Celebrations
by
Lyn Robinson

Carole watched her husband, limping slightly, head over to the barn. He was very much better but she knew all too well that the limp would be much worse by the time he came home. Not that Adam had much choice, his brothers were out at the timber camps and although his father was much better, taking over most of the financial work without overtiring himself, he wasn’t up to physical labour. Carole wasn’t expecting her husband home until late, another project was coming near completion and Harv had been out the previous evening asking for Adam’s help to actually break into the lake itself.

Adam waved as he danced Blackie out of the yard, the horse reacting to his own excitement. It felt good to be going out on a definite job instead of dealing with the multitude of details as he had been doing, keeping all their various jobs moving and overseeing the finishing touches on his brothers’ houses. He met Harv as arranged and the two men spent an hour checking exactly where the break through would go and then organising the crew to complete the pipeline. Adam had built a filter system to fit across the inlet to ensure that nothing but water entered the pipe and that was firmly fitted into the pre-prepared base. Both Adam and Harv were in and out of the Lake as they ensured that end of the pipe was safely settled. The allowed water in the first section of the pipe and everything seemed to be running smoothly but they had to do a final check of the whole pipeline and a few odd chores at the main pumping station before they could let the water through the whole pipe. At least they knew how long the remaining tests should take and settled on a date to turn the water on all the way, although it hadn’t been announced yet.

It was late when Adam got back and he was stiff and sore, limping heavily, and had to admit that he had overstrained his sore leg but after a soak in a hot bath and a good meal, he slept like a log, the first night without any nightmares about his ordeal down the mine. Carole could see the difference when he came down for breakfast and the children revelled in their father’s zany mood. It was gone nine before Adam tore himself away and headed over to the main house to update his father and let his brothers know. The telegraph was proving its worth very quickly and both Ben and Adam found it very reassuring to have daily progress reports from the timber camps. Both Hoss and Joe were making good progress; Joe had already planned in and covered most of the extra timber required by the Consolidated Virginia. Adam passed word to his brothers that they should be testing the pipeline on Monday, 6^th June and hopefully, all being well would have a major celebration in town the following day. Both brothers intended working through the weekend and coming back to help out with the tests, as eager as Adam to see water going through the pipe to town. They had all worked hard and paid a lot, not just money, to get it built.

Adam knew that Harv was anxious about the pipe, worried whether the extra pumps they had installed would be sufficient, whether the repairs they had made would withstand the pressure, but Adam wasn’t really worried. Harv was very competent and he had double checked everything himself. Still he would be relieved once the water was flowing, he had contracts with various mines and businesses only awaiting dates and signing which Adam double checked over the weekend.

Adam rode into town on Sunday for a final conference with Harv before the trial run. His leg was still very sore but healing well and the ride into town bothered him less than he expected. Word had leaked out that they were hoping to open the pipe on Tuesday and already plans had been laid to celebrate in style. From almost universal disapproval, the pipeline had become a symbol of the growing prosperity of Virginia City and everyone liked the idea of all the money they would save with free water. Dan saw Adam ride in and joined him in the Palace as he ordered a beer, “How’s your leg? I can see you’re still limping”

“Much better, we got off very light all things considered.”

“Heard you were down the mine again last week.”

Adam sipped his beer, “Hadn’t finished what I went down for in the first place. Now can we change the subject?”

“Pipeline going to work?”

“It had better. I hear the celebrations are all planned.”

“Any worries?”

Adam grinned “Inevitably, you know me Dan I’m a worrier.”

“Can I come along and watch the tests?”

“Sure. Provided you keep out of our hair but it won’t be exactly exciting and if I tell you to get lost or that something is not for publication I expect you to go along.”

“Fair enough.” Dan agreed, knowing that Adam wouldn’t be unreasonable. He arranged when and where to meet and then he remembered something he had wanted to query, “An old acquaintance of yours is in town, maybe a future US President.”

Adam looked puzzled not having the faintest idea what Dan was talking about. Dan just grinned, “He is very interested in this pipeline, remembers you clearly enough.”

“I have a lot to do Dan and I am not in the mood for guessing games.”

Dan shook his head in mock disapproval “You really ought to read your local paper! Rutherford B Hayes, name mean anything?”

Adam drained his beer “Oh yeah, Edwin introduced us when Carole and I were back East on our honeymoon. I’m very surprised he remembers me. Is he in town now?”

“Been here three days, doing the usual tours of the mines, quite a man. He says that he can understand Robert Ingersoll’s comment that maybe he was wrong and there is a hell after all.”

Adam laughed, he had been amused by the infamous agnostics’ reaction. “I hear he’s standing for President come November.”

“Where did you hear that?”

“Word filters through Dan, you know how many contacts Pa has, but I didn’t know he was in town. Where is he staying?”

“At the International, the Presidential suite of course.”

Adam laughed, “I’ll try and pop over if I have time but there’s Harv and we have a lot to discuss.” Dan knew when his friend had dismissed him and let Adam go over to join Harv in the private dining room he had booked so they could work as they ate. It was mainly detail and Adam took copious notes as they worked out exactly what checks needed doing before they actually tried testing it by turning on the main water supply. Adam had given his word to all those whose land they crossed that there was no risk and he was determined to ensure personally that there was none. Each section would be checked separately, every blowhole along the miles of pipe. A lot of it was going to be boring, tedious and repetitive but Adam was insistent that the two of them do it personally, with just his brothers’ assistance, that way he could be sure that nothing would slip through.

Late in the afternoon they finished planning and Adam finished his final checks on the pump station and the arrival point in town. Nothing more could be done until the following day and he promised to be in early the next day with Hoss and Joe. Then rather tired and on edge Adam went back to the Palace Saloon for a drink before heading home. He was staring into his glass deep in thought, running over all that they had to do the next day oblivious of his surroundings. Quincy passed him a brandy and then stood watching very interested as the well dressed man being fêted in the corner broke away and came over to the bar. Adam wasn’t even aware of him until the man ordered two more brandies and said “Mr Cartwright I wanted to see you again, please do join me.”

Adam turned and smiled “Mr Hayes. I’m sorry I was miles away; I was going to come over to your hotel. How long are you in town?”

Hayes hadn’t really decided, his plans were fluid; he was sampling conditions across the country and be seen before the elections. He made no secret of that but he was honestly interested in the pipeline and Adam found him very easy to get on with. The two men were on the same wavelength and it seemed natural to invite him out to stay at the Ponderosa after the celebrations, provided the pipe worked well. Hayes had heard a lot about the ranch especially from Edwin, but also from many colleagues in the Senate who had visited it over the years and he didn’t hesitate at all, accepting with a grin, unashamedly admitting that he had hoped the invitation would be forthcoming. He would very much like to see the largest ranch in the state and hear their opinion on local conditions.

Adam was surprised to find they had been talking for over an hour and he had to excuse himself with quite a lot still to arrange before the final tests on the pipeline. He rode home with all too much to think about and after a quick meal and having warned Carole of the invitation he had issued he was about to go over to the main house when to his surprise Carole said “I think that you’d better see if Pa can put him up at the main house.”

Adam was halfway through pulling his boots back on but he sat back at that looking worried, “Why are you ill? What’s wrong?”

Carole smiled and kissed him “Calm down darling, nothing disastrous, but I did have Doc out today after you went to town. Jess fetched him for me. Both the twins had come out with a rash. I wasn’t going to tell you until you’d finished all the arrangements. It’s just measles and they have taken it mildly nothing to worry about. Doc says a lot of kids have it but all are taking it lightly and even if Marie succumbs it won’t matter. Hasn’t even dented their energy. Pa says you all three had it when Joe was a toddler and even Sue and Nita have had it as have I, but we can hardly entertain visitors. The twins may be rather fractious apart from the risk of passing it on.”

Adam studied her “They are alright?”

“Of course darling, nothing to worry about, I just wanted you to have dinner in peace. Good job really, get a mild strain and get it out of the way.”

Adam nodded but he had to go and see his sons before he could go over to the main house. Both had very spotty face but were sleeping peacefully and not running a temperature, so he went over to join the others reasonably at peace with himself.

Both his brothers had got home during the afternoon and once they had greeted their wives and satisfied themselves of Sue and Nita’s health, they both asked about Adam, wondering how fully he had thrown off the effects of their ordeal. Ben did his best to reassure them but neither would really be satisfied until they had seen for themselves. Ben had told them about the twins’ measles but with Doc’s assurance that it wasn’t a problem they weren’t too worried about that, Adam trusted Paul too. They didn’t have too much time to worry about Adam as their wives had a number of queries about the houses. By dinner time both had been dragged out to inspect the houses, which were coming on well and Joe was bemoaning the list of jobs which Nita wanted him to fit in over the next few days. Adam was taking over on the west shore after the celebrations while Hoss dealt with the main camp, while Joe handled details at the house. Joe had liked the idea of being close to Nita but he was rapidly going off it or at least claimed to be, but none of them took him seriously as he hugged Nita. They had finished dinner and were sitting round the fire with coffee when they heard a horse come into the yard, Joe went to see who it was and saw Adam handing Blackie over to Kirk, “Good. It’s Adam.”

Adam came in and grinned at his family, “Pour me some coffee please Joe, I’ve got a wad of mail from town.” He came over to the fire and began sorting out the mail, with letters for most of them and a telegram for Nita. They had all been busy ordering things for the two new houses and a lot of it was acknowledgements of the orders or notice of dispatch. By the time that Adam had drunk his coffee Hoss had looked over his mail and came over to his brother to ask how he was and the children. He kept his voice casual but he couldn’t help himself studying Adam’s face intently. Adam smiled affectionately, reading his brother’s concern, “I’m fine Hoss, even free of nightmares the last few nights and the twins are very spotty but otherwise fine. Sleeping peacefully not even running a temperature and Carole says it hasn’t even quietened them down yet.”

Hoss relaxed knowing Adam well enough to know it wasn’t an act and Joe, who had been watching, began to concentrate on his mail. Adam turned to his father “Talking of the twins and measles, can you help me out Pa? I invited someone to stay for a few days after the pipe celebrations, but as Carole said we can hardly inflict measles on a stranger.”

“Of course Son, but how about explaining who?”

“Sorry Pa. It’s Rutherford Hayes, the politician, you remember I told you Edwin introduced us in New York. I think you’ll like him, easy to get on with, especially for a politician. He remembered me and came over to join me in the Palace. I must say I was surprised we’d only met once.”

Ben was used to entertaining important visitors but this would be the first potential President and he was slightly uneasy. Adam grinned seeing it written all over Ben’s face “Relax Pa, he wants to pick your brains on local affairs and freely admits that he was angling for an invitation.” Ben nodded but still wished that he knew more about the man.

Adam’s attention was caught by Nita, who looked very worried, “I hope that telegram wasn’t bad news Nita.”

“Unfortunately it was!” she said but the grin she gave him belied the words. Joe moved over and perched on the arm of her chair to read the telegram. He groaned as he took it in, “Hayes might have angled for an invitation but these haven’t bothered, just an order to pick them up in town tomorrow.”

“Who?” asked Adam.

“Can’t you guess?” Nita replied, “My dear brother and brother-in-law. Father has heard about this pipe and the number of important visitors who are attending the celebrations and decided that w should be represented.”

Joe kissed her, “I love you my pet but your family is another matter, especially Leland!”

