Thanks folks! I have been trying to get this finished. I want to start a new story! I promise there will be more of the Cartwright's in the next one. I know that has been a let down for some of you, I just wanted to write this love story using the Ponderosa as the background. I guess that is sort of like the episode I watched the other day where they did that.

Thanks again to all of you reading and those of you reviewing!! Please keep in touch as it helps me a lot:-)

Chapter 9

"You have to tell us anything you can about that will." Ben stated as he pinched the bridge of his nose between his forefinger and his thumb.

He soon stopped and turned to look back at Melanie who sat straight up on the couch. Her hair was now pulled back and secured behind her head in a string of leather; a few stray strands blew in the breeze as it moved through the opened windows. She wrung her hands pushing them against the folds of her lilac colored skirt. She had changed her clothes after Ben had convinced her she wasn't going to chase down whom ever had custody of her precious Nicholas.

"I don't know anything about it, Ben." She whispered shaking her head in frustration.

"You have to know something." Adam blurted out as forward where he had been leaning against the shaped rock of the fireplace and chimney. He slowly walked in a nervous circle behind the chair Melanie sat erect in. He was getting flustered from her lack of knowledge concerning her late father's estate. He was frustrated about who would be demanding a will from an only child who would technically inherit everything eventually.

Melanie could feel the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end as Adam's masculine frame passed behind her. She could smell the scent of aftershave balm on the air as he crossed her path. She ran her hands over her shoulders as she suddenly felt cold. She was terrified that her father had passed and left a will somewhere that she had no idea about. She was frightened that this information would lead to demise of her darling Nicholas.

"I just don't understand who is so eager to get their hands on this will." Adam mumbled crossing his hands in front of his chest. "Why would your father hide it from you and then leave no indication of it for you when he died?"

"Adam, do you think I'm trying to hide something from you? He never said anything before he died. He just said over and over to bring Ben the picture. He wanted your father to…" Melanie stopped mid sentence and took in a deep breath.

"What is it?" Ben asked as Melanie raised her hand to her lips.

"I don't know, maybe its nothing." Melanie shook her head.

"What?" Adam asked leaning over the chair behind Melanie.

The young woman ran her long fingers over the abrasion on her forehead. It still smarted with the slightest touch. The dark purple seemed to shimmer in the late day sunlight.

"Melanie, please we're trying to help." Joe stated as he and Hoss crossed the room in her direction.

"Well, Ben, do you think that maybe there is a reason he wanted you to have the picture. I mean… he hadn't seen you in years and, well, maybe he…"

"Maybe he hid it in plain sight!" Ben interrupted as he dashed towards the picture now leaning against the wall.

"Pa…" Hoss raised his eyebrow as he watched his father lift the precious heirloom and look at it from the back.

"Joseph, find me something to pry this back off with." Ben huffed as he began to use his finger to pry away at the veneer covering the delicate paper image.

"Got it!"

--

"Do you think we should, maybe give'em some water or somthin, Angus?" The young man asked as he and another man watched Nicholas slowly regain consciousness again.

"Nah Shane, Boss said not to touch him. We're supposed to keep him quiet." The other replied looking down on the profusely sweating man they were holding captive.

Nicholas could hardly piece together reality. He was so hungry he thought he could eat a horse if it was lying dead and rotting in the sunlight in front of him. His throat was so raw he was certain he had been swallowing dirt and his tongue was swollen. Between it and the sour gag shoved between his teeth he thought he might choke to death before they finished with whatever their plans were for him. Each breath was sheer torture from the hitch in his tender side. He could hear the men talking but what they said was a mystery. The continuous vertigo he was feeling from the vicious attack to his head by the stranger with the dark mustache lead to unremitting nausea.

Nicholas slowly raised his head trying to focus on the two men in front of him. He tugged sluggishly at the ropes holding his hands behind him. He then whimpered at the pain the slightest movement had inflicted on his damaged ribs. That involuntary noise earned in a sudden kick to his leg.

"Shut up." One of the men demanded.

Nicholas flinched and whimpered again as he fought the pain now burning within his right leg. He clamped his eyes closed and bit down hard on the gag willing and wishing the pain would go away. In his head he pictured Melanie. Her long flaxen locks cascading down her back. He could smell the scent of roses in his imagination. He then felt his thoughts turn to fears as he then imagined what the men may have done to her. Why did they want him? He had no enemies here. What could he possibly have that they would want?

"Gentlemen… that is no way to treat our guest." A tall grey haired man stated coldly as he walked through the door. The dark haired man with mustache was at his side.

"Who are you?" Angus Jonas asked curling his lip as he looked at the older man.

"My name is Claude Albright; you may address me as Mr. Albright, or sir. This must be Nicholas St. Clair." The wiry haired man stated as he removed his top hat and gloves handing them to Jason who was standing at his side. Claude walked swiftly across the floor and stooped down in front of Nicholas who recoiled as Claude stooped next to him.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet my lovely niece's suitor." Claude reached up and pulled the gag from Nicholas's lips and looked at the young man. "Perhaps I can offer you some water?" Claude snapped his finger as Jason carried a tin cup full of liquid over to his boss.

