Revenge
Revenge by Kim Gean
The scruffy looking cowboy was leaning up against the bar when he saw Adam
Cartwright walking into the Bucket of Blood Saloon. The cowboy's hair bristled on the
back of his neck. Adam came in and stood at the end of the bar and ordered a beer while
fishing in his pocket for two bits.
"Sam, can I have a beer please?" Adam asked while throwing his money on the counter.
The cowboy slapped his hand on the coin that was still spinning on the counter.
"Cartwright why don't you just get out of here and let us common folk drink in peace?"
Adam picked up the beer mug that Sam just set in front of him and took a swig. He
wiped the foam from his top lip with the back of his hand and looked at the cowboy with
those dark snappy eyes that had just gotten darker. He sat his mug down with a thud.
"Look, Jack, I just want to finish my beer in peace, okay?"
Jack walked over in front of Adam and placed his hand on Adam's mug and knocked it
over. "There you're finished." Sam backed away because he knew what was going to
happen.
Adam looked at the spilt beer, looked at Jack and then back at the beer. "Hmm, guess
you'll be buying me another beer won't cha Jack?" Adam said as he took his fingers and
clenched them into a fist.
"Guess you're wrong Cartwright since I ain't got a job anymore because of you. You'll
just have to buy it yourself or better yet just get the hell out of here!" Jack said as he was
getting another drink out of his mug.
Sam puts another beer down in front of Adam and started cleaning up the mess. "On the
house, Adam." Adam nodded at Sam and Jack went into a fit of rage.
"I should have known! If you're rich you get something for nothin' if you're just a workin'
man you DON'T!"
Adam has taken all he can take and reared back and smacked Jack right in the mouth.
Jack crumbled to the floor. Adam reached down and grabbed him by the front of the shirt
and pulled him part way up. "Listen Jack, if you'd have worked instead of loafin' maybe
you'd still have a job, huh? It's because of you that my little brother has a broken leg and
almost trampled to death. If you had done your job and not been drinking then
everything would have been fine."
"An accident is what it was." Jack was trying to get up now. Adam just pushed him
back down to the floor.
"Accident? Not at all...You were drunk tripped over you own feet.... your gun off
and Little Joe got a broken leg, bruised ribs and almost killed by stampeding cattle." Adam
raised his voice and dropped his hold on Jack. "Yeah, I guess that would be an accident in
your book, considering you broke your bottle of whiskey." Adam turned and walked out the
door.
Jack got up and got his beer and started mumbling under his breath, "Damn Cartwright
you're going to pay."
Adam got on his horse and trotted out of town. Jack started thinking to himself, 'Damn
Cartwright! He's going to pay for this.' He downed the rest of his beer and walked out of
the saloon.
Adam was riding to Bent creek. His father had sent him to Bent Creek to look at some
new breeding stock for the Ponderosa. Ben Cartwright knew that his oldest son was the
best man for the job because Adam was the best judge of horse flesh that there was on the
ranch. Adam enjoyed the solitude of going on these trips by himself. Although he loved
his family very much sometimes he felt like an outsider with his brothers. Especially with
Joe, the baby of the family. Adam smirked as he thought about Little Joe. Joe was flighty, quick
tempered, and always, it seemed, ready to blow up at the drop of a hat. Adam smiled as he
thought about his other brother, the middle brother, Hoss. Hoss is a kind and gently man
with a heart as big as the Ponderosa Ranch that they all called home. Adam remembered
times when he and Joe would rile Hoss and times when Adam and Hoss would and could
get Joe riled up. Adam also thought of his father, Ben, and how he always tried to keep a
tight rein on his sons. Finally one day Adam finally had to set his father down and explain
to him that he was a man of 32 now not the tiny black hair brown eyed baby that Ben had
held in his arms in New England so many years ago.
Chapter 2
Jack was riding hard and fast trying to get ahead of Adam. Jack made it to the butte an
hour ahead of Adam and he got himself positioned behind the rocks and waited.
In the meantime Jessie Morgan was getting supper ready for her and her five-year-old
son, Davey. Jessie was a single mother who supported them both by being a dressmaker.
She was a good seamstress, and Davey was a bright child with a vivid imagination. Davey
liked to make up stories. Davey came running in the house.
"Ma, ma the bank was robbed..." catching his breath, "they killed the banker and are
heading here." Pulling out his toy gun he waved it in the air. "I'll protect ya ma don't
worry." Jessie looked down at Davey and smiled.
"Thanks you son I knew I could count on you." Patting Davey on the head. Jessie
watched as Davey ran out of the house giggling. Jessie found some humor in her son's
imagination, after all they did live ten miles out of town so how could he know anything
about the goings on in Bent Creek.
Along the butte Jack is nestled down and waiting for Adam to come riding past, His anger
is building inside of him and he tips up his bottle to take another swig.
Adam is once again deep in thought as he is riding along, just letting Sport do his own
thing. A smile comes across his face as he thinks about poor Hoss having to do all the
chores since he's gone and Joe is laid up. Adam loves his family but sometimes they are a
bit overwhelming. He has often thought about going back east and making his life
there....find a girl, marry, have children, the whole husband father thing. Then his thoughts
always go back to his father and brothers. After all he is the oldest and has had
responsibility of the ranch and his brothers for 3/4 of his life. Maybe someday.....That was
the first thought that Adam had. He hadn't really heard the shot just the pain that he felt in his
shoulder as the bullet from Jack's gun pierced his skin and knocked him off of his horse.
