nodded his head. “Isn’t that the way it always goes with him? Anyway, I just wanted to talk to you one last time and make sure you are absolutely ready for this big step you plan on taking tonight.”

“I’m ready, Pa. Believe me, I’ve given it a lot of thought and I know now what I want. Thanks for being concerned.” Adam said, slapping his father on the back as he stood up.

“Well then,” Ben could feel his eyes starting to get misty, “I guess you’d best go and pick up that lovely lady for Supper now.”

“I guess I’d better. I’ll be back in a while, Pa.” Adam said, grinning.

When Adam got to the door and was about to go out, Ben stopped him.

“Adam, she’s a fine woman. I’ll be very pleased to have her in this family.”

“Thanks, Pa.”

Adam had only been gone a moment when Hoss and Joe came downstairs all dressed for Supper.

“Adam leave, Pa?” Hoss asked.

“Yes, he just left to pick up Ruth.” Ben said, still looking at the door and smiling.

“Still think he’s gonna go through with it, Pa?” Joe asked.

“Oh yes, he sure will. Now more than ever he sure will.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ruth was ready and waiting for Adam’s arrival, having no idea of his intentions for that evening. She was wearing a green dress Amy had bought her when they first met and her hair was up. She fiddled with her fingers and paced back and forth, almost tripping a few times, seeing as how this was her first time wearing high-heeled shoes.

Adam rode up in the buggy and stopped right outside of the hotel. He stood there for a few minutes and gazed up at her room’s window. He thought to himself yet again that the rest of his life would depend on everything that happened tonight. He took one last deep breath and got out of the buggy. Then, taking his time, he walked into the hotel where Tom Madigan noticed him right away.

“Adam, is that you?” Tom joked.

“Very funny, Tom, very funny. Now if you’re done making jokes about my outfit, is Ruth up in her room?” Adam smiled.

“She sure is. She’s been pacing the floor all evening waiting for you. It’s as though you’re both looking forward to this evening more than usual.” Tom laughed.

“Well I know I am but I don’t know why she’d be.” Adam said to himself.

“What was that?”

“Oh nothing, Tom. I’m gonna head up there and take Ruth to Supper at the Ponderosa now. See ya later.”

With that Adam walked up to her room.

“Ruth, it’s me.” He said after knocking lightly.

“Coming!” She said as she walked hurriedly over to the door, forgetting for that brief moment that she was wearing high-heels.

Not seconds after opening the door, she felt herself swaying forward into Adam’s arms.

“Whoa! Good thing I was able to catch ya! Are you alright?” He chuckled slightly.

Ruth felt her face turning red as Adam helped her stand on her own two feet again.

“I’m so sorry, Adam. I guess I’m not cut out to walk in these shoes.” She said.

“Oh it’s alright, Ruth! It’s just going to take a lot of practice for you to learn to walk in those without falling. For now though, you just hang on to me for support so we can get on over to the Ponderosa. Hop Sing tends to get a little impatient if we aren’t all sitting down for supper when it’s ready.”

The two walked carefully down the hotel steps, Ruth holding on to Adam’s arm to ensure that another accident like the last one didn’t represent itself. As they passed the lobby, Tom could see the glimmer in Adam’s eye and laughed to himself a bit, knowing himself what that felt like.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The other three Cartwrights were waiting anxiously when Adam and Ruth pulled up. They had been looking out the window above Ben’s desk waiting for them to arrive, much to the displeasure of Hop Sing.

“Supper gonna be al dried up! You come eat now! Mista Adam and Missy Ruth get here quick or there gonna be no supper left! Hop Sing go to al trouble cook great meal for Missy Ruth come over and nobody eat on time!” He ranted.

“Alright, take it easy Hop Sing! We’ll be there in a minute!” Ben said.

“Humph!” Hop Sing grunted before disappearing back into the kitchen.

“Pa, when ya reckon they’re gonna get here?” Hoss said, worried.

“Oh they’ll be here, Hoss.”

Just then they saw the buggy drive up.

“It’s them, Pa!” Joe said.

The three stammered over each other to try and get over to the table before they came in. Soon the door opened and Adam led Ruth over to the table.

“Well, good evening, Ruth! We’re so happy to have you for dinner!” Ben greeted, reaching out to hold Ruth’s hand.

“Thank you so much for inviting me, Mr. Cartwright!”

“How are ya, Miss Ruth?” Hoss asked.

“I’m wonderful, Hoss! How are you?” She asked.

“I’m just fine ma’me. Thank ya for askin’.” He blushed.

“I hope my oldest brother here has been treating you well.” Joe winked.

“Oh he’s just wonderful, Joe!”

The four soon sat down to eat. Hop Sing came out and began putting the food on the table.

“It very nice to see you Missy Ruth.” He said.

“It’s very nice to see you, Hop Sing!”

They spent the entire meal talking and laughing. It was the most wonderful time Ruth had even had. Before coming she had been nervous that she would say or do something wrong but once she had arrived, her worries had quickly vanished.

After they had finished their meal, Hop Sing brought out something that Ruth had never seen before in her life; a cake lit on fire.

“Oh my, what is that?”

“This is baked Alaska; something Hop Sing considers one of this specialties.” Adam told her.

“It’s beautiful! I’ve never seen anything like it!”

“Try it, I’ll bet you ain’t never tasted anythin’ like it neither!” Hoss said.

Ruth took a bit of it and realized that what Hoss had said was true. A few minutes later Hop Sing walked over to the table again to check on things.

“Missy Ruth like baked Alaska?” He asked.

“I loved it Hop Sing! It was delicious! Thank you!”

Then, Ben decided it was time to make a suggestion.

“Well, it’s such a lovely night. Adam, why don’t you take Ruth outside and show her some more of the ranch? The moon is nice and full tonight so you should have enough light.”

Adam stood up and held out a hand to Ruth.

“What do you say? Would you take a walk with me in the moonlight?” He smiled

“I would be delighted to.” She told him.

The two walked over to the door and then out to the porch. The other three men quickly took to their post by the window.

“This is it, Pa! He’s gonna ask her!” Hoss said in almost a squeal.

“Shh! I can’t hear!” Joe said.

“Joseph, we can’t hear anything anyway!” Ben said.

“Oh….that’s true.”

“Pa, we’re missin’ it! Why don’t we go outside around the side of the house so we can hear them?” Hoss suggested.

Ben thought about it. “Oh, alright! But only because I wanna hear this as much as you do!”

Then they all went outside quietly and hid behind the side of the house so they could hear.

“It sure is a beautiful night. Look at the moon. I love how the light is split right down the middle” Ruth said.

“You know there’s a saying about that.” Adam said.

“Oh, what is it?”

“The darker side of the moon represents what you have already faced. The lighter side represents your future.”

“Adam, this has been one of the most wonderful nights of my life! Thank you so much for having me over here tonight!” Ruth said.

“Well it’s far from over yet.”

“Oh I don’t know how it could get any better than it is now!”

“I think I do and I hope I’m right. You see, there’s something I want to talk to you about which is one of the reasons I asked you to come here tonight.” He could feel his heart begin to race again and the lump gathering up in his throat.

“There is? I thought you looked like something was on your mind at dinner.” She smiled.

“It was that obvious, huh?”

“Mhmm” She nodded.

“Well then you can tell that it’s really important. It’s probably the most important thing I’ve ever talked to anyone about. I’m rambling aren’t I?”

“If you are, I haven’t noticed it.”

“The trouble is that usually I’m so good with words and suddenly now I can’t seem to chose the right ones.”

“Well the best way to handle that I guess is to just come right out and say it.”

“Alright, I’ll try it your way then.” He grinned.

She smiled and sat still, ready to take in all he was going to say.

“Ruth, from the moment we first met, which happened very unexpectedly I have to say, I’ve seen something in you that I have never seen in anyone else and I’ve felt something for you that I have never felt for anyone else.”

“I know I’ve led a very different life than you have but I’ve never felt this way about anyone else either.” She added.

“Well I’m glad to hear you say that. You don’t know how much. Ruth, in those two weeks we spent together on the Mountain of the Dead, I had feelings I never thought I’d have. On one of those days up there, if you recall, I gave you something. Do you remember what that was?”

