Chapter 10

It was a lovely Sunday morning and the sky was a bright blue with just a trace of white clouds scattered here and there. It was the perfect morning to ride to church and Adam and Alissa had decided to ride by themselves in the buggy with the rest of the family riding on ahead.

"You sure are awfully quiet today. A penny for your thoughts, sweetheart," Alissa said softly, as she laid her head on Adam's shoulder and snuggled close.

"Oh I have just been doing a lot of thinking this morning. By the way, you sure do look awfully pretty today and I really like that new hat you bought."

"You do?" Alissa said smiling, as she adjusted the ribbon tighter under her chin.

"I didn't wear hats like these before and I have to admit, it is taking a little getting use to. But with the hot sun I do need to wear something. I am so glad you like it," Alissa grinned, as she leaned over and kissed Adam on his cheek.

"Now then, please tell me what you have been thinking about. Has it something to do with the ranch?"

Shaking his head Adam turned and smiled as he urged the horse to go a little faster.

"Actually no, it was you that I was thinking about."

"Me? Were you thinking about how much you love me even though I am a royal pain in your…"

Ali quickly stopped talking in mid sentence as she saw Adam suddenly scowl as their eyes met and his eyebrow rose slightly at her comment.

"I mean, even though I am giving you gray hair?" Alissa joked, as she gave Adam a saucy wink and straightened out the folds on her new yellow dress.

"Well I certainly do love you, and yes you probably are giving me gray hair with all your antics," Adam chuckled. "But that is not what I have been thinking about."

Suddenly pulling up on the horse's reins, Adam stopped the buggy before turning in the seat to talk with Alissa.

"No, my love, I was thinking about that reporter job of yours."

Looking rather discouraged Ali quickly interrupted Adam, "I know…you are going to make me quit, aren't you?"

"Quite the contrary. I have been thinking about how important this job seems to be to you and maybe you could keep it after all. I could make a point to go into town at least once a week and on those days you could work at the newspaper. Then I wouldn't worry about you because I would be there just incase you needed me. How does that sound?"

"Oh, Adam, do you mean it?" Ali asked excitedly, as she quickly maneuvered onto Adam's lap and put her arms around his neck and started kissing him.

First she kissed each dimple, then his forehead and chin, and finally ended with a very passionate kiss on his lips.

"Mmm, that's the kind of answer I quite enjoy," Adam whispered against her lips, as he placed his arms around her petite frame and pulled her closer.

"But you might not want to get too excited just yet until I tell you the conditions that will go with the job."

"Ahh, you are spoiling the moment with your silly conditions," Ali pouted, as she rested her cheek on his chest. Then she quickly sat back and crossed her arms.

"Okay, what are your conditions, boss man?"

"Boss man, boss man, I'll show you bossy…you little brat," Adam laughed, as he started tickling her sides. He knew exactly where she was the most ticklish and soon she was squirming on his lap trying to get away.

"Oh, Adam, stop this at once! You will wrinkle my pretty new dress and you just may make me have a very unfortunate accident!"

As usual, Alissa's comment about an accident quickly brought a slight blush to Adam's face. She was the only girl he had ever known that could do that. And some of the comments that came out of her mouth were certainly blush worthy at times, even for a man he thought to himself as he finally stopped tickling her.

"Alright, sweetheart, let's set the ground rules for your job."

"Very well," She grumbled, as she got off of his lap and sat back along side of him and turned in the seat to listen.

"Let's have it."

"Have what?" Adam asked, looking slightly confused.

Rolling her eyes Ali answered, "Never mind. Just tell me the conditions for the job."

"Very well. I want you to only report on anything that has to do with ladies' issues. I think that should keep you safe and out of saloons," Adam smirked.

"Oh, Adam, sewing bees and bake sales…those are the boring issues. Can't I just do an occasional interesting one?" Ali pleaded, as she smiled sweetly hoping to persuade him to change his mind.

"Nope, just women's issues. Hopefully those topics will keep you out of trouble and any danger that you tend to find."