"The Cartwright I got cha and now the buzzards can have ya." Jack put his rifle up,
mounted his horse and rode off. Adam lay still on the ground since he didn't know if the
person who shot him was still around. Adam was lying in a pool of blood from the wound
in his left shoulder. He waited a few more minutes then he whistled for sport, "Come on
boy." Adam starts to slowly get up as Sport comes walking over to him. Adam grabs hold
of the stirrup and slowly pulls himself up with his right hand. Sport starts to move, "whoa
there boy whoa." Sport stops and Adam manages to get erect. He puts his foot in the
stirrup and slowly swings his leg over. Finally in the saddle Adam tells Sport, "Nice and
easy boy no spasms now OK?" Sport starts walking slowly along and Adam slumps over
and starts to loose consciousness.
Sport walks slowly along with Adam hanging on to the saddle horn. Davey is playing
behind the barn when he sees Sport coming up. Adam slides off Sport and falls hard to the
ground. Davey runs over and sees all the blood. He starts running and yelling to the house.
"Ma, ma hurry ma." Jessie runs from the house to the yard, "What is it Davey?" Davey
is gasping for air, "Man...Shot..." gasping "behind the barn." Jessie puts her hands on her
hips. "Now David what have I told you about your story telling? Didn't I say no more?"
Davey pulls at her skirt. "Ma really come see....."pulling on her. "Look." He pulls her
around the barn. She gasps when she sees Adam lying there with a bullet wound in his
shoulder..
She runs over there to him, kneels down and puts his head in her lap. She gently shakes
him and gently say, "mister? Mister?" Adam groans and tries to open his eyes. "Mister
can you get up so we can get you into the house?" Adam gets his eyes to focus enough to
see someone kneeling beside him. He slowly shakes his head yes and tries to get up. He is
in a lot of pain and manages to stumble to his feet. Jessie puts an arm around his waist and
he puts his arm around her neck and she grabs a hold of his hand. "Davey, take his horse to
the barn."
"Yes ma." Davey takes Adam's horse to the barn. Jessie gets Adam into the house and
lies him down in Davey's bed. Adam grimaces with pain as he lies down. Adam looks up
at her and gives her a faint grin. "Mr.? What's your name?" Adam tries to speak but
passes out. Davey comes running in "Who is he? Is he aright? Whatcha gonna do ma? huh,
huh?" Jessie gave him that motherly look like shut up or else. Jessie starts some water to
boiling and then starts going through Adams pockets to see if she can find something that
will identify the man lying in her son's bed. She searches his shirt pockets and finds
nothing. She hesitates a minute not really wanting to look in his pant pockets. Jessie lets
out a deep breath and gently rolls Adam over and looks in his left back pocket and finds his
wallet. She pulls it out of his pocket and gently rolls him back over. Adam grunts and
moans. Jessie opens his wallet and finds some money around $500.00 worth and finds a
letter that is addressed to:
Adam Cartwright
Ponderosa Ranch
Nevada Territory
Jessie opened the letter and read it:
Dear Adam,
I can't wait until our next visit. It has been such a long time. I cant' wait to see you again
and for you to hold me in your arms. Till we meet again. Sweetheart. All my Love, Sara.
Jessie folded the letter back up and put it back where it came from and placed Adam's
wallet on the bedside table. Adam is beginning to shake and chill. Jessie knows that she
has to get that bullet out - and the doctor is 2 hours away. She gets the knife and sterilizes
it in the fire. She tears some strips of cloth for bandages. She fills the water basin with
water and wrings out a cloth and wipes his forehead. Jessie gets everything ready and
goes into Davey's room to remove the bullet. She thinks to herself, 'don't know if it's better
for you not to know this or not.' 'But I can't wait any longer you are losing to much blood.'
It was like Adam read her mind because he started coming to. " Mr. Cartwright?" Adam
blinked his eyes a couple of times and rolled his head to look at Jessie, "Huh? How do you
know my name?" Adam weakly asks and closing his eyes again.
"Well, I looked in your wallet and seen a letter with Adam Cartwright on it. I'm sorry."
Adam shakes his head as in saying it's all right. "Mr. Cartwright I have t o get this bullet
out. It's 2 hours to get to the doctor and another 2 to get him back here and you'll bleed to
death by then." Jessie takes a cloth and wets it again and wrings it out and gently rubs his
forehead and face. Weakly Adam says, "then I guess we have to get it out then don't we?"
He gives her a weak smile and wink. Jessie nods and goes into the kitchen and gets the
knife and a bottle of whiskey and the bandages. She comes back and gets everything
organized the way that she wants it and looks at Adam and gives him a smile ….. trying to
reassure him but she is really trying to reassure herself. He takes a hold of her hand and
nods. She gives him a drink of the whisky and then gets the knife. "Ma'am, would you
hand me my wallet please?" he points to his wallet and she gives it to him. He puts the
wallet in his mouth and grabs the bed post with his right hand and grabs his gunbelt with
the left….to try to help him mentally not to move that arm so she can work. He nods that he
is ready. He closes his eyes and waits. Jessie knows that this has to be done but doesn't
want to do it but she starts to work and as the knife touches the wound Adam grasps the
post with everything that he has and bites hard on the wallet. She keeps looking first from
the wound to his face. She has to go deep the bullet is next to the bone. Just as she gets to
the bullet she notices that Adam is now totally relaxed , he has passed out, the wallet has
fallen from his mouth and at that moment Jessie goes for the bullet with gusto. She pulls it
out and puts it into the basin. She cleans the wound and bandages it. "Thank god you
missed this."