She smiled. “What I remember about that day was that you pretended to be asleep and tricked me when I kissed you!” She laughed.

Adam laughed out loud. “What else do you remember?”

Ruth’s face softened. “I remember you gave me your mother’s ring and told me that when a man is bethroved to a woman, he gives her a ring. As long as she wears that ring, they belong to each other.” She said, reminiscing the sweetness of that day.

That’s right. That’s exactly what I said. You remembered that word for word!” He said, surprised.

“Of course I did, it’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

“Well I meant every word of it. Unfortunately, fate tore us apart for some time after that and you left the ring in the bible.”

Ruth sighed at the remembrance of this part.

“That was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I wanted you to have your mother’s ring back since I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”

“Well I still mean for you to have it, but that’s a wedding ring. You will first need an engagement ring. What I mean to say is,” At this point Adam stood up and bent down on one knee holding the ring in his hand, “Ruth Halverson, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Ruth hands went immediately to her mouth in shock. Tears streamed down her face and her color went red. She couldn’t speak for the loss of breath from the shock. Adam held his breath too, fearing for the answer to his life changing question.

Meanwhile, three other hearts hand temporarily stopped beating as the other three Cartwrights held their breath in waiting for Ruth’s answer.

Finally, after a moment of silence, Ruth was able to speak once again, though through unstable breaths.

“Adam Cartwright, I love you more than anything in the world! Yes, I will be your wife!” The words flowed out of her like water streaming from the creek that he had been near when he had first asked her to marry him in that memory that Ruth had recently mentioned.

Adam couldn’t believe his ears at first. He’d been so worried that he wasn’t going to get the answer that he was hoping for now he was getting everything he ever wanted. His first reaction was to slip the ring on her finger and his next was to stand up and lift her off the ground, twirling her before putting her back down again.

The other three men who had been watching the scene in its entiredy rushed to get back into the house before Adam and Ruth spotted them, all the while trying to contain their joy.

Sure enough, Adam and Ruth headed back into the house right away, having given the others just enough time to get back and pretend they had been doing something else.

“Pa, Hoss, Joe!” The three ran to Adam’s call.

“What is it son?”

“Pa, she said yes! She’s going to marry me!” Adam said.

Now, finally, they could all let out their excitement. Joe and Hoss ran to shake Adam’s hand, once again nearly out of the socket. Ben went over and gave Ruth a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Not long after, they switched and the boys went to go congratulate Ruth, leaving Ben to slap his son’s back and rub his shoulders.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next week was one of both excitement and worry for Ruth. She was about to become a wife soon. There were so many things she had to learn. So many that she wasn’t even sure of what they all were.

On that day, she was sitting on the bed in her room thinking, as she had been all that week, when as knock came at the door. She was shaken out of her trance by it and walked over to see who it was. She opened the door to see Amy standing there.

“Hi! I just thought I’d stop over to see you since it’s been a while and-What is that on your finger?!”

Ruth’s first instinct was to look down at her hand, as she had it seemed a million times before, not being used to having the ring on her finger.

“Oh, I’m sorry I meant to tell you! I’ve been in such a fog in the last week. Adam proposed.” She blushed.

“Wait, he did what?! Oh that’s amazing! Congratulations!” Amy pulled Ruth in for a hug.

“Thank you so much! I really am so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner!” Ruth said, feeling guilty that her first friend in Virginia City didn’t even know that she was engaged.

“Oh, no please don’t feel that way! I understand! I don’t know how I’d feel if that had happened to me! No, actually I do know. I’d be so excited I wouldn’t be able to see straight!”

“Yep, that’s pretty much how I feel!” Ruth laughed.

“So have you set a date yet?” Amy asked.

“No, actually we haven’t. From what Adam and Mr. Cartwright tell me, there’s still a lot to be done before we can get married. One thing I do know for sure is that Mr. Cartwright is having a party for us at the Ponderosa two weeks from tomorrow.”

“Well that’s understandable. I guess I should have known that you didn’t have a date set yet. I suppose I was just doing what everyone else usually does when someone gets engaged, asking when the wedding is.”

“You know something Amy; you seem to apologize for an awful lot.” Ruth laughed.

“I know I do. It’s been something I’ve done my whole life. Habits like that are hard to break I guess.” She shrugged.

“I know what you mean. So, speaking of the Cartwrights, how are things with Joe?”

Amy sighed and grinned.

“Everything is fine with me and Joe! Things are even better now with Jessup out of the way!”

“Yes, Adam said something about Jessup being fired.” Ruth remembered.

“It happened about a week ago. My father finally realized that he wasn’t any good and told him to go. I just hope he doesn’t intend to come back.”

“Why, are you afraid he might?” Ruth asked, concerned.

“I don’t know it’s hard to tell with him. Hey, you’re getting married! Let’s talk about something happier!”

Ruth backed off, sensing that Amy wanted her to.

“Well, I do have a bit of a problem.”

“That’s not good! We can’t have you having a problem now! What is it?” Amy said.

“Well as far as Mr. Cartwright’s party is concerned, I don’t know how to dance.” Ruth told her, shamefully.

“That’s not something to be ashamed of! You’ve never been anywhere to learn how! Have you brought that to Adam’s attention?”

“No I haven’t and the reason is that I don’t really want to tell him. I just wish I could learn and surprise him on the night of the party!”

This gave Amy an idea.

“You know, I happen to know someone who knows a lot about dancing and I’m sure he would be glad to teach you!”

“Really? Who is it?” Ruth asked excitedly.

“None other than Mr. Joseph Cartwright.”

“Joe? But how would we pull that off without Adam knowing?”

“Well, couldn’t Joe talk to his father about it and you could use the Great Room of the house while Adam is doing his chores and in town?” Amy suggested.

“Now hang on a minute! How can you be so sure Joe would be willing to do this? You’re talking like he’s already said yes.” Ruth pointed out.

“Oh believe me, he’ll say yes once I ask him. I have a way with him.” She winked.

“And what about his father? What will Mr. Cartwright say?” Ruth asked, again finding something to worry about.

“That’s why we’re going to tell Joe first and then let him talk to his father. I don’t know Mr. Cartwright very well but I’m sure once he knows why he’ll be glad to help us.”

“There’s one other thing” Ruth said, biting her lip.

“What?” Amy asked, wondering what it was she hadn’t covered.

“When do we tell Joe about this that Adam isn’t going to be around?”

“Isn’t it Adam that always says there’s no time like the present? Let’s go into town. I have a feeling Joe might already be around. He said something about going out for supplies today with Hoss.”

The two decided to head into town at that moment to see if they could find Joe. Sure enough, it didn’t take them long to spot the Cartwrights’ buckboard parked in front of the General Store.

“Told you he’d be in town!” Amy smiled.

“Amy, are you absolutely sure he’s not going to feel bombarded if you ask him to do this? I really don’t want to make him uncomfortable!”

“Joe? Never! He’ll be flattered that you asked! Trust me!”

They walked up to the General Store and waited for one of the boys to come out. Soon Joe was in view carrying a bag of grain to the buckboard. He was so busy with the load that he didn’t see the ladies at first. Amy decided to walk into his view when he put the bag down.

“Good morning, kind sir.” She grinned.

“Oh hey there beautiful! What are you doing in town?”

“I had just stopped by to visit Ruth since it’d been so long.” She said, pointing over to where Ruth was standing.

“Oh, good morning Ruth! Sorry I didn’t even see you there at first!” Joe laughed.

“Good morning, Joe!” Ruth smiled.

“What are you up to after you get done here? Would you have some time to maybe go have some lunch with us?” Amy offered.

Joe thought for a moment. “Well I do have to get these supplies back to the ranch but maybe you can go ahead and I can meet you at the restaurant.” He suggested.

“That sounds like a lovely idea.” Amy said.

“Great! Maybe I can rustle up older brother too and he can join us.”

Amy and Ruth looked at each other.

“Actually, sweetheart, we were kind of hoping to talk to you about something that is, well kind of a surprise for Adam and we don’t want him to know anything yet.” Amy explained.