"But…"

"No buts, that is my final answer. These are the conditions with which I will be most comfortable letting you work on the newspaper. After all I want you safe while you are doing this job, little one. And I know this isn't exactly what you would like, but you are my number one concern and I have thought about it and figure that women's issues would keep you from ending up in a saloon or worse," he added grinning.

"So what is your answer, sweetheart?"

"Very well, I will just stick to women's issues," Ali said, as she tried to hide her annoyance.

Then it came to her—women's issues, now that could prove to be quite interesting! And it would be right up my alley she smiled slyly, as all the things that woman can't do came to mind. Her women's march ended badly but there was always a chance to do it again. And that certainly had been a 'woman's issue' she grinned. Hmm, yes indeed, right up my alley.

Of course the look she gave Adam didn't give her away in the least as she turned in her seat and smiled pleasantly as she responded, "Thank you so much for changing your mind, Adam. I can't wait to see what I can get involved in at the newspaper."

"Good, I am glad you are happy. Now we better hurry or we will be late for church."

Snuggling against Adam's side and sliding her arm through the crook in his arm Alissa sighed, "I sure do love you, my handsome cowboy."

"And I love you back, my delightful little trouble maker."

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxo

The sermon in church was long and rather boring and it was all Alissa could do to stay awake. As soon as the sermon ended she was glad to be out in the fresh air and quickly hurried down the steps with Adam.

"Do you mind if I join pa and the others over by the tree there for a moment? I need to speak to them about some matters that came up on the lumber contract?"

"Of course not, I see Jessica over there and I want to go and talk to her anyway. So take your time, sweetheart," Alissa answered, as she squeezed Adam's hand before he smiled down at her and then walked away.

Hurrying over to Jessica, Alissa quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the group of churchgoers that she was standing next to.

"Come on, Jessie, I need to talk to you in private."

Once they where away from the others Ali couldn't wait to ask Jessica, "So tell me, how did it go Friday night with your father?"

Jessica frowned and rolled her eyes.

"Well how do you think it went? Not well. My brother lectured me all the way home and after he told my father what had happened and that we had been in a saloon, my pa just sat down and looked liked he had swallowed a sour lemon. He sat there for the longest time getting control of his temper and finally sent me to my room. I think you can guess what happened next," Jessie winced, and Ali knew exactly what she meant.

"I am so sorry, Jessie, I sure didn't want to get you into trouble. I just wish it had gone better for us in the saloon. If that stupid oaf hadn't gotten involved, everything would have been fine and we could have left without any problem."

Grabbing Ali's arm, Jessica grinned as her blue eyes sparkled, "Now you just listen to me, Alissa Anderson! My life was so boring until you came along, and I just love going on all the new adventures you always seem to get involved in. I wouldn't change a thing and would take a trip over my pa's knee any day just to have that kind of excitement in my life. Besides, it really didn't hurt…except when I sit," Jessica laughed.

"You know I told my father that at seventeen I was too old for that kind of punishment. But he said that if I was foolish enough to go into a saloon full of men, then I was acting childish and deserved a childish punishment, and besides as far as he was concerned I was never too old for that."

Frowning slightly Ali shook her head as she sighed resignedly.

"Yeah, it seems like I have heard that comment before. Men in this era are just set in their ways on that subject for sure. They must all read the same book on how to handle women. I guess we are just going to have to set them straight, aren't we?"

"Men in this era… you are so funny with some of the things that you say, Ali," Jessica giggled, as she hugged Ali close.

"Now, speaking of sitting, let's go sit on the bench over there as I have so much news to tell you," Ali smiled, and tugged on Jessica's arm.

Both girls laughed and walked over to the wooden bench that was located under a tree a few feet away from the church steps.

Once seated Jessie quickly turned to Alissa and declared, "You just have to tell me what happened to you with Adam once you got home! He sure was mad as a wet hen when I left you. But I am sure you just batted those long eyelashes like you always do and he was butter in your hands."

"Mmm, it wasn't quite like that. I sorta lost my temper…"

"Imagine that," Jessie quipped.

"Hey, why does everyone say I have a bad temper?"

"Because you do."

"Whatever," Ali grumbled, and untied the ribbon under her chin and placed her hat on the bench seat beside her.