Adam did not come around until the next morning. He looked around and found Jessie
propped up on the bed beside him. She had slept there all night . Jessie was getting
worried about him not coming to but she kept his bandages changed all through the night.
Adam looked at her and smiles and then he tried to get up and that woke up Jessie.
"Mr. CARTWRIGHT! What do you think you are doing? "You lie back down in this
bed right now and I mean it. I will get you some coffee and then you can have some broth."
Adam just lies back down because he knows that he ain't getting up. "Yes ah hmmm.
Sorry but I don't seem to remember your name." "It's Jessie Morgan Mr. Cartwright."
"That's right I'm sorry I forgot." Adam grins at her. "What day is it Miss Morgan?"
"This is Wednesday Mr. Cartwright." Adam nods to her. He drifts back off to sleep.
Jessie goes in to the kitchen to fix some coffee and broth. Davey is awake and rubs his
eyes and looks into his room to see Adam sleep, "Is that man any better Ma?" "He's going
to be just fine son, now you get dressed and go do your chores and I'll have breakfast going
in a few minutes." Davey does as he is told. Jessie gets everything ready and goes into
Davey's room. She sets everything down on the table and she gently shakes Adam's arm.
"Mr. Cartwright, you need to eat something. Here's your coffee and broth."
Adam turns his head to face her and slowly opens his eyes and grins. "Do me one thing
Miss Morgan. Call me Adam, okay?" Jessie grins and nods that she will. Adam takes a few
sips out of his coffee and drinks a little of his broth. Then he decides that he needs to get
up and try to walk because his legs are starting to get cramps in them. Jessie helps him up
and he grimaces in pain. She helps him to walk to the chair in the living room. Adam sets
down there and is happy he made it that far. He feels so weak that he was afraid that he
was going to fall before he got there.
Davey comes running through the front door. "Ma I done the chores. What's for
breakfast?" Jessie smiles at Davey and points to Adam, as in to say, 'speak to our guest',
Davey knows what the look means so he knew that he better speak to Adam right away or
else. "Howdy, are you better? Does it hurt? What's it like to be shot huh? Huh?" Jessie
gives Davey the look now as to say shut up. Adam smiles at Davey and winks. "well,
Davey it hurts." Davey smiles up at Adam and nods in agreement.
Jessie walks past Adam and he grabs a hold of her arm and softly rubs it with his thumb
and their eyes meet and Adam starts to feel something that he has never felt before. Jessie
smiles down at him and they gaze into each others eyes. "Jessie, is there anyway that I
could write a out a telegram and maybe you could go send it to my family? I need to tell
them that I am going to be later on my return then expected." Jessie smiles and just nods.
She is not sure whether to say something about the way she feels or not and decides not to
say anything as not to embarrass herself if he doesn't feel the same way. Jessie gets some
paper and a pencil and hands it to Adam.
Chapter 3
Breakfast at the Ponderosa was very quiet with Adam gone and Little Joe laid up. Ben
and Hoss are taking in the quiet. It seems that generally during a meal there is some kind of
confrontation between the oldest and the youngest of the Cartwright clan. "Pa, it sure is
still round here ain't it?" Hoss manages to get the words out in between bites of flapjacks.
"Sure is son?" Ben Cartwright agrees as he is sipping his coffee of the morning. "Little
Joe will be able to be moved downstairs today I believe. At least he will be able to get
around a little bit."
"I hope so Pa, he is being plumb ornery with not being able to do anything." Hoss pushes
his plate back and pats his belly. "ole, Hop Sing gets better and better at those flapjacks."
Ben grins and looks at the empty flapjack plate before him. "Hmmmm, I reckon he is
considering that there is nothing left not even a crumb."
Hoss gets up from the table and heads for the side board to get his hat and his gun so he can
get started on the chores since after all he is doing everyone's chores now. "Dadburn it if
the other members of this family don't get back or well I'm gonna waste away to nothin'
from doin' all the chores around here." With that comment Hoss went out to the barn and
Ben just laughed while he finished his coffee.
Ben hears a horse ride up as he is helping Little Joe get ready for the move downstairs.
"hmmm wonder who that is?" Ben wanders over to the window and looks out. "Who is it
Pa?" Little Joe asks. "Probably Cindy Robertson, she likes trying to help and I like it
myself I might add." Little Joe runs his hands over and through his hair to make sure that
every little hair is in place. "no Little Joe it's Roy Coffee." The look on Little Joe's face
was priceless a small little pout accompanied the "hmmph". Ben laughed and patted Little
Joe on the back as he headed down the stairs.
"Well, Roy what brings you out here?" Hoss asks as he walks over to the hitching rail
where Roy is getting off of his horse. Roy turns around and sees Ben walking out of the
front door.
"Howdy Roy, long way from town aren't you?" Ben extends his hand to his dear friend.