“I see. Well in that case I’ll not say a word to older brother then. You girls go ahead and I’ll meet you there in about half an hour.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Amy and Ruth arrived at the restaurant and were seated right away. Ruth played with her napkin nervously.

“Are you still worried about asking that favor of Joe?” Amy suspected.

“I just don’t want to put him in a situation where he can’t say no because I’m sitting right in front of him.” Ruth said.

“I honestly don’t think he will want to say no! Joe’s the kind of person who would do anything for anyone. All of the Cartwrights are.”

“Well I agree with that. I just don’t want him to think it’s a strange request.”

“I’ll be sure and tell him it was all my idea. That way, he’ll know that even if it’s a little strange, it wasn’t your strange thinking.” Amy winked.

Suddenly, someone who had been listening to their conversation from afar walked up to their table.

“Well, good morning ladies.”

“Good morning, Henry, what can we do for you?” Ruth said.

Being that Henry Shoupe believed firmly that he had a right to everything he had a mind to take; he felt it appropriate to seat himself in the open chair between the girls.

“There’s a rumor going around town that Adam Cartwright proposed to you, Ruth.” He began.

“It’s no rumor, Henry, its true. Adam asked me to marry him and I accepted.” Ruth told him, showing him the ring on her finger.

“That’s a shame.” Was all he replied with.

“And just why is it as shame, Mr. Shoupe?” Amy asked.

“Well it’s just that she didn’t really have much time to get to know anyone else in our fair town before deciding that she was going to be married to that one.”

“Henry I will be honest with you. When I came to Virginia City in the first place, I had every intention of being with Adam and no one else. I hadn’t any mind to go looking for what else this town had to offer in terms of other gentlemen.”

“You can’t really be blamed for that. You’ve not been around, well, civilization since you were very young so you felt like you had to commit yourself to one person without really getting to know your options.

“I beg your pardon, sir but are you suggesting that Ruth’s not smart enough to make up her own mind?” Amy angrily interjected.

“That isn’t what I’m saying at all, Miss Bishop. I’m merely suggesting that she should have been made aware that she didn’t have to marry him just because she’s known him longer than the rest of us.”

“I really don’t think that’s what she was thinking when she agreed to marry my brother. Ruth’s a smart enough young lady to know what she wants. Besides that, my brother has never made her feel like she didn’t have any other choice. Now, if you will excuse us.” Came Joe’s voice. He was standing directly behind the chair that was supposed to be reserved for him.

“Oh Joseph, I didn’t see you there.” Henry said, clearing his throat.

“I’m sure you didn’t. You were too busy taking up these ladies’ time.” Joe grinned, sarcastically.

“Well ladies, it was very nice talking with you. I will leave now and let you get to your lunch.” Henry said, slowly rising from the seat and walking away.

Joe watched him walk away like the head of a pride of the lions watching the enemy. Once he was out of sight, Joe turned back around as if nothing had happened.

“I hope he didn’t bother you too much. I’m sorry I didn’t get here sooner.”

“That’s alright, Joe. He doesn’t bother us that much. Still, thank you for getting rid of him.” Ruth said.

“It was my pleasure! So, what was it you wanted to surprise Adam with?”

“Well, you know how your father is going to have that party for Ruth and Adam right?” Amy asked.

“Yeah, I think he said it’s going to be in two weeks.”

“Yes, that’s right. That’s kind of where you would come in.” Amy said.

“Where I come in?” Joe repeated before taking a bit of food.

Ruth felt her face starting to flush, still shy about how to ask this favor. She felt that it was her responsibility to ask because it would be for her.

“Well, Joe, you see at this party there’s going to be dancing and,” She once again hung her head in shame, “I don’t know how to dance. I’m sure Adam already knows that but he’s just not thinking and I just don’t feel right telling him.”

Amy then picked up where Ruth left off.

“It was my idea, Joe. I know you have some experience and I thought you might be able to teach her.” Amy explained.

Joe stopped eating for a moment, taking in what he had just been told. As Ruth had suspected, it did take him by surprise but Amy also had some things she had been right about too.

“You want me to teach her?” He said, looking directly at Amy.

“Now Joe if you’d rather not I will understand! You don’t have to! It was just an idea that Amy had.” Ruth said.

“Well I never said I wouldn’t. I just wanted to make sure I got it right.”

“Then you’ll do it?” Amy asked.

Joe thought about it again. He was starting to feel a sense of pride that they had even thought about him when trying to find someone to teach her.

“Well, I’m not sure if I’m the best person for the job but I’ll certainly do my best! Besides, how could I resist the request of the two most beautiful girls in the world?” He grinned.

Although she had seemed to be nonchalant about whether or not Joe would do this, upon hearing that he agreed to do it, Ruth couldn’t control her face turning quickly into a grin.

“Thank you Joe!” She said, letting go of a deep breath.”

“Alright,” He laughed, “Adam heads out for his chores right after breakfast. That’s when I’ll come for you. In the meantime, I’ll go home and talk to Pa tonight about it.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That night, Joe spoke to his father and Ben Cartwright thought it was a splendid idea for Joe to teach Ruth to dance before the party and that he would help in any way he could to keep Adam at bay until the time came to reveal the surprise.

The morning came for the two to start their lessons and Ben made sure to send Adam out very early that day. In the meantime, Joe got up extra early to go to town and pick up Ruth. When he arrived at the hotel, he had a noticeable bounce in his step, still feeling that sense of pride in his new duty. He walked in to find an already prepared Ruth waiting in the lobby. As they walked out, it became evident that what the two hadn’t noticed was Henry Shoupe lurking close by, hearing every word, as he had when he was assumed to have left the restaurant the day before.

“Hmm…teaching her to dance huh? Perfect.” He said to himself in an evil chuckle.

Soon Joe and Ruth arrived at the Ponderosa. Joe had already re-arranged the furniture to give them room before he had left so the floor of the Great Room was more spacious than usual.

“Wow, you really cleared this room out, Joe! Did you do this all by yourself?” Ruth asked, in awe.

“I wish I could say I got some help from my bigger, and much stronger, brother Hoss but I’m afraid this cause was just too delicate to risk his loose jaw knowing about it but I admit, Pa did help…a little.” He joked. “Well, shall we get started?”

Ruth nodded and giggled slightly. Joe took her hand and led her over to the stair case.

“Alright, we’ll start with you walking up to the top and meeting me here at the bottom, um, just for reference.” He winked.

“Alright.” Ruth complied before slowly, and carefully walking to the top of the stairs. Once at the top, she turned around and started toward the bottom again where Joe was waiting with one hand on the railing and the other extended ready to take hers. She arrived at the bottom and put her hand in his. He led her down the last stair and walked her to the middle of the floor.

Though she tried not to, she began feeling herself starting to trip a few times before even getting to the floor. Joe noticed this too and commented on it.

“Take it easy. Walk with confidence, slowly. Don’t expect to be perfect on the first try. If you could do that then we wouldn’t be here.” He smiled when he was done advising her so that she knew he wasn’t trying to be strict.

Ruth took another deep breath, closing her eyes while doing so, and then nodded to signal him that she was ready to try again. He then began to lead her across the floor in what was meant to be a glide but turned out to be a go-stop motion.

Meanwhile, there was someone outside cracking the door open and watching the lesson. A wide grin crossed Ben Cartwright’s face as he watched Joe being the teacher to an obviously nervous pupil.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The practices continued most every day until the day finally came for them to pay off at last. That evening most of Virginia City would be coming out to the Ponderosa to attend; the much anticipated engagement party for Adam and Ruth. Although the lessons had done Ruth good and she had continued to improve up to the end, she still wasn’t quite convinced that she was ready.

“Do you really think I’m ready, Joe?” She asked him that morning, as their last lesson came to a close.

“I’m sure of it! You’ve come a long way since we started!

“Alright, I suppose if you think so then I must be. I know I’ve said it a million times already but thank you so much for doing this for me, Joe!”

“You’re right you have said it a million times and I always give you the same reply. There are no thanks needed! I’m glad I was able to help! Now, let’s get you back to the hotel so that you can be ready later tonight when Adam comes for you and I can be ready to pick up my favorite girl!” He winked.