Nita laughed at him “You know my feelings on the matter. Still he is only intending to stay three days, we’ll survive.”

Joe nodded and then he laughed “Well at least I’ll be able to prove one point. Pa says Bill Davidson is coming,”

Adam nodded, “Both him and John Chance, coming to be nosy and see what I’ve been up to. You’ll have them here too Pa?”

“Sure, plenty of room. It’ll be quite a party.”

Adam turned back to his little brother “What point Joe?”

“Kayser wouldn’t believe me when I said you designed the flume and Bill was just using your design. Both he and Leland thought it was very funny, that I was showing off and had overdone it. As Bill doesn’t pay you it can’t be your design.”

Adam knew nothing about that, although both Joe and his father had been annoyed by it before the wedding, Adam laughed at them, he didn’t care what two rather weak juvenile men thought about his work, those whose opinion he cared for knew the true facts. He turned his attention to arrangements for the next day not knowing how long the final tests were going to take the next day, none of them could promise to pick up Leland and Kayser. Ben tentatively suggested going but his sons refused to countenance it, he was going to have a very easy day so he could enjoy the celebration the day after. Carole had her hands full with the kids ill and with so many guests Sue and Nita would be busy. The best they could do was have Jess meet the train and bring them out to the ranch. Nita knew her brother would take exception at being left to a hand but she didn’t care, they had invited themselves when the Cartwrights were busy. Bill and John would make their own way out; both knew the ranch very well. Once the details were settled Adam, decided to head back, they wanted an early start the next day. Joe walked out with his brother, wanting reassurance that his brother was as fit as he appeared. Adam knew perfectly well why Joe suddenly wanted some fresh air but he didn’t tease and just grinned at his youngest brother “Try trusting me Joe, I’m fine and the twins are alright. A good thing to get it out of the way while they’re young, I caught it from Hoss at the same time you did when you were about three. You barely noticed but I felt dreadful.”

“Okay big brother, go get some rest. We’ll be over to pick you up.”

“Just make sure you’re there by 5.30.”

The brothers were in town early the following morning and Harv was waiting for them. He was worried about his pipeline as the final tests loomed, he’d hardly slept, especially as he realised the concentration of important men gathering in town for the opening the next day. He was close to panic in case there should be some hold-up and found it impossible to adopt Adam’s attitude. Adam was very calm, they hadn’t invited anyone, just announced a provisional opening date. Anyway he was sure that apart from possible minor alterations everything would work as planned. They spent the whole morning checking the length of the pipeline, every joint and blowhole, tedious necessary work but necessary. All of them were glad to relax round a fire and have some lunch before starting to check for leaks as they let the water into each section in turn. There were inevitable leaks at some joints and some of them had to be remade but eventually the whole line had been checked and Adam helped recheck the top pump station while Hoss and Joe went to collect food and coffee. Although Adam’s leg was healing fine after so much bending and kneeling he was limping heavily and Hoss insisted they take it easy in the office and have a decent meal before the final tests, especially as Adam was insisting on another check for leaks once the water was running. They were intending to try three cut offs to ensure the system was working and then fill the large cistern they had built. It would then be ready to run the fountains that were planned for ‘C’ street in the morning. Adam didn’t really approve of the fuss that was being made but others had put up money too and if they wanted their day of glory he couldn’t object. Anyway Adam thought that Harv deserved some of the congratulations which would be going, he had worked hard, having to face up to things outside his normal experience and although hating it he had pulled his weight.

They were all tired and slightly on edge and ate mainly in silence before going over to the pump controls, Harv was too nervous to operate the controls and asked Adam to do it. Adam got Joe to prime the pump and then began opening up the controls. Then it was a case of waiting for the water. It seemed to take forever. Hoss claimed he could hear the blow cocks going off but even his brothers weren’t convinced at first and Harv was sure that there was something wrong. Then they all heard one blow and they could feel the pipe vibrating. Adam tried to reassure Harv that something was happening, after all Lake Tahoe was a long way away but even he was surprised at the time it was taking. Then suddenly there was a violent vibration and a spurt of water, for a moment it stopped and then settled down to a steady flow. The four men smiled broadly and congratulated each other, handshakes all round, they had done it. Joe handed brandies round and for a few minutes they toasted their success, watching the water flow into the large storage cistern, before Adam insisted on the final checks, turning off the water and then back on to ensure the manual override was working and the fail safe taps operated properly. Adam decided that Harv looked exhausted and insisted that the three of them could manage the final check for leaks on the way home, no need for Harv to come out again. Harv tired out after the nervous tension of wondering if it would work, wasn’t sorry to avoid that job and promised to ensure it shut off once the cistern was full, ready for the ceremony the following day. The system should cut off automatically but at least they knew the manual override would work. Any minor problems could be sorted out the following day. The three brothers separated to check a section of pipe each arranging to meet Adam up by the Lake where he wanted to check the filter system. They weren’t taking any chances and walked every foot of the pipe between them. There were no bad leaks, just a couple of minor ones which showed signs of sealing themselves which they marked to recheck the following day.

Adam had been into the Lake and he was soaked but well pleased as everything was working as designed with no problems that he could see. He was supposed to be picking Carole up at the main house and hopefully seeing his old friends for a while but his brothers insisted he was going home to change first. As Carole had her buggy Hoss saw to Blackie for him and put the saddle to dry, Joe went up with his brother to redress his thigh as the bandage was sodden, but first Adam went to check on his children, Marie had obviously joined her brothers but all three were sleeping peacefully, Mark even smiling at something he was dreaming, Adam and Joe looked down at then for a moment and then Adam carefully tucked David in as he’d thrown off his bed clothes and they slipped out. Adam grinned at his brother, “Real little brats but they are wonderful. I hope it’s another girl, company for Marie. Carole won’t tell me yet says she’s not sure.”

Joe was very serious for a minute, thinking of the child Nita was carrying, his child and he shivered. Adam gripped his arm “Nita is fine Joe.”

“I know. She says she’s sure it’s a boy. I am alright Adam, most of the time anyway.”

“You know where I am if you want to talk.”

“Of course and I’ll ask. Come on let’s see to your leg and go see if John and Bill have turned up yet.”

“To say nothing of your brothers-in-law”

“Ugh! I was trying to forget them. Bet they were furious with only Jess there to meet them.”

Joe wasn’t far wrong. Jess had recognized then and gone over to greet them. They didn’t recognize him, hands had been beneath their notice and even a close friend of the family had been barely noticed. It wasn’t until Jess said “Welcome back to Virginia City, the surrey is just over here.” that they acknowledged him. Even then Leland was looking around for Joe and seeing no sign of him said “Isn’t one of the Cartwrights here?”

“Sorry they are all very busy with the pipeline opening tomorrow. Adam, Hoss and Joe are all running last minute checks and Mr Cartwright hasn’t been too well so he’s resting, busy day tomorrow.”

Leland disapproved of the hands using the brothers’ first names even though he could understand the reasons for it but as they permitted it he didn’t say anything, He sighed heavily and motioned to their luggage, “Alright you’d better load up and we’ll get this awkward journey out of the way.”

Jess hesitated, not wanting to make a fuss but Adam had been most insistent, he was not to lift anything heavy, he still wasn’t fully fit so he just said, “The surrey is over here and led the way leaving the two furious men to carry their own valises. They fumed all the way to the ranch, ignoring Jess completely, talking to each other. As Jess pulled up in the yard, Ben came out to greet the two men. Unable to restrain himself Leland said “Perhaps you could tell your man that guests expect certain attentions.”

Ben frowned “I’m sure Jess didn’t mean to upset you. Jess?”

“Adam ordered me not to go hefting luggage around Mr Cartwright.”

“Of course not Jess, don’t want to take any risks but what’s the problem, just two valises? Did you have to leave some in town?” Ben was honestly puzzled but Leland thought he was being sarcastic and flung inside, cursing his father for sending him back to this place. Kayser wasn’t pleased to find Nita obviously pregnant, he hadn’t succeeded with her sister despite several years of trying, but Nita mollified them both with coffee and drinks, not wanting to make things awkward for Ben.

Half an hour later Carole came over to join them for dinner with the children in bed and Kam Su in charge. Sue had spent the day with her in case the children needed her nursing skills but she quickly reassured Ben that although Marie had also caught it, the three were so full of beans, Carole had just needed her help to contain them. Ben relaxed taking Sue’s word that there was nothing to worry about.

A few minutes later Bill Davidson and John Chance arrived too, full of the joys, enjoying being back on the Ponderosa where they had both spent great holidays on several occasions, with the prospect of another. They weren’t surprised to find the brothers out and busy but both knew Ben well and had met Carole several times. Introductions were made and once the pair had finished exclaiming over the change in the family with everyone married and babies on the way, they went up to their room to wash and change.

It took a while for Kayser to realise that this was the elusive Davidson that his father had been trying to persuade to come and build a flume, as the two were in casual clothes and very much on first name terms with the Cartwrights. Over dinner the conversation was almost entirely on the pipeline as they tried to find out from Ben exactly what their old friend had been up to this time, knowing they’d get a more accurate account of Adam’s part in affairs from his father than from him. Between them Ben and Carole told most of the story, including the problems they had found and just how much of the work Adam had done, all the preliminary survey and settling the line which had been followed. John had met Harv Schussler and he was sure that with his expertise combined with Adam’s there wouldn’t be any real holdups and the brothers would be home soon.

After dinner as they sat round the fire with brandy Kayser enquired if Bill was the one building flumes around California, saying that his father was eager to have one on his ranch. Bill drained his brandy “I have a long list of people wanting one, Adam didn’t know what he was starting!” he looked over at Ben “I don’t suppose you can persuade Adam to take a share? I feel a fraud making a fortune out of his design.”

Ben laughed, “You can try arguing with him but I’m sure he’ll just say good luck to you. He doesn’t need anymore work, we’re doing well and you work for your money.”

Kayser and Leland looked at each other hardly believing what they were hearing and Leland asked “Who designed the flumes?”

Bill said “Adam. I finished building it for him when he went to Europe and when other people were interested he kindly let me use the design.”

Ben grinned “I did tell you.”

Bill was puzzled “I always try to give Adam the credit but he doesn’t exactly help.”

Ben poured fresh drinks “I shouldn’t worry about it Bill. He has credit where it matters to him and he isn’t worried about a lot of people he doesn’t even know.”

Bill knew Ben was right but he still felt it was unfair. He didn’t have much time to worry as the three brothers finally rode in. They left Kirk to see to the horses and went into the house. For a few minutes it was pandemonium with everyone talking at once. Bill and John knew Adam’s brothers very well too and having heard of the cave-in to say nothing of rumours about expansion of the ranch as witnessed by the telegraph wires they had noticed, there was plenty to talk about. Joe was meticulous in greeting his brothers-in-law but as John demanded to know about the cave-in, he forgot them as he went to Adam’s rescue. Joe adroitly changed the subject, promising details later and John knew Adam well enough to recognise his reluctance to talk.

Once they had confirmed that everything was ready for the following day Ben excused himself he was tired and it was going to be a long day. Adam watched his father go rather slowly upstairs unable to hide the anxiety he felt but Sue came over, “He’s fine Adam had a good dinner. Just being sensible. It might be as well if you got Carole to bed too she’s very tired.”