Roy takes Ben's hand and they shake.
"Ben, I have a telegram to you from Adam. It seems that there was an accident and Adam
was shot." Ben's face dropped.
"Shot?!" Hoss yells.
"Is… is… he okay? Where is he?" Ben grabs a hold of Roy's arm.
"Ben, calm down and read the telegram." Roy hands the telegram to Ben. Ben reads the
telegram: Family STOPGoing to be delayed. STOP
Had a shooting accident. Am fine STOP Will let you know when will be home. STOP Don't worry. STOP
Adam
"Pa, it sounds like he is okay." Hoss puts his hand on Ben's shoulder.
"Hey, what is going on down there." Low and behold there is a sound from the heavens.
Everyone looks up and it is only Little Joe sticking his head out of the bedroom window.
"Another country heard from." Hoss says with a coy smile on his face. Everyone bursts out
laughing. Little Joe has the look of total frustration on his face.
Chapter 4
As the days went by Adam healed nicely and the relationship between Adam and Jessie
grew also. Adam was feeling something that he had never felt before and in the same
instance so was Jessie. Adam helped around the little ranch doing the things that a woman
and a small boy can't do themselves. The first thing that Adam managed to do was to fix
the roof on the chicken coop, so there would be know more wet chickens.
"Adam?" Davey asks while looking up with those big old eyes at Adam.
"Yeah, Davey?"
"Sure glad he got that roof fixed on that old coop."
"You are? Why is that?" Adam quizzes.
"Cause it ain't no fun having to smell wet chickens." Davey laughs and Adam picks him up
in one swoop and swings him around laughing. Jessie is looking out the kitchen window
and folds her arms across her chest and there is a big smile across her face. 'oh how happy
Davey is right now. I hope it can last.' She thinks to herself.
"What do you say he get started on the corral fence huh Davey?" Adam starts to put Davey
down. "Adam I is sure glad that you I is here." Davey hugs Adam around the neck tightly
and a warm feeling comes over Adam. Adam pats Davey on the back. "Me too son. Me
too." Adam puts Davey down and then they started on the corral fence. With the help of
Davey things went along very smoothly and the ranch started taking shape.
Chapter 5
The sun was setting and the night was cool. Adam was standing on the front porch with a
cup of coffee just enjoying the night. This is the happiest he has ever been. Adam feels a
little bit guilty because he knows that he is needed back at the Ponderosa. About that time
he feels a pair of arms sliding around his waist. Jessie wraps her arms around him and
lays her head against his shoulder. Adam looks over his shoulder at her and smiles. "A
penny for your thoughts." Adam says, hoping that she says how she really feels.
"I was just thinking how happy Davey has been since you have been here." Adam turns
around and wraps his arms around her and looks inside of her eyes.
"And what about you? Have you been happy?" Adam asks, praying that the response that
he gets is the one that he has been waiting for.
Jessie lays her head against his chest. "Yes, Adam, I am happier then I can ever
remember." Adam lifted her head up so he could once again look into her eyes. He smiled
at her and her at him. "I hope you don't think me forward Adam but I had to say it."
Adam gently kissed her. "No, I don't think you forward. Matter of fact Jessie, I have fallen
in love with you. I was getting up enough courage to tell you how I felt." He takes her by
the hand. "Lets take a walk." Jessie nods her approval. They walk holding hands to the
corral. Adam is trying to find the right words to say what he wants but it is difficult. He
has always had trouble expressing his feelings. Jessie watched Adam and studied him.
She knew there was something that he wanted to say but she could not think of anyway to
help him. Finally after awhile of stargazing Adam turned to face Jessie. He took her hands
in his. "Jessie, I have never felt the way that I feel now. I have found something that I
thought I would never find. I have found a love that some men go a whole life without ever
experiencing." Jessie looked deep in his eyes and him in hers. "Jessie, would you please
make me the happiest man in the world by consenting to be my wife?"
"Yes, Adam I would love to be your wife. Davey needs a good father and I can not think of
a better father in the world then you." Adam leaned down and kissed her gently.
Chapter 6
Hoss rode into town to pick up the supplies. Jake from the telegraph office came running
over to Hoss as he put the last sack of grain on the buckboard.
"Hoss, oh Hoss, I have a telegraph from Adam. It's good news." Jake gives Hoss the
telegram.
"Thanks Jake." Hoss opened the telegram and read it"
Dear Family, will be home by the end of the month STOP
Will be bringing home surprise. STOP
Getting married. STOP
Adam
Hoss let out a hoop and a holler and slapped Jake on the back. "You sure were right
Jake good news." Hoss jumped into the buckboard and headed home as fast as those
horse's legs could run. Hoss pulls up in the front of the house and seen Little Joe sitting
outside. Hoss pulled the horses to a screeching stop and jumped out of the buckboard.
"PA, LITTLE JOE!" Ben came running out of the house. "PA PA PA! YOU AIN'T
GONNA BELIEVE THIS!" Hoss was waving the telegram in the air. "You ain't gonna
believe it."
"Dang it Hoss what are you yelling about?" Ben yelled back at Hoss.
"Pa, I think he fell off the buckboard and hit his head." Little Joe said with a smirk and a
cock of the eyebrow. Ben gave Little Joe the shut up look and that was exactly what Little
Joe did.
