"It was very nice, Aunt Victoria," Michelle replied.
They chatted briefly. Victoria told her that Heath and Audra would be returning from visiting Eugene in a day or two.
"Mother!" Nick bellowed as he entered the house. "I see her buggy. Where is she?"
"We're in the study," Victoria answered while Michelle laughed to herself. Same old quiet as a mouse Nick.
Nick barreled through the door, grabbed Michelle, picked her up and swung her around.
"Nick," Victoria cautioned. "She's not a ragdoll."
Nick set her down. "How long are you staying this time?"
"Hopefully long enough to catch my breath," she teased.
"She will be staying on for Jarrod's birthday," his mother told him.
"Alright!" Nick yelled as he scooped his cousin up again. "That means at least three weeks!" Victoria gave her son a look to which he responded by putting Michelle down again.
"By the way," Nick said to his mother. "Jarrod stayed in town to meet that friend of his at the train."
"What friend?" Michelle asked.
"His name is Adam," Victoria responded. "And actually he's coming here to meet you."
"Oh, no." Michelle was unmarried and well-meaning friends and relatives were always trying to change that.
Victoria laughed. "It's not what you think, dear. Adam is a big fan of your books. He wanted to meet you."
"Well, I can always use another fan."
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"Adam Cartwright, meet Michelle Kaufman." Jarrod made the formal introduction.
Adam kissed her hand. "It's an honor to make your acquaintance."
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Cartwright."
"Adam," he said quickly. "Mr. Cartwright is my father."
Jarrod continued. "And this is Adam's younger brother Joseph."
"How do you do, ma'am."
"Hello, Joseph."
"'Joe' is fine, ma'am."
"Well, Joe, you don't have to keep calling me 'ma'am'."
Joe blushed slightly. "Yes, ma'am, I do. My pa said if I was going to come with my brother to meet you I was to be very respectful."
"This may be a first," Adam joked.
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After dinner everyone gathered in the study for coffee or Jarrod's preference- brandy. It also provided time for Michelle to field questions.
Adam had his choice spot sitting beside his favorite author. "I've read all eight of your books. I think my favorite was 'The Duchess of Lemons'."
"I enjoyed writing that one. By the way, there are nine books now. Nick," she directed him to the satchel on the desk, "please hand me my bag." Nick obliged her. She reached in and retrieved a book which she presented to Adam. "It's an advance copy from my publisher," she told him. "It's not really due to be out for a few months."
"I don't know what to say," Adam said as he accepted the book. "I'll cherish it always." He read the title. "The Education of the King."
"It's based on a real king she met," Jarrod bragged after a sip of brandy.
"You really met a king, ma'am?" Joe asked.
"All her characters are based on people she's met," Adam answered before Michelle could open her mouth.
"Many people have requested to be characters as well," Victoria offered.
"Ma'am, were you always a writer? For a living I mean."
"I didn't make much money when I started," Michelle admitted. "I worked for a few years as a therapist."
"A what, ma'am?"
"A therapist," she repeated. "It's something rather new in Europe. Basically, I helped people with problems."
"I still can't believe people paid you for that," Nick grunted.
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Michelle was reading by the fireplace. It was several seconds before she realized Nick was standing over her. "Nick?"
Nick was sheepish. "Look, I'm sorry about that comment I made earlier."
"It's okay. Are you going to bed?"
"No. I'm going to the kitchen. I'm hungry."
"Again?"
Nick shrugged.
Michelle closed her book and stood. "In that case how about a nice piece of pear pie. I just made it."
Nick laughed. "Is there anything you can't do?"
"Come on." She put her arm around his waist. He placed his across her shoulder and they walked into the kitchen.
Michelle was serving pie when Joe entered. "Something smells good." He spotted the plate being handed to Nick. "Got a piece for me."
Michelle reached for another plate.
"You're having a party and didn't invite me," Jarrod joked entering.
"You ought to try this pie, Jarrod. It's great." Nick swallowed another mouthful.
Jarrod rested a hand on Nick's shoulder. "Early appointment, brother Nick, I'm going to bed. I'll see you tomorrow." He and Nick kissed each other.
"Goodnight, Jarrod."
As Jarrod exited Michelle started to hand a plate to Joe but his focus had been on Nick and Jarrod.
Later that night Michelle sat in her room pen in hand. It had been habit to write in her journal every night before retiring.