Adam looked over to see Carole half dozing in the corner and to his friends surprise he suddenly demanded to know if they had had measles. Both had although they didn’t understand why he wanted to know. Adam quickly explained and took them off with him to relax in his study and catch up with the news while Carole got some rest.

Joe and Hoss soon took their wives to bed with an early start and a long day ahead. If their uninvited guests thought they were being hustled up early that was nothing to the complaints they made to each other when Joe announced that he would call them at five, as they all had to be in town by eight. There were a number of last minute arrangements to be made and the day’s celebrations would start at ten.

Adam was too pleased to see his old friends to worry about sleep and it was very late before they separated to get a couple of hours sleep. Adam still refused to accept anything from Bill for the design of the flume but he was very interested in the new uses being found for it. John was going off railroading, there were too many big companies and little more than repair work being left for people like him and yet he liked being his own boss. Mellow with brandy and good fellowship Adam tossed out the idea that if he hadn’t enough to do and Bill had too much, maybe they ought to go into partnership. The idea took instant root and both men wondered why they had never considered it before, but they both wanted Adam to join them, it had all been his design. He could be a director a sleeping partner, Adam refused, he would stake them if they needed extra cash to get started but he had more than enough to do with the ranch, various mines and a Bank to keep him busy, apart from an ongoing commitment to the pipeline. The Bank was news and he had to explain that, but mentioning the pipeline had reminded him of all he had to do in a few hours time and they headed for bed.

Nita had reassured Joe about his father and Carole and she was obviously blooming so he cuddled her close and they talked quietly. Nita filled him in on what had happened before he got home and Joe was delighted to hear that Bill had finally set Leland right about the design of the flume, just sorry he’d missed it. Joe had explained what he knew about the celebrations planned for the next day and he warned her that he might pack her off home after a while, it was likely to get very boisterous. Nita didn’t think her brother had a clue what to expect and she didn’t think he was going to enjoy it very much. Joe went to sleep long before she could but Nita made up her mind that he should be able to stay and enjoy it even if she came home. He had worked very hard to make it possible.

The whole party got an early start with quite a number of hands riding along, as Ben had given them a day off, noone wanting to miss the excitement. Adam left Jess to drive Carole in for him while with Joe and Hoss he checked on the leaks they had marked the previous evening, John and Bill rode along to see the project for themselves and made no secret of how impressed they were. It had been a massive undertaking and they knew enough of the problems to recognize what a good job had been done. Only one leak needed any attention and the five men cut back to rejoin the main party just before they reached town.

Leland and Kayser were still very quiet, getting over the shock of such an early rise and just went along with Ben and the girls to John MacKay’s house, where they all had a chance to freshen up and get some coffee. The brothers went to go over the final checks at the pump station and found Harv already busy.

Dan had joined Ben and filled him in on what was planned for the day in more detail than his sons had known. Virginia City had a lot of ideas of ways to celebrate free water. There would be an official turning on with speeches at ten, lasting about an hour, depending on the length of speeches. Ben groaned, “So that’ll be at least two!” Adam had been co-opted from the Cartwrights, agreeing as he knew his father hated public speaking. Then the fountain would be turned on and the general delivery system opened with free champagne for all. That was to be followed by a formal dinner at the Washoe club for the board of the pipeline and important visitors before the more informal celebrations. Bands representing all the mines, the fire companies and anyone else who could think of a reason to form one, would parade up ‘C’ Street. Most of the saloons were offering at least one free drink and the Chinese were contributing fireworks and a display of rockets after dark which were to be signalled by the firing of the ancient Fremont cannon on Mount Davidson. Various impromptu contests were being arranged, wrestling, marksmanship, rock drilling, lumber jacking contests amongst others, Dan warned Ben that plans were afoot to involve his sons, Adam and Joe in shooting and Hoss in wrestling. Ben shrugged “They can take care of themselves, I doubt Hoss’ shoulder is up to wrestling but it’ll give him an excuse if he wants it and as long as it’s not fast draw the boys enjoy marksmanship contests.”

“Likely to get very rowdy later Ben.”

“Dan I have known Virginia City since before it was named when there were only three shack here, I don’t need telling. Though I must say I don’t remember seeing so many people around before, it’s jammed everywhere.”

“We reckon there are over 35 000 people in town now, we ran a survey month or so back before the elections.”

Ben whistled “Grown even bigger than I thought and women still outnumbered 10 to 1.”

“Maybe even a little worse. It’s a bachelor town, rough in work and play, but you’re the heroes of it today. Adam can insist its Schussler’s project until he’s blue in the face but to most people that pipeline comes from the Ponderosa and that means one thing the Cartwrights.”

“What are you saying Dan?”

“Just that if you pull out when it gets hot, feelings could start going the other way. The town expects you to be around and join in, even if it’s boisterous, too much for the girls.”

“And for me. I’m a lot better but I don’t want to get involved in anything rough. Guess word has spread, I haven’t been in town much. You can help out, just tell the truth I’ve no stamina at the minute. I’ll take the girls home leave my sons to fly the flag.”

“Carole will understand but how about Sue and Nita and those hot house flowers with Nita. They show their disdain round town this evening and it could get nasty, the horse trough would be the least of it.”

“Sue and Nita are sensible and once the formalities are over I think Stanford and Kayser will be glad to opt out. Now cheer up Dan we’re here to enjoy ourselves.”

Ben took the chance later to warn Sue and Nita that they would probably have to leave their husbands in town; it wouldn’t be popular if they all left but it would get very boisterous. Nita surprised him again as she had already decided that it was inevitable. She was so unlike the rest of her family, for which Ben was exceedingly grateful.

The brothers had to force their way through the crowds to join Jim Fair and John Mackay once they had finished the checks up at the pump station. Too many people knew them and all wanted a quick word. The older men were more worried about the seating plan for the dinner than the pipeline and as Adam appeared they pulled him into the discussion of the planned events. Jim had tentatively put Adam’s name down to let of the old cannon but Adam shook his head. He’d been conned into a speech that was enough and then he glanced over at Joe and grinned broadly. “Hey Little Joe, once as a kid you told me your ambition in life and I warned you that any attempt to fulfil it would bring instant retribution, but now you can.” Joe frowned at his eldest brother seeing the sparkle of mischief in his eyes. He hadn’t been listening but Hoss had and he was also grinning broadly. Hoss gave his brother a broad hint, “You were about thirteen Joe and we let you collect some stores on your own, including some dynamite.”

Joe laughed as the penny dropped “The Fremont cannon.”

Adam nodded “Want to fire it?”

For a minute the mischievous teenage boy, who had at times driven his brothers to distraction, grinned at them and both his brothers laughed as Joe eagerly accepted that particular chore. Adam shook his head in mock disgust “You don’t grow up Little Joe!” Then he saw the real disgust on Jim’s face and very serious for a minute he said “For God’s sake Jim, it’s just a bit of fun. Joe has grown up in everything that matters, he’s earnt a laugh.”

John, as so often, intervened and changed the subject. He wanted to know where to fit in Leland and Kayser, not wanting to upset either the Cartwrights or Stanford, but they hardly ranked as VIP’s. Adam knew whatever was done they would detest the day and didn’t much care but Joe was their brother-in-law so he called Joe over. Joe rapidly scanned the plan and changed a few names leaving Stanford near him and Nita while Kayser was a little further down but near Bill Davidson. “Rough on Bill but I’ll make it up to him later. Guess they’ll scuttle back to the ranch when things start livening up.”

Despite everyone’s fears everything was ready by ten and the platform party took up position. Ben escorted the three girls over with Jess and some of the man making a path for them. Bill and John with Stanford and Kayser joined the VIP’s in seats below the platform while the mass of miners pushed in where they could. Ben and Adam had done their best to keep the formal speeches short but too many wanted to get in on the act and despite Adam’s speech being short he was in a minority. Adam tried to push the whole kudos over to Harv. He had said initially that he wasn’t after personal prestige and he had meant it, but Harv couldn’t accept it, knowing just how much Adam had contributed and most of the other speakers seemed to equate the pipeline with the Cartwrights. Joe was very restless as yet another mine owner stood up, “Didn’t see him around when we were fighting the town to allow us to try.”

Ben shushed his son, it might be boring but they’d all known that was inevitable. Eventually the speeches done, the fountain was turned on and the champagne began to flow. There were great cheers and choruses of ‘For he’s a jolly good fellow’ and the directors and engineers were pushed forward to acknowledge the cheers, which rather embarrassed they did. Then Flood led the way over to the dinner. Ben was soon deep in conversation with Rutherford Hayes, whom Adam had placed next to his father. After introducing the two men Adam had slipped away to join John and Bill for a drink before taking their places. He apologised to Bill for inflicting Kayser on him but Bill didn’t care, just surprised that Nita was so different.

The formal dinner lasted just over two hours but although rather boring, the food was good and with their wives and a leavening of good friends, all the Cartwrights managed to enjoy themselves. Hoss had filled Sue and Nita in on Joe’s job for the afternoon and he was being well teased, but he was looking forward to it.

Eventually they were free to go out and watch the parade of bands. Adam, Hoss and Joe were at once surrounded by men intent on getting their participation in shooting and wrestling. Hoss used his shoulder as an excuse to get out of the wrestling but agreed to try his hands at rock drilling and his brothers accepted the challenge to their marksmanship. John was going to try his hand too, despite rude comments from Adam that he couldn’t hit the side of a barn. Stanford and Kayser were making sarcastic comments to each other but rather too loudly and they were getting some dirty looks. Ben went over to them and very quietly said “I should keep your opinions to yourselves. They aren’t popular and it likely to get much more boisterous. You might just find yourselves the butt of the joke. Some of these men are fairly drunk now and they wouldn’t hesitate to ride you out of town, tarred and feathered and without causing a riot, noone will be able to intervene.”

“Well you shouldn’t have brought my sister.”

“Noone will touch Nita, she’s a Cartwright and you can see how popular Joe is. It will get rougher but not yet, unless we provoke trouble. After the fireworks we’ll retire and leave my sons to represent the Ponderosa. Either look as though you’re enjoying yourselves or go and wait in the hotel. If a presidential candidate can enjoy this, I don’t see why it’s beneath you two.”

Certainly Hayes wasn’t putting on an act, he was laughing so much as two big men wrestling almost in slow motion that the tears were running down his cheeks. Ben joined him and at the end of the contest they went to join the girls and watch the shooting. The preliminary eliminations and been carried out and about twenty men were left to test their skill in earnest. Each had six shots at plates thrown in the air, drawing and firing at each one and then a further six shots with a rifle at a target placed a long way up the hill. Adam, Joe and John were still in and Adam was the favourite in the betting although Joe had considerable support too as did one of Roy’s deputies, Jim Tennant. The side gun part came first and amidst great cheering Adam smoothly downed all six plates to be followed by his brother, who achieved the same. Five of the contestants managed it, but John only got four and had to drop out. Nita was very excited much to her brother’s disgust but she didn’t care, hugging Joe as he came back to join his family. Adam clapped him on the back “Well done little brother.”

Hoss squinted up the mountain, “Can you even see the target way up there? Reckon I ought to have done this, neither of you can see well enough.”

Adam laughed, “See the fly on the bull Joe?”

“Sure, I wonder how it broke its leg?”

“Dangburn it Joe I was sure you couldn’t see that break.” Hoss slapped his brothers on their shoulders, “Guess I might as well risk a few dollars,”

Joe turned “Who are you backing?”