"Pa, Adam is getting married dadburn it Pa, Adam is getting married!"
"WHAT? MARRIED?!" Ben yelled. He grabbed the telegram from Hoss and read the
telegram.
"Hoss are you joshin us?" Joe smirked. Hoss nods his head no. "Read it Pa. Is it true?"
"According to this telegram it is Joe." Ben answered. Ben had waited for one of his sons
to get married, but he always thought that it would be Little Joe. Adam always seemed to
have other things on his mind. This girl must really be something to steal the heart of his
oldest son. "Boys, we have got to get things moving here they will be home in three weeks
and we have got to get everything ready. We must have a party and we must get things
ready for the move."
"MOVE? What move?" Hoss and Little Joe chimed together.
"You know your brother will be into building a house for them and you know where he is
going to build it. He has always loved the scene from the butte."
The boys nodded in agreement. The all headed into the house to start making the plans for
the homecoming of Mr. & Mrs. Adam Cartwright.
Chapter 7
Adam and Jessie rode into town to make the arrangements for the wedding. They had
agreed that the sooner the better because the ranch had to be sold and things had to get
packed. They made arrangements at the bank for them to sell the ranch and then send the
money to them. They made a stop at the general store to purchase a beautiful wedding
gown. The next stop was at the church to talk to the preacher. Everyone agreed that the
following Friday would be perfect.
Adam, Jessie and Davey were walking from the church to the barber shop when Jack
walked out of the saloon. Jack could not believe what he was seeing. "Damn him. How
could he be alive. I will get even with him if it is the last thing that I do." Jack said to
himself as he lit a cigar. Jasper came walking out of the saloon. "Jasper, you know that
there lady and man walkin' over there?"
"Don't reckon I know the man for sure but the woman yeah that's Jessie. I heard tell from
Walt whiles ago that she's a fixen to marry that man come next Friday." Jasper said spitting
tobacco juice on the sidewalk.
"Hmm..marry you say." Jack started walking across the street. "Well, Cartwright I will get
you now then."
Adam, Jessie and Davey got to the barber shop and Davey wasn't happy about getting a
haircut. "Ah ma do I haveta?"
"Davey, look, you want to be the best man don't you?" Adam asked him.
"Yeah, yeah….what's a best man?" Davey asked with confusion written all over his face.
Adam and Jessie broke out laughing. Adam squatted down and took a hold of Davey's
arms.
"Davey, the best man is the most important thing next to the bride and groom. The best
man gives the ring to the groom and by the way the best man is also the best friend of the
groom." Davey threw his arms around Adam's neck. "guess I'll get a haircut then," Davey
hopped up into the chair. Adam looked over at Jessie and winked at her.
Chapter 8
The days were passing quickly. Adam and Jessie were packing up Jessie and Davey's
things. Adam was finding out just how much a woman can keep that a man finds
unnecessary. "Hon, why in the world are we packing up every single thing in this kitchen?
Hop Sing already has everything and when I get our house built we will buy whatever it is
that we need. I will be cheaper then trying to pay the freight charges to get all of this back
to the Ponderosa." Adam says with all the love in his heart.
"Adam, I have had these things forever. How will I part with them?" Jessie asked with
her hands on her hips.
"Okay, this is what we can do. The most sentimental things pack and the others we will
leave with the house. Is that okay?" Adam walked over to Jessie and wrapped his arms
around her. He kissed her on the neck. She accepted the kiss and knew that whatever her
future husband said was for the best so she agreed.
"When are we going to leave Adam?"
"I have it figured that if we can get everything packed up and sent on it's way we should be
on our way by Saturday." Jessie looked really surprised. Adam seen the look on her face
raised an eyebrow, "Hon, what is wrong?"
"Adam, if we are going to leave on Saturday I have so many things to do and I have to go
by Kathy's house and tell her good-bye. We have been friends forever." Adam is smiling
with his arms folded across his chest listening to her ramble on. "There are things that I
want Kathy to have. Then I have to take all of Davey's old baby things over to Linda's
because she is having her first baby………."she looked at Adam to see him starting to
laugh. With her hands placed firmly on her hips she looked him square in the eye and
asked, "what are YOU laughing about may I ask?"
"You." He replied laughing. Jessie is finding no humor in what she was talking about.
"Well, stop it there is nothing to be laughing about. I have friends you know that I am goin
to miss." Jessie started slamming things into boxes. Adam walks over to her and from
behind he wrapped his arms around her and laid his chin on her shoulder and squeezed her
gently.
"I am not making fun. I know that you are going to miss your friends. It was so damn cute
the flightiness you had trying to figure out what to do first." He gives her a kiss on the
cheek from behind. Adam then turns her around to face him. "whatever you need to do and
whoever you need to see we will make sure it is done, okay sweetheart?" Adam moves his
forehead to gently rest on her forehead.
Chapter 9
Reverend Workman stood in front of Adam and Jessie with his bible opened. As he got
ready to start Davey tugged on Adam's coat. Adam looked down at Davey and kind of
frowned and shook his head no. Davey was persist though. Jessie gave Davey a look and
a ssshhhhhh. Davey still tugged and tugged. Adam leaned down and noticed that Davey
was almost in tears. "son what is wrong?"