Later that night, Adam had arrived at the hotel early. Waiting for him in the lobby was Henry Shoupe. He kept out of sight at first; just long enough for Adam to be heading up the stairs before he spoke.

“My aren’t we looking spry this evening. What’s the occasion? Oh, that’s right, I totally forgot it’s your engagement party out at the Ponderosa tonight isn’t it? You’ll have to forgive me; I tend to forget about events that I am not invited to.”

“You’re forgiven, Henry, because frankly I don’t worry about you remembering those important events in my life because you might decided you want to show up to them if you do.” Adam snapped.

“You seem to be quite backwards in your hazed state.” Henry replied.

“Not that I really have the time to hear your convoluted ideas, but what is that supposed to mean?”

“You mean you don’t know?”

Adam felt the involuntary response of his eyes rolling at that moment. “Know what, Henry?”

“My, my you really are a fool. Well, although if there’s one thing I can’t stand its ignorance, I’ll be generous and fill you in on the events going on before your very eyes between your brother and Ruth.”

“My brother and Ruth?! Shoupe, you’re the one who’s blind obviously! There is nothing going on between either one of my brothers and Ruth!”

“Aren’t you even the least bit curious as to which brother I’m speaking of?”

“No, not really but I know you’re going to tell me anyway so just make it quick because I don’t want to be late to my own engagement party although I’m certain you would just bask in the glory of that one!”

“Haven’t you noticed even the least little bit of how much time Ruth and Little Joe have been spending together?”

“For one thing, Joe has a lady in his life already and a lovely one I might add. For another, my entire family has been spending a lot of time with Ruth lately as it should be seeing as how they are going to be her family once we’re married.”

“Being a family is one thing. Being overly protective of someone else’s girl is another story.”

“Being over protective? What do you mean?”

“Didn’t one of them tell you? About a week ago Ruth and that Amy girl Joe’s seeing were having lunch and I was being a gentleman and stopped over to say hello. You’re brother walked in and asked me to leave. Then he sat down with them as if they had been expecting him. Now don’t you wonder why you weren’t invited to that?”

“Shoupe, I don’t have to be at every single place Ruth is at the same time she’s there at least not until we’re married and if she wants to have lunch with Amy, I’m glad she’s got a friend in her. If Joe wants to join them, that’s nice for him too! Now if you will excuse me.” Adam proceeded to walk away again until Henry thought of his perfectly executed next angle.

“Then I suppose you think it’s alright that Little Joe has been dancing with your fiancée?”

Adam turned around once again.

“Alright, now what are you talking about?”

“I heard them talking at that same luncheon about him teaching her to dance. It was that Amy’s idea but the two of them didn’t seem to mind being that close that often. Do you know they’ve been practicing out at the Ponderosa every morning right under your nose and sneaking away when you come in after you finish outside?”

Before Adam got a chance to reply, Ruth called out to him. She then came down the stairs to greet him.

“Good evening, darling.” She said.

“Hello, sweetheart! You look lovely. Ah, shall we go?” He said, giving Henry a brief stare before the latter part.

Adam chose not to mention any of what he thought were Henry Shoupe’s radical hallucinations to Ruth. He didn’t allow himself to be dragged into the fantasy of what Henry was trying to convince him. He decided that he wanted to have a beautiful evening with the love of his life in the celebration of their upcoming marriage.

Meanwhile, Joe arrived at the Concho just as early to pick up Amy to help him enjoy the ‘fruit of his labor’ and see just how well the lessons had paid off.

“Good evening, sir! I’m here to pick up Amy for my brother’s engagement party.” He said when Luther answered the door.

“She’s almost ready, son. Would you like to have a drink while we wait?” Luther offered.

“Thank you, sir. Amy tells me that you had a meeting in Carson City to leave for tonight.” Joe said, making conversation as Luther poured them both a small glass of brandy.

“I did, but I’m afraid those plans fell through at the last moment.”

“In that case, why don’t you come to the engagement party with us?” Joe offered.

“I don’t know, Joseph. I appreciate the kind offer, but I haven’t seen your father since we were still on stressed terms and I’m not sure if this is the right place to meet him now.”

“Mr. Bishop, you and my father are on much better terms now and I’m sure they’d all love to see you! Adam and Ruth would be happy that you came too!”

“Well, I did have a little something for them that I was going to send with the two of you tonight. I suppose I could give it to them myself. Just give me a moment to get changed!” He said, excitedly.

He passed Amy coming down the stairs as he went up.

“Looks like I’ll be joining you tonight!”

“Oh, Pa that’s wonderful! I’m so glad you decided to come!” Amy beamed.

“Thank Joe! He’s the one who talked me into it!”

Amy grinned at the obvious interaction between the two men that mattered most to her in the world. She thought briefly back to the day when she thought she’d never see this moment. She quickly wiped a small tear away from her eye before Joe saw it.

“You look beautiful, sweetheart.” Joe said, quickly moving to kiss Amy’s cheek.

“Thank you and you look quite handsome! Joe, how did you do it? How did you ever convince him to come?”

“It actually didn’t take much convincing. He seemed like he wanted somewhere to go tonight so I decided to mention about those other plans he had and that’s when he told me they fell through.” Joe explained.

“He would have never admitted either, Joe, if you hadn’t brought it up. He doesn’t like to feel like he’s, well, in the way of anyone’s plans.”

“In that case, I’m glad I brought it up.” Joe smiled.

At that same moment, Luther was heard coming down the stairs.

“Well Mr. Bishop, if you don’t mind my saying so, you look very nice.” Joe said.

“I agree! Pa, is that your best suit?” Amy asked.

Luther instinctively looked down. “As a matter of fact, I believe it is. Well I have to look presentable to go to this special occasion.” He beamed.

“That you do, sir.” Joe slapped him on the back.

“Well we’d best get there so we can add timeliness to proper dress attire.” Amy said.

“Yes, ma’me!” Joe replied to Amy, winking at Luther.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Adam and Ruth arrived first and before anyone else. Ruth grinned right away at how decorated and beautiful the ranch house looked. Adam parked close to the house then quickly got out of the buggy and went over to help her out.

“Well, here we are. Are you ready?” He asked her, smiling.

“Oh I am very ready! I’ve been looking forward to this evening for some time,” She paused, “And I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise huh? Well, how long am I gonna have to wait to get that?” He winked.

“You are so impatient, Mr. Cartwright. Don’t worry; you’ll have it before the evening is over.” She teased.

“This party could last half the night, I’m not sure I can wait that long.” He play pouted.

“Well, you won’t have to wait that long but if we don’t get in there you’ll have to wait a lot longer.” She winked

Adam’s expression admitted temporary defeat and the two walked in. Ben was putting the finishing touches on the Great Room and Hoss was overseeing Hop Sing’s preparation of the food.

“Hope we aren’t too early.” Adam said, announcing their arrival.

“Oh, there’s the lovely couple! No, no you’re not too early at all! We’re just…about…finished…there!” Ben said, hanging the very last decoration up above the mantle.

“Everything looks just wonderful, Mr. Cartwright!” Ruth declared.

“I’m so glad you think so, Ruth! We wanted to make this evening just perfect for you and Adam!”

“Ah, where’s the band, Pa?” Adam asked, concern slightly evident in his voice.

“Oh they’ll be here, son. You two are pretty early you know.”

Just as he said this, the sound of horses could be heard outside.

“I bet that’s them now!” Hoss, would you get that please?” Ben requested, seeing that Hoss had just appeared from the kitchen.

“Sure thing Pa.” Hoss complied as he walked over to the door. He opened it to reveal that the band had in fact arrived and that Joe, Amy, and Luther were coming in shortly behind.

Hoss’ gaze went from the band to Joe’s arrival relatively quickly and he soon noticed that Luther was with them. He hurried back into the house and walked up to his father, feeling that it would only be fair to warn him before he saw Luther for himself.

“Hey Pa, can I talk to ya a minute?”

“What’s the matter? Is there something wrong with the band? They are still prepared to perform here tonight, correct?” Ben panicked.