Joe knocked lightly on the door and called, "Ma'am, may I come in?" Michelle answered in the affirmative and Joe opened the door. "You sure I'm not bothering you. I mean I can wait. I..."
"Come in," she said more firmly.
He came into the room and sat in a chair opposite her. "Ma'am, did you really used to help people with problems?"
"Yes, I did." She smiled at him as he looked at her meekly. "Do you need help with a problem?"
"Well...can I ask you something?" Michelle nodded. "You've known Jarrod and Nick a long time haven't you?"
"You could say that."
"Did they always do that?"
"Do what?"
"Well, you know..."
Michelle looked blank.
"When Jarrod was going to bed...you know."
"Oh." The realization of what Joe was talking about hit. She offered no lengthy explanation in the matter. She simply said, "Yes."
"Well, ma'am, do you think..." Joe hesitated. "What do you think?"
"I think I'm not a mind reader, Joe. I can't help you unless you tell me what's wrong."
Joe grew sheepish. "Um..um...You know, never mind. I can handle it." He rose. "Thank-you, ma'am." He hurried out of the room.
Adam was totally engrossed in his new book 'The Education of the King' by Michelle Kaufman which she had given to him a few hours earlier. He didn't notice Joe enter the room until his form blocked the light. "Joe, do you mind?"
Joe leaned over close to Adam's face.
"Joe, do you want something?"
Joe straightened quickly. Adam returned to the book. Joe leaned in again.
"Joe, what do you want?"
Again, Joe straightened. "Nothing." He backed away and got into bed. "Goodnight, Adam," he said.
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"Did you sleep well, Adam?" Michelle asked him when he entered the kitchen. She'd risen early to prepare breakfast. She was making a recipe she acquired in Europe- crepes filled with curded cheese and served with strawberry jam.
"Yeah, I suppose." Adam helped himself to a cup of coffee. "My brother was acting very strange last night."
Michelle turned from the crepe she was rolling. "How so?"
"It was eerie. He kept leaning close- breathing down my neck. When I asked him what he wanted he said 'nothing' Then a minute later he'd do it again.
Michelle chuckled.
"What's so funny?"
"What would you give for the right answer...or at least a good guess?"
"You know?"
"I THINK I do. You see Joe was in here last night when Jarrod came to say goodnight to Nick..."
"I got ya." Adam had known Jarrod for years. "So the little bugger wanted to give me a kiss," he said amused.
"I don't know for sure, mind you. But he did come to my room and ask if Jarrod and Nick always did that."
"He wanted to kiss me," Adam repeated still amused. He turned and went to the kitchen door. "Joe, come in here please." He returned to Michelle.
"Adam, what are you going to do?"
"He's my brother," Adam said matter-of-factly. "I'm going to help him out."
"Adam..."
"Look, one of the reasons for this trip was to try to make some kind of connection with each other. This seems as good as any... if not better."
Joe entered the kitchen. "What's up?"
Adam moved closer to him. "I just wanted to tell you you're a terrific brother and I love you."
Joe was taken aback but not for long. "I love you too," he said puzzled.
Adam nodded. "Good." He touched his forefinger to his mouth. "Right here," he told Joe.
Joe grinned. He stepped forward and placed a kiss on his brother's lips. When he did he felt Adam kiss him as well.
Joe looked to Michelle. "Thanks."
"For what?"
"Being a mind reader."
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Two days later Jarrod and Michelle saw Adam and Joe off at the train.
Adam kissed Michelle's hand. "Good-bye, lovely lady. It's been a pleasure."
Michelle squeezed his hand. "Good-bye."
Joe who had already said his farewells to Jarrod tipped his hat to her. "Good-bye, ma'am." He turned and boarded the train.
Adam gave Jarrod a quick hug. "I want to thank you."
Jarrod smiled. "Well, I knew how much you loved my cousin's books..."
"Not just that. You were a great influence on Joe...and on me too."
"I? was?"
"More than you'll know. Good-bye." Adam boarded the train.
Jarrod turned to Michelle. "What's he talking about?"
"What makes you think I know?"
"Just a hunch."
"Well, your hunch is wrong," Michelle lied.
Jarrod looked her in the eye. "No, my hunch is right. But," he relented, "I'll assume if Adam wants to tell me he will." He put an arm around her shoulder. "So are you going to write about it?"
THE END