Heart and Soul

Chapter 1

Adam Cartwright slowly rode into the yard of his father's Ponderosa home. Of course, it was his home too, ever since he was a child, but some times he wished he was far away from it. Today was one of those days. He was tired and discouraged. The day started off right but certainly didn't end that way. Now he was late for dinner and had to tell his family why they weren't going to have enough horses for the army contract.

Sport had come to a stop on his own outside the barn. He gave an impatient whinny and shake of his head that got Adam's attention. "Sorry, boy. I know you're as tired as I am."

Adam stiffly dismounted and started to open the barn doors. Zeke suddenly opened them and stopped in his tracks. "Oh, evening Adam. Say, you okay? Somethin' happen out on the range with them horses?"

"Yeah, you could say that Zeke. Listen I just need to get Sport bedded down and get some supper. I'm not in the mood for chatter tonight. If you'll excuse me." Adam tried to move past Zeke who was still standing in the doorway, but Zeke stopped him.

"I'll take care of yer horse for ya, Adam. Yer Pa said to tell ya to come straight in when ya arrived home."

Adam scratched his neck and turned to look at the house. Although he was exhausted he was hoping for a few quiet moments while taking care of Sport. He needed to get his thoughts together.

"Well, thanks Zeke." Adam patted Sport's neck. "Listen, mind giving him some extra attention tonight?"

"Sure thing Adam. He looks about as tuckered as you do." Zeke smiled with his toothy grin and took the horse's reins. "Come on boy; let's get ya taken care of."

Adam turned and walked to the house. As he laid his hand on the door handle, he sighed and rubbed his neck again. His father was not going to like what Adam had to tell him. Well, better get it over with, Adam thought morosely.

He walked in quietly. He could hear Joe talking about something he did today. Adam laid his hat and gun belt on the sideboard and put on a confident smile that he did not feel.

"Evening everyone. Sorry I'm late for dinner."

Ben looked up and saw how dirty Adam was. Concern crossed his face but then it was gone.

"Adam, why don't you go upstairs and wash up. Then you can eat your dinner and tell us how it went with the horses today."

"Thanks Pa. I thought it might be best not to eat with half of Nevada's dirt all over me. I'll just be a few minutes."

As Ben called for Hop Sing to bring Adam's plate, Joe and Hoss watched their brother slowly ascend the steps. He was favoring his right hip, the one that gave him trouble about a year ago after a bad fall had injured his back. They looked at each other and silently agreed to not say anything till later.

After dinner the family sat in the living room drinking coffee and listening to Adam tell his story.

"Everything was going well for us to get the mustangs rounded up and into the northern pasture. Candy was getting ready to sort them when some Paiutes arrived claiming the horses as theirs."

Nearly bolting from the settee, Joe hotly interjected. "But Dark Horse already said they had collected all they needed for their summer use. What happened with that? We need those horses for the Army contract."

"I know Joe and you're right. These Paiutes claimed to be sent from Dark Horse and they wanted every one of them. When I told them I would ride with them to speak to Dark Horse, they backed down and rode away. Candy and I figured that was the end of it and started to sort the horses. Well, about two hours later, they came back. They ran through the herd and sent them scattering. We didn't have enough men to stop them, but Candy and the hands did their best to try. When I gave chase, I got caught between a couple of the Paiutes. They rammed against Sport and knocked me to the ground. I landed hard on my right hip. It hurt too much to try to move so I was stuck there till they moved on. After a few minutes, Candy rode up and helped me to stand. Since I could put weight on my leg I decided to ride home and see what you wanted to do, Pa. Candy and the men are still up there. They want to ride out tomorrow and get the herd back. I told them to hold off till I spoke with you."

Adam took a sip of his coffee as he eyed his father. Ben's look said it all. It had been difficult dealing with Dark Horse as the new leader of the Paiutes but he felt things were going well. Dark Horse understood about the Cartwrights' ties to Winnemucca and he said he wanted to honor that relationship. But he was also young and more independent so both parties were learning how to work together.

"I'll ride up to their camp tomorrow and find out what's going on. Adam can you ride with me? Is your hip okay?"

"Yeah, Pa. It's sore but that's all. I have full movement. I assume you'll want to leave at first light."

"Yes. Joe, you and Hoss ride out to Candy. Help them track the herd and see where they went. Don't do anything. If they're near the Paiute camp, let us know. Adam and I will take care of it."

Both men nodded.

"Well we better call it a night. Be ready to ride just after sunup."

Everyone stood and headed to bed.

The next day went better than anyone thought it would. When Hoss and Joe met up with Candy, they found that the horses had been taken to a canyon near the Paiute camp. Hoss and Candy, along with the ranch hands, kept an eye on them while Joe rode to the Paiute camp a few miles away.

Meanwhile, Ben and Adam had discovered that the Paiutes who had taken the horses were some young braves out to capture their own mounts. They were to take some from a wild herd further north but instead chose to take the ones from the Cartwrights. They felt it would show more of their bravery if they took them from the white men. They were very wrong. Dark Horse was infuriated when he learned what they had done. The braves were told to return the herd to the Cartwrights and then were told they would have to hunt on foot until the next full moon.

Ben and Adam returned home that evening confident with their promising friendship with Dark Horse. Joe and Hoss stayed with the herd and would help Candy bring them home the next day.

Sitting in their usual chairs by the fire, Ben and Adam sipped some brandy, each lost in their own thoughts.

Adam kept shifting in his chair and Ben finally commented. "Son, why don't you go up and sit in the tub for a while. I bet Hop Sing can give you something to ease the stiffness in your hip."

"Yeah, I guess that would help. I'll go speak to him." Adam started to rise.

"Before you go, there's something I'd like to ask of you."