“It ain’t that pa it’s actually somethin’ else you should know about. Really it’s someone else Pa.” Hoss stammered.

“Well spit it out boy!”

“Pa, Little Joe’s here with Amy…and Luther.”

Ben’s attention immediately turned all focus on Hoss’ words at that point.

“Oh, yes I remember Joe told me he had invited Luther some time ago but I thought he said Luther had other plans and wasn’t going to make it.”

“Well Pa I reckon things must have changed ‘cause here he is.”

“Yes, here he is. Eh, Hoss I’m going to talk to the band and help them set up.” Ben said, temporarily escaping the moment.

Hoss just shook his head and walked over to help Hop Sing put the rest of the dishes on the banquet table.

Meanwhile, Adam and Ruth walked over to the door to greet their first guests.

“Hello, Amy,” Adam said holding Amy’s hand in his briefly. “Oh, Luther we’re so glad you could make it.”

“Hello Adam, Ruth. Thank you for your invitation! I’m sure Joseph told you before that I wasn’t going to be able to make it but my plans ended up changing at the last moment and you’re brother was kind enough to let me know that the invitation still stood so here I am.”

“Well in this case we are both very happy that you’re plans did change!” Ruth said.

“Thank you so am I! This party looks wonderful! You’re father and brothers did a fine job on the decorations, Adam!”

“Yes they certainly did and wait till you get a taste of that food! Hop Sing’s been workin’ on it all day long!”

“Yeah, the reason he had to work so hard was because brother Hoss just couldn’t seem to keep from ‘testing’ all of it before it was done.” Joe teased.

“It’s a dang good thing I did, little brother, or else Hop Sing’s cookin’ wouldn’t have been as perfect as it is so you’ll be thankin’ me pretty soon!” Hoss said as he had been walking past the group when Joe had made his remark.

The five others laughed. Suddenly Ben appeared around the corner and walked up to them.

“Well, Amy don’t you look lovely this evening! Luther, I’m glad to see that you were able to make it tonight.”

“Hello, Mr. Cartwright. Thank you!” Amy said.

“Hello Ben, thank you we’re glad to be here.” Luther said cautiously.

Joe and Amy instinctively held their breath while this greeting was taking place.

“I can honestly say Luther that I am glad that your plans changed and you came to my son’s party,” He paused. “Maybe some time soon we could sit down at have a talk just the two of use about the future of our children.” Ben smiled.

“I would like that very much.” Luther said, returning Ben’s warm grin.

Joe and Amy let out a gust of air in a simultaneous sigh of relief seeing that all seemed to be going well.

The evening progressed smoothly as everyone talked, laughed, and ate good food. Finally the moment was upon them that the dancing would begin. As the band began to play, Ruth took one last nervous glance at Joe who, in return, shot her a confident wink. Ruth then took a deep breath and looked at Adam who seemed to be about to ask the question she had been preparing for.

“Would you consider giving me the honor of this dance?” Adam smiled as he approached her.

“I would be happy to, sir.” She said timidly before gently placing one hand into his and the other on his shoulder as Joe had taught her.

Ruth’s anxiety seemed to melt away unexpectedly the moment they started to glide across the floor and all at once she realized that Joe had ben right all along and she was ready for this moment. Adam in his own way could sense it too that what he had been told by Henry Shoupe must have been the truth, though he didn’t really care, at least not in the way he was sure Shoupe had hoped he would.

The two danced with no one but each other for the entire evening. There were other couples on the floor but they seemed to do more watching than dancing; in awe of how beautiful the two of them looked, how happy.

“Would ya look at that, Pa? Where ya reckon Ruth learned to dance that good?” Hoss asked.

“Oh I think the answer would surprise you.” Ben said.

“Ay?” Hoss asked.

“Oh what he means to say, bigger brother is all of that beautiful dancin’ she’s doin’, I taught her.”

“You what?” Hoss asked Joe in disbelief.

“Oh don’t sell your younger brother short, Hoss. He’s telling the truth. He has been practicing with her every day for weeks in preparation for this party.” Ben said.

Hoss looked on in amazement at what he was hearing. “I just don’t believe it.” He said in almost a whisper.

“That’s right, it was all me. Oh eh, close your mouth, Hoss or you’ll catch flies.” Joe grinned before slowly and with a satisfied look across his face walked over toward Amy to ask her for another dance.

Ben took that as a cue that it was safe to leave the conversation and finally get to have one with his future daughter in law, who had taken a break from dancing with Adam.

“Excuse me, might I have a dance with the lovely lady?” He beamed.

“Well I don’t know, is it customary for the future groom to let his intended out of his sight? Sure Pa, go ahead.” Adam smiled.

Ben and Ruth proceeded to dance but when her long dancing streak with Adam had all but tired her out, Ruth asked Ben if they could step outside to get some fresh air and take a break.

“Oh Mr. Cartwright, I don’t think I could dance another step. Joe toughed me to dance well, just not how to dance long.” She said.

“Well now I don’t think even he knows the secret to that one! Let’s step outside, shall we? Oh, and it’s Ben! No more of this Mr. Cartwright stuff!”

Ben took Ruth’s hand and let her outside to the bench on the porch where they sat.

“It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it Mr.-I mean Ben. I’m sorry, I just can’t get used to that yet!”Ruth said.

“Don’t worry, dear, I have a feeling you are going to have the rest of your life to get used to calling me Ben!” He winked.

“Oh I hope so! That reminds me, since I finally have the chance to talk with you, I was wondering if I could ask you a favor.”

“Anything for my future daughter-in- law, just name it!”

“Well you know I don’t have my father around and from what I understand a girl usually is given away at her wedding by her father. What I’m trying to say is that I would be so honored if you would give me away at the wedding.”

Ben’s cheeks turned a rosy red as the pride built up inside him. “Ruth, nothing in this world would give me a greater honor!” He said.

“I’m so glad! I was so hoping you would! I told Adam I was going to ask you and he said that you would be thrilled to do it.”

“He certainly was right about that!”

Just then, Adam walked over to where they were sitting.

“Ah I thought I might find you two out here!”

“It’s really my fault, I was so tired from dancing with you all evening that I couldn’t bring myself to go any further. On the bright side though, it did give me a chance to speak with your father.”

“Oh, I see! And what was the answer he gave you?”

“Well as I hear you suspected I would, I told her nothing would be a greater privilege for me!”

“Good to see that I was right in my assumptions.” Adam winked.

“And I do believe I am right in mine and mine are that the two of you would like to have this time alone so I’m going to go back in the house and see how the party is coming alone without us.” Ben said, kissing Ruth’s cheek as he rose up and walked back toward the house.

After watching Ben walk into the house, he looked back to Ruth.

“I must say young lady that was some show you put on in there! Wherever did you learn to dance like that?”He inquired, pretending still not to know.

“That was the surprise I told you about! Joe has been teaching me to do that for two weeks now so that I would be able to do it tonight! I hope you weren’t disappointed.”

“Disappointed? Of course not! I have to admit I’m a little surprised though. I had no idea my younger brother had such a talent.” Adam chuckled.

“Neither did I but I was talking to Amy one day about how I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to function properly tonight and that’s when she suggested it.” Ruth explained.

“I had a feeling that little organizer had something to do with it.” Adam winked.

“You seem to know Amy almost as well as Joe does.”

“Well I ought to. I’ve known her since she was oh I’d say about two years old. She’s quite a young lady.”

“That she certainly is! I think she’s the best friend I have ever had even in the short time I’ve known her. Oh I know I never really had a chance to have other friends before but even so, she’s the best friend I could have.”

“I agree, and that’s why I’m so glad the two of you met, seeing as how you both will be in this family some day.”

“You got that impression too, huh?” Ruth grinned.

“Oh yes, I can see that Joseph is quite serious about this one. Just as serious as I am about as certain someone else.” Adam leaned in to kiss Ruth after finishing that sentence.

“Oh? And um who would that be?” Ruth played.

“Oh you’re funny. You’re very funny.” Adam teased.

For a moment Ruth just stood there gazing into Adam’s bright hazel eyes until finally the moment got the better of her and she leaned in for yet another prolonged kiss.