"Anyway, Adam just made me so mad that by the time we got home my temper was simmering. So when he got a sarcastic look on his face at something I said, well that was all it took! I grabbed an apple and started throwing one apple after another. Of course I never hit him and only managed to start breaking a few things in the room."

"Apples? Why apples?"

"Because that was what was handy."

"Oh," Jessie murmured, as if she understood but really didn't have the faintest idea why Ali threw apples.

Playing with the ribbon on her hat Ali continued on.

"Adam was not happy in the least that I was throwing things and kept warning me to stop. Then when he started coming at me threatening to spank me because I was acting like a spoiled child, well I decided to try and stop him by throwing something a little more substantial than an apple…so I grabbed a figurine."

"Of course you did," Jessie responded, sounding as if it made perfect sense to her even though it didn't.

Alissa let out a frustrated sigh.

"Unfortunately I didn't hit Adam and only managed to break a lamp, and then a vase full of flowers. So naturally Adam was a little ticked off."

"Ticked off?"

"He was mad!"

"Oh."

"So then what happened? And where was Joe during all of this?"

"Oh Joe left as soon as he saw that I was angry. You know Joe, he much rather be kissing a gal than arguing with one. So he high tailed it for the kitchen. Then I guess he went to the barn and we didn't see him until after it was all over."

"So tell me, was Adam mad that you broke all those things?"

An amused smiled tugged at Ali's lips as she said, "Oh yeah, you could say that. And he wasn't the only one. Ben decided to show up and started bellowing when he saw the sight of the mess in the great room."

"Well, you can hardly blame him, you know."

"I know. I really didn't mean to break anything. I only wanted to hit my smug fiancé…but you know how bad my aim is."

Jessica nodded her head in agreement having seen Alissa throw things before. And Ali was right, she couldn't hit the side of a barn if she stood right in front of it Jessie thought smiling.

"Anyway, the evening went from bad to worse," Ali said with a shrug.

Gabbing Ali's arm Jessie pressed her further. "Tell me, Ali…what happened next?"

"Well…Ben finished yelling and went to bed. But unfortunately when he first appeared at the top of the stairs I got distracted by his yelling and Adam used that moment to make his move. So he was able to grab me and then he sat down and easily put me over his knee. And I think you know the rest of that story," Ali said sarcastically.

"Once again my fiery temper got me into trouble. If I would have calmed down instead of losing my temper, Adam and I would have just talked about everything that happened in the saloon. But did I calm down? No, I have to go and start throwing things like some crazy spoiled child. So he finally had enough and decided to treat me like one," Alissa noted dryly.

Scraping the toe of her shoe on the ground in front of the bench Alissa smiled briefly as she continued.

"Oh I know there would have been plenty of yelling on Adam's part during the conversation, no doubt about that. And that certainly wouldn't have been pleasant. But it sure would have been a lot more pleasant for my backside than what eventually happened!"

Alissa frowned and let out a long exasperated sigh as she waited for Jessica's reaction to what she had just told her. Suddenly Jessica started giggling as Ali looked at her narrowing her eyes.

"And just what may I ask is so funny?"

"I guess we both will be forgoing taking our horses on any long rides for a few days, don't you think?"

"I suppose you are right about that," Ali agreed laughing.

"Okay enough on this subject because I have some really good news to tell you about this morning," Ali said grinning, as she put her hat back on and tied a perfect bow under her chin.

"Adam has agreed to let me work on the newspaper!"

"No, you're funning me, Alissa. Adam would never let you do that. Especially after the night we had in town."

"Well he did! He said he will be coming into town one day a week so I can come with him at that time and work on the paper. There is only one condition that he gave me."

"What's that?"

"He said I could only work on women's issues."

"Oh, well at least you still get to do your newspaper job. My father would never let me work outside of the house at any job."

Looking slightly disappointed Jessie added, "But women's issues are rather boring."

Ali smiled at her friend as her bright eyes twinkled excitedly.

"Hey, don't look so disappointed. I know at first I thought great… sewing bees and bake sales and those kinds of things. But then I got excited as I started to realize that there are so many women's issues that need to be addressed here in town beside those things."