Nicholas only watched the man with a puzzled expression on his face. He blinked his dry eyes as he yearned for the contents of the cup. Claude then took the cup and gently pushed the metal mug towards Nicholas's lips. Nicholas licked his cracked lips as he pushed himself against the ropes towards the prize. He could feel the cold metal against his chin as he slowly pushed his lips over the side and struggled to take a drink.

The water flowed over his lips and dribbled down the side of his face. It had never felt so good to have the lukewarm liquid flow over his teeth and into his mouth. It was like the rains in the desert, delightful and comforting but gone all too suddenly. Nicholas licked his lips as the last of the liquid dripped down his chin and dotted the front of his chest and shirt.

"Merci..." Nicholas whispered as he was suddenly stricken with uncontrollable coughing.

Claude watched the man as he coughed and then finally stopped. Nicholas grimaced before looking back up at his captor.

"What-what do you want… with me?"

"It's not really you that I want. You're more like a pawn in all of this." Claude answered handing the cup back to Jason who quickly deposited it on the mantel beside him. He in turn handed a white handkerchief to Claude. "I do apologize, young man, but I really don't think it'll work out for you and Mellie." Claude carefully slid his hand over Nicholas's mouth and nose.

Nicholas felt his stomach drop as the words hit his ears. Not a second later the cloth was clapped over his mouth and nose. The material had been doused in a pungent smelling liquid, chloroform. The foul liquid instantly began to dull his senses as he fought to try and stand up or move away despite his bonds. He struggled against the bonds holding his wrists. He pushed with all his strength against the ropes across his chest. He could feel something crack sickeningly in his side as a blinding white light ignited in his head and the world went black.

"Get him out of here. We don't have much time. We'll meet at Black Snake Canyon. I want the letter delivered to the Ponderosa within the hour. Then we move in."

"Yes, Sir." Jason nodded as he and the two men cut Nicholas loose and began to drag the tall man out the door to the waiting wagon.

--

"What is it, Pa?' Adam asked standing next to Melanie a supportive arm wrapped around her shoulder.

"It… it's a letter. It's been addressed to me. There's another one for Melanie." Ben furrowed his brow as he slowly handed one envelope to Melanie.

"What's it say, Pa?" Joe asked moving closer.

Ben took a seat at his desk and swallowed hard. He could here the footsteps as his children moved closer around him. He looked at the handwriting on the page. The inked words were like a voice beyond the grave. Ben let his fingers glide across the paper looking up at Melanie who was holding her own unopened envelope in one trembling hand while wiping tears from her eyes with the other. He felt a lump form in his throat as he looked at her and then back down at her own letter.

"My Friend, Ben;

I am so sorry that I will never make it back to see you again. Unfortunately the sun is setting on my life and I know now it will not be long before I am with my beloved Constance again. It is with a heavy heart that I must send my beautiful Melanie to deliver this picture and the news to you. I do so wish I could have seen you one last time. It would have been enjoyable reliving our glory days once again. The one respite for me is that I have gotten to see Melanie blossom into a fine young woman. I feel in my heart that she is ready to assume responsibility for the Shipyard and all that goes with it. I am leaving you as the executor of my estate to see that my wishes are fulfilled. Please see the will as it is also with the picture I sent with Melanie for you. I do fear that her Uncle Claude will use any means necessary to take control of the business from her. He has become quite greedy and power hungry since the onset of my illness. I had this will drawn up sometime ago and feel that the safest place for it is in your care.

There is one more thing I must ask of you. Please take care of my little girl. She is now alone in this world. I would have relished in seeing her marry and enjoy children but I fear that she let her own plans for a future go when I became such a burden to her. I am so proud of her. Please give her the fatherly advice that she will need as she takes control of her own destiny.

I will miss you, Ben. I will miss the time we shared growing up. You will always hold a special place in my heart. You raised three fine boys and your dreams became a reality, as did mine. Thank you for all that you have been to me and all that you will be to my daughter. Someday we will meet again…

Yours truly,

William Albright"

Ben held the copy of the will in his hands. He looked visibly shaken as he wiped a tear from his eye; he sniffled lightly as he placed the document on his desk. Ben looked over at his boys who were all standing around the desk. He was so blessed to have been given the three boys who would and continue to support him and his dream of the Ponderosa.

"Melanie, the shipyard, the home, all of your fathers assets are yours. It's all yours…" Ben started.

Melanie looked at the floor. As Ben read the words of the will to her. She shook as she continued to hold the sealed envelope in her hands. Her shoulders shook as she leaned forward and struggled to stifle her emotions, her loose blond hairs falling over her hands covering her face.

"Mel…" a gravely voice said softly.

Melanie wiped her eyes as she tied to look up. She struggled to find that strength she should possess to push her emotions to the side and deal with the situation at hand.

"We're gonna find him, I promise." Ben grasped her hand in his as he pulled her to her feet and held her in a tight embrace. He could feel the tears burning hot on his shoulder as he ran his hand across the back of her head. Ben wasn't about to let this person, whom ever he was win.