“Jim of course.” Hoss said and then grunted as his brother punched him in the ribs. The crowd was ready for the final part, there were two tellers up by the target and they would mark and signal the score after each shot. The target was a standard circular one with rings marking the score from one to ten. For six shots the maximum was sixty but at the range they used anything over forty was considered a good score. They drew for the order of shooting with Jim going second, Adam fourth and Joe bringing up the rear.

All the Ponderosa party were gathered to watch the shooting contest and Dan, Roy, the four Irishmen and Rutherford Hayes had joined them. Hayes was very impressed by the standard of shooting and wanted to know who they thought would win. The others left it to Ben to answer; two of his sons were involved. Ben shrugged “Jim Tennant has won for the last three years but my sons don’t usually enter. I should think it’s between the three of them. Adam is faster than Joseph but I doubt there’s anything between them for marksmanship. Maybe Jim has the edge; he’s used to this set up.”

“Adam won once didn’t he?” asked Roy, trying to remember.

Ben nodded “Must be thirteen or fourteen years ago. One of the first and he only entered one other, I think he was third then. They got pushed into it today.”

Leland and Kayser had been impressed despite themselves and were hoping to see the brothers put down, but it didn’t seem too likely they had to admit. Both brothers were joking easily, seemingly totally relaxed and unworried. Leland turned to his sister “Brotherly love is going to take a dent whatever the outcome of this.”

Ben overheard and his lips tightened in anger, Carole noticed and sure her father-in-law was already tiring she moved closer to him and gripped his arm. Ben just covered her hand but concentrated on Nita and Carole listened too, Nita frowned at her brother “Why should it?”

“Whatever happens one of them has to beat the other, damage their manly pride. Especially if your husband beats the famous fast gun. I reckon he’d hate that, beaten by his own little brother. He likes being the big fish in a small pool, only reason to stay in this wilderness.”

Ben was furious and Carole frowned, glad that at least Leland was keeping his voice down and only Kayser was listening. Then to their astonishment Nita laughed, “Leland you really shouldn’t judge everyone by yourself! There are plenty of reasons for staying here, it’s alive, beautiful and at least out on the ranch so very peaceful. I know why Adam stays; he loves this place just like I do. Maybe he is a fast gun but he’s very much more that that. You heard the speeches, he’s a fine engineer and acknowledged as such. If Joe should beat him I know Adam would be delighted, still be partly his achievement, he taught Joe to shoot. Joe knows Adam can usually outshoot him, faster anyway, but he’s proud of his brother and if Adam wins Joe will help him celebrate. Even if they come fourth and fifth they won’t care, it’s only a game and they’d still be in the top five marksmen in a town of over 35 000. When have you ever been in the top 5 of anything?”

Leland had never been able to match his sister’s tongue and now he just glared at her and turned back to Kayser, the only one he felt at home with, Ben was absolutely delighted at Nita’s retort to her brother and his eyes glowed as he went over to her and put his arm round her. Carole was pleased too, from an initial hatred of Adam Nita had come to know him very well and was obviously fond of her brother-in-law. Nita looked up, “Who will win Pa?”

“Goodness knows but as you just said, it doesn’t matter.”

“You heard? I’m sorry about my brother, he has no idea.”

Carole grinned “We know that, but actually I’m glad he spoke up, just proves how well you know them.”

Nita smiled at her and then all of them turned their attention to the contest as the first man stepped up to shoot. He was obviously nervous as he contemplated the target and the gamblers had discounted him. Each man was allowed one ranging shot before the six that counted and after each shot the teller marked the target and called back the score. The man’s ranging shot was a six and he was told it was low and to the left, but for the rest he was only told the score Joe and Adam watched intently as the man got 5,4,7,8 only to follow with a 6 and a 4 for a total of 34. He was obviously disappointed as he came back over to join them but as Adam pointed out, he hadn’t exactly disgraced himself and even the fifth place had a handy 50 dollar prize. As Jim Tennant went over for his turn Joe moved closer to his brother “Any advice Adam I haven’t done this before?”

“We’re opponents little brother!” Adam said but his eyes twinkled as he spoke and he went on “Watch Jim, he takes his time. Use that ranging shot and the information you get to compensate. It’s probably the most important shot even though it doesn’t count.”

Joe grinned at his brother and then they watched Jim shoot. He had got an 8 with is ranging shot, level but to the right and he followed that with a nine, Joe caught Adam’s eye, it could be hard to beat Jim. Jim followed up with a 6 and then two 7’s. Joe murmured “Not his best shooting.”

Adam shrugged “He’s never scored more than 44, it’ll be close to that and quite good enough to win. It’s a long shot little brother.”

Tennant finished with an eight and six for a score of 43 to tumultuous applause. He came back over and grinned at the brothers “Up to you two, it’s beatable but you’ll need to shoot at your best.”

Adam laughed “We’ll give it a try Jim, nice shooting.” Then they watched the third contestant. He scored the first bull of the afternoon but he was erratic going down as low as three for a total score of 37.

Adam picked up his rifle and moved down to the shooting point with well wishes from his supporters on all sides. As soon as he took up position he was oblivious of everything just concentrating on the target way up the hill. He took great care with his ranging shot and got an eight, central but high and then settled down to see what he could score. His first shot was a seven and got rather muted applause but Adam knew he had overcompensated and followed with a nine and then and eight, but enthusiasm reached a peak as with his fourth shot he got a bull. The Ponderosa contingent, all backing him heavily, were ecstatic as he followed with an eight, they had been counting and anything above a one would give him the lead, In fact Adam finished with a nine for a score of 51, the first score over 50 anyone could remember. The applause resounded round the buildings with great cheering and many of the men were lining up to collect their winnings but noone was paying out until the shooting was finished.

Joe passed Adam as he moved down and stopped momentarily, “Fine shooting brother, but just how am I supposed to follow that?”

“You always say you’re as good a marksman as I am, go and prove it.” Adam gripped his brother’s shoulder. “Good luck.”

Everyone was congratulating Adam and almost equally Ben on his son’s prowess but they ignored everyone as Joe took up position. Jim commented to Ben “Bound to be an anticlimax, pity Joe didn’t shoot first.”

Ben smiled wryly, “Maybe you don’t know my youngest son as well as we do. Just watch.”

Perhaps Joe’s immediate family were the only ones who weren’t amazed as Joe followed his ranging shot of eight with another eight and then a bull and a nine, to better his brother’s score after three shots by three. Everyone was watching intently and there was an almost unanimous groan as Joe snatched slightly at his fourth shot for a six. Joe could have kicked himself but he just concentrated on his final shots. He got an eight for a total of 41 with one shot to go and several people started congratulating Adam again, Joe couldn’t beat him. Adam shushed them “He can still equal me.”

“He’ll need a bull.” One of the men said and Adam laughed “I think he knows that, he’s taking his time on this one.”

Joe ignored everyone and everything, just concentrating on the small circular disc he was aiming at, He breathed deeply and the held his breath as he gently squeezed of the shot. Almost before it hit the target he was sure he had what he wanted and he straightened up grinning broadly as Adam came over to join him. The crowd was silent and there was almost disbelief in the announcer’s voice as he signalled another bull for the same final score of 51. For a moment there was stunned silence and then the whole area erupted as everyone congratulated the brothers. There was some pressure for a shoot off but they were both adamant, they were happy to share first position and the bookies could pay out on both of them, halving the odds so that the sum was the same. Most of the Ponderosa hands had backed both brothers as had Hoss, despite his rude comments, and they were well satisfied by the outcome.

The brothers finally fought their way through the crowd of well wishers to join their family both delighted with themselves, although Joe was insisting that he could have beaten his brother if only he hadn’t snatched at the fourth shot. Still he was more than satisfied to draw and exuberantly swung Nita round. Then they all headed over to the rock drilling contest where Hoss and Jim Fair were teaming up to try their hand against twenty other teams of miners, Each pair had a rock drill, marked three quarters of the way up with a white line, and a sledge hammer. Taking it in turns to hold the drill and wield the hammer they had to drill into the rock until the drill was in as far as the line. The pitches had been carefully chosen to give each team similarly hard rock. Hoss had taken part before but he was no where near as experienced as many, very dependent on his strength. His brothers, John and Bill gathered close by the pair encouraging them with all the strength of their lungs and buoyed up by his brothers’ success Hoss excelled himself and they came second to a team from the Ophir, ahead of many experienced miners. Hoss joined his brothers, sweating freely and demanding beer, but delighted by their obvious pride and pleasure in his success.

Dan wandered over to Ben “Your day with a vengeance. You look as though you’re in grave danger of bursting with pride!”

Ben punched his old friend, but he was feeling very pleased with life and very proud of his sons. “I have reason.”

“No one’s denying it.”

Things were getting more boisterous the bands still playing and dancing in the streets. The brothers pulled their wives out to join in. It got more crowded with some of the men already fairly drunk, throwing themselves around and first Adam and then Joe and Hoss took their wives back into the protection of the Washoe club. For a few minutes the whole party relaxed with a drink. Ben wasn’t sorry to sit down with a large brandy, he was very tired. Adam came over to perch on the arm of his chair “You alright Pa?”

“Just tired. Quite an exhibition you and Joe put on, Hoss too.”

“Thanks Pa. What are you going to do? It’s going to get noisier.”

“Wait until the fireworks have finished and then I’ll take the girls home. Rutherford Hayes is coming too and if they have any sense so will Stanford and Kayser.”

Adam hesitated and Ben grinned “You three will have to stay and represent the Cartwrights, everyone knows I’ve been ill but it would get a very poor reception if we all disappeared, too high’n’mighty to join in the town’s celebrations.”

“I understand that Pa and so will Carole, but what about Sue and Nita, especially Nita?”

“I warned them hours ago but they were both expecting it. Don’t underestimate Nita,” Ben went on to explain her reaction to her brother’s prognosis of trouble between Adam and Joe over the shooting. Adam grinned widely at that and Ben said, “They can all see it’s getting rough.”

“Fair enough Pa. Time we made a move actually, Joe’s firing the Fremont cannon to signal the start of the fireworks, due in five minutes.”

Be laughed, “One boyhood ambition fulfilled! Go on Hoss and I will get the girls to a vantage point.”

Adam and Joe made their way up the hill through the crowds to the old cannon, brought out west by John Fremont in 1847. It had been on the mountain for the last fifteen years. A crowd was already waiting for them and the cannon was loaded and primed. Joe was enthusiastic and Adam sat back on the end of a wagon, watching his little brother as excitable as when he was in his teens, highly amused. Joe fired the first charge and then he helped to reload and fired two more charges before rejoining Adam dirty from the explosives but very pleased with himself and they watched a few rockets going off close by before moving down to rejoin the rest of the family to watch the spectacular display the Chinese had arranged.

When the fireworks finished Adam got John and Bill to help him collect the surrey and buggy while Ben helped Rutherford Hayes collect his things. The three brothers saw the whole party out to the outskirts of town, Stanford and Kayser were very glad to get away from the increasing noise and the others knew it was getting too rough. Ben was tired but the brothers trusted their wives to look after him and went back in with John and Bill. It was an odd feeling to be free to join in the bachelor amusements of the town but pleased with themselves they were all in the mood for it. Sure their wives would understand, it was no chore and they set out to enjoy themselves in a way they hadn’t for a long time. Not that any of them had missed it gaining something infinitely more precious, but even so it was nice occasionally to throw off all responsibilities and revert to the freedoms of bachelorhood for a few hours.