Sitting back down, Adam's curiosity was piqued. "Okay, what is it, Pa?"

Ben took a deep breath then let it out slowly. He stood and walked to his desk to retrieve some papers. After handing them to Adam, he sat back down.

"That offer came in the mail yesterday while you were up with the horses. I want to bid on it but I would like you to go to Sacramento to check it out first. Look it over and let me know in the morning if you're interested."

Adam had thumbed through the papers as Ben spoke. "It looks like they want several types of lumber for a building project along the water front. Are you wondering if we can fulfill the order or if their plan is feasible?"

Ben smiled. "Both. With your engineering expertise I'm hoping you can tell me if it's something we should get involved with. We have a month before the bids are due so that should give you time to investigate and come home with an answer."

"Let me read it through tonight. I'll probably need to talk to Joe as well to get a feel for our timber commitments. I could leave for Sacramento day after tomorrow if that suits you."

"That's fine. However, now that you have injured your hip, are you sure you want to take this on?"

"Pa, I think I need a break from the ranch for a while. It's been a rough year and this is just what I need to get me back on track. Besides with a sore hip I'm not going to be much use around here, now am I?" Adam smiled. He suspected his father knew he needed the break.

"I guess not, son. Then it's settled. Why don't I go into town tomorrow and get the train ticket. I'll leave it open-ended so you can come back when you're ready."

"Sounds good, Pa. Now if you don't mind I think I need a good soak in the tub." Adam eased himself up and moved very slowly toward the kitchen to speak to Hop Sing. Ben's smile changed to a concerned frown after Adam passed him. His son needed a lot more than a soak in the tub to fix what ailed him. After the heartbreaking fiasco last year with a certain couple (Ben didn't even want to think about them), Adam needed something to fix his heart and soul. Ben sincerely hoped this trip would be just the cure for his eldest son.

Chapter 2

(This section is rated T. We meet Jason Landry, Emily's fiancé. He has anger and control issues.)

Emily Carter sat by the window in her apartment and cried. She cradled her right wrist as she rocked back and forth trying to bring herself comfort. She could hear her fiancé, Jason Landry, in the other room. He was looking for something but she didn't know what. Just a few minutes earlier he'd forced his way into her apartment and accused her of seeing another man. He was highly agitated and kept running his hands through his dark blonde hair. He had grabbed her wrist and twisted it causing it to snap. That's when he pushed her into her bedroom and started ransacking her apartment.

Jason charged back into her bedroom and grabbed Emily by her sore arm. She bit her lower lip to keep from crying out. "Emily! Where is it? Where is that letter I saw you holding? I want to know who dared to write to you. Who is he?!" Jason drew her close to him and spoke carefully and quietly.

"Tell me where the letter is, now, or you'll have more problems than just a sore wrist."

Through her tears she gasped. "I told you Jason, it was from my father. It's on my dresser near the door. Please let me go. You're frightening me, Jason."

He released her and went to the dresser. He picked up the letter and read it. Throwing it aside he stalked back to Emily and grabbed her by her hair. "If I find out you have been seeing another man, I swear I'll kill him, and you. Do you understand me?"

Jason's dark brown eyes bore into Emily's. Emily could only nod. She saw so much raw hatred in his eyes she didn't know what else to do.

Jason finally released her. "I'll be back next week, after this fight that's coming up. Be ready to leave. You and I are going to see the Justice of the Peace and make things legal. Then you'll be Mrs. Jason Landry and no man will be able to touch you ever again." He turned and stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door behind him.

Emily sank to the floor, in complete fear and helplessness. After a few minutes she worked her way over to where her father's letter lay scattered on the floor. She gathered up the pages and held them to her heart and wept bitterly. "Oh Papa, what am I to do? I need help. I need you to tell me what to do?" She collapsed onto the floor and cried herself to sleep.

Emily awoke to someone shaking her. She cried out and tried to get way. That brought pain to her injured wrist and she stopped to cradle it.

"Emily, calm down. It's me Elsa. Emily, please listen. Tell me what happened. I want to help you."

"Elsa? He was here. Jason. He was so angry. He wants us to get married next week. I can't do it. I'm afraid of him. What can I do? Oh, Elsa. Please help me."

"It's okay, darling. I'll help you. Let's see to your arm and get you cleaned up. After that we'll get something to eat. I'll help you all I can, you know that."

Emily nodded. Elsa was a good friend. She had looked after Emily the day she arrived in San Francisco last year. She was even the one who told Emily not to get involved with Jason Landry. She said he was dangerous and not to be trusted. But Jason was so sweet to Emily that she didn't see the other side of Jason until it was too late. Now Emily was engaged to him and she didn't know how to get out of it. Elsa had an idea.

"You write a letter to him tellin' him it's over. That you won't marry him. I think it best you tell the police too. Then you disappear. I have friends in Sacramento who can help you get a job and keep you protected. What do ya say, honey?"

Emily was numb but she was willing to do it. She wrote the letter, spoke to the police (who didn't seem to want to do much), and she packed her bags and disappeared.

When Jason returned, he found an empty apartment and the letter Emily had left. He was livid. There wasn't much left of the apartment when he finished his rant. When he set out to find her the trail had gone cold. He had no idea where to look for her. After a few weeks he had been so busy with fighting engagements that he almost forgot about Emily Carter, until one day he thought he'd seen her in Sacramento. He couldn't be sure but he decided to find out.

Jason followed the young woman and discovered where she was staying. He finally got a good look at her and was sure it was Emily. He decided to watch and wait. In a few days he'd make his move. He'd deal with his fighting engagements first then deal with Miss Emily Carter. He would make sure she would regret leaving him. He smiled a most heinous smile as he strolled back to his hotel.