“Oh I love you woman!” Adam finally said after the kiss had ended.

“You mean everything to me and I -I just want to be able to show you that.” Ruth’s tone went downward towards the end.

Adam lifted her chin up to look him in the eye.

“Why wouldn’t you be able to show me that? I think you’ve already shown me more than is necessary. Not that I’m complaining of course.” He winked.

Ruth rose, turned and started to walk in the other direction away from Adam.

“I just want so desperately to be good enough! I want to be what you see in me. I guess that’s what it all comes down to.”

Adam walked toward her and turned her around gently. With a slightly confused expression, he spoke.

“What in the world are you talkin’ about? You ‘are’ what I see in you or I wouldn’t see it don’t ya think?”

“Oh I’m not saying that you have poor judgment or anything. I just want to be a good wife that’s all.”

“Well let’s make you my wife then we’ll worry about it, alright?” He said, lightheartedly.

“Do you really think I can do it? I mean I’ve never been anyone’s wife before.”

“Ya know somethin’? I’ve never been anybody’s husband before. What a coincidence!  You’ll be fine, sweetheart. We’ll take it day to day and learn as we go.” He told her.

“I love you, ya know that?” Ruth said with a smile and a small tear in her eye.

“I was just hoping you’d say that.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following weeks seemed to fly past and the boys all pitched in to help Adam work on his and Ruth’s new home until it was finally finished. The night before the wedding approached and caught everyone involved by surprised. It was finally starting to sink in that it was Adam’s last night living in Ben’s house, the house he had lived in since he was twelve years old, forever. That reality seemed to affect each of the Cartwright men in different ways. Ben spent that afternoon looking at pictures and occasionally sneaking into Adam’s almost packed room when he wasn’t being noticed. Joe offered to do ‘most’ of Adam’s chores for him to give him extra time to pack but Adam wouldn’t hear of it. Hoss, being the more outright one of the group with his feelings, decided it best to come out and tell Adam how he felt in his own, simple, Hoss-like terms.

“I reckon you’re almost done, huh Adam?” He began.

“Yep, just about finished and got all my things ready to take to the new house.” Adam replied.

Hoss paused briefly before saying anything else, during which time he looked down at the floor at his foot kicking back and forth. Although Adam’s back was turned, he could still hear the sound it Hoss’ foot was making.

“Something you wanna say, bigger brother?”

“Yeah, Adam, I reckon there is. I just don’t rightly know how to say it.”

“Oh c’mon, Hoss when have you not known how to say somethin’? Just come right out with it.”

“Well dadburnit, it’s just that I ain’t used to one of us packing and movin’ out. I reckon I just don’t know how to get used to it, how to say goodbye.”

“Then I’d say it’s a good thing you aren’t gonna have to.” Adam smiled, still not facing Hoss.

“Ay?”

At that point, Adam turned around to face Hoss and looked him in the eye.

“Hoss, I’m gonna be living not five miles from this house! It’s not like I’m goin’ back to Boston!”

“Well yeah but it ain’t gonna be the same with ya not livin’ here in this house anymore! What I’m tryin’ to say is…I’ll miss ya. ”

Adam lowered his voice. “I’ll miss you too, Hoss.”

Meanwhile downstairs Ben was still sitting at his desk looking and old pictures when Joe came in the door.

“Hey Pa, what ya up to?”

“Oh nothing son; I’m just cleaning out this old desk of mine. It’s needed it for some time now.”

Joe looked over and saw the pictures and a grin crossed his face.

“Yeah, that old desk sure needed cleaning. You’re gonna miss him, aren’t ya Pa?”

Ben smiled solemnly, knowing that Joe knew better than to have believed his lie.

“Oh Joseph, I just can’t get used to it. Once in a while tonight I’ve been looking at his room and it just doesn’t look right being so empty. The funny thing is that I always knew he’d leave, was as always afraid of it, but I was never prepared for the day it would happen. I suppose I should be happy that he’s getting married to a wonderful woman and is going to still be living on the Ponderosa and not going off to some foreign land.”

“Ya know Pa its funny. I’ve been thinking for a while today about all the times when I was younger that I wished Adam would go away and now that he is it’s just really starting to hit me. We haven’t always gotten along but in the end we always seem to find a way to understand each other. There’d be times I wouldn’t mean to tell anybody about my problems and somehow he’d just drag them outta me. He’d always know what to say; even when it was something I didn’t wanna hear. Yeah it sure is gonna be strange not being able to knock at his door in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep.”

Ben sat back and smiled. He always knew Joe felt that way but he had never heard Joe say it until then. He gently reached over and put his hand on top of Joe’s.

“Joseph, I never thought I’d hear you say these things.”

“Yeah Pa, I never thought you would either.” Joe laughed.

Suddenly Hop Sing appeared and announced that it was time to eat; the last supper they would all have together living under the same roof.

“Joe, why don’t you go upstairs and tell Adam and Hoss that it’s time to eat?” Ben requested.

“Yes sir.” Joe complied just before heading up the stairs to Adam’s soon to be former room.

“It’s time to eat.” He said after sticking his head in the doorway.

“It’s about time, I’m starvin’!” Adam joked as he playfully slapped Hoss on the back and headed down the hall.

Joe and Hoss looked at each other but waited until Adam was most likely down stairs before speaking.

“He looks like he’s almost ready to go.” Joe observed.

“Yeah he is. I’ve been helpin’ him finish up. How’s Pa takin’ it?”

“He’s kinda down. It appears he’s been looking at pictures all day and he told me he’s been passing Adam’s room now and then all day. It’s gonna take a lot of getting used to for him I think.” Joe explained.

“I reckon it’s gonna take a lot of getting used to for all of us.” Hoss said.

“Boys, are you coming down to eat?” Ben shouted from the bottom of the stairs.

“Comin’ Pa!” Hoss shouted back. “We’d better get down there.”

Soon the four of them were seated at the table in the same manner which they had been doing for years. Hop Sing, of course, made a special meal for the bitter-sweet occasion. At first, the conversation was limited. Adam noticed this right away and thought he might know why.

“Oh now come on, gentlemen, this is my last night eating supper as a member of this household. I would think there’d be more active conversation to commemorate the occasion.”

“I reckon it’s like I said before, Adam. We just don’t know how to say goodbye.” Hoss finally spoke up.

“I think Hoss is right, son. I’ve been stumbling over the idea myself here lately.” Ben admitted.

“Well as I told him before, it’s not like I’m moving to Boston!” Adam said, trying to laugh off his own feelings.

“I know son, but it’s still going to be a difficult adjustment.” Ben said.

“Here’s an idea, how about instead of grieving over it, we celebrate?” Joe suggested, holding a twenty-year-old bottle of wine.

“Now that’s the best idea I’ve heard all evening!” Adam grinned.

Joe then went around the table filling each one of their glasses and then sat back down to fill his own. Finally, Ben raised his glass.

“Adam, I wanna drink a toast to ya! To you and the future Mrs. Cartwright! You are going to be the luckiest man in all Nevada!”

“That’s right! Congratulations, Adam.” Hoss added.

She’s way too good for ya!”Joe chimed in at last.

“Ah let me guess, it’s because you now think you taught her everything she knows, right?” Adam smirked.

“I have to give her some credit though; she’s a very good pupil.” Joe said

Four wine glasses clanked together as the Cartwrights toasted Adam and Ruth’s future.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The warm sunlight awoke Ruth the next morning as it pierced through the window of her hotel room and gently caressed her face. She slowly opened her eyes and blinked a couple of times before realizing what was going on. Then she rolled over in her bed and sat up before stretching.

“Today’s the day already. I don’t believe it.” She said to herself.

Ruth got dressed and headed downstairs where Tom had something on his desk waiting for her.

“Good morning to the future Mrs. Cartwright. Did you sleep well?” Tom asked.

“Once I finally was able to fall asleep, yes I did!”

“Well it just so happens I have something for you. Adam was here this morning bright and early and left it for me to give to you. He figured that he shouldn’t give it to you himself because of that old saying about not seeing the bride on the wedding day before the wedding.” Tom winked.