The brothers had known the town as long as it had existed, the younger ones growing up with it. Liked and respected for their ability to look after themselves and particularly popular today, for both the pipeline and the contests they had no fears of trouble, boisterous and rowdy maybe but everyone was out to enjoy themselves. They had their own friends and although often seeing each other they didn’t stick together, although both his older brothers warned Joe not to get into trouble. All too many people wanted to buy the brothers a drink and it was difficult to say no. Adam was highly amused as he found one of the town drunks, Liam O’Shea following him around, finishing off the drinks he sipped and left, but even so as midnight approached Adam wad drunker than he had been in a long time. Adam had been dancing in the street with some of the girls from the Bucket O’ Blood when he bumped into Hoss also dancing and exceedingly merry. They broke away from their partners who were instantly taken by two other men and went over to the hotel porch. Hoss mopped his face “I’ve a feeling I’m gonna pay for this in the morning.”

“Me too, noone takes no for an answer. Is Joe still on his feet?”

“Was last I saw, maybe quarter of an hour ago down by MacGuire’s. Thinking of going home?”

“In a bit, I’d like to sober up a bit first. Wonder if there’s any black coffee going?”

“You’ll be damned as a spoilsport.”

“Well someone has to be sober enough to get us home, John and Bill are both roaring drunk.”

Hoss giggled “The horses are sober.” then a pretty brunette came over and grabbed Hoss’ arm “You promised.” Hoss shrugged resignedly at his brother, but nothing loathe rejoined the fray.

Adam moved on, avoiding bottles passed to him or just touching his lips to the most insistent ones, vaguely looking for his youngest brother. Finding himself outside the jail Adam went in to see if Roy was there. Roy was sitting by the window, just keeping an eye on things. He had finished his rounds a few minutes earlier, but everything was peaceful despite the noise and he wasn’t expecting trouble. A large number of men were already sleeping it off in a drunken stupor and in another couple of hours things should start calming down. Most men had been given a holiday, but they would have to be back down on shift at six in the morning. Roy frowned as Adam came in, wondering what his old friend’s arrival meant. Adam grinned “Got such a thing as black coffee Roy?”

Roy went and poured some as Adam perched on the desk, “Are you drunk Adam?”

“Drunker than I’ve been in a long time but sober enough to know it. Probably more sober than Hoss, certainly a lot better than John and Bill and I can’t find Little Joe.” Adam nodded his head almost owlishly and Roy grinned and refilled his cup, “I guess you’ve earnt a chance to relax.”

“Mmm, gotta get everyone home, someone’s got to be sober at least vaguely.”

“It’s gonna take more than black coffee Son and I hope Carole is understanding. I wouldn’t want your head in the morning.”

“I know.” Adam wagged his finger at Roy, “Can’t be rude, noone takes no for an answer. Won money on us, wanna repay.” He nodded his head, grinning lopsidedly. Adam stayed for half an hour and after four more cups of coffee he felt a little more in control of himself. He headed on down the street and found Joe dancing outside the Palace, very happy but although quite drunk, still walking a reasonably straight line. He joined Adam to go and look for Hoss admitting that he was tired and it was time to go home, already gone 1 a.m. The streets were still crowded and everyone recognised the brothers and they were offered numerous drinks, but Adam passed them off with a laugh and gradually made his way back to where he’d seen Hoss. He had collected John on the way and managed to set his brothers and John off towards the livery stable while he hunted for Bill. Dan, who was not very much more sober than Adam, had seen Bill in the Sazerac saloon and Adam made his way down there. Bill had gone in with a lovely blonde, but he’d had too much to drink and finally fallen asleep in a corner. Adam had a job to wake him and was glad of Dan’s reappearance to help him support Bill down to the livery stable. The fresh air seemed to revive Bill and by the time they reached to stable he was in the middle of a full blooded rendition of Dixie. One man fighting drunk pushed through to stop them, he’d fought for the north and took exception. Adam was very glad to see his big brother materialise. Hoss picked up the drunk bodily and gently deposited him on a pile of hay, “Sleep it off mate, he just likes the song, he fought for the north too.”

The drunk was not quite drunk enough to think he could take on Hoss and subsided muttering furiously. Adam slowly managed to get his party organised and mounted up, wondering if he ought to tie anyone on. Joe was slightly better than the rest and he put Joe on one side himself on the other and slowly they moved out. Hoss pulled up alongside Adam, “Did Bill fight in the war?”

“I think he built some bridges for the army.”

“Which side?”

Adam laughed “Good guess Hoss, the north.”

The five men edged out of town and with none of them very sober they began singing again once clear of the crowds. It was not exactly melodic and they didn’t always agree which song they were singing, at one stage Bill embarked on Dixie again and Joe tried to outsing him with the Battle Hymn of the Republic, with Hoss switching from one to the other while John managed to snore. Adam was trying to ensure his sleeping friend stayed on his horse and only occasionally joined in, but as they reached the last stretch he tried not too successfully to quieten them down. Failing that he shepherded them back to his own house where only Carole would be bothered. Tying up the horses he got them all into the study before anyone thought to query it. Joe considered matters as he sank down on the rug, “Ought to go home.”

“Black coffee first.”

“You saying I’m drunk?” Joe stuck his chin out pugnaciously but Adam just giggled, “We all are.”

Carole was woken up by the caterwauling as Hoss and John tried to outsing each other on different songs and she had put on her dressing gown and come down. She put coffee to heat before coming in but arrived in time to hear Adam’s comment. He realised she was there and put his arm round her, “Sorry love, didn’t get much choice.”

“It doesn’t matter but you’re going to have a bad head in the morning. Coffee is on.”

Adam kissed her “Wonderful wife, sober them up a bit and send them on home.”

Carole shook her head “Not Bill, he’s succumbed.” Bill was curled up on the floor snoring quietly and Adam got Hoss to help him haul Bill up to a spare room, pulling off his boots and covering him, resting on his side to sleep it off. Hoss was creeping around on his toes and whispering loudly very insistent that they mustn’t wake Carole and the kids. Carole had a job to keep a straight face as he tried to tell her to be quiet and then realised who she was. She assured him she was already awake and nothing woke the kids, but Hoss slumped in a chair still trying to work it out.

All of the men accepted coffee and after three cups had at least stopped singing. Carole kissed her husband, “You’d better go and deliver this trio. You might be drunk but you’re better than any of them.”

“Really impossible to avoid.”

“Darling it’s the first time in all the years I have known you and you’re still making sense. That’s a pretty good record. Go on get them home.”

Adam did as he as told, raucous noises from the bunkhouse as they rode in proving the Cartwrights weren’t the only drunks. As they came in Kirk appeared. He was sober, never touched drink, although he’d been in town and enjoyed himself, especially the Cartwright success, vicariously his own. He was scathing at their condition but took the three horses, leaving Blackie for Adam. Adam got them inside and they tried to keep quiet, but although everyone had gone to bed, Ben Sue and Nita had only been dozing listening for their return. They all three got up to investigate and met at the top of the stairs. They got as far as the half landing before all of them gave way to laughter, trying to keep it quiet so as not to disturb their guests.

The four men below weren’t even aware of them at first. Adam was exasperated at John who’d sunk down the wall and wouldn’t get up to go to bed. Adam had got his coat and boots off but couldn’t persuade him to his feet Hoss was sitting on the stairs, telling everyone in a loud whisper to be quiet, and making more noise than any of the others. Joe was trying to pull Hoss’ boots off but he wasn’t stable bending down and had to keep giving up to lean against the wall as the room began going round. Even Adam wasn’t sober enough to stop his low voiced harangue of John and get his brothers organized to help him or even to notice his father’s arrival.

Ben watched for a couple of minutes almost helpless with laughter, tears streaming down his cheeks when it suddenly struck him that the wives might not be so amused. As he looked at them both were grinning very broadly and Nita caught his eye and said very quietly “Seems they have enjoyed themselves, not much to choose between them.”

“Adam’s fractionally more sober but not by much. Its years since I have seen any of them in such a state, let alone all three. They’re going to pay for it in the morning.”

Sue nodded “Maybe we’d better rescue them and get them to bed or they’ll still be on the stairs in the morning,”

Ben nodded and went on down. Adam was the first to notice his father standing by Hoss and leaving John he went over licking his lips and to Ben’s complete undoing, looking like a guilty schoolboy as he had occasionally in his early teens and virtually never since. Ben had a stitch from laughing so hard as Adam tried solemnly to explain that it wasn’t his brothers’ fault, noone would take no for an answer and they couldn’t be rude. Ben couldn’t find his voice for laughing and just then Hoss realised Sue was there. “Hello darling, we had to be soc....soc....friendly.”

Sue bent down and took his boots off and Hoss grinned at his father, “Hi Pa we sorta got drunk.”

“I had noticed.” Ben commented and Joe, who’d found Nita and was cuddling her, looked up, “Whole town is.”

“Seems as though you piped in booze not water!” Ben said

Adam frowned “You said join in represhent the Ponderosa.” His speech was slurred and he had the grace to grin. “Help me get John to his room. Bill didn’t even get this far. Then I’ll go sleep it off.”

Nita and Sue were busy getting their husbands upstairs to do exactly that and Ben helped Adam pull John to his feet, steady him and get him up to bed. As they came out Ben studied his eldest son, “You alright to get home alone Adam?”

“I know I’m drunk but not that bad Carole is waiting. We stopped there first. This is after several cups of black coffee.”

Ben grinned “What were you like before?”

Adam considered the question solemnly and then grinned, “Noisy! All singing, no agreement on what song. Better get back.”

Ben laughed and let his son go, not too surprised to see Kirk waiting with Blackie and his own horse and insistent on riding home and seeing to Blackie for Adam. Ben was sure that his son would have been alright on his own but with Kirk in attendance he could go to bed with an easy mind.

Hoss was the first of the revellers to appear the following day and it was nearly ten before he came down very gingerly, only wanting coffee. Joe appeared a few minutes later, nursing a king sized headache and rather vague about the latter part of the evening. Adam’s memory was clearer but his head was no better than his brothers and neither John nor Bill appeared until after lunch. At first Bill was a little shamefaced but as Carole assured him, with a grin, there was very little to choose between the five of them. They all went over to the main house to see how Hoss, Joe and John were recovering and at least the five men could commiserate with each other, even if they got little sympathy from the rest. They spent the day quietly reminiscing over the previous day and filling the others in on events after they left. Slowly Adam and Ben slipped into a general discussion on local affairs with Hayes and eventually Carole decided to go back to the children and leave them to chat. Adam was in two minds, but as she obviously didn’t mind he stayed and after a light tea Carole returned, the children safely in bed with Kam Su in charge.

Work had to carry on and between coffee and chatting they did manage to decide who was going to do what. The houses were nearing completion and it was more important for Hoss and Joe to be close at hand for queries so Adam was going back to the west shore. John and Bill had both had more than enough of saloons, drinking and dancing to satisfy then for a while, so with the promise of a good trout streams they were both intending to ride along with Adam for a few days, Adam was pleased to have their company although warning then he would be quite busy. They could help take over some stores and he’d make time to enjoy their company, they didn’t often get the chance to get together. Carole knew her husband would enjoy it and thought it was a marvellous idea.