"A-a-dam? I have to go to the outhouse. My tummy is upset." Adam smiled at Davey and
looked over his shoulder to Jessie who is trying to conceal the huge grin that is under her
veil. Adam picks Davey up and excused himself and Davey. On the way to the outhouse
Davey asked the most important question that a little boy could ask whose mother was
getting married. "Adam, you ain't gonna send me away after you marry my ma are you?"
"What? Well of course not Davey. You will be my son. We are going to be a family."
Davey's face lit up.
Finally the wedding was about to start. The Reverend Workman started with the ceremony.
As the preacher started reading the ceremony from the bible Jack busted through the door
with his rifle out. Adam and Jessie turned with a start.
"Jack what in the hell are you doing here?" Adam asked grabbing a hold of Jessie's hand
and pulling her behind him and doing the same from the other side with Davey.
"I told you that you was gonna pay Cartwright." Moving towards the front of the church
Jack took his gun and motioned for Adam to move away from everyone. "Over here
Cartwright. Come on."
"Jack, you don't want to do this. All of this because I fired you?" Adam is slowing
sidestepping to where Jack is pointing. All the time pushing Jessie around behind him even
more. "We can talk about this Jack."
"SHUT UP CARTWRIGHT. NOW MOVE! Get those hands up where I can see them."
Adam raises his hands and moves to where jack told him to.
"Adam?" Jessie screamed. Adam looks back at her and Davey.
"Sshh. It'll be fine just do what he says." Nodding to Jessie.
"Listen to him missy because if not you are not going to live to see the sunset." Adam is
now where Jack wants him. Jack points to Davey. "Come here boy." Davey doesn't
move. "Now look kid, you better get over here right NOW!" Davey looks at Adam. Adam
nods.
"Do as he says Davey." Adam told him. Davey slowly walked over to Jack. Jack sat him
down in the last pew of the church.
"Now ain't this nice. I have been thinkin' all week on how to handle this situation
Cartwright and now I think I have found the solution." Jack took and spit tobacco on the
floor.
"And what might that be Jack?" Adam asked.
"Well, shooting you didn't work...ha...guess my sights musta been off at that distance but at
this distance I can pretty well guarantee that it is gonna be fatal." Jack smirked.
"Look Jack it is me that you want so why don't you just let everyone else go. huh?" Adam
tried to take a few steps toward him but Jack seen him.
"Stop right there Cartwright. Another step and the girl gets it." Jack was now pointing the
gun at Jessie.
"Okay Jack just don't shoot anyone." Adam looked back at Jessie and then back to Davey.
"Why don't we talk about this situation. I am sure that we can come to some kind of
agreement that would benefit us all." Adam suggested.
"Nope." Jack scratched his head. "there will be no agreement Cartwright I just want one
thing."
"And what is that?"
"For you to pay...pay with something that is very dear to you....yep very, very dear to you."
Jack looked at Jessie.
"N-N-N-NOOOOOOOOOO!" Adam screamed as the shot rang out. Adam turned and seen
Jessie fall to the floor with a bullet wound to the heart. Adam ran over to Jessie and lifted
her head and turned back to look at Jack.
"YOU SON-OF-BITCH!" Adam yelled.
"M-MAMA M-MAMA!" Davey screamed trying to get to his mother and Jack grabbed the
boy and started backing out the door.
"Let that boy go NOW!" Adam laid Jessie's head back down on the floor and then stood
up. Adam started walking toward Jack. "NOW DAMN IT let the boy go now." Jack puts
his gun to Davey's head. Adam stopped.
"Hold it right there Cartwright. One more step and this kid's brains are gonna be scattered
all over this church." Jack starts backing up dragging Davey with him. "I take good care
of the boy. Don't you worry. I will meet you back at the place where all this took place.
That will give you time to mourn and bury that wench that you were going to marry." Jack
laughs and backs farther out the door. "One week Cartwright one week."
"GIVE me the boy now. I am not playing your stupid little games JACK!" Adam shouted
at him.
"One week Cartwright. And you will play this little game or the boy is DEAD now!" Jack
cocks the hammer back. "you'll find me....just use your brain.......where did this all begin?"
Jack is almost to the door. "By the way you and only you so don't even think about that old
man of yours or those stupid brothers of yours, because I see anyone but you and the kid is
dead." With that Jack grabbed up Davey and ran outside and jumped on his horse and left.
Adam, went back to Jessie and picked her up and was carrying her to the door when
Reverend Workman said, "I will notify the sheriff."
"No!" Adam turned and looked at the Reverend. "You heard him. He will kill Davey. I
will handle this as soon as I make arrangements for Jessie." The preacher could tell by the
look in Adam's eyes that he meant what he said. He also knew that he had to tell the
sheriff. Adam walked out the door of the church with what was supposed to be his bride.
Her beautiful white wedding gown soaked with her blood. With tears streaming down his
face he went to the funeral home and made the arrangements. As he left the funeral home he
noticed that he was wearing the blood of his intended on his shirt. He changed his mind
about the sheriff and headed that way only to find the preacher already there telling the
story to the sheriff.
"Mr. Cartwright, I am sorry but I had to tell the sheriff what happened." Reverend
Workman announced.
"That's all right Reverend Workman I was going to tell him myself."
"Mr. Cartwright, I am organizing a posse to go after that killer and get Davey back." The
sheriff said.