“Since when does Adam believe in those things? Oh well, either way I’m glad he didn’t want to see me before the wedding, just in case.” Ruth smiled.

Then Tom handed her a tiger lily with a small card attached to it. The card read:

For my beautiful bride,

I now more than ever am counting the hours until we are man and wife. I love you more every day and I can’t wait to start our new life together. All my love forever, Adam

Just as Ruth finished reading the note, Amy walked into the hotel lobby.

“Good morning, blushing, beautiful bride! Oh, I guess I don’t have to ask where that came from?” She grinned.

“No, I guess you don’t. My, when you say you’re going to be here first thing in the morning you really come first thing in the morning.” Ruth said.

“I wouldn’t be doing my job as your maid of honor correctly if I wasn’t right on time! At least I think that’s part of my job. I’ve never been anyone’s maid of honor before.”

“Don’t worry; I’ve never been anyone’s bride before so I think we’ll figure everything out together!”

“One thing I do know is that the wedding is at noon so we should be at the Ponderosa by ten thirty and as soon as we get there we will head right on upstairs to continue getting ready without Adam seeing you in your wedding dress before it’s time. Speaking of your wedding dress, I know I was supposed to pick it up at the dress makers and I can still do that but I wanted to show you something first. ”

Ruth perked up upon hearing this. “What is it?”

Amy walked Ruth out the door to her buggy which has a something lying across the back of it.

“I wanted this to be a surprise. I made this for you, oh but if you’d still rather we use the one you wanted from the dress shop I will completely understand!”

Ruth stopped Amy’s words in their tracks when she saw the dress she had made. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

“Amy I….” She felt her eyes fill up with tears and a large lump gather in her throat.

“I knew your sizes because I was the one helping you pick out clothes when you first came to town so I didn’t have to ask any questions. I so hope you like it!”

“Like it? Amy, I more than like it! You mean you spent all this time making me a wedding dress all by yourself?”

“Well yes, you see I’ve always loved making things like that and I’ve always wanted to make a wedding dress and since your wedding day came before mine I wanted to make this for you. Ruth, you’re the best friend I’ve ever had. No other woman or girl has ever given me the time to really be my friend before you and I wanted to show you how much that means to me.”

Ruth had no words in that moment. She simply reached out and hugged Amy tightly and spoke in an emotional whisper. “I would be proud to wear it!”

The two then headed over to Amy’s buggy and went back to the Ponderosa. Meanwhile, Ben and Hoss were in the house transforming the Great Room into the perfect scene for the most magical wedding that had ever taken place in Virginia City. Joe and Adam were in town taking care of some last minute pre-wedding details if only to make sure the future bride and groom did not meet prematurely.

“All done with a half hour to spare. I must say I’m pretty good at keeping time.” Joe boasted.

“Sure you are, when it’s not you that has to keep a date.” Adam joked nervously.

“Do I detect a hit of nerves in that voice of yours?”

“Nerves, who me, of course not! It’s just a little chilly out here, that’s all.”

“Adam, it’s June in Nevada; the last thing it would be is chilly!”

“Alright, maybe I am a little nervous.” Adam finally admitted.

“Oh just a little?” Joe teased.

“Alright so I’m a lot nervous, happy yet? You just wait till your time comes boy and you’ll know exactly how I feel!”

“Oh I know I will. I just wanted to hear you admit it.”

“Now that you have, let’s get back home before I’m late to my own wedding!”

It was a calm peaceful ride back to the ranch for the boys; until they walked into the house that is. Downstairs, Ben and Hoss were running ragged trying to put the finishing touches on the Great Room while Ruth and Amy were upstairs getting ready for the main event.

After several minutes of trying, Adam was finally able to flag Ben down to talk to him.

“Pa, are they here yet?” He asked nervously.

“Heavens no! The last thing we want is for the guests to get here now!” Be replied, not thinking straight.

“No, no I mean Ruth and Amy!” Adam clarified.

“Oh yes they’re here! They are upstairs getting ready now. They have the west side rooms so you go ahead and get changed in the east.”

“Well aren’t you and Hoss gonna get changed too and where’s Ross? He shoulda been here hours ago!”

Just then Ross and his wife Delphine came rushing up to them. Without wasting any more time, Ben directed Ross one way and Del to another. Soon Joe walked over and hurried Adam upstairs with them.

“Alright, bridegroom, let’s get you changed so that you can get married already!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Amy are you sure I’m going to look alright?” Ruth said in a bit of a frenzy herself.

“Of course you are now hold still. I’ve almost got this dress zipped and-there we go! Now turn around and let me see!”

Ruth slowly turned to face Amy. Amy’s eyes widened to show a small tear forming in the right one.

“Oh, you look absolutely beautiful!”

“Really?”

“Ruth, I have never in my life seen a prettier bride!” Amy reassured.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

“Ladies it’s Delphine. I’m sorry I’m late.”

Amy got up and opened the door for her.

“That’s alright, we’re almost ready.”

“Oh Ruth, you look wonderful! Amy you did such an amazing job on that dress!”

“Thank you!” Ruth said.

“Well since you’re both changed, I’d best be getting changed myself. The wedding is probably going to start soon.” Delphine said.

These words sent a nervous shiver down Ruth’s spine which was practically visible to anyone who happened to be looking at her. Amy was that someone. She put her hand on Ruth’s back in support and whispered to her.

“You will be just fine. The day has finally come for all your dreams to come true!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Now Adam, hold still and stop shaking! Let me just fix this tie a little bit!” Joe lectured.

“I’m not shaking! I am holding still!”

“Son, I’m half way across the room and I can see you shaking!” Ben joked.

“Well what do you expect gentlemen? A man usually only gets married once!”

“Yeah well you better be one of those fellas ‘cause I ain’t gonna be able to get in one of these monkey suits again anytime soon!” Ross complained.

“Not only that, but Ruth’s the best gal you could every have gotten your hands on so you best not mess it up!” Hoss said.

“Alright I finally got it straight! Now turn around here and lemme get a good look at ya and see just how much that woman of yours is settlin’!”

Joe looked his eldest brother over completely and then slapped each of his arms at once.

“Gentlemen, I think we’re ready!” He announced.

Ben walked downstairs to make sure that everything was in place. When he saw that it was, he walked over to the room that the ladies had been getting ready in and knocked.

“Ruth, are you ready? It’s time dear.”

Ruth took a deep breath and then nodded to Amy in confirmation.

“She’s ready!” Amy called back.

Delphine walked out first past them and went downstairs where Ross was waiting to escort her. Then Amy walked over to Ruth, kissed her cheek and then walked down to meet Joe. Joe and Amy walked down the aisle then. Finally Joe walked over to his place near Adam’s side and Amy stayed on her own side with Delphine.

Adam tried his best to keep his hands from shaking as he waited for his father to walk his bride to him. Ross put his hand on his friend’s shoulder to try and ease him.

“Nervous much?” He asked sarcastically.

“Try terrified.” Adam answered back.

Suddenly, the music began to play as Ben appeared at the top of the stairs holding the arm of the bride. Adam felt his knees shake and his breath being taken away as he saw her and how beautiful she looked.

Ruth took a deep breath and grinned though her anxiety as Ben held her arm tightly in reaffirmation. She felt a warmth come over her when she looked straight down and saw Adam. Finally, in what had seemed like a walk that lasted forever, Ben kissed Ruth’s cheek and handed her to her future husband.

The music stopped and the preacher began to speak as Adam and Ruth were finally able to lock eyes. Adam reached for her hands and Ruth clinged to his like a magnet.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to celebrate the joining of this man and this woman in holy matrimony…………….and what God hath joined together let no man put asunder………Do you, Adam, take Ruth to be your lawfully wedded wife to love and to cherish in sickness and in health from this day for-

“I do!” Ruth blurted out.

The crowd began to giggle a bit as Ruth blushed. Adam grinned at Ruth’s nervous mistake.

“Now just wait a minute! You’ll get your turn!” He winked.

“I’m sorry.” Ruth laughed.

“Adam, do you?” The preacher asked after he recovered from his laugh.

“I certainly do!” Adam said proudly.