Ben was slightly uneasy about asking Adam to go out so soon, unsure if his son was really more worried about the children than he seemed. Carole put his mind at rest the kids were fine, spotty but so ebullient that it was impossible to think of them as ill.

Rutherford Hayes had fitted in remarkably easily, enjoying the quiet comfort of the ranch and the knowledgeable conversation of his hosts. Now he tentatively asked to go along and see part of the ranch the flume and telegraph he’d heard so much about. Adam was uncertain his brothers both had a lot to do and it was too far for his father to ride. Hayes seeing him hesitated said “Forget it if it’s inconvenient.”

“Not really, it’s just that I won’t be coming back and although there is a road, it can get rough. You aren’t used to this country. Not that I expect trouble but we have had Indian raids and outlaws around not so long ago. I could get one of the hands to ride back with you, if that would be alright,”

“Well of course it would, why ever not?”

“It’s just that my brothers will be busy. Jess will do it very willingly, he’s still taking it easy, took a bad bullet a few months back. He gets bored hanging around here. He’s a very good friend of mine but....”

“That’s fine but I’m sorry to be a nuisance, to your hands as well as you.”

“Thanks,” Adam grinned and he couldn’t help glancing over at Stanford and Kayser “Some people take violent exception if we send one of the hands not dropping everything.”

“I noticed it wasn’t exactly their metier, still they are leaving in the morning aren’t they?”

“Yes. Adam sighed “Luckily my sister-in-law is very different from the rest of her family, anyway enough of our dirty washing.” Adam changed the subject filling Hayes in on the use of the flumes, both here on his own ranch and more generally elsewhere. He didn’t hide his own involvement and Bill joined the discussion.

Much later Adam and Carole headed home for a quiet couple of hours, having arranged to pick up Jess, Bill and John early the following morning along with Rutherford Hayes. The potential president was insistent that he was always up early and there was no reason to delay their departure on his behalf. All the necessary details had been settled and with the telegraph giving easy contact Adam felt much easier heading to the west shore.

The next day Adam didn’t rush, enjoying showing of his beloved ranch to an intelligent visitor. Hoss rode along partway and insisted on stopping at the two new houses for a few minutes first. Hayes was very impressed by all three houses, all so very distinctive and yet blending in well and extremely elegant. He was also impressed if rather amused by the very evident pride Hoss had in his elder brother, but as they rode on and he saw the ranch, talked more widely about local developments and problems, he came to realise there was a firm foundation for that pride. When he finally left the three friends at the main flume terminus Hayes thanked Adam very sincerely for a fascinating and instructive day. As he rode back with Jess he got the hand to talk about his boss and friend, learning a lot about a complex character that Adam wouldn’t have told him. He expressed surprise that Adam hadn’t taken up politics and, maybe breathed a sigh of relief on learning of the pressure put on both Ben and Adam and their reaction to the idea of becoming Senators. He stayed on two more days and realised as he got to know Ben better, just why his sons were so different.

Adam spent a week keeping things moving but not pushing too hard enjoying his friends company as much as he could. While Adam was working John and Bill settled the details of a new partnership to build flumes. They tried again to persuade Adam to join them but he wasn’t interested but since he refused any monetary reward they insisted on calling the company, ‘The Cartwright Flume Company’. He would get the recognition of his work even if he wouldn’t accept anything else, Adam argued against it insisting that he didn’t care but they wouldn’t be budged and as he trusted them to ensure he had no legal involvement he gave way. Eventually the pair had to head home both with commitments to complete. Adam was sorry to see them go, touched by their gesture he had enjoyed the company it had been almost a holiday having then with him but his own work had slipped behind so he had plenty to do, For two days after they left he made a determined effort to get the paperwork back up to date. He had warned Carole that he wouldn’t be back for the weekend and he managed to get the detailed marking up caught up but having let things slide he was contemplating staying over the following weekend too. He had to change his mind as Jess rode out with a note from Carole, asking him to try and get back on the Friday to help out. Carole made it clear that his father was recovering well but Joe was getting snowed under with too much to arrange as the various orders for the two houses began to arrive in a flood and all the last minute details needed to be settled, over and above the normal running of the ranch, Carole was scared that seeing his son so hard pushed Ben would be unable to resist temptation and overtax his strength. Although he was very much better Ben was still low on stamina and tiring easily but well enough to carry on through sheer will power, where a month earlier his body rebelled and he dozed off. Carole admitted that she was worried and Adam knew that his wife wouldn’t dream of disturbing him unless it was really necessary and so he immediately changed his plans. He thanked his lucky stars for some of the good men who had recently joined the ranch and got three of the together and explained what he wanted done. Between them they would keep things moving for four or five days, giving him a free day on Thursday to update the paperwork and get everything marked in detail and planned in to keep them bust until he could get back. He was intending to ride home early on the Friday and return over Sunday night. If there were any real problems they were at least in contact and again Adam thanked heaven for Joe’s inspired idea.

When Adam got home he spent an hour playing with the children now fully recovered from measles and chatting to Carole, before having a good lunch. Then he rode over to the main house to see how he could help. He found Carole had understated the case; Joe looked exhausted only averaging three or so hours sleep a night and well overtired, hardly efficient. The girls had been doing all they could to help but there was an avalanche of messages from all sides and even with hiring wagons in town not really enough transport. Short of trained horses and of reliable men who could be trusted to collect all of four different part loads. Joe was juggling things as best he could and endeavouring not to lose track of anything. His father had taken back a large part of the daily running to the ranch and Nita was helping him make up pay packets when Adam rode in, but that just gave Joe something else to worry about, scared his father was overdoing things, Joe was expecting both his brothers back for the weekend but he was very surprised when Adam rode in just after lunch on the Friday, Adam hadn’t bothered to go to bed, leaving everything in reasonable condition on the west shore he had headed home in the early hours.

Joe couldn’t hide his near exhaustion but Adam made no comment, just running over the current position with him and then Adam fetched coffee “Right Joe, I suggest we have coffee and then take Sue and Nita over to the houses and go through each of them room by room, settle all remaining details. Hoss should be back soon he can join us. Then you take it easy with Nita, have an early night, I’ll deal with this lot. In the morning you and Hoss go into town and check the position there bring what you can out and see what is due. Then on Sunday you can sort out the stuff in the barns allocate it to its right place. At the moment it looks rather as though we’re setting up a hotel, I counted fifteen beds.”

Joe sighed “It made sense at the time, cheaper for bulk orders.”

“Still does little brother, cheer up, we’ll soon get some order.”

“All very well but I can’t just drop everything.” Joe motioned at the piles of papers on the desk and the lent back rubbing his sore eyes his head aching fiercely. Adam smiled “Since when have I been incapable of running the ranch? I’ll take over for a couple of days, leave you free to sort out the houses and Hoss to help you. After all you were talking about moving in in ten days and a house warming party the following Saturday.”

Joe frowned “You’ve been away ten days, not even seen Carole, must have been busy on the west shore.”

“Not too bad, running reasonably smoothly now, we’re getting used to it and the telegraph to the top of the flume and here for supplies has eliminated the worst of the bottlenecks. Its up on schedule despite my taking a few lazy days with John and Bill, even did some fishing.”

“Carole?”

“She can join me here with the children while I work. Come on Joe, Carole sent me word to come home early. She can see you’ve worked yourself into exhaustion just as easily as I can.”

Nita had been listening and now she gripped Joe’s shoulders and kissed him as he looked up. “Adam’s right darling. You need help. You always say that you rely on each other equally, this time you need Adam why not accept it?”

Joe smiled, leaning back against her “Might as well. I always do eventually, thank you brother.”

They had only just made a start on Joe and Nita’s house when Hoss rode in, Adam had been in touch by telegraph and he knew more or less what the position was. After hugging his wife and quickly bringing them up to date with his news such as it was Hoss decided they could do without him for quarter of an hour. He wanted to see his father and he wanted coffee so promising to be back soon Hoss went on home.

Adam methodically went through every room in Joe’s house and he insisted that firm decisions be made on every outstanding point and he kept detailed notes from which he would draw up work orders for the next week. Joe found it much easier with Adam’s help; his brother told him exactly what the alternatives were and knew what measurements and supplies were needed. Before Joe could have believed it possible they had finished and Adam firmly told him to forget all about the finishing touches, he had them under control. Adam suggested that Joe and Nita stay and begin deciding exactly where carpets were going and where all the things they’d bought were going, commenting dryly that it saved a lot of time and energy later to have some idea. Joe remembering just how chaotic Adam’s own move had been, had to laugh. For a while Adam hadn’t wanted to go and there had been Joe’s wedding and then the first attack by Pardoe putting Adam’s arm out of action, so it hadn’t been well planned.

Adam and Sue had just gone into her house when Hoss rejoined them and Adam had Hoss do the same thing and settle exactly what he wanted. Hoss thought his father looked overtired and hadn’t missed how exhausted his little brother was but he relaxed as Adam explained what he planned for the weekend. Hoss went along willingly and he didn’t really have to assure Adam that he would take the bulk of the work from Joe in town, his elder brother had taken that for granted.

By Sunday afternoon everything was reasonably straight and after two decent night’s sleep Joe was back to normal and even Ben had relaxed, leaving Adam to cope. With only the normal running of the ranch Adam hadn’t been too pushed although he had collected several law books and two legal queries to take back with him, Hoss had managed to arrange for three more wagons to be available and Jess was going to stay in town for the next week and collect together things as they arrived and arrange to dispatch then to the ranch so Joe should be able to cope more easily. Adam had found time to issue detailed orders to finish both houses and they should be completed in three or four days, which gave a couple of days leeway for inevitable hold-ups. Adam had already got virtually all the supplies needed piled in the barns with the wood being cut from their stocks of seasoned timber and ready for delivery the following morning. Joe lazed on the hearthrug leaning back against Nita’s legs just watching his family, so very content. He had been getting so tired and tense, everything in a muddle and yet with help two days had seen a miraculous change, everything now orderly and he could see his way over the next weeks. Joe was very grateful but he knew that he didn’t have to explain that, he had already thanked both his brothers but they had just laughed it off, still they knew how he felt. Nita and Sue were busy making out lists of stores they would need for store cupboards when Adam asked “Have you thought about getting help, like Kam Su?”

Both houses had been designed to provide living quarters for help but neither Hoss nor Joe had actually done anything to find someone. They looked guiltily at each other and Ben, Carole and Adam all burst out laughing, Ben said “Its not that urgent but once the babies arrive both Sue and Nita are going to need some help.”

Joe hadn’t even discussed it with Nita unsure how she felt about the Chinese, remembering her initial reaction to Hop Sing and the disdain her family had shown him. Joe could afford servants easily enough but it wasn’t easy to keep them, especially young females. In the strongly bachelor town of Virginia City, females regardless of age and look were soon married in the woman starved town and Joe had no desire to set up as a marriage mart. Hoss and Sue had already decided to try and find someone like Hop Sing but just hadn’t done anything about it. Nita was the first to speak “Pa’s right. I can cope but I don’t like housework. Why not call Hop Sing in maybe he has a relative or knows someone, he seems to know all of Virginia City and most of San Francisco’s Chinatown as far I can tell,”

Joe grinned delightedly “You wouldn’t mind someone like Hop Sing?”