Adam folded his arms across his chest and preceded to tell the sheriff how this was
GOING to be handled. "Sheriff you do what you need to do. I on the other hand will do
what I need to do. You see I know exactly where Jack is going. You don't. Oh you might
be able to find him but not before he does something to Davey. I will meet him in one
week because that is about the amount of time it will take to get to him. So you see I will
handle this situation and will do so inside the boundaries of the law." With that statement
Adam turned and walked out the door.
"There goes a determined man." the sheriff said.
Adam walked over to the telegraph office and sent one final telegram to his family. It
simply read:
Plans changed. STOP
Be home in about 2 weeks. STOP
Adam
Chapter 10
The time was getting close for the arrival of the new additions to the Cartwright family.
Hoss and Ben were busy getting the house ready while Little Joe on the other hand was
attempting to tell them what to do and needless to say that was not going to happen. Ben
and Hoss were moving a dresser from the downstairs guest room up to Adam's room. Ben
and Hoss are struggling with the big solid oak dresser. "Now be careful..watch turning the
corner of the stairs...Hoss a little to the left...no no your other left Hoss.." Joe was barking
out commands and the look from under that ten gallon hat was one disgruntle look. Hoss
lower your end a lit...."
"Dadburn it Little Joe if you don't shut up you are going to be stuffed in one of these
drawers." Hoss growled back.
"Hmmmm....testy aren't we." Joe said with a cock of an eyebrow and a smirk on his face.
"Could we just get this thing up the stairs please?" Ben asked while huffing and puffing.
Hoss looked at Ben and nodded. Up the stairs they trudged.
"Well, see if I help them again." Little Joe started writing out the invitations to the party.
Finally the dresser is in Adam's room and Ben and Hoss are leaning on it trying to catch
their breath. "Dadburn it Pa I didn't think we were goin' get this big thing up here." Hoss
was huffing and puffing and wiping his forehead with the back of his hand.
"Well, we made it son. I hope that they want it here next to the window. It's about the only
place that there is to put it." Ben scanned the room as he talked trying to make sure that there
was no other place to put it.
"Pa, if they want the doggone thing someplace else, then Adam can move it." Hoss walked
around the dresser and slapped Ben on the back. "Let's go get something to eat Pa I'm
starved." Ben grins and down the stairs they go.
After lunch Ben walked over to the sidebar and started putting on his hat and gunbelt.
"Where are you goin' Pa?" Little Joe asked as he finished the last of his coffee.
"I am running into town to pick up a few little things for the party." The boys looked at
each other with confusion on their faces.
"Pa, I picked up all the supplies when I was in town last. Whatcha need to get I'll go fetch
it for ya." Hoss said rising from the table.
"That's okay son, it's something personal." Ben announced as he walked out the door not
giving either boy a chance to say anything else. Joe and Hoss just looked at each other and
shrugged their shoulders.
In town Ben headed straight for the bank. The personal errand he had to do was a long
time in coming but he was glad that the time had came. "Tom, how good to see you again."
Ben said extending his hand to Tom Wilson the vice-president of the bank. Tom took his
hand shaking it firmly.
"Just fine Ben just fine. What brings you in today?" Tom asked.
"Well, Tom I need to get something out of the vault if you please."
"Sure Ben come this way." Tom led Ben back to the vault. Inside the vault was a steel box
that had only one thing on the outside....a pine tree etched on the top. Ben retrieves the box
and opens it. Inside there is an envelope that simply says To My Son Adam. Ben can see
Elizabeth giving this envelope to him the day that Adam was born to be given to him when
he marries. It has been 32 years and Ben still doesn't know what the contents of the
envelope. After all it is to his son not to him. Ben closed the box and stuffed the envelope
in his pocket.
"Thanks Tom." Ben then shook Tom's hand one more time and headed for the door.
Jake came running up to Ben. "Mr. Cartwright Mr. Cartwright...you have a telegram." He
handed the telegram to Ben.
"Thanks Jake." Ben gave Jake two-bits. Ben opened the telegram and read it. "Hmmm.
wonder what is going on." Ben thought to himself.
Chapter 11
Adam went back to the funeral parlor and made sure everything was taken care of. He
asked to see Jessie and when he seen her lying in the casket he knew that he must put the
wedding ring on her finger. "As far as I am concerned Jessie you will always be Mrs.
Adam Cartwright." He then left for the ranch to get everything ready to head out after the
funeral. Upon entering the house he went straight to the bed room and laid down across the
bed and could smell the scent of the lemon verbena that Jessie wore. His eyes filled with
tears. His mind was filled with flashbacks of their short time together. The tenderness of
her kiss, the warmth of her touch and warmth of her smile. "Enough of this." Adam
picked up the picture of Jessie that set on the bedside table and ran his fingers lightly over
it. "I will get your boy back and I will kill the man that took you from me. This I swear
Jessie." With that Adam got up and started packing his saddle bags. He changed his
clothes and checked his gun and his rifle. Adam packed the picture of Jessie and the one of
Davey in his saddle bags. He took one final look around and closed the door and mounted
Sport and headed back to town.
Adam was the last person at the cemetery. He kneeled down to the grave and laid a
single flower on the mound of dirt that covered the woman that he loved so very much.
"Jessie I have to go now and get Davey. Don't worry honey I will take care of him." Adam
rose and turned and walked away not looking back.