“Alright now do you, ‘Ruth’, take Adam to be your lawfully wedded husband to love and to cherish in sickness and in health from this day forward?”

“I do!” She said again.

“Well then, if there is anyone here who has reason why these two should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

“Hey Pa, where’s Henry Shoupe at anyhow?” Hoss whispered.

“I have no idea and looking back I think we should have made sure he wasn’t anywhere near this wedding.”

The two held their breath during that brief moment until the preacher continued to speak.

“In that case, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Adam, you may now kiss your bride.”

As Adam was leaning in to kiss her, Ross threw Adam’s hat on his head. Adam ignored it and kissed his bride anyway. The crowd laughed and cheered.

“Alright ladies and gentlemen, if you look over to your side at this table over here, Hop Sing has prepared a special meal in honor of our happy couple!” Ben announced.

Everyone rose from their seats and took them over to the banquet table. There were several different dishes with a large wedding cake right in the middle of the table. Once everyone was seated and had their food, Ben stood up and raised his glass.

“First I would like to thank everyone for coming to help us celebrate this special occasion! This day as been a true blessing to our family because we now have a new part of the family that we are very lucky to have! Ruth, I could not think of a more beautiful, wonderful woman I would rather have as my daughter-in -law. Welcome to the Cartwright family!”

Ruth motioned a quick thank-you in Ben’s direction as they all toasted to Ben’s words.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After everyone was finished eating, Adam and Ruth walked over and cut the cake, feeding each other the first bites of it. As the evening progressed, everyone cleared the floor for Ben to have the first dance with his daughter-in-law.

“Thank you so much for what you said, Mr. Cartwright!”

“Ruth, I meant every word of it! But I thought we talked about this already. You are my daughter now. You should at least call me Ben.” He smiled.

“You’re right, Ben. I’m sorry. I guess I still have a lot to get used to but all the same I can’t wait for it!”

Soon, Ben felt a hand on his shoulder.

“Pa, is it alright if I dance with my wife now?”

“Well no! No, it isn’t alright! But I guess I have to give her back to you anyway.” He joked. Then he gently kissed her cheek and patted his son’s back.

Adam then gently took Ruth’s hands and began swaying her across the floor.

“Well Mrs. Cartwright, it’s about time I got a chance to dance with you.”

“It still hasn’t sunk in that that’s my name now.” She smiled.

“Oh it will, just give it time. I have to say I’m already used to saying I have a wife. So, wife, are you ready to get out of here?”

Just as she was about to speak, Hoss tapped on Adam’s shoulder.

“Let me guess, you wanna cut in?”

“That’s the general idea older brother. Hey you’re gonna have her for the rest of your life!” Hoss said.

“I suppose I should be willing to share ‘just this once’.” Adam said before letting Hoss take Ruth’s hand.

Ruth was asked to dance several more times within the next hour. Finally she found her way back to her husband.

“Oh I don’t think I could dance again if I wanted to!” She said exhausted but happily.

“I would have to agree with you. So, now are you ready to leave, Mrs. Cartwright?” Adam smirked.

“Why yes, I think that would be a good idea, Mr. Cartwright. Should we tell anyone we’re leaving?”

“Nah, they’ll figure it out after a while.” He winked before leading her out to the buggy waiting outside.

“Ma’me, your chariot awaits.” He said before lifting her into it.

“Thank you, kind sir. Where is it that we’re going exactly?” She asked curiously.

“Oh you’ll see don’t worry.”

“Adam Cartwright, I know that look. What are you up to?” She grinned.

“Never you mind, young lady. Now that we’re married you best learn to be obedient towards your husband. And when I tell ya to, close your eyes!”

Ruth sat back, evenly accepting temporary defeat. Adam grinned in satisfaction thinking that he could consider this winning his first argument.

Finally they arrived to the house. Adam instructed Ruth to close her eyes and not to open them until he told her to. She did so and felt her heart race in excitement wondering what it was he was hiding.

“Alright now, take my hand here and I’ll lead you. Don’t open your eyes yet though. Don’t worry, I’d never let you fall.” He said, whispering the last part in her ear.

He walked her up to the front door and opened it. Then he stopped as closed it behind them.

“Now, open your eyes.”

Ruth heard what sounded like a door before hearing him tell her to open her eyes. Her hands immediately flew over her mouth as a gasp slipped out.

“What do you think? Do you like it?” Adam asked, anxiously hoping she would approve of their now home.

“Adam it’s beautiful!” She said as she walked through the house.

“I’m glad you think so. Well, welcome to your new home, Mrs. Cartwright.” He grinned.

“Our new home.” Ruth said to herself as she walked over to the staircase leading upstairs.

Adam smiled to himself in relief as he followed her up the stairs.

“There are five bedrooms up here, counting our room.” He told her.

“That leaves four rooms for…” Ruth grinned.

“That’s right. Plenty of room for our children,” He paused. “When the time comes.”

As she was walking, Ruth turned and put her hand a doorknob. She felt the door open and looked into the room.

“This room is the most beautiful one in the house!” She exclaimed.

“As it should be; this is our room.” He told her, walking in with her.

“It is, really!? Oh Adam, its perfect!”

“Perfect home for a beautiful bride.” Adam said with a loving look in his eyes.

Suddenly, Ruth looked over to the table by the bed and saw a bottle of wine and two glasses.

“What’s this?” She asked.

“Oh, well I brought along a little something to celebrate with and I knew I wouldn’t have time to put it there today so I came over here yesterday and set it there.”Adam said as he picked up the bottle and glasses. He handed her a glass and opened the bottle.

“I hope I’m better able to drink it without sneezing it this time.” Ruth teased.

“Well that was champagne. This is wine. It’s not as ticklish.” Adam reassured.

“We’ll see if you’re right.” Ruth winked.

Adam poured the glasses and pushed his against hers in a toast. Ruth put the glass up to her lips and cautiously swallowed some of the liquid inside. She coughed slightly after swallowing. Adam chuckled to which Ruth playfully pushed his shoulder.

“See I told you that would happen!” She laughed.

“Yeah I guess you did. Anyway, you look just as cute now as you did when you swallowed the champagne.” He grinned.

The two shared a brief moment of laughter until suddenly their eyes met and they gazed at each other even longer.

“What are you thinking?” Adam finally asked, his voice lowered to almost a whisper.

“Oh, I was just thinking about a time not too long ago when I never thought I could be happy at all let alone this happy.” She sighed.

“Remember how the moon looked the night I asked you to marry me?” He asked.

“It looked like it was split in half. You said that the darker side of the moon represented what we have already faced and the lighter side represented out future. You know, the darker side of the moon for us hasn’t really been that bad but none the less I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Adam’s reaction was to gently lean in and kiss her. “Our future will hold nothing but happiness.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back at Ben’s home, the part hand just about ended.  All the guests had left and the Cartwrights were cleaning up. Amy and Luther had also stayed behind to help them. Suddenly and all at once, the door flung wide open and Henry Shoupe rushed in.

“Where are they?” He said, stammering in an obvious drunken stupor.

“If you are referring to my son and his ‘new wife’, they’ve gone already.” Ben said.

“W-what do ya mean they’ve already gone?” He stumbled.

“You’re too late, Henry. Adam and Ruth are married now and they just left to start their new life together. They’re leavin’ in the mornin’ to go on their Honeymoon.” Hoss explained.

“That’s right, it’s over. There’s no way you can stop them from being together now.” Joe said proudly.

Henry’s face turned angry. He turned around and went toward the door, stopping and turning around one last time before slamming the door.

“I’ll go but I’ll be back! Adam Cartwright won’t have her forever!” His voice turned into a wall-vibrating yell.”

The three Cartwright’s looked at each other worriedly.

“Pa, do you think he’s gonna try and do somethin’?” Hoss asked.

“I don’t know. One thing I do know, I’m glad Adam and Ruth are leaving tomorrow for their honeymoon.”

The five of them stood and starred at the door. They knew that Henry Shoupe was capable of anything but they also knew that Adam and Ruth were stronger together than they had ever been and whatever there was for them to face, they would be able to do it……..

The end…for now.

Next in the Adam and Ruth Series:

In a Time of Miracles

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.