Nita laughed “Impossible I’m sure he’s unique but Kam Su is sweet too and I’d much rather have a friend of theirs than a succession of girls. I’ve no wish to set up as a marriage bureau for Virginia City. Any girl would be off courting but if we found someone half as loyal and hard working as Hop Sing we’d be very lucky.”

Joe just squeezed her hand; glad she felt the same, very fond of the old Chinaman that he had known all his life. The rest of the family smiled marvelling again at the difference between Nita and her relatives, but the one who was best pleased was Hop Sing himself. He overheard in the kitchen and, grinning happily to himself, began running over again the list of people he liked enough and thought good enough to work for his beloved Cartwrights.

When Hoss called him in Hop Sing had about decided and although he considered the matter carefully as Hoss and Joe asked him he soon proposed two names. One was Kam Su’s younger brother Kam Ling and the other a son of one of his cousins Pak Tsien. He promised to get both men to come out to the ranch and talk it over if they were interested in the jobs. Both were in Virginia City at the moment working, one in a laundry and the other as a carpenter and handyman.

Adam took Carole and the children home after tea and spent an hour having a rough and tumble before reading bedtime stories and packing them off to bed. He spent a quiet evening with Carole, going to bed early and sleeping for three hours before riding back to the west shore. He had promised to return the following weekend and help his brothers move in, they had done a lot for him when he first moved. At least neither of them seemed to have any second thoughts about moving out as he had. He’d half expected Hoss to be torn; knowing how little his big brother liked change but Hoss seemed calm, just excited at having his own home with his lovely wife.

With legal problems to deal with too Adam was pushed over that week but they hadn’t scheduled too much for this first large scale operation and he was well ahead of schedule and even beginning to fit in preliminary surveying for the two flumes he felt were needed. He didn’t get much sleep and was half dozing trusting Blackie to take him home on Friday but he was well satisfied with what he had achieved during the week.

Joe had everything under control and with an easier week Ben looked fitter than he had all year. Hoss had reached home mid-afternoon well up on schedule at the main lumber camp, he had left Johnny in charge until Wednesday. Hoss had also been by the sawmills and checked that everything was running smoothly there. José arrived at about the same time with good reports on the stock position and Joe had been up by the mines the day before. Everywhere their operations seemed to be going smoothly and only minor problems were reported from town. The stock market was very buoyant and all the stock they had decided to sell had been disposed of advantageously. They had huge sums in cash deposited in a number of banks which eventually they would have to decide what to do with but until the Ophir and other speculated stock settled down to a reasonable level Ben was happy to have the bulwark knowing the panic that could ensue.

Ben was pleased that everything was running so smoothly although he knew it couldn’t last. He was surprised just how much help the three girls gave Joe and him to keep the paperwork moving and although there would be problems when the main drive and the contract negotiations in San Francisco had to be covered but for now they had to get his two younger sons moved into their own houses. It would seem odd to have them all up the road in their own houses but it was what he had always dreamt of for them and with the three families so close he would never need to be lonely, content to be alone knowing they were there whenever he needed them and most days he would see someone. Each of his sons and daughters had asked him if he wanted them to stay a little longer, perhaps Hoss and been the hardest to convince that he was fine on his own with Hop Sing to keep an eye on him. Carole had offered to come over or to have Ben over to stay for a while but Ben was insistent that it wasn’t necessary and he looked so much better he had reassured all of them. He wasn’t seriously worried so it wasn’t too difficult to do.

They all worked hard for the two days over the weekend. Hop Sing’s suggestions for jobs had proved remarkably successful. As soon as the two men appeared Sue had got talking to Kam Ling while the slightly younger Pak Tsien was obviously very taken by Nita’s blond beauty and the whole thing was settled in minutes. Hoss wasn’t around but Sue had his agreement to arrange things, after all she would be the one at home who would see most of whoever they hired. Both Chinese were delighted at the chance, knowing from Hop Sing and Kam Su how much they liked their jobs and knowing the prestige the jobs carried in town. Joe made it clear that if they wanted to marry later there was plenty of room and no obstacles would be put in their way. The Chinese used to working for very low pay at jobs not acceptable to the rest were taken aback by the generosity of the offer as Hoss and Joe were offering the same pay the hands got and all being well it would improve,

The two men came out on Saturday to help their respective families and were introduced to the rest of the family including the children, At first they were very formal but after a day of moving furniture, hanging curtains and trying to sort things out they began to realise that in this job they would be accepted by the whole family, Kam Su was helping out while Hop Sing looked after the children. Seeing how his brother was accepted and at ease with the brothers, Kam Ling slowly relaxed doing his best to help, demonstrate his willingness.

Eventually leaving the two Chinese in sole charge the family collapsed round the fire at the main house and Adam summed it up “You’ll never be straight for next Saturday but it won’t be from lack of trying by that pair. Look like being as great an addition to the ranch as Kam Su and Hop Sing, Mind you give them a month and from experience it’ll be a moot point who is boss,”

Hoss laughed, “Hop Sing sure is and I’ve seem Kam Su getting his own way,”

“It happens.” Adam agreed, “They’re good friends do anything for us we are very lucky.”

Nita smiled, “You make your own luck just because you treat them as friends, they respond in kind. Such a simple thing and yet so few people learn it.”

Adam wasn’t sorry to retreat to the west shore and leave the rest to sort out the chaos. It meant Ben doing a little more but he was feeling fine and Adam had had a long chat with his father and knew he was honestly pleased at Joe and Hoss having their own homes. Carole was doing what she could to help out, hemming curtains, arranging for stores to be collected and providing oddments that were needed but slowly things were getting straight.

On the Monday Joe and Nita actually moved in to sleep although Sue was staying at the main house until Hoss got back on Thursday. They had a joint housewarming party arranged with an outdoor barbecue between the houses over a hundred people coming on Saturday. Carole took charge of most of the preparations for that gathering, getting very adequate help from all four Chinese, the two newcomers seemingly as good at cooking as Hop Sing. They were gradually finding their feet and working hard to get the houses fit to show off. Nearly everything that had been ordered had arrived although Joe had been to town twice for wagon loads of supplies and still had to get Jess to go in most days.

Like Adam and Carole they had all left enough in their rooms at the main house to be able to go to bed and stay unhesitatingly if the circumstances arose but slowly the new houses began to look lived in. Carole liked having them close and the twins were delighted running in and out of all three houses under everyone’s feet as they tried to help. Hoss came home and helped Sue move in, amazed at just how much had already been done and by the time Adam rode in Friday evening everything was neat and tidy although one room in each house was locked to hide the unsorted mess and the barns were still in chaos. Carole even had most of the food, and drinks organised, the tables and chairs ready for the party and the weather was very cooperative.

Adam freely praised the work they had all done and didn’t hide his delight at escaping it. Certainly the new houses looked magnificent. Hoss’ house was two stories high with an open veranda on three sides, a covered way to the barn at the rear, the main house similar in many ways to Adam’s. Joe’s house was closer to the sort of house found in San Francisco but less ornate, Joe only had a porch out the front but it was built over three stories, the top story a cupola with views in every direction which acted as Joe’s study. The general proportions of all three houses were very similar and that made them fit together. Like his brother Joe had a covered way out the back to the barn, Adam had found just how effective that was over the last few winters. The house was orientated parallel to his eldest brother’s, both looking up to the mountains. The furnishings showed them off beautifully, brought up together the three brothers had similar tastes and on the whole liked simplicity which seemed to fit in with the grandeur of the land, Nita and Sue had gone along, Sue was too big to like anything fussy and Nita was fed up with the ornateness of her old home. Even so they were rather surprised at just how effectively the furnishings fitted with the designs Adam had built for them.

Adam wanted to go and check the current position with his father and as all four began to try and thank him for the superb job he had made of the houses he edged away embarrassed and headed on home. Carole grinned as he disappeared “We are going to have to do some quietening down tomorrow or Adam will disappear for the duration.”

“He’s earnt every bit of praise he gets.” Sue insisted.

Carole nodded, "I know but he’s had all he wants, you four are pleased that’s all that matters to him. He gets embarrassed so just ward it off a bit or he’ll lock himself in his study.”

Joe and Hoss knew Carole was right and promised to help her. They both had every intention of telling Adam just how delighted they were now that they had had a chance to live in his designs. Find out how practical they were apart from being aesthetically pleasing but they would wait until they were alone.

Adam knew the fuss there was going to be and he never knew quite what to say especially to those whose opinion he couldn’t care less for, who often gushed impossibly. He would be glad once the house warming party was over but there was no way to avoid it. He knew once the first hour or so was over things would settle down and he would enjoy it too. He wanted to keep busy and spent the morning updating some contract queries and handling the routine work, insisting that his father took it easy, Ben teased him about avoiding the preparations but he knew perfectly well why Adam wanted to bury himself in work.

Everything was ready and Ben was making the punch as Hop Sing brought in sandwiches for lunch the others slowly drifting in to join them. People were due at four and after lunch they all headed for their own homes to ensure they were tidy and the men ready to handle horses and buggies before they went of to get dressed themselves. Carole got the children ready and left Adam to try and keep them tidy while she went to get changed.

For once all three were playing quietly drawing and colouring so Adam lazed back in his chair watching them. Joe came in and poured himself some coffee and then settled in the chair next to Adam, looking very smart in a dark suit and white frilly dress shirt with ribbon tie. Adam caught his brother’s eye and Joe smiled “Okay I know you’re gonna be embarrassed enough over the next few hours we’ll try and protect you. I won’t add to it now as long as you know how thrilled Nita and I are, even better than the plans appeared. Thank you big brother.”

Joe didn’t bother saying any more, knowing it wasn’t necessary, but for once almost formal he offered his hand. Adam took it and gripped it hard for a moment, completely incapable of finding any words for once. Joe grinned broadly and changed the subject back to the children’s antics and Marie pulled herself up onto her father’s lap, giving him a chance to regain control.

Sue was the next to threaten his control taking the chance to try and thank him as everyone else was busy with the final arrangements. Seeing Adam colour as she tried to put into words how pleased she was. Sue gave up and just gave him a hug instead. Adam titled her face up to him and kissed her, “That say it all Sue, all I ever wanted, you and Hoss happy.”

Sue kissed him and then as the first buggies appeared she broke away to join her big husband. Adam tried to remain in the background but everyone knew he had designed the houses and were taken aback to find them so different from each other and from his own. Those who knew him best, like Dan and Roy, kept it simple just the self-evident truth that he had done a superb job again, but too many went into raptures. Adam refused to get involved in showing people around, leaving his brothers to cope with the helpful assistance of the twins. He concentrated on handing out drinks, fortifying himself with a large brandy and passing most of the congratulations off with a smile, deliberately busy. Ben came over eventually to rescue his son as one woman was being particularly effusive and Adam didn’t know what to say. Ben sent Adam off to see to Marie who had fallen over and was crying. Adam took the chance to hide in one of the bedrooms for a few minutes and regain control.

Slowly people calmed down and let him be and Adam emerged from the protective cordon of close friends where he had taken refuge, warning them that he didn’t want to hear a word about houses. As they settled to the excellent food and drink provided Adam was able to relax and enjoy himself. Ben had arranged for some men to ensure an area between the houses was flat enough for dancing and once they had finished eating, a cold buffet and drinks were set up and a small band began to play. All the hands were invited to join then and things were going well when Adam noticed his father slip away, Ben took refuge in his eldest son’s study, slightly tired but basically he was missing Beth, His partner at so many parties on the Ponderosa and he knew she would have loved this one. For a few minutes he wanted to get away rather melancholy if not exactly sad. He wasn’t surprised to see his eldest son come in, “Are you okay Pa?”