Chapter 12
Jack had Davey tied to a tree and was getting drunk on whiskey. "Where is we mister?
Why you doin' this to me? Why did you kill my mama?" Davey asked through the tears.
Jack went stumbling over to Davey waving the whiskey bottle at him.
"Where are you? The great Ponderosa. That is where you are. I killed you mama because
Adam Cartwright made me do it. He should have died when I shot him." Jack took another
big swig of the whiskey.
"YOU ARE MEAN AND I HATE YOU!" Davey screamed. A fit of rage came over Jack
and he doubled up his fist and smacked Davey right in the face. Davey was knocked
unconscious.
Adam was getting closer to Virginia City. He was trying to think where Jack would be.
Where did he mean? Where it started. 'Does he mean Virginia City at the saloon?' Adam
thought about this possibility. How would he hide a child there? There must be another
place. 'Where it started..ah the Platte where Joe got hurt.' Adam took off riding hard.
When Adam got close he could see the campfire. He dismounted from Sport and tied him
down. Adam grabbed his rifle and started slowly and quietly to the camp. When he got
close to the camp he kneeled down in the brush and took in the situation. He seen little
Davey tied to the tree and it looked like he was asleep, but Adam couldn't be sure. He
scanned the area and could not see Jack anywhere. Then all of a sudden he heard the
snapping of a twig. Adam turned quickly with his gun drawn and there stood Jack with a
gun pointed at Adam's head. "Drop the gun Cartwright." Adam dropped his gun for the
sake of Davey. "Get those hands up and move NOW." Adam raised his hands and walked
to the camp. As soon as he seen Davey in the light he could see that Davey's face had been
beaten. Adam started toward Davey. "Get away from him Cartwright." Adam stopped.
"I want to talk to the boy." Adam glared at Jack as he spoke.
"Well I don't see any reason why you can't talk from right there."
Davey came to and seen Adam standing there. "Adam! Help me please Adam!"
"It's gonna be okay Davey. Everything is gonna be all right." Adam looked back at Jack "Did
you do that to him? Did you beat the boy?"
"He got mouthy and I taught him how to respect his elders." Jack grinned and made a fist
and shook it in the air. "Just like I 'm gonna teach you before I kill you Cartwright."
"You leave him alone Mister!" Davey yelled. Davey started struggling against the ropes.
"You shut your trap boy.!" Jack started toward Davey with his fist raised to hit him again.
With his back to Adam Adam took the advantage and jumped him from behind. Both men
fell to the ground and started fighting. The rifle went flying, They rolled around on the
ground first one hitting the other then the other retaliating. Jack finally made a move and
got on top of Adam and started to choke him and Adam fighting as hard as he could finally
got a shot at Jack's jaw and smacked him a good one. Jack went flying backwards. Jack
drew his gun from his holster and Adam pounced on him. They both struggled for the gun.
After a few moments the gun went flying and as it hit the ground it went off. Adam had had
enough and started popping Jack in the face one right after the other until Jack was out cold.
When Adam looked over at Davey he seen him slumped to the side of the tree. A bullet
wound in his stomach. Adam ran to Davey. He untied Davey's hands and gently laid him
down yet holding him also.
"A-adam?" Davey whispered. Adam brushed the boys hair off his forehead.
"Yes son I am here. I am so sorry." Tears were coming to Adam's eyes.
"I want to go to my mama. I w-wanna see mama." Davey grabbed Adam's hand.
“You will son you will.” Adam replied in a shaky voice.
“I love you A-ad…..” At that moment Davey died.
Adam held him close and looked to the heavens. “I Love you too Davey. I am so sorry Jessie.” Adam covered his face with his hand.
Chapter 13
Ben was the first to hear someone riding up.
“I think someone is coming Joe.” Hoss announced.
“Hey maybe it’s Adam.” Joe started heading for the door knowing that he was going to be the last one out since he couldn’t move as fast as the others. Ben made it to the door first and opened it to see Adam riding up.
“Hey brother you made it.” Joe said looking around. He looked at Hoss. Hoss looked at him they were both looking for the new family.
Adam dismounted and walked over to Ben. They stared at each other for a moment then something very strange happened. Adam put his arms around his father and hugged him tight. Ben of course returned the hug having never seen this side of his son before was taken a little bit by surprise.
Chapter 14
After Adam explained everything that happened Ben decided to give his son the letter from his mother. Adam didn’t open it right away he waited to share it with who was supposed to be with him when he received the letter. He was leaving tomorrow to head back to Bent Creek to make sure that the tombstone was up. He would read it then.
Adam knelt down in front of the two tombstones. He pulled the letter out of his pocket. He opened it up to see:
Dear Adam,
I am so sorry that I can’t be with you at this the most important time in your life.
I want you to know how much I love you and how much that your father and I loved each other. It was our love that brought you into this world. I know that you are a fine man and will make a fine husband. I know that the woman that you take to be your wife will be a very lucky woman. Love her with all your heart and the reward that you receive will be unmatched. I love you Adam.
Your Mother
“How true mother how true.” Adam said looking up to the heavens. “Mother, take care of them for I am unable to.” Adam rose and looked one more time at the stone then whispered. “I love you both.” He turned and walked away.
The stone read:
Jessie and Davey
Beloved Wife and Son
Of
Adam Cartwright
The End