"There are?"

"Sure! Things like voting and working out of the home if you want too. Animal abuse is something I am also concerned about. Of course that isn't just a woman's issue, but it still could be one I could write about. The way some men treat their animals, not to mention their wives and children is atrocious! Way too much abuse going on! And then of course there is birth control."

"BIRTH CONTROL! Oh my Lord, Alissa Anderson. The things that you say!" Jessica gasped, as she started to fan herself.

"You are right, I probably shouldn't address that issue until I am a married lady. Besides, it is a rather touchy subject so I may just skip that one for now."

Jessica just fanned harder as she said, "My daddy would have a fit and probably lock me in my room until I was forty if I even mentioned those words out loud."

"Yeah, I imagine Adam will have a few choice things to say to me about that subject if I bring it up in public! And Ben, well I wouldn't even want to be in the same room when he heard about it. But you know, sometimes you just have to stir the water a little bit," Ali grinned and winked at her friend.

"Stir the water? No, you want to create a whole tidal wave with your wild ideas, Alissa!"

"You are right, I just need to take baby steps at first. Let's see, what controversial issue shall I write about first?" Ali said with a teasing grin, as she rested her chin in her hand and tapped the side of her face thinking.

"Ladies."

Adam suddenly appeared in front of Alissa and Jessica and touched the brim of his hat.

"Oh, Adam! You startled me!" Alissa gasped, as she gave him a lop-sided grin.

"And just what have you two been conspiring to do today may I ask?"

Adam flashed his dimpled smile, then his eyebrow arched ever so slightly as their eyes met briefly while he noticed both girls starting to look uncomfortable. At first he had been only teasing, but after watching their expressions he was certain something was probably going on with these two.

"Why nothing, Adam. You are such a skeptic, my love. We were just talking about the fact that you told me I could work on the newspaper and I was telling Jessica how excited I am to be able to work."

"Yes, Adam, I think you are so wonderful to let her get a job. Most men would not be that understanding. You are quite the modern man for sure," Jessica pointed out, as she stood up and grabbed her purse off of the bench.

Ali walked over to where Adam was standing and took hold of his arm.

"Isn't he the most amazing man around? Not to mention easy on the eyes," Ali grinned, as she slowly looked Adam up and down, much to his embarrassment.

Wanting to change this subject rather quickly Adam responded, "So, are you ready to go, sweetheart? Pa is going to treat us to lunch in town and they are all waiting at the hotel for us."

"Yes I am ready. We were just discussing some women's issues for me to look into writing about and we are finished now."

It was all Jessica could do to keep a straight face at Ali's comment.

But being a true friend she just smiled and replied calmly,"Yes, I am so excited that Alissa will be writing about all the interesting women's issues here in town. And I can't wait to help her with any of her projects."

Looking over at Jessica and back at Ali Adam responded with a sense of firmness in his voice.

"I am sure you are, Jessica, but you two ladies need to stay out of trouble and no more visits to saloons in the middle of the night, alright?"

Ali looked up at Adam as her green eyes twinkled mischievously, "Of course we will stay out of trouble, darlin'. We have had our fill of saloons for a while, haven't we, Jessica?"

"Oh yes, we most certainly have. Now you two get going and have a wonderful time."

Adam's hazel eyes narrowed as he looked down at Alissa.

"Why am I getting an uneasy feeling about you working on the newspaper?"

"Oh, sweetheart, you have nothing to worry about. Just leave it all in my capable hands," Alissa answered reassuringly, as she looked over her shoulder and gave her friend a playful wink as she and Adam headed towards the hotel.

The End

That brings this story to an end, and once again I want to thank all of you that have read and reviewed Alissa's latest adventure. I hope you will let me know what you thought of this final chapter. I am so pleased that you enjoy her antics even though poor Adam is probably in for more gray hair.

So readers, do you want her to settle down and become the perfect proper lady, or do you want her to continue with her modern thinking and independent ways of trying to change this old fashioned world that she has found herself in? What do you think? ~ Sierra