“Fine, just wanted a few minutes peace.”

“I’ll go if you want.”

“No need, pour me a brandy please.”

Adam did as he was asked “Lonely in that big house now?”

Ben smiled “No, its right, what I always wanted. You only have to look at Joe and Hoss to know its right. You’ve done your brothers proud son and I can’t remember a time when they both looked so happy.”

Adam frowned knowing his father so well, it wasn’t an act Ben wasn’t worried at Hoss and Joe moving out but there was something, sombreness in his father’s eyes. Ben smiled “Beth would have enjoyed it today.”

Adam relaxed as he realised what was wrong, “Missing her, Pa?”

“Inevitably Adam, I’m alright very happy for the four of them, I just needed a break for a few minutes. Join me in a brandy, you may need it.”

Adam poured himself one but looked quizzically at his father “Why?”

“Dan is proposing a toast to them, long life and happiness, you know the sort of thing and Hoss is going to reply. I don’t think you will get away scot free.”

Adam downed the brandy, “At least there are dark shadows, and I can hide! Come on I might as well check the brats while I’m here.” All three were sleeping peacefully and as Adam came downstairs his father was waiting and resting his arm gently on his son’s broad shoulders they returned to the party together. Ben was relaxed with Adam there. Dan and Roy were busy organising everyone ensuring they all had drinks and then Dan called for silence and proposed a toast to Sue and Hoss, Nita and Joe, long life and happiness in their lovely new houses.

Everyone joined willingly in that and then Hoss stepped forward “Many thanks to all of you, for coming out and joining us to celebrate our start in our new homes and to all those who have helped us to get ‘em straight enough to live in, especially the rest of the family. We’d also like to say a very special thanks to the designer. Lots of you have expressed surprise at how different unusual and elegant our houses are, Joe and I weren’t surprised we know our clever older brother, many thanks Adam. Now lets get the dancing going again the night’s still young.”

Nita had gone over to Adam and she kissed him, “I’m sure Joe has said it better than I could but thank you.” Adam smiled and whirled her onto the floor, glad of something to do.”

Several hours later Hoss managed to catch hold of his brother, “Sorry if I embarrassed you brother but it needed saying. You know how we all feel.”

“I know Hoss and I’ve been repaid a million time over, just need to see the contentment in your eyes and Joe’s. Sue and Nita too. It’s good to have you so close at hand.”

Hoss hugged his brother close to him for a moment, maybe nothing more would ever be said but Adam had been amply repaid for the long hours of work and his family knew it. It might seem insufficient but it was all he wanted. Eventually people began to drift home and Adam bullied his father into going to bed, he looked tired, although nowhere near as bad as his sons had feared, steadily rebuilding his stamina now. Hoss and Joe were the hosts for this party and there was no reason that Ben shouldn’t seek his bed. Carole soon followed suit but Adam organized some clearing up until everyone had gone, before retreating to bed himself.

Joe wasn’t sleepy and as the others weren’t either the four of them gathered in the small study with the fantastic views that Joe had wanted, even the stars were clear from the cupola and they were warm and snug as they reminisced over a nightcap. All had enjoyed themselves and if Adam had felt awkward he had earnt the praise. They were very proud of their new homes that Adam had designed and equally of him. Joe hugged Nita close, remembering how she had seemed to hate Adam initially and now she was as proud of his brother as he was and even more outspoken. Hoss hadn’t missed it either and although long reconciled to his little brother’s second marriage, indeed before the wedding, he finally admitted that it looked like being as successful as Joe’s first and he prayed much longer lasting. Eventually they had to go to bed, loathe as they were to end a perfect day, but it was a nice thought that going home only meant Hoss and Sue walking for a couple of minutes along an already well trodden path.

The following day was spent tidying up and relaxing, work was generally under control and after lunch while Hoss played with the children his father and brothers gathered in Adam’s study to, plan for the coming weeks, Joe was beginning to feel guilty, he had spent most of his time at home, busy admittedly but able to join his wife in bed each night, while Adam was rarely there, He wanted to know if Adam wanted to swap for a while he could cope with the west shore and Adam stay home. Joe had checked with Nita and she was fit and well and not bothered by the suggestion. Adam was lazing back in his chair at the desk, sipping a brandy and he grinned at his little brother as Joe put forward the various reasons for swapping but there was little urgently needing Adam’s attention and so Joe was rather pushed to find reasons. The real one that he felt it was time Adam had a rest at home with his family remained unspoken although recognized by all three, Adam wanted to finish the preliminary surveys for the two flumes and although touched by his little brother’s concern he wouldn’t take up his offer. Carole seemed fit, sure that she had another daughter. She was confident that things would go well as it had with the twins and Marie, hiding the odd twinges she felt at times, so Adam wasn’t particularly worried. Joe was remarkably calm better than any of his family had expected but Adam for one was sure that a large part of it was due to Nita. Like Carole and Sue she was blooming, more beautiful now that she was pregnant than she had ever been. She was so very well that Joe couldn’t help believing everything was going to be alright but Adam felt if Nita wasn’t around Joe might be unable to hold onto that belief. He knew just how much he personally relied on Carole’s certainty, but he had the living proof that she could survive childbirth in his children and most of the time he could push his fears away even when she wasn’t there.

Ben wasn’t surprised when Adam thanked his brother for the offer but turned him down, saying that he wanted to finish the surveys so that they could build flumes the following year. Ben hadn’t even realised Adam was surveying although they had decided that flumes would be useful at some stage. Ben was pleased at anything which improved his land and the flumes had proved how effective they were, but these so far away would be logistically difficult. Adam grinned “Not pushing anyone Pa but at some stage we’ll need them and the measurements aren’t going to change, not too pushed. We didn’t schedule that much and we haven’t added in any unexpected contracts this year for once.”

“Fine as long as you can do it without going short of sleep.”

“Sure, we are getting some good foremen now, just hope we can hang onto them.”

“Delegating? You?” said Joe in disbelief.

Adam laughed “To those who’ve proved themselves! We’ve always trusted José and now Jess and Johnny, but with Stevens helping out on the stock side I can now name four men who’ll keep things going at the lumber camp. They all show a fair amount of initiative and a couple more who at a pinch can take charge”

Joe frowned, “Santeé, Wilson and Seton, who else?”

“Peter Curtis he’s built these houses, all good men and Jackson or Sven Christiansund both gained confidence after that Indian raid.”

Ben nodded, “Your brother is right Joseph. Trust men and give them some responsibility and some flourish. We are beginning to find out which ones.”

“Hope they stay.” Adam went on and Ben shrugged, “Just carry on as we have with José and Jack Catfish, give them the responsibility and pay them for the job and with luck they will.”

Joe brought his brother back to the point at issue, “You sure you don’t wanna swap just for a couple of weeks?”

“What’s the matter Joe getting restless?”

Joe shrugged, with trips to the sawmill, mine and herd as well as town he didn’t mind the paperwork with the extra help his father was now giving him and the girls. Adam could see Joe was only worried for him and just insisted he’d carry on. For the moment there wasn’t any particular problem, someone would have to go to San Francisco for contract negotiations in the middle of August but that was a month off yet. Ben was hoping that he would be well enough to persuade his sons that he could manage that task himself. The drive wasn’t due out for nearly two months and with the rapid progress at both lumber camps hopefully they would have completed all their lumber commitments before the herd was ready. For once they had plenty of labour and weren’t too stretched. Adam was intending coming back once a fortnight for the next month and hoped to be well on the way to completion by then. In a month they could decide how to handle the rest of the year. Hoss was at least able to get back each weekend but with the telegraph they were all in daily contact. Carole was used to seeing little of her husband during the summer and wasn’t too worried and with their own houses Sue and Nita could keep busy.

During the evening Adam had a long discussion with his father going over their financial position, They had retrenched considerably, selling a lot of stock, all at very good prices and Adam was surprised just how much money they had sitting in banks but he agreed with his father that they ought to lave it for the moment. At some stage the Ophir stock had to collapse, it was sitting at $278 at the moment and not worth a tenth of it. It was all too likely to take the rest of the market with it; several mines were at inflated prices in their opinion. For now all they could do was sit and wait, holding onto the stock in the mines they were interested in and in a few cases a token holding to entitle them to a say and copies of the various reports to stock holders.

The next fortnight went past smoothly reasonable successful on all fronts. Adam dumped all the figures he needed for one flume on his desk, pleased to have got that far. It was late on the Friday when he got back but once Carole had reassured him everyone was fine and everything on schedule he was able to relax. As he did so he showed just how tired he was, he’d been pushing hard for a fortnight but he was content, feeling he’d achieved a lot and he pulled Carole close and forgetting work and his family he was only interested in her and the children. He spent an hour after breakfast playing with them before going over to join his father at the main house. He felt much better for a good night’s sleep and the prospect of a lazy weekend with his family.

Ben insisted that he and Joe had everything under control and after very briefly updating his son he firmly put all the papers away, Ben felt much more his old self, able to do a reasonable day’s work without feeling more than pleasantly tired. He tried to reassure Adam but it wasn’t until he had Joe’s confirmation that Adam really believed it. He knew his father was quite capable of putting on an act but Joe had been working closely with him and Ben couldn’t keep up an act all the time. There was one outstanding legal query but Adam insisted that would be a matter of an hour at most, otherwise things were running too smoothly to last.

Joe had been to town the previous day and over coffee he brought both his brothers up to date on the successful running of both the pipeline and the Bank. Already a number of prominent citizens had broken away from the Bank of California to join the new Bank of Nevada. There was to be a major meeting early the next week at which Ben and Joe would be representing their interests, Joe hesitated, “Do you want to go Adam, I could take over on the west shore?”

Adam grinned “I think I’ll trust you and Pa. Now Tony Canmore is acting as the Bank’s lawyer I’m not too worried. He’s forgotten more financial and bank law than I’ve ever known and he won’t miss a trick. If I go along I’ll only get landed with something.”

Joe had to admit the likelihood of that, the four Irishmen had taken Adam’s suggestion of getting Canmore and accepted that he could be trusted but it would take a while for them to rely on him as they had become accustomed to relying on Adam. Then Joe changed the subject, he’d picked up one item of news in town, although it hardly came as a surprise. Sharon had finally been confirmed as Nevada’s senator. The State legislator had voted two days earlier and for better or worse, from November for two years, Sharon would represent them. They all shared similar views on the subject and there was little to discuss although Adam did suggest that they ought to keep a closer eye on the market. Even there Joe had been thinking along similar lines and had arranged for daily bulletins to be sent out and immediate news of any exceptional activity. John Marye was very willing to cooperate with such excellent clients. Adam wasn’t surprised to find Joe thinking along similar lines and apart from asking to be kept informed, let the subject drop.

That evening Nita was entertaining the whole family and on the Sunday Sue took over. Both Adam and his father were quietly amused at the pride with which both pairs showed off their houses and wedding presents, but it made a very pleasant weekend and Adam rode back to the west shore late on Sunday totally relaxed and pleased with life he wasn’t coming back for a fortnight but everything was running smoothly, almost too smoothly as he’d commented to his father, it couldn’t